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Quantitative trait loci controlling water use efficiency and related traits in Quercus robur L.

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Abstract

Genetic variation for intrinsic water use efficiency (W i) and related traits was estimated in a full-sib family of Quercus robur L. over 3 years. The genetic linkage map available for this F1 family was used to locate quantitative trait loci (QTL) for W i, as estimated by leaf carbon stable isotope composition (δ 13C) or the ratio of net CO2 assimilation rate (A) to stomatal conductance to water vapour (g w) and related leaf traits. Gas exchange measurements were used to standardize estimates of A and g w and to model the sensitivity of g w to leaf-to-air vapour pressure deficit (sgVPD). δ 13C varied by more than 3‰ among the siblings, which is equivalent to 40% variation of W i. Most of the studied traits exhibited high clonal mean repeatabilities (>50%; proportion of clonal mean variability in global variance). Repeatabilities for δ 13C, leaf mass per area (LMA) and leaf nitrogen content were higher than 70%. For δ 13C, ten QTLs were detected, one of which was detected repeatedly for all 3 years and consistently explained more than 20% of measured variance. Four genomic regions were found in which co-localizing traits linked variation in W i to variations in leaf chlorophyll and nitrogen content, LMA and sgVPD. A positive correlation using clonal means between δ 13C and A/g w, as well as a co-localisation of QTL detected for both traits, can be seen as validation of the theoretical model linking the genetic architecture of these two traits.

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Acknowledgements

This work was part of the European Union Project “Oakflow” (QLK5-2000-00960).

We would like to thank E. Bertocci for the preparation of the rooted cuttings, B. Clerc, F. Wilm for their help with the gas exchange measurements, R. Burlett, C. Bader and A. Berthélémy for measurements on the leaf samples, B. Benoit for the estimates of stomatal density and C. Brechet for isotopic measurements. We would also like to express our gratitude to A. Korol for regular advice in the use of MultiQTL, E. Dreyer for advice in the preparation of the manuscript and L.L Handley-Raven for English corrections. Climate data were provided by the INRA Arboriculture Research Unit “Tour de la Rance”.

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Correspondence to Oliver Brendel.

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Communicated by M. Morgante

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Brendel, O., Le Thiec, D., Scotti-Saintagne, C. et al. Quantitative trait loci controlling water use efficiency and related traits in Quercus robur L.. Tree Genetics & Genomes 4, 263–278 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11295-007-0107-z

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