QTL Mapping and RNA-Seq Revealed Loci and Candidate Genes Associated with Cold Tolerance of Wheat Root at Seedling Stage

Liu, Xuanshang; Si, Chenyan; Xi, Jingwei; Qiao, Ling; Zheng, Xingwei; Zhao, Jiajia

doi:10.3390/genes17040447

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QTL Mapping and RNA-Seq Revealed Loci and Candidate Genes Associated with Cold Tolerance of Wheat Root at Seedling Stage

by

Xuanshang Liu

^1,2,

Chenyan Si

^1,2,

Jingwei Xi

^1,2,

Ling Qiao

²,

Xingwei Zheng

² and

Jiajia Zhao

^2,*

¹

College of Agriculture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030800, China

²

Institute of Wheat Research, Shanxi Agricultural University, Linfen 041000, China

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Genes 2026, 17(4), 447; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17040447

Submission received: 17 March 2026 / Revised: 8 April 2026 / Accepted: 10 April 2026 / Published: 13 April 2026

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genomics and Breeding of Wheat)

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Abstract

Objectives: Low-temperature stress has become a key factor severely restricting seedling growth in wheat, highlighting the growing importance of research on low-temperature tolerance in wheat. Most previous studies focused on the aboveground organs, and only a minority specifically targeted the roots. Methods: In this study, a recombinant inbred line population derived from a cross between DH118 and Jinmai 919 was used to dissect the genetic regulatory mechanism underlying root growth and development in wheat seedlings under low-temperature conditions. Results: A total of 9 QTLs associated with low-temperature tolerance coefficient were identified; among them, QCi.saw-2B and QCi.saw-5B were validated to be significantly associated with cold tolerance in a natural population including 289 wheat accessions. Moreover, 13 candidate genes from QTL intervals regulating root growth and development under low-temperature stress were further identified based on RNA sequencing. Conclusions: These results provide a foundation for further exploring the regulatory mechanism of root growth and development in wheat under low-temperature stress.

Keywords: wheat; seedling stage; cold tolerance index; QTL mapping

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MDPI and ACS Style

Liu, X.; Si, C.; Xi, J.; Qiao, L.; Zheng, X.; Zhao, J. QTL Mapping and RNA-Seq Revealed Loci and Candidate Genes Associated with Cold Tolerance of Wheat Root at Seedling Stage. Genes 2026, 17, 447. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17040447

AMA Style

Liu X, Si C, Xi J, Qiao L, Zheng X, Zhao J. QTL Mapping and RNA-Seq Revealed Loci and Candidate Genes Associated with Cold Tolerance of Wheat Root at Seedling Stage. Genes. 2026; 17(4):447. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17040447

Chicago/Turabian Style

Liu, Xuanshang, Chenyan Si, Jingwei Xi, Ling Qiao, Xingwei Zheng, and Jiajia Zhao. 2026. "QTL Mapping and RNA-Seq Revealed Loci and Candidate Genes Associated with Cold Tolerance of Wheat Root at Seedling Stage" Genes 17, no. 4: 447. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17040447

APA Style

Liu, X., Si, C., Xi, J., Qiao, L., Zheng, X., & Zhao, J. (2026). QTL Mapping and RNA-Seq Revealed Loci and Candidate Genes Associated with Cold Tolerance of Wheat Root at Seedling Stage. Genes, 17(4), 447. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17040447

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QTL Mapping and RNA-Seq Revealed Loci and Candidate Genes Associated with Cold Tolerance of Wheat Root at Seedling Stage

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