Major quantitative trait loci for flowering time in lentil

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for flowering time (FT) in lentil were located using a recombinant inbreed line population derived from an intraspecific cross of Precoz × WA8649041. Experiments for FT were conducted in 2 locations (Haymana, Turkey and Pullman, WA, USA) for 5 years (from 1998 to 2002 in both Pullman and Haymana). A linkage map was constructed using 149 markers (RAPD, AFLP, ISSR, SSR, and 2 morphological markers) located on 11 linkage groups (LGs). Analysis of variance of FT was found to be significant for all locations and years. One major QTL for FT was identified on LG6 across all environments, indicating the stability of the QTL. The LOD scores for FT varied between 3.25 and 13.64 among the environments. The markers UBC318_2, SSR212_1, UBC220, M09a, and M09 on the QTL region were statistically significant in all environments. The SSR212_1 marker itself explained 57% of total genotypic variation according to the average of all environments, indicating the potential use of these markers in marker-assisted selection studies.