Corresponding Author* ali.sher@mnsuam.edu.pk

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a staple crop in Asia and is crucial in nourishing humanity. Regarding food security. The changing climate and diminishing water sources require the use of scarce natural water supplies, such as air moisture, for irrigation. Wheat production is threatened by climate variability and extreme climate events, particularly heat waves and drought.

Several studies have been conducted on the self-irrigating properties of the wheat plant. This study aimed to find the SNPs associated with novel leaf traits (NLTs) in wheat. This would help in the selection of self-irrigating wheat plants by optimizing leaf architecture and surface properties for precise self-irrigation. Wheat germplasm of 220 genotypes was characterized for Novel Leaf Traits i.e. leaf angle, leaf rolling, grove type, and prickle hairs.

The analysis of variance depicted significant difference among the genotypes for the NLTs. GWAS was conducted to find the SNPs linked with Novel Leaf Traits to mitigate the water shortage problem. Based on the 37K wheat SNP assay, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified 50 stable and significantly associated SNPs for the above mentioned traits. The SNPs were found on chromosome 2A, 2B, 3A, 4B, 5A, 2D and 7A. Most of the SNPs were found on chromosome 2B.

This study establishes the theoretical foundation for future research into the genetic mechanisms underlying wheat novel leaf traits and the efficient breeding of varieties with desired plant architecture through Genomic selection.

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