In-depth genetic analysis reveals conditioning of polyphenol oxidase activity in wheat grains by cis regulation of TaPPO2A-1 expression level.

Time-dependent darkening and discoloration of wheat product caused by high polyphenol oxidase enzymes (PPO) activity is the most undesirable character in wheat processing industry. We performed GWAS of PPO activity in wheat grains utilizing an association panel and identified 22 significant SNPs. The most significant GWAS peak on chromosome 2A was verified by QTL analysis of PPO activity.