The rise in human population necessitates the use of all available tools to enhance wheat productivity. In this regard, pre-breeding has mobilized novel underutilized genetic variation into breeding programs. However, this germplasm needs to be characterized for its efficient utilization. This investigation was initiated to evaluate the early and late sown wheat pre-breeding germplasm for physiology- and yield-related traits and to associate the mapped SNPs using association mapping approach. Our results indicate that the germplasm performed better in early sowing in comparison to late planting where grain yield (Yd) was found positively correlated with water use efficiency (WUE), heading time, and chlorophyll contents (Chl). We discovered a total of 210 associations involving 155 SNPs. Taking into consideration either early or late sowing and the mean values, only 12 marker traits were associated with trait germination, plant height, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, Chl, carotenoids, and Yd. Our correlations and mapping results indicate that higher WUE along with Chl can be targeted as indirect physiological markers to enhance wheat yield.

人口的增长需要使用所有可用的工具来提高小麦生产力。在这方面，预育种已将新的未充分利用的遗传变异纳入育种计划。然而，需要对该种质进行表征以使其有效利用。本研究的目的是评估早播和晚播小麦预育种质的生理学和产量相关性状，并使用关联作图方法关联映射的 SNP。我们的结果表明，与晚播相比，早播的种质表现更好，晚播的籽粒产量（Yd）与水分利用效率（WUE）、抽穗时间和叶绿素含量（Chl）呈正相关。我们总共发现了 210 个关联，涉及 155 个 SNP。考虑到早播或晚播以及平均值，只有 12 个标记性状与发芽率、株高、气孔导度、蒸腾速率、叶绿素、类胡萝卜素和 Yd 相关。我们的相关性和绘图结果表明，较高的 WUE 和 Chl 可以作为间接生理标记来提高小麦产量。