PONE-D-22-20157QTL mapping of seedling and field resistance to stem rust in DAKIYE/Reichenbachii durum wheat populationPLOS ONE

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Reviewers' comments:

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: This manuscript by Megerssa et al. describes the QTLs of stem rust resistance in durum wheat genotypes using SNP genotyping. The results showed the resistant genotype Reichenbachii could carry three QTLs on different chromosomes. None of the QTL identified except the 3B QTL were consistent for the races evaluated and across environments. Overall, this paper is a useful resource for wheat stem rust research.

The comments are as follows:

1. If possible I suggest an additional cytological study is needed to clarify the potential chromosomal rearrangement in the present study.

2. Plenty of figs and tables are present in the main text, I suggest to move some of them less important to the supplementary online materials

3. Abstract: Introductory remark, the objectives of the study & methodology need elaboration.

4. L30 ETMS19 and KNMS19 represent the environments not races. This statement will confuse the authors.

5. In the methodology part, the reasons for using races JRCQC and TTRTF to conduct testing should be mentioned.

6. L89 The full name for GID?

7. L100 the conditions (e.g. temperature, humidity, light ) in the greenhouse should present.

8. L116-117, briefly describe the Stakman infection types (ITs), and the reasons to linearize the 0-4 scale to a 0 -9 scale

9. L124 what a plot stand for, it is not clear

10. L199-200 it is not clear?

11. Line 281 30MSMR?

12. Some recent publications should be cited in the MS; the format of reference needs improvement.

Reviewer #2: This manuscript by Megerssa et al. describes QTL mapping of seedling and field resistance to stem rust in DAKIYE/Reichenbachii durum wheat population. They identify three QTL on chromosomes 3B, 4B and 7B that were contributed by the resistant parent Reichenbachii. The results are of interest and relevance to the readership of PLoS One, the experiments are sound and the manuscript is generally well written.

There are several concerns which need to be addressed before the manuscript can be published.

1. I concerned about the quantity / density of available markers used in the current study. The marker density used here is relatively low. It is strange for me that there are many blank regions without markers on many chromosomes (figure 6), and no markers on chromosome 7A.

2. The positions of QTL QSr.cnl-3B mentioned in line332, line354, and Line434 are the peak positions of QSr.cnl-3B, but not the interval (between two borders). The real interval of QTL QSr.cnl-3B could be larger, but not 64-67 cM mentioned in line 434.

3. “Data not shown” appear several times in the text. It would be better to provide the data, such as the data about “the QTL and environment interaction” (line 377). Or delete a description like this.

4. The figures can be rearranged (too many figures): combined some of them or move to supplementary. In figure 9, chromosomes 1B , 6A was not mentioned in the text, delete?

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

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QTL mapping of seedling and field resistance to stem rust in DAKIYE/Reichenbachii durum wheat population

PONE-D-22-20157R1

Dear Dr.  Megerssa,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Dengcai Liu, PhD

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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