17 S. Ashraf A. Shahzad F. Karamat M. Iqbal G. M. Ali Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences JAPS 20152015/04/01 25 2 539-545 1018-7081 NA <p>Drought is a major limiting factor affecting productivity. Wheat is a major crop and staple food in Pakistan. Genetic linkage map construction based on linked DNA markers spanning whole wheat genome and subsequently QTL mapping for drought tolerance is a way forward to enhance breeder&rsquo;s ability for effective selection. An F8 population derived from the cross of OPATA x SH-349 has been used. An experiment was conducted at germination stage under controlled conditions. The drought was induced by15% PEG nutrient solution in acid washed sand medium. Microsatellite DNA markers data were used for linkage maps construction. Morphological data under drought and non-stressed conditions along with linkage maps data were used for QTL mapping. The results of QTL analysis using single marker analysis showed 14 SSR markers &nbsp;linked to QTLs for five traits in both drought and control condition. Using simple interval mapping and composite interval mapping 12 QTLs for different traits of interest were found.<a id="_Toc314516326" name="_Toc314516326"></a> Implications of found QTLs and linked markers are discussed.</p> Drought, SSR, PCR, QTL mapping, wheat Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum https://thejaps.org.pk/AbstractView.aspx?mid=2015-JAPS-73