Carbon isotope discrimination (△13C) is considered a useful indicator for indirect selection of grain yield (GY) in cereals.Therefore,it is important to evaluate the genetic variation in △13C and its relationship with GY.A doubled haploid (DH) population derived from a cross of two common wheat varieties,Hanxuan 10 (H10) and Lumai 14 (L14),was phenotyped for △13C in the flag leaf,GY and yield associated traits in two trials contrasted by water availability,specifically,rain-fed and irrigated.Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified by single locus and two locus QTL analyses.QTLs for △13C were located on chromosomes 1A,2B,3B,5A,7A and 7B,and QTLs for other traits on all chromosomes except 1A,4D,5A,5B and 6D.The population selected for high △13C had an increased frequency of QTL for high △13C,GY and number of spikes per plant (NSP) when grown under rain-fed conditions and only for high △13C and NSP when grown under irrigated conditions,which was consistent with agronomic performance of the corresponding trait values in the high △13C progeny; that is,significantly greater than that in the low △13C.Therefore,selection for △13C was beneficial in increasing grain yield in rain-fed environments.