Allelic variation and composition of HMW-GS in advanced lines derived from d-genome synthetic hexaploid / bread wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.)

The objective of this study was to identify allelic variations at Glu-1 loci of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) advanced lines derived from hybridization of bread wheat and synthetic hexaploid wheats (2n = 6x = 42; AABBDD). Locally adapted wheat genotypes were crossed with synthetic hexaploid wheats. From the 134 different cross combinations made, 202 F₈ advanced lines were selected and their HMW-GS composition was studied using SDS-PAGE. In total, 24 allelic variants and 68 HMW-GS combinations were observed at Glu-A1, Glu-B1, and Glu-D1 loci. In bread wheat, the Glu-D1 locus is usually characterized by subunits 1Dx2+1Dy12 and 1Dx5+1Dy10 with the latter having a stronger effect on bread-making quality. The subunit 1Dx5+1Dy10 was predominantly observed in these advanced lines. The inferior subunit 1Dx2+1Dy12, predominant in adapted wheat germplasm showed a comparative low frequency in the derived advanced breeding lines. Its successful replacement is due to the other better allelic variants at the Glu-D1 locus inherited in these synthetic hexaploid wheats from Aegilops tauschii (2n = 2x = 14; DD).     

黄河中游粗山羊草三种y-型高分子量谷蛋白亚基的鉴定、克隆及系统进化分析

粗山羊草(Aegilops tauschii, 2n = 2x = 14, DD)是六倍体普通小麦的祖先之一,其高分子量谷蛋白亚基(HMW-GS)变异类型丰富,是小麦品质改良的重要基因资源。利用十二烷基硫酸钠聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)分析了黄河中游地区161份粗山羊草的HMW-GS,发现3种编码序列未知的y-型亚基,即Dy10.5^t、Dy10.4^t和Dy10.5^*t亚基。通过AS-PCR扩增、克隆、测序和氨基酸序列推导,发现3种未知序列均具有典型HMW-GS的序列结构特征且较为相似,仅Dy10.4^t与Dy10.5^t亚基存在一个氨基酸重复单元的缺失,Dy10.5^t与Dy10.5^*t亚基在信号肽部位有一个氨基酸的替换(L-F)。通过对这3种HMW-GS与32个已知氨基酸序列的HMW-GS多序列比对和系统进化关系分析,证实Dy10.5^t、Dy10.4^t和Dy10.5^*t 3个亚基是D基因组编码的高分子量谷蛋白y-型亚基家族的新成员。     

黄河中游粗山羊草三种y-型高分子量谷蛋白亚基的鉴定、克隆及系统进化分析

粗山羊草(Aegilops tauschii, 2n = 2x = 14, DD)是六倍体普通小麦的祖先之一,其高分子量谷蛋白亚基(HMW-GS)变异类型丰富,是小麦品质改良的重要基因资源。利用十二烷基硫酸钠聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)分析了黄河中游地区161份粗山羊草的HMW-GS,发现3种编码序列未知的y-型亚基,即Dy10.5^t、Dy10.4^t和Dy10.5^*t亚基。通过AS-PCR扩增、克隆、测序和氨基酸序列推导,发现3种未知序列均具有典型HMW-GS的序列结构特征且较为相似,仅Dy10.4^t与Dy10.5^t亚基存在一个氨基酸重复单元的缺失,Dy10.5^t与Dy10.5^*t亚基在信号肽部位有一个氨基酸的替换(L-F)。通过对这3种HMW-GS与32个已知氨基酸序列的HMW-GS多序列比对和系统进化关系分析,证实Dy10.5^t、Dy10.4^t和Dy10.5^*t 3个亚基是D基因组编码的高分子量谷蛋白y-型亚基家族的新成员。     

小麦品系2004s-47的1Dx基因的克隆与序列分析

明确 2004s-47品系 1Dx基因的序列,为寻找新的优质 HMW-GS类型、实现小麦品质的改良及育种提供理论依据。应用 SDS-PAGE对 2004s-47品系中 HMW-GS的亚基组成进行分析,用 PCR技术克隆1Dx亚基基因并用 DNAMAN软件进行序列分析。结果从 2004s-47品系中扩增出了大小为 2514 bp的基因。该基因具有典型的小麦 HMW-GS x-型基因序列结构特征。又因为 1D比 1A和 1B基因组中的 x-型和 y-型基因易表达,结合 SDS-PAGE的结果,所以 2004s-47品系中 HMW-GS的亚基组成为(Null, 7+8, ?+10)。序列比对表明, 2004s-47品系的 1Dx？基因与节节麦(Aegilops tauschii) 1Dx2.1t (AF480486)同源性最高。将该序列提交到 NCBI,获得序列登陆号为： KP702118。2004s-47品系中 1Dx？序列的确定,为原核表达确定1Dx？是否为新的基因提供了基础,也为品质改良及育种提供了依据。     

Molecular structure of a novel y-type HMW glutenin subunit gene present in Triticum tauschii

An unusually small y-type high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin subunit gene from Triticum tauschii was sequenced. This gene, encoded at the Glu-D^t1 locus was designated 12.4^t and is the smallest HMW glutenin subunit gene described so far in Triticum species. Oligonucleotide primers based on published sequences of HMW glutenin genes were designed to amplify the encoding region and the central repetitive domain of the gene, which produced fragments of 1.4 and 0.85 kb, respectively. PCR products were cloned and sequenced. The derived amino acid sequence was compared with the amino acid sequences of the HMW glutenin subunits Dy12^t, from T. tauschii, and subunits Dy10 and Dy12 of T. aestivum. The amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence demonstrated that deletions of hexapeptides and nonapeptides were responsible for the reduction in the size of this HMW glutenin subunit. The estimated molecular weight of the Dy12.4^t subunit, calculated on the basis of the deduced amino acid sequence, was 45,228 Daltons. There were also single amino acid differences in the N-, C-terminal and central repetitive domains of this gene in comparison to the three other y-type subunits encoded at the Glu-D1 locus. The Dy12.4^t subunit showed the highest similarity to the Dy12 subunit present in the hexaploid wheat Chinese Spring.     

Characterization of HMW-GS and evaluation of their diversity in morphologically elite synthetic hexaploid wheats

High molecular weight glutenin subunit composition and variation in 95 Elite-1 synthetic hexaploid (SH) wheats (Triticum turgidum/Aegilops tauschii; 2n = 6× = 42; AABBDD) were determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis method (SDS-PAGE). Twenty two different alleles at Glu-1 loci in SHs were observed. Forty four different patterns of HMW-GS in synthetics were found. This higher HMW glutenin composition was due to higher proportion of D-genome encoded subunits in these SHs. 8% urea/SDS-PAGE better discriminated subunit 2* than 12% gels. However 12% urea/SDS-PAGE allowed differentiated mobility of Glu-D^t1 subunits. Genetic variability at Glu-D^t1 locus was greater than Glu-A1 and Glu-B1 loci. The relative high frequency of superior alleles, Glu-B1b and Glu-D^t1d indicated the superior bread making quality attributes embedded in these synthetic hexaploid wheats. Of the 95 Elite-1 SHs 27.1% possessed superior alleles at Glu-A1 and 51% had superior alleles at Glu-B1 locus. At Glu-D^t1 frequency of inferior allele 1Dx2 + 1Dy12 was very low (5.26%) and nine different rare alleles along with the higher frequency (22.1%) of D-genome encoded subunit, 1Dx5 + 1Dy10, were observed. These superior alleles shall form the priority selective sieve for their usage in wheat improvement efforts.     

小麦Glu-B1位点1Bx14+1By18新亚基对材料的创制及其对加工质量的影响分析

以小偃54为轮回亲本,以引进品种Prinqual为1Bx17+1By18的供体,培育高分子量麦谷蛋白亚基（HMW-GS）近等基因系,以期客观评价1Bx14、1By15、1Bx17和1By18等亚基（对）对小麦加工品质的贡献。近等基因系回交至BC₄代时发现一个1Bx17亚基不表达的重组体,该重组体经自交分离纯合后获得了携带新亚基对1Bx14+1By18且可稳定遗传的品系012912。采用SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳（SDS-PAGE）、酸性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳（A-PAGE）、小麦SDS微量沉降值和面粉揉面仪等方法。对小偃54和012912的谷蛋白及醇溶蛋白组成、总蛋白质含量、沉降值和揉面特性等指标进行了比较,结果表明,012912（1Ax1, 1Bx14+1By18, 1Dx2+1Dy12）与其轮回亲本小偃54（1Ax1, 1Bx14+1By15, 1Dx2+1Dy12）在谷蛋白成分上的唯一差别是以1By18替换了小偃54的1By15亚基,且1By18基因的表达量比小偃54的1By15表达量提高29%;012912品系的沉降值比小偃54高2.5 mL,揉面特性比小偃54好,说明1By18基因比1By15对面团加工品质的正向效应大。     

Genetic polymorphisms at Gli-Dt gliadin loci in Aegilops tauschii as revealed by acid polyacrylamide gel and capillary electrophoresis

Gliadin variation at Gli‐D^t1 and Gli‐D^t2 loci in 198 Aegilops tauschii accessions was studied by acid polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (A‐PAGE) and capillary electrophoresis (CE). High genetic polymorphisms were found at both gliadin coding loci, revealing a total of 184 and 169 gliadin variants at the Gli‐D^t1 and Gli‐D^t2 loci, respectively. In particular, 12 gliadin blocks encoded by different alleles were apparently expressed and readily identified in six synthetic hexaploids produced by hybridization between Triticum durum and Ae. tauschii accessions. Compared with Ae. tauschii ssp. eusquarrosa, the gliadin profile of the D genome in Ae. tauschii ssp. strangulata more resembles that of T. aestivum, supporting the view that the subspecies strangulata is the most likely progenitor of bread wheat. Capillary electrophoresis analysis showed that the method is capable of separating and characterizing gliadins with speed, in high resolution using small sample amounts, and is well‐suited to detect protein alleles and to identify desirable genotypes in wheat quality improvement.     

Wheat pre-breeding using wild progenitors

To facilitate the use of wheat wild relatives in conventional breedingprograms, a wheat pre-breeding activity started at ICARDA in 1994/1995season. Preliminary results of gene introgression from wild diploidprogenitors, Triticum urartu, T. baeoticum, Aegilops speltoides andAe. tauschii and tetraploid T. dicoccoides are described. Crosseswith wild diploid Triticum spp. yielded high variation in plant andspike morphology. Synthetic hexaploids were produced from crosses of alocal durum wheat landrace `Haurani' with two Ae. tauschiiaccessions. Both Ae. tauschii accessions carry hybrid necrosis allelesthat gave necrotic plant phenotypes in crosses with some bread wheats.Backcross progenies with agronomical desirable traits, i.e. high spikeproductivity, short plant stature, earliness, drought tolerance and highproductive tillering, were identified in crosses of durum wheat with wild Triticum spp. and in a cross of one of the hexaploid synthetics with alocally adapted bread wheat cv. `Cham 6'. Resistance to yellow rust wasfound in durum wheat crosses with the three wild Triticum spp. andAe. speltoides and leaf rust resistance was identified in crosses withT. baeoticum and Ae. speltoides. The results show that wheatimmediate progenitors may be a valuable and readily accessible source ofnew genetic diversity for wheat improvement.     

高分子量麦谷蛋白亚基HPCE高效分离及图谱鉴定

高分子量麦谷蛋白亚基(HMW-GS)是决定小麦加工品质的重要因素。高效毛细管电泳技术(HPCE)以其用样少、速度快、精确度高等特点被越来越多地应用到分离鉴定中来。目前小麦HMW-GS的HPCE研究尚处于起步阶段, 对标准鉴定图谱的研究甚少,且已有分离体系在连续多次试验中的分离速度及分辨率仍有提升空间。本研究通过SDS-PAGE结合分子标记的方法鉴定了不同小麦品种的HMW-GS, 以“中国春”小麦为标样确立了HPCE高效分离体系, 体系条件为75 mmol L^-1 IDA+0.05% HPMC+15% ACN, pH 2.5, 电泳参数为毛细管内径25 μm, PDA检测波长200 nm, 分离电压20 kV, 运行温度30°C。通过混合进样方式对不同类型亚基进行HPCE分析, 建立了18个亚基的标准图谱, 亚基迁移顺序为1Dy12→ 1Dy10→ 1By9→ 1By8→ 1By18→ 1By16→ 1By20→ 1Bx17→ 1Bx20→ 1Bx13→ 1Bx6→ 1Bx7→ 1Ax2*→ 1Ax1→ 1Dx5→ 1Dx4→ 1Dx3→ 1Dx2,标准出峰时间依次为9.39、9.69、10.30、11.70、11.89、12.09、12.22、12.36、12.62、12.83、13.08、13.18、13.50、13.73、14.04、14.24、14.46和14.73 min, RSD<0.2%。以1Bx17为分界线, 9.39 min到12.36 min为y型亚基区域, 12.36 min到14.76 min为x型亚基区域。结合亚基迁移顺序、标准出峰时间及图谱特点可对小麦相关HMW-GS进行HPCE快速鉴定。本研究获得的分离体系及鉴定图谱可用于小麦HMW-GS定性分析和种质资源筛选。     

Cytological and Microsatellite Mapping of the Gene for Brittle Rachis in a Triticum Aestivum-Aegilops Tauschii Introgression Line

Summary Aegilops tauschii (Coss.) Schmal. (2n = 2x = 14, DD), a wild relative of wheat has been considered to be a valuable source of variation for improvement of cultivated wheats. However, undesirable genes can be incorporated into the cultivated varieties from wild relatives. The spontaneous spike shattering caused by the brittle rachis character is of adaptive value in wild grass species, but not in cultivated varieties. The rachis of R-61, which was derived from the cross of T. aestivum cv. Bet Hashita with an accession of Ae. tauschii, was brittle. Using telosomic stocks, the brittle rachis gene Br ⁶¹ (tentatively designated) of B-61 was located on the short arm of chromosome 3D and the distance of Br ⁶¹ to the centromere was 31.9 cM. The distance of Br ⁶¹ from the centromeric marker Xgdm72 was 25.3 cM on the short arm of chromosome 3D. The location of Br ⁶¹ was similar to Br ₁ whose location was determined by telosomic mapping and microsatellite mapping. Discrepancy of disarticulation type was found between R-61 and Aegilops tauschii suggesting that the recombination around the regions of Br ₁ locus and Br ^t locus created the wedge type disarticulation of R-61.     

Allelic variation and genetic diversity of high molecular weight glutenin subunit in Chinese endemic wheats (Triticum aestivum L.)

The high molecular weight glutenin subunit (HMW-GS) compositions of 66 Chinese endemic wheats were determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Ten alleles at the Glu-1 loci were detected in 50 Tibetan weedrace wheat accessions which in combination resulted in seven different HMW-GS patterns. Four HMW-GS patterns were observed among 10 Yunnan hulled wheat accessions, and two patterns in six Xingjiang rice wheat accessions. Two novel alleles (Bx7** + By8, Bx7 + By8**) and two rare alleles (Dx2 + 1Dy12*, Dx2 + null) were found in Tibetan weedrace accessions, with one of the latter (Dx2 + Dy12*) also being found in Yunnan hulled wheat. The mean indices of genetic variation at the Glu-1 loci in Yunnan hulled wheat, Tibetan weedrace wheat and Xingjiang rice wheat were 0.2232, 0.1655 and 0.0926, respectively, showing that Yunnan hulled wheat and Tibetan weedrace wheat had higher genetic variation than Xingjiang rice wheat.     

Resistance to septoria nodorum blotch in the Aegilops tauschii accession RL5271 is controlled by a single gene

Septoria nodorum blotch is the most important leaf disease of wheat in Western Australia. A potentially useful source of resistance has been identified in an accession of Aegilops tauschii. To study the genetics of resistance of this source a cross was made between the resistant Ae. tauschii accession, RL5271, and a susceptible accession, CPI110889. The resistant parent took significantly longer to develop symptoms, developed significantly fewer lesions and expressed significantly lower levels of disease than the susceptible parent. The F1 mean response for disease severity indicated there was no complete dominance. The F3 families were classified using three approaches. In the first approach the individual F3 plant response was used to classify the F3 families. In the second approach the F3 family means and standard errors were used to classify the F3 families. In the final approach Best Linear Unbiased Predictors of disease score and standard error for each F3 family derived from a REML analysis were used to classify the F3 families. The genotypic ratios generated by each of the approaches suggested that resistance is controlled by a single gene. The effectiveness of the resistance and its simple genetic control in the Ae. tauschii, accession RL5271 may be a useful resistance source for use in a bread wheat breeding program. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The high and low molecular weight glutenin subunits and ω-gliadin composition of bread and durum wheats commonly grown in Portugal

A collection of 63 bread wheats (Triticum aestivum L.) and 21 durum wheats (Triticum durum Desf.) commonly grown in Portugal since 1982 were characterized for the composition of wheat storage proteins (WSP), high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS), low molecular weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GS) and ω-gliadins. The composition of HMW-GS, LMW-GS and &-gliadins, encoded at loci Glu-1, Glu-3 and Gli-1, respectively, was revealed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. WSP allelic compositions of bread and durum wheat patterns were given. In the bread wheats, a total of 24, 24 and 18 patterns were observed for HMW-GS, LMW-GS and ω-gliadins, respectively. Forty-two different alleles were identified for the nine loci studied, Glu-A1 (3), Glu-B1 (7), Glu-D1 (4), Glu-A3 (5), Glu-B1 (7), Glu-D3 (2), Gli-A1 (2), Gli-B1 (8) and Gli-D1 (4). In the case of durum wheats, 19 alleles were identified: one allele at Glu-A1, two at Glu-B3, Glu-B2 and Gli-A1, three at Glu-B1, four at Glu-A3 and five at Gli-B1. For HMW-GS, LMW-GS and ω-gliadins, three, six and six different patterns were revealed, respectively. This study represents the first attempt to discriminate the bread and durum wheat varieties commonly grown in Portugal by the allelic variation of storage proteins. The database is useful for varietal identification and for plant breeders who seek to devise effective programmes aimed at improving wheat quality.     

Assessment of genetic diversity in synthetic hexaploid wheats and their Triticum dicoccum and Aegilops tauschii parents using AFLPs and agronomic traits

Synthetic hexaploid wheats are of interest to wheat breeding programs, especially for introducing new genes that confer resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. A group of 54 synthetic hexaploid wheats derived from crosses between emmer wheat(Triticum dicoccum, source of the A and B genomes) and goat grass (Aegilops tauschii, D genome donor) were investigated for genetic diversity. Using the AFLP technique, dendrograms revealed clear grouping according to geographical origin for the T. dicoccum parents but no clear groups for the Ae. tauschii parents. The geographical clustering of the T. dicoccum parents was also reflected in the dendrogram of their derived synthetic hexaploids. Diversity of the T. dicoccum parents and their derived synthetic hexaploids was further evaluated by measuring 18morphological and agronomic traits on the plants. Clustering based on morphological and agronomic data also reflected geographical origin. However, comparison of genetic distances obtained from AFLP and agronomic data showed no correlation between the two diversity measurements. Nevertheless, similarities among major clusters with the two systems could be identified. Based on percentage of polymorphic markers, the synthetic hexaploids had a considerably higher level of AFLP diversity (39%) than normally observed in cultivated hexaploid wheat (12–21%). This suggests that synthetic hexaploid wheats can be used to introduce new genetic diversity into the bread wheat gene pool. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Deficiency of individual high molecular weight glutenin subunits affords flexibility in breeding strategies for bread-making quality in wheat Triticum aestivum L.

High-molecular-weight (HMW) glutenin subunits in wheat Triticumaestivum L., allelic variation for which affects bread-making quality, areencoded by Glu-1 homoeoloci located on the homoeologous group1 chromosomes. Many alleles at Glu-B1 and Glu-D1 producetwo subunits, an x-type of low electrophoretic mobility in polyacrylamidegels, and a y-type of high mobility. In the current study, a combination ofnear isogenic lines of cultivar `Sicco' has been used to characterise theeffect upon quality of the absence of individual subunits 7 (Glu-B1x-type), 12 (Glu-D1 y-type) and, assuming an additive model ofsubunit action, 2 (Glu-D1 x-type). Absence of subunit 7 gave amoderate reduction in SDS-sedimentation volume, indicating its associationwith lower gluten strength (confirmed by Farinogram and Extensogramstudies), yet, from a full mixing input bake, a moderate increase in loafvolume and a considerable improvement in loaf score (an overall evaluationof loaf quality). Absence of subunit 12 gave a slightly larger reduction inSDS-volume, yet no change in loaf volume or score. Absence of bothsubunits 2+12 gave a larger reduction again in SDS-volume, a moderatereduction in loaf volume and a large reduction in loaf score. Absence ofsubunit 2 alone is therefore predicted to reduce SDS-volume, loaf volumeand score such that loss of this x-type subunit would lead to larger changesin quality parameters than loss of y-type subunit 12. A general conclusionof the study is that, while deficiency for HMW glutenin subunits generallyleads to reduced gluten strength and viscoelasticity, the resultantintermediate gluten strength may on occasions lead to improvements in loafperformance in situations where the base gluten strength is high. Theremay, then, be contexts in breeding programmes where selection fordeficiency would be a possible strategy for improving bread-making quality,adding to the flexibility available to the breeder. Somewhat unexpectedly,additional analysis found that, in the genetic background of cultivar `Sicco'used in this study, subunits 7+8 at Glu-B1 were indistinguishablefrom their allelic counterparts subunits 7+9 for virtually all characters, andthat subunits 2+12 at Glu-D1, while inferior in performance formixing properties compared to subunits 5+10, were associated with goodloaf characteristics.     

High molecular weight glutenin subunits of current bread wheats grown in Iran

Variation of high molecular weight gluteninsubunits (HMW-GS) at the Glu-1 lociwas studied using SDS-PAGE method in 43advanced lines or cultivars commonly grownin Iran. Fourteen alleles and 21 alleliccompositions were detected. Among the 43bread wheats analysed only five showed aunique HMW-GS composition. The mostfrequent HMW-GS patterns were 2^*, 7+8,2+12 and 2^*, 17+18, 2+12 which wereobserved in 13 and six cultivars,respectively. In the remainings, each twoto three lines or cultivars showed a commonHMW-GS pattern. Therefore, allelicvariation at Glu-1 loci is of limitedvalue for cultivar identification comparedwith loci controlling gliadins. Sevencultivars were observed to consist of twoto three biotypes with different alleles.In cultivar Mahdavi a biotype showedinactivity at the Glu-B1 locus. Analready reported rare subunit pair'2^***+12' at Glu-D1locus was found in cultivar Kavir. Theresults of scoring cultivars for theirquality based on the HMW-GS compositionswith an average score of eight, wasgenerally good. Cultivars Inia, Tajan, andadvanced lines N-75-11 and N-75-15 showedquality score equal to 10, whereas Alamootand C-75-5 showed quality scores equal tofive. The quality of former and latterlines and cultivars were considered highestand lowest, respectively. The resultsobtained in this study are useful inbreeding programs to improve bread makingquality, developing uniformity andimproving heterogeneous cultivars by meansof selection of the best genotypes.     

冰草高分子量麦谷蛋白亚基基因的分离及结构特征分析

通过SDS-PAGE分析，在二倍体、四倍体和六倍体冰草[Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.]中都检测到2个表达的高分子量麦谷蛋白亚基（HMW-GS），但不同倍性的材料之间，以及相同倍性材料的不同种子之间的HMW-GS组成均有所不同。利用PCR技术对冰草的HMW-GS基因进行克隆，结果从二倍体、四倍体和六倍体冰草中分别克隆了3个、1个和3个y型HMW-GS基因的全长编码区序列。序列分析表明，只有来自六倍体冰草中的Bsy2基因具有完整的开放阅读框，编码1个有487氨基酸残基、分子量约为53 kD的HMW-GS，大小相当于SDS-PAGE图谱中的大亚基。而其余6个基因均在中间重复区发生了无义突变。本文对冰草HMW-GS基因的结构特点和进化关系进行了分析。     

Ph I-induced transfer of leaf and stripe rust-resistance genes from Aegilops triuncialis and Ae. geniculata to bread wheat

Leaf and stripe rusts are severe foliar diseases of bread wheat. Recently, chromosomes 5M^g from the related species Aegilops geniculata that confers resistance to both leaf and stripe rust and 5U^t from Ae. triuncialis conferring resistance to leaf rust have been transferred to bread wheat in the form of disomic DS5M^g(5D) and DS5U^t(5A) chromosome substitution lines. The objective of this study was to shorten the alien segments in these lines using Ph ^I-mediated, induced homoeologous recombination. Putativerecombinants were evaluated for their rust resistance, and by genomic in situ hybridization and microsatellite analyses. One agronomically useful wheat-Ae. geniculata recombinant resistant to leaf and stripe rust was identified that had only a small terminal segment of the 5M^gL arm transferred to the long arm of an unidentified wheat chromosome. This germplasm can be used directly in breeding programs. Only one leaf rust-resistant wheat-Ae. triuncialis recombinant, which consists of most of the complete 5U^t chromosome with a small terminal segment derived from 5AS, was identified. This germplasm will need further chromosome engineering before it can be used in wheat improvement. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Expression of morphological and flowering time variation through allopolyploidization: an empirical study with 27 wheat synthetics and their parental Aegilops tauschii accessions

It was recently shown that allopolyploidy brings novel epistatic interactions to genes belonging to different genomes. However, systematic studies of the phenotypic relationships between synthetic hexaploid wheats and their parental lines have not been conducted. In this study, 27 synthetic hexaploid wheats were produced by crossing the tetraploid wheat cultivar ‘Langdon’ with 27 accessions of Aegilops tauschii. Variations in 20 morphological and flowering traits were analysed in both the synthetic wheat lines and the parental Ae. tauschii accessions. The 20 traits exhibited large variations in the wheat lines. For many of the traits, the degree of variation in the parental accessions was reduced in the hexaploid derivatives. Principal component analysis of floret‐related traits divided the Ae. tauschii accessions into two subspecies, ssp. tauschii and ssp. strangulata, but this parental pattern of subspecific division was not detectable in the hexaploids. Our results suggest that the ‘Langdon’ genome may have an alleviating effect on the expression of D‐genome‐derived variations in derived synthetics.