High genetic diversity of Spanish common wheats as judged from gliadin alleles

Gliadin alleles were identified in 100 common wheat cultivars registered and/or grown in Spain during the last 40 years. A very high level of genetic polymorphism was found: in total, 103 allelic variants including one null‐allele were found at the six major Gli loci in the Spanish wheats studied. An average genetic diversity for these six loci was found to be higher (H=0.844) than in any group of wheat cultivars studied previously. Spanish wheats bred in Spain demonstrated even higher genetic diversity (H=0.868), probably because of the occurrence in this group of some landraces (local varieties) assumed to be strongly differentiated to fit local environments. The high level of genetic diversity of wheats grown in Spain was maintained by the introduction of distantly related wheat germplasm from different sources, especially from Italy and CIMMYT. A slight decrease of genetic diversity in recently registered cultivars might be caused by the excessive introduction of French wheats. Thirteen new alleles found in Spanish wheats were catalogued, including Gli‐D2w which encodes the first Gli‐D2‐controlledγ‐gliadin to be found.     

Genetic relationships and diversity among Tibetan wheat, common wheat and European spelt wheat revealed by RAPD markers

An endemic hexaploid wheat found in Tibet, China was taxonomically classified as a subspecies in common wheat, i.e. Triticum aestivum ssp. tibetanum. Seven accessions of the Tibetan wheat, 22 cultivars of common wheat and 17 lines of spelt wheat were used for RAPD analysis to study the genetic relationships of the Tibetan wheat with common wheat and spelt wheat, and to assess the genetic diversity (GD) among and within the taxa. RAPD polymorphism was found to be much higher within spelt wheat and the Tibetan wheat than within common wheat. The GD value between the Tibetan wheat and common wheat is lower than that between the Tibetan wheat and spelt wheat. The result of cluster analysis showed that the 46 genotypes were distinctly classified into two groups. Group 1 included all European spelt wheat lines, while group 2 includes all Chinese common wheat and the Tibetan wheat accessions. However, the Tibetan wheat was substantially differentiated from Chinese common wheat at a lower hierarchy. Our results support an earlier classification of the Tibetan wheat as a subspecies in common wheat. European spelt wheat and the Tibetan wheat showed much higher genetic diversity than Chinese common wheat, which could be used to diversify the genetic basis for common wheat breeding. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Comparison of molecular markers and coefficients of parentage for the analysis of genetic diversity among spring bread wheat accessions

The comparison of different methods of estimating genetic diversity could define their usefulness in plant breeding and genetic improvement programs. This study evaluates and compares the genetic diversity of 70 spring wheat accessions representing a broad genetic pool based on molecular markers and parentage relationships. The sample was composed of 32 accessions from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and 38 from other breeding programs worldwide. Eight AFLP-primer combinations and 37 pairs of SSR primers were used to characterize the accessions and the Coefficients of Parentage (COP) were calculated from registered pedigrees. The average genealogical (COP) similarity (0.09 with a range of 0.0–1.0) was low in comparison to similarity calculated using SSR markers (0.41 with a range of 0.15–0.88) and AFLP markers (0.70 with a range of 0.33–0.98). Correlation between the genealogical similarity matrix (excluding accessions with COPs = 0) and the matrices of genetic similarity based on molecular markers was 0.34≤r≤0.46 (p <0.05). It is concluded that AFLP and SSR markers are generally in agreement with estimates of diversity measured using COPs, especially when complete pedigree data are available. However, markers may provide a more correct estimate due to some unrealistic assumptions made when calculating COPs, such as absence of selection. Furthermore, both COP and marker distances indicate that CIMMYT accessions are different from the worldwide group of accessions. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Relationship between hybrid performance and genetic diversity based on RAPD markers in wheat, Triticum aestivum L.

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were generated from 20 wheat, Triticum aestivum lines. Fifty-four fragments generated by six primers of a 10-mer arbitrary sequence were used to study their potential power in differentiating parents with different characteristics and predicting the yield performance of hybrids produced from these parents. Experimental results showed that the 20 wheat lines were divided into four groups. Group I was characterized by more grains per spike, group II by heavy grains and group III by more spikes per unit area and short plants; group IV was similar to group III but had a much higher biomass yield and grain yield. Hybrids from parents in different groups were generally superior to most hybrids from parents in the same group. Both yield performance and heterosis of hybrids from parents between group I and group III were much better than those of other intergroup hybrids. These results suggest that, based on RAPD markers, it is possible to differentiate wheat lines with different performances and that the classification of parents from these markers is of predictive value for developing superior hybrids. However, genetic distance (GD) based on RAPD markers was not significantly correlated with hybrid performance and heterosis. It appears to be impossible to predict hybrid performance from GD itself.     

Genetic diversity of hexaploid wheat cultivars estimated by RAPD markers, morphological traits and coefficients of parentage

Estimates of genetic diversity can be based on different types of data. The aim of this research were to study genetic diversity among Croatian wheat cultivars by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, morphological traits and pedigree records; to analyse differences between wheat cultivars from two breeding centres; and to evaluate usability of RAPD markers for estimation of genetic diversity among wheat cultivars in comparison with morphological traits and pedigree record data. Studies were conducted on 14 wheat cultivars and breeding lines from two breeding centres in Croatia. For the RAPD analysis 36 primers were screened and the 14 most polymorphic ones yielded 341 polymorphic bands. Twelve morphological traits were used for morphological analysis. Pedigrees were composed of seven generations of ancestors. RAPD markers showed a high level of polymorphism among the cultivars examined and the breeding lines. No significant correlations were observed among the methods tested.     

Assessment of genetic variation of bread wheat varieties using microsatellite markers

The DNA fingerprinting profiles of 11 bread wheat cultivars, grown in Turkey, was obtained by using 19 highly polymorphic wheat microsatellites. Up to six randomly selected individuals from each of these cultivars were subjected to analysis. Estimated polymorphism information content (PIC) values among 65 individual genotypes for 19 loci were between 0.36 and 0.87 with an average value of 0.68. The numbers of observed alleles were between 2 and 9, with an average value of 5.42. These relationships were assessed among cultivars and among their individual genotypes using the mean pairwise average square distance (D ₁) (or the delta mu measure of distance (Ddm)) matrix and neighbor-joining method based on `Nei-72' distance matrix, respectively. Two spring cultivars, `Kaklic-88' and `Orso', were closely related to each other; the other 9 winter and facultative cultivars were dispersed. Pedigrees of cultivars represented very little shared information among each other, therefore, they could not been utilized in comparisons. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

基于SNP标记揭示我国小麦品种(系)的遗传多样性

为了解我国主要小麦品种(系)的遗传多样性,为亲本组配提供参考,利用90KSNP芯片技术对国内为主的240个小麦品种(系)进行全基因组扫描,分析其遗传多样性和遗传基础。结果表明,多态性SNP位点在B基因组最多, D基因组最最少,尤其4D上最少;在全基因组范围内PIC平均值为0.26。参试品种间平均遗传相似系数为0.656,变幅为0.133～0.998,且87.05%品种间遗传相似系数在0.60～0.78之间;国内西南麦区和长江中下游麦区小麦品种(系)间的平均相似系数较高,分别为0.718和0.712,国外品种(系)间的相似系数最低,为0.552。聚类分析将参试品种(系)划分为7个类群,大部分类群含有来自不同区域育成品种(系),主成分分析显示各区域育成的品种(系)相互交集,表明我国各省市间种质资源交流较为频繁,但部分单位育成的品种(系)遗传基础不够丰富,部分品种(系)间遗传相似性较高,在育种中亟待引入新的种质,拓宽遗传基础。     

Application of microsatellite markers to distinguish inter-varietal chromosome substitution lines of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Wheat microsatellites (WMS) were used to test the authenticity of inter-varietal chromosome substitution lines developed using the varieties ‘Cappelle-Desprez’ and ‘Bezostaya 1’. The results demonstrated that the majority of the lines were correct. Microsatellites, with their abundance of polymorphic markers randomly distributed over the entire wheat genome, provided ideal tools for establishing the authenticity of cytogenetically developed genetic stocks of wheat. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

新疆冬小麦品种农艺及产量性状遗传多样性分析

Grain yield is one of the most important goals in wheat breeding, and agronomic or yield-related traits can directly reflect the characteristics of varieties. In order to determine the evolution of genetic diversity in agronomic traits of Xinjiang winter wheat varieties and their adaptabilities to different ecological environments, 134 winter wheat landraces and 54 moderns bred varieties from Xinjiang were selected for agronomic trait investigation. They were planted in three different ecological environments (Urumqi and Yining in Xinjiang province, and Tai’an in Shandong province) for two consecutive growth seasons, and nine agronomic and yield-related traits were surveyed and analyzed. The estimated broad sense heritability of nine agronomic and yield traits was in descending order: plant height > grain width > grain length/width ratio > spike length > spikelet number > thousand- kernel weight > grain number per spike > grain length > fertile spikelet number. Correlation analyses of nine agronomic and yield traits showed that these traits were correlated with each other. It was found that the plant height, spike length and grain length/width ratio of landraces were higher than that in modern bred varieties, but the grain number per spike, thousand kernel weight, grain length and grain width in landraces were less than that in modern bred varieties. However, the correlation coefficient of these nine traits was higher in modern bred varieties than that in landraces. These variations reflected the evolution of Xinjiang winter wheat varieties in agronomic traits in recent years. This study may provide important information for breeders to select the breeding parents in different winter wheat regions.     

Assessment of EST- and genomic microsatellite markers for variety discrimination and genetic diversity studies in wheat

It is likely that in the near future sequence information from sequencing programmes and EST libraries will generate an abundance of genic microsatellite markers. This study is focused on the assessment of their likely impact and performance vis-à-vis their genomic counterparts. Microsatellites from two sources were used to assess the genetic diversity in 56 old and new varieties of bread wheat on the UK Recommended List. A set of 12 microsatellite markers generated from genomic libraries and 20 expressed sequence tag (EST)-derived microsatellites were used in the study, and the performance of both marker sets assessed. The EST-derived or genic microsatellites delivered fingerprints of superior quality, amplifying clear products with few stutter bands. Diversity levels as revealed bygenic microsatellites are similar to the few published results. The PIC values for the genic markers were generally lower than those calculated for the genomic microsatellites, though advantages of both marker classes for variety identification applications are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Allelic variation and genetic diversity of HMW glutenin subunits in Chinese wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) landraces and commercial cultivars

Wheat landraces have abundant genetic variation at the Glu-1 loci, which is desirable germplasms for genetic enhancement of modern wheat varieties, especially for quality improvement. In the current study, we analyzed the allelic variations of the Glu-1 loci of 597 landraces and 926 commercial wheat varieties from the four major wheat-growing regions in China using SDS-PAGE. As results, alleles Null, 7+8, and 2+12 were the dominant HMW-GSs in wheat landraces. Compared to landraces, the commercial varieties contain higher frequencies of high-quality alleles, including 1, 7+9, 14+15 and 5+10. The genetic diversity of the four commercial wheat populations (alleles per locus (A) = 7.33, percent polymorphic loci (P) = 1.00, effective number of alleles per locus (Ae) = 2.347 and expected heterozygosity (He) = 0.563) was significantly higher than that of the landraces population, with the highest genetic diversity found in the Southwestern Winter Wheat Region population. The genetic diversity of HMW-GS is mainly present within the landraces and commercial wheat populations instead of between populations. The landraces were rich in rare subunits or alleles may provide germplasm resources for improving the quality of modern wheat.     

Regional patterns of microsatellite diversity in Ethiopian tetraploid wheat accessions

This study was conducted to assess regional patterns of diversity of Ethiopian tetraploid wheat accessions and to identify areas of diversity that can be used as source of new germplasm for developing high yielding and stable varieties. A collection of 133 Ethiopian tetraploid wheat accessions and eight introduced cultivars was analysed using 29 wheat microsatellite markers. A total of 383 alleles were detected with an average value of 13.14 alleles per locus. Relatively more alleles were observed in the B genome than in the A genome. Gene diversity indices ranged from 0.08 to 0.95, with a mean value of 0.72. Accessions collected from the same region were pooled and the number of alleles and gene diversity were calculated over the 29 simple sequence repeats for each region. Higher numbers of alleles were detected in the Shewa region (8.72), followed by Tigray (5.86) and Hararghe (5.76). The highest average gene diversity value was found in Shewa (0.65), followed by Gondar (0.64). No significant correlation was observed between geographic distance and genetic distance. Out of 383 different alleles detected, 93 (24.4%) were observed to be region‐specific. Region‐specific alleles were found across all chromosomes except for Xgwm752, Xgwm155 and Xgwm148. Genetic similarity coefficients were estimated for all the possible 55 pairs of regional comparisons and they ranged from 0.16 to 0.52, with a mean value of 0.50. All provinces were differentiated in the UPGMA cluster diagram.     

Bread wheat: F1 hybrid performance and parental diversity estimates using molecular markers

In wheat, the possibility of introducing F₁ seed into practical agriculture has been greatly enhanced by the discovery of effective chemical hybridising agents (CHAs). Although some technical and economic problems concerning the use of CHAs for large-scale production of F₁ seed remain to be solved, a first group of F₁ hybrids has been submitted for registration in several European countries i.e., France, England and Italy. Combining ability for grain yield and several agronomic and quality traits was studied in an eight-parent diallel cross. Highly significant combining ability effects were observed for all the traits while specific combining ability effects were statistically significant for grain yield, plant height, heading time and Chopin alveograph parameter P. The level of genetic diversity between parents as estimated using molecular markers is considered a tool for predicting the hybrid performance and heterosis of crosses. To explore this possibility, RFLP and RAPD markers were used to predict the performance of hybrids obtained from diallel and top crosses. The performance of the hybrids was determined in replicated plot trials sown at normal seed density in several locations. Coefficient of parentage (rp), based on pedigree information for all the pairwise combinations of the parents ranged from 0.01 to 0.34. The parents were assayed for random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) with 87 primers which generated 304 polymorphic bands. Genetic similarity between parents, estimated on the basis of common bands using the Jaccard's similarity coefficient (J), ranged from 0.25 to 0.57. Correlation between parental diversity and hybrid performance was generally weak. A positive trend is observed in the yield potential of the hybrids produced in Italy in the last 10 years. In fact among the first set of hybrids produced by random crossing of the available cultivars, none produced 10% more than the checks whereas the last generation of hybrids includes combinations yielding 15% more than the best standards. Our results clearly indicate the need to develop specific strategies in order to identify and/or to select parental lines with a high level of general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA). The information regarding the genetic diversity of the parental lines do not appear helpful for predicting F₁ performance. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Patterns of RFLP-based genetic diversity in germplasm pools of common wheat with different geographical or breeding program origins

A set of 292 accessions of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) representing 21 germplasm pools based on geographical or breeding program origins was assayed for RFLP diversity. Thirty cDNA and genomic DNA probes and the HindIII restriction enzyme were employed for RFLP analysis. About 61% of all 233 scored bands were present in 75% or more of the accessions. All but one of the 30 probes revealed polymorphism, and the average number of distinct patterns per probe over all accessions was 9.5.Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) values within a pool varied from 0 to 0.9 and depended on the identities of both the germplasm pool and the probe. Rare banding patterns with a relative frequency of ≤0.2 within a pool were detected. These rare patterns were more likely to occur in pools exhibiting high levels of heterogeneity. The highest level of polymorphism was observed in the Turkish landraces from Southwest Asia. The Eastern U.S. soft red winter wheat germplasm pool was more genetically diverse than the other advanced germplasm pools, and nearly as diverse as the Turkish landrace pool. RFLP-based genetic relationships between germplasm pools generally tracked expectations based on common geographical origin, breeding history and/or shared parentages. The Chinese wheat landraces from Sichuan, Tibet, and Yunnan provinces were distinct from other pools. Similarity matrices for among-pool genetic distance estimates based on either band frequencies or banding pattern frequencies showed good correlation with matrices derived from Nei and Li's mean genetic similarity estimates (r=−0.82^** and r=−0.73^**, respectively. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Analysis of genetic profiles of winter wheats from Russia

With the aid of GRIS, the wheat genetic resources database, the retrospective analysis of winter wheat breeding programs in the ex-USSR during its existence, and modern Russia, was conducted. The dynamics of genetic diversity of released cultivars was studied. A significant tendency to reduce the use of local materials was discovered, although a stable set of original ancestors has prevailed over the last 40 years. The modern cultivar genes pool has increased as a result of the utilisation of North American semidwarf varieties. Breeding programs at different breeding centres are distinguished by varying levels of genetic diversity. The need to discover new sources of disease resistance and environmental adaptation are problems that remain. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic diversity in bread wheat, as revealed by coefficient of parentage and molecular markers, and its relationship to hybrid performance

Variable results have been obtained in different crop species using geneticsimilarity (GS) estimates based on molecular markers and coefficient ofparentage (COP) to predict heterosis.This study was designed: i) to assess the level of GS among 40 breadwheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars selected in Central and SouthEurope; ii) to compare GS with COP; iii) to correlate the estimates ofparental diversity with the heterotic effects detected on 149 F₁hybrids obtained by crossing the 40 cultivars according to three matingdesigns.The parental cultivars and the F₁ hybrids were grown in severallocations at normal seed density. Significant heterotic effects were detectedfor grain yield and other traits including quality attributes. The parentalcultivars were assayed for DNA polymorphisms using two classes ofmarkers: 338 RFLP and 200 AFLP^® bands were scored. GS estimates werecomputed considering each molecular marker set separately (GS_RFLP,GS_AFLP) and together (GS_TOT). Ample differentiation amongthe parental cultivars was detected with the two marker sets. Although theaverage GS_TOT (0.43) was higher than COP (0.10), the twomeasurements were significantly correlated (r = 0.36, p < 0.01).Correlations between the different estimates of genetic diversity andF₁ performance or mid parent heterosis for grain yield and otherrelated traits were in general low although statistically significant.A more detailed analysis was conducted on 28 F₁ hybridsproduced in a half diallel cross of eight parental cultivars characterized byhigh heterotic effects for grain yield. The GS estimates based on RFLP,AFLP^® markers and also on RAPD were partitioned into general andspecific components. Correlations with general and specific combiningability effects for the measured traits were in several cases statisticallysignificant but too low to be predictive and therefore exploitable in practicalbreeding.     

Identification and genetic diversity analysis of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) varieties from Morocco using RAPD markers

Genetic variation among 43 date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) accessions, including 37 accessions from Morocco and 6 cultivars from Iraq and Tunisia, was studied using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The pre-screening of 123 primers on four genotypes allowed selection of 19 primers which revealed polymorphism and gave reproducible results. All 43 analysed genotypes were distinguishable by their band patterns. RAPD technology therefore appears very effective for identifying accessions of date palm. RAPD-based genetic distance was used to determine the relationships between the accessions. The grouping-association identified by cluster analysis was rather weak. However, morphologically similar varieties clustered together. A relatively low polymorphism and a lack of evident organisation are observed among the date palm varieties grown in Morocco. This could be related to the mode of introduction and maintenance of the Moroccan date palm germplasm involving limited foundation germplasm, exchange of cultivars between plantations, and periodic development of new recombinant cultivars following sexual reproduction. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Intrachromosomal mapping of genes for dwarfing (Rht12) and vernalization response (Vrn1) in wheat by using RFLP and microsatellite markers

For intrachromosomal mapping of the dominant GA-sensitive dwarfing gene Rht12 and the vernalization response gene Vrn1 on chromosome 5 A, an F₂ population was established using a wide (synthetic) wheat cross. In addition to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) probes four microsatellite markers were incorporated. Rht12 was mapped distally to four RFLP loci (Xmwg616, Xpsr164, Xwg114, Xpsr1201) and three microsatellite markers (Xgwm179, Xgwm410, Xgwm291), known to be located on the segment of chromosome SAL which was ancestrally translocated and is homoeologous to Triticeae 4 L. The map position of Rht12 suggests that it is homoeologous to the dominant GA-sensitive dwarfing gene Ddw1, present on chromosome 5RL. The vernalization response gene Vrn1 showed linkage to Xwg644, as might be expected from comparative maps.     

Developing elite durum wheat landrace selections (composites) for Ethiopian peasant farm use: Raising productivity while keeping diversity alive

The Ethiopian peasant farms are characterized by highly varied micro-environments differing in characteristics such as topography, soil type, water, temperature and fertility. The bulk of the durum wheat planting material currently in use on these farms is largely represented by traditional farmers' varieties/landraces. These traditional farmers' varieties/landraces generally, are stable but low yielding, and often fail to adequately meet the level of productivity essential for production beyond subsistence level, unless they are enhanced to improve their competitiveness with modern varieties in respect to yield. Improving the productivity of landraces, while maintaining an appreciable level of genetic diversity is crucial to yield stability. This could be achieved by developing composites that are formed by bulking together three or more potentially high yielding spikes (agrotypes) that vary for various morphologic and agronomic characteristics, but due to their similarity in plant height, maturity, glume color and seed color give the composite a uniform field appearance like a modern variety. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Selection and genetic improvement of pollen fertility restorer lines with Triticum timopheevii cytoplasm in common wheat

The paper summarizes the selection and improvement of pollen fertility restoration in cytoplasmic male-sterile lines during the past 30 years at Jiangsu Province, China. A fertility restorer line (R16) with a good history of strong and stable restoring ability to different sterile lines was bred by accumulating fertility-restoring genes from derivatives of T797 and other restorer lines such as Primepi. A series of well-performing restorer lines with similar fertility-restoring ability has been bred by improving agronomic characters, disease-resistance and kernel size of R16. The restoring ability of these restorer lines using different male-sterile lines demonstrates that fertility restoration is no longer an obstacle for commercial utilization of hybrid wheat with the Triticum timopheeviii cytoplasmic male-sterile system. Line 2114 is a restorer with a single restoring gene transferred from Aegilops umbellulata. Its restoring ability, using both difficult and easily restored lines was 82% and 93.3% respectively. Maiyou No. 5, one hybrid variety, showed 13.2% yield advantage over the control variety in the Jiangsu Province registration test in 1997-1998 and was superior to nine other varieties adapted to the Jiangsu Province.