Identification of duplicates and fingerprinting of primary and secondary wild annual <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cicer</Emphasis> gene pools using AFLP markers

Wild annual Cicer gene pools contain valuable germplasm for chickpea improvement programs. Previous research showed that duplication might exist in accessions collected from these gene pools, which would hinder chickpea breeding and related research. AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) markers were used to fingerprint the world collections of the primary and secondary gene pools including C. reticulatum Lad., C. bijugum K.H. Rech., C. judaicum Boiss. and C. pinnatifidum Jaub. et Sp. Duplicates were detected in a total of 24 accessions in both the gene pools, highlighting the necessity to fingerprint the germplasm. Genotypic difference was detected as gene pool specific, species specific and accession specific AFLP markers. These were developed into fingerprinting keys for accession identification between and within species and gene pools. Use of AFLP markers to detect duplicates and to identify accessions is a reliable method which will assist in the characterisation and use of wild annual Cicer germplasm in chickpea improvement programs. We recommend the procedure presented in this paper as a standard approach for the precise genetic identification and characterisation of future world collections of wild Cicer, to keep germplasm integrity and to benefit chickpea breeding and related research programs.     

Simple sequence repeats marker polymorphism in emmer wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum dicoccon</Emphasis> Schrank): Analysis of genetic diversity and differentiation

Genetic diversity was investigated in 73 accessions of emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccon Schrank) from 11 geographical regions using a set of 29 simple-sequence repeat (SSR or microsatellite) markers, representing at least two markers for each chromosome. The SSR primers amplified a total of 357 different alleles with an average of 12.31 alleles per locus. The number of fragments detected by each primer ranged between 6 (Xgwm1066) and 21 (Xgwm268). Null alleles were detected in nine of the 29 primers used. A high level of gene diversity index was observed. Across the 29 primers, gene diversity ranged from 0.60 (Xgwm46) to 0.94 (Xgwm655), with a mean of 0.82. There was a highly significant correlation (r=0.882; p<0.01) between gene diversity index and the number of loci, showing the number of loci per se is a strong indicator of diversity. Analysis of genetic diversity within and among eleven geographical regions revealed most of the genetic diversity of the total sample resided within regions. The coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst = 0.27) showed that the genetic variation within and among the 11 geographical regions was 73 and 27%, respectively. High value of mean number of alleles per locus was found in Iran (4.86) followed by Morocco (4.10) and Armenia (4.03). On the contrary, lower mean number of alleles per locus was detected in Yemen (2.83). The average gene diversity index across regions ranged from 0.52 (Slovakia) to 0.67 (Morocco) with an average of 0.60. Multivariate techniques of principal component analysis and clustering were employed to examine genetic relationship among the 73 emmer wheat accessions vis-à-vis geographical regions of collections. The genetic distance coefficients for all possible 55 pairs of regional comparisons ranged from 0.63 (between Iran and Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, Georgia and Slovakia) to 0.97 (between Morocco and Yemen, Spain and Georgia, and Turkey and Iran) with a mean of 0.82. From the PCA results, a two dimensional plot of PC1 versus PC2 was constructed. The scatter plot of the first two principal components which explained altogether 27% of the total variation depicted the presence of a clear pattern of geographical differentiation except in few cases like accessions from Caucasian region. Similar pattern of genetic relationships among accessions was observed in cluster analysis. The study provided genetic information of emmer wheat in relation to geographical regions of origin. The information could be utilized in crop improvement, germplasm conservation programs, and in further investigation.     

Variability in aluminium and manganese tolerance among maize accessions

Tolerance to aluminium and manganese toxicity at the seedling stage for 72 maize accessions was examined in solution culture. 0.22 mM Al and 2.0 mM Mn gave better genotypic separation for aluminium and manganese tolerance assessed on the basis respectively of relative root length, and visual symptoms of leaf chlorosis and necrosis. There was considerable variability among accessions for tolerance to aluminium and to manganese. Three accessions, Bozm 1335, Bozm 1337, and Bozm 1536 showed tolerance to Al, while 4, Chzm 01009, Champ, Bozm 0715, LG 20.80 exhibited tolerance to Mn. Accession, Zea 769 was tolerant to both metals. A significant Al x Mn interaction was found when five accessions were grown in a mixture of 0.22 mM aluminium and 2.0 mM manganese. Root length inhibition in Al alone was slightly ameliorated when the accessions were grown in the Al + Mn solution. Tolerance to aluminium and manganese does not necessarily coincide, different mechanisms being involved in tolerance to the two metals.     

Tolerance of durum wheat lines to an acid,aluminum‐toxic subsoil

Durum wheat, Triticum durum Desf., is reportedly more sensitive to aluminum (Al) toxicity in acid soils than hexaploid wheat, Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell. Aluminum‐tolerant genotypes would permit more widespread use of this species where it is desired, but not grown, because of acid soil constraints. Durum wheat germplasm has not been adequately screened for acid soil (Al) tolerance. Fifteen lines of durum wheat were grown for 28 days in greenhouse pots of acid, Al‐toxic Tatum subsoil at pH 4.5, and non‐toxic soil at pH 6.0. Aluminum‐tolerant Atlas 66 and sensitive Scout 66 hexaploid wheats were also included as standards. Based on relative shoot and root dry weight (wt. at pH 4.5/wt. at pH 6.0 X 100), durum entries differed significantly in tolerance to the acid soil. Relative shoot dry weight alone was an acceptable indicator of acid soil tolerance. Relative dry weights ranged from 55.1 to 15.5% for shoots and from 107 to 15.8% for roots. Durum lines PI 195726 (Ethiopia) and PI 193922 (Brazil) were significantly more tolerant than all other entries, even the Al‐tolerant, hexaploid Atlas 66 standard. Hence, these two lines have potential for direct use on acid soils or as breeding materials for use in developing greater Al tolerance in durum wheat. Unexpectedly, the range of acid soil tolerance available in durum wheat appears comparable to that in the hexaploid species. Hence, additional screening of durum wheat germplasm for acid soil (Al) tolerance appears warranted. Durum lines showing least tolerance to the acid soil included PI 322716 (Mexico), PI 264991 (Greece), PI 478306 (Washington State, USA), and PI 345040 (Yugoslavia). The Al‐sensitive Scout 66 standard was as sensitive as the most sensitive durum lines. Concentrations of Al and phosphorus were significantly higher in shoots of acid soil sensitive than in those of tolerant lines, and these values exceeded those reported to cause Al and phosphorus (P) toxicities in wheat and barley.     

Sources of wheat resistance to Sunn pest, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eurygaster integriceps</Emphasis> Puton,in Syria

Sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps Puton, is the most damaging insect pest of wheat in West and Central Asia and East Europe. Host plant resistance has been investigated as one component of a total integrated pest management program for the control of this pest. In Syria, field screening of artificially infested wheat accessions from the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) gene bank, selected using the Focused Identification of Germplasm Strategy (FIGS), identified one durum wheat and eight bread wheat accessions with good levels of resistance at the vegetative stage to overwintered Sunn pest adults. ICARDA is using these sources of resistance in wheat breeding programs to develop cultivars resistant to overwintered Sunn pest adults, which damage wheat at the vegetative stage (shoots and leaves). This study also demonstrated that the FIGS approach was effective in mining genetic resource collections for useful traits.     

Preliminary screening and selection for cold tolerance in annual wild <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cicer</Emphasis> species

The study was aimed to select cold tolerant accessions of annual wild Cicer species in the highlands in the west Mediterranean area of Turkey. A total of 43 accessions of eight annual wild Cicer species was screened for cold tolerance and compared with the best cold tolerant cultivars, ILC 8262 and FLIP 93-53C. After the sensitive check, ILC 533, was killed, accessions were evaluated using a 1–9 scale. Three accessions of Cicer bijugum, 2 accessions of Cicer reticulatum and 2 accessions of Cicer echinospermum were highly cold tolerant, while 3 accessions of C. bijugum, 9 accessions of C. reticulatum, 2 accessions of C. echinospermum and 1 accession of Cicer pinnatifidum were cold tolerant. All accessions of Cicer judaicum were sensitive to cold. Whereas Cicer chorassanicum and Cicer cuneatum were killed, Cicer yamashitae was recorded as highly sensitive to cold. The cold tolerant accessions of annual wild Cicer species were superior to the best cultivar as far as hardiness is concerned.     

Sources of Resistance to Stem Rust (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Puccinia graminis</Emphasis> f. sp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">tritici</Emphasis>) in Ethiopian Tetraploid Wheat Accessions

Seedlings of 41 emmer (Triticum dicoccon Schrank) and 56 durum (T. durum Desf.) wheat accessions were evaluated for their response to stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) infection under greenhouse condition at Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia. The objectives were to identify tetraploid wheat accessions that could serve as sources of resistance to stem rust, and postulate the stem rust (Sr) resistance genes through multipatotype testing. The test included screening of accessions for stem rust resistance and multipatotype testing. To ensure vigorous screening, a mixture of six isolates (Si-1a, Am-2, Ku-3, Dz-4a, Ro-4 and Na-22) that were collected from severely infected emmer, durum, and bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties of major wheat growing areas of Ethiopia was used as inocula. Out of the tested accessions, 18 emmer and 6 durum accessions exhibited low infection types (0–2) response and hence selected as a source of resistance to stem rust infection. Multipatotype testing was done to postulate Sr genes in the selected accessions. In the test, 10 different stem rust races (A2, A9, A11, A14, A16, A17, B3, B7, B15, and B21), 33 stem rust differential lines, and a universal susceptible check variety, Morocco were used, The high (3–4) and low infection type reaction patterns of the tested accessions and differential lines were used to postulate the genes that exhibit gene-for-gene relationship. The presence of Sr 7b, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10, 14, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and Tt-3+10 genes were postulated in 16 selected emmer and 5 durum wheat accessions. Efforts to transfer these valuable Sr genes from cultivated tetraploid wheats could be rewarding to get stem rust resistant varieties and boost wheat production.     

Screening wheat and sorghum cultivars for aluminum sensitivity at low aluminum levels

Screening cultivars for aluminum (Al) tolerance is often conducted in acid soils or in complete nutrient solutions. The former method lacks precise measurements of Al, and the second requires high Al concentrations because of precipitation and chelation of the Al and is less representative of the actual environmental stresses to which plants must adapt. These experiments were designed to determine Al tolerance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) using incomplete solutions with very low Al concentrations. Six wheat and five sorghum cultivars were screened for Al tolerance in solution culture with 0 to 10 μM Al and only Ca, K, Mg, NO₃, and Cl in the solutions. Plants were subjected to the solutions for 4 d, and the change in relative root length was measured. Solution Al levels and pH were measured after the termination of the experiments. ‘Atlas’ 66 and ‘Stacy’ were the most tolerant wheat cultivars ('Atlas 66’ = ‘Stacy’ ≥ ‘Monon’ ≥ ‘Scout 66’ ≥ ‘Arthur 71’ = ‘Oasis'). The wheat cultivars were effectively separated on a genetic response basis at 2 μM Al. Sorghum cultivars were uniform in their Al tolerance, but did show some separation at 1 μM Al (SC56 > Tx430 > ‘Funk GS22DR’ > SC283 = SC599). The pH and Al variations did not account for any of the differences observed, indicating that root length differences were caused by genetic control of response to high Al.     

Imbibition behavior and flooding tolerance of rapeseed seed (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> L.) with different testa color

In this study, the correlations among these characters were investigated in 18 rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) accessions with different seed coat color. The results indicated that seed water uptake and flooding tolerance were significantly correlated with seed color and melanin pigment content of testa. The red or black-seeded accessions had higher melanin content in testa, showed slower water uptake and lower leakage and higher flooding tolerance. The majority of yellow-seeded rapeseed accessions which had low melanin pigments content in testa showed a rapid water uptake and higher leakage than the red or black-seeded, which led to imbibition damage and lower flooding tolerance. The results suggest that the yellow-seeded cultivars experienced poor field emergence and more serious pre-harvest sprouting in raining weather than the dark-seeded cultivars. Some yellow-seeded accessions showed a slow imbibition behavior and relative high flooding tolerance, indicated these accessions can be used as a genetic resource to improve the flooding tolerance and reduce imbibition damage for the yellow-seeded B. napus L.     

Variation in salt tolerance within a Georgian wheat germplasm collection

Bread wheat Triticum aestivum L. possesses a genetic variation for the ability to survive and reproduce under salt stress conditions. Durum wheat (T. durum Desf.) is in general more sensitive in comparison to bread wheat, however, exceptions can be found showing the same extent of salt tolerance. Endemic wheats in general are characterised by a high adaptability to their environment. The level and variability of salt tolerance were assessed in a germplasm collection of 144 winter and spring wheat accessions from Georgia comprising Triticum aestivum L., T. durum Desf., T. dicoccon Schrank, T. polonicum L. and Georgian endemics: T. carthlicum Nevski, T. karamyschevii Nevski, T. macha Dekapr. et Menabde, T. timopheevii (Zhuk.) Zhuk. and T. zhukovskyi Menabde et Ericzjan. The accessions were tested for salt tolerance at the germination stage. Large variability in salt tolerance within the Georgian germplasm was found among the different wheat species. The endemic hexaploid winter wheat T. macha and the endemic tetraploid wheat T. timopheevii were among the most tolerant materials, thus presenting promising donors for salt tolerant traits in future breeding efforts for salinity tolerance in wheat.     

Aluminum tolerance of segregating wheat populations in acidic soil and nutrient solutions

Abstract

Increased demand for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars tolerant to acid‐soil stress has accelerated genetic research on aluminum (Al) tolerance in soil and solution media. Our objective was to characterize the genetic segregation of tolerant and susceptible plants from two populations in an Al‐toxic Porters soil (coarse‐loamy, mixed, mesic Umbric Dystrochrepts), and in nutrient solutions with 0.09, 0.18, 0.36, 0.72, and 0.90 mM Al. Rapid bioassays were applied to determine seedling responses of two Al‐tolerant (Cardinal and Becker) and two susceptible cultivars (GK Zombor and GK Kincso) and their F₂ progenies. In the Al‐toxic soil, Becker/Kincso F₂ and Cardinal/Zombor F₂ exhibited contrasting segregation patterns but with similar heritability values (0.60 and 0.57, respectively). Higher values of root length in soil were dominant in Cardinal/Zombor F₂ (degree of dominance, d = 0.98), but dominance was absent (d = 0.07) for Becker/Kincso F₂. The results of the soil and nutrient‐solution experiments were not entirely consistent; gene expression appeared to be influenced by the concentration of Al in the nutrient solution. The frequency of susceptible F₂ plants increased proportionately to the increase in Al concentration for both populations. This unexpected pattern provides further evidence that segregation in wheat populations cannot always be explained by single‐gene inheritance.     

Variation of tolerance to manganese toxicity in Australian hexaploid wheat

High concentrations of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and aluminium (Al) induced in waterlogged acid soils are a potential constraint for growing sensitive wheat cultivars in waterlogged‐prone areas of Western Australian wheat‐belt. Tackling induced ion toxicities by a genetic approach requires a good understanding of the existing variability in ion toxicity tolerance of the current wheat germplasm. A bioassay for tolerance to high concentration of Mn in wheat was developed using Norquay (Mn‐tolerant), Columbus (Mn‐intolerant), and Cascades (moderately tolerant) as control genotypes and a range of MnCl₂ concentrations (2, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 2000, and 3000 μM Mn) at pH 4.8 in a nutrient solution. Increasing solution Mn concentration decreased shoot and root dry weight and intensified the development of toxicity symptoms more in the Mn‐intolerant cv. Columbus than in Norquay and Cascades. The genotypic discrimination based on relative shoot (54% to 79%) and root dry weight (17% to 76%), the development of toxicity symptoms (scores 2 to 4) and the shoot Mn concentration (1428 to 2960 mg kg^–1) was most pronounced at 750 μM Mn. Using this concentration to screen 60 Australian and 6 wheat genotypes from other sources, a wide variation in relative root dry weight (11% to 95%), relative shoot dry weight (31% to 91%), toxicity symptoms (1.5 to 4.5), and shoot Mn concentration (901 to 2695 mg kg^–1) were observed. Evidence suggests that Mn tolerance has been introduced into Australian wheat through CIMMYT germplasm having “LERMO‐ROJO” within their parentage, preserved either through a co‐tolerance to Mn deficiency or a process of passive selection for Mn tolerance. Cultivars Westonia and Krichauff expressed a high level of tolerance to both Mn toxicity and deficiency, whereas Trident and Janz (reputed to be tolerant to Mn deficiency) were intolerant to Mn toxicity, suggesting that tolerance to excess and shortage of Mn are different, but not mutually exclusive traits. The co‐tolerance for Mn and Al in ET8 (an Al‐tolerant near‐isogenic line) and the absence of Mn tolerance in BH1146 (an Al‐tolerant genotype from Brazil) limits the effectiveness of these indicator genotypes to environments where only one constraint is induced. Wide variation of Mn tolerance in Australian wheat cultivars will enable breeding genotypes for the genetic solution to the Mn toxicity problem.     

Allelopathy variation in dryland winter wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.) accessions grown on the Loess Plateau of China for about fifty years

In this study, we investigated the genetic variation of allelopathic potential, its grey correlation with important agronomic characters, and rank analysis on allelopathic stability of fifteen wheat accessions commonly grown in arid regions of the Loess Plateau in China. The genetic variation of allelopathic property in dryland winter wheat showed significant differences between accessions. Allelopathic effects exhibited high heritability (55–95%) throughout the life cycle of wheat. Heritability was highest in the tillering stage and weakest in the seed filling stage. Allelopathic potential varied and was discontinuous throughout the wheat life cycle. Grey correlation analysis indicated a close relationship between allelopathic potential dependant on growth phase and agronomic characters. Allelopathic expression during some growth periods induced a partial correlation effect on some important agronomic characters that affected wheat yield. Allelopathic heritability and its degree of influence on yield were more evident in the vegetative growth stage compared to the reproductive stage. A multiple linear regression was built between allelopathic potential during different growth periods and agronomic characters pursued in wheat breeding. Allelopathic potential had a linear effect on production traits cultivated in wheat breeding. When allelopathic intensity varied from 0 to 1 in the reproductive stage, plant height ranged from 44 to 108 cm, spike length from 6.4 to 9.2 cm, number of spikelets with seeds from 13.4 to 21.0, mean seed number per spike from 41.5 to 50.3 and thousand seed weight from 36.2 to 38.3 g. Based on rank analysis, we concluded that there was a synergistic relationship between allelopathic potential in wheat and genetic, chemical and ecological factors. Triticum aestivum L. ‘No 6 Lankao’ and T. aestivum L. ‘No 22 Xiaoyan’ were identified as stable and relatively strong allelopathic accessions, whereas T. aestivum L. ‘Lankao 95–25’ was a stable but relatively weak allelopathic cultivar. Other varieties showed unstable allelopathic potential.     

Gliadin Electrophoretic Analysis of the Genetic Integrity of Wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.) Accessions After Frequent Seed Reproductions

A standard electrophoretic method for wheat cultivar identification was used on single seeds to analyse the genetic integrity of 11 wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) accessions after up to 24 seed reproductions in the Gatersleben genebank. It was clearly demonstrated that the gliadin pattern of single seeds can be used to analyse the genotype composition of wheat accessions. Stability of electrophoretic banding patterns was detected in eight accessions. Very week genetic drift was observed in three accessions. Our investigations confirm experiences of the successful utilisation of protein markers for cultivar verification and genetic integrity testing and demonstrate the high standard of wheat accessions maintenance in the Gatersleben genebank.     

Molecular diversity of Omani wheat revealed by microsatellites: II. Hexaploid landraces

For millennia, wheat (Triticum spp.) has been grown in traditional aflaj-irrigation systems of remote mountain oases in Oman. However, little is known about the diversity of the ancient landraces used. Given recent reports about the occurrence of novel germplasm in such material, the objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) landraces in relation to their geographic origin using microsatellites. The collection covered most of the cultivation areas in northern Oman where wheat landraces are growing. Total genomic DNA was extracted from six pooled plants representing each accession. A total of 161 wheat accessions were assayed using 35 microsatellite loci in which a total of 305 polymorphic bands were recorded for the 35 microsatellites. The polymorphic information content (PIC) across the 35 microsatellite loci ranged from 0.02 to 0.89 with an average of 0.50. A heterozygosity percentage value of 9.09 was determined and the highest level recorded for accessions from the Batinah district. Rare alleles averaged 1.85 with the highest value being from the Dakhilia district. The results indicated a significant correlation between gene diversity and number of alleles across districts. The correlation coefficient between these two variables over the 35 loci was 0.657, whereby correlation coefficients of 0.718, 0.706, 0.657 and 0.651, respectively, were found for the Batinah, Dhahira, Dakhilia and Sharqia materials. Genetic distances indicated that all landraces were closely related. The cluster analysis discriminated most of the landraces accessions. However, it failed to achieve region-specific groupings of landraces. The present study demonstrated the presence of high diversity in Omani landraces and also indicated the effectiveness of microsatellites to describe it.     

Sampling strategies and screening of chickpea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cicer arietinum</Emphasis> L.) germplasm for salt tolerance

Six hundred accessions of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) landraces and its wild relatives from 28 different countries, available at Australian Temperate and Field Crops Collection (ATFCC) were screened for tolerance to salt under greenhouse conditions using three sampling strategies; (1) random sampling of 200 accessions from different countries, (2) restricted random sampling of 200 accessions from geographical regions with salinity problems and high diversity (Middle East and West & South Asia) and (3) as for strategy 1 but with a reduced representation of accessions from the geographical regions used in strategy 2. Degree of salt tolerance was based on necrosis scores and shoot biomass reduction relative to unstressed controls at harvest after subjecting stressed plants to salt treatment from 21 to 42 days after sowing. There was a wide variation in salinity tolerance determined by both measures. For sampling strategies 1, 2 and 3 respectively; 24, 28 and 14% of accessions were salt tolerant. Accessions from the middle east and south Asian (regions with salinity problem, a long history of chickpea cultivation and high diversity) gave a higher probability (P < 0.01) of getting salt tolerant accessions.     

Varietal diversity of upland rice in sensitivity to aluminium

A rapid and simple nutrient addition technique was used for evaluating Al tolerance of six local upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars (BG35, BR21, DA25, DA26, DA14, and DA22) from Bangladesh and three IRRI rice, IR46, IR97, and IR45, cultivars from the Philippines. The plants were grown for 21 days with Al (0 μM, 140 μM, 280 μM or 560 μM) at pH 4.1. The roots were more affected by Al than the shoots. In rating cultivars for Al sensitivity, relative shoot weight (RSW) was found to be the best parameter due to the severe damage of the roots, irrespective of Al sensitivity. The cultivars were rated as Al tolerant (BG35, BR21, DA25, and DA26), mid‐tolerant (DA14, DA22, and IR46) and sensitive (IR97 and IR45) . More Al was retained in the roots of tolerant cultivars than in the mid‐tolerant or sensitive cultivars. In shoots, the Al concentration of tolerant cultivars was less than in the mid‐tolerant or in the sensitive cultivars and the inhibition of growth was proportional to Al concentration irrespective of Al tolerance. Therefore, the variation among cultivars in Al sensitivity could be related to the capacity of roots to retain Al from transport to the shoots.     

Tolerances of wheat germplasm to acid subsoil

Aluminum toxicity is a major growth limiting factor for plants in many acid soils of the world. Correcting the problem by conventional liming is not always economically feasible, particularly in subsoils. Aluminum tolerant plants provide an alternative and long‐term supplemental solution to the problem. The genetic approach requires the identification of Al tolerance sources that can be transferred to cultivars already having desirable traits. Thirty‐five cultivars and experimental lines of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell) were screened for Al tolerance on acid Tatum soil (clayey, mixed thermic, typic Hapludult) receiving either 0 or 3500 mg CaCO₃/kg (pH 4.1 vs. pH 7.1). Entries showed a wide range of tolerance to the acid soil. On unlimed soil at pH 4.3, absolute shoot dry weights differed by 5‐fold, absolute root dry weights by 6.5‐fold, relative shoot weights (wt. at pH 4.3/wt. at pH 7.1 %) by 4.7‐fold and relative root dry weights by 7‐fold. Superior acid soil (Al) tolerance of ‘BH‐1146’ from Brazil and extreme sensitivities of cultivars ‘Redcoat’ (Indiana, USA) and ‘Sonora 63’ (Mexico) were confirmed. Seven experimental (CNT) lines from Brazil showed a range of acid soil tolerance but were generally more tolerant than germplasm from Mexico and the USA. One line, ‘CNT‐1’, was equal to BH‐1146 in tolerance and may be useful in transferring Al tolerance to existing or new cultivars. Five durum cultivars (Triticum, durum, Desf.) were extremely sensitive to the acid Tatum subsoil at pH 4.3 compared with pH 7.1.     

Characterization of genetic variation and relationships among Choix germplasm accessions using RAPD markers

Choix, a plant in the tribe Maydeae of the grass family, has been cultivated in Asia for several thousand years. It is a potential gene resource for improvement of other cereal crops because of its nutritional value and tolerance to stress. Genetic variation and relationships among 21 Choix lachryma-jobi L. accessions were characterized by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. A total of 205 DNA fragments across all materials were amplified with 31 random primers, averaging 6.61 per primer. Among amplified fragments, 115 showed polymorphism averaging 3.71 per primer. Of amplified markers, 56.1% were polymorphic, indicating considerable variation at the DNA level among these accessions. Some fragments were accession-specific. Pair-wise genetic similarity (GS) among 21 accessions ranged from 0.809 to 0.301. The 21 accessions clustered into two major groups. Three exotic Choix accessions clustered together. Three other Choix accessions, collected from Guangxi, China, clustered into a cohesive subgroup. Four wild types of Choix clustered into the same subgroup. These results indicated that the classification by RAPD data reflected the differences in geographic origins and evolution in Choix.     

Wheat artificial amphiploids involving the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum timopheevii</Emphasis> genome: their studies,preservation and reproduction

The effective utilisation of available genetic resources of related species is essential for successful crops breeding and maintaining genetic variability within crops. Bread wheat, the basic cultivated wheat species, is an amphiploid (2n = 6x = 42) and, therefore, the production of new synthetic amphiploids using genomes of related species should reduce the difficulties caused by direct crossings, for example, between hexaploid wheat and diploid relatives. Hence, exploiting synthetic amphiploids is an effective and rapid way of introgressing desirable traits from related species into cultivated wheats. Some of the artificial amphiploids that already exist were produced 80 years ago. Yet little work has been done to highlight potential contamination and/or genetic changes during their conservation by genebanks. Thus, we utilised the electrophoresis of wheat endosperm storage proteins (gliadins) to check such amphiploid authenticity, and also where differences had been previously observed between synthetic wheat amphiploids. In addition, we checked putative amphiploid accessions where Triticum timopheevii (GGA^tA^t) was recorded as one of the parents. A synthetic species, T. timococcum produced by Kostov, together with a natural T. zhukovskyi found in Georgia (the former Soviet Union) were revealed to be identical according to our assays. The existence of several T. kiharae accessions independently produced by different authors was confirmed, and they exhibited polymorphism for a number of traits, including spike characters (awning, hairy glumes) and growth habit (spring vs. winter). The effective conservation of artificial amphiploids in genebanks is discussed.