Distribution and allelic expressivity of genes for hybrid necrosis in some elite winter and spring wheat ecotypes

The distribution and allelic expressivity of hybrid necrosis genes (Ne ₁ and Ne ₂) were studied in 21 winter (mostly exotic) and 43 spring type elite wheat genotypes, by crossing them with two known testers, C 306 (Ne ₁-carrier) and HD 2380 (Ne ₂-carrier).Ne ₁ gene was present in one north-west Himalayan winter wheat landrace, Shoure Local, but absent in the other winter as well as spring wheats. Ne ₂ gene was prevalent to a much lower extent in the exotic winter wheat germplasm (31.57%) as compared to the recently developed Indian and Mexican spring wheat semidwarfs (69.80%). This may suggest that breeders have tried to preclude hybrid necrosis by selecting for non-carrier genotypes in the development of exotic winter wheats in contrast to the situation in spring wheats. Based on the degree of expression of hybrid necrosis genes in the F₁ hybrids, the carrier genotypes were characterized with respect to the allelic strength of the hybrid necrosis genes. The 27 non-carrier genotypes of the two ecotypes identified in the present study have a greater potential use in future hybridization programmes so as to overcome the problem of hybrid necrosis. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Influence of winter and spring wheat genetic backgrounds on haploid induction parameters and trait correlations in the wheat × maize system

The interactive influence of winter and/or spring wheat genetic background on haploid induction parameters and trait correlation was studied by hybridizing five elite and diverse genotypes each of winter and spring wheat and their F₁s (winter × winter, spring × spring, and winter × spring, generated in a diallel design excluding reciprocals) with a single genotype of maize. Data were recorded with respect to per cent seed formation, embryo formation, and regeneration. High genetic variability was present among the wheat genotypes (parents + F₁s) for the three haploid induction parameters. Significant differences were obtained within and between different groups viz., spring wheats, winter wheats, spring × spring wheats, winter × winter wheats, and winter × spring wheats with respect to the three haploid induction parameters based on ANOVA. The winter genotypes (winter parents and winter × winter wheat hybrids) responded better than the spring groups (spring wheat parents, spring × spring and winter × spring wheat hybrids) with respect to embryo formation and winter × spring wheat hybrids yielded significantly the highest numbers of regenerants. Correlation studies amongst the haploid induction parameters indicated that the genes controlling seed formation and haploid plantlet regeneration are negatively correlated when the genetic backgrounds of both ecotypes are combined in winter × spring hybrids. Haploid embryo formation had no association with seed formation and regeneration in all genetic backgrounds, suggesting independent inheritance.     

Androgenic capability among genotypes of winter and spring barley

Variable efficiency of androgenesis remains a serious problem in many species of cereals. It is still unclear what makes certain genotypes more amenable to androgenesis than others. This study was undertaken to quantify the previously suspected advantage of winter barley genotypes over spring ones with regard to regeneration efficiency in anther culture. The material consisted of 40 barley hybrids originating from Polish breeding companies. The number of androgenic structures per 100 anthers did not differ significantly between analysed groups (119 vs. 152 non‐significant), but the average regeneration of green plants per 100 anthers was five times higher in winter genotypes (6.4 vs. 1.3). The incidence of albinism was lower for the winter than for the spring materials (70% vs. 90%), while the rate of spontaneous chromosome doubling was similar in both groups (58% vs. 56%). The results strongly support the notion that winter genotypes are more amenable to androgenesis and this may be a consequence of their better adaptation to stress conditions.     

Vernalization of immature embryos of winter wheat genotypes

Summary The effect of direct vernalization of immature embryos on flowering was studied in six winter wheat genotypes. Fourteen-, 17-, and 20-day-old embryos were excised and vernalized for 0–6 weeks on synthetic medium during a conditioning period. Percent germination of embryos was high (overall 96.1%), and free from genotypic effects. Genotypes differed for flowering in response to cold treatment of excised embryos. Embryo vernalization was as effective as or more than conventional vernalization (control, seedling vernalization for 6 weeks). Seventeen-day-old embryos were the most responsive to vernalization. With a 5-week vernalization of 17-day-old embryos, the percentage of plants anthesed was higher than those from 14-and 20-day-old embryos. For 17-day-old embryos vernalized for 5 weeks, the mean number of days from culture to anthesis was less than that of 6 week vernalization, less than that of 14- and 20-day-old embryos, and less than controls.Purdue Univ., Agronomy Dept., W. Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.     

Relative genetic contributions of ancestral genotypes to Yugoslavian winter wheat cultivars

Summary Pedigrees of 142 Yugoslavian winter wheat cultivars were traced to 110 ancestral genotypes, of which 41 contributed significantly. In each of the four major Yugoslavian wheat breeding programs, the most important ancestor, as evaluated by mean coefficient of parentage, was Akagomughi, source of the genes Rht8 and Ppd1. The other 13–19 ancestors accounting for the majority of the remaining germplasm, varied considerably among institutions. The relative contributions of ancestors changed little between the periods 1967–76 and 1982–86, with the exception of Neuzucht (source of a 1B/1R translocation), which became much more important in the latter period.     

Response of four winter wheat cultivars to triallate

Summary Genetic variation among four winter wheat cultivars for response to treatment with triallate was examined. The cultivars showed differential tolerance based on stand count, however, differential tolerance was not seen for any of the other traits examined including visual score, and the mature plant traits, tiller count and yield. Significant effects due to increasing the rate of chemical were observed. An increase in yield was seen at the 0.5 and 1.0 kg/ha rates of triallate. This yield increase was paralleled by trends toward increasing seed number/head and tiller number/unit area. The results indicate that the effect of triallate on wheat has two components. The first component, toxicity, is seen on all cultivars, but the extent of damage varies significantly among cultivars. The second component is positive and leads to an increase in yield without interacting significantly with genotype.     

Estimation of genetic parameters for in vitro traits in wheat immature embryo cultures involving high X low regeneration capacity genotypes

Summary Estimates of gene actions were obtained for five in vitro traits of immature wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) embryo cultures from a cross of two wheat cultivars and the resulting reciprocal, F₁, F₂ and backcross populations. The contribution of additive gene effects to in vitro traits was not as important as the dominance gene effects. Epistatic gene effects were relatively more important than either additive or dominance gene effects. Of the individual types of digenic epistatic effects, the dominance x dominance estimates were relatively larger in magnitude for all in vitro culture traits measured. The maternal effect played a minor role in the inheritance of the in vitro studied traits since the difference among the reciprocal values was not significant. It is shown from the generation mean method that epistasis played a major role in the inheritance of most of the traits under study. The negative values of additive and dominance genetic variance were estimates of zero. Heritability estimates, in broad sense, were relatively high for the in vitro studied traits. In some cases, heritability estimates in broad and narrow senses are almost equal since the estimation of dominance genetic variance led to negative values. According to the results of the gene effects, dominance and epistasis were important for the shoot formation trait. Selection would be effective among the isolated genotypes on individual basis.     

On defining a winter wheat

Summary An international survey of wheat breeders and scientists was conducted to determine whether there was a common understanding of the term winter wheat. Response to photoperiod was mentioned by only seven of the 30 survey respondents. It was consequently suggested that it be excluded from any definition. Response to vernalization was mentioned by 28 of the 30 respondents. However, there was considerable variation in the method of quantifying this response and the degree of response necessary for wheat to be called winter. It was concluded that the only objective and internationally consistent definition of winter wheat was a genetic definition based on the complement of Vrn genes a wheat possesses. Varieties not possessing any of the dominant Vrn alleles appear to take a distinctively longer and more variable time to head when grown under non-vernalizing, long day conditions. These are genetically winter wheats.     

Acceleration of generation advancement in spring wheat

Summary The results indicated that acceleration of generation time in wheat was practical. The method developed by Mukade et al. (1973) was improved by extending the hydrogen peroxide treatment at low temperature.     

In vitro androgenesis of wheat: from fundamentals to practical application

Wheat anther cultures have a history of almost 30 years and are nowemployed efficiently in many countries of the world for the developmentof doubled haploid lines for breeding. The present paper discusses keyquestions of the elaboration and perfection of the method: cytologicalaspects of in vitro androgenesis, the conditions required for theembryogenic development of microspores and the applicability of anthercultures in the Martonvásár wheat breeding programme.     

Russian wheat aphid-induced protein alterations in spring wheat

The Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), has become a perennial, serious pest of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the western United States. Current methodologies used to enhance RWA resistance in wheat germplasm could benefit from an understanding of the biochemical mechanisms underlying resistance to RWA. This study was initiated to identify specific polypeptides induced by RWA feeding that may be associated with RWA resistance. The effects of RWA feeding on PI 140207 (a RWA-resistant spring wheat) and Pavon (a RWA-susceptible spring wheat) were examined by visualizing, silver-stained denatured leaf proteins separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Comparisons of protein profiles of noninfested and RWA-infested Pavon and PI 140207 revealed a 24-kilodalton-protein complex selectively inhibited in Pavon that persisted in PI 140207during RWA attack. No other significant qualitative or quantitative differences were detected in RWA-induced alterations of protein profiles. These results suggest that RWA feeding selectively inhibit synthesis and accumulation of proteins necessary for normal metabolic functions in susceptible plants. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Changes in relative growth rate with plant ontogeny in spring wheat genotypes grown as isolated plants

Summary For a better insight in the effect of wide spacing on the outcome of plant selection in spring wheat, the growth of free-grown individual plants was followed in time for each of 12 cultivars. As time proceeded, the cultivar differences for per-plant weight showed progressively less relation with those for seedling weight. At anthesis, the genetic correlation with seedling weight was still about 0.80, but at final harvest it was only 0.06. This contrasted with the genetic correlation between seedling weight and final biomass in closely planted mixtures which was on the average 0.77. The outcome of selection of genotypes in isolation is therefore expected to deviate substantially from that of selection in densely planted segregating populations where the differences in initial size tend to be maintained in time.The ranking of the varieties grown in isolation changed in time because of differences in relative growth rate (RGR). The genetic variance of RGR decreased much less with time than RGR itself. Late-flowering varieties showed the higher RGR so that these varieties improved their position in the ranking in isolation.Special attention is paid to the methodology of plant growth analysis in variety experiments and in estimating means and variances of RGR.     

Evidence for a ‘uniculm effect’ in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a mediterranean environment

Summary The concept of the uniculm habit as an important feature of a wheat ideotype for a mediterranean environment was evaluated under field conditions. A uniculm plant produces a single shoot and when sown in a stand exemplifies a non-tillering crop with a fixed density of shoots throughout the growing season. Yield and harvest index of normal tillering spring wheat was compared with that of the same crop surgically detillered throughout the growing season to a constant density of 2 shoots per plant. The use of a biculm, whilst retaining the uniculm principle of a fixed density of shoots throughout the growing season, permitted comparison on a single crop sowing at normal field density.The control plots followed the usual pattern of tillering for the region attaining a maximum of about 4.0 shoots per plant by early spring. Shoot number declined to 2.3 and 2.6 per plant by maturity in 1978 and 1979, respectively.Detillered plots outyielded the controls by 14 per cent in 1978 (2.05 v. 1.80 tonnes ha^-1) and 22 per cent in 1979 (1.84 v. 1.51 tonnes ha^-1). Harvest indices were 0.39 v. 0.35 in 1978 and 0.30 v. 0.24 in 1979 for detillered and control plots, respectively.Higher leaf area indices and better water relations after anthesis in biculm stands indicated more efficient water use when shoot population was controlled at near optimum level. Irrigation at anthesis reduced the difference in yield between detillered and control plots.Although the uniculm principle was demonstrated with biculms in practice control of shoot number will require the use of genetic uniculms.     

Selection for yield in small plots of spring wheat

Summary Four selection experiments were sown: single-row plots with single row-spacing (20 cm), single-row plots with double row spacing (40 cm), three-row plots and six-row plots both with single row-spacing (20 cm). Selection entries were mimiced by 16 different varieties or advanced breeding lines, which were also sown in a yield trial. Each experiment was laid out as a 4-times replicated randomized block design. Row length was 2 m. Alley borders and border-rows of multiple-row plots were harvested separately to evaluate the effects of different harvesting procedures on the selection efficiency. Removal of alley borders was found to be disadvantageous, since the gain in precision was more than offset by the loss in sampled area. Wide spacing of single-row plots improved the selection efficiency in comparison with normal spaced single-row plots. In multiple-row plots the selection efficiency was not improved by harvesting only the central rows.For gross plot yield (= yield of net plot + yield of alley borders) the differences in selection efficiency between the various selection plot-types were explained on the basis of the genetic variance, the environmental variance and the coefficient of genetic correlation with farm yield as determined in the yield trial.     

Inheritance of resistance to two Septoria tritici isolates in spring and winter bread wheat cultivars

Summary All possible crosses (including reciprocals) were made among four winter bread (Aurora, Bezostaya 1, Kavkaz, and Trakia) and two Israeli spring wheat cultivars (spring x winter diallel), and among two South American spring wheats (Colotana and Klein Titan) with the same Israeli cultivars (spring x spring diallel) to study the inheritance of resistance to septoria tritici blotch. Parents, F₁, F₂ and backcrosses were grown in two separated blocks in the field over two years. One block was inoculated with isolate ISR398A1 and another with ISR8036. Each plant was assessed for plant height (cm), days to heading (from emergence or transplanting), and percent pycnidia coverage on the four uppermost leaves. Plant height and maturity had insignificant effects on pycnidia coverage. No cytoplasmic effects could be detected. In the spring x winter diallel general combining ability (GCA) was the major component of variation. Significant specific combining ability (SCA) was present in all cases. Partial dominance was operative in populations inoculated with ISR398A1. Resistance in the winter wheats was controlled by a small number of genes (usually two). The four winter wheats derive their resistance to ISR398A1 from their common parent Bezostaya 1 which lacks the 1B/1R wheat-rye translocation. Their resistance is readily overcome by ISR8036. Inheritance of the South American wheats can be explained by additive effects, with a small number of genes of recessive mode affecting resistance to both isolates. Breeding strategies that favor additive, and additive x dominance gene action should be pursued.     

Effects of the Russian wheat aphid on osmotic potential and fructan content of winter wheat seedlings

Summary The effect of an autumn Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), infestation on winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L., was investigated using osmotic potential, fructan content and field survival measurements to estimate coldhardiness. An average infestation of 147 aphids per plant, under simulated hardening conditions, increased the osmotic potential of Froid and Brawny (more or less coldhardy varieties, respectively) seedlings by 0.236 and 0.345 MPa, respectively. A natural field infestation averaging 9.7 aphids per plant reduced fructan contents of Froid and Brawny seedlings by 22.60 and 59.10 g kg^-1 dry wt., respectively. Similar trends occurred after a natural freeze period. Field survival and yield results indicate that the autumn infestation reduced the winter survivability of Brawny by 54% and reduced grain yields by 1217 kg ha^-1; survival and yield of infested Froid were not significantly affected. PI 372129, a D. noxia resistant winter wheat genotype was not affected by an infestation in regard to these parameters. These studies suggest that coldhardiness in Froid and Brawny was reduced by D. noxia though only the less hardy Brawny had a significantly reduced winter survivability and grain yield. Therefore, the effects of an autumn D. noxia infestation on some winter wheat genotypes may interact with a winter climate and increase the potential for winterkill.     

Gene action and heritability for photosynthetic activity in two wheat crosses

Summary Gene action and heritability for photosynthetic activity were estimated from generation means in two wheat crosses during two stages (5 ^th leaf and flag leaf between 2 and 5 days after anthesis). Six generations were available for each cross: parents (P₁ and P₂), F₁, F₂ and backcrosses (BC₁ and BC₂).Correlations between some morphophysiological characters and photosynthetic activity of the flag leaf was also determined. The joint scaling test described by Mather & Jinks was used to determine the gene action. It showed that them; [d]; [h]; [i], [l] (mean, additivity, dominance, additive x additive interallelic interaction effects, dominance x dominance interallelic interaction effects) model fits the two crosses at both measurement times. All the model genetic components were significant for the flag leaf, however for the 5 ^th leaf only [h]; [i] and [l] were significant. The presence of additive and additive x additive effects suggested the possibility of selecting for this character using the flag leaf so as to obtain pure inbred lines. Dominance effects [h] were negative and dominance x dominance effects [l] were positive. Broad sense heritability values were medium to low. There were no correlations between the studied morphophysiological characters and the photosynthetic activity.     

Comparison of phenotypic and molecular marker-based classifications of hard red winter wheat cultivars

Genetic diversity is the basis for successful crop improvement and can be estimated by different methods. The objectives of this study were to estimate the genetic diversity of 30 ancestral to modern hard red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars adapted to the Northern Great Plains using pedigree information, morphological traits (agronomic measurements from six environments), end-use quality traits (micro-quality assays on 50 g grain or milled flour samples for the six environments), and molecular markers (seed storage proteins separated using SDS-PAGE, 51 SSRs, and 23 SRAP DNA markers), and to determine the relationships of genetic distance estimates obtained from these methods. Relationships among diversity estimates were determined using simple (Pearson) and rank (Spearman) correlation coefficients between distance estimates and by clustering cultivars using genetic-distances for different traits. All methods found a wide range in genetic diversity. The genetic distance estimates based on pedigree had the highest values due to possible over-estimation arising from model assumptions. The genetic diversity estimates based on seed storage protein were lowest because they were the major determinants of end-use quality, which is a highly selected trait. In general, the diversity estimates from each of the methods were positively correlated at a low level with the exceptions of SRAP diversity estimates being independent of morphologic traits (simple correlation), SDS-PAGE, and SSR diversity estimates (rank correlation). However, SSR markers, thought to be among the most efficient markers for estimating genetic diversity, were most highly correlated with seed storage proteins. The procedures used to accurately estimate genetic diversity will depend largely upon the tools available to the researcher and their application to the breeding scheme.     

The association of culm anatomy with lodging susceptibility in modern spring wheat genotypes

Selection for lodging resistant cultivars in cereal breeding programs is difficult due to the challenge of screening for this trait under natural field conditions. The identification of easily measurable culm traits related to lodging resistance would simplify the selection process. The present study was conducted to determine if differences in culm anatomy exist among modern wheat genotypes differing in lodging susceptibility, and to determine the association between culm characters and lodging. From a 2-year field study conducted in Edmonton, Alberta, 13 spring wheat cultivars were chosen based on predetermined susceptibility to artificially induced lodging. Morphological and anatomical culm measurements were made visually and with an environmental scanning electron microscope. Genotypes differed (P < 0.05) for plant height, number of internodes per culm, basal internode length and diameter, culm wall thickness and the number of vascular bundles, but not for adventitious root frequency, lumen diameter or sclerenchyma ring thickness. Mean genotype field scores for artificially induced lodging were correlated (P < 0.05) with plant height (r= 0.51) and the length of the fourth basal internode (r= 0.51). Short, wide basal internodes and thick culm walls were characteristic of three lodging tolerant genotypes: Kohika, Sapphire and Olso. Nevertheless, despite such apparent genotype specific association between culm anatomy and field lodging, general applicable associations were not observed for most traits. The most practical and easily selectable trait for lodging resistance within a wheat breeding program remains plant height. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A comparison of yield and yield component selection in winter wheat

Summary Three populations of winter wheat were formed by crossing Avrora to Sage, TAM W-101, and Danne. Approximately 10% of the F₂ plants from these crosses were selected for high and low levels of number of tillers per plant, number of kernels per spike, 1000-kernel weight, and grain yield. Forty-eight solid seeded F₃ lines obtained from the selected F₂ plants were then selected for high and low expressions of yield components and grain yield. Realized heritabilities were estimated. Indirect responses of yield to yield component selection and direct response to selection for grain yield were measured. Heritabilities were low for tiller number, number of kernels per spike and kernel weights but were high or intermediate for grain yield when selection occurred in the F₂ generation. When selection was practiced in the F₃ generation, heritabilities for tiller number and yield were low, but were intermediate to high for number of kernels per spike and kernel weight and high heritabilities were found for kernel weight. Selection for kernel weight often increased grain yield; however, direct selection for grain yields was usually as effective.Journal article no. J-4488 of the Oklahoma Agri. Exp. Stn., Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074.