Rht1(B. dw), an alternative allelic variant for breeding semi-dwarf wheat varieties

The vast majority of the world's acreage of semi-dwarf wheat varieties is at present cultivated with varieties carrying one of two genetically similar dwarfing genes, Rht1 and Rht2, derived from the Japanese variety ‘Norin 10’. Near-isogenic lines have been developed and tested to determine the breeding potential of an allelic variant of Rht1, designated Rht1(B. dw). Following its introduction into four varietal backgrounds, Rht1 (B. dw) was seen to reduce height by around 25%, to increase the number of grains setting in spikelets and ears by around 20%, to reduce grain weight by 10%, and to increase yields of plants grown under spaced or drilled conditions by about 8%. When compared to the commercially utilized Rht1 allele, as near isogenic lines in a ‘Mercia’ varietal background, Rht1 (B. dw) gives a significantly greater reduction in plant height, a greater increase in spikelet and ear fertilities, slightly less reduction in 1000-grain weight, and significantly higher spikelet, ear and plot yields. If these results are repeatable in other varietal backgrounds, over seasons, and under differing environmental conditions, Rht1 (B. dw) should have considerable commercial potential as an alternative allele for producing shorter-than-average, high-yielding, semi-dwarf wheat varieties.     

Multigenic inheritance of biotype-E greenbug resistance in wheat

Relatively little is known about host-plant insect-resistance genes. Near-isogenic lines (NILs) can be a useful tool in evaluating such genes and their mechanisms of action. Through backcrossing and single-seed selection, NILs have been produced in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for resistance/susceptibility to biotype-E greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani). Crosses among several resistant and susceptible NILs produced segregation patterns in the F₂ generation that were inconsistent with simple monogenic inheritance. The simplest genetic hypothesis consistent with the data would involve two independently segregating loci, requiring complementary expression of multiple resistance alleles. F₃ segregation data were also consistent with the proposed genetic hypothesis. Multiple alleles are required to account for the observed variation, although the source of the multiple alleles is unknown. Direct comparison of specific resistant/susceptible pairs of NIL's, as well as bulked segregant analysis, should permit elucidation of resistance mechanisms. Based on the segregation data presented, new designations for the resistance loci studied are proposed.     

Positive effect of the high-molecular-weight glutenin allele, Glu-D1d, on the bread-making quality of common wheat

The seed storage proteins of wheat flour are the determinants of bread‐making quality. Many cultivars having good bread‐making quality carry the Glu‐D1d allele responsible for the development of glutenin, a major seed storage protein. The Glu‐D1d allele was introduced into four leading Japanese wheat cultivars by recurrent backcrossing and the quality of these near‐isogenic lines (NILs) was evaluated by the sodium dodecyl sulphate sedimentation value of their flour. The values for the NILs were significantly higher than for the corresponding recipient cultivars. However, the values did not reach the level of the cultivar that had been used as the donor of the Glu‐D1d allele.     

Mixolab参数与粉质、拉伸参数及面包烘烤品质的关系

根据仪器测定的面粉品质特性预测面包烘烤品质是进行小麦品质改良的重要方法。法国肖邦公司(Chopin Technologies, France)最新推出的Mixolab分析仪可以同时测定面粉加水后恒温揉混及面团升温后蛋白质弱化和淀粉糊化特性,明确其与现有相似仪器如粉质仪和拉伸仪等的关系对小麦品质测试具有重要意义。利用 Mixolab分析仪、粉质仪、拉伸仪测定了41份高代育种品系的有关参数和面包烘烤品质,并分析了Mixolab与粉质仪和拉伸仪相关参数的关系及预测面包品质的可靠性。结果表明,可以用Mixolab的形成时间、稳定时间、面团受热后蛋白质弱化值(C2值)和到达淀粉糊化反弹值的时间(C4时间)来预测粉质仪和拉伸仪的品质参数,可解释其变异的74%~90%;可以直接用C2值预测面包体积、外观、结构和总分,决定系数分别为52%、73%、70%和68%;预测面包质地和弹性的参数不仅包含Mixolab稳定时间和C2值,还有表示淀粉糊化特性的C3时间、C4和C5值及C5温度。用Mixolab分析仪既可以了解蛋白质特性和面包烘烤品质的关系,又明确了淀粉品质对面包品质的显著影响,在品质测试中有其独特之处。Mixolab、粉质仪和拉伸仪各参数对预测小麦面包体积、内部质地结构等烘烤品质性状的贡献不同。     

Is the pedigree of the near-isogenic line Michigan Amber/8*Chancellor of bread wheat correct?

Summary It is shown that the near-isogenic line Michigan Amber/8^*Chancellor cannot derive from Michigan Amber. Marquillo is suggested as the donor cultivar.     

Chromosomal location of genes affecting tissue-culture response in wheat

Six ‘Chinese Spring/Triticum spelta’ substitution lines for chromosomes 1A, 1D (duplicates), 3D (duplicates), 6D, and one ‘Chinese Spring/ Marquis’ substitution line for chromosome 2B were studied for tissue-culture response (TCR). The results reported here indicate that chromosomes 2B and 6D are critical for TCR, whereas chromosome ID affects callus weight only. Chromosomes 1A and 3D were not found to be critical, however, these chromosomes may carry genes with minor effects.     

小麦株高QTL Qph.nau-5B的效应评价

株高直接影响小麦的产量潜力,也是植株抗倒伏性的重要组成部分。目前虽有大量株高相关QTL被鉴定到,但大多QTL的遗传效应仍不清楚。本研究前期利用小麦品种群体,通过关联分析鉴定到一个小麦株高主效QTL Qph.nau-5B。为了评价该QTL的效应,通过分子标记辅助选择分别构建了以南大2419、吉春1016和郑麦9023为供体亲本,中优9507为背景的3种等位变异的近等基因系,背景回复率均高于93%。在7个独立的试验环境中,所有近等基因系的株高较轮回亲本均显著降低,平均降幅为11.1 cm(10.3%)。Qph.nau-5B不同等位变异效应强弱不同,其中来源于吉春1016和郑麦9023的等位变异平均降秆效应相似(12.4 cm),显著大于南大2419的等位变异(8.6 cm),但各等位变异相对降秆效应大小受环境影响。此外,Qph.nau-5B对单株穗数、穗长、千粒重等农艺性状无明显负效应。本研究结果表明Qph.nau-5B具有重要的育种价值,可为小麦的株型分子设计育种提供基因资源。     

Genetic Diversity for Adult Plant Resistance to Leaf Rust (Puccinia recondita) in Near-Isogenic Lines and in Indian Wheats

Variation for adult plant resistance in near-isogenic wheat lines carrying Lrl4b, Lrl4ab and Lr30 in a ‘Thatcher’ background indicated the possible presence of novel adult plant resistance genes effective against the Indian leaf rust population. Sixty-one wheats released for cultivation in India were grown in isolated nurseries. Each nursery was separately inoculated with one of four leaf rust pathotypes which had been selected to aid identification of resistance effective only in the adult plant stage. Seven distinct response groups were recognised and a minimum of six sources of adult plant resistance were postulated. In a group of 14 wheats, resistance was explained on the basis of the seedling response genes that were identified. Similar results for two years with pathotype 77-1 gave support to the reliability of field tests. Adult plant resistance (APR) sources were either race-specific or effective against all pathotypes used. Seedlings of cultivars with APR showed susceptible reactions. The possible presence of Lr34 in Indian wheats and its role in durable leaf rust resistance are discussed.     

Genetic analysis of bread-making quality in wheat and spelt

Bread‐making quality in wheat and spelt reflects the combination of several, mostly quantitatively inherited parameters. The aim was to find molecular markers linked to quantitative trait loci (QTL) for quality parameters. Zeleny sedimentation values (Zel), protein (Prot), kernel hardness (KH) and 1000‐kernel weight (TKW) of 226 F₅ recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a cross between wheat and spelt were assessed in different environments. The dough properties of 204 RILs were assessed with an alveograph. Based on a genetic map of 187 loci, nine QTL were found for Zel and Prot, explaining 47% and 51% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. Fifty‐four per cent of the variance was explained by 10 QTL for KH and eight for TKW. For the alveograph parameters 10 QTL were found for baking strength, nine for tenacity, seven for configuration ratio, and four for elasticity index and extensibility. The phenotypic variance explained ranged from 25% to 48%. The population mean of the dough parameters was shifted towards the spelt parent. It is concluded that non‐additive effects are crucial in the expression of high bread‐making quality of wheat. The consequences for wheat and spelt breeding programmes are discussed.     

The Influence of Plant Developmental Stage on Expression of Resistance to leaf Rust (Puccinia recondita) in Two Near Isogenic Lines of Wheat

Cultivar ‘Thatcher’, and ‘Thatcher’ lines with Lr 21 and Lr 22 were studied against a number of races of Puccinia recondita for seedling and adult plant reaction. The study has established that Lr 21 and Lr 22 are genes effective against P. recondita at adult plant stage. It has also shown that these genes confer resistance against all races when plants are inoculated at boot leaf stage.