The electrofocusing composition of the Large and Small Sub-unit polypeptides of Fraction-1-Protein in rice x wheat and rice x sorghum hybrids

Summary The polypeptide composition of Fraction-1-Protein (F1P) from rice × sorghum, rice × wheat hybrids and their respective parents have been analyzed by a microelectrofocusing method. The large sub-unit (LSU) is composed of three polypeptides and the small sub-unit (SSU) of two polypeptides in rice and sorghum parents and rice × sorghum hybrids. Similarly, LSU is composed of three polypeptides in the rice and wheat parents and rice × wheat hybrids. Two polypeptides occur in the SSU of rice parent and rice × wheat hybrids where as only one polypeptide in the wheat parent. These polypeptides also differ in their isoelectric points. Based on the previous reports of F1P inheritance in hybrids in other crops, F1P analysis of rice × sorghum and rice × wheat hybrids does not seem to be an important marker to identify such intergeneric hybrids. Since this is first such report of F1P inheritance in hybrids between distantly related plants, its implication in different modes of inheritance are discussed.Abbreviations F1P Fraction-1-Protein - IEF Isoelectric focusing - pI Isoelectric points - LSU Large sub-unit - RuBPCase Ribulose 1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase-oxygenase - SSU Small sub-unit     

Inheritance of grain threshability in rice

Summary Inheritance of grain threshability was studied in a cross between two indica rice varieties. Hard threshability was found to be completely dominant over easy threshability. The segregation pattern indicated threshability to be monogenically controlled.     

Parental effects on crossability,embryo differentiation and plantlet recovery in wheat x rye hybrids

Summary One hexaploid wheat cultivar (Triticum aestivem) and two tetraploid wheat lines (T. durum) were crossed with seventeen inbred lines of rye (Secale cereale). Seed set, degree of hybrid embryo differentiation at the time of excision for in vitro culture and recovery of amphihaploid plantlets from various embryo categories were studied. Degree of embryo differentiation was predominantly determined by maternal wheats, paternal rye genotypes appearing to be of minor importance. T. aestivum x rye hybrid embryos were superior to those produced from T. durum for degree of differentiation. The proportion of plantlets developing from differentiated embryos was high for all wheat parents, whereas undifferentiated embryos were mostly unsuitable for plantlet production. The results revealed that cross-incompatibility in hexaploid wheat x rye crosses was due to failure of fertilization, while in tetraploid wheat x rye crosses it was caused by lack of embryo differentiation. Correlation analyses showed that seed set provided a criterion to predict the amphihaploid plantlets to be expected from a particular wheat x rye combination.     

Relationship between allelic variation of Glu-1 and Gli-1/Glu-3 prolamin loci and gluten strength in hexaploid wheat

Summary Allelic variation of prolamin loci was examined in the F₂ from crosses between the hexaploid wheat varieties: Cajeme 71, Yécora 70, Ablaca, Anza, Pané 247 and Axona. Different allelic blocks for gliadins and LMW glutenin subunits were determined in Gli-1, Gli-2 and Glu-3 loci. A percentage of recombination of 1.5 ± 0.3 was determined between Gli-A1 and Glu-3 in the F₂ progeny of Yécora 70 x Axona. A significant positive association was found between gluten strength, measured by SDS-sedimentation volume, and the prolamins coded by Anza Gli-D1/Glu-D3 loci and Yécora 70 Gli-A1/Glu-A3 loci. Interactions between non homeologous loci Glu-1 and Gli-1/Glu-3 were also found.     

Genetic effects determining rice grain weight and grain density

Summary Increasing grain weight is one means of increasing rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain yields. Selection for increased density of filled grains may offer an approach to increasing rice grain weight. Before rice breeding programs can begin effectively selecting for higher grain density, the nature and amount of the genetic variation present must be evaluated. A Design II mating plant with two sets was constructed using 16 parents. The 16 parents were representative of cultivars and elite breeding material available to breeders of long-grain rice in the southern U.S. The parents and 32 F₁ hybrids were evaluated in 1990 at two Arkansas locations: Stuttgart and Marianna. Additive variation was essentially zero for grain density as indicated by nonsignificant general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) mean squares and a narrowsense heritability estimate –0.04 (±0.07). Increasing rice grain weight through increased grain density would not be feasible in U.S. southern long-grain rice unless new germplasm with higher filled grain densities is introduced. Genetic variation for grain weight was predominately additive and complemented with additive x additive epistatic variation, indicating that selection for increased grain weight could be practiced in segregating generations. The small proportion of epistatic variation to additive variation would not justify delaying selection until epistatic combinations are fixed in the homozygous line. Midparent grain weight means would serve as an adequate indicator of progeny performance for cross appraisal.Abbreviations GCA General Combining Ability - SCA Specific Combining Ability     

Comparative mapping and its use for the genetic analysis of agronomic characters in wheat

Summary The advent of molecular marker systems has made it possible to develop comparative genetic maps of the genomes of related species in the Triticeae. These maps are being applied to locate and evaluate allelic and homoeoallelic variation for major genes and quantitative trait loci within wheat, and to establish the pleiotropic effects of genes. Additionally, the known locations of genes in related species can direct searches for homoeologous variation in wheat and thus facilitate the identification of new genes. Examples of such analyses include the validation of the effects of Vrn1 on chromosome 5A on flowering time in different crosses within wheat; the indication of pleiotropic effects for stress responses by the Fr1 locus on chromosome 5A; the detection of homoeologous variation for protein content on the homoeologous Group 5 chromosomes; and the detection of a new photoperiod response gene Ppd-H1 in barley from homoeology with Ppd2 of wheat.     

Segregation of genetic markers among wheat doubled haploid lines derived from wheat x maize crosses

Summary Wheat doubled haploid (DH) lines were produced from the F₁ hybrid, Fukudo-komugi x Oligo Culm, through intergeneric crosses between wheat and maize. F₂ plants and 203 DH lines were analyzed for the segregation of the eight genetic markers, namely, grain proteins, grain esterases, GA-insensitivity and glume traits. The segregation in the F₂ plants fitted to the expected ratios. No deviation was observed among the DH lines, either, except for the glume pubescence. The result indicates the absence of correlation between the markers investigated and the efficiency of embryo formation in the DH lines.     

Increase in grain protein percentage in high-yielding common wheat breeding lines by genes from wild tetraploid wheat

Summary Forty-one breeding lines of common wheat, derived from crosses between the Israeli cultivars Miriam and Lakhish and high-protein lines of wild tetraploid wheat, Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides, were tested for various protein and yield parameters in field trials, under typical agronomic conditions. All lines had a higher grain protein percentage (GPP) than the leading Israeli cultivar Deganit, which was grown as a control. Grain yield (GY) ranged in the breeding lines from a low of 2.44 t/ha to as high as that of Deganit (6.95 t/ha). Despite the weak negative correlation between GPP and GY, several lines excelled both in GPP and in GY. The grain protein yield (GPY) of some of these selected breeding lines was higher than that of Deganit; e.g., 1.19 t/ha in the best line vs. 1.02 t/ha in Deganit. The 16.7% increase in GPY in this line reflected a more efficient utilization of nitrogen.     

Flag leaf area in five spring wheat crosses and the relationship to grain yield

Summary Five spring wheat crosses were evaluated over a 6-year period using comparisons between F₂ and F₃ data and between near-isogenic F₄ populations selected for flag leaf area. Nonsignificant r values for F₂ vs. F₃ flag leaf measurements may be due to the effect of environment on flag leaf area, but are probably also an indication of low heritability for this plant character. Near-isogenic populations selected on the basis of flag leaf area showed little difference in grain yield, an indication that other plant parts must be more influential in determining grain yield. Flag leaf area, by itself, appears not to be a good index to plant performance.Joint contribution of ARS/USDA and the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station. Published with approval of the Director of the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station as Paper No. 725. Journal Series. Use of data from Research Centers at Moccasin. Havre. Huntley, and Kalispell is gratefully acknowledged.     

Chromosomal location of genes controlling grain size in a large grained selection of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Summary Grain size in wheat is the most stable yield component and has a favorable effect on flour yield. To identify the chromosomes associated with the large grains of line G603-86, (grain weight over 60 mg and grain length of about 9 mm), F₃ lines, extracted from F₂ populations obtained from F₁ monosomics of crosses between G603-86 (P₁) and the monosomic set of Favorit (P₂) were tested in the field. ANOVA showed significant differences among parents for grain weight and grain length, but not for grain width or the factor expressing the difference in grain form and density. Homoeologous groups had significant effects on grain weight and on all components of grain weight, while genomes were not significantly different for any of these characters. Grain weight was significantly increased by chromosomes 6D and 4A of G603-86. Grain length was significantly increased by chromosomes 4A, 4B, 2B, 3A and 1B, grain width by chromosomes 1A and 1B, and the factor form-density by chromosomes 6D and 6A. The high grain size in G603-86 results from the effects of genes located on many chromosomes which affect grain dimensions, form and density.     

QTL-based analysis of genotype-by-environment interaction for grain yield of rice in stress and non-stress environments

Use of DNA-based markers can accelerate cultivar development in variable cultivation environments since, in contrast to phenotype, DNA markers are environment-independent. In an effort to elucidate the genetic basis of genotype-by-environment interaction (G × E) for yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.), the associations between 139 AFLP markers and grain yield were determined for rice grown in fresh water (EC of 0.65 dS m⁻¹) and saline conditions (EC of 4–8 dS m⁻¹) with 0 kg ha⁻¹ or 100 kg ha⁻¹ nitrogen fertilizer in the years 2000 and 2001. A population of recombinant inbred lines of rice, developed from an IR29 × Pokkali cross, was used in the study. Both genotype × salinity and genotype × nitrogen level interactions were significant, with the genotype × salinity interaction being stronger. Through multiple regression analysis using a stepwise procedure for selecting markers, 36 markers were detected for grain yield in the four test conditions and of these 28 were detected in only one test condition implying strong environmental specificity for yield QTL expression. However, the fact that eight QTLs were detected in more than one test condition points to the existence of wide-adaptability genes in this cross. Markers with significant associations with yield explained between 37% and 48% of the yield variation in each test condition. Superior genotypes of rice were identified in all four test conditions based on their marker signatures. Furthermore, across N fertilizer regimes, yield predicted from summed additive effects of QTLs were significantly correlated with observed yield in the same year and across years. Thus marker-assisted selection can help breeders overcome the problem of low selection efficiency encountered during phenotypic selection for yield in stress environments.     

The introduction into bread wheat of a major gene for resistance to powdery mildew from wild emmer wheat

Summary A new source of resistance to wheat powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe graminis has been transferred to hexaploid bread wheat, Triticum aestivum, from the wild tetraploid wheat, Triticum dicoccoides. The donor was crossed to bread wheat and the pentaploid progeny was then self-pollinated. Plants having a near stable hexaploid chromosome complement were selected in the F₃ progeny and topcrossing and backcrossing of these to a second wheat cultivar to improve the phenotype was undertaken. Monosomic analysis of early backcross lines showed the transferred gene to be located on chromosome 4A. The gene has been designated Pm16.     

Some physiological and photosynthetic characters of rice × sorghum and rice × wheat hybrids

Summary Some photosynthetic characters as-leaf anatomy, leaf photosynthetic rate and CO₂ compensation pointdistinguishing C₃ and C₄ plants and physiological characters as leaf area ratio, nitrogen content, leaf stem ratio and total shoot-to-root and deep root-to-shoot ratios have been studied in rice × sorghum and rice × wheat hybrids. Rice × sorghum 1. has lower values of photosynthetic rate, leaf nitrogen, total root and deep root-to-shoot ratio and CO₂ compensation point as of rice parent where as, rice × sorghym 2. is superior in all these characters. Both hybrids lack kranz anatomy. Though both rice × sorghum hybrids show characters of C₃ rice plant but rice × sorghum 2. has improved drought tolerance and leaf characters in relation to yield. Rice × wheat hybrid have higher assimilatory area and higher total root-to-shoot ratio. Grains of rice × wheat hybrids are identical to rice grain. However, as grains of rice × wheat hybrid does not contain seed coat, it could be exploited as novel rice germplasm after improvement.Abbreviations T CO₂ compensation point - T21 CO₂ compensation point at 21% O₂ - T2 CO₂ compensation point at 2% O₂ - dR/sR deep Root-to-shoot Ratio - LAR Leaf Area Ratio - CER photosynthetic rate - TR/SR Total Root-to-Shoot Ratio     

Anther and pollen grain culture of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Summary Factors favouring callus proliferation and subsequent regeneration of plants from pollen grains of rice anthers (Oryza sativa L., cvx. Bahia, Girona, Balilla × Sollana and Sequial) were determined. Cultivar differences in response were found, such as a high rate of haploid plant regeneration.In addition, isolated pollen grain culture was used to induce tissue proliferation outside the anther walls. The frequency of callus formation from isolated pollen grains was very low. It was necessary to preculture the anthers before pollen grain separation, in order to accomplish a successful development later. Root differentiation was observed in some of the obtained callus.     

Mass selection of wheat for grain filling without transient photosynthesis

Summary Post-anthesis chemical desiccation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants in the field eliminates transtent photosynthesis by killing all green tissues, thus revealing the plant's capacity for grain filling from stored stem reserves, as the case is for post-anthesis stress such as drought or leaf diseases. This study was conducted to investigate whether mass selection for large kernels under chemical desiccation would lead to the improve ment of grain filling in the absence of transient photosynthesis.Six crosses of common spring wheat were subjected to three cycles of mass selection from F₂ through F₁ when selection was performed for large kernels by sieving grains from plants that were erther chemically desiccated after anthesis, or not (controls). The resulting 36 bulks (six crosses by three selection cycles by two selection environments) were compared with their respective F₂ base populations, when tested with and without chemical desiccation.Selection for large kernels under potential conditions (without chemical desiccation) did not improve kernel weight under potnetial conditions, evidently because these materials were lacking in genetic variation for kernel weight under potential conditions. In four of the crosses, 3rd cycle selection for large kernels under potential conditions decreased kernel weight under chemical desiccation. On the other hand, selection for large kernels under chemical desiccation was effective in improving kernel weight and test weight under chemical desiccation, depending on the cross and the selection cycle, with no genetic shift in mean days to heading or mean plant height. Selection for large kernels under chemical desiccation was also effective in some cases in increasing kernel weight under potential conditions. The results are interpreted to show that selection under potential conditions and under chemical desiccation operate on two different sources for grain filling, namely transient photosynthesis and stem reserve utilization, respectively. In order to expose genetic variability for stem reserve utilization to selection pressure, transient photosynthesis must be eliminated, as done by chemical desiccation in this study.     

Inheritance of culm number in two uniculm x multiculm wheat crosses

Summary Effective utilization of uniculm wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm in breeding programs requires an understanding of the inheritance of the uniculm character. The parents, F₁, F₂, and first generation backcrosses (B₁ and B₂) of two crosses, each utilizing a uniculm spring wheat line and a locally adapted winter wheat cultivar, were space planted in an experiment to acquire information regarding the genetic control of culm number. Significant F₁ deviations from midparent values revealed the presence of substantial non-additive gene effects. The scaling tests of Mather and the joint scaling test detected the presence of epistasis. Hayman's six-parameter model revealed that a negative dominance effect provided the major contribution to variation in culm number, while additive x additive and dominance x dominance gene effects were of considerable importance.     

Stem solidness and its relationship to grain yield in 17 spring wheat crosses

Summary Stem solidness in the wheat plant provides resistance to the wheat stem sawfly, a pest of wheat in Montana and North Dakota, but some agronomists have been concerned that stem solidness might be related to low grain yields. We evaluated 17 spring wheat crosses for stem solidness, grain yield, and other agronomic traits in F₂ through F₄ generations from 1972 to 1975.Highly significant correlation (0.735) and regression (0.731) coefficients between F₂ and F₃ generations verify previous studies showing that stem solidness is highly heritable and that selection in F₂ should be successful. Solid-stemmed F₄ composites yielded more than hollow stemmed composites at Bozeman and equal yields were obtained at Huntley, indicating that stem solidness is not a deterrent to high grain yield.Joint contribution of Federal Research, Science and Education Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, Bozeman, MT 59717. Published with approval of the Director of the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station as Paper No. 815, Journal Series.     

Studies on the amylose content and gelatinisation temperature in certain local cultivars and induced grain shape mutants in rice

Summary Ninety local cultivars and 124 induced grain shape mutants were screened for their amylose content and gelatinisation temperature as indexed by the alkali disintegration patterns. The amylose content was high in most of the local cultivars and ranged from 19.2 to 32.0% and from 12.3 to 33.2% in the mutants. Wide variation was also observed for the alkali disintegration values and most of the varieties had low alkali values. A positive but low correlation between alkali values and amylose content and a negative correlation between alkali values and protein content was observed. The preliminary studies suggest that the amylose content at different milling levels increased with an increase in the level of milling. Some of the local cultivars and induced mutants were found to be superior with high amylose and high gelatinisation temperature and could be utilized in breeding programmes directed towards improving the cooking quality of high yielding varieties.     

Fluorescent in situ hybridization — a useful aid to the introduction of alien genetic variation into wheat

Summary Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) of DNA to plant chromosomes has proved to be a powerful cytogenetic tool. The value of fluorescent in situ hybridization of total genomic DNA (GISH) of related species is demonstrated in the determination of wheat/alien chromosome pairing in hybrids. Its use for assessing the relative merits of the various genes that affect chromosome pairing is also shown.The ability of GISH to identify the presence in wheat of whole alien chromosomes or alien chromosome segments is illustrated. The potential of FISH for detecting repeated DNA sequences, low copy sequences and single copy genes is discussed.Abbreviations FISH fluorescent in situ hybridization - GISH genomic in situ hybridization - PRINS primer-induced in situ hybridization     

Environmental correlations among grain yield and other important traits of wheat in drylands

Summary Environmental correlation coefficients were computed among all pairs of five traits, namely grain yield, heading date, number of tillers per m², plant height and 1000-grain weight (grain size) using 30 Triticum durum and 30 Triticum aestivum varieties grown in 18 environments. Grain yield was significantly correlated with the other four traits in almost all of the varieties. The mean correlation coefficient over all varieties ranged from 0.58 to –0.83 for durum wheat and 0.66 to 0.88 for aestivum wheat. The correlation coefficients between heading date and the other traits were also significant, ranging from –0.45 to –0.79 in durum wheat and –0.61 to –0.85 in aestivum wheat. The correlation coefficient between number of tillers with plant height and 1000-grain weight were the smallest, 0.19–0.32 in durum wheat and 0.39–0.60 in aestivum wheat. It was concluded that agronomic practices favouring early and good stand establishment in the dry regions will favour the yield components and important adaptive traits, which contribute towards larger yields. Significant differences were found among genotypes in the environmental correlation coefficients and the associated changes in one trait as a result of changes in other traits.