Reduction in kernel weight as a potential indirect selection criterion for wheat grain yield under terminal heat stress

Heat is an important abiotic stress during wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain‐filling in South Asia. A study was undertaken to determine effectiveness of selection for reduction in 1000‐kernel weight (TKWR) under heat stress to increase grain yield. Selection was made for low and high TKWR and selected progenies were evaluated in timely and late seeded trials at two locations in Nepal in 2003. One thousand kernel weight (TKW), biomass yield, grain yield, harvest index (HI), grain‐filling duration (GFD) and area under spot blotch progress curve per day (AUDPC/day) were examined. The low and high TKWR groups did not differ significantly for TKW, biomass yield, grain yield, HI, days to heading, GFD and AUDPC/day under timely seeding. However, low TKWR lines showed higher TKW, biomass yield, grain yield, HI, and GFD and lower AUDPC/day than the lines with high TKWR under late seeding. Realized heritability estimates for TKWR ranged from 0.68 to 0.85. The findings show that selection for low TKWR could be used as an indirect selection criterion to identify high grain yielding lines under terminal heat stress.     

Stay green trait: variation, inheritance and its association with spot blotch resistance in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

One thousand four hundred and seven spring wheat germplasm lines belonging to Indian and CIMMYT wheat programs were evaluated for stay green (SG) trait and resistance to spot blotch caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana during three consecutive crop seasons, 1999–2000, 2000–2001 and 2001–2002. Disease severity was recorded at six different growth stages beginning from tillering to late milk stage. SG trait was measured by following two approaches: difference for 0–9 scoring of green coloration (chlorophyll) of flag leaf and spike at the late dough stage (GS 87) and a new approach of leaf area under greenness (LAUG). Germplasm lines showed a wide range (7–89) for LAUG and were grouped into four viz., SG, moderately stay green, moderately non-stay green and non-stay green (NSG). However, very few (2.2%) lines showed high expression of SG trait, i.e., LAUG >60. LAUG appeared to be a better measure of SG trait than a 0–9 scale. Mean spot blotch ratings of SG genotypes were significantly lower than those of NSG genotypes at all growth stages. Two spot blotch resistant genotypes (Chirya 3 and Chirya 7) having strong expressions of SG trait were crossed with NSG, spot blotch susceptible cv. Sonalika. Individually threshed F₂ plants were used to advance the generations. SG trait and spot blotch severity were recorded in the parents and F₁, F₃, F₄, F₅, F₆ and F_6–7 generations under disease-protected and inoculated conditions. SG trait in the F₁ generation was intermediate and showed absence of dominance. Evaluation of progenies (202–207) in the segregating generations revealed that SG trait was under the control of around four additive genes. Lines homozygous for SG trait in F₄, F₅, F₆ and F_6–7 generations showed significantly lower mean area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) for spot blotch than those with NSG expression. A positive correlation (0.73) between SG trait and AUDPC further indicated a positive influence of SG on severity of spot blotch. The study established that variation for SG trait exists in spring wheat; around four additive genes control its inheritance in the crosses studied and there is positive association between SG trait and resistance to spot blotch.     

Mapping quantitative trait loci associated with grain filling duration and grain number under terminal heat stress in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Terminal heat stress has the potential negative impact on wheat production across the world, especially in South Asia. Under the threat of terminal heat stress, wheat genotypes with stay green trait would suffer from high temperature stress during their long grain filling duration (GFD). The genotypes with short GFD would be advantageous. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for heat tolerance, a RIL population of K 7903 (heat tolerant) and RAJ 4014 (heat sensitive) wheat genotypes was investigated under timely and late‐sown conditions. Heat susceptibility index of GFD, yield components and traits under late‐sown condition were used as phenotypic data for QTL identification. Stable QTLs associated with these traits were identified on chromosomes 1B, 2B, 3B, 5A and 6B. The LOD value ranged from 2.9 to 5.0 and the corresponding phenotyping variation explained ranged from 12.0–22%. QTL for heat susceptibility index for the grain filling duration were colocalized with QTL for productive tillers under late sown and GFD under late‐sown condition on chromosomes 1B and 5A, respectively. These genomic regions could be exploited for molecular wheat breeding programmes targeting heat tolerance.     

Evaluation of heat stress tolerance in irrigated environment of T. aestivum and related species. I. Stability in yield and yield components

Wheat production is often limited by continual or terminal heat stress. The current study was aimed at the characterization of wild relatives and cultivated Triticum species for their heat tolerance in yield and its analysis in relation to yield components which confer yield stability at the three ploidy levels. Thirty-two non-cultivated and cultivated genotypes belonging to diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid wheat species were evaluated for heat stress tolerance in the field under full irrigation. Wheat species were sown in the field(New Delhi, India; 77°12′E, 28°40′N, 228.6 m m.s.l) at two dates of sowing, November (normal) and January (late Sowing) during winter seasons of 1994–95 and 1995–96. The late sown crop experienced 3°C warmer temperatures than that of the normal sown crop. Wide variability was observed for grain yield stability under heat stress, as the heat susceptibility index (S) ranged from 0.13 to 2.08. Hexaploidy conferred the productive and adaptive advantages as it combined high yield and stability when compared to the tetraploid and diploid groups. However within each ploidy group wide variation was observed for heat tolerance. T. aestivum cv C306 & HI1136, T. dicoccoides, T. monococcum acc. BSP1 and Ae. speltoides ssp. liqustica were highly heat tolerant in their grain yield. Stability in grain no. m- 2 conferred yield stability in all three ploidy levels, although grain weight stability also contributed to yield stability in moderately stable T. turgidum and T. sphaerococcum under heat stress. Higher biomass and grain no. m-2 are the two important traits which could be considered potential selection criteria for yield under heat stress. Of the two components of grain no. m-2, stability in spike no. m-2could be considered more important trait than grain no. spike-1. Since wide variation for heat tolerance of all the yield components are available among the wheat species, these species can be used for improving specific yield components of cultivated wheat. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Quantitative trait loci for grain-quality traits across a rice F2 population and backcross inbred lines

Improving grain-quality is an important goal in rice breeding programs. One vital step is to find major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for quality related traits and then investigate the relationships among them. We crossed ‘N22’, an indica variety with good appearance but low grain weight, to a japonica variety, ‘Nanjing35’, with superior grain yield but poor appearance. This enabled us to construct an F₂ population and a set of backcross inbred lines (BILs) for QTL-mapping for the traits related grain appearance. In all, 37 QTLs were identified for grain length (GL), grain width (GW), grain thickness (GT), thousand-grain weight (TGW), and the percentage of grains with chalkiness (PGWC). Of these, 17 QTLs detected from 184 plants in the F₂ population explained 4.97–27.26 % of the phenotypic variance, another 20 QTLs were identified using BILs from 2009 to 2010. Quantitative trait loci for major effects were detected in different populations and across years. A new QTL hot spot (marker interval RM504–RM520) was found on Chromosome 3, which harbored QTLs for GL, GW, GT, and TGW. Among our five examined traits, grain shape was significantly correlated with TGW and PGWC. The PGWC values of two heavier grains BILs, L93, and L145 are much lower than Nanjiing35, the analysis of genotype showed that this greater weight may due to the locus for GL occurring within RM504–RM520 on Chromosome 3. Therefore, those two lines will allow us to develop a long-grain high-yield rice variety with less chalkiness.     

Identification of microsatellite markers linked with yield components under drought stress at terminal growth stages in durum wheat

Grain yield and yield components are the main important traits involved in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) improvement programs. The purpose of this research was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with yield components such as 1000 grain weight (TGW), grain weight per spike (GWS), number of grains per spike (GNS), spike number per m² (SN), spike weight (SW), spike harvest index (SHI) and harvest index (HI) using microsatellite markers. Populations of F₃ and F₄ lines derived from 151 F₂ individuals developed from a cross between Oste-Gata, a drought tolerant, and Massara-1, a drought susceptible durum wheat genotypes, were used. The populations were evaluated under four environmental conditions including two irrigation regimes of drought stress at terminal growth stages and normal field conditions in two growing seasons. Two hundred microsatellite markers reported for A and B genomes of bread wheat were used for parental polymorphism analysis and 30 polymorphic markers were applied to genotype 151 F_2:3 families. QTL analysis was performed using genome-wide single marker regression analysis (SMA) and composite interval mapping (CIM). The results of SMA revealed that about 20% of the phenotypic variation of harvest index and TGW could be explained by Xcfd22-7B and Xcfa2114-6A markers in different environmental conditions. Similarly, Xgwm181-3B, Xwmc405-7B and Xgwm148-3B and marker Xwmc166-7B were found to be associated with SHI and GWS, respectively. A total of 20 minor and major QTL were detected; five for TGW, two for GWS, two for GNS, three for SN, five for HI, two for SHI and one for SW. The mapped QTL associated with ten markers. Moreover, some of these QTL were prominent and stable under drought stress and non drought stress environments and explained up to 49.5% of the phenotypic variation.     

Integrated breeding approaches for improving drought and heat adaptation in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a dry season food legume largely grown on residual soil moisture after the rainy season. The crop often experiences moisture stress towards end of the crop season (terminal drought). The crop may also face heat stress at the reproductive stage if sowing is delayed. The breeding approaches for improving adaptation to these stresses include the development of varieties with early maturity and enhanced abiotic stress tolerance. Several varieties with improved drought tolerance have been developed by selecting for grain yield under moisture stress conditions. Similarly, selection for pod set in the crop subjected to heat stress during reproductive stage has helped in the development of heat‐tolerant varieties. A genomic region, called QTL‐hotspot, controlling several drought tolerance‐related traits has been introgressed into several popular cultivars using marker‐assisted backcrossing (MABC), and introgression lines giving significantly higher yield than the popular cultivars have been identified. Multiparent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) approach has been found promising in enhancing genetic recombination and developing lines with enhanced tolerance to terminal drought and heat stresses.     

QTL for yield, yield components and canopy temperature depression in wheat under late sown field conditions

A wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) recombinant inbred line (RIL) population was used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with yield, yield components, and canopy temperature depression (CTD) under field conditions. The RIL population, consisting of 118 lines derived from a cross between the stress tolerant cultivar ‘Halberd’ and heat stress sensitive cultivar ‘Karl92’, was grown under optimal and late sown conditions to impose heat stress. Yield and yield components including biomass, spikes m^?2, thousand kernel weight, kernel weight and kernel number per spike, as well as single kernel characteristics were determined. In addition, CTD was measured during both moderate (32–33 °C) and extreme heat stress (36–37 °C) during grain-filling. Yield traits showed moderate to high heritability across environments with a large percentage of the variance explained by genetic effects. Composite interval mapping detected 25 stable QTL for the 15 traits measured, with the amount of phenotypic variation explained by individual QTL ranging from 3.5 to 27.1 %. Two QTL for both yield and CTD were co-localized on chromosomes 3BL and 5DL and were independent of phenological QTL. At both loci, the allele from Halberd was associated with both higher yield and a cooler crop canopy. The QTL on 3BL was also pleiotropic for biomass, spikes m^?2, and heat susceptibility index. This region as well as other QTL identified in this study may serve as potential targets for fine mapping and marker assisted selection for improving yield potential and stress adaptation of wheat.     

全生育期耐盐恢复系在正常灌溉条件下性状表现及耐盐杂交稻的选育

利用前期以明恢86为轮回亲本与全球水稻分子育种计划的4个供体亲本(Gayabyeo、沈农265、早籼14和Y134)杂交构建的高代回交导入群体,在浙江省三门县沿海滩涂采用0.5%盐浓度的海水全生育期灌溉,筛选出150个耐盐恢复系群体,考察了耐盐恢复系在正常灌溉条件下的性状分离及与两个三系不育系测交种的优势表现。结果表明,耐盐恢复系在正常灌溉条件下的产量及其相关性状出现明显的分离,性状分离的类型及特点因选择群体和性状本身不同而异,从中选育出30个单株产量和耐盐性显著好于轮回亲本明恢86的株系,这些株系大多表现穗长缩短,株高和千粒重下降,但单株有效穗和结实率显著增加,导致产量的显著提高。4个组合的耐盐恢复系群体与两个三系不育系(II-32A和川345A)测交种的性状分离明显,与明恢86和两个三系不育系的测交种相比,多数测交种表现穗长缩短,株高降低,单株有效穗数相仿,但与II-32A测交的杂种千粒重显著增加,杂种表现趋势与耐盐恢复系本身不完全相同。分别鉴定出22个和23个耐盐恢复系,其与两个不育系测交的杂种产量显著高于明恢86与相应不育系的测交种,表现出较强的杂种优势,其中比生产对照种汕优10号显著或极显著增产的测交组合分别有7个(II-32A为母本)和4个(川345A为母本)。研究表明,利用优良恢复系的回交导入后代在大田盐胁迫条件下筛选耐盐单株,结合耐盐后代在正常灌溉条件下产量及相关性状的鉴定筛选,可以有效地改良恢复系的耐盐性,并选育出耐盐性提高的强优势组合。     

Suitability of Canopy Temperature Depression in a Temperate Climate with Drought‐Stressed Winter Rye,Determined with Three Infrared Measurement Devices

Canopy temperature has been recognised as an indicator of crop water status and may thus be a useful secondary trait in selecting for yield under dry conditions. The aim of this study was to test the suitability of canopy temperature depression (CTD = T_air ? T_canopy) in a temperate climate with winter rye, by means of three infrared (IR) temperature measuring devices. In the years 2011 and 2012, 16 winter rye genotypes were examined under drought stress conditions in a rainout shelter and under well‐watered conditions. In each year, the CTD was determined several times during the growth period using two IR thermometers and an IR camera. By means of CTD, it was possible to detect drought stress and to differentiate between water regimes. The three measurement devices showed comparable results, despite greatly different costs. Under drought‐stress conditions, a significant positive correlation between grain yield and CTD was found on most measurement dates in 2011 and on some dates in 2012. When the CTD was pooled across water regimes, a significant positive correlation between grain yield and CTD was obtained on every measurement date. However, as genotypic differences for CTD were non‐existent, the correlations are less meaningful. The missing genotypic differences for CTD were rather caused by the limited genetic variability of the genotypes used in this study, than by climatic conditions. Due to this limitation, we were not able to make a concluding statement about the CTD in a temperature climate, although the results are quite promising and indicate that the CTD can potentially be used in a temperate climate.     

Identification and validation of a yield-enhancing QTL cluster in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Improvement of rice grain yield (YD) is an important goal in rice breeding. YD is determined by its related traits such as spikelet fertility (SF), 1,000-grain weight (TGW), and the number of spikelets per panicle (SPP). We previously mapped quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for SPP and TGW using the recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the crosses between Minghui 63 and Teqing. In this study, four QTLs for SF and four QTLs for YD were detected in the RILs. Comparison of the locations of QTLs for these three yield-related traits identified one QTL cluster in the interval between RM3400 and RM3646 on chromosome 3. The QTL cluster contained three QTLs, SPP3a, SF3 and TGW3a, but no YD QTL was located there. To validate the QTL cluster, a BC₄F₂ population was obtained, in which SPP3a, SF3 and TGW3a were simultaneously mapped to the same region. SPP3a, SF3 and TGW3a explained 36.3, 29.5 and 59.0 % of phenotype variance with additive effect of 16.4 spikelets, 6 % SF and 1.8 g grain weight, respectively. In the BC₄F₂ population, though the region has opposite effects on TGW and SPP/SF, a YD QTL YD3 identified in this cluster region can increase 4.6 g grains per plant, which suggests this QTL cluster is a yield-enhancing QTL cluster and can be targeted to improve rice yield by marker aided selection.     

Evaluating physiological traits to complement empirical selection for wheat in warm environments

The response of spring wheat to heat stress has been determined in several hot wheat growing environments worldwide on different types of germplasm. Physiological data has been collected to identify potential traits to assist in the empirical breeding for heat tolerance. Initial studies focused on 10 established varieties to determine genetic diversity for heat tolerance, identify association between heat tolerance and traits measured, and evaluate genotype by environment interaction (G x E). Yields from over 40 hot environments were analysed for G x E, and relative humidity (RH) was identified as the major factor determining relative genotype ranking. Further analysis focused on 16 environments: those with low RH and relatively high yields, i.e., over 2.5 t ha^-1. For these environments, mean yield of lines correlated with a number of physiological traits measured in Mexico, including canopy temperature depression (CTD), membrane thermostability, leaf conductance and photosynthetic rate at heading, chlorophyll content during grainfilling, leaf internal CO₂ concentration, and dark respiration. Morphological traits were measured in all environments and the following showed associations with yield: above ground biomass at maturity, days from emergence to anthesis and to maturity, grain number m^-2, and ground cover estimated visually after heading. Subsequent studies focused on breeding material, namely recombinant inbred lines derived from crosses between parents of contrasting heat tolerance, and 60 advanced breeding lines selected for performance under heat stress. The genetic basis for association between heat tolerance and CTD was established by demonstrating a correlation between the two traits in RILs (recombinant inbred lines). Data from RILs, as well as from the 60 advanced lines grown at several international locations, indicated CTD to be a powerful and robust selection criterion for heat tolerance. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

利用普通小麦、硬粒小麦种间杂种优势选育高千粒重新种质研究

为了提高千粒重,连续8年对普通小麦(T.aestivum)和硬粒小麦(T.durum)的正反交后代进行种质创新研究。结果表明:利用普通小麦、硬粒小麦种间杂种优势,是实现种质创新,培育高千粒重新种质的一条有效途径,在入选的319个子粒饱满度一级的株系中,260个株系千粒重超全国小麦黄淮区域试验对照品种石4185(亲本),占入选株系的81.5%,其中,最高千粒重为61.22 g,超亲优势为46.28%;正交、反交后代在该性状上无差异,表明子粒千粒重与细胞质无关;目前已选育出抗旱、抗病、农艺性状优良,千粒重40.1~61.22 g的株系263个,可直接用于小麦遗传育种研究及新品种选育。     

干旱条件下冬小麦近等基因系水分利用效率及其与气冠温差的关系

鉴定比较供体亲本京411和轮回亲本晋麦47及其34个近等基因系材料之间产量和水分利用效率(WUE),同时测定不同生育期的气冠温差(CTD),分析WUE在这些材料之间的变异范围,筛选WUE与轮回亲本显著差异的材料用于QTL定位,同时探索干旱条件下CTD与产量和WUE的关系及其随生育期进程变化的趋势。利用防雨棚和渗漏池开展模拟干旱试验。结果表明,34个近等基因系及其父母本WUE为1.30~1.92 kg/m~3,其中9个品系WUE显著低于轮回亲本晋麦47,表明WUE为多基因控制的数量性状,而且存在明显的加性效应。CTD与产量和WUE均呈极显著正相关关系。不同的是,随生育期进程推进,CTD与产量的相关性增强,在灌浆期最高,R2达到0.684 9,而与WUE的相关性减弱,R2在拔节-孕穗期最高,达到0.769 8。研究初步表明,CTD可以作为干旱条件下产量和WUE的鉴定指标。     

Capturing genetic variability and selection of traits for heat tolerance in a chickpea recombinant inbred line (RIL) population under field conditions

Chickpea is the most important pulse crop globally after dry beans. Climate change and increased cropping intensity are forcing chickpea cultivation to relatively higher temperature environments. To assess the genetic variability and identify heat responsive traits, a set of 296 F_8–9 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of the cross ICC 4567 (heat sensitive) × ICC 15614 (heat tolerant) was evaluated under field conditions at ICRISAT, Patancheru, India. The experiment was conducted in an alpha lattice design with three replications during the summer seasons of 2013 and 2014 (heat stress environments, average temperature 35 °C and above), and post-rainy season of 2013 (non-stress environment, max. temperature below 30 °C). A two-fold variation for number of filled pods (FPod), total number of seeds (TS), harvest index (HI), percent pod setting (%PodSet) and grain yield (GY) was observed in the RILs under stress environments compared to non-stress environment. A yield penalty ranging from 22.26% (summer 2013) to 33.30% (summer 2014) was recorded in stress environments. Seed mass measured as 100-seed weight (HSW) was the least affected (6 and 7% reduction) trait, while %PodSet was the most affected (45.86 and 44.31% reduction) trait by high temperatures. Mixed model analysis of variance revealed a high genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) (23.29–30.22%), phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) (25.69–32.44%) along with high heritability (80.89–86.89%) for FPod, TS, %PodSet and GY across the heat stress environments. Correlation studies (r = 0.61–0.97) and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a strong positive association among the traits GY, FPod, VS and %PodSet under stress environments. Path analysis results showed that TS was the major direct and FPod was the major indirect contributors to GY under heat stress environments. Therefore, the traits that are good indicators of high grain yield under heat stress can be used in indirect selection for developing heat tolerant chickpea cultivars. Moreover, the presence of large genetic variation for heat tolerance in the population may provide an opportunity to use the RILs in future-heat tolerance breeding programme in chickpea.     

Independent and combined effects of heat and drought stress in the Seri M82 × Babax bread wheat population

Heat and drought are the most important wheat production constraints worldwide. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the independent and combined effects of drought and heat in SeriM82/Babax population. Genotypes showed 11, 38 and 52% losses in grain yield (YLD) in 2010–11 and 18, 25 and 48% in 2011–12 under heat, drought and combined stress, respectively. Seri M82 had higher YLD than Babax under heat and combined stress. Grain per spike and canopy temperature at vegetative stage (CTv) in irrigated, day to heading and CT at grain‐filling stage (CTg) in drought, CTg and thousand‐grain weight (TGW) in heat and in combined trials were the best predictors of YLD. Results indicated that due to genotype by environment interactions not all stress‐adaptive traits could be accumulated in a single genotype. In general, day to heading, CTg and grain weight are suggested as indirect selection criteria for increasing YLD under heat and drought stresses. In particular, CTg could be used as a rapid and effective criterion for screening a high number of genotypes.     

Development of high yielding IR64 × <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza rufipogon</Emphasis> (Griff.) introgression lines and identification of introgressed alien chromosome segments using SSR markers

Modern rice varieties that ushered in the green revolution brought about dramatic increase in rice production worldwide but at the cost of genetic diversity at the farmers’ fields. The wild species germplasm can be used for broadening the genetic base and improving productivity. Mining of alleles at productivity QTL from related wild species under simultaneous backcrossing and evaluation, accompanied by molecular marker analysis has emerged as an effective plant breeding strategy for utilization of wild species germplasm. In the present study, a limited backcross strategy was used to introgress QTL associated with yield and yield components from Oryza rufipogon (acc. IRGC 105491) to cultivated rice, O. sativa cv IR64. A set of 12 BC₂F₆ progenies, selected from among more than 100 BC₂F₅ progenies were evaluated for yield and yield components. For plant height, days to 50% flowering and tillers/plant, the introgression lines did not show any significant change compared to the recurrent parent IR64. For yield, 9 of the 12 introgression lines showed significantly higher yield (19–38%) than the recurrent parent IR64. Four of these lines originating from a common lineage showed higher yield due to increase in grain weight and another three also from a common lineage showed yield increase due to increase in grain number per panicle. For analyzing the introgression at molecular level all the 12 lines were analyzed for 259 polymorphic SSR markers. Of the total 259 SSR markers analyzed, only 18 (7.0%) showed introgression from O. rufipogon for chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 11. Graphical genotypes have been prepared for each line and association between the introgression regions and the traits that increased yield is reported. Based on marker trait association it appears that some of the QTL are stable across the environments and genetic backgrounds and can be exploited universally.     

Heat Shock Protein in Developing Grains in Relation to Thermotolerance for Grain Growth in Wheat

Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) cvs DL 153-2 and HD 2285 (relatively tolerant), HD 2329 and WH 542 (relatively susceptible), were grown under normal (27 November) and late (28 December) sown conditions. In another experiment, these cultivars were grown under normal sowing and at anthesis stage, they were transferred to control (C) and heated (H) open top chambers (OTCs). Under late sowing, wheat cultivars were exposed to a mean maximum temperature of up to 3.6 °C higher than normal sowing and in H-OTCs, mean maximum temperature was 3.2 °C higher than C-OTCs during grain growth period. Heat susceptibility index (S) for grain growth and grain yield was determined at maturity in both the experiments. The level of heat shock protein (HSP 18) in the developing grains was determined in C- and H-OTC grown plants and in normal and late sown plants by Western blot analysis. The moderately high temperature exposure increased the accumulation of HSP 18 in the developing grains. The relatively tolerant cultivars, as also revealed from S , showed a greater increase in HSP 18 compared with susceptible types in response to moderate heat stress. An association of HSP 18 with thermotolerance for grain growth in wheat was indicated.     

Analysis of genotypic variation for normalized difference vegetation index and its relationship with grain yield in winter wheat under terminal heat stress

Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), which is a measure of leaf greenness (chlorophyll content), is considered to be correlated with crop productivity. This study was conducted to examine genotypic variations for NDVI at different growth stages and its relationship to yield in winter wheat under terminal heat stress. Thirty winter wheat genotypes were evaluated at two locations in 2009–2010 and 2010–2011 in Uzbekistan. The NDVI was recorded at booting, heading, milk and dough stages. The wheat genotypes differed significantly for NDVI at each stage. Grain yield ranged from 3.9 to 6.1 t/ha. Wheat genotypes differed in per cent decline in NDVI from booting to dough stage. However, several high‐yielding genotypes maintained higher NDVI than low‐yielding genotypes when heat stress was evident. The findings suggest change in NDVI during heat stress could be a measure of tolerance. The positive correlation of NDVI with grain yield suggests that it could be used as an indirect selection criterion for identifying physiologically superior, high‐yielding wheat lines under terminal heat stress.     

Effect of Heat Stress on the Photosynthetic Characteristics in Flag Leaves at the Grain‐Filling Stage of Different Heat‐Resistant Winter Wheat Varieties

Heat stress has become an increasingly important factor in limiting wheat yields. In northern China, high temperature (>30 °C) during the grain filling is one of the major constraints in increasing wheat productivity. We used two winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars with different sensitivities to heat stress (Jimai 22 ‘JM22’, low sensitivity and Xinmai 26 ‘XM26’, high sensitivity) to study the various aspects of photosynthetic characteristics during the grain filling stage under heat stress. The results showed that photosynthesis rates (P_n) in flag leaves of XM26 decreased faster than in JM22 under heat stress during the grain‐filling stage. P_n decreased more rapidly under heat stress than without stress, by up to 69.9% and 59.3%, respectively, at 10 days following heat stress (10 DAS). This decline of P_n was not caused by heat‐induced stomatal limitation, but rather by a decline in Rubisco activity and a functional drop in photosystem II (PSII). After heat stress, the grain yield of JM22 decreased by 6.41%, but XM26 decreased by 11.43%, when compared with their respective controls. Heat stress also caused an alteration of mesophyll cell ultrastructure. Injury caused by heat stress to organelles in XM26 was more severe than JM22. Moreover, the JM22 cultivar showed some self‐repair capacity following heat stress injury. These results indicate that declines in photosynthetic performance caused by heat stress were cultivar‐dependent. Compared with XM26, the JM22 cultivar had superior heat stability in terms of PSII function and carboxylation activity, both of which are susceptible to heat stress.