Interactions amongst Mycorrhiza,Azotobacter chroococcum and Root Characteristics of Wheat Varieties

A field experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with three replications over 2 years to evaluate the effect of wheat cultivar and dual inoculation of Azotobacter chroococcum (Azc) and arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF, Glomus fasciculatum) on root characters and AMF infection in three crosses of wheat. The experimental material comprised four wheat parents, WH‐147, WH‐157, WH‐542 and PBW‐175, and three F₁ crosses, WH‐147 ×WH‐157, WH‐147 × WH‐542 and WH‐147 × PBW‐175. Comparison of treatment averages, i.e. control (mineral nutrients 60 kg N + 30 kg P₂O₅ + 12.5 kg ZnSO₄ ha^?1, as in other two treatments), AMF and AMF + Azc, revealed that inoculation of Azc led to an increase in AMF infection in roots. Maximum root biomass was obtained in F₁ hybrids WH‐147 × WH‐157 in the AMF treatment and in WH‐147 × PBW‐175 receiving AMF + Azc. Total root length and AMF infection of roots was maximum in WH‐147 × PBW‐175 for all the treatments during both years. A positive association between AMF infection in roots and Azotobacter survival in the rhizosphere was apparent. Similarly, maximum A. chroococcum counts were observed 80 and 120 days after sowing in the AMF + Azc treatment in cross WH147 × PBW175.     

Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants in Wheat Genotypes: Possible Mechanism of Water Stress Tolerance

The role of plant antioxidant systems in water stress tolerance was studied in three contrasting wheat genotypes. Water stress imposed at different stages after anthesis resulted in an increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in membrane stability and chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. The antioxidant enzymes ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase and non-specific peroxidase also increased significantly under water stress. Genotype PBW 175, which had highest ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase and peroxidase activity, had the lowest lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde content) and highest membrane stability and contents of chlorophyll and carotenoids under water stress, while the susceptible genotype WH 542 exhibited the lowest antioxidant enzyme activity, membrane stability and contents of chlorophyll and carotenoids and the highest lipid peroxidation. Genotype HD 2402 showed intermediate behaviour. It seems that drought tolerance of PBW 175, as represented by higher membrane stability and chlorophyll and carotenoid contents and lower lipid peroxidation, is related to its higher antioxidant enzyme activity.     

弱光条件下不同穗型小麦品种旗叶光合特性和抗氧化代谢

在大田试验条件下,比较了大穗穗型小麦品种泰农18和多穗型品种济南17的叶绿素含量、净光合速率(P_n)、可溶性蛋白和总糖含量、抗氧化酶活性及丙二醛(MDA)含量对不同程度弱光响应的差异,为黄淮麦区小麦高产稳产栽培及品种选用提供理论依据。从开花期至成熟期分别对两品种进行25%(S1)、50%(S2)和90%(S3)的弱光处理,以正常光照(S0)为对照。结果表明,S1和S2处理提高了小麦灌浆期内旗叶叶绿素含量和最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m),而S3处理提高了花后0~6 d旗叶叶绿素含量和F_v/F_m,之后显著低于对照;随弱光程度增强旗叶花后实际光化学效率(Φ_PSII)升高,而叶绿素a/b比降低。S2和S3处理显著抑制了旗叶抗氧化酶活性,降低了旗叶P_n、可溶性蛋白和可溶性总糖含量;而S1处理增强了旗叶超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性,提高了小麦旗叶P_n、可溶性蛋白和可溶性总糖含量。相同处理条件下,与泰农18相比,济南17的旗叶叶绿素含量较高,光系统II (PSII)活性较强,同时抗氧化酶活性下降较慢,膜脂过氧化程度低,使叶片功能免受破坏,保证了光合作用的进行。75%光照条件下(S1)的小麦抗氧化酶具有较高活性,叶片膜脂化程度低,抗逆性较强,旗叶P_n高值持续期长,有利于光合产物的积累。多穗型品种比大穗型品种更能适应黄淮麦区小麦生育后期光照不足的生产条件。     

Cadmium Enhances Generation of Hydrogen Peroxide and Amplifies Activities of Catalase, Peroxidases and Superoxide Dismutase in Maize

Maize (Zea mays L. cv. 777) plants grown in hydroponic culture were treated with 50 μm CdSO₄. Growth and metabolic parameters indicative of oxidative stress and antioxidant responses were studied in leaves of plants treated with Cd. Apart from increasing lipid peroxidation and H₂O₂ accumulation, supply of Cd suppressed growth, fresh and dry mass of plants and decreased the concentrations of chloroplastic pigments. The activities of catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6), peroxidase (POD; EC 1.11.1.7), ascorbate peroxidase (APX; EC 1.11.1.11) and superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) were increased in plants supplied 50 μm Cd. Localization of activities of isoforms of these enzymes (POD, APX and SOD) on native gels also revealed increase in the intensities of pre‐existing bands. Stimulated activities of CAT, POD, APX and SOD in maize plants supplied excess Cd do not appear to have relieved plants from excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It is, therefore, concluded that supply of 50 μm Cd induces oxidative stress by increasing production of ROS despite increased antioxidant protection in maize plants.     

Cultivar Specific Response of CO2 Fertilization on Two Tropical Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.) Cultivars: ROS Generation,Antioxidant Status,Physiology, Growth,Yield and Seed Quality

Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (CO₂) is an important component of global climate change that will have a significant impact on the productivity of crop plants. In recent years, growth and yield of agricultural crop plants have been shown to increase with elevated CO₂ (EC) and have enticed considerable interest due to variation in the response of crop plants. In this study, comparative response of two mung bean cultivars (HUM‐2 and HUM‐6) was evaluated against EC at different growth stages under near‐natural conditions for two consecutive years. The plants were grown in ambient as well as EC (700 ppm) in specially designed open‐top chambers. Under elevated CO₂, marked down‐regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, membrane disruption and activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were noticed in both the cultivars, but the extent of reduction was more in HUM‐6. As compared to ambient CO₂, EC increased total chlorophyll, photosynthetic rate, growth and yield parameters. Cultivar‐specific response was noticed as HUM‐6 showed higher increase in yield attributes than HUM‐2. Under CO₂ treatment, soluble protein and reducing sugars decreased while total soluble sugars and starch showed an opposite trend. Principal component analysis showed that both the cultivars responded more or less similarly to EC in their respective groupings of physiological and growth parameters, but the magnitude of ROS and antioxidative enzymes was variable. The experimental findings depict that both the cultivars of mung bean showed contrasting response against EC and paved the way for selecting the suitable cultivar having higher productivity in a future high‐CO₂ environment.     

硫对不同氮水平下小麦旗叶氮硫同化关键酶活性及产量的影响

在大田条件下,以豫麦34为试材,研究了2个施氮水平（330和240 kg .hm^-2）下施用纯硫0、60、100 kg.hm^-2对小麦旗叶氮、硫同化关键酶活性及其产量的影响。结果表明,两种氮素水平下施硫对小麦旗叶中硝酸还原酶（NR）、谷胺酰氨合成酶（GS）、谷氨酸-丙酮酸转氨酶（GPT）活性均有影响。高氮水平下随施硫量的增加NR活性降低,GS活性提高,GPT活性在灌浆中期也表现出与GS活性相同的趋势,中氮水平下表现为随施硫量的增加NR活性提高,GS活性S60处理显著高于其他处理,GPT活性不同施硫处理间差异不明显。表明高氮条件下施硫抑制了NR活性,但提高了GS、GPT活性,中氮条件下施硫提高了NR和GS活性。两种氮素水平下乙酰丝氨酸水解酶（OASS）活性均随施硫量的增加而降低,尤其高氮和低硫条件下OASS活性升高。两种施氮水平下干物质积累量均随施硫量的增加而提高。氮和氮硫互作对籽粒产量的影响达到显著水平,硫对籽粒产量的影响达到极显著水平,两种氮素水平下均随施硫量的增加而提高,N330水平显著低于N240水平,N330水平下S100和S60 与对照相比达显著水平,N240水平下,施硫处理籽粒产量均显著高于对照。两种氮素水平下施硫处理千粒重均较对照显著提高,但穗数和穗粒数差异不显著,无论何种施氮水平下,千粒重提高是产量增加的主要原因。     

Inheritance of Karnal bunt-free trait in bread wheat

A Karnal bunt (KB)‐free wheat stock (‘KBRL22’) obtained from a cross of two resistant lines (‘HD29’ and ‘W485’) was used as a donor to introgress the KB‐free trait into ‘PBW343’(an ‘Attila’ sib), the most widely grown wheat cultivar in India. The number of KB‐free and KB‐affected plants in BC ₁, BC₂, BC₃ and BC₄ as well the F₂ was recorded after artificial inoculations. The segregation pattern in these generations clearly indicated two independently segregating, dominant genes which jointly confer the KB‐free attribute. The importance of the KB‐free line generated in this experiment is discussed.     

Inheritance of temperature-sensitive leaf rust resistance and adult plant stripe rust resistance in common wheat cultivar PBW343

Genetic analysis of common wheat cultivar PBW343 confirmed temperature-sensitive leaf rust resistance and adult plant stripe rust resistance. At low temperatures, PBW343 was resistant to P. triticina (Ptr) pathotype (pt.) 121R63-1, and at high temperature it was resistant to Ptr pt. 121R127. The low temperature resistance to pt. 121R63-1 was attributed to interaction between dominant and recessive genes. The dominant gene involved in low-temperature resistance to pt. 121R63-1 also conferred resistance to pt. 45R35. The high-temperature resistance to Ptr pt. 121R127 was governed by a different single partially dominant gene. Agra Local (a commonly used susceptible check) and IWP94 (a leaf rust differential used in India) are also resistant to pt. 121R127 at high temperatures. An allelism test indicated that PBW343 and IWP94 possessed a common gene for high temperature resistance to this pathotype. The adult plant stripe rust resistance against P. striiformis (Pst) was possibly conferred by one gene in addition to Yr27.     

Breeding for yield and quality in durum wheat

Three populations of an intervarietal durum wheat cross IWP5308/PDW208, F₅, F₅BIP₁ (population derived after intermating in F₂) and F₅BIP₂ (population derived after intermating in BIPF₁), were evaluated under three different agronomic environments for mean performance and stability of genotypes for grain yield, yield components and protein content. Though the biparental progenies indicated a higher mean performance, they did not differ significantly from progenies of the pedigree method for almost all characters. The biparental progenies, however, produced a higher number of stable genotypes for grain yield per plant, grains per ear and protein content. The F₅ population had a higher number of stable genotypes for 1000 grain weight and number of tillers per plant. The BIP progenies also had a higher number of genotypes with above average mean performance, and many were significantly higher than the checks WH896 and WH542, compared with F₅ progenies. Hence, in spite of high G x E interactions, the use of cycles of biparental mating and selection of top yielding lines on the basis of yield components can enable selection of stable genotypes with high protein content. Number of tillers per plant and 1000 grain weight were the yield component characters which made maximum contribution to phenotypic stability of the genotypes. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

转PEPC基因水稻种质的稳定光合生理特性

本文运用稳定和放射性碳同位素研究了第8代转PEPC基因水稻，并测定其光合速率和荧光特性，结果表明该种质为C₃植物，但C₄原初光合产物增多，表现出C₄光合特性有所改善；转PEPC基因水稻种质已稳定，为我国的高光效育种提供了一个新的种质资源。     

Effects of Cadmium on Carbon and Nitrogen Assimilation in Shoots of Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] Seedlings

Increased cadmium (Cd) uptake from contaminated soils damages plant metabolism. The purpose of this study was to determine Cd‐induced time‐related changes in some shoot growth and physiological attributes, and their interrelationships in Cd‐tolerant (NM‐98) and sensitive (NM‐28) mungbean varieties. Shoot Cd and leaf chlorosis increased with a concomitant reduction in shoot dry weight, leaf area, relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR) and relative leaf expansion rate. Reduction in transpiration rate (E) and stomatal conductance (g_s) and increase in substomatal CO₂ level (C_i), indicated that Cd reduced net photosynthesis (P_n) by reducing CO₂ fixation by Rubisco, albeit these changes were less pronounced in NM‐98. A positive correlation of chlorosis with shoot Cd, and negative relationships of chlorosis and shoot Cd with P_n revealed that Cd damages the photosynthetic apparatus in mungbean. Time course decrease in in vivo nitrate reductase activity (NRA) and an increase in soluble nitrate in NM‐28 revealed that Cd markedly hampers nitrogen assimilation. Positive correlations of RGR and NAR with P_n and NRA and negative ones with chlorosis, shoot dry weight, shoot Cd and C_i in NM‐98 suggested that mungbean sensitivity to Cd is due to perturbed C and N assimilation.     

Response of Antioxidant Enzymes,Phytochelatins and Glutathione Production Towards Cd and Zn Stresses in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. Genotypes Colonized by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

Most metal polluted natural environments are contaminated with multiple metals, and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are among the extracellular strategies to avoid metal toxicity. To understand the interaction between Cd, Zn and AM fungi Glomus mosseae, two genotypes (Sel 85N and P792) of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.), differing in their metal tolerance, were chosen for study. Results revealed that root dry weights were more severely affected than shoot dry weights as both the metals were accumulated in roots than in the aerial parts. Mycorrhization promoted biomass yields by decreasing metal content in plant tissues. Exposure to the metals resulted in oxidative burst (high H₂O₂, malondialdehyde contents and electrolyte leakage), which was accompanied by decreased membrane stability. However, increase in the level of total non‐protein thiols (TNP‐SH) and the activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and glutathione reductase (GR) suggested that all these parameters were synergistic in combating heavy‐metal‐induced oxidative stress. Zn supplementation proved to be inhibitory for Cd‐induced oxidative stress. AM fungi alleviated oxidative stress through enhanced production of TNP‐SH as well as through upregulation of antioxidant enzymes. Sel 85N exhibited lesser oxidative damage and more efficient defence mechanism than P792.     

Copper‐Induced Oxidative Stress and Responses of the Antioxidant System in Roots of Medicago sativa

The effects of various copper (Cu) concentrations on the antioxidative system in the roots of Medicago sativa were explored. The results indicated that the Cu content of the roots reached a value of 854 μg g^?1 DW at 10 μm Cu and a value of 4415 μg g^?1 DW at 100 μm Cu, suggesting that M. sativa has better ability to tolerate and accumulate Cu than other Cu‐bioaccumulators, and is a potential plant for phytoremediation. Treatment with Cu resulted in a significant increment in the levels of H₂O₂, O₂˙^? and OH˙. The reduced form of ascorbate and glutathione reached a peak at 30 μm Cu, and was followed by a sharp depletion to a lower level than that of the control. In contrast, the levels of the oxidised forms of ascorbate and glutathione showed a progressive increment with increasing Cu concentrations, suggesting that the antioxidant system was unable to cope with Cu stress at higher Cu levels. Under the Cu concentrations tested, the activity of catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6), ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11) and glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2) increased at lower Cu concentrations, and then decreased, reaching a maximum at 30 μm of Cu for APX and GR, at 10 μm for CAT, whereas the activities of guaiacol peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.7) were gradually increased with increasing Cu concentrations. PAGE analysis of superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.1.5.1.1) revealed that one band is a Mn‐SOD and five bands are identified as Cu, Zn‐SOD, whereas Fe‐SOD isoforms were not found in the roots of alfalfa. Cu at 10–100 μm increased the intensity of constitutive isozymes of CAT, APX and POD, whereas it decreased the intensity of isozymes of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH, EC 1.1.1.49) significantly. The activities of lipoxygenases (LOX, EC 1.13.11.12) were gradually augmented with increasing Cu concentrations, demonstrating that LOXs are probably involved in production of lipid hydroperoxides and superoxide anion. There was a continuous and pronounced enhancement in the activity of esterase (EST, EC 3.1.1.1) in roots treated with 10–30 Cu μm , whereas EST activity in roots exposed to above 30 μm Cu declined, suggesting that EST plays a protective role under lower Cu concentrations stress.     

Improved Cold and Drought Tolerance of Doubled Haploid Maize Plants Selected for Resistance to Prooxidant tert‐Butyl Hydroperoxide

To improve the abiotic stress tolerance of maize (Zea mays L.), doubled haploid (DH) plants were produced by in vitro selection of microspores exposed to tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (t‐BuOOH) as a powerful prooxidant This study investigated the tolerance of the progenies of t‐BuOOH‐selected DH lines to oxidative stress, cold and drought in controlled environment pot experiments by analyses of photosynthetic electron transport and CO₂ assimilation processes, chlorophyll bleaching and lipid peroxidation of leaves. Our results demonstrated that the t‐BuOOH‐selected DH plants exhibited enhanced tolerance not only to oxidative stress‐induced by t‐BuOOH but also to cold and drought stresses. In addition, they showed elevated activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, glutathione reductase and glutathione S‐transferase when compared with the DH lines derived from microspores that were not exposed to t‐BuOOH and to the original hybrid plants. The results suggest that the simultaneous up‐regulation of several antioxidant enzymes may contribute to the oxidative and cold stress tolerance of the t‐BuOOH‐selected DH lines, and that the in vitro microspore selection represents a potential way to improve abiotic stress tolerance in maize.     

Trade-offs between water-use related traits,yield components and mineral nutrition of wheat under Free-Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE)

This study investigated trade-offs between parameters determining water use efficiency of wheat under elevated CO₂ in contrasting growing seasons and a semi-arid environment. We also evaluated whether previously reported negative relationships between nutrient content and transpiration efficiency among wheat genotypes will be maintained under elevated CO₂ conditions. Two cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), Scout and Yitpi, purportedly differing in water use efficiency related traits (e.g. transpiration efficiency) but with common genetic backgrounds were studied in a high yielding, high rainfall (2013), and in a low yielding, very dry growing season (2014) under Free-Air CO₂ Enrichment (FACE, CO₂ concentration of approximately 550 μmol mol⁻¹) and ambient (approximately 390 μmol mol⁻¹) CO₂. Gas exchange measurements were collected diurnally between stem elongation and anthesis. Aboveground biomass and nutrient content (sum of Ca, K, S, P, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn and Mg) were determined at anthesis. Yield, yield components and harvest index were measured at physiological maturity. Cultivar Scout showed transiently greater transpiration efficiency (measured by gas exchange) over cultivar Yitpi under both ambient and elevated CO₂ conditions, mainly expressed in the high yielding but not in the low yielding season. Nutrient content was on average 13% greater for the lower transpiration efficiency cultivar Yitpi than the cultivar with higher transpiration efficiency (Scout) in the high yielding season across both CO₂ concentrations. Elevated CO₂ stimulated grain yield to a greater extent in the high yielding season than in the low yielding season where increased aboveground biomass earlier in the season did not translate into fertile tillers in cultivar Yitpi. Yield increased 27 and 33% in the high yielding and 0 and 19% in the low yielding season for cultivars Yitpi and Scout, respectively. Intraspecific variation in CO₂ responsiveness related mechanisms of grain yield were observed. These results suggest CO₂-driven trade-offs between traits governing water use efficiency are related to both growing season and intraspecific variations, and under very dry finishes, the trade-offs may even reverse. The negative relationship between nutrient content and transpiration efficiency among wheat genotypes will be maintained under elevated CO₂ conditions.     

水氮管理模式对不同氮效率水稻氮素利用特性及产量的影响

以高产氮高效品种(德香4103)和中产氮低效品种(宜香3724)为材料,通过“淹水灌溉+氮肥优化运筹(W1N1)”、“控制性交替灌溉+氮肥优化运筹(W2N1)”、“旱种+氮肥优化运筹(W3N2)” 3种水氮管理模式处理,研究其对氮素利用及产量的影响及其生理特性,并探讨氮素利用及产量与生理响应间的关系。结果表明,氮效率品种间的差异与水氮管理模式对水稻氮素利用特征、灌溉水生产效率、生理特性及产量均存在显著影响;不同氮效率品种间在氮肥利用效率方面的差异明显高于水氮管理模式的调控效应;而水氮管理模式对灌溉水生产效率、总吸氮量、氮素干物质生产效率及稻谷生产效率的调控作用显著。W2N1相对于W1N1及W3N2水氮管理模式能促进不同氮效率水稻拔节至抽穗期、抽穗至成熟期氮素的累积,提高功能叶谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)活性、光合速率(P_n)及根系活力,进而提高稻谷产量及氮肥利用率,且对中产氮低效品种的调控效应显著高于对高产氮高效品种,为本试验最佳的水氮管理模式。高产氮高效品种的平均总颖花数、拔节至抽穗期稻株氮累积量、功能叶GS活性、P_n及根系活力均显著高于氮低效品种,尤其结实期高产氮高效品种更有利于维持叶片及根系的代谢同化能力,利于氮素转运、再分配到籽粒中提高稻谷生产效率及氮肥利用效率,是氮高效品种相对于氮低效品种高产、氮高效利用的重要原因。相关分析表明,水氮管理模式下不同氮效率水稻主要生育时期功能叶GS活性、P_n及根系活力与氮素利用及稻谷产量均存在显著或极显著的正相关;尤其以水稻抽穗期剑叶GS活性及根系活力与氮素利用及稻谷产量的正相关性最高。     

低温弱光对茄子幼苗某些生理指标的影响

研究了茄子幼苗在低温弱光（10℃/5℃ 昼/夜,光强60和120μmol/）胁迫和恢复各7d后的部分生理指标的变化。结果表明,低温弱光胁迫后茄子幼苗的净光合速率（Pn）,气孔导度(Gs)和叶绿素(Chl.)含量显著降低;光补偿点(LCP)、光饱和点(LSP)、光饱和时的Pn、表观量子效率(AQY)降低;CO2补偿点（CCP）升高,CO2饱和点（CSP）、CO2饱和时的Pn、光合能力（A350）、CO2羧化效率（CE）降低;POD和CAT活性明显下降;Pro.和MDA含量有不同程度的升高;均以低温下较强光照时（120μmol/）的变化幅度较大;恢复7d后除MDA含量基本恢复到对照水平外,其它各项指标仍然不能恢复到对照水平。试验条件已使茄子幼苗发生了膜脂过氧化作用,并对茄子幼苗叶片光合机构的结构和活性造成了不可恢复性的伤害。     

Wheat grain yield and stability assessed through regional trials in the Eastern Gangetic Plains of South Asia

Improving the level and stability of grain yield is the primary objective of wheat breeding programs in the Eastern Gangetic Plains (EGP) of South Asia. A regional wheat trial, the Eastern Gangetic Plains Yield Trial (EGPYT), was initiated by CIMMYT in collaboration with national wheat research programs in Bangladesh, Nepal, and India in 1999–2000 to identify wheat genotypes with high and stable grain yield, disease resistance, and superior agronomic traits for the EGP region. A set of 21 wheat experimental genotypes selected from a regional wheat screening nursery in South Asia, three improved widely grown cultivars (Kanchan, PBW343 and Bhrikuti), and one long-term cultivar (Sonalika) were tested at 9–11 sites in six wheat growing seasons (2000–2005) in the EGP. The 21 experimental genotypes were different in each year, whereas the four check cultivars were common. In each year, one or more of the experimental genotypes showed high and stable grain yield and acceptable maturity, plant height, and disease resistance compared to the check cultivars. Three improved cultivars have already been commercially released in the region through EGPYT and many germplasm lines have been used in the breeding programs as parents. Identification of wheat genotypes with high-grain yield in individual sites and high and stable yield across the EGP region underlines their value for regional wheat breeding programs attempting to improve grain yield and agronomic performance.     

Inheritance of cellular thermotolerance in bread wheat

Leaf membrane stability (LMS) and the tetrazolium triphenyl chloride (TTC) test, heat susceptibility index (HSI), heat response index (HRI) and grain yield were used to evaluate 20 diverse wheat genotypes under normal and heat stress conditions for 2 years. The varieties ‘Seri’ and ‘Raj 3765’ had a desirable combination of cellular thermotolerance (TTC and LMS), heat tolerance (HRI) and high grain yield potential under heat stress, while ‘WH 730’ and ‘WH 533’ were better in cellular thermotolerance and heat tolerance. The varieties ‘PBW 373’ and ‘Kauz’ also performed better under heat stress in terms of grain yield and HSI/HRI. The varieties ‘Kanchan’, ‘PBW 373’, ‘NIAW 34’ and ‘GW 173’ were avoiders/escapers, ‘Seri’ and ‘HUW 234’ were tolerant to heat stress, while ‘WH 730’, ‘WH 533’, ‘Nesser’, ‘Raj 3765’ and ‘Kauz’ showed a combination of both. Correlation coefficients revealed that HRI was the most important trait, followed by TTC because the genotype having high HRI also had high grain yield and was better in mitochondrial viability and membrane stability under heat stress. Significance of GCA and SCA variances indicated the presence of both additive and dominant types of gene action. The use of the parents with high GCA effects, namely, ‘Raj 3765’ and ‘WH 730’ in a crossing programme for thermotolerance may provide desirable segregants through selection.