Genetic analysis of in vitro wheat somatic embryogenesis

Summary A spring wheat genotype which produces somatic embryos in vitro, after short and long-term culture, was tested for its ability to sexually transmit this embryogenic trait. Reciprocal crosses were performed between a embryogenic line and a nonembryogenic variety.Immature embryos were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium plus 2 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, gelled with 5.5 g/l agarose. Somatic embryogenesis was not expressed in the F₁'s. In contrast, from several hundred immature embryos of the F₂ generation of one cross, 10.7% and 1.6% expressed somatic embryogenesis in short and long-term cultures respectively. These percentages of embryogenic: non-embryogenic fits a model of a few complementary genes. The embryogenic capacity of the F₂ genotypes depends on the presence of recessive alleles at these gene loci. The long-term wheat somatic embryogenesis capacity requires a more complex mechanism than the short-term one.Abbreviations CS Chinese Spring - Aq Aquila - E Embryogenic - NE Nonembryogenic - SC Subculture     

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.     

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.     

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.     

The effects of whole chromosome substitutions differing in alleles for hybrid dwarfing and photoperiodic sensitivity on tissue culture response (TCR) in wheat

Summary The wheat varieties Chinese Spring, Marquis and Thatcher and five intervarietal Chinese Spring substitution lines for chromosomes 2B (2 lines), 2D (2 lines) and 4A^*, differing from the recipient variety in alleles for hybrid dwarfing genes and/or the photoperiodic response genes were analysed for tissue culture response (TCR). It could be demonstrated that only chromosome 2B has a major effect on TCR. Allelic variation at the hybrid dwarfing loci seems to have no effect on tissue culture performance, even in the combination D1D2D3 which gives the grass dwarf phenotype. Also the allelic constitution at the Ppd loci, gave no indication for a direct major effect of those alleles, however there seems to exist genetical factors for TCR on the homoeologous group 2 chromosomes which may be closely linked to the Ppd loci.     

Genetic control of acquired high temperature tolerance in winter wheat

Summary The development of high temperature-tolerant wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm is necessary to improve plant productivity under high-temperature stress environments. The quantification of high temperature tolerance and the characterization of its genetic control are necessary for germplasm enhancement efforts. This study was conducted to determine the genetic control of acquired high temperature tolerance in common bread wheat cultivars. Reduction of 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) by heat-stressed seedling leaves was used as a quantitative measure to characterize acquired high temperature tolerance. Eleven-day-old seedlings of 20 F₁ progeny produced through a complete 5×5 (Payne, Siouxland, Sturdy, TAM W-101, and TAM 108) diallel mating design were acclimated at 37° C for 24 hours, followed by a 2-hour incubation at 50° C. Under these test conditions, acquired high temperature tolerance ranged from a high of 75.7% for the genotype TAM W-101 × TAM 108, to a low of 37.3% for the genotype Payne × Siouxland. Partitioning of genotypic variance revealed that only the general combining ability component effect was statistically highly significant, accounting for 67% of the total genotypic variation. These results suggest that enhancing the level of high temperature tolerance in wheat germplasm is feasible utilizing existing levels of genetic variability and exploiting additive genetic effects associated with high temperature tolerance.Contribution of the Texas Tech College of Agric. Sci. Journal no T-4-386. This work was supported by USDA specific agreement No. 58-7MNI-6-114 from the Plant Stress and Water Conservation Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Lubbock, Texas, USA     

Genetic control of Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia) resistance in wheat accession PI 47545

The Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), is a major pest of cereal crops in many areas of the world, causing serious reduction in grain yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Incorporating genetic resistance to D. noxia into wheat cultivars is paramount to effectively reduce damage inflicted by this pest. Genetic resistance to D. noxia has been identified in wheat, barley and rye germplasm, and several resistance genes are available for use for cultivar improvement. In the United States of America, only a few Russian wheat aphid (RWA) resistant winter wheat cultivars are currently available, and these cultivars contain only one of the six known RWA resistance genes. The objective of this study was to determine the inheritance of RWA resistance in wheat accession PI 47545, using a screening method based on differences in the leaf morphology of resistant and susceptible types following insect challenge. PI 47545 was selected for study, since it displayed high levels of resistance in a white-grained wheat background, the predominant wheat class produced in the Pacific Northwest of the USA. Segregation analysis was conducted on an F₂ population developed by cross-hybridizing the susceptible soft white winter wheat cultivar ‘Daws’ to the resistant accession PI 47545. Russian wheat aphid screening data from this population indicated that the resistance in PI 47545 is controlled by a single, dominant gene (χ² = 1.72; p ≤ 0.189). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic control of esterase-6 isozymes in hexaploid wheat and rye

Summary The EST-6 leaf esterase phenotypes from euploid, nullisomic-tetrasomic and rye chromosome addition and substitution lines of common wheat were determined using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Evidence is presented to demonstrate that Est-6 is a new set of genes, that are expressed in the leaf. The Est-6 gene set were clearly distinguished from the Est-5 genes which are expressed in the grain. The three homoeoallelic loci, Est-A6, Est-B6 and Est-D6, were located on chromosomes 3A, 3B and 3D. An Est-R6 gene was located on chromosome 6R is involved in rye. Some considerations concerning homoeology between homoeologous group 3 of wheat and the rye chromosome 6R are made.     

Relationship of plant height and days to maturity with resistance to spot blotch in wheat

A total of 1,407 spring wheat (T. aestivum) lines of Indian and CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, Mexico) origin were evaluated for plant height, days to maturity and resistance to spot blotch (caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana) during the 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97 crop seasons. The frequency distribution of genotypes, based on disease score ignoring the growth stages, differed from the distribution in which disease score was assessed on a similar growth stage. Two crosses each,between `tall resistant × dwarf susceptible' and `late resistant × early susceptible' genotypes, were made. The evaluation of homozygous resistant lines in the F₃, F₄ and F₅ generations of both crosses showed a wide range of plant height and days to maturity. These lines showed significant differences for plant height and days to maturity but did not show a significant difference for AUDPC values of spot blotch. The correlation coefficients for AUDPC versus plant height or days to maturity were weak, i.e., – 0.336 and 0.061, respectively. Results indicated that resistance to spot blotch severity was independent of plant height and days to maturity in progenies from these crosses.     

Differences between spring wheat cultivars in early growth

Summary Twelve spring wheat cultivars were grown as isolated plants in the field and their pre-anthesis growth was interpreted in terms of plant growth analysis. Relative growth rate (RGR) decreased steadily with time due to a decline of leaf area per unit plant weight (LAR), which could be explained by the reduction of the portion of leaf weight in total plant weight (LWR). Growth per unit leaf area (NAR) and leaf area per unit leaf weight (SLA) changed only little with time.Differences between cultivars for NAR and LAR were of similar magnitude: both 8% when measured by the genetic coefficient of variation. Because both quantities were negatively correlated, the genetic variation of RGR was only 5%. Genetic variation for LWR and SLA were also of similar size, both about 4%. Estimates of genetic variances and covariances based on cultivar means appeared to be biased strongly when the error variation of the means was neglected.Special attention is paid to the methodology of plant growth analysis.     

Honeycomb selection for yield in early generations of spring wheat

Summary The effectiveness of the honeycomb selection method for yield in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was evaluated using progenies from two wheat crosses, Glenlea x NB131 and Glenlea x Era. Honeycomb selection was carried out in the F₂ and F₃ generations, grown at the University of Manitoba in the summers of 1980 and 1981, respectively. In both generations, divergent selection was made for both high and low yield. Plants selected in the F₃ generation were entered in an F₄ yield test in the summer of 1982. Results of the experiment showed that honeycomb selection for yield in the F₂ and F₃ generations was effective in identifying parents of high- and low-yielding lines. F₃ plants from highyielding F₂ selections gave higher yields than those from low-yielding F₂ selections by 11.5% and 13.0% for Glenlea x NB131 and Glenlea x Era crosses, respectively. The F₄ yield test showed that high yielding selections from both crosses significantly outyielded by 8.9% low yielding selections and by 14.4% the unselected composite lines. It is concluded that the honeycomb selection method can be used for early generation selection in spring wheat.     

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.     

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.     

Genetics of androgenesis in winter and spring wheat genotypes

Androgenetic response and its inheritance was studied in nine winter type and two spring type wheat genotypes by crossing them in line × tester fashion. The 18 F₁ and 11 parental genotypes were raised in completely randomized block design with three replications and subjected to anther culture. Data were recorded with respect to per cent calli induction, percent regeneration and per cent green plant development. Analysis of variance revealed considerable genetic variation for all the three component traits of androgenesis. Both additive and non-additive genetic variances were involved in the androgenetic response with the preponderance of non-additive gene action in case of calli induction and additive gene action for regeneration and green plant development. Low estimates of heritability (narrow sense) for calli induction and moderate for regeneration and green plantlet development were obtained. The genotypes, Henies VII, Pnfjoumee, Saptdhara, Sentry, Purthi of winter wheat and HPW147 of spring wheat were identified as good general combiners for almost all the androgenetic parameters and have potential use in future haploidy breeding programmes. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

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.     

Genetic analysis of hexaploid wheat,Triticum aestivum using intervarietal chromosome substitution lines—protein content and grain weight

Summary The 21 intervarietal chromosome substitution lines of the cultivar Hope in Chinese Spring were used to analyse the genetic differences between the two cultivars Hope and Chinese Spring in grain protein content and grain weight.Only one chromosome of Hope, 5D, significantly influenced grain protein content of Chinese Spring. Its influence was of only minor effect and was to decrease protein content expression of Chinese Spring. It has been postulated that the genetic control of protein content, in this instance, is most likely due to many genes each of small effect.Five chromosomes of Hope influenced the 1000 grain weight value of normal Chinese Spring, all increasing its expression. Chromosomes 1A, 4A and 5B were of major effect and 3A and 6A of comparatively minor effect. A minimal estimate of five genes determines the difference in grain size between these cultivars. The possible evolutionary significance of the contribution of the A genome of bread wheat to grain size determination is discussed. On the basis of certain findings of this study, proposals are made for breeding for increased grain size in hexaploid wheat.     

The effect of gibberellic acid on male fertility in bread wheat

Summary The effect of gibberellic acid (GA₃) on male fertility was investigated in wheat. Greenhouse and field experiments were carried out. GA₃ induced high levels of male sterility both in gibberellin (GA)-sensitive and GA-insensitive genotypes. The optimum concentration was 2000 ppm of GA₃ when applied at successive sprays. The critical period for GA₃ treatment, in the general sense, extended from glume differentiation to premeiotic interphase in the oldest florets of the spike, though differences were found between GA-sensitive and GA-insensitive genotypes in the extension of this period. The effect of GA₃ on plant height was also studied. The potential use of GA₃ as a chemical hybridizing agent in wheat breeding is discussed.Abbreviations GA gibberellin - GA₃ gibberellic acid - ms male sterility Scientific Paper GEN-810 of the Instituto de Gen]'etica, CICA, INTA, Castelar, Argentina     

Is somaclonal variation a reliable tool for spring wheat improvement?

Summary Seed progeny of tissue culture regenerants of a spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. HY320) was evaluated for key agronomic traits for three years under field conditions. Initially, 27 regenerant families were tested in hill plots. Among-family and within-family variation was generally highly significant (p < 0.01) and nonsignificant, respectively. The variation observed among regenerants on the basis of hill plot testing was not duplicated in subsequent four-row plot experiments. On average, regenerant families yielded 28 and 5% less than the control in dryland and irrigated tests, respectively. Low yielding regenerants tended to produce fewer, lighter kernels per spike. Higher grain protein levels among regenerants were associated with low yields (r=0.85). This study demonstrated that putative somaclonal variation arising from tissue culture failed to produce genotypes agronomically superior to the parental cultivar, HY 320.NRCC Publication No. 33533     

Selecting superior spring wheat crosses in early generations

Summary Three methods were evaluated as potential aids in identifying superior crosses early in the breeding program: (1) F₁ yield, (2) F₂ yield, and (3) midparental yield. Two sets of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell.) crosses and parents were evaluated in replicated single row plots in F₁ and in replicated multi-row plots in F₂ over a period of five years. On the basis of F₁ yields, two of the highest yielding and two of the lowest yielding crosses in each set were chosen for a more detailed selection study in subsequent generations.In Set 1, random F₂ head selections for each of the selected four crosses were evaluated in 3-row yield plots in F₄. In Set 2, F₂ plant selections were made on the basis of head weight and the highest yielding 10% evaluated for yield in F₄.Lines of crosses identified as high yielding in F₁ had significantly greater mean yields in F₄ than those of crosses that were low yielding in F₁. The high yielding crosses had three to four times as many lines yielding in the top 10% in F₄ than did the low yielding crosses.Correlations for yield were obtained between F₁ and F₂ in different years, F₂ and midparents in the same year, lower or no correlations between F₁ and midparents in the same year, and no correlations between F₁ and midparent and F₂ and midparent in different years. It is suggested that larger plot sizes rather than single rows be used to evaluate parents.Midparental yield, F₁ yield and F₂ yield tests are recommended as a progressive set of screening tests for a given set of crosses to effectively maintain the superior crosses in the breeding program.     

Chromosomes responsible for sensitivity of embryo to abscisic acid and dormancy in wheat

The sensitivity of the embryo to abscisic acid (ABA) has been reported toplay an important role in seed dormancy. Using ditelocentric lines of wheatcv. Chinese Spring (CS, nondormant and ABA insensitive), F₂ seedsbetween monosomic lines of CS and a wheat line Kitakei-1354 (dormant,ABA sensitive) and deletion lines of CS chromosome 4A, germinability ofseeds and embryo-half seeds incubated in water and ABA were examined. The results indicated that the long arm of chromosome 4A carried majorgene(s) for the embryo sensitivity to ABA and dormancy. Chromosome2D might be also involved in the sensitivity to ABA.