Major gene control of tolerance of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to high concentrations of soil boron

Summary The genetic control of tolerance of wheat to high concentrations of soil boron was studied for five genotypes. Each genotype represented one of five categories of response to high levels of boron, ranging from very sensitive to tolerant. Tolerance to boron was expressed as a partially dominant character, although the response of an F₁ hybrid, relative to the parents, varied with the level of boron applied. The F₁ hybrids responded similarly to the more tolerant parent at low B treatments and intermediate to the parents at higher treatments. Ratios consistent with monogenic segregation were observed for the F₂ and F₃ generations for the combinations (WI^*MMC) × Kenya Farmer, Warigal × (WI^*MMC) and Halberd × Warigal. The three genes, Bo1, Bo2 and Bo3, while transgressive segregation between two tolerant genotypes, G61450 and Halberd, suggested a fourth locus controlling tolerance to boron.     

Genetic analysis of karnal bunt resistance in 14 Mexican bread-wheat genotypes

Fourteen Mexican genotypes of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with good to moderate levels of resistance to Karnal bunt (Tilletia indica (Mitra)) were crossed with the highly susceptible cultivar WL711 to determine the genetic basis of resistance. The parents, F₁ F₂ and backcross populations of the 14 crosses were evaluated under artificial epiphytotic conditions during the 1993–94 season for Karnal bunt resistance. The F₁ data suggested that the resistance was dominant to partially dominant over susceptibility. The F₂ analysis of the segregation ratios in the F₂ and backcross generations indicated that the resistance in the wheat genotypes Luan, Attila, Vee #7/Bow, Star, Weaver, Milan, Sasia and Turacio/Chil is controlled by two genes. The resistance in genotypes Cettia, Irena, Turaco, Opata, Picus, and Yaco was found to be conditioned by a single dominant gene. The genotypes with two genes for resistance expressed a higher level of resistance than those with a single gene and, therefore, are better sources of resistance to Karnal bunt.     

Inheritance of resistance to the chlorosis component of tan spot of wheat caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, races 1 and 3

The fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, causal agent of tan spot of wheat, produces two phenotypically distinct symptoms, tan necrosis and extensive chlorosis. The inheritance of resistance to chlorosis induced by P. tritici-repentis races 1 and 3 was studied in crosses between common wheat resistant genotypes Erik, Hadden, Red Chief, Glenlea, and 86ISMN 2137 and susceptible genotype 6B-365. Plants were inoculated under controlled environmental conditions at the two-leaf stage and disease rating was based on presence or absence of chlorosis. In all the resistant × susceptible crosses, F₁ plants were resistant and the segregation of the F₂ generation and F₃ families indicated that a single dominant gene controlled resistance. Lack of segregation in a partial diallel series of crosses among the resistant genotypes tested with race 3␣indicated that the resistant genotypes possessed␣the same resistance gene. This resistance gene was effective against chlorosis induced by P.␣tritici-repentis races 1 and 3.     

Inheritance and allelic relationship among gene(s) for blast resistance in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]

Six blast‐resistant pearl millet genotypes, ICMB 93333, ICMB 97222, ICMR 06444, ICMR 06222, ICMR 11003 and IP 21187‐P1, were crossed with two susceptible genotypes, ICMB 95444 and ICMB 89111 to generate F₁s, F₂s and backcrosses, BC₁P₁ (susceptible parent × F₁) and BC₁P₂ (resistant parent × F₁) for inheritance study. The resistant genotypes were crossed among themselves in half diallel to generate F₁s and F₂s for test of allelism. The F₁, F₂ and backcross generations, and their parents were screened in a glasshouse against Magnaporthe grisea isolates Pg 45 and Pg 53. The reaction of the F₁s, segregation pattern of F₂s and BC₁P₁ derived from crosses involving two susceptible parents and six resistant parents revealed the presence of single dominant gene governing resistance in the resistant genotypes. No segregation for blast reaction was observed in the F₂s derived from the crosses of resistant × resistant parents. The resistance reaction of these F₂s indicated that single dominant gene conferring resistance in the six genotypes is allelic, that is same gene imparts blast resistance in these genotypes to M. grisea isolates.     

水稻新质源(CMS-FA)雄性不育恢复基因的遗传研究

发掘水稻新型雄性不育细胞质源CMS-FA,育成系列优质米不育系和系列新质源恢复系,组配成强优势杂交稻组合的基础上研究新质源雄性不育恢复系的恢复基因遗传。采用新质源(CMS-FA)不育系金农1A与恢复系金恢3号杂交获得杂交F₁代种子,种植F₁代,收获自交F₂代种子。用F₁分别与不育系或保持系回交,获得(不育系//不育系/恢复系和不育系/恢复系//保持系)2个测交群体。同时种植P₁、P₂、F₁、F₂、B₁F₁和B₂F₁等群体,考察花粉染色率、套袋结实率和自然结实率,卡平方测验遗传分离适合度。结果表明,不育系与恢复系杂交F₁代正常可育,育性恢复(可育)基因为显性遗传。F₂代分离出可育︰不育适合3︰1,育性恢复(可育)基因为1对显性基因控制。B₁F₁和B₂F₁代2个测交群体的可育︰不育都适合1︰1分离规律,验证了F₂代育性恢复(可育)单基因的遗传模式。暂时确定新质源(CMS-FA)核质互作三系的基因型为不育系S(SS)、保持系F(SS)和恢复系S(FF)。     

Rapid screening of selected European winter wheat varieties and segregating populations for the Glu-D1d allele using PCR

Forty-two winter wheat varieties and 193 F₂ and BC₁F₂ seeds were screened for Glu-D1d allele encoding the HMW glutenin subunits 5 + 10 using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The segregating populations originated from crosses involving wheat parents with good and poor bread-making quality. A clear PCR product of 450 bp, representing 1Dx5 of the Glu-D1d allele was identified in 24 varieties and 111 hybrid seeds. Four different Glu-D1 alleles: a (2 + 12), b (3 + 12), c (4 + 12) and d (5 + 10) were detected using sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Only genotypes possessing Glu-D1d gave a positive PCR signal, hexaploid triticale and 4 × wheat lacking Glu-D1 locus gave a negative signal. The efficiency of PCR selection for bread-making quality in early generations using half seed is discussed.     

Chromosomal location of genes for resistance to powdery mildew in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell.). 9. Gene MlZec1 from the Triticum dicoccoides-derived wheat line Zecoi-1

The Triticum dicoccoides-derived wheat line Zecoi-1 provides effective protection against powdery mildew. F₃ segregation analysis of Chinese Spring × Zecoi-1 hybrids showed that resistance in line Zecoi-1 is controlled by a single dominant gene. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis of bulked segregants from F₃s showing the homozygous resistant and susceptible phenotypes identified eight markers, of which four were associated with the resistance allele in repulsion phase. Following the assignment of these four repulsion phase AFLP markers to wheat chromosome 2B with the aid of Chinese Spring nulli-tetrasomic lines, they were physically mapped in the terminal breakpoint interval 0.89 (2BL-6)–1.00 (telomere) of chromosome 2BL. Genetic and physical mapping of simple sequence repeat markers from the distal half of chromosome 2BL located the wild emmer-derived powdery mildew resistance gene distal of breakpoint 0.89 in deletion line 2BL-6. Based on disease response patterns, genomic origin and chromosomal location the resistance gene in Zecoi-1 is temporarily designated MlZec1.     

Genetic mapping and inheritance of Russian wheat aphid resistance gene in accession IG 100695

The Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov), is an important pest of small‐grain cereals, particularly wheat, worldwide. The most efficient strategy against the RWA is to identify sources of resistance and to introduce them into susceptible wheat genotypes. This study was conducted to determine the mode of inheritance of the RWA resistance found in ICARDA accession IG 100695, to identify wheat microsatellite markers closely linked to the gene and to map the chromosomal location of the gene. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker scores were identified in a mapping population of 190 F₂ individuals and compared, while phenotypic screening for resistance was performed in F_2 : 3 families derived from a cross between ‘Basribey’ (susceptible) and IG 100695 (resistant). Phenotypic segregation of leaf chlorosis and rolling displayed the effect of a single dominant gene, temporarily denoted Dn100695, in IG 100695. Dn100695 was mapped on the short arm of chromosome 7D with four linked SSR markers, Xgwm44, Xcfd14, Xcfd46 and Xbarc126. Dn100695 and linked SSR markers may be useful for improving resistance for RWA in wheat breeding.     

Inheritance of seed colour in Brassica campestris L. and breeding for yellow-seeded B. napus L.

Summary Seed colour inheritance was studied in five yellow-seeded and one black-seeded B. campestris accessions. Diallel crosses between the yellow-seeded types indicated that the four var. yellow sarson accessions of Indian origin had the same genotype for seed colour but were different from the Swedish yellow-seeded breeding line. Black seed colour was dominant over yellow. The segregation patterns for seed colour in F₂ (Including reciprocals) and BC₁ (backcross of F₁ to the yellow-seeded parent) indicated that the black seed colour was conditioned by a single dominant gene. Seed colour was mainly controlled by the maternal genotype but influenced by the interplay between the maternal and endosperm and/or embryonic genotypes. For developing yellow-seeded B. napus genotypes, resynthesized B. napus lines containing genes for yellow seed (Chen et al., 1988) were crossed with B. napus of yellow/brown seeds, or with yellow-seeded B. carinata. Yellow-seeded F₂ plants were found in the crosses that involved the B. napus breeding line. However, this yellow-seeded character did not breed true up to F₄. Crosses between a yellow-seeded F₃ plant and a monogenomically controlled black-seeded B. napus line of resynthesized origin revealed that the black-seeded trait in the B. alboglabra genome was possibly governed by two independently dominant genes with duplicated effect. Crossability between the resynthesized B. napus lines as female and B. carinata as male was fairly high. The sterility of the F₁ plants prevented further breeding progress for developing yellow-seeded B. napus by this strategy.     

Inheritance of petal colour and its independent segregation from seed colour in Brassica rapa

The inheritance of petal (flower) colour and seed colour in Brassica rapa was investigated using two creamy‐white flowered, yellow‐seeded yellow sarson (an ecotype from Indian subcontinent) lines, two yellow‐flowered, partially yellow‐seeded Canadian cultivars and one yellow‐flowered, brown‐seeded rapid cycling accession, and their F₁, F₂, F₃ and backcross populations. A joint segregation of these two characters was examined in the F₂ population. Petal colour was found to be under monogenic control, where the yellow petal colour gene is dominant over the creamy‐white petal colour gene. The seed colour was found to be under digenic control and the yellow seed colour (due to a transparent coat) genes of yellow sarson are recessive to the brown/partially yellow seed colour genes of the Canadian B. rapa cvs.‘Candle’ and ‘Tobin’. The genes governing the petal colour and seed colour are inherited independently. A distorted segregation for petal colour was found in the backcross populations of yellow sarson × F₁ crosses, but not in the reciprocal backcrosses, i.e. F₁× yellow sarson. The possible reason is discussed in the light of genetic diversity of the parental genotypes.     

Bread and Durum Wheat under Heat Stress: A Comparative Study on the Photosynthetic Performance

The photosynthetic responses to heat stress, during grain filling, in four genotypes of Triticum aestivum L. (Sever and Golia) and Triticum turgidum subsp. durum (Acalou and TE 9306), chosen according to its genetic background diversity, were investigated. All wheat genotypes (excepting Golia) showed synergistic trends implicating the internal CO₂ concentration, net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance. Additionally, the modifications of net photosynthesis were associated with changes in stomatal control. Chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters (minimal fluorescence, maximal and variable fluorescence, intrinsic efficiency of PSII in darkness, non‐photochemical quenching, photochemical quenching and energy‐dependent chlorophyll fluorescence quenching) further pointed heat protective mechanisms, implicating F_v/F_m stabilization (i.e. maintaining the efficiency of PS II) and electron transport rate preservation. It is concluded that, comparatively to bread wheat, the photosynthetic performance of durum wheat is more tolerant to heat stress, as stomatal conductance and transpiration are less affected.     

Differential contribution of two Ppd-1 homoeoalleles to early-flowering phenotype in Nepalese and Japanese varieties of common wheat

Wheat landraces carry abundant genetic variation in heading and flowering times. Here, we studied flowering-related traits of two Nepalese varieties, KU-4770 and KU-180 and a Japanese wheat cultivar, Shiroganekomugi (SGK). These three wheat varieties showed similar flowering time in a common garden experiment. In total, five significant quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for three examined traits, the heading, flowering and maturation times, were detected using an F₂ population of SGK/KU-4770. The QTLs were found at the Ppd-1 loci on chromosomes 2B and 2D and the 2B QTL was also confirmed in another F₂ population of SGK/KU-180. The Ppd-D1 allele from SGK and the Ppd-B1 alleles from the two Nepalese varieties might be causal for early-flowering phenotype. The SGK Ppd-D1 allele contained a 2-kb deletion in the 5′ upstream region, indicating a photoperiod-insensitive Ppd-D1a allele. Real-time PCR analysis estimating the Ppd-B1 copy number revealed that the two Nepalese varieties included two intact Ppd-B1 copies, putatively resulting in photoperiod insensitivity and an early-flowering phenotype. The two photoperiod-insensitive Ppd-1 homoeoalleles could independently contribute to segregation of early-flowering individuals in the two F₂ populations. Therefore, wheat landraces are genetic resources for discovery of alleles useful for improving wheat heading or flowering times.     

A new male sterile mutant LZ in wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.)

Genetic male sterility (GMS) genes in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) can be used for commercial hybrid seed production. A new wheat GMS mutant, LZ, was successfully used in the 4E-ms system for producing hybrid wheat, a new approach of producing hybrid seed based on GMS. Our objective was to analyse the genetic mechanism of male sterility and locate the GMS gene in mutant LZ to a chromosome. We firstly crossed male sterile line 257A (2n = 42) derived from mutant LZ to Chinese Spring and several other cultivars for determining the self-fertility of the F₁ hybrids and the segregation ratios of male-sterile and fertile plants in the F₂ and BC₁ generations. Secondly, we conducted nullisomic analysis by crossing male sterile plants of line 257A to 21 self-fertile nullisomic lines as male to test the F₁ fertilities and to locate the GMS gene in mutant LZ to a chromosome. Thirdly, we conducted an allelism test with Cornerstone, which has ms1c located on chromosome 4BS. All F₁s were male fertile and the segregation ratio of male-sterile: fertile plants in all BC₁ and F₂ populations fitted 1:1 and 1:3 ratios, respectively. The male sterility was stably inherited, and was not affected by environmental factors in two different locations or by the cytoplasm of wheat cultivars in four reciprocal cross combinations. The results of nullisomic analysis indicated the gene was on chromosome 4B. The allelism test showed that the mutant LZ was allelic to ms1c. We concluded that the mutant LZ has common wheat cytoplasm and carries a stably inherited monogenic recessive gene named ms1g.     

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.     

Chromosomal location of dwarfing gene Rht12 in wheat

Summary The chromosomal location of the dwarfing gene Rht12 in the mutant winter wheat Karcagi 522M7K was investigated using F₂ monosomic analysis. The segregation ratio for F₂ progenies of Chinese Spring monosomics × Karcagi 522M7K, and that of Cheyenne monosomics × Karcagi 522M7K indicated that the near complete dominant dwarfing gene Rht12 is located on chromosome 5A. The heterozygous and hemizygous states of the genes Rht12 have the same effect on plant height.     

Inheritance of Carbon Isotope Discrimination in Bread Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.)

Summary Reliable selection of families with increased grain yield is difficult in breeding programs targeting water-limited environments. Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) is negatively correlated with transpiration efficiency, and low Δ is being used for indirect selection of high wheat yield in rainfed environments. Yet little is known of genetic control and opportunities for improving selection efficiency of Δ in wheat. Half-diallel and generation means mating designs were undertaken to provide estimates of the size and nature of gene action for Δ in a range of wheat genotypes varying for this trait. Significant (P < 0.01) differences were observed for leaf tissue Δ among parents (19.3 to 20.7‰) and F₁ progeny (19.4 to 20.9‰) in the half-diallel. General (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects were significant (P < 0.05), while Baker's GCA/SCA variance ratio of 0.89 was close to unity, indicating largely additive gene effects. GCA effects varied from −0.38 to + 0.34‰ for low and high Δ genotypes `Quarrion' and `Gutha', respectively. GCA effects and parental means were strongly correlated (r = 0.95, P < 0.01) while directional dominance and epistasis contributed to small, non-additive gene action for Δ. Smaller Δ in F₁ progeny was associated with accumulation of recessive alleles from the low Δ parent. Narrow-sense heritability was high (0.86) on a single-plant basis. Generation means analysis was undertaken on crosses between low Δ genotype Quarrion and two higher Δ genotypes `Genaro M81' and `Hartog'. The F₁, F₂ and midparent means were not statistically (P > 0.05) different, whereas backcrossing significantly changed Δ toward the mean of the recurrent parent. Gene action was largely additive with evidence for additive × additive epistasis in one cross. Narrow-sense heritabilities were moderate in size (0.29 to 0.43) on a single-plant basis. Genetic gain for Δ in wheat should be readily achieved in selection among inbred or partially inbred families during the later stages of population development.     

The effects on grain endosperm structure of an introgression from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegilops speltoides</Emphasis> Tausch. into chromosome 5A of bread wheat

The endosperm structure of the wheat kernel determines its end-use quality. The known diversity in endosperm structure is related to the Pina-D1 and Pinb-D1 genes comprising the Ha locus on chromosome 5DS. We studied the effect of a gene introduced into bread wheat from the diploid relative, Aegilops speltoides, a putative donor of the B genome. Grain hardness and vitreousness were investigated in lines with homoeologous introgressions into chromosome 5A of spring wheat cultivar ‘Rodina’. One introgression changed the endosperm texture from hard to soft and had the same effect when transferred to other wheat genotypes. This indicated that its action was analogous to the dominant allele at the Ha locus. The temporary symbol Ha–Sp is given to the gene. Segregation for vitreousness in F₃ offspring from monosomic hybrids was also investigated. Genetic variability for endosperm structure in wheat may be extended by manipulating both hardness and vitreousness. Wheat germplasm with introgressions from wild relatives can increase the genetic variability of milling characteristics.     

Inheritance of Russian wheat aphid resistance in PI 140207 spring wheat

The Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), has become a serious, perennial pest of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in many areas of the world. This study was initiated to determine the inheritance of RWA resistance in PI 140207 (a RWA-resistant spring wheat) and to determine its allelic relationship with a previously reported RWA resistance gene. Crosses were made between PI 140207 and ‘Pavon’ (a RWA-susceptible spring wheat). Genetic analysis was performed on the parents, F₁, F₂, backcross (BC) population and F₂-derived F₃ families. Analyses of segregation patterns of plants in the F₁, F₂, and BC populations, and F₂-derived F₃ families indicated single dominant gene control of RWA resistance in PI 140207. Results of the allelism test indicated that the resistance gene in PI 140207, while conferring distinctly different seedling reactions to RWA feeding, is the same as Dn 1, the resistance gene in PI 137739.     

Inheritance of resistance to Fusarium wilt and yield traits in pigeonpea

Fusarium wilt is the main pigeonpea production constraint in Malawi. The purpose of the study was to understand the nature and mechanism of inheritance of F. wilt resistance, yield and secondary traits in pigeonpea. 48 crosses were generated in a 12 lines × 4 testers mating scheme. Some F₁ plants were selfed for segregation analysis for inheritance pattern of resistance, while others were evaluated for resistance, yield and secondary traits. There were significant variations among F₁ plants for F. wilt, days to 50 % flowering, seed/pod, and number of secondary branches. Specific combining ability (SCA) effects were predominant for F. wilt, days to 50 % flowering and number of secondary branches. The general combining ability (GCA) effects, mainly due to maternal genotypes, were preponderant for yield and other secondary traits. The significance of GCA and SCA effects suggested that variations were due to additive gene action in both the testers and parental lines arising from their interactions, and the dominance effects due to interactions of the parental lines. The χ² analysis suggested dominant patterns of inheritance for wilt in most of the F₂ populations. The segregation ratios of 3:1, 15:1, and 9:7 suggested the involvement of single or two independent/complementary dominant genes in the test donors. Involvement of a few genes governing wilt resistance suggested the ease of breeding for this trait. Pedigree breeding method would be recommended for incorporating various traits in pigeonpea.     

Inheritance of the virgata pattern of partly colored seed coats in ‘Early Giant’ common bean

The inheritance of the virgata pattern of partly colored seed coats found in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Early Giant (EG) was studied by a series of test crosses with line 5-593 and genetic stocks developed by backcrossing selected genes into the recurrent parent 5-593, a Florida dry bean breeding line with a self-colored, black seed coat with genotype T Z Bip P [C r] J G B V Rk. Analysis of the F₂ from the cross EG × 5-593 led to the hypothesis that the virgata pattern of EG has genotype t z bip^vgt, where vgt stands for virgata. The test cross EG × t z virgarcus BC₃ 5-593 confirmed the hypothesis that EG carries t z from data recorded in F₁, F₂, and 27 F₃ progenies from randomly selected F₂ plants. The F₃ segregation was also consistent with the hypothesis that a single recessive gene converts virgarcus into virgata. The test cross EG × t z bip bipunctata BC₃ 5-593 failed to show genetic complementation in F₁ progeny, and the F₂ segregated 3:1 for the parental phenotypes virgata and bipunctata, respectively. Including previously published data, all possible crosses were made among bipunctata, virgata, and virgarcus parents, supporting a multiple allelic series at Bip. We propose the gene symbol bip^vgt for the new allele at Bip, where the allelic series has the order of gene dominance Bip > bip^vgt > bip. Based on test crosses, the complete seed-coat color and pattern genotype of EG is tz bip^vgt P [C r] J G B v^lae rk^d.