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.     

Recombination within the Gli-B1 Locus in Durum Wheat

Recombination within the closely linked genes encoding for omega and gamma gliadins at the complex Gli-B1 locus present on the short arm of chromosome 1B was detected in a durum-wheat line (Triticum durum) from Iran. This recombinant differs from a previous one the authors detected in the durum-wheat cultivar ‘Berillo’ since it shows the gamma gliadin component 45 associated with a triplet of omega components usually found linked with the allelic gamma gliadin 42. Analysis of low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits, encoded by genes at the complex Glu-B3 locus associated with the Gli-B1 locus, showed the presence of the protein type designated LMW-1 which is peculiar to durum-wheat cultivars possessing the gamma gliadin 42.     

Positive or negative effects on dough strength in large-scale group-1 chromosome deletion lines of common wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.)

We studied the seed storage protein composition and dough strength of chromosome deletion (CD) lines involving group-1 chromosomes. The presence or absence of genes and protein bands corresponding to glutenin and gliadin was assessed by using locus-specific DNA markers, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and acid-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (A-PAGE). In this study, we were able to map the physical positions of several glutenin and gliadin genes in detail. Dough strength was evaluated by SDS sedimentation volume and protein content. We found that protein composition affected dough strength. The absence of chromosome arm 1AL, which carries the truncated glutenin gene Glu-A1c, significantly increased dough strength, although the protein composition did not change when the size of the deleted chromosome region was varied. In contrast, the presence of chromosome arm 1DL, which carries Glu-D1a (the gene for glutenin subunits 2 and 12), significantly increased dough strength. We did not find any known seed storage protein loci in any of the other chromosomal regions that significantly affected dough strength.     

Sub-arm location of prolamin and EST-SSR loci on chromosome 1H<Superscript>ch</Superscript> from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hordeum chilense</Emphasis>

Hordeum chilense Roem. et Schult. is a diploid wild South American barley that contains genes of interest for cereal breeding, many of them located on chromosome 1H^ch. In the current study, two H. chilense-wheat addition lines with deletions in the 1H^ch chromosome were used for sub-arm localization of five prolamin (glutenin and gliadin) loci and 33 EST-SSR marker loci on chromosome 1H^ch. The two sets of markers were distributed across five sub-arm chromosome regions. Three glutenin loci (Glu-H ^ch 2, Glu-H ^ch 3, Glu-H ^ch 4) together with the gliadin locus Gli-H ^ch 1 were located on the distal 20% of the 1H^chS arm, whereas the glutenin locus Glu-H ^ch 1 was on the proximal 88% region of 1H^chL. Among 33 EST-SSR marker loci, 7 (21.2%) were on the 1H^chS arm and, of them, 3 (9.1%) were on the distal 20% end and 4 (12.1%) on the proximal 80% region. The 26 loci (78.8%) on 1H^chL were distributed across three different regions: 18 (78.8%) in the proximal 88%, 3 (9.1%) in the distal 12% and 5 (15.2%) in a region less than 12% from the distal end. The deletions in the 1H^ch chromosome added to the common wheat background were thus shown to be useful for determining the sub-arm location of EST-SSR and prolamin loci. This could facilitate the identification of molecular markers linked to genes of agronomic interest and the isolation of such genes for use in common wheat improvement.     

Phenotypic correlations, G × E interactions and broad sense heritability analysis of grain and flour quality characteristics in high latitude spring bread wheats from Kazakhstan and Siberia

Grain and flour samples of 42 high latitude spring bread wheat genotypes from Kazakhstan and Siberia evaluated in a multi-location trial were analyzed for grain concentrations of protein, zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe), as well as flour quality characteristics. The genotypes showed high grain protein concentrations (14–19%), but low dough strength was a common feature for most of them. Significant positive correlations were found between grain protein and flour protein, gluten, gliadin, gli/glu ratio, Zn, and Fe contents. Grain protein was also correlated positively with hardness, sedimentation, farinograph dough development time (DDT), stability time and ash content. Grain Fe concentration was positively associated with sedimentation, stability time, water absorption and valorimeter value, suggesting that improvements in micronutrient concentrations in the grain parallels enhancement in gluten strength. Interestingly, glutenin content correlated negatively with the concentrations of grain and flour protein, gluten, and minerals; and also with gluten deformation index (IDK), DDT, and stability time. Conversely, gliadin content showed strong positive correlations with the concentrations of grain and flour protein, gluten, and minerals. Gliadin also correlated positively, but in lesser magnitude, with DDT, stability time and IDK. Environment and G×E interaction were important sources of variation for some quality characteristics. This was reflected in the low broad sense heritability (H) values for traits related to flour strength, such as sedimentation, IDK, stability time and gliadin content. Breeding strategies, including three testing locations at the advanced selection stages, are adequate for the enhancement of most of the quality traits, but faster improvement in flour strength could be achieved with a larger number of locations.     

Linkage map of prolamin loci Gli-D4 and Gli-D5 in hexaploid wheat

By electrophoretic analysis of F2 progenies from crosses among the hexaploid wheat varieties ‘Cajeme 71’, ‘Ablaca’, ‘Anza’ and ‘Pané 247’, two new prolamin loci Gli-D4 and Gli-D5, were mapped on the short arm of chromosome ID. The Gli-D4 locus controls gliadins of type γ and is situated on the short arm of chromosome ID between the centromere and the Gli-D1 locus with a genetic distance of 10.1±2.4 cM from this locus. The Gli-D5 locus controls gliadin type ω and was mapped 3.7 ± 0.8 cM from Gli-Dl and located between Gli-Dl and the telomere.     

Glutenin allelic variation and 1AL.1RS effects on dough mixing properties of wheat grown in irrigated and rainfed environments

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) glutenin allelic variation and presence of the 1AL.1RS wheat-rye (Secale cereale L.) translocation play important roles in determining end-use quality. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of high and low molecular weight glutenin alleles and 1AL.1RS on dough mixing properties of 189 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from the cross TAM 107-R7/‘Arlin’ grown in irrigated and rainfed Colorado (USA) environments. The results indicated that (1) higher values (P < 0.05) of some dough mixing properties were observed for Glu-A1b versus Glu-A1a, Glu-B1b versus Glu-B1c, Glu-D1d versus Glu-D1a, and non-1AL.1RS versus 1AL.1RS; (2) no differences in Mixograph properties were found for Glu-A3c versus Glu-A3e, Glu-B3e versus Glu-B3g, or Glu-D3a versus Glu-D3b; (3) although variation at some glutenin loci had little effect on Mixograph properties, pairwise combinations of glutenin loci or a glutenin locus combined with 1AL.1RS affected most Mixograph traits; and (4) in general, the effects of glutenin alleles and 1AL.1RS on dough mixing properties did not differ greatly between the irrigated and the rainfed environment. These results will be useful for assessing potential wheat quality and directing wheat breeding efforts in Colorado and similar environments.     

Identification of Rye Chromosome 1R Translocations and Substitutions in Hexaploid Wheats Using Storage Proteins as Genetic Markers

Grain protein compositions of 106 advanced generation backcross lines from crosses involving ‘Amigo’ (1AL.1RS), ‘Aurora’, ‘Kavkaz’, ‘Skorospelka-35’ and ‘Sunbird’ (all 1BL.1RS) and ‘Gabo’ 1DL.1RS parents and 152 cultivars with unknown pedigree were analysed by one-dimensional SDS-PAGE. Eighty seven backcross lines and 16 cultivars carried one or other of these translocations, 2 cultivars had a 1R (1B) substitution, whereas 5 backcross lines were found to be heterogeneous for the 1BL.1RS translocation. The translocation lines were easily identified by the presence of secalins (Sec-1) controlled by rye chromosome arm IRS and a simultaneous loss of the gliadin (Gli-1) and/or triticin (Tri-1) protein bands controlled by the replaced wheat chromosome arm (1AS, 1BS or 1DS). Certain gliadins, showing no allelic variation among the genotypes analysed, were identified as markers for chromosome arms 1AS (M_r= 34 kd) and IBS (M_r= 42,33 kd). The whole chromosome substitutions 1R (1B) were recognized by scoring for the presence of Sec-1 and HMW secalin bands, Sec-3 (controlled by rye chromosome arm 1RL) and the absence of Gli-B1 and HMW glutenin subunits, Glu-B1 (controlled by wheat chromosome arm 1BL). The results have shown that protein electrophoresis provides a rapid and reliable technique for screening genotypes for these translocations and substitutions in a breeding programme.     

Introduction of high molecular weight glutenin subunits 5 + 10 for the improvement of the bread-making quality of hexaploid triticale

In an earlier study, chromosome 1D of the hexaploid breadwheat cultivar ‘Chinese Spring’ was introduced into hexaploid triticale to improve its bread‐making quality. That specific chromosome, 1D, carried the a allele at the Glu‐D1 locus coding for high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin subunits 2 + 12, and since subunits 2 + 12 are associated with poor bread‐making quality in wheat, in the present study hexaploid 1D substitution triticale was crossed with octoploid triticale with the d allele at the Glu‐D1 locus encoding HMW glutenin subunits 5 + 10. Following backcrosses to different triticale varieties, 1D substitution lines were established that had Glu‐D1 allele a or d in an otherwise genetically similar background, and the influence of these two different alleles on bread‐making quality of hexaploid triticale was compared. The agronomic performance of 76 selected lines was evaluated in a field trial. The Zeleny sedimentation value was determined as a parameter for bread‐making quality, and related to the presence of chromosome 1D, the different glutenin alleles and the nature of the substitution. The presence of chromosome 1D had a significant and positive effect on the Zeleny sedimentation value, but the difference between the two glutenin alleles 2 + 12 and 5 + 10 was not as obvious as in wheat. Owing to its high cytological stability and minimal effect on agronomic performance, substitution 1D(1A) appears to be the most desirable one to use in triticale breeding.     

Detection of QTLs for bread‐making quality in wheat using a recombinant inbred line population

Whereas gluten fraction accounts for 30–60% of the variation in wheat bread‐making quality, there remains substantial variation determined by non‐gluten factors. The objective of this study was to detect new loci for wheat quality. The genetics of sodium dodecyl sulphate‐sedimentation volume (Ssd), grain hardness (GH), grain protein content, wet gluten content (WGC) and water absorption (Abs) in a set of 198 recombinant inbred lines derived from two commercial varieties was studied by quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis. A genetic map based on 255 marker loci, consisting of 250 simple sequence repeat markers and five glutenin loci, Glu‐A1, Glu‐B1, Glu‐D1, Glu‐B3 and Glu‐D3, was constructed. A total of 73 QTLs were detected for all traits. A major QTL for GH was detected on chromosome 1B and its relative contribution to phenotypic variation was 27.7%. A major QTL for Abs on chromosome 5D explained more than 30% of the phenotypic variation. Variations in Ssd were explained by four kinds of genes. Some QTLs for correlated traits mapped to the same regions forming QTL clusters or indicated pleiotropic effects.     

An assessment of cultivated emmer germplasm for gluten proteins

The storage protein composition of 61 accessions of Triticum dicoccum was analyzed by SDS-PAGE (HMW- and LMW-glutenin subunits) and Acid-PAGE (gliadins). In the HMW-glutenin subunits, four allelic variants at the Glu-A1 and eight at the Glu-B1 locus were detected resulting in a total of 17 patterns. The Glu-B1 locus was found to be more polymorphic than the Glu-A1 locus. Interestingly, the presence of HMW subunits like 13+16, 2^∗ and 1 associated with good quality was observed. Three accessions were null for both the Glu-A1 and Glu-B1 loci. There was less variation for gliadins. Three different gamma gliadin fractions coded by Gli-B1 locus were detected and there were eight different LMW-B glutenin patterns at the Glu-3 loci. The variability can be used to improve the utility of this crop.     

Association between frost tolerance and the alleles of high molecular weight glutenin subunits present in Polish winter wheats

Subunits of high molecular weight glutenins strongly influence wheat bread making quality and can be associated with important agronomic traits. Polish winter wheats show a significant quantitative dominance of the null allele over the coding alleles of the Glu-A1 locus. To identify the causes of such skewed distribution, 116 F₅ lines obtained from six cross combinations were analyzed for their HMW glutenin subunits and 11 agronomic characteristics, such as plant height and uniformity, leaf blotch and leaf rust resistance, grain yield per plot, number of grains per ear, grain yield per ear, 1000 kernel weight, frost tolerance, total protein content and the SDS-sedimentation value. The SDS-sedimentation value, resistance to leaf blotch and frost tolerance showed statistically significant associations with the status of the Glu-A1 locus. It appears that chromosome 1A with the null allele at Glu-A1 carries a closely linked locus responsible for frost tolerance. With early strong selection for winter hardiness, the null allele of Glu-A1 becomes fixed in advanced breeding materials despite its strong negative impact on the end use quality.     

Genetic mapping of sedimentation volume across environments using recombinant inbred lines of durum wheat

SDS-sedimentation volume (SV) is a biochemical index widely used to evaluate flour quality in durum and bread wheats. Significant association between SV and endosperm proteins (gliadin, high-molecular-weight- and low-molecular-weight-glutenin subunits) have been reported. Protein loci, however, account for only a portion of the total genetic variability. The objective of this study was to identify and locate quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with SV in a set of recombinant inbred (RI) lines, derived from a cross between the cv.‘Messapia’ of durum wheat and the accession MG4343 of the var. dicoccoides, and characterized for 259 genetic and molecular (RFLP) markers. Significant differences were detected for the quality index in the six environments examined, while the pattern of variability was that of a quantitative trait. Regression analysis of marker loci and sedimentation volume indicated, as expected, that chromosome 1B, on which are located the Gli-B 1/Glu-B 3 loci for some gliadin and glutenin subunits, is important for wheat quality. Two additional regions located on chromosomes 6AL and 7BS, and four regions on 1AL, 3AS, 3BL and 5AL, were shown to have single-factor effects on sedimentation volume at P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively. Positive effects were contributed by both parents. A multiple linear regression model consisting of seven significant loci on different chromosomes explained 62–91% of the genotypic variation of the trait. The availability of linked markers to QTLs may facilitate the genetic dissection of quantitative traits and the early selection in wheat breeding programmes.     

Bread-Making Quality Indices in Triticum aestivum Progenies. Implications in Breeding for Better Bread Wheat

Bread-making quality indices (dough strength and dough mixing stability) in relation to flour protein content, glutenin/gliadin ratio, and high-molecular-weight (HMW) subunits of glutenin have been investigated in Triticum aestivum progenies during a three year agronomic trial. Dough strength (W) proved to be a fairly stable characteristic, slightly but positively correlated with flour protein content. High could be associated with a high glutenin/gliadin ratio as well as with the presence of specific HMW. subunits of glutenin, while high protein content tended to favour a balanced dough tenacity-extensibility ratio (P/L = 0.4—0.6). Satisfactory values of dough-mixing stability were frequently observed in association with good expression of W showing that the two quality traits may coexist without much difficulty in the same genotype. From the plant breeding standpoint the data suggest feasible to obtain high dough strength by concentrating in a genotype the HMW subunits of glutenin known to have a beneficial effect on W. However, very high W may present unfavourable P/L ratios. This possibility is enhanced when the flour has a low protein content which often occurs in high yielding genotypes.     

Gli-D t T1 and a novel γ-gliadin gene in Aegilops tauschii

Genetic studies of F₂ progeny from a cross between Aegilops tauschii accessions AUS18913 and CPI110856 revealed that Gli‐D^tT1 is tightly linked with a γ‐gliadin gene at the Gli‐D^t7 locus located on the short arm of chromosome 1D. Acid‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (A‐PAGE) used to examine the gliadins of this population revealed two genes that encode a ω‐gliadin (T₁) protein and a novel γ‐gliadin protein. The ω‐gliadin (T₁) protein and the novel γ‐gliadin protein cosegregated, while having 0.69 cM recombination with the other locus (Gli‐D^t1). N‐terminal sequences were used to further classify the proteins studied.     

Mapping genes for grain protein concentration and grain yield on chromosome 5B of Triticum turgidum (L.) var. dicoccoides

Grain protein concentration (GPC) is an important quality factor in durum wheat [Triticum turgidum (L.) var. durum]. Due to the strong environmental influence on GPC, molecular markers linked to quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting GPC have the potential to be valuable in wheat breeding programs. Various quantitative traits in a population of 133 recombinant inbred chromosome lines were studied in replicated trials at three locations in North Dakota. Segregation for GPC, 1000-kernel weight, gluten strength, heading date, and plant height was observed. By relating phenotypic data to a linkage map obtained from the same population, three QTL affecting GPC, and one affecting yield were identified. The genotypic coefficients of determination for both traits were high.     

AFLP in Triticum aestivum L.: patterns of genetic diversity and genome distribution

The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) procedure was applied to a diverse panel of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell.) accessions and sixty-nine of the recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from the widely used genetic mapping population derived from the cross of Opata 85 and W7984. Most (76.8%) bands were monomorphic among T. aestivum accessions. The majority of bands monomorphic in T. aestivum also were present in the synthetic wheat parent (W7984). Ten primer pairs generated 153 polymorphic AFLP bands, 140 of which could be assigned to a chromosome location and were relatively evenly distributed on the genetic linkage map. AFLP loci in T. aestivum were distributed throughout the genome; they generally have only one detectable sequence variant; and they exhibit monogenic dominant mendelian inheritance. Frequencies of polymorphic bands in the germplasm sampled are in the range that enables informative cluster analyses as well as map-based diversity and association analysis studies. AFLP bands mapped to individual loci in the Opata 85/W7984 RIL population will frequently be polymorphic in other crosses or germplasm, irrespective of whether the band arises from the T. aestivum parent or the synthetic wheat parent. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Associations between 23 Quantitative Traits and 10 Genetic Markers in a Barley Cross

Associations of 23 quantitative traits and 10 genetic marker characters were examined in 63 chromosome-doubled lines (DH-lines) derived from the F₁- generation of a cross between an old and a modern spring barley variety. One fourth of the marker × trait combinations showed significant associations. More than two thirds of these associations were to earliness (heading date). Earliness was found to be controlled by two loci: the previously known eak locus and a new locus designated Ea. It is concluded that the associations of quantitative traits with the earliness loci were caused by pleiotropy. Associations were found between two absolutely linked C-bands on chromosome 3 and QTLs (quantitative trait loci) for lodging, straw diameter, and length of top internode of the straw. The three loci on chromosome 5, eak and the two linked powdery mildew loci, Mla9 and Mlk, were associated with a possible QTL for magnesium concentration in grain. Association to the C-band on chromosome 6 suggests QTLs for TGW (thousand grain weight), straw diameter and magnesium concentration in grain. Locus Estl on chromosome 3 was not associated with any of the quantitative traits.     

Allelic variation at the gliadin coding loci of improved Ethiopian durum wheat varieties

The objective of this study was to determine gliadin allele compositions of 20 improved Ethiopian durum wheat varieties using acid-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (A-PAGE). Each block of co-dominantly inherited polypeptides encoded by gliadin loci were identified and their genetic diversities were estimated using statistical analyses. A total of 30 electrophoretic blocks were identified at five major gliadin loci. In addition, four novel gliadin blocks were identified. Gli-B1 and Gli-A2 loci had higher numbers of gliadin alleles (nine and ten, respectively) compared to other loci. Alleles Gli-A1c on chromosome 1A, Gli-B1c on chromosome 1B, Gli-A2a, and Gli-A2o on chromosome 6A, and Gli-B2h on chromosome 6B had maximal frequencies in their corresponding loci. Varieties were classified into three main clusters and one singleton based on genetic distances of detected gliadin alleles. These results indicate that Ethiopian durum wheat varieties are genetically diverse with unique allele compositions at gliadin-coding loci.     

Changes in expression of HMW glutenins of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) induced by nitrosoethylurea

The application of a chemical mutagen, N-nitroso-N-ethylurea, to the grains of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. ‘Viginta’, provided a mutant line,‘NT-10′, with an altered composition of high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin subunits. The qualitative mutation was detected in the Glu-B1 locus by electrophoretic analyses of glutenins. Instead of the HMW glutenin subunits 7 + 9 present in the original genotype, a separate HMW subunit 6 was expressed in the mutant line. The other glutenin and gliadin proteins of the mutant line remained unchanged. The mutant line is also characterized by several changes in morphological and physiological characters—stronger stem, wider leaf, bigger spike and higher grain hardness. This is the first communication of the possibility of changing the composition of high molecular weight subunits of wheat glutenin by means of mutagenesis.