Inheritance of genes coding for gliadin proteins and glume colour introgressed into Triticum aestivum from a synthetic wheat

A synthetic hexaploid, Triticum timofeevii×T. tauschii, was used to transfer disease resistance genes to the commercial cultivar Saratovskaya 29 (S29) by backcrossing. After five backcrosses the resulting derivatives still showed some traits of the synthetic, namely brown spike glumes and several gliadin components. Genetic analysis showed that the derived forms had inherited the Gli-D1 allele of the synthetic, which was found to be tightly linked to a gene for glume colour. Recombination percentages between these genes was estimated to be 2.5 ± 1.7%. The development of the derivatives was also accompanied by a rearrangement within the Gli-B1 locus, resulting in the formation of a new variant of the allele in S29.     

The genetics of rachis fragility and glume tenacity in semi-wild wheat

The inheritance of rachis fragility and glume tenacity in semi-wild wheat was studied in an attempt to help establish the taxonomic status and genetic origin of semi-wild wheat. Progenies of crosses and backcrosses of semi-wild wheat with the cultivar Columbus (common wheat) indicated that the fragile rachis and non-free-threshing character of semi-wild wheat were dominant to the tough rachis and free-threshing character of common wheat. F₂ and backcross data indicated that the rachis fragility and glume tenacity of semi-wild wheat were each controlled by a single gene in the cross of semi-wild wheat with Columbus. In the cross of semi-wild wheat with Triticum aestivum spp. spelta, the F₂ and F₃ population did not segregate for glume tenacity, but did segregate for rachis fragility. The F₂ and backcross data suggest that three genes interact to control three types of rachis fragility, i.e. semi-wild wheat-type, spelta-type and the tough rachis of common wheat. Semi-wild wheat differs from common wheat in rachis fragility and glume tenacity. This wheat also differs from other wheats with fragile rachis and tenacious glumes (T. aestivum ssp. spelta, macha and vavilovii) in the pattern and degree of rachis disarticulation. We conclude that semi-wild wheat is likely a subspecies within T. aestivum at the same taxonomic level as spp. spelta, macha and vavilovii. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

不同种及类型小麦籽粒蛋白质含量动态变化的研究

对普通小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)和硬粒小麦(Triticum durum Desf.)的冬、春性类型共16个品种的籽粒蛋白质含量变化进行研究分析。结果表明,小麦不同种及不同类型,其籽粒发育中蛋白质含量的变化趋势基本一致。即籽粒蛋白质含量、千粒蛋白质日增量与籽粒发育期的关系均可用二次抛物线方程 Y=ax~2+bx+C 来描述,千粒蛋白质积累     

Inheritance of glume color and gluten strength in durum wheat

Summary The correlation between glume color and gluten strength and the heritability of each trait was estimated in two durum wheat crosses. Brown glume color appeared to be dominant to white in both crosses. In one cross, glume color was clearly controlled by one gene while in the other cross it appeared to be controlled by one or two genes with modifiers. The heritability of gluten strength was moderately high. The correlation of F₂ glume color and F₃ gluten strength was high (r=0.66 and 0.78) indicating that F₂ glume color was a good predictor of gluten strength in the F₃ generation. Selection for glume color appears to be an effective breeding strategy for improving gluten strength in those environments where glume color differences are easily detected.     

Analysis of Wheat Cultivar Differences in Grain Yield, Grain Nitrogen Yield and Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency.

More detailed information on the causes of yield variability among wheat cultivars is needed to further increase wheat yield. Field studies were conducted in Northern Greece over the two cropping seasons of 1985—1986 and 1986—1987 to assess the effects of nitrogen fertilizer and application timing of the various component traits that determine grain yield, grain nitrogen yield and nitrogen utilization efficiency of two bread ( Triticum aestivum L.) and two durum ( Triticum durum Desf.) wheat cultivars, using yield and yield component analysis. Nitrogen at a rate of 150 kg ha^-1 was applied before planting or 100 N kg ha^-1 before planting and then 50 N kg ha^-1 top dressed at early boot stage. Nitrogen and cultivars affected all traits examined, while split nitrogen application affected only some of the traits. Grain yields in the most cases were correlated with number of grains per unit area and grain weight and grain nitrogen yields in all cases with grain number per unit area. The contribution of the number of grains per spike to total variation in grain yield among cultivars was almost consistent (37 to 55 %), while the contribution of grain weight was more significant (up to 55 %) in high yields (>6.500kg ha^-1) and number of spikes per unit area (>500). The number of grains per spike contributed from 60 to 83 % to the total variation in grain nitrogen per spike. Increased grain nitrogen concentration resulted in a reduction of its contribution in grain nitrogen yield variation. Nitrogen utilization efficiency was higher during grain filling than during vegetative biomass accumulation. The contribution of nitrogen harvest index to the variation of utilization efficiency for grain yield was higher in plants receiving nitrogen application.     

Genetic variation and interrelationships of agronomic characters in landraces of bread wheat from southeastern Iran

There is renewed interest in wheat landraces as important sources of genetic variation for agronomic characters. Fifty-three pure lines of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) derived from seven landraces collected from southeastern Iran were used to estimate genetic variation and heritability for 13 developmental and quantitative characters. Path-analysis was used to partition the genetic correlations between grain yield and six grain yield-related traits. Mean values of landraces were also compared with three improved cultivars from California and Iran. Genotypic differences among the landraces and among the pure lines collected from the landraces were highly significant for all characters considered. Compared with the modern cultivars, the landrace genotypes were, on average, later in days to heading and taller than the cultivars but had lower values for number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, grain yield and harvest index. Some landrace genotypes were similar to the modern cultivars for grain yield. Moderate to high genetic variation was displayed by number of grains per spike, number of spikes per plant, 1000-grain weight, and harvest index. The heritability estimates ranged from 59% for grain yield to 99% for days to anthesis. Expected genetic advance (as % of the mean) was ≈34% for number of spikes per plant, number of grains per spike, and 1000-grain weight. Days to heading and to anthesis correlated positively with number of spikes per plant, shoot biomass, and straw biomass but negatively with number of grains per spike and harvest index. The strong direct effect of number of spikes per plant on grain yield was completely counterbalanced by its indirect negative effects via number of grains per spike and 1000-grain weight. Number of grains per spike and 1000-grain weight were positively correlated with grain yield, and they had large direct effects. These two characters, however, were negatively correlated and exhibited a substantial counterbalance effect via one another and via number of spikes per plant. The landraces could be improved by intercrossing the promising genotypes identified in this study, with simultaneous selection for earliness, fewer number of spikes per plant, greater number of grains per spike and heavier grains. For further improvement, crossing programs between the landraces and introduced germplasm may be necessary. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of Zinc Deficiency and Drought on Grain Yield of Field-grown Wheat Cultivars in Central Anatolia

Drought stress and zinc (Zn) deficiency are serious abiotic stress factors limiting crop production in Turkey, especially in Central Anatolia. In this study, the effects of Zn deficiency and drought stress on grain yield of 20 wheat cultivars (16 bread wheat, Triticum aestivum; four durum wheat, Triticum durum cultivars) were investigated over 2 years under rainfed and irrigated conditions in Central Anatolia where drought and Zn deficiency cause substantial yield reductions. Plants were treated with (+Zn: 23 kg Zn ha⁻¹, as ZnSO₄·7H₂O) and without (−Zn) Zn under rainfed and irrigated conditions. Both Zn deficiency and rainfed treatments resulted in substantial decreases in grain yield. Significant differences were determined between both bread wheat and durum wheat cultivars in terms of drought stress tolerance. Considering drought sensitivity indices over 2 years, the bread wheat cultivars Yayla‐305, Gerek‐79, Dagdas‐94 and Bolal‐2973 were found to be more drought‐tolerant than the other cultivars under both −Zn and +Zn treatments. Especially the durum wheat cultivars Cakmak 79 and Selcuklu 97 showed much greater drought susceptibility under Zn deficiency, and irrigation alone was not sufficient to obtain satisfying grain yield without Zn application. The results indicate that sensitivity to Zn deficiency stress became more pronounced when plants were drought‐stressed. The effect of irrigation on grain yield was maximized when Zn was adequately supplied, leading to the suggestion that efficient water use in Central Anatolia seems to be highly dependent on the Zn nutritional status of plants.     

Changes in the genetic structure of wheat germplasm accessions during seed rejuvenation

Changes in the genetic structure of wheat accessions caused by interspecific competition during periodic seed rejuvenation at a gene-bank were studied. Electrophoretic patterns (Acid-PAGE) of gliadin storage proteins were used to discriminate bread from durum wheat and to identify bread-wheat genotypes. Bread wheat shows high selective advantage over durum wheat and its frequency increased up to 100% after seven rejuvenation cycles. The number of bread-wheat genotypes identified in each entry varied from five to 13, but only a few prevailed and these were different in each accession. In most cases, bread wheat was already present in the field sample collected, but at low frequency. In one case, ‘seed flow’ was thought to have occurred at a very low rate among neighbouring plots. The implication of these findings for genetic resources conservation are: 1. Mixtures of wheat species within the same germplasm accession must be avoided; 2. Only in some cases are low planting densities effective in reducing competition; and 3. The genetic structure of accessions in the gene banks must be monitored.     

宁麦9号与扬麦158株高及其构成因素的遗传解析

宁麦9号与扬麦158是我国长江中下游麦区的主栽品种和骨干亲本,长江中下游麦区近3年来审定品种中80%都是其衍生后代,研究其性状的遗传具重要意义。以宁麦9号与扬麦158为亲本构建的包含282个家系的重组自交系群体为材料,利用Illumina 90k芯片对群体进行基因型分析,建立高密度遗传图谱。连续3个生长季对株高及节间长度、穗长等株高构成因素进行测定,结合遗传图谱对株高及相关性状进行QTL定位,获得14个控制株高及其构成因素的稳定表达位点。通过进一步位置比对,聚焦到6个染色体区段,初步明确了各节间对株高的遗传调控机制。同时,将6个染色体区段中同源性较低的连锁标记转化为适用于高通量筛选的KASP标记,利用101份区域试验材料进行标记效应验证,结果显示聚合Qph-2D与Qph-5A.1两个位点具有较高的选择效率,继续聚合Q2A后,中选材料显著减少,可能降低选择效率;对Q2A与Q5A两个一因多效位点的选择建议以降低株高的等位变异为主;Qd1-5D可作为穗下节间(D1)的选择标记对株高展开优化选择。期望以上结果能为长江中下游麦区的小麦株高遗传改良提供帮助。     

Expression of seed storage proteins responsible for maintaining kernel traits and wheat flour quality in common wheat under heat stress conditions

Heat stress during grain filling has been documented to decrease wheat grain yield and quality in arid regions worldwide. We studied the effect of heat stress on wheat flour quality in heat tolerant cultivars to define the effects of heat stress on flour quality and to identify germplasm combining traits for heat tolerance and good flour quality. We studied the kernel phenotypic traits, the expression of seed storage proteins (SSPs), and the resulting flour quality under heat and normal conditions. Under heat stress, all cultivars yielded narrow-shaped seeds, and increased protein contents as compared to the control plants grown under normal conditions. The specific sedimentation values used to estimate the gluten quality varied between cultivars. We identified cultivars that could maintain good flour quality under heat stress conditions: ‘Imam’, which possessed the Glu-D1d allele responsible for the suitable bread-making; ‘Bohaine’, which displayed high expression level of SSPs; and ‘Condor’, which possessed slight variations in the ratio of each SSP under heat stress conditions. Combining the desirable traits from these cultivars could yield a wheat cultivar with heat tolerance and good flour quality.     

Identification of powdery-mildew-resistance genes in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell.). V. Old German cultivars and cultivars released in the former GDR

A total of 59 old wheat cultivars grown in Germany prior to 1960 were tested for mildew response using a collection of 12 differential isolates of Erysiphe graminis DC f. sp. tritici Marchal (Blumeria graminis (DC) Speer f. sp. tritici). Nineteen cultivars did not possess any major resistance gene and 25 were characterized by susceptible or intermediate responses. Fifteen cultivars revealed isolate-specific response patterns that could not be attributed to known major resistance genes or gene combinations. Many of the old German cultivars inherited a mildew-resistance gene from the Canadian cultivar ‘Garnet’ which is tentatively designated M1-Ga. Cultivars ‘Bretonischer Bartweizen’ (designated M1-Br) and ‘Adlungs Alemannen’ (designated M1-Ad) appeared to carry unknown resistance genes. Among 18 winter wheat cultivars released in the former GDR. eight showed susceptibility to all isolates used. Cv. “Borenos” carries resistance gene Pm3c. Five cultivars possess gene Pm4b. two cultivars gene pm5 and one cultivar a combination of genes Pm2 and Pm4b. Cultivar ‘Zentos’ was resistant to almost all isolates used. Its resistance might be conditioned by different unknown major resistance genes.     

Identification of powdery-mildew-resistance genes in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). VI. Wheat cultivars grown in China

A total of 26 common wheat cultivars and advanced breeding lines grown in China were tested with a set of 11 differential powdery-mildew isolates. Seven cultivars were susceptible. Another seven cultivars showed the response pattern of resistance gene Pm2, either individually or in combination with genes Pm3d or Pm4a. Five cultivars expressed the resistance of gene Pm4b singly or in combination with Pm6. Another four cultivars exhibited the response patterns of genes Pm5, Pm6 and Pm8, respectively. Three cultivars, which included one breeding line with a pair of substituted chromosomes from Haynaldia villosa, presumably carrying the resistance gene Pm21, showed resistance-response patterns to all the isolates tested.     

Chromosomal locations in common wheat of three new leaf rust resistance genes from Triticum monococcum

Monosomic analysis was conducted to determine chromosomal locations of three new leaf rust resistance genes recently transferred to common wheat (Triticum aestivum) from T. monococcum. The resistance gene in wheat germplasm line KS92WGRC23 was transferred from T. monococcum ssp. monococcum. The resistance genes found in KS93U3 and KS96WGRC34 were transferred from T. monococcum ssp. aegilopoides. Allelism tests showed that the three resistance genes were unlinked. The three lines were crossed with each of the seven A-genome Wichita monosomic lines. The leaf rust resistance genes in KS92WGRC23, KS93U3, and KS96WGRC34 were located on chromosomes 6A, 1A, and 5A, respectively, by monosomic analysis. These results demonstrate that the three new genes derived from T. monococcum are each different. They also differ from previously reported Lr genes. This information on chromosome location and the development of mapping populations will facilitate molecular tagging of the new genes. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The inheritance and chromosomal location of a gene for long glume in durum wheat

Summary Several near-isogenic lines of durum wheat cv. LD222 have been developed. These include a near-isogenic line carrying gene P and designated P-LD222. The P gene from Triticum polonicum determines a long empty outer glume. The objective of this study was to determine the inheritance and chromosomal location of the P gene. To determine the inheritance, P-LD222 was crossed to two chlorina mutants and to a near-isogenic line for the purple culm trait, Pc-LD222. Linkage of the P gene with the mutated gene in chlorina mutant CDd6 indicated that the P gene was located on chromosome 7A. P-LD222 was also crossed with durum cultivar Langdon (LDN) and the LDN D genome substitution lines, LDN 7D(7A) and LDN 7D(7B). Segregation for the long glume trait in the F₂ of LDN/P-LD222 and LDN 7D(7B)/P-LD222 was normal (3:1) and indicated P gene was not on chromosome 7B. Significant deviation from a 3:1 in the F₂ of LDN 7D(7A)/P-LD222 confirmed the location of P on chromosome 7A, as indicated by the linkage analysis.     

Development of RAPD markers associated with common bunt resistance to race T1 (Tilletia tritici) in spelt wheat

Common bunt caused by Tilletia tritici and T. laevis has occurred worldwide and reduces yield and quality in common and durum wheats. The development of DNA markers linked to bunt resistance to race T1 in the cross, ‘Laura’(S) בRL5407’ (R), was carried out in this study based on the single head derived F_4:5 and single seed derived F_4:6 populations. Bulked segregant analysis was used to identify two random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to the gene for resistance to race T1 in the spelt wheat ‘RL5407′. The two markers identified, UBC548₅₉₀ and UBC274₉₈₈, flanked the resistance gene with a map distance of 9.1 and 18.2 cM, respectively. The former was linked in repulsion phase to bunt resistance while the later was in coupling phase. The two RAPD markers and the common bunt‐resistance gene all segregated in Mendelian fashion. Use of these two RAPD markers together could assist in incorporating the bunt‐resistance gene from spelt wheat into common wheat cultivars by means of marker‐assisted selection.     

Genetics of leaf rust resistance in three Americano landrace-derived wheat cultivars from Uruguay

A genetic analysis of the landrace‐derived wheat accessions Americano 25e, Americano 26n, and Americano 44d, from Uruguay was conducted to identify the leaf rust resistance genes present in these early wheat cultivars. The three cultivars were crossed with the leaf rust susceptible cultivar ‘Thatcher’ and approximately 80 backcross (BC1) F₂ families were derived for each cross. The BC1F₂ families and selected BC1F₄ lines were tested for seedling and adult plant leaf rust resistance with selected isolates of leaf rust, Puccinia triticina. The segregation and infection type data indicated that Americano 25e had seedling resistance genes Lr3, Lr16, an additional unidentified seedling gene, and one adult plant resistance gene that was neither Lr12 nor Lr13, and did not phenotypically resemble Lr34. Americano 26n was postulated to have genes Lr11, Lr12, Lr13, and Lr14a. Americano 44d appeared to have two possibly unique adult plant leaf rust resistance genes.     

麦田杂草节节麦染色体核型分析研究

对麦田杂草二倍体节节麦（Triticum tauschii L．）的植株形态特征及根尖细胞染色体核型作了分析，并和六倍体普通小麦（Triticum aestivum L．）中国春核型作比较。结果表明，节节麦的核型公式为2n=2X=14=10M＋4SM（2SAT），在第4号染色体上有一对随体。节节麦染色体组和普通小麦中国春D组全套染色体类型相同，表明这两组染色体具有较强的同源性；但二者在染色体相对长度和臂比值上表现出一定的差异，表明该地区节节麦未参与普通小麦的起源。     

Genetic control of long glume phenotype in tetraploid wheat derived from Triticum petropavlovskyi Udacz. et Migusch.

The Chinese wheat landrace, Xinjiang rice wheat (T. petropavlovskyi Udacz. et Migusch., 2n = 42), known as ‘Daosuimai’ or rice-head wheat is characterized by long glumes, and was found in the agricultural areas in the west part of Talimu basin, Xinjiang, China in 1948. The gene for long glume from T. petropavlovskyi was introduced into a line of spring durum wheat, LD222. The gene for long glume is located approximately46.8 cm from the cn-A1 locus, which controls the chlorinatrait. Significant deviation from a 3:1 in the F₂ of LDN7D(7A)/ANW5C confirmed that the long glume of T. petropavlovskyi can be controlled by a gene located on chromosome 7A. The gene locates approximately 12.4 ± 0.5 cM from the centromere on the long arm of 7A. It is considered that the gene for long glume from T. petropavlovskyi is an allele on the P ₁ locus, and it should be designated as P _1a. It is suggested that T. petropavlovskyi originated from either the natural hybrid between T. aestivum that has an awn-like appendage on the glume and T. polonicum or a natural point mutation of T. aestivum. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.