Stem and head reaction of winter wheat cultivars to artificial inoculation by Microdochium nivale under controlled environment and field conditions

Summary Experiments to assess variation in the resistance of winter wheat to infection by Microdochium nivale were conducted over two consecutive years. Resistance was evaluated using an agar disk technique to reproduce stem lesions and by spraying a conidial suspension to reproduce head blight symptoms. Significant variation for stem reaction measured as stem lesion area (SLA), and head reaction measured as disease severity (DS) was found in the 33 winter wheat genotypes tested. Data obtained over two years in controlled environment conditions were significantly correlated (r=0.713 for SLA and r=0.738 for DS), whereas field data showed a significant genotype x year interaction for disease severity. Quantitative variation for susceptibility to stem and head infection by M. nivale was found among the 33 genotypes tested. The majority of genotypes expressed moderate susceptibility, with cultivar Goupil being very susceptible to both stem and head infection, and the remainder, Renan, Arminda, Munstertaler and Saint-Johann were the most resistant. Resistance to stem and head to M. nivale were not correlated (r=0.358).     

An EMS-induced wheat mutant restoring fertility against photoperiod-sensitive cytoplasmic male sterility

Triticum aestivum cv. 'Norin 26' with Aegilops crassa cytoplasm shows photoperiod-sensitive cytoplasmic male sterility (PCMS). This alloplasmic line is almost completely male-sterile under long-day conditions (≥ 15h), but highly male-fertile under short-day conditions (≤ 14.5h). To obtain male—fertile mutants against PCMS, seeds of the alloplasmic line were treated with ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS). The M₃ generation was evaluated for PCMS expression, and one fertility-restoring (FR-mutant) line showing high male fertility under the long-day conditions was selected. Reciprocal F, hybrids between the FR-mutant and the alloplasmic 'Norin 26' showed male sterility under the long-day conditions, and continuous segregation with respect to the degree of fertility restoration occurred in their F₂ generations. These results indicate that multiple recessive mutations with minor effects, induced in the nuclear genome, are involved in the fertility restoration. In fact, no restriction-fragment-length polymorphisms of mitochondrial DNA between the FR-mutant and the alloplasmic 'Norin 26' are found.     

Wheat Breeding in a Water-stressed Environment. I. Delineation of Drought Tolerance and Susceptibility

To elucidate genotypic differences expressed through the grain yield of drought-stressed wheat, 21 commercial varieties and advanced lines were evaluated in the field under a range of soil water levels to induce varying degrees of drought stress. This paper presents data on grain yield and yield-based indices to indicate drought tolerance and drought susceptibility. AZS-4 was identified as drought tolerant and AZS-17 and ‘Pavon’ as drought susceptible. High gram yield under stress can be explained in terms of high yield potential, thus grain yield proved to be the best indicator of drought tolerance.     

Genetic polymorphisms at Gli-Dt gliadin loci in Aegilops tauschii as revealed by acid polyacrylamide gel and capillary electrophoresis

Gliadin variation at Gli‐D^t1 and Gli‐D^t2 loci in 198 Aegilops tauschii accessions was studied by acid polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (A‐PAGE) and capillary electrophoresis (CE). High genetic polymorphisms were found at both gliadin coding loci, revealing a total of 184 and 169 gliadin variants at the Gli‐D^t1 and Gli‐D^t2 loci, respectively. In particular, 12 gliadin blocks encoded by different alleles were apparently expressed and readily identified in six synthetic hexaploids produced by hybridization between Triticum durum and Ae. tauschii accessions. Compared with Ae. tauschii ssp. eusquarrosa, the gliadin profile of the D genome in Ae. tauschii ssp. strangulata more resembles that of T. aestivum, supporting the view that the subspecies strangulata is the most likely progenitor of bread wheat. Capillary electrophoresis analysis showed that the method is capable of separating and characterizing gliadins with speed, in high resolution using small sample amounts, and is well‐suited to detect protein alleles and to identify desirable genotypes in wheat quality improvement.     

Shifting undesirable correlations

Wheat functions as a complex well-integrated organism with adaptation to many environments. Traits of wheat may be correlated to each other in a positive or a negative manner. The direction of the correlation is independent of breeding objectives and may change from one production environment to another. Grain yield is correlated positively with time to maturity in environments without terminal stress. The negative correlation between grain yield and grain protein concentration exemplifies an undesirable relationship in a wheat quality type in which protein concentration is positively correlated with bread loaf volume. However, this same correlation has an advantage to those end-products that are favored by low protein concentration such as confectionary products. To shift the negative correlation between grain yield and protein concentration requires assembling a more photosynthetically efficient, nitrogen-use efficient and\or water-use efficient genotype in combination or separately. Simultaneous selection for quantitative and quality traits is a breeding strategy, which with the inclusion of marker assisted selection, can shift undesirable correlations.     

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.     

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.     

Chromosomal location of genes influencing plant characters and evapotranspiration efficiency in bread wheat

Little is known of genes that influence root development and drought resistance in bread wheat. The evapotranspiration efficiency (ETE = ratio of vegetative dry weight to total water used) of spring bread wheat tall landrace ‘Chinese Spring’ is relatively high. We used 42 ditelosomic and dimonotelosomic lines of Chinese Spring to identify chromosome arms that influence plant characters and ETE. Multiple regression analyses indicated that 96% of the variation observed in ETE was explained by variation in vegetative dry weight and total water used. Variation in plant height, number of spikes (tillers), root dry weight and shoot dry weight (excluding grains) together explained 88% of the variation observed in plant vegetative dry weight. Chromosome arms involved in expression of days to heading and maturity, plant height, number of spikes, root dry weight, shoot dry weight, number of grains, grain weight, and carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) were identified. Specifically, both arms of chromosome 2A, the long arm of chromosome 2B, and the short arm of chromosome 2D might carry genes with positive effects on number of spikes, root dry weight, and shoot dry weight. None of the aneuploids produced grain yield greater than Chinese Spring. The short arms of chromosomes 6A and 4D might carry genes that suppress Δ. Chromosome 1D might carry genes that increase relative water loss. The chromosome arms belonging to homoeologous group 2 might carry genes with positive effects on ETE. The genetic basis of ETE in modern wheats could be broadened by substituting specific chromosome arms of landrace wheats carrying desired characters into their genomes. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Expression of late maturity α-amylase in wheat containing gibberellic acid insensitivity genes

Summary Two wheat cultivars, Spica and Lerma 52, which consistently produce high levels of -amylase during the later stages of grain development (late maturity -amylase), were crossed with a set of four near-isogenic lines carrying the tall (rht) allele or one of the dwarfing genes Rht1, Rht2 or Rht3 (GA-insensitive alleles). The F₁ and F₂ populations were developed and analysed for grain -amylase and plant height. The Rht3 gene exhibited the strongest influence on plant height and strongly inhibited new -amylase synthesis during the later part of grain ripening. By comparison, Rht1 and Rht2 had a less pronounced effect but still significantly reduced the expression of late maturity -amylase. These observations suggest that gibberellic acid is involved either directly or indirectly in this phenomenon. The implications of the effect of dwarfing genes on expression of late maturity -amylase are discussed in relation to cultivar improvement and to the identification and control of high -amylase germplasm.     

Factors influencing the development of bread wheat plant types to be grown in the ‘transitional zone’ in northern Syria

Summary This study sought to identify factors that influence wheat development in the transitional wheat growing zone of northern Syria. Three development factors were studied, intrinsic earliness, and responses to vernalization and to photoperiod. Two sets of wheat were studied, each composed of lines with differing combinations of development factors. Set 1 comprised 20 parental and breeding lines utilized by the CIMMYT/ICARDA facultative and winter wheat breeding program based at Tel Hadya. Set 2 comprised 19 parental and breeding lines utilized by an Australian winter wheat breeding program based at Temora. Field development was recorded in greatest detail at one site. Tel Hadya, using the state of differentiation of the apex of the main tiller of sampled plants. To extend findings, development was also recorded as the time from sowing to ear emergence for later sowings of wheat at Tel Hadya, and in sowings at four other regional sites.The significance of each development factor was tested in multiple regressions that predicted either stage of apical development at Tel Hadya, or time to ear emergence in all trials. It was found that intrinsic earliness was the major factor associated with development, in both sets of wheat. Response to photoperiod had a much smaller and less consistent effect. Response to vernalization had least effect on development, possibly because low temperature in winter delayed development for a longer period than was required to fully vernalize winter wheats. Our results suggested it may not be directly relevant whether spring or winter wheats are grown in the transitional zone of northern Syria. The desired phenotype for the region, of slow development prior to double ridge, then fast development to ear emergence, cannot be simply achieved from combinations of the three development factors. Selection for improved adaptation to the region must continue to rely on direct field observations.