Development of the components of a cytoplasmic male sterility hybrid system in rye through anther culture

Anther culture was applied as a method to develop the essential components of a cytoplasmic male sterility hybrid system in rye (Secale cereale L.). These components are the male sterile seed parent (A line), its isogenic maintainer counterpart (B line) and the restorer pollen parent (R line). Australian rye cultivars were crossed reciprocally to the cultivar ‘Luchs’ which carries the Pampa male sterile cytoplasm (cms-P). Anthers of the F1s in the cms-P cytoplasm (primary cross) and their reciprocals in the normal cytoplasm (reciprocal cross) were cultured in a modified C17 medium. Male sterile and male fertile doubled haploids were obtained from the anther culture of the F1s in the cms-P cytoplasm. Testcrosses indicated that the male sterile doubled haploids were A lines and the male fertile doubled haploids were R lines (restorers). The anther culture of genotypes in the normal cytoplasm (reciprocal cross) gave all male fertile doubled haploids. Testcrosses indicated that the male fertile doubled haploids were R lines (restorers) in the normal cytoplasm. The expected maintainer B lines were not identified because of the limited number of doubled haploids obtained from the anther culture of reciprocal crosses. Experimental single cross hybrids between male sterile and restorer male fertile doubled haploids showed high levels of heterosis. The results of this study have significant economic implications especially in the production of hybrids in several species. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Variation and covariation of agronomic traits and quality in triticale at low nitrogen input

The use of high nitrogen (N) inputs is becoming restricted in many countries due to environmental and economic considerations and reliable information is needed about parameters pertinent for breeding N-use efficient triticales (x Triticosecale Wittmack). This study reports estimates of variances, heritabilities, correlations, and regression for 36 triticales, grown at three locations for 2 years with two N regimes (zero and normal N supply). Eleven traits were assessed. A 45% mean reduction in grain yield by low N input was mainly the result of a 25% lower number of tiller-bearing spikes per m2 and 17% fewer kernels per spike, whereas 1000-kernel weight was little affected. Genotype-nitrogen interaction was of importance only in some environments and for certain traits. Heritability estimates at both N levels were similar and moderate to high. Correlations between N levels were high for nearly all traits. Regression analysis for grain yield revealed only few N-efficient triticales with lower than unity slope together with a high grain yield. Based on the genetic parameters, it is concluded that a special low input breeding programme does not appear to be necessary in triticale. The breeder can select at either of the N levels with similar response. But he should include tests in low productivity environments at some early stages in the breeding process to avoid loss of genetic variation for N-use efficiency.     

Distribution of the wheat–rye translocation 1RS.1BL among bread wheat varieties of Bulgaria

The distribution of the wheat–rye translocation 1RS.1BL was studied in 31 winter wheat varieties from Bulgaria. The presence of the translocation was verified in 17 varieties using chromosome N‐banding analysis, PAGE‐analysis of grain storage proteins and DNA‐marker analysis. The 1RS.1BL has been transmitted in 54% of varieties with a known source of the translocation in their pedigree.     

Quantitative-genetic analysis of leaf-rust resistance in seedling and adult-plant stages of inbred lines and their testcrosses in winter rye

Leaf rust is the most frequent leaf disease of winter rye in Germany. All widely grown population and hybrid varieties are susceptible. This study was undertaken to estimate quantitative‐genetic parameters of leaf‐rust resistance in self‐fertile breeding materials with introgressed foreign leaf‐rust resistances and to analyze the relative importance of seedling and adult‐plant resistance. Forty‐four inbred lines and their corresponding testcrosses with a highly susceptible tester line were grown in a field in four different environments (location‐year combinations) with artificial inoculation. Plots were separated by a nonhost to promote autoinfections and minimize interplot interference. Leaf‐rust severity was rated on three leaf insertions at three dates. The testcrosses showed a considerably higher disease severity than the lines. High correlations (r ? 0.9, P = 0.01) existed among the leaf insertions and the rating dates. Large genotypic variation for resistance was found in both the inbred and testcross populations. Genotype‐environment interaction and error variances were of minor importance, thus high entry‐mean heritabilities were achieved. A tight correlation between the inbreds and their corresponding testcrosses was found (r = 0.88, P = 0.01). Heterosis for resistance was significant (P = 0.05), but not very important. In a seedling test with 20—30 single‐pustule isolates, 34 out of 44 inbreds reacted race‐specifically. From the remaining inbred lines, three were medium and seven highly susceptible. In a further greenhouse test with 16 inbreds, seven were susceptible and five were resistant in both seedling and adult‐plant stages. The remaining four lines had adult‐plant resistance. In conclusion, race‐specific leaf‐rust resistance can be selected among inbred lines per se. Lines should also be tested in the adult‐plant stage.     

Variation and Covariation of Milling- and Baking-quality Characteristics among Winter Rye Single-cross Hybrids

Components of variation for, and genetic correlations among, measures of milling and baking quality were estimated for 38 winter rye single-crosses sown in three environments. Samples of grain were indirectly evaluated for baking quality via Falling Number and Amylograph tests whereas direct Assessments of baking quality and milling yield were obtained from standardised Sourdough Baking tests and total flour release determinations, respectively. Estimates of genetic variation were large and highly significant (P < 0.01) for all traits whereas those of genotype × environment interactions were much smaller and often non-significant. Broad-sense heritability estimates were very high, ranging from 0.64 to 0.96. Crumb elasticity, the most important direct measure of baking quality, was significantly correlated with falling number (r_g= 0.43) and Amylograph temperature at maximum viscosity (r^g= 0.55). The dough yield, loaf volume and total flour release, however, showed no relation with the indirect measures of baking quality. The crumb elasticity was correlated positively with flour release but negatively with dough yield and loaf volume. Selection for high falling number would be an effective indirect method of increasing crumb elasticity. Enhancement of the other baking and milling characteristics would require direct measurements of the respective traits.     

Segregation for isozymes and HMW glutenins in a doubled-haploid cross of winter wheat carrying 1BL.1RS and 5DL.5RS translocations from rye

The doubled haploid (DH) wheat line ‘dh 5841’ carrying two translocations from rye, 5DL.5RS and 1BL.1RS, has been crossed to the subline of wheat cultivar ‘Amadeus 7143’ with a 1BL.1RS translocation. The resulting F₁ hybrid IJ 98 with a heterozygous 5DL.5DS‐5DL.5RS chromosome pair has been used to produce doubled haploids. A total of 57 DH lines were obtained from plantlets regenerated in anther culture after successful colchicine treatment and seed set. These lines were identified regarding the constitution of chromosome 5D (5DL.5DS or 5DL.5RS) by means of isoenzyme marker analysis. Thirty DH lines possessed the 5DL.5DS chromosome, while the remaining 27 lines carried the 5DL.5RS translocation. For some of these lines, the 5DL.5RS chromosome was cytologically confirmed by C‐banding. Furthermore, the DH lines were evaluated for their high molecular weight glutenin subunit composition. All possible combinations for the four independent loci —Skdh, Glu‐Al, Glu‐B1 and Glu‐D1— were detected in only 57 DH lines and no segregation distortion was observed.     

Rapid Incorporation of D-genome Chromosomes into A and/or B Genomes of Hexaploid Triticale

Two series of progenies were developed from hybrids between octoploid (AABBDDRR) and tetraploid triticale ((AB)(AB)RR). One arose from the successive selfing of the F₁s, while the second was established after one backcross of the F₁ hybrids with the respective 8 × triticale parent. Altogether, 250 F₃ and BC₁F₂ lines were developed, of which 112 were karyotyped in the F₄/F₅ or in BC₁F₃/BC₁F₄ generations using C-banding and SDS-PAGE. The 112 lines represented 61 different karyotypes, of which 39 appeared to be stabilized, having pairs of homologous wheat chromosomes only, while 22 karyotypes exhibited 1—3 heterologous pairs. The frequency of karyotypically stabilized lines originating from the series with one backcrossing was much higher (79.5 %) than those derived from the successive selfing of the F₁ hybrids (51.7%). Six lines had the pure hexaploid triticale chromosome constitution. The frequency of disomic substitutions of D genome chromosomes for their homoeologous A and/or B genome chromosomes ranged from one to six per line with an average of 1.7. Except for 3B and 6B all possible D(A/B) substitutions were obtained. Chromosomes ID and 3D substituted for their homoeologues with the highest frequency, while the substitution of chromosome 4D for 4A or for 4B was the least frequent. D(R) substitutions were found in eight lines only. A complete set of 6x triticale lines was established in which chromosome ID was present in all possible combinations, i.e. single 1D(1A/1B/1R) disomic substitutions as well as disomic ID addition.     

Rapid introduction of disease resistance from rye into common wheat by anther culture of a 6x triticale × nulli-tetrasomic wheat

Powdery mildew (caused by Erysiphe graminis) and yellow rust (caused by Puccinia striiformis) are the two most serious wheat diseases found in China. Rye chromosomes, carrying genes for resistance to these diseases, were introduced into common wheat in two generations using chromosome engineering and anther culture. The F₁ hybrids from a cross involving a hexaploid triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) בChinese Spring’ nulli‐tetrasomic N6DT6A wheat aneuploid line were anther cultured and doubled‐haploid plants were regenerated. Using genomic in situ hybridization, C‐banding and biochemical marker analyses, one of the anther‐cultured lines (ZH‐1)studied in detail, proved to be a doubled‐haploid with one rye chromosome pair added (1R) and a homozygous 6R/6D substitution (2n= 44). The line was tested for expression of disease resistance and found to be highly resistant to powdery mildew and moderately resistant to yellow rust.     

Production of Primary Triticale from Calluses of Immature Abnormal Hybrid Embryos between Triticum durum and Secale cereale

Plant regeneration was attempted in callus induced from the immature abnormal hybrid embryos between T. durum and S. cereale, using 4-Huorophenoxyacetic acid as a growth regulator. In particular, the relationship of numerical variation in chromosomes between the callus tissues and the regenerated plants was investigated. Cytological observation revealed that there was no distinctive numerical difference between the shoot-forming (SF) and the non-shoot-forming calluses and also between the SF calluses and the regenerated plants. The root-tips of regenerated plants consisted of cells having various chromosome numbers, including the expected 2 n = 3 ×= 21 (genomes, ABR) of which the frequency was 69.8 %. The regenerated plants showed partial fertility, notwithstanding that the hybrid plants were expected to be sterile. Since the frequency of abnormal embryos was about 90 % in this cross, the utilization of abnormal embryos was demonstrated by use of callus culture.