The effect of chromosome 1AL/1RS translocation on agronomic performance of 85 F2-derived F6 lines from three Triticum aestivum L. crosses

Summary The effect of the 1AL/1RS chromosome translocation on grain yield and other agronomic characteristics of 85 random F₂-derived F₆ bulks from three 1AL 1RS × 1A bread wheat crosses was determined under optimum and reduced irrigation conditions at CIANO, Yaqui Valley, Sonora, Mexico, during the 1991–1992 and 1992–1993 crop production cycles. Harvest plots of 5.0 m² were arranged in an alpha lattice design with three replications. The 1AL/1RS translocation increased grain yield, above-ground biomass, spikes/m², and test weight under both irrigated and dryland conditions. Homozygous chromosome 1A lines, on the other hand, possessed longer spikes with more grains. The 1AL/1RS cultivars had an advantage in 1000-grain weight, which was detected only under optimum irrigation. The translocation lines showed later maturity and longer grainfilling period than the 1A genotypes under one irrigation treatment. A significant relationship between grain yield and test weight was detected only among the 1AL/1RS genotypes, indicating that they possess heavier and plumper grains than the 1A genotypes. These results encourage the continued use of the 1AL/1RS translocation in wheat improvement.