Utilization of tom thumb source of pre-harvest sprouting tolerance in a wheat breeding programme

Summary Segegating populations of the cross Tordo (a spring white-grained Tom Thumb derivative) and Tr 454-16 (a spring white-grained Sonora-Gabo derivative) were studied for plant height, apparent -amylase synthesis (AAS) and response to gibberellic acid. Means, variances and heritabilities for these characters were computed and their association was studied by computing correlation coefficients. Plant height showed high heritability while AAS and response to GA₃ showed moderate heritability. Plant height was positively correlated with AAS and response to GA₃. The results pointed out the importance of using Tom Thumb as a source of pre-harvest sprouting tolerance in a wheat breeding programme, particularly in areas where wheat breeding is restricted to evolving white-grained cultivars.