Acid soil tolerances of wheat lines selected for high grain protein content

Literature suggests that nitrogen (N) metabolism is involved in differential acid soil (Al) tolerances among wheat (Triticwn aestivum L. en Thell) genotypes. Atlas 66 wheat is characterized by acid soil and aluminum (Al) tolerance, nitrate (NO₃ ^‐) preference, pH increase of the rhizosphere, high nitrate reductase activity, and high protein in the grain. Atlas 66 has been used as a high protein gene donor in the development of new high protein wheat lines at Lincoln, NE. The objective of our study was to determine the acid soil tolerances of such lines and to relate such tolerances to their abilities to accumulate grain protein when grown on near‐neutral, non‐toxic soils. Twenty‐five experimental lines, nine cultivars not previously classified as Al‐tolerant or ‐sensitive and three cultivars previously classified according to acid soil tolerance, were grown for 28 days in greenhouse pots of acid, Al‐toxic Tatum subsoil. Relative shoot dry weight (pH 4.35/pH 5.41%) varied from 83.2% for Atlas 66 to 19.3% for Siouxland. Atlas 66 was significantly more tolerant to the acid soil than all other entries except Edwall. Yecorro Roja and Cardinal were intermediate in tolerance. None of the high protein lines approached Atlas 66 in tolerance, but two lines (N87U106 and N87U123) were comparable to Cardinal (relative shoot yield = 54%) which is used on acid soils in Ohio. At pH 4.35, the most acid soil tolerant entries contained significantly lower Al and significantly higher potassium (K) concentrations in their shoots than did sensitive entries. Shoots of acid soil sensitive entries, Scout 66, Siouxland, Plainsman V, and Anza contained deficient or near deficient concentrations of K when grown at pH 4.35. Acid soil tolerance was not closely related to calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), manganese (Mn), or iron (Fe) concentrations at pH 4.35. Liming the soil to pH 5.41 tended to equalize Al and K concentrations in shoots of tolerant and sensitive entries. Results indicated that acid soil tolerance and grain protein concentrations were not strongly linked in the wheat populations studied. Hence, the probability of increasing acid soil tolerance by crossing Atlas 66 with Nebraskan wheat germplasm is low. However, the moderate level of acid soil tolerance in N87U106 and N87U123 (comparable to that of Cardinal) may be useful in further studies.