A new allopolyploid wheat for stressed lands and poverty alleviation

Abstract

To generate diversity for salt tolerance in wheat, we crossed Triticum turgidum ssp. durum with salt tolerant accessions of Aegilops geniculata. During the process, we discovered new allopolyploid wheat (informally called here “Durugen”) that originated through natural process. The present study aimed at documenting the significance of “Durugen” for salinity and poverty alleviation. Wide hybridization approach using emasculation and pollination procedure was used for hybrid production. Allopolyploidy was established through mitotic chromosomes counting. Evaluation of the third generation plants was made under field conditions using 50% of the normal irrigation water and salinity of 1/3: the sea water level. First generation plants showed morphological variation. Second generation was morphologically uniform. Evaluation of third generation plants showed reduction of 10 and 12% in biomass and 5 and 8% in grain yield under salinity and water deficiency, respectively, which were lower than the reduction observed earlier in other wheat genotypes growing under similar conditions. These data suggested that “Durugen” is more tolerant compared to other salt tolerant durum and bread wheat genotypes and that it can help alleviating poverty as it can produce more biomass and income for the inhabitants of stressed lands, who are moving to other places in search of livelihood.