Development of winter wheat breeding material by method of thermal mutagenesis and its evaluation

Abstract

Thermal mutagenesis is one of the methods that are used at the MIW when creating winter wheat varieties. It provides for changing wheat growth habit from spring to winter.Aim. To create by method of thermal mutagenesis new breeding material, to evaluate economically valuable traits of either new or obtained in the previous years breeding material and to select valuable forms for practical breeding.Materials and methods. Annually, of 20 to 60 spring wheat varieties from diverse countries worldwide are involved in breeding work. Application of thermal mutagenesis method in breeding programs of the MIW means the use of different variants to change growth habit of spring wheat varieties: late sowing before winter, a long-term (80-100 days) vernalization followed by cultivation during spring–summer vegetation and autumn sowing. In addition, since 2014 freezing seeds of spring varieties at minus 8-10ºC before being vernalized has been included into preparatory stageResults. Resulted from breeding the morphotypes with a sufficient level of overwintering have been selected within spring wheat varieties, such as Taifun (DEU), Leguan (CZE),Baqula,AL V # 1, Alubuc (MEX), Maies (PER), Hope (USA). They combine high spike productivity, lodging resistance, and disease resistance. The part of them varies from 8.3% to 19.4% in total amount developed.In M4, M5 there were selected high-quality forms (72-93 ml sedimentation rate and above 13% protein content), their genetic basis is derived from on spring wheat varieties, such as Nja 2214 (FIN), Kadet (SWE), AYDi-2 (SYR ), Alfa (POL), Leguan (CZE), AD-608, AD-616, Adonis (USA), and a series of complex hybrids from Mexico.Conclusions. The significant number of morphotypes, families, and lines has been developed on the genetic basis of spring wheat varieties with modified growth habit which are of practical value for breeding and being studied in various stages of breeding process at MIW.