Effect of the Gpc‐B1 Allele in Hard Red Winter Wheat in the US Pacific Northwest

Abstract

Grain protein concentration (GPC) influences end‐use quality of products made from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and is therefore a high priority for breeders. Most variation in GPC is due to environmental rather than genetic effects. Because of the negative correlation between yield and GPC, enhancing genetic expression is important for improving GPC in hard wheat varieties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the Gpc‐B1 allele in hard winter wheat cultivars. Near‐isogenic lines (NILs) with and without the Gpc‐B1 allele were created in four populations: ‘Farnum’ hard red winter wheat (HRW) × ‘Lassik’ hard red spring wheat (HRS), WA8061 (HRW; advanced breeding line) × Lassik, Farnum × ‘Hollis’ HRS, and Farnum by ‘Eddy’ HRW. Presence of this allele was validated using diagnostic marker Xuhw89. Results from field trials planted in Pullman and Lind, WA, indicate that inclusion of the Gpc‐B1 allele in HRW increases GPC. A negative correlation with grain yield and GPC was found, showing inclusion of the Gpc‐B1 allele significantly decreased grain yield potential. An exception was the Farnum × Hollis NIL with the Gpc‐B1 allele that showed higher GPC and grain yield potential than the NIL without this allele. End‐use quality of lines was also affected with the inclusion of the Gpc‐B1 allele, with average decreases in milling characteristics and increases in certain baking properties. These data demonstrate that in winter wheat breeding populations, lines can be selected with the Gpc‐B1 allele, resulting in increased GPC and acceptable grain yield and end‐use quality profiles.