Genetic variation in the tolerance of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var durum) to high concentrations of boron

Abstract

The genetic range of tolerance to a high concentration of boron (B) was examined for 300 genotypes of dumm wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var durum). Genotypes were screened in filter paper soaked with boric acid solution at the concentration 100 mg B L-1, assessed for root growth of seedlings and compared to four bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) checks of contrasting levels of tolerance to B. All varieties/lines and accessions originating from Australia, Italy, CIMMYT and African countries were rated as either sensitive or moderately sensitive to B. Seven accessions or 2% of the population, originating from India, China and Iraq, were classified as either moderately tolerant or tolerant to B. The results indicated substantial genetic variation existed for tolerance to high B in dumm wheat.