Interspecific crosses involving Rf3 gene carriers as potential sources of R lines for D2 type cytoplasm based hybrid wheat system

Abstract

The exploitation of heterosis, which is associated with the development of hybrid wheat varieties, has a great potential for increasing global wheat grain yields. Nevertheless, common wheat hybrids now account for less than 1% of global wheat production. In practice, two general approaches in hybrid wheat seeds production are being used. The first is based on the application of a chemical hybridizing agent, while the second is based on the use of cytoplasmic-genetic male sterility derived from Triticum timopheevii Zhuk. (G type cytoplasm). In this study, we present the development of R (restorer) lines for an alternative hybrid wheat system based on the cytoplasm of Aegilops crassa Boiss. (D2 type cytoplasm). Considering the cytoplasm types, it was found that different types of experimental F1 crosses required different sources of fertility restorer genes. CMS materials with T. timopheevii cytoplasm achieved the highest productivity in combination with Rf3 gene carriers. On the other hand, CMS materials with D2 cytoplasm in combination with interspecific crosses of synthetic hexaploid wheat accessions and SBEII mutants led to highly heterotic F1 hybrids. D2 cytoplasm based male sterility induction system represents a promising tool for hybrid wheat development.