The genetics of rachis fragility and glume tenacity in semi-wild wheat

Abstract

The inheritance of rachis fragility and glume tenacity in semi-wild wheat was studied in an attempt to help establish the taxonomic status and genetic origin of semi-wild wheat. Progenies of crosses and backcrosses of semi-wild wheat with the cultivar Columbus (common wheat) indicated that the fragile rachis and non-free-threshing character of semi-wild wheat were dominant to the tough rachis and free-threshing character of common wheat. F2 and backcross data indicated that the rachis fragility and glume tenacity of semi-wild wheat were each controlled by a single gene in the cross of semi-wild wheat with Columbus. In the cross of semi-wild wheat with Triticum aestivum spp. spelta, the F2 and F3 population did not segregate for glume tenacity, but did segregate for rachis fragility. The F2 and backcross data suggest that three genes interact to control three types of rachis fragility, i.e. semi-wild wheat-type, spelta-type and the tough rachis of common wheat. Semi-wild wheat differs from common wheat in rachis fragility and glume tenacity. This wheat also differs from other wheats with fragile rachis and tenacious glumes (T. aestivum ssp. spelta, macha and vavilovii) in the pattern and degree of rachis disarticulation. We conclude that semi-wild wheat is likely a subspecies within T. aestivum at the same taxonomic level as spp. spelta, macha and vavilovii.