Variation for Preharvest Sprouting Resistance in Durum Wheat

Abstract

Preharvest sprouting may reduce end‐use quality and is thus an important grading criterion in all market classes of wheat (Triticum spp.). There are few reports in the literature of genetic variation in preharvest sprouting resistance in durum wheat (T. turgidum L. var durum), and the only apparent attempts to breed sprouting resistant durums have been to transfer resistance from red common wheat (T. aestivum L.). Use of resistance sources within the durum species would be easier, so this study was undertaken to assess the variation for sprouting resistance in durum. Sprouting resistance of 185 durum genotypes was evaluated in 1990. Unreplicated samples of 10 spikes from each genotype were evaluated in an artificial rain chamber. Sixty of these genotypes were re‐evaluated in a replicated study in 1991. The 1990 study indicated that the durums had a similar range in sprouting score (spikes out of 10 showing visible sprouts) to the common wheat checks. The sprouting scores of the red (5.8 ± 3.7, n = 30) and white (6.5 ± 3.0, n = 149) genotypes were not different (P < 0.05). Sprouting score measured in 1991 was correlated with that of 1990 (r = 0.55, n = 60). We conclude that there is considerable genetic variation in sprouting resistance in durum that can be more easily exploited by durum breeders than common wheat sources of resistance.