Hybrid Wheat Research Articles

Convolutional neural network-support vector machine-based approach for identification of wheat hybrids

Selecting wheat hybrids is vital for enhancing crop yield, adapting to changing climates, and ensuring food security. These hybrids align with market demands and sustainable farming practices, contributing to efficient crop management. Traditional methods for wheat hybrid selection, such as molecular techniques, are costly and time-consuming, and are prone to human error. However, advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning offer non-destructive, objective, and more efficient solutions. This study is explored the classification of wheat varieties and hybrids using two deep learning models, MobileNetv2 and GoogleNet. These models are achieved impressive classification accuracy, with MobileNetv2 reaching 99.26% and GoogleNet achieving 97.41%. In the second scenario, the deep features obtained from these models are classified with Support Vector Machine (SVM). In the classification made with the MobileNetv2-SVM hybrid model, an accuracy of 99.91% is achieved. This study is provided rapid and accurate wheat variety and hybrid identification method, as well as contributing to breeding programs and crop management.

Emerging Trends in Wheat (Triticum spp.) Breeding: Implications for the Future.

Wheat (Triticum spp and, particularly, T. aestivum L.) is an essential cereal with increased human and animal nutritional demand. Therefore, there is a need to enhance wheat yield and genetic gain using modern breeding technologies alongside proven methods to achieve the necessary increases in productivity. These modern technologies will allow breeders to develop improved wheat cultivars more quickly and efficiently. This review aims to highlight the emerging technological trends used worldwide in wheat breeding, with a focus on enhancing wheat yield. The key technologies for introducing variation (hybridization among the species, synthetic wheat, and hybridization; genetically modified wheat; transgenic and gene-edited), inbreeding (double haploid (DH) and speed breeding (SB)), selection and evaluation (marker-assisted selection (MAS), genomic selection (GS), and machine learning (ML)) and hybrid wheat are discussed to highlight the current opportunities in wheat breeding and for the development of future wheat cultivars.

Green Revolution dwarfing Rht genes negatively affected wheat floral traits related to cross-pollination efficiency.

Hybrid breeding is a promising strategy to quickly improve wheat yield and stability. Due to the usefulness of the Rht 'Green Revolution' dwarfing alleles, it is important to gain a better understanding of their impact on traits related to hybrid development. Traits associated with cross-pollination efficiency were studied using Near Isogenic Lines carrying the different sets of alleles in Rht genes: Rht1 (semi-dwarf), Rht2 (semi-dwarf), Rht1 + 2 (dwarf), Rht3 (extreme dwarf), Rht2 + 3 (extreme dwarf), and rht (tall) during four growing seasons. Results showed that the extreme dwarfing alleles Rht2 + 3, Rht3, and Rht1 + 2 presented the greatest effects in all the traits analyzed. Plant height showed reductions up to 64% (Rht2 + 3) compared to rht. Decreases up to 20.2% in anther length and 33% in filament length (Rht2 + 3) were observed. Anthers extrusion decreased from 40% (rht) to 20% (Rht1 and Rht2), 11% (Rht3), 8.3% (Rht1 + 2), and 6.5% (Rht2 + 3). Positive correlations were detected between plant height and anther extrusion, anther, and anther filament lengths, suggesting the negative effect of dwarfing alleles. Moreover, the magnitude of these negative impacts depends on the combination of the alleles: Rht2 + 3 > Rht3/Rht1 + 2 > Rht2/Rht1 > rht (tall). Reductions were consistent across genotypes and environments with interactions due to magnitude effects. Our results indicate that Rht alleles are involved in multiple traits of interest for hybrid wheat production and the need to select alternative sources for reduced height/lodging resistance for hybrid breeding programs.

Height inheritance in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) hybrids with D<sub> 2</sub> and D<sub> 3</sub> hybrid dwarfing genes

Background. Durum wheat (BBAuAu, 2n=28) carries the D2 and D3 hybrid dwarfing genes. A study of the nature of D genes and a research of their influence on the adaptive and selectively valuable traits of hybrid plants with hybrid dwarfing genes is of theoretical and practical interest. It was previously established that the dominant alleles of the D2 and D3 genes significantly reduce the height of durum wheat hybrid plants and positively affect the kernel size and vitreousness. The purpose of the present work was to study the inheritance of height in hybrids obtained by crossing a semi-dwarf durum winter wheat cultivar with lines carrying hybrid dwarfing genes. Material and methods. The material of the study was four lines of durum wheat: L-961, L-962, L-963 and L-964 carrying hybrid dwarfing genes D2 and D3, a cultivar of semi-dwarf winter durum wheat ‘Krupinka’ (k-64725) with the rht1 gene, and hybrids of these lines with this cultivar. ‘Krupinka’ was used as the female parent in hybridization by controlled pollination. The degree of dominance was determined according to Beil and Atkins. Statistics were performed using the Pearson’s -x2 test. Results and conclusions. The analysis of plant lines of durum wheat with the D2 and D3 hybrid dwarfing genes showed that the average height of the ‘Krupinka’ × L-962 and ‘Krupinka’ × L-963 hybrids was 30 cm lower compared to the tall parent, the degree of dominance was 0.9 and 1.9 respectively. In hybrids with lines L-961 and L-964, there was no dominance of short stature. The height variability in F2 hybrids was continuous and prevented combining them into any phenotypic classes. The F3 families of ‘Krupinka’ × L-962 and ‘Krupinka’ × L 963 hybrids segregated by height into three phenotypic classes. The actual ratio of phenotypic classes did not contradict the theoretical one of 10:3:3. The obtained numerical ratios of F3 families are generally similar to those found in the literature. A distinctive feature is the absence of recessive alleles in D genes. It is assumed that the latter are regulators of phytohormone gene depression and do not have recessive alleles. It will be more correct to designate the observed phenotypic classes as D2D2 i and D3D3 i, where D2 i и D3 i denote homologues of chromosomes with a different number of multigenes. Conclusion. The study of height inheritance in the obtained hybrids indicated the presence of dominant D2 and D3 genes in the L-962 and L-963 lines and of the semi-dominant D3 gene in the L-961 line. A distinctive feature of height inheritance in durum wheat lines with the D2 and D3 hybrid dwarfing genes is the absence of recessive alleles in the D genes, i.e. no dominance of short stature

Identifying the seeds of heterotic pools for Southern and Eastern Africa from global elite spring wheat germplasm.

Hybrid breeding can increase the competitiveness of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Sub-Saharan Africa by fostering more public-private partnerships and promoting investment by the private sector. The benefit of hybrid wheat cultivars in South Africa has previously been demonstrated but due to the high cost of hybrid seed production, hybrid breeding has not received significant attention in the past decade. Considering the renewed commitment of the private sector to establish wheat as a hybrid crop globally, coupled with significant research investment into enhancement of outcrossing of wheat, hybrid wheat breeding in Southern and Eastern Africa should be revisited. Our study aimed to identify genetically distinct germplasm groups in spring wheat that would be useful in the establishment of heterotic pools targeting this region. Multi-environment yield testing of a large panel of F1 test hybrids, generated using global elite germplasm, was carried out between 2019 and 2020 in Argentina, Africa, Europe, and Australia. We observed significant genotype by environment interactions within our testing network, confirming the distinctiveness of African trial sites. Relatively high additive genetic variance was observed highlighting the contribution of parental genotypes to the grain yield of test hybrids. We explored the genetic architecture of these parents and the genetic factors underlying the value of parents appear to be associated with their genetic subgroup, with positive marker effects distributed throughout the genome. In testcrosses, elite germplasm from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) appear to be complementary to the genetically distinct germplasm bred in South Africa. The feasibility of achieving genetic gain via heterotic pool establishment and divergence, and by extension the viability of hybrid cultivars in Sub-Saharan Africa, is supported by the results of our study.

Advancements in Wheat Hybridization: Overcoming Biological Barriers

Advancements in Wheat Hybridization: Overcoming Biological Barriers

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF YIELD POTENTIAL OF WINTER WHEAT HYBRIDS OF THE NEW GENERATION FROM THE ORIGINATOR OF THE SAATEN-UNION GMBH GROUP

This article presents the results of the yield potential of Huberi and Himalaya wheat hybrids based on field research. A comparison of hybrids was carried out according to valuable economic characteristics. Research on the Huberi hybrid was conducted in 2014-2016, and the Himalaya hybrid in 2020-2022. Phenological observations of winter wheat crops and resistance to the main pathogens and pests were conducted according to generally accepted methods. As a result of the conducted research, it was established that the hybrids formed higher productivity indicators, compared to the standard, had higher indicators of grain quality, as well as resistance to biotic and abiotic factors. The Huberi wheat hybrid exceeds the average yields in all agro-climatic zones and is characterized by high winter hardiness, resistance to lodging and shedding of grain, as well as other important characteristics. The hybrid of the new generation of Himalaya stands out not only for its highest yield among all tested hybrids, but also for its high grain quality. This hybrid makes it possible to obtain grain of the highest class (A) with a high protein content. For the Himalayan hybrid, high resistance against the most common pathogens and stressful conditions in all growing zones was noted. The conducted research allows us to determine the advantages and disadvantages of each hybrid, as well as to identify the possibilities of using new hybrids to increase the productivity of wheat.

Roadblocks to Hybrid Wheat Seed Production:An Analysis of Constraints

Roadblocks to Hybrid Wheat Seed Production:An Analysis of Constraints

Study of yield indicators of (f4) and (F5) generation wheat hybrids grown in different ecological conditions according to salt tolerance

Study of yield indicators of (f4) and (F5) generation wheat hybrids grown in different ecological conditions according to salt tolerance

Ergot alkaloids as pharmaceuticals: Status and prospects of commercial cultivation of ergot crop for natural alkaloids

Ergot is a plant disease symptom induced by a fungal pathogen of the genus Claviceps in grains of cereal crops, wherein the ergot alkaloids are produced in the cereal grains which are transformed into ergot sclerotia. The natural occurrence of ergot grains in cereal crops is dependent on the environmental factors conducive to ergot development. Under natural fungal infection, the ergot percent varies from 1.2 to 3.3 in the infected crops which hamper the yield or recovery of natural ergot alkaloids. Ergot alkaloids are specific pharmaceutical alkaloids used to treat certain ailments like migraines, induction of childbirth, and the control of postpartum bleeding in humans. Ergot sclerotia contain about 0.15% to 0.5% alkaloids, with medicinally useful compounds. Annual world production of ergot alkaloids has been estimated at 5,000-8,000 kg of all ergopeptines (peptide ergot alkaloids) and 10,000-15,000 kg of lysergic acid, the latter being mainly used in the manufacture of semisynthetic derivatives. The greater part of this production occurs as a result of fermentation (around 60%) while field cultivation of triticale (a hybrid of wheat and rye) accounts for the balance. This is because the artificial cultivation of ergot sclerotia on a host crop plant is lacking as a business module. Due to the low recovery of ergot grains and ergot alkaloids under natural crop production conditions, commercial cultivation for ergot grains is discussed in this paper.

Development of regenerated plants of interspecific wheat hybrids using immature embryos as explants

Nowadays particular attention in winter wheat breeding is paid to the introduction of biotechnological methods. The culture of immature embryos in vitro is an alternative way to produce hybrids that often do not develop fully in vivo. The purpose of the current study was to estimate the ability of immature embryos of interspecific winter wheat hybrids for callus induction, morphogenesis, and plant regeneration on artificial nutrient media, as well as to select optimal conditions for obtaining full-fledged plants with all the botanical characteristics of the species. The research material included 5 hybrid combinations of interspecific crosses between durum (Triticum durum DESF.) and common (Triticum aestivum L.) winter wheat. The material was collected during one field season (2022). Immature embryos were used as explants. Culture media were according to Murashige-Skoog (MS), and they differed in the content of hormones and organic substances. There has been found that the hybrid combinations were characterized by a variety of morphogenic responses. The manifestation of callusogenesis was not high enough and averaged 22–32 % depending on the nutrient medium. Rhizogenesis averaged from 1–6.7 %, and ended with the formation of roots. The process of formation of embryoid- and hemmorizogenesis was best demonstrated by the hybrid combination No.1, and on two media. All processes of morphogenesis excepting ‘rhizogenesis’ varied greatly among hybrid combinations. The largest number of regenerated plants was obtained from hybrid combination No.1 (61 pcs., 54.5 %). After vernalization and acclimatization, 38 % of the plants survived from the number of planted embryos. The largest number of heads (79 pcs.) was formed according to hybrid combination No.1, on average 1.46 heads per plant. However, not all heads were fertile. The results of the correlation analysis made it possible to identify indicators that closely correlated with the amount of plant regeneration, namely, the high yield of embryoid- and hemmorizogenic structures ensured a high frequency of plant regeneration (r = 0.769).

Advancing gene editing: multiplex mutagenesis in hexaploid triticale

The presence of several sets of chromosomes in polyploid crops is a serious problem for the application of gene and genome editing systems. Efficient CRISPR/Cas-based mutagenesis of series of genes involved in the grain starch biosynthesis of hexaploid triticale has been developed. Triticale (×Triticosecale),is a hybrid of rye (Secale) and wheat (Triticum) and consists of three subgenomes. Four genes were targeted and to ensure efficient editing of all subgenomes, a trio of guide RNAs for each target genes were designed. To enable simultaneous editing of 36 genetic loci at once (three sgRNAs × four genes × three subgenomes), an expression cassette was constructed, assembled as an array of twelve sgRNAs. The polysitron vector was delivered to morphogenic calli using a gene gun [1] together with a vector encoding Cas9 nuclease [2] to induce mutations. A number of transgenic plants of spring and winter triticale carrying both Cas9 and sgRNAs inserts have been generated. The efficiency of native gene editing varied depending on the target gene and sgRNA activity. Using a trio of sgRNAs for each target gene, we successfully mutated all three subgenome copies, thereby modifying seed starch synthesis. It can be expected that the described approach will make an important contribution to the future breeding of polyploid crops to produce various combinations of new genetic alleles encoding desired traits.
 The study is supported by Kurchatov Genomics Center of All-Russia Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, agreement No. 075-15-2019-1667.

Cytogenetics and Development of Mutation Inducing Wheat-Thinopyrum elongatum Disomic Addition Lines Possesing a Gametocidal Chromosome 2C

Development of wheat-alien addition lines including gametocidal (Gc) chromosome in monosomic condition (a line with 2n = 45 chromosomes) is an established tool to induce chromosomal aberration. Gc induced chromosomal aberrations of alien chromosomes maintained in different wheat lines are valuable materials to construct cytological maps. In this study, the development of hybrid wheat addition lines containing 45 chromosomes has been attempted by crossing seven different types of Wheat-Thinopyrum elongatum-2C double monosomic addition lines (DMALs) and seven types of Wheat-Th. elongatum disomic addition lines (DALs), each with 2n=44 chromosomes. The cytological screening of the progenies showed three different types of plants (i.e. with 43, 44, and 45 chromosomes) among the hybrid wheat addition lines. The progeny plants containing 43, 44, and 45 chromosomes were segregated in a ratio of 2:1:1, respectively. These different lines differed from one another in various morphological and agronomic traits. Altogether 12 progeny seeds with 45 chromosomes were obtained. After sowing only 5 plants survived and developed seeds. These lines can be used as potential mutation-inducing plants.

Content of Phenolic Acid and Yielding of Hybrid Wheat in Response to Growing Year Under Integrated Management

Abstract Wheat grain has health-promoting properties that are related to the content of phenolic acids in its composition, among which ferulic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid and vanillic acid predominate acting as potent natural antioxidants. The study evaluated the phenolic acid (PA) content and grain yield of hybrid wheat genotypes (Hyland, Hywin) compared to the common variety (Patras), grown under an integrated system at two nitrogen rates of 60 (N60) and 120 (N120) kg·ha−1, under varying hydrothermal conditions during three growing seasons. The effects of genotype, cultivar and the interaction of cultivar and hydrothermal conditions on the phenolic acid profile, except for synapic acid, phydroxybenzoic acid and salicylic acid, and grain yield were confirmed in favour of the hybrid cultivars. The concentration of total phenolic acids (TPAs) and ferulic acid in the grain of the hybrid cultivar Hyland was higher and, in addition, greater yield stability of this cultivar under varying hydrothermal conditions was shown in the analysed years of the study. The grain of the common variety Patras was characterised by advanced content of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and that of the hybrid variety Hywin by p-coumaric, caffeic and syringic acids. Higher TPAs content and lower grain yield of the varieties were observed in the 2018/2019 drought season. Higher nitrogen fertilisation (N120) compared to N60 significantly increased TPAs content and grain yield of Hyland and Hywin hybrid varieties. Fertilisation with N120 compared to N60 increased TPAs content by 4.2% and promoted higher concentrations of ferulic and syringic acids in the wheat cultivars tested.

Exploitation of Wheat Genome through Triticale x Wheat Cross for Improvement and Identification of Large Anther

Triticale is a man-made cereal crop that combines the rye and wheat genome in a single crop. Rye is a cross pollinated cereal crop that has large anther size in comparison of wheat. To improve wheat anther size, cross with triticale is a noble practice to combine the A, B, D and R genome. In the current investigation wheat (AABBDD) were crossed with triticale (AABBRR) with the help of Ph suppressor Chinese Spring. Subsequently triticale wheat derivative lines populations were developed. The BC2F7 generations of the derived population were planted in alpha lattice design to further evaluation. With the help of fixative, the fresh spikes were collected from individual derivative lines to measure anther the size. The anther size was measured in millimeter by the help of ocular micrometer. Twenty-two triticale wheat derivative lines were identified with grater anther size in comparison of triticale anther. The TWD26 (5.7mm) has larger anther size followed by TWD18 (5.4mm) and TWD36 (5.3mm). These derivative lines may use as a donor parent in hybrid wheat breeding programme.

Microbial ecology and metabolite dynamics of backslopped triticale sourdough productions and the impact of scale

Triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) is a hybrid of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and rye (Secale cereale L.), combining the positive attributes of both cereals. However, it has not been exploited for sourdough production yet. Further, the effect of scale on sourdough production has not been investigated systematically up to now. The aims of the present study were to assess the microbial ecology and metabolomic output of eleven spontaneously fermented, backslopped sourdough productions made with triticale flour on a scale of 100, 200, 500, and 1000 g. The acidification profile [pH and total titratable acidity (TTA)], microbial diversity (culture-dependent and culture-independent), metabolite dynamics, and appropriate correlations were determined. After ten fermentation steps, different species of Lactobacillaceae were prevalent in the mature sourdoughs, in particular Latilactobacillus curvatus, Limosilactobacillus fermentum, and Pediococcus pentosaceus. The microbial diversity could be traced back to the grains and was also present in the milling fractions (flour, bran, and shorts). Furthermore, thanks to the use of Illumina-based high-throughput sequencing and an amplicon sequence variant (ASV) approach, the presence of undesirable bacterial groups (bacilli, clostridia, and enterobacteria) during the initial steps of the backslopping cycle was revealed, as well as a finetuned taxonomic diversity of the LAB genera involved. Small sourdough productions (100 and 200 g) selected for a lower species diversity and reached a stable consortium faster than large ones (500 and 1000 g). Although a comparable final pH of 3.6–4.0 was obtained, the TTA of small sourdoughs was lower than that of large ones. Regarding the metabolic output, the simultaneous production of mannitol and erythritol, beyond ethanol and glycerol, could be linked to sourdoughs in which Liml. fermentum was the sole LAB species present. Further, the use of the arginine deiminase pathway by P. pentosaceus and Liml. fermentum was obvious. An appropriate extraction method followed by liquid injection gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry allowed the quantification of interesting volatile organic compounds, such as ethyl lactate. These findings support the inclusion of triticale as a viable alternative to wheat or rye for the production of sourdoughs that can be integrated into bread-making production schemes.

Comprehensive gene expression analysis of submergence stress response in nucleus-cytoplasm hybrid wheat

Comprehensive gene expression analysis of submergence stress response in nucleus-cytoplasm hybrid wheat

Hybrid wheat breeding using photoperiod-sensitive cytoplasmic male sterility (PCMS) caused by <i>Aegilops crassa</i> cytoplasm

Hybrid wheat breeding using photoperiod-sensitive cytoplasmic male sterility (PCMS) caused by <i>Aegilops crassa</i> cytoplasm

Study of the breeding forms of emmer wheat (<i>Triticum dicoccum</i> (Schrank) Schuebl.)

The results of the study of economically useful features of the plants of the semi-naked emmer wheat breeding lines (Triticum dicoccum (Schrank) Schuebl.) with purple pericarp coloring of grain are presented. Seven breeding lines F9, created by two-step hybridization of the purple-grain durum wheat with naked and awnless emmer, and five breeding samples of seminaked emmer wheat were studied. In the field experiments, plants were selected for selection valuable traits. Phenological observations, structural analysis, and evaluation of the quantitative traits of the plants of emmer wheat breeding forms with purple grain coloration were carried out from 2020 to 2022. Two-way analysis of variance showed significant factors - the breeding lines and the years of study. In the course of the study, it was found that for further breeding work, emmer wheat lines carrying a combination of economically important traits are of value. Short-stalked purple-grain form 27-1 is resistant to lodging, the yield of the grain - 80 %, the weight of 1000 grains – 34–37 g. Line 27–12 has grains with purple color, high grain-unit value of about 800 g/l and good grain productivity for emmer wheat reaching 400 g/m2. Purple emmer line 31–16 has a good bushiness (3–4 pieces), short stalk (71–74 cm), high lodging resistance (4–5 points) and grain threshing capacity (80 %). From 2021 to 2022, the same studies were conducted with emmer wheat from the collection of the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR). The selection line of emmer wheat 41/14 was distinguished by the high indicator of threshed grains (85 %). The main disadvantages of the established forms of emmer wheat with purple-colored grains still remain relatively low grain yield, insufficiently strong ear shank, not complete grinding of the grain from the flowering glumes and husks. However, further breeding work can improve these traits, as well as increase the grain yield, the weight of 1000 grains and a more complete release of the grain from the chaff during threshing.

Horizontally Transferred DNA in the Genome of the Fungus Pyricularia oryzae is Associated With Repressive Histone Modifications.

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a means of exchanging genetic material asexually. The process by which horizontally transferred genes are domesticated by the host genome is of great interest but is not well understood. In this study, we determined the telomere-to-telomere genome sequence of the wheat-infecting Pyricularia oryzae strain Br48. SNP analysis indicated that the Br48 strain is a hybrid of wheat- and Brachiaria-infecting strains by a sexual or parasexual cross. Comparative genomic analysis identified several megabase-scale "insertions" in the Br48 genome, some of which were possibly gained by HGT-related events from related species, such as P. pennisetigena or P. grisea. Notably, the mega-insertions often contained genes whose phylogeny is not congruent with the species phylogeny. Moreover, some of the genes have a close homolog even in distantly related organisms, such as basidiomycetes or prokaryotes, implying the involvement of multiple HGT events. Interestingly, the levels of the silent epigenetic marks H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 in a genomic region tended to be negatively correlated with the phylogenetic concordance of genes in the same region, suggesting that horizontally transferred DNA is preferentially targeted for epigenetic silencing. Indeed, the putative HGT-derived genes were activated when MoKmt6, the gene responsible for H3K27me3 modification, was deleted. Notably, these genes also tended to be up-regulated during infection, suggesting that they are now under host control and have contributed to establishing a fungal niche. In conclusion, this study suggests that epigenetic modifications have played an important role in the domestication of HGT-derived genes in the P. oryzae genome.