Common Wheat Lines Research Articles

Evaluation of wheat and emmer varieties for artisanal baking, pasta making, and sensory quality

Identifying varieties best suited to local food systems requires a comprehensive understanding of varietal performance from field to fork. After conducting four years of field trials to test which varieties of ancient, heritage, and modern wheat grow best on organically managed land, we screened a subset of varieties for bread, pastry, pasta, and cooked grain quality. The varieties evaluated were three lines of emmer (T. turgidum L. ssp. dicoccum Schrank ex Schübl) and eleven lines of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), including two modern soft wheat varieties, four soft heritage wheat varieties, four hard modern wheat varieties, and one hard heritage wheat variety. A diverse group of bakers, chefs, researchers, and consumers compared varieties for qualities of interest to regional markets. Participants assessed differences in sensory profiles, pasta making ability, and baking quality for sourdough, matzah crackers, yeast bread, and shortbread cookies. In addition to detecting significant differences among varieties for pasta, sourdough, and pastry quality, participants documented variation in texture and flavor for the evaluated products. By demonstrating which varieties perform best in the field, in the bakery, and on our taste buds, these results can support recommendations that strengthen the revival of local grain economies.

ПШЕНИЦА МЯГКАЯ ОЗИМАЯ: ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ ПЛАСТИЧНОСТЬ БИОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ И ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ МАРКЕРОВ

<p>The priority in studying new lines and varieties of common winter wheat was their ecological plasticity by biological and technological markers. It was revealed that for stability and plasticity on the basis of seed production the varieties and lines are divided into stable, narrow and wide-adaptive ones, the latter of which are characterized by a wide range of ecological valence (with high and medium variability and homeostasis, with variance of stability which is close to zero, and with environmental factor plasticity which is greater than one). We studied new cultivars and lines of hexaploid сommon winter wheat from Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University and Nosovka Breeding and Research Station of V.M. Remeslo Mironovka Institute of Wheat by seed production, technological indicators of grain, flour and bread quality. The new perspective highly productive and ecologically plastic varieties and lines of сommon wheat are: Yuvivata 60, Zoriana Nosivska, Nosshpa100, L3-95, KS 14, KS 22-04. According to representative criteria, the most promising genotypes, which are the main products in Forest-Steppe of Ukraine and high-quality raw materials for bakeries and bioethanol were identified. It was found that technological characteristics of grain, flour and bread of new cultivars and lines of common wheat meet the modern requirements for production of dietetic food and bioenergy products, that is important and relevant in the context of food security in Ukraine.</p>

Distribution of the fertility-restoring gene Rf3 in common and spelt wheat determined by an informative SNP marker

Male sterility induced by the cytoplasm of Triticum timopheevii Zhuk. has shown potential for hybrid seed production in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). As hybrids produced by this method are often partially sterile, fertility restoration is crucial for implementing this technology in breeding practice. Several restorer genes were identified, of which Rf3 is one of the most effective genes for achieving restoration. Previous studies located Rf3 on chromosome 1B in common and spelt wheat. However, the distribution of Rf3 in these taxa remained unclear. In the present study, we genetically mapped Rf3 using a BC1 population derived from CMS-Sperber and the restorer line Primepi (N = 193). After marker validation in four independent BC1 populations and a diversity panel, we evaluated the distribution of Rf3 in 524 common wheat and 30 European spelt genotypes. In the mapping population, the SNP marker IWB72107 cosegregated with Rf3, whereas IWB14060 was mapped 2.0 cM distal on chromosome 1BS. Surveying the linkage between IWB72107 and Rf3 in the four validation populations revealed map distances that ranged from 0.4 to 2.3 cM. Validation of IWB72107 in the diversity panel showed that it is suitable for marker-assisted selection and related applications. Using this marker, we estimated that 8.8% of the common wheat lines and 66.7% of the spelt cultivars carried the restoring Rf3 allele. We propose that Rf3 explains the restoration capacity of a large proportion of European common wheat lines.

Development of common wheat lines with the recombinant arm 1RS as a source of new combinations of disease and pest resistance genes

A combination of recombinant-inbred lines of the F6 generation from the cross B-16 ќ AR 7086 between lines with two wheat-rye translocations, 1BL/1RS from the Petkus and 1AL/1RS from the rye Insave, was developed. Using gliadin and secalin loci as genetic markers we identified recombinant arm 1RS in positions 1A and 1B in about 10% of lines. The rest of lines with the rye material may also carry recombinant 1RS, which can be identified with DNA markers. Lines with recombinant arm 1RS may serve as a source of new combination of rye genes for disease and pest resistance.

Molecular cytogenetic analysis of triticale and wheat lines with introgressions of the genetic material of triticeae tribe species

A number of problems associated with the necessity of creating forms that are characterized by resistance to diseases, pests, and unfavorable environmental conditions exist in the selection of cultivated cereals. The expansion of the genetic diversity by the genes for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses is reached by the use of the gene pool of wild and cultural common wheat relatives. In order to improve cereals by a number of economically valuable traits, the hybrid lines of the common wheat (T. aestivum/T. durum and T. aestivum/T. dicoccoides), as well as the triticale lines from the crossing between hexaploid triticale varieties and genome-substituted common wheat forms (in which the D genome is substituted for diploid Aegilops genomes), were obtained by the remote hybridization method. The aim of the study was to identify the lines of common wheat and hexaploid triticale with alien introgressions and to estimate their cytological stability by means of cytological and molecular genetic analyses. The use of the comparative analysis of the chromosome structure by the GISH and FISH methods, microsatellite and chromosome-specific markers for the triticale line genotyping allowed us to establish that the genome reorganization, which includes both introgression of the alien material and the common wheat chromosome rearrangement (resulting in new combinations of the genetic loci), occurs in the process of triticale hybridization with genome-substituted common wheat forms. The efficiency of using microsatellite markers developed on the base of the common wheat genome was demonstrated for the characterization of the T. aestivum/T. durum and T. aestivum/T. dicoccum lines created as a result of interspecific hybridization. From 4 to 12 translocations of different length from the T. durum, T. dicoccum were found in the chromosomes of the A and B genomes of the studied hybrid lines. The meiotic stability was detected in the studied hybrid triticale and wheat material; this created the preconditions for the preservation of alien introgressions in a number of the following generations.

Identification of Sr genes in new common wheat sources of resistance to stem rust race Ug99 using molecular markers

The need for new donors of resistance to the aggressive Ug99 race of Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. et Henn has arisen because the pathogen is approaching the territory of the Russian Federation. Seventeen known Sr genes were identified with the use of molecular markers in 6 sources of resistance to stem rust race Ug99. They included five common wheat lines and the Donskaya Polukarlikovaya cv. The investigated accessions carried genetic material of alien species (Aegilops speltoides, Ae. triuncialis, and Secale cereale). We used molecular markers associated with the effective genes to the Ug99 race: Sr2, Sr22, Sr24, Sr25, Sr26, Sr32, Sr35, Sr36, Sr39, Sr40, Sr44, and Sr47, and with genes that were ineffective but protected the wheat cultivars against the local pathogen populations: Sr9a, Sr15, Sr17, Sr19, and Sr31. On the grounds of the analysis of molecular markers the presence of two to seven known Sr genes was postulated in the analyzed wheat lines: Sr2, Sr36, Sr39, Sr40, Sr44, Sr47, and Sr15 in line 113/00i-4; Sr22, Sr32, Sr44, Sr9a, Sr17, and Sr19 in line 119/4-06rw; Sr24, Sr36, Sr40, Sr47, Sr15, Sr17, and Sr31 in line GT 96/90; and Sr22, Sr44, Sr32, and Sr15 in line 9/00w; Sr22 and Sr44 in line 141/97w. Genes Sr32 and Sr44 were identified to be effective against Ug99 and ineffective genes Sr9a, Sr17, and Sr19 in Donskaya Polukarlikovaya cv. The accessions studied may be recommended as donors of resistance to race Ug99 in wheat breeding programs.

The utility of flow sorting to identify chromosomes carrying a single copy transgene in wheat.

BackgroundIdentification of transgene insertion sites in plant genomes has practical implications for crop breeding and is a stepping stone to analyze transgene function. However, single copy sequences are not always easy to localize in large plant genomes by standard approaches.ResultsWe employed flow cytometric chromosome sorting to determine chromosomal location of barley sucrose transporter construct in three transgenic lines of common wheat. Flow-sorted chromosomes were used as template for PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization to identify chromosomes with transgenes. The chromosomes carrying the transgenes were then confirmed by PCR using DNA amplified from single flow-sorted chromosomes as template.ConclusionsInsertion sites of the transgene were unambiguously localized to chromosomes 4A, 7A and 5D in three wheat transgenic lines. The procedure presented in this study is applicable for localization of any single-copy sequence not only in wheat, but in any plant species where suspension of intact mitotic chromosomes suitable for flow cytometric sorting can be prepared.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13007-016-0124-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Characterization of a hypoallergenic wheat line lacking ω-5 gliadin

BackgroundThere is no curative treatment for wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA). ω-5 Gliadin is one of the dominant allergens affecting WDEIA patients. The use of ω-5 gliadin-free wheat flour in the regular diet is considered one of the prophylactic approaches against the elicitation of allergic symptoms and sensitization to ω-5 gliadin. We sought to find hypoallergenic bread wheat (or common wheat) that lacked the genes encoding ω-5 gliadin and to evaluate its in vitro allergenicity. We also aimed to evaluate the sensitization ability of one of the selected hypoallergenic wheat lines by using a possible animal model of wheat allergy. MethodsWe screened the deletion lines of bread wheat by western blotting to ascertain common wheat lines lacking the ω-5 gliadin locus. The deletion lines we used have partial deficiency of chromosome 1B (Endo and Gill, 1996). To assess sensitization ability of gluten from the selected deletion line, guinea pigs were fed with either the gluten from the selected deletion line or commercially available gluten, and allergic score was evaluated after challenging the same gluten preparations. ResultsWe found that a deletion line 1BS-18 had the least deficiency of chromosome 1B among the deletion stocks lacking the ω-5 gliadin locus. The challenge test using the guinea pigs revealed that the symptoms induced by application of the 1BS-18 gluten were much less than that of commercially available gluten. ConclusionsThe deletion line 1BS-18, which lacked the ω-5 gliadin locus, is likely to have a low sensitization capacity in the guinea pig. The use of the wheat products of the 1BS-18 line in daily life may provide a feasible solution for the onset of wheat allergy.

Features of chromosome behavior in meiosis in common wheat lines containing genetic material of tetraploid wheat species

The study of meiotic chromosome behavior in hybrid lines obtained by crossing common wheat with tetraploid wheat species shows that the introgression of alien genetic material into the common wheat genome does not have a negative effect on its meiotic stability. Aberrant cells are few not only in the metaphase but also at the final stage of the tetrads. The variation in the level of cytological stability between the studied lines stems from differences in the number and localization of tetraploid wheat genome fragments in the hybrid genome. The influence of the cytoplasm on the formation of the karyotype of wheat introgression lines has been detected.

Study of fertility and cytogenetic variability in androgenic plants (R0 and R1) of alloplasmic introgression lines of common wheat

Anther culture is one of the methods to obtain DH lines of wheat. A limitation of this method can be cytogenetic instability in plants R0, leading to a decrease in fertility or sterility. In this study, we have investigated the fertility of R0, the fertility and cytogenetic variability of R1 in alloplasmatic introgression lines of common wheat in order to develop a cytogenetically stable DH lines with introgressions from different species. Lines 311/134, 311/FL, 311/IR with the cytoplasm from H. vulgare were studied. 311/134 carries the wheat-rye 1RS.1BL and wheatwheatgrass 7DL-7Ai translocations; 311/FL has the 1RS.1BL translocation and probably introgressions from A. glaucum; and 311/IR has the wheat-rye 1RS.1BL and wheat-Ae. speltoides T2B/2S#2 translocations. Green seedlings developed in anther culture for all lines. Differences between the lines in the ability for androgenesis and in the level of fertility in R0 and R1 have been revealed. Depressed androgenesis, low fertility and high aneuploidy were observed in 311/IR. It has been proposed that the reason for this is cytogenetic instability in gametes, which is caused by Gc genes located on T2B/2S#2. 63.3 % of 311/134 and 311/FL R1 plants that were grown from low seed-set R0 plants were aneuploids. Fertile R0 regenerant plants were identified that segregated in R1 for fertility and chromosome numbers. It has been demonstrated that DH lines are best developed from highfertility R1 plants with 2n = 42 irrespective of fertility in R0.

Introgression of common wheat lines with genetic material of Agropyron glaucum

Grey wheatgrass Agropyron glaucum (Desf. ex DC) Roem. & Schult is a valuable source of genes for resistance to diseases, frost resistance, and salt tolerance. An unstable 76-chromosomal amphidiploid combining genomes A and B of common wheat variety Avrora, six chromosomes of genome D of the same variety, and a full set of Ag. glaucum (2n = 42) chromosomes was used as an intermediate to transfer the genetic material from the wild donor to this wheat variety. A large set of wheat introgression lines differing in a variety of morphological characters was developed. For effective employment of the developed lines in breeding, cytological and molecular-genetic analyses of the lines were conducted, and their pest resistance and grain technological properties were evaluated. We report the investigation of 25 common wheat introgression lines with genetic material from Ag. glaucum, not studied before. All lines except D43 formed 21 bivalents in MI meiosis. In lines D3, D21, and D23, the genetic material of Ag. glaucum was present as a translocation segment. Lines D7, D43, and D49 carried substituted chromosomes and, presumably, translocations. One pair of wheat chromosomes was substituted in 18 lines. For the identification of translocations and substituted chromosomes, microsatellite analysis was done with markers specific to D genome chromosomes. The introgression touched all D genome chromosomes except 3D and 4D. The lines under the study differed in protein and gluten contents, gluten quality, and bread-making quality. The study of gliadin spectra revealed changes in the gliadin formula in 7 of the 12 lines with reference to the recipient Avrora variety. Thus, the results obtained point to the genetic diversity of the investigated introgression lines and their value for common wheat breeding.

Molecular-cytogenetic analysis of triticale and wheat lines with introgressions of the tribe Triticeae species genetic material

There are a number of problems in selection of cultivated cereals associated with the requirements to create forms with resistance to diseases, pests and unfavorable environmental conditions. The genetic diversity of genes for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses can be increased by means of the gene pool of wild and cultivated wheat relatives. To improve agronomic traits in cereals, we have developed common wheat hybrid lines T. aestivum/ T. durum, T. aestivum/ T. dicoccoides and triticale lines by crossing hexaploid triticale with common wheat forms with the substitution of genome D for the geno­me of diploid Aegilops species. The aim of the study was to identify the lines of common wheat and hexaploid triticale with alien introgression using cytological and molecular-genetic analyses and evaluation of their cytological stability. Comparative analysis of the structure of chromosomes by GISH and FISH methods, microsatellite- and chromosome-specific markers revealed that hybridization of triticale with genome-substitution forms of wheat leads to the reorganization of the genome, including both the introgression of foreign material and wheat chromosome rearrangements, which lead to new combinations of genetic loci. The efficiency of wheat microsatellite markers to characterize of the T. aestivum/ T. durum, T. aestivum/ T. dicoccum interspecific hybrid lines was shown. From 4 to 12 translocations of different lengths from T. durum and T. dicoccum were identified in the chromosomes of A and В genomes in the hybrid lines. Meiotic stability of wheat and triticale hybrids was found. It creates prerequisites for preservation of alien genetic material in subsequent generations.

Molecular Cloning, Characterization, and Expression Analysis of DROOPING LEAF gene in the Pistillody Line of Common Wheat

<p class="NewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNewNew">In this article, we report the cloning, characterization, and expression pattern of <em>Triticum aestivum DROOPING LEAF</em> gene (<em>TaDL</em>) in pistillody line of common wheat. Three <em>TaDL</em> homoeologous genes (<em>TaDL1</em>, <em>TaDL2</em>, and <em>TaDL3</em>) were isolated and found to be located on chromosomes 4AS, 4DL, and 4BL, respectively. The putative <em>TaDL1</em>, <em>TaDL2</em>, and <em>TaDL3</em> protein were 22.4, 22.6, and 22.3 kDa, with theoretical pI of 9.04, 9.04, and 8.98 and containing two distinct domains, namely, a zinc-finger domain in the N-terminal region and a C-terminal YABBY domain. The genome sequence of the three homologous genes consisted seven exons and six introns. All the introns, except for intron VI, varied in length and sequence composition. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that <em>TaDL</em> was most closely related to the <em>Brachypodium distachyon</em> <em>BdDL</em> and <em>Oryza sativa</em> <em>DL</em> genes. The expression pattern analysis indicated that <em>TaDL1</em>, <em>TaDL2</em>,<em> </em>and <em>TaDL3</em> have a higher expression levels in PS and P; however, the three genes are very rare in S. Thus, <em>TaDL</em> gene may contribute to pistil development. Moreover, overexpression of <em>TaDL</em> gene in stamens may cause complete or partial homeosis of stamens into pistils in wheat.</p>

Identification of Sr genes in new common wheat sources of resistance to stem rust race Ug99 using molecular markers

The need for new donors of resistance to aggressive race Ug99 of Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. et Henn has arisen because the pest approaches the territory of Russian Federation. Identification of seventeen known Sr genes was performed with use of molecular markers in six sources of resistance to stem rust race Ug99. They included five common wheat lines and Donskaya Polukarlikovaya cv. The investigated accessions carried genetic material of alien species (Aegilops speltoides, Aе. triuncialis, Secale cereale). We used molecular markers associated with effective genes to race Ug99: Sr2, Sr22, Sr24, Sr25, Sr26, Sr32, Sr35, Sr36, Sr39, Sr40, Sr44, Sr47, and with genes that were ineffective but protected wheat cultivars against local pathogen populations: Sr9a, Sr15, Sr17, Sr19 and Sr31. On the grounds of the analysis of molecular markers the presence of two to seven known Sr genes was postulated in analyzed wheat lines :Sr2, Sr36, Sr39, Sr40, Sr44, Sr47 and Sr15 in line 113/00i-4; Sr22, Sr32, Sr44, Sr9a, Sr17 and Sr19 in line 119/4-06rw; Sr24, Sr36, Sr40, Sr47, Sr15, Sr17 and Sr31 in line GT 96/90; Sr22, Sr44, Sr32 and Sr15 in line 9/00w; Sr22 and Sr44 in line 141/97w. Genes Sr32 and Sr44 effective against Ug99 and ineffective genes Sr9a, Sr17 and Sr19 were identified in Donskaya Polukarlikovaya cv. The accessions studied may be recommended as donors of resistance to race Ug99 in wheat breeding programs.

Comparative study of the structure of chromosome 1R derived from Secale montanum and Secale cereale

AbstractWe produced 15 dissection lines of common wheat carrying segments of chromosome 1R of wild rye (Secale montanum) (1Rm) by the gametocidal system. Using the 1Rm dissection lines and previously established 24 dissection lines of chromosome 1R from cultivated rye (Secale cereale cv. ‘Imperial’) (1Ri), we conducted cytological mapping of 97 markers that were amplified in the 1Ri addition line. Sixty‐eight of the 97 markers were amplified in the 1Rm addition line. To reveal what structural differentiation occurred in chromosome 1R during domestication, we compared the cytological map of chromosome 1Ri with that of chromosome 1Rm, and also with the previously published cytological map of chromosome 1R from wheat cultivar ‘Burgas 2’ (1RB). There was one discrepancy in marker order in the satellite region between chromosomes 1Ri and 1RB, while there were four discrepancies in marker order between chromosomes 1Ri and 1Rm. These results suggested that during the domestication of rye, some intrachromosomal rearrangements had occurred in chromosome 1R, although this chromosome is regarded as the most stable chromosome in the rye genome.

Leaf Rust Resistance in Wheat Line RL6062 is an Allele at the Lr3 Locus

ABSTRACTRL6062, a ‘Thatcher’ backcross line of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), has resistance to leaf rust (caused by Puccinia triticina Erikss.) derived from a line of common wheat from Iran. RL6062 has an intermediate infection type (IT) of small to moderate uredinia surrounded by distinct chlorosis. RL6062 was crossed with Thatcher and the F2 seedlings and F3 families segregated for a single leaf rust resistance gene. Bulk segregant analysis of homozygous resistant and homozygous susceptible F3 families using diversity arrays technology (DArT) markers indicated that the leaf rust resistance was on chromosome 6BL. RL6062 was crossed with Thatcher lines with genes Lr9, Lr3a, Lr3b, and Lr3c that are also located on chromosome 6BL. The F2 seedlings of RL6010‐Lr9/RL6062 segregated for IT that ranged from immune response to high IT with large uredinia that lacked necrosis or chlorosis. The F3 families derived from F2 seedlings with high IT were homozygous susceptible or segregated for intermediate IT and high IT, confirming that resistance in RL6062 was not allelic to Lr9. The F2 seedlings of RL6002‐Lr3a/RL6062 segregated for IT that varied from flecks to moderately large size uredinia that lacked chlorosis or necrosis. The F3 families derived from F2 seedlings that had intermediate to high IT segregated for low IT of fleck to intermediate IT, and none of the seedlings had high IT. The lack of segregation for susceptible plants in the F3 families indicated that the leaf rust resistance in RL6062 is an allele at the Lr3 locus. Alleles at the Lr3 locus had intermediate to recessive expression.

The Analysis Of The Strain Influence On Some Yield Elemnts On An Assortment Of Isogenic Wheat Varieties

Abstract In the years 2012-2014 on Banu-Maracine DRS were tested an assortment consists of 25 isogenic lines of common wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp.vulgare), with the combination of Rht1&rht8 genes, the analyzed characters being the hight of the strain (cm), the number of seeds/spike, seeds weight/spike (g), no. of spikes/m2, weight of a thousand seeds (WTS) (g) and no. of emerged plants/m2. Based on recorded data and statistical processing of those, they were identified a numbers of links between these characters, links quantified by using the correlation. Regarding the classification based on the average high of the strain, it was found that that there is a strong link between some characters too. Based on component analysis, the no. of seeds/spike and the seeds weight/spikes are components that influence in excess of 83% variance analysis, a total of five genotypes having positive scores for both factors.

Heritable alteration of DNA methylation induced by whole-chromosome aneuploidy in wheat.

Aneuploidy causes changes in gene expression and phenotypes in all organisms studied. A previous study in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana showed that aneuploidy-generated phenotypic changes can be inherited to euploid progenies and implicated an epigenetic underpinning of the heritable variations. Based on an analysis by amplified fragment length polymorphism and methylation-sensitive amplified fragment length polymorphism markers, we found that although genetic changes at the nucleotide sequence level were negligible, extensive changes in cytosine DNA methylation patterns occurred in all studied homeologous group 1 whole-chromosome aneuploid lines of common wheat (Triticum aestivum), with monosomic 1A showing the greatest amount of methylation changes. The changed methylation patterns were inherited by euploid progenies derived from the aneuploid parents. The aneuploidy-induced DNA methylation alterations and their heritability were verified at selected loci by bisulfite sequencing. Our data have provided empirical evidence supporting earlier suggestions that heritability of aneuploidy-generated, but aneuploidy-independent, phenotypic variations may have an epigenetic basis. That at least one type of aneuploidy - monosomic 1A - was able to cause significant epigenetic divergence of the aneuploid plants and their euploid progenies also lends support to recent suggestions that aneuploidy may have played an important and protracted role in polyploid genome evolution.

Effects of the GA-responsive dwarfing gene Rht18 from tetraploid wheat on agronomic traits of common wheat

To evaluate the potential use of GA-responsive dwarfing gene Rht18 in common wheat breeding programs, the effects of Rht18 from tetraploid wheat on plant height, coleoptile length, seedling root characters, and yield components were investigated and compared in field experiments using F3:4 and F4:5 hexaploid dwarfing lines with Rht18 derived from three crosses between its tetraploid donor Icaro (Rht18) and three tall Chinese winter wheat cultivars, Xifeng20, Fengchan3 and Jinmai47. The results showed that Rht18 significantly reduced plant height by 25.0%, 12.4% and 15.5%, on average, in the dwarf lines of Xifeng20, Fengchan3 and Jinmai47 compared with their tall parents, respectively. There were no adverse effects of Rht18 on coleoptile length and seedling root characters except for a reduction of 1.1cm (−17.3%) in coleoptile length observed in the dwarf lines of Jinmai47. The partitioning of dry matter to ears at anthesis was increased in the dwarf lines compared with their tall parents in all three populations. The effects of Rht18 on yield components varied with the genetic background of the tall parents used. For the F4:5 dwarf lines of Xifeng20, spikelet number spike−1 was increased by 4.8%, and grain number spike−1 was significantly increased by 9.2% on average in the Rht18 dwarf lines, but 1000-kernel weight was significantly decreased by 14.9%. In contrast, there was decreased spikelet number spike−1 (−8.6% and −21.7%) and grain number spike−1 (−4.9% and −2.0%) but increased 1000-kernel weight (4.0% and 7.7%) observed in the Rht18 dwarf lines of both Fengchan3 and Jinmai47, respectively. Biomass plant−1 and grain yield plant−1 were decreased in the Rht18 dwarf lines of all three crosses but the harvest index was increased compared to the tall parents. In general, although the effects of Rht18 on plant height and yield varied with the genetic background of the tall parents used, the moderate reduction on plant height, increased harvest index and no adverse effects on seedling vigor associated with Rht18 all indicate that the GA-responsive dwarfing gene Rht18 could be used to improve wheat performance in breeding programs but that attention should be paid to the selection of the most suitable adapted parents. Some good common wheat lines with Rht18 have been created and could be used in breeding programs.

Introgression of common wheat lines with genetic material of Agropyron glaucum

Introgression of common wheat lines with genetic material of Agropyron glaucum