Local Wheat Cultivars Research Articles

Performance of Some Promising Rust Resistant Bread Wheat Genotypes Under Rain-fed Conditions

The current study was conducted to evaluate the performance and behavior of eight promising wheat genotypes produced by different breeding programs as comparing with the local wheat cultivars under rain-fed conditions at the experimental field of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Sulaimani in Bakrajo during two crop seasons 2014 to 2016. The experiments were laid out according to a randomized complete block design with three replications. Seeds were cultivated at a rate of 140 kg/ha in rows within plots. Host reactions of the tested genotypes with the pathogen population of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici were also investigated under natural infection conditions at the same field. Results revealed high significant differences among the genotypes in term of all the studied traits. Charmo significantly surpassed all other genotypes in stem width (4.90mm), number of kernels per spike (58.41) and grain yield (3856.06 kg h-1), the higher value of grain weight (46.59g) was detected in Azmar 2, while the higher amount of spike per square meter (586.6 spike) was produced by the genotype Shaho2. Azmar2 significantly surpassed all other genotypes in spike length (12.7cm) and leaf area (48.51cm2) while the highest plant height (110.1cm) was detected in Maaroof. Based on the disease severity and coefficient of infection of the genotypes to yellow rust disease, Maaroof, Shaho and Azmar explored high disease resistance reaction and coefficient of infection, while SaberBeg, Aras and Adana showed high susceptibility to the disease.

QTL Mapping for Seedling and Adult Plant Resistance to Leaf and Stem Rusts in Pamyati Azieva × Paragon Mapping Population of Bread Wheat

Leaf rust (LR) and stem rust (SR) pose serious challenges to wheat production in Kazakhstan. In recent years, the susceptibility of local wheat cultivars has substantially decreased grain yield and quality. Therefore, local breeding projects must be adjusted toward the improvement of LR and SR disease resistances, including genetic approaches. In this study, a spring wheat segregating population of Pamyati Azieva (PA) × Paragon (Par), consisting of 98 recombinant inbred lines (RILs), was analyzed for the resistance to LR and SR at the seedling and adult plant-growth stages. In total, 24 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for resistance to rust diseases at the seedling and adult plant stages were identified, including 11 QTLs for LR and 13 QTLs for SR resistances. Fourteen QTLs were in similar locations to QTLs and major genes detected in previous linkage mapping and genome-wide association studies. The remaining 10 QTLs are potentially new genetic factors for LR and SR resistance in wheat. Overall, the QTLs revealed in this study may play an important role in the improvement of wheat resistance to LR and SR per the marker-assisted selection approach.

Compared salt tolerance of five local wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars of Albania based on morphology, pigment synthesis and glutathione content

Abstract Stressful saline concentrations in soils affect photosynthesis by damaging pigments, photosystems, components of electron transport system, and enzymes involved in the process. Plants respond through very complex stress adaptation mechanisms including proteome modulation, alterations in pigment content, cell osmotic adjustment and control of ion and water homeostasis mechanisms, which stabilize cytosolic glutathione redox potential, etc. The level of plant sensitivity depends on salt toxicity levels, growth stage, physiological and genetic factors. With aim the investigation of the salinity tolerant cultivars, and for the elucidation of mechanisms underlying this complex biological process, here we analyze the impact of four NaCl concentrations (0-50-100-200mM) in growth parameters (root, shoot and leaves length), pigment content (chla, chlb, carotenoids), and GSH content, during seedling of five bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars in modified Hoagland solutions. Based on biometric parameters, pigment synthesis and GSH content cultivar Nogal is salt-sensitive (growth and pigments reduced); cultivar Viktoria is medium-tolerant (growth partially impaired, pigments constant), cultivar Toborzo and cultivar Suba are medium-tolerant (growth partially impaired, pigments increased), cultivar Dajti salt-tolerant (growth partially impaired/ leaves developed, pigments increased). Quantity of GSH in response to different levels of salinity is cultivar specific, and time of exposure to salinity is in negative correlation to GSH content for all investigated cultivars.

Yield Losses in Wheat Caused by Stripe Rust (<i>Puccinia striiformis</i>) in Egypt

The production loss in eight local wheat cultivars was estimated under yellow rust disease pressure at four locations of northern Egypt during 2017/2018 and 2018/19 growing seasons. Considerable disease pressure, as revealed by final rust severity (%), was observed at all locations with a maximum value (100%) in northern Egypt. The tested wheat cultivars were evaluated at the adult plant stage under field conditions using two epidemiological parameters final rust severity (FRS%) and area under disease progression curve (AUDPC). Final rust severity ranged from 5% to 100% for the tested cultivars. AUDPC ranged from 260 to 2800 at Sakha, 115 to 2800 at El- Gemmeiza, 115 to 2600 at Itay El-Baroud, and 115 to 2600 at Shebin El-Koum during the two growing seasons. The values of FRS (%) and AUDPC during the first season were less than those in the second season. Losses in grain yield per plot ranged from 2.72% to 37.72% during the first season and 6.18% to 69.33% in the second season at the Delta region. The highest grain yield losses were recorded with wheat cvs.; Gemmeiza 11 (64.20%), followed by Misr 1 (62.38%), as well as for Misr 2 (57.66%) and Sids 12 (50.89%). While, the lowest loss cvs.; was recorded in Misr 3 and Giza 171, as it was 7.65% and 9.44%, respectively. Regarding yield losses in the 1000 kernel weight, wheat cvs.; Misr 3 showed the lowest value of loss i.e. 1.71%, while Gemmeiza 11 showed the highest loss i.e. 39.67% during 2018/2019 growing season. A significal positive correlation was found between yield losses and each of final rust severity (%) and area under disease progression curve (AUDPC). These results would serve as a fruitful tool in the national wheat breeding program for yellow rust resistance, in Egypt.

Study of Physiochemical Properties of Local Wheat Cultivars and Their Effect on White Layer Cake Quality

Physiochemical and rheological properties of local wheat cultivars were studied to determine and develop their relationship to baking quality of white layer cake. The investigation carried out via studying four different wheat cultivars (Adana, Sham 6, Tamooz 2, and Slemani 2), and comparing to a locally produced flour (from Sulaimani Cereal Milling Company) as control. According to physical parameters, the highest value were obtained by Slemani 2, and in terms of falling number control also recorded the highest. In regards to chemical composition (such as; Protein, Fat, Ash, and Moisture) the greatest values were reported by (Tamooz 2, Sham 6, Adana, and Slemani 2) respectively. Nevertheless, rheological characteristics for farinograph in terms of (water absorption, developing time, stability, and tolerance mixing index), the highest values were achieved by (Tamooz 2, Adana, Control, and Sham 6), respectively. While for amylograph characteristics the highest values were recorded in Slemani 2, and Control in terms of (pasting temperature, and peak viscosity) respectively. The gluten yield parameters tested for gluten index, and dry gluten in which the results obtained for Control, and Sham 6 were the greatest. For physical characteristics of the white layer cake the Control achieved the highest value for volume index, symmetry index, and specific volume. Finally, the Control and Adana have scored the highest values for sensory evaluation. In general, the best white layer cake quality was obtained from the Control, Adana, and Sham 6, hence the protein quality and quantity have great influence on the end product.

Agronomic performance of some alien bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) lines under agro-ecological conditions of Sakrand, Pakistan

Variation in plant traits is considered as drivers of species evolution and of a greatest importance to plant breeders. The selection of the exotic wheat cultivars for high yield and their resistance to rust disease is of prime importance nowadays, which in result reduces the environmental impact and the total cost of lethal fungicides. Present study keeping the importance in view was carried to evaluate seven exotic wheat genotypes received from CIMMYT, Mexico; which were then compared to two local wheat cultivars (control). Significant (p<0.05) differences between the genotypes and control wheat cultivars were documented in terms of yield, yield related traits and resistance to the leaf rust disease. Cultivar G-193 not only appeared with higher yield but also had lowest AUDPC%-days values, demonstrating its higher resistance to the rust diseases. The study hence concludes with strong recommendations for cultivation of Cultivar G-193 among other cultivars. Keywords: AUDPC; Bread Wheat; Leaf rust; Yield http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2019.80158

Assessment of Genetic Diversity in Triticum spp., Secale Cereale And Triticale Using Issr Markers And Sds-Page

Genetic diversity among some wild close relatives of wheat was estimated using inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and SDS-PAGE markers. Four Triticum, Secale cereale and Triticale genotypes including seven Triticum, Secale and Triticale accessions belonging to one diploid (Secale cereale), three tetraploid (Triticum durum (4x)) and two hexaploid (Triticale (6x)) in addition to one hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum) species sampled from different ecogeographical regions of Egypt; a durum wheat cultivars 'Baniswef 1 and 3 and Sohag 3', a local wheat cultivars growing in upper Egypt 'Giza 168', a bread wheat cultivar and two triticale strains beside one rye strain were evaluated. Genetic diversity among wheat accessions was estimated using 11 ISSR primers. Of the approximately 153 detected ISSR markers, 65 (42%) were polymorphic with 4 bands per used primer pair. Cluster analysis of 7 accessions belonging to the four species by UPGMA cluster analysis based on Jaccard’s similarity estimates for ISSR data divided all accessions into one major cluster and Secale cereale separated from the major cluster. two major sub-clusters reflecting almost their genome composition. The first one included wheat species having AB genomes ('Baniswef 1 and 3 and Sohag 3'), while second cluster included wheat species having ABD and ABR genomes. The genetic similarity coefficients ranged from 0.36 between Triticale 1 and rye accession and 0.84 between Triticale 1 (6x) and Triticale 2 (6x). Two Triticum durum species of were ranked as the second most related species (0.81). The results of SDS-PAGE revealed a total number of 145 bands with molecular weights (MW) ranging from about 17 kDa to 158 kDa, which were not necessarily present in the 7 genotypes. Data revealed seven common bands (monomorphic), six unique bands while the remaining 90 band were polymorphic with 62% polymorphism. The unique Bands at the molecular weight 158 and 41 kd were the distinguishable band of Baniswef 3. The unique Band at the molecular weight 64 kd was the distinguishable band detected of Sohag 3. The unique Bands at the molecular weight 62 and 55 kd were detected only in Rye. The unique Band at the molecular weight 17 kd was detected only in Baniswef 1.

Possibility of Allelopathic and Residues Effects of the Rotated Crops on Productivity, Chemical Composition, Nitrogen Utilization of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Soil Fertility

Aims: To evaluate the possibility of allelopathic effects of the rotated crops on productivity, chemical composition, N utilization of wheat and soil fertility.&#x0D; Study Design: A split plot design with three replications was used. The main plots were assigned with three previous crops, The sub plots were assigned by three nitrogen fertilizer rates (0, 35 and 70 kg N fed-1).&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: A field study was carried out at Sakha Agricultural Research Station farm, ARC, Kafr El-Sheikh governorate, Egypt, during two successive seasons of 2016/2017and 2017/2018&#x0D; Methodology: The local wheat cultivar (Sids 12) was sown after three crops (fahl berseem) after rice, (Drawa) after rice and Fallow after rice as preceded crops.&#x0D; Results: The results showed that fahl berseem roots and residues in the clover (berseem)-wheat rotation secreted biologically active chemical compounds which have a positive effect on growth and development of wheat. The preceding clover (fahl berseem) wheat rotation appeared to be promising for wheat productivity, N, P, K concentrations, N-uptake, N utilization, protein content of wheat grain and straw, availability of N, P and K after wheat harvest compared with fallow after rice, green maize (drawa-wheat rotation). The interaction between the preceded crops and N fertilizer rates was significantly for all the studied traits. The highest performance of wheat traits were observed when wheat was grown after fahl berseem and fertilized with 70 kg N.fed-1. While the lowest performance was obtained following cereal crops rice (fallow) and the lowest N level in both seasons. Treatment of fahl berseem with nitrogen fertilizer (70 kg N.fed-1) had given a best values from grain yield with relative increments of (37.54%) compared with preceding rice-wheat rotation and (23.26%) compared with rice-drawa rotation.&#x0D; Conclusions: Cereal winter crops can be sow after preceding legume crops rather than summer cereal crops. We can sow fahl berseem crop as a forage to animals after cereal crop (rice) and before sowing wheat crop to improve soil properties and its availability of the essential elements and consider additional revenue to farmer. Fahl barseem had be sown in the end of august month after rice crop to produce approximetly 20 ton fresh forage.fed-1 (~ 9 ton dry grass.fed-1) which provides farmers with (~ 9 thousands EL) in 88 days only.

Evaluation of exotic wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes for heat tolerance on the basis of physiological phenotyping

Plant physiological parameters such as membrane thermostability, canopy temperature depression, leaf chlorophyll content and yield related traits like no. of spikelets per spike, no. of grains per spike, 200-grain weight and grain yield of 18 wheat genotypes were carried out to assess for heat tolerance. Performances of all the genotypes were found to have significant differences for all the traits except canopy temperature depression. But, canopy temperature depression with some other traits like leaf chlorophyll content, no. of grains per spike, 200-grain weight and grain yield per plant demonstrated significant differences when it grown in heat stress condition. In general, genotypes with higher leaf chlorophyll content and enhanced membrane thermostability demonstrated higher 200-grain weight or grain yield. Besides, in spite of having heat tolerant traits, several genotypes performed poor due to their poor genotypic potential. The present investigation has successfully isolated several genotypes viz. H024, H023, H022 and H018 with desirable traits related to heat tolerance based on overall performance while grown under heat stress. These genotypes can be used as gene source for future breeding program to improve heat tolerance of the local wheat cultivars.&#x0D; J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(3): 457–463, December 2018

Adult Plant Resistance to Stem Rust and Molecular Marker Analysis of some Egyptian and Exotic Bread Wheat Genotypes

Stem rust caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici is the most dangerous and common disease among global wheat cultivars. Twelve local Egyptian and four exotic genotypes of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) obtained from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) were evaluated under Egyptian field conditions for adult plant resistance (APR) levels to stem rust at Sakha location during the two successive growing seasons (2015/16 and 2016/17). Also, DNA characterization for genotypes by specific markers were tested to determine the presence of the effective resistance genes (Sr's); Sr22, Sr24, Sr25 and Sr26. Out of the tested genotypes, four Egyptian bread wheat cultivars; (Misr3, Sakha94, Gemmeiza9 and Gemmeiza11), and four of CIMMYT lines (Line6043, Line6091, Line6107 and Line6197) show high levels of adult plant resistance to stem rust. Among the tested genotypes, Sr22 found to be the most frequent gene, present in most of them. While, Sr24 was present only in one local wheat cultivar and two exotic lines. Sr25 was present in five local wheat cultivars and two exotic lines. In addition, a resistance gene Sr26 was present in three exotic lines. The obtained results in this study evince that a combination of two or more resistance genes in one cultivar confer high adult plant resistance level in this cultivar, under field condition.

Proximate Composition, Physical, Functional, and Sensory Properties of Gurasa Produced from Flours of Indigenous Wheat Cultivars, Pearl Millet and Cowpea

The quality of the three local wheat varieties, pearl millet and cowpea composite based gurasa (a Nigerian traditional flat bread) were evaluated. A 3x4x2 factorial design comprising 3 wheat cultivars, 4 levels of pearl millet substitution and 2 levels of cowpea that yielded 24 experimental group in addition to a 100% commercial wheat flour sample were employed for gurasa production. The proximate composition, weight, volume, swelling power, solubility index, water absorption capacity and acceptability of the gurasa were determined using standard methods. Water absorption ranged from 50 to 55% and increased with addition of cowpea flour. Swelling power decreased with increase in the solubility of the flour. Gurasa supplemented with pearl millet and cowpea had the highest protein (14.58%), crude fats (4.93%) and energy (333.13kcal/100 g) which increased with the level of substitution. Weight and volume of the gurasa ranged from 128.33 to 153.33g and 186.67 to 386.67 cm3 respectively. Sensory evaluation showed that all the gurasa products were acceptable in terms of colour, taste, aroma and texture when compared with the control gurasa. Gurasa produced from the blends of local wheat cultivars, millet and cowpea increased the protein content as well as lysine (essential amino acid) that can satisfy the dietary requirement of human, especially for local consumers.

Evaluation of physiochemical and rheological properties of some local wheat cultivars and their relationships to baking characteristics

Evaluation of physiochemical and rheological properties of some local wheat cultivars and their relationships to baking characteristics

Genetic Analysis of Yield and Its Attributes in Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) Under Normal Irrigation and Drought Stress Conditions

CLIMATE change and global warming cause an increase of drought effects on wheat production all over the world. Therefore developing wheat drought tolerant genotypes is essential, especially, under current water shortage. The present study was performed at the Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Egypt over winter seasons 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. Five diverse parental wheat genotypes (Misr 1, Gemmeiza 9, Gemmeiza 11, Line 1 and Line 2) were involved in a half diallel cross fashion under normal irrigation and drought stress conditions to investigate the effect of drought stress on yield and related contributing traits through mean performance, combining ability and gene action. The results showed significant differences among parental wheat genotypes and their F1 crosses as well as highly significant mean squares of general and specific combining ability for all studied traits under both conditions. For days to heading, Line 1 exhibited good level of earliness reflected in the performance of their F1 crosses (Line 1 x Misr 1) and (Line 1 x Line 2) under both conditions. The local wheat cultivars Misr 1 and Gemmeiza 9 as well as their F1 cross (Misr 1 X Gemmeiza 9) had high mean values for yield and its components under both conditions, reinforcing their importance in applied breeding programs. The parental wheat cultivar Gemmeiza 11 and F1 crosses (Line 1 x Gemmeiza 11), (Misr 1 x Line 2) and (Gemmeiza 9 x Gemmeiza 11) showed drought sensitivity index (DSI) values less than unity. Thus, these genotypes were considered as more tolerant to drought stress as regards to their grain yield/plant. The magnitude of additive (D) genetic component was higher as compared to their corresponding dominance (H1 and H2) ones, for days to heading both conditions and number of grains/spike under drought stress one, resulting (H1/D)0.5 less than unity. While, the dominance components was more than the corresponding additive one for flag leaf area, chlorophyll content, number of spikelets/spike, spike length, spike density, number of spikes/plant, 1000-grain weight and grain yield /plant under both conditions as well as number of grains/spike under normal irrigation only. The average degree of dominance was more than unity, confirming the importance of over-dominance in the genetic of these traits. under both conditions, the regression lines cut Wr axis above point of origin for days to heading, showing that partial dominance mode of inheritance for this character through additive gene action. On the other hand, it cuts Wr axis below origin for grain yield/plant, demonstrating that over-dominance gene effects are the prevailed type.

Impact of salt-induced toxicity on growth and yield-potential of local wheat cultivars: oxidative stress and ion toxicity are among the major determinants of salt-tolerant capacity

High salinity is a major constraint for wheat productivity in many countries, including Bangladesh. Here, we examined the effects of salt-induced toxicity on growth and production of 10 local wheat cultivars by analyzing physiological, biochemical and agronomical responses to identify the salt-tolerant attributes among the contrasting genotypes. Results of cluster analyses based on salt tolerance indices of plant growth-related and yield-contributing parameters, ionic balance (Na+, K+ and Na+/K+ ratio), and stress indicators (SPAD values and proline) revealed Gourab and Shatabdi as salt-sensitive, BARI Gom 27 and 28 as salt-tolerant and the other six examined varieties as moderately salt-tolerant cultivars. Hierarchical clustering and principle component analyses also demonstrated BARI Gom 27 and 28 as the highest salt-tolerant cultivars, especially in terms of Na+/K+ ratio and proline level. Additionally, lower accumulations of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde, and higher activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase, peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase in the salt-tolerant BARI Gom 28 than in the salt-sensitive Gourab indicated reduced oxidative damage in BARI Gom 28 relative to that in Gourab. Collectively, our findings suggest that the optimum growth and yield of salt-tolerant cultivars are associated with decreased Na+/K+ ratio, increased proline level and reduced oxidative stress. Furthermore, BARI Gom 27 and 28 could be suggested as suitable cultivars for cultivation in salt-affected areas, and the contrasting salt-responsive genotypes can be used as valuable genetic resources in breeding and dissection of molecular mechanisms underlying wheat adaptation to high salinity.

Molecular evaluation of resistance toward drought, salinity and prolonged high temperatures of local wheat cultivars of Albania

Achieving high productivity and quality is the final goal of therapeutic antibody development, but the productivity and quality of antibodies are known to be substantially dependent on the nature of the cell lines expressing the antibodies. We characterized two contrasting cell lines that produce trastuzumab, namely cell line A with a high titer and a low aggregate content and cell line B with a low titer and a high aggregate content to identify the causes of the differences. We observed the following differences: cell growth (A > B), proportion of defucosylated oligosaccharides on antibodies (A < B), and proportion of covalent antibody aggregates (A > B). Our results suggest that the high monoclonal antibody (mAb) titers in cell line A is associated with the high proliferation and is not caused by the lactate metabolism shift (switching from lactate production to net lactate consumption). Rather, these differences can be accounted for by the following: levels of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates (A > B), ammonium ion levels (A ≤ B), and oxidative stress (A > B).

Physiological and biochemical assisted screening of wheat varieties under partial rhizosphere drying

Wheat is one of the major staple food of the world, which is badly affected by water deficit stress. To fulfill the dietary needs of increasing population with depleting water resources there is need to adopt technologies which result in sufficient crop yield with less water consumption. One of them is partial root zone drying (PRD). Keeping in view these conditions, a wire house experiment was conducted at University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University Bahawalpur during 2015, to screen out the different wheat genotypes for PRD. Five approved local wheat cultivars (V1= Galaxy-2013, V2= Punjab-2011, V3 = Faisalabad-2008, V4 = Lasani-2008 and V5 = V.8200) and two irrigation levels (I1 = control irrigation and I2 = PRD irrigation) with completely randomized design having four replications were used in the experiment. Among the varieties Galaxy-2013 performed the best and attained maximum plant height, leaf area, stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, total sugars, proline contents and antioxidant enzymes activities and minimum values of all growth and physiological parameters were recorded in variety V.8200. For irrigation levels, higher values of growth, physiological and water related parameters were recorded in control treatment (I1) except leaf water potential, osmotic potential, total sugars and proline contents. However enzymes activities were higher under PRD treatment for all varieties. It was concluded that Galaxy-2013 was the most compatible and V.8200 was the most susceptible variety under PRD condition, respectively and more quality traits and enzymatic activities were recorded under PRD condition as compared to control treatment.

Virulence Analysis of Wheat Powdery Mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici) and Effective Genes in Middle Delta, Egypt.

Wheat powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici) has increased in Delta Egypt in recent years as a result of growing susceptible cultivars of bread wheat. Fifty-two isolates of B. graminis f. sp. tritici collected in 2013 and 2014 from commercial fields in five provinces were analyzed for virulence, using 21 genes conferring resistance to powdery mildew (Pm genes) as well as 12 local wheat cultivars. First true leaves of 10-day-old wheat differentials were inoculated with isolates derived from a single pustule of B. graminis f. sp. tritici. No virulence to the resistance genes Pm3d, Pm12, Pm16, Pm24, Pm35, Pm36, and Pm37 was detected, indicating that these genes could be used for resistance breeding. Virulence to Pm2, Pm4a, and Pm6 was low, while high virulence to genes Pm1a, Pm3a, Pm3c, Pm3f, Pm5a, Pm7, Pm8, Pm9, and Pm17 was found, indicating that breeders should be very cautious in using these genes. At the adult stage, genes Pm2, Pm3d, Pm3f, Pm4a, Pm6, Pm12, Pm16, Pm17, Pm24, Pm35, Pm36, and Pm37 were completely effective in both years. All the tested Egyptian wheat cultivars were susceptible under natural field conditions. The virulence of B. graminis f. sp. tritici population and resistance Pm genes have been assessed for the first time in Egypt.

Field Screening of Lesotho and South African Wheat Cultivars for Russian Wheat Aphid Resistance

Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia) is an international wheat pest and was first recorded in South Africa in 1978 in the Bethlehem area in the Eastern Free State. Le-sotho lies adjacent to one of the largest wheat producing areas in South Africa, the Eastern Free State, where winter wheat and facultative types are cultivated under dry land conditions. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important crop adapted to all agro-ecological zones of Lesotho. Russian wheat aphid may have a significant impact on wheat yield. No monitoring or pest control is being done in Lesotho and at this stage there is very little information on the Russian wheat aphid resistance of wheat culti-vars cultivated in Lesotho. In view of this it is important to monitor the distribution of Russian wheat aphid biotypes in Lesotho and determine the level of Russian wheat aphid resistance in local Lesotho wheat cultivars. Two local Lesotho wheat cultivars, Bolane and Makalaote were screened together with South African cultivars Elands, Matlabas, Senqu, PAN3379, PAN3118 and SST387, in the glasshouse against all four known biotypes that occur in South Africa. All these cultivars were also planted in 5 m plots in the field at two localities Leribe and Roma in the lowlands of Lesotho. These cultivars were screened in the field for Russian wheat aphid resistance. The predomi-nant Russian wheat aphid biotypes in these areas were also determined. The Lesotho cultivar, Bolane had resistance against RWASA2 in the glasshouse, while Makalaote did not have any Russian wheat aphid resistance in either the glasshouse or field screenings. To contribute to food security an increasing wheat yield potential is a high priority. Russian wheat aphid has been included in the list of important international cereal pests. Russian wheat aphid adapts to changing environments and taking their ecology, distribution, virulence patterns, and variability into account is important in minimizing the gap between actual and attainable yields. Current management prac-tices for winter wheat in South Africa include the use of resistant cultivars, which is the most economical management strategy for Russian wheat aphid. Introducing Russian wheat aphid resistant cultivars in Lesotho will improve overall yield and as a result food security. This will also result in lower Russian wheat aphid pest pressure in the adjacent wheat production areas in the Eastern Free State, South Africa.

EFFECT OF USING SORGHUM ON THE QUALITY OF WHEAT MIXTURES AND THEIR FLOUR .

Two wheat kernels Ukrainian hard red wheat, Egyptian hard red wheat (Masr1) local wheat cultivars and Egyptian yellow sorghum (Sakha 80) local sorghum cultivars were subjected to physico-chemical properties. Results indicated that the Egyptian hard red wheat grains had higher total physical properties. Flour yields were about 70 % for all tested wheat samples except for the Egyptian hard red wheat and Mix (1) wheat, which were as low as 64.0%. A wide range of protein content (8.20 - 10.20 %) of flours was recorded. The Egyptian hard red wheat flour had the highest protein content and the Egyptian yellow sorghum flour was the lowest in protein content. Wet and dry gluten contents of wheat flour samples were consistent with their protein contents. Data indicated that Mix (1) and Mix (2) flours had more suitable properties for bread- making than the Mix (3) flours. From the different tested wheat flours indicated that those made from Egyptian hard red wheat (Masr1) and Ukrainian hard red wheat flours were superior but physico-chemical and rheological characteristics as well as phytate contents of wheat, sorghum and it's mixtures flour approve that sorghum flour decreased the water absorption. Composite flour containing 10% sorghum and 90% mixture wheat flours (Mix 2) showed maximum improvement in dough development time, dough stability, tolerance index and softening of dough. Tannin acid had significant lowest value (0.185%) for sorghum grains however sensory evaluation results showed that 10% wheat replacement with whole sorghum flour produced (Mix 2) acceptable pan and balady breads than the other mixtures.

Evaluation of wheat cultivars for slow rusting resistance in Guji zone, Southern Oromia

Evaluation of Eleven and local bread wheat cultivars evaluated for slow rusting resistance was conducted in Bore district of southern Oromia during the main cropping season of 2011 under natural epidemics at Bore Agricultural Research site. Field evaluation of slow rusting resistance was assessed through Incidence, disease severity (DS), AUDPC and rAUDPC. Results of mean comparison of final rust severity, AUDPC and rAUDPC indicating that the cultivars; PBW343, Kubsa, Hawi, local and Galema had highest final rust severity (FRS) and rAUDPC and susceptible infection (4) at the later growth stage. Shorima, Danda`a, Kakaba, ET13A2 and Digalu had moderately resistance to moderately susceptible infection type at later growth stage. However, disease development on this cultivar was very slow compared to the highly susceptible cultivars. That why these cultivars had low disease severity, low AUDPC and rAUDPC, that is, up to 70% of susceptible cultivars and they could have probably slow rusting resistance. Cultivar ETBW5496 had no any infection and thus selected as immune or resistance cultivar. Key words: Slow rusting, rAUDPC, Oromia.