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TABLE OF CONTENTS
BYRD CURTIS
EARL C. GILMORE
FRANCIS J. GOUGH
ERIC RUDOLF KERBER
ROSALIND MORRIS
THOMAS C. ROBERTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. SPECIAL REPORTS
Minutes - National Wheat Improvement Committee
Members - National Wheat Improvement Committee
Wheat Workers Code of Ethics
Minutes - Wheat Crop Advisory Committee
II. CONTRIBUTIONS
PRIVATE COMPANIES
AGRIPRO BIOSCIENCES
Rob Bruns, John Moffat, Joe Smith, Jim Reeder - Berthoud, CO
Koy Miskin, G. Holland Beazer - Brookston, IN
Barton Fogleman, C.K. Taylor - Jonesboro, AR
CARGILL HYBRID SEEDS
D.R. Johnston, S.W. Perry, J.E. Handwerk, Sally R. Clayshulte, D.P.
Shellberg - Fort Collins, CO
R.P. Daniel, D. Donaldson, M. Materne, M.J.Nowland, C.J. Tyson, J.
Wilson, P. Wilson - Tamworth, Australia
Nestor Machado, Pedro Paulucci, Hector Mertinuzzi - Argentina
HYBRITECH SEED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
John Erickson, Jerry Wilson, Steve Kuhr, Bud Hardesty, Karolyn Ely -
Wichita, KS; Gordon Cisar - Lafayette, IN
Dennis Dunphy, Sam Wallance, Richard Evans - Lafayette IN; Leon
Fischer, Kent Baker - Mt. Hope, KS
NICKERSON
NORTHRUP KING COMPANY
Fred Collins, June Hancock, Craig Allen - Bay, AR
PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Johnston, IA - I.B. Edwards
Windfall, IN - G.C. Marshall, W.J. Laskar, K.J. Lively
St. Mathews, SC - B.E. Edge, P. L. Shields
Frouville, France - G. Dorencourt, R. Marchand, Q. Vanderpol
Sevilla, Spain - J.M. Urbano, I. Edwards, M. Hidalgo, M. Peinado
Sissa (Parma), Italy - M. Tanzi
Parndorf, Austria - G. Reichenberger
Woodland, CA - A. Young, I. Edwards
TRIO RESEARCH, INC.
J. Wilson - Wichita, KS
WEIBULL
J. P. Jossett et al. - Poinville, France
J. Johsson et al. - Landskrona, Sweden
WESTERN PLANT BREEDERS
D. Clark, Craig Cook, Amy Baroch - Bozernan, MT; K. Shantz, M. DeVries
- Tempe, AZ
ARGENTINA
M.L. Appendino, G.M.P. Camargo, N. Zelener, M. Argeaga, Enrique
Suarez, Laura Bullrich, G. Tranquilli - Buenos Aires
R.A. Heinz, Mariana Del Vas, L.C. Moratinos, H. E. Hopp - Castellar
F. Salvagiotti, S.E. Beas, N.C. Guzman, C.A. Ripoll, J. Casati, R.
Roldan, W. Londero, J.C.Funes, J.C. Miranda, M.J. Miarka, D. Bonelli,
A. Glade, G. Manera, E. Yanacon, R. Maich, O. Pagani, M. Canovas -
Cordoba
AUSTRALIA
NEW SOUTH WALES
C.W. Wrigley, F. MacRitchie, I.L. Batey, F. Bekes, A.S. Hill, J.A.
Ronalds, R. Gupta, S. Rahman, J.H. Skerritt, J.L. Andrews, M.L. Bason,
P.W. Gras - CSIRO, Sydney
J. Bell, G.N. Brown, D. Backhouse, N.L. Darvey, L.W. Burgess, R.A.
McIntosh, J.D. Oates, R. Park, R. Roake, J. Sharp, D. The, C.R. Wellings
- Sydney and Cobbitty
B. Ballantyne, J. Fisher, A. Khan, L. Penrose - Wagga Wagga
L. O'Brien, F.W. Ellison, R.M. Trethowan, A.B. Pattison, D.J. Mares,
S.G. Moore - Narrabri
QUEENSLAND
G.B. Wildermuth. R.B. McNamara - Toowoomba
P.S. Brennan, L.R. Mason, J.A. Sheppard, R. W. Uebergang, M.L. Fiske,
I.C. Haak, P.I. Hocroft
R.G. Reese, P.S. Brennan, G.J. Platz, K.C.M. Blaikie - Toowoomba
BANGLADESH
M.A. Hossain et al. - Mymemsingh
BRAZIL
J.C.S. Moreira, C.N.A. deSousa, E.P. Gomes, L.J.A. Del Duca, P.L.
Scheeren, S.D. dos A. de Silva, et al. - Passo Fundo
A.C.P. Goulart, F. de A. Paiva - Dourados, M.S.
BULGARIA
V. Vassilev, Boyadjieva- Sadovo
CANADA
ALBERTA
R.S. Sadasivaiah
K.G. Briggs
MANITOBA
J.A. Kolmer, Steve Haber, O.M. Lukow, P.B.E. McVetty, P. Masojc -
Manitoba
ONTARIO
W.L. Seaman, E.F. Schneider
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
H.W. Johnston, H.G. Nass
SASKATCHEWAN
D.R. Knott
CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF
Zuoji Lin, Shenghui Jie, Zhensheng Lei - Henan
Zhaosu Wu, Shirong Yu, Xizhong Wei, Quimei Xia, Youjia Shen, Yong Xu,
Zhaoxia Chen, Jiming Wu, Guoliang Jiang - Nanjing
Li Huimin, Zhao Fengwu, Li Hongwa - Heibi
CROATIA
Slobodan Tomasovic - Zagreb
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Z. Stehno, M. Vlasek, J. Smocek
ESTONIA
O. Priilinn, T. Enno, H. Peusha, M. Tohver - Tallinn
FRANCE
J. De Buyser, J.L. Marcotte, Y. Henry - Orsay
G. Doussinault, J. Jahier, J. Pierre, M. Trottet, F. Dedryver - Rennes
GERMANY
A. Boerner, J. Plaschke, G. Schlegel, I.M. Ben Amer - Gatersleben
HUNGARY
L. Balla, Z. Bedo, L. Lang, L. Szunics, Lu. Szunics, I. Karsai, Gy.
Vida-Martonvasar
J. Sutka, B. Barnabas, O. Veisz, G. Galiba, M. Molnar-Lang, G. Kovacs,
E. Szakacs, B. Koszegi, I. Takacs, G. He, E. Korbulz, G. Kocsy -
Martonvasar
INDIA
P. Bahadur, K.D. Srivastava, S.M.S. Tomar, A. K. Vari, R.S. Yadava,
Dalmir Singh, B. Singh, M.K. Upadhayay, R.N. Sawhney, D.N. Sharma,
H.B. Chowdary, J.B. Sharma, D.V. Singh, R. Aggarwal, K.D.
Srivastava - New Delhi
M. Kochumadhavan, S.M.S. Tomar, P.N.N. Nambisan - Wellington
K.S. Singh, G.S. Dhinds - Ludhiana
M.P. Jha, K.M.P. Singh, B.P. Sinha, A.K. Sinha - Pusa
P.K. Gupta, H.S. Balyan, D.K. Garg, S. Kumar, N.K. Sharma, Bijendra
Pal - Meerut
A.N. Mishra - Indore
G.S. Sethi, Satish C. Sharma, K.S. Thakur, D.L. Sharma, Ashwani Kumar,
H.K. Chaudhary - Palampur
R.N. Brahma, R. Asir, A. Saikia - Wellington
ITALY
C. RubiesAutonell - Bologna
V. Vallega - Rome
B. Borghi, M. Perenzin, M. Cattaneo, Y.M. Qiao, R. Castagna, P. Gavuzzi,
N.E. Pogna, R. Redaelli, T. Dachkevitch, G.M. Borrelli, N. DiFonzo,
E. Luputto, F. Locatelli, G. Bossinger, M. Corbellini, P. Vacino, P.K.W.
Ng - Lodigiano
JAPAN
A. Oyanagi, A. Sato, M. Wada - Tsukuba
S. Ito, A. Sato, T. Hoshino - Tohuku
S. Oda, K. Komae, T. Yasui, C. Kiribuchi, H. Seko - Karmondai
N. Watanabe - Gifu
MEXICO
R.A. Fischer, G. Varughese
He Zhong-hu, R.J. Pena, S. Rajaram
P. A. Burnett, R. Ranieri, J. Robinson
A. Morgunov
G. Fuentes-Davila, S. Rajaram, W.H. Pfeiffer, O. Aballa
NEPAL
M.L. Morris. H.J. Dubin, T.P. Polchrel
POLAND
S. Wegrzyn, H. Grzesik - Krakow
ROMANIA
N.S. Saulescu, Mariana Ittu, Gh. Ittu - Fundulea
RUSSIA
Alexandr Federov - Moscow
SOUTH AFRICA
H.A. Van Niekerk, R. Cilliers, T.G. Paxton, R. Britz, S. Jordaan, T. van
Bredenkamp, S. Pelser, R. Pretorius, D. Exley, I.B.J. Smit, A. Otto,
F. Groenewald, F. Koekemoer, A. Grobbelaar, R. Prins, H.A. Smit,
J.L. Purchase, D. van Lill, P.A. Visser, H.A. van Tonder, A.H. Botha,
M. Maritz, M.F. Smith, B.S. Wentzel, C. Benson, C. van den Berg,
C.G. Burbidge, R.C. Lindeque, H.S.C. van der Merwe, W. van der
Westhuizen, B.L. deVilliers, H.H. Knobel, C. deWet, A. Rautenbach,
J. du Plessis, H. du Plessis, J.P. du Toit, S.C. Drijepondt, A. Bamard,
C.F. Pool, V. Wessels, W.H. Kilian, J. Smith, B.J. Pieterse,
J.P.C. Tolmay, G.J. Prinsloo, V.L. Tolmay, B. Koen, J.L. Hatting -
Bethlehem
R. de V. Pienaar, G.F. Marais, G.M. Littlejohn, H.S. Roux, J.M. Hay -
Stellenbosch
Z.A. Pretorius, F.J. Kloppers, C.S. van Deventer, M.T. Labuschagne,
M.C.B. Coetzee, E.G. Brink - Bloemfontein
F. du Toit, S.S. Walters, A. Brummer - Pannar, Ltd., Bainsvlei
TURKEY
H. Braun, T.S. Payne - Ankara
UNITED KINGDOM
NORWICH, Cambridge Laboratory, Institute of Plant Science Research -
A.J. Worland,
I.P. King, K.A. Purdie, T.E. Miller, C.N. Law, W.J. Rogers
T.E. Miller, S. M. Reader, I.P. King
S.A. Quarrie, A. Mahmood
S.A. Quarrie, A. Steed
M.D. Gale, J.B. Smith, M.D. Atkinson, K.M. Devos, C.N. Chinoy, R.L.
Harcourt, T. Millan, D.X. Xie, J. Jizeng, O.A. Rognli
R. Bowrgipour, J.W. Snape
R. Johnson
P. Nicholson, H. N. Rezanoor, T.W. Hollins - PBI, Cambridge
M.J. Ambrose
NORWICH, John Innes Institute
J.S. Heslop-Harrison, A.R. Leitch, T. Schwarzacher, K.
Anamthawt-Jonsson, I.J. Leitch, G. Moore, Mingli Wang
NICKERSON
W.J. Angus, D.R. Stephenson, R.E. Granger - Bury St. Edmunds
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
ARKANSAS
R.K. Bacon, B.R. Wells, E.A. Milus, J.T. Kelly, D. Dombeck
CALIFORNIA
C.A. Curtis, Bahman, Ehdaie, A.J. Lukaszewski, M.S. Moghaddam, S.H.
Shah, J.G. Waines
COLORADO
J.S. Quick, G.H. Ellis, R. Normann, M. Mergoum, S. Haley, K. Ngongolo,
A. Saidi
GEORGIA
J.W. Johnson, B.N. Cunfer, P.L. Bruckner, J.J. Roberts, G.D. Buntin,
R.E. Wilkinson
IDAHO
R.S. Zemetra, E. Souza, S. Guy, S. Quisenberry, J. Johnson, G.
Knudsen, M. Lauver. D. Schotzko, J. Tyler, L. Pierola - Moscow and
Aberdeen
Warren Pope - Moscow
ILLINOIS
F.L. Kolb, E.D. Nafziger, A.D. Hewings, L.L. Domier, W.L. Pedersen,
C.J. D'Arcy, H.T. Wilkerson, E.M. Bauske, C.E. Eastman, M.E. Irwin,
W.H. Brink
INDIANA
H.W. Ohm, H.C. Sharma, I.M. Dweikat, S.A. MacKenzie, D. McFatridge,
F.L. Patterson, G. Shaner, R.M. Lister, D.M. Huber, G. Buechley,
R.H. Ratcliffe, R.H. Shukle, G. Safranski, S. Cambron
KANSAS
T.C. Roberts
O.K. Chung, G.L. Lookhart, V.V. Smail, D.B. Bechtel, D.B. Sauer, L.C.
Bolte, D.W. Hagstrum, W.S. Kim, L.M. Seitz, M.D. Shogren, J.D. Wilson,
C.R. Martin, W.H. McGaughey, M.D. Shogren, J.L. Steele, D.L. Brabec,
R.E. Dempster, R. Rouser, I. Zayas, C.S. Chang, H.H. Converse, B.W.
Seabourn, A.K. Dowdy, P.L. Flinn, W.D. Lin, K. Tilley, A. Xu
T.S. Cox, R.G. Sears, B.S. Gill, W.W. Bockus, R.L. Bowden, J. Hatchett
M.B. Kirkham, G.H. Liang, T. Harvey, T.J. Martin, M.D. Witt, L.C.
Coonrod, J.E. Werner, C.H. Carter, T. Endo, B. Freibe, K.S. Gill, L.G.
Harrell, A.K. Fritz, J. Jiang, P.D. Chen, R.S. Kota, L.E. Patton, W.J.
Raupp, D.L. Wilson, L. Michelson, D. Miller, D. Delaney, S. Hulbert,
G.L. Brown, G. He, G. Shu
T.J. Byram
LOUISIANA
S.A. Harrison, P. Colyer, S.H. Moore
MARYLAND
D.J. Sammons
MICHIGAN
R. Ward, D. Glenn, J. Han, H. Kim, T. Kisha, S. Wang
MINNESOTA
A.P. Roelfs, D.L. Long, D.H. Casper, M.E. Hughes, J.J. Roberts
R. Busch, R. Wilcoxson
D.V. McVey, R.H. Busch
MISSOURI
J.P. Gustafson, K.D. Kephart, G. Kimber, A.L. McKendry, H.
Aswidinnoor, H. Daud, R. Wilman, B. Winberg, K. Ross, D. Bittel, K.
Houchins, J. Berg, D. Tague, S. Madsen, J.V. Monte, M. Wanous, Z.
Zhou, J. Chen, P. Goicoechea, F. Kidwaro, J. Mehuys, M.M. Tague
NEBRASKA
P.S. Baenziger, C.J. Peterson, D.R. Shelton, R.A. Graybosch,
D.D. Baltensperger, L.A. Nelson, D.J. Lyons, G.L. Hein
P.S. Baenziger, C.J. Peterson, D.R. Shelton, D.D. Baltensperger
B. Moreno-Sevilla, P.S. Baenziger, C.J. Peterson, R.A. Graybosch
W. Stroup, D. Mulitze, P.S. Baenziger
A. Ouassou, P. S. Baenziger, J. Schmidt
A. Masrizal, P.S. Baenziger
C.J. Peterson, R.A. Graybosch, P. S. Baenziger, D.R. Shelton
D.R. Shelton
R.C. French, N.L. Robertson
NEW YORK
M.E. Sorrells, W.R. Coffman
G.C. Bergstrom, J.E. Carroll, D.W. Kalb, A.M.C. Schilder, D. Shah
NORTH CAROLINA
R.E. Jarrett, S. Leath, J.P. Murphy
NORTH DAKOTA
E.M. Elias, D.K. Steiger, O. Olmedo-Arcega, N. Nasarella, A. Stancyk,
C.M. Rystedt, B.L. D'Appolonia, K. Khan, C.E. McDonald, W.R. Moore, W.
Pitz, B. Donnelly, G. Hareland, L.A. Grant
OHIO
H.N. Lafever, W.A. Berzonsky, R.W. Gooding, L.D. Herald, R.J. Minyo,
Jr., T.L. Hoover
OKLAHOMA
E.L. Smith, G.H. Morgan, R.J. Sidwell, D.L. Jones
R.M. Hunger, G.L. Sherwood, R.E. Pennington, C.K. Evans, J.R. Montana
D.R. Porter, J.A. Webster, C.A. Baker, J.D. Burd, N.C. Elliot, G.J.
Puterka, D.K. Reed, R.L. Burton, F.J. Gough, E. Levy
OREGON
R.S. Karow
W.E. Kronstad, C.S. Love, D.K. Kelly, R.W. Knight, M.D. Moore,
S.E. Rowe, N.H. Scott, M.C. Verhoeven
P.K. Zwer, D.L. Sutherland, S.A. Dunnagan
SOUTH DAKOTA
F.A. Cholick, C.H. Chen, B. Farber, B. Ruden, S. Shin
G. Buchenau, D.J. Gallenberg, M. Langham, S. Ali
H.J. Woodard, G.W. Buchanan
J.L. Gellner, R.A. Schut, R.W. Kieckhefer, G.W. Buchenau
TEXAS
L.R. Nelson, Mark Lazar, C.A. Erickson, G.E. Hart, D. Marshall,
M.E. McDaniel, B. McDonald, Lloyd Rooney, J.E. Slosser, John Sij,
N.A. Tuleen, W. D. Worrall, R. Suttan, M. Harrington, R. Montandon,
W.A. Frank, G.L. Peterson. J. Hu
UTAH
R.S. Albrechtsen
D.J. Hole
VIRGINIA
C.A. Griffey, D.E. Brann, M.M. Alley, P. Scharf, E. Stromberg, M.K.
Das, A. Herbert, C. Hull, J.M. Johnson
WASHINGTON
R.E. Allan, J.A. Pritchett, L.M. Little
R.F. Line
C.F. Konzak
C.F. Morris, H.C. Jeffers, A.D. Bettge, D. Engle, M.L. Baldridge, B.S.
Patterson, R. Ader, J. Raykowski
M.K. Walker-Simmons, J.L. Reid, J. Curry, R. Anderberg, L. Holappa
WEST VIRGINIA
V.C. Baligar, L. Bona, K.D. Ritchey, R.J. Wright
WISCONSIN
R.A. Forsberg, E.S. Oplinger, R.D. Duerst, J.B. Stevens
YUGOSLOVIA
M. Jost et al. - Krizevci
M. Kuburovic et al. - Kragujevac
III. CULTIVARS AND GERMPLASM
H.E. Bockelman, G.A. White - New Triticum PI Assignments
H.E. Bockelman - Triticum Accessions, National Small Grains Collection
H.E. Bockelman - Aegilops Accessions, National Small Grains
Collection
H.E. Bockelman, D.M. Wesenberg, M.A. Bohning, L.W. Briggle -
Evaluation of National Small Grains Collection Germplasm
R.E. Allan - CSSA Cultivar and Germplasm Registration
Weed Science Announcement
IV. CATALOGUE OF GENE SYMBOLS, 1992 SUPPLEMENT
R.A. McIntosh, G.E. Hart, M.D. Gale
V. ANNUAL WHEAT NEWSLETTER FUND
VI. VOLUME 39 MANUSCRIPT GUIDELINES
VII. MAILING LIST
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I. SPECIAL REPORTS
Minutes of the National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) Meeting
November 22-23, 1991
Reno, Nevada
ATTENDANCE
Committee Members, I.B Edwards, Chair, R.H. Busch, Secretary, R.E.
Allan, H.F. Bockleman, R. Bruns, F.A. Cholick, T.S. Cox, G. Hareland, S.A.
Harris (R. Bacon), R.F. Line, C.J. Peterson, C. Qualset, D.J. Sammonds, J.A.
Smith, G. Statler, R. Stuckey, D. A. Van Sandford, W.D. Worrall, R.S.
Zemetra. Absent: C. Haugeberg (ex-officio member).
Non-Committee Members: O. Anderson, ARS, WRRC Albany, CA; K. Briggs,
University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada; J.P. Gustafson, ARS-University of
Missouri; W. Martinez, ARS-NPS Beltsville, MD; D. McVey ARS-Cereal Rust
Laboratory, St. Paul, MN; C.F. Murphy, ARS-NPS Beltsville, MD; R. Sears,
Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS; Bent Skovmand, CIMMYT, Mexico; G.
Waines, University of California, CA.
PRELIMINARIES
Chairman Edwards called the meeting to order and made announcements
regarding meeting arrangements.
MINUTES OF THE 1990 MEETING
Minutes were published in AWN 37, Busch asked for a motion to waive
reading them. Motion was made and passed.
WHEAT NEWSLETTER
The following reports are included by J.S. Quick , Editor, and I.
Edwards, Treasurer, of the Annual Wheat Newsletter:
ANNUAL WHEAT NEWSLETTER
1991 Annual Report to NWIC, J.S. Quick, Editor
The editing and publishing of Volume 37 of the Annual Wheat Newsletter
(AWN) followed the format of previous newsletters except that Volume 37 was
the first volume directly printed in reduced font size almost entirely from
computer files. There were 440 copies printed and each copy had 235 pages.
Ten copies of Volume 37 and about 20 of Volume 35 are still available. A
summary of information about each volume printed since 1954 (Volume 1) was
published in the AWN, Volume 32 (1986). The number of pages has increased
by 100 since 1980, the number of contributors increased considerably, and
the cost of publication increased until 1988. Due to rising costs, an
effort was made to reduce the number of copies printed by encouraging
multiple use. Cost of production was reduced from about $4500 in 1987 to
about $3900 in 1988, increased to $5416 in 1989, and decreased to $4690 in
1991 due to limited distribution. Cost per copy is about $9.50.
In addition to the total cost of production, Colorado State University
Agronomy Department has contributed part of my time, computer facilities,
and some occasional letter typing. An Agronomy Department secretary,
Carolyn Schultz, has done an excellent job of manuscript preparation since
1983.
All AWN address lists are computerized, and mailing and sorting has
become simple and routine. We are requesting that all workers provide their
manuscripts on computer diskettes if at all possible. All text will be
entered into computer files and laser printed with reduced font size to save
space. Manuscripts can also be provided through the BITNET system. About
500 requests for manuscripts and financial assistance are sent to U.S.,
Australian and Canadian wheat workers each January. The requests for
manuscripts and financial contributions from other foreign scientists are
included as an insert in the Newsletter mailing in June. Additionally
regional manuscript and financial solicitation and coordination are done by
scientists in other counties.
The cost of producing Volume 38 will probably be similar to that of
Volume 37. I believe it is now feasible and perhaps financially necessary
to consider AWN distribution by diskette to some overseas and other
locations. Suggestions from the NWIC would be appreciated. Ian Edwards,
AWN treasurer, has done an excellent job of securing cooperative and
institutional financial contributions allowing us to maintain a sound
financial position.
ANNUAL WHEAT NEWSLETTER TREASURER'S REPORT
1991 Annual Report to NWIC
I.B. Edwards, Treasurer
ITEM DEBIT CREDIT BALANCE
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1. Balance reported
June 1, 1990 AWN $4065.65
2. Mailing Request Letters $62.20 4003.45
3. Envelopes 11.00 3992.45
4. Photocopy Charges 12.50 3979.95
5. Mailing,Vol.37 July,1991 896.00 3083.95
6. Printing and Binding 3175.21 <91.26>
7. Mailing Bags & Envelopes 30.50 <121.76>
8. Typing Editing(C. Schultz) 500.00 <621.76>
9. Misc. Bank Charges 20.00 <641.76>
10. New Contributions $318.00 <323.76>
(Since June 1)
11. Interest on Checking 76.54 <247.22>
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Comments:
1. The total cost of Volume 37 was $4,687.41. This cost divided by 440
copies printed is about $10.65/copy. Volume 37 is 40 pages shorter than
Volume 36 (235 vs 275), and 40 more copies of Volume 37 were printed. The
total printed pages of Volume 37 was 87% of volume 36, and the total cost
was 9% higher. Volume 37 was printed in slightly smaller font size than
Volume 36, so direct page number comparisons are not useful. The
distribution increased slightly from last year. Volume 37 was the first
volume printed almost entirely from computer files.
2. Current fund balance, at the present time, is $[247.22] compared
with $[70.25] a year ago. It must be noted that there is still an
outstanding balance owing for production costs in the amount of $300.00. In
the past three years contributions have not matched the rising costs, and
this is an area of concern.
3. Although corporate contributions have increased in recent years, this
past year showed a decline. A number of institutions and companies require
an invoice in order to make payments. We ae encouraging them to notify your
treasurer as to the amount they wish to donate, and we will gladly furnish
an invoice. Private contributions remain our major source of revenue. We
will need a very strong appeal in 1992 to keep the Annual Wheat Newsletter
solvent.
Discussion of possible solutions to the financial problem of the Annual
Wheat Newsletter followed the above reports. Agreement was reached by a
majority of the NWIC members to suggest including an invoice (suggested
donation) for each copy of the Annual Wheat Newsletter of $20.00 to allow
choice of payment either through project billing or private donation.
Distribution by diskette was not thought to be a viable alternative at the
present time.
RESPONSE TO 1990 RESOLUTIONS
Chairman Edwards summarized responses received to the 1990 resolutions
regarding increased support for Russian wheat aphid and leaf rust research,
funding for genetic mapping of wheat, and princi;les relating to test weight
as a measurement of wheat quality. Dr. Plowman acknowledged and thanked the
NWIC as resolutions would be given serious consideration is discussions of
future program directions to provide proper balance in the ARS research
programs. Dr. Plowman indicated that the Russian wheat aphid research has
obtained increased funding. The funding increase will be partially used to
support the area of biological controls for this insect. The NWIC this
reply to be encouraging and positive. John Foltz, Administrator of Federal
Grain Inspection Service, replied to the test weight resolution also in a
positive manner thanking the NWIC for our support to FGIS on the test weight
issue and looking forward to further inaction and work with the NWIC.
REVIEW OF CROP ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
Chairman P. Gustafson added three new members (see CAC minutes) to the
CAC. Key issues at this meeting were as follows: 1) The entire collection
will be screened, at this time, not just cores. Core information is felt to
be less valuable. 2) Quality traits were discussed for inclusion into the
data base of the collection and especially alien segments. Suggested traits
were: hardness, protein, and glutenins.3) Plant collection is needed badly
in Turkey because of large scale irrigation development which will eliminate
many of the natural habitats of related species of wheat. Proposal for this
needed collection trip are being prepared. 4) Funds for Dr. R. Morris's
genetic stocks are needed to ensure their avialablity. 5) CIMMYT is
attempting to continue the International Winter Wheat Performance Nursery
which University of Nebraska-ARS had to be dropped due to lack of funding.
6) Update on GRIN system was presented and its use, ultility and traits
evaluated were discussed. Concluded that it is more user friendly and is
beginning to be used by breeders as needed. 7) No change in quarintine on
seed from Mexico. Cost of phytopathological clearance ($30) in Missouri was
discussed since about 500 requests for genetic stocks are filled per year
from ARS-Univ. of Missouri.
LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Report of Legislative Subcommittee
Sammons reported that no trip was conducted during 1991 due to the War
in Iraq. Several things are needed before the next trip; problems with
widespread needs which can be documented, and a champion in the legislature.
Other committee members (Cholick, Sears, Zemetra) suggested that: a) Name
recognition is need at Congress, so trips should be conducted each year, b)
a committee is needed to respond on key legislative issues, c) No
professional lobbist outside nor major support outside the public sector are
major problems. Sammons indicated that this must be a continuous effort with
no high expectation immediately since skills need improving, d) Certain
congressmen are being approached in the southeast to support a plant
pathologist position, and e) strong support was needed from researchers and
seed-growers.
Murphy suggested the following approach: Choose a few specific problems
(example: Kansas State University federal positions funding and Grain
Quality Laboratory); plan to work several years atleast so set the goal and
work toward it. It is important to identify issues for Congress. Line
suggest that visitation is very important but other contact are as
well.Stuckey suggested that the needed items be sent to the NAWG for
inclusion into their list. Lobbyist from NWAG primarily works on economic
problems but suggested that issues be coordinated through their office,
possibly directly through the lobbyist, for input.
In summary:
1. Need the committee to visit Congress annually.
2. Need a response committee.
3. Name recognition needs establishment.
4. Need economic impact of wheat on a state by state basis.
5. Send needs in the form of resolutions to NAWG and tie issues more
closely with their concerns if possible.
6. Need prime users support to better obtain research funding.
7. When presenting needs to the legislature, it needs to be tied into
dollar return in constant dollars.
8. Maintain contact with ARS and CSRS to inform and support their
programs.
9. The Legislative Sub-Committee needs a funding source if it is to be
effective.
RESEARCH FUNDING
ARS Grain Crop Production and Quality Review
I. Edwards reported that this conference provided an excellent forum to
allow input and review of ongoing grain crop research in ARS. It identified
areas of weakness but state research supplied important support in these
areas. A letter commending this review as an excellent method of informing
and obtaining input into the ARS research program was suggested with the
motion made by Cholick and seconded by Bruns. Motion passed, Busch will
draft a letter to Dr. Plowman (Administrator of ARS) commending ARS-NPS for
conducting this meeting.
Leaf Rust Research
R. Sears indicated that leaf rust appears to be the disease causing
most economic loss in the Great Plains. Browder's old position (leaf rust
pathologist ARS) has been collapsed to provide support funding for the unit.
This position is critical for cooperation with T.S. Cox to provide better
adapted, leaf rust resistant wheats. A discussion followed indicating a
need for an integrated leaf rust strategy on a national basis. This
position was suggested as being linked to a general support package for
Kansas State University ARS units as part of the Legislative Committees
lobbying effort for $400,000 support.
Smut Position
R. Line updated the committee on a potential national smut position to
be tentatively established at Montana State University when a retirement
takes place.
Eastern Small Grains Pathologist
D. Van Sanford indicated the number of diseases which attacked
southeastern wheat in 1991. No pathologist works of `minor' diseases such
as Septoria nodorum, bacteria leaf blight and others. After discussion by
the committee it was decided that the Eastern wheat workers put together a
package with requirements ,location and other important factors before it
becomes a lobby issue.
Scab Research
R. Busch discussed R. Wilcoxson's retirement indicating that this is
the only active research program in the USA on Fusarium head blight.
University of Minnesota hiring freeze is now in place. A position was also
discussed for eastern wheats which are also affected by scab. No decision
was reached following discussion.
Missouri Cytogenetics Position
P. Gustafson discussed the problems of maintaining and distributing E.
Sears genetic stocks. A technician is employed to send out seed stocks as
requested, which amount to about 500-700 per year. The demand for stocks as
increased as molecular geneticists require them for genetic analysis. There
is a need for more genetic stocks but several cytogenetists are retiring in
both the USA and Canada. A cytogenetics position was obtained once, but
funding was diverted to other research. Why? Possibly because it lacked a
`champion' from Missouri. This issue was deferred to the Legislative
Committee.
Winterhardiness in Western Winter Wheat
R. Allan addressed the issue of a serious lack of winterhardiness
research in the USA. This problem has been emphasized by the 70-80% winter
kill in both 1989 and 1991 in Washington. Losses exceeded the total ARS
budget for a year. Only one researcher is devoting much effort to the
problem and is poorly funded. Germplasm needs to be evaluated for
winterhardiness before release. R. Bruns suggested contacting B. Fowler in
Canada since he has done most work recently on this problem. Perhaps a
joint screening effort could be negotiated.
GERMPLASM ENHANCEMENT, NURSERIES, EXCHANGE
Trait Evaluation Selection for Small Grain Collection
H. Bockelman presented the progress of the trait evaluation for the
germplasm in the Small Grains Collection. Over eleven different pathogens
and insect pest are/or have been/ being used to screen for resistant
germplasm. Over 15,000 accessions have been evaluated for 11 agronomic
descriptors and over 8,000 for spike traits and shattering. Other
descriptors discussed related to quality traits and the possibility of
evaluating protein and glutenins. Sensitivity to daylength was also
discussed as another trait to evaluate.
Design of Wheat Database
O. Anderson discussed the wheat database as a part of the Plant Genome
Initiative. The objective is to provide a master database for all crops of
their genetic maps. Each crop is designing its own, but compatibility is
important. Needed are: 1) Software to run information; 2) Repository of
markers and free distribution; 3) Main database must have reference to GRIN
descriptors. O. Anderson is the coordinator among crops for the database.
Coordination with the ITMI for linkage groups to enter as well as barley
groups. Enough data is hoped to be entered by late spring to begin to
access and provide demonstrations. Wheat has much lower funding that other
crops, such as corn, beans, and pine. The National Research Initiative was
briefly discussed as to its lack of funding for major crop plants.
International Winter Wheat Performance Nursery (IWWPN) and CIMMYT
J. Peterson indicated that the IWWPN is not being conducted from the
Nebraska location because of lack of funding. CIMMYT has began to try to
continue the nursery, although they are also not additionally funded. U.S.
participation in this nursery is yet to be determined. D. Worrall reported
that he attended a meeting in Mexico. Kronstad will increase Turkish
material and distribute to the U.S. A Yuma, AZ increase of material by
Worrall and Peterson is a possibility. Clearance by APHIS and AZ APHIS is
pending. Next fall would be the earliest possible depending upon finances.
Germplasm Exchange in Public Sector
F. Cholick initiated the discussion of potential problems of obtaining
germplasm in the future from other public programs as patenting becomes more
common. Intellectual rights allows discoverer about 30% of the profits back
directly. This will lead directly to a lack of willingness to exchange
germplasm. I. Edwards indicated that the Florida program takes the
royalties back to the program, not to the individual. D. Worrall indicated
that greed must be managed in plant breeding for the public good. Team
research is vital and must be continued. Relationships need to re-evolve
and become more structured in the future, but germplasm will continue to be
exchanged.
Germplasm Exchange Internationally
R. Sears indicated the need for a germplasm contact person and the lack
there of in wheat. R. Busch asked about international exchange other than
on an individual basis. No structure exists for obtaining on a systematic
basis new releases in the world. It was suggested that Foreign Agricultural
Service (FAS) and H. Bockelman could possibly work to obtain new releases
from around the world. W. Martinez indicated FAS has a meeting with her
soon and the problem of obtaining new releases would be approached. A
subcommittee of R. Busch, chair, I. Edwards, J. Peterson, and H. Bockelman
would be available to document the need for this type of system. Certainly
with this type of germplasm available in the Small Grains Collection, the
use of GRIN would increase dramatically.
Documentation for Wheat Variety Survey
W. Martinez indicated the need for documentation for a national wheat
variety survey. R. Sears and R. Bruns will jointly coordinate a letter to
be sent documenting the need of a national survey and its uses.
PRIORITIES FOR LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
Immediate Concerns
1) Leaf Rust Project - National in scope, funding level of about
$500,000 for Plant Science Unit, based at Kansas State to allow interaction
with geneticists for testing and incorporation into useful germplasm. R.
Sears and S. Cox subcommittee. Champion in the Legislature needs to be
identified.
2) Genetics Stocks Position - P. Gustafson to supply old job
description. Position is for: maintaining, development, and distribution of
genetic stocks. Need a local Champion in the Legislature for this position.
Long Term Strategic Needs
1) National need on Fusarium head blight.
2) Eastern Region needs a foliar plant pathologist.
3) Cold hardiness basic and applied research.
Time Table
1) February 10-14 appears to be the best time to avoid overlap with Oat and
Barley Workers.
2) Visited approximately 25 members of the House and Senate on who serve on
either Appropriations or Agricultural Committees last visit (1990).
3) It would be helpful to have a grower with each group of researchers.
Lobbyist at NWAG would review the potential list and make suggestions.
4) Also visit APHIS, ARS, and CSRS.
-------------------------
CANADA BREEDING AND RESEARCH
K. Briggs gave a general report on research status in Canada on wheat.
Detailed information can be obtained on this research report by writing for:
Agricultural Canada Publication 5252, Communications Branch, Agric. Canada,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A OC7
WHEAT QUALITY AND MARKETING
Wheat Classification
R. Sears discussed the status if wheat classification, mostly in regard
to the new machines being developed to allow differentiation between soft
and hard wheats. The ARS\GMRL machines appear to offer the best suited. It
measurements are based on crushing factoring in both kernel weight and size.
It can evaluate about 300 kernels in 3 minutes. Testing in 1992 will
include: 1) calibration of all units, 2) adjustment to temperature
variations, and 3) instrument definition of hard. FGIS hopes to have
implemented this new technology by 1994, but 1995 is more likely.
Soft Wheat Quality Issues
D. Van Sandford presented and led the discussion of quality
recommendations made by Mennel Milling Co. sent to wheat suppliers. The
Eastern Soft Wheat Quality Council is not yet operating to allow easy
communications with breeders and millers to discuss what is wanted in
quality. Fusarium head blight, septorias, and bacteria leaf blight were
serious problems in 1991. Test weights were low and very severe dockage was
applied to lower test weight wheats.
D. Sammons reviewed the test weight issue for soft wheat which began
with the NWIC in 1987. NWIC sent resolutions and letters of support
encouraging further research on this issue in 1988, 1989, and 1990. The
domestic issue of test weight is not dead among the producers since
discounts for lower test weight wheat are large and are seen as unfair.
R. Allan explained the western soft wheat concerns about removing test
weight as a evaluative tool or lowering its level because of the potential
effect on the export market. Whatever is suggested to replace it must be
well accepted. Test weight has been shown to have high heritability.
Semidwarf wheat had lower test weight but this has been overcome with
selection. Discussion followed as to whether more stringent selection would
help overcome the problem in the East.
R. Stuckey indicated that there was little support for lowering the
test weight standards from a NAWG perspective. The eastern states have
restless growers and need progress on the marketing issues. Discussion
followed with eastern wheat breeders indicating that heritabilities of test
weight appeared much lower in their conditions. C. Murphy indicated the need
in the east for better communication among breeders, millers and bakers
since they are consumers of the wheat. A firm commitment to quality is
important on the part of the breeders which would be aided by a Soft Wheat
Quality Council. W. Martinez indicated that there is good agreement of low
test weight with increasing physical defects. Test weight is also useful
information in the export trade because it gives packing density. Problems
result with test weight when it is used as an indicator of milling yield.
Genotype X environment interaction also has a major effect of test weight.
Sammonds summarized the discussion as follows:
1) Breeders do consider quality in their new varieties,
2) Test weight is not a consistantly reliable measure of flour yield
or quality, especially in sound wheat
3) Soft Wheat Quality Council is important to establish needed links
among interested parties and provide a forum for discussion.
Definition of Wheat Quality
R. Bruns (NWIC representative on the Grain Quality Workshop) has been
involved in working on the definition of quality. He presented a schematic
of grain quality, dividing it into Physical and Compositional Quality.
These together form the grain quality performance. This schematic as
presented was discussed as a possible visual for use at meetings and to
orient everyone to similar thought process when quality is mentioned.
-------------------------
January 2, 1992
Dr. R. D. Plowman, Administrator
USDA-ARS
Room 302A Administration Building
Department of Agriculture
Washington, D.C. 20250
Dear Dr. Plowman:
The National Wheat Improvement Committee wishes to express our appreciation
and thanks to Dr. Charles Murphy, National Program Staff for Cereal Crops,
for developing and executing the highly informative ARS Grain Crop
Production and Quality Review, held in May, 1991 in St. Louis, MO. This
review allowed invited specialists from both the public and the industry to
have an overall, integrated picture of small grains research in the United
States as conducted by the Agricultural Research Service. Areas of research
which may need more emphasis in the future were suggested and, although
funds are limited, the overall research effort is impressive. The
willingness of Dr. Murphy to initiate and conduct this review is greatly
appreciated especially considering the large amount of work it required.
Dr. Murphy's input at the National Wheat Improvement Committee meetings is
quite valuable and his attendance is of considerable importance to the
success of the meetings. Dr. Wilda Martinez (National Program Staff,
Quality) contributes greatly to the discussions on wheat quality aspects and
to issues regarding wheat classification with the Federal Grain Inspection
Service. Clearer national perspectives are obtained on many issues when
National Program Staff personnel are present and the committee would like to
acknowledge their contributions.
Sincerely, signed: I. Edwards, Chairman, NWIC
cc: E. B. Knipling
RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION ADOPTED AT THE NATIONAL WHEAT IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING,
RENO, NEVADA, NOVEMBER, 22-23, 1991
SUBJECT: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF HOSTS
WHEREAS, the Circus Circus Hotel served as an excellent host of the 1991
National Wheat Improvement Committee and the Wheat Crop Advisory Committee,
and;
WHEREAS, the hosts have expended time and effort to insure that the meetings
were successful,
THEREFORE, be it resolved that the members of the NWIC sincerely thank Dr.
C. Qualset and the Department of Agronomy and Range Science, University
ofCalifornia, and management and staff of the Circus Circus Hotel, Reno,
Nevada.
RESOLUTION ADOPTED AT THE NATIONAL WHEAT IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING,
RENO, NEVADA, NOVEMBER 22-23, 1991
SUBJECT: ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF DR. IAN EDWARDS' CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
NATIONAL WHEAT IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, 1985-1991
WHEREAS, Dr. I. Edwards has given 7 years of dedicated service to the wheat
research community through his position as Chairman of the National Wheat
Improvement Committee, and;
WHEREAS, during this period many significant changes and activities have
occurred which have required the Chairman's efforts in political and
research areas beyond normal duty, and;
WHEREAS, his leadership and vision have made significant contributions to
the effectiveness and future directions of the NWIC's activities;
THEREFORE, be it resolved that the NWIC express their collective
appreciation to Dr. Ian Edwards for his distinguished service.
-------------------------
MEMBERS OF NATIONAL WHEAT IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE
January 1992
Dr. R.G. Sears, Chair
Dept. of Agronomy
Kansas State Unversity
Manhattan, KS 66506
(913) 532-7245
Dr. R.H. Busch, Secretary
USDA-ARS
411 Borlaug Hall
University of Minnesota
St. Paul, MN 55108
(612) 625-1975
FAX: (612) 625-1268
EASTERN WHEAT REGION
Dr. D.J. Sammons, Chair
Department of Agronomy
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
(301) 454-3715
FAX: (301) 454-5680
Dr. H.E.Bockelman, Secretary
Univ. of Idaho Res. & Ext. Ctr.
P.O. Box AA
Aberdeen, ID 83210
(208) 397-4162
FAX: (208) 397-4162
Dr. D. VanSanford
Dept. of Agronomy
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506
(606) 257-5811
FAX: (606) 258-5842
Dr. R. Bacon
115 Plant Science
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(501) 575-5725
FAX: (501) 575-7465
NATIONAL ASSOC. OF WHEAT GROWERS
Dr. Richard Stuckey
Director, NAWG Foundation
415 Second St. NE Suite 300
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 547-7800
FAX: (202) 546-2638
GREAT PLAINS SPRING WHEAT REGION
Dr. Glen Statler, Chair
Dept. of Plant Pathology
North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND 58105
(701) 237-7058
FAX: (701) 237-7851
Dr. Leonard Joppa, Secretary
USDA-ARS-NPA
Northern Crop Science Lab
1307 N 18th St
P.O. Box 5677--Univ. Sta.
Fargo, ND 58105
(701) 239-1339
FAX:
Dr. Gary Hareland
USDA-ARS-NPA
Northern Crop Science Lab
P.O. Box 5677--Univ. Sta.
Fargo, ND 58105
(701) 237-7728
Dr. R. Frohberg
Dept. of Crop and Weed Science
North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND 58105
(701) 237-7971
FAX:
GREAT PLAINS WINTER WHEAT REGION
Dr. W.D. Worrall, Chair
P.O. Box 1658
Vernon, TX 76384
(817) 552-9941
FAX: (817) 553-4657
Dr. C.J. Peterson, Secretary
USDA-ARS
Dept. of Agronomy
University of Nebraska
Lincoln, NE 68583
(402) 472-5191
FAX: (402) 437-5254
Dr. R. Bruns
Agripro Bioscience, Inc.
806 N. Second St., P.O. Box 30
Berthaud, CO 80513
(303) 532-3721
FAX: (303) 532-2035
Dr. T.S. Cox
USDA-ARS
Throckmorton Hall, Rm. 421
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506
(913) 532-5692
FAX:
WESTERN WHEAT REGION
Dr. R.S. Zemetra, Chair
Dept. of Plant, Soil & Ent. Sci.
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83843
(208) 885-7810
FAX: (208) 885-7760
Dr. R.F. Line, Secretary
USDA-ARS
361 Johnson Hall
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164
(509) 335-3755
FAX: (509) 335-7674
Dr. C.O. Qualset
Dept. of Agronomy & Range Science
University of California - Davis
Davis, CA 95616
(916) 752-3265
FAX:
Dr. R.E. Allan
USDA-ARS
Johnson Hall
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164
(509) 335-3632
FAX: (509) 335-8674
The National Wheat Improvement Committee requests that wheat workers use the
following guidelines when distributing seed:
WHEAT WORKERS CODE OF ETHICS
"This seed is being distributed in accordance with the 'Wheat Workers
Code of Ethics for Distribution of Germplasm' developed by the National
Wheat Improvement Committee 10/27/76. Acceptance of this seed
constitutes Agreement."
1. The originating breeder, station or company has certain rights to
the unreleased material. These rights are not waived with the distribution
of seeds or plant materials but remain with the originator for disposal at
his initiative.
2. The recipient of unreleased seeds or plant material shall make no
secondary distributions of the germplasm without the permission of the
owner/breeder.
3. The owner/breeder in distributing unreleased seeds or other
propagating material, grants permission for use (1) in tests under the
recipient's control, (2) as a parent for making crosses from which
selections will be made, and (3) for induction of mutations. All other
uses, such as testing in regional nurseries, increase and release as a
cultivar, selection from the stock, use as parents in commercial F1 hybrids
or synthetic or multiline cultivars, require the written approval of the
owner/breeder.
4. Plant materials of this nature entered in crop cultivar trials
shall not be used for seed increase. Reasonable precautions to insure
retention or recovery of plant materials at harvest shall be taken.
5. The distributor of wheat germplasm stocks may impose additional
restrictions on use or may waiver any of the above.
-------------------------
MINUTES
Wheat Crop Advisory Committee
Thursday, Nov. 21, 1991 - Reno, NV
Committee members in attendance were J. P. Gustafson (Chair), T. S.
Cox, (Vice-chair), J. G. Waines, R. Bruns (proxy for J. S. Quick), B.
Skovmand, O. Anderson, R. Line, K. Briggs, R. Busch, D. McVey, I. B.
Edwards, C. F. Murphy (ex-officio), and H. Bockelman (ex-officio).
Minutes of the 1990 meeting, as published in the Annual Wheat
Newsletter, were approved by voice vote.
Dr. Gustafson noted that the by-laws permit 16 committee members,
whereas there are now only 12. He agreed to solicit nominations for new
members on which the committee can vote later.
Dr. Gustafson distributed 1992 USDA guidelines for plant exploration
proposals and encouraged participation in the program.
A discussion of the "core collection" concept as it might apply to
wheat brought out the following points. There would be two possible types
of cores. The first, a simple, geographically representative sample to be
sent to wheat workers making nonspecific requests or for "prescreening,"
could be identified relatively simply. However, theory notwithstanding, it
was considered doubtful that any core could adequately capture a significant
amount of the variability in the wheat collection. The second type of core,
one enriched for genes affecting target traits, was considered infeasible.
Dr. Steve Harrison presented a proposal to screen for the bacterial
streak disease, for endorsement by the CAC before submitting it to USDA.
This disease, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv translucens, causes
serious yield losses, especially in the Deep South of the U.S. The
experiences of several committee members confirmed that the disease is
becoming more common. Although no vote was taken, committee members urged
Dr. Harrison to submit the proposal for funding from Dr. Henry Shands'
program.
Dr. Waines described an emergency in southeast Turkey, where several
wild wheat species are widely threatened by a huge irrigation project. He
proposed collecting in the area soon. Dr. Waines was appointed to chair a
subcommittee that will write up a proposal to USDA for funding such a trip.
A copy will be sent to Plant Genetic Resources of Canada.
In response to a request from Dr. Rosalind Morris for funding to
regenerate substitution, monosomic, and other genetic stocks for deposition
in the collection, Dr. Gustafson was approved to transfer $4,000 of the
genetic stocks funds to Lincoln. Dr. Gustafson announced that Dr. E. R.
Sears' stocks are still being maintained and distributed, but no other work
is being done on his collection. The stocks were well-catalogued by Dr.
Sears on cards, and it is hoped to computerize that file.
Dr. Jim Peterson noted that CIMMYT is organizing a nursery to replace
partially the now-defunct International Winter Wheat Performance Nursery,
once run by the USDA. There are questions about how seed can be widely
distributed by CIMMYT from either Turkey or Mexico, because of quarantine
regulations. It was generally agreed that CIMMYT is going beyond the call
of duty in taking over this nursery.
Dr. Briggs summarized current wheat germplasm activities in Canada.
Since, of the small grains, Plant Genetic Resources of Canada has primary
responsibility for barley and oats, they intend to maintain only a limited
number of wheat accessions: registered Canadian cultivars, failed but
"good" entries in national trials, related species, amphiploids and evolved
relatives, single-gene resistance stocks, standard differentials, lines with
unique traits, and items collected by Canadian expeditions. Aneuploids and
other genetic stocks will have lower priority. Material not kept will be
offered to the USDA collection.
Dr. Skovmand described a new CIMMYT germplasm database that has
connections to its breeding database but is independent and more suited to
germplasm management. It handles field books, cluster analyses, "Mendelian
contributions," coefficients of parentage, and abbreviations, but no other
statistical analyses. The abbreviation list is described in CIMMYT Wheat
Special Report No. 4.
Dr. Anderson described the new wheat database that is part of the USDA
Plant Genome project; wheat is one of four species serving as models for an
eventual "superbase" at the National Agricultural Library. It will contain
genetic mapping data and information on genetic stocks (wheat and probes).
The system is accessible by phone or INTERNET by any system with X-terminal
capacity. However, only the leaders for wheat's seven homoeologous groups
(as designated by ITME) will be authorized to modify data. The database is
on a SUN computer at the Lawrence Berkeley Lab but eventually will be moved
to the Western Regional Research Center at Albany, CA.
Dr. Anderson agreed to provide funds from the wheat genome database
project to assist in computerization of Dr. Gibler's card index of 21,000
wheat pedigrees, with CIMMYT cooperation.
Dr. Skovmand noted that quarantine regulations for bringing seed from
Mexico to the U.S. have not changed. Dr. Briggs announced new regulations
for sending seed into Canada that will facilitate germplasm exchange [see
regulations printed in this volume].
Dr. Mark Bohning of the USDA Germplasm Resources Information Network
attended the meeting and told the committee that GRIN has a new, much larger
and faster computer. GRIN is now on INTERNET and CGNET. They also are now
sending out more information on diskettes rather than hard copy. Seven
hundred logon ID's have been issued, and use has increased. Possibilities
for connections between GRIN and the Plant Genome database were discussed.
There was a discussion of comments made concerning GRIN at the "ARS
Grain Crop Production and Quality Review" in May, 1991. There was agreement
within the CAC on several points:
- "Success" of a system such as GRIN need not be measured by
frequency of logons.
- Because breeders, etc., do log on infrequently, GRIN must be more
user-friendly than most programs.
- A GRIN user group would be helpful.
- Wheat quality data loaded into GRIN should be limited to (1)
description of HMW glutenin subunits, (2) grain color, (3)
presence and description of alien chromatin known to be present
in a line, (4) hardness, and (5) protein level. Items (4) and
(5) should be entered as "High", "Medium", or "Low" only, with
proper consideration given to environmental influences.
Dr. Gustafson informed the committee of the increased charges now
attached to issuance of phytosanitary certificates. There was a discussion
of the potential impact on germplasm exchange.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 p.m.
-------------------------
National Association of Wheat Growers Foundation
Summary Programs, January, 1992
Jennifer L. Moog
A. NEW PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS
1. WHEAT UTILIZATION COMMITTEE. The Wheat Utilization Committee is
comprised of fifteen state wheat commissions. Their purpose is to develop
and support national research projects in order to increase the utilization
of wheat in both food and industrial areas. The first organizational
meeting was held in July, 1991. Currently, the committee funds two research
proposals entitled "Small Wheat Starch Granules for Tableting and Cosmetics"
and "Biodegradable Packaging from Starch to Enable Naval Compliance with the
Marpol Treaty."
2. FARMER-TO-FARMER. The NAWG Foundation(NAWGF) and Winrock
International have been selected by the Agency for International Development
to administer the Farmer-to-Farmer(FTF) program, a program designed to
provide technical assistance overseas to middle income countries, emerging
democracies, and developing countries.
In response to U.S. Congressional legislation, the goal of the proposed FTF
program is to increase productivity, income, and the well-being of male and
female farmers in countries where there is a potential for substantial
increases in food production, processing, and marketing and where there is
opportunity for stimulating private enterprise and/or enhancing the
democratic process. The stated goal will be accomplished through the
transfer of technology, knowledge, skills, and information to groups of
beneficiary farmers by volunteer U.S. farmers, extensionists,
agriculturalists, university staff, agribusiness and private-sector
specialists, and nonprofit organizations's staffs. Technical expertise will
be provided in five broad areas of agriculture -- environment, forestry,
crop production, animal agriculture and agribusiness.
Winrock International with the NAWGF as a subgrantee has been granted 1.3
million for a three year period. Together NAWGF and Winrock will establish
and maintain an extensive network of U.S. Volunteers who will travel to the
established beneficiary farmer networks in Eastern Europe, Mexico/Central
America, and Southern Africa.
3. FARM SAFETY PROGRAM. The Farm Safety program has become a reality
for The NAWG Foundation. The Foundation was delighted with the positive
response through program and financial support from Dow Elanco, Deere and
Company and Case International. In early December the Foundation sponsored
a pilot day camp conducted in Fort Collins Colorado. One-hundred-sixty kids
participated in the camp which was deemed a huge success by all those who
attended. Based on the positive results, the Foundation will encourage
other states to conduct similar
programs. The Farm Safety Committee has agreed to feature safety in the
program at each convention. At the summer leadership conference, a
children's session was conducted by C.W. Lawrence from "4 Just Kids". Mr.
Lawrence also spoke on the importance of safety at a general session. A
video library is available to all states at the NAWG office in D.C.
4. 1991 SOFT RED WINTER WHEAT QUALITY: ISSUES FOR PRODUCERS,
MERCHANTS, AND MILLERS. At the request of wheat growers from state
associations in the soft red winter wheat production areas, the NAWG
Foundation contacted various agencies of USDA to request their assistance in
meeting with wheat producers at the summer leadership conference in July,
1991. With the assistance of USDA agencies, ARS, ES, FGIS, ERS, ASCS, the
Wheat Industry Resource Committee, the Southern Extension and Southern Grain
Marketing Committees, Virginia Tech, University of Missouri, Farm Foundation
and many private and public individuals, 257 samples from 14 states and 52
market samples from 10 commercial mills were analyzed. All samples were
analyzed for test weight, total digestible nutrients, damage and scab
content, vomitoxin content, and alpha amylase content. Flour yield and
composition and flour performance were also determined. The results of this
study were presented in a national video satellite teleconference Sept. 4
from Virginia Tech. A video tape and printed copies of the teleconference
as well as a shortened highlight video have been produced and are available.
5. RESEARCH PROJECT FUNDED AND SOURCE OF FUNDING
a. Wheat Marketing Logistics Program; $29,000. Burlington Northern Railroad
Foundation, Red River Valley and Western Railroad, Montana Wheat and Barley
Committee.
b. Small Wheat Starch Granules as Fat Mimics; $22,800. Nebraska Wheat Board.
c. Small Wheat Starch Granules for Tableting and Cosmetics; $16,000. Wheat
Utilization Committee.
d. Biodegradable Packaging from Starch to Enable Naval Compliance with the
MARPOL Treaty; $5,000. Wheat Utilization Committee.
e. Utilization of Polyvinyl Alcohol in Wheat Starch-Based Foam Insulation;
$15,000. Wheat Utilization Committee and Agricultural Utilization Research
Institute.
f. International Triticeae Mapping Initiative Project; $2,500. Kansas Wheat
Commission.
B. CURRENT AND ON-GOING PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS
1. WHEAT MARKETING LOGISTICS PROGRAM. The Foundation has embarked on a
U.S. Wheat Industry Logistics project provided through grants from
Burlington Northern Foundation, Red River Valley and Western Railroad, and
Montana Wheat and Barley Committee. The Upper Great Plains Transportation
Institute at North Dakota State University is nearing completion of research
papers in four specific areas: a) historical elements of wheat industry
logistics, b) description of today's wheat industry logistics system, c)
pricing transportation services, and d) wheat transportation and
merchandising relationships. The Wheat Industry Resource Committee will
develop educational materials from the research and prepare the information
for dissemination. Completion of this project is anticipated by late 1992
or early 1993.
2. MARKETING ALTERNATIVES WORKSHOP. These workshops, now in their
third year, are co-sponsored by the Foundation and the Chicago Board of
Trade. The workshops are intended to increase grower awareness on marketing
alternatives, the benefits and risk of futures and options trading, and
methods to provide income protection. The workshop is available to any
interested state associations or commissions and requires a 40 person
minimum attendance. To date, workshops have been conducted in Oregon,
Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, and Colorado.
3. CONSERVATION RECOGNITION PROGRAM. The conservation recognition
program, intended to promote greater awareness and more prolific use of
conservation practices in farming will be sponsored for a third year by The
NAWG Foundation and ICI Americas. The program format will remain the same.
Four wheat producers are selected from four regions which are comprised of
all NAWG member states. The selected growers travel within their regions to
gain and share information on conservation practices and communicate this
knowledge to other growers. Growers will also inform the nonagricultural
community of continuing efforts by farmers to preserve soil and water
resources. The winners also receive a free trip to the NAWG annual
convention where they participate in the Conservation workshop. Candidates
for this program are nominated by the states. The states are responsible
for helping the candidate submit an application with references.
Applications are available at the NAWG Foundation.
4. YOUNG LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AWARDS PROGRAM. For the seventh year,
the NAWG Foundation and Monsanto Agricultural Company are sponsoring a
nationwide program which provides farmers under the age of 35 an opportunity
to attend the NAWG Annual Convention or Summer Leadership conference. This
year the competition for awards has increased as the number of awards have
been reduced from 60 to 40. Accordingly, the grant awarded has increased
from $500 to $750. The program is designed to establish young leaders
within the organization and in the wheat communities of America. In the
past years, the participants have proven the merit of the program, as many
have become involved in their state and national associations.
5. WHEAT YIELD CHALLENGE EVALUATION. In conjunction with "The Wheat
Grower" and "Farm Journal," and with the support of Ciba-Geigy, the
Foundation judged the national yield contest to select winners in each of 5
irrigated and 5 non-irrigated wheat classes. The program is designed to add
competition to the task of introducing wheat farmers to the latest and most
effective methods to produce high quality, economic wheat yields. By
experimenting with a small portion of their acreage, growers may discover
production practices that increase wheat profitability for their remaining
acreage, while improving good economic production in the U.S. Contest
results were announced and national winners will participate at the 1992
Annual Convention in Reno, Nevada. The Yield Challenge Contest will be
conducted a third year with slightly modified rules.
6. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. State associations seeking
concentrated leadership training in specific areas can request the
Leadership Development Program, a half-day to two-day workshop sponsored by
the Rhone-Poulenc Agricultural Company. State associations can choose from
19 different topics related to leadership, allowing trainers to focus on
areas most beneficial to each state. Training can center on building more
effective committees, exercising parliamentary procedure, employing
different techniques of leadership, using successful communications and
media relations, motivating membership involvement, or lobbying and
understanding Congress among others. Programs were conducted this year in
Washington and Idaho and are scheduled for Colorado and Wyoming for next
year.
7. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROGRAM. The Sustainable Agriculture
program sponsored by ICI Americas Inc. is designed to provide a leadership
and educational role in understanding sustainable agriculture. The six
commodity programs (corn, cotton, rice, sorghum, soybeans, and wheat) and
the National Association of Conservation Districts are cooperating in the
project. Demonstration plots with varying levels of inputs were established
the last two years at Agricenter International in Memphis, Tennessee. Test
plots are available for tours throughout the summer and were part of a media
day held on July 26, 1991, at the Center. A favorable review of the project
has led to plans for continuation of a third year with an emphasis on
another symposium and a showcase of demonstration plots July 20-22, 1992.
8. EXCELLENCE IN EXTENSION. The Foundation, in cooperation with the
Wheat Industry Resource Committee, has established a national "Excellence in
Extension" awards program to recognize Cooperative Extension System workers
at the county, multi-county and state levels for their work to improve the
U.S. wheat industry. Recipients of the award receive $250 to support their
wheat-related programs for the benefit of U.S. wheat producers, as well as a
plaque in recognition of their contributions. This program is currently in
its third year.
9. DEVELOPING OPPORTUNITIES FOR U.S. AGRICULTURE. The Developing
World: Opportunities for U.S. Agriculture is a three year development
education program funded, in part, by the State Department's Agency for
International Development. The objective of the program is to increase the
public's awareness of the potential growth demand for U.S. exports in Less
Developed Countries (LDCs). The program trains 68 wheat growers to become
spokespersons on issues of aid, trade, and development with LDCs.
Spokespersons participate in initial issue and media skills training in
Washington, D.C. During the second year, spokespersons are exposed to U.S.
development assistance strategies while at Winrock International Institute
for Agricultural Development. Spokespersons are then eligible for
specialized individual learning experiences and for participation on a
smaller international development and trade team, which will make
presentations to national and international audiences. Throughout
participation in this program, all spokespersons communicate the goals of
the program and related issues to audiences on local and state levels.
Representatives from other commodity groups and national Extensions agents'
associations are invited to attend training sessions and are encouraged to
implement similar training programs for their membership.
10. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE AWARENESS PROGRAM. Funded by Monsanto
Agricultural Company, this project is designed to help the U.S. wheat
industry take a positive approach to environmental issues. The project has
15 participants from member states. The participants are now providing
leadership within their state associations related to environmental issues,
including soil conservation, pesticide residues and wetlands preservation.
Many have had a number of speaking engagements before state association
conventions, other farm groups, as well as community organizations, and are
actively monitoring state environmental legislation and regulation. By
recruiting spokespersons from around the country to educate farmers and the
public about conservation practices and chemical use, the project will serve
to improve awareness of environmental concern.
11. WHEAT TECHNOLOGY. The newsletter features the latest
breakthroughs in wheat research, production and marketing technology. It
provides in depth coverage of issues affecting all aspects of the industry;
informative production practices, meetings, new publications and products.
Four regional editors bring news from the various wheat producing regions in
every issue; NAWG Foundation Development Committee members contribute a
feature article to each publication; and, a recent feature, the wheat
quality labs are reporting their current work, projects, problems, and
future goals and direction. Wheat Technology will continue to feature the
unique agencies, companies, and persons influencing the wheat industry and
helping to secure its successful future. We encourage articles from
representatives of the U.S. wheat industry.
-------------------------
ITMI Management Office, Genetic Resources Conservation Program, University
of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA
The International Triticeae Mapping Initiative
The International Triticeae Mapping Initiative (ITMI) concept was
developed in 1988 by Jan Dvorak and Cal Qualset (University of California,
Davis), Gary Hart (Texas A&M University) and Bikram Gill (Kansas State
University). They saw a need to coordinate and strengthen international
scientific efforts on genome mapping of wheat and related species. The
primary purpose of ITMI is to facilitate strong international collaboration
among investigators by division of labor among the participants, reducing
repetition of work, and thus maximizing the rate of progress in RFLP mapping
of the various Triticeae genomes. The aims of ITMI were clarified by a small
group at a workshop in Davis in June, 1989:
1) To develop linkage and metaphase chromosome maps utilizing RFLP markers
of the chromosomes of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum) and common wheat (T.
aestivum).
2) To develop a comparative map of barley (Hordeum vulgare) utilizing RFLP
markers.
3) To develop a comparative map of rye (Secale cereale) utilizing RFLP
markers.
4) To develop comparative maps of representative diploid species of the
genera in the Triticeae.
5) To construct comparative linkage maps of the diploid ancestors of the
wheat A, B, and D genomes.
6) To determine linkage between RFLP markers and genes controlling specific
agronomically important traits.
Scientists who took on the responsibility for coordination of a
particular chromosome group in wheat, or for the map of another related
species, or for other particular functions (such as database development),
are called ITMI Coordinators. This responsibility implies the coordination
of linkage and physical map development for the assigned chromosomes or
genome. Presently, the ITMI Coordinators comprise Olin Anderson (USDA/ARS,
Albany, California) - database development; Rudi Appels (CSIRO, Canberra) -
Group 1; Jan Dvorak - Group 4; Michael Gale (Cambridge Laboratory, Norwich,
England) - Group 7; Bikram Gill - Group 5; Perry Gustafson (USDA/ARS,
University of Missouri) - R genome; Gary Hart - Group 6; David Hoisington
(CIMMYT, Mexico) - Group 3 (joint); Rafiqul Islam, Peter Langridge and Ken
Shepherd (University of Adelaide) - Group 1 (joint); Peter Sharp (University
of Sydney) - Group 2; and Mark Sorrells and Steven Tanksley (Cornell
University) - Group 3 (joint). ITMI is coordinated at the University of
California, Davis, by Calvin Qualset.
ITMI Investigators are scientists not necessarily involved in mapping,
but are active in cereal genetics, wish to be associated with ITMI, and can
contribute stocks and probes to the mapping effort or utilize mapped probes
for application to wheat improvement. ITMI Affiliate Members are
organizations not necessarily actively developing maps but who will utilize
or benefit from the results of genome mapping. At present these
organizations financially supporting ITMI are Sogetal, Inc. (Hayward, CA),
CIMMYT and ICRISAT. Also, INTA of Argentina have sent a visiting scientist
to work in Jan Dvorak's lab to contribute to the objectives of ITMI. ITMI
Coordinators, Investigators, and Affiliate Member representatives, and
others interested in mapping meet each year at a Public Workshop. This helps
to ensure close ties between researchers and the cereal industry, and
assures that genome mapping results are readily available to public or
private organizations.
The first ITMI Public Workshop, was held in Sacramento, California in
1990, the second in Manhattan, Kansas in 1991, and the third is planned to
be hosted by CIMMYT, Mexico in September 1992. The workshop proceedings are
published. Rapid progress in being made, with some maps presented at the
meetings doubling in the number of mapped probes between 1990 and 1991.
ITMI emphasizes the free exchange of information, materials, probes,
and genetic stocks. As mapping progress advances, masses of data accumulate.
As a result, the communication role of ITMI has become increasingly
important in facilitating information flow. The USDA Plant Genome Research
Program recognizes the importance of computer database development in making
the results of mapping efforts available to all researchers. Olin Anderson
is leading work on the wheat database project, in collaboration with
programmers at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and staff of the National
Agricultural Library. A wheat database group meeting was held just before
the ITMI Public Workshop in September 1991 in Manhattan, Kansas. A prototype
database with a user-friendly graphic interface was shown by John McCarthy
of the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. Researchers were able to discuss their
needs and expectations of the database. The ITMI Management Office also
functions as an information resource, and is developing, with financial
support from Olin Anderson's program, an ITMI newsletter.
Further information about ITMI may be obtained from the ITMI Management
Office, Genetic Resources Conservation Program, University of California,
Davis, CA 95616 USA, phone (916) 757-8920, fax (916) 757-8755.
-------------------------
AGRIPRO BIOSCIENCES, INC.
Koy E. Miskin*, Gregory J. Holland*, Curtis L. Beazer -- Brookston, IN;
317/563-3111
J. Barton Fogleman*, C. Keith Taylor -- Jonesboro, AR; 501/935-3941
Rob Bruns*, John Moffatt*, Joe Smith*, Jim Reeder* -- Berthoud, CO;
303/532-3721
Northern Soft Red Winter Wheat. This 1991 crop season for soft red
winter wheat was a very severe year. The very wet conditions during heading
and flowering caused extremely severe levels of head scab and the Septorias.
This was coupled with a very hot, dry grain filling period and resulting in
lower yields with very low test weights. Many commercial fields had test
weights in the low 50's and upper 40's.
We conducted a study comparing yields of SRW wheat lines when planted
by weight and adjusted to account for differences in TKW. Eight lines were
used with TKW's ranging from 26 to 42. When seeded by weight each packet of
each line contained 59 grams of seed. This is equal to 30K/square foot
(323K/square meter) if the average TKW is equal to 35. Thus, low TKW lines
will have more K/square foot and high TKW lines will have fewer K/square
foot than desired when planted by weight. When seeded by TKW the correct
numbers of kernels were planted so that all lines were planted at
323K/square meter. Three reps were planted at three locations. Regardless
of which method of determining seeding rate was used the relative ranking of
the varieties was exactly the same. Perhaps it is not necessary to go to
all the labor expense of counting TKW's to determine relative yield.
Table 1. 1991 Packeting Study; Packet by Weight vs. packet by TKW
Three loc.
Var. Grams/Packet Yield (bu/a)
Variety TKW by Wght by TKW % Diff by Wght by TKW
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
89M-447 42 59 71 120 53.5 51.0
88M-3143 26 59 44 75 52.7 50.7
89I-4581 31 59 52 88 48.0 49.9
88M*2451 42 59 71 120 46.6 47.9
89M-4194 31 59 52 88 45.0 45.3
E86*302-7 30 59 51 86 44.4 43.7
E86*302-12 36 59 61 103 41.4 40.6
89M*4307 26 59 44 75 39.0 35.9
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
MEANS 46.3 45.6
AgriPro Sawyer (formerly ABI 85-81) was released in 1991 and certified
seed will be available for the 1992-93 season. AgriPro Sawyer is a soft
red winter wheat bred and developed by AgriPro Biosciences Inc. It
originated from the cross Timwin/Monon//Fredrick/Oasis. AgriPro Sawyer is
adapted to the area from eastern Kansas to the east coast and from North
Carolina back to Arkansas and to Wisconsin. AgriPro Sawyer is high
yielding, strong strawed, early maturing and very broadly adapted to the
SRWW region. AgriPro Sawyer provided excellent protection against wheat
spindle streak virus and stem rust; very good protection against powdery
mildew, Septoria nodorum, Rhizoctonia and soilborne mosaic virus. Good
protection is provided against barley yellow dwarf virus, wheat streak
virus, Septoria tritici and leaf rust. AgriPro Sawyer has no known genes
for Hessian fly resistance. Milling quality is very good and baking quality
is rated good. Juvenile growth habit is semi-erect. Coleoptiles are red.
Plant color at boot stage is green with a twisted recurved flag leaf. Head
shape is tapering to strap, mid-dense, and awnletted. Auricles are purple
and pubescence is present. Glumes are midlong and midwide with square to
oblique shoulders and obtuse beaks. Seed is red, ovate in shape with
rounded cheeks. Seed crease width is narrow and depth is shallow. Brush is
large, non-collared and medium long. The germ is medium sized. AgriPro
Biosciences Inc. maintains seed stock and certified classes of foundation,
registered and certified. Application for Plant Variety Protection has been
made and AgriPro Sawyer may only be sold as a class of certified seed.
Dr. Gregory J. Holland has joined AgriPro Biosciences Inc. as the soft
wheat breeder. Dr. Holland comes to us from the University of Minnesota
where his research involved evaluation of a maize recurrent selection
program, the evaluation of maize tissue culture regenerants and the
utilization of RFLP's to investigate DNA methylation patterns in maize. He
is also well trained in genetics, pathology, statistics and quantitative
genetics. We are especially pleased with Dr. Holland's training and hybrid
experience and look forward to the contributions he will make in our
company.
Southern Soft Winter Wheat. Plague and pestilence due to excessive
rainfall devastated the region. Soil viruses, a freak Easter snowstorm and
freeze, a myriad of foliar and head diseases, head scab due to heavy rains
(four or more inches per week during heading and anthesis), army worms, low
wheat prices and heavy discounts (some TW's <40 lb./bu) combined to produce
the worst wheat year we've ever seen. On the bright side, selection
pressures were superb.
AgriPro Mallard (formerly ABI 86-5941) will be available as certified
seed for the 1992-93 season. Mallard is a soft red winter wheat bred and
developed by AgriPro Biosciences Inc. It is high yielding, has medium
maturity and has short, very strong straw. Mallard provides excellent
protection against stem rust and good protection against leaf rust, scab,
Septoria nodorum and wheat spindle streak virus. It also gives good
protection to soilborne mosaic virus, powdery mildew, Septoria tritici and
barley yellow dwarf virus. It has the H6 gene for Hessian fly which gives
protection against biotypes A, B, E, H, I, J and M. Mallard offers little
protection against Rhizoctonia. The milling quality is excellent and baking
quality is very good based on several years of testing. Mallard is best
adapted to the mid south soft wheat region of the United States.
Charles Keith Taylor, assistant wheat breeder, is a welcome addition to
our southern breeding team. Keith (MS'88) has experience in rice breeding,
large farm operations and is a past assistant county supervisor for the
FmHA.
The wet season provided opportunity to get soil virus notes at
Jonesboro, AR, Sikeston, MO and Rutherford, TN. Our speculation is that
Sikeston is primarily SBMV and Rutherford is primarily WSSMV but this was
not assayed. A few trials at Cleveland, MS were heavily infected with downy
mildew. Data are reported below with all ratings on a 1-9 scale (1 =
disease free; 9 = total devastation).
Table 2. 1990-91 Trial Data
SBMV? BOTH? WSSMV? DOWNY MILDEW
Cultivar MO AR TN MS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABI 87-6646 4.5 3 5.5 1.0
AgriPro Cherokee 2.5 3 3.0 7.0
AgriPro Hunter 4.5 6 5.5 2.5
AgriPro Magnum 5.0 5 6.0 4.5
AgriPro Mallard 5.5 4 7.0 7.0
AgriPro Savannah 5.5 4 5.5 2.0
AgriPro Sawyer 4.5 6 6.0 5.5
AgriPro Traveler 3.5 8 7.5 4.5
AgriPro Twain 3.0 3 2.5 4.0
Bayles 5.5 7 7.0 2.5
FFR 525W 4.5 4 6.5 4.0
Florida 302 4.0 6 7.0 3.5
Georgia 100 3.5 2 4.0 2.5
Keiser 3.5 3 2.5 2.5
Madison 2.5 3 2.0 3.0
NK/Coker 9024 5.0 4 2.0 7.0
NK/Coker 9227 4.0 7 6.5 1.0
NK/Coker 9803 5.5 7 4.5 4.5
NK/Coker 9835 5.0 4 4.5 5.0
NK/Coker 9877 2.0 2 3.0 4.0
Pioneer 2548 6.5 7 7.0 5.0
Pioneer 2555 2.5 3 2.0 6.0
Saluda 4.5 7 7.0 7.0
Terral 101 2.0 2 3.5 2.5
Verne 7.0 7 3.0 5.5
Wakefield 4.0 5 5.0 5.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hard Red Winter Wheat. Assistant Plant Breeder Scott Dorsch resigned
effective August 18, 1991. Scott moved on to a position with Anheuser Busch
Inc. working in their International Barley Division. We want to acknowledge
the tremendous contribution that Scott made to our program and wish him well
in his new endeavor.
The 1990/91 crop year provided relatively good yield information from
nine of twelve locations planted with trial means ranging from 38.9 bu/a at
Nardin, OK to 111.0 bu/a at Berthoud, CO. We experienced significant levels
of leaf rust at every test site and heavy stem rust at our northern and
western sites. Two locations, Everest, KS and Geneva, NE, were lost to hail
damage. Cattle grazing preference for experimental materials over TAM 200
resulted in the loss of several experiments at Garden City, KS. Yield
performance under stress conditions at various stages of crop development in
conjunction with good notes for leaf rust, stem rust, tan spot, Septoria,
spindle streak mosaic virus and shattering helped to move the program
forward.
Two varieties, "Tomahawk" and "Longhorn", were released to our
associate system in 1991 and will be available to the farmer in the fall of
1992. Tomahawk is best described as an improved Victory with broad
adaptation for the southern Great Plains. Tomahawk was previously tested as
WI88-083. It has improved resistances to tan spot, glume blotch, powdery
mildew, and leaf rust over Victory with slightly heavier test weight
patterns.
Longhorn, formerly tested as WI88-024, is an awnless, tall semidwarf with
long coleoptile expression and good grazing characteristics. It is
susceptible to soilborne mosaic and spindle streak mosaic viruses and has
been targeted for the western region as a graze-out wheat. Longhorn also
has acceptable to good bread baking characteristics offering the option to
harvest for grain.
Hard Red Spring Wheat. The hard red spring wheat project personnel
consist of Joe A. Smith, Breeder; John Martin, Assistant Breeder; Barb Cook,
Technician; Linda Sizemore, Technician.
All of our testing sites in 1991 were located in the Red River Valley.
We experienced a very abnormal season for disease, insects and temperature
related problems. This was especially true for areas south of Grand Forks,
ND. Xanthomonas and Fusarium were the primary diseases. Other problems
included high early season temperatures, heat stress at grain filling,
greenbugs, Hessian fly and barley yellow dwarf virus. Trial results in
these areas were highly variable and varietal performance did not correlate
with our long term averages. Early varieties such as 2375 and Butte 86 had
the best performance. At our northern site in Stephen, MN, yields and
diseases more closely resembled past results. It was a very difficult
season for making progress in all stages of the breeding program.
We will be releasing a new hard red spring wheat cultivar in 1992 named
Krona. It was previously tested as N86-0542. Krona is a strong strawed
semidwarf with medium maturity. It has very good protection to leaf and
stem rust, tan spot and Septoria. Its protein levels are low, similar to
Wheaton. Krona will be recommended for the high production areas of the
spring wheat region.
Hybrid Wheat Development. The Hard Wheat Hybrid Development Project
includes Jim Reeder, Manager, and Steve Askelson - Assistant Plant Breeder.
Over 800 HRWW hybrids were made in 1991 at Berthoud, CO, Garden City,
KS and Dumas, TX. Chemical hybridizing agent technology was used to produce
these hybrids. The top 500+ that proved to be producible will be yield
tested in 1992 throughout the region. The yield advantages of previously
made hybrids were very encouraging. The yield stability of hybrids over
locations and over years continues to be high. It is also encouraging to
note that the increase in yield of our hybrids is increasing faster than
that of our varieties. During the 1992 season, out-location test hybrid
production will be done at either Dumas or Hereford, TX in anticipation of
full production as CHA's become registered.
Approximately 450 HRSW hybrids were made at Berthoud using CHA
technology. These will be tested for heterosis in the Red River Valley of
North Dakota and Minnesota. The heterosis observed in 1991 was very
encouraging. Approximately 100 of these hybrids will be retested in 1992.
The purification of inbreds is progressing so that pilot production can be
done as soon as a CHA is registered.
-------------------------
CARGILL HYBRID SEEDS, Fort Collins, Colorado
Sid Perry, Dave Johnston, Sally Clayshulte, Jill Handwerk and Dana
Shellberg
1990-91 Season. Above normal winter survival differential was obtained
in both Colorado and Nebraska nurseries. Heavy leaf rust infection occurred
late in Fort Collins. Our location in Western Missouri had extremely severe
glume blotch. The Texas panhandle provided a very good environment for
hybrid performance.
Production. CHA and CMS hybrids were produced in Colorado. CHA
hybrids were also produced in Argentina, including WxW, SxW, and SxS. The
effectiveness of hybrid production and consolidation of our production
efforts among our international programs may make Argentina in strategic
test hybrid production area for Cargill in the future.
Testing. We are testing large numbers of F1 and F2 hybrids. While the
F1 remains the premium product, some F2 combinations are giving surprising
results, with a corresponding "cheaper to produce" advantage. We will
continue evaluating this possibility. We are utilizing several public and
private programs to provide additional testing over more environments.
-------------------------
CARGILL HYBRID SEEDS, Tamworth, N.S.W., Australia
Richard Daniel, David Donaldson, Michael Materne, Michael Nowland,
Chris Tyson, Jane and Peter Wilson
Low Wheat Prices. The low wheat prices secured by growers for their
crop harvested November/December, 1990, and the depressed price expectation
at planting (April/July, 1991) forced growers to:
1) sow alternative crops
2) reduce wheat areas
3) reduce wheat crop inputs
This had the effect of severely reducing the quantity of hybrid seed
purchased by growers.
These events illustrate the impact of grain price on the profitability
of growing F1 hybrid wheat compared to growing varieties.
Planting Time. The major planting period for wheat in northwest N.S.W.
is between April and July but regardless of planting time, it is highly
desirable that the crops flower in early October. Earlier flowering greatly
increases the risk of frost damage to the peduncle and inflorescence and
later flowering increases the likelihood of yield loss due to high
temperatures and moisture stress during flowering and grain development.
Breeders manipulate the genes for vernalization and photoperiod response to
control the flowering time of their varieties. Inadequate moisture for
planting or prolonged periods of wet weather inhibiting planting generally
determine the actual planting time(s) each season. In some years, farmers
are unable to sow varieties of particular maturity groups as suitable
planting conditions do not occur at the optimum sowing time for those
varieties.
As a consequence, some of the more progressive growers retain up to
200% of their expected wheat varietal seed requirements in order to ensure
they have adequate seed of a suitable variety, or varieties, to plant when
conditions allow. This uncertainty of sowing time also has the effect, that
if growers consider growing F1 hybrid varieties, they only purchase seed
immediately prior to sowing, and hybrid in certain maturity groups may not
be sown at all in some years. This creates an inventory problem for hybrid
seed companies.
In order to alleviate this problem, we have attempted to develop
hybrids that include a wider range of maturity groups, and to better
manipulate the genes for vernalization response to produce hybrid with no
increased planting window.
Specific Incompatibility for Fertility Restoration. The expression
difficult to restore females has previously been used to describe
cytoplasmically sterile lines (timpoheevi cytoplasm) that are not as
effectively restored by particular restorer lines(s) as others. One very
high yielding A-line was poorly restored by what were considered to be good
restorer lines and was about to be discarded as being too difficult to
restore. However, other equally good restorer lines were inadvertently
found to adequately restore the line in question. Furthermore, crosses
between restorer lines (carrying timpoheevi cytoplasm) each having been
selected for their ability to restore one or more A-lines, produced F1
progeny that varied in fertility nearly sterile to completely fertile.
These evens serve to illustrate our poor understanding of fertility
restoration for the timpoheevi cytoplasm, and are being further
investigated.
-------------------------
CARGILL ARGENTINE - Hybrid Wheat Program
Nestor G. Machado - Pedro M. Paulucci - Hector J. Martinuzzi
General environmental conditions we had in our nurseries were fairly
representative of what happened on farmer's plots. During winter time,
excessive rains delayed plantings 30 to 45 days. This was quite restrictive
for some winter types and for some long cycle springs. Fortunately, weather
during spring time was cooler than normal allowing acceptable tillering and
very good head fertility. As a result of all these factors, good yield were
obtained in almost all areas. At harvesting time some areas were severely
damaged by heavy hail and wind storms.
Diseases were present and diversified. Fusarium sp., P. graminis, P.
recondita and Septoria tritici were the ost commonly present diseases.
Lodging and shattering at harvesting time were also causes of discarding.
As a result of these adversities a good selection was accomplished for the
breeding material and a good evaluation was done on the hybrid yield trials.
In spite of the presence of diseases, yields were not affected as expected.
Except for the very susceptible ones, many varieties and hybrids performed
very well at a level of historical records for each location.
Considering our Advanced Yield Trial #1, we found:
Location Pergamino 9 de Julio Necochea
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Hybrids Avg. 4623 122 6934 112 8009 106
Varieties Avg. 3169 83 5627 91 7281 96
Yield Trial Avg. 3809 100 6208 100 7604 100
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Averages of 20 commercial varieties and 16 hybrids.
Pergamino can be described as an environment with high disease infection and
medium fertility soil, 9 de Julio as a medium disease infection and high
fertility soil and Necochea as a low disease infection and high fertility
soil.
Hybrids production 408 cms hybrids were produced in 23 isolated plots that
produced good amount of seed. Two new experimental A lines achieved 100%
seed set being the first time we have this in our lines. Our commercial
production plots also had outstanding yields on those plots with good
nicking. 1167 chemical hybrids were produced using the gametocide Monsanto
21200. Combinations of winter/winter, winter/spring and spring/spring were
done including advance dlines from different origins and breeding material
as well. Using different planting dates for male and females, very
different growth habits can be outcrossed under our conditions.
Hybrids evaluation: 391 cms hybrids were evaluated in 3 research stations
and 5 precommercial hybrids were tested in 12 locations. We have just
finished the statistical analysis of these trials and have selected 1 more
hybrid as a new commercial for 1992 season, and 2 more will probably be
released in 1993. 1832 chemical hybrids were evaluated in 2 locations and
we are now processing the obtained data. Some winter/winter and
winter/spring that were planted too late did not express their total
potential. The information we will get from these trials will be useful to
know and classify the lines and germplasm according to their combining
ability.
-------------------------
GOERTZEN SEED RESEARCH
Kenneth, Betty, and Kevin Goertzen
A few hard red winter wheat varieties were identified to be used in
identity preserved production programs. All are high protein, high quality,
good yielding, bread wheats which can be used where wheats of outstanding
bread quality are desired.
One hard white winter wheat with excellent bread making characteristics
and good yield capability is being increased for use.
A winter hardy forage Triticale developed in the GSR program was
marketed in 1991.
Our breeding goals continue to emphasize characteristics of greatest
economic importance.
Breeders seed cleaning facilities were added in 1991. Additional seed
storage, cleaning and warehousing facilities were leased for use in 1992.
Additional bins have been installed for breeders seed storage.
A new company was formed by Goertzen Seed Research employees to serve
as a marketing organization for GSR developments. President is Kenbe D.
Goertzen. Roy Lanning is Vice President and Manager. Vice President for
technology is Kenneth L. Goertzen. Betty L. Goertzen is secretary and Kevin
W. Goertzen is Treasurer. Goertzen Quality Wheat, Inc., will work with
present identity preserved programs for contract grain production and sales.
Goertzen Seed Research will increase its contract research and will
increase parents for identify preserved hybrids.
-------------------------
HYBRITECH SEED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
John Erickson, Steve Kuhr, Jerry Wilson, Bud Hardesty, Karolyn Ely -
Wichita, KS; Gordon Cisar - Lafayette, IN
Hybrid Evaluation. Analyses of five years of data from the SRPN and
NRPN regional nurseries are shown in Tables 1 and 2. The hybrids yielded
from 7 to 13 percent above public or private pure lines. Hybrids were also
more responsive to changes in environment and were more stable than pure
line entries. Data from HybriTech trials confirm the response and stability
comparisons.
Hybrid performance has been gaining compared to varietal checks at a
rate of about 2% per year. Current levels of performance are about 12%
above the best check variety and 22% above the average of several good
varieties. Two experimental hybrids in Montana have been about 28% better
than the best check averaged over two years.
A new hybrid for irrigated areas, Quantum 588A, was released in 1991.
It has been about 6 bu/A higher yielding than Quantum 588, which it will
replace.
Table 1. Performance data from the SRPN
Yield (% of Checks)
Source 1986(#) 1987(#) 1988(#) 1989(#) 1990(#) avg(sum)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Public 118(27) 114(27) 116(28) 103(24) 120 (26) 114(132)
Private 116 (7) 115 (6) 119 (9) 104 (12) 108 (4) 112(38)
Hybrid 127 (8) 119 (7) 119 (5) 113 (6) 126 (4) 121(30)
Response (b)
Public 1.01 0.99 1.00 1.01 1.00 1.00
Private 0.98 1.03 1.03 0.97 0.98 1.00
Hybrid 1.04 1.08 1.09 1.12 1.07 1.08
Stability (r2)
Public 0.88 0.90 0.88 0.89 0.92 0.89
Private 0.86 0.91 0.91 0.90 0.93 0.90
Hybrid 0.92 0.94 0.93 0.94 0.95 0.93
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 2. Performance data from the NRPN
Yield (% of Checks)
Source 1986(#) 1987(#) 1988(#) 1989(#) 1990(#) avg(sum)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public 111 (20) 108 (24) 107 (20) 108 (13) 110 (18) 109(95)
Private 121 (1) 102 (5) 127 (1) 100 (2) - (0) 106(9)
Hybrid 116 (6) 124 (4) 118 (2) 117 (4) 119 (4) 119(20)
Response (b)
Public 1.03 0.99 0.99 0.97 0.99 1.00
Private 1.15 0.91 1.16 0.94 - 0.97
Hybrid 1.00 1.31 1.24 1.11 1.23 1.15
Stability (r2)
Public 0.83 0.86 0.90 0.89 0.94 0.88
Private 0.91 0.83 0.88 0.89 - 0.86
Hybrid 0.83 0.93 0.89 0.95 0.96 0.91
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Male Project. Restorer lines may be evaluated in hybrid form by using
them as females in GHA (Genesis hybridizing agent) crossing blocks, using
B-line males. Hybrids produced are performance tested and evaluated for
restoration in replicated trials at four sites. In three such southern
trials in 1991, the mean of the best five hybrids vs. the check mean was
108%, 119%, and 123% respectively. We have now generated three years of
this type of data in our southern program based in Wichita and two years
from the northern program based in Billings.
Line yield testing continues. Two-hundred thirty-six and 82 advanced
lines were tested respectively from the southern and northern programs in
1991. Data from 92 station years from 1987 through 1991 indicates an 18%
yield improvement over older restorer lines used as checks. The same data
shows a slight but not significant increase over new varieties used as
checks.
Results from 1991 crossing blocks at Wichita and Halstead, Kansas were
similar to the long term. CMS female yield levels across 14 males at
Wichita were 94% of the male with male test weights averaging 60.4% pounds
per bushel. The blocks are irrigated and treated with fungicide.
Female Project. Weather for the 1990/91 crop year generally was
favorable throughout the Great Plains. The crop went into winter in good
shape although conditions turned relatively dry in late fall. Survival was
very good in our southern nursery sites at Wichita, Mt. Hope, and Leoti,
Kansas. Some winter-killing occurred at Hastings, Nebraska, especially in
the headrow nurseries where stand densities were low. The Pryor, Montana
site was totally lost to high winds which desiccated the plants and drifted
the dry soil.
Some leaf rust was observed at Wichita and Mt. Hope as well as some
SBMV. However, the rust developed too late to be of much use in making
selections. Stem rust expression was excellent at Hastings and Sidney,
Nebraska.
Three relatively late-maturing A-lines were sent to our foundation seed
division for initial seed increase. They have shown hybrid potential for
the northern plains. An earlier dwarf A-line was retained for further
purification of height differences.
Adaptation Project. In an effort to keep abreast of the major problem
affecting the southern Great Plains, eight inbreds were sent to the Cereal
Rust Lab in St. Paul, Minnesota. Initial tests indicate good levels of leaf
rust resistance in most of these lines. A continual effort will be made by
this project to pyramid genes for resistance into all parental lines that
will be used in hybrid combination.
Several lines have been developed with Russian Wheat Aphid tolerance (a
low level of resistance) when tested at this facility. In an effort to
bolster our level of resistance a crossing program will be initiated this
spring with the crossing of these lines to the Colorado RWA resistant
germplasm line CORWA 1.
Quality Lab. We finished the 1990 crop with slightly over 11,000
samples tested. Because of the large numbers, we did not bake as many of
the Hard Winter samples as we would have liked. Baking tests were continued
until mid-July, overlapping testing of the 1991 early generation and
observation samples which began in early July. A major goal for this season
is to complete the bread baking tests by mid-June.
The total number of samples being tested for the 1991 crop is down
slightly from last year. We have processed approximately 9,400 samples thus
far and will not have many more before the end of the season. Testing at
all levels (early generation, preliminary and advanced) is down for the Hard
Winter wheats but numbers for preliminary and advanced testing for the Soft
Winter program are up sharply; approximately 2 1/2 times more samples than
last year.
Because of the large number of samples being processed, much of our
effort this past year went into finding ways to be faster and more
efficient. New computer methods have helped considerably in this regard.
We now receive a computer list from the breeder when he submits samples to
the lab. This list can be transferred directly into the quality file and
lab numbers are then assigned by the computer. This saves the time of
recording the samples by hand, stamping the lab numbers on the paper and
typing the information into the computer. We have also started sending the
quality reports back to the breeder on the computer. In this way he can
transfer the data directly into his files even before he receives the
printed copy of the report.
Soft Red Winter Project. Hybrid Testing and Heterosis
A total of 1530 single-cross hybrids were evaluated over eight test
locations in the Corn Belt region of the U.S.A. in 1991. A number of our
hybrid trials have one or both parents included in the test in an attempt to
monitor the amount of heterosis we are observing in our soft red winter
wheat germplasm. This information is also used to assign breeding lines to
our germplasm pools. The average amount of best parent heterosis [(F-1
yield/Best Parent yield) x 100] for grain yield, and the number of hybrids
the average is based on, is presented below for each of eight crop years:
Average
Best Parent Heterosis Number of
Year for Grain Yield (%) Hybrids
------------------------------------------------------------
1984 99 50
1985 103 91
1986 111 127
1987 103 37
1988 102 57
1989 103 114
1990 104 427
1991 112 1204
------------------------------------------------------------
Average: 104.6
We've also evaluated best parent heterosis for test weight for several
years, though with fewer hybrids. Test weight of the hybrid is frequently
equal to test weight of the better parent. Average best parent heterosis
for test weight, and the number of hybrids evaluated, is given below for
five crop years:
Average
Best Parent Heterosis Number of
Year for Test Weight (%) Hybrids
-------------------------------------------------------------
1984 100.3 61
1986 99.8 18
1989 99.0 36
1990 100.0 24
1991 102.1 112
-------------------------------------------------------------
Average: 100.2
Hybrid Production. A total of 453 females and 25 males were used in an
attempt to produce 2400 unique hybrid combinations with the hybridizing
agent 'Genesis" (MON 21250). We were successful in producing 2249 hybrids,
abandoning 151 hybrids (6.3%) due to poor sterility or unacceptable nick.
Average percent hybrid seed on the 2249 successful hybrids was 98.1%.
Although we achieved good sterility in 1991, seed yields were the
lowest on record. This was due to several factors, including a critical
lack of wind during the early days of the flowering season, and also due to
the scab epiphytotic which occurred throughout much of the soft wheat region
in 1991. Average seed yield from our crossing block program is presented
below. For comparison purposes, the average yield of all entries in our
elite line test, which is grown on the same farm, is also presented. Our
long-term seed yield average is approaching 50% of the yield from our elite
line trials:
Average Hybrid Average Yield
Number of Seed Yield Elite Line Test
Year Hybrids (Bu/A)
(Bu/A)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1984 290 23.5 49.8
1985 334 40.9 63.7
1986 62 22.1 38.2
1989 1433 28.1 91.0
1990 2111 40.2 64.8
1991 2249 14.9 54.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Averages: 28.3 60.3
We are continuing to develop wheat hybrids with the goal of entering
the commercial market in the mid-90's. Our better hybrids which we continue
to test and develop are approaching a 15-20% yield advantage over the
average performance of four competitive regional check varieties.
-------------------------
HYBRITECH SEED INTERNATIONAL - CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Dennis Dunphy*, Sam Wallace, Richard Evans - Lafayette, IN; Leon
Fischer, Kent Baker* - Mt. Hope, KS
Performance of MON 21200 in 1991. MON 21200 is being developed as a
hybridizing agent for wheat. MON 21200 again performed very well over a
wide range of environments and genotypes in 1991. Excellent sterility was
obtained in all regions. Seed yield in the SRW region was lower than
normal. Warm, rainy weather at pollination time reduced outcrossing in seed
production tests, and also favored a high incidence of head scab which
further reduced seed yields. Seed yields of the long term check line in
research plots averaged 50 to 73 percent outcrossing, compared to the six
year average for this region of 79%. Seed set in the western HRW region was
outstanding at all locations, averaging 78 to 99%. The five year average
for this region is 87%.
Commercialization. HybriTech will use the trademark name Genesisr for
marketing commercially the compound MON 21200. Registration of Genesisr is
proceeding on schedule, and we anticipate obtaining full registration for
this compound. We are continuing to provide technical support for
cooperating breeding programs that license this hybridization technology,
with a goal of being able to place wheat hybrids produced with Genesisr on
the market by the mid-1990's.
-------------------------
NICKERSON S. A. Chartainvilliers - France
Since October 1989 the share-holding company has changed from SHELL to
LIMAGRAIN. This for the moment has no direct effects on the wheat breeding
programme for France. The objective of the program remains the same - to
breed wheat for France, particularly North of the Loire Valley with the main
selection objectives being yield and quality, disease resistance,
agronomics. Two varieties were listed recently: ARCHE, C1 with high
productivity (89), and ARUM, a feed wheat with high productivity (90); both
are available if any colleagues are interested.
-------------------------
NORTHRUP KING COMPANY
Fred Collins*, June Hancock*, and Craig Allen* - Bay, AR
Production Season. The 1992 season will go down in infamy for most
soft red winter wheat growers. Generally the crop potential was good to
excellent until grain fill at which time weather conditions deteriorated and
head blight diseases exploded. Along the Gulf Coast, farmers had excellent
crops but many were never able to harvest due to an extended rainy period.
In the Mid-South and Mid-West regions, yield and grain quality were
devastated by a complex of bacterial black chaff, Septoria nodorum, and
scab. Black chaff was worse in southern areas while scab was more severe in
the northern part, particularly behind no-till corn. Farmers in the
Southeast ended up with a fairly good crop but they experienced losses from
powdery mildew and hessian fly.
New Releases. Two varieties were released to seed growers in 1991.
Coker 9105 is positioned for the Gulf Coastal area based on its short
vernalization, medium maturity and resistance to leaf and stem rust. Coker
9543 should fit the niche that had been occupied by Coker 747; it has high
test weight grain, resistance to the prevalent foliar diseases and biotype E
of hessian fly, and the most winter hardiness present in the line-up of
Coker varieties.
Two experimental lines have been named and turned over to production.
Coker 9134 was tested as C87-13wh; it will be positioned generally south of
Interstate highway 40. Coker 9904 was tested as CL850643 and will be sold
primarily in the region from Maryland to S.Carolina where the new powdery
mildew race is attacking existing varieties.
Low Soil pH Tolerance. A screening nursery was grown in Northeast
Arkansas on an acid (pH of 4.7 to 4.9) soil which was high in manganese.
Varieties were grown as paired plots (limed versus unlimed) using two
replications. Dramatic differences were observed. Varietal entries
represented a broad cross section of presently available soft red winter
wheats. Preliminary data has been shared with breeders and extension
specialists in the region.
-------------------------
PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Dept. of Wheat Breeding, Johnston, Iowa, Ian B. Edwards
Pioneer's wheat research operations include breeding stations at
Windfall, Indiana; St. Matthews, South Carolina; Frouville, France; and
Sevilla, Spain. In addition, screening nurseries and/or field trials are
conducted in ten other countries, primarily Europe. Support is provided
from Johnston, IA, in the areas of data management, plant pathology,
entomology, biotechnology, biochemistry laboratory support, and quality
analyses.
Varietal Releases. a) U.S.:Pioneer Soft Red Winter varieties, 2510 and
2545, received commercial numbers and will be marketed in 1992. Our first
Soft White Winter wheat variety, 2737W, received a commercial number and
will be marketed in Michigan in 1992. b) Spain: Pioneer Hard Red Winter
wheat variety, Trento, was officially registered and will be marketed in
northern Spain.
Quality Evaluation. Our laboratory at Johnston is currently handling
all soft wheat quality analysis for our U.S. wheat stations. Lisa Hagen,
formerly spring wheat research technician for Pioneer at Glyndon, Minnesota,
is in charge of the program.
In France our station at Frouville conducts protein, SDS sedimentation,
milling, and mixograph tests. Alveograph and baking tests are contracted.
The quality laboratory at Aussonne provides support with high molecular
weight glutenin sub-unit analyses. Our laboratories in France are also
evaluating samples from other European countries. In Spain our program
currently conducts NIR protein, and the remaining tests are contracted
locally.
Staff. Jose-Maria Urbano was appointed wheat breeder and project
leader for Pioneer in Spain in June 1991. He is from Cordoba, Spain, and
will shortly submit his doctoral thesis at the University of Cordoba.
Tina Marshall was appointed data coordinator for the wheat department
and is providing support to both our U.S. and European wheat stations. She
is based in Windfall, Indiana, and also conducts several projects supporting
our soft wheat research.
Bill Laskar, staff breeder at Windfall, IN, has broadened his germplasm
and special project responsibilities. He will coordinate germplasm movement
between our U.S. and European programs.
-------------------------
Windfall, IN - Gregory C. Marshall, William J. Laskar, and
Kyle J. Lively
The 1990-91 Season. Late harvests of corn and soybeans, accompanied by
frequent rains, significantly reduced the total acreage of Soft Red Winter
wheat planted in the fall of 1990. Fortunately, we had few difficulties in
getting all of our nursery and yield tests planted. The wheat crop and our
plots generally looked excellent with the spring green-up through to
heading. In fact, as the wheat was heading, many crop reports
optimistically predicted the best soft wheat crop in years in much of the
"corn belt" region. Within a matter of days, however, the picture changed
drastically. Light showers, unseasonably warm temperatures, and high
humidity, while much of the wheat crop was flowering, caused a veritable
explosion of Fusarium head scab in much of the area of southern Ohio,
Kentucky, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri. Levels of head
scab were higher than ever seen before, destroying many fields, and severely
damaging most other fields. The damage to the crop was further compounded
by Septoria nodorum glume blotch, bacterial leaf blight, leaf rust, and the
abnormal heat and drought that pushed the crop to early maturity as well.
The resulting crop was of very poor quality, and farmers received little for
the grain in the worst areas, if they were able to sell it at all. In more
northern parts of the soft wheat region, the crop was much better, though
still adversely affected by moderate scab, other diseases, and the short,
hot growing season.
Selection and Yield Testing. The extreme levels of head scab rendered
most of our yield and selection nurseries nearly useless in the southern
part of our testing region, however, we did collect some interesting
information on cultivar reaction to the head scab. While the level of scab
infection in soft wheat is almost entirely due to environmental conditions,
and the soft wheat is almost entirely due to environmental conditions, and
the maturity of specific cultivars at the time of infection, there did
appear to be some slight differences in tolerance to the disease within
maturity groups.
The following table contains yield data and scores for head scab ranked by
heading date, as noted for our commercial test, entries grown at our Ft.
Branch, IN, test location.
Scab Scores and Grain Yields of Commercial Cultivars Ranked by Heading Date
Scab Heading Grain
Cultivar Score Date Yield
(1-9)* (bu/ac)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Auburn 6.0 129.0 41.6
Cardinal 7.0 127.0 53.9
2510 7.0 127.0 51.7
Becker 5.5 126.0 37.1
Dynasty 3.5 126.0 25.9
2545 5.0 125.0 40.3
2550 5.0 124.0 38.6
Caldwell 4.0 123.5 28.8
2551 4.5 123.5 29.9
Pacer 4.5 123.0 36.2
Wakefield 5.5 123.0 50.2
2548 5.0 121.5 38.0
2555 2.0 121.0 37.2
Madison 4.0 119.5 55.1
Twain 4.5 119.5 54.0
Clark 4.5 119.0 45.5
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
* 9 = no symptoms, 1 = severe symptoms
New Releases. In August of 1991, Pioneer released two new Soft Red
Winter wheats and a new Soft White Winter wheat for fall 1992 sales.
Pioneer cultivar "2510" is an awnless, late maturity Soft Red Winter wheat,
with outstanding yield potential and disease resistance. It has shown an
average 4% yield advantage over 2548 the last 4 years in the soft wheat
region, with greater advantages in the northern portion of the region.
Pioneer cultivar "2545" is also an awnless Soft Red Winter wheat, with
medium maturity, winterhardiness, and an excellent yield potential. It has
averaged about a 1% yield advantage over 2548 the last 4 years, but is less
adapted to areas in the south due to its high vernalization requirement.
Pioneer cultivar "2737W" is an awnless Soft White Winter wheat which is much
earlier maturity than other white wheats sold in the region. At about 7
days earlier maturity, 2737W has shown average 14% and 17% yield advantages
over Augusta and Frankenmuth, respectively, the last 5 years.
-------------------------
St. Mathews, SC - Benjamin E. Edge and Phil L. Shields
The 1990-91 Season. Excessive rainfall was the over-riding
environmental influence in the 1990-91 wheat growing season in the
southeastern U.S. Wet weather caused problems in planting with waterlogged
soils during the season, delayed top-dressing, and created ideal conditions
for disease development.
We saw considerable amounts of leaf rust and powdery mildew on wheat
along the East Coast. Lines with the Lr26 and Pm8 genes associated with
1B/1R were widely susceptible in this area for the first time. Leaf
blights, particularly tan spot and Septoria nodorum, were very severe. The
diseases and wet weather during grain fill and harvest led to very low test
weights. Southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, which were
drier than other areas, had respectable yields and test weights.
We initiated a leaf blight screening nursery for our elite yield test.
The results of the study are reported below for the commercial cultivars in
the test. The predominant pathogen present was tan spot. We inoculated two
replications of headrows with wheat straw from the previous season. Pioneer
2548 and 2510 had the highest level of resistance at the juvenile stage;
while Florida 302, Coker 916, and Coker 9766, had resistance equal to 2548
and 2510 at the adult plant stage.
Tan Spot Resistance Scores
Cultivar Juvenile Plant Adult Plant
Name Score* Score*
--------------------------------------------------
2510 8.0 6.5
2548 7.0 6.5
2555 5.5 6.0
Coker 916 5.0 6.5
Coker 983 5.0 4.0
Coker 9766 6.0 6.5
Florida 302 6.0 7.0
Florida 303 5.0 5.0
--------------------------------------------------
* 9 = no symptoms, 1 = severe symptoms
The mid-South area suffered from excess water from planting to harvest.
Some fields were essentially drowned, and much acreage just did not get
planted. Bacterial leaf blight reached epidemic levels under these
conditions, and Septoria tritici added to the problem. Then, after
flowering, Fusarium head scab destroyed most of the yield potential
remaining. Farmers had a difficult time selling their wheat due to the low
test weights and toxin concerns.
Selection Nursery. All of the disease pressure actually made for a
productive selection season. Despite heavy infection levels, our F2 nursery
contained some very promising material, and F3 headrows for 1991-92 will be
at a new high for us of 53,000 rows. Our mini-plot observation nursery for
the F4 and F5 generations worked very well, and our F6 numbers for 1991-92
will be up. We feel this should help feed our yield testing program, where
numbers will be down due to the severe disease pressure this year. Our
biggest concern is that early maturity provided a distinct yield advantage
this year, whereas, it may not be desirable for wide adaptation in most
years. Therefore, we have retained some later-maturing lines that performed
well at our northern testing locations.
Equipment. We installed a cell counter on our mini-plot planter, which
makes it much easier to calibrate plot length. For our headrow trays, we
built metal racks that can be loaded onto a truck as a unit, eliminating
some of the lifting work and much of the wear and tear on the trays. We
tried drip irrigation in our greenhouse, but we had more success with weekly
soakings by spray nozzles.
Personnel. Mark Jumper and Bob Williamson joined our staff as
technicians during the latter part of 1990. Mark has experience in metal
fabrication, and Bob was a farmer and seed salesman before joining Pioneer.
-------------------------
Frouville, France, Guy Dorlencourt, Robert Marchand, and Quitterie
Vanderpol
The 1990-91 Season. Normal January conditions were followed by a very cold
February with snow -17o for a three-day period following moderate frosts.
Good winterhardiness observations were made at our test locations.
Precipitation remained well below normal overall, and this was the third
successive year of moisture deficits. However, cool temperatures and some
timely rain around flowering helped the crop through. The main nursery was
planted at Frouville, with additional test locations at Reims, Peronne, and
Beauvais. Yields were good in most parts of France, with an average of 7
tons/hectare. While yields in southern France were above the 1990 harvest,
in northern France early-maturing varieties were adversely affected by
temperatures of -8o on April 28, and frost also occurred at anthesis. Under
these conditions, the late-maturing lines, Apollo, Thesee, and Soissons,
performed very well, while Recital (early) was 10% lower in yield. Powdery
mildew (Erysiphe graminis) was present at a high level and provided a good
screening. In contrast, the levels of stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis) and
Septoria were below normal.
Hybrid Wheat. Fifteen yield trials of 30 entries each were conducted.
Entries were selected on the basis of preliminary test performance and/or
productability with the chemical hybridizing agent. With the season
favoring late-maturing varieties, the yield advantage of the top hybrids was
slightly lower than in previous years, ranging from 9-16 percent above the
top check cultivars. Each year, we evaluate the top five lines from each of
our germplasm pools for per se yield performance. The mean yields in our
1991 experiment were as follows:
Germplasm Pool Mean Yield (qu/ha) %
-------------------------------------------------------
1. France 92.8 100
2. U.K. 89.8 97
3. Pioneer (U.S.) 88.0 95
4. Northern Europe 87.6 94
5. Eastern Europe 84.7 91
6. Mediterranean 79.4 86
-------------------------------------------------------
Varietal Development. The elite test was grown at four locations, and
the overall mean yield was 88.1 quintals/hectare (CV. 5.0%). Apollo was the
top-yielding check, with a mean yield of 100.2 qu/ha compared with 97.5,
92.8, and 88.3 qu/ha for Soissons, Thesee, and Recital, respectively. Three
top-yielding Pioneer lines are currently undergoing seed purification and
increase for registration. Three generations per year of single seed
descent have been achieved on specifically targeted crosses. The program is
also developing lines targeted for the U.K. and northern Europe; and the
seed purification and increase program in France is handling lines for
registration in other EC countries.
-------------------------
Sevilla, Spain: Jose-Maria Urbano, Ian Edwards, Maximiliano Hidalgo and
Manuel Peinado
Spring Wheat Varietal Development. The elite spring wheat variety test
was grown at 6 locations and had a mean yield of 43.7 qu/ha (CV 8.1%). The
top-yielding variety, RBI0104, outyielded the top check (Cartaya) by 11% and
Anza by 21%. It is currently undergoing seed purification and increase.
Two new spring wheats passed first year registration. They are:
ESTERO -A Hard White dwarf wheat of very high baking quality. In five years
of testing, it has
outyielded Yecora rojo by 10% and has better resistance to leaf rust,
powdery mildew, and Septoria. It is 4 days later-maturing as a result of
better leaf survival.
MULERO -A HRS wheat with broad adaptability. It has a 4% yield advantage
over Anza in northern Spain and a3% yield advantage over Cartaya in southern
Spain, with superior test weight and good overall disease resistance.
Winter Wheat Varietal Development. Testing is conducted at four
locations in northern Spain. One location, Huesca, could not be planted in
1990-91. Our program in France supports the winter wheat testing, and
Pioneer HRW wheats are also evaluated. Our first winter wheat was
registered in Spain in 1991:
TRENTO - A HRW wheat that has undergone five years of testing in Spain. Its
yield is equivalent to the top check cultivars, but Trento has superior
milling and baking quality. It will save on the transportation of quality
wheat to northern Spain and will command a premium price.
Durum Wheat Development. A program to develop spring and facultative
wheats for the Mediterranean region is underway, and the first products from
this program are yield-tested in 1991-92. The durum wheat acreage in Spain
has increased in recent years.
Hybrid Wheat. Three hybrid yield tests were grown during 1990-91, and
12 hybrid production blocks were used to produce new and advanced hybrids
for testing. The elite hybrid test was grown at three locations and
produced a mean yield of 35.5 quintals/hectare (CV 8.7%). There was a
relatively narrow bracketing of yields from 31.6 qu/ha (Yecora rojo check)
to 40.5 qu/ha (hybrid RHL0026). The top 5 hybrids out-yielded the check
mean (Cartaya, Anza, Yecora rojo) by 12-18 percent. High parent heterosis
in the top hybrid was 11%.
New Varieties. Three new varieties entered first year registration in
1991-92. Trueno is a HRW wheat with short straw and resistance to powdery
mildew. Mercero and Usero are HRS wheats with resistance to Septoria and
powdery mildew; both have a significant yield advantage over Anza in
northern Spain.
Our program in Spain is now producing varieties for several countries, and
these lines are at various stages of registration and seed multiplication.
The program has benefited from conducting two full breeding cycles per year.
-------------------------
Sissa (Parna), Italy - Mauro Tanzi
Three durum wheat and three bread wheat experiments were conducted at four
locations in Italy during 1990-91. In the advanced durum trial, the leading
experimental line outyielded the top check, Appio, by 10%. Yield advantages
of up to 12% above Appio were obtained in the preliminary tests. Our
French and Spanish durum programs are currently supporting our efforts in
Italy, and seed purification and multiplication is being undertaken at the
present time.
-------------------------
Parndorf, Austria - Gunther Reichenberger
Our program in Austria is focussed primarily on the quality and milling
wheat markets, although a limited number of winter durum wheats are
evaluated. In 1990-91 two yield tests were grown. Six new lines were
indentified with yield advantages over the check cultivars, Perlo and
Expert, of 6-13 percent. Quality classes in Austria are very clearly
defined based upon the wet gluten and gluten-swelling tests. The SDS
sedimentation test can be used as a quick screen to eliminate poor quality
feed wheats. Percent protein is assigned a low level of importance in the
official tests.
Three new wheat varieties completed first year registration in Austria in
1991. They were: PGL0144 and PVM0007 (bread wheats) and FDJ003 (a durum
wheat). They are in second year registration tests in 1991-92.
-------------------------
Woodland, California: Adam Young and Ian Edwards
Selection Nursery. 5,000 headrows comprising of winter and spring wheats
(F4-F6) were grown during 1991. The selected lines were shipped to Spain
for introgression into our program. Segregating populations of HRW and HRS
wheats (F2/F3) were grown, and selected bulks were targeted for France and
Spain.
Single Replicate Yield Test. A single replicate yield test was grown
consisting of 510 entries in 17 sets of 30 lines each, including 3 checks,
arranged in a nested design. Selection within each set was based upon the
check mean.
Yield Tests. Advanced spring and winter wheat yield tests were grown side-
by-side. The mean yield of the spring and winter wheat tests were 79.9 and
85.2 quintals/hectare, respectively, and average heading date was ten days
later in the winter wheat test. Among the spring wheats, key pedigrees have
emerged that have performed very well in both the Sacramento Valley of
California and in Andalucia, Spain. Two varieties, RBI0104 and RBI0161,
completed two years in the California State Trials. Both are Hard White
Spring wheats. Both have performed very well, with RBI0104 being the top-
yielding variety in the Sacramento Valley over two years of testing.
RBI0161 was also one of the varieties least affected by Russian Wheat,
Aphid. Seed of both lines is being increased for release in California. We
are also increasing Estero (ex. Spain and Woodland) for release, since it
has the potential to replace significant Yecora Rojo acreage.
Hybrid Production. Eight hybrid production blocks were grown, and the
females were treated with CHA. Hybrids exceeding 90% seed purity have been
routed to Spain for evaluation in 1992.
-------------------------
TRIO RESEARCH INC.
James A. Wilson - Wichita, KS
A decision has been made to seek the establishment of parent stocks of
singlecross hybrids on farms in the southern plains region prior to the
marketing of hybrid seed. This decision is based on the economic
requirements for the production of hybrid seed. Isolation could be obtained
more easily for the production of male sterile seed and hybrid seed. The
male sterile seed would be produced in the areas where the B line is
established and the hybrid seed in areas where the R line is established.
This demands that the characteristics that led to superior yield performance
be fixed in the inbreds. Currently, we have identified very high yielding R
lines that could be used as cultivars. At the present time no R lines have
been utilized alone in field grain production in the U.S. With lines
established on the basis of their own production merits, a hybrid seed
production contract with growers should be readily accomplished with a fair
and equitable contract for both parties. Farm use of the parent stocks will
be arranged under grower contract agreements.
We have increased the number of crosses involving white wheat parents
and were able to start our first increase of a HWW selection made in the
breeding nursery this year. We are utilizing modified backcrossing to
increase the gene frequency for white kernels in the segregating
populations.
We are continuing with the development of red winter wheats having soft
and hard endosperm. Intercrossing the hard red and soft red classes has
been emphasized over the years and some potentially successful lines have
been derived that carry genetic traits from both classes. Lines having
standard hard endosperm are now available that have a soft wheat parent.
-------------------------
WEIBULL
J. P. Jossett, E. Menager, S. Martinon, Semonville - Poinville, France
Jo. Jonsson, I. Happstadius, P. Henriksson - Landskrona, Sweden
The national 1991 yield average reached 6 800 kg/ha on an area of about
4,800,000 hectares accounting for a total production of 32.6 million tons.
Leading cultivars were Soissons, Thesee, Apollo, Recital, Scipion, Festival,
Sleipner, Baroudeur, Campremy, Arminda. All these cultivars are of winter
or semi-winter type insofar as there is practically no more true spring
wheat grown in France.
Our winter wheat `Sleipner' which has been successful in a number of
European countries is now stable in France, being multiplied on about 2,500
ha for seed production.
A new winter wheat `Champetre' was released in the fall of 1991. It is
high yielding, medium-early, has good levels of disease resistance and
acceptable quality for French bread making. Preliminary tests tend to
demonstrate that it also possesses some resistance to W S B M V. Breeders
seed and certified seed is under production. Two new cultivars not yet
named were entered into the first year of official trials. For the third
year in succession, the season has been hot and dry with the exception of a
cold spell during the period april 15 - May 15 - June was also cool and wet
until the 22nd. The summer was hot and dry from July through September.
Although later than in the exceptional years of 1990 and 1989, the harvest
was on the early side with excellent conditions prevailing from the
beginning up to the end. There was less penalty than usual from diseases.
The cooperation between the various Weibull's stations in Europe has been
reinforced and shuttle breeding with the Southern hemisphere intensified to
accelerate our facultative wheat program.
A joint program, involving Sweden, France and Chile is described below.
The two wheat breeding teams, at the Resistance Breeding Department at
W. Weibull AB in Sweden and at the Station de Selection Weibull in France,
cooperate very closely in a project with the objectives to introduce new
resistance genes into high yielding winter wheat adapted for France.
The initial resistance breeding work has been focused on resistance
genes against mildew (Erysiphe graminis), yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis)
and leaf rust (Piccinia recondita). Resistance sources originating from
China, Ethiopia, South America and old cultivars from France and Scandinavia
have been used against mildew and leaf rust. Minor genes with incomplete
resistance at adult plant stage and no expression at seedling stage have
been used against yellow rust. Major genes with overall resistance to
yellow rust or genes with very strong expression at adult plant stage have
been avoided as this type of resistance by experience is less durable
against yellow rust.
The resistance genes were first transferred by back-crossing from the
original low yielding and unadapted sources, to high yielding Scandinavian
spring wheat lines of good baking quality. Intercrossing resulted in spring
wheat lines with resistance to several diseases and hopefully oligogenic
resistance to each pathogen. These lines were used as crossing parents when
the resistance genes finally were transferred to French winter wheat. Two
or three backcrosses with high yielding French winter wheat lines resulted
in populations with interesting variation and with reasonable chances to
find plants of good agronomic type with resistance were made at the 2-3 leaf
stage in F2 in glasshouse in Sweden. Further selections for adult plant
resistance to yellow and leaf rust were made in field plots in France.
The most advanced lines from this crossing program have now advanced to
preliminary and advanced yield trials in France. Simultaneously with yield
and quality evaluation in France the lines are tested with key races of
mildew and leaf rust at 2-3 leaf stage in Sweden for evaluation of the
resistance gene combination in each line. After evaluation and further
selection the lines will continue the breeding scheme in France, hopefully
to a final variety and/or be included in new crossing blocks in the winter
wheat breeding program in France and/or be recycled in the Swedish crossing
program.
A shuttle-breeding program has been organized and carried out for the
first time in 1991 between Sweden, Chile and France, to accelerate the
breeding project described above and improve the selection especially for
adult plant resistance to yellow rust and leaf rust. F1 and F2 are grown in
glasshouse in Sweden. F2 plants are harvested in June and sent to Chile for
planting in June/July. The F3 plant progeny plots grown in Chile are
evaluated for agronomic type and diseases and the best F3 lines are
harvested. The harvest is finished in the end of January and the F4 plots
are sown in France in the middle of February. The F4 plots are later than
normal because of late sowing but ripen early enough to produce a good grain
yield for the next year preliminary yield trial planted in normal time in
France.
A new F3 generation will be send to Chile in June 1992. The trial
field is located close to San Carlos and are carried out in an excellent way
by ANASAC in Chile.
-------------------------
WESTERN PLANT BREEDERS
Dale Clark*, Craig Cook, Amy Baroch - Bozeman, MT; Kim Shantz*, Michael
DeVries - Tempe, AZ
Western Plant Breeders has recently been acquired by Barkley Seed Company of
Yuma, AZ. The Barkley Seed Company is a major exporter of wheat and barley
seed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Western Plant Breeders is now a wholly
owned subsidiary of Barkley Seed. The northern research and business office
will remain in Bozeman, MT and the southern research office will remain in
Tempe, AZ.
Research will continue on developing superior inbreds of durum, soft white
winter, soft white spring, and hard red spring wheat for the Pacific
Northwest, the Southwest Desert, and the Central Valleys of California.
Our most recent release for California, WestBred Express, performed very
well last year in the Sacramento Valley under large scale testing. The
grain quality of WestBred Express is superior to that of locally grown Anza
and Yolo and is currently being sought after by the local milling
industries.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM ARGENTINA
Institute of Biological Resources - INTA - Castelar and Cathedra of
Genetics, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Buenos Aires
M. L. Appendino and G. M. Petez Camargo
Heterotic expression in reconstituted euploids of Chinese Spring
Reconstituted euploid of wheat can be obtained after crossing
reciprocal balanced Nulli-Tetrasomics (i.e., Nulli 1A-Tetra 1B and Nulli 1B-
Tetra 1A). Reciprocal Chinese Spring Nulli-Tetrasomics belonging to
chromosome groups 1 and 7 were crossed in order to obtain the six
reconstituted euploids. After cytological analysis, 2n=42 plants from the
six reconstituted euploid were compared in a field experiment to normal
euploid Chinese Spring and the six Nulli-Tetrasomics of chromosome groups 1
and 7. Ear emergence time and plant height were measured. Precocity and
tallness are always associated to heterotic expression in wheat. Here
Heterotic expression is considered when the reconstituted euploid are
earlier and taller than normal euploid Chinese Spring and the corresponding
Nulli-Tetrasomics. Strikingly heterotic expression was observed for every
reconstituted euploid for plant height and ear-emergence time (Table 1).
Table 1. Ear emergence time and plant height for reconstituted
euploid, normal euploid and parent Nulli-Tetrasomics of
Chinese Spring (CS).
Nulli-Tetrasomics
Reciprocal CS (eup) Reconstituted (Parents)
Nulli-Tetraso- Normal var. vs CS euploids vs
mics crosses Heading time Pl. Height Heading time Pl. Height
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1A-1B/1B-1A +* - ns -* +*
1A-1D/1D-1A + ns -* - ns +*
1B-1D/1D-1B +* -* -* +*
7A-7B/7B-7A + ns -* - ns +*
7A-7D/7D-7A +* -* -* +*
7B-7D/7D-7B + ns - ns - ns + ns
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Since no phenotypic variation associated to mayor genes like disease
reaction, spike morphology or awn characteristics, were observed, the
phenotypic expression of reconstituted euploid could be associated to minor
changes in the DNA, producing little variation in gene expression (Flavell,
et al., 1988) or a similar process.
-------------------------
L. Bullrich, N. Zelener, M. Argeaga, G. Tranquilli, M. Appendino, G.
Perez Camargo and E. Suarez
Dosage effect of Rht1 and Rht2 on plant height in wheat
Hormones like gibberellins associate to particular "active sites" in
the cell in order to effect their bilogical action. In wheat probably such
"active sites" are in excess of those needed for the normal amount of
gibberellins produced naturally by the cells, since variable response is
observed when gibberellic acid is added.
However genotypes carrying Rht1, Rht2, kRht3 and Rht10 show no response
(or very little) to gibberellic acid addition. From the previous situation
it can be suspected that these Rht alleles, known to be actives, are
responsible for the production of molecules that in some way interfere with
the normal response to gibberellic acid, probably by blocking a number of
"active sites" in the cells.
Reduced plant height is always observed when Rht1 or Rht2 is
incorporated into different backgrounds and also a recessive (or near
recessive) effect is mentioned for plant height and a dominant (or near
dominant) effect for gibberellic acid response.
The behaviour of Rht genotypes and pleiotropic opposite expressions can
be explained by considering those free "active sites" mentioned previously.
Thus the effect of one Rht allele (like in a monohybrid F1) is partially
matched by the free "active sites", producing little plant height reduction
(about 5% observed in different experiments) and little response to the
addition of gibberellic acid.
On the other hand when more than one Rht allele is present a further
plant height reduction is observed, but in this case the plant height
reduction is approximately 15% for every Rht1 or Rht2 allele added.
(percentage of plant height reduction is referred always to original
genotype plant height without any Rht allele).
Based on this assumption, the expected and observed plant height for
different allelic dosage belong to different experiments are shown in Table
1.
Table 1. Expected and observed plant height for various Rht
allelic dosage in different field experiments.
Rht Allelic # of Plant height (cm)
Exp. Line or Cross Dosage plants Expected Observed Diff.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maringa(Mar) 0 27 -- 100.77 --
MarxMar Rht1 1 48 95.73 93.36 2.37
Mar Rht1;Mar Rht2
I MarxMar Rht1+2 2 95 80.62 82.90 -2.29
Mar Rht1xMar Rht2
Mar Rht1xMar Rht1+2 3 46 65.50 63.38 2.12
Mar Rht2xMar Rht1+2
Mar Rht1+2 4 26 50.38 53.55 -3.17
Maringa x Pampa 0 -- 105.00 -- --
INTA (without Rht)
Maringa x Pampa 1 25 99.75 98.04 1.71
INTA (Rht2)
II Mar Rht1xPampa INTA
Mar Rht2xPampa I NTA 2 50 84.00 87.88 -3.88
Mar Rht1+2 Pampa INTA 3 23 68.25 62.6 5.65
Maringa 0 48 -- 127.5 --
III Mar Rht1 2 96 101.38 103.46 -2.08
Mar Rht2
Mar Rht1+2 4 48 63.75 56.33 7.42
Maringa 0 48 -- 108.17 --
Mar Rht1 2 96 86.54 87.78 -1.24
IV Mar Rht2
Mar Rht1+2 4 48 54.08 48.29 5.79
Maringa
Mar Sib Rht1 0 120 -- 113.54 --
Mar Sib Rht2
V Mar Rht1 2 80 90.83 89.45 1.38
Mar Rht2
Mar Rht1+2 4 40 56.77 59.10 -2.33
Maringa 0 13 -- 105.15 --
Mar Rht1 2 25 84.12 89.17 -5.05
VI Mar Rht2
Mar Rht1+2 4 10 52.58 51.34 1.24
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------
G. Tranquilli and E. Suarez
Allelic dosage effect on host-pathogen interaction
Using Sinvalocho M. A. (carrying probably an allelic form of Lr3),
Chinese Spring (susceptible and three clones of Puccinia recondita differing
in virulent allelic dosage for the corresponding Sinvalocho M. allele, the
following seedling raction were observed when confronted both organisms.
Corresponding Pathogen Genotype
Clone 20 Clone 66 New Clone
Line/Cross Genotype Po Po Po po po po
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese Spring A1 A1 1 1 1
CS (eupl)
(CS x Sinvalocho) Ao A1 0 1 1
F1 (Sin)
Sin Mono 6B Ao - 0 1 1
Sin (euploid) Ao Ao 0 0 1
Sin (Tetra 6 B) AoAoAoAo 0 0 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 = Compatible interaction 0 = Incompatible interaction
A clear example of seedling resistance obtained by increasing allelic
dosage can be observed for every clone. Clone 20 shows phenotypic reaction
change when Ao doses increase form 0 to 1. Clone 66 shows phenotypic
reaction change when Ao doses increase from 1 to 2. New Clone shows
phenotypic reactijon change when Ao doses increase from 2 to 4 (probably
also from 2 to 3). The last interaction is very interesting, since the only
way the pathogen can overcome the incompatible interaction is by additioning
a new gene with virulent alleles corresponding to Ao.
-------------------------
G. Tranquilli and E. Suarez
Preferential Chromosome Pairing in Wheat
Trisomics derived crossing tetrasomics of a variety by normal disomics
of another variety has proven very buseful material for analyzing
preferential chromosome pairing, when markets are included.
Preferential pairing strength allows to understand the basic mechanisms
associated to pairing and recombination.
Three chromosomes have been evaluated through this methodology,
including one case showing different chromosome estructure (1RS/1BL-1B) and
2 cases showing similar or near identical chromosome estructure (1A and 6B).
Chromosome 1B: Very clear preferential pairing was observed for this
combination. Test was performed by crossing Chinese Spring tetrasomic 1B by
Cruz Alta INTA (1RS/1BL). The trisomic "F1" so obtained showed 2n=43
chromosomes and only 4 satellite chromosomes since 1RS/1BL does not express
its satellite in wheat background. Backcrossing by Chinese Spring previous
trisomic and analyzing chromosome and satellite number in the progeny
preferential pairing can be tested. (Table 1).
Table 1. Chromosome and satellite number at first backcross for 1B
chromosome
Chromosome Number
2 n = 42 ChiSq(1:2) 2 n = 43 ChiSq(2:1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chromosome with
satellites 3 4 4 5
Number of
individuals 6 40 8.5** 17 0 8.5*8
------------------------------------------------------------------------
**: P < 0.01
Chromosome 1A. Test was performed by crossing Chinese Spring
tetrasomic 1A by Chul (resistant by Erysiphe graminis of Argentinian
population). Trisomic "F1" (resistant phenotype) was backcrossed by euploid
Chinese Spring. B1 shoed a clear result implying preferential pairing only
for disomic plants (Table 2). On the other hand when increased homozygous
was achieved in successive backcrosses to euploid Chinese Sprring of "F1"
like plants, preferential pairing was eliminated in most families. No
hypothesis has been advanced in order to explain the absence of preferential
pairing among trisomic individuals.
Table 2. Chromosome number and powdery mildew reaction progenies
B1-B3 and B4 for chromosome 1A.
Chromosome Number
2 n = 42 ChiSq(2:1) 2 n = 43 ChiSq(1:2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Powdery mildew reaction S R S R
Backcross 1 83 14 16.6** 13 34 0.7 ns
Backcrosses 2 and 3 121 36 7.6** 34 74 0.2 ns
(3 progenies)
Backcrosses 3 and 4 203 97 0.1 ns 56 89 0.8 ns
(4 progenies)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
**: P < 0.01
Chromosome 6B. Using alternatively Chinese Spring tetrasomic 6B or
Sinvalocho M. A. tetrasomic 6B and crossing by Sinvalocho M. A. or Chinese
Spring, respectively, both reciprocal "F1" trisomics were obtained. First
backcrosses were derived crossing by Sinvalocho M. A. in both cases.
The gene marker from Sinvalocho M. A. is probably al allele of Lr3
showing resistance to Argentinian clone 66 or Puccinia recondita.
Expression of this allele shows dosage effect. Thus 1 doses shows
compatible reaction, while 2 or more doses show incompatible reaction in any
allelic combination.
Table 3 shows the results obtained when B1 are analyzed, implying a
clear reciprocal preferential pairing.
Table 3. Chromosome number and rust reaction for reciprocal
progenies B1 for chromosome 6B.
Chromosome Number
2n = 42 2n = 43
Rust Reaction S R ChiSq S R ChiSq *1:2)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Backcross
(CS T6B x Sinv.) x Sinv. 106 8 (2:1)=35.5** 3 35 11.1**
(Sinv. T6B x CS) x Sinv. 4 22 (1:2)=3.7* 1? 8 -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
*: P < 0.06
**: P < 0.01
-------------------------
M. Artgeaga and L. Bullrich
Pleiotropic Expressions in different Environments
Recombinant lines for chromosomes 2D from Mara (Ppd1-Rht8-Yr16) and
Cappelle Desprez (ppd1-rht8-Yr16) on Cappelle Desprez background, were
evaluated for autumn and spring or early and late sowing time at Cambridge,
England (Worland and Law, 1986) and Castelar, Argentina (1990-1991).
Primary or main effects of Ppd1 vs ppd1 genotypes showed bigger
differences for ear-emergence time at Castelar after both sowing times
(Table 1).
Plant height differences between Rht8 and rht8 genotypes were similar
at both localities after early sowing. Late sowing showed no differences at
Castelar, while at Cambridge they were similar to autumn sowing (Table 1).
Yr16 vs yr16 differences were observed only at Cambridge. Puccinia
striiformis does not affect wheat at Castelar latitud, however heavy
infection of P. recondita and P. gramins was observed.
Pleiotropic or secondary effects showed a very different expression at
both localities. Thus at Castelar ear-emergbence time was shortened for
about 8 days by Rht8 alleles only in Ppd1 genotypes, after late sowing
(Table 1), while no effects was observed at Cambridge.
Plant height was reduced by Ppd1 after both sowing time at Cambridge.
Strikingly autumn sowing at Castelar showed a clear opposite effect of Ppd1
on plant height (Table 1). Even this contrasting result could be more
evident if one genotype (Ppd1- rht8- Yr16) is not considered at Castelar
experiment, where it showed an abnormally ? short phenotype:
Table 1. Primary or main and pleiotropic effects for 2D
recombinant genotypes
Ear Emergence time (days) Plant height (cm)
Cambridge(1) Castelar(2) Cambridge) Castelar
Genotypes Early Late Early Late Early Late Early Late
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ppd1 vs ppd1 -5 -3 -23 -12 -4.5 -2.2 +4.9(3) -(6)
Rht8 vs rht8 - - - -8(4) -9 -9 -6.7(5) -
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) : 52deg NL
(2) : 34deg SL
(3)and 5) : Eliminating Ppd1- rht8- Yr16 abnormal(?)phenotypes
the differences are +11.2 and -9.5, respectively
(4) : Expressed only among Ppd1 genotypes
(6) : Non significant differences.
-------------------------
L. Bullrich and N. Zelener
Artificial and Natural Aging Effects on Seed
Germinability and Chromosome Damage
Artificial aging using combinations of temperature and seed moisture
content during different periods has been considered as equivalent to
natural seed aging process.
In wheat natural seed aging is always associated to chromosome damage
at early stages of the process. Chromosome damage are expressed at
anaphase, metaphase or interphase (micronuclei). It shows a steady increase
for 1 or 2 years once initiated, occurring finally the embryo dead.
However, contrary to the previous process, when seeds are subjected to
different artificial aging processes, no chromosomal damage occurs although
germinability decrease drastically at the beginning of the treatments.
Results shown in Table 1 suggest that both processes are not based on the
same physiological phenomena and consequently are not comparable.
Table 1. Artificial and Natural Aging Effects in Wheat
Artificial Aging Natural Aging
(Average of different treatments (Average of different varieties
and varieties) and 2 harvest times)
Germinability and Micronuclei Germinability and Micronuclei
(Percentages) (Percentages)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial 24 day 52 days Initial 42 months
98.25 < 1 87.00 <1 86.12 <2 98.25 <1 84.20 22.29
----------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------
Ruth A. Heinz, Mariana Del Vas, Laura C. Moratinos H. Esteban Hopp*.
Molecular Biology Institute-CICV-INTA-Castelar
Host pathogen specific cDNA clones from wheat leaves infected with leaf
rust. The interaction between Triticum aestivum and Puccinia recondita
tritici provides an excellent model to analyze specific relationships due to
the well established knowledge on the involved genes in the context of
genetically related genotypes of both host and pathogen. A criss-cross
host-pathogen interaction system has been developed in which wheat lines
with very homogeneous genetic backgrounds carry genes that react
differentially with closely related clones of P. recondita tritici.
We have previously shown an association between synthesis of
polypeptides and specific interactions in wheat seedlings infected with
these characterized pathogenic races of wheat rust Eight day old seedlings
grown in hydroponia were inoculated with spores or solely with talc
(controls) in humid chambers. Messenger RNA was isolated towards the third
day of the infection process and checked by translation using a commercial
rabbit lysate.
A cDNA clone likely involved in race specific induction was detected
from mRNA of Gamma 1R inoculated with F0(1)pathogen race. It is induced in
both Gamma 1R and Sinvalocho plants inoculated with this pathogen race. This
result confirms the induction of race specific mRNAs detected in in vitro
translation experiments which was previously reported (Annual Wheat
Newsletter 35 (1991): 35.
-------------------------
F.Salvagiotti, S.E.Beas and R.H.Maich; Facultad de Ciencias
Agropecuarias (UNC), Cordoba
Relationship between seed size and response to selection in segregating
populations of wheat
Mechanical classification of seeds have the finality to procure
material, from a physiological point of view, suitable to produce vigorous
seedlings; however, doesn't imply to increase the efficiency of visual
selection when we work with segregating populations. A F(2) bulk of seeds
was classified using a 2.5 mm diameter sieve in three classes: larger,
intermediate and lesser. During 1989 the material was grown in two sowing
dates. From each experimental unit a F(2) plant was selected, wich progeny
(F(2:3)) was evaluated for grain yield in 1990 in three dates of seeding
without replication per date. Only sowing date had a significant effect on
efficiency of visual selection, where the progenies of the plant selected in
june (normal) produced higher grain yield than those selected in may. The
non-significant yield differences between F(2:3) lines, whose F(2) plants
were originated from seed with different size indicate that mechanical
classification of seeds before sowing was not beneficial in increasing the
genetic progress.
-------------------------
R.H.Maich, N.C.Guzman, C.A.Ripoll and G.A.Manera; Facultad de Ciencias
Agropecuarias (UNC)
Alternative strategies of recurrent selection for grain yield in wheat.
Studies were conducted to measure the efficiency of three recurrent
selection strategies in wheat in one cycle of selection. During 1986 83 F(1)
or S(0) progenies were evaluated (P(0)), the best fifteen progenies were
selected and intermated to constitute P(1)filial population. In 1987, the
F(2) or S(1) progenies product of selfing the correspondingly and above
mentioned 83 S(0) were tested, twelve of them were selected and intercrossed
to constitute P(4) filial population. During 1988 and 1989 (summer crop)
nearly four handred F(2:3) or S(1:2) lines selected from each one of the 83
segregating populations were grown, the best 20 lines were intercrossed to
constitute P(6) filial population. During 1989, 160 S(0) progenies (a random
sample of 40 per population) were evaluated, in 1990 the same was performed
testing the S(1) progenies. Significant differences between mean values of
population samples were found, after one cycle of recurrent
selection the response was 23.9% (P(1)), 25.4% (P(4)) and 4.9% (P(6)).
Selection for earweight during S(0) progenies evaluation was an effective
method for increasing the yield of the base population.
-------------------------
G.A.Manera, E.Yanacon and R.H.Maich; Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias
(UNC)
Influence of selection environment x length of biological cycle
Interactions on genetic progress in wheat. The efficiency of selection is
also affected by environmental conditions (EC). The objective of this study
was to determine the effect of EC on the genetic progress in segregating
populations of wheat with different biological cycles (BC). During 1988, two
groups of six wheat F(2) populations each one (short and long-season
materials) were cultivated in three locations (Ferreyra-CE, Ordonez-ON and
Casilda-CA). One plant was selected from each plot. In 1990, the yield of
F(2:4) lines was tested at CE, Marcos Juarez and CA. There was abundant
evidence of EC x BC interactions. Significant differences were found between
long-season lines selected under different EC, where the highest yield lines
were selected under optimal EC (ON and CA). Even though there were not
significant differences between short-season lines, those lines selected
under marginal EC (CE) showed a highest yield performance.
-------------------------
R.H.Maich, J.Casati, R.Rold n and G.A.Manera; Facultad de Ciencias
Agropecuarias (UNC), Cordoba, Argentina.
The effect of spatial arrangement and seeding rate on response to
Selection in wheat and barley
To determine the effects of plant density (25, 50 and 100 seeds/m(2)
and spatial arrangament (equidistance: 10x10, 15x15 and 20x20, and rows:
5x20, 10x20 and 10x40 cm within and between rows respectively) on gain from
selection for yield, four wheat and two barley F(2) populations were
cultivated during 1989 under the above mentionated environmental conditions.
From each experimental unit a plant was selected, wich progeny (F(2:3)) was
evaluated during 1990 in one-row plots in four sowing dates. Significant
species x density and species x spatial arrangament interactions existed for
grain yield. In wheat, the highest response to selection was obtained
selecting under equidistance and with 25 seeds/m(2); on the other hand, in
barley, that aim was achieved selecting in rows and with a density of 50
seeds/m(2). The efficiency of phenotypic selection depended on biological
characteristics of the material as well as of the environment conditions
under they were selected.
-------------------------
W.Londero, J.C.Funes and R.H.Maich; Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias
(UNC)
Relationship between grid characteristics and genetic progress in wheat
The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between
grain yield of F(3:4) lines of wheat and the agricultural characteristics of
the grids from wich the correspondingly F(3) plants were selected. During
1989 a bulk of F(3) seeds was cultivated on an area of 900 m(2). It was
subdivided in 80 grids characterized through the final plant population,
height and yield. A plant was selected from each grid. In 1990, in three
sowing dates, two groups (superior and inferior) of 13 F(3:4) lines each one
were tested. The classification of the lines were performed on the basis of
the agronomical characteristics of the grids from wich they derived.
Significant differences (10%) were found between groups of lines, where the
material selected from agronomically inferior grids yielded more than those
superior ones. The data suggest may be merit in the characerizing the field
after gridding if we would improve the mass selection efficiency.
-------------------------
J.C.Miranda, M.J.Miarka, D.Bonelli and R.H.Maich; Facultad de Ciencias
Agropecuarias (UNC)
Selection during early generations under interspecific and intergeneric
competition conditions in bread wheat
Studies were conducted to measure the effect of competition on the
response to selection in segregating populations of bread wheat (Triticum
aestivum L.). Two F(2) populations of bread wheat were grown in alternated
rows with others of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) and barley (Hordeum
vulgare L.). The materials were cultivated during 1989 in two sowing dates.
From each experimental unit a plant was selected. During 1990 the F(2:3)
lines of bread wheat were evaluated for grain yield in one-row plots and in
three sowing dates. The selection under intergeneric competition conditions
affected significantly and negatively the efficiency of selection. On the
other hand, there were not significant differences between means of the
material selected under intraspecific and interspecific competition
conditions; even though the material selected under intraspecific
competition conditions performed better. The phenotypic superior plants
selected under intergeneric or interspecific competition conditions were not
necessarely so from an agronomic point of view when tested under
intraspecific competition conditions in the corresponding progeny tests.
-------------------------
O.Pagani, M.Canovas, A.Glade and R.H.Maich; Facultad de Ciencias
Agropecuarias (UNC)
Indirect selection for grain yield in wheat
The objective of the present work was to measure the response to
indirect selection for grain yield using the harvest index (HI) and
earweight (PSP) as selection criteria. In 1988, 437 F(2:3) lines of wheat
were evaluated through HI and PSP. Two groups (superior and inferior) of ten
lines from each selection criteria were performed, each one constituted in
similar proportion by material with different biological cycles (BC). During
1990 in three sowing dates, 40 F(2:5) lines were evaluated. No significant
differences between superior and inferior group means were observed;
however, as a consequence of a significant biological cycle x group
interactions a statistical analysis of variance was conducted according to
the BC of the materials. Significant differences were observed in the short-
season material when HI was used as indirect selection criteria.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM AUSTRALIA
NEW SOUTH WALES
CSIRO Grain Quality Research Laboratory (formerly Wheat Research Unit)
Division of Plant Industry, P.O. Box 7, North Ryde, NSW 2113 (Sydney)
C.W. Wrigley, F. MacRitchie, I.L. Batey, J.H. Skerritt, J.L.
Andrews, M.L. Bason, F. Bekes, P.W. Gras, R. Gupta, A.S.Hill, S.
Rahman, J.A. Ronalds
The name of the Wheat Research Unit has been changed to Grain Quality
Research Laboratory, to reflect a wider interest in grain research extending
beyond wheat. Nevertheless, the Laboratory's major accent is on quality
aspects relating to wheat processing and providing an understanding of this
in chemical and genetic terms. These results have provided a sound basis
for devising more efficient tests for grain quality to use in breeding and
at grain receival during the harvest.
Improved testing of wheat quality at receival. In Australia,
evaluation of wheat quality on receival at the silo depends mainly on
testing for protein content and checking variety specification, having first
established that the grain is plump, sound and largely free of contaminants.
Recent introduction of payment for protein content has focused attention on
the need for accuracy in this aspect of silo-based testing. All aspects of
this task have been thoroughly reviewed for all states in a collaborative
project undertaken with the Bread Research Institute at the request of the
Wheat Research Council. The resulting report provides recommendations on
improving procedures at many stages of the process, including sampling,
calibration of protein testing (NIR) instruments, through to auditing of
performance. Separate publications focus on problems of calibration of
near infrared instruments, possibilities for further evaluation of baking
quality with this technique, and prospects for genetic improvement in
protein accumulation.
More efficient methods of identifying wheat grain according to variety
have been developed, and passed on to user laboratories where they are now
in use. These include rapid electrophoresis in small gel cassettes (being
manufactured as the Micrograd range by Gradipore Ltd, Sydney),
high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of grain proteins, and
software (Patmatch) to provide automatic identification of HPLC profiles.
A further software program (WhatWheat) assists in choosing the most
efficient approach to a particular problem of identification.
More efficient analysis for pesticide residues. In response to the
need for more careful monitoring of the use of grain protectants, we are
developing a series of test kits that will provide more efficient testing
for the presence of the major insecticides on Australia's grain crop.
Rapid-test versions of these kits are designed for on-the-spot field use
(e.g. at the silo and export terminal), while the lab-test versions will
permit quantitative analysis of large numbers of samples.
The development of these tests has involved the production of specific
antibodies to pesticide-protein conjugates, evaluation of sensitivity and
specificity, streamlining of the test procedure and checking for adequate
stability of all reagents.
A commercialisation agreement has been signed with Millipore Australia
Pty Ltd to facilitate the final development, manufacture and marketing
(world wide) of kits as part of the Millipore Corporation's EnviroGard
range. This will ensure that the results of this research are promptly
available to the grain industry. The initial set of kits from this
agreement will provide test methods for fenitrothion, chlorpyrifos-methyl
and pirimiphos-methyl. Tests for other grain protectants and agrochemicals
are in the process of development.
Antibody-based tests for wheat quality. In addition to its use for
pesticide analysis, antibody technology is proving valuable in screening for
aspects of wheat quality. The first of these test methods, now being made
available to Australian wheat breeders for evaluation, provides prediction
of dough strength based on the reaction of a wheatmeal extract with
antibodies that bind selectively to key glutenin proteins. Further
quality-evaluation procedures being developed, based on antibody reaction,
include detection of grain-softness protein and of rye proteins,
localisation of specific endosperm components and identification of
homologies between groups of endosperm proteins. Many aspects of this work
have been covered in a provisional patent.
Gluten chemistry and processing quality. Studies of gluten in
relation to processing quality have also concentrated on molecular aspects.
Attention has focused on the polypeptides of glutenin, the portion of gluten
that forms large disulfide-bonded aggregates. An improved method was
devised for studying the degree of aggregation of the gluten proteins, based
on size exclusion HPLC and the application of this approach to predicting
dough properties. This degree of aggregative interaction appears to be
determined by the allelic composition of high- and low-molecular-weight
(HMW, LMW) glutenin subunits and the ratio of HMW to LMW subunits. An
improved one-step method of electrophoretic analysis and a software program
have facilitated attempts to rank individual HMW and LMW alleles to permit
better prediction of dough properties in breeding. This information has
been passed on to breeders at conferences, has been implemented in some
breeding programs, is being used in the Unit's antibody-based testing, and
is being used to overcome dough-stickiness problems arising from the use of
wheat-rye translocation lines in breeding.
Additional studies have included chemical and genetic characterisation
of certain high-molecular-weight albumin proteins (mainly beta-amylases),
and detailed analysis of the amino acid sequences of gliadins 42 and 45
whose presence correlates with pasta-making quality in durum wheat.
Identification of polypeptides correlating with dough strength has led
to the isolation of the corresponding genes. Clones for HMW glutenin
subunits have been used as probes in developing a test system, based on
restriction fragment
length polymorphisms (RFLP), to permit breeders to predict dough strength
potential of a seedling based on the analysis of leaf DNA.
Direct-drive micro Mixograph. While these biochemical tests are
proving to have predictive value, direct testing of dough properties is
needed for definitive evaluation of new breeding lines or for isolated flour
fractions. The direct-drive Mixograph is proving capable of providing such
information as this (the reasons for its development). The first batch of
two-gram Mixographs is being manufactured under licence by TMCO-National
Manufacturing (Nebraska), holders of the Mixograph trade mark. Interaction
with breeders has shown that the Mixograph can be used to select for dough
properties as early as the second and third generations after an initial
cross, with high heritability for properties such as time to mixing peak and
rate of breakdown.
The two-gram and 35-g models have been tested in parallel with large
commercial mixers to demonstrate the relevance of the small-scale testing
and to evaluate the new software for analysing the full range of mixing
curves.
Starch properties and wheat quality. The Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA),
originally developed to detect rain damage in wheat, is also being used to
evaluate starch properties suited to noodle-making quality. In parallel,
the structure of starches of contrasting quality is being examined to
further understand the chemical basis of noodle quality. The amylose
content of starch from good noodle-making wheats was 22%. However, other
aspects of starch structure must also be involved, since not all starches
with this amylose content come from wheats suited to noodle manufacture.
Chemical markers of grain hardness. Study of a 15,000-dalton
polypeptide from starch granules has led to the elucidation of an amino-acid
sequence that may relate to a major gene for grain softness. However, this
sequence appears to also be prominent in protein extracted from the
endosperm of hard wheats. An RFLP test, developed from a DNA clone
relating to this sequence, has been shown to distinguish between hard and
soft isogenic lines. Antibodies have also been used extensively in this
project to distinguish between members of the family of 15,000-dalton
peptides and to examine their homologies to gluten proteins.
-------------------------
B. Ballantyne, J. Fisher, A. Khan, L. Penrose
NSW Agriculture, Agricultural Research Institute, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650
1991 Season. The drought affecting Queensland and Northern NSW did not
severely affect southern NSW. Opening rains were unusually late, but
permitted seeding by late May in most areas. Above average rainfall in
winter, with a cool though dry spring, enabled achievement of average grain
yields in the main wheat belt in southern NSW. However yields were more
variable than usual, very high yields (>8t/ha) were achieved in some trials
in the eastern part of the wheat belt and in irrigated trials, in the
western wheat belt some sites only averaged 0.4 t/ha.
Diseases were not important in 1991, with very little stripe rust and
little Septoria tritici following delayed sowing times. Sowings of winter
wheats were restricted by the late break to the season.
Sowings of wheat were considerably down in acreage, independently of
the season, due to depressed wheat prices. Recent improvements in varieties
of Canola was also a factor.
Wheat breeding. Delayed sowing time restricted representative
assessment of wheats suited to early sowings. Truly early sown trials were
restricted to irrigated areas. Selection for rust resistance was also
restricted by seasonal conditions, though some Septoria developed in
nurseries.
Rosella was the highest yielding cultivar in early sown trials in 1991.
This agrees with the results of previous trials. Rosella is a soft white
winter wheat, in 1990 13% of the wheat in silogroup 4 and 24% of the wheat
in silogroup 5 was
Rosella. Unfortunately Rosella is susceptible to the Sr30 attacking
pathotype of P. graminis, so it needs to be replaced before this pathotype
becomes more common.
In the mid/late sown trial series, the Queensland variety Janz was the
highest yielding cultivar. In 1991, Dollarbird was about 3% lower yielding
than Janz, however in trials since 1988 these two varieties have the same
average yield. Dollarbird has good tolerance to acid soils, and performs
well in the eastern part of the wheat belt. It has not perform as well at
sites where there is severe moisture stress during grain filling, K1939 has
the same pattern of adaptation.
At sites with severe moisture stress, the varieties which perform
relatively better are Kiata and Sunbird. Both these varieties are derived
from Condor. Vulcan is still the most popular variety for mid/late sowing,
but it is being displaced by Janz and Dollarbird.
Release of Shrike. The quick maturing winter cultivar Shrike (formerly
M3856) was released for commercial sowings in 1991 as a replacement for
Osprey. Shrike has Sr26 conferring resistance to all P. graminis pathotypes
in Australia, and is now the only recommended main season winter cultivar in
NSW with resistance to the Sr30 attacking pathotype. Shrike has adult plant
resistance to P. striiformis and P. recondida, and is moderately resistant
to Septoria tritici and flagsmut. Shrike is about 3 days earlier than
Osprey with 1% higher yield overall, and 2% more yield than Osprey in silo
group 3 west, its main areas of adaptation.
Advanced crossbreds. K1939 (NS732/Pima//K2023). Mainseason hard
grained white wheat. Similar maturity to Dollarbird, good acid soils
tolerance, resistant to stripe and stem rusts. There is no consensus on the
acceptability of it's grain quality, a semi-commercial scale pilot milling
is planned to clarify the issue.
WW1203 (Cleo-Inia/Sundor). Mainseason hard grained white wheat,
suitable for Australian Standard White grade. Excellent resistance to
Septoria tritici blotch, resistant to stripe and stem rusts. Shorter
stronger straw than alternative cultivars. Expected to have an advantage in
higher rainfall and irrigation environments, it has however performed well
over all environments.
WW879 (Condor/3Ag14//Romany/4189). Mainseason hard grained white
wheat. Good resistance to Septoria tritici blotch, resistant to stripe and
stem rusts. Short straw, moderate acid soils tolerance. It's performance
has been variable, there are some regions where it appears to be well
adapted, however it's future will depend on whether we are able to identify
the reason for this apparent adaptation. It has desirable grain qualities
for this region.
-------------------------
L. Penrose
Evaluation of winter habit. Selection for both spring and winter
habits is undertaken at the ARI. Winter habit permits early sowings of
wheat in Autumn, with greater flexibility than is possible with photoperiod
sensitive spring wheats. Early sowings are frequently possible following
March/April rain from tropical airmasses, before the arrival of temperate
air masses from the south-west. Early sowings enhance flexibility of
farming operations, and may also provide higher yield potential.
A research project has been undertaken to quantify degree of winter
habit in local cultivars and breeding material, and its control of
development in conjunction with effects of photoperiod and intrinsic rate of
development. Cultivars with winter habit suitable for general sowings in
the main wheat belt in NSW have been developed relatively recently (first
being cvs. Osprey and Quarrion in 1983), and configuration of developmental
controls in maximising yield has not been thoroughly explored.
Publication
Penrose LDJ, Martin RH & Landers CF. (1991). Measurement of response to
vernalization in Australian wheats with winter habit. Euphytica 57,9-17.
-------------------------
The University of Sydney, Plant Breeding Institute
Plant Pathology, Sydney and PBI, Cobbitty
D. Backhouse, J. Bell, G.N. Brown, L.W. Burgess, N.L. Darvey, R.A.
McIntosh, J.D. Oates, R.F. Park, J.Roake, P.J. Sharp, D. The, C.R.
Wellings.
Professor D.R. Marshall has taken up the appointment of Professor of
Plant Breeding and Director of the Plant Breeding Institute. His office is
located at the main campus in Sydney. Settling in at Cobbitty is proving to
be a long process. Many of the greenhouse rooms for research are still to
be assembled and some problems continue to affect the control systems of
those that are operating. Unreliable rust infections were overcome by
changing the potting mix. It appears that the spent mushroom compost that
was being used as a component, had very high pH.
Due to resistant cultivars in more rust-prone areas and drought
conditions over much of eastern Australia during the second half of the 1991
wheat season, stem rust on wheat and triticale reached historically low
levels. Less than 10 samples were received for the entire country. Leaf
rust also occurred at low levels, the main pathotypes being 104-2,3,6,(7),11
and 104-1,2,3,6,7,11. These Lr16-virulent forms now occur throughout the
country. Lr16 is not present in any current or recent Australian cultivar.
Early reports of natural infections of stripe rust came from research
centres in northern N.S.W., but dry conditions precluded significant spread
to more resistant commercial crops. Stripe rust was more widespread in the
south and losses, if any, were restricted to more susceptible cultivars.
Pt. 104 E137 A- continued to prevail, but Yr6 virulence was recovered from
border areas of N.S.W. and Victoria, indicating localized carryover from the
previous season. For future surveys we have adopted Kalyansona and
Federation*4/Kavkaz as replacement genotypes for Heines VII (Yr2) and
Clement (Yr9) and have added Selkirk (unnamed gene) and a VPM1 derivative
(Yr17) as bearers of genes not present in the previous survey set. A line
with Yr15 will be added in 1992.
A second P. recondita pathotype with avirulence for Lr22b in Thatcher
has been identified. Pt. 64-11 was first isolated in Queensland in 1990.
It appears to have no relationship with 53-1,6,(7),10,11 which is also
avirulent for Lr22b. Multipathotype adult plant tests of Thatcher and
various near-isogenic derivatives established that we have pathogenic
variability for Lr12 and Lr3ka. Isolates identified as pathotypes 104-
2,3,5,6,(7),11 and 104-1,2,3,5,6,(7),11 recorded as virulent on seedlings of
Klein Titan (Lr3ka) in 1990 proved virulent on adult plants of Tc + Lr3ka,
but were avirulent on Tc + Lr13. From other studies we concluded that Klein
Titan carries at least Lr3ka and Lr13. These results confirmed that
combinations of Lr13 and genes such as Lr1, Lr2a alleles, Lr3 and Lr14a will
continue to provide resistance in Australia.
Further work has confirmed the presence of two adult plant resistance
genes in Hartog (= Pavon 'S') and the close genetic association of Lr34 and
Yr18. Attempts to locate the chromosome bearing the second complementary
gene comprising the "Avocet" resistance to stripe rust were unsuccessful.
Yr15 mapped in chromosome 1BS about 10 units from the centromere; it readily
recombines with Yr10. Genetic studies of adult plant stripe rust resistance
in several Australian wheats, using selections of Avocet as susceptible
parents, indicated 2-5 genes depending on the particular cross. We are now
attempting to isolate genes segregating at single loci from F3-F4
populations. The behaviour of these genes will be studied in intercrosses
and later, they will be subjected to monosomic analysis using a set of
monosomic stocks currently being produced in a highly susceptible Avocet
selection.
Funding for the international collaborative wheat rust program was
terminated in June 1991. Some testing of SSD lines developed for the
genetic studies is continuing. Some studies have been initiated to follow
up on findings and research papers reporting results are in preparation.
More than 14,000 lines were screened for Australian wheat breeders as
part of the National Wheat Rust Control Program. One hundred advanced lines
and 12 controls were entered in the Disease Progress
Nursery which was subjected to multipathotype and multilocation rust
tests and also screened for response to several additional diseases and
stresses.
Screening of Australian lines for anther culture response indicated an
amenability to culture among materials from the Queensland Wheat Research
Institute (particularly Hartog derivatives and their F1 hybrids), Waite
Agricultural Research Institute and sprouting-resistant lines N72-72 and
AUS1490 from the I. A. Watson Wheat Research Centre. Among triticales,
Juanillo was particularly responsive and gave many green regenerants. Using
a membrane raft technique for ease of transfer, a 2,4-D and Kinetin medium
was very effective for the first induction phase (14 days) which was
followed by the use of IBA and Zeatin. Direct regeneration of embryoids
into plants then occurred on the membrane.
The dual-purpose triticale cultivar "Madonna" was released in 1991.
In 1991 the tan spot resistance breeding program moved to Cobbitty, enabling
seedling screening of early generation material. F2 populations using Fink
and Vicam as resistant parents were screened in 1991 with BC1F2 crosses to
be screened in 1992. Drought conditions precluded field surveys and
screening of advanced lines.
-------------------------
I. A. Watson Wheat Research Centre, Narrabri
L. O'Brien, F.W. Ellison, R.M. Trethowan, D.J. Mares, S.G. Moore and
A.B. Pattison
Seasonal conditions: A protracted dry spell from January to April
demanded nursery areas to be pre-irrigated in order that winter and long
season wheats could be planted at the correct time. Flights of plague
locusts in April and early May "ate-off" early planted nurseries.
Irrigation revived them, only for further locust flights to arrive and
finish them off. All of these nurseries had to be replanted after their
optimum time. Substantial rains in late May interrupted planting operations.
Regular rains in June and July allowed frequent but limited planting
opportunities. Planting was not completed until late July.
From early August until mid-December, low rainfall demanded that all
nursery areas be regularly irrigated to promote growth and enable single
plant selection for height and straw strength. Stripe rust developed on
infection rows in late July but failed to move through the nursery areas
despite irrigation. Heavy rains in mid-December followed by overcast and
showery conditions resulted in sprouting damage to all materials still to be
harvested. Some material will have to be replanted from residue seed.
Recent releases: Growers who purchased Sunbri in 1991 were pleased
with its performance in the dry season. Yields were above expectation and
grain was mostly prime hard quality. Miskle continued to perform well in
mid-season plantings. It has been reselected for homogeneity of its stem
rust resistance genes (Sr13 + Sr30) and rapid seed increase will allow a re-
release in 1993.
Advanced lines: SUN155C (Cook//Lr28/Combination III) which had been
approved for registration will be released early in 1994. Seed production
was interrupted because of the discovery of segregation for degrees of
stripe rust resistance. All plants possessed resistance to stripe rust, but
varied in the amount of sporulation. Plants with the Cook level of adult
plant resistance were selected and these will form the basis of the seed to
be released for commercial production.
Advanced lines with potential prime hard quality characteristics
include SUN146F, SUN148L and SUN231A. Two promising lines with shorter
dough-mixing times and dough strength suited to the domestic market are
SUN190A and SUN231A. Two long season lines, SUN224A and SUN225A, are
showing promise for early plantings (April-early May).
Pure seed production: The delay in pure seed production of SUN155C
will be minimised using summer generations combined with winter increases in
1992 and 1993. This should result in more than 20,000 bags being available
for commercial plantings in 1994, only one year later than originally
planned.
Sprouting tolerance: Research on sprouting tolerance is now being
directed at the factors involved in the development, expression, chromosomal
location and inheritance of dormancy. The accumulation of à-amylase in some
wheat lines during grain ripening is also a problem under investigation.
This phenomenon is associated with grain samples of sound appearance but
unacceptably low falling numbers and has been identified in germplasm from
most Australian breeding programs.
Biochemical and molecular markers are being developed for the selection
of important characteristics, especially environmentally mediated traits
such as dormancy and late maturity à-amylase production.
Root and crown diseases: Screening of advanced lines for tolerance to
crown rot (Fusarium) and root lesion nematode (RLN) continued in 1991.
Surveys for RLN in northern N.S.W. suggested that the nematode is more
widespread than previously realised. Studies on environmental factors
influencing nematode populations, and interactions between nematodes and
other root pathogens are underway.
-------------------------
QUEENSLAND
Queensland Wheat Research Institute, Toowoomba
G.B. Wildermuth and R.B. McNamara
Crown rot. Incidence and severity of crown rot caused by Fusarium
graminearum Group 1 was less in 1991 than in 1990. Whilst incidence
decreased from 45 to 32% in a tillage and stubble treatment experiment, the
incidence of deadheads was reduced from 24 to 10%. The winter season of
1991 was an extremely dry one even in the early part of
the season. For this reason, infection by F. graminearum was lower and
incidence of deadheads also lower than in the previous year.
Cultivar resistance is the most desirable means of controlling crown
rot although crop rotation is also practised. Eleven of the thirteen
cultivars recommended for planting in Queensland in 1991, are susceptible to
the disease. Lines with partial resistance to crown rot have been
identified and one of the aims of the breeding program is to incorporate
this resistance into adapted cultivars. One hindrance to breeding for
resistance has been the screening method. Previously, lines and cultivars
have been screened by growing plants to maturity in the field and rating
these plants for severity of the disease. This procedure would be time
consuming and tedious in a breeding program. A seedling technique has been
developed to overcome this problem. Plants are grown in inoculated soil for
21 days at 25degC and the leaf sheaths of leaves 1, 2 and 3 examined for
severity of browning. The correlation between the rating of leaf sheaths 1,
2 and an index of susceptibility based on field experiments was significant
(r=0.78). It is hoped that use of screening for resistance with seedlings
will enable faster progress to be made in breeding for resistance to this
disease.
Common root rot. Incidence and severity of common root rot caused by
Bipolaris sorokiniana was similar to the levels of previous seasons.
Incorporation of resistance into adapted cultivars in association with Dr P.
Brennan is continuing. The most advanced crosses are in the preliminary
stages of yield evaluation.
-------------------------
P.S. Brennan, J.A. Sheppard, L.R. Mason, R.W. Uebergang, M.L. Fiske.
I.C. Haak and P.I. Hocroft
Wheat Breeding
Season. The 1991 wheat growing season coincided with an extremely
severe drought. Planting intentions were well below average due to low
wheat price expectation. The drought reduced planting options dramatically
and an undefined portion of the crop was cut for hay to feed drought
affected cattle and sheep. The net result was a harvest roughly 10% of that
obtained in 1990.
Varietal release. The variety Batavia was released in September
1991. This variety was derived from the cross between the CIMMYT line
Brochis's' and Banks. Batavia has high yield and excellent straw strength
from Brochis and very good quality (high milling extraction, low flour
colour grade and long dough extensibility) from Banks.
The poor seasonal conditions reduced seed multiplication to less than
half the target.
In 1992 three lines will be considered for release. QT5360 developed
in collaboration with Dr Rees is discussed elsewhere. QT4636 is an awnless
Hartog type (Jarral/Gamut//4*Hartog). Jarral/Gamut (QT2338) was used as a
source of awnlessness to produce a variety that, in the event of crop
failure, would be more acceptable for stock feed. This line also has a
higher level of yellow spot resistance than the recurrent parent Hartog
which must be derived from QT2338. The possibility that the gene(s) for
yellow spot resistance are linked to one of the genes for awnlessness should
be investigated.
The third line, QT4336, is very high yielding and is derived from the
cross Brochis's'/Hartog.
RFLP tagging of genes for high protein
Research Activities. Five crosses involving the low protein achiever
Hartog and putative high protein achievers (QT2200-20, Laura, Atlas 66
derivative, Plainsman V derivative, Cunningham) have been produced. About
100 random inbred lines from each cross are being generated using single
seed descent.
The use of pollination with maize coupled with 2,4-D treatment to
generate haploids, is being investigated. Seed sets range from 1 to 5%. A
number of options will be explored to produce higher seed sets.
The object of the study is to determine the protein content and RFLP
profile for each random inbred line to identify RFLPs closely linked to
gene(s) for high protein.
This project is being carried out in conjunction with Dr P.J. Sharp,
Sydney University.
-------------------------
R.G. Rees, P.S. Brennan, G.J. Platz and K.C.M. Blaikie
Resistance to Pyrenophora tritici-repentis. Severe drought for much of
the 1991 winter crop season greatly reduced crops and yellow or tan spot was
not a problem.
The backcrossing program to incorporate resistance to P. tritici-
repentis into adapted cultivars continued. Resistance sources such as Vicam
71, Fink 'S', Red Chief and lines from CIMMYT nurseries such as Fourth
Aluminium Screening Nursery entry 29 (single plant selection) are being
used. Recurrent parents are popular adapted cultivars or advanced lines
from the Queensland wheat breeding program. Resistant lines based on Hartog
performed best in yield evaluation trials, largely reflecting the high
yielding ability of Hartog under our conditions. One Vicam/3*Hartog line
(QT5360) again performed well in evaluation trials at 18 sites with an
average yield advantage over Hartog of about 4%. Seed has been increased
and this line is to be considered for release in 1992.
In a greenhouse trial, the massive effects of yellow spot on root
development measured previously were confirmed. Severe yellow spot
throughout the plant life reduced root weight by 76% while weight of plant
tops and grain yield were reduced by 43 and 62% respectively.
-------------------------
ITEM FROM BANGLADESH
Research Progress on alien variation into Bandladeshi Wheat
M. Azhar Hossain, M. Bahadur Meah, Alya Momotaz, Pear Mohammad, N.
Pezaul Hag, H. Imam Akand, Dept. of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Bangladesh
Agricultural University, Mymemsingh, Department of Plant Pathology
Bangladesh is basically a tropical rice producing country. The
cultivation of wheat in Bangladesh started in mid seventies and it is
estimated that 1.02 million metric tons of wheat have been produced on
560,000 ha of land in 1990 (BBS, 1990). By now, wheat has become the second
important cereal crop in Bangladesh. This is due to wide acceptability of
wheat for "Route" and the short time span required for its cultivation.
Except for some legume and brassica crops, no other cash crops could be
cultivated with residual moisture. Generally, wheat is cultivated after the
harvest of "Amam" and when the land is kept fallow. Farmers want to plant
wheat as an additional cereal crop. With the passage of time, the yield of
wheat has increased with the increase in total wheat cultivation area.
However, further expansion of wheat production areas has suddenly ceased due
to leaf blight disease and unusual sterility. It has been estimated, based
on various prevailing environmental conditions, that the leaf blight disease
alone can reduce yield from 25% to 40% (Dr. Saunders, personal
communication). The combinations of both sterility and leaf blight disease
further reduce the yield. Presently, it is thought that boron deficiency in
the wheat might be one of the factors for sterility. Application of boron
has increased grain setting (Dr. Jahiruddin, personal communication).
However, more complicated factors might be involved in failure of grain
setting. Rerkasem et al., (1989) reported that boron application in wheat
improved the grain setting in Thailand. However, thorough and comprehensive
research is going on this aspects. A three year's period will help to
clarify the causes of sterility.
Since leaf blight is a major and a very devastating disease in many
tropical wheat producing countries such as Thailand, Nepal, Pakistan,
Brazil, Zambia and the Eastern part of India, search for leaf blight
resistance genes in wheat was made. A few hundred promising wheat cultivars
were tested against the pathogen in several seasons at their various growth
stages. None was found to possess resistance. This is in confirmation with
Dr. Lapis of Philippines who could not get a single wheat cultivar resistant
to this pathogen after screening 40,000 wheats. This has necessitated the
introduction of alien leaf blight resistance gene(s) into Bangladeshi
wheats. The most important and available accessions of all the species of
Triticeae under Triticinae and Hordeinae listed by Feldman and Sears (1981),
Kimber and Sears (1987), and Kimber and Feldman (1987) including various
wheat-secale, wheat-Agropyron, wheat-umbellulatum and wheat-Haynaldia
addition lines were screened at their various growth stage both in
controlled and natural environmental conditions for 3 to 5 growing seasons.
Only T. tauschii, T. ventricosum and A. elongatum showed tolerant reactions.
Fifteen accessions of Boro Rice (Oryza sativa L., 2n=24) were also tested
against the pathogen. Three accessions were resistant. The most powerful
and useful resistance gene source was found in Haynaldia villosa syn.
Dasypyrum villosum. Three accessions of H. villosa, originally kindly
supplied by the late E. R. Sears, showed a unique resistant reaction from
seedling to mature stage both in controlled and natural conditions.
However, wide genetic variation for disease reaction among the species
listed by those authors has been found in various growth stages and
environmental conditions. (Hossain, in preparation). Also, except for the
3 Hv. addition line, the remaining six wheat-Haynaldia addition lines were
tested. Except for the wheat-7 Hv addition line, all other five addition
lines were susceptible to leaf blight disease indicating that the resistant
gene(s) is located in chromosome 7 of H. villosa. Some wheat-7 Hv. addition
plants displayed chimeral behavior for disease reaction. The critical arm
of 7 Hv. might be lost due to mis-division of centromere. The six wheat-
Haynaldia addition lines were karyotype analyzed by C-banding (Hossain,
1985). Since wheat-3 Hv. addition is not available at the present time, its
karyotype was made from the C-banded karyotype of H. villosa perpared from
its root tip and comparison was made with addition lines and finally 3 Hv.
was sorted out. The C-banded karyotype of H. villosa is as follows:
1 Hv. is a heterobrachial chromosome. The short arm possesses a faint
terminal band. The nucleolar band is also faint. The long arm possesses a
prominent heavy terminal band. Occasionally , an interstitial very faint
band is found in the middle of the long arm in some preparations. 2 Hv. is
a submedian chromosome with almost equal terminal bands at both arms. A
distinct band is found in close proximity to the centromere of the long arm.
Sometimes a faint band is noticed near the terminal band of the long arm. 3
Hv. is a median type chromosome. The long arm has a more prominent terminal
band than the short arm. 4 Hv. is a submedian chromosome with a distinct
terminal C-band in the short arm than long arm. This arm possesses a faint
terminal band. Occasionally, a massive sub-terminal C-band in the long arm
is noticed. 5 Hv. is the most heterobrachial chromosome in the complement.
The short arm possesses a distinctive terminal C-band and the long arm
possesses a very faint terminal band. In some preparations a prominent C-
band is found in the long arm. 6 Hv. is a second heterobrachial chromosome
with equal amount of terminal bands in both arms. 7 Hv. is a median type
chromosome. The short arm possesses a fainter band than the long arm. One
interstitial band is found in the middle of the short arm. Also, a small
faint band is noticed near the terminal end of the long arm. All the
chromosomes possess distinctive centromeric bands.
Both A. elonogatum and H. villosa were separately crossed to Sears phI
mutant. The amphiploid produced showed tolerant and resistant reactions,
respectively. Meiotic study was made on several wheat-Haynaldia amphiploids
in Sears' ph mutant background. Very poor chromosome pairing was observed
indicating that H. villosa chromosomes might have undergone some
modifications and differentiation during evolution resulting in no further
homoeology retained, or the wrong seed stock used as Sears' ph mutant.
However, a new program has been initiated. Authentic Sears' ph mutants on 5B
and 3D have separately been crossed to H. villosa. The chromosome pairing
behavior in the amphiploids will be studied next season. Alternately, both
5B and 3D mutants have been crossed together to produce homozygous stock for
both loci in a single background. F(1) plants are being selfed for F(2)
seeds.
Three accessions of tritordeums were evaluated for their performances
in Bangladesh. The three accessions produced a segregating population.
The main problem of tritordeum is its male sterility. The early tillers
produced very tiny anthers. Some of the anthers were transformed into
feathery stigmas. These tillers do not produce any seeds at all. However,
late tillers produce normal anthers with viable pollen grains and these
tillers produce 2 to 3 seeds per spike. These tritordeums have been crossed
to local wheats and four triticales to induce translocations among the
chromosomes for wheat, barley and rye through centric fusion. Application
of gibberellic acid following pollination, and embryo culture are the
prerequisites for successful amphiploid production. All tritideums are very
late in flowering and maturity.
-------------------------
Md. Sultan Uddin Bhuiya, Department of Agronomy
Study on Growth Phases and Stages of Wheat
Field experiments were set up at the Bangladesh Agricultural University
farm at Mymemsingh during the rabi season of 1988-89 and 1989-90 to identify
the developmental phases and stages and their duration in five cultivars and
two advanced lines of wheat. Six phases and their durations were:
germination and emergence (0-8 days), tillering (9-43 days), stem elongation
(33-65 days), heading (56 to 75 days), flowering (61-81 days) and grain
formation and ripening (65-115 days). Each of these phases was further sub-
divided into one or more stages depending on morphological characters and
developmental events. Thus, 12 stages under six phases were identified
with their durations which were: emergence (0-8 days), seedling (9-18 days),
crown root (17-29 days), tillering (22-43 days), jointing (33-51 days,
shooting (42-59 days), booting (51-65 days), heading (65-75 days), flowering
(61-88 days), dough (79-98 days) and ripening (92-115 days).
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM BRAZIL
Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Trigo/EMBRAPA, Passo Fundo, RS
C.N.A. de Sousa
Resistance to aluminum toxicity. The resistance to aluminum toxicity is
a general objective in most wheat breeding programs in Brazil because there
are aluminum problem in a great part of all states where this cereal is
grown in Brazil. A nursery has been evaluated every year under field
conditions in soil with aluminum toxicity in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul,
Brazil in order to know the reaction of wheat cutivars. The reaction of the
cultivar is the information of one or more years. The cultivars under
recommendatoin in Brazil in 1991 (more than 100) that presented better
reaction (tolerant) to aluminum toxicity are listed: BH 1146, CEP 19-Jatai,
CEP 21-Campos, IAC 5-Maringa, IAC 18-Xavantes, IAC 21-Iguacu, IAC 27-
Pantaneiro, IAPAR 18-Marumbi, IAPAR 34-Guaraji, Minuano 82, RS 4-Ibiraiaras,
RS 8-Whestphalen, Trigo BR 4, Trigo BR 14, Trigo BR 15, Trigo BR 20-Guato,
Trigo BR 25, Trigo BR 28, Trigo BR 32, Trigo BR 35, Trigo BR 37, Trigo BR
38, Trigo BR 41-Ofaie e Trigo BR 43.
-------------------------
S. D. dos A. Silva, C. N. A. de Sousa and P. L. Scheeren
Screening of wheat cultivars for soilborne wheat mosaic virus. Soilborne
wheat mosaic virus (SWMV) is a disease that causes losses in the yield of
wheat in the State of Rio Grande do Sul in South Brazil. A wheat cultivar
nursery was organized to survey for SWMV resistance in 1991. The nursery
was located in three different places in the experimental area of the
National Research Center for Wheat/EMBRAPA in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do
Sul, Brazil. Although the disease was not important in Passo Fundo in 1991,
there was good infection of SWMV in one of the places. The disease was
severe and widespread in the experimental field in 1990. The cultivars that
presented good reaction to SWMV (resistant or moderately resistant) in 1991
and also in 1990 are listed.
I - Brazilian cultivars that are descendant from Londrina: BR 38, PF
83438, PF 839085, PF 85491, PF 859232, PF 859244, PF 859248, and PF 859255.
II - Other Brazilian cultivars: BR 32, CPAC 8597, IAS 54, IAPAR 6-
Tapejara, PF 79583, PF 8237, PF 83349, PF 839197, PF 84316, PF 84330, PF
858, PF 8545, PF 85119, PF 85130, PF 85137, PF 85159, PF 85161, PF 85175, PF
85229, PF 85235, PF 85363, PF 85434, PF 85631, PF 8619, PF 86236, PF 86238,
PF 86509, PF 86771, Pf 86780, PF 86801, Pf 8722, PF 87107, PF 87949, PF
88490, PF 88501, PF 88521, PF 88543, PF 891, PF 895, PF 897, Pf 8933, PF
8944, and PF 89263.
III - Non-Braqzilian cultivars: Ariano (from Italy), Century (USA),
CPAC 841218 (Mex), IPF 41644 (Mex), IPF 43544 (Mex), IPF 43548 (Mex), IPF
43550 (Mex), IPF 49865 (Mex), IPF 57277 (Mex) and PF 801034 (Mex).
-------------------------
J. C. S. Moreira and C. N. A. de Sousa
1991 Wheat Cultivar Yield Trials in Passo Fundo, Brazil
About 460 wheat genotypes were tested in 22 yield trials in the
National Research Center for Wheat of EMBRAPA in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do
Sul, Brazil, during 1991. The process for releasing a new cultivar in Rio
Grande do Sul, the farthest south state in Brazil, was described in the 1986
Annual Wheat Newsletter, 32:38-39.
The precipitation in August, September and November was inferior to the
normal and the humidity from August to November was also inferior. However,
the year was good for the wheat development. The disease that causes more
damages during the vegetative phase was the leaf rust. The yield in 1991
were superior to that obtained in the year before. Several genotypes
reached yield above 3000 kg/ha.
Trials were carried out in a rotation area (2 years without wheat) and
the fertilizer application was 15 kg/ha N, 65 kg/ha P205, 65 kg/ha K20 and
45 kg/ha N as top-dressing. No fungicide was used in most trials. However,
some trials are conducted in Passo Fundo with and without fungicide in order
to know the reaction of different cultivars.
The best check in 1991 was BR 23 the main cultivar in Rio Grande do Sul
occupying about 350.000 ha (53%) of the wheat area in this state.
Cultivars having outstanding yield in trials carried out in Passo
Fundo-RS are shown below.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CULTIVAR CROSS YIELD (kg/ha) in Passo Fundo
No fungicide With fungicide
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Cultivar State Trial
(22 locals in RS)
BR 35 IAC 5*2/3/CNT 7*3/LD//IAC 5/HADDEN 3581 3918
BR 37 MAZOE/F13279//PELADO MARAU 3512 3940
BR 23-(Check) CC/ALONDRA SIB/3/IAS 54-20/COP//CNT 8 3487 3959
BR 43 PF 833007/JACUI 3472 3967
RS 8-Westphalen CNT 10/BURGAS 2//JACUI 3322 2967
RS 1-FENIX PF 70100/J 15157-69 3294 3867
BR 34 ALZ 110/2/IAS 54//F 5530 3264 3527
BR 38 IAS 55*4/AGENT//IAS 55*4/CI 14123 3163 3816
TRIAL MEAN - 2975 3959
2. South Brazilian Trial
(22 locals in RS)
PF 869120 PF 83743//PF 83182/F 25716 4375 3865
PF 869107 PF 83743//PF 83182/F/25716 4103 4265
PF 87107 ENC/PF 79768//PF 80284 4097 3875
PF 86238 HLN/CNT 7//AMIGO/CNT 7 3986 3985
PF 87103 SL 5200/PAT 7219//TIFTON 3920 3728
PF 87116 ENC/PF 79768//PF 80284 3776 3755
BR 23 (Check) CC/ALD SIB/3/IAS 54-20/COP//CNT 8 3393 4085
TRIAL MEAN 3496 3578
3. Regional Yield Trial
(12 locals in RS)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
CULTIVAR CROSS YIELD (kg/ha)
With fungicide
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PF 88566 AMIGO/JACUI//PF 7673/CANDIOTA 4209
PF 87453 COKER 762/BR 14 4100
CEP 8878 CEP 8057/BUTUI//CEP 8324 4063
PF 88603 TIFTON SEL/PF 79763/3/N BOZU/3*LD//8 7902 3972
PF 889199 PF 839197/5/F 16946/3/N BAY*2//LD*2/ALD SIB/4/F 16955 3911
BR 23 (Check) CC/ALD SIB/3/IAS 54-20/COP//CNT 8 3254
4. Multilocated Preliminar Trials (5 locals with lines
in 2nd year of test)
1st M.P.T.
PF 883188 PF 839278/MNO 82//PF 839278/PF 79547 4175
PF 891 CEP 14/PF 79782//CEP 14 4173
PF 8946 PF 839197/5/F 16946/3/N BAY*2//LD*2//ALD SIB/4/F 16955 4144
PF 892 COKER 762/PF 81172//PF 79782 4117
BR 23 (Check) CC/ALD SIB/3/IAS 54-20/COP//CNT 8 4079
2nd M.P.T.
PF 89142 COKER 762/PF 81172//PF 79782 4916
PF 89292 PF 8515/PF 85271//PF 82252/BR 35 4873
PF 89231 COKER 762/2*PF 79547 4773
PF 89232 CI 14119/2*PF 8237 4725
PF 89230 COKER 762/2*PF 79547 4696
BR 32 (Check) CC/ALD SIB/3/IAS 54-20/COP/CNT 8 4608
5. Preliminar Trials (1st year trials)
Wheat genotypes yielding more than 4000 kg/ha
out of 260 lines, in preliminar trials in Passo
Fundo, 1991
PF 87373 - 4298
PF 89626 PF 79547//AMIGO/PAT 7219 4282
PF 889299 BR 35//COKER 762/IAC 5 4254
PF 9099 PF 82252/BR 35//IA 7998/PF 8550 4017
PF 9078 COKER 762/CEP 82114//BR 14 4015
PF 889300 BR 35//COKER 762/IAC 5 4000
6. 27th International Spring Wheat Yield Trial - CIMMYT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CULTIVAR Origin YIELD (kg/ha)
No fungicide With fungicide
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PVN MEXICO 2978 2953
BR 16 BRASIL 2792 2475
FALKE MEXICO 2511 2875
PAPAGO 86 MEXICO 2473 2462
QUIAN/FENG#2 CHINA 2176 2506
BR 23 (Check) BRASIL 3186 3341
7. 12th Elite Spring Wheat Yield Trial - CIMMYT
FALKE MEXICO 2732 3550
PGO/SERI MEXICO 2682 3573
HE 1/2*CNO 79 MEXICO 2593 2777
PGO/SERI MEXICO 2515 2840
TUI MEXICO 2467 3357
CUMPAS 86 MEXICO 2440 3503
BR 23 (Check) BRASIL 3440 4243
-------------------------
Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Trigo/EMBRAPA, Passo Fundo, RS
P. L. Scheeren, C.N.A. de Sousa, L.de J.A. Del Duca, S.D. dos A. e
Silva, E.P. Gomes, J.F. Sartori, W.I. Linhares, J.C.S. Moreira, J.R.
Salvadori, M.C. Medeiros, J.S. Sobrinho, M.I.B. de Moraes-Fernandez, L.
A. Staudt, V. da R. Caetano
Development of wheat germplasm through the backcross method
Disease and insect resistance. This work is being conducted by a
multidisciplinary team at CNPT/EMBRAPA in Passo fundo since 1975. This
project tries to correct defects of wheat cultivars that show good
adaptation at several wheat regions in Brazil and that require correction of
some problems related to disease or insect resistance or improvement of
agronomic characteristics and industrial quality. Hundreds of backcrosses
are made every year in order to achieve such objectives. The descendants of
these crosses are tested under both field and controlled conditions
(greenhouse, growth chamber, screen house and lab) with artificial
inoculation of diseases and pests. Hundreds of lines bearing desired
characteristics have been produced among which nine (BR 20, BR 24, BR 25, BR
27, BR 35, BR 36, BR 38, BR 41, and BR 42) were released for growing in
different Brazilian wheat regions. Several lines were placed in the Active
Germplasm Bank in Passo Fundo in 1991 and among them there are lines
resistant to rust (Puccinia recondita and Puccinia graminis tritici),
powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis tritici), and/or greenbug (Schizaphis
graminum). Information on some resistances that were incorporated into the
lines descending from the recurrent parents CNT 10, BR 14, BR 35 and CEP 11
is shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Cross, height and resistance in lines obtained through
backcross at CNPR, Passo Fundo, RS.
Resistance (R)
-------------------------
Height P.R. P.g.t. E.g.t. S.g.
Line Cross (cm) (1) (2) (3) (4)
------------------------------------------------------------------
PF969107 PF83743/PF 83182/4/CNT 85 R R R -
10*4//LV*5/AGA/3/DL*4/AGENT
//LD*3/N. BAY
PF869120 PF83743/5/PF 83182/4/CNT 90 R R R -
10*4/LV 5/AGA/LD 84/AGENT
/LD*3N. BAY
PF889268 BR14*4/LD*6/FB 6627 100 R R R -
PF889273 BR14*5/3/BH 1146*6/ALD 95 R R R -
SIB//PAR 214*6/FB 6631
PF889279 BR14*6//LD*6/CI 14123 100 R R R -
PF889283 BR14*5//LD*6/CI 14123 95 - R - R
PF 89349 BR35*3//BR14*2/LARGO 100 - R - R
PF89353 BR35*3//BR14*2/LARGO 100 - R - R
PF89361 BR35*3//BR14*2/LARGO 100 - R - R
PF89364 BR14*3/CI 17959 100 - R - R
PF89374 BR14//JUP73*4/AMIGO SEL 90 - R - R
PF89383 BR14*4/LARGO 100 - R - R
PF89389 BR14*4/LARGO 110 - R - R
PF89396 BR14*4/CI 17959 100 - R - R
PF89411 BR14*3/CI 17959 100 - R - R
PF89422 CNT10*5/ST 1/3/CNT 100 R R R -
10*6//IAS54-21*2/CI14123
PF89427 CEP 11*3/3/BH 1146*2// 105 R R - R
JUP 73*3/AMIGO SEL
PF89468 BR14*4//LD*6/CI 14123 90 - R R -
PF89473 BR14*5//LD*6/CI 14123 100 - R R -
PF89476 BR14*4//LD*6/FB 6629 100 - R R -
* --------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: (1) Puccinia recondita
(2) Puccinia grammis tritici
(3) Erysiphe graminis tritici
(4) Schizaphis graminum
Agronomic characteristics. A study on agronomic characteristics
through the backcross method conducted from 1980 up to now is centered on
getting short lines using the recurrent parents BH 1146, BR 2, NNT 1, CNT 8,
CNT 10, IAC 5-Maringa, and Jacui, better straw in relation to BR 2, IAS 58,
and Jacui, in the incorporation of earliness in CNT 8, CNT 10, and Jacui and
shattering resistance in IAC 5-Maringa. The objectives were realized in
most cases and several lines from this work are now available. The level of
difficulty was higher in relation to the improvement of straw and lower in
relation to the incorporation of earliness. Information on days to heading,
height, and culm diameter of some of the lines and their recurrent parent is
shown in Table 2.
Table 2. Cross, days to heading, height, culm diameter, and
special characteristics of lines obtained through backcross
in relation to the recurrent parent in 1990 at Passo Fundo
Culm
Line/ Days to Height diameter Special
Cultivar Cross heading (cm) (mm) characteristics
--------------------------------------------------------------------
BH 1146 - 99 90 3.50 Recurrent parent
PF 86780 ALD SIB/4*BH1146 101 95 3.57 Good type/spike
PF89313 BH1146*5/H567-71 97 65 3.44 Short
PF89315 MS7851/4*BH1146 99 45 3.44 Dwarf
PF89316 BH1146*5/H567-71 97 70 3.27 Short
BR2 - 101 90 3.02 Recurrent parent
PF89317 ITL/2*BR2 109 90 3.61 Good straw
CNT 1 - 100 100 3.62 Recurrent parent
PF88623 CNT1*3//TETRA/
CM 1577 109 70 2.99 Short
PF89319 CNT1*6/JUP 73 99 55 3.16 Short
CNT 8 - 109 105 3.53 Recurrent parent
PF88629 PF772003//CNT
8*3/SON 64 89 80 3.18 Very early
PF88638 PF772003*2/PF813 101 60 3.16 Short
PF782021 - 113 90 3.43 Recurrent parent
Pf84409 IAS52/SOLO//JUP73/3/
CNT10/4/PF 782021 109 70 3.60 Short
PF8535 CNT10/RC7205//3*
PF 782021 101 70 3.21 Short
PF89324 CNT9*2/PF8614//CNT
10/3/3*PF 782021 89 85 3.21 Very early
IAC 5-
Maringa - 101 - 3.84 Recurrent parent
PF89326 S948A1/SE//3*IAC5 99 60 3.60 Short
PF89327 PF782023*2/MS 7851//
IAC 5/3/PF 782023 99 55 3.85 Short
PF89330 JUP 73/3*IAC 5//3*
PF 782023 99 65 3.58 Short
GD 8840 IAC5/NOBRE//PF
782023 - - - Shat. resistance
GD 88138 IAC5*2/NOBRE//PF
782023 - - - Shat. resistance
IAS 58 - 99 85 3.08 Recurrent parent
PF 8545 FB6632/2*IAS58 101 70 3.50 Good type/spike
PF 8776 ALD SIB/4*IAS 58 107 115 4.35 Good straw
PF 88647 ALD SIB/4*IAS 58 106 85 3.99 Good type
Jacui - 108 100 3.36 Recurrent parent
PF 89333 ITL/2*Jacui 97 90 3.98 Good straw
PF 89334 Jacui*4/CMH
75A-919 112 50 3.24 Dwarf
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: PF 772003 = CNT 8 Cit
PF 782021 = CNT 10 Cit
PF 782023 = IAC 5 Cit
-------------------------
M. I. B. de Moraes-Fernandes
New Brazilian wheat cultivars. Four new wheat cultivars from lines
produced at EMBRAPA (National Research Center for Wheat, in Passo Fundo, Rio
Grande do Sul and UEPAE-Dourados, in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul), were
released for cultivation in 1991.
Cultivar Line Cross State
--------------------------------------------------------------------
BR 40-TUIUCA MS208-84 ANAHUAC 75/HUACAMAYO SIB MS
BR 41-OFAIE GD 833 BH 1146*6/ALONDRA SIB MS
BR 42-NAMBIQUARA PF 85634 JAPATECO 73*5//LAGOA VERMELHA*5/
AGATHA MS
BR 43 PF 853031 PF 833007/JACUI RS
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: MS - Mato Grosso do Sul; RS = Rio Grande do Sul.
All these cultivars have a spring type and erect leaves. BR 40 is short
while the others are intermediate (mid-tall). BR 40, BR 41, and BR 42 are
awned, while BR 43 is awnless. BR 41 and BR 43 are tolerant to soil acidity
(aluminum toxicity) and susceptible to some races of Puccinia recondita
(leaf rust), while BR 40 and 42 are susceptible to soil acidity and
resistant to leaf rust. All of them are resistant to all races of Puccinia
graminis tritici (stem rust) and susceptible to Erysiphe graminis tritici
(powdery mildew), except BR 43, which is moderately resistant to powdery
mildew. BR 43 is the first Brazilian wheat cultivar, released in Brazil,
which was bred through the anther culture method.
-------------------------
Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Trigo/EMBRAPA, Passo Fundo, RS
L.J.A. Del Duca, A.M. Araujo, E.P. Gomes, L.C. Federizzi, J.F.
Philipousky, C.N.A. Souza, S.A. Silva and Pl.L. Scheeren
Evaluating Research Breeding Procedures
A more consistent support to research activities, besides other
favorable aspects, led to self-sufficiency in 1987, and to increased yield
levels for the wheat crop. Among the technologies used the genetic breeding
performed a prominent role, enabling the release of new outstanding
cultivars.
The time, work and economic losses due to a few efficient selection
procedures are very difficult to estimate, but would certainly have a strong
adverse impact in a country with economic difficulties like Brazil. A great
number of references comparing early generations are relevant to compare
homozygous advanced lines from different breeding methodologies.
In order to obtain more efficiency in the selection procedures,
experiments with segregating populations of wheat were conducted over the
1978-87 period, with the objective to determine: a) the effects of natural
selection and environmental factors on the population structure of bulk
crosses; b) the efficiency of different breeding methods to select higher
yielding lines with resistance to diseases and good agronomic
characteristics; c) and the efficiency of early yield tests to identify
populations and subpopulations from which higher yielding lines can be
obtained.
Natural selection on bulk hybrid crosses. Natural selection affects
both genic and genotypic frequencies, acting upon important characters like
grain yield, test weight, plant height, and cycle maturity. This study was
carried out because the competition among genotypes can play a noticeable
role, and the survival of the best agronomic plant types in heterogeneous
bulk populations is not clear under Rio Grande do Sul conditions. The
better knowledge of natural selection action is essential, when bulk methods
and their modifications are contemplated. Five populations were analyzed
for natural selection and the generation effect was not uniform for grain
yield, test weight (TW), kernel weight (KW), plant height, and very early
cycle (PP), early (P), intermediate (PT) and late cycle (T). Natural
selection effect was dependent on the population and parameters analyzed.
In order to obtain a broader interpretation, population means were compared
in only one year (Table 1). There was positive variation by increasing the
generations on grain yield, TW, KW, and P cycle, and negative variation on
plant height (short type) and PP, PT and T cycles. The tendency of
reduction in the number of short plants in the population can be an
indication that natural selection does not necessarily lead to the best
agronomic types. However, these shifts did not show enough magnitude to
affect the possibilities to select shorter genotypes. The slow and
relatively small shifts in characters like grain yield and KW, show that the
period in which the populations were under selection could have been too
short to concentrate superior genotypes at significant levels. However,
significant effects of generation were obtained for TW and P cycle, with 53
and 73%, respectively, of the variation in the two characters explained by
generation and natural selection.
Table 1.Simple regression analysis of means of the five populations for the
studied characters (dependent variables) and generation (independent
variable) in 1983.
Y a B S(b) P r-sq Y s
------------------------------------------------------------------
Yield 5.82 0.01 0.01 0.07 0.23 5.90 0.05
TW (Test
weight) 4.28 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.53 4.30 0.01
KW (Kernel
weight) 3.37 0.00 0.01 0.85 0.00 3.39 0.06
Plant
height 23.23 -0.54 0.56 0.34 0.07 20.48 3.06
Cycle PP 30.01 -1.52 0.74 0.06 0.25 22.37 4.85
Cycle P 27.97 2.87 0.48 0.00 0.73 42.30 4.90
Cycle PT-T 44.27 -1.22 0.61 0.07 0.24 38.14 3.70
------------------------------------------------------------------
Data obtained in the F(3-F)7 generation in 1983.
Y = dependent variable; a = intercept; B = regression coefficient; S(b) =
standard error of B; p = probability level (t-statistics); r-sq =
coefficient of determination; Y = mean of y; s = standard
deviation of Y.
Influence of environmental parameters on the structure of bulk
populations. In order to formulate operational decisions, it is necessary
to know the environmental factors that interfere in the phenotypic
expression of selected characters. A better comprehension of the action of
such climatic parameters could help to improve breeding procedures.
The analysis of the data obtained over the 1978-83 period clearly shows
the environmental effect on the phenotypic expression of the studied
characters. The stepwise multiple regression analysis, acting together with
generation, allowed to identify, the environmental parameters playing a more
remarkable role (Table 2). The significant influence of the average
temperature in August, rainfall and solar radiation in October, as well as
generation, accounted for, approximately 87% of the variation in grain
yield. Similarly, rainfall in October, average temperature in July (test
weight-TW) or September (kernel weight-KW), and generation accounted for
approximately 98 and 82% of the TW and KW variations, respectively. The
analysis among the papulation averages obtained in 1983 and the climatic
parameters occurring in the previous generation showed a greater effect of
generation on grain yield and TW due to the comparison of the different
generations in a single year. The rainfall of October affected directly the
grain yield obtained from that generation while cycle and plant height were
affected in the next generation.
Table 2. Stepwise regression analysis of characters studied (dependent
variables) on generation and environmental parameters (independent
variables) in the 1978-83 period.
Y X X B B r-sq rsq-ad P
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Grain yield
Y = 5.20 Prec(10-) 212.62 -0.00 -0.43 0.56 0.13 <0.0001
s = 0.65 Temp X(8) 14.47 -0.41 -0.51 0.86 0.10 <0.0001
INS(10) 6.19 0.37 0.36 0.86 0.10 <0.0001
F 4.19 0.05 0.12 0.87 0.13 0.0473
a = 9.33
TW (Test Weight)
Y = 4.30 Prec(10X) 187.62 -0.00 -0.73 0.10 0.50 <0.0001
s = 0.03 Temp 7 12.23 0.02 0.63 0.95 0.29 <0.0001
F 4.08 0.00 0.19 0.98 0.02 <0.0001
a = 4.05
KW (Kernel weight)
Y = 3.30 Prec(10-) 212.61 -0.00 -0.71 0.57 0.48 <0.0001
s = 0.21 Temp X(9) 14.68 -0.07 -0.47 0.76 0.21 <0.0001
F 4.19 -0.04 -0.26 0.82 0.06 <0.0002
--------------------------------------------------------------------
a = 4.92
* Data obtained in g/plot and transformed in log(e)(correction factor for
yield = 5.56) - average for the five replications.
Y = dependent variable (grain yield; test weight; kernel weight); X =
independent variables (Prec(10) = amount of rainfall in (ctober; Temp. X(7),
X(8m), X(9)= temperatures averages/July, August, September; INS(10) = dairy
solar radiation average/October; F = generation; X = average of X; Y =
average of Y; a = intercept; s = standard deviation of Y; B = regression
coefficient; B = standardized regression coefficient; r-sq= sequential R-
squared; rsq-ad = the amount that would be added to (or removed from) R-
squared if this variable were included in (or removed from) the model; P =
probability level for t-test.
Pedigree and modified bulk methods comparisons. Considering the
methods used to breed wheat in Brazil, the pedigree method has predominated
in most research institutions. However, over the last years, some programs
have conducted the populations under more than one system or processed deep
modifications in the methodology of selection.
These changes could be due to attempts to save time and labor or a
consequence of insecurity regarding the adequate methodology for specific
conditions of selection in the different regions. Inadequate selection
procedures can reduce the effect of efforts on the selection of superior
genotypes.
The efficiency of six selection methods was evaluated using eight
segregating populations. The six methods were: (1) pedigree; (2) modified
bulk; (3) natural selection under low density; (4) natural selection under
normal density; (5) bulk method with grain selection; (6) bulk method with
clipping of the taller plants. By comparing the methods through the
selected lines, significant differences were observed among the populations
for all the characteristics evaluated in the F7 and F8 generations: grain
yield, test weight (TW), kernel weight (KW), cycle, plant height, reaction
to diseases, and kernel score (KN). These differences occurred among
methods for grain yield, plant height, reaction to disease and cycle,
identifying characters that can be more efficiently used, depending on the
adopted selection procedure. Significant interactions among populations and
methods were observed for most of the parameters evaluated, characterizing
differential response of populations to the methods employed.
Methods 1 and 2 showed the best performance on the averages of the
lines for grain yield, while method 5 showed the worst (Table 3) result.
Nevertheless, considering only the line with the highest grain yield, method
6 also was outstanding. This method produced lines with shorter plants,
while method 5 produced lines with the tallest and the latest plants. No
significant differences were observed among methods for TW and KW. Method 1
showed the best performance in relation to diseases, and method 5 had the
worst.
Greater progress on characteristics such as grain yield and plant
height was obtained by methods that used artificial selection (1, 2 and 6)
in relation to those where only natural selection was employed (3 and 4).
Natural selection pressure seems to be weaker than artificial selection to
promote remarkable shifts in wheat plant adaptability. The constant
selection pressure, such as on characters like plant height, was efficient
and may have promoted a genetic gain for grain yield. On the other hand,
grain selection apparently strengthened unfavorable effects of the natural
selection, leading to more competitive and lower yielding genotypes.
Considering the results, it seems unreasonable to look upon the
possibility of more generalized use of method 2, alone or in combination
with methods 1 and 6.
Table 3. Comparison of the effects of six selection methods on five
studied characters in the F8 selected lines (LM) from eight
segregant populations. CNPT, Passo Fundo, RS, 1987.
Lines means (LM)
Grain Yield
% rela- Test Kernel
tive to weight weight Plant
(kg/ CNT8 TW KW Cycle height
Methods N ha) (check) (kg/ha) (g) (days) (cm)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Pedigree 95 3.617 115.3A 74.1A 31.4A 104.4AB 90.0A
Bulk modified 33 3.754 116.2A 74.7A 31.4A 101.3BC 89.7A
Nat'l selection 12 3.463 109.9AB 74.3A 31.2A 105.4AB 93.3A
- LD
Nat'l selection 18 3.411 107.4BC 75.3A 31.4A 103.8AB 93.9A
- ND
Bulk method with 10 3.115 97.2D 75.8A 29.4A 106.2A 94.5A
grain selection
Bulk method with 19 3.181 102.3CD 73.7A 29.8C 98.8C 81.8B
dipping
Duncan 5%
CV (%) 15.39 15.44 4.4 10.6 6.0 8.9
-------------------------------------------------------------------
N = number of the evaluated lines for each method; Means with a column
followed by the same letter are not significantly different at P = 0.05,
according to Duncan's test; CNT 8 - check cultivar in all trials (randomized
block design); Cycle = days to flowering; LM = means of lines studied; LD =
low density; ND = normal density.
Early generation tests on bulk populations and derived subpopulations.
In Brazil, the yield tests for wheat cultivar selection are normally carried
out after the lines are bulked (from F7 or F8 generations) and show good
uniformity for practical purposes. Before these tests are performed, visual
selections are realized in the first generations, although references about
low efficiency of such procedures are reported. However, the among-lines
variability in the most advanced generations is reduced and promising
segregants visually classified as poor can be lost. Early yield tests could
be an alternative solution, because most of the variability would still be
present. Furthermore, it would allow us to reduce the number of populations
and to concentrate on more promising genotypes, in spite of the problems
represented by the low heritability of the grain yield character and the
climatic instability prevailing in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
To estimate the efficiency of selecting lines with higher grain yield,
early yield test were performed in 13 bulk populations and derived
subpopulations. The highly significant differences observed on grain yield
and kernel weight (KW) among selected F4 genotypes (high and low yields) and
between F4 and F8 generations identify comparisons that could be used as
selection criteria in early yield tests.
The interaction cross x type, cross x generation, and cross x type x
generation were significant for all evaluated characters. However, the type
x generation interaction was not significant for grain yield and KW, showing
that the selected types had a consistent performance in all the generations
evaluated.
By comparing F4 with F8 and F9 generations, the population means seem to
indicate that effective gains were obtained by reselection within
subpopulations, and that efficiency appeared to be obtained in
discriminating F4 genotypes according to their grain yield potential.
Significant and positive associations between the generations among 78
subpopulations and lines for grain yield were obtained in all but one
comparison. The highest phenotypic correlation coefficients among different
generations in the same year in relation to the same generation in different
years for grain yield and KW, indicate that the environmental influence must
be greatly considered when decisions for early yield tests are made,
especially under unstable environments like those in the State of Rio Grande
do Sul. The lack of association or low values of the correlation
coefficients among subpopulations and lines with the bulk populations for
grain yield and test weight (TW) lead to the hypothesis of the inefficiency
of bulk population evaluations for these parameters. Highly significant
associations were observed for KW, and in contrast with those for grain
yield, the correlations with bulk populations were generally high.
Therefore, bulk population tests do not seem to be indicated for grain
yield, but could be useful for KW.
In spite of the low associations found in bulk populations for grain yield
tests, higher and significant correlations among F4 subpopulations and F8 or
F9 advanced lines, can be considered to be an encouraging result, since they
imply the possibility of the breeder reducing the number or size of the
populations in order to concentrate in the best subpopulations.
An alternative wheat ecoideotype for Southern Brazil. In the Southern
of Brazil regions that comprise the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa
Catarina, and southern-Center of Parana, serious damages from erosion,
fertility losses and environmental contamination negatively interfere in the
economy and ecological balance. This occurs particularly in periods that
the soil is uncovered, after soybean harvest (March-April) and before
planting the winter crops (from June in most areas) or in fallow areas.
Depending on harvesting and planting dates specified, there is a period from
one to two months of soil exposure to losses caused by rains. Furthermore,
rainfall in the most preferred periods to sow can delay the soil preparation
and sowing activities, especially in higher clay-soils.
Besides soil considerations, some farmers have anticipated the sowing due
to increased grain yields, lower disease incidence and consequently higher
economic return of fungicides. This is encouraged by some farmer's
cooperatives that have required the anticipation of sowing date.
Nevertheless, this practice, using the available cultivars, implies high
risks of losses caused by frosts.
The different problems and difficulties to be solved (as soil
conservation, nutrient losses, ecological equilibrium, better plant
development, frost losses, increasing grain yield potential, diversification
of cultivars and sowing dates, utilization for double purpose, adaptation to
wheat-soybean succession) lead to a comprehensive view trying to gather the
solutions, anticipating the sowing time and by the conception of an
alternative ecoideotype for the crop.
By obtaining cultivars adapted to early sowing, with a long vegetative
phase and a short reproductive phase and with good agronomic type and
resistance to prevalent diseases, it would be possible to: a) reduce soil
losses caused by erosion and smaller nutrient losses due to a better soil
covering; b) increase grain yield potential due to better crop development
(increasing root development and best agronomic type) and to the possibility
of enhancing nitrogen absorption, resulting from extending the vegetative
phase; c) escape the frost damage at flowering, due to extending the
vegetative stage; d) fit the wheat-soybean succession as a consequence of
the shorter flowering-maturity stage; e) reduce grain yield losses and
achieve greater stability in crop production, due to the diversification of
cultivars and periods of sowing; f) favor potential use of wheat cultivars
for double purpose (pasture and grain), only made feasible by anticipated
sowing and by delaying the ear initiation, and making possible the
enlargement of the pasture period during the winter months when nourishment
needs are critical.
Certain genotypes from the southeast areas of the USA (lines from Georgia,
Florida, and Coker, especially C762) are particularly adapted and suitable
for the objectives described. Therefore, this germplasm has been used
extensively in crosses, and derived populations are being selected in a
specific breeding project.
-------------------------
Unidade de jExecucao de Pesquisa de Ambito Estadual de Dourados, EMBRAPA-
UEPAE de Dourados. MS
A. C. P. Goulart and F. de A. Paiva
Control of brown spot (Helminthosporium sativum) and blast
(Pyricularia oryzae in wheat)
The aim of this research was to evaluate the performance of several
fungicides in the control of brown spot (Helminthosporium sativum) and blast
(Pyricularia oryzae) in wheat, under field conditions, in 1990. For brown
spot, the cultivar used was IAPAR 6-Tapejara and for blast, Anahuac. The
fungicides spraying were made with CO(2), presurrized-sprayer (rate of flow-
240 l/ha). The best control of brown spot was obtained with propiconazole
and tebuconazole, followed by mancozeb + flusilazole, flusilazole and
flutriafol. These fungicides reduced more than 92% of brown spot symptoms.
The propiconazole (62.5 g a.i./ha) and propiconazole + cancozeb (62.5 +
2,000 g a.i./ha) gave lower control than propiconazole (125 g a.i./ha).
Best results on the control of wheat blast were obtained with tricyclazole +
mancozeb (44% of control efficiency), tricyclazole (38%), fembuconazole
(38%), fembuconazole + mancozeb (37%) and tebuconazole (31%). In general,
treatments with mancozeb showed lowest percentage of spikelets infected.
Higher yields were obtained with the fungicide treatments for both diseases.
Publications
Goulart, A.C.P., and Paiva, F. de A. Controle da helmintosporiose do trigo
pela aplicacao foliar de fungicidas. In: Reuniao Nacional de Pesquiza De
Trigo, 16, Dourados, 1991. Resumos: Dourados, EMBRAPA-UEPAE Dourados, 1991.
p. 88.
Goulart, A.C.P, and Paiva, F. de A. Chemical control of wheat blast
(Pyricularia oryzae). In: International Plant Protection Congress, 12, Rio
de Janeiro, 1991. Contributed papers: oral and poster sessions programs and
abstracts. s.l., 1991. n.p.
-------------------------
Incidence of fungi in wheat (Triticum aestivum) seeds produced in
Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, 1990
Samples of wheat seeds of several cultivars, from six counties
(Dourados, Itapora, Amambai, Maracaju, Ponta Pora and Rio Brilhante) were
analyzed using the blotter test, with the aim to determine the fungi
incidence in wheat seeds produced in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil,
during 1990. Twenty-eight genera of fungi were detected. The most
prevalent fungus and the most important pathogen associated with the seeds
was Helminthosporium sativum, detected in 100% of the analyzed samples. The
average incidence of H. sativum in the seeds was 27.1% (min = 20.5%; max =
95.5%). P. oryzae was registered in 8% of the analyzed samples, in low
levels with average of 0.4%. Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. were
detected at high levels. Fungi of Fusarium genera were detected in 36% of
the analyzed samples, with average of 5.2%.
Publication
Goulart, A.C.P. and Paiva, F. de A. Fungos associados as sementes de trigo
(Triticum aestivum L.) produzidas em Mato Grosso do Sul, 1990. In:
Congresso Brasileiro de Sementes, 7, Campo Grande, MS. Resumo dos trabalhos
tecnicos. Brasilia, Abrates, 1991. p. 56.
-------------------------
Wheat seeds chemical treatment for the control of Helminthosporium sativum
and Pyricularia oryzae
The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of fungicides
applied as seed dressing in the control of Helminthosporium sativum and
Pyricularia oryzae. In lab (blotter test) and field tests, seeds of the
cultivar "Anahuac" with 9% and 60% of natural contamination with P. oryzae
and H. sativum, respectively, were used. All chemical treatments reduced
the incidence of both pathogens in the seeds. Iprodione + thiram, carboxin
+ thiram, guazatine + imazalil, iminoctadine, prochloraz and carboxin +
prochloraz were the best in the control of P. oryzae, eliminating this
pathogen on the treated seeds. The best control of H. sativum in the seeds
was obtained with iprodione + thiram, guazatine + imazailil, iminoctadine,
NF-128 and NF-114. In the field, besides these fungicides, CGA-169374
(difenoconazole), prochloraz, tebuconazole + tolyfluanid and triadimenol
were the best for controlling H. sativum. P. oryzae was not detected on the
seedling in the field.
Publication
Goulart, A.C.P. and Paiva, F. de A. Control of Helminthosporium sativum and
Pyricularia oryzae by wheat seed treatment. In: International Plant
Protection Congress, 12, Rio de Janeiro, 1991. Contributed papers: oral and
poster sessions programs and abstracts. s.l., 1991. n.p.
-------------------------
Efficiency of several fungicides in the wheat seeds chemical treatments
with different levels of Helminthosporium sativum
This work was carried out with the aim to determine the level of
Helminthosporium sativum in wheat seeds that justify the seed chemical
treatment. In lab (blotter test) and greenhouse tests (growing on test),
seeds of cv. "Anahuac" with eight natural contamination levels of H. sativum
(3.0; 11.5; 16.0; 29.5; 33.5; 46.0; 53.7 and 70.0%) were used. The
fungicides and dose (g a.i./100 kg of seeds) evaluated were as follows:
iprodione + thiram, 50 + 150; iprodione, 50; thiram, 210; tebuconazole, 5;
carboxin + thiram, 94 + 94 and iminoctadine, 62.5, besides the control
untreated. The efficiency of fungicide in lab, emergency, transmission and
number of source primary inoculum/ha were evaluated. The best results were
obtained with the fungicides iprodione + thiram and iminoctadein. These
fungicides erradicating the pathogen when the seeds showed maximum level of
29.5%; above this level, the fungus was not controlled completely. When the
seeds were treated with chemicals, the emergency was affected when the level
was higher than 33.5% of H. sativum; without the fungicides, this level was
29.5%, with the germination decaying below of standard. The transmission of
the pathogen was demonstrated by its stablishment on the coleoptils. The
transmission index was variable (average = 1.6:1), with higher values
corresponding to higher seed contamination indices.
Publication
Goulart, A.C.P. and Paiva, F. de A. Efficiencia de alguns fungicidas no
tratamento quimico de sementes de trigo com difedrentes niveis de
Helminthosporium sativum. In: Reuniao Nacional de Pesquisa de Trigo, 16,
Dourados, 1991. Resumos...Dourados, EMBRAPA-UEPAE Dourados, 1991. p. 97.
-------------------------
Association of Helminthosporium sativum with wheat seeds
with "black point"
This work was done with the aim to evaluate the acting degree of
Helminthosporium sativum in the darken process of wheat seeds and their
effects on emergency, germination and incidence on coleoptils. Lab tests
(blotter test and germination) and greenhouse tests (growing on test) were
made, using five samples of seeds of the cultivars BR 20 L-64, BR 20 L-69,
BR 20-R, BR 31 L-109 and BR 31 L-112. These samples were classified in
three categories: N (Normal = samples of seeds with and without "black
point"; Ne (neat) = samples of seeds without "black point" and BP (black
point) = samples of seeds with "black point". In average, considering the
five cultivars analyzed, was observed that 95% of darken process ("black
point") in wheat seeds is caused by H. sativum. The number of seedlings
with H. sativum was always bigger in the seed category "BP". The
transmission of the pathogen from seeds to wheat coleoptils was detected in
all cultivars and category, with higher values corresponding to higher seed
contamination indices. The germination and emergency decreased due to the
increase of incidence of H. sativum in the seeds. Correlation coefficient
(r = 0.80, in average) was observed among seeds with "black point" and
occurrence of H. sativum in the seeds and transmission of pathogen.
Correlation coefficient (r = 0.75, in average) was registered among seeds
with "black point", germination and emergency.
TABLE 1. Incidence of Helminthosporium sativum, seedlings with
H. sativum, transmission and rate of transmission, emergency
in greenhouse and germination in laboratory, of different
cultivars and of 5 replications). EMBRAPA-UEPAE de
Dourados, MS, 1990.
Incidence of Seedlings Emergency
H. sativum (%) with H. Transmission Rate of in green-
(blotter rate) sativum (%) (%) transmission house(%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
N* Ne** BP*** N Ne BP N Ne BP N Ne BP N Ne BP
54 49 95 25 20 51 50 49 55 2.2:1 2.4:1 1.9:1 61 71 47
Germination
in labora-
tory (%)
-----------
N Ne BP
67 75 54
*N - Normal; **Ne - Neat; ***BP - Black point.
Publication
Goulart, A.C.P., and Paiva, F. de A. Associacao de Helminthosporium sativum
com sementes de trigo com "ponta preta". In: REUNIAO NATIONAL DE PESQUISA
DE TRIGO, 16, Dourados, 1991. Resumos ... Dourados, EMBRPAPA-UEPAE
Dourados, 1991. p. 85.
-------------------------
Response of wheat cultivars due the blast (Pyricularia oryzae)
in field conditions
The objective of this work was to evaluate the reponse of wheat
cultivars due the blast (Pyricularia oryzae) in field conditions. The
experiment was conducted at Itapora county, Mato Grosso do Sul State,
Brazil, in 1990. The evaluations were made in laboratory and only the
spikes that showed the characteristic blast symptoms (infection black point
in the rachis) were considered infected. The cultivars were classified
using the following scale which was related with percentage of blanched
heads: R (resistant) = 1 to 5%; MR (moderately resistant) = 6 to 25%; MS
(moderately susceptible) = 26 to 50%; S (susceptible) = 51 to 75% and HS
(highly susceptible) = more than 75%. The results obtained showed different
behavior among the cultivars. Only the cv. BH 1146 was resistant (R). The
cultivars BR 18-Terena and BR 21-Nhandeva were moderately resistant (MR) and
the cultivars IAC 18-Xavantes, BR 30-Cadiueu, BR 20-Guato and IAC 5-Maringa
were moderately susceptible (MS). The cutivars BR 17-Caiua, BR 29-Javae, BR
11-Guarani and BR 31-Miriti were susceptibles (S). The cultivars highly
susceptibles (HS), with more than 90% of blanched heads were: IAPAR 6-
Tapejara, BR 10-Formosa, IAPAR 17-Caete, IAC 24-Tucurui, INIA 66, IAC 13-
Lorena, Jupateco 73, Anahuac, OCEPAR 7-Batuira and Cocoraque. The
correlation analysis showed a correlation coefficient (r = 0.70) among
spikes with P. oryzae and yield.
TABLE 1. Percentage of blanched heads (Pyricularia oryzae), type of response
and yield of wheat. EMBRAPA-UEPAE de Dourados, MS, 1990.
Blanched
Cultivar heads* Type of Yield
(%) response** (kg/ha)
---------------------------------------------------------
BHl 1146 4.7 f R 3,043 def
BR 18-Terena 24.0 e MR 4,604 a
BR 21-Nhandeva 25.0 e MR 4,155 ab
IAC 18-Xavantes 42.0 d MS 3,412 bcde
BR 30-Cadiueu 45.6 cd MS 4,020 abc
BR 20-Guato 48.7 cd MS 3,319 cde
IAC 5-Maringa 49.6 cd MS 3,071 def
BR 17-Caiua 58.0 bc S 3,314 cde
BR 29-Javae 64.7 b S 3,476 bcde
BR 11-Guarani 67.0 b S 3,912 abc
BR 31-Miriti 72.3 b S 3,720 bcd
IAPAR 6-Tapejara 91.6 a HS 2,078 g
BR 10-Formosa 92.3 a HS 2,387 fg
IAPAR 17-Caete 93.0 a HS 2,276 fg
IAC 24-Tucurui 93.7 a HS 2,350 fg
INIA 66 93.7 a HS 2,201 g
IAC 13-Lorena 95.0 a HS 2,137 g
Jupateco 73 95.3 a HS 2,196 g
Anahuac 96.3 a HS 2,039 g
OCEPAR 7-Batuira 97.0 a HS 2,087 g
Cocoraque 98.3 a HS 2,154 g
--------------------------------------------------------
* Transformation used: arc sen sqrt(x/100). ** R = resistant; MR =
moderately resistant; MS = moderately susceptible; S = susceptible; HS =
highly susceptible. Means followers by the same letter are not significantly
different (Duncan, 5 %).
Publication
Goulart, A.C.P. and Paiva, F. de A. Reacao de cultivares de trigo a brusone
(Pyricularia oryzae) en campo. In" REUNIAO NACIONAL DE PESQUISA DE TRIGO,
16, Dourados, 1991. Resumos...Dourados, EMBRAPA-UEPAE Dourados, 1991. p.
116.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM BULGARIA
Institute of Plant Genetic Resources, 4122 Sadovo-Plovdiv
V. Vassilev
Pseudomonas syringae pv. atrofaciens (PSA) and Fusarium culmorum (FC)
cause the most harmful diseases of the group of facultative pathogens in
Bulgaria. We have evaluated the infectivity titration and checked the "dose
response" type reaction since 1982. The median effective dose (Ed(50)) at
which 50% of the inoculated plants exhibited a sensitive reaction, was
calculated by the method of moving acreages. Ear scab (FC) was estimated
twice-first appearance of symptoms (7-10th day) and secondary spreading of
the disease (30-40th day) before the yellowing of ears. We counted the
necrotic spikelets and the total number of ear spikelets atomized with
fungus. The controls were treated with sterilized distilled water. ED(50)
at which 50% of the spikelets were infected, was calculated by the
regression analysis (Vassilev & Dechevska 1989) for the first and second
estimations. The evaluation of wheat resistance to the corresponding
pathogens was made by comparing ED50. Our results confirm the quantitative
character of wheat resistance to the studied facultative pathogens. In the
wheat-PSA and whet-FC systems, irrespective of the different methods of
inoculation - either PSA infection or FC spraying, the relative frequency of
the infected plants or spikelets increases with the increase of the inoculum
level. The advantages of the injection are in the precise inoculum dosage,
the certainty in the infective process, and less dependence on the
environment factors. Its disadvantage lies in the breaking of resistance
barriers before the realization of the infective process, i.e., only the
active plant resistance is observed. The FC spraying allows the rating of
the primary fungal penetration into the wheat tissue as well as the
secondary spreading of the disease development. The process is highly
dependent on the environment factors, and it is more difficult to spray
uniform inoculum amounts. The variability is compensated for by the
increased number of the tested plants - 10 to 15 plants at infection vs. 600
to 1000 spikelets at spraying.
The methods applied allowed us to precisely evaluate the resistance of
cultivars used. Their estimations coincide with their reaction to the
corresponding pathogens at a slight, moderate and severe natural attack by
PSA and FC in the field. They give the possibility to check a sufficient
number of accessions in all phases of the selection process.
REFERENCES
Vassilev, V. and Dechevska, M. 1989. Evaluation of the quantitative
resistance of winter soft wheat cultivars to fusariose in the ears through
infectivity titration with Fusarium culmorum. Plant Science 26(7):74-80.
Vassilev, V. 1990. On the quantitative evaluation of wheat resistance to
facultative pathogens. Genetics and Breeding 23(5):409-415.
-------------------------
K. Malkov Institute of Introduction and Plant Genetic Resources -
Sadovo
D. Boyadjieva
Bread wheat breeding programme. The wheat breeding work in Sadovo was
started during early 1900. At first it was at Sadovdo agricultural
experimental station and since 1979 in IIPGR. Some valuable traditions of
the past has been inherited. Many practical cultivars were created.
The wheat production in Bulgaria is basically formed by Bulgarian
cultivars and 40% of them are IIPGR cultivars. As a result of these created
and introduced into production during the last 20 years, the average yields
have increased by 14 t/ha. The highest average yield for the country was
47.7t/ha obtained in 1988 when according to FAO's information about European
countries having considerable wheat areas, Bulgaria ranks fourth after
England, Germany and France. IIPGR - Sadovo cultivars in production now are:
Sadovo-1, Katya, Pobeda and Momchil. Sadovo-1 is one of the basic
cultivars. It covers one fifth of the wheat sown areas and it is a complex
standard. Pobeda is a strong wheat, flour improver and a standard for
strong wheats. IIPGR cultivars have a great ecological plasticity. The
results from the IWWPN are proof for that, where Sadovo-1, Sadovo-super and
Katya have taken leading positions.
Breeding methods. Basic method in breeding work is intervarietal
hybridization. During the past two decades through this method were
consecutively created the cultivars: "SADOVSKA RANOZREIKA", "NADEZDA-2",
"SADOVO-1", "SADOVO SUPER", "LADA", "KATYA", "MOMCHIL", and "BONONIA".
Some cultivars from European selections participate in the hybridization
program: Russia, Great Britain, France, Hungary, Romania, Czechoslovakia,
as well as cultivars from Mexico, USA and other countries. A great role was
especially played by Russian cultivars. Hybrids between two cultivars are
also used, as well as backcross hybridization with a third parent or more
complicated schemes of hybridization.
Basic achievements in wheat breeding through these methods are -
cultivars having great productive potentials like Sadovo-1, Katya, Sadovo
Super and Bononia. The productive potential of these cultivars is 100-120
t/ha; cultivars having very good technological properties, suitable for
independent baking like: Sadovo-1, Katya, Bononia and strong wheats like
Momchil and Pobeda; cultivars having high drought resistance and wide
adaptive possibilities like Sadovo-1, Katya, etc; cultivars having excellent
cold resistance, nearing the level of Bezostaya are Sadodo-1, Momchil.
The remote hybridization is used in parallel to this. Intensive work
has been carried out especially on crossing of T. sphaerococcum with T.
aestivum and tetraploid species T. durum and T. dicoccum. As a result of
complex interspecific hybridization, Pobeda cultivar was selected. It has
the best cold resistance in comparison with all other Bulgarian wheats.
Other modern methods are also used: experimental mutagenesis with
hybridization, amphiploidy, anther and embryo cultures. The productivity of
120-150 t/ha and, creation of cultivars resistant to economically most
important diseases, leaf and stem rust, powdery mildew, loose smut fusarium
and basal glume in wheat, etc. In this connection some sources are
discovered for resistance to these diseases. For the first time in our
country we identified wheat dwarf virus and streak mosaic in wheat and the
agent of the basal glume. We also create drought resistant, winter and cold
resistant cultivrs. These physiological examinations are oriented to
solution of the most actual problems in the country: drought influence on
the wheat yields. The influence of the soil drought upon a number of
physiological processes connected with productivity are studied. Another
trend is studying the winter and cold resistance of triticale and other
wheat cultivars.
We also create high baking quality cultivars. An assessment is
performed on the grain and flour properties in the laboratory "Grain
Technology", which provides a possibility for a purposeful screening when
creating high technological quality cultivars.
Harvest index as a criterian of selection for productivity. A study of
the harvest index including P1, P2, F1, F2, F3 and F4 of the crosses Sadovo
1 x Hobbit, C-885 x Mini Mano and 2Fr x K 660 was made during 1985-1989.
Selection effectiveness of the harvest index was assessed by use of mean
values for the groups with lowest (L) and highest (H) value (Alexander et
al., 1984), by the realized heritability (Falconer 1960), and by the
significant differences between groups with H and L value of the character
in F2 and the following F3 and F4 generations.
It was found that the harvest index could be a promising criterion of
selection of higher producing forms, mainly in crosses between cultivars
with contrasting plant height. Taking into account that in dry years, which
limit normal grain filling, the harvest index cannot distinguish the forms
of differing in productivity, it should not be recommended as the only
criterion of selection for productivity in hybrid generations, but should be
used in combination with direct selection for grain yield.
The bread wheat breeding program personnel are:
B. Boyadjieva, Ph.D., DSc - wheat breeder by intervarietal
hybridization
I. Stankov, PhD., DSc - wheat breeder by intervarietal and
interspecies hybridization and triticale
Iv. Govedarov, Ph.D. - wheat breeder by intervarietal
hybridization
P. Boyadjiev, Ph.D. - wheat breeder by anther and embryo
cultures
G. Rachovska - wheat breeder by mutagenesis
As. Dimov, Ph.D., DSc - Phytopathologist
P. Stankova, Ph.D. - Physiologist
V. Vassilev, Ph.D. - Phytopathologist
M. Mangova - grain technologist
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM CANADA
Prairie Wheat Variety Survey and Production
The 1991 Prairie Wheat Variety Survey was conducted jointly by Alberta
Wheat Pool, Manitoba Pool Elevators and Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. Percentage
of area is indicated with the 1991 figures in brackets.
Common - Katepwa 37.3 (44.3), Neepawa 11.4 (13.5), Columbus 14.5
(16.1), Conway 4.6 (4.4), Park 1.5 (1.9), Laura 15.6 (9.5), Roblin 5.7
(4.3), Leader 1.0 (0.9), Kenyon 0.2 (0.7), Biggar 3.3 (0.5), Genesis 1.6
(0.9), Lancer 1.2 (0.9), Glenlea 0.7 (0.3), Oslo 0.2 (0.1), unlicensed 0.5
(0.5), and others 0.8 (1.0) of 12.3 (11.1) million hectares.
Durum - Kyle 52.2 (47.0), Wakooma 11.3 ( 16.3), Medora 9.1 (12.3),
Wascana 9.4 (9.0), Sceptre 11.3 (8.8), Arcola 2.1 (2.5), Pelissier 3.6
(2.2), Coulter 0.1 (0.9), and others 0.9 (1.0) of 2.05 (2.26) million
hectares.
Winter -Norstar 95.9 (95.0), Norwin 2.9 (3.2), others 1.2 (1.8) of 0.07
(.15) million hectares.
Statistics Canada's November estimates of 1991 wheat production on the
prairies:
1000 Hectares 1000 Metric Tonnes
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Manitoba Spring 2124.0 4682.0
Durum 113.0 253.0
Winter 8.1 19.1
Saskatchewan Spring 7082.0 15131.0
Durum 1578.0 3592.0
Winter 32.4 65.3
Alberta Spring 2913.0 7213.0
Durum 308.0 751.0
Winter 36.4 93.0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------
ALBERTA
Agriculture Canada Research Station, Lethbridge
Breeding for Pre-harvest Sprouting Resistance in Soft White Spring
Wheat. - R. S. Sadasivaiah
Pre-harvest sprouting is one of the major agronomic limitations
associated with soft white spring wheat production in southern Alberta.
Lack of dormancy in soft white spring wheat cultivars contributes to
widespread sprouting when prolonged periods of rain delay harvest.
Increased alpha-amylase activity accompanies sprouting and detrimentally
affects the grade, marketability, milling and baking quality of wheat, thus
affecting the net return to the producer. The major soft white spring wheat
cultivar Fielder, grown extensively in southern Alberta, is highly
susceptible to sprouting. In 1985, for example, about 80% of the harvested
soft wheat crop in southern Alberta was downgraded to feed grade. Pre-
harvest sprouting resistance has thus become one of the major objectives of
the soft white spring wheat breeding program at Lethbridge.
Pre-harvest sprouting in cereals is a complex trait involving a number
of factors such as seed dormancy, starch sensitivity, alpha-amylase
synthesis, response to gibberellic acid, physical characteristics of the
spike etc. However, breeders usually have associated pre-harvest sprouting
resistance with dormancy. In wheat, although seed dormancy appears to be
closely associated with red grain color, the findings of several workers
indicate that the white-grained wheats also possess varying degrees of
sprouting resistance. This suggests that dormancy can be effected by
factors
independent of the red kernel color loci. Grain dormancy identified in
white-kernelled wheats may thus provide the basis for wheat improvement
programs where pre-harvest sprouting resistance is considered.
In the breeding program at Lethbridge, the white-grained spring wheat
cultivars Kenya 321, Ford, 8021V2 (DePauw, Swift Current Research Station)
and RL 4555 (Czarnecki, Winnipeg Research Station) have been used as sources
of resistance to pre-harvest sprouting. Although these cultivars seem to be
useful as sources of dormancy among white-kernelled wheats, their agronomic
performance and kernel quality are inferior. Hence they are used either in
backcross programs as donors, non-recurrent parents or in three or four-way
crosses with adapted parents. A number of promising lines with moderate
resistance to pre-harvest sprouting (based on rain simulator studies) have
been developed following both backcross and modified pedigree breeding
methods. Studies are currently underway to evaluate the agronomic and
quality traits, and the level of pre-harvest sprouting resistance in these
lines as determined by the Hagberg falling number and alpha-amylase
activities. Promising lines identified in the study will be useful as
potential cultivars or as germplasm in the soft wheat breeding program.
-------------------------
University of Alberta, Dept of Plant Science, Edmonton
The following two items will be of interest to wheat researchers sending
wheat samples to Canada - K. G. Briggs
Item 1. Code of Ethics for Plant Breeders and Operators of Co-
operative cultivar tests of small grains, oilseeds and special crops (Canada
Committee on Grain Breeding, 1987)
The mutual interests of all engaged in cultivar development are served
by a climate which engenders the greatest freedom of communication and
exchange of breeding material, while at the same time providing adequate
safeguards to the originator of the material. It is the desire of all
breeding institutions to receive credit for their discoveries and to
recognize the discoveries of other institutions, both privately and publicly
funded. For this reason, the breeders and institutions which enter lines
into the co-operative cultivar tests in order to obtain data for the
registration of new crop cultivars subscribe to the following code of
conduct:
1. We recognize the existence of the genetic property which belongs to the
"breeder" who is free to do as he wishes with his property.
2. Breeders, and co-operators shall respect the property rights of the
originator of any material that comes into their possession.
3. Unregistered plant strains in co-operative trials, may be used in a
breeding program only with the written consent of the breeder.
4. No secondary distribution or seed increase of unregistered cultivars can
be made without the expressed written approval of the breeder.
5. Reasonable precautions to ensure retention, recovery, and disposal of
plant material at harvest shall be taken.
6. Once a cultivar has been marketed it is in the public domain and can be
used freely as genetic material (unless restricted by Patents or contractual
agreements).
7. Use of proprietary varieties for germplasm will be limited to making
crosses and can be used as either the male or female parent unless
specifically limited by the originator.
8. The isolation and any use of parental lines of hybrids is not ethical.
9. The re-selection of self-pollinated cultivars is not considered as
breeding as is no ethical.
Item 2. New Canadian Import System for Seed for Plant Breeding
Purposes and for Plant Gene Resources of Canada (September, 1991).
1. Introduction. This memorandum describes the import system which
regulates the importation of seed intended for plant breeding purposes and
seed required to service the gene bank of the Plant Gene Resources of Canada
(PGRC), Research Branch, Ottawa.
A special procedure is developed to expedite the entry of valuable germ
plasm for use by plant breeders and the PGRC. The quantity of seed imported
under this procedure must be limited to seed lots of 5 kg as the procedure
is developed primarily to accommodate small quantities of germ plasm
normally imported by plant breeders. Seed of prohibited species may not be
imported under this import system.
2. The Import System.
2.1Regular Requirements. The importation of seed is normally subject to the
following requirements:
A. Import Permit. A permit to import is a general requirement for seeds
for propagation. It is also required for seeds for plant breeding purposes
and the PGRC. A permit to import will be issued to a plant breeder or PGRC
under Section 8 of the Plant Quarantine Regulations which governs
importations for scientific, research and industrial purposes and will be
valid for a period of three years.
B. Phytosanitary Certificate. A phytosanitary certificate issued by the
country of origin is a general and normal requirement for seeds imported for
propagation. Seeds under "winter increase" programs come under normal
import requirements, i.e. they require phytosanitary certificates to enter
Canada. Regular seed imports are subject to Canada Customs screening and
referral to Agriculture Canada for inspection and release.
2.2 Special Procedure. The following procedure is offered as an option to
plant breeders and the PGRC when they are unable to obtain a phytosanitary
certificate. (Note: a permit to import is required in all cases.)
Exemptions from the phytosanitary certificate requirement apply only to
small quantities of seed, i.e. less than 5 kg. Exemptions will be confined
to germ plasm not readily available in Canada, and shall not include seed
intended for commercial sale and propagation. Exemption will be provided to
qualified importers only (see Section 6).
A. Routing to Diagnostic Service Phytopathology Laboratory. All
importations of seed for plant breeding purposes and the PGRC must be routed
to the Diagnostic Service Phytopathology (DSP) Laboratory, Nepean, Ontario
for examination prior to release to the importer.
B. Pre-Addressed Mailing Label. Automatic routing to the DSP Laboratory
will be facilitated by a special pre-addressed mailing label to be included
with the import permit. This should be applied to the package only when the
importer wishes to bypass the normal channel of Canada Customs screening and
referral to Agriculture Canada for inspection and release.
C. Laboratory Examination and Release of Seed Consignment. At the
Diagnostic Services Phytopathology (DSP) Laboratory the seeds will be
examined for the presence of new or regulated plant pest organisms
considered to be of significance to Canada. Following the examination, one
of the following decisions will be taken:
a. The seed will be released unconditionally, if found free of pest
organisms;
b. The seed may be released with condition that may require treatment
at the laboratory or by the importer or grown in a
greenhouse or isolated location for a prescribed period of time;
c. For seed that is refused entry, the importer has the option of
either returning the material to origin at his/her own expense, or
having the material destroyed at the DSP Laboratory. Follow up by an
Agriculture Canada inspector may also be required.
3. Regulated Commodities. These include seed of all genera, species
and varieties or cultivars of plants that may vector plant pests that are
considered to be of economic significance to Canadian agricultural and
forestry industries.
4. Regulated Areas. All geographic areas of the world. However,
particular attention and emphasis will be given to seed from off-continent
sources (i.e. from areas outside North America).
5. Quantity Restrictions. The quantity of seed in any consignment
must be limited to seed lots of 5 kg. This system is primarily designed to
accommodate small quantities of germ plasm normally imported by plant
breeders. Larger quantities of seeds, e.g. from "winter increase" programs
will be imported, inspected and released in accordance with standard
operating procedures, i.e. via Customs clearance and reference to
Agriculture Canada inspectors.
6. Qualified Importers. Well established organizations and firms
actively engaged in plant breeding work in Canada, such as members of the
Canadian Seed Growers' Association and the gene bank of the Plant Gene
Resources of Canada (PGRC), may use this system.
Individual plant breeders may also apply to this Division for
consideration as importers of exotic seed under this system. A list of
plant breeders approved to import seeds under this system will be maintained
by the Permit Unit of this Division. The Permit Unit will screen all
applications and issue permits to those plant breeders that qualify to
import seed under this special program.
The major criteria required to qualify for a permit to import under
this system are the following:
A. The company must be well established and known for plant breeding
and development work.
B. Membership in the Canadian Seed Growers' Association (CSGA).
7. Unsolicited Shipments. Unsolicited shipments of seed are
normally refused entry. This seed may, in special cases, such as when
destined for the Plant Gene Resources of Canada (PGRC), be routed by
Agriculture Canada inspectors to the Diagnostic Services Phytopathology
(DSP) Laboratory for examination. The Import Section of the Plant
Protection Division will then decide on the appropriate action.
8. Special Mailing Label. A quantity of special mailing labels
(Form Agr 3876) will be issued with the import permit. The label (see
Appendix A) bears the address of the Diagnostic Services Phytopathology
(DSP) Laboratory, Nepean, Ontario and when used by the exporter, as
directed, will ensure routing directly to this laboratory. Plant breeders
should apply for a permit to import using the permit application (Form Agr.
1274, Appendix B) and the supplementary information (Form Agr. 3721,
Appendix C).
9. Permit Processing. The importer must forward these labels to the
foreign exporter with instructions to affix the label to the outside of the
seed package(s). The shipper must also provide the name and address of the
Canadian plant breeder or other importer on a separate document and include
this inside the package. This will enable the seed examiners to forward the
seed to the intended destination following the laboratory examination. The
parcel with the label will be automatically addressed to the Diagnostic
Services Phytopathology (DSP) Laboratory, Nepean, Ontario. The label will
instruct Canada Customs at the first International Mail Sortation Centre to
forward all such packages to this laboratory for processing without delay.
Under this system, applicants approved to import seed from foreign
countries shall receive a permit to import, a quantity of mailing labels
(Form Agr. 3876) and one or more technical letters advising of prohibitions
or special restrictions that may apply for any specific seed species.
10. Obligations. The importer may be required to carry out certain
precautions or safeguard the seed in isolation from other similar plants or
apply specified treatments as may be deemed necessary by the Director of the
Plant Protection Division. The plant breeder will be obliged to report any
sign or symptom of a plant disease that may develop on the growing seedlings
or plants in the greenhouse, growth chamber or on the test plots in the
field. Inspectors of this Department must be permitted access to the seed
plots and propagation facilities at all reasonable times to perform follow
up inspections where deemed necessary. All costs involved in the mailing of
permits and stickers and the routing of breeder seed packages will be the
responsibility of the shipper or the importer, as the case may be. After
examination at the laboratory, seed shipments will be sent `courier collect'
to the address of the consignee plant breeder, unless the consignee advises
or request otherwise.
11. Plant Protection Contacts. The following office of the Plant
Protection Division in Ottawa may be contacted should more information
regarding the new system be required: Permit Unit Plant Protection
Division, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C6 (613) 995-7900.
-------------------------
MANITOBA
Agriculture Canada Research Station - Winnipeg
Rust in Canada In 1991. - J.A. Kolmer
Leaf rust was first observed on June 11 in spring wheat fields in
southeastern Manitoba. By the last week in June leaf rust was present in
light to trace amounts in spring wheat fields throughout southern Manitoba.
Leaf rust severities were very high by the end of July throughout Manitoba
due to the early arrival of rust, and the abundant rainfall in the previous
two months that provided excellent conditions for rust to increase. In
Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan fields of the cultivars Katepwa, Neepawa,
and Biggar had leaf rust severities from 50-100%, resulting in the loss of
flag leaves before the heads had completed grain filling. An average yield
loss of 10% in these cultivars was expected due to leaf rust. The cultivars
Roblin, Laura, Columbus, Pasqua, and the American semi-dwarf Marshall were
resistant to leaf rust, although these cultivars also had higher leaf rust
severities than in past years due to the high inoculum pressure.
PHYSIOLOGIC SPECIALIZATION OF Puccinia recondita ON WHEAT IN CANADA IN
1991. PERCENTAGES OF THE MOST COMMON VIRULENCE PHENOTYPES AS
IDENTIFIED ON THE Prt DIFFERENTIALS.
VIRULENCE MANITOBA/
PHENOTYPE VIRULENCES ONTARIO SASKATCHEWAN ALBERTA BC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
FBL-B 2c,3,3ka,B 23.5 0.00 0.00 0.00
KBG-14a 2a,2c,3,11,14a 0.0 31.7 0.00 9.1
MBB-14a 1,3,14a 2.0 0.0 12.5 54.5
MBG-14a 1,3,11,14a 25.5 1.8 12.5 0.0
MFB-14a 1,3,24,26,14a 0.0 25.4 3.1 0.0
NBB-B,18 1,2c,B,18 0.0 0.0 9.4 27.3
PBL-B 1,2c,3,3ka,B 47.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
TBG-14a 1,2a,2c,3,11,14a 2.0 24.1 43.8 0.0
TDB-14a 1,2a,2c,3,24,14a 0.0 4.5 0.0 0.0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
Isolates 51 224 32 11
Effect of cultivar and environment on quality characteristics of spring
wheat. O.M. Lukow and P.B.E. McVetty. Both cultivars and environment had a
significant effect on quality characteristics. Cultivar by environment
effects were statistically significant but relatively small in magnitude for
most parameters. Composited samples over locations would be suitable for
quality assessment of semidwarf wheats grown in western Canada for most of
the characters studies. For the quality characteristics which displayed
large cultivar by environment interaction (test weight, thousand kernel
weight), samples from several environments should be used for quality
evaluation, particularly in advanced generation breeding lines.
Use of anther culture to improve spring wheat quality. O.M. Lukow and
P. Masojc. The responsiveness to anther culture of 34 cultivars and 6 F(1)
crosses representing different quality classes of spring wheat was tested on
a modified N6 medium. The ranges of calli induction and green plant
regeneration frequencies were 1-75% and 0-9%, respectively. The highest
numbers of green plants per 100 anthers were derived in the cultivars Leader
(3.6), BW 15 (1.2), HY 611 (1.1), Blue Sky (0.9) and Roblin (0.9). The
cultivars Ning, Sumai 3, Guard, Pasqua and Oslo did not respond. The
responsiveness of the crosses was affected by maternal genotype.
`Flame Chlorosis' is increasing in severity in wheat in Manitoba.
Steve Haber
Flame chlorosis (FC) is a novel, soil-transmitted, virus-like disease
of barley, wheat and oat in Manitoba (1). Until recently, FC was almost
exclusively a disease of barley (2). Although, the first instances of FC in
wheat were observed in 1988, the disease has been infrequent and at low
levels compared to its occurrence in barley (1). In an extensive survey
carried out in Manitoba in 1990, only 8 of 57 confirmed FC sites were wheat
fields and disease incidence in wheat never exceeded trace levels (3).
Last year I described in the Wheat Newsletter the evidence that
confirmed the occurrence of FC in wheat, and noted the possibility that the
disease outbreak in wheat might be following, with a lag of several years,
the trend of the disease in barley (4). In a 1991 survey of Manitoba and
eastern Saskatchewan that was similar in scope and methodology to the 1990
survey, FC was confirmed in wheat at 18 sites (2); at 3 sites in western
Manitoba and 2 in the Red River valley, disease levels were high enough to
cause economic losses as high as 20%. However, the total losses in wheat
due to FC, even in those districts where the disease is readily detected
every year, are still very small (1,2). The observations of the 1991 survey
are nonetheless potentially worrisome, as FC incidence in wheat in 1991 was
markedly higher than ever observed before. A trend to higher FC levels in
wheat, if it continued, would raise the threat posed by FC to cereal grain
cultivation in Manitoba.
An additional concern arises from the observation in July, 1991 of
FC-like symptoms and FC-specific RNA in specimens of green foxtail (Setaria
viridis L.) found near Winnipeg (Haber and Harder, unpublished). If green
foxtail and perhaps other grassy weeds prove to be FC hosts, there might be
additional reservoirs of inoculum to speed the spread and intensification of
FC in wheat.
References
Haber, S., D.J.S. Barr and R. G. Platford. 1991. Observations on the
distribution of flame `chlorosis in Manitoba and its association with
certain zoosporic fungi and the intense cultivation of cereals. Can. J.
Pl. Pathol. 13(3):xxx-xxx (in press).
Haber, S., R.G. Platford, K. Bailey and L. Duczek. 1992. 1991 Survey of
flame chlorosis in Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan. Can. Pl. Dis. Survey
72(1):xxx (in press).
Haber, S. and R. G. Platford. 1991. 1990 survey of flame chlorosis in
Manitoba. Can. Pl. Dis. Survey 71(1):79-80.
Haber, S. 1991. Flame chlorosis confirmed in wheat in Manitoba. Wheat
Newsletter 37:42-43.
-------------------------
M.I.P. Kovacs, N.K. Howes and D. Leisle. The effect of high molecular
weight glutenin subunit composition on tests used to predict durum wheat
quality.
To evaluate durum wheat quality the relationship between sodium dodecyl
sulphate sedimentation test (ST), cooked gluten viscoelasticity (CGV) and
mixing development time (MDT) and the effect of high molecular weight
glutenin subunits (HMWGS) on these tests was studied. Durum wheat whole
meal flours from 143 F(2) derived F(4) families from the Vic Berillo cross
were tested for ST, CGV and MDT. 50% 2-propanol extracts were used for SDS-
PAGE. Vic (gamma-gliadin 45 and HMWGS 6 + 8) and Berillo (gamma-gliadin 42
and HMWGS 20) both have the same low molecular weight glutenin group (LMW-2)
which is believed to be a major contributor of gluten strength, and thus
should not segregate for this component. Vic and Berillo both had high CGV.
Vic also had high ST and MDT, while Berillo had a relatively lower ST and
MDT. CGV was not correlated with ST, HMWGS but was correlated with MDT (r =
0.53 P<.001) and protein (r = -0.53 P<.001). St was correlated with HMWGS 6
+ 8 (r = 0.90 P<.001), MDT (r = 0.58 P<.001). MDT was also correlated with
HMWGS 6 + 8 (r = 0.69 P<.001). These results show that ST and CGV measure
independent quality parameters and that most variation in ST can be
attributed to HMWGS type.
-------------------------
ONTARIO
Plant Research Centre, Ottawa
W. L. Seaman and E. F. Schneider
Diseases. Survival of soft white winter wheat was satisfactory in
most areas of Ontario following a mild winter and limited snow cover.
However, in the southwest most fields seeded in late October were damaged by
heaving and many were plowed under. In the north-central portion of the
wheat producing area, snow mold damage was observed in about one third of
the commercial fields examined. The most common pathogens were three
Typhula species, T. incarnata, T. ishikariensis and T. phacorrhiza, and
Microdochium nivale; crop damage varied from 2 to 25%. At Ottawa ice
encasement severely damaged research plots. Cool early spring conditions
again were favorable for development of whet spindle streak mosaic in
infested soils in the southwest. Powdery mildew and septoria tritici leaf
blotch were widespread on the lower canopy early in the season, and although
mildew progressed to the flag leaf in heavier stands, fewer fields in the
west-central areas were sprayed with fungicide than in 1990. Tan spot was
more widespread and severe than usual in spring wheat in the east and in a
small acreage in the northwest. Leaf rust incidence was moderate, and
yellowing of flag leaves at heading in the Niagara area, especially in
September seedings, was attributed to barley yellow dwarf virus. Hot dry
conditions in most areas in June resulted in very low levels of fusarium
head blight and no problems with mycotoxin contamination of grain were
reported.
-------------------------
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Charlottetown
H. G. Nass and H.W. Johnston
New cultivar. AC Baltic, a new spring wheat cultivar, was registered
in 1991. AC Baltic (AW 117) is a high yielding, strong strawed, early
maturing feed wheat. AC Baltic is resistant to powdery mildew, moderately
susceptible to septoria leaf and glume blotch and similar to Belvedere and
Messier in reaction to fusarium head blight but superior to Max. It was
derived from the same cross as Belvedere (Kolibri/Gamenya) and has many of
the same good characteristics of Belvedere. AC Baltic has a slightly higher
yield advantage and matures slightly earlier than Belvedere. AC Baltic has
similar test weight and kernel weight as Belvedere. It is approximately 3
to 5 cm shorter than Belvedere and Messier, respectively, and has similar
straw strength to Belvedere and Max and stronger straw than Messier. It can
not be distinguished visibly from Belvedere in that it has awns in the top
third of the spike like Belvedere. SECAN is responsible for seed
distribution of this variety in Canada.
Outcrossing. Outcrossing in winter wheat is an increasing problem in
Canadian Maritime Winter Wheat Registration Trials. Outcrossing is
genetically controlled and is prevalent in specific cultivars. Material
that has outcrossed may take the appearance of a segregating or impure crop
and/or sterile spikelets are common. Evidence that outcrossing is likely
occurring can be seen during pollination by looking against the sun and
observing open florets which are taking longer in setting seed than other
florets. Cultivars such as Absolvent and Fundulea and lines having these
parents in their pedigree show this phenomenon to varying degree depending
upon the environment at pollination in the year in which the seed is
produced. When a cultivar is grown from outcrossed seed of the previous
year one can usually expect a decrease in yield. Breeder seed of such
material must be produced in an environment where outcrossing is less likely
to occur or in isolation from other winter wheat cultivars. Outcrossing
does not seem to be a problem in spring wheat in our area.
-------------------------
SASKATCHEWAN
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon
D.R. Knott
Genotype-Environment Interactions in Durum Wheat Yield Trials
The 1991 growing season provided an excellent example of genotype-
environment interactions and their effect on durum wheat yield trials in
Saskatchewan. Growing conditions were excellent with ample moisture until
the middle of July (just around heading) but then were very dry. These
conditions were expected to favor early cultivars.
At Saskatoon, 31 preliminary (first year) durum yield trials and 11
standard (second year) yield trials were in 1991, each with three checks,
Sceptre, Wascana and Plenty. Most of the preliminary tests were seeded 1 or
2 days later than the standard tests and could, therefore, have suffered a
little more drought stress. At Saskatoon, Sceptre heads and matures about
1.5 days earlier than Wascana and Wascana is about 1 day earlier than
Plenty, although these differences can vary considerably from year to year.
In yield, Plenty averages about 10% above Sceptre, while Sceptre averages
about 2% above Wascana. In protein concentration the normal order is
Wascana (highest), Plenty and Sceptre.
In 1991, the yield results were very consistent. In 40 of the 42
tests, the order was Sceptre (highest), Plenty and Wascana, with Sceptre
often significantly above Plenty, while Plenty was often close to Wascana.
In one test, Wascana was above Plenty, and in another, Plenty was slightly
above Sceptre. As anticipated the drought stress had favored Sceptre over
Plenty but the swing in yields was surprisingly large.
The figures on protein concentration were even more surprising. The
average protein concentrations in the two sets of tests were as follows:
31 standard tests 31 preliminary tests
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Plenty 17.24 17.16
Wascana 17.17 16.86
Sceptre 15.54 15.16
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Thus, Plenty, which is normally below Wascana and only slightly above
Sceptre, was slightly above Wascana and 1.70 to 2.00% above Sceptre.
The key question posed by the data is how does one use them to make
selections. The only answer seems to be, very cautiously. What in fact I
ended up doing was comparing early lines with Sceptre for yield and protein
concentration and late lines with Plenty, and assuming that intermediate
lines should be somewhere in between the two. Pretty subjective! The
results illustrate how critical genotype-environment interactions can be,
and how difficult they can make plant breeding and selection.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM CHINA
Wheat Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences - Zhengzhou,
Henan
Zuoji Lin, Shenhui Jie, Zhensheng Lei
The 1990-1991 season. This past wheat growing season was dominated by
abnormal climate, the winter was warmer but high rainfall and short of
sunshine in early summer especially at grain-filling stage, resulted in the
decrease of 1000 grain weight. Although grains were spike and spike per
m(2) increased a bit, the yield still decreased to compare with last year.
Breeding for widely adapted high-yielding variety. Yumai 13 (Zhengzhou
891), a winter wheat, was registered in China as national variety in 1991.
It is well adapted to most of Huang-Huai wheat growing area in North China
(over seven provinces) and its yielding potential was up to 9000 kg/ha.
According to its performances and other widely adapted varieties, we suggest
that the widely adapted high-yielding varieties should have common traits as
follows:
1. Moderately high tillering ability and higher shoot survival. The
yield components can compensate each other automatically in case
the other is in deficiency. To compare with grain weight, the
number of kernels per unit area is more important.
2. Insensitive to day length. The spike develops slowly before
winter but fast in late spring, endurable to low temperature
during winter season and booting stage as well as high
temperature at grain-filling stage.
3. With better resources to utilize efficiency, such as water,
sunlight, temperature and fertilizer; and adapted to a range of
agronomic practices such as sowing date and seeding rate.
4. Semidwarf, with a higher harvest index; root system should be
more developed to use the nutrients and moisture in the deeper
soil.
5. With a changeable canopy structure, i.e., the upper leaves are
erect at booting stage, while they are somewhat horizontal
smaller leaves or curving larger leaves at grain-filling stage.
The LAD should be longer.
6. Resistant or tolerant to natural disasters and main diseases and
pests such as freeze, drought, dry-hot wind, water-logging,
rusts, powdery mildew, scab, etc.
-------------------------
Wheat Breeding Institute, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing
210014
Zhaosu Wu, Shirong Yu, Xizhong Wei, Youjia Shen, Guoliang Jinag, Jimin
Wu, Yong Xu, Zhaoxia Chen, Qimei Xia
Studies on the Development of the Gene Pool with Improved Resistance to
Scab in Wheat. Five different recurrent selection populations during the
development of the scab resistant gene pool in wheat were investigated under
the condition of artificial Fusarium graminearum infection for effects of
phenotypic recurrent selection during 1988-1989. It was preliminarily
demonstrated that the population mean of resistance to scab was
significantly improved with increased frequency of resistant plants cycle by
cycle. The numbers of infected spikelets of male-fertile plants in the
populations LC1, LC2, RC1 and RC2, representing the long-term and resistance
resource gene pools after one or two cycles of selection, respectively, were
less than that of the original population CO. Recurrent selection for the
resistance with the resistance resource gene pool showed a more obvious
effect than that with the long-term pool. The resistance of male-fertile
plants might be higher than that of male-sterile ones in all the populations
observed. Thus different criteria should be used for the male-sterile and
fertile plants separately. The variance of resistance showed no significant
changes with the long-term gene pool but it tended to decrease obviously
with the resistance resource pool. At the same time, the coefficient of
variation was enlarged significantly, indicating that relative variability
of resistance was increased under the selection. The diverse changes in
plant height, spikes per plant, total and seeded spikelets and kernels per
spike accompanying the improvement of the resistance were not found in most
cases. There was no significant undesirable association between the
resistance and these agronomic characters. Moreover, the results of
experiment with RCO, RC1, RC2 and RC3 populations of the resistance resource
gene pool during two crop seasons 1988-1990 indicated that probability of
obtaining superior individuals with both improved scab resistance and other
desired agronomic characteristics from the selected populations was markedly
greater than that of the original population. It could be believed that
more significant efficiency of improvement would be produced by further
recurrent selection for the resistance associated with desirable agronomic
characters.
Breeding Cultivars and Development of Germplasm Resources. Some
superior cultivars, strains and genetic resources with the desirable
characteristics have been bred by utilizing the Taigu genic male-sterile
gene Ta1 (Ms2), an available tool of genetic improvement in wheat found at
Taigu County, Shanxi Province, China in 1972. Changjiang 8809, Changjiang
8863, Changjiang 8865, Changjiang 9021, TFSL037, etc. developed through
recurrent selection during the development of the gene pool with improved
resistance to scab in wheat, have high-yielding potential, semi-dwarf plant
height, scab resistance and tolerance to other diseases and water logging.
A multi-site trial with 3-replicate randomized block was conducted during
1989-1991. In comparison with the check Yangmai 5, grown most widely in the
Mid-Lower Yangtze Region for the last years, Changjiang 8809 was increased
by about 5% in grain yield per unit area, and showed higher resistance or
tolerance to scab as well as soilborne mosaic virus, leaf rust and pre-
harvest sprouting. It had above 40 g/l higher than Yangmai 5 in test
weight. The resistance of Changjiang 8809 to scab spread in spike was
similar to that of Sumai 3, most-known resistant variety all over the world,
under artificial infection by single-floret inoculation with ascospore
suspension of Gibberella zeae. Most of the other advanced breeding lines
mentioned above and below presented more or less the same grain yield as
Yangmai 5. Changjiang 8802 with white seedcoat and preharvest sprouting
resistance, Changjiang 8853 with early maturity and good quality, and
Changjiang 8897 with early maturity, high grain weight and good quality were
developed from the simple crosses Ta Ningmai 3/Ning 7840, Ta Nimgmai
6/S.G.D. and Ta Ningmai 4/Mianyang 11, respectively.
In addition to screening and selection of breeding lines and genetic
resource materials in multi-site trials for agronomic performance,
assessments of scab resistance were made at naturally epidemic area
Jianyang, Fujian Province, and under artificial infection conditions in
Nanjing and Shanghai, respectively, for more than twenty advanced breeding
lines.
A study on the Variation and Interrelationship of Quality
Characteristics in Wheat Cultivars Grown in North-Huai Plain and Mid-Lower
Yangtze Region. The quality characteristics of 36 and 19 cultivars grown
in North-Huai Plain and Mid-Lower Yangtze Region respectively were evaluated
in 1985 and 1986. The results showed that the means of vitreousness, 1000
kernel weight, protein and wet gluten content of the cultivars of North-Huai
Plain were significantly higher than those of Mid-Lower Yangtze Region.
Test weight and specific gravity were significantly positively correlated
with protein content, sedimentation value, major parameters from frinogram
of flour and steamed bread quality. Steamed bread quality was significantly
positively correlated with protein content, sedimentation value, water
absorption and valorimeter value. It was suggested that vitreousness, test
weight and specific gravity of kernel, and protein content and sedimentation
value should be increased for quality improvement in these two regions.
Study on Value of Wheat Multiline in Mottled-Salt Soil. The
experiments were conducted at Tianwangtang village, Binzhou and experimental
farm of Huimin Agricultural Institute, Shandong Province, during 1989-1991.
12 wheat blends were combined with incomplete diallel ways using 3 salt-
resistant and 4 salt-sensitive wheat cultivars at equal seed rate. The
results showed that LD-1 and Lumai 10 were most resistant, while selected
strain of Shannongfu 63 was most sensitive in salt-resistant diagnoses.
Correlate analysis of yield and its related characters showed that the main
factor affecting wheat yield was spike number, which was determined by
survival seedling number. So survival seedling number was much more
important to wheat yield in strongly mottled-salt soil, while the grain
weight per spike was main factor in light mottled-salt soil, particularly in
rainy seasons.
The average yield in wheat blends increased by 23.46 kg/mu (9.1%)
compared with in the pure stands, and the difference was most significant.
So the application of multiline was a more efficient way to increase wheat
yields in mottled-salt soil. The ecological combining ability was
significantly different among the cultivars at the same experiment, and was
also different among the experiments for the same cultivar. The component
cultivars with higher general and specific ecological combining ability
should be selected when a wheat multiline was combined, thus the multiline
with strongly ecological combining ability would be easily obtained. In
addition, maturing and plant height difference should be coordinated, and
grain white.
Studies on Pre-Harvest Sprouting Resistance in Wheat Cultivars. Pre-
harvest sprouting and its related traits were examined among 22 wheat
cultivars in 1986-1988. The plastic sack sprouting test was the most simple
and reliable one of the four test methods. The water extracts of glume from
22 wheat cultivars with germination percentage differed markedly for
Ningfeng white grains immersed in them. The glume extracts of Nannong 80566
and Kenya 321 sib possessed the highest inhibition effect. Other results
implied that a direct inhibition of glume leachate on grains in intact ear
as well as interaction between glume extract and grain germination existed
possibly.
Significantly negative correlations were shown between grain-coat
redness and à-amylase activity, falling number and germination percentage.
Nonsignificant correlations were found between grain-coat redness and
sprouting in the field, grain-coat redness and falling number.
PUBLICATIONS
Wu, Zhaosu, Shaojun Chen and Zhancai Zhu. 1991. A study on the variation
and interrelationship of quality characteristics in wheat cultivars grown in
North-Huai Plain and Mid-Lower Yangtze Region. J. of Nanjing Agricultural
University, 14(1):1-5.
Jiang, Guoliang, Zhaoxia Chen and Zhaosu Wu. 1991. A research on effects
of recurrent selection of the gene pool with improved resistance to scab in
wheat. J. of Nanjing Agricultural University, 14(2):6-11.
Jiang, Guoliang, Zhaosu Wu and Zhaoxia Chen. 1991. Preliminary report on
the application of Taigu genic male-sterile gene Ta1 to wheat breeding.
Seed 1991,(3):10-15.
Jiang, Guoliang, Zhaoxia Chen and Zhaosu, Wu. 1991. Studies on the
development of scab resistant gene pool in wheat. I. Analysis of the scab
resistance and plant height in different recurrent selection populations.
ACTA AGRONOMICA SINICA, 17(5):346-351.
Jiang, Guoliang. 1991. A study of recurrent selection for resistance to
scab (Gibberella zeae) in superior populations and plants in wheat gene
pool. J. of Southwest Agricultural University, 13(2):137-141.
Yang, Zhuping, Zhaosu Wu and Yibo Lin. 1991. Inheritance and selection of
agronomic characters in an intermating population of wheat. Acta
Agriculturae Shaghai, 7(1):23-28.
Xia, Zhonghua, Shirong Yu and Zhaosu Wu. 1991. Comparison of methods of
estimating stability and adaptability parameters in wheat varietal trials.
J. of Nanjing Agricultural University, 14(3):12-15.
Xu, Yong, Shirong Yu and Zhaosu Wu. 1991. Efficiency comparison of complex
selection methods in advanced generation lines of wheat. J. of Nanjing
Agricultural University, 14(3):16-20.
Yu, Shiron and Yong, Xu. 1991. Studies on multi-check design in cultivar
regional trial and improvement for adaptability parameter estimations. J.
of Nanjing Agricultural University, 14(4):7-12.
Shen, Zhengxing, Shirong Yu and Zhaosu Wu. 1991. Studies on pre-harvest
sprouting resistance in wheat cultivars. Scientia Agricultura Sinica,
24(5):44-50.
Wei, Xiezhong, Shirong Yu, Hexian Song and Xunwu Shang. 1991. A
comparative study on plant type of wheat in three ecological regions.
Jiangsu J. of Agr. Sci., 7(1):20-26.
Wu, Jimin, et al., 1992. Growth analysis on the grain filling in wheat.
Jiangsu Agricultural Sciences, 1992. (3). (In press).
Wei, Xiezhong, Zhaosu Wu, Jimin Wu, Shirong Yu and Yong, Xu. 1991.
Analyses of Plant Type and a Consultative System for Yield Breeding in Wheat
(Monograph). Southeast University Press, Nanjing.
-------------------------
Dry Farming Institute, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry
Sciences, PRC.
Li Huimin, Zhao Fengwu*, Li Hongwu
Preliminary Research on Four CHA in Wheat
The experiment of 70 cultivars/new advanced lines treated with four new
CHA has shown that the four CHA's emasculated rates (ER) were all up to the
CHA's criteria. From the seed set point of view the plant treated with CHA
EK and CHA EKH whose average seed set rates (SSR) were all over 80% which
were much superior to treated with CHA ENa and CHA ENH. There were no
significant differences for the plant characters among the plant height
(PH), the length of head neck (LHN), emasculation rate (ER) and seed set
rate (SSR) between CHA EK and CHA EKH by means of t-test. The two CHA could
be used in hybrid seed production in wheat. Four correlative curves have
been found for the two CHA affecting the plant characters after spraying
which could be used to direct hybrid seed production and anticipate female
performance in the field.
Materials and Methods. 70 cultivars/new advanced lines were randomly
selected whose flag-time were quite similar but other characters were much
different, when planted at normal season, i.e., 10th October, 1990. 4 CHA
were sprayed at flag-time, i.e., 23rd April, whose concentration were: EK,
7000 ppm; EKH, 6000 ppm; ENH 6000 ppm; ENa, 6000 ppm individually. The
dosages were 1500 kg/ha for all of them in which 1 ppm triconol was added to
each. On the 24th April 20, ppm gibberellin acid was sprayed whose dosage
was 750 kg/ha. The plot/sprayed area was 100 m(2) (20*5). Between the
sprayed areas there was 5 m isolated plot or nonsprayed area called male
plot which was used as pollinator. Same amount of water was sprayed on
check plot which was in the middle of CHA sprayed plots. After heading time
10 plants/heads were bagged for counting ER and another 10, for other
characters. The formula used in counting ER and SR was:
A
ER/SSR % = - - - * 100
B
A = Total seeds of basic spikelet of ear per head, and
B = Total basic spikelet of ear per head.
Results and Analyses. The average values for 70 cultivars treated with
four CH are shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Average Effects of New CHA on Plant Characters
PH LHN ER SSR
Type cm cm PH:LHN % %
----------------------------------------------------------------------
CK 90.14 32.37 2.78:1
EK 55.24 14.52 3.88:1 97.25 82.91
EKH 55.46 14.42 3.85:1 95.82 83.41
ENH 57.41 13.58 4.23:1 98.65 60.79
ENa 48.09 12.51 3.85:1 98.96 58.31
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From Table 1 we can see that the ER were all satisfied which were all
over 95%. But the SSR treated with ENH and ENa were far lower than those
treated with EK and EKH. It seems that the pistil was damaged by both of
them, so they should be discarded. Character correlations were also
conducted.
Discussion. 70 cultivars evaluated have shown that the four CHA's ER
were all satisfied but after spraying, the SSR, i.e., the damage degree were
different. CHA EK and EKH could be used in hybrid seed production directly
which all meet the CHA's criteria. But from the cost point of view more
attention should be paid to the CHA EKH whose price was half CHA EK.
The four correlative curves gotten from the experiment could be used to
advise hybrid seed production workers as well as to anticipate female
performance in the field.
The two CHA EK and EKH have a side effect on plant height (PH), but
different cultivars gave different responses. Generally speaking, the
higher the PH, the more LHN decreases. In this experiment, the PH decreased
from 8.4 to 32.4 cm and LHN decreased from 7.1 to 32.1 in which the
proportion between the LHN to PH changed from 1:2.3 to 1:3.8 before and
after spraying.
The LHN is an inherited character, and differences among cultivars were
observed in this experiment. The range of PH:LHN is 1:2.04-3.94. To solve
the problem that the LHN become shorter after spraying, the longer the
cultivar's LHN is, the more suitable as a female in the combination
selected.
* Address: Dry Farming Inst., 6 Nan Men Kou Street, East of Bridge,
Hengshui City, Hebei Province, P.R. C.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM CROATIA
Slobodan Tomasovic, Institute for Breeding and Production of Field
Crops - Zagreb, Department of Cereal Crops
Some More Important Traits of the New ZG Winter Wheat Varieties
Breeding work on developing wheat varieties in the Zagreb Institute
represents a part of the program of wheat production advancement in this
country. The results of this work are well known to wheat growers both in
the country and abroad. The work on developing domestic wheat varieties of
intensive type has been going on for over 30 years. In this Institute and
in other institutes in the country, varieties with high yielding capacity
have been developed. Indeed, there are still certain improvements that can
be made, which have not yet been completely utilized, though further
progress will be less speedy because even greater efforts will be made to
develop varieties that combine genes for high yields, good quality,
resistance to many diseases and different climatic stresses.
The principle objective of our breeding program is development of high-
yielding varieties, with good disease resistance and improved kernel and
flour quality. The growing interest in high-yielding wheat varieties and
improved quality is an incentive to develop varieties that would meet market
demands through breeding work. Varieties Marija, Sana, Marina and some
others are exactly such. They present a significant progress in overcoming
the "antagonism" existing between yield and its quality. The Zagreb
Institute for Breeding and Production of Field Crops has in it work on wheat
breeding developed so far an array of varieties that have been accepted by
the agricultural practice. By their high yielding ability and good flour
and bread quality, Sana and Marija have been accepted by the agricultural
practice both in the country and abroad for several years. Moreover, the
trend of their spread is growing. Owing to their wide adaptability and
great biological plasticity, the results they give are high yield of grain.
For instance, in 1990, on 7,609 has in the region of Slavonia and Baranja
the variety Sana produced mean yield of 8.44 t/ha of grain. In the region
of Bjelovar, on 444 has its average yield was 7.15 t/ha. Because of its
high yielding capacity, and its earlier results achieved in agricultural
production, Sana has been chosen by the Committee for Varietal Registration
since last fall as a check variety for high yields. Likewise, variety
Marija produced mean yield of 7.79 t/ha in the region of Slavonija and
Baranja on 10,306 ha. In the Bjelovar region, on 2,271 ha it produced
average yield of 6.41 t/ha.
Marina (ZG 3021/84). Winter wheat variety Marina represents a model of
intensive wheat with moderately high straw that provides possibility to form
a large number of spikes per unit area. According to its quality
characteristics, it belongs to bread wheats. It was developed from crossing
high-yielding semidwarf line ZG 2468/74 and a source of resistance to
Septoria spp., P-3030, whose distant ancestors are American variety Arthur
and Brazilian material IAS-20. It was tested by the Registration Committee
in 1986-1988 and released in 1989.
In terms of botany, it belongs to Triticum aestivum ssp. vulgare var.
lutescens. Spikes are pale yellow,k glabrous. At full maturity, they are
mostly erect, somewhat dense and tapering. There are 18-20 spikelets in a
spike with 3-5 kernels in each. The kernel has extended form, semi-hard
consistency, dark red in colour. Kernel weight is 41-43 mg, hectoliter
weight 78-80 kg.
At juvenile stage, leaves are bluish green, long and narrow with
unexpressed nervature. It tillers as semiprostratum types, productive
tillering potential is high. Stem is strong and elastic, with very good
resistance to lodging, 83-85 cm high. Marina belongs to mid-early wheats,
by three days later than Super Zlatna. It expresses resistance to
shattering, thus tolerates later planting dates.
Its resistance to stresses such as low temperatures (-17degC without
snow), drought and high temperatures in grain-fill stage is quite good. It
possesses high resistance to leaf and spike Septoria and rust. Its
resistance to powdery mildew and scab is satisfactory. Quality of grain and
flour is very good. By its protein content (13.0-13.5%) and sedimentation
value (35-40 ml) it belongs to quality class I (II). Its farinograph
quality number is 56.62-62.8, thus it belongs to the subgroup B(1). It
produces high yield of flour and good bread quality.
Prior to its recognition, it was included in numerous large- and small-
scale trials on the territory of former Yugoslavia. According to long-term
data, it expressed high productivity and stability. Yields of over 9 t/ha
were recorded at certain locations. We are speaking about a variety
effective in terms of economy because of its universality of utilization at
different soils. Its spread in production is increasing. Optimal planting
date is 10-25 October, planting rate 650-700 viable kernels/m(2). Under
favorable conditions it can produce 700-800 fertile spikes/m(2).
Biljana (ZG 343/80). Winter wheat variety Biljana was developed from
crossing variety ZG 5994/66 and TP 114/1965 A. In the trials of the
Varietal Committee, it was tested in 1985-1987 and released in 1988.
Botanically, it belongs to Triticum aestivum ssp. vulgare var. lutescens.
Spikes are cylindrical, with 18-20 spikelets and 3-4 kernels in each.
Kernels are semitransparent, light brown in colour. Kernel weight is about
40 mg, hectoliter weight is 79-81 kg. It belongs to quality subgroups B(1)-
B(2).
Stem height is about 80 cm, very good resistance to lodging. Leaves
are mid-long and mid-wide, spirally attached, intensively green. Biljana is
mid-early, by about 2 days later than Super Zlatna. Possesses very good
winter hardiness. It is resistant to powdery mildew, leaf and stem rust,
and shows tolerance to Septoria spp. and fusarium head blight. Biljana is a
very head productive variety with genetic yielding potential above 10 t/ha.
It has exhibited great adaptability to different agroecological conditions.
Its spread in production is increasing. Optimal seeding date is October 10-
25. Seeding rate 650-700 viable kernels/m(2).
Alena (ZG 241/84). Winter wheat variety Alena is high-yielding, white,
and awnless. In trials conducted by the Varietal Committee in 1987-1989, in
all growing regions it gave appreciably higher yields than both standards.
It was released in 1990. Botanically, it belongs to Triticum aestivum ssp.
vulgare var. lutescens. Spikes are cylindrical, with 20 spikelets on the
average and 3-4 kernels in each. At full maturity spikes are mostly erect.
Kernels are semitransparent, light brown in colour. Kernel weight is about
43 mg, hectoliter weight 80-82 kg.
Straw is about 85 cm high with good resistance to lodging. Leaves are
mid-long and mid-wide with more horizontal growth habit, dark green, later
they get waxy coating. Alena belongs to a group of mid-early wheats, by 1-2
days later than Super Zlatna. Possesses very good resistance to leaf and
stem rust, and good resistance to powdery mildew and Septoria spp. It is a
very productive variety. Thus, at some locations in large- and small-scale
trials, it gave yields exceeding 9.5 t/ha. Its yielding ability is somewhat
higher than Sana's. Its kernel and flour quality is satisfactory, belongs
to II quality class, subgroup B(1)-B(2). As we can see, it is a variety
that can assure substantial profits per square unit. Optimal planting date
is October 15-25, seeding rate 600 viable kernels/m(2). It shows great
biological plasticity and adaptability to diverse agroecological conditions.
Its production is still experimental.
-------------------------
The Present Level of Knowledge on How to Improve Wheat Yield
Through Increased Production per Spike and Increased Resistance to
Fuasarium spp. on Spikes
Continuous intensification of wheat production requires permanent
development of new varieties with high genetic yield potential, and adequate
grain and flour quality. It presents a task assigned primarily to genetics
and breeding. Given the high genetic yield potential of the varieties
from the present assortment, and their good grain and flour quality, in
developing new varieties special attention had to be given to the most
important traits which play a decisive role in formation of yield and
quality of grain and flour.
Kernel weight and number of grain per spike are very important elements
of yield. Since these two traits are very interdependent, and it is
virtually impossible to expect from them to be both expressed to a maximum.
In new genotypes it is necessary to find the best relationship between the
two, in order to obtain as high yielding spikes as possible. High yield in
new genotypes is achieved primarily owing to a considerably lower stem,
somewhat higher kernel weight, greater number of kernels per spike and
better resistance to diseases. Very important trait of new intensive
varieties is their stem height. Under our agroecological conditions, from
the view point of resistance to lodging and physiological balance between
the straw and kernels, the best genotypes seem to be those with straw height
between 60 and 80 cm (Borojevic 1971). Shortened straw in new genotypes is
a result of shortening internode length. In this way, photosynthetic
activity in semidwarf and dwarf genotypes is changed.
Wheat yield is a very complex trait because in its formation genetic
factors of a number of traits take place, for example, factors that
determine spike fertility, straw height, resistance to lodging, fungal
disease, intensity and duration of photosynthetic activity, winter hardiness
and others. Yielding is a character of a wheat plant as a cultivar, whereas
yield per square unit is a result of activity of cultivar's yielding ability
in interaction with its adaptability to a particular habitat and level of
technology. In breeding, therefore, one should always aim at developing
varieties not only high yielding, but with good adaptability, i.e., aim at
developing varieties capable of producing as high quantity of grain as
possible under specific conditions of light, heat, moisture and nutrient
supply (Mac Key 1966). High yields of a certain variety cannot be obtained
unless a satisfactory relationship is obtained between factors that
determine yield (plant density and production per spike) and factors that
influence yield (climatic conditions, fertilization, tillage intensity and
other). They create the so-called optimal yield structure (Heuser 1928,
Jonard-Koller 1951), Lein-Rosenstiel-Wien-Hues 1954).
Today, new varieties catch up with the best foreign varieties in their
yield and quality. Therefore, for further work in breeding one needs to
have a better insight into genetic constitution of individual traits. One
needs to acquire genetic approach in breeding, marked with the gene-trait
concept (Allard 1960, Borojevic 1966). Wheat yield can be increased by
changing and improving plant structure and by increasing photosynthesis
effectiveness. Plant structure can be changed by reasonable limitation of
the vegetative weight growth by and stimulating the development of the
generative part, especially the components upon which grain yield is
dependent. There has been a trend to develop semi-dwarf genotypes in which
grain and straw ratio is approximately 50:50, because genotypes require less
water, nutrients and solar energy for production of kernel dry matter unit,
and in intensive production they exhibit higher yield potential. The
advantage of semi-dwarf genotypes lies in considerably larger number of
grains per spike or spikelet, as compared to tall genotypes. Genes for
larger number of spikelets per spike were found in the Italian genotype
Forlani (Forlani 1953) and in the Moroccan type of spikes (CIMMYT program).
The ability to develop 7 kernels per spikelet will in the future probably be
inherited primarily from Triticum turgidum species. Other possibilities for
increasing spike productivity is to develop branching spikes (Bonvicini
1955, Koric 1966, Cicin 1971) or four-rowing spike types (Koric 1978). In
long ears, considerable achievement would be made by increasing glumes using
T. polonicum genes, rather than to have many long leaves, as suggested by
MacKey (1980).
It is not only important to develop a variety with high genetic yield
potential, but it is equally important to provide conditions that would
permit full exploitation of such potential. One of the yield limiting
factors generally are wheat diseases caused by fungi. In former Yugoslavia,
work on developing resistant varieties had been in progress for some time.
Owing to a well developed breeding program (Borojevic, Potocanac 1966), a
large number of varieties was developed, many of which were high yielding
and with good quality, some also with improved disease resistance,
especially to rusts and powdery mildew. Work on resistance to other
pathogens, for example, Fusarium spp. has been less successful. Semi-dwarf
genotypes and dense stands have lately caused higher severities of Fusarium
headblight, most frequently head caused by Fusarium graminearum Schw.
(Milatovic, Vlahovic, Tomasovic 1982, Tomasovic, Vlahovic, Milatovic 1983).
Therefore, work was initiated in 1978 at the Zagreb Institute for Breeding
and Production of Field Crops on developing varieties resistant to this
disease. The program of incorporating resistance to Fusarium on spikes is
very complex. Pathogens of the Fusarium species (most often Fusarium
graminearum Schw.) are permanently present in the soil, and as saprophytes,
have little requirements in nutrients. As a contrast, parasites cause
considerable damages on crops, under conditions favouring their development
(Tomasovic 1981). Therefore, further research and improvement of the
resistance level, requires new techniques and methods, i.e., more effective
methods of wheat breeding, primarily recurrent selection. Because by
improving new techniques and methods, reliability and effectiveness of
breeding for resistance to Fusaria on spikes would be increased, which in
terms of economy, are becoming increasingly important diseases in certain
wheat growing regions.
Carriers of resistance (sources of resistance) to spike Fusaria in
wheat possess many unfavorable agronomic characters (extensive genotypes,
taller growth habit, poor resistance to other diseases, susceptibility to
low temperatures). Because of that, a task was assigned (1) to breed
sources of resistance because such do not exist to be incorporated into a
variety and (2) to improve resistance to spike Fusaria of the newly
developed intensive wheat lines (varieties) adapted to intensive growing
conditions.
Because of the growing importance of damages in wheat from attacks of
spike Fusaria, it is necessary to do the following:
- To select sources of resistance to spike Fusaria for intensive
conditions of production
- By mutual crossing of selected sources of resistance develop new
improved sources with improved resistance to spike Fusaria.
During this process, sources of resistance would be compared by
their degree of resistance with their crosses both from earlier
and later generations. Degree of resistance to spike Fusaria
would be estimated by assessing pathogen's attack severity and
its influence on yield and its components.
- Improved sources of resistance to be combined into the Zg wheat
breeding program, thus developing new lines (varieties) to meet
agricultural practice.
Description and method of work. Genetic material we are studying is
very rich. It was obtained from mutual crossing the best genotypes, the
carriers of traits for the programmed wheat ideotype. By accumulating
various polymeric genes, among which are fertility genes, recombination of
favorable genes took place, which resulted in obtaining the most fertile
genotypes.
Multiple combined crossing gave spike forms with elongated rachis and
increased rows of spikelets and increased number of kernels in them. Those
crossings produced spike forms with 33 well-developed spikelets. Spikes
were found with over 100 kernels. These traits largely come from branching
or four-rowing genes (RmRm and TsTs genes) incorporated into these genotypes
which stimulate increased production per spike. Three wheat types were
developed from this genic complex: branched, four-rowing and normal spike
wheats which contain branching and four-rowing genic complex. Normal spike
forms contain apart form those already mentioned, also inhibitor of
branching (four-rowing), i.e., normalizer (NrNr) which controls spike form
without reducing fertility. In this spike form, increased fertility is
achieved through increased number of spikelets per spike and higher kernel
weight. Many results and knowledge from these investigations have helped to
develop new genetic population carriers of high grain productivity per
spike.
In breeding new higher yielding winter wheat lines, the conventional
crossing methods would be used. Material from different generations will be
observed to see how they exhibit the desired traits. Accordingly, analysis
of selected spikes would be made as regards of the following traits: ear
length, number of spikelets per spike, number of grain per spike and total
production per spike. So, the following would be made in one research year:
1. Selection of parental components for crossing
2. Selection and analysis of spikes for heterozygous progenies
3. Selection of homozygous lines and quality testing (kernel weight,
hectoliter weight, sedimentation value, crude protein content).
4. Testing homozygous lines in preliminary variety testing
5. Testing homozygous lines in small-scale variety experiments
Throughout the vegetation period the whole material will be observed
for quality testing, resistance to lodging, diseases, low temperatures and
so on.
The results of investigations conducted for testing resistance to
Fusarium scab indicate that by applying adequate crossing methods,
resistance genes can be accumulated from various sources, and thus lines
with improved resistance degree obtained which can successfully be used in
wheat breeding program as new sources. Because sources of resistance genes
in wheat are often extensive types, which, as a rule, also carry some
unfavorable traits, they need to be improved in "pre-selection", so that
their resistance degree is raised, at the same time eliminating the negative
factors. Collected sources of resistance need first to be tested with
virulent isolates from pure culture. Since symptoms of infections are best
seen in adult stage, testing of genetic material will be made at that stage.
Infection with a suspension of spores has to be made at flowering stage.
In the first year, selection of sources of resistance is made by
crossing healthy spikes that will serve as parents for crossing in the
following year. Grown F(2) generation is then tested for resistance to
Fusarium and resistant plants picked out. The following year, F(3)
generations with different resistance degrees would be crossed again, in
order to raise the level of resistance to this disease. Progenies of F(2)
generations from these crossings would again be tested for resistance and
resistant materials picked out to serve as sources of resistance for
developing new high-yielding wheat varieties resistant to fusarium.
-------------------------
Improvement of Wheat Yield Through Increased Production Per Spike
Objectives. The most recently released varieties and lines produce
yields of more than 10 t/ha. With permanent reduction of acreage under
wheat, a need has arisen to increase yield per unit area. Therefore,
breeders continue to be facing the principal task to create varieties with
increased genetic yield potential and satisfactory grain and flour quality.
One of the means of increasing yield is through higher grain production per
spike, which is one of the basic yield components. Yielding depends on the
number of spikes per square unit, number of grains in a spike, and kernel
weight. The objective of the investigation is to develop new winter wheat
genotypes superior in genetic yielding potential to the existing varieties.
Higher yielding potential would be achieved on the basis of spike
lengthening, i.e., number of fertile spikelets in a spike and number of
rains in a spikelet. Investigations carried out until now have shown that
most genotypes carriers of hereditary basis for long ear are characteristic
by their increased plant height, prolonged vegetation and reduced resistance
to certain diseases. To make the effects of extended spike become fully
manifested, it is necessary to screen desirable varieties through breeding,
finally testing plant density, levels of mineral fertilizer, planting dates
and so on in agrotechnical trials.
Method of investigations. Genetic material we are working with is very
rich. It is obtained by mutual crossing of the genotypes - the carriers of
properties for the programmed wheat ideotype. By accumulating various
polymeric genes, including yield genes, recombination of desirable genes
took place, resulting in obtaining the most fertile genotypes.
Repeated continuous crossings have given spike forms with longer
rachises, increased spikelet nodes and greater grain number in spikelets.
These crossings produced a spike form with 33 well-developed spikelets.
Spikes with over 100 grains were found. These traits largely derive from
branching and four-rowing factors (RmRm and TsTs genes) incorporated into
these genotypes, stimulating higher spike production. Three wheat types
were developed from this genic complex: branched, four-rowing and lines with
normal spike form containing branching and four-rowing genic complex. In
normal spike form, beside the aforesaid genes, there is also branching
inhibitor, normalizer (NrNr) determining spike form, without affecting its
fertility. In this spike forms increased yielding is based on the number of
spikelets per spike, greater number of kernels per spike and higher kernel
weight. Many results and findings from these investigations have helped in
developing new genetic populations, the carriers of high grain production
per spike.
In the breeding process at creating new higher yielding winter wheat
lines, conventional crossing and breeding methods would be used. Breeding
materials will be monitored for the manifestation of desirable traits,
during which the selected spikes would be analyzed for traits such as spike
length, number of spikelets per spike, number of grains in a spike and total
production per spike.
During the vegetation period, phenological observations of all material
would be made, as well as testing to evaluate quality, resistance to
lodging, low temperatures and some more serious wheat diseases.
Justification. This investigation would provide conditions for
intensive exchange of ideas and experience, exchange of basic and breeding
materials, and finally, exploitation of improved genetic material with
increased production per spike resulting from this work.
The ultimate objective of these investigations is to develop new winter
wheat genotypes with increased genetic yield potential. The obtained
materials would be tested under different agroecological conditions. The
results achieved in these investigations would be presented at scientific
meetings.
Acknowledgement. Author's would like to thank very much Prof. Jasenka
Skoblar for her translation into the English language and for her technical
assistance.
PUBLICATIONS
Javor, Petar, Martinic-Jercic, Zdravko. 1989. Programmes of wheat breeding
in the Institute for Breeding and production of field crops - Zagreb. XII
Eucarpia Congress 1989. Vortrage fur Pflanzenzuchtung Bok of Poster
Abstracts, 15.
Koric, Bogdan. 1987. Work on yield stability of Zg-wheats. II.
International Crop Production Symposium Debrecen-Nadudvar, 23-26. VI.
Koric, Bogdan. 1989. Importance of Septoria nodorum blotch and its
chemical control on quantity, quality and sanitary seed condition in seed
production of winter wheat. Poljoprivredna znanstvena smotra (Agriculturae
Conspectus Scientificus), Vol. 55, No. 3-4, 477-484, Zagreb - Proceedings of
Third International Workshop on Septoria of Cereals, Zurich, 74-76.
Koric, Bogdan. 1989. Achievement in wheat breeding for resistance to some
diseases. Agronomski glasnik (Agronomy Journal), No. 4-5, 47-64. Zagreb
(Croatian with English summary).
Koric, Bogdan. 1989. Five-years investigations of pathological types of
Erysiphe graminis f. sp. tritici in western part of Yugoslavia. Zastita
bilja (Plant Protection), 40(4), 481-486, BEograd (Croatian with English
summary).
Koric, Bogdan, Mlinar, Rade, Slobodan Tomasovic, Jaovr, Peter and Vlahovic,
Viktorija. 1989. Wheat breeding for resistance to diseases in Institute for
Breeding and Production of Field Crops of the Faculty of Agricultural
Sciences in Zagreb. Glasnik zastite bilja (Journal of Plant Protection),
No. 6, 228-233, Zagreb (Croatian with English summary).
Koric, Bogdan, and Tomasovic, Slobodan. 1989. Effect of Fusarium
graminearum Schw. on wheat yield. Agronomskiglasnik (Agronomy Journal), No.
3, 49-53, Zagreb (Croatian with English summary).
Koric, Bogdan. 1991. Incidence of pathological types of Erysiphe graminis
DC. f. sp. tritici March. in the western part of Yugoslavia from 1968 to
1990. Agronomski glasnik (Agronomy Journal), No. 4-5, 241-253, Zagreb
(Croatian with English summary).
Matijasevic, Mladen, Mlinar, Rade and Javor, Petar. 1988. Characteristics
of the newly registered Zg-winter wheat varieties, Agronomski glasnik
(Agronomy Journal), No. 2-3, 41-55, Zagreb (Croatian with English summary).
Matijasevic, Mladen, and Mlinar, Rade. 1989. Marija - a new high yielding
and high quality winter wheat variety. Semenarstvo (Journal of the Yugoslav
seed society), No. 5, 131-140, Zagreb (Croatian with English summary).
Mlinar, Rade and Matijasevic, Mladen. 1989. Agronomic traits of some
foreign winter wheat varieties in relation to domestic ones. Agronomski
glasnik (Agronomy Journal), No. 6, 3-9, Zagreb (Croation with English
summary).
Mlinar, Rade. 1990. Marina - new winter wheat variety. Semenarstvo
(Journal of the Yugoslav seed society), No. 6, 339-343, Zagreb (Croatian
with English summary).
Mlinar, Rade. 1991. The results of two-year testings of some foreign wheat
varieties in relation to the domestic. Poljoprivredne aktualnosti
(Agricultural actuality), Vol. 38, No. 1-2, 149-156, Zagreb (Croation with
English summary).
Tomasovic, Slobodan. 1988. Fusarium Diseases of Wheat with Particular
Reference to Fusarium Head Blight (Fusarium graminearum Schw.) Ann. Wheat
Newsletter, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO., SAD, and Canada
Dept. of Agriculture, Vol. 34, 170-173.
Tomasovic, Slobodan, Vlahovic, Viktorija, and Matisjasevic, Mladen. 1989.
Wheat breeding for resistance to Fusarium diseases, especially to Fusarium
graminearum Schw. Wheat Information Service, No. 69, 13-17, Yokohama,
Japan.
Tomasovic, Slobodan, and Koric, Bogdan. 1990. Breeding winter wheat in the
Institute for Breeding and Productiuon of Field Crops - Zagreb - High
yielding wheat cultivars. Ann. Wheat Newsletter, Colorado State University,
Fort Collins, Colorado, SAD, and Canada Department of Agriculture, Vol. 36,
225-227.
Tomasovic, Slobodan, and Koric, Bogdan. 1990. Work on breeding winter
wheat varieties in the Institute for Breeding and Production of Field Crops
of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Zagreb, High-yielding wheat
varieties. Wheat Information Service, Number 71, 32-35, Yokohama, Japan.
Tomasovic. Slobodovan. 1991. Improvement of sources of resistance of new
wheat lines (Triticum aestivum ssp. vulgare) to Fusarium Head Blight
(Fusarium graminearum Schw.) Ph.D. Thesis, University of Novi Sad,
Agricultural Faculty, Novi Sad. 116 pp. (Croatian with English summary).
Tomasovic, slobodan, Vlahovic, Viktorija, Matijasevic, Mladen and Sesar,
Branko. 1991. Breeding wheat for resistance to Fusarium disease on spike
(Head Blight). Sjemenar-stvo (Journal of the Croatian Seed Society), No. 2,
67-76, Zagreb (Croatian with English summary).
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Research Institute of Crop Production, Prague - Ruzyne
Z. Stehno, M. Vlasak
Genetic resources evaluation and temporary wheat cultivars released in
CSFR. At present 18 cultivars of winter wheat and 4 of spring wheat are
released in Czechoslovakia. Another cultivar, `Butin' is released only for
export. Among all released cultivars, only Mironovska was not bred in the
CSFR and it is kept on the list mainly because of its very favorable
response to late time of sowing and its high baking quality. Only two
cultivars `Hana' and `Vlada', have the same quality level as Mironovska.
During 1991 three new cultivars of winter wheat were released:
`Livia' (K 3756-1-76/Kosutka) was bred at Breeding Station Sladkovicovo
as an early ripening cultivar for feeding purposes. It is tolerant to
growing as subsequent crop after cereals. `Livia' has good resistance to
Septoria nodorum and stem rust and medium resistance to powdery mildew and
leaf rust. Resistance to race Clement of stripe rust is lower. It has
medium winterhardiness and good resistance to lodging.
`Senta' (Benno/Sava//Mironovska/Artois Desprez) was bred at Breeding
Station Stupice. It is a mid-late cultivar for feeding purposes. Under
good conditions of growing it has quite good tolerance to growing after
cereals. Resistance to stripe and stem rusts and to Septoria nodorum are
good. Resistance to powdery mildew and winter hardiness do not reach a high
level and are practically the same as `Zdar'. `Senta' has medium resistance
to lodging and quite good sprouting resistance.
`Simona' (Weihenstephan 378/57/Maris Huntsman//Zdar) was bred at
Breeding Station Stupice and is a mid-late cultivar for feeding purposes.
Growing as subsequent crop after cereals is possible. Resistances to
powdery mildew, Septoria nodorum and temporary races of stripe rust are
good. Resistance to stem rust is weak to mid level. Winterhardiness is
low. `Simona' has middle resistance to lodging and good resistance to
kernel sprouting.
`Maja' and `Saxana' spring wheats were released in 1990. ST 3
(REna//Mironovska/Siete Cerros) is very promising and will be released as
`Linda'. Yield stability and lower baking quality are characteristic for
this material.
We used some of the earlier released Cs. cultivars as checks in our
experiments in 1991. They were `Zdar' and `Regina' winter wheats and `Jara'
and `Sandra' spring cultivars. 325 winter and 314 spring cultivars were
evaluated in this experiment in 4 m(2) plots with 4 replications and sowing
rate of 4.5 million germinative grains per ha. Table 1 shows only the top
yielding cultivars among the whole set.
`Julius', `Armur' and `Magnus' outyielded the check Regina under
suitable conditions of the growing period in 1990/1991. The spring
cultivars reached the yield level of the winters. Only `Cornette' from
Sweden outyielded the zechoslovak checks.
Table 1. Survey of the best yielding winter and spring wheat
cultivars evaluated in 1991 under Prague locality conditions.
Country Number Plant Grain
of Yield of ears height weight
Cultivar Origin t.ha(-1) per m(2) cm mg
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Winter
Julius AUT 6.94 288 72 42.0
Armur FRA 6.81 348 66 42.0
Magnus AUT 6.74 292 67 41.5
Regina(check) CSK 6.57 428 61 39.0
Adular DEU 6.48 296 74 49.0
Agron AUT 6.45 344 69 49.5
Titus AUT 6.42 380 66 44.0
Heiduck AUT 6.36 272 71 45.0
Tombola NLD 6.25 360 62 44.0
Miller NLD 6.15 444 60 42.0
Zdar(check) CSK 6.03 308 66 43.0
Hubertus AUT 6.02 268 70 54.0
Spring
Cornette SWE 7.56 416 96 39.0
Maja CSK 7.31 342 90 48.0
Sandra(check) CSK 7.16 369 82 39.0
Jara(check) CSK 7.00 320 92 40.0
Seri 82 MEX 6.99 338 73 45.5
ETA POL 6.92 329 92 42.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------
Oseva - Cereal Research Institute, Kromer 12
J. Smocek
Genetic resources in a special collection were evaluated on the basis
of the following traits: (i) spike sink capacity, (ii) adaptation to
selected environmental agroecological factors causing stress response, and
(iii) bread-making quality. The resources developed at the Cereal Research
Institute were the best except for adaptation (ii).
Table 1 shows the increase of spike sink capacity (ISSC) in 10
multispikelet, multigrain - multifloret and heavy grain resources. They
have the spike of normal morphotype (NS) or spike with vertically sessile
secondary spikelets on spike rachis node (VSS).
Their spikes are, as a rule, cylinder-pyramidal or pyramidal; sterile
spikelets occur in apical parts of spikes more frequently. A lot of
resources have long spike rachis with productive spikes of the 'gigas' type
and a stem length of 85-95 cm (Table 2). Longer stems were observed among
the resources with heavy grains. This tendency, expressed during selection,
is confirmed by correlation coefficients shown in Table 3. Selections for
multispikelet and simultaneously multigrain VSS forms are accompanied by
weight reduction of single grains. Selected multispikelet and multigrain
VSS gene resources have sufficient grain weight under Czechoslovak
conditions.
Most of NS and VSS resources are winter wheats. On the basis of
current data, expression of typical structure of VSS spikes in most gene
resources in F1 is recessive and in some of them - dominant. Donors with
gigas spikes are partly dominant and independent of spike structure.
Developing new wheat resources with ISSC grain-quality has also been
improved.
Table 1. Average values of best winter wheat resources with
increased spike sink capacity.
-------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Number of grains per
fertile spike Grain
Spike** spikelets fertile rachis weight
morphotype per spike spikelet node spike (mg)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Multispikelet:
VSS 29 3.3 4.5 95 41.7
(25-32)* (2.7-4.2) (3.7-5.4) (82-121) (38.9-57.8)
NS 26 3.4 3.5 87 40.6
(24-29) (2.8-4.3) (2.9-4.5) (70-108) (35.8-48.9)
Multigrain:
VSS 24 4.6 5.5 110 44.5
(19-30) (4.2-5.1) (4.0-6.7) (97-126) (36.8-53.0)
Multifloret:
NS 20 5.2 5.4 106 43.7
(18-24) (4.8-5.8) (5.0-6.1) (94-122) (34.7-52.7)
Heavy grain:
VSS 23 3.5 4.1 80 53.3
(19-31) (2.0-5.1) (2.3-5.1) (41-84) (48.7-58.9)
NS 22 3.5 3.5 77 56.3
(16-26) (2.3-4.9) (2.8-4.9)(2.9-4.5)(52.7-60.3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard cvs.:
Hana, Sava 22 3.4 3.5 73 36.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* in parenthesis (min-max)
** VSS is spikes with vertically sessile secondary spikelets on
the spike rachis node, and NS is the normal morphotype spike.
Table 2. Ideotype characteristics of perspective donors.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Spike last spike Number of*
morpho- Stem internode rachis Spike spikelets
type (cm) (cm) (mm) shape a c
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Multispikelet:
VSS 88 38 145 cylindrical- 0 1
(77-116) (32-52) (116-181) pyramidal (0) (0-3)
or pyramidal
NS 83 37 174 cylindrical- 0 1
(68-96) (27-46) (148-210) pyramidal (0-1) (0-2)
Multigrain:
VSS 85 38 158 cylindrical- 0 1
(72-97) (31-46) (136-181) pyramidal (0) (0-3)
Multifloret:
NS 79 35 136 cylindrical- 0 0
(60-100) (22-49) (99-179) pyramidal (0) (0-2)
Heavy grain:
VSS 94 41 128 cylindrical 0 1
(87-116) (38-52) (112-149) or cylindr. (0-1) (0-3)
NS 115 49 158 cylindrical 0 2
(95-119) (40-58) (128-179) pyramidal (0) (0-5)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard cvs. 82 37 88 cylindrical 0 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* a= on bottom part of spike and c = on upper part of spike
Table 3. Correlations between breeding aims and spike
productivity.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Selection Correlated Spike morphotype
for traits VSS NS
--------------------------------------------------------------
Multispikelet
Number of fert. spikelets/spike:
Number of grains/spike 0.475** 0.624**
Grain weight -0.191NS 0.365**
Spike productivity 0.298** 0.545**
Multigrain, multispikelet
Number of grains/spike rachis node +):
Number of graqins/spike 0.846** -
Grain weight 0.758** -
Spike productivity 0.758**
Number of grains/spikelet:
Number of grains/spike 0.867**
Grain weight 0.295**
Spike productivity 0.718**
Heavy grain:
Grain weight:
Length of stem 0.564** 0.650**
Length of last internode 0.443** 0.550**
Spike productivity 0.625** 0.705**
Gigas spike:
Length of spike rachis:
Number of fertile spikelets 0.224** 0.639**
Number of grains/spikelet 0.588** 0.243*
Grain weight 0.061NS 0.542**
Spike productivity 0.524** 0.542**
---------------------------------------------------------------
*, **: Significant at the 0.05 and 0.01 levels, respectively.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM ESTONIA
Institute of Experimental Biology of the Estonian Academy of Sciences,
Department of Plant Genetics, Tallinn/Harku
O. Priilinn, T. Enno, H. Peusha, M. Tohver
Transfer of leaf rust resistance from Triticum timopheevii and T.
militinae into common wheat. The important tasks of the cereal geneticists
and breeders are to increase the yield potential and disease resistance,
improve the yield stabilities and grain quality. Several methods are known
for increasing genetic variation in plant species and we have used in our
research work such as hybridization and induced mutagenesis.
The method of chemical mutagenesis was used in our experiments for
inducing genetic variability in spring and winter wheat. At the beginning
of the 70's a great number of mutant lines with morphological and
physiological changes were induced by alkyl ureas and other chemical
mutagens. Some of these mutants have the complex of agronomically
important characters and are of great value for plant breeding. During the
following years the collection of wheat mutants was investigated with the
help of genetical (aneuploid monosomic analysis), biochemical (gel
electrophoresis), cytological (light- and electronmicroscopic analysis of
meiosis) and immunogenetical (identification of rust resistance genes)
methods.
The increase of genetic variability has been achieved by the method of
wide hybridization using different Triticeae species (T. timopheevii, T.
militinae, T. dicoccum, T. persicum etc.) as the disease resistance donors.
Genes conferring leaf rust resistance have been transferred to common
wheat mutant 146-155 from T. timopheevii by conventional crossing and
backcrossing. Mutant line 146-155 was induced in spring wheat cultivar
Norrona after NMU treatment. The rust resistant derivative, designated as
146-155-T, has the infection types "O", "1-" with clear manifestation of
necrotic reaction. Hybridological genetic analysis showed that one or two
genes provide protection against leaf rust pathogen. It was ascertained
that these genes differed from effective Lr genes for this type of
resistance and were not identical to known effective genes for resistance of
the isogenic set of wheat cultivar Thatcher.
Cytological analysis of meiosis in resistant line 146-155-T revealed
the high frequency of ring tetravalent associations at metaphase I (6.4%),
indicating the chromosome translocation occurrence.
The phenol reaction in wheat is often used as genetic marker to
distinguish cultivars from each other and classify them with respect to the
intensity of colour reaction - from "uncoloured" to "dark brown". It was
ascertained that kernels of Triticum timopheevii after the treatment by
phenolic solution had no colour reaction and were classified as
"uncoloured". The kernels of mutant 146-155 shoed colour reaction and were
classified as "brown". However, kernels of resistant line 146-155-T had no
colour reaction and were classified as "uncoloured". This test evidently
suggested introgression of genetic material from T. Timopheevii to common
wheat mutant as a result of interspecific hybridization. We assume that
chromosome translocation in line 146-155-T may include loci controlling both
resistance to leaf rust pathogen and phenol reaction in kernels (tyrosinase
activity).
The results of our investigations have shown that the more effective
donors of rust resistance were species T. timopheevii, T. militinae and
hybrid F(1) (T. militinae x T. timopheevii). Using the scheme of non-
complete backcrosses with the permanent estimation of wide hybrids on the
artificial provocative background about 50 lines with phenotypes of common
wheat and resistance to leaf rust were selected. The five introgressive
lines with high resistance to leaf rust and good agronomical characters
(CMT-5, CMT-24, CMT-27, CMT-28, CMT-36) have been handed over to the world
wheat collection of N.I. Vavilov's Research Institute of Plant Industry in
St. Petersburg (catalogue No. U-0121782 - 0121786). These lines are of
great value as initial material for wheat breeding.
For identification of genes controlling rust resistance, the lines CMT-
5, CMT-11, CMT-14, CMT-16, CMT-26, CMT-28 and CMT-67 were crossed with
isogenic tester lines of cultivar Thatcher with genes Lr9, Lr19 and Lr24.
Hybridological analysis of hybrid populations showed that resistance to leaf
rust in introgressive lines of wheat was controlled by one or two effective
gene(s) with complementary or epistatic types of interaction. The
segregation in hybrid progenies F(2) revealed the independence of these
resistance genes from known genes in tester-lines of cultivar Thatcher
(Table 1). It was found that wheat introgressive lines possessed new
resistance genes, different from effective genes Lr9, Lr19 and Lr24.
Effect of ph1 mutation on chromosome pairing in wide hybrids of wheat.
It is generally assumed that when the homoeologous pairing prevention system
of wheat is active, genetic transfer between homoeologous chromosomes of
wheat and other species of Triticeae extremely limited. The use of the ph
mutation as the pairing promoting system allows to increase the levels of
wheat-alien homoeologous chromosome pairing and recombination frequencies.
In our experiments varieties of common wheat, including mutant ph1 of
cultivar Chinese Spring, were crossed with wheat species (Triticum
timopheevii, T. militinae, T. persicum), Ae. cylindrica and Secale cereale.
The analysis of microsporogenesis has been carried out and the chromosome
pairing at MI was evaluated on average basis. The results of our
investigations showed that in all crosses in which the mutant ph1 was
involved, the chromosome pairing has been higher as compared with the
corresponding check hybrids (Table 2). It was ascertained that effects of
the mutant ph1 in wide crosses were higher the fewer homoeologous genomes
were integrated in F(1) hybrids. The experiments carried out indicated that
the high level of homoeologous chromosome pairing and, consequently, the
recombination frequencies obtainable by use of ph1 mutation may be employed
in plant breeding and genetics for transferring the alien genetic material
to common wheat genome.
Table 1. Segregation of F(2) hybrids from crosses of wheat resistant
lines with cv. Thatcher tester-lines of known genes for
resistance
Cross combination No. of Proportion of resistant
plants and susceptible plants X(2)
observed Expected
-----------------------------------------------------------------
CMT 5 x Lr 9 100 80 : 20 13 : 3 0,11
CMT 5 x Lr 24 119 68 : 51 9 : 7 0,03
CMT 11 x Lr 9 110 89 : 21 13 : 3 0,13
CMT 11 x Lr 24 100 94 : 6 15 : 1 0,14
CMT 14 x Lr 9 100 94 : 6 15 : 1 0,14
CMT 14 x Lr 19 100 95 : 5 15 : 1 0,29
CMT 14 x Lr 24 110 89 : 21 13 : 3 0,06
CMT 16 x Lr 9 120 102 : 19 13 : 3 0,30
CMT 16 x Lr 19 120 98 : 22 13 : 3 0,01
CMT 16 x Lr 24 87 50 : 37 9 : 7 0,43
CMT 26 x Lr 9 100 83 : 17 13 : 3 0,19
CMT 26 x Lr 19 100 91 : 9 15 : 1 1,28
CMT 28 x Lr 9 100 90 : 10 15 : 1 2,18
CMT 28 x Lr 19 80 64 : 16 13 : 3 0,07
CMT 67 x Lr 9 100 80 : 20 13 : 3 0,06
CMT 67 x Lr 19 100 78 : 22 13 : 3 0,57
CMT 67 x Lr 24 100 56 : 43 9 : 7 0,03
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Induced instability in wheat mutants. Genetic instability was detected
in many wheat mutant lines induced by chemical mutagens (NMU, NEU, DAB),
particularly in the ones, which were produced by repeated treatment. Mainly
genetic instability reveals itself in reversions into the primary type and
vice versa. Sometimes up to 30% from induced mutant lines segregate into
two or more morphological types during ten or more generations. The
frequency of appearance of instable forms is genotype specific.
The revertants are very different according to the genetical properties
of concrete mutants. More frequently the compactoid and squarhead forms are
unstable and going over to one another. We suggested that it should be
connected with easy transition of genes C and c and with different doses of
factor Q.
Karyotype of mutant sublines and of revertants were analyzed. Specific
changes of mutant karyotype were not noticed. In some mutant and revertant
sublines small average numbers of rod bivalents and multivalents were
revealed.
Table 2. Meiotic pairing at MI in the different hybrids F(1)
Hybrid combinations No. of Bivalents Univalents Multi- Chiasmata
cells valents
observed p e r c e l l
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese Spring (ABD)
x T.persicum (AB) 274 13,6 7,5 0,06 25,2
CS mutant ph1 (ABD)
x T.persicum (AB) 178 13,0 6,0 0,75 25,9
Chinese Spring (ABD)
x T.timopheevii (AG) 130 7,2 18,3 0,63 12,0
CS mutant ph1 (ABD)
x T.timopheevii (AG) 243 8,3 14,7 1,1 15,4
Chinese Spring (ABD)
x T.militinae (AG) 32 6,4 21,5 0,25 9,5
CS mutant ph1 (ABD)
x T.militinae (AG) 313 8,7 14,7 0,85 13,2
Chinese Spring (ABD)
x Petkus rye (R) 880 0,3 27,4 0 0,3
CS mutant ph1 (ABD)
x Petkus rye (R) 169 4,6 15,3 0,46 7,2
CS mutant ph1 (ABD)
x Kc-517/8 rye (R) 217 5,7 13,2 0,94 12,1
Chinese Spring (ABD)
x Ae.cylindrica (CD) 153 4,8 23,7 0,3 8,4
CS mutant ph1 (ABD)
x Ae.cylindrica (CD) 86 7,8 16,6 0,8 15,3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
PUBLICATIONS
Enno, T., Peusha, H. 1990. The cytological analysis of meiosis in the
intergeneric hybrids F(1) Triticum aestivum L. x Aegilops cylindrica L.
Proceed. Estonian Acad. Sci. Biol., 40:185-192.
Peusha, H., Shnaider, T. 1990. Genetic control of disease resistance in
derivatives of Triticum timopheevii. In: Cytogenetics of cereal crops.
Tallinn:97-102.
Priilinn, O. 1991. Development of plant genetics and genetical basis of
plant breeding in Estonia. Journal of Agricultural Sci., Tartu:134-149.
Shnaider, T., Peusha, H. 1989. Genotypic response to phenol in wheat.
Proceed. Estonian Acad. Sci. Biol., 38:316-319.
Tohver, M. 1991. Genetic instability of wheat mutants induced by chemical
mutagens. Proceed. Estonian Acad. Sci. Biol., 40:34-37.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM FRANCE
Laboratoire de Genetique Vegetale, URA 115 CNRS, Universite Paris XI,
91405 Orsay
J. De Buyser, J. L. Marcotte and Y. Henry*
Genetic Aspects of Regeneration in Wheat Tissue Culture
Anther culture. During the anther culture process, embryo induction,
regeneration capacity and albinism are independent heritable traits (3),
which are quantitatively controlled. We have previously demonstrated that
several chromosome arms were involved in the genetic basis of responsiveness
to anther culture in wheat (4). The presence of a parental line having a
wheat-rye translocated 1BL-1RS chromosome increase the regeneration capacity
(3).
A comparison was performed using the sexual progeny from the cross
female 1B/1B x male 1B/1B-1R and the haploid plants regenerated from the
anther culture of heterozygous 1B/1B-1R plants. Experiments indicate that a
preferential transmission of 1BL-1RS chromosomes (compared to 1BL-1BS) was
exhibited during the anther culture process, on the contrary to male
transmission 1:1 through sexual crosses. This provided evidence for major
nuclear gametophytic gene(s) on 1RS arm acting on regeneration from wheat
microspore embryos (to be published).
Somatic Embryogenesis. The spring line Chinese Spring (CS) that
produce somatic embryogenesis in vitro was tested for its ability to
sexually transmit the embryogenetic trait. The F(1) embryos from the
reciprocal crosses between CS and a non embryogenic variety, do not express
somatic embryogenesis. In contrast the F(2) embryos revealed a segregation
embryogenic: nonembryogenic. These results demonstrate that the trait for
somatic embryogenesis in wheat is sexually transmitted (6).
Aneuploid stocks including 36 ditelosomics (DT) and 7 nullisomic-
tetrasomic (NT) were compared for their ability to produce somatic embryos
and meristems after two months of in vitro immature embryos culture. They
were also observed for their regeneration capacity after 4 and 14 months in
vitro somatic embryogenesis. A large range of variation was found between
the tested aneuploids, suggesting that the genetic determinism of the
somatic tissue culture ability is polygenic, with a major effect of genes
located on the long arms of homoeologous group 3 chromosomes.
Moreover, only 12 % of DT or NT regenerants possesses an abnormal
chromosome complement after 4 months of in vitro somatic embryogenesis,
instead of 75% after 14 months. The plants derived directly from somatic
embryos shows the same frequency of abnormalities than those regenerated
from meristems.
Publications
Aubry, C., De Buyser, J., Hartmann, C., Henry Y. and Rode A. 1990.
Molecular organizations of the mitochondrial genome in albino tissue
cultures derived from wheat pollen embryos and in plants regenerated from
these cultures. Plant Science 65:103-110.
Hartmann, C., Henry, Y., De Buyser, J., Lejeune, B., Quetier, F. and Rode,
A. 1990. A comparative study of the mitochondrial DNA organization in
nonembryogenic and embryogenic somatic tissue cultures of wheat: evidence
for a differential variability. Giornalo Botanico Italiano 123:123-132.
Henry, Y. and De Buyser, J. 1985. Effect of the 1B-1R translocation on
anther culture ability in wheat. Plant Cell Reports 4:307-310.
Henry, Y. and De Buyser, J. 1990. Wheat anther culture. Agronomic
performance of doubled haploid lines and the release of a new variety
"Florin". In: Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry, Vol. 13: Wheat,
ed., Y. P. S. Bajaj. Springer, 286-352.
Rios, R., De Buyser, J., Henry, Y., Ambard-Bretteville, F. and Remy R.
1991. Two-dimensional electrophoretic comparison of mitochondrial
polypeptides from different wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) tissues. Plant
Science 76:159-166.
De Buyser, J., Marcotte, J.-L. and Henry, Y. Genetic analysis of in vitro
wheat somatic embryogenesis. Submitted.
Hartmann, C., De Buyser, J., Henry, Y., Morere-Le Paven, M.-C., Dyer, T. and
Rode, A. A nuclear genes control changes in the organization of the
mitochondrial genome in tissue cultures derived from immature embryos of
wheat. Submitted.
-------------------------
INRA Plant Breeding Station of Rennes.
G‚rard Doussinault, Joseph Jahier, Jacqueline Pierre, Maxime Trottet,
Fran‡oise Dedryver.
Determination of resistance to Septoria nodorum in Aegilops squarrosa.
Substitution lines of the 7 chromosomes of Aegilops squarrosa nø33 (D
genome) in cv. Cappelle have been obtained (3 backcrosses, backcrossing
programme is still in progress). These lines and Cappelle, AS6 (amphiploid
Ae. Squarrosa * T. dicoccum) and Ae. squarrosa nø33 have been studied for
their reaction towards S. nodorum. The tests have been made at three leaf
growth stage, on detached leaves and on the whole plant, and during stem
extension and at heading. At least 4 chromosomes of Ae. squarrosa are
involved in resistance, some chromosomes have a negative effect on
resistance, none of the substitution line is as resistant as Ae. squarrosa
nø33 or as the amphiploid AS6, this means that the genetic determinism of
resistance is not simply inherited. The genetic determinism of resistance of
leaves is for a part different from the one of the spikes. The 3D chromosome
seems to be the only one to improve all the aspects of resistance studied.
Resistances to Meloidogyne naasi and to Heterodera avenae transfered
from Aegilops variabilis. One accession of Aegilops variabilis (2n=28,
UUSvSv) resistant both to the root knot nematode M. naasi and to the cyst
nematode H. avenae was hybridized with wheat. In the backcross progenies,
one disomic addition line (2n=44) and one recombination line resistant to
root knot nematode were extracted. The gene(s) for resistance on the added
chromosome (3U or 3Sv) was tansferred to chromosome 3B of the recombination
line through homoeologous meiotic pairing. An isozyme marker for resistance
(esterase) was found. It will allow a simple and rapid screening method for
selecting resistant varieties. Selection of lines resistant to cyst nematode
is in progress. At least three levels of resistance to Ha12 pathotype of H.
avenae were distinguished. It was unexpected to find that the two types of
lines resistant to M. naasi displayed different resistance to H. avenae. It
suggests that the two genetical systems and the mechanisms of resistance to
both parasites are partly common.
Improvement of populations by recurrent selection. We have now achieved
4 cycles of selection for the population of winter wheat PA (created from 16
parents in the years 1976 - 1978). A multitrait, multilocal and short cycle
recurrent selection procedure was used to improve the agronomic value and
bread making quality. The selection cycle includes 2 generations of
selection and 1 generation of intercrossing of the best genotypes. Selection
on S0 and S1 plants based on selfing regime was performed with phenotypic
indices which combine disease resistance, height, yield and bread making
quality. The analysis of the 2 first cycles of selection shows the
efficiency of such a scheme with an increase in mean level of most of the
characters studied except a very important one which is yield. Moreover, the
intrapopulation variability estimated by phenotypic variances remained
unchanged except for characters intensively selected and with an oligogenic
determinism (stripe rust resistance and height). The mean reason for the low
efficiency of selection for yield is the weak precision of the tests made on
generation S1. The quantity of seeds produced by a S0 plant do not allow
large plots (we use 1 row plots with 2 replications in 3 locations). The
segregation for height in about half the S1 families, due to the presence of
Rht1 and Rht2 genes, decreases the precision of yield estimation, and the
tall plants whose contribution to yield of the family is the most important
are not the ones which will be intercrossed.
In the generation S0 of the fourth cycle 98% of the plants had a very
high level of resistance to stripe rust, 81% to leaf rust and 67% to powdery
mildew. These resistances may be due to to a little number of major genes
efficient towards the races of the pathogens present in the nursery, and
there is probably a hidden variability. The frequency of the gene Pch1 of
resistance to Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides which was of 25% in the
founder lines is of 30% in the fourth cycle of the population.
Publications.
Bousquet, J.D., Touraud, G., Piollat, M.T., Bosch, U., Trottet, M. 1990. ABA
accumulation in wheat heads inoculated with Septoria nodorum in the field
conditions. J. Agronomy and Crop Sciences. 165 : 297-300.
Branant, P., Kervella, J., Doussinault, G., Picard, E., Rousset, M. 1991.
Influence du premier cycle de s‚lection r‚currente appliqu‚e … une
population de bl‚ tendre d'hiver. Agronomie 11:473-482.
Chen, Q., Jahier, J., Cauderon, Y., 1990. Intergeneric hybrids between
Triticum aestivum and three crested wheatgrasses: agropyron mongolicum, A.
michnoi, and A. desertorum. Genome, 33 : 663-667.
Chen, Q., Jahier, J., Cauderon, Y., 1991. Evaluation, en vue
del'am‚lioration des bl‚s, d'espŠces du complexe Agropyron cristatum
collect‚es en Chine. C.R. Acad. Agric. Fr., 77 : 1, 65-73.
Lucas, P., Cavelier, N., Pierre, J., Doussinault, G. 1990. Evolution au
champ de la croissance et ‚laboration du rendement d'un peuplement de bl‚
d'hiver en fonction des attaques de Rhizocronia cerealis. Agronomie 6 :
479-486.
Person-Dedryver, F., Jahier, J., Miller, T.E., 1990. Assessing the
resistance to cereal root-knot nematode, Meloidogynenaasi, in a wheat line
with the added chromosome arm 1HchS of Hordeum chilense. J. Genet. & Breed.,
44 : 291-296.
Rivoal, R., Doussinault, G., Hulle, M. 1990. Influence of Heterodera avenae
on winter wheat in France:experiments with resistant and susceptible
vaeieties. Ann. appl. Biol. 116 : 537-548.
Saur, L. 1991. Recherche de g‚niteurs de r‚sistance … la fusariose de l'‚pi
caus‚e par Fusarium culmorum chez le bl‚ et les espŠces voisines. Agronomie
11 : 535-541.
Thomas, G., Doussinault, G., Trottet, M. 1991. M‚thodologie de
l'am‚lioration de bl‚ tendre (Triticum aestivum L.). II. Etude et analyse de
deux premiers cycles de s‚lection r‚currente. Agronomie 11 : 457-472.
Thomas, G., Rousset, M., Pichon, M., Trottet, M., Douddinault, G., Picard,
E. 1991. Mthodologie dem‚lioration de bl‚ tendre (Triticum aestivum L.). I.
Cr‚ation par croisements et analyse d'une population artificielle … 16
parents, base de cette ‚tude m‚thodologique. Agronomie. 11 : 359-368.
Yu, M.Q., Person-Dedryver, F., Jahier, J., 1990. Resistance to boot knot
nematode, Meloidogyne naasi Franklin) transferred from Aegilops variabilis
Eig. to bread wheat. Agronomie, 6 : 451-456.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM GERMANY
Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Gatersleben
A. Boerner, R. Schlegel, J. Plaschke, and I. M. Ben Amer
GA-insensitivity. A collection of 28 Libyan wheat accessions showing a
reduced plant height were screened for gibberellic acid (GA(3))
insensitivity. One hexaploid and four tetraploid wheats could be classified
as non-responsive. Because the drums were collected in 1981 from cultivated
areas, it seems to be unlikely that they carry genes for GA insensitivity
which are different to the widespread `Norin 10' or `Tom Thumb' alleles. As
a new source for GA insensitive dwarfing genes the hexaploid wheat line `TRI
6964' is of particular interest. It was collected in 1955 from an isolated
area, called `Al-Kufra' oasis.
The tetrasomics of the homoeologous groups 2, 5 and 7 of `Chinese
Spring' wheat were, together with the euploid standard, tested at the
seedling stage for sensitivity to exogenous (GA(3)).
Whilst the seedling length of lines tetrasomic for group 2 chromosomes were
taller and those for chromosome 5A, 5D and 7D shorter in both treatments
(with and without GA(3)) compared to the euploid control, the remaining
tetrasomics - 5B, 7A and 7B - were significant shorter than the euploids in
the GA variant only. These results suggest the presence of additional
genetic factors for GA insensitivity on chromosomes of the groups 5 and 7 of
wheat. Thus it corresponds with the localization of GA insensitive dwarfing
genes on the homoeologous chromosomes 5R and 7R of diploid rye.
Tissue culture response. Immature embryos of F(3) lines, segregating
for the hybrid dwarfing gene D2 were studied together with their parental
varieties `Florence' (genotype d1d1 D2D2 d3d3_ and `Chinese Spring'
(genotype d1d1 d2d2 d3d3) for tissue culture response. Six out of eight
F(3) lines were found with a high rate of callus growth similar to the level
of `Florence', whereas two lines had significant lower callus weights
corresponding to the level of `Chinese Spring'. The 3:1 segregation found
did not match the expected segregation of the D2 gene. It is suggested that
there is a different dominant gene (or gene complex) in `Florence' which
promotes the callus growth, and the hybrid dwarfing gene does not effect
this trait.
In addition the influence of genes/alleles, affecting the whole plant
phenotype (Rht8, rht8 and Ppd1, ppd1) on tissue culture response was studied
by using immature embryos. Whereas the semi-dwarfing gene Rht8 seems to
have only a minor promoting effect, the daylength sensitive allele ppd1,
which promotes the vegetative growth of plants under short day conditions in
vivo did determine a significant increase in callus growth and regeneration
ability. Regarding to their tissue culture efficiency, the four alleles
studies, could be ranked as follows: ppd1 > Rht8 > rht8 > Ppd1.
Homologous chromosome pairing. A self-fertile inbred line of diploid
rye (RR) was used for the production of amphidiploid, hexaploid and
octoploid, wheat-rye hybrids with an identical rye component to investigate
the contribution of tetraploid and hexaploid wheat genomes to homologous
pairing failure of the rye chromosomes. In addition, the RR, AABBRR and
AABBDDRR plants were kept under different temperature conditions in
phytotrons (15, 20 and 25degC) during microsporogenesis in order to study
effects on the pairing process. The results demonstrated a reduction of
bivalent pairing of the rye as well as of the wheat chromosomes due to
increased temperatures, but much more pronounced in the rye genome, as
measured by the chiasma frequency per chromosome. Almost the same effect is
produced by the addition of the AABB or AABBDD genomes, at least at the 15
degC level. Since differential chromosome staining was applied to
discriminate wheat and rye chromosomes as well as rye chromosomes from each
other, it could be shown that in the AABBRR and AABBDDRR hybrids the
univalents and rod bivalents of rye involved predominantly chromosome arms
carrying heterochromatic telomeres. The frequency of interstitial chiasmata
of rye chromosomes is more decreased by the presence of the wheat genomes
rather than higher temperature. Thus, pairing reduction due to the presence
of a tetraploid or hexaploid wheat genome, connected with differences of
duration of meiotic prophase, should be one of main reasons for genome
interference in triticale, besides interactions of wheat and rye genes
controlling chromosome pairing and recombination.
Mineral nutrition and genetical control. The recognition that
varieties of cereal crops differ in their response to nutrients and soil
conditions, induced research directed towards elucidating the specific
factors involved. Although soil and fertilizer science try to ameliorate
unfavourable soil conditions there are soils which represent a continuing
problem over large areas (acidity, toxicity, salinity etc.). On the other
hand, reduction of fertilizers becomes more important by economical and
environmental reasons. It is accepted by the breeders that selection for
adaptation to certain soil conditions is not only possible for the efficient
utilization of nutrients under high soil fertility but also under mineral
stress. It is recorded that varieties and genotypes in cereals show
differences in their uptake and utilization of macro and micro nutrients as
well as different tolerance to nutrient excess and to supply with potential
toxic elements. A review (Schlegel et al. 1991) revealed that despite
intensive studies on mineral nutrition in cereals only few results are
available which clearly demonstrate it genetical determination. It seems
that macro nutrition is controlled more complex than the efficiency of trace
elements, but in both major genes can be involved. The investigation of the
inheritance of mineral nutrition was proved most efficient when defined
genotypes and suitable genetic tester stocks were included. Genes on
chromosomes of the homoeologous groups 4 and 5 seem preferentially involved
in the control of plant nutrition.
PUBLICATIONS
Borner, A. 1991. Genetical studies of gibberellic acid insensitivity in
rye (Secale cereale L.). Plant Breeding 106:53-57.
Borner, A. 1991. Genetics of reduced height (Dwarfism) in cereals and its
significance in breeding. Proc. Meeting of the Cereal Section of EUCARPIA,
Schwein, 24-27.6.1991, Vortr. Pflanzezuchtg. 20.79-84.
Houben, A. and R. Schlegel. 1991. The isolation of individual chromosomes
of diploid barley by micromanipulation. Proc. 6th Int. Barley Genet. Symp.,
Helsingborg/Sweden, 1991. 279-280.
Houben, A. and R. Schlegel. 1991. Chromosome-Transfer bei Pflanzen. Wiss.
u. Fortschr. 41.358-360.
Mettin, D., Schlegel, G. and C. Lehmann. 1991. Instability of the blue
grain color in a strain of T. aestivum. Genome 34:745-750.
Schlegel, R. and O. Schrader. 1991. Pairing restriction in homologous rye
chromosomes of amphidiploid wheat-rye hybrids determined by genome dosage
and temperature. Proc. 2nd Int. Triticale Symp., Paso
Fundo/Brazil, 1991. 359-367.
Schlegel, R., T. Werner and E. Hulgenhof. 1991. Confirmation of a 4BL/5RL
wheat-rye chromosome translocation in the wheat variety `Viking' showing
high copper efficiency. Plant Breed. 107:226-234.
Schlegel, R., T. Werner and F. Jacob. 1991. Mineral nutrition and
genetical control in cereals. Proc. Meeting of the Cereal Section of
EUCARPIA, Schwein, 24-27 June 1991, Vortr. Pflanzen zuchtg. 20:85-94.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM HUNGARY
Agricultural Research Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences,
Martonvasar
L. Balla, Z. Bedo, L. Szunics, L. Lang, Lu. Szunics, I. Karsai, Gy. Vida
The 1990-1991 crop year was favourable until mid-June, when the hot
weather reduced the grain filling period. The unusually long period of
heavy rain during harvesting caused significant losses in yield and reduced
grain quality. The national yield average was 5.17 t/ha on 1.15 million
hectares.
Breeding. Two new Martonvasar wheat varieties were registered last
year. Martonvasari 22 was selected from the cross NS
2568-2//Bezostaya dwarf/Zg 1477-69/3/Zg 4431. This early ripening wheat
adapted particularly well to the high temperatures last year. Judging by
its farinographic value, it has a baking quality of B1 with an average
loaf volume. It has excellent resistance to stem rust and powdery mildew,
and its winter hardiness is also satisfactory. The other new variety,
Martonvasari 23, was developed from the cross 13A/MvTf//Martonvasari
5/3/Tiszataj. The main agronomic advantage of this medium early wheat is
its A2 farinographic value, combined with large loaf volume and
excellent gluten quality. It has good stem rust resistance and winter
hardiness, and moderate resistance to powdery mildew.
Anther culture. An analysis of the Martonvasar wheat varieties showed
that the most important of these, e.g. Mv 15, Mv 16, Mv 7, etc., have
good androgenic ability either alone or in crossing combinations. When
anther cultures were initiated from populations of crossing combinations
involving these wheats, fertile dihaploid plants were obtained with an
average frequency of around 2 %. In the majority of cases, uniform,
non-segregating lines were obtained from the progeny of DHo plants.
After multiplication, the agronomic properties were evaluated in
experiments with four replications. Eight dihaploid lines were entered
for state variety trials this autumn on the basis of their good
productivity, quality and disease resistance. In each case one of the
parents was a Martonvasar variety or line.
As the result of research begun five years ago, several new doubled
haploid lines as new agronomic sources are available for earliness,
dwarfness, resistance and favourable quality traits, especially high
protein and gluten content and excellent baking quality. In many cases the
new initial breeding stock was created from exotic x locally adapted
wheat crosses. Among the new sources, special mention should be made of
the DH line MvDH 309, which has purple grains and high protein content.
Two winter wheat cultivars were used to study the effect of repeated
anther cultures on in vitro androgenesis. In these experiments, the
first and second generations of dihaploids were studied in order to
determine the effect of anther cultures; changes in the F1 populations
produced between the original and dihaploid plants of the two cultivars
were also investigated. The results show that repeated anther cultures do
not increase the frequency of pollen embryogenesis, as there was no
improvement in the androgenic ability of the two dihaploid generations
tested. The inclusion of dihaploid plants in crosses led to similar
results. The populations gave results either identical to or
poorer than those found for the F1 populations of the original plants.
The poorer results were found when the dihaploid plant was used as the
male partner.
Studies were made on the variability existing between individual
plants of the same variety with respect to in vitro androgenesis ability,
and on the responses given by the progeny lines of these plants in anther
culture. The great differences observed between plant individuals,
especially with respect to plant regeneration ability, were generally
significant.
Variability was even greater in the progeny generation. The most
important factor influencing the frequency of anther response and callus
induction ability was the genotype, while in the case of plant
regeneration, genotype only had a significant effect on the frequency of
green plants. The effect of environmental factors was significant for all
four characters studied. On the basis of parent-progeny regression,
medium h2 values (h2=0.60 and h2=0.48) were obtained for Mv 16 with
respect to the frequency of anther response and callus induction, and a low
(h2=0.39) value for Fatima with respect to the frequency of green
plant induction, while in the remaining cases no correlation could be
demonstrated between the responses of the original plant and the progeny
lines.
Disease resistance. In 1991, 23 wheat powdery mildew races were
isolated. There was no substantial change in the ratio of prevalent
races. The prevalent races and their frequencies are as follows: 51 (24.8
%), 75 (12.9 %), 46 (10.9 %), 85 (8.6 %), 72 (8.6 %). Races containing
virulence genes 5 (33.8 %), 7 (24.7 %) and 6 (21.9 %) were present in the
greatest proportions. Very few races are virulent to genotypes containing
the genes Pm 4a and Pm 4b. Gene Pm 17 provides excellent field resistance.
On the basis of experimental data and the genealogy of the
varieties it would seem that the varieties Martonvasari 10 and GK Kincs“
have inherited the resistance genes Pm 2+6 and Sr 36 from Arthur. Breeders
have transferred the resistance genes Pm 8, Lr 26, Sr 31 and Yr 9 from
Kavkaz into Martonvasari 14, Martonvasari 15, Martonvasari 16,
Martonvasari 17, Martonvasari 20 and GK Zombor. In addition to these
major genes, other minor genes may also occur. In the course of the years,
the resistance genes Sr 5, Lr 3, Lr 26, Pm 8 and Pm 2+6 have lost their
effectiveness.
A considerable quantity of precipitation fell during the harvesting
period. This not only complicated and delayed harvesting, but also
promoted the spread of Fusarium fungi. Among the Martonvasar wheat
varieties, the following are less prone to infection: Mv 15, Mv 16, Mv 18,
Mv 19, Mv 20 and Mv 21.
In 1991 unusually severe infection was caused by Sclerophthora
macrospora (downy mildew). Evaluations were made on the resistance
of nearly 2000 varieties, 83.1 % of which were symptom-free, while
8.6 % were severely infected. Among the varieties well-known in Hungary,
the following had above-average susceptibility: Kavkaz, Avrora, Bezostaya
2, Martonvasari 4, Martonvasari 5, Martonvasari 15, GK Othalom, GK Szoke,
GK Orzse, Bucsanyi 20, ST 924-79, F-29, Sbrijanka. Susceptibility to the
pathogen may be inherited. Lines selected from hybrid
combinations developed using the varieties Martonvasari 5,
Martonvasari 15, F-29 and Bucsanyi 20 were subject to
above-average infection.
Agronomy research. The latest series of Mv wheat varieties were
tested in herbicide provocation trials involving MCPA, icamba, flurenol
and bromoxinyl agents. Mv 19 has shown a medium dicamba
susceptibility, while Mv 20 was slightly susceptible to bromoxinyl.
Both of them were tolerant to all the other substances. Mv 21
seems to be resistant to the herbicides applied. The peculiar rainy
weather of 91 Summer has given good chances for harvest date field tests in
our quality program. Among the varieties MvM has shown the highest
durability in quality figures, especially in glutin. The decrease of
Hagberg falling number was general for all cultivars in late harvest,
except the medium quality wheat Mv 21.
-------------------------
J.Sutka, B.Barnabas, G.Galiba, O.Veisz, M.Molnar Lang,
G.Kovacs, B.Koszegi, E.Szakacs, I.Takacs, G.He, E.Korbuly, G.Kocsy
Genetic and cell biology studies. The effect of the temperature was
studied on seed set and embryo development in producing barley x
wheat and the reciprocal hybrid. Among the four temperatures studied
(12, 15, 18 and 21degC) the lower degrees (12, 15degC) proved to be
favorouble for seed set in the production of barley x wheat hybrids in
both variety combinations (Martonvasari 50 (Mv 50) x Chinese Spring
(CS), Betzes x CS). But the low temperature slowed down embryo
development, so altogether the largest number of hybrid plants were
produced from heads which were pollinated and kept at 18degC. However in
the production of the reciprocal (wheat x barley) combination the highest
temperature (21degC) was the most suitable for seed set. The largest
number of hybrid seeds and plants were obtained at 21degC in the CS x
Betzes combination. The effect of temperature in the CS x Mv 50 cross
could not be demonstrated because of the very low number of seeds. The
kr1 recessive gene was transferred from Chinese Spring into the
Martonvasari 9 (Mv 9) winter wheat variety. According to earlier results
Mv 9 carries the kr2 gene, so only the kr1 gene had to be transferred.
In the wheat line created, the Mv 9 genotype is present in a
proportion of 87.5%, but its crossability with rye and other alien
species is as high as that of Chinese Spring. The use of this line in wide
crosses makes it easier to introduce alien variation from wild species into
a good quality, high-yielding winter wheat.
The relationship between frost tolerance and abscisic acid (ABA)
accumulation was studied in callus cultures of four wheat cultivars,
and in the 5A and 5D chromosome substitution lines of the frost-tolerant
variety "Chyenne" into frost-sensitive "Chinese Spring". Following
cold hardening, the increase in ABA level was higher in the calli of
relatively more frost-tolerant cultivars than in sensitive ones.
Similarly, in 5A and 5D substitution lines higher ABA levels were
detected than in the recipient "Chinese Spring". One week-long ABA
treatment at 26øC induced a significantly higher level of frost tolerance
than cold hardening, irrespective of the frost sensitivity of the examined
genotypes. The increased frost tolerance can be due to the extremely
high level of ABA (200-500 fold higher than after cold hardening) in the
calli following a week-long maintenance on medium containing 40 mg/1
ABA. A highly efficient anther culture technique to produce dihaploid
wheat plants has been elaborated. The way of chromosome doubling produced
by colchicine before the first microspore mitosis is significantly
more efficient than the conventionally used techniques. The
fertility of the regenerants increased significantly and can be
stabilized in the next progenies by this new technique. The dihaploids
obtained from this cultures are phenotipically more stable than the
spontaneous or traditionally treated ones. According to our results the
success of genome duplication with colchicine at uninucleate
microspore develomental stage seems to be genotype independent. With the
application of modified BM culture media we could improve the anther
response up to 42.3% and the embryogenic callus induction as high as
153.8%. In liquid condition the spontaneous frequency of good quality
embryogenic friable calli was very high. From this good quality calli we
have succeeded in establishing highly regenerable haploid cell suspension
cultures. This serves as a good basis for the isolation and culture of
protoplasts.
Presently, a protocol for long-term storage of pollen- and young
xygotic embryos of wheat has been elaborated. Plant regeneration could be
achieved from the liquid nitrogen frozen embryogenic structures.
A method producing functionable pollen to get mature seeds in in vitro
cultured wheat florets has been established too. Culturing detached
florets on a solidified medium enables us to apply selective
environment (diverse temperatures, heavy metal ions, etc.) to both sexes
from an early stage of development and to produce controlled and selected
offsprings in vitro.
Publications
Barnabas,B., Pfahler,P.L. and Kovacs,G. 1991. Direct effect of colchicine
on the microspore embryogenesis to produce dihaploid plants in wheat
(Triticum aestivum L.). Theor. Appl. Genet., 81:675-678. Barnabas,B.,
Kovacs,G., Szakacs,E., Nagy,R. and Takacs,I. 1991. In vivo and in vitro
manipulation of the reproductive process in cereals. Report of the
Commission of the European Communities, Biological Sciences (EUR 13415
EN), Loxembourg, pp. 28-29.
Barnabas, B., Kovacs, G., Szakacs, E., Nagy, R. and Takacs, I. 1991. In
vivo and in vitro manipulation of the reproductive process in cereals.
Report of the Commission of the European Communities. Biological Sciences
(EUR 13415 EN). Loxembourg, pp. 28-29.
Bed“ Z. - Karsai I. - Balla L. (1991): Acceleration of quality breeding
via anther culture derived doubled haploids in wheat (Triticum aestivum
L.) Report of the Commission of European Communities, Biological
Sciences Report (EUR 13415 EN), Luxembourg pp. 30-31.
Karsai I. - Bedo Z. - Balla L. (1991): The effect of repeated anther
culture on in vitro androgenesis of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cereal
Research Communications 19: 425-430.
Kovacs, G. 1990. Substitution analysis of frost resistance in wheat in
in vitro somatic cultures and at seedling level. Acta. Agron. Hung., 39:
319-326. Molnar-Lang,M., Galiba,G., Kovacs,G., Sutka,J. 1991. Changes in
the fertility and meiotic behaviour of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
x wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) hybrids regenerated from tissue
cultures. Genome, 34: 261-266.
Molnar-Lang, M., Galiba, G., Kovacs, G., Sutka, J. 1991. Changes in the
fertility and meiotic behavior of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) x wheat
(Triticum aestivum L.) hybrids regenerated from tissue cultures. Genome,
34:261-266.
Pocsai E. - Kobza S. - Muranyi I. - Szunics L.: 1991. Brome mosaic
virus infection in different cereal breeding materials. Acta
Phytopathologica et Entomologica Hungarica, 26, 1-2, 207-212. Sutka,J.,
Worland,A.J. and Mayestrenko,O.I. 1991. Slight effect of the cytoplasm on
frost resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Cereal Res. Comm.,
19: 311-317.
Sutka, J., Worland, A. J. and Mayestrenko, O. I. 1991. Slight effect of
the cytoplasm on frost resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Cereal
Res. Comm. 19:311-317.
Szunics, L., Szunics, Lu., Balla, L. 1991. Termesztett lisztharmat - es
rozsda rezisztens buzafajtak hatasa a korokozokra. (Effect on pathogens of
cultivated wheat varieties resistant to powdery mildew and rust.)
Novenytermeles, 40, 5.
Szunics L.: 1991. Fajta, mint a novenyvedelem biologiai alapja. (Variety
as the biological basis of plant protection.) Novenyvedelem, XXVII, 8,
349-352. Szunics L. - Szunics Lu. - Balla L.: 1991. Termesztett
lisztharmat- es rozsda rezisztens buzafajtak hatasa a korokozokra.
(Effect on pathogens of cultivated wheat varieties resistant to
powdery mildew and rust.) Novenytermeles, 40, 5.
Szunics L. - Szunics Lu. - Stehli L. - Pocsai E.: 1991. Appearance
of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) on wheat in Hungary. Acta
Phytopathologica et Entomologica Hungarica, 26, 1-2, 87-90. Trivedi,S.,
Galiba, G. and Erdei, L. 1991. Responses to osmotic and NaCl stress of
wheat varieties differing in drought and salt tolerance in callus cultures.
Plant Sci., 73: 227-232.
Trivedi, S., Galiba, G. and Erdei, L. 1991. Responses to osmotic and NaCl
stress of wheat varieties differing in drought and salt tolerance in callus
cultures. Plant Sci., 73:227-232.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM INDIA
P. Bahadur, K. D. Srivastava, D. V. Singh and Rashi Aggarwal
Division of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Indian Agricultural Research
Institute, New Delhi
Wheat crop health was monitored through mobile surveys and disease trap
nurseries in different parts of the country during rabi 1990-1991. Also
incidence of karnal bunt and black point was noted through post harvest
surveys.
Wheat Rusts. Leaf rust (Puccinia recondita tritici) was widely
prevalent in North western parts (Himachal Pradesh, Haryana). Cultivars HD
2285, WH 147 and HD 2329 showed traces of rust, while newly released
cultivars - PDW 215, VL 614, HD 2428, BW 11, CPAN 3004 and HUW 318 did not
show any infection. Mild incidence of stripe rust (P. striiformis was noted
on HS 295, PDW 215, Kundan, VL 614, and HD 2428 in North western hilly
areas. Traces of stem rust (P. graminis tritici) was reported from central
and Peninsular India.
Speculation of genes for stem rust resistance: Evaluation of 75 wheat
entries to 14 stem rust virulences revealed the speculation of following
genes for resistance by matching technique. Gene Sr-2 is identified based
on mottling effect in the seedlings.
Sr2 Raj 3232, Macs 2496, Sonalika, Lok-1, HW 741, HUW 318,
HP 1633, K 8806
Sr2 + Sr31 DWR 163, HUW 315, CPAN 3004, K 8804
Sr9e PDW 227
Sr11 BW 1055, UP 262, HDR 132, HUW 366, K 8027, HUW 234,
WH 551
Sr31 HS 207, HS 240, HUW 206
Ninety one entries of wheat were evaluated for seedling and adult plant
resistance to two selected races 77-1 (109 R 63) and 104B (29R23) of
Puccinia recondita tritici. The analysis revealed the presence of 2-3 adult
plant resistance genes other than Lr13 and Lr23 according to resistance in
these varieties.
Loose smut: 1-2% incidence of loose smut was noted on cultivars - WH
147, Sonalika, HD 2329, and HD 2285. Seed treatment with Bavistin reduced
loose smut in the state of Haryana during 1990-1991. Evaluation of pathogen
variability on Canadian differentials showed the prevalence of races T(1),
T(3) and T(11) in different areas.
Seed dressing and soil amendment of Trichoderma viride, T. harzianum,
T. koningii, Gliocladium virens, G. roseum, G. penicilloides, G.
diliquescens, G. catenulatum and Bascillussubtilis were tried for biocontrol
of loose smut. Treatment with T. viride, G. deliquescens and B. subtilis
reduced loose smut. Seed treatment with Raxil @0.2 per cent reduced the
loose smut infection.
Powdery mildew: Disease (Erysiphe graminis) was reported from hilly
areas of North western India. Cultivars - Arjun, HD 2285, HD 2329, HD 2160,
WL 1562, WL 5023, HD 2204, C 306, HS 240, HS 277, HS 295, WH 147 and WL 410
showed susceptibility to mildew at several locations.
Leaf blight: Leaf blight and leaf spots (Alternaria triticina and
Helminthosporium spp.) normally appears in North eastern and Central parts
of the country. But severe leaf blight was recorded on HD 2329 and HD 2285
in North western plains of the country during 1990-1992 and requires careful
monitoring in the coming years.
Black Point: Post harvest grain examination of 3079 seed samples
showed infection of saprophytic fungi in 35% samples in various states.
Information: Dr. P. Bahadur, Principal Scientist, visited CIMMYT from
October 2-30, 1991.
PUBLICATIONS
Bahadur, P., S. Nagarajan and Luthra, J. K. 1991. Identification of Sr
genes in wheat variety Charter that accords resistance to certain pathotypes
of P. graminis tritici. Plant Disease Research, 6, 19-23.
Sharma, R., B. C. Joshi, S. M. S. Tomar and P. Bahadur. 1991. Inheritance
and location of leaf rust resistance genes in a wheat rye-recombinant.
Abstracts 149-150, Golden Jubilee Symp. on Genetic Research and Education,
Current Trends and next 50 years. Feb. 12-15, 1991, New Delhi.
-------------------------
Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
S. M. S. Tomar, Alice K. Vari and R. S. Yadava
Exploitation of Thinopyrum bessarabicum for wheat improvement: The F1
hybrid f(Triticum aestivum cv. Chinese Spring monosomic 5B x Thinopyrum
bessarabicum (Syn. Agropyron junceum, 2n=2x=14, JJ) 2n=27 was backcrossed to
a number of bread wheat cultivrs. Only two seeds were obtained in a cross
involving HD2009 out of which one plant survived. The plant had 2n=48
chromosome number. Meiosis showed, on an average, one trivalent and one
quadrivalent per cell (20 cells were scored). The frequency of univalents
was about 9-11 percell. Remaining chromosomes had formed ring or rod
bivalents. The plant was 120 cm tall and produced 16 effective tillers.
The culm was highly pigmented. Leaves were narrow, rough and dark green in
colour. The main spike length was 13 cm with 25 spikelets and the pollen
fertility was about 33%. Each spike was crossed. Central florets from each
spikelet were removed and remaining florets were emasculated and were
pollinated twice at appropriate stage with the pollen of 10 different
cultivars.
BC2 progeny showed improvement in spike fertility. The BC2 generation
had chromosome number ranging from 38 to 48 and a high degree of phenotypic
variation (Table 1). The population generated through these crosses was
screened against leaf rust races, 77-1, 77-2, and 104B and stem rust races,
40-1 and 117-1 under artificially inoculated conditions at adult plant
stage. Most of the plants were susceptible either to leaf rust or stem
rust.
Utilization of Aegilops comosa for wheat improvement: While screening
wild germplasm of Aegilops and Triticum spp. against leaf rust we observed
two accessions of Ae. comosa (2n=2x=14, MM) exhibiting a high degree of
adult plant resistance against prevalent and virulent Indian leaf rust
races. Chinese Spring monosomic 5B was crossed to one accession of Ae.
comosa. Only two seeds were obtained. The seeds were germinated on
artificial medium and were potted into the soil after 25 days. Chromosome
number were determined in meiosis. Meiotic analysis of 2n=27 plant showed,
on an average, 9.5 univalents, 7.1 bivalents, 0.9 trivalents and 0.1
quadrivalents per cell (only 19 cells were scored). The plant produced 44
tillers. The culm was thin and pigmented, leaves were medium long and
narrow. The F1 hybrid plant was totally free, in adult plant stage, to leaf
rust races 77-1, 77-2 and 104B and stem rust races 40-1 and 117-1 under
artificially inoculated conditions. The F1 hybrid was completely male
sterile. Four spikes were selfed and remaining spikes were pollinated with
pollen from six different bread wheat cultivars. There was no seed setting
either upon selfing or backcrossing.
Table 1. Percent seed set in BC1 (Chinese Spring monosomic 5B X
Thinopyrum bessarabicum // HD 2009) X different hexaploid
wheat cultivars.
Number of
florets No. of Observations in next
Cross pollinated seed set generation
----------------------------------------------------------------------
BC(1) X C306 48 7 5 plants showed hybrid necrosis
1 plant did not survive
1 plant was 2n=48, completely
male sterile, maximum chromo-
some associations: 12 bivalents,
1 trivalent, 1 quadrivalent/cell
BC(1) X C591 68 4
BC(1) X C S 38 14
BC(1) X HD2012 48 8 1 plant 2n=38, maximum chromo-
some associations 16II+6I/cell
BC(1) X HD2009 42 9 Long spikes, in 2 plants 7
florets per spikelets observed
BC(1) X HD2329 48 5 1 plant 2n=42 (19II+4I)
1 plant 2n=43 (20II+3I)
BC(1) X HD2428 45 10 1 plant 2n=39, (17II+5I)
1 plant had solid stem
BC(1) X N15439 42 1 2n=42 (19II+4I)
BC(1) X WH147 42 8 1 plant 2n=42 (17II+8I)
1 plant had compactoid ear head
BC(1) X WL711 48 4 1 plant produced 44 gms 1000
kernel weight
1 plant 2n=43 (18II+7I
----------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------
D. V. Singh, K. D. Srivastava, R. Aggarwal and P. Bahadur - Division of
Mycology and Plant Pathology, I.A.R.I, New Delhi
Karnal Bunt of Wheat in India During 1989 - 1990
In India, an extensive wheat disease survey was initiated in 1967-68
crop season. In this program mobile units are regularly sent out for survey
on scheduled routes in the country to collect information about the status
of diseases in the farmers fields. Incidence and distribution of karnal
bunt disease (Neovossia indica) is monitored by post harvest surveys,
conducted in the main wheat belt. In early years, there were some sporadic
reports of its occurrence but the disease was never considered as
economically important up to 1968. But from 1969 onwards, the disease is
occurring in severe form in all parts of northwestern India, covering almost
entire Indo-Gangetic plains.
Distribution and prevalence. During the post harvest surveys conducted
in 1989-90 crop season, about 5144 wheat seed samples were collected from
farmers fields, threshing floors, procurement centers, grain markets and
through the courtesy of individual cooperators. The samples of 200 mg each
of known variety from a particular locality were collected. The seed
collection was made from different localities/regions in the states of Jammu
& Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh,
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka. A
working sample of 2000 grains was drawn from the main sample and percent
infection was calculated based on number of infected grains present in each
sample.
Analysis of the samples showed high incidence of Karnal bunt during
1989-90. Out of 5144 samples, about 21.50% samples were infected, which was
much more than the last two years. The data on state-wide analysis are
presented in Table 1, which showed that 60.53% samples were infected in
Punjab, followed by 57.89% in Himachal Pradesh, 46.34% in Jammu and Kashmir,
40.24% in Haryana, 27.41% in uttar Pradesh, 22.20% in Delhi and 5.81% in
Rajasthan.
Table 1. Incidence of Karnal bunt during 1989-90.
District
Total Infected Range of showing high
State samples samples infection infection
----------------------------------------------------------------
Himachal Pradesh 38 22 0.1 - 16.1 Sirmaur
Punjab 337 204 0.1 - 7.7 Jullundhar
Haryana 1133 156 0.1 - 19.1 Karnal
J&K 129 52 0.1 - 24.6 Udhampur
Delhi 126 28 0.1 - 0.7 Narela
Uttar Pradesh 994 274 0.1 - 30.1 Sitapur
Rajasthan 1153 70 0.1 - 4.3 Jaipur
Madhya Pradesh 779 0 - -
Bihar 301 0 0 -
Gujarat 112 0 - -
Maharashtra 27 0 - -
Karnataka 15 0 - -
5144 1106
----------------------------------------------------------------
It was observed that in general, the natural infection of Karnal bunt
was severe in sub mountainous belt of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana and lower
altitudes of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
Frequency of infected samples. Out of 5144 seed samples collected,
percentage of infected grains in each sample was calculated and the samples
were grouped into following five categories:
Category I - Sample having 0.1 - 0.4% infected grains
Category II - Sample having 0.5 - 0.9% infected grains
Category III - Sample having 1.0 - 5.0% infected grains
Category IV - Sample having 5.1 - 10.0% infected grains
Category V - Sample having more than 10% infected grains
Analysis of data (Table 2) indicate that 78.4% samples were free from
infection. Among the infected samples 69.71% samples had only 0.1 - 0.4%
infected grains belonging to category I. On the other hand 15.82% samples
belonged to category 2 while 11.2%, 1.89% and 1.35% samples belonged to
categories 3, 4 and 5, respectively.
Table 2. Frequency of infected grains of Karnal bunt in wheat
samples during 1989-90.
Samples
free In- Categories of
of infec- fected infected samples(%)
State Total tion samples I II III IV V
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Himachal Pradesh 38 16 22 36.4 13.7 22.7 9.1 18.2
Jammu & Kashmir 129 77 52 57.7 19.2 21.2 0 1.9
Punjab 337 133 204 84.3 12.2 2.9 0.5 0
Haryana 1133 677 456 70.0 17.5 9.0 1.5 0.9
Western Uttar 556 321 235 55.7 20.0 20.8 3.8 0.4
Central U.P. 308 278 30 50.0 6.7 16.7 6.7 13.3
Eastern U.P. 130 121 9 66.7 11.1 0 0 22.2
Delhi 126 98 28 92.8 7.1 0 0 0
Rajasthan 1153 1083 70 84.3 5.7 10.0 0 0
Madhya Pradesh 779 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bihar 301 301 0 0 0 0 0 0
Gujarat 112 112 0 0 0 0 0 0
Karnataka 15 15 0 0 0 0 0 0
Maharashtra 27 27 0 0 0 0 0 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 5144 4038 21.5 69.7 15.8 11.2 1.89 1.3
The frequency of infected samples in last 3 crop seasons was compared
(Table 3) and it was observed that frequency of infected samples has changed
during 1989-90. In earlier seasons the majority of samples were in Category
I while the percentage of infected grains was quite low in other categories.
During previous two crop seasons the infected grains in the samples were not
noticed beyond Category III, i.e., up to 5% level (Table 3). But in this
crop season, the infection moved further to the Category IV and V also. It
can be seen from the data of Table 3 that 1.89% and 1.35% samples were in
Category IV and V, respectively. In addition to this, the percentage of
infected samples was 69.71% in Category I, less than previous crop seasons.
It is therefore assumed that the soil inoculum of previous years was
activated this year due to favorable weather resulting in the production of
more infected grains than 1987-88 and 1988-89 crop seasons.
Table 3. Comparative data of infected grains of Karnal bunt in
wheat samples between 1986-87 to 1989-90.
Categories of infected samples(%)
Crop Season 1 2 3 4 5
---------------------------------------------------------------
1987 - 88 78.63 10.45 10.90 0 0
1988 - 89 83.97 7.69 8.33 0 0
1989-90 69.71 15.82 11.21 1.89 1.35
---------------------------------------------------------------
Weather in relation to disease development. The incidence of Karnal
bunt during 1989-90 crop season was co-related with the weather conditions.
A critical appraisal of meteorological factors of selected locations in
different states revealed that the temperature and relative humidity at
anthesis stage were favorable for disease development (Table 4). It can be
seen from Table 4 that prevailing maximum temperature (20.0 - 22.3) and
minimum temperature (6.6 - 11.4 C), relative humidity (85.0 - 95.0) and
intermittent rainfall caused high intensity of the disease at Jammu (J&K),
Dhaula Kuaon (Himachal Pradesh), Ambala (Haryana), Jullundhar (Punjab),
Dehradun, Haridwar (Uttar Pradesh). On the other hand meteorological
conditions were not favorable in some eastern parts of the U.P., Rajasthan,
Madhya Pradesh and due to that level of the incidence was poor.
Table 4. Weather data recorded at different places in relation to
Karnal bunt incidence.
Temperature Disease
(Cdeg) R.H. incidence
State Location Max. Min. % Rainfall %
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Jammu &
Kashmir Jammu 20.17 8.97 85.3 3.35 24.6
Himachal Dhaulakuon
Pradesh 20.37 8.20 95.17 5.87 16.1
Haryana Ambala 22.0 10.25 88.17 3.77 8.9
Punjab Jullundhar 20.52 7.40 94.22 2.95 7.7
West Dehradun 20.05 8.52 87.10
U.P. Haridwar 22.15 6.62 95.17 3.22 23.1
Central Lucknow 24.72 11.70 87.65 1.50 1.7
U.P. Kanpur 25.45 1.97 84.75 2.20 0.5
East U.P. Allahabad 25.60 12.37 17.72 0.55 0.0
Varanasi 25.25 12.40 81.37 1.10 0.0
Delhi Delhi 22.35 11.40 85.70 4.47 0.7
Rajasthan Alwar 25.23 12.02 81.72 1.72 0.2
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Varietal performance. The performance of various high yielding
cultivars was assessed through collected samples (Table 5).
Table 5. Varietal performance in North-western region against
Karnal bunt during 1989-90.
Total % of samples Highest
Cultivars samples infected infection
----------------------------------------------------------------------
WL 711 126 54.76 8.2
HD2009 358 53.91 14.3
HD2329 458 54.30 24.3
HD2285 293 35.15 8.7
Sonalika 991 20.28 24.3
WH147 230 15.65 4.3
WL1562 74 51.3 4.2
UP2003 15 60.0 4.0
WH283 37 27.0 7.7
UP262 62 24.3 24.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It was found that a number of wheat cultivars got infection under field
conditions. In case of susceptible cultivars such as WL 711, HD2009 and UP
262 the percentage of infectedsamples and severity of infection was quite
high. Not only that some newly introduced cultivars such as HD2329, HD2285,
WL 1562, UP 2003 and WH 283 also had higher percentage of infection as
compared to previous years. Comparatively cultivars WH 147 and Sonalika had
less infection (Table 5).
In conclusion it can be said that the crop season of 1989-90 was
comparatively an epidemic year for Karnal bunt, where in approximately 21.5%
of the samples had infection in different wheat growing states. Among
different categories of infected samples, the percentage of infected samples
was not more than 5 in previous years but this year a few samples had more
than 10% infected grains. The increased incidence may be attributed to the
favorable weather conditions (maximum temperature = 20.2 - 22.3, minimum
temperature = 6.6 - 11.4, RH = 85.0 - 96.00 with intermittent rainfall)
prevailed at anthesis stage of the crop. Newly introduced wheat cultivars
also were infected by Karnal bunt.
* * * * *
Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
Dalmir Singh, B. Singh and M. K. Upadhayay
Meiotic chromosome pairing in a Bc(1) hybrid of T. timopheevi and
hexaploid wheat. Singh et. al., (1991) observed a very high chromosome
pairing in the F(1) hybrids of T. araraticum (synonyms T. timopheevi) and
variety C 306. In the present study, the Bc(1) hybrid plant of variety C
306 and T. timopheevi also showed similar pattern of high chromosome pairing
at first meiotic metaphase.
Meiotic chromosome associations were recorded on the Bc(1) hybrid plant
of variety C 306 and T. timopheevi backcrossed to variety C 306 (Table 1).
The chromosome constitution of the hybrid plant was 2n = 39. The hybrid
plant received full complement of 21 chromosomes from the hexaploid wheat
variety C 306 through male gamete and the rest 18 chromosome from its female
parent (i.e., F(1) hybrid plant). In the presence of chromosome 5B
(contributed by male gamete), only homologous chromosomes are expected to
pair, and homologous are prevented. If it is presumed that all the 18
chromosomes transmitted from the female parent, find their homologous
partners in the Bc(1) hybrid a total of 36 chromosomes are expected to
participate in chromosome pairing leaving only 3 chromosomes as unpaired
chromosomes. However, in the Bc(1) hybrid analyzed it was observed that out
of 39 chromosomes, on an average 33 chromosomes took part in chromosome
pairing while 6 chromosomes remained as univalents in some of the cells,
chromosomes paired were as high as 37 chromosomes, clearly indicating the
involvement of all the 18 chromosomes contributed by the female gamete.
This kind of pairing is expected only on the assumption that the chromosomes
of T. timopheevi possess substantial amount of homology with the chromosomes
of aestivum. The present study thus also support the observations of Singh
et al (1991) that T. timopheevi (synonyms T. araraticum) may carry AA BB
genomes rather than AA GG.
Table 1. Meiotic chromosome pairing (mean per cell) in BC(1) hybrid of
variety C 306 and T. timopheevi.
Bivalents
Cells Uni- Rod Ring Tri- Quadri-
Parents Scored valents Type Type valents valents Chiasmata
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
C 306 50 0.1+ 0.1 2.3+0.2 18.7+0.3 0.0 0.0 45.5+1.2
(2n=42)
T. timo- 50 0.5+0.1 3.1+0.2 10.5+0.2 0.1+0.0 0.0 25.6+0.3
pheevi (2n=28)
Bc1 50 6.3+0.4 5.8+0.3 9.2+0.2 0.7+0.1 0.2+0.1 31.3+0.4
(C 306 X T. tim) X C 306
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------
Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
Dalmir Singh
Mutation and recombination studies in wheat and rye
Induced translocations between Kalyansona and rye chromosomes. The
hexaploid wheat cultivar Kalyansona was reported to carry crossability genes
in dominant condition resulting in about 0.5% crossability with rye (Gordey
and Gordey, 1983). Since Kalyansona possesses genes for wider adaptability,
it was thought to incorporate rust resistance and other desirable traits
from Secale cereale because lately the cultivar showed susceptibiltiy to
wheat rusts. The method adapted was to induce translocations between wheat
and rye chromosomes. Crossed seeds were obtained by crossing Kalyansona
with a smooth peduncle rye mutant (144 seeds, 50% crossability). These
seeds were irradiated with 35 Kr. of gamma rays. All the M(1) hybrid plants
showed a high amount of chromosome associations. About 137 seeds were
produced by these M(1) plants having 452 spikes. The low seed setting of
0.7% may be the result of high sterilty in these plants. In the present
season there are 64 M(2) plants which will be selfed for further evaluation.
Self compatible mutants of rye. Seeds of 200 selfed spikes with spike
fertility between 20% to 89% were planted in the field for M(4) generation
as single spike progenies. A large number of spikes were again selfed in
different spike progenies. Finally 49 spikes possessing self fertility
between t0% to 92% were retained from 20 different spike progenies for
further evaluation. It was observed that the spikes having higher self
fertility in M(3) generation, also produced spikes with high self fertility
in M(4) generation.
One of the self fertile mutant lines with higher self spike fertility
was crossed with Kalyansona (supposed to carry crossability genes in
dominant condition) for transferring rust resistance from rye. A large
number of crossed seeds were obtained (about 50% crossability). It
indicates that for crossability between wheat and rye, it is not only the
wheat genome but also the genome which affects crossability.
Comparison of the traits of aestivoid mutant with its sphaerococcum
parent. A homozygous aestivoid mutant, possessing long spike and long
grains was compared with its parent variety T. sphaerococcum. The traits
compared were, plant height, tiller numbres, peduncle length, spike length
and spikelet number per spike (Table 1). The data recorded on these traits
revealed that in aestivoid mutant, there was positive increase in the
traits, plant height (39.3%), peduncle length (28.9%), spike length (65.4%)
and spikelet number (5.3%) decrease in the number of tillers per plant
(13.3%) over its parent variety. Since T. sphaerococcum was a native
cultivar of India it may be carrying useful genes for wider adaptability.
The aestovoid mutants obtained from T. sphaerococcum can be exploited for
their desirable traits for different climatic conditions.
Table 1. Mean values of morphological traits of aestivoid mutant and
its parent variety T. sphaerococcum.
Parent Plants (cm) Number (cm) (cm) per spike
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. spha- 25 93.0+1.1 28.5+1.2 34.2+0.7 6.2+0.2 22.5+0.4
erococcum
Aestivoid 100 129.5+1.5 23.7+1.4 44.2+1.1 11.5+0.2 23.2+0.4
mutant
Increase (+) or + 39.3 - 13.3 + 28.9 65.4 + 5.3
decrease (-)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Publications
Singh, D. 1991. Gene transfer from rye to wheat and their chromosomal
location. Ind. J. Genet. 51:66-70.
Singh, D. 1991. Chlorophyll synthetic genes in wheat variety Mara. Golden
Jubilee Symp. on Genetic Research and Educatiuon: Current Trends and the
next fifty years. By Ind. Soc. Genet. and Pl. Breeding, 3:648.
Singh, D. 1991. Self-compatible mutants of Secale cereale. Golden Jubilee
Symp. on Genetic Research and Edcucation: Current Trends and the next fifty
years. By Ind. Soc. Genet. and Pl. Breeding, 3:656-657.
-------------------------
Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Inst., New Delhi
R. N. Sawhney
Wheat Production:Prospects and Challenges
Wheat is not only the second major staple crop in India but is also
most dependable in terms of its production capability. The yield of this
important cereal in india has crossed the 50 million ton mark in an area of
23 million hectares under different agro-climatic regions. Though the
average productivity of nearly 2,250 kg/ha has more than doubled in a span
of 25 years, a lot more can be achieved from the existing cultivars because
realizable potential of available cultivars is estimated to be about 4,000
kg/ha at the national level where 78% of the area is under assured
irrigation. The present average productivity in irrigated areas, even in
Punjab and Haryana, is about 3,000 kg/ha which produce highest average yield
in our country. More than double the production rate of wheat in the last
two and a half decades was possible due to the identification of cultivars
capable of responding to good soil fertility and water management.
Screening of advance generation breeding material initially developed in an
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) programme at
Mexico,led to the identification of two most popular varieties, Kalyansona
for timely and Sonalika for late sowing.
By crossing the Mexican material with locally adapted wheats, a large
number of cultivars have been developed since the late 1960s. Of the number
of cultivars that have been released under organized system of release since
1965, only HD 2009 and WL 711 have become popular with the farmers and have
been grown extensively in northwest region of the country. The runaway
success of HD 2329, subsequently developed at the Indian Agricultural
Research Inst. (IARI), is evident because a total of 70% area is under
cultivation with this wheat in Punjab, the most progressive state with
regard to average grain production. Cultivation of a single wheat on such a
large area is highly vulnerable to the evolution of new pathogen population.
More recently, another single dwarf wheat Kundan (DL153-2), a cross of
Tonari 71 X NP 890, also bred at IARI, has become popular with the farmers
of northwest region. The popularity of Kundan appears to be due to its
adaptability which enables it to perform consistently well under wide range
of conditions from rainfed to limited water input and in optimum irrigation
as well as from normal to late planting. This variety is expected to give
better average yield because it performs well in poor environment and
demonstrates optimum level of productivity in good environment. Under water
stress environment, yield of `Kundan' is comparable with the best drought
resistant wheat, C 306 in years when no winter rainfall is received.
However, in good rainfall years, a frequent occurrence in northwest region,
`Kundan' produced 50% more yield in comparison to that of C 306. The high
yield potential achieved by `Kundan' up to a level of other best wheats for
high input technology, besides its suitability in water stress environments,
supports the view point that selection for drought conferring traits do not
decrease yield in better environment. Also, suitability of `Kundan' for
extended dates of planting permits flexibility in its planting time, a
desirable feature of great importance.
It has been possible to breed a variety of this kind by changing the
breeding methodology. The most significant change was the selection of
material under water stress environment in early generations F(4) and F(5)
followed by concurrent evaluation of progenies under diverse agronomic
practices, such as rainfed, irrigated timely sown and irrigated late sown
conditions. The other major change has been the testing of early generation
materials in F(3) onwards for yield in commercial planting. This change was
motivated by experience which has indicated that selection under space
planting in early generations can result in poor yielding advanced lines in
commercial planting.
In subsistence agriculture, stable yields particularly in low rainfall
years and with minimum of crop failure are obviously important. In a
country like India where prices are high in lean years and excess production
risks exist due to proper storage conditions, stability of yield is more
relevant. However, stability in grain production can be achieved only by
growing cultivars resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses.
Biotic resistance. The most important biotic stress that decreases
yield is susceptibility to pathogens, such as leaf and stripe rusts and
Karnal bunt in northwest region of the country. Kundan has a good degree of
resistance to the rusts and karnal bunt while HD 2329 has already become
susceptible to these pathogens. Also, a shift in sowing time of wheat up to
december end is most favorable for inoculum built up of rusts and smuts. At
present stem rust appears very late in northwest region to cause any
epidemic. However, delayed planting of wheat will extend the active growth
period when the higher temperature in March and April being favorable for
stem rust can lead to an epidemic of this pathogen. The situation with
regard to leaf rust and loose smut is also similar to that of stem rust.
The relatively higher temperatures during the growth of late sown wheat may
favour the inoculum built up of these pathogens. Therefore, in order to
achieve maximum benefits from the change in planting time, it is important
to have greater disease resistance in wheat cultivars. Efforts should also
be made to exploit durable sources of resistance to diseases wherever
available. For example Sr2, a stem rust resistance gene and a leaf rust
resistance gene Lr34, in combination with other genes have been implicated
in durability of resistance to stem and leaf rust, respectively.
Soil and water use care. Intensive cropping often leads to soil
erosion and consequent loss of native fertility. Therefore, there is a need
to evolve suitable cropping practices such as minimum tillage to reduce the
valuable loss of soil resources. Furthermore, continuous cropping at higher
productivity levels results in soil exhaustion, particularly of
micronutrients. There are increasing reports of Zn, Fe, Mn, S and Cu
deficiencies in Punjab and other parts of the country. Many of these
problems are in part due to decreased organic matter in soil which can be
rectified to some extent by increased use of farmyard manure. The use of
fertilizers with optimal nutrient balance will also help in improving the
health of soil.
The easy availability of irrigation water in Punjab and Haryana has
often led to over-irrigation which causes increased problem of water-
logging, salinity and alkalinity - some of the main abiotic stresses. It
is, therefore, necessary that careful use of water and development of
cultivars that flourish well under lesser water and achieves optimum yield
productivity at low levels of irrigation is aimed at. Kundan again fulfills
this requirement, in contrast to HD 2329 which requires high irrigation and
higher levels of nitrogenous fertilizer for optimum production.
The states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar with a fairly large proportion of
irrigated wheats produce relatively low yield levels. One of the reasons
for this is that the proportion of irrigated area with sufficient water
supply is extremely limited. Vast areas in these two states that are
classified as irrigated get water sufficient for one to three irrigations
only, whereas normal requirement for most irrigated wheats is 5 to 6
irrigations. This would mean that cultivar like Kundan that does equally
well under low levels of irrigation should help in promoting higher yield
levels in these states.
Economization on production. The cost on production can be reduced by
developing cultivars that are characterized by improved nitrogen uptake from
the soil (uptake efficiency) and/or by increased mobilization of nitrogen
from vegetative organs to the grains (utilization efficiency). The
increased levels of utilization efficiency might not be practical as it is
likely to induce rapid breakdown of leaf proteins and increase the rate of
leaf senescence, thus reducing the grain yield. The uptake efficiency can
be improved by the root system that extracts the maximum possible nutrients
from the soil, thus increasing the uptake efficiency.
The better root system, delayed leaf senescence combined with increased
grain yield at low levels of fertilizers and water is suggestive of the fact
that possibly Kundan is a wheat that has increased uptake efficiency.
Low requirement for water and fertilizer by Kundan, in contrast to HD
2329, which requires higher irrigation and higher levels of nitrogenous
fertilizer for optimum production is most significant. This not only
economizes on the cost of production but should be more attractive for small
and marginal farmers who do not have access to the requisite inputs.
Quality. Quality requirements in context of consumption in India. The
improvement in this aspect needs efforts in three directions. Since over
90% of wheat in India is consumed in the form of "chapati" (an unleavened
pan baked bread), some improvement in the high yielding dwarf wheats has
been achieved in this respect but a lot more need to be still done to have
appearance and chapati making properties comparable to that of `desi' wheats
(Tall indigenous wheats having amber grains and good chapati making
quality). Indian public prefers hard, amber/white, lustrous grain over red
and soft grain wheats. The qualities for good chapati include white flour
colour, puffing, soft smooth pliable surface, should be untorn and silky,
sweet to taste and maintains soft texture for a longer period. For that, it
should tear smoothly and should not be brittle or leathery. To have a non-
leathery characteristic of chapati, it is desirable that the protein content
of the wheat should not exceed 12%. Incidentally, chapati making quality of
`Kundan' is comparable to that of best `desi' wheats combined with bold,
hard, lustrous grain and sells at a premium (Rs. 75-100/q) in wholesale
market.
Next to making chapati, wheat is used in the form of bread. There are
certain minimum levels of protein and its quality that are required for the
purpose of bread making. Based upon the presence of high molecular weight
subunits of glutenin and mixograph tests, Kundan has been classified as the
only cultivated common wheat in the northwest region which has outstanding
bread and chapati making properties.
Kundan has been reported to possess 12% protein whereas Indian wheats
in general are low in protein content, seldom exceeding 11%. Higher levels
of protein coupled with better protein quality in Indian wheats should be
aimed at which will benefit our consumers and such wheats will also be
acceptable in the international markets.
Upgrading yield potential. It is not easy to enhance existing levels
of grain yield potential in wheat. Even the grains in grain yield in the
currently grown wheats like HD 2329 and others is marginal over the yield of
Kalyansona but gains in productivity per day is substantial because newer
cultivars are resilient to do well under shorter growing period.
In the entire Indo-Gangetic plains, wheat-rice, wheat-cotton, wheat-
potato cropping systems have become predominant. All these rotations have
led to delay in sowing time of wheat resulting in popularization of wheats
performing well under short duration. Since late planting exposes the grain
filling stage to higher temperatures, varieties having tolerance to higher
temperatures at the time of grain filling should perform well on delayed
sowings. Early flowering followed by early maturity before the onset of
higher temperature, as in the case of Sonalika, produced reduced tiller
number in contrast to varieties like HD 2329 and Kundan that flower and
mature a little late but do not have adverse effect of temperature at the
grain filling stage in March-April. Both HD 2329 and Kundan have been
reported to perform well in Punjab even in late planting, though Kundan has
an edge over HD 2329 under late planting. This is perhaps due to the fact
that HD 2329 shows slight adverse effects on grains when planted late.
Even in a CIMMYT, Mexico breeding program, less than 10% increase in
grain yield over earlier dwarf varieties, for example Kalyansona, in a
period of 15 years was recorded. The increase in yield potential has been
reported in the derivatives of `Veery' involving 1B/1R translocation from
rye. The cultivars originating from this cross have become popular in many
parts of the world, including Pakistan and Australia. A number of wheats
such as WH 534, PBW 166, PBW 212, PBW 258, UP 2286 and CPAN 3004 involving
1B/1R translocation have been evaluated in the All India Coordinated Program
in northwest plains zone. Most of these wheats could not compete with the
best check. CPAN 3004 however, has been officially released recently but is
yet to find favour with the growers. Most of these cultivars are relatively
late and generally show reduction in yield at higher temperatures at the
grain filling stage. It was therefore, considered important to have
cultivars with normal days to mature but unaffected by higher temperature at
the grain filling stage.
Two of the newly evolved wheats DL 802-3 & DL 803-2 bred at IARI
fulfill these criteria and need special mention in this respect. These
wheats have one of the common parents designated HUW 202. HUW 202 is a
derivative of Kalyansona and Musela. In the development of Musela, Kavkaz
carrying rye translocation (1B/1R) is involved as one of the parents.
DL 802-3 HUW202//KSM-Front-Son64-K1. Rend E4870-S310-S47E3/HD1944) has
been found promising for yield both in timely and late planting. It,
however, excels under late planting conditions. This wheat has better grain
appearance with additional advantage of being resistant to all the three
rusts and karnal bunt. The presence of 1B/1R translocation carrying Lr26,
Sr31 and Yr9 has been confirmed by the presence of two satellite chromosomes
instead of four in wheats lacking 1B/1R translocation. Its resistance to
leaf rust pathotypes 77-1 and 12-1 that are pathogenic to Lr26 suggests that
this wheat is carrying additional gene(s) for resistance at least to leaf
rust. Its wide adaptability is evident by its superior performance in
different agro-climatic regions and under different agronomic practices.
DL 803-2 (HUW 202//K7537/HD216 OM) also performs very well both under
timely and late plantings. However, the performance of this wheat is
excellent under timely sown conditions. This variety is also resistant to
all three rusts and karnal bunt against which limited tests have so far been
made. This cultivar has again been reported as a wheat of wider
adaptability in the All India Coordinated tests. The presence of two
satellite chromosomes and its resistance to pathotypes attacking Lr26
suggests that this wheat also h as Lr26 combined with additional resistance,
at least to leaf rust.
-------------------------
R. W. Sawhney, J. B. Sharma, D. N. Sharma and H. B. Choudhary
Adult Plant Leaf Rust Resistance Sources
Genetic Diversity for adult plant resistance to leaf rust in Australian
wheats. Most sources of durable rust resistance carry adult plant
resistance (APR) genes. The knowledge of genetic diversity with respect to
APR may, therefore, help in identifying new sources of durable resistance.
A set of 90 wheats received from Australia under ICAR/ACIAR
collaborative project on, "Genetics and breeding for rust resistance in
wheat", when studied in field conditions against mixture of pathotypes of
leaf rust for 3 years, identified certain adult plant leaf rust resistant
wheats, where resistance could not be explained on the basis of named
resistance genes identified in seedling tests.
These adult plant leaf rust resistant genotypes wee tested in 1990-1991
crop season against pathotypes (77, 77-1, 77-2, 104B and 12-2) individually
in isolated field nurseries. The results enabled the recognition of two
distinct types of responses for adult plant resistance. Cultivars comprising
Banks, Millewa, Hartog and Sunkota possess adult plant resistance against
all pathotypes suggesting that adult plant resistance in these wheats is
likely to be due to race-non-specific components that may provide
longer/lasting resistance. A similar pattern of APR responses of very low
level in Banks (Lr13) and Sunkota (Lr17) with the individual as well as with
mixture of pathotypes suggests that both these cultivars carry the same
components for adult plant resistance. The two other wheats (Millewa (Lr13)
and Hartog (Lr1, Lr13) in this category of resistance also exhibited an
identical pattern of APR responses but with low levels of resistance which
distinguishes them from the first group of two cultivars (Banks and
Sunkota). Presence of Lr13 both in Millewa and Hartog can also provide
moderate resistance of low level to 12-2 and 104B whereas by virtue of
possessing additional Lr1 in Hartog, there has been enhanced resistance to
12-2 because Lr1 is fully resistant to this pathotype. Seedlings of all
these cultivars when tested with the same pathotypes showed susceptibility
for pathotypes virulent on genes identified in seedlings.
The three wheats identified for specific APR, though all susceptible to
77-2, each produced distinct APR response with the remaining three
pathotypes. This suggests the possibility that each wheat in this category
carries different specific APR.
A distinct pattern of APR resistance to pathotypes 77, 77-1, 104B and
12-2 in Oxley with no named seedling genes could be due to a new APR source.
Similarly, the different patterns of responses on Sunstar and Egret, both
carrying Lr13, further suggest that each cultivar carries different specific
APR source. Seedling of all the three cultivars, however, produced
susceptible reactions against pathotypes for which adult plant resistances
were postulated.
Leaf rust resistance through gene interaction. Federation backcross
derivative with Lr26 (Fed*4/Kavkaz and near isogenic Thatcher lines with
Lr10 (Lr10-Tc(6)) Federation and Lr26 (Kavkaz, Skorospekla) were tested with
pathotype 77-1 in adult plant stage in field condition. Both Lr10 and Lr26
are ineffective to pathotype 77-1.
The stocks that carry either Lr10 (Lr10 + Tc, Federation), or Lr26
(Kavkaz, Skorospekla) produced highly susceptible reactions (80S-70S), in
contrast to Fed*4/Kavkaz that had produced resistance reactions to the level
of 20MS with pathotypes 77-1. It can, therefore, be inferred that
resistance in Fed*4/Kavkaz is likely to be due to interaction of Lr10 and
Lr26, another deviation from the normal gene-for-gene model.
-------------------------
Divisions of Genetics and Mycology and Plant Pathology
R. N. Sawhney, J. B.Sharma, D. N. Sharma, H. B. Chowdhary, D. V. Singh
and K. D. Srivastava
High yielding karnal bunt and rust resistance sources
of bread wheat
Karnal bunt caused by Neovossia indica is one of the major diseases in
the northwest region of India. The identification of sources resistant to
Karnal bunt is utmost important as most of the currently grown bread wheat
cultivars are susceptible to this disease. Breeding for Karnal bunt
resistance assumes further importance because even 3% infection in the
grains renders the wheat unfit for human consumption.
About 150 advance lines from the breeding material were tested for 2-3
years at Khaula Kuan (Himachal Pradesh) and Delhi under artificial
epiphytotic conditions for Karnal bunt, respectively. Two gropus of five
lines each were identified for carrying high degree of resistance to Karnal
bunt. Wheat lines with high yield potential and resistance to leaf and
stripe rusts prevalent in the zone are given in Table 1. All wheats in this
group are/were in advanced stages of coordinated trials. DL 330-1 and DL
377-6 were evaluated for three years in the coordinated yield trials and
found to possess high yield potential at least up to the leve of best check.
The wheats listed in Table 2 were, however, found to have reasonable yield
potential when tested in the coordinated trials. All these lines also
confer high degree of resistance to 2-3 rusts. The genotypes DL 377-8, DL
802-3, DL 790-1, DL 377-6 and DL 330-1 (Table 1) have proven advantage of
superior yield potential, established through evaluation under coordinated
program over years spread over locations. They have the added advantage of
resistance to leaf and stripe rusts as well as Karnal bunt. These wheats,
therefore, should provide an extremely useful material for direct
cultivation as well as hybridization program. Expectation from such a
program can be viewed for early recovery of superior recombinmants for
higher yield, combined with resistance to leaf and stripe rust as well as
Karnal bunt. However, genotypes DL 484-1, DL 484-2, DL 790-2, DL 770-1 and
DL 760-1 (Table 2) having high degree of resistance to 2-3 rusts and Karnal
bunt should prove better sources of simultaneous resistance to these two
important groups of diseases.
Table 1. Wheat cultivars of high yield potential with resistance
to karnal bunt and rusts.
Yield q/ha
and its
Karnal bunt comparison
Designated infection Rust infection with the
number 87/88 88/89 89/90 Stem Leaf Stripe best check
--------------------------------------------------------------------
DL 377-8(1) - 0.0 0.0 - 20MR F 62.0 (=)
DL 802-3(2) - 0.0 0.0 - F F 54.4 (=)
DL 790-1(3) - 0.0 0.0 - TR F 54.1 (+)
DL 377-6(4) 6.2 0.0 0.0 - TR F 47.7 (+)
DL 330-1(5) - 0.0 0.0 - TR 5S 44.7 (=)
WL 711 (6) 43.0 19.1 26.9 50S 90S 30S
--------------------------------------------------------------------
: Not tested, + : significantly superior to the best check,
= : Significantly at par to the best check,
1 & 4 - HI784//Gabo/Nad.Mut/CPAN 1283, 2-HUW202//KSM/Frond/
Son.64/Klrend/E4870/S310/S47E3/HD1944M, 3-CPAN1401//SKA/YR
Frond/Son64/Klrend/E4870/S310/S47E3/HD2160M, 5 - Tanori Mut./
/HD2160M, 6 - (Susceptible cultivar).
Table 2. Wheat cultivars with resistance to Karnal bunt and rusts
Yield q/ha
and its
Karnal bunt comparison
Designated infection Rust infection with best
number 87/88 88/89 89/90 Stem Leaf Stripe check
--------------------------------------------------------------------
DL 484-1(1) - 0.0 0.0 - TR 100S 58.7(=)
DL 484-2(2) 0.0 0.0 0.0 5MR 10R F 47.4(+)
DL 790-2(3) 0.0 - 0.0 TR TR F 45.4(=)
DL 770-1(4) - 0.0 0.0 - F 5S 38.9*(=)
DL 760-1(5) - 0.0 0.6 - TR F 37.4**(=)
WL 711(6) 43.0 19.1 26.9 50S 90S 30S
--------------------------------------------------------------------
: Not tested, + : Significantly superior to the best check
= : Significantly at par to the best check, * : Yield figures
from timely sown and limited sources, ** : Yield figures from
late sown tests
1 & 2 - KSM/Front/Son64/Klrend/E4870/S310/S47E3/IWP503/TR380.27*4/3Ag3
3-CPAN1401//SKA/YR/Frond/Son64/Klrend/E4870/S310/S47E3/HD2160M,
4-UP270/HD2160//KL Mut., 5-UP270/HD2160M/K7933//HD2285,
6-(Susceptible cultivar)
-------------------------
Directorate of Wheat Research, Regional Station, Wellington, The
Nilgiris
M. Kochumadhavan, S. M. S. Tomar and P. N. N. Nambisan
Introduction of Agropyron elongatum-derived genes SR26 and LR24 into
Indian bread wheat cultivars: Knott transferred the wheat stem rust
resistance gene Sr26 from A. elongatum (Host) Beauv. to common wheat. This
specific resistance gene has been found very effective against a wide range
of stem rust virulences in several countries including India. Reports are
available that the resistance of Sr26 has been successfully utilized in
Australian wheat breeding program where all strains of stem rust are found
avirulent on Sr26 and this major gene continues to be an effective source of
durable resistance. The genes Lr24 Sr24 have also their origin in A.
elongatum. These genes along with the major specific gene Sr26 have been
incorporated in a single common wheat back ground and thus making it easy
for transfer of multiple resistance into susceptible genotypes.
In a backcross breeding programme the effective alien genes Sr26 and
LR24 conferring resistance to all most all the stem and leaf rust races in
seedling as well as in adult plant stage have been successfully introgressed
into well adapted Indian bread wheat cultivars Kalyansona (7 backcrosses)
and WH147 (6 backcrosses) from DARF (DARF X 6/3Ag3/Kite) an amber grained
wheat. This programme of backcrossing was undertaken at IARI Regional
Station, Wellington, where both stem rust and leaf rust perpetuate all round
the year. Also majority of the pathotypes of these two rusts are present.
The selection and simultaneous backcrossing are easily monitored and hence
time taken in giving desirable number of backcrosses is reduced to half.
Adult plant reactions of improved backcross lines against all the three
wheat rusts are given in Table 1. A field trial consisting of eleven
improved lines carrying resistance genes Sr24 Lr24 and Sr26 Lr24 has been
laid out at New Delhi farm to assess the yield potential.
Table 1. Adult plant response of backcross improved lines to rust
pathogens at Wellington
Reactions to
Stem Leaf Stripe
Lines rust rust rust
----------------------------------------------------------------
HW 2021 20MR* F 60S
(Kalyansona *7/DARF)
Kalyansona 60S-80S 60S-90S 40S-90S
HW 2022 20MR* F 60S
(WH 147*6/DARF)
WH 147 70S--90S 70S-90S 60S-90S
----------------------------------------------------------------
* Appears very late at maturity
-------------------------
Khem Singh Gill and G. S. Dhinds
Department of Plant Breeding, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Triticale Variety - TL 1210 - A Karnal Bunt Resistant Source
India is predominantly a cereal consuming country. Wheat is the main
staple food of the people in north India, particularly in the Punjab. Wheat
has low protein content (11 to 12%) and has particularly low lysine content
which is an essential amino acid. Triticale, with higher protein and lysine
content than wheat, can go a long way in solving the protein deficiency
problem. Triticale can also serve as a nutritive cattle and poultry feed.
During winter, wehat is grown on a vast acreage in the punjab. If another
cereal like triticale is also grown, chances of spread of disease can be
considerably reduced through diversity in cropping. It was with this
background that research in triticale was initiated at Punjab Agricultural
University, Ludhiana in 1968-69. The germplasm bank was strengthened by an
extensive jcollection of genetic stocks of triticale and rye from exotic and
indigenous sources. The research efforts were greatly strengthened with the
sanction of two PL 480 projects entitled "Development and Evaluation of
Triticales (1974-80) and Development of Triticales for Stability of Yield
and Improved Quality of Grains (1980-84) in the Punjab".
A large number of triticales have been synthesized and some ready-made
strains obtained from other sources have been utilized in crossing. As a
result of extensive crossing and selection, the first two strains for India
TL 419 and TL 1210, were released in 1981 and 1985, respectively. TL 419
was released for cultivation under normal sown irrigated conditions of
Punjab. TL 1210 was released for cultivation under late sown irrigated
conditions of the Punjab.
TL 1210 is a unique triticale variety developed from the cross of
Cinnamon/Raj 821/3/Inia/Turkey 60//2*Arm`S'. It matures in 1335 days which
is even 10 days earlier than the early maturing bread wheat `Sonalika'.
From the year 1984-85 to 1990-91, this cultivar occupied the top rank in
yield (Table 1).
Table 1. Maximum grain yield (kg/ha) and rank of TL 1210 in the state trial
over years.
TL 1210
Year Yield(kg/ha) Rank
--------------------------------------------------------
1984-85 4378 2
1985-86 4779 2
1986-87 2323* 16
1987-88 3774* 17
1988-89 5096 4
1989-90 3715 2
19990-91 4274 4
--------------------------------------------------------
* Low yield due to heavy rain and hail.
TL 1210 has maintained its potential to give high and stable yield over
years. This strain's combined high yield of Cinnamon, earliness from Raj
821 and disease resistance from Inia/Turkey 60 *2//Arm's.
Along with yield, TL 1210 has remained resistant to yellow rust, brown
rust, powdery mildew, loose smut and karnal bunt (Table 2).
Table 2. Disease reaction of TL 1210 in the state trial over
years
Karnal bunt
Yellow Brown Powdery Loose Artificial
Year rust rust mildew smut Field inoculation
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1984-85 F F F F F F
1985-86 F tx F F F F
1986-87 F tx F F F F
1987-88 F F F F F F
1988-89 F F F F F F
1989-90 F F F F F F
1990-91 F F F F F F
--------------------------------------------------------------------
F = Free
This is the only triticale cultivar available in India which has both
field and laboratory resistance to Karnal bunt. This cultivar has semi-
hard, plump, light red grains, and long drooping spikes with an average
plant height of 110 cms.
-------------------------
Contributions from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Regional
Station, Pusa
M. P. Jha, K. M. P. Singh, B. P. Sinha and A. K. Sinha
New Cultivars Released. The wheat cultivar HP 1633, carrying the alien
leaf rust resistance gene Lr9, was released by the All India Wheat Workers
Workshop for irrigated late sown conditions of North Eastern Zone of India.
This cultivar is a backcross derivative of Sonalika after five backcrossings
with the recurrent parent and the donor stock for leaf rust resistance used
is RL 6010. This cultivar also shows some degree of tolerance to foliar
blights caused by Helminthosporium and Alternaria complex. The recurrent
parent Sonalika is still the most dominant cultivar of eastern states of
India occupying roughly more than 50% of total cultivated area under wheat
and needs to be replaced due to its breakdown of resistance to leaf rust and
foliar blights. HP 1633 is also resistant to Karnal bunt and thus it will
be a very suitable replacement of Sonalika.
Scale for recording foliar blights in seedling and adult stages of
wheat. The 0-9 scale suggested by Sarri and Prescot (1975) originally for
powdery mildew of oats is universally applicable in case of all foliar
diseases including the foliar blights of wheat. This scale was subsequently
revised by a 2 digit scale accommodating both vertical progress (height of
the disease spread) and estimate of severity (percentage of infected leaf
area by disease). Both these scales, inspite of their wide acceptability
are to generalized to hold good in case of foliar blights of wheat, as the
disease is caused by several fungi, belonging to different genera, vis.,
Alternaria, Helminthosporium. The scale is based on the assumption that the
disease is soil or seed borne and the vertical spread of the disease, i.e.,
the height of the disease is the only criteria for resistance/tolerance or
susceptibility. This scale hinges on an arbitrary value of 5 which has been
defined as the midpoint of the plant. The Saari-Prescot scale is not
useable in seedling studies and at best gives an estimate of probably damage
(yield loss) due to this disease in case all the inoculum comes through soil
debris or seed. It is based on the assumption that in the susceptible
genotypes the growth of mycelium is very fast and keeps pace with the growth
of wheat plant under favorable conditions. In case of resistant/tolerant
genotypes the growth of mycelium is retarded and it does not go beyond the
mid-point of the wheat plant. Several other factors such as the information
coming from genetic studies, stage of crop growth when the environmental
factors are congenial for disease spread and disease due to secondary
infection which is aerial in addition to inoculum through soil or seed has
not been considered.
The Saari-Prescott scale is not useable in seedling stage and for
glasshouse studies and as such an alternative scale would be necessary for
seedling studies particularly in case of genetical studies for vertical
resistance against specific races and biotypes of pathogenic fungi
associated with foliar blight.
Investigations on the spread of Helminthosporium and Alternaria species
taking large number of distantly related genetic stocks of wheat over
several locations and seasons have indicated that resistant/tolerant stocks
differ from susceptible types both in leaf area infected and lesion size. A
definite pattern with respect to infected leaf area and lesion size is
noticeable in case of resistant types although in case of susceptible types
there is a lack of this pattern probably due to non-availability of one or
the other races of biotypes of Alternaria and Helminthosporium and the
environmental factors. The assumed tolerant/resistant genotypes invariably
maintain low level of severity and show smaller lesion size. Besides this,
the stage of crop being attacked by different species is not the same. The
intensity of infection whether early (when lower levels are affected) or
late (when only upper leaves are attacked as the lower leaves die by that
time) is dependent on environmental factor and the amount of inoculum of
both primary and secondary types. If the weather is not favorable for
disease spread during flowering, even highly susceptible cultivars such as
Sonalika or UP 115 escape and the upper leaves or ears remain unaffected.
Glasshouse studies under artificial epiphytotics, is thereby necessary for
which a scale different from Saari-Prescot scale is needed.
A scale formulated by Luthra and Rao (1973) for seedling studies of
Helminthosporium slightly modified on the basis of our own studies and
studies done by Drs. Mahmood, Y. Prasad and S. N. Singh of Rajendra
Agricultural University, Pusa (Bihar) is suggested.
Modified 0-4 Scale:
0 = No spots or hypersensitive flecks
1 = Spots few, minute, oval, dull brown, isolated, ill defined, and
often encircled with occasional necrotic areas.
2 = Spots scattered, small to medium, oval to oblong in size with
definite margin encircling necrotic area with occasional coalescence.
3 = Spots dark brown, filiform, irregular due to rapid coalescence of
of several spots leading into streaks with blotched necrotic zones.
4 = Spots larger, numerous, confluent with several streaks and blotches
with zones of blighted appearance.
The grades 0, 1 and 2 were considered as resistant and 3 and 4
susceptible. However, in the scale being recommended, slight modifications
suggested are as follows:
(A) In grade 2 coalescence of lesions was observed not due to
increase in lesion size of the spots but due to the fact that
when lesions developed very adjacently on the leaf they seem to
be coalescing.
(B) After the first appearance of the symptoms larger spots and rapid
increase in the margin of lesions even without coalescence. When
lesions were not adjacently located on the leaf were considered
as susceptible.
(C) Mixed type of infection with both isolated small lesions and
larger lesions with coalescence of several lesions were classed
as X and considered as resistant to certain races and susceptible
to the other ones.
Scale for recording foliar blights in adult stages. For recording the
foliar blight in adult stages the percentage of leaf area covered by the
disease is easiest to record and quite meaningful in place of the Saari-
Prescot scale. A number of genetic stocks mostly from Chinese and
Yugoslavian origin have been found to show resistance against all known
virulences of Helminthosporium as well as Alternaria prevalent in the Bihar
State. The crosses of these resistant stocks with susceptible Indian stocks
show a nearly bimodal distribution in F(2) on the basis of percentage of
leaf area covered. It has been possible to select for resistant types in
the segregating generation on the basis of low infection area and small
lesion size. It is therefore suggested to use the second digit of the 2-
digit scale. Seedling studies using single spore isolates should be done
for genetic studies.
-------------------------
Department of Agricultural Botany, Meerut University, Meerut
P. K. Gupta, H. S. Balyan, D. K. Garg, Sanjeev Kumar, N. K. Sharma and
Bijendra Pal
Production of near isogenic lines and random isogenic pairs for rht,
Rht1, Rht2 and Rht3 dwarfing genes in cv K68. (a) The production of near
isogenic lines of three major dwarfing genes, Rht1, Rht2 and Rht3, in the
genetic background of a tall Indian hexaploid wheat K68 is being attempted.
This objective is sought to be achieved by backcrossing the three major
dwarfing genes into K68 from cvs. HD2009 (Rht1), WH147 (Rht2) and Tom Thumb
(Rht3). The material is already in BC(5) generation and following one to
two more backcrosses and selfing, near isogenic lines for rht1, Rht1, Rht2
and Rht3 in spring wheat K68 genetic background will be ready for use in
genetic experiments; (b) Random isogenic pairs of tall (rht) and dwarf (Rht)
progenies for Rht1 (33 pairs), Rht2 (15 pairs) and Rht3 (70 pairs) genes,
were isolated in F(5) generation from progenies of F(4) heterozygous (Rht
rht) plants. The rht rht and Rht Rht genetic constitutions in these random
pairs will be confirmed using data on segregation in crosses with Rht
testers and gibberellic acid insensitivity test. Subsequently, the Rht1,
Rht2 and Rht3 near isogenic lines and random isogenic pairs will be used to
study the pleiotropic effects of the dwarfing genes on yield, yield
contributing characters, distribution of dry matter and also their role in
drought and thermo-tolerance in spring wheat background under Indian
conditions.
Effect of change in tillering behaviour in dwarf vs. tall genetic
backgrounds on yield components and other characters. In spring wheats,
results have been published (even though sometimes contradictory) on the
pleiotropic effects of three dwarfing genes, Rht1, Rht2 and Rht3, on yield
components as well as other characters. But virtually no study has been
conducted to understand the effect of change in tillering behaviour in
semidwarf (Rht) vs. tall (rht) genetic backgrounds on yield components and
other characters. Thus, populations of homozygous dwarf (involving three
individual major dwarfing genes Rht1, Rht2 and Rht3, and tall (rht)
progenies with high and low tiller numbers are being developed. These
populations will be used to resolve and understand the effect of change in
tiller number in dwarf and tall height background genotypes on yield
components and other characters. Starting in F(2) hybrid populations of
K68/HD2009 (Rht1), K68/WH147 (Rht2) and K68/Tom Thumb (Rht3), three cycles
of selection have been completed and the various populations are being
evaluated in F(5) generation. One more cycle of selection is proposed to
allow selection of desirable and homozygous progenies in each population to
conduct meaningful investigations.
Induced mutation for semidwarfness. With a view to diversify the
sources of dwarfness in wheat, a number of induced dwarf mutants in 6x and
4x wheats have been isolated following gamma ray treatment. The inheritance
pattern and allelic relationships among induced genes for dwarfness and
their agronomic performance is being studied.
Relative efficiencies of (i) biparental mating system vs. selfing
series and (ii) the phenotypic vs. genophenotypic selection procedures. This
study involved two double cross F(2) hybrids, Blue Jay/CPAN 1687/Nacozari
76/1443 and Blue Jay/CPAN 1681//HUW144/HD2305 as starting material. It was
concluded that (i) the intermating in early segregating generations
(biparental matings) is able to overcome the limitations of conventional
methods of breeding self-pollinated crops since it is possible to increase
and maintain genetic variation so that several cycles of selection are
effective for grain yield improvement. The biparental matings also help in
concentrating favourable genes or gene combinations for grain yield. (ii)
The selection under biparental mating system resulted in progenies with
greater yield potential than the progenies selected under selfing series.
(iii) For grain yield improvement, the genophenotypic selection procedure
(selection of best plants in top families) was either equal to or more
efficient than phenotypic selection procedure (selection of plants on
individual merit). (iv) Based on character association analyses and
correlated response to selection for grain yield it was concluded that a
selection index comprising grain yield, tiller number, spikelets per spike,
biological yield and plant height may be used to select genotypes of
suitable height with increased dry matter and grain yield.
Identification of selection parameter(s) for selecting F2 genotypes
with high grain yield potential. The three F(2) hybrid populations,
CPAN1866/HD2009, CPAN 1866/DL153-2, and CPAN 1959/DL153-2, were used as
starting material to evaluate the relative efficiencies of (i) direct
selection for yield per se; (ii) indirect selection based on yield component
characters, biological yield and harvest index; (iii) selection based on an
index involving above parameters, and (iv) random selection with and without
F(3) yield testing. Also, the efficiencies of prediction based selection
and empirical selection for identification of suitable selection parameters
in F(2) were compared.
The results indicated that (i) the selection of F(2) plants on the
basis of individual parameters was relatively more effective than the
selection of plants on random basis in terms of recovering high yielding
progenies. The selection of F(2) plants on the basis of an index involving
grain yield per se, yield component characters, biological yield and harvest
index was ineffective. (ii) High biological yield followed by grain yield
per se were the most important parameters for selecting F(2) plants with
high grain yield potential. (iii) The selection of high yielding F(4) bulk
progenies following F(3) generation yield testing was moderately successful
in comparison to selection of high yielding F(4) bulk progenies in F(4)
generation without yield testing in F(3) generation. (iv) Selection of
potentially high yielding F(2) genotypes made on the basis of parameters
predicted due to correlation and regression analysis proved to be
inefficient and poor in comparison to the empirical selection. (v) In
comparison to the simple regression analysis, the stepwise regression
approach, however, indicated a probable improvement in the efficiency of the
identification of parameters for selection in F(2) generation. This
approach favoured selection based on plant height, grain yield, 100 grain
weight and harvest index.
Relative efficiency of pedigree, random and selected bulk methods. The
relative efficiencies of five breeding methods pedigree (PED), random bulk
(RB) and three selected bulks (SB(1) for grains per ear, SB(2) for 100 grain
weight and SB(3) for tillers per plant) are being compared in F(3) and F(4)
generations using three crosses, CPAN1962/CC493,CPAN 1959/HUWI, and
WH147/CPAN 1874. The realized response to selection for eight characters
including yield and its components was estimated on the basis of differences
of means of SBs and PED populations from RB population.
In SB F(3) populations, the response was significantly positive for
directly selected characters. However, in SB(1) characters like yield per
ear and grains per spikelet and in SB(3) grains per ear, yield per ear,
biological yield and grain yield per plant showed positive correlated
response while in SB(2) grain yield per plant showed negative correlated
response. The PED population showed positive and significant response for
tillers per plant, grains per ear, (except in cross CPAN 1959/HUWI), grain
yield per plant and biological yield but response was negative for grain
weight, yield per ear (CPAN 1959/HUWI) and grains per spikelet (CPAN
1959/HUMI). Comparison of SB(3) and PED showed that response for grain
yield per plant was better in SB(3) than PED. This showed importance of
bulk method based on tillers per plant as a promising selection method in
early generations. The F(4) generation is being evaluated and the F(4) data
will also be subjected to the analysis as done in F(3) generation.
Phenotypic stability analysis. (a) Sixty common wheat genotypes
including nine commercial wheat cultivars, six strains bred at Meerut, and
45 strains bred at CIMMYT, were evaluated in eight environments including
two fertilizer regimes and two dates of sowings at two locations. Data were
recorded on eleven characters including grain yield. Both parametric and
non-parametric approaches of stability analysis are being employed to
identify the stable genotypes and also to get a comparable idea of the
sensitivity of the different approaches of stabililty analysis.
(b) Since stability is under genetic control, we thought it useful to know
the chromosomal location of gene(s) for stability in wheat. To achieve
this, two sets of substitution lines of Hope and Thatcher in Chinese Spring,
as well as Hope, Thatcher, Chinese Spring, Sonalika and HD2329 are being
evaluated in eight environments including two dates of sowings (timely sown
and late sown) and two fertilizer and irrigation treatments over two years.
The data are being recorded for eight characters including grain yield and
the same will be analyzed using parametric and nonparametric approaches of
stability analysis to ascertain the association of genes for stability with
individual chromosomes.
Inheritance study for loose smut resistance. A study on the
inheritance of loose smut was initiated in 1989. Three resistant (HW888,
PBW65 and WL410) and three susceptible (HD2204, Lal Bahadur and Agra Local)
cultivars/lines were involved in a 6x6 diallel cross. These F(1)s are being
advanced through selfing and backcrossing. Also one set of parents, F(1)s
and backcrosses was artificially inoculated with a mixture of smut spores
while the other set was kept as control and the same was allowed to grow
under natural conditions. Data on resistant/susceptible plants in the
various generations will be recorded to study inheritance of loose smut.
Breeding for late sown cultivars. In north western India, wheat on
large acreage is cultivated in rotation with paddy and sugarcane.
Therefore, greater emphasis is being laid on breeding cultivars suitable for
late sown conditions to fit in the above crop rotation. Keeping the same in
view and to start an integrated breeding program to develop cultivars
suitable for late sown as well as timely sown conditions, selection of
parents/crosses based on combining ability analysis over environments is
being attempted.
Two cultivars/lines suited for early sown (HD2428 and UP2121), two for
late sown (HD2285 and HD2270) and one for medium time sown (Sonalika)
conditions were crossed in a 5x5 diallel manner. The parents and F(1)s were
planted in 1990 under timely as well as late sown conditions and data is
being collected on eleven yield and its contributing characters including
days to heading and maturity.
Germplasm evaluation. Four hundred and five accessions of common wheat
were evaluated for eleven metric characters and genetic divergence was
measured among them using non-hierarchical euclidean cluster analysis.
Thirteen clusters were formed and genotypes of even heterogeneous origin
were grouped in the same cluster showing no parallelism between genetic and
geographic diversity. Some genotypes given in Table 1 were also identified
which might be used as genetic donors for respective metric characters.
Use of alien genetic variation for wheat improvement. Efforts have
been made to transfer alien genes for resistance to brown and black rusts to
four elite Indian wheat cultivars, Kalyansona, Sonalika, WH147 and WL711.
The objective of this exercise is to develop either the new cultivars or the
superior genetic stocks for use in wheat breeding.
The details of the materials used as a source of alien gene(s) and
methods employed were earlier reported (AWN 34:61-63; 1988). The material
containing desirable alien genes used in the present study included 16
exotic and present study included 16 exotic and indigenous 6x genetic
stocks, 22 individual chromosome addition lines of barley, rye and Agropyron
intermedium chromosomes, an amphiploid (T. durum/Dasypyrum villosum) and
several Aegilops and Triticum species. The F(1) hybrids involving the four
elite Indian wheat cultivars and various genetic stocks were produced. The
F(1) hybrids were selfed as well as backcrossed with recurrent parents.
The F(1) hybrids involving alien addition lines were crossed (only those
plants with 2n=43 chromosomes) with homozygous recessive ph ph mutant for
inducing translocations (due to homoeologous pairing induced by ph locus).
Simultaneously, F(1) hybrids were irradiated for induced translocations for
transfer of desirable gene(s)/segments. F(2) hybrids thus obtained in above
crosses were screened cytologically for homoeologous pairing and
backcrossing. The hybrids in various generations were artificially
inoculated (both under field and laboratory conditions) using suitable brown
and black rust races to select resistant plants. Plants showing agronomic
characters superior or comparable to Indian wheats and resistance to the two
rusts (black/brown) were visually selected from progenies of various cross
combinations. The details are presented in Table 2.
Table 1. Important genetic donors identified for different
characters
Characters Donor Genotypes
---------------------------------------------------------------
Large
grain CPAN3011, CPAN6090,MACS2152, CPAN2076
CPAN3002, WH 385, and MUW 58
Long ear CPAN 1931, WH 385, CPAN 6076, CPAN 1967,
I 894 and HUW 267
High tillering HD 2160, HD 2320, CPAN 2029, BAU 2182,
HD 2512, CPAN 6047, HD 2379 and HD 2740
High spikelet VL 497, CPAN 8112, CPAN 2016, CPAN 3004,
fertility and HUW 1964
High yielding CPAN 2076, HD 2320, CPAN 2029, HI 7080
HI 8270, CPAN 3013, PBW 293 and HD 1502
---------------------------------------------------------------
Table 2. Details of plants finally selected for resistance
against brown/or black rusts in different generations of
various cross combinations.
Details # of Details # of
of crosses Plants of crosses Plants
------------------------------------------------------------------
F(2)BC(1)S:
Kalyansona*2/WC1706 6 WL711*2/WC1707 11
WL711*2/Bobwhite 15 WL711*2/WC268 13
WL711/WC1706 2 WL711*2/Veery(s) 8
WH147*2/WC268 5 WL711*2/HD4502(4x wheat) 2
WL711*2/Novi sad 60/2 2 WL711*2/D. villosum 6
F(2)BC(2)S(1)
Kalyansona*3/WC281 2 Kalyansona*3/Mendos 6
Kalyansona*3/TebxLr19 3 Kalyansona*3/WC268 6
Kalyansona*3/Veery(s) 18 Kalyansona*3/Transec 8
Sonalika*3/WC281 10 Sonalika*3/Veery(s) 15
Sonalika*3/Eagle 3 Sonalika*3/WC1706 10
WH147*3/TebXLr9 4 WH147*3/Wc1706 18
WH147*3/Veery(S) 4 WH147*3/WC281 5
Kalyansona*3/SrTt(1) 4 WH147*3/RA6 6
F(2)BC(3)A(1):
Kalyansona*4/TebXLr9 11 Sonalika*4/Lr13 2
Sonalika*4/Transec 3
F(1)BC(3)S(1):
Sonalika*4/N15439 8 Sonalika*4/WC268 6
WH147*4/Eagle 5 WH147*4/N15439 2
WH147*4/N1747-19 1 WH147?4/Bobwhite 2
WH147*4/Veery(S) 3 WL711*4/Veery(S) 3
WL711*4/Lr13 2 WL711*4/Transec 1
WL711*4/WC1706 6 WL711*4/Bobwhite 2
WH147*4/HD4502(4xwheat) 1 WL711*4/T. dicoccoides 2
WL711*4/BAD6
M(1)BC(2)S(1):
Kalyansona*3/BAD2 2 WL711*3/BAG6 1
WH147*3/BAG6 2 Kalyansona*3/BAD7 1
WL711*3/5R 4 WH147*3/5R 2
WH147*2/Ag690/7 3 Kalyansona*3/Courtot7 1
WL711*3/Ag3/8 3 WH147*3/Novi Sad 60/2 1
F5-F(7):
Sonalika/Spear(F5) 9 WL711/Courtot7(F(5) 7
Kalyansona/Compair(F(6)) 8 Kalyansona/Bobwhite(F(7)) 10
Kalyansona/Compair(F(7)) 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Publications
Balyan, H. S. and Fedak, G. 1989. Meiotic study of hybrids between barley
(Hordeum vulgare L.) and triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack). J. Heredity
80:460-463.
Balyan, H. S. and Fedak, G. 1990. Further evidence for the suppression of
meiotic chromosomes pairing by Hordeum Californicum. Cytologia 55:61-64.
Balyan, H. S. and Fedak, G. l990. Hybrids of an amphiploid (Triticum
timophevii x Hordeum bogdanii with cultivars of triticale (X Triticosecale
Wittmack). cytologia 55:65-69.
Balyan, H. S. and Singh, Tejbir. 1987. Character association analysis in
common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Genome 29:392-394.
Garg, D. K. and Gautam, P. L. 1988. Evaluation of local collections of
wheat (Triticum spp.) germplasm. Genet. Agr. 42:255-262.
Gupta, P. K. 1990. Cytogenetics of wheat and related wild relatives -
Triticum and Aegilops. In "Chromosome Engineering in Plants: Genetics,
Breeding, Evolution" (Gupta, P. K. and Tsuchiya, T., eds). Elsevier Sci.
Publ., The Netherlands.
Gupta, P. K., Altossar, I. and Garg, D. K. 1990. Molecular genetics of
wheat. In "Chromosome Engineering in Plants: Genetics, Breeding, Evolution"
(Gupta, P. K. and Tsuchiya, T., eds). Elsevier Sci. Publ., The
Netherlands.
Gupta, P. K., Balyan, H. S. and Fedak, G. 1988. A study of D/R
substitutions in some spring triticales using wheat ditelocentrics. Proc.
"7th Intern. Wheat Genet. Symp." (Miler, T. E. and Koebner, R. M. D., eds),
Cambridge, U.K., pp. 297-301.
Gupta, P. K., Balyan, H. S. and Fedak, G. 1989. Effect of individual rye
(Secale cereale) chromosomes on pairing in pentaploid hybrids (AABBD).
Cereal Res. Commm. (In press).
Gupta, P. K. and Baum, B. R. 1989. Stable classification and nomenclature
in the Triticeae: desirability,limitations and prospects. Euphytica 41:191-
197.
Gupta, P. K. and Reddy, V. R. K. 1989. Interspecific and intergeneric
hybridization in future wheat improvement. Proc. Natl. Symp. "Strategies
for Taking Forward the Indian Wheat Revolution to New Heights", 20-22 August
1986. New Delhi, India (in press).
Gupta, P. K. and Reddy, V. R. K. 1990. Cytogenetics of triticale - a man
made cereal. In "Chromosome Engineering in Plants: Genetics, Breeding,
Evolution" (Gupta, P. K. and Tsuchiya, T., eds.), Elsevier Sci. Publ., The
Netherlands (in press).
Misra, A. K. and Gupta, P. K. 1988. A report on identification of necrotic
genes in some tetraploid and hexaploid wheats. Indian J. Genet. 48:311-323.
Misra, A. K. and Gupta, P. K. 1988. Production of D addition lines in
tetraploid wheat II. Cytology of F(3) hybrids involving tetraploid and
hexaploid wheats. J. Cytol. Genet. 23:147-150.
Reddy, V. R. K., and Gupta, P. K. 1989. Mutants for leaf characters in
triticale. Wheat Inf. Serv. 68:26-28.
Reddy, V. R. K. and Gupta, P. K. 1989. Effectiveness, efficiency, factor
for effectiveness and mutants per mutation in triticale. Indian J. Botany
11: (in press).
Reddy, V. K. R. and Gupta, P. K. 1989. Cytological mutants in hexaploid
triticale. J. Cytol. Genet. (in press).
Reddy, V. R. K. and Gupta, P. K. 1989. Induced mutations in triticale-
frequency and spectrum of chlorophyll mutations. Indian J. Genet. 49:183-
190.
Reddy, V. R. K., a d Gupta, P. K. 1989. Induced mutations in triticale -
frequency and spectrum of morphological mutants. Genet. Agr. (in press).
Reddy, V. R. K. and Gupta, P. K. 1989. Biological effects of gamma rays
and EMS in hexaploid triticale. Acta Bot. Indica (in press).
Singh, Tejbir and Balyan, H. S. 1988. The usefulness of biparental matings
in early segregating generation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genet. Agr.
42:283-298.
Walia, D. P. and Garg, D. K. 1991. Evaluation and genetic divergence in
wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm. Indian J. Genet. (in press).
-------------------------
Regional Station, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Indore
A. N. Mishra
Sources of combined adult plant resistance to stem rust and leaf rust
of wheat probably derived from Sr2 complex and Lr34 complex. From the
experience gained so far, it is now fairly well established that the genes
Sr2 and Lr34 in conjunction with other resistance genes in wheat have
contributed to adequate levels of adult plant resistance of an apparently
longer lasting nature to stem and leaf rust, respectively (AWN 37:64).
While Sr2 is usually associated with head and stem melanism or `pseudo-black
chaff' (R. A. McIntosh, 1988), the presence of Lr34 is associated with
`leaf-tip burning' (M van Ginkel, CIMMYT, pers. comm.). Hence an attempt
was made during 1990-91 to identify in the artificially inoculated test
plots at Indore such wheat stocks which showed `pseudo-black chaff' as well
as `leaf-tip burning' (Table 1) since stem and leaf rust diseases have been
the major constraints in stabilizing wheat yields in central and peninsular
India.
Pedigrees of some wheats were studied (Table 1) in order to identify in
them the probable sources of Sr2 and Lr34. The Sr2 component appears to
have been contributed by `Newthatch' or any of its derivatives like `Penjamo
62', `Chris', `Yaqui 50', `CIANO 67', `Bluebird' series, `Lerma Rojo 64',
`INIA 66', etc., (S. Rajarem et. al., 1988).
While the involvement of such sources of durable leaf rust resistance,
attributed to a combination of Lr13 and Lr34, as `Frontana', `Chris', `Era'
and `CIANO 67' (A. P. Roelfs, 1988; S. Rajaram, pers. commm.) in the
parentage of a number of above wheats possibly accounts for the presence of
Lr34 in them; in others the Argentinean wheat `TZPP' or one of its
derivatives appears to be the source of leaf rust resistance probably
derived from Lr34 or similar adult plant resistance gene(s) requiring
confirmation (M. van Ginkel, pers. comm.). However, as mentioned earlier, a
complete analysis of the pedigrees could not be made and more precise
information regarding the source of Sr2 and particularly Lr34 in these
wheats might emerge if one could probe deeper into their parentage.
The identified wheat stocks showed rust infection in the range of trace
R-MR through 40R-Mr to 10S. Thus their levels of disease were significantly
lower than those observed on the near-isogenic lines carrying Sr2 (`CS/Hope
3 B' showing stem rust infection from 10S to 30S) and Lr34 (`Line 897' = TC
*6/`Terenzio' having leaf rust infection from 20 MS-S to 30 MS-S) indicating
that these wheats possessed other genes for resistance in conjunction with
Sr2 and Lr34. Moreover, as could be seen from their parentage, the probable
resistance donors involved are known to be repeated in a large number of
Indian wheats and hence the effectiveness of the resistance appears to be
determined by certain specific gene combinations.
Most of the wheats listed in Table 1 showed high to moderate levels of
rust resistance in the tests conducted earlier at Indore and/or other hot-
spot locations in India and thus appear to hold promise as sources of
combined field resistance to stem and leaf rusts of wheat.
Table 1. Various wheat stocks and their parentages.
Wheat stock Parentage*
--------------------------------------------------------------
CC 505 CC/CAL//SR
CAL=TZPP/SON 64/ATZPP//AN(E)
SR=BB#3 = CNO"S"//SON 64/KLRE/3/8156
8156=PJ"S"/GB 55
PJ=FKN/NIOB
CPAN 1885 ERA/CHR Mutant
CPAN 1929 **JUP/ZP "S"//COC
JUP=II 12300//LR 64/8156/3/NOR
NOR=INIA F 66 "S"
CPAN 1933 PATO/3/SON 64/PDUE//CNO/INIA 66/4/HD 832/BB
BB-CNO "S"//SON 64/KLRE/3/8156
DL 230-6 K7537/HD 2160 M
K 7537 = SON 64//TZPP/Yr Gve
Yr(YR)=BB#2=CNO "S"//SON 64/KLRE/3/8156
HD 2160 = 3*MMASOC//YT 54/NIOB/
CAL/3/TOB/CFN/4/HD 1949
TOB=TZPP/SON 64A
DL 230-7 Samd as DL 230-6
DL 245-5 DL 153-4/HD 2242
HD 2242=HD 1962//E 4870/K 65/3/HD 2028
E 4870=FKN/NIOB//P14/3/Kt
HD 2028=LR/SON 64//SON 64/TZPP//
NAI 60/CNO/3/HD 1533
HD 2402 HD 2267/HD 2236
HD 2236=HD 2119/HD 1981
HD 2119=CNO/NO//C273/NP875/3/E4853
NO=INIA 66 "S"
HD 2556 HD 2353/HUW 55//HD 21345/HD 2275
HUW 55=E 4870/HD 1982//INIA 66
HI 980 KAL/BB//SPRW "S"
SPRW=FN/MD//K 117A/3/2*COFN/4/
SON 64/KLRE/3/CNO "S"//2* LR 64/SON 64
HI 991 TL/3/FN/T4//2* NAR 54
T4(ANZA)=LR/NIOB//3* AN(E)
HI 1026 Raj 860//FN/CNO/3/ SUPER X
HI 1027 KAL/BB//PERICO "S"
HI 1035 Raj 860//FN/CNO
HI 1129 Raj 860//7C/CNO "S"
7C=PJ"S"/GB 55
HS 223 CFR 316/MCM//KT/Y50/3/ZA/4/BJY"S"
BJY = TZPP/PL//7C
HS 225 STRAMPELLI/HD 2160
HUW 206 KVZ/BUHO "S"//KAL/BB
HUW 370 HUW 206/K 8027
HW 921 CNO "S"/INIA//LFN/TOB/3/KL/Pet
HW 1012 TOB "S"/TZPP/3/8156/CC/INIA//S331
Raj 1972 HD 2195/HD 2160
HD 2195 = C 306/NP 852/E 5550//
HD 1962/E 4870/K 65
Raj 3211 WL 2193//HD 2255/Raj 1857
WL 2193 = USA 225/K 816//WL 202
K 816 = CNO "S"//SON 64/KLRE
HD 2255 = HD 2136//HD 1553/247
HD 2136 = H41-3/3/HD 1962//E 4870/K65
Raj 1857 = KAL/BB//28036
VL 653 BLUEBOY/CPAN 1645
CPAN 1645 = NAPO//TZPP/SON 64/3/8156
NAPO = FR/FN// Y48/NAR "S"
WH 573 Kh 65/WH 157
WH 157 = NP 876/S 308//CIANO "S/8156
--------------------------------------------------------------------
*Parentage coding mostly after Villareal and Rajaram (1988). The underlined
stocks are the probable sources of Sr 2/Lr 34 resistance.
**JUP - while the resistant `Jupateco' line showed `leaf-tip burning', the
susceptible `Jupateco' did not (Ginkel, pers. comm.).
Further observations on the responses to Indian stem rust/leaf rust
populations of some wheat stocks carrying designated Sr/Lr genes.
Comprehensive information is available on the seedling and adult plant
responses to Indian stem rust/leaf rust populations of different wheat
stocks carrying various designated Sr/Lr genes as a result of sustained work
carried out mainly at IARI, New Delhi; Flowerdale, Simla and; PAU, Ludhiana.
What follows here is a summary statement of further observations made in
this area of investigation in recent years at IARI, Regional Station,
Indore.
Wheat cultivar `Gabo' showed additional seedling resistance to Indian
cultures of stem rust races 11, 43B, 122, 184 and 295 to which the near-
isogenic line carrying Sr 11 as well as `Yalta' (Sr 11 + Sr Yt-1 + Sr Yt-2)
were susceptible indicating the presence of additional gene(s) for stem rust
resistance in `Gabo' besides Sr 11.
Combination lines `Sr Tt-1 + Sr 9b' and `Sr Tt-1 + Sr 9e' produced in
seedlings near susceptible infection types with stem rust races 11, 11A and;
117-2, 117-6, respectively. However, both were observed to maintain high
levels of field resistance as reported earlier.
Sr 13 line "S" showed the tendency of early field production of
teliospores.
Three cultivaral stocks `Opal', (Lr 12), `Egret' (Lr 13) and `Timvera'
(Lr 18), showed significantly lower coefficients of leaf rust infection in
the field compared respectively to lines TC + Lr 12; `Manitou' and `Red
Bobs' (both carrying Lr 13) and; TC + Lr 18 suggesting that additional
gene(s) or the background effect could be responsible for the enhanced
levels of resistance in the above wheat cultivars.
Although both the Australian cultivars `Eagle' and `Kite' were equally
resistant to stem rust, the latter showed a lower degree of field
susceptibility to leaf rust (30 MS-40 MS) as compared to former (40S-60S).
Further, `Kite' produced in seedlings a smaller pustule type often
associated with pronounced degrees of chlorosis and necrosis when tested
with leaf rust races 10, 77, 77-1, 77A, 107 and 162A.
`Gatcher' (Lr 27 + Lr 31) showed increased susceptibility to leaf rust
in the field (40 MS-S) during 1990-91 and thus appeared to lack additional
adult plant resistance. This is in accordance with the concern expressed
earlier regarding the durability of the then effective Gatcher-resistance
(10 MS during 1987-89) in view of its observed seedling susceptibility to
some of the newly detected leaf rust virulences of groups 12 and 77 (Sawhney
and Sharma, 1990).
Publications
Mishra, A. N., R. S. Thakur and Y. M. Upadhyaya. 1989. Genetic diversity
in Triticum durum (Desf.) I. Studies on stem rust resistance. Cereal Rust
and Powdery Mildews Bulletin. 17: 27-35.
Mishra, A. N., R. S. Thakur and Y. M. Upadhyaya. 1989. Genetic diversity
in Triticum durum (Desf.) II. Studies on leaf rust resistance. Cereal
Rusts and Powdery Mildews Bulletin 17: 36-45.
Mishra, A. N., P. K. Verma, R. N. Brahma, M. K. Mutkekar and Paramjit Singh.
1989. Evaluation of Israeli durum land races for rust resistance in India.
Cereal Rusts and Powdery Mildews Bulletin. 17:46-56.
Mishra, A. N., R. C. Bhawsar, Kamini Kaushal and Y. M. Upadhyaya. 1990.
Genetic diversity for stem rust resistance in Triticum aestivum L. Cereal
Rusts and Powdery Mildews Bulletin. 18: 10-21.
Mishra, A. N. and Y. M. Upadhyaya. 1990. Probable genetic architecture of
resistance to stem and leaf rusts in some wheats showing Sr 2-associated
`pseudo-chaff' phenotype. Cereal Rusts and Powdery Mildews Bulletin 18:22-
34.
-------------------------
Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Department of Plant Breeding
and Genetics, Palampur
G. S. Sethi, Satish C. Sharma, K. S. Thakur, D. L. Sharma, Ashwani
Kumar and H. K. Chaudhary
Wheat improvement in North western Himalayas
HPW 42 - A new wheat cultivar for higher altitude areas of Northern
Hills' Zone. HPW 42, a new high-yielding wheat cultivar having high degree
of resistance to stripe and leaf rusts, has been identified by the All-India
Wheat Workshop for cultivation in the higher hills 1500 m.a.s.l. and above)
of the Northern Hills' Zone of India for timely-sown rainfed conditions to
replace Sonalika which has become highly susceptible to rusts and loose
smut. HPW 42 has shown seedling resistance to all the new races of stripe
rust, viz. A, I, K, L & N, and has comparatively high degree of resistance
to race 77 complex and 104B of leaf rust. In addition, it has a high degree
of resistance to flag smut, Karnal bunt and powdery mildew. During the last
4 years of tests, it gave an average increase of 16.71% in grain yield over
the check Sonalika (Table 1). Similarly, it outyielded Sonalika under late-
sown rainfed conditions in low and mid hills during 1990-91.
HPW 42 is an early-maturing semidwarf wheat cultivar having dense
fully-bearded spikes with white glumes, good tillering potential and amber,
medium bold and semihard to hard grains. It exhibited a very high value for
hectoliter weight and showed negligible infestation to brown wheat mite.
This cultivar carries 1RS.1BL translocation and is a derivative of
Veery `S' (PVN`S'-CBB-CNO`S'/JAR)ORZ`S'.
Table 1. Grain yield of `HPW 42' in Coordinated Varietal Trials in
the high-altitude areas of the Northern Hills' Zone of India
Year Grain yield (q/ha) Average of locations
of No. of Sonalika
Testing locations HPW 42 (check) (P/0.05
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1987-88 2 30.8 22.4 4.2
1988-89 2 20.0 22.5 2.5
1989-90 3 19.9 17.3 3.5
1990-91 3 26.1 20.8 5.7
Overall Mean 24.2 20.7
% Increase over the stock 16.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Promising wheat cultivars. Two newly developed wheat cultivars, `HPW
63' and `HPW 56', are in the final stages of testing in the All-India
Coordinated Trials for the Northern Hills' Zone under timely sown rainfed
and irrigated conditions and late-sown rainfed conditions, respectively.
Their performance for the last 2 years (Table 2) indicates that both have
superiority over the check, Sonalika, in grain yield and resistance to
stripe and leaf rusts. HPW 56 has been found to be free from leaf blight.
Table 2. Performance of promising wheat cultivars in the Northern
Hills' Zone.
Cultivar/ Grain yield (q/ha) Reaction to
Production (Zonal average) Overall Stripe Leaf
Conditions 1989-90 1990-91 Average rust rust
--------------------------------------------------------------------
HPW63
Timely Sown, 22.5 29.7 26.1 0 0
Rainfed
Sonalika(check) 19.1 26.9 23.0 70S 0
C.D. 3.5 1.9
Timely Sown, 38.5 40.2 39.3 0 0
Irrigated
HS 240(check) 38.3 37.6 37.8 0 0
C.D. 3.2 4.2
HPW56
Late Sown, 25.3 28.0 26.6 0 0
Rainfed
Sonalika(check) 24.2 26.9 25.5 60S 60S
C.D. 2.0 2.6
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Identification of drought tolerant wheat strains. Out of 56 wheat
strains screened for drought tolerance for 4 years under rainfed conditions,
26, 16, 11 and 2 were selected in the first, second, third and the last
year, respectively. The highest yielding strains under drought stress over
the years were `LSW 26 x VL 421' and `Bulk 60055', with mean grain yield of
39.9 q/ha and 37.8 q/ha, respectively. However, these strains showed
susceptibility to leaf rust and would further be improved through backcross
approach.
Shuttling of wheat breeding material. As in the previous years, the
wheat breeding materials generated over the years were shuttled to different
locations during winter 1990-91 at Bajaura (1098 m), Dhaulakuan (456 m), and
Palampur/Malan (1300 m) which are the hot spots of stripe rust, leaf rust
and powdery mildew, respectively, and in summer 1991 at Kukumseri (2300 m)
which is the hot spot of stripe rust and powdery mildew (Table 3).
Table 3. Wheat breeding materials generated, evaluated and
selected at different locations.
Cultures
Generation Location Evaluated Selected
---------------------------------------------------------------------
F(2) Bajaura 38 populations 135 single plants
F(3) Dhaulakuan/Malan 240 progenies 241 single plants
F(4) Malan/Dhaulakuan/
Kukumseri 295 progenies 80 single plants
F(5) Palampur/Malan 378 progenies 227 single plants
Kukumseri 162 F(6) populations
F(6) Palampur/Malan/ 37 bulks 19 bulks
Kukumseri 74 progenies 27 progenies
F(7) Palampur/Malan 47 bulks 25 bulks
F(8) Palampur/Malan 11 bulks 6 bulks
----------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition, 100 new crosses were made at Palamur involving agronomic
bases and the donor parents for stripe and leaf rusts (CPAN 2016, CPAN 3004,
CPAN 1992, CPAN 3013 and HUW 258).
Identification of winter wheats for dry-temperature areas. Seven
promising winter wheat cultivars were evaluated at the Regional Research
Station, Kukumseri (2300 m.a.s.l.) located in the Dry Temperature Region of
Himachal Pradesh to identify winter wheat cultivars suitable for grain yield
and green fodder. These were tested along with a semiwinter check (VL 616)
and spring wheat check (CPAN 1922) after sowing in October 1990. The grain
yield was recorded in 3 replications and in other 3 replications the grain
yield was recorded after taking one green fodder cutting in May, 1991. The
data (Table 4) revealed ts2hat the winter wheat `Bounty' gave the highest
grain yield of 37.7 q/ha without any fodder cut, followed by ` J. O. 3057'
and `Atou' with grain yields of 34.6 q/ha and 33.2 q/ha, respectively.
On the other hand, when one fodder cut was taken, cultivar `Funddin'
gave the highest grain yield of 35.7 q/ha along with 34.5 q of green fodder.
However, Atou was found to be the highest green fodder yielder, followed by
Bounty and J. O. 3057. Moreover, Atou was the only cultivar which remained
free from stripe rust, leaf rust and powdery mildew. On the basis of the
results of 3 years, Atou and J. O. 3057 have finally been selected for grain
as well as green fodder yield and resistance to rusts and powdery mildew,
for on-farm tests in the snow-bound areas (Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur
Districts) of the Zone. However, both these cultivars are red-grained.
Table 4. Grain yield, green fodder yield and reaction to leaf and stripe
rusts of winter wheat cultivars in dry temperature zones.
Grain yield(q/ha)
Without After Fodder Yield Reaction to
fodder one (q/ha) Stripe Leaf Powdery
Cultivar cut cut (of one cut) rust rust mildew
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atou 33.2 33.2 41.0 0 0 0
Bounty 37.7 27.6 37.9 0 10S 5
Amargas 2 29.4 21.2 30.3 0 0 7
J.O.3057 34.6 29.4 35.2 5S 0 0
Flendess 25.6 26.1 27.2 10S 5S 3
Funddin 26.1 35.7 24.5 0 30S 0
Envoy 25.6 31.9 16.1 10S 10S 5
VL 616 10.7 18.5 - 20S 10S 5
CPAN 1922 10.2 16.3 - 10S 0 7
C.D. 2.3 3.2 5.1 - - 7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evaluation and identification of genetic stocks for resistance to
disease. During 1990-91, about 2,000 genetic stocks of Triticum aestivum,
T. durum, T. dicoccum and triticale were evaluated against stripe rust, leaf
rust, powdery mildew and loose smut. Leaf rust and stripe rust evaluation
was undertaken under artificial epiphytotic conditions created by periodic
spraying of a mixture of leaf races 11, 12, 77, 77A-1, 77A, 104B, 108 and
162, and stripe rust races K, N, 20 and 31. An epiphytotic of powdery
mildew was created by dusting the locally available isolates. For loose
smut, 350 genetic stocks inoculated during 1989-90 were sown and the
incidence recorded. The number of the genetic stocks with multiple
resistance or resistance against individual diseases is as follows:
A. T. aestivum
(a) Free from stripe rust, leaf rust, powdery mildew and loose
smut: 46
(b) Resistant to leaf rust, stripe rust and powdery mildew: 90
(c) Resistant to stripe rust and leaf rust: 239
(d) Resistant to powdery mildew and loose smut: 17
(e) Resistant to powdery mildew: 9
(f) Resistant to loose smut: 42
The following genotypes of bread wheat showed multiple resistance to
all the diseases: 22 IBWSN 12, 77; 2 HEWSN4, 6, 11, 45, 101, 103, 104, 121,
130, 135, 147, 149, 153, 170, 174, 177, 185, 186, 187; WON(MRA) 9; 1915
SEPTON 13, 30; 4 HEWSN 7, 84; 5 KBSN 49, 50, 53: 10 ESWYT 22, 25; ALDRM 30,
64, 66, 70, 72; WSP(HAA) 7, 14, 15, 44; 5HTSN 25; 7DSN 1, 8, 13, 15, 148.
B. T. durum
(a) Resistant to leaf rust, stripe rust and powdery mildew: 20
(b) Resistant to leaf rust and stripe rust: 14
(c) Resistant to loose smut: 10
The genotypes showing combined resistance to stripe rust, leaf rust and
powdery mildew were: 2 HEWSN: 11, 144; 4 NCWSN: 84; 5 KBSN: 57; 10 ESWYT:
22; ALDRM; 73, 84, 96, 109, 64; WSP (HAA): 7; 5 HTSN: 25; 7 DSN: 148; 191
SEPTON: 54,
C Triticale
(a) Free from leaf rust, stripe rust, powdery mildew and loose
smut: 12
(b) Free from leaf rust, stripe rust and powdery mildew: 20
(c) Resistant to leaf rust (up to 5S) and free from stripe rust,
powdery mildew and loose smut: 6
(d) Resistant to leaf rust (up to 5S) and free from stripe rust
and powdery mildew: 20
The powdery mildew resistance genes were postulated in 27 Indian and
Mexican genetic stocks of wheat based on their reaction to 5 cultures with
known virulences. All the stocks were placed in 9 groups. In genotypes DT
18 (triticale), HS 207, C 11 and C 40, showing resistance to all the
cultures, the genes Pm1, Pm2, Pm3a, Pm3b, Pm3c, Pm4, Pm5, Pm6, Pm7 and Pm8,
individually or in combination, may be responsible for their resistance.
Similarly, in other genotypes 2 to 5 genes individually or in combination
were found to be responsible for resistance.
-------------------------
Directorate of Wheat Research Regional Station, Wellington
R. N. Brahma*, R. Asir and A. Saikia
Evaluation of Indian wheat cultivars for possible slow-mi