Annual Wheat Newsletter
Volume 37
Edited by J. S. Quick, Department of Agronomy, Colorado State University,
Fort Collins, CO, USA; Financial arrangements made by Ian B. Edwards,
Treasurer, Pioneer Overseas Corporation, Johnston, IA, USA.
Carolyn Schultz, Senior Secretary, CSU Department of Agronomy, typed and
collated the information for the printing of this volume. Facilities and
assistance during manuscript editing were kindly provided by Colorado State
University.
Additional regional editing and manuscript solicitation were
done by:
J. S. Noll, Canada Dept. of Agriculture, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
R. A. Fischer, CIMMYT, Mexico, D. F., Mexico
K. S. Gill, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
T. E. Miller, Plant Sci. Res., Cambridge Laboratory, Norwich, England
H. A. van Niekerk, Small Grain Center, Bethlehem, South Africa
R. A. McIntosh, University of Sydney, Castle Hill, N.S.W., Australia
This volume was financed by voluntary contributions - list included. The
information in this Newsletter is considered as personal contributions.
Before citing any information herein, obtain the consent of the specific
author(s). The Newsletter is sponsored by the National Wheat Improvement
Committee, USA.
1 June 1991
450 copies printed by
University Communications, Colorado State University
-------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
JOHN BINGHAM
EVERETT H. EVERSON
ERNEST ROBERT SEARS
I. SPECIAL REPORTS
Minutes - National Wheat Improvement Committee
Members - National Wheat Improvement Committee
Minutes - Wheat Crop Advisory Committee
II. CONTRIBUTIONS
PRIVATE COMPANIES
AGRIPRO BIOSCIENCES
Rob Bruns, John Moffat, Joe Smith, Jim Reeder - Berthoud, CO
Koy Miskin, Curtis Beazer - Brookston, IN
Barton Fogleman, Erwin Ridge - Jonesboro, AR
AGROMIX SOFTWARE, INC.
Deiter K. Mulitze
CARGILL, INC.
D. R. Johnston, S. W. Perry, J. E. Handwerk, Sally R. Clayshulte, D.
P. Shellberg - Fort Collins, CO
Nestor Machado, Pedro Paulucci, Hector Mertinuzzi - Argentina
R. P. Daniel, D. Donaldson M. J. Nowland, C. J. Tyson, D. J. Wilson,
P. Wilson - Tamworth, Australia
HYBRITECH SEED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
John Erickson, Jerry Wilson, Steve Kuhr, Bud Hardesty, Karolyn Ely -
Wichita, KS; Gordon Cisar - Lafayette,
IN
Dennis Dunphy, Sam Wallace, Richard Evans - Lafayette, IN; Leon
Fischer, Kent Baker - Mt. Hope, KS; Geoff
Keyes - St. Louis, MO
NORTHRUP KING COMPANY
Fred Collins, June Hancock, Craig Allen - Bay, AR
ORSEM
Ch. Quandalle, S. Sunderwirth, L. Batreau
TRIO RESEARCH, INC.
J. Wilson - Wichita, KS
WESTERN PLANT BREEDERS
D. Clark, Craig Cook, Amy Baroch - Bozeman, MT; K. Shantz, J. Bobula -
Tempe, AZ
ARGENTINA
Enrique Suarez, Laura Bullrich, A. Acevedo, E Antonelli, S. Feingold,
M. Artega, G.W. Covas, J. Safont Lis, G. Tranquilli - Castellar
R.A. Heinz, Mariana Del Vas, L.C. Moratinos, E.A. Favret, H. E. Hopp,
S.E. Feingold - Castellar
G. Manera, G. Diaz, E. Yanacon, R. Maich, G. Berrino, O. Pagani, A.
Benedetti, M. Canovas - Fac. Cs. Agropecuarias U.N.C.
AUSTRALIA
NEW SOUTH WALES
J. Bell, G. N. Brown, D. Backhouse, N. L. Darvey, L. W. Burgess, R. A.
McIntosh, J. D. Oates, R. Park, Jake, J. Sharp, D. The, C.R. Wellings -
Sydney and Cobbitty
L. O'Brien, F. W. Ellison, D. J. Mares, S. G. Moore, - Narrabri
R.A. Hare - Tamworth
C.W. Wrigley, F. MacRitchie, I.L. Batey, F. Bekes, R. Gupta, S.
Rahman, P. Reddy, J.H. Skerritt - CSIRO, Sydney
QUEENSLAND
P. S. Brennan, P.J. Keys, L. R. Mason, J. A. Sheppard, R. G.
Norris, G. C. Smith, R. W. Uebergang, P.J. Agius -Toowoomba
D. J. Martin, B. G. Stewart - Toowoomba
R. G. Rees, R. L. Eisemann, G. J. Platz, K. C. M. Blaikie - Toowoomba
G. B. Wildermuth, R. B. McNamara - Toowoomba
BRAZIL
J. C. S. Moreira, C. N. A. de Sousa - Passo Fundo
C. N. A. de Souza, E. P. Gomes, J. C. S. Moreira, P.L. Scheeren,
S.D. dos A. de Silva
C. R. Reide, L. A. C. Campos, D. Brunetta - Londrina, P.R.
O. S. Rosa, O.S. Rosa Filho - Melhoramento de Sementes, LTDA
A. C. P. Goulart, F. de A. Paiva, C.J. Avila, J.S. Sobrinho, P.G. Sousa
- Dourados, M. S.
CANADA
ALBERTA
R.S. Sadasivaiah, R.L. Conner
K.G. Briggs
MANITOBA
Steve Haber
O. M. Lukow, K.M. Kidd
O. M. Lukow, N.K. Howes
D. Harder, K. Dunsmore
W.J. Turnock, B.H. Timlick
J. A. Kolmer
S.E. German, J.A. Kolmer, P.L. Dyck
ONTARIO
W. L. Seaman, E. F. Schneider, D. R. Sampson
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
H.W. Johnston, H.G. Nass
SASKATCHEWAN
R.J. Graf, D. Potts, B.J. Fowler, K. Glatt, C. McLean
CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF
Zhaosu Wu, Shirong Yu, Xizhong Wei, Quimei Xia, Youjia Shen, Yong Xu,
Zhaoxia Chen, Jiming Wu, Guoliang Jiang -
Nanjing
Zuoji Lin, Shenghui Jie, Xueyi Hu, Z.Q. Wu - Henan
Z.Y. Liu, F.C. Liu, Y.Z. Shen, Z.Q. Li, P.Y. Bai, F.W. Shao, H.M.
Li - Hebei
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
J. Smocek
Z. Stehno, L. Dotlacil, V. Sip, M. Skorpik, M. Vlasek
ESTONIA
O. Priilinn, T. Enno, H. Peusha, M. Tohver, L. Timofejeva
GERMANY
A. Boerner, C.O. Lehmann, D. Mettin, J. Plaschke, G. Schlegel, R.
Schlegel, G. Melz, V. Thiele - Gatersleben
V. Vassilev, J. von Kietzell, H. Toben, A. Mavridis, M. Gross, K. Rudolf
- Gottingen
HUNGARY
L. Balla, Z. Bedo, L. Lang, L. Szunics, Lu. Szunics, I. Karsai -
Martonvasar
J. Sutka, B. Barnabas, O. Veisz, G. Galiba, M. Molnar-Lang, G.
Kovacs, E. Szakacs, B. Koszegi, R. Nagy, I. Takacs, G. Kocsy - Martonvasar
INDIA
S.M.S. Tomar, K.D. Srivastava, D.V. Singh - New Delhi
M. Kochumadhavan, S.M.S. Tomar, P.N.N. Nambisan - Wellington
R. N. Sawhney, D.N. Sharma, H.B. Chowdary, J.B. Sharma - New Delhi
P.C. Pande, S. Nagarajan, D. Singh, H.N. Pande
M. K. Upadhyay, B. Singh
Dalmir Singh
G. S. Sethi, Satish C. Sharma, K.S. Thakur, D. L. Sharma, Ashwani Kumar,
Shyam Verma, H.K. Chaudhary - Palampur
ISRAEL
Sem Y. Atsmon
A. Blum
ITALY
B. Borghi, M. Perenzin, M. Cattaneo, Y.M. Qiao, R. Castagna, P.
Gavuzzi, N.E. Pogna, R. Redaelli, A.M. Beretta, A. Curioni, A. Dal Belin
Peruffo, F. Raineri - Lodigiano
V. Vallega - Rome
JAPAN
A. Oyanagi, A. Sato, M. Wada
Y. Taniguchi
S. Ito
MEXICO
R. A. Fischer, G. Varughese
P.A. Burnett, R. Ranieri, J. Robinson
He Zhong-hu
K.D. Sayre, I. Ortiz-Montasterio, C. Meisner NEPAL
H.J. Dubin, P.R. Hobbs
ROMANIA
N. S. Saulescu, Em. Jinga, I. Hagima, Mariana Ittu, Gh. Ittu, A
Jilaveanu - Fundulea
SOUTH AFRICA
H. A. Van Niekerk, R. Cilliers, A. Brummer, D. Exley - Bethlehem
H. A. Van Niekerk, T. G. Paxton, R. Britz, M. S. S. Jordan, T. van
Bredenkamp
I.B.J. Smith, F Groenewald, A. Basson
H. A. Smit, J. L. Purchase, P.A. Visser, H. A. van Tonder, A. H.
Botha, M. Maritz
C.G. Burbidge, R.C. Lindeque, H.A. van Tonder, H.S.C. van der Merwe, W.
van der Westhuizen
H. B. Smit, B. L. deVilliers, H.H. Knobel, R. C. Lindeque
H. B. Smit, B. L. deVilliers, H.H. Knobel, R. C. Lindeque, J.P. du Toit
S.C. Drijepondt
J. Smith
B.J. Pieterse, J.T. Steyn, J.P.C. Tolmay
G.J. Prinsloo, V.L. Tolmay, B. Koen, J.L. Hatting
Z.A. Pretorius, F.J. Kloppers, E.G. Brink - Bloemfontein
C.S. van Deventer, M.T. Labuschagne
R. de V. Pienaar, G. F. Marais, G. M. Littlejohn, H. S. Roux, R. Prins,
C. du Pleissis, J.M. Hay - Stellenbosch
F. du Toit, S.S. Walters - Pioneer Seed Company, Bainsvlei
SYRIA
G. Ortiz-Ferrara, A. Shehadeh, M. Michael, M. Asad Moussa - Aleppo
B.C. Curtis, Haitham Kayyali
UNITED KINGDOM
NORWICH, Cambridge Laboratory, Institute of Plant Science Research
S. M. Reader, T. E. Miller
I.P. King, T. E. Miller, R.M.D. Koebner
I.P. King, R.M.D. Koebner, R. Schlegel, S.M. Reader, T.E. Miller
I.P. King, R.M.D. Koebner, S.M. Reader, T.E. Miller
W.J. Rogers, E.J. Sayers, C.N. Law
A.I. Morgunov, W.J. Rogers, E.J. Sayers, E.V. Metakowsky
M.D. Gale, J.B. Smith, M.D. Atkinson, K.M. Devos, C.N. Chinoy, M.L.
Wang, R.L. Harcourt, C.J. Liu
A.J. Worland, C.N. Law, S. Petrovic
J. W. Snape, V. Hyne
D.A. Laurie
S.A. Quarrie, A. Steed
R. Johnson, R.N. Sawney, P.N. Minchin
P. Nicholson, H.N. Rezanoor
M.J. Ambrose
NORWICH, John Innes Institute
J.S. Heslop-Harrison, A.R. Leitch, T. Schwarzacher, K.
Anamthawat-Jonsson
BRISTOL, Institute of Arable Crops Research and University of Bristol
P.A. Sabelli, P.R. Shewry, D. Lafiandra
A.S. Tatham, P.R. Shewry, M.J. Miles, H.H. Wills
CAMBRIDGE, Plant Breeding International
S.J. Brown, P.I. Payne
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
ARKANSAS
R. K. Bacon, B. R. Wells, M.L. May, D. Dombeck
CALIFORNIA
C.A. Curtis, Bahman Ehdaie, A.J. Lukaszewski, M.M. Rafi, S.H. Shah, J.G.
Waines
COLORADO
J. S. Quick, G. H. Ellis, R. Normann, M. Mergoum, S. Haley, K. Ngongolo,
A. Saidi, Q.X. Sun
FLORIDA
R.D. Barnett, A.R. Soffes, P.L. Pfahler, H.H. Luke, J.B. Hartman
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, C.M. Smith, J. Johnson, M. Lauver, D.
Schotzko, J. Tyler, M. Feng, S. Schroeder-Teeter
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, S. Wellso, G. G.
Safranski, S. Cambron
KANSAS
T.S. Cox, R.G. Sears, J.P. Shroyer, B. S. Gill, J. Hatchett, G.H. Liang,
T. Harvey, T.J. Martin, D. Fjell, L.E. Browder, H.S.
Dhaliwal, T. Endo, B. Freibe, K.S. Gill, L.G. Harrell, D.S. Hassawi, J.
Jiang, P.D. Chen, J. Werner,, R.S. Kota, E.L. Lubbers,
Y. Mukai, L.M. Patton, W.J. Raupp, B.R. Tyagi, D.L. Wilson, G.Yue, S.
Guoping, G.M. Paulsen, S. Muthukrishnan
O. K. Chung, G. L. Lookhart, D. B. Bechtel, D. B. Sauer, L. C. Bolte, D.
W. Hagstrum, W.S. Kim, L. M. Seitz, J.D. Wilson,
C. R. Martin, W.H. McGaughey, M.D. Shogren, J.T. Steele, D.L. Brabec,
R.E. Dempster, W.M. Lamkin, R. Rouser, R.D. Speirs,
I. Zayas, C. S. Chang, H. H. Converse
T.J. Byram
T. C. Roberts
KENTUCKY
D. A. Van Sanford, C. T. MacKown, L.J. Grabau
LOUISIANA
S.A. Harrison, P. Colyer, C. Hallier
MARYLAND
D. J. Sammons, R. J. Kratochvil
MINNESOTA
R. Busch, B. Delzer
A. P. Roelfs, D. L. Long, D. H. Casper, M. E. Hughes, J. J. Roberts
D.V. McVey, R. H. Busch
MISSOURI
E. R. Sears, G. Kimber, J. P. Gustafson, A.L. McKendry, C.G.D. Chapman,
H. Aswidinnoor, M. Jlibene, A. Dera, H. Daud,
M. Feiner, R. Wilman, B. Winberg, K. Ross, D. Bittel, G. Henke, K.
Houchins, J. Berg, D. Tague, S. Madsen, J.V. Monte,
M. Wanous, Z. Zhou
MONTANA
E.A. Hockett, T. Kisha
NEBRASKA
P.S. Baenziger, C.J. Peterson, D.R. Shelton, R.A. Graybosch, M.R.
Morris, L.A. Nelson, R. Simonson, D.J. Lyons, G.L. Hein
P.S. Baenziger, C.J. Peterson, D.R. Shelton, D.D. Baltensperger, D.V.
McVey, J.H. Hatchett
R.L. Simonson, J. Rybczynski, P.S. Baenziger
T.G. Berke, P.S. Baenziger, M.R. Morris
A. Masrizal, P.S. Baenziger
C.J. Peterson
C.J. Peterson, R.A. Graybosch, P.S. Baenziger, A.W. Grombacher
R. A. Graybosch, C. J. Peterson, D.R. Shelton
Jai-Heon Lee, R.A. Graybosch, C.J. Peterson
R.A. Graybosch
D.R. Shelton
D.J. Lyon, D.D. Baltensperger, G.L. Hein
R. C. French, N.L. Robertson, W. G. Langenberg
NEW YORK
M. E. Sorrells, W. R. Coffman
G. C. Bergstrom, D. W. Kalb, A. M. C. Schilder, D. Shah
NORTH CAROLINA
R. E. Jarrett, S. Leath, J. P. Murphy
NORTH DAKOTA
B.L. D'Appolonia, J.W. Dick, K. Khan, C.E. McDonald, D.R. Shelton, 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
B.F. Carver, D.A. Dougherty, E.L. Smith
R. M. Hunger, F. J. Gough, G. L. Sherwood, E. Williams
L. L. Singleton, C. C. Russell
D.R. Porter, J. A. Webster, C. A. Baker, J.D. Burd, S. D. Kindler, N.C.
Elliot, G.J. Puterka, D. K. Reed, R.L. Burton
OREGON
R.S. Karow
P. K. Zwer, D.L. Sutherland, K.J. Morrow
W. E. Kronstad, C.S. Love, M. Kolding, S. Rajaram, C. Mundt, M. Das, A.
Vanavichit
PENNSYLVANIA
M.L. Risius, F.E. Gildow
SOUTH DAKOTA
F.A. Cholick, C.H. Chen, B. Farber, B. Ruden, S. Shin
J.L. Gellner, R.A. Schut, R.W. Kieckhefer
G. Buchenau, D. J. Gallenberg
D.H. Rickerl, J. D. Smolik
TEXAS
L.R. Nelson, Mark Lazar, C.A. Erickson, G.E. Hart, D. Marshall, M.E.
McDaniel, B. McDonald, Lloyd Rooney, J.E. Slosser,
B. Shafer, John Sij, N.A. Tuleen, W.D. Worrall, R. Sultan, M.
Harrington, S.D. Serna-Saldivar
UTAH
R. S. Albrechtsen
VIRGINIA
C.A. Griffey, D.E. Brann, E. Stromberg, M.K. Das
WASHINGTON
R. E. Allan, J. A. Pritchett, L. M. Little
R. F. Line
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
C.J. Peterson Jr., D.F. Moser, V.L. DeMacon, M.L. Mundell Jr.
H. Zhou, S.T. Ball, C.F. Konzak
C.F. Konzak, H. Zhou
S.T. Ball, B.E. Frazier, G.S. Campbell, C.F. Konzak
E. Donaldson, M. Nagamitsu, B. Sauer
WISCONSIN
R. A. Forsberg, E. S. Oplinger, R.D. Duerst, J.B. Stevens
YUGOSLOVIA
B. Koric, S. Tomasovic
III. CULTIVARS AND GERMPLASM
H.E. Bockelman - Triticum Accessions, National Small Grains Collection
H.E. Bockelman, G.A. White - New Triticum PI Assignments
H.E. Bockelman - Aegilops Accessions, National Small Grains Collection
H.E. Bockelman - Elite Germplasm, Cultivar Name Clearance,
Exporting/Importing Guidelines
H.E. Bockelman, D.M. Wesenberg, M.A. Bohning, L.W. Briggle - Evaluation
of National Small Grains Collection
Germplasm Progress Report
R. E. Allan - CSSA Cultivar and Germplasm Registration
B. Skovmand - Wheat Cultivar Abbreviations
IV. CATALOGUE OF GENE SYMBOLS, 1991 SUPPLEMENT
R. A. McIntosh, G.E. Hart, M.D. Gale
V. ANNUAL WHEAT NEWSLETTER FUND
VI. VOLUME 38 MANUSCRIPT GUIDELINES
VIII. MAILING LIST
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I. SPECIAL REPORTS
Minutes of the National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) Meeting
November 8-9, 1990
College Park, Maryland
ATTENDANCE
Committee Members: I.B. Edwards, Chair, R.H. Busch, Secretary, R.S. Zemetra,
F.A. Cholick, J.A. Smith, R. Bruns, D.R. Shelton, T.S. Cox, W.D. Worrall, D.
Van Sanford, H.F. Bockleman, R.F. Line, R. Bacon, C.J. Peterson, R.E. Allan,
D.J. Sammons, C. Qualset, R. Stuckey. Absent: G. Stadler, C. Haugeberg
(ex-officio member).
Non-Committee Members: J. Quick, Colorado State University; R. Sears,
Kansas State University; B. Skovmand, CIMMYT; P. Gustafson, ARS-University of
Missouri; C.F. Murphy, ARS-NPS Beltsville; D. McVey, ARS-Cereal Rust
Laboratory, G. Waines, University of California; W. Martinez, ARS-NPS
Beltsville, V. Krischik, USDA-FGIS, Washington D.C.; D. Shipman, USDA-FGIS,
Washington D.C.; F. Cooper, USDA-APHIS Hyattsville; E.M. Imai, USDA-APHIS,
Hyattsville; M.K. Aycock,Jr., University of Maryland; R. Kennedy, University
of Maryland, R.J. Kratochvil, University of Maryland.
PRELIMINARIES
Chairman Edwards called the meeting to order. Welcomes were given by
Dr. Robert Kennedy, Director, Maryland Agic. Expt. Sta. and Dr. M.K. Aycock,
Chair, Dept. of Agronomy, Univ. of Maryland.
MINUTES OF THE 1989 MEETING
Since the minutes were published in AWN 36:9-18, Busch asked for a
motion to waive reading them. Motion was made and passed.
RESPONSE TO 1989 RESOLUTIONS
Chairman Edwards summarized responses received to the 1989 resolutions
which were: Importation of Seed from Mexico, International Winter Wheat
Performance Nursery, Wheat Genetic Stocks Position and Multi-Site Wheat
Genetic Stock Centers, International Triticeae Mapping Initiative, and Nation
Wheat Variety Survey.
Under Secretary of Agriculture (Science and Education) Charles E. Hess
responded to the resolutions as follows:
International Winter Wheat Performance Nursery-- "This program is highly
beneficial to winter wheat breeding programs in the United States, and it is
of even greater importance to Eastern Europe and developing countries. ARS
would like to see the program retain its viability having contributed with
personnel and administrative support. We are looking forward to continuing
interactions with the Agency for International Development in developing an
appropriate course of action to retain this program."
Preservation and Use of Wheat Genetic Stocks--"We share the NWIC's concern
and are aware of the proposal for a multi-site wheat genetic stocks center.
With its current resource base, the ARS will not be able to add a new
scientist position, dedicated to wheat genetic stocks, at Columbia, as
originally planned. However, ARS does plan to create a high-level technician
position within the wheat genetics project at Columbia, which will be
dedicated to special genetic stocks. From this focal point, ARS plans to
coordinate a multi-site center much like that described in the proposal."
International Triticeae Mapping Initiative--"We support the principles
embodied in this initiative. The NWIC's recommendations will receive serious
consideration as we discuss future program directions, particularly in terms
of current economic constraints and the need to provide proper balance in our
science and education programs."
National Wheat Variety Survey--"We agree that the survey is extremely
important and useful to wheat workers throughout the United States. We also
commend the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) for it efforts to
assume responsibility for the survey. Since this activity is in accordance
with the agreement reached several years ago between NASS and ARS, there are
no plans for ARS to fund the survey."
SOFT WHEAT TEST WEIGHT ISSUE
Dr.'s D. Sammons, R. Stuckey, and W. Martinez reported on a Test Weight
Workshop sponsored jointly by ARS-NWAG Foundation with growers, exporters,
millers, bakers and other interested groups represented. More research is
necessary to determine its usefulness and meaning but it is clearly perceived
as a measure of quality by many of the represented groups. More research of
the issue was recommended but test weight as a physical measure will be
continued. Further, test weight is an issue in other crops as a measure of
quality assessment. Test weight seems to be a major help for grain elevator
personnel or for loading information for ships, but as a quality predictor it
is relatively poor. R. Allen indicated that test weight within a genotype
across environments is related to flour yield. This issue relative to NWIC
participation was summarized as: 1) keep issue alive, 2) support ARS in its
research effort for multi-quality laboratory involvement, 3) test weight will
remain a measurement but perhaps not of quality, 4) NWIC needs to maintain an
active role, 5) main objective is to provide fairness to the farmer, 6) may
require education of consumer as to utility of test weight, 7) need a quality
measurement which predicts end-use well. A resolution will be drafted
supporting continuing work on the test weight issue.
NWIC LEGISLATIVE VISIT
D. Sammons, F. Cholick and R. Zemetra reported on the visit to Congress,
March, 1990. Six members visited Capital Hill (Sammons, Cholick, Sears,
Shelton, Zemetra and Edwards) to provide information to key committees in the
Senate and House. Stuckey met with the group the night before to provide
orientation on the structure needed to impact the funding process. Issues in
the briefing book were: 1) Genetic stocks, 2) International winter wheat
performance nursery, 3) Pathology position (smut), 4) CSRS for applied
research Hatch funding, 5) Commented on the Grain Quality Act in the
Agricultural Bill. Problems (contribution from Sears, Shelton, Edwards,
Zemetra, Cholick, Stuckey and Murphy)--Need follow-up for the political
process perhaps with NWAG, need a `champion' for each specific item, need
potential economic impact (cost-benefit ratio) statement of estimation, need
industry support (perhaps contacting Dr. Ev Everson to help with industry
support) and trips are expensive to take from own funds.
The Standing Legislative Committee remains the same as in 1989 and are
as follows: Chairman, Dr. D. Sammons (soft red winter wheat); Dr. R. Sears
(hard red winter wheat region); Dr. F. Cholick (hard red spring wheat); and
Dr. R. Zemetra (western wheat).
ANNUAL WHEAT NEWSLETTER
The following reports are included by J.S. Quick, Editor, and I.
Edwards, Treasurer of the Wheat Newsletter:
Editor's Report
The editing and publishing of Volume 36 of the Annual Wheat Newsletter
(AWN) closely followed the format of previous newsletters. There were 400
copies printed and each copy had 275 pages, the largest volume ever produced.
No copies of Volume 36, and about 30 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 has 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 $4290 in 1990 due to
limited distribution caused by shortage of funds.
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 typist, 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 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 countries.
Treasurer's Report
ITEM DEBIT CREDIT BALANCE
1. Balance reported June 1, 1990 $3963.24
in AWN
2. Mailing request letter $67.35 3895.89
3. Envelopes 13.30 3882.59
4. Photocopy 20.00 3862.59
5. Mailing, Vol. 36, June 1990 648.65 3213.94
6. Printing and binding 3013.35 182.59
7. Misc. Postage and Photocopying 15.25 167.34
8. Mailing bags and envelopes 51.50 115.84
9. Typing and editing, Vol. 36 443.00 (327.16)
10.New contributions (since June 1) $175.00 (152.16)
11.Interest on checking 81.91 (70.25)
Comments:
1. The total cost of Volume 36 was $4,290.40. This cost divided by 400
copies printed is about $10.73 per copy. Volume 36 is 14 pages longer then
volume 35 (275 vs 261), and 200 fewer copies of Volume 36 were printed. The
total printed pages of Volume 36 was 105 percent of Volume 35, and the total
cost was 20 percent lower. Volume 36 was larger than any previous volume,
but distribution decreased from last year due to the reduced funds available.
2. Current fund balance at the present time is $(70.25) compared with
$185.03 a year ago. It must be noted that there is still an outstanding
balance owing for production costs in the amount of $100.
3. There has been a slight increase in corporate contributions in
recent years however, individual contributions remain our primary source of
income, and due to an increased interest in the AWN information, we would
encourage higher individual and corporate contributions.
REVIEW OF CROP ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
Chairman P. Gustafson discussed the two key issues at this meeting. One,
germplasm money of $12000 became available for the 9 genetic centers for
wheat in the US. The first is need to increase funding and methods as of how
to accomplish this goal was discussed. Two, germplasm development and
collection were also discussed. Dr. G. Waines spoke to the problem of
collection, especially the wild relative Ae. speltoides which is not well
represented in the collection. A second area suggested was dwarf wheats, but
not those with known Rht genes. Dr. R. Zemetra commented that funding for
collection is available, but cooperators in the visited country are needed to
ensure success. Dr. R. Allan purposed that funding of the multi-site genetic
stocks be attempted by an add-on in the Agriculture Bill and Dr. C. Qualset
indicated that funding might help provide incentives for the multi-sites to
form an organized way for distribution of their stocks.
DEVELOPMENT OF RUST RESISTANT GERMPLASM
Dr. D. Van Sanford indicated that the soft red winter wheat region
suffers a severe lack of personnel for the development of leaf rust resistant
germplasm. Losses have been estimated at approximately $30 million per year
nationally. The Cereal Rust Laboratory can supply technical support but can
not support germplasm development. The Kansas State effort in this area is
gratefully acknowledged. John Roberts in Georgia is inadequately funded even
for the rust survey, and proposes an increase in funds. Worrall, Sears, and
Cox indicated the need for a broader base of resistance since they did not
feel adequate resistance is present in the hexaploid wheats. McVey also
indicated the need for more genes from a broader base, such as the wild
species. The committee concluded that a germplasm development position needs
to be identified to transfer leaf-rust resistance from wild species. A
resolution to this effect will be drafted.
PROGRESS REPORT ON CEREAL BIOTECHNOLOGY-UPDATE ON RFLP PROGRAMS
Dr. C. Qualset presented the background for gene transfer from
relatives. Specific traits transferred from related species using
cytogenetics is historical and well developed in wheat. Private funds have
been used to develop RFLP markers in wheat, but these are not readily
available to other wheat workers. A consortium of public researchers called
the International Triticeae Mapping Initiative (ITMI) was formed by eight
laboratories and 11 researchers from U.S., Australia, and England. A
workshop was recently held in California on goals and objectives. Main goal
is to develop a public map of the hexaploid, tetraploid, and diploid wheats,
barley, and rye. Items discussed were genetic stocks for identification and
the use of synthetic hexaploids to get polymorphisms. Costs are estimated at
$500,000 per year for the ITMI proposal.
Dr. S. Cox is working on Ae. squarrosa and determining the location of
chromosomes bands to identify their location on a map. About 125 markers on
7 chromosomes on the D genome are identified. Dr. P. Gustafson indicated that
a saturated RFLP map in wheat is still not close. Rice which has received
more effort and is still far from having a saturated map. Some arms of
chromosomes are not mapped. He also discussed a dot blot procedure they used
in attempt to identify resistance in the field.
Dr. J. Miske indicated that $3.67 million is available for data base
management in genome mapping and $11 million for competitive grants for: 1)
broad map of 25cM, 2) intense map of 1-5cM, and 3) technical improvements in
procedures. A team effort would be specified with a breeder-geneticist as a
leader. This money is just for economic crops. Grant is for 5 years with a
3 year renewal (5-year program with review at 3 years). NWIC thanks Dr.
Miske for his contributions in obtaining and administering these funds. A
resolution will be drafted supporting the effort of the ITMI as useful for
wheat.
UPDATE ON GERMPLASM EXCHANGE, PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION, PLANT PATENTS
Dr. C. Murphy indicated that obtaining utility patents on plant material
is becoming more difficult. PVP has an exemption for research and further
utilization while utility patents probably do not. PVP office is slow in
processing applications. ARS policy does not protect plants for profit but
will acknowledge and follow the individual state's policy. ARS personnel can
now accept royalty payments also. A poll of the states which release wheat
varieties revealed considerable diversity, with six states generally not
protecting, at least six state using title 5-PVP and other states collecting
royalties or being evaluated on a case by case basis. Wheat workers have
expressed fear of utility patents limiting germplasm exchange because of no
research exemptions. Problems are also encountered with entering germplasm
into the collection system since it becomes public property. Illinois
attempted to withdraw material from the National Seed Storage Laboratory
which was denied by the USDA-ARS.
Dr. R. Busch presented proposed changes to the PVP form as a
representative from the ASTA wheat Minimum Distance Subcommittee and asked
for input from the NWIC. A representative from the Plant Variety Protection
Office was invited as well, but none attended. Also Busch introduced the
idea of developing a booklet to help and advise plant breeder to fill in the
form in an acceptable and standardized method.
WHEAT QUALITY ISSUES
Federal Grain Inspection Service and Wheat Quality Working Committee,
Dr. R. Sears (NWIC representative to Wheat Quality Working Committee)
reported that the committee met Feb., 1990. Progress has been made
separating hard from soft winter wheat classes. FGIS is still working on
machines to determine objectively the class to which a wheat belongs and to
detect mixed classes. The Norris machine is good and ARS development seems to
have performed well so far. Recommendations and guidelines for hardiness
will be discussed at the next meeting in Dec. 1990. Dr. W. Martinez indicated
the FGIS must identify single kernels with NIR hardness as a control to
determine mixtures of classes with a correlation of r2=0.89. A considerable
Genotype x environment interaction has been found using the hardness
machines. Sears indicated that stability for kernel hardness to environments
may be heritable, at least in some genetic material. Martinez reported that
Karl Norris is developing an NIR machine (cheap filter instrument) which can
be used on whole kernel wheat for protein (r2=0.87) He has also predicted
spring from winter wheat classes with about 5% error. Shipman (FGIS)
indicated that any decision on classification will not be implemented for at
least 2 years.
-------------------------
Wheat Quality Incentives Act
Dr. F. Cholick indicated that the Agriculture Bill has the Quality
Incentive as Title 20.02 written similarly as the NWIC recommended based on
our testimony. R. Martin, Campbell Taggert, wanted a national system to
evaluate varieties before release. End use and intrinsic quality issues are
moderated to accept genotype x environment interaction deviations. Stability
is wanted in the quality end product. Discussion of problems with the
quality issue continued with special problems indicated by Dr. Worrall in
Texas These problems have been caused primarily by R. Martin by his
statements regarding the low quality of Texas released wheats. In summary,
NWIC must be ready to respond to issues as they arise.
Grain Quality Workshop
R. Bruns (NWIC representative) gave some past history indicating this
workshop was started in 1985. It's membership is composed of government,
private and academicians and primarily considers grain and grain handling
issues. FGIS frequently uses this group as a sounding board for proposed
changes. Membership provides the NWIC with representation on legislative
issues. Bruns is presently involved with quality definitions for this
workshop.This definition was presented to the NWIC for discussion and
comment. This workshop is getting more recognition as a forum for change and
is important for the NWIC to have representation.
FUNDING STATUS OF APPLIED RESEARCH, GERMPLASM AND NURSERIES
Dr. C. Murphy first discussed the International Winter Wheat Performance
Nursery. USAID dropped their funding and ARS has funded the program in
recent years. Funds have eroded and there was not enough money to continue
its funding. Plowman is supportive of the nursery, and approached USAID but
they still were not interested. Murphy emphasized that indicating problem
areas is helpful, but ARS already has too many scientists with too little
funding. Unless money can be obtained, little chance for work in these
problem areas is likely to be accomplished. As an example of a better
approach, barley workers were aware a geneticist position would likely close
with retirement, and worked with Congress and obtained funding for two
positions, increasing their research base. This is an add-on to the budget
specially earmarked for this item. Influential lawmakers need to be
convinced to help obtain funding for important positions and to shore-up
under funded scientists. Industry participation is important to convince
legislatures of the importance of issues needed for funding. Malting Barley
Improvement Association represents the barley research well and also is
investing funds in research which makes them credible. Discussion followed
of some potential ways to impact the future of funding for wheat research.
Directed funds for specific positions was questioned as desirable, but Murphy
indicated that communication with ARS should be maintained to provide maximum
impact and coordination. Stuckey indicated that on common interest item NWAG
could supply some follow-up on resolutions. Murphy indicated that the Crop
Quality Council, now dissolved, was an effective force for wheat. We need
industry to form another lobby group like this to be effective. In summary,
NWIC needs to identify wheat priorities, identify an industrial champion, and
identify a congressional champion to more effectively influence research
priorities.
SEED QUARANTINE MEETING AND CURRENT STATUS OF SEED IMPORTATION-FGIS
Dr. R. Line attended a meeting of smut researchers in Fredrick, Maryland
where the history of the quarantine of flag smut was discussed as well as
other items. Countries with flag smut were quarantined two months after it
was found in the U.S. Flag smut is now only found in the Northwest. The
conclusions were: 1) Not potentially damaging in the U.S. or world wide; 2)
Has not spread because it requires a special environment; and 3) Can be
controlled by seed treatment, cultural practices, and resistance. APHIS was
present and indicated that the removal of quarantine was almost impossible.
Canadian workers agreed that flag smut and dwarf bunt restrictions on seed
entry can not be justified scientifically. A letter from Plowman to APHIS
regarding flag smut supported restriction removal. APHIS responded with a
number of safeguards. Several safeguards were challenged, and Plowman
followed up with another letter. No official action by APHIS as yet on
possible changes on the safeguards.
F. Cooper and E. Imai from APHIS attended to clarify where APHIS stands
on importation of seed from Mexico (CIMMYT). If seed is grown in an area
free from Karnal bunt, confirmed by APHIS, the seed may be grown in the field
in the U.S. APHIS, at this point, is following ARS recommendations for
importing seed from countries identified as flag smut countries. These seed
may be grown in the field if recommendations are followed on a case by case
basis. This is a substantial improvement from past procedures allowed by
APHIS.
TCK (dwarf bunt) research funding is in the Agriculture Bill ($250,000).
Dr. J. Peterson is waiting for permission from AZ to grow seed from CIMMYT to
allow distribution to interested researchers in the U.S. At this time it is
not yet approved. A letter to Dr. Plowman thanking him for his interest and
aid in this matter is indicated.
UPDATE ON RUSSIAN WHEAT APHID RESEARCH
Dr. Worrall indicated that screening of the Small Grains Collection for
resistance to the Russian wheat aphid has been a success. Most of the
resistance appears to be qualitatively inherited. Triticales possess
resistance and are being used as a bridge to transfer resistance from rye to
wheat. Chemical control does not appear to be effective, especially because
of the importance of cattle grazing on wheat. Amigo-Largo material is better
in the field than in greenhouse screening. Biological control has released a
number of insects which attack the aphid. Dr. Quick reported on the uniform
regional screening nursery. Thirteen wheat entries have been identified with
excellent seedling resistance, as well as one barley. Very little indication
has been found of biotype differences or of G X E to different sources of
resistance. Best resistance has been identified in Russian triticale. A
field test will be conducted next year. Dr. Zemetra indicated that materials
that have high resistance in the greenhouse have been resistant in the field.
Intermediate resistance in the greenhouse has performed more erratically in
the field. There seems to be an adequate amount of resistance in various
wheats in the world. Dr. Quick identified the following research needs: 1)
biotype test, 2) field evaluation, 3) variation in genotypes for resistance,
4) allelism tests, 5) mechanisms of resistance, and 6) incorporation of the
sources of resistance into adapted wheats.
A discussion followed about the advisability of releasing a single gene
for resistance. R. Bruns suggested that possible gene deployment could be
useful and cooperation among wheat researchers is needed to develop a
strategy. A resolution supporting funding for Russian Wheat Aphid will be
drafted.
NAWG FOUNDATION REPORT
Dr. R. Stuckey reported that because costs are up for the producer and
prices are down, most of the concern in NAWG is for the farm program and
price supports, and support for research is difficult. NAWG prefers to
support issues obtained from a science based agenda compared to wishes for
change in farming from non-science based groups. Food Watch has been
organized to re-enforce to the public that their food is very economical and
safe. The Congress has been given handouts on this issue as well. NWIC
resolutions need to be given to the NAWG convention for their inclusion into
the NAWG national resolutions.
New programs for the NAWG Foundation include:
1) Input into Wheat Technology,
2) Pioneer sponsored extension awards at the state, regional and county
level,
3) Farm Safety Program,
4) Rail Transportation of grain.
The Foundation needs and endowment program because it lacks a financial
base. A symposium sponsored by DuPont is scheduled on March 13-14, 1991 of
the state wheat commissioners to determine national issues facing wheat. An
international conference is planned for 1993.
RESOLUTIONS AND LETTERS
Chairman Edwards assigned the following members to develop resolutions
and letters: Cox, Sammons, Cholick, Bruns, Sears, Edwards, Van Sanford,
Worrall, Bacon, Quick, Qualset, Line, Stuckey, Gustafson and Peterson. The
resolutions are: Acknowledgement of Hosts, Wheat Molecular Markers and
Linkage Maps, Russian Wheat Aphid Research, Test Weight Measurement of Wheat,
and Leaf Rust Resistant Wheat Germplasm. Letter are: Thanks to Pioneer for
Wheat Donation, Wheat Research Planning Priorities, U.S. Coordination on
Germplasm Introduction, and Problems with Plant Variety Protection.
A sub-committee designated `National Wheat Research Priorities' composed
of Peterson, Sammons, Edwards, Line, Bruns and Qualset will attempt to look
at a long-range research plan for wheat.
LOCATION OF 1991 NWIC MEETING
Possibilities of attaching the NWIC meeting to the national ASA meeting
was discussed. This was thought to be a possible advantage because it allow
one airfare to cover both trips. This idea was discarded because of the
amount of time the NWIC meeting takes and not having an adequate amount of
time around the annual meeting to accomplish it. Air costs are excessive
unless a Saturday night is used in the flight. It was decided that locations
with cheap airfare should be considered for annual meetings of the NWIC.
Reno, Nevada was chosen as the location and Nov. 21-23, 1991 as the meeting
time.
There being no further business, Dr. Edwards adjourned the meeting at
12:40 P.M.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT THE NATIONAL WHEAT IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING,
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND, NOVEMBER 8-9, 1990
SUBJECT: LEAF RUST RESISTANT GERMPLASM
WHEREAS, average annual losses to leaf rust of wheat in the U.S. have
exceeded $200 million over the past five years, and,
WHEREAS, there is a need for identification, characterization, and deployment
of new leaf rust resistance genes in all market classes of wheat, and,
WHEREAS, the availability of effective leaf rust resistance genes in the
hexaploid wheat gene pool is limited,
THEREFORE, be it resolved that the National Wheat Improvement Committee
supports increased funding of existing programs for the enhancement of wheat
germplasm through introgression of new leaf rust genes from wild relatives of
wheat, and, be it further resolved that the National Wheat Improvement
Committee urges the USDA-ARS to provide additional funding or redirected
funding to address the need for development of leaf rust resistant germplasm
in all wheat classes.
SUBJECT: TEST WEIGHT MEASUREMENT OF WHEAT
The National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) shares the concerns of the
cereal grain industry in the U.S. about grain quality. We support the
efforts of the Federal Grain Inspection Service, the USDA-Agricultural
Research Service and the National Association of Wheat Growers Foundation for
their recent efforts to examine the meaning, relevance, and importance of the
test weight measurement as an indicator of end use grain quality in wheat.
We also recognize that the quality issue transcends wheat and is a concern to
other major cereal crops. With regard to wheat the NWIC endorses the
following principles:
1) we encourage continued active study to resolve the issue of the utility of
test weight as an indicator of grain quality and economic value.
2) We support the ARS in its effort to define a strategy to study this issue
that involves all wheat quality laboratories.
3) We acknowledge that the elimination of test weight as a grain measurement
in the grain trade is not an appropriate goal, and that downward adjustment
of test weight standards for grading purposes may sen the wrong signal to our
international trading partners.
4) We assert our desire as a national committee to play a more active role in
the resolution of the test weight issue.
5) We believe that a key issue in this national debate is fairness in the way
farmers are treated when they market their grain.
6) We recognize a need to better educate our customers on the limitations to
the interpretation of test weight data as an indicator of millability.
7) We urge that one major objective of the study of the test weight issue be
the development of instrumentation for the use at the level of the local
elevator that will accurately and rapidly estimate millability and grain end
use quality.
8) We view the test weight issue as an important component of a broad and
through re-examination of end use quality concerns in wheat.
SUBJECT: WHEAT MOLECULAR MARKERS AND LINKAGE MAPS
WHEREAS. the security of sustained and improved U.S. wheat production and its
competitiveness in international trade requires ready access to genes and the
ability to transfer them efficiently from varieties and related wild species
to commercially adapted improved wheat varieties, and,
WHEREAS, new technologies for gene identification, location and transfer by
molecular-assisted methods may be adopted for wheat improvement, the
advancement of genetics, the science of plant pathology, entomology, weed
science and end-use quality properties, and,
WHEREAS, financial support for the creation of the new molecular markers and
a comprehensive linkage map is inadequate,
THEREFORE, be it resolved that the National Wheat Improvement Committee
strongly supports accelerated research on development of a comprehensive
genetic map of wheat as planned by the International Triticeae Mapping
Initiative (ITMI) and recommends that federal, state and private funds be
made available to accomplish this task.
SUBJECT: RUSSIAN WHEAT APHID RESEARCH
WHEREAS, Russian wheat aphid has caused economic damage to wheat in excess of
$250 million since 1986, and,
WHEREAS, Russian wheat aphid is a crop pest of national importance, and,
WHEREAS, host plan resistance and biological control agents are the only
currently available controls which are environmentally sound, and,
WHEREAS, current funding of Russian wheat aphid research is insufficient
nationally,
THEREFORE, be it resolved that the National Wheat Improvement Committee
strongly supports the Allocation of federal funds for Russian wheat aphid
research and encourages increased support for national research efforts.
SUBJECT: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF HOSTS
WHEREAS, the University of Maryland and National Association of Wheat Growers
Foundation have served as excellent hosts of the 1990 National Wheat
Improvement Committee and the Wheat Crop Advisory Committee, and,
WHEREAS, our hosts have expended much time and effort to insure that the
meetings were successful,
THEREFORE, be it resolved that the members of the NWIC sincerely thank Dr. D.
Sammons and the Agronomy Department of the University of Maryland, and Dr.
Richard Stuckey, Director of the NAWG Foundation, and management and staff of
the Comfort Inn, College Park, Maryland.
LETTERS SENT
SUBJECT: RECOGNITION OF PIONEER DONATION
TO: CEO, Pioneer; Directors of Agric. Exp. Stations at Minnesota, North
Dakota, South Dakota, and Kansas.
The National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) sincerely thanks Pioneer
HIBred International for their donation of hard red spring wheat germplasm to
North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, and University
of Minnesota and hard red winter wheat germplasm to Kansas State University.
The gift of this germplasm represents a significant contribution to wheat
improvement programs throughout the Great Plains. Although the NWIC
sincerely regrets the loss of the Pioneer hard wheat breeding programs and
their contributions to wheat improvement, we want to acknowledge and
recognize the public spirit that this donation of germplasm demonstrates.
The germplasm gifted to these programs is truly priceless, representing work
by Pioneer wheat breeders for over 25 years. The gift of this germplasm not
only helps the wheat breeding community but ultimately helps wheat producers
and the general public potentially aiding in increasing farm productivity
throughout the Great Plains of the U.S.A.
SUBJECT: STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR WHEAT RESEARCH
TO: USDA and AES Administrators
An important function of the National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) has
been to support and council to national and state research agencies to
identify and meet national wheat research needs. The NWIC is concerned that
shrinking budget resources have caused many organizations to re-evaluate
commitments to wheat research without consideration of national and regional
needs. The NWIC has established a National Wheat Research Priorities
subcommittee with the assignment to develop long term goals and priorities
for national wheat research. We believe that this would significantly
enhance the NWIC's ability to focus national support for critical programs as
well as to provide support and council to USDA-ARS and CSRS.
In order to develop a strategic planning document, the NWIC requests input
from USDA-ARS and CSRS on research goals, objectives, and priorities for
wheat currently in place for the respective organizations. A breakdown of
funding and CRIS projects committed to setting these goals also is requested.
We believe this information would significantly enhance the NWIC's strategic
planning efforts. We hope that this endeavor by the NWIC will result in
closer coordination among agencies in meeting future opportunities and needs
for wheat research and funding.
We thank you for your consideration of this request.
SUBJECT: PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION
The National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) recognizes that Plant Variety
Protection was enacted to increase plant breeding research through limited
legal protection of plant breeding research products. A research exemption
incorporated to insure the continuation of free germplasm exchange and
development.
Plant Variety Protection has stimulated wheat plant breeding research
resulting in significant benefits to the public. Wheat germplasm has
continued to be exchanged freely in the research community.
Unfortunately, the Plant Variety Protection act has not given adequate
economic protection of the research products to justify continued research
investment. The theories behind the limited legal protection granted under
Plant Variety Protection have not worked in practice. Interpretation and
enforcement of the current protection and exemptions are critically flawed
and in need of repair.
The NWIC recommends a thorough review and revision of the Plant Variety
Protection act to include the following key issues:
1. All protection and exemption mechanisms must be clearly defined and
uniformly enforceable to protect research investment.
2. Germplasm exchange must not be restricted. The NWIC has consistently
been on record supporting germplasm exchange and development via the Wheat
Workers Code of Ethics.
The basic concept of Plant Variety Protection is preferred over the paten
process. Plant Variety Protection has been compatible with wheat germplasm
exchange and can be modified to promote continued plant breeding research and
development.
SUBJECT: COORDINATION OF INTRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF WHEAT
The National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) believes there is a critical
need for USDA-ARS to take responsibility for U.S. coordination, introduction,
and distribution of wheat germplasm from international research programs,
especially germplasm from CIMMYT. U.S. breeding programs have had serious
difficulties in accessing international nurseries and germplasm due to
significant costs and restrictions associated with importation and quarantine
growout of seed. It is critical that these valuable materials be made widely
available to U.S. programs so that advances in varietal development and
genetics research may continue. The NWIC requests that USDA-ARS take
responsibility for importation, increase, and distribution of these seed
stocks through support programs associated with the National Small Grains
Germplasm Collection and Research Facility.
The NWIC fully supports a program of importation, increase, and distribution
of CIMMYT germplasm as proposed by C.J. Peterson to be coordinated with
involvement of Dr.'s Qualset, Gustafson, and others. The NWIC requests that
USDA-ARS provide financial sport for seed increases so that the program may
be initiated immediately. This program should be recognized as a short term
solution for the problem while ARS develops long term strategies and support
for increase and distribution of international nurseries and seed stocks.
The NWIC also is extremely disappointed with the decision by USDA-ARS to
close the International Winter Wheat Performance Nursery (IWWPN) program.
The nursery program has been a highly successful and unique mechanism for
international germplasm and information exchange, and for evaluation of
varietal performance and adaptation. The IWWPN has provided irreplaceable
information world wide adaptation, performance, and disease resistances for
very diverse varieties and germplasm. The germplasm distributed through the
program has contributed significantly to development of new varieties and
germplasm in the U.S. as well as many foreign countries. Four U.S hard red
winter wheat varieties have recently been released that are derived directly
from germplasm distributed through the IWWPN. The variety `Siouxland', a
joint release from the Univ. of Nebraska and USDA-ARS, is derived from the
Soviet wheat `Kavkaz', which was distributed through the IWWPN in 1974.
Siouxland currently occupies 20% of the Nebraska wheat acreage and is
responsible for and additional 4 to 6 million dollars per year added revenue
to growers through higher yields and enhanced disease resistance. Since 1985
ther have been 27 experimental lines evaluated in the USDA-ARS Hard Red
Winter Wheat Uniform Regional Nursery as promising release candidates that
have in their parentage a direct contribution from IWWPN germplasm. These
varieties and experimental lines would not exist without the unique
contribution of the IWWPN program.
The IWWPN joins the ranks of the many USDA-ARS supported cooperative
international wheat nurseries that have been discontinued. ARS needs to
carefully consider the impact of these decisions on international germplasm
exchange and wheat breeding as it relinquishes its role as an active leader
in international wheat germplasm research.
-------------------------
MEMBERS OF NATIONAL WHEAT IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE
January 1991
Dr. I.B. Edwards, Chair
Pioneer Overseas Corp.
6800 Pioneer Parkway
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 270-4029
FAX: (515) 270-3156
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, Chairman
Eastern Wheat Region
Department of Agronomy
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
(301) 454-3715
FAX: (301) 454-5680
Dr. H.E. Bockelman, Secretary
Eastern Wheat Region, USDA-
ARS
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
Dr. Richard Stuckey
Director, NAWG Foundation
415 Second St. N.E. Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 547-7800
FAX: (202) 546-2638
Great Plains Spring Wheat Region
J. Smith, Chairman
Spring Wheat Region
Agripro Bioscience, Inc.
806 No. Second St., P.O. Box 30
Berthaud, CO 80513
(303) 532-3721
FAX: (303) 532-2035
Dr. Fred A. Cholick, Secretary
Great Plains Spring Wheat Region
Department of Plant Science
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 57007
(605) 688-4769
FAX: (605) 688-6065
Dr. Glen Statler
Dept. of Plant Pathology
North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND 58105
(701) 237-7058
FAX: (701) 237-7851
Election of one representative
Great Plains Winter Wheat
Region
Dr. W. D. Worrall,
Chairman
Great Plains Winter Wheat
Region
P.O. Box 1658
Vernon, TX 76384
(817) 552-9941
FAX: (817) 553-4657
Dr. C. J. Peterson,
Secretary
Great Plains Winter Wheat
Region
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 No. 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
-------------------------
Western Wheat Region
Dr. R. S. Zemetra,
Chairman
Dept. of Plant, Soil & Ent. Sci.
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83843
(208) 885-7810
FAX: (208) 885-7760
Dr. R. F. Line, Secretary
Western Wheat Region
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
Dr. R.E. Allan
USDA-ARS
Johnson Hall
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164
(509) 335-3632
FAX: (509) 335-8674
WHEAT CROP ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
College Park, MD
November 7, 1990
By-Laws
The new Wheat CAC by-laws were adopted by voice vote (see attached).
Membership
The new by-laws increase the Wheat CAC membership from 15 to 16 with the
addition of one position for a wheat worker from Mexico. Dr. B. Skovmand
will ask the national wheat program in Mexico to select a representative.
Dr. J. P. Gustafson, Wheat CAC Chair, will ask the Canadian Expert Committee
to select their representative as well. The only other open position was
that vacated by Dr. Roy Cantrell. A list of possible candidates was drawn
up. Dr. Gustafson will contact each of them and send out a ballot containing
names of willing candidates to CAC members. Dr. Skovmand was elected to a
second term on the CAC. Dr. Stan Cox was appointed Vice-Chair to fill the
office vacated by Dr. Cantrell.
A letter from Dr. R. R. Kalton, Vice Chair of the Public Research
Advisory Committee of the American Seed Trade Association, suggesting an
increase in private sector membership on the wheat CAC, was read. Because
(1) the Wheat CAC by-laws state that there must be "at least one"
representative for industry, (2) there was seen to be no inherent difference
in the interests of public and private wheat workers in the area of
germplasm, and (3) a broad coverage of scientific disciplines was considered
the most important membership criterion, it was decided not to alter the
by-laws or current membership to increase industry involvement.
Wheat Genetic Stocks Collection
Dr. C. F. Murphy reported that Dr. H. L. Shands has made $12,000
available for maintenance and distribution of wheat genetic stocks. The
money will go into Dr. Gustafson's CRIS unit and be distributed in small
amounts (averaging ca. $2000, not to exceed $4000) to North American programs
that develop and maintain aneuploid and other genetic stocks. Acceptance of
money by wheat workers will imply that they will (1) make annual, public
reports on the stocks available in their collections and (2) make seed of
stocks freely available to other wheat workers. The CAC adopted a resolution
(attached) supporting the establishment of a system of North American Wheat
Genetic Stocks Centers and a CAC subcommittee that will make recommendations
on administering funds and dissemination of information. Dr. C. O. Qualset
will get in touch with the various genetic stocks groups in the U.S. and
Canada to (1) inform them that money is available and (2) tell them that the
wheat CAC supports the formation of the Centers.
Dr. J. G. Waines reported on the need to collect wild relatives of
wheat, especially Aegilops speltoides, in "islands" of basaltic soils in
Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon. He emphasized A. speltoides, based on
evidence that it is the female parent of "BBAA" tetraploids. Dr. Murphy
encouraged the wheat CAC, as he does others, to initiate ideas on collecting
to submit to the National Plant Germplasm System and the National Program
Staff of USDA-ARS. He further noted that some CAC's have developed
year-by-year strategic plans. A subcommittee comprising Drs. Waines and
Skovmand was appointed to formulate a strategic plan, including an initial
proposal to collect A. speltoides and other species in the areas noted
earlier by Dr. Waines. Dr. Murphy will consult with Dr. Calvin Spurling.
Report from CIMMYT
Dr. Skovmand reported that CIMMYT's entire germplasm collection is now
karnal bunt-free and that all future seed multiplication will be done in a
20,000 ft2 screenhouse. CIMMYT is collecting old Spanish land races in
Mexico and has a joint mission with the Canadians to collect barley and wheat
in Tibet. (Dr. Waines emphasized the importance of collecting more dwarf and
long-coleoptile land races, many of which apparently aren't in our
collections.) CIMMYT will produce an update on the Oregon cultivar
abbreviation book by next year. Abbreviation guidelines, will be submitted
for the next Wheat Newsletter. There has been little progress on the
pedigree management system. Prof. Zeven's "14,000 Pedigrees" book has been
computerized and will be consolidated with another 6,000 pedigrees in a new,
expanded list. The new list will be distributed on diskette.
Dr. Bockelman distributed a list of descriptors for wheat accessions in
the National Small Grains Collection (see attached), with frequencies of
accessions having each descriptor value, as had been proposed by the CAC.
The committee received a progress report from the Germplasm Resources
Information Network (GRIN) system, with a list of Triticum accessions
receiving PI numbers in 1990. The list does not include ca. 200 Aegilops
accessions collected by Drs. R. J. Metzger and G. Kimber. Dr. Gustafson
reported that these are being regenerated in two new greenhouses at Columbia.
Germplasm Importation
Dr. Peterson distributed a proposal (for information purposes) to
increase karnal bunt-free CIMMYT nurseries (totalling either 500 or 840
entries, depending on seed availability, at a cost of $7,000 to $14,000) at
Yuma, AZ in 1990-91 for distribution to all interested workers.
Dr. R. F. Line noted that the situation with respect to flag smut was
improving considerably due to ARS-APHIS communication.
Core Collections
The CAC concluded that much more research is still needed before the
value of designating "core collections" can be judged. Dr. Murphy pointed
out that for traits that can be screened quickly and cheaply, the entire
collection should be and is being screened.
Germplasm Enhancement Proposal
Dr. Murphy noted that there is still no pool of money for which to
submit a wheat germplasm enhancement proposal. The 1988 wheat CAC proposal
will be distributed and updated in time for the 1991 meeting.
Future Meetings
The Wheat CAC will continue to meet in conjunction with the National
Wheat Improvement Committee.
Attachments:
By-laws
Genetic Stocks Resolution (to come from Ian Edwards)
NSGC Report
GRIN Report
-------------------------
BY-LAWS FOR THE WHEAT CROP ADVISORY COMMITTEE
NAME:
The official name for the advisory committee concerning all species of
Triticum shall be the Wheat Crop Advisory Committee.
FUNCTION:
To gather a body of scientists and advisors on wild and cultivated
species of Triticum and other related genera to provide technical advice on
germplasm collection, maintenance, enhancement, and evaluation for the
curator of the wheat collection, scientists of industry and public research
pro- grams, the National Plant Genetics Resources Board (NPGRB), National
Plant Germplasm Committee (NPGC), Administrators of the USDA-ARS, the State
Agricultural Experiment Stations, and other public and private institutions.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Provide a strategic overview of the total national effort to study
and utilize germplasm of Triticum and related genera. Recommend means for
organizing activities that would benefit the national program on the
acquisition, maintenance, evaluation and enhancement of wheat germplasm.
2. Assess the adequacy of wheat germplasm available to the scientific
community and make recommendations to the National Plant Germplasm System for
broadening the present germplasm base by additional acquisition through
exploration and exchange.
3. Help develop guidelines for the effective maintenance of wheat
introductions.
4. Make recommendations for evaluation of wheat collection for priority
descriptors and to update the descriptor list as changes occur.
5. Consider needs for fundamental and applied studies to increase
genetic variability in wheat and identify promising approaches and
enhancement opportunities.
6. Assess current breeding status, progress, and the role germplasm
resources play in improving levels of pest resistance and other
characteristics of economic importance.
7. Assess the impact of biotechnology and genetic engineering on wheat
germplasm resource needs and utilization.
8. Provide a means for industry researchers to express needs for wheat
germplasm resources and their utilization.
9. Develop reports for the NPGRB, the NPGC, and the National Program
Staff of ARS on ongoing germplasm activities, resource needs, and status of
evaluation, enhancement, and exploration plans.
10. Develop better international wheat germplasm cooperation.
11. Encourage greater cooperation among industry, federal, state, and
other scientists for exchange of germplasm and information and for
disseminating information from scientists to commodity groups.
MEMBERSHIP:
The Wheat Crop Advisory Committee (Wheat CAC) will consist of 16
members. The Curator of the Small Grains Collection, the coordinator of
wheat germplasm evaluation, a representative of the National Program Staff,
and a representative from the USDA Germplasm Services Laboratory will serve
as ex officio members. These ex officio members will have full voting
privileges but may not hold committee offices. Representatives from the
IBPGR, the NPGRB, the Regional Plant Introduction Stations, APHIS, the NWIC,
and others may serve as consultants for resource purposes. These
participants are not voting members of the Wheat CAC. The remaining 12
committee members will be elected to the committee to represent various
geographical and/or scientific disciplines as follows:
1. Researchers from State Agriculture Experiment Stations and USDA.
Seven representatives to provide geographical representation of the major
wheat growing regions and span important scientific disciplines.
2. Researcher(s) from the wheat industry. At least one representative.
3. Representative from CIMMYT wheat program. One representative.
4. Researcher from Canada. One representative.
5. Researcher from Mexico. One representative.
6. One member to represent Rye and Triticale germplasm.
Members of the Wheat CAC will be elected to 3-year terms and may serve
no more than two consecutive terms. Members unable to attend 2 consecutive
meetings will be replaced. After an absence of at least one year from the
committee, a former 2-term member is eligible for membership again. A Chair
and Vice Chair will be elected for 3-year terms. Election process will
consist of nomination after annual meeting followed by ballot in the mail.
Vice Chair responsible for recording minutes at the annual meetings. New
members of the Wheat CAC will be chosen by the existing committee according
to the prescribed procedures and in consultation with appropriate industry,
federal or university groups.
-------------------------
II. CONTRIBUTIONS
AGRIPRO BIOSCIENCES, INC.
Koy Miskin*, Curtis Beazer - Brookston, IN; Barton Fogleman*, Erwin
Ridge; Jonesboro, AR.
Rob Bruns*, John Moffatt*, Joe Smith*, Jim Reeder* - Berthoud, CO
Northern Soft Red Winter Wheat. An unusually warm late winter followed
by severe late spring freeze caused severe damage to many soft wheat
cultivars. The most severe damage occurred on early and/or vigorously
growing cultivars and to cultivars that had been over fertilized. The freeze
damage also predisposed the plants to severe disease infections. The most
severe damage occurred in a band from about Terre Haute, IN to the Missouri
bootheel While many acres of wheat were lost in this area the more northern
areas of the eastern soft wheat region had very excellent yields.
AgriPro will release ABI 85-81 in 1991. It will be named later this
year. It offers very high yield with early maturity. It will provide
excellent protection against wheat spindle streak mosaic virus and stem rust.
Very good protection is provided against powdery mildew, Septoria nodorum,
Rhizoctonia and soil-borne mosaic virus and good protection against barley
yellow dwarf virus, wheat streak virus, Septoria tritici, leaf rust and scab.
However, it has no known genes for Hessian fly. The milling and baking
quality of ABI 85-81 are very good and good, respectively.
Southern Soft Winter Wheat. Planting conditions were generally
favorable in the 1989-90 southern soft wheat region. Despite a frigid
December that killed crepe myrtle and other shrubs to the ground, there was
little differential winter-kill in our plots. December was followed by a
mild and wet period that lasted into early spring and interfered with the
application and uptake of spring fertilizer. The wet weather provided an
epidemic of bacterial leaf stripe which left little green tissue for the
septoria and leaf rust infections that followed. Head scab was also
prevalent in the region. Harvest weather was favorable, but test weights
were low and some elevators were paying a premium for high test weight wheat.
Some of the best test weights in the region were from fields of AgriPro
Magnum and AgriPro Hunter.
ABI 86-5941 will be released in 1991. It will be named later. It
offers very high yield and medium maturity. Excellent protection is provided
to stem rust and very good protection to leaf rust, scab, septoria nodorum
and Wheat spindle streak mosaic virus. Good protection is provided to
soil-borne mosaic virus and barley yellow dwarf virus. ABI 86-5941 carries
the H6 gene for Hessian fly resistance. Milling quality is excellent and
baking quality is very good.
A new cultivar, CHEROKEE, was released in 1990. It was formerly ABI
85-1 (or ABI 85*1). It has excellent stem rust, stripe rust, powdery mildew,
SBMV and WSSMV resistance, has very strong medium-tall straw and awned heads.
It is early and has a 5-6 week vernalization requirement which should help it
resist spring "bolting". AgriPro Cherokee's primary area of adaptation is
the mid-south region and it is intended to replace AgriPro Magnum.
Our new mid-south wheat breeding station is "up and running" and M.
Erwin Ridge has joined ABI as a Research Assistant. We have purchased a
building and lot and are currently remodeling the building to add a seed lab,
additional storage space and a grain dryer.
Hard Red Winter Wheat. Tom Griess has been added to the hard winter
wheat staff providing computer and technical support.
The 1989/90 crop year was an excellent wheat year overall. Seven of
twelve trial sites were harvested for yield. We were able to evaluate
materials for wheat spindle streak mosaic virus complex at Everest, KS and
soil-borne mosaic virus at Grant, NE (western Nebraska). Our materials were
also evaluated for coleoptile length, straw strength, green leaf retention,
and resistances to leaf rust, stem rust, powdery mildew, speckled leaf
blotch. Selected materials were evaluated for tan spot, wheat streak mosaic
virus and Hessian fly resistance.
No new releases will be made in 1991.
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.
Similar to last season, our 1990 results reflected the drought
conditions of the past three seasons in our Red River Valley sites. Low
subsoil moisture caused more variation and lower yields than past averages.
Three of the five sites were harvested for yield. The trial means ranged
from 4100 kg/ha at St. Thomas, ND to 5100 kg/ha at Stephen, MN. Our
discarded nursery at Casselton, ND received 30% hail damage at heading
followed by severe bacterial infection. Our other discarded nursery at
Crookston, MN suffered from tremendous field variation due to drought.
Overall, disease was minimal except for moderate leaf rust infections on
early generation materials which were late-planted in mid-May.
We have decided to release the hard red spring wheat 'Dalen' to our
Associates in 1991. Certified seed will be available in the Upper Midwest
for the 1992 season. This cultivar was previously tested as N86-0903. It is
a semidwarf with medium-early maturity. Its height is similar to Marshall.
It has very good levels of disease protection to leaf and stem rust. Its
protein is slightly below Len. Dalen appears to be well adapted across the
spring wheat region.
Hybrid Wheat Development. The Hybrid Wheat Development Project
includes Jim Reeder, Manager, Curtis Beazer - Assistant Plant Breeder for
SRWW based in Brookston, IN, and Steve Askelson - Assistant Plant Breeder for
hard wheats.
Over 1600 hybrids of HRWW, HRSW and SRWW were made in 1990 at Berthoud,
CO, Brookston, IN, and Jonesboro, AR. Chemical hybridizing agent technology
was used to produce these hybrids. The high percentage that proved to be
producible will be yield tested in 1990 throughout each appropriate region.
Yields of previously made hybrids were encouraging. The yield stability of
hybrids over locations and over years continues to be high. During the 1991
season, out-location test hybrid production will begin in anticipation of
full production as CHA's become registered.
-------------------------
AGRONOMIX SOFTWARE, INC.
Dieter K. Mulitze - Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada
Agronomix Software, Inc., is a PC software development and consulting
firm specializing in the software needs of agronomic research and plant
breeding. The major activity of the company has been the on-going software
development of AGROBASE/4. A growing number of wheat breeders, and plant
breeders of many other crops, are now using AGROBASE/4 in their breeding
programs in well over 20 countries. The major objective of the company is to
provide wheat breeders and plant breeders of other crops with powerful and
state-of-the-art database technology. The special pedigree data management
commands of AGROBASE/4 use the USDA nomenclature proposed by Purdy et al.
(1968, Crop Science 8:405-406) for small grains.
With more wheat breeders using 286- or 386-based microcomputers with
larger hard drives, and significant improvements in dBASE-compatible database
technology, we feel that AGROBASE/4 can make an even greater contribution
towards the software support of wheat research. AGROBASE/4 1.0 is written in
dBASE-compatible FoxPro (Fox Software, Inc.), and can process database files
with up to one billion records and 255 database fields. With the release of
FoxPro 2.0 running at around 200 times (and in some instances over 3,000
times) the speed of dBASE IV (Ashton-Tate, Inc.), a significant amount of
database processing power will be available to wheat researchers through the
next forthcoming version of AGROBASE/4.
San Antonio, Texas. Agronomix Software displayed a commercial booth at
the Oct. 21-24 ASA meeting in San Antonio, Texas. A demonstration of
AGROBASE/4 generated considerable interest, from both the public and private
sector. Many researchers expressed interest in the ability to trace data on
segregating populations through any or all generations in a breeding program.
Although the COLLECT command and index files can perform that function, the
next version of AGROBASE/4 will have additional commands to further support
wheat research in that respect. Among other features, many researchers
appreciated the ability to design their own fieldbooks and labels within
AGROBASE/4. AGROBASE/4 was also demonstrated during the computer software
scene in the database management section chaired by Dr. E.J. Dunphy.
Campinas, Brazil. Dr. Mulitze travelled to Brazil to give lectures and
practical sessions on "The Use of AGROBASE/4 in Plant Breeding Experiments"
at the "Second FAO/IAEA Workshop on Improvement of Rice and Other Cereals
Through Mutation Breeding in Latin America" at Campinas, Brazil, Nov. 19-23,
1990. Researchers at this workshop represented Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica,
Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay. Reports on wheat
research were given by scientists from Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, and Uruguay.
After working with AGROBASE/4 in the course, most researchers plan to adopt
it in their research programs. The course was co-ordinated by Prof.
Maluszynksi of the Plant Breeding Section, Joint FAO/IAEA Division,
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria. A more advanced
AGROBASE/4 course is planned for the next workshop in September 1991 at
Toluca, Mexico.
FoxPro 2.0 An important development in the world of dBASE-compatible
database technology is the release of the still faster and more powerful
FoxPro 2.0 from Fox Software. With FoxPro 2.0 normally up to 200 times the
speed of dBASE IV (and in some instances over 3,000 times) due to its
recently developed Rushmore technology, AGROBASE/4 1.1 will also be faster
and more powerful. Under FoxPro 2.0, direct access to Lotus 1-2-3,
Excel(Version 2), Symphony, and Framework II spreadsheet files will be
supported. For wheat researchers using those file formats, it means that
less time will be spent moving data between software packages. Also, a
well-integrated and powerful SQL (Structured Query Language) and RQBE
(Relational Query by Example) implementation of FoxPro 2.0 will be especially
useful for germplasm selection and analyses.
Next Version of AGROBASE/4 Under Development. Additional new features
for the next version will include an extensive graphics subsystem; more
statistical functions, including multivariate and additional non-parametric
procedures; additional options within the GXE command; support for diallel
analysis; and increased support for multi-trait selection. Version 1.1 of
AGROBASE/4 is scheduled for release in October of 1991, and will be
demonstrated at the 1991 ASA Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado.
Publications
Mulitze, D.K. 1990. AGROBASE/4: A Microcomputer Database Management and
Analysis System for Plant Breeding and Agronomy. Agronomy Journal Vol.
82(5):1016-1021.
-------------------------
CARGILL HYBRID SEEDS
Sid Perry, Dave Johnston, Jill Handwerk, Sally Clayshulte and Dana
Shellberg - Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
Hybrid evaluation. Several hundred hybrids were evaluated in tests
located in Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Texas. These hybrids
consisted of both CMS and CHA type. Conditions were favorable for selection
for leaf diseases and grain fill. Of first year hybrids, 65 were selected
for further evaluation, on the basis of wide adaptation and performance
superior to the best check.
Inbred Evaluation. The breeding program is continuing efforts to
concentrate on early selection for combining ability, partitioning into
appropriate heterotic groups, and inbred modification. 1990 provided some
interesting insights. We are maintaining our levels of restoration and are
broadening the germplasm base in R-lines. We have ceased sterile conversion
of B-lines and use CHA instead.
Germplasm Evaluation. Several hundred new lines, varieties, and
landraces were evaluated for adaptation, potential combining ability, and
heterotic disposition. New breeding lines developed through this evaluation
should be observed in hybrid combination in the next two years.
Hybrid Production. Several thousand hybrids were produced with CHA and
CMS. Female production levels averaged 40 bu/A, with a high of 80 bu/A. CMS
and CHA production levels were comparable. Argentina was also utilized to
produce winter hybrids satisfactorily.
-------------------------
Nestor Machado, Pedro Paulucci and Hector Martinuzzi - Cargill - S. A.
Argentina
In 1990, Cargill Argentina commercially released its 5th hybrid wheat.
It is estimated that 80,000 ha were planted with hybrid wheat in our country.
During the season, some cold damage was reported at tillering state in
different production areas and also some drought periods affected the crops.
Diseases wee not very important in farmer's fields. Hybrids in general
showed very good reaction to these adversities and compared very well with
the best commercial varieties. An elite group of hybrids were tested in 12
different locations and data are being analyzed now and will be used next
March to select new releases for 1991. The main selection criteria for these
hybrids are adaptability and stability. Another group of experimental hybrids
were evaluated in regular yield trials in three nurseries and two planting
dates and all were harvested. (250 hybrids, 25 yield trials). Three hundred
CMS hybrids were produced in isolated plots with variable results, due to
some frost damage at heading time. Breeding material was selected under
fairly good conditions. Both the Winter and Spring lines grew satisfactorily
in their respective planting dates from June to August. The B/A conversion
program was accomplished in the greenhouse and in the field according to the
original program.
Gametocide trials: Four isolated plots treated with Monsanto 21200
gametocide were conducted with good results. Approximately 2500 combinations
have been obtained and will be used next season to test combining ability.
Even though our program has no limitations in the use of CMS system
originated from T. timopheevi, the use of effective gametocides may enhance
combining ability studies, speeding up parental lines selection.
Resistance to diseases: One of the main characteristics of good hybrids
is disease reaction, so it is necessary to have very precise information
about parental line reaction in order to make the adequate combinations. A
disease nursery using artificial inoculations was conducted in Pergamino by
Cargill Plant Pathology Department. Fusarium sp, septoria, stem rust and
leaf rust were present providing good information for the 1990 season.
-------------------------
R. P. Daniel, D. Donaldson, M. J. Nowland, C. J. Tyson, M. Materne, D.
J. Wilson and P. Wilson - Tamworth, N.S.W., Australia
Hybrid Seed Production. Hybrid seed yields from a substantially
increased area in 1990 averaged 3.5 t/ha compared with 3.2 t/ha in 1989.
Provided this level of production can be maintained, the hybrid wheat seed
production is an economically viable proposition.
Hybrid Performance. Several new hybrids with significantly higher
yields than hybrids, Meteor and Comet, were identified in 1990. However, the
interactions between fertility restoration, environmental conditions and
female genotype are still a major problem in the improvement of hybrids using
the timopheevi system.
New Appointment. Michael Materne has been appointed a "B-line Breeder"
though it is expected he will become more widely involved in the hybrid
breeding program in the future. Michael is a graduate of the Waite Institute
Adelaide.
-------------------------
HYBRITECH SEED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
John Erickson, Karolyn Ely, Bud Hardesty, Steve Kuhr, Jerry Wilson -
Wichita, KS, Gordon Cisar - Lafayette, IN
1990 was generally a good year for germplasm evaluation. Over 60,000
yield plots were harvested from 23 sites in the Great Plains. Adequate
infection of leaf rust, stem rust, soil1borne mosaic virus, and wheat streak
mosaic virus were encountered to permit differential reactions. Excessive
heat and dry conditions stressed mid-to-late maturity types. About 5,000 new
hybrids were produced utilizing both the CHA and CMS systems.
We are now fully staffed after filling two assistant breeder positions
in the SRW project and adding a new quality laboratory technician. We were
fortunate to be able to hire Karolyn Ely to manage our quality laboratory.
Karolyn previously had been with Pioneer.
B-Line Project. Approximately 1450 hand crosses were made in the
greenhouse in 1990, with emphasis upon the improvement of disease resistance.
Nearly 1200 F2 or F3 selections were screened in the greenhouse for seedling
reaction to leaf rust. Most of the materials which had expressed adult plant
resistance in the field were rated as susceptible in the seedling screening.
Development of SBMV in our F2 and F4 populations at Mt. Hope, KS was
quite good, and an excellent outbreak of stem rust occurred at the Hastings,
NE breeding site. Although we did not use artificial inoculation in 1990,
leaf rust development was very good at Wichita and at Mt. Hope, KS.
Lines with Siouxland heritage performed very well in preliminary yield
trials in 1990. We look forward to seeing hybrids with these lines in 1991.
Six advanced A-lines were transferred to our foundation seed division. Three
of the lines are adapted to Nebraska and northward, while the other three are
better suited for Kanas and Oklahoma.
R-Line Project. R-line breeding nurseries are located in the
Yellowstone Valley at Bilings, MT, in the Nebraska panhandle at Sidney, in
western Kansas at Leoti, and in south-central Kansas at Wichita.
Three-hundred, three-hundred fifty, and five-hundred F4 rows respectively
from Billings, Leoti, and Wichita were advanced to first-year yield trials
for 1991. Yield trials are located in Montana, South Dakota Nebraska,
Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
Restoration monitoring in lines and hybrids continues to be necessary.
We attempt to rate hybrids at each testing site and the following chart
summarizes several years of information:
1985-89 1990
No. of observations 7462 2253
Mean restoration value 1.99 2.28
1 = fertile 9 = sterile
The use of CHA technology to enhance restorer line development expanded
in 1990. Hand emasculations were eliminated in the greenhouse crossing
program and some testing emphasis was shifted from lines to hybrids. Over
800 R-line CHA hybrids were made in field crossing blocks in 1989 and 625
were tested in 1990. Another 257 were produced in 1990 and are being tested
in 1991. Emphasis continues on developing lines tolerant to RWA and
resistant to leaf rust. We are able to turn 2 generations per year of this
material in the greenhouse.
Adaptation Project. Efforts continue to focus on the development of
Russian Wheat aphid resistant lines. It has been noticed in our screening
trials that resistance levels drop when more than one backcross is made with
the recurrent parent. Six new sources of resistance have been entered on the
computer. This does ot include any of the Hybrid nurseries or any of the
samples sent from our Billings, Montana, station. Our total number of
samples for the year should be considerably above last year's total of
approximately 8,400 samples.
SRW Breeding. A total of 1,667 soft red winter wheat hybrids were
evaluated over five test locations in teh Corn Belt region in 1990.
Approximately half of these were single-cross hybrids, and half were
top-cross (F2-3 derived line * inbred male) hybrids. Average best-parent
heterosis on 406 single- cross hybrid combinations was 103.8%. The most
heterosis (best-parent) for a single hybrid averaged over five test locations
was 116%.
A total of 536 females and 23 males were used in an attempt to produce
2,146 unique hybrid combinations. We successfully produced 2,111 hybrids,
abandoning only 35 hybrids (1.6%) due to unacceptable nick or poor sterility.
Average female seed yield was 42.4 bushels per female acre, with a standard
deviation of 13.0 bu/A. Average yield of 60 entries in our elite line tests
on the same farm in 1990 was 64.8 bu/A. Our average seed yield in 1989 on
1,582 hybrids was 31.0 bu/A. Most of this difference of 11.4 bu/A can be
attributed to more timely planting of the hybrid production (crossing block)
nursery. Activity of the chemical hybridizing agent (MON 21200) continues to
be excellent. Only two of 536 lines were not sterile in our 1990 crossing
block nursery.
We continue to select for hybrid production efficiency
(cross-pollination) traits on both sides of the pedigree (male and female)
and in all germplasm pools. This occurs concurrently with selection for
agronomic and pathologic traits. A number of specific genes for pathogen
resistance have been allocated to specific breeding pools, expecting to
capitalize on the complementation of these different genes in the production
of the hybrid. We have also initiated a small scale CMS effort. Several of
our better B-lines are nearing conversion to A-lines, and we have begun
incorporation of fertility restoration genes into one of our male germplasm
pools.
Personnel. We are pleased to have added two staff members to the soft
wheat breeding program. Jamie Bobula accepted the position of managing our
hybrid production (crossing block) program and our CMS breeding program. He
comes to us with several years of experience from Western Plant Breeders and
the Peace Corps. Gene Leach is managing line development on the female side
of the hybrid pedigree. He received his M.S. degree in plant breeding from
North Dakota State University, and is adapting well to the southern climate
of north central Indiana.
-------------------------
Dennis Dunphy, Sam Wallace, Richard Evans - Lafayette, IN; Leon Fischer,
Kent Baker - Mt. Hope, KS; Geoff Keyes - St. Louis, MO
Performance of MON 21200 in 1990. MON 21200 is being developed by
Monsanto Co. as a chemical hybridizing agent (CHA) for wheat. MON 21200
continued to perform very well over a wide range of environments and
genotypes in 1990. Excellent sterility was obtained in all regions. Seed
yield in the SRW region was variable, but generally lower than average, with
non-selected check lines in research plots averaging 47-64% outcrossing.
Lines selected for good outcrossing ability averaged 70-93% at the same
locations. Seed set in the western HRW region was again excellent, averaging
75-99%.
Commercialization. Registration for MON 21200 is proceeding on
schedule, and we do not foresee any obstacles at this time to receiving full
registration for this compound. We are continuing to provide technical
support for cooperating breeding programs that license the Monsanto CHA
Technology, with a goal of being able to place wheat hybrids produced with
MON 21200 on the market by the mid-1990's.
Personnel. We are pleased to have Kent Baker and Richard Evans join our
group to develop the MON 21200 production technology,.
Excellent results were achieved with a fall flood irrigation of the
Disease Observation Nursery to initiate a soilborne mosaic virus infection.
Susceptible check varieties scattered throughout the nursery indicate a very
uniform distribution of the Polymyxa graminis zoospores. Approximately 5400
lines were flood irrigated in the D.O.N. again this year. If adequate and
uniform infections are observed this spring, we will continue with the
screening of our hybrids and parental lines in subsequent years.
Quality Lab. Personnel - Since last year's report there has been a
complete turnover in the laboratory staff. Lab Manager, Marcia Gordon, left
in August, 1990. She was replaced by Karolyn Ely who began with HybriTech in
July. The new laboratory technicians are Joan Saddler who began in June,
Sharon Pudden who joined us in September and Sylvia Fanning who was hired in
January, 1991. Because of so many staff changes, considerable time has been
spent in training, re-organizing files, etc.
Equipment repairs have continued, with complete overhauls on both
mixographs and on the Brabender Rapid Moisture Tester. We are looking
critically at procedures with the intent of improving efficiency. The
sedimentation test has been revised to a two-person procedure. With this
method we can run over 300 samples in an eight-hour day vs. less than 200
samples in a nine-hour day with one person. We have changed the milling
operation to collect break flour separately. Break Flour Yield is an
important characteristic in soft wheat evaluation.
Testing 1990 Crop - During the critical post-harvest/pre-planting period
(July, August, September) the Lab processed 642 Observation Nursery samples
and 5,370 Headrow Nursery samples. The Observation testing includes Jr.
Milling, NIR and Mixograph on 100 g. samples. The Headrow testing, or Early
Generation Screening, includes Udy Grinding, NIR and Sedimentation on 10 g.
samples.
-------------------------
NORTHRUP KING COMPANY
Fred Collins*, June Hancock*, and Craig Allen* - Bay, AR
Production Season. Like most years, the 1989-90 wheat growing season in
the South was challenging. Conditions in the Southeast were generally
favorable; the spring was relatively dry which favored wheat production.
There was a major shift in race(s) of powdery mildew as evidenced by an
intensive build-up on Coker 9733 which had previously been resistant.
Actually there were a few reports of powdery mildew on the variety the
previous season.
The extremely wet spring and early April freeze caused major problems in
the Mid-South and lower Corn Belt. Among the problems take-all was severe in
some areas of S.Louisiana; bacterial leaf and head blight, Septoria tritici,
S.nodorum, and scab were very severe over wide areas of Arkansas, Tennessee,
Missouri, Kentucky, and S.Illinois. As the following data reflects, yield
and head blight development were related to damage from the April freeze and,
to a lesser extent, to severity of the soil-borne virus complex.
Association of Spring Freeze Injury in Wheat with Winterhardiness, SBV,
Heading Date, Head Blight, and Yield.
FREEZE WINTER SOIL-BORNE
Variety/Line INJURY HARDINESS VIRUS HEADING HEAD YIELD
SCORE SCORE DATE BLIGHT BU/A
---------------- ------ --------- ---------- ------- ------ -----
AR 26415 5.7 8.0 5 04/18 7 36
BAYLES 6.0 - 6 04/15 - --
CALDWELL 4.3 9.4 7 04/21 9 32
CARDINAL 5.0 9.6 4 04/23 7 44
CHEROKEE 7.0 - 3 04/15 8 22
CLARK 3.7 9.2 2 04/15 7 40
COKER 747 4.7 8.6 4 04/19 4 24
COKER 833 6.0 8.0 1 04/20 3 45
COKER 916 5.7 8.0 3 04/14 8 38
COKER 983 6.7 4.2 4 04/15 8 40
COKER 9227 6.3 4.4 6 04/06 8 29
COKER 9323 6.3 6.2 6 04/08 7 32
COKER 9733 7.3 5.0 6 04/13 3 38
COKER 9766 6.7 7.4 3 04/16 5 27
COKER 9877 6.7 5.6 2 04/18 1 47
COKER 9024 5.0 7.6 2 04/18 1 42
COKER 9105 6.0 3.8 4 04/15 5 36
COKER 9803 5.7 8.4 3 04/10 2 55
C0KER 9835 6.0 6.6 5 04/14 8 37
COKER 9907 5.7 6.6 6 04/21 3 39
FFR 568 6.7 - 2 04/18 9 38
FLORIDA 302 7.8 5.4 6 04/14 7 34
FLORIDA 303 8.0 2.4 7 04/02 8 17
GEORGIA 100 7.7 7.2 4 04/16 9 26
HANCOCK 8.0 9.0 3 04/20 8 24
HART 9.0 9.2 1 04/20 8 --
HUNTER 7.7 - 3 04/04 5 32
KEISER 4.7 7.2 3 04/21 3 34
KY 83-38 6.7 - 3 04/19 8 33
MADISON 5.0 - 1 04/10 4 53
MAGNUM 7.3 9.2 5 04/14 8 23
MCNAIR 1003 6.3 6.8 5 04/18 8 34
MO 10501 5.7 9.4 3 04/21 8 36
PACER 8.0 9.4 3 04/20 5 16
PIKE 8.7 8.8 5 04/20 8 22
PIONEER BR. 2548 5.7 7.6 6 04/20 7 42
PIONEER BR. 2551 7.3 9.4 4 04/21 2 35
PIONEER BR. 2555 5.0 7.6 1 04/15 6 40
SALUDA 6.0 8.0 6 04/15 4 34
SAVANNAH 6.0 3.8 4 04/14 2 45
TERRAL NORRIS 101 6.3 - 3 04/20 2 23
TERRAL NORRIS 812 8.7 - 4 04/14 8 23
TERRAL NORRIS 817 5.7 - 4 04/10 5 37
TRAVELER 8.3 3.6 4 04/13 7 20
TWAIN 5.7 8.8 2 04/16 8 34
WAKEFIELD 6.3 - 4 04/18 4 52
LSD (.05) 1.8 1.1 1 3 9
V. (%) 19 12 15 2 15
Freeze Injury, Head Blight, and Yield Data are from 1990 Hopkinsville, KY test.
Winter hardiness is from 1989 tests in upper Mid-South.
Soil-borne virus is from 1990 Union City, TN test.
Heading date is from 1990 Bay, AR test.
SCORE: 0 = None (no freeze damage, complete winter kill, or no
virus symptoms)
9 = Most
CORRELATIONS r P
================================ ====== ===
Freeze injury - winter hardiness -0.222 .19
Freeze injury - SBV 0.201 .52
Freeze injury - heading date -0.158 .29
Freeze injury - head blight 0.250 .10
Freeze injury - yield -0.564 .00
Winter hardiness - yield 0.039 .83
SBV - Yield -0.296 .05
Heading date - Yield 0.069 .65
Head blight - Yield -0.422 .01
New Releases. Four new varieties were turned ovder to TGN (Two Great
Names) dealers who produce and market certified seed of Northrup King
varieties Coker 9907 and Coker 9835 were positioned primarily in the
Southeast. Coker 9024 was sold in the Mid-South and Coker 9803 was placed
primarily in the upper portion of the Mid-South. Coker 9105 will be released
to TGN dealers in the Gulf Coastal region in the fall of 1991. Coker 9543 is
the most recent release; it was tested as CL860426 and it should be a
replacement for Coker 747.
Personnel Changes. June Hancock, who had spent about 1.5 years on the
cotton program, was transferred back into the wheat program. She will be
responsible for germplasm-varietal development. Russell Sutton returned to
his previous position at the Texas A&M research station near Dallas.
-------------------------
ORSEM
Ch. Quandalle - Pouy Roquelaure - 32480 La Romieu; S. Sunderwirth - 56
rue Th. Havy - 60190 Estrees St Denis; L. Batreau - Ferme
de St. Germain - 28310 Fresnay L'Eveque
Since our last contribution in 1989, several changes have occurred in
our Wheat Breeding Program. Eighteen people are employed and work on three
stations. Estrees St Denis is more involved in breeding hybrid and inbred
wheat for Northern France and Europe. Pouy-Roquelaure is breeding inbred and
hybrid wheat for Southern France and Europe. St. Germain is specialized in
hybrid wheat development (seed production and agronomy). Besides these three
major stations, ten other trial centers allow for a large experimentation
program across France.
The breeding effort represents 600 hand made crosses, 550,000 F2 plants,
70,000 head-rows, and 23,000 trial plots. This program includes 10,000
doubled haploid lines produced by a team of six people in Pouy-Roquelaure.
The hybrid wheat program has 1,200 hybrids in trials. Another 1,600
combinations will be produced in 1991 with Orsan's C.H.A. SC 2053 in 52
crossing blocks. BE 80 ZX 028, a promising early maturing red winter wheat
pure line cultivar, will finish official trials for Southern France in 1991.
It should be released this fall. Entering into the first year of official
trials in 1991 are two winter wheats cultivars (one red and one white), one
triticale, and one barley.
-------------------------
TRIO RESEARCH INC.
James A. Wilson - Wichita, KS
A hybrid blend yield test, involving the blending of R line, B line and
F2 with single cross hybrid seed on a 50:50 weigh basis, was conducted this
past year. Also, the single crosses and each of the R lines, B lines and
F2's were grown in pure stands as checks for their respective blends. The
top ten yielding entries having no significant difference in yield consisted
of four singlecross hybrids, three blends, and three lines. The top two
entries in yield in this forty-entry test were blends with one having a B
line component and the other an F2 component. The data suggest that hybrid
blends could be used in the development of "genetically protected" cultivars.
Powdery mildew and leaf rust were the most damaging diseases encountered
in our tests this past year. Mildew was very severe on some new varieties
having high susceptibility. The absence of soil borne mosaic symptoms for
the past three years on wheat grown in known soil borne infected soils is
difficult to explain; possibly higher than normal early spring temperatures
and lack of moisture in the fall are the reasons.
The decline in the price of wheat relative to feed grains and parity
create a difficult situation for the wheat producers. Though prices may
eventually recover we believe that more options should be given to the wheat
growers when the price is on the downside. Wheats developed with forage or
graze-out options would be welcomed by many growers having connections with
beef production. Others would likely welcome an option to use their crop as
feed in port and/or beef production. With these concepts in mind we are
continuing to increase our efforts toward developing wheats having unique
traits that enable them to be more efficiently utilized as a feed or forage
crop.
We are maintaining our soft red winter and hard red winter breeding
objectives but reducing the amount of off-station testing involving our own
operations. Our current sequence of testing prior to release will involve
federal and state yield tests. Several varieties and a hybrid were entered
in federal tests in the fall of 1990.
-------------------------
WESTERN PLANT BREEDERS
Dale Clark, Craig Cook, Amy Baroch - Bozeman, MT; Kim Shantz, Michael
DeVries - Tempe, AZ
Hybrid Wheat. Western Plant Breeders (WPB) is field testing hard red
wheat hybrids produced at Davis, CA., using CHA's developed by Sogetal, Inc.,
Hayward, CA. These hybrids are primarily semidwarf wheats adapted to
irrigated production areas of California and Arizona. Replicated yield
trials are being conducted at one location in Arizona and three locations in
California. WPB is also field testing soft white winter hybrids produced at
Amity, Oregon by Sogetal, Inc. These hybrids are in replicated yield trials
at eight Pacific Northwest nurseries (4 in WA, 2 in ID, 1 in OR, and 1 in
MT). New Releases. Western Plant Breeders has received approval to assign
the following names to new releases described in AWN Volume 36. Our PNW
spring durum (No. BU 884-206) is being named WestBred Pendur. The high
yielding, high protein hard red wheat (No. DA 984- 034) targeted for the
Anza, Yolo growing region is being named WestBred Express. Experimental No.
PH 984-75, adapted to the areas of California and Arizona where Yecora Rojo
is grown, is being named WestBred Accord.
Cultivar Testing. WPB conducted yield trials in 1990 at 19 locations
throughout the Western U.S. Four sites were fall-planted (irrigated) in AZ
and CA, six sites were winter nurseries in the PNW, and nine sites were
spring nurseries in the PNW. Although five of the PNW sites were dryland and
were stressed for moisture in 1990, all 19 nurseries were harvested.
Southern Nursery. WPB's primary southern research nursery is now
located on the Maricopa Demonstration Farm at the University of Arizona,
Maricopa Agricultural Center, Maricopa, AZ.
Personnel. Michael DeVries has joined the Western Plant Breeders staff
in Tempe, AZ, as a research assistant. Jamie Bobula left WPB to accept a
position with Hybritech Seed International, Inc., Lafayette, IN. WPB wishes
Jamie well in this new endeavor.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM ARGENTINA
Institute of Genetics and of Biological Resources, INTA, Castelar
Enrique Y. Suarez and Laura Bullrich
Magnif 41 meiotic behaviour. Magnif 41 is a bread cultivar with a very
abnormal microsporogenesis apparently as a consequence of spindle
disturbances in the first meiotic division. This abnormal microsporogenesis
resulted in a chaotic picture at the tetrad stage producing pollen grains of
different sizes and the presence of micronuclei. Female meiosis seems also
to be affected but to a lesser extent. High aneuploid frequency is observed
in this cultivar resulting in chromosome number variation and structural
mutations. Apparently the mitotic spindles are not affected. However, in
the archesporial cells some disturbances were detected. The origin of this
behaviour seems to be related to a chromosome mutation inherited as a
recessive factor. Chromosome mutation might well be produced in the
ancestors of Magnif 41, i.e., Sinvalocho M. A. and/or Mediterranean.
However, the frequency of this mutation is higher in the Mediterranean than
that in Sinvalocho M.A.
-------------------------
A. Acevedo, E. Antonelli, L. Bullrich, E. Suarez and S. Feingold
Rye introgression effects into Argentinean wheats. Various genetic
traits of Argentinean wheats carrying or not 1Rs/1B1 translocation (new
Argentinean varieties, lines and F3 segregant families) were compared.
Concerning the lines carrying the rye segment they showed resistance to all
leaf rust strains but one. Sedimentation test showed significant differences
among lines and F3 families with the rye translocation from those without the
translocation. In the varieties no relation was found between the appearance
of the rye translocation and the sedimentation values. This behavior is
probably due to low sedimentation values in the new Argentinean varieties.
-------------------------
E. Y. Saurez and M. Arteaga
Influence of meiotic abnormalities on grain condition in a commercial
hybrid wheat. The first Argentinean hybrid wheat carries a heterozygous
reciprocal translocation. This structural mutation was associated to the
production of aneuploid plants and wrinkled grains. Even when the sample
were composed by normal grains 4.2% of them were aneuploid. On the other
hand the sample with wrinkled grains had 19.8% of aneuploid.
-------------------------
G. W. Covas (Jr.), E. Y. Saurez and J. Safont Lis.
Pleiotropic vs. linkage effects for 4D chromosome of wheat. Using the
modified "Backcross reciprocal monosomic" method chromosome effects were
analyzed in several Argentinean cultivars. Old varieties and semidwarf
(Rht2) genotypes were included. Twenty seven reciprocals were evaluated for
plant height, grain weight, spike length, ear emergence time, spikelet number
per ear grain number per spikelet, tiller number and yield. A constant and
significant association was observed only between Rht2 chromosome with
reduction in plant height, grain weight and spike length. Other traits
showed no association or both positive and negative association indicating
gene linkage more than a pleiotropic effect.
-------------------------
M. Arteaga and E. Y. Suarez
Comparative performance of Triticum timopheevi and T. peregrinum
cytoplasm in hybrid combinations. Four commercial T. timopheevi cytoplasm
hybrids (CH) were compared with three F1 hybrid genotypes (HG) carrying T.
peregrinum cytoplasm and 1B-1Rs: 1B nucleus. Plant height (PH), fertility
(F), grain weight (GW) and productivity (P) were measured. (Table 1). IN CH
were included heterozygous genotypes with Rht genes, while in the case of HG
were included only heterozygous genotypes. Fertility was measured on both of
the basal flowers of the central spikelets showing that few plants in two out
of four CH hybrids were completely male sterile while only one HG hybrid
showed a very reduced fertility in all the plants. The HG group was produced
from non-evaluated varieties for combining ability or restorer capacity.
Table 1. C H and H G Performance
PH (cm) F (%) GR (mg) P (g) C H 88.7 81-94 90.7 82-97 40.9 38-43
30.3 24-36 H G 103.4 99-108 81.7 54-99 38.4 38-39 25.4 18-33
-------------------------
E. Y. Suarez and G. Tranquilli
Dosage effect and the concept of dominance and recessiveness. True
dominance is not known to occur at the molecular level. However at a higher
level of biological organization dominant alleles are "alleles which are
manifest in all heterozygous heterokaryotic or heterogenotic members of the
first filial generation (F1) from a cross between two homozygous (pure
breeding) strains differing with respect to these characters" (Rieger,
Michaelis and Green, 1976).
When Chinese Spring (CS), susceptible to Argentinean clone 66 of
Puccinia recondita, was crossed with Sinvalocho M. A. (SV) (resistant to this
strain), the F1 was susceptible. Therefore following the definition stated
above, the Lr 3 alleles from Chinese Spring were dominant. However a
susceptible reaction was also observed when the CS allele was absent as it
happened in SV monosomic 6B or in the F1 produced by crossing CS (monosomic
6B) with SV (euploid). In contrast when crossing these varieties with a
higher dosage of Lr3 gene (6B tetrasomic SV with 6B tetrasomic CS), the F1
was resistant to clone 66 of Puccinia recondita. The behaviour of Lr3 allele
from SV in this case from clearly dominant.
The confusion arises by using the Mendelian misconcept of dominance and
recessiveness in plant pathogen interaction or in other characters, i.e., the
response to the gene control of gibberellic acid, etc. Alleles dosage
concept is more accurate for understanding these phenomena. Similar
conclusion can be reached considering dosage for all other genes, except for
the presence of co-dominant alleles. On the other hand over-dominance if it
exists is not known whether it occurs for most genes.
Miscellaneous. Monosomic series of Sinvalocho M. A. is available
(except for a few chromosomes), also the substitution lines of Sinvalocho
chromosomes into Chinese Spring are available. Sinvalocho tetrasomic 6B was
also obtained and a reciprocal translocation 1Bs/6Bs-1B1/6B1 also in
Sinvalocho background.
Publications
Suarez, E. Y., and Bullrich, L. 1990. Meiotic spindle disturbances in a
commercial bread wheat cultivar. Cytologia 55:79-86.
Acevedo, A., Antonelli, E., Bullrich, L., Suarez, E. and Feingold, S. Rye
introgression effects into Argentinean wheats. (2nd Int. Triticale Sym.
Passo Fundo, Brazil, 1990 in press).
Covas, G. F., Suarez, E. Y., and Safont Lis, J. 1990. Pleiotropismo vs
genes ligados para interpretar el efecto del cromosoma 4D de trigo en
diferentes componentes de rendimiento. 2do Congreso Nacional de Trigo.
Pergamino, Argentina, 1990; II:91-100.
Lenscak, M. P., Leon, A. J. and Suarez, E. Y. 1990. Empleo de lineas de
sutitucion de trigo para la evaluacion precisa del caracter periodo a
espigazon. 2do. congreso Nacional de Trigo. Pergamino, Argentina. 1990.
II:75-90.
Suarez, E. Y., and Arteaga, M. 1990. Influence of meiotic abnormalities on
grain condition in a commercial hybrid wheat. Cer. Res. Comm.,
18(1-2):27-31.
-------------------------
Ruth A. Heinz, Mariana Del Vas, Laura C. Moratinos, Ewald A. Favret, H.
Esteban Hopp
Gene-for-gene specific mRNA activities in wheat leaves infected with
leaf rust. It is now well established that the ability of plants to resist
pathogen attack is dependent on the genotypes of both organisms. In a
gene-for-gene or better, allele-for-gene interaction (1-4) a host will be
resistant or susceptible to a particular pathogen race depending on the
reaction alleles that interact with virulence genes in the pathogen. In
addition, host-pathogen interaction is an active process dependent on RNA and
protein synthesis which is the result of transcriptional activation of
specific genes. 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 (5-8) in
which wheat lines with very homogeneous genetic backgrounds carry genes that
react differentially with closely related clones of P. recondita tritici.
Interactions are summarized in the table.
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 (9-10).
Seedlings were grown in hydropoinia following the sandwich method (11).
Eight-day-old seedlings were inoculated with spores or solely with talc
(controls) in humid chambers. RNA was isolated by phenol-chloroform
extraction followed by LiCl2 and ethanol precipitation. mRNA activity was
evidenced by translation using a commercial rabbit 1ysate.
Specific induction of mRNA species was detected towards the third day of
the infection process in time course "in vitro" translation experiments.
This observation is in agreement with previous results showing changes in the
levels of polypeptide bands (10). At least two specific mRNAs which code for
polypeptide bands of 34 and 24 kDa could be associated with the compatible
interaction mediated by genes A1/A2 from Gamma 1R wheat lines and virulence
gene p1/p2 of rust race FO1. Comparisons made using mutant clone of rust FO3
which elicits an inverse criss-cross relationship with the same wheat lines,
are consistent with the idea of specificity of the detected changes.
Table: Pathogenic relationship between isogenic lines of wheat and
clones of leaf rust.
Clones of Leaf Rust
FO1 FO2 FO3
Isogenic wheat lines
Sinvalocho M.A. + - -
Gamma 1R - - +
[+] represents compatible interaction
[-] represents incompatible interaction
-------------------------
Laura C. Moratinos, Ruth A. Heinz, Ewald A. Favret, H. Esteban Hopp
Induction of a specific protein of 84 kDa in the host pathogen
interaction between Triticum aestivum and Erysiphe graminis tritici.
Similarly to other mildews, wheat mildew exhibits the occurrence of several
physiological races with extreme specialization with respect to differential
virulence to genetic variants of the host following gene for-gene, or better
allele-for-gene, relationships. Theoretically, any reaction controlled by a
single gene should involve, initially at least, a single gene function.
Favret (1) postulated the presence of host genes controlling metabolic
products that interfere with pathogen development. A characterization of the
products synthesized during infection with mildew would enhance our
understanding of specific host-pathogen interactions from a molecular
perspective.
To this end a host pathogen interaction system involving the wheat
cultivar Chul and genetically related mildew clones have been developed (see
Table). Pathogenic variants were obtained by mutagenesis with ethylmethane
sulfonate (EMS) (2,3).
Eight-day-old seedlings grown under controlled conditions (4) were
inoculated with spores of the two mildew races. At different times after
infection leaves were excised for pulse labelling experiments in the presence
of 356-methionine (4). Time-course modifications of polypeptide synthesis
was followed by SDS-PAGE and subsequent fluorography. Changes in polypeptide
synthesis rate could roughly be quantitated by densitometry of the
fluorographic bands. (Figure).
Fluorograms show that an early induction of an 84 kDa polypeptide band
was evident in the compatible interaction. Interestingly a correlative
decrease in the same band was evident in the incompatible combination (see
figure), suggesting that it might be related to this particular gene-for-gene
interaction.
Furthermore, this induction in the compatible system and parallel
repression in the incompatible one, occurs during a physiological stage
(between 10 and 27 hours after infection) which is thought to be
determinative in the establishment of the interaction.
Table 1. Pathogenic relationship between lines of wheat and genetically related mildew clones.
------ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Wheat Lines Interaction Mildew Clones
------ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lemhi compatible wild type
Chu1 incompatible wild type
Chu1 compatible mutant
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dr. QUICK: leave room here for figure 1
REFERENCES
Flor, H. H. 1942. Inheritance of pathogenicity in a cross between
physiologic races 22 and 24 of Melampsora lini. Phytopathology 32, 653-669.
Flor, H. H. 1955. Host-parasite interactions in flax rust, its genetics and
another implications. Phytopathology 45, 680-685.
Favret, E. A. 1969. The host-pathogen system and its genetic relationships.
In Barley Genetics II. Proceedings of the 2nd Intern. Barley Genetics
Symposium. pp. 457-471. Pullman, Washington.
Favret, E. A. 1971. The host-pathogen system and its genetic relationships.
In Barley Genetics II, Proc. 2nd Intern. Barley Genetics Symposium. pp. 457-
471. Pullman, Washington, U.S.A.
Favret, E. A. 1965. Induced mutations in breeding for disease resistance.
In Reports of the Meeting of FAO/IAEA: The Use of Induced Mutations in Plant
Breeding. pp. 521-5267. Pergamon Press, London, U.K.
Favret, E. A., Cenoz, H. P., Silvero Sanz, S. I., Solari, R. M. and Mujica,
F. L. 1969. Efecto de posicion inducido en trigo para reaccion a las royas.
In Induced Mutations in Plants. pp. 123-133, IAEA/FAO, Pullman, Washington.
Franzone, P. M. and Favret, E. A. 1982. Mutations for pathogenicity in
wheat leaf rust Puccinia recondita var. tritici induced by ethyl-methane
sulphonate. Phytopathologishes Zeitschrift 2. 104, 289-298.
Suarez, E. Y. and Favret, E. A. 1984. Reaction to leaf rust of a
"Sinvalocho" wheat gene in hemizygous condition. Zeitschrift fur
Pflanzenzuchtung 92, 289- 294.
Heinz, R. A. and Hopp, H. E. 1986. Molecular changes in wheat infected with
Puccinia recondita tritici. In Actas del Primer Congreso Nacional de Trigo,
Vol. IV, pp. 77-81. Pergamino, Argentina.
Heinz, R. A., Hopp, H. E. and Favret, E. A. 1990. Proteins associated with
specific host-pathogen relationships in infections with wheat rust. Plant
Cell Physiology 31(8). In press.
Myhill, R. R. and Konzak, C. F. 1967. A new technique for culturing and
measuring barley seedlings. Crop Sci. 7, 275-276.
Favret, E. A., Franzone, P. M. and Fischbeck, G. 1983. Differential
reaction to powdry mildew (Erysiphe graminis) in coleoptile and first leaf of
wheat seedlings. Z. Pflanzenzucht 90:339-342.
-------------------------
Sergio E. Feingold and H. Esteban Hopp
Relationship of bread-making quality and HMW glutenin subunit
composition in two old Argentine varieties. Knowledge on the molecular basis
of the bread-making quality increased remarkably in the last ten years (1),
and stressed the importance of high molecular weight (HMW) glutenins. Some
of these glutenins were extensively characterized by nucleotide sequencing of
their genes which are located in the homoeologous chromosome group 1 (1)
Specific subunits conferred different physical properties to the dough, such
as elasticity and strength (vg. subunits 5+10 render strong dough, while 2+12
render weak dough (2)). Nucleotide sequence analysis further support the
involvements of these protein subunits in this behavior. Accordingly, a
quality score based on HMW glutenin subunit composition was defined. It was
named like the loci that contain the HMW glutenin subunit genes, the Glu-1
quality score (3).
A reevaluation program of old Argentine varieties released between 1912
and 19890 is underway including the analysis of several physiological and
quality parameters (4,5,6,7). Bread-making quality was tested by the
SDS-sedimentation test as described (8) and Glu-1 quality score by
identification of HMW glutenin subunit composition after polyacrylamide gel
electrophoresis in presence of SDS (SDS-PAGE) (9) and comparison to known
European variety standards. Surprisingly, screening of varieties for
bread-making quality revealed that the Glu-1 quality score could not be
associated to the SDS- sedimentation test values for some genotypes. This
was particularly evident for two genetically non-related varieties: the old
Klein 32 released in 1930, and the more recent Buck Manatial (from 1964),
both are traditional germplasm varieties, and showed good bread-making
quality compared with known good bread-making quality European standards (see
Table).
Among the main distinctive features it was observed that:
1) HMW glutenin subunits extensively reported to be inherited as couples
were found to occur as single bands.
2) The 2+12 couple did not diminish SDS-sedimentation value as it occurs
in modern varieties.
3) High SDS-sedimentation test values cannot be attributed to the
presence of enough HMW glutenins subunits known for their positive
contribution to this value.
4) These results led to the presumption that some subunits do not
contribute to dough strength in the same manner that they do in the
European varieties where they have been defined.
5) This behavior could be attributed to i) low molecular weight
glutenins or gliadins affecting bread-making quality (11, 12), or
ii) the identified HMW glutenin subunits have similar mobility in
1-D SDS-PAGE but have different biochemical properties.
6) Genetic cross analysis combined with 2-D electrophoresis to correlate
segregation of banding patterns to bread making quality are in
course to elucidate this point.
Table 1. SDS-sedimentation test values, HMW glutenin subunit
composition and GLU-1 quality score of two Argentinian wheat varieties.
SDS-sedimentation HMW glutenin Glu-1 quality
Varieties test values (mm) subunit composition score
Klein 32 12.0 2+12, 7+8 5
Buck Manantial 11.0 3, 5+10, 7+8 9
References
Payne, P. I. 1987. Genetics of wheat storage proteins and the effect of
allelic variation on bread-making quality. Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol.
38:141-153.
Flavell, R. B., Goldsbrough, A. P., Robert, L. S., Schnick, D. and Thompson,
R. D. 1989. Genetic variation in wheat HMW glutenin subunits and the
molecular basis of bread-making quality. Biotechnology 7:1281-1285.
Payne, P. I. 1986. Varietal improvement in the bread-making quality of
wheat contributions from biochemistry and genetics, and future prospects from
molecular biology. In: BCPC Mono. No. 34 Biotechnology and crop improvement
and protection, p. 69-81.
Slafer, G. A. and Andrade, F. H. 1989. Genetic improvement in bread wheat
(Triticum aestivum L.) yield in Argentina. Field Crops Res. 21:289-296.
Slafer, G. A., Andrade, F. H. and Satorre, E. H. 1990. Genetic improvement
in preanthesis physiological attributes related to wheat grain yield. Field
Crops Res. 23(in press).
Slafer, G. A., Andrade, F. H. and Feingold, S. E. 1990. Genetic improvement
of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Argentina: relationship between
nitrogen and dry matter.
Feingold, S. E. and Hopp, H. E. 1990. Composition de gluteninas de alto peso
molecular de 7 variedades argentinas de trigo y su relaction con la calidad
panadera. Congreso Nacional de Trigo, Cap. III p.1-10. Pergamino,
Argentina.
Dick, J. W. and Quick, J. S. 1983. A modified screening test for rapid
estimation of gluten strength in early generation durum wheat breeding lines.
Cereal Chem. 60:315-318.
Payne, P. I., Holt, L. M., Blackman, J. A. 1981. Correlations between the
inheritance of certain HMW subunits of glutenin and break-making quality in
progenies of six crosses of bread wheat. J. Sci. Food Agric. 32:51-60.
Gupta, R. B., Singh, N. K. and Shepherd, K. W. 1989. The cumulative effect
of allelic variation in LMW and HMW glutenin subunits on dough properties in
the progeny of two bread wheats. Theor. Appl. Genet. 77:57-64.
Solari, R. and Favret, E. A. 1968. Genetic control of protein constitution
in wheat endosperm and its implications on induced mutagenesis. Mutation in
plant breeding, II. Proceedings of a panel, Vienna. IAEA-FAO pp. 219-231.
-------------------------
Manera, G., Diaz, G., Yanacon, E., Maich, R., Berrino, G., Pagani, O.,
Benedetti, A., and Canovas, M. - Fac. Cs. Agropecuarias U.N.C.
Effect of Selection Site on the Genetic Progress in Wheat. The
objective of the present work was to measure the genetic progress on the
bases that the selection has been carried out under optimum, intermediate or
marginal conditions. Starting from each of the 20 F2 populations of wheat
(Triticum aestivum L.) grown at three sites (Ferreyra, Ordonez and Casilda),
a plant was selected and a random sample of five was taken. The 360 F2:F3
lines (60 selections and 300 random samples) were evaluated in each of the
sites mentioned above. The response to selection (R) was obtained by
comparing the mean value of the selections to the random sample (=100). For
grain yield, a mean R of 3.58% was observed; while, between site of
selection, the response was lightly superior when we selected under optimum
conditions. When we compared the mean of the lines selected under different
sites, no significant differences were found. These results encourage us
with respect to the degree of controversy about the "marginal conditions"
concept.
Early generation testing among crosses selection in wheat. The among
crosses selection, carried out during the early generation, implies that
those F1 and/or F2 superior crosses are the ones to give with high
probability superior recombinant lines during the next generations. Starting
from 153 F1 crosses of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), which were evaluated in
1986 and 1987 in a site, two groups of 10 crosses each (Superior and
Inferior) were selected according to the obtained yield and using a
disruptive selection of 6.5%. In 1988 the corresponding F2 populations were
evaluated in three sites, whereas in 1989 the F2:F3 lines were evaluated in
two sites. Significant differences between Superior and Inferior group means
for yield in both generations (F2 and F2:F3) were observed. Our results show
that, from the beginning of the selection programme, the elimination of those
inferior crosses is possible.
Harvest index and earweight as indirect selection criteria for grain
yield in wheat. The objective of the present work was to measure the
response to indirect selection for grain yield by using the harvest index
(HI) and earweight (PSP) as selection criteria. In 1988, 437 F2:F3 lines of
wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were evaluated by means of HI and PSP. Two
groups of ten lines each (superior and inferior) from each of the selection
criteria were selected by using a disruptive selection intensity of 2.3%.
During 1989, in three sowing dates, 40 F2:F4 lines were evaluated on the
bases of which the kernel number per head (NSeSP), PSP and grain yield (PT)
were determined. Even though within each group, between criteria, no
differences wee observed; within criteria, the HI, showed a significant
difference between groups (superior and inferior).
Alternative strategies of recurrent selection for grain yield in wheat.
It was the objective of this research to compare the efficiency of four
recurrent selection strategies in wheat. During 1986, 83 F1 or So were
evaluated, and 15 of them were recombined to constitute filial population 1
or P1. In 1987 the same thing was performed with progenies F2 or S1, product
of selfing the correspondingly 83 So, and 12 S1 were selected and recombined
to constitute filial populations 4 or P4. During 1988 and 1989 (Summer
crop)lines F2:F3 or S1:S2 were evaluated from which, filial populations 5 and
6 or P5 and P6, respectively, were originated. During 1989, 200 progenies So
were evaluated (a casual sample of 40 per population), measuring the response
to selection (R) as the difference between the mean of the 10 best So per
filial and parent population. After one cycle of recurrent selection the
largest R resulted from a selection for ear yield in So (49.8%) or for grain
yield in S1 (49.5%), while the lowest resulted from phenotypic selection in
S1:S2 (P5). A recurrent selection program based on the evaluation of SO
progenies (half or full-sibs), permits to decrease the cycle to two years and
as a consequence, to obtain larger genotic progress per year.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM AUSTRALIA
NEW SOUTH WALES
The University of Sydney, Plant Breeding Institute, Sydney and Cobbitty
J. Bell, G.N. Brown, D. Backhouse, 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.
The move from Castle Hill to our new Cobbitty site finally took place 15
January, 1991. We expect to become fully operational as final fittings are
made to the laboratories and greenhouses. Cobbitty is located 70Km south
west of Sydney. Drs. N.L. Darvey (triticale, tissue culture) and P.J. Sharp
(molecular genetics) have transferred from the Sydney campus.
B.D.H. Latter, Professor of Plant Breeding and Director of the PBI,
retired in July, 1990; the position remains vacant.
Wheat stem rust continues to occur at very low levels, the main
pathotype being 343-1,2,3,5,6. During the summer of 1990 there was an
outbreak of an Sr30-virulent pathotype, 343-1,2,3,5,6,(8),9, at a summer
nursery site in Victoria; however there was apparently negligible carryover
of inoculum into the crop season when only one isolation was made from South
Australia. This latter pathotype is of particular concern because some
leading cultivars in N.S.W. carry Sr30. Field nurseries at Castle Hill and
Cobbitty confirmed that the cultivars Banks, Lark, Osprey, Vulcan, Rosella
and Sunfield were susceptible to the Sr30-virulent pathotype. The main leaf
rust pathotypes included 104-2,3,6,(7),11 which is virulent for Lr16,
53-1,(6),(7),10,11 virulent for Lr13, 76-2,3,6 and a new pathotype 64-11
isolated from two northern collections. This last pathotype appears to be
dissimilar to other Australasian pathotypes. Stripe rust was found
throughout the eastern wheat areas but there were few reports of concern.
The most frequent pathotype was 104 E137 A- especially in the north, with
lower incidence of 104 E137 A+, 108 E141 A+ and two samples of 110 E143 A+.
One isolate was virulent for Yr5.
The closely linked rust resistance genes in chromosome 2AS of VPM1 were
designated Sr38, Lr37 and Yr17. These genes which are closely linked with
Lr17, are present in the Sydney University wheat, Sunbri, as well as
Rendezvous, Madsen and Hyak. Sr38 and Lr37 confer seedling resistance at low
temperatures (<20C) whereas seedling resistance conferred by Yr17 requires
relatively high light conditions. Yr15 is located in chromosome 1BS;
telocentric mapping is underway; it recombines quite freely of Yr10.
A significant observation during 1990 was that all of several lines
carrying Lr34 added to Thatcher were significantly more resistant to stripe
rust (pt. 110 E143 A+, virulent for Yr7) than Thatcher. In addition, certain
lines with stripe rust resistance derived from Bersee and Chinese Spring
showed greater than expected levels of resistance to leaf rust. Dr. P.L.
Dyck has reported that Chinese Spring carries Lr34. It is therefore
postulated that significant components of durable resistance to both leaf
rust and stripe rust may be genetically associated in chromosome 7D. The
wheats with Lr34 showed a degree of slow rusting with some Thatcher
derivatives reaching terminal rust scores of 30-40MS when Thatcher had been
defoliated.
The National Wheat Rust Control Program screened 12,500 lines for
Australian wheat breeders. Most Australian cultivars and many advanced
crossbreds used in the national backcrossing program were genotyped for grass
clumping factors.
Staff: Dr. C.R. Wellings spent 8 months at the Research Institute for
Plant Protection (IPO), Wageningen and visited several research centers in
Europe. Dr. E. Gordon-Werner resigned July 1990. She was replaced by Dr. M.
Ratinam. Dr. M. Prashar from IARI, Shimla, India is spending one year with
us as visiting scholar supported by the collaborative wheat rust research
project.
Plant Pathology:
Tan spot breeding program: In 1990, 98 advanced breeding lines and 17
cultivars were screened for field resistance to tan spot (Pyrenophora
tritici- repentis). Lines SUN 206A, SUN 207B and SUN 199B were moderately
resistant, while most other lines and cultivars were susceptible to
moderately susceptible. A program to select and incorporate resistance to
tan spot in early generation material has begun. F2, BC1 F2 and CIMMYT lines
will be screened in the greenhouse. Conidia for inoculation will be produced
on a medium of filter paper soaked in 20% V8 agar, devised by Mr. Terry James
while on leave from the University of Guelph.
Effects of conservation tillage: A study of the effects of tillage
systems on the vertical distribution of wheat roots in northern New South
Wales has shown that there is a higher density of roots in the surface layers
of soil when stubble is retained. Work in the 1991 season will examine the
reasons for this, including differences in temperature, moisture and nutrient
distribution. It is planned to extend this work to determine the factors
controlling varietal response to tillage systems.
Other work: Dr. Virgilio Balmas, on leave from the Istituto Sperimentale
per la Patologia Vegetale, Rome, is studying comparative pathology to wheat
of foot-rotting Fusarium species with Dr. Burgess. Ms Adrienne Beddis is
working on environmental factors influencing infection of wheat by crown rot,
and interactions between F. graminearum Group 1 and other soil
microorganisms.
-------------------------
I.A. Watson Wheat Research Centre, Narrabri.
L. O'Brien, F.W. Ellison, D.J. Mares, and S.G. Moore.
New Varieties and Seed Production: Seed production of the new long
season, prime hard quality variety, Sunbri, was most successful. Adequate
quantities of seed will be available for distribution early this year.
Preliminary response by wheatgrowers was encouraging despite gloomy prospects
for wheat production in 1991. A new spring season line, SUN155C (Combination
III//Lr28/*Cook) will be considered for registration and release in 1991.
SUN155C is resistant to the current field pathotypes of stem, leaf and stripe
rusts. It is a spring season wheat, suitable for planting from mid-May until
mid-July. SUN155C has yield potential marginally better than Hartog and
offers genetic diversity for stem and leaf rust resistances in a high
yielding, prime hard quality background. A summer seed increase in progress
should ensure the possibility of a large seed release early in 1992.
The Breeding Program: Seasonal conditions in 1990 were similar to those
of 1988 and 1989. An extended dry period from January to April dictated that
the areas chosen for long season wheats be irrigated prior to planting. This
seemed to act as a signal for rain, thereby delaying planting from the
preferred time of early April until the last week of April. Rains continued
at regular intervals and plantings of midseason material proceeded throughout
May. Spring maturity materials were planted as conditions permitted, but
continued until late July. The periodic rains experienced throughout the
winter months ceased late in August and most of the breeding material was
irrigated at least once to ensure satisfactory expression of plant height and
straw strength differences. Irrigation demand was lessened by unseasonally
cool periods throughout late September and October. These conditions across
northern NSW resulted in longer than usual grain filling periods and
consequent lower protein content. Prime Hard wheat was a scarce commodity
throughout the region. Application of nitrogen to trial areas resulted in a
greater number of sites achieving Prime Hard protein levels than was normal
for the respective areas.
Hot weather arrived in November and despite the wide spread of planting
times, most materials matured within a narrow time period. Absence of rain
throughout the harvest period resulted in sound grain from all sites.
Natural infection of stripe rust enabled effective selection for resistance.
Differences in varietal rankings were consistent across experiments, with the
difference between the Sunco and Kite/Sunelg levels of resistance being
readily observed. Selection for Septoria tritici blotch resistance at Forbes
was again successful. A dry spring slowed down the movement of the disease
on upper leaves, but susceptible and very susceptible lines had high disease
incidence on flag leaves. Evaluation of root lesion nematode tolerance was
disappointing, with no differences being measured between the + and
-nematicide treatments. Promising tolerant lines will be re-tested in 1991.
Breeding for Sprouting Tolerance: Because sprouting tolerance in white
wheats was either not recognized or neglected for many years, high levels of
dormancy have been found in a few relatively old genotypes. These lines lack
many of the attributes necessary in a commercially acceptable wheat cultivar.
Consequently an extensive back-crossing program will be necessary before
sprouting tolerant wheats are a practical reality. Sprouting tolerant
segregates were successfully isolated from hybrid populations of adapted
sprouting tolerant and adapted 2*/sprouting tolerant lines. The data clearly
showed it was possible to transfer sprouting tolerance from sources such as
AUS 1408, Kenya 59 and South African 1186 into adapted commercial lines such
as Sunco, Hartog and Dollarbird. The work indicates that the transfer of
tolerance to commercial cultivars may be more difficult and time consuming
than previously anticipated. In view of the mode of inheritance of dormancy
there is a clear need to continue the work on chromosomal location of
dormancy genes and then to develop alternative selection techniques based on
molecular or biochemical markers. Such techniques could be applied at the F2
embryo stage and eliminate the uncertainty in selection caused by
environmental interactions. Work towards this objective commenced in 1990
with the appointment of a PhD student funded by the Grains Research and
Development Corporation. Skilled techniques and an extensive capital input is
required for large scale regular screening for tolerance. This
infrastructure has been developed at Narrabri over the past 15 years and
includes rain simulators, extensive deep freeze capacity and excellent
laboratory facilities. Upgrading of the rain simulators with funding from
the Wheat Research Committee for N.S.W. (replacement of the temperature
humidity control equipment with an automatic externally located integrated
system, and replacement of the interior carousels with corrosion resistant
metal framework and trays) was completed in time for the 1990 harvest. These
improvements allow more precise control of testing conditions, greater
reliability and reproducability, and extend testing into periods of the year
where low ambient temperatures necessitate heating of the rain simulator
chambers. The studies on the influence of environmental factors on tolerance
has highlighted the need for protection from rain in the 20 day period prior
to harvest ripeness if large numbers of samples with different maturity dates
are to be compared. Limited capacity exists at Narrabri already and future
needs were assessed by a firm of consulting engineers via funding provided by
the Wheat Research Committee for N.S.W. Potential rain shelter designs
submitted by the engineering firm proved to be prohibitively expensive. As a
consequence, attention has now been directed towards smaller units and
possible modification of these to reduce erection time and cost and to
increase mobility. In the interim an 8m x 50m igloo was purchased to protect
elite material.
-------------------------
Agricultural Research Centre, Tamworth
R.A. Hare
Durum Wheat. The Australian durum wheat industry's growth continues to
be substantial and sustained with the current (1990) harvest yielding
approximately 62,000 tonnes compared to 40,000 tonnes in 1989. Additional
growth is needed to meet existing domestic demand anticipated to reach 90,000
tonnes in 1992. With an export potential for grain, semolina and pasta above
the expected domestic growth, a crop in excess of 100,000 tonnes within 5
years is conceivable.
All five major Australian pasta manufacturers have changed or will
change shortly to 100% durum based products. Several makers now produce
their entire range from 100% durum semolina. Australians eat less pasta per
capita (about 3 kg/capita/year) than equivalent Western nations however this
low capita consumption rate means that there is room for substantial growth
in the Australian market. The country's economic downturn appears to be
assisting the pasta manufacturers as more Australians turn to pasta as a
lower cost, versatile, nutritious meal. Several manufacturers have secured
overseas markets in Pacific Southwest Rim countries as exports prove more
attractive because of a reduced Australian dollar value.
Durum Cultivar Improvement. Although the average grain yields and
quality of Australian cultivars are comparable with most grades in the
developed world, there is scope for improvement in a number of aspects to
match the best grades. Consistent and high functional protein content is the
main quality breeding objective. This is followed by improved pasta cooking
performance and surface properties.
It has become apparent that there is limited genetic variability for
increased protein content in current breeding populations. Consequently two
sub- projects are under way to locate and incorporate additional variability.
1. Ninety-nine old (pre-1900's) durum cultivars were obtained from the
Australian Winter Cereals Collection and grown out in a very uniform
irrigated field at Breeza in 1989. These accessions were then
tested for protein content and semolina dough strength. Six lines providing
grain
of large size (>45g/1,000 kernels) with a protein content >13% and
good mixograph dough strength were selected for crossing to current
advanced lines.
2. One hundred and thirty recently quarantined accessions of
T.dicoccoides from Israel are being seed increased for protein evaluation.
One
accession known to be a high protein achiever has been crossed to
Yallaroi durum and F3 lines are now becoming available. T.dicoccoides is
the immediate wild progenitor of durum wheat and is fully crossable
with durum although certain chromosomal configuration differences (i.e.,
inversions, translocations) cause sterility in some progeny.
Sub-project (1) is expected to offer a measure of grain protein
improvement in the shorter-term. Owing to the 'wild' nature of the
dicoccoides, the removal of the 'wild' features (head shattering, tallness,
lodging, disease susceptibility and quality defects) from breeding materials
will necessitate several cycles of backcrossing and intense selection.
Sub-project (2) should provide a longer-term benefit.
Advanced Breeding Lines. Kamilaroi and Yallaroi have complimentary
quality defects, being dough strength and grain protein content,
respectively. Recent breeding has been directed at selecting advanced lines
which overcome these two defects while retaining the good features of present
cultivars. Data indicates that this breeding has been successful. In this
group of lines, grain proteins are similar or better than Kamilaroi and
significantly superior to Yallaroi. All express dough strength comparable to
Yallaroi or better and significantly superior to the weaker Kamilaroi. Prior
to release, several lines will be offered to the domestic industry for
processing evaluation. The best performing line from this group should be
released in 1992.
-------------------------
CSIRO Wheat Research Unit, Division of Plant Industry, Sydney
C.W. Wrigley, F. MacRitchie, I.L. Batey, F. Bekes, R. Gupta, S. Rahman,
P. Reddy, J.H. Skerritt
Research in the Wheat Research Unit has focused on defining aspects of
wheat-processing quality (e.g. dough strength, extensibility and mixing time)
and identifying components of the grain whose presence correlates with these
aspects, thereby obtaining markers or even identifying causes of quality
variation. Such findings in turn provide a basis for devising more efficient
tests to screen for quality in breeding and at harvest. Gluten composition
and dough strength. Worldwide research on polypeptides that relate to dough
quality has focused on the high-molecular-weight (HMW) subunits of glutenin
as markers (causative factors?) of dough strength. This relationship is
poor, however, in Australian wheat varieties suggesting that other factors
are involved. These, we have found, are the low-molecular-weight (LMW)
subunits of glutenin whose presence appears to also relate closely with dough
strength. Alleles for the LMW subunits have therefore been ranked according
to their apparent influence on dough properties. The structure of the LMW
subunits has been studied using antibodies specific for component proteins of
gluten.
RFLP markers of dough quality. Identification of polypeptides related
to dough properties provides the opportunity to study the genes directing
their synthesis and thus better opportunity to manipulate grain quality in
breeding. Genomic clones have been isolated for HMW glutenin subunits in all
three genomes from multi-null lines and RFLP probes for HMW glutenin
polypeptides have been developed to assist in selection for dough properties.
HPLC analysis of aggregated gluten proteins. A size-exclusion HPLC procedure
has been developed to determine how effectively gluten polypeptides
polymerise, thus contributing to gluten's cohesive properties. The method
involves initial extraction by sonication to provide complete dissolution of
flour protein without affecting its distribution into the major classes. The
resulting ratio of large polymeric protein (mainly glutenin) to monomeric
protein (gliadins and albumins) provides a good indication of dough strength
(e.g. as resistance to extension in the Extensograph) according to analyses
of many wheat samples.
Dough properties of wheat-rye translocation lines. Examination of both
polypeptide composition and aggregation behaviour has helped to explain the
dough-quality problems that have limited the release of agronomically
valuable rye-translocation lines. The dough-quality changes relate
particularly to the combined loss of wheat LMW subunits and the addition of
monomeric rye secalins. Remedial measures are thus based on our developing
knowledge of the ability of other glutenin subunits in the wheat genome to
compensate, and even the possibility of drawing on potentially beneficial rye
genes, such as that on chromosome 2RS.
Screening for dough strength with antibodies. To avoid the expensive
techniques of electrophoresis or HPLC to determine protein composition, we
have developed a library of several hundred monoclonal antibodies, some of
which bind selectively in "sandwich" ELISA tests to D-genome encoded high
molecular-weight glutenin subunits - the polypeptides most closely associated
with dough strength. A simple test has been developed in which colour
development is proportional to dough strength (Extensograph resistance,
Farinograph development time). The method is suited to early generation
quality screening and several hundred unweighed small wholemeal samples can
potentially be analysed at the same time. The reliability of the antibody
binding-strength correlation has been confirmed in over a dozen sets of
different varieties and breeding lines grown under a range of environments.
The breeders' method, along with other antibody tests for quality-correlated
durum gliadins, rye translocation lines and back-cross parents lacking
gliadin blocks could be modified for use by milling or baking laboratories or
even at receival. Antibody-based test kits are also being developed to
rapidly screen for various pesticide residues in grain samples. Kits are
already in commercial production for the analysis of gluten content in
processed foods.
NIR analysis of baking quality. Since lipid composition, as well as
protein quality, contribute to loaf volume, it is an additional factor that
must be considered in selection for quality in a wheat breeding program.
Previous findings about relevant aspects of lipid composition have required
tedious extraction and fractionation techniques that are too labour-intensive
for routine use in wheat breeding. Near infrared reflectance (NIR) has
therefore been adapted to detecting changes in composition at lipid-related
wavelengths, thus providing a very good predictive system to quickly indicate
loaf-volume potential (interpreted with protein content) for screening many
breeding samples.
The biochemistry of grain hardness. Grain hardness is an important
aspect of grain quality, relevant to milling quality and to international
trade. A starch-granule protein of 15,000 molecular weight, reported by
English scientists to be specifically associated with starch of soft wheats,
has been purified and polyclonal antibodies have been raised to it. Relevant
cDNA and genomic clones have been isolated, characterised and used to develop
an RFLP probe for grain hardness.
Starch structure and wheat-processing quality. Starch quality appears
to be particularly important for noodle manufacture, but the specific
structural aspects required have so far proved elusive. More recent research
has demonstrated that starch from wheats with good noodle-making quality has
a less branched structure than starch from other wheats. These studies have
shown that the branches in poor quality wheat such as Egret are closer
together than in Eradu and Gamenya, two good noodle wheats. There are also
significant differences in the amylose/amylopectin ratio with these wheats,
but a wider study has indicated that there is a complex relationship between
this characteristic and noodle quality. The Rapid Visco-Analyser is proving
effective in characterising starch types suited to noodle processing.
Recording micro-mixer. A direct-drive dough mixer has been developed
for the automatic analysis of dough made from only two grams of flour.
Software, developed to automatically analyse mixing curves has also proved
valuable in monitoring plant-scale mixers, thereby also providing commercial
relevance for the small-scale results. The small Mixograph has been used
successfully to test breeders' lines for dough properties as single-plant
samples at very early generation. The individual contributions to dough
properties have been tested in the two-gram mixer for a set of lipid-binding
proteins, opening up a new era in the evaluation of functional properties for
flour components. More recently, a prototype suited to 35 g flour has been
constructed and this will prove to be more suitable for routine lab testing
where very small-scale operation is not required. Both 2- and 35-gram models
are currently being manufactured under licence by the National Manufacturing
Company of Lincoln, Nebraska, holders of the Mixograph trademark.
Heat stress changes dough quality. Field, glass-house and
detached-head experiments have shown that temperature rises over 35oC can
stimulate the synthesis of gliadin (monomeric) protein, at the expense of
aggregated glutenin, thereby altering the ratio of aggregating to monomeric
gluten in the ripe grain in favour of weaker dough properties. This response
appears to be due to the presence of heat-shock elements in the genes of
certain gliadins, making it a part of the general heat shock response common
to all organisms. A full range of heat-shock proteins has been identified in
many parts of the wheat plant. Their synthesis was found to relate to the
acquisition of thermotolerance, thereby providing tolerance to a later
episode of heat stress.
The identification of a heat-induced peptide, with a gliadin-like sequence,
may provide a basis for developing wheats with better tolerance to
Australia's harsh climate.
More efficient variety identification. To improve the identification
of wheat varieties, a rapid method of electrophoretic identification has been
developed involving the use of Gradipore Micrograd gels; electrophoresis time
is less than 10 minutes. The use of multiple antibody reactions has also
proved promising. A pattern-matching computer program has been written to
automatically sort and identify the results of identification by HPLC,
electrophoresis or antibody reaction. A further program (WhatWheat) records
results and assists in establishing the most efficient approach to a
particular identification task.
-------------------------
Queensland Wheat Research Institute, PO Box 2282, Toowoomba, Qld 4350
P.S. Brennan, J.A. Sheppard, L.R. Mason, P.J. Keys, R.G. Norris, G.C.
Smith, R.W. Uebergang and P.J. Agius, Wheat Breeding Group
1990 Season. The 1990 wheat growing seasons was preceded by a summer
drought which minimised nitrogen mineralisation and moisture accumulation.
The yields in 1988 had been well above average and extensive mineralisation
was, therefore, necessary for good crop growth in 1989. Heavy rain was
experienced in March/April and June which allowed almost a million hectares
of wheat to be planted. Some crops were late planted due to the June rain.
Little or no rain was received from late winter until harvest. This resulted
in severe crown rot caused by Fusarium graminearum. However, yield was
generally above average and grain protein low.
Release: Cunningham (3Ag3/Condor//Cook) was released in 1990. This is
a sib line of Janz, released in 1989. It is longer season than Janz and
generally has higher yield and higher protein. Cunningham was the highest
yielding variety in pre-release trials conducted in 1991.
QT4097 (Brochis's'/Banks) will be considered for release in March/May
1991. This is a longer season, very high yielding, strong strawed cultivar
with excellent dough properties.
Several lines approaching release have attributes of interest:
QT5635 (3Ag3//5*Potam/Cook) has excellent tolerance to the root lesion
nematode (Pratylenchus thornei), and resistance to crown rot and common root
rot (Bipolaris sorokiniana). This line is also high yielding, good quality
and has a shorter period from planting to flowering.
QT4636 (QT2338-9/4*Hartog) was developed by genetically removing the
awns from the most widely grown Queensland variety Hartog. The object was to
produce a Hartog type that could be fed to stock without awn damage to the
inside of the mouth if the crop fails. This cultivar outyielded Hartog by
about 6% over 10 trials in our northern wheat growing areas. This was a
surprise as we were taught that awns contributed to yield! In the southern
growing area QT4636 was identical to Hartog in yield as it had been in small
plot testing in previous years.
QT5360 (Vicam/4*Hartog) is a yellow (tan) spot Hartog type that gave
similar yields to Hartog in yellow spot free trials in 1990.
Research. Several lines that are putative recombinants of the stem
rust, leaf rust and powdery mildew resistance on the 1BL/1RS wheat/rye
translocation chromosome have been identified. These will be retested in the
near future and seed multiplied for sticky dough testing.
Our group plans to concentrate on RFLP/PCR applications for wheat
improvement. Three projects in this area attracted funds for the 1990/91
financial year. Additional projects have been submitted for funding in
1991/92 financial year.
Staff: Bob Eisemann has left the wheat programme and gone to
administration. Dave Tapner has been transferred to a heavy vegetable
programme and his position will not be filled from Department revenues due to
the severe cutbacks and reallocation of resources now being experienced.
-------------------------
D. J. Martin and B. G. Stewart; Wheat Quality Laboratory
Quality of wheat from the breeding programme. A major part of our work
has been devoted again to screening early generation material and testing
advanced lines from the QWRI breeding programme. Using data from these
trials the crossbred QT3826 was registered and released as the variety,
Cunningham which has received a provisional prime hard quality classification
in Queensland.
Dough surface properties of selected wheats. Our interest in studying
the dough surface properties of new cultivars, particularly those derived
from rye has been maintained. In collaboration with Dr. R. Eisemann,
additional samples from the QWRI breeding programme were evaluated, mostly
from lines resistant to the disease, yellow spot. Both parental material and
adapted breeding lines derived from the Mexican cultivars Genaro, Fink and
171BWSN 196 were included. Most of the yellow spot resistant parental
material displayed intense dough stickiness in our tests. In addition, all
the derivatives from these three Mexican cultivars exhibited intense dough
stickiness even though the cultivars contained either two or three
backcrosses to Australian wheat cultivars (Hartog or sunstar) with strong
dough properties.
Wheat quality evaluation for overseas markets. During the year our
awareness of the quality requirements and methods for preparing and assessing
various Asian wheat end products has developed further. Following an
invitation form the Australian Wheat Board (AWB), Mr. Martin travelled with
an AWB sponsored group to visit various cereal processing facilities in
Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. The purpose of this trip was to learn of
the specific quality requirements of these markets in order to ensure that
our wheat quality testing is more relevant to their needs. In addition a
poster paper entitled "Steamed bread research at QWRI Wheat Quality
Laboratory" was presented at a joint convention of the Australian and New
Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology.
Publications
Martin, D. J. and Stewart, B. G. 1990. Dough stickiness in rye-derived
wheat cultivars, Euphytica 51, 77-86.
Martin, D. J. and Stewart, B. G. 1990. Steamed bread research at QWRI Wheat
Quality Laboratory, The Australian and New Zealand Inst. of Food Science and
Technology 1990 Joint Convention, Broadbeach, May 1990.
Martin, D. J. and Stewart, B. G. 1990. Quality traits of recent Yugoslav
and West German wheats, 40th Annual Conference RACI Cereal Chemistry
Division, Albury, September 1990.
-------------------------
R.G. Rees, R.L. Eisemann, P.S. Brennan, G.J. Platz and K.C.M. Blaikie
Resistance to Pyrenophora tritici-repentis. Yellow or tan spot
(Pyrenophora tritici-repentis) was conspicuous in many stubble retained
situations during the wet early part of the 1990 crop season. Subsequent dry
conditions largely curtailed further development of the disease.
Good progress continues in developing adapted wheats resistant to
yellow spot using two generations per year. During the 1990 autumn-early
winter, 700 to 1200 F2 or BCF2 seedlings from each of 36 populations were
screened using a glasshouse/controlled environment system. The most
resistant plants from each population were transplanted to the field and
progeny tested after harvest to validate the initial single plant selection.
Many advanced lines have shown considerable potential in evaluation
trials. One Vicam 71/3*Hartog line (QT5360) is undergoing final evaluation
and seed increase prior to possible release in 1992.
-------------------------
G.B. Wildermuth and R.B. McNamara
Crown rot. Crown rot caused by Fusarium graminearum Group 1 was
distributed extensively throughout all grain-growing areas in southern
Queensland during 1990. Disease severity and yield losses were the highest
that have ever been recorded in Queensland. Incidence of deadheads as high
as 50 per cent were recorded in a number of areas. The severity of the
disease is due to high levels of inoculum in the soil and suitable
environmental conditions over the past few years. Inoculum levels have
increased due to the susceptibility of most current cultivars and the trend
towards retention of stubble and dry summers. Breakdown of stubble has been
slow during summer and loss of viability of inoculum also low.
One disturbing aspect of this epidemic has been the high incidence of
crown rot in areas which have been rotated to non-susceptible crops for 4
years. In one case, stubble of a wheat crop grown 4 years previously was
still present on the soil surface. In other cases, severe disease occurred
in areas which were growing their first winter cereal. The role of native
grasses as sources of inoculum of F. graminearum in these areasneeds to be
investigated.
All cultivars were susceptible to the disease to varying degrees. Sunco
showed the highest level of resistance. Some crosses have been made between
cultivars and a line with high levels of resistance to the disease.
Common root rot. Common root rot caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana
occurred throughout the wheat-growing area but its presence was overshadowed
by crown rot. Crosses and backcrosses have been made between cultivars and
four sources of partial resistance. The most advanced population of these
crosses was a BC3F3 generation which was grown in an area where the disease
is endemic and a final selection of resistant families made before testing in
Preliminary Yield Evaluation Trials.
Dr L. Duczek, Agriculture Canada, Saskatoon, spent study leave at QWRI.
He conducted research on the relationship between severity of common root rot
and tolerance to the disease. Cultivars varied in their reaction to the
disease. Some had high levels of disease and high yield loss, others showed
tolerance despite moderate disease levels and one was highly resistant.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM BRAZIL
Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Trigo/EMBRAPA, Passo Fundo, RS
J.C.S. Moreira and C.N.A. de Sousa
1990 Wheat Cultivar Trials at Passo Fundo, Brazil
During 1990 in the National Research Center for wheat 830 wheat
genotypes were tested in yield trials in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul,
Brazil. The proceedings for releasing a new cultivar in this state was
described in the 1986 Annual Wheat Newsletter, 32:38-39.
The climatic conditions prevailing during the growing season were
characterized by an excess of rainfall at planting time and specially at the
heading stage. The humid weather favored the occurrence of several diseases
such as leaf spot complex (Septoria nodorum; Cochliobolus sativus;
Pyrenophora tritici-repentis) and scab (Gibberella zeae). The average yield
observed for all the genotypes was lower than that obtained in 1989. The
high incidence of diseases is likely to be the cause of lower yields.
Trials were carried out in a rotation area (2 years without wheat) and
fertilizer applications was 13 kg/ha N, 65 kg/ha P205, 65 Kg/Ha K2O and 45
Kg/ha N as top-dressing. No fungicide was used in most trials.
Cultivars having outstanding yield in some trials carried out in Passo
Fundo - RS are shown below:
Yield
Cultivar Cross Kg/ha
South Brazilian Trial
PF 86238 HLN/CNT 7//AMIGO/CNT7 3681
PF 86236 HLN/CNT 7//AMIGO/CNT 7 3582
PF 853031 PF 833007/JACUI 3992
PF 843025 LD*2/ALD SIB*2/3/ALZI10*2/IAS 54*2//F5530 3060
CEP 21 - Campos PEL 72380/ATR 71//CEP 75336/3/ALD "S"/PF
72707//PAT 19 2782
Cultivar State Trial
BR 34 ALZ 110/2*IAS 54//F5530 2944
BR 37 MAZOE/F 13279//PELADO MARAU 2470
BR 32 IAS 60/INDUS//IAS 62/3/ALONDRA SIB/4/IAS 59 2453
CEP 21 - Campos PEL 72380/ATR 71//CEP 75336/3/ALD "S"/
PF 727007//PAT 19 2458
BUTUI BB/PATO//SON 64/KL. REND. 2436
Regional Yield T rial - A
CEP 8749 CEP 7779/CEP 8058//BR 14 3254
PF 87128 TIFTON SEL/PF 79763/3/N BOZU/3*LD//B 7902 2962
PF 87103 SL 5200/PAT 7219//TIFTON 2900
PF 87107 ENC/PF 79768//PF 80284 2719
CEP 873 BGS 2/SORT 1213//CEP 75234/4/PAT 7392/3/
IAS 63/ALD "S"//GTO/LV 2718
SA 8875 - 2638
SA 8868 - 2548
CEP 8743 CEP 7775/CEP 8012 2546
SA 8829 B 7517/SB 76130 2500
SA 8851 S 8019/CEP 76147 2456
SA 8856 MR 74044/4/AV//KAL/BB/3/BOM 2402
PF 87108 ENC/PF 79768//PF 80284 2346
BR 23 (check) CC/ALD SIB/3/IAS 54-20/COP//CNT 8 2346
Regional Yield Trial - B
PF 87453 COKER 762/BR 14 3139
PF 87915 PF 83144//IAC 5*6/CI 15243 2486
CEP 21 - Campos PEL 72380/ATR 71//CEP 75336/ 3/ALD "S" /PF
72707//PAT 19 2486
Multilocated Preliminar Trials (4 locals -
lines in 2nd year of test)
Lines that out yielded the check
PF 88594 ENC/PF 79763//PF 80284 4410
PF 88522 MNO 82/PF 79777//OASIS/JACUI 4298
PF 883188 PF 839278/MNO 82//PF 839178/PF 79547 4214
PF 88574 TIF/PF 79764 4042
PF 88577 PAT 7392/PF 813 4014
PF 88603 TIF SEL/PF 79763/3/N BOZU/3*LD//B 7902 3906
PF 88566 AMIGO/JACUI//PF 7673/CDA 3831
PF 88709 COKER 762/BR 14 3817
PF 88536 COKER 762/MNO 82 3712
PF 88460 ENC/PF 79768//PF 80284 3444
PF 88452 ENC/PF 79768//PF 80284 3348
PF 88451 ENC/PF 79768//PF 80284 3323
PF 8924 F 16946/3/N BAY*2//LD*2/ALD SIB/4/F 16955/5/BR 14 3294
PF 87545 BR F14*3//LD*5/FB 6630 3192
PF 88501 PF 7815/LAP 689//PF 7815/80278 3156
BR 23 CC/ALD SIB/3/IAS 54-20/COP//CNT 8 3146
Preliminar Trials (1st year trial)
Wheat genotypes yielding more than 4,000 kg/ha, out
of 420 lines, in prelininar trials in Passo Fundo, 1990
PF 89278 PF 73782/SULLIVAN 4585
PF 89230 COKER 762/2* PF 79547 4544
PF 891 CEP 14/PF 79782//CEP 14 4387
PF 89231 COKER 762/2*PF 79547 4349
PF 89163 IAS 54*/3/N BAY//PAT 7392 4228
PF 89246 CI 14119/2*PF 8237 4214
PF 89295 HLN/CNT 7//AMIGO/CNT 7 4171
PF 892 COKER 762/PF 81172//PF 79782 4169
PF 89122 PF 839278/MNO 82//PF 839278/PF 79547 4157
PF 89142 COKER 762/PF 811172//PF 79782 4155
PF 89119 CEP 14/PF 79782//CEP 14 4154
PF 8978 F 16946/3/N BAY*2//LD*2//ALD SIB/4/F 16955/
5/BR 14
PF 89107 PF 79583/CEP 14 4067
PF 8986 F 16946/3/N BAY*2//ALD SIB/4/F 16955/5/BR 14 4053
PF 89144 COKER 762/PF 81172//PF 79782 4008
26th International Spring Wheat Yield Trial (CIMMYT)
No fungicide With treatment
Origin treatment (fungicide)
ALUBUC Mexico 1786 2015
PAPAGO Mexico 1274 1562
PIONEER INTA Argentina 1244 2018
FAN*1 China 1134 1652
ANZA USA 1129 1542
PAMPA INTA Argentina 1058 1712
BR 23 (check) Brasil 1819 2502
11th Elite Spring Wheat Yield Trial (CIMMYT)
BAU "S" 1405 1640
CAR 853/COC//VEE**5 "S"/3/URES 1190 1730
JUN "S"/BOW "S"//VEE*5/BUC "S" 1148 1288
JCAM/EMU "S"//CHRC "S" /4/IAS 20// 1070 1350
AGA/4*YR//4*HER = HENNE 1030 1322
JCAM/EMU "S"//CHRC "S"/4/IAS 20// 1020 1360
BR 23 (check) 1735 2132
South Cone Wheat Variety Trial (16th ERCOS)
BR 24 Brasil 3365 3455
BR 32 Brasil 2400 2130
MOIJA Bolivia 2185 2360
VAR 5 Bolivia 1992 2360
BR 20 - GUATO Brasil 1875 2440
CEP 19 - JATAI Brasil 1870 2135
BR 23 (check) Brasil 1822 2240
-------------------------
C.N.A. de Sousa, E.P. Gomes, J.C.S. Moreira, P.L. Scheeren and S. D. dos
A. de Silva
New Brazilian Wheat Cultivars. Three new wheat cultivars from lines
produced at the National Research Center for Wheat (EMBRAPA) in Passo Fundo,
Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were released for cultivation in 1990.
Cultivar Line Cross State
BR 36 - Ianomani PF 84588 JUP 73*3/AMIGO M.G. do Sul
BR 37 PF 84431 MAZOE/F 13279//PELADO MARAU Rio G. Sul
BR 38 PF 83348 IAS 55*4/AGENT//IAS 55*4/CI 14123 Rio G. Sul
All these cultivars have a spring type. BR37 has a good straw strength
and it has a good spike size. BR 36 is short while BR 37 and BR 38 are
mid-tall. BR 36 and BR 38 are awned while BR 37 is awnless. They are
resistant to Erysiphe graminis tritici (powdery mildew) and to all races of
Puccinia graminis tritici (stem rust). They are susceptible to some races of
Puccinia recondita (leaf rust). BR 37 is moderately resistant to septoria
nodorum (glume blotch). BR 36 is resistant to the botypes B and C of
Schizaphis graminum (resistance from Amigo). BR 37 and BR 38 are tolerant to
soil acidity (aluminum toxicity) while BR 36 is susceptible.
-------------------------
Instituto Agronomico Do Parana - Iapar, Londrina - PR
C. R. Riede*, L. A. C. Campos and D. Brunetta
Wheat Crop in Brazil - The country production was 3.4 million tons in
2.6 million ha with a yield of 1.1 ton/ha. There was a 19% total lost in the
cultivation area caused by frost at the flowering state of the crops mainly
in Parana and Mato Grosso do Sul states. Grain quality was also affected
shown by the kernel shriveling. The wheat crop was grown and harvested
mainly in the states of Parana (44% of the total production) Rio Grande do
Sul (38%), Mato Grosso do Sul (7%) and Sao Paulo (6%). The privatization of
the purchase and storage of the grains is going very slowly.
Wheat Crop in Parana State - The harvested area in 1990 was 1.18 million
ha with a production of 1.37 million tons giving on yield of 1.160 kg/ha.
Although the total lost in Parana was around 33% of the planted area, 60% has
been affected in some degree by the frost at critical state of flowering.
Some diseases caused by helmintosporium, leaf rust, bacterial streak and
wheat blast has caused some reduction in yield additionally. The major
planted cultivars were: Anahuac, IAPAR 6-Tapejara and IAC 5-Maringa.
Cultivar Release/Recommendation - The new cultivars recommend in Parana
are described in Table 1.
Table 1. Description of the new cultivars released and recommended
for cultivation in the Parana State
Cultivar Line Cross Institution Type of Soil
IAPAR 46 PG 86136 MASC/ALD"S"//MRNG IAPAR Acid
Trigo BR 37* PF 84431 MA206/8/LD*2/./9/Pelado Marau EMBRAPA Acid
IAPAR 47** IA 7960 KVZ/TI//TITO"S" IAPAR Non Acid
* Recommended in Parana; released previously in Rio Grande do Sul State
** Released in Mato Grosso do Sul State
-------------------------
O. S. Rosa and O. S. Rosa Filho, New Breeding Company - Melhoramento de
Sementes, LTDA
A private breeding company begun to work in southern Brazil, in February
1989. We are working with wheat breeding and small programs for rice and
oats. We are selecting soybean lines and corn hybrids of FT Pesquisa e
Sementes, another Brazilian company, for the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The
principal laboratories and experimental fields are located at Passo Fundo,
Rs. We are developing activities at Londrina (Pr), Ponta Grossa (Pr), and
Arroio Grande (Rs).
The ecological conditions in our experimental fields are excellent for
selections for A1 and Mn tolerance and for resistance or tolerance to several
diseases, especially, Erisiphe graminis tritici, Septoria nodorum,
Helminthosporium sativum, Helminthosporium tritici-repentis, Fusarium sp
(scab), Puccinia recondita and soilborn mosaic virus.
At Passo Fundo we have two generations of wheat per year; from June to
November under field conditions, and from December to April in the screen
house.
In the last years we received nurseries and segregating material from
CIMMYT. This material has good adaptation at North and West of Parana. We
have interest to develop cooperative works with breeding programs of other
countries.
Estimated 1990 Wheat Production in Brazil
State Production (tons)*
Parana 1,410,000
Rio Grande do Sul 1,200,000
Mato Grosso do Sul 245,000
Sao Paulo 207,000
Santa Catarina 87,000
Minas Gerais 8,500
Distrito Federal 180
Total 3,157,680
* Source: Bank of Brazil S. A.
The reduction of production in 1990 (less 2,400,000 tons) was caused by
frosts.
-------------------------
Unidade de Execucao de Pesquisa de Ambito Estadual de Dourados
EMBRAPA-UEPAE de Dourados. Dourados, MS
A.C.P. Goulart and F. de A. Paiva
The occurrence of wheat scab (Gibberella zeae) was reported for the
first time in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul in grower's wheat fields of
Anajuac, BH 1146 and IAPAR 6-Tapejara cultivars and in experimental field
plots of IAC 5-Maringa, IAC 13-Lorena, BR 17-Caiua, BR 18-Terena, BR 30-
Cadiueu, BR 31-Miriti, INIA 66 and Jupateco 73 cultivars. Blanched spikelets
(whitish or straw colored) was observed. Observations under of light
microscope showed the presence of conidia similar to the ones described for
Fusarium graminearum and perithecia with asci bearing eight hyalne
ascospores, similar to those of G.zeae. Wheat plants inoculated with
inoculum at a concentration of 105 conidia/ml yielded characteristic symptoms
after 10 days.
Wheat Losses Caused by Pyricularia oryzae Cav. Losses in wheat yields
due to Pyricularia oryzae infection, regardless of the occurrence of other
diseases, under natural conditions and without fungicide sprayings, were
determined on the 1989 and 1990 growing seasons on an Anahuac cultivar field
and experimental plots at Rio Brilhante, Dourados and Itapora counties. In
1989 at Rio Brilhante, the yield losses were assessed at 270 kg/ha which
means 10% of the estimated total yield. The average incidence was 45% of
blanched heads. In 1990 at Dourados, the losses were greater than those
registered in 1989, reaching 892 kg/ha or 40% of the estimated total yield,
with the average incidence of blanched heads of 93%. In the same year at
Itapora, the losses were of 1.034 kg/ha which means 32% of the yield, with
86% of blanched heads. In both years, the head weight loss was greater (60%)
with early than with late infections (33%), regardless of the locality.
Survival and Transmission of Pyricularia oryzae by Wheat Seeds. The
survival of Pyricularia oryzae on wheat seeds under three storing conditions
(lab: T = 20-30oC and RH = 60-80%; dry chamber: T = 10-15oC and RH = 35%;
refrigerator: T = 5oC and RH = 95%) was evaluated. Four seed samples of
Anahuac cultivar with 14, 12, 10 and 6% of natural occurrence of P. oryzae
were utilized. Monthly, subsamples were analyzed and the incidence of this
pathogen was determined by the blotter test. When the seeds were stored in
refrigerator or dry chamber, the indices of the fungus were maintained or
slightly decreased. Under lab conditions, the incidence decreased sharply
after six months and reached 0.5% after 12 months. It is concluded that low
temperatures exerted beneficial effect on this survival. The transmission of
this pathogen was also evaluated. Wheat seeds, cv. Anahuac, with nine
levels of natural contamination of P. oryzae (21, 19, 17, 14, 12, 10, 8, 5
and 2%), treated or not with iprodione + thiram (50 + 150 g a.i./100 kg of
seeds) were utilized. The transmission of the pathogen was demonstrated by
its establishment on the coleoptiles. The transmission index was variable,
with higher values corresponding to higher seed contamination indices. Seed
treatment with iprodione + thiram blocked the transmission and seedling
emergence was unaffected by the pathogen.
Control of Pyricularia oryzae and Helminthosporium sativum by Wheat Seed
Treatment with Fungicides. Lab (blotter) and field tests were performed,
using seeds of the wheat cultivar Anahuac with 11.5% and 19.5% of natural
contamination with P.oryzae and H. sativum, respectively, for evaluating the
efficiency of several fungicides on the control of these pathogen. All
chemical treatments reduced the incidence of both fungi. The best results
were obtained with iprodione + thiram, triflumizole + methyl tiophanate,
triflumizole, triadimenol + anilazine, triadimenol, guazatine + imazalil,
iminoctadine, etiltrianol and prochloraz, which eliminated both fungi from
the seeds. Transmission of P. oryzae by the wheat seeds was detected in the
field. Iminoctadine and etiltrianol, were the best for controlling H.sativum
in the field.
Incidence of Pyricularia oryzae and Helminthosporium sativum in Wheat
Seed Produced in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. In 1989, 433 samples of
wheat seeds of several cultivars, from eight counties wee analyzed for the
presence of Pyricularia oryzae and Helminthosporium sativum. The most
prevalent fungus and the most important pathogen associated with the seeds
was H. sativum, detected in 89% of the analyzed samples. P.oryzae was
registered in 25% of the analyzed samples. Both pathogens were reported in
relatively low levels. The IAPAR 6-Tapejara, IAC 5-Maringa, BR 17-Caiua, IAC
13-Lorena, BR 20-Guato and BR 21-Nhandeva cultivars, showed higher indices of
H. sativum, while Anahuac, IAPAR 6-Tapejara, Jupateco 73 and BR 17-Caiua
cultivars, showed higher incidence of P. oryzae.
Evaluation of Fungicides for the Control of Wheat Blast and Rusts.
Chemical control of wheat blast (Pyricularia oryzae, leaf rust (Puccinia
recondita f. sp. tritici) and stem rust (P. graminis f. sp. tritici) was
evaluated under field conditions, in 1989. For blast, the cultivar used was
Anahuac and for rusts, IAPAR 6-Tapejara. Best results on the control of
blast were obtained with mancozeb + tricyclazole, tricyclazole and mancozeb +
etiltrianol. In general, treatments with mancozeb showed the lowest indices
of heads with P. oryzae. The fungicide propiconazole showed poor control of
this disease. The wheat rusts were better controlled with fenethanil,
prochloraz + fempropemorph, flutriafol, etiltrianol, propiconazole,
ciproconazole, triadimenol + mancozeb, flusilazole + mancozeb, flusilazole
and flutriafol + mancozeb. These fungicides reduced more than 88% of rust
symptoms. Higher yields, test weights and seed weights were obtained with
the fungicide treatments.
-------------------------
C. J. Avila
Chemical control of Schizaphis graminum (Rondani, 1952) on wheat. The
work was done at EMBRAPA-UEPAE de Dourados, MS. The efficiency of the
insecticides monocerotophos (80 and 120 g. a.i./ha); chlorpyrifos (95 and 125
g a.i./ha), pirimicarb (50 and 75 g a.i./ha); metamidophos (120 g a.i./ha);
beta-cyfluthrin (5 g a.i./ha) and diflubenzuron (20 g a.i./ha) on the control
of Schizaphis graminum on wheat was evaluated. The aphid population was
evaluated before and at three, six and ten days after the chemical spraying.
The control efficiency was determined by the Henderson and Tilton equation.
The insecticides monocrotophos, chlorpyrifos, pirimicarb and metamidophos
achieved control efficiencies above 92% at the three evaluation dates,
regardless of the dosage. Diflubenzuron showed low control level (below 38%)
and beta-cyfluthrin, showed intermediate efficiency. The low level of
control achieved by diflubenzuron may be important in breeding programs aimed
at selection of wheat cultivars resistant to S. graminum because it gives
good control of other insect pests, mainly caterpillars, without great harm
to the aphid population.
-------------------------
J. Soares Sobrinho, P. G. Sousa and F. de A. Paiva
Evaluation of Triticale. Mato Grosso do Sul has a large amount of soils
under savana vegetation ("Cerrados" and "Campo limpo"). These soils have low
levels of nutrients and high levels of toxic aluminum. At these conditions,
triticale is expected to be an alternative winter crop to wheat and oats. In
order to select triticale genotypes adapted to the State conditions, 18
genotypes were tested at Dourados and Ponta Pora. The results showed that
yields were higher with the genotypes of longer cycles. The best yielding
genotypes were TCEP 863, TCEP 841, TCEP 852, TCEP 851 and TCEP 8536 which out
yielded the wheat cultivar BH 1146 by 92, 94, 105, 109 and 113%,
respectively. IAC 1-Juanillo was susceptible to stem and leaf rusts. IAPAR
38- Aruana and OCEPAR 3 were susceptible to stem rust.
-------------------------
Publications
Goulart, A. C. P., F. M. Fernandes, and A. N. de Mesquita. 1990. Ocorrencia
de Gibberella zeae em trigo (Triticum aestivum L.) no estado de Mato Grosso
do Sul. Summa Phytopathologica, 16(1):9. Resumo. Trabalho apresentado no
XIII Congresso Paulisat de Fitopathologia, Sao Paulo, SP, 1990.
Goulart, A. C. P., and F. de A. Paiva. 1990. Perdas em trigo (Triticum
aestivum L.) causadas por Pyricularia oryzae. Fitopoathol. bras., Brasilia,
15(2):122. Resumo. Trabalho apresentado no XXIII Congresso Brasileiro de
Fitopatologia, Goiania, GO, 1990.
Goulart, A. C. P., and F. de A. Paiva. 1990. Pyricularia oryzae em trigo
(Triticum aestivum L.): transmissao atraves das sementes. Fitopatol. brasl.,
Brasilia, 15(2):135. Resumo. Trabalho apresentado no XXIII Congresso
Brasileiro de Fitopatologia, Goiania, GO, 1990.
Goulart, A. C. P. and F. de A. Paiva. 1990. Sobrevivencia de Pyricularia
oryzae em semestes de Trigo (Triticum aestivum L.). Fitopatol. bras.,
Brasilia, 15(2):135. Resumo. Trabalho apresentado no XXIII Congresso
Brasileiro de Fitopatologia, Goiania, GO, 1990.
Goulart, A. C. P., F. de A. Paiva, and A. G. de Moraes. 1990. Tratameno
quimico de sementes de trigo para o controle de Pyricularia oryzae Cav.
Helminthosporium sativum Pam., King and Bakke. In: Reuniao da Comissao
Centro-Sul-Brasileira de Pesquisa de Trigo, 6, Campinas, 1990. Resultados de
pesquisa com trigo - 1989. Dourados, EMBRAPA-UEPAE Dourados. p. 145-8.
(EMBRAPA. UEPAE Dourados. Documentos, 45).
Goulart, A. C. P., and F. de A. Paiva. 1990. Fungos associados as sementes
de trigo (Triticum aestivum L.) produzidas em Mato Grosso do Sul. Fitopatol.
bras., Brasilia, 15(2):122. Resumo. Trabalho apresentado no XXIII Congresso
Brasileiro de Fitopatologia, Goiania, GO, 1990.
Goulart, A. C. P., de A. Paiva, A. N. de Mesquita, and A. G. de Moraes.
1990. Avaliacao de eficiencia de fungicidas no controle da brusone
(Pyricularia oryzae Cav.) do trigo (Triticum aestivum L.). In: Reuniao da
Comissao Centro-Sul-Brasileira de Pesquisa de Trigo, 6, Campinas, 1990.
Resultados de pessquisa com trigo - 1989. Dourados, EMBRAPA-UEPAE Dourados.
p. 135-9. (EMBRAPA. UEPAE Dourados, Documentos, 45).
Goulart, A. C. P., A. N. de Mesquita, F. de A. Paiva, and A. G. de Moraes.
1990. Avaliacao de fungicidas no controle das doencas do trigo. In: Reuniao
da Comissao Centro-Sul-Brasileira de Pesquisa de Trigo, 6, Campinas, 1990.
Resultados de pesquisa com trigo - 1989. Dourados, EMBRAPA-UEPAE Dourados.
p. 130-4. (EMBRAPA-UEPAE Dourados. Documentos, 45).
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM CANADA
Prairie Wheat Variety Survey and Production
The 1990 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 1989 figures in brackets.
Common - Katepwa 44.3(50.2), Neepawa 13.5(18.6), Columbus 16.1(17.0),
Conway 4.4(2.3), Park 1.9(2.3), Laura 9.5(1.6), Roblin 4.3(1.3), Leader
0.9(1.4), Benito 1.0(1.1), Kenyon 0.7(0.8), Biqqar 0.5, Lancer 0.9 (0.5),
Glenlea 0.3(0.3), Oslo 0.1L(0.2), unlicensed 0.5(0.4), and others 1.0(1.4) of
11.09(10.3) million hectares.
Durum - Kyle 47.0(42.3), Wakooma 16.3(18.1), Medora 12.3(13.3), Wascana
9.0(12.1), Sceptre 8.8(7.6), Arcola 2.5(2.2), Pelissier 2.2(2.0), Coulter
0.9(1.5), and others 1.0(0.9) of 2.26 (2.62) million hectares.
Winter - Norstar 95.0(94.6), Norwin 3.2(3.5), others 1.8 (12.9) of
0.15(.13) million hectares.
Statistics Canada's November estimates of 1990 wheat production on the
prairies:
Hectares Metric Tons
Manitoba Spring 2,044,000 5,443,000
Durum 142,000 395,000
Winter 12,100 27,700
Saskatchewan Spring 6,475,000 13,880,000
Durum 1,740,000 3,348,000
Winter 72,800 108,900
Alberta Spring 2,711,000 6,069,000
Durum 344,000 667,000
Winter 68,800 163,000
-------------------------
ALBERTA
Agriculture Canada Research Station, Lethbridge
R. S. Sadasivaiah and R. L. Conner
Breeding for stripe rust resistance in soft white spring wheat. Stripe
rust (Puccinia striiformis) is the major foliar disease of soft white spring
wheat in the irrigated regions of southern Alberta. Under conditions.
favorable for disease development, stripe rust can cause over 40% yield loss
in susceptible cultivars. Until recently, stripe rust was thought to have
been introduced into Alberta early in the spring by airborne spores from the
U. S. Pacific Northwest, but in early 1986, it was found that the pathogen
could overwinter and cause a severe outbreak of the disease. Breeding for
stripe rust resistance has been intensified at Lethbridge since the major
outbreak of this disease in 1986.
The soft white spring wheat cultivars thus far grown in western Canada
originated from breeding programs in the U.S. Of the two U.S. cultivars
(Fielder and Owens) currently registered for commercial production in western
Canada, Fielder is highly susceptible to stripe rust, and until recently,
Owens showed resistance at both seedling and adult plant stages to races
prevalent in southern Alberta. Fielder, despite its susceptibility to stripe
rust, occupies 85-95% of the soft white acreage seeded in southern Alberta
because of its good agronomic and end-use quality characteristics. Despite
the fact that Owens showed resistance to stripe rust and also yielded about
7% more than Fielder under our conditions, this cultivar was not well
accepted by growers because of its susceptibility to lodging and poor grain
sample. In addition to yield losses due to stripe rust, soft wheat in
southern Alberta also suffers grade losses due to kernel black point
(Alternaria alternata/Helminthosporium sativum) to which both Fielder and
Owens are susceptible.
In the mid-1980's studies were undertaken to transfer genes for both
stripe rust and black point resistance into the adapted cultivar Fielder,
through backcrossing procedures. The cultivar Owens and a germplasm line
SWS-15 were selected as donors of genes for resistance to stripe rust and
black point, respectively. SWS-15 is susceptible to stripe rust. Genetic
studies indicated that stripe rust resistance in Owens is governed by a
single dominant gene but the genetics of black point resistance in SWS-15 is
unknown. Crosses between Owens and SWS-15 were made and the resultant F1
(Owens/SWS-15) hybrid plants were crossed with Fielder. The hybrid progenies
thus obtained from three-way crosses (Owens/SWS-15//Fielder) were
artificially inoculated and screened for stripe rust resistance under
controlled environment conditions. A consistent and reliable level of
infection and disease development was obtained by using the following
procedure. Seedlings in the two-leaf stage grown in rootrainers at cyclic
temperatures of 10oC (in dark) and 14oC (in light) were inoculatged with P.
striiformis by atmoizing a suspension of urediospores in mineral oil
(Dustrol). Following inoculation, seedlings were placed in a humidity
chamber (a plastic tent attached to a Solavay Deluxe, Ultra-sonic Coolmist
Humdifier maintaining 100% relative humidity) for 48 h at 10o and 14oC, with
10 h dark and 14 h of fluorescent cool white light. Seedlings were then
removed from the humidity chamber and held at the same temperature and light
conditions for about 3 weeks before they were rated for infection type. The
resistant seedlings were transplanted to larger pots, and 1-2 heads from each
plant were inoculated at anthesis with spores of A. alternata using the
vacuum infiltration technique. The plants were grown to maturity and seeds
harvested from inoculated heads were evaluated for black point incidence.
Owens and SWS-15 were used as checks for stripe rust and black point
resistance, respectively, in all experiments. Of the 41 plants screened, not
a single plant was recovered with resistance to both stripe rust and black
point suggesting the complexity involved in simultaneous transfer of genes
for resistance to both traits. The subsequent backcross and screening
efforts were therefore concentrated on monitoring the gene for stripe rust
resistance. After four backcrosses using Fielder as the recurrent parent,
the resistant BC4 F1 plants were selfed, and BC4 F2 and BC4 F3 progenies were
screened to identify lines homozygous for stripe rust resistance. Two
hundred resistant lines thus identified were evaluated for agronomic traits
in single-row unreplicated plots with Fielder as a check at regular
intervals. Forty-one selected lines along with Fielder and Owens as checks
were evaluated in replicated yield trials at two locations. All lines
evaluated were resistant to stripe rust with agronomic and kernel
characteristics of the recurrent parent, Fielder. However, in 1989, field
observations at Creston, B. C. indicated the presence of a new race of P.
striiformis that was virulent on the previously resistant cultivar, Owens.
This was confirmed by artificial inoculation studies using Fielder, Owens and
the backcross-derived lines which carried the resistant gene from Ownes.
These observations are consistent with earlier reports by a number of workers
that stripe rust resistance conferred by race-specific, major genes is often
short-lived. A broad genetic base comprising several known genes for
resistance, effective at both seedling and adult plant stages, to different
races of the pathogen is required for maintaining a long-lasting resistance
to stripe rust in southern Alberta. A study is currently underway at
Lethbridge to screen the wheat germplasm collection and to transfer exotic
resistance genes into locally adapted breeding material. Development of
cultivars with multi-factor forms of both seedling and adult platn resistance
to many races of the pathogen offers the most efficient fand economical way
of controlling stripe rust.
Publications
Conner, R. L., A. D. Kuzyk. 1988. Effectiveness of fungicides in
controlling stipe rust, leaf rust, and black point in soft white spring
wheat. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 10:321-326.
Sadasivaiah, R. S., J. B. Thomas. 1991. Registration of `SWS-52' spring
wheat. Crop Sci. (in press).
Sadasivaiah, R. S., J. B. Thomas. 1991. SWS-52 soft white spring wheat.
Can. J. Plant Sci. (in press).
-------------------------
K. G. Briggs, Department of Plant Science, University of Alberta
Spring wheat research. Aluminum, maganese and acid soil tolerance,
copper deficiency studies are underway (with M. Sc. students James Owuoche
and Sergio Moroni). High levels of Al and Mn tolerance have now sbeen
established in adapted Canadian spring wheat genotype. A simple chlorophyll
content assay using seedlings, suitable for selection of Mn tolerance in
breeding programs, has been developed. Near isogenic Al tolerant/intolerant
sets (with 3,4 or 5 backcrosses) have been established jin the varieties
Ketepwa, Columbus and Oslo, for further use in agronomic, physiological and
genetic investigations.
Genetic studies of stripe rust resistance in soft white spring wheat are
underway (M. Sc. student Joanna Pinto, with local research at Agriculture
Canada Research Statijon, Lethbridge, supervised by Dr. Bob Conner).
A small breeding program is continuing targeted at producing high
uielding, early maturing, semidwarf red seeded Canada Prairie Spring
varieties suited to the high moisture areas of the W. Canadian Parkland
region. This program continues to coordinate the Parklands Cooperative Trial
in this region designed for evaluating early maturing wheats.
The second year of a three year database accumulation field study was
completed in 1990, to relate phenological developmental stages of 10 spring
wheat cultivars to climatic parameters at the Edmonton Research Station.
These data are collected for two seeding dates each year, and will produce a
source for future crop modelling exercises with spring wheat in the region.
Registration of Cutler Wheat. The University of Alberta was granted
registration approval in 1991 for a new Spring wheat variety known as Cutler.
This registration was granted by Agriculture Canada after Cutler completed 3
years of evaluation in the Parkland C Cooperative trial and proved itself to
offer significant agronomic benefits. Cutler is ideally suited to production
in the Parkland region of Western Canada where early maturity is important.
Laboratory tests show that Cutler has a high tolerance to soluble aluminum.
This suggests that Cutler may be particularly adapted to acidic soil types,
which occur in significant N Alberta acreages. Cutler is the earliest
maturing wheat now registered in Western Canada, maturing three days earlier
than Park. Kernel and quality characteristics make it eligible for the
Canada Prairie Spring (red) grade class. Cutler significantly outyielded
Park at 15 of 16 Co-op sites by an average of 11 percent. As a semi dwarf,
Cutler features good lodging resistance. It is however, susceptible to bunt
and loose smuts.
The variety is named after Dr. G. Cutler, the first Chair of the
Department of Plant Science at the University of Alberta. This historic name
was chosen to recognize the 75th Anniversary of the Faculty of Agriculture
and Forestry in 1990.
Exclusive marketing rights to Cutler were awarded to United Grain
Growers Limited as the result of a tender process. Cutler will be marketed
as one of the PROVEN line of seed products. Certified Cutler seed will be
available from the Proven seed retail network in 1993. Enquiries about seed
supplies should be addressed to: Mr. Russell Jeffrey, Manager Production and
Marketing - PROVEN Seed, United Grain Growers Limited, 7410 120 Avenue, P. O.
Box 6030, Stn. C., Edmonton, Alberta, T5B 4K5.
PROVEN Seed is a registered trademark of United Grain Growers Ltd.
-------------------------
Agriculture Canada Research Station, Winnipeg
Steve Haber
Flame Chlorisis confirmed in wheat in Manitoba
Flame chlorisis (FC), a new, soil-transmitted, virus-like disease was
first observed in barley in 1985 (1). The disease is characterized by
striking symptoms unique among cereal diseases, specific ultrastructural
alterations to chloroplasts and mitochondria, and a distinct set of
double-stranded (ds) RNA fragments. From 1985 to 1990 FC was observed in an
increasing number of barley fields in western Manitoba, and beginning in 1988
in the Red River Valley as well (2.3). A disease of wheat with sumptoms
resembling FC of barley was first observed in 1988. Analysis of dsRNA and
cytopathology confirmed that the disease was indeed very similar to FC of
barley, but was associated with a pattern of dsRNA fragments distinct from
that isolated from barley FC tissue. Labelled probes made from barley FFC
dsRNA hybridized with high homology to wheat FC dsRNA indicating that the
disease-specific dsRNAs in the two diseases was closely related but distinct.
An extensive disease survey was carried out in Manitoba in June and July
of 1989 (3). fC was found in 57 of the 161 surveyed spring cereal fields.
Most (49 of 57) of the sites where FC was confirmed were barley fields, and
the disease was only at trace levels in the 8 wheat fields where FC was
confirmed. All except one of these fields was in the area of western
Manitoba approximately bounded by Brandon, Neepawa and Shoal Lake, an area
that also has the greatest concentratjion of FC barley sites (3).
Although FC has not caused detectable losses in wheat, it is
nevertheless a potential concern in western Manitoba for two reasons: a)
increases in the disease intensity and number of sites with wheat FC may be
following, with a lag of several years, the pattern observed for barley FC.
The number of barley FC sites has been increasing consistently since 1985
(1.3) and the altered dsRNA pattern suggests the FC agent may have mutated in
becoming a pathogen of wheat (4); b) there appears to be a link between
frequent cultivation in wheat and barley and increasing incidence of FC (1).
Growing wheat after barley may predispose to greater future incidence of FC
in barley even if FC incidence in wheat is much lower than in barley. In
western Manitoba where the combined frequency of wheat and barley cultivation
is often 80% or more, constraint's posed by FC may further limit the
available cropping options.
Publications
Haber, S., W. Kim, R. Gillespie and A. Tekauz. 1990. Flame chlorosis: a
new, virus-like, soil-transmitted disease of barley in Manitoba. J.
Phytopathol. 129:245- 256.
Haber, S. 1990. Flame chlorosis, a new and damaging virus-like disease of
cereals in Manitoba: 1989 survey. Can. Pl. Dis. Survey 70(1):50.
Haber, S. and R. G. Platford. 1991. 1990 survey of flame chlorosis in
Manitoba. Can. Pl. Dis. Survey 71(1): in press.
Haber, S. and D. J. S. Barr. 1990. Flame chlorosis: a new,
soil-transmitted, virus-like disease of cereals in Manitoba, Canada. pp.
169-172 In Koenig, R. ed. Proceedings of the First Symposium of the
International Working Group on Plant Viruses with Fungal Vectors,
Schriftenreihe der Deutschen Phytomedizinischen Gesellschaft, Band I.
-------------------------
O. M. Lukow and K. M. Kidd
Rapid SDS-PAGE of HMW glutenin subunits. A rapid, vertical sodium
dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) procedure was
developed for the fractionation of high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin
subunits using a Mini Protean II Electgrophoresis System. The relatively
small gel size (70 x 80 x 1mm) permits separations to be completed in 2.5
hours compared to 20 hours for a conventionally sized (160 x 140 x 1.5 mm)
vertical gel system while still maintaining comparable resolution.
Identification of HMW glutenin subunits by rapid SDS-PAGE was possible for
most commonly occurring subunits although, as with conventionally sized gels,
subunits 2 and 2* were not resolved. This new technique is particularly
useful in wheat breeding programs for the early generation screening of large
number of lines.
O. M. Lukow and N. K. Howes
Markers for smut resistance. A total of 438 F2 half-kernels were
analyzed by SDS-PAGE to determine their HMW glutenin composition. Embryos
homozygous for subunit type were grown and seedlings tested for smut
resistance to race T39. The F2 families gave a two gene segregation (32%
resistant, 16% susceptible). There was no significant association between
resistance and HMW glutenin subunit composition. The same source of
resistance was also tested for possible location on chromosome 1BS, using a
cross to the susceptible 1BL/1RS wheat/rye translocation. There was no
association between smut resistance and the presence or absence of chromosome
arm 1BS.
-------------------------
D. E. Harder and K. Dunsmore
Occurrence and physiologic specialization of Puccinia graminis f. sp.
tritici in Canada in 1990.
Wheat stem rust appeared in susceptible nurseries in Manitoba in mid
July. Wet weather in June and early July indicated favorable conditions for
rust development, but very dry and warm weather during the remainder of July
and August generally limited further spread. In some regions, however, fields
of barley were heavily infected and severe losses. Collections of P.
graminis f. sp. tritici were obtained from nurseries of susceptible wheat
lines, from cultivated barley (Hordeum sativum) and from wild barley (H.
jubatum) for virulence analysis. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2.
In past years TPM has dominated (Ca. 44% in Manitoba in 1989) on wheat,
but in 1990 was less prominent (27.9% in Manitoba). In contrast, race QCC
increased in the same region from 22.9% in 1989 to 32.3% in 1990 (Table 1).
Another common race, QFC, remained relatively stable. A possible explanation
for these results is that although race QCC dominates on barley (Table 2),
this race is also common on wheat. The extensive acreage of barley in the
north central region has likely forced an increase in the inoculum load of
this reace, causing a greater predominance on wheat. This result indicates a
potential danger to the barley crop in North America.
-------------------------
W. J. Turnock and B. H. Timlick
The Hessian fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) has been a pest of cereals,
mainly wheat, in Manitoba since 1899. The larvae damage wheat plants by
feeding on the inside of the leaf sheath above a node. The stem of the plant
is weakened and subject to breakage. Infestations may also reduce seed
yield. Hessian fly infestations are sporadic and their abundance may be
dependent on factors such as host plant phenology, weather, overwintering
success. Susceptibility to Hessian fly attack and to stem breakage is
genetically determined and varies among cultivars of wheat. The objectives
of this study were: to determine the incidence of Hessian fly on 6 cultivars
of wheat on the Agriculture Canada experimental farm at glenlea, Manitoba,
and in commercial fields of Biggar cv. wheat grown in southern Manitoba.
Materials and Methods. In 1990, Hessian fly infestation levels and stem
breakage were examined for 6 cultivars of wheat: Katepwa, Biggar, 89W299,
CBWA41, Nordic and Guard. Katepwa is the most widely grown hard red spring
wheat in Manitoba, Biggar is a recently released semi-dwarf cultivar, 89W299
and CBWA41 are breeders lines of semi-dwarf wheats and Nordic and Guard are
semi-dwarf cultivars from the U.S.A. Guard contains a known genetic
resistance to Hessian fly. The experiment used a randomized complete block
design with three replications per seedling. The seedling dates were 10, 22,
and 31 May. Each plot was 4 m long and made up of seven rows spaces 15 cm
apart.
Each plot fwas sampled once to determine the level of infestation by
Hessian fly and the incidence of broken stems. In row 3 of each plot, every
plant within a 30 cm length was removed and examined. Each stem was
classified as normal or broken. These stems were dissected and the number of
Hessian fly larvae and puparia (collectively called "immatures") was
recorded. Sampling occurred after the plants headed: on 10 August for the
first planting, on 27 August for the second planting, and on 7 September for
the third planting.
Eleven fields of Biggar cv. wheat throughout southern Manitoba from
Winnipeg west to Souris, were sampled (Table 2). In every field, the
percentage of broken stems was determined by examining the plants from 18
samples. Each sample indluded a 30 cm sectijon of row. Samples were taken
along each of the three lines, about 100 m apart, at right angles to the
field margin. One sample was collected at each of the rows: 4, 8, 16, 32,
64, and 128 of each line. The incidence of Hessian fly in these fields was
determined from three samples collected from row four of each line as
described above.
The data on incidence and stem breakage were analyzed using standard
ANOVA and Multiple Range tests, and regression techniques.
Results and Discussion. Hessian fly immaturs were not found in plants
form the first two seeding dates, indicating that the Hessian fly adults
selected their host plants based partially on the developmental stage of the
plants available within the blocks.
Hessian fly infestations occurred in all but one cultivar in the third
planting (Table 1). Most of the immatures in the stems were puparia (99%).
The cultivars differed in stnad density, but the differencs were not related
to Hessian fly infestation. The level of infestation and the amount of stem
breakage varied among cultivars. Few of the differences were significant
because intra-cultivar variance was high (Table 1). Guard cs. was not
infested and had no stem breakage. Its genetic resistance is antibiotic in
nature. In the other cultivars, all of the broken stems contained Hessian
fly. Among these cultivars the percentage of infested stems and the number
of immatures per stem was lowest in Nordic cv. and highest in Biggar cv.
(Table 1). The percentage of broken stems was always lower than the
percentage of infested stems. Katepwa cv. and Nordic cv. had an equally low
percentage of broken stems. This similarity is surprising since Katepwa cv.
had a much higher percentage of stems infested by Hessian fly (73.5 vs 45.2),
and more immatures per stem (6.6 vs 1.2). This suggests that there may be an
interaction between feeding by hessian fly larvae and cultivar straw strengt
that affects the percentage of broken stems. There was also a positive and
significant relationship (p<0.05, R2=0.45) between the mean number of
immatures per stem and the amount of stem breakage.
Table 1. Incidence of Hessian Fly and the incidence of stem
breakage in six wheat cultivars sown at Glenlea, Manitoba
on 31 May 1990.
Broken Stems
Immatures/ Stem Stem Containing
Cultivar Stem Broken (%) Infested (%) Immatures (%)
Biggar 10.5a 32.2a 93.4a 100
89W299 8.5a 24.4a 79.1ab 100
Katepwa 6.6ab 17.3a 73.5ab 100
CBWA41 4.7ab 26.0a 74.1ab 100
Nordic 1.2b 17.5a 45.2b 100
Guard 0b 0b 0c 0
* numbers in columns followed by the same letter represent values
that are not statistically different (p<0.05, Duncan's Multiple
Range Test).
Hessian fly infestations were found in 6 of the 11 fields of the
commercial fields sampled (Table 2). There was no geographic trend in the
proportion of infested stems. Fields in which no Hessian fly were found
tended to be less mature at the time of sampling than the infested fields.
Later planted fields may have developed too late for Hessian fly infestation
to occur. There was no significant correlation (R2=0.27,p = 0.1, F = 3.3,
df=1) between the level of infestation and the percentage of broken stems.
The percentage of broken stms tended to decrease from fields in the Red River
Valley (Winnipeg, Starbuck, Fannystelle, Portage) to those sampled from the
drier Western Uplands (Justice, Brandon, Rapid City, Souris). The field
infestations and stem breakage in Biggar cv. were much lower in commercial
fields (Table 2) than in the experimental plots (Table 1). In only one of
these fields (Brandon) were all of the broken stems infested with Hessian
fly.
Table 2. Infestation rates and proportion of broken stems in
commercial Biggar cv. wheat fields from locations in
southern Manitoba, from Winnipeg west to Souris, during
August 1990.
Broken Stems
Immatures/ Stems Stems Containing
Location Stem Broken (%) Infested (%) Immatures (%)
Winnipeg 0.14 6.7a 6.7 20.0
Starbuck 0 8.2a 0 0
Fannystelle 0.13 3.5b 12.5 33.3
Portage 0 10.6a 0 0
Treherne 0.13 4.2b 12.5 50.0
McGregor 0 10.8a 0 0
Carberry 0 4.2b 0 0
Justice 0.07 6.3a 4.3 33.3
Brandon 0.17 3.0b 10.0 100
Rapid City 0 4.1b 0 0
Souris 0.03 4.4b 4.0 50.0
* numbers in columns followed by the same letter represent values that
are not significantly different (p<0.05, Duncan's Multiple Range
Test).
Crop phenology was an important factor in determining the occurrence of
Hessian fly. In the experimental plots, earlier plantings (10 and 22 May)
escaped attack while the latest planting (31 May) was heavily infested. In
commercial fields, less mature (later planted?) fields escaped attack. More
information is needed on the phenology of the pest development and
oviposition periods.
The high level of infestation and of stem breakage in experimental plots
and the widespread occurrence of Hessian fly, with lower levels of breakage,
in commercial fields of Biggar cv. across southern Manitoba suggests that
Hessian fly could cause economic losses. Infestations in the commercial
fields of Biggar, the most heavily infested cultivar tested, should provide
an estiamte of the maximum losses attributable to this insect. Sampling of
other cultivars is needed to confirm this hypothesis. In 1990, the level of
infestatijon of wheat in southern Manitoba is unlikely to have caused heavy
yield loss. The occurrence of up to 11% stem breakage is of concern,
particularly if producers adopt straight combining as a major harvesting
technique. The apparent complete resistance of Guard cv. to attack by
Hessian fly in Manitoba needs to be confirmed; however, the absence of
infestations in this cultivar indicates that genetic resistance is available
for use in new cultivars adapted to the eastern Canadian prairies.
This study was partially funded by the Manitoba/Canada Agri-Food
Agreement.
-------------------------
J.A. Kolmer
WHEAT LEAF RUST IN CANADA IN 1990
Leaf rust of wheat was first observed June 21 in winter wheat in
southwestern Manitoba. By the first week in July, leaf rust was present in
light to trace amounts in spring wheat fields throughout southern Manitoba.
Leaf rust severities of 20-100% infection on susceptible cultivars were
observed throughout southern Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan (between
Regina and Melfort) in the last week of July. Significant yield losses due
to leaf rust was expected in winter wheats grown in Manitoba and
Saskatchewan, as severities of 50-100% were observed on winter wheat at
Portage, and Minto, Manitoba. The spring wheat and durum cultivars in
Manitoba and Saskatchewan are all resistant to leaf rust, as only trace to
light levels of rust were observed in these wheats.
PHYSIOLOGIC SPECIALIZATION OF Puccinia recondita ON WHEAT IN Canada
IN 1990. PERCENTAGES OF THE MOST COMMON VIRULENCE PHENOTYPES (>5%)
AS IDENTIFIED ON THE Prt DIFFERENTIALS.
VIRULENCE
PHENOTYPE VIRULENCES EAST PRAIRIES BRIT. COL.
FBL-B 2c,3,3ka,B 6.20 0.00 0.00
KBG-14a 2a,2c,3,11,14a 0.60 8.30 0.00
MBB-14a 1,3,14a 2.50 0.00 18.80
MBG-14a 1,3,11,14a 7.40 7.30 0.00
MDB-14a 1,3,24,14a 2.50 16.10 6.30
MFB-14a 1,3,24,26,14a 1.90 28.80 0.00
NBB-B,18 1,2c,B,18 1.20 0.00 56.30
PBL-B 1,2c,3,3ka,B 56.80 0.00 0.00
TBB-14a 1,2a,2c,3,14a 0.00 7.80 0.00
TBG-14a 1,2a,2c,3,11,14a 1.90 23.40 28.30
TOTAL NUMBER OF ISOLATES 162 205 16
EAST - ONTARIO, QUEBEC
PRAIRIES - MANITOBA,SASKATCHEWAN, ALBERTA
ISOLATES WERE EVALUATED FOR VIRULENCE PHENOTYPE ON DIFFERENTIAL SETS
WITH GENES Lr1, 2a, 2c, 3, 9, 16, 24, 26, 3ka, 11, 17, 30, B, 14a, 18.
-------------------------
S.E. German, J.A. Kolmer, P.L. Dyck
THE EFFECT OF RESISTANCE GENES Lr13 and Lr34 IN CONDITIONING ENHANCED
RESISTANCE TO LEAF RUST OF WHEAT
The adult plant leaf rust resistance genes Lr13 and Lr34 have provided
durable resistance either singly, together, or in combinations with other
leaf rust resistance genes. These genes have also been reported to interact
with other leaf rust resistance genes to condition enhanced levels of
resistance (a higher level of resistance than either gene singly) to leaf
rust.
This study was conducted to systematically determine which resistance
genes Lr13 and Lr34 interact with to condition enhanced levels of resistance
to leaf rust.
Methods and Materials. The Thatcher isogenic lines were crossed with
TcLr13 and TcLr34. F2 seedlings from each cross were evaluated for
resistance with race 1 of Puccinia recondita. F3 families were derived from
the most resistant F2 seedlings from each cross, and evaluated for resistance
and homozygosity of the adult plant genes Lr13 or Lr34 in the rust nursery at
Winnipeg. F3 families homozygous for the adult plant genes were harvested and
evaluated for homozygosity of the seedling genes with race 1 in seedling
tests. Homozygous F4 lines were also evaluated the next year in the rust
nursery.
Results. Resistance genes Lr13 and Lr34 conditioned enhanced levels of
resistance when paired with genes that conditioned some degree of effective
resistance (compared to the susceptible Thatcher) when present singly (Table
1). Genes Lr13 and Lr34 did not condition enhanced resistance when paired
with genes that did not condition effective resistance when present singly.
Combinations of genes Lr13 and Lr16, and Lr13 and Lr34, were as resistant as
the highly resistant cultivars Columbus (Lr13,Lr16), and Era and Chris
(Lr13,Lr34)
TABLE 1. LEAF RUST FIELD SEVERITY AND RESPONSE OF THATCHER ISOGENIC LINES AND
HOMOZYGOUS LINES OF TcLr13 and TcLr34 PAIRED WITH SEEDLING RESISTANCE GENES
ISOGENIC
GENE LINE Lr13/ Lr34/
Lr1 80S 20MR-30MS T-30M
Lr2a 90S 10R-20RMR T-20M
Lr2c 90S 10R T-30M
Lr3 70S 10RMR T-30M
Lr3ka 10-20R TR 5R
Lr11 90S 20R-40MR T-20M
Lr16 50MR 5R 5VR
Lr17 60MRMS 5R-20MR 5VR
Lr18 TR TR 5VR
Lr21 10R TR 5VR
Lr24 80S 20RMR *
Lr26 70MS 30RMR T-20M
Lr30 20MRMS TR *
Lr33 30MRMS 10RMR *
LrB 50MR 5R T-5M
Lr13 10R-40MS * 5VR
Lr34 T-20M * *
Columbus(Lr13,Lr16) TR * 5VR
Era(Lr10,Lr13,Lr34) 5VR * *
Chris(Lr13,Lr34) 5VR * *
Thatcher 90S * *
TR = TRACE RESISTANT REACTION VR = VERY RESISTANT
MR = MODERATELY RESISTANT MS = MODERATELY SUSCEPTIBLE
S = SUSCEPTIBLE
SEVERITY WAS ASSESSED USING THE MODIFIED COBB SCALE
-------------------------
ONTARIO
Plant Research Centre, Ottawa
W.L. Seaman, E.F. Schneider, and D.R. Sampson
Diseases. Survival of soft white winter wheat was high in most areas of
southern Ontario, despite very cold temperatures in December. Damage from
snow molds generally was light and scattered, but with 5-50% losses and
reseeding in some fields. Winter kill from icing and heaving was scattered
and moderate in heavier soils in the main growing area. However, in eastern
counties winter damage was more severe, and in the Ottawa Valley abiotic
factors, including cold desiccation in March, caused severe damage, with
losses of 30-100% in commercial fields, and almost total loss of breeding
plots at Ottawa. Cool conditions in April were favorable for development of
wheat spindle streak mosaic in infested soils. Powdery mildew developed
rapidly early in the season and fields in the west-central areas were sprayed
with propiconazole or triadimefon. Problems with low pH were common, and
manganese deficiency was prevalent in both sandy and organic soils in western
Ontario. Take-all, leaf rust, septoria tritici blotch, tan spot, and
septoria nodorum glume blotch were widespread, at light to moderate levels.
A sudden yellowing of flag leaves at heading in many fields in the Niagara
region appeared to be typical of late infection by barley yellow dwarf virus,
but ELISA tests of affected plants were negative. An influx of aphids from
the USA during a warm period in early May resulted in more serious losses
than usual in spring crops, with severe damage in northern Ontario and in the
southeast, where many late-seeded BYD-affected fields were cut for forage.
In white winter wheat, fusarium head blight was much less prevalent and
severe than in 1989, and there were no problems with deoxynivalenol levels in
harvested wheat; however, corn in the same areas was much more severely
affected by fusarium ear rot later in the season. In soft white wheat, the
major downgrading factors, from No.1 CE to No. 2 CE, were sprouting and
"mildew." In the Canadian grading system, mildew is a term applied to
darkening of kernels caused by the superficial accumulation of spores of
field fungi, chiefly Alternaria, Epiccocum, and Cladosporium spp., at the
brush end of the kernels.
New cultivar. Harmil, a soft white winter wheat, was registered in
1990. Harmil (O-90-4-1) is a high yielding, strong strawed pastry wheat with
desirable characteristics of low protein in grain and flour; it is well
adapted to most of the growing area (corn heat units 2700-2900), where its
yield is similar to that of the most widely grown cultivar Harus . It is
resistant to loose smut but moderately susceptible to the prevalent leaf and
head diseases, as are most of the registered cultivars, except Annette, which
is resistant to powdery mildew. Unlike the other registered check cultivars,
Harmil is resistant to races T2 and T10 of Ustilago tritici.
-------------------------
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Charlottetown
H. W. Johnston and H. G. Nass
Determining components of resistance to Septoria nodorum. Components of
resistance to Septoria leaf blotch were determined using a test of 25 spring
wheats. Severity and rate of symptom development, sporulation of the
pathogen on leaves, tolerance, and agronomic characteristics were determined.
Susceptible lines were characterized by rapid symptom development and greater
pathogen sporulation. Lines with known resistance had delayed symptom
development, less sporulation, and fewer lesions. Tolerance to disease also
followed a similar pattern. Correlations between various recorded disease
and agronomic characteristics illustrated that yield was negatively
associated with symptom severity and positively related in days to lesion
formation, height, and maturity (Tables 1 and 2). Controlling Septoria
nodorum with foliar applications of Tilt (or other fungicides) compared to
check plots (Table 2) showed that this can be an effective method in
identifying resistant and susceptible wheats.
Table l. Correlation coefficients for Septoria nodorum on 25 spring
wheats.
Days Spores
Spores/ Plot Days to to on
Height head rating disease heading leaves Yield
Spores/head -0.173 --
Plot rating
(0-9) -0.217* 0.236* --
Days to
disease
development -0.049 -0.0153 -0.301** --
Days to
heading 0.349** -0.298** -0.609** 0.190 --
Spores on
leaves -0.148 0.931** 0.215* -0.171 -0.292** --
Yield 0.205* -0.152 -0.570** 0.116 0.286** -0.120
*,**Significant at 0.05 and 0.01 levels of probability, respectively.
Table 2. Effect of Septoria nodorum on several traits of
selected spring wheats.
Yield gain due
Spores/ Spores/ Days to to control of
Entry head leaves heading Septoria nodorum
(10-7) (10-7) (days) g/plot)
R AW 102 5.95 5.72 70.8 91
R W 7 6.30 3.75 70.0 816
R JO 8058 8.10 12.50 70.0 344
AW 153 8.18 10.42 70.0 684
COLUMBUS 9.04 7.78 67.0 798
QW500.35 12.15 13.00 65.0 443
R SN 1 14.60 15.00 67.0 633
AW 170 19.80 24.75 68.8 691
ALGOT 20.00 21.69 66.0 825
KATEPWA 21.42 21.69 64.0 741
MAX 24.15 27.25 67.8 945
BELVEDERE 27.75 31.25 67.3 942
S CAL. 15 31.15 40.35 65.3 1430
SH 85-1578 33.10 33.50 67.8 1067
S WISC.271 35.22 38.44 66.8 1366
R = Resistant check.
S = Susceptible check.
-------------------------
SASKATCHEWAN
Saskatchewan Wheat Pool - Agricultural Research & Development
R.J. Graf, D. Potts - Saskatoon; B.J Fowler, K. Glatt, C. McLean -
Watrous
About fifteen years ago, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, along with Alberta
Wheat Pool, Manitoba Pool Elevators and CSP Foods Ltd., initiated a program
of developing new crop varieties. A body called the Co-operative Crop
Development Group (CCDG) was established to provide direction to the crop
development program. The objective of this group is to acquire or develop
new crops or crop varieties that will benefit western Canadian producers.
These new varieties are marketed under the Ultrabred trademark.
The Saskatchewan Wheat Pool (SWP) Agricultural Research and Development
(ARD) branch (formerly Product Development) is responsible for the
coordination of wheat development out of offices in Saskatoon and an
experimental farm located at Watrous, 120 km south of Saskatoon.
A substantial number of changes have occurred since SWP's last
submission to AWN in 1986. Early that year, Federal-Provincial grant (ERDA)
money was accessed to hire a second wheat breeder responsible for CPS and
Soft White wheat development. Dr. Pierre Hucl was hired to the position but
within a year became the the program leader, with the departure of Dr.
Leonard Song. Dr. Robert Graf became the CPS and durum breeder, with Dr.
Hucl retaining the responsibilities of CWRS and Soft White wheat development.
1987 was also important year in that additional funds (IRAP) were made
available to initiate a three year, wheat biotechnology project. The major
objectives of this research were to develop improved techniques of
doubled-haploid production for use in hastening the breeding cycle. To this
end, Dr. Brian Orshinsky and Linda McGregor were hired to work in cooperation
with the National Research Council's Plant Biotechnology Institute in
Saskatoon. Grace Johnson was later added to the group for additional
technical support. Funding of these efforts has recently been extended to
develop lines with specific herbicide resistance.
With the addition of the second wheat breeder, a more stringent early
generation quality and disease screening program was initiated, to cope with
the increased number of lines being developed. Part and parcel with this new
thrust was the enhancement of the quality testing capabilities at the farm.
With this program now in place, the number of lines under yield test has not
increased dramatically, remaining at approximately 11,000 plots per year.
In 1990, the wheat development program consists of the following people.
Dr. Robert Graf is Senior Wheat Breeder responsible for purpose wheat
development. Dr. Derek Potts, who joined the group in April, has the
responsibility of durum and CPS breeding, as well as a coordinating role in
our disease screening efforts. Technical support is provided by three
technicians at Watrous, Barbara Fowler, Kathy Glatt and Claire McLean. Up to
four summer students are hired every year to help out during the hectic
growing season.
In concert to the breeding work, ARD's team of scientists includes a
team of agronomists who, in addition to doing research in the areas of
fertility, biopesticides and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR's),
determine area of adaptation, herbicide tolerance and fertilizer response of
advanced breeding lines. Recently added livestock and secondary processing
positions give us a unique, integrated approach to crop development and
provide valuable feedback to our more specialized crop development thrusts.
Watrous remains the centre of operations, with the majority of yield
plots grown at the farm. Off station sites include North Battleford, Lake
Lenore and Outlook. Through the CCDG, additional sites across western Canada
are accessed. An additional irrigated site, to be set up near Saskatoon in
1991, will be used for the selection and screening of loose smut, Septoria,
and possibly root rot resistant lines. Field facilities in Watrous include a
well equipped lab for yield trial set-up and processing, as well as quality
screening equipment for preliminary assessment of early generation (F3 - F6)
experimental lines. A summer greenhouse and winter growth room provide
controlled growth facilities year-round. Winter nursery increases are
located in Chile, for photo-period sensitive material (CWRS, durum) and
southern California for insensitive material (CPS). Quality assessment of
advanced lines is done under contract by CSP Foods and the University of
Manitoba.
To date, 72 lines have been entered into the Cooperative wheat trials,
the official pre-registration yield tests. In 1990, six lines were in the
second year of co-op evaluation (5 CWRS, 1 CPS), with another 12 lines (11
CWRS, 1 CPS) being evaluated for the first time.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM CHINA
Wheat Breeding Institute, Nanjing Agricultural University
Zhaosu Wu, Shirong Yu, Xizhong Wei, Youjia Shen, Qimei Xia, Guoliang
Jiang, Jiming Wu, Yong Xu, Zhaoxia Chen
Evolutionary changes in yield and source-sink characters of wheat
cultivars grown in the North Huai region of Jiangsu province. Twelve
representative wheat cultivars since 1960 were studied on evolutionary
changes of wheat yield and its components, and on genetic improvement of
source-sink characters in two fertility levels. The results showed that
yield of wheat cultivars in this region has risen about 7.1 - 11.0% on
average every ten years. The number of grains per spike very significantly
increased with increasing yield, while the ears per unit area tended to
decrease. There were no difference between the sixties and current cultivars
in grain weight, while the seventies cultivars were higher. The positive
effect of grains per spike on yield compensated for the negative effects of
ears per unit area and grain weight, especially in lower fertility. The
plant height significantly decreased from early cultivars to current ones,
and was highly correlated with yield. There was a upward tendency in leaf
area (LA) per shoot at anthesis, and in leaf area duration (LAD) during the
period of anthesis and maturity, while the net assimilation rate (NAR) had a
downward tendency, and only slight changes were found in LA, LAD and NAR
between the seventies cultivars and current ones. New and old cultivars had
similar total dry mater production; however, the stem weight of new cultivars
was somewhat less than that of old ones. The enhancement of harvest index
resulted in yield increases. In addition, current cultivars had a higher
percentage of assimilate produced before anthesis. With the evolutionary
changes of wheat cultivars, the sink capacity per square meter had large
increases, but no significant difference in sink capacity per spike, filling
dry matter index (FI) and shrivelling index (SI) was found. The number of
grains per unit stem weight was highly positive correlated with yield. The
sixties cultivars had highest spike weight - leaf area ratio and spike grain
number-leaf area ratio, and these were lowest in seventies cultivars.
Grain weight and plumpness in relation to sink activity and sink
capacity and genetic analysis of some related characters in wheat. Nine
genotypes with different grain filling characteristics were used to
investigate the physiological mechanism of grain filling from 1987 to 1990.
The results showed that the filling rate during the linear period of grain
weight increase was significantly related to grain weight and crease ratio.
This means that the filling rate was one of the important factors which
influenced grain weight and plumpness. The invert rate of developing grain
imposed a strong influence not only on grain filling rate but also on
transport rate of assimilates. During the linear period the invert rate of
grain reached its top value. At the same time the content of soluble sugar
in developing grains decreased to the lowest value. Nevertheless, soluble
sugar content in developing grains was not significantly related to invert
rate, which indicated that grain yields at present production level were not
seriously limited by lack of assimilates.
Different filling rate and invert rate of developing grain among
genotypes were mainly caused by grain size. There were no significant
differences in special filling rate and special invert rate among most of the
genotypes. The duration of active filling period was significantly related
to grain weight and raphe index. It seems that prolonging the effective
filling period could be of advantage to the increase of grain weight and
plumpness. IAA content in developing grain of genotypes with large kernels
was remarkably higher than in the grains of those genotypes with small ones,
especially in the late phase of grain development. It suggested that IAA may
be one of the important factors regulating sink activity. ABA also had some
effects on grain filling rate, but its primary role appeared in controlling
grain mutations. It was found that the alkaline invertase activity was not
lower than the acid invertase during grain development in wheat. When enzyme
activity was accounted according to unit fresh weight the differences between
genotypes were declined. But there were remarkable differences in duration
of higher enzyme activity between genotypes. Apparent parallel correlation
was found between the time of sucrose synthase activity started to decrease
fast and end of active filling period. So did between decreasing rate of
sucrose synthase activity during fast-decreasing period and grain filling
rate during the mature period. These meant that maintaining higher metabolic
activity in the late phase of grain development was of advantage to the
accumulation of dry matter in kernels.
Effects of leaf senescence and assimilates remobilization on grain yield
of wheat varieties. Nine genotypes with different appearance at maturity
were used to investigate the effect of leaf senescence and photo-assimilates
remobilization from three top nodes on wheat grain yield in 1988 and 1990.
The amount of photo- assimilates remobilized from culms and leaves was not
significantly related to the maximum sink capacity of the ear, but
significantly related to the grain weight formed after the chlorophyll
content of the flag leaf began to quickly decrease. This means that sink
activity is the key factor influencing the export of assimilates from culms
and leaves. the appearance of the plant at maturity is not necessarily
related to the export efficiency of assimilates and nitrogen from culms and
leaves. During the process of flag leaf senescence, the chlorophyll and
nitrogen content began to rapidly decrease nearly at the same time. Export
efficiency of nitrogen from flag blades was significantly related to
temperature during the fast-decreasing period of nitrogen content. The
export rate increased about 0.05% with 1oC increase of temperature. Although
the degrading rate of chlorophyll was remarkably faster than chlorophyll b,
there was no significant difference between their relative decrease rates.
The ratio of chlorophyll a and b continued to increase during the
fast-decreasing period of chlorophyll content and the relative decrease rate
of chlorophyll b was increasing that phase. It is concluded that the process
of leaf senescence could sensibly be reflected by the ratio of chlorophyll a
and b.
Studies on the biochemical basis of scab resistance and genetic analysis
of some relevant traits in wheat. Field tests of scab resistance and the
biochemical analysis of pot inoculation tests in the greenhouse were included
in the experiment. Eight cultivars with different levels of resistance to
scab were used, F1 and F2 from (7X8)/2 diallel crosses of the eight
cultivars, F1, F2, P1, P2, B1, and B2 from five-pair reciprocal crosses, and
P1, P2, F1, F2, F3 and F4 from three-pair reciprocal crosses were
artificially inoculated by injecting a Gibberrella zeae spore suspension into
a single floret in the field. The number of infected spikelets were used to
measure resistance to scab. At the same time, inoculated and uninoculated
plants of wheat cultivars and their corresponding F1 individuals including
various inoculating time treatments were collected to study the correlations
between isoenzyme patterns of peroxidase (POD), superodide dismutase (SOD),
polyphenul oxidase (PPO), activities of SOD and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase
(PAL), and contents of cholin total phenol, flavone, lignin and soluble
protein with the resistance to scab. The following results were obtained.
1. Among the biochemical traits examined, isoenzyme patterns of SOD and
POD could be used for detecting genotypic differences of wheat varieties with
various degrees of scab resistance, and for determining whether different
resistant varieties possessed the same resistance gene(s) or not. They might
be also of value in selecting resistant individuals in segregating
generations, and in examining the transfer of alien gene(s) into a given
variety.
2. Heritability (narrow sense) of the biochemical traits examined falls
into the following order: PAL activity > choline content > SOD activity >
flavone content > lignin content. Different genotypes could be reflected by
their corresponding choline contents and SOD activities of the uninoculated
plant. Thus in the studies of scab heredity and breeding, these two
biochemical traits can be used as markers; whereas PAL activity, flavone
content and lignin content would be more appropriate as manifestation of the
biochemical basis for scab resistance.
3. General combining ability of the number of diseased florets, choline
content, SOD activity, PAL activity, flavone content and lignin content were
significantly different among various genotypes. There was a tendency that
the higher the genotype resistance to scab, the better it behaved in the
crosses.
4. Heritability of the number of diseased florets among different
crosses is higher than that among various generations. Therefore, in the
selecting generations of scab resistance breeding programs, by discarding
unpromising combinations in the earlier generations, and only focusing on
selecting elite individuals in the promising combinations, the breeding
efficiency might be greatly raised.
5. The heritability of scab resistance is mainly controlled by additive
gene effects. Resistance is partially dominant. Of the genotypes employed
in the experiment, there is not much difference in the number of resistance
genes between resistant and susceptible genotypes. However, even among
resistant genotypes, the number of resistance genes is also not the same.
The scab resistance is likely controlled by major genes and modified by minor
genes. The number of genes involved is complex, thus difficult to define.
It seems likely to obtain both higher resistance and reasonable yield
individuals in the segregating population derived from crosses between
resistant and susceptible parents.
6. In the genetic study of scab resistance and in the investigation of
its biochemical basis, the single floret infection inoculation method in
combination with the number of diseased florets as a morphological marker
appeared to be a reliable research method. In the scab resistance breeding
program, the frequency of diseased florets may be more appropriately employed
as an index to select required individuals.
7. There were remarkable correlations between the scab resistance and
the indices of polyphenyl oxidase, total phenol and soluble protein, which
played a nonsignificant role in the biochemical mechanism of the resistance
to scab.
PUBLICATIONS
Wu, Zhaosu. 1990. Breeding for high yielding wheat varieties. CROPS 1990,
1:4-5.
Wu, Zhaosu. 1990. Studies on dormancy and pre-harvest sprouting in Chinese
wheat cultivars. p. 144-147. In: M. Huidong et al. (ed). Advances in
Genetic Research of Quality Characters in Cereals. Jiangsu
Science-Technology Publishing House, Nanjing.
Sun Zhiliang, Shen Youjia and Wu Zhaosu. 1990. Genetic variation and
expected genetic advances of quality traits in wheat varieties of the
Mid-Lower Yangtze Valley. p. 123-125. In the same book as indicated above.
Chen, Shaojun, Liu Shufen and Wu Zhaosu. 1990. Genetic analysis of quality
traits, steamed bread volume and score in wheat varieties. p. 126-130. In
the same book as indicated above.
Xu Chengbin and Wu Zhaosu. 1990. Genetic analysis for physiological and
biochemical characteristics of pre-harvest sprouting in wheat. p. 148-153.
In the same book as indicated above.
Ma Chuanxi and Wu Zhaosu. 1990. Genetic variation of HMW glutenin subunits
in Chinese wheat varieties and inheritance in F1. p. 158-161. In the same
book as indicated above.
Wu, Zhaosu. (Editor). 1990. WHEAT BREEDING (monograph). Agriculture
Publishing House, Beijing.
-------------------------
Wheat Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences,
No. 1 Nongye Road, Zhengzhou, Henan
Zuoji Lin, Shenghui Jie, Xueyi Hu, Z. Q. Wu
The 1989-1990 season. This past season was a contrast to the previous
season in Henan Province; precipitation in the wheat growing season was 50%
more than average, especially in the spring. Stripe rust and powdery mildew
were severe in most sites of Henan, most cultivated varieties possessing Yr9
were susceptible to stripe rust (new race no. 29). The total yield was lower
than last year due to the decrease of grain weight although the spike number
per mu increased.
Recurrent selection for resistance to powdery mildew by using the
dominant male-sterile gene Tal. The initial population was established in
1986 by varieties possessing different resistant genes and the dominant
male-sterile gene Tal. Selection focused on both powdery mildew resistance
and agronomic characters improvement. After two cycles of selection, C2
showed significant progress both on resistant plant frequency and decreasing
plant height. Other main agronomic characters such as maturity date and
yield potential have been improved as well.
-------------------------
Hebei Hybrid Wheat Research INstitute, P R China
Z. Y. Liu, F. C. Liu, Y. Z. Shen, Z. Q. Li, P. Y. Bai, F. W. Shao, H. M.
Li
Hybrid Wheat Research Progress in Hebei Province
The hybrids wheat research programme is sponsored by the Committee of
Science and Technology in Hebei Province, China. Since 1972 we have been
working on it for 18 years. A special research organization, Hebei Hybrid
Wheat Research Institute, is renamed which used to be called Hebei Cooperated
Research Team for Hybrid Wheat first, then Hebei Hybrid Wheat Research
Centre. Now there are 18 research staff in this programme who are from 8
units including university, research institute, agricultural technical
extension centre and state farm, etc. In recent years the main research
progress of hybrid wheat in Hebei province are:
1. New CHA Research. New chemical hybridizing agents (CHA) with high
efficiency and no-remnant poison have been successfully developed. In 1987
we undertook the new CHA to get a higher emasculation rate but no-remnant
poison agent. The new CHA research unit and its testing was done at the same
time so that its utilization value could be identified in time as well as it
could be used in the hybrid seed production as early as possible. In 1988
the first new CHA, No. 1 JIAHUA, was successfully developed whose
emasculation rate was 95%. In 1989 it was sprayed in a large area in
Gaocheng county, the seed set rate on the female lines was 80% and hybrid
seeds yield was 3.863 kg/ha in the hybrid seeds production field. In 1990
the second CHA, NO. 2 JIHUA was developed whose emasculation rate was 96.6%
by which the yield of hybrid seeds was 3.083 kg/ha.
2. CHA Hybrid Wheat Breeding. CHA hybrid wheat breeding has gotten
good results. Four good combinations, No. 1 HUAYOU, No. 2 HUAYOU, NO. 4
HUAYOU and No. 6 HUAYOU, have been selected through 1500 crossing
combinations with those two CHA's mentioned above, which all gave a superior
heterosis. For example, in 1989, 0.13 has was measured in the field on the
hybrid what of No. 1 HUAYOU whose yield was 8.603 kg/ha. In the harvesting
time in 1990, the expert group entrusted by the Agricultural Bureau of Hebei
Province confirmed the actual yield of No. 1 HUAYOU as 8.904 kg/ha in 0.21 ha
after they measured the area and weighed the grain. This yield is 26% over
the check variety, No. 26 JIMAI. It is not only the highest wheat yield
record in Hebei province but also the highest yield record of hybrid wheat in
China, which has been reported by the People's Daily, Guangming Daily,
Farmer's Daily, Hebei Daily, CCTV and Hebei TV, etc. Many farmers hope to
plant hybrid seeds. Now there are 10 hybrids with short stalk, long head,
and big grain which are all in the testing and demonstrating phases.
3. T-CMS Line Hybrid Wheat Breeding. Some good hybrids with Triticum
timopheevii cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines have been selected. From
1976 to 1982, two hybrids, No. 4 SHIZA and No. 6 SHIZA, were released to
Gaocheng county and Haixing county. The yields were 26 to 43% over check
varieties in the lower irrigated area. In recent years we used the
semi-dominant short stalk gene materials and get a number of high yield
hybrids with middle height stalk. Among them, No. 1 T-SHIZA is the best one
whose yield was 7,500 kg/ha according to several years results. In 1990 its
yield was 7,899 kg/ha in the yield test of Hebei Crops Institute, Hebei
Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences. Also in a large plot yield
test it was 7,761 kg/ha which is 19.3% over the check variety No. 24 JIMAI.
4. New CMS Line Hybrid Wheat Breeding. Five new CMS lines with
Triticum aestivum cytoplasm have been developed through cobalt 60 radiation
spontaneous and crossing which enriched the CMS resources. Two hybrids have
been selected for the lower irrigated area. For example, the yield of
JINGFENG A/80T3495 was 7,538 kg/ha in the yield test of the Hebei Crops
Inst., in 1990.
5. R-Line Breeding. In the process of selecting restorer lines, a
number of new advanced lines have been developed which not only are good
quality and good combining ability but also can be used as normal varieties.
For example the restorer lines, C-609 and C-4102-5, have been released and
planted on 13,333 ha in 1990. The utilization of this kind of material in
the production provides a good condition to help and promote the hybrids
application as well as its extension.
6. Theoretical Research. A lot of theoretical researches have been
done on the male sterile lines and heterosis in morphology, cytology,
physiology, biochemistry and genetics. Forty research papers have been
published in scientific journals both at home and abroad. The Journal of
Hebei Normal University Natural Sciences Edition edited a special one for
hybrid wheat research in 1989.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Oseva - Cereal Research Institute, Kromeriz
J. Smocek
Gene resources with increased spike sink capacity. The collection of
gene resources (SFG - winter types) has been classified into three biological
groups: multispikelet, multigrain (per rachis node), and heavy grain. Mean
values of the five most valuable gene resources selected according to the
magnitude of the factor score are given below. The stand density was 213
plants per m2.
Multispikelet Multigrain Grain # Heavy grain
SFG Fertile spikelet Grain # per spike One grain
resources # per spike per spike rachis node weight (mg)
VSS gene complex 38 154 6.45 54.2
TSS gene complex 46 163 6.25 43.3
NS gene complex 30 144 5.68 55.4
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Standard cultivars:
Hana (CS) 21 61 3.05 40.6
SAVA (YU) 21 77 3.85 29.2
Screwedness of the rachis. The screwed spike can be an other access for
improving the spike morphotype. Spike screwedness has a genetic background
Scr and causes the screwed spike rachis. Scr 1 factor causes the screwedness
of the spike rachis and peduncle. Scr 2 factor causes only the screwedness
of the spike rachis. The screwedness can be either right- or left-handed.
The expression of Scr 1 factor is influenced by environment less than that of
Scr 2 factor. Gene resources of Scr 1 have been obtained by repeated spikes
selection among the initial donor ZGK 242-82 (YU) and those of Scr 2 -
Chiarano (I) plants.
Values of spike sink capacity traits in the best Scr donors are
presented for comparison.
Gene Fertile spikelet Grain number Grain number One grain
resources # per spikelet per spike per spike weight (mg)
rachis node
Scr 1 34 120 5.57 51
Scr 2 25 92 3.52 46
Research objectives. New SFG gene resources are created, and at the
same time, resources with spikes of normal morphotype NS and gigas types are
preferred. The main target for the near future is to incorporate SFG, gigas
and Scr into one genotype. The basic problem will be a more efficient use of
available environmental sources.
Another objective is to improve grain quality in gene resources and
mainly by means of hybridization with Czechoslovac top-quality Hana cultivar.
Standard cultivars used in 1991: Hana (SC) and Sava (YU) for European
conditions. Caldwell and Cardinal (USA) are added. We are interested in
involving our working capacity in some foreign project and we would like to
offer our gene resources for use in wheat breeding. All information on
possible collaboration will be greatly appreciated.
PUBLICATIONS
Smocek, J. l991. Gigas spikes in wheat with multiple sessile spikelets.
Rostlinna Vyroba, 37, in press - Czech.
Smocek, J. 1991. High-productive gigas spikes of standard morphotype in
wheat. Rostlinna Vyroba, 37, in press - Czech.
Smocek, J. 1991. Screwedness of the spike rachis a new phenomenon in wheat
spike morphology. Rostlinna Vyroba, 37 in press - English.
-------------------------
Research Institute of Crop Production, Prague - Ruzyne
L. Dotlacil, Z. Stehno, V. Sip, M. Skorpik, M. Vlasak
Performance of European Winter Wheat Cultivars in Czechoslovak
Conditions. During the 1984 -1990 period, 107 productive winter wheat
cultivars of European origin (including Czechoslovak ones) were tested at two
sites (Prague, Klatovy) in two years. Yield, its main components, stem
length, leaf area and grain quality were estimated. The results from
different environments were compared as a relative value of check cultivars
(mean of three Czechoslovak well adapted cultivars Regina, Zdar and Viginta).
Yield stability was estimated as variance (s2) of yields in 4 environments.
The German cultivar Apollo was best yielding (8.67 t ha-1) with good
yield stability and lower to medium grain quality. Grain yield was formed by
a relatively dense canopy (500-650 spikes per m2) and higher grain weight
(43-48 mg). High productivity was also proved by cultivars Area (FRA),
Ikarus (AUT) and Citadel (NLD). Citadel also showed very low variability of
yields. Yields were formed by high grain weight (over 42 mg) and medium
(Ikarus) or dense canopy (Ares, Citadel). Medium grain quality was in Ares
and Ikarus, low in Citadel.
Among others, high yielding cultivars Kristall showed good yield
stability, Kosack and especially Vlada and Markant had high grain quality.
Table goes here
Performance trials with near-isogenic lines for Rht genes.
Near-isogenic lines carrying reduced height genes in the genetic backgrounds
of the spring wheat varieties Nainari 60 (Mexico), and Maringa (Brazil) were
obtained from CIMMYT, Mexico (we thank Dr. S. Rajaram) and tested in Central
European conditions. Performance trials with the Rht/rht lines (Table 1) and
the check varieties Jara and Sandra (Czechoslovakia) were established in 1990
at Prague- Ruzyne (altitude 350 m) with five replications (sowing rate: 250
grains/m2). The harvested area of the experimental units was 2.5 m2.
The respective plant height reductions for Rht8, Rht1 or Rht2, Rht1Rht2
and Rht3 were 4%, 18%, 44% and 55%. Date of heading has not been affected.
Lines with Rht genes had in comparison with tall, rht, lines more ears and
grains per m2 but reduced grain weight (proportionally to the shortening of
stem length). Grain yield per m2 averaged over all Maringa and Nainari 60
lines (568 g) was 25% less than that of the top yielding Czechoslovak spring
wheat varieties ara and Sandra (760 g). Yield differences between
near-isogenic lines were not statistically significant, except the Nainari 60
Rht3 line which yielded less than the Nainari 60 lines with Rht1 and Rht2
(LSD 5%=122). The effect of Rht genes on SDS sedimentation volumes was not
evident. Due to the reduction of grain weight, the protein content per grain
was lower in short genotypes. Reductions of about 1% protein were found for
the Rht1 and Rht2 lines.
Table 1. Characters of tall and dwarf near-isogenic lines
Plant Grain Plot Protein/
height Ears Grains/ weight Grains/ yield Protein grain
Genotype (cm) m2 ear (mg) m2 (g/m2) % (mg)
Maringa
Rht1 103 328 45 37.4 14759 552 13.1 4.90
Rht2 104 343 45 38.4 15417 592 13.7 5.26
Rht1Rht2 70 387 47 34.6 18179 629 13.7 4.74
Rht3 55 397 42 32.4 16667 540 14.4 4.67
Rht8 120 408 35 40.2 14279 574 15.0 6.03
(Mara20)
rht 125 325 42 41.8 13636 570 14.3 5.90
Nainari 60
Rht1 80 416 31 46.8 12885 603 14.2 6.65
Rht2 79 354 35 49.4 12389 612 14.3 7.06
Rht3 44 346 32 41.6 11058 460 15.1 6.28
rht 97 276 38 52.6 10494 552 15.3 8.05
Wheat Genetic Resources Evaluation in Czechoslovak Gene Bank.
Preparation of the Czechoslovak wheat data base continued in 1990. The main
passport data have been completed and incorporated into international/East
Europe/data base. During 1989 - 90 vegetation period 430 winter and 226
spring wheat genetic resources have been evaluated.
An exceptionally mild winter season gave cause for good wintering of
West/European cultivars with low winterhardiness and conditioned very early
sowing of spring wheats. High productivity of spikes was caused by a longer
period of ripening during a colder July (see Table below). Among winter
cultivars, the Polish Oda and Jawa were the best yielding ones. Six
cultivars from the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, France and Austria surpassed
the check cultivar Regina. Only 3 spring cultivars and advanced lines from
Mexico and Great Britain outyielded the Czech spring wheat cultivar Sandra.
INSERT 3 HERE
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM ESTONIA
Institute of Experimental Biology of the Estonian Academy of Sciences,
Department of Plant Genetics
O. Priilinn, T. Enno, H. Peusha, M. Tohver, L. Timofejeva
Mutants of economic value induced in Triticum aestivum. In this short
communication we report the results of the work of many years on production,
screening and studying spring and winter wheat mutants from cultivars
Norrona, Sappo, Leningradka, Mironovskaya Yubileinaya, Mironovskaya 808 and
Starke. The mutants were induced mainly by nitrosoalkylureas as NMU, NEU,
NDMU and NDEU in various concentrations. After treatment we separated mutant
lines revealing morphological, biochemical and physiological changes as early
and late ripening, short-statured, speltoid, awned, compactoid, squarehead
forms, with rust and lodging resistance, increased productivity, high protein
and lysine content and improved quality. Now the number of mutants in our
collection is about 1000 entries. Some of these mutants possess a complex of
agronomically important characters, and they may abe used as prospective and
valuable material in the breeding program.
The mutants L 3-24, S 7-4, and St 6-11-32 isolated after treatment with
NMU and DAB have shown increased grain yield when compared with the parents
Leningradka, Sappo and Starke over a long period. Early maturity
characterizes a winter wheat mutant ST 2-91; it ripens about 10 days earlier
as compared to the parental cultivar Starke. In the mutant, the earliness is
linked with low productivity.
Considerable efforts have been made in our breeding program to select
wheat with excellent quality. The grain protein content of mutant lines was
unstable and depended on environmental conditions. Some mutants with compact
and awned ears (K-46, T-203, 0-496 from Norrona, 5-9 from Sappo, 44, 78 from
Mironovskaya Yubileinaya) store a higher protein content compared with the
parental varieties from year to year. Many mutants with a high protein
content have a low yielding capacity (K-46), sensitivity to frost (L 3-24)
and other negative qualities, but in some mutants (0-495) the high protein
content is combined with other valuable properties for selection, such as
disease resistance and yielding capacity.
The technological properties of wheat in our region are low on the whole
(especially those of summer wheat), but the winter wheat varieties or mutants
ometimes have good baking properties. The changes in technological
properties were connected with protein and its fractional content in the
kernel as well as with the growing conditions of wheat.
69 mutant lines of the variety Norrona and 31 of the variety
Mironovskaya Yubileinaya were compared by the method of electrophoresis of
the gliadins on polyacrylamide gel. The gliadin patterns were characteristic
for many mutants and were not connected with morphological changes in mutant
lines, or with the structure of mutagens and their concentrations.
Indirect utilization of induced mutations has also been started by means
of crosses between mutants and between mutants and good cultivars. The
general purpose is to transfer the mutated characteristics into a better
genetic background.
Eleven mutant lines of spring wheat have been handed over to the world
wheat collection at the N.I. Vavilov All-Union Institute of Plant Industry in
Leningrad (catalogue N k58811-58824). The data of these mutants are given in
the table.
Plant Lysine
Mutant Mutagen Plant Kernel Kernel Protein content
parent conc., height weight weight content in pro-
% cm mg g % tein %
0-516 Norrona NEU, 0.025 99 32.5 3.63 12-15 2.3
0-495 " NEU, 0.025 92 39.6 4.72 15-17 2.1
S-82 " NEU, 0.025 96 37.9 4.21 12-16 2.8
T-13 " NMU, 0.01 85 42.2 4.16 12-14 2.7
146-155 " NMU, 0.006 100 40.5 4.78 10-14 2.3
T-36 " NMU, 0.01 105 45.3 7.96 10-12 2.6
T-203 " NMU, 0.01 92 37.4 4.41 16-19 2.1
K-46 " NMU, 0.006 54 30.2 3.03 15-20 3.1
L 3-24, NMU, 0.01 88 43.9 3.48 11-13 2.3
Leningradka
S 7-4, Sappo DAB, 0.05 92 43.9 4.04 10-11 2.2
S 5-9, Sappo NMU, 0.01 92 41.7 3.19 13-15 2.3
The inheritance of leaf rust resistance in some common wheat varieties.
The genotypes of 13 common wheat varieties and selections from the World
collection of the all-Union Research Institute of Plant Industry in Leningrad
were screened for leaf rust resistance reaction in the growth chamber
conditions. The results of genetical hybridological analysis of F2-F3
populations indicate that in 10 varieties resistance to leaf rust is
conditioned by the Lr 23 gene.
Segregation tests indicate that resistance of variety Harichicari is
controlled by a single effective resistance gene of the Thatcher isogenic
set. The results of this study indicate that breeding selection U-321627
possesses two effective dominant genes conferring resistance to the leaf rust
strain. The results of hybridological analysis were supported by the data of
phytopathological tests.
The common wheat specimen K-45420 has one gene for leaf rust resistance,
either allelic or closely linked with Lr 23 gene from Gabo or from Rocta and
Crime, related to it. The clones of the pathogen virulent to K-45420 are
more often avirulent to Rocta and Crim, whereas the clones virulent to Rocta
and Crim are always virulent also to the K-45420. This pattern of reactions
may be explained by the fact that Rocta and Crim actually possess at least
two closely linked with Lr 23 genes for resistance, and the K-45420 has one
of these.
The gene of K-45420 differs from Lr 23 gene also by temperature
sensitivity. Lr 23 is more expressive at high temperature (27oC) at the
period previous to infection, whereas the gene of eh K-45420, on the
contrary, is not revealed at high temperatures. The locus Lr 23, in spite of
its composite structure, usually overcomes by the parasite in 5 to 6 years
after the beginning of commercial cultivation of varieties protected by this
gene. Therefore the donors of the gene Lr 23 should be used with great care
in wheat breeding.
The isogenic lines of the wheat variety Thatcher possess an advantage
for pathogen differentiation over the standard sets of
differentiator-varieties. It is ascertained that the Estonian population of
Puccinia recondita represents a part of the European population. The genes
of resistance Lr 9, Lr 19, Lr 23 and Lr 24 are effective in Estonia as well
as in Europe.
Aneuploid studies. The Chinese Spring monosomic set has been used for
identification and localization of genes governing resistance to leaf rust in
a mutant line T-13 induced by chemical mutagen's treatment of spring wheat
variety Norrona. Analysis of segregation patterns in F2 populations of
monosomic plants and disomic controls indicated that resistance of mutant
T-13 to Puccinia recondita clones is controlled by recessive genes located on
7A and 4B chromosomes.
Analysis of MI of meiosis in monosomic hybrids F1 permitted us to reveal
the structural differences and reciprocal translocations between chromosomes
of Chinese Spring and both Norrona and mutant T-13. On the basis of
trivalent configuration's frequency at MI of meiosis we assumed that the
chromosomal interchanges between Norrona and Chinese Spring involve 4A/4D,
1B/1D and 2B/6D, whereas mutant T-13 has translocations 3A/4B, 1B/3D and
6B/7D in relation to Chinese Spring.
Induction of homoeologous pairing in a wheat x rye and interspecific
hybrids using ph1b mutant. It is known that homoeologous pairing in wide f1
hybrids is limited by the Ph gene located on long-arm of 5B chromosome in
bread wheat. The use of mutant ph1b with deletion of this locus gives a
possibility for transferring of genetic materials from alien species to
wheats.
In our cytological studies all combinations of wheat x rye F1 hybrids
showed practically no pairing among the 28 univalent chromosomes in MI of
meiosis. Analysis of meiosis in wheat x rye hybrids obtained with the use of
ph1b mutant of Chinese Spring revealed relatively high rate of homoeologous
pairing with the mean chromosome associations of 5.7 bivalents and 0.94
multivalents per PMC in cross CS ph1b x self-fertile line of rye (Kc-517/8),
and 5.0 bivalents and 0.54 multivalents in cross CS ph1b x rye Pamirskaya.
Undoubtedly the rye genotype plays an important role in the intergeneric
hybrids formation and effects on the behavior of meiosis.
In our experiments on wide hybridization with bread wheat and its
relatives, we used tetraploid wheat species well known as donors of disease
resistance -
Triticum timopheevii and T. militinae (genome AAGG).
The data obtained from cytological analysis of meiosis in hybrids F1
showed that in control crosses Chinese Spring x T. timopheevii and Chinese
Spring x T. militinae the mean number of bivalents at PMC was 7.2 and 6.4
respectively. It is supposed that chromosomes of the A genome both of
Chinese Spring and tetraploid species take part in bivalent formation whereas
chromosomes of the B and D genomes of T. aestivum and the G genome of T.
timopheevii and T. militinae remained in univalent condition or partially
included in multivalent associations. In hybrids CS ph1b x T. timopheevii
and CS ph1b x T. militinae the mean amount of bivalents per PMC were 8.3 and
8.7, respectively, and the number of PMC with multivalents was significantly
increased - to 71%. In hybrid plants F1 CS nulli-5B-tetra-5A x T. militinae
the mean number of bivalents was equal 8.4.
From present data, the conclusion may be drawn that the use of
nulli-5B-tetra-5A line and mutant ph1b of Chinese Spring is an effective way
for increasing the rate of recombinations of genetic materials and the
inducing of homoeologous pairing of chromosomes.
An electron microscope study of microsporocyte nuclei in wheat and
wheat-rye hybrids F1. The electron microscopic analysis of the meiotic
prophase in the nulli-5B-tetra-5D compensated line of Chinese Spring has
revealed an increased activity of nuclear membranes resulting in the
formation of different kinds of membraneous structures. The results of the
present investigation indicate a possible connection between the absence of
the 5B-chromosome and the nuclear membrane behavior in the meiotic prophase
of wheat.
A microspreading technique was used to allow ultrastructural analysis of
synaptonemal complexes formation in euploid and haploid wheat, wheat-rye
hybrids with or without 5B-chromosome and wheat-rye hybrids carrying either
the Ph or the ph1b allele. The euploid wheat, ph1b mutant and
nulli-5B-tetra- 5D compensated line of Chinese Spring were crossed as female
parent with Secale cereale cv. Pamirskaya.
It is revealed that the ends of lateral elements in the PMC of wheat are
attached to the nuclear envelope and that synapsis as initiated at the
telomeric ends of chromosomes close to the nuclear envelope. It is concluded
that a misalignment of normally homologous regions at the nuclear envelope
causes synaptic failure observed in 5B-deficient wheat.
The absence of homologous chromosomes in haploid wheat's and wheat-rye
hybrid's genomes does not affect the formation of synaptonemal complexes.
Normal synaptonemal complexes form between homoeologous chromosomes. the Ph
gene does not act on the ability to form synaptonemal complexes. In the
nullisomic 5B hybrids and in the ph1b hybrids more lateral elements of
synaptonemal complexes involve to multiple associations and pairing partners
exchange more often than in euploid hybrids. It is assumed that in common
wheat ph1b gene may act on the rate of pairing stringency at meiosis.
Publications
Odintsova, I., Peusha, H. 1982. Inheritance of resistance to brown rust in
bread wheat specimens. Bull. of Appl. Botany, Genetics and Plant Breeding,
71:41-47.
Odintsova, I., Peusha, H. 1984. Regarding composite structure of the locus
Lr 23 controlling resistance to brown rust in wheat. Bull. of Appl. Botany,
Genetics and Plant Breeding, 85:13-19.
Peusha, H., Odintsova, I. 1981. A genetic differentiation of the Estonian
population of leaf rust. Proceed. of the Estonian Academy of Sciences,
Biology, 30:44- 49.
Priilinn, O., Shnaider, T., Peusha, T., Tohver, M. 1988. Genetical
peculiarities in the varieties and induced mutants of common wheat. Tallinn,
"Valgus", 299 p. (In Russian).
Timofejeva, L. 1986. The activity of nuclear membranes during the meiotic
prophase in the nulli-tetrasomic line of bread wheat. Proceed. of the
Estonian Academy of Sciences, Biology, 35:91-98.
Timofejeva, L., Kolomyets, O., Vorontsova, N., Bogdanov, Yu. 1988. An
electron microscopic study of the synaptonemal complex in common wheat. I.
Initiation of synapsis. Cytology (USSR), 30:390-394.
Tohver, M. 1987. Wheat mutants induced by chemical mutagens. Proceed. of
the Estonian Academy of Sciences, Biology, 36:301-305.
Tohver, M. 1988. Economically valuable forms of soft spring and winter
wheat obtained by chemical mutagenesis in Nechernozemje. Selskohozjaistv.
Biology, 4:78-82.
Shnaider, T. M. 1986. Meiosis in interspecies pentaploid and tetraploid F1
hybrids of wheat species. Cytology and Genetics (USSR) 20:327-330.
Shnaider, T., Priilinn, O. 1987. Aneuploid studies at the Estonian SSR.
EWAC Newsletter, Martonvasar-Cambridge. p. 51-54.
Shnaider, T. M. 1988. Meiotic behavior in wide hybrids of wheat species,
obtained with the use of ph mutant. Cytology and Genetics (USSR), 22:18-22.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM GERMANY
Institute of Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Gatersleben
A. Boerner*, C. O. Lehmann, D. Mettin*, J. Plaschke, G. Schlegel, R.
Schlegel*, G. Melz, V. Thiele
GA-insensitivity of `Ai-bian' 1a'. A subline, showing a plant height
twice as long compared to Ai-bian1 (Rht10) but definitely shorter than Rht2
carriers, was selected from the original seed stock of Ai-bian1, (kindly
supplied by the Crop Germplasm Resources Institute, Bejing, China). A
GA-test has shown, that the subline, Ai-bian 1a was also insensitive to
exogenous GA application, but characterized by a different level of reaction.
The absolute seedling length of Ai-bian 1a was found to be intermediate
between the length of Ai-bian 1 (Rht10) and Fakon (Rht2) used as controls.
For studying the inheritance of the GA-insensitivity of Ai-bian 1a the
line was crossed with Poros (rht), Lerma Rojo (Rht1, 4B-new nomenclature) and
Fakon (Rht2, 4D). The F2 populations gave a clear evidence for a monogenic
segregation for GA-response and for the fact that the locus of the
GA-insensitive Rht gene of Ai-bian 1a is the same as it was found for the
Rht2 gene. This result supports the hypothesis of an analogous series of
multiple alleles for GA- insensitivity on chromosome 4D, suggested for the
corresponding Rht locus on chromosome 4B.
Pleiotropic effects of isogenic Rht-lines. Four sets of near isogenic
lines carrying the genes/alleles rht (tall), Rht1, Rht2, Rht3, Rht1+2 or
Rht2+3 in the genetical backgrounds of April Bearded, Bersee, Maris Huntsman
and Maris Widgeon (developed in the Cambridge Laboratory, Norwich) were grown
in field plots at one site in Germany and several sites in the UK during
1990, for estimating the effects on plant height and yield.
In the field trial of Germany (drilled plots, six replications) it was
shown that the height reducing effects of the different Rht alleles and their
combinations had the same sequence rht < Rht2 < Rht1+2 < Rht3 < Rht2+3 over
all varieties. Within the backgrounds of Bersee, Maris Huntsman and Maris
Widgeon always the Rht1 and Rht2 lines gave the highest yield per plot (in
Maris Widgeon together with the Rht1+2 line), whereas within the April
Bearded series the lines Rht3 and Rht1+2 were the best. The yield advantage
was mainly due to a higher number of grains per ear. Overall the five
isogenic Rht lines had significant more grains/ear than the tall controls.
Instability of the blue grain colour. The blue-grained wheat accession
TRI 2401 (T. aestivum var. tschermakianum Mansf.) from the gene bank
Gatersleben has been used for a further cytogenetic analysis of the aleurone
colour aberrations which have been described earlier for members of the
European group of blue-grained wheats with an obscure origin but not so for
the blue-grained chromosomal introgression lines from Elytrigia pontica.
Strain TRI 2401 was confirmed to be an alien substitution for chromosome 4A
(new nomenclature) which confers the blue aleurone. Reciprocal hybrids with
Chinese Spring had non-blue (red) grains in F1, and segregated 3 non-blue
(red) vs. 1 blue in F2. This means that the gene(s) for blue pigmentation is
fully expressed in three doses only. In lower dosage the genetic information
seems to be hypostatic. The blue grain pigmentation of TRI 2401 reverted
spontaneously to non-blue (red) with a frequency of about 1.4% in selfed
progenies. Most of these aberrations were monosomic for the alien
chromosome. The seed progenies of the monosomic segregated after selfing in
a ratio of 67% non-blue (2n=41) and 33% blue (2n=42). It is very likely that
the revertants are due to aneuploid gametes which arise preferentially during
macrosporogenesis due to nondisjunction. In addition, blue aleurone spotting
has been observed with a low frequency. The decolourization of the aleurone
cells is supposed to arise by alien chromosome loss during endosperm
development. The gene(s) for blue aleurone in the present European accession
TRI 2401 seems thus not to be identical with the corresponding gene Ba in the
derivates of the wheat-Elytrigia pontica crosses.
Effect of Ph1 gene of wheat in diploid rye. Experimental results
demonstrated clearly that the dominant Ph allele of chromosome 5B of wheat
affect the homologous pairing of rye. A monotelosomic rye-wheat addition
line 5BL was produced and used for meiotic studies. Compared to
14-chromosome control plants the 5BL addition to rye causes an increase of
univalent (0.15 I/PMC) and rod bivalent formation (2.65 II rod/PMC), i.e., a
significant reduction of chiasma frequency (111.21 Xta/PMC), while the 5BL
telosome itself does not associate with any of the rye chromosomes. Thus,
the double dosage of 5BL, present in hexaploid or octoploid triticale, can be
one of the main source of pairing failure of the rye genome.
PUBLICATIONS
Houben, A., Schlegel, R., Ahne, R., and Huhn, P. 1990. C-Banding and
computer-aided chromosome analysis in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv.
`Chinese Spring'). Arch. Zuchtungsforsch. 20:133-142.
Melz, G. and Schlegel, R. 1990. Genetic linkage map of rye (Secale cereale
L., 2n=14). In: S. J. O'Brien, ed. Genetic maps - Locus Maps of Complex
Genomes, Cold Spring Harbor Lab. Press: 6137-6147.
Pohler, W. and Schlegel, R. 1990. A rye plant with frequent A-B chromosome
pairing. Hereditas 112:217-220.
Schlegel, R. 1990. Effectivity and stability of interspecific chromosome
and gene transfer in hexaploid wheat, Triticum aestivum L. Kulturpflanze
38:67-78.
Schubert, V., Bluthner, W.-D., Metzlaff, M., Junghans, H. and Schlegel, R.
1990. The presence of four cloned highly repeated DNA sequences from rye in
Poaceae species and various chromosomal manipulated wheat lines analyzed by
sqash dot hybridization. Physiol. Biochem. Pflanzen 186:125-133.
-------------------------
Institut fur Pflanzenpathologie und Pflanzenschutz der Universitat, 3400
Gottingen, Germany
V. Vassilev*, J. von Kietzell, H. Toben, A. Mavridis, M. Gross and K.
Rudolph
Pseudomonas syringae pv. atrofaciens (PSA), the incitant of basal glume
rot of cereals, causes losses of grain yield and deteriorates wheat and
barley grain quality in the Soviet Union and Bulgaria. The damage differs
from year to year, depending on the weather conditions. In West Germany
basal glume rot of wheat and barley is widespread. It seems possible that
basal glume rot is more prevalent than recognized at present, because the
symptoms are inconspicuous or are being confused with Septoria glume blotch
(Leptosphaeria nodorum) or other diseases. Symptoms on the wheat cv. Star,
inoculated by spraying of heads at the milky ripe stage with PSA (P.a.13, 107
cell/ml), were similar to those caused by Fusarium culmorum, Leptosphaeria
nodorum or Xanthomonas campestris pv. translucens, in addition to typical
symptoms for basal glume rot. Inoculation of adult wheat, barley and rye
plants by spraying of heads resulted in typical basal glume rot symptoms and
tip or full glume rot of Avena sativa (cv. Flamingsterm) and Avena fatua.
PSA inoculation of young leaves of tobacco, sugar beet, maize and millet by
Hagborg's device or pressure inoculation with a sprayer caused a
hypersensitive response in all of the tested plants. Old maize and millet
leaves were immune to PSA. Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata (PSApt) caused
disease symptoms similar to PSA on adult barley leaves and heads, whereas
wheat glume tissues were immune or highly resistant to PSApt. Only PSApt
caused a susceptible response in sugarbeet leaves.
Acetone and butanol extractions, as well as certain ion exchange
fractions from PSA, PSApt and P. syringae pv. syringae (PSS) showed high
antibiotic activity against Geotrichum candidum, and Rhodotorula sp., and a
lower effect against Escherichia coli K 12. These preparations probably
contained syringomycin (SR) and were highly toxic to plant tissue.
Nevertheless, preliminary data revealed different bands from SR preparations
of PSA, PSApt and PSS after electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). SR was not specific
for a particular host plant but appeared to be a major virulence factor since
SR-strains showed low or no virulence on plants.
* Present address: Institute of Introduction and Plant Genetic Resources,
4122 Sadovo, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
-------------------------
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
The 1989-90 crop year started well for wheat. There was sufficient
precipitation in October for good germination and emergence and wheat went
into winter strong. Winter was very mild, without snow and dry. The drought
lasted a long time and there was hardly any rain in spring either. There was
only 170 mm precipitation from October to the end of April. Despite this the
average yield was surprisingly good, 5.04 t/ha. The leading wheat varieties
were Mv 14, Mv 15, GK Othalom, GK Zombor and Jubilejnaja 50.
Breeding. Three new varieties have been registered recently.
Montonvasar 19 was selected from the cross of GT 5239-2//Bezostaya dwarf/Zg
1477-69. The early ripening wheat has good breadmaking quality, high kernel
weight, and outstanding frost resistance. Martonvasar 20 is a selection from
the Kavkaz/Mironovskaya 808//Kavkaz/Zlatna Dolina cross. The midseason
ripening variety has a 1B/1R translocation from Kavkaz. The breadmaking
quality is medium, it has a partial resistance to stem rust and sit is
resistant to BYDV. Martonvasari 21 is the highest yielding midseason variety
in Hungary. Its pedigree is So 1415/Iljitsovka//Posavka2. Its breadmaking
quality is medium. Both new midseason Mv wheats have a high level of frost
resistance. We have 10 registered winter wheat varieties in commercial
production and have a 42% market share in Hungary.
Anther culture. An experiment was carried out with the aim to study
different genetic possibilities for improving anther culture response in
winter wheat. Two wheat varieties were involved. One of them was Mv 16 which
possesses a high callus induction frequency and a high plant regeneration
ability, the majority of plants being albinos. The other was Fatima with low
callus induction ability, high plant regeneration frequency and a relatively
high green plant ratio.
The results show that it is possible to carry out selection within a
variety but the improvement is rather low due to the complexity of this
trait. The anther culture itself has no positive selection effect as the
reaction dihaploid lines was similar or worse compared to their original
genotype. The highest result was achieved with the cross between the two
varieties as their F1 possessed a callus induction ability as high as Mv16
and much higher plant regeneration frequency than its parents, with
appropriate green plant ratio.
Disease resistance. Due to the effect of a milder autumn, winter and
spring powdery mildew spread fast on the weak plants, the warm, dry weather,
however, arrested its spread and only a moderate infection developed. The
weather was not favorable either for leaf or stem rust infection.
Practically no ear Fusarium or foot-rot was observed. On some susceptible
varieties Helminthosporium leaf blotch appeared in early spring.
There was a strong virus infection hardly ever seen before in our
breeding nursery. In addition to barley yellow dwarf virus, brome-grass
mosaic virus and wheat dwarf virus caused damage. The plants infected in
autumn or early spring were completely killed by the time of heading. Among
the registered Martonvasar varieties Mv 14, Mv 15, Mv 17, Mv 20 and Mv 21
have satisfactory resistance. The damage caused by leaf aphids is
significant, too, decreasing grain yields by 39.3%, the grain weight by
30.8%, and the harvest index by 10%.
The physiological specialization of wheat powdery mildew was studied in
detail. The prevalent races and their frequencies were: 51 (20.5%), 75
(19.1%), 46 (13.8%), 85 (8.6%), 67 (7.6%). The ratio of races with virulence
genes 5 (31.9%), 6 (24.3%) 7 (20.5%) was especially high. The quantity of
races virulent to genotypes with genes Pm 4a and Pm 4b is low.
The resistance genes effective against common bunt are: Bt 1, Bt 2, Bt
5, Bt 6, Bt 8, Bt 9, Bt 19. Among the registered varieties only Martonvasari
17 was resistant.
-------------------------
J. Sutka, B. Barnabas, O. Veisz, G. Galiba, M. Molnar Lang, G. Kovacs,
E. Szakacs, B. Koszegi, R. Nagy, I. Takacs, G. Kocsy
Genetic and cell biology studies. A total of 41 regenerant plants were
raised from two consecutive in vitro propagation cycles from a barley
(Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Martonvasari 50) x wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv.
Chinese Spring) hybrid. The second cycle regenerants exhibited great
variability for the majority of morphological traits. The female fertility
of certain regenerant hybrids considerably exceeded that of the initial
hybrid, giving substantially higher seed set when pollinated with wheat.
This character was transferred to the BC1 and BC2 progeny produced from these
regenerants. The cytological analysis of the second cycle regenerants
indicated that these had a higher degree of meiotic instability than the
initial hybrid. The proportion of cells with 28 chromosomes (21 wheat + 7
barley) dropped to one- half of that in the initial hybrid, with a rise in
the number of hypo- and hyperploid cells. The number of chiasmata per cell
increased from 1.7 in the initial hybrid to 4.7 in the regenerants, and there
was also an increase in the number of misdivisions.
Callus cultures of four varieties of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were
maintained on media containing 0.05 and 0.7 M mannitol as osmotic condition,
and six varieties were grown on media containing 0.01, 0.2 and 0.34 M NaCl as
saline condition. To reveal genotype-dependent adaptive responses, growth,
total N, total P, and changes in the internal Na and K concentrations were
determined. Under osmotic stress, the calli derived from the drought
tolerant varieties. Plainsman and Saberbeg showed less reduced growth as
compared to the sensitive varieties, Cappelle Desprez, and Chinese Spring.
Furthermore, low levels of total N and P, and high initial intracellular K
concentration were recorded in the calli of the resistant varieties. In
contrast, the sensitive varieties elicited increased N and P levels, as well
as low initial intracellular K concentrations. Under salinity at 0.1 M NaCl,
Plainsman, Caribo and the salt tolerant Sakha-8 maintained their growth rate,
while an inhibition was observed in Cappelle Desprez, Chinese Spring and
Regina. Total N and P levels were similar to that under osmotic stress.
Plainsman maintained low and constant levels, while a slight increase was
recorded in the drought and the salt sensitive Regina. Cappelle Desprez and
Regina excluded Na, whereas the rest of the varieties accumulated it. Only
Sakha-8 and Caribo elicited enhanced intracellular K concentration with
increasing salinity, while in the other varieties it remained unchanged or
decreased. Patterns of changes in water status, as shown by the fresh weight
to dry weight ratio, were also characteristic for the genotypes. It is
concluded that the growth parameters, total N, P, and changes in Na and K
concentrations can be considered as factors of adaptive value under osmotic
and/or salt stress conditions. Results suggest that callus cultures may give
genotype dependent responses under osmotic and salt stress conditions.
The brief consideration of some aspects of pollen biology indicates that
the progress made so far in the field of structural and functional aspects of
pollen is just the beginning. The new discoveries have brought about the
realization that pollen has potential application in practical biotechnology.
The method for wheat anther culture has already been incorporated into
the wheat breeding strategies in our institute. At the present time
different chromosome reduplication techniques were elaborated and compared to
the conventionally applied methods. As an experimental treatment, different
concentrations of colchicine were added directly to the induction media.
Colchicine did not affect the anther response and plant regeneration
capacity. The success and stability of genome redoubling was estimated on
the basis of fertility of the regenerated plants and their progeny.
Chromosome doubling produced by colchicine before the first microspore
mitosis, was significantly more efficient than the conventionally-used
techniques.
Increasing the efficiency of the haploid induction from anther cultures
we have developed a new liquid culture system where the regenerative haploid
embryo production is very high, and from them we could make a long time cell
suspension with good regeneration frequencies.
Pollen biological investigations have verified lately that approximately
65% of the analyzed genes in plant genomes are expressed both in sporophytic
and gametophytic generations. This genetic overlap gives the possibility of
in vitro and in vitro pollen selection. According to research results, the
expression of genes responsible for adaptation are to be expected from the
tetrad stage onwards, thus selection can principally be carried out already
in microspores. In vitro and in vitro pollen selection can be applied
successfully to those species, in which pollen grains are viable and fertile
for a relatively long period, thus giving an opportunity for treatment, while
it is practically impossible in those species, where pollen live for a very
short time (e.g., wheat). In order to extend generative selection to these
respective species, such in vitro selection systems are to be designed, in
which maturation processes follow in vitro trends, yet the circumstances of
these processes can be influenced. This requirement is apparently met by
floret culture.
The in vitro pollen maturation methods elaborated in our institute in
the last few years seems to be useful for gamete selection in wheat, too.
Incubated florets started flowering 7-9 days after inoculation. During this
period the process of pollen maturation completely finished. In in vitro
circumstances, the pollen population in all genotypes was homogeneous, and
consisted of trinucleate, 99% ripe pollen grains. On the other hand, in
vitro ripened pollen populations were more heterogeneous, and the results
were genotype dependent. For instance, in vitro ripened pollen grains from
the variety Chinese Spring were in 66.8% normal trinucleate ones, in 19.5%
juveniles, in 6.1% sterile ones, and in 1.7% multicellular forms. In the
case of the variety Orofen, the amount of normal pollen grains is lower
(37.5%), and the amount of juvenile forms was considerably higher (51.8%).
As a matter of interest, according to our results, the occurrence of
abnormities was not influenced by the genotype. In all cases, we experienced
significantly lower fertilization rates for in vitro ripened pollen grains,
dependent on the genotype. This has not influenced the fertilization and
phenotypical traits of the offspring generation, however.
In the ultrastructural analysis of pollen, the most characteristic
difference for in vitro ripened trinucleate pollen grains is the considerable
thickening of the intine.
In our selection analysis, we concluded that the pollen grains of the
varieties Mv 8 and Dioszegi 200 show different cold tolerance, Mv 8
tolerating cold stress relatively well, while the pollen of Dioszegi 200
practically did not survive cold treatment during flowering. The results
refer also to the fact that this technology is applicable not only to the
selection of male gametes, but to the selection of the female gamete
population as well. Thus, this method can be suitable for double selection,
which helps progress in selection. On the basis of these results, this
method may be useful in breeding practices, while the determination of
possible selection agents needs further investigations.
In the scientific literature only a few articles have been dealing with
sperm cell isolation from wheat pollen. Probably it is due to the fact, that
even wheat pollen grains themselves have short lifespan after shedding, which
makes the isolation procedure difficult. In our laboratory we have
elaborated a relatively rapid technique for living sperm cell isolation from
pollen grains in small quantities. According to the FDA viability test the
isolated gametes kept their viability for 15 minutes after the isolation
procedure.
PUBLICATIONS
Barnabas, B., and Kovacs, G. 1990. Pollen maturation in floret culture of
wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In Barnabas, B. and Liszt, K. (eds).
Characterization of Male Transmission Units in Higher Plants. Martonvasar,
p. 59-61.
Barnabas, B. and Kovacs, G. 1990. Pollen biotechnology and its utilization
for crop improvement. Biotechnology, (Sophia), 1:14-16.
Barnabas, B. and Kovacs, G. 1990. Comparison of different methods for
production of dihaploid plants from Triticum aestivum L. anther cultures.
Abstracts of the VIIth International Congress on Plant Tissue and Cell
Cultures. IAPTC, Amsterdam, p. 194.
Nagy, R., Kristof, Z., and Barnabas, B. 1990. Cytology of wheat (Triticum
aestivum L.) pollen developed in vitro. In Barnabas, B. and Liszt, K. (eds.)
Characterization of Male Transmission Units of Higher Plants. Martonvasar,
p. 63-68.
Szakacs, E. and Barnabas, B. 1990. Sperm cell isolation from wheat
(Triticum aestivum L.) pollen. In Barnabas, B., Liszt, K. (eds.):
Characterization of Male Transmission Units in Higher Plants. Martonvasar,
p. 37-40.
Molnar-Lang, M., and Sutka, J. 1989. Magyarorszagon termesztett buzafajtak
keresztezhetosege rozzsal. (Crossability of wheat varieties grown in Hungary
with rye. Abstract in English). Novenytermeles, 38:479-484.
Koszegi, B. and Sutka, J. 1990. Aegilops cylindrica L. em. Thell. x
Triticum aestivum L. F1 hibridek elemzese. (Analysis in F1 hybrids of
Aegilops cylindrica L. em Thell. x Triticum aestivum L. Abstract in English).
Novenytermeles, 39:289-295.
Jolankai M., Szunics, L., Szunics, Lu. and Lovei, I. 1990. A szarrozsda
fertozottseg hatasa a buza termesere es vetomag ertekere. Novenytermeles
39:(5) 393- 399.
Szunics, L. and Szunics, Lu. 1990. Rezisztencia genek felhasznalasa a
buzalisztharmat elleni novenyvedelemben. Noveytermeles 39:(1)1-9.
Szunics, Lu. and Szunics, L. 1990. Adatok a buzafajtak kouszog
fertozottsegerol. Novenytermeles 39:(4)297-304.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM INDIA
Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Inst., New Delhi
S. M. S. Tomar*, K. D. Srivastava and D. V. Singh
Screening of wheat species and few amphidiploids for Karnal Bunt (KB)
resistance: Alien species of wheat provide a unique source of genetic
variability for wheat improvement with respect to biotic and abiotic
stresses. Recently, in India Karnal Bunt (Neovossia indica) is appearing in
severe forms in major wheat growing areas of north west and tarai regions,
although the disease was first identified long back in 1939. In certain
years the natural incidence has been observed as high as 25 per cent. This
problem assumed serious proportion in mid seventies when commercial cultivars
WL711 and HD2009 got severe infection. Most of the present day Indian wheat
cultivars show susceptibility to KB under artificially inoculated conditions.
To identify the diverse sources for KB resistance, some wheat species and a
few amphidiploids (Table 1) were screened against the culture of Neovossia
indica under artificial inoculated conditions for over two years. The viable
sporidial inoculum was put into the plant with a hypodermic syringe at the
boot leaf stage. Too high humidity was maintained by perfo-spray in the
greenhouse. Screening of related wheat species against Neovossia indica may
provide an effective source of resistance which should be manipulated in
breeding programmes to control the pathogen.
Table 1. Per cent infection of wheat species and some amphidiploids
against Karnal Bunt under artificially inoculated conditions
Per cent infection Wheat species and amphidiploids
0 Triticum tauschii, T. dicoccoides (accession Nos.
G1456, G1458, G1460, G2067, SWAN238, SWAN248,
SWAQN251, TTDO8 and TTD13)
T. aestivum cv Chinese Spring, T. spelta album,
T. spelta grey, Amphidiploids: Chinese Spring/
Agropyron elongatum (2n=56), Chinese Spring/A.
junceum (2n=56),
0 - 5 T. aegilopoides
5 - 10 T. dicoccoides TTD23, T. timopheevi (PBI)
T. durum var. Nordum/A. elongatum, 2n=42
10 - 15 T. araraticum
15 - 20 T. zhukovskyi
More than 20 T. aestivum cv. WL711
-------------------------
Regional Station, Wellington and Division of Genetics
M. Kochumadhavan, S. M. S. Tomar* and P. N. N. Nambisan
Improvement of wheat cultivars through backcross breeding: Wheat is
attacked by many foliar diseases, among which rusts are more prominent.
Alien species of wheat have been exploited for imparting resistance against
more than one pathogen. There are many examples to cite. Usually resistance
derived from alien sources causes depression in yield (The et al., 1988).
Stem and leaf rust resistance (Sr24 Lr24) derived from Agropyron elongatum
has been introgressed into Indian cultivars Sonalika and Kalyansona (AWN Vol.
34). The improved cultivars along with the checks have been tested at
multilocation for yield. Results given in Table 1 indicate that the genes
Sr24 Lr24 which have origin in alien species A. elongatum do not have any
deteriorating effect on yield. It may not be true that alien genes are
always associated with reduced yield. The cultivars have also been assessed
for adult plant resistance at different locations under artificial and
natural epiphytotic conditions. Results of seedling tests show that the leaf
rust resistance gene is effective against virulent races 12-1, 12-2, 77A,
77-1, 104 and 107 of Puccinia recondita.
Genes Sr24 Lr24 have also been incorporated in other Indian cultivars:
C306, HD2329, Lok 1 and WH147 which are occupying a large area under
cultivation in different wheat zones of the country. These cultivars
improved for stem and leaf rust resistance have been constituted after seven
backcrosses. The resistance source used was an Australian line TR 380-14 #
7/3 developed by R. A. McIntosh. The backcross breeding programme was
carried out at Wellington where rust perpetuate throughout the year. This
station provides the facility of raising an off-season crop hence the time
taken in completing 6-7 backcrosses is reduced to half.
Table 1. Yield performance of improved cultivars in comparison to checks.
Cultivars Mean Yield Q/ha
HW 2001A (Sr24 Lr24) 31.1*
HW 2001 + (Sr24 Lr24) 30.6*
Sonalika 30.5*
HW 2002 (SR24 Lr24) 44.5**
Kalyansona 41.6**
* mean yield over 20 locations; ** mean yield over 8 locations
+ 6 backcrosses
-------------------------
Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute - New Delhi
R. N. Sawhney, H. B. Chowdary, J. B. Sharma and D. N. Sharma
Durable Resistance to Leaf Rust. Cultivars with durable resistance to
stem and stripe rusts either due to combination of specific genes as in the
case of stem rust or due to an indefinite number of adult plant resistance
genes, apparently of non-specific type, as in the case of stripe rust, are
known from different parts of the world. Resistance to leaf rust in many
improved cultivars, however, has usually been based on major specific genes
which generally succumb to the appearance of new virulent races in a short
span of time. Identification of sources and understanding of the mechanism
of durable resistance to leaf rust, the most widespread disease of wheat,
have therefore, special significance for resistance breeding to rusts.
Tests for resistance to leaf rust in wheat lines carrying complementary
genes Lr27 and Lr31 and these genes in Chinese Spring substitution lines
which contains Lr34, have shown that Lr34 interacts with the complementary
genes to give enhanced levels of adult plant resistance in field conditions.
The complementary genes Lr27 and Lr31 in a stock `Shortim' were observed to
be complementary ineffective. Combination of Lr34 and complementary genes
Lr27 and Lr31 have, however, produced field resistance of very high level in
contrast to the field resistance of moderate level produced by Lr34 when
present alone.
Lr34 seems to play an important role in imparting durability to leaf
rust resistance because most of the durable resistance to leaf rust is
associated with a few adult plant gene combinations such as Lr13 and/or Lr12
and Lr34. Thatcher lines with Lr12 and Lr13 are completely ineffective in
Indian conditions whereas Lr34 has shown moderate level of field resistance.
Furthermore, a Brazilian wheat `Frontana' and `Chinese Spring' maintaining
leaf rust resistance for several decades have Lr34 in common. Lr34 has also
close analogy with Sr2, an adult plant stem rust resistance gene which is
also known to interact with other genes for durable resistance to stem rust
and is seldom present alone.
Study of adult plant resistance to leaf rust. Tests of isogenic lines
of wheat carrying known specific genes for resistance to leaf rust have shown
that a gene controlling only adult plant resistance in contrast to a seedling
gene for resistance that is generally effective in all stages of plant
growth, could be race specific.
Isogenic lines carrying genes for leaf rust resistance when tested with
Indian population of leaf rust pathogen over years have shown that Thatcher
lines with Lr14b, Lr14ab, Lr30 and Lr34 have moderate level of leaf rust
resistance in field conditions (Table 1).
Table 1
Field Response
Genotype 1987 1988 1989 1990
Tc + Lr14b 1OR 20MR 10MS 30MR
Tc + Lr14ab 10R 30MR - 60MS
Tc + Lr30 20MR 20MS 30MR-MS 10MR-MS
Tc + Lr34 - 20MS 30MS 30MR-MS
Thatcher (Tc) 80S 80S 80S 90S
In seedling tests, all these lines were reported to be susceptible to
almost all important races of leaf rust. In addition, Thatcher lines
carrying Lr21 and Lr22a derived from Aegilops squarrosa continue to confer
high degree of adult plant resistance.
These studies would suggest that field resistance in these lines is due
either to enhanced resistance of known specific genes or that different
associated unidentified genes have provided the adult plant resistance.
Genetic diversity for adult plant resistance to leaf rust in lndian
wheat cultivars. Sixty-one wheats released for cultivation in different
parts of the country were tested with four leaf rust races, selected for the
identification of additional resistance operative only at the adult plant
stage, in four isolated nurseries. The results enabled the recognition of
six distinctive response groups suggesting the operation of six adult plant
resistance genes on the basis of gene-for-gene model.
Breeding for resistance to multiple diseases: (a) Introgression of alien
genes in Kalyansona and Sonalika for resistance to rusts. In a backcross
breeding programme, many effective genes of alien origin conferring
resistance to one or two or even three rusts have been successfully
introgressed in popular wheat varieties Kalyansona and Sonalika. A
Kalyansona derivative, DL 896-2, deriving resistance of Agropyron elongatum
(Lr24/Sr24) has been selected for extensive testing in minikit trials in the
Peninsular zone by the Special Committee of Varietal Identification in the
All India Wheat Workers' Workshop held in 1990. Many other lines have been
recognized as improved stocks without depression in yield and resistance to
two or even all the three rusts. A few of them have also been found to be
resistant to Karnal bunt. (b) Kundan, a dwarf bread wheat developed from a
simple Cross, Tonari 71 X NP 890 and released for water stress environment in
the North West Plain Zone, the major wheat growing part of India, has
recently become extremely popular with the farmers including those from
Punjab where major areas of wheat are grown with optimum levels of input
producing highest average yield in the country.
The popularity of this wheat is possibly due to its consistent
performance under rainfed to limited water input and optimum irrigation. A
fairly large irrigated area under wheat in Punjab is rotated with paddy or
cotton or potato as summer crop where late planting of wheat is practiced.
Kundan is reported to perform the best in comparison to other wheats under
late planting and this is another attractive feature of this cultivar which
possibly has made Kundan very popular with the farmers of Punjab.
Kundan combines the two major criteria of a good cultivar i.e., stable
yield in water limiting environment and high average yield in favourable
environment, the most important attributes in subsistence agriculture. The
character of plump grain filling with high kernel weight under water limiting
environment and even under short duration could be due to water use
efficiency of the genotype. This would suggest that selection for plump
grain character in water stress environment may be one of the important
selection criteria for stable performance of a genotype from water stress to
optimum level of irrigation. The high yield up to a level of other best
wheats in cultivation for high input technology, besides its suitability to
water stress conditions, support the concept that yield potential and drought
resistance are controlled by the same genetic systems in contrast to the view
that drought resistance and high yield potential are controlled by separate
and distinct genetic systems.
The level of leaf rust resistance attained in Kundan is being maintained
for 10 years (Table 2), in spite of the fact that many new pathotypes have
appeared during this decade.
Table 2. Leaf rust resistance of Kundan (DL 153-2) over ten years
carrying genes Lr14a, Lr23 + APR
Field Response
Av. Coefficient
Crop Season Max. Infection of infection Source
1979-80 30S 6.2 Report on Plant Patho-
logical Screening
Nursery, AICWIP 1980
1980-81 20S 6.6 " 1981
1988-89 10S 6.0 " 1989
1989-90 North 40S 8.3 " 1990
India
South 30S 7.7 " 1990
These results indicate that Kundan has durable resistance to leaf rust.
In addition, Kundan has been reported to be resistant to race `K' of stripe
rust which attacks many of the improved wheats. Its tolerance to Alternaria
triticina and Helminthosporium sativum is another outstanding feature of
Kundan because no other wheat in cultivation has been found to possess
combined tolerance for these pathogens.
The strategic breeding programme aimed at consistent performance for
high yield potential from water stress to limited water and optimum
irrigation including suitability for extended dates of planting and
introduction of diverse genes for resistance to multiple diseases including
use of durable sources for resistance to rusts has led to the development of
a large number of promising lines. Some of the strains such as DL 377, DL
788, DL 802 and DL 803 have already established operation of several of these
attributes which should serve either in the production of successful
cultivars or as improved stocks to be used in further breeding programmes.
-------------------------
P. C. Pande1, Shantha Nagarajan1, D. Singh2 and H. N. Pande2
Nuclear Research Laboratory1 and Division of Genetics2
Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012
Number of Vascular bundles and their relationship to lodging resistance
in hexaploid wheat. Increase in number of vascular bundles of large size per
unit area is associated with improved lodging resistance in the stem.
Lodging of wheat crop is induced as a result of the interplay of number of
factors adversely affecting either the capacity of the root system which
supports the shoot, strength of stem to support the shoot or both. The
strength of stem, particularly that of peduncle region which support the
weight of spike, assumes special importance in the light of the attempts to
increase grain yield by increasing the partitioning of dry matter to the
grain. From the studies in which lodging was induced in the same genotype by
changing an environmental factor, it was concluded that the number of
vascular bundles remained unchanged but the lignification of cell walls of
the hypoderm was reduced and was mainly responsible for lodging. However, it
is not known if the same is true for genetic characters in the stem providing
lodging resistance to the stem.
In the present study three extensively studied wheat genotypes under
field conditions in IARI and New Delhi were used since they differ widely in
their resistance to lodging. Wheat genotype IWP-5308 is highly prone to
lodging and requires support for the shoot, genotype Kalyan Sona is more
resistant to lodging and genotype Selection III is most resistant out of the
three. The three wheat genotypes were grown in pots under identical normal
growth conditions to ensure uniform environment for growth. The mid-region
of the peduncle was studied at 25 days after anthesis for characters like
external diameter, wall thickness, number of vascular bundles per unit area
nd the size of vascular bundles.
It may be noted from the table that the most positively associated
morphological stem character with lodging resistance is the number of
vascular bundles per unit area, being highest in Selection III. This
character seems to provide more strength to the stem of Selection III since
trachieds provide structural support for the plant and their rigidity is
increased by the secondary thickening that is laid down. The next important
parameter which seems to be of some consequence is the external diameter of
stem. Thus, attempts should be made to incorporate these character in wheat
through breeding to improve lodging resistance and consequently seed yield.
Table - Relationship between relative lodging resistance and number of vascular
bundles per unit area and diameter of peduncle in three wheat genotypes.
External diameter of Number of vascular bundles
peduncle at the middle at the middle of
Wheat genotype of peduncle ( m) peduncle per mm2)
Selection III 2635 + 0.0 89 + 0.2
(Relatively more
lodging resistance)
Kalyan Sona 2759 + 4.0 79 + 0.2
(Relatively less
lodging resistance)
IWP - 5308 2480 + 3.5 78 + 0.2
(Relatively least
lodging resistance)
-------------------------
M. K. Upadhyay and B. Singh
Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
- 110012
DT 18 - a promising triticale for the northern hills. The northern
hills of India are the foci of infection for stripe and leaf rusts of wheat.
It is estimated that about 10% of wheat crop is lost every year due to rusts.
To avert this huge loss, cultivation of rust resistant varieties in the hills
is recommended. Triticale by virtue of its high degree of resistance to
wheat disease, particularly rusts, adaptability to cooler temperatures,
moisture deficient and light soils of the hills is an ideal crop by this
region. DT 18, a recently developed triticale, has given promising results
in the multilocation trials conducted during the last three years in the
northern hills.
Triticale DT 18, developed from the cross TL68/DTS940, is medium tall in
height and medium early in maturity with good tillering potential. Spikes of
DT18 are fully bearded and fusiform with white glumes. Leaf sheath, leaf
blade and glumes are waxy and the peduncle is hairy.
The yield performance of DT18 as compared to semidwarf, high yielding
wheat cultivars Sonalika and CPAN 1796 in three years of trials conducted in
the Northern Hills Zone under rainfed, timely sown conditions under the All
India Coordinated Wheat Improvement Programme is presented below:
Number Zonal Yield (g/ha)
Year of Trials DT18 Sonalika CPAN 1796 C.D.
1987-88 4 17.1 15.7 17.7 2.6
1988-89 6 26.7 23.5 22.2 2.3
1989-90 4 29.1 16.2 22.7 3.0
Mean 24.3 18.5 20.9
Percent increase over wheat 31.3 16.3
DT 18 gave significantly higher yields over wheat cultivars Sonalika and
CPAN 1796, which are under extensive cultivation in the northern hills,
during 1988-89 and 1989-90.
In three years of multilocation disease screening under artificial rust
infection in the Plant Pathological Nursery, DT 18 showed no infection to
leaf and stripe rusts while maximum reaction up to 100S was recorded on
Sonalika and 65S on CPAn 1796. DT 18 was also free of both powdery mildew
and loose smut while the wheat cultivars showed a high degree of
susceptibility to these diseases. DT 18 was also resistant to races of stripe
and leaf rusts in seedling stage, which is very desirable feature in this
triticale as the northern hills is the foci of infection for these two rusts
and the inoculum is present throughout the year.
The grains of DT 18 are red, semi hard to hard in texture, medium bold
with protein content of 11.7% and a 77 min. pelshenke value. DT 18 is
comparable to wheat
in grain size, protein and grain texture. It's pelshenke value and a chapati
score is slightly lower than wheat.
DT 18 clearly established its superior performance over wheat cultivars
Sonalika and CPAN 1796 with regard to its yield potential and disease
resistance. In view of its superior performance DT 18 was recommended for
farmers' field demonstrations in the northern hills by the 29th All India
Wheat Research Workers' Workshop held at Kumarganj, Faizabad in August, 1990,
in order to get farmers response to this new crop.
-------------------------
Dalmir Singh
Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Inst., New Delhi
Location of genes and induction of homoeologous recombinants between
wheat and rye
Wheat-rye recombinants resistant to all three rusts of wheat. Material
having rust resistance from strains of Secale cereale was evaluated in the
Bc1 F6 generation. It was observed that the recombinant lines were resistant
to all three rusts of wheat. Plants possessing aestivum type of features
were also observed. These aestivum type of plants were also evaluated for
rust resistance at the Wellington (IARI, Regional Station in the Nilgirl
Hills of Tamil Nadu State of India) station, where all the rust pathogens
propagate in natural conditions. It was observed that these aestivum types
of recombinants are also resistant to all the rusts of wheat. These lines
having rust resistance from rye, probably will be very useful in transferring
these genes to protect the newly developed cultivars from the rust pathogen
for a longer duration.
Self compatible rye mutants. Single spike progenies of selfed rye were
planted in the field for M3 generation. About 250 spikes from different
plants were again selfed and seeds were harvested separately. The spike
fertility was determined. Observations made on the spike fertility revealed
the range of fertility from 0.0 to 89.0%. Spikes possessing self fertility
over 20.0% have been retained and planted in the field for further
evaluation. Among these spike progenies, variation has been observed for
grain color and hairy peduncle. The effect of self fertility is being
studied on the feasibility of the gene(s) transfer from rye to wheat.
Genes involved in the biosynthesis of chlorophyll content in a hexaploid
wheat selection III. Using monosomic line 3A of variety Pb. C591 as female
parent and sel. III (a strain possessing very high grain weight and protein
content) as male parent, crossed seeds were obtained. In the F1, hybrids
were identified cytologically and seeds were taken from disomic and monosomic
hybrids separately. The seeds were germinated in the petridishes. The data
obtained from the segregation of the seedlings of these hybrids suggested
that there is only one gene in selection III which is involved in the
biosynthesis of chlorophyll contents in this culture. The detailed studies
of these data have indicated that the gene in question is located on
chromosome 3A. Crosses involving ditelocentrics 3AL, 3BL, and 3DL of variety
Chinese Spring have revealed its being located on the long arm of chromosome
3A.
Chlorophyll content biosynthetic gene(s) in variety Mara. A study was
undertaken to identify and locate the gene(s) involved in the biosynthesis of
chlorophyll contents in variety Mara. For identification of these gene(s)
variety Mara was crossed with monosomic line 3A of variety Pb. C591. F2
segregation of green and albina seedlings of disomic and monosomic F1 hybrids
revealed there are at least two genes present in variety Mara which are
involved in the biosynthesis of chlorophyll contents. The crosses involving
ditelocentrics 3AL, 3BL, and 3DL of variety Chinese Spring and variety Mara
produced only green seedlings in their F2 population which made things
difficult to determine the genes on the specific chromosomes and chromosome
arms.
The effects of storage on the seeds of aneuploid lines of wheat. A
detailed study was undertaken to study the effect of storage on the seeds of
monosomic lines of variety Pb. C591 except monosomic line 5B. The seeds were
stored for 3 years under uniform conditions and were compared with the 4th
year seeds (freshly harvested seeds). The observations were taken on the
seed germination, coleoptile length, seedling height, root length and root
number. Based on the observations made on these traits the following
conclusions were drawn:
1. For seed germination there were at least 8 chromosomes (1A, 1B, 1D,
3D, 4A, 4D, 5A and 6B) found to be involved in normal seed germination. Out
of these, chromosomes 1A, 4A and 6B possessed major genes for seed
germination.
2. Coleoptile length was affected by at least 9 chromosomes (1B, 2B,
3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 6B, 7A and 7D) found to promote the length of coleoptile
while chromosomes 7B was found to inhibit coleoptile length. Chromosomes 1B,
4A and 5A were found to carry genes with major effect.
3. Chromosomes 1B, 4A 5A and 6A were found to promote seedling height.
Chromosome 7B on the other hand was found to carry gene(s) for inhibiting the
height of the seedlings.
4. The root length trait was affected by at least 4 chromosomes (1B,
4A, 5A and 6D).
5. Root number was found to be very stable. Only one chromosome (4A)
was found to be associated with the development of root number.
PUBLICATION
Singh, D. 1989. Chlorophyll synthetic genes in Triticum sphaerococcum.
Photosynthetica, 23(1).
-------------------------
Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya - Department of Plant Breeding
and Genetics, Palampur, H.P.
G. S. Sethi, Satish C. Sharma, K. S. Thakur, Ashwani Kumar, D. L.
Sharma, Shyam Verma and H. K. Chaudhary
Advances in wheat improvement in Himachal Pradesh
Shuttling of wheat breeding material under diverse agro-climatic
conditions. The wheat breeding material generated was shuttled at different
altitudes during winter 1989-90 at Dhaulakuan (456m), Bajaura (1098m) and
Palampur/Malan (1300m) which are the hot spots of stripe rust, leaf rust and
powdery mildew, respectively, and in summer 1990 at Kukumseri (2300m) which
is the hot spot for stripe rust and powdery mildew. The segregating
materials shuttled, evaluated and selections made at these locations in the
State are given below:
Cultures
Generation Location Evaluated Selected
F1 Palampur 136 populations 136
F2 Bajaura 209 populations 382 single plants
F3 Palampur, Dhaula 1038 progenies 325 single plants
Kuan, Malan and Kukumseri
F4 Palampur, Dhaula 605 progenies 215 single plants
kuan and Kukumseri
F5 Palampur and 206 progenies 110 single plants
Kukumseri
F6 Palampur and 103 progenies 30 progenies
Kukumseri 60 bulks 19 bulks
F7 Palampur, Malan 47 bulks 42 bulks
and Kukumseri
F8 Malan 30 bulks 19 bulks
Also, 136 new crosses were made at Palampur involving agronomic bases
and the donor parents with resistance to leaf and stripe rusts (Veery's CPAN
3004, CPAN 2099, HUW 258, CPAN 1990, HW 971, CPAN 1992, HS 207), loose-smut
resistance (PBW 65, VL 646), powdery mildew resistance (HS 207, HS 240, CPAN
1922) and grain quality (CPAN 2016, CPAN1946 and CPAN 2019.
Evaluation and utilization of National and International wheat
germplasm. A total of 693 genetic stocks of wheat selected at the National
Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, IARI, New Delhi, were evaluated at
Palampur, Bajaura and Malan for their growth habit, plant type, maturity,
grain characters and resistance to stripe and leaf rust (under artificial
epiphytotic conditions at Bajaura and Malan). Based upon these characters,
290 genetic stocks were selected for use in our wheat breeding programme. In
addition, 450 stocks were also screened in the seedling stage against a
mixture of leaf rust races in the glasshouse and immune and resistant lines
have been selected.
Development of new cultivars. Two new wheat cultivars, HPW 49 and HPW
42, have been developed for early sown rainfed conditions and for high
altitude areas of the State, respectively. These cultivars possess high
degree of resistance to stripe and leaf rusts. The performance of these
cultivars in the Northern Hill Zone during the last 3 years under the
All-India Wheat Coordinated Trials is given in Table 1.
Table 1. Performance of promising wheat cultivars in the Northern Hill Zone,
with maximum severity of rusts at adult-plant stage under artificial
epiphytotic conditions.
Mean Reaction to Cultivar/Production Grain yield q/ha
grain Stripe Leaf
condition 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 yield rust rust
Early Sown, Rainfed
HPW 49 34.2 23.6 47.2 35.0 0 10MS
VL 616 (check) 35.2 23.5 37.3 32.0 10S 80S
Timely Sown, High Altitude
Rainfed
HPW 42 30.8 20.0 19.9 23.6 0 10S
Sonalika(C) 22.4 22.5 17.3 20.7 20S 80S
Identification of wheat genetic stocks for resistance to stripe rust,
leaf rust and powdery mildew. A total of 860 genetic stocks of wheat were
screened under artificial epiphytotic conditions of stripe and leaf rust
created by spraying 4-5 times a mixture of races viz. 12, 77, 77A, 104, 108
and 162 of leaf rust and 20, 31, and K of stripe rust at 7-day intervals
starting from second fortnight of February. The data were recorded on
terminal disease severity, during the last week of April when Sonalika and
some other susceptible checks viz. Agralocal, WL 711, Kalyansona and Lehmi)
showed 100S severity of both the rusts, based on modified Manner's (for
stripe rust) and Cobb's (for leaf rust) scale. The powdery mildew studies
were undertaken in the laboratory by inoculating 10-day old seedlings raised
in enamelled trays, by uniformly dusting conidia of an isolate, collected
from Palampur, with avirulence/virulence formulae of P Pm1, Pm2, Pm3a, Pm4,
Pm6, Pm8/p pm 3b, pm 3c, pm5, pm7, pmMA. The data were recorded 10 days
thereafter using 0-4 scale as suggested by Smith and Blair (1950). Out of
all the stocks so screened, only 14 agronomically superior wheat genetic
stocks, having resistance to both the rusts were selected. These stocks are:
7DSN-55, EIGSN-51, EIGSN-138, EIGSN-141, EIGSN-170, EIGSN-195, 2-HEWSN 11,
2-HEWSN 58, 2-HEWSN 150, 2-HEWSN 86, 2-HEWSN 194, 5KBSN-141, RWYT (LR)-12 and
WAW SN-23. Of these EIGSN-51,EIGSN-141, EIGSN-170, 2HEWSN-86 and 2HEWSN-194
were resistant to powdery mildew also.
The work is also in progress to workout pathogenic variation in Erysiphe
graminis f. sp. tritici Em Marshal populations prevalent in the State. Out
of 8 acrosporic and 10 conidial cultures collected from Lahaul-Spiti and
Palampur, 13 different pathotypes have been identified using the
near-isogenic lines having known single powdery mildew resistance genes (Pm1
through pm8 and an unidentified gene in Michigan Amber). Gene Pm1 continued
to be effective against powdery mildew populations form both locations.
Potential of winter wheats in dry-temperature areas. Although winter
wheat is not grown in India, it has potential as a grain and fodder crop in
the snow- bound areas (such as Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur Districts) of
Himachal Pradesh and other hilly areas of the country.
Eighteen winter wheat cultivars were supplied by the wheat project
Directorate, New Delhi and were evaluated at the Regional Research Station,
Kukumseri (2300m a.m.s.1.). Based upon high yield potential and resistance
to rusts and powdery mildew, 7 of these winter wheats, Atou, Bounty,
Amargas-2, J.).3057, Flendess, Funddin and Envoy were selected and further
tested along with one semiwinter (VL 616) and one spring wheat (CPAN 1922) as
checks for grain yield (without fodder cutting), grain yield after one fodder
cut and fodder yield (of one cut). The results (Table 2) indicate that
cultivars Atou and Bounty were the highest grain yielders with yields of 55.2
and 53.6 q/ha, when no fodder cutting was taken. However, when one fodder
cut was taken the cultivar `Bounty' gave the highest grain yield of 49.6 q/ha
in addition to 76.7 q of green fodder. It was closely followed by the
cultivar J.O. 3057 with an advantage. The cultivar Atou was found to be
resistant to stripe and leaf rusts as well as powdery mildew. The seed of
these promising cultivars has been distributed for their evaluation at
farmer's fields during 1990-1991.
Table 2. Performance of winter wheat cultivars with regard to grain
yield, fodder yield and reaction to stripe and leaf rust.
Grain yield (q/ha) Fodder yield (q/ha) Reaction to
Without After one (of one cut) Stripe Leaf
Cultivar fodder cut fodder cut rust rust
Atou 55.3 33.4 66.0 F F
Bounty 53.6 49.6 76.7 F F
Amargas-2 30.2 38.8 63.3 F F
J.O. 3057 44.3 44.1 54.8 TS F
Flendess 39.2 39.6 82.5 F F
Funddin 49.5 33.4 82.0 F F
Envoy 41.2 32.8 104.3 F F
VL 616(check) 42.9 28.1 - 10S 20S
(semi-winter
CPAN 1922 (check) 35.6 18.7 - 10S F
(spring wheat)
C.D. (0.05) 3.9 4.8
F = Free; S = Susceptible
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM ISRAEL
Hazera (1939) Breeding Department, Farm Mivhor, Post Sde Gat 79570
Sem Y. Atsmon
National production 1989/90. The total area planted to wheat and
harvested for grain amounts to about 70,000 ha. An addition 15,000 ha have
been planted to wheat for silage, almost all of them to the cultivar DARIEL.
The following table specifies the cultivars:
Released % of Heading Height
Cultivar by Year Area (1) (2)
MIRIAM ARO 1968 0.4 midlate high
LACHISH ARO 1969 0.6 late high
SHAFIR HAZERA 1976 10.7 early semidwarf
INBAR(durum) ARO 1976 1.1 late high
BETH LEHEM ARO 1982 12.1 early semidwarf
DEGANITH WEIZMANN 1983 4.3 midlate dwarf
BETH HASHITA ARO 1984 32.9 midlate dwarf
DARIEL HAZERA 1986 17.2 late high
ATIR HAZERA 1987 20.7 midlate semidwarf
(1) emergence mid Nov./mid. Dec.: early = 85 days, midlate = 88-91
days, late = 96-107 days
(2) dwarf: 75 cm; semidwarf: 85-90 cm; high: 95 cm.
According to this table 87% of the wheat area has been planted to 5
cultivars released during the eighties. SHAFIR is the most important one
among the older cultivars. BETH LEHEM replaces MIRIAM in lower rainfall
areas. BETH HASHITA is the most widely adapted cultivar, but is very
susceptible to Septoria leaf blotch, leaf- and stemrust. The newest
cultivars DARIEL and ATIR suffer less from Septoria and are resistant to
stripe- and leafrust. INBAR is going to be replaced by the new ARO-cultivar.
Generally rainfall was above average in the South, and average or
somewhat less in the Northern wheat growing regions. 10-15,000 ha received
additional irrigation. December was the driest month. Spring was moist,
securing slow ripening and consequently high hectoliter-weight (81 kg).
Total production was 257,000 tons, covering about 40% of consumption.
Average yield was about 3.8 ton/ha.
Hazera's Breeding Programs
Bread wheat. Our recent releases are DARIEL and ATIR. The former is a
selection from CIMMYT-cross 38212 (PFAU). It has a very good yield
potential, expressing itself especially under good spring-moisture
conditions. Demand is much greater than expected, first of all for silage,
but for grain as well.
ATIR has been selected in HAZERA-cross H76.1245 between 2 lines
developed in the early seventies from F2 CIMMYT-crosses. It is higher
yielding and considerably more resistant to all rusts than SHAFIR, which it
will replace.
After summarizing results of 12 trials over 4 years we decided to submit
to official regional testing 2 new lines, as from 1990/91.
The Septoria-resistance program continues to enjoy a strong support of
Prof. Z. Eyal at Tel Aviv University. It still is difficult to combine good
resistance with desired agronomic characters. Progress is steady, but slow.
Much of our material is resistant to stripe- and leafrust. We neglect
stemrust at the moment, but we have to be prepared for eventual troubles in
the future.
In view of growing emphasis on bread making quality we are assessing all
our material on protein-content, Zeleny sedimentation and mixograms. We
detect of course negative effect of 1B/1R in many lines, but many others give
promise of acceptability.
Durum. The size of this program is 1/5 of that for bread wheat; if
successful we hope to be able to expand our activity beyond the country's
boundaries. The most severe obstacle to progress at this moment seems to be
the combination of earliness with quality and resistance. We may have to
concentrate our efforts on maximum exploitation of the few early, high
yielding lines, detected recently in some of our crosses.
Personnel. The author of this contribution is retiring after 38 years
of service in HAZERA. Mr. Ze'ev Hittin will replace him.
-------------------------
The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan
A. Blum
Variation among wheat cultivars in the response of leaf gas exchange to
light.
Research was done in order to explore genetic variations in carbon
exchange rate (CER) of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaves in response
to variable photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and to compare old and
new Israeli cultivars in this respect. Leaf gas exchange was measured in
detached turgid leaves of 17 cultivars in an open system at 25o C when PAR
was reduced from ca. 1200 to 200 mol/m2. Linear regressions of CER, stomatal
conductance, transpiration and leaf internal CO2 concentration (Ci) on log
PAR were fitted for each leaf (regression R2 was never <0.79) and the
regressions were compared among cultivars by analysis of variance.
Genotypes differed significantly for the slope (b) but not the intercept
(a) of the regression of CER on log PAR, indicating that genotypic
differences for CER increased with increasing PAR. Photosynthetic capacity,
as expressed by the ratio of CER to Ci, differed significantly among
cultivars only at high PAR. Stomatal conductance and transpiration increased
in a linear or a nonlinear fashion with log PAR and differences among
cultivars for both were the greatest at medium to low PAR. Photosynthetic
water-use efficiency (WUE) and its variation among cultivars were greatest at
the highest PAR. Genotypic variation in CER at high PAR was confirmed by
repeated results for 11 cultivars over two independent experiments.
The recently developed high-yielding cultivar V652 had a higher maximum
CER, higher photosynthetic capacity and greater WUE at high PAR than older
and lower yielding cultivars. The results suggest an upward genetic shift in
photosynthetic capacity and in CER at high PAR when selection for yield in
spring wheat was performed under the high-irradiation conditions of Israel.
On the other hand, the results of others show that when selection was
performed under lower irradiance environment and/or in winter wheat, no such
genetic shift was observed in modern cultivars as compared with older ones.
It is therefore suggested that the measurement of carbon exchange rate
at saturating irradiance (Pmax) in detached wheat leaves may have some
predictive value in selection work for high yield under relatively high
irradiation conditions. This conclusion is in contrast to the general
feeling among crop physiologists that single-leaf measurements of
photosynthesis have no value for the prediction of plant production of yield.
It seems, however, that in the selection for high yield under high irradiance
in spring wheat materials of high potential yield, there may be some value to
such measurements. In our continued work along this line, we keep getting
very supportive results, as displayed in the example presented in Fig 1.
INSERT #4 HERE
PUBLICATIONS
Blum, A., Golan, G., Mayer, J., Sinmena, B. and Burra, J. 1989. The drought
response of landraces of wheat from the Northern Negev desert in Israel.
Euphytica 43:87-96.
Blum, A. 1989. Osmotic adjustment and growth of barley genotypes under
drought stress. Crop Sci. 29:230-231.
Martiniello, P. and Blum, A. 1989. An association between chlorophyll
fluorescence and carbon exchange rate in water-stressed wheat leaf disks in
vitro. J. Genet. & Breed. 43:7-9.
Blum, A., Ramaiah, S., Kanemasu, E. T. and Paulsen, G. M. 1990. Recovery of
wheat from drought stress at the tillering developmental stage. Field Crops
Res. 24:67-85.
Blum, A., Shpiler, L., Golan, G. and Mayer, J. 1990. Yield stability and
canopy temperature of wheat genotypes under drought stress. Field Crops Res.
22:289-296.
Blum, A. and Pnuel, Y. 1990. Physiological attributes associated with
drought resistance of wheat cultivars in a mediterranean environment. Aust.
Jour. Agric. Res. 41:799-810.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM ITALY
Experimental Institute for Cereal Research - Section of St. Angelo
Lodigiano, Italy
B. Borghi and M. Perenzin
Hybrids wheats. Combining ability estimates in bread wheat for quality
traits. Seventy-five F1 hybrids obtained by crossing 15 female cultivars of
bread wheat with 3 males were grown at normal seed density in replicated plot
trials at two locations in Northern Italy together with their parental
cultivars.
Estimates of general combining ability (GCA) indicate that several
cultivars contributed moderate genetic effect to all the main qualitative
traits. In particular the cultivars Salmone, Saliente, Pandas and Irnerio
showed positive and significative values for alveograph W, while Salmone,
Salgemma and Gallo showed positive effects for alveograph P/L. Moreover,
some cultivars showed positive estimates of GCA for protein content and for
Zeleny test. Specific combining ability (SCA) effects never resulted
statistically significatives.
In conclusion the hybrids appeared on average to be of inferior bread
making quality (Alveograph W) when compared with the best parental cultivar
(Salmone). However, using the few available high quality cultivars, it
appears possible to produce a wide array of hybrids, some of them combining a
satisfactory quality with a high level of productivity.
-------------------------
M. Cattaneo and Y. M. Qiao
In Vitro anthers culture. A new program on wheat aimed at producing
double haploid androenetic lines started in 1989 to support and speed up
traditional breeding. A second anthers culture cycle was carried on in 1990:
46 Italian cultivars, 10 F1 hybrids and 2 French Diplo-Haploid lines were
tested on two media. The first one was a completely synthetic filtered
medium (W5, mf), the second was supplemented with potato extract (P2).
farneto and Oderzo, two largely grown Italian cultivars, confirmed the
positive results of the previous year, some other cultivars like Dardo,
Fabiola, Gladio and Tivoli, gave satisfactory results (more than 10% in calli
production). About 200 double haploid lines are under evaluation in the
field.
Up to how more than 43900 anthers have been cultured with an average
yield of 4.8% calli production.
-------------------------
R. Castagna
Selection of mutants in Triticum monococcum L. Seeds from a population
of Triticum monococcum L., called Winterform, were treated with different
doses of x-rays. In the following generations were selected several
chlorophyll mutants detected at the plantlet stage and other mutants
affecting life cycle and the plant morphology. In the M4 generation we have
identified 24 albina, 8 viridis, 10 virescent, 1 viridoalbina, 3 xanta, 1
striata, 1 tigrina. Among the putative mutants some affect growth habitus
(uniculm, oligoculm), plant height, head shape (laxa, compact, coiled, weak
rachis, curled branched, accordeon), spikelet morphology (with one or two
flowers, awness lemma in the second flower, breviaristatum), flower
morphology (branched or multiflorus rachilla, flower organs with scant
development, basal, central, apical, alternate sterility). The mutants will
be used as genetic markers or for physiologycal studies with special regards
to homeotic genes.
Dose (rad)
3000 6000 9000 Control
M2 Grown progenies 1397 1115 51 550
Checked head-rows 6210 4336 134 2554
Segregating head-rows 195 315 12 3
M3 Grown progenies 28 81 0 0
Checked head-rows 282 1773 0 0
Segregating head-rows 12 34 0 0
M4 Grown progenies 5 55 0 0
Checked plants 70 988 0 0
Segregating plants 39 460 0 0
-------------------------
P. Gavuzzi, B. Borghi
Evaluation of genetic variability for grain yield in winter cereals
grown in mediterranean environments. Individuation of genetic variability
for tolerance to drought and heat stress typical of the mediterranean
environments represents the first step in order to start physiological
studies or to conduct breeding programs.
The first step of this year work was to find genetic variability for
adaptability to stress conditions among the most cultivated cultivars of
bread wheat, durum wheat and barley.
The characterization was based on the results of the national network of
variety trails carried out in the last five years and regarding those
locations where heat and drought stress severely reduced grain yield. The
objective parameters adopted were grain yield and the susceptibility index of
Fisher. We could observe that the yield under stress and the Fisher index
resulted highly correlated and we could classify the varieties in relations
to their degree of adaptability to the Mediterranean stress conditions by
using both parameters.
-------------------------
N. E. Pogna, R. Redaelli, A. M. Brretta, A. Curioni, A. Dal Belin
Peruffo
Biochemical and immunological studies of wheat albumins. Water-soluble
protein frraction (albumins) from bread wheat and durum wheat flour was
extracted and purified by electroendosmotic preparative electrophoresis
(EPE). Antibodies were raised against a major albumin component (protein A)
and used in immunoblot analyses to test the reaction with total proteins from
bread wheat, durum wheat and pasta essicated at low (60oC) or high
temperature (90oC). Antiserum to protein A reacted with proteins in the
molecular weight range 14-16 kDa and was found to be useful in detecting
adulteration of durum wheat semolina with flour from common wheat.
By using nulli tetrasomic lines derived from Chines Spring in
immiunoblot assay, protein A was shown to be encoded by the short arm of
chromosome 3D. Antiserum to protein A and preparative free-flow IEF were
employed to characterize some components of the CM-proteins.
-------------------------
N. E. Pogna, R. Redaelli, A. M. Beretta, F. Raineri
A "Selfing" gene coding for omega-gliadin on chromosome 1B of bread
wheat cultivar Salmone. Analysis of F2 and BC1 grains from crosses between
Salmone and six bread wheat cultivars showed that chromosome 1B of Salmone
contains a clust of 4-5 linked genes (Gli-B1 locus) coding for omega- and
gamma-gliadins along with an additional locus (Gli-B4) coding for one gliadin
at a distance of 1.6 recombination units from (Gli-B1). The recombination
values were calculated to be 0.7% between Rg1 ("Red glume" locus) and Gli-B4,
and 2.0% between Rg1 and Gli-B1. The gene order on chromosome 1B was deduced
to be centromere, Glu-B3, Gli-B1, Gli-B4, Rg1.
PUBLICATIONS
Avato, P., Bianchi, G., Pogna, N. E. 1990. Chemosystematics of surface
lipids from maize and some related species. Phytochemistry 29(5):1571-1576.
Borghi, B., Corbellini, M., Gavuzzi, P., Boggini, G., Ouassou, A. 1990.
Breeding for heat and drought tolerance in bread wheat by means of field and
laboratory screening procedures. Bull. Soc. Bot. Fr. 137, Actual Bot.
1:37-46.
Borghi, B., Perenzin, M. 1990. Yield and yield stability of conventional
varieties and F1 bread wheat hybrids. J. Genet. & Breeding. 44:307-310.
Curioni, A., Dal Belin Peruffo, A., Pogna, N. E. 1990. Preparative
isoelectric focusing of reduced wheat gluten proteins. Electrophoresis
11:462-467.
Pogna, N. E., Autran, J. C., Mellini, F., Lafiandra, D., Feillet, P. 1990.
Chromosome 1B-encoded gliadins and glutenin subunits in durum wheat: genetics
and relationship to gluten strength. J. Cereal Sci. 11:15-34.
-------------------------
Instituto Sperimentale per la Cerealicoltura, Via Cassia 176, 00191 Rome
V. Vallega
Triticum monococcum. Diploid wheat, often viewed merely as a source of
genes to be used in durum and bread wheat breeding programs, might still play
a role in modern agriculture as a crop in itself. Most of the T. monococcum
landraces maintained in germplasm banks furnish relatively high grain yields,
and still higher yielding free-threshing types could be obtained with little
effort using traditional breeding methods. The diploid nature of T.
monococcum renders this species genetically much more flexible than polyploid
wheats in relation to the myriad of rapidly changing needs and requirements
of consumers and agricultural industries. Indeed, some of the favourable
mutants known to exist in other diploid cereals but as yet unidentified in
polyploid wheats are probably present in wild strains of diploid wheat, or
could be induced through mutagenic treatments with relative ease. Moreover,
T. monococcum offers - in perspective - greater possibilities than durum and
bread wheats also in relation to hybrid seed production. In fact, it seems
quite reasonable to expect a markedly higher hybrid vigor in crosses between
diploid wheats than amongst polyploid genotypes, in which two or more diploid
genomes already coexist. The data presented below were collected on
materials grown during the 1989/90 season; previous results have been
published elsewhere (Vallega 1979).
Fourteen T. monococcum landraces of various origins as well as a
free-threshing diploid strain and several Italian durum and bread wheats were
grown in field experiments situated near Rome and Bologna (Central and
Northern Italy, respectively). Plots of 10 sq. m each, replicated either 3
or 4 times for each cv., were sown at different seeding rates. Some of the
results obtained are summarized in Table 1. Grain yields (dehulled seed) of
diploid wheats ranged from 1050 to 3240 kg/ha (Bologna) and from 320 to 2800
kg/ha (Rome). Protein yields (kg/ha) of monococcum landraces were, at the
latter site, higher than those of the durum wheat controls, but lower than
those of some high protein durum wheat lines developed recently (Vallega
1985). Further analysis indicated that the yield of diploid wheats would
have been markedly greater if higher seeding rates had been adopted. A few
T. monococcum lines, derived from a very small breeding program initiated in
1979 and interrupted various times, were included as unreplicated plots in
the trial sown near Rome. Grain yield of these lines was higher than that of
any of the durum and bread wheat cvs, included as controls. Small seed
samples of these lines as well as of free-threshing diploid wheat segregating
populations are available on request.
Table 1.
Grain yield 1000-kernel Heading Lodging Test weight
(kg/ha) weight (g) (days) (%) (kg/hl)
diploid wheats 2660 21 218 70 -
2650 29 203 25 79
2550 19 216 40 77
2540 29 203 2 80
2480 20 219 54 77
2410 24 214 54 78
2360 22 219 45 77
2280 22 219 50 77
2260 21 216 85 77
2180 20 219 30 78
2150 23 212 62 78
2130 19 222 35 77
1840 20 216 67 -
1340 24 222 25 76
690 30 190 0 -
tetrapl. 5220 45 196 0 79
wheats (2)
hexapl. 5380 34 198 13 78
wheats (3)
Experiments by a group of Argentinean researchers indicate that T.
monococcum flours are nontoxic in celiac disease. Assays have been initiated
in collaboration with a medical group to verify these findings. Samples of
T. monococcum seed as well as progress reports on this line of research are
available to specialists on request.
Resistance of T. monococcum with regards to Soil-borne Wheat Mosaic
Virus (SBWMV) and to Wheat Spindle Streak Mosaic Virus (WSSMV) was evaluated
in collaboration with Dr. Rubies Autonell (College of Agriculture, University
of Bologna). Particles of SBWMV were found in the leaf tissues of some of
the diploid wheat assayed, but titer counts were similar to those recorded on
durum cvs. known to be resistant to this virus. Although WSSMV particles
were numerous in leaf tissues of susceptible durum wheat controls, none were
observed in any of the T. monococcum landraces tested.
Moderately severe epidemics of yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis) and
mildew (Erysiphe graminis) occurred in the trials grown near Rome and
Bologna, respectively. Several of the diploid wheats tested showed to be
susceptible to both pathogens, especially to yellow rust.
A long series of chemical and technological assays on T. monococcum is
being performed in collaboration with Drs. M. G. D'Egidio and S. Nardi
(I.S.C. Technology Section, Rome). The results of the first analysis' are
summarized in Tables 2 and 3.
Table 2.
Protein Ash SDSS
(%) (%) (cc)
diploid wheats 23.8 - -
18.5 2.21 20
18.3 2.05 16
17.7 - -
16.6 2.23 25
16.2 2.16 42
15.1 2.52 15
15.1 2.22 25
13.7 - -
13.6 2.14 15
13.5 2.28 20
13.3 2.05 25
12.9 2.05 26
12.6 2.12 29
12.5 2.10 24
Tetraploid wheats (2) 13.0 1.98 31
Hexaploid wheats (2) 13.3 1.84 62
Table 3.
Albumins + Gliadins Glutenins Residue
globulins (%) (%) (%) (%)
diploid wheats (12) 27 32 6 30
tetraploid wheats (2) 26 33 5 31
hexaploid wheats (3) 25 30 5 37
Awnless durums. Awns have been often claimed to have appreciable
positive effects on grain yield and drought resistance, yet many successful
awnless common wheat cvs. continue to be launched every year. On the
contrary, all modern durum wheat cvs., including those grown in humid areas,
are awned. In both wheat species, the length, number and position of the
spike of awns have been found to be controlled by polygenic systems.
Interestingly, crosses between an awnless T. dicoccum of Italian origin and
various fully awned wheat cvs. originated F2 populations in which 25% of the
plants was awnless. Genetic analysis will be continued in F3. The awn
inhibitor is being transferred to adapted durums.
Soil-borne wheat mosaic virus and wheat spindle streak mosaic virus.
Investigations on the resistance of diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid wheats
with regards to SBWMV and WSSMV are being continued in collaboration with Dr.
Rubies Autonell (College of Agriculture, University of Bologna). All the
diploid wheats tested so far showed to be resistant to SBWMV and immune to
WSSMV. Eight further durum wheat cvs. resistant to both SBWMV and WSSMV were
identified. As noted also in previous years, SBWMV particles continued to be
present in the tissues of susceptible cvs. well beyond flowering time, even
in the external layers of developing seeds. Particle counts of SBWMV and
WSSMV made on the parental cvs. of various (hexaploid) chromosome
substitution series indicated that resistance differences between these cvs.
are probably not large enough to allow the chromosomal location of major
genes conferring resistance to these viral diseases.
HMW glutenin subunits. Segregating populations carrying either 0, 1, 2
or 3 `null' alleles at the Glu-1 loci are being examined in collaboration
with Drs. M. G. D'Egidio and S. Nardi (I.S.C. Technology Section, Rome) in
order to investigate possible HMW glutenin dosage effects on quality,
especially on pasta products. The number of genotypes analyzed so far is too
small to draw any conclusions.
PUBLICATIONS
Rubies, Autonell C. and V. Vallega. 1991. Studies on the development and
interaction of SBWMV and WSSMV. In "Biotic interactions and soil-borne
diseases" Elsevier Scientific Publishers, Amsterdam, p. 107-112.
Rubies, Autonell C. and V. Vallega. 1990. Soil-borne Wheat Mosaic Virus and
Wheat Spindle Streak Mosaic Virus in Italy. Proc. Symp. Plant Viruses with
fungal vectors. Braaunschweig 1990, p. 135-138.
Rubies Autonell C. and V. Vallega. 1987. Observations on a mixed SBWMV and
WSSMV infection in durum wheat. J. Phytopathology 119:111-121.
Vallega, V. and C. Rubies Autonell. 1985. Reactions of Italian Triticum
durum cultivars to SBWMV. Pl. Disease 69:64-66.
Vallega, V. and C. Rubies Autonell. 1990. Studies on a complex viral
syndrome caused by SBWMV and WSSMV. Proc. Eight Cong. Medit. Phytopath.
Union, Agadir 1990, p. 341-342.
Vallega, V., S. Nardi and M. G. D'Egidio. 1990. Breeding value of durum
wheat cv. Trinakria as a spaghetti cooking quality donor parent. Cereal.
Res. Comm. 18:75-80.
Vallega, V. 1985. Identification of a major protein gene compatible with
high grain yields in semidwarf Triticum durum genotypes. Cereal Res. Comm.
13:201- 207.
Vallega, V. 1988. Comparative analysis of HMW glutenin subunit composition
in various Triticum species. Plant Breeding 100:241-246.
Vallega, V. 1988. HMW glutenin subunit composition of 115 cvs. of Triticum
turgidum var durum of various origins. Genet. Agr. 42:235-240.
Vallega, V. 1978. Search of useful genetic characters in diploid Triticum
spp. Proc. Fifth Intern. Wheat Genet. Symp., New Delhi 1978, p. 156-162.
Vallega, V. 1979. Field performance of varieties of Triticum monococcum, T.
durum and Hordeum vulgare grown at two locations. Genet. Agr. 33:363-370.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM JAPAN
National Agriculture Research Center, Department of Winter Crop Science,
Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305
A. Oyanagi, A. Sato and M. Wada
Differences of root gravitropic responses in Japanese wheat cultivars.
Using the methods of measuring the exudation rate from the cut ends of the
wheat stems, we found differences in the estimated values for root activity
among cultivars. The differences were thought to depend on the root
distribution patterns in the soil, i.e., the cultivars which have deep root
systems had great water absorbing abilities.
It seems that root distribution patterns are determined by the
gravitropic responses of the roots. We observed the gravitropic responses of
the primary seminal roots in 133 Japanese wheat cultivars on the agar medium.
The root growth angle from the horizontal of the cultivars varied from 4o in
the Minaminokomugi to 64o in Norin 58. Significant differences in the
gravitropic responses of the roots were observed.
An ecological differentiation in the gravitropic responses of the roots
was found, i.e., the cultivars which were bred in the northern part of Japan
have large root growth angles from the horizontal and cultivars which were
bred in the southern part of Japan have small root angles. It is considered
that the ecological differentiation of the gravitropic responses in the roots
is related to the soil water condition and temperature in each region. We
will continue to study the genetic and physiological background of the
differences.
PUBLICATIONS
Oyanagi, A., A. Sato and M. Wada. 1990. Growth angles of the seminal roots
in Japanese wheat varieties. Japanese Journal of Crop Science 59 (Extra issue
1):250-251.
Oyanagi, A., A. Sato, M. Wada and T. Yamada. 1991. Inheritance of geotropic
responses in wheat seminal roots. Japanese Journal of Breeding 41 (in
press).
Insert Figure 1
Insert 6 - Table 1
-------------------------
Tohoku National Agricultural Experiment Station, Shimokuriyagawa,
Morioka 010-01
Y. Taniguchi
Quality test of foreign wheat cultivars in east-northern Japan. We have
utilized foreign cultivars as crossing materials to introduce the
characteristics high protein and high quality (high flour yield and high
brightness of flour) into Japanese cultivars.
Forty foreign cultivars were planted in 6-row plots (20 cm between rows
and 3.2 m long, 200-250 seeds per m2) on September 19 in 1986/1987 and on
September 18 in 1987/1988 (11 cultivars were planted both 1986/1987 and
1987/1988). These wheats were ground experimentally by a quadrumat junior.
In 1986-1987, Martonvasari 12, NS 2985 and T 79/3 had high flour yields
with a high flour ash content. T 79/8, Eupamil, 81146 and 81142 had high
protein content of grain and flour. T 79/8 had the highest sedimentation
value, and Renard had the high brightness of flour and the high yellowness
(log R554/R455) of flour.
In 1987/1988, MV-15 and NS 2985 had high flour yield and low flour ash
content. Nanbukomugi, 81146, 81142, MV-14 and Stozher had high protein
content of grain and flour. TAM 200, Recital and Sterna had high
sedimentation values.
-------------------------
Tohoku National Agricultural Experiment Station
S. Ito
Regeneration potential of long cultured callus in wheat. Calli from
immature embryos of 31 wheat cultivars were subcultured at four week
intervals for 40 weeks on MS medium with 2,4-D 2 mg/1. Halves of callus were
transferred to MS medium without 2,4-D, at 4, 8, 16, 24, 32 and 40 weeks.
After the callus were cultured for eight weeks, number of plants regenerated
from the callus was counted. The frequency of plant regeneration from callus
decreased as callus was subcultured. Variation of plant regeneration
obtained from the cultivars tried on a total of 31 cultivars ranged 0% to
100%. The 22 cultivars regenerated no plants at 24 weeks. Four cultivars
(Toyoho-komugi, Shimohusa-komugi, Aoba-komugi, Tohoku 144) regenerated plants
from callus at 40 weeks. The frequency of plant regeneration in these four
cultivars were categorized into the higher group at 4 weeks. In the tissue
culture studies of wheat by callus, we need to select the cultivars with the
highest regeneration rate and consider its maintenance during long culture.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM MEXICO
CIMMYT, Mexico, D.F.
R.A. Fischer and G. Varughese
Developments in CIMMYT Wheat Program in 1990
There were few major staff changes in 1990. As foreshadowed, in
mid-year, Gene Saari came back to Mexico to become Leader of the Crop
Protection (CP) Subprogram and Edmundo Acevedo joined as Leader of the Crop
Management and Physiology (CMP) Subprogram. In Germplasm Improvement, Sirkka
Immonen joined the Triticale Section as Associate Scientist on FINNIDA funds;
He Zhong-hu from China became Associate, and Getinet Gebeyehu from Ethiopia
and Chen Tianyou from China joined as Visiting Scientists in Bread Wheat; Dr.
Steven Calhoun left Bread Wheat for Louisiana State University. In Genetic
Resources, Dr. M.D.H.M. William and Mr. Oscar Riera joined as Post-Doctoral
Fellow and Associate, respectively, while Nitschka ter Kuile left for further
studies. Guillermo Fuentes (Karnal bunt) and Dennis Lawn (soil pathology)
were promoted to Associate Scientists in CP, Roberto Ranieri (BYD) and
Johnathan Robinson (RWA) joined as Associates. In CMP Matthew Reynolds became
an Associate Scientist in Physiology of Wheat in hot climates, while Craig
Meisner joined as a Post-Doctoral. David Saunders resigned as agronomist and
leader of the CIDA-Bangladesh project, returning to Australia to work in
consulting. Max Alcala returned from sabbatical in Temple, Texas, and Rey
Villareal and Miloudi Nachit took up sabbaticals at Cornell. Last year was
busy for conferences with substantial program involvement in the Wheat for
NonTraditional Warmer Areas Conference (Iguazu Falls, Brazil) and the
International Triticale Conference (Passo Fundo, Brazil) and record
participation in ASA/CSSA.
On the funding front, an important achievement in 1990 was the renewal
for 3 years from mid-1990 of the UNDP project on wheat for warmer non-
traditional areas; the project now has the title Increasing Wheat Production
in Warmer and Stress Environments, and it supports four international staff
(Kohli, Wall, Mann, and Reynolds). Under the project the successful
international conference was organized in Iguazu Falls (31 July-4 August
1990);proceedings will be available in mid-1991. Also in 1990 the SDC
(Switzerland) renewed support for wheat biotechnology (Krattiger) and granted
funds for an Associate (Ruckstuhl) to work with Jesse Dubin in Nepal on
Helminthosporium. Finally, ACIAR(Australia) approved a project organized out
of Thailand to look at Boron deficiency in wheat in that Country, and in
Nepal and Bangladesh.
The 1989-90 season in northwest Mexico was close to average weatherwise,
apart from heavy rains in December, which resulted in about 15% of the crops
being sown late. Nevertheless, the average yield for the Yaqui Valley was the
second highest on record (5.46 t/ha). The bread wheats Opata 85 and Oasis 86
and the durum wheat Altar 84 predominated. New varieties released by INIFAP
for the Yaqui Valley Bacanora 88 (= Kauz'S', bread wheat) and Aconchi 89 (=
Altar/Aos, durum wheat) promise further small yield gains with normal
planting, but because of their short erect-leaved habit, have raised concerns
about possible yield penalties with the increasingly common bed planting
system, which leaves a 45-50 cm unplanted gap between beds. This issue is
subject to continuing research.
On the disease front, Karnal bunt incidence in the Yaqui Valley was very
low (89% of samples free, 0.02% above 2% infection, mean infection level
0.03%). Artificial KB inoculation was, however, very effective and good
progress was made in identifying less susceptible progeny. Incorporation of
stem rust resistance into durum wheats for hot spots, like the traditional
growing areas of Ethiopia, also registered good progress in 1990 with a
useful proportion CIMMYT material now showing resistance. Finally, resistance
to Helminthosporium sativum, clearly superior to that of Chinese and
Brazilian sources, has been identified in our Poza Rica hot spot in progeny
of good plant type from a cross involving, among other parents, Agropyron
curvifolium.
In late 1990, the RFLP mapping project at Cornell University produced a
map for barley and has identified several hundred wheat probes from various
sources. Doubled haploid populations for mapping of certain traits are being
produced at El Batan. The method using pollination with Zea mays is proving
very efficient in the production of haploid plants. CIMMYT is also
maintaining links with the International Triticinae Mapping Initiative.
-------------------------
Barley Yellow Dwarf and Russian Wheat Aphid Research
P.A. Burnett, R. Ranieri, and J. Robinson
Barley Yellow Dwarf Strains and Aphid Vectors in Mexico. The main aphid
species that feed on small grains in Mexico are Rhopalosiphum padi, R.
maidis, Sitobion avenae, Schizaphis graminum, Metopolophium dirhodum, and
Diuraphis noxia (Russian wheat aphid [RWA]).
The work, to date, indicates that there are four prevalent strains of
barley yellow dwarf viruses (BYDVs) in Mexico. The most prevalent is MAV-like
and the major vector in Mexico is M. dirhodum, not S. avenae as it is in many
other areas of the world. There is also a relatively high incidence of the
RMV-like strain. The other two strains present are PAV-like and RPV-like. We
only occasionally detect SGV. To date, tests in Mexico have not shown that D.
noxia is a vector of BYDVs.
Germplasm Screening. Screening for resistance to barley yellow dwarf
(BYD) has continued in both winter and spring cereals. With the lifting of
quarantine on the Altizapan Station near Toluca most of the screening work
has returned to this site, where it is done under naturally occurring BYD
epidemics.
We have selected some wheat lines from material we obtained as F2s and
F3s from Dr. A. Comeau (Agriculture Canada Quebec City, Canada), which have
looked particularly good. These lines have been screened both with an
MAV-like strain transmitted by greenhouse reared M. dirhodum and with natural
epidemics. A number of these lines that have resistance to leaf rust, stem
rust and yellow rust have been given to the bread wheat program for further
evaluations. Table 1 lists the pedigree of the best lines.
We screened a collection of septoria-resistant bread wheat lines that we
obtained from Dr. Lucy Gilchrist of CIMMYT. It has been suggested that there
may be a link between septoria resistance and BYD resistance. However, only
10% of these lines showed resistance to BYD in our test.
Yield Loss Studies. We have some wheat lines that, based on symptoms,
have appeared resistant/tolerant for several cycles of screening. In 1989 and
1990, some of these lines were yield-tested under inoculation with greenhouse
reared viruliferous M. dirhodum (transmitting and MAV-like strain). In these
experiments, the cultivar Anza has been used as the resistant check and
Bobwhite has been the susceptible check. The yield of the insecticide-sprayed
plots were divided by the yield of the MAV infected plots. We want lines with
ratios that are lower than Anza and tend towards 1.0. Some promising lines
from 1989 are listed in Table 2.
Russian Wheat Aphid. Useful levels of resistance to RWA have been found
in field screenings of winter wheat, spring barley, spring triticale, winter
triticale, spring rye and winter rye, but not in CIMMYT spring wheat. The
winter wheats were identified as resistant to RWA from screening in South
Africa and the USA. Screening of spring wheats from CIMMYT germplasm
collections will continue in 1991 and crosses will be made between the
resistant winter wheats and spring wheats.
Table 1. Pedigree of selected lines with good symptomatic resistance to BYD
in Mexico.
___________________________________________________________
F7
SERI/PEL 72390//PVN/3/ALD/BH 1146*2
CNO 79/ANZA//PVN/3/ALD/BH 1146* 2
PVN 76//ALD/BH 1146*2/3/CNO 79/PEL 72390
F6
MIRLO/BUC//TONI and the reciprocal cross
TONI/TSI
TONI/PAT 19 and the reciprocal cross
NHU-PORA/TSI
PF 70354/ALD//TONI
ALD/BH 1146*2/TSI
IAS 63/ALD//GTO LV/3/LONG MIAI 10
____________________________________________________________
Table 2. The best lines of 1989 BYD yield loss experiment.
____________________________________________________________
Pedigree Ratio
PF79765 LOTE 137/81 1.17
SDY/CARC/3/AU/UP301//BOW 1.23
VEE#5/TRAP#1 1.23
ALV110/2*IAS54/6/TP/4/TZPP/SM64/NA 1.24
PO/3/CNO67/5/PF6968
AND/HN4/3/GTO/7C//BBCNO67/5/PVN/ 1.25
4/44/CNO//JAR/3/ORZ/6TAN
BJY/COC 1.32
CNO79/PRL 1.34
TRAP#1 1.34
FAN#1 1.37
KEA/GH 1.39
ANZA 1.42
-------------------------
Application of Distance Analysis to the Choice of Parents in Wheat
Breeding
He Zhong-hu*
Euclidean distance, based on principal component analysis, was
calculated among six groups of winter wheat lines developed during the
1985-89 period. They were clustered using the pair-group arithmetic average
method. Three methods used for selecting characters, i.e., using all
characters observed (Conventional Method), weighting the traits based on
relative importance (Weighting Method), and selecting only those with high
heritabilities (Heritability Method), were compared. The aim of these studies
was to investigate the association between genetic distance and heterosis, to
evaluate the relationship between cross performance and parental
classification, to assess the consistency of distance analysis under various
environments and its biological implication, and the problem of how to select
and weight characters in distance analysis. The results are as follows:
1) The relationship between genetic distance or weighted genetic
distance and heterosis varied with different characters studied and different
generations of materials used. A positive correlation existed between genetic
distance or weighted genetic distance and the heterosis of sample yield or
yield per plant, but this was influenced by the magnitude of heterosis and
parental materials used.
2) In order to obtain promising crosses in hybridization breeding and in
hybrid wheat breeding, it may be better to select parents from intercluster
rather than intracluster materials. The characteristics of the materials used
and the experience of individual breeder in the choice of parents should also
be considered.
3) The results of distance analysis varied under different environments,
but to some extent consistency was associated with the choice of characters.
There is no association between the consistency of varietal clustering and
the stability parameter of the individual character.
4) The genetic difference derived from distance analysis is not
identical to differences in pedigrees, nor to those caused by different
geographical origins. The genetic difference obtained from distance analysis
appears to be the combined reflection of different phenotypic characters.
5) Results suggest that distance analysis has a certain degree of
consistency with respect to the selection and weighting of characters. It
seems that the Heritability Method is superior to the Conventional and
Weighting Methods. The influence of character weighting on distance analysis
is far less than that of character selection. This research was part of my
Doctoral studies at the Beijing Agricultural University.
-------------------------
Assessing Weed Competition Ability in Bread Wheat
K.D. Sayre, I. Ortiz-Monasterio, and C. Meisner
Weeds continue to reduce yields in most wheat producing areas. The
relative importance of this yield reduction is certainly higher in many
developing countries where cost and availability of herbicides and equipment
limit their use and where labor costs/shortages increasingly preclude
adequate hand weeding of wheat. Grass weeds (Avena sp., Phalaris sp., Bromus
sp., Lolium sp., and other genera) are usually more difficult to control in
wheat and are potentially more yield threatening than most common broadleaf
weeds. Herbicides for grass weed control are normally more expensive and
require more stringent application management to obtain satisfactory control.
No grass herbicide similar to 2,4-D or its derivatives, widely used broadleaf
herbicides, is available for grass weed control in wheat. With these
considerations, the Agronomy Section of the CIMMYT Wheat Program has begun to
investigate alternative methods for weed control in wheat that may reduce or
replace reliance on herbicides and/or handweeding. Emphasis is placed on
control of highly competitive grass weeds like wild oats (A. fatua).
CIMMYT's major contributions to wheat producing countries is its
diverse, high-yielding and widely adapted germplasm. Extensive variation
exists in wheat morphological characteristics and growth habits. Casual
observations in farmers' fields, in experiment station nurseries, and yield
trials have indicated that short stature genotypes (75-80 cm) and/or
genotypes with small erect leaves with a compact canopy appear to compete
"poorly" with weeds such as P. minor or A. fatua. Taller, semi-dwarf
genotypes (95-100 cm) with large, lax leaves and a spreading canopy appear to
be "better" weed competitors.
A trial was established during the 1989-90 winter cycle at the CIANO
Experiment Station in the Yaqui Valley near Cd. Obregon, Sonora, in
northwestern Mexico to attempt to identify bread wheat genotypes for weed
competitive ability using criteria that breeders could feasibly use for
making selections. The experiment station is located in a low-rainfall,
irrigated area having high production (5-7 t/ha).
Twelve spring wheat genotypes with similar yield potential in this
environment were chosen. The wheat was planted in six-row plots that were 5 m
long with 30 cm between rows. Previous spacing trials indicated that 30-cm
rows provided a satisfactory spacing to facilitate genotypic differentiation
for early ground cover. All genotypes were seeded at 120 kg/ha. Treatments
involved a two-factor factorial combination of the twelve genotypes planted
with or without a uniform over-seeding of 200 viable oat seeds/m2 (A. sativa
cv. Paramo). This vigorous-growing, common oat variety was used to simulate
weed competition and to avoid introduction of a noxious weed on station. The
treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three
replications.
Assessments to characterize potential differences in weed competition
among the 12 genotypes were made only on plots without overseeded oats. They
included the following: sequential measurements of light interception by the
wheat canopy to ground level beginning at first node; visual scores for
canopy type; plant population per m2; days to 50% anthesis; plant height at
full anthesis; and leaf area index (LAI) and mean leaf tip angle (MLTA) at
near anthesis. These determinations were then used to develop relationships
with wheat and oat biomass yields harvested from the plots both with and
without oats. When the wheat genotypes had reached anthesis in the plots
without oats, dry biomass was determined individually for wheat without oats,
wheat with oats, and oats with wheat. There were no significant differences
in wheat biomass among genotypes in the absence of oats. However, significant
differences were observed in wheat biomass between the genotypes grown in the
presence of oats. The ratio of wheat biomass with oats versus wheat biomass
without oats also varied significantly among genotypes (Table 1). Two
genotypes in particular, INIA/A. DISTICHUM//INIA/VEE and FCT'S', were
outstanding in their wheat biomass production in the presence of oats and
their biomass ratio. Oat biomass in plots with the first genotype were
markedly lower than for the other genotypes.
Even though there were genotypic differences for many factors measured
(except MTLA), some such as wheat population per m2, visual canopy scores,
days to 50% anthesis, LAI, and MTLA were not strongly related to the biomass
yields. The most promising of these factors appeared to be the visual canopy
scores if they can be improved to detect potential genetic differences in
early ground cover. Among genotypes, there was a height range from 78 to 112
cm, which was correlated with oat biomass yield (r=-0.66; sig. at the 5%
level). Height was not related to wheat biomass yield in the presence or
absence of oats (Table 1.)
Canopy light interception at ground level measured between the 30 cm
rows at the first node varied between genotypes (Table 1) and produced the
best correlation with oat biomass yield (r=-0.92; sig. at the 1% level). It
was also significantly correlated with wheat biomass yield in the presence of
oats (r=0.71; sig. at the 1% level). It was not related to wheat biomass
yield without oats. Subsequent measurements of light interception over a 3-
to 4-week period following first node became weaker though remained
significant (r=-0.72 at early boot).
It would appear that early measurement of light interception by wheat
within an appropriate row spacing to maximize expression of genotypic
differences can be a potentially useful screening method for weed competing
ability in spring wheat. Several measuring devices are available to determine
light interception in 20-30 seconds per plot, quite feasible for breeders to
use. Similarly, it should be possible to develop better visual canopy scores
combined with ground cover estimates that may be as useful.
INSERT #8 - TABLE 1
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM NEPAL
CIMMYT S. ASIA REGIONAL WHEAT PROGRAM
Breeding and Pathology (H.J. Dubin)
Wheat varietal mixture experiments. The first phase of a series of
wheat varietal mixture experiments has been concluded. The goal was to
compare the stability of the mixture versus components over time and space.
We have reported the general results of these experiments in previous
Newsletters. In January 1991 a meeting was held in Kathmandu with twelve
cooperators from India, Nepal and Switzerland to present individual
experimental results and discuss future cooperation.
The abstracts of the presentations will form a proceedings that will be
available to interested scientists. Future wheat mixture work with S. Asian
cooperators will focus on relevant mixtures for their respective
environments.
A preliminary analysis of three years of combined regional results
indicate that mixtures are more stable than their components. In general,
mixture benefits increase when severe rust is present. However, the benefits
of stability without disease are signifcant over time and space. Two methods
of analysis were used to measure stability, i.e., Principal Coordinate
Analysis [PCA] and Eberhart & Russell [E&R]. PCA [first two coordinates]
accounted for 60% of the variation observed and gave a good representation of
the stability relationships among treatments. Of the three mixture components
used in the study Sonalika and UP262 are the least stable and lowest
yielding, whereas Annapurna 1 = Vee #5 'S' is most stable and highest
yielding of the components. The mixture was more stable than the components
and slightly outyielded the mean of the components, on average. E&R accounted
for very little of the variation in the G x E interaction. Both UP262 and
Annapurna 1 had significant deviations from the regression indicating less
stability than the other treatments.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM NEPAL
CIMMYT S. ASIA REGIONAL WHEAT PROGRAM
Breeding and Pathology (H.J. Dubin)
Wheat varietal mixture experiments. The first phase of a series of
wheat varietal mixture experiments has been concluded. The goal was to
compare the stability of the mixture versus components over time and space.
We have reported the general results of these experiments in previous
Newsletters. In January 1991 a meeting was held in Kathmandu with twelve
cooperators from India, Nepal and Switzerland to present individual
experimental results and discuss future cooperation.
The abstracts of the presentations will form a proceedings that will be
available to interested scientists. Future wheat mixture work with S. Asian
cooperators will focus on relevant mixtures for their respective
environments.
A preliminary analysis of three years of combined regional results
indicate that mixtures are more stable than their components. In general,
mixture benefits increase when severe rust is present. However, the benefits
of stability without disease are signifcant over time and space. Two methods
of analysis were used to measure stability, i.e., Principal Coordinate
Analysis [PCA] and Eberhart & Russell [E&R]. PCA [first two coordinates]
accounted for 60% of the variation observed and gave a good representation of
the stability relationships among treatments. Of the three mixture components
used in the study Sonalika and UP262 are the least stable and lowest
yielding, whereas Annapurna 1 = Vee #5 'S' is most stable and highest
yielding of the components. The mixture was more stable than the components
and slightly outyielded the mean of the components, on average. E&R accounted
for very little of the variation in the G x E interaction. Both UP262 and
Annapurna 1 had significant deviations from the regression indicating less
stability than the other treatments.
-------------------------
Crop management research (Peter R. Hobbs)
CIMMYT's regional South Asian crop management program is focussing on
the rice-wheat cropping systems of the region in collaboration with IRRI and
the South Asian National Agricultural Research Programs. The purpose of this
work is to identify the factors responsible for low productivity of
rice-wheat cropping systems and to develop suitable solutions for enhancing
the productivity and sustainability of this system in the region.
South Asia relies heavily on rice and wheat to provide a large portion of
the daily caloric requirements of its people. These two staples are
frequently grown in rotation in South Asia on some 10 million hectares.
Despite the use of irrigation, fertilizer, improved seeds and other inputs,
yields of wheat and rice in this system in farmer fields are well below
potential except in a few places in NW India. There is also evidence from the
region that in some places the yields of rice and/or wheat are stagnant and
even declining suggesting that the system as currently managed is not
sustainable. Production in the region in the latter 1980's has not kept pace
with the rising population or the 2.5-3.0% annual growth rate needed to meet
food demands of the region for the 1990's. There will thus be continuing
pressure to increase efficiency and production from the rice-wheat system of
S.Asia to meet future regional food needs.
Inefficient land preparation, delays in planting, deterioration of soil
physical condition, nutrient imbalance, decrease in organic matter content,
defective water management and crop protection problems are some of the major
categories of problems already identified in the region. These are complex
near and longer term problems that will require a more integrated in-depth
research approach involving several disciplines and commodity programs.
Work has started to look at the feasibility of using zero and minimal
tillage techniques to reduce the land preparation and crop establishment
problems. The initial results look promising and result in lower costs,
increased input efficiency and more profit for farmers. Crop and other farm
residue management is being studied to improve the fertility and soil
physical problems.
Longer term biological sustainability problems such as declining soil
fertility and increasing pest problems are being addressed in two ways:
1. Computerization and analysis of existing long term trial data and
setting up of new trials. There are several trials in the region using
various fertilizer levels, that have been managed for more than ten years,
that are beginning to show interesting deficiency symptoms. Some new
rotation trials using legumes and oilseeds in rotation with rice and wheat
havebeen initiated to look at pest interactions including soil-borne
pathogens.
2. Monitoring research is being started to develop a representative
sampling frame for a selected site that will collect data on specific fields
and farms over time. This program will quantify current farmer practices,
land and resource quality, yield levels and system productivity. By sampling
the same fields and farms over time the benchmark data above will form a
basis for evaluating trends over time.
Personnel: Mr. Markus Ruckstuhl, Ph.D candidate, the Swiss Federal
Institute of Technology, Zurich, is working with us on identification of
major diseases of wheat in the Tarai of Nepal. He will also be working on the
determination of yield losses. The research is supported by the Swiss
Development Corporation and CIMMYT.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM ROMANIA
I C C P T (Research Inst. for Cereals and Industrial Crops) Fundulea,
8264, jud. Calarasi
N. Saulescu, Em. Jinga
Estimation of optimum vernalization requirements and day-length response
for wheat in South Romania, using a simulation model. Optimum earliness,
which is largely determined by vernalization requirements and day-length
response, is an important component of the ideotype to be aimed at in
breeding wheat for a particular region. Taking into account the large
weather variations from one year to another, a direct estimation of the
optimum earliness (e.g., by testing near-isogenic lines differing in
vernalization and day-length response) would be meaningful only after many
years of testing (at least in our environment. An alternative approach can
be to use computer models simulating yield formation, fed with multi-year
local weather data. We have used the CERES WHEAT N model, version 2.10.,
kindly provided by Dr. Godwin from the International Fertilizer Development
Center, Muscle Shoals Alabama, and weather data of the last 15 years from
Fundulea. By varying only the parameters describing vernalization
requirements (P1V) and day-length response (P1D) we simulated the performance
of "true isogenic" genotypes on two types of soil with different
water-retaining capacity, with or without moisture stress (using or bypassing
the water balance subroutines) and for two planting dates (normal and late).
Simulation confirmed previous observations about specific years favoring
early or late genotypes. On multi-year average at normal planting date and
without moisture stress, both very early genotypes (with low vernalization
and day-length requirements) and late genotypes (with high day-length
response) yielded less. With moisture stress, on both soils, the highest
yields were simulated for genotypes with medium vernalization requirements
and low day-length response. At late sowings vernalization requirements had
no effect on yield and the yield was higher the lower the day length
response. Taking into account both the average yield and yield stability (as
measured by standard error) several optimal combinations of vernalization and
day length requirements were established.
If this approach is correct, then the superiority of late, day-length
responsive genotypes, manifested during the last few years, is only
accidental and preference should be given to selecting photoperiodic
insensitive genotypes, which will eventually produce a higher average yield.
In our view this kind of simulation could help in resolving the confounding
effect of Vrn and Ppd genes on yield, especially in variable climate like
ours.
-------------------------
I. Hagima, N. Saulescu
Selection for favorable glutenin and gliadin alleles. Electrophoretical
characterization of glutenins and gliadins has become routine in our breeding
program. All lines from F4 on are analyzed and for special projects
selection starts in F2. Based on their reported influence on baking quality,
alleles of the glutenin and gliadin genes were scored from 1 to 9 reflecting
their desirability. When planting crosses and selecting, a mild selection
pressure has been ut for more favorable alleles. After 3 years of selection,
in 1989, 85% of our breeding material possessed the allele Glu D1d
(corresponding to fraction 5+10), 36% had the alleles G1u A1a or G1u A1b
(corresponding to fractions 1 or 3) and 70% the allele G1u B1b (corresponding
to fractions 7+8). About 25% of the analyzed lines had a 10 score for
glutenins, using the methods of Payne. For gliadins, selection has increased
the frequency of block 1A4 (as named by Sozinov and Poperelya) and decreased
the frequency of 1B3 ("rye gliadins").
-------------------------
Mariana Ittu, N. Saulescu, Gh. Ittu
An improved method of quantitative estimation of Fusarium scab in wheat.
We used to estimate the Fusarium attack in spikes, inoculated by injecting
two central florets, on the basis of a visual disease severity index (which
is rather subjective and not very closely correlated with yield loss) and on
the basis of reduction in the weight of grains from inoculated spikes as
compared with uninoculated check which is very time-consuming).
We found that both indices are strongly correlated with the weight of 10
unthreshed inoculated spikes expressed as percentage from the weight of 10
unthreshed uninoculated spikes. The percentage divided by 10 and rounded
gives a score which varies from 1 to 9. Weighing unthreshed spikes is not
only much more rapid but also has the advantage of taking into account both
the reduction in grain number and in grain weight following the Fusarium
attack.
Using this improved method of quantitative estimation allowed a
significant increase in the number of tested lines and improved the
correlation with yield loss.
-------------------------
Gh. Ittu, N. N. Saulescu, Mariana Ittu, Aurelia Jilaveanu
Triticale breeding. TF 13 a new lie of winter triticale confirmed in a
second year of ecological yield trials a high yielding potential. In average
for two years and 19 locations it outyielded the commercial cultivar TF 2 by
19%. TF 13 also exhibits improvements in test weight, lodging and fusarium
scab resistance, fertility of the spike and winter hardiness compared to TF
2. TF 13 will probably be registered next year. Artificial tests with
Fusarium showed a good level of resistance among our triticale germplasm.
For many years of testing, a high level of resistance was found in the Polish
cultivar Malno and a medium level in the Romanian line 37 TK. In a first
preliminary artificial screening, some sources with good levels of resistance
to BYDV were identified. Pedigree analyses of the lines and cultivars tested
indicated the Russian cultivar AD 206 as a probable source of resistance to
BYDV in our breeding material. A good level of resistance, was also found in
the Polish cultivar Malno and Romanian short straw line 58 TJ.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM SOUTH AFRICA
Small Grain Centre, Grain Crops Research Inst., Bethlehelm
H. A. Van Niekerk, P. R. Celliers, A. Brummer and D. J. Exley
Breeding
Winter wheat. The Russian Wheat Aphid still remains one of the major
problems confronting the winter wheat programme. We are however progressing
rapidly to the stage where existing cultivars with RWA resistance, derived by
backcrossing, will be released. We are submitting `Tugela' and `Betta' for
release during April 1991. As from this season no more spraying for RWA
control of segregating populations will be undertaken. This will allow us to
select resistant plants under field conditions. Limited quantities of seed
of the abovementioned cultivars is available on request. We can also evaluate
or select limited lines or segregating populations for interested parties.
Hendrik Knobel has now also joined the winter wheat group and will
initiate a hybrid wheat programme.
-------------------------
H. A. Van Niekerk, T. G. Paxton, R. Britz, M. S. S. Jordan and T. Van A.
Bredenkamp
Spring wheat. The spring wheat programme caters for dryland as well as
irrigated bread wheat cultivars. For dryland conditions three lines W88/5,
W88/8 and W88/9, will be submitted for provisional classification. For the
irrigated areas BSP 89/11, BSP 89/14 and BSP 89/16 will be submitted.
Although Russian Wheat Aphid is not a serious problem in the spring wheat
areas, some cultivars such as `Palmiet' and `Gamtoos' now have resistance
which has been introduced by backcrossing.
Francois Koekemoer, Anchen Schmutz and Rene Prinsloo have now joined the
spring wheat group.
Publications
Van Niekerk, H. A. 1990. `Letaba': A new winter wheat cultivar. Proc. of
Small Grain Centre Information Day. (Afrikaans).
Van Niekerk, H. A. and D. Van Lill. 1990. Breeding wheat cultivars with
good baking qualities. Paper presented at the National Baking Symposium,
Durban.
Tolmay, V. L. and H. A. Van Niekerk. 1990. Russian wheat aphid resistant
cultivars: A Review Proc. of Small Grain Centre Information Day. (Afrikaans).
Scott, D. B. and H. A. Van Niekerk. Resistance in wheat to maize streak
virus. S. Afr. J. of Plant and Soil (In Press).
-------------------------
I. B. J. Smith, F. Groenewald and A. Basson
International Nurseries. Only 63 selections from the previous seasons
international nurseries were evaluated in various irrigated trials. Four
promising lines were identified. The remaining dryland trials were all
discontinued on account of the drought. Entries from these trials will have
to be evaluated this coming season.
Some 21 international nurseries, established under irrigation, were
evaluated for all relevant agronomic characteristics and various diseases.
Apart from powdery mildew and a slight Septoria nodorum infection, the lack
of infection was apparent. The entries to these nurseries were wheat 1688,
barley 393, triticale 200 and durum 148. Of these entries 15% were selected
for further evaluation.
-------------------------
H. A. Smit, J. L. Purchase, P. A. Visser, A. H. Bothma, M. Maritz and H.
A. Van Tonder
Agronomy and Plant Physiology
1990 Crop Conditions. The three major wheat producing regions of South
Africa are the Western Cape (mediterranean Climate), the Orange Free State
(summer rainfall region) and the irrigation areas along the major rivers and
dams. Spring types are generally planted in the Western Cape and under
irrigation, while winter and intermediate types dominate production under
dryland conditions in the Orange Free State. The O F S produces
approximately 60% of the total annual crop, the Western Cape 25% and roughly
15% is produced under irrigation. The total wheat crop for the period 1
November 1990 to 30 October 1991, as estimated by the Wheat Board, should
amount to 1,60 million metric tons, which is substantially down on the poor
crop of the previous season. An extremely severe drought in the spring
months, together with severe Russian wheat aphid infestation, caused the
drastic drop in production.
Cultivar adaptation under dryland conditions. Intensive cultivar
adaptation research programs are run separately for the respective production
regions. Cultivars and preliminary released lines from the Small Grain
Centre, as well as from the private seed companies, are included in the
trials. These trials analyzed over years enable the researchers to make
accurate recommendations to the producers regarding cultivar selection,
optimum planting date and seeding rate. The intensive cultivar adaptation
programs are necessary due to the large variation that exists in climate and
soil types within the respective regions.
Plant physiology. The plant physiology program is mainly concerned with
the screening of advanced breeding lines for Aluminum tolerance and
coleoptile length, the determination of morphological and physiological
factors that are associated with drought tolerance and the characterization
of cultivars and advanced breeding lines in terms of vernalization
requirement and photoperiod sensitivity. The drought tolerance research is
at present being conducted under rain shelters at the Small Grain Centre.
Annelie Barnard has joined the physiology programme and will be involved
in preharvest sprouting research.
PUBLICATIONS
Purchase, J. L., Le Roux, J. and Van Tonder, H. A. 1991. The effects of
various seed treatments on the germination, coleoptile length and emergence
of winter wheat. Paper presented at the South African Crop Production
Society Congress, Stellenbosch.
Pretorius, Z. A. and Purchase, J. L. 1990. Virulence characteristics of
wheat leaf rust in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi. Phytophylactica 22,
141-142.
-------------------------
C. G. Burbidge, R. C. Lindeque, H. A. Van Tonder, H. S. C. Van Der Merwe
and W. Van Der Westhuizen
Cultivar adaptation under irrigation. There are five irrigation wheat
producing regions in South Africa with distinct different bioclimates. The
aim is to determine the physiological adaptation and yield stability of
various wheat cultivars for these different irrigation regions.
Optimum planting dates and seeding rates are determined for 40 different
localities. Combined analysis over years and localities ensures accurate
recommendations to the producer regarding cultivar choice, optimum planting
date and seeding rate. Cultivar characteristics such as straw strength and
preharvest sprouting as well as the resistance of cultivars to the most
important diseases are also made available to the producer.
Plant physiology. In most irrigation regions of South Africa the grain
fill period of spring wheat coincides with periods of high temperature
stress. The rate and duration of grain filling of all the wheat cultivars
that are recommended in South Africa are determined in glass house and field
trials. Results suggest that the duration and rate of grain fill differs
greatly between regions and cultivars. Further trials are being conducted to
determine whether cultivars can possibly be bred for better adaptation.
-------------------------
H. A. Smit, H. H. Knobell, B. L. deVilliers, R. C. Lindeque, J. P. du
Toit
Weed Research
Phytotoxicity studies. The aim of these studies is to screen for the
phytotoxicity of all new registered herbicides (double the recommended rate)
on all available wheat cultivars and lines in glasshouse and field trials.
It was established that a tralkoxydim and bromoxynil combination is
phytotoxic to certain cultivars under glasshouse and field conditions.
Combination studies. It was established that bromoxynil was the primary
antagonist of both fenozaprop-P-ethyl and imazamethabenz-methyl when
evaluating wild oat control. MCPA antagonized tralkoxydim to the extent that
wild oat control was diminished to a certain extent. Studies with other wild
oat herbicides in combination with broadleaf herbicides are currently being
carried out.
Adjuvant studies. It was discovered that various surfactants had no
effect on the efficacy of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl and the supposition is that this
herbicide already has a sufficient amount of surfactant in its formulation.
An additional amount of surfactant will therefore have little effect on this
herbicide. At present further studies are being carried out with herbicides
containing adjuvants, in combination with other pesticides, to determine the
effect of the adjuvants on the pesticides.
-------------------------
S. C. Drijepondt
Pathology
Leaf Rust Race survey. Leaf rust occurred in all wheat producing areas
during 1989, but severities generally were again low due to a dry season.
Two hundred and forty-one single pustule isolates, representing 10
agroecological areas, were characterized. From these, 12 pathotypes were
distinguished. Pathotype 132 (avirulent to Lr3a, 3bg, 3ka, 11, 16, 20, 26,
30 and virulent to Lr1, 2a, 2b, 2c, 10, 14a, 15,17, 24) was isolated most
frequently.
Resistance studies. Due to the restricted sources of Lr genes in
hexaploid wheat and also in alien and related germplasm, a new emphasis must
be placed on the combination of existing effective or moderately effective Lr
genes. To this end, several gene combinations were made to look for
complementary gene action, where the combination of genes produce a lower
infection type than either of the parents. Firstly, a gene showing good
combining ability, Lr34, was crossed with several other genes that differed
in their resistance expression at varying plant growth stages and at
different temperatures. The F2 of these crosses were evaluated at four
temperatures and with different cultures of Puccinia recondita f. sp.
tritici. Plants with infection types lower than either parent were selected
and grown. The F3 was then divided and adult plant tests performed to
determine the presence of Lr34 at 15oC. The other half of each selected line
was used to determine the presence of the second gene with cultures and
temperatures known to show the second gene. These lines will now be crossed
into currently susceptible commercial cultivars to establish a broader
network of genes for the control of this pathogen.
Publications
Drijepondt, S. C., Pretorius, Z. A., Van Lill, D. and Rijkenberg, F. H. J.
1990. Effect of Lr34 resistance on leaf rust development, grain yield and
baking quality in wheat. Plant Breeding. 105: 62-68.
-------------------------
J. Smith
Bacterial Diseases. In 1987 and 1988, 87 fluorescent bacterial strains
were isolated from diseased wheat during a disease survey. The local strains
were compared to 10 reference strains in biochemical, physiological and
morphological studies. Five distinct groups were identified. Group 1
containing nine reference and 16 local strains were classified as Pseudomonas
syringae pv. syringae. Although group 2 and 3 closely resembled group 1,
they could not be classified as P.s. pv. syringae. Group 4 was a unique
group containing strains with uniform characteristics but did not show any
resemblance to Group1. Group 5 contained bacteria with diverse
characteristics.
Virulence trials indicated that a virulence of local P.s. pv. syringae
strains is low when compared to that of reference strains. Results from
cultivar reaction trials indicated that only 5 of 14 local commercial
cultivars were susceptible to local P.s. pv. syringae strains. It would
therefore seem that P.s. pv. syringae is a weak pathogen of wheat in South
Africa.
-------------------------
B. J. Pieterse, J. T. Steyn and J. P. C. Tolmay
Soil Cultivation
The Soil Cultivation Section at the Small Grain Centre initialized a new
project during the 1990 season. The aim of these experiments is to determine
the influence of soil cultivation on the performance of different wheat
cultivars.
The results of a preliminary trial showed little difference in total
yield of nine cultivars where conventional tillage with a disc and mouldboard
plough was conducted. Cultivar differences were however obtained where a
chisel plough or V-blade was used for primary tillage. As the reasons for
these cultivar differences are not yet clear, detail data will be obtained
during the following seasons. Factors which will be kept in mind are the
influence of cultivation on plant water relations, the soil water balance,
soil density, soil strength and the growth rate of the plants.
-------------------------
G. J. Prinsloo, V. L. Tolmay, B. Koen, J. L. Hatting
Entomology
Resistance breeding against Russian Wheat Aphid (RWA) Diuraphis noxia.
Good progress has been made during 1990 with the breeding of resistant
cultivars. The best commercial cultivars are being used in a
backcross-breeding programme with five sources of resistance. Studies are
being undertaken to establish the mechanism of resistance.
Biocontrol. A programme has been started on the introduction and
evaluation of natural enemies against RWA. One parasitoid species viz.
Aphidius matricariae was imported during 1990 and attempts are now being made
to establish this species in the wheat producing areas of the country. A few
other species will be introduced in the near future. Both plant resistance
and natural enemies will be used in an attempt to establish an integrated
control programme on RWA.
-------------------------
Department of Plant Pathology, University of the Orange Free State,
Bloemfontein 9300
Z.A. Pretorius, F.J. Kloppers and E.G. Brink
Wheat leaf rust. Strategies for exploiting sources of resistance with
proven durability to Puccinia recondita are being investigated. Preliminary
results indicate that Frontana resistance is not effective to all South
African races. Furthermore, the cultivar is heterogeneous for its response
to leaf rust. From F2 segregation ratios it appears that at least two genes,
one of which is Lr13, are involved. LrT3 and Lr34 could not be confirmed.
In the Frontana background, expression of resistance was not extremely
temperature-specific. However, temperature influenced the F2 segregation
ratios of Frontana/Thatcher and Frontana/Karee progeny. At present, Frontana
accessions from Australia , Canada and the U.S.A. are being compared to
determine whether certain selections with superior leaf rust resistance could
be introduced into local breeding programs.
Other research activities include the characterization and expression of
selected sources of resistance. Our objectives are to determine if different
backgrounds influence Lr gene expression, to study possible erosion of
resistance through backcrossing and to develop agronomically adapted lines
with complex resistance to P. recondita.
Publications
Drijepondt, S.C., Pretorius, Z.A. , Van Lill, D. and Rijkenberg, F.H.J. 1990.
Effect of Lr34 resistance on leaf rust development, grain yield and baking
quality in wheat. Plant Breeding 105:62-68.
Kemp, G.H.J., Pretorius, Z.A. and Van Jaarsveldt, M. 1990. The occurrence of
Pyrenophora tritici-repentis on winter wheat debris in the eastern Orange
Free State. Phytophylactica 22:363-364.
Pretorius, Z.A. 1990. An assessment of leaf rust resistance conferred by two
Lr genes associated with increased seed protein in wheat. Phytophylactica
22:121-122.
Pretorius, Z.A. and Kemp, G.H.J. 1990. Effects of temperature and growth
stage on components of resistance in wheat genotypes with Lr26. Plant
Disease 74:631-635.
Pretorius, Z.A. and Purchase, J.L. 1990. Virulence characteristics of wheat
leaf rust in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. Phytophylactica 22:141-142.
Pretorius, Z.A., Le Roux, J. and Drijepondt, S.C. 1990. Occurrence and
pathogenicity of Puccinia recondita f.sp. tritici on wheat in South Africa
during 1988. Phytophylactica 22:225-228.
Pretorius, Z.A., Rijkenberg, F.H.J. and Wilcoxson, R.D. 1990. Influence of
genetic background on the expression of wheat leaf rust resistance gene
Lr22a. Phytopathology 80:579-584.
Pretorius, Z.A. 1990. An evaluation of leaf rust resistance in Era wheat.
Phytophylactica 22:150 (Abstr.).
Drijepondt, S.C. and Pretorius, Z.A. 1990. Effects of growth stage and leaf
position on Lr34 resistance to Puccinia recondita f.sp. tritici.
Phytophylactica 22:149 (Abstr.).
Kemp, G.H.J., Pretorius, Z.A. and Smith, J. 1990. Authracrose of wheat in
South Africa. Phytophylactica 22:151 (Abstr.).
Kemp, G.H.J., Pretorius, Z.A., Wingfield, M.J. and Brink, L. 1990. Head
blight of wheat associated with Fusarium poae and the mite Siteropres avenae.
Phytophylactica 22:145 (Abstr.).
-------------------------
Division of Plant Breeding, University of the Orange Free State,
Bloemfontein, South Africa
C.S. van Deventer and M.T. Labuschagne
Soft wheat breeding programme. South Africa currently has only one soft
wheat which is used commercially for soft wheat products, especially for
cookie production. For this reason a soft wheat breeding programme was
established at the U.O.F.S. Most germplasm was imported from the USA, Cimmyt,
France and Australia due to lack of local resources. The object of this
programme will be to breed soft wheat for the irrigation areas, with good
cookie quality. F2's are already in the evaluation process.
SDS-PAGE is used to establish HMW glutenin subunits of the cultivars and
lines, and research is currently being done to relate HMW glutenin subunits
to quality characteristics under South African conditions.
Publications
M.T. Labuschagne and C.S. van Deventer, 1989. The effect of moisture stress
on combining ability and heterosis in winter wheat Cer. Res. Comm.
17(3-4):179-185.
-------------------------
Department of Genetics, University of Stellenbosch
R. de V. Pienaar, G. F. Marais, G. M. Littlejohn, H. S. Roux, R. Prins,
C. du Pleissis and J. M. Hay
Durum wheat breeding. The 1990/91 national durum crop was estimated at
16 400 metric tons. The primary cultivar grown was Goeie Hoop. Durum wheat
trials were grown under flood irrigation near Kimberley. Three hundred and
fourty pure lines were evaluated in replicated trials, while 950 advanced
lines and 350 segregating populations were grown as single rows. The best
yielding advanced line (a selection from the
cross:DOY1/4/PLC"S"//MEXI"S"/3/DOM"S"//DACK"S"/KIWI"S"), produced 12.03 t/ha.
A further 280 segregating lines were grown at Stellenbosch. USD8712 (=GDO VZ
578//LDS MUT/GTA"S"/3/FULI"S") was provisionally released to farmers, its
yield is slightly better than those of the leading cultivars, and it has
superior quality.
Triple breeding. Three spring cultivars are grown in the western,
southern and eastern Cape Province on approximately 30 000 ha. These
cultivars have become susceptible to leaf and stem rust. High yielding,
resistant lines were identified. One of these, ANNOAS"S" was selected from
CIMMYT 's 19th ITYN nursery, and is presently being multiplied for release.
While triticale is primarily used for livestock feeding a new breakfast
cereal (flakes) based on triticale appeared on the market in 1990.
Replicated trials (260 lines) and single rows (760 advanced and 470
segregating lines) were grown under rainfed conditions near stellenbosch.
Very wet soil conditions prevailed during the first eighty days of plant
development. During the flowering and grain filling periods very dry
conditions existed. Average grain yields were reduced by about 1 t/ha as
compared to the previous season. The best yielding triticale selection
produced 3.8 t/ha while the best yielding wheat cultivar (Gamtoos) produced
3.18 t/ha.
An amphiploid from the cross: Triticum dicoccoides/Henoch rye, was
crossed with the F1 backcrossed to the triticale cultivar USGEN 18. High
protein selections were identified among the progeny and will be used for
further backcrossing.
Cytogenetics. An attempt is made to transfer Russian wheat aphid
resistance from rye to hexaploid wheat. Strong resistance to the aphid was
detected in Turkey 77, an entity from the world rye collection. An octoploid
primary triticale was produced from the resistant F1: Chinese Spring/Turkey
77.
A study was made of preferential transmission of the Indis translocation
chromosome (consisting of 7DS and a Thinopyrum distichum (Thunb.) Love
chromosome arm) in common wheat heterozygotes. It appeared as though the
magnitude of a response to the presence of the translocation was the result
of an interaction involving a number of chromosomes, excluding the normal
chromosome 7D. The subsequent selective elimination of gametes may have been
based on recognition of the presence of the translocation.
The Indis translocation was shown to carry very effective resistance to
leaf rust. An attempt to separate the leaf rust resistance from a gene(s)
for yellow endosperm pigmentation, through the induction of homoeologous
recombination, produced four possible recombinants. In the one recombinant
tested, the absence of yellow pigmentation was illustrated to coincide with
the restoration of loci encoding forā-AMY-D2a and EP-D1a of common wheat.
However, it needs to be determined whether recombination or a new
translocation was induced. The material is currently tested for possible
associated deleterious effects of the modified translocation.
A number of disomic addition lines of Th. distichum chromosomes in the
common wheat cultivar Inia 66 have been identified by means of C-bands. An
attempt to obtain disomic substitutions for these chromosomes are continued.
Chromosome pairing in Triticum durum/ Th. distichum hybrids, amphiploids
and partial amphiploids in the presence and absence of the Ph1 gene was
investigated. The absence of Ph1 (obtained by combining the ph1c mutant with
the 5D(5B) substitution) improved homoeologous pairing in the hybrids, but
not significantly in the amphiploids and partial amphiploids.
Backcross projects to develop ditelosomic series in the common wheat
cultivar Pavon 76 and the durum wheat cultivar Orania, have progressed to the
6th and 4th backcrosses respectively. Crosses to transfer the kr
crossability genes from Chinese Spring to Pavon 76 have progressed to the
B4F1.
An attempt is made to transfer genes (Rht2, Rht8, Lr19 and its
associated genes for yellow endosperm pigmentation) from the D genome of
common wheat to durum wheat. Tetraploid plants having these characteristics
were identified, however the presence of the semi-dwarfing genes needs to be
verified.
-------------------------
Pioneer Seed Company, P. O. Box 17164, Bainsvlei, 9338
F. du Toit*, S. S. Walters
Pioneer Seed Company (not to be confused with Pioneer Hi-bred
International) has initiated a wheat breeding programme in 1988. The
emphasis is on hard red winter wheats for the summer rainfall areas (mainly
the Orange Free State Province) and hard red spring wheats for the winter
rainfall region of the western and southern Cape province as well as for
irrigation areas. A farm was purchased near Bloemfontein in the Orange Free
State and is currently being developed into a research and breeding station.
Breeding objectives. Some of the main objectives are the development of
winter and intermediate wheat lines with acceptable baking qualities, drought
tolerance, Russian wheat aphid resistance and crown rot tolerance. In the
spring wheat breeding programme emphases is put on disease resistance and
high protein content.
Personnel. Boet Walters started the breeding programme in 1988.
Francois du Toit, formerly from the Small Grain Centre at Bethlehem, joined
Pioneer Seed Company in March 1990 and will continue to work on Russian wheat
aphid resistance.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM SYRIA
G. Ortiz-Ferrara, A. Shehadeh, M. Michael, and M. Asaad Moussa
The joint CIMMYT/ICARDA spring bread wheat breeding program, based at
Aleppo, Syria, continues to concentrate breeding efforts toward developing
improved germplasm suitable to the low-rainfall (less than 400 mm) areas of
West Asia and North Africa (WANA). In these areas, wheat is fall-planted
where early growth and development occurs during the coolest months, but
temperatures rise rapidly as the grain ripens. Extreme cold and heat are
common stresses and are often combined with drought. Diseases and insect
pests are also important constraints that limit wheat production in the
region.
Realizing that improved cultivars must reach farmers before they can
have any impact on cereal production, we have joined efforts with national
programs in conducting research in on-farm trials in Syria, Algeria, Sudan,
Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Yemen, and Jordan. These activities reflect our
concerns for germplasm adoption by farmers and the need to substitute
improved varieties for the unimproved, low-yielding local varieties grown in
WANA.
Ten years of interaction with the national program of Syria has resulted
in the release of six spring bread wheat varieties. Five of these varieties
(Bohouth 2, Bohouth 4, Bohouth 6, Cham 2, and Cham 4), were released for the
high rainfall (more than 400 mm) and irrigated areas. This year, the
national program decided to release Cham 6, a spring bread wheat variety with
good adaptation in the dry areas of the country (250-350 mm annual rainfall).
Table 1 presents the performance of Cham 6 in Farmers Field Verification
Trials in Syria. Three years data show that Cham 6 had an average yield
advantage of 14% over the local check Mexipak 65 and of 22% over the widely
grown durum variety Haurani, under low-rainfall conditions. Similar results
were obtained in large scale tests (3ha, farmer's fields) under less than 300
mm rainfall. The pre-released name of Cham 6 was Nesser (=W3918A/Jup,
CM-39992-8M-7Y-0M- 0AP). Because of its good adaptation in other dry areas of
the region, seed has been requested and distributed to other national
programs such as Jordan, Algeria, Morocco and Lebanon.
Table 1. Performance of Cham 6, CIMMYT/ICARDA spring bread wheat variety,
under low- rainfall (250-350 mm) conditions in Syria. Farmer's Field
Verification Trials 1985-86 to 1987-88.
_________________________________________________________________
Grain yield (kg/ha) %
___________________________________ BW
Variety 1986 1987 1988 Average Check
_________________________________________________________________
Cham 6 2109 1834 3632 2525 114
Mexipak (BW) 1795 1643 3229 2222 100
Haurani (DW) 1933 1409 2828 2056 92
_________________________________________________________________
No. of locations 7 7 10 24
_________________________________________________________________
BW= Bread wheat check; DW= Durum wheat check.
-------------------------
CIMMYT/ICARDA Joint Project - Winter and Facultative Wheat Breeding
Byrd C. Curtis and Haitham Kayyali
The 1989-90 crop season at Tel Hadya (Aleppo) was characterized by a
severe drought, low winter temperatures and an unusually heavy freeze in mid-
March. Rainfed nursery yields were very low and some of the late maturing
winter wheat lines failed to head. Rainfall occurring during the growing
season measured 233mm compared to the average from 1978-79 through 1989-90 of
330mm. The low temperature of near -10o C reached during the night of March
17, during jointing stage about one month before heading, caused considerable
damage to spring habit wheats while winter and facultative wheats sustained
little damage.
The rainfed nurseries provided the most uniform conditions for field
measurement of drought tolerance that I have experienced. Bezostaya 1 check
plots interspersed throughout the F2, F4 and F5 rainfed nurseries showed
little heading except for plants bordering alleyways. In contrast, 32% of
the F4's and the F5's headed without much difficulty and some had little or
no discernable plant height reduction in plot centers. Twenty percent of the
F2's had a predominance of plants that headed and were selected. Several of
the more apparent drought tolerant F2 and F4 populations had the Chinese
winter variety CA 8055 as one of the parents. In the crossing block that
received supplemental irrigation, CA 8055 proved to be extra early maturing
with short stature and bold white seed. It appears to be a good breeding
source for drought tolerance in winter wheat improvement. ICARDA records
indicate that CA 8055 was grown in the 17th IWWPN 1982-83 trial originating
from Nebraska, however the international report for that year was not found
at ICARDA preventing additional characterization of CA 8055 in this report.
To study the vernalization response of material comprising the 1989-90
regional winter and facultative (W&F) wheat screening nurseries of CIMMYT and
ICARDA, distributed primarily in the West Asia and North Africa (WANA)
region, the 310 entries were planted July 15 at Tel Hadya in dry soil and
sprinkler irrigated July 23. Irrigation was repeated each 10th day until
late September. Air temperature highs averaged 37o C for July and August and
34o C for September and lows for the respective months averaged 22o C, 21o C
and 17o C, providing a suitable environment for differential expression of
vernalization genes. Percent plants headed for each cultivar (excluding the
known spring habit checks which headed 100% with an estimated yield level of
near 2 tons/ha) was recorded on October 4 with results as follows:
%/headed No/lines % lines Named cultivars
100 31 10.1 Seri 82
70-90 17 5.5 Kirkpinar 79
40-90 16 5.2 Gerek79, Zargoon
10-39 12 3.9 ------
1-9 12 3.9 ------
0 21
8 71.2 Bez, Atay 85
Both CIMMYT and ICARDA W&F material being distributed to national wheat
research programs in the region contain a predominance of lines with heavy
vernalization response. This is cause for some concern since studies to-date
would indicate that the West Asia, North Africa region (WANA) uses more
facultative than true winter wheats. The facultative cultivar, Gerek 79,
which averaged about 50% headed in this study, was reportedly grown on more
than a million hectares in Turkey in 1989-90 to include the Anatolian Plateau
and other colder areas in eastern Turkey. Gerek 79 continues to increase in
area planted in Turkey and much of the wheat production in eastern Turkey is
from facultative land races. True winter wheats can be productive in eastern
Turkey if emergence and plant development begins in September or early
October but moisture shortages frequently prevent timeliness of emergence.
Crops from delayed emergence of true winters usually mature too late and
yield less in comparison with facultative wheats under the same conditions.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM
Cambridge Laboratory, Institute of Plant Science Research, Colney Lane,
Norwich, NR4 7UJ, UK.
S.M. Reader and T.E. Miller*
The chromosomal location of a gene for resistance to powdery mildew
transferred from Triticum dicoccoides. A new source of resistance to wheat
powdery mildew, Erysiphe graminis, has been transferred to hexaploid bread
wheat from the wild tetraploid wheat, T. dicoccoides. The winter bread wheat
cultivar Maris Nimwood was pollinated with T. dicoccoides acc. CL1060025 from
the Samarian mountains of Israel and the resulting pentaploid hybrid was self
pollinated. Resistant plants having a near stable hexaploid chromosome
complement were observed in the F3 progeny; these were topcrossed and
subsequently backcrossed to improve the phenotype. Monosomic analysis of
early backcross lines showed the transferred gene to be located on chromosome
4A (formerly 4B). The gene which confers resistance to all known resistance
genes and gene combinations employed in UK cultivars has been designated
Pm16.
-------------------------
I.P. King, T.E. Miller and R.M.D. Koebner
Determination of the transmission frequency of chromosome 4Sl of
Aegilops sharonensis in a range of wheat genetic backgrounds. The
transmission of chromosome 4Sl from Aegilops sharonensis was observed in a
range of wheat genetic backgrounds. Chromosome 4Sl was transmitted at a very
high frequency (at least 97.8%) in all crosses. The genetic background
appears to only have a small effect on transmission. The frequency of
transmission of chromosome 4Sl was the same, in each genetic background,
through both the male and female gametes.
-------------------------
I.P. King, R.M.D. Koebner, R. Schlegel, S.M. Reader and T.E.Miller.
Exploitation of a preferentially transmitted chromosome from Aegilops
sharonensis for the elimination of segregation for height in semi-dwarf bread
wheat cultivars. Certain semi-dwarf bread wheat cultivars tend to lose
chromosome 4D, carrying the dwarfing gene Rht2, resulting in the production
of tall "off types". In order to overcome this problem translocations
involving the arm of the Aegilops sharonensis chromosome 4Sl, which carries
the genes determining preferential transmission and the Rht2 carrying arm of
chromosome 4D of Triticum aestivum, have been isolated. hese translocations,
which were derived by self-pollinating plants doubly monosomic for
chromosomes 4D and 4Sl, appear to be preferentially transmitted in both
pollen and egg, thus ensuring constant disomy and homozygosity of Rht2.
-------------------------
I.P. King, R.M.D. Koebner, S.M. Reader and T.E. Miller
Induction of a mutation in the male fertility gene of the preferentially
transmitted Aegilops sharonensis chromosome 4Sl and its application for
hybrid wheat production. Plants nullisomic for chromosome 4B are male sterile
due to the absence of the male fertility gene Ms1. However, plants in which
chromosome 4B has been substituted by the preferentially transmitted
chromosome 4Sl of Ae.sharonensis are male fertile due to the compensating
effect of Ms4 on the alien chromosome. This substitution line has been
mutated and three recessive mutations of Ms4 have been selected. Plants
homozygous for these mutations are male sterile. It is proposed that these
mutations may be utilized for hybrid wheat production.
-------------------------
W.J. Rogers, E.J. Sayers and C.N. Law*
Dosage effects of chromosomes of homoeologous groups 1 and 6 upon
bread-making quality in hexaploid wheat. The endosperm storage proteins,
glutenin and gliadin, are major determinants of bread-making quality in
hexaploid wheat. Genes encoding them are located on chromosomes of
homoeologous groups 1 and 6. Aneuploid lines of these groups in the spring
wheat cultivar Chinese Spring have been used to investigate the effect of
varying the dosage of chromosomes and chromosome arms upon bread-making
quality, where quality has been assessed using the SDS-sedimentation test.
Differences between the group 1 chromosomes for quality were greater
than those between those of group 6. The chromosomes were ranked within
homoeologous groups for their effect on quality as follows (> = better
quality): 1D > 1B > 1A and 6A > 6B = 6D. The relationship of chromosome
dosage with quality was principally linear for four of the chromosomes, but
not for 6B and 6D. Increases in the dosage of 1B, 6A and, especially, 1D,
were associated with significant improvements in quality, whereas increases
in the dosage of 1A were associated with reductions in quality. The effects
of 1A and 1D were such that the best genotype for quality was nullisomic
1A-tetrasomic 1D. For group 1, effects of the long arm appeared in general
to be more important than effects of the short. For group 6, effects were
found associated with the long arms as well as with the short arms, in spite
of the absence of genes encoding storage proteins on the long arms.
Significant interactions were found between chromosomes and genetic
backgrounds and between individual chromosomes.
Analysis of trials grown over two years demonstrated that, although
additive environmental differences over years and genotype x years
interaction were present, they were relatively small in magnitude compared
with purely genetic differences.
The results have implications in targeting which genes it would be
desirable to duplicate or delete within the wheat genome. For example, it
would appear to be desirable to duplicate genes on chromosome 1D at the
expense of genes on chromosome 1A.
-------------------------
A.I. Morgunov (NPD 'Podmoscovje, Moscow, USSR), W.J. Rogers, E.J. Sayers
and E.V. Metakovsky (N.I. Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Moscow,
USSR).
The high-molecular-weight glutenin subunit composition of Soviet wheat
cultivars. One hundred and twenty-eight cultivars bred in the Soviet Union
were screened for the composition of high-molecular-weight (HMW) subunits of
glutenin, encoded by Glu-1 located on chromosomes of homoeologous group 1.
In general, variability was low compared to that seen in cultivars from other
countries. For example, seventy-three of the cultivars belonged to three
groups, with subunit composition 2*, 7+9, 2+12 (27 cultivars), 1, 7+9, 5+10
(22 cultivars), or 2*, 7+9, 5+10 (24 cultivars). Nonetheless, cultivars from
different regions showed distinctive patterns, in some cases clearly due to
the use of particular parents in certain breeding programmes, but in others
possibly due to the adaptive value of particular alleles to the environmental
conditions under which the cultivars were bred. For example, among spring
cultivars, the Glu-D1 allele encoding subunits 2+12 was more common in
cultivars from areas with limited rainfall than was the allele encoding
subunits 5+10.
Twenty-two per cent of the cultivars showed heterogeneity in subunit
composition. While most of these were heterogeneous at only one of the Glu-1
loci, some were heterogeneous at two of the loci, and a few were
heterogeneous at all three. For some cultivars this heterogeneity is due to
the practice by some breeders in the USSR of deliberately retaining some
variability within each cultivar, since they believe that a cultivar
consisting of different biotypes provides more stable yield in changeable
environmental conditions.
The pattern of HMW glutenin subunits amongst cultivars with superior
bread-making quality showed few differences from that amongst cultivars of
lower quality. However, a notable difference was that, particularly amongst
spring wheats, the frequency of subunits 5+10 at Glu-D1 was lower in the
superior group than in the group of lower quality. This is in contrast to
previous studies using cultivars from other countries, in which subunits 5+10
have been shown to be associated with good bread-making quality.
-------------------------
M.D. Gale*, J.B. Smith, M.D. Atkinson, K.M. Devos, C.N. Chinoy, M.L.
Wang, R.L. Harcourt and C.J. Liu
Biochemical and molecular marker maps in wheat, barley and rye. The
development of the genetic maps continues with some 500 clones screened for
RFLP utility and some 300 characterized for copy number, chromosomally
located fragments with four restriction enzymes and levels of RFLP at
individual loci over 13 cultivars in wheat and barley. Initial maps of
groups 1, 3 and 7 in all these genomes A,B,D,H and R are complete.
Levels of variability obtained with cDNAs are low, with mean levels of
pairwise locus comparisons among the diverse genotypes included in our
varietal test set remaining at less than 10%. Levels obtained with genomic
probes are better, with mean values between 20% and 40% for different classes
of clone. For probes which hybridize well to both barley and wheat there
appears to be very little correspondence between levels of RFLP in the two
species. These comparisons are hampered by the fact that those showing the
highest levels in wheat do not generally hybridize with barley DNA.
Among the probes showing the highest levels of RFLP are the chromosome
specific low copy repeats. We now have several examples which have <100
copies, all of which map to the same chromosome region. They
characteristically display polymorphism for copy number including completely
null phenotypes, as well as fragment length variants (Harcourt R.L. and M.D.
Gale, Theo. Appl. Genet., in press).
Another group of probes which show high levels of RFLP include those
which hybridize to non-homoeologous loci in the three wheat genomes.
A common feature of the wheat and rye maps is extreme clustering of loci
around the centromere. There are no obvious differences in the locations of
genomic probes or cDNAs, so this is thought to reflect localisation of
recombination towards the ends of the chromosomes.
The programme has benefited from input by several visiting scientists
including Dr. Teresa Millan, Cordoba, Spain and Dr. Dao Xin Xie, Beijing.
-------------------------
A.J. Worland,* C.N. Law and S. Petrovi (Institute of Field and Vegetable
Crops, Novi Sad, Yugoslavia).
Advantages of day length insensitivity to European winter wheats. Wheat
is potentially the most adaptable of all crop species with relatively few
major genes determining its adaptability to varying climatic conditions.
Amongst winter wheats alteration of time to flowering is most readily
achieved by manipulation of photoperiodic genes determining the plants
response to day length. Normally true winter wheats carry vernalization
sensitive genes that effectively prevent damage of floral primordia by
delaying their development until temperatures rise in spring. Plants that
carry genes for day length insensitivity (Ppd) can immediately initiate
floral primordia in spring and flower in early summer, whilst plants
sensitive to day length (ppd) need a period of longer days to satisfy
photoperiodic responses before developing floral primordia. Ear emergence
here is delayed by up to 10 days.
Pleiotropic effects of the strongest photoperiodic gene, Ppd1 were
studied using selected single chromosome recombinant lines that can be
regarded as near isogenic. Experiments were carried out under farm scale
conditions in England and Yugoslavia. The results showed that the primary
effect of Ppd1 in accelerating flowering time, by around 8 days, and the
majority of associated pleiotropic effects, showed no interactive
environmental effects. A reduction of one vegetative and two floral
primordia was linked to the shortening of the growing period. With one less
internode plants were reduced in height by around 10 cms. Although the ear
carried two fewer spikelets, the fertility of the remaining spikelets was
increased markedly resulting in no overall decrease in grain set per ear.
The development of set grain was highly sensitive to environmental
stress. Hot dry Yugoslavian summer conditions dessicated grain on the late
flowering lines giving day length insensitive genotypes a minimal yield
advantage of 30 per cent. The UK traditionally has cool summers giving late
genotypes with a longer growing period and less crowded spikelets, a 5 to 10
per cent yield advantage. In the past two seasons changing environmental
conditions with hotter, dryer summers have, even in the UK, given a yield
advantage to early flowering desiccation avoiding genotypes. Thus, if the
climate changes further as many predict, breeders will have to alter alleles
of photoperiodic genes to obtain improved climatic adaptability.
-------------------------
J. W. Snape* and V.Hyne
Location of QTL controlling agronomic characters by partial genome
analysis. The development of high density genetic maps of wheat using
morphological, isozyme and RFLP markers is well advanced at the Cambridge
Laboratory. To investigate the use of these maps to locate quantitative
trait loci (QTL) for economically important characters a partial genome
analysis of the genetic differences between the chromosome substitution lines
Highbury ( Chinese Spring 5B ) and Sicco ( Chinese Spring 5B ) has been
carried out. This used a population of forty-five doubled haploid lines from
this cross, developed using the Hordeum bulbosum system, which had been
characterised for polymorphism at 29 marker loci and assessed over several
environments for agronomic performance. The polymorphic loci specified
morphological, isozyme and RFLP differences and covered nine chromosomes, 1A,
1B, 4B, 5A, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, with greatest marker coverage on the homoeologous
group 6 and 7 chromosomes.
Using the computer package MAPMAKER ( Lander et al. 1987 ) the marker
loci were categorised into 17 independent linkage groups. Subsequently, a
programme DETECT.QTL was written using the GENSTAT computer package and used
to detect associations between the marker loci and data for variation for a
number of traits including yield and its components measured in replicated
field experiments in 1982 and 1990. This provided preliminary chromosomal
locations for presumptive QTL.
With respect to yield, the largest significant associations were found
with respect to only three linkage groups, one on chromosome 4B and two
independent groups on chromosome 6B. Together these accounted for 61% of the
genetical variation for yield in this cross. Analysis of yield components
indicated that the 4B effect was associated with the allele Rht1, and is
presumably a pleiotropic effect of the dwarfing gene locus, and accounted for
29% of the total genetical variation for yield. The 6B yield effects were
associated with independent variation for the components spikelet number and
ear weight, respectively. Overall, greater than 40% of variation for all
yield components measured could be accounted for by significant associations
with these 17 linkage groups. In addition 44% of variation in grain protein
was associated with linkage groups on the homoeologous group 7 chromosomes
alone, although only 17% of the genetical variation in ear emergence time was
accounted for by significant associations. Clearly this partial genome
analysis has been able to highlight important components of the genome with
respect to yield and its components and grain protein, although large
components of variation for certain characters remain to be accounted for.
These data are now being subjected to further analysis using different
computer programmes to provide estimates of numbers, locations and effects of
the detected QTL.
-------------------------
D.A. Laurie
A simple method for wheat haploid production from wheat x maize crosses.
The hybrid embryos formed when wheat is crossed with maize are karyotypically
highly unstable, and lose all the maize chromosomes within the first few cell
division cycles of embryo development. A simple method is now available for
recovering the resultant haploid wheat embryos as plants. One day after
pollination the upper internode of the tiller is filled with a 10mg/l
solution of 2,4-dichlorophenozyacetic acid (2,4-D) and a few drops of the
same solution are then placed in each floret. Embryos are left to develop in
situ for two to three weeks and then excised onto conventional embryo rescue
medium. Fertile doubled haploid lines can then be produced by treating young
seedlings with colchicine. This technique has proved effective in all the
genotypes so far tested. A recent experiment with 19 commercial British
spring or winter cultivars yielded an average of five haploid plants per
spike.
-------------------------
S.A. Quarrie and A. Steed
Regulation of stress resistance in wheat by abscisic acid. We have
previously shown that genotypes selected for high ABA production in a
laboratory test gave significantly higher yields than similar low ABA
selections in several environments in the UK. We are now extending this work
by selecting for genetic variation in ABA content in wheat in the field.
This will avoid the uncertainties associated with extrapolating results from
a laboratory test to a field environment. Over 40 spring wheat cultivars and
land races were sampled for ABA content during a period of hot and dry
weather and a range in ABA content amongst the genotypes of nearly three-fold
was obtained. The genotypes having the extremes of ABA content (58 and 159
ng/h FW) have been crossed for preparing doubled haploid plants during 1991.
The chromosomal distribution of genes controlling high ABA production is
being investigated using a monosomic series in the cultivar Inia 66, which
has very high ABA production under laboratory conditions. So far the group 1
and group 5 chromosomes have been examined, with no evidence from monosomic
and occasional nullisomic plants of any major genes for ABA production being
present on those chromosomes.
-------------------------
R. Johnson, R.N. Sawhney (IARI, New Delhi) and P.N. Minchin.
Transfer of resistance to yellow rust from European to Indian wheats.
European wheats believed to possess durable resistance to yellow rust were
crossed and backcrossed with important Indian cultivars, Kalyansona and
WL711, which are susceptible. The European wheats all had red grain and
comprised winter habit types, Atou, Avalon, Bounty, Cappelle Desprez, Elite
Lepeuple, Flanders, Flinor, Hybride de Berse, Hybrid 46, Maris Widgeon
and spring habit types Atle and Highbury. Segregating generations were
selected in England and in India for disease resistance, plant type, spring
habit, maturity date and amber grain. Special emphasis was placed on
resistance to yellow rust, and in England the trials were inoculated with
races overcoming the known race-specific genes present in the cultivars.
Despite the difficulties due to major differences between European and
Indian wheats, a small number of lines representing most of the original
crosses were selected, and the cross of Atou with Kalyansona yielded a
considerable number of lines. Under English conditions the lines had good
resistance to yellow rust, many had good quality amber grain, and several
outyielded both parents, even in the absence of severe yellow rust. However,
observations in India revealed that many of the lines were susceptible to
brown rust and in Australia some lines were found to be of late maturity.
Final selections remain to be made and exchange of materials between our
laboratory and IARI New Delhi is continuing. The lines may be usable as
sources of potentially durable resistance to yellow rust in programmes for
the Indian sub-continent. Although they still have some weaknesses from the
Indian point of view, they may provide some genetic diversity and useful
disease resistance, and are certainly much nearer to Indian requirements than
the European cultivars used as parents. The programme has been running for
ten years, but was slowed down in recent years due to difficulties in seed
exchange between England and India and dislocation due to privatisation of
the Plant Breeding Institute, Cambridge.
-------------------------
P. Nicholson and H.N. Rezanoor
Molecular and biochemical markers in species of facultative pathogens of
wheat and barley. A number of RFLP markers have been used to study isolates
of Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides, the cause of eyespot disease
(strawbreaker footrot). Work with U.K. isolates has indicated that R-type
isolates are phylogenetically distinct from W-type isolates. We are
extending this study to include isolates from around the world. We are
searching for additional markers and are currently screening plasmid
libraries for type specific nucleic acid probes for use in epidemiological
studies. The sexual stage of this fungus has been identified in the field on
inoculated material and has since been induced in the laboratory.
Recombination of RFLP and biochemical markers has been shown to occur in the
perfect stage, underlining the potential for this process to give rise to
novel pathotypes. An investigation of the mating system of this fungus is
now in progress and we are collaborating with other workers in the UK to
further investigate the genetics of this fungus.
In conjunction with resistance studies we have begun to carry out
karyotyping of Septoria spp. to identify the role, if any, of
'mini'chromosomes in pathogenicity of these and other facultative pathogens.
-------------------------
M.J. Ambrose
AFRC Wheat Collections move to Norwich. As part of the move of the
Cambridge Laboratory to Norwich, the AFRC Cereal Collections of wheat, barley
and oats, and the Cambridge Laboratory Cereals Department collections of
wheat, related species and cytogenetic stocks, have been rehoused in a new
purpose built seed store. The building is a self-contained unit with office,
laboratory and seed preparation space. The store is 22.5 x 11m and is fitted
with mobile shelf units with a storage capacity of 600m2. Conditions within
the store are maintained at 1.5oC and 7%RH offering us good medium term
storage.
Cereal collection databases. Work is in progress to transfer much of
the database activity from Datatrieve on our centralised Vax system to the
more fully relational DBaseIV package run on personal computers. All
archiving will still be done on the Vax system as this is the most secure
method. Moving to the DBase environment means much more versatile
programming and the development of small applications databases that can be
sent to other institutions. An application is being prepared for the wheat
collection which collates together all the relevant passport information
including known passport data into a searchable screen display orientated
programme that will be available on disk.
-------------------------
Publications
Austin, R. 1990. Prospects for genetically increasing the photosynthetic
capacity of crops. In: Perspectives in Biochemical and Genetic Regulation of
Photosynthesis. (Ed: Zelitch, I). New York, Alan Liss, 395-409.
Bozorgipour, R. and Snape, J.W. 1990. The crossability of Persian wheat
cultivars with Hordeum bulbosum and their potential for haploid production.
Cereal Research Communications 18, 203-208.
Cheung, W.Y. and Gale, M.D. 1990. The isolation of high molecular weight DNA
from wheat, barley and rye for analysis by pulse-field gel electrophoresis.
Plant Molecular Biology 14, 881-888.
Forster, B.P., Phillips, M.S., Miller, T.E., Baird, E. and Powell, W. 1990.
Chromosome location of genes controlling tolerance to salt (NaCl) and vigor
in Hordeum vulgare and H. chilense. Heredity 65, 99-107.
Koebner, R.M.D. 1990. Subtilisin inhibitor - a polymorphic protein produced
by a gene on the short arms of wheat homoeologous group 1 chromosomes.
Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding 44, 49-52.
Koebner, R.M.D. and Martin, P.K. 1990. Association of eyespot resistance in
wheat cv. 'Cappelle-Desprez' with endopeptidase profile. Plant Breeding 104,
312- 317.
Laurie, D.A. 1990. The frequency of fertilization in wheat x pearl millet
crosses. Genome 32, 1063-1067.
Laurie, D.A. and Bennett, M.D. 1990. the behaviour of sperm cells in cereal
wide-hybrids. In: Mechanism of fertilization, NATO ASI Series, Vol. H45.
(Ed: Dale, B.). Berlin, Springer-Verlag 445-454.
Laurie, D.A. and Bennett, M.D. 1990. Early post-pollination events in
hexaploid wheat x maize crosses. Sexual Plant Reproduction 3, 70-76.
Laurie, D.A. O'Donoughue, L.S. and Bennett, M.D. 1990. Wheat x maize and
other wide sexual hybrids: their potential for genetic manipulation and crop
improvement. In: Gene Manipulation in Plant Improvement. Proceedings of the
19th Staadler Genetics Symposium (Ed: Gustafson, J.P.). New York, Plenum
Press, 95-126.
Laurie, D.A. and Snape, J.W. 1990. The agronomic performance of wheat double
haploid lines derived from wheat x maize crosses. Theoretical and Applied
Genetics 79, 813-816.
Liu, C.J., Chao, S and Gale M.D. 1990. The genetical control of
tissue-specificperoxidases,Per-1, Per-2, Per-3, Per-4 and Per-5 in wheat.
Theoretical and Applied Genetics 79, 305-313.
Liu, C.J. and Gale, M.D. 1990. Est-7, a set of genes controlling green tissue
esterases in wheat and related species. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 79,
781-784.
Morgunov, A.I., Rogers, W.J., Sayers, E.J. and Metakovsky, E.V. 1990. the
high-molecular-weight glutenin subunit composition of Soviet wheat varieties.
Euphytica 51, 41-52.
Petchey, E.M., Koebner, R.M.D. and Gale, M.D. 1990. Genetic characterisation
of a further homoeoallelic series of grain esterase loci, Est-6 in wheat.
Theoretical and Applied Genetics 79, 294-296.
Rogers, W.J., Rickatson, J.M., Sayers, E.J. and Law, C.N. 1990. Dosage
effects of chromosomes of homoeologous groups 1 and 6 upon bread-making
quality in hexaploid wheat. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 80, 281-287.
Tobin, A.K., Thorpe, J.R., Hylton, C.M. and Rawsthorne, S. 1990. Spatial and
temporal influences on the cell-specific distribution of glycine
decarboxylase in leaves of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and pea (Pisum
sativum L.). Plant Physiology 91, 1219-1225.
-------------------------
John Innes Institute, Institute for Plant Science Research, Colney Lane,
Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK.
J.S. Heslop-Harrison, A.R. Leitch, T. Schwarzacher and K.
Anamthawat-JĒnsson
Detection and characterization of alien chromosome transfer using
genomic hybridization. We have developed hybridization methods using total
genomic DNA which are able to verify, identify and localize chromosomes or
chromosome segments from alien species in wheat. Discrimination between
chromosomes or DNA from taxonomically closely related species in the genera
barley, rye, wheat and their relatives is possible both by Southern
hybridization to size- fractionated restriction enzyme digests of genomic DNA
and by in situ hybridization to chromosome preparations. To distinguish
between two species, genomic DNA from one species is used as the labelled
probe while unlabelled DNA from the other species is applied at much higher
concentration as a 'block'. The blocking DNA presumably hybridizes to
sequences in common between the block and the labelled probe, and between the
block and DNA sequences on the membrane or chromosomes in situ. Thus, mainly
species-specific sequences remain as sites for probe hybridizations. These
species-specific sequences seem to be dispersed and to represent a
substantial proportion of the genome. Consequently, rapid non-radioactive
methods are able to detect probe hybridization sites satisfactorily both in
situ and on Southern blots.
Using total genomic DNA from rye labelled with biotin as a probe for in
situ hybridization and fluorescent detection systems, we could show the size
and translocation points of the rye chromosome segments in five wheat
cultivars which carry a 1B/1R translocation. All the translocation
breakpoints were at, or very near to, the centromere. The method was also
able to confirm the parentage of hybrid plants, such as Hordeum chilense x
Secale cereale H. vulgare x H. bulbosum and triticale.
The genomic probing method does not involve time consuming cloning
strategies and is hence applicable in many different situation involving a
wide range of species. The genomic probing method may be of wide application
in the introduction of alien variation for crop improvement, as it is able to
detect, characterize and follow alien chromosomes or chromosome segments
through breeding programmes. In collaboration with T.E. Miller, W.J. Rogers
and I.P. King (Cambridge Laboratory) we are currently examining different
alien additions and translocations (e.g. H. chilense and Thinopyrum
bessarabicum) to hexaploid wheat.
-------------------------
Publications
Anamthawat-JĒnsson, K., Schwarzacher, T., Leitch, A.R., Bennett, M.D. and
Heslop-Harrison, J.S. 1990. Discrimination between closely related Triticeae
species using genomic DNA as a probe. Theoretical Applied Genetics 79,
721-728.
Heslop-Harrison, J.S., Leitch, A.R., Schwarzacher, T and
Anamthawat-JĒnsson, K. 1990. Detection and characterization of 1B/1R
translocations in hexaploid wheat. Heredity 65, 385-392.
Leitch, A.R., Mosgller W., Schwarzacher, T., Bennett, M.D. and
Heslop-Harrison J.S. 1990. Genomic in situ hybridization to sectioned nuclei
shows chromosome domains in grass hybrids. J. Cell Sci. 95, 335-341.
-------------------------
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Bristol, AFRC
Institute of Arable Crops Research, Long Ashton Research Station, Bristol,
BS18 9AF, UK.
P.A. Sabelli and P.R. Shewry*
Characterization of gene families at the Gli-1 loci of bread and durum
wheats by RFLPS. The Gli-1 loci are located on the homoeologous group 1
chromosomes and encode three classes of gluten proteins (the sulphur-poor
-gliadins and the sulphur-rich -gliadins and LMW subunits of glutenin). The
organisation of such complex loci is still poorly understood because of the
low frequency of intra-locus recombination.We have characterised these gene
families by homologous and heterologous probing of genomic DNAs digested with
EcoRI, HindIII and BamHI, three endonucleases whose restriction sites are
absent from the coding regions of cloned cDNAs and genes. Euploid bread
wheat cv. Chinese Spring, the nullisomic-tetrasomic series and the
ditelosomic lines for the group 1 chromosomes, and durum wheat cv. Langdon
and the disomic substitution lines 1D(1A) and 1D(1B) of Chinese Spring in
Langdon (obtained from Dr. L.R. Joppa) were all probed with -gliadin and LMW
subunit clones from wheat, a -secalin clone from rye and B hordein and C
hordein clones from barley. Under conditions of moderate stringency the
-gliadin and LMW glutenin probes hybridised to specific classes of sequences.
In addition the -secalin and B hordein clones gave hybridisation patterns
similar to those of the -gliadin and LMW subunit clones respectively,
confirming the homology relationships of barley, wheat and rye prolamin
genes. The restriction fragments were characterised with respect to size,
chromosomal location and copy number. Analyses under conditions of high
stringency and by differential hybridisation using the C hordein clone and
the non-repetitive 3'-end of the -gliadin clone, showed that the complex
hybridisation patterns obtained with the -gliadin probe under conditions of
moderate stringency included sequences which probably corresponded to
-gliadin genes. The minimum sizes of the Gli-1 loci were also estimated.
-------------------------
P.A. Sabelli, P.R. Shewry and D. Lafiandra (University of Tuscia,
Viterbo, Italy).
Restriction fragment analysis of null alleles at the Gli-1 loci of bread
and durum wheats. Wheat accessions (obtained from the bread and durum wheat
collection preserved at the Germplasma Institute, National Research Council
of Italy, in Bari) lacking some - and -gliadin components encoded by the
Gli-1 loci on the short arm of chromosome 1D of bread wheat and chromosome 1A
of durum wheat, were analysed by two-dimensional (two-pH) polyacrylamide gel
electrophoresis.
In order to investigate the cause of these deficiencies, restriction
fragment analyses were also carried out. Digested genomic DNAs of 'normal'
and 'null' forms were probed with a cDNA clone related to -/ -gliadins and
with a genomic clone encoding a LMW subunit of glutenin. The hybridisation
patterns with the -/ -gliadin probe were similar to those of cv. Chinese
Spring and cv. Langdon used as standards for bread and durum wheats
respectively, but several restriction fragments located on chromosome 1D of
bread wheat and chromosome 1A of durum wheat were absent in the 'null'forms.
In addition, specific LMW glutenin fragments encoded by the same chromosomes
were also absent in the 'null' forms, suggesting that simultaneous deletions
of blocks of genes for both
-/ -gliadins and LMW glutenins had occurred. Comparisons of the protein and
RFLP patterns allowed certain other proteins, not affected by mutations, to
be mapped to specific restriction fragments.
-------------------------
A.S. Tatham, P.R. Shewry, M.J. Miles, and H.H. Wills (Physics
Laboratory, University of Bristol).
Structure of the High Molecular Weight subunits of Glutenin. Scanning
tunnelling microscopy (STM) has been used to image the central repetitive
domain of a high molecular weight (HMW) subunit of durum wheat glutenin. The
subunit was deposited from solution, by evaporation of solvent, on to a
graphite support, and imaged without coating. The proteins became aligned in
a sheet over the graphite surface, forming a 2-dimensional array. The array
showed periodic rod-like structures, and the images were Fourier transformed
to enhance their periodic nature. A clear helical structure was observed,
with a diameter of approximately 1.95nm and pitch of 1.49nm.
Previous physical characterisation of the HMW subunits indicated a
rod-like structure, while secondary structure analyses indicated reverse-turn
rich central repetitive domains and alpha-helical N- and C-terminal domains.
The structure observed for the central domain of the HMW subunit by ST< is
consistent with a spiral secondary structure, but we do not know whether this
structure contributes to the elastomeric properties of wheat gluten. It
does, however, possess structural characteristics suitable for an elastomeric
material. These are a long molecule with cysteine residues at the ends for
covalent attachment, and a long central repetitive domain that could undergo
conformational changes under stress and then relax on the removal of stress.
-------------------------
Plant Breeding International Cambridge Ltd., Maris Lane, Trumpington,
Cambridge, CB2 2LQ, UK
S.J. Brown and P.I. Payne*
Cultivars. In 1990 PBI Cambridge released seed of two new winter wheat
cultivars to its licensees. Tara is a soft milling cultivar producing grain
primarily for the animal feed market. It has a very good specific weight and
very good resistance to the major diseases except mildew.
Hereward is setting new standards for the combination of yield and
exceptional bread-making quality; in both respects it exceeds Mercia, which
is currently the leading bread-making cultivar in the UK. The agronomic
characters and resistance to the major diseases are at least as good as, and
in some instances better than, Mercia. Hereward is expected to quickly take
a significant part of the UK market and to be developed also in France,
Ireland, Holland and Denmark.
Research. The HMW subunits of glutenin are known to be a major
contributor to the viscoelastic nature of wheat gluten. In particular
subunits 5+10, coded by x and y genes at the Glu-D1 locus, confer increased
strength of doughs when they replace their allelic counterparts, subunits
2+12. The genes that code for each of these subunits have been isolated and
sequenced by other research groups. There are small differences in sequence
between each allelic pair and there are conflicting opinions on whether
subunit 5 or subunit 10 is the key molecule that contributes the most
elasticity.
In collaboration with Dr. J.W. Snape at the Cambridge Laboratory,
Institute of Plant Science Research, Norwich, natural mutations of the Glu-D1
locus have been exploited to determine which has the most detrimental affect;
loss of the x or y locus. Routine screening of intervarietal series of
Chinese Spring (CS) by SDS-PAGE revealed that CS (Ciano 3D) had a natural
deletion for subunit 2. This line was crossed with CS (Thatcher 1D), a line
known to be deficient for subunit 12. The F1 hybrid was crossed with euploid
CS and the progeny passed through five generations of single-seed descent.
Each was bulked through two generations of selfing and grown in a randomised
field trial in 1990. Deletion of either subunit 2 or subunit 12 gave a
dramatic reduction in SDS-sedimentation volume, although samples with subunit
2 alone gave a slightly but significantly lower SDS volume than samples with
subunit 12 alone. Similarly, when the rheological properties of the three
genotypes (2, 12, 2+12) were determined by the Brabender xtensograph, loss of
a subunit caused a dramatic reduction in elasticity (resistance to
stretching) and an increase in extensibility. However, genotypes with
subunit 2 alone were more extensible and less elastic than corresponding
genotypes with subunit 12 alone. The results indicate that the y gene at
locus Glu-D1 has a molecular structure that confers greater elasticity to its
translated protein than does the x gene.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM THE UNITED STATES ARKANSAS
University of Arkansas
R.K. Bacon*, B.R. Wells, M.L. May, and D. Dombek
Production. According to the Arkansas Agricultural Statistics Service,
Arkansas farmers harvested 1,400,000 acres of winter wheat in 1990. Average
yield in the state was 35 bu/A accounting for a total production of
49,000,000 bu, which was 7% less than last year. The reduced production was
due to the lowest yields since 1985 caused by unfavorable weather and
diseases.
Management. Field studies were conducted at three locations to evaluate
the response of five cultivars to intensive management practices. These
practices included fall N and P fertilization, spring N fertilization rates
and use of a foliar fungicide. Pioneer 2548, Coker 9877, and Pioneer 2555
were the highest yielding cultivars. Pioneer 2548 performed best on the silt
loam soils whereas Pioneer 2555 performed best on the clay soil. Fall P
fertilization resulted in a significant yield increase at the location
typically low in available P. There was a significant interaction between
cultivars, spring nitrogen rate, and fungicide application. Coker 9877
showed very little response to the fungicide whereas the other cultivars
increased in yield 5 to 10 bu/A. Increasing the spring N rate from 100 to 150
lb/A resulted in slight to moderate yield increases only on the clay soil.
Mr. Sorel Jacques has completed a two year study to detetrmine the
effects of double-cropping, relay-cropping and mono-cropping on the yield of
wheat and soybeans. Yields of `Traveler' wheat were reduced by 10 bu/A in the
relay cropping. Double-cropping was found to be the most efficient production
system due to higher wheat and soybean yields
Breeding and Genetics. Breeder seed of the experimental line AR 26415 is
being produced for the second consecutive year. Although enough seed was
available for release last year, the decision to look at one more year's data
was made because the line appeared to be moderately susceptible to the new
race of leaf rust in the state. This line not only shows good yield potential
in the state but also has high test weights. Dockage for low test weight
continues to be a problem in the area.
Mr. Steve Schuler is continuing his work to determine factors affecting
test weight and their relationship to quality. Second year test weight and
milling data obtained in cooperation with Dr. Patrick Finney of the USDA Soft
Wheat Quality Lab is currently being analyzed and secondary data collection
is nearing completion. In addition, parents, F1 and F2 plants from a six
parent diallel cross to study the inheritance of factors which may influence
test weight are currently in the field and will be evaluated this summer.
Mr. John Kelly has completed a three year study to characterize and
select wheat cultivars for traits affecting nitrogen utilization.
Measurements were taken to determine if a relationship existed among nitrate
reductase activity (NRA), nitrogen content, nitrogen use efficiency, crop
growth rate, net assimilation rate, yield and yield components. Ten cultivars
were measured at four growth stages. NRA was found to be negatively
correlated to yield and yield components with the highest negative
correlation with kernel number. After two generations of divergent selection
for plants having high NRA and for low NRA at anthesis, there has been an
increase in NRA from selection. This research is to be continued with the F5
plants in the field awaiting evaluation for NRA.
Forty-six cultivars and experimental lines were tested in the small
grain performance tests at seven locations in the state. The top five
yielding cultivars were Pioneer 2548, Coker 9024, Wakefield, ABI 85-81 and
Coker 9323, all of which had an average yield across locations of 51 bu/A or
higher. Duplicate tests were planted at two locations and treated with a
foliar fungicide to give growers an indication of the yield potential of
cultivars protected from fungal diseases. The mean yields of the
fungicide-protected trials were 2.1 and 8.5 bu/A greater than the mean of the
duplicate unprotected trials at the two locations, respectively.
Personnel Changes. Mr. Don Obert joined the program this summer as a
Graduate Assistant pursuing an MS degree. His research will focus on the
allelopathic effects of rice straw on wheat germination and seedling growth.
Mr. Robert Wright also started as a Graduate Assistant this summer. Research
for his MS degree will be to determine the inheritance of tolerance to
metribuzin in soft red winter wheat.
Mr. Gill Giese joined the program this year as a Research Assistant.
After completing his MS degree he worked as an assistant plant breeder for
Petoseed Company in Felda, FL.
Mr. Don Dombek has taken over the responsibilities for cultivar testing.
He replaces Mr. Terry Walker who is now the soybean breeder for Illinois
Foundation Seeds.
Dr. Nathan McKinney recently became the Wheat Extension Specialist. In
addition to his extension activities he is currently conducting research on
the use of wheat blends. Dr. McKinney previously was the state soybean
Extension Specialist in Mississippi. He replaces Mr. Don Adams who retired
from the Extension Service after many years of dedicated service to the wheat
growers in the state.
Publications
Bacon, R.K., K.A.K. Moldenhauer, and J.O. York. 1990. Pest control in
Arkansas cereal crops through genetic resistance. Arkansas Farm Res.
39:(3):8.
Freeze, D.M., and R.K. Bacon. 1990. Row spacing and seeding rate effects on
wheat yields in the Mid-South. J. Prod. Agric. 3:345-348.
May, M.L., H.J. Mascagni, Jr., B.R. Wells, and R.K. Bacon. 1990.
Fertilization of wheat following grain sorghum or corn: Final report. p.
65-68. In W.E. Sabbe, editor. Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies 1989.
Arkansas Agric. Exp. Stn. Research Series 398.
Walker, D.W., C.P. West, R.K. Bacon, D.E. Longer, and K.E. Turner. 1990.
Changes in forage yield and composition of wheat and wheat-ryegrass mixtures
with maturity. J. Dairy Sci. 73:1296-1303.
Walker, T.K. 1990. Small-grain performance tests 1989-90. Arkansas
Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series 404.
West, C.P., D.W. Walker, R.K. Bacon, D.E. Longer, and K.E. Turner. 1991.
Phenological analysis of forage yield and quality in winter wheat. Agron. J.
83:(in press).
-------------------------
CALIFORNIA
Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California,
Riverside
Christine A. Curtis, Bahman Ehdaie, Adam J. Lukaszewski, Malik M. Rafi,
Shakir H. Shah, and J. Giles Waines
Yield components and quality traits in wild wheats (Rafi,
Waines)
Forty-three diploid accessions representing the five Aegilops species in
the Sitopsis group (S genome), 22 accessions of the three Triticum species in
A genome group, six accessions of Ae. squarrosa (D genome), one tetraploid
wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum Desf., "Mexicali"), and two hexaploid
wheats (T. aestivum L., "Anza" and "Yecora Rojo") were compared for straw
yield per plant, head yield per plant, aboveground biomass, harvest index,
D13C, single plant grain yield, 100 kernel weight, kernel protein, lysine,
lysine/protein, and adjusted lysine/protein contents in the 1987-88 season
under field conditions. The mean values of modern cultivars were
significantly greater than those of the diploids for head yield, harvest
index, grain yield, and kernel weight. For straw yield and kernel weight,
the tall and large kernelled A genome accessions were significantly superior
to the dwarf and small kernelled S genome accessions. For head yield,
biomass, harvest index, and grain yield, the mean of S and D genome
accessions were significantly greater than the means of A genome accessions.
The mean values of diploids were significantly higher than those of the
modern cultivars for protein and lysine contents. The mean values of the S
and A genomes were significantly higher than those of the D genome for
protein and lysine contents.
Significant variability was observed among the 71 accessions for all 11
traits, and among the three genomes for all traits except for D13C. For most
characters, the S genome accessions exhibited greater variation followed by
the A and D genome accessions. In the S genome, Ae. sharonensis and Ae.
searsii showed high variation for yield and kernel quality traits,
respectively, which could be exploited in breeding programs with modern
cultivars. To create genetic variability in breeding programs for harvest
index and kernel quality traits, T. urartu of the A genome could also be
used. The correlation pattern between yield and quality traits was different
in the three genomes. Significant differences were found between means of
Ae. speltoides and those of the other four S genome species for various
traits. Means of morphologically similar pairs Ae. longissima and Ae.
searsii, and Ae. sharonensis and Ae. bicornis, did not differ for genetically
induced characters. Superior accessions with enhanced values for yield and
quality traits were identified in each genome group.
Water-Use Efficiency and Carbon Isotope Discrimination in Wheat (Ehdaie,
Waines)
Improved water-use efficiency (WUE) could provide breeding programs with
a means to improve adaptation to drought-prone environments. Carbon isotope
discrimination (D) has been proposed as a criterion to select for improved
WUE. This study evaluated differences in total dry matter (TDM), WUE
(TDM/transpiration), and D of flag leaves of landrace and modern wheat
(Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes grown in pots in a well-watered (wet) and in
a water-stressed (dry) experiment for 2 yr. The wheat genotypes were also
grown in wet and dry field conditions. In the pot experiments, average WUE
of the genotypes varied from 2.85 to 4.41 g dry matter/kg water in the wet
experiment and from 2.08 to 4.53 in the dry experiment. The mean values of D
were 20.2 x 103 for the wet pot experiment and 22.7 x 103 for the dry pot
experiment. The tall landrace genotypes such as Chinese Spring had greater
TDM and WUE, but were later in maturity than the modern dwarf and semidwarf
genotypes. Values of D associated with different genotypes were negatively
correlated with WUE. Broad-sense heritabilities for WUE and D were 93 and
90%, respectively, in the pot experiments. In the dry field experiments, D
was positively associated with aboveground dry matter and grain yield in both
years. In the wet field experiments, there was a positive correlation
between D and grain yield only in 1988. Broad-sense heritabilities for D
were 72% for wet field conditions and 74% for dry field conditions. These
observations indicate that selection for D, either under wet or dry
conditions, could improve WUE in wheat.
Water-Use Efficiency of Wheat, Barley, Dasypyrum and Rye and Their Alien
Chromosome Addition Lines (Shah, Waines)
Agronomic folklore holds that barley, dasypyrum (haynaldia) and rye are
more drought resistant than wheat. We are looking at the water-use efficiency
of Chinese Spring bread wheat, 'Betzes' barley, Dasypyrum villosum,
'Imperial' rye and their available alien chromosome addition lines in well
watered and droughted pot and field experiments. We will also collect flag
leaves for carbon isotope discrimination analysis. Analysis of yield
components will be performed an all materials.
Wheat Cytogenetics (Curtis, Lukaszewski)
Reverse tandem duplications (rtd) on chromosomes 4A, 1B, 2B and 3D were
identified in 'Chinese Spring' (CS). All four initiate breakage-fusion-bridge
(bfb) cycle in meiosis. Cytological aspects of the rtd-induced bfb cycles in
wheat are similar to those of the Ac-Ds system in maize. The presence of the
bfb cycle induced breakage of chromosomes not originally involved in the
aberrations. Somatic chimeras for marker genes and morphological offtypes
were identified following the initiation of the bfb cycles.
Sets of deficient wheat chromosomes were obtained following the bfb
cycles. Using combinations of rtd on 4AL, deficient and iso-deficient
chromosomes, and translocations of small segments of 4AL to rye arm 2RL, the
Dne (dosage necrosis) gene was physically located on 4AL in a position
proximal and adjacent to the major C-band, about 75% of the relative arm
length away from the centromere. The Dne gene which produces necrosis in 4A
tetrasomics of CS appears to be position-sensitive with the most severe
necrosis present in duplication homozygotes and the least severe in
tetrasomics. Metaphase I pairing behavior of deficient chromosomes in wheat
was observed in plants with varying doses and combinations of normal and
deficient chromosome arms. In heterozygotes for even a small deficiency MI
pairing between deficient and normal arms was drastically reduced while in
deficiency homozygotes deficient arms paired with frequency approaching
normal. In plants with varying doses of normal and deficient arms pairing was
between arms of the same length to the exclusion of arms of different length.
Using C-banding polymorphism among accessions of T. dicoccoides, and
between T. dicoccoides and 'Langdon' durum, frequency of recombination was
analyzed in 93 segments of chromosomes 1B, 2B, 3B, 5B, 6B and 7B. Among some
750 chromosomes analyzed no recombination was observed in the proximal 38.7
percent of the relative arm length. The relationship between the physical and
genetic distances appeared to be exponential. Physical location and genetic
linkage of GliB1 and GluB1 to C-bands were established.
A line of spring wheat with 18" + 1RS.1AL" + 1RS.1BL" + 1RS.1DL" (six
1RS arms; absent wheat group-1 short arms) was produced. Lines NASW85-294 and
NASW85-5626 previously found to be heterogeneous for the presence/absence of
the 1RS.1BL translocation were separated into translocated and
non-translocated classes. Chromosome 7S of Ae. speltoides was identified in
an 'Amigo' selection. When separated from the 1RS.1AL translocation it was
found to offer resistance to greenbug biotype E.
Dr. E.R. Sears' collection of Chinese Spring aneuploids is being regrown
and multiplied. So far, nullisomics, monosomics, tetrasomics,
nulli-tetrasomics, double ditelosomics and disomic additions of 'Imperial'
rye were analyzed and grown. Considerable somatic instability was observed
among some stocks. It appeared related to seed age, being virtually absent in
seed stocks 10 years old or younger, and relatively frequent in stocks over
10 years old. Probably as a result of this instability, translocations and
deficiencies were present among the analyzed stocks. Monosomic 2A was
homozygous deficient for about 30% of 2BL; monosomic 7A was homozygous for a
nonreciprocal translocation 5B.7B (four doses of 5BL); double ditelosomic 2B
was homozygous deficient for about 8% of 4AL, tetrasomic 5A and
nulli-5B-tetra-5A segregated for a 2AS.5AL centric break-fusion
translocation; disomic addition of Imperial chromosome 3R was heterozygous
for a deficiency of about 50% of one arm of 3R. In addition,
nulli-7D-tetra-7B segregated for two different banding patterns on 7B. All
these are being corrected by selection and crosses to normal Chinese Spring.
Triticale Cytogenetics (Lukaszewski)
Nine of 21 possible substitutions of D-genome chromosomes for A-, B-,
and R-genome chromosomes in winter triticale 'Presto' have been carried
through the sixth backcross, eleven are in BC2 to BC5 stage. 7D(7R)
susbtitution is missing. Fourteen monosomics were isolated so far. In spring
triticale 'Rhino' 13 D-for-A, -B, or -R substitutions have been completed
(six backcrosses); remaining eight are in BC4-BC5 stage. Twenty monosomics of
Rhino have been isolated: monosomic 2A is missing. In a primary hexaploid
produced from Langdon durum and a rye inbred 2a a full set of 21 monosomics
and at least one ditelosomic for each chromosome were selected. However,
because of considerable instability the effort to complete the sets will
probably be abandoned.
A proximal segment of chromosome 1D from 'Wheaton' wheat was
translocated to chromosome 1R of Rhino through a combination of centric
break-fusion translocation and 5D(5B) substitution-induced homoeologous
pairing. The recombinant chromosome 1R has normal short arm, proximal segment
of chromosome 1DL and a distal segment of 1RL and carries HMW glutenin
subunits 5+10 of Wheaton. Its effect on breadmaking quality of triticale is
yet to be tested.
Publications
Curtis, C.A. and A.J. Lukaszewski. 1991. Genetic linkage between C-bands and
storage protein genes in chromosome 1B of tetraploid wheat. Theor. Appl.
Genet. In press
Curtis, C.A. and A.J. Lukaszewski. 1991. The relationship between genetic and
physical distances in the B-genome chromosomes in wheat. Proc. 2nd Int. Symp.
On Chromosome Engineering in Plants, Columbia MO, Aug. 1990. In press
Curtis, C.A., A.J. Lukaszewski and M. Chrzastek. 1991. Metaphase I pairing of
deficient chromosomes and genetic mapping of deficiency breakpoints in common
wheat. Genome, In press
Ehdaie, B. and J. G. Waines. 1990. Heat resistance in wild wheats and
Aegilops. Amer. Soc. Agronomy Annu. Mtg., San Antonio, Texas. Abstract.
Ehdaie, B., A.E. Hall, G. Farquhar, H.T. Nguyen, and J.G. Waines. 1991.
Water-use efficiency and carbon isotope discrimination in wheat. Crop Sci. In
press.
Kaloshian, I., P.A. Roberts, J.G. Waines, and I.J. Thomason. 1990.
Inheritance of resistance to root knot nematodes in Aegilops squarrosa. J.
Heredity 81:170-172.
Kaloshian, I., P.A. Roberts, J.G. Waines, and I.J. Thomason. 1991. Location
of gene for root knot nematode resistance in D genome of wheat. J. Heredity.
In press.
Lookhart, G.L., R. Greybosch, J. Peterson, and A.J. Lukaszewski. 1991.
Identification of wheat lines containing the 1RS.1BL translocation by high
performance liquid chromatography. Cereal Chem. In press
Lukaszewski, A.J. 1990. Frequency of 1RS.1BL and 1RS.1AL translocations in
USA wheats. Crop Sci. 30:1151-1153
Lukaszewski, A.J. 1991. Breakage-fusion-bridge cycles in wheat. Proc. 2nd
Int. Symp. On Chromosome Engineering in Plants, Columbia MO, Aug. 1990. In
press
Lukaszewski, A.J. 1991. Development of aneuploid series in hexaploid
triticale. Proc. 2nd Int Triticale Symp., Passo Fundo, Brazil, Oct. 1990. In
press
Rafi, M.M. 1990. Yield components and quality traits in wild wheats. MS.
Thesis, University of California, Riverside, December 1990.
-------------------------
Colorado State University
J. S. Quick, G. H. Ellis, R. Normann, M. Mergoum, S. Haley, K. Nkongolo,
A. Saidi, Q. X. Sun
Production. The 1990 Colorado winter wheat production was 84.2 million
bushels, 147 percent of the 1989 crop, and the yield average was about 33
bu/a. Hard red spring, soft white spring and durum wheats were collectively
grown on about 50,000 acres. Leading cultivars were TAM 107, Hawk, Vona,
Baca, Sandy, and Scout 66. The most significant 1990 production factor was
the damage caused by high temperatures in central and northeastern Colorado
during the grain filling stage . Early soil moisure shortage also contributed
to yield reduction.
Breeding program. Several new winter wheats were evaluated for
potential release. Six were evaluated in the Wheat Quality Council milling
and baking tests. Selection progress was made for grain yield, grain volume
weight, heat tolerance and bread-making quality. Cultivar performance trials,
fertilizer tests and Russian wheat aphid evaluations were conducted
statewide. Our quality evaluation program was modified to include SDS
sedimentation testing of all bulked F5 lines between harvest in August and
planting in September (see Dick and Quick method, Cereal Chem. 60:315).
Hence, all first year yield tests include only lines with acceptable gluten
properties. Our results indicate that SDS sedimentation will predict
mixograph mixing time for 90 percent of the lines. Construction of a
climate-controlled growth room was completed and is now operational.
Russian wheat aphid. The Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia) damage in
1990 was about one-third that of the 1987 damage (about $10.8 million loss in
1990). Suction trap catches were lower than they were in 1989. The
accumulated losses since 1986 in Colorado are $87.9 million. The aphid
overwinters in Colorado and survives the dry summer on native and introduced
grasses. Resistance to the Russian wheat aphid (RWA) was found in several T.
tauschii lines, the inheritance determined, and crosses made to introgress
the single recessive gene into hexaploid wheats. Seedling reactions of
segregating generations of crosses with the RWA resistant line PI372129
indicated that a single dominant gene governs this resistance. The reaction
of PI372129 appears different from previous resistance sources and allelism
tests are underway. A second uniform seedling screening test conducted at 10
locations in N. America confirmed or identified 9 additional RWA-resistant
wheat lines and one barley line. Leaf chlorosis and rolling were highly
correlated.
Other research. Seed inoculation by root rot pathogens and water stress
treatments under field conditions in Morocco significantly increased the
expression of root rot disease, and provides a disease screen for breeding
programs. In field water relations studies at Fort Collins, several useful
genotypic differences were observed. The 'drought-resistant' cv. Sandy had
low leaf water potential, leaf conductance, leaf carbon isotope composition,
and specific leaf weight.
In heat tolerance studies, the protocols involving hardening for 48 and
120 h at seedling and anthesis stage, resp., provided the greatest
sensitivity in detecting genotypic differences in relative injury. Relative
injury at seedling and anthesis stages were highly associated (0.79, n=90).
Heat tolerance, as evaluated by membrane thermostability (MT), was highly
associated with grain yield and quality in field studies; therefore, the MT
test will be a suitable procedure for selecting heat-tolerant wheat genotypes
in a breeding program.
A visiting scientist from China, Dr. Q.X. Sun, conducted research projects
on heat tolerance during 1990. He evaluated D-genome disomic substitution
lines of durum wheat (Triticum turgidium L. var. durum) and their parental
cultivars Langdon (recipient) and Chinese Spring (D-genome donor) for their
relative heat tolerance as measured by membrane thermostability to determine
the chromosomal locations of genes controlling this trait. Results indicate
that homoelogues 3 and 4 are most closely associated with heat tolerance.
Chromosomes 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, and 6A were found to be associated with heat
tolerance of Langdon, while chromosomes 1B, 2A, 6B, and 7B were not related
to heat tolerance.
Two advanced HRWW lines, CO850034 and CO850061, have performed very well
in Colorado and regional tests and will be released in 1991 pending seed
increase. The Idaho HRWW line ID338 will be released for western Colorado in
1991 pending successful seed increase.
Publications
Echols, J.W, and J.S. Quick. 1990. Top wheat varieties assessed in yield
trials. Colorado Wheat Farmer. 32:6-7.
Mergoum, M., and Quick, J.S. 1990. Implications of root rot inoculation and
nitrogen fertilization of wheat cultivars under varying moisture stress in
Morocco. Agron. Abstr. p. 101. Am. Soc. Agron., Madison, WI.
Morgan, J.A., Lecain, D.R., McCaig, T., Mujahid, M.Y., and Quick, J.S. 1990.
Agron. Abstr. p. 127. Am. Soc. Agron., Madison, WI.
Nkongolo, K.K., J.S. Quick, W. Meyer, F.B. Peairs. 1990. Gene locations for
Russian wheat aphid resistance of rye. Cer. Res. Commun. 18:307-313.
Nkongolo, K.K., Quick, J.S., Limin, A.E., Fowler, D.B., Meyer, W.L., and
Peairs, F.B. 1990. Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia) resistance in wheat
and related species. Can. J. Plant Sci. 70:691-698.
Nkongolo, K.K., Quick, J.S., Peairs, F.B., and Meyer, W.L. 1990. Inheritance
of resistance to the Russian wheat aphid in a Triticum aestivum line and an
amphiploid of T. tauschii/T. turgidum. In: Proc. Fourth Russian Wheat Aphid
Conference, Bozeman, MT.
Nkongolo, K.K., Quick, J.S., Peairs, F.B., and Meyer, W.L. 1990. Inheritance
of resistance to the Russian wheat aphid in a wheat line PI372129. Agron.
Abstr. p. 102. Am. Soc. Agron., Madison, WI.
Quick, J.S. 1990. CSU leads the search for aphid tolerant wheat. Colorado
Wheat Farmer. 32:4.
Quick, J.S. 1990. Breeding for Russian wheat aphid resistance. Wheat
Technology. 5:9-10.
Quick, J.S. 1990. Breeding for insect and disease resistance in wheat. p.
163, MEY Wheat Management Conference, March 1990, Denver, CO.
Quick, J.S. 1990. Uniform seedling screening of wheat and barley for Russian
wheat aphid resistance. Agron. Abstr. p. 105. Am. Soc. Agron., Madison, WI.
Quick, J.S. 1990. Uniform seedling screening of wheat and barley for Russian
wheat aphid resistance. In: Proc. Fourth Russian Wheat Aphid Conference,
Bozeman, MT.
Quick, J.S., K.K. Nkongolo, W. Meyer, F.B. Peairs, and B. Weaver. 1991.
Russian wheat aphid reaction and agronomic and quality traits of a resistant
wheat. Crop Sci. 31:50-53.
Wildermuth, G.B., Quick, J.S. and McNamara, R.B. 1990. Factors which affect
the susceptibility of cultivars to crown rot. Paper presented at the
Australian Wheat Breeding Assembly, Tamworth, N.S.W.
-------------------------
University of Florida, Quincy and Gainesville
R. D. Barnett, A. R. Soffes, P. L. Pfahler, H. H. Luke, and J. B.
Hartman
Hessian fly continues to receive emphasis in our breeding and research
programs. This insect continues to do considerable damage to southeastern
wheat. Growers are switching to resistant varieties as soon as possible and
most are using either phorate (Thimet ) or disulfoton (Di-syston ) on
susceptible varieties.
The Coker 9766 variety is currently the most popular variety among growers
in this area. The best new varieties for our area appear to be GA-Gore, a
Georgia release, and Coker 9835 a NK release. Both yielded well in 1990
yield trials and both have Hessian fly resistance.
In order to test the effectiveness of chemicals for Hessian fly control,
a fall granular systemic insecticide application applied in the row, and a
fall application plus a spring foliar application were compared to no
treatment in a field experiment in 1990. This test was conducted at
Marianna, Florida where a relative heavy infestation of Hessian fly occurred.
Six entries were used, three susceptible and three resistant. FL301H,
FL85363-G18-14, and Coker 9766 are resistant to Hessian fly the other three
are susceptible. List of entries and grain yield data are presented in Table
1.
Table 1. Evaluation of chemical treatmments for control of Hessian fly in
six lines of wheat planted November 15, 1989 at Marianna, FL.
Grain Yield (Bu/A)
Treatment FL301 FL301H FL302 FL8563-G18-14 FL303 Coker 9766
Fall 51.2 45.21 35.7 47.5 50.6 61.8
Fall & Spring 53.5 50.3 39.5 48.3 58.6 58.8
Untreated 45.2 49.6 29.3 52.1 40.5 62.0
LSD .05 6.9 6.3 7.2 4.9 5.4 8.0
All treatments were replicated six times. The fall application was
Thimet (20G at 7 lbs/A) drilled with the seed at planting. The spring
application was Di-syston (8EC at 1 pt/A) applied as a foliar spray at the
time you would normally apply Nitrogen topdressing (first week in February).
This is only one year's data but it indicates that the insecticide
applications were effective for the susceptible entries, particularly Florida
302. It also indicates that insecticides should not be used on resistant
varieties because of a possible negative effect.
We have been using a number of different sources of Hessian fly
resistance in our breeding program. We have gotten fairly far along with some
Florida 302 types that carried the H9 gene from Ella but all are showing the
same leaf rust and powdery mildew susceptible that Florida 302 is now
showing. We had planned to release one but they show just too much disease
susceptibility. We are increasing a line (FL8172-G98-L5) that has shown good
field resistance to Hessian fly even though seedling greenhouse test show
that it is only resistant to the GP biotype. It has excellent resistance to
leaf rust and good resistance to powdery mildew. It has the following
pedigree: Predgornaia 2 /3/Blueboy II/Coker 68-8// Fulbarn/ 4/Coker 80-29.
Predgornaia 2 is PI367728 from Romania that was in the 1973 Int. Winter Wheat
Rust Nursery as entry 286. Fulbarn is a leaf rust resistant germplasm
release from Oklahoma State University. FL8172-G98-L5 will be named and
released to the Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc. if it performs
satisfactorily in 1991.
Occasionally growers in our area blend seed with fertilizer, spread the
blend on the fields with spreader trucks, and then lightly harrow to cover
the seed. We ran an experiment several years ago to determine what would
happen to the seed if planting was delayed and the seed remained in contact
with the fertilizer for an extended period of time. We used Florida 302
wheat, Florida 502 oats, and Florida 401 rye in blends with five different
fertilizers. A 10 pound seed lot of each of the three grains were mixed with
30 pounds of each of the following fertilizers: Ammonium nitrate (35-0-0),
triple superphosphate (0-46- 0), muriate of potash (0-0-60), a homogenized
blend (5-10-15), and a blend of triple superphosphate, muriate of potash and
urea (10-20-30). The seed- fertilizer combinations were blended in a cement
mixer, placed in a 5-gallon bucket and covered with plastic. At various time
intervals after the initial mixing; four hours, 1 day, 2 days, 4 days, 7
days, 14 days, 21 days and 28 days the blends were sampled and the seed was
separated by hand from the fertilizer and planted in a greenhouse soil bench.
After 10 days germination counts were made. Results indicated that both the
type of seed and the components of the fertilizer had an effect on the seed
germination. Of the three seed types tested, rye was the most sensitive to
long-term exposure to fertilizer and oats the least affected. Of the
fertilizers, those containing phosphates were the most damaging to the seed's
viability when seed is exposed to the fertilizer for a period of time greater
than one day. Ammonium nitrate and muriate of potash did not seem to have
any effect on the germination of the seed regardless of the time of exposure.
Personnel: Dr. Joanna Cybulska Augustyniak, from the Agricultural
University of Poznan, Poland, will be a visiting scientist in our breeding
program from March 1, 1991 until August 31, 1991. She has had considerable
experience with the cytogenetics of triticale and will be helping us with our
triticale breeding program.
Publications
Barnett, R. D. 1989. University of Florida variety release policy and
funding for breeding programs. Proceedings of the Southern Small Grain
Workers Conference, Clemson, South Carolina, April 24-25, 1989, pages 29-30.
Barnett, R. D., P. L. Pfahler, H. H. Luke, and A. R. Soffes. 1990. ATW 270
- A soft red winter wheat for the southern U.S. U. of Fla., IFAS, Quincy
NFREC Research Report NF-90-15.
Barnett, R. D., P. L. Bruckner, A. R. Soffes, P. L. Pfahler, and R. O. Myer.
1990. Breeding triticale for the southeastern United States. 2nd
International Triticale Symposium, Abstracts, Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul,
Brazil, Oct. 1-5, 1990, page 82.
Gardner, C. S., G. M. Prine, R. D. Barnett, and E. C. French. 1989.
Production of small grains on phosphatic settling pond clays in Polk county,
south central Florida. Agronomy Abstracts, 1989 Annual Meeting ASA, CSSA,
SSSA. Page 131.
Hartman, J. B., R. K. Sprenkel, R. D. Barnett, and A. R. Soffes. 1990.
Grain yield of various small grain blends. Univ. of Fla., IFAS. NFREC,
Quincy, Fla., NFREC Research Report NF-90-21. 2 pages.
Hartman, J. B., R. D. Barnett, R. K. Sprenkel, and A. R. Soffes. 1990.
Blending susceptible and resistant wheat varieties for the control of hessian
fly. Univ. of Fla., IFAS, NFREC, Quincy, Fla., NFREC Research Report
NF-90-22. 8 pages.
Hartman, J. B., R. K. Sprenkel, R. D. Barnett, and A. R. Soffes. 1990.
Effects of systemic insecticides on grain yield of hessian fly susceptible
and resistant wheat varieties. Univ. of Fla., IFAS. NFREC, Quincy, Fla.,
NFREC Research Report NF-90-18. 2 pages.
Hill, G. M. and R. D. Barnett. 1991. Triticale grain production and
utilization for the southeastern U.S. Abstracts of Technical Paper, 1991
Annual Meeting, Southern Branch of American Society of Agronomy, Number 18,
page 6, Fort Worth, Texas, 2-6 Feb. 1991.
Myer, R. O., R. D. Barnett, and G. E. Combs. 1990. Nutritional evaluation
of 'Florico' triticale in diets for growing-finishing swine. Univ. of Fla.
Agri. Exp. Sta., Dept. of Animal Sci., Res. Report MA-1990-3, Aug. 1990, 9
pp.
Myer, R. O., G. E. Combs, and R. D. Barnett. 1990. Evaluation of triticale
cultivars adapted to the southeastern USA as potential feed grains for swine.
2nd International Triticale Symposium, Abstracts, Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do
Sul, Brazil, Oct 1-5, 1990, page 70.
Myer, R. O., G. E. Combs, and R. D. Barnett. 1990. Evaluation of three
triticale cultivars as potential feed grains for swine. Soil and Crop Sci.
Soc. of Fla. Proc. 49:155-158.
Myer, R. O., G. E. Combs, and R. D. Barnett. 1991. Triticale cultivars have
feeding value for swine in south. Feedstuffs 63(5):11-13. February 4, 1991.
Myer, R. O., W. R. Walker, and R. D. Barnett. 1990. Feeding Wheat to Swine.
Fla. Coop. Ext. Ser. Animal Science Fact Sheet AS25, 4 pp.
Patel, S. K., F. M. Rhoads, E. A. Hanlon, and R. D. Barnett. 1990.
Influence of root growth and fertilizer rate on potassium and magnesium
content of wheat and soybean. Abstracts of Technical Papers, 1990 Annual
Meeting, Southern Branch of Ameri. Soc. of Agron., Number 17, page 3, Little
Rock, Ar., 3-7 Feb. 1990.
Pfahler, P. L. and R. D. Barnett. 1989. Cultivar-ploidy level-temperature
effects on coloptile length selection in rye. Agronomy Abstracts, 1989
Annual Meeting ASA, CSSA, SSSA. page 95.
Pfahler, P. L., and R. D. Barnett. 1990. Effect of gibberellic
acid-potassium nitrate seed treatments on early seedling growth in two rye
cultivars. Soil and Crop Sci. Soc. of Fla. Proc. 49:146-150.
Rogalska, S. M., and R. D. Barnett. 1989. Triticale breeding in Poland.
Proceedings of the Southern Small Grain Workers Conference, Clemson, South
Carolina, April 24-25, 1989, pages 25-28.
Soffes, A. R., R. D. Barnett, and D. L. Wright. 1989. Effect of blending
fertilizer and seed on germination of small grain seed. Proceedings of the
Southern Small Grain Workers Conference, Clemson, South Carolina, April
24-25, 1989, pages. 12-14.
Soffes, A. R., R. D. Barnett, and P. L. Pfahler. 1990. Grain yield and
quality of wheat, oat and triticale grown with varying levels of nitrogen
topdressing. Soil and Crop Sci. Soc. of Fla. Proc. 49:150-155.
Stanley, R. L., Jr., R. D. Barnett, and A. R. Soffes. 1991. Agronomic
characteristics of wheat and triticale no-tilled into rhizoma peanut and
undisturbed sod at three N levels. Abstracts of Technical Papers, 1991
Annual Meeting, Southern Branch of American Society of Agronomy, Number 18,
page 7, Fort Worth, Texas, 2-6 Feb. 1991.
-------------------------
J. W. Johnson, B. M. Cunfer, P. L. Bruckner, J. J. Roberts, G. D.
Buntin, and R. E. Wilkinson
The 1990 Georgia winter wheat crop was grown on 590,000 harvested acres
and produced an average of 36 bushels per acre. Favorable fall and winter
temperatures contributed to high grain yields. The warm temperatures
hastened maturity by two weeks. Severe leaf rust, powdery mildew, and
Hessian fly were recorded on susceptible cultivars. An estimated $8.2 million
was spent to control Hessian Fly.
NEW CULTIVAR RELEASE. `GA-Gore' was released as a high yielding,
semi-dwarf, mid-season soft red winter wheat cultivar. It possesses
excellent resistance to locally predominate races of Hessian Fly (G, M, N,
and O), excellent resistance to current races of leaf rust, and moderate
resistance to powdery mildew. It also has good resistance to septoria
nodorum blotch.
`GA-Andy' was released as a high-yielding, semi-dwarf, early maturing
soft red winter wheat. It has excellent resistance to locally predominant
races of Hessian fly (G, M,N, and O), good resistance to current races of
leaf rust, and moderate resistance to powdery mildew. It is moderately
resistant to septoria nodorum blotch.
HESSIAN FLY IN WHEAT. Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor (Say)) damage
was widespread in susceptible cultivars in southern Georgia during the spring
of 1990. Recently completed studies found that delaying planting in the
Piedmont region generally was effective in avoiding fall damage by the
Hessian fly without enhancing spring infestations. However, in the Coastal
Plain region of Georgia, planting early enhanced fall and winter
infestations, whereas late planting avoided fall and winter infestations but
may greatly increase spring infestations. Although planting in late November
generally minimized damage without greatly reducing wheat yield potential,
Hessian fly damage was not reliably avoided in the Coastal Plain region.
Similar results were obtained for triticale but planting date changes were
more effective for triticale than wheat because triticale was less severely
damaged than wheat. Recently completed studies also demonstrated the
effectiveness of controlling Hessian fly in susceptible cultivars by applying
systemic granular insecticides in the row furrow at planting. Disulfoton and
phorate applied at 1.0 lb AI/acre consistently produced good control.
Routine use of systemic insecticides on susceptible cultivars is economically
justified in southern Georgia where the risk of economic damage is
substantial.
Wheat germplasm containing H1 - H16 and `Marquillo' genes were evaluated
for resistance to mixed biotype populations of the Hessian fly. Of the
currently deployed sources of resistance, the H7H8 gene combination was very
effective and is currently present in many resistant cultivars. H3 was
completely ineffective, but several H3 sources, Frankenmuth and Hart,
contained additional resistances. Lines containing H1H2, H9, H9H10, and H13
genes and some sources of Marquillo resistance were effective in Georgia.
Temperature sensitive genes, H10, H11, and H12, were only partially effective
in the field.
WATERLOGGED STRESS (Low Oxygen). Germplasm evaluated under anoxic
conditions exhibited variable levels of oxygen tolerance. `Tobari 66' had the
highest root and shoot growth under oxygen stress. Several lines from
Georgia and Brazil were also very tolerant to oxygen
stress. Root growth at the 10% oxygen level was not significantly reduced
from that at the 20% level. Shoot growth was reduced at the 10% oxygen
level. Several wheat cultivars were evaluated for their response to
waterlogged conditions.
ACID SOIL TOLERANCE. Wheat and triticale germplasm from Georgia and
Brazil have been evaluated using hematoxylin root tip staining techniques of
Polle et al. `Beagle 82' and `Florico' showed more tolerance to Al than
wheat cultivars. Several Brazilian triticale lines were more tolerant at 4
mM Al than the best wheat check (Atlas 66). We have initiated a backcrossing
program to improve the tolerance that exists in our material.
PLANT PATHOLOGY. Mild winter weather during 1989-90 and spring rains
resulted in early appearance of powdery mildew and leaf rust. Powdery mildew
declined with warmer weather after heading but the disease was found for the
first time at high levels on Coker 9733. Leaf rust increased and caused yield
loss on susceptible cultivars including Florida 302 which formerly had been
resistant. Septoria nodorum blotch also caused some damage but declined
somewhat due to drier conditions during the latter stages of grain-filling.
Common bunt caused primarily by Tilletia laevis (syn. T. foetida) was found
in the state for the first time in 10 years. Bunt was found mostly in Burke
and Screvens counties in the eastern part of Georgia near Augusta. Samples
from several fields had more than 50 % bunted