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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #320116

Title: Combining ability for tolerance to pre-harvest sprouting in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Author
item FAKTHONGPHAN, JUTHAMAS - University Of Nebraska
item Graybosch, Robert
item BAENZIGER, STEPHEN - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: Crop Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/21/2016
Publication Date: 4/29/2016
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/5695339
Citation: Fakthongphan, J., Graybosch, R.A., Baenziger, S.P. 2016. Combining ability for tolerance to pre-harvest sprouting in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Crop Science. 56(3):1025-1035.

Interpretive Summary: Adverse climatic conditions, primarily excessive rainfall and humidity, can induce pre-harvest sprouting in wheat and other small grains. Pre-harvest sprouting, the premature germination of grain while still on the plant, induces a cascade effect in which starch and protein degrading enzymes are released. This process can reduce both seed viability and product quality of grain. Red-grained wheats are more tolerant of pre-harvest sprouting than white-grained wheats. However, both international and domestic markets now demand increased quantities of white-grained wheat. Automated sorting devices were used to create pure populations of white-grained wheat, derived from controlled pollinations of white and red wheat parents. Resultant white populations were tested for resistance to both artificially induced and natural conditions that promote pre-harvest sprouting. The Kansas-derived red wheat Jagalene, and the Nebraska-developed red wheat Niobrara, were found to be capable of donating genes for tolerance to white wheats, independent of those conditioning red grain color. These two wheats may now serve as genetic resources for future breeding efforts, and attempts to isolate and characterize these useful genes.

Technical Abstract: Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) affects wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield and end-use product quality leading to massive economic losses. Red wheat cultivars are typically more resistant to PHS than white wheat. The objective of this study was to identify red wheat genotypes capable of donating genes for PHS tolerance to white wheat, independent of red seed coat color. A factorial (M´N) mating was conducted using six white wheat genotypes ‘Cayuga’, ‘Nuplains’, NW97S218, NW99L7068, ‘Peck’, and ‘RioBlanco’ and eight hard red wheat genotypes ‘Arapahoe’, CO960293-2, ‘Jagalene’, NE98466, NI01812, ‘Wesley’, ‘Niobrara’, and ‘Plainsman V’. General combining ability (GCA) for individual parents and specific combining ability (SCA) for specific crosses were used to identify effective red wheat donors. General combining ability and SCA were calculated from a pre-harvest tolerance score (') determined after testing heads in a misting chamber and from falling number measurements of field-grown materials. General combining ability among red parents was significant for both ' and falling number, but not in white parents. General combining ability or SCA by environmental interactions, with the exception of ' from GCA in red wheat, were significant. Jagalene and Niobrara were identified as red wheat genetic reservoirs for additional genes of PHS tolerance useful in white wheat breeding. A significant correlation of SCA of falling number and SCA of ' was detected (r = 0. 38, n = 48, P = 0.007). The falling number assay can be replaced by an assay for ' to evaluate PHS tolerance in wheat breeding programs in areas in which pre-harvest sprouting is not routinely observed.