ARS | Publication request: Acquired Thermotolerance Variability Within the Ditelosomic Series of Chinese Spring Wheat

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 1, 1997
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: The temperature sensitivity of chlorophyll accumulation has been used to identify acquired thermotolerance in higher plants. This study describes the screening of the ditelosomic series of Chinese Spring Wheat to determine if there is genetic diversity in acquired thermotolerance within this germplasm. The temperature providing maximum chlorophyll accumulation under continuous light was 28 deg C in Chinese Spring leaves (5 to 7 days after planting). A 30 min challenge temperature of 47 deg C prior to light exposure was shown to prevent subsequent chlorophyll accumulation. Preincubation of the wheat leaves at 40 deg C for 4 hr prior to the 30 min 47 deg C challenge triggered the plants' acquired thermotolerance system resulting in chlorophyll accumulation upon exposure to continuous light. Evaluation of the ditelosomic series has revealed a range of acquired thermotolerance levels ranging from that seen in Chinese Spring controls to levels resulting in minimal chlorophyll accumulation.