| Green Revolution Rht genes affected anther extrusion and floral traits related to cross pollination efficiency in wheat |
| Paper ID : 1020-ISCHU |
| Authors |
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Matías Schierenbeck *1, Ahmad Alqudah2, Edit Lantos3, Evangelina G. Avogadro4, María Rosa Simón5, Andreas Börner6 1IPK Gatersleben (Germany) 2Biological Science Program, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Art and Science, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar 3Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), 7 Corrensstraße 3, D-06466 Seeland, OT Gatersleben, Germany. 4Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Corrensstraße 3, D-06466 Seeland, OT Gatersleben, Germany 5Cereals, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Forestry, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina CONICET CCT La Plata. La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. 6Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Corrensstraße 3, D-06466 Seeland, OT Gatersleben, Germany. |
| Abstract |
| Hybrid wheat breeding is a promising strategy to increase grain yield. Due to the prevalence and usefulness of the Rht dwarfing alleles, it is important to gain a better understanding of their effect on traits related to hybrid seed production. Field experiments were performed at the IPK Gatersleben (Germany) and the National University of La Plata (Argentina) during four growing seasons. Traits associated with cross-pollination efficiency were studied using four sets of Near Isogenic Lines (NILs) carrying the alleles Rht1 (semi-dwarf), Rht2 (semi-dwarf), Rht1+2 (dwarf), Rht3 (extreme dwarf), Rht2+3 (extreme dwarf) and rht (tall). Results showed that the extreme dwarfing alleles Rht2+3, Rht3 and Rht1+2 presented the greatest effects in all the traits analyzed (P<0.001). Plant height showed reductions from 21–23% (Rht1 and Rht2), 49% (Rht1+2), 56% (Rht3), and 64% (Rht2+3) compared to rht (tall). Spike length was increased up to 9.4% (Rht1+2), whereas spikelets/spike were increased up to 5.2% (Rht2+3). Floral organs were negatively influenced by Rht dwarfing alleles compared to rht. Decreases up to 20.2% (Rht2+3) in anther length and -33% in anther filament length were observed. Anthers extrusion decreased from 40% (rht) to 20% (Rht1 and Rht2), 11% (Rht3), 8.3% (Rht1+2) and 6.5% (Rht2+3). Positive correlations were detected between plant height and anther extrusion, anther and anther filament lengths, suggesting the negative effect of dwarfing alleles in traits with importance for hybrid seed production. The magnitude of these detrimental effects was closely related to the level of dwarfing of the alleles studied: Rht2+3/Rht3 (severe dwarfing) >Rht1+2 (dwarf) >Rht2/Rht1 (`green revolution´ semi-dwarfs) >rht (tall). Our results indicate that Rht alleles are involved in multiple traits of interest for hybrid wheat production and the need of selecting alternative sources for reduced height/lodging resistance for hybrid breeding programs. |
| Keywords |
| Triticum aestivum L., Green revolution, Dwarfing genes, Grain yield, Hybrid seed, Reduced height; Yield potential; elite pollinators |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Oral Presentation) |