T. A. Pshenichnikova

Molecular mapping of genes determining hairy leaf character in common wheat with respect to other species of the Triticeae

Two major genes controlling leaf pubescence were mapped on chromosomes 4BL (Hl1) and 7BS (Hl2Aesp) in wheat (Saratovskaya 29) and a wheat/Aegilops introgression line (102/00I), respectively, together with quantitative trait loci (QTLs) determining hairiness of the leaf margin (QHl.ipk-4B, QHl.ipk-4D) and auricle (QPa.ipk-4B, QPa.ipk-4D) on the long arms of chromosomes 4B and 4D, respectively. The QTLs on chromosome 4D were contributed by a synthetic wheat and, therefore, originated from Aegilops tauschii. The homoeologous group 4 wheat/A. tauschii genes/QTLs detected in the present study were aligned with the barley pubescence genes Hln/Hsh and Hsb and the hairy peduncle rye gene Hp1. The locus seems to be pleiotropically responsible for the pubescence of different plant organs in different species of the Triticeae. Another homoeologous series may be present on the short arms of the homoeologous group 7 chromosomes, based on the results of an allelic test cross between the Chinese local cultivar Hong-mang-mai carrying Hl2 and the wheat/Aegilops speltoides introgression line 102/00I.

Functional diversity at the Rc (red coleoptile) gene in bread wheat

The presence of the allele Rc-A1b on chromosome 7A specified the expression profile of the F3h-1 (encoding flavanone 3-hydroxylase) genes and anthocyanin pigmentation in coleoptiles of Russian bread wheat cultivar ‘Saratovskaya 29’. A quantitative RT-PCR analysis compared the temporal expression profile of F3h-A1, F3h-B1, and F3h-D1 in the coleoptiles of ‘Saratovskaya 29’ and the standard cytogenetic stock ‘Chinese Spring’ (‘Hope’ 7A), both of which carry Rc-A1b. There was no within-genotype variation for expression level of the F3h-1 homoeologues at any of the sampling times, but the expression profiles varied markedly between the two genotypes. This result suggested that there may be functional allelic diversity at Rc-A1, which affects the transcription of the F3h-1 genes in colored coleoptiles. Microsatellite-based genetic mapping was used to locate Rc-A1 along with the new loci Pc-A1 (purple culm), Plb-A1 (purple leaf blade), and Pls-A1 (purple leaf sheath) in a single cluster on the short arm of chromosome 7A.

Clustering anthocyanin pigmentation genes in wheat group 7 chromosomes

Two bread wheat crosses were used to genetically map the genes determining anthocyanin pigmentation of the anther (Pan-D1), culm (Pc-B1 and Pc-D1), leaf sheath (Pls-B1), and leaf blade (Plb-B1, Plb-D1). The genes cluster with Rc-1 (red coleoptile) on chromosome arms 7BS and 7DS. A germplasm panel of 37 wheat cultivars and introgression lines was tested for the presence of anthocyanin pigmentation on various plant organs, and significant correlations were established between pigmentation of the coleoptile and culm, coleoptile and leaf blade, coleoptile and anther, and anther and leaf blade.

Comparative mapping of genes for glume colouration and pubescence in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Microsatellite markers were used to map the major genes Bg (determining black glume colour), Rg1 and Rg3 (red glume), and a locus determining smokey-grey coloured glume to the distal ends of the short arms of the homoeologous group 1 chromosomes, proximally (or closely linked) to Xgwm1223 and distal to Xgwm0033. On this basis, we propose that these genes represent a set of homoeoloci, designated Rg-A1, Rg-B1, and Rg-D1. Rg3 and Bg appear to be variant alleles of Rg-A1. Both Rg3 and Bg are closely linked with the major glume pubescence gene Hg. Similarly, the hexaploid wheat smokey-grey glume gene and Rg2 represent alleles at Rg-D1. The microsatellite markers linked to the Rg genes were used to analyse a phenotypically and genotypically characterized set of Siberian spring wheats. A coincidence between the presence of the 264-bp allele of Xgwm0136 and Rg-A1b (Rg3) was observed; so Xgwm0136 can probably be used as a diagnostic marker for this gene.

The development of precise genetic stocks in two wheat cultivars and their use in genetic analysis.

SummaryThe results of genetic studies of common wheat that have been conducted in Novosibirsk, Russia, over the past 20 years by a research team are summarized. The research strategy was to develop a collection of aneuploids and substitution lines to be further used for chromosomal localization of genes and in the study of the genetic variability of wheat. On the basis of two cultivars, namely Saratovskaya 29 and Diamant, we have developed 6 sets of aneuploids with a complete set of monosomic lines for each, plus sets of lines ditelosomic and monotelosomic for “standard” arms. Exploiting the monotelosomics, 108 single chromosome intervarietal substitutions, 13 lines with alien substitutions (mono- and disomics) and 11 addition lines have been developed. A collection of lines isogenic for dominant marker genes of morphological characters has also been developed. The genetic collection was used in chromosomal localization of 15 genes, for many of which chromosome arms have been determined. Positively or negatively, the question of allelism within some loci has been answered.

The Inheritance of Morphological and Biochemical Traits Introgressed into Common Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from Aegilops speltoides Tausch

The genetic control of morphological characters and gliadin composition was studied in two bread wheat lines with introgressed segments from Aegilops speltoides Tausch. It was found that the transferred trait of leaf hairiness is controlled by one dominant gene, non-allelic to the known gene, Hl1. It was localized in 7B chromosome. Whole plant non-glaucousness is under the control of an inhibitor gene, allelic to the gene W1Iof wheat located on chromosome 2B. This gene was found to be epistatic to the gene controlling spike waxlessness. The introgressed gene for spike glume color was found to be allelic to the Rg1 gene located on 1BS of common wheat, but it was linked with another allele of the gliadin locus Gli-B1.

Leaf dehydroascorbate reductase and catalase activity is associated with soil drought tolerance in bread wheat

A number of morphological, physiological and phenological traits have been suggested as significant markers of adaptation to drought in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). This study was aimed at the identification of a relationship between dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR, EC 1.8.5.1) and catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6) activities in leaves of wheat plants and stability of yield components under water deficit. The single chromosome substitution lines of cv. Chinese Spring carrying separate chromosomes from the donor Synthetic 6x, an artificial hexaploid combining the genomes of the two wild species, Triticum dicoccoides (AABB) and Aegilops tauschii (DD), were the objects of the investigations. The activities of the DHAR and CAT were correlated with flag leaf relative water content and two indexes of stability of grain yield components under drought across the set substitution lines. The lines carrying a synthetic hexaploid homologous pair of chromosomes 1B, 1D, 2D, 3D or 4D all expressed a low constitutive level of DHAR and the lines carrying chromosomes 3B, 1D, 2D and 3D a low constitutive level of CAT. All were able to increase this level (by fourfold for DHAR and by 1.5-fold for CAT) in response to stress caused by water deficit. When challenged by drought stress, these lines tended to be the most effective in retaining the water status of the leaves and preventing the grain yield components from being compromised. The discovered genetic variability for enzymes activity in leaves of wheat might be a useful selection criterion for drought tolerance.

Mapping of the quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with grain quality characteristics of the bread wheat grown under different environmental conditions

The quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with individual characteristics of grain and flour quality in wheat lines grown under contrasting environmental conditions were mapped. Overall, 22 QTL that manifested under contrasting environmental conditions with various significances were detected on 10 chromosomes. Grain hardness and vitreousness were associated with three loci on chromosomes 5D, 6A, and 3A, while the gluten content, with two loci on chromosomes 5B and 7A. Dough extensibility was associated with only one QTL localized in the region of Glu-A1 locus. One of the loci determining flour and dough strengths is located in the region of Gli-B1 and Glu-B3 loci and the rest, in various regions of chromosomes 1B, 5D, and 4B, where no particular genes associated with grain quality have been yet found. The detected QTL can be used in further experiments on genetic control of gluten formation and quality in wheat.

Glume coloration in wheat: Allelism test, consensus mapping and its association with specific microsatellite allele

A segregation test confirmed that the genes present on chromosome 1A encoding red and black glumes are allelic to one another. Similarly, the chromosome 1D genes for smokey-grey and red glume coloration are allelic. Consensus maps of chromosomes 1A and 1D carrying Rg-A1 and Rg-D1 , respectively, were derived from extant genotypic data. The Gli-B1 associated microsatellite MW1B002 mapped 2cM proximal from Rg-B1 . The association of red glume coloration with specific MW1B002 alleles is described for a set of Russian, Albanian, Indian and Nepalese bread wheats.

Mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with activity of disulfide reductase and lipoxygenase in grain of bread wheat Triticum aestivum L.

Activity of two enzymes of thiol-disulfide cell metabolism, lipoxygenase (LOX, EC 1.13.11.12) and disulfide-reductase (TPDO, EC 1.8.4.2) was studied in recombinant inbred lines of bread wheat ITMI. Their activity in the caryopsis may be connected with the gluten quality, one of the most important traits significant for breeding. The activity of lipoxygenase under favorable and droughty environmental conditions was shown to be associated with the quantitative trait locus (QTL) located on chromosome 4BS near the structural gene of a subunit of this enzyme. However, no QTL common to this enzyme and any characteristic of gluten quality have been found. Four loci responsible for the activity of disulfide reductase were identified on chromosomes 4A, 5D, 6A, and 7D. Previously, indicators of grain and flour properties, such as elasticity, flour strenght, and grain hardiness were mapped at the same loci. This indicates that the given enzyme participates in the formation of the protein complex upon maturation of wheat grain. The detected QTL can be involved in further genetic studies designed to establish the regularities of gluten formation.