Negative effect of an introgression into chromosome 5Al of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from tetraploid wheat (Triticum timopheevii (Zhuk.) Zhuk. subsp. timopheevii) on drought tolerance and productivity

Background. Introgressive hybridization is used to increase genetic diversity and improve disease resistance in bread wheat Triticum aestivum L. Introgressions from tetraploid wheat Triticum timopheevii (Zhuk.) Zhuk. subsp. timopheevii into bread wheat ‘Saratovskaya 29’ (S29) helped to increase its resistance to fungal diseases. There is a need for thorough studies into the effect of introgressive hybridization on tolerance to abiotic stressors in wheat.

Materials and methods. Gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, chlorophyll a and b content, carotenoids, free proline, ascorbate-glutathione cycle enzyme activity, catalase and lipoxygenase in leaves, and shoot biomass were analyzed in wheat cultivar S29 and line S29 (821 5A) carrying a T. timopheevii subsp. timopheevii introgression segment in the distal region of chromosome 5AL, under controlled conditions with two water-supply regimes. Productivity components were assessed in a hydroponic greenhouse, also under two water-supply regimes.

Results. Compared with cv. S29, line S29 (821 5A) had a reduced amount of absorbed and transferred energy per reaction center of photosystem II under optimal watering. The line also had a 30% reduction in the activity of ascorbate-glutathione cycle enzymes and a significantly increased proline content in leaves. Line S29 (821 5A) showed weakened defense reactions to drought stress. It was inferior to cv. S29 in the main spike productivity, regardless of watering conditions.

Conclusion. Introgression from T. timopheevii subsp. timopheevii into the distal region of chromosome 5AL negatively affected the drought tolerance and productivity of bread wheat. Physiological and biochemical studies are required to make a comprehensive assessment of interspecific hybrids for their resistance to unfavorable factors.

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