Recombinant lines, derived from a single unusual plant found in a field sown with bread wheat ‘TAM 200’, as source material for breeding

Background. Species and genera related to bread wheat are important sources of enrichment for its genetic diversity. An atypical plant was found among the plants of cv. ‘TAM 200’ (USA), which had an introgressive parent in its pedigree, and recombinant lines (RLs) were obtained from it. The objective of this study was to identify cytogenetic features of the RLs and characterize them in the context of agronomic traits and resistance to Al³⁺ ions.

Materials and methods. A series of 21 RLs were obtained by long-term individual selection among the descendants from self-pollination of the atypical plant for good overwintering and productivity. The number of chromosomes in the RLs and the presence of introgressions of genetic material from common rye and intermediate wheatgrass were established through genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). Agronomic characteristics of the RLs were evaluated in the field in the Northwestern and Central Black Earth Regions of Russia, and their resistance to Al³⁺ ions was assessed in the laboratory.

Results. All RLs had 42 chromosomes. Seven among them had an introgression of rye genetic material in one pair of chromosomes, four RLs had such introgressions in two pairs of chromosomes, and one line revealed a 1RS rye translocation in the B genome chromosome of bread wheat. Nine RLs did not contain rye genetic material, while intermediate wheatgrass genetic material was absent in all RLs. In both regions of testing, the RLs wintered well, and their productivity was slightly lower than that of the reference ‘Mironovskaya 808’. In the years of testing in the Central Black Earth Region, RL4, RL11, RL16, and RL21 manifested high resistance to powdery mildew, and laboratory assessment data showed that seven RLs were highly resistant or resistant to the toxic effects of aluminum ions.

Conclusion. The developed RLs are of interest for further research and bread wheat breeding for resistance to environmental stressors.

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