Genetics, Vol 119, 453-456, Copyright © 1988

INVESTIGATIONS

Effects of an Intercultivaral Chromosome Substitution on Winterhardiness and Vernalization in Wheat

R. S. Zemetra and R. Morris
Department of Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83843

During a study on the genetic control of winterhardiness in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. group aestivum), a gene that affected vernalization was found on chromosome 3B in the winter wheat cultivar `Wichita.' When chromosome 3B from Wichita was substituted into the winter wheat cultivar `Cheyenne,' the resultant substitution line exhibited a spring growth habit. This is unusual since a cross between the cultivars Wichita and Cheyenne results in progeny that exhibit the winter growth habit. The F(2) plants from a cross of the 3B substitution line to Cheyenne, the recipient parent, segregated 3:1 for heading/no heading response in the absence of vernalization ({chi}(2) = 2.44). Earliness of heading appeared to be due to an additive effect of the 3B gene as shown by the segregation ratio 1:2:1 (early heading-later heading-no heading) ({chi}(2) = 2.74). This vernalization gene differs from previously described vernalization genes because, while dominant in a Cheyenne background, its expression is suppressed in Wichita. The gene may have an effect on winter hardiness in Wichita. In a field test for winter survival the 3B substitution line had only 5% survival, while Wichita and Cheyenne had 50 and 80% survival, respectively. No other substitution line significantly reduced winter survival. The difference between Wichita and Cheyenne in winterhardiness may be due to the vernalization gene carried on the 3B chromosome.

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