Annual Wheat Newsletter Volume 37 Edited by J. S. Quick, Department of Agronomy, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA; Financial arrangements made by Ian B. Edwards, Treasurer, Pioneer Overseas Corporation, Johnston, IA, USA. Carolyn Schultz, Senior Secretary, CSU Department of Agronomy, typed and collated the information for the printing of this volume. Facilities and assistance during manuscript editing were kindly provided by Colorado State University. Additional regional editing and manuscript solicitation were done by: J. S. Noll, Canada Dept. of Agriculture, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R. A. Fischer, CIMMYT, Mexico, D. F., Mexico K. S. Gill, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India T. E. Miller, Plant Sci. Res., Cambridge Laboratory, Norwich, England H. A. van Niekerk, Small Grain Center, Bethlehem, South Africa R. A. McIntosh, University of Sydney, Castle Hill, N.S.W., Australia This volume was financed by voluntary contributions - list included. The information in this Newsletter is considered as personal contributions. Before citing any information herein, obtain the consent of the specific author(s). The Newsletter is sponsored by the National Wheat Improvement Committee, USA. 1 June 1991 450 copies printed by University Communications, Colorado State University ------------------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS JOHN BINGHAM EVERETT H. EVERSON ERNEST ROBERT SEARS I. SPECIAL REPORTS Minutes - National Wheat Improvement Committee Members - National Wheat Improvement Committee Minutes - Wheat Crop Advisory Committee II. CONTRIBUTIONS PRIVATE COMPANIES AGRIPRO BIOSCIENCES Rob Bruns, John Moffat, Joe Smith, Jim Reeder - Berthoud, CO Koy Miskin, Curtis Beazer - Brookston, IN Barton Fogleman, Erwin Ridge - Jonesboro, AR AGROMIX SOFTWARE, INC. Deiter K. Mulitze CARGILL, INC. D. R. Johnston, S. W. Perry, J. E. Handwerk, Sally R. Clayshulte, D. P. Shellberg - Fort Collins, CO Nestor Machado, Pedro Paulucci, Hector Mertinuzzi - Argentina R. P. Daniel, D. Donaldson M. J. Nowland, C. J. Tyson, D. J. Wilson, P. Wilson - Tamworth, Australia HYBRITECH SEED INTERNATIONAL, INC. John Erickson, Jerry Wilson, Steve Kuhr, Bud Hardesty, Karolyn Ely - Wichita, KS; Gordon Cisar - Lafayette, IN Dennis Dunphy, Sam Wallace, Richard Evans - Lafayette, IN; Leon Fischer, Kent Baker - Mt. Hope, KS; Geoff Keyes - St. Louis, MO NORTHRUP KING COMPANY Fred Collins, June Hancock, Craig Allen - Bay, AR ORSEM Ch. Quandalle, S. Sunderwirth, L. Batreau TRIO RESEARCH, INC. J. Wilson - Wichita, KS WESTERN PLANT BREEDERS D. Clark, Craig Cook, Amy Baroch - Bozeman, MT; K. Shantz, J. Bobula - Tempe, AZ ARGENTINA Enrique Suarez, Laura Bullrich, A. Acevedo, E Antonelli, S. Feingold, M. Artega, G.W. Covas, J. Safont Lis, G. Tranquilli - Castellar R.A. Heinz, Mariana Del Vas, L.C. Moratinos, E.A. Favret, H. E. Hopp, S.E. Feingold - Castellar G. Manera, G. Diaz, E. Yanacon, R. Maich, G. Berrino, O. Pagani, A. Benedetti, M. Canovas - Fac. Cs. Agropecuarias U.N.C. AUSTRALIA NEW SOUTH WALES J. Bell, G. N. Brown, D. Backhouse, N. L. Darvey, L. W. Burgess, R. A. McIntosh, J. D. Oates, R. Park, Jake, J. Sharp, D. The, C.R. Wellings - Sydney and Cobbitty L. O'Brien, F. W. Ellison, D. J. Mares, S. G. Moore, - Narrabri R.A. Hare - Tamworth C.W. Wrigley, F. MacRitchie, I.L. Batey, F. Bekes, R. Gupta, S. Rahman, P. Reddy, J.H. Skerritt - CSIRO, Sydney QUEENSLAND P. S. Brennan, P.J. Keys, L. R. Mason, J. A. Sheppard, R. G. Norris, G. C. Smith, R. W. Uebergang, P.J. Agius -Toowoomba D. J. Martin, B. G. Stewart - Toowoomba R. G. Rees, R. L. Eisemann, G. J. Platz, K. C. M. Blaikie - Toowoomba G. B. Wildermuth, R. B. McNamara - Toowoomba BRAZIL J. C. S. Moreira, C. N. A. de Sousa - Passo Fundo C. N. A. de Souza, E. P. Gomes, J. C. S. Moreira, P.L. Scheeren, S.D. dos A. de Silva C. R. Reide, L. A. C. Campos, D. Brunetta - Londrina, P.R. O. S. Rosa, O.S. Rosa Filho - Melhoramento de Sementes, LTDA A. C. P. Goulart, F. de A. Paiva, C.J. Avila, J.S. Sobrinho, P.G. Sousa - Dourados, M. S. CANADA ALBERTA R.S. Sadasivaiah, R.L. Conner K.G. Briggs MANITOBA Steve Haber O. M. Lukow, K.M. Kidd O. M. Lukow, N.K. Howes D. Harder, K. Dunsmore W.J. Turnock, B.H. Timlick J. A. Kolmer S.E. German, J.A. Kolmer, P.L. Dyck ONTARIO W. L. Seaman, E. F. Schneider, D. R. Sampson PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND H.W. Johnston, H.G. Nass SASKATCHEWAN R.J. Graf, D. Potts, B.J. Fowler, K. Glatt, C. McLean CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF Zhaosu Wu, Shirong Yu, Xizhong Wei, Quimei Xia, Youjia Shen, Yong Xu, Zhaoxia Chen, Jiming Wu, Guoliang Jiang - Nanjing Zuoji Lin, Shenghui Jie, Xueyi Hu, Z.Q. Wu - Henan Z.Y. Liu, F.C. Liu, Y.Z. Shen, Z.Q. Li, P.Y. Bai, F.W. Shao, H.M. Li - Hebei CZECHOSLOVAKIA J. Smocek Z. Stehno, L. Dotlacil, V. Sip, M. Skorpik, M. Vlasek ESTONIA O. Priilinn, T. Enno, H. Peusha, M. Tohver, L. Timofejeva GERMANY A. Boerner, C.O. Lehmann, D. Mettin, J. Plaschke, G. Schlegel, R. Schlegel, G. Melz, V. Thiele - Gatersleben V. Vassilev, J. von Kietzell, H. Toben, A. Mavridis, M. Gross, K. Rudolf - Gottingen HUNGARY L. Balla, Z. Bedo, L. Lang, L. Szunics, Lu. Szunics, I. Karsai - Martonvasar J. Sutka, B. Barnabas, O. Veisz, G. Galiba, M. Molnar-Lang, G. Kovacs, E. Szakacs, B. Koszegi, R. Nagy, I. Takacs, G. Kocsy - Martonvasar INDIA S.M.S. Tomar, K.D. Srivastava, D.V. Singh - New Delhi M. Kochumadhavan, S.M.S. Tomar, P.N.N. Nambisan - Wellington R. N. Sawhney, D.N. Sharma, H.B. Chowdary, J.B. Sharma - New Delhi P.C. Pande, S. Nagarajan, D. Singh, H.N. Pande M. K. Upadhyay, B. Singh Dalmir Singh G. S. Sethi, Satish C. Sharma, K.S. Thakur, D. L. Sharma, Ashwani Kumar, Shyam Verma, H.K. Chaudhary - Palampur ISRAEL Sem Y. Atsmon A. Blum ITALY B. Borghi, M. Perenzin, M. Cattaneo, Y.M. Qiao, R. Castagna, P. Gavuzzi, N.E. Pogna, R. Redaelli, A.M. Beretta, A. Curioni, A. Dal Belin Peruffo, F. Raineri - Lodigiano V. Vallega - Rome JAPAN A. Oyanagi, A. Sato, M. Wada Y. Taniguchi S. Ito MEXICO R. A. Fischer, G. Varughese P.A. Burnett, R. Ranieri, J. Robinson He Zhong-hu K.D. Sayre, I. Ortiz-Montasterio, C. Meisner NEPAL H.J. Dubin, P.R. Hobbs ROMANIA N. S. Saulescu, Em. Jinga, I. Hagima, Mariana Ittu, Gh. Ittu, A Jilaveanu - Fundulea SOUTH AFRICA H. A. Van Niekerk, R. Cilliers, A. Brummer, D. Exley - Bethlehem H. A. Van Niekerk, T. G. Paxton, R. Britz, M. S. S. Jordan, T. van Bredenkamp I.B.J. Smith, F Groenewald, A. Basson H. A. Smit, J. L. Purchase, P.A. Visser, H. A. van Tonder, A. H. Botha, M. Maritz C.G. Burbidge, R.C. Lindeque, H.A. van Tonder, H.S.C. van der Merwe, W. van der Westhuizen H. B. Smit, B. L. deVilliers, H.H. Knobel, R. C. Lindeque H. B. Smit, B. L. deVilliers, H.H. Knobel, R. C. Lindeque, J.P. du Toit S.C. Drijepondt J. Smith B.J. Pieterse, J.T. Steyn, J.P.C. Tolmay G.J. Prinsloo, V.L. Tolmay, B. Koen, J.L. Hatting Z.A. Pretorius, F.J. Kloppers, E.G. Brink - Bloemfontein C.S. van Deventer, M.T. Labuschagne R. de V. Pienaar, G. F. Marais, G. M. Littlejohn, H. S. Roux, R. Prins, C. du Pleissis, J.M. Hay - Stellenbosch F. du Toit, S.S. Walters - Pioneer Seed Company, Bainsvlei SYRIA G. Ortiz-Ferrara, A. Shehadeh, M. Michael, M. Asad Moussa - Aleppo B.C. Curtis, Haitham Kayyali UNITED KINGDOM NORWICH, Cambridge Laboratory, Institute of Plant Science Research S. M. Reader, T. E. Miller I.P. King, T. E. Miller, R.M.D. Koebner I.P. King, R.M.D. Koebner, R. Schlegel, S.M. Reader, T.E. Miller I.P. King, R.M.D. Koebner, S.M. Reader, T.E. Miller W.J. Rogers, E.J. Sayers, C.N. Law A.I. Morgunov, W.J. Rogers, E.J. Sayers, E.V. Metakowsky M.D. Gale, J.B. Smith, M.D. Atkinson, K.M. Devos, C.N. Chinoy, M.L. Wang, R.L. Harcourt, C.J. Liu A.J. Worland, C.N. Law, S. Petrovic J. W. Snape, V. Hyne D.A. Laurie S.A. Quarrie, A. Steed R. Johnson, R.N. Sawney, P.N. Minchin P. Nicholson, H.N. Rezanoor M.J. Ambrose NORWICH, John Innes Institute J.S. Heslop-Harrison, A.R. Leitch, T. Schwarzacher, K. Anamthawat-Jonsson BRISTOL, Institute of Arable Crops Research and University of Bristol P.A. Sabelli, P.R. Shewry, D. Lafiandra A.S. Tatham, P.R. Shewry, M.J. Miles, H.H. Wills CAMBRIDGE, Plant Breeding International S.J. Brown, P.I. Payne UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ARKANSAS R. K. Bacon, B. R. Wells, M.L. May, D. Dombeck CALIFORNIA C.A. Curtis, Bahman Ehdaie, A.J. Lukaszewski, M.M. Rafi, S.H. Shah, J.G. Waines COLORADO J. S. Quick, G. H. Ellis, R. Normann, M. Mergoum, S. Haley, K. Ngongolo, A. Saidi, Q.X. Sun FLORIDA R.D. Barnett, A.R. Soffes, P.L. Pfahler, H.H. Luke, J.B. Hartman GEORGIA J. W. Johnson, B. N. Cunfer, P.L. Bruckner, J.J. Roberts, G.D. Buntin, R.E. Wilkinson IDAHO R.S. Zemetra, E. Souza, S. Guy, C.M. Smith, J. Johnson, M. Lauver, D. Schotzko, J. Tyler, M. Feng, S. Schroeder-Teeter INDIANA H. W. Ohm, H. C. Sharma, I.M. Dweikat, S.A. MacKenzie, D. McFatridge, F. L. Patterson, G. Shaner, R.M. Lister, D. M. Huber, G. Buechley, R.H. Ratcliffe, R.H. Shukle, S. Wellso, G. G. Safranski, S. Cambron KANSAS T.S. Cox, R.G. Sears, J.P. Shroyer, B. S. Gill, J. Hatchett, G.H. Liang, T. Harvey, T.J. Martin, D. Fjell, L.E. Browder, H.S. Dhaliwal, T. Endo, B. Freibe, K.S. Gill, L.G. Harrell, D.S. Hassawi, J. Jiang, P.D. Chen, J. Werner,, R.S. Kota, E.L. Lubbers, Y. Mukai, L.M. Patton, W.J. Raupp, B.R. Tyagi, D.L. Wilson, G.Yue, S. Guoping, G.M. Paulsen, S. Muthukrishnan O. K. Chung, G. L. Lookhart, D. B. Bechtel, D. B. Sauer, L. C. Bolte, D. W. Hagstrum, W.S. Kim, L. M. Seitz, J.D. Wilson, C. R. Martin, W.H. McGaughey, M.D. Shogren, J.T. Steele, D.L. Brabec, R.E. Dempster, W.M. Lamkin, R. Rouser, R.D. Speirs, I. Zayas, C. S. Chang, H. H. Converse T.J. Byram T. C. Roberts KENTUCKY D. A. Van Sanford, C. T. MacKown, L.J. Grabau LOUISIANA S.A. Harrison, P. Colyer, C. Hallier MARYLAND D. J. Sammons, R. J. Kratochvil MINNESOTA R. Busch, B. Delzer A. P. Roelfs, D. L. Long, D. H. Casper, M. E. Hughes, J. J. Roberts D.V. McVey, R. H. Busch MISSOURI E. R. Sears, G. Kimber, J. P. Gustafson, A.L. McKendry, C.G.D. Chapman, H. Aswidinnoor, M. Jlibene, A. Dera, H. Daud, M. Feiner, R. Wilman, B. Winberg, K. Ross, D. Bittel, G. Henke, K. Houchins, J. Berg, D. Tague, S. Madsen, J.V. Monte, M. Wanous, Z. Zhou MONTANA E.A. Hockett, T. Kisha NEBRASKA P.S. Baenziger, C.J. Peterson, D.R. Shelton, R.A. Graybosch, M.R. Morris, L.A. Nelson, R. Simonson, D.J. Lyons, G.L. Hein P.S. Baenziger, C.J. Peterson, D.R. Shelton, D.D. Baltensperger, D.V. McVey, J.H. Hatchett R.L. Simonson, J. Rybczynski, P.S. Baenziger T.G. Berke, P.S. Baenziger, M.R. Morris A. Masrizal, P.S. Baenziger C.J. Peterson C.J. Peterson, R.A. Graybosch, P.S. Baenziger, A.W. Grombacher R. A. Graybosch, C. J. Peterson, D.R. Shelton Jai-Heon Lee, R.A. Graybosch, C.J. Peterson R.A. Graybosch D.R. Shelton D.J. Lyon, D.D. Baltensperger, G.L. Hein R. C. French, N.L. Robertson, W. G. Langenberg NEW YORK M. E. Sorrells, W. R. Coffman G. C. Bergstrom, D. W. Kalb, A. M. C. Schilder, D. Shah NORTH CAROLINA R. E. Jarrett, S. Leath, J. P. Murphy NORTH DAKOTA B.L. D'Appolonia, J.W. Dick, K. Khan, C.E. McDonald, D.R. Shelton, B. Donnelly, G. Hareland, L.A. Grant OHIO H.N. Lafever, W.A. Berzonsky, R.W. Gooding, L.D. Herald, R.J. Minyo Jr., T.L. Hoover OKLAHOMA E. L. Smith, G. H. Morgan, R. J. Sidwell, D.L. Jones B.F. Carver, D.A. Dougherty, E.L. Smith R. M. Hunger, F. J. Gough, G. L. Sherwood, E. Williams L. L. Singleton, C. C. Russell D.R. Porter, J. A. Webster, C. A. Baker, J.D. Burd, S. D. Kindler, N.C. Elliot, G.J. Puterka, D. K. Reed, R.L. Burton OREGON R.S. Karow P. K. Zwer, D.L. Sutherland, K.J. Morrow W. E. Kronstad, C.S. Love, M. Kolding, S. Rajaram, C. Mundt, M. Das, A. Vanavichit PENNSYLVANIA M.L. Risius, F.E. Gildow SOUTH DAKOTA F.A. Cholick, C.H. Chen, B. Farber, B. Ruden, S. Shin J.L. Gellner, R.A. Schut, R.W. Kieckhefer G. Buchenau, D. J. Gallenberg D.H. Rickerl, J. D. Smolik TEXAS L.R. Nelson, Mark Lazar, C.A. Erickson, G.E. Hart, D. Marshall, M.E. McDaniel, B. McDonald, Lloyd Rooney, J.E. Slosser, B. Shafer, John Sij, N.A. Tuleen, W.D. Worrall, R. Sultan, M. Harrington, S.D. Serna-Saldivar UTAH R. S. Albrechtsen VIRGINIA C.A. Griffey, D.E. Brann, E. Stromberg, M.K. Das WASHINGTON R. E. Allan, J. A. Pritchett, L. M. Little R. F. Line C.F. Morris, H.C. Jeffers, A.D. Bettge,, D. Engle, M.L. Baldridge, B.S. Patterson, R. Ader, J. Raykowski M.K. Walker-Simmons, J.L. Reid, J. Curry, R. Anderberg C.J. Peterson Jr., D.F. Moser, V.L. DeMacon, M.L. Mundell Jr. H. Zhou, S.T. Ball, C.F. Konzak C.F. Konzak, H. Zhou S.T. Ball, B.E. Frazier, G.S. Campbell, C.F. Konzak E. Donaldson, M. Nagamitsu, B. Sauer WISCONSIN R. A. Forsberg, E. S. Oplinger, R.D. Duerst, J.B. Stevens YUGOSLOVIA B. Koric, S. Tomasovic III. CULTIVARS AND GERMPLASM H.E. Bockelman - Triticum Accessions, National Small Grains Collection H.E. Bockelman, G.A. White - New Triticum PI Assignments H.E. Bockelman - Aegilops Accessions, National Small Grains Collection H.E. Bockelman - Elite Germplasm, Cultivar Name Clearance, Exporting/Importing Guidelines H.E. Bockelman, D.M. Wesenberg, M.A. Bohning, L.W. Briggle - Evaluation of National Small Grains Collection Germplasm Progress Report R. E. Allan - CSSA Cultivar and Germplasm Registration B. Skovmand - Wheat Cultivar Abbreviations IV. CATALOGUE OF GENE SYMBOLS, 1991 SUPPLEMENT R. A. McIntosh, G.E. Hart, M.D. Gale V. ANNUAL WHEAT NEWSLETTER FUND VI. VOLUME 38 MANUSCRIPT GUIDELINES VIII. MAILING LIST ------------------------------ I. SPECIAL REPORTS Minutes of the National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) Meeting November 8-9, 1990 College Park, Maryland ATTENDANCE Committee Members: I.B. Edwards, Chair, R.H. Busch, Secretary, R.S. Zemetra, F.A. Cholick, J.A. Smith, R. Bruns, D.R. Shelton, T.S. Cox, W.D. Worrall, D. Van Sanford, H.F. Bockleman, R.F. Line, R. Bacon, C.J. Peterson, R.E. Allan, D.J. Sammons, C. Qualset, R. Stuckey. Absent: G. Stadler, C. Haugeberg (ex-officio member). Non-Committee Members: J. Quick, Colorado State University; R. Sears, Kansas State University; B. Skovmand, CIMMYT; P. Gustafson, ARS-University of Missouri; C.F. Murphy, ARS-NPS Beltsville; D. McVey, ARS-Cereal Rust Laboratory, G. Waines, University of California; W. Martinez, ARS-NPS Beltsville, V. Krischik, USDA-FGIS, Washington D.C.; D. Shipman, USDA-FGIS, Washington D.C.; F. Cooper, USDA-APHIS Hyattsville; E.M. Imai, USDA-APHIS, Hyattsville; M.K. Aycock,Jr., University of Maryland; R. Kennedy, University of Maryland, R.J. Kratochvil, University of Maryland. PRELIMINARIES Chairman Edwards called the meeting to order. Welcomes were given by Dr. Robert Kennedy, Director, Maryland Agic. Expt. Sta. and Dr. M.K. Aycock, Chair, Dept. of Agronomy, Univ. of Maryland. MINUTES OF THE 1989 MEETING Since the minutes were published in AWN 36:9-18, Busch asked for a motion to waive reading them. Motion was made and passed. RESPONSE TO 1989 RESOLUTIONS Chairman Edwards summarized responses received to the 1989 resolutions which were: Importation of Seed from Mexico, International Winter Wheat Performance Nursery, Wheat Genetic Stocks Position and Multi-Site Wheat Genetic Stock Centers, International Triticeae Mapping Initiative, and Nation Wheat Variety Survey. Under Secretary of Agriculture (Science and Education) Charles E. Hess responded to the resolutions as follows: International Winter Wheat Performance Nursery-- "This program is highly beneficial to winter wheat breeding programs in the United States, and it is of even greater importance to Eastern Europe and developing countries. ARS would like to see the program retain its viability having contributed with personnel and administrative support. We are looking forward to continuing interactions with the Agency for International Development in developing an appropriate course of action to retain this program." Preservation and Use of Wheat Genetic Stocks--"We share the NWIC's concern and are aware of the proposal for a multi-site wheat genetic stocks center. With its current resource base, the ARS will not be able to add a new scientist position, dedicated to wheat genetic stocks, at Columbia, as originally planned. However, ARS does plan to create a high-level technician position within the wheat genetics project at Columbia, which will be dedicated to special genetic stocks. From this focal point, ARS plans to coordinate a multi-site center much like that described in the proposal." International Triticeae Mapping Initiative--"We support the principles embodied in this initiative. The NWIC's recommendations will receive serious consideration as we discuss future program directions, particularly in terms of current economic constraints and the need to provide proper balance in our science and education programs." National Wheat Variety Survey--"We agree that the survey is extremely important and useful to wheat workers throughout the United States. We also commend the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) for it efforts to assume responsibility for the survey. Since this activity is in accordance with the agreement reached several years ago between NASS and ARS, there are no plans for ARS to fund the survey." SOFT WHEAT TEST WEIGHT ISSUE Dr.'s D. Sammons, R. Stuckey, and W. Martinez reported on a Test Weight Workshop sponsored jointly by ARS-NWAG Foundation with growers, exporters, millers, bakers and other interested groups represented. More research is necessary to determine its usefulness and meaning but it is clearly perceived as a measure of quality by many of the represented groups. More research of the issue was recommended but test weight as a physical measure will be continued. Further, test weight is an issue in other crops as a measure of quality assessment. Test weight seems to be a major help for grain elevator personnel or for loading information for ships, but as a quality predictor it is relatively poor. R. Allen indicated that test weight within a genotype across environments is related to flour yield. This issue relative to NWIC participation was summarized as: 1) keep issue alive, 2) support ARS in its research effort for multi-quality laboratory involvement, 3) test weight will remain a measurement but perhaps not of quality, 4) NWIC needs to maintain an active role, 5) main objective is to provide fairness to the farmer, 6) may require education of consumer as to utility of test weight, 7) need a quality measurement which predicts end-use well. A resolution will be drafted supporting continuing work on the test weight issue. NWIC LEGISLATIVE VISIT D. Sammons, F. Cholick and R. Zemetra reported on the visit to Congress, March, 1990. Six members visited Capital Hill (Sammons, Cholick, Sears, Shelton, Zemetra and Edwards) to provide information to key committees in the Senate and House. Stuckey met with the group the night before to provide orientation on the structure needed to impact the funding process. Issues in the briefing book were: 1) Genetic stocks, 2) International winter wheat performance nursery, 3) Pathology position (smut), 4) CSRS for applied research Hatch funding, 5) Commented on the Grain Quality Act in the Agricultural Bill. Problems (contribution from Sears, Shelton, Edwards, Zemetra, Cholick, Stuckey and Murphy)--Need follow-up for the political process perhaps with NWAG, need a `champion' for each specific item, need potential economic impact (cost-benefit ratio) statement of estimation, need industry support (perhaps contacting Dr. Ev Everson to help with industry support) and trips are expensive to take from own funds. The Standing Legislative Committee remains the same as in 1989 and are as follows: Chairman, Dr. D. Sammons (soft red winter wheat); Dr. R. Sears (hard red winter wheat region); Dr. F. Cholick (hard red spring wheat); and Dr. R. Zemetra (western wheat). ANNUAL WHEAT NEWSLETTER The following reports are included by J.S. Quick, Editor, and I. Edwards, Treasurer of the Wheat Newsletter: Editor's Report The editing and publishing of Volume 36 of the Annual Wheat Newsletter (AWN) closely followed the format of previous newsletters. There were 400 copies printed and each copy had 275 pages, the largest volume ever produced. No copies of Volume 36, and about 30 of Volume 35 are still available. A summary of information about each volume printed since 1954 (Volume 1) was published in the AWN, Volume 32 (1986). The number of pages has increased by 100 since 1980, the number of contributors has increased considerably, and the cost of publication increased until 1988. Due to rising costs, an effort was made to reduce the number of copies printed by encouraging multiple use. Cost of production was reduced from about $4500 in 1987 to about $3900 in 1988, increased to $5416 in 1989, and decreased to $4290 in 1990 due to limited distribution caused by shortage of funds. In addition to the total cost of production, Colorado State University Agronomy Department has contributed part of my time, computer facilities, and some occasional letter typing. An Agronomy Department typist, Carolyn Schultz, has done an excellent job of manuscript preparation since 1983. All AWN address lists are computerized, and mailing and sorting has become simple and routine. We are requesting that all workers provide their manuscripts on computer diskettes if possible. All text will be entered into computer files and laser printed with reduced font size to save space. Manuscripts can also be provided through the BITNET system. About 500 requests for manuscripts and financial assistance are sent to U.S., Australian and Canadian wheat workers each January. The requests for manuscripts and financial contributions from other foreign scientists are included as an insert in the Newsletter mailing in June. Additionally, regional manuscript and financial solicitation and coordination are done by scientists in other countries. Treasurer's Report ITEM DEBIT CREDIT BALANCE 1. Balance reported June 1, 1990 $3963.24 in AWN 2. Mailing request letter $67.35 3895.89 3. Envelopes 13.30 3882.59 4. Photocopy 20.00 3862.59 5. Mailing, Vol. 36, June 1990 648.65 3213.94 6. Printing and binding 3013.35 182.59 7. Misc. Postage and Photocopying 15.25 167.34 8. Mailing bags and envelopes 51.50 115.84 9. Typing and editing, Vol. 36 443.00 (327.16) 10.New contributions (since June 1) $175.00 (152.16) 11.Interest on checking 81.91 (70.25) Comments: 1. The total cost of Volume 36 was $4,290.40. This cost divided by 400 copies printed is about $10.73 per copy. Volume 36 is 14 pages longer then volume 35 (275 vs 261), and 200 fewer copies of Volume 36 were printed. The total printed pages of Volume 36 was 105 percent of Volume 35, and the total cost was 20 percent lower. Volume 36 was larger than any previous volume, but distribution decreased from last year due to the reduced funds available. 2. Current fund balance at the present time is $(70.25) compared with $185.03 a year ago. It must be noted that there is still an outstanding balance owing for production costs in the amount of $100. 3. There has been a slight increase in corporate contributions in recent years however, individual contributions remain our primary source of income, and due to an increased interest in the AWN information, we would encourage higher individual and corporate contributions. REVIEW OF CROP ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Chairman P. Gustafson discussed the two key issues at this meeting. One, germplasm money of $12000 became available for the 9 genetic centers for wheat in the US. The first is need to increase funding and methods as of how to accomplish this goal was discussed. Two, germplasm development and collection were also discussed. Dr. G. Waines spoke to the problem of collection, especially the wild relative Ae. speltoides which is not well represented in the collection. A second area suggested was dwarf wheats, but not those with known Rht genes. Dr. R. Zemetra commented that funding for collection is available, but cooperators in the visited country are needed to ensure success. Dr. R. Allan purposed that funding of the multi-site genetic stocks be attempted by an add-on in the Agriculture Bill and Dr. C. Qualset indicated that funding might help provide incentives for the multi-sites to form an organized way for distribution of their stocks. DEVELOPMENT OF RUST RESISTANT GERMPLASM Dr. D. Van Sanford indicated that the soft red winter wheat region suffers a severe lack of personnel for the development of leaf rust resistant germplasm. Losses have been estimated at approximately $30 million per year nationally. The Cereal Rust Laboratory can supply technical support but can not support germplasm development. The Kansas State effort in this area is gratefully acknowledged. John Roberts in Georgia is inadequately funded even for the rust survey, and proposes an increase in funds. Worrall, Sears, and Cox indicated the need for a broader base of resistance since they did not feel adequate resistance is present in the hexaploid wheats. McVey also indicated the need for more genes from a broader base, such as the wild species. The committee concluded that a germplasm development position needs to be identified to transfer leaf-rust resistance from wild species. A resolution to this effect will be drafted. PROGRESS REPORT ON CEREAL BIOTECHNOLOGY-UPDATE ON RFLP PROGRAMS Dr. C. Qualset presented the background for gene transfer from relatives. Specific traits transferred from related species using cytogenetics is historical and well developed in wheat. Private funds have been used to develop RFLP markers in wheat, but these are not readily available to other wheat workers. A consortium of public researchers called the International Triticeae Mapping Initiative (ITMI) was formed by eight laboratories and 11 researchers from U.S., Australia, and England. A workshop was recently held in California on goals and objectives. Main goal is to develop a public map of the hexaploid, tetraploid, and diploid wheats, barley, and rye. Items discussed were genetic stocks for identification and the use of synthetic hexaploids to get polymorphisms. Costs are estimated at $500,000 per year for the ITMI proposal. Dr. S. Cox is working on Ae. squarrosa and determining the location of chromosomes bands to identify their location on a map. About 125 markers on 7 chromosomes on the D genome are identified. Dr. P. Gustafson indicated that a saturated RFLP map in wheat is still not close. Rice which has received more effort and is still far from having a saturated map. Some arms of chromosomes are not mapped. He also discussed a dot blot procedure they used in attempt to identify resistance in the field. Dr. J. Miske indicated that $3.67 million is available for data base management in genome mapping and $11 million for competitive grants for: 1) broad map of 25cM, 2) intense map of 1-5cM, and 3) technical improvements in procedures. A team effort would be specified with a breeder-geneticist as a leader. This money is just for economic crops. Grant is for 5 years with a 3 year renewal (5-year program with review at 3 years). NWIC thanks Dr. Miske for his contributions in obtaining and administering these funds. A resolution will be drafted supporting the effort of the ITMI as useful for wheat. UPDATE ON GERMPLASM EXCHANGE, PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION, PLANT PATENTS Dr. C. Murphy indicated that obtaining utility patents on plant material is becoming more difficult. PVP has an exemption for research and further utilization while utility patents probably do not. PVP office is slow in processing applications. ARS policy does not protect plants for profit but will acknowledge and follow the individual state's policy. ARS personnel can now accept royalty payments also. A poll of the states which release wheat varieties revealed considerable diversity, with six states generally not protecting, at least six state using title 5-PVP and other states collecting royalties or being evaluated on a case by case basis. Wheat workers have expressed fear of utility patents limiting germplasm exchange because of no research exemptions. Problems are also encountered with entering germplasm into the collection system since it becomes public property. Illinois attempted to withdraw material from the National Seed Storage Laboratory which was denied by the USDA-ARS. Dr. R. Busch presented proposed changes to the PVP form as a representative from the ASTA wheat Minimum Distance Subcommittee and asked for input from the NWIC. A representative from the Plant Variety Protection Office was invited as well, but none attended. Also Busch introduced the idea of developing a booklet to help and advise plant breeder to fill in the form in an acceptable and standardized method. WHEAT QUALITY ISSUES Federal Grain Inspection Service and Wheat Quality Working Committee, Dr. R. Sears (NWIC representative to Wheat Quality Working Committee) reported that the committee met Feb., 1990. Progress has been made separating hard from soft winter wheat classes. FGIS is still working on machines to determine objectively the class to which a wheat belongs and to detect mixed classes. The Norris machine is good and ARS development seems to have performed well so far. Recommendations and guidelines for hardiness will be discussed at the next meeting in Dec. 1990. Dr. W. Martinez indicated the FGIS must identify single kernels with NIR hardness as a control to determine mixtures of classes with a correlation of r2=0.89. A considerable Genotype x environment interaction has been found using the hardness machines. Sears indicated that stability for kernel hardness to environments may be heritable, at least in some genetic material. Martinez reported that Karl Norris is developing an NIR machine (cheap filter instrument) which can be used on whole kernel wheat for protein (r2=0.87) He has also predicted spring from winter wheat classes with about 5% error. Shipman (FGIS) indicated that any decision on classification will not be implemented for at least 2 years. ------------------------- Wheat Quality Incentives Act Dr. F. Cholick indicated that the Agriculture Bill has the Quality Incentive as Title 20.02 written similarly as the NWIC recommended based on our testimony. R. Martin, Campbell Taggert, wanted a national system to evaluate varieties before release. End use and intrinsic quality issues are moderated to accept genotype x environment interaction deviations. Stability is wanted in the quality end product. Discussion of problems with the quality issue continued with special problems indicated by Dr. Worrall in Texas These problems have been caused primarily by R. Martin by his statements regarding the low quality of Texas released wheats. In summary, NWIC must be ready to respond to issues as they arise. Grain Quality Workshop R. Bruns (NWIC representative) gave some past history indicating this workshop was started in 1985. It's membership is composed of government, private and academicians and primarily considers grain and grain handling issues. FGIS frequently uses this group as a sounding board for proposed changes. Membership provides the NWIC with representation on legislative issues. Bruns is presently involved with quality definitions for this workshop.This definition was presented to the NWIC for discussion and comment. This workshop is getting more recognition as a forum for change and is important for the NWIC to have representation. FUNDING STATUS OF APPLIED RESEARCH, GERMPLASM AND NURSERIES Dr. C. Murphy first discussed the International Winter Wheat Performance Nursery. USAID dropped their funding and ARS has funded the program in recent years. Funds have eroded and there was not enough money to continue its funding. Plowman is supportive of the nursery, and approached USAID but they still were not interested. Murphy emphasized that indicating problem areas is helpful, but ARS already has too many scientists with too little funding. Unless money can be obtained, little chance for work in these problem areas is likely to be accomplished. As an example of a better approach, barley workers were aware a geneticist position would likely close with retirement, and worked with Congress and obtained funding for two positions, increasing their research base. This is an add-on to the budget specially earmarked for this item. Influential lawmakers need to be convinced to help obtain funding for important positions and to shore-up under funded scientists. Industry participation is important to convince legislatures of the importance of issues needed for funding. Malting Barley Improvement Association represents the barley research well and also is investing funds in research which makes them credible. Discussion followed of some potential ways to impact the future of funding for wheat research. Directed funds for specific positions was questioned as desirable, but Murphy indicated that communication with ARS should be maintained to provide maximum impact and coordination. Stuckey indicated that on common interest item NWAG could supply some follow-up on resolutions. Murphy indicated that the Crop Quality Council, now dissolved, was an effective force for wheat. We need industry to form another lobby group like this to be effective. In summary, NWIC needs to identify wheat priorities, identify an industrial champion, and identify a congressional champion to more effectively influence research priorities. SEED QUARANTINE MEETING AND CURRENT STATUS OF SEED IMPORTATION-FGIS Dr. R. Line attended a meeting of smut researchers in Fredrick, Maryland where the history of the quarantine of flag smut was discussed as well as other items. Countries with flag smut were quarantined two months after it was found in the U.S. Flag smut is now only found in the Northwest. The conclusions were: 1) Not potentially damaging in the U.S. or world wide; 2) Has not spread because it requires a special environment; and 3) Can be controlled by seed treatment, cultural practices, and resistance. APHIS was present and indicated that the removal of quarantine was almost impossible. Canadian workers agreed that flag smut and dwarf bunt restrictions on seed entry can not be justified scientifically. A letter from Plowman to APHIS regarding flag smut supported restriction removal. APHIS responded with a number of safeguards. Several safeguards were challenged, and Plowman followed up with another letter. No official action by APHIS as yet on possible changes on the safeguards. F. Cooper and E. Imai from APHIS attended to clarify where APHIS stands on importation of seed from Mexico (CIMMYT). If seed is grown in an area free from Karnal bunt, confirmed by APHIS, the seed may be grown in the field in the U.S. APHIS, at this point, is following ARS recommendations for importing seed from countries identified as flag smut countries. These seed may be grown in the field if recommendations are followed on a case by case basis. This is a substantial improvement from past procedures allowed by APHIS. TCK (dwarf bunt) research funding is in the Agriculture Bill ($250,000). Dr. J. Peterson is waiting for permission from AZ to grow seed from CIMMYT to allow distribution to interested researchers in the U.S. At this time it is not yet approved. A letter to Dr. Plowman thanking him for his interest and aid in this matter is indicated. UPDATE ON RUSSIAN WHEAT APHID RESEARCH Dr. Worrall indicated that screening of the Small Grains Collection for resistance to the Russian wheat aphid has been a success. Most of the resistance appears to be qualitatively inherited. Triticales possess resistance and are being used as a bridge to transfer resistance from rye to wheat. Chemical control does not appear to be effective, especially because of the importance of cattle grazing on wheat. Amigo-Largo material is better in the field than in greenhouse screening. Biological control has released a number of insects which attack the aphid. Dr. Quick reported on the uniform regional screening nursery. Thirteen wheat entries have been identified with excellent seedling resistance, as well as one barley. Very little indication has been found of biotype differences or of G X E to different sources of resistance. Best resistance has been identified in Russian triticale. A field test will be conducted next year. Dr. Zemetra indicated that materials that have high resistance in the greenhouse have been resistant in the field. Intermediate resistance in the greenhouse has performed more erratically in the field. There seems to be an adequate amount of resistance in various wheats in the world. Dr. Quick identified the following research needs: 1) biotype test, 2) field evaluation, 3) variation in genotypes for resistance, 4) allelism tests, 5) mechanisms of resistance, and 6) incorporation of the sources of resistance into adapted wheats. A discussion followed about the advisability of releasing a single gene for resistance. R. Bruns suggested that possible gene deployment could be useful and cooperation among wheat researchers is needed to develop a strategy. A resolution supporting funding for Russian Wheat Aphid will be drafted. NAWG FOUNDATION REPORT Dr. R. Stuckey reported that because costs are up for the producer and prices are down, most of the concern in NAWG is for the farm program and price supports, and support for research is difficult. NAWG prefers to support issues obtained from a science based agenda compared to wishes for change in farming from non-science based groups. Food Watch has been organized to re-enforce to the public that their food is very economical and safe. The Congress has been given handouts on this issue as well. NWIC resolutions need to be given to the NAWG convention for their inclusion into the NAWG national resolutions. New programs for the NAWG Foundation include: 1) Input into Wheat Technology, 2) Pioneer sponsored extension awards at the state, regional and county level, 3) Farm Safety Program, 4) Rail Transportation of grain. The Foundation needs and endowment program because it lacks a financial base. A symposium sponsored by DuPont is scheduled on March 13-14, 1991 of the state wheat commissioners to determine national issues facing wheat. An international conference is planned for 1993. RESOLUTIONS AND LETTERS Chairman Edwards assigned the following members to develop resolutions and letters: Cox, Sammons, Cholick, Bruns, Sears, Edwards, Van Sanford, Worrall, Bacon, Quick, Qualset, Line, Stuckey, Gustafson and Peterson. The resolutions are: Acknowledgement of Hosts, Wheat Molecular Markers and Linkage Maps, Russian Wheat Aphid Research, Test Weight Measurement of Wheat, and Leaf Rust Resistant Wheat Germplasm. Letter are: Thanks to Pioneer for Wheat Donation, Wheat Research Planning Priorities, U.S. Coordination on Germplasm Introduction, and Problems with Plant Variety Protection. A sub-committee designated `National Wheat Research Priorities' composed of Peterson, Sammons, Edwards, Line, Bruns and Qualset will attempt to look at a long-range research plan for wheat. LOCATION OF 1991 NWIC MEETING Possibilities of attaching the NWIC meeting to the national ASA meeting was discussed. This was thought to be a possible advantage because it allow one airfare to cover both trips. This idea was discarded because of the amount of time the NWIC meeting takes and not having an adequate amount of time around the annual meeting to accomplish it. Air costs are excessive unless a Saturday night is used in the flight. It was decided that locations with cheap airfare should be considered for annual meetings of the NWIC. Reno, Nevada was chosen as the location and Nov. 21-23, 1991 as the meeting time. There being no further business, Dr. Edwards adjourned the meeting at 12:40 P.M. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT THE NATIONAL WHEAT IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING, COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND, NOVEMBER 8-9, 1990 SUBJECT: LEAF RUST RESISTANT GERMPLASM WHEREAS, average annual losses to leaf rust of wheat in the U.S. have exceeded $200 million over the past five years, and, WHEREAS, there is a need for identification, characterization, and deployment of new leaf rust resistance genes in all market classes of wheat, and, WHEREAS, the availability of effective leaf rust resistance genes in the hexaploid wheat gene pool is limited, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the National Wheat Improvement Committee supports increased funding of existing programs for the enhancement of wheat germplasm through introgression of new leaf rust genes from wild relatives of wheat, and, be it further resolved that the National Wheat Improvement Committee urges the USDA-ARS to provide additional funding or redirected funding to address the need for development of leaf rust resistant germplasm in all wheat classes. SUBJECT: TEST WEIGHT MEASUREMENT OF WHEAT The National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) shares the concerns of the cereal grain industry in the U.S. about grain quality. We support the efforts of the Federal Grain Inspection Service, the USDA-Agricultural Research Service and the National Association of Wheat Growers Foundation for their recent efforts to examine the meaning, relevance, and importance of the test weight measurement as an indicator of end use grain quality in wheat. We also recognize that the quality issue transcends wheat and is a concern to other major cereal crops. With regard to wheat the NWIC endorses the following principles: 1) we encourage continued active study to resolve the issue of the utility of test weight as an indicator of grain quality and economic value. 2) We support the ARS in its effort to define a strategy to study this issue that involves all wheat quality laboratories. 3) We acknowledge that the elimination of test weight as a grain measurement in the grain trade is not an appropriate goal, and that downward adjustment of test weight standards for grading purposes may sen the wrong signal to our international trading partners. 4) We assert our desire as a national committee to play a more active role in the resolution of the test weight issue. 5) We believe that a key issue in this national debate is fairness in the way farmers are treated when they market their grain. 6) We recognize a need to better educate our customers on the limitations to the interpretation of test weight data as an indicator of millability. 7) We urge that one major objective of the study of the test weight issue be the development of instrumentation for the use at the level of the local elevator that will accurately and rapidly estimate millability and grain end use quality. 8) We view the test weight issue as an important component of a broad and through re-examination of end use quality concerns in wheat. SUBJECT: WHEAT MOLECULAR MARKERS AND LINKAGE MAPS WHEREAS. the security of sustained and improved U.S. wheat production and its competitiveness in international trade requires ready access to genes and the ability to transfer them efficiently from varieties and related wild species to commercially adapted improved wheat varieties, and, WHEREAS, new technologies for gene identification, location and transfer by molecular-assisted methods may be adopted for wheat improvement, the advancement of genetics, the science of plant pathology, entomology, weed science and end-use quality properties, and, WHEREAS, financial support for the creation of the new molecular markers and a comprehensive linkage map is inadequate, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the National Wheat Improvement Committee strongly supports accelerated research on development of a comprehensive genetic map of wheat as planned by the International Triticeae Mapping Initiative (ITMI) and recommends that federal, state and private funds be made available to accomplish this task. SUBJECT: RUSSIAN WHEAT APHID RESEARCH WHEREAS, Russian wheat aphid has caused economic damage to wheat in excess of $250 million since 1986, and, WHEREAS, Russian wheat aphid is a crop pest of national importance, and, WHEREAS, host plan resistance and biological control agents are the only currently available controls which are environmentally sound, and, WHEREAS, current funding of Russian wheat aphid research is insufficient nationally, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the National Wheat Improvement Committee strongly supports the Allocation of federal funds for Russian wheat aphid research and encourages increased support for national research efforts. SUBJECT: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF HOSTS WHEREAS, the University of Maryland and National Association of Wheat Growers Foundation have served as excellent hosts of the 1990 National Wheat Improvement Committee and the Wheat Crop Advisory Committee, and, WHEREAS, our hosts have expended much time and effort to insure that the meetings were successful, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the members of the NWIC sincerely thank Dr. D. Sammons and the Agronomy Department of the University of Maryland, and Dr. Richard Stuckey, Director of the NAWG Foundation, and management and staff of the Comfort Inn, College Park, Maryland. LETTERS SENT SUBJECT: RECOGNITION OF PIONEER DONATION TO: CEO, Pioneer; Directors of Agric. Exp. Stations at Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Kansas. The National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) sincerely thanks Pioneer HIBred International for their donation of hard red spring wheat germplasm to North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, and University of Minnesota and hard red winter wheat germplasm to Kansas State University. The gift of this germplasm represents a significant contribution to wheat improvement programs throughout the Great Plains. Although the NWIC sincerely regrets the loss of the Pioneer hard wheat breeding programs and their contributions to wheat improvement, we want to acknowledge and recognize the public spirit that this donation of germplasm demonstrates. The germplasm gifted to these programs is truly priceless, representing work by Pioneer wheat breeders for over 25 years. The gift of this germplasm not only helps the wheat breeding community but ultimately helps wheat producers and the general public potentially aiding in increasing farm productivity throughout the Great Plains of the U.S.A. SUBJECT: STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR WHEAT RESEARCH TO: USDA and AES Administrators An important function of the National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) has been to support and council to national and state research agencies to identify and meet national wheat research needs. The NWIC is concerned that shrinking budget resources have caused many organizations to re-evaluate commitments to wheat research without consideration of national and regional needs. The NWIC has established a National Wheat Research Priorities subcommittee with the assignment to develop long term goals and priorities for national wheat research. We believe that this would significantly enhance the NWIC's ability to focus national support for critical programs as well as to provide support and council to USDA-ARS and CSRS. In order to develop a strategic planning document, the NWIC requests input from USDA-ARS and CSRS on research goals, objectives, and priorities for wheat currently in place for the respective organizations. A breakdown of funding and CRIS projects committed to setting these goals also is requested. We believe this information would significantly enhance the NWIC's strategic planning efforts. We hope that this endeavor by the NWIC will result in closer coordination among agencies in meeting future opportunities and needs for wheat research and funding. We thank you for your consideration of this request. SUBJECT: PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION The National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) recognizes that Plant Variety Protection was enacted to increase plant breeding research through limited legal protection of plant breeding research products. A research exemption incorporated to insure the continuation of free germplasm exchange and development. Plant Variety Protection has stimulated wheat plant breeding research resulting in significant benefits to the public. Wheat germplasm has continued to be exchanged freely in the research community. Unfortunately, the Plant Variety Protection act has not given adequate economic protection of the research products to justify continued research investment. The theories behind the limited legal protection granted under Plant Variety Protection have not worked in practice. Interpretation and enforcement of the current protection and exemptions are critically flawed and in need of repair. The NWIC recommends a thorough review and revision of the Plant Variety Protection act to include the following key issues: 1. All protection and exemption mechanisms must be clearly defined and uniformly enforceable to protect research investment. 2. Germplasm exchange must not be restricted. The NWIC has consistently been on record supporting germplasm exchange and development via the Wheat Workers Code of Ethics. The basic concept of Plant Variety Protection is preferred over the paten process. Plant Variety Protection has been compatible with wheat germplasm exchange and can be modified to promote continued plant breeding research and development. SUBJECT: COORDINATION OF INTRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF WHEAT The National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) believes there is a critical need for USDA-ARS to take responsibility for U.S. coordination, introduction, and distribution of wheat germplasm from international research programs, especially germplasm from CIMMYT. U.S. breeding programs have had serious difficulties in accessing international nurseries and germplasm due to significant costs and restrictions associated with importation and quarantine growout of seed. It is critical that these valuable materials be made widely available to U.S. programs so that advances in varietal development and genetics research may continue. The NWIC requests that USDA-ARS take responsibility for importation, increase, and distribution of these seed stocks through support programs associated with the National Small Grains Germplasm Collection and Research Facility. The NWIC fully supports a program of importation, increase, and distribution of CIMMYT germplasm as proposed by C.J. Peterson to be coordinated with involvement of Dr.'s Qualset, Gustafson, and others. The NWIC requests that USDA-ARS provide financial sport for seed increases so that the program may be initiated immediately. This program should be recognized as a short term solution for the problem while ARS develops long term strategies and support for increase and distribution of international nurseries and seed stocks. The NWIC also is extremely disappointed with the decision by USDA-ARS to close the International Winter Wheat Performance Nursery (IWWPN) program. The nursery program has been a highly successful and unique mechanism for international germplasm and information exchange, and for evaluation of varietal performance and adaptation. The IWWPN has provided irreplaceable information world wide adaptation, performance, and disease resistances for very diverse varieties and germplasm. The germplasm distributed through the program has contributed significantly to development of new varieties and germplasm in the U.S. as well as many foreign countries. Four U.S hard red winter wheat varieties have recently been released that are derived directly from germplasm distributed through the IWWPN. The variety `Siouxland', a joint release from the Univ. of Nebraska and USDA-ARS, is derived from the Soviet wheat `Kavkaz', which was distributed through the IWWPN in 1974. Siouxland currently occupies 20% of the Nebraska wheat acreage and is responsible for and additional 4 to 6 million dollars per year added revenue to growers through higher yields and enhanced disease resistance. Since 1985 ther have been 27 experimental lines evaluated in the USDA-ARS Hard Red Winter Wheat Uniform Regional Nursery as promising release candidates that have in their parentage a direct contribution from IWWPN germplasm. These varieties and experimental lines would not exist without the unique contribution of the IWWPN program. The IWWPN joins the ranks of the many USDA-ARS supported cooperative international wheat nurseries that have been discontinued. ARS needs to carefully consider the impact of these decisions on international germplasm exchange and wheat breeding as it relinquishes its role as an active leader in international wheat germplasm research. ------------------------- MEMBERS OF NATIONAL WHEAT IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE January 1991 Dr. I.B. Edwards, Chair Pioneer Overseas Corp. 6800 Pioneer Parkway Johnston, IA 50131 (515) 270-4029 FAX: (515) 270-3156 Dr. R.H. Busch, Secretary USDA-ARS 411 Borlaug Hall University of Minnesota St. Paul, MN 55108 (612) 625-1975 FAX: (612) 625-1268 Eastern Wheat Region Dr. D.J. Sammons, Chairman Eastern Wheat Region Department of Agronomy University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742 (301) 454-3715 FAX: (301) 454-5680 Dr. H.E. Bockelman, Secretary Eastern Wheat Region, USDA- ARS Univ. of Idaho Res. & Ext. Ctr. P.O. Box AA Aberdeen, ID 83210 (208) 397-4162 FAX: (208) 397-4162 Dr. D. VanSanford Dept. of Agronomy University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40506 (606) 257-5811 FAX: (606) 258-5842 Dr. R. Bacon 115 Plant Science University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 72701 (501) 575-5725 FAX: (501) 575-7465 Dr. Richard Stuckey Director, NAWG Foundation 415 Second St. N.E. Suite 300 Washington, D.C. 20002 (202) 547-7800 FAX: (202) 546-2638 Great Plains Spring Wheat Region J. Smith, Chairman Spring Wheat Region Agripro Bioscience, Inc. 806 No. Second St., P.O. Box 30 Berthaud, CO 80513 (303) 532-3721 FAX: (303) 532-2035 Dr. Fred A. Cholick, Secretary Great Plains Spring Wheat Region Department of Plant Science South Dakota State University Brookings, SD 57007 (605) 688-4769 FAX: (605) 688-6065 Dr. Glen Statler Dept. of Plant Pathology North Dakota State University Fargo, ND 58105 (701) 237-7058 FAX: (701) 237-7851 Election of one representative Great Plains Winter Wheat Region Dr. W. D. Worrall, Chairman Great Plains Winter Wheat Region P.O. Box 1658 Vernon, TX 76384 (817) 552-9941 FAX: (817) 553-4657 Dr. C. J. Peterson, Secretary Great Plains Winter Wheat Region USDA-ARS Dept. of Agronomy University of Nebraska Lincoln, NE 68583 (402) 472-5191 FAX: (402) 437-5254 Dr. R. Bruns Agripro Bioscience, Inc. 806 No. Second St., P.O. Box 30 Berthaud, CO 80513 (303) 532-3721 FAX: (303) 532-2035 Dr. T. S. Cox USDA-ARS Throckmorton Hall, Rm. 421 Kansas State University Manhattan, KS 66506 (913) 532-5692 ------------------------- Western Wheat Region Dr. R. S. Zemetra, Chairman Dept. of Plant, Soil & Ent. Sci. University of Idaho Moscow, ID 83843 (208) 885-7810 FAX: (208) 885-7760 Dr. R. F. Line, Secretary Western Wheat Region USDA-ARS 361 Johnson Hall Washington State University Pullman, WA 99164 (509) 335-3755 FAX: (509) 335-7674 Dr. C.O. Qualset Dept. of Agronomy & Range Science University of California - Davis Davis, CA 95616 (916) 752-3265 Dr. R.E. Allan USDA-ARS Johnson Hall Washington State University Pullman, WA 99164 (509) 335-3632 FAX: (509) 335-8674 WHEAT CROP ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES College Park, MD November 7, 1990 By-Laws The new Wheat CAC by-laws were adopted by voice vote (see attached). Membership The new by-laws increase the Wheat CAC membership from 15 to 16 with the addition of one position for a wheat worker from Mexico. Dr. B. Skovmand will ask the national wheat program in Mexico to select a representative. Dr. J. P. Gustafson, Wheat CAC Chair, will ask the Canadian Expert Committee to select their representative as well. The only other open position was that vacated by Dr. Roy Cantrell. A list of possible candidates was drawn up. Dr. Gustafson will contact each of them and send out a ballot containing names of willing candidates to CAC members. Dr. Skovmand was elected to a second term on the CAC. Dr. Stan Cox was appointed Vice-Chair to fill the office vacated by Dr. Cantrell. A letter from Dr. R. R. Kalton, Vice Chair of the Public Research Advisory Committee of the American Seed Trade Association, suggesting an increase in private sector membership on the wheat CAC, was read. Because (1) the Wheat CAC by-laws state that there must be "at least one" representative for industry, (2) there was seen to be no inherent difference in the interests of public and private wheat workers in the area of germplasm, and (3) a broad coverage of scientific disciplines was considered the most important membership criterion, it was decided not to alter the by-laws or current membership to increase industry involvement. Wheat Genetic Stocks Collection Dr. C. F. Murphy reported that Dr. H. L. Shands has made $12,000 available for maintenance and distribution of wheat genetic stocks. The money will go into Dr. Gustafson's CRIS unit and be distributed in small amounts (averaging ca. $2000, not to exceed $4000) to North American programs that develop and maintain aneuploid and other genetic stocks. Acceptance of money by wheat workers will imply that they will (1) make annual, public reports on the stocks available in their collections and (2) make seed of stocks freely available to other wheat workers. The CAC adopted a resolution (attached) supporting the establishment of a system of North American Wheat Genetic Stocks Centers and a CAC subcommittee that will make recommendations on administering funds and dissemination of information. Dr. C. O. Qualset will get in touch with the various genetic stocks groups in the U.S. and Canada to (1) inform them that money is available and (2) tell them that the wheat CAC supports the formation of the Centers. Dr. J. G. Waines reported on the need to collect wild relatives of wheat, especially Aegilops speltoides, in "islands" of basaltic soils in Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon. He emphasized A. speltoides, based on evidence that it is the female parent of "BBAA" tetraploids. Dr. Murphy encouraged the wheat CAC, as he does others, to initiate ideas on collecting to submit to the National Plant Germplasm System and the National Program Staff of USDA-ARS. He further noted that some CAC's have developed year-by-year strategic plans. A subcommittee comprising Drs. Waines and Skovmand was appointed to formulate a strategic plan, including an initial proposal to collect A. speltoides and other species in the areas noted earlier by Dr. Waines. Dr. Murphy will consult with Dr. Calvin Spurling. Report from CIMMYT Dr. Skovmand reported that CIMMYT's entire germplasm collection is now karnal bunt-free and that all future seed multiplication will be done in a 20,000 ft2 screenhouse. CIMMYT is collecting old Spanish land races in Mexico and has a joint mission with the Canadians to collect barley and wheat in Tibet. (Dr. Waines emphasized the importance of collecting more dwarf and long-coleoptile land races, many of which apparently aren't in our collections.) CIMMYT will produce an update on the Oregon cultivar abbreviation book by next year. Abbreviation guidelines, will be submitted for the next Wheat Newsletter. There has been little progress on the pedigree management system. Prof. Zeven's "14,000 Pedigrees" book has been computerized and will be consolidated with another 6,000 pedigrees in a new, expanded list. The new list will be distributed on diskette. Dr. Bockelman distributed a list of descriptors for wheat accessions in the National Small Grains Collection (see attached), with frequencies of accessions having each descriptor value, as had been proposed by the CAC. The committee received a progress report from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) system, with a list of Triticum accessions receiving PI numbers in 1990. The list does not include ca. 200 Aegilops accessions collected by Drs. R. J. Metzger and G. Kimber. Dr. Gustafson reported that these are being regenerated in two new greenhouses at Columbia. Germplasm Importation Dr. Peterson distributed a proposal (for information purposes) to increase karnal bunt-free CIMMYT nurseries (totalling either 500 or 840 entries, depending on seed availability, at a cost of $7,000 to $14,000) at Yuma, AZ in 1990-91 for distribution to all interested workers. Dr. R. F. Line noted that the situation with respect to flag smut was improving considerably due to ARS-APHIS communication. Core Collections The CAC concluded that much more research is still needed before the value of designating "core collections" can be judged. Dr. Murphy pointed out that for traits that can be screened quickly and cheaply, the entire collection should be and is being screened. Germplasm Enhancement Proposal Dr. Murphy noted that there is still no pool of money for which to submit a wheat germplasm enhancement proposal. The 1988 wheat CAC proposal will be distributed and updated in time for the 1991 meeting. Future Meetings The Wheat CAC will continue to meet in conjunction with the National Wheat Improvement Committee. Attachments: By-laws Genetic Stocks Resolution (to come from Ian Edwards) NSGC Report GRIN Report ------------------------- BY-LAWS FOR THE WHEAT CROP ADVISORY COMMITTEE NAME: The official name for the advisory committee concerning all species of Triticum shall be the Wheat Crop Advisory Committee. FUNCTION: To gather a body of scientists and advisors on wild and cultivated species of Triticum and other related genera to provide technical advice on germplasm collection, maintenance, enhancement, and evaluation for the curator of the wheat collection, scientists of industry and public research pro- grams, the National Plant Genetics Resources Board (NPGRB), National Plant Germplasm Committee (NPGC), Administrators of the USDA-ARS, the State Agricultural Experiment Stations, and other public and private institutions. OBJECTIVES: 1. Provide a strategic overview of the total national effort to study and utilize germplasm of Triticum and related genera. Recommend means for organizing activities that would benefit the national program on the acquisition, maintenance, evaluation and enhancement of wheat germplasm. 2. Assess the adequacy of wheat germplasm available to the scientific community and make recommendations to the National Plant Germplasm System for broadening the present germplasm base by additional acquisition through exploration and exchange. 3. Help develop guidelines for the effective maintenance of wheat introductions. 4. Make recommendations for evaluation of wheat collection for priority descriptors and to update the descriptor list as changes occur. 5. Consider needs for fundamental and applied studies to increase genetic variability in wheat and identify promising approaches and enhancement opportunities. 6. Assess current breeding status, progress, and the role germplasm resources play in improving levels of pest resistance and other characteristics of economic importance. 7. Assess the impact of biotechnology and genetic engineering on wheat germplasm resource needs and utilization. 8. Provide a means for industry researchers to express needs for wheat germplasm resources and their utilization. 9. Develop reports for the NPGRB, the NPGC, and the National Program Staff of ARS on ongoing germplasm activities, resource needs, and status of evaluation, enhancement, and exploration plans. 10. Develop better international wheat germplasm cooperation. 11. Encourage greater cooperation among industry, federal, state, and other scientists for exchange of germplasm and information and for disseminating information from scientists to commodity groups. MEMBERSHIP: The Wheat Crop Advisory Committee (Wheat CAC) will consist of 16 members. The Curator of the Small Grains Collection, the coordinator of wheat germplasm evaluation, a representative of the National Program Staff, and a representative from the USDA Germplasm Services Laboratory will serve as ex officio members. These ex officio members will have full voting privileges but may not hold committee offices. Representatives from the IBPGR, the NPGRB, the Regional Plant Introduction Stations, APHIS, the NWIC, and others may serve as consultants for resource purposes. These participants are not voting members of the Wheat CAC. The remaining 12 committee members will be elected to the committee to represent various geographical and/or scientific disciplines as follows: 1. Researchers from State Agriculture Experiment Stations and USDA. Seven representatives to provide geographical representation of the major wheat growing regions and span important scientific disciplines. 2. Researcher(s) from the wheat industry. At least one representative. 3. Representative from CIMMYT wheat program. One representative. 4. Researcher from Canada. One representative. 5. Researcher from Mexico. One representative. 6. One member to represent Rye and Triticale germplasm. Members of the Wheat CAC will be elected to 3-year terms and may serve no more than two consecutive terms. Members unable to attend 2 consecutive meetings will be replaced. After an absence of at least one year from the committee, a former 2-term member is eligible for membership again. A Chair and Vice Chair will be elected for 3-year terms. Election process will consist of nomination after annual meeting followed by ballot in the mail. Vice Chair responsible for recording minutes at the annual meetings. New members of the Wheat CAC will be chosen by the existing committee according to the prescribed procedures and in consultation with appropriate industry, federal or university groups. ------------------------- II. CONTRIBUTIONS AGRIPRO BIOSCIENCES, INC. Koy Miskin*, Curtis Beazer - Brookston, IN; Barton Fogleman*, Erwin Ridge; Jonesboro, AR. Rob Bruns*, John Moffatt*, Joe Smith*, Jim Reeder* - Berthoud, CO Northern Soft Red Winter Wheat. An unusually warm late winter followed by severe late spring freeze caused severe damage to many soft wheat cultivars. The most severe damage occurred on early and/or vigorously growing cultivars and to cultivars that had been over fertilized. The freeze damage also predisposed the plants to severe disease infections. The most severe damage occurred in a band from about Terre Haute, IN to the Missouri bootheel While many acres of wheat were lost in this area the more northern areas of the eastern soft wheat region had very excellent yields. AgriPro will release ABI 85-81 in 1991. It will be named later this year. It offers very high yield with early maturity. It will provide excellent protection against wheat spindle streak mosaic virus and stem rust. Very good protection is provided against powdery mildew, Septoria nodorum, Rhizoctonia and soil-borne mosaic virus and good protection against barley yellow dwarf virus, wheat streak virus, Septoria tritici, leaf rust and scab. However, it has no known genes for Hessian fly. The milling and baking quality of ABI 85-81 are very good and good, respectively. Southern Soft Winter Wheat. Planting conditions were generally favorable in the 1989-90 southern soft wheat region. Despite a frigid December that killed crepe myrtle and other shrubs to the ground, there was little differential winter-kill in our plots. December was followed by a mild and wet period that lasted into early spring and interfered with the application and uptake of spring fertilizer. The wet weather provided an epidemic of bacterial leaf stripe which left little green tissue for the septoria and leaf rust infections that followed. Head scab was also prevalent in the region. Harvest weather was favorable, but test weights were low and some elevators were paying a premium for high test weight wheat. Some of the best test weights in the region were from fields of AgriPro Magnum and AgriPro Hunter. ABI 86-5941 will be released in 1991. It will be named later. It offers very high yield and medium maturity. Excellent protection is provided to stem rust and very good protection to leaf rust, scab, septoria nodorum and Wheat spindle streak mosaic virus. Good protection is provided to soil-borne mosaic virus and barley yellow dwarf virus. ABI 86-5941 carries the H6 gene for Hessian fly resistance. Milling quality is excellent and baking quality is very good. A new cultivar, CHEROKEE, was released in 1990. It was formerly ABI 85-1 (or ABI 85*1). It has excellent stem rust, stripe rust, powdery mildew, SBMV and WSSMV resistance, has very strong medium-tall straw and awned heads. It is early and has a 5-6 week vernalization requirement which should help it resist spring "bolting". AgriPro Cherokee's primary area of adaptation is the mid-south region and it is intended to replace AgriPro Magnum. Our new mid-south wheat breeding station is "up and running" and M. Erwin Ridge has joined ABI as a Research Assistant. We have purchased a building and lot and are currently remodeling the building to add a seed lab, additional storage space and a grain dryer. Hard Red Winter Wheat. Tom Griess has been added to the hard winter wheat staff providing computer and technical support. The 1989/90 crop year was an excellent wheat year overall. Seven of twelve trial sites were harvested for yield. We were able to evaluate materials for wheat spindle streak mosaic virus complex at Everest, KS and soil-borne mosaic virus at Grant, NE (western Nebraska). Our materials were also evaluated for coleoptile length, straw strength, green leaf retention, and resistances to leaf rust, stem rust, powdery mildew, speckled leaf blotch. Selected materials were evaluated for tan spot, wheat streak mosaic virus and Hessian fly resistance. No new releases will be made in 1991. Hard Red Spring Wheat. The hard red spring wheat project personnel consist of Joe A. Smith, Breeder; John Martin, Assistant Breeder; Barb Cook, Technician; Linda Sizemore, Technician. Similar to last season, our 1990 results reflected the drought conditions of the past three seasons in our Red River Valley sites. Low subsoil moisture caused more variation and lower yields than past averages. Three of the five sites were harvested for yield. The trial means ranged from 4100 kg/ha at St. Thomas, ND to 5100 kg/ha at Stephen, MN. Our discarded nursery at Casselton, ND received 30% hail damage at heading followed by severe bacterial infection. Our other discarded nursery at Crookston, MN suffered from tremendous field variation due to drought. Overall, disease was minimal except for moderate leaf rust infections on early generation materials which were late-planted in mid-May. We have decided to release the hard red spring wheat 'Dalen' to our Associates in 1991. Certified seed will be available in the Upper Midwest for the 1992 season. This cultivar was previously tested as N86-0903. It is a semidwarf with medium-early maturity. Its height is similar to Marshall. It has very good levels of disease protection to leaf and stem rust. Its protein is slightly below Len. Dalen appears to be well adapted across the spring wheat region. Hybrid Wheat Development. The Hybrid Wheat Development Project includes Jim Reeder, Manager, Curtis Beazer - Assistant Plant Breeder for SRWW based in Brookston, IN, and Steve Askelson - Assistant Plant Breeder for hard wheats. Over 1600 hybrids of HRWW, HRSW and SRWW were made in 1990 at Berthoud, CO, Brookston, IN, and Jonesboro, AR. Chemical hybridizing agent technology was used to produce these hybrids. The high percentage that proved to be producible will be yield tested in 1990 throughout each appropriate region. Yields of previously made hybrids were encouraging. The yield stability of hybrids over locations and over years continues to be high. During the 1991 season, out-location test hybrid production will begin in anticipation of full production as CHA's become registered. ------------------------- AGRONOMIX SOFTWARE, INC. Dieter K. Mulitze - Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada Agronomix Software, Inc., is a PC software development and consulting firm specializing in the software needs of agronomic research and plant breeding. The major activity of the company has been the on-going software development of AGROBASE/4. A growing number of wheat breeders, and plant breeders of many other crops, are now using AGROBASE/4 in their breeding programs in well over 20 countries. The major objective of the company is to provide wheat breeders and plant breeders of other crops with powerful and state-of-the-art database technology. The special pedigree data management commands of AGROBASE/4 use the USDA nomenclature proposed by Purdy et al. (1968, Crop Science 8:405-406) for small grains. With more wheat breeders using 286- or 386-based microcomputers with larger hard drives, and significant improvements in dBASE-compatible database technology, we feel that AGROBASE/4 can make an even greater contribution towards the software support of wheat research. AGROBASE/4 1.0 is written in dBASE-compatible FoxPro (Fox Software, Inc.), and can process database files with up to one billion records and 255 database fields. With the release of FoxPro 2.0 running at around 200 times (and in some instances over 3,000 times) the speed of dBASE IV (Ashton-Tate, Inc.), a significant amount of database processing power will be available to wheat researchers through the next forthcoming version of AGROBASE/4. San Antonio, Texas. Agronomix Software displayed a commercial booth at the Oct. 21-24 ASA meeting in San Antonio, Texas. A demonstration of AGROBASE/4 generated considerable interest, from both the public and private sector. Many researchers expressed interest in the ability to trace data on segregating populations through any or all generations in a breeding program. Although the COLLECT command and index files can perform that function, the next version of AGROBASE/4 will have additional commands to further support wheat research in that respect. Among other features, many researchers appreciated the ability to design their own fieldbooks and labels within AGROBASE/4. AGROBASE/4 was also demonstrated during the computer software scene in the database management section chaired by Dr. E.J. Dunphy. Campinas, Brazil. Dr. Mulitze travelled to Brazil to give lectures and practical sessions on "The Use of AGROBASE/4 in Plant Breeding Experiments" at the "Second FAO/IAEA Workshop on Improvement of Rice and Other Cereals Through Mutation Breeding in Latin America" at Campinas, Brazil, Nov. 19-23, 1990. Researchers at this workshop represented Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay. Reports on wheat research were given by scientists from Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, and Uruguay. After working with AGROBASE/4 in the course, most researchers plan to adopt it in their research programs. The course was co-ordinated by Prof. Maluszynksi of the Plant Breeding Section, Joint FAO/IAEA Division, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria. A more advanced AGROBASE/4 course is planned for the next workshop in September 1991 at Toluca, Mexico. FoxPro 2.0 An important development in the world of dBASE-compatible database technology is the release of the still faster and more powerful FoxPro 2.0 from Fox Software. With FoxPro 2.0 normally up to 200 times the speed of dBASE IV (and in some instances over 3,000 times) due to its recently developed Rushmore technology, AGROBASE/4 1.1 will also be faster and more powerful. Under FoxPro 2.0, direct access to Lotus 1-2-3, Excel(Version 2), Symphony, and Framework II spreadsheet files will be supported. For wheat researchers using those file formats, it means that less time will be spent moving data between software packages. Also, a well-integrated and powerful SQL (Structured Query Language) and RQBE (Relational Query by Example) implementation of FoxPro 2.0 will be especially useful for germplasm selection and analyses. Next Version of AGROBASE/4 Under Development. Additional new features for the next version will include an extensive graphics subsystem; more statistical functions, including multivariate and additional non-parametric procedures; additional options within the GXE command; support for diallel analysis; and increased support for multi-trait selection. Version 1.1 of AGROBASE/4 is scheduled for release in October of 1991, and will be demonstrated at the 1991 ASA Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado. Publications Mulitze, D.K. 1990. AGROBASE/4: A Microcomputer Database Management and Analysis System for Plant Breeding and Agronomy. Agronomy Journal Vol. 82(5):1016-1021. ------------------------- CARGILL HYBRID SEEDS Sid Perry, Dave Johnston, Jill Handwerk, Sally Clayshulte and Dana Shellberg - Fort Collins, Colorado, USA Hybrid evaluation. Several hundred hybrids were evaluated in tests located in Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Texas. These hybrids consisted of both CMS and CHA type. Conditions were favorable for selection for leaf diseases and grain fill. Of first year hybrids, 65 were selected for further evaluation, on the basis of wide adaptation and performance superior to the best check. Inbred Evaluation. The breeding program is continuing efforts to concentrate on early selection for combining ability, partitioning into appropriate heterotic groups, and inbred modification. 1990 provided some interesting insights. We are maintaining our levels of restoration and are broadening the germplasm base in R-lines. We have ceased sterile conversion of B-lines and use CHA instead. Germplasm Evaluation. Several hundred new lines, varieties, and landraces were evaluated for adaptation, potential combining ability, and heterotic disposition. New breeding lines developed through this evaluation should be observed in hybrid combination in the next two years. Hybrid Production. Several thousand hybrids were produced with CHA and CMS. Female production levels averaged 40 bu/A, with a high of 80 bu/A. CMS and CHA production levels were comparable. Argentina was also utilized to produce winter hybrids satisfactorily. ------------------------- Nestor Machado, Pedro Paulucci and Hector Martinuzzi - Cargill - S. A. Argentina In 1990, Cargill Argentina commercially released its 5th hybrid wheat. It is estimated that 80,000 ha were planted with hybrid wheat in our country. During the season, some cold damage was reported at tillering state in different production areas and also some drought periods affected the crops. Diseases wee not very important in farmer's fields. Hybrids in general showed very good reaction to these adversities and compared very well with the best commercial varieties. An elite group of hybrids were tested in 12 different locations and data are being analyzed now and will be used next March to select new releases for 1991. The main selection criteria for these hybrids are adaptability and stability. Another group of experimental hybrids were evaluated in regular yield trials in three nurseries and two planting dates and all were harvested. (250 hybrids, 25 yield trials). Three hundred CMS hybrids were produced in isolated plots with variable results, due to some frost damage at heading time. Breeding material was selected under fairly good conditions. Both the Winter and Spring lines grew satisfactorily in their respective planting dates from June to August. The B/A conversion program was accomplished in the greenhouse and in the field according to the original program. Gametocide trials: Four isolated plots treated with Monsanto 21200 gametocide were conducted with good results. Approximately 2500 combinations have been obtained and will be used next season to test combining ability. Even though our program has no limitations in the use of CMS system originated from T. timopheevi, the use of effective gametocides may enhance combining ability studies, speeding up parental lines selection. Resistance to diseases: One of the main characteristics of good hybrids is disease reaction, so it is necessary to have very precise information about parental line reaction in order to make the adequate combinations. A disease nursery using artificial inoculations was conducted in Pergamino by Cargill Plant Pathology Department. Fusarium sp, septoria, stem rust and leaf rust were present providing good information for the 1990 season. ------------------------- R. P. Daniel, D. Donaldson, M. J. Nowland, C. J. Tyson, M. Materne, D. J. Wilson and P. Wilson - Tamworth, N.S.W., Australia Hybrid Seed Production. Hybrid seed yields from a substantially increased area in 1990 averaged 3.5 t/ha compared with 3.2 t/ha in 1989. Provided this level of production can be maintained, the hybrid wheat seed production is an economically viable proposition. Hybrid Performance. Several new hybrids with significantly higher yields than hybrids, Meteor and Comet, were identified in 1990. However, the interactions between fertility restoration, environmental conditions and female genotype are still a major problem in the improvement of hybrids using the timopheevi system. New Appointment. Michael Materne has been appointed a "B-line Breeder" though it is expected he will become more widely involved in the hybrid breeding program in the future. Michael is a graduate of the Waite Institute Adelaide. ------------------------- HYBRITECH SEED INTERNATIONAL, INC. John Erickson, Karolyn Ely, Bud Hardesty, Steve Kuhr, Jerry Wilson - Wichita, KS, Gordon Cisar - Lafayette, IN 1990 was generally a good year for germplasm evaluation. Over 60,000 yield plots were harvested from 23 sites in the Great Plains. Adequate infection of leaf rust, stem rust, soil1borne mosaic virus, and wheat streak mosaic virus were encountered to permit differential reactions. Excessive heat and dry conditions stressed mid-to-late maturity types. About 5,000 new hybrids were produced utilizing both the CHA and CMS systems. We are now fully staffed after filling two assistant breeder positions in the SRW project and adding a new quality laboratory technician. We were fortunate to be able to hire Karolyn Ely to manage our quality laboratory. Karolyn previously had been with Pioneer. B-Line Project. Approximately 1450 hand crosses were made in the greenhouse in 1990, with emphasis upon the improvement of disease resistance. Nearly 1200 F2 or F3 selections were screened in the greenhouse for seedling reaction to leaf rust. Most of the materials which had expressed adult plant resistance in the field were rated as susceptible in the seedling screening. Development of SBMV in our F2 and F4 populations at Mt. Hope, KS was quite good, and an excellent outbreak of stem rust occurred at the Hastings, NE breeding site. Although we did not use artificial inoculation in 1990, leaf rust development was very good at Wichita and at Mt. Hope, KS. Lines with Siouxland heritage performed very well in preliminary yield trials in 1990. We look forward to seeing hybrids with these lines in 1991. Six advanced A-lines were transferred to our foundation seed division. Three of the lines are adapted to Nebraska and northward, while the other three are better suited for Kanas and Oklahoma. R-Line Project. R-line breeding nurseries are located in the Yellowstone Valley at Bilings, MT, in the Nebraska panhandle at Sidney, in western Kansas at Leoti, and in south-central Kansas at Wichita. Three-hundred, three-hundred fifty, and five-hundred F4 rows respectively from Billings, Leoti, and Wichita were advanced to first-year yield trials for 1991. Yield trials are located in Montana, South Dakota Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Restoration monitoring in lines and hybrids continues to be necessary. We attempt to rate hybrids at each testing site and the following chart summarizes several years of information: 1985-89 1990 No. of observations 7462 2253 Mean restoration value 1.99 2.28 1 = fertile 9 = sterile The use of CHA technology to enhance restorer line development expanded in 1990. Hand emasculations were eliminated in the greenhouse crossing program and some testing emphasis was shifted from lines to hybrids. Over 800 R-line CHA hybrids were made in field crossing blocks in 1989 and 625 were tested in 1990. Another 257 were produced in 1990 and are being tested in 1991. Emphasis continues on developing lines tolerant to RWA and resistant to leaf rust. We are able to turn 2 generations per year of this material in the greenhouse. Adaptation Project. Efforts continue to focus on the development of Russian Wheat aphid resistant lines. It has been noticed in our screening trials that resistance levels drop when more than one backcross is made with the recurrent parent. Six new sources of resistance have been entered on the computer. This does ot include any of the Hybrid nurseries or any of the samples sent from our Billings, Montana, station. Our total number of samples for the year should be considerably above last year's total of approximately 8,400 samples. SRW Breeding. A total of 1,667 soft red winter wheat hybrids were evaluated over five test locations in teh Corn Belt region in 1990. Approximately half of these were single-cross hybrids, and half were top-cross (F2-3 derived line * inbred male) hybrids. Average best-parent heterosis on 406 single- cross hybrid combinations was 103.8%. The most heterosis (best-parent) for a single hybrid averaged over five test locations was 116%. A total of 536 females and 23 males were used in an attempt to produce 2,146 unique hybrid combinations. We successfully produced 2,111 hybrids, abandoning only 35 hybrids (1.6%) due to unacceptable nick or poor sterility. Average female seed yield was 42.4 bushels per female acre, with a standard deviation of 13.0 bu/A. Average yield of 60 entries in our elite line tests on the same farm in 1990 was 64.8 bu/A. Our average seed yield in 1989 on 1,582 hybrids was 31.0 bu/A. Most of this difference of 11.4 bu/A can be attributed to more timely planting of the hybrid production (crossing block) nursery. Activity of the chemical hybridizing agent (MON 21200) continues to be excellent. Only two of 536 lines were not sterile in our 1990 crossing block nursery. We continue to select for hybrid production efficiency (cross-pollination) traits on both sides of the pedigree (male and female) and in all germplasm pools. This occurs concurrently with selection for agronomic and pathologic traits. A number of specific genes for pathogen resistance have been allocated to specific breeding pools, expecting to capitalize on the complementation of these different genes in the production of the hybrid. We have also initiated a small scale CMS effort. Several of our better B-lines are nearing conversion to A-lines, and we have begun incorporation of fertility restoration genes into one of our male germplasm pools. Personnel. We are pleased to have added two staff members to the soft wheat breeding program. Jamie Bobula accepted the position of managing our hybrid production (crossing block) program and our CMS breeding program. He comes to us with several years of experience from Western Plant Breeders and the Peace Corps. Gene Leach is managing line development on the female side of the hybrid pedigree. He received his M.S. degree in plant breeding from North Dakota State University, and is adapting well to the southern climate of north central Indiana. ------------------------- Dennis Dunphy, Sam Wallace, Richard Evans - Lafayette, IN; Leon Fischer, Kent Baker - Mt. Hope, KS; Geoff Keyes - St. Louis, MO Performance of MON 21200 in 1990. MON 21200 is being developed by Monsanto Co. as a chemical hybridizing agent (CHA) for wheat. MON 21200 continued to perform very well over a wide range of environments and genotypes in 1990. Excellent sterility was obtained in all regions. Seed yield in the SRW region was variable, but generally lower than average, with non-selected check lines in research plots averaging 47-64% outcrossing. Lines selected for good outcrossing ability averaged 70-93% at the same locations. Seed set in the western HRW region was again excellent, averaging 75-99%. Commercialization. Registration for MON 21200 is proceeding on schedule, and we do not foresee any obstacles at this time to receiving full registration for this compound. We are continuing to provide technical support for cooperating breeding programs that license the Monsanto CHA Technology, with a goal of being able to place wheat hybrids produced with MON 21200 on the market by the mid-1990's. Personnel. We are pleased to have Kent Baker and Richard Evans join our group to develop the MON 21200 production technology,. Excellent results were achieved with a fall flood irrigation of the Disease Observation Nursery to initiate a soilborne mosaic virus infection. Susceptible check varieties scattered throughout the nursery indicate a very uniform distribution of the Polymyxa graminis zoospores. Approximately 5400 lines were flood irrigated in the D.O.N. again this year. If adequate and uniform infections are observed this spring, we will continue with the screening of our hybrids and parental lines in subsequent years. Quality Lab. Personnel - Since last year's report there has been a complete turnover in the laboratory staff. Lab Manager, Marcia Gordon, left in August, 1990. She was replaced by Karolyn Ely who began with HybriTech in July. The new laboratory technicians are Joan Saddler who began in June, Sharon Pudden who joined us in September and Sylvia Fanning who was hired in January, 1991. Because of so many staff changes, considerable time has been spent in training, re-organizing files, etc. Equipment repairs have continued, with complete overhauls on both mixographs and on the Brabender Rapid Moisture Tester. We are looking critically at procedures with the intent of improving efficiency. The sedimentation test has been revised to a two-person procedure. With this method we can run over 300 samples in an eight-hour day vs. less than 200 samples in a nine-hour day with one person. We have changed the milling operation to collect break flour separately. Break Flour Yield is an important characteristic in soft wheat evaluation. Testing 1990 Crop - During the critical post-harvest/pre-planting period (July, August, September) the Lab processed 642 Observation Nursery samples and 5,370 Headrow Nursery samples. The Observation testing includes Jr. Milling, NIR and Mixograph on 100 g. samples. The Headrow testing, or Early Generation Screening, includes Udy Grinding, NIR and Sedimentation on 10 g. samples. ------------------------- NORTHRUP KING COMPANY Fred Collins*, June Hancock*, and Craig Allen* - Bay, AR Production Season. Like most years, the 1989-90 wheat growing season in the South was challenging. Conditions in the Southeast were generally favorable; the spring was relatively dry which favored wheat production. There was a major shift in race(s) of powdery mildew as evidenced by an intensive build-up on Coker 9733 which had previously been resistant. Actually there were a few reports of powdery mildew on the variety the previous season. The extremely wet spring and early April freeze caused major problems in the Mid-South and lower Corn Belt. Among the problems take-all was severe in some areas of S.Louisiana; bacterial leaf and head blight, Septoria tritici, S.nodorum, and scab were very severe over wide areas of Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, and S.Illinois. As the following data reflects, yield and head blight development were related to damage from the April freeze and, to a lesser extent, to severity of the soil-borne virus complex. Association of Spring Freeze Injury in Wheat with Winterhardiness, SBV, Heading Date, Head Blight, and Yield. FREEZE WINTER SOIL-BORNE Variety/Line INJURY HARDINESS VIRUS HEADING HEAD YIELD SCORE SCORE DATE BLIGHT BU/A ---------------- ------ --------- ---------- ------- ------ ----- AR 26415 5.7 8.0 5 04/18 7 36 BAYLES 6.0 - 6 04/15 - -- CALDWELL 4.3 9.4 7 04/21 9 32 CARDINAL 5.0 9.6 4 04/23 7 44 CHEROKEE 7.0 - 3 04/15 8 22 CLARK 3.7 9.2 2 04/15 7 40 COKER 747 4.7 8.6 4 04/19 4 24 COKER 833 6.0 8.0 1 04/20 3 45 COKER 916 5.7 8.0 3 04/14 8 38 COKER 983 6.7 4.2 4 04/15 8 40 COKER 9227 6.3 4.4 6 04/06 8 29 COKER 9323 6.3 6.2 6 04/08 7 32 COKER 9733 7.3 5.0 6 04/13 3 38 COKER 9766 6.7 7.4 3 04/16 5 27 COKER 9877 6.7 5.6 2 04/18 1 47 COKER 9024 5.0 7.6 2 04/18 1 42 COKER 9105 6.0 3.8 4 04/15 5 36 COKER 9803 5.7 8.4 3 04/10 2 55 C0KER 9835 6.0 6.6 5 04/14 8 37 COKER 9907 5.7 6.6 6 04/21 3 39 FFR 568 6.7 - 2 04/18 9 38 FLORIDA 302 7.8 5.4 6 04/14 7 34 FLORIDA 303 8.0 2.4 7 04/02 8 17 GEORGIA 100 7.7 7.2 4 04/16 9 26 HANCOCK 8.0 9.0 3 04/20 8 24 HART 9.0 9.2 1 04/20 8 -- HUNTER 7.7 - 3 04/04 5 32 KEISER 4.7 7.2 3 04/21 3 34 KY 83-38 6.7 - 3 04/19 8 33 MADISON 5.0 - 1 04/10 4 53 MAGNUM 7.3 9.2 5 04/14 8 23 MCNAIR 1003 6.3 6.8 5 04/18 8 34 MO 10501 5.7 9.4 3 04/21 8 36 PACER 8.0 9.4 3 04/20 5 16 PIKE 8.7 8.8 5 04/20 8 22 PIONEER BR. 2548 5.7 7.6 6 04/20 7 42 PIONEER BR. 2551 7.3 9.4 4 04/21 2 35 PIONEER BR. 2555 5.0 7.6 1 04/15 6 40 SALUDA 6.0 8.0 6 04/15 4 34 SAVANNAH 6.0 3.8 4 04/14 2 45 TERRAL NORRIS 101 6.3 - 3 04/20 2 23 TERRAL NORRIS 812 8.7 - 4 04/14 8 23 TERRAL NORRIS 817 5.7 - 4 04/10 5 37 TRAVELER 8.3 3.6 4 04/13 7 20 TWAIN 5.7 8.8 2 04/16 8 34 WAKEFIELD 6.3 - 4 04/18 4 52 LSD (.05) 1.8 1.1 1 3 9 V. (%) 19 12 15 2 15 Freeze Injury, Head Blight, and Yield Data are from 1990 Hopkinsville, KY test. Winter hardiness is from 1989 tests in upper Mid-South. Soil-borne virus is from 1990 Union City, TN test. Heading date is from 1990 Bay, AR test. SCORE: 0 = None (no freeze damage, complete winter kill, or no virus symptoms) 9 = Most CORRELATIONS r P ================================ ====== === Freeze injury - winter hardiness -0.222 .19 Freeze injury - SBV 0.201 .52 Freeze injury - heading date -0.158 .29 Freeze injury - head blight 0.250 .10 Freeze injury - yield -0.564 .00 Winter hardiness - yield 0.039 .83 SBV - Yield -0.296 .05 Heading date - Yield 0.069 .65 Head blight - Yield -0.422 .01 New Releases. Four new varieties were turned ovder to TGN (Two Great Names) dealers who produce and market certified seed of Northrup King varieties Coker 9907 and Coker 9835 were positioned primarily in the Southeast. Coker 9024 was sold in the Mid-South and Coker 9803 was placed primarily in the upper portion of the Mid-South. Coker 9105 will be released to TGN dealers in the Gulf Coastal region in the fall of 1991. Coker 9543 is the most recent release; it was tested as CL860426 and it should be a replacement for Coker 747. Personnel Changes. June Hancock, who had spent about 1.5 years on the cotton program, was transferred back into the wheat program. She will be responsible for germplasm-varietal development. Russell Sutton returned to his previous position at the Texas A&M research station near Dallas. ------------------------- ORSEM Ch. Quandalle - Pouy Roquelaure - 32480 La Romieu; S. Sunderwirth - 56 rue Th. Havy - 60190 Estrees St Denis; L. Batreau - Ferme de St. Germain - 28310 Fresnay L'Eveque Since our last contribution in 1989, several changes have occurred in our Wheat Breeding Program. Eighteen people are employed and work on three stations. Estrees St Denis is more involved in breeding hybrid and inbred wheat for Northern France and Europe. Pouy-Roquelaure is breeding inbred and hybrid wheat for Southern France and Europe. St. Germain is specialized in hybrid wheat development (seed production and agronomy). Besides these three major stations, ten other trial centers allow for a large experimentation program across France. The breeding effort represents 600 hand made crosses, 550,000 F2 plants, 70,000 head-rows, and 23,000 trial plots. This program includes 10,000 doubled haploid lines produced by a team of six people in Pouy-Roquelaure. The hybrid wheat program has 1,200 hybrids in trials. Another 1,600 combinations will be produced in 1991 with Orsan's C.H.A. SC 2053 in 52 crossing blocks. BE 80 ZX 028, a promising early maturing red winter wheat pure line cultivar, will finish official trials for Southern France in 1991. It should be released this fall. Entering into the first year of official trials in 1991 are two winter wheats cultivars (one red and one white), one triticale, and one barley. ------------------------- TRIO RESEARCH INC. James A. Wilson - Wichita, KS A hybrid blend yield test, involving the blending of R line, B line and F2 with single cross hybrid seed on a 50:50 weigh basis, was conducted this past year. Also, the single crosses and each of the R lines, B lines and F2's were grown in pure stands as checks for their respective blends. The top ten yielding entries having no significant difference in yield consisted of four singlecross hybrids, three blends, and three lines. The top two entries in yield in this forty-entry test were blends with one having a B line component and the other an F2 component. The data suggest that hybrid blends could be used in the development of "genetically protected" cultivars. Powdery mildew and leaf rust were the most damaging diseases encountered in our tests this past year. Mildew was very severe on some new varieties having high susceptibility. The absence of soil borne mosaic symptoms for the past three years on wheat grown in known soil borne infected soils is difficult to explain; possibly higher than normal early spring temperatures and lack of moisture in the fall are the reasons. The decline in the price of wheat relative to feed grains and parity create a difficult situation for the wheat producers. Though prices may eventually recover we believe that more options should be given to the wheat growers when the price is on the downside. Wheats developed with forage or graze-out options would be welcomed by many growers having connections with beef production. Others would likely welcome an option to use their crop as feed in port and/or beef production. With these concepts in mind we are continuing to increase our efforts toward developing wheats having unique traits that enable them to be more efficiently utilized as a feed or forage crop. We are maintaining our soft red winter and hard red winter breeding objectives but reducing the amount of off-station testing involving our own operations. Our current sequence of testing prior to release will involve federal and state yield tests. Several varieties and a hybrid were entered in federal tests in the fall of 1990. ------------------------- WESTERN PLANT BREEDERS Dale Clark, Craig Cook, Amy Baroch - Bozeman, MT; Kim Shantz, Michael DeVries - Tempe, AZ Hybrid Wheat. Western Plant Breeders (WPB) is field testing hard red wheat hybrids produced at Davis, CA., using CHA's developed by Sogetal, Inc., Hayward, CA. These hybrids are primarily semidwarf wheats adapted to irrigated production areas of California and Arizona. Replicated yield trials are being conducted at one location in Arizona and three locations in California. WPB is also field testing soft white winter hybrids produced at Amity, Oregon by Sogetal, Inc. These hybrids are in replicated yield trials at eight Pacific Northwest nurseries (4 in WA, 2 in ID, 1 in OR, and 1 in MT). New Releases. Western Plant Breeders has received approval to assign the following names to new releases described in AWN Volume 36. Our PNW spring durum (No. BU 884-206) is being named WestBred Pendur. The high yielding, high protein hard red wheat (No. DA 984- 034) targeted for the Anza, Yolo growing region is being named WestBred Express. Experimental No. PH 984-75, adapted to the areas of California and Arizona where Yecora Rojo is grown, is being named WestBred Accord. Cultivar Testing. WPB conducted yield trials in 1990 at 19 locations throughout the Western U.S. Four sites were fall-planted (irrigated) in AZ and CA, six sites were winter nurseries in the PNW, and nine sites were spring nurseries in the PNW. Although five of the PNW sites were dryland and were stressed for moisture in 1990, all 19 nurseries were harvested. Southern Nursery. WPB's primary southern research nursery is now located on the Maricopa Demonstration Farm at the University of Arizona, Maricopa Agricultural Center, Maricopa, AZ. Personnel. Michael DeVries has joined the Western Plant Breeders staff in Tempe, AZ, as a research assistant. Jamie Bobula left WPB to accept a position with Hybritech Seed International, Inc., Lafayette, IN. WPB wishes Jamie well in this new endeavor. ------------------------- ITEMS FROM ARGENTINA Institute of Genetics and of Biological Resources, INTA, Castelar Enrique Y. Suarez and Laura Bullrich Magnif 41 meiotic behaviour. Magnif 41 is a bread cultivar with a very abnormal microsporogenesis apparently as a consequence of spindle disturbances in the first meiotic division. This abnormal microsporogenesis resulted in a chaotic picture at the tetrad stage producing pollen grains of different sizes and the presence of micronuclei. Female meiosis seems also to be affected but to a lesser extent. High aneuploid frequency is observed in this cultivar resulting in chromosome number variation and structural mutations. Apparently the mitotic spindles are not affected. However, in the archesporial cells some disturbances were detected. The origin of this behaviour seems to be related to a chromosome mutation inherited as a recessive factor. Chromosome mutation might well be produced in the ancestors of Magnif 41, i.e., Sinvalocho M. A. and/or Mediterranean. However, the frequency of this mutation is higher in the Mediterranean than that in Sinvalocho M.A. ------------------------- A. Acevedo, E. Antonelli, L. Bullrich, E. Suarez and S. Feingold Rye introgression effects into Argentinean wheats. Various genetic traits of Argentinean wheats carrying or not 1Rs/1B1 translocation (new Argentinean varieties, lines and F3 segregant families) were compared. Concerning the lines carrying the rye segment they showed resistance to all leaf rust strains but one. Sedimentation test showed significant differences among lines and F3 families with the rye translocation from those without the translocation. In the varieties no relation was found between the appearance of the rye translocation and the sedimentation values. This behavior is probably due to low sedimentation values in the new Argentinean varieties. ------------------------- E. Y. Saurez and M. Arteaga Influence of meiotic abnormalities on grain condition in a commercial hybrid wheat. The first Argentinean hybrid wheat carries a heterozygous reciprocal translocation. This structural mutation was associated to the production of aneuploid plants and wrinkled grains. Even when the sample were composed by normal grains 4.2% of them were aneuploid. On the other hand the sample with wrinkled grains had 19.8% of aneuploid. ------------------------- G. W. Covas (Jr.), E. Y. Saurez and J. Safont Lis. Pleiotropic vs. linkage effects for 4D chromosome of wheat. Using the modified "Backcross reciprocal monosomic" method chromosome effects were analyzed in several Argentinean cultivars. Old varieties and semidwarf (Rht2) genotypes were included. Twenty seven reciprocals were evaluated for plant height, grain weight, spike length, ear emergence time, spikelet number per ear grain number per spikelet, tiller number and yield. A constant and significant association was observed only between Rht2 chromosome with reduction in plant height, grain weight and spike length. Other traits showed no association or both positive and negative association indicating gene linkage more than a pleiotropic effect. ------------------------- M. Arteaga and E. Y. Suarez Comparative performance of Triticum timopheevi and T. peregrinum cytoplasm in hybrid combinations. Four commercial T. timopheevi cytoplasm hybrids (CH) were compared with three F1 hybrid genotypes (HG) carrying T. peregrinum cytoplasm and 1B-1Rs: 1B nucleus. Plant height (PH), fertility (F), grain weight (GW) and productivity (P) were measured. (Table 1). IN CH were included heterozygous genotypes with Rht genes, while in the case of HG were included only heterozygous genotypes. Fertility was measured on both of the basal flowers of the central spikelets showing that few plants in two out of four CH hybrids were completely male sterile while only one HG hybrid showed a very reduced fertility in all the plants. The HG group was produced from non-evaluated varieties for combining ability or restorer capacity. Table 1. C H and H G Performance PH (cm) F (%) GR (mg) P (g) C H 88.7 81-94 90.7 82-97 40.9 38-43 30.3 24-36 H G 103.4 99-108 81.7 54-99 38.4 38-39 25.4 18-33 ------------------------- E. Y. Suarez and G. Tranquilli Dosage effect and the concept of dominance and recessiveness. True dominance is not known to occur at the molecular level. However at a higher level of biological organization dominant alleles are "alleles which are manifest in all heterozygous heterokaryotic or heterogenotic members of the first filial generation (F1) from a cross between two homozygous (pure breeding) strains differing with respect to these characters" (Rieger, Michaelis and Green, 1976). When Chinese Spring (CS), susceptible to Argentinean clone 66 of Puccinia recondita, was crossed with Sinvalocho M. A. (SV) (resistant to this strain), the F1 was susceptible. Therefore following the definition stated above, the Lr 3 alleles from Chinese Spring were dominant. However a susceptible reaction was also observed when the CS allele was absent as it happened in SV monosomic 6B or in the F1 produced by crossing CS (monosomic 6B) with SV (euploid). In contrast when crossing these varieties with a higher dosage of Lr3 gene (6B tetrasomic SV with 6B tetrasomic CS), the F1 was resistant to clone 66 of Puccinia recondita. The behaviour of Lr3 allele from SV in this case from clearly dominant. The confusion arises by using the Mendelian misconcept of dominance and recessiveness in plant pathogen interaction or in other characters, i.e., the response to the gene control of gibberellic acid, etc. Alleles dosage concept is more accurate for understanding these phenomena. Similar conclusion can be reached considering dosage for all other genes, except for the presence of co-dominant alleles. On the other hand over-dominance if it exists is not known whether it occurs for most genes. Miscellaneous. Monosomic series of Sinvalocho M. A. is available (except for a few chromosomes), also the substitution lines of Sinvalocho chromosomes into Chinese Spring are available. Sinvalocho tetrasomic 6B was also obtained and a reciprocal translocation 1Bs/6Bs-1B1/6B1 also in Sinvalocho background. Publications Suarez, E. Y., and Bullrich, L. 1990. Meiotic spindle disturbances in a commercial bread wheat cultivar. Cytologia 55:79-86. Acevedo, A., Antonelli, E., Bullrich, L., Suarez, E. and Feingold, S. Rye introgression effects into Argentinean wheats. (2nd Int. Triticale Sym. Passo Fundo, Brazil, 1990 in press). Covas, G. F., Suarez, E. Y., and Safont Lis, J. 1990. Pleiotropismo vs genes ligados para interpretar el efecto del cromosoma 4D de trigo en diferentes componentes de rendimiento. 2do Congreso Nacional de Trigo. Pergamino, Argentina, 1990; II:91-100. Lenscak, M. P., Leon, A. J. and Suarez, E. Y. 1990. Empleo de lineas de sutitucion de trigo para la evaluacion precisa del caracter periodo a espigazon. 2do. congreso Nacional de Trigo. Pergamino, Argentina. 1990. II:75-90. Suarez, E. Y., and Arteaga, M. 1990. Influence of meiotic abnormalities on grain condition in a commercial hybrid wheat. Cer. Res. Comm., 18(1-2):27-31. ------------------------- Ruth A. Heinz, Mariana Del Vas, Laura C. Moratinos, Ewald A. Favret, H. Esteban Hopp Gene-for-gene specific mRNA activities in wheat leaves infected with leaf rust. It is now well established that the ability of plants to resist pathogen attack is dependent on the genotypes of both organisms. In a gene-for-gene or better, allele-for-gene interaction (1-4) a host will be resistant or susceptible to a particular pathogen race depending on the reaction alleles that interact with virulence genes in the pathogen. In addition, host-pathogen interaction is an active process dependent on RNA and protein synthesis which is the result of transcriptional activation of specific genes. The interaction between Triticum aestivum and Puccinia recondita tritici provides an excellent model to analyze specific relationships due to the well established knowledge on the involved genes in the context of genetically related genotypes of both host and pathogen. A criss-cross host-pathogen interaction system has been developed (5-8) in which wheat lines with very homogeneous genetic backgrounds carry genes that react differentially with closely related clones of P. recondita tritici. Interactions are summarized in the table. We have previously shown an association between synthesis of polypeptides and specific interactions in wheat seedlings infected with these characterized pathogenic races of wheat rust (9-10). Seedlings were grown in hydropoinia following the sandwich method (11). Eight-day-old seedlings were inoculated with spores or solely with talc (controls) in humid chambers. RNA was isolated by phenol-chloroform extraction followed by LiCl2 and ethanol precipitation. mRNA activity was evidenced by translation using a commercial rabbit 1ysate. Specific induction of mRNA species was detected towards the third day of the infection process in time course "in vitro" translation experiments. This observation is in agreement with previous results showing changes in the levels of polypeptide bands (10). At least two specific mRNAs which code for polypeptide bands of 34 and 24 kDa could be associated with the compatible interaction mediated by genes A1/A2 from Gamma 1R wheat lines and virulence gene p1/p2 of rust race FO1. Comparisons made using mutant clone of rust FO3 which elicits an inverse criss-cross relationship with the same wheat lines, are consistent with the idea of specificity of the detected changes. Table: Pathogenic relationship between isogenic lines of wheat and clones of leaf rust. Clones of Leaf Rust FO1 FO2 FO3 Isogenic wheat lines Sinvalocho M.A. + - - Gamma 1R - - + [+] represents compatible interaction [-] represents incompatible interaction ------------------------- Laura C. Moratinos, Ruth A. Heinz, Ewald A. Favret, H. Esteban Hopp Induction of a specific protein of 84 kDa in the host pathogen interaction between Triticum aestivum and Erysiphe graminis tritici. Similarly to other mildews, wheat mildew exhibits the occurrence of several physiological races with extreme specialization with respect to differential virulence to genetic variants of the host following gene for-gene, or better allele-for-gene, relationships. Theoretically, any reaction controlled by a single gene should involve, initially at least, a single gene function. Favret (1) postulated the presence of host genes controlling metabolic products that interfere with pathogen development. A characterization of the products synthesized during infection with mildew would enhance our understanding of specific host-pathogen interactions from a molecular perspective. To this end a host pathogen interaction system involving the wheat cultivar Chul and genetically related mildew clones have been developed (see Table). Pathogenic variants were obtained by mutagenesis with ethylmethane sulfonate (EMS) (2,3). Eight-day-old seedlings grown under controlled conditions (4) were inoculated with spores of the two mildew races. At different times after infection leaves were excised for pulse labelling experiments in the presence of 356-methionine (4). Time-course modifications of polypeptide synthesis was followed by SDS-PAGE and subsequent fluorography. Changes in polypeptide synthesis rate could roughly be quantitated by densitometry of the fluorographic bands. (Figure). Fluorograms show that an early induction of an 84 kDa polypeptide band was evident in the compatible interaction. Interestingly a correlative decrease in the same band was evident in the incompatible combination (see figure), suggesting that it might be related to this particular gene-for-gene interaction. Furthermore, this induction in the compatible system and parallel repression in the incompatible one, occurs during a physiological stage (between 10 and 27 hours after infection) which is thought to be determinative in the establishment of the interaction. Table 1. Pathogenic relationship between lines of wheat and genetically related mildew clones. ------ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Wheat Lines Interaction Mildew Clones ------ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lemhi compatible wild type Chu1 incompatible wild type Chu1 compatible mutant - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dr. QUICK: leave room here for figure 1 REFERENCES Flor, H. H. 1942. Inheritance of pathogenicity in a cross between physiologic races 22 and 24 of Melampsora lini. Phytopathology 32, 653-669. Flor, H. H. 1955. Host-parasite interactions in flax rust, its genetics and another implications. Phytopathology 45, 680-685. Favret, E. A. 1969. The host-pathogen system and its genetic relationships. In Barley Genetics II. Proceedings of the 2nd Intern. Barley Genetics Symposium. pp. 457-471. Pullman, Washington. Favret, E. A. 1971. The host-pathogen system and its genetic relationships. In Barley Genetics II, Proc. 2nd Intern. Barley Genetics Symposium. pp. 457- 471. Pullman, Washington, U.S.A. Favret, E. A. 1965. Induced mutations in breeding for disease resistance. In Reports of the Meeting of FAO/IAEA: The Use of Induced Mutations in Plant Breeding. pp. 521-5267. Pergamon Press, London, U.K. Favret, E. A., Cenoz, H. P., Silvero Sanz, S. I., Solari, R. M. and Mujica, F. L. 1969. Efecto de posicion inducido en trigo para reaccion a las royas. In Induced Mutations in Plants. pp. 123-133, IAEA/FAO, Pullman, Washington. Franzone, P. M. and Favret, E. A. 1982. Mutations for pathogenicity in wheat leaf rust Puccinia recondita var. tritici induced by ethyl-methane sulphonate. Phytopathologishes Zeitschrift 2. 104, 289-298. Suarez, E. Y. and Favret, E. A. 1984. Reaction to leaf rust of a "Sinvalocho" wheat gene in hemizygous condition. Zeitschrift fur Pflanzenzuchtung 92, 289- 294. Heinz, R. A. and Hopp, H. E. 1986. Molecular changes in wheat infected with Puccinia recondita tritici. In Actas del Primer Congreso Nacional de Trigo, Vol. IV, pp. 77-81. Pergamino, Argentina. Heinz, R. A., Hopp, H. E. and Favret, E. A. 1990. Proteins associated with specific host-pathogen relationships in infections with wheat rust. Plant Cell Physiology 31(8). In press. Myhill, R. R. and Konzak, C. F. 1967. A new technique for culturing and measuring barley seedlings. Crop Sci. 7, 275-276. Favret, E. A., Franzone, P. M. and Fischbeck, G. 1983. Differential reaction to powdry mildew (Erysiphe graminis) in coleoptile and first leaf of wheat seedlings. Z. Pflanzenzucht 90:339-342. ------------------------- Sergio E. Feingold and H. Esteban Hopp Relationship of bread-making quality and HMW glutenin subunit composition in two old Argentine varieties. Knowledge on the molecular basis of the bread-making quality increased remarkably in the last ten years (1), and stressed the importance of high molecular weight (HMW) glutenins. Some of these glutenins were extensively characterized by nucleotide sequencing of their genes which are located in the homoeologous chromosome group 1 (1) Specific subunits conferred different physical properties to the dough, such as elasticity and strength (vg. subunits 5+10 render strong dough, while 2+12 render weak dough (2)). Nucleotide sequence analysis further support the involvements of these protein subunits in this behavior. Accordingly, a quality score based on HMW glutenin subunit composition was defined. It was named like the loci that contain the HMW glutenin subunit genes, the Glu-1 quality score (3). A reevaluation program of old Argentine varieties released between 1912 and 19890 is underway including the analysis of several physiological and quality parameters (4,5,6,7). Bread-making quality was tested by the SDS-sedimentation test as described (8) and Glu-1 quality score by identification of HMW glutenin subunit composition after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in presence of SDS (SDS-PAGE) (9) and comparison to known European variety standards. Surprisingly, screening of varieties for bread-making quality revealed that the Glu-1 quality score could not be associated to the SDS- sedimentation test values for some genotypes. This was particularly evident for two genetically non-related varieties: the old Klein 32 released in 1930, and the more recent Buck Manatial (from 1964), both are traditional germplasm varieties, and showed good bread-making quality compared with known good bread-making quality European standards (see Table). Among the main distinctive features it was observed that: 1) HMW glutenin subunits extensively reported to be inherited as couples were found to occur as single bands. 2) The 2+12 couple did not diminish SDS-sedimentation value as it occurs in modern varieties. 3) High SDS-sedimentation test values cannot be attributed to the presence of enough HMW glutenins subunits known for their positive contribution to this value. 4) These results led to the presumption that some subunits do not contribute to dough strength in the same manner that they do in the European varieties where they have been defined. 5) This behavior could be attributed to i) low molecular weight glutenins or gliadins affecting bread-making quality (11, 12), or ii) the identified HMW glutenin subunits have similar mobility in 1-D SDS-PAGE but have different biochemical properties. 6) Genetic cross analysis combined with 2-D electrophoresis to correlate segregation of banding patterns to bread making quality are in course to elucidate this point. Table 1. SDS-sedimentation test values, HMW glutenin subunit composition and GLU-1 quality score of two Argentinian wheat varieties. SDS-sedimentation HMW glutenin Glu-1 quality Varieties test values (mm) subunit composition score Klein 32 12.0 2+12, 7+8 5 Buck Manantial 11.0 3, 5+10, 7+8 9 References Payne, P. I. 1987. Genetics of wheat storage proteins and the effect of allelic variation on bread-making quality. Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. 38:141-153. Flavell, R. B., Goldsbrough, A. P., Robert, L. S., Schnick, D. and Thompson, R. D. 1989. Genetic variation in wheat HMW glutenin subunits and the molecular basis of bread-making quality. Biotechnology 7:1281-1285. Payne, P. I. 1986. Varietal improvement in the bread-making quality of wheat contributions from biochemistry and genetics, and future prospects from molecular biology. In: BCPC Mono. No. 34 Biotechnology and crop improvement and protection, p. 69-81. Slafer, G. A. and Andrade, F. H. 1989. Genetic improvement in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield in Argentina. Field Crops Res. 21:289-296. Slafer, G. A., Andrade, F. H. and Satorre, E. H. 1990. Genetic improvement in preanthesis physiological attributes related to wheat grain yield. Field Crops Res. 23(in press). Slafer, G. A., Andrade, F. H. and Feingold, S. E. 1990. Genetic improvement of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Argentina: relationship between nitrogen and dry matter. Feingold, S. E. and Hopp, H. E. 1990. Composition de gluteninas de alto peso molecular de 7 variedades argentinas de trigo y su relaction con la calidad panadera. Congreso Nacional de Trigo, Cap. III p.1-10. Pergamino, Argentina. Dick, J. W. and Quick, J. S. 1983. A modified screening test for rapid estimation of gluten strength in early generation durum wheat breeding lines. Cereal Chem. 60:315-318. Payne, P. I., Holt, L. M., Blackman, J. A. 1981. Correlations between the inheritance of certain HMW subunits of glutenin and break-making quality in progenies of six crosses of bread wheat. J. Sci. Food Agric. 32:51-60. Gupta, R. B., Singh, N. K. and Shepherd, K. W. 1989. The cumulative effect of allelic variation in LMW and HMW glutenin subunits on dough properties in the progeny of two bread wheats. Theor. Appl. Genet. 77:57-64. Solari, R. and Favret, E. A. 1968. Genetic control of protein constitution in wheat endosperm and its implications on induced mutagenesis. Mutation in plant breeding, II. Proceedings of a panel, Vienna. IAEA-FAO pp. 219-231. ------------------------- Manera, G., Diaz, G., Yanacon, E., Maich, R., Berrino, G., Pagani, O., Benedetti, A., and Canovas, M. - Fac. Cs. Agropecuarias U.N.C. Effect of Selection Site on the Genetic Progress in Wheat. The objective of the present work was to measure the genetic progress on the bases that the selection has been carried out under optimum, intermediate or marginal conditions. Starting from each of the 20 F2 populations of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown at three sites (Ferreyra, Ordonez and Casilda), a plant was selected and a random sample of five was taken. The 360 F2:F3 lines (60 selections and 300 random samples) were evaluated in each of the sites mentioned above. The response to selection (R) was obtained by comparing the mean value of the selections to the random sample (=100). For grain yield, a mean R of 3.58% was observed; while, between site of selection, the response was lightly superior when we selected under optimum conditions. When we compared the mean of the lines selected under different sites, no significant differences were found. These results encourage us with respect to the degree of controversy about the "marginal conditions" concept. Early generation testing among crosses selection in wheat. The among crosses selection, carried out during the early generation, implies that those F1 and/or F2 superior crosses are the ones to give with high probability superior recombinant lines during the next generations. Starting from 153 F1 crosses of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), which were evaluated in 1986 and 1987 in a site, two groups of 10 crosses each (Superior and Inferior) were selected according to the obtained yield and using a disruptive selection of 6.5%. In 1988 the corresponding F2 populations were evaluated in three sites, whereas in 1989 the F2:F3 lines were evaluated in two sites. Significant differences between Superior and Inferior group means for yield in both generations (F2 and F2:F3) were observed. Our results show that, from the beginning of the selection programme, the elimination of those inferior crosses is possible. Harvest index and earweight as indirect selection criteria for grain yield in wheat. The objective of the present work was to measure the response to indirect selection for grain yield by using the harvest index (HI) and earweight (PSP) as selection criteria. In 1988, 437 F2:F3 lines of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were evaluated by means of HI and PSP. Two groups of ten lines each (superior and inferior) from each of the selection criteria were selected by using a disruptive selection intensity of 2.3%. During 1989, in three sowing dates, 40 F2:F4 lines were evaluated on the bases of which the kernel number per head (NSeSP), PSP and grain yield (PT) were determined. Even though within each group, between criteria, no differences wee observed; within criteria, the HI, showed a significant difference between groups (superior and inferior). Alternative strategies of recurrent selection for grain yield in wheat. It was the objective of this research to compare the efficiency of four recurrent selection strategies in wheat. During 1986, 83 F1 or So were evaluated, and 15 of them were recombined to constitute filial population 1 or P1. In 1987 the same thing was performed with progenies F2 or S1, product of selfing the correspondingly 83 So, and 12 S1 were selected and recombined to constitute filial populations 4 or P4. During 1988 and 1989 (Summer crop)lines F2:F3 or S1:S2 were evaluated from which, filial populations 5 and 6 or P5 and P6, respectively, were originated. During 1989, 200 progenies So were evaluated (a casual sample of 40 per population), measuring the response to selection (R) as the difference between the mean of the 10 best So per filial and parent population. After one cycle of recurrent selection the largest R resulted from a selection for ear yield in So (49.8%) or for grain yield in S1 (49.5%), while the lowest resulted from phenotypic selection in S1:S2 (P5). A recurrent selection program based on the evaluation of SO progenies (half or full-sibs), permits to decrease the cycle to two years and as a consequence, to obtain larger genotic progress per year. ------------------------- ITEMS FROM AUSTRALIA NEW SOUTH WALES The University of Sydney, Plant Breeding Institute, Sydney and Cobbitty J. Bell, G.N. Brown, D. Backhouse, L.W. Burgess, N.L. Darvey, R.A. McIntosh, J.D. Oates, R.F. Park, J. Roake, P.J. Sharp, D. The, C.R. Wellings. The move from Castle Hill to our new Cobbitty site finally took place 15 January, 1991. We expect to become fully operational as final fittings are made to the laboratories and greenhouses. Cobbitty is located 70Km south west of Sydney. Drs. N.L. Darvey (triticale, tissue culture) and P.J. Sharp (molecular genetics) have transferred from the Sydney campus. B.D.H. Latter, Professor of Plant Breeding and Director of the PBI, retired in July, 1990; the position remains vacant. Wheat stem rust continues to occur at very low levels, the main pathotype being 343-1,2,3,5,6. During the summer of 1990 there was an outbreak of an Sr30-virulent pathotype, 343-1,2,3,5,6,(8),9, at a summer nursery site in Victoria; however there was apparently negligible carryover of inoculum into the crop season when only one isolation was made from South Australia. This latter pathotype is of particular concern because some leading cultivars in N.S.W. carry Sr30. Field nurseries at Castle Hill and Cobbitty confirmed that the cultivars Banks, Lark, Osprey, Vulcan, Rosella and Sunfield were susceptible to the Sr30-virulent pathotype. The main leaf rust pathotypes included 104-2,3,6,(7),11 which is virulent for Lr16, 53-1,(6),(7),10,11 virulent for Lr13, 76-2,3,6 and a new pathotype 64-11 isolated from two northern collections. This last pathotype appears to be dissimilar to other Australasian pathotypes. Stripe rust was found throughout the eastern wheat areas but there were few reports of concern. The most frequent pathotype was 104 E137 A- especially in the north, with lower incidence of 104 E137 A+, 108 E141 A+ and two samples of 110 E143 A+. One isolate was virulent for Yr5. The closely linked rust resistance genes in chromosome 2AS of VPM1 were designated Sr38, Lr37 and Yr17. These genes which are closely linked with Lr17, are present in the Sydney University wheat, Sunbri, as well as Rendezvous, Madsen and Hyak. Sr38 and Lr37 confer seedling resistance at low temperatures (<20C) whereas seedling resistance conferred by Yr17 requires relatively high light conditions. Yr15 is located in chromosome 1BS; telocentric mapping is underway; it recombines quite freely of Yr10. A significant observation during 1990 was that all of several lines carrying Lr34 added to Thatcher were significantly more resistant to stripe rust (pt. 110 E143 A+, virulent for Yr7) than Thatcher. In addition, certain lines with stripe rust resistance derived from Bersee and Chinese Spring showed greater than expected levels of resistance to leaf rust. Dr. P.L. Dyck has reported that Chinese Spring carries Lr34. It is therefore postulated that significant components of durable resistance to both leaf rust and stripe rust may be genetically associated in chromosome 7D. The wheats with Lr34 showed a degree of slow rusting with some Thatcher derivatives reaching terminal rust scores of 30-40MS when Thatcher had been defoliated. The National Wheat Rust Control Program screened 12,500 lines for Australian wheat breeders. Most Australian cultivars and many advanced crossbreds used in the national backcrossing program were genotyped for grass clumping factors. Staff: Dr. C.R. Wellings spent 8 months at the Research Institute for Plant Protection (IPO), Wageningen and visited several research centers in Europe. Dr. E. Gordon-Werner resigned July 1990. She was replaced by Dr. M. Ratinam. Dr. M. Prashar from IARI, Shimla, India is spending one year with us as visiting scholar supported by the collaborative wheat rust research project. Plant Pathology: Tan spot breeding program: In 1990, 98 advanced breeding lines and 17 cultivars were screened for field resistance to tan spot (Pyrenophora tritici- repentis). Lines SUN 206A, SUN 207B and SUN 199B were moderately resistant, while most other lines and cultivars were susceptible to moderately susceptible. A program to select and incorporate resistance to tan spot in early generation material has begun. F2, BC1 F2 and CIMMYT lines will be screened in the greenhouse. Conidia for inoculation will be produced on a medium of filter paper soaked in 20% V8 agar, devised by Mr. Terry James while on leave from the University of Guelph. Effects of conservation tillage: A study of the effects of tillage systems on the vertical distribution of wheat roots in northern New South Wales has shown that there is a higher density of roots in the surface layers of soil when stubble is retained. Work in the 1991 season will examine the reasons for this, including differences in temperature, moisture and nutrient distribution. It is planned to extend this work to determine the factors controlling varietal response to tillage systems. Other work: Dr. Virgilio Balmas, on leave from the Istituto Sperimentale per la Patologia Vegetale, Rome, is studying comparative pathology to wheat of foot-rotting Fusarium species with Dr. Burgess. Ms Adrienne Beddis is working on environmental factors influencing infection of wheat by crown rot, and interactions between F. graminearum Group 1 and other soil microorganisms. ------------------------- I.A. Watson Wheat Research Centre, Narrabri. L. O'Brien, F.W. Ellison, D.J. Mares, and S.G. Moore. New Varieties and Seed Production: Seed production of the new long season, prime hard quality variety, Sunbri, was most successful. Adequate quantities of seed will be available for distribution early this year. Preliminary response by wheatgrowers was encouraging despite gloomy prospects for wheat production in 1991. A new spring season line, SUN155C (Combination III//Lr28/*Cook) will be considered for registration and release in 1991. SUN155C is resistant to the current field pathotypes of stem, leaf and stripe rusts. It is a spring season wheat, suitable for planting from mid-May until mid-July. SUN155C has yield potential marginally better than Hartog and offers genetic diversity for stem and leaf rust resistances in a high yielding, prime hard quality background. A summer seed increase in progress should ensure the possibility of a large seed release early in 1992. The Breeding Program: Seasonal conditions in 1990 were similar to those of 1988 and 1989. An extended dry period from January to April dictated that the areas chosen for long season wheats be irrigated prior to planting. This seemed to act as a signal for rain, thereby delaying planting from the preferred time of early April until the last week of April. Rains continued at regular intervals and plantings of midseason material proceeded throughout May. Spring maturity materials were planted as conditions permitted, but continued until late July. The periodic rains experienced throughout the winter months ceased late in August and most of the breeding material was irrigated at least once to ensure satisfactory expression of plant height and straw strength differences. Irrigation demand was lessened by unseasonally cool periods throughout late September and October. These conditions across northern NSW resulted in longer than usual grain filling periods and consequent lower protein content. Prime Hard wheat was a scarce commodity throughout the region. Application of nitrogen to trial areas resulted in a greater number of sites achieving Prime Hard protein levels than was normal for the respective areas. Hot weather arrived in November and despite the wide spread of planting times, most materials matured within a narrow time period. Absence of rain throughout the harvest period resulted in sound grain from all sites. Natural infection of stripe rust enabled effective selection for resistance. Differences in varietal rankings were consistent across experiments, with the difference between the Sunco and Kite/Sunelg levels of resistance being readily observed. Selection for Septoria tritici blotch resistance at Forbes was again successful. A dry spring slowed down the movement of the disease on upper leaves, but susceptible and very susceptible lines had high disease incidence on flag leaves. Evaluation of root lesion nematode tolerance was disappointing, with no differences being measured between the + and -nematicide treatments. Promising tolerant lines will be re-tested in 1991. Breeding for Sprouting Tolerance: Because sprouting tolerance in white wheats was either not recognized or neglected for many years, high levels of dormancy have been found in a few relatively old genotypes. These lines lack many of the attributes necessary in a commercially acceptable wheat cultivar. Consequently an extensive back-crossing program will be necessary before sprouting tolerant wheats are a practical reality. Sprouting tolerant segregates were successfully isolated from hybrid populations of adapted sprouting tolerant and adapted 2*/sprouting tolerant lines. The data clearly showed it was possible to transfer sprouting tolerance from sources such as AUS 1408, Kenya 59 and South African 1186 into adapted commercial lines such as Sunco, Hartog and Dollarbird. The work indicates that the transfer of tolerance to commercial cultivars may be more difficult and time consuming than previously anticipated. In view of the mode of inheritance of dormancy there is a clear need to continue the work on chromosomal location of dormancy genes and then to develop alternative selection techniques based on molecular or biochemical markers. Such techniques could be applied at the F2 embryo stage and eliminate the uncertainty in selection caused by environmental interactions. Work towards this objective commenced in 1990 with the appointment of a PhD student funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation. Skilled techniques and an extensive capital input is required for large scale regular screening for tolerance. This infrastructure has been developed at Narrabri over the past 15 years and includes rain simulators, extensive deep freeze capacity and excellent laboratory facilities. Upgrading of the rain simulators with funding from the Wheat Research Committee for N.S.W. (replacement of the temperature humidity control equipment with an automatic externally located integrated system, and replacement of the interior carousels with corrosion resistant metal framework and trays) was completed in time for the 1990 harvest. These improvements allow more precise control of testing conditions, greater reliability and reproducability, and extend testing into periods of the year where low ambient temperatures necessitate heating of the rain simulator chambers. The studies on the influence of environmental factors on tolerance has highlighted the need for protection from rain in the 20 day period prior to harvest ripeness if large numbers of samples with different maturity dates are to be compared. Limited capacity exists at Narrabri already and future needs were assessed by a firm of consulting engineers via funding provided by the Wheat Research Committee for N.S.W. Potential rain shelter designs submitted by the engineering firm proved to be prohibitively expensive. As a consequence, attention has now been directed towards smaller units and possible modification of these to reduce erection time and cost and to increase mobility. In the interim an 8m x 50m igloo was purchased to protect elite material. ------------------------- Agricultural Research Centre, Tamworth R.A. Hare Durum Wheat. The Australian durum wheat industry's growth continues to be substantial and sustained with the current (1990) harvest yielding approximately 62,000 tonnes compared to 40,000 tonnes in 1989. Additional growth is needed to meet existing domestic demand anticipated to reach 90,000 tonnes in 1992. With an export potential for grain, semolina and pasta above the expected domestic growth, a crop in excess of 100,000 tonnes within 5 years is conceivable. All five major Australian pasta manufacturers have changed or will change shortly to 100% durum based products. Several makers now produce their entire range from 100% durum semolina. Australians eat less pasta per capita (about 3 kg/capita/year) than equivalent Western nations however this low capita consumption rate means that there is room for substantial growth in the Australian market. The country's economic downturn appears to be assisting the pasta manufacturers as more Australians turn to pasta as a lower cost, versatile, nutritious meal. Several manufacturers have secured overseas markets in Pacific Southwest Rim countries as exports prove more attractive because of a reduced Australian dollar value. Durum Cultivar Improvement. Although the average grain yields and quality of Australian cultivars are comparable with most grades in the developed world, there is scope for improvement in a number of aspects to match the best grades. Consistent and high functional protein content is the main quality breeding objective. This is followed by improved pasta cooking performance and surface properties. It has become apparent that there is limited genetic variability for increased protein content in current breeding populations. Consequently two sub- projects are under way to locate and incorporate additional variability. 1. Ninety-nine old (pre-1900's) durum cultivars were obtained from the Australian Winter Cereals Collection and grown out in a very uniform irrigated field at Breeza in 1989. These accessions were then tested for protein content and semolina dough strength. Six lines providing grain of large size (>45g/1,000 kernels) with a protein content >13% and good mixograph dough strength were selected for crossing to current advanced lines. 2. One hundred and thirty recently quarantined accessions of T.dicoccoides from Israel are being seed increased for protein evaluation. One accession known to be a high protein achiever has been crossed to Yallaroi durum and F3 lines are now becoming available. T.dicoccoides is the immediate wild progenitor of durum wheat and is fully crossable with durum although certain chromosomal configuration differences (i.e., inversions, translocations) cause sterility in some progeny. Sub-project (1) is expected to offer a measure of grain protein improvement in the shorter-term. Owing to the 'wild' nature of the dicoccoides, the removal of the 'wild' features (head shattering, tallness, lodging, disease susceptibility and quality defects) from breeding materials will necessitate several cycles of backcrossing and intense selection. Sub-project (2) should provide a longer-term benefit. Advanced Breeding Lines. Kamilaroi and Yallaroi have complimentary quality defects, being dough strength and grain protein content, respectively. Recent breeding has been directed at selecting advanced lines which overcome these two defects while retaining the good features of present cultivars. Data indicates that this breeding has been successful. In this group of lines, grain proteins are similar or better than Kamilaroi and significantly superior to Yallaroi. All express dough strength comparable to Yallaroi or better and significantly superior to the weaker Kamilaroi. Prior to release, several lines will be offered to the domestic industry for processing evaluation. The best performing line from this group should be released in 1992. ------------------------- CSIRO Wheat Research Unit, Division of Plant Industry, Sydney C.W. Wrigley, F. MacRitchie, I.L. Batey, F. Bekes, R. Gupta, S. Rahman, P. Reddy, J.H. Skerritt Research in the Wheat Research Unit has focused on defining aspects of wheat-processing quality (e.g. dough strength, extensibility and mixing time) and identifying components of the grain whose presence correlates with these aspects, thereby obtaining markers or even identifying causes of quality variation. Such findings in turn provide a basis for devising more efficient tests to screen for quality in breeding and at harvest. Gluten composition and dough strength. Worldwide research on polypeptides that relate to dough quality has focused on the high-molecular-weight (HMW) subunits of glutenin as markers (causative factors?) of dough strength. This relationship is poor, however, in Australian wheat varieties suggesting that other factors are involved. These, we have found, are the low-molecular-weight (LMW) subunits of glutenin whose presence appears to also relate closely with dough strength. Alleles for the LMW subunits have therefore been ranked according to their apparent influence on dough properties. The structure of the LMW subunits has been studied using antibodies specific for component proteins of gluten. RFLP markers of dough quality. Identification of polypeptides related to dough properties provides the opportunity to study the genes directing their synthesis and thus better opportunity to manipulate grain quality in breeding. Genomic clones have been isolated for HMW glutenin subunits in all three genomes from multi-null lines and RFLP probes for HMW glutenin polypeptides have been developed to assist in selection for dough properties. HPLC analysis of aggregated gluten proteins. A size-exclusion HPLC procedure has been developed to determine how effectively gluten polypeptides polymerise, thus contributing to gluten's cohesive properties. The method involves initial extraction by sonication to provide complete dissolution of flour protein without affecting its distribution into the major classes. The resulting ratio of large polymeric protein (mainly glutenin) to monomeric protein (gliadins and albumins) provides a good indication of dough strength (e.g. as resistance to extension in the Extensograph) according to analyses of many wheat samples. Dough properties of wheat-rye translocation lines. Examination of both polypeptide composition and aggregation behaviour has helped to explain the dough-quality problems that have limited the release of agronomically valuable rye-translocation lines. The dough-quality changes relate particularly to the combined loss of wheat LMW subunits and the addition of monomeric rye secalins. Remedial measures are thus based on our developing knowledge of the ability of other glutenin subunits in the wheat genome to compensate, and even the possibility of drawing on potentially beneficial rye genes, such as that on chromosome 2RS. Screening for dough strength with antibodies. To avoid the expensive techniques of electrophoresis or HPLC to determine protein composition, we have developed a library of several hundred monoclonal antibodies, some of which bind selectively in "sandwich" ELISA tests to D-genome encoded high molecular-weight glutenin subunits - the polypeptides most closely associated with dough strength. A simple test has been developed in which colour development is proportional to dough strength (Extensograph resistance, Farinograph development time). The method is suited to early generation quality screening and several hundred unweighed small wholemeal samples can potentially be analysed at the same time. The reliability of the antibody binding-strength correlation has been confirmed in over a dozen sets of different varieties and breeding lines grown under a range of environments. The breeders' method, along with other antibody tests for quality-correlated durum gliadins, rye translocation lines and back-cross parents lacking gliadin blocks could be modified for use by milling or baking laboratories or even at receival. Antibody-based test kits are also being developed to rapidly screen for various pesticide residues in grain samples. Kits are already in commercial production for the analysis of gluten content in processed foods. NIR analysis of baking quality. Since lipid composition, as well as protein quality, contribute to loaf volume, it is an additional factor that must be considered in selection for quality in a wheat breeding program. Previous findings about relevant aspects of lipid composition have required tedious extraction and fractionation techniques that are too labour-intensive for routine use in wheat breeding. Near infrared reflectance (NIR) has therefore been adapted to detecting changes in composition at lipid-related wavelengths, thus providing a very good predictive system to quickly indicate loaf-volume potential (interpreted with protein content) for screening many breeding samples. The biochemistry of grain hardness. Grain hardness is an important aspect of grain quality, relevant to milling quality and to international trade. A starch-granule protein of 15,000 molecular weight, reported by English scientists to be specifically associated with starch of soft wheats, has been purified and polyclonal antibodies have been raised to it. Relevant cDNA and genomic clones have been isolated, characterised and used to develop an RFLP probe for grain hardness. Starch structure and wheat-processing quality. Starch quality appears to be particularly important for noodle manufacture, but the specific structural aspects required have so far proved elusive. More recent research has demonstrated that starch from wheats with good noodle-making quality has a less branched structure than starch from other wheats. These studies have shown that the branches in poor quality wheat such as Egret are closer together than in Eradu and Gamenya, two good noodle wheats. There are also significant differences in the amylose/amylopectin ratio with these wheats, but a wider study has indicated that there is a complex relationship between this characteristic and noodle quality. The Rapid Visco-Analyser is proving effective in characterising starch types suited to noodle processing. Recording micro-mixer. A direct-drive dough mixer has been developed for the automatic analysis of dough made from only two grams of flour. Software, developed to automatically analyse mixing curves has also proved valuable in monitoring plant-scale mixers, thereby also providing commercial relevance for the small-scale results. The small Mixograph has been used successfully to test breeders' lines for dough properties as single-plant samples at very early generation. The individual contributions to dough properties have been tested in the two-gram mixer for a set of lipid-binding proteins, opening up a new era in the evaluation of functional properties for flour components. More recently, a prototype suited to 35 g flour has been constructed and this will prove to be more suitable for routine lab testing where very small-scale operation is not required. Both 2- and 35-gram models are currently being manufactured under licence by the National Manufacturing Company of Lincoln, Nebraska, holders of the Mixograph trademark. Heat stress changes dough quality. Field, glass-house and detached-head experiments have shown that temperature rises over 35oC can stimulate the synthesis of gliadin (monomeric) protein, at the expense of aggregated glutenin, thereby altering the ratio of aggregating to monomeric gluten in the ripe grain in favour of weaker dough properties. This response appears to be due to the presence of heat-shock elements in the genes of certain gliadins, making it a part of the general heat shock response common to all organisms. A full range of heat-shock proteins has been identified in many parts of the wheat plant. Their synthesis was found to relate to the acquisition of thermotolerance, thereby providing tolerance to a later episode of heat stress. The identification of a heat-induced peptide, with a gliadin-like sequence, may provide a basis for developing wheats with better tolerance to Australia's harsh climate. More efficient variety identification. To improve the identification of wheat varieties, a rapid method of electrophoretic identification has been developed involving the use of Gradipore Micrograd gels; electrophoresis time is less than 10 minutes. The use of multiple antibody reactions has also proved promising. A pattern-matching computer program has been written to automatically sort and identify the results of identification by HPLC, electrophoresis or antibody reaction. A further program (WhatWheat) records results and assists in establishing the most efficient approach to a particular identification task. ------------------------- Queensland Wheat Research Institute, PO Box 2282, Toowoomba, Qld 4350 P.S. Brennan, J.A. Sheppard, L.R. Mason, P.J. Keys, R.G. Norris, G.C. Smith, R.W. Uebergang and P.J. Agius, Wheat Breeding Group 1990 Season. The 1990 wheat growing seasons was preceded by a summer drought which minimised nitrogen mineralisation and moisture accumulation. The yields in 1988 had been well above average and extensive mineralisation was, therefore, necessary for good crop growth in 1989. Heavy rain was experienced in March/April and June which allowed almost a million hectares of wheat to be planted. Some crops were late planted due to the June rain. Little or no rain was received from late winter until harvest. This resulted in severe crown rot caused by Fusarium graminearum. However, yield was generally above average and grain protein low. Release: Cunningham (3Ag3/Condor//Cook) was released in 1990. This is a sib line of Janz, released in 1989. It is longer season than Janz and generally has higher yield and higher protein. Cunningham was the highest yielding variety in pre-release trials conducted in 1991. QT4097 (Brochis's'/Banks) will be considered for release in March/May 1991. This is a longer season, very high yielding, strong strawed cultivar with excellent dough properties. Several lines approaching release have attributes of interest: QT5635 (3Ag3//5*Potam/Cook) has excellent tolerance to the root lesion nematode (Pratylenchus thornei), and resistance to crown rot and common root rot (Bipolaris sorokiniana). This line is also high yielding, good quality and has a shorter period from planting to flowering. QT4636 (QT2338-9/4*Hartog) was developed by genetically removing the awns from the most widely grown Queensland variety Hartog. The object was to produce a Hartog type that could be fed to stock without awn damage to the inside of the mouth if the crop fails. This cultivar outyielded Hartog by about 6% over 10 trials in our northern wheat growing areas. This was a surprise as we were taught that awns contributed to yield! In the southern growing area QT4636 was identical to Hartog in yield as it had been in small plot testing in previous years. QT5360 (Vicam/4*Hartog) is a yellow (tan) spot Hartog type that gave similar yields to Hartog in yellow spot free trials in 1990. Research. Several lines that are putative recombinants of the stem rust, leaf rust and powdery mildew resistance on the 1BL/1RS wheat/rye translocation chromosome have been identified. These will be retested in the near future and seed multiplied for sticky dough testing. Our group plans to concentrate on RFLP/PCR applications for wheat improvement. Three projects in this area attracted funds for the 1990/91 financial year. Additional projects have been submitted for funding in 1991/92 financial year. Staff: Bob Eisemann has left the wheat programme and gone to administration. Dave Tapner has been transferred to a heavy vegetable programme and his position will not be filled from Department revenues due to the severe cutbacks and reallocation of resources now being experienced. ------------------------- D. J. Martin and B. G. Stewart; Wheat Quality Laboratory Quality of wheat from the breeding programme. A major part of our work has been devoted again to screening early generation material and testing advanced lines from the QWRI breeding programme. Using data from these trials the crossbred QT3826 was registered and released as the variety, Cunningham which has received a provisional prime hard quality classification in Queensland. Dough surface properties of selected wheats. Our interest in studying the dough surface properties of new cultivars, particularly those derived from rye has been maintained. In collaboration with Dr. R. Eisemann, additional samples from the QWRI breeding programme were evaluated, mostly from lines resistant to the disease, yellow spot. Both parental material and adapted breeding lines derived from the Mexican cultivars Genaro, Fink and 171BWSN 196 were included. Most of the yellow spot resistant parental material displayed intense dough stickiness in our tests. In addition, all the derivatives from these three Mexican cultivars exhibited intense dough stickiness even though the cultivars contained either two or three backcrosses to Australian wheat cultivars (Hartog or sunstar) with strong dough properties. Wheat quality evaluation for overseas markets. During the year our awareness of the quality requirements and methods for preparing and assessing various Asian wheat end products has developed further. Following an invitation form the Australian Wheat Board (AWB), Mr. Martin travelled with an AWB sponsored group to visit various cereal processing facilities in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. The purpose of this trip was to learn of the specific quality requirements of these markets in order to ensure that our wheat quality testing is more relevant to their needs. In addition a poster paper entitled "Steamed bread research at QWRI Wheat Quality Laboratory" was presented at a joint convention of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology. Publications Martin, D. J. and Stewart, B. G. 1990. Dough stickiness in rye-derived wheat cultivars, Euphytica 51, 77-86. Martin, D. J. and Stewart, B. G. 1990. Steamed bread research at QWRI Wheat Quality Laboratory, The Australian and New Zealand Inst. of Food Science and Technology 1990 Joint Convention, Broadbeach, May 1990. Martin, D. J. and Stewart, B. G. 1990. Quality traits of recent Yugoslav and West German wheats, 40th Annual Conference RACI Cereal Chemistry Division, Albury, September 1990. ------------------------- R.G. Rees, R.L. Eisemann, P.S. Brennan, G.J. Platz and K.C.M. Blaikie Resistance to Pyrenophora tritici-repentis. Yellow or tan spot (Pyrenophora tritici-repentis) was conspicuous in many stubble retained situations during the wet early part of the 1990 crop season. Subsequent dry conditions largely curtailed further development of the disease. Good progress continues in developing adapted wheats resistant to yellow spot using two generations per year. During the 1990 autumn-early winter, 700 to 1200 F2 or BCF2 seedlings from each of 36 populations were screened using a glasshouse/controlled environment system. The most resistant plants from each population were transplanted to the field and progeny tested after harvest to validate the initial single plant selection. Many advanced lines have shown considerable potential in evaluation trials. One Vicam 71/3*Hartog line (QT5360) is undergoing final evaluation and seed increase prior to possible release in 1992. ------------------------- G.B. Wildermuth and R.B. McNamara Crown rot. Crown rot caused by Fusarium graminearum Group 1 was distributed extensively throughout all grain-growing areas in southern Queensland during 1990. Disease severity and yield losses were the highest that have ever been recorded in Queensland. Incidence of deadheads as high as 50 per cent were recorded in a number of areas. The severity of the disease is due to high levels of inoculum in the soil and suitable environmental conditions over the past few years. Inoculum levels have increased due to the susceptibility of most current cultivars and the trend towards retention of stubble and dry summers. Breakdown of stubble has been slow during summer and loss of viability of inoculum also low. One disturbing aspect of this epidemic has been the high incidence of crown rot in areas which have been rotated to non-susceptible crops for 4 years. In one case, stubble of a wheat crop grown 4 years previously was still present on the soil surface. In other cases, severe disease occurred in areas which were growing their first winter cereal. The role of native grasses as sources of inoculum of F. graminearum in these areasneeds to be investigated. All cultivars were susceptible to the disease to varying degrees. Sunco showed the highest level of resistance. Some crosses have been made between cultivars and a line with high levels of resistance to the disease. Common root rot. Common root rot caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana occurred throughout the wheat-growing area but its presence was overshadowed by crown rot. Crosses and backcrosses have been made between cultivars and four sources of partial resistance. The most advanced population of these crosses was a BC3F3 generation which was grown in an area where the disease is endemic and a final selection of resistant families made before testing in Preliminary Yield Evaluation Trials. Dr L. Duczek, Agriculture Canada, Saskatoon, spent study leave at QWRI. He conducted research on the relationship between severity of common root rot and tolerance to the disease. Cultivars varied in their reaction to the disease. Some had high levels of disease and high yield loss, others showed tolerance despite moderate disease levels and one was highly resistant. ------------------------- ITEMS FROM BRAZIL Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Trigo/EMBRAPA, Passo Fundo, RS J.C.S. Moreira and C.N.A. de Sousa 1990 Wheat Cultivar Trials at Passo Fundo, Brazil During 1990 in the National Research Center for wheat 830 wheat genotypes were tested in yield trials in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The proceedings for releasing a new cultivar in this state was described in the 1986 Annual Wheat Newsletter, 32:38-39. The climatic conditions prevailing during the growing season were characterized by an excess of rainfall at planting time and specially at the heading stage. The humid weather favored the occurrence of several diseases such as leaf spot complex (Septoria nodorum; Cochliobolus sativus; Pyrenophora tritici-repentis) and scab (Gibberella zeae). The average yield observed for all the genotypes was lower than that obtained in 1989. The high incidence of diseases is likely to be the cause of lower yields. Trials were carried out in a rotation area (2 years without wheat) and fertilizer applications was 13 kg/ha N, 65 kg/ha P205, 65 Kg/Ha K2O and 45 Kg/ha N as top-dressing. No fungicide was used in most trials. Cultivars having outstanding yield in some trials carried out in Passo Fundo - RS are shown below: Yield Cultivar Cross Kg/ha South Brazilian Trial PF 86238 HLN/CNT 7//AMIGO/CNT7 3681 PF 86236 HLN/CNT 7//AMIGO/CNT 7 3582 PF 853031 PF 833007/JACUI 3992 PF 843025 LD*2/ALD SIB*2/3/ALZI10*2/IAS 54*2//F5530 3060 CEP 21 - Campos PEL 72380/ATR 71//CEP 75336/3/ALD "S"/PF 72707//PAT 19 2782 Cultivar State Trial BR 34 ALZ 110/2*IAS 54//F5530 2944 BR 37 MAZOE/F 13279//PELADO MARAU 2470 BR 32 IAS 60/INDUS//IAS 62/3/ALONDRA SIB/4/IAS 59 2453 CEP 21 - Campos PEL 72380/ATR 71//CEP 75336/3/ALD "S"/ PF 727007//PAT 19 2458 BUTUI BB/PATO//SON 64/KL. REND. 2436 Regional Yield T rial - A CEP 8749 CEP 7779/CEP 8058//BR 14 3254 PF 87128 TIFTON SEL/PF 79763/3/N BOZU/3*LD//B 7902 2962 PF 87103 SL 5200/PAT 7219//TIFTON 2900 PF 87107 ENC/PF 79768//PF 80284 2719 CEP 873 BGS 2/SORT 1213//CEP 75234/4/PAT 7392/3/ IAS 63/ALD "S"//GTO/LV 2718 SA 8875 - 2638 SA 8868 - 2548 CEP 8743 CEP 7775/CEP 8012 2546 SA 8829 B 7517/SB 76130 2500 SA 8851 S 8019/CEP 76147 2456 SA 8856 MR 74044/4/AV//KAL/BB/3/BOM 2402 PF 87108 ENC/PF 79768//PF 80284 2346 BR 23 (check) CC/ALD SIB/3/IAS 54-20/COP//CNT 8 2346 Regional Yield Trial - B PF 87453 COKER 762/BR 14 3139 PF 87915 PF 83144//IAC 5*6/CI 15243 2486 CEP 21 - Campos PEL 72380/ATR 71//CEP 75336/ 3/ALD "S" /PF 72707//PAT 19 2486 Multilocated Preliminar Trials (4 locals - lines in 2nd year of test) Lines that out yielded the check PF 88594 ENC/PF 79763//PF 80284 4410 PF 88522 MNO 82/PF 79777//OASIS/JACUI 4298 PF 883188 PF 839278/MNO 82//PF 839178/PF 79547 4214 PF 88574 TIF/PF 79764 4042 PF 88577 PAT 7392/PF 813 4014 PF 88603 TIF SEL/PF 79763/3/N BOZU/3*LD//B 7902 3906 PF 88566 AMIGO/JACUI//PF 7673/CDA 3831 PF 88709 COKER 762/BR 14 3817 PF 88536 COKER 762/MNO 82 3712 PF 88460 ENC/PF 79768//PF 80284 3444 PF 88452 ENC/PF 79768//PF 80284 3348 PF 88451 ENC/PF 79768//PF 80284 3323 PF 8924 F 16946/3/N BAY*2//LD*2/ALD SIB/4/F 16955/5/BR 14 3294 PF 87545 BR F14*3//LD*5/FB 6630 3192 PF 88501 PF 7815/LAP 689//PF 7815/80278 3156 BR 23 CC/ALD SIB/3/IAS 54-20/COP//CNT 8 3146 Preliminar Trials (1st year trial) Wheat genotypes yielding more than 4,000 kg/ha, out of 420 lines, in prelininar trials in Passo Fundo, 1990 PF 89278 PF 73782/SULLIVAN 4585 PF 89230 COKER 762/2* PF 79547 4544 PF 891 CEP 14/PF 79782//CEP 14 4387 PF 89231 COKER 762/2*PF 79547 4349 PF 89163 IAS 54*/3/N BAY//PAT 7392 4228 PF 89246 CI 14119/2*PF 8237 4214 PF 89295 HLN/CNT 7//AMIGO/CNT 7 4171 PF 892 COKER 762/PF 81172//PF 79782 4169 PF 89122 PF 839278/MNO 82//PF 839278/PF 79547 4157 PF 89142 COKER 762/PF 811172//PF 79782 4155 PF 89119 CEP 14/PF 79782//CEP 14 4154 PF 8978 F 16946/3/N BAY*2//LD*2//ALD SIB/4/F 16955/ 5/BR 14 PF 89107 PF 79583/CEP 14 4067 PF 8986 F 16946/3/N BAY*2//ALD SIB/4/F 16955/5/BR 14 4053 PF 89144 COKER 762/PF 81172//PF 79782 4008 26th International Spring Wheat Yield Trial (CIMMYT) No fungicide With treatment Origin treatment (fungicide) ALUBUC Mexico 1786 2015 PAPAGO Mexico 1274 1562 PIONEER INTA Argentina 1244 2018 FAN*1 China 1134 1652 ANZA USA 1129 1542 PAMPA INTA Argentina 1058 1712 BR 23 (check) Brasil 1819 2502 11th Elite Spring Wheat Yield Trial (CIMMYT) BAU "S" 1405 1640 CAR 853/COC//VEE**5 "S"/3/URES 1190 1730 JUN "S"/BOW "S"//VEE*5/BUC "S" 1148 1288 JCAM/EMU "S"//CHRC "S" /4/IAS 20// 1070 1350 AGA/4*YR//4*HER = HENNE 1030 1322 JCAM/EMU "S"//CHRC "S"/4/IAS 20// 1020 1360 BR 23 (check) 1735 2132 South Cone Wheat Variety Trial (16th ERCOS) BR 24 Brasil 3365 3455 BR 32 Brasil 2400 2130 MOIJA Bolivia 2185 2360 VAR 5 Bolivia 1992 2360 BR 20 - GUATO Brasil 1875 2440 CEP 19 - JATAI Brasil 1870 2135 BR 23 (check) Brasil 1822 2240 ------------------------- C.N.A. de Sousa, E.P. Gomes, J.C.S. Moreira, P.L. Scheeren and S. D. dos A. de Silva New Brazilian Wheat Cultivars. Three new wheat cultivars from lines produced at the National Research Center for Wheat (EMBRAPA) in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were released for cultivation in 1990. Cultivar Line Cross State BR 36 - Ianomani PF 84588 JUP 73*3/AMIGO M.G. do Sul BR 37 PF 84431 MAZOE/F 13279//PELADO MARAU Rio G. Sul BR 38 PF 83348 IAS 55*4/AGENT//IAS 55*4/CI 14123 Rio G. Sul All these cultivars have a spring type. BR37 has a good straw strength and it has a good spike size. BR 36 is short while BR 37 and BR 38 are mid-tall. BR 36 and BR 38 are awned while BR 37 is awnless. They are resistant to Erysiphe graminis tritici (powdery mildew) and to all races of Puccinia graminis tritici (stem rust). They are susceptible to some races of Puccinia recondita (leaf rust). BR 37 is moderately resistant to septoria nodorum (glume blotch). BR 36 is resistant to the botypes B and C of Schizaphis graminum (resistance from Amigo). BR 37 and BR 38 are tolerant to soil acidity (aluminum toxicity) while BR 36 is susceptible. ------------------------- Instituto Agronomico Do Parana - Iapar, Londrina - PR C. R. Riede*, L. A. C. Campos and D. Brunetta Wheat Crop in Brazil - The country production was 3.4 million tons in 2.6 million ha with a yield of 1.1 ton/ha. There was a 19% total lost in the cultivation area caused by frost at the flowering state of the crops mainly in Parana and Mato Grosso do Sul states. Grain quality was also affected shown by the kernel shriveling. The wheat crop was grown and harvested mainly in the states of Parana (44% of the total production) Rio Grande do Sul (38%), Mato Grosso do Sul (7%) and Sao Paulo (6%). The privatization of the purchase and storage of the grains is going very slowly. Wheat Crop in Parana State - The harvested area in 1990 was 1.18 million ha with a production of 1.37 million tons giving on yield of 1.160 kg/ha. Although the total lost in Parana was around 33% of the planted area, 60% has been affected in some degree by the frost at critical state of flowering. Some diseases caused by helmintosporium, leaf rust, bacterial streak and wheat blast has caused some reduction in yield additionally. The major planted cultivars were: Anahuac, IAPAR 6-Tapejara and IAC 5-Maringa. Cultivar Release/Recommendation - The new cultivars recommend in Parana are described in Table 1. Table 1. Description of the new cultivars released and recommended for cultivation in the Parana State Cultivar Line Cross Institution Type of Soil IAPAR 46 PG 86136 MASC/ALD"S"//MRNG IAPAR Acid Trigo BR 37* PF 84431 MA206/8/LD*2/./9/Pelado Marau EMBRAPA Acid IAPAR 47** IA 7960 KVZ/TI//TITO"S" IAPAR Non Acid * Recommended in Parana; released previously in Rio Grande do Sul State ** Released in Mato Grosso do Sul State ------------------------- O. S. Rosa and O. S. Rosa Filho, New Breeding Company - Melhoramento de Sementes, LTDA A private breeding company begun to work in southern Brazil, in February 1989. We are working with wheat breeding and small programs for rice and oats. We are selecting soybean lines and corn hybrids of FT Pesquisa e Sementes, another Brazilian company, for the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The principal laboratories and experimental fields are located at Passo Fundo, Rs. We are developing activities at Londrina (Pr), Ponta Grossa (Pr), and Arroio Grande (Rs). The ecological conditions in our experimental fields are excellent for selections for A1 and Mn tolerance and for resistance or tolerance to several diseases, especially, Erisiphe graminis tritici, Septoria nodorum, Helminthosporium sativum, Helminthosporium tritici-repentis, Fusarium sp (scab), Puccinia recondita and soilborn mosaic virus. At Passo Fundo we have two generations of wheat per year; from June to November under field conditions, and from December to April in the screen house. In the last years we received nurseries and segregating material from CIMMYT. This material has good adaptation at North and West of Parana. We have interest to develop cooperative works with breeding programs of other countries. Estimated 1990 Wheat Production in Brazil State Production (tons)* Parana 1,410,000 Rio Grande do Sul 1,200,000 Mato Grosso do Sul 245,000 Sao Paulo 207,000 Santa Catarina 87,000 Minas Gerais 8,500 Distrito Federal 180 Total 3,157,680 * Source: Bank of Brazil S. A. The reduction of production in 1990 (less 2,400,000 tons) was caused by frosts. ------------------------- Unidade de Execucao de Pesquisa de Ambito Estadual de Dourados EMBRAPA-UEPAE de Dourados. Dourados, MS A.C.P. Goulart and F. de A. Paiva The occurrence of wheat scab (Gibberella zeae) was reported for the first time in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul in grower's wheat fields of Anajuac, BH 1146 and IAPAR 6-Tapejara cultivars and in experimental field plots of IAC 5-Maringa, IAC 13-Lorena, BR 17-Caiua, BR 18-Terena, BR 30- Cadiueu, BR 31-Miriti, INIA 66 and Jupateco 73 cultivars. Blanched spikelets (whitish or straw colored) was observed. Observations under of light microscope showed the presence of conidia similar to the ones described for Fusarium graminearum and perithecia with asci bearing eight hyalne ascospores, similar to those of G.zeae. Wheat plants inoculated with inoculum at a concentration of 105 conidia/ml yielded characteristic symptoms after 10 days. Wheat Losses Caused by Pyricularia oryzae Cav. Losses in wheat yields due to Pyricularia oryzae infection, regardless of the occurrence of other diseases, under natural conditions and without fungicide sprayings, were determined on the 1989 and 1990 growing seasons on an Anahuac cultivar field and experimental plots at Rio Brilhante, Dourados and Itapora counties. In 1989 at Rio Brilhante, the yield losses were assessed at 270 kg/ha which means 10% of the estimated total yield. The average incidence was 45% of blanched heads. In 1990 at Dourados, the losses were greater than those registered in 1989, reaching 892 kg/ha or 40% of the estimated total yield, with the average incidence of blanched heads of 93%. In the same year at Itapora, the losses were of 1.034 kg/ha which means 32% of the yield, with 86% of blanched heads. In both years, the head weight loss was greater (60%) with early than with late infections (33%), regardless of the locality. Survival and Transmission of Pyricularia oryzae by Wheat Seeds. The survival of Pyricularia oryzae on wheat seeds under three storing conditions (lab: T = 20-30oC and RH = 60-80%; dry chamber: T = 10-15oC and RH = 35%; refrigerator: T = 5oC and RH = 95%) was evaluated. Four seed samples of Anahuac cultivar with 14, 12, 10 and 6% of natural occurrence of P. oryzae were utilized. Monthly, subsamples were analyzed and the incidence of this pathogen was determined by the blotter test. When the seeds were stored in refrigerator or dry chamber, the indices of the fungus were maintained or slightly decreased. Under lab conditions, the incidence decreased sharply after six months and reached 0.5% after 12 months. It is concluded that low temperatures exerted beneficial effect on this survival. The transmission of this pathogen was also evaluated. Wheat seeds, cv. Anahuac, with nine levels of natural contamination of P. oryzae (21, 19, 17, 14, 12, 10, 8, 5 and 2%), treated or not with iprodione + thiram (50 + 150 g a.i./100 kg of seeds) were utilized. The transmission of the pathogen was demonstrated by its establishment on the coleoptiles. The transmission index was variable, with higher values corresponding to higher seed contamination indices. Seed treatment with iprodione + thiram blocked the transmission and seedling emergence was unaffected by the pathogen. Control of Pyricularia oryzae and Helminthosporium sativum by Wheat Seed Treatment with Fungicides. Lab (blotter) and field tests were performed, using seeds of the wheat cultivar Anahuac with 11.5% and 19.5% of natural contamination with P.oryzae and H. sativum, respectively, for evaluating the efficiency of several fungicides on the control of these pathogen. All chemical treatments reduced the incidence of both fungi. The best results were obtained with iprodione + thiram, triflumizole + methyl tiophanate, triflumizole, triadimenol + anilazine, triadimenol, guazatine + imazalil, iminoctadine, etiltrianol and prochloraz, which eliminated both fungi from the seeds. Transmission of P. oryzae by the wheat seeds was detected in the field. Iminoctadine and etiltrianol, were the best for controlling H.sativum in the field. Incidence of Pyricularia oryzae and Helminthosporium sativum in Wheat Seed Produced in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. In 1989, 433 samples of wheat seeds of several cultivars, from eight counties wee analyzed for the presence of Pyricularia oryzae and Helminthosporium sativum. The most prevalent fungus and the most important pathogen associated with the seeds was H. sativum, detected in 89% of the analyzed samples. P.oryzae was registered in 25% of the analyzed samples. Both pathogens were reported in relatively low levels. The IAPAR 6-Tapejara, IAC 5-Maringa, BR 17-Caiua, IAC 13-Lorena, BR 20-Guato and BR 21-Nhandeva cultivars, showed higher indices of H. sativum, while Anahuac, IAPAR 6-Tapejara, Jupateco 73 and BR 17-Caiua cultivars, showed higher incidence of P. oryzae. Evaluation of Fungicides for the Control of Wheat Blast and Rusts. Chemical control of wheat blast (Pyricularia oryzae, leaf rust (Puccinia recondita f. sp. tritici) and stem rust (P. graminis f. sp. tritici) was evaluated under field conditions, in 1989. For blast, the cultivar used was Anahuac and for rusts, IAPAR 6-Tapejara. Best results on the control of blast were obtained with mancozeb + tricyclazole, tricyclazole and mancozeb + etiltrianol. In general, treatments with mancozeb showed the lowest indices of heads with P. oryzae. The fungicide propiconazole showed poor control of this disease. The wheat rusts were better controlled with fenethanil, prochloraz + fempropemorph, flutriafol, etiltrianol, propiconazole, ciproconazole, triadimenol + mancozeb, flusilazole + mancozeb, flusilazole and flutriafol + mancozeb. These fungicides reduced more than 88% of rust symptoms. Higher yields, test weights and seed weights were obtained with the fungicide treatments. ------------------------- C. J. Avila Chemical control of Schizaphis graminum (Rondani, 1952) on wheat. The work was done at EMBRAPA-UEPAE de Dourados, MS. The efficiency of the insecticides monocerotophos (80 and 120 g. a.i./ha); chlorpyrifos (95 and 125 g a.i./ha), pirimicarb (50 and 75 g a.i./ha); metamidophos (120 g a.i./ha); beta-cyfluthrin (5 g a.i./ha) and diflubenzuron (20 g a.i./ha) on the control of Schizaphis graminum on wheat was evaluated. The aphid population was evaluated before and at three, six and ten days after the chemical spraying. The control efficiency was determined by the Henderson and Tilton equation. The insecticides monocrotophos, chlorpyrifos, pirimicarb and metamidophos achieved control efficiencies above 92% at the three evaluation dates, regardless of the dosage. Diflubenzuron showed low control level (below 38%) and beta-cyfluthrin, showed intermediate efficiency. The low level of control achieved by diflubenzuron may be important in breeding programs aimed at selection of wheat cultivars resistant to S. graminum because it gives good control of other insect pests, mainly caterpillars, without great harm to the aphid population. ------------------------- J. Soares Sobrinho, P. G. Sousa and F. de A. Paiva Evaluation of Triticale. Mato Grosso do Sul has a large amount of soils under savana vegetation ("Cerrados" and "Campo limpo"). These soils have low levels of nutrients and high levels of toxic aluminum. At these conditions, triticale is expected to be an alternative winter crop to wheat and oats. In order to select triticale genotypes adapted to the State conditions, 18 genotypes were tested at Dourados and Ponta Pora. The results showed that yields were higher with the genotypes of longer cycles. The best yielding genotypes were TCEP 863, TCEP 841, TCEP 852, TCEP 851 and TCEP 8536 which out yielded the wheat cultivar BH 1146 by 92, 94, 105, 109 and 113%, respectively. IAC 1-Juanillo was susceptible to stem and leaf rusts. IAPAR 38- Aruana and OCEPAR 3 were susceptible to stem rust. ------------------------- Publications Goulart, A. C. P., F. M. Fernandes, and A. N. de Mesquita. 1990. Ocorrencia de Gibberella zeae em trigo (Triticum aestivum L.) no estado de Mato Grosso do Sul. Summa Phytopathologica, 16(1):9. Resumo. Trabalho apresentado no XIII Congresso Paulisat de Fitopathologia, Sao Paulo, SP, 1990. Goulart, A. C. P., and F. de A. Paiva. 1990. Perdas em trigo (Triticum aestivum L.) causadas por Pyricularia oryzae. Fitopoathol. bras., Brasilia, 15(2):122. Resumo. Trabalho apresentado no XXIII Congresso Brasileiro de Fitopatologia, Goiania, GO, 1990. Goulart, A. C. P., and F. de A. Paiva. 1990. Pyricularia oryzae em trigo (Triticum aestivum L.): transmissao atraves das sementes. Fitopatol. brasl., Brasilia, 15(2):135. Resumo. Trabalho apresentado no XXIII Congresso Brasileiro de Fitopatologia, Goiania, GO, 1990. Goulart, A. C. P. and F. de A. Paiva. 1990. Sobrevivencia de Pyricularia oryzae em semestes de Trigo (Triticum aestivum L.). Fitopatol. bras., Brasilia, 15(2):135. Resumo. Trabalho apresentado no XXIII Congresso Brasileiro de Fitopatologia, Goiania, GO, 1990. Goulart, A. C. P., F. de A. Paiva, and A. G. de Moraes. 1990. Tratameno quimico de sementes de trigo para o controle de Pyricularia oryzae Cav. Helminthosporium sativum Pam., King and Bakke. In: Reuniao da Comissao Centro-Sul-Brasileira de Pesquisa de Trigo, 6, Campinas, 1990. Resultados de pesquisa com trigo - 1989. Dourados, EMBRAPA-UEPAE Dourados. p. 145-8. (EMBRAPA. UEPAE Dourados. Documentos, 45). Goulart, A. C. P., and F. de A. Paiva. 1990. Fungos associados as sementes de trigo (Triticum aestivum L.) produzidas em Mato Grosso do Sul. Fitopatol. bras., Brasilia, 15(2):122. Resumo. Trabalho apresentado no XXIII Congresso Brasileiro de Fitopatologia, Goiania, GO, 1990. Goulart, A. C. P., de A. Paiva, A. N. de Mesquita, and A. G. de Moraes. 1990. Avaliacao de eficiencia de fungicidas no controle da brusone (Pyricularia oryzae Cav.) do trigo (Triticum aestivum L.). In: Reuniao da Comissao Centro-Sul-Brasileira de Pesquisa de Trigo, 6, Campinas, 1990. Resultados de pessquisa com trigo - 1989. Dourados, EMBRAPA-UEPAE Dourados. p. 135-9. (EMBRAPA. UEPAE Dourados, Documentos, 45). Goulart, A. C. P., A. N. de Mesquita, F. de A. Paiva, and A. G. de Moraes. 1990. Avaliacao de fungicidas no controle das doencas do trigo. In: Reuniao da Comissao Centro-Sul-Brasileira de Pesquisa de Trigo, 6, Campinas, 1990. Resultados de pesquisa com trigo - 1989. Dourados, EMBRAPA-UEPAE Dourados. p. 130-4. (EMBRAPA-UEPAE Dourados. Documentos, 45). ------------------------- ITEMS FROM CANADA Prairie Wheat Variety Survey and Production The 1990 Prairie Wheat Variety Survey was conducted jointly by Alberta Wheat Pool, Manitoba Pool Elevators and Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. Percentage of area is indicated with the 1989 figures in brackets. Common - Katepwa 44.3(50.2), Neepawa 13.5(18.6), Columbus 16.1(17.0), Conway 4.4(2.3), Park 1.9(2.3), Laura 9.5(1.6), Roblin 4.3(1.3), Leader 0.9(1.4), Benito 1.0(1.1), Kenyon 0.7(0.8), Biqqar 0.5, Lancer 0.9 (0.5), Glenlea 0.3(0.3), Oslo 0.1L(0.2), unlicensed 0.5(0.4), and others 1.0(1.4) of 11.09(10.3) million hectares. Durum - Kyle 47.0(42.3), Wakooma 16.3(18.1), Medora 12.3(13.3), Wascana 9.0(12.1), Sceptre 8.8(7.6), Arcola 2.5(2.2), Pelissier 2.2(2.0), Coulter 0.9(1.5), and others 1.0(0.9) of 2.26 (2.62) million hectares. Winter - Norstar 95.0(94.6), Norwin 3.2(3.5), others 1.8 (12.9) of 0.15(.13) million hectares. Statistics Canada's November estimates of 1990 wheat production on the prairies: Hectares Metric Tons Manitoba Spring 2,044,000 5,443,000 Durum 142,000 395,000 Winter 12,100 27,700 Saskatchewan Spring 6,475,000 13,880,000 Durum 1,740,000 3,348,000 Winter 72,800 108,900 Alberta Spring 2,711,000 6,069,000 Durum 344,000 667,000 Winter 68,800 163,000 ------------------------- ALBERTA Agriculture Canada Research Station, Lethbridge R. S. Sadasivaiah and R. L. Conner Breeding for stripe rust resistance in soft white spring wheat. Stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis) is the major foliar disease of soft white spring wheat in the irrigated regions of southern Alberta. Under conditions. favorable for disease development, stripe rust can cause over 40% yield loss in susceptible cultivars. Until recently, stripe rust was thought to have been introduced into Alberta early in the spring by airborne spores from the U. S. Pacific Northwest, but in early 1986, it was found that the pathogen could overwinter and cause a severe outbreak of the disease. Breeding for stripe rust resistance has been intensified at Lethbridge since the major outbreak of this disease in 1986. The soft white spring wheat cultivars thus far grown in western Canada originated from breeding programs in the U.S. Of the two U.S. cultivars (Fielder and Owens) currently registered for commercial production in western Canada, Fielder is highly susceptible to stripe rust, and until recently, Owens showed resistance at both seedling and adult plant stages to races prevalent in southern Alberta. Fielder, despite its susceptibility to stripe rust, occupies 85-95% of the soft white acreage seeded in southern Alberta because of its good agronomic and end-use quality characteristics. Despite the fact that Owens showed resistance to stripe rust and also yielded about 7% more than Fielder under our conditions, this cultivar was not well accepted by growers because of its susceptibility to lodging and poor grain sample. In addition to yield losses due to stripe rust, soft wheat in southern Alberta also suffers grade losses due to kernel black point (Alternaria alternata/Helminthosporium sativum) to which both Fielder and Owens are susceptible. In the mid-1980's studies were undertaken to transfer genes for both stripe rust and black point resistance into the adapted cultivar Fielder, through backcrossing procedures. The cultivar Owens and a germplasm line SWS-15 were selected as donors of genes for resistance to stripe rust and black point, respectively. SWS-15 is susceptible to stripe rust. Genetic studies indicated that stripe rust resistance in Owens is governed by a single dominant gene but the genetics of black point resistance in SWS-15 is unknown. Crosses between Owens and SWS-15 were made and the resultant F1 (Owens/SWS-15) hybrid plants were crossed with Fielder. The hybrid progenies thus obtained from three-way crosses (Owens/SWS-15//Fielder) were artificially inoculated and screened for stripe rust resistance under controlled environment conditions. A consistent and reliable level of infection and disease development was obtained by using the following procedure. Seedlings in the two-leaf stage grown in rootrainers at cyclic temperatures of 10oC (in dark) and 14oC (in light) were inoculatged with P. striiformis by atmoizing a suspension of urediospores in mineral oil (Dustrol). Following inoculation, seedlings were placed in a humidity chamber (a plastic tent attached to a Solavay Deluxe, Ultra-sonic Coolmist Humdifier maintaining 100% relative humidity) for 48 h at 10o and 14oC, with 10 h dark and 14 h of fluorescent cool white light. Seedlings were then removed from the humidity chamber and held at the same temperature and light conditions for about 3 weeks before they were rated for infection type. The resistant seedlings were transplanted to larger pots, and 1-2 heads from each plant were inoculated at anthesis with spores of A. alternata using the vacuum infiltration technique. The plants were grown to maturity and seeds harvested from inoculated heads were evaluated for black point incidence. Owens and SWS-15 were used as checks for stripe rust and black point resistance, respectively, in all experiments. Of the 41 plants screened, not a single plant was recovered with resistance to both stripe rust and black point suggesting the complexity involved in simultaneous transfer of genes for resistance to both traits. The subsequent backcross and screening efforts were therefore concentrated on monitoring the gene for stripe rust resistance. After four backcrosses using Fielder as the recurrent parent, the resistant BC4 F1 plants were selfed, and BC4 F2 and BC4 F3 progenies were screened to identify lines homozygous for stripe rust resistance. Two hundred resistant lines thus identified were evaluated for agronomic traits in single-row unreplicated plots with Fielder as a check at regular intervals. Forty-one selected lines along with Fielder and Owens as checks were evaluated in replicated yield trials at two locations. All lines evaluated were resistant to stripe rust with agronomic and kernel characteristics of the recurrent parent, Fielder. However, in 1989, field observations at Creston, B. C. indicated the presence of a new race of P. striiformis that was virulent on the previously resistant cultivar, Owens. This was confirmed by artificial inoculation studies using Fielder, Owens and the backcross-derived lines which carried the resistant gene from Ownes. These observations are consistent with earlier reports by a number of workers that stripe rust resistance conferred by race-specific, major genes is often short-lived. A broad genetic base comprising several known genes for resistance, effective at both seedling and adult plant stages, to different races of the pathogen is required for maintaining a long-lasting resistance to stripe rust in southern Alberta. A study is currently underway at Lethbridge to screen the wheat germplasm collection and to transfer exotic resistance genes into locally adapted breeding material. Development of cultivars with multi-factor forms of both seedling and adult platn resistance to many races of the pathogen offers the most efficient fand economical way of controlling stripe rust. Publications Conner, R. L., A. D. Kuzyk. 1988. Effectiveness of fungicides in controlling stipe rust, leaf rust, and black point in soft white spring wheat. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 10:321-326. Sadasivaiah, R. S., J. B. Thomas. 1991. Registration of `SWS-52' spring wheat. Crop Sci. (in press). Sadasivaiah, R. S., J. B. Thomas. 1991. SWS-52 soft white spring wheat. Can. J. Plant Sci. (in press). ------------------------- K. G. Briggs, Department of Plant Science, University of Alberta Spring wheat research. Aluminum, maganese and acid soil tolerance, copper deficiency studies are underway (with M. Sc. students James Owuoche and Sergio Moroni). High levels of Al and Mn tolerance have now sbeen established in adapted Canadian spring wheat genotype. A simple chlorophyll content assay using seedlings, suitable for selection of Mn tolerance in breeding programs, has been developed. Near isogenic Al tolerant/intolerant sets (with 3,4 or 5 backcrosses) have been established jin the varieties Ketepwa, Columbus and Oslo, for further use in agronomic, physiological and genetic investigations. Genetic studies of stripe rust resistance in soft white spring wheat are underway (M. Sc. student Joanna Pinto, with local research at Agriculture Canada Research Statijon, Lethbridge, supervised by Dr. Bob Conner). A small breeding program is continuing targeted at producing high uielding, early maturing, semidwarf red seeded Canada Prairie Spring varieties suited to the high moisture areas of the W. Canadian Parkland region. This program continues to coordinate the Parklands Cooperative Trial in this region designed for evaluating early maturing wheats. The second year of a three year database accumulation field study was completed in 1990, to relate phenological developmental stages of 10 spring wheat cultivars to climatic parameters at the Edmonton Research Station. These data are collected for two seeding dates each year, and will produce a source for future crop modelling exercises with spring wheat in the region. Registration of Cutler Wheat. The University of Alberta was granted registration approval in 1991 for a new Spring wheat variety known as Cutler. This registration was granted by Agriculture Canada after Cutler completed 3 years of evaluation in the Parkland C Cooperative trial and proved itself to offer significant agronomic benefits. Cutler is ideally suited to production in the Parkland region of Western Canada where early maturity is important. Laboratory tests show that Cutler has a high tolerance to soluble aluminum. This suggests that Cutler may be particularly adapted to acidic soil types, which occur in significant N Alberta acreages. Cutler is the earliest maturing wheat now registered in Western Canada, maturing three days earlier than Park. Kernel and quality characteristics make it eligible for the Canada Prairie Spring (red) grade class. Cutler significantly outyielded Park at 15 of 16 Co-op sites by an average of 11 percent. As a semi dwarf, Cutler features good lodging resistance. It is however, susceptible to bunt and loose smuts. The variety is named after Dr. G. Cutler, the first Chair of the Department of Plant Science at the University of Alberta. This historic name was chosen to recognize the 75th Anniversary of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry in 1990. Exclusive marketing rights to Cutler were awarded to United Grain Growers Limited as the result of a tender process. Cutler will be marketed as one of the PROVEN line of seed products. Certified Cutler seed will be available from the Proven seed retail network in 1993. Enquiries about seed supplies should be addressed to: Mr. Russell Jeffrey, Manager Production and Marketing - PROVEN Seed, United Grain Growers Limited, 7410 120 Avenue, P. O. Box 6030, Stn. C., Edmonton, Alberta, T5B 4K5. PROVEN Seed is a registered trademark of United Grain Growers Ltd. ------------------------- Agriculture Canada Research Station, Winnipeg Steve Haber Flame Chlorisis confirmed in wheat in Manitoba Flame chlorisis (FC), a new, soil-transmitted, virus-like disease was first observed in barley in 1985 (1). The disease is characterized by striking symptoms unique among cereal diseases, specific ultrastructural alterations to chloroplasts and mitochondria, and a distinct set of double-stranded (ds) RNA fragments. From 1985 to 1990 FC was observed in an increasing number of barley fields in western Manitoba, and beginning in 1988 in the Red River Valley as well (2.3). A disease of wheat with sumptoms resembling FC of barley was first observed in 1988. Analysis of dsRNA and cytopathology confirmed that the disease was indeed very similar to FC of barley, but was associated with a pattern of dsRNA fragments distinct from that isolated from barley FC tissue. Labelled probes made from barley FFC dsRNA hybridized with high homology to wheat FC dsRNA indicating that the disease-specific dsRNAs in the two diseases was closely related but distinct. An extensive disease survey was carried out in Manitoba in June and July of 1989 (3). fC was found in 57 of the 161 surveyed spring cereal fields. Most (49 of 57) of the sites where FC was confirmed were barley fields, and the disease was only at trace levels in the 8 wheat fields where FC was confirmed. All except one of these fields was in the area of western Manitoba approximately bounded by Brandon, Neepawa and Shoal Lake, an area that also has the greatest concentratjion of FC barley sites (3). Although FC has not caused detectable losses in wheat, it is nevertheless a potential concern in western Manitoba for two reasons: a) increases in the disease intensity and number of sites with wheat FC may be following, with a lag of several years, the pattern observed for barley FC. The number of barley FC sites has been increasing consistently since 1985 (1.3) and the altered dsRNA pattern suggests the FC agent may have mutated in becoming a pathogen of wheat (4); b) there appears to be a link between frequent cultivation in wheat and barley and increasing incidence of FC (1). Growing wheat after barley may predispose to greater future incidence of FC in barley even if FC incidence in wheat is much lower than in barley. In western Manitoba where the combined frequency of wheat and barley cultivation is often 80% or more, constraint's posed by FC may further limit the available cropping options. Publications Haber, S., W. Kim, R. Gillespie and A. Tekauz. 1990. Flame chlorosis: a new, virus-like, soil-transmitted disease of barley in Manitoba. J. Phytopathol. 129:245- 256. Haber, S. 1990. Flame chlorosis, a new and damaging virus-like disease of cereals in Manitoba: 1989 survey. Can. Pl. Dis. Survey 70(1):50. Haber, S. and R. G. Platford. 1991. 1990 survey of flame chlorosis in Manitoba. Can. Pl. Dis. Survey 71(1): in press. Haber, S. and D. J. S. Barr. 1990. Flame chlorosis: a new, soil-transmitted, virus-like disease of cereals in Manitoba, Canada. pp. 169-172 In Koenig, R. ed. Proceedings of the First Symposium of the International Working Group on Plant Viruses with Fungal Vectors, Schriftenreihe der Deutschen Phytomedizinischen Gesellschaft, Band I. ------------------------- O. M. Lukow and K. M. Kidd Rapid SDS-PAGE of HMW glutenin subunits. A rapid, vertical sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) procedure was developed for the fractionation of high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin subunits using a Mini Protean II Electgrophoresis System. The relatively small gel size (70 x 80 x 1mm) permits separations to be completed in 2.5 hours compared to 20 hours for a conventionally sized (160 x 140 x 1.5 mm) vertical gel system while still maintaining comparable resolution. Identification of HMW glutenin subunits by rapid SDS-PAGE was possible for most commonly occurring subunits although, as with conventionally sized gels, subunits 2 and 2* were not resolved. This new technique is particularly useful in wheat breeding programs for the early generation screening of large number of lines. O. M. Lukow and N. K. Howes Markers for smut resistance. A total of 438 F2 half-kernels were analyzed by SDS-PAGE to determine their HMW glutenin composition. Embryos homozygous for subunit type were grown and seedlings tested for smut resistance to race T39. The F2 families gave a two gene segregation (32% resistant, 16% susceptible). There was no significant association between resistance and HMW glutenin subunit composition. The same source of resistance was also tested for possible location on chromosome 1BS, using a cross to the susceptible 1BL/1RS wheat/rye translocation. There was no association between smut resistance and the presence or absence of chromosome arm 1BS. ------------------------- D. E. Harder and K. Dunsmore Occurrence and physiologic specialization of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici in Canada in 1990. Wheat stem rust appeared in susceptible nurseries in Manitoba in mid July. Wet weather in June and early July indicated favorable conditions for rust development, but very dry and warm weather during the remainder of July and August generally limited further spread. In some regions, however, fields of barley were heavily infected and severe losses. Collections of P. graminis f. sp. tritici were obtained from nurseries of susceptible wheat lines, from cultivated barley (Hordeum sativum) and from wild barley (H. jubatum) for virulence analysis. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2. In past years TPM has dominated (Ca. 44% in Manitoba in 1989) on wheat, but in 1990 was less prominent (27.9% in Manitoba). In contrast, race QCC increased in the same region from 22.9% in 1989 to 32.3% in 1990 (Table 1). Another common race, QFC, remained relatively stable. A possible explanation for these results is that although race QCC dominates on barley (Table 2), this race is also common on wheat. The extensive acreage of barley in the north central region has likely forced an increase in the inoculum load of this reace, causing a greater predominance on wheat. This result indicates a potential danger to the barley crop in North America. ------------------------- W. J. Turnock and B. H. Timlick The Hessian fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) has been a pest of cereals, mainly wheat, in Manitoba since 1899. The larvae damage wheat plants by feeding on the inside of the leaf sheath above a node. The stem of the plant is weakened and subject to breakage. Infestations may also reduce seed yield. Hessian fly infestations are sporadic and their abundance may be dependent on factors such as host plant phenology, weather, overwintering success. Susceptibility to Hessian fly attack and to stem breakage is genetically determined and varies among cultivars of wheat. The objectives of this study were: to determine the incidence of Hessian fly on 6 cultivars of wheat on the Agriculture Canada experimental farm at glenlea, Manitoba, and in commercial fields of Biggar cv. wheat grown in southern Manitoba. Materials and Methods. In 1990, Hessian fly infestation levels and stem breakage were examined for 6 cultivars of wheat: Katepwa, Biggar, 89W299, CBWA41, Nordic and Guard. Katepwa is the most widely grown hard red spring wheat in Manitoba, Biggar is a recently released semi-dwarf cultivar, 89W299 and CBWA41 are breeders lines of semi-dwarf wheats and Nordic and Guard are semi-dwarf cultivars from the U.S.A. Guard contains a known genetic resistance to Hessian fly. The experiment used a randomized complete block design with three replications per seedling. The seedling dates were 10, 22, and 31 May. Each plot was 4 m long and made up of seven rows spaces 15 cm apart. Each plot fwas sampled once to determine the level of infestation by Hessian fly and the incidence of broken stems. In row 3 of each plot, every plant within a 30 cm length was removed and examined. Each stem was classified as normal or broken. These stems were dissected and the number of Hessian fly larvae and puparia (collectively called "immatures") was recorded. Sampling occurred after the plants headed: on 10 August for the first planting, on 27 August for the second planting, and on 7 September for the third planting. Eleven fields of Biggar cv. wheat throughout southern Manitoba from Winnipeg west to Souris, were sampled (Table 2). In every field, the percentage of broken stems was determined by examining the plants from 18 samples. Each sample indluded a 30 cm sectijon of row. Samples were taken along each of the three lines, about 100 m apart, at right angles to the field margin. One sample was collected at each of the rows: 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 of each line. The incidence of Hessian fly in these fields was determined from three samples collected from row four of each line as described above. The data on incidence and stem breakage were analyzed using standard ANOVA and Multiple Range tests, and regression techniques. Results and Discussion. Hessian fly immaturs were not found in plants form the first two seeding dates, indicating that the Hessian fly adults selected their host plants based partially on the developmental stage of the plants available within the blocks. Hessian fly infestations occurred in all but one cultivar in the third planting (Table 1). Most of the immatures in the stems were puparia (99%). The cultivars differed in stnad density, but the differencs were not related to Hessian fly infestation. The level of infestation and the amount of stem breakage varied among cultivars. Few of the differences were significant because intra-cultivar variance was high (Table 1). Guard cs. was not infested and had no stem breakage. Its genetic resistance is antibiotic in nature. In the other cultivars, all of the broken stems contained Hessian fly. Among these cultivars the percentage of infested stems and the number of immatures per stem was lowest in Nordic cv. and highest in Biggar cv. (Table 1). The percentage of broken stems was always lower than the percentage of infested stems. Katepwa cv. and Nordic cv. had an equally low percentage of broken stems. This similarity is surprising since Katepwa cv. had a much higher percentage of stems infested by Hessian fly (73.5 vs 45.2), and more immatures per stem (6.6 vs 1.2). This suggests that there may be an interaction between feeding by hessian fly larvae and cultivar straw strengt that affects the percentage of broken stems. There was also a positive and significant relationship (p<0.05, R2=0.45) between the mean number of immatures per stem and the amount of stem breakage. Table 1. Incidence of Hessian Fly and the incidence of stem breakage in six wheat cultivars sown at Glenlea, Manitoba on 31 May 1990. Broken Stems Immatures/ Stem Stem Containing Cultivar Stem Broken (%) Infested (%) Immatures (%) Biggar 10.5a 32.2a 93.4a 100 89W299 8.5a 24.4a 79.1ab 100 Katepwa 6.6ab 17.3a 73.5ab 100 CBWA41 4.7ab 26.0a 74.1ab 100 Nordic 1.2b 17.5a 45.2b 100 Guard 0b 0b 0c 0 * numbers in columns followed by the same letter represent values that are not statistically different (p<0.05, Duncan's Multiple Range Test). Hessian fly infestations were found in 6 of the 11 fields of the commercial fields sampled (Table 2). There was no geographic trend in the proportion of infested stems. Fields in which no Hessian fly were found tended to be less mature at the time of sampling than the infested fields. Later planted fields may have developed too late for Hessian fly infestation to occur. There was no significant correlation (R2=0.27,p = 0.1, F = 3.3, df=1) between the level of infestation and the percentage of broken stems. The percentage of broken stms tended to decrease from fields in the Red River Valley (Winnipeg, Starbuck, Fannystelle, Portage) to those sampled from the drier Western Uplands (Justice, Brandon, Rapid City, Souris). The field infestations and stem breakage in Biggar cv. were much lower in commercial fields (Table 2) than in the experimental plots (Table 1). In only one of these fields (Brandon) were all of the broken stems infested with Hessian fly. Table 2. Infestation rates and proportion of broken stems in commercial Biggar cv. wheat fields from locations in southern Manitoba, from Winnipeg west to Souris, during August 1990. Broken Stems Immatures/ Stems Stems Containing Location Stem Broken (%) Infested (%) Immatures (%) Winnipeg 0.14 6.7a 6.7 20.0 Starbuck 0 8.2a 0 0 Fannystelle 0.13 3.5b 12.5 33.3 Portage 0 10.6a 0 0 Treherne 0.13 4.2b 12.5 50.0 McGregor 0 10.8a 0 0 Carberry 0 4.2b 0 0 Justice 0.07 6.3a 4.3 33.3 Brandon 0.17 3.0b 10.0 100 Rapid City 0 4.1b 0 0 Souris 0.03 4.4b 4.0 50.0 * numbers in columns followed by the same letter represent values that are not significantly different (p<0.05, Duncan's Multiple Range Test). Crop phenology was an important factor in determining the occurrence of Hessian fly. In the experimental plots, earlier plantings (10 and 22 May) escaped attack while the latest planting (31 May) was heavily infested. In commercial fields, less mature (later planted?) fields escaped attack. More information is needed on the phenology of the pest development and oviposition periods. The high level of infestation and of stem breakage in experimental plots and the widespread occurrence of Hessian fly, with lower levels of breakage, in commercial fields of Biggar cv. across southern Manitoba suggests that Hessian fly could cause economic losses. Infestations in the commercial fields of Biggar, the most heavily infested cultivar tested, should provide an estiamte of the maximum losses attributable to this insect. Sampling of other cultivars is needed to confirm this hypothesis. In 1990, the level of infestatijon of wheat in southern Manitoba is unlikely to have caused heavy yield loss. The occurrence of up to 11% stem breakage is of concern, particularly if producers adopt straight combining as a major harvesting technique. The apparent complete resistance of Guard cv. to attack by Hessian fly in Manitoba needs to be confirmed; however, the absence of infestations in this cultivar indicates that genetic resistance is available for use in new cultivars adapted to the eastern Canadian prairies. This study was partially funded by the Manitoba/Canada Agri-Food Agreement. ------------------------- J.A. Kolmer WHEAT LEAF RUST IN CANADA IN 1990 Leaf rust of wheat was first observed June 21 in winter wheat in southwestern Manitoba. By the first week in July, leaf rust was present in light to trace amounts in spring wheat fields throughout southern Manitoba. Leaf rust severities of 20-100% infection on susceptible cultivars were observed throughout southern Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan (between Regina and Melfort) in the last week of July. Significant yield losses due to leaf rust was expected in winter wheats grown in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, as severities of 50-100% were observed on winter wheat at Portage, and Minto, Manitoba. The spring wheat and durum cultivars in Manitoba and Saskatchewan are all resistant to leaf rust, as only trace to light levels of rust were observed in these wheats. PHYSIOLOGIC SPECIALIZATION OF Puccinia recondita ON WHEAT IN Canada IN 1990. PERCENTAGES OF THE MOST COMMON VIRULENCE PHENOTYPES (>5%) AS IDENTIFIED ON THE Prt DIFFERENTIALS. VIRULENCE PHENOTYPE VIRULENCES EAST PRAIRIES BRIT. COL. FBL-B 2c,3,3ka,B 6.20 0.00 0.00 KBG-14a 2a,2c,3,11,14a 0.60 8.30 0.00 MBB-14a 1,3,14a 2.50 0.00 18.80 MBG-14a 1,3,11,14a 7.40 7.30 0.00 MDB-14a 1,3,24,14a 2.50 16.10 6.30 MFB-14a 1,3,24,26,14a 1.90 28.80 0.00 NBB-B,18 1,2c,B,18 1.20 0.00 56.30 PBL-B 1,2c,3,3ka,B 56.80 0.00 0.00 TBB-14a 1,2a,2c,3,14a 0.00 7.80 0.00 TBG-14a 1,2a,2c,3,11,14a 1.90 23.40 28.30 TOTAL NUMBER OF ISOLATES 162 205 16 EAST - ONTARIO, QUEBEC PRAIRIES - MANITOBA,SASKATCHEWAN, ALBERTA ISOLATES WERE EVALUATED FOR VIRULENCE PHENOTYPE ON DIFFERENTIAL SETS WITH GENES Lr1, 2a, 2c, 3, 9, 16, 24, 26, 3ka, 11, 17, 30, B, 14a, 18. ------------------------- S.E. German, J.A. Kolmer, P.L. Dyck THE EFFECT OF RESISTANCE GENES Lr13 and Lr34 IN CONDITIONING ENHANCED RESISTANCE TO LEAF RUST OF WHEAT The adult plant leaf rust resistance genes Lr13 and Lr34 have provided durable resistance either singly, together, or in combinations with other leaf rust resistance genes. These genes have also been reported to interact with other leaf rust resistance genes to condition enhanced levels of resistance (a higher level of resistance than either gene singly) to leaf rust. This study was conducted to systematically determine which resistance genes Lr13 and Lr34 interact with to condition enhanced levels of resistance to leaf rust. Methods and Materials. The Thatcher isogenic lines were crossed with TcLr13 and TcLr34. F2 seedlings from each cross were evaluated for resistance with race 1 of Puccinia recondita. F3 families were derived from the most resistant F2 seedlings from each cross, and evaluated for resistance and homozygosity of the adult plant genes Lr13 or Lr34 in the rust nursery at Winnipeg. F3 families homozygous for the adult plant genes were harvested and evaluated for homozygosity of the seedling genes with race 1 in seedling tests. Homozygous F4 lines were also evaluated the next year in the rust nursery. Results. Resistance genes Lr13 and Lr34 conditioned enhanced levels of resistance when paired with genes that conditioned some degree of effective resistance (compared to the susceptible Thatcher) when present singly (Table 1). Genes Lr13 and Lr34 did not condition enhanced resistance when paired with genes that did not condition effective resistance when present singly. Combinations of genes Lr13 and Lr16, and Lr13 and Lr34, were as resistant as the highly resistant cultivars Columbus (Lr13,Lr16), and Era and Chris (Lr13,Lr34) TABLE 1. LEAF RUST FIELD SEVERITY AND RESPONSE OF THATCHER ISOGENIC LINES AND HOMOZYGOUS LINES OF TcLr13 and TcLr34 PAIRED WITH SEEDLING RESISTANCE GENES ISOGENIC GENE LINE Lr13/ Lr34/ Lr1 80S 20MR-30MS T-30M Lr2a 90S 10R-20RMR T-20M Lr2c 90S 10R T-30M Lr3 70S 10RMR T-30M Lr3ka 10-20R TR 5R Lr11 90S 20R-40MR T-20M Lr16 50MR 5R 5VR Lr17 60MRMS 5R-20MR 5VR Lr18 TR TR 5VR Lr21 10R TR 5VR Lr24 80S 20RMR * Lr26 70MS 30RMR T-20M Lr30 20MRMS TR * Lr33 30MRMS 10RMR * LrB 50MR 5R T-5M Lr13 10R-40MS * 5VR Lr34 T-20M * * Columbus(Lr13,Lr16) TR * 5VR Era(Lr10,Lr13,Lr34) 5VR * * Chris(Lr13,Lr34) 5VR * * Thatcher 90S * * TR = TRACE RESISTANT REACTION VR = VERY RESISTANT MR = MODERATELY RESISTANT MS = MODERATELY SUSCEPTIBLE S = SUSCEPTIBLE SEVERITY WAS ASSESSED USING THE MODIFIED COBB SCALE ------------------------- ONTARIO Plant Research Centre, Ottawa W.L. Seaman, E.F. Schneider, and D.R. Sampson Diseases. Survival of soft white winter wheat was high in most areas of southern Ontario, despite very cold temperatures in December. Damage from snow molds generally was light and scattered, but with 5-50% losses and reseeding in some fields. Winter kill from icing and heaving was scattered and moderate in heavier soils in the main growing area. However, in eastern counties winter damage was more severe, and in the Ottawa Valley abiotic factors, including cold desiccation in March, caused severe damage, with losses of 30-100% in commercial fields, and almost total loss of breeding plots at Ottawa. Cool conditions in April were favorable for development of wheat spindle streak mosaic in infested soils. Powdery mildew developed rapidly early in the season and fields in the west-central areas were sprayed with propiconazole or triadimefon. Problems with low pH were common, and manganese deficiency was prevalent in both sandy and organic soils in western Ontario. Take-all, leaf rust, septoria tritici blotch, tan spot, and septoria nodorum glume blotch were widespread, at light to moderate levels. A sudden yellowing of flag leaves at heading in many fields in the Niagara region appeared to be typical of late infection by barley yellow dwarf virus, but ELISA tests of affected plants were negative. An influx of aphids from the USA during a warm period in early May resulted in more serious losses than usual in spring crops, with severe damage in northern Ontario and in the southeast, where many late-seeded BYD-affected fields were cut for forage. In white winter wheat, fusarium head blight was much less prevalent and severe than in 1989, and there were no problems with deoxynivalenol levels in harvested wheat; however, corn in the same areas was much more severely affected by fusarium ear rot later in the season. In soft white wheat, the major downgrading factors, from No.1 CE to No. 2 CE, were sprouting and "mildew." In the Canadian grading system, mildew is a term applied to darkening of kernels caused by the superficial accumulation of spores of field fungi, chiefly Alternaria, Epiccocum, and Cladosporium spp., at the brush end of the kernels. New cultivar. Harmil, a soft white winter wheat, was registered in 1990. Harmil (O-90-4-1) is a high yielding, strong strawed pastry wheat with desirable characteristics of low protein in grain and flour; it is well adapted to most of the growing area (corn heat units 2700-2900), where its yield is similar to that of the most widely grown cultivar Harus . It is resistant to loose smut but moderately susceptible to the prevalent leaf and head diseases, as are most of the registered cultivars, except Annette, which is resistant to powdery mildew. Unlike the other registered check cultivars, Harmil is resistant to races T2 and T10 of Ustilago tritici. ------------------------- PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Charlottetown H. W. Johnston and H. G. Nass Determining components of resistance to Septoria nodorum. Components of resistance to Septoria leaf blotch were determined using a test of 25 spring wheats. Severity and rate of symptom development, sporulation of the pathogen on leaves, tolerance, and agronomic characteristics were determined. Susceptible lines were characterized by rapid symptom development and greater pathogen sporulation. Lines with known resistance had delayed symptom development, less sporulation, and fewer lesions. Tolerance to disease also followed a similar pattern. Correlations between various recorded disease and agronomic characteristics illustrated that yield was negatively associated with symptom severity and positively related in days to lesion formation, height, and maturity (Tables 1 and 2). Controlling Septoria nodorum with foliar applications of Tilt (or other fungicides) compared to check plots (Table 2) showed that this can be an effective method in identifying resistant and susceptible wheats. Table l. Correlation coefficients for Septoria nodorum on 25 spring wheats. Days Spores Spores/ Plot Days to to on Height head rating disease heading leaves Yield Spores/head -0.173 -- Plot rating (0-9) -0.217* 0.236* -- Days to disease development -0.049 -0.0153 -0.301** -- Days to heading 0.349** -0.298** -0.609** 0.190 -- Spores on leaves -0.148 0.931** 0.215* -0.171 -0.292** -- Yield 0.205* -0.152 -0.570** 0.116 0.286** -0.120 *,**Significant at 0.05 and 0.01 levels of probability, respectively. Table 2. Effect of Septoria nodorum on several traits of selected spring wheats. Yield gain due Spores/ Spores/ Days to to control of Entry head leaves heading Septoria nodorum (10-7) (10-7) (days) g/plot) R AW 102 5.95 5.72 70.8 91 R W 7 6.30 3.75 70.0 816 R JO 8058 8.10 12.50 70.0 344 AW 153 8.18 10.42 70.0 684 COLUMBUS 9.04 7.78 67.0 798 QW500.35 12.15 13.00 65.0 443 R SN 1 14.60 15.00 67.0 633 AW 170 19.80 24.75 68.8 691 ALGOT 20.00 21.69 66.0 825 KATEPWA 21.42 21.69 64.0 741 MAX 24.15 27.25 67.8 945 BELVEDERE 27.75 31.25 67.3 942 S CAL. 15 31.15 40.35 65.3 1430 SH 85-1578 33.10 33.50 67.8 1067 S WISC.271 35.22 38.44 66.8 1366 R = Resistant check. S = Susceptible check. ------------------------- SASKATCHEWAN Saskatchewan Wheat Pool - Agricultural Research & Development R.J. Graf, D. Potts - Saskatoon; B.J Fowler, K. Glatt, C. McLean - Watrous About fifteen years ago, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, along with Alberta Wheat Pool, Manitoba Pool Elevators and CSP Foods Ltd., initiated a program of developing new crop varieties. A body called the Co-operative Crop Development Group (CCDG) was established to provide direction to the crop development program. The objective of this group is to acquire or develop new crops or crop varieties that will benefit western Canadian producers. These new varieties are marketed under the Ultrabred trademark. The Saskatchewan Wheat Pool (SWP) Agricultural Research and Development (ARD) branch (formerly Product Development) is responsible for the coordination of wheat development out of offices in Saskatoon and an experimental farm located at Watrous, 120 km south of Saskatoon. A substantial number of changes have occurred since SWP's last submission to AWN in 1986. Early that year, Federal-Provincial grant (ERDA) money was accessed to hire a second wheat breeder responsible for CPS and Soft White wheat development. Dr. Pierre Hucl was hired to the position but within a year became the the program leader, with the departure of Dr. Leonard Song. Dr. Robert Graf became the CPS and durum breeder, with Dr. Hucl retaining the responsibilities of CWRS and Soft White wheat development. 1987 was also important year in that additional funds (IRAP) were made available to initiate a three year, wheat biotechnology project. The major objectives of this research were to develop improved techniques of doubled-haploid production for use in hastening the breeding cycle. To this end, Dr. Brian Orshinsky and Linda McGregor were hired to work in cooperation with the National Research Council's Plant Biotechnology Institute in Saskatoon. Grace Johnson was later added to the group for additional technical support. Funding of these efforts has recently been extended to develop lines with specific herbicide resistance. With the addition of the second wheat breeder, a more stringent early generation quality and disease screening program was initiated, to cope with the increased number of lines being developed. Part and parcel with this new thrust was the enhancement of the quality testing capabilities at the farm. With this program now in place, the number of lines under yield test has not increased dramatically, remaining at approximately 11,000 plots per year. In 1990, the wheat development program consists of the following people. Dr. Robert Graf is Senior Wheat Breeder responsible for purpose wheat development. Dr. Derek Potts, who joined the group in April, has the responsibility of durum and CPS breeding, as well as a coordinating role in our disease screening efforts. Technical support is provided by three technicians at Watrous, Barbara Fowler, Kathy Glatt and Claire McLean. Up to four summer students are hired every year to help out during the hectic growing season. In concert to the breeding work, ARD's team of scientists includes a team of agronomists who, in addition to doing research in the areas of fertility, biopesticides and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR's), determine area of adaptation, herbicide tolerance and fertilizer response of advanced breeding lines. Recently added livestock and secondary processing positions give us a unique, integrated approach to crop development and provide valuable feedback to our more specialized crop development thrusts. Watrous remains the centre of operations, with the majority of yield plots grown at the farm. Off station sites include North Battleford, Lake Lenore and Outlook. Through the CCDG, additional sites across western Canada are accessed. An additional irrigated site, to be set up near Saskatoon in 1991, will be used for the selection and screening of loose smut, Septoria, and possibly root rot resistant lines. Field facilities in Watrous include a well equipped lab for yield trial set-up and processing, as well as quality screening equipment for preliminary assessment of early generation (F3 - F6) experimental lines. A summer greenhouse and winter growth room provide controlled growth facilities year-round. Winter nursery increases are located in Chile, for photo-period sensitive material (CWRS, durum) and southern California for insensitive material (CPS). Quality assessment of advanced lines is done under contract by CSP Foods and the University of Manitoba. To date, 72 lines have been entered into the Cooperative wheat trials, the official pre-registration yield tests. In 1990, six lines were in the second year of co-op evaluation (5 CWRS, 1 CPS), with another 12 lines (11 CWRS, 1 CPS) being evaluated for the first time. ------------------------- ITEMS FROM CHINA Wheat Breeding Institute, Nanjing Agricultural University Zhaosu Wu, Shirong Yu, Xizhong Wei, Youjia Shen, Qimei Xia, Guoliang Jiang, Jiming Wu, Yong Xu, Zhaoxia Chen Evolutionary changes in yield and source-sink characters of wheat cultivars grown in the North Huai region of Jiangsu province. Twelve representative wheat cultivars since 1960 were studied on evolutionary changes of wheat yield and its components, and on genetic improvement of source-sink characters in two fertility levels. The results showed that yield of wheat cultivars in this region has risen about 7.1 - 11.0% on average every ten years. The number of grains per spike very significantly increased with increasing yield, while the ears per unit area tended to decrease. There were no difference between the sixties and current cultivars in grain weight, while the seventies cultivars were higher. The positive effect of grains per spike on yield compensated for the negative effects of ears per unit area and grain weight, especially in lower fertility. The plant height significantly decreased from early cultivars to current ones, and was highly correlated with yield. There was a upward tendency in leaf area (LA) per shoot at anthesis, and in leaf area duration (LAD) during the period of anthesis and maturity, while the net assimilation rate (NAR) had a downward tendency, and only slight changes were found in LA, LAD and NAR between the seventies cultivars and current ones. New and old cultivars had similar total dry mater production; however, the stem weight of new cultivars was somewhat less than that of old ones. The enhancement of harvest index resulted in yield increases. In addition, current cultivars had a higher percentage of assimilate produced before anthesis. With the evolutionary changes of wheat cultivars, the sink capacity per square meter had large increases, but no significant difference in sink capacity per spike, filling dry matter index (FI) and shrivelling index (SI) was found. The number of grains per unit stem weight was highly positive correlated with yield. The sixties cultivars had highest spike weight - leaf area ratio and spike grain number-leaf area ratio, and these were lowest in seventies cultivars. Grain weight and plumpness in relation to sink activity and sink capacity and genetic analysis of some related characters in wheat. Nine genotypes with different grain filling characteristics were used to investigate the physiological mechanism of grain filling from 1987 to 1990. The results showed that the filling rate during the linear period of grain weight increase was significantly related to grain weight and crease ratio. This means that the filling rate was one of the important factors which influenced grain weight and plumpness. The invert rate of developing grain imposed a strong influence not only on grain filling rate but also on transport rate of assimilates. During the linear period the invert rate of grain reached its top value. At the same time the content of soluble sugar in developing grains decreased to the lowest value. Nevertheless, soluble sugar content in developing grains was not significantly related to invert rate, which indicated that grain yields at present production level were not seriously limited by lack of assimilates. Different filling rate and invert rate of developing grain among genotypes were mainly caused by grain size. There were no significant differences in special filling rate and special invert rate among most of the genotypes. The duration of active filling period was significantly related to grain weight and raphe index. It seems that prolonging the effective filling period could be of advantage to the increase of grain weight and plumpness. IAA content in developing grain of genotypes with large kernels was remarkably higher than in the grains of those genotypes with small ones, especially in the late phase of grain development. It suggested that IAA may be one of the important factors regulating sink activity. ABA also had some effects on grain filling rate, but its primary role appeared in controlling grain mutations. It was found that the alkaline invertase activity was not lower than the acid invertase during grain development in wheat. When enzyme activity was accounted according to unit fresh weight the differences between genotypes were declined. But there were remarkable differences in duration of higher enzyme activity between genotypes. Apparent parallel correlation was found between the time of sucrose synthase activity started to decrease fast and end of active filling period. So did between decreasing rate of sucrose synthase activity during fast-decreasing period and grain filling rate during the mature period. These meant that maintaining higher metabolic activity in the late phase of grain development was of advantage to the accumulation of dry matter in kernels. Effects of leaf senescence and assimilates remobilization on grain yield of wheat varieties. Nine genotypes with different appearance at maturity were used to investigate the effect of leaf senescence and photo-assimilates remobilization from three top nodes on wheat grain yield in 1988 and 1990. The amount of photo- assimilates remobilized from culms and leaves was not significantly related to the maximum sink capacity of the ear, but significantly related to the grain weight formed after the chlorophyll content of the flag leaf began to quickly decrease. This means that sink activity is the key factor influencing the export of assimilates from culms and leaves. the appearance of the plant at maturity is not necessarily related to the export efficiency of assimilates and nitrogen from culms and leaves. During the process of flag leaf senescence, the chlorophyll and nitrogen content began to rapidly decrease nearly at the same time. Export efficiency of nitrogen from flag blades was significantly related to temperature during the fast-decreasing period of nitrogen content. The export rate increased about 0.05% with 1oC increase of temperature. Although the degrading rate of chlorophyll was remarkably faster than chlorophyll b, there was no significant difference between their relative decrease rates. The ratio of chlorophyll a and b continued to increase during the fast-decreasing period of chlorophyll content and the relative decrease rate of chlorophyll b was increasing that phase. It is concluded that the process of leaf senescence could sensibly be reflected by the ratio of chlorophyll a and b. Studies on the biochemical basis of scab resistance and genetic analysis of some relevant traits in wheat. Field tests of scab resistance and the biochemical analysis of pot inoculation tests in the greenhouse were included in the experiment. Eight cultivars with different levels of resistance to scab were used, F1 and F2 from (7X8)/2 diallel crosses of the eight cultivars, F1, F2, P1, P2, B1, and B2 from five-pair reciprocal crosses, and P1, P2, F1, F2, F3 and F4 from three-pair reciprocal crosses were artificially inoculated by injecting a Gibberrella zeae spore suspension into a single floret in the field. The number of infected spikelets were used to measure resistance to scab. At the same time, inoculated and uninoculated plants of wheat cultivars and their corresponding F1 individuals including various inoculating time treatments were collected to study the correlations between isoenzyme patterns of peroxidase (POD), superodide dismutase (SOD), polyphenul oxidase (PPO), activities of SOD and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), and contents of cholin total phenol, flavone, lignin and soluble protein with the resistance to scab. The following results were obtained. 1. Among the biochemical traits examined, isoenzyme patterns of SOD and POD could be used for detecting genotypic differences of wheat varieties with various degrees of scab resistance, and for determining whether different resistant varieties possessed the same resistance gene(s) or not. They might be also of value in selecting resistant individuals in segregating generations, and in examining the transfer of alien gene(s) into a given variety. 2. Heritability (narrow sense) of the biochemical traits examined falls into the following order: PAL activity > choline content > SOD activity > flavone content > lignin content. Different genotypes could be reflected by their corresponding choline contents and SOD activities of the uninoculated plant. Thus in the studies of scab heredity and breeding, these two biochemical traits can be used as markers; whereas PAL activity, flavone content and lignin content would be more appropriate as manifestation of the biochemical basis for scab resistance. 3. General combining ability of the number of diseased florets, choline content, SOD activity, PAL activity, flavone content and lignin content were significantly different among various genotypes. There was a tendency that the higher the genotype resistance to scab, the better it behaved in the crosses. 4. Heritability of the number of diseased florets among different crosses is higher than that among various generations. Therefore, in the selecting generations of scab resistance breeding programs, by discarding unpromising combinations in the earlier generations, and only focusing on selecting elite individuals in the promising combinations, the breeding efficiency might be greatly raised. 5. The heritability of scab resistance is mainly controlled by additive gene effects. Resistance is partially dominant. Of the genotypes employed in the experiment, there is not much difference in the number of resistance genes between resistant and susceptible genotypes. However, even among resistant genotypes, the number of resistance genes is also not the same. The scab resistance is likely controlled by major genes and modified by minor genes. The number of genes involved is complex, thus difficult to define. It seems likely to obtain both higher resistance and reasonable yield individuals in the segregating population derived from crosses between resistant and susceptible parents. 6. In the genetic study of scab resistance and in the investigation of its biochemical basis, the single floret infection inoculation method in combination with the number of diseased florets as a morphological marker appeared to be a reliable research method. In the scab resistance breeding program, the frequency of diseased florets may be more appropriately employed as an index to select required individuals. 7. There were remarkable correlations between the scab resistance and the indices of polyphenyl oxidase, total phenol and soluble protein, which played a nonsignificant role in the biochemical mechanism of the resistance to scab. PUBLICATIONS Wu, Zhaosu. 1990. Breeding for high yielding wheat varieties. CROPS 1990, 1:4-5. Wu, Zhaosu. 1990. Studies on dormancy and pre-harvest sprouting in Chinese wheat cultivars. p. 144-147. In: M. Huidong et al. (ed). Advances in Genetic Research of Quality Characters in Cereals. Jiangsu Science-Technology Publishing House, Nanjing. Sun Zhiliang, Shen Youjia and Wu Zhaosu. 1990. Genetic variation and expected genetic advances of quality traits in wheat varieties of the Mid-Lower Yangtze Valley. p. 123-125. In the same book as indicated above. Chen, Shaojun, Liu Shufen and Wu Zhaosu. 1990. Genetic analysis of quality traits, steamed bread volume and score in wheat varieties. p. 126-130. In the same book as indicated above. Xu Chengbin and Wu Zhaosu. 1990. Genetic analysis for physiological and biochemical characteristics of pre-harvest sprouting in wheat. p. 148-153. In the same book as indicated above. Ma Chuanxi and Wu Zhaosu. 1990. Genetic variation of HMW glutenin subunits in Chinese wheat varieties and inheritance in F1. p. 158-161. In the same book as indicated above. Wu, Zhaosu. (Editor). 1990. WHEAT BREEDING (monograph). Agriculture Publishing House, Beijing. ------------------------- Wheat Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 1 Nongye Road, Zhengzhou, Henan Zuoji Lin, Shenghui Jie, Xueyi Hu, Z. Q. Wu The 1989-1990 season. This past season was a contrast to the previous season in Henan Province; precipitation in the wheat growing season was 50% more than average, especially in the spring. Stripe rust and powdery mildew were severe in most sites of Henan, most cultivated varieties possessing Yr9 were susceptible to stripe rust (new race no. 29). The total yield was lower than last year due to the decrease of grain weight although the spike number per mu increased. Recurrent selection for resistance to powdery mildew by using the dominant male-sterile gene Tal. The initial population was established in 1986 by varieties possessing different resistant genes and the dominant male-sterile gene Tal. Selection focused on both powdery mildew resistance and agronomic characters improvement. After two cycles of selection, C2 showed significant progress both on resistant plant frequency and decreasing plant height. Other main agronomic characters such as maturity date and yield potential have been improved as well. ------------------------- Hebei Hybrid Wheat Research INstitute, P R China Z. Y. Liu, F. C. Liu, Y. Z. Shen, Z. Q. Li, P. Y. Bai, F. W. Shao, H. M. Li Hybrid Wheat Research Progress in Hebei Province The hybrids wheat research programme is sponsored by the Committee of Science and Technology in Hebei Province, China. Since 1972 we have been working on it for 18 years. A special research organization, Hebei Hybrid Wheat Research Institute, is renamed which used to be called Hebei Cooperated Research Team for Hybrid Wheat first, then Hebei Hybrid Wheat Research Centre. Now there are 18 research staff in this programme who are from 8 units including university, research institute, agricultural technical extension centre and state farm, etc. In recent years the main research progress of hybrid wheat in Hebei province are: 1. New CHA Research. New chemical hybridizing agents (CHA) with high efficiency and no-remnant poison have been successfully developed. In 1987 we undertook the new CHA to get a higher emasculation rate but no-remnant poison agent. The new CHA research unit and its testing was done at the same time so that its utilization value could be identified in time as well as it could be used in the hybrid seed production as early as possible. In 1988 the first new CHA, No. 1 JIAHUA, was successfully developed whose emasculation rate was 95%. In 1989 it was sprayed in a large area in Gaocheng county, the seed set rate on the female lines was 80% and hybrid seeds yield was 3.863 kg/ha in the hybrid seeds production field. In 1990 the second CHA, NO. 2 JIHUA was developed whose emasculation rate was 96.6% by which the yield of hybrid seeds was 3.083 kg/ha. 2. CHA Hybrid Wheat Breeding. CHA hybrid wheat breeding has gotten good results. Four good combinations, No. 1 HUAYOU, No. 2 HUAYOU, NO. 4 HUAYOU and No. 6 HUAYOU, have been selected through 1500 crossing combinations with those two CHA's mentioned above, which all gave a superior heterosis. For example, in 1989, 0.13 has was measured in the field on the hybrid what of No. 1 HUAYOU whose yield was 8.603 kg/ha. In the harvesting time in 1990, the expert group entrusted by the Agricultural Bureau of Hebei Province confirmed the actual yield of No. 1 HUAYOU as 8.904 kg/ha in 0.21 ha after they measured the area and weighed the grain. This yield is 26% over the check variety, No. 26 JIMAI. It is not only the highest wheat yield record in Hebei province but also the highest yield record of hybrid wheat in China, which has been reported by the People's Daily, Guangming Daily, Farmer's Daily, Hebei Daily, CCTV and Hebei TV, etc. Many farmers hope to plant hybrid seeds. Now there are 10 hybrids with short stalk, long head, and big grain which are all in the testing and demonstrating phases. 3. T-CMS Line Hybrid Wheat Breeding. Some good hybrids with Triticum timopheevii cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines have been selected. From 1976 to 1982, two hybrids, No. 4 SHIZA and No. 6 SHIZA, were released to Gaocheng county and Haixing county. The yields were 26 to 43% over check varieties in the lower irrigated area. In recent years we used the semi-dominant short stalk gene materials and get a number of high yield hybrids with middle height stalk. Among them, No. 1 T-SHIZA is the best one whose yield was 7,500 kg/ha according to several years results. In 1990 its yield was 7,899 kg/ha in the yield test of Hebei Crops Institute, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences. Also in a large plot yield test it was 7,761 kg/ha which is 19.3% over the check variety No. 24 JIMAI. 4. New CMS Line Hybrid Wheat Breeding. Five new CMS lines with Triticum aestivum cytoplasm have been developed through cobalt 60 radiation spontaneous and crossing which enriched the CMS resources. Two hybrids have been selected for the lower irrigated area. For example, the yield of JINGFENG A/80T3495 was 7,538 kg/ha in the yield test of the Hebei Crops Inst., in 1990. 5. R-Line Breeding. In the process of selecting restorer lines, a number of new advanced lines have been developed which not only are good quality and good combining ability but also can be used as normal varieties. For example the restorer lines, C-609 and C-4102-5, have been released and planted on 13,333 ha in 1990. The utilization of this kind of material in the production provides a good condition to help and promote the hybrids application as well as its extension. 6. Theoretical Research. A lot of theoretical researches have been done on the male sterile lines and heterosis in morphology, cytology, physiology, biochemistry and genetics. Forty research papers have been published in scientific journals both at home and abroad. The Journal of Hebei Normal University Natural Sciences Edition edited a special one for hybrid wheat research in 1989. ------------------------- ITEMS FROM CZECHOSLOVAKIA Oseva - Cereal Research Institute, Kromeriz J. Smocek Gene resources with increased spike sink capacity. The collection of gene resources (SFG - winter types) has been classified into three biological groups: multispikelet, multigrain (per rachis node), and heavy grain. Mean values of the five most valuable gene resources selected according to the magnitude of the factor score are given below. The stand density was 213 plants per m2. Multispikelet Multigrain Grain # Heavy grain SFG Fertile spikelet Grain # per spike One grain resources # per spike per spike rachis node weight (mg) VSS gene complex 38 154 6.45 54.2 TSS gene complex 46 163 6.25 43.3 NS gene complex 30 144 5.68 55.4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Standard cultivars: Hana (CS) 21 61 3.05 40.6 SAVA (YU) 21 77 3.85 29.2 Screwedness of the rachis. The screwed spike can be an other access for improving the spike morphotype. Spike screwedness has a genetic background Scr and causes the screwed spike rachis. Scr 1 factor causes the screwedness of the spike rachis and peduncle. Scr 2 factor causes only the screwedness of the spike rachis. The screwedness can be either right- or left-handed. The expression of Scr 1 factor is influenced by environment less than that of Scr 2 factor. Gene resources of Scr 1 have been obtained by repeated spikes selection among the initial donor ZGK 242-82 (YU) and those of Scr 2 - Chiarano (I) plants. Values of spike sink capacity traits in the best Scr donors are presented for comparison. Gene Fertile spikelet Grain number Grain number One grain resources # per spikelet per spike per spike weight (mg) rachis node Scr 1 34 120 5.57 51 Scr 2 25 92 3.52 46 Research objectives. New SFG gene resources are created, and at the same time, resources with spikes of normal morphotype NS and gigas types are preferred. The main target for the near future is to incorporate SFG, gigas and Scr into one genotype. The basic problem will be a more efficient use of available environmental sources. Another objective is to improve grain quality in gene resources and mainly by means of hybridization with Czechoslovac top-quality Hana cultivar. Standard cultivars used in 1991: Hana (SC) and Sava (YU) for European conditions. Caldwell and Cardinal (USA) are added. We are interested in involving our working capacity in some foreign project and we would like to offer our gene resources for use in wheat breeding. All information on possible collaboration will be greatly appreciated. PUBLICATIONS Smocek, J. l991. Gigas spikes in wheat with multiple sessile spikelets. Rostlinna Vyroba, 37, in press - Czech. Smocek, J. 1991. High-productive gigas spikes of standard morphotype in wheat. Rostlinna Vyroba, 37, in press - Czech. Smocek, J. 1991. Screwedness of the spike rachis a new phenomenon in wheat spike morphology. Rostlinna Vyroba, 37 in press - English. ------------------------- Research Institute of Crop Production, Prague - Ruzyne L. Dotlacil, Z. Stehno, V. Sip, M. Skorpik, M. Vlasak Performance of European Winter Wheat Cultivars in Czechoslovak Conditions. During the 1984 -1990 period, 107 productive winter wheat cultivars of European origin (including Czechoslovak ones) were tested at two sites (Prague, Klatovy) in two years. Yield, its main components, stem length, leaf area and grain quality were estimated. The results from different environments were compared as a relative value of check cultivars (mean of three Czechoslovak well adapted cultivars Regina, Zdar and Viginta). Yield stability was estimated as variance (s2) of yields in 4 environments. The German cultivar Apollo was best yielding (8.67 t ha-1) with good yield stability and lower to medium grain quality. Grain yield was formed by a relatively dense canopy (500-650 spikes per m2) and higher grain weight (43-48 mg). High productivity was also proved by cultivars Area (FRA), Ikarus (AUT) and Citadel (NLD). Citadel also showed very low variability of yields. Yields were formed by high grain weight (over 42 mg) and medium (Ikarus) or dense canopy (Ares, Citadel). Medium grain quality was in Ares and Ikarus, low in Citadel. Among others, high yielding cultivars Kristall showed good yield stability, Kosack and especially Vlada and Markant had high grain quality. Table goes here Performance trials with near-isogenic lines for Rht genes. Near-isogenic lines carrying reduced height genes in the genetic backgrounds of the spring wheat varieties Nainari 60 (Mexico), and Maringa (Brazil) were obtained from CIMMYT, Mexico (we thank Dr. S. Rajaram) and tested in Central European conditions. Performance trials with the Rht/rht lines (Table 1) and the check varieties Jara and Sandra (Czechoslovakia) were established in 1990 at Prague- Ruzyne (altitude 350 m) with five replications (sowing rate: 250 grains/m2). The harvested area of the experimental units was 2.5 m2. The respective plant height reductions for Rht8, Rht1 or Rht2, Rht1Rht2 and Rht3 were 4%, 18%, 44% and 55%. Date of heading has not been affected. Lines with Rht genes had in comparison with tall, rht, lines more ears and grains per m2 but reduced grain weight (proportionally to the shortening of stem length). Grain yield per m2 averaged over all Maringa and Nainari 60 lines (568 g) was 25% less than that of the top yielding Czechoslovak spring wheat varieties ara and Sandra (760 g). Yield differences between near-isogenic lines were not statistically significant, except the Nainari 60 Rht3 line which yielded less than the Nainari 60 lines with Rht1 and Rht2 (LSD 5%=122). The effect of Rht genes on SDS sedimentation volumes was not evident. Due to the reduction of grain weight, the protein content per grain was lower in short genotypes. Reductions of about 1% protein were found for the Rht1 and Rht2 lines. Table 1. Characters of tall and dwarf near-isogenic lines Plant Grain Plot Protein/ height Ears Grains/ weight Grains/ yield Protein grain Genotype (cm) m2 ear (mg) m2 (g/m2) % (mg) Maringa Rht1 103 328 45 37.4 14759 552 13.1 4.90 Rht2 104 343 45 38.4 15417 592 13.7 5.26 Rht1Rht2 70 387 47 34.6 18179 629 13.7 4.74 Rht3 55 397 42 32.4 16667 540 14.4 4.67 Rht8 120 408 35 40.2 14279 574 15.0 6.03 (Mara20) rht 125 325 42 41.8 13636 570 14.3 5.90 Nainari 60 Rht1 80 416 31 46.8 12885 603 14.2 6.65 Rht2 79 354 35 49.4 12389 612 14.3 7.06 Rht3 44 346 32 41.6 11058 460 15.1 6.28 rht 97 276 38 52.6 10494 552 15.3 8.05 Wheat Genetic Resources Evaluation in Czechoslovak Gene Bank. Preparation of the Czechoslovak wheat data base continued in 1990. The main passport data have been completed and incorporated into international/East Europe/data base. During 1989 - 90 vegetation period 430 winter and 226 spring wheat genetic resources have been evaluated. An exceptionally mild winter season gave cause for good wintering of West/European cultivars with low winterhardiness and conditioned very early sowing of spring wheats. High productivity of spikes was caused by a longer period of ripening during a colder July (see Table below). Among winter cultivars, the Polish Oda and Jawa were the best yielding ones. Six cultivars from the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, France and Austria surpassed the check cultivar Regina. Only 3 spring cultivars and advanced lines from Mexico and Great Britain outyielded the Czech spring wheat cultivar Sandra. INSERT 3 HERE ------------------------- ITEMS FROM ESTONIA Institute of Experimental Biology of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, Department of Plant Genetics O. Priilinn, T. Enno, H. Peusha, M. Tohver, L. Timofejeva Mutants of economic value induced in Triticum aestivum. In this short communication we report the results of the work of many years on production, screening and studying spring and winter wheat mutants from cultivars Norrona, Sappo, Leningradka, Mironovskaya Yubileinaya, Mironovskaya 808 and Starke. The mutants were induced mainly by nitrosoalkylureas as NMU, NEU, NDMU and NDEU in various concentrations. After treatment we separated mutant lines revealing morphological, biochemical and physiological changes as early and late ripening, short-statured, speltoid, awned, compactoid, squarehead forms, with rust and lodging resistance, increased productivity, high protein and lysine content and improved quality. Now the number of mutants in our collection is about 1000 entries. Some of these mutants possess a complex of agronomically important characters, and they may abe used as prospective and valuable material in the breeding program. The mutants L 3-24, S 7-4, and St 6-11-32 isolated after treatment with NMU and DAB have shown increased grain yield when compared with the parents Leningradka, Sappo and Starke over a long period. Early maturity characterizes a winter wheat mutant ST 2-91; it ripens about 10 days earlier as compared to the parental cultivar Starke. In the mutant, the earliness is linked with low productivity. Considerable efforts have been made in our breeding program to select wheat with excellent quality. The grain protein content of mutant lines was unstable and depended on environmental conditions. Some mutants with compact and awned ears (K-46, T-203, 0-496 from Norrona, 5-9 from Sappo, 44, 78 from Mironovskaya Yubileinaya) store a higher protein content compared with the parental varieties from year to year. Many mutants with a high protein content have a low yielding capacity (K-46), sensitivity to frost (L 3-24) and other negative qualities, but in some mutants (0-495) the high protein content is combined with other valuable properties for selection, such as disease resistance and yielding capacity. The technological properties of wheat in our region are low on the whole (especially those of summer wheat), but the winter wheat varieties or mutants ometimes have good baking properties. The changes in technological properties were connected with protein and its fractional content in the kernel as well as with the growing conditions of wheat. 69 mutant lines of the variety Norrona and 31 of the variety Mironovskaya Yubileinaya were compared by the method of electrophoresis of the gliadins on polyacrylamide gel. The gliadin patterns were characteristic for many mutants and were not connected with morphological changes in mutant lines, or with the structure of mutagens and their concentrations. Indirect utilization of induced mutations has also been started by means of crosses between mutants and between mutants and good cultivars. The general purpose is to transfer the mutated characteristics into a better genetic background. Eleven mutant lines of spring wheat have been handed over to the world wheat collection at the N.I. Vavilov All-Union Institute of Plant Industry in Leningrad (catalogue N k58811-58824). The data of these mutants are given in the table. Plant Lysine Mutant Mutagen Plant Kernel Kernel Protein content parent conc., height weight weight content in pro- % cm mg g % tein % 0-516 Norrona NEU, 0.025 99 32.5 3.63 12-15 2.3 0-495 " NEU, 0.025 92 39.6 4.72 15-17 2.1 S-82 " NEU, 0.025 96 37.9 4.21 12-16 2.8 T-13 " NMU, 0.01 85 42.2 4.16 12-14 2.7 146-155 " NMU, 0.006 100 40.5 4.78 10-14 2.3 T-36 " NMU, 0.01 105 45.3 7.96 10-12 2.6 T-203 " NMU, 0.01 92 37.4 4.41 16-19 2.1 K-46 " NMU, 0.006 54 30.2 3.03 15-20 3.1 L 3-24, NMU, 0.01 88 43.9 3.48 11-13 2.3 Leningradka S 7-4, Sappo DAB, 0.05 92 43.9 4.04 10-11 2.2 S 5-9, Sappo NMU, 0.01 92 41.7 3.19 13-15 2.3 The inheritance of leaf rust resistance in some common wheat varieties. The genotypes of 13 common wheat varieties and selections from the World collection of the all-Union Research Institute of Plant Industry in Leningrad were screened for leaf rust resistance reaction in the growth chamber conditions. The results of genetical hybridological analysis of F2-F3 populations indicate that in 10 varieties resistance to leaf rust is conditioned by the Lr 23 gene. Segregation tests indicate that resistance of variety Harichicari is controlled by a single effective resistance gene of the Thatcher isogenic set. The results of this study indicate that breeding selection U-321627 possesses two effective dominant genes conferring resistance to the leaf rust strain. The results of hybridological analysis were supported by the data of phytopathological tests. The common wheat specimen K-45420 has one gene for leaf rust resistance, either allelic or closely linked with Lr 23 gene from Gabo or from Rocta and Crime, related to it. The clones of the pathogen virulent to K-45420 are more often avirulent to Rocta and Crim, whereas the clones virulent to Rocta and Crim are always virulent also to the K-45420. This pattern of reactions may be explained by the fact that Rocta and Crim actually possess at least two closely linked with Lr 23 genes for resistance, and the K-45420 has one of these. The gene of K-45420 differs from Lr 23 gene also by temperature sensitivity. Lr 23 is more expressive at high temperature (27oC) at the period previous to infection, whereas the gene of eh K-45420, on the contrary, is not revealed at high temperatures. The locus Lr 23, in spite of its composite structure, usually overcomes by the parasite in 5 to 6 years after the beginning of commercial cultivation of varieties protected by this gene. Therefore the donors of the gene Lr 23 should be used with great care in wheat breeding. The isogenic lines of the wheat variety Thatcher possess an advantage for pathogen differentiation over the standard sets of differentiator-varieties. It is ascertained that the Estonian population of Puccinia recondita represents a part of the European population. The genes of resistance Lr 9, Lr 19, Lr 23 and Lr 24 are effective in Estonia as well as in Europe. Aneuploid studies. The Chinese Spring monosomic set has been used for identification and localization of genes governing resistance to leaf rust in a mutant line T-13 induced by chemical mutagen's treatment of spring wheat variety Norrona. Analysis of segregation patterns in F2 populations of monosomic plants and disomic controls indicated that resistance of mutant T-13 to Puccinia recondita clones is controlled by recessive genes located on 7A and 4B chromosomes. Analysis of MI of meiosis in monosomic hybrids F1 permitted us to reveal the structural differences and reciprocal translocations between chromosomes of Chinese Spring and both Norrona and mutant T-13. On the basis of trivalent configuration's frequency at MI of meiosis we assumed that the chromosomal interchanges between Norrona and Chinese Spring involve 4A/4D, 1B/1D and 2B/6D, whereas mutant T-13 has translocations 3A/4B, 1B/3D and 6B/7D in relation to Chinese Spring. Induction of homoeologous pairing in a wheat x rye and interspecific hybrids using ph1b mutant. It is known that homoeologous pairing in wide f1 hybrids is limited by the Ph gene located on long-arm of 5B chromosome in bread wheat. The use of mutant ph1b with deletion of this locus gives a possibility for transferring of genetic materials from alien species to wheats. In our cytological studies all combinations of wheat x rye F1 hybrids showed practically no pairing among the 28 univalent chromosomes in MI of meiosis. Analysis of meiosis in wheat x rye hybrids obtained with the use of ph1b mutant of Chinese Spring revealed relatively high rate of homoeologous pairing with the mean chromosome associations of 5.7 bivalents and 0.94 multivalents per PMC in cross CS ph1b x self-fertile line of rye (Kc-517/8), and 5.0 bivalents and 0.54 multivalents in cross CS ph1b x rye Pamirskaya. Undoubtedly the rye genotype plays an important role in the intergeneric hybrids formation and effects on the behavior of meiosis. In our experiments on wide hybridization with bread wheat and its relatives, we used tetraploid wheat species well known as donors of disease resistance - Triticum timopheevii and T. militinae (genome AAGG). The data obtained from cytological analysis of meiosis in hybrids F1 showed that in control crosses Chinese Spring x T. timopheevii and Chinese Spring x T. militinae the mean number of bivalents at PMC was 7.2 and 6.4 respectively. It is supposed that chromosomes of the A genome both of Chinese Spring and tetraploid species take part in bivalent formation whereas chromosomes of the B and D genomes of T. aestivum and the G genome of T. timopheevii and T. militinae remained in univalent condition or partially included in multivalent associations. In hybrids CS ph1b x T. timopheevii and CS ph1b x T. militinae the mean amount of bivalents per PMC were 8.3 and 8.7, respectively, and the number of PMC with multivalents was significantly increased - to 71%. In hybrid plants F1 CS nulli-5B-tetra-5A x T. militinae the mean number of bivalents was equal 8.4. From present data, the conclusion may be drawn that the use of nulli-5B-tetra-5A line and mutant ph1b of Chinese Spring is an effective way for increasing the rate of recombinations of genetic materials and the inducing of homoeologous pairing of chromosomes. An electron microscope study of microsporocyte nuclei in wheat and wheat-rye hybrids F1. The electron microscopic analysis of the meiotic prophase in the nulli-5B-tetra-5D compensated line of Chinese Spring has revealed an increased activity of nuclear membranes resulting in the formation of different kinds of membraneous structures. The results of the present investigation indicate a possible connection between the absence of the 5B-chromosome and the nuclear membrane behavior in the meiotic prophase of wheat. A microspreading technique was used to allow ultrastructural analysis of synaptonemal complexes formation in euploid and haploid wheat, wheat-rye hybrids with or without 5B-chromosome and wheat-rye hybrids carrying either the Ph or the ph1b allele. The euploid wheat, ph1b mutant and nulli-5B-tetra- 5D compensated line of Chinese Spring were crossed as female parent with Secale cereale cv. Pamirskaya. It is revealed that the ends of lateral elements in the PMC of wheat are attached to the nuclear envelope and that synapsis as initiated at the telomeric ends of chromosomes close to the nuclear envelope. It is concluded that a misalignment of normally homologous regions at the nuclear envelope causes synaptic failure observed in 5B-deficient wheat. The absence of homologous chromosomes in haploid wheat's and wheat-rye hybrid's genomes does not affect the formation of synaptonemal complexes. Normal synaptonemal complexes form between homoeologous chromosomes. the Ph gene does not act on the ability to form synaptonemal complexes. In the nullisomic 5B hybrids and in the ph1b hybrids more lateral elements of synaptonemal complexes involve to multiple associations and pairing partners exchange more often than in euploid hybrids. It is assumed that in common wheat ph1b gene may act on the rate of pairing stringency at meiosis. Publications Odintsova, I., Peusha, H. 1982. Inheritance of resistance to brown rust in bread wheat specimens. Bull. of Appl. Botany, Genetics and Plant Breeding, 71:41-47. Odintsova, I., Peusha, H. 1984. Regarding composite structure of the locus Lr 23 controlling resistance to brown rust in wheat. Bull. of Appl. Botany, Genetics and Plant Breeding, 85:13-19. Peusha, H., Odintsova, I. 1981. A genetic differentiation of the Estonian population of leaf rust. Proceed. of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, Biology, 30:44- 49. Priilinn, O., Shnaider, T., Peusha, T., Tohver, M. 1988. Genetical peculiarities in the varieties and induced mutants of common wheat. Tallinn, "Valgus", 299 p. (In Russian). Timofejeva, L. 1986. The activity of nuclear membranes during the meiotic prophase in the nulli-tetrasomic line of bread wheat. Proceed. of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, Biology, 35:91-98. Timofejeva, L., Kolomyets, O., Vorontsova, N., Bogdanov, Yu. 1988. An electron microscopic study of the synaptonemal complex in common wheat. I. Initiation of synapsis. Cytology (USSR), 30:390-394. Tohver, M. 1987. Wheat mutants induced by chemical mutagens. Proceed. of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, Biology, 36:301-305. Tohver, M. 1988. Economically valuable forms of soft spring and winter wheat obtained by chemical mutagenesis in Nechernozemje. Selskohozjaistv. Biology, 4:78-82. Shnaider, T. M. 1986. Meiosis in interspecies pentaploid and tetraploid F1 hybrids of wheat species. Cytology and Genetics (USSR) 20:327-330. Shnaider, T., Priilinn, O. 1987. Aneuploid studies at the Estonian SSR. EWAC Newsletter, Martonvasar-Cambridge. p. 51-54. Shnaider, T. M. 1988. Meiotic behavior in wide hybrids of wheat species, obtained with the use of ph mutant. Cytology and Genetics (USSR), 22:18-22. ------------------------- ITEMS FROM GERMANY Institute of Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Gatersleben A. Boerner*, C. O. Lehmann, D. Mettin*, J. Plaschke, G. Schlegel, R. Schlegel*, G. Melz, V. Thiele GA-insensitivity of `Ai-bian' 1a'. A subline, showing a plant height twice as long compared to Ai-bian1 (Rht10) but definitely shorter than Rht2 carriers, was selected from the original seed stock of Ai-bian1, (kindly supplied by the Crop Germplasm Resources Institute, Bejing, China). A GA-test has shown, that the subline, Ai-bian 1a was also insensitive to exogenous GA application, but characterized by a different level of reaction. The absolute seedling length of Ai-bian 1a was found to be intermediate between the length of Ai-bian 1 (Rht10) and Fakon (Rht2) used as controls. For studying the inheritance of the GA-insensitivity of Ai-bian 1a the line was crossed with Poros (rht), Lerma Rojo (Rht1, 4B-new nomenclature) and Fakon (Rht2, 4D). The F2 populations gave a clear evidence for a monogenic segregation for GA-response and for the fact that the locus of the GA-insensitive Rht gene of Ai-bian 1a is the same as it was found for the Rht2 gene. This result supports the hypothesis of an analogous series of multiple alleles for GA- insensitivity on chromosome 4D, suggested for the corresponding Rht locus on chromosome 4B. Pleiotropic effects of isogenic Rht-lines. Four sets of near isogenic lines carrying the genes/alleles rht (tall), Rht1, Rht2, Rht3, Rht1+2 or Rht2+3 in the genetical backgrounds of April Bearded, Bersee, Maris Huntsman and Maris Widgeon (developed in the Cambridge Laboratory, Norwich) were grown in field plots at one site in Germany and several sites in the UK during 1990, for estimating the effects on plant height and yield. In the field trial of Germany (drilled plots, six replications) it was shown that the height reducing effects of the different Rht alleles and their combinations had the same sequence rht < Rht2 < Rht1+2 < Rht3 < Rht2+3 over all varieties. Within the backgrounds of Bersee, Maris Huntsman and Maris Widgeon always the Rht1 and Rht2 lines gave the highest yield per plot (in Maris Widgeon together with the Rht1+2 line), whereas within the April Bearded series the lines Rht3 and Rht1+2 were the best. The yield advantage was mainly due to a higher number of grains per ear. Overall the five isogenic Rht lines had significant more grains/ear than the tall controls. Instability of the blue grain colour. The blue-grained wheat accession TRI 2401 (T. aestivum var. tschermakianum Mansf.) from the gene bank Gatersleben has been used for a further cytogenetic analysis of the aleurone colour aberrations which have been described earlier for members of the European group of blue-grained wheats with an obscure origin but not so for the blue-grained chromosomal introgression lines from Elytrigia pontica. Strain TRI 2401 was confirmed to be an alien substitution for chromosome 4A (new nomenclature) which confers the blue aleurone. Reciprocal hybrids with Chinese Spring had non-blue (red) grains in F1, and segregated 3 non-blue (red) vs. 1 blue in F2. This means that the gene(s) for blue pigmentation is fully expressed in three doses only. In lower dosage the genetic information seems to be hypostatic. The blue grain pigmentation of TRI 2401 reverted spontaneously to non-blue (red) with a frequency of about 1.4% in selfed progenies. Most of these aberrations were monosomic for the alien chromosome. The seed progenies of the monosomic segregated after selfing in a ratio of 67% non-blue (2n=41) and 33% blue (2n=42). It is very likely that the revertants are due to aneuploid gametes which arise preferentially during macrosporogenesis due to nondisjunction. In addition, blue aleurone spotting has been observed with a low frequency. The decolourization of the aleurone cells is supposed to arise by alien chromosome loss during endosperm development. The gene(s) for blue aleurone in the present European accession TRI 2401 seems thus not to be identical with the corresponding gene Ba in the derivates of the wheat-Elytrigia pontica crosses. Effect of Ph1 gene of wheat in diploid rye. Experimental results demonstrated clearly that the dominant Ph allele of chromosome 5B of wheat affect the homologous pairing of rye. A monotelosomic rye-wheat addition line 5BL was produced and used for meiotic studies. Compared to 14-chromosome control plants the 5BL addition to rye causes an increase of univalent (0.15 I/PMC) and rod bivalent formation (2.65 II rod/PMC), i.e., a significant reduction of chiasma frequency (111.21 Xta/PMC), while the 5BL telosome itself does not associate with any of the rye chromosomes. Thus, the double dosage of 5BL, present in hexaploid or octoploid triticale, can be one of the main source of pairing failure of the rye genome. PUBLICATIONS Houben, A., Schlegel, R., Ahne, R., and Huhn, P. 1990. C-Banding and computer-aided chromosome analysis in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. `Chinese Spring'). Arch. Zuchtungsforsch. 20:133-142. Melz, G. and Schlegel, R. 1990. Genetic linkage map of rye (Secale cereale L., 2n=14). In: S. J. O'Brien, ed. Genetic maps - Locus Maps of Complex Genomes, Cold Spring Harbor Lab. Press: 6137-6147. Pohler, W. and Schlegel, R. 1990. A rye plant with frequent A-B chromosome pairing. Hereditas 112:217-220. Schlegel, R. 1990. Effectivity and stability of interspecific chromosome and gene transfer in hexaploid wheat, Triticum aestivum L. Kulturpflanze 38:67-78. Schubert, V., Bluthner, W.-D., Metzlaff, M., Junghans, H. and Schlegel, R. 1990. The presence of four cloned highly repeated DNA sequences from rye in Poaceae species and various chromosomal manipulated wheat lines analyzed by sqash dot hybridization. Physiol. Biochem. Pflanzen 186:125-133. ------------------------- Institut fur Pflanzenpathologie und Pflanzenschutz der Universitat, 3400 Gottingen, Germany V. Vassilev*, J. von Kietzell, H. Toben, A. Mavridis, M. Gross and K. Rudolph Pseudomonas syringae pv. atrofaciens (PSA), the incitant of basal glume rot of cereals, causes losses of grain yield and deteriorates wheat and barley grain quality in the Soviet Union and Bulgaria. The damage differs from year to year, depending on the weather conditions. In West Germany basal glume rot of wheat and barley is widespread. It seems possible that basal glume rot is more prevalent than recognized at present, because the symptoms are inconspicuous or are being confused with Septoria glume blotch (Leptosphaeria nodorum) or other diseases. Symptoms on the wheat cv. Star, inoculated by spraying of heads at the milky ripe stage with PSA (P.a.13, 107 cell/ml), were similar to those caused by Fusarium culmorum, Leptosphaeria nodorum or Xanthomonas campestris pv. translucens, in addition to typical symptoms for basal glume rot. Inoculation of adult wheat, barley and rye plants by spraying of heads resulted in typical basal glume rot symptoms and tip or full glume rot of Avena sativa (cv. Flamingsterm) and Avena fatua. PSA inoculation of young leaves of tobacco, sugar beet, maize and millet by Hagborg's device or pressure inoculation with a sprayer caused a hypersensitive response in all of the tested plants. Old maize and millet leaves were immune to PSA. Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata (PSApt) caused disease symptoms similar to PSA on adult barley leaves and heads, whereas wheat glume tissues were immune or highly resistant to PSApt. Only PSApt caused a susceptible response in sugarbeet leaves. Acetone and butanol extractions, as well as certain ion exchange fractions from PSA, PSApt and P. syringae pv. syringae (PSS) showed high antibiotic activity against Geotrichum candidum, and Rhodotorula sp., and a lower effect against Escherichia coli K 12. These preparations probably contained syringomycin (SR) and were highly toxic to plant tissue. Nevertheless, preliminary data revealed different bands from SR preparations of PSA, PSApt and PSS after electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). SR was not specific for a particular host plant but appeared to be a major virulence factor since SR-strains showed low or no virulence on plants. * Present address: Institute of Introduction and Plant Genetic Resources, 4122 Sadovo, Plovdiv, Bulgaria. ------------------------- ITEMS FROM HUNGARY Agricultural Research Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Martonvasar L. Balla, Z. Bedo, L. Szunics, L. Lang, Lu. Szunics, I. Karsai The 1989-90 crop year started well for wheat. There was sufficient precipitation in October for good germination and emergence and wheat went into winter strong. Winter was very mild, without snow and dry. The drought lasted a long time and there was hardly any rain in spring either. There was only 170 mm precipitation from October to the end of April. Despite this the average yield was surprisingly good, 5.04 t/ha. The leading wheat varieties were Mv 14, Mv 15, GK Othalom, GK Zombor and Jubilejnaja 50. Breeding. Three new varieties have been registered recently. Montonvasar 19 was selected from the cross of GT 5239-2//Bezostaya dwarf/Zg 1477-69. The early ripening wheat has good breadmaking quality, high kernel weight, and outstanding frost resistance. Martonvasar 20 is a selection from the Kavkaz/Mironovskaya 808//Kavkaz/Zlatna Dolina cross. The midseason ripening variety has a 1B/1R translocation from Kavkaz. The breadmaking quality is medium, it has a partial resistance to stem rust and sit is resistant to BYDV. Martonvasari 21 is the highest yielding midseason variety in Hungary. Its pedigree is So 1415/Iljitsovka//Posavka2. Its breadmaking quality is medium. Both new midseason Mv wheats have a high level of frost resistance. We have 10 registered winter wheat varieties in commercial production and have a 42% market share in Hungary. Anther culture. An experiment was carried out with the aim to study different genetic possibilities for improving anther culture response in winter wheat. Two wheat varieties were involved. One of them was Mv 16 which possesses a high callus induction frequency and a high plant regeneration ability, the majority of plants being albinos. The other was Fatima with low callus induction ability, high plant regeneration frequency and a relatively high green plant ratio. The results show that it is possible to carry out selection within a variety but the improvement is rather low due to the complexity of this trait. The anther culture itself has no positive selection effect as the reaction dihaploid lines was similar or worse compared to their original genotype. The highest result was achieved with the cross between the two varieties as their F1 possessed a callus induction ability as high as Mv16 and much higher plant regeneration frequency than its parents, with appropriate green plant ratio. Disease resistance. Due to the effect of a milder autumn, winter and spring powdery mildew spread fast on the weak plants, the warm, dry weather, however, arrested its spread and only a moderate infection developed. The weather was not favorable either for leaf or stem rust infection. Practically no ear Fusarium or foot-rot was observed. On some susceptible varieties Helminthosporium leaf blotch appeared in early spring. There was a strong virus infection hardly ever seen before in our breeding nursery. In addition to barley yellow dwarf virus, brome-grass mosaic virus and wheat dwarf virus caused damage. The plants infected in autumn or early spring were completely killed by the time of heading. Among the registered Martonvasar varieties Mv 14, Mv 15, Mv 17, Mv 20 and Mv 21 have satisfactory resistance. The damage caused by leaf aphids is significant, too, decreasing grain yields by 39.3%, the grain weight by 30.8%, and the harvest index by 10%. The physiological specialization of wheat powdery mildew was studied in detail. The prevalent races and their frequencies were: 51 (20.5%), 75 (19.1%), 46 (13.8%), 85 (8.6%), 67 (7.6%). The ratio of races with virulence genes 5 (31.9%), 6 (24.3%) 7 (20.5%) was especially high. The quantity of races virulent to genotypes with genes Pm 4a and Pm 4b is low. The resistance genes effective against common bunt are: Bt 1, Bt 2, Bt 5, Bt 6, Bt 8, Bt 9, Bt 19. Among the registered varieties only Martonvasari 17 was resistant. ------------------------- J. Sutka, B. Barnabas, O. Veisz, G. Galiba, M. Molnar Lang, G. Kovacs, E. Szakacs, B. Koszegi, R. Nagy, I. Takacs, G. Kocsy Genetic and cell biology studies. A total of 41 regenerant plants were raised from two consecutive in vitro propagation cycles from a barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Martonvasari 50) x wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Chinese Spring) hybrid. The second cycle regenerants exhibited great variability for the majority of morphological traits. The female fertility of certain regenerant hybrids considerably exceeded that of the initial hybrid, giving substantially higher seed set when pollinated with wheat. This character was transferred to the BC1 and BC2 progeny produced from these regenerants. The cytological analysis of the second cycle regenerants indicated that these had a higher degree of meiotic instability than the initial hybrid. The proportion of cells with 28 chromosomes (21 wheat + 7 barley) dropped to one- half of that in the initial hybrid, with a rise in the number of hypo- and hyperploid cells. The number of chiasmata per cell increased from 1.7 in the initial hybrid to 4.7 in the regenerants, and there was also an increase in the number of misdivisions. Callus cultures of four varieties of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were maintained on media containing 0.05 and 0.7 M mannitol as osmotic condition, and six varieties were grown on media containing 0.01, 0.2 and 0.34 M NaCl as saline condition. To reveal genotype-dependent adaptive responses, growth, total N, total P, and changes in the internal Na and K concentrations were determined. Under osmotic stress, the calli derived from the drought tolerant varieties. Plainsman and Saberbeg showed less reduced growth as compared to the sensitive varieties, Cappelle Desprez, and Chinese Spring. Furthermore, low levels of total N and P, and high initial intracellular K concentration were recorded in the calli of the resistant varieties. In contrast, the sensitive varieties elicited increased N and P levels, as well as low initial intracellular K concentrations. Under salinity at 0.1 M NaCl, Plainsman, Caribo and the salt tolerant Sakha-8 maintained their growth rate, while an inhibition was observed in Cappelle Desprez, Chinese Spring and Regina. Total N and P levels were similar to that under osmotic stress. Plainsman maintained low and constant levels, while a slight increase was recorded in the drought and the salt sensitive Regina. Cappelle Desprez and Regina excluded Na, whereas the rest of the varieties accumulated it. Only Sakha-8 and Caribo elicited enhanced intracellular K concentration with increasing salinity, while in the other varieties it remained unchanged or decreased. Patterns of changes in water status, as shown by the fresh weight to dry weight ratio, were also characteristic for the genotypes. It is concluded that the growth parameters, total N, P, and changes in Na and K concentrations can be considered as factors of adaptive value under osmotic and/or salt stress conditions. Results suggest that callus cultures may give genotype dependent responses under osmotic and salt stress conditions. The brief consideration of some aspects of pollen biology indicates that the progress made so far in the field of structural and functional aspects of pollen is just the beginning. The new discoveries have brought about the realization that pollen has potential application in practical biotechnology. The method for wheat anther culture has already been incorporated into the wheat breeding strategies in our institute. At the present time different chromosome reduplication techniques were elaborated and compared to the conventionally applied methods. As an experimental treatment, different concentrations of colchicine were added directly to the induction media. Colchicine did not affect the anther response and plant regeneration capacity. The success and stability of genome redoubling was estimated on the basis of fertility of the regenerated plants and their progeny. Chromosome doubling produced by colchicine before the first microspore mitosis, was significantly more efficient than the conventionally-used techniques. Increasing the efficiency of the haploid induction from anther cultures we have developed a new liquid culture system where the regenerative haploid embryo production is very high, and from them we could make a long time cell suspension with good regeneration frequencies. Pollen biological investigations have verified lately that approximately 65% of the analyzed genes in plant genomes are expressed both in sporophytic and gametophytic generations. This genetic overlap gives the possibility of in vitro and in vitro pollen selection. According to research results, the expression of genes responsible for adaptation are to be expected from the tetrad stage onwards, thus selection can principally be carried out already in microspores. In vitro and in vitro pollen selection can be applied successfully to those species, in which pollen grains are viable and fertile for a relatively long period, thus giving an opportunity for treatment, while it is practically impossible in those species, where pollen live for a very short time (e.g., wheat). In order to extend generative selection to these respective species, such in vitro selection systems are to be designed, in which maturation processes follow in vitro trends, yet the circumstances of these processes can be influenced. This requirement is apparently met by floret culture. The in vitro pollen maturation methods elaborated in our institute in the last few years seems to be useful for gamete selection in wheat, too. Incubated florets started flowering 7-9 days after inoculation. During this period the process of pollen maturation completely finished. In in vitro circumstances, the pollen population in all genotypes was homogeneous, and consisted of trinucleate, 99% ripe pollen grains. On the other hand, in vitro ripened pollen populations were more heterogeneous, and the results were genotype dependent. For instance, in vitro ripened pollen grains from the variety Chinese Spring were in 66.8% normal trinucleate ones, in 19.5% juveniles, in 6.1% sterile ones, and in 1.7% multicellular forms. In the case of the variety Orofen, the amount of normal pollen grains is lower (37.5%), and the amount of juvenile forms was considerably higher (51.8%). As a matter of interest, according to our results, the occurrence of abnormities was not influenced by the genotype. In all cases, we experienced significantly lower fertilization rates for in vitro ripened pollen grains, dependent on the genotype. This has not influenced the fertilization and phenotypical traits of the offspring generation, however. In the ultrastructural analysis of pollen, the most characteristic difference for in vitro ripened trinucleate pollen grains is the considerable thickening of the intine. In our selection analysis, we concluded that the pollen grains of the varieties Mv 8 and Dioszegi 200 show different cold tolerance, Mv 8 tolerating cold stress relatively well, while the pollen of Dioszegi 200 practically did not survive cold treatment during flowering. The results refer also to the fact that this technology is applicable not only to the selection of male gametes, but to the selection of the female gamete population as well. Thus, this method can be suitable for double selection, which helps progress in selection. On the basis of these results, this method may be useful in breeding practices, while the determination of possible selection agents needs further investigations. In the scientific literature only a few articles have been dealing with sperm cell isolation from wheat pollen. Probably it is due to the fact, that even wheat pollen grains themselves have short lifespan after shedding, which makes the isolation procedure difficult. In our laboratory we have elaborated a relatively rapid technique for living sperm cell isolation from pollen grains in small quantities. According to the FDA viability test the isolated gametes kept their viability for 15 minutes after the isolation procedure. PUBLICATIONS Barnabas, B., and Kovacs, G. 1990. Pollen maturation in floret culture of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In Barnabas, B. and Liszt, K. (eds). Characterization of Male Transmission Units in Higher Plants. Martonvasar, p. 59-61. Barnabas, B. and Kovacs, G. 1990. Pollen biotechnology and its utilization for crop improvement. Biotechnology, (Sophia), 1:14-16. Barnabas, B. and Kovacs, G. 1990. Comparison of different methods for production of dihaploid plants from Triticum aestivum L. anther cultures. Abstracts of the VIIth International Congress on Plant Tissue and Cell Cultures. IAPTC, Amsterdam, p. 194. Nagy, R., Kristof, Z., and Barnabas, B. 1990. Cytology of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) pollen developed in vitro. In Barnabas, B. and Liszt, K. (eds.) Characterization of Male Transmission Units of Higher Plants. Martonvasar, p. 63-68. Szakacs, E. and Barnabas, B. 1990. Sperm cell isolation from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) pollen. In Barnabas, B., Liszt, K. (eds.): Characterization of Male Transmission Units in Higher Plants. Martonvasar, p. 37-40. Molnar-Lang, M., and Sutka, J. 1989. Magyarorszagon termesztett buzafajtak keresztezhetosege rozzsal. (Crossability of wheat varieties grown in Hungary with rye. Abstract in English). Novenytermeles, 38:479-484. Koszegi, B. and Sutka, J. 1990. Aegilops cylindrica L. em. Thell. x Triticum aestivum L. F1 hibridek elemzese. (Analysis in F1 hybrids of Aegilops cylindrica L. em Thell. x Triticum aestivum L. Abstract in English). Novenytermeles, 39:289-295. Jolankai M., Szunics, L., Szunics, Lu. and Lovei, I. 1990. A szarrozsda fertozottseg hatasa a buza termesere es vetomag ertekere. Novenytermeles 39:(5) 393- 399. Szunics, L. and Szunics, Lu. 1990. Rezisztencia genek felhasznalasa a buzalisztharmat elleni novenyvedelemben. Noveytermeles 39:(1)1-9. Szunics, Lu. and Szunics, L. 1990. Adatok a buzafajtak kouszog fertozottsegerol. Novenytermeles 39:(4)297-304. ------------------------- ITEMS FROM INDIA Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Inst., New Delhi S. M. S. Tomar*, K. D. Srivastava and D. V. Singh Screening of wheat species and few amphidiploids for Karnal Bunt (KB) resistance: Alien species of wheat provide a unique source of genetic variability for wheat improvement with respect to biotic and abiotic stresses. Recently, in India Karnal Bunt (Neovossia indica) is appearing in severe forms in major wheat growing areas of north west and tarai regions, although the disease was first identified long back in 1939. In certain years the natural incidence has been observed as high as 25 per cent. This problem assumed serious proportion in mid seventies when commercial cultivars WL711 and HD2009 got severe infection. Most of the present day Indian wheat cultivars show susceptibility to KB under artificially inoculated conditions. To identify the diverse sources for KB resistance, some wheat species and a few amphidiploids (Table 1) were screened against the culture of Neovossia indica under artificial inoculated conditions for over two years. The viable sporidial inoculum was put into the plant with a hypodermic syringe at the boot leaf stage. Too high humidity was maintained by perfo-spray in the greenhouse. Screening of related wheat species against Neovossia indica may provide an effective source of resistance which should be manipulated in breeding programmes to control the pathogen. Table 1. Per cent infection of wheat species and some amphidiploids against Karnal Bunt under artificially inoculated conditions Per cent infection Wheat species and amphidiploids 0 Triticum tauschii, T. dicoccoides (accession Nos. G1456, G1458, G1460, G2067, SWAN238, SWAN248, SWAQN251, TTDO8 and TTD13) T. aestivum cv Chinese Spring, T. spelta album, T. spelta grey, Amphidiploids: Chinese Spring/ Agropyron elongatum (2n=56), Chinese Spring/A. junceum (2n=56), 0 - 5 T. aegilopoides 5 - 10 T. dicoccoides TTD23, T. timopheevi (PBI) T. durum var. Nordum/A. elongatum, 2n=42 10 - 15 T. araraticum 15 - 20 T. zhukovskyi More than 20 T. aestivum cv. WL711 ------------------------- Regional Station, Wellington and Division of Genetics M. Kochumadhavan, S. M. S. Tomar* and P. N. N. Nambisan Improvement of wheat cultivars through backcross breeding: Wheat is attacked by many foliar diseases, among which rusts are more prominent. Alien species of wheat have been exploited for imparting resistance against more than one pathogen. There are many examples to cite. Usually resistance derived from alien sources causes depression in yield (The et al., 1988). Stem and leaf rust resistance (Sr24 Lr24) derived from Agropyron elongatum has been introgressed into Indian cultivars Sonalika and Kalyansona (AWN Vol. 34). The improved cultivars along with the checks have been tested at multilocation for yield. Results given in Table 1 indicate that the genes Sr24 Lr24 which have origin in alien species A. elongatum do not have any deteriorating effect on yield. It may not be true that alien genes are always associated with reduced yield. The cultivars have also been assessed for adult plant resistance at different locations under artificial and natural epiphytotic conditions. Results of seedling tests show that the leaf rust resistance gene is effective against virulent races 12-1, 12-2, 77A, 77-1, 104 and 107 of Puccinia recondita. Genes Sr24 Lr24 have also been incorporated in other Indian cultivars: C306, HD2329, Lok 1 and WH147 which are occupying a large area under cultivation in different wheat zones of the country. These cultivars improved for stem and leaf rust resistance have been constituted after seven backcrosses. The resistance source used was an Australian line TR 380-14 # 7/3 developed by R. A. McIntosh. The backcross breeding programme was carried out at Wellington where rust perpetuate throughout the year. This station provides the facility of raising an off-season crop hence the time taken in completing 6-7 backcrosses is reduced to half. Table 1. Yield performance of improved cultivars in comparison to checks. Cultivars Mean Yield Q/ha HW 2001A (Sr24 Lr24) 31.1* HW 2001 + (Sr24 Lr24) 30.6* Sonalika 30.5* HW 2002 (SR24 Lr24) 44.5** Kalyansona 41.6** * mean yield over 20 locations; ** mean yield over 8 locations + 6 backcrosses ------------------------- Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute - New Delhi R. N. Sawhney, H. B. Chowdary, J. B. Sharma and D. N. Sharma Durable Resistance to Leaf Rust. Cultivars with durable resistance to stem and stripe rusts either due to combination of specific genes as in the case of stem rust or due to an indefinite number of adult plant resistance genes, apparently of non-specific type, as in the case of stripe rust, are known from different parts of the world. Resistance to leaf rust in many improved cultivars, however, has usually been based on major specific genes which generally succumb to the appearance of new virulent races in a short span of time. Identification of sources and understanding of the mechanism of durable resistance to leaf rust, the most widespread disease of wheat, have therefore, special significance for resistance breeding to rusts. Tests for resistance to leaf rust in wheat lines carrying complementary genes Lr27 and Lr31 and these genes in Chinese Spring substitution lines which contains Lr34, have shown that Lr34 interacts with the complementary genes to give enhanced levels of adult plant resistance in field conditions. The complementary genes Lr27 and Lr31 in a stock `Shortim' were observed to be complementary ineffective. Combination of Lr34 and complementary genes Lr27 and Lr31 have, however, produced field resistance of very high level in contrast to the field resistance of moderate level produced by Lr34 when present alone. Lr34 seems to play an important role in imparting durability to leaf rust resistance because most of the durable resistance to leaf rust is associated with a few adult plant gene combinations such as Lr13 and/or Lr12 and Lr34. Thatcher lines with Lr12 and Lr13 are completely ineffective in Indian conditions whereas Lr34 has shown moderate level of field resistance. Furthermore, a Brazilian wheat `Frontana' and `Chinese Spring' maintaining leaf rust resistance for several decades have Lr34 in common. Lr34 has also close analogy with Sr2, an adult plant stem rust resistance gene which is also known to interact with other genes for durable resistance to stem rust and is seldom present alone. Study of adult plant resistance to leaf rust. Tests of isogenic lines of wheat carrying known specific genes for resistance to leaf rust have shown that a gene controlling only adult plant resistance in contrast to a seedling gene for resistance that is generally effective in all stages of plant growth, could be race specific. Isogenic lines carrying genes for leaf rust resistance when tested with Indian population of leaf rust pathogen over years have shown that Thatcher lines with Lr14b, Lr14ab, Lr30 and Lr34 have moderate level of leaf rust resistance in field conditions (Table 1). Table 1 Field Response Genotype 1987 1988 1989 1990 Tc + Lr14b 1OR 20MR 10MS 30MR Tc + Lr14ab 10R 30MR - 60MS Tc + Lr30 20MR 20MS 30MR-MS 10MR-MS Tc + Lr34 - 20MS 30MS 30MR-MS Thatcher (Tc) 80S 80S 80S 90S In seedling tests, all these lines were reported to be susceptible to almost all important races of leaf rust. In addition, Thatcher lines carrying Lr21 and Lr22a derived from Aegilops squarrosa continue to confer high degree of adult plant resistance. These studies would suggest that field resistance in these lines is due either to enhanced resistance of known specific genes or that different associated unidentified genes have provided the adult plant resistance. Genetic diversity for adult plant resistance to leaf rust in lndian wheat cultivars. Sixty-one wheats released for cultivation in different parts of the country were tested with four leaf rust races, selected for the identification of additional resistance operative only at the adult plant stage, in four isolated nurseries. The results enabled the recognition of six distinctive response groups suggesting the operation of six adult plant resistance genes on the basis of gene-for-gene model. Breeding for resistance to multiple diseases: (a) Introgression of alien genes in Kalyansona and Sonalika for resistance to rusts. In a backcross breeding programme, many effective genes of alien origin conferring resistance to one or two or even three rusts have been successfully introgressed in popular wheat varieties Kalyansona and Sonalika. A Kalyansona derivative, DL 896-2, deriving resistance of Agropyron elongatum (Lr24/Sr24) has been selected for extensive testing in minikit trials in the Peninsular zone by the Special Committee of Varietal Identification in the All India Wheat Workers' Workshop held in 1990. Many other lines have been recognized as improved stocks without depression in yield and resistance to two or even all the three rusts. A few of them have also been found to be resistant to Karnal bunt. (b) Kundan, a dwarf bread wheat developed from a simple Cross, Tonari 71 X NP 890 and released for water stress environment in the North West Plain Zone, the major wheat growing part of India, has recently become extremely popular with the farmers including those from Punjab where major areas of wheat are grown with optimum levels of input producing highest average yield in the country. The popularity of this wheat is possibly due to its consistent performance under rainfed to limited water input and optimum irrigation. A fairly large irrigated area under wheat in Punjab is rotated with paddy or cotton or potato as summer crop where late planting of wheat is practiced. Kundan is reported to perform the best in comparison to other wheats under late planting and this is another attractive feature of this cultivar which possibly has made Kundan very popular with the farmers of Punjab. Kundan combines the two major criteria of a good cultivar i.e., stable yield in water limiting environment and high average yield in favourable environment, the most important attributes in subsistence agriculture. The character of plump grain filling with high kernel weight under water limiting environment and even under short duration could be due to water use efficiency of the genotype. This would suggest that selection for plump grain character in water stress environment may be one of the important selection criteria for stable performance of a genotype from water stress to optimum level of irrigation. The high yield up to a level of other best wheats in cultivation for high input technology, besides its suitability to water stress conditions, support the concept that yield potential and drought resistance are controlled by the same genetic systems in contrast to the view that drought resistance and high yield potential are controlled by separate and distinct genetic systems. The level of leaf rust resistance attained in Kundan is being maintained for 10 years (Table 2), in spite of the fact that many new pathotypes have appeared during this decade. Table 2. Leaf rust resistance of Kundan (DL 153-2) over ten years carrying genes Lr14a, Lr23 + APR Field Response Av. Coefficient Crop Season Max. Infection of infection Source 1979-80 30S 6.2 Report on Plant Patho- logical Screening Nursery, AICWIP 1980 1980-81 20S 6.6 " 1981 1988-89 10S 6.0 " 1989 1989-90 North 40S 8.3 " 1990 India South 30S 7.7 " 1990 These results indicate that Kundan has durable resistance to leaf rust. In addition, Kundan has been reported to be resistant to race `K' of stripe rust which attacks many of the improved wheats. Its tolerance to Alternaria triticina and Helminthosporium sativum is another outstanding feature of Kundan because no other wheat in cultivation has been found to possess combined tolerance for these pathogens. The strategic breeding programme aimed at consistent performance for high yield potential from water stress to limited water and optimum irrigation including suitability for extended dates of planting and introduction of diverse genes for resistance to multiple diseases including use of durable sources for resistance to rusts has led to the development of a large number of promising lines. Some of the strains such as DL 377, DL 788, DL 802 and DL 803 have already established operation of several of these attributes which should serve either in the production of successful cultivars or as improved stocks to be used in further breeding programmes. ------------------------- P. C. Pande1, Shantha Nagarajan1, D. Singh2 and H. N. Pande2 Nuclear Research Laboratory1 and Division of Genetics2 Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012 Number of Vascular bundles and their relationship to lodging resistance in hexaploid wheat. Increase in number of vascular bundles of large size per unit area is associated with improved lodging resistance in the stem. Lodging of wheat crop is induced as a result of the interplay of number of factors adversely affecting either the capacity of the root system which supports the shoot, strength of stem to support the shoot or both. The strength of stem, particularly that of peduncle region which support the weight of spike, assumes special importance in the light of the attempts to increase grain yield by increasing the partitioning of dry matter to the grain. From the studies in which lodging was induced in the same genotype by changing an environmental factor, it was concluded that the number of vascular bundles remained unchanged but the lignification of cell walls of the hypoderm was reduced and was mainly responsible for lodging. However, it is not known if the same is true for genetic characters in the stem providing lodging resistance to the stem. In the present study three extensively studied wheat genotypes under field conditions in IARI and New Delhi were used since they differ widely in their resistance to lodging. Wheat genotype IWP-5308 is highly prone to lodging and requires support for the shoot, genotype Kalyan Sona is more resistant to lodging and genotype Selection III is most resistant out of the three. The three wheat genotypes were grown in pots under identical normal growth conditions to ensure uniform environment for growth. The mid-region of the peduncle was studied at 25 days after anthesis for characters like external diameter, wall thickness, number of vascular bundles per unit area nd the size of vascular bundles. It may be noted from the table that the most positively associated morphological stem character with lodging resistance is the number of vascular bundles per unit area, being highest in Selection III. This character seems to provide more strength to the stem of Selection III since trachieds provide structural support for the plant and their rigidity is increased by the secondary thickening that is laid down. The next important parameter which seems to be of some consequence is the external diameter of stem. Thus, attempts should be made to incorporate these character in wheat through breeding to improve lodging resistance and consequently seed yield. Table - Relationship between relative lodging resistance and number of vascular bundles per unit area and diameter of peduncle in three wheat genotypes. External diameter of Number of vascular bundles peduncle at the middle at the middle of Wheat genotype of peduncle ( m) peduncle per mm2) Selection III 2635 + 0.0 89 + 0.2 (Relatively more lodging resistance) Kalyan Sona 2759 + 4.0 79 + 0.2 (Relatively less lodging resistance) IWP - 5308 2480 + 3.5 78 + 0.2 (Relatively least lodging resistance) ------------------------- M. K. Upadhyay and B. Singh Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi - 110012 DT 18 - a promising triticale for the northern hills. The northern hills of India are the foci of infection for stripe and leaf rusts of wheat. It is estimated that about 10% of wheat crop is lost every year due to rusts. To avert this huge loss, cultivation of rust resistant varieties in the hills is recommended. Triticale by virtue of its high degree of resistance to wheat disease, particularly rusts, adaptability to cooler temperatures, moisture deficient and light soils of the hills is an ideal crop by this region. DT 18, a recently developed triticale, has given promising results in the multilocation trials conducted during the last three years in the northern hills. Triticale DT 18, developed from the cross TL68/DTS940, is medium tall in height and medium early in maturity with good tillering potential. Spikes of DT18 are fully bearded and fusiform with white glumes. Leaf sheath, leaf blade and glumes are waxy and the peduncle is hairy. The yield performance of DT18 as compared to semidwarf, high yielding wheat cultivars Sonalika and CPAN 1796 in three years of trials conducted in the Northern Hills Zone under rainfed, timely sown conditions under the All India Coordinated Wheat Improvement Programme is presented below: Number Zonal Yield (g/ha) Year of Trials DT18 Sonalika CPAN 1796 C.D. 1987-88 4 17.1 15.7 17.7 2.6 1988-89 6 26.7 23.5 22.2 2.3 1989-90 4 29.1 16.2 22.7 3.0 Mean 24.3 18.5 20.9 Percent increase over wheat 31.3 16.3 DT 18 gave significantly higher yields over wheat cultivars Sonalika and CPAN 1796, which are under extensive cultivation in the northern hills, during 1988-89 and 1989-90. In three years of multilocation disease screening under artificial rust infection in the Plant Pathological Nursery, DT 18 showed no infection to leaf and stripe rusts while maximum reaction up to 100S was recorded on Sonalika and 65S on CPAn 1796. DT 18 was also free of both powdery mildew and loose smut while the wheat cultivars showed a high degree of susceptibility to these diseases. DT 18 was also resistant to races of stripe and leaf rusts in seedling stage, which is very desirable feature in this triticale as the northern hills is the foci of infection for these two rusts and the inoculum is present throughout the year. The grains of DT 18 are red, semi hard to hard in texture, medium bold with protein content of 11.7% and a 77 min. pelshenke value. DT 18 is comparable to wheat in grain size, protein and grain texture. It's pelshenke value and a chapati score is slightly lower than wheat. DT 18 clearly established its superior performance over wheat cultivars Sonalika and CPAN 1796 with regard to its yield potential and disease resistance. In view of its superior performance DT 18 was recommended for farmers' field demonstrations in the northern hills by the 29th All India Wheat Research Workers' Workshop held at Kumarganj, Faizabad in August, 1990, in order to get farmers response to this new crop. ------------------------- Dalmir Singh Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Inst., New Delhi Location of genes and induction of homoeologous recombinants between wheat and rye Wheat-rye recombinants resistant to all three rusts of wheat. Material having rust resistance from strains of Secale cereale was evaluated in the Bc1 F6 generation. It was observed that the recombinant lines were resistant to all three rusts of wheat. Plants possessing aestivum type of features were also observed. These aestivum type of plants were also evaluated for rust resistance at the Wellington (IARI, Regional Station in the Nilgirl Hills of Tamil Nadu State of India) station, where all the rust pathogens propagate in natural conditions. It was observed that these aestivum types of recombinants are also resistant to all the rusts of wheat. These lines having rust resistance from rye, probably will be very useful in transferring these genes to protect the newly developed cultivars from the rust pathogen for a longer duration. Self compatible rye mutants. Single spike progenies of selfed rye were planted in the field for M3 generation. About 250 spikes from different plants were again selfed and seeds were harvested separately. The spike fertility was determined. Observations made on the spike fertility revealed the range of fertility from 0.0 to 89.0%. Spikes possessing self fertility over 20.0% have been retained and planted in the field for further evaluation. Among these spike progenies, variation has been observed for grain color and hairy peduncle. The effect of self fertility is being studied on the feasibility of the gene(s) transfer from rye to wheat. Genes involved in the biosynthesis of chlorophyll content in a hexaploid wheat selection III. Using monosomic line 3A of variety Pb. C591 as female parent and sel. III (a strain possessing very high grain weight and protein content) as male parent, crossed seeds were obtained. In the F1, hybrids were identified cytologically and seeds were taken from disomic and monosomic hybrids separately. The seeds were germinated in the petridishes. The data obtained from the segregation of the seedlings of these hybrids suggested that there is only one gene in selection III which is involved in the biosynthesis of chlorophyll contents in this culture. The detailed studies of these data have indicated that the gene in question is located on chromosome 3A. Crosses involving ditelocentrics 3AL, 3BL, and 3DL of variety Chinese Spring have revealed its being located on the long arm of chromosome 3A. Chlorophyll content biosynthetic gene(s) in variety Mara. A study was undertaken to identify and locate the gene(s) involved in the biosynthesis of chlorophyll contents in variety Mara. For identification of these gene(s) variety Mara was crossed with monosomic line 3A of variety Pb. C591. F2 segregation of green and albina seedlings of disomic and monosomic F1 hybrids revealed there are at least two genes present in variety Mara which are involved in the biosynthesis of chlorophyll contents. The crosses involving ditelocentrics 3AL, 3BL, and 3DL of variety Chinese Spring and variety Mara produced only green seedlings in their F2 population which made things difficult to determine the genes on the specific chromosomes and chromosome arms. The effects of storage on the seeds of aneuploid lines of wheat. A detailed study was undertaken to study the effect of storage on the seeds of monosomic lines of variety Pb. C591 except monosomic line 5B. The seeds were stored for 3 years under uniform conditions and were compared with the 4th year seeds (freshly harvested seeds). The observations were taken on the seed germination, coleoptile length, seedling height, root length and root number. Based on the observations made on these traits the following conclusions were drawn: 1. For seed germination there were at least 8 chromosomes (1A, 1B, 1D, 3D, 4A, 4D, 5A and 6B) found to be involved in normal seed germination. Out of these, chromosomes 1A, 4A and 6B possessed major genes for seed germination. 2. Coleoptile length was affected by at least 9 chromosomes (1B, 2B, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 6B, 7A and 7D) found to promote the length of coleoptile while chromosomes 7B was found to inhibit coleoptile length. Chromosomes 1B, 4A and 5A were found to carry genes with major effect. 3. Chromosomes 1B, 4A 5A and 6A were found to promote seedling height. Chromosome 7B on the other hand was found to carry gene(s) for inhibiting the height of the seedlings. 4. The root length trait was affected by at least 4 chromosomes (1B, 4A, 5A and 6D). 5. Root number was found to be very stable. Only one chromosome (4A) was found to be associated with the development of root number. PUBLICATION Singh, D. 1989. Chlorophyll synthetic genes in Triticum sphaerococcum. Photosynthetica, 23(1). ------------------------- Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya - Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Palampur, H.P. G. S. Sethi, Satish C. Sharma, K. S. Thakur, Ashwani Kumar, D. L. Sharma, Shyam Verma and H. K. Chaudhary Advances in wheat improvement in Himachal Pradesh Shuttling of wheat breeding material under diverse agro-climatic conditions. The wheat breeding material generated was shuttled at different altitudes during winter 1989-90 at Dhaulakuan (456m), Bajaura (1098m) and Palampur/Malan (1300m) which are the hot spots of stripe rust, leaf rust and powdery mildew, respectively, and in summer 1990 at Kukumseri (2300m) which is the hot spot for stripe rust and powdery mildew. The segregating materials shuttled, evaluated and selections made at these locations in the State are given below: Cultures Generation Location Evaluated Selected F1 Palampur 136 populations 136 F2 Bajaura 209 populations 382 single plants F3 Palampur, Dhaula 1038 progenies 325 single plants Kuan, Malan and Kukumseri F4 Palampur, Dhaula 605 progenies 215 single plants kuan and Kukumseri F5 Palampur and 206 progenies 110 single plants Kukumseri F6 Palampur and 103 progenies 30 progenies Kukumseri 60 bulks 19 bulks F7 Palampur, Malan 47 bulks 42 bulks and Kukumseri F8 Malan 30 bulks 19 bulks Also, 136 new crosses were made at Palampur involving agronomic bases and the donor parents with resistance to leaf and stripe rusts (Veery's CPAN 3004, CPAN 2099, HUW 258, CPAN 1990, HW 971, CPAN 1992, HS 207), loose-smut resistance (PBW 65, VL 646), powdery mildew resistance (HS 207, HS 240, CPAN 1922) and grain quality (CPAN 2016, CPAN1946 and CPAN 2019. Evaluation and utilization of National and International wheat germplasm. A total of 693 genetic stocks of wheat selected at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, IARI, New Delhi, were evaluated at Palampur, Bajaura and Malan for their growth habit, plant type, maturity, grain characters and resistance to stripe and leaf rust (under artificial epiphytotic conditions at Bajaura and Malan). Based upon these characters, 290 genetic stocks were selected for use in our wheat breeding programme. In addition, 450 stocks were also screened in the seedling stage against a mixture of leaf rust races in the glasshouse and immune and resistant lines have been selected. Development of new cultivars. Two new wheat cultivars, HPW 49 and HPW 42, have been developed for early sown rainfed conditions and for high altitude areas of the State, respectively. These cultivars possess high degree of resistance to stripe and leaf rusts. The performance of these cultivars in the Northern Hill Zone during the last 3 years under the All-India Wheat Coordinated Trials is given in Table 1. Table 1. Performance of promising wheat cultivars in the Northern Hill Zone, with maximum severity of rusts at adult-plant stage under artificial epiphytotic conditions. Mean Reaction to Cultivar/Production Grain yield q/ha grain Stripe Leaf condition 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 yield rust rust Early Sown, Rainfed HPW 49 34.2 23.6 47.2 35.0 0 10MS VL 616 (check) 35.2 23.5 37.3 32.0 10S 80S Timely Sown, High Altitude Rainfed HPW 42 30.8 20.0 19.9 23.6 0 10S Sonalika(C) 22.4 22.5 17.3 20.7 20S 80S Identification of wheat genetic stocks for resistance to stripe rust, leaf rust and powdery mildew. A total of 860 genetic stocks of wheat were screened under artificial epiphytotic conditions of stripe and leaf rust created by spraying 4-5 times a mixture of races viz. 12, 77, 77A, 104, 108 and 162 of leaf rust and 20, 31, and K of stripe rust at 7-day intervals starting from second fortnight of February. The data were recorded on terminal disease severity, during the last week of April when Sonalika and some other susceptible checks viz. Agralocal, WL 711, Kalyansona and Lehmi) showed 100S severity of both the rusts, based on modified Manner's (for stripe rust) and Cobb's (for leaf rust) scale. The powdery mildew studies were undertaken in the laboratory by inoculating 10-day old seedlings raised in enamelled trays, by uniformly dusting conidia of an isolate, collected from Palampur, with avirulence/virulence formulae of P Pm1, Pm2, Pm3a, Pm4, Pm6, Pm8/p pm 3b, pm 3c, pm5, pm7, pmMA. The data were recorded 10 days thereafter using 0-4 scale as suggested by Smith and Blair (1950). Out of all the stocks so screened, only 14 agronomically superior wheat genetic stocks, having resistance to both the rusts were selected. These stocks are: 7DSN-55, EIGSN-51, EIGSN-138, EIGSN-141, EIGSN-170, EIGSN-195, 2-HEWSN 11, 2-HEWSN 58, 2-HEWSN 150, 2-HEWSN 86, 2-HEWSN 194, 5KBSN-141, RWYT (LR)-12 and WAW SN-23. Of these EIGSN-51,EIGSN-141, EIGSN-170, 2HEWSN-86 and 2HEWSN-194 were resistant to powdery mildew also. The work is also in progress to workout pathogenic variation in Erysiphe graminis f. sp. tritici Em Marshal populations prevalent in the State. Out of 8 acrosporic and 10 conidial cultures collected from Lahaul-Spiti and Palampur, 13 different pathotypes have been identified using the near-isogenic lines having known single powdery mildew resistance genes (Pm1 through pm8 and an unidentified gene in Michigan Amber). Gene Pm1 continued to be effective against powdery mildew populations form both locations. Potential of winter wheats in dry-temperature areas. Although winter wheat is not grown in India, it has potential as a grain and fodder crop in the snow- bound areas (such as Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur Districts) of Himachal Pradesh and other hilly areas of the country. Eighteen winter wheat cultivars were supplied by the wheat project Directorate, New Delhi and were evaluated at the Regional Research Station, Kukumseri (2300m a.m.s.1.). Based upon high yield potential and resistance to rusts and powdery mildew, 7 of these winter wheats, Atou, Bounty, Amargas-2, J.).3057, Flendess, Funddin and Envoy were selected and further tested along with one semiwinter (VL 616) and one spring wheat (CPAN 1922) as checks for grain yield (without fodder cutting), grain yield after one fodder cut and fodder yield (of one cut). The results (Table 2) indicate that cultivars Atou and Bounty were the highest grain yielders with yields of 55.2 and 53.6 q/ha, when no fodder cutting was taken. However, when one fodder cut was taken the cultivar `Bounty' gave the highest grain yield of 49.6 q/ha in addition to 76.7 q of green fodder. It was closely followed by the cultivar J.O. 3057 with an advantage. The cultivar Atou was found to be resistant to stripe and leaf rusts as well as powdery mildew. The seed of these promising cultivars has been distributed for their evaluation at farmer's fields during 1990-1991. Table 2. Performance of winter wheat cultivars with regard to grain yield, fodder yield and reaction to stripe and leaf rust. Grain yield (q/ha) Fodder yield (q/ha) Reaction to Without After one (of one cut) Stripe Leaf Cultivar fodder cut fodder cut rust rust Atou 55.3 33.4 66.0 F F Bounty 53.6 49.6 76.7 F F Amargas-2 30.2 38.8 63.3 F F J.O. 3057 44.3 44.1 54.8 TS F Flendess 39.2 39.6 82.5 F F Funddin 49.5 33.4 82.0 F F Envoy 41.2 32.8 104.3 F F VL 616(check) 42.9 28.1 - 10S 20S (semi-winter CPAN 1922 (check) 35.6 18.7 - 10S F (spring wheat) C.D. (0.05) 3.9 4.8 F = Free; S = Susceptible ------------------------- ITEMS FROM ISRAEL Hazera (1939) Breeding Department, Farm Mivhor, Post Sde Gat 79570 Sem Y. Atsmon National production 1989/90. The total area planted to wheat and harvested for grain amounts to about 70,000 ha. An addition 15,000 ha have been planted to wheat for silage, almost all of them to the cultivar DARIEL. The following table specifies the cultivars: Released % of Heading Height Cultivar by Year Area (1) (2) MIRIAM ARO 1968 0.4 midlate high LACHISH ARO 1969 0.6 late high SHAFIR HAZERA 1976 10.7 early semidwarf INBAR(durum) ARO 1976 1.1 late high BETH LEHEM ARO 1982 12.1 early semidwarf DEGANITH WEIZMANN 1983 4.3 midlate dwarf BETH HASHITA ARO 1984 32.9 midlate dwarf DARIEL HAZERA 1986 17.2 late high ATIR HAZERA 1987 20.7 midlate semidwarf (1) emergence mid Nov./mid. Dec.: early = 85 days, midlate = 88-91 days, late = 96-107 days (2) dwarf: 75 cm; semidwarf: 85-90 cm; high: 95 cm. According to this table 87% of the wheat area has been planted to 5 cultivars released during the eighties. SHAFIR is the most important one among the older cultivars. BETH LEHEM replaces MIRIAM in lower rainfall areas. BETH HASHITA is the most widely adapted cultivar, but is very susceptible to Septoria leaf blotch, leaf- and stemrust. The newest cultivars DARIEL and ATIR suffer less from Septoria and are resistant to stripe- and leafrust. INBAR is going to be replaced by the new ARO-cultivar. Generally rainfall was above average in the South, and average or somewhat less in the Northern wheat growing regions. 10-15,000 ha received additional irrigation. December was the driest month. Spring was moist, securing slow ripening and consequently high hectoliter-weight (81 kg). Total production was 257,000 tons, covering about 40% of consumption. Average yield was about 3.8 ton/ha. Hazera's Breeding Programs Bread wheat. Our recent releases are DARIEL and ATIR. The former is a selection from CIMMYT-cross 38212 (PFAU). It has a very good yield potential, expressing itself especially under good spring-moisture conditions. Demand is much greater than expected, first of all for silage, but for grain as well. ATIR has been selected in HAZERA-cross H76.1245 between 2 lines developed in the early seventies from F2 CIMMYT-crosses. It is higher yielding and considerably more resistant to all rusts than SHAFIR, which it will replace. After summarizing results of 12 trials over 4 years we decided to submit to official regional testing 2 new lines, as from 1990/91. The Septoria-resistance program continues to enjoy a strong support of Prof. Z. Eyal at Tel Aviv University. It still is difficult to combine good resistance with desired agronomic characters. Progress is steady, but slow. Much of our material is resistant to stripe- and leafrust. We neglect stemrust at the moment, but we have to be prepared for eventual troubles in the future. In view of growing emphasis on bread making quality we are assessing all our material on protein-content, Zeleny sedimentation and mixograms. We detect of course negative effect of 1B/1R in many lines, but many others give promise of acceptability. Durum. The size of this program is 1/5 of that for bread wheat; if successful we hope to be able to expand our activity beyond the country's boundaries. The most severe obstacle to progress at this moment seems to be the combination of earliness with quality and resistance. We may have to concentrate our efforts on maximum exploitation of the few early, high yielding lines, detected recently in some of our crosses. Personnel. The author of this contribution is retiring after 38 years of service in HAZERA. Mr. Ze'ev Hittin will replace him. ------------------------- The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan A. Blum Variation among wheat cultivars in the response of leaf gas exchange to light. Research was done in order to explore genetic variations in carbon exchange rate (CER) of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaves in response to variable photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and to compare old and new Israeli cultivars in this respect. Leaf gas exchange was measured in detached turgid leaves of 17 cultivars in an open system at 25o C when PAR was reduced from ca. 1200 to 200 mol/m2. Linear regressions of CER, stomatal conductance, transpiration and leaf internal CO2 concentration (Ci) on log PAR were fitted for each leaf (regression R2 was never <0.79) and the regressions were compared among cultivars by analysis of variance. Genotypes differed significantly for the slope (b) but not the intercept (a) of the regression of CER on log PAR, indicating that genotypic differences for CER increased with increasing PAR. Photosynthetic capacity, as expressed by the ratio of CER to Ci, differed significantly among cultivars only at high PAR. Stomatal conductance and transpiration increased in a linear or a nonlinear fashion with log PAR and differences among cultivars for both were the greatest at medium to low PAR. Photosynthetic water-use efficiency (WUE) and its variation among cultivars were greatest at the highest PAR. Genotypic variation in CER at high PAR was confirmed by repeated results for 11 cultivars over two independent experiments. The recently developed high-yielding cultivar V652 had a higher maximum CER, higher photosynthetic capacity and greater WUE at high PAR than older and lower yielding cultivars. The results suggest an upward genetic shift in photosynthetic capacity and in CER at high PAR when selection for yield in spring wheat was performed under the high-irradiation conditions of Israel. On the other hand, the results of others show that when selection was performed under lower irradiance environment and/or in winter wheat, no such genetic shift was observed in modern cultivars as compared with older ones. It is therefore suggested that the measurement of carbon exchange rate at saturating irradiance (Pmax) in detached wheat leaves may have some predictive value in selection work for high yield under relatively high irradiation conditions. This conclusion is in contrast to the general feeling among crop physiologists that single-leaf measurements of photosynthesis have no value for the prediction of plant production of yield. It seems, however, that in the selection for high yield under high irradiance in spring wheat materials of high potential yield, there may be some value to such measurements. In our continued work along this line, we keep getting very supportive results, as displayed in the example presented in Fig 1. INSERT #4 HERE PUBLICATIONS Blum, A., Golan, G., Mayer, J., Sinmena, B. and Burra, J. 1989. The drought response of landraces of wheat from the Northern Negev desert in Israel. Euphytica 43:87-96. Blum, A. 1989. Osmotic adjustment and growth of barley genotypes under drought stress. Crop Sci. 29:230-231. Martiniello, P. and Blum, A. 1989. An association between chlorophyll fluorescence and carbon exchange rate in water-stressed wheat leaf disks in vitro. J. Genet. & Breed. 43:7-9. Blum, A., Ramaiah, S., Kanemasu, E. T. and Paulsen, G. M. 1990. Recovery of wheat from drought stress at the tillering developmental stage. Field Crops Res. 24:67-85. Blum, A., Shpiler, L., Golan, G. and Mayer, J. 1990. Yield stability and canopy temperature of wheat genotypes under drought stress. Field Crops Res. 22:289-296. Blum, A. and Pnuel, Y. 1990. Physiological attributes associated with drought resistance of wheat cultivars in a mediterranean environment. Aust. Jour. Agric. Res. 41:799-810. ------------------------- ITEMS FROM ITALY Experimental Institute for Cereal Research - Section of St. Angelo Lodigiano, Italy B. Borghi and M. Perenzin Hybrids wheats. Combining ability estimates in bread wheat for quality traits. Seventy-five F1 hybrids obtained by crossing 15 female cultivars of bread wheat with 3 males were grown at normal seed density in replicated plot trials at two locations in Northern Italy together with their parental cultivars. Estimates of general combining ability (GCA) indicate that several cultivars contributed moderate genetic effect to all the main qualitative traits. In particular the cultivars Salmone, Saliente, Pandas and Irnerio showed positive and significative values for alveograph W, while Salmone, Salgemma and Gallo showed positive effects for alveograph P/L. Moreover, some cultivars showed positive estimates of GCA for protein content and for Zeleny test. Specific combining ability (SCA) effects never resulted statistically significatives. In conclusion the hybrids appeared on average to be of inferior bread making quality (Alveograph W) when compared with the best parental cultivar (Salmone). However, using the few available high quality cultivars, it appears possible to produce a wide array of hybrids, some of them combining a satisfactory quality with a high level of productivity. ------------------------- M. Cattaneo and Y. M. Qiao In Vitro anthers culture. A new program on wheat aimed at producing double haploid androenetic lines started in 1989 to support and speed up traditional breeding. A second anthers culture cycle was carried on in 1990: 46 Italian cultivars, 10 F1 hybrids and 2 French Diplo-Haploid lines were tested on two media. The first one was a completely synthetic filtered medium (W5, mf), the second was supplemented with potato extract (P2). farneto and Oderzo, two largely grown Italian cultivars, confirmed the positive results of the previous year, some other cultivars like Dardo, Fabiola, Gladio and Tivoli, gave satisfactory results (more than 10% in calli production). About 200 double haploid lines are under evaluation in the field. Up to how more than 43900 anthers have been cultured with an average yield of 4.8% calli production. ------------------------- R. Castagna Selection of mutants in Triticum monococcum L. Seeds from a population of Triticum monococcum L., called Winterform, were treated with different doses of x-rays. In the following generations were selected several chlorophyll mutants detected at the plantlet stage and other mutants affecting life cycle and the plant morphology. In the M4 generation we have identified 24 albina, 8 viridis, 10 virescent, 1 viridoalbina, 3 xanta, 1 striata, 1 tigrina. Among the putative mutants some affect growth habitus (uniculm, oligoculm), plant height, head shape (laxa, compact, coiled, weak rachis, curled branched, accordeon), spikelet morphology (with one or two flowers, awness lemma in the second flower, breviaristatum), flower morphology (branched or multiflorus rachilla, flower organs with scant development, basal, central, apical, alternate sterility). The mutants will be used as genetic markers or for physiologycal studies with special regards to homeotic genes. Dose (rad) 3000 6000 9000 Control M2 Grown progenies 1397 1115 51 550 Checked head-rows 6210 4336 134 2554 Segregating head-rows 195 315 12 3 M3 Grown progenies 28 81 0 0 Checked head-rows 282 1773 0 0 Segregating head-rows 12 34 0 0 M4 Grown progenies 5 55 0 0 Checked plants 70 988 0 0 Segregating plants 39 460 0 0 ------------------------- P. Gavuzzi, B. Borghi Evaluation of genetic variability for grain yield in winter cereals grown in mediterranean environments. Individuation of genetic variability for tolerance to drought and heat stress typical of the mediterranean environments represents the first step in order to start physiological studies or to conduct breeding programs. The first step of this year work was to find genetic variability for adaptability to stress conditions among the most cultivated cultivars of bread wheat, durum wheat and barley. The characterization was based on the results of the national network of variety trails carried out in the last five years and regarding those locations where heat and drought stress severely reduced grain yield. The objective parameters adopted were grain yield and the susceptibility index of Fisher. We could observe that the yield under stress and the Fisher index resulted highly correlated and we could classify the varieties in relations to their degree of adaptability to the Mediterranean stress conditions by using both parameters. ------------------------- N. E. Pogna, R. Redaelli, A. M. Brretta, A. Curioni, A. Dal Belin Peruffo Biochemical and immunological studies of wheat albumins. Water-soluble protein frraction (albumins) from bread wheat and durum wheat flour was extracted and purified by electroendosmotic preparative electrophoresis (EPE). Antibodies were raised against a major albumin component (protein A) and used in immunoblot analyses to test the reaction with total proteins from bread wheat, durum wheat and pasta essicated at low (60oC) or high temperature (90oC). Antiserum to protein A reacted with proteins in the molecular weight range 14-16 kDa and was found to be useful in detecting adulteration of durum wheat semolina with flour from common wheat. By using nulli tetrasomic lines derived from Chines Spring in immiunoblot assay, protein A was shown to be encoded by the short arm of chromosome 3D. Antiserum to protein A and preparative free-flow IEF were employed to characterize some components of the CM-proteins. ------------------------- N. E. Pogna, R. Redaelli, A. M. Beretta, F. Raineri A "Selfing" gene coding for omega-gliadin on chromosome 1B of bread wheat cultivar Salmone. Analysis of F2 and BC1 grains from crosses between Salmone and six bread wheat cultivars showed that chromosome 1B of Salmone contains a clust of 4-5 linked genes (Gli-B1 locus) coding for omega- and gamma-gliadins along with an additional locus (Gli-B4) coding for one gliadin at a distance of 1.6 recombination units from (Gli-B1). The recombination values were calculated to be 0.7% between Rg1 ("Red glume" locus) and Gli-B4, and 2.0% between Rg1 and Gli-B1. The gene order on chromosome 1B was deduced to be centromere, Glu-B3, Gli-B1, Gli-B4, Rg1. PUBLICATIONS Avato, P., Bianchi, G., Pogna, N. E. 1990. Chemosystematics of surface lipids from maize and some related species. Phytochemistry 29(5):1571-1576. Borghi, B., Corbellini, M., Gavuzzi, P., Boggini, G., Ouassou, A. 1990. Breeding for heat and drought tolerance in bread wheat by means of field and laboratory screening procedures. Bull. Soc. Bot. Fr. 137, Actual Bot. 1:37-46. Borghi, B., Perenzin, M. 1990. Yield and yield stability of conventional varieties and F1 bread wheat hybrids. J. Genet. & Breeding. 44:307-310. Curioni, A., Dal Belin Peruffo, A., Pogna, N. E. 1990. Preparative isoelectric focusing of reduced wheat gluten proteins. Electrophoresis 11:462-467. Pogna, N. E., Autran, J. C., Mellini, F., Lafiandra, D., Feillet, P. 1990. Chromosome 1B-encoded gliadins and glutenin subunits in durum wheat: genetics and relationship to gluten strength. J. Cereal Sci. 11:15-34. ------------------------- Instituto Sperimentale per la Cerealicoltura, Via Cassia 176, 00191 Rome V. Vallega Triticum monococcum. Diploid wheat, often viewed merely as a source of genes to be used in durum and bread wheat breeding programs, might still play a role in modern agriculture as a crop in itself. Most of the T. monococcum landraces maintained in germplasm banks furnish relatively high grain yields, and still higher yielding free-threshing types could be obtained with little effort using traditional breeding methods. The diploid nature of T. monococcum renders this species genetically much more flexible than polyploid wheats in relation to the myriad of rapidly changing needs and requirements of consumers and agricultural industries. Indeed, some of the favourable mutants known to exist in other diploid cereals but as yet unidentified in polyploid wheats are probably present in wild strains of diploid wheat, or could be induced through mutagenic treatments with relative ease. Moreover, T. monococcum offers - in perspective - greater possibilities than durum and bread wheats also in relation to hybrid seed production. In fact, it seems quite reasonable to expect a markedly higher hybrid vigor in crosses between diploid wheats than amongst polyploid genotypes, in which two or more diploid genomes already coexist. The data presented below were collected on materials grown during the 1989/90 season; previous results have been published elsewhere (Vallega 1979). Fourteen T. monococcum landraces of various origins as well as a free-threshing diploid strain and several Italian durum and bread wheats were grown in field experiments situated near Rome and Bologna (Central and Northern Italy, respectively). Plots of 10 sq. m each, replicated either 3 or 4 times for each cv., were sown at different seeding rates. Some of the results obtained are summarized in Table 1. Grain yields (dehulled seed) of diploid wheats ranged from 1050 to 3240 kg/ha (Bologna) and from 320 to 2800 kg/ha (Rome). Protein yields (kg/ha) of monococcum landraces were, at the latter site, higher than those of the durum wheat controls, but lower than those of some high protein durum wheat lines developed recently (Vallega 1985). Further analysis indicated that the yield of diploid wheats would have been markedly greater if higher seeding rates had been adopted. A few T. monococcum lines, derived from a very small breeding program initiated in 1979 and interrupted various times, were included as unreplicated plots in the trial sown near Rome. Grain yield of these lines was higher than that of any of the durum and bread wheat cvs, included as controls. Small seed samples of these lines as well as of free-threshing diploid wheat segregating populations are available on request. Table 1. Grain yield 1000-kernel Heading Lodging Test weight (kg/ha) weight (g) (days) (%) (kg/hl) diploid wheats 2660 21 218 70 - 2650 29 203 25 79 2550 19 216 40 77 2540 29 203 2 80 2480 20 219 54 77 2410 24 214 54 78 2360 22 219 45 77 2280 22 219 50 77 2260 21 216 85 77 2180 20 219 30 78 2150 23 212 62 78 2130 19 222 35 77 1840 20 216 67 - 1340 24 222 25 76 690 30 190 0 - tetrapl. 5220 45 196 0 79 wheats (2) hexapl. 5380 34 198 13 78 wheats (3) Experiments by a group of Argentinean researchers indicate that T. monococcum flours are nontoxic in celiac disease. Assays have been initiated in collaboration with a medical group to verify these findings. Samples of T. monococcum seed as well as progress reports on this line of research are available to specialists on request. Resistance of T. monococcum with regards to Soil-borne Wheat Mosaic Virus (SBWMV) and to Wheat Spindle Streak Mosaic Virus (WSSMV) was evaluated in collaboration with Dr. Rubies Autonell (College of Agriculture, University of Bologna). Particles of SBWMV were found in the leaf tissues of some of the diploid wheat assayed, but titer counts were similar to those recorded on durum cvs. known to be resistant to this virus. Although WSSMV particles were numerous in leaf tissues of susceptible durum wheat controls, none were observed in any of the T. monococcum landraces tested. Moderately severe epidemics of yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis) and mildew (Erysiphe graminis) occurred in the trials grown near Rome and Bologna, respectively. Several of the diploid wheats tested showed to be susceptible to both pathogens, especially to yellow rust. A long series of chemical and technological assays on T. monococcum is being performed in collaboration with Drs. M. G. D'Egidio and S. Nardi (I.S.C. Technology Section, Rome). The results of the first analysis' are summarized in Tables 2 and 3. Table 2. Protein Ash SDSS (%) (%) (cc) diploid wheats 23.8 - - 18.5 2.21 20 18.3 2.05 16 17.7 - - 16.6 2.23 25 16.2 2.16 42 15.1 2.52 15 15.1 2.22 25 13.7 - - 13.6 2.14 15 13.5 2.28 20 13.3 2.05 25 12.9 2.05 26 12.6 2.12 29 12.5 2.10 24 Tetraploid wheats (2) 13.0 1.98 31 Hexaploid wheats (2) 13.3 1.84 62 Table 3. Albumins + Gliadins Glutenins Residue globulins (%) (%) (%) (%) diploid wheats (12) 27 32 6 30 tetraploid wheats (2) 26 33 5 31 hexaploid wheats (3) 25 30 5 37 Awnless durums. Awns have been often claimed to have appreciable positive effects on grain yield and drought resistance, yet many successful awnless common wheat cvs. continue to be launched every year. On the contrary, all modern durum wheat cvs., including those grown in humid areas, are awned. In both wheat species, the length, number and position of the spike of awns have been found to be controlled by polygenic systems. Interestingly, crosses between an awnless T. dicoccum of Italian origin and various fully awned wheat cvs. originated F2 populations in which 25% of the plants was awnless. Genetic analysis will be continued in F3. The awn inhibitor is being transferred to adapted durums. Soil-borne wheat mosaic virus and wheat spindle streak mosaic virus. Investigations on the resistance of diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid wheats with regards to SBWMV and WSSMV are being continued in collaboration with Dr. Rubies Autonell (College of Agriculture, University of Bologna). All the diploid wheats tested so far showed to be resistant to SBWMV and immune to WSSMV. Eight further durum wheat cvs. resistant to both SBWMV and WSSMV were identified. As noted also in previous years, SBWMV particles continued to be present in the tissues of susceptible cvs. well beyond flowering time, even in the external layers of developing seeds. Particle counts of SBWMV and WSSMV made on the parental cvs. of various (hexaploid) chromosome substitution series indicated that resistance differences between these cvs. are probably not large enough to allow the chromosomal location of major genes conferring resistance to these viral diseases. HMW glutenin subunits. Segregating populations carrying either 0, 1, 2 or 3 `null' alleles at the Glu-1 loci are being examined in collaboration with Drs. M. G. D'Egidio and S. Nardi (I.S.C. Technology Section, Rome) in order to investigate possible HMW glutenin dosage effects on quality, especially on pasta products. The number of genotypes analyzed so far is too small to draw any conclusions. PUBLICATIONS Rubies, Autonell C. and V. Vallega. 1991. Studies on the development and interaction of SBWMV and WSSMV. In "Biotic interactions and soil-borne diseases" Elsevier Scientific Publishers, Amsterdam, p. 107-112. Rubies, Autonell C. and V. Vallega. 1990. Soil-borne Wheat Mosaic Virus and Wheat Spindle Streak Mosaic Virus in Italy. Proc. Symp. Plant Viruses with fungal vectors. Braaunschweig 1990, p. 135-138. Rubies Autonell C. and V. Vallega. 1987. Observations on a mixed SBWMV and WSSMV infection in durum wheat. J. Phytopathology 119:111-121. Vallega, V. and C. Rubies Autonell. 1985. Reactions of Italian Triticum durum cultivars to SBWMV. Pl. Disease 69:64-66. Vallega, V. and C. Rubies Autonell. 1990. Studies on a complex viral syndrome caused by SBWMV and WSSMV. Proc. Eight Cong. Medit. Phytopath. Union, Agadir 1990, p. 341-342. Vallega, V., S. Nardi and M. G. D'Egidio. 1990. Breeding value of durum wheat cv. Trinakria as a spaghetti cooking quality donor parent. Cereal. Res. Comm. 18:75-80. Vallega, V. 1985. Identification of a major protein gene compatible with high grain yields in semidwarf Triticum durum genotypes. Cereal Res. Comm. 13:201- 207. Vallega, V. 1988. Comparative analysis of HMW glutenin subunit composition in various Triticum species. Plant Breeding 100:241-246. Vallega, V. 1988. HMW glutenin subunit composition of 115 cvs. of Triticum turgidum var durum of various origins. Genet. Agr. 42:235-240. Vallega, V. 1978. Search of useful genetic characters in diploid Triticum spp. Proc. Fifth Intern. Wheat Genet. Symp., New Delhi 1978, p. 156-162. Vallega, V. 1979. Field performance of varieties of Triticum monococcum, T. durum and Hordeum vulgare grown at two locations. Genet. Agr. 33:363-370. ------------------------- ITEMS FROM JAPAN National Agriculture Research Center, Department of Winter Crop Science, Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305 A. Oyanagi, A. Sato and M. Wada Differences of root gravitropic responses in Japanese wheat cultivars. Using the methods of measuring the exudation rate from the cut ends of the wheat stems, we found differences in the estimated values for root activity among cultivars. The differences were thought to depend on the root distribution patterns in the soil, i.e., the cultivars which have deep root systems had great water absorbing abilities. It seems that root distribution patterns are determined by the gravitropic responses of the roots. We observed the gravitropic responses of the primary seminal roots in 133 Japanese wheat cultivars on the agar medium. The root growth angle from the horizontal of the cultivars varied from 4o in the Minaminokomugi to 64o in Norin 58. Significant differences in the gravitropic responses of the roots were observed. An ecological differentiation in the gravitropic responses of the roots was found, i.e., the cultivars which were bred in the northern part of Japan have large root growth angles from the horizontal and cultivars which were bred in the southern part of Japan have small root angles. It is considered that the ecological differentiation of the gravitropic responses in the roots is related to the soil water condition and temperature in each region. We will continue to study the genetic and physiological background of the differences. PUBLICATIONS Oyanagi, A., A. Sato and M. Wada. 1990. Growth angles of the seminal roots in Japanese wheat varieties. Japanese Journal of Crop Science 59 (Extra issue 1):250-251. Oyanagi, A., A. Sato, M. Wada and T. Yamada. 1991. Inheritance of geotropic responses in wheat seminal roots. Japanese Journal of Breeding 41 (in press). Insert Figure 1 Insert 6 - Table 1 ------------------------- Tohoku National Agricultural Experiment Station, Shimokuriyagawa, Morioka 010-01 Y. Taniguchi Quality test of foreign wheat cultivars in east-northern Japan. We have utilized foreign cultivars as crossing materials to introduce the characteristics high protein and high quality (high flour yield and high brightness of flour) into Japanese cultivars. Forty foreign cultivars were planted in 6-row plots (20 cm between rows and 3.2 m long, 200-250 seeds per m2) on September 19 in 1986/1987 and on September 18 in 1987/1988 (11 cultivars were planted both 1986/1987 and 1987/1988). These wheats were ground experimentally by a quadrumat junior. In 1986-1987, Martonvasari 12, NS 2985 and T 79/3 had high flour yields with a high flour ash content. T 79/8, Eupamil, 81146 and 81142 had high protein content of grain and flour. T 79/8 had the highest sedimentation value, and Renard had the high brightness of flour and the high yellowness (log R554/R455) of flour. In 1987/1988, MV-15 and NS 2985 had high flour yield and low flour ash content. Nanbukomugi, 81146, 81142, MV-14 and Stozher had high protein content of grain and flour. TAM 200, Recital and Sterna had high sedimentation values. ------------------------- Tohoku National Agricultural Experiment Station S. Ito Regeneration potential of long cultured callus in wheat. Calli from immature embryos of 31 wheat cultivars were subcultured at four week intervals for 40 weeks on MS medium with 2,4-D 2 mg/1. Halves of callus were transferred to MS medium without 2,4-D, at 4, 8, 16, 24, 32 and 40 weeks. After the callus were cultured for eight weeks, number of plants regenerated from the callus was counted. The frequency of plant regeneration from callus decreased as callus was subcultured. Variation of plant regeneration obtained from the cultivars tried on a total of 31 cultivars ranged 0% to 100%. The 22 cultivars regenerated no plants at 24 weeks. Four cultivars (Toyoho-komugi, Shimohusa-komugi, Aoba-komugi, Tohoku 144) regenerated plants from callus at 40 weeks. The frequency of plant regeneration in these four cultivars were categorized into the higher group at 4 weeks. In the tissue culture studies of wheat by callus, we need to select the cultivars with the highest regeneration rate and consider its maintenance during long culture. ------------------------- ITEMS FROM MEXICO CIMMYT, Mexico, D.F. R.A. Fischer and G. Varughese Developments in CIMMYT Wheat Program in 1990 There were few major staff changes in 1990. As foreshadowed, in mid-year, Gene Saari came back to Mexico to become Leader of the Crop Protection (CP) Subprogram and Edmundo Acevedo joined as Leader of the Crop Management and Physiology (CMP) Subprogram. In Germplasm Improvement, Sirkka Immonen joined the Triticale Section as Associate Scientist on FINNIDA funds; He Zhong-hu from China became Associate, and Getinet Gebeyehu from Ethiopia and Chen Tianyou from China joined as Visiting Scientists in Bread Wheat; Dr. Steven Calhoun left Bread Wheat for Louisiana State University. In Genetic Resources, Dr. M.D.H.M. William and Mr. Oscar Riera joined as Post-Doctoral Fellow and Associate, respectively, while Nitschka ter Kuile left for further studies. Guillermo Fuentes (Karnal bunt) and Dennis Lawn (soil pathology) were promoted to Associate Scientists in CP, Roberto Ranieri (BYD) and Johnathan Robinson (RWA) joined as Associates. In CMP Matthew Reynolds became an Associate Scientist in Physiology of Wheat in hot climates, while Craig Meisner joined as a Post-Doctoral. David Saunders resigned as agronomist and leader of the CIDA-Bangladesh project, returning to Australia to work in consulting. Max Alcala returned from sabbatical in Temple, Texas, and Rey Villareal and Miloudi Nachit took up sabbaticals at Cornell. Last year was busy for conferences with substantial program involvement in the Wheat for NonTraditional Warmer Areas Conference (Iguazu Falls, Brazil) and the International Triticale Conference (Passo Fundo, Brazil) and record participation in ASA/CSSA. On the funding front, an important achievement in 1990 was the renewal for 3 years from mid-1990 of the UNDP project on wheat for warmer non- traditional areas; the project now has the title Increasing Wheat Production in Warmer and Stress Environments, and it supports four international staff (Kohli, Wall, Mann, and Reynolds). Under the project the successful international conference was organized in Iguazu Falls (31 July-4 August 1990);proceedings will be available in mid-1991. Also in 1990 the SDC (Switzerland) renewed support for wheat biotechnology (Krattiger) and granted funds for an Associate (Ruckstuhl) to work with Jesse Dubin in Nepal on Helminthosporium. Finally, ACIAR(Australia) approved a project organized out of Thailand to look at Boron deficiency in wheat in that Country, and in Nepal and Bangladesh. The 1989-90 season in northwest Mexico was close to average weatherwise, apart from heavy rains in December, which resulted in about 15% of the crops being sown late. Nevertheless, the average yield for the Yaqui Valley was the second highest on record (5.46 t/ha). The bread wheats Opata 85 and Oasis 86 and the durum wheat Altar 84 predominated. New varieties released by INIFAP for the Yaqui Valley Bacanora 88 (= Kauz'S', bread wheat) and Aconchi 89 (= Altar/Aos, durum wheat) promise further small yield gains with normal planting, but because of their short erect-leaved habit, have raised concerns about possible yield penalties with the increasingly common bed planting system, which leaves a 45-50 cm unplanted gap between beds. This issue is subject to continuing research. On the disease front, Karnal bunt incidence in the Yaqui Valley was very low (89% of samples free, 0.02% above 2% infection, mean infection level 0.03%). Artificial KB inoculation was, however, very effective and good progress was made in identifying less susceptible progeny. Incorporation of stem rust resistance into durum wheats for hot spots, like the traditional growing areas of Ethiopia, also registered good progress in 1990 with a useful proportion CIMMYT material now showing resistance. Finally, resistance to Helminthosporium sativum, clearly superior to that of Chinese and Brazilian sources, has been identified in our Poza Rica hot spot in progeny of good plant type from a cross involving, among other parents, Agropyron curvifolium. In late 1990, the RFLP mapping project at Cornell University produced a map for barley and has identified several hundred wheat probes from various sources. Doubled haploid populations for mapping of certain traits are being produced at El Batan. The method using pollination with Zea mays is proving very efficient in the production of haploid plants. CIMMYT is also maintaining links with the International Triticinae Mapping Initiative. ------------------------- Barley Yellow Dwarf and Russian Wheat Aphid Research P.A. Burnett, R. Ranieri, and J. Robinson Barley Yellow Dwarf Strains and Aphid Vectors in Mexico. The main aphid species that feed on small grains in Mexico are Rhopalosiphum padi, R. maidis, Sitobion avenae, Schizaphis graminum, Metopolophium dirhodum, and Diuraphis noxia (Russian wheat aphid [RWA]). The work, to date, indicates that there are four prevalent strains of barley yellow dwarf viruses (BYDVs) in Mexico. The most prevalent is MAV-like and the major vector in Mexico is M. dirhodum, not S. avenae as it is in many other areas of the world. There is also a relatively high incidence of the RMV-like strain. The other two strains present are PAV-like and RPV-like. We only occasionally detect SGV. To date, tests in Mexico have not shown that D. noxia is a vector of BYDVs. Germplasm Screening. Screening for resistance to barley yellow dwarf (BYD) has continued in both winter and spring cereals. With the lifting of quarantine on the Altizapan Station near Toluca most of the screening work has returned to this site, where it is done under naturally occurring BYD epidemics. We have selected some wheat lines from material we obtained as F2s and F3s from Dr. A. Comeau (Agriculture Canada Quebec City, Canada), which have looked particularly good. These lines have been screened both with an MAV-like strain transmitted by greenhouse reared M. dirhodum and with natural epidemics. A number of these lines that have resistance to leaf rust, stem rust and yellow rust have been given to the bread wheat program for further evaluations. Table 1 lists the pedigree of the best lines. We screened a collection of septoria-resistant bread wheat lines that we obtained from Dr. Lucy Gilchrist of CIMMYT. It has been suggested that there may be a link between septoria resistance and BYD resistance. However, only 10% of these lines showed resistance to BYD in our test. Yield Loss Studies. We have some wheat lines that, based on symptoms, have appeared resistant/tolerant for several cycles of screening. In 1989 and 1990, some of these lines were yield-tested under inoculation with greenhouse reared viruliferous M. dirhodum (transmitting and MAV-like strain). In these experiments, the cultivar Anza has been used as the resistant check and Bobwhite has been the susceptible check. The yield of the insecticide-sprayed plots were divided by the yield of the MAV infected plots. We want lines with ratios that are lower than Anza and tend towards 1.0. Some promising lines from 1989 are listed in Table 2. Russian Wheat Aphid. Useful levels of resistance to RWA have been found in field screenings of winter wheat, spring barley, spring triticale, winter triticale, spring rye and winter rye, but not in CIMMYT spring wheat. The winter wheats were identified as resistant to RWA from screening in South Africa and the USA. Screening of spring wheats from CIMMYT germplasm collections will continue in 1991 and crosses will be made between the resistant winter wheats and spring wheats. Table 1. Pedigree of selected lines with good symptomatic resistance to BYD in Mexico. ___________________________________________________________ F7 SERI/PEL 72390//PVN/3/ALD/BH 1146*2 CNO 79/ANZA//PVN/3/ALD/BH 1146* 2 PVN 76//ALD/BH 1146*2/3/CNO 79/PEL 72390 F6 MIRLO/BUC//TONI and the reciprocal cross TONI/TSI TONI/PAT 19 and the reciprocal cross NHU-PORA/TSI PF 70354/ALD//TONI ALD/BH 1146*2/TSI IAS 63/ALD//GTO LV/3/LONG MIAI 10 ____________________________________________________________ Table 2. The best lines of 1989 BYD yield loss experiment. ____________________________________________________________ Pedigree Ratio PF79765 LOTE 137/81 1.17 SDY/CARC/3/AU/UP301//BOW 1.23 VEE#5/TRAP#1 1.23 ALV110/2*IAS54/6/TP/4/TZPP/SM64/NA 1.24 PO/3/CNO67/5/PF6968 AND/HN4/3/GTO/7C//BBCNO67/5/PVN/ 1.25 4/44/CNO//JAR/3/ORZ/6TAN BJY/COC 1.32 CNO79/PRL 1.34 TRAP#1 1.34 FAN#1 1.37 KEA/GH 1.39 ANZA 1.42 ------------------------- Application of Distance Analysis to the Choice of Parents in Wheat Breeding He Zhong-hu* Euclidean distance, based on principal component analysis, was calculated among six groups of winter wheat lines developed during the 1985-89 period. They were clustered using the pair-group arithmetic average method. Three methods used for selecting characters, i.e., using all characters observed (Conventional Method), weighting the traits based on relative importance (Weighting Method), and selecting only those with high heritabilities (Heritability Method), were compared. The aim of these studies was to investigate the association between genetic distance and heterosis, to evaluate the relationship between cross performance and parental classification, to assess the consistency of distance analysis under various environments and its biological implication, and the problem of how to select and weight characters in distance analysis. The results are as follows: 1) The relationship between genetic distance or weighted genetic distance and heterosis varied with different characters studied and different generations of materials used. A positive correlation existed between genetic distance or weighted genetic distance and the heterosis of sample yield or yield per plant, but this was influenced by the magnitude of heterosis and parental materials used. 2) In order to obtain promising crosses in hybridization breeding and in hybrid wheat breeding, it may be better to select parents from intercluster rather than intracluster materials. The characteristics of the materials used and the experience of individual breeder in the choice of parents should also be considered. 3) The results of distance analysis varied under different environments, but to some extent consistency was associated with the choice of characters. There is no association between the consistency of varietal clustering and the stability parameter of the individual character. 4) The genetic difference derived from distance analysis is not identical to differences in pedigrees, nor to those caused by different geographical origins. The genetic difference obtained from distance analysis appears to be the combined reflection of different phenotypic characters. 5) Results suggest that distance analysis has a certain degree of consistency with respect to the selection and weighting of characters. It seems that the Heritability Method is superior to the Conventional and Weighting Methods. The influence of character weighting on distance analysis is far less than that of character selection. This research was part of my Doctoral studies at the Beijing Agricultural University. ------------------------- Assessing Weed Competition Ability in Bread Wheat K.D. Sayre, I. Ortiz-Monasterio, and C. Meisner Weeds continue to reduce yields in most wheat producing areas. The relative importance of this yield reduction is certainly higher in many developing countries where cost and availability of herbicides and equipment limit their use and where labor costs/shortages increasingly preclude adequate hand weeding of wheat. Grass weeds (Avena sp., Phalaris sp., Bromus sp., Lolium sp., and other genera) are usually more difficult to control in wheat and are potentially more yield threatening than most common broadleaf weeds. Herbicides for grass weed control are normally more expensive and require more stringent application management to obtain satisfactory control. No grass herbicide similar to 2,4-D or its derivatives, widely used broadleaf herbicides, is available for grass weed control in wheat. With these considerations, the Agronomy Section of the CIMMYT Wheat Program has begun to investigate alternative methods for weed control in wheat that may reduce or replace reliance on herbicides and/or handweeding. Emphasis is placed on control of highly competitive grass weeds like wild oats (A. fatua). CIMMYT's major contributions to wheat producing countries is its diverse, high-yielding and widely adapted germplasm. Extensive variation exists in wheat morphological characteristics and growth habits. Casual observations in farmers' fields, in experiment station nurseries, and yield trials have indicated that short stature genotypes (75-80 cm) and/or genotypes with small erect leaves with a compact canopy appear to compete "poorly" with weeds such as P. minor or A. fatua. Taller, semi-dwarf genotypes (95-100 cm) with large, lax leaves and a spreading canopy appear to be "better" weed competitors. A trial was established during the 1989-90 winter cycle at the CIANO Experiment Station in the Yaqui Valley near Cd. Obregon, Sonora, in northwestern Mexico to attempt to identify bread wheat genotypes for weed competitive ability using criteria that breeders could feasibly use for making selections. The experiment station is located in a low-rainfall, irrigated area having high production (5-7 t/ha). Twelve spring wheat genotypes with similar yield potential in this environment were chosen. The wheat was planted in six-row plots that were 5 m long with 30 cm between rows. Previous spacing trials indicated that 30-cm rows provided a satisfactory spacing to facilitate genotypic differentiation for early ground cover. All genotypes were seeded at 120 kg/ha. Treatments involved a two-factor factorial combination of the twelve genotypes planted with or without a uniform over-seeding of 200 viable oat seeds/m2 (A. sativa cv. Paramo). This vigorous-growing, common oat variety was used to simulate weed competition and to avoid introduction of a noxious weed on station. The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Assessments to characterize potential differences in weed competition among the 12 genotypes were made only on plots without overseeded oats. They included the following: sequential measurements of light interception by the wheat canopy to ground level beginning at first node; visual scores for canopy type; plant population per m2; days to 50% anthesis; plant height at full anthesis; and leaf area index (LAI) and mean leaf tip angle (MLTA) at near anthesis. These determinations were then used to develop relationships with wheat and oat biomass yields harvested from the plots both with and without oats. When the wheat genotypes had reached anthesis in the plots without oats, dry biomass was determined individually for wheat without oats, wheat with oats, and oats with wheat. There were no significant differences in wheat biomass among genotypes in the absence of oats. However, significant differences were observed in wheat biomass between the genotypes grown in the presence of oats. The ratio of wheat biomass with oats versus wheat biomass without oats also varied significantly among genotypes (Table 1). Two genotypes in particular, INIA/A. DISTICHUM//INIA/VEE and FCT'S', were outstanding in their wheat biomass production in the presence of oats and their biomass ratio. Oat biomass in plots with the first genotype were markedly lower than for the other genotypes. Even though there were genotypic differences for many factors measured (except MTLA), some such as wheat population per m2, visual canopy scores, days to 50% anthesis, LAI, and MTLA were not strongly related to the biomass yields. The most promising of these factors appeared to be the visual canopy scores if they can be improved to detect potential genetic differences in early ground cover. Among genotypes, there was a height range from 78 to 112 cm, which was correlated with oat biomass yield (r=-0.66; sig. at the 5% level). Height was not related to wheat biomass yield in the presence or absence of oats (Table 1.) Canopy light interception at ground level measured between the 30 cm rows at the first node varied between genotypes (Table 1) and produced the best correlation with oat biomass yield (r=-0.92; sig. at the 1% level). It was also significantly correlated with wheat biomass yield in the presence of oats (r=0.71; sig. at the 1% level). It was not related to wheat biomass yield without oats. Subsequent measurements of light interception over a 3- to 4-week period following first node became weaker though remained significant (r=-0.72 at early boot). It would appear that early measurement of light interception by wheat within an appropriate row spacing to maximize expression of genotypic differences can be a potentially useful screening method for weed competing ability in spring wheat. Several measuring devices are available to determine light interception in 20-30 seconds per plot, quite feasible for breeders to use. Similarly, it should be possible to develop better visual canopy scores combined with ground cover estimates that may be as useful. INSERT #8 - TABLE 1 ------------------------- ITEMS FROM NEPAL CIMMYT S. ASIA REGIONAL WHEAT PROGRAM Breeding and Pathology (H.J. Dubin) Wheat varietal mixture experiments. The first phase of a series of wheat varietal mixture experiments has been concluded. The goal was to compare the stability of the mixture versus components over time and space. We have reported the general results of these experiments in previous Newsletters. In January 1991 a meeting was held in Kathmandu with twelve cooperators from India, Nepal and Switzerland to present individual experimental results and discuss future cooperation. The abstracts of the presentations will form a proceedings that will be available to interested scientists. Future wheat mixture work with S. Asian cooperators will focus on relevant mixtures for their respective environments. A preliminary analysis of three years of combined regional results indicate that mixtures are more stable than their components. In general, mixture benefits increase when severe rust is present. However, the benefits of stability without disease are signifcant over time and space. Two methods of analysis were used to measure stability, i.e., Principal Coordinate Analysis [PCA] and Eberhart & Russell [E&R]. PCA [first two coordinates] accounted for 60% of the variation observed and gave a good representation of the stability relationships among treatments. Of the three mixture components used in the study Sonalika and UP262 are the least stable and lowest yielding, whereas Annapurna 1 = Vee #5 'S' is most stable and highest yielding of the components. The mixture was more stable than the components and slightly outyielded the mean of the components, on average. E&R accounted for very little of the variation in the G x E interaction. Both UP262 and Annapurna 1 had significant deviations from the regression indicating less stability than the other treatments. ------------------------- ITEMS FROM NEPAL CIMMYT S. ASIA REGIONAL WHEAT PROGRAM Breeding and Pathology (H.J. Dubin) Wheat varietal mixture experiments. The first phase of a series of wheat varietal mixture experiments has been concluded. The goal was to compare the stability of the mixture versus components over time and space. We have reported the general results of these experiments in previous Newsletters. In January 1991 a meeting was held in Kathmandu with twelve cooperators from India, Nepal and Switzerland to present individual experimental results and discuss future cooperation. The abstracts of the presentations will form a proceedings that will be available to interested scientists. Future wheat mixture work with S. Asian cooperators will focus on relevant mixtures for their respective environments. A preliminary analysis of three years of combined regional results indicate that mixtures are more stable than their components. In general, mixture benefits increase when severe rust is present. However, the benefits of stability without disease are signifcant over time and space. Two methods of analysis were used to measure stability, i.e., Principal Coordinate Analysis [PCA] and Eberhart & Russell [E&R]. PCA [first two coordinates] accounted for 60% of the variation observed and gave a good representation of the stability relationships among treatments. Of the three mixture components used in the study Sonalika and UP262 are the least stable and lowest yielding, whereas Annapurna 1 = Vee #5 'S' is most stable and highest yielding of the components. The mixture was more stable than the components and slightly outyielded the mean of the components, on average. E&R accounted for very little of the variation in the G x E interaction. Both UP262 and Annapurna 1 had significant deviations from the regression indicating less stability than the other treatments. ------------------------- Crop management research (Peter R. Hobbs) CIMMYT's regional South Asian crop management program is focussing on the rice-wheat cropping systems of the region in collaboration with IRRI and the South Asian National Agricultural Research Programs. The purpose of this work is to identify the factors responsible for low productivity of rice-wheat cropping systems and to develop suitable solutions for enhancing the productivity and sustainability of this system in the region. South Asia relies heavily on rice and wheat to provide a large portion of the daily caloric requirements of its people. These two staples are frequently grown in rotation in South Asia on some 10 million hectares. Despite the use of irrigation, fertilizer, improved seeds and other inputs, yields of wheat and rice in this system in farmer fields are well below potential except in a few places in NW India. There is also evidence from the region that in some places the yields of rice and/or wheat are stagnant and even declining suggesting that the system as currently managed is not sustainable. Production in the region in the latter 1980's has not kept pace with the rising population or the 2.5-3.0% annual growth rate needed to meet food demands of the region for the 1990's. There will thus be continuing pressure to increase efficiency and production from the rice-wheat system of S.Asia to meet future regional food needs. Inefficient land preparation, delays in planting, deterioration of soil physical condition, nutrient imbalance, decrease in organic matter content, defective water management and crop protection problems are some of the major categories of problems already identified in the region. These are complex near and longer term problems that will require a more integrated in-depth research approach involving several disciplines and commodity programs. Work has started to look at the feasibility of using zero and minimal tillage techniques to reduce the land preparation and crop establishment problems. The initial results look promising and result in lower costs, increased input efficiency and more profit for farmers. Crop and other farm residue management is being studied to improve the fertility and soil physical problems. Longer term biological sustainability problems such as declining soil fertility and increasing pest problems are being addressed in two ways: 1. Computerization and analysis of existing long term trial data and setting up of new trials. There are several trials in the region using various fertilizer levels, that have been managed for more than ten years, that are beginning to show interesting deficiency symptoms. Some new rotation trials using legumes and oilseeds in rotation with rice and wheat havebeen initiated to look at pest interactions including soil-borne pathogens. 2. Monitoring research is being started to develop a representative sampling frame for a selected site that will collect data on specific fields and farms over time. This program will quantify current farmer practices, land and resource quality, yield levels and system productivity. By sampling the same fields and farms over time the benchmark data above will form a basis for evaluating trends over time. Personnel: Mr. Markus Ruckstuhl, Ph.D candidate, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, is working with us on identification of major diseases of wheat in the Tarai of Nepal. He will also be working on the determination of yield losses. The research is supported by the Swiss Development Corporation and CIMMYT. ------------------------- ITEMS FROM ROMANIA I C C P T (Research Inst. for Cereals and Industrial Crops) Fundulea, 8264, jud. Calarasi N. Saulescu, Em. Jinga Estimation of optimum vernalization requirements and day-length response for wheat in South Romania, using a simulation model. Optimum earliness, which is largely determined by vernalization requirements and day-length response, is an important component of the ideotype to be aimed at in breeding wheat for a particular region. Taking into account the large weather variations from one year to another, a direct estimation of the optimum earliness (e.g., by testing near-isogenic lines differing in vernalization and day-length response) would be meaningful only after many years of testing (at least in our environment. An alternative approach can be to use computer models simulating yield formation, fed with multi-year local weather data. We have used the CERES WHEAT N model, version 2.10., kindly provided by Dr. Godwin from the International Fertilizer Development Center, Muscle Shoals Alabama, and weather data of the last 15 years from Fundulea. By varying only the parameters describing vernalization requirements (P1V) and day-length response (P1D) we simulated the performance of "true isogenic" genotypes on two types of soil with different water-retaining capacity, with or without moisture stress (using or bypassing the water balance subroutines) and for two planting dates (normal and late). Simulation confirmed previous observations about specific years favoring early or late genotypes. On multi-year average at normal planting date and without moisture stress, both very early genotypes (with low vernalization and day-length requirements) and late genotypes (with high day-length response) yielded less. With moisture stress, on both soils, the highest yields were simulated for genotypes with medium vernalization requirements and low day-length response. At late sowings vernalization requirements had no effect on yield and the yield was higher the lower the day length response. Taking into account both the average yield and yield stability (as measured by standard error) several optimal combinations of vernalization and day length requirements were established. If this approach is correct, then the superiority of late, day-length responsive genotypes, manifested during the last few years, is only accidental and preference should be given to selecting photoperiodic insensitive genotypes, which will eventually produce a higher average yield. In our view this kind of simulation could help in resolving the confounding effect of Vrn and Ppd genes on yield, especially in variable climate like ours. ------------------------- I. Hagima, N. Saulescu Selection for favorable glutenin and gliadin alleles. Electrophoretical characterization of glutenins and gliadins has become routine in our breeding program. All lines from F4 on are analyzed and for special projects selection starts in F2. Based on their reported influence on baking quality, alleles of the glutenin and gliadin genes were scored from 1 to 9 reflecting their desirability. When planting crosses and selecting, a mild selection pressure has been ut for more favorable alleles. After 3 years of selection, in 1989, 85% of our breeding material possessed the allele Glu D1d (corresponding to fraction 5+10), 36% had the alleles G1u A1a or G1u A1b (corresponding to fractions 1 or 3) and 70% the allele G1u B1b (corresponding to fractions 7+8). About 25% of the analyzed lines had a 10 score for glutenins, using the methods of Payne. For gliadins, selection has increased the frequency of block 1A4 (as named by Sozinov and Poperelya) and decreased the frequency of 1B3 ("rye gliadins"). ------------------------- Mariana Ittu, N. Saulescu, Gh. Ittu An improved method of quantitative estimation of Fusarium scab in wheat. We used to estimate the Fusarium attack in spikes, inoculated by injecting two central florets, on the basis of a visual disease severity index (which is rather subjective and not very closely correlated with yield loss) and on the basis of reduction in the weight of grains from inoculated spikes as compared with uninoculated check which is very time-consuming). We found that both indices are strongly correlated with the weight of 10 unthreshed inoculated spikes expressed as percentage from the weight of 10 unthreshed uninoculated spikes. The percentage divided by 10 and rounded gives a score which varies from 1 to 9. Weighing unthreshed spikes is not only much more rapid but also has the advantage of taking into account both the reduction in grain number and in grain weight following the Fusarium attack. Using this improved method of quantitative estimation allowed a significant increase in the number of tested lines and improved the correlation with yield loss. ------------------------- Gh. Ittu, N. N. Saulescu, Mariana Ittu, Aurelia Jilaveanu Triticale breeding. TF 13 a new lie of winter triticale confirmed in a second year of ecological yield trials a high yielding potential. In average for two years and 19 locations it outyielded the commercial cultivar TF 2 by 19%. TF 13 also exhibits improvements in test weight, lodging and fusarium scab resistance, fertility of the spike and winter hardiness compared to TF 2. TF 13 will probably be registered next year. Artificial tests with Fusarium showed a good level of resistance among our triticale germplasm. For many years of testing, a high level of resistance was found in the Polish cultivar Malno and a medium level in the Romanian line 37 TK. In a first preliminary artificial screening, some sources with good levels of resistance to BYDV were identified. Pedigree analyses of the lines and cultivars tested indicated the Russian cultivar AD 206 as a probable source of resistance to BYDV in our breeding material. A good level of resistance, was also found in the Polish cultivar Malno and Romanian short straw line 58 TJ. ------------------------- ITEMS FROM SOUTH AFRICA Small Grain Centre, Grain Crops Research Inst., Bethlehelm H. A. Van Niekerk, P. R. Celliers, A. Brummer and D. J. Exley Breeding Winter wheat. The Russian Wheat Aphid still remains one of the major problems confronting the winter wheat programme. We are however progressing rapidly to the stage where existing cultivars with RWA resistance, derived by backcrossing, will be released. We are submitting `Tugela' and `Betta' for release during April 1991. As from this season no more spraying for RWA control of segregating populations will be undertaken. This will allow us to select resistant plants under field conditions. Limited quantities of seed of the abovementioned cultivars is available on request. We can also evaluate or select limited lines or segregating populations for interested parties. Hendrik Knobel has now also joined the winter wheat group and will initiate a hybrid wheat programme. ------------------------- H. A. Van Niekerk, T. G. Paxton, R. Britz, M. S. S. Jordan and T. Van A. Bredenkamp Spring wheat. The spring wheat programme caters for dryland as well as irrigated bread wheat cultivars. For dryland conditions three lines W88/5, W88/8 and W88/9, will be submitted for provisional classification. For the irrigated areas BSP 89/11, BSP 89/14 and BSP 89/16 will be submitted. Although Russian Wheat Aphid is not a serious problem in the spring wheat areas, some cultivars such as `Palmiet' and `Gamtoos' now have resistance which has been introduced by backcrossing. Francois Koekemoer, Anchen Schmutz and Rene Prinsloo have now joined the spring wheat group. Publications Van Niekerk, H. A. 1990. `Letaba': A new winter wheat cultivar. Proc. of Small Grain Centre Information Day. (Afrikaans). Van Niekerk, H. A. and D. Van Lill. 1990. Breeding wheat cultivars with good baking qualities. Paper presented at the National Baking Symposium, Durban. Tolmay, V. L. and H. A. Van Niekerk. 1990. Russian wheat aphid resistant cultivars: A Review Proc. of Small Grain Centre Information Day. (Afrikaans). Scott, D. B. and H. A. Van Niekerk. Resistance in wheat to maize streak virus. S. Afr. J. of Plant and Soil (In Press). ------------------------- I. B. J. Smith, F. Groenewald and A. Basson International Nurseries. Only 63 selections from the previous seasons international nurseries were evaluated in various irrigated trials. Four promising lines were identified. The remaining dryland trials were all discontinued on account of the drought. Entries from these trials will have to be evaluated this coming season. Some 21 international nurseries, established under irrigation, were evaluated for all relevant agronomic characteristics and various diseases. Apart from powdery mildew and a slight Septoria nodorum infection, the lack of infection was apparent. The entries to these nurseries were wheat 1688, barley 393, triticale 200 and durum 148. Of these entries 15% were selected for further evaluation. ------------------------- H. A. Smit, J. L. Purchase, P. A. Visser, A. H. Bothma, M. Maritz and H. A. Van Tonder Agronomy and Plant Physiology 1990 Crop Conditions. The three major wheat producing regions of South Africa are the Western Cape (mediterranean Climate), the Orange Free State (summer rainfall region) and the irrigation areas along the major rivers and dams. Spring types are generally planted in the Western Cape and under irrigation, while winter and intermediate types dominate production under dryland conditions in the Orange Free State. The O F S produces approximately 60% of the total annual crop, the Western Cape 25% and roughly 15% is produced under irrigation. The total wheat crop for the period 1 November 1990 to 30 October 1991, as estimated by the Wheat Board, should amount to 1,60 million metric tons, which is substantially down on the poor crop of the previous season. An extremely severe drought in the spring months, together with severe Russian wheat aphid infestation, caused the drastic drop in production. Cultivar adaptation under dryland conditions. Intensive cultivar adaptation research programs are run separately for the respective production regions. Cultivars and preliminary released lines from the Small Grain Centre, as well as from the private seed companies, are included in the trials. These trials analyzed over years enable the researchers to make accurate recommendations to the producers regarding cultivar selection, optimum planting date and seeding rate. The intensive cultivar adaptation programs are necessary due to the large variation that exists in climate and soil types within the respective regions. Plant physiology. The plant physiology program is mainly concerned with the screening of advanced breeding lines for Aluminum tolerance and coleoptile length, the determination of morphological and physiological factors that are associated with drought tolerance and the characterization of cultivars and advanced breeding lines in terms of vernalization requirement and photoperiod sensitivity. The drought tolerance research is at present being conducted under rain shelters at the Small Grain Centre. Annelie Barnard has joined the physiology programme and will be involved in preharvest sprouting research. PUBLICATIONS Purchase, J. L., Le Roux, J. and Van Tonder, H. A. 1991. The effects of various seed treatments on the germination, coleoptile length and emergence of winter wheat. Paper presented at the South African Crop Production Society Congress, Stellenbosch. Pretorius, Z. A. and Purchase, J. L. 1990. Virulence characteristics of wheat leaf rust in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi. Phytophylactica 22, 141-142. ------------------------- C. G. Burbidge, R. C. Lindeque, H. A. Van Tonder, H. S. C. Van Der Merwe and W. Van Der Westhuizen Cultivar adaptation under irrigation. There are five irrigation wheat producing regions in South Africa with distinct different bioclimates. The aim is to determine the physiological adaptation and yield stability of various wheat cultivars for these different irrigation regions. Optimum planting dates and seeding rates are determined for 40 different localities. Combined analysis over years and localities ensures accurate recommendations to the producer regarding cultivar choice, optimum planting date and seeding rate. Cultivar characteristics such as straw strength and preharvest sprouting as well as the resistance of cultivars to the most important diseases are also made available to the producer. Plant physiology. In most irrigation regions of South Africa the grain fill period of spring wheat coincides with periods of high temperature stress. The rate and duration of grain filling of all the wheat cultivars that are recommended in South Africa are determined in glass house and field trials. Results suggest that the duration and rate of grain fill differs greatly between regions and cultivars. Further trials are being conducted to determine whether cultivars can possibly be bred for better adaptation. ------------------------- H. A. Smit, H. H. Knobell, B. L. deVilliers, R. C. Lindeque, J. P. du Toit Weed Research Phytotoxicity studies. The aim of these studies is to screen for the phytotoxicity of all new registered herbicides (double the recommended rate) on all available wheat cultivars and lines in glasshouse and field trials. It was established that a tralkoxydim and bromoxynil combination is phytotoxic to certain cultivars under glasshouse and field conditions. Combination studies. It was established that bromoxynil was the primary antagonist of both fenozaprop-P-ethyl and imazamethabenz-methyl when evaluating wild oat control. MCPA antagonized tralkoxydim to the extent that wild oat control was diminished to a certain extent. Studies with other wild oat herbicides in combination with broadleaf herbicides are currently being carried out. Adjuvant studies. It was discovered that various surfactants had no effect on the efficacy of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl and the supposition is that this herbicide already has a sufficient amount of surfactant in its formulation. An additional amount of surfactant will therefore have little effect on this herbicide. At present further studies are being carried out with herbicides containing adjuvants, in combination with other pesticides, to determine the effect of the adjuvants on the pesticides. ------------------------- S. C. Drijepondt Pathology Leaf Rust Race survey. Leaf rust occurred in all wheat producing areas during 1989, but severities generally were again low due to a dry season. Two hundred and forty-one single pustule isolates, representing 10 agroecological areas, were characterized. From these, 12 pathotypes were distinguished. Pathotype 132 (avirulent to Lr3a, 3bg, 3ka, 11, 16, 20, 26, 30 and virulent to Lr1, 2a, 2b, 2c, 10, 14a, 15,17, 24) was isolated most frequently. Resistance studies. Due to the restricted sources of Lr genes in hexaploid wheat and also in alien and related germplasm, a new emphasis must be placed on the combination of existing effective or moderately effective Lr genes. To this end, several gene combinations were made to look for complementary gene action, where the combination of genes produce a lower infection type than either of the parents. Firstly, a gene showing good combining ability, Lr34, was crossed with several other genes that differed in their resistance expression at varying plant growth stages and at different temperatures. The F2 of these crosses were evaluated at four temperatures and with different cultures of Puccinia recondita f. sp. tritici. Plants with infection types lower than either parent were selected and grown. The F3 was then divided and adult plant tests performed to determine the presence of Lr34 at 15oC. The other half of each selected line was used to determine the presence of the second gene with cultures and temperatures known to show the second gene. These lines will now be crossed into currently susceptible commercial cultivars to establish a broader network of genes for the control of this pathogen. Publications Drijepondt, S. C., Pretorius, Z. A., Van Lill, D. and Rijkenberg, F. H. J. 1990. Effect of Lr34 resistance on leaf rust development, grain yield and baking quality in wheat. Plant Breeding. 105: 62-68. ------------------------- J. Smith Bacterial Diseases. In 1987 and 1988, 87 fluorescent bacterial strains were isolated from diseased wheat during a disease survey. The local strains were compared to 10 reference strains in biochemical, physiological and morphological studies. Five distinct groups were identified. Group 1 containing nine reference and 16 local strains were classified as Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae. Although group 2 and 3 closely resembled group 1, they could not be classified as P.s. pv. syringae. Group 4 was a unique group containing strains with uniform characteristics but did not show any resemblance to Group1. Group 5 contained bacteria with diverse characteristics. Virulence trials indicated that a virulence of local P.s. pv. syringae strains is low when compared to that of reference strains. Results from cultivar reaction trials indicated that only 5 of 14 local commercial cultivars were susceptible to local P.s. pv. syringae strains. It would therefore seem that P.s. pv. syringae is a weak pathogen of wheat in South Africa. ------------------------- B. J. Pieterse, J. T. Steyn and J. P. C. Tolmay Soil Cultivation The Soil Cultivation Section at the Small Grain Centre initialized a new project during the 1990 season. The aim of these experiments is to determine the influence of soil cultivation on the performance of different wheat cultivars. The results of a preliminary trial showed little difference in total yield of nine cultivars where conventional tillage with a disc and mouldboard plough was conducted. Cultivar differences were however obtained where a chisel plough or V-blade was used for primary tillage. As the reasons for these cultivar differences are not yet clear, detail data will be obtained during the following seasons. Factors which will be kept in mind are the influence of cultivation on plant water relations, the soil water balance, soil density, soil strength and the growth rate of the plants. ------------------------- G. J. Prinsloo, V. L. Tolmay, B. Koen, J. L. Hatting Entomology Resistance breeding against Russian Wheat Aphid (RWA) Diuraphis noxia. Good progress has been made during 1990 with the breeding of resistant cultivars. The best commercial cultivars are being used in a backcross-breeding programme with five sources of resistance. Studies are being undertaken to establish the mechanism of resistance. Biocontrol. A programme has been started on the introduction and evaluation of natural enemies against RWA. One parasitoid species viz. Aphidius matricariae was imported during 1990 and attempts are now being made to establish this species in the wheat producing areas of the country. A few other species will be introduced in the near future. Both plant resistance and natural enemies will be used in an attempt to establish an integrated control programme on RWA. ------------------------- Department of Plant Pathology, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein 9300 Z.A. Pretorius, F.J. Kloppers and E.G. Brink Wheat leaf rust. Strategies for exploiting sources of resistance with proven durability to Puccinia recondita are being investigated. Preliminary results indicate that Frontana resistance is not effective to all South African races. Furthermore, the cultivar is heterogeneous for its response to leaf rust. From F2 segregation ratios it appears that at least two genes, one of which is Lr13, are involved. LrT3 and Lr34 could not be confirmed. In the Frontana background, expression of resistance was not extremely temperature-specific. However, temperature influenced the F2 segregation ratios of Frontana/Thatcher and Frontana/Karee progeny. At present, Frontana accessions from Australia , Canada and the U.S.A. are being compared to determine whether certain selections with superior leaf rust resistance could be introduced into local breeding programs. Other research activities include the characterization and expression of selected sources of resistance. Our objectives are to determine if different backgrounds influence Lr gene expression, to study possible erosion of resistance through backcrossing and to develop agronomically adapted lines with complex resistance to P. recondita. Publications Drijepondt, S.C., Pretorius, Z.A. , Van Lill, D. and Rijkenberg, F.H.J. 1990. Effect of Lr34 resistance on leaf rust development, grain yield and baking quality in wheat. Plant Breeding 105:62-68. Kemp, G.H.J., Pretorius, Z.A. and Van Jaarsveldt, M. 1990. The occurrence of Pyrenophora tritici-repentis on winter wheat debris in the eastern Orange Free State. Phytophylactica 22:363-364. Pretorius, Z.A. 1990. An assessment of leaf rust resistance conferred by two Lr genes associated with increased seed protein in wheat. Phytophylactica 22:121-122. Pretorius, Z.A. and Kemp, G.H.J. 1990. Effects of temperature and growth stage on components of resistance in wheat genotypes with Lr26. Plant Disease 74:631-635. Pretorius, Z.A. and Purchase, J.L. 1990. Virulence characteristics of wheat leaf rust in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. Phytophylactica 22:141-142. Pretorius, Z.A., Le Roux, J. and Drijepondt, S.C. 1990. Occurrence and pathogenicity of Puccinia recondita f.sp. tritici on wheat in South Africa during 1988. Phytophylactica 22:225-228. Pretorius, Z.A., Rijkenberg, F.H.J. and Wilcoxson, R.D. 1990. Influence of genetic background on the expression of wheat leaf rust resistance gene Lr22a. Phytopathology 80:579-584. Pretorius, Z.A. 1990. An evaluation of leaf rust resistance in Era wheat. Phytophylactica 22:150 (Abstr.). Drijepondt, S.C. and Pretorius, Z.A. 1990. Effects of growth stage and leaf position on Lr34 resistance to Puccinia recondita f.sp. tritici. Phytophylactica 22:149 (Abstr.). Kemp, G.H.J., Pretorius, Z.A. and Smith, J. 1990. Authracrose of wheat in South Africa. Phytophylactica 22:151 (Abstr.). Kemp, G.H.J., Pretorius, Z.A., Wingfield, M.J. and Brink, L. 1990. Head blight of wheat associated with Fusarium poae and the mite Siteropres avenae. Phytophylactica 22:145 (Abstr.). ------------------------- Division of Plant Breeding, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa C.S. van Deventer and M.T. Labuschagne Soft wheat breeding programme. South Africa currently has only one soft wheat which is used commercially for soft wheat products, especially for cookie production. For this reason a soft wheat breeding programme was established at the U.O.F.S. Most germplasm was imported from the USA, Cimmyt, France and Australia due to lack of local resources. The object of this programme will be to breed soft wheat for the irrigation areas, with good cookie quality. F2's are already in the evaluation process. SDS-PAGE is used to establish HMW glutenin subunits of the cultivars and lines, and research is currently being done to relate HMW glutenin subunits to quality characteristics under South African conditions. Publications M.T. Labuschagne and C.S. van Deventer, 1989. The effect of moisture stress on combining ability and heterosis in winter wheat Cer. Res. Comm. 17(3-4):179-185. ------------------------- Department of Genetics, University of Stellenbosch R. de V. Pienaar, G. F. Marais, G. M. Littlejohn, H. S. Roux, R. Prins, C. du Pleissis and J. M. Hay Durum wheat breeding. The 1990/91 national durum crop was estimated at 16 400 metric tons. The primary cultivar grown was Goeie Hoop. Durum wheat trials were grown under flood irrigation near Kimberley. Three hundred and fourty pure lines were evaluated in replicated trials, while 950 advanced lines and 350 segregating populations were grown as single rows. The best yielding advanced line (a selection from the cross:DOY1/4/PLC"S"//MEXI"S"/3/DOM"S"//DACK"S"/KIWI"S"), produced 12.03 t/ha. A further 280 segregating lines were grown at Stellenbosch. USD8712 (=GDO VZ 578//LDS MUT/GTA"S"/3/FULI"S") was provisionally released to farmers, its yield is slightly better than those of the leading cultivars, and it has superior quality. Triple breeding. Three spring cultivars are grown in the western, southern and eastern Cape Province on approximately 30 000 ha. These cultivars have become susceptible to leaf and stem rust. High yielding, resistant lines were identified. One of these, ANNOAS"S" was selected from CIMMYT 's 19th ITYN nursery, and is presently being multiplied for release. While triticale is primarily used for livestock feeding a new breakfast cereal (flakes) based on triticale appeared on the market in 1990. Replicated trials (260 lines) and single rows (760 advanced and 470 segregating lines) were grown under rainfed conditions near stellenbosch. Very wet soil conditions prevailed during the first eighty days of plant development. During the flowering and grain filling periods very dry conditions existed. Average grain yields were reduced by about 1 t/ha as compared to the previous season. The best yielding triticale selection produced 3.8 t/ha while the best yielding wheat cultivar (Gamtoos) produced 3.18 t/ha. An amphiploid from the cross: Triticum dicoccoides/Henoch rye, was crossed with the F1 backcrossed to the triticale cultivar USGEN 18. High protein selections were identified among the progeny and will be used for further backcrossing. Cytogenetics. An attempt is made to transfer Russian wheat aphid resistance from rye to hexaploid wheat. Strong resistance to the aphid was detected in Turkey 77, an entity from the world rye collection. An octoploid primary triticale was produced from the resistant F1: Chinese Spring/Turkey 77. A study was made of preferential transmission of the Indis translocation chromosome (consisting of 7DS and a Thinopyrum distichum (Thunb.) Love chromosome arm) in common wheat heterozygotes. It appeared as though the magnitude of a response to the presence of the translocation was the result of an interaction involving a number of chromosomes, excluding the normal chromosome 7D. The subsequent selective elimination of gametes may have been based on recognition of the presence of the translocation. The Indis translocation was shown to carry very effective resistance to leaf rust. An attempt to separate the leaf rust resistance from a gene(s) for yellow endosperm pigmentation, through the induction of homoeologous recombination, produced four possible recombinants. In the one recombinant tested, the absence of yellow pigmentation was illustrated to coincide with the restoration of loci encoding forà-AMY-D2a and EP-D1a of common wheat. However, it needs to be determined whether recombination or a new translocation was induced. The material is currently tested for possible associated deleterious effects of the modified translocation. A number of disomic addition lines of Th. distichum chromosomes in the common wheat cultivar Inia 66 have been identified by means of C-bands. An attempt to obtain disomic substitutions for these chromosomes are continued. Chromosome pairing in Triticum durum/ Th. distichum hybrids, amphiploids and partial amphiploids in the presence and absence of the Ph1 gene was investigated. The absence of Ph1 (obtained by combining the ph1c mutant with the 5D(5B) substitution) improved homoeologous pairing in the hybrids, but not significantly in the amphiploids and partial amphiploids. Backcross projects to develop ditelosomic series in the common wheat cultivar Pavon 76 and the durum wheat cultivar Orania, have progressed to the 6th and 4th backcrosses respectively. Crosses to transfer the kr crossability genes from Chinese Spring to Pavon 76 have progressed to the B4F1. An attempt is made to transfer genes (Rht2, Rht8, Lr19 and its associated genes for yellow endosperm pigmentation) from the D genome of common wheat to durum wheat. Tetraploid plants having these characteristics were identified, however the presence of the semi-dwarfing genes needs to be verified. ------------------------- Pioneer Seed Company, P. O. Box 17164, Bainsvlei, 9338 F. du Toit*, S. S. Walters Pioneer Seed Company (not to be confused with Pioneer Hi-bred International) has initiated a wheat breeding programme in 1988. The emphasis is on hard red winter wheats for the summer rainfall areas (mainly the Orange Free State Province) and hard red spring wheats for the winter rainfall region of the western and southern Cape province as well as for irrigation areas. A farm was purchased near Bloemfontein in the Orange Free State and is currently being developed into a research and breeding station. Breeding objectives. Some of the main objectives are the development of winter and intermediate wheat lines with acceptable baking qualities, drought tolerance, Russian wheat aphid resistance and crown rot tolerance. In the spring wheat breeding programme emphases is put on disease resistance and high protein content. Personnel. Boet Walters started the breeding programme in 1988. Francois du Toit, formerly from the Small Grain Centre at Bethlehem, joined Pioneer Seed Company in March 1990 and will continue to work on Russian wheat aphid resistance. ------------------------- ITEMS FROM SYRIA G. Ortiz-Ferrara, A. Shehadeh, M. Michael, and M. Asaad Moussa The joint CIMMYT/ICARDA spring bread wheat breeding program, based at Aleppo, Syria, continues to concentrate breeding efforts toward developing improved germplasm suitable to the low-rainfall (less than 400 mm) areas of West Asia and North Africa (WANA). In these areas, wheat is fall-planted where early growth and development occurs during the coolest months, but temperatures rise rapidly as the grain ripens. Extreme cold and heat are common stresses and are often combined with drought. Diseases and insect pests are also important constraints that limit wheat production in the region. Realizing that improved cultivars must reach farmers before they can have any impact on cereal production, we have joined efforts with national programs in conducting research in on-farm trials in Syria, Algeria, Sudan, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Yemen, and Jordan. These activities reflect our concerns for germplasm adoption by farmers and the need to substitute improved varieties for the unimproved, low-yielding local varieties grown in WANA. Ten years of interaction with the national program of Syria has resulted in the release of six spring bread wheat varieties. Five of these varieties (Bohouth 2, Bohouth 4, Bohouth 6, Cham 2, and Cham 4), were released for the high rainfall (more than 400 mm) and irrigated areas. This year, the national program decided to release Cham 6, a spring bread wheat variety with good adaptation in the dry areas of the country (250-350 mm annual rainfall). Table 1 presents the performance of Cham 6 in Farmers Field Verification Trials in Syria. Three years data show that Cham 6 had an average yield advantage of 14% over the local check Mexipak 65 and of 22% over the widely grown durum variety Haurani, under low-rainfall conditions. Similar results were obtained in large scale tests (3ha, farmer's fields) under less than 300 mm rainfall. The pre-released name of Cham 6 was Nesser (=W3918A/Jup, CM-39992-8M-7Y-0M- 0AP). Because of its good adaptation in other dry areas of the region, seed has been requested and distributed to other national programs such as Jordan, Algeria, Morocco and Lebanon. Table 1. Performance of Cham 6, CIMMYT/ICARDA spring bread wheat variety, under low- rainfall (250-350 mm) conditions in Syria. Farmer's Field Verification Trials 1985-86 to 1987-88. _________________________________________________________________ Grain yield (kg/ha) % ___________________________________ BW Variety 1986 1987 1988 Average Check _________________________________________________________________ Cham 6 2109 1834 3632 2525 114 Mexipak (BW) 1795 1643 3229 2222 100 Haurani (DW) 1933 1409 2828 2056 92 _________________________________________________________________ No. of locations 7 7 10 24 _________________________________________________________________ BW= Bread wheat check; DW= Durum wheat check. ------------------------- CIMMYT/ICARDA Joint Project - Winter and Facultative Wheat Breeding Byrd C. Curtis and Haitham Kayyali The 1989-90 crop season at Tel Hadya (Aleppo) was characterized by a severe drought, low winter temperatures and an unusually heavy freeze in mid- March. Rainfed nursery yields were very low and some of the late maturing winter wheat lines failed to head. Rainfall occurring during the growing season measured 233mm compared to the average from 1978-79 through 1989-90 of 330mm. The low temperature of near -10o C reached during the night of March 17, during jointing stage about one month before heading, caused considerable damage to spring habit wheats while winter and facultative wheats sustained little damage. The rainfed nurseries provided the most uniform conditions for field measurement of drought tolerance that I have experienced. Bezostaya 1 check plots interspersed throughout the F2, F4 and F5 rainfed nurseries showed little heading except for plants bordering alleyways. In contrast, 32% of the F4's and the F5's headed without much difficulty and some had little or no discernable plant height reduction in plot centers. Twenty percent of the F2's had a predominance of plants that headed and were selected. Several of the more apparent drought tolerant F2 and F4 populations had the Chinese winter variety CA 8055 as one of the parents. In the crossing block that received supplemental irrigation, CA 8055 proved to be extra early maturing with short stature and bold white seed. It appears to be a good breeding source for drought tolerance in winter wheat improvement. ICARDA records indicate that CA 8055 was grown in the 17th IWWPN 1982-83 trial originating from Nebraska, however the international report for that year was not found at ICARDA preventing additional characterization of CA 8055 in this report. To study the vernalization response of material comprising the 1989-90 regional winter and facultative (W&F) wheat screening nurseries of CIMMYT and ICARDA, distributed primarily in the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region, the 310 entries were planted July 15 at Tel Hadya in dry soil and sprinkler irrigated July 23. Irrigation was repeated each 10th day until late September. Air temperature highs averaged 37o C for July and August and 34o C for September and lows for the respective months averaged 22o C, 21o C and 17o C, providing a suitable environment for differential expression of vernalization genes. Percent plants headed for each cultivar (excluding the known spring habit checks which headed 100% with an estimated yield level of near 2 tons/ha) was recorded on October 4 with results as follows: %/headed No/lines % lines Named cultivars 100 31 10.1 Seri 82 70-90 17 5.5 Kirkpinar 79 40-90 16 5.2 Gerek79, Zargoon 10-39 12 3.9 ------ 1-9 12 3.9 ------ 0 21 8 71.2 Bez, Atay 85 Both CIMMYT and ICARDA W&F material being distributed to national wheat research programs in the region contain a predominance of lines with heavy vernalization response. This is cause for some concern since studies to-date would indicate that the West Asia, North Africa region (WANA) uses more facultative than true winter wheats. The facultative cultivar, Gerek 79, which averaged about 50% headed in this study, was reportedly grown on more than a million hectares in Turkey in 1989-90 to include the Anatolian Plateau and other colder areas in eastern Turkey. Gerek 79 continues to increase in area planted in Turkey and much of the wheat production in eastern Turkey is from facultative land races. True winter wheats can be productive in eastern Turkey if emergence and plant development begins in September or early October but moisture shortages frequently prevent timeliness of emergence. Crops from delayed emergence of true winters usually mature too late and yield less in comparison with facultative wheats under the same conditions. ------------------------- ITEMS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM Cambridge Laboratory, Institute of Plant Science Research, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UJ, UK. S.M. Reader and T.E. Miller* The chromosomal location of a gene for resistance to powdery mildew transferred from Triticum dicoccoides. A new source of resistance to wheat powdery mildew, Erysiphe graminis, has been transferred to hexaploid bread wheat from the wild tetraploid wheat, T. dicoccoides. The winter bread wheat cultivar Maris Nimwood was pollinated with T. dicoccoides acc. CL1060025 from the Samarian mountains of Israel and the resulting pentaploid hybrid was self pollinated. Resistant plants having a near stable hexaploid chromosome complement were observed in the F3 progeny; these were topcrossed and subsequently backcrossed to improve the phenotype. Monosomic analysis of early backcross lines showed the transferred gene to be located on chromosome 4A (formerly 4B). The gene which confers resistance to all known resistance genes and gene combinations employed in UK cultivars has been designated Pm16. ------------------------- I.P. King, T.E. Miller and R.M.D. Koebner Determination of the transmission frequency of chromosome 4Sl of Aegilops sharonensis in a range of wheat genetic backgrounds. The transmission of chromosome 4Sl from Aegilops sharonensis was observed in a range of wheat genetic backgrounds. Chromosome 4Sl was transmitted at a very high frequency (at least 97.8%) in all crosses. The genetic background appears to only have a small effect on transmission. The frequency of transmission of chromosome 4Sl was the same, in each genetic background, through both the male and female gametes. ------------------------- I.P. King, R.M.D. Koebner, R. Schlegel, S.M. Reader and T.E.Miller. Exploitation of a preferentially transmitted chromosome from Aegilops sharonensis for the elimination of segregation for height in semi-dwarf bread wheat cultivars. Certain semi-dwarf bread wheat cultivars tend to lose chromosome 4D, carrying the dwarfing gene Rht2, resulting in the production of tall "off types". In order to overcome this problem translocations involving the arm of the Aegilops sharonensis chromosome 4Sl, which carries the genes determining preferential transmission and the Rht2 carrying arm of chromosome 4D of Triticum aestivum, have been isolated. hese translocations, which were derived by self-pollinating plants doubly monosomic for chromosomes 4D and 4Sl, appear to be preferentially transmitted in both pollen and egg, thus ensuring constant disomy and homozygosity of Rht2. ------------------------- I.P. King, R.M.D. Koebner, S.M. Reader and T.E. Miller Induction of a mutation in the male fertility gene of the preferentially transmitted Aegilops sharonensis chromosome 4Sl and its application for hybrid wheat production. Plants nullisomic for chromosome 4B are male sterile due to the absence of the male fertility gene Ms1. However, plants in which chromosome 4B has been substituted by the preferentially transmitted chromosome 4Sl of Ae.sharonensis are male fertile due to the compensating effect of Ms4 on the alien chromosome. This substitution line has been mutated and three recessive mutations of Ms4 have been selected. Plants homozygous for these mutations are male sterile. It is proposed that these mutations may be utilized for hybrid wheat production. ------------------------- W.J. Rogers, E.J. Sayers and C.N. Law* Dosage effects of chromosomes of homoeologous groups 1 and 6 upon bread-making quality in hexaploid wheat. The endosperm storage proteins, glutenin and gliadin, are major determinants of bread-making quality in hexaploid wheat. Genes encoding them are located on chromosomes of homoeologous groups 1 and 6. Aneuploid lines of these groups in the spring wheat cultivar Chinese Spring have been used to investigate the effect of varying the dosage of chromosomes and chromosome arms upon bread-making quality, where quality has been assessed using the SDS-sedimentation test. Differences between the group 1 chromosomes for quality were greater than those between those of group 6. The chromosomes were ranked within homoeologous groups for their effect on quality as follows (> = better quality): 1D > 1B > 1A and 6A > 6B = 6D. The relationship of chromosome dosage with quality was principally linear for four of the chromosomes, but not for 6B and 6D. Increases in the dosage of 1B, 6A and, especially, 1D, were associated with significant improvements in quality, whereas increases in the dosage of 1A were associated with reductions in quality. The effects of 1A and 1D were such that the best genotype for quality was nullisomic 1A-tetrasomic 1D. For group 1, effects of the long arm appeared in general to be more important than effects of the short. For group 6, effects were found associated with the long arms as well as with the short arms, in spite of the absence of genes encoding storage proteins on the long arms. Significant interactions were found between chromosomes and genetic backgrounds and between individual chromosomes. Analysis of trials grown over two years demonstrated that, although additive environmental differences over years and genotype x years interaction were present, they were relatively small in magnitude compared with purely genetic differences. The results have implications in targeting which genes it would be desirable to duplicate or delete within the wheat genome. For example, it would appear to be desirable to duplicate genes on chromosome 1D at the expense of genes on chromosome 1A. ------------------------- A.I. Morgunov (NPD 'Podmoscovje, Moscow, USSR), W.J. Rogers, E.J. Sayers and E.V. Metakovsky (N.I. Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Moscow, USSR). The high-molecular-weight glutenin subunit composition of Soviet wheat cultivars. One hundred and twenty-eight cultivars bred in the Soviet Union were screened for the composition of high-molecular-weight (HMW) subunits of glutenin, encoded by Glu-1 located on chromosomes of homoeologous group 1. In general, variability was low compared to that seen in cultivars from other countries. For example, seventy-three of the cultivars belonged to three groups, with subunit composition 2*, 7+9, 2+12 (27 cultivars), 1, 7+9, 5+10 (22 cultivars), or 2*, 7+9, 5+10 (24 cultivars). Nonetheless, cultivars from different regions showed distinctive patterns, in some cases clearly due to the use of particular parents in certain breeding programmes, but in others possibly due to the adaptive value of particular alleles to the environmental conditions under which the cultivars were bred. For example, among spring cultivars, the Glu-D1 allele encoding subunits 2+12 was more common in cultivars from areas with limited rainfall than was the allele encoding subunits 5+10. Twenty-two per cent of the cultivars showed heterogeneity in subunit composition. While most of these were heterogeneous at only one of the Glu-1 loci, some were heterogeneous at two of the loci, and a few were heterogeneous at all three. For some cultivars this heterogeneity is due to the practice by some breeders in the USSR of deliberately retaining some variability within each cultivar, since they believe that a cultivar consisting of different biotypes provides more stable yield in changeable environmental conditions. The pattern of HMW glutenin subunits amongst cultivars with superior bread-making quality showed few differences from that amongst cultivars of lower quality. However, a notable difference was that, particularly amongst spring wheats, the frequency of subunits 5+10 at Glu-D1 was lower in the superior group than in the group of lower quality. This is in contrast to previous studies using cultivars from other countries, in which subunits 5+10 have been shown to be associated with good bread-making quality. ------------------------- M.D. Gale*, J.B. Smith, M.D. Atkinson, K.M. Devos, C.N. Chinoy, M.L. Wang, R.L. Harcourt and C.J. Liu Biochemical and molecular marker maps in wheat, barley and rye. The development of the genetic maps continues with some 500 clones screened for RFLP utility and some 300 characterized for copy number, chromosomally located fragments with four restriction enzymes and levels of RFLP at individual loci over 13 cultivars in wheat and barley. Initial maps of groups 1, 3 and 7 in all these genomes A,B,D,H and R are complete. Levels of variability obtained with cDNAs are low, with mean levels of pairwise locus comparisons among the diverse genotypes included in our varietal test set remaining at less than 10%. Levels obtained with genomic probes are better, with mean values between 20% and 40% for different classes of clone. For probes which hybridize well to both barley and wheat there appears to be very little correspondence between levels of RFLP in the two species. These comparisons are hampered by the fact that those showing the highest levels in wheat do not generally hybridize with barley DNA. Among the probes showing the highest levels of RFLP are the chromosome specific low copy repeats. We now have several examples which have <100 copies, all of which map to the same chromosome region. They characteristically display polymorphism for copy number including completely null phenotypes, as well as fragment length variants (Harcourt R.L. and M.D. Gale, Theo. Appl. Genet., in press). Another group of probes which show high levels of RFLP include those which hybridize to non-homoeologous loci in the three wheat genomes. A common feature of the wheat and rye maps is extreme clustering of loci around the centromere. There are no obvious differences in the locations of genomic probes or cDNAs, so this is thought to reflect localisation of recombination towards the ends of the chromosomes. The programme has benefited from input by several visiting scientists including Dr. Teresa Millan, Cordoba, Spain and Dr. Dao Xin Xie, Beijing. ------------------------- A.J. Worland,* C.N. Law and S. Petrovi (Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Yugoslavia). Advantages of day length insensitivity to European winter wheats. Wheat is potentially the most adaptable of all crop species with relatively few major genes determining its adaptability to varying climatic conditions. Amongst winter wheats alteration of time to flowering is most readily achieved by manipulation of photoperiodic genes determining the plants response to day length. Normally true winter wheats carry vernalization sensitive genes that effectively prevent damage of floral primordia by delaying their development until temperatures rise in spring. Plants that carry genes for day length insensitivity (Ppd) can immediately initiate floral primordia in spring and flower in early summer, whilst plants sensitive to day length (ppd) need a period of longer days to satisfy photoperiodic responses before developing floral primordia. Ear emergence here is delayed by up to 10 days. Pleiotropic effects of the strongest photoperiodic gene, Ppd1 were studied using selected single chromosome recombinant lines that can be regarded as near isogenic. Experiments were carried out under farm scale conditions in England and Yugoslavia. The results showed that the primary effect of Ppd1 in accelerating flowering time, by around 8 days, and the majority of associated pleiotropic effects, showed no interactive environmental effects. A reduction of one vegetative and two floral primordia was linked to the shortening of the growing period. With one less internode plants were reduced in height by around 10 cms. Although the ear carried two fewer spikelets, the fertility of the remaining spikelets was increased markedly resulting in no overall decrease in grain set per ear. The development of set grain was highly sensitive to environmental stress. Hot dry Yugoslavian summer conditions dessicated grain on the late flowering lines giving day length insensitive genotypes a minimal yield advantage of 30 per cent. The UK traditionally has cool summers giving late genotypes with a longer growing period and less crowded spikelets, a 5 to 10 per cent yield advantage. In the past two seasons changing environmental conditions with hotter, dryer summers have, even in the UK, given a yield advantage to early flowering desiccation avoiding genotypes. Thus, if the climate changes further as many predict, breeders will have to alter alleles of photoperiodic genes to obtain improved climatic adaptability. ------------------------- J. W. Snape* and V.Hyne Location of QTL controlling agronomic characters by partial genome analysis. The development of high density genetic maps of wheat using morphological, isozyme and RFLP markers is well advanced at the Cambridge Laboratory. To investigate the use of these maps to locate quantitative trait loci (QTL) for economically important characters a partial genome analysis of the genetic differences between the chromosome substitution lines Highbury ( Chinese Spring 5B ) and Sicco ( Chinese Spring 5B ) has been carried out. This used a population of forty-five doubled haploid lines from this cross, developed using the Hordeum bulbosum system, which had been characterised for polymorphism at 29 marker loci and assessed over several environments for agronomic performance. The polymorphic loci specified morphological, isozyme and RFLP differences and covered nine chromosomes, 1A, 1B, 4B, 5A, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, with greatest marker coverage on the homoeologous group 6 and 7 chromosomes. Using the computer package MAPMAKER ( Lander et al. 1987 ) the marker loci were categorised into 17 independent linkage groups. Subsequently, a programme DETECT.QTL was written using the GENSTAT computer package and used to detect associations between the marker loci and data for variation for a number of traits including yield and its components measured in replicated field experiments in 1982 and 1990. This provided preliminary chromosomal locations for presumptive QTL. With respect to yield, the largest significant associations were found with respect to only three linkage groups, one on chromosome 4B and two independent groups on chromosome 6B. Together these accounted for 61% of the genetical variation for yield in this cross. Analysis of yield components indicated that the 4B effect was associated with the allele Rht1, and is presumably a pleiotropic effect of the dwarfing gene locus, and accounted for 29% of the total genetical variation for yield. The 6B yield effects were associated with independent variation for the components spikelet number and ear weight, respectively. Overall, greater than 40% of variation for all yield components measured could be accounted for by significant associations with these 17 linkage groups. In addition 44% of variation in grain protein was associated with linkage groups on the homoeologous group 7 chromosomes alone, although only 17% of the genetical variation in ear emergence time was accounted for by significant associations. Clearly this partial genome analysis has been able to highlight important components of the genome with respect to yield and its components and grain protein, although large components of variation for certain characters remain to be accounted for. These data are now being subjected to further analysis using different computer programmes to provide estimates of numbers, locations and effects of the detected QTL. ------------------------- D.A. Laurie A simple method for wheat haploid production from wheat x maize crosses. The hybrid embryos formed when wheat is crossed with maize are karyotypically highly unstable, and lose all the maize chromosomes within the first few cell division cycles of embryo development. A simple method is now available for recovering the resultant haploid wheat embryos as plants. One day after pollination the upper internode of the tiller is filled with a 10mg/l solution of 2,4-dichlorophenozyacetic acid (2,4-D) and a few drops of the same solution are then placed in each floret. Embryos are left to develop in situ for two to three weeks and then excised onto conventional embryo rescue medium. Fertile doubled haploid lines can then be produced by treating young seedlings with colchicine. This technique has proved effective in all the genotypes so far tested. A recent experiment with 19 commercial British spring or winter cultivars yielded an average of five haploid plants per spike. ------------------------- S.A. Quarrie and A. Steed Regulation of stress resistance in wheat by abscisic acid. We have previously shown that genotypes selected for high ABA production in a laboratory test gave significantly higher yields than similar low ABA selections in several environments in the UK. We are now extending this work by selecting for genetic variation in ABA content in wheat in the field. This will avoid the uncertainties associated with extrapolating results from a laboratory test to a field environment. Over 40 spring wheat cultivars and land races were sampled for ABA content during a period of hot and dry weather and a range in ABA content amongst the genotypes of nearly three-fold was obtained. The genotypes having the extremes of ABA content (58 and 159 ng/h FW) have been crossed for preparing doubled haploid plants during 1991. The chromosomal distribution of genes controlling high ABA production is being investigated using a monosomic series in the cultivar Inia 66, which has very high ABA production under laboratory conditions. So far the group 1 and group 5 chromosomes have been examined, with no evidence from monosomic and occasional nullisomic plants of any major genes for ABA production being present on those chromosomes. ------------------------- R. Johnson, R.N. Sawhney (IARI, New Delhi) and P.N. Minchin. Transfer of resistance to yellow rust from European to Indian wheats. European wheats believed to possess durable resistance to yellow rust were crossed and backcrossed with important Indian cultivars, Kalyansona and WL711, which are susceptible. The European wheats all had red grain and comprised winter habit types, Atou, Avalon, Bounty, Cappelle Desprez, Elite Lepeuple, Flanders, Flinor, Hybride de Bers‚e, Hybrid 46, Maris Widgeon and spring habit types Atle and Highbury. Segregating generations were selected in England and in India for disease resistance, plant type, spring habit, maturity date and amber grain. Special emphasis was placed on resistance to yellow rust, and in England the trials were inoculated with races overcoming the known race-specific genes present in the cultivars. Despite the difficulties due to major differences between European and Indian wheats, a small number of lines representing most of the original crosses were selected, and the cross of Atou with Kalyansona yielded a considerable number of lines. Under English conditions the lines had good resistance to yellow rust, many had good quality amber grain, and several outyielded both parents, even in the absence of severe yellow rust. However, observations in India revealed that many of the lines were susceptible to brown rust and in Australia some lines were found to be of late maturity. Final selections remain to be made and exchange of materials between our laboratory and IARI New Delhi is continuing. The lines may be usable as sources of potentially durable resistance to yellow rust in programmes for the Indian sub-continent. Although they still have some weaknesses from the Indian point of view, they may provide some genetic diversity and useful disease resistance, and are certainly much nearer to Indian requirements than the European cultivars used as parents. The programme has been running for ten years, but was slowed down in recent years due to difficulties in seed exchange between England and India and dislocation due to privatisation of the Plant Breeding Institute, Cambridge. ------------------------- P. Nicholson and H.N. Rezanoor Molecular and biochemical markers in species of facultative pathogens of wheat and barley. A number of RFLP markers have been used to study isolates of Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides, the cause of eyespot disease (strawbreaker footrot). Work with U.K. isolates has indicated that R-type isolates are phylogenetically distinct from W-type isolates. We are extending this study to include isolates from around the world. We are searching for additional markers and are currently screening plasmid libraries for type specific nucleic acid probes for use in epidemiological studies. The sexual stage of this fungus has been identified in the field on inoculated material and has since been induced in the laboratory. Recombination of RFLP and biochemical markers has been shown to occur in the perfect stage, underlining the potential for this process to give rise to novel pathotypes. An investigation of the mating system of this fungus is now in progress and we are collaborating with other workers in the UK to further investigate the genetics of this fungus. In conjunction with resistance studies we have begun to carry out karyotyping of Septoria spp. to identify the role, if any, of 'mini'chromosomes in pathogenicity of these and other facultative pathogens. ------------------------- M.J. Ambrose AFRC Wheat Collections move to Norwich. As part of the move of the Cambridge Laboratory to Norwich, the AFRC Cereal Collections of wheat, barley and oats, and the Cambridge Laboratory Cereals Department collections of wheat, related species and cytogenetic stocks, have been rehoused in a new purpose built seed store. The building is a self-contained unit with office, laboratory and seed preparation space. The store is 22.5 x 11m and is fitted with mobile shelf units with a storage capacity of 600m2. Conditions within the store are maintained at 1.5oC and 7%RH offering us good medium term storage. Cereal collection databases. Work is in progress to transfer much of the database activity from Datatrieve on our centralised Vax system to the more fully relational DBaseIV package run on personal computers. All archiving will still be done on the Vax system as this is the most secure method. Moving to the DBase environment means much more versatile programming and the development of small applications databases that can be sent to other institutions. An application is being prepared for the wheat collection which collates together all the relevant passport information including known passport data into a searchable screen display orientated programme that will be available on disk. ------------------------- Publications Austin, R. 1990. Prospects for genetically increasing the photosynthetic capacity of crops. In: Perspectives in Biochemical and Genetic Regulation of Photosynthesis. (Ed: Zelitch, I). New York, Alan Liss, 395-409. Bozorgipour, R. and Snape, J.W. 1990. The crossability of Persian wheat cultivars with Hordeum bulbosum and their potential for haploid production. Cereal Research Communications 18, 203-208. Cheung, W.Y. and Gale, M.D. 1990. The isolation of high molecular weight DNA from wheat, barley and rye for analysis by pulse-field gel electrophoresis. Plant Molecular Biology 14, 881-888. Forster, B.P., Phillips, M.S., Miller, T.E., Baird, E. and Powell, W. 1990. Chromosome location of genes controlling tolerance to salt (NaCl) and vigor in Hordeum vulgare and H. chilense. Heredity 65, 99-107. Koebner, R.M.D. 1990. Subtilisin inhibitor - a polymorphic protein produced by a gene on the short arms of wheat homoeologous group 1 chromosomes. Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding 44, 49-52. Koebner, R.M.D. and Martin, P.K. 1990. Association of eyespot resistance in wheat cv. 'Cappelle-Desprez' with endopeptidase profile. Plant Breeding 104, 312- 317. Laurie, D.A. 1990. The frequency of fertilization in wheat x pearl millet crosses. Genome 32, 1063-1067. Laurie, D.A. and Bennett, M.D. 1990. the behaviour of sperm cells in cereal wide-hybrids. In: Mechanism of fertilization, NATO ASI Series, Vol. H45. (Ed: Dale, B.). Berlin, Springer-Verlag 445-454. Laurie, D.A. and Bennett, M.D. 1990. Early post-pollination events in hexaploid wheat x maize crosses. Sexual Plant Reproduction 3, 70-76. Laurie, D.A. O'Donoughue, L.S. and Bennett, M.D. 1990. Wheat x maize and other wide sexual hybrids: their potential for genetic manipulation and crop improvement. In: Gene Manipulation in Plant Improvement. Proceedings of the 19th Staadler Genetics Symposium (Ed: Gustafson, J.P.). New York, Plenum Press, 95-126. Laurie, D.A. and Snape, J.W. 1990. The agronomic performance of wheat double haploid lines derived from wheat x maize crosses. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 79, 813-816. Liu, C.J., Chao, S and Gale M.D. 1990. The genetical control of tissue-specificperoxidases,Per-1, Per-2, Per-3, Per-4 and Per-5 in wheat. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 79, 305-313. Liu, C.J. and Gale, M.D. 1990. Est-7, a set of genes controlling green tissue esterases in wheat and related species. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 79, 781-784. Morgunov, A.I., Rogers, W.J., Sayers, E.J. and Metakovsky, E.V. 1990. the high-molecular-weight glutenin subunit composition of Soviet wheat varieties. Euphytica 51, 41-52. Petchey, E.M., Koebner, R.M.D. and Gale, M.D. 1990. Genetic characterisation of a further homoeoallelic series of grain esterase loci, Est-6 in wheat. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 79, 294-296. Rogers, W.J., Rickatson, J.M., Sayers, E.J. and Law, C.N. 1990. Dosage effects of chromosomes of homoeologous groups 1 and 6 upon bread-making quality in hexaploid wheat. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 80, 281-287. Tobin, A.K., Thorpe, J.R., Hylton, C.M. and Rawsthorne, S. 1990. Spatial and temporal influences on the cell-specific distribution of glycine decarboxylase in leaves of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.). Plant Physiology 91, 1219-1225. ------------------------- John Innes Institute, Institute for Plant Science Research, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK. J.S. Heslop-Harrison, A.R. Leitch, T. Schwarzacher and K. Anamthawat-J¢nsson Detection and characterization of alien chromosome transfer using genomic hybridization. We have developed hybridization methods using total genomic DNA which are able to verify, identify and localize chromosomes or chromosome segments from alien species in wheat. Discrimination between chromosomes or DNA from taxonomically closely related species in the genera barley, rye, wheat and their relatives is possible both by Southern hybridization to size- fractionated restriction enzyme digests of genomic DNA and by in situ hybridization to chromosome preparations. To distinguish between two species, genomic DNA from one species is used as the labelled probe while unlabelled DNA from the other species is applied at much higher concentration as a 'block'. The blocking DNA presumably hybridizes to sequences in common between the block and the labelled probe, and between the block and DNA sequences on the membrane or chromosomes in situ. Thus, mainly species-specific sequences remain as sites for probe hybridizations. These species-specific sequences seem to be dispersed and to represent a substantial proportion of the genome. Consequently, rapid non-radioactive methods are able to detect probe hybridization sites satisfactorily both in situ and on Southern blots. Using total genomic DNA from rye labelled with biotin as a probe for in situ hybridization and fluorescent detection systems, we could show the size and translocation points of the rye chromosome segments in five wheat cultivars which carry a 1B/1R translocation. All the translocation breakpoints were at, or very near to, the centromere. The method was also able to confirm the parentage of hybrid plants, such as Hordeum chilense x Secale cereale H. vulgare x H. bulbosum and triticale. The genomic probing method does not involve time consuming cloning strategies and is hence applicable in many different situation involving a wide range of species. The genomic probing method may be of wide application in the introduction of alien variation for crop improvement, as it is able to detect, characterize and follow alien chromosomes or chromosome segments through breeding programmes. In collaboration with T.E. Miller, W.J. Rogers and I.P. King (Cambridge Laboratory) we are currently examining different alien additions and translocations (e.g. H. chilense and Thinopyrum bessarabicum) to hexaploid wheat. ------------------------- Publications Anamthawat-J¢nsson, K., Schwarzacher, T., Leitch, A.R., Bennett, M.D. and Heslop-Harrison, J.S. 1990. Discrimination between closely related Triticeae species using genomic DNA as a probe. Theoretical Applied Genetics 79, 721-728. Heslop-Harrison, J.S., Leitch, A.R., Schwarzacher, T and Anamthawat-J¢nsson, K. 1990. Detection and characterization of 1B/1R translocations in hexaploid wheat. Heredity 65, 385-392. Leitch, A.R., Mosg”ller W., Schwarzacher, T., Bennett, M.D. and Heslop-Harrison J.S. 1990. Genomic in situ hybridization to sectioned nuclei shows chromosome domains in grass hybrids. J. Cell Sci. 95, 335-341. ------------------------- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Bristol, AFRC Institute of Arable Crops Research, Long Ashton Research Station, Bristol, BS18 9AF, UK. P.A. Sabelli and P.R. Shewry* Characterization of gene families at the Gli-1 loci of bread and durum wheats by RFLPS. The Gli-1 loci are located on the homoeologous group 1 chromosomes and encode three classes of gluten proteins (the sulphur-poor -gliadins and the sulphur-rich -gliadins and LMW subunits of glutenin). The organisation of such complex loci is still poorly understood because of the low frequency of intra-locus recombination.We have characterised these gene families by homologous and heterologous probing of genomic DNAs digested with EcoRI, HindIII and BamHI, three endonucleases whose restriction sites are absent from the coding regions of cloned cDNAs and genes. Euploid bread wheat cv. Chinese Spring, the nullisomic-tetrasomic series and the ditelosomic lines for the group 1 chromosomes, and durum wheat cv. Langdon and the disomic substitution lines 1D(1A) and 1D(1B) of Chinese Spring in Langdon (obtained from Dr. L.R. Joppa) were all probed with -gliadin and LMW subunit clones from wheat, a -secalin clone from rye and B hordein and C hordein clones from barley. Under conditions of moderate stringency the -gliadin and LMW glutenin probes hybridised to specific classes of sequences. In addition the -secalin and B hordein clones gave hybridisation patterns similar to those of the -gliadin and LMW subunit clones respectively, confirming the homology relationships of barley, wheat and rye prolamin genes. The restriction fragments were characterised with respect to size, chromosomal location and copy number. Analyses under conditions of high stringency and by differential hybridisation using the C hordein clone and the non-repetitive 3'-end of the -gliadin clone, showed that the complex hybridisation patterns obtained with the -gliadin probe under conditions of moderate stringency included sequences which probably corresponded to -gliadin genes. The minimum sizes of the Gli-1 loci were also estimated. ------------------------- P.A. Sabelli, P.R. Shewry and D. Lafiandra (University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy). Restriction fragment analysis of null alleles at the Gli-1 loci of bread and durum wheats. Wheat accessions (obtained from the bread and durum wheat collection preserved at the Germplasma Institute, National Research Council of Italy, in Bari) lacking some - and -gliadin components encoded by the Gli-1 loci on the short arm of chromosome 1D of bread wheat and chromosome 1A of durum wheat, were analysed by two-dimensional (two-pH) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In order to investigate the cause of these deficiencies, restriction fragment analyses were also carried out. Digested genomic DNAs of 'normal' and 'null' forms were probed with a cDNA clone related to -/ -gliadins and with a genomic clone encoding a LMW subunit of glutenin. The hybridisation patterns with the -/ -gliadin probe were similar to those of cv. Chinese Spring and cv. Langdon used as standards for bread and durum wheats respectively, but several restriction fragments located on chromosome 1D of bread wheat and chromosome 1A of durum wheat were absent in the 'null'forms. In addition, specific LMW glutenin fragments encoded by the same chromosomes were also absent in the 'null' forms, suggesting that simultaneous deletions of blocks of genes for both -/ -gliadins and LMW glutenins had occurred. Comparisons of the protein and RFLP patterns allowed certain other proteins, not affected by mutations, to be mapped to specific restriction fragments. ------------------------- A.S. Tatham, P.R. Shewry, M.J. Miles, and H.H. Wills (Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol). Structure of the High Molecular Weight subunits of Glutenin. Scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) has been used to image the central repetitive domain of a high molecular weight (HMW) subunit of durum wheat glutenin. The subunit was deposited from solution, by evaporation of solvent, on to a graphite support, and imaged without coating. The proteins became aligned in a sheet over the graphite surface, forming a 2-dimensional array. The array showed periodic rod-like structures, and the images were Fourier transformed to enhance their periodic nature. A clear helical structure was observed, with a diameter of approximately 1.95nm and pitch of 1.49nm. Previous physical characterisation of the HMW subunits indicated a rod-like structure, while secondary structure analyses indicated reverse-turn rich central repetitive domains and alpha-helical N- and C-terminal domains. The structure observed for the central domain of the HMW subunit by ST< is consistent with a spiral secondary structure, but we do not know whether this structure contributes to the elastomeric properties of wheat gluten. It does, however, possess structural characteristics suitable for an elastomeric material. These are a long molecule with cysteine residues at the ends for covalent attachment, and a long central repetitive domain that could undergo conformational changes under stress and then relax on the removal of stress. ------------------------- Plant Breeding International Cambridge Ltd., Maris Lane, Trumpington, Cambridge, CB2 2LQ, UK S.J. Brown and P.I. Payne* Cultivars. In 1990 PBI Cambridge released seed of two new winter wheat cultivars to its licensees. Tara is a soft milling cultivar producing grain primarily for the animal feed market. It has a very good specific weight and very good resistance to the major diseases except mildew. Hereward is setting new standards for the combination of yield and exceptional bread-making quality; in both respects it exceeds Mercia, which is currently the leading bread-making cultivar in the UK. The agronomic characters and resistance to the major diseases are at least as good as, and in some instances better than, Mercia. Hereward is expected to quickly take a significant part of the UK market and to be developed also in France, Ireland, Holland and Denmark. Research. The HMW subunits of glutenin are known to be a major contributor to the viscoelastic nature of wheat gluten. In particular subunits 5+10, coded by x and y genes at the Glu-D1 locus, confer increased strength of doughs when they replace their allelic counterparts, subunits 2+12. The genes that code for each of these subunits have been isolated and sequenced by other research groups. There are small differences in sequence between each allelic pair and there are conflicting opinions on whether subunit 5 or subunit 10 is the key molecule that contributes the most elasticity. In collaboration with Dr. J.W. Snape at the Cambridge Laboratory, Institute of Plant Science Research, Norwich, natural mutations of the Glu-D1 locus have been exploited to determine which has the most detrimental affect; loss of the x or y locus. Routine screening of intervarietal series of Chinese Spring (CS) by SDS-PAGE revealed that CS (Ciano 3D) had a natural deletion for subunit 2. This line was crossed with CS (Thatcher 1D), a line known to be deficient for subunit 12. The F1 hybrid was crossed with euploid CS and the progeny passed through five generations of single-seed descent. Each was bulked through two generations of selfing and grown in a randomised field trial in 1990. Deletion of either subunit 2 or subunit 12 gave a dramatic reduction in SDS-sedimentation volume, although samples with subunit 2 alone gave a slightly but significantly lower SDS volume than samples with subunit 12 alone. Similarly, when the rheological properties of the three genotypes (2, 12, 2+12) were determined by the Brabender xtensograph, loss of a subunit caused a dramatic reduction in elasticity (resistance to stretching) and an increase in extensibility. However, genotypes with subunit 2 alone were more extensible and less elastic than corresponding genotypes with subunit 12 alone. The results indicate that the y gene at locus Glu-D1 has a molecular structure that confers greater elasticity to its translated protein than does the x gene. ------------------------- ITEMS FROM THE UNITED STATES ARKANSAS University of Arkansas R.K. Bacon*, B.R. Wells, M.L. May, and D. Dombek Production. According to the Arkansas Agricultural Statistics Service, Arkansas farmers harvested 1,400,000 acres of winter wheat in 1990. Average yield in the state was 35 bu/A accounting for a total production of 49,000,000 bu, which was 7% less than last year. The reduced production was due to the lowest yields since 1985 caused by unfavorable weather and diseases. Management. Field studies were conducted at three locations to evaluate the response of five cultivars to intensive management practices. These practices included fall N and P fertilization, spring N fertilization rates and use of a foliar fungicide. Pioneer 2548, Coker 9877, and Pioneer 2555 were the highest yielding cultivars. Pioneer 2548 performed best on the silt loam soils whereas Pioneer 2555 performed best on the clay soil. Fall P fertilization resulted in a significant yield increase at the location typically low in available P. There was a significant interaction between cultivars, spring nitrogen rate, and fungicide application. Coker 9877 showed very little response to the fungicide whereas the other cultivars increased in yield 5 to 10 bu/A. Increasing the spring N rate from 100 to 150 lb/A resulted in slight to moderate yield increases only on the clay soil. Mr. Sorel Jacques has completed a two year study to detetrmine the effects of double-cropping, relay-cropping and mono-cropping on the yield of wheat and soybeans. Yields of `Traveler' wheat were reduced by 10 bu/A in the relay cropping. Double-cropping was found to be the most efficient production system due to higher wheat and soybean yields Breeding and Genetics. Breeder seed of the experimental line AR 26415 is being produced for the second consecutive year. Although enough seed was available for release last year, the decision to look at one more year's data was made because the line appeared to be moderately susceptible to the new race of leaf rust in the state. This line not only shows good yield potential in the state but also has high test weights. Dockage for low test weight continues to be a problem in the area. Mr. Steve Schuler is continuing his work to determine factors affecting test weight and their relationship to quality. Second year test weight and milling data obtained in cooperation with Dr. Patrick Finney of the USDA Soft Wheat Quality Lab is currently being analyzed and secondary data collection is nearing completion. In addition, parents, F1 and F2 plants from a six parent diallel cross to study the inheritance of factors which may influence test weight are currently in the field and will be evaluated this summer. Mr. John Kelly has completed a three year study to characterize and select wheat cultivars for traits affecting nitrogen utilization. Measurements were taken to determine if a relationship existed among nitrate reductase activity (NRA), nitrogen content, nitrogen use efficiency, crop growth rate, net assimilation rate, yield and yield components. Ten cultivars were measured at four growth stages. NRA was found to be negatively correlated to yield and yield components with the highest negative correlation with kernel number. After two generations of divergent selection for plants having high NRA and for low NRA at anthesis, there has been an increase in NRA from selection. This research is to be continued with the F5 plants in the field awaiting evaluation for NRA. Forty-six cultivars and experimental lines were tested in the small grain performance tests at seven locations in the state. The top five yielding cultivars were Pioneer 2548, Coker 9024, Wakefield, ABI 85-81 and Coker 9323, all of which had an average yield across locations of 51 bu/A or higher. Duplicate tests were planted at two locations and treated with a foliar fungicide to give growers an indication of the yield potential of cultivars protected from fungal diseases. The mean yields of the fungicide-protected trials were 2.1 and 8.5 bu/A greater than the mean of the duplicate unprotected trials at the two locations, respectively. Personnel Changes. Mr. Don Obert joined the program this summer as a Graduate Assistant pursuing an MS degree. His research will focus on the allelopathic effects of rice straw on wheat germination and seedling growth. Mr. Robert Wright also started as a Graduate Assistant this summer. Research for his MS degree will be to determine the inheritance of tolerance to metribuzin in soft red winter wheat. Mr. Gill Giese joined the program this year as a Research Assistant. After completing his MS degree he worked as an assistant plant breeder for Petoseed Company in Felda, FL. Mr. Don Dombek has taken over the responsibilities for cultivar testing. He replaces Mr. Terry Walker who is now the soybean breeder for Illinois Foundation Seeds. Dr. Nathan McKinney recently became the Wheat Extension Specialist. In addition to his extension activities he is currently conducting research on the use of wheat blends. Dr. McKinney previously was the state soybean Extension Specialist in Mississippi. He replaces Mr. Don Adams who retired from the Extension Service after many years of dedicated service to the wheat growers in the state. Publications Bacon, R.K., K.A.K. Moldenhauer, and J.O. York. 1990. Pest control in Arkansas cereal crops through genetic resistance. Arkansas Farm Res. 39:(3):8. Freeze, D.M., and R.K. Bacon. 1990. Row spacing and seeding rate effects on wheat yields in the Mid-South. J. Prod. Agric. 3:345-348. May, M.L., H.J. Mascagni, Jr., B.R. Wells, and R.K. Bacon. 1990. Fertilization of wheat following grain sorghum or corn: Final report. p. 65-68. In W.E. Sabbe, editor. Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies 1989. Arkansas Agric. Exp. Stn. Research Series 398. Walker, D.W., C.P. West, R.K. Bacon, D.E. Longer, and K.E. Turner. 1990. Changes in forage yield and composition of wheat and wheat-ryegrass mixtures with maturity. J. Dairy Sci. 73:1296-1303. Walker, T.K. 1990. Small-grain performance tests 1989-90. Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series 404. West, C.P., D.W. Walker, R.K. Bacon, D.E. Longer, and K.E. Turner. 1991. Phenological analysis of forage yield and quality in winter wheat. Agron. J. 83:(in press). ------------------------- CALIFORNIA Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside Christine A. Curtis, Bahman Ehdaie, Adam J. Lukaszewski, Malik M. Rafi, Shakir H. Shah, and J. Giles Waines Yield components and quality traits in wild wheats (Rafi, Waines) Forty-three diploid accessions representing the five Aegilops species in the Sitopsis group (S genome), 22 accessions of the three Triticum species in A genome group, six accessions of Ae. squarrosa (D genome), one tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum Desf., "Mexicali"), and two hexaploid wheats (T. aestivum L., "Anza" and "Yecora Rojo") were compared for straw yield per plant, head yield per plant, aboveground biomass, harvest index, D13C, single plant grain yield, 100 kernel weight, kernel protein, lysine, lysine/protein, and adjusted lysine/protein contents in the 1987-88 season under field conditions. The mean values of modern cultivars were significantly greater than those of the diploids for head yield, harvest index, grain yield, and kernel weight. For straw yield and kernel weight, the tall and large kernelled A genome accessions were significantly superior to the dwarf and small kernelled S genome accessions. For head yield, biomass, harvest index, and grain yield, the mean of S and D genome accessions were significantly greater than the means of A genome accessions. The mean values of diploids were significantly higher than those of the modern cultivars for protein and lysine contents. The mean values of the S and A genomes were significantly higher than those of the D genome for protein and lysine contents. Significant variability was observed among the 71 accessions for all 11 traits, and among the three genomes for all traits except for D13C. For most characters, the S genome accessions exhibited greater variation followed by the A and D genome accessions. In the S genome, Ae. sharonensis and Ae. searsii showed high variation for yield and kernel quality traits, respectively, which could be exploited in breeding programs with modern cultivars. To create genetic variability in breeding programs for harvest index and kernel quality traits, T. urartu of the A genome could also be used. The correlation pattern between yield and quality traits was different in the three genomes. Significant differences were found between means of Ae. speltoides and those of the other four S genome species for various traits. Means of morphologically similar pairs Ae. longissima and Ae. searsii, and Ae. sharonensis and Ae. bicornis, did not differ for genetically induced characters. Superior accessions with enhanced values for yield and quality traits were identified in each genome group. Water-Use Efficiency and Carbon Isotope Discrimination in Wheat (Ehdaie, Waines) Improved water-use efficiency (WUE) could provide breeding programs with a means to improve adaptation to drought-prone environments. Carbon isotope discrimination (D) has been proposed as a criterion to select for improved WUE. This study evaluated differences in total dry matter (TDM), WUE (TDM/transpiration), and D of flag leaves of landrace and modern wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes grown in pots in a well-watered (wet) and in a water-stressed (dry) experiment for 2 yr. The wheat genotypes were also grown in wet and dry field conditions. In the pot experiments, average WUE of the genotypes varied from 2.85 to 4.41 g dry matter/kg water in the wet experiment and from 2.08 to 4.53 in the dry experiment. The mean values of D were 20.2 x 103 for the wet pot experiment and 22.7 x 103 for the dry pot experiment. The tall landrace genotypes such as Chinese Spring had greater TDM and WUE, but were later in maturity than the modern dwarf and semidwarf genotypes. Values of D associated with different genotypes were negatively correlated with WUE. Broad-sense heritabilities for WUE and D were 93 and 90%, respectively, in the pot experiments. In the dry field experiments, D was positively associated with aboveground dry matter and grain yield in both years. In the wet field experiments, there was a positive correlation between D and grain yield only in 1988. Broad-sense heritabilities for D were 72% for wet field conditions and 74% for dry field conditions. These observations indicate that selection for D, either under wet or dry conditions, could improve WUE in wheat. Water-Use Efficiency of Wheat, Barley, Dasypyrum and Rye and Their Alien Chromosome Addition Lines (Shah, Waines) Agronomic folklore holds that barley, dasypyrum (haynaldia) and rye are more drought resistant than wheat. We are looking at the water-use efficiency of Chinese Spring bread wheat, 'Betzes' barley, Dasypyrum villosum, 'Imperial' rye and their available alien chromosome addition lines in well watered and droughted pot and field experiments. We will also collect flag leaves for carbon isotope discrimination analysis. Analysis of yield components will be performed an all materials. Wheat Cytogenetics (Curtis, Lukaszewski) Reverse tandem duplications (rtd) on chromosomes 4A, 1B, 2B and 3D were identified in 'Chinese Spring' (CS). All four initiate breakage-fusion-bridge (bfb) cycle in meiosis. Cytological aspects of the rtd-induced bfb cycles in wheat are similar to those of the Ac-Ds system in maize. The presence of the bfb cycle induced breakage of chromosomes not originally involved in the aberrations. Somatic chimeras for marker genes and morphological offtypes were identified following the initiation of the bfb cycles. Sets of deficient wheat chromosomes were obtained following the bfb cycles. Using combinations of rtd on 4AL, deficient and iso-deficient chromosomes, and translocations of small segments of 4AL to rye arm 2RL, the Dne (dosage necrosis) gene was physically located on 4AL in a position proximal and adjacent to the major C-band, about 75% of the relative arm length away from the centromere. The Dne gene which produces necrosis in 4A tetrasomics of CS appears to be position-sensitive with the most severe necrosis present in duplication homozygotes and the least severe in tetrasomics. Metaphase I pairing behavior of deficient chromosomes in wheat was observed in plants with varying doses and combinations of normal and deficient chromosome arms. In heterozygotes for even a small deficiency MI pairing between deficient and normal arms was drastically reduced while in deficiency homozygotes deficient arms paired with frequency approaching normal. In plants with varying doses of normal and deficient arms pairing was between arms of the same length to the exclusion of arms of different length. Using C-banding polymorphism among accessions of T. dicoccoides, and between T. dicoccoides and 'Langdon' durum, frequency of recombination was analyzed in 93 segments of chromosomes 1B, 2B, 3B, 5B, 6B and 7B. Among some 750 chromosomes analyzed no recombination was observed in the proximal 38.7 percent of the relative arm length. The relationship between the physical and genetic distances appeared to be exponential. Physical location and genetic linkage of GliB1 and GluB1 to C-bands were established. A line of spring wheat with 18" + 1RS.1AL" + 1RS.1BL" + 1RS.1DL" (six 1RS arms; absent wheat group-1 short arms) was produced. Lines NASW85-294 and NASW85-5626 previously found to be heterogeneous for the presence/absence of the 1RS.1BL translocation were separated into translocated and non-translocated classes. Chromosome 7S of Ae. speltoides was identified in an 'Amigo' selection. When separated from the 1RS.1AL translocation it was found to offer resistance to greenbug biotype E. Dr. E.R. Sears' collection of Chinese Spring aneuploids is being regrown and multiplied. So far, nullisomics, monosomics, tetrasomics, nulli-tetrasomics, double ditelosomics and disomic additions of 'Imperial' rye were analyzed and grown. Considerable somatic instability was observed among some stocks. It appeared related to seed age, being virtually absent in seed stocks 10 years old or younger, and relatively frequent in stocks over 10 years old. Probably as a result of this instability, translocations and deficiencies were present among the analyzed stocks. Monosomic 2A was homozygous deficient for about 30% of 2BL; monosomic 7A was homozygous for a nonreciprocal translocation 5B.7B (four doses of 5BL); double ditelosomic 2B was homozygous deficient for about 8% of 4AL, tetrasomic 5A and nulli-5B-tetra-5A segregated for a 2AS.5AL centric break-fusion translocation; disomic addition of Imperial chromosome 3R was heterozygous for a deficiency of about 50% of one arm of 3R. In addition, nulli-7D-tetra-7B segregated for two different banding patterns on 7B. All these are being corrected by selection and crosses to normal Chinese Spring. Triticale Cytogenetics (Lukaszewski) Nine of 21 possible substitutions of D-genome chromosomes for A-, B-, and R-genome chromosomes in winter triticale 'Presto' have been carried through the sixth backcross, eleven are in BC2 to BC5 stage. 7D(7R) susbtitution is missing. Fourteen monosomics were isolated so far. In spring triticale 'Rhino' 13 D-for-A, -B, or -R substitutions have been completed (six backcrosses); remaining eight are in BC4-BC5 stage. Twenty monosomics of Rhino have been isolated: monosomic 2A is missing. In a primary hexaploid produced from Langdon durum and a rye inbred 2a a full set of 21 monosomics and at least one ditelosomic for each chromosome were selected. However, because of considerable instability the effort to complete the sets will probably be abandoned. A proximal segment of chromosome 1D from 'Wheaton' wheat was translocated to chromosome 1R of Rhino through a combination of centric break-fusion translocation and 5D(5B) substitution-induced homoeologous pairing. The recombinant chromosome 1R has normal short arm, proximal segment of chromosome 1DL and a distal segment of 1RL and carries HMW glutenin subunits 5+10 of Wheaton. Its effect on breadmaking quality of triticale is yet to be tested. Publications Curtis, C.A. and A.J. Lukaszewski. 1991. Genetic linkage between C-bands and storage protein genes in chromosome 1B of tetraploid wheat. Theor. Appl. Genet. In press Curtis, C.A. and A.J. Lukaszewski. 1991. The relationship between genetic and physical distances in the B-genome chromosomes in wheat. Proc. 2nd Int. Symp. On Chromosome Engineering in Plants, Columbia MO, Aug. 1990. In press Curtis, C.A., A.J. Lukaszewski and M. Chrzastek. 1991. Metaphase I pairing of deficient chromosomes and genetic mapping of deficiency breakpoints in common wheat. Genome, In press Ehdaie, B. and J. G. Waines. 1990. Heat resistance in wild wheats and Aegilops. Amer. Soc. Agronomy Annu. Mtg., San Antonio, Texas. Abstract. Ehdaie, B., A.E. Hall, G. Farquhar, H.T. Nguyen, and J.G. Waines. 1991. Water-use efficiency and carbon isotope discrimination in wheat. Crop Sci. In press. Kaloshian, I., P.A. Roberts, J.G. Waines, and I.J. Thomason. 1990. Inheritance of resistance to root knot nematodes in Aegilops squarrosa. J. Heredity 81:170-172. Kaloshian, I., P.A. Roberts, J.G. Waines, and I.J. Thomason. 1991. Location of gene for root knot nematode resistance in D genome of wheat. J. Heredity. In press. Lookhart, G.L., R. Greybosch, J. Peterson, and A.J. Lukaszewski. 1991. Identification of wheat lines containing the 1RS.1BL translocation by high performance liquid chromatography. Cereal Chem. In press Lukaszewski, A.J. 1990. Frequency of 1RS.1BL and 1RS.1AL translocations in USA wheats. Crop Sci. 30:1151-1153 Lukaszewski, A.J. 1991. Breakage-fusion-bridge cycles in wheat. Proc. 2nd Int. Symp. On Chromosome Engineering in Plants, Columbia MO, Aug. 1990. In press Lukaszewski, A.J. 1991. Development of aneuploid series in hexaploid triticale. Proc. 2nd Int Triticale Symp., Passo Fundo, Brazil, Oct. 1990. In press Rafi, M.M. 1990. Yield components and quality traits in wild wheats. MS. Thesis, University of California, Riverside, December 1990. ------------------------- Colorado State University J. S. Quick, G. H. Ellis, R. Normann, M. Mergoum, S. Haley, K. Nkongolo, A. Saidi, Q. X. Sun Production. The 1990 Colorado winter wheat production was 84.2 million bushels, 147 percent of the 1989 crop, and the yield average was about 33 bu/a. Hard red spring, soft white spring and durum wheats were collectively grown on about 50,000 acres. Leading cultivars were TAM 107, Hawk, Vona, Baca, Sandy, and Scout 66. The most significant 1990 production factor was the damage caused by high temperatures in central and northeastern Colorado during the grain filling stage . Early soil moisure shortage also contributed to yield reduction. Breeding program. Several new winter wheats were evaluated for potential release. Six were evaluated in the Wheat Quality Council milling and baking tests. Selection progress was made for grain yield, grain volume weight, heat tolerance and bread-making quality. Cultivar performance trials, fertilizer tests and Russian wheat aphid evaluations were conducted statewide. Our quality evaluation program was modified to include SDS sedimentation testing of all bulked F5 lines between harvest in August and planting in September (see Dick and Quick method, Cereal Chem. 60:315). Hence, all first year yield tests include only lines with acceptable gluten properties. Our results indicate that SDS sedimentation will predict mixograph mixing time for 90 percent of the lines. Construction of a climate-controlled growth room was completed and is now operational. Russian wheat aphid. The Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia) damage in 1990 was about one-third that of the 1987 damage (about $10.8 million loss in 1990). Suction trap catches were lower than they were in 1989. The accumulated losses since 1986 in Colorado are $87.9 million. The aphid overwinters in Colorado and survives the dry summer on native and introduced grasses. Resistance to the Russian wheat aphid (RWA) was found in several T. tauschii lines, the inheritance determined, and crosses made to introgress the single recessive gene into hexaploid wheats. Seedling reactions of segregating generations of crosses with the RWA resistant line PI372129 indicated that a single dominant gene governs this resistance. The reaction of PI372129 appears different from previous resistance sources and allelism tests are underway. A second uniform seedling screening test conducted at 10 locations in N. America confirmed or identified 9 additional RWA-resistant wheat lines and one barley line. Leaf chlorosis and rolling were highly correlated. Other research. Seed inoculation by root rot pathogens and water stress treatments under field conditions in Morocco significantly increased the expression of root rot disease, and provides a disease screen for breeding programs. In field water relations studies at Fort Collins, several useful genotypic differences were observed. The 'drought-resistant' cv. Sandy had low leaf water potential, leaf conductance, leaf carbon isotope composition, and specific leaf weight. In heat tolerance studies, the protocols involving hardening for 48 and 120 h at seedling and anthesis stage, resp., provided the greatest sensitivity in detecting genotypic differences in relative injury. Relative injury at seedling and anthesis stages were highly associated (0.79, n=90). Heat tolerance, as evaluated by membrane thermostability (MT), was highly associated with grain yield and quality in field studies; therefore, the MT test will be a suitable procedure for selecting heat-tolerant wheat genotypes in a breeding program. A visiting scientist from China, Dr. Q.X. Sun, conducted research projects on heat tolerance during 1990. He evaluated D-genome disomic substitution lines of durum wheat (Triticum turgidium L. var. durum) and their parental cultivars Langdon (recipient) and Chinese Spring (D-genome donor) for their relative heat tolerance as measured by membrane thermostability to determine the chromosomal locations of genes controlling this trait. Results indicate that homoelogues 3 and 4 are most closely associated with heat tolerance. Chromosomes 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, and 6A were found to be associated with heat tolerance of Langdon, while chromosomes 1B, 2A, 6B, and 7B were not related to heat tolerance. Two advanced HRWW lines, CO850034 and CO850061, have performed very well in Colorado and regional tests and will be released in 1991 pending seed increase. The Idaho HRWW line ID338 will be released for western Colorado in 1991 pending successful seed increase. Publications Echols, J.W, and J.S. Quick. 1990. Top wheat varieties assessed in yield trials. Colorado Wheat Farmer. 32:6-7. Mergoum, M., and Quick, J.S. 1990. Implications of root rot inoculation and nitrogen fertilization of wheat cultivars under varying moisture stress in Morocco. Agron. Abstr. p. 101. Am. Soc. Agron., Madison, WI. Morgan, J.A., Lecain, D.R., McCaig, T., Mujahid, M.Y., and Quick, J.S. 1990. Agron. Abstr. p. 127. Am. Soc. Agron., Madison, WI. Nkongolo, K.K., J.S. Quick, W. Meyer, F.B. Peairs. 1990. Gene locations for Russian wheat aphid resistance of rye. Cer. Res. Commun. 18:307-313. Nkongolo, K.K., Quick, J.S., Limin, A.E., Fowler, D.B., Meyer, W.L., and Peairs, F.B. 1990. Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia) resistance in wheat and related species. Can. J. Plant Sci. 70:691-698. Nkongolo, K.K., Quick, J.S., Peairs, F.B., and Meyer, W.L. 1990. Inheritance of resistance to the Russian wheat aphid in a Triticum aestivum line and an amphiploid of T. tauschii/T. turgidum. In: Proc. Fourth Russian Wheat Aphid Conference, Bozeman, MT. Nkongolo, K.K., Quick, J.S., Peairs, F.B., and Meyer, W.L. 1990. Inheritance of resistance to the Russian wheat aphid in a wheat line PI372129. Agron. Abstr. p. 102. Am. Soc. Agron., Madison, WI. Quick, J.S. 1990. CSU leads the search for aphid tolerant wheat. Colorado Wheat Farmer. 32:4. Quick, J.S. 1990. Breeding for Russian wheat aphid resistance. Wheat Technology. 5:9-10. Quick, J.S. 1990. Breeding for insect and disease resistance in wheat. p. 163, MEY Wheat Management Conference, March 1990, Denver, CO. Quick, J.S. 1990. Uniform seedling screening of wheat and barley for Russian wheat aphid resistance. Agron. Abstr. p. 105. Am. Soc. Agron., Madison, WI. Quick, J.S. 1990. Uniform seedling screening of wheat and barley for Russian wheat aphid resistance. In: Proc. Fourth Russian Wheat Aphid Conference, Bozeman, MT. Quick, J.S., K.K. Nkongolo, W. Meyer, F.B. Peairs, and B. Weaver. 1991. Russian wheat aphid reaction and agronomic and quality traits of a resistant wheat. Crop Sci. 31:50-53. Wildermuth, G.B., Quick, J.S. and McNamara, R.B. 1990. Factors which affect the susceptibility of cultivars to crown rot. Paper presented at the Australian Wheat Breeding Assembly, Tamworth, N.S.W. ------------------------- University of Florida, Quincy and Gainesville R. D. Barnett, A. R. Soffes, P. L. Pfahler, H. H. Luke, and J. B. Hartman Hessian fly continues to receive emphasis in our breeding and research programs. This insect continues to do considerable damage to southeastern wheat. Growers are switching to resistant varieties as soon as possible and most are using either phorate (Thimet ) or disulfoton (Di-syston ) on susceptible varieties. The Coker 9766 variety is currently the most popular variety among growers in this area. The best new varieties for our area appear to be GA-Gore, a Georgia release, and Coker 9835 a NK release. Both yielded well in 1990 yield trials and both have Hessian fly resistance. In order to test the effectiveness of chemicals for Hessian fly control, a fall granular systemic insecticide application applied in the row, and a fall application plus a spring foliar application were compared to no treatment in a field experiment in 1990. This test was conducted at Marianna, Florida where a relative heavy infestation of Hessian fly occurred. Six entries were used, three susceptible and three resistant. FL301H, FL85363-G18-14, and Coker 9766 are resistant to Hessian fly the other three are susceptible. List of entries and grain yield data are presented in Table 1. Table 1. Evaluation of chemical treatmments for control of Hessian fly in six lines of wheat planted November 15, 1989 at Marianna, FL. Grain Yield (Bu/A) Treatment FL301 FL301H FL302 FL8563-G18-14 FL303 Coker 9766 Fall 51.2 45.21 35.7 47.5 50.6 61.8 Fall & Spring 53.5 50.3 39.5 48.3 58.6 58.8 Untreated 45.2 49.6 29.3 52.1 40.5 62.0 LSD .05 6.9 6.3 7.2 4.9 5.4 8.0 All treatments were replicated six times. The fall application was Thimet (20G at 7 lbs/A) drilled with the seed at planting. The spring application was Di-syston (8EC at 1 pt/A) applied as a foliar spray at the time you would normally apply Nitrogen topdressing (first week in February). This is only one year's data but it indicates that the insecticide applications were effective for the susceptible entries, particularly Florida 302. It also indicates that insecticides should not be used on resistant varieties because of a possible negative effect. We have been using a number of different sources of Hessian fly resistance in our breeding program. We have gotten fairly far along with some Florida 302 types that carried the H9 gene from Ella but all are showing the same leaf rust and powdery mildew susceptible that Florida 302 is now showing. We had planned to release one but they show just too much disease susceptibility. We are increasing a line (FL8172-G98-L5) that has shown good field resistance to Hessian fly even though seedling greenhouse test show that it is only resistant to the GP biotype. It has excellent resistance to leaf rust and good resistance to powdery mildew. It has the following pedigree: Predgornaia 2 /3/Blueboy II/Coker 68-8// Fulbarn/ 4/Coker 80-29. Predgornaia 2 is PI367728 from Romania that was in the 1973 Int. Winter Wheat Rust Nursery as entry 286. Fulbarn is a leaf rust resistant germplasm release from Oklahoma State University. FL8172-G98-L5 will be named and released to the Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc. if it performs satisfactorily in 1991. Occasionally growers in our area blend seed with fertilizer, spread the blend on the fields with spreader trucks, and then lightly harrow to cover the seed. We ran an experiment several years ago to determine what would happen to the seed if planting was delayed and the seed remained in contact with the fertilizer for an extended period of time. We used Florida 302 wheat, Florida 502 oats, and Florida 401 rye in blends with five different fertilizers. A 10 pound seed lot of each of the three grains were mixed with 30 pounds of each of the following fertilizers: Ammonium nitrate (35-0-0), triple superphosphate (0-46- 0), muriate of potash (0-0-60), a homogenized blend (5-10-15), and a blend of triple superphosphate, muriate of potash and urea (10-20-30). The seed- fertilizer combinations were blended in a cement mixer, placed in a 5-gallon bucket and covered with plastic. At various time intervals after the initial mixing; four hours, 1 day, 2 days, 4 days, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days and 28 days the blends were sampled and the seed was separated by hand from the fertilizer and planted in a greenhouse soil bench. After 10 days germination counts were made. Results indicated that both the type of seed and the components of the fertilizer had an effect on the seed germination. Of the three seed types tested, rye was the most sensitive to long-term exposure to fertilizer and oats the least affected. Of the fertilizers, those containing phosphates were the most damaging to the seed's viability when seed is exposed to the fertilizer for a period of time greater than one day. Ammonium nitrate and muriate of potash did not seem to have any effect on the germination of the seed regardless of the time of exposure. Personnel: Dr. Joanna Cybulska Augustyniak, from the Agricultural University of Poznan, Poland, will be a visiting scientist in our breeding program from March 1, 1991 until August 31, 1991. She has had considerable experience with the cytogenetics of triticale and will be helping us with our triticale breeding program. Publications Barnett, R. D. 1989. University of Florida variety release policy and funding for breeding programs. Proceedings of the Southern Small Grain Workers Conference, Clemson, South Carolina, April 24-25, 1989, pages 29-30. Barnett, R. D., P. L. Pfahler, H. H. Luke, and A. R. Soffes. 1990. ATW 270 - A soft red winter wheat for the southern U.S. U. of Fla., IFAS, Quincy NFREC Research Report NF-90-15. Barnett, R. D., P. L. Bruckner, A. R. Soffes, P. L. Pfahler, and R. O. Myer. 1990. Breeding triticale for the southeastern United States. 2nd International Triticale Symposium, Abstracts, Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Oct. 1-5, 1990, page 82. Gardner, C. S., G. M. Prine, R. D. Barnett, and E. C. French. 1989. Production of small grains on phosphatic settling pond clays in Polk county, south central Florida. Agronomy Abstracts, 1989 Annual Meeting ASA, CSSA, SSSA. Page 131. Hartman, J. B., R. K. Sprenkel, R. D. Barnett, and A. R. Soffes. 1990. Grain yield of various small grain blends. Univ. of Fla., IFAS. NFREC, Quincy, Fla., NFREC Research Report NF-90-21. 2 pages. Hartman, J. B., R. D. Barnett, R. K. Sprenkel, and A. R. Soffes. 1990. Blending susceptible and resistant wheat varieties for the control of hessian fly. Univ. of Fla., IFAS, NFREC, Quincy, Fla., NFREC Research Report NF-90-22. 8 pages. Hartman, J. B., R. K. Sprenkel, R. D. Barnett, and A. R. Soffes. 1990. Effects of systemic insecticides on grain yield of hessian fly susceptible and resistant wheat varieties. Univ. of Fla., IFAS. NFREC, Quincy, Fla., NFREC Research Report NF-90-18. 2 pages. Hill, G. M. and R. D. Barnett. 1991. Triticale grain production and utilization for the southeastern U.S. Abstracts of Technical Paper, 1991 Annual Meeting, Southern Branch of American Society of Agronomy, Number 18, page 6, Fort Worth, Texas, 2-6 Feb. 1991. Myer, R. O., R. D. Barnett, and G. E. Combs. 1990. Nutritional evaluation of 'Florico' triticale in diets for growing-finishing swine. Univ. of Fla. Agri. Exp. Sta., Dept. of Animal Sci., Res. Report MA-1990-3, Aug. 1990, 9 pp. Myer, R. O., G. E. Combs, and R. D. Barnett. 1990. Evaluation of triticale cultivars adapted to the southeastern USA as potential feed grains for swine. 2nd International Triticale Symposium, Abstracts, Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Oct 1-5, 1990, page 70. Myer, R. O., G. E. Combs, and R. D. Barnett. 1990. Evaluation of three triticale cultivars as potential feed grains for swine. Soil and Crop Sci. Soc. of Fla. Proc. 49:155-158. Myer, R. O., G. E. Combs, and R. D. Barnett. 1991. Triticale cultivars have feeding value for swine in south. Feedstuffs 63(5):11-13. February 4, 1991. Myer, R. O., W. R. Walker, and R. D. Barnett. 1990. Feeding Wheat to Swine. Fla. Coop. Ext. Ser. Animal Science Fact Sheet AS25, 4 pp. Patel, S. K., F. M. Rhoads, E. A. Hanlon, and R. D. Barnett. 1990. Influence of root growth and fertilizer rate on potassium and magnesium content of wheat and soybean. Abstracts of Technical Papers, 1990 Annual Meeting, Southern Branch of Ameri. Soc. of Agron., Number 17, page 3, Little Rock, Ar., 3-7 Feb. 1990. Pfahler, P. L. and R. D. Barnett. 1989. Cultivar-ploidy level-temperature effects on coloptile length selection in rye. Agronomy Abstracts, 1989 Annual Meeting ASA, CSSA, SSSA. page 95. Pfahler, P. L., and R. D. Barnett. 1990. Effect of gibberellic acid-potassium nitrate seed treatments on early seedling growth in two rye cultivars. Soil and Crop Sci. Soc. of Fla. Proc. 49:146-150. Rogalska, S. M., and R. D. Barnett. 1989. Triticale breeding in Poland. Proceedings of the Southern Small Grain Workers Conference, Clemson, South Carolina, April 24-25, 1989, pages 25-28. Soffes, A. R., R. D. Barnett, and D. L. Wright. 1989. Effect of blending fertilizer and seed on germination of small grain seed. Proceedings of the Southern Small Grain Workers Conference, Clemson, South Carolina, April 24-25, 1989, pages. 12-14. Soffes, A. R., R. D. Barnett, and P. L. Pfahler. 1990. Grain yield and quality of wheat, oat and triticale grown with varying levels of nitrogen topdressing. Soil and Crop Sci. Soc. of Fla. Proc. 49:150-155. Stanley, R. L., Jr., R. D. Barnett, and A. R. Soffes. 1991. Agronomic characteristics of wheat and triticale no-tilled into rhizoma peanut and undisturbed sod at three N levels. Abstracts of Technical Papers, 1991 Annual Meeting, Southern Branch of American Society of Agronomy, Number 18, page 7, Fort Worth, Texas, 2-6 Feb. 1991. ------------------------- J. W. Johnson, B. M. Cunfer, P. L. Bruckner, J. J. Roberts, G. D. Buntin, and R. E. Wilkinson The 1990 Georgia winter wheat crop was grown on 590,000 harvested acres and produced an average of 36 bushels per acre. Favorable fall and winter temperatures contributed to high grain yields. The warm temperatures hastened maturity by two weeks. Severe leaf rust, powdery mildew, and Hessian fly were recorded on susceptible cultivars. An estimated $8.2 million was spent to control Hessian Fly. NEW CULTIVAR RELEASE. `GA-Gore' was released as a high yielding, semi-dwarf, mid-season soft red winter wheat cultivar. It possesses excellent resistance to locally predominate races of Hessian Fly (G, M, N, and O), excellent resistance to current races of leaf rust, and moderate resistance to powdery mildew. It also has good resistance to septoria nodorum blotch. `GA-Andy' was released as a high-yielding, semi-dwarf, early maturing soft red winter wheat. It has excellent resistance to locally predominant races of Hessian fly (G, M,N, and O), good resistance to current races of leaf rust, and moderate resistance to powdery mildew. It is moderately resistant to septoria nodorum blotch. HESSIAN FLY IN WHEAT. Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor (Say)) damage was widespread in susceptible cultivars in southern Georgia during the spring of 1990. Recently completed studies found that delaying planting in the Piedmont region generally was effective in avoiding fall damage by the Hessian fly without enhancing spring infestations. However, in the Coastal Plain region of Georgia, planting early enhanced fall and winter infestations, whereas late planting avoided fall and winter infestations but may greatly increase spring infestations. Although planting in late November generally minimized damage without greatly reducing wheat yield potential, Hessian fly damage was not reliably avoided in the Coastal Plain region. Similar results were obtained for triticale but planting date changes were more effective for triticale than wheat because triticale was less severely damaged than wheat. Recently completed studies also demonstrated the effectiveness of controlling Hessian fly in susceptible cultivars by applying systemic granular insecticides in the row furrow at planting. Disulfoton and phorate applied at 1.0 lb AI/acre consistently produced good control. Routine use of systemic insecticides on susceptible cultivars is economically justified in southern Georgia where the risk of economic damage is substantial. Wheat germplasm containing H1 - H16 and `Marquillo' genes were evaluated for resistance to mixed biotype populations of the Hessian fly. Of the currently deployed sources of resistance, the H7H8 gene combination was very effective and is currently present in many resistant cultivars. H3 was completely ineffective, but several H3 sources, Frankenmuth and Hart, contained additional resistances. Lines containing H1H2, H9, H9H10, and H13 genes and some sources of Marquillo resistance were effective in Georgia. Temperature sensitive genes, H10, H11, and H12, were only partially effective in the field. WATERLOGGED STRESS (Low Oxygen). Germplasm evaluated under anoxic conditions exhibited variable levels of oxygen tolerance. `Tobari 66' had the highest root and shoot growth under oxygen stress. Several lines from Georgia and Brazil were also very tolerant to oxygen stress. Root growth at the 10% oxygen level was not significantly reduced from that at the 20% level. Shoot growth was reduced at the 10% oxygen level. Several wheat cultivars were evaluated for their response to waterlogged conditions. ACID SOIL TOLERANCE. Wheat and triticale germplasm from Georgia and Brazil have been evaluated using hematoxylin root tip staining techniques of Polle et al. `Beagle 82' and `Florico' showed more tolerance to Al than wheat cultivars. Several Brazilian triticale lines were more tolerant at 4 mM Al than the best wheat check (Atlas 66). We have initiated a backcrossing program to improve the tolerance that exists in our material. PLANT PATHOLOGY. Mild winter weather during 1989-90 and spring rains resulted in early appearance of powdery mildew and leaf rust. Powdery mildew declined with warmer weather after heading but the disease was found for the first time at high levels on Coker 9733. Leaf rust increased and caused yield loss on susceptible cultivars including Florida 302 which formerly had been resistant. Septoria nodorum blotch also caused some damage but declined somewhat due to drier conditions during the latter stages of grain-filling. Common bunt caused primarily by Tilletia laevis (syn. T. foetida) was found in the state for the first time in 10 years. Bunt was found mostly in Burke and Screvens counties in the eastern part of Georgia near Augusta. Samples from several fields had more than 50 % bunted grain and the samples had the strong typical smell of stinking smut. Approximately 60,000 bushels of grain were affected. The source of the infestation was traced to a few seed sources. None of the seed from affected fields had been treated with a fungicide effective against bunt. An agar medium with improved selectivity for Septoria nodorum was developed to improve recovery of the fungus from seed. The medium contains basal nutrients to support growth and sporulation of S. nodorum while slowing the growth of other seedborne fungi. Other seedborne fungi also are suppressed by the fungicides chloroneb, cupric hydroxide, and dicloran. A mixture of antibiotics is also added to inhibit bacteria. This medium, called SNAW (S.nodorum agar for wheat) is up to 50% more efficient than oxgall agar, the selective medium most commonly used currently. The accuracy of identification is also improved because S. nodorum sporulates on SNAW but not on oxgall agar. Fifty-two advanced breeding lines and cultivars from southern Brazil rated resistant to Septoria nodorum in the field were evaluated for components of partial resistance. The reaction of the genotypes to a typical isolate from the southeastern U.S. was nearly identical to their field response in Brazil. Incubation period, latent period, and area under disease progress curve were determined on seedling and adult plants. Better understanding of resistance components and agronomic adaptation has improved selection of Brazilian wheats for use as parents in the Georgia wheat breeding program. A simple computer program called RATE has been developed for use on inexpensive "pocket computers" to record data rapidly. The program has been especially useful for recording disease and agronomic data in breeding nurseries and other field experiments. The pocket computer that has worked best is the Psion Organizer (Psion PLC, London). It is hand-held and weighs only 210 g. Several data entries can be made at one time for a given plot or other experimental unit. Replaceable memory packs permit almost uninterrupted data collection. Data can be printed immediately by a portable printer or uploaded to a PC or mainframe computer for immediate data analysis without the need for transcription. All hardware necessary including the computer, memory packs, and interface cables can be purchased for less than $500. CEREAL RUST RESEARCH. Cereal rust epidemiology research and surveys were conducted from the Gulf Coast in February to the Ohio Valley in June. Several new leaf rust virulences are now predominant throughout the Southeast, able to attack many widely-grown cultivars. Early and severe leaf rust on seedlings of cultivars deriving some protection from adult plant resistance genes prompted many growers to use fungicides in early March. Wheat stem rust was light throughout the region, with only a few overwintering centers detected. The interstate highway nursery survey technique continued with "on-season" planting. The first year's data were promising, indicating the technique could supplement standard methods used to detect rust and provide virulence information. Planting for a second year is completed. Additional compounds were found which block the leaf rust germ tube's ability to utilize epicuticular waxes during infection. These may offer a safe source from which to develop a fungicide for leaf rust control. Wheat leaf pubescence also has an important effect on leaf rust infection. Interference of normal growth is evidenced by erratic germ tube behavior when contacting leaf hairs. Such disruption offers another means to r educe damage from rusts. Publications Bruckner, P. L., and W. W. Hanna. 1990. In vitro digestibility of fresh leaves and stems of small-grain species and genotypes. Crop Sci. 30:196-202. Bruckner, P. L. and P. L. Raymer. 1990. Factors influencing species and cultivar choice of small grains for winter forage. J. Prod. Agric. 3: (in press). Buntin, G. D. and P. L. Bruckner. 1990. Effect of planting date on Hessian fly infestation and production of triticale. Appl. Agric. Research 5:82:88). Buntin, G. D., P. L. Bruckner, and J. W. Johnson. 1990. Management of Hessian fly in Georgia by delayed planting of winter wheat. J. Econ. Ent. 83:1025- 1033. Buntin, G. D., P. L. Bruckner, J. W. Johnson, and J. E. Foster. 1990. Effectiveness of selected genes for Hessian fly resistance in wheat. J. Agric. Ent. 7:283- 291. Johnson, J. W., J. E. Box, Jr., and W. L. Hargrove. 1990. Breeding for root potential under stress. International Wheat Symposium, Varna, BULGARIA. Johnson, J. W., B. M. Cunfer, and J. Manandhar. 1990. Adapatation of triticale to the southeastern USA soils. Second International Triticale Symposium. BRAZIL. Manandhar, J. B. and B. M. Cunfer. 1991. An improved selective medium for the assay of Septoria nodorum from wheat seed. Phytopathology 81:(accepted for publication). Prestes, A. M. and B. M. Cunfer. 1990. Components of partial resistance to Septoria nodorum among Brazilian spring wheats. (Abstr.). Phytopathology 80:967. Spradlin, T., J. Youmans, D. V. Phillips, and B. M. Cunfer. 1991. A simple and inexpensive system for collection of data at remote locations. Plant Dis.75:(accepted for publication). Roberts, J. J., D. L. Long, R. E. Wilkinson, and G. G. Ahlstrand. Effects of Wheat Leaf Pubescence of Infection by Puccinia recondita. (Abstract) Phytopathology 80: 1046 1990. Roelfs, A. P., D. H. Casper, D. L. Long, and J. J. Roberts. Races of Puccinia graminis in the United States and Mexico during 1988. Plant Disease 74: 555-557. 1990. Wilkinson, R. E., J. J. Roberts, and J. W. Johnson. Utilization of Extracellular Lipids by Germinating Puccinia recondita Urediniospores. Abstracts of the 9th International Symposium on Plant Lipid Biochemistry, structure & Utilization. Wye College, England. 8-13 July, 1990. Personnel. Dr. Abraham Blum, Volcani Institute, Israel has been appointed as adjunct professor with the University of Georgia. He conducted cooperative research on drought tolerance/mechanism with scientists at Griffin during the summer. Dr. Ariano M. Prestes, EMBRAPA wheat pathologist at the National Center for Wheat Research (CNPT) in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande du Sul, Brazil spent a year as a visiting scientist at the Georgia Experiment Station, Griffin. He is conducting research on resistance to Septoria nodorum with Barry Cunfer. ------------------------- University of Idaho, Moscow and Aberdeen R. Zemetra*, E. Souza*, S. Guy*, J. Johnson, C. M. Smith, M. Lauver, D. Schotzko, J. Tyler, M. Feng and S. Schroeder-Teeter Production. The 1990 Idaho winter wheat production was 69 million bushels, a 21% increase from 1989. The increase can be attributed to an increase in acres planted and extremely favorable winter conditions. A mild winter plus early spring rains made for excellent stands and good early season growth. A water stress late in the season did cause reductions in yield and test weight in some areas. With cool moist conditions early in the spring, foliar diseases such as leaf stem and stripe rust were found, especially where susceptible cultivars were being grown. The Russian wheat aphid was a problem in some areas requiring insecticide applications in several areas in the fall. Spring infestation did not appear to be a problem in the winter wheat. Statistics for the Idaho winter wheat production for the last five years are shown below. Year Acres planted Acres harvested Yield Production (bu) x1000 x1000 1986 950 850 61 51,850 1987 868 800 75 60,000 1988 820 770 66 50,820 1989 880 810 70 56,700 1990 960 920 75 69,000 Personnel. Dr. Stephen Guy was hired as the extension agronomist on the Moscow campus in September. Dr. Jeff Tyler was hired as the research associate in the wheat breeding program at Aberdeen, Idaho. C. Michael Smith resigned as division chairman in the entomology division to become department head of the Department of Entomology at Kansas State University. Inger Holme completed her Master's degree and returned to Denmark. M. Feng completed his Ph.D. degree and is currently in a postdoctoral position at Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana. Cultivar Releases. The Aberdeen wheat breeding program released two cultivars during 1990. Survivor was released, and is a snow mold tolerant, high milling yield, HRW wheat. Survivor has the best snow mold tolerance of HRW wheats presently available to intermountain growers, and is comparable to the soft white winter, `Sprague.' Survivor is moderately resistant to dwarf bunt and susceptible to stripe rust. `Vandal' (PI546056), released in 1990, is a hard red spring wheat for intensive management. Grain yield and seed protein percentage of Vandal are superior to `WPB926.' Vandal has lodging resistance comparable to WPB926. Vandal is resistant to stripe rust races common in PNW. Vandal has a longer dough mixing time than WPB926 but poorer mixograph tolerance. Puff loaf volume of Vandal is good, and puff loaf texture is excellent. Germplasm Releases. Idaho DNSCo (PI546057) is a random mated, dark northern spring wheat population released as germplasm jointly by the IAES (Aberdeen) and the USDA-ARS. Idaho DNSCo is composed of stiff-strawed, stripe rust resistant spring wheats adapted to the PNW and Montana which were random mated for 3 cycles. Idaho DNSCo is segregating for a dominant gene conferring male-sterility. Idaho DNSCo was developed as a base population for quantitative genetics studies and recurrent selection breeding projects. Limited quantities of Idaho DNSCo can be obtained by writing to E. Souza at Aberdeen, ID. Larger quantities of Idaho DNSCo-OP1, open pollinated seed of Idaho DNSCo, will be available fall 1991. Russian Wheat Aphid. Greenhouse evaluations of winter wheats for Russian wheat aphid resistance were conducted on red wheat accessions. Seven winter wheat accessions from the NSGC derived (PI243630, PI225271, PI225267, PI222666, PI225226, PI243641, and PI222668) from Iran, were found to have resistance significantly better than `Stephens' and not significantly different from `Border' oat. Field testing of previously identified resistance sources was conducted at Parma, ID in fall 1991 using introduction into hill plots of greenhouse reared aphids. Stephens and `Weston,' susceptible checks, had greater than 90% of tillers damaged six weeks after infestation. PI294994, PI137739, CI6593, CI6501, PI94355, and PI94365 had less than 15% of tillers with RWA damage. PI262660 had 56% of tillers damaged. `Turcikum 57' was not included in the trial. Monosomic analysis was used to identify the chromosome carrying Dn1, the resistance gene found in PI137739. Based on F2 segregation data Dn1 appears to be on chromosome 7D and that chromosome 7B may carry a complementary or minor gene for Russian wheat aphid resistance. Crosses have been made between Chinese spring monosomics and PI262660 and PI294994 to identify the chromosome locations of the resistant genes in these accessions. Studies continued on biological control of the Russian wheat aphid using entomopathogenic fungi and predaceous insects. Fungi varied in their virulence and pathogenicity on the Russian wheat aphid and other cereal aphids. Effect of introduced predaceous wasps and the ladybug, Symes frontalis, on aphid populations is currently being studied. Publications Feng, M. and Johnson, J. B. 1990. Relative virulence of six isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Hyphomycetes) on the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Homoptera: Aphididae). Environ. Entom. 19:785-790. Feng, M., Johnson, J. B., and Kish, L. P. 1990. Pathogenicity of a new isolate of Beauveria bassiana (Bals) and Verticillium lecanii (Zimm) (Fungi: Hyphomycetes) on 6 species of cereal aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae). Env. Ent. 19:815-820. Feng, M., Johnson, J. B., and Kish, L. P. 1990. Survey of entomopathogenic fungi naturally infecting cereal aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) in irrigated cereal crops in southeastern Idaho. Environ. Ent. 19:1534-1542. Knudsen, G. R., Johnson, J. B., and Eschen, D. J. 1990. Alginate pellet formation of a Beauveria bassiana isolate pathogenic to cereal aphids. J. Econ. Ent. 83:2225-2228. Smith, C. M., Schotzko, D., Zemetra, R. S., Souza, E. J., and Schroeder-Teeter, S. 1990. Identification of Russian wheat aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) resistance in wheat, Triticum aestivum. L. J. Econ. Entom. 83: (In press). Souza, E. J., Kephart, K. D., and Sunderman, D. W. 1990. Blizzard hard red winter wheat. Current Information Series No. 870, Idaho Agric. Exp. Stn., Moscow, ID. Sunderman, D. W., Souza, Ed, and Birzer, Diane. 1991. Registration of `Blizzard' wheat. Crop Sci. 31, No. 2 (In press). Tyler, J. M., Souza, E., Kruk, M., and Kephart, K. D. 1990. Milling and baking quality of 44 hard red spring wheat cultivars released since 1911. Agronomy Abstracts, Am. Soc. of Agron. p. 114. Zemetra, R. S., Schotzko, D., Smith, C. M., and Souza, E. J. 1990. Seedling resistance to the Russian wheat aphid in white wheat germplasm. Cereal Res. Comm. 18:223-227. ------------------------- Purdue University H. W. Ohm*, H. C. Sharma*, I. M. Dweikat*, S. A. Mackenzie, D. McFatridge, F. L. Patterson (Dept. of Agronomy), G. Shaner*, R. M. Lister, D. M. Huber, G. Buechley (Dept. of Botany and Plant Pathology), R. H. Ratcliffe*, R. H. Shukle, S. Wellso, G. Safranski, S. Cambron(USDA, ARS and Dept. of Entomology) Production. Farmers planted 1,050,000 acres (425,000 ha) of soft red winter wheat in Indiana for the 1990 crop year, and harvested 970,000 acres (392,700 ha). This represents an abandonment of 7.6%. Total production was 50.4 million bushels (1.369 million metric tons), compared to 51.9 million bushels last year. Average yield was 52 bu/acre (3,496 kg/ha). The leading cultivar was Cardinal which occupied 26.6% of the acreage. Cultivar Caldwell occupied 24.3% of the acreage. No other public cultivar accounted for more than 5% of the acreage. Collectively, private cultivars occupied 34% of the acreage, compared to 30% last year. Season. Weather conditions in the fall of 1989 were normal and wheat planting progressed at a normal rate. Wheat stands were good at the end of November and temperatures were slightly below normal. December was the second coldest on record. Snow covered most of the crop in the second week of December and provided protection when temperatures dropped to -23 F with a wind chill of -45 F by the third week. In contrast, January was the warmest in 40 years. This warm trend continued into February with temperatures 15 to 20 F above normal. There were record high temperatures in early March and the wheat began to grow rapidly in the southern part of the state. Temperatures dropped below freezing at the beginning of April, by which time wheat in many fields in southern Indiana had jointed. The freeze damaged stem tissue below the joint, which caused culms to die immediately, or to lodge later in the season, as a result of lesions at the base of the culm. Some fields were abandoned because of this damage. Others recovered because later tillers were not damaged. Disease surveys. Soilborne wheat mosaic and wheat spindle streak mosaic were prevalent in the spring, owing to the unusually warm weather in February, followed by colder weather in March. Most cultivars grown in Indiana are reasonably tolerant to these viruses, so damage was light. Spring infection by barley yellow dwarf virus was noted, but the disease was not damaging to winter wheat. Septoria leaf and glume blotches were the most damaging diseases in 1990. Frequent and often heavy rains provided ideal conditions for production and dissemination of inoculum, and for infection. Septoria tritici was commonly found early in the season, but as temperatures increased, Septoria nodorum became the predominant pathogen. Glume blotch is not usually a major problem in Indiana, but this year the continued favorability of weather past the heading stage led to a severe epidemic. Many fields had a distinctive "chocolate" brown cast resulting from a high frequency of severely blotched heads. Bacterial black chaff, caused by Xanthomonas campestris f.sp. translucens , was also found. Powdery mildew was common early in the season but was overtaken by Septoria blotch. Conditions were also favorable for leaf rust, but by the time inoculum arrived there was little green leaf tissue in many fields in which the fungus could establish itself. Likewise, head scab was found in many fields, but the incidence was not as great as in 1986. Prior infection of heads by Septoria nodorum probably prevented development of scab. Take-all and sharp eyespot were noted in a number of fields early in the season. A survey of 240 fields in 59 counties in the summer of 1990 showed that there was a substantial decrease in Hessian fly infestation in 1990 compared to 1989. The mean percentage infestation was 13.6 and 2.4, the number of puparia per 100 stems was 20.3 and 3.4, the percentage of fields sampled that were infested was 85.1 and 43.8, and the number of fields infested with greater than a 10% infestation was 51.4 and 5.8, respectively in 1989 and 1990. The Annual Uniform Hessian Fly Nursery evaluations were conducted by USDA, ARS in cooperation with SAES and private wheat breeders. Thirty entries were evaluated in nurseries in AR, IL, IN, MS, OH, SC, and VA for Hessian fly response. Field surveys in 20 states in 1990 identified 14 of the possible 16 Hessian fly biotypes present, with biotypes B, D, J, and L the most frequent. Wheat genes H10, H11, and H15 appear to be ineffective because of natural virulence in the field. Variety development: Crosses were made between well adapted Purdue lines with resistance to Septoria tritici blotch, and wheats from South America and France that have resistance to both Septoria tritici and Septoria nodorum, to obtain higher levels of resistance to both pathogens. Wheats from Switzerland and Germany with resistance to Septoria nodorum were crossed with Auburn to begin transfer of their resistance to cultivars adapted to Indiana. Slow rusting lines from a genetic study were crossed to Clark and other elite breeding lines. In the spring of 1990, we made 3-way crosses to combine slow rusting and Septoria blotch resistance in adapted types. Another round of backcrossing to transfer powdery mildew resistance from tetraploid Persian wheats to elite hexaploid lines was completed in the spring of 1990. The weather in the spring of 1990 was conducive for development of several diseases, and we were able to screen effectively for resistance to powdery mildew, Septoria leaf blotch, and leaf rust. In addition to the screening and selection in the head row and yield nurseries, we made several disease assessments in the wheat performance trials west-central, southwest, and northwest Indiana to obtain more detailed information about disease reactions of varieties available for production in Indiana as well as our most advanced breeding lines. Fungicidal control of wheat diseases: Various labeled and experimental fungicides and various timings of application were evaluated on cultivar Clark, representative of modern cultivars with at least partial resistance to most of the diseases of importance in the eastern USA. As we have found in the past, when Septoria nodorum blotch is a problem, fungicide treatments applied later in the season (boot or heading growth stage) provide greater control than those applied earlier (flag leaf emergence). None of the treatments could be rated as highly effective against Septoria nodorum blotch, although several were quite good against powdery mildew and leaf rust. The fact that some treatments were highly effective against leaf rust, but only moderately effective against Septoria blotch, suggests that the failure to control leaf blotch adequately is not only a matter of timing, but of inherent toxicity toward S. nodorum. Genetics of slow leaf rusting (Shaner and Buechley): Advanced-generation progeny of the cross between slow rusting CI 13227 and fast rusting Suwon 92 were selected for different levels of slow rusting. These lines were then intercrossed in various combinations to test hypotheses about the number and interactions of genes that control latent period in CI 13227. Based upon analysis of randomly-derived F7 families, we hypothesize that genes at three independent loci control slow rusting. From crosses between lines with intermediate levels of slow rusting, we hope to determine if lines with the same slow rusting phenotype owe their resistance to different genes. F1 populations of single crosses between these lines were evaluated in the greenhouse in the fall of 1989. Durability of slow-rusting resistance in wheat: Jeff Lehman is continuing his study of the durability of slow leaf rusting. Jeff measured disease levels on slow and fast rusting cultivars, grown in 3-ft. rows or in yield-sized plots in the field. The cultivars were inoculated with a wild-type isolate of Puccinia recondita or with an isolate selected for a shorter latent period on the slow rusting cultivar CI 13227 in the greenhouse. The selected isolates caused more rust in the field than the wild-type isolate on CI 13227, suggesting some degree of adaptation to slow rusting resistance. Nevertheless, the adapted isolates did not cause nearly as much rust on CI 13227 as they or the wild-type isolate caused on fully susceptible cultivars. Adult-plant hypersensitivity to leaf rust (Shaner and Buechley): Thirteen lines with adult-plant hypersensitivity resistance (APHR) were crossed to susceptible cultivar Monon. Backcross and F2 progeny were evaluated for APHR in the greenhouse in the fall of 1989. Resistance in eight of the twelve parents appears to be controlled by recessive genes, and modifiers affect the expression of the major gene(s). Transfer of hypersensitivity and slow rusting from triticale to wheat (Shaner and Buechley): A third cycle of crosses was made to transfer leaf rust resistance from triticale to wheat. Earlier research showed that these triticales have both an intermediate hypersensitive resistance and an excellent level of slow rusting, and we hope to transfer both of these manifestations of leaf rust resistance to hexaploid wheat. Septoria tritici blotch (Shaner and Buechley): Spring wheats from Israel and Australia, with resistance to Septoria tritici, were crossed to several Purdue cultivars and lines, some fully susceptible and others with the Bulgaria 88 resistance (e.g. Oasis and Sullivan). The F1 and F2 generations of these crosses were evaluated for reaction to S. tritici in the greenhouse fall 1990. Crosses were also made between lines with resistance to S. tritici and lines with other morphological or resistance markers, to check for linkages between any of these traits. Septoria nodorum blotch. Dwight Bostwick's research on inoculation and incubation conditions has shown that as temperature, moist period duration, or inoculum concentration are increased, severity of disease on flag leaves and spikes is greater. These variables were examined to improve greenhouse testing procedures for genetic studies and evaluation of parents for breeding. A genetic study of the inheritance of resistance in the Brazilian cultivar Cotipora is also nearing completion. Cotipora expresses a high degree of resistance in the flag leaf, but the spike is especially resistant. Spike resistance appears to have a significant amount of dominant gene action and low to moderate heritability. Flag leaf resistance has low heritability. Studies will be done during the spring of 1991 utilizing monosomic analysis to determine which chromosomes of Cotipora are significant in determining resistance. Resistance to head scab. Wheat scab, caused by Fusarium graminearum, occurs only in some years, but can be widespread and serious when weather is favorable for infection. Bai Guihua has tested twenty-one cultivars from China and two from Indiana for reaction to Indiana isolates of the fungus in the greenhouse, in an attempt to find resistance that would be useful in the breeding program. At the time of anthesis, a droplet of spore suspension was placed between the rachis and a central spikelet. Plants were given a 16-hr moist period during each of three consecutive nights after inoculation. Under these conditions, 13 cultivars proved to be either highly resistant (<10% of the spikelets scabby) or moderately resistant (10-50% of the spikelets scabby). The Chinese cultivars Ning 7840, Fu 5114, and Sumai 3 were highly resistant; only inoculated spikelets developed symptoms. In contrast, all spikelets of susceptible cultivars developed symptoms. In preparation for studies on the inheritance of resistance, Bai compared different moisture periods and inoculum concentrations in greenhouse tests. Successful infection requires a moist period of 1 to 3 days after inoculation, especially for resistant cultivars. The length of moist period affects the frequency of infection, but not the rate of spread of the fungus through the spike. However, when no moist period followed inoculation, the fungus failed to spread from the point of inoculation on Ning 7840, Fu 5114, and Sumai 3. There was no effect of inoculum concentration over the range of 20 to 200 thousand spores per ml. At a concentration of 17 thousand spores per ml, the frequency of scabby spikes was less than at higher concentrations, especially for resistant cultivars. A preliminary study of inheritance of resistance indicates that Ning 7840 has two major genes and other minor genes that condition resistance to F. graminearum. We also did some tests with seedlings germinated in petri dishes in the presence of liquid cultures of the fungus. Shoot length of the susceptible cultivar Clark was reduced much more than shoot length of Ning 7840. Most plants of Clark showed symptoms and signs of infection on and around the seed, whereas few plants of Ning 7840 showed these symptoms and signs. Isolates from Nanjing, PRC; Lafayette, Indiana; southern Indiana; and eastern Michigan all inhibited shoot elongation. Ning 7840 and the other resistant cultivars expressed resistance to all four isolates. Our results so far suggest three kinds of resistance: resistance to infection, resistance to spread of infection, and resistance to seed rotting. We have already crossed these resistant Chinese cultivars with elite soft red winter wheats to begin the transfer of scab resistance into our material. Hessian fly. Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say) is an insect pest of wheat in Indiana and eastern USA that can cause significant losses to wheat production. The insect has been effectively controlled by a combination of cultural practices and host resistance. Discussions and simulation models have been used by others to develop strategies for deploying genes in wheat cultivars for resistance to the Hessian fly. The availability of data on prevalence of biotypes of the Hessian fly, levels of infestation in wheat, together with proportions of wheat acreage in Indiana seeded to cultivars with specific genes for resistance to Hessian fly provided an excellent opportunity to determine the effects of deploying genes one at a time in sequence and redeploying a gene after a 10-year absence from the commercial crop in Indiana during 1955 to 1989. Three genes H3, H6, and H5 were deployed in 1955, 1962, and 1971, respectively, and H6 was redeployed in 1981. A reduction in infestation levels of Hessian fly occurred for about 6 to 8 years after each deployment. Redeployment of H6, after a 10-year absence from commercial use, was highly effective. Other methods of deploying resistance genes in conjunction with cultural practices should be considered for control of Hessian fly. When considering the pyramiding of genes for resistance, one must evaluate the time required to develop new productive cultivars. Efficient methods to determine that all of the pyramided genes are present in a line is important for the successful use of pyramided genes. A wheat cultivar is seldom grown for more than 8 or 10 years, but the same pyramided genes might be used in subsequent cultivars. The durum wheat, Triticum durum Desf., CI 15160, has resistance to biotypes C, D, E, and L, and is potentially useful in the development of resistant wheat cultivars. Steve Weller carried out studies in controlled environment chambers to determine the number of genes conferring resistance in CI 15160 to biotype D and establish the allelic relationships or independence of these genes to 11 of the named genes that confer resistance to biotype D. Testcross analyses of progeny rows from random selfed F1 plants indicated that one, and possibly two genes, controlled resistance to biotype D. One of these genes confers a high level of resistance expression, while the second gene may have a low degree of expression. These genes differ from the named genes H5 and H9 through H18 as determined by test cross analysis but at least one gene may be linked to H16 and possibly H10. In our genetic analysis of the resistance to biotype L of Hessian fly that we have identified in einkorn wheat, first test cross and F2 generation seed was developed. Additionally, accessions resistant to this biotype were identified in Aegilops and Agropyron species. S. G. Wellso, R.P Hoxie and R.L. Taylor conducted experiments to determine the effect of Hessian fly larval feeding on one susceptible and two resistant wheat cultivars. Stem number, plant and crown weights, and soluble crown carbohydrates were measured in susceptible cultivar Monon (with the H3 gene) and resistant cultivars Abe (H5 gene) and Caldwell (H6 gene) infested with biotype E larvae. All plant variables were significantly different between infested and control Monon, and no significant difference in plant variables was detected in the resistant wheats 4 wk after infestation. Of the four carbohydrates analyzed, only fructan in Monon, and fructose in Abe differed significantly between the two treatments. These data support the use of resistant genes in plants to control the Hessian fly, in that essentially no damage was observed in the resistant wheat, whereas susceptible Monon was damaged severely. R. H. Shukle and P. B. Grover examined the interaction of Hessian fly biotypes on resistant wheat. Results indicated virulent larvae can alter the expression of resistance and allow normally avirulent larvae to survive. The duration of feeding by Hessian fly larvae on resistant and susceptible plants was investigated. Results indicated the ability to initiate and/or maintain feeding was the process determining virulence. Analyses of plant proteins by SDS-PAGE and Westerns indicated changes occurred in both susceptible and resistant plants due to infestation. In susceptible plants RuBisCo increased in the lower leaf sheath (an area where it is not normally in excess). Changes in membrane proteins also occurred in this region. These changes were not elicited by physical wounding of plants. In resistant plants (Caldwell, H6) low molecular weight proteins accumulated in the lower leaf sheath due to infestation. Proteins appearing early in the infestation of resistant plants did not appear in susceptible plants. Low copy and unique clones have been obtained from a Hessian fly genomic library. These clones have been used in identifying RFLPs among biotypes. To determine the location on polytene chromosomes of clones showing polymorphisms among biotypes, in situ hybridization has been used. Isolines which differ in alleles at specific virulence loci will facilitate the study of virulence and the identification of virulence genes. We propose to use gamma radiation to induce new virulence mutations in isofemale lines. Additionally, we expect to generate chromosome rearrangements and visible mutations which will aid in the genetic study of virulence. Genetic analysis will determine whether virulence is associated with the production of novel products or absence of a normal product. Rearrangements and other DNA lesions associated with new virulence alleles will facilitate our ability to conduct chromosome walks and chromosome jumps. Barley yellow dwarf. Hari Sharma and Herb Ohm are identifying and introgressing useful genes for biotic stresses from near and distant relatives into wheat and oats. We are transferring BYDV and other disease resistance genes identified in Agropyron to soft winter wheats through backcrossing of intergeneric hybrids to wheat, and screening for BYDV, leaf rust, powdery mildew reaction and chromosome composition at each generation. Of over 1500 BC3 seeds planted, 730 seedlings were screened for reaction to BYDV, and 362 of these for chromosomal analysis. ELISA values ranged from 0 to 2 and chromosome number varied from 42 to 54. The backcross progenies were forwarded to advanced stages: BC4, BC3F2 seeds, from some of the resistant plants for isolating resistant alien addition/substitution lines. Resistance of certain Thinopyrum spp. (formerly Agropyron) to barley yellow dwarf virus is primarily characterized by low or undetectable amounts of virus in plant tissues as demonstrated by low enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) values. Luis Goulart showed that cDNA probes were powerful diagnostic tools to determine virus concentration in plant tissue. Although uniformity in the results with both techniques depends on carefully controlled infestation and sample preparation, a high correlation between ELISA values and densitometry scans was obtained (0.93). To maximize differences between susceptible and resistant reactions, one should take into consideration ELISA substrate incubation period (>90 min), autoradiographic exposure period with intensifying screens (>3 days) and use of denaturing conditions in sample preparation. Relative viral RNA concentrations for cultivars Abe (wheat) and Clintland 64 (oat) were ca. 100 and >200 ng/g plant tissue, respectively. Th. ponticum had 0 to 50 pg of virus RNA/g of plant tissue. Three levels of resistance were distinguished: resistant, moderately resistant, and susceptible. Resistant lines had densitometry absorbance values of 0.25 to 0.60 and ELISA values from 0.03 to 0.30, with a range of viral RNA concentration from 0 to 5 ng/g plant tissue. C. Quiroz, J. E. Araya, R, M. Lister, R. H. Shukle and J. E. Foster studied transmission of symptom variants selected from the NY-MAV isolate of BYDV by the English grain aphid and their effects on the feeding behavior and life-cycle of this aphid. Two symptom types were subcultured from the NY-MAV isolate of BYDV by transmission with single English grain aphids that were allowed 3-d acquisition on infected oat, followed by 1-h transmission time on 'Coast Black' oat plants, and verification of infection by ELISA. The 'notch' type caused leaf notches, leaf twisting and intense reddish color; the 'red' type caused only the intense red color but had a higher acquisition efficiency, probably associated with a faster and/or a longer phloem contact by aphids' stylets and a greater replication rate suggested by their higher ELISA values. Electronic monitoring of aphid feeding behavior showed the aphids fed better on infected plants, with faster and longer phloem contacts; aphids carrying the 'red' subculture made faster and longer phloem contact than those carrying either the 'notch' subculture or the source of NY-MAV isolate, or no virus. Aphids developed better on virus-infected than non-infected plants; the plants infected with the 'notch' subculture provided the best conditions for insect development. Wheat plants of cultivar Butte 86 that were infected with the 'red' and 'notch' subcultures had fewer kernels than those infected with the NY-MAV and MAV-PS1 isolates. For oat cultivar Clintland 64, the greatest reductions in plant size, kernel number, and kernel weight occurred in plants infected with the 'red' and 'notch' subcultures. Resistance to take-all (Shaner, Buechley, Ohm): Advanced breeding lines were grown in 1990 in southwest Indiana in a field with a high level of take-all inoculum in the soil. There was considerable variation in disease development, but it was possible to identify several lines that showed milder symptoms and that were generally more vigorous. These lines have been planted in a new take-all nursery at the Agronomy Farm. D. M. Huber, Tina Roseman (Graduate Student), Robin Graham (Visiting Scientist from the Waite Institute, Glen Osmond, Australia), and Howard Arnott (Visiting Scientist from the University of Texas at Arlington): The research on biological control of take-all in cooperation with Monsanto Company provided an opportunity to have the first field evaluation of a genetically engineered organism in Indiana. This research provided basic information on the interactions of rhizosphere colonizing ability, possible mechanisms of control, and host nutrition on disease incidence and severity. It also provided an opportunity to evaluate our laser detection system for direct quantification of genetically altered organisms in rhizosphere soil. Siderophore production, phenazine-1-carboximide antibiotic production and several other laboratory identified inhibitors of Gaeumannomyces graminis produced by Pseudomonads apparently have little or no significant role in the control of take-all under the four soil types and environmental conditions evaluated in naturally infested field soils in Indiana. Selection of organisms on the basis of their manganese activity in soil was more likely to generate a potential biological control agent than direct antagonism to the pathogen in the laboratory or greenhouse. Siderophore production, phenazine antibiotic production, and gram reaction were not associated with biological control capability of an organism. Bacterization with manganese oxidizing organisms generally increased disease and reduced Mn tissue levels in host plants while the opposite was observed with manganese reducing organisms. All the organisms reported to reduce the severity of take-all or promote plant growth which we have evaluated can reduce manganese and many of them also can oxidize it to the non-available form depending on the soil redox reaction. Nuclear magnetic resonance evaluations supported the role of redox reactions with manganese for the pathogen as well as the host. Immobilization of manganese through oxidation, predisposes the plant tissues to infection by Ggt since manganese is a direct requirement for defense reactions involving photosynthesis and the shikimate cycle. Virulence of Gaeumannomyces graminis is correlated with the manganese oxidizing ability of the pathogen. This is conditioned by temperature, with some strains of the pathogen being virulent and able to oxidize manganese only at low or high temperatures while other isolates are insensitive to temperature for virulence and manganese oxidizing ability. Scanning Electron Microscopic-Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis and evaluations confirmed that manganese oxidizing ability is the result of an extracellular matric and is most intense in the region of the hyphopodia, less intense around the runner hyphae and in advance of the penetration (infective) hypha. The strain of the fungal pathogen also markedly modifies the bacterial composition in the rhizosphere relative to manganese oxidizing ability. Selection of seed with a higher manganese seed content resulted in plants more resistant to take-all and with a higher yield. This reflected initial root vigor, growth and resistance which were manifest throughout the season even though the actual nutritional benefit of the seed-borne manganese was relatively short lived. Seed-borne manganese provided a more readily available source of manganese for the developing seedling than seed treatment with manganese which could antagonise copper under copper deficiency conditions much the same as ammonium nitrogen which also was demonstrated to increase manganese concentrations in plant tissues when reduced take-all occurred with this treatment. There are apparent differences in manganese uptake efficiency of the soft red winter wheats and they differ widely in their ability to accumulate manganese in the seed. Manganese seed content in the cultivar Caldwell was relatively constant regardless of the manganese available, while the seed content of Cardinal, Lincoln, and Steele was influenced by the availabilty of manganese for plant uptake. New nitrification inhibitors with greatly increased efficacy were demonstrated to improve fertilizer retention (non-leachability), efficiency of plant utilization, and reduce soilborne disease under both conventional and no-till management programs and on the various soil types occurring in Indiana. Inhibition of nitrification of summer-applied manures will prevent their leaching and denitrification throughout the summer and winter non-crop season, and maintain the availability of the nitrogen for a subsequent crop, while removing their predisposing effect for take-all of cereals or stalk rot of corn. Residual effects of inhibiting nitrification of anhydrous ammonia applied to a previous corn crop were manifest as elimination of manganese deficiency and 900 kg/ha higher yield of a subsequent soybean crop grown under manganese deficient field conditions in Northern Indiana. The effect on manganese availability was confirmed by tissue analysis (7.3 ppm without inhibiting nitrification and 15.1 ppm with a nitrification inhibitor). The aminopeptidase profile procedure was effective in identifying source host and race of Colletotrichum graminis, and readily distinguished Diaporthe/Phomopsis organisms from other soilborne pathogens or saprophytic fungi. This technique can differentiate strains of bacteria used for biological control studies. There is wide variability in sensativity of G. graminis to potential chemical controls for take-all. This is in part the effect of direct chemical interactions and other conditions that reflect variability in response to other rhizosphere organisms. Personnel. Dr. Roger Ratcliffe, Research Entomologist with the USDA, ARS, came to Purdue in November to become the Lead Scientist for the small grains insect program. Prior to coming to Purdue, Dr. Ratcliffe was located at Beltsville, MD and worked on insect resistance in alfalfa. Guihua Bai, who has spent the past year in our program as a visiting scholar, has begun graduate work toward the Ph.D. He will be working on resistance to wheat scab. Mr. Bai is from the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, PRC. Sue Cambron joined the staff of the ARS Insect and Weed Control Research Unit as Small Grains Insect Research Assistant in July, 1990. Dr. Ishmail Dweikat accepted a research position with the small grains research program. His primary responsibilities involve the development and application of biotechnologies to wheat improvement. Luiz Goulart completed requirements for the Ph.D. degree and returned to Brazil to join the research and teaching staff at the Agricultural University of Uberlandia. Xueyi Hu, a visiting scientist from Henan Academy of Agriculture Sciences, PRC, is studying the inheritance of resistance of three wheat lines to powdery mildew. He is evaluating the parental lines, F1, backcross, and F2 populations. Publications and presentations at meetings Araya, J. E., C. Quiroz & S. G. Wellso. 1990. Pest status and control of the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordovilko) (Homoptera: Aphididae). A review. Purdue Univ. Agric. Exp. Stn. Bull. No. 588. 70 pp. Araya, J.E., J.E. Foster, M.M. Schreiber & R.E. Wing. 1990. Residual action of slow release systemic insecticides on Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Homoptera: Aphididae) on wheat in the laboratory. The Great Lakes Entomol. 23:19-27. Araya, J.E., M.A. Guerrero, M. L. Lamborot, P. Arretz, & J.E. Foster. 1989. A selected bibliography on the greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani). (Homoptera: Aphididae). Purdue Univ. Agric. Exp. Stn. Bull. No. 573. 61 pp. Azimi, N., F.E. Lytle, D.M. Huber, J.E. Whitaker, and R.P. Haugland. 1990. Multiple reagent aminopeptidase profiling of bacteria. Applied Spectroscopy 44:400-403. Bostwick, D. E., H. W. Ohm, G. E. Shaner. 1990. Effects of inoculation variables on development of Septoria glume blotch on wheat. Agron. Abstr. 82:81. Buechley, G., and Shaner, G. 1990. Effect of seed treatments on wheat from bunted or smutted seed, 1989. Fungicide and Nematicide Tests 45:2245. Chen, B.H., J.E. Foster, P.L. Taylor, J.E. Araya & C. Kudagamage. 1990. Determination of the frequency and distribution of Hessian fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) biotypes in the north eastern soft wheat region. The Great Lakes Entomol. 23:217-221. Chongrattanameteekul, W., J.E. Foster, R.H. Shukle & J.E. Araya. 1990. Feeding behavior of Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) and Sitobion avenae (F.) Homoptera: Aphididae) on wheat as affected by conspecific and interspecific interactions. J. Appl. Entomol. In press. D.W. Nelson and D.M. Huber. 1991. Nitrification Inhibitors. In: Nielsen, R. (ed). National Corn Handbook. American Soc. Agron. Sp. Pub., Madison, WI. Day, K. M., Lorton, W. P., Buechley, G. C., and Shaner, G. E., Huber, D. M., and Scott, D. H. 1990. Performance of public and private small grains in Indiana, 1990. Purdue University Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. No. 594. 25 p. Fereres, A., R. H. Shukle, J.E. Araya & J.E. Foster. 1990. Probing and feeding behavior of Sitobion avenae (F.) (Hom., Aphididae) on three wheat cultivars infected with barley yellow dwarf virus. J. Appl. Entomol. 109:29-36. Fereres, A., R.M. Lister, R.H. Shukle, J.E. Araya & J.E. Foster. 1989. Development and reproduction of the English grain aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) on wheat cultivars infected with barley yellow dwarf virus. Environ. Entomol. 18:388-393. Foster, J. E., H. W. Ohm, F. L. Patterson, P. L. Taylor. 1991. Effectiveness of deploying single gene resistances in wheat for controlling damage by the Hessian fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Environmental Entomology (in press). Goulart, L. R., S. A. Mackenzie, R. M. Lister, H. W. Ohm. 1990. Molecular and immunological evaluation of barley yellow dwarf virus resistance in a segregating wheat x wheatgrass population. American Oat Workers Conference. August 14-17, Jackson, Wyoming. Huber, D.M. 1990. Fertilizers and Soilborne Diseases. Soil Use and Management. 6:168-173. Huber, D.M. 1990. Plant nutrition and disease development. Proc. Purdue Fertilizer and Agricultural Chemical Conference, January 18, 1990. Huber, D.M. 1990. The use of fertilizers and organic amendments in the control of plant disease. pp. 405-495 In: D. Pimental (ed) Handbook of Pest Management in Agriculture. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. Huber, D.M. and R.D. Graham. 1990. Chloride-disease interactions. Discussion Session, ASA Meetings, San Antonio, TX. Huber, D.M. and R.D. Graham. 1991. Techniques for studying nutrient-disease interactions. In: C.M. Rush and L.L. Singleton (eds) Methods for Research on Soilborne Phytopathogenic fungi. APS Press, St. Paul, MN (In Press). Kudagamage, C., J.E. Foster, P.L. Taylor & B.H. Chen. 1990. Biotypes of the Hessian fly (Diptera:Cecidomyiidae) identified in the Southeastern United States. J. Entomol. Sci. 25:575-580. Lehman, J. S., and Shaner, G. 1990. Adaptation of Puccinia recondita to slow-rusting wheat cultivars due to artificial selection. Phytopathology 90: (in press) (Abstr.). Lu, C. S., H. C. Sharma, H. W. Ohm. 1991. Wheat anther culture: effects of genotype and environmental conditions. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (in press). Magalhaes, J.R. and D.M. Huber. 1991. Response of ammonium assimilation enzymes to nitrogen form treatments in different plant species. J. Plant Nutrition 14:(In Press). Nagy, J. G., H. W. Ohm, S. Sawadogo. 1990. Farmer-researcher collaboration in developing cropping practices that involve the complementary use of mechanical tied ridge and fertilizer technology for sorghum in Burkina Faso. Expl Agric. 26:161-169. Obanni, M., L. R. Goulart, H. W. Ohm, S. A. Mackenzie. 1990. Alien-specific DNA sequences amplified and isolated by phenol emulsion reassociation technique. Agron. Abstr. 82:242. Ohm, H. W. 1990. Evaluation of BYDV resistance in Avena Strigosa. Oat Biotech V. November 12-14, Schaumberg, Illinois. Ohm, H. W. 1990. Genetic and breeding aspects of wheat quality. Wheat Quality Conference, April 16-17, Wooster, Ohio. Ohm, H. W. 1990. The roles of conventional breeding and biotechnology in host plant resistance. 9th Biennial Plant Resistance to Insects Workshop. April 9-12, College Park, Maryland. Ohm, H. W. 1990. Utilization of germplasm in wheat improvement. Crop Germplasm Symposium honoring Dr. Paul Fitzgerald, retirement. June 27, Lafayette. Ortman, E. E. & S. G. Wellso. 1990. Annual plant resistance to insects newsletter, 126p. Vol 16. Parry, J.M. 1990. The genetic relationship between resistance in wheat, Triticum aestivum L., and biotypes C and L of the Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say ). M.S. Thesis. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. Patterson, F. L., G. E. Shaner, H. W. Ohm, and J. E. Foster. 1990. A historical perspective for the establishment of research goals for wheat improvement. J. Prod. Agric. 3:30-38. Pereira, A. M. N., Lister, R. M., Barbara, D. J., and Shaner, G. E. 1989. Relative transmissability of barley yellow dwarf virus from sources with differing virus contents. Phytopathology 79:1353-1358. Pereira, A. M. N., Lister, R. M., Barbara, D. J., Shaner, G. E. 1990. Influence of host virus content on the acquisition and transmission of barley yellow dwarf virus, pages 128-134 in Burnett, P. A., ed. 1990. World Perspectives on Barley Yellow Dwarf. CIMMYT, Mexico, D.F., Mexico. Quiroz, C. 1990. Interactions between the English grain aphid, Macrosiphum avenae (Homoptera:Aphididae) and isolates of the MAV serotype of barley yellow dwarf virus. Ph.D. Thesis, Purdue University, W. Lafayette, IN. Roseman, T.S. and D.M. Huber. 1990. Manganese seed content - an ameliorating factor for take-all of cereals. Phytopathology 80:970. Royer, M.H., W.M. Dowler and D.M. Huber (eds). 1991. Major Diseases of the Tropics and Subtropics: Bananas, Cacao, Cassava. Published by USDA (In Press). Shaner, G., Buechley, G. 1989. Inheritance of latent period of Puccinia recondita in wheat. Phytopathology 79: 1207 (Abstr.). Shaner, G., Buechley, G. 1990. Effect of foliar fungicides on wheat, 1989. Fungicide and Nematicide Tests 45:190. Shaner, G., Buechley, G. 1990. Effect of seed and foliar fungicides on wheat, 1989. Fungicide and Nematicide Tests 45:191. Shaner, G., Buechley, G. 1990. Effect of seed treatments on wheat stand establishment and foliar disease, 1989. Fungicide and Nematicide Tests 45:253. Sharma, H. C. 1989. Transmission of telo and whole chromosomes, and fertility of alien addition lines of Agropyron trachycaulum and A. ciliare in wheat. Wheat Information Service 69:1-4. Sharma, H. C., H. W. Ohm. 1990. Crossability and embryo rescue enhancement in wide crosses between wheat and three Agropyron species. Euphytica 49:209-214. Sharma, H. C., J. E. Foster, H. W. Ohm, F. L. Patterson. New sources of resistance to Hessian fly biotype L in Triticeae for germplasm enhancement. (Submitted). Sharma, H.C., L. R. Goulart, R. M. Lister, S. A. Mackenzie, H. W. Ohm. 1990. Evaluation of Avena strigosa for reaction to BYDV by symptomatology, ELISA and dot-blot assay. American Oat Workers Conference, Jackson , Wyoming, Aug. 14-17. Shukle, R. H., P. B. Grover, J.E. Foster. 1990. Feeding of Hessian fly (Diptera:Cecidomyiidae) larvae on resistant and susceptible wheat. Environ. Entomol. 19:494-500. Sutton, A.L., D.M. Huber and D.D. Jones. 1990. Strategies for mazimizing the nutrient utilization of animal wastes as a fertilizer resource. Proc. 6th Int. Symp. Agr. Food Proc. Wastes, Chicago, IL. Dec. 17-18, 1990. Sutton, A.L., D.M. Huber, D.D. Jones and D.T. Kelly. 1990. Use of nitrification inhibitors with summer application of swine manure. Appl. Eng. Agr. 6:296-300. Thirakhupt, V., J.E. Araya, J.E. Foster. 1990. Interaction between Hessian fly (Diptera:Cecidomyiidae) and bird cherry-oat aphids (Homoptera:Aphididae) on wheat cultivars. J. Entomol. Science 25:571-574. Tuite, J., Shaner, G., and Everson, R. J. 1990. Wheat scab in soft red winter wheat in Indiana in 1986 and its relation to some quality measurements. Plant Disease 74:959-962. Wellso, S. G., R. P. Hoxie, P. L. Taylor. 1990. A comparison of plant parameters and soluble carbohydrates of resistant and susceptible wheat infested with biotype E Hessian flies (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Environ. Entomol. 19: 1698-1701 ------------------------- Kansas State University and USDA/aRS T. S. Cox*, R. G. Sears*, J. P. Shroyer*, B. S. Gill*, J. H. Hatchett*, G. H. Liang*, T. L. Harvey*, T. J. Martin*, D. Fjell*, L. E. Browder, H. S. Dhaliwal1, T. Endo3, B. Friebe2, K. S. Gill, L. G. Harrell, D. S. Hassawi, J. Jiang, P. D. Chen, J. Werner, R. S. Kota, E. L. Lubbers, Y. Mukai4, L. M. Patton, W. J. Raupp, B. R. Tyagi5, D. L. Wilson, G. Yue, S. Guoping, G. M. Paulsen*, S. Muthukrishnan 1Punjab Agricultural University Regional Research Station, Guardaspur, Punjab, India 2Institute of Plant Breeding, Technical University of Munich-Weihenstephan, West Germany 3Nara University, 1230 Horaicho, Nara, Japan 4Osaka Kyoiku University, 3-1-1 Jonan, Ikeda, Osaka 563, Japan 5Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Post Bag #1, Post Office R.S.M. Nagar, Lucknow-226016, India Crop Year. Kansas produced a record crop of hard winter wheat in 1990 harvesting 12.84 million metric tonnes. The crop averaged 2688 kg/ha with the highest yields harvested in western areas. Quality of the crop was very good and the protein content averaged 12.2%. This is above the ten year average of 11.9%, indicating that the effort wheat breeders in the southern Great Plains have spent in breeding and releasing higher protein winter wheats with good yield potential is paying off. Growing conditions for the 1990 crop were not all that promising until late spring. Fall planting was difficult in many areas because of dry seedbeds. Stands in the central portion of the state were poorer than usual. A warm, consistent winter, followed by a wet cool spring accounted for the record crop. Diseases were not a major problem in 1990 with leaf rust causing most of the loss. Yields, in fact, would have been much higher had it not been for high temperature stress during the intermediate stages of grain filling. This high temperature stress reduced test weights and dough mixing tolerance in wheat grown in western Kansas. Pioneer Germplasm Gift. This past year Pioneer made the decision to drop their hard red winter wheat breeding program in Hutchinson. Pioneer had been actively breeding winter wheat adapted to the Great Plains for over 25 years. Their entire program, including all released varieties and germplasm was deeded to Kansas State University. This gift was substantial and it basically doubled the size of the KSU wheat breeding program. Last summer the wheat breeders field day was held in Hutchinson and the region's wheat breeders went through the elite and advanced trials. This fall an observation nursery was developed which was sent to cooperating locations in the southern Great Plains. This material was developed for areas ranging from central Texas to southern South Dakota. We are trying to maintain that testing effort through a cooperative effort from all the wheat breeders in the region. The loss of such a strong and supportive program has been a huge loss to the region. Pioneer has always been a very active partner in germplasm development and breeding of hard winter wheats. The gift of all their germplasm is a priceless gift and has enhanced and significantly strengthened the KSU program. As we release material from their program we plan to continue naming those wheats with 4 digits (eg. 2163) to signify the source from which the variety was developed and also to remind our Kansas wheat growers of this very generous and important gift. - Sears, Martin and Cox ------------------------- FARMERS' PERCEPTIONS OF WHEAT CULTIVAR DEMONSTRATION PLOTS AND TOURS. Wheat cultivar demonstration plots are used widely in Kansas to promote early adoption of high yielding varieties, but we have little information regarding their impact on farmers' decision making process. A survey instrument was developed and administered to individuals attending 38 county wheat plot tours during May and June, 1990. The tours were well attended with 749 responses returned. Respondents represented different size land holdings with 57% having less than 600 wheat acres planted. Sixty-seven percent planted three or more varieties. Wheat cultivar plot tours have an excellent farmer following. Seventy-four percent of respondents indicated they attend the plot tour every year, while 10% said it was their first time. Sixty-seven percent said they stopped to observe the plots prior to the tour and 86% reported they stopped 2 or more times during the year. Sixty-one percent reported they never attend tours in neighboring counties, while 28% said they sometimes did. Ninety- two percent indicated the plots and tours influenced their decisions regarding varieties they planted and 94% wanted the plots harvested to see yield differences. Efforts have made to analyze demonstration plot data across locations (see Liu et al,. 1990 below). Sixty-eight percent placed an above average to high value on the yield data. Cultivar descriptions and discussions of pest problems were rated the most helpful of the topics discussed. Respondents indicated they would like to see soil fertility and tillage and residue management treatments with the cultivar demonstration plots. Ninety-nine percent indicated they wanted the county agent to continue having wheat demonstration plots. Results from this survey would indicate the wheat cultivar demonstration program is very successful and important to farmers, and has potential to make a considerable impact on farmers' decisions. - Shroyer and Fjell ------------------------- FARMER ACCEPTANCE OF PRE-PLANT WINTER WHEAT SCHOOLS IN SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS. Historically, winter wheat schools have been held for producers in Kansas during the winter months of January, February, and March. Subject matter presented included recommendations of: cultivar, fertility, weed control, planting date, and planting rate. Many of the farmer decisions concerning winter wheat production are made during August and September, just prior to planting. Thus, the information presented at these late winter meetings comes after the decision making time of the farmers. The idea of holding pre-plant wheat schools in August and September met with some resistance from county agents who felt farmers would not attend an evening meeting at that time of the year. In 1982, just one county of the 19 counties in the South Central Extension area of Kansas held a pre-plant wheat school with 40 people attending. The number of counties holding pre-plant wheat schools increased to 15 with over 500 people attending by 1988. In 1990, a questionnaire was developed and administered to individuals attending 10 of the 13 county pre-plant wheat schools during August and September. Two-hundred forty-nine questionnaires were returned and summarized. The purpose of the questionnaire was to survey the attendees and find if the subject matter presented at the meetings was timely and influenced their decision making process. Initial questions included size of wheat acreage that they farm with 55% having less than 600 acres. This percentage is very similar to the 57% results from the wheat tour questionnaire (see Shroyer and Fjell, above). Also, 90% of the respondents were farmers. Seventy three percent have attended pre- plant wheat schools in the past while 31% have never attended the traditional late winter crops school. This indicates that the pre-plant school is reaching new clientele and keeping them coming back from year to year. Also, 56% did not attend the local County wheat cultivar tour this year where additional subject matter could be obtained. This supports the rationale that the pre-plant meetings are reaching new clientele that otherwise would not attend other extension activities. Eighty-nine percent of the respondents said they were influenced on what wheat cultivar to plant. Sixty-seven and 57% felt that they were influenced on fertilizer rates and herbicide usage, respectively. Of the 249 responding to the questionnaire, 247 wanted their County Agent to continue scheduling a pre-plant wheat school for subsequent years. Forty-seven percent still wanted to have a late winter crops school where wheat production would be discussed. This indicates that the farmers of South Central Kansas, where "Wheat is King", are interested in attending extension schools many times during the year for updates on wheat production practices. Results from this questionnaire would indicate that the pre-plant wheat school concept is well received and that additional counties could increase their clientele by holding this "non-traditional" meeting. - Fjell and Shroyer ------------------------- WHEAT GENETICS RESOURCE CENTER GERMPLASM RELEASE. A. Germplasm release. KS90WGRC10 is a leaf rust (Puccinia recondita Roberge ex Desmaz) resistant hard red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm line developed cooperatively by USDA-ARS, the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Wheat Genetics Resource Center, Kansas State University. It was released as a germplasm in September 1990. KS90WGRC10 seedlings produced low leaf rust infection type (01C) with 30 different cultures of P. recondita. Adult plants exhibited an immune reaction to leaf rust infection at four Kansas field locations in 1990. The pedigree of KS90WGRC10 is 'TAM 107'*3/TA 2460. TA 2460 is a leaf rust-resistant accession of Aegilops squarrosa L., collected by Kyoto University, Japan, near Khoshyailagh in north-central Iran. A direct TAM 107/TA 2460 hybrid was backcrossed as a female to TAM 107 in spring 1987, and TAM 107 was pollinated by a resulting BC1F1 plant in the following fall. KS90WGRC10 is a BC2F2-derived line in the F5 produced by self-pollinating a single BC2F3 family that was homogeneous for immune reaction to PRTUS25. Leaf rust resistance in KS90WGRC10 is governed by a dominant gene on chromosome 1D. The linkage relationships between this locus, the Lr21 locus, and the gene carried by KS89WGRC7, all located on 1D, are unknown; however, the spectra of reaction of the three genes to a range of leaf rust cultures differ. In small-plot yield trials at Manhattan and Hutchinson, KS, KS90WGRC10 yielded 28% more than TAM 107 and had 18% greater kernel weight, under heavy leaf rust infection. Otherwise, KS90WGRC10 is similar to TAM 107 in height, maturity, and general phenotype. It is segregating for alleles from TAM 107 and TA 2460 at the Gli-D1 locus on chromosome 1D. - Cox, Sears, Gill and Browder ------------------------- B. Collection Status: The various species and number of accessions maintained for each are listed below: Species Number of accessions Triticum boeoticum............................... 601 Triticum urartu.................................. 195 Triticum dicoccoides............................. 385 Triticum araraticum.............................. 308 Miscellaneous Triticum species................... 142 Aegilops squarrosa............................... 341 Miscellaneous Aegilops species (20).............. 298 Genetic stocks................................... 1,174 Perennial Triticeae species...................... 171 Total........................................ 3,615 The following lines were sent for evaluation prior to 1990. No data has yet been received from these collaborators. Number of Accessions Pest Under Evaluation Being Tested Stem Rust 99 Karnal Bunt 480 Nematode 333 Heat/drought tolerance 304 Powdery Mildew 280 Protein quality 217 Aluminum tolerance 131 Scab 131 Helminthosporium spp. 131 C. Evaluation: A large number of accessions were sent out for evaluation to our national and international cooperators. These are summarized below. 1990 GERMPLASM EVALUATION Numbers of PEST SPECIES ACCESSIONS Leaf Rust T. boeoticum 6 Dr. L. E.Browder T. monococcum 2 Kansas State University T. araraticum 13 T. dicoccoides 118 Aegilops sp. 12 Septoria Glume Blotch A. squarrosa 112 Dr. Anne McKendry University of Missouri Hessian Fly A. squarrosa 219 Dr. Jim Hatchett, Kansas State University Greenbug T. boeoticum 93 Dr. Tom Harvey, T. urartu 37 Kansas State University T. araraticum 19 T. dicoccoides 85 Other Triticum 85 A. squarrosa 161 Other Aegilops 29 Tan spot A. squarrosa 200 Dr. T. S. Cox Kansas State University Soilborne mosaic virus A. squarrosa 209 Dr. T. S. Cox Kansas State University D. Summary Evaluation. Summary report on cooperative evaluation of wild Triticum and Aegilops species. Cooperators providing data on pest resistance were J. H. Hatchett, T. L. Harvey, T. J. Martin, L. E. Browder, R. Appels, A. McKendry, and J. G. Moseman. PEST SPECIES # LINES TESTED # RESISTANT % OF TOTAL RESISTANT % OF TOTAL TESTED LEAF RUST PRTUS61 T. boeoticum 575 169 29.3 94.8 T. urartu 194 61 31.4 99.5 T. araraticum 293 85 29.0 95.8 T. dicoccoides 367 9 2.5 95.3 Other Triticum2 137 35 25.5 94.5 A. squarrosa 341 61 17.9 100.0 Other Aegilops3 248 148 60.0 80.0 POWDERY MILDEW4 ABK/127 A. squarrosa 116 15 12.9 34.0 Other Aegilops 194 153 78.9 62.6 YumaCC/Asosan A. squarrosa 115 12 10.4 33.7 Other Aegilops 169 133 78.7 54.5 Quincy/MO10 Other Aegilops 35 22 62.9 11.3 SEPTORIA LEAF BLOTCH5 A. squarrosa 157 45 28.7 46.0 TAN SPOT6 T. araraticum 32 2 6.3 10.1 T. dicoccoides 18 0 0.0 4.7 A. squarrosa 17 2 1.2 5.0 Other Aegilops 9 0 0.0 3.0 WHEAT STREAK MOSAIC VIRUS7 T. boeoticum 12 0 0.0 42.7 T. araraticum 136 0 0.0 45.8 T. dicoccoides 174 0 0.0 46.6 A. squarrosa 80 0 0.0 46.0 Other Aegilops 36 0 0.0 54.5 HESSIAN FLY BIOTYPE D8 T. boeoticum 259 73 28.2 42.7 T. urartu 72 45 62.5 36.9 T. araraticum 140 123 87.9 45.8 T. dicoccoides 180 11 6.1 46.6 Other Triticum 7 0 0.0 4.8 A. squarrosa 112 58 51.8 32.8 Other Aegilops 208 68 32.7 67.1 HESSIAN FLY BIOTYPE GP8 A. squarrosa 54 28 51.9 15.8 GREENBUG BIOTYPE E9 T. boeoticum 367 48 13.1 60.6 T. urartu 103 1 1.0 52.8 T. araraticum 170 2 1.1 55.6 T. dicoccoides 213 9 4.2 55.0 Other Triticum 6 0 0.0 4.1 A. squarrosa 122 54 44.3 35.8 Other Aegilops 211 17 8.1 68.1 RUSSIAN WHEAT APHID10 T. boeoticum 149 17 11.4 24.8 T. urartu 169 2 1.2 86.7 T. araraticum 116 22 19.0 37.9 T. monococcum 22 8 36.4 78.6 A. squarrosa 233 1 0.4 68.3 WHEAT CURL MITE T. boeoticum 87 0 0.0 14.5 Septoria nodorum 111 A. squarrosa 237 132 55.7 69.5 Septoria nodorum 211 A. squarrosa 112 59 52.7 32.8 Septoria tritici11 A. squarrosa 245 98 40.0 71.8 STRIPE RUST Yr111 A. squarrosa 302 88 29.1 88.6 STRIPE RUST Yr211 A. squarrosa 59 58 98.3 17.3 LEAF RUST Lr111 A. squarrosa 302 24 7.9 88.6 LEAF RUST Lr211 A. squarrosa 59 24 40.7 17.3 STEM RUST Sr111 A. squarrosa 302 38 7.9 88.6 STEM RUST Sr211 A. squarrosa 58 21 36.2 17.0 CEREAL CYST NEMATODE11 A. squarrosa 3 3 100.0 0.9 1Resistance based on a scale of 0-9 with plants rating <2 scored as resistant. 2This category includes T. monococcum, T. carthlicum, and other tetraploid and hexaploid. 3This category includes all other Aegilops species except A. squarrosa. 4Resistance based on a scale of 0-9 with plants rating <2 scored as resistant. 5Resistance based on a scale of 0-5 with plants rating <2 scored as resistant. 6Resistance determined on field-grown plants. Plants with no lesions scored as resistant. 7Plant score based on symptomology and ELISA ratings. 8Plants scored as resistant, segregating, and susceptible. The number of resistant plants includes those lines segregating for resistant and susceptible plants. 9Resistance based on a scale of 0-9 with plants rating <2 scored as resistant. 10PI372179 was the resistant control. TAM107 was the susceptible control and is the cultivar with the most resistance known at this time. Resistant plants rated <4.5 on a 1-9 scale. 11Resistance based on a scale of 0-5 with plants rating <2 scored as resistant. C. Research Evaluation of wild wheats for resistance to Russian wheat aphid. The Russian wheat aphid is a serious threat to wheat production in the United States. The wheat cultivar TAM107 has some resistance but is eventually killed by the aphid. A higher level of resistance is found in wheat germplasm line PI372129. We evaluated a collection of wild wheat relatives for resistance to Russian wheat aphid. Accessions of Triticum araraticum (116), T. dicoccoides (96), T. boeoticum (149), T. urartu (169), T. monococcum (22), and Aegilops squarrosa (118) were screened for resistance. Twelve accessions of T. araraticum and one of T. monococcum had resistance superior to that of TAM107. And intermediate resistance equal to that of TAM107 was found in all species except T. dicoccoides which were all susceptible. Continued evaluation of wild wheat germplasm may provide additional sources of resistance to Russian wheat aphid. -Wilson, Raupp, Harvey, B. Gill ------------------------- Some species-cytoplasm-specific nuclear genes are located on the group 1 chromosomes in the Triticeae. Specific telosomes, homoeologous to group 1, of the respective cytoplasm donor species improved compatibility between the Triticum durum nucleus and Aegilops uniaristata cytoplasm. Telosomes were identified by N-banding and storage protein analyses. Genes on the Aegilops telosome coded for HMW glutenin, indicating homoeology to group 1, and conditioned exclusive maternal transmission of the telosome in 29-chromosome, male-sterile plants with Aegilops cytoplasm. Seeds with euploid embryos were inviable. Genes on the Elymus telosome coded for a gliadin marker and indicated homoeology to group 1. Thus, each telosome has genes for protein markers which are specific to group 1 and also species-cytoplasm-specific (SCS) genes which condition intergeneric nucleo-cytoplasmic specificity. The SCS genes improve nucleo-cytoplasmic compatibility and protein markers may be useful to study the effects of alien genes in euplasmic and alloplasmic wheats. - Raupp, Tyagi, Jiang, Maan, B. Gill ------------------------- Cytoplasmic relationship between Elymus trachycaulus and E. ciliaris. Euploid wheat lines with the cytoplasms of Elymus trachycaulus (2n=4x=28, StStHtHt) and E. ciliaris (2n=4x=28, SSYY) were male and female sterile with greatly reduced vigor. Alloplasmic wheat lines carrying the 1Htp telosome of E. trachycaulus or a wheat-E. ciliaris translocated chromosome 3Bp.Ec were vigorous and partially or fully fertile. It appears that both 1Htp and 3Bc.Ec carry species-cytoplasm-specific (SCS) gene(s). Alloplasmic disomic addition lines 1Htp.1Htp and 3Bp.Ec were reciprocally crossed with each other. The self-pollinated and backcross progeny of the hybrids were morphologically and cytogenetically studied. Chromosome 3Bp.Ec was preferentially transmitted through both cytoplasms. All plants carrying either 1Htp or 3Bp.Ec were vigorous and partially or fully fertile. The SCS gene(s) on the chromosomes seemed to compensate each other. However, 1Htp had stronger fertility and vigor restoring potential than 3Bp.Ec. Our results suggest that these two species have a similar cytoplasm which may have been derived from an H genome diploid progenitor species. - Jiang and B. Gill ------------------------- A genetic linkage map of the Aegilops squarrosa and its relationship to the D genome of bread wheat. One hundred seventy-eight loci have been mapped in Aegilops squarrosa (2n=42, DD) and T. aestivum (2n=42, AABBDD). Thirty-five loci were mapped by aneuploid analysis in T. aestivum. One hundred fifty- two loci including 143 RFLPs, eight proteins, and a leaf rust resistance gene were mapped in an F2 population (60 plants) of A. squarrosa. One hundred twenty-seven loci were placed in linkage groups belonging to seven D-genome chromosomes of A. squarrosa. The source of the probes was a Pst1 genomic library of A. squarrosa which gave 13% single/low copy clones. Four restriction endonucleases (DraI, EcoRI, EcoRV, and HindIII) gave 75% polymorphism between the two parents. Nineteen clones detected multiloci ranging from two to nine in number. Deletions/ insertions and point mutations were equally important for generating RFLPs. A hypervariable sequence was identified which may have potential use in varietal fingerprinting. One marker was found to be linked to a rust resistance gene. The map will be useful for determining genetic relationships in the Triticeae and for tagging genes of economic importance. - K. Gill, Lubbers, B. Gill, Raupp, Cox ------------------------- PLACE MAP HERE Deletion mapping in common wheat. "Gametocidal" chromosomes of Aegilops cylindrica introduced into common wheat cause chromosome breakages. About 80 deletion lines involving 20 wheat chromosomes were previously isolated in the wheat cultivar Chinese Spring. Twenty-eight deletions for chromosome arms 4AL, 7AS, 7AL, 7BL, and 7DS were recovered in homozygous condition. The breakage points in the deletion chromosomes were determined by the N-banding technique. The deletion lines were used for physical mapping of the chromosomes from groups 4 and 7. Molecular markers used included RFLPs, utilizing probes generated from A. squarrosa and wheat cDNAs; proteins; and Mendelian loci controlling plant morphogenesis and reproduction. - Werner, Endo, Mukai, and B. Gill ------------------------- Detection of barley chromatin added to wheat by genomic in situ hybridization. A technique for in situ hybridization is reported which anbeused to detect barley chromatin in wheat background using total genomic DNA as a probe. A 1:2 ratio of biotin-labeled genomic DNA of barley to blocking (unlabeled, sheared) DNA of wheat was sufficient to reveal brownish-labeled barley chromosome domains against bluish background of unlabeled wheat chromatin in metaphase, prophase, and interphase nuclei of wheat-barley addition lines. Using this procedure, the behavior of specific barley chromosomes was analyzed in interphase and prophase cells. In prophase cells, the 6H chromosome was always associated with a nucleolus. A genomic clone of à- amylase gene (gRAmy56) that contains a barley-specific dispersed repeat sequence was also used to detect barley chromosomes in a wheat background. -Mukai and B. Gill ------------------------- Standard karyotype and nomenclature system for description of chromosome bands and structural aberrations in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A standard karyotype based on N-banding, C-banding, and modified C-banding has been constructed for Triticum aestivum L. cv. 'Chinese Spring.' An idiogram and a nomenclature system have been developed for the description of individual bands. Nomenclatural rules have been proposed for the description of chromosomal structural aberrations and polymorphic bands in other wheat cultivars. As a rule each short arm (S) and a long arm (L) consists of a series of dark bands (C-bands) and light bands (mainly euchromatic) and by definition there are no interbands. In cases, each arm has been subdivided into two or more regions. The description of a band requires designation of a chromosome number, arm (S or L), region, and band. The region number is separated from the band number by a decimal point. Except for arms 1AS, 3AL, 4AS, and 6AS, all wheat chromosome arms have one or more intercalary C-bands and are divisible into three or more bands. It is hoped that the proposed karyotype and nomenclature system will be widely adopted and lay the foundation of definitive chromosome analysis in wheat. B. Gill, Endo, and Friebe ------------------------- Identification of alien chromatin specifying resistance to wheat streak mosaic and greenbug in wheat germplasm by C-banding and in situ hybridization. The chromosome constitutions of eight wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV)-resistant lines, three of which are also greenbug resistant, derived from wheat/Agropyron intermedium/Aegilops speltoides crosses were analyzed by C-banding and in situ hybridization. All lines could be traced back to CI15092 in which chromosome 4A is substituted for by an Ag. intermedium chromosome designated 4Ai-2, and the derived lines carry either 4Ai-2 or a part of it. Two (CI17881, CI17886) were 4Ai-2 addition lines. CI17882 and CI17885 were 4Ai-2(4D) substitution lines. CI17883 was a translocation substitution line with a pair of 6AL.4Ai-2S and a pair of 6AS.4Ai-2L chromosomes substituting for chromosome pairs 4D and 6A of wheat. CI17884 carried a 4DL.4Ai-2S translocation which substituted for chromosome 4D. CI17766 carried a 4AL.4Ai-2S translocation substituting for chromosome 4A. The results show that the 4Ai-2 chromosome is related to homoeologous group 4 and that the resistance gene(s) against WSMV is located on the short arm of 4Ai-2. In addition, CI17882, CI17884, and CI17885 contained Ae. speltoides chromosome 7S substituting for chromosome 7A of wheat. The greenbug resistance gene Gb5 was located on chromosome 7S. Freibe, Mukai, Dhaliwal, Martin, Gill ------------------------- ANTHER CULTURE TECHNIQUES There are many limitations applying anther culture techniques to plant breeding programs. Frequencies of callus and haploid plant production are among the major restraints. To increase the numbers of pollen and haploid plant, systems involving microspore culture or pollen culture should be evaluated. We are testing such a system and the procedures are described as follows: A. Medium. We use medium 85D12 supplemented with glutamine, serine, inositol, sucrose and 2,4-D at pH 5.8. B. Extraction of microspores. Anthers containing late uninucleate microspores are ground in liquid medium with a pyrex tissue grinder (15 ml capacity), centrifuge in sterile tubes, collect the microspore pellet, and resuspend in the same liquid medium. C. Culture condition for microspores. The resuspended microspores are cultured in darkness with a density of 4-6 x 105 per ml. Temperature is 26 to 28oC day and night. D. Callus culture. Microspore calluses are transferred to a growth medium containing constituents as 85D12 supplemented with lactal albumin hydrolysate, coconut milk, and kinetin. Temperature is maintained at 26 to 28oC with 12-h light. E. Doubling of chromosomes. Calluses reaching 3 mm in diameter are transferred onto filter papers supported by grates in petri dishes (60 x 15 mm) filled with liquid 85D12 medium which contains 0.0125% colchicine. The calluses are treated for 48 h and washed before transferring to the regeneration medium. F. Plant regeneration. Colchicine-treated calluses are transferred to an agar medium containing the basal components of 85D12 plus IAA and kinetin. Calluses with green shoots are transferred to a medium comprising half strength of 85D12 medium supplemented with 2% sucrose, IAA, and kinetin for root development. - Liang EFFECTS OF ANTIMITOTIC AGENTS ON DOUBLE HAPLOID PRODUCTION IN WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.) Chromosome doubling of microspore-derived plantlets and calli is a critical step in haploid breeding programs. For anther culture experiments, colchicine is the most commonly used compound in doubling the chromosomes of seedlings derived from such experiments. However, colchicine is carcinogenic and expensive. We evaluated three antimitotic agents at two concentrations each [colchicine 0.0125% (313 M) and 0.025% (626 M), treflan (5 and 10 M), and oryzalin (5 and 10 M)] and two treatment durations (48 and 72 h) for their effects on the production of double haploids from anther- derived calli of two wheat cultivars (Pavon and Kitt). Calli from Pavon were more responsive to the three agents than those from Kitt. Colchicine was most effective in doubling the chromosome number. For Pavon, 89% of the plantlets from calli treated with colchicine were double haploids (2n = 6x = 42). However, treating calli for 72 h with colchicine at both concentrations had a deleterious effect. No significant differences were observed between concentrations of any of the antimitotic agents. All the plantlets produced from the control treatment (without antimitotic agents) were polyhaploids (2n = 3x =21). These results indicated that colchicine was still the most effective compound for chromosome doubling and colchicine treatment of anther- derived calli was an effective method of obtaining a high frequency of double haploid plantlets through anther culture. - Liang RESTRICTION ENDONUCLEASE PATTERNS OF CHLOROPLAST DNA AND MITOCHONDRIA DNA OF Dasypyrum villosum and Triticum aestivum Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of Dasypyrum villosum L. (vv, 2n=14) Candargy (Syn. Haynaldia villosa) and Triticum aestivum (Chinese Spring) were isolated, purified, and digested with four restriction endonucleases: Bam HI, Hind III, Pst I, and Eco RI. Two different accessions of D. villosum from Italy and Yugoslavia were used. The restriction patterns of D. villosum and T. aestivum were quite different at both mtDNA and cpDNA level; thus, results did not confirm the speculation that cytoplasm of D. villosum might be close to that of the unknown donor species of B genome to the common wheat. - Guoping, Paulsen, Muthukrishnan, and Liang PUBLICATIONS Amri, A., T. S. Cox, B. S. Gill, and J. H. Hatchett. 1990. Chromosome location of the Hessian fly resistance gene H20 in 'Jori' durum wheat. J. Hered. 81:71- 72. Amri, A., T. S. Cox, J. H. Hatchett, and B. S. Gill. 1990. Complementary action of genes for Hessian fly resistance in the wheat cultivar 'Seneca'. J. Hered. 81:224-227. Amri, Ahmed, J. H. Hatchett, T. S. Cox, M. El Bouhssini, and R. G. Sears. 1990. Resistance to Hessian fly from North African durum wheat germplasm. Crop Sci. 30:378-381. Cox, T. S. 1990. The contribution of introduced germplasm to the development of U.S. wheat culitvars. In H. L. Shands and L. Wiesner (eds.) The Use of Plant Introductions in Cultivar Development, Crop Science Society of America. Madison, WI. (in press) Dong, H., T. S. Cox, R. G. Sears and G. L. Lookhart. 1991. Effects of high molecular weight glutenin loci on baking quality in hard winter wheat population. Crop Sci. 31: (in press. (accepted October 31, 1990) Cox, T. S., J. H. Hatchett, B. S. Gill, W. J. Raupp, and R. G. Sears. 1990. Agronomic performance of hexaploid wheat lines derived from direct crosses between wheat and Aegilops squarrosa. Plant Breeding 105:271-277. Dhaliwal, H.S., B. Friebe, K.S. Gill, and B.S. Gill. 1990. Cytogenetic identification of Aegilops squarrosa chromosome additions in durum wheat. Theor. Appl. Genet. 79:769-774. Friebe, B., J.H. Hatchett, R.G. Sears, and B.S. Gill. 1990. Transfer of Hessian fly resistance from 'Chaupon' rye to hexaploid wheat via a 2BS/2RL wheat-rye chromosome translocation. Theor. Appl. Genet. 79:385-389. Friebe, B., N.S. Kim, J. Kuspira, and B.S. Gill. 1990. Genetic and cytogenetic analysis of the A genome of Triticum monococcum. IV. Production and identification of primary trisomics using the C-banding technique. Genome 33:542-555. Friebe, B., Y. Mukai, H.S. Dhaliwal, T.J. Martin, and B.S. Gill. 1991. Identification of alien chromatin specifying resistance to wheat streak mosaic virus and greenbug in wheat germplasm by C-banding and in situ hybridization. Theor. Appl. Genet. (in press). Gill, K. S., E. L. Lubbers, B. S. Gill, W. J. Raupp, T. S. Cox. 1991. A genetic linkage map of Triticum tauschii (DD) and its relationship to the D genome of bread what (AABBDD). Genome 34: (in press). Hassawi, D. S., R. G. Sears, and G. H. Liang. 1990. Microspore development in the anther culture of wheat. Cytologia 55:475-478. Kaleikau, E.K., R.G. Sears, and B.S. Gill. 1991. Control of tissue culture response in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Theor. Appl. Genet. (in press). Liang, G. H., J. Qi, and D. Hassawi. 1990. A direct generation system for wheat haploid production. In: Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry. 13. Wheat. (ed. Y. P. S. Bajaj). pp. 425-434. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. Liu Ben-Hui, J. P. Shroyer, and T. S. Cox. 1990. Utilizing grain yield data from wheat demonstration plots. J. Agron. Educ. 19:164-166. Lubbers, E. L., K. S. Gill, T. S. Cox, and B. S. Gill. 1991. Variation of molecular markers among geographically diverse accessions of Triticum tauschii. Genome 34: (in press). Morris, K.L.D., W.J. Raupp, and B.S. Gill. 1990. Isolation of Ht genome chromosome additions from polyploid Elymus trachycaulus (StStHtHt) into common wheat (Triticum aestivum). Genome 33:16-22. Mukai, Y., T.R. Endo, and B.S. Gill. 1990. Physical mapping of 5S rRNA gene family in common wheat. J. Hered. 81:290-295. Mukai, Y., T.R. Endo, and B.S. Gill. 1991. Physical mapping of the 18S.26S rRNA multigene family in common wheat. Chromosoma (in press). Mukai, Y., and B.S. Gill. 1991. Detection of barley chromatin added to wheat by genomic in situ hybridization. Genome (accepted). Stein, I.S., R.G. Sears, R.C. Hoseney, T.S. Cox, and B.S. Gill. 1991. Chromosomal location of genes influencing grain protein concentration and mixogram properties in the hard red winter wheat 'Plainsman V'. Crop Sci. (in press). Stein, I.S., R.G. Sears, B.S. Gill, R.C. Hoseney, and T.S. Cox. 1991. Heterogeneity of the Wichita wheat monosomic set for grain protein concentration and mixogram properties. Crop Sci. (in press). Xu, Aili, Dean Bark, F. L. Barnett, C. M. Qian, and George H. Liang. 1990. Effect of temperature and genotype on duration of pollen maturation in wheat. Bot. Gaz. 151:10-13. Yuan, H., V. D. Keppenne, P. S. Baenziger, T. Berke, and G. H. Liang. 1990. Effect of genotype and medium on wheat anther culture. Pl. Cell Tissue and Organ Culture 21:253-258. ------------------------- U.S. Grain Marketing Research Laboratory, USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Manhattan O. K. Chung, G. L. Lookhart, D. B. Bechtel, D. W. Hagstrum, C. S. Chang, W. Flinn, J. L. Steele, H. H. Converse, W. H. McGaughey, I. Zayas, B. W. Seabourn, M. D. Shogren, A. K. Dowdy, R. W. Howard, L. M. Seitz, W. M. Lamkin, W. D. Lin, D. L. Brabec, D. B. Sauer, C. R. Martin, M. G. Shin, R. D. Speirs, J. D. Wilson, and A. Xu Practical Variety Identification by Electrophoresis and HPLC in the United States. Wheat classes in the U.S. have traditionally been defined by uniform phenotypic and agronomic characteristics, which predicted end-use and quality. Recent changes in breeding strategies using exotic germplasms; to improve resistance, quality, and yield have now made the visual identification system somewhat obsolete. Wide crosses have increased variation within classes and earlier selection has made multiple biotypes within a variety more common. Consequently, interest is rapidly increasing in the use of PAGE and HPLC for "fingerprinting" endosperm storage proteins for routine varietal identification during marketing. Most wheat varieties may be unambiguously identified by routine inexpensive techniques of gliadin PAGE or glutenin sub-unit SDS-PAGE; in addition quality may be predicted, new gene sources selected, biotypes differentiated, and protein composition defined. Recently, RP-HPLC has proved to be an alternative complementary method to electrophoresis; for some applications it has some advantages for quantification, resolution, and speed. Optimal HPLC conditions are still being defined and new and better resolving columns being developed. Current applications of electrophoresis and HPLC for wheat genotype identification, quality analysis, and varietal improvement are presented. Identification of Wheat Lines Containing the 1BL/1RS Translocation. The presence of 1BL-1RS translocations in 63 experimental lines and in 6 released cultivars was determined by three distinctly unique methods; sodium dodecyl-sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analyses of grain proteins, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses of grain proteins, and Southern blotting of genomic DNA. The SDS-PAGE patterns of alcohol, aqueous, or salt soluble extracts of wheat lines containing the 1BL-1RS translocation exhibited a uniquely stained band via silver staining. HPLC patterns of gliadin (ethanol soluble proteins) extracts of those same lines also contained a unique peak. That unique peak was collected and analyzed. The veracity of each method was confirmed by direct karyotyping of the chromosomes of each tested line. In flour samples, the presence of the rye translocation can only be determined using either the SDS-PAGE or the HPLC method. Direct karyotyping requires viable grain samples, but is the only method that can differentiate between a 1BL/1RS translocation and 1AL/1RS and/or 1DL/1RS translocations. Influence of Plastic Embedding Media on the Cytochemical Localization of Wheat Storage Proteins. The plastic resin media used to embed wheat caryopses for electron microscopy has profound effects upon the results of cytochemical tests. One medium that has been typically used for transmission electron microscopy is a low-viscosity epoxy resin called Spurr resin. Plastic thin sections of Spurr embedded wheat endosperm that have been treated with a variety of proteases have revealed a population of dense inclusions in the protein bodies that are resistant to digestion. Similar samples embedded in a acrylic-based resin and treated with the same proteases exhibited dense inclusions that were partially digested after only 1 hour and completely digested after 2 hours of incubation. Inclusions embedded in Spurr resin, however, were only partially digested after 48 hours. The type of plastic used to embed samples for transmission electron microscopy must be selected for the specific cytochemical experiments to be conducted. The inclusions were deposited near the surface of the matrix of protein body and this matrix also exhibited major differences in susceptibility to the proteases. Spurr embedded samples required 24 hours to digest the matrix while only 30 minutes was required for the acrylic resin. Purification of Proteolytic Enzymes and their Effect on Rheological Changes of Cracker Sponge Doughs. The effect of native proteolytic enzymes on rheological changes of cracker sponge doughs was studied. Native enzymes were purified from soft wheat flour by sequential gel filtration chromatography on Sephadex G-100 and G-150. Two peaks of proteolytic activity found in fractions 16 to 28. Proteins with proteolytic activity found in peak 1 were collected and concentrated. Sponge doughs made from enzyme extracted flours gave essentially no rheological changes. However, when the extracted enzymes were added back to the sponge doughs, from which the enzyme had been extracted, the rheological changes were restored to within 85% of the original cracker flours. Determination of Phospholipids in Wheat Starch by HPLC. Lysophospha-tidylcholine (LPC) and lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) in wheat starch lipids were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Starch lipids were extracted with n-propanol/water (3/1, v/v) in a boiling water bath for 12 hr after starch surface lipids were extracted at 20øC by stirring for 4 hr. Starch lipids in six cultivars from three classes (two hard red winter, one durum, and three soft red winter) of wheat amounted to 0.90 - 1.03%. They consisted of 1.3 - 6.0% nonpolar lipids, 11.0 - 16.3% glycolipids, and 80.6 - 83.5% phospholipids as determined by an open silica column chromatography. Starch lipids contained 61.3 - 68.1% LPC and 7.5 - 9.8% LPE as determined by HPLC with uv detection on a silicic acid Si100, 10 lm) column developed isocratically with n-hexane/2-propanol/ water (41/54/5, v/v/v) for 5 min, followed by a linear gradient of 41/54/5 to 39/52/9 for 5 to 20 min, and finally isocratically at 39/52/9 for 20 to 80 min with a flow rate of 1 mL/min. There was little variation in fatty acid composition of the six starch lipids. Therefore, reference lipids (LPC and LPE) for HPLC-UV Method could be prepared from starch of any class of wheat. The above HPLC Method was good for both LPC and LPE in wheat starch lipids. Bread Crumb Amylograph Studies. II. The Cause of Unique Properties. The cause of unique properties of bread crumb amylograph wasinvestigated. Amylograms of bread crumb have a bump in the setback stage and sometimes a minor peak before the major peak. Repeated amylograph cycles revealed that bread flour alone could show the bump formation phenomenon in both heating and cooling stages. Bread crumb also showed a bump in the heating stage, in addition to the one in the cooling stage, upon repeated heating and cooling. The temperature ranges of the bumps and the minor peak, in a bread crumb amylogram, were similar and suggested that they were caused by similar effects. Wheat starch and the polar fraction of the wheat flour lipids were shown responsible for the bump formation. The viscosity change in the bumps were a temperature-dependent event. Differential scanning calorimetry showed endothermic and exothermic peaks, respectively, upon repeated heating and cooling. Addition of sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (SSL) to wheat starch also caused bumps in the amylogram. Complexing of flour lipids, mainly polar lipids, with solubilized starch molecules and crystallization of the complex in the cooling stage, and melting and dissociation of the crystal and the complex in the heating stage, are probably the cause of changes in viscosity during bump formation. Gluten Quality of Hard Winter Wheats by a Glutomatic System. Gluten quality of hard winter wheats from three nurseries was studied. With a Glutomatic System according to the International Standard Method (ICC Standard No. 137), several gluten parameters were measured and calculated from hard winter wheats grown in 1987 and 1988 at the Northern Regional Performance Nursery (NRPN), Southern Regional Performance Nursery (SRPN) and Kansas Intrastate Nursery (KIN). The average weight of wet gluten (GLW) of 230 wheat flours (62 NRPN, 88 SRPN, and 80 KIN) was 3.44 g (2.54 - 9.63 g), dry gluten (GLD) 1.20 g (0.91 - 4.62 g), thrus (GLT) 0.42 g (0.01 - 5.72 g), overs (GLO) 3.02 g (1.78 - 3.91 g), residual water in gluten (GLR) 2.24 g (1.58 - 5.01 g), and gluten index (GLI) 88.9% (40.7 - 99.5%). Among gluten parameters, GLW was highly significantly related to GLR (r = 0.970), GLD (r = 0.956), and GLT (r = 0.800); GLD to GLR (r = 0.857) and GLT (r = 0.750); and GLI negatively to GLT (r = -0.908) and GLR (r = 0.644). Flour protein contents showed significant effects on all gluten parameters and those parameters were linearly related to the loaf volume regression values. Gluten quality of wheats from three nurseries and grown in different years were compared. Those samples with higher protein content exhibited higher gluten content. Despite higher protein contents of all 1988 samples, their gluten quality was inferior to the 1987 crop. It was concluded that the extreme drought and high temperature conditions of 1988 contributed to this reversal. Image Analysis Applications for Grain Science. Morphometrical features of single grain kernels or particles were used to discriminate two visibly similar wheat varieties, foreign material in wheat, hard-soft and spring-winter wheat classes and whole from broken corn kernels. Milled fractions of hard and soft wheat were evaluated using textural image analysis. Color image analysis of sound and mold damaged corn kernels yielded high recognition rates. The studies collectively demonstrate the potential for automated classification and assessment of grain quality using image analysis. Digital Image and Pattern Recognition Methodology. Data were acquired for textural image analysis of the bulk material produced by a single kernel wheat hardness tester. Data for seventeen varieties of six wheat classes were obtained and textural image analysis was performed on sixteen sub-images of the bulk material. Preliminary analysis of twenty texture parameters showed a definite tendency for separation of HRW and SRW. Discriminant analysis of the twenty features for all six classes showed a tendency for clustering, but a clear separation of all six classes was not evident. Software was developed to automatically analyze video taped microscope images of starch globules. The procedure permits the unattended analysis of large quantities of microscope images. For the five varieties evaluated over 11 flower days, five globule shape parameters and basic statistics were produced for further analysis. Acquisition of Video Pictures from a light Microscope in Studying Wheat Starch Development. Starch isolated from developing wheat caryopses was placed on a glass microscope slide and viewed with a light microscope under dark-field illumination. Images of the starch were recorded using a solid-state CCD camera coupled to a video monitor and video tape cassette recorder. The apparatus was standardized prior to each use and at intervals during image recording. Polystyrene spheres were mounted on a glass microscope slide using permanent mounting medium; the same set of spheres was used for all calibrations to limit variation in the diameter. The diameter of these spheres when viewed under dark-field was calibrated on the video monitor screen to a standard size using the illumination controls. Video taped microscopic images of starch granules were input from the video tape recorder, digitized and analyzed by a Kontron image processing system. Images were automatically unloaded in video memory and archived for future analysis. Starch granule number, size and shape features were obtained following erosion and dilation image analysis techniques. Development of a Computerized Mixograph. Hardware and software were developed for the mixograph apparatus to establish a computerized system supportable by the manufacturer and with the user free to enhance the system for their applications. A 10 g mixograph was instrumented to acquire digitized moving or fixed bowl mixograms in relation to moving pin position. The instrumentation was carefully calibrated so that the mixograms could be directly compared in terms of bowl torque. Computer simulation of the drag forces on the moving pins for a uniform viscous liquid predicted six torque cycles when the torque contributions of the four moving pins are algebraically summed during a period of time required for each moving pin to completely traverse its epitrochoid path. In digitized flour mixograms, the predicted torque cycles were readily apparent for the fixed bowl procedure and were not clearly evident for the moving bowl procedure. For the fixed bowl procedure, the torque cycles were uniquely positioned with moving pin position and overlay precisely cycle by cycle throughout the mixogram while this was not true for the moving bowl procedure. This is projected to be caused by the fact that the fixed bowl pins are moving relative to the moving pins when the moving bowl procedure is used. With careful calibration, the area or energy represented by the torque-time mixograms was nearly equal for both procedures. For the fixed bowl procedure, the torque peaks were easily associated with the positions where the moving pins 'hurdle' rather than 'straddle' the bowl pins. Development of Model to Predict Flow of Grain through Orifices. Flow rates of wheat, corn, sorghum, and soybeans through horizontal and vertical orifices were measured. Orifice sizes ranged from 100 to 400 square cm in increments of 100 square cm. Each orifice size was tested in six different shapes: circular, triangular, and rectangular with four aspect ratios of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5. Coefficients for an empirical equation to predict volume flow rate of grain through the various sizes and shapes of horizontal and vertical orifices were determined. For the same size orifice, differences in flow rate were significant among the six different orifice shapes. Volume flow rates per unit orifice area increased as the orifice hydraulic diameter increased for all grains. Volume flow rate of grain through vertical orifices was about 37 to 50% of the flow rate through the same orifices oriented horizontally. Development of Models to Predict Temperature and Moisture Conditions of Grain during Storage. Temperatures of wheat in two 21-ft diameter bins were recorded four times daily during the year. Aeration in one bin was controlled by a programmable microprocessor and in the second bin was controlled manually. Samples of grain in bins at different locations and depths were taken periodically to determine moisture content and test weight. Grain temperature data and local weather data were used to develop and verify prediction models for grain temperature and moisture during storage. Results indicated that the predicted grain temperatures were in close agreement with the measured grain temperatures. Comparison of the Effectiveness of Automatic Microprocessor and Manually Controlled Aeration. Four equal-size round steel grain storage bins (12 ft deep) were filled with wheat and maintained over a full year while daily grain temperatures were recorded. Moisture content and insect activity data were collected. Different methods of aeration control were used for three of the bins and the fourth bin was used as a control treatment (no aeration). Data collection and analysis is in progress. The USGMRL Single Kernel Wheat Characterization Meter (Hardness Tester): Update. The Engineering Research Unit scientists evaluated a prototype single kernel hardness tester to determine the accuracy of the instrument in measuring wheat kernel hardness, moisture content, weight and size. A study was conducted to determine the effect of kernel weight and size on the classification performance of the single kernel wheat hardness instrument. Single kernel weight, size and crush-force profiles were determined for the 17 Federal Grain Inspection Service hardness reference sample set. Three hundred kernels of each sample were selected and manually weighed. Physical dimensions of each kernel were obtained using two projection image analysis. The digitized crush-force profile for each kernel was then obtained using the single kernel instrument and stored on magnetic disk. Several parameters were then determined by processing the stored profiles. These parameters, weight, and the image parameters were then used to determine the hard/soft classification performance of the instrument. The classification performance results were used to determine optimum parameter selections and combinations of parameters. The results clearly demonstrate that the inclusion of kernel weight or two accurate kernel dimensions significantly improves the classification performance of the hardness instrument. Classification index with and without weight and image. Number of parameters CRUSH WEIGHT IMAGE Classing Index 4 1 2 1.55 6 1 - 1.55 5 - 2 1.55 7 - - 1.14 - - 6 0.45 - 1 - 0.05 _______________________________________________________ For a hardness calibration, the scaling constants (slope and intercept) were determined so that the 5 soft and 10 hard wheat sample average hardness values were 25 and 75 respectively. Overlap between hard and soft wheat hardness values may be represented by the absolute difference of the hard and soft means divided by the sum of the respective standard deviations. This ratio or classing index represents the number or multiple of standard deviations where overlap between hard and soft wheat hardness values would occur in a normal distribution. The larger the classing index the better the classing performance and an index value of 2.00 represents 2.3% overlap. A classing index of 1.55 represents 6.1% overlap. As a result of the full profile, weight and two projection image study, a single kernel weigher was developed and included in the single kernel hardness instrument. The single kernel weigher was a moving coil galvanometer (microampmeter) equipped with a null position indicator andelectronic circuitry that produced a signal directly proportional to the weight of a kernel resting in a weighing bucket. By keeping the moving mass of the coil, position indicator, and bucket small, and adjusting the electronic response to dampen the signal controlling the return of the bucket to a null position, kernel weights could be determined 150 ms after a kernel was dropped into the bucket. After weighing, the signal to the coil was changed so that the bucket was driven rapidly downward leaving the kernel free to fall into the crushing cavity of the instrument. Repeated weighing of different sizes of plastic spheres produced a standard deviation of about 0.5 milligrams. When the kernel weigher was mounted inside the single kernel feeder of the hardness instrument, the kernel throughput rate, which included weighing, crushing, data processing, and data storage, was maintained at 90 kernels per minute. Two single kernel hardness instruments were delivered to FGIS for evaluation on November 29, 1990. These instruments were modified over those previously evaluated by including kernel guiding channels on the crescent, an improved rotor tooth design, a single kernel weigher, an improved hardness algorithm and computer software that outputs single kernel hardness, moisture, weight, and size (kernel diameter) and the standard deviation of each parameter. They were calibrated using the 17 hardness reference samples equilibrated to 10.5% moisture, tempered to 12.5 and 14.5% moisture. The classing index and NIR r square value of these instruments are listed below: _________________________________________________________ MOISTURE CONTENT - percent 10.5 12.5 14.5 Machine CI r^2 CI r^2 CI r^2 # 4 1.72 0.81 1.68 0.88 1.63 0.90 # 6 1.79 0.82 1.71 0.89 1.55 0.92 _________________________________________________________ Evaluation of Wheat Hardness by NIR. The Grain Quality and Structure Research Unit (Hard Winter Wheat Quality Laboratory) scientists evaluated hardness values of hard winter wheat progenies (experimental lines) from the Kansas Intrastate Nursery (KIN), Northern Regional Performance Nursery (NRPN) and Southern Regional Performance Nursery (SRPN). Hardness values were determined for each composite sample and each variety sample grown at each location. The effects of growing years and locations on wheat hardness are evaluated to determine varietal stability in kernel hardness. Hardness values were evaluated by a NIR for those hard winter wheats grown commercially in various Kansas counties during 1990 in cooperation with the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers. Fusarium Headblight (Scab) in Cereal Grains. The preharvest infection of wheat by Fusarium fungi that cause Fusarium headblight disease (scab) was reviewed. The disease may develop if prolonged wet weather occurs during wheat kernel maturation. Moderate to severely infected kernels are shriveled, lightweight, and dull gray or pink in appearance. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is the mycotoxin most commonly associated with scab-infected wheat. Some topics discussed are: effects of weather, cultivar, and other factors on degree of infection; Fusarium nomenclature; determination of DON and other mycotoxins by various chromatography and immunoassay methods; detoxification by mechanical, thermal, chemical and microbiological treatments; feeding studies with poultry, swine, and cattle; effects on food processing, including results from cleaning, milling, and baking tests with DON contaminated wheat. Head-Space Analysis of Post-Harvest Wheat. Volatiles from three varieties of wheat ('Karl', 'Pioneer', and 'Victory') were analyzed by head-space sampling and direct capillary GC-MS and FT-IR. Wheat samples were taken within 24 hours of harvest and were re-sampled weekly from the grain bin. Low molecular weight alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, terpenes, and sesquiterpenes were present, and showed both qualitative and quantitative changes with storage time. Rhyzopertha dominica - Attraction to the Volatiles of Infested Wheat. A study was conducted to examine the behavioral response of R. dominica (Fab.) (Lesser grain borer) to the volatile components of wheat that had been infested with insects and to synthetic aggregation pheromone of R. dominica. The beetles preferentially selected volatiles from wheat infested with insects or wheat plus synthetic aggregation pheromone as opposed to the volatiles from uninfested wheat or from cultures of insects only. Because the response of R. dominica was stronger toward previously infested wheat, the migration rate into a bulk of infested wheat may be higher than the rate for clean wheat. Automated Acoustic Detection of Stored-Grain Insects and Its Potential in Reducing Insect Problems. Acoustical sensors which automatically alert us to the need for insect control can improve pest management by reducing the chances of an infestation going undetected. Also, monitoring of insects in stored grain can be the most costly part of pest management. Acoustical detection may provide a means of continuous, utomaticmonitoring of insect populations at reduced cost. The potential for automation of insect monitoring with acoustical methods is a major advantage over other methods. Acoustical sensors can provide, without taking grain samples, density estimates of lesser grain borer populations that are comparable to estimates made by counting the number of adults in grain samples. A strong correlation demonstrated between the number of insects and the number of insect sounds is the key to using the acoustical detection method. These studies provide some of the information essential to the development of acoustical detection as a routine method for monitoring stored-grain insect infestations. Applications of the acoustical detection method include a desktop unit for determining the number of insects in grain samples, a probe for estimating the insect populations in stored grain without taking grain samples, and permanently installed cables for monitoring insect populations in the many bins at a grain storage facility from a single computer. Acoustic Monitoring of Rhyzopertha dominica - Populations in Stored Wheat. Acoustical sensors provided estimates of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) population increases at 27 and 32øC that were comparable with estimates obtained from counts of adults in grain samples. At both temperatures, the number of insect sounds increased in proportion to insect density and averaged twice the number of adult insects. Between 7 and 70 d after eclosion, the number of adult insect sounds did not differ significantly with age. At 22 and 27øC, adults produced >37 times the number of sounds produced by larvae at 27øC. Thus, even though larvae were more numerous than adults, they probably did not contribute many of the sounds heard when adults were present. Stored Grain Advisor: A Knowledge-Based System for Management of Insect Pests of Stored Grain. Management of insect pests of stored wheat is complex and involves many interacting factors, such as grain temperature and moisture, insecticide degradation, aeration, and fumigation. Determining whether or not insects will become a problem in stored grain is primarily a problem of predicting population increase under existing environmental conditions. We have developed computer models for all five of the major insect pests of stored wheat. These models predict insect population growth, as well as the degradation of insecticides and the effects of fumigating or aerating the grain in relation to storage temperature and moisture. Results from model simulations were incorporated into the rule base of the stored grain advisor (SGA) expert system. The SGA helps the manager identify insects or other problems, predicts the likelihood of insect infestation, and helps select the most appropriate prophylactic or remedial actions. The SGA was developed on Apple Macintosh computers using the BruceShell (Pennsylvania State University). This is a frame-based shell that is used in conjunction with a C-language compiler. The shell has a graphic user interface, backward and forward chaining, explanation and help capabilities. The SGA also runs on MS-DOS compatible computers. This expert system should be valuable to producers, elevator operators, extension specialists, and others concerned with grain storage, and should greatly enhance our ability to store grain safely. Simulations Comparing the Effectiveness of Various Stored-Grain Management Practices Used to Control Rhyzopertha dominica a (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae). A simulation model for the population dynamics of Rhyzopertha domonica (F.) was used to compare the effectiveness of various stored-wheat management programs in controlling this insect in the United States. Infestations on day 365 were reduced 88 times when wheat was harvested and stored in August instead of June, 34 times by aerating the grain in September instead of November, 20 times by storing grain at 10% instead of 14% moisture content, 18 times by fumigating in August or September instead of July, four times when wheat was stored at 27øC instead of 32øC, and approximately three times when malathion was used as a protectant. The model simulations provide an overview of the relative advantages of various approaches to managing stored-grain insects in various geographic localities. Simulations Comparing Insect Species Differences in Response to Wheat Storage Conditions and Management Practices. Seasonal changes in the populations of Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), Sitophilus oryzae (L.), and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and differences in their response to pest management programs were compared using validated population-growth-simulation models. The population growth of the five pest species differed in response to temperature and grain moisture conditions during storage, and this partially explains differences among species in their response to management practices. Aerating earlier in the storage season was generally more effective in limiting population growth of C. ferrugineus and O. surinamensis than the other species. Although fumigation was equally effective against all species, S. oryzae was able to grow more rapidly than the others as temperatures decreased in the fall. The internal feeders, R. dominica and S. oryzae, were much less affected by malathion protectant than the other three external-feeding species. As indicated by these three examples, it would sometimes be advantageous to know which species are present in choosing a management program. Susceptibility of Classes of Wheat Grown in the U.S. to Stored-Grain Insects. Comparative studies were done on the reproductive rates of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) in relation to physical properties of the predominant U.S. varieties of hard red winter, soft red winter, hard red spring, white, and durum wheats. Reproductive rates of both species differed significantly among the classes, and quantitative data were obtained that may be useful in modeling population growth on the different classes. White wheats were most susceptible to both species, but the ranking of the other classes differed between the two species. Within the classes of wheat, virtually no significant differences between varieties in reproductive rates of either species were apparent. Variation between production sites exceeded that between varieties. Kernel size and density were not suitable criteria for distinguishing between the classes and did not correlate well with reproduction by either species. Kernel hardness differed among the classes and correlated well with S. oryzae reproduction but not with R. dominica. S. oryzae appeared to be sensitive to kernel hardness only when differences were quite large, such as between classes. Small differences in hardness between or within varieties within a class had little effect on S. oryzae reproduction. Staffing News at the USGMRL. Mr. Harry H. Converse, Engineer in the Engineering Research Unit, retired from the USDA-ARS on July 28, 1990. Mr. Converse still comes to the lab every day. Dr. Virgil W. Smail, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Crookston, MN will come to the lab the end of February as Director of the USGMRL. Dr. David B. Sauer, Research Plant Pathologist in the Grain Quality and Structure Research Unit, was appointed as Associate Editor for Cereal Chemistry (January 1991 - December 1994). Dr. Okkyung Kim Chung, Research Leader of the Grain Quality and Structure Research Unit (Hard Winter Wheat Quality Lab), was elected Vice President of the Korean Scientists and Engineers Association in America with 8,000 membership (July 1990 - June 1991). Publications Bakhella, M., Hoseney, R. C., and Lookhart, G. L. 1990. Hardness of Moroccan wheats. Cereal Chem. 67:246-250. Bechtel, D. B. 1990. Preparation of cereals and grain products for transmission electron microscopy. Food Struct. 9:241-251. Bechtel, D. B., and Wilson, J. D. 1990. Influence of plastic embedding media on the cytochemical localization of wheat storage proteins. Cereal Foods World 35:848. [Abstract] Bechtel, D. B., Zayas, I., Kaleikau, L., and Pomeranz, Y. 1990. Size-distribution of wheat starch granules during endosperm development. Cereal Chem. 67:59-63. Bechtel, D. B., Zayas, I. Y., and Wilson, J. D. 1990. Acquisition of video pictures from a light microscope for use in studying wheat starch development with digital image analysis. Cereal Foods World 35:847. [Abstract] Brabec, D. L. 1990. The effect of air movement on red flour beetles and lesser grain borers in hard red winter wheat. M. S. Thesis, Library, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS. Chang, C. S., Converse, H. H., and Steele, J. L. 1990. Trajectories of grain particles from trough-type grain spreaders. Transactions of the ASAE 33(2):590-595. Chang, C. S., Converse, H. H., and Steele, J. L. 1990. Flow rates of grain through vertical orifices. Transactions of the ASAE 33(2):601-606. Chang, C. S., Converse, H. H., and Steele, J. L. 1990. Flow rates of grain through various shapes of vertical and horizontal orifices. ASAE Paper No. 90-6584, ASAE, St. Joseph, MI. Chung, O. K. 1990 Cereal Lipids. In: Handbook of Cereal Science and Technology, K. J. Lorenz and K. Kulp, eds. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, NY. (In press) [Book chapter] Chung, O. K., Lookhart, G. L., Bechtel, D. B., Sauer, D. B., Hagstrum, D. W., Seitz, L. M., Zayas, I. Y., Converse, H. H., Wilson, J. D., Bolte, L. C., Kim, W. S., Martin, C. R., McGaughey, W. H., Shogren, M. D., Steele, J. L., Brabec, D. L., Chang, C. S., Dempster, R. E., Lamkin, W. M., Rousser, R., and Speirs, R. D. 1990. Wheat research activities at the U.S. Grain Marketing Research Laboratory. Wheat Newsletter 36:156-165. Chung, O. K., and Seabourn, B. W. 1990. Effects of two growing years on gluten quality or hard winter wheats from two nurseries. IV. International Workshop on Gluten Proteins. Abstract:54-55. [Abstract] Chung, O. K., and Seabourn, B. W. 1990. Effect on two growing years on gluten quality of hard winter wheats from two nurseries. In: Gluten Proteins, Proceedings of the 4th International Workshop on Gluten Proteins, R. Tkachuk and W. Bushuk, eds. Canadian Grain Research Laboratory, Canadian Grain Commission and Univ. of Manitoba. Published by American Assoc. of Cereal Chem., St. Paul, MN. (In press) [Book chapter] Chung, O. K., Seabourn, B. W., and Seib, P. A. 1990. Gluten quality of hard winter wheats from three nurseries determined by a Glutomatic System. Cereal Foods World 35:833. [Abstract] Dong, H., Cox, T. S., Sears, R. G., and Lookhart, G. L. 1990. Effects of high molecular weight glutenin genes on quality traits in a randomly mated wheat population. Crop Sci. (In press) Dowdy, A. K., McGaughey, W. H., Howard, R. W., and Seitz, L. M. 1990. Rhyzopertha dominica attraction to the volatiles of infested wheat. Entomol. Soc. of America Annual Mtg. [Abstract] Flinn, P. W., and Hagstrum, D. W. 1990. Simulations comparing the effectiveness of various stored-grain management practices used to control Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae). Environ. Entomol. 19(3):725-729. Flinn, P. W., and Hagstrum, D. W. 1990. Stored grain advisor: a knowledge-based system for management of insect pests of stored grain. AI Applications. 4(3):44-52. Flinn, P. W., McGaughey, W. H., and Burkholder, W. E. 1990. Effects of fine material on insect infestation. North Central Exp. Sta. Bull., Wooster, OH. (In press) Hagstrum, D. W. 1990. Automated acoustical detection of stored-grain insects and its potential in reducing insect problems. Proceedings of the 5th International Working Conference on Stored-Product Protection, Bordeaux, France, Sept. 9-14, 1990. Hagstrum, D. W., and Flinn, P. W. 1990. Simulations comparing insect species differences in response to wheat storage conditions and management practices. J. Econ. Entomol. 83(6):2469-2475. Hagstrum, D. W., Vick, K. W., and Webb, J. C. 1990. Acoustical monitoring of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: bostrichidae) populations in stored wheat. J. Econ. Entomol. 83:625-628. Harner, J. P., Chang, C. S., and Wilcke, W. F. 1990. Grain spreading and leveling. Proceedings III National Stored Grain Pest Management Training Conference, pp. 135-140. Harner, J. P., and Hagstrum, D. W. 1990. Utilizing high airflow rates for aerating wheat. Appl. Eng. Agric. 6:315-321. Howard, R. W., Seitz, L. M., Dowdy, A. L., and McGaughey, W. H. 1990. Head-space analysis of post-harvest wheat: changes in volatile odor composition of three varieties with storage time. American Chem. Soc. 25th Midwest Reg. Mtg., pp. 141. [Abstract] Lamkin, W. M., Unruh, N. C., and Pomeranz. Y. 1990. Use of fluorometry for the determination of uric acid in grain. Elimination of interfering fluorescence. Cereal Chem. (In press) Lin, W. D., Lookhart, G. L., and Hoseney, R. C. 1990. Purification of proteolytic enzymes and their effect on rheological changes of cracker sponge doughs. American Chem. Soc. 25th Midwest Reg. Mtg., pp. 147. [Abstract] Lookhart, G. L. 1990. Cereal proteins: composition of their major fractions and methods for identification. In: Handbook of Cereal Science and Technology, K. J. Lorenz and K. Kulp, eds. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, NY. (In press) [Book chapter] Lookhart, G. L., and Bietz, J. A. 1990. Practical wheat variety identification in the United States. Cereal Foods World 35:404-407. Lookhart, G. L., Graybosch, R., Peterson, J., and Lukaszewski, A. 1990. Identification of wheat lines containing the 1BL/1RS translocation. IV. International Workshop on Gluten Proteins. Abstract:80. [Abstract] Lookhart, G. L., Graybosch, R., Peterson, J., and Lukaszewski, A. 1990. Identification of wheat lines containing the 1BL/1RS translocation. In: Gluten Proteins, Proceedings of the 4th International Workshop on Gluten Proteins, R. Tkachuk and W. Bushuk, eds. Canadian Grain Research Laboratory, Canadian Grain Commission and Univ. of Manitoba. Published by American Assoc. of Cereal Chem., St. Paul, MN. (In press) [Book chapter] Lookhart, G. L., Graybosch, R., Peterson, J., and Lukaszewski, A. 1990. Identification of wheat lines containing the 1BL/1RS translocation by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Cereal Chem. (In press) McGaughey, W. H., and Akins, R. G. 1989. Application of modified atmospheres in farm grain storage bins. J. Stored Prod. Res. 25:201-210. McGaughey, W. H., Speirs, R. D., and Martin, C. R. 1990. Susceptibility of classes of wheat grown in the United States to stored-grain insects. J. Econ. Entomol. 83:1122-1127. Pomeranz, Y., Bechtel, D. B., Sauer, D. B., and Seitz, L. M. 1990. Fusarium headblight (scab) in cereal grains. Chapter 6. In: Advances in Cereal Science and Technology, Y. Pomeranz, ed. American Assoc. Cereal Chem., St. Paul, MN. pp. 373-433. [Book chapter] Shin, M. G., Chung, O. K., and Seib, P. A. 1990. Determination of lysophosphatidyl-choline and -ethanolamine in wheat starch lipids by high performance liquid chromatography. Cereal Foods World 35:839. [Abstract] Shogren, M. D. 1990. A short history of the mixograph. Cereal Foods World 35:480-482. Shogren, M. D. 1990. The mixograph - a historical perspective of an instrument with a promising future, Department of Grain Science and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS. [Pamphlet] Steele, J. L., Brabec, D. L., and Walker, D. E. 1990. Mixograph instrumentation for moving bowl and fixed bowl comparisons of wheat flour performance. Proc. of the Food Processing Automation Conference, FPEI, ASAE, Lexington, KY. pp. 224-234. Wilcke, W. F., Chang, C. S., and Hetzel, G. H. 1990. Grain flow through horizontal guarded orifices. ASAE Paper No. 90-6585, ASAE, St. Joseph, MI. Xu, A., Ponte, J. G., Jr., and Chung, O. K. 1990. Bread crumb amylograph studies. II. The cause of unique properties. Cereal Foods World 35:832. [Abstract] Zayas, I. Y., and Steele, J. L. 1990. Image analysis applications for grain science. Technical Abstracts, Applications in Optical Science and Engineering, SPIE International Symposia, Boston, MA. [Abstract] ------------------------- T. J. Byram TABLE HERE PUBLICATIONS Monthly Crops. Wheat cultivars, percent of acreage devoted to each cultivar. Wheat quality, test weight, moisture, and protein content of current harvest. $10.00 Weekly Crop-Weather. Issued each Monday, March 1 through November 30. Provides crop and weather information for previous week. $12.00. County Estimates. County data on wheat acreage seeded and harvested, yield and production on summer fallow, irrigated, and continuous cropped land. December. Wheat Quality. County data on protein, test weight, moisture, grade, and dockage. Includes milling and baking tests, by cultivar, from a probability sample of Kansas wheat. September. ------------------------- WHEAT QUALITY COUNCIL Tom C. Roberts, Manhattan This is the 53rd year for the Hard Winter Wheat Improvement program of the flour milling industry and the 41st year for the Large-Scale Milling an Baking Evaluation Program of the Breadstuff's Industry. Organized for the purpose of serving as a not-for-profit liaison group within the industry in 1938 and supported in total by the milling industry until 1980, the Wheat Quality Council emerged and has developed as it is today with the assistance of other industry groups - Baking, Grain, Seed, Banking, Associations, Publishing, Transportation, Wheat Commissions and Allied. The Wheat Quality Council shall be for charitable, educational and research support of wheat improvement, conservation and protection. In furthering these purposes the organization shall encourage development of new varieties and production by growers of all wheats that meet the nutritional and functional needs of food processors. The Council has played an important role in improving wheat quality. The Large-Scale Milling and Baking Program began in 1949, being initiated by what is now known as the KSU Dept. of Grain Science and Industry. Minimum support funds were generated by a number of the industry groups to assist in a very low cost volunteer-oriented program until 1980. A Standardized Evaluation System was implemented in 1988 with funding from the American Bakers Association. The following flow chart explains the analytical organizations of the 1990 program. Funds for the Wheat Quality Council come entirely from fees and dues paid by members and cooperators on a volunteer basis. The affairs of the Council are under the supervision of the Executive Vice-President and the Board of Trustees. The Board consists of representatives from the various interest groups who support the Council. A Technical Committee is designated by the Board of Trustees consisting of industry groups as well as non-dues paying groups (USDA), State University, American Institute of Baking, etc.) to implement the Large-and Small-Scale Milling and Baking Evaluation Program. Four from 13 large- and 10 small-scale samples were sent to 35 cooperators for baking. Those cooperators include: mill control chemists, bakery chemists, state and federal wheat quality testing chemists, commercial laboratories, and commercial breeding chemists. Their results are collected and prepared in a preliminary report, which is used at an annual meeting for evaluation of quality. This meeting includes representatives of the many disciplines working on wheat. A 41st final report is to be distributed, giving the findings of the program. ------------------------- KENTUCKY Department of Agronomy D. A. Van Sanford, C. T. MacKown, and L. J. Grabau 1990 Production. In 1990 Kentucky farmers harvested 18.5 million bushels of SRW wheat produced on 500000 acres for an average yield of 37 bu/a. Extremely cold December temperatures resulted in complete vernalization of the wheat crop. The subsequent mild January weather prompted very early growth, and jointing of some genotypes occurred about 3 weeks earlier than normal. Hard freezes in March and April severely damaged many fields. Hardest hit were early planted fields of cultivars that grow rapidly in the early spring (eg. Pioneer Brand 2555, Coker 916) which had received early topdressing of N. The freeze damaged either the developing spike, the lower stem, or both. It was an excellent year for screening for powdery mildew and Septoria leaf blotch. Leaf rust arrived too late to do much damage.-- Van Sanford Kernel Growth Studies. Two Ph.D. students, Lloyd May and Aslim Rasyad completed their degrees in 1990, each having studied some aspect of wheat kernel growth. The key results to emerge from their work were: 1)in diverse genetic material, kernel growth rate is a trait of intermediate heritability (0.4-0.65), that might be used in developing early maturing genotypes, and 2) kernel growth rate can be accurately estimated by a single sample late in the linear phase of kernel growth, which reduces the labor intensity of measuring this trait. Ongoing research includes divergent recurrent selection for kernel growth rate.-- Van Sanford Reproductive characteristics of winter wheat cultivars subjected to postanthesis shading. High temperatures during reproductive development of soft red winter wheat reduce the length of the available grain filling period and may make cultivars grown in such environments more sensitive to short-term reductions in light intensity. Therefore, short-duration, post-anthesis shading (63%) was applied to the cultivars Caldwell, Hart, and Wheeler (about 30, 38, and 45 mg/kernel, respectively) to assess the impact of light intensity on kernel growth rate (KGR, mg/kernel/day) and other reproductive characteristics. Early shading (ES, 1 to 6 or 1 to 8 d after anthesis (DAA)) or mid-shading (MS, 14 to 21 or 15 to 22 DAA) were used with Hart in 1986-88 and the other cultivars in 1987-88. Cultivars differed in relative response to shading with KGR of 1.55, 1.42, and 1.33 (Caldwell); 1.78, 1.75, and 1.59 (Hart); and 2.00, 1.89, and 1.79 (Wheeler) for control, ES, and MS, respectively. Yield reductions due to ES (8.6%) were related to depressed floret fertility (all cultivars) and kernels /spike (Hart only), while those due to MS (5.6%) resulted from lower KGR and kernel weight. Data from MS may support the conclusion that wheat yields are source-limited in some post-anthesis environments, in contrast to a number of previous reports. A shortened reproductive period may be responsible for this observation.-- Grabau, Van Sanford, and Meng. Carbohydrate Profiles of Wheat Stems in Response to Source or Sink Limitation. Nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) in wheat stems may play an important role in supporting kernel growth. In order to assess this possibility, Adder and Saluda wheat plants were grown under two environments and subjected at anthesis to 50% degraining (DG), flag leaf blade removal (FL), or flkag and penultimate leaf blade removal (FPL). Stem tissue was analyzed for fructose, glucose, sucrose, fructans, and NSC using an enzymatic technique. Preliminary results indicate that DG increased NSC within 5 to 10 days after treatment. This difference disappeared in one of the two environments by maturity. Both FL and FPL significantly reduced stem NSC within 5 to 10 days after treatment, and this difference was maintained through maturity. However, FPL did not reduce stem NSC more than FL in any of the studies conducted.-- Meng, Grabau, MacKown, Egli, and Van Sanford. Kernel Size Response to Partial Degraining. Soft red winter wheat cultivars have been identified and classified as either responsive or nonresponsive depending on the change in kernel size when 50% of the spikelets are removed. It was hypothesized that the presence of tillers with intact spikes influenced the classification and relative response of the cultivars. Partial removal of tiller and main stem spikelets was used to evaluated the competing sink role of tillers on the kernel size response. Two responsive cultivars (FL 302, Pioneer 2551) and two nonrepsonsive cultivars (Wheeler, Caldwell) were used. Within each class, the kernel size of one of the cultivars was large and the other small. Partial degraining of all spikes increased kernel size of both main stem and tillers for the responsive cultivars. Except for the kernel size of tillers on Wheeler, an increase in the kernel size of the nonresponsive cultivars was not observed when all stems were partially degrained. Partial degraining of the tiller spikes did not further increase the kernel size of the partially degrained main stem spike of the responsive cultivars. Partial degraining of the main stem spike had no effect on the kernel size of the tillers. Apparently, for these four cultivars minimal transfer of assismilates between main stem and tillers occurred. Lack of a compensatory response to an enhanced source of assismilates indicicates a possible sink limitation for the nonresponsive cultivars, while an increase in kernel size indicates a source limitation for kernel development on the responsive cultivars.-- Ma, MacKown, and Van Sanford. Cultivars. Verne wheat,tested as KY83-38, was released in 1990 for its superiority in grain yield and test weight under conventional management. Verne was derived from the cross:Red Coat /Gaines/5/Taylor// Norin 10/Brevor/3/?/4/Oasis. An F3 bulk of this cross was obtained in 1981 from Tom Starling, formerly small grain breeder at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. After several generations of selfing and selection, a number of F8 headrows were bulked on the basis of uniform plant type and increased in the F9 and F10 generations to produce F11 breeder seed. Heading date of Verne is approximately 2 d earlier than Cardinal. Verne is tall,( equivalent in height to Cardinal), and will lodge under high N rates. Verne is slightly more winterhardy than Saluda..Verne has shown consistent yield superiority to cultivars currently grown in Kentucky. In 4 years of testing at seven locations, grain yield of Verne was 106% of Cardinal. Test weight of Verne is slightly lower than that of Saluda. Verne has moderate resistance to powdery mildew, and Septoria leaf blotch and seems to have some adult plant resistance to leaf rust. Verne is susceptible to the Hessian fly. Limited certified seed will be available to growers for the fall of 1991.-- Van Sanford. Personnel. Dave Van Sanford spent a 6 month sabbatical at the Wheat Genetics Resource Center at Kansas State University, working with Stan Cox, Bikram Gill, and Rollie Sears. Publications Ma, Y. Z., C. T. MacKown, and D. A. Van Sanford. 1990. Sink manipulation in wheat: compensatory changes in kernel size. Crop Sci. 30: 1099-1105. Ma, Y. Z., C. T. MacKown, and D. A. Van Sanford. 1990. Differential response of kernel size to partial degraining in four winter wheat cultivars. Agron. Abstr., p. 126. Meng, Q. W. , L. J. Grabau, C. T. MacKown, D. B. Egli, and D. A. Van Sanford. 1990. Carbohydrate profiles of wheat stems in response to source or sink limitation. Agron Abstr., p. 127. Zourakis, D., J. H. Grove, C. T. MacKown, and M. S. Smith. 1990. A study on 15N recovery by crop components of the corn-wheat-doublecrop soybean rotation. Agron. Abst. p. 286. Meng, Q. W., C. T. MacKown, L. J. Grabau, D. A. Van Sanford, and D. B. Egli. 1990. Wheat fructans: response to nitrogen fertility. Agron. Abstr., p. 369 Grabau, L. J. , D. A. Van Sanford, and Q. W. Meng.1990. Post-anthesis shading of winter wheat cultivars. Crop Sci. 30: 771-774. Rasyad, A., D. A. Van Sanford, and D. M. TeKrony. 1990. Changes in seed viability and vigor during wheat seed maturation. Journal of Seed Sci. and Tech. 18: 259-267. ------------------------- LOUISIANA Louisiana State University, LSU Agricultural Center S.A. Harrison*, Patrick Colyer*, and Clayton Hollier* Production and Diseases, and Hessian Fly. Wheat production estimates for 1990 are somewhat lower than initially projected due to heavy rainfall during and after planting time. Estimates are that 440,000 acres produced 12,870,000 bushels of wheat, for an average of 33.0 bushels/acre. The low yields are mostly a reflection of poor stands that resulted from fall rains. Rust diseases of wheat were comparatively light during the 1989-90 season. Losses were estimated at 4.7% for leaf rust (Puccinia recondita), 0.3% for stem rust (P. graminis f.sp tritici), and 0.3% for stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis). Statewide yield loss due to Septoria leaf and glume blotch was relatively low although individual fields displayed high incidence and severity. Both Septoria nodorum and S. tritici are present in Louisiana, but S. nodorum is responsible for most of the yield loss attributed to Septoria spp. During the 1990 season bacterial streak / black chaff (Xanthomonas campestris pv. translucens) was extremely heavy in most areas of the state. Yield losses attributed to Xct were estimated at 6-9%, and reduced yield more than any other single disease for the season. Hessian Fly (Mayetiola destructor) was again identified in Bossier Parish in the northwest corner of the state. Research on identification of the severity of the Hessian Fly problem and biotypes present will continue. Hessian Fly has not become a major problem in Louisiana. Variety Testing: Under high management (fungicide + additional topdress N), Coker 9877 had the highest three-year (70.2 bu/acre) and two-year (70.7 bu/acre) mean yield across all locations. Coker 9323, Florida 302, and McNair 1003 also had yields of greater than 65 bu/acre for the past three years. Bayles, Coker 9877, Coker 9105, Hartz HX2326, and Coker 9323 were the highest-yielding entries across locations for 1990. Results of the LAES performance trials are published in LAES Mimeo Series No. 48. Wheat Breeding: A total of 307 new crosses were added to the LAES wheat breeding program in 1990. Fifty-two of these were part of the dominant males sterile facilitated recurrent selection program (DMSFRSP) for disease resistance, 245 were bi-parental crosses, and 10 were obtained from Dr. Phil Bruckner. The DMSFRSP is aimed at increasing levels of resistance to leaf rust, septoria, and bacterial streak in a broad-based population. New parents are added to the program as deemed appropriate. A separate population will be initiated in 1991 for bacterial streak alone. The bi-parental crosses are about equally divided between germplasm enhancement and variety development objectives. Parents include CIMMYT lines, Hessian Fly resistant lines form Kansas State and Purdue Universities, CERUGA leaf rust lines (CEreal Rust Lab-Univ. GA), and many other sources. The crosses were grown in an air- conditioned greenhouse during the summer and advanced to the F2 generation for the 1990-91 season. All of the yield nurseries at Baton Rouge were lost to excessive rains (15+" within 8 weeks of planting). Additionally, many of the breeding nurseries were lost and had to be replanted from remnant seed in 1991. The greatest progress was made in the F3 nurseries, which were already established before the floods. A total of about 18,000 headrows, from segregating populations were planted for 1991. Over 8,000 of these are F3:4 headrows, with the remainder split among F2, F3, F3x, F5x and F5 headrows. Cooperative research continued with Dr. Tim Croughan to refine anther culture methods for the development of di-haploids from F1 and F2 soft red winter wheat. Published methods for spring wheats have not worked well with winter wheat. Mumerous combinations of media are being evaluated. Somaclonal variants are being also generated and evaluated. Bacterial Streak Research: The increasing importance of bacterial streak prompted a series of studies on the disease. Approximately 40 isolates of Xanthomonas campestris have been collected in Louisiana since 1989 and numerous isolates have been identified that produce good disease symptoms when inoculated onto wheat. Dr. Chris Clark is characterizing these isolates for pathogenicity and biochemical traits. Three of the virulent isolates were used in a series of experiments to assess the reaction of wheat varieties to the pathogen and to determine the yield loss caused by the disease. Wheat lines from the LAES wheat performance trials and the USDA UESSRWW and USSRWW nurseries in recent years (250 lines total) were grown in replicated single-row plots at two locations in 1990. Results of inoculations with Xct indicate that their are genetic differences in resistance. The genetic screening research will be continued for 1991 to determine the relationship of field and greenhouse ratings for Xct. Twelve varieties were planted in a split plot arrangement of a RCBD at two locations in 1990, with main plots as inoculation level (inoculated vs non). All plots were protected with Tilt to prevent confounding of results by differential infection with leaf rust and septoria. Varietal differences were observed at both locations for disease development. Yield losses at Winnsboro ranged form -1.8 (-2%) to 20.4 (27%) bu/acre, and averaged 6.0 bu/acre. Several varieties appeared to have a moderate level of resistance, while two of the twelve varieties showed tolerance. This research is also continued for the 1991 season. Personnel Changes: Mr. David Thompson assumed the position of Research Associate for the wheat breeding program in June, 1990. David completed a M.Sc. at Oklahoma State University in May, 1990. He will assist in all aspects of the breeding and variety testing program. Dr. John Russin joined the LAES in February, 1991, as a research wheat pathologist. John will be working will major wheat pathogens in the state and will also assist in evaluation of lines in the wheat breeding program. Ms. Wendy Kursell completed her M.Sc. on bacterial streak in December and has assumed a position with American Cyanamid. Ms. Laura Oberthur completed her M.Sc. on somaclonal variation and leaf rust, and is pursuing a Ph.D. with Dr. Steve Baenziger at Nebraska. Mr. Sayed Shah began a Ph.D. working with management practices of wheat and will also work in the wheat breeding program. His research will be to evaluate the effects of various management practices to determine their effectiveness in offsetting the adverse effects of late planting. ------------------------- MARYLAND Department of Agronomy, University of Maryland at College Park D. J. Sammons* and R. J. Kratochvil 1990 Winter Wheat Production. Maryland wheat producers harvested 190,000 acres (76,950 hectares) in 1990, an 11.6% decrease over harvested area in 1989. The state crop totaled 9.88 million bushels (268,835 metric tons) of grain, a 15% increase in total production compared to the 1989 harvest. This production was obtained by a state average of 52 bu/a (3494 kg/ha), approximately 30% higher than for the 1989 crop year. The production year 1989-1990 was generally favorable for wheat in Maryland. The fall planting season was normal, and timely planting occurred statewide. Seasonable moisture and temperatures resulted in good stand establishment. The winter months were generally mild, and relatively little winter kill was noted anywhere. An unusual midwinter warm spell in late February was followed by a freeze in March, however little damage was noted in this region except sporadically in unusually early heading experimental lines. Spring regrowth was normal, encouraged by gradually warming temperatures and sufficient rainfall. During the grain fill and maturation period, the climatic conditions were excellent - warm, sunny, and relatively dry. Yield performance and test weights were good to excellent for most entries at most locations in the state. An exception to this occurred in western regions of Maryland, where a five-day rainy period occurred just at the time of wheat harvest in mid-July; many fields had not been harvested at this time. Grain harvested following these conditions suffered from dramatically reduced test weight largely due to pre-harvest sprouting of the grain. Disease pressure was relatively intense in wheat in the Spring. Powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis) was present everywhere in the state, but was particularly severe on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Leaf rust (Puccinia recondita) was also severe in this region of the state on susceptible cultivars. In general, other common wheat diseases, including glume blotch (Septoria nodorum) and scab (Fusarium sp.), were present but incidence and severity were generally low. Insect damage to wheat also occurred during the 1989-1990 production year. At several locations on the Eastern Shore, infestations of true armyworm (Pseudaletia unipuncta), grass sawfly (Dolerus sp.), and cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus) were observed - some reaching economically damaging levels. Cultivar Evaluation. Cultivar evaluation was conducted at four locations in Maryland in 1990. A total of 42 genotypes were tested (29 cultivars, 8 elite breeding lines, 1 blend, and 4 private experimental lines). Among public cultivars tested, five (Caldwell, FL 302, Geneva, Susquehanna, and Williams) yielded over 85 bu/a (5712 kg/ha) in statewide testing; seven private cultivars (Agra brand 863, Agripro brand Twain, Hoffman brand 1089, Pioneer brand 2548, and Southern States brands FFR 374, 544, 568) also yielded in this range. The highest statewide yield in the evaluation program was observed for Pioneer brand 2548 which yielded 95.9 bu/a (6444 kg/ha). Several excellent elite breeding lines are currently under consideration for possible release in Maryland. Most prominent among these lines are MD 80004-62 and MD 80071-56. Both of these lines are characterized by early maturity, short plant stature, stiff straw, excellent winter hardiness, good test weight and resistance to powdery mildew, the most damaging disease in Maryland. Test weight for most cultivars in Maryland in 1990 was good, except in the western part of the state. The statewide average test weight in the evaluation trials was 55 lb/bu (71 kg/hl). Low test weight, which for sound, plump wheat does not consistently correlate with poor milling and baking quality, is a concern for Maryland producers and most producers in the southeastern United States. Research has been initiated in Maryland to attempt to separate the genetic and environmental components of this problem, and to better understand its significance in terms of end use product quality. Preliminary results of this work are summarized in the article which follows. Effects of weathering on soft red winter wheat grain and flour quality. Current emphasis on end-use quality of agronomic crops has made it necessary for breeders to place more emphasis upon those traits which affect quality in their breeding programs. Identification of the genotypic differences and the environmental factors that affect those traits are necessary for a successful breeding program to improve quality. A growing controversy as to what constitutes a quality soft red winter wheat has emerged among growers, breeders, millers, and bakers. Test weight has long been associated with wheat quality in the marketing chain; millers, in particular, have claimed that test weight is a predictable indicator of the flour yield of a grain lot. However, researchers have found that test weight does not always correlate positively with flour yield as millers have long contended. It is known that rainfall at harvest time will cause a reduction in test weight. What is unclear is if this decline in test weight also results in a predictable decline in milling and baking quality. If the rainfall period is long enough, the grain is able to imbibe enough water to commence germination which results in elevated alpha-amylase activity. Flour from this weathered grain will impact some products detrimentally. Research at Maryland is being conducted to identify the amount of weathering that will affect milling and baking quality negatively. Also, since sprout-damaged wheat can be a problem, screening procedures for lengthening pre-harvest grain dormancy and identifying cultivar differences for dormancy are under investigation. A study to measure the effects of weathering or rainfall on soft red winter wheat grain and flour quality was done during 1989 at the Southern Maryland Research and Education Center-Poplar Hill Research Farm. Four genotypes (Severn, Caldwell, Agripro-Twain, and Md 75191-80) were grown in a split plot arrangement of treatments in an RCB design. Whole plots consisted of a combination of harvest time (timely or delayed) and shelter (uncovered or covered) from rainfall. The harvest dates were 28 June (timely) and 26 July. Covers were placed over the plots on 8 June. The covers consisted of 10x10 wooden frames with sloped roofs for rainfall drainage. They were covered with clear PVC plastic. The plastic was rolled to approximately 15 cm above the canopy on all four sides of the framework to allow air movement under the shelter. The peak of each shelter was approximately 1.2 m above the canopy. The structures were removed at each harvest date and the corresponding plots were harvested. Following harvest, test weight and 1000 kernel weight were measured for each treatment; seed germination was also determined for samples from all treatments. Samples from each plot were sent to the USDA Soft Wheat Quality Laboratory in Wooster, OH for milling and baking quality analyses and alpha-amylase activity. A brief rainfall period occurred within a week of the timely harvest date. Rainfall between harvest dates was considerable (10-13 cm) with more than one rainy period. As expected, a significant decline in test weight occurred between both the timely and late harvested plots and the sheltered and unsheltered plots. This decline in test weight ranged from 3.9 to 6.4 kg/hl. Thousand kernel weight was not affected by the weathering treatments. Post- harvest germinations also were unaffected by weathering. Overall, weathering appeared to have no effect upon the milling quality, flour protein, alkaline water retention capacity, cookie diameter, and top grain scores. Overall baking quality for three of four genotypes was improved significantly by the weathering associated with uncovered plots. Softness equivalent also improved for the grain harvested from the uncovered plots. Only Severn had a significant decline in flour yield from the weathered plots. These results indicate that the weathering associated with a delay in harvest in 1989 had little or no detrimental effect upon the quality of the flour. Alpha-amylase activity was elevated significantly for the non-sheltered plots at the late harvest date. However, these levels varied by genotype and were non-significant for Severn and Md 75191-80 when compared to their levels with timely harvest and under sheltered conditions. This work was expanded for the 1990 crop year. Seed dormancy study. A study to identify dormancy differences for SRWW was initiated in 1989. Seventeen cultivars and breeding lines were grown in an un-replicated block at the Central Maryland Research and Education Center-Beltsville Farm. The anthesis date for each genotype was noted, and commencing with the three week post-anthesis date for each genotype 50 randomly selected primary spikes were collected. These spikes were air dried to approximately 10% moisture content, threshed by single head thresher, and the seed stored at -170 C (for dormancy maintenance) until germination tests were done. This sampling procedure continued at weekly intervals through the seven week post-anthesis date. Germination tests were done at 0, 3, 6, and 12 weeks after removal from cold storage with an additional 0 week germination test with stratification done to break dormancy and serve as a check for the other timed germination tests. Each germination test per genotype was replicated twice at each time interval. The procedure for the germination test was to place the seed on Anchor Seed Germination paper, wet it, and put it in an incubator at 260 C for seven days. Seed was then classified as either germinated or not germinated by visual analysis. The stratification treatment proved that the differences seen for the cultivars and the harvest dates was due to dormancy as normal germination rates of 90% or greater were present. The general trend for dormancy for the 17 genotypes was to decline (germination percentage increased) across the post- anthesis harvest dates of three through seven weeks. Cultivar differences for the rate of dormancy decline were found with Florida 302 and Blueboy found to be the most resistant to loss of dormancy. Two of the most susceptible cultivars were New Northrup King-Coker 9733 and Agripro-Twain. Additional screening procedures are currently underway for both greenhouse grown genotypes and an expanded field study grown during 1990. Interactions between seeding dates and seeding rates. In Maryland planting of wheat is sometimes delayed due to wet fall weather. This study was conducted to determine the yield response resulting from a delayed seeding date and to determine if this response can be influenced by the seeding rate. The experiments were conducted at two locations: Central Maryland Research and Education Center (CMREC)-Beltsville Unit and CMREC-Clarksville Unit in 1989-90. The treatments included three seeding dates (Hessian fly-free date, two weeks later, and four weeks later, respectively), four seeding rates (112, 140, 168, and 196 kg/ha), and two cultivars (Agripro brand Twain and FL 302). A split plot arrangement of treatments within a randomized complete block design was used. Response to the seeding rates and seeding dates differed at the two locations. There were no differences in yield for either the seeding rates or the seeding dates at Beltsville, however, the two cultivars were significantly different at this location. There also was a significant interaction between the seeding dates and the cultivars. At Clarksville, Fl 302 had lower yields with the two greater seeding rates at the first two seeding dates than for the two lower seeding rates. At the last seeding date, however, the two higher seeding rates produced better yields. Twain tended to have a decline in yield as the seeding rate was increased at the first two seeding dates. At the third seeding date, the two intermediate seeding rates produced greater yields than the other two seeding rates. In conclusion, it would appear that yield response to increased seeding rates as the seeding date is delayed is both cultivar and location dependent. The study is continuing. PUBLICATIONS Alemu, Alemayehu A. 1990. Effects of Selection Environment and Methods on the Performance of Progeny of Wheat and Barley Crosses Grown in Maryland. M.S. Thesis, Department of Agronomy, University of Maryland. 88 pg. Kratochvil, R.J. and D.J. Sammons. 1990. A Comparison of Soft Red Winter Wheat F2 Populations, Their F1 Hybrids, and Parents. Journal of Production Agriculture 3:363-367. Kratochvil, R.J. and D.J. Sammons. 1990. Preliminary Screening for Post-Harvest Dormancy of Soft Red Winter Wheat Cultivars. 1990 Agronomy Abstracts, p. 97. Sammons, D.J. 1990. Registration of "Susquehanna" Wheat. Crop Science 30:235. Sammons, D.J. and R.J. Kratochvil. 1990. Effect of Environmental and Management Factors on Soft Red Winter Wheat Cultivars. 1990 Agronomy Abstracts, p. 192. Sammons, D.J. and R.J. Kratochvil. 1990. Maryland Barley and Wheat Variety Performance. Agronomy Mimeo 19. Department of Agronomy, University of Maryland. ------------------------- USDA-ARS and Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul. R.H. Busch and Brent Delzer Wheat Production , Breeding and Studies. Minnesota produced an estimated 135 million bushels (3.67 million MT) from 2.75 million acres (1.12 million ha) harvested. Durum was harvested from about 30 thousand acres with a total production of 1.3 million bushels and winter wheat was planted on about 130,000 acres. The average yield of spring wheat in 1990 was estimates to be 44 bu/A compared to an average yield of 38 bu/A in 1989 and 23 bu/A in 1988. Weather conditions were favorable for April seeding again in 1990 but subsoil moisture was quite low. Rainfall was abundant in the southwest and central areas resulting in severe scab infection in these areas. The main growing area received adequate rainfall through June but July and August were again very dry. Scab was not a problem in the main growing area and yields were quite high even with the dry conditions because temperatures remained near normal. Protein content was near normal even though yield were high but the 1990 crop has weaker mixing properties than in other years. The survey of wheat varieties grown in Minnesota in 1990 was as follows: Marshall, released from MN in 1982, 50%; Stoa, released from ND in 1984, 9%; Butte 86, released from ND in 1986, 8%; Wheaton, released from MN in 1983, 7%; 2375, released from Pioneer in 1988, 5%; Nordic, released by Agripro in 1986, 4%; Prospect, released from SD in 1988, 2%; and Vance, released by MN in 1989, 2%. The leading variety of winter wheat was Roughrider, released from ND in 1975, with 58% of the acreage. The Pioneer hard red spring wheat breeding program was discontinued in 1990, and breeding materials were distributed to North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota public breeding programs. The breeding portion of the nurseries in 1990 were almost double their normal size and only thesis problems were grown as well. Cycles 0, 2, and 4 of recurrent selection for percent protein improvement were evaluated in 1989 and 1990 at two locations each year for yield, heading date, plant height, grain protein, and other traits (Table 1). Percent protein increased linearly at the rate of 0.4% protein per cycle. Grain yield decreased in each cycle of selection. Kernel weight, plant height, and days to head were relatively unaffected by selection for protein. Line variation does not appear to have been reduced in a practical terms for selection. Table 1. Effect of Recurrent Selection for Protein Percentage in Hard Red Spring Wheat, Evaluated at Two Locations in MN, 1989-90 Grain Kernel Grain Plant Days Aerial Cycle protein weight yield height head biomass (%) (g\1000) (t/ha) (cm) (t/ha) 0 16.4 28.1 2.78 91.1 58.3 9.06 2 17.2 27.1 2.71 88.5 57.9 8.72 4 18.0 27.7 2.53 89.9 57.7 8.48 CHECKS Marshall 14.7 24.0 2.93 78.9 60.0 8.69 Chris 16.7 24.0 2.56 94.4 59.6 9.04 PUBLICATIONS Busch, R., D. McVey, J. Wiersma, D. Warnes, R. Wilcoxson, and V. Youngs. 1990. Registration of Minnpro wheat. Crop Sci. 30:748-749. Busch, R., D. McVey, J. Wiersma, D. Warnes, R. Wilcoxson, and V. Youngs. 1990. Registration of Vance wheat. Crop Sci. 30:749. Delzer, B.W., and R.H. Busch. 1990. Recurrent selection of grain protein percentage in spring wheat. Agron. Abstr. p. 85-86. ------------------------- Cereal Rust Laboratory, USDA-ARS, St. Paul A. P. Roelfs, D. L. Long, D. H. Casper, M. E. Hughes and J. J. Roberts The Rusts of Wheat in the United States in 1990 Stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici). Overwintering stem rust sites were found on susceptible cultivars in southern Texas and southern Louisiana. A dry summer in 1989 which limited oversummering infections, late planting, plus a December freeze probably resulted in the low initial level of fall infection in the area within 75 miles of the Gulf Coast. During the last two weeks of May, only traces of stem rust were found in plots in north central Texas, west and east central Arkansas and west central Indiana. Heavy rains, in late April, throughout Texas and Oklahoma scrubbed urediniospores from the air, washed them from the uredinia, and resulted in long periods of high humidity within the canopy limiting spore release. These factors limited the number of spores in the air, over the affected fields, that were available for long-distance dispersal. During the first week in June, stem rust was found in several wheat fields in central Kansas. The general occurrence and severity of rust suggested that the inoculum source probably originated from infected plots in south central Kansas. Several overwintering centers were found in the McNair 701 (susceptible host) plots across Kansas, indicating that conditions may have been generally favorable for winter rust survival. The inoculum in Kansas was adequate to result in a light severity in fields of Karl, TAM 107 and Pioneer 2157 and to provide inoculum for regions to the north. By mid-June, stem rust was found in fields and plots of susceptible cultivars in northern Kansas and south central Nebraska. In late June, traces of stem rust were found in winter and spring wheat plots in east central North Dakota, in east central Minnesota, and east central Washington. Then by the third week in July stem rust severities of 20% were found on winter wheats in southern Michigan, southeastern North Dakota and east central Washington fields. Since most of the wheat in these areas was near maturity losses were light. As shown in Table 1, nine Pgt races were identified from 101 collections made from wheat in the U.S.A. in 1990. Race Pgt-QFC (151-QFC) and Pgt-TPM (15-TNM) each comprised 30% of the isolates. Race Pgt-QCC (151-QBC) comprised 22% of the isolates and was the most common race isolated from barley. A race common in previous years, Pgt-TPL (15-TNM avirulent on Sr17), was identified in a specific area in Kansas, and this was unusual as this virulence combination has not been found in the previous three years. Races Pgt-BBC, LBC, MBC and RKQ were also identified in the 1990 survey. Leaf rust (Puccinia recondita f. sp. tritici). Dry conditions during the winter restricted normal leaf rust increase in south Texas. However, early spring rains created conditions favorable for rust increase throughout Texas and Oklahoma. During the last week in April, 60% severities were reported in many fields where the rust overwintered, while in adjacent fields only traces were present. By early May, leaf rust was severe in fields and plots in north central Texas, southern Oklahoma and southern Arkansas. However, heavy rains reduced the potential for long range dispersal of wheat leaf rust spores from this area. Leaf rust overwintered in south central Kansas but cooler than normal weather in late April and early May and severe levels of powdery mildew in eastern Kansas and Missouri slowed rust development in this area. By mid-May, leaf rust severities ranged from traces in northern Kansas to severe in southern Oklahoma fields where leaf rust overwintered. In mid-June, leaf rust severities ranged from 80% in north central Kansas where losses occurred to traces in east central North Dakota fields. In the northern Great Plains leaf rust did not overwinter on winter wheats, therefore, rust was observed on susceptible spring and winter wheats on approximately the same dates in early July and with similar severities. During mid-July, 40% leaf rust severities were recorded in susceptible spring wheat plots in northeastern North Dakota and western Minnesota and traces in fields throughout the northern spring wheat growing area. Losses were insignificant, due to the resistance of the commonly grown spring and durum wheat cultivars. In the soft red winter wheat area during early April 90% leaf rust severities were common in wheat fields within 75 miles of the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Georgia. Rust developed rapidly in late January, slowed in February and then increased in late March. The most severe rust was in late planted fields of CK 9766 and Fla 302, where losses occurred. The southern soft red winter wheat area provided inoculum for the northern soft red and white wheat areas as no leaf rust overwintered in the northern area in 1990. From southern Illinois to eastern Virginia, leaf rust severities increased in susceptible cultivars from 10 to 80% during the first week of June. Losses in this area were from leaf rust, Septoria nodorum and scab. In California, wheat leaf rust was severe on susceptible cultivars in plots and light in fields throughout the grain growing area. In the Pacific Northwest, rust developed slowly and losses were light. The leaf rust Prt races identified in 1990 (Table 2) include many of those found in 1989 and in the same areas. A few significant differences when compared to the last year's survey are an increase in virulence to Lr11 in the U.S.A. population and an increase in the Lr2a + 9 virulence combination in the southeastern U.S.A. Stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis). By early April, stripe rust was found in the Sacramento Valley of California, southeastern and northwestern areas of Washington. The cool weather in May was favorable for stripe rust increase on susceptible cultivars in the Pacific Northwest. Some wheat growers in eastern Oregon and southeastern Washington sprayed with fungicides to control the rust on the susceptible hard red winter wheats Victory and Weston and the club wheat Tres. No stripe rust was found in the Great Plains in 1990. Rust losses. Acreage harvested and yield production records are based on 1990 Annual Crop Summary, Agricultural Statistics Board, USDA. Loss data are summary of estimates made by personnel of the State Departments of Agriculture, University extension and research projects, Plant Protection Programs of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Agricultural Research Service and the Cereal Rust Laboratory. Losses for 1990 are shown in Tables 3 and 4. Losses were calculated for each rust as follows: Loss (specific rust) = (Production) X (Percent loss) (100%) - (Percent loss due to rusts) Losses are indicated as a trace when the disease was present but no fields were known to have suffered significant losses. If a few fields suffered measurable losses this is reflected as a percent of the state's production. Zeros indicate the disease was not reported in that state during the season. Blanks for stripe rust indicate that the disease was not reported nor does it occur annually in that state. ------------------------- USDA-ARS, Cereal Rust Laboratory, and Dept of Plant Pathology: and Dept. of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul. D.V. McVey and R. Busch Winter Wheat Survival at St. Paul, Minnesota, 1989-1990 About 5000 winter wheat accessions from the USDA-ARS Small Grains Collection were to be evaluated for their reaction to stem rust in 1990. Only 100 survived the open winter of 1989-90 at St. Paul, MN and are listed below. Although the winter was much above average in temperature, a severe cold period for the last two weeks of December with no snow cover was a major factor. The accessions which survived could be sources of winter hardiness. However, all were susceptible to stem rust. Stem rust races used for creating the field epidemic were comprised of the following with Cereal Rust Laboratory codes: QFBS, QSHS, RHRS, RKQS, RTQQ, and TNMK. Table 1. Winter wheat accessions from the USDA-ARS Small Grains Collection surviving the winter of 1989-90 at St. Paul, MN. ACNO ACCULT SOURCE ANCO ACCULT SOURCE 94463 VALKI EXP STN 38-R-E-MG USSR 254070 USA 94463 VALKI EXP STN 39-R-E-34 USSR 254075 USA 94466 VALKI EXP STN 41-R-E-MG USSR 254078 USA 94467 VALKI EXP STN 42-R-E-MG USSR 262577 MOSKOWSKAYA USSR 94477 VALKI EXP STN 48-A-R-E-34 USSR 262578 ULYANOBKA USSR 94478 VALKI EXP STN 49-R-E-MG USSR 262580 ODESSKAYA 16 USSR 94479 VALKI EXP STN 50-R-E-MG USSR 262589 GORITSKAYA USSR 94484 VALKI EXP STN 57-R-E-MG USSR 262632 LUTESCENS 1060-10 USSR 94487 VALKI EXP STN 60-R-E-MG USSR 262635 KAZACHINSKAYA USSR 94488 VALKI EXP STN 61-R-E-MG USSR 262637 USI ISHIMSKAYA USSR 94489 VALKI EXP STN 62-R-E-MG USSR 267142 HOSTIANUM 23F USSR 94493 VALKI EXP STN 75-R-E-MG USSR 267148 VESELOPODOL YANKAYA USSR 94500 VALKI EXP STN 107-R-E-34 USSR 267151 VELUTINUM USSR 94501 VALKI EXP STN 127-R-E-34 USSR 272495 MILTURUM BABOLNAI 4750 HUNGARY 94502 VALKI EXP STN 128-R-E-34 USSR 277112 LESOSTEPKA 75 GERMANY 94504 VALKI EXP STN 131-R-E-34 USSR 277113 VOROSILOVSKAJA GERMANY 94507 VALKI EXP STN 136-R-E-34 USSR 277114 MOSKOVSKAJA 2453 GERMANY 94510 VALKI EXP STN 141-R-E-34 USSR 277115 ODESSKAJA 12 GERMANY 94513 VALKI EXP STN 161-R-E-34 USSR 294992 PETROWSKAJA 7 BULGARIA 94514 VALKI EXP STN 163-R-E-34 USSR 294937 BEZENTSCHUKSKAJA 51 BULGARIA 94515 VALKI EXP STN 164-R-E-34 USSR 294999 BELOZERKOWSKAJA 37 BULGARIA 94517 VALKI EXP STN 166-R-E-34 USSR 295346 ODESSNAJA 21 USSR 94519 VALKI EXP STN 168-R-E-34 USSR 295349 MILTURUM 321 USSR 94522 VALKI EXP STN 171-R-E-34 USSR 306505 LUNNIJA 56 RUMANIA 94536 VALKI EXP STN 193-R-E-34 USSR 326301 ALABASSKAJA USSR 94537 VALKI EXP STN 194-R-E-34 USSR 326310 MIRONOVSKAJA 808 USSR 94541 VALKI EXP STN 201-R-E-34 USSR 340681 BORMANS 339 NETHERLANDS 94594 SQUARE WHEAT USSR 345682 BAHRATNAJA USSR 119034 1060/10 USSR 345683 BELOCERKOVSKAJA 198 USSR 119133 SHANSI STN203 CHINA 345699 STEPNAJA 135 USSR 119134 SHANSI STN204 CHINA 350961 69Z2.90/7D SWITZERLAND 119135 SHANSI STN204 CHINA 351176 MUNSTERTALER SWITZERLAND 119135 SHANSI STN298 CHINA 418192 BG-89 (VIR 38298) USSR 119138 SHANSI STN1274 CHINA 11035 LOVE H H L11 CHINA 124366 NANKING 169 CHINA 6680 ASHKOF USA WI 157587 SEO YUC 10 6938 KHARKOF MC22 157588 SEU SEUN 1 7166 MINGUTA 148 CHINA 157597 SEU SEUN 10 7366 TURKEY SEL USA OR 157606 TURKEY 8033 YOGO USA MT 157607 TURKEY 8034 MINHARDI/MINTURKI USA MT 10012 19104C-6-10-1-34 8036 EUREKA/MINHARDI USA MT 192386 RYSTKT 0246 PORTUGAL 8040 KANRED/MINHARDI USA MT 10094 NEBRED USA NE 8887 TURKEY/MINESSA USA KS 10095 1065 TURKEY SEL USA NE 8888 MINNESOTA 2313(MINARD/MINHARDI) USA MN 10097 TURKEY 1068 USA NE 8889 MINNESOTA 2314(MINARD/MINHARDI) USA MN 254024 USA 278463 KRASNAIA OSTISTAIA USSR 254030 USA 278464 T 9283 AIV USSR 254036 USA 278467 O 237 SARATOV USSR 254044 USA 278468 O 329 SARATOV USSR 254053 USA 124350 NANKING 433 CHINA ------------------------- MISSOURI E. R. Sears, G. Kimber, J. P. Gustafson, A. L. McKendry, C. G. D. Chapman, H. Aswidinnoor, J. Berg, D. Bittel, M. Daud, A. Dera, M. Feiner, G. Henke, K. Houchins, M. Jlibene, S. Madsen, J. V. Monte, K. Ross, D. Tague, M. Wanous, R. Wilman, B. Winberg, Z. Zhou The substitution of T. dicoccoides chromosomes 4B and 5B into Chinese Spring has been completed, leaving only three still unfinished. BC6 of 2B has been grown and seed obtained on monosomics; BC6 has been made for 6B; and BC2 made for 3A. Telocentrics 4AS, 6AL, and 2DL are reported by Adam Lukaszewski to differ from Chinese Spring in their C-banding. He has already recovered a correct telo-4AS from CS, and a search is under way at Missouri for replacements for the other two. The use of autotetraploids in the genomic and evolutionary analysis of the wheat group continues. In particular, the genomic relationships of the S- genome species, which are the closest to the B genome of T. aestivum, have yielded new information on the relative evolutionary divergence of this group. The U genome of T. ovatum, which had previously been found to show evidence of substantial differentiation, was also reinvestigated. It was shown that the U genome of accessions of T. ovatum collected where they are sympatric to their diploid relative and U-genome donor, T. umbellulatum, do not demonstrate substantial genomic change. It is concluded that continued introgression between these species has assisted in the maintenance of the pivotal status of this genome. A qualitative effect of an accessory chromosome of T. tripsacoides in hybrids deficient for chromosome 3D was demonstrated. The 1990 Missouri Wheat Crop. Missouri's 1990 wheat crop was harvested from 2,000,000 acres, up from a harvested acreage of 1,850,000 acres for 1989. The state-wide average yield of 38 bushels acre-1, was down from 47 bushels acre-1 reported for the 1989 crop year and resulted in a state production of 76,000 bushels. Significant winter injury and/or freeze damage occurred at Columbia and in the southern region of the state due to sub-zero December temperatures without adequate snow cover and spring freezes at these locations. Generally cooler than normal temperatures persisted throughout much of the growing season. Rainfall was well above normal and resulted in significant disease infections of powdery mildew, septoria leaf blotch and septoria glume blotch. In addition, conditions during flowering resulted in wide-spread scab infections, particularly in early varieties. Disease levels significantly impacted grain yield and test weight throughout much of the state. Small Grains Breeding: The small grains breeding project had studies underway in 1990 to evaluate the impact of Septoria tritici on yield and its components, to identify from among the wild relatives of wheat, sources of resistance to this pathogen and to introgress these resistance genes into commercial soft red winter wheats. A total of 20 out of 291 wild wheat accessions were found to be resistant to S. tritici, (Saari-Prescott rating < 1.0). Of the accessions screened, resistance was found primarily among accessions of Triticum tauschii and T. speltoides. Direct hybrids were obtained between hexaploid wheat and T. tauschii accession 2377 (Kansas State Collection), as well as accessions TS62-2, TS88-4 and TS61-2 of T. speltoides (Missouri Collection) and are currently in backcross programs to reconstitute the recurrent parent. Field studies on yield losses in commercial cultivars as a function of timing of S. tritici disease development indicated that losses were highest (31.7%) when disease development occurred at heading. The ratio of percent yield loss to percent canopy infection identified genotypic differences within resistant and susceptible classes. Other studies are currently underway to investigate the impact of wheat-rye translocations and substitutions on yield, disease resistance and quality of soft red winter wheat cultivars. Cytogenetics: Progress is being made in the creation of a new ditelocentric series in the spring wheat BH1146. It is hoped that this series will add considerable information about the genetic of a wheat highly tolerant to aluminum. This is a continuation of the project to study the genetics of aluminum tolerance in wheat as influenced by alien genes. Work continues to progress on physically mapping genes and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) to chromosomes of wheat, rye, and rice. At the present time, RFLPs as small as .9 kb in size. Differences between genetic and physical distances have been noted for several species. In some cases there appears to be large parts of chromosomes that are void of any known marker. Genome-specific DNA sequences for T. tauschii have been isolated and characterized. These sequences do not cross-hybridize with either the A or D genomes. It appears that there is T. tauschii DNA present on all seven of the B-genome chromosomes. However, this does not mean that DNA from other genomes has not also been introgressed into the B genome. An RFLP map for rye is being developed from a Pst1 genomic library of the rye variety Imperial. In addition, wheat, rye, and rice are being screened for the presence of hypervariable minisatellite DNA sequences. Visitors in 1990. H. Guedes Pinto, G. Butnaru, C. Taylor and C. Crane. In response to inquiries, the National Plant Germplasm System, USDA/ARS, will continue to maintain and distribute the Sears Aneuploid and Genetic Stock Collections from Columbia, Missouri. Requests should be directed to J. P. Gustafson, Curtis Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211 USA. Telephone: 314-882-7318; FAX 314-875-5359. Publications Yen, Y. and Kimber, G. 1989. A triploid hybrid between autotetraploid Triticum longissimum and T. speltoides. Cereal Res. Commun. 17:259-264. Yen, Y. and Kimber, G. 1990. Meiotic behaviour of induced autotetraploids in Triticum L. Genome 33:302-307. Yen, Y. and Kimber, G. 1990. Production and meiotic analysis of autotriploid Triticum speltoides and T. bicorne. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 79:525- 528. Yen, Y. and Kimber G. 1990. Reinvestigation of the S genome in Triticum kotschyi. Genome 30:521-524. Kimber, G. and Yen, Y. 1990. The genomic analysis of diploid plants. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87:3205-3209. Yen, Y. and Kimber, G. 1990. Genomic relationships of Triticum sharonense with other S-genome diploid Triticum species. Jour. Plant Breeding 104:53-57. Yen, Y. and Kimber, G. 1990. Genomic relationships of Triticum searsii with other S-genome diploid Triticum species. Genome 33:369-373. Yen, Y. and Kimber, G. 1990. The U-genome in Triticum ovatum from Turkey. Cereal Res. Comm. 18:13-19. Chapman, C. G. D. and Kimber, G. 1990. A qualitative phenotypic effect of accessory chromosomes of Triticum tripsacoides. Cereal Res. Comm. 18:239-242. Kephart, K. D., A. L. McKendry, D. N. Tague, J. E. Berg, C. L. Hoenshell and R. C. Wilkins. 1990. 1990 Missouri winter wheat performance tests. Ag. Exp. Station Special Report No. 416. Kephart, K. D., A. L. McKendry, D. N. Tague, J. E. Berg. 1990. Missouri spring oat performance tests. Ag. Exp. Station Special Report No. 420. Gustafson, J. P., Butler, E. and McIntyre, C. L. 1990. Physical mapping of low-copy DNA sequences in rye (Secale cereale L.). Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., U.S.A. 87:1899-1902. Gustafson, J. P. and Ross, K. 1990. Control of alien gene expression for aluminum tolerance in wheat. Genome 33:9-12. Dill‚, J. E., Bittel, D. C., Ross, K. and Gustafson, J. P. 1990. Preparing plant chromosomes for scanning electron microscopy. Genome 33:333-339. Gustafson, J. P. 1990. Gene Manipulation in Plant Improvement II. Plenum Press. Petrovic, S., Gustafson, J. P. and Dera, A. R. 1990. "Alien Genes" in NS wheat varieties. In Yugoslavian Wheat Symposium, Novi Sad, Yugoslavia, July, 1989. In press. Aswidinnoor, H., Dallas, J. F., McIntyre, C. L. and Gustafson, J. P. 1990. Species-specific repetitive DNA sequences as markers in rice backcross breeding programs. 2nd Intl. Rice Genet. Symp. Manila, Philippines. May 14-18. In press. Gustafson, J. P., McIntyre, C. L. and Dill‚, J. E. 1990. Physical mapping rice restriction fragment length polymorphisms. 2nd Intl. Rice Genet. Symp. Manila, Philippines. May 14-18. In press. Bittel, D. C., Bernardo, A., Hueros, G., Jouve, N. and Gustafson, J. P. 1990. Cambios en la expresion genica en trigos conteniendo el brazo corto del cromosoma 1R de centeno. XXV Jornadas de Genetica Luso-Espanoles. Alcala de Heneres, Spain. October 18-20. In press. Gustafson, J. P. and Bittel, D. C. 1990. Chromosome engineering and alien gene expression in wheat and triticale. 2nd Intl. Symp. on Triticale. Passo Fundo, Brazil. October 1-5. In press. Bittel, D. C. and Gustafson, J. P. 1990. Wheat storage proteins for the improvement of triticale. 2nd Intl. Symp. on Triticale. Passo Fundo, Brazil. October 1-5. In press. Jlibene, M. and Gustafson, J. P. 1990. The identification of a gibberellic-acid-insensitive gene in Secale cereale. J. Plant Breed. In press. ------------------------- Winter Wheat Breeding, Montana State University, Bozeman E.A. Hockett, T. Kisha Personnel Changes. G. Allan Taylor is on a two year assignment with US-AID in Morocco starting in August of 1990. E.A. (Gene) Hockett, long time barley breeder and geneticist with USDA-ARS, agreed to assume the winter wheat breeding duties for Montana during this time period, after retiring from ARS August 15, 1990. Ted Kisha, Research Associate with the winter wheat breeding program since 1985, is leaving for Michigan State University to pursue a Ph.D. 1990 Wheat Crop. Montana`s 1990 wheat crop is estimated at 145.9 million bushels, just over that of the 1989 crop (Montana Agricultural Statistics Service). Winter wheat harvested from 2.5 million acres produced 87.5 million bushels with an average of 35.0 Bu/A. Spring wheat harvested from 2.45 million acres, produced 53.9 million bushels and averaged 22.0 Bu/A. Durum wheat harvested from 235,000 acres produced 4.47 million bushels averaging 19.0 bu/A. Neeley led the state in percent seeded acreage of winter wheat in 1990, up 2.5% from 1989 (Table 2.). This represents an increase of over 100,000 acres. Redwin declined by over 5% in total seeded acreage from the 1989 winter wheat crop, but this was expected as Tiber (a selection out of Redwin) increased its percentage from 1.9 to 9.4, an increase of over 200,000 acres. The combined acreage of Redwin and Tiber increased 2%, up almost 100,000 acres from 1989. Seed acreage of Rocky fell from 12.0% to 10.4% in 1990, a reduction of 19,000 acres. This may have been a result of the relatively lower winterhardiness level of Rocky compared to Neeley and Redwin, combined with the severe winter of 1989 which resulted in high winterkill. Breeding Program a. Tiber (PI 517194), a selection form Redwin has performed well in a wide array of growing environments, including the drought of 1988. About 253,000 acres were planted in the fall of 1990, up from 47,200 acres in 1989. b. Judith (MT 8039) was released to Montana Seed Growers as 18,000 bushels of foundation seed in the fall of 1989. This HRWW is a high- yielding semidwarf wheat with shatter and lodging resistance. It is resistant to stem rust, stripe rust, bacterial leaf blight and the leaf spotting disease complex. Judith is the winter wheat we have identified having both early maturity and a reasonable level of winterhardiness. It is 3-4 days earlier then Neeley, Redwin and Tiber, with winterhardiness similar to Redwin and Tiber. Judith is the first recommended HRWW to equal or surpass Neeley in grain yield. All generations of head row, line row and breeder's seed of Judith are planted at Bozeman for observation and harvest in 1991. In addition, new head rows were selected in 1990 and planted. This effort is designed to obtain new breeders and foundation seed which does not contain the off-types found in the 1990 registered seed fields. c. MT 88062, MT 88064 and MT 88065 are stripe rust/dwarf smut resistant lines. If field reactions to dwarf smut occur in 1991 a decision will be made during the winter of 1991-92 concerning release as a new variety. MT 88064 performs best for yield in 1990. d. Hard White Winter Wheat. MT 7811 is an MAES HWWW line which has been thoroughly tested for agronomic and quality characteristics. Pacific Rim buyers of Montana wheat like the quality characteristics of MT 7811 (see previous Reports to MW&BC from MSU and from US Wheat-Portland). In 1982 eight US companies which buy and mill Montana wheat approved of the milling and baking qualities of MT 7811. More recently, General Mills of Los Angles reported that MT 7811 performed very well in all tests conducted with the 8,000 bushels purchased and processed in 1989. Line rows of MT 7811 were planted in Bozeman in the fall of 1989 for harvest in 1990. These rows were not harvested because of mixtures comprised of red seeds. Head selections were made from MT 7811 and planted in 1990 for evaluation and harvest in 1991. If pure headrows of hard white lines can be obtained, line rows will be grown in 1991 - 1992 for harvest and bulking as breeder's seed. MT 7811 could then be released to foundation seed growners in the 1992 - 93 season. Several hundred HWWW lines have advanced to the MAES Winterhardiness Trial which is planted at three Montana locations. These are being evaluated for yield, protein, and mixograph charactersistics and will be advanced to the preliminary evaluation (PE) nursery next year. Two HWWW's are in the 1991 PE and two are being evaluated from the 1990 PE. Nine HWWW's are being evaluated from the 1990 Intrastate nursery. The most promising selections of these nine for yield are MT 88013, MT 88017, MT 88018, and MT 88021. e. Sawfly Resistant Winter Wheat Lines. More than 2,000 HRWW F5 lines selected for stem solidness were planted at Bozeman in 1989; 515 F5 lines were planted at the Conrad Research Center by Dr. Greg Kushnak. The Bozeman lines were re-evaluated in 1990 and almost 900 were planted with the 1991 winterhardiness nursery. The 1990 harvested seed will be analyzed for protein and mixograph characteristics and those failing the mixograph test will be eliminated. A selection of solid stemmed lines will then move into the 1992 Preliminary Evaluation (PE) nursery. Seventy of the F5 lines from the 515 planted at Conrad with the highest ranking solid stem scores were moved to a Sawfly PE nursery and planted at all the research centers (excluding Kalispell) in fall of 1990. These selections will be evaluated and moved into a 1992-93 nursery. It was decided to not release a "stop gap" cultivar such as MT 88005, but to make the development of a superior sawfly resistant cultivar the number- one priority of the winter wheat breeding project. f. Twenty-eight hard red winter wheat selections (in addition to the three dwarf smut selections) are being evaluated in the 1990 intrastate nursery. The best selections for yield in 1990 are MT 8502, MT 88029, MT 85200, and MT 88030. The table below shows agronomic data for these four selections. Table 4. 1990 Intrastate Average at 7 Locations Yield Test Wt Head Plant Winter Entry Bu/A Lb/Bu Date Height Hardiness1 _______________________________________________________________________ 502 62.6 59.6 166.7 37.1 3 (2) Neeley 62.1 58.7 169.5 39.2 MT 88029 61.3 59.1 166.9 39.1 3 (1) MT 85200 60.7 56.3 164.8 34.5 4 (2) MT 88030 59.9 61.1 166.2 38.1 (1) Redwin 57.0 60.5 168.4 40.0 3 _______________________________________________________________________ 1. No. of observations in parenthesis, winterhardiness score is 1 - 5 with 5 being very hardy. g. Hybrid Wheat. Only Hybritech (Monsanto) continues to enter winter wheat hybrids in MAES trials. Both hybrids Quantum 542 and 546 performed well in most field trials. QT 542 was recommended by the Variety Recommendation Committee in January 1991. ------------------------- University of Nebraska and USDA-ARS, Lincoln P. S. Baenziger*, C. J. Peterson* (USDA-ARS), D. R. Shelton*, R. A. Graybosch* (USDA-ARS), M. R. Morris*, L. A. Nelson*, D. D. Baltensperger*, D. J. Lyons*, G. L. Hein*, and R. Simonson Growing Conditions and Production. The 1990 Nebraska wheat crop was highly variable. The fall planting season was generally dry and most growers were able to plant near optimum times. The winter had a few sharp and bitter cold periods, but the crop generally survived the cold with little winterkilling. The spring season began with minimally adequate moisture, but due to cool temperatures, the wheat crop grew well. The cool spring season increased the symptoms of wheat soilborne mosaic virus in southeastern Nebraska. In early summer most of the state experienced severe heat, often combined with drought. In many areas the heat and drought prematurely ended grain fill. In these heat and drought stressed areas, low test weight was a severe quality problem. In other parts of the state, rains came just before and during harvest which produced weathered grain. In areas of adequate rainfall, foliar diseases were significant (mainly powdery mildew, leaf rust, leaf blotches, and some stem rust). In western Nebraska, Russian wheat aphid was prevalent and many fields were sprayed. The estimated wheat production for Nebraska is 85,500,000 bushels from 2,250,000 harvested acres with an average yield of 38 bushels/acre. This production level was very close to the five year average, but significantly better than 1989 when the wheat yield for Nebraska was 27 bushels per acre from 2,050,000 acres for a total production of 55,350,000 bushels. Siouxland continued as the most widely grown cultivar in 1990 (18.7% of the total acreage). Redland was the second most widely grown variety (15.2% of the total acreage). As Redland is a selection from Brule (9.4% of the total acreage), Redland and Brule were the most popular varietal group in Nebraska. ------------------------- P. S. Baenziger, C. J. Peterson, D. R. Shelton, D. D. Baltensperger, D. V. McVey, J. H. Hatchett Cultivar and Germplasm Releases: NE83498 was developed by the University of Nebraska and the USDA-ARS and jointly released with South Dakota State University as 'Rawhide'. Its pedi- gree is Warrior*5/Agent//Kavkaz/4/Parker*4/ Agent//Beloterkovskaia 198/Lancer/3/Vona. Rawhide has performed well in areas which favor a medium-early wheat. Its earliness makes it attractive for southern Nebraska and in areas where an early maturing wheat is needed to complement later maturing wheats. It seems to have fairly good tolerance to heat and drought stress which often tend to favor early wheats. In five years of testing in the Nebraska Intrastate Nursery, its yield is similar to Siouxland, less than Arapahoe, and superior to Redland and Colt. It has good winterhardiness and has a medium height (is a semidwarf) with moderately strong straw. It is moderately resistant to the currently prevalent races of stem rust (contains Sr17, Sr24, and/or Sr31), and moderately resistant to Hessian fly. It is susceptible to leaf rust, wheat soilborne mosaic virus, and wheat streak mosaic virus. It has good test weight characteristics, superior to Redland and similar to Siouxland. It has acceptable intrinsic quality with slightly higher protein than Brule or Redland. Three lines are being proposed for germplasm release and have been submitted to the USDA National Small Grains Collection. All three lines had been tested extensively in Nebraska and in regional performance nurseries. NE82438 (P.I. 537261, HiPlains/Wings/3/Parker*4/Agent// Beloterkovskaia 198/Lancer) in Nebraska is a late, semi-dwarf wheat with good straw strength and winterhardiness. It is resistant to stem rust (contains genes Sr6 and Sr24). It expresses the heterogeneous reaction to Hessian fly (Great Plains biotype) which is believed to indicate the Marquillo-Kawvale genes for resistance. It is moderately susceptible to leaf rust, and is susceptible to wheat streak mosaic virus and to wheat soilborne mosaic virus. It has good baking and milling quality. It has less than average thousand kernel weight and an average test weight. It has been tested extensively in Nebraska and in the Northern Regional Performance Nursery for two years (1987 and 1988). In 1988 in the Northern Regional Performance Nursery, it was the highest yielding line. When compared to 'Arapahoe', NE82438 has yielded 2% less in regional trials (41 environments) and 11% less in Nebraska (14 environments). Due to its lateness in Nebraska, it was unsuitable for release as a variety. NE82533 (P.I. 537262, KS73167/Agate//Sage sib) in Nebraska is a medium-early, high tillering, semi-dwarf wheat with good straw strength and winter- hardiness. It is resistant to stem rust (having genes Sr17 and Sr24) and moderately resistant to soilborne mosaic virus. It is susceptible to leaf rust and wheat streak mosaic virus. It expresses the heterogeneous reaction with most plants being susceptible to Hessian fly (Great Plains biotype) which is believed to indicate that some plants contain the Marquillo-Kawvale genes for resistance. NE82533 has good baking and milling quality. It has average thousand kernel weight and test weight. It has been tested extensively in Nebraska and in the Southern Regional Performance Nursery for two years (1987 to 1988, 60 environments). When compared to 'TAM105', a regional check, NE82533 has yielded 8% less. In Nebraska, NE82533 has yielded 6% less than Arapahoe (14 environments). While having good yield characteristics in parts of Nebraska where earliness and resistance to soilborne mosaic virus are important, its overall performance did not warrant release as a variety. NE84557 (P.I. 536263, Warrior/Scout//MoW6811/3/Agate sib/4/ NE68457/Centurk) in Nebraska is a medium-late, medium-tall (conventional height) wheat with good straw strength and winterhardiness. It is resistant to stem rust (having genes Sr6, Sr17, and Sr24) and moderately resistant to moderately susceptible to wheat soilborne mosaic virus. It expresses the heterogeneous reaction with most plant being susceptible to Hessian fly (Great Plains biotype) which is believed to indicate that some plants contain the Marquillo-Kawvale genes for resistance. NE84557 is very susceptible to wheat streak mosaic virus, and moderately susceptible to leaf rust. It has excellent milling and baking quality. It has an average thousand kernel weight and good test weight. It has been tested extensively in Nebraska and in the Southern Regional Performance Nursery for two years (1988 to 1989, 54 environments). When compared to 'TAM105', a regional check, NE84557 has yielded 2% less. In Nebraska, NE84557 has yielded 5% less than Arapahoe (18 environments). NE84557 has a good yield record for a high quality, conventional height wheat and would have been considered for possible cultivar release had it not been very susceptible to wheat streak mosaic virus. An alternative and unplanned use for NE84557 would be as an indicator line for the presence of wheat streak mosaic virus. ------------------------- R. L. Simonson, J. Rybczynski, P. S. Baenziger Wheat Anther Culture. The wheat anther culture program is continuing to progress, using improved media developed last year. Anthers from the spring wheat cultivar 'Pavon 76' when placed on the optimum medium are able to produce 1.5 embryoids (or polyembryoids) from each anther. Approximately 35% of the embryoids (or polyembryoids) are able to regenerate green plants. Under conditions which favor polyembryoids an average of almost four plants are regenerated per polyembryoid. Anthers from two winter wheat crosses (Ram x Siouxland and NE83404 x Colt) were used in anther culture to develop doubled haploid populations for breeding methodology experiments. Using the techniques optimized for Pavon 76, only about one embryoid that regenerated a plant is produced per 100 anthers plated. We also repeated our genetic segregation experiment with the blue aleurone trait. It continued to segregate 1:1 as expected. In addition, all of the regenerated plants were blue seeded or non-blue seeded indicating that they were exclusively derived from microspores. As no chimeric plants were identified, microspore derived embryoids did not fuse to form 'chimeric' plants. Jan Rybczynski, a visiting scientist from Poland sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency, completed a comprehensive study on wheat mor- phogenesis in anther culture. The objective was to describe and quantify the events leading to callus or embryoid, and plant formation; and identify poten- tial stages for improving wheat anther culture. His study highlighted the responsiveness of Pavon 76 on our optimized culture system. Under our growth chamber growing conditions, each anther contains about 1200 microspores. In the first few days of culture, approximately 31% undergo nuclear division in responsive anthers (33% of the plated anthers). After 21 days in culture for responding anthers, an average of 67 multicellular structures were formed. The range was from 1 to 262 multicellular structures. However, at 42 days in culture, only 3.7 embryoids were formed per responsive anther. When measured by the number of anthers that produced embryoids at 42 days, only 16.7% of the plated anthers were responsive. The embryoids germinated normally when placed on regeneration medium. When the embryoids were left on initiation medium for extended periods of time, adventitious embryoids formed on the embryoid. Within an anther, the morphogenic stages were very asynchronous among multicellular structures. This asynchrony is believed to hinder the development of an optimal medium for a particular embryogenic stage. ------------------------- T. G. Berke, P. S. Baenziger, M. R. Morris Reciprocal Chromosome Substitution Lines. The analysis of the reciprocal chromosome substitution lines between Wichita and Cheyenne hard red winter wheat grown in eight environments from 1987 to 1989 for agronomic performance was completed in 1990. Our interest in this germplasm is that Wichita was a popular cultivar in Kansas in the 1950's and Cheyenne is the foundation of the USDA-ARS/University of Nebraska wheat breeding program (coefficient of parentage of 0.422 with Colt and 0.431 with Siouxland). Hence this germplasm is agronomically adapted to the hard red winter wheat region (as opposed to Chinese Spring derivative cytogenetic stocks) and chromosomal effects are expected to be pertinent to our current breeding program. Numerous chromosomes were identified that affected yield, the components of yield, test weight, plant height, and anthesis date. Of these chromosomes, 3A and 6A were the most interesting. When 3A or 6A from Wichita was substituted for its respective Cheyenne chromosome in Cheyenne, the substitution chromosome lines yielded approximately 15% more than Cheyenne (mainly due to increased seed weight). In the reciprocal case, when 3A or 6A from Cheyenne was substituted for its respective Wichita chromosome in Wichita, the substitution lines yielded approximately 15% less than Wichita (mainly due to reduced tillering). These yield and yield component changes did not appear to be caused by changes in anthesis date. Using the data from six of the above eight environments (1988-1989), the chromosomal effect on environmental stability (using the Eberhart-Russell regression model) was determined. In this experiment, we identified chromosomes that affected the stability of a character, but not the mean performance value for that character and vice versa. In addition, chromosomes that affected both the stability and mean performance value of the character were identified. On the basis of this study, the performance value for and stability of important agronomic characters, which are usually assumed to be quantitatively inherited, can be explained by chromosome effects. Recombinant chromosome lines are being developed for chromosomes of interest. ------------------------- A. Masrizal and P. S. Baenziger EMS Treatment of Immature Embryos and Immature Embryo Callus. The objective of this study was to determine the somatic response curve for different doses of EMS mutagen treatment of immature embryos and of calluses derived from immature embryos from two spring wheat cultivars. Somatic response was measured as the ability of the treated immature embryo to initiate callus, or for the treated callus to continue to grow. Using a regression of somatic response on EMS dose, it was determined that both tissues responded to the EMS treatment with remarkable similarity. In addition, the somatic responses for treated immature embryos and treated callus was similar to published reports of somatic responses for treated seed. Unfortunately, time did not permit the regenerated plants to be studied for genetic mutations. ------------------------- C. J. Peterson (USDA-ARS) Closing of the International Winter Wheat Performance Nursery Program. The International Winter Wheat Performance Nursery (IWWPN) was initiated in 1968 by the USDA-ARS and University of Nebraska wheat research group under contract with the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID). Dr. Virgil Johnson, USDA-ARS, organized the nursery program as a unique mechanism for international germplasm and information exchange, and for evaluation of varietal performance and adaptation. Since the close of the AID contract in 1981, USDA-ARS has provided funds and leadership to continue the program. This last August, seed for the 23rd IWWPN was distributed to 73 programs in 32 countries for evaluation. Regretfully, the 23rd IWWPN will also be the last in this long running program. This year the IWWPN program reached a critical point where increasing operational costs could not be covered by existing funds and the USDA-ARS was forced to abandon the program. The IWWPN has provided significant information on world wide adaptation, performance, and disease resistances of very diverse varieties and germplasm from international research programs. Through the 23 years of the program, 300 winter wheats and 3 triticales have been distributed and evaluated. The nursery has been the focus for a number of research publications dealing with yield trends, zones of adaptation, grain protein, end-use quality, and disease resistance. While it is difficult to measure the total impact of the nursery, the germplasm distributed has contributed significantly to development of new varieties and germplasm in the U.S. as well as many foreign countries. The IWWPN has played an important role in promoting and increasing international scientific cooperation and exchange that will have lasting impact on the world wheat community. We wish to thank the many collaborators involved with the nursery program for all of their efforts, cooperation, and excellent management of the nursery trials. Relationships Among Test Sites in the Hard Red Winter Wheat Region. Regional performance nurseries have provided significant information to breeders on adaptation characteristics of cultivars. However, utilization of information from these programs has been hindered by lack of understanding of relationship among test sites in terms of intra-regional zones for crop adaptation. Thirty years of wheat yield data from the Southern and Northern Regional Performance Nurseries (SRPN and NRPN, resp.) were analyzed using principal factor analysis as a means to define relationships among test sites in the Great Plains hard red winter wheat growing area. Six factors adequately accounted for 55% of the variability among SRPN locations based on average correlations of cultivar yields over years. Four location factor groups essentially divided the central plains region on north-south, east-west axes, representing the south-central plains, north central plains, southern high plains, and central high plains areas. Five factors were used to group test sites in the NRPN, accounting for 55% of the variation in the correlation dependence structure. Variation in winterhardiness requirements for wheat production in the northern and central plains areas appeared to have significant influence on test site relationships. Factor analysis was used effectively to further investigate site relationships within three and two of the larger location groups in the SRPN and NRPN, respectively. Relationships among sites and areas of adaptation indicated by factor analysis were interpretable in terms of general stresses associated with wheat production in the region. C. J. Peterson (USDA-ARS), R. A. Graybosch (USDA-ARS), P. S. Baenziger, A. W. Grombacher Relative Influences of Environment and Cultivar on Quality Attributes of Hard Red Winter Wheat: Improvement in wheat end-use quality depends on thorough understanding of the influences of environment, genotype, and their interaction. Eighteen hard red winter wheat cultivars were grown in replicated trials at six locations in Nebraska and one site in Arizona, both in 1988 and 1989. Harvested grain was micromilled to produce flour samples for evaluation of protein concentration, mixing characteristics, and SDS sedimentation. Kernel hardness was determined by microscopic evaluation of individual kernels. Cultivar, environment, and interaction effects were found to significantly influence variation in all quality parameters. Variances of quality characteristics associated with environmental effects were generally larger than those for genetic factors. The magnitude of GxE effects were found to be of similar magnitude to genetic factors for mixing tolerance and kernel hardness, but were smaller for flour protein concentration, mixing time, and SDS sedimentation value. Significant differences among cultivar responses (b values) were observed in the regressions of cultivar mean on locations mean for each quality parameter. There were few instances of significant deviations from regression. Positive correlations between cultivar grand mean and cultivar b values for flour protein, mixing time, and mixing tolerance suggests that simultaneous improvement in both mean and stability for these traits may be difficult. Based on these results, environmental influences on end-use quality attributes should be an important consideration in cultivar improvement efforts toward enhancing marketing quality of hard red winter wheat. ------------------------- R. A. Graybosch (USDA-ARS), C. J. Peterson (USDA-ARS), D. R. Shelton Comparative Quality Effects of 1BL/1RS and 1AL/1RS Translocations. The quality effects of 1BL/1RS and 1AL/1RS in a common genetic background were investigated. We obtained the following number of lines from the cross 'Siouxland' (1BL/1RS) / TX81V6610 (1AL/1RS): 10 1BL/1RS, 13 1AL/1RS, 4 with both 1AL/1RS and 1BL/1RS (DT lines), and 5 with no rye chromosomes present ("Normal" lines). Lines were grown in Vernon, Texas and in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1990. In both locations, the DT lines exceeded all other lines in grain protein content. SDS sedimentation and mixograph tolerance scores differed significantly among the classes, with Normal > 1AL/1RS > 1BL/1RS > DT lines for both scores. For mixograph time, 1BL/1RS > 1AL/1RS = Normal > DT lines. Specific SDSS scores (SDSS volume / flour protein content) decreased in the order Normal > 1AL/1RS > 1BL/1RS > DT. Thus, Normal and 1AL/1RS wheats realize a more rapid increase in SDSS volume per unit protein than 1BL/1RS and DT lines. Our results confirm the suspicion that 1AL/1RS translocations are less detrimental to quality than 1BL/1RS. The presence of both translocations together in DT lines was extremely detrimental to SDSS and mixograph scores. ------------------------- Jai-Heon Lee, R. A. Graybosch (USDA-ARS), C. J. Peterson (USDA-ARS) Improving the Quality of 1RS Wheats. Approximately 650 lines derived from 14 experimental breeding populations were screened for the presence of 1RS. Quality attributes (SDS sedimentation volume, mixograph parameters and flour protein content) are presently being measured. To date, three populations have been completed. Using Siouxland as a reference, 1BL/1RS lines with improved dough strength and SDSS volumes have been obtained from populations derived from crosses with the strong gluten wheat 'Plainsman V', and with the experimental line 'NEW 66.1.8'. The latter was derived from a cross between 'Newton' and a synthetic allohexaploid produced via crosses between Triticum dicoccoides and Aegilops squarrosa. 1BL/1RS lines derived from the cross Siouxland/Sumner all were of poor quality. Improved quality 1BL/1RS lines appear to occur at a very low frequency. ------------------------- R. A. Graybosch (USDA-ARS) Frequency of HMW Glutenin Subunit Alleles Among U.S. HRWW and SRWW. HMW glutenin subunit composition was determined for 300 U.S. HRW and SRW wheats and parental lines. Allelic frequencies, examined in relation to date of release, are listed below. In both classes, a steady increase in the frequency of 1D-encoded subunits 5+10 has occurred. ------------------------- D. R. Shelton Selecting Nebraska Wheats for Processing Needs of Domestic and Foreign Markets. The timely analyses of wheat samples in their early generations allows the breeder to make selections that emphasize quality traits that will yield hard red winter wheat varieties of superior milling and baking quality. Between harvest and planting, a time span of seven weeks, 1266 samples were analyzed for quality traits. Early generation evaluations included milling performance on the Quadrumat Jr. flour mill, flour moisture and protein content, and dough mixing characteristics as determined by the mixograph. These rapid screens allow the breeder to more effectively discard inferior lines and focus on those with greatest potential for maintaining Nebraska's reputation for superior quality wheats. Later in the year an additional 566 wheat and flour samples were similarly analyzed. Milling properties of later generation samples were determined using the Buhler laboratory mill. The 246 samples were evaluated for flour moisture, ash, and protein content, and dough properties by mixograph. Kernel hardness was evaluated by microscopic examination. Flour samples of 100 gm were experimentally baked using the straight dough method and evaluated for external appearance and internal crumb color, grain and texture. A study of 74 lines derived from the variety 'Arapahoe' was initiated to assess impact of variability for hard and soft kernel characteristics found within the variety. Analyses for this study will include kernel hardness, milling performance, flour protein content, and mixograph evaluation. ------------------------- D. J. Lyon, D. D. Baltensperger, G. L. Hein Winter Annual Grass Weed Control in Winter Wheat Production Systems. Wheat heavily infested with jointed goatgrass is often docked at the elevator and reduced to feed grade quality. Jointed goatgrass spikelets fed to cattle may be dispersed by the animals or through the spread of manure on fields. The objective of this research was to determine if cattle would voluntarily eat jointed goatgrass spikelets, and if so would they be able to pass through the cattle's digestive systems in a viable state and thus pose a potential dissemination problem. Wheat contaminated with jointed goatgrass spikelets was mixed with chopped hay and fed to four fistulate steers. The feeding was repeated three times with increasing rates of jointed goatgrass spikelets (0.3, 0.6, and 1.2 kg/steer, respectively). Rumen and fecal samples were collected at 24, 36, and 48 h after feeding. Cattle consumed all jointed goatgrass spikelets fed. Seventy-five percent of the seed collected in either the rumen or the feces was viable, although only 24% germinated within the first five days. This high rate of viability suggests that cattle fed jointed goatgrass contaminated wheat may act as a seed dispersal mechanism for this highly undesirable weed. Future studies should investigate the rate of seed deterioration in manure over time and the feasibility of grinding jointed goatgrass contaminated wheat prior to feeding in order to prevent subsequent germination. A study has been initiated at the High Plains Ag. Lab near Sidney, NE, to compare the effectiveness of crop rotations and tillage systems to control winter annual grassy weeds including downy brome, rye, and jointed goatgrass. A replicated series of plots have been established with known populations of downy brome, rye, and jointed goatgrass. Six basic tillage and crop rotation systems are being superimposed on these dryland wheat plots. Continuous wheat, wheat-fallow, wheat-fallow-fallow, wheat-sunflower-fallow, and wheat-proso millet-fallow rotations will be used. Tillage systems will involve several combinations of chemical and mechanical weed control. A study initiated in the Spring of 1991 will try to determine the effects of intermittent plowing on the physical properties of soils that have been in a stubble mulch or no-till winter wheat-fallow system for an extended period of time. Long-term tillage plots were established in 1969 at the High Plains Ag. Lab near Sidney, NE. After plowing, we will determine the rate at which physical soil properties return to pre-plowing values following resumption of stubble mulch or no-till practices. Downy brome control provided by moldboard plowing and the rate at which downy brome populations increase with the resumption of stubble mulch or no-till practices will be quantified. The effect of intermittent plowing on water conservation, wheat yield and protein content will be determined. Russian Wheat Aphid. Russian wheat aphid research has been directed at determining the relationship between aphid infestations and yield loss. Artificial infestations and insecticides have been used to establish different aphid infestation levels. Additional studies are underway to monitor the dispersal and immigration of the Russian wheat aphid in western Nebraska. ------------------------- R. French (USDA-ARS), N. L. Robertson (USDA-ARS), W. G. Langenberg (USDA-ARS) Detection of Barley Yellow Dwarf Viruses. Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) is one of the least understood viruses of wheat and other cereals. In some years it is widespread in wheat and other years seems to be relatively rare. Because disease symptoms are similar to nutritional deficiencies, it is likely that BYDV infection is not always recognized. BYDV is a complex of at least five different phloem-limited luteoviruses which can be distinguished by their aphid vector specificities and serological properties of their coat proteins. Most laboratories lack the tools to reliably detect all BYDV serotypes. Our objective was to develop a single test capable of detecting most BYDV isolates. The recently developed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an extremely sensitive technique for detecting specific nucleic acids, provided that a portion of the target molecule's nucleotide sequence is known. From the published nucleotide sequences of three luteoviruses (beet western yellows virus, potato leafroll virus, and the PAV strain of BYDV), several short oligonucleotide primer pairs representing conserved coat protein sequences were synthesized. Total nucleic acid extracts from infected and healthy plants were subjected a cDNA synthesis step followed by 30-40 PCR cycles using the synthetic primers. These primers specifically detected the MAV, PAV, RMV, RPV, and SGV strains of BYDV. The viruses could be distinguished by restriction endonuclease or hybridization analysis of amplified cDNA. Based on both restriction and hybridization analyses, all 28 Nebraska BYDV field isolates collected in the summer of 1990 were identified as PAV. The PCR-based BYDV detection method is the first single test capable of identifying all five BYDV strains. Potyvirus Cylindrical Inclusions. Immuno-electron microscopy of wheat or maize tissue doubly infected by wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) and agropyron mosaic virus (AMV), hordeum mosaic virus (HMV), or maize dwarf mosaic virus showed that cylindrical inclusions (CI) only self-assembled. No phenotypic mixing was detected which is unexpected since CI's presumably serve the same function in all potyvirus infections. Understanding of CI functions may lead to novel strategies for limiting crop losses caused by potyvirus infection. Personnel. Dr. David R. Shelton joined the University of Nebraska in the Cereal Chemistry position during July, 1990. Dr. Shelton comes to Nebraska from North Dakota State University where he conducted research on spring wheat quality. He succeeds Prof. Paul Mattern, who retired in 1989, and will be conducting research on hard red winter wheat quality. Dr. Rosalind Morris, Cytogeneticist with the University of Nebraska, retired in June, 1990, after more than 30 years of teaching and research efforts. Dr. Terry G. Berke completed his Ph.D. degree and accepted a postdoctoral position with Dr. D. V. Glover at Purdue University. Ms. Laura Oberthur replaced him as the barley breeder and has begun working on intergeneric crosses for haploid wheat plant production as a possible Ph.D. problem. Masrizal, sponsored by the Indonesian Atomic Energy Agency, completed his M.S. degree and after returning to Indonesia was awarded a fellowship to work on his Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska. Ms. Vicki Gustafson joined the project and will be working on wheat suspension cell culture systems as part of her Ph.D. project. Dr. Jan Rybczynski, Head of the Tissue Culture Group at the Warsaw Botanical Garden, was a visiting scientist for six months in the tissue culture laboratory working on improved tissue methods and the developmental biology of our wheat anther culture system. Publications Baenziger, P. S. 1990. The challenges of attracting graduate students to plant breeding. J. Agron. Ed. 19:205-210. Baenziger, P. S., J. W. Schmidt, T. G. Berke, T. S. Payne, and S. M. Dofing. 1990. Registration of 'Perkins' winter barley. Crop Sci. 30:1355. Graybosch, R. A., C. J. Peterson, S. Primard, and J. H. Lee. 1990. Relationships between gluten protein composition and wheat end-use quality in four populations of hard red winter wheat germplasm. Proceedings of the Fourth International Workshop on Gluten Proteins. In press. Langenberg, W. G. 1991. Cylindrical inclusion bodies of wheat streak mosaic virus and three other potyviruses only self-assemble in mixed infections. J. Gen Virol. In press. Lazar, M. D., G. W. Schaeffer, and P. S. Baenziger. 1990. The effects of interactions of culture environment with genotype on wheat (Triticum aestivum) anther culture response. Plant Cell Reports 8:525-529. Lookhart, G. L., R. Graybosch, C. J. Peterson, and A. Lukaszewski. Identification of wheat lines containing the 1BL/1RS translocation. Cereal Chem. Accepted 10/90. Keppenne, V. D. and P. S. Baenziger. 1990. Inheritance of the blue aleurone trait in diverse wheat crosses. Genome 33:525-529. Kudirka, D. T., G. W. Schaeffer, and P. S. Baenziger. 1990. Stability of ploidy in meristems of plants regenerated from anther calli of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell.). Genome 32:1068-1073. Papa, C. M., R. Morris, and J. W. Schmidt. 1990. Rye C-banding patterns and meiotic stability of hexaploid triticale (X Triticosecale) selections differing in kernel shriveling. Genome 33:686-689. Petty, I. T. D., French, R., Jones, R. W., and Jackson, A. O. 1990. Identification of barley stripe mosaic virus genes involved in viral RNA replication and systemic movement. EMBO J. 9:3453-3457. Primard, S., R. Graybosch, C. J. Peterson, and J. H. Lee. Relationships between gluten protein composition and end-use quality in four populations of high protein, hard red winter wheat germplasm. Cereal Chem. Accepted 1/91. Robertson, N. L., French, R., and Langenberg, W. G. 1990. Direct RNA sequencing for identification and determination of genetic relatedness of potyviruses infecting wheat. Phytopathology Abstr. 80:1018. Yuan Han-min, V. D. Keppenne, P. S. Baenziger, T. Berke, and G. H. Liang. 1990. Effect of genotype and medium on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) anther culture. Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture 21:253-258. ------------------------- NEW YORK Department of Plant Breeding and Biometry, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY M. E. Sorrells* and W. R. Coffman* 1990 Winter Wheat Production: The 1990 soft white winter wheat crop for New York was 145,000 acres, up about 15,000 acres from 1989 in spite of the fourth autumn in a row with excessive precipitation. Yield was estimated to be 49 b/a, up 4 b/a from 1989 and down 9 b/a from the record yield of 1985. The 1990 growing season was close to normal for temperature but record levels of precipitation were received for May and June. Soft White Winter Wheat: Harus, Houser, and Geneva are cultivars currently recommended to New York farmers. No new cultivars are pending release. Soft Red Winter Wheat: Susquehanna soft red winter wheat continues to perform well in our trials. Certified seed will be available to farmers for 1991 production. Hard Red Spring Wheat: Production of hard red spring wheat continues at a low level. HT Brand 715 (NK 715) continues to yield well, however; Stoa and lines related to Stoa have demonstrated very good milling and baking quality and yield performance. We are currently testing cultivars and breeding lines from other regions as well as powdery mildew resistant Sinton backcross selections from our own program. RFLP Mapping: Dr. Manfred Heun, a visiting scientist from Germany, has been working with Ann Kennedy, a post-doc, to develop a barley RFLP linkage map. We recently completed a low density barley RFLP map consisting of 144 markers using a doubled-haploid population from the cross Proctor x Nudinka. Most of the clones came from a wheat genomic library and oat and barley cDNA libraries. In addition, genomic clones from Aegilops squarrosa and barley were mapped. A subset of the clones were assigned to chromosome using wheat-barley addition lines and nullitetrasomic and ditelosomic aneuploids in Chinese Spring wheat background. DNA markers have been placed on all chromosome arms except the short arm of chromosome 6 for a total of 1109 cM. Over all libraries, about 30% of the clones were polymorphic. The barley map will be used to facilitate construction of the wheat map. We are in the process of increasing seed of both the Proctor x Nudinka population and the Steptoe x Morex population for field testing in 1991. CIMMYT is currently developing a doubled-haploid wheat mapping population from a cross between a synthetic hexaploid (durum x Ae. squarrosa)2 and cultivated wheat. Over the past year Jim Anderson, a Ph.D. student has assigned about 900 bands from 200 probes to chromosome or chromosome arm using the nullitetrasomic and ditelosomic aneuploids. Enrique Autrique and Zhenqiang Ma are also working toward a Ph.D. and their projects involve mapping and tagging genes for rust and Hessian fly resistance. ------------------------- Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University, Ithaca G.C. Bergstrom*, D.W. Kalb, A.M.C. Schilder, and D. Shah Winter wheat pathology research. Large acreage trials with Baytan 30F seed treatment were conducted on three central New York farms. Seed treated with Baytan 30F plus Captan 400 emerged 1-2 days after seed treated with Vitavax 200 or not treated and were slightly shorter. By late fall, however, there were no visual differences between treatments. There was also no significant difference between treatments in plant population for both spring and fall stand counts. Powdery mildew control was no longer evident at ratings at GS-9 and -11. There was also no significant reduction in leaf spots or leaf rust assessed at GS-11. Yield from plots where seed was treated with Baytan 30F plus Captan 400 was increased significantly over crop yield from nontreated or Vitavax 200 treated seed. Yield increases over nontreated seed from treatment with Baytan 30F plus Captan 400 averaged 7.2 bu/A over the three farm locations. Each of these farmers would have realized a net profit above variable costs for Baytan seed treatment. Current research includes the development of restriction fragment length polymorphism probes for Stagonospora nodorum (collaboration with Dr. Peter Ueng, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD). Genetic fingerprinting will be used for studies of the epidemiology of Septoria nodorum blotch of wheat. Graduate students Annemiels Schilder and Denis Shah are currently conducting research on the epidemiology of tan spot and Septoria nodorum blotch of winter wheat, respectively. Both projects emphasize the role of seedborne inoculum in initiation of epidemics. Publications: Cox, W.J. and G.C. Bergstrom. 1990. Evaluation of foliar fungicides for control of leaf spots on winter wheat under two nitrogen regimes, 1989. Fungicide and Nematicide Tests 45:175. Kalb, D.W. and G.C. Bergstrom. 1990. Potential benefits of managing eyespot in winter wheat in New York. Phytopathology 81:122. Kalb, D.W., G.C. Bergstrom, and M.E. Sorrells. 1990. Effects of planting date, and foliar- and seed-applied fungicides on eyespot of winter wheat in a continuous wheat culture site with a history of foot rot diseases, 1989. Fungicide and Nematicide Tests 45:177. Keyes, G. J., and M. E. Sorrells. 1990 Mutations blocking sensitivity to gibberellic acid promote ethylene induced sterility in wheat. Euphytica 48:129-139. Keyes, G. J., M. E. Sorrells, and T. L. Setter. 1990. Gibberellic acid regulates cell wall extensibility in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Plant Physiol. 92:242-245. Miller, N.R., G.C. Bergstrom, and S.M. Gray. 1990. Assessment of viral diseases of winter wheat in New York, 1988 and 1989. Barley Yellow Dwarf Newsletter 3:26-27. Miller, N.R., G.C. Bergstrom, M.E. Sorrells, and W.J. Cox. 1990. Resistance of winter wheat cultivars to wheat spindle streak mosaic virus: results of a field plot experiment and an on-farm survey in New York, 1989. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Diseases 5:73. Paterson, A.H. and M. E. Sorrells. 1990. Inheritance of grain dormancy in white-kernelled wheats. Crop Sci. 30: 25-30. Paterson, A.H. and M. E. Sorrells. 1990. Variation in Peroxidase Isozymes During Grain Maturation not Associated with Dormancy in Wheat Genotypes Near-Isogenic for Dormancy Factors. Cereal Res. Comm. 18:209-215. Paterson, A.H. and M.E. Sorrells. 1990. Spike-based and seed-based selection for improvement of preharvest sprouting resistance in wheat. Euphytica. 46:149-155. Schilder, A.M.C. and G.C. Bergstrom. 1990. Variation in virulence within the population of Pyrenophora tritici-repentis in New York. Phytopathology 80:84-90. Skinnes, H. and M.E. Sorrells. 1990. Effects of post maturity seed moisture level on seed dormancy in wheat. Acta Agr.Scand. Acta Agric. Scand. 40:341-348. Wu, K.K., W. Burnquist, M.E. Sorrells, T.L. Tew, P.H. Moore, and S.D. Tanksley. 1991. The detection and estimation of linkage in polyploids using single-dose restriction fragments. Theor. Appl. Genet. In Press. ------------------------- North Carolina State University, Raleigh R. E. Jarrett*, S. Leath* and J. P. Murphy* Production. The 1990 growing season was very similar to 1989. Seeding was slower than normal but was 90% complete by the end of December. A significant amount of wheat acreage was planted in January about 6 weeks later than normal. Temperatures were below normal for most of December and some wheat, although planted on time, did not germinate until January. January and February had above-normal temperatures which caused some production problems with vernalization, nitrogen topdressing and herbicide applications. Powdery mildew was the most prevalent disease, although leaf rust and glume blotch were evident as well. Rainfall was more than adequate as usual and some freeze damage occurred at certain areas over the state during April but was not as severe as in 1989. Harvesting was 90% complete by July 1, since afternoon thunderstorms and showers were rare and test weights were good in most locations. Production from the 1990 winter wheat crop was 22.55 million bushels, an increase of 5.3% from last year's (1989) 21.42 million bushels. The total acreage harvested for grain was 550,000, a 12.7% decrease from the 630,000 acres harvested in 1989. The 1990 state average yield, however, was 41 bushels per acre compared to 34 in 1989. Wheat contributed approximately $67.7 million to the economy of North Carolina in 1990. The activities of the extension program are continuing to address certain national initiatives and issues, primarily sustainable agriculture, alternative agricultural opportunities, and conservation and management of natural resources. This means continued evaluations of intensive management practices versus the low-input approach. The program also includes seed treatments and triticale studies. Also, work is continuing with the North Carolina Small Grain Growers Association in promoting marketing and new uses for wheat and other research and educational programs. Plant Pathology and Breeding. Field tests initiated in 1987 were continued and are designed to evaluate the combined effect of leaf rust and powdery mildew on yield of winter wheat cultivars varying in resistance. Different management strategies were utilized and empirical models are now being developed to forecast the effects of these diseases and control practices. The International Winter Wheat Powdery Mildew Program received germplasm entries from small grain breeders worldwide. These entries are currently being screened for resistance with cultures of Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici of known virulence; this year the project involved the evaluation of over 300 lines. These entries also were planted in October 1990 forevaluation at two field locations against the native B. graminis population. Sets of entries were compiled from lines which performed best inthe previous season. These sets were sent to over 50 plant breeders and pathologists in the United States and 22 other countries for use in their programs. Germplasm from wide crossing programs in Kansas and North Carolina State University also were evaluated for powdery mildew resistance. Data from the USDA-ARS International Winter Wheat Powdery Mildew Program continues to indicate that genes Pm1, Pm8 and Pm17 remain highly effective in controlling powdery mildew in the USA. However, the resistance of Pm8 appears to be collapsing in South Carolina. Resistance conditioned by Pm1 also is collapsing and over a more general area of the southeastern USA. Genes Pm3b, Pm4a, and Pm5 are still effective as many locations in the eastern USA. Virulence to Pm3a, which has been high in the South, has risen high enough to render it ineffective throughout most of the soft red winter wheat region. In separate experiments, genes for powdery mildew resistance in 22 cultivars of soft redwinter wheat were determined. Genes Pm3a, Pm5, and Pm6 were detected in some cultivars. Approximately 33% of the cultivars evaluated have no previously identified genes for powdery mildew resistance. Genetic studies also are underway, and two of them are described here. An eight-parent diallel cross was completed to study the inheritance of sensitivity to triadimenol in winter wheat. Lines in the F2:3 generation were tested for a second time in 1989-1990; data analysis is currently underway. Populations (40-50 families/population) of somaclonallyregenerated plants have been produced to determine the existence of and to quantify any somaclonal variation in wheat. Both agronomic and disease resistance traits are being evaluated in eight populations of F2:3 lines.Introgression of Resistance Genes from Diploid Progenitors into Soft Red Winter Wheat. Varying quantities of BC2F2 or BC2F3 bulk seed have been obtained from interspecific diploid x soft red winter hexaploid crosses involving the following diploid accessions obtained from the Wheat Genetic Resources Center, Kansas State University and Dr. John Moseman, USDA(retired): Ae. squarrosa T. monococcum T. beoticum TA 2377 PI 191097 PI 427662 TA 2450 PI 212414 PI 427772 TA 2466 PI 266844 TA 2481 PI 352484 TA 2492 PI 355520 TA 2536 TA 2552 TA 2556 TA 2570 The diploids were selected on the basis of their powdery mildew, leaf rust or Septoria nodorum reactions, and the hexaploid backcross parents were predominantly 'Saluda', 'Coker 80-12', and 'Arthur'. We plan to advance these populations in bulk and, once sufficient seed is obtained, distribute them to interested parties. Extension publications: Small Grain Production Guide Series 1990: Variety selection, Ag 419-1; Seed selection, Ag 419-2; Planting methods and planting dates, 419-3; Soil fertility management, Ag 419-4; Harvesting, drying and storage, Ag 419-5; Marketing, Ag 419-6; Disease identification, Ag 419-7; Insect management, Ag 419-8; Keys to optimum economic yield, Ag 419-9; Keys to intensive wheat management, Ag 419-10. Publications Leath, S. and Heun, M. 1990. Identification of powdery mildew resistance genes in cultivars of soft red winter winter. Plant Dis. 74:747-752. Wilkinson, C. A., Murphy, J. P. and Rufty, R. C. 1990. A comparison of preservation methods for Septoria nodorum isolates. Cer. Res. Comm. 18:33-39. Wilkinson, C. A., Murphy, J. P. and Rufty, R. C. 1990. Diallel analysis of components of partial resistance to Septoria nodorum in wheat. Plant Dis. 74:47-50. ------------------------- NORTH DAKOTA B.L. D'Appolonia, J.W. Dick, K. Kahn, C.E. McDonald and D.R. Shelton, Cereal Science and Food Technology; B. Donnelly, Northern Crops Institute; G. Hareland and L.A. Grant, USDA/ARS Wheat Quality Laboratory. General Activities. Foreign travel during 1990 was undertaken by Dr. Bert D'Appolonia, Mr. Truman Olson and Dr. Brendan Donnelly representing the Department of Cereal Science and Food Technology. Dr. Bert D'Appolonia, Chairman of Cereal Science and Food Technology, attended the ICC Congress in Vienna, Austria during the period May 18-31, 1990. In addition to participation in the various technical sessions, the two pre-Congress symposia entitled "Oats in Human Nutrition" and "Bread-Ancient Food for Modern Times" were also attended. He received the Harold Perten Foundation award during the opening ceremony of the Congress. He also gave one presentation during the ICC meeting and another presentation at the Swiss school of milling in St. Gallen, Switzerland. He participated at a seminar in Leipzig, GDR on behalf of U.S. Wheat Associates at which time three presentations were given. D'Appolonia participated as a member of a working group at a meeting in Moscow November 22-27, 1990, to develop research plans between NDSU and the All-Union Research Institute for Grain and Products of Grain VNPO Zernoprodukt. Mr. Truman Olson, Cereal Technologist in Cereal Science and Food Technology, participated in a number of seminars as a member of a crop quality team presenting information on the quality of the 1990 HRS and durum wheat crops in several European countries in November of 1990. Dr. Donnelly, Director of the Northern Crops Institute presented information on the quality of the 1990 HRS and durum wheat crops in Japan and Korea during November of 1990. The information for the seminars was prepared by the Cereal Science and Food Technology Department. Faculty and staff of the department participated in several short courses presented by the Northern Crops Institute as well as giving presentations to numerous trade team delegations. A successful AACC short course entitled "Experimental Baking and Related Physical Dough Tests" directed by Dr. Bert D'Appolonia was presented during April of 1990. Construction continued during 1990 on a building to house a pilot durum mill. In addition several new laboratories are under construction to be utilized by the department. Hard Red Spring and Hard Red Winter Wheat Research. An important function of the Department of Cereal Science and Food Technology continued to be the quality evaluation of hard red spring (HRS) and hard red winter (HRW) wheats. Most of the evaluations were performed on a macro scale (Buhler- or Brabender Quad. Sr.- milled and 100g flour used in baking) or micro scale (Brabender Quad., Jr.- milled and 25g flour used in baking). These evaluations also included the other typical chemical and physical analyses performed on wheat and flour. Macro testing was performed on 23 HRS wheat flour samples for the Spring Wheat Quality Advisory Council program and 13 HRW wheat flour samples for the Wheat Quality Council. In addition, macro tests were performed on 291 HRS wheats and micro tests were performed on 481 HRS and 389 HRW wheats. A series of 1400 samples were analyzed for protein. Each year the department conducts a four-state survey of the current HRS wheat crop. In 1990, 1211 samples were collected, and a statistically significant number of these were analyzed to describe the quality of the crop. The cargo monitoring project was continued through 1990. Forty HRS wheat cargo samples were macro-tested for the North Dakota Wheat Commission and 150 HRS wheat sublot samples were macro-tested for U.S. Wheat Assoc. Summary of the 1990 HRS Wheat Crop. As usual, there was some variation in the moisture and growing conditions within the four states (ND, SD, Mn, MT). Rainfall was generally just adequate during the growing season, and harvest conditions were generally dry. There were no extended high-temperature stress periods in the four states during the growing season. Harvest was completed ahead of the long-term average. USDA HRS wheat production estimates (October, 1990) for the four state region was 14.43 million metric tons, which was higher than last year's 11.00 million metric tons. Test weight averaged 60.9 lbs/bu which was higher than last year. Eighty three percent of the region's crop graded 2 DNS or better. Weed growth was limited throughout much of the region because adequate initial moisture conditions which resulted in a good crop canopy and later dry growing conditions inhibited further weed growth. Consequently, average dockage was low at 0.8%. Wheat protein (12% moisture basis) averaged 14.2% for the region, which was 1.1% lower than last year. Very little sprouting was detected. ------------------------- [ Section 5/8 is missing. DEM 12/21/92 ] ------------------------- Breeding from 1000 feet S.T. Ball, B.E. Frazier, G.S. Campbell and C.F. Konzak An integrated approach, using remotely sensed-spatial analyses of wheat yield, has made considerable progress toward quantifying the spatial variation responsible for yield patterns in the field, and has improved the accuracy of yield measurements. Future research will continue to analyze quantitatively the field spatial variation of wheat yield. In addition, new studies are planned stages in which environmental factors, such as precipitation, temperature, solar radiation, and others will be monitored, quantified, and related to yield at selected locations. Variation in soil and environmental factors can account for the majority of the variability in field experiments, to confound their interpretation. Instead of measuring these environmental factors, plant breeders generally have estimated the total environmental variation (all sources combined) from genotype responses grown at a number of locations over a period of years. These studies are commonly called genotype x environment interaction experiments because genotypes often show different responses when grown in a varied set of environments. Therefore, yield trials must be conducted at several locations over several years in order to reach a desired level of precision in selection for yield. It should be noted that these yield estimates and measures of the environment are always biased because they fail to take into account the effects of spatial variation causing yield patterns in the field. Now, remote sensing, combined with spatial statistical procedures, can provide the foundation to quantitatively measure and then remove the effects of this variability from field experiments. In an effort to quantify this environmental variation, and improve estimates by which we compare wheats for yield performance in field trials, we have initiated new studies to analyze and model both on-farm and breeding trials. Preliminary research was carried out at eight locations in Eastern WA during the 1990 growing season. The areas surrounding the spring wheat variety trial locations were selected for detailed field analyses using aerial photographs of plot and field locations, soil samples to establish the level of fertility and soil organic matter within the plots, and computer aided statistical analyses of the remotely sensed data for comparison with yield data. Our preliminary research indicates that digitized data from inexpensive aerial photographs processed using spatial methods can greatly increase precision in the analyses of field trials. For example, at one field site a linear, diagonal trend was observed in aerial photos of the plot area prior to seeding. Later in the season, infrared photos of the plots and spatial analyses showed a low yielding area in the middle of the yield trial which corresponded to this pattern. More detailed analyses indicated that the variation in yield was due largely to differences in the spatial distribution of soil organic carbon and soil moisture. Using aerial photos at a site provided by another grower showed that the crop residue was not evenly spread over the field. Photos of the crop canopy showed striped color differences in the crop foliage. The pattern swept across the variety trial and provided an additional source of variability corresponding to the chaff rows. Possibly the most interesting finding at two different test sites was that late season photos of the crop showed the variable depths to caliche (CaCo3) layers. Caliche depth was indicated by random distributed circular areas of abnormal coloration in the crop canopy. These findings indicate differences in crop vigor which will be confounded in the yield data of these trials. The bottom line is that for plant breeders, high spatial variation may distort the actual rankings of geotypes in variety trials. ------------------------- E. Donaldson, M. Nagamitsu, B. Sauer Washington wheat producers planted 198,000 acres of hard red winter wheat for 1990 harvest. In the hard wheat producing area of eastern Washington, fall (1989) seeding moisture was fair, but deep over most of the area. The Horse Heaven Hills and a few other smaller areas had inadequate moisture for early seeding. The winter was mild, followed by a cool spring. Most of the hard red winter wheat showed moisture stress in early May and without additional moisture, became severely stressed. Some winter wheat was abandoned. Some fields showed 60 to 70 percent white heads caused by dryland footrot, a stress disease. Buchanan (PI532994, WA007523) was available to producers as registered seed in the fall of 1990. It was released for its superior emergence under stress conditions. Its coleoptile is extremely long, obtaining a length of up to 15 cm under field conditions. Buchanan is a semitall, white chaffed, awned, common headed hard red winter wheat. Its yield record on low rainfall, dryland areas of eastern Washington has been equal to that of Hatton. Buchanan appears to have fair resistance to snowmold, but poor resistance to dwarf bunt. Winterhardiness is less than that of Hatton. Major weaknesses include poor straw strength, moderate stripe rust resistance, and a slightly low whole grain protein content. Mass selection for hardness based on seed density. Since wheat seed can be mass selected for seed production concentration based on seed density, presumably any characteristic influenced by seed density could be subjected to similar mass selection procedures. Ten populations from crosses having parents differing in hardness were used. The procedure used was similar to that of Peterson et al. Crop Science 26:523-527. Seeds were soaked in water for 36(+-1) hours at 0 degrees centigrade. A salt-sugar solution containing about twice as much sugar as Peterson's was then used to obtain separation. The 25% of the population with the lowest density (T) was saved for comparison. The solution was readjusted by adding more sugar and the 25% of the population with the highest density (B) was removed. This portion (B) was soaked for an additional 8.5 days after retaining a sample. The soaked portion of the population was again subjected to density separation. The least 25% (BH) was saved. BH should contain the highest protein fraction of the hardest seeds. The seeds were dried and planted in an irrigated site. The results of the differences between treatments for test weight, protein content, and the hardness of the subsequently harvested grain are given in Table 1. Apparently density separation for hardness is possible, however, no gain in protein content was obtained. The seeds with the highest protein content tend to be lost in the first separation, this portion also contains the seeds with the lightest test weight. Table 1. Density Separation of Ten Bulk Populations. Differences obtained in progeny after separation of one generation. O - T O - B O - BH T - B T - BH B - H Density g/1 +10.68** -4.12* +0.13 -14.80** -10.81*8 +3.99 Protein % - 0.38 +0.04 -0.41 + 0.41 - 0.02 -0.07 Hardness - 0.66 -3.97* -6.12*8 - 3.43 -5.69* -2.97 *,** Indicates significant differences between treatments at P = 0.05 and P = 0.01, respectively. O = original bulk, T = lightest seed in first separation, B = heaviest seed in first separation, BH+ = lightest seed in second separation. ------------------------- WISCONSIN Department of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin-Madison R. A. Forsberg*, E. S. Oplinger*, R. D. Duerst, and J. B. Stevens Production and Diseases. The 1990 Wisconsin statewide average wheat yield was 53 b/a, equal to that in 1989 and 5 b/a below the state record of 58.0 set in 1985. Soft red winter wheat acreage fluctuates between 150,000 - 200,000 acres in Wisconsin with nearly all the grain moving into cash markets. A ready market also exists for wheat straw. Hard red spring wheat acreage ranges from 7,000 to 10,000 acres. Soft red winter wheat cultivars grown in Wisconsin need a high level of winterhardiness. For example, in December 1989 much of the state's winter wheat crop was subjected to -20 to -22o F, with 50 to 60 MPH winds and no snow cover. Although winter injury was widespread, level of survival was surprising, perhaps aided by the occurrence of the cold stress after "hardening in" but relatively early in the winter or dormant season. The drop in wheat grain prices resulted in a decrease in value of grain per acre from $189 in 1989 to $111 in 1990, a drop of 41.5%. The value of straw remained relatively constant at $93/a for a total crop value (grain & straw) of $204 per acre, a 29% reduction from a total value of $287 in 1989. In 1990, many winter wheat fields and the Wisconsin breeding nursery were infected by an array of diseases including leaf and stem rust, mildew, the Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus, and, apparently, numerous other leaf and root viruses. Yields and test weights were reduced in many cases, and many lines did not perform as expected. Breeding. Merrimac, released in 1988, appears to be finding a niche in central and northern areas of Wisconsin. A 15-acre increase of test selection X1625-1-1 was seeded in September 1990, and a release decision will be made in July 1991. Selection X1625-1-1 was an entry in the Uniform Eastern Soft Red Winter Wheat Nursery in 1988-89 and 1989-90. Management. Results of research conducted by Dr. E. S. Oplinger and his graduate students reveal that under Wisconsin conditions, only cultivars with a high level of winterhardiness should be used if planting is late, i.e.,end of September - early October. Planting during September 8 to 25 will minimize insect problems (aphids/BYDV; Hessian Fly) and give the producer more choice among cultivars regarding degree of winterhardiness. ------------------------- ITEMS FROM YUGOSLAVIA Dr. Bogdan Koric and Slobodan Tomasovic - Institute for Breeding and Production of Field Crops - Zagreb, Croatia Wheat Diseases Research Breeding for diseases resistance. One of the limiting factors for obtaining and keeping high yield level are plant diseases. Based on the results of investigations carried out until now under artificial conditions, stem rust is estimated to effect yields up to 67%, powdery mildew up to 42%, septoria glume blotch up to 52% and scab up to 73%. Each of the four mentioned diseases currently worked on in the Institute. The program of breeding for resistance to stem rust started at the earliest date. The work was so successful that almost all Zg wheat varieties and lines today possess resistance to this disease. As a result of breeding for resistance to powdery mildew, there are 15 varieties. The best varieties now in production, from this program are Sana, Biljana, Dijana, Ariana, Helijana and Alena. Work on septoria glume blotch resistance began after the technique of growing Leptosphaeria nodorum fungus on media. All the sources were first tested to the population of domestic isolates and then used in the breeding work. The promising line Zg 3021/84 and a new variety Irena are the result of that program. Work on developing wheat genotypes resistant to scab was very hard but successful and resulted in several promising, tolerant lines with good agronomic traits. Septoria nodorum blotch. Laboratory studies of Leptosphaeria nodorum fungus were aimed at selecting the best isolate for inoculum production to be used in artificial infection on the basis of individual, morphological and physiological characteristic. These studies have divided several isolates from the whole. Collection of samples, identification of Leptosphaeria nodorum from samples, pure culture production, selecting the best inoculate, and inoculum production for artificial infection have been done. Inoculum was produced on sterilized wheat kernels. The results of a five-year study showed that Septoria nodorum blotch can reduce the kernel weight up to 42.2%. All 7 varieties in the test exhibited susceptibility to Septoria nodorum blotch attack, which resulted in statistically significant reduction of kernel weight from 4.6% to 42.2%. The decrease of kernel weight depended to a large extent on the sensitivity of the variety and climatic conditions. The results showed also that decrease of kernel weight seems to be the best indicator of yield reduction. This five years of field experiments were done under the condition of artificial infection. The inoculum for this infection contained the best isolates of Leptosphaeria nodorum in the western part of Yugoslavia. Powdery mildew. Over the five-years (1983-1987) investigations of incidence and spread of the physiological races of powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis f. sp. tritici), 29 physiological races were determined as well as five undetermined isolates. In this period only race 46 was isolated each year, i.e., in all five years. The most prevalent races were 46 and 75 which were recorded in almost all locations where the samples were taken and virtually on all varieties. The investigations are closely connected with the problem of wheat breeding, the objective of which is the creation of new varieties resistant or tolerant to powdery mildew, in order to prevent the damage caused by epiphytotic attack of powdery mildew in the humid part of western Yugoslavia. Improvement of Sources of Resistance of New Wheat Lines (Triticum aestivum ssp. vulgare) to Fusarium Head Blight (Fusarium graminearum Schw.) During 1976 and 1977 a systematic work was initiated in Zagreb Institute for Breeding and Production of Field Crops on finding sources of wheat resistance to Fusarium head blight from world resources. By 1980 some 870 genotypes were collected, among which especially notable are 25 sources originating from Brazil, China, Japan, France and the USSR. Based on their degree of resistance and valuable agronomic properties, seven sources were selected for further work. In 1981 and 1982 they were included in crossings and in 1983 trials were set under conditions of both artificial and natural infection. Most combinations of single crosses exhibited improved resistance in the F1 generation, in comparison to their parental components. For 10 combinations of double crosses, improved levels of resistance was observed in relation to initial sources and single crosses form the F1 generation. Among the tested progenies, the most reliable indicators of Fusarium graminearum and its effect on yield reduction, and hence the most reliable indicators of resistance, are number of kernels per spike, kernel weight per spike and kernel weight. It was found that adequate breeding methods (semi-diallel) allowed accumulations of genes for resistance from various sources, the result of which are new sources with improved resistance to Fusarium head blight. Crosses were tested in F2 and later generations; thus from 1984 to 1989, 22 combinations of crossing were selected (from F3 to F7 generations) and tested at the stage of partial or complete homozygosity. During the breeding process under conditions of artificial infection, the most resistant combinations were selected and among the most resistant plants with good agronomic properties chosen. Through preliminary and comparative micro-trials, lines were selected with improved degrees of resistance in comparison with the initial sources and the standard varieties in production. Five Zg-wheat lines were selected with valuable agronomic properties and improved levels of resistance to Fusarium head blight, and with satisfactory resistance to other serious wheat diseases. The new Zg wheat lines were selected form the following combinations of crossings: Roazon/Balaya-cerkov, Roazon/Poncheau//Toropi/Encruzilhada, and Zg 17-75/Roazon. ------------------------- III. CULTIVARS AND GERMPLASM Triticum Accessions in the National Small Grains Collection Harold E. Bockelman, USDA-ARS, National Small Grains Collection Taxonomy No. Accessions Triticum aestivum 31093 Triticum araraticum 270 Triticum boeoticum 136 Triticum boeoticum subsp. boeoticum 623 Triticum boeoticum subsp. thaoudar 6 Triticum carthlicum 90 Triticum compactum 62 Triticum dicoccoides 901 Triticum dicoccon 513 Triticum durum 6096 Triticum hybrid 181 Triticum ispahanicum 5 Triticum karamyschevii 3 Triticum macha 49 Triticum militinae 2 Triticum monococcum 184 Triticum polonicum 59 Triticum sp. 211 Triticum spelta 1153 Triticum sphaerococcum 32 Triticum timopheevii 43 Triticum turanicum 71 Triticum turgidum 453 Triticum urartu 200 Triticum vavilovii 2 Triticum x fungicidum 3 Triticum x timococcum 2 Triticum zhukovskyi 7 --------- Total 42450 Please note that some accessions may not be available due to low seed inventory. ------------------------- PI Assignments in Triticum since AWN Vol. 36 Harold E. Bockelman, USDA-ARS, National Small Grains Collection, Aberdeen, ID George A. White, USDA-ARS, Plant Introduction Office, Beltsville, MD PI Numbers Species Cultivar Origin Donor/Acquisition 537261 aestivum NE 82438 U.S., NE P.S. Baenziger, NE AES 537262 aestivum NE 82533 U.S., NE P.S. Baenziger, NE AES 537263 aestivum NE 84557 U.S., NE P.S. Baenziger, NE AES 537303 aestivum CENTENNIAL U.S., ID E. Souza, ID AES 537307 aestivum SWS-52 Canada, AB R.S. Sadasivaiah, Ag Can 537310 durum KYLE Canada, SK J.G. McLeod, Ag Can 537968-537979 aestivum Turkey J.G. Waines, CA AES 537980-537997 durum Turkey J.G. Waines, CA AES 537998-538003 boeoticum Turkey J.G. Waines, CA AES 538415-538522 araraticum Iraq J.G. Waines, CA AES 538524-538541 boeoticum Turkey J.G. Waines, CA AES 538542-538575 boeoticum Iraq J.G. Waines, CA AES 538576-538578 boeoticum Iran J.G. Waines, CA AES 538579-538606 boeoticum Iraq J.G. Waines, CA AES 538607-538608 boeoticum Turkey J.G. Waines, CA AES 538609-538618 boeoticum Iraq J.G. Waines, CA AES 538619-538625 boeoticum Turkey J.G. Waines, CA AES 538720-538723 monococcum Turkey J.G. Waines, CA AES 538724-538733 urartu Turkey J.G. Waines, CA AES 538734-538751 urartu Lebanon J.G. Waines, CA AES 538768 aestivum BERGEN U.S., CO Agripro Biosciences 538626-538668 dicoccoides Turkey J.G. Waines, CA AES 538669-538699 dicoccoides Israel J.G. Waines, CA AES 538700-538718 dicoccoides Lebanon J.G. Waines, CA AES 538719 dicoccoides Israel J.G. Waines, CA AES 540401 aestivum SD 2980 U.S., SD F.A. Cholick, SD AES 542072 aestivum CHEROKEE U.S., CO Agripro Biosciences 542400 aestivum WA 7526 U.S., WA R.E. Allan, USDA-ARS 542401 aestivum WA 7527 U.S., WA R.E. Allan, USDA-ARS 542432-542465 aestivum U.S., OR R.J. Metzger, USDA-ARS 542466 macha U.S., OR R.J. Metzger, USDA-ARS 542471 durum DWL 5023 India R.J. Metzger, USDA-ARS 542472 militinae USSR R.J. Metzger, USDA-ARS 542473 monococcum U.S., OR R.J. Metzger, USDA-ARS 542474 monococcum Turkey R.J. Metzger, USDA-ARS 542475 boeoticum U.S., OR R.J. Metzger, USDA-ARS 542478-542508 hybrid U.S., OR R.J. Metzger, USDA-ARS 542575-542577 aestivum U.S., OR R.J. Metzger, USDA-ARS 542578-542582 hybrid U.S., OR R.J. Metzger, USDA-ARS 542583-542589 aestivum U.S., OR R.J. Metzger, USDA-ARS 542590 durum Turkey R.J. Metzger, USDA-ARS 542650-542675 aestivum U.S., OR R.J. Metzger, USDA-ARS 542676-542680 turgidum Italy IBPGR, Rome 542704 aestivum EARLY BLACKHULL U.S., OR R.J. Metzger, USDA-ARS 542705 aestivum BLACKHULL U.S., OR R.J. Metzger, USDA-ARS 542706 aestivum E.E. BLACKHULL U.S., OR R.J. Metzger, USDA-ARS 543007 aestivum SIOUXLAND 89 U.S., TX TX AES 543791 aestivum BEARDLESS BRONZE U.S., WY G. Howard, USDA-ARS 543893 aestivum RAWHIDE U.S., NE P.S. Baenziger, NE AES 545491 aestivum CHENA U.S., AK R. Taylor, USDA-ARS 545492 aestivum VIGAL U.S., AK R. Taylor, USDA-ARS 546056 aestivum VANDAL U.S., ID E. Souza, ID AES 546057 aestivum IDAHO DNSC0 U.S., ID E. Souza, ID AES 546461 aestivum MD 75266-46 U.S., MD D.J. Sammons, MD AES 546462 durum GERGANA Bulgaria T. Yanev, Cotton Res Inst 546463 durum ZAGORKA Bulgaria T. Yanev, Cotton Res Inst 546464-538466 durum Bulgaria T. Yanev, Cotton Res Inst Please note that new accessions may not be immediately available due to low seed inventory. ------------------------- Aegilops Accessions in the National Small Grains Collection Harold E. Bockelman, USDA-ARS, National Small Grains Collection Taxonomy No. Accessions Aegilops bicornis 2 Aegilops biuncialis 87 Aegilops columnaris 8 Aegilops comosa 11 Aegilops comosa subsp. comosa 2 Aegilops crassa 17 Aegilops cylindrica 63 Aegilops geniculata 55 Aegilops geniculata subsp. geniculata 11 Aegilops geniculata subsp. gibberosa 1 Aegilops hybrid 1 Aegilops juvenalis 6 Aegilops kotschyi 14 Aegilops longissima 4 Aegilops markgrafii var. markgrafii 22 Aegilops markgrafii var. polyathera 2 Aegilops neglecta 88 Aegilops neglecta subsp. neglecta 4 Aegilops neglecta subsp. recta 1 Aegilops peregrina 19 Aegilops peregrina subsp. cylindrostachys 1 Aegilops searsii 1 Aegilops sharonensis 2 Aegilops sp. 48 Aegilops speltoides 90 Aegilops speltoides var. ligustica 20 Aegilops speltoides var. speltoides 18 Aegilops tauschii 85 Aegilops tauschii subsp. strangulata 7 Aegilops tauschii subsp. tauschii 13 Aegilops tauschii var. anathera 2 Aegilops tauschii var. meyerii 1 Aegilops triuncialis 243 Aegilops triuncialis subsp. persica 13 Aegilops umbellulata 42 Aegilops uniaristata 3 Aegilops ventricosa 7 --------- Total 1014 Please note that some accessions may not be available due to low seed inventory. ------------------------- PI Assignments in Aegilops since January 1, 1990 Harold E. Bockelman, USDA-ARS, National Small Grains Collection, Aberdeen, ID George A. White, USDA-ARS, Plant Introduction Office, Beltsville, MD PI Numbers Species Origin Donor/Acquisition 542144-542170 biuncialis Turkey R.J. Metzger, USDA-ARS G. Kimber, Missouri AES 542171 columnaris Turkey " " 542172-542178 comosa Turkey " " 542179 cylindrica Turkey " " 542180-542190 geniculata Turkey " " 542191 hybrid Turkey " " 542192-542193 juvenalis Turkey " " 542194-542195 kotschyi Turkey " " 542196 longissima Turkey " " 542197-542210 markgrafii Turkey " " 542211-542218 neglecta Turkey " " 542219 markgrafii Turkey " " 542220-542235 neglecta Turkey " " 542236 peregrina Turkey " " 542237 sharonensis Turkey " " 542238-542276 speltoides Turkey " " 542277-542278 tauschii Turkey " " 542279-542361 triuncialis Turkey " " 542362-542384 umbellulata Turkey " " 542385 ventricosa Turkey " " Please note that new accessions may not be immediately available due to low seed inventory. ------------------------- Elite Germplasm for the National Small Grains Collection Harold E. Bockelman, USDA-ARS, National Small Grains Collection, Aberdeen, ID Breeders are encouraged to submit their elite lines for inclusion in the National Small Grains Collection (NSGC). Of special interest are lines that have been in uniform nurseries, but are not to be released as cultivars. Historically, uniform nurseries been the testing-grounds for the most advanced, elite germplasm from the various public and private breeding programs. Entries in uniform nurseries and other breeding materials that are never released as cultivars are still of potential value to breeders, pathologists, entomologists, and other researchers. Breeders should submit 500 g of untreated seed to the NSGC (address: P.O. Box 307, Aberdeen, ID 83210). Seed from outside of the United States should be sent to the USDA Plant Germplasm Quarantine Center (address: Bldg. 320, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705) with enclosed forwarding directions. Include a description of the germplasm, including: donor (breeder, instition); botanical and common name; cultivar name and/or other identifiers (breeder line or selection number, etc.); pedigree; descriptive information (of important traits and special characteristics); and growth habit. The request is then forwarded to the Plant Introduction Office. Upon PI assignment the Plant Introduction Officer returns documentation (PI card) to the NSGC Curator and the originating breeder. The NSGC Curator forwards a backup sample of seed to the National Seed Storage Laboratory and places the remaining seed in the NSGC. Assignment of a PI number and inclusion in the NSGC makes the germplasm available for research purposes to bona fide scientists in the U.S. and worldwide. Please note that a different procedure applies if you are obtaining Crop Science registration (see Crop Sci. 28: 716. 1988). ------------------------- Cultivar Name Clearance Harold E. Bockelman, USDA-ARS, National Small Grains Collection, Aberdeen, ID Breeders are encouraged to submit proposed names for new cultivars for clearance in order to avoid duplication and possible trademark and other infringemts. The breeder should submit the proposed name to the NSGC Curator (P.O. Box 307, Aberdeen, ID 83210). If desired, more than one name may be submitted, listed in order of preference. This will save considerable time if a conflict is found with the first name. The NSGC Curator checks available records (GRIN, CI/PI cards, variety files, etc.) for conflicts with the proposed name. If a conflict is found (previous use of the name for that crop), the originating scientist is requested to submit a different name. If no conflicts are found in the available records, the requested name is forwarded to the Agricultural Marketing Service where the proposed name is checked for possible conflicts in trademarks, etc. Their findings and recommendations are reported to the NSGC Curator. The Agricultural Marketing Service does not guarantee that its findings are the final word since their files may not be complete and/or there may be unregistered trademarks. The NSGC Curator then responds to the originating scientist. The clearance procedure generally requires 4 to 6 weeks. ------------------------- Guidelines for Exporting and Importing Seed Harold E. Bockelman, USDA-ARS, National Small Grains Collection, Aberdeen, ID; David Manning, USDA-ARS, Plant Germplasm Quarantine Center, Beltsville, MD Exporting. All seed sent to a foreign country should be inspected and receive a phytosanitary certificate. For large shipments of seed, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) personnel in your locality should becontacted. For small, research-sized samples the seed can be routed through the USDA Plant Germplasm Quarantine Center (address: USDA Plant Germplasm Quarantine Center, Attn: David Manning, Bldg. 320, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705). Both ARS and APHIS personnel are located at the PGQC. All necessary customs requirements are handled at the PGQC. There is no charge for this service. Address the package to the PGQC. Inside, place a second unsealed package containing the seed, addressed to the recipient. Also include: two copies of a listing of materials enclosed; a copy of your transmittal letter or a copy of the original request from the foreign scientist; and any import permits (supplied by the requesting scientist) or special shipping instructions. Failure to include necessary import permits can delay shipments by weeks since it will be necessary to request such a permit from the foreign scientist or country. Importing. Any scientist importing seed should be aware of any restrictions that apply. APHIS personnel can provide current information on applicable restrictions. Of particular importance to wheat researchers are import restrictions related to flag smut and karnal bunt. Presently, some 34 countries have flag smut import restrictions. Six countries currently have karnal bunt import restrictions. Importation of seed from flag smut and karnal bunt countries requires a permit from APHIS. Special handling and grow-out procedures apply to such shipments. ------------------------- Evaluation of National Small Grains Collection Germplasm Progress Report - Wheat H.E. Bockelman, D.M. Wesenberg, M.A. Bohning, and L.W. Briggle * National Small Grains Germplasm Research Facility, Aberdeen, ID, and National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, MD Systematic evaluation of accessions in the USDA-ARS National Small Grains Collection (NSGC) was coordinated by National Small Grains Germplasm Research Facility staff at Aberdeen during 1990. Cooperative evaluations for resistance to Russian Wheat Aphid, Hessian fly, barley yellow dwarf virus, barley stripe mosaic virus, spot and net blotch of barley, stripe rust of wheat, and dwarfbunt continued along with cooperative evaluations of oat germplasm for beta-glucan, protein, and oil content and ploidy analysis of Triticum species. In addition to the ongoing evaluation program, the Aberdeen staff has been involved in the entry of NSGC evaluation data into the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) system; growth habit evaluations of 10,000 NSGC wheat accessions; grow out and taxonomic evaluation of over 600 NSGC spring wheat accessions; field taxonomic classification of over 2,200 NSGC oat accessions; laboratory taxonomic classification of about 2,800 previously unclassified NSGC oat accessions in addition to a similar number of accessions reviewed the previous year; quarantine and field grow out of 893 new accessions of Avena sativa from a collection made in Turkey in 1986; initiation of cooperative evaluations of NSGC barley accessions and other elite germplasm for reaction to stem rust race QCC in North Dakota and Puerto Rico; initiation of cooperative evaluations of NSGC barley accessions and other elite germplasm for reaction to barley stripe rust race 24 in Bolivia under the direction of Colorado State University staff; and increase and evaluation of a spring wheat germplasm collection derived from a series of interspecific crosses completed by Mr. William J. Sando in the 1930s and previously last grown in the 1960s. Cooperative ploidy analysis of Triticum species were conducted by Dr. Gordon Kimber and staff, Columbia, Missouri. Dr. Lee Briggle completed the documentation and organization of his Avena fatua collection and the material has now been assigned PI numbers and entered in the NSGC. Location funds were also used to partially support the evaluation of Pioneer Seed Company-developed hard red winter wheat germplasm at Manhattan, Kansas. Specific Cooperative Agreements or within ARS Fund Transfers involving such cooperative evaluations and related research for all small grains currently involve over 20 University and ARS projects in at least 16 states. Descriptors appropriate for each of the principal small grain crop species - wheat, barley, oats, and rice - have been established in collaboration with the appropriate Crop Advisory Committees. Data on field descriptors have been obtained on approximately 35,500 wheat accessions, 11,000 oat accessions, and 9,000 barley accessions during the 1983-90 period. Special nurseries were grown for that purpose at Aberdeen, Idaho and Maricopa, Arizona, with grain being harvested from each field evaluation nursery to replenish NSGC seed stocks. Field evaluation data are recorded on such descriptors as growth habit, number of days from planting to anthesis (heading), plant height, spike or panicle density, lodging, straw breakage, shattering, and awn and glume characteristics, including color. Spikes or panicles are collected from each evaluation or nursery plot at maturity to facilitate detailed laboratory analysis for seed characters and for more precise spike or panicle descriptors than can be obtained under field conditions. Yield data are also recorded for each accession. Evaluations for disease and insect resistance were initiated in 1983 along with the agronomic evaluations. Accessions of Triticum or Aegilops submitted for formal NSGC disease and insect evaluations to date include the following: Barley Yellow Dwarf 1983-90 Davis, CA 27,300 wheats Urbana, IL 27,500 wheats Soilborne Mosaic Virus 1985-89 Urbana, IL 10,000 wheats Leaf Rust 1983-89 Manhattan, KS 29,900 wheats Stripe Rust 1984-90 Pullman, WA 25,575 wheats Stem Rust 1987-90 St. Paul, MN 14,700 wheats 184 Aegilops Fargo, ND 290 Aegilops Common and Dwarf Bunt 1985-86 Pendleton, OR 5,000 wheats Karnal Bunt 1988-90 Ludhiana,India 1,522 wheats Hessian Fly 1983-90 West Lafayette, IN 30,605 wheats Evaluation of NSGC wheat, barley, rye, and triticale germplasm for Russian Wheat Aphid (RWA) reaction is also underway at the ARS Plant Science Research Laboratory in Stillwater, Oklahoma as well as a number of other locations in the United States. The NSGC staff is overseeing the distribution of NSGC wheat germplasm to the several researchers interested in the evaluation of this germplasm for reaction to the Russian Wheat Aphid. Data for Russian Wheat Aphid reaction for 4,457 NSGC wheat accessions are presently entered in the GRIN data base. Wheat descriptors with data entered in the GRIN system are summarized below. Systematic evaluations for descriptors such as stripe rust, dwarf bunt, stem rust, Septoria nodorum, Septoria tritici, yield, kernel weight, kernels per spike, and kernel texture are currently underway, with data in the process of being prepared for entry into the GRIN system. No evaluations have been conducted to date for other descriptors such as drought tolerance, salt tolerance, winterhardiness, Cephalosporium stripe, flag smut, leaf blight, loose smut, powdery mildew, snow mold, take all, tan spot, wheat streak mosaic, green bug, cereal leaf beetle, and protein. Evaluation Data on the Germplasm Resources Information Network AWN COLOR Awn color of healthy plants at maturity Data on GRIN: Black 1036 Brown 656 Gray 46 Purple 2 Tan 649 White/Amber 4291 Yellow 225 Mixed 1102 Total 8007 AWN TYPE Presence and extent of awning Data on GRIN: Awned 21330 Awnletted 8840 Apically Awnletted 751 Awnless 1297 Mixed 413 Total 32631 BYDV Reaction to Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus Data on GRIN: Resistant (1-3) 127 Intermediate (4-6) 1767 Susceptible (7,8) 163 Total 2057 CHROMOSOME NUMBER Laboratory determination of chromosome count Data on GRIN: 14 chr. 18 28 chr. 253 42 chr. 245 56 chr. 3 Total 519 COMMON BUNT Reaction to Common Bunt incited by Tilletia foetida and T. caries Data on GRIN: R39: Virulence to Bt1,2,3,4,6,7,9,10 Resistant (1-3) 112 Intermediate (4-6) 241 Susceptible (7-9) 491 Total 844 R36: Virulence to Bt2,5,7 Resistant (1-3) 70 Intermediate (4-6) 73 Susceptible (7-9) 250 Total 393 T-1: Virulence to Bt7 Resistant (1-3) 2063 Intermediate (4-6) 2036 Susceptible (7-9) 1843 Total 5942 Multiple: Virulence to Bt1 through 10 Resistant (1-3) 918 Intermediate (4-6) 1693 Susceptible (7-9) 3108 Total 5719 GLUME COLOR Color of glume on healthy plants at maturity Data on GRIN: Black 142 Brown 866 Gray 98 Purple 3 Tan 1025 White/Amber 4656 Yellow 273 Mixed 1008 Total 8071 GLUME PUBESCENCE Presence and extent of pubescence on glumes Data on GRIN: Absent 6872 Edge only 16 Short/Fine 194 Short/Medium 14 Long 935 Mixed 372 Total 8403 GROWTH HABIT Growth habit Data on GRIN: Spring 7537 Winter 5940 Facultative 2022 Mixed 1213 Total 16712 HEADING DATE Number of days after January 1 when 50% of the spikes are emerged from the boot Data on GRIN: 180 or less 1247 181 to 190 2671 191 to 200 3620 201 or more 1420 Total 8958 HESSIAN FLY Reaction to Hessian Fly, Mayetiola destructor Data on GRIN: Biotype-B Resistant (1-3) 6 Intermediate (4-6) 9 Susceptible (7-9) 433 Total 448 Biotype-C Resistant (1-3) 960 Intermediate (4-6) 1794 Susceptible (7-9) 21472 Total 24226 Biotype-E Resistant (1-3) 1009 Intermediate (4-6) 1840 Susceptible (7-9) 21560 Total 24409 KERNEL COLOR Color of the kernel of healthy plants at maturity Data on GRIN: Brown 6 Gray 1 Purple 48 Red 14174 White/Amber 8755 Total 22924 LEAF PUBESCENCE Presence and extent of pubescence on the leaves Data on GRIN: Absent 8349 Minute 19 Medium 18 Very Heavy 8 Total 8394 LEAF RUST Reaction to Leaf Rust incited by Puccinia recondita Data on GRIN: Resistant (0-3) 3556 Intermediate (4-6) 3291 Susceptible (7-9) 17599 Total 24446 PLANT HEIGHT Height (cm) at maturity of the plant from the ground to the top of the spike, excluding awns. Data on GRIN: 70 or less 785 71 to 90 2177 91 to 110 2647 111 to 130 2046 131 or more 829 Total 8484 RUSSIAN WHEAT APHID Reaction to the Russian Wheat Aphid, Diuraphis noxia Data on GRIN: More Resistant (3-5) 181 Intermediate (6,7) 1168 Susceptible (8,9) 3028 Mixed 80 Total 4457 RWA LEAFROLL Leafroll symptoms caused by the Russian Wheat Aphid, Diuraphis noxia Data on GRIN: Flat 139 Rolled 4129 Mixed 189 Total 4457 SHATTERING Degree of shattering of seed from the spike Data on GRIN: None (1) 3161 Little (2,3) 355 Moderate (4-6) 121 Severe (7-9) 32 Total 3669 SOIL-BORNE MOSAIC Reaction to Soil-born Mosaic Virus vectored by Polymyxa graminis Data on GRIN: Resistant (0-2) 756 Intermediate (3-5) 3066 Susceptible (6-9) 2767 Total 6589 SPIKE DENSITY Visual measure of relative density or compactness of the spike Data on GRIN: Lax (1-3) 2435 Medium (4-6) 4801 Dense (7-9) 725 Mixed 441 Total 8402 SPIKE TYPE General shape of the spike Data on GRIN: Fusiform 674 Oblong 7033 Clavate 320 Elliptical 47 Mixed 334 Total 8408 STRAW BREAKAGE Degree of straw or stem breakage at maturity Data on GRIN: None 7173 Little 1037 Moderate 75 Most or all 7 Total 8292 STRAW COLOR Color of straw on healthy plants at maturity Data on GRIN: Black 13 Blue 1 Brown 10 Gray 4 Purple 330 Red 1 Tan 402 White/Amber 3837 Yellow 5175 Mixed 215 Total 9988 STRAW LODGING Degree of straw lodging at maturity Data on GRIN: None (0) 1460 Little (2,3) 2719 Moderate (4-6) 2018 Most or all (7-9) 2186 Total 8383 * The authors wish to acknowledge the important contributions of NSGGRF staff and cooperators in this effort, with special thanks to Santos Nieto, Glenda B. Rutger, A. Lee Urie, John F. Connett, Dave E. Burrup, Kay B. Calzada, Vicki Gamble, Evalyne McLean, Judy Bradley, Dallas Western, and Laura Morrison. ------------------------- R.E. Allan, USDA-ARS, Washington State University CSSA Wheat Cultivar and Germplasm Registration, 1990. Refer to Crop Sci. 30:1394 for references to registration articles on wheat cultivars assigned CV 748 to CV 753. No wheat germplasm lines or genetic stocks were published in Crop Sci. 30. Wheat cultivars and germplasm lines assigned CSSA registration numbers since the last report (AWN 36:234-235) are: Wheat Cultivar Registration Reg. No. ID No. Kind Origin Type Crop Sci. 753 PI494096 Tadinia California HRS 30:1366 75 PI537310 Kyle Agriculture Canada Durum 755 PI537307 SWS-52 Agriculture Canada SWS 756 PI538257 Georgia 100 Georgia, USDA-ARS SRW 757 PI511674 Blizzard Idaho, USDA-ARS HRW 758 PI532913 Pioneer 2548 Pioneer Hi-Bred Int. Inc. SRW 759 PI532914 Pioneer 2555 Pioneer Hi-Bred Int. Inc. SRW 760 PI537303 Centennial Idaho, USDA-ARS SWS CV167 PI537060 Ajantha Maharashtra, India HRS Wheat Germplasm Registration GP322 PI535770 Wichita//TA1649/2*Wichita Kansas, USDA-ARS Leaf rust resistance GP323 PI535767 TA1695/3*Wichita Kansas, USDA-ARS Hessian fly, greenbug, SBM virus resistance GP324 PI535766 TA1642/2*Wichita Kansas, USDA-ARS Hessian fly resistance GP325 PI535769 TA2452/TA1645//2*WI/3/NWT Kansas, USDA-ARS Hessian fly resistance GP326 PI535771 Ms3 Facilitatated Kansas, USDA-ARS Multiple disease and HRW bulk population insect resistance Those considering registering cultivars, germplasm, parental lines, or genetic stocks of wheat should refer to Crop Sci. 28:716-717 which explains some of the procedures that are to be followed. North American wheat research workers who wish to register cultivars or germplasm may also write to any member of the wheat subcommittee of CSSA Registration Committee (C852) for information. The members of the 1991 committee are: R.E. Allan - Chm., Western USA Wheats, USDA-ARS, Washington Robert Busch - Hard Red Spring Wheats, USDA-ARS, Minnesota J.S. Quick - Hard Red Winter Wheats, Colorado P. Zwer - Soft Wheats, Oregon ------------------------- B. Skovmand, CIMMYT and M.C. Mackay, Australian Winter Cereals Collection Wheat Cultivar Abbreviations, 1990 The Wheat Cultivar Abbreviations were last published in June 1, 1985, as Special Report 749, Agricultural Experiment Station, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. An updated list of abbreviations has been compiled by the CIMMYT Wheat Program and is now available on diskette in ASCII format. Paper copy can be made available to programs lacking computer facilities. A copy of this list can be obtained from any CIMMYT regional program or from: Bent Skovmand, CIMMYT, Lisboa 27, Apdo. Postal 6-641, Deleg. Cuauhtemoc, 06600 Mexico D.F., Mexico or from M.C. Mackay, Australian Winter Cereals Collection, Private Mail Bag R.M.B. 944, Tamworth NSW 2340, Australia The listing is available free on request for bona fide wheat breeders, scientists, and programs with the exception of programs in highly developed countries as listed below. Highly developed country programs in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Faeroe Islands, Germany, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States of America can obtain a copy by mailing a formatted diskette (one 3.5" or three 5 3/4") to either of the addresses above and the diskettes will be returned with the information. A database to collect information on abbreviations and names has been developed and a current listing can be made at any time. To keep this file current, we would appreciate information concerning wheats missing in the list or new cultivars of bread wheat, durum wheat, and triticale, including name and abbreviation, pedigrees, selection histories, growth habit, origin, and year of release. ----------------------------- IV. CATALOGUE OF GENE SYMBOLS: 1991 SUPPLEMENT ----------------------------- V. ANNUAL WHEAT NEWSLETTER FUND Financial Statement Account Number 52-732-7, Brenton Bank & Trust Company Johnston, Iowa Ian B. Edwards, Treasurer: Annual Wheat Newsletter The level of financial support for the Annual Wheat Newsletter increased slightly during 1990-91, and the current fund balance (as of April 15, 1991) is at $4,065.65 (compared with $3,963.24 in 1989-90 and $5,412.26 in 1988-89. We are pleased to welcome the following new corporate or institutional contributors: - American Cyanamid Company, Princeton, NJ - John Innes Centre for Plant Science Research, Colney Lane, Norwich, U.K. - Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA - Orsem, Fretin, France A total of 145 individual contributors made donations to Volume 37. All those whose donations were received on or before April 15 are acknowledged in the pages that follow. Those who contributed between April 15 and June 1 may still expect to receive a copy of the AWN, and their financial support is also appreciated. However, owing to the high costs of printing the AWN, we are only able to print a certain number of copies, and requests received from new contributors after June 1 will likely not be filled. We apologize for this and ask for your understanding. Printing is limited by available funding, and we try to meet all requests received on time. A special thanks is extended to Dr. J. S. Noll (Canada), and Dr. R. A. McIntosh (Australia), for coordinating individual contributions. We would encourage individuals in other overseas countries to volunteer and coordinate local contributions; the use of a single bank draft represents a substantial savings in time and bank charges and is much appreciated by your treasurer. Certain institutions have indicated that they are only able to pay by invoice. In such instances, please notify your treasurer as to the amount that you are willing to donate, and we will gladly send you an invoice. It has been a pleasure to serve as your treasurer this past year, and I would again like to extend my thanks to all of those who so graciously support our Newsletter. Current Previous Year Year Balance as of October 30, 1990: $ <70.25> $ 185.52 Contributions (Oct. 30, 1990 to April 15, 1991, plus interest on checking): 3,995.40 3,777.72 Total Fund Balance (Previous balance, plus 1990-91): $ 4,065.65 $ 3,963.24 1991 (VOLUME 37) AWN CONTRIBUTORS (Contributions over $200) Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., Ian B. Edwards, 6800 Pioneer Parkway, Johnston, IA 50131; Gregory C. Marshall, R.R. 1, Windfall, IN 46076 Western Plant Breeders, Dan Biggerstaff, P.O. Box 1409, Bozeman, MT 59715 (Contributions $100 to $200) AgriPro, Rob Bruns, 806 North 2nd Street, P.O. Box 30, Berthoud, CO 80513 Cargill, Sid Perry, 2540 East Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80525 HybriTech Seed International, Inc., John Erickson, 5912 N. Meridian, Wichita, KS 67204 Orsem, Christian Quandalle, 5 Rue Clemenceau, BP 12, 59273 Fretin, France Nickerson Seeds Ltd., W. J. Angus, Rothwell Lincoln LN7 6DT, England (Contributions $50 to $99) American Cyanamid Company, Kenneth L. Hill, P.O. Box 400, Princeton, NJ 08543-0400 Mike Brayton Seeds, Inc., Gary A. Smelser, P.O. Box 308, Ames, IA 50010 John Innes Centre for Plant Science Res., T. E. Miller, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UH Louisiana State University Ag. Center, Stephen A. Harrison, Department of Agronomy, 104 Madison B. Sturgiss Hall, Baton Rouge, La 70803-2110 Robert S. Zemetra, University of Idaho, Plant Breeding & Genetics, Plant, Soil, & Entomological Sciences, Moscow, ID 83843 (Contributions $2 to $49) Robert E. Allan Francis J. Gough Ron Normann Marcus M. Alley Diane Grodzinski L. O'Brien Richard E. Atkins Cebeco Handelsraad A. Oyanagi Dan Atsmon Elmer G. Heyne A. A. Pagnutti Sem Y. Atsmon G. Hollamby R. F. Park Robert K. Bacon N. K. Howes F. L. Patterson P. Stephen Baenziger Robert Hunger J. Carlos Pavoni Augusto Carlos Baier Russell Karow C. J. Peterson B. Ballantyne E. R. Kerber R. V. Pienaar Ron Barnett W. Kim D. R. Porter P. Bartos M. B. Kirkham Kenneth B. Porter A. Bayraktar R. K. Kiyomoto Z. A. Pretorius Robert K. Bequette Daryl Klindworth Bob Rees A. Blum Takato Koba R. Richards Harold E. Bockelman Frederic L. Kolb Diane Rickerl Joseph J. Bonnemann Mathias F. Kolding John J. Roberts Basilio Borghi J. Kolmer C. C. Russell Myron Brakke Calvin F. Konzak David J. Sammons Hans-Joachim Braun M. I. P. Kovacs J. A. Martin Sanchez P. Brennan Warren E. Kronstad John F. Schafer K. G. Briggs E. Lagudah Hidefumi Seko Samuel J. Brown M. D. Lazar Hari C. Sharma A. L. Brule-Babel D. Leisle P. Sharp L. Burgess Roland F. Line M. Walker Simmons David H. Casper A. J. Lukaszewski Larry L. Singleton Fred A. Cholick O. Lukow Bent Skovmand Okkyung Kim Chung M. Mackey Ed Smith Allan J. Ciha G. F. Marais T. F. Townley-Smith Gordon Cisar D. Mares Mark E. Sorrells Robert L. Clarkson David Marshall Debra K. Steiger Joseph L. Clayton David J. Martin Bruce Stewart Fred C. Collins Joe Martin Qixin Sun Darrell Cox P. Martin D. W. Sunderman Thomas S. Cox R. Martin D. The Christine A. Curtis Bob Matchett J. Thomas E. Czarnecki Paul J. Mattern Trio Research E. Deambrogio C. May J. Vandam Dennis J. Delaney R. A. McIntosh Wayne E. Vian H. Jesse Dubin R. I. H. McKenzie James A. Webster Dennis J. Dunphy A. Meinel Sarl W. Weibull Ian B. Edwards Robert J. Metzger C. Wellings R. L. Eisemann Gene Milus G. B. Wildermuth F. Ellison S. Moore N. D. Williams Everett H. Everson Craig F. Morris P. Wilson George Fedak Rosalind Morris R. Wilson Moshe Feldman D. K. Mulitze David Worrall K. J. Fowler Charles F. Murphy C. Wrigley R. J. Graf Lloyd R. Nelson John Gorham J. S. Noll ----------------------------- VI. VOLUME 37, MANUSCRIPT GUIDELINES 1. The required format for Volume 38 will be the same as for Volume 37. Cost of production and quality of the end product require using computer files and a laser printer (see guidelines in #3 below). Send your written contributions to James Quick and financial contributions to Ian Edwards. Considering recent cost increases, a $15 contribution would seem appropriate. Your attention to editorial details below would be very helpful. 2. Subject matter contributions related to wheat: - germplasm development and genetic stocks, new cultivars - breeding procedures, equipment, techniques, computerization - diseases, insects, quality, production practices, weed control, fertilizer responses - untried ideas - personnel changes - list of recent publications (not other references to support materials and methods, etc.) 3. All text will be entered in computer files; therefore, please submit your manuscript on a 5 1/4 inch diskette if at all possible. Use Word Perfect 4.2, 5.0, or 5.1 programs or send an ASCII file which we can convert. Use Courier 12 CPI and avoid indents (F4 in Word Perfect) and tabs in the text. Maintenance of correct spacing during conversion of tables to a reduced size script is difficult so please submit tables in "Tables" format in WP 5.1 if possible and send hard copies using CPI = 12 and a maximum width of 17 cm. Double-space the text of your contribution if you must use a typewriter. Do not fold your manuscript. 4. Do not submit manuscript with literature reviews. Tabular material must be brief, simple, and camera-ready in a maximum width of 17 cm (send original, not photocopy). Use CPI = 12. 5. If line drawings are presented, they should be suitable for direct use, i.e., camera-ready original copy in a maximum space of 17 x 17 cm. 6. No acknowledgement of contributions are made. 7. Some editorial changes are made. PLEASE NOTE that "cultivar", not variety, is used throughout, semidwarf is one word, kg/ha is preferred to kg ha-1, and Crop Science should be used as a guide. Use Volume 37 as a guide for page headings for country, state or province, and authors. Underline subject headings at the beginning of the first line of the paragraph. Use the pedigree writing system of Purdy, et al., Crop Science. Coordination of manuscript preparation, combined listing of authors, and dispatch within research locations would aid in organization, provision of copies, etc. 8. The mailing list is revised annually for contributors for all countries and includes the following: - those who make a written contribution; sent only to senior author unless otherwise requested - those who make a financial contribution - for those who do neither, a request for a copy must be made in writing - the AWN is sent only to individuals. We suggest, however, that you place a copy in your local library for others to use. 9. The Annual Wheat Newsletter is sponsored by the USA National Wheat Improvement Committee and is financed by voluntary contributions. 10. Send only one copy of your written contributions to the editors by 15 February 1992. 11. The AWN size and contributions have increased considerably, and that is good news! Do not include much detail of apparent local interest only; readers can correspond with the author for more details. 12. The editor appreciates your careful assistance in manuscript preparation, and suggestions for improved communication are appreciated. The job has been made much easier by the receipt of information on computer diskettes. ----------------------------- VII. MAILING LIST Carefully check the present mailing list to see that your address is correct. We need complete information on each individual because in most cases of multiple authors, we often do not know in what department or area each person is involved. Please clearly type or print your name and address. At the time of printing the mailing list for Volume 37 was: ARGENTINA Jose Buck S.A., 7637 La Dulce, Necochea - L.J. Gonzales Juan Carlos Pavoni, Calle 26 - Nro. 4017, 7630 Necochea, BsAs Ricardo H. Maich, Faculty Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, Cassilla de Correo 509-C Central S.E. Feingold, Catedra de Cereales, Facultad de Agronomia, Universidad de Buenos Aires H.E. Hopp, Instituto Biologia Molecular, CICV, INTA Castelar, CC77, 1708 Moron Hector Carbajo, Istilart 189, 7500 Tres Arroyos AUSTRALIA A.C.T. CSIRO, GPO Box 1600, Canberra 2601 - R.A. Richards, E. Lagudah NEW SOUTH WALES Agricultural Research Station, RMB 944, Tamworth, 2340, R. A. Hare, M. C. Mackay Agricultural Research Institute, Wagga Wagga 2650 - B. Ballantyne, Cedric May Agricultural Research Centre, P.O. Box 304, Temora 2666 - R. Martin Cargill Wheat Research, P. O. Box W252, West Tamworth 2340 - Peter Wilson I. A. Watson Wheat Research Center, P. O. Box 219, Narrabri 2390 - L. O'Brien, F.W. Ellison, D. J. Mares, S. G. Moore University of Sydney, School of Crop Sciences, Sydney 2006 - L. W. Burgess, P. Sharp University of Sydney, Plant Breeding Institute, Cobbitty Road, Cobbitty 2570 - R.A. McIntosh, C. Wellings, D. The, R.F. Park CSIRO Wheat Research Unit, P.O. Box 7, North Ryde 2113 - C. Wrigley QUEENSLAND Wheat Research Inst., P. O. Box 5282, Toowoomba, 4350 - Bob Rees, D.J. Martin, P. Brennan, R.L. Eiseman, G. Wildermuth, B. G. Stewart SOUTH AUSTRALIA Waite Agricultural Research Inst., Department of Agronomy, Glen Osmond 5065 - H. Wallwork Roseworthy Agricultural College, Roseworthy 5371 - G. Hollamby, A. Bayraktar VICTORIA Victorian Wheat Research Inst., P. B. 260, Horsham 3400 - Peter Martin WEST AUSTRALIA Department of Agriculture, Jarrah Rd., S. Perth, W. A. 6151 - R. Wilson BANGLADESH Dep. Genetics & Breeding, Bangladesh Agric. Univ., Mymensingh - M. A. Hossain BELGIUM Station d'Amelioration des Plantes, Rue du Bordia 4, B-5800, Gembloux - J. Vandam BRAZIL Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Trigo, Caixa Postal 569, 99 100 Passo Fundo, RS - C. N. A. Sousa, J.C.S. Moreira CNPT/EMBRAPA, Cx Postal 569, 99001 Passo Fundo, R.S. - A.C. Baier Instituto Agronomy do Parana, Caixa Postal 1371, Londrina, P. R. 86001 - C. R. Reide Universidade Federal do RS, Departamento de Genetica, Cx. P. 1953, 90.001 Porto Alegre, RS - Leo de J.A. Del Duca O.S. Rosa, Melhoramento de Sementes, Rua Joao Battisti, 76 Passo Fundo, RS 99 050 A.C.P. Goulart EMBRAPA-UEPAE de Dorados, Caixa Postal 661, 79800 Dourados, MS BULGARIA Institute for Wheat and Sunflower, Near General Toshevo - K. Gotsov, V. Kehayov Institute of Introduction and Plant Genetic Resources, 4122 Sadovo, Plovdiv CANADA ALBERTA Alberta Wheat Pool, Alberta Wheat Pool Bldg., Calgary, T2P 2P5 - B. A. Friesen Agriculture Canada Research Station, Lethbridge, T1J 481 - R.S. Sadasivaiah, R.L. Connor, Julian Thomas Plant Science Department, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2P5 - Keith Briggs MANITOBA Agriculture Canada Research Station, 195 Dafoe Road, Winnipeg, R3T 2M9 - E. M. Czarnecki, P. L. Dyck, N. K. Howes, E. R. Kerber, O. Lukow, M. Kovacs, D. Leisle, D. Harder, J. S. Noll, T. F. Townley- Smith, W. Kim, R. I. McKenzie, A. Brule-Babel, S. Haber, T. Aung, P. Thomas, W.J. Turnock, J.A. Kolmer, S.E. German Manitoba Pool Elevators, 220 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, R3C 0A6 - D. W. Wilton United Grain Growers Ltd., P. O. Box 6600 - Winnipeg, R3C 3A7 - J. A. White Deiter Mulitze, Agromix Software, P.O. Box 67, Portage la Prairie R1N 3B2 ONTARIO Agriculture Canada, Plant Research Center, Ottawa K1A 0C6 - George Fedak, D.R. Sampson, E.F. Schneider, W.L. Seaman PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND Agriculture Canada Research Station, Charlottetown, C1A 7M8 - H. G. Nass, H.W. Johnston SASKATCHEWAN Agriculture Canada Research Station, Swift Current, S9H 3X2 - R. M. DePauw Canada Coop. Wheat Prod., Sask. Wheat Pool, Regina, S4P 2Y6 - J. O. Wright Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, 15 Innovation Blvd., Saskatoon, S7N 2X8 - R.J. Graf University of Saskatchewan, Crop Science Department, Saskatoon S7N 0W0 - Brian Fowler CHINA Wheat Inst., Henan Academy of Agric. Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan - Lin Zuo-ji Nanjing Agricultural College, Dept. of Agronomy, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014 - Zhaosu Wu Beijing Agricultural University, Dept. of Agronomy, Beijing - Tie Cheng Huang, Q. Sun Inst. of Crop Breeding and Cultivation, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Wheat Breeding, Beijing - Heng Li Wang Academy of Agriculture, Gansu Province, Lanzhou, Gansu - Cao Ke Chang Dry Farming Institute, 6 Nan Men Kou St., East of Bridge, Hengshui City, Hebei Province - Fengwu Zhao CZECHOSLOVAKIA Inst. of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Praha 6, Ruzyne 507 - P. Bartos, Z. Stehno Plant Breeding Station Uhretice, 538 32 Ahretice, Okres Chrudim - Pavel Amler Cereal Research & Breeding Inst., Dept. of Genetics, Havlickova 2787, 767 41 Kromeriz - J. Smocek DENMARK Carlsberg Plant Breeding, G. L. Carlsberg, Vej 10-DK-2500, Copenhagen, Valby - J. Larsen ECUADOR INIAP, Apartado 2600, Quito - S. Fuentes EGYPT Assuit University, Dep. Agronomy, Assuit - M. Saadalla ESTONIA Institute of Experimental Biology, Estonian Academy of Science, Harju rajoon, Harku, 203051 Estonia, SSR, USSR - O. Priilinn ETHIOPIA Holetta Research Station, Inst. of Agricultural Research, P. O. Box 2003, Addis Abada - Gebre-Mariam Hailu FRANCE Station de Selection Weibull, Semonville, Cedex 1824, 28310 Janville - J. P. Jossett, Sarl Weibull Centre de Recherche, ORSEM, Pouy-Roguelaure, G32480 La Romieu - Ch. Quandalle, S. Sunderwirth, L. Bateau Nickerson S.A., 5 Rue de l'egalite', 28130 Chartainvilliers - Jayne T. Semple GERMANY Institut fur Pflanzenbau und Pflanzenzuchtung, Der Universitat Gottingen, 34 Gottingen, V., Seibold Strasse 8 - Gerhard Robbelen, K. Rudolf Technische Universitat Munchen, Institut fur Pflanzenbau und Pflanzenzuchtung, 8050 Freising, Weihenstephan - F. J. Zeller Akademie der Wissenschaften, Genetics Institute, Corrensstrasse 5, 4325 Gatersleben - D. Mettin, A. Boerner, R. Schlegel Landesanstalt fur Bodenkultur u Pflanzenbau, P221, Vottinger Str. 38, 8050 Freising - G. Zimmerman Veg. P. Langenstein, Boehnshausen 3721 - A. Meinel HUNGARY Agricultural Research Inst., Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 2462 Martonvasar - Laszlo Balla, Z. Bedo, L. Szunics, L. Lang, J. Sutka, B. Barnabas Cereal Research Inst., Wheat Breeding Dep., P.O. Box 391, 6701 Szeged - Z. Barabas INDIA HARYANA Indian Agricultural Research Inst., New Delhi - 110012 Division of Genetics - R. N. Sawhney, M. K. Upadhyaya, Dalmir Singh, S.M.S. Tomar, P.C. Pande Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal 132001 - K.N. Singh HIMACHYAL PRADESH H.P. Krishi Vishva Vidyalya Research Station, Palanpur 176062 - Satish Sharma, G.S. Sethi PUNJAB Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab 141004, Director Extension Education - K. S. Gill MADHYA PRADESH IARI Regional Station, Indore 452001 - A.N. Mishra IRAN National Plant Gene Bank, Seed and Plant Improv. Inst., Mardabad Rd., Karaj - A. Maroofi ISRAEL Weizmann Inst. of Science, Plant Genetics, Rehovot 76100 - Dan Atsmon, M. Feldman Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, POB 6, Bet Dagan - A. Blum Hazera Seeds, Research Department, Post SDE GAT 79570 - S. Y. Atsmon ITALY ENEA, FARE/BIOAG, CRE Cassaccia, CP 3500, 00100 Roma, A. D. - B. Giorgi Istituto Sperimentale per la Cerealicoltura, via Cassia 176, 00191 Rome - V. Vallega Istituto Cerealicoltura, via Mulino 3, 20079 San Angelo Lodigiano (Milano) - B. Borghi, N. E. Pogna DERIS S.R.1, via Roma 144, 31040 Chiarano (TV) - A.A. Pagnutti Societa Produttori Sementi, Via Macero 1, 40050 Argelato (BO) - E. Deambrogio JAPAN National Agricultural Research Center, Kannondai 3-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaragi-Ken 305 - S. Oda, M. Saburo, T. Yamada, A. Oyanagi, Hidefumi Seko Gifu University, Faculty of Agriculture, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu-shi 501-11 - N. Watanabe Takarazuka Research Center, Sumitano Chemical Co., 4-12-1 Takatsukasa, Hyogo 665 - Koji Murai Tohoku National Agricultural Experiment Station, Shimo-Kuriyagawa, Morioka, Iwate 020-01 - Ito Seiji, Y. Taniguchi Laboratory of Genetic Resources, Ishikawa Agricultural College, Nonoichi, Ishakawa 921 - Takato Koba KOREA Yeong-nam Crop Exp. Sta., 1085 Naidong, Milyang 627-130 - Duck-Yong Suh MEXICO CIMMYT, Lisboa 27, Apdo. Postal 6-641, Delg. Cuauhtemoc 06600 Mexico, D. F. - R.A. Fischer, S. Rajaram, G. Varughese, P. Burnett, R. L. Villareal, Bent Skovmand, K.D. Sayre, He Zhong-hu MOROCCO INRA/USAID/MIAC, Aridoculture Centre, B. P. 290, Settat - M. Mergoum NEPAL CIMMYT/Winrock, P. O. Box 1336, Kathmandu - Jesse Dubin, Peter Hobbs NETHERLANDS CEBECO Handelsraad Plant Breeding, P. O. Box 139, Lisdoddewet 36, Lelystad - R. K. Rai NIGERIA Dept. of Plant Science, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1004 - Zaria - U. S. Gupta PAKISTAN Agricultural Research Station, Bahawalpur - Manzoor Husain Cereal Disease Research Inst., P. O. Box 1031, NIH Park Road, Islamabad - M. Mujahid Plant Genetics Division, Atomic Energy Research Center, Tandojam, Sindh - K. A. Siddiqui PARAGUAY CIMMYT, G.C. 1170, Asuncion - M.M. Kohli POLAND University of Wroctaw, Inst. of Botany, Kanonia 6/8 50-328 Wroctaw - Romuald Kosina PORTUGAL Divisao de Genetica, UTAD, AP 202, 5001 Vila Real Codex - H. Guedes Pinto ROMANIA Res. Inst. for Cereal Crops, Fundulea 8264, Calarasi - Gh. Ittu, N. Saulescu, I. Hagima SOUTH AFRICA Small Grain Centre, Bag X29, Bethlehem 9700 - H. A. van Niekerk, W.H. Kilian, J. le Roux, H. A. Smit, B. Pieterse, J. de Kock University of Stellenbosch, Department of Genetics, Stellenbosch 7600 - R. de V. Pienaar, G. F. Marais Department of Agronomy, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein - C.S. van Deventer, Z.A. Pretorius Sensako, P.O. Box 556, Bethlehem 9700 - J.P. Jordaan Pioneer Seed Company, P.O. Box 17164, Bainsvlei 9338 - F. du Toit SPAIN UPC-IRTA, Centre R+D de Lleida, Alcalde Rovira Rovre 177, 25006 Lerida - J. A. Martin Sanchez SYRIA ICARDA, P. O. Box 5466, Aleppo - B.C. Curtis, G. Ortiz-Ferrera TURKEY Regional Agricultural Res. Inst., P. O. Box 9, Menemen, Izmir - The Director CIMMYT, R. F., P. O. 120, Yenimahalle, Ankara - Hans Braun UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Novosibirsk-90, USSR 630090 - O.I. Maystrenko UNITED KINGDOM Nickerson RPB Ltd., Rothwell, Lincolnshire, LN7 DT - W.J. Angus AFRC, J.I. Center for Plant Science Research, Cambridge Laboratory, Colney Lane, Norwich N4R 74J - T. E. Miller, M. D. Gale, C. N. Law, A. J. Worland, J. Snape John Innes Institute, Institute for Plant Science Research, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UH - J.S. Heslop Harrison Long Ashton Research Station, Long Ashton, Bristol BS18 9AF - P.R. Shewry AFRC Grassland Institute, Plas Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Dyfed SY23 3EB - J. Valentine Plant Breeding International Cambridge Ltd., Maris Lane, Trumpington, Cambridge CB2 2QL - P.I. Payne UNITED STATES ARIZONA Farmers Marketting Corp., P.O. Box 60578, Phoenix 85040 - R.K. Thompson Western Plant Breeders, P. O. Box 1110, Phoenix, AZ 82501 - Kim C. Shantz ARKANSAS University of Arkansas, Agronomy Dep., Fayetteville 72701 - Robert Bacon Plant Pathology Dept. - Gene Milus Northrup King Seed Co., P.O. Box 729, Hwy 158 E., Bay 72411 - Fred Collins Agripro, Jonesboro - B. Fogelman, E. Ridge CALIFORNIA Resource Seeds Inc., P.O. Box 165, Zamora 95698 - R. Matchett University of California, Agronomy and Range Science, Davis 95616 - C. O. Qualset University of California, Dep. Botany & Plant Sciences, Riverside 92521 - A.J. Lewkaszewski, J.G. Waines COLORADO Colorado State University, Agronomy Department, Fort Collins 80523 - J.S. Quick, G. H. Ellis, R. N. Normann, M. Mergoum, S. Haley, K. Nkongolo, A. Saidi Agripro, P. O. Box 30, 806 N. 2nd St., Berthoud, 80513 - Robert F. Bruns, Joe A. Smith, J. Reeder, J. Moffat Cargill Wheat Research, 2540 E Drake Rd., Fort Collins 80525 - D. Johnston, Sid Perry, Jill Handwerk, Sally Clayshulte, D. Shellberg CONNECTICUT The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, P. O. Box 1106, New Haven 06504 - R. K. Kiyomoto FLORIDA Agricultural Research and Educ. Center, Rt. 3, Box 4370, Quincy 32351 - R. D. Barnett GEORGIA Coastal Plain Exp. Station, Dept. of Agronomy, Tifton, 31794 - P. Bruckner Georgia Exp. Station, Experiment 30212 Agronomy Department - Jerry W. Johnston, John Roberts IDAHO Agricultural Exp. Station, P. O. Box AA, Aberdeen 83210 - D. W. Sunderman, H. E. Bockelman, Ed Souza University of Idaho, Plant & Soil Science Dept., Moscow 83343 - Bob Zemetra, S. Guy ILLINOIS Department of Agronomy, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801 - Fred Kolb INDIANA Agripro, Brookston 47923 - Koy E. Miskin, C. Beazer Hybritech Seeds, 6025 W. 300 South, W. Lafayette 47905 - Gordon Cisar, D. Dunphy Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Windfall 46076 - G.C. Marshall Purdue University, West Lafayette 47901 Agronomy Department - H. W. Ohm,I.M. Dweikat, H.C. Sharma Botany and Plant Pathology Department - G. E. Shaner Grain Insect Pest Research, ARS-USDA, Agric. Admin. Bldg. - R.H. Ratcliffe IOWA Pioneer Hybrid International, 6800 Pioneer Parkway, P. O. Box 316, Johnston 50131 - Ian Edwards Iowa State University, Agronomy Department, Ames 50011 - R. E. Atkins Mike Brayton Seeds., Inc., P. O. Box 308, Ames 50010 - Gary Smelzer KANSAS Kansas Crop Improvement Assoc., 205 Call Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506 - Lowell Burchett Kansas Crop & Livestock Reporting Service, 444 S. Quincy, Rm. 290, Topeka 66683 - T.J. Byram Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506 Agronomy Department, Throckmorton Hall - T. S. Cox, R.G. Sears, E. G. Heyne, M. B. Kirkham, G. H. Liang, J.P. Shroyer, J.H. Hatchett, D. Fjell, G.M. Paulsen Plant Pathology Department, Throckmorton Hall - B. S. Gill Hybritech Seed, 5912 N. Meridian, Wichita 67204 - John R. Erickson, Jerry Wilson, Steve Kuhr, B. Hardesty, K. Ely, Leon Fischer Trio Research, Inc., 6414 N. Sheridan, Wichita 67212 - J. A. Wilson U. S. Grain Marketing Research Center, 1515 College Avenue, Manhattan 66502 - M. D. Shogren, O. K. Chung, G.L. Lookhart Kansas State University, Fort Hays Experiment Station, Hays 67601 - Joe Martin, Tom Harvey Wheat Quality Council, 404 Humboldt, Manhattan 66506 - Tom Roberts KENTUCKY University of Kentucky, Department of Agronomy, Lexington 40546 - D. A. Van Sanford LOUISIANA Louisiana State University, Dep. of Agronomy, Baton Rouge 70803 - Steve Harrison, Patrick Colyer, Clayton Hollier MARYLAND University of Maryland, Agronomy Department, College Park 20742 - David J. Sammons USDA-ARS, NPS, 331-A, Bldg. 005, BARC-W, Beltsville 20705 Plant Genetics and Germplasm Inst. - C. F. Murphy National Association of Wheat Growers, 425 Second St., NE, Suite 300, Washington, D. C. 20002 - Dick Stucky MICHIGAN Michigan State University, Department of Botany/Plant Pathology, E. Lansing, 48823 - Joe Clayton, Rick Ward, E. Everson MINNESOTA University of Minnesota, Department of Agronomy & Plant Genetics, St. Paul, 55108 - Robert H. Busch Cooperative Rust Laboratory, USDA/ARS - D. H. Casper, Alan Roelfs, J. F. Schafer, D. McVey, M. Hughes MISSOURI Monsanto, TIE, 800 N. Lindbergh, St. Louis 63167 - A. Ciha, G. Keyes University of Missouri, Agronomy Department, Curtis Hall, Columbia 65201 - J. P. Gustafson, Gordon Kimber, A. L. McKendry MONTANA Montana State University, Bozeman 59715 Plant/Soil Science Department - E.A. Hockett Western Triangle Agric. Research Center, P. O. Box 1474, Conrad 59425 - Greg Kushnak Western Plant Breeders, P. O. Box 1409, Bozeman 59715 - Dan Biggerstaff, D. Clark NEBRASKA University of Nebraska, Agronomy Department, Keim Hall, East Campus, Lincoln 68583 - P.S. Baenziger, D. R. Shelton, Rosalind Morris, C. J. Peterson, L. A. Nelson, D.J. Lyons Plant Pathology Department - R. A. Graybosch Panhandle Res/Ext Center, 4502 Avenue I, Scottsbluff 69361 - David Baltensperger, Gary Hein NEW YORK Cornell University, Dept. of Plant Breeding & Biometry, 420 Bradfield Hall, Ithaca 14853 - W. Ronnie Coffman, Mark Sorrells, M. Heun Dept. of Plant Pathology - Gary Bergstrom NORTH CAROLINA N. C. State University, Dep. Plant Pathology, Box 7616, Raleigh 27695 - Steven Leath, J. P. Murphy, R. E. Jarrett NORTH DAKOTA North Dakota State University, Fargo 58105 Agronomy Department - N. D. Williams, D. K. Steiger, D. Cox Cereal Chemistry & Technology Dept. - B. L. D'Appolonia, C. E. McDonald, G. Hareland, K. Khan, D. Klindworth OHIO Department of Agronomy - Ohio State University, Wooster 44691 - H. N. Lafever, W.A. Berzonsky OKLAHOMA Oklahoma State University - Stillwater 74074 Agronomy Department - Brett Carver, E. L. Smith Plant Pathology Dept. - R. Hunger, L. L. Singleton, C. C. Russell USDA-ARS, Plant Science Research Lab., 1301 N. Western St., Stillwater 74474 - David Porter, R. L. Burton, J. A. Webster, J. Burd, F. G. Gough OREGON Oregon State University, Corvallis 97330 Crop Science Department - Warren E. Kronstad, R. Karow Columbia Basin Agricultural Research Center, P. O. Box 370, Pendleton 97801 - M. F. Kolding, Pam Zwer PENNSYLVANIA Agronomy Department, Penn State University, University Park 16802 - M.L. Risius SOUTH CAROLINA Pioneer Hybrid Int., Rt. 3, Box 181-B, St. Mathews 29135 - B. E. Edge SOUTH DAKOTA South Dakota State University, Plant Science Department, Brookings 57007 - G. W. Buchenau, Fred A. Cholick, J. L. Gellner, D. Rickerl, J.J. Bonneman TEXAS Texas A&M University Southwestern Great Plains Research Center, Bushland 79012 - Mark Lazar, Gary Peterson Agric. Res. Center, Drawer E. Overton 75684 - L. R. Nelson Soil & Crop Science Dept., College Station 77843 - M. E. McDaniel, N. A. Tuleen, C. A. Erickson, G. Hart, L. W. Rooney, S. Serna- Saldivar Plant Pathology Dep. - B. McDonald Research & Extension Center, 17360 Coit Road, Dallas 75252 - D. Marshall, Brian Shafer, M. Harrington Research Center, P. O. Box 1658, Vernon 76384 - E. C. Gilmore, Jr., W. David Worrall, J. E. Slosser Research Center, Rt. 7, Box 999, Beaumont 77713 - John Sij Res. & Ext. Center, 6500 Amarillo Blvd. W., Amarillo 79106 - C. M. Rush, K.B. Porter UTAH Utah State University, Plant Science Dept., Logan 84321 - Rulon S. Albrechtsen VIRGINIA Virginia Polytechnic Inst., Agronomy Department, Blacksburg 24061 - Carl Griffey, Mark Alley WASHINGTON Washington State University, Pullman 99163 Agronomy & Soils Department - Robert E. Allen, Calvin Konzak, C. J. Peterson, M. Walker-Simmons Plant Pathology Department - Roland F. Line Dryland Research Unit - P. O. Box 276, Lind 99341 - M. Nagamitsu, Ed Donaldson Wheat Quality Laboratory, Wilson 7 - Craig F. Morris WISCONSIN Agronomy Department, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706 - R. A. Forsberg, E. Oplinger YUGOSLAVIA Poljoprivredni Institut Zagreb, Marulicev trg 5/1, Box 309, 41000 Zagreb - Slobodan Tomasovic, B. Koric