ITEMS FROM THE UNITED STATES

MISSOURI

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

Department of Agronomy and the USDA-ARS, Curtis Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.

http://www.ext.missouri.edu/agebb/cropperf/wheat

A.L. McKendry, J.P. Gustafson, K. Ross, D.N. Tague, K.S. Bestgen, R.L. Wright, S. Liu, T. Chikmawati, X. Ma, A. Mahmoud, Miftahuddin, and M. Rodriguez.

2000 Missouri winter wheat crop. [p. 277]

Crop statistics. Missouri's wheat crop was harvested from 950,000 acres, up 30,000 from the acreage harvested in 1999. Statewide, yields averaged 52 bushels, up from 48 bu/acre in 1999 and the second highest yield on record. Total Missouri production was 49.4 million bushels with the highest regional production being in the southeast (21.6 million bushels).

Winter wheat performance tests. The statewide yield of SRWW varieties tested in 2000 was 63.0 bu/acre, up 6.5 bu/acre from the 1999 test average of 56.5 bu/acre. Statewide yields were down 8 bu/acre from the record high yield (71.0 bu/acre) recorded in 1997. Average yields across the six test locations ranged from 50.8 bu/acre at Portageville to 80.3 bu/acre at Novelty. Average regional yields ranged from 53.1 bu/acre in the southwestern region to 64.7 bu/acre in the southeastern region to a high of and 65.2 bu/acre in the northern region of the state.

AGS 2000 (formerly GA 89482E7) was the highest yielding SRWW tested, averaging 72.3 bu/acre across the state. Three proprietary varieties including USG 3209 (70.6 bu/acre), MPG 7921 SRW (70.3 bu/acre), and Pioneer Variety 25R26 (70.2 bu/acre), did not differ significantly in yield from AGS 2000. Roane (69.0 bu/acre), released by the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, was the only released public variety that did not differ significantly from AGS 2000. An experimental line from Virginia, VA 96W-250 (70.4 bu/acre), rounded out the top yield group.

Regional test weights varied significantly in 2000 because of differential rainfall at harvest. Test weights were highest in the southeast, where conditions were dry and harvest of the crop was completed in a timely fashion. Excessive rainfall thereafter, delayed harvest at all other locations and may have reduced test weights at those locations. Statewide, the average test weight was 57.0 lb/bu, not significantly different from the state-wide average (56.9 lb/bu) recorded for 1999. Location averages ranged from a low of 52.5 lb/bu at Lamar where rain delayed harvest 3­4 weeks, to a high of 61.7 lb/bu at Portageville. Among the SRWW varieties tested, the proprietary varieties AGRIPRO Elkhart and Kaskaskia, released from the University of Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station, had the heaviest test weights, at 59.3 lb/bu. The public variety Roane (59.2 lb/bu) and two varieties from Northrup King, NK Coker 9474 (58.6 lb/bu) and NK Coker 9704 (58.6 lb/bu) did not differ from AGRIPRO Elkhart and Kaskaskia.

Complete results of the 2000 Missouri Winter Wheat Performance Tests are available on the world wide web under Crop Performance Testing at: http://www.agebb.missouri.edu.

Wheat genetics research. [p. 278]

J.P. Gustafson, K. Ross, T. Chikmawati, X. Ma, A. Mahmoud, Miftahuddin, and M. Rodriguez.

Genes, RFLP, SSR, and AFLP markers isolated from wheat and rye are being mapped onto the ITMI rye mapping population and a second rye recombinant inbred line (RIL) mapping population. The ITMI rye population currently contains approximately 200 markers on seven linkage groups. Physically mapping of the ends of homoeologous groups 1 and 3 in wheat have been completed. The data suggested that there are large regions present in the wheat genome that do not contain any polymorphic markers, and that significant differences do exist in recombination frequencies within a genome and even within individual chromosomes. We currently have no explanation as to what exists in the regions, or gaps where there are currently no polymorphic markers or apparent recombination. The genes governing aluminum tolerance on the 4DL and 4RL arms of wheat and rye, respectively, have been bracketed by AFLP and SSR markers.

Fusarium head blight research. [p. 278-281]

A.L. McKendry, Kara S. Bestgen, D. N. Tague, R. L. Wright, and S. Liu.

Germ plasm evaluation. The University of Missouri has been identified as the U.S. site for identifying new sources of resistance to FHB in winter wheat. This research is a component of the aggressive worldwide search for resistance to scab initiated in 1998 with support from the National Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative. Currently, winter wheat germ plasm from the National Small Grains Collection at Aberdeen is being evaluated for resistance to initial infection, spread, and kernel quality under scab inoculations in both the glasshouse and field. Accessions from geographical areas where resistance has been identified or where environmental conditions are conducive to scab development have been targeted in the initial screens and include accessions from China, Korea, Japan, Brazil, Italy, and eastern Europe.

Disease-resistance screening. In 2000, 1,006 accessions representing winter wheat landraces, breeding lines, cultivars, and cultivated genotypes from Yugoslavia were screened under greenhouse conditions. At anthesis, plants were inoculated with 10 µl of a macroconidial suspension of F. graminearum concentrated to 50,000 macroconidia/ml. Inoculum was placed in a single central floret using an Oxford 8100® repeat-dispensing syringe. For all inoculations, a single isolate was used that previously had been determined to be the most aggressive Missouri isolate on our most resistant cultivar, Ernie. Previous research also had determined that this Missouri isolate was more aggressive in causing disease than similar isolates acquired from Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Virginia. Plants were incubated in a mist chamber (100 % relative humidity) for 72 h postinoculation to promote disease development and then returned to the greenhouse bench. Ratings for type-II resistance (disease spread in the spike) were made at 14 and 21 days after inoculation. At maturity, heads were harvested, and kernels were counted and evaluated for the degree of shriveling and the presence of tombstone kernels. Seeds were counted and each was given a value on a 5-point scale as follows: 1 (sound), 2 (slightly shriveled), 3 (moderately shriveled), 4 (very shriveled), and 5 (tombstone). Concurrently, Dr. Paul Murphy at North Carolina State University screened, using similar protocols, a subsample of 500 of these Yugoslavian accessions. Data for accessions showing resistance in both the Missouri and NC State programs are presented in Table 1.

Table 1. Yugoslavian accessions that were found to have a high level of type-II resistance in screening and verification programs at Missouri and North Carolina State University. Type-II resistance is determined as the ratio of (infected spikelets/total spikelets in the inoculated head)*100.

Accession	Improvement status	Greenhouse data			Field data
		Spring 2000		Autumn 20000	Misouri
		Missouri	NC State	Missouri	Scab index *	BYDV
PI 221341	Cultivated	25	16	16	27	20
PI 221346	Cultivated	18	16	9	28	20
PI 316425	Breeding	26	25	17	10	25
PI 345106	Landrace	14	13	11	34	30
PI 345108	Landrace	16	25	21	21	10
PI 345163	Landrace	21	15	9	27	40
PI 350036	Landrace	17	8	5	38	10
PI 350058	Landrace	19	9	14	42	20
PI 350089	Landrace	10	7	10	27	20
PI 362424	Landrace	22	15	16	27	---
PI 362450	Landrace	28	8	19	15	10
PI 362459	Landrace	34	13	16	14	50
PI 362463	Landrace	14	7	7	3	50
PI 362477	Landrace	22	6	6	10	40
PI 362512	Landrace	12	24	7	35	45
PI 362541	Landrace	9	32	18	16	50
PI 362552	Landrace	14	4	25	66	50
PI 362565	Landrace	19	17	27	34	30
PI 362676	Landrace	12	10	17	27	50
PI 374476	Landrace	27	17	13	29	25
PI 374481	Landrace	17	19	17	38	30
PI 378319	Landrace	10	7	11	45	---
PI 378320	Landrace	7	13	11	57	---
PI 378323	Landrace	7	9	7	76	---
PI 378331	Landrace	7	5	7	38	10
Futai 8944	(Check R)	11
Sumai 3	(Check R)	15
Wangshuibai	(Check R)	11				24
Coker 9663	(Check S)		89
Patterson	(Check S)	83				52
* Value is a product of incidence (percentage of heads showing visible signs of scab) and severity (percentage of the inoculated head showing symptoms) expressed as a percentage.

A second group of Asian and Italian accessions, originally screened in 1999, were verified for type-II resistance and kernel quality and were screened in the greenhouse for type-I resistance (incidence). Spray inoculation to evaluate type-I resistance was done using the same isolate and inoculum concentrations outlined above. Inoculum was delivered to the head at flowering using a Pulmo-Aide nebulizer as a power source connected to an atomizer. Following inoculations, plants were placed in the mist chamber for 72 h, then returned to the greenhouse bench and rated for incidence at 10 days postinoculation. Incidence ratings were taken as the number of spikelets on an inoculated head that showed symptoms of FHB. Type-I resistance was assessed as the percent of spikelets in the inoculated head showing symptoms. Reduced incidence was observed in a number of accessions that also had good type-II resistance and kernel quality. Data are presented in Table 2.

Field data for both Yugoslavian and Asian germplasm reflect spray inoculations done on a head row when plants were at 75 % flowering. Inoculum was prepared as outlined above. The nursery was under overhead mist irrigation to encourage disease development. Ratings were taken 18 days postinoculation. The field scab index is the product of incidence (percentage of heads showing visible signs of scab) and severity (percentage of the inoculated head showing symptoms) expressed as a percentage.

Distribution. Seed of each of Asian and Italian accessions are available from Dr. Anne L. McKendry to collaborating scientists in the National Wheat and Barley Fusarium Head Blight Initiative. Seed of resistant Yugoslavian accessions is being increased in Missouri and will be available to collaborating scientists in the autumn of 2001. Once seed stocks are increased sufficiently, purified sources of resistance will be available world-wide through the National Small Grains Collection in Aberdeen.

Genetics of resistance to FHB. Studies investigating the inheritance of scab resistance in Ernie currently are underway utilizing the Missouri breeding line MO 94-317, a widely adapted and highly inbred (F12) line, as the susceptible parent. MO94-317 has high yield and excellent milling and baking quality but is highly susceptible to scab with a FHBI of > 0.9 and poor kernel quality under disease pressure.

A set of populations (F1, reciprocal F1, F2, BC1, and BC2) from the cross 'Ernie/MO 94-317' currently is under development for conventional genetic analysis of the scab resistance in Ernie. Population development will be completed in 1999-00, and genetic analyses will be conducted in the autumn of 2000.

Monosomic plants from each of the 21 Chinese Spring monosomic lines developed at the University of Missouri by Dr. E.R. Sears have been crossed with Ernie in an effort to identify critical chromosomes influencing scab resistance in Ernie. In addition, the results of this study will help focus molecular work aimed at identifying markers associated with genes for scab resistance in this cultivar.

A set of 300 F3 derived F8 RILs have been developed from the cross 'Ernie/MO 94-317', which are currently being used to map resistance genes in Ernie.

Publications.

• Darvey NL, Gustafson JP, and Naeem H. 2000. Triticale: Production and Utilization. In: Handbook of Cereal Science and Technology (Kulp K and Ponte JG eds). Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York. pp. 257-274.
• Gustafson JP (ed). 1999. Genomes. 22nd Stadler Genetics Symposium. Plenum Press.
• Karakousis A, Gustafson JP, and Chalmers K. 2001. The integration of SSR markers into consensus maps of Australian barley mapping populations. PAGXII (Abstract).
• Ma X, Butler E, and Gustafson JP. 2000. A molecular linkage map for rye. PAGXI (Abstract).
• Ma X, Ross K, and Gustafson JP. 2001. Physical mapping in homoeologous groups 1 and 3 chromosomes of wheat by in situ hybridization. J Hered (In press).
• Ma X, Wanous MK, Houchins K, Goicoechea PG, Wang Z, and Gustafson JP. 2001. Molecular linkage mapping in rye (Secale cereale L.). Theor Appl Genet (In press).
• Maluszynski M, Gustafson JP, Maluszynska J, and Szarejko I. 2001. Advanced breeding for germplasm enhancement and yield improvement. In: Proc Expert Consultation on Yield Gap and Productivity Decline in Rice Production. United Nations-Food and Agriculture Organization. (In press).
• McKendry AL. 2000. Broadening the genetic base for scab resistance. In: Proc 2000 National Fusarium Head Blight Forum, 10-12 Dec, 2000, Cincinnati, OH. pp. 209-214.
• McKendry AL, Murphy JP, Bestgen KS, and Navaro R. 2000. Evaluation of Yugoslavian winter wheat germplasm for resistance to Fusarium head blight. In: Proc 2000 National Fusarium Head Blight Forum, 10-12 Dec, 2000, Cincinnati, OH. pp. 215-219.
• McKendry AL, Bestgen KS, Tague DN, Wright R, and Imhoff B. 2000. Greenhouse based evaluation of Asian and Italian winter wheat germplasm for type I resistance to Fusarium head blight. 2000. In: Proc 2000 National Fusarium Head Blight Forum, 10-12 Dec, 2000, Cincinnati, OH. pp. 205-208.
• McKendry AL, Sweets LE, Wright RL, Tague DN, and Bestgen KS. 2000. 2000 Missouri Winter Wheat Performance Tests. Special Report 529. Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri-Columbia.
• McKendry AL, Tague DN, and Ross K. 2001. Comparative effects of 1BL.1RS and 1AL.1RS on soft red winter wheat milling and baking quality. Crop Sci (In press).
• Miftahudin and Gustafson JP. 2000. Identification of the AFLP markers linked to Alt gene in rye. Agron Abstr:185.
• Rodriguez Milla MA and Gustafson JP. 2000. Genetic and physical mapping of a major gene for aluminum tolerance in wheat. Agron Abstr:184.
• Scoles G, McLeod G, and Gustafson JP. 2001. Rye: Genetics and Breeding. In: Rye: Production, Chemistry, and Technology (Bushuk W ed). pp. 9-36.
• Zhang XQ, Ross K, and Gustafson JP. 2001. Physical maps of homoeologous groups 5 and 6 in wheat (Triticum aestivum). Theor Appl Genet (In press).
• Zhang XQ, Wang XP, Ross K, Hu H, and Gustafson JP. 2000. Rapid introduction of disease resistance from rye into common wheat by anther culture of a 6x triticale x nulli-tetrasomic wheat. J Plant Breed (In press).