Cytoplasmic and nuclear genetic components of membrane stability of winter wheat plants exposed to sub‐zero temperatures

Abstract

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is seeded in the autumn and harvested the following summer, and therefore, must survive multiple episodes of subfreezing temperatures throughout the winter months. Cellular membrane stability following exposure to subfreezing temperatures contributes to the ability to survive these episodes. This study investigated the inheritance of the ability to tolerate subfreezing temperatures with a seven‐parent diallel cross analysis of cellular membrane integrity as measured by electrolyte leakage after exposure to −10 or −14 °C. Significant differences in membrane stability were found among the parent lines. The inheritance of the freezing tolerance as measured by electrolyte leakage was complex and characterized by significant additive, dominant and cytoplasmic effects. General combining ability, indicative of additive genetic effects, were significant at both test temperatures, but accounted for 25.5% of the variance at the −10° C test temperature, and only 4% of the variance at the −14 °C test temperature. Specific combining ability, indicative of genetic dominance effects, were significant at both test temperatures, but accounted for only 14.6% of the variance at the −10 °C test temperature, and 38% of the variance at the −14 °C test temperature. Reciprocal (cytoplasmic) effects were significant and accounted for about 20% of the variance at both test temperatures. Cytoplasmic effects contributing to greater membrane stability were especially apparent in the cultivar Tiber when crossed to Masami, Lewjain, or Hatton. These results suggest that efforts to improve freezing tolerance are complicated by differing gene action at different test temperatures and also may benefit from identifying specific combinations of nuclear and cytoplasm sources that are most conducive to membrane stability following freezing.

Combining ability analysis of yield and biomass allocation related traits in newly developed wheat populations

“…Based on those observations, choosing a male or female parent is important to ensure the inheritance of maternal genes for improved root biomass under drought-stress. Strong reciprocal effects influencing root traits have been reported in wheat for different abiotic stresses such as salt stress 22 and cold stress 57 . Also, in a study evaluating interspecific hybrids of sunflower 58 , reported reciprocal effects on root traits that extended beyond the seedling stage and were expressed in mature individuals.…”

The impact of global climate change on the freezing tolerance of winter cereals in Western Canada

“…Winter cereals attain the maximum level of freezing tolerance by early winter and then gradually lose freezing tolerance as the winter progresses (Gusta & Fowler, 1976a, 1976b). Prolonged exposure to soil temperatures of less than −10°C (Fowler et al., 2014; Gusta & Fowler, 1976a; Gusta, O'Connor, & MacHutcheon, 1997; Roberts, 1985; Skinner, Cuevas, & Bellinger, 2019) or an increase in crown water content either from precipitation or from a mid‐winter thaw (Andrews, 1996; Metcalf, Cress, Olien, & Everson, 1970) accelerates the loss in freezing tolerance.…”