Development of near isogenic lines for grain softness through marker assisted backcross breeding in wheat

Abstract

The genes for grain softness and rust resistance were transferred from a soft grained Australian wheat variety (Barham) to a hard grained Indian wheat variety (DBW14) through marker assisted back cross breeding. Backcrosses were made with recurrent parent in the BC 1 F 1 plants that were found positive for markers of Pina-D1a, Pina-D1b and Lr37b genes. The BC 2 F 1 plants were further screened and those that possessed the PinaD1a and Lr37b alleles were advanced up to BC 2 F 4 with continued marker assisted selection and field screening. 48 SSR markers that were heterozygous in the BC 1 F 1 plants were used for background selection in three BC 2 F 1 plants derived from three respective BC 1 F 1s . Further generations were screened for morphological traits in the field and 16 BC 2 F 4 lines were finally selected through combined field and marker screening. These 16 near isogenic lines (NILs) had lower grain hardness index (13.86-47.13) than the recurrent parent DBW 14 (81.76) and displayed more than 95% of the recurrent parent genome. 12 of the NILs had significantly higher grain yield than DBW 14. Combined foreground and background selection strategy coupled with field screening, was thus, found to be an effective strategy for transferring grain softness in wheat.

Quality evaluation of near isogenic lines of wheat developed through marker assisted backcross breeding for grain softness

“…Marker assisted backcross breeding procedure was adopted to develop 16 derivatives (Near Isogenic Lines or NILs) which had the genes PinaD1aPinbD1a besides a leaf rust resistance gene Lr37b. The details of the breeding procedure can be found in Kumar et al (2021).…”

“…The cookie snap test also confirmed the suitability of these NILs for confectionary purpose though NIL-2 appeared to be the best in this regard. All the NILs were evaluated for grain yield in the earlier study by us (Kumar et al 2021). The yield of NIL-13 is significantly lower than NIL-2 and 3.…”

“…Grain Hardness Index (GHI) of NILs and parents was recorded as per Kumar et al (2021); Flour protein content (FPC) of NILs and parents was analysed using a Diode Array NIR Analysis System 7200 (Perten Instruments, Sweden). Protein data were recorded at 14% moisture basis (Mb); Particle Size Distribution of the NILs and parents was determined by using S3500 Tubotrac Particle size analyser (Microtrac lnc.…”

“…The pair of these genes was transferred from Australian soft wheat variety Barham into Indian hard wheat variety DBW14, which possesses weak and extensible gluten (Rai et al 2019a). A number of near isogenic lines (NILs) with PinaD1aPinbD1a were produced and evaluated for their grain hardness and yield (Kumar et al 2021). Detailed quality analysis of these NILs has been carried out in the present study to judge their suitability and selection of best lines for end-products.…”

Recent developments on the contribution of glutenin and puroindoline proteins to improve wheat grain quality

“…Likewise, the introgression study of transferring the 1Ay‐21 ∗ gene into commercial wheat cultivars is related to accelerated accumulation of grain protein content (GPC) and hence was suitable for bread‐making (Cao et al, 2021). A recent study reported the development of soft wheat lines suitable for biscuit making by introgression of grain softness gene pina‐D1a utilizing MAS into the Indian DBW14 wheat variety (Kumar et al, 2021; Rai et al, 2019). Y. Zhang et al (2016) and Singh et al (2014) explored the transcriptome in a single genotype that was suitable for making chapattis.…”