Variation of Macro- and Microelements, and Trace Metals in Spring Wheat Genetic Resources in Siberia

Abstract

Western Siberia is one of the major spring wheat regions of Russia, cultivating over 7 Mha. The objective of the study was to evaluate the variation of macro- and microelements, and of trace metals in four distinct groups of genetic resources: primary synthetics from CIMMYT (37 entries), primary synthetics from Japan (8), US hard red spring wheat cultivars (14), and material from the Kazakhstan–Siberian Network on Spring Wheat Improvement (KASIB) (74). The experiment was conducted at Omsk State Agrarian University, using a random complete block design with four replicates in 2017 and 2018. Concentrations of 15 elements were included in the analysis: macroelements, Ca, K, Mg, P, and S; microelements, Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn; toxic trace elements, Cd, Co, Ni; and trace elements, Mo, Rb, and Sr. Protein content was found to be positively correlated with the concentrations of 11 of the elements in one or both years. Multiple regression was used to adjust the concentration of each element, based on significant correlations with agronomic traits and macroelements. All 15 elements were evaluated for their suitability for genetic enhancement, considering phenotypic variation, their share of the genetic component in this variation, as well as the dependence of the element concentration on other traits. Three trace elements (Sr, Mo, and Co) were identified as traits that were relatively easy to enhance through breeding. These were followed by Ca, Cd, Rb, and K. The important biofortification elements Mn and Zn were among the traits that were difficult to enhance genetically. The CIMMYT and Japanese synthetics had significantly higher concentrations of K and Sr, compared to the local check. The Japanese synthetics also had the highest concentrations of Ca, S, Cd, and Mo. The US cultivars had concentrations of Ca as high as the Japanese synthetics, and the highest concentrations of Mg and Fe. KASIB’s germplasm had near-average values for most elements. Superior germplasm, with high macro- and microelement concentrations and low trace-element concentrations, was found in all groups of material included.

Genome-Wide Association Mapping of Grain Metal Accumulation in Wheat

“…For example, the mean values for Mn and Fe, 6.1 and 12.6 mg kg −1 , respectively, are comparable with previous measurements of 8 and 13 mg kg −1 [ 27 ], and 10 and 12 mg kg −1 [ 28 ], respectively. The concentrations of Fe, Cu, and Zn reported here agree with a report on Iranian wheat [ 2 ], and the Zn and Cd concentrations agree with reports on Chinese wheat [ 24 , 28 , 29 ].…”

“…Biofortification is a sustainable and cost-effective solution that relies on selecting genotypes with accepted levels of metal accumulation and dissecting the genetic architecture underlying their natural variation [ 8 , 9 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. We selected the best performing genotypes based on different criteria.…”

Genetic Characterization of Spring Wheat Germplasm for Macro-, Microelements and Trace Metals

“…The series of ionomics studies with spring wheat in the region allows the development of a breeding strategy and methodology to enhance the elemental composition. Two previous ionomics studies in Northern Kazakhstan and Western Siberia [14,15] demonstrated a large effect of protein content on the concentration of both macro-and microelements. Concentrations of Fe, Mn, and S were positively correlated with protein content on both environment and genotype levels.…”

“…The third study focused on the spring wheat genetic diversity panel (GDP) assembled to enhance agronomic and quality traits at Omsk State Agrarian University [15]. The panel comprised three groups of germplasm: primary hexaploid synthetics (CIMMYT and Japan origin), cultivars from Kazakhstan and Russia (primarily KASIB network), and USA cultivars.…”

“…The study identified 243 significant marker-trait associations for 35 traits that explained up to 25% of the phenotypic variance, with the most significant of these having already been used in marker-assisted breeding. Shepelev et al [15] analyzed variation in element concentrations in the GDP. Primary synthetics had significantly higher concentrations of K and Sr, compared to the local check.…”