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ARS Home » Plains Area » Manhattan, Kansas » Center for Grain and Animal Health Research » Hard Winter Wheat Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #394348
Research Project: Genetic Improvement of Biotic and Abiotic Stress Tolerance and Nutritional Quality in Hard Winter Wheat

Location: Hard Winter Wheat Genetics Research

Title: Evaluation of pollination traits important for hybrid wheat development in Great Plains germplasm

Author
item GARST, NICHOLAS - University Of Nebraska
item BELAMKAR, VIKAS - University Of Nebraska
item EASTERLY, AMANDA - University Of Nebraska
item STOLL, HANNAH - University Of Nebraska
item IBRAHIM, AMIR - Texas A&M University
item Guttieri, Mary
item BAENZIGER, PETER - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: Crop Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/24/2023
Publication Date: 2/2/2023
Citation: Garst, N., Belamkar, V., Easterly, A., Stoll, H., Ibrahim, A., Guttieri, M.J., Baenziger, P. 2023. Evaluation of pollination traits important for hybrid wheat development in Great Plains germplasm. Crop Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20926.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20926

Interpretive Summary: Hybrid wheat has the potential to substantially improve wheat yields, but its successful commercialization depends on efficient hybrid seed production. Plant traits related to pollination are key components of hybrid seed production. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the variability in pollination traits among wheats adapted to the Great Plains hard winter wheat region, and to identify the most parsimonious set of traits to effectively classify wheats for potential use as male parents in hybrid seed production. This study determined that measuring four traits, anther extrusion from wheat flowers, plant height at maturity, the date at which 50% of the spikes were flowering, and the duration of wheat pollination, can provide an effective classification of wheat lines for use as male parents in hybrid seed production.

Technical Abstract: Hybrid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) offers potential yield advantages over conventional inbred cultivars. For hybrid wheat to be a commercial success, the cost to produce the hybrid seed needs to be minimized. Although wheat is naturally self-pollinated, hybrid wheat seed production can be improved by increasing the amount and availability of pollen for cross-pollination. This research examined 19 pollination traits using the Hard Winter Wheat Association Mapping Panel for three years. Anther extrusion, pollen 50 date (date at which a genotype has 50% of spikes pollinating), plant height, and pollination duration (last spike pollen 50 date minus first spike pollen 50 date) were identified as the most important traits for hybrid seed production. Anther extrusion, plant height, and pollen 50 date varied widely among genotypes, while pollination duration had significant genotypic differences in one year of testing. These traits also had significant genotype x year interactions, but better and poorer performers were consistent among years. Anther extrusion was negatively correlated with plant height, and high anther extrusion semi-dwarf genotypes were identified. Pollination duration was reduced in a high temperature (>30ºC) environment, and genotypic differences in pollination duration were identified only in a milder temperature (24ºC) environment. Hierarchical clustering revealed that excellent pollinator genotypes with high anther extrusion and longer pollination duration tended to pollinate early and were of short to moderate stature. Pollination was improved when temperatures were mild, which benefited early genotypes because they pollinated before higher temperatures limited their pollination duration.