Introgressive bread wheat lines produced with the use of Triticum kiharae Dorof. et Migusch.

Abstract

Background. Using the species Triticum kiharae Dorof. et Migusch. to improve Triticum aestivum L. is a vital and promising trend. This species has a set of valuable traits, extremely important for enriching and expanding the gene pool of bread wheat. Materials and methods. Spring bread wheat lines GEN2021-520 (L33) and GEN2018-640 (L53), obtained from crossing an accession of T. kiharae with the cultivars ‘Saratovskaya 68’ and ‘Dobrynya’, were comprehensively analyzed, including their genetic, phenological, phytopathological and technological characteristics. All studies were conducted in accordance with conventional methods. Results. The GEN2021-520 (L33) and GEN2018-640 (L53) lines were obtained by crossing T. kiharae with the bread wheat cultivars ‘Saratovskaya 68’ and ‘Dobrynya’. The lines are resistant to leaf and yellow rusts, and powdery mildew. The transfers of T. kiharae genetic material into the genome of bread wheat led to an increase in grain protein and gluten content, and flour strength. An increase in the number of backcrosses in the pedigree of the lines entailed a decrease in the content of protein and a slight decrease in the strength of flour, but at the same time increased the volume of bread. Grains productivity and gluten quality in these lines remained level with the parent cultivars. Conclusion. The promising spring bread wheat lines GEN2021-520 (L33) and GEN2018-640 (L53), carrying genetic material from T. kiharae , demonstrated complex resistance to a number of diseases and improved grain quality. These lines are of significant interest for breeding practice and have already been integrated into existing breeding programs.