An efficient method for breeding monogenic traits in wheat

摘要

Wheat midge {Sitodiplosis moseliana) is now a serious pest of spring wheat in western Canada, reducing both yield and quality. To efficiently introgress Sml (a new gene for midge resistance on 2BS) into our breeding program we are exploring the use oftelocentric 2BL. Following isolation of telo 2BL in an elite background, data was collected on its breeding behaviour. In crosses, telo 2BL showed reduced transmission in pollen, suppressed recombination on 2BS and gave no seed set in ditelo segregates.As a result any gene located on 2BS (e.g. Sml) will be rapidly fixed in the progeny. Calculations show that homozygosity will exceed 99% by F7. Use of telo 2BL as a tool in plant breeding was discussed in relation to the creation of suitable elite crosses and the recovery of crossovers around the target gene.