SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF HEXAPLOID TRITICALE SUBSTITUTION LINES INVOLVING THE A-, B-, AND D-GENOME CHROMOSOMES OF WHEAT
Three hexaploid (2n = 6x = 42) triticale lines (× Triticosecale Wittmack) were synthesized in which a specific chromosome of either the A or B genomes was replaced by a homoelogous chromosome of the D genome of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell.). Two of the substitutions involved the B genome [substitution lines 1D(1B)R-4 and 6D (6B)R-5] and the third involved the A genome [4D(4A)R-1]. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of gliadin proteins produced distinct differences in banding patterns between the three substitutions and provided a definitive method for the identification of specific chromosome substitutions in triticale. Plant and spike characteristics of the substitution triticales were similar to those of the control (unsubstituted) triticale. Substitution 6D(6B)R-5 exhibited extremely low fertility and was difficult to maintain. The substitution 4D(4A), on the other hand, appeared to have no effect on fertility, while substitution 1D(1B) reduced fertility by almost one-half of that of the control triticale. Chromosome pairing in substitution 4D(4A)R-1 was regular whereas 1D(1B)R-4 exhibited an average of five univalents/cell at MI. Limited seed supply prevented a meiotic study of 6D(6B)R-5. Flour proteins of the three substitution triticales ranged from 15.8% for 4D(4A)R-1 to 18.0% for 6D(6B)R-5. A comparison of the three substitutions for amino acid composition indicated that line 6D(6B)R-5 was 25% higher in methionine than the control, while in substitution 4D(4A)R-1 methionine content was reduced by 53%.