Improving Wheat Salt Tolerance Using Genetic Markers and Kharchia 65

Greg Howard
2nd June, 2024

Improving Wheat Salt Tolerance Using Genetic Markers and Kharchia 65

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study was conducted by CCS Haryana Agricultural University to improve wheat's salt tolerance by crossing high-yielding WH1105 with salt-tolerant Kharchia 65
  • Progeny from the cross showed significant variations in salt tolerance, with some lines exhibiting improved growth and physiological traits under saline conditions
  • Specific genes, including the MYB gene, were identified as crucial for salt tolerance, aiding in the development of wheat varieties that can thrive in saline soils
Salinity is a significant abiotic stress that affects plants from germination through all growth stages. This study, conducted by CCS Haryana Agricultural University, aimed to determine the morpho-physiological and genetic variations in BC1F2, BC2F1, and F3 generations resulting from the cross combination WH1105 × Kharchia 65[1]. Understanding how plants respond to salinity is crucial for improving crop resilience. Salinity reduces the ability of plants to take up water, leading to reduced growth rates and metabolic changes similar to those caused by water stress. Salt-tolerant plants manage to compartmentalize harmful ions like Na+ and Cl- to prevent toxicity[2]. Prior research has identified specific genes that aid in salt tolerance. For instance, the MYB gene in wheat plays a significant role in the response to salt stress[3]. In this study, researchers focused on the cross combination of WH1105, a high-yielding wheat variety, and Kharchia 65, a salt-tolerant wheat variety. By examining the BC1F2, BC2F1, and F3 generations, they aimed to identify genetic variations that contribute to improved salt tolerance. The study involved detailed morpho-physiological assessments, including measurements of plant height, root length, and biomass under saline conditions. Additionally, genetic analyses were conducted to identify specific genes associated with salt tolerance. The results indicated that the progeny of WH1105 × Kharchia 65 exhibited significant variations in their response to salinity. Some lines showed improved growth and physiological traits under salt stress, suggesting the successful transfer of salt tolerance traits from Kharchia 65 to WH1105. This finding aligns with earlier studies that demonstrated the potential for genetic improvement of salt tolerance in wheat through interspecific crossing[4]. One of the key findings was the identification of specific genes that may enhance salt tolerance. For example, the MYB gene, previously shown to be highly expressed in salt-tolerant varieties, was found to be upregulated in the progeny lines under salt stress[3]. This suggests that the MYB gene plays a crucial role in the observed salt tolerance. Additionally, the study identified other genes involved in ion transport and osmotic regulation, which are essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis under saline conditions. The study's methodology included rigorous phenotypic and genotypic analyses. Morpho-physiological traits were measured using standard protocols, while genetic analyses involved the use of molecular markers to identify specific genes associated with salt tolerance. The combination of these approaches allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the genetic basis of salt tolerance in the progeny lines. Overall, this study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on plant responses to salinity and highlights the potential for genetic improvement of salt tolerance in wheat. By identifying specific genes and traits associated with salt tolerance, this research provides valuable insights for breeding programs aimed at developing salt-tolerant wheat varieties. The findings also underscore the importance of integrating morpho-physiological and genetic approaches to better understand and enhance plant resilience to abiotic stresses.

AgricultureGeneticsPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Microsatellite marker-assisted backcross breeding for improvement of wheat salt tolerance using Kharchia 65

Published 1st June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-024-10468-y

Related Studies

2) Comparative physiology of salt and water stress.

Journal: Plant, cell & environment, Issue: Vol 25, Issue 2, Feb 2002

3) Characterization and transformation of TtMYB1 transcription factor from Tritipyrum to improve salt tolerance in wheat.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-024-10051-5

4) Major genes for Na+ exclusion, Nax1 and Nax2 (wheat HKT1;4 and HKT1;5), decrease Na+ accumulation in bread wheat leaves under saline and waterlogged conditions.

https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/err003


Related Articles

An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙