Faster Breeding Techniques for Improved Bread Wheat Using Biochemical Markers

Jim Crocker
26th June, 2024

Faster Breeding Techniques for Improved Bread Wheat Using Biochemical Markers

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers at Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University developed a new bread wheat mapping population using speed breeding techniques
  • Speed breeding, which manipulates light and temperature, allowed for rapid plant growth and shortened breeding cycles to as little as 64 days
  • This method successfully produced multiple generations of wheat in a year, accelerating the transfer of desirable traits into new cultivars
In order to rapidly adapt to the evolving climate and sustainably nourish the growing global population, plant breeders are actively investigating more efficient strategies to enhance crop yields. In this study, researchers from Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University present the development of a bread wheat mapping population and backcross breeding program, serving as a valuable genetic resource for mapping the effects of different alleles on trait performance[1]. They employed innovative methodologies to rapidly introgress traits into the bread wheat cultivar. Specifically, they utilized two parents, including Tosunbey x Tahirova2000, in a recombinant inbred line population. Additionally, a backcross strategy was applied with line 148 (obtained by crossing Tosunbey x Tahirova2000 with high gluten quality) as the recipient parent of the Nevzatbey cv., known for its awnless feature. To address the challenge of feeding a growing population under changing agroclimatic conditions, the study employed speed breeding techniques. Speed breeding involves manipulating the growing environment by regulating light and temperature to accelerate plant growth and shorten breeding cycles[2]. The two most important applications of this method in the study were extending the light period and breaking dormancy in early harvested seeds. Both applications were successfully implemented, achieving vegetation periods ranging from approximately 50–60 days. Remarkably, an early genotype in the developed population was harvested in just 40 days. Considering the 15-day vernalization period (a process where seeds are exposed to cold to promote flowering), the entire generation cycle, including vernalization, drying, and refrigeration, was completed in a total of 64 days. The study utilized not only biochemical markers for selection but also incorporated rapid generation advance technology known as speed breeding. This approach allowed the researchers to develop BC5F1 (a backcross generation) within two years. This rapid breeding method proves instrumental in swiftly transferring genes for multiple target traits into adapted wheat cultivars or in pyramiding desirable traits within elite breeding material. Speed breeding protocols have been shown to be effective in hastening plant growth and development, thus shortening breeding cycles and accelerating research activities in various crops[3]. This is particularly important for orphan crops, which are currently grown and used by the world's poorest people or marketed as niche products for affluent consumers. By applying speed breeding techniques, researchers can support the production and utilization of orphan crops at a commercial scale, contributing to global food security and agricultural sustainability. Additionally, the study's findings align with previous research on the use of speed breeding to promote the rapid growth of various crops, including bread wheat, barley, oat, and other species[4]. By extending the duration of plants' daily exposure to light and combining it with early seed harvest, the researchers were able to cycle quickly from seed to seed, reducing the generation times for the crops studied. The study also ties into the broader context of genetic improvement in plant breeding programs. For instance, previous research on doubled haploid (DH) populations has demonstrated the potential for mapping genes for resistance to diseases such as leaf rust in barley[5]. By utilizing genetic markers and advanced breeding techniques, researchers can develop crop varieties with enhanced resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, thereby improving crop resilience and productivity. In summary, the study conducted by Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University highlights the potential of speed breeding and innovative breeding methodologies to rapidly develop improved wheat cultivars. By incorporating these techniques, researchers can accelerate the transfer of desirable traits into adapted cultivars, ultimately contributing to global food security and agricultural sustainability.

AgricultureGeneticsBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Accelerated breeding strategies for biochemical marker-assisted backcross breeding and mapping population development in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Published 25th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-024-03370-x

Related Studies

2) Need for speed: manipulating plant growth to accelerate breeding cycles.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbi.2020.101986

3) Speed breeding orphan crops.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-018-3202-7

4) Speed breeding in growth chambers and glasshouses for crop breeding and model plant research.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41596-018-0072-z

5) Mapping Rph20: a gene conferring adult plant resistance to Puccinia hordei in barley.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-011-1566-z


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