Heritable variability in winter wheat at the interaction of genotype with factors of high genetic activity

Abstract

Identification of new opportunities in the use of certain ecogenetic factors for the genetic improvement of winter wheat is a vital component of improving existing cereal agrocenoses within the framework of the food security strategy. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the potential of substances with prominent genetic activity in inducing potentially beneficial changes and to establish the possibility of obtaining optimised schemes for obtaining new forms and more controlled trait variability. Mutations were detected by visual observation and biometric and biochemical analysis from the second generation to the sixth, with the inheritance of the detected traits in subsequent generations being checked. The study presented the possibilities of the mutation process for certain genetic and breeding-value forms, the specific features of induction of such traits, which makes it possible to increase the predictability of obtaining the necessary mutant lines and partially controlled high variability in certain traits. It was found that the most promising for use is the complex application of moderate doses of sodium azide and dimethyl sulphate as ecogenetic factors. It was shown that in combination with three varieties among the ones under study (Kalancha, Polyanka, Pochayna), it is possible to create highly efficient genotype-mutagenic systems with increased yield of valuable forms. The increase in mutagenic depression using more harmful substances can be substantially offset by an increase in the proportion of beneficial changes. The negative side is their complex nature. The nature of the ecogenetic factor is no less significant than the concentration of the mutagen or the genotype of the original form, which is sometimes overlooked. It was confirmed that the use of these factors is quite promising in terms of obtaining small biochemical changes (micromutations). Several promising mutant lines were identified that have a comprehensive improvement in grain yield and quality without additional negative changes. The findings of this study can be used in breeding programmes to create new varieties of winter wheat

Keywords

• mutations
• chemical mutagenesis
• supermutagens
• yield
• grain quality