Agronomic effect of wheat-rye translocation carrying rye chromatin (1R) from different sources

The confounding effect of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genetic background has been addressed as the major factor in inconsistent agronomic performances of 1RS translocation. The objective of this study was to test the effects of centric translocations of chromosome 1 in various rye (Secale cereal L.) sources on agronomic performance of wheat grown in humid southeastern conditions in North America. Various 1R substitution, 1RS translocation, and 1RL translocation lines in 'Pavon 76' were evaluated for agronomic performance. The 1RS translocation line was most favorable for agronomic performance when compared with those of substitution, 1RL translocation, and controls. The 1RS significantly increased grain yield. However, the effect of source of rye chromatin was greater than its position effect in wheat genome. Among translocation lines, those with 1RS derived from 'E2165' (CIMMYT) and 'Amigo' induced higher mean grain yield and T1DL-1RS derived from 'BH1146/Blanco rye' had the lowest grain yield. The mean grain yield of 1RL translocation lines was lower than that of 1R substitution. Thus, selection of 1RS source is important in producing constantly higher grain yield in 1RS translocation lines. Genetic recombination among different 1RS may also be used to create more genetic variation.