Evaluation of some Triticum turgidum var. polonicum acc.essions and their derivatives for high kernel weight and resistance to leaf rust (Puccinia recondita)

Abstract

There is considerable genetic variation in tetraploid wheats for the desirable agronomic traits such as resistance to leaf rust, drought tolerance [1] and thousand kernel weight (TKW). Twelve accessions of Triticum turgidum var. polonicum (2n = 4x = 28, genome AABB) were screened for leaf rust (Puccinia recondita) resistance in seedling and in adult plant stage and for TKW. One accession, T. polonicum-7 possessed high thousand kernel weight. Researchers [1, 2] have emphasized on increase of both grain weight and grain density as a suitable criteria for enhancing yield in chickpea and wheat. The weight and density of grains are considered as important for the improvement of wheat with respect to yield and quality. However, the information on genetic improvement, particularly for test weight in bread wheat utilizing emmer wheat, T. polonicum (Polish wheat) is scanty. Therefore, an investigation was carried out to explore the possibility of utilizing T. polonicum to improve TKW and test weight in bread wheat through limited backcrossing approach of breeding.