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Combining Genetic Gain and Diversity in Plant Breeding: Heritability of Root Selection in Wheat Populations

Author

Listed:
  • Johannes Timaeus

    (Department of Ecological Plant Protection, University of Kassel, Nordbahnhofstr. 1 a, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

  • Odette Denise Weedon

    (Department of Ecological Plant Protection, University of Kassel, Nordbahnhofstr. 1 a, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

  • Maria Renate Finckh

    (Department of Ecological Plant Protection, University of Kassel, Nordbahnhofstr. 1 a, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

Abstract

To increase the resilience of agroecological farming systems against weeds, pests, and pathogens, evolutionary breeding of diversified crop populations is highly promising. A fundamental challenge in population breeding is to combine effective selection and breeding progress while maintaining intraspecific diversity. A hydroponic system was tested for its suitability to non-destructively select root traits on a population level in order to achieve genetic gain and maintain diversity. Forty wheat progenies were selected for long seminal root length (SRL) and 40 for short SRL from a wheat composite cross population grown in a hydroponic system. Wheat progenies were multiplied, and a subset evaluated again in a hydroponic system. Preliminary tests in soil and competition experiments with a model weed were performed. The hydroponic selection for long SRL led to an increase of SRL by 1.6 cm (11.6%) in a single generation. Heritability for selection of SRL was 0.59. Selecting for short SRL had no effect. The preliminary soil-based test confirmed increased shoot length but not increased SRL. Preliminary competition experiments point to slightly improved competitive response of wheat progenies but no improved competitive effect on mustard. These results indicate a heritable selection effect for SRL on a population level, combining genetic gain and intraspecific diversity.

Suggested Citation

  • Johannes Timaeus & Odette Denise Weedon & Maria Renate Finckh, 2021. "Combining Genetic Gain and Diversity in Plant Breeding: Heritability of Root Selection in Wheat Populations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-16, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:22:p:12778-:d:682594
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:lib:0000of:v:3:y:2017:i:1:p:34-50 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Odette D. Weedon & Maria R. Finckh, 2019. "Heterogeneous Winter Wheat Populations Differ in Yield Stability Depending on their Genetic Background and Management System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-20, November.
    3. Thomas F. Döring & Samuel Knapp & Geza Kovacs & Kevin Murphy & Martin S. Wolfe, 2011. "Evolutionary Plant Breeding in Cereals—Into a New Era," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 3(10), pages 1-28, October.
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