Communications in Biometry and Crop Science

Communications
in Biometry and Crop Science

 

 

Contents

REGULAR ARTICLE
Combining ability for Fusarium head blight resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Subas Malla, Amir M.H. Ibrahim, Karl D. Glover, William A. Berzonsky


Communications in Biometry and Crop Science (2010) 5 (2), 116-126.
 

ABSTRACT
Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium graminearum reduces wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell) grain yield and end-use quality worldwide. Three each of FHB susceptible ('Nekota', '2137', and 'Harding') and resistant ('Ning 7840', 'ND2710' and 'BacUp') parents were included in a partial diallel mating design (Griffing's Method 4, Model 1). The F4:5 progeny was evaluated for healthy index, undamaged kernels, and deoxynivalenol (DON) content following artificial inoculation and mist-irrigation in 2006 and 2007. General combining ability (GCA) was highly significant (P < 0.01) for healthy index; whereas specific combining ability (SCA) and GCA-by-year interaction were not significant. The combining ability ratio and narrow-sense heritability were 0.95 and 0.83, respectively. The Genotype, Genotype-by-Environment (GGE) biplot analysis showed that the ND2710/BacUp combination had the best healthy index and undamaged kernels; whereas Ning 7840 contributed resistance to DON accumulation. The results indicated additive gene effects mainly control that healthy index. Thus, genetic gain in developing resistance in wheat can be achieved through selection.
 

Key Words: Fusarium head blight; diallel; combining ability; heritability; GGE biplot.