GENETIC-ANALYSIS OF PREHARVEST SPROUTING TOLERANCE IN 3 WHEAT CROSSES

Three recombinant inbred populations were assessed for tolerance to pr eharvest sprouting (PHS). Genetic analysis of the PHS scores, as asses sed under artificial rain treatment, indicated that for 2 of the popul ations, tolerance to sprouting was simply inherited and was controlled by 2 independent genes, both of which are necessary for full toleranc e. The data presented here show that in these 2 populations the trait is highly heritable under controlled environment situations. It was al so demonstrated that the red seed colour gene, derived from Aus1490 an d traditionally associated with tolerance, is not necessary for full t olerance to sprouting, although indirect selection for preharvest spro uting tolerance can be performed very effectively by selecting for red grain. The presence of white-seeded lines, recovered from this cross with a red-seeded donor of PHS tolerance, that are at least as toleran t as the most tolerant red-seeded individuals demonstrates that red-se eded donors of PHS tolerance should not be discarded for improvement o f this trait.