PRODUCTIVITY OF ALUMINUM-TOLERANT WHEAT ( TRITICUM-AESTIVUM (L) THELL)

Aluminum (Al) tolerance linked to limited wheat productivity has been affirmed for many years. Such statement was based on results of breedi ng programs relating progress in Al tolerance with a corresponding lim itation in yield potential. In order to elucidate this question, Al to lerance was incorporated into cultivars with known yield potential. Th is tolerance was incorporated, through backcrossing, into Jupateco 73 and Trigo BR 12-Aruana. Lines derived from these recurrent parents wer e evaluated for Al tolerance, in nutrient solution as well as in soil conditions. The productivity of Al tolerant lines was evaluated in irr igated trials, with fungicide treatment, in soil without Al toxicity. In general, the lines yielded at least as much as the respective recur rent parent. The results indicated that Al tolerance is not linked to low grain yield in wheat germplasm.