GENETIC-CONTROL OF SOME POLYMERIC GLUTENIN FRACTIONS IN HEXAPLOID WHEAT (TRITICUM-AESTIVUM)

Reciprocal crosses were made between seven different hexaploid wheat g enotypes. Hybrid kernels and their parents were used to determine the amount of polymeric glutenin fractions by size-exclusion highperforman ce liquid chromotography (SE-HPLC) analysis. Quantitative aspects of t he genetic control for various glutenin fractions were investigated th rough diallel cross analysis. The association between the potential ef fect on hexaploid wheat quality of various allelic types and the quant itative expression of the polymeric glutenin fractions was confirmed. Significant average heterosis effects were demonstrated for insoluble glutenin (pFi), total soluble and insoluble glutenin (pF1 + pF2 + pFi) and the ratio of soluble to insoluble glutenin, (pF1 + pF2)/pFi. Some genotypes showed significant positive or negative combining abilities and general reciprocal effects for the glutenin fractions studied. Fo r gluten quality, 'Qualital' was the best combiner for determining an optimal glutenin composition (high values for pFi and pF1 + pF2 + pFi and low values for pF1/pF2 and (pF1 + pF2)/pFi, respectively). These r esults should be of great interest in breeding programmes aimed at imp roving hexaploid wheat quality.