Cold hardiness expression in interspecific hybrids and amphiploids of the Triticeae

TLDR: Gene expression for cold hardiness was investigated in a number of interspecific or intergeneric hybrids and amphiploids of wheat to assess the potential of alien species as donors of cold-hardiness genes for the improvement of wheat.

Abstract: Gene expression for cold hardiness was investigated in a number of interspecific or intergeneric hybrids and amphiploids of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell. or T. turgidum L.) and other members of the tribe Triticeae to assess the potential of alien species as donors of cold-hardiness genes for the improvement of wheat. Thinopyrum ponticum (Agropyron elongatum) hybrids with nonhardy T. aestivum had cold-hardiness levels similar to that of the more hardy Thinopyrum parent. Hybrids of Triticum cylindricum and both hardy and nonhardy T. aestivum were intermediate in cold hardiness with a tendency toward greater hardiness than the parental mean. Cold hardiness of hybrids between T. aestivum and Thinopyrum intermedium (Agropyron intermedium) was also close to the parental midpoint. Cold hardiness of T. aestivum – Secale cereale hybrids was greater than the less hardy parent. In contrast, cold-hardiness genes were not expressed beyond the level of the wheat parent in amphiploids combining wheat and the ve...