Closely related winter wheat cultivar performance in U.S. Great Plains acid soils

Abstract

Aluminum-tolerant wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars are often employed to damper the yield-limiting impacts of Al toxicity in acidic soils. Tolerance is often facilitated by the Al-activated malate transporter 1 (ALMT1) gene, which increases anion permeability of wheat roots and exudes malate in the presence of Al. However, few studies have explored the phenotypic incongruities of closely related genotypes with ALMT1(+) or without ALMT1(−). A field study initiated in Stillwater, OK, on an Easpur loam (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, thermic Fluventic Haplustolls) was established to determine the Al tolerance of eight related winter wheat cultivars chosen for presence or absence of ALMT1 [Duster (+), Lonerider (+), OK14319 (+), Jagger (+), Iba (−), Gallagher (−), Spirit Rider (−), Smith's Gold (−)]. Significant differences were found among cultivars in their forage yield responses to Al concentration and soil acidity. Duster (first), Spirit Rider (second), and Gallagher (third) were the most acid tolerant and consistent in forage yield across study years. However, no such trend was observed in the grain yields of any of the cultivars, as there was no clear semblance of acid tolerance in grain yields between study years. Despite the similarity of genetic backgrounds, forage and grain yield productivity of cultivars in this study varied between years and was not wholly dependent on the presence or absence of the ALMT1 gene. Nevertheless, the utilization of acid-tolerant winter wheat cultivars has the potential to significantly reduce forage yield loss under acidic soil conditions with high Al concentrations. 1 INTRODUCTION Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.

Evaluation of incorporated phosphorus fertilizer recommendations on no‐till managed winter wheat

“…As soil acidity increases, aluminum (Al) solubility increases along with Al concentrations in soil solution, which are toxic to small grain crops (Hetrick & Schwab, 1992). Some varieties popular in Oklahoma have Al-tolerant traits to varying degrees, but are not always the best option for many soils (Gillespie et al, 2020;Kariuki, 2007). While lime is the long-term solution, many fields where small grains are grown are under lease contracts, and long-term commitments to lessees are not always guaranteed.…”

A simple cultivar suitability index for low‐pH agricultural soils

“…Thus, planting wheat cultivars that carry the Al resistance gene TaAlmt1 is more common than liming. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding the relative importance of TaAlmt1 expression and adaptedness for preserving grain yield in acidic soils (Gillespie, Marburger, Carver & Zhang, 2020; Scott, Fisher, & Cullis, 2001). Here, we define adaptedness as the ability of a cultivar to achieve high grain yield across multiple locations with disparate weather and soil conditions.…”