First insights into the quantitative genetic composition of the female seed yield for an efficient hybrid seed production in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Hybrid breeding of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is limited by its self‐pollinating nature. Past cross‐pollination improvements mostly focused on optimizing male traits. We tested the hybrid seed yield of 100 diverse elite lines treated with a chemical hybridization agent (CHA) and pollinated by non‐sterilized male plants in multi‐environmental field trials. Plant height and phenological traits of female plants were also assessed. In parallel, control experiments without CHA sterilization were conducted to measure per se yield of the tested material. Hybrid seed yield variation is of quantitative genetic nature, and, despite the large environmental influence, this trait has a strong genotypic component and is highly heritable (h2 = .77). The lack of correlation between hybrid seed yield and per se yield suggests a non‐shared genetic control. Phenological traits and their interactions are important factors explaining together ~1/3 of hybrid seed yield variation. In contrast to plant height and flowering traits, which are influenced by major genetic factors, no significant marker–trait associations were found for the hybrid seed yield, thus suggesting a highly polygenic genetic architecture and the need of larger populations to investigate female hybrid seed yield.

Identifying the seeds of heterotic pools for Southern and Eastern Africa from global elite spring wheat germplasm

“…Recent renewed interest in hybrid wheat breeding by the private sector globally has led to extensive research. As a consequence, our understanding of the genetic factors influencing outcrossing potential in wheat and the implications for large scale F1 seed production has improved significantly ( Boeven et al., 2018 ; Schneider et al., 2024 ). Coupled with this, a wide range of male sterility systems have been developed with commercial seed production in mind ( Whitford et al., 2013 ; Sun et al., 2019 ).…”