Genetic analysis of preharvest sprouting tolerance in three wheat crosses

Three recombinant inbred populations were assessed for tolerance to preharvest sprouting (PHS). Genetic analysis of the PHS scores, as assessed under artificial rain treatment, indicated that for 2 of the populations, tolerance to sprouting was simply inherited and was controlled by 2 independent genes, both of which are necessary for full tolerance. The data presented here show that in these 2 populations the trait is highly heritable under controlled environment situations. It was also demonstrated that the red seed colour gene, derived from Aus1490 and traditionally associated with tolerance, is not necessary for full tolerance to sprouting, although indirect selection for preharvest sprouting tolerance can be performed very effectively by selecting for red grain. The presence of white-seeded lines, recovered from this cross with a red-seeded donor of PHS tolerance, that are at least as tolerant as the most tolerant red-seeded individuals demonstrates that red-seeded donors of PHS tolerance should not be discarded for improvement of this trait