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Domesticated emmer wheat [T. turgidum L. subsp. dicoccon (Schrank) Thell.] as a source for improvement of zinc efficiency in durum wheat

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Abstract

Modern durum wheat (AABB) is more sensitive to zinc (Zn) deficiency than bread wheat (AABBDD). One strategy to increase productivity and expansion of durum wheat industry in Zn-deficient soils is to improve its ability to grow and yield in such soils. This ability is termed Zn efficiency. In a growth room experiment using soil culture, we assessed the potential of Triticum turgidum L. subsp. dicoccon (Shrank) Thell. (domesticated emmer wheat, AABB) as a genetic resource for further improvement of Zn efficiency in modern durum wheat. Twenty four accessions of domesticated emmer wheat, four durum landraces/cultivars, and two bread wheat cultivars/ advanced breeders lines of known Zn efficiency were tested under Zn deficiency and Zn sufficiency. Significant variation was observed among genotypes in Zn deficiency symptoms, dry matter production, shoot Zn concentration, shoot Zn content and Zn utilisation efficiency (physiological efficiency). We identified domesticated emmer wheat accessions with greater Zn efficiency than modern durum wheat and even bread wheat genotypes. These accessions could be used in breeding programs to improve Zn efficiency of durum wheat. The results suggest that Zn efficiency of durum or bread wheat is likely to be determined collectively by its progenitors.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank Mrs. Teresa Fowles and Mr. Lyndon Palmer (Waite Analytical Services, The University of Adelaide) for their help with ICP-OES analysis and Dr. Hugh Wallwork (South Australian Research and Development Institute) for kindly providing the seed of emmer wheat accessions used in this study. We greatly appreciate constructive comments from the editor and anonymous reviewers. This work was supported by Grains Research and Development Corporation, Molecular Plant Breeding Cooperative Research Centre, and The University of Adelaide, Australia.

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  1. Molecular Plant Breeding Cooperative Research Centre, University of Adelaide, Private Mail Bag 1, Glen Osmond, South Australia, 5064, Australia

    Y. Genc & G. K. McDonald

  2. School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Private Mail Bag 1, Glen Osmond, South Australia, 5064, Australia

    Y. Genc & G. K. McDonald

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  1. Y. Genc
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  2. G. K. McDonald
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Correspondence to Y. Genc.

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Responsible Editor: Ismail Cakmak.

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Genc, Y., McDonald, G.K. Domesticated emmer wheat [T. turgidum L. subsp. dicoccon (Schrank) Thell.] as a source for improvement of zinc efficiency in durum wheat. Plant Soil 310, 67–75 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-008-9630-4

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