Assessment of floral characteristics for hybrid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in Texas

Hybrid technology is indispensable for increasing the yield potential of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). However, seed production costs and the self-pollinating nature of wheat are limiting factors that necessitate the redesign of its floral characteristics to achieve high outcrossing ability. This study, therefore, focused on phenotyping the floral characteristics of the two most advanced yield trials of the Texas A&M AgriLife hard red winter wheat breeding pipeline, the Uniform Variety Trial and the Texas Elite Trial. We also genotyped the height reduction genes (Rht-B1 and Rht-D1) in the entire set using single nucleotide polymorphism markers, and we found significant genetic variation for the agronomic and floral traits as well as the height reduction markers. The correlation coefficients between anther score and extrusion were positive and significant. Moreover, the high heritability values for the male traits indicate that they could be improved by selection and breeding. Furthermore, the visual anther assessment could be used instead of the time-consuming anther counting system. If hybrid-related traits are integrated into the mainstream breeding program, the male parent should be identified earlier in the pipeline because of the negative effects of the Rht genes on anther extrusion. Finally, the female floral traits had lower heritability estimates, and their screening needs to be refined and validated within more controlled environments.