Variability of protein and gluten content in bread wheat lines with introgressions into chromosome 5B from related species

Abstract Numerous samples with introgressions were obtained in bread wheat in result of distant hybridization. However, only a small number of them were used for improvement of modern cultivars for such an important traits as protein and gluten content in grain. The aim of this study is to investigate the phenotypic impact of introgressions transferred to 5B chromosome of bread wheat from the species T. durum and Ae. speltoides on these grain quality traits. To this end, two lines that carried introgressions of different size in 5B chromosome were developed on the genetic background of cv. Saratovskaya 29 (S29). One line had the introgression from Aegilops speltoides in the distal region of the long arm of the chromosome, while another line - the introgression from Triticum durum in the centromeric region. Transfer of introgressions from donors to the recipient was confirmed using microsatellite markers. The lines were studied in remote geographical areas and in greenhouse. They showed a significant increase in protein and gluten content across all environments by 1% and 4%, respectively, with the greatest effect under normal moisture conditions. The lines retained high rheological and mixing dough properties characteristic of S29. The conducted studies made it possible to verify loci QGlc.ipk-5B and QDsa.ipk-5B previously identified in ITMI mapping population, associated with gluten content and dough resistance to mixing. It was also possible to confirm the possible association of introgressions into 5B chromosome with a decrease in thousand kernel weight.