Isolation of Ht genome chromosome additions from polyploid Elymus trachycaulus (StStHtHt) into common wheat (Triticum aestivum)
A combination of cytological and biochemical methods were used to isolate and identify six Triticum aestivum 'Chinese Spring' – Elymus trachycaulus (= Agropyron trachycaulum, 2n = 28, genomes StStHtHt) Ht genome disomic and ditelosomic chromosome addition lines. Protein and morphological markers indicated that Elymus chromosomes 1Ht, 1Htp, 5Ht, 6Ht, 7Ht, and 7Htp have been added to the wheat genome. Two alloplasmic addition lines, 1Ht and 1Htp, were determined to have favorable nucleocytoplasmic interactions by the presence of vegetative vigor and fertility restoration. The gene(s) for vigor and fertility restoration were located on the short arm of 1Ht. The Elymus chromosomes of each line were found to affect plant morphology and fertility, with the exception of disomic addition 6Ht, which appeared similar to 'Chinese Spring'. Phenotypic differences between each line may be attributed to the expression of genes from specific Elymus chromosomes, the cumulative dosage of homoeoalleles, or nucleocytoplasmic interactions. These morphological traits, in combination with biochemical markers, provide evidence of the gene synteny relationships between the Elymus and Triticum species. Knowledge of the homoeologous relationships among wheat and Elymus chromosomes may be useful for the eventual transfer of disease-resistance genes from Elymus to wheat.Key words: Elymus, wheat, addition line, polyploidy.