A ditelosomic line of 'Chinese Spring' wheat with augmented acquired thermotolerance

A study of the ditelosomic series of 'Chinese Spring' wheat has yielded a number of lines displaying either an increased or decreased ability to acquire thermotolerance. One such ditelosomic (DT) is termed DT1BS which refers to the missing short arm of chromosome 1 in the B genome. The DT1BS line has the ability to acquire thermotolerance at lower induction temperatures and provide greater protection to the plant against otherwise lethal elevated temperatures. Using a chlorophyll accumulation assay to measure plant health, we show that DT1BS accumulates chlorophyll optimally at the same temperature, and to similar levels as 'Chinese Spring'. We also show that maximum acquired thermotolerance against a 48 degrees C challenge is induced at 40 degrees C, but significant levels of protection can be obtained at temperatures as low as 34 degrees C in DT1BS or 36 degrees C in 'Chinese Spring'. Heat-shock protein accumulation is observed in DT1BS at temperatures 4 degrees C lower than the 'Chinese Spring' and is correlated with the induction of acquired thermotolerance.