Molecular cytogenetic characterization of a new leaf rolling triticale

Leaf rolling occurs in some cereal genotypes in response to drought. We identified and made a phenotypic, cytological and physiological analysis of a leaf-rolling genotype (CMH83) of hexaploid triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) that exhibited reduced plant height, rolled and narrow leaves. Gliadin electrophoresis of seed protein showed that CMH83 was genetically stable. Sequential Giemsa-C-banding and genomic in situ hybridization showed that CMH83 contains 12 rye chromosomes; two pairs of these chromosomes have reduced telomeric heterochromatin bands. Tests of relative water content and water loss rate of leaves of CMH83 compared with those of wheat cultivars indicated that rapid water loss after drought stress in CMH83 is associated with the leaf rolling phenotypes. Leaf rolling in CMH83 was a dominant trait in our inheritance studies. Triticale line CMH83 could be used to study drought resistance mechanisms in triticale.