Increasing grain protein content of hard red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by mutation breeding

Poor adaptability or functional quality of much germplasm used for breeding high-protein hard red winter wheats prompted mutagenesis as an alternative means of increasing grain protein content. Four hard red winter wheat genotypes - KS644 ('Triumph// Concho/Triumph'), 'Kaw', 'Parker', and 'Shawnee' - were treated with 0.40 M ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). Advanced lines (M8-M10) were selected that had a 3-year mean grain protein advantage of 0.7% to 2.0% over controls. Increased grain protein content was generally associated with decreased grain yield and kernel weight, but some high-protein mutant lines had yields or kernel weights similar to those of original genotypes. Changes in height and lodging induced by EMS were generally favorable, most mutants being shorter and lodging less than controls, but blooming date was generally delayed, a deleterious change. One line also changed from resistant to segregating for wheat soil-borne mosaic virus. Mutant lines might be utilized in cross-breeding programs, particularly if negative pleiotropic effects and linkages are absent.