Characterization, identification and evaluation of a set of wheat-Aegilops comosa chromosome lines

This study characterized and evaluated a set of wheat-Aegilops comosa introgression lines, including six additions and one substitution. A total of 47 PLUG markers and a set of cytogenetic markers specific for Ae. comosa chromosomes were established after screening 526 PLUG primer pairs and performing FISH using oligonucleotides as probes. Marker analysis confirmed that these lines were wheat-Ae. comosa 2M-7M addition lines and a 6M(6A) substitution line. The molecular and cytogenetic markers developed herein could be used to trace Ae. comosa chromatin in wheat background. In order to evaluate the breeding value of the material, disease resistance tests and agronomical trait investigations were carried out on these alien chromosome introgression lines. Disease resistance tests showed that chromosomes 2M and 7M of Ae. comosa might harbor new stripe rust and powdery mildew resistance genes, respectively, therefore, they could be used as resistance sources for wheat breeding. Investigations into agronomical traits showed that all chromosomes 2M to 7M had detrimental effects on the agronomic performance of wheat, therefore, the selection of plants with relatively negative effects should be avoided when inducing wheat-A. comosa chromosome translocations using chromosome engineering procedures.