Response of wheat genotypes to excess boron estimated by in vitro culture

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate boron tolerance of wheat genotypes using mature embryo culture. The analysis involved 79 recombinant inbred lines of the International Triticeae Mapping Initiative (ITMI) population and three Serbian varieties with known boron (B) tolerance (Pobeda - sensitive S, Balerina-medium tolerant MT, and Nevesinjka - tolerant T). The evaluation was performed on a modified MS medium to which 15 mM of boric acid was added. The control medium contained no excess B. Callus fresh weight (CFW) and reduction of fresh callus weight (RFCW) were determined after one month of cultivation. ANOVA has shown highly significant effect of genotype, the media, and their interaction to callus tissue growth and also significant genotypic effect on RFCW. Majority of genotypes (39) had sensitive reaction to excess boron, twenty-three were medium tolerant, while four of them were tolerant. The obtained results can be potentially used for mapping QTLs associated with tolerance to excess B in wheat breeding program.