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Imprint
Reduce dangerous alkaloids in the food chain through the improvement of breeding resistance ergot of rye
Project
Project code: 2803OE600
Contract period: 01.06.2004
- 28.02.2007
Budget: 127,771 Euro
Purpose of research: Basic research
Rye as an outcrossing crop is highly susceptible to ergot (Clavipceps purpurea). Black-purple sclerotia are formed instead of kernels after infection. Aims of this study were (1) to evaluate genetic resources for effective resistance donors, (2) to examine the, inheritance of resistance in self-fertile rye material and (3) to analyse the interaction of host genotypes and ergot concerning the composition and toxicity of alkaloids. For identifying physiological resistance to ergot, we analysed only cytoplasmatic-male-sterile (cms) material under absence of pollen. Resistance trait was the ergot weight per ear. The concentration of six alkaloids and their isomers were analysed in selected samples of sclerotia. All together, 75 CMS inbred lines, 126 CMS singles, and 90 CMS testcrosses with genetic resources from Germany, Poland and Russia were tested over a period of three years under conditions of organic farming. The testcrosses of the genetic resources had a significant genotypic variance only for the Eastern European material. Generally, the CMS lines had a lower ergot weight per ear than the CMS singles and differentiated significantly across locations. The genetic variation among single crosses was smaller, but significant in most instances. Generally, all experiments suffered from high genotype x environment and error variances resulting in medium heritabilities only. The correlation between the ergot weight per ear of lines and singles was significant in the -two first years only (r=0.6-0.7;p=0.01). Although the lines had a lower mean ergot weight per ear than the singles, their alkaloid content was about 25 % higher. The alkaloid contents were not specific for rye genotypes but depended highly on environment (Iocation/year). The results show, that a selection for resistance should be successful in self-fertile rye materials, when several locations are tested.
Section overview
Subjects
- Plant Breeding
- Physiology of Nutrition
Framework programme
Federal Organic Farming Scheme and other forms of sustainable agriculture (BÖLN)
