Molecular Cytogenetic Characterization of Novel 1RS.1BL Translocation and Complex Chromosome Translocation Lines with Stripe Rust Resistance

Rye is the most important source for the genetic improvement of wheat. In this study, two stable wheat-rye primary 1RS.1BL translocation lines, RT855-13 and RT855-14, were selected and identified by acid polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (A-PAGE), co-dominant PCR, and multi-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (MC-FISH) from the progeny of the crossing of the wheat cultivar Mianyang11 and a Chinese rye Weining. When more than two independent, simple reciprocal translocations are involved in a carrier, they are defined as complex chromosome translocations (CCT). The MC-FISH results also indicated that CCT occurred in RT855-13; namely that, besides 1RS.1BL translocation chromosomes, there are other two pairs of balanced reciprocal translocations. It was demonstrated that the interchange between a distal segment of 4B and long arm of 3D occurred in the RT855-13. The novel translocation chromosomes in wheat were recorded as 3DS.4BS(DS) and 3DL-4BS(PS).4BL. Reports about CCT as a genetic resource in plant breeding programs are scarce. Both lines expressed high resistance to Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, which are prevalent in China and are virulent on Yr9, and the CCT line RT855-13 retained better resistance as adult plants compared with RT855-14 in the field. Both lines, especially the CCT line RT855-13, exhibited better agronomic traits than their wheat parent, Mianyang11, indicating that both translocation lines could potentially be used for wheat improvement. The results also indicated that the position effects of CCT can lead to beneficial variations in agronomic and resistant traits, making them a valuable genetic resource to wheat breeding programs.