Agronomic assessment of the durum

The wheat Green Revolution Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b dwarfing alleles are associated with increased grain yields but also reduced early growth seedling emergence, especially if sowing conditions unfavourable. gibberellic acid-responsive, mutagen-derived Rht18 gene was backcrossed from durum (Triticum turgidum subsp. L.) cv. Icaro into tall bread aestivum Halberd using phenotypic selection for plant height. allele confirmed among homozygous BC1F2-derived, F5:7 recombinant inbred lines by a chromosome 6AS-linked, microsatellite molecular marker (Xwms4608), then assessed agronomic performance across multiple field sites ranging in yield 3.6 to 6.4 t/ha. Rht18-containing were significantly (P < 0.05) shorter height (−24%) lodging (−51%) compared sister lines. Reductions significant increases (+16%), reflecting number (+21%), of spikes (+7%) grains per spike (+12%). Coleoptile length, shoot biomass ground cover percentage unaffected the presence gene. Comparisons effects acid-insensitive on separately set 30 BC5F6-derived near-isogenic 2015. Ground coleoptile length greater lines, whereas height, lodging, harvest index, similar Reduced yield, together indicate potentially useful role improving performance.