Genetic Basis of Stay-Green Trait in Bread Wheat

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Abstract
The stay-green trait is responsible for the preservation of green coloration in the stem and leaf, during physiological maturity. It has also been shown to play an important role in the increase of grain size. The knowledge of the inheritance of this trait can constitute valuable information to plant breeders in the developing new wheat (Triti-cum aestivum L.) varieties. This study was conducted in two environments, during the years of 1997 and 1998, to verify the genetic basis of the stay-green trait among crosses of four different genotypes in the field and three in the greenhouse. The analysis was based on three fixed (P1, P2 and F1) and three segregating (F2, BC1F1 and BC2F1) generations. Means and variances were computed for every generation for each cross and the nature of the gene and its effects were estimated. Change in stem color was used as the criterion for the stay-green trait in three phases of development in wheat, based on scores obtained from visual analysis, on a scale of 1 to 10. The results presented in the 2nd observation phase, suggest that the stay-green trait is controlled by only one gene with two alleles and gene activity with high predominance of additive effects and to a lesser degree, a partial dominance for stay green.