Improvement of wheat by induced mutation in southern Chile

Seed of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) of the 'Austral' and 'Huenufen' cultivars were exposed to gamma radiation at doses of 0.10 and 0.25 kGy in order to produce high protein, high yield genotypes resistant to the main fungus diseases for the southern region of Chile (39 deg. and 44 deg. S, latitude). Selection and evaluation up to the M8 generation revealed mutants with a higher protein content and a higher yield than those found in the controls. Substantial progress was achieved in improving resistance to Puccinia striiformis and tolerance to Septoria spp. A number of mutants were selected for their high phosphorus absorption and utilization efficiency. The androgenic capacity of different genotypes was evaluated. (author). 7 refs, 3 tabs