Transfer of Genes for High Grain Fe and Zn from Aegilops into Wheat

More than 3 billion peoples in developing world are suffering from micronutrient deficiency. Several Aegilops species showed 2-3 folds higher Fe and Zn content in comparison to elite wheat cultivars and can be utilized for biofortification of wheat. Several addition and substitution lines of 2U and 2S chromosomes were developed. A total of 189 anchored wheat SSR microsatellite molecular markers specific for group 2 chromosomes were used for analysis of their transferability and polymorphism between genomic DNA of several bread wheat cultivars and accessions of Aegilops species. 2D specific SSR markers showed higher transferability and polymorphism among bread wheat and wild relatives indicating recent evolution of D genome of wheat in comparison to A and B genomes. These transferable and polymorphic markers were used for screening of high grain mineral micronutrient wheat-Aegilops interspecific hybrids. Precise transfer of useful variability from wheat-Ae. Kotschyi addition lines into elite wheat cultivars were achieved through induced homoelogous pairing by seed and pollen irradiation, ph1b deletion and 5B deficiency. Precise transfer of genes were carefully analysed by SSR markers, GISH, ICPMS, AAS and insilico mapping for the Fe and Zn traits were done in polpulation of wheat-Aegilops derivatives. Seed and pollen irradiation techniques showed several translocations of 2S^k and 2U^k in radiation hybrids. The biofortification of wheat for grain Fe and Zn content achieved up to 40-60%, without any linkage drag.