Distribution of Dwarfing Genes Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b in Chinese Bread Wheats Detected by STS Marker

Objective) Understanding the distribution of dwarfing genes in Chinese wheat will be crucial for yield improvement.(Method)A total of 239 Chinese wheat cultivars and advanced lines from major wheat regions were detected by STS markers to understand the distribution of the dwarfing genes Rht-B1b (Rht1) and Rht-D1b (Rht2). (Result)The PCR-based markers could be used to test the presence of Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b in wheat cultivars. The average frequency was 24.3% for Rht-B1b gene and 46.9% for Rht-D1b gene, respectively. Frequencies in Northern Winter Wheat Zone, Yellow & Huai River Facultative Winter Wheat Region, Middle & Low Yangtze Valley Winter Wheat Region, Southwestern Winter Wheat Region, Northeastern Spring Wheat Region, Northern Spring Wheat Region, Northwestern Spring Wheat Region and Xinjiang Winter-Spring Wheat Region were 25.8%, 28%, 42.3%, 8.3%, 0%, 9.1%, 25% and 62.5% for Rht-B1b gene, and 35.5%, 69%, 23.1%, 38.9%, 0%, 72.7%, 37.5% and 12.5% for Rht-1Db gene, respectively. (Conclusion)Molecular markers and pedigree information confirmed that Rht-B1b is from St2422/464 and Norin 10, Rht-D1b is from Norin 10, Suwon 86, Huixianhong, and Youbaomai.