Reaction of somaclonal variants of wheat to the take-all fungus (Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici)

More than 20 000 wheat plants, derived from callus culture of immature wheat embryos were assessed for reaction to the take-all fungus (Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici) using a test-tube assay. Lines with less root and shoot blackening and more remaining green tissue than parental lines were identified in the SC 3 generation. However these lines had more root and shoot blackening and less remaining green tissue in subsequent generations. The changes in reaction to the fungus may therefore have been epigenetic. The potential of this tissue culture derived material for breeding take-all resistant wheats is discussed