A comparison of methods for identifying and surveying the presence of 1BL.1RS translocations in bread wheat

Four methods for detecting 1BL. 1RS translocations in bread wheat have been compared winter wheat cultivars: N-banding of mitotic metaphase chromosomes, sodium lactate electrophoresis at pH 3.1, sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophorests under conditions, and a recently characterised protein, subtilisin inhibitor, separated by isoelectric N-banding was much the most labour intensive method, and, of the three electrophoretic recommend the use of subtilisin inhibitor, which is at least as easy to interpret as the other is often faster for screening purposes. The sources of the 1BL. 1RS translocation in this matenal Avrora. Kavkaz and Skorospelka 35, which have been extensively used as parents in breeding programmes. Out of 59 cultivars that include a line carrying the 1BL. 1RS pedigree. 23 of them did not carry the translocation; thus the effect on plant phenotype of insufficient to guarantee its selection during breeding.