Evidence for maternal effect in the inheritance of grain protein in crosses between cultivated and wild tetraploid wheats

Reciprocal crosses were made between cultivated wheat (Triticum turgidum var. 'durum') and a high-protein line of wild tetraploid wheat (T. turgidum var. 'dicoccoides'). F₁ grains (on maternal spikes) were very similar to the selfed grains on the maternal parent in protein percentage, weight and protein content. These traits were also analyzed in F₃ grains developed on F₂ spikes of segregating populations derived from reciprocal crosses between the same cultivated parent and another high-protein line of var. 'dicoccoides'. No significant differences in the mean values of these traits were found between the reciprocal crosses, indicating no cytoplasmic effect. It has been concluded that these grain characteristics are largely determined by the maternal plant.