Alien Introgression for Quality Characters from T. Dicoccum and T. Dicoccoides to Durum Wheat

Interspecific hybridization is known to improve quality characters in many crops. One hundred and seventeen BC₂F₄ progenies derived from crosses between durum wheat cv. PDW233 with different accessions of T. dicoccum and T. dicoccoides were evaluated for desirable introgressions for seven quality characters. Analysis of variance indicated highly significant differences among the advanced backcross progenies for all the characters studied. Some advanced backcross progenies with improved quality characters have been identified. This study demonstrates that the progenitor species can play a significant role in the improvement of processing and nutritional quality of durum wheat.