High-throughput digital imaging analysis for grain morphology of historical wheat cultivars of Pakistan.

Wheat stands as the foremost cultivated crop in Pakistan, dominating in terms of acreage and production among cereals. The morphology of wheat grains has been a target of selection since the dawn of agriculture and remains a paramount focus in contemporary breeding efforts. This study sought to examine alterations in grain morphology using digital imaging across 64 bread wheat cultivars grown in Pakistan under both well-watered and water-limited conditions, while also exploring their link with the TaCWI gene. The analysis revealed a substantial range of variation in grain morphology encompassing more than 15fifteen descriptors among the cultivars. Historically significant wheat cultivars, including T9 and C-271, which predate 1930, exhibited the smallest grain area, while contemporary counterparts like, Pirsabak-2013 and Markaz-2019 showcased the largest grain area. Significantly, the wheat cell wall invertase gene, TaCwi-A1, displayed a strong association with grain size. The TaCwi-A1a allele was identified in 31 out of the 64 cultivars and was notably correlated with larger grain size. This research unveils a comprehensive understanding of variations in grain size and shape among historical wheat cultivars in Pakistan and emphasizes that modern Pakistani wheat cultivars tend to exhibit larger grain size. Furthermore, it underscores the necessity of evaluating the allelic influence of additional genes related to grain size and weight, paving the way for more targeted breeding efforts in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]