Browsing by Author "Dix, Rodger"

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    Investigation into the suitability of wheat for ethanol production in the Western Cape
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2010-12) Dix, Rodger; Botes, Willem; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Agrisciences. Dept. of Genetics.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study aimed to investigate the suitability of spring wheat in the Western Cape as a potential feedstock for a future bio-ethanol industry as well as initiate a pre-breeding effort to develop bioethanol -directed improved lines. Determined primarily on grain yield, disease resistance and, direct as well as indirect assaying of important parameters, material was selected from a base-population for use as male parents. These were crossed with female parents sourced from the Stellenbosch University Plant Breeding Laboratory (SU-PBL) male sterility -mediated marker-assisted recurrent selection (MSMARS) programe. This programe is constituted by an agronomically and disease-resistance - improved population, containing a dominant male sterility gene (Ms3). The progeny of these crosses was used to initiate the production of doubled haploids in order to ultimately derive higher ethanol yielding lines. Multi-location field trial (MLFT) data revealed that 00K60-16-3-3 was the best adapted and highest yielding (2160.95 litres ethanol per hectare) advanced breeding line (ABL). Its performance was not statistically significantly less than first-ranked 03H86-8-2 (2184.62 litres per hectare) and both ABLs significantly (P≤0.05) out-performed six controls in the study. ABL 00K60-16-3-3 was also the most adapted in terms of potential yield in litres per ton of grain. ABL 03H86-8-1 was second recommended for the Western Cape, performing above the expected mean for yield in litres per hectare. Further adaptation of specific ABLs to the two major sub-regions of the Western Cape i.e. the Swartland and Southern Cape including the Rûens was also elucidated. Napier was significantly the highest yielding trial site although none of the considered sites were both stable and high yielding. It was also determined that entry X locality interaction (GxE) was indeed significant across the whole production area regarding litres per hectare as well as its two subregions. This is expected considering the environmentally diverse nature of the region as a whole. Using several entries as examples, relationships between starch, ethanol production in litres ethanol per hectare and litres per ton where grain yield is not taken into consideration were illustrated. Overall applicable relationships other than clear grouped entry differences could not be established. What was clearly demonstrated however, is that the maximization of grain yield is paramount. Highlighted thus, is the individuality of a specific genotype where MLFTs will always be required to quantify genotype potential.