Agronomic characteristics of hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) near-isogenic lines differing at the Waxy (Wx) locus

Null mutations of the Waxy gene in all three genomes of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) produce a waxy starch phenotype. The agronomic performance of 32 waxy, partially waxy and wild-type near-isogenic spring wheat lines and four check cultivars was assessed at two locations over three cropping seasons. Differences in grain yield, kernel weight and test weight among allelic groups were generally small. The results of our study suggest that no significantly negative effects are likely to occur in the commercial cultivation of partially waxy wheat lines derived from a CWRS cultivar.