Seed priming improves germination in saline conditions for Chenopodium quinoa and Amaranthus caudatus

Seed priming has proved to be an effective method in imparting stress tolerance to plants using natural and/or synthetic compounds to treat the seeds before germination. The present work aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of priming treatments in seeds of Chenopodium quinoa and Amaranthus caudatus to improve germination under NaCl. Species‐specific protocols for seed hydropriming and osmopriming were established by germinating seeds under different water potentials and creating seed imbibition curves. Primed seeds were then germinated under different concentrations of NaCl, and the effect of priming was analysed based on the parameters, such as final germination percentage (FGP), germination index (GI) and mean germination time (MGT). Seed hydropriming and osmopriming caused significant improvements in germination velocity and uniformity, reflected in high FGP, high GI and reduced MGT under salinity. C. quinoa had a higher tolerance to salinity than A. caudatus during seed germination. Improved germination in salinity resulted from osmopriming seeds with solutions of low water potential for A. caudatus, while for C. quinoa, this effect was achieved from hydropriming and osmopriming seeds with solutions of high water potential. Primed tolerance to moderate salinity was achieved for A. caudatus, and for both species, the salinity threshold for germination to occur was slightly broadened.     

Stimulation of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Seedling Vigour by Smoke-water and Butenolide

The newly identified smoke‐compound butenolide (3‐methyl‐2H‐furo[2,3‐c]pyran‐2‐one) can improve seedling vigour. This study highlights the effects of smoke‐water and butenolide on shoot and root elongation of a local rice variety. Smoke‐water (1 : 500) and butenolide (10^?8 m ) treatments significantly increased shoot length. A low concentration of butenolide (10^?10 m ) promoted maximum root length and seedling weight, which were significantly different from the control. Butenolide‐treated (10^?8 m ) seedlings had a significantly greater number of lateral roots than untreated seedlings. The vigour index of smoke‐water (1 : 500) and butenolide‐treated (10^?8 m ) rice seeds was significantly higher than that of untreated seeds. These findings suggest the possible use of butenolide for promoting vigorous seedlings in rice.     

Preliminary Research on Seed Production and Nutrient Content for Certain Quinoa Varieties in a Saline–Sodic Soil

The aim of the present study was to compare the potential seed yield of eight quinoa varieties, to explore their mineral composition of seeds and to identify superior varieties in two locations with different soil properties. Compared with neutral soil conditions, seed yield in the marginal (saline–sodic) soil was decreased by 45 %. Under the latter soil conditions seed yield was negatively correlated with crop density, indicating that a considerable yield loss was due to poor and uneven plant density caused by adverse soil properties. Among the varieties, ‘RU–5–PQCIP–DANIDA–UNA’ produced the highest seed yield (>20 dt ha^?1) when grown under neutral soil conditions. Under marginal conditions, the above‐mentioned variety and ‘N 407’ produced seed yields up to 10 dt ha^?1 whereas the rest reached yields of only about 5 dt ha^?1. The majority of the varieties accumulated significantly more protein (20 %) in the seeds under saline–sodic soil conditions (lower yielding environment). The varieties originated from South America were superior in accumulating protein in the seeds at both locations. Mineral contents of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) in the seeds were significantly higher in the neutral soil. No differences were found for phosphorous (P), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and boron (B) between the two locations. The South American varieties were again superior in mineral composition. Adaptation of certain quinoa varieties even under marginal environments seems promising for seed production and/or protein and mineral content in the seeds. Agronomic data are needed in a due course, over a higher number of locations and/or various climatic conditions.     

Identification of genetic variation in Brassica napus seeds for tocopherol content and composition using near‐infrared spectroscopy technique

Tocopherol is an essential fat‐soluble nutrient for humans. Increasing the tocopherol content in Brassica napus seeds can add value to rapeseed vegetable oil; this has become an important breeding target. However, there is no efficient and non‐destructive method for selecting rapeseed accessions with high tocopherol contents. Here, we report the first near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS)‐based technique for predicting rapeseed tocopherol content. Individual seed tocopherol compositions were estimated from 373 rapeseed genotypes of different origins. This method and chemical methods produced comparable predicted values of the tocopherol constituents in the seeds. Three equations were generated for the prediction of tocopherol content by using a modified partial least squares (MPLS) model. The total tocopherol content for the determination coefficient of cross‐validation (R²_cv) (0.74), determination coefficient (RSQ) (0.76) and one minus the ratio of unexplained variance to total variance (1‐VR) (0.65) values indicates a strong correlation between the calibration and validation sets. Overall, our model confirmed the NIRS method as feasible for predicting tocopherol content in rapeseed and as an efficient screening tool for future breeding programs.     

Yield and Forage Quality of Different ×Festulolium Cultivars in Winter

×Festulolium ssp. are of particular interest as autumn‐saved herbage in the winter grazing system, but information concerning their performance in this low‐input system is not available. To this end, we examined dry matter (DM) yield and forage quality in winter of four different cultivars of ×Festulolium ssp. (×Festulolium pabulare, Festulolium braunii), either with festucoid or loloid attributes, compared with Festuca arundinacea Schreb. Furthermore, pre‐utilization (accumulation since June or July) and date of winter harvest (December or January) were varied examining the influence of different sward management. DM yield, crude protein, metabolizable energy (ME) (in vitro rumen fermentation technique), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and ergosterol concentration were determined. Within all years, the festucoid cultivars (mean 3.4 t ha^?1) attained significant higher yields during winter than the loloid cultivars (mean 1.6 t ha^?1), but their yields were comparable with F. arundinacea (mean 3.0 t ha^?1). Crude protein was decisively influenced by the different yield levels of the cultivars resulting in higher values for the loloid cultivars. Energy concentrations decreased with later winter harvest, whereas ADF as well as ergosterol concentrations frequently increased from December to January. The greatest differences between festucoid and loloid cultivars were generally observed during severe winters. Obviously, the festucoid cultivars were better adapted to a utilization as autumn‐saved herbage than the cultivars with rather loloid attributes. However, the hybrids did not surpass F. arundinacea regarding yield and quality.     

Spring Cereals for Forage and Grain Production in a Cool Maritime Climate

Newfoundland's climate is marginal for agricultural production. The availability of locally grown cereal grain and high‐quality forage are major limitations to successful animal agriculture in this region. Here, our overall objective was to compare several spring cereal species for both annual forage and grain production in Newfoundland's cool Maritime climate. Several varieties of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), wheat (Triticum aesitivum L.), oats (Avena sativa L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.)–cereal mixtures for forage yield and quality, as well as grain yield and maturity, were compared in field trials on the east and west coasts in both 1999 and 2000. Barley headed earliest, yielded greatest forage dry matter, had lowest forage protein and acid detergent fibre (ADF) percentages, and had neutral detergent fibre (NDF) mean values greater than those of pea–cereal mixtures, but less than those of oats and wheat. Forage harvested from pea–cereal mixtures was similar to that of barley for yield, ADF and NDF, while P and protein percentage were much greater. Barley matured 10–15 days earlier than both wheat and oats. In general terms, all three spring cereals exhibited similar grain yield potential. Oats tillered less, but compensated by producing more kernels spike^?1. Days to maturity for cereal grains in western Newfoundland were roughly similar to those reported for the Maritime provinces of Canada. Yield and maturity results for both forage and grain production suggest that eastern Newfoundland is a unique agro‐ecoregion in North America, and agronomic recommendations specific to other regions may not be applicable in this region.     

Durum Wheat under Mediterranean Conditions as Affected by Seed Size

This study was carried out in order to determine the effect of seed size on the growth and yield of durum wheat. Four field experiments, composed of six durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) varieties and three seeding sizes were conducted in north‐east Spain in 2000 and 2001 in randomized complete block designs. The growth of seedlings was dramatically affected by seed size. Large seeds produced greater plot stands, but the plants had fewer tillers, leaves and spikes and less green area and dry weight than plots from small seeds. Grain yield was 16 % greater in plots from large seeds, which resulted in greater biomass, green area index, spikes per m² and heavier kernels than in plots from small seeds. Kernel weight was the yield component most related to grain yield in the three seed sizes. The percentage of yield variation explained by kernel weight increased as the weight of kernels increased. This was a consequence of the use of larger seeds, the same effect being observed when the comparison was made between varieties with different kernel weights. Selection for heavy kernel varieties may help to improve the yield of durum wheat in Mediterranean environments similar to that prevailing in north‐east Spain.     

Methods for detecting the cassava bacterial blight pathogen: A practical approach for managing the disease

Cassava bacterial blight (CBB), caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam), is a particularly destructive disease in South America and Africa. The movement of infected asymptomatic stems is a major means of pathogen dispersal as well as infected seeds. The success of a cassava-seed certification program depends on the availability of reliable tests to detect the pathogen in vegetative planting materials and true seeds. We report here the different methods that permitted to detect the pathogen in cassava tissues. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was developed for this pathogen. The PCR assay worked well for pathogen detection in extracts from leaf and stem lesions and the minimum number of cells that could be detected ranged from 3 × 10² to 10⁴ CFU per ml. Nested-PCR worked well for Xam detection from naturally infected seeds. This technique was specific, sensitive, and rapid for detecting Xam in cassava true seeds. The highest detection level found was 1–2 viable cells per reaction. A dot-blot assay was developed by evaluating a 898 bp DNA fragment unique to Xam strains as a diagnostic DNA probe. The probe detected Xam strains in crude extracts of leaf and stem lesions, cassava fruits and sexual seeds that were naturally infected. Overall sensitivity of the dot-blot method was about10³CFU per reaction. The dot-blot hybridization technique can be easily used for culture indexing. A monoclonal antibody (MAb) was also used for an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and tested with various infected tissues. Overall sensitivity of the method was about10³CFU per reaction. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Difference of optimum germination temperature of seeds of intact and dehusked japonica rice during seed development

The effects of incubation temperature on germination of intact and dehusked japonica rice that had been harvested every 5 days from 10 days after anthesis (DAA) to 70 DAA were surveyed. At 30 ^°C incubation, the germination percentage of intact seeds at 25 DAA exceeded that of dehusked seeds. This tendency persisted until 65 DAA, when around 95% of both intact and dehusked seeds germinated. Germination percentages of intact seeds incubated at 20 ^°C were lower than seeds incubated at 30 ^°C for all DAA. However, germination percentages of dehusked seeds incubated at 20 ^°C were consistently higher than at 30 ^°C. Germination percentages of intact and dehusked seeds were similar at 20 ^°C incubation. Germination of intact seeds under 34/11 ^°C (16/8 h) was higher than at 30 ^°C. In contrast, germination of dehusked seeds under 34/11 ^°C (16/8 h) was lower than at 30°C. Inhibitory effects of removing husk on germination were observed from 15 to 70 DAA. Almost all of the intact seeds at 45 DAA germinated when imbibed 35, 30 and 25 ^°C, and germination percentages decreased with decreasing incubation temperatures from 20 to 15 ^°C. By contrast, germination percentage of dehusked seeds was highest in 20 ^°C incubation temperature; further increase or decrease of incubation temperature reduced germination percentage. The optimum germination temperature of intact and dehusked seeds of japonica rice differs during seed formation, such that the extent of germination inhibition by husk removal depends on the incubation temperature.     

Identification and genetic characterization of a safflower mutant with a modified tocopherol profile

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seeds have a tocopherol fraction dominated by α‐tocopherol, which accounts for more than 95% of the tocopherols. α‐Tocopherol exerts a high vitamin E activity, but a low in vitro antioxidant action. For non‐food applications, replacement of high α‐tocopherol by γ‐tocopherol is preferred. Because of the limited variability found in germplasm of cultivated safflower, the objective of the present research was to search for variability for tocopherol profile in germplasm of wild safflower species. Bulk seed samples of 77 accessions from six species were analysed for total tocopherol content and profile. One accession of C. oxyacanthus showed increased γ‐tocopherol content (36%). Single‐seed analysis showed the existence of a bimodal distribution, which included high α‐tocopherol (>90%) and high γ‐tocopherol (HGT) seeds (>85%). Plants from the HGT seeds bred true for the trait and showed introgression of cultivated safflower, which allowed a rapid selection for cultivated safflower traits. Genetic analysis revealed that the HGT trait was controlled by partially recessive alleles at a single locus Tph1, which will facilitate the transference of the novel trait to diverse safflower germplasms.     

The Influence of Row Spacing and Seeding Rate on Seed Yield and Yield Components of Forage Turnip (Brassica rapa L.)

The effects of four row spacings (17.5, 35.0, 52.5 and 70.0 cm) and five seeding rates (50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 viable seeds m^?2) on seed yield and some yield components of forage turnip (Brassica rapa L.) were evaluated under rainfed conditions in Bursa, Turkey in the 1998–1999 and 1999–2000 growing seasons. Plant height, stem diameter, pods/terminal raceme, total pods/plant, seeds/pod and primary branches/plant were measured individually. The number of plants per unit area was counted and the lodging rate of the plots was scored. The seed yield and 1000‐seed weight were also determined. Row spacing and seeding rate significantly affected most yield components measured. The number of plants per unit area increased with increasing seeding rate and decreasing row spacing. Plant height was not greatly influenced by row spacing and seeding rate, but higher seeding rates reduced the number of primary branches and the stem diameter. The number of pods/main stem was affected by row spacing and but not by the seeding rate. Also, the number of seeds per pod was not affected by either the row spacing or the seeding rate. In contrast, the number of pods per plant clearly increased with increasing row spacing, but decreased with increasing seeding rate. The plots seeded at narrow row spacings and at high seeding rates were more sensitive to lodging. Seeding rate had no significant effect on seed yield in both years. Seed yield was similar at all seeding rates, averaging 1151 kg ha^?1. However, row spacing was associated with seed yield. The highest seed yield (1409 kg ha^?1) was obtained for the 35.0‐cm row spacing and 200 seeds m^?2 seeding rate combination without serious lodging problems.     

38–48 kDa subunits of buckwheat 13S globulins are controlled by a single locus

The inheritance of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) seed storage proteins was investigated by control crosses between accessions containing different SDS‐PAGE protein patterns in the range of 38–48 kDa. Analysis of segregation of individual F₁ and F₂ seeds obtained by 17 crosses showed segregation of eight electrophoretic bands, from which 12‐banding variants were inferred. Two variants contained one band, nine contained two bands and one variant contained three bands and behaved as a single co‐dominant unit. The segregation of banding variants fits the expected ratios and thus supports the hypothesis of single Mendelian gene inheritance and that alleles are co‐dominant. The results therefore suggest that the genes controlling globulin subunits are tightly linked and inherited as a single locus. The locus was designated Glob‐1 and the twelve segregated protein variants as alleles a‐l. This is the first buckwheat globulin locus identified with multiple alleles, phenotypically expressed as groups of protein bands and thus applicable as a functional marker in buckwheat genomic studies.     

Maternal and embryonal control of seed colour by different Brassica alboglabra chromosomes

Most oilseed rape, Brassica napus, cultivars are black‐seeded. The progenitor species, Brassica rapa, has either yellow or black seeds, while known cultivars of the other progenitor species Brassica oleracea/alboglabra have black seeds. To determine which chromosomes of B. alboglabra are carriers of seed colour genes, B. rapaalboglabra monosomic addition lines were produced from a B. napus resynthesized from yellow‐seeded B. rapa and brown/black‐seeded B. alboglabra. Eight out of nine possible lines have been developed and transmission frequencies of the alien chromosomes were estimated. Three B. alboglabra chromosomes in three of these lines influenced seed colour. B. rapa plants carrying alien chromosome 1 exhibited a maternal control of seed colour and produced only brown seeds, which gave rise to plants with either yellow or brown seeds. However, B. rapa plants carrying alien chromosome 4 or another as yet unidentified alien chromosome exhibited an embryonal control of seed colour and produced a mixture of yellow and brown seeds. The yellow seeds gave rise to yellow‐seeded plants, while the brown seeds gave rise to plants that yielded a mixture of yellow and brown seeds, depending on the absence or presence, respectively, of the B. alboglabra chromosome. Consequently, both maternal and embryonal control of seed colour are expected to contribute to the black‐seeded phenotype of oilseed rape.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci underlying soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) seed weight including main,epistatic and QTL × environment effects in different regions of Northeast China

Seed weight (SW) is the important soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.), yield component and also affected the quality of soybean‐derived foods. The aim of this study was to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying SW through 112 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross between “Zhongdou27” (G. max, designated by its bigger seed size, 21.9 g/100 seeds) and “Jiunong 20” (G. max, smaller seed size, 17.5 g/100 seeds). Phenotypic data were collected from this RIL population after it was grown in the sixteen tested environments. A total of eight QTL (QSW1‐1, QSW2‐1, QSW2‐2, QSW5‐1, QSW15‐1, QSW17‐1, QSW19‐1 and QSW20‐1) were identified, and they could explain 4.23%–14.65% of the phenotypic variation. Among these eight QTL, three QTL (QSW1‐1 located on the interval of Sat_159‐Satt603 of chromosome (Chr) 1 (LGD1a), QSW19‐1 located on the interval of Sat_340‐Satt523 of Chr 19 (LGL) and QSW20‐1 located on Sat_418‐Sat_105 of Chr 20 (LGI)) were newly identified and could explain 4.235%–10.08%, 8.45%–13.49% and 8.08%–10.18% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. Six of the eight identified QTL including QSW2‐2, QSW5‐1, QSW15‐1, QSW17‐1, QSW19‐1 and QSW20‐1 exhibited a significant additive (a) effect, while two QTL (QSW2‐1 and QSW19‐1) only displayed significant additive‐by‐environment (ae) effects. A total of four epistatic pairwise QTL for SW were identified in the different environments. These eight QTL and their genetic information obtained here were valuable for molecular marker‐assisted selection and the realization of a reasonable SW breeding programme in soybean.     

Use of immature seed germination and single seed descent for rapid genetic gains in pigeonpea

Long duration required for generation advancement in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp] is one of the major bottlenecks in realizing rapid genetic gains. Therefore, a technology for rapid generation turnover is warranted to facilitate the development of new cultivars and recombinant inbred lines. Breeding of early‐maturing cultivars has now opened up the possibility of rapid generation advance (RGA) in this crop. This paper reports the development of an RGA technology that integrates the germination of immature seeds with single seed descent method of breeding. The results showed that immature 35‐day‐old seeds can be used successfully to turn over a generation of pigeonpea with 100% seed germination. These way 3/4 successive generations can be grown within a year. The methodology presented in this study will accelerate the breeding process for breeding cultivars and develop rapidly the materials required for genomics research in pigeonpea.     

Gene cloning of ZmMYB59 transcription factor in maize and its expression during seed germination in response to deep‐sowing and exogenous hormones

Discovering the key genes responsible for deep‐sowing germination is very meaningful to cultivate maize varieties with strong germination ability in soil. In this study, ZmMYB59 gene whose functions remain unknown was successfully cloned. Subcellular localization showed that ZmMYB59 was localized in the nucleus. By analysing cis‐acting elements of its promoter sequence, many elements of MYB binding domain responsive to hormones (particularly gibberellin, GA) were found. On this basis, ZmMYB59 expression in different sowing depths, germination stages, tissues and treatments was analysed by real‐time PCR. ZmMYB59 expression levels in embryos or seedlings were significantly decreased with the increase in sowing depth at 2 days or 4 days after sowing (DAS). Further analysis showed that its expression in mesocotyls was also significantly downregulated with the increase in sowing depth at both 6 DAS and 8 DAS. Similarly, seed soaking with 10^‐5 M GA₃ inhibited ZmMYB59 expression in mesocotyls at 3 DAS. These results suggest that ZmMYB59 may play a negative regulatory role in seed germination in deep soil and the regulation is involved in GA signalling pathway.     

Rapid and Synchronous Germination of Cicer Milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) Seed following Diurnal Temperature Priming

Experiments were conducted to determine if diurnal temperature variation could be used to prime cicer milkvetch ( Astragalus cicer L.) seed and thereby shorten the time for seed germination. For untreated cicer miikvetch seed at constant 20°C, 50% of the seeds germinated in 8.2 days and 90% of the seeds germinated in 10.5 days. In contrast, seed that was first primed for 7 days with a diurnal temperature variation (35 (8h)/5 (16h) °C) had values of 1.9 days and 3.3 days, respectively. A second experiment evaluated priming of seed in bulk to test if a procedure might be developed that could be scaled up to prime commercial quantities of seed. A bulk sample of seed was soaked in water for 5h at room temperature and then kept in a high humidity atmosphere during 7 days of priming at 35/5°C. Hydrated seed from the bulk sample had 50% germination in 2.7 days and 90% germination in 5.3 days. When the bulk sample was dried for 8 days at room temperature, the benefit of priming on shortening germination time was retained. It is likely that diurnal temperature priming could be adapted to large volumes of seed.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci controlling soybean seed weight in recombinant inbred lines derived from PI 483463 (Glycine soja) × ‘Hutcheson’ (G. max)

The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling 100‐seed weight in soybean using 188 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) derived from a cross of PI 483463 and ‘Hutcheson’. The parents and RILs were grown for 4 years (2010–2013), and mature, dry seeds were used for 100‐seed weight measurement. The variance components of genotype (a), environment (e) and a × e interactions for seed weight were highly significant. The QTL analysis identified 14 QTLs explaining 3.83–12.23% of the total phenotypic variation. One of the QTLs, qSW17‐2, was found to be the stable QTL, being identified in all the environments with high phenotypic variation as compared to the other QTLs. Of the 14 QTLs, 10 QTLs showed colocalization with the seed weight QTLs identified in earlier reports, and four QTLs, qSW5‐1, qSW14‐1, qSW15‐1 and qSW15‐2, found to be the novel QTLs. A two‐dimensional genome scan revealed 11 pairs of epistatic QTLs across 11 chromosomes. The QTLs identified in this study may be useful in genetic improvement of soybean seed weight.     

Genetic control of seed weight and calcium concentration in chickpea seed

Chickpea, Cicer arietinum L., is a staple protein source in many Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Hence, the mineral content of its seed, especially that of calcium, is of nutritional importance. Calcium is transported through plants and to legume pods almost exclusively via the xylem stream, with Ca accretion in developing seeds resulting primarily from diffusion of Ca from the adjoining pod wall. Thus, for seeds of differing surface‐to‐mass ratios, Ca concentration is expected to correlate inversely with seed weight. The relationship between seed weight and Ca concentration in chickpea seeds was studied using a range of germplasm and derivatives from crosses between types differing in seed Ca concentration. Among the cultivars tested, low seed mass was associated with high Ca concentration. However, the study of hybrid progeny indicated that seed Ca content was mainly determined by genetic factors other than grain weight genes. This finding may assist in future breeding of high nutritional quality chickpea cultivars.     

Rapid generation cycling of an F2 population derived from a cross between Lens culinaris Medik. and Lens ervoides (Brign.) Grande after aphanomyces root rot selection

Cultivated lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is susceptible to aphanomyces root rot (ARR), whereas partial resistance is present in wild lentil including Lens ervoides (Brign.) Grande. Approximately six generations of selfing are required to fix a desired trait in a population, which usually requires 2 years in a breeding programme, so the primary objective was to develop a rapid generation cycling (RGC) technique that achieves this goal in 1 year. Rapid generation cycling was then tested on an F₂ population (LR‐59) derived from a L. culinaris × L. ervoides cross in combination with a reliable ARR screening technique, which generates a wide range of disease severities conducive to selection. Phenotyping of an F₂ population of more than 1,200 plants resulted in scores ranging from 2.4 to 4.0 on a scale from zero to five. Plants with scores lower than 4.0 were selected for advancement for five generations using a modified single‐seed descent method, optimum growing conditions, 20‐hr photoperiod and harvest of immature seeds. Seeds were germinated in a 100 μM gibberellin solution. Average generation length after phenotyping was 56 days resulting in five generations within approximately 300 days. Using a modified inoculation protocol, ARR phenotyping of the F₇ population resulted in scores ranging from 1.4 to 4.0. This inexpensive, nonsterile speed breeding protocol saves 1 year in the development of lentil varieties with improved ARR resistance.