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.     

Seed production and breeding potential of the fluted pumpkin,Telfairia occidentalis

Summary Studies during 1980–1987 relating to seed production of the fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. f.) are summarized. Essentially, the dioecious nature of the crop makes sex-ratios of plants affect the number of fruit-bearing females. Overall, about 50% of plants are female, of which some 15% are fruitless. Each fruit-bearing female has 1.5 fruits that contain 60 seeds. The mean weight of seeds is 15 g, and 74% of this total seed weight comprise the seed kernel which contains about 40% oil. Thus, a yield estimate of seed kernels reaches 1.9 t/ha; an output that is superior to that of most other oil seeds now being exploited for seed oil and cake in Nigeria. Measures to raise seed yields and the possibility of breeding work are discussed.     

Karyotypes and chromosome association in aneuploid varieties of Japanese garden iris,Iris ensata Thunb

Summary Karyotypes, chromosome association and pollen fertility of aneuploid varieties (2n=25), Ochibagoromo, Matsusakatsukasa and Isehomare in Iris ensata were analysed and compared with those of eu-diploid varieties (2n=24), Shishinden, Kachô and Asahimaru. The somatic chromosome complement of the aneuploid varieties consisted of 11 pairs and 3 singles of chromosomes and that of the eu-diploid varieties 12 pairs of chromosomes. The singles of chromosomes in the aneuploid varieties had similarity with one another and with a pair of chromosomes in the eu-diploid varieties. The high frequency of normal association was present in the eu-diploid varieties, and this indicated that 12 pairs of chromosomes had full homology between each other. In contrast, the mean chromosome association per cell in an aneuploid variety Ochibagoromo was 4.615_I+10.067_II+0.077_III+0.005_IV, indicating that the chromosome complement of this variety consisted of 11 pairs and 3 singles and that these singles had partial homology among them. The eu-diploid varieties exhibited high pollen fertility due to their regularity of chromosome association; the aneuploid varieties considerably lower fertility, i.e. 28.2% for Ochibagoromo, 31.8% for Isehomare and 43.8% for Matsusakatsukasa. The primary cause for the low fertility of these varieties seemes to be the partial homology among 3 single chromosomes. Finally, the origin and the development of the aneuploid varieties were discussed.     

Farmer and formal breeding of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and the implications for integrated plant breeding

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is the fifth most important cereal crop worldwide and it is the fourth most important crop in Ethiopia. The national average yield amounts 1302 kg/ha. In order to assess the achievement in farmer breeding various types of research were undertaken. These include survey research to quantify the trend in productivity, the level of and reasons for adoption of improved varieties, yield performance and preference evaluation of farmers’ varieties (FVs) and improved varieties (IVs). As per the trend analysis over the last four decades, total production and yield per hectare has increased by 11.63 and 14.2%, respectively. However, area allocated to sorghum has decreased over years by −2.93%. The lack of consistent productivity is attributed to the fluctuation of environmental factors. Sorghum production in Ethiopia is predominantly based on varieties developed by farmers. The share of IVs is very low. FVs and IVs are adopted by 87.3 and 12.7% of the farmers, respectively. Besides, the adoption of IVs is limited to the lowland crop ecology. The comparative yield of FVs is higher than IVs by 132%. On top of yield, farmers do prefer their varieties for other multipurpose values namely feed, fuel wood and construction material. FVs under production are identified in each wereda. Farmer breeding has been successful compared to four decades of formal breeding. On the other hand, both farmer and formal breeding are not without weaknesses; a comparative balance sheet is outlined for both. Ideotypes for the three major crop ecologies are suggested and integrated plant breeding is anticipated to develop the proposed ideotypes thereby increase sorghum productivity in the region.     

Effects of farmers' seed management on performance and adaptation of pearl millet in Rajasthan, India

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L.]R.Br.) is the staple food and fodder crop of farmers in the semi-arid areas of north-west India. The majority of farmer sin western Rajasthan depend on their own seed production and employ different seed production strategies that involve different levels of modern-variety introgression into landraces as well as different selection methods. This study quantifies the effects of three seed management strategies on environmental adaptation and trait performance. Forty-eight entries representing farmers’ grain stocks — pure landraces or landraces with introgressed germ plasm from modern varieties — as well as 33 modern varieties, multiplied by breeders or farmers, were evaluated in field trials at three different locations over two years under varying drought-stress conditions. Results indicate that the plant characteristics employed by farmers in describing adaptive value and productivity is an effective approach in discriminating the type of millet adapted to stress and non-stress conditions. It was also found that introgression of modern varieties(MVs) leads to populations with a broader adaptation ability in comparison to pure landraces or MVs alone – but only if MV introgression is practised regularly and is combined with mass panicle selection. Under high-rainfall conditions, farmer grain stocks with MV introgression show similar productivity levels as modern varieties. Under lessening rainfall, pure landraces show, in tendency, higher grain yields. In conclusion, farmers’ seed management could form an integral part of participatory breeding programs. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

种衣剂对紫苏发芽率及产量品质性状的影响

探明种衣剂对紫苏种植的影响,为紫苏规模化及标准化种植技术提供指导。本研究采用2 类低毒性的种衣剂对紫苏种子进行处理。通过发芽率试验,筛选艾科顿作为紫苏较适宜的种衣剂。采用每千克种子添加16 mL剂量进行紫苏生长势、大田产量、品质及抗性测定。结果显示,该浓度艾科顿种衣处理下可明显提高种苗活力,增加紫苏幼苗生长速度。2 个品系经艾科顿种衣剂处理,大田成苗率分别提高了7.72 及31.31 个百分点。每公顷产量提高499.45、167.2 kg。经该种衣剂处理,紫苏的产量构成因素及生物量均有提高,对锈病、白粉病及根腐病抗性也有显著提升,但对品质没有显著影响。研究表明,每千克种子添加16 mL艾科顿种衣剂可有效促进紫苏幼苗生长,提高作物产量。该种衣剂可应用于紫苏生产种植中。     

Traditional seed maintenance and origins of the French lucerne landraces

Summary As for other forage crops the notion of variety is quite recent in lucerne (Medicago sativa L.). Up to 1950 in France, farmers cultivated landraces whose origins were geographically defined. Seed production was a by-product of forage production. Usually, seeds were harvested on the second or third crop, in old lucerne fields. Natural selection created landraces adapted to local conditions. In some years, climatic conditions, especially in northern regions, were unfavourable to seed production. In the exchanges and trades of seeds between French regions, the genetic origin of the seeds was omitted, the geographical origin was only mentioned. Even if France usually exported lucerne seeds, imports occurred in bad years. Seeds were imported from European countries and from North and South America. Varieties from America were poorly adapted to the French conditions for forage production. These foreign varieties have probably intercrossed with the local landraces but no data is available to know to what extent. Among the various French landraces, five main types were defined using morphological characters: Flamande in the north, three types (Poitou, Marais de Luçon, Marais de Challans) in the west, and Provence in the south. These landraces have been widely used in breeding since 1950. Even though these five landraces are, up to now, maintained, the other landraces have probably been lost (no more cultivated and not in genebanks), replaced by registered varieties.     

甜菜种子活力的测定——基于近红外高光谱技术

为保证田间甜菜种子的出苗率和生产潜力,需要在种植前对种子进行活力检测,挑选出活力高的甜菜种子进行推广种植。利用高温处理法对甜菜种子进行老化处理,再基于标准正态变换(SNV)、去趋势校正(DET)、Savitzky-Golay平滑处理(SG)、一阶差分(1D)和二阶差分(2D)5种近红外高光谱预处理方法,构建种子活力智能检测模型得出预测的种子发芽率,再利用老化处理后的甜菜种子进行发芽实验得出实际的发芽率。研究发现,甜菜种子经过一阶差分预处理建立的智能检测模型预测性能最好,其预测准确率达到91.92%。将未处理的甜菜种子的实际发芽率与一阶差分预处理法建立的智能模型预测结果进行对比,发现模型的预测准确率为88.2%。近红外高光谱技术是一种快速、无损的作物种子活力测定的新方法。     

Pollen and pollination experiments. I. the contribution of stray pollen to the seed set of depetalled,hand-pollinated flowers of apple

Summary Using the finger nails to remove most of the petals is a fast method of preparing apple flowers for hand pollination in the balloon stage. Such flowers still appeared quite attractive to insects; left to open pollination, the seed set per flower averaged two thirds of that of similarly treated, but hand-pollinated flowers. With the aid of marker pollen of scab or mildew resistant donors and the subsequent screening of the seedling progenies for resistance, it was shown that the stray pollen was responsible on average for one of every three seeds formed by unbagged depetalled and hand-pollinated flowers.     

Production and use of maize seed for sowing in Bolívar,Ecuador

In the province of Bolívar in the Andean region 212 farmers, six salesmen and 14 technicians, involved in maize production, were interviewed. The majority of the farmers interviewed were small-holders; 64% of the farmers had a farm size of less than 4.5 ha. Maize is the most important crop and is often grown in association with beans. Most maize, 96%, is soft maize meant for human consumption. The cultivars grown are open pollinated ones. One cultivar, ‘Guagal’, was grown extensively. A few others, among which an improved version of Guagal were of some importance. In the production of maize the farmers consider damage due to insects, wind (lodging), diseases, drought and hail, the low prices for their surplus maize and the high costs of fertilizers, chemicals, sowing seed and labour as the most important constraints. The seed for sowing the next crop mainly came from seed kept from the last harvest. Farmers indicated that they select from the harvested ears the healthy looking larger ones. Kernel type also was a selection criterion. Selection for plant type in the field was rarely done. Of the farmers 71% stored the maize as kernels while 29% stored the seed kept on the ears. The storage was predominantly done somewhere in the house in plastic (56%) or cloth bags (14%), in a pile (13%), just on the floor (4%) or in cans (4%). Some farmers still had seed left from the last sowing and were willing to give a sample for testing. From 32 such samples the quality was assessed by INIAP, the Ecuadorean governmental research and breeding organisation. The samples were consistently of a low quality. Especially the vigour of the seedlings was poor and most of the seeds were infected or contaminated by fungi. In the region a few salesmen offer maize seed for sale of cultivar Guagal at prices affordable by the farmer. Of improved cultivars the prices were higher than most farmers are willing to pay. The technicians considered good seed quality and good maintenance of the cultivars effective methods in obtaining better yields. Many farmers do not have access to seed of INIAP and are not familiar with the improved cultivars.     

有机作物生产中对种子的认证要求、发展现状及风险分析

种子是重要的农业生产资料,有机农业生产中对种子来源、转基因状况以及在种子处理方面都有明确要求。为了确定种子在有机生产认证中的要求、发展现状以及评价种子是否满足有机产品认证标准要求时所存在的风险,本研究通过资料收集及整理的方法确定了有机作物生产中对种子的认证要求、发展现状及风险分析,分析得出目前种子来源不是引起有机作物认证风险的主要因素,引入转基因种子和种子处理是该环节的主要认证风险来源。评价转基因风险的主要依据是其商业化种植的程度及其研究状况,这一标准决定在有机生产过程中使用转基因种子的风险高低;在使用常规种子过程中,种子是否受到化学药剂的处理也是在该环节中的一个重要风险。通过对有机种子风险进行分析可以为生产者及检查认证人员提供在种子环节应该注意的问题,以提高有机生产的符合性。     

Zum Einfluß von Saatzeiten, Saatstärken und Sorten auf agronomische Merkmale von Winterweizen in einem System mit geringer Betriebsmittelzufuhr von außen

The influence of sowing date, seed rate, and variety on agricultural characteristics of winter wheat in a low external input system
Growth conditions of winter wheat in agricultural low external input systems, e.g. ecological agriculture, are very different compared to conventional agriculture (mineral nutrition, impact of diseases, competition of weeds). In 1986, 1987, and 1988 the influence of sowing date and seed rate on crop development and grain production was studied with two varieties of winter wheat in field experiments in Northern Hessia.
Drilling after the first decade of October decreases grain yield of both varieties significantly. The decrease was due to poor emergence, low plant densities, and low grain weights. Tillering could not compensate low plant densities, presumably because of low mineralization of nutrients in cold soils during respective growth stages.
Variation of seed rate (350, 500, and 650 viable seeds/m²) had little influence on grain yield. Low plant densities and low numbers of ears per nr after sowing in the end of October could not be improved satisfactorily by increased seed rates.
The ability of varieties of winter wheat to compensate unfavourable growth conditions due to "late" sowing varies considerably. Cultivars which are able to develop a high plant density seem to be more suitable for delayed sowing dates, as compared to varieties which own a high grain weight.
Further investigations concerning wheat production are needed to optimize agricultural low external input systems. Especially sandy soils with quick response to increased ambient temperature, and sites with favourable growth conditions in late autumn and early spring should be considered.     

Farmers' Perceptions on Rice Varieties in Sikasso Region of Mali and their Implications for Rice Breeding

Rice is an important staple food and cash crop. Although many varieties of rice have been developed to date, few are adopted possibly because researchers did not take into account farmers’ preferences and perceptions on varieties during the development process. Because farmers increasingly rely on low-yielding landraces, production fails to meet demand. To provide an understanding of farmers’ preferences for rice cultivars and perceptions on drought stress and management practices as inputs to rice breeding research, this study was conducted in the Sikasso region of Mali in September 2005 using participatory rural appraisal approach. A total number of 125 farmers were randomly selected from 10 villages in three ecologies and interviewed individually and in groups. Results showed that farmers’ preferences, crop management practices and ranking of production constraints differed significantly across ecologies. Whereas farmers in the irrigated ecologies preferred high-yielding, long duration rice varieties, those in the upland and lowland ecologies preferred tall plants of short duration. While upland and lowland farmers preferred red and white long grains, respectively, irrigated ecologies were indifferent about grain colour. Farmers appeared willing to trade-off yield for grain quality and plant height, inconsistent with traditional breeders’ selection criteria. The high preference for tall varieties among farmers in the upland and lowland ecologies also contrasted sharply with the model of dwarf rice varieties responsible for the green revolution in Asia. The implication of these findings for rice breeders is that different plant idiotypes complemented by effective drought management practices should target different ecologies to increase impact.     

Improved seed yield in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) from two generations of phenotypic selection

Two generations of recurrent phenotypic selection for seed yield per plant under controlled pollination were carried out to combine improved seed yield with improved forage grass performance in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Selected and unselected varieties (AberDartand AberElan respectively) and control varieties were grown for seed in pots in a glasshouse experiment and in two field plot experiments over 5 harvest years. Seed yield components and seed yield were measured. Significant improvements in seed yield of the selected AberDart over the unselected AberElan were observed both in individual plants grown in the glasshouse and in field plots. Detailed observations of the individual components of seed yield showed that the increased seed yield of AberDart can be attributed to a higher proportion of ovules forming seeds (% seedset), greater seed number per tiller and more reproductive tillers per plant. This improvement in seed yield of AberDart was also observed when it was grown in field plots with AberElan, experimental selection lines and commercial varieties. AberDart produced more seeds per tiller than the other commercial varieties and selection lines studied. The implication of this approach for the breeding of perennial ryegrass varieties that combine good agronomic performance and acceptable seed yields is discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Linking participatory plant breeding to the seed supply system

There is a strong link between formal plant breeding and seed supply. In developed countries, it was the emergence of systematic plant breeding that generated new named varieties and stimulated organized seed multiplication and marketing by commercial companies. In developing countries likewise, the experience of the ‘Green Revolution’ in the 1960’s led to the establishment in the following decade of national seed projects which could deliver the products of plant breeding more effectively from breeder to farmer. The provision of a secure conduit leading from research to agriculture remains a major justification for formal seed systems. The limitations of formal breeding approaches have been recognized in recent years, especially for crops grown in marginal and diverse environments, where farmers’ requirements are more complex. This has prompted interest in alternative participatory plant breeding strategies in which farmers can play an active role in the selection process. There has been a parallel recognition of the role of the informal seed sector, as the major seed supplier in many crops and areas where the regular sale of seed by formal organizations is difficult. The question which arise therefore is—“How do participatory breeding approaches relate to both formal and informal seed systems?” The purpose of this paper is to examine the technical, regulatory and policy aspects of this question, with emphasis on the following issues:

• The nature and definition of participatory plant breeding (PPB) outputs,
• Maintaining the identity and integrity of PPB outputs
• The relevance of official variety evaluation and registration procedures
• Maximizing the diffusion and impact of PPB outputs
• Innovative seed supply systems linked to PPB activities
• The role of policy in facilitating alternative seed delivery systems

The synthesis of this discussion is that PPB initiatives must be linked to a secure diffusion strategy within and beyond the participating communities if the technical and social benefits of this approach are to be fully realized. National policies relating to seeds and regulatory frameworks must also take account of this approach to avoid downstream constraints.     

Collaborative and consultative participatory plant breeding of rice for the rainfed uplands of eastern India

We describe a participatory plant breeding (PPB) programme in rice for the rainfed uplands of eastern India. Collaborative participation (farmers grew and selected in segregating materials in their fields) and consultative participation (farmers selected among progenies in researchers' plots) were used. The PPB was started with only two crosses and, of these, Kalinga III/IR64 was the most successful and produced two released varieties: Ashoka 200F from collaborative breeding and Ashoka 228 from consultative breeding. Both yielded significantly more than control varieties, including Kalinga III, in research trials and in participatory trials in farmers' fields. Qualitative data from participatory trials was highly informative, statistically analysable, and cheaper to obtain than quantitative data. In low-yielding research-station and on-farm trials the two new upland varieties showed no significant genotype × environment interaction with the check varieties. However, in higher-yielding All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project trials, both varieties were more adapted to low yielding environments than the national check variety. Farmers liked the varieties for their early maturity, improved lodging resistance, higher fodder and grain yield, long-slender grains and excellent cooking quality. Before certified seed production, farmer groups have produced large quantities of seed that have spread widely through informal channels. The returns from PPB, compared to conventional breeding, were higher because it cost less, the genetic gains per year were higher, and the benefits to farmers were realised earlier. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

观赏羽衣甘蓝引种比较及资源利用初探

旨在通过大量羽衣甘蓝品种植株特性及开花结实特性比较试验,筛选优秀品种,明确当前羽衣甘蓝的制种途径,为羽衣甘蓝的品种选择及育种工作者有针对性的引种、分离利用提供参考;同时,可对引种后代种子进一步利用,创新资源。以搜集引进的国内外28份不同类型羽衣甘蓝新品种为试材,进行田间综合性状及开花结实特性的比较。当前国内羽衣甘蓝品种和国外品种相比,在综合特性方面已经有了很大提升,部分品种甚至超越国外品种,可进行大面积推广,一定程度上打破了国外垄断的局面,但在部分品种方面还存在差距,应认识到不足。28份材料中,有20份可育、8份不育,其中不育品种中有6份来自国内京研系列品种。表明当前羽衣甘蓝制种途径主要采用自交不亲和途径,国内已率先利用雄性不育途径。研究结果可为羽衣甘蓝品种选择和育种工作者引种提供参考依据。     

Market‐led options to scale up legume seeds in developing countries: Experiences from the Tropical Legumes Project

There are several hurdles to ensure sustainable seed production and consistent flow of improved legume varieties in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia (SA). The unreliable demand, autogamous nature of most of the grain legumes, and slow variety replacement rate by smallholder farmers do not provide strong incentive for private seed companies to invest in legume seed business. Unless a well thought‐out and comprehensive approach to legume seed delivery is developed, current seed shortages will continue, eroding emerging market opportunities. The experiences reported here are collated through a 10‐year partnership project, the Tropical Legumes in SSA and SA. It fostered innovative public–private partnerships in joint testing of innovative market‐led seed systems, skills and knowledge enhancement, de‐risking private sector initiatives that introduced in new approaches and previously overlooked entities in technology delivery. As new public and private seed companies, individual seed entrepreneurs and farmer organizations emerged, the existing ones enhanced their capacities. This resulted in significant rise in production, availability and accessibility of various seed grades of newly improved and farmer demanded legume varieties in the target countries.     

Village seed systems and the biological diversity of millet crops in marginal environments of India

The study relates village seed systems to biological diversity of millet crops grown by farmers in the semi-arid lands of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, India. In these subsistence-oriented, semi-arid production systems the environment is marginal for crop growth and often there is no substitute for millet crops. Across communities, farmers grow 13 different combinations of pearl millet, sorghum, finger millet, little millet, and foxtail millet varieties, but individual farmers grow an average of only 2–3 millet varieties per season. The “village seed system” in this study refers to all channels through which farmers acquire genetic materials, separate from or in interaction with the commercial seed industry, observed at the local level. Data are compiled through household surveys and interviews with traders and dealers in village and district markets. Based on the concept of the seed lot, several seed system parameters are defined and measured by millet crop. Most seed transactions, including gifts of seed, appear to be monetized. Seed supply channels differ by improvement status of the genetic material. Regression results confirm that seed system parameters are statistically significant determinants of the spatial diversity of millet crops measured at the village level. Furthermore, both the trade through weekly village markets (shandies) and through the formal seed supply channel contribute positively to the breadth of genetic materials in these communities. Ways should be found to strengthen and improve the overall efficiency of the seed system, including both formal and informal channels, in order to reduce the costs to farmers of procuring and managing diverse crop varieties.     

Participatory farmers’ selection of common bean varieties (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under different production constraints

On‐farm evaluation of 15 common bean varieties was undertaken with nine farmer groups under two fertilizer applications levels in four subcounties of Hoima and Rakai districts for two seasons to select farmers’ desired and undesired varieties. Farmers’ votes for acceptance and rejection of varieties at podding stage were converted to a preference index, and analysis of variance was conducted to examine differences in farmers’ preference indices among subcounties and combined across subcounties, seasons, management and gender. Management had no‐significant influence on the way farmers selected varieties in the subcounties. Choice of varieties varied significantly (p ≤ .001) between seasons and gender in the different subcounties. Variety Masindi Yellow Long and Farmers’ seed (Kaduli), and the introduced KATB1 were accepted by farmers due to their medium seed size, desired seed colour and potential of varietal adaptability to their farm conditions. Varieties NABE2, ROBA1 and RWR719 were deselected due to possession of traits less desired in the market. These results demonstrate the need for breeding programmes to involve diverse stakeholders in capturing the diverse traits preferences in varietal development process.