Influence of vernalization and photoperiod to the vegetation period of wild species of oats (Avena spp.)

This paper presents the results of a six year field study of wild Avenaspecies and their response to vernalization and photoperiod. The accessions of twenty one wild and weedy species were tested under 12-hr and 18-hr daylength and cold temperatures (for 40 days at +2 ^°C) treatments and without it (as a control). The results demonstrate that for the majority of species evaluated, cold temperature requirements had a greater influence on heading date and the duration of the vegetative period than daylength. Genotypes with neutral, weak and strong reactions to all treatments were found and spring and winter types were selected. The results further demonstrated that daylength-insensitive forms occurred in the south Mediterranean region and adjacent southern territories.     

Temperature as a component of the expression of developmental responses in wheat

Summary Studies were made of days to ear emergence under the constant temperatures of 9, 14, 19 and 25°C and 16 h photoperiod in three sets of wheat lines each possessing genotypes differing for developmental responses.Days to ear emergence in three near-isogenic lines of the wheat cultivar Triple Dirk, which differed for vernalization response, increased as the strength of the response increased. At the four temperatures Triple Dirk D (Vrn 1 vrn 2) was not significantly different from normal Triple Dirk (Vrn 1 Vrn 2) but Triple Dirk B (vrn 1 Vrn 2) was significantly (P=0.01) later than normal Triple Dirk at each temperature. This indicates that the vrn 1 allele confers stronger vernalization response than vrn 2 over the range of temperatures (9–24°C). However, Triple Dirk C (vrn 1 vrn 2) failed to head after 120 days at each temperature indicating strong interaction between vrn 1 and vrn 2 with each other (and possibly the Triple Dirk back-ground) to give a much stronger vernalization response than predictions from additivity of their individual effects.The second set comprised the four Chinese Spring/Thatcher chromosome substitution lines CS/T 3B, 6B, 7B and 5D, plus Chinese Spring and Thatcher, and were grown in the unvernalized condition. CS/T 5D was similar in days to ear emergence as Chinese Spring at all four temperatures but the other three lines were earlier to ear emergence, particularly as the temperature increased. Days to ear emergence was fastest at 14°C in all lines, except CS/T 3B, in which it decreased progressively from 9 to 24°C.The third set of Chinese Spring and Thatcher and the homoeologous group 2 chromosomes of Thatcher substituted in Chinese Spring, the group which is considered to be involved in the control of photoperiod sensitivity. The three substitution lines responded differently to temperature compared with Chinese Spring and with each other, with chromosome 2D being the least, and chromosome 2B the most, responsive to temperature.     

Intrinsic earliness and basic development rate assessed for their response to temperature in wheat

The related concepts of basic vegetative period, intrinsic earliness and basic development rate in wheat are examined. These concepts have the common assumption that, if plants are vernalised fully and then grown at long daylength in order to remove any responses to vernalisation and photoperiod, the calendar or thermal time then taken to anthesis will be a characteristic of a genotype that will be heritable. Thus, regardless of temperature, early genotypes will always be earlier than late genotypes (providing there are no vernalisation and photoperiod responses).Using four genotypes, exposed to 50 days of vernalisation, and then grown at 18 h photoperiod under six temperature regimes ranging between 10 and 25°C, it is shown that; (1) no genotype had an absolute basic period as, depending on temperature, durations to anthesis for any one genotype varied by more than 50 days; (2) no genotype had an absolute value for intrinsic earliness (to anthesis), ranging for any genotype by more than 300°Cd depending on temperature; (3) basic development rate was not a single value for a genotype but varied with stage of development; (4) some genotypes changed their ranking for earliness depending on the temperature regime; and (5) genotypes were differentially sensitive to temperature for the subphases prior to anthesis.     

Selection for fast germination in rapeseed (Brassica napus L. and B. Campestris L.)

Summary Eleven populations of Brassica napus L. and twelve populations of B. campestris L. were subjected to three cycles of selection for fast germination at 2°C and at 25°C. The seeds from the selected populations, and unselected control populations grown in the same environment as the selected populations, were examined for germination behaviour at 2°C and 25°C, and for growth behaviour at 10°C. The populations in both species responded differently in terms of germination behaviour to selection for fast germination. In most of the populations that did respond positively to selection, selection practised at 2°C was superior to selection at 25°C in improving percent germination at 2°C, and was as good as the selection at 25°C in improving germination rate at the higher temperature. Selection for fast germination had no effect on growth characteristics of B. napus and B. campestris populations grown at 10°C. Thus, selection for fast germination at one low temperature may lead to improvement in germination characteristics over a range of temperatures, but will not necessarily lead to improved growth performance of the selected populations.     

Identification and mapping of a quantitative trait locus controlling extreme late bolting in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis syn. campestris L.) using bulked segregant analysis

DNA markers linked to a locus controlling an extreme late bolting trait, which was originally found in a local cultivar of a non-heading leafy vegetable,‘Osaka Shirona Bansei’ (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis syn. campestris L.) were identified using bulked segregant analysis. A doubled haploid (DH) line, DH27, which is a progeny of ‘Osaka Shirona Bansei’, shows extreme late bolting, and bolts without vernalization. DH27 was crossed with a normal bolting DH line, G309. The plantlets of the parents, F₁ and F₂, were vernalized and then grown in a greenhouse. The bolting time of F₂ plants showed a continuous distribution from 19 to 231 days after vernalization (DAV), suggesting the effects of a few major genes and polygenes. Possible linkage markers for this trait were screened by modified bulked segregant analysis (BSA). The BSA using four bulks suggested that a 530-bp RAPD band RA1255C was linked to a locus controlling the bolting trait. The RAPD band was cloned and used as a probe to detect RFLP. The fragment detected a single locus, BN007-1,the segregation of which in the F₂ population matched that of RA1255C. Three other RAPDs were found to be linked to BN007-1. A quantitative trait locus(QTL) affecting the bolting time was detected around BN007-1 using MAPMAKER/QTL. Since the difference between bolting times of both the parental genotypes in the F₂ was 138 days, these markers may be useful for a marker-assisted selection (MAS) in the breeding program for late bolting or bolting-resistant cultivars in B. rapa crops. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

等位变异Vrn-B1a和Vrn-B1b的春化效应及其在黄淮冬麦区小麦品种中的分布

春化基因Vrn-B1是决定黄淮冬麦区小麦品种冬春性的主要基因之一, 研究其不同显性等位变异的低温春化作用效应及分布, 对该区小麦品种选育和推广具有重要意义。以等位变异Vrn-B1a品种皖麦33与等位变异Vrn-B1b品种豫麦34为亲本构建杂交组合, 对其F₂代进行5~35 d的低温春化处理, 并在温室(22±3℃,16 h昼/8 h夜)鉴定抽穗期, 结合分子标记分析低温春化处理时间对各等位变异型抽穗期的影响。同时对228个黄淮冬麦区小麦品种进行相关位点分子检测, 分析该基因等位变异的分布特点。各春化处理均使两种等位变异小麦植株的抽穗期提前, 但Vrn-B1a抽穗时间比Vrn-B1b晚约2 d。从春化处理当天至处理后25 d, 2种等位变异类型的抽穗时间均随春化时间的延长而缩短; 继续延长春化时间, 抽穗期不再缩短, 表明满足两种等位变异完成春化的低温时间为20~25 d。在228个品种中, Vrn-B1位点有214个(93.9%)隐性和14个(6.1%)显性等位变异。其中, 显性等位变异Vrn-B1a有6个, 占总品种数的2.6%; Vrn-B1b有8个, 占总品种数的3.5%。在黄淮冬麦区小麦品种中, 春化基因Vrn-B1位点至少存在Vrn-B1a和Vrn-B1b两种显性等位变异类型, 两种等位变异类型纯合小麦植株的抽穗时间不同。     

Bolting resistant breeding of Chinese cabbage. 1. Flower induction of late bolting variety without chilling treatment

Summary When a local slow bolting variety Osaka Shirona Bansei (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis, syn. B. campestris L. ssp. pekinensis) was grown in a phytotron (25°C, 16 hours day length without chilling treatment), one third of the plants bolted and flowered. In order to clarify the different flowering responses in the variety, a progeny line (FNC) of the flowering plants was chilled for 4 different periods (0, 22, 36 and 53 days) in a chamber of 2 7°C, then transplanted to three different conditions, i.e. PHY: 25–20°C day and night temperatures, 16 hours day length, GHL: 10 25°C, 16 hours day length with supplementary light and GHN: 10 25°C, natural day length (10 15 hours). In PHY, FNC bolted and flowered with almost the same leaf numbers in all 4 different chilling treatments. This means that FNC has very low sensitivity and no requirement to low temperature for its reproductive growth. In GHN (short day length), FNC bolted very slowly. Then the bolting and flowering of FNC were promoted by both long day length and high temperature. The newly found bolting characteristics of Osaka Shirona Bansei could be applied to breed unique slow bolting Chinese cabbage (B. rapa L. ssp. pekinensis) which might be non-sensitive to low temperature and its bolting and flowering would be induced with the combination of long day length and high temperature. Using the unique variety, it might be also possible to establish a new cropping type of Chinese cabbage (late autumn sowing, spring harvest).Abbreviations PHY Phytotron, long day and high temperature condition - GHL Greenhouse, long day and medium temperature condition - GHN Greenhouse, natural (short) day and medium temperature condition - FNC A progeny line of Osaka Shirona Bansei which flowered with no chilling treatment - FC A progeny line of Osaka Shirona Bansei which flowered with chilling treatment     

Growth analyses of tomato genotypes grown under low night temperatures and low light intensity

Summary In three experiments the growth of 16 genotypes of tomato was examined. The plants were raised in growth rooms at a day temperature of 19°C and night temperatures of 14, 10 or 6°C respectively under a light intensity of 24 Wm^-2 visible radiation and a daylength of 8 hours. The results were analysed by a multivariate analysis of variance.Relative growth rate (RGR), leaf area ratio (LAR), specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf weight ratio (LWR) decreased with time. The change in net assimilation rate (NAR) was small. The decrease in RGR was mainly due to the decrease in LAR.RGR, LAR and SLA were lower and LWR slightly higher at lower night temperatures. NAR was hardly affected. The lower RGR at lower night temperatures was mainly due to a lower SLA.Significant differences between genotypes were found in total dry weight, NAR, LAR, SLA and LWR, but hardly in RGR. Significant genotype × temperature interactions occurred.LAR and SLA were positively, NAR and LAR, and NAR and SLA negatively correlated.     

A non-destructive selection method for faster growth at suboptimal temperature in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Summary A non-destructive method has been developed to select common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants whose growth is less effected at a suboptimal temperature. Shoot weight was determined at a suboptimal (14°C) and optimal temperature (20°C), 38 days after sowing and accessions identified with a significantly lower than average weight reduction at 14°C compared to their weight at 20°C. Weight of primary leaves and of the shoot was correlated with seed weight at both temperatures, but no correlation was found between shoot weight reduction at 14°C and seed weight.     

Low temperature tolerance of biomass and pollen germination in potato clones of Andean and European origin

Summary The temperature-related performances of six tetraploid potato clones, two Andean, three European, and one hybrid, were compared by cultivating them in growth chambers under one of two temperature regimes: 10°C day/4°C night or 20°C day/10°C night. Preformance was measured in terms of biomass production and pollen germinability.For dry matter yield at second harvest, the temperature-related performance ratios (performance at 10°C/4°C divided by performance at 20°/10°C) were highest for the Andean clones, intermediate for the Andean/European hybrid clone 201₅×S₁₂, and lowest for the European cultivars. The ability of the European cultivars to maintain their normal rates (i.e. rates at 20/10°C) of biomass production when cultivated at low temperatures varied greatly, with clone S₃ performing most poorly at 10/4°C.For pollen germinability in vitro, performance ratios were highest for the hybrid clone 201₅×S₁₂ and lowest for the European clones.The high tuber yield of hybrid 201₅×S₁₂ at 10/4°C can be attributed to its low-temperature tolerance and it being daylength neutral.     

The effect of pre- and post-inoculation temperature on resistance in certain cultivars of poplar to races of Melampsora larici-populina kleb.

Summary Four cultivars of Populus spp., compatible to varying degrees with four races of M. larici-populina Kleb., were raised in a controlled environment on a high (28°/20°C, day/night) and low (20°/10°C) temperature regime. Leaf discs cut from the plants were inoculated separately with four individual races of M. laricipopulina and subsequently incubated at either low (20°C) or high (25°C) temperature for 14 days when disease development on the discs was assessed using three parameters (Incubation period to flecking, uredia per leaf disc and uredospores per mm²). The degree of resistance in all cultivar/race combinations was high on cultivars cultured at a high temperature regime compared to those cultured on a low temperature regime. Analysis of variance demonstrated that the major components: pre-inoculation temperature regime, post-inoculation temperature regime, race and cultivar, and most second and third order interactions between these were highly significant (P<0.001) for most disease parameters. The variance of the temperature components and all interactions involving these were usually higher than those for the cultivar and race components and those interactions lacking temperature components.These results emphasize the importance of the temperature regime at which plants are raised and the temperature of incubation, following the inoculation in determining the relative degree of resistance of these cultivars of poplar to races of M. larici-populina. The implications of these results in the epidemiology of leaf rust and the stability of the host-parasite relationship are discussed.     

Adaptation of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to harsh Mediterranean environments

Summary Differences in development of the apex may be the reason for cultivar differences in adaptation of barley to terminal drought in Mediterranean environments. The present study was conducted to identify apical development patterns of barley adapted to terminal drought stressed Mediterranean environments and to determine plant characteristics which can be used as criteria to select for an adapted development. Thirty-five two-rowed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) entries were grown at two sites in northern Syria (Tel Hadya and Breda) in 1988/89. Four apical development patterns were observed: a slow or fast vegetative development, depending on the vernalization requirement, combined with a slow or fast generative development, depending on the daylength response of the crop. Early heading was related to fast generative development. Leaf appearance rates on the main shoot were constant during a major part of the pre-anthesis period, but significant differences were observed among development patterns. Genotypic differences in main shoot tiller number were associated with differences in the onset of tiller appearance and not with differences in tiller appearance rate or final leaf number on the main shoot. Since vernalization requirements and daylength responses are largely independent of terminal drought stress, selection for an adapted phenology can be done in favourable environments. Morphological traits related to these responses (winter growth habit, cold tolerance, plant colour, growth vigour, heading date) can be used as criteria for selection for adaptation to low-rainfall Mediterranean environments.     

Differential cold sensitivity of pollen grain germination in two Prunus species

Summary Pollen grains from selected cutivars of almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb] and peach (Prunus persica Batsch L.) were exposed to a range of temperatures between 1°C and 34°C on a thermogradient plate. Pollen germination at temperatures below 9°C was conspicuously greater in almond than peach. Miximal germination percentages were attained at about 16°C (almond) and 23°C (peach). The two species did not differ in their capacity for pollen tube elongation over a broad range of temperatures. Maximal pollen tube elongation occurred at temperatures 5°C to 8°C higher than maximal pollen germination. Species affiliation appeared to be of much greater consequence than chilling requirement or bloom date of the sporophyte in predicting gametophytic response to temperature.     

Low temperature seed germination of Lycopersicon species evaluated by survival analysis

Summary Low temperature germination responses were evaluated for 18 high altitude accessions representing five wild Lycopersicon species and 19 accessions of L. esculentum which have reputed ability to germinate in the cold. Survival analysis indicated that one accession of L. chilense germinates better at 10°C than PI 120256, the fastest-germinating L. esculentum genotype, and that PI 120256 germinates as well as PI 126435 (L. peruvianum). Additional wild ecotypes exhibiting rapid germination at 10°C were identified from L. peruvianum and L. hirsutum. These ecotypes may possess genetic potential for introgressing cold germination ability into L. esculentum cultivars.     

Analysis of differences in growth of cucumber genotypes under low light conditions in relation to night temperature

Summary Growth of four breeding lines and two cultivars of slicing cucumber with different growth at low temperature and light intensity was analysed in relation to night temperature. Plants were grown from 17 days after sowing at 20°C day temperature and 20, 15 or 10°C night temperature (NT), a light intensity of 24 W/m² visible radiation and a daylength of 8 hours. Data from six successive harvests, ending 47 days after sowing, were analysed according to a MANOVA procedure.RGR, NAR, LAR, SLA and LWR generally decreased with time. Ln W and RGR were largely similar at 20 and 15°C NT, but reduced at 10°C NT. LAR and SLA decreased at each lower NT, whereas LWR increased. NAR was only marginally affected by NT. Significant genotypic differences occurred for 1n W, LAR, SLA, LWR, stem length and percentage of dry matter in leaves and stems at all NT's and for RGR and NAR only at 20°C. Genotypic differences for 1n W could not be explained by differences for RGR, but by differences for initial plant weight.Significant genotype × night temperature interactions were present for LWR. Breeding lines increased LWR in response to lower NT, while that of cultivars remained fairly constant. Implications for breeding are discussed.Abbreviations and definitions L plant length - LA leaf area - W dry weight of the shoot - RGR relative growth rate (the increase in W per unit of time and unit of W) - NAR net assimilation rate (the increase in W per unit of time and unit of LA) - LAR leaf area ratio (the leaf area at time t per unit of W) - SLA specific leaf area (the leaf area at time t per unit of leaf weight) - LWR leaf weight ratio (the leaf weight at time t per unit of W) - RGR NAR × LAR - LAR SLA × LWR - MANOVA multivariate analysis of variance     

Cold tolerance in beans (Phaseolus spp.) as analyzed by their exotherms

Summary Cold tolerance of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), runner bean (P. coccineus L.) and several bean lines was evaluated under artificial conditions. Seedlings were exposed to –6°C gradually, then to –12°C rapidly in the growth chamber with copper-constantan thermocouples attached to various parts of the plant. Seedling freezing curves with exotherms were then analyzed. Three basic parameters were measured: time required for exotherm to appear, temperature of the appearance of the exotherm and temperature rise caused by the exotherm. Exotherm appearance in beans was related to freezing injury and death of the seedlings. Exotherms of the common bean variety Bush Blue Lake 92 seedling recorded at the stem, primary leaf base, tip and petiole and true leaf appeared at the same time, however their shape was different. Exotherms of stem appeared at higher temperature than those of primary leaves. Their shapes always followed the same pattern. Beans with cold tolerance were found to produce exotherms later than susceptible ones. Exposing 3 weeks old bean seedlings to 12°C delayed the time of exotherm appearance in the cold susceptible cultivar Bush Blue Lake 92. Some plants survived 2 hours exposure to –6°C in the growth chamber.     

Vernalization of immature embryos of winter wheat genotypes

Summary The effect of direct vernalization of immature embryos on flowering was studied in six winter wheat genotypes. Fourteen-, 17-, and 20-day-old embryos were excised and vernalized for 0–6 weeks on synthetic medium during a conditioning period. Percent germination of embryos was high (overall 96.1%), and free from genotypic effects. Genotypes differed for flowering in response to cold treatment of excised embryos. Embryo vernalization was as effective as or more than conventional vernalization (control, seedling vernalization for 6 weeks). Seventeen-day-old embryos were the most responsive to vernalization. With a 5-week vernalization of 17-day-old embryos, the percentage of plants anthesed was higher than those from 14-and 20-day-old embryos. For 17-day-old embryos vernalized for 5 weeks, the mean number of days from culture to anthesis was less than that of 6 week vernalization, less than that of 14- and 20-day-old embryos, and less than controls.Purdue Univ., Agronomy Dept., W. Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.     

Influence of suboptimal temperature on biomass production of potato populations of Andean and European origin

Summary Plants grown from seed derived by crossing conventional European S. tuberosum material were compared with plants grown from seed derived by crossing S. tuberosum with various, Andean frost resistant tuberbearing Solanum species. Biomass growth at optimal (20°/10°) and suboptimal (10°/4°) temperatures was studied.Differences in increase of fresh and dry matter were found between populations of Andean and European orgins at 10°/4°. At 20°/10° no such differences were found.At suboptimal temperature, Andean hybrids produced significantly more fresh and dry matter than European crosses in two harvests (64 and 178 days old plants). Statistically, Andean hybrids were found to produce the same amount of dry matter per day at both temperatures, over the complete growth period.Height increase and flower development were strongly depressed in European crosses under the suboptimal temperatures, but much less so in Andean crosses.The Andean material appears to be an under utilized resource in potato breeding for cool climates.     

Factors affecting haploid production in wheat using the Hordeum bulbosum system. 1. Genotypic and environmental effects on pollen grain germination,pollen tube growth and the frequency of fertilization

Summary A quantitative examination of pollen grain germination and pollen tube growth within the overy wall was made in selected wheat × tetraploid H. bulbosum hybridizations, to investigate the effect of the wheat and the H. bulbosum genotype on these characters. As expected, variation at the known crossability loci had no effect on pollen grain germination. The frequency of pollen tube penetration of the ovary wall was, however, severely reduced when the dominant alleles were present. Pollen tube penetration was nevertheless observed in 3 of the 110 ovaries examined of the non-crossable cultivar Highbury. The H. bulbosum genotype had a much smaller effect on these characters, but significant differences between the clones were observed in the numbers of pollen tubes initially penetrating the ovary wall. Although two H. bulbosum genotypes showed no significant differences in the number of ovaries with pollen tubes at the base of the ovule, significant differences in the frequency of fertilization were observed. The possible cause of this discrepancy is discussed.The frequency of fertilization in crossable wheat × H. bulbosum hybridizations was improved by the application of gibberellic acid within 10 minutes of pollination, and reduced by an increase in the ambient temperature from 20°C to 26°C. Fertilization following the pollination of non-crossable wheat genotypes was not affected by either of these factors.     

Partial control of chromosome elimination by temperature in immature embryos of Hordeum vulgare L. x H. bulbosum L.

Summary Embryos derived from Hordeum vulgare L. x H. bulbosum L. were subjected in vivo to a range of temperatures, and the proportions of hybrid plants which retain both parental sets of chromosomes were determined. Elimination of the H. bulbosum genome was significantly increased at temperatures greater than 20°C and resulted in fewer hybrid plants compared with temperatures below 17.5°C. Embryos were also allowed to develop in situ at 15°C and then transferred to 26°C for 8, 16 or 24h during the first 7 days after pollination. A period of 16 h at 26°C (equivalent to at least one complete mitotic cycle) at 2–5 days after pollination was found to be sufficient to increase chromosome elimination significantly above the levels obtained at a constant 15°C. At this stage (2–5 days after pollination at 15°C) the mean embryonic cell number was 2.3–223.