The breeding of the cultivated potato species solanum x juzepczukii and S. x curtilobum II. The resynthesis of S. x juzepczukii and S. x curtilobum

Summary The possibility of combining anew the genomes of wild and cultivated progenitors of triploid S. x juzepczukii and pentaploid S. x curtilobum by following the known evolutionary pathway of these species was investigated.The resynthesis of S. x juzepczukii was easy, and a wide range of synthetic forms was bred. Among these were forms with higher frost resistance (-5°C) than has been found in natural S. x juzepczukii. The total tuber glycoalkaloid content of several synthetic hybrids was lower than or as low as that of natural clones. Most synthetic hybrids were more vigorous than natural S. x juzepczukii and produced about the same types of tubers as are found in the natural range of variation. The best diploid parents were found in the species S. goniocalyx.The attempt to resynthesize pentaploid S. x curtilobum has not been successful but tetraploid plants were obtained in the process. An explanation for the occurrence of tetraploids resulting from triploid x tetraploid and/or diploid crosses is offered.The newly bred tetraploids contain at least one genome from S. acaule (possibly two) and hybridize easily with ssp. andigena. They thus provide a means for the transfer of S. acaule germ plasm into the tetraploid cultivated gene pool which would profit from the frost resistance of S. acaule.     

The production of hexaploid Solanum x juzepczukii

The colchicine-grafting method of doubling the chromosome number of potato cuttings was used successfully for producing hexaploids from the triploid species, Solanum x juzepczukii. All the plants with hexaploid flowers were triploid/hexaploid sectorial chimeras. Seeds were obtained from crosses of the hexaploid parts with both an andigena-tuberosum hybrid and a tuberosum variety.     

Field resistance to late blight (Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) De Bary) in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) somaclones associated with instability and pleiotropic effects

Summary Adventitious regenerants (somaclones) of Bintje and their vegetative progeny were screened for field resistance to Phytophthora infestans as follows: the area under the disease progress curve was computed and correlated with resistance rating in Bintje and reference varieties. The resistance rating of the somaclones was determined from this relationship.Clones with stable improved field resistance in successive years' trials were detected, however, most of such clones were also maturation mutants. Variation in resistance rating in clone replicates and between years was detected in most clones.The possible basis of the field resistance and reasons for its instability are discussed.Abbreviations AUDPC area under the disease progress curve     

α-Tomatine and other steroidal glycoalkaloids in fruits of tomato lines resistant to the glasshouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westw.)

Summary The total steroidal alkaloid compositions of the mature-harvested fruits of the tomato cultivar Allround (Lycopersicon esculentum), of the species L. hirsutum glabratum, resistant to the glasshouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum), and of four resistant lines were determined by capillary gas chromatography. The contents of -tomatine in the red-ripe fruits of Allround and in those of the lines were low (5 mg/kg fresh weight). The green-mature fruits of the wild species had a high content (3390 mg/kg fresh weight) of -tomatine. The total alkaloid profiles of Allround and of the lines were similar. Comparison of flame ionisation detector response with thermoionic detector response indicated that in addition to tomatidine, the aglycone of -tomatine, a small amount of one other steroidal alkaloid might be present in Allround and in the lines. The wild species contained five compounds which possibly are steroidal alkaloids.The safety level of -tomatine in tomatoes is discussed. It was concluded that, in respect of the glycoalkaloids of the mature-harvested fruits, the resistant tomato breeding lines are as safe for human cosumption as the standard cultivar.     

Inheritance of resistance to powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis f. sp. hordei) in eleven primitive barley varieties

The inheritance of the powdery mildew resistance of eleven primitive barley varieties was investigated. crosses with varieties with identified resistance genes revealed that at least three different genes are present in a group of six genotypes from Greece (Hor736, Hor847, Hor878, Hor1159, Hor1379 and Hor1873) and one from Turkey (Hor1188). One dominant gene is common to these seve genotypes and in the Greek accessions a second gene is present. The expression of this second gene was respectively dominant in the crosses with Hor736 and Hor1159, recessive in the crosses with Hor878 and Hor1873, and depended on the employed powdery mildew isolate in the crosses with Hor847 and Hor1379. The detected genes differ from the resistance genes of the crossing partners, viz. Ml-al2, Ml-(Ab), Ml-(CP) and Ml-(1402). The accessions from China (Hor824 and Hor4021) each possess two resistance genes which differ from Ml-a12, Ml-(La) and Ml-(CP). The major gene is common to both accessions and is either identical, allelic or closely linked to a gene in the variety Nigrate. The Columbian accession Hor1894 possesses one resistance gene linked to a resistance gene in Nigrate but this gene differs from the Ml-a locus. The variety Palestine (Hor3997) possesses two resistance genes of which one is allelic or closely linked to Ml-(at).     

Lilium x ‘Black Beauty’—a potential bridging hybrid in Lilium

Summary Lilium Black Beauty, a rare intersectional hybrid previously reported sterile, was re-examined for pollen and ovule fertility. No pollen tubes were detected following incubation of styles pollinated with Black Beauty pollen. However, embryos varying in size from small globular to long boat-shaped and only rarely associated with endosperm, were found in 0.1–1.0% of the ovules in Black Beauty pistils pollinated with Oriental or Aurelian division lilies. Aseptic extraction and culture of these embryos on a nutritive medium resulted in growth, germination, and plantlets. It is apparent that with embryo culture, Black Beauty has unique value as a species bridge in that it accepts pollen of both Oriental and Aurelian lilies, two of the major commercial lily divisions.Scientific Journal Series Paper Number 9197 of the Minnesota Agricultural Experimental Station.     

Chromosome association and fertility in hybrids of Iris laevigata Fisch. x I. ensata Thunb.

Summary Chromosome association at MI of PMCs in hybrids of I. laevigata x I. ensata was examined and compared with that of parental species. The mean chromosome association per cell in the parental species was 0.02_I+11.99_II for I. ensata (Kachô, 2n=24), 0.11_I+15.94_II and 0.15_I+15.92_II for I. laevigata (Yukidôrô and wild type, 2n=32), respectively. On the other hand, the mean chromosome association per cell in the hybrids (2n=28) was 20.22_I+3.88_II+0.0046_IV for Yukidôrô × Kachô and 20.92_I+3.54_II for wild type × Kachô. Thus, the hybrids indicated a low homology between I. ensata and I. laevigata, and did not exhibit pollen and seed fertility. The utility of the hybrids was discussed.     

Expression of late maturity α-amylase in wheat containing gibberellic acid insensitivity genes

Summary Two wheat cultivars, Spica and Lerma 52, which consistently produce high levels of -amylase during the later stages of grain development (late maturity -amylase), were crossed with a set of four near-isogenic lines carrying the tall (rht) allele or one of the dwarfing genes Rht1, Rht2 or Rht3 (GA-insensitive alleles). The F₁ and F₂ populations were developed and analysed for grain -amylase and plant height. The Rht3 gene exhibited the strongest influence on plant height and strongly inhibited new -amylase synthesis during the later part of grain ripening. By comparison, Rht1 and Rht2 had a less pronounced effect but still significantly reduced the expression of late maturity -amylase. These observations suggest that gibberellic acid is involved either directly or indirectly in this phenomenon. The implications of the effect of dwarfing genes on expression of late maturity -amylase are discussed in relation to cultivar improvement and to the identification and control of high -amylase germplasm.     

Chromosome locations of genes controlling ‘purple leaf base’ in rye and wheat

Summary Purple leaf base is expressed only if there is anthocyanin pigmentation in coleoptiles either in rye or in rye-wheat-additions. Genes controlling purple leaf base were found to be located on chromosomes 5R (An5), 4B (Ra2) and 6B (Ra3) using the trisomic set of rye cv. Esto and autoplasmic rye-wheat-additions, respectively.     

Embryo development in two barley genotypes after self pollination and pollination with Hordeum bulbosum L.

Summary Embryo development in vivo was compared in the two barley genotypes VK 16032 and Vogelsanger Gold after self pollination and after pollination with H. bulbosum. Embryo growth in VK 16032 after crossing with H. bulbosum showed a similar growth pattern to that of the self pollinated embryos, although the size increase was smaller. The hybrid embryos continued to grow until day 18 after pollination. The embryos from the cross between Vogelsanger Gold and H. bulbosum ceased to grow 8 days after pollination. Arrested embryo growth with subsequent abortion in Vogelsanger Gold was associated with a very early depletion and break down of the endosperm. Use of barley genotypes less sensitive to the genomic disturbances after crossing with H. bulbosum in combination with genotypes like Vogelsanger Gold is recommended in haploid breeding work.     

Peroxidase isozyme differences in tall fescue cultivars and allopolyploid accessions

Summary The use of isoelectric focusing for the isozymic identification of cultivars and wild forms in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and determination of ploidy effects was investigated. Peroxidase zymograms from allopolyploid accessions (4x, 6x, 8x, and 10x, x=7) and randomly sampled plants of the cultivars Kenhy, Kentucky 31, and Missouri 96, were compared for band number, position, and staining intensity. There was little isozymic variation among plants in the tetraploid and hexaploid, but considerably more in the octoploid and decaploid members of the series. Yet no significant effects of ploidy on isozyme complexity or band number were observed. There were no consistent differences in band number, position, or frequencies among the three cultivars in spite of their diverse parentage. Isoclectric focusing can be used successfully in tall fescue, but the limited variability of the peroxidases encourages investigation of other isozyme systems in the future.Contribution from the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station. Journal Series No. 8627. Research supported by USDA-SEA Competitive Research Grant 5901-0410-9-0366-0.     

On defining a winter wheat

Summary An international survey of wheat breeders and scientists was conducted to determine whether there was a common understanding of the term winter wheat. Response to photoperiod was mentioned by only seven of the 30 survey respondents. It was consequently suggested that it be excluded from any definition. Response to vernalization was mentioned by 28 of the 30 respondents. However, there was considerable variation in the method of quantifying this response and the degree of response necessary for wheat to be called winter. It was concluded that the only objective and internationally consistent definition of winter wheat was a genetic definition based on the complement of Vrn genes a wheat possesses. Varieties not possessing any of the dominant Vrn alleles appear to take a distinctively longer and more variable time to head when grown under non-vernalizing, long day conditions. These are genetically winter wheats.     

Accumulating polygenes for partial resistance in barley to barley leaf rust,Puccinia hordei. I. Selection for increased latent periods

Summary The barley cultivar Cebaba Capa was crossed to the cultivar L94, which is assumed to carry no genes for increased latent periods, and Vada, which is assumed to carry five to six minor genes for a longer latent period (LP). In the F2 selection was carried out for short and long LP's in the young flag leaves to Puccinia hordei in both crosses. In the F3, F4 and F5 the selection for short as well as for long LP continued by selecting the extreme plants in the extreme lines, a typical pedigree selection approach.The LP's are given relative to those of L94, set at 100 and of Vada, set at 185. From the cross with L94 homogeneous lines were obtained with relative LP's of 100 and of 220. From the cross with Vada the extreme lines had LP's of 135 and around or even beyond 300.Cebaba Capa is thought to carry four to six minor genes with an average gene effect slightly larger than those of the five to six minor genes in Vada. From the four to six minor genes one or two may be identical to or closely linked with minor genes of Vada, the others appeared to be different. In the lines with LP's of close to 300 or even more the number of minor genes accumulated is thought to be in the order of eight or nine. These gene number estimates are based on independent assortment. If linkage occurs the number of genes involved may be larger.Because of the high correlation between LP in the young flag leaf and the partial resistance in the field the selected lines are assumed to have a partial resistance to barley leaf rust far beyond that of Vada, which represents almost the highest level of partial resistance in European cultivars.     

Correlation between α-amylase gene expression and seedling vigor in rice

Summary This report examines the relationship between seedling vigor, -amylase enzyme activity and -amylase mRNA accumulation in ten varieties of rice (Oryza sativa L.) grown at two temperatures (15°C and 30°C). A significant, positive correlation was observed between seedling vigor, -amylase enzyme activity, and the accumulation of mRNA from one rice -amylase gene (RAmy1A) at both temperature regimens. The results of this study support previous experiments which have correlated -amylase enzyme activity to seedling vigor. We have extended this correlation to the expression of one of ten genes that comprise the rice -amylase multigene family. These results suggest that the expression of -amylase gene RAmy1A is an important, and possibly rate-limiting factor in determining seedling vigor in rice.     

Inheritance of flower color in Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev. (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) using cultivars and inbreds. II. Vacuole pigmentation

Summary Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) garden cultivars Vulcan, with deep red ray florest, and Superior, with orange ray petals, were crossed as female with 16 inbred clones and the progeny assessed visually for flower color in 3 environments. Intensity of vacuole pigmentation in ray florets appeared to vary continuously. Evaluation was facilitated by placing plants in 7 color classes ranging from red, the most intense, through orange, an intermediate intensity, to yellow, the apparent lack of vacuole pigmentation. A simple hexaploid model with additive gene action, suggested by the 7 color classes, was inappropriate, as more than 50% of the plants in Vulcan families were red and more than 60% of the plants in Superior families were orange. Comparing evaluations of parental clones in 2 glasshouse and 2 field environments and considering data from an experiment, in which progeny first classified in the glasshouse were reevaluated in the field, revealed substantial shifts in classification. In the glasshouse, more individuals appeared in the red and orange classes, while field evaluation placed more individuals in classes adjacent to red and orange. However, the predominance of progeny in the color class of the common parent, that is, red for the Vulcan and orange for the Superior families, occurred in both glasshouse and field. Plants scored as other than red appeared in crosses between Vulcan and 3 red inbreds, suggesting that red ray petals are not conditioned by a homozygous genotype. The orange of Superior and orange progeny may be due to a single dominant gene causing mosaic-like distribution of red vacuole pigmentation over yellow plastid pigmentation. Because cloned genotypes were classified differently in diverse environments, critical genetic analysis of vacuole pigmentation will require cloned progeny and multiple-environment evaluation.     

Genes for resistance to stripe rust in four spring wheat varieties

Summary The stripe rust resistant spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties Anza, Glennson 81, Ollanta, and Yecora Rojo gave 1,2,2, and 2-gene segregations, respectively, in hybrids with susceptible Jupateco 73 when inoculated in field conditions at Davis, California USA with Puccinia striiformis West. pathotype CDL-6 and rated at post-heading stage. Intercrosses of these varieties, Anza/Yecora Rojo was not studied, permitted the following conclusions about the genes expressed in adult plants: Anza, one recessive gene; Glennson 81, two dominant genes; Ollanta, two genes, at least one is dominant; and Yecora Rojo; one dominant and one recessive gene, one of which is common with Ollanta. The resistance genes in these varieties, which expressed resistance in the seedling stage, were believed to be effective at the adult stage. Thus, seven resistance genes were identified in the four varieties. The genotypes were designated for the purposes of this study as follows: Anza, YrA YrH; Glennson 81, Yr9, YrJ, Ollanta YrL YrD; and Yecora Rojo, YrC YrD. It was recommended that these and other Yr genes be used as multiple gene complexes to increase durability of resistance to P. striiformis, an organism known to evolve virulence rapidly in field conditions. The demonstrated durability of Anza in California may be a result of its combination of resistance alleles at two loci.     

Polymorphisms of α-amylase activity in barley landraces and cultivars from China

Summary -Amylase activity was assayed by measuring reducing power equivalent for 80 accessions of cultivated barley, Hordeum vulgare L., representing major barley growing areas of China. Replications were applied at two different levels of the experiment and enzyme activity was assayed on four consecutive days starting on the 6th day after germination. The area under the curve formed by connecting the four data points was integrated as the measurement of -amylase activity. The results established that there was extensive variation in -amylase activity in cultivated barley; about three-fold difference existed among accessions assayed. Comparisons were also made between six- and two-rowed, and between covered and naked barleys. The results showed that high -amylase activity was not necessarily associated with six-rowed type, and that covered barleys were slightly higher in -amylase activity than naked ones.     

The chromosomal location of the embryo plus scutellum alcohol dehydrogenase isozymes in the hexaploid wheat kernel

Summary Analysis of individual parts of Triticum aestivum L. and T. turgidum var. durum kernels showed two classes of alcohol dehydrogenase patterns: 1) A three banded pattern (ADH-1, ADH-2 and ADH-3) for endosperm (Ed) and 2) a seven banded pattern (ADH-F1, ADH-F2, ADH-1, ADH-2, ADH-3, ADH-S1 and ADH-S2) for embryo (E), scutellum (S) and embryo plus scutellum (E+S). The use of nullitetrasomic and ditelosomic series of Chinese Spring wheat allows alcohol dehydrogenase to be associated with arms 4A, 4BL and 4DS.A five subunit forming dimer hypothesis is postulated to explain the newly reported seven isozyme pattern. Subunits , and are coded by chromosome arms 4A, 4BL and 4DS respectively, and the newly postulated and are coded also by chromosome arm 4BL.     

Resistance in Cucumis sativus L. to Tetranychus urticae Koch. 3. Search for sources of resistance

Summary After a first screening of 800 cucumber varieties, a laboratory test and a practical test, the following nine varieties have been selected for their distinguishable level of resistance to the twospotted spider mite: PI 220860, Hybrid Long Green Pickle, PI 178885, Ohio MR 200, Taipei no 1, Robin 50, Aodai, PI 163222 and PI 218036. Besides resistance tolerance for the twospotted spider mite also appears to occur. Related Cucumis species do not seem to possess higher levels of resistance than the most resistant C. sativus varieties. The resistance-parameters acceptance and reproduction appear to be positively correlated. On resistant varieties the metabolism of the spider mites is clearly disturbed, but this seems not to be caused mainly by bitter principles.     

Chromosomal location of genes controlling 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase,glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase isozymes in cultivated rye

Summary The 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) zymogram phenotypes of wheat, rye and their aneuploid derivates were determined. At least three genes involved in the production of 6-PGD isozymes were located on chromosome arms 4RL, 6RL and 2RL of Imperial rye, King II rye and Dakold rye. Evidence was obtained that at least one gene located on chromosome arm 5RS controls G-6-PD isozyme activities in these varieties of rye and one gene involved in the production of GDH isozymes was located on chromosome arm 2RS of Imperial, King II and Dakold rye. The results indicate that the 6-PGD isozymes exist as dimers and monomers. No possible structure of the G-6-PD and GDH could be determined.