Criteria for selecting productive and stable pea cultivars

The beginning and duration of the seed set in the growth cycle determine the level and stability of the yield of a pea (Pisum sativum L.) genotype. The objective of the present study was to identify criteria for selecting genotypes, both in terms of timing of seed set and productivity. Genotypes were initially compared in field experiments for two different levels of inter-plant competition, but using the same photo-thermal conditions. These experiments showed that the initiation and, particularly, the duration of seed set were affected by plant growth rates, indicating that selection on these variables must be done by comparing genotypes under regular cropping conditions. When measuring seed production of the whole plant, we found that mean dry seed weight per podded node all over the plant and the number of podded nodes on any fertile stem were similar to those on the main stem. These results confirmed that branches and main stems have a similar reproductive pattern, and thus that any podded stem of the canopy is representative of every stem of the plant. Lastly, we showed that, when associated, the number of podded nodes, the mean dry seed weight per podded node on the main stem (or on any reproductive stem of the canopy), and the number of basal branches per plant are suitable criteria for selecting for productivity among genotypes with a similar duration of seed set. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

利用混合线性模型分析绿豆主要农艺性状的遗传及相关性

以19个绿豆品种(系)为亲本, 采用非完全双列杂交试验设计及混合线性模型,研究绿豆主要农艺性状的遗传规律及其性状间的相互关系。结果表明, 绿豆全生育日数、株高、主茎节数和百粒重均以加性效应为主, 狭义遗传率较高且达极显著水平;单株荚数、单株产量和总产量的加性效应和显性效应均显著或极显著, 狭义遗传率相对较低;单荚粒数主要受显性效应影响, 广义遗传率较高;播种至开花天数与株高间存在显著或极显著遗传和表型正相关;单株荚数、单荚粒数与百粒重显著或极显著负相关;单株荚数与单株产量、总产量显著或极显著正相关;百粒重与单株产量、总产量相关性不大;针对全生育日数、株高、主茎节数和百粒重的选择可在早期世代进行, 而对产量的选择可以根据单株荚数和单株产量在晚期世代进行。     

Variation in traits affecting nodulation of common bean under intercropping with maize and sole cropping

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), an important food crop in Europe, America, Africa and Asia, is thought to fix only small amounts of atmospheric nitrogen. It contributes significantly to the sustainability of traditional cropping systems because of the predominance of small-scale farmers who cultivate beans in those areas. The objectives of this work were to evaluate bush bean varieties under common agronomic cropping systems and to evaluate breeding lines under low N-fertility sole cropping and intercropping systems. The purpose of the study was to characterize the genotype and cropping system's variability in symbiotic and plant characters and to identify the most suitable genotypes to establish an effective symbiosis with indigenous strains of Rhizobium. No significant differences among the bush bean varieties evaluated under typical fertilization practices were observed for N₂-fixation and plant traits except for seed nitrogen. Significant differences among the bean lines studied under low N-fertilization conditions were detected for plant growth,plant component and N₂-fixation traits. A significant interaction of bean genotype x cropping system was found for number of nodules per plant and nodule moisture on the bush bean varieties studied, and for days to emergence, days to flowering, end of flowering, shoot length, root dry weight and shoot nitrogen on the bean lines evaluated. Nodulation parameters were correlated positively with the yield components, shoot and root parts and duration of flowering, and correlated negatively with seed crude protein, pod and seed dimensions and seed dry weight. These observations indicate that it may be possible to increase both the symbiotic N₂-fixation and seed yield through plant breeding. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Traits associated with dry edible bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) productivity under diverse soil moisture environments

Two experiments were conducted in the Rift Valley, Ethiopia (8°N and 39°E) to determine associations between eight plant traits and seed yield, and to obtain estimates of narrow sense heritability for the traits. Experiment I evaluated seven dry edible bean cultivars/lines at two locations to simulate different soil moisture stress, including, Debre Zeit(non-stress) and Dera (moderate-stress). Experiment II evaluated 25 cultivars/lines in three environments including, Melkassa early planted (non-stress), Melkassa late planted (high-stress), and Dera (moderate-stress). A randomized-complete-block design with three replicates was used in both experiments. Plant traits evaluated were seed yield, pods plant^-1, seeds pod^-1, 100 seed weight, root dry weight, hypocotyl diameter, plant biomass, plant height and days to flowering. Plant traits that were significantly associated with seed yield were included in a stepwise-regression model to determine which trait or combination of traits provided the best model to estimate seed yield in each environment. An analysis of variance was conducted to test main effects and interactions between plant traits and environments. Significant variation among lines occurred for seed yield and all plant traits in both experiments. Strong positive correlations were observed between plant biomass and seed yield in all environments. Seed yield and pods plant^-1 were also highly associated in four of the five environments. Stepwise regression models indicated that the combination of pods plant^-1 and plant biomass consistently contributed to seed yield prediction, while other traits did not. Because both plant biomass and pods plant^-1 had moderate to high narrow sense heritability estimates and low GE interactions, they should be useful as indirect selection criteria to improve and stabilize seed yield in a breeding program. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of the gene for double pod in chickpea on yield, yield components and stability of yield

Five pairs of near isogenic lines (NILs) for the gene for single vs. double pod were used to study the effect of this character on yield and its components (seeds per plant, yield per plant and seed weight). The NILs were sown in 2 years at five locations in ihe first year and four locations in the second. Combined analysis of variance was applied to t he data and no significant differences between isolines were found, but there were significant genotype– location interaction effects for yield and seeds per plant. For both characters the double–podded lines were more stable than the single–podded lines. Although there were significant differences between the five genotypes lor yield per planl and seed weight, the differentes between single– and double–podded lines were almost nil. The results indicate that the double–pod gene has a positive effect on the stability of yield and is not linked to any other gene responsible Tor seed size in chickpea     

Expected levels of heterozygosity in autotetraploid progeny populations

Summary A breeding program aimed at improving the seed yield in bean for processing was started. Six parents divergent in a range of agronomical characters were crossed according to diallel mating design. Cluster analysis performed on the composite cross population evidenced divergence between F1 hybrids and to maximize genetic recombination, the most different F1 hybrids were intercrossed. A Factor analysis was performed on 7 morphological and yield-determining traits of 15 hybrids F1 and parents. Three Factors, representing patterns of variables interpreted as productivity per plant, growth factor, and branching-productivity, were extracted. These results evidenced the inverse relationship between seed yield components (seeds/pod, pods/plant, and hundred seed weight): i.e. the selection for either variable is detrimental to the other. It may be possible to break this association if the plant construct assures high sink to satisfy all plant requirements: tall and large plants bearing numerous nodes, leaves and reproductive structures. Moreover, the selection practiced simultaneously on the yield components positively affected the seed yield trait. An index of selection and response to selection were estimated on the segregant populations. The realized gain in seed/yield reached after one cycle of selection (C1) was 6.5 g, about 20% over the base population (C0). The expected gain from selection based on the superior 5% plants in C2 families was 25.5% and approached the realized gain. The result of this paper gives evidence to support that the seed yield can be improved by an adequate selection intensity and selection index can be very useful when it is faced with the improvement of several traits at the same time.     

Combining ability analysis and association of yield and yield components among selected cowpea lines

The study was carried out to determine combining ability and association of yield and yield components among crosses derived from seven selected cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) parents. Twenty-one hybrids were generated from diallel crosses excluding reciprocals. Hybrids along with seven parents were studied for combining ability and phenotypic correlations for seed yield and eight yield components. The result indicated that the general combining ability (gca) and specific combining ability (sca) were significant for most characters indicating the importance of both additive and non-additive genetic components. Additive gene action was important for eight characters except pod number, whereas non-additive gene action was not important for nodule number and grain yield. Parental lines IT86D-716 and IT81D-985 were found to be good general combiners for grain yield and other traits. The most promising specific combiners for yield and yield components were from crosses including IT87D-697-2 × IT86D-716, IT88D-867-11 × IT86D-716, IT93K-624 × IT87D-697-2, and IT87D-697-2 × IT92KD-405-1. Significant positive phenotypic correlations were observed between seed yield with pod length (POL), number of pods per plant (PON), and number of seeds per pod (SPD). POL, pod number per plant, SPD, and grain yield were identified as the best selection criteria that could be used in cowpea breeding programs.     

甘蓝型油菜二系杂交种在不同生态区遗传效应及优势表现

为了探索在不同生态条件下,二系法甘蓝型油菜杂交组合的遗传效应及杂种优势表现。本研究选用6个核背景不同的甘蓝型油菜恢复系作为亲本,根据NCⅡ遗传交配设计配置了36个杂交组合,分别在大荔和张掖两个不同生态区种植,在成熟期对其进行性状调查,采用朱军的ADE模型进行数据分析。结果表明,产量性状不同程度都受到基因的加性、显性、及其与环境互作效应的影响,其中单株角果数和千粒重主要受到加性效应的影响,单株产量和角粒数主要受到显性效应影响;在与环境互作中,单株产量、单株角果数和千粒重的各遗传效应都与环境互作达到了显著性,而角粒数的遗传性相对稳定;农艺性状在基因型与环境互作中有效分枝部位和一次有效分枝数受到环境效应影响较大;在遗传相关性中,单株产量与单株角果数、角粒数和千粒重的表现型相关系数和基因型相关系数均达到了极显著性水平;杂交组合的杂种优势总体表现出F1代优于F2代。此研究结果对二系杂交组合选配有一定的指导意义。     

Sources of variation for sustainable field pea breeding

The pea crop (Pisum sativum L.) is a convenient source of plant protein for animal feeding. The objective of this research was to evaluate field pea breeding lines for agronomic performance and seed quality focussed to their use in a sustainable production. Thirty-five field pea breeding lines and six elite cultivars were evaluated for their agronomic value in field in Spain upon 20 traits related to flower, cycle, plant architecture, productivity and seed quality. The lines showed significant differences in all the quantitative traits evaluated and three of them, namely MB-0307, MB-0308, and MB-0319 were chosen to be evaluated, together with the advanced cultivar ZP-1233, in field and in growing chamber for agronomic performance, seed quality and ability for sustainable production. The four accessions displayed high seed protein content that had significant effect of cropping density with averages of 253.6 g kg⁻¹ under low cropping density of 60 plants m⁻² and 259.1 g kg⁻¹ under high cropping density of 90 plants m⁻², therefore, the low cropping density should be regarded as the most convenient. Average yield of the lines MB-0307, MB-0308 and MB-0319 and the cultivar ZP-1233 was fair (197.5 g m⁻²), probably due to the absence of fertilizers and irrigation, aiming for the sustainability of the crop. Intercropping with rye and herbicide application resulted in no differences on the seed yield; therefore, the ability of the breeding lines to grow without herbicide seems to be demonstrated, while the germination of the seeds at low temperature was very good. These results indicate that field pea could be a new protein crop in the North of Spain to satisfy the demand of plant protein for animal feed, based upon adapted breeding lines that combine the ability for growing under sustainable conditions with other desirable agronomic traits maintaining an adequate productivity.     

黄麻纤维产量与主要农艺性状的相关分析

研究黄麻纤维产量与主要农艺性状的相关性, 可为高产育种与生产利用提供科学依据。本文159份不同来源黄麻种质资源的12个农艺性状对纤维产量即单株干皮重的影响表明, 各性状的变异系数变化在11.89%至38.50%之间, 表现出丰富的遗传变异。黄麻纤维产量与各性状均呈极显著正相关, 其中, 与单株鲜皮重、株高、始花期的相关系数较大, 分别为0.814、0.760和0.648。黄麻纤维产量和单株鲜皮重、株高、出麻率、鲜皮厚的回归方程达显著水平, 其标准回归系数依次为0.443、0.437、0.291和0.113。通径分析显示, 单株鲜皮重、株高在决定黄麻纤维产量时起主要作用。出麻率的相关系数(0.253)与直接通径系数(0.291)表现基本一致, 说明出麻率直接对黄麻纤维产量起作用, 具极显著正相关。因此, 在黄麻高产育种中, 应该以始花期、单株鲜皮重、株高、出麻率与鲜皮厚为主要筛选对象, 兼顾综合性状的改良。     

食用向日葵产量与籽粒主要性状配合力及遗传分析

选用4份分枝型恢复系和6份雄性不育系材料作亲本,按照不完全双列杂交（NCII）设计配制24份向日葵杂交组合,对组合的小区产量、单株产量、单盘实粒数、百粒重、籽仁率、籽粒长度和籽粒宽度7个性状的亲本配合力、遗传参数及竞争优势进行分析。结果表明,24份组合的7个性状存在真实性的遗传差异。在亲本不育系一般配合力（GCA）选择的基础上,应注意组合特殊配合力（SCA）的选择,GCA效应值高的亲本育种潜力较大,组配出优势组合的概率大;籽粒长度和籽粒宽度的狭义遗传力较低,分别为7.91%和14.89%,不宜进行早代选择;GCA较高的不育系为亲本A和亲本D,其中亲本A在各性状上均为正向GCA效应值,且在供试不育系中,其GCA效应值最大,其次为亲本D;组合1×A小区产量的SCA效应值及竞争优势最高,为本试验中的最优组合,其他籽粒性状与对照相比也均有提升。     

大豆产量及主要农艺性状QTL的上位性互作和环境互作分析

以栽培大豆晋豆23为母本,半野生大豆灰布支黑豆ZDD2315为父本杂交衍生的F2:15和F2:16的447个RIL家系为遗传群体,绘制SSR遗传图谱,采用混合线性模型方法,对2年大豆小区产量及主要农艺性状进行加性QTL、加性×加性上位互作及环境互作分析。结果检测到9个与小区产量、茎粗、有效分枝、主茎节数、株高、结荚高度相关的QTL,分别位于J_2、I、M连锁群上,其中小区产量、茎粗、株高、有效分枝和主茎节数QTL的加性效应为正值,说明增加这些性状的等位基因来源于母本晋豆23。同时,检测到7对影响小区产量、茎粗、株高和结荚高度的加性×加性上位互作效应及环境互作效应的QTL,共发现14个与环境存在互作的QTL。上位效应和QE互作效应对大豆小区产量及主要农艺性状的遗传影响较大。大豆分子标记辅助育种中,既要考虑起主要作用的QTL,又要注重上位性QTL,才有利于性状的稳定表达和遗传。     

Genetic control of alfalfa seed yield and its components

Seed yield is of little agronomic importance in alfalfa (lucerne) but is critical in the marketing of varieties. In order to develop breeding criteria, the quantitative genetics of seed yield components must be studied. The objective of this study was (1) to evaluate combining ability for seed yield and its components and (2) to estimate the genetic control of these same characters. A 7 × 7 diallel mating design, including reciprocals, among parents from different varieties, and a 7 × 7 factorial design within the ‘Flamande’ population were evaluated. In the diallel design, where the progenies were evaluated over two growing seasons, a high genotype effect was found for seed yield and its components while genotype × year interaction was only significant for seed yield per plant. General combining ability (GCA) effects explained most of the variation due to genotype effect. Specific combining ability (SCA) and reciprocal effects were only significant for seed yield per plant. ‘Europe‐1’, ‘Rival‐5’ and ‘Medalfa‐7’ were the most promising parents, conferring the highest GCA for most of the characters evaluated, especially for seed weight per inflorescence. In the factorial design, seed weight per pod was the only character for which the year effect was not significant. Male and female effects were significant for all characters and these effects were larger than the male × female interaction variance for all the characters. These results were stable over the 2 years for most characters. Additive variance was larger than dominance variance, for all traits. This resulted in high narrow‐sense heritabilities, especially for seed yield per plant, seed weight per inflorescence and number of seeds per pod. Seed weight per inflorescence and number of seeds per inflorescence were highly correlated with seed yield per plant among the full‐sib (FS) families, in both experiments. Increase in seed yield potential in alfalfa could be achieved by the use of seed weight per inflorescence as a selection criterion.     

矮秆超大穗小麦亲本与多抗丰产小麦主要农艺性状的配合力评价及遗传分析

为了进一步挖掘矮秆超大穗小麦亲本在遗传育种中的应用潜力,为小麦高产、超高产育种选择优良亲本和最优杂交组合提供理论依据,选用5个矮秆超大穗小麦品种（系）作为父本,8个多抗丰产小麦品种（系）作为母本,按NCII遗传交配设计,采用8×5不完全双列杂交法,配制了40个杂交组合,对小麦亲本及杂种F1的株高、主穗长、单株穗数、结实小穗数、主穗粒数、主穗产量、单株产量、千粒重8个性状进行了考察,并在基因型方差分析显著的基础上进行了配合力评价及遗传力分析。结果表明：父本中A1、A3、A4是综合性状优良的亲本,其多数性状的一般配合力均较高,特别是穗长、主穗粒数、结实小穗数、主穗产量、单株产量的一般配合力高,而株高的一般配合力效应值较低,是很理想的矮秆超大穗多粒亲本材料。母本中B5、B6单株穗数一般配合力较高,株高的一般配合力效应值较低,可作小麦高产杂交育种的矮秆多穗型亲本使用。结合特殊配合力效应分析：组合B5×A3单株穗数、主穗产量、单株产量、千粒重特殊配合力效应最高,株高特殊配合力效应较低,可作为的矮秆、多穗、粒重高且高产的重点杂交组合。B2×A4主穗长、单株产量、单株穗数特殊配合力效应都较高,而株高特殊配合力效应低,可作为矮秆大穗高产的重点杂交组合。遗传力分析表明：单株产量、千粒重、主穗长、主穗产量皆在70%以上,表明这4个性状的广义遗传力较大,受环境影响较小,而狭义遗传力的分析除主穗长、主穗粒数、主穗产量、株高大于50%,其余4个性状均低于50%,说明受环境影响大,不宜早期选择,应该适当推迟选择的代数。     

Agronomical and quality traits of runner bean germplasm and implications for breeding

White runner bean landraces are greatly appreciated in the North highlands of Spain due to their excellent culinary seed quality. Runner bean cultivars are grown like pole beans. Diversity within a runner bean collection of 31 accessions from the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) was examined using morphological, agronomical and seed quality traits. Landraces showed significant differences for most of the agronomical and seed quality traits studied except for seeds per pod, water absorption, seed coat tenderness and floury texture. Runner bean landraces showed sufficient variability to select inbred lines for future breeding. Genotype × environment interaction was significant for days to first flowering, days to first dry pod, seeds per pod and seed length. The majority of physical and nutritional seed quality traits studied which are important to determine the commercial value of a variety were not subject to environmental influences. Different selection pressures affecting to the runner bean genetic material could have occurred in several regions of the Iberian Peninsula. Extra-large and high yielding runner bean germplasm was identified and represents a valuable source of genetic diversity that has potential for development of improved cultivars to be chosen for commercialisation. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Study of genetic diversity in safflower genotypes using agro-morphological traits and RAPD markers

This research was conducted to study the genetic diversity in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) using agro-morphological traits and RAPD markers. Sixteen selected lines derived from landraces growing in various agro-climatic regions of Iran along with four exotic genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications under field conditions. Days to emergence, days to initial flowering, days to flowering, days to maturity, plant height, branches per plant, capitula per plant, seeds per capitulum, 1,000-seed weight, seed yield per plant, seed yield, and reaction to powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica Arnaud) were evaluated in this study. Genetic diversity of the genotypes was assessed by RAPD markers. The results indicated significant differences among genotypes for the agro-morphological traits and clustering based on these traits classified the genotypes into five groups. Analysis of the RAPD markers revealed 15 polymorphic primers out of 50 used primers. Based on RAPD data, the highest genetic similarity was observed between the cultivars of “AC Sunset,” “AC Sterling” from Canada and the lowest relatedness observed between a local breeding line “E₂₄₂₈” and genotype “GE₆₂₉₂₃” from Germany. Cluster analysis based on RAPD markers and 54% coefficient of similarity divided the genotypes into five distinct groups. Comparing the clusters based on agro-morphological traits with those from molecular markers showed slight similarities. The finding of high genetic variation for agro-morphological traits and polymorphism at DNA level reveal that agronomic traits can be improved by selection programs.     

Construction of a crop—wild hybrid population for broadening genetic diversity in cultivated sunflower and first evaluation of its combining ability: the concept of neodomestication

The genetic base of sunflower elite lines is very narrow, due to many years of selection and breeding. To broaden the genetic diversity of the cultivated sunflower, in 1995 73 wild sunflower populations were crossed with 3 cultivated lines (Testers), and 219 hybrid offspring’s were evaluated in the field. GCA and SCA effects were computed suggesting for all traits a genetic potential for improvement through selection. Study of the hybrids revealed that the wild accessions bear different genetic abilities to combine with the testers for traits of morphological architecture, phenology and yield (seed weight and seed oil). The variance due to GCA and SCA showed that gene action was additive for days to flowering, branching and plant height. Genotypes derived from the same geographic origin may have either good or poor general combing ability. The correlation between GCA and per se genotype performance was positive for all traits except for seed oil content. This was the first attempt to evaluate wild-cultivated hybrids in sunflower on a large scale and will be the starting point for the management of hybrid Helianthus annuus populations for breeding. GCA and SCA estimations will facilitate the definition of strategies to manage and exploit the natural diversity for this crop.     

陆地棉配合力与杂种优势、遗传距离的相关性分析

 用10个陆地棉亲本进行不完全双列杂交,共配置了45个组合,计算亲本的一般配合力（GCA）、特殊配合力(SCA)、杂种优势,并结合SSR标记研究了陆地棉亲本配合力与杂种优势、遗传距离之间的相关关系。配合力分析发现,10个亲本的一般配合力和特殊配合力存在显著或极显著差异。分析亲本配合力、杂种优势和遗传距离的相关性发现,子棉产量、皮棉产量、衣分的一般配合力和杂种优势呈显著或极显著相关,纤维长度、比强度、麦克隆值、株高、果枝数、单株铃数、铃重、子棉产量、皮棉产量、衣分的特殊配合力和杂种优势均呈极显著正相关,而与遗传距离相关均不显著。单株铃数、铃重、子棉产量、皮棉产量、衣分的杂种优势与遗传距离均为正向显著或极显著相关。在育种实践中这些显著或极显著相关的性状可能具有较高的改良潜力。     

Expected correlated responses in selecting dry beans for tolerance to soil compaction

Summary Parents and F₂ progenies of an 8×8 diallel cross were grown under non-compacted and compacted soil conditions. Soil compaction reduced yield, pods per plant, and seeds per pod; however, an increase in seed wieght and no effect for pod length were observed. With the exception of pods per plant, the remaining traits had larger genetic variances under non-compacted soil conditions. Phenotypic correlations involving yield and related traits were similar under the two conditions. Tolerance to soil compaction and mean performance over the two soil conditions were defined. Genetic correlations in terms of: (1) the ratio of genetic variances under the stress and non-stress conditions, and (2) the correlation between performance under the two conditions, were calculated and discussed.Journal Article No. 10900 of the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Genetic control of agronomic traits in alfalfa (<Emphasis Type="Italic">M. sativa</Emphasis> ssp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">sativa</Emphasis> L.)

The objective of this study was to develop diallel population hybrids by crossing selected germplasm and to determine the gene effects and genetic control of yield and yield components using diallel analysis. A complete diallel including reciprocals was made during 2003 and 2004 between five alfalfa cultivars of different geographic origin. For each pairwise cross, five plants were chosen at random from each of the two cultivars (~100 florets per plant) to obtain the F₁ generation. A spaced plant field was established in 2006 which included the five alfalfa cultivars (parents) and their 20 diallel hybrids (F₁). The results of the diallel analysis suggest that the genetic control of major agronomic traits is determined by both additive gene action (accumulation of frequency of desirable alleles represented by significant GCA effects) and nonadditive gene action (complementary gene interactions represented by significant SCA effects). This type of gene action expression in alfalfa also determines the way in which breeding is carried out and brings about changes in the methods used and has given rise to the idea of the semi-hybrid breeding of this crop. The concept involves: breeding alfalfas within the population, identification of heterotic germplasm, and the production of seed of the population hybrid (PH).