~(60)Co-γ射线诱导的小麦基因组DNA的甲基化变异

诱发突变技术在小麦品种改良中具有重要作用,辐射诱变能通过改变DNA甲基化的方式而影响基因组稳定性。本研究分别采用100和150Gy60Co-γ射线处理小麦品种京411(J411)干种子,利用甲基化敏感扩增多态性技术检测处理后幼根和幼叶基因组甲基化相对水平的变化及甲基化模式的变异规律。结果表明,γ射线处理对幼苗的苗高和根长都有显著抑制作用。与未处理对照比较,处理后小麦幼苗叶片和根部DNA胞嘧啶甲基化相对水平均发生变化,叶片的甲基化相对水平下降,而根中升高。2种处理剂量下,叶片和根的甲基化模式变异均表现为CG位点变化率高于CNG位点变化率。不同位点的甲基化模式变异在诱变后也存在一定的差异。叶片中不同剂量下CG位点和CNG位点的去甲基化率都高于相应位点的甲基化率;根部CNG位点在所有剂量下的去甲基化率都低于相应位点的甲基化率,而CG位点在100Gy剂量下去甲基化率高于相应位点的甲基化率,而在150Gy剂量下的去甲基化率则低于相应位点的甲基化率,反映出同一组织同一位点在不同诱变剂量处理下甲基化模式变异存在一定的差异。     

不同甘蔗品种DNA甲基化分析

DNA甲基化是表观遗传修饰的主要方式之一,在基因表达调控中发挥着重要的作用。本研究应用甲基化敏感扩增多态性(MSAP)技术,在全基因组水平上研究不同品种甘蔗伸长期和成熟期CCGG位点的DNA甲基化水平及模式变化特征。结果表明,在伸长期,8个甘蔗品种检测到的DNA甲基化率为15.47%~29.03%;引物平均甲基化率为28.86%。在成熟期5个甘蔗品种中检测到的DNA甲基化为6.98%~14.94%。表明DNA甲基化在甘蔗中发生频繁,且品种之间的甲基化模式存在差异,甘蔗CCGG序列中胞嘧啶甲基化内侧胞嘧啶全甲基化多于外部胞嘧啶半甲基化。     

重金属镉胁迫下入侵植物黄顶菊表观遗传变异特征

为探究入侵植物黄顶菊在重金属镉(Cd)胁迫下耐受性获得的表观遗传机制,本研究通过网室盆栽试验模拟不同浓度Cd污染生境,采用甲基化敏感扩增多态性(MSAP)技术对不同Cd浓度胁迫[0(CK)、2(Cd-1)、4(Cd-2)和8(Cd-3) mg·kg^-1]处理植物叶片基因组DNA甲基化变异特征进行分析。结果表明,15对引物共扩增出726条甲基化条带,且引物多态性百分比为84.75%;随着Cd胁迫浓度的升高,黄顶菊叶片全甲基化和整体甲基化发生比例呈逐渐增加的趋势,Cd-1、Cd-2和Cd-3的全甲基化发生比例分别为CK的1.51、1.95和2.11倍,整体甲基化发生比例分别较CK升高了39.28、53.30和63.97个百分点;不同处理下叶片甲基化状态变化分析结果表明,Cd胁迫下黄顶菊基因组DNA重新甲基化和去甲基化2种甲基化模式均有发生,但以重新甲基化类型为主要变化模式;Cd胁迫下植物表型可塑性与表观遗传相关性分析结果表明,DNA全甲基化和整体甲基化水平与黄顶菊生长指标及地上部耐受性指数的表型可塑性呈显著负相关,与抗氧化酶活性、各组织Cd含量及富集与转移系数呈显著正相关。本研究结果从表观遗传学方向为入侵植物黄顶菊的防控提供了新思路。     

乙烯利处理对棉花子叶DNA表观遗传变化的甲基化敏感扩增多态性(MSAP)分析

棉花(Gossypium hirsutum L.)叶片早衰影响棉花产量和棉纤维质量,而乙烯利是一种重要的植物生长调节剂,对促进植物组织衰老有重要作用。DNA甲基化是表观遗传调控的重要组成部分,在高等植物的基因表达调控中发挥了重要作用。本研究应用甲基化敏感扩增多态性(methylation sensitive amplified polymorphism,MSAP)技术,探讨在不同乙烯利水平处理下,棉花子叶DNA甲基化水平和甲基化变化模式。结果显示,经300、500和700 mg/L乙烯利处理后,棉花子叶DNA甲基化比值分别为32.99%、35.45%和37.49%,都低于对照组(37.92%);和对照组相比,经不同浓度乙烯利处理后,棉花子叶DNA发生甲基化变化位点的比率分别是2.71%、3.63%和4.88%,而去甲基化位点的比率分别为10.66%、9.84%和9.23%,并且随着乙烯利浓度的增加,棉花子叶DNA甲基化位点与去甲基化位点之比逐渐提高;本研究鉴定了17个MSAP差异基因片段,这些片段与NCBI中已知的功能基因存在同源性,包括果胶甲酯酶基因、细胞色素P450、乙醇脱氢酶基因、肌动蛋白解聚因子、翻译延伸因子等和乙烯利诱导棉花子叶衰老相关基因。研究结果提示,在乙烯诱导棉花子叶衰老的进程中,DNA甲基化参与了棉花子叶衰老的调控,为从基因组水平上揭示乙烯诱导棉花衰老的调控机制提供理论依据。     

不同氮水平对原产地和入侵地飞机草(Chromolaena odorata L.)DNA甲基化的影响

为探究原产地和入侵地飞机草DNA甲基化多态性的变化和氮营养水平对飞机草DNA甲基化多态性的影响,本文用水培法分别培养来自原产地墨西哥和入侵地西双版纳的飞机草(Chromolaena odorata L.),对两地飞机草进行了高氮(315 mg·L-1)、正常(中)氮(210 mg·L-1)和低氮(105 mg·L-1)3种氮水平处理,采用MSAP(甲基化敏感扩增多态性)技术测定试材的DNA甲基化水平。结果表明,无论是原产地还是入侵地的飞机草,在高氮和低氮处理条件下均发生了DNA甲基化水平和模式的改变;且入侵地飞机草DNA甲基化水平高于原产地飞机草,飞机草DNA甲基化水平都随着氮供应水平的升高而升高。本研究为从表观遗传角度揭示外来植物的入侵机制提供依据。     

镉胁迫下二倍体和同源四倍体油菜DNA甲基化差异分析

二倍体与四倍体在逆境抗性上的差别可以从表观遗传学的角度予以解释。本研究以“矮脚黄”纯合二倍体和同源四倍体油菜为材料,采用DNA甲基化敏感扩增多态性分析（Methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism,MSAP）方法和HDA-GT12TM全自动凝胶毛细管核酸电泳检测技术,在全基因组水平上研究了CdCl2胁迫下油菜二倍体和四倍体DNA序列中CCGG位点的甲基化水平及模式变化特征差异。采用56对引物在4个处理样品中共检测出9 687个基因位点。结果显示,二倍体和四倍体在镉胁迫下,其总甲基化水平、全甲基化水平和半甲基化水平较各自的对照均有一定程度的上升。由此可见,镉胁迫导致四倍体和二倍体甲基化水平的提高,但四倍体基因组在镉胁迫下拥有更高的DNA甲基化水平。DNA甲基化模式分析表明,镉胁迫导致二倍体和四倍体的过甲基化位点数均高于去甲基化位点数,二者在镉胁迫下去甲基化位点数差异不大,但四倍体发生过甲基化的位点数要明显多于二倍体。     

低温解除牡丹休眠进程中基因组DNA甲基化敏感扩增多态性(MSAP)分析

DNA甲基化是表观遗传调控的重要组成部分,在真核生物的基因表达调控中发挥了重要作用。本实验研究了感受0、6、12、18和24d4℃低温的牡丹(Paeonia suffruticosa)鲁荷红移入温室后的萌动和开花表现,并对其进行了甲基化敏感扩增多态性(methylation sensitive amplified polymorphism,MSAP)分析。结果表明,4℃低温处理18d可解除鲁荷红内休眠,继续增加低温则进入生态休眠阶段。MASP分析表明,牡丹内休眠期间花芽内DNA甲基化程度很高,甲基化位点占总位点比率的60%以上,以半甲基化为主,在低温处理进程中,甲基化水平总体呈下降趋势。与未经低温的对照相比,约50%的位点发生了甲基化模式变化,低温6、12、18和24d去甲基化位点数和比例分别为97(17.1%)、104(18.6%)、148(24.6%)和218(36.1%),过甲基化的位点数分别为197(34.7%)、137(24.6%)、95(15.8%)和79(13.1%)。研究结果提示,DNA甲基化参与了牡丹内休眠的调控。     

盐胁迫诱导玉米苗期DNA甲基化变异的研究

为研究不同浓度盐处理下玉米叶片DNA甲基化情况,以耐盐玉米自交系黑玉米为材料,利用甲基化敏感扩增多态性(MSAP)技术,分析不同盐浓度胁迫7 d后,玉米苗期叶片胞嘧啶甲基化水平和模式的变化。结果表明,经0(CK)、50、100、150、200、250 mmol·L~(-1)NaCl处理后,基因组DNA甲基化比率分别为52.79%、57.47%、51.98%、47.39%、49.16%、47.06%,其中只有50 mmol·L~(-1)NaCl处理高于CK,其他处理呈降低趋势,去甲基化变化幅度相对较大(1.8%~12.2%);回收差异片段后测序并对序列进行同源比对,结果发现16个甲基化位点涉及植物生长发育的多个基因。本研究结果为玉米耐盐机理的深入研究提供了一定的依据。     

PEG模拟干旱胁迫对石斛DNA表观遗传变化的MSAP分析

利用甲基化敏感扩增多态性(methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism,MSAP)技术,研究不同聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)处理浓度下霍山石斛基因组DNA的甲基化水平和变化模式.结果表明:经5%、10%和15%PEG-6000处理的霍山石斛DNA甲基化比率分别为34....     

玉米纹枯病菌侵染的病理学观察及基因组甲基化敏感扩增多态性分析

植物基因组DNA甲基化的变化是调节基因功能的重要手段,是生物体应对各种胁迫的表观遗传反应.本研究对玉米(Zea mays)高耐纹枯病材料R15和高感纹枯病材料478进行人工接种纹枯病病菌(Rhizoctonia solani Kühn),利用扫描电镜及数码拍照技术观察病菌侵染自交系R15的病理学变化,结果显示,菌丝主要通过叶鞘部位气孔进行侵染,病斑大小的变化表明病菌对寄主的侵染具有一定的梯度性;利用基因组甲基化敏感扩增多态性(MSAP)技术,采用24对选择性扩增引物对两个抗性不同玉米材料接菌0、6、12和24 h的DNA甲基化模式进行分析,结果显示,两个材料中半甲基化水平均呈上升趋势,且R15变化幅度较大,全甲基化水平呈现先上升后下降的趋势.本研究表明,DNA甲基化与玉米纹枯病抗性反应密切相关,在抗性反应调节系统中可能起重要的作用.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Enhanced establishment and growth of giant cardon cactus in an eroded field in the Sonoran Desert using native legume trees as nurse plants aided by plant growth-promoting microorganisms and compost

To evaluate the feasibility of long-term desert reforestation technology of mixed vegetation, cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) seedlings from indoor and outdoor nurseries were planted in the field adjacent to one seedling of potential legume nurse trees: mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata), yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla), and blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). Some of the planting holes were also supplemented with common dairy compost. Additionally, the combinations of legume tree–cactus were inoculated with either a consortium of desert arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB; the diazotroph Azospirillum brasilense Cd, and the phosphate solubilizer Paenibacillus sp.), or a mixture of all. The field experiments were evaluated periodically during 30 months for survival and growth. Cardons reared in an outdoor screen house survived better in the field than those reared in a controlled growth chamber and hardened later outdoors. Association with any legume nurse tree increased survival and enhanced growth of untreated cardons. For cardons growing alone, application of either compost, AM fungi, and all the treatments combined increased survival. For these plants, no treatment affected plant growth during the first 3 months after transplanting. Later, all treatments, except for AM fungi, enhanced plant growth. However, only 2 years after transplanting the enhanced growth effect of AM fungi was also significant. In the presence of the legume nurse trees, transient positive effects on cardon growth were recorded. General evaluation after 30 months of cultivation showed that the treatments positively affected cardon growth when growing alone or in combination only with mesquite amargo but not with the other two legume trees. This study proposes that young legume trees have the capacity to enhance survival and growth of cardon cactus, depending on the legume cactus combination. Additional treatments such as compost or PGPB can either amplify the effect or else attenuate it.     

Karyotypic and genome size variation in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (pigeonpea) and some wild relatives

Detailed karyotypes and 4C DNA amounts have been studied in five cultivars of Cajanus cajan and 20 species belonging to Cajanus, Rhynchosia, Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx. C. cajan shows intraspecific variability and its karyotype is most similar to that of C. cajanifolius (sect. Cajanus) in the morphology and number of satellite chromosomes and the lack of any correlation between chromosome size within the complement and asymmetry. Karyotypes of C. lineatus and C. sericeus belonging to sect. Atylia are similar with respect to maximum r-index and the ratio of longest and shortest chromosomes in their respective complements. C. acutifolius (sect. Frutocosa) is distinct in having a very low ratio (1.44) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes, while in C. albicans, C. goensis, C. scarabaeoides (sect. Cantharospermum) there is no chromosome pair with r-index >2.0. C. mollis and C. volubilis (sect. Volubilis) show similarity with regard to ratio between the longest and the shortest chromosomes and a distinct chromosome pair with an arm ratio of 2.7 and C. platycarpus is distinct (sect. Rhynchosoides) in having the smallest ratio (1.36) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes. 4C DNA amounts in Cajanus and Rhynchosia vary between 3.28 pg to 11.69 pg and 4.92 pg to 11.13 pg respectively, while in Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx these vary between 4.70 and 7:06 pg. In the genus Cajanus karyotypic features and 4C DNA amounts agree with the sectional classification and bring out a close relationship between C. cajan and C. cajanifolius. This is supported by studies based on seed protein patterns, isozyme analysis, trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor patterns, RFLP and RAPD data and crossability relationships. A clear relation between DNA amount and abnormalities effecting the extent of pairing and recombination in interspecific hybrids shows the importance of this study in developing future breeding programme involving C. cajan and its wild relatives that are of potential value.     

Effect of some fungicide seed treatments on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybean [Glycine max. (L) Merr.]

Several commercial fungicide seed treatments were evaluated for their possible effect on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum on seeds and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans in a greenhouse and a field experiment. quinolate Pro (carbendazim and oxine copper), Vitavax 200FF (carboxin and thiram), and Monceren (pencycuron) had a small effect or no effect on the survival of B. japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans. They can thus be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation. Germipro UFB (carbendazim and iprodione), Apron 35J (metalaxyl), and Tachigaren (hymexazol) decreased B. japonicum survival and the nodulation and yield of soybeans and thus cannot be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation.     

Einfluss der düngungsmethoden auf die entwicklung von zuckerrübenkrankheiten

Während neunjähriger (1994-2002) Untersuchungen in der Versuchsanstalt Ba?cyny (Fahlerde, Fall-Gleyboden, ausgebildet aus leichtem Lehmboden) wurde der Befall mit Krankheiten an der Zuckerrübe in Abhängigkeit von der Düngungsmethode bewertet. Folgende Methoden wurden angewendet: A - Mineraldünger, B - Stalldung und Mineraldünger, C - Stroh-, Gründung und Mineraldünger, D - Kompostdünger und Biopräparate (ökologische Düngung). Auf den Objekten A, B, C wurden bei konstanter Phosphor-Kalium-Düngung die Stickstoffgaben von 0 bis 180 kg.ha^?1 differenziert. Auf dem ökologischen Objekt D ohne Mineraldünger wurden statt Stickstoff die Biopräparate P₅₀₀ und P₅₀₁ verabreicht. Der geringste Befall von Krankheiten wurde an der Zuckerrübe auf jenem Objekt festgestellt, das mit Kompost und den Biopräparaten gedüngt worden war. Im Rahmen der konventionellen Düngungsmethoden wurde allgemein die höchste Intensität der Krankheiten an der mit Stroh, Gründung und Mineraldünger gedüngten Zuckerrübe beobachtet. Ausnahmen von dieser Regel bildete das Vorkommen von echtem Mehltau und Keimlingsfäule. Auf den Objekten A, B, C nahm die Intensität der Krankheiten mit der Steigerung der Stickstoffgabe zu. Auch die auf Objekt D verabreichten Biopräparate stimulierten die Entwicklung der Krankheiten. The effect of various fertilization methods on the diseases of sugar beet was estimated on the basis of nine-year studies (1994-2002) conducted in the Experimental Production Farm in Ba?cyny on loess-based, sedimentary-gley, light-clay soil. The following fertilization methods were applied: A - mineral fertilization, B - mineral and manure fertilization, C - straw, green manure and mineral fertilization, D - ecological compost and biodynamic preparations fertilization. In the objects A, B and C fertilized with phosphorus and potassium, various doses of nitrogen ranging from 0 to 180 kg/ha^?1 were used. In the ecological object D, where mineral fertilization was not used, biodynamic preparations P₅₀₀ and P₅₀₁ were applied instead of nitrogen. The lowest ratio of the diseases of sugar beet was observed in the object fertilized with the compost and biodynamic preparations. In view of the conventional fertilization methods, generally the highest incidence of diseases was noted in the sugar beet fertilized with straw, green manure and mineral fertilizers. The exception was the occurrence of powdery mildew and the black leg. In objects A, B and C the incidence of the diseases increased with the increase in nitrogen doses. The applied biodynamical preparations in the object D stimulated the development of diseases too.     

Prospects for control of Pythium damping-off of lettuce with Trichoderma,Gliocladium and Enterobacter spp.

Summary Damping-off of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) caused by Pythium ultimum was studied in pots containing a non-sterile potting mix in the glasshouse. Fifty P. ultimum sporangia g^-1 compost reduced the plant stand to 15% and shoot dry weight to 18%, but this reduction was totally prevented by applying Trichoderma harzianum at 2×10⁵ viable propagules g^-1 potting mix. Gliocladium virens and Enterobacter cloacae also alleviated the damping-off. E. cloacae did not adversely affect the action of the fungal antagonists. The co-existence of the bacterial and fungal antagonists was revealed on the root surface and inner surface of the testa by scanning electron microscopy, indicating the compatibility of the biocontrol agents.     

细菌、真菌及植物氮营养信号研究进展

氮素吸收代谢是所有生物生命活动的核心部分,因此,各种生物对氮的吸收与同化过程都有精细的调节。这种调节依赖于生物对体内氮素状况信号及体外（生长介质中）氮素信号的感受。过去几十年中,在细菌、真菌中已经对氮素营养信号有了较好的研究,而植物中则相对缓慢,但也有了一定的认识。本文重点比较细菌、真菌及植物中氮信号系统的组成,以期为进一步认识植物中的氮信号接受与转导系统提供启示。     

Aircraft operations near concentrations of birds in Antarctica: The development of practical guidelines

Aircraft operations have the potential to disturb and to impact negatively on bird life. A gradient of increasing behavioural response is evident in birds when exposed to increasing aircraft stimulus. The most major disturbance is likely to lead to impacts on the health, breeding performance and survival of individual birds, and perhaps bird colonies. A process of revision to policies on aircraft operations contained in management plans for a number of specially protected areas in Antarctica by the United Kingdom, accompanied by consultations made within the scientific community through the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and with operational interests through the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP) resulted in new guidelines being adopted by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties in June 2004. The principal recommendations of the guidelines are that bird colonies should not be overflown below 2000 ft (∼610 m) above ground level and landings within 1/2 nautical mile (∼930 m) of bird colonies should be avoided wherever possible. These guidelines are less stringent and less specific than those that were recommended by the SCAR specialist group on birds, and represent a compromise to accommodate operational needs. While the adoption of clear and consistent guidelines for the operation of aircraft in Antarctica is welcome in that this provides practical advice that is likely to reduce incidences of close aircraft/bird encounters, there remains insufficient knowledge of the interactions between aircraft and birds in Antarctica, and the consequent impacts on individual birds and on bird populations. It is important, therefore, that the guidelines adopted are considered interim, and should be kept under scrutiny with revisions made as new and improved research results appear.     

Potential of wild species for genetic enhancement of some semi-arid food crops

Discovery and incorporation of genes from wild species provide means to sustain crop improvement, particularly when levels of resistance in the cultigens are low and virulent strains of pests and pathogens overcome the host plant resistance. The extent of utilization and the potential of the wild genepool for genetic enhancement were reviewed in five important food crops viz. sorghum, pearl millet, chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut grown in the semi-arid tropics. Introgression from compatible wild germplasm in the primary gene pool resulted in transfer of new cytoplasmic male sterility systems in pearl millet and pigeonpea, development of high protein, cleistogamous flower and dwarf pigeonpea lines and foliar disease resistant groundnut cultivars. Utilization of wild species in secondary and tertiary gene pools has been generally limited due to sterility, restricted recombination or cross incompatibility. Nevertheless, these species are extremely important as they contain high levels of resistance to several important biotic and abiotic stresses. Several of them, like those belonging to the Parasorghum section and the rhizomatous Arachis species are sources of multiple resistances and hold great promise to sustain crop productivity.