Comparative evaluation of exotic and adapted germplasm of spring wheat for floral characteristics in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of northern India

Four hundred spring wheat genotypes, comprising exotic and indigenous germplasm and adapted cultivars for commercial cultivation, were investigated during four crop seasons for six floral characteristics related to outcrossing behaviour. Genetic variability and heritability were investigated along with phenotypic correlation coefficients among these characteristics. A significant quantitative variation existed among the characteristics in all three groups. High heritability for stigma length, openness of florets, anther extrusion and duration of floral opening indicated that selection for these characteristics may be effective. The adapted cultivars were found more promising than the exotic and indigenous germplasm. Most of the characteristics showed significantly positive correlation with each other and high correlation was observed between anther and stigma length, and anther extrusion and duration of floral opening. Superiority of varietal mixtures and segregating generations (F₃ and F₄) of two crosses over parental lines suggested that heterozygosity and heterogeneity can provide yield advantages. Germplasm lines possessing superior expression of floral characteristics may be used to improve yielding ability through enhanced heterozygosity or the development of hybrids.     

Genetic relationships between anther and stigma traits revealed by QTL analysis in two rice advanced-generation backcross populations

Anther and stigma size are critical floral traits that influence outcrossing in rice (Oryza sativa), a crop that is predominantly self-fertilizing. The efficiency of hybrid rice seed production depends on efficient outcrossing ability of parental lines, which is promoted by increased anther and stigma size. Phenotypic correlations between anther and stigma traits have been observed in many studies; however, evidence for this relationship is unclear and the genetic basis remains to be elucidated. To examine this relationship and to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for increased anther and stigma size, we developed two advanced backcross QTL mapping populations derived from a cross between a Thai elite indica crop variety (SPR1) and an accession of common wild rice (O. rufipogon Griff.), which is predominantly outcrossing. One mapping population was selected for increased anther size while the other was selected for increased stigma size. We mapped QTLs for anther size and stigma size in both populations. Bulked segregant analysis was used to identify molecular markers associated with the selected traits. A total of 16 significant QTLs associated with anther and stigma traits were identified across the two populations, and these were located in five genomic regions on four chromosomes. Whereas three of these regions have been previously reported, two of them are newly identified and should be further explored for improving outcrossing ability in rice. The co-localization of QTL for anther and stigma traits strongly suggests some degree of shared developmental basis for these traits.     

Gain from marker‐based recurrent selection for increased heterozygosity in barley

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a highly adaptable cereal crop grown under a wide range of agro‐ecological conditions. Various literature reports demonstrate that heterozygosity may enhance the yielding level and stability of barley particularly in stress‐prone environments. The major aim of this study was to investigate whether recurrent selection (RS) for heterozygosity at highly polymorphic codominant molecular marker loci increases outcrossing in a genetically broad‐based population. Four to six SSR marker loci were used for this purpose. Selection was conducted over four cycles. Progress from selection was evaluated in a terminal experiment comprised of population samples from all four RS cycles. All experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions. The starting population was composed of 201 gene bank accessions (178 lines, 12 landraces and 11 wild barley populations) sampled in West Asia and North Africa. Selection led to a stepwise increase in heterozygosity from 0.23% to 1.50%. Correspondingly, the estimated multilocus outbreeding rate rose from 1.4% to 3.5%. This positive selection response offers new perspectives for improving the productivity of barley in stress‐prone areas.     

Outcrossing rate of barley genotypes with different floral characteristics in drought‐stressed environments in Jordan

The flowering characteristics of a highly inbreeding species such as barley might influence the extent of outcrossing that can be expected. Increased outcrossing is a prerequisite to exploit heterosis in inbreeding species, which can lead to considerable yield increase as has been demonstrated for barley grown under marginal conditions. Anther extrusion (AE) in barley has been demonstrated to be a genetically controlled, quantitative trait with intermediate to high heritability. Some authors consider AE and open flowering in barley as identical. The present study was conducted to investigate whether barley genotypes with increased AE exhibit increased outcrossing rates under field conditions in comparison with genotypes showing no AE. Field experiments were conducted in three contrasting environments in Jordan in the 2001/02 growing season using six adapted barley genotypes, three with high AE and three with no AE. Outcrossing rates were investigated employing codominant DNA markers (microsatellites). No significant difference in outcrossing rates was detected between anther‐extruding and non‐extruding barley genotypes. Results indicate that high AE is not a sufficient condition to cause increased outcrossing rates and thus cannot be termed open flowering.     

Heritability and Interrelationships of Pod Length and Seed Weight in Guar

This study was undertaken to estimate heritability of pod length and seed weight in guar, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub., and to determine genetic relationships between the two traits. Narrow-sense heritability (h²) estimates ranged from 0.63 to 0.68 for pod length and from 0.54 to 0.57 for seed weight. An additive-dominance model was adequate to explain gene action involved in the inheritance of both traits. Estimates indicate a minimum of 5 loci or chromosome segments control pod length and 2 control seed weight. Phenotypic correlations between pod length and seed weight were highly significant and positive. Genotypic correlations between the two traits were low and positive. Moderate to high heritability values for the two traits indicate that selection for improvement in either trait should be fairly rapid. Low genotypic correlations between the traits should not pose a significant barrier in developing large seed, grain-type cultivars.     

Phenotypic evaluation of floral and flowering traits with relevance for hybrid breeding in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Hybrid breeding is a promising approach to increase the yield potential in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The profitability of wheat hybrids highly depends on a cost‐efficient system for hybrid seed production for which an adequate outcrossing in the male pool is of utmost importance. Employing a set of 51 elite winter wheat lines, we developed and evaluated phenotyping methods for floral and flowering traits with relevance for improved cross‐pollination. We observed significant genotypic variances and high heritabilities for most traits, including important traits like pollen mass and anther extrusion. Our results suggest the utility of the developed phenotyping approaches for applied plant breeding and the potential of the traits to assist in the design of the male ideotype for increased cross‐fertilization.     

Improving adaptation to drought stress in white pea bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.): Genotypic effects on grain yield,yield components and pod harvest index

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most important food legume crop in Africa and Latin America where rainfall pattern is unpredictable. The objectives were to identify better yielding common bean lines with good canning quality under drought, and to identify traits that could be used as selection criteria for evaluating drought‐tolerant genotypes. In all, 35 advanced lines were developed through single seed descent and evaluated with a standard check under drought and irrigated conditions at two locations over 2 years in Ethiopia. Grain yield (GY), pod number per m², seed number per m² and seed weight decreased by 56%, 47%, 49% and 14%, respectively, under drought stress. Eight genotypes had better yield with good canning quality under drought compared to the check. Moderate to high proportion of genetic effects were observed under drought conditions for GY and yield components compared to genotype × environment effects. Significant positive correlations between GY and pod harvest index (PHI) in drought suggest that PHI could be used as an indirect selection criterion for common bean improvement.     

Pollen production in hexaploid triticale

Summary Comparative studies were made of the pollen characteristics of triticale, wheat, and rye. Measurements were made of the anther length, width, and percent extrusion; pollen viability; size and number of pollen grains per anther; and dispersal on 10-mm² slide area pollen traps. Triticale anthers were intermediate in length between and significantly different from both wheat and rye. Rye pollen grains per anther were four and two times greater in number than those of wheat and triticale, respectively. Pollen viability was not significantly different between species. Rye pollen grains were smaller than those of wheat and of some triticale cultivars. Simple correlations between anther length and anther width, pollen grains per anther, pollen grain trapped per 10 mm² slide area, and plant height were significantly positive.     

花期干旱胁迫钝感与敏感水稻保持系的生理特性

以负压式土壤湿度计和取土烘干法双重监控盆栽试验的土壤水势变化,观测我国14个常用水稻保持系的花期耐旱性,并以干旱胁迫指数人为分为钝感、耐旱、不耐旱与敏感4个耐旱等级,其中K22-B、金23-B为花期干旱胁迫钝感材料,珍汕97-B、中9-B为花期干旱胁迫敏感材料,选此4个典型保持系,研究它们对花期干旱胁迫的生理效应。结果表明:(1)花期干旱胁迫钝感保持系稻株比之敏感保持系稻株剑叶与小穗(颖花、籽粒)具有较高水势,缺水引发水稻器官水势下降,剑叶蒸腾速率也因干旱而下降,但下降程度小于敏感材料。(2)钝感与敏感保持系稻株的光合速率并无明显差异,但因干旱胁迫而下降的程度有明显不同,钝感保持系光合速率下降程度小于敏感材料。(3)花期干旱胁迫钝感与敏感保持系花粉数/花药相似,也不因花期干旱胁迫而明显下降(P0.05),花粉粒充实度与柱头着粒花粉的发芽率也不因花期干旱胁迫而明显变化(P0.05),干旱胁迫敏感保持系稻株的花药开裂度与柱头上花粉着粒数均低于钝感保持系稻株。总之,对花期干旱胁迫钝感的保持系稻株比之敏感保持系稻株经干旱胁迫,保持较高的器官水势与蒸腾速率,有利于花药开裂与柱头着粉受精,维持相对较高的光合效率与物质转移效率,有益受精籽粒灌浆成熟。     

Tolerance to paraquat is correlated with the traits associated with water stress tolerance in segregating F2 populations of barley and wheat

To identify scorable marker traits that can be used in cereal breeding programs for selecting drought tolerant individuals, we investigated the correlation among the drought-associated traits in two F₂ populations derived from the crosses made between drought tolerant and sensitive barley and wheat parental genotypes. The parental genotypes of these crosses also differed by at least three other traits – paraquat tolerance, leaf size, and the relative water content. These three traits were scored in two F₂populations of 80 individuals for each barley and wheat cross. Analysis of results indicated that the enhanced tolerance to paraquat was correlated with reduced leaf size and increased relative water content, two traits associated with water stress phenotypes of the drought tolerant barley and wheat parents. Our results suggested that the selection based on paraquat tolerance istechnically less demanding and thus useful for rapid screening of individuals for enhanced drought tolerance in segregating populations. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Understanding physiological and morphological traits contributing to drought tolerance in barley

Drought stress is a major limiting factor for crop production in the arid and semi‐arid regions. Here, we screened eighty barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes collected from different geographical locations contrasting in drought stress tolerance and quantified a range of physiological and agronomical indices in glasshouse trails. The experiment was conducted in large soil tanks subjected to drought treatment of eighty barley genotypes at three‐leaf stage and gradually brought to severe drought by withholding irrigation for 30 days under glasshouse conditions. Also, root length of the same genotypes was measured from stress‐affected plants growing hydroponically. Drought tolerance was scored 30 days after the drought stress commenced based on the degree of the leaf wilting, fresh and dry biomass and relative water content. These characteristics were related to stomatal conductance, stomatal density, residual transpiration and leaf sap Na, K, Cl contents measured in control (irrigated) plants. Responses to drought stress differed significantly among the genotypes. The overall drought tolerance was significantly correlated with relative water content, stomatal conductance and leaf Na⁺ and K⁺ contents. No significant correlations between drought tolerance and root length of 6‐day‐old seedling, stomatal density, residual transpiration and leaf sap Cl^? content were found. Taking together, these results suggest that drought‐tolerant genotypes have lower stomatal conductance, and lower water content, Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl^? contents in their tissue under control conditions than the drought‐sensitive ones. These traits make them more resilient to the forthcoming drought stress.     

Drought tolerance in sorghum by pollen selection using osmotic stress

A pollen selection study for drought tolerance using Poly Ethylene Glycol (PEG) as a selective agent was conducted in sorghum. Ten genotypes of sorghum suitable for post rainy season were crossed to cytoplasmic male sterile line 104A and three genotypes to 116A producing 13 hybrids. Two sets of 13 hybrids with and without pollen selection were produced. PEG at 36 per cent was applied to stigma and stylar tissue one hour before pollination for pollen selection (selective fertilization) and no treatment for control (nonselective fertilization). Hybrids thus produced through selective and non-selective fertilization were tested in moisture stress environment during post rainy season. The hybrids obtained through selective fertilization produced significantly higher mean grain yield compared to hybrids obtained through non-selective fertilization. The results indicate that selective fertilization through in vivo pollen selection using PEG as selective agent was effective in improving moisture stress tolerance of the progeny in sorghum genotypes studied. Further, the pollen selection also had influence on plant height, panicle length, panicle width, panicle weight and grain mass. Thus,the pollen selection had a significant effect on grain yield through its components and developmentally related traits. Pollen selection for osmoticstress tolerance in sorghum influences the growth and vigour of the plants resulting in superior progeny in moisture stress environment. The analysis of individual crosses indicated that pollen genotype selection was able to favour performance of the progeny. However, the pollen selection had positive effect in majority of the hybrids and the study demonstrates the transmission of the selected trait from pollen generation to progeny. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

二棱大麦品种（系）的综合评价

为更精准筛选和选育不同用途二棱大麦品种,对38份不同来源及用途的二棱大麦品种（系）的株高、穗长、千粒重、穗粒数、有效穗数、籽粒产量和不孕粒数等主要农艺性状及籽粒蛋白质含量进行综合评价。结果表明,参试二棱大麦品种（系）有效穗数、产量、穗长、不孕粒数及蛋白质含量变异丰富,株高、千粒重及穗粒数变异相对较小,二棱大麦育种的增产效应主要体现在穗长和有效穗数的适度增加。相关性分析表明,二棱大麦各性状间存在复杂的相关性,且多个性状均可影响产量,有效穗数与产量呈极显著正相关。供试二棱大麦品种（系）在遗传距离10水平上可聚为中秆大粒型和矮秆多穗型两类。主成分分析将38份二棱大麦品种（系）的主要农艺性状分为4个主成分,其累计贡献率达85.5807%;以前4个主成分得分值为指标进行主成分二维排序分析,分析38份二棱大麦品种（系）在特定因子性状上的差异,结果为创制优异种质及亲本选择提供依据。     

Genetic analysis and phenotypic associations for drought tolerance in Hordeum spontaneum introgression lines using SSR and SNP markers

Associations between markers and drought related traits were investigated on a set of 57 advanced barley breeding lines, carrying various levels of introgression from Hordeum spontaneum lines 41-1 and 41-5, the best sources of drought tolerance in the ICARDA barley breeding program, using 74 simple sequences repeats (SSR) and 20 single nucleotide polymorphism markers. The 57 lines were evaluated for grain yield and drought related traits for three years (2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06) in nine Mediterranean low rainfall environments. A high level of polymorphism was found with SSR markers, and the mean polymorphism information content and gene diversity values were 0.67 and 0.71, respectively. The number of alleles per locus varied from 2 to 11, with an average of 5.8 alleles per marker. Considering all the 57 lines, the linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis was significant at a comparison-wise P?<?0.01 level in nearly 9 % of the SSR marker pairs used and a decay of LD was observed to a value of r ²?<?0.2 at a genetic distance of 40?cM. The association analysis revealed a total of 147 significant marker?Ctrait associations for grain yield and drought related traits. A total of 72 (49 %) marker?Ctrait associations showed favorable effects of the exotic germplasm where the H. spontaneum lines contributed to an improvement of the trait under drought stress conditions. The number of significant marker?Ctrait associations per trait were: 12 for growth habit; 2 for growth vigor; 11 for peduncle extrusion; 5 for number of grains per spike; 20 for peduncle length; 16 for days to heading; 20 for plant height; 8 for spike length; 17 for thousand kernel weight; 30 for grain yield; 4 for harvest index and 2 for biological yield. The phenotypic variation explained by individual marker?Ctrait associations ranged from 7.6 % to 36.2 %. The identification of genomic regions associated with grain yield and drought related traits is useful for the genetic improvement of cultivars better adapted to drought stress environments. Thus, the present study is encouraging in identifying significant marker?Ctrait associations through LD based association mapping analysis, which could complement and augment previous quantitative trait loci information for the potential use of Marker Assisted Selection for drought.     

Genetic variation in drought tolerance at seedling stage and grain yield in low rainfall environments in wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.)

Genetic architecture of seedling drought tolerance is complex and needs to be better understood. To address this challenge, we developed a protocol to identify the most promising drought-tolerant genotypes at the seedling stage in winter wheat. A population of 146 recombinant inbred lines (F₉) derived from a cross between wheat cultivars, ‘Harry’ (seedling drought tolerant) and ‘Wesley’ (seedling drought susceptible) were used in this study. All genotypes were sown in three replications in a randomized complete block design under controlled conditions in a greenhouse. Seven traits were scored and grouped into tolerance traits; days to wilting, leaf wilting, and stay green and survival traits; days to regrowth, regrowth, drought survival rate, and recovery after irrigation. Three selection indices were calculated (1) tolerance index, (2) survival index, and (3) drought tolerance index (DTI). The same set of genotypes were also tested for grain yield in two low rainfall environments for two seasons. High genetic variation was found among all genotypes for all seedling traits scored in this study. Correlations between tolerance and survival traits were weak or did not exist. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.53 to 0.88. DTI had significant phenotypic and genotypic correlations with all seedling traits. Genotypes were identified with a high drought tolerance at the seedling stage combined with high grain yield in low rainfall. Breeding for tolerance and survival traits should be taken into account for improving winter wheat drought tolerance at seedling stage. The selected genotypes can be used for to further improve drought tolerance in high yielding wheat for Nebraska.     

Agronomic Performance of Wheat Doubled-Haploid Lines Derived from Cultivars by Anther Culture

To determine the level of gametoclonal variation among doubled-haploid lines (DHLs) of Triticum aestivum L. developed using anther culture techniques and its effect on agronomic performance, 70 anther culture-derived DHLs of ‘Kitt’ were compared for 7 agronomic traits to 50 single-seed descent-derived lines (SSDLs) of ‘Kitt’ and to the cultivar ‘Kitt’. In a second experiment, 26 DHLs of ‘Chris’ were compared for 7 agronomic traits to 29 SSDLs of ‘Chris’ and to the cultivar ‘Chris’. Each experiment was grown as a randomized complete block design with three replications in three environments. For ‘Kitt’, the DHLs averaged significantly lower grain yields than the comparable SSDLs. For ‘Chris’, the DHLs averaged lower, but not significantly lower, grain yield than the SSDLs. In both ‘Kitt’ and ‘Chris’, the genetic component of variance for yield of the DHLs was significantly larger than that of the SSDLs indicating the presence of gametoclonal variation. The lower average grain yield of the DHLs was explained by a larger group of low-yielding DHLs than was present in the SSDLs. Six ‘Kitt’ DHLs and 3 ‘Chris’ DHLs were lower yielding than the lowest yielding SSDL, respectively. Elite DHLs and SSDLs were similar for mean grain yield performance. Though the DHLs and SSDLs were significantly different for some yield components, the affected yield component changed with the cultivar and there was no consistent effect. Significant genotype × environment interactions were detected for some traits which were caused by changes in the magnitude of differences, rather than reversals in ranking, indicating that low yielding DHLs could be culled on the basis of visual selection or single-environment testing. Hence, gametoclonal variation was induced by the anther culture techniques used in this study, tended to be deleterious for grain yield, and was sensitive to the growing environment. However, as the DHLs and SSDLs had similar expected population means based upon expected gains from selection, this gametoclonal variation should not be a major hindrance to wheat breeding.     

Heritability, variance components and correlation of morphological and phenological traits in hazelnut

Most traits of interest in hazelnut are quantitative, yet there is little information available on heritability, variance components, or correlations. In this study, 13 morphological and four phenological traits were observed for 3 years on 41 parental genotypes, and for 2 years on seed‐lings representing 35 progenies. Narrow‐sense heritability estimates obtained by regression of offspring means on midparent values were all high, ranging from 0.56 for amount of kernel fibre to 0.89 for nut depth. Data on the parent genotypes was used to analyse variance components and showed that genotypic variance accounted for most of the phenotypic variance for all traits, and there was very little variation among trees within genotypes. Genotype‐year interaction accounted for only a very small part of the phenotypic variance for most traits, and changes in genotype rank were few and minor. Thus, selection based on genotype means is appropriate. The largest genotype‐year interaction components were observed for time of nut maturity, time of stigma exsertion, time of catkin elongation, number of nuts per cluster and amount of kernel fibre. For these five traits, evaluation over a period of years is advised. Correlation coefficients were large and positive for four nut size traits, indicating some redundancy in these measurements. Three of the phenological traits (time of stigma exsertion, time of catkin elongation, and time of leaf budbreak) were also highly and positively correlated. A large genetic correlation (0.44 < r < 0.73) was noted between good blanching and early phenology (catkin elongation, stigma exsertion and leaf budbreak), although plots of individual seedling values showed a large degree of scattering. Genetic correlations also indicated that seedlings with small nuts also tend to have compressed nuts, short husks and catkins that elongate later, but plots of individual seedling values showed large scattering. Correlations among the six traits directly related to the objectives of the Oregon State University hazelnut breeding programme (kernel weight, per cent kernel, nut shape index, blanching ability, relative husk length and nut maturity) were very low, indicating that they can be handled as independent traits.     

Heterosis and mixing effects in barley under drought stress

Yield stability is one of the main breeding objectives in breeding for stress environments, such as the semi‐arid areas of Syria. The objectives of this study were to measure the effects of heterogeneity and heterozygosity on yield and yield stability by comparing doubled haploid lines (DHL) in mixed vs. pure stand (influence of heterogeneity) and F₂ populations vs. corresponding DHL mixtures (influence of heterozygosity). Six barley lines from two gene pools (LR = landraces, EL = experimental lines) were used to produce nine crosses (two LR × LR, three EL × EL, four LR × EL). The F₂ generation and eight DHL per cross were produced from each cross. The six parental DHL, nine F₂ populations, nine 8‐line mixtures and 72 DHL in pure stands were tested in five environments under drought stress in north Syria. The mean superiority of F₂ populations over DHL mixtures for yield traits across environments and cross combinations ranged between 7.5 and 10%. The effect of heterogeneity was small throughout. For grain yield, harvest index, 1000‐grain weight and plant height significant interactions between heterozygosity levels and environments were observed. The effect of heterozygosity for grain yield increased substantially from ‐1.2% in the highest‐yielding environment to 45.6% in the most stressful environment. Interactions between levels of heterozygosity and cross combinations were significant for most traits. F₂ populations were considerably more stable than DHL in pure stands, yet not as stable as DHL mixtures. It is concluded that heterozygosity is more important than heterogeneity in breeding for improved yield and yield stability under drought stress.     

Outcrossing Rates in Autumn and Spring-Sown Barley

Natural outcrossing is a potential cause of the admixtures which are often observed, especially in winter barley. Outcrossing was studied in yield trials with hap laid -derived homozygous offspring, lines from tour crosses between winter and spring barley varieties. Outcrosses were recognised by heterozygosity in storage protein loci Hor1 and Hor2 as revealed by electrophoresis. Outcrossing, was, on average, about 5% in lines sown in the autumn and less than 0.5% after spring sowing. Autumn-sown lines from one of the four crosses studied had about 10% outcrosses.     

水稻核不育系柱头性状的主基因+多基因遗传分析

柱头性状是影响水稻不育系异交繁殖和杂交水稻制种产量的重要性状。为创制长柱头、高外露率的水稻温敏核不育系提供遗传信息,调查了短柱头、低外露率的粳型光温敏核不育系7001S和长柱头、高外露率的温敏核不育系紫泰S及其杂交、自交获得的F_1、F_2群体(350个株系)和F_2:3群体(320个株系)的4个柱头性状,分析了4个性状之间的相关性,并运用主基因+多基因混合遗传模型,对2个世代4个性状进行了遗传分析。结果表明,4个柱头性状间均表现出极显著正相关,相关系数介于0.262和0.895之间。柱头长度、花柱长度、柱头和花柱总长度(以下简称柱花总长度)均表现出受2对主效基因和微效基因共同控制,除F_2群体中柱花总长度的2对主基因表现为等加性效应和等显性效应外,其余均表现为加性-显性-上位性效应,3个性状均表现出以主基因间的上位性效应为主;F_2群体柱头外露率受2对加性-显性-上位性主基因+多基因控制,而F_2:3群体则表现为受1对加性-显性主基因+多基因控制,以主基因间的加性效应为主。2个世代中的4个柱头性状均以主基因遗传为主。