Genetic analysis of yield and fruit traits in cantaloupe cultivars

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the combining ability of six local Iranian and one imported cantaloupe cultivar. Heritability of traits was estimated using a half‐diallel mating design. Seven parents and their crosses were evaluated in 2013 and 2014. The greatest general combining ability (GCA) for yield and fruit number was for “Rish‐baba” (0.53 kg/plant and 0.3, respectively). The cultivar “Ananasi” had the highest GCA for fruit weight and soluble solids content (SSC) (0.088 kg and 1.4, respectively). “Ananasi” presented the highest GCA values for fruit firmness, chlorophyll a and b and carotenoid content, as well as the highest total chlorophyll content. The cross Garmak × Rish‐baba showed the highest specific combining ability (SCA) for yield with heterosis value of 99%. High heritability estimates for SSC (0.52), flesh thickness (0.61) and concentration of chlorophyll a (0.7) were obtained. Although there were significant SCAs for yield, the parents are suggested to be improved prior to hybrid development. The parent “Ananasi” appears to be a suitable donor in breeding programmes.     

Genetic analyses of low photoperiod sensitivity of rice cultivars from the northernmost regions of Japan

The genetic factors controlling the extremely low photoperiod sensitivity (PS) of rice culyibstd from the northernmost regions of Japan were studied using 26 cultivars from the Hokkaido district (42 N 45 N). They were grown under 10-h and 24-h daylengths, and their PS. expressed by the difference between the days to heading under these daylengths, was estimated. The genetic factors responsible for the intervarietal difference in PS were then analysed under 10-h, 14-h and 24-h daylengths using the progenies from crosses between Hokkaido cultivars. These results showed that a recessive gene, se-9(t), drastically reduced PS under a 24-h daylength and that several genes, including se9(t), determined the extremely low PS of the cultivars from the northernmost regions.     

Genetic analysis of stem rust resistance in three cultivars of wheat

Summary The genetics of resistance to stem rust in 3 cultivars of common wheat, namely Gamut, Timgalen and W 3198 was studied. The variety Gamut was found to possess the genes Sr6, Sr9b, Sr 11 and one previously undescribed gene designated Sr Gt. The latter gene conditions a 2=2– infection type to all Australian strains including those designated 1, 2, 3.Timgalen was found to carry 5 genes, namely Sr5, Sr6, Sr8, SrTt and srT. The presence of the gene SrTt (identical to the resistance of C.I. 12632, a derivative of Triticum timopheevi) in Timgalen is puzzling as no variety with this gene figured significantly in its pedigree. W3198 carried the genes Sr11, Sr13, and sr17 derived from Gabo, Khapstein and Hofed 1200 respectively. The study suggested that as a general principle, plant breeders should aim at a broad genetic base in resistant cultivars.     

Genetic dissection of black grain rice by the development of a near isogenic line

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) can produce black grains as well as white. In black rice, the pericarp of the grain accumulates anthocyanin, which has antioxidant activity and is beneficial to human health. We developed a black rice introgression line in the genetic background of Oryza sativa L. ‘Koshihikari’, which is a leading variety in Japan. We used Oryza sativa L. ‘Hong Xie Nuo’ as the donor parent and backcrossed with ‘Koshihikari’ four times, resulting in a near isogenic line (NIL) for black grains. A whole genome survey of the introgression line using DNA markers suggested that three regions, on chromosomes 1, 3 and 4 are associated with black pigmentation. The locus on chromosome 3 has not been identified previously. A mapping analysis with 546 F₂ plants derived from a cross between the black rice NIL and ‘Koshihikari’ was evaluated. The results indicated that all three loci are essential for black pigmentation. We named these loci Kala1, Kala3 and Kala4. The black rice NIL was evaluated for eating quality and general agronomic traits. The eating quality was greatly superior to that of ‘Okunomurasaki’, an existing black rice variety. The isogenicity of the black rice NIL to ‘Koshihikari’ was very high.     

Genetic analysis for protein content in indica rice

Analysis of genetic main effects and GE interaction effects for protein content (PC) and protein index (PI) of indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) was conducted for two year experimental data by using a genetic model for quantitative traits of seeds in cereal crops. Nine cytoplasmic male sterile lines or maintainers as female parents and five restorer lines as male parents were used for a NC II mating design in 1995 and 1996. The results indicated that PC and PI traits were simultaneously controlled by genetic main effects as well as GE interaction effects. For PC and PI of rice, the embryo interaction effects (embryo additive and dominance interaction effects) were important as effects of triploid endosperm, cytoplasm and diploid maternal plant. The estimates of narrow-sense heritability for PC and PI of rice were 85.3% and 77.9%, respectively. The interaction heritability was found to be larger than the general heritability for PC and PI of rice. Significant relationships for components of different genetic effects between PC and PI were found. The GE interaction covariances tended to be positive. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Lead accumulation and distribution in different rice cultivars

This experiment was conducted to investigate the characteristics of lead (Pb) accumulation and distribution among rice organs in 35 rice cultivars of different genotypes. The 35 rice cultivars of four cultivar groups (temperate japonica, tropical japonica, tongil-type, and Indica) were grown with irrigation water containing 10 ppm throughout all growing seasons at the experimental farm of Seoul National University, Korea. Rice plants were sampled and analyzed for Pb accumulation and distribution in each rice organ at harvest. The results showed that Pb concentration, accumulation, and distribution in rice organs except roots were significantly different among 35 rice cultivars. Pb levels in different rice organs followed the order: root > shoot > grain. Grain Pb concentration and accumulation ranged from 0.05 to 0.22 mg kg^-1 and from 0.016 to 0.127 mg m^-2, respectively. The lowest and highest grain Pb concentration and accumulation were observed in a temperate japonica cultivar ‘Hwajin’ and a tropical japonica cultivar ‘IR71204’, respectively. Grain Pb concentration showed highly significant correlations with the shoot-grain redistribution ratio among 35 cultivars. However, it was not correlated with shoot Pb concentration and accumulation, root Pb concentration, and the root-shoot translocation factor. Significant differences in Pb concentration, accumulation, and distribution in rice organs among four cultivar groups were only found in shoot Pb accumulation. Indica showed the highest Pb accumulation in shoots, while temperate japonica was the lowest. Grain Pb concentration for four cultivar groups was found to be significantly correlated with the shoot-grain redistribution ratio in common.     

瓜尔豆品种遗传关系分析

瓜尔豆[Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.]为一年生抗旱耐热豆类植物,是Cyamopsis属中经济性最为重要的一个种。有关商业品种的遗传关系的信息对于瓜尔豆育种至关重要。本文依据6个瓜尔豆,1个C. senegalensis 种和1个 C. serrata种的引种系的RAPD和植物学性状数据采用UPGMA方法 进行了聚类分析。供试的三个种共扩增出29条带,其中26条具有多态性。每个引物扩增出的多态性片段为2至6条,平均3.3条。基于这26条多态性RAPD片段的Jaccard相似系数,聚类分析将这3个种分为2组：第一组包括C. serrata 和 C. senegalensis 2个野生种,第二组包括Cyamopsis tetragonoloba种的6个品种。在第二组中,‘Kinman’与其他5个品种的关系较远。用这8个材料形态性状非相似系数进行的聚类分析获得了类似的结果,但用形态性状比之RAPD检测到组内更多的变异。     

Genetic analysis of the response to day length in rice

Summary Inheritance of time-to-flowering, plant height, tiller number, spikelet number and flag leaf area was studied under day lengths of 10 and 14 hours in a diallel cross of six rice varieties. Early flowering was dominant to late in both environments but the varieties flowering early in one environment were late flowering in the other. Analysis of F₁ and F₂ data from the cross of Heenati-310 x IR-8 suggested a digenic control of early flowering in short days with complementary interaction. It is considered that while relatively few genes control time-to-flowering in rice a previous proposal that separate genes for time-to-flowering and photoperiod sensitivity exist is unnecessary on present evidence. Whereas culm length, tiller number and flag leaf area were increased by longer days, the number of spikelets per panicle was reduced. The length of the panicle was little affected by changing environment, and throughout certain characters and varieties, such as tiller number in I-geo-tze, were more stable than others. Varietal crosses of Heenati-310 x IR-8 and Tainan x MI-273(m) appeared to give high yield potential.     

Genetic relatedness among eastern North American blackberry cultivars based on pedigree analysis

Blackberry genetic relationships (Rubus subgenus Rubus Watson) have not been thoroughly studied. The University of Arkansas maintains one of the largest blackberry-breeding programs in the world and thus, in-depth knowledge of the cultivars released from the program and others instrumental in their lineages can aid in breeding endeavors. Pedigrees of 32 cultivars were traced to their founding clones. Genetic contribution (GC), maximum potential similarity (MPS), inbreeding coefficient, and coefficients of relationship (CR) were calculated for all genotypes. Nineteen founding clones contributed to the 32 cultivars, ranging from <1% to 19%. The top three founding clones for mean GC conferred nearly 50% to the 32 cultivars in this study, suggesting a somewhat narrow genetic base. Calculations for MPS ranged from complete similarity (1.00) to 0.00. Individual inbreeding coefficients ranged from 0.00 to 0.25. The coefficient of relationship was used as a method of determining genetic relatedness and ranged from 0.00 to 0.74. University of Arkansas cultivars had the highest MPS and CR in the study. This may be attributed to more generations of hybridization than the other cultivars. The MPS provided some comparable results to those of RFLP and RAPD molecular studies, but CR did not. The rather narrow genetic base of eastern North American blackberry cultivars does not create an imminent, significant concern for loss of diversity. However, more diverse germplasm should be infused for continuation of heterogeneity.     

Genetic analysis of glume colour in common wheat cultivars from the former USSR

Genotypes for the glume colour character have been studied in 27 cultivars of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) originated from old landraces, and 1 specimen of T. petropavlovskyi Udacz. et Migusch. by means of analysis of the F₂ populations. The following tester lines have been used: white-glumed ‘Novosibirskaya 67’ ‘Diamant I’, and ‘Federation’, carrying the Rg1 gene alone; lines RL5405 and near-isogenic ‘Saratovskaya 29’ *5 (T. timopheevii Zhuk./T. tauschii (Coss.) Schmal.), carrying Rg2; line (1A ‘CS’ × ‘Strela’) with Rg3. The red glume colour in 21 cultivars of Triticum aestivum and in the accession of T. petropavlovskyi has been shown to be determined by the single gene Rg1, located on chromosome 1B. Five cultivars carrying the gene Rg3 for red glumes on chromosome 1A have been revealed. The cultivars ‘Zhnitsa’ and ‘Iskra’ carry the gene Rg3 alone. The red glume colour in the cultivars ‘Milturum 321’, ‘Milturum 2078’, ‘Sredneural'skaya’ is controlled by two genes, Rg1 and Rg3. In two common wheat cultivars, ‘Sarrubra’ and ‘Krasnoyarskaya 1103’ the red glume colour is determined by Rg1, inherited from local populations (‘Turka’ and ‘Kubanka’ respectively) of tetraploid wheat T. durum Desf. var. hordeiforme Host. Wide occurrence of the Rg1 gene in common wheat has been confirmed. On the contrary, none of the investigated varieties carries the gene Rg2. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Measuring field resistance of cabbage cultivars to black rot

Summary Disease progress and gradient curves of black rot on cabbage were evaluated in field plots of the cultivars Bartolo, Erdeno, Perfect Ball, and Roxy in The Netherlands during 1991 and 1992. Plots were inoculated by single sources in the centre of each plot. Individual plants were examined for disease incidence and severity. Disease progress was described by the Gompertz model. The overall measure of absolute rate (disease progress rate r multiplied with maximum disease intensity K) was used to compare cultivar effects on disease progress. Disease gradients were described by the negative exponential model. The percentile distance (distance from the source at which disease intensity reached 1% of the empirical maximum disease intensity) was used to compare cultivar effects on disease spread. Disease severity is more sensitive than disease incidence to calculate the disease progress and spread of black rot. Measures of progress and gradient were about equally effective to screen cultivars for field resistance to black rot. Perfect Ball was the most susceptible, Erdeno and Bartolo were intermediate and Roxy was the most resistant for incidence and severity measures. Increased levels of field resistance reduced the development of black rot in time and in space. Field resistance of black rot is thought to be composed of several mechanisms. Microplots provide a good instrument for the assessment of small differences in field resistance, expressed equally well in disease progress as in disease gradient curves.     

Genetic region responsible for the differences of starch properties in two glutinous rice cultivars in Hokkaido,Japan

Starch properties are major determinants of grain quality and food characteristics in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Control of starch properties will lead to the development of rice cultivars with desirable characteristics. We performed quantitative trait locus analysis and detected a putative region on chromosome 2 associated with phenotypic variation of starch properties in two glutinous rice varieties developed in the Hokkaido region of Japan: ‘Kitayukimochi’, which has a low pasting temperature and creates soft rice cakes, and ‘Shirokumamochi’, which has a high pasting temperature and creates hard rice cakes. Starch branching enzyme IIb (SbeIIb) was identified as a candidate gene within the region. Sequence analysis of SbeIIb in parental lines identified two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with non-synonymous mutations in the coding region of the ‘Shirokumamochi’ genotype (SbeIIb^sr). We genotyped over 100 rice cultivars, including 28 rice varieties in the Honshu region of Japan, using the CAPS marker, which was designed using one of the SNPs. However, SbeIIb^sr was not found in rice cultivars in Honshu. Distribution analysis indicated that SbeIIb^sr was introduced to the rice breeding population in Hokkaido from the American variety ‘Cody’ via the Hokkaido cultivar ‘Kitaake’. As a result, SbeIIb^sr was distributed only in progenies of ‘Kitaake’.     

Comparative analysis of the physicochemical properties of rice endosperm from cultivars with diverse amylose content

The physicochemical properties of five rice cultivars (Hwayoungbyeo, Goamibyeo, Yoosojung, LGC-soft, and Manmibyeo), varying in amylose content, were investigated. Morphological properties differ among cultivars depending on the amylose content of starch. High amino acid content was found in LGC-soft and Manmibyeo (low-amylose rice) while Goamibyeo (high-amylose rice) exhibited high mineral and sugar content. No substantial difference in fatty acid composition was observed among cultivars. LGC-soft and Manmibyeo showed faster hydrolysis rate, low pasting temperature, and higher peak and breakdown viscosities than that of the other cultivars. This study illustrates the wide variation in the physicochemical properties of the rice cultivars analyzed. The results could serve as baseline information for plant breeders and assist food processors in quality evaluation of rice with specific characteristics suitable for specialty food processing.     

新疆冬小麦地方品种与育成品种基于SNP芯片的遗传多样性分析

新疆是我国西北重要的小麦优势产区和消费区。解析新疆冬小麦地方品种与育成品种之间的遗传多样性和亲缘关系,对新疆冬小麦育种中杂交组合的合理选配以及后代选择具有重要的指导意义。本研究利用小麦55K SNP(single nucleotide polymorphism)芯片对134份新疆冬小麦地方品种及54份育成品种进行全基因组扫描,估算其品种间的遗传距离,揭示其遗传多样性。结果表明,所有SNP位点的多态性比率达到95.62%(50,743/53,063)。每条染色体分布1068～2616个多态性位点,多态性标记在基因组间分布呈现A>B>D。188个品种间的两两遗传距离在0.002～0.723之间,平均为0.378。其中134个地方品种两两之间的遗传距离在0.002～0.400之间,平均为0.070; 54个育成品种两两之间的遗传距离在0.004～0.337之间,平均为0.114; 134个地方品种与54个育成品种之间的遗传距离在0.605～0.723之间,平均为0.699。聚类结果显示可将所有材料分为10个不同类群。综合SNP和系谱分析,育成品种与地方品种之间的遗传差异最大,其次...     

基于形态学性状和SSR标记的花生品种遗传多样性分析和特异性鉴定

以101份南方花生区试品种为材料,利用形态学性状和SSR标记进行品种遗传多样性分析和特异性鉴定。结果表明, 29个形态学性状中有7个无多样性,其余22个的多样性指数为0.23～0.77,平均为0.43。在相似系数为0.76处,将供试品种划分为七大类群,同一育种单位的品种倾向于聚在一起。用40个SSR标记共检测出167个等位基因,单个标记检测的等位基因数2～6个,平均为4.18个。标记的多态性信息量(PIC)差异较大,最大为0.79,最小为0.26,平均为0.55。在相似系数为0.70处,供试品种可被划分为六大类群,同一省份育成的品种多聚为一类。Mantel检验发现品种间的形态学性状和SSR标记的相似系数矩阵相关性弱(r=0.36),SSR标记无法取代形态学性状单独用于花生品种特异性鉴定,但两者相结合能有效提高花生品种特异性鉴定的准确性。     

Genetic analysis of a null-allele for lipoxygenase-3 in rice seeds

Summary Lipoxygenase (LOX) catalyzes peroxidation of lipids in rice grains and is related to the formation of volatile compounds. We report on the mode of inheritance of LOX-3 in the rice variety Daw Dam. This variety lacks the LOX-3 (Suzuki et al., 1993), which is a major isozyme in rice seeds. The inheritance of LOX-3 in rice seeds was determined by crossing Daw Dam with rice cultivars having normal LOX-3 activity. The distribution of F₂ phenotypes for the presence and absence of LOX-3 from selfed F₁ plants fitted the ratio 3:1. Segregation ratio of the B₁F₁ generation gave a good fit to 1 presence of LOX-3: 1 absence. These data support the hypothesis that the lack of LOX-3 is recessive to the presence of LOX-3, and we conclude that the absence of LOX-3 is inherited as a single recessive trait. We discuss the possible use of the LOX-3 less mutation in relation to volatile compounds production in rice grains.Abbreviations mAb monoclonal antibody - LOX lipoxygenase - SDS-PAGE sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis     

Genetic analysis of ion-beam induced extremely late heading mutants in rice

Two extremely late heading mutants were induced by ion beam irradiation in rice cultivar ‘Taichung 65’: KGM26 and KGM27. The F₂ populations from the cross between the two mutants and Taichung 65 showed clear 3 early: 1 late segregation, suggesting control of late heading by a recessive gene. The genes identified in KGM26 and KGM27 were respectively designated as FLT1 and FLT2. The two genes were mapped using the crosses between the two mutants and an Indica cultivar ‘Kasalath’. FLT1 was located on the distal end of the short arm of chromosome 8. FLT2 was located around the centromere of chromosome 9. FLT1 might share the same locus as EHD3 because their chromosomal location is overlapping. FLT2 is inferred to be a new gene because no gene with a comparable effect to that of this gene was mapped near the centromere of chromosome 9. In crosses with Kasalath, homozygotes of late heading mutant genes showed a large variation of days to heading, suggesting that other genes affected late heading mutant genes.     

Genetic analysis of a novel dominant rice dwarf mutant 986083D

This study was to determine the agronomic and genetic characteristics of a novel rice dominant dwarf mutant 986083D (japonica) and its potential in breeding. 986083D derived from the anther culture of an autotetraploid indica/japonica hybrid and its progeny segregated into normal and dwarf plants. Homozygous and heterozygous 986083D plants looked similar phenotypically, showing shortened stature, erect leaves, more tillers and poor fertility. The segregation ratio of dwarf to normal plants fit the expected 3:1 by χ²-test in 77 out of 88 tested lines. Crosses between homozygous 986083D and eight other rice varieties had uniform semi-dwarf F₁ plants. The F₁ plants from crosses between heterozygous 986083D and five other varieties had normal and semi-dwarf plants close to the expected ratio of 1:1. The reduction of plant height in F₁ plants ranged from 40.0 to 53.5% in a subtropical environment and from 37.5 to 48.2% in a temperate environment. 986083D showed moderate sensitivity to exogenously applied GA₃ in terms of elongation of shoots and induction of α-amylase activity in the endosperm. Linkage analysis showed that the dominant dwarf gene (designated as Dx) in 986083D was not allelic to D53. Dx was roughly mapped to the short arm of chromosome 8. All results showed that 986083D was a novel mutant controlled by single dominant gene, providing a valuable material in rice breeding. Ruizhen Qin, Yang Qiu contributed equally to this work.