Cultivar × rhizobial strain interactions in peas with respect to early symbiosis, nodule initiation and N uptake

Sixteen pea cultivars differing in their phenotypic characteristics were studied in order to characterize the cultivars' variability in symbiotic characters using three Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viceae strains. The peas did not show any cultivar × strain interactions with the rhizobial strains used with respect to root hair infection frequency or day of nodule initiation. Three cultivars had high root hair infection frequencies, and five had only a few infected root hairs. Four of five leafless/semi-leafless varieties investigated and one cultivar with normal leaves formed nodules quickly, whereas three varieties with normal leaves formed nodules slowly. Ten of the cultivars showed cultivar × strain interactions with respect to N uptake, indicating that the performance of the N2-fixing symbioses depends on the rhizobial partner. Six cultivars showed cultivar × strain interactions with respect to dry matter production and the nodule proportion of the dry matter. Of the cultivars investigated, we conclude that some of the leafless/semi-leafless varieties (‘Capella’, ‘Filby’ and ‘Solara’) are suitable for inclusion in a future breeding programme, since these cultivars combined several important symbiotic characters.     

Differences in nitrogen fixation among field-grown red clover strains at different levels of 15N fertilization

Summary Genetic variation in fixed nitrogen (N) yield of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) strains and cultivars was investigated using the ¹⁵N isotope dilution method under three regimes of N fertilization: 0.5, 30, and 60 N (kg N ha^–1 per cut). The yield of fixed N per cut (the mean of eight cuts over 2 production years) varied among the strains (progenies of crosses between inbred parents) from 148 to 443 mg per plant at 0.5 N, from 76 to 324 mg at 30 N, and from 69 to 300 mg at 60 N. There were significant and consistent strain differences in the percentage of clover N derived from the atmosphere (% N_dfa). However, %N_dfa was positively correlated with dry mass yield. Consequently, ranking of the strains according to fixed N yield reflected that of dry mass yield. There were only minor strain × N fertilizer interactions, suggesting that selection for enhanced N fixation can be carried out at a single rate of fertilizer N. For a selected pair of strains, the difference in yield of fixed N was confirmed in an Italian ryegrass-red clover mixture, both without and with the addition of N fertilizer (50 kg N ha^–1 per cut). Results with 7-week-old seedling plants in a growth chamber, although obtained in the presence of mineral N and with the isotope dilution method, did not adequately predict field performance. It is concluded that selection for dry matter or total N yield is likely to result in an enhanced yield of fixed N at any level of mineral N availability.Abbreviations % N_dfa percentage of clover nitrogen derived from the atmosphere by symbiotic nitrogen fixation - S₂-F₁-n progeny of pair cross between inbred parents obtained after two generations of selfing     

Variation in Nitrate Tolerance of Nitrogen Fixation in the Pea/Rhizobium Symbiosis

The short-term effects of nitrate on symbiotic nitrogen fixation were studied in six cultivars of pea (Pisum sativum L.) using two strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum. Plants grown symbiotically for three weeks, in order to eliminate the effect of NO₃ on nodule formation, were exposed to nil, 5 or 15 mM NO₃ for a period of seven days. Nodule mass, nitrogenase activity by acetylene reduction and the NO₂ and NO₃ concentrations in nodules were determined. Exposure to nitrate reduced the total acetylene reduction activity (ARA) in all cultivars, and a significant cultivar × nitrate treatment interaction was found. Nitrate influenced the components of N₂ fixation, nodule mass and specific ARA (ARA/mg nodule), differently within and among cultivars. Nodule mass was reduced in all cultivars, but a variation among cultivars in the degree of reduction was found. Nitrate also reduced the specific ARA to different extents in the cultivars- The specific ARA of nodules from NO₃-treated plants, expressed as per cent of the specific ARA of nodules from plants grown without NOT₃ was negatively correlated with the concentration of NO₃ in nodules. No relationship was found between the reduction of N₂ fixation and the nitrite concentration in nodules. The results indicate that it is possible to improve the nitrate tolerance of symbiotic N₂ fixation of the established pea/Rhizobium symbiosis by selection of suitable host plants.     

Inheritance of resistance to pea blight (Ascochyta pinodella) and induction of resistance in pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Summary Pea blight caused by Assochyta pinodella does considerable damage to the pea crop every year. To ascertain the inheritance of resistance to pea blight and incorporate resistance in the commercial cultivars, crosses were made between Kinnauri resistant to pea blight and four highly susceptible commercial pea cultivars — Bonneville, Lincoln, GC 141 and Sel. 18. Studies of the F₁'s, F₂'s, back crosses and F₃'s indicated that Kinnauri carries a dominant gene imparting resistance to pea blight.     

Selection of High Nitrogen-Fixing Rhizobia Nodulating Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) for Semi-Arid Tunisia

Inoculation of grain legumes with rhizobia may improve biological N₂ fixation and crop yield. However, drought, high temperature and soil salinity constrain legume root-nodule formation and function. Here, two rhizobial strains nodulating Tunisian chickpea, Mesorhizobium ciceri strain CMG 6 and Mesorhizobium mediterraneum strain CTM 226 originating from semi-arid regions, were selected for their symbiotic performance and their salt stress tolerance (3 % NaCl). Both strains were then examined as inoculants in different soils and field conditions. Field experiments were conducted in four sites using four chickpea cultivars. Rhizobia occupying nodules in non-inoculated plots were isolated and characterized using 16S rDNA typing; to examine nodule occupancy by the inoculant strains we used polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism of 16S rDNA gene and repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR. The inoculant strains gave a significant increase in nodule number, shoot dry weight and grain yield in all the experimented fields for the four cultivars used, even in the non-irrigated soils. The improvement in plant production was equal to or better than nitrogen fertilization. Moreover, the monitoring of the nodule occupancy showed that inoculant strains competed well in the native populations of rhizobia. These results suggest that nodulation and yield of chickpea can be improved by inoculation with competitive and salt-tolerant rhizobia and is economically promising to increase chickpea production in water-limited regions.     

Somaclonal variation in winter wheat: frequency,occurrence and inheritance

Summary Seventy two landraces of green and sugar pea (Pisum sativum), plus four elite commercial cultivars as controls, were evaluated in 1989–1990 for 19 quantitative traits. The landraces show a broad diversity in most of the traits studied. There are significant positive correlations of flowering date with node of first flower, shoot height and number of days to maturity, which could be relevant parameters for evaluating plant precocity. The analysis of means over each population in some important morpho-biological and quality traits in pod and seed show that there are seven landraces which deserve special attention for having promising breeding value.     

The potential for breeding an improved lucerne-rhizobium symbiosis. 1. Assessment of genetic variation

Summary Six cultivars of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) were grown in all possible combinations with eight strains of Rhizobium meliloti in order to assess genetic variation in symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Host genotype and Rhizobium genotype effects on nitrogen fixation were respectively 4.8% and 21.0% of total phenotypic variance. Genetic variation due to host cultivar × Rhizobium strain interactions accounted for a further 6.0% of phenotypic variance. The results indicated low heritability of general symbiotic effectiveness in the host with interaction effects being large enough to suggest that plant performance may be unpredictable with populations of R. meliloti in field soils. Joint regression analysis showed that about 50% of the interactive variation could be explained by generalized differences in the sensitivity of cultivars to alterations in the genotype of Rhizobium strains. One cultivar, Siriver, was relatively insentitive to changes in the Rhizobium genotype whilst still maintaining high average yield. The implications of the results for lucerne breeding are discussed.     

Mutations affecting nodulation in grain legumes and their potential in sustainable cropping systems

Many spontaneous and a large number of induced mutants that show altered nodulation pattern have been isolated in pea, soybean, common bean, faba bean, chickpea, groundnut and pigeonpea. Available information on nodulation mutants in these crops is summarised. The importance of nodulation mutants in basic studies on plant-microbe symbiotic interactions, nitrogen fixation and breeding of cultivars with higher yield and nitrogen fixation rate are examined. The nodulation mutants, after inoculation with specific bacterial strains or a number of different strains, show either: no nodulation (nod-), few nodules (nod+/-), ineffective nodulation (fix-), hyper nodulation (nod++) or hypernodulation even in the presence of otherwise inhibitory nitrate levels (nts). No spontaneous hypernodulation or nts mutants have been found, all have been induced in independent experiments using different cultivars of pea, soybean and common bean after mutagenising seeds. Most nodulation mutants show monogenic recessive inheritance, though semi-dominant and dominant inheritance is also reported. Nodule number is controlled by a process known as autoregulation; hypernodulating mutants show relaxed autoregulation. By grafting shoots of hypernodulating soybean mutant on normal nodulating soybean, mungbean and hyacinth bean, presence of a common, translocatable signal has been shown. Nodulation mutants have contributed to the understanding of the genetic regulation of host-symbiont interactions, nodule development and N fixation. Initially, the hypernodulating mutants were found to be poor in yield. Using the induced hypernodulating mutant, a new soybean cultivar ‘Nitrobean 60’, has been released in Australia. This cultivar is reported to have given 15% higher yield over cv. ‘Bragg,’ and contributed a higher amount of fixed N to the following cereal crop in rotation. Prospects of using the nodulation mutants in developing grain legume cultivars that combine high yield with high residual N, within the bioenergetic constraints, for developing sustainable cropping systems are examined. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Performance of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) and its Role in Determining Yield Advantages in Mixed Stands of Pea and Oat (Avena sativa L.)

On a brown warp soil (Fluventic Eutrochrept) near Goettingen, Germany, conventional leafed pea ( Pisum sativum L. cvs Messire and Bohatyr) and semileafless types (cvs Profi, Juno and Azur) were grown in mixed stands together with oat ( Avena sativa cvs Alf and Lutz) in substitutively designed experiments from 1995 to 1997. Oat was the dominant component. Crowding coefficients for oat averaged 7.4. No relationship could be detected between the crowding coefficient of oat and any yield advantage from the mixture. Crowding coefficients for pea varied substantially, between 0.1002 (Juno and Alf in 1996) and 0.2979 (Bohatyr and Alf in 1996). Crowding coefficients for semileafless pea cultivars were smaller than for conventional leafed types. The yield advantage of the mixture increased as the crowding coefficient of pea increased. The maximum yield increase for the mixture was achieved when the relative yield total (RYT)=1.17 or + 11 dt grain DM ha^–1 for mixtures of the long-strawed conventional leafed cultivars Bohatyr and Alf (in 1996). The crowding coefficients of pea were positively correlated with the level of symbiotically fixed N₂ in the mixed stands. When N₂ fixation with mixed cropping was about 30 kg N ha^–1, RYT was unity. Increasing symbiotic N₂ in the mixtures resulted in increasing yield advantages in the mixture. Short-strawed pea cultivars seem unsuitable for mixing with oat. Plant height of pea appeared to be more important than plant leaf type. Accordingly, mixtures containing the long-strawed semileafless pea cultivars Profi and Alf were more successful. It is concluded that increased competitiveness of the pea component in the mixture with oat entails increasing the level of symbiotic N₂ fixation including resource complementarity and thus yield advantage in the mixed stands.     

糯玉米不同品种的果穗增重与籽粒灌浆特性

以15个糯玉米杂交种为材料,研究不同品种果穗增重、籽粒灌浆动态。结果表明,鲜穗产量与籽粒产量品种间差异极显著,同时两者相关极显著。果穗增重与籽粒灌浆不同品种间表现一致,均随花后天数的增加呈“S”型曲线增长,符合Richards方程。方程参数分析表明,果穗最大增重速率高、快速增重阶段的速率大和持续时间长有利于提高品种的鲜穗产量;籽粒灌浆活跃生长期长、灌浆最大增长速率高、快增期的灌浆速率大和持续时间长有利于提高籽粒产量。果穗含水率与籽粒含水率随花后天数的增加均呈直线下降趋势,下降速率因品种而异,各品种鲜穗重达峰值时果穗含水率为61.96%~72.98%。     

不同氮素水平对小麦孕穗期生育特性的影响

为了明确不同氮素水平对小麦生长发育的影响,提高氮素利用效率,以‘豫麦49’为材料,通过设置4个不同的氮素处理,对小麦孕穗期株高、叶面积系数、叶片鲜干重、茎鞘鲜重和干重、根鲜重和干重、根体积等形态指标以及小麦叶片中的叶绿素、丙二醛(MDA)和可溶性糖含量等生理指标的测定。结果表明,在一定范围内增施氮肥可以明显提高小麦株高、叶面积系数、叶片鲜重和干重、茎鞘鲜重和干重、根体积,但施氮水平达到240 kg/hm2后,增幅不明显。叶绿素和可溶性糖含量随施氮量的增加而增加,但MDA含量随施氮量的增加而减少。试验表明,施氮量为180~240 kg/hm2时有利于小麦孕穗期的生长发育。     

The Effect of Cyst Nematode Race 3 and Bradyrhizobium japonicum Interactions on Nodulation and Other Agronomic Characters of Three Soybean Genotypes

The effect of soybean cyst nematode (SCN) race 3 and strains of Bradyrhizobium japonkum interactions on nodulation and other agronomic characters of several soybean genotypes was investigated. Nodule weight was reduced in soybean cultivar Ogden treated with SCN plus Bradyrhizobia strains USDA 110 and 6 and on soybean cultivar Essex treated with SCN plus strain USDA 6. The result was reversed on soybean cultivar Essex treated with SCN plus strain USDA 110. The nodule number also decreased on soybean cultivars Ogden and Essex treated with SCN plus strains USDA 110 and 6. The fresh root weights of soybean cultivars Ogden and Essex treated with SCN plus strain USDA 110 were heavier than the fresh root weight of Essex treated with SCN plus strain USDA 6. Lower nitrogen content of stems and leaves was noted only in cultivar Essex treated with SCN plus strains USDA 110 and 6. Bradyrhizobia strain USDA 110 was more efficient in the initiation of nodules in cultivars Ogden and Essex than strain USDA 6. The nitrogen-fixing capacity of strain USDA 6 in Ogden was better than strain USDA 110. The differences in the agronomic performances of the various soybean genotypes were due to their degree of susceptibility to SCN and Bradyrhizobia strains and also to their genetic make-up.     

薏苡生物学特性和养分吸收特征研究

为明确不同薏苡在不同时期的生长特征及养分吸收特性,进行盆栽试验。结果表明：‘黔薏苡1号’与‘黔薏苡2号’在品种形态以及各时期生长形态具有显著性差异。在播种后60天,2种品种茎叶氮含量随着时间增加而逐渐降低。而根的含氮量均在孕穗期达到最大值,分别为2.85%和2.45%,成熟期时维持在1.76%和1.96%。2种品种茎叶钾含量自播种后60天达到最大值,最终两品种茎叶钾含量停留在1.84%和2.16%。然而,根的钾含量变化不大,播种后30天与成熟期的钾含量基本一致。相关性分析表明,茎叶氮、钾含量与干物质量、实粒数、结实率、千粒重、产量等5个产量性状均没有显著的相关关系,茎叶的氮含量与茎叶的钾含量对干物质量可产生直接作用。     

Selective Absorption of K over Na in Sugar Beet Cultivars and its Relationship with Yield and Quality in Two Contrasting Environments of Central Greece

Selective absorption (SA) of K over Na (i.e. the preferential absorption of K over Na) has been proposed as a Na tolerance mechanism but genotypic variation for this trait has not been assessed with sugar beet in the field. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the variation of SA in 14 sugar beet cultivars and to relate SA with yield and root quality in two sites of central Greece (Amfithea and Pyrgetos). Genotypic variation for SA was significant and the SA values were higher in Pyrgetos, the site with the lower soil K and Na concentrations. In Pyrgetos, a favourable environment for sugar beet growth, cultivars yielded more and root quality was better. In that site, a negative relationship between SA and yield (fresh root weight, sugar yield) was found indicating that strong Na exclusion from root is a disadvantage for high yielding. Negative SA–yield relationships were evident in Amfithea when five cultivars with very low SA values (<1.00) were excluded from the analysis. Combined all the cultivars, curvilinear functions were the best-fitted curves for the SA–yield relationships. In Amfithea, where sugar beets had lower water content in root (WCR), a significant, positive correlation between SA and % sucrose content in fresh root weight was found. This finding was ascribed to the dilution of sucrose in roots due to the increased WCR as a result of the increased root Na concentration. In both sites, SA was positively related with root K concentration and negatively with Na concentration. The positive correlations between SA and root α-amino N concentration indicated that sugar beet N nutrition could be affected by the genotypic ability to exclude Na from the root.     

喷施钾、钙及萘乙酸对桃叶片生理指标及果实品质的影响

摘要：以桃新品系‘秋蜜红’为试验材料,研究了喷施0.3%氯化钙和0.3%磷酸二氢钾混合溶液以及附加一定浓度萘乙酸不同次数对桃叶片叶绿素含量、干鲜重比,果实可溶性固形物、可溶性糖含量、硬度的影响。结果表明：混合喷施0.3%氯化钙、0.3%磷酸二氢钾及附加10、20mg/L萘乙酸均提高了秋蜜红桃叶片叶绿素含量,但对干鲜重比影响不明显;混合喷施0.3%氯化钙和0.3%磷酸二氢钾1、2、3次及附加20mg/L萘乙酸喷施3次均明显提高了秋蜜红桃果实的可溶性固形物含量、可溶性糖含量、硬度。     

Varietal Differences of Wheat and Triticale to Water Stress

Six wheat ( Triticurn aestivum L.) and ten triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) cultivars were screened for water stress tolerance during germination and seedling stages in the laboratory and growth chamber, respectively. Germinating seeds and hydroponically-grown seedlings were subjected to osmotic stresses of –0.3 and –0.6 MPa using polyethylene glycol M. W. 8000. Both species and cultivar differences were found among the tested genotypes for all the parameters analyzed in both germination and seedling tests. Germination stress index was lower for seed exposed to -0.6 MPa than for -0.3 MPa osmotic stress. A significant relationship was found among plant height, fresh weight and dry weight stress indices evaluated during the seedling test. The cultivars that grew taller under stress conditions had greater dry matter accumulation, as well as higher germination and water uptake stress indices indicating the reliability of height to predict cultivar performance under such conditions. The cultivars Stacy (wheat) and Eu 14/15 (triticale) had higher dry matter accumulation, higher water uptake and leaf water potential, greater height and better germination under stress conditions than the other cultivars tested. Conversely, the cultivars GA 781014 (wheat) and Am 4147 (triticale) performed poorly with respect to all the parameters analyzed. Based on results from germination and seedling tests, the cultivars Stacy and Eu 14/15 were selected for more stress studies in the greenhouse and field.     

豌豆种子发育过程中贮藏蛋白质的合成

对豌豆种子发育过程中贮藏蛋白质的生物合成的研究结果表明:豌豆种子发育过程中,干物质累积量、单粒含氮量都随开花后日数增加而增加。其中开花第3天出现LMW蛋白质组分,第6天出现HMW蛋白质组分;第15天出现豌豆球蛋白、第18天出现豆球蛋白,第21天出现伴豌豆球蛋白,第27天各种蛋白质组分累积达最大值。其累积的顺序是:豌豆球蛋白——豆球蛋白—伴豌豆球蛋白。     

Seed yield related to crop development and to yield components in nine cultivars of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

Summary We had previously found differences for seed yield among nine perennial ryegrass cultivars which were not associated with variation for seed weight. To detect the physiological basis of these genetic differences for seed yield, growth analyses were carried out. We related crop development and components of seed yield to seed yield during three years on clay and sandy soil. No significant differences occurred among cultivars for accumulation and partitioning of dry matter or the pattern of tiller production. Seed yield of the cultivars was not associated with ear number or total dry matter yield of the seed crop. Seed yield was more correlated with the number of seeds per unit area than with seed weight. The number of seeds as calculated after harvest from seed yield and seed weight was much lower than the number of seeds as estimated prior to harvest from seed yield components. The number of spikelets differed significantly among the cultivars, but the ranking was different from that for seed yield. The physiological basis of the genetic differences for seed yield is not clear. Implications for breeding perennial ryegrass are discussed.     

豌豆主要农艺和品质性状的相关性及灰色关联度分析

采用灰色关联分析和相关分析相结合的方法,对8份豌豆品种（系）的主要农艺和品质性状进行了综合描述和客观评价。结果表明,单株产量与单荚粒数、百粒重呈正相关;产量与主要农艺性状的关联度表现为单荚粒数>单株荚数>生育日数>百粒重>株高>单株分蘖数>主茎节数>单株产量;豌豆品质性状与品质优劣的关联度表现为粗蛋白含量>粗淀粉含量>赖氨酸含量>水分含量>粗脂肪含量,这与相关分析结果一致,可以将两种方法结合起来进行品种的客观评价。     

Genotype x Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain interactions in dinitrogen fixation and agronomic traits of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.)

Summary Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain G49 has been the only inoculum used in French soils. Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) cultivars were selected and tested according to their performances with this rhizobial strain. The aim of the present study was to determine the consequences of strain substitution on N₂ fixation abilities of various genotypes. Three genotypes and cultivar Weber, in combination with B. japonicum strain G49 or SMGS1, were cultivated in pots and tested for nitrogenase activity under differing nitrogen nutrition conditions. The reliability of ARA (acetylene reduction activity) measurement for assessing symbiotic nitrogen fixation under the experimental conditions used was checked. Genotypic variability for symbiotic fixation activity was observed with each strain under soil culture conditions; important genotype x strain interactions were also involved. These results were corroborated for the protein yield and other yield component performances of the various genotype-strain associations. Thus, in France, the replacement of strain G49 with another one might result in the alteration of the relative agronomic performances of the soybean cultivars, since N₂ fixation is considered as a major factor of soybean productivity.