Stratification of SADC regional sorghum testing sites based on grain yield of varieties

We applied sequential retrospective (SeqRet) pattern analysis to stratify sorghum variety testing sites according to their similarity for yield discrimination among genotypes using historical grain yield data from 147 multi-environment trials (METs). The trials were conducted at 38 sites in 10 countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region during 1987/1988–1992/1993 and 1999/2000. The analysis for the 6 years 1987/1988–1992/1993, covering 34 sites, clustered these sites into 6 major groups with a model fit of R² = 0.75. With additional data from the year 1999/2000, the SeqRet pattern analysis delivered a very similar clustering of the 34 sites, with the additional four sites in 1999/2000 properly classified with appropriate site groups (R² = 0.74). The results suggest that future sorghum variety testing could be restricted to a few representative sites selected from within each of the six identified site-groups.     

Effect of Milling and Parboiling Processes on Arsenic Species Distribution in Rice Grains

This study identified the role of milling and parboiling on arsenic (As) content and its species in large numbers of rice samples. Total As contents were 108 ± 33 μg/kg in polished rice grains (PR), 159 ± 46 μg/kg in unpolished rice grains (UR), 145 ± 42 μg/kg in parboiled polished rice grains (PPR) and 145 ± 44 μg/kg in parboiled unpolished rice grains (PUR). The percentages of inorganic As (iAs) were 66% ± 8% in PR and from 72% to 77% in other grain categories. The polishing process reduced the As content in the rice grains, removing outer part of the UR with high amount of As, whereas the parboiling technique transferred the semimetal content within the grain. Total As and iAs contents were not significantly different in UR, PPR and PUR, homogenizing its distribution inside the grains. The results allowed to understand how different operations affect As fate and its chemical forms in grains.     

Grain concentrations of protein and mineral nutrients in a large collection of spelt wheat grown under different environments

A large number of spelt wheat genotypes (ranging from 373 to 772) were evaluated for grain concentrations of protein and mineral nutrients under 6 different environments. There was a substantial genotypic variation for the concentration of mineral nutrients in grain and also for the total amount of nutrients per grain (e.g., content). Zinc (Zn) showed the largest genotypic variation both in concentration (ranging from 19 to 145 mg kg⁻¹) and content (ranging from 0.4 to 4.1 μg per grain). The environment effect was the most important source of variation for grain protein concentration (GPC) and for many mineral nutrients, explaining between 37 and 69% of the total sums of squares. Genotype by environment (G × E) interaction accounted for between 17 and 58% of the total variation across the minerals. GPC and sulfur correlated very significantly with iron (Fe) and Zn. Various spelt genotypes have been identified containing very high grain concentrations of Zn (up to 70 mg kg⁻¹), Fe (up to 60 mg kg⁻¹) and protein (up to 30%) and showing high stability across various environments. The results indicated that spelt is a highly promising source of genetic diversity for grain protein and mineral nutrients, particularly for Zn and Fe.     

Responses of sunflower yield and grain quality to alternating day/night high temperature regimes during grain filling: Effects of timing,duration and intensity of exposure to stress

In order to quantify the effects, at different stages during grain filling, of alternating day/night high temperature regimes on sunflower grain yield and quality, heads were exposed to high temperatures during 7 or 6 days starting either 10–12 days after anthesis (daa, HT1), 18 daa (HT2) or 24 daa (HT3). Also, heads were exposed to high temperatures for periods of 2, 4 or 6 days in each of HT1 and HT2. Temperatures covered a range of mean daily grain temperature of 20–40 °C and peak grain temperatures (i.e., those prevailing during the central 5 h of the daylight period) of 26–45 °C. High temperature stress for periods of 4 days or longer produced significant (p < 0.05) reductions in grain yield and grain quality. Early (HT1) exposure to stress reduced yield by 6%/°C above a mean grain temperature threshold of 29 °C; later (HT2 + HT3) exposures reduced yield by 4%/°C above a threshold of 33 °C. These reductions in yield were attributable to reductions in unit grain weight at all positions (periphery, intermediate, central) on the head, and an increase in the proportion of very small (10–30 mg) grains, termed half-full (HF) grains in this paper. In both full and HF grains, stress in either HT1 or HT2 reduced final pericarp weight, associated with fewer number of cell layers and thinner cell walls in the schlerenchyma. High temperatures reduced both the rate and duration of oil deposition in the grain, with the greatest effects being found with early (HT1) exposures. The unsaturation (oleic acid/linoleic acid) ratio of oil from mature grain was altered only when exposure to heat stress overlapped with the cessation of deposition of storage lipids. The effects of duration and intensity of heat stress on relative (to control) grain yield and oil content could be reasonably summarized using a linear response to cumulative hourly heat load calculated with a base temperature of 30 °C. We conclude that: (i) 4 days of alternating day/night temperatures resulting in mean daily grain temperatures of >30 °C can reduce sunflower grain yield and quality; (ii) the magnitude of these effects is strongly dependent on the timing of exposure and their nature on the grain growth processes active at the time of stress; and (iii) an hourly heat load (base = 30 °C) provides a useful integrative estimator of the effects of exposure to heat stress on grain yield and oil content for a given phase of grain filling.     

Determination of Heterotic Groups and Heterosis Analysis of Yield Performance in indica Rice

To compare the heterosis levels among various groups of parental lines used extensively in China, identify foundational heterotic groups in parental pools and understand the relationship between genetic distance and heterosis performance, 16 parental lines with extensive genetic variation were selected from various sub-groups, and 39 hybrid combinations were generated and evaluated in Fujian and Hainan Provinces of China. The main results were as follows:(1) The 16 parental lines can be grouped into 7 sub-groups consisting of 1 maintainer sub-group and 6 restorer sub-groups;(2) Mean grain yield of the restorer lines was higher than that of the maintainer lines, and mean yield of parental lines was higher than that of the hybrid combinations;(3) The two best heterotic patterns were II-32A × G5 and II-32A × G6, moreover, the order of restorer sub-groups according to grain yield, from the highest to lowest, was G7, G6, G5, G4, G3 and G2; High specific combining ability values were observed for combinations of II-32A × G5, II-32A × G6 and Tianfeng A × G7;(4) Hybrid combinations derived from II-32A crossed with 13 restorer lines had higher yield trait values(mid-parent heterosis, better-parent heterosis, standard heterosis over check and specific combining ability) than any other combinations;(5) Genetic distance was positively correlated with panicle number, grain length and length-to-width ratio(P 0.05) and negatively correlated with grain width, grain yield, seed-setting rate, as well as mid-parent heterosis, standard heterosis over check, and specific combining ability for grain yield(P 0.01). These heterotic groups and patterns and their argonomic traits will provide useful information for future hybrid rice breeding programs.     

Effect of N rate,timing and splitting and N type on bread-making quality in hard red spring wheat under rainfed Mediterranean conditions

Three different experiments were designed to study the effects of N fertilizer rate, timing and splitting, and the response to combined application of N and S fertilizer on the bread-making quality of hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) over a 3-year period in Vertisols under rainfed Mediterranean conditions. The following parameters were analyzed: grain yield, test weight, grain protein content, gluten index and alveograph parameters (W: alveogram index; P: dough tenacity; L: dough extensibility; P/L: tenacity–extensibility ratio). The N rate experiment included rates of 0, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha⁻¹ applied on four different sites. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block with four blocks. For the experiment on N timing and splitting, a single rate of 150 kg N ha⁻¹ was used, different fractions being applied at sowing, tillering and stem elongation, at a single site; again, experimental design was a randomized complete block with four blocks. Finally, for the experiment on the response to combined application of N and S fertilizer, a single fertilizer dose of 150 kg N ha⁻¹ was applied in two forms (urea+ammonium nitrate and urea+ammonium nitrosulfate) with one leaf application at ear emergence (zero, 25 kg S ha⁻¹, 25 kg N ha⁻¹, $\text{25}\text{kg}\text{S}\text{ha}{}^{\mathrm{-1}}\text{+25}$ kg N ha⁻¹ and 50 kg N ha⁻¹), also at a single site, using a split-plot design with four replications. Year-on-year variation in rainfall led to marked variations in wheat yield, grain protein content and bread-making quality indices. A close correlation was observed between rainfall over the September–May period and both grain yield and grain protein content (optimum values for both being recorded in the rainfall range 500–550 mm) as well as the alveogram index. A negative correlation was observed between mean maximum temperatures in May and both test weight and alveogram index (W). N fertilizer rate had a more consistent effect on bread-making quality than on grain yield. The highest values for grain yield were recorded at an N rate of 100 kg ha⁻¹, while maximum grain protein content values were recorded at 150 kg ha⁻¹. Application of half or one-third of total fertilizer N at stem elongation improved grain yield and grain protein content with respect to applications at sowing alone or at both sowing and tillering. Increased N rates led to a considerable increase in W values and to a reduction in the P/L ratio, thus improving dough balance, with a negative effect on the gluten index. Leaf application of N at ear emergence only affected grain protein content and the W index. Soil or leaf application of S had no effect on protein quality indices. The response of grain yield and grain protein content to fertilizer N differed from that reported for temperate climates.     

Differential accumulation of sulfur-rich and sulfur-poor wheat flour proteins is affected by temperature and mineral nutrition during grain development

Hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum cv Butte86) was grown under controlled environmental conditions and grain produced under 24/17 °C, 37/17 °C or 37/28 °C day/night regimens with or without post-anthesis N supplied as NPK. Flour proteins were analyzed and quantified by differential fractionation and RP-HPLC, and endosperm proteins were assessed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). High temperature or NPK during grain fill increased protein percentage and altered the proportions of S-rich and S-poor proteins. Addition of NPK increased protein accumulation per grain under the 24/17 °C but not the 37/28 °C regimen. However, flour protein composition was similar for grain produced with NPK at 24/17 °C or 37/28 °C. 2-DE of gluten proteins during grain development revealed that NPK or high temperature increased the accumulation rate for S-poor proteins more than for S-rich proteins. Flour S content did not indicate S-deficiency, however, and addition of post-anthesis S had no effect on protein composition. Although, high-protein flour from grain produced under the 37/28 °C regimen with or without NPK had loaf volumes comparable to flour produced at 24/17 °C with NPK, mixing tolerance was decreased by the high temperature regimen.     

Grain weight response to increases in number of grains in wheat in a Mediterranean area

This study explored whether the average grain weight of wheat tends to be reduced when grain number is increased due to either competition or, to a consistent increase in the relative proportion of grains of smaller weight potential. Three field experiments considering environmental, genetic and environmental × genetic effects on yield and its main components were analysed during the 2003/2004 growing season in two different locations within the Mediterranean area of Catalonia, Spain. The relationship between grain weight and number of grains per unit land area was analysed for both the average of all grains (AGW) and for grains in specific positions of the main-shoot spikes: proximal (CPg) and distal (CDg) grains of central spikelets, and proximal grains of the near apical (APg) and near basal (BPg) spikelets. The proportional contribution of grains per spike for the different grain positions and the relative contribution of spikes per m² made by the main shoot or tillers were also examined.In the three experiments, AGW was reduced when grain number was increased due to genetic and/or environmental factors. However, the slopes of the straight-lines that represented the negative relationship between grain number and grain weight were lower (less negative) and less significant for CPg (b = −0.20, P > 0.20), CDg (b = 0.06, P > 0.20) and BPg (b = −0.21, P > 0.20) than for AGW (b = −0.40, P < 0.05). The proportional contribution of distal grains and tiller spikes (both with relatively light grains) were directly related to grain number increases. Therefore, as grain number increased there was a higher proportion of grains of low potential weight. Thus, the average grain weight was concomitantly reduced when grain number increased by increasing the proportion of “small grains” in the canopy independently of any competitive relationship between growing grains.     

The effect of late-season urea spraying on grain yield and quality of winter wheat cultivars under low and high basal nitrogen fertilization

The late-season foliar application of urea may increase yield and grain quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Limited information is available regarding the effect of late urea spraying on the performance of wheat cultivars under various basal N fertilization rates. Field experiments were conducted during 2000 through 2002 to evaluate the responses of six winter wheat cultivars to foliar urea (30 kg N ha⁻¹) treatment around flowering at low (67 kg N ha⁻¹) and high (194 kg N ha⁻¹) basal N fertilization rates. Following urea spraying at low N rate, all cultivars increased grain yields to a similar extent (by an average of 7.8% or 509 kg ha⁻¹) primarily due to an increase in the 1000-kernel weight. No yield response to the late-season urea treatment occurred at high basal N rate where grain yields averaged 24.9% (1680 kg ha⁻¹) higher than those at low N rate. In contrast, late foliar urea application similarly improved grain quality at both low and high N rates by an average of 5 g kg⁻¹ (4.5%) for protein content, 3.2 cm³ (11.9%) for Zeleny sedimentation, and 20 g kg⁻¹ (8.6%) for wet gluten. These quality increments were consistent in all growing seasons regardless of significant variations in grain yields and protein concentrations across years. However, most cultivars failed to achieve breadmaking standards at low N rate as quality increments associated with the urea treatment were relatively small when compared to those achieved by high basal N rate. Late urea spraying had no effect on the falling number, whereas some cultivars showed small, but significant reduction in the gluten index at both N rates. Cultivars improved the hectolitre weight with the late-season urea treatment only at low N rate. Significant cultivar × urea interactions existed for most quality traits, which were due to the cultivar differences in the magnitude of responses. Thus, late-season urea spraying consistently produced larger yields at low basal N rate, and resulted in cultivar-dependent increases in protein content, Zeleny sedimentation, and wet gluten at both low and high N rates.     

Interactions between non-flooded mulching cultivation and varying nitrogen inputs in rice–wheat rotations

A 3-year field experiment examined the effects of non-flooded mulching cultivation and traditional flooding and four fertilizer N application rates (0, 75, 150 and 225 kg ha⁻¹ for rice and 0, 60,120, and 180 kg N ha⁻¹ for wheat) on grain yield, N uptake, residual soil N_min and the net N balance in a rice–wheat rotation on Chengdu flood plain, southwest China. There were significant grain yield responses to N fertilizer. Nitrogen applications of >150 kg ha⁻¹ for rice and >120 kg ha⁻¹ for wheat gave no increase in crop yield but increased crop N uptake and N balance surplus in both water regimes. Average rice grain yield increased by 14% with plastic film mulching and decreased by 16% with wheat straw mulching at lower N inputs compared with traditional flooding. Rice grain yields under SM were comparable to those under PM and TF at higher N inputs. Plastic film mulching of preceding rice did not affect the yield of succeeding wheat but straw mulching had a residual effect on succeeding wheat. As a result, there was 17–18% higher wheat yield under N0 in SM than those in PM and TF. Combined rice and wheat grain yields under plastic mulching was similar to that of flooding and higher than that of straw mulching across N treatments. Soil mineral N (top 60 cm) after the rice harvest ranged from 50 to 65 kg ha⁻¹ and was unaffected by non-flooded mulching cultivation and N rate. After the wheat harvest, soil N_min ranged from 66 to 88 kg N ha⁻¹ and increased with increasing fertilizer N rate. High N inputs led to a positive N balance (160–621 kg ha⁻¹), but low N inputs resulted in a negative balance (−85 to −360 kg ha⁻¹). Across N treatments, the net N balances of SM were highest among the three cultivations systems, resulting from additional applied wheat straw (79 kg ha⁻¹) as mulching materials. There was not clear trend found in net N balance between PM and TF. Results from this study indicate non-flooded mulching cultivation may be utilized as an alternative option for saving water, using efficiently straw and maintaining or improving crop yield in rice–wheat rotation systems. There is the need to evaluate the long-term environmental risks of non-flooded mulching cultivation and improve system productivity (especially with straw mulching) by integrated resource management.     

Variation within a bread wheat cultivar for grain yield,protein content,carbon isotope discrimination and ash content

The study was undertaken to assess the variation within a bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar, primarily for grain yield, and the implications for wheat breeding. During the 1998–1999 growing season, cv. Nestos was established in a non-replicated (NR-0) honeycomb experiment, in the absence of competition (11 547 plants ha⁻¹). Ten high yielding (H) and 10 low yielding (L) plants were selected, the seeds of which were used to form the respective H and L lines. The 20 lines, along with their original cultivar, were evaluated in two locations either in the absence of competition (11 547 plants ha⁻¹) during the 1999–2000 season or under competition (5 000 000 plants ha⁻¹) during the 2000–2001 season. Results showed significant differentiation between lines for grain yield, determined both in the absence of competition at the single-plant level, i.e. yield per plant (YP), and under competition at the crop yield level, i.e. yield per plot (CY). Significant differences between lines were also found for grain protein content (PC), grain carbon isotope discrimination (Δ), and grain ash content (ASH), either in the absence of competition or under competition. A positive relationship was found between YP and CY (r=0.53,P<0.02). Results showed that selection within a bread wheat cultivar, under very low density and on the basis of individual plant grain yield, could be an effective way to either upgrade or maintain the cultivar, whereas the use of Δ or ASH as indirect selection criteria instead of grain yield was not supported by the study.     

Genetic gains in grain yield and related physiological attributes in Argentine maize hybrids

Genetic gains in grain yield and related phenotypic attributes have been extensively documented in maize (Zea mays L.), but the effect of breeding on the physiological determinants of grain yield is yet poorly understood. We determined genetic gains in grain yield and related physiological traits for seven maize hybrids developed for the central region of Argentina between 1965 and 1997. Gains were expressed as a function of the year of release (YOR). Hybrids were cropped in the field at five stand densities (from almost isolated plants to supra-optimal levels) during two contrasting growing seasons (E₁ and E₂). Water and nutrient stress were prevented and pests controlled. Genetic gains in grain yield (≥13.2 g m⁻² YOR⁻¹) were mainly associated with improved kernel number, enhanced postsilking biomass production, and enhanced biomass allocation to reproductive sinks, but computed gains were affected by the environment. Differences among hybrids arose at the start of the critical period, and were evident as improved mean radiation use efficiency (≥0.026 g MJ⁻¹ YOR⁻¹), enhanced plant growth rate at near optimum stand density (≥0.04 g pl⁻¹ YOR⁻¹), and improved biomass partitioning to the ear around silking (0.0034 YOR⁻¹, only for E₁). Improved biomass production after silking was related to an increased light interception (≥4.7 MJ m⁻² YOR⁻¹), and allowed for an almost constant source–sink ratio during grain filling. This trend determined no trade-off between kernel number and kernel weight. In contrast to previous studies, genetic gains were detected for potential productivity (e.g., maximum grain yield) on a per plant basis (i.e., under no resource competition), a promising aspect for the improvement of crop grain yield potential.     

Modeling the process and costs of fuel ethanol production by the corn dry-grind process

The corn dry-grind process is the most widely used method in the U.S. for generating fuel ethanol by fermentation of grain. Increasing demand for domestically produced fuel and changes in the regulations on fuel oxygenates have led to increased production of ethanol mainly by the dry-grind process. Fuel ethanol plants are being commissioned and constructed at an unprecedented rate based on this demand, though a need for a more efficient and cost-effective plant still exists.A process and cost model for a conventional corn dry-grind processing facility producing 119 million kg/year (40 million gal/year) of ethanol was developed as a research tool for use in evaluating new processing technologies and products from starch-based commodities. The models were developed using SuperPro Designer^® software and they handle the composition of raw materials and products, sizing of unit operations, utility consumptions, estimation of capital and operating costs, and the revenues from products and coproducts. The model is based on data gathered from ethanol producers, technology suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and engineers working in the industry. Intended applications of this model include: evaluating existing and new grain conversion technologies, determining the impact of alternate feedstocks, and sensitivity analysis of key economic factors. In one sensitivity analysis, the cost of producing ethanol increased from US$ 0.235 l⁻¹ to US$ 0.365 l⁻¹ (US$ 0.89 gal⁻¹ to US$ 1.38 gal⁻¹) as the price of corn increased from US$ 0.071 kg⁻¹ to US$ 0.125 kg⁻¹ (US$ 1.80 bu⁻¹ to US$ 3.20 bu⁻¹). Another example gave a reduction from 151 to 140 million l/year as the amount of starch in the feed was lowered from 59.5% to 55% (w/w).This model is available on request from the authors for non-commercial research and educational uses to show the impact on ethanol production costs of changes in the process and coproducts of the ethanol from starch process.     

Yield and grain uniformity in contrasting rice genotypes suitable for different growth environments

In this study, the effect of crop season on yield and grain weight uniformity was examined in field-grown rice cultivar Tainung 67 and its sodium azide-induced mutant SA419 in 2000 and 2001. In spring, Tainung 67 had greater yield (7.2 mg ha⁻¹) than SA419 (6.2 mg ha⁻¹). Marked yield decline (averaged 27% decline) was found in Tainung 67 when it was grown in autumn. The yield decline resulting from season change was only 5.9% for SA419. The greater yield of SA419 than Tainung 67 in autumn was due to its higher net assimilation rate and better dry matter partitioning during grain filling. The distribution patterns of grain weight differed between the tested genotypes, with greater grain weight variations for Tainung 67 than SA419. Significant panicle branch effects on the distribution pattern of grain weight were also found between Tainung 67 and SA419 with greater variation for the former than the latter. SA419 has several agronomic traits, such as heavier 1000-grain weight and more uniform grain development within a panicle, that makes it a genotype with superior grain quality than Tainung 67.     

Breeding Novel Short Grain Rice for Tropical Region to Combine Important Agronomical Traits,Biotic Stress Resistance and Cooking Quality in Koshihikari Background

Breeding program strategies to develop novel short grain white rice varieties such as japonica (short grain) that introgress biotic stress resistance and high grain quality have been developed using indica rice (Pin Kaset + 4 and Riceberry) for applications in japonica rice (Koshihikari) improvement. Four breeding lines showing promising agronomic performance with short grain and low amylose content (< 20%) were obtained. In addition, sensory testing of these breeding lines showed high scores that similar to Koshihikari. Two promising lines, KP48-1-5 and KP48-1-9, which possessed a combination of four genes resistance to different biotic stresses (Bph3 + TPS + Xa21 + Pi-ta) and four genes for grain quality (GS3 + SSIIa + wx^b + badh2), were developed using marker-assisted selection (MAS) with the pedigree method. The current study clearly illustrated the successful use of MAS in combining resistance to multiple biotic stresses while maintaining a high yield potential and preferred grain quality. Moreover, the results indicated that this breeding program, which includes crossing temperate japonica with indica, can create novel short grain rice varieties adapted to a tropical environment, like the japonica type.     

Source–sink relations and kernel weight differences in maize temperate hybrids

Maize (Zea mays L.) kernel weight (KW) response to changes in assimilate availability per kernel during grain filling suggests that plants establish an early kernel sink potential that place them to grow close to a saturating assimilate availability condition during late grain-filling, meaning source limitations are common only early in kernel development. As maize reproductive efficiency in kernel set is not constant across different plant growth rates (PGR) around flowering, we used PGR per kernel during this period as an indicator of source availability per kernel. We tested whether PGR per kernel during flowering or during the effective grain-filling period were correlated to genotypic and environmental differences in final KW. Plant growth rate during both periods, KW, kernel growth rate during the effective grain-filling period, total duration of grain filling and kernel number per plant were measured in 12 commercial genotypes differing in KW sown at two sites under full irrigation. As expected from the curvilinear response relating kernel number per plant and PGR around flowering, increased PGRs resulted in higher PGR per kernel around this period (r² = 0.86; p < 0.001). Differences in final KW due to genotypes or environments were significantly explained by the PGR per kernel around flowering (r² = 0.40; p < 0.001), and not by the PGR per kernel during the effective grain-filling period. Genotypes differed in kernel growth rate (p < 0.001) and grain-filling duration (p < 0.001). The former was well explained by PGR per kernel around flowering (r² = 0.66; p < 0.001), but showed no relationship with the PGR per kernel during the effective grain-filling period. Grain-filling duration was partially explained (r² = 0.27; p < 0.01) by the ratio between PGR per kernel during the effective grain-filling period and kernel growth rate, but differences in duration were negligible compared to those observed in the ratio (∼41% versus ∼130%, respectively). Together, these results support the importance of source availability per kernel during early grain filling on the determination of maize potential sink capacity and final KW. Early resource availability per kernel was accurately estimated as PGR per kernel around the period of kernel number determination, which helped explain genotypic and environmental differences in maize final KW as well as in kernel growth rate.     

Yield and agronomic traits of Khorasan wheat (Triticum turanicum Jakubz.)

The consumer's interest in natural, unconventional and nutritional foods led to the development of new specialty foods based on grain blends. Components of such foods are often so-called ‘ancient wheats’ which were never the subject of modern plant breeding programmes. Khorasan or Oriental wheat (Triticum turanicum) is a neglected and underutilised tetraploid wheat species, which probably survived over the centuries in subsistence farming systems in the Near East and Central Asia. In the present study the agronomic potential of Khorasan wheat was evaluated under eastern Austrian conditions.Fourteen accessions of Khorasan wheat were investigated together with check durum wheat cultivars over a period of 4 years in the Marchfeld region, north-east of Vienna. The crops were sown both in autumn and spring.The investigated material was inferior to modern durum wheats in most agronomic traits. No accession was found to tolerate soil temperatures below −5 °C. Tolerance to drought and fungal diseases was limited and/or modest, and grain yields were significantly lower. While the best performing turanicum accessions yielded in average 385.8 and 233.8 g m⁻² for autumn and spring sowing, respectively, the check winter durum yielded 466.5 g m⁻² and the check spring durums between 351.5 and 391.8 g m⁻². Several characteristic and interesting features were observed which permit successful marketing of pure Khorasan grain or as a component in grain blends, despite possible flour quality traits. The grain has an impressive kernel size and thousand kernel weight, in most cases greater than 50 g and often even greater than 60 g. The high thousand kernel weight might be a valuable trait to transfer into durum wheat to improve grain yield. Moreover, the grain has an amber colour and high vitreousness.Due to higher plant height, low lodging tolerance and high susceptibility against powdery mildew, Khorasan wheat is more suitable for organic farming systems. Although there is evidence that Khorasan wheat has low adaptation, it is of interest as an alternative cereal to increase diversity both in the field and on the consumer's table. However, further experiments are necessary: on the one hand to study the interactions between sowing rates, sowing dates, weed suppression, thousand kernel weight and kernel plumpness in order to find out optimal production procedures, and on the other hand to find out areas/fields with the best growth conditions for Khorasan wheat.     

Visualizing Meiotic Chromosome Pairing and Segregation in Interspecific Hybrids of Rice by Genomic in situ Hybridization

Meiotic disturbances in F1 hybrids and their progenies are still major problems in wide hybridization.To investigate the genome affinity reflected in chromosome pairing and segregation,we studied chromosome behaviors during meiosis in two interspecific F1 hybrids[O.minuta×O.australiensis(Om×Oa,BCE genome)and Oa×O.ridleyi(Or,EHJ genome)]by using both traditional staining methods and genomic in situ hybridization(GISH).GISH analysis has been successfully performed on mitotic chromosomes to distinguish different Oryza genomes,but relatively fewer systematic analyses of meiotic chromosomes of interspecific hybrids have been reported.In the hybrids,highly irregular chromosome behaviors through meiosis resulted in producing microspores with unbalanced genome.At diakinesis of these two hybrids,most chromosomes present as univalent,with low frequency as bivalents and occasionally as trivalents.In a pollen mother cell,2 to 8 bivalents and 0 to 4 trivalents were observed in the hybrid Oa×Or,and 1 to 8 bivalents and 0 to 5 trivalents were observed in the hybrid Om×Oa.GISH results indicated that 51.52%bivalents in Oa×Or and 79.65%bivalents in Om×Oa involved allosyndetic association,which indicates that recombination and introgression should be possible if viable backcrosses can be recovered even from triploid hybrids.In this study,we revealed that the meiotic disturbance due to low affinities between parental genomes is the major reason for the sterility of these two triploid interspecific hybrids.The two hybrids showing vigor in reproductive growth are potential genetic resources in future breeding programs.A better understanding of genomic affinities between these distant Oryza species can facilitate planning an effective breeding program by using wide hybridization,and efficient and routine GISH analysis is helpful to monitor alien introgression in the process.