Two major genes for kernel weight in rye

Previously, kernel weight in rye was considered mostly as a quantitatively inherited trait. F₁ plants from parents showing a great difference in kernel weight were selfed and the segregating F₂ population was analysed with molecular markers. Two simple sequence repeats markers, one on chromosome 5 and the other on chromosome 7, were found which allowed the genetic analysis of two major genes acting in a complementary way. The analysis of major genes is an advantage in breeding for this important economic trait. In addition it can provide more insight into the genetic structure of this character. This is, in turn, also a prerequisite for future investigations of this trait at the molecular level.     

Virulence studies of Swedish net blotch isolates (Drechslera teres) and identification of resistant barley lines

Six Swedish and one Canadian single spore isolate of Drechslera teres f. teres were used to screen 109 barley lines for disease resistance and to select a differential set of barley lines for use in assessing pathogen virulence. A large variation for net blotch resistance was found among the 109 barley lines which were classified into four groups, those showing: 1) only resistant reactions; 2) differential reactions; 3) only intermediate reactions and 4) only susceptible reactions. The European commercial varieties included, showed susceptibility to all Swedish isolates, but a few were resistant to the Canadian isolate. The 18- member differential set separated 25 Swedish and two Canadian isolates of D. teres into 14 pathotypes, three of which made up 59% of the isolates. Only one barley differential (CI 9776) was resistant to all net form isolates. Host selection on the pathogen seems to be present as all six isolates obtained from cv. Golf belonged to the same pathotype and 4 of 5 isolates from cv. Karin shared the same virulence pattern. The net form of net blotch (D. teres f. teres) predominated in the sampled regions and only one of 26 Swedish isolates was of the spot form (D. teres f. maculata). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Screening for resistance to broomrape (Orobanche cernua) in cultivated sunflower

Racial evolution of sunflower broomrape (Orobanche cernua) has been very rapid in Spain during recent years, in which resistance has been overcome several times and there has been an important increase in areas infested with this parasitic angiosperm. In order to find resistance to a highly virulent population of sunflower broomrape that could be used directly in breeding programmes, three different sets of cultivated plant material composed of 429 entries were tested by artificial inoculation. All evaluated inbred lines from Moden, Canada, were fully susceptible. Out of the 240 P.I. accessions tested, only 10 segregated for resistance to broomrape, the rest being susceptible. From the 160 USDA breeding lines evaluated, 5% were resistant and 19% segregated for resistance to O. cernua. These lines traced back mainly to crosses of RHA 274 and RHA 801 with Russian, Turkish and Romanian hybrids. The origin of P.I. accessions that segregated for resistance were primarily derived from the former USSR and from Romania.     

Improvement of durum wheat-plant type,yield potential,and adaptation

Summary Improvement of durum wheat at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) was achieved by exploiting the variability of the tetraploid species in large numbers of combinations, and multi-location testing of germplasm on a world wide base. High yielding, widely adapted durums with short straw, good fertility, and adequate earliness were selected for distribution to major durum growing countries. Present attempts to improve durum wheat are directed at adjusting agronomic traits such as leaf angle and straw strength, and increasing spike fertility and spike size, thereby reaching higher grain numbers per unit area and higher yield potential. Diversification of the developmental pattern and incorporation of drought tolerance aim at further widening adaptation.     

The association of genes for purple coleoptile with chromosomes of the wheat variety Mironovskaya 808

Summary The association of genes for purple pigment in the coleoptile with the chromosomes of the winter wheat variety Mironovskaya 808 was investigated using monosomic F₂ analysis. The segregation ratio for F₂ hybrids of Chinese Spring monosomics x Mironovskya 808 seems to indicate that the purple colour of the coleoptile is determined by two dominant genes, Rc₃ and Rc₄, which are located on the chromosomes 7D and 6B respectively, and which reinforce each other. Apart from these two genes, suppressors found on the chromosomes 2A, 2B, 2D, 4B and 6A also play a role in the intensity of the purple colour.With the aid of a Chinese Spring telocentric chromosome marker it was observed that the Rc₃ gene is located on the chromosome arm 7DS, at a distance of 16±4.23 crossover units from the centromere.     

Allelic variation at the dwarfing gene Rht8 locus and its significance in international breeding programmes

A microsatellite marker WMS261 developed at I.P.K., Gatersleben,Germany, co-segregates with the semi-dwarfing gene Rht8. Screens ofover 800 wheat varieties from 20 countries show 90% carry WMS-261alleles with 165, 174 or 192 base pairs (bp). The 192bp allele diagnosticof Rht8 occurs in most screened Southern European varieties. Anallele with 165 bp occurs in the majority of CIMMYT Mexican varieties andin most varieties bred in countries that utilize CIMMYT germplasm.Agronomic studies of single chromosome recombinant line mappingpopulations segregating for WMS 261 alleles with 165, 174 or 192 bp,show compared to the 174bp allele the 192bp allele reduces height byaround 8 cm and the 165 bp allele increases height by around 3cm. Theresults indicate the importance and widespread utilization of Rht8 asa dwarfing gene in southern Europe and suggest an adaptative significanceto the height promoting 165 bp allele in CIMMYT material.     

Computer-Simulated Evaluation of the Hybrid Weakness Gene System as a Means of Preventing Genetic Contamination of Rice Cultivars

Effectivness of the hybrid-weakness caused by a complementary interaction of two dominant genes Hwc₁ and Hwc₂ to suppress the spread of the red-grain gene into ordinary white-grained rice cultivars was investigated using the Monte Carlo computer simulation method. It was shown that the weakness genes, as far as being capable of reducing the fitness of the carrier by 80 percent or more, work quite effectively to suppress the genetic contamination of white-grained cultivars due to inflow of pollen from red-grained cultivars due to inflow of pollen from red-grain gene once the gene has been incorporated in to the population in the form of red-grained progeny produced as a result of the imperfect lethality of the initial hybrid between red-and white-grained cultivars. The weakness genes have little or no effect cultivars. The weakness genes have little or no effect either, when the contamination is initiated by an inflow of seeds or seedlings from ed-grained cultivars in these situations, removal (selection)of red grained plants Is the only countermeasure to exterminate the red-grain gene. The removal of red grained plants need not be intensive if carried out continuously. The spread of the red-grain gene after initial contamination is suppressed if the red-grain gene and weakness genes are linked. The suppressing effect of the linkage, however, is not substantial when the outcrossing rate is around or smaller than 0.01 as can be assumed in most rice cultivars.     

Identification and Inheritance of Fertility Restorer Genes for 'tour' CMS in Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Eighteen genotypes of Brassica napus were crossed to a cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) line of B. napus BO 15 carrying B. tournefortii cytoplasm (‘tour’ cytoplasm). Fourteen genotypes were found to be stable maintainers of the ‘tour’ CMS. Of the remaining four genotypes, GSL-1 and ‘Asahi-natane’ were found to be heterozygous and ‘Mangun’ and ‘Yudal’ were homozygous for the restorer gene. Analysis of the F₁ and F₂ progenies of (CMS) BO 15 בMangun’ and (CMS) BO 15 בYudal’ showed that fertility restoration is controlled by a single dominant gene. The availability of a number of stable maintainer lines and the simple inheritance pattern of fertility restorer gene makes ‘tour’ CMS a useful system for hybrid seed production in rapeseed.     

Selection for Non-Shattering Common Vetch, Vicia sativa L.

Loss of seeds from mature pods is common in Vicia sativa L., an important annual, resown forage legume in West Asia and North Africa. Pod shattering restricts its use as a leguminous forage crop. This paper reports the results of germplasm evaluation for non-shattering pods and of breeding and selection to improve seed retention. Wide variation in pod-shattering exists between common vetch ecotypes collected from different regions. Three wild mutants with almost completely non-shattering pods were identified and isolated for use as a genetic resource in cross breeding programmes. Genetic studies revealed that the non-shattering character in the wild types of common vetch is due to a simple recessive gene, whereas shattering in the cultivated types is due to an allelic dominant pair of genes. Incorporation of the non-shattering gene into agronomically-promising lines was achieved by back-crossing. Lines having an average of 95—97 % non-shattering pods were obtained, as compared to 40—50 % in the original cultivated lines which represents a major agronomic advance in common vetch breeding. The importance of seed retention to the economics of seed production is discussed.     

Race-specificity of temperature-sensitive genes for resistance to Puccinia striiformis in Triticum dicoccoides

Summary Twenty-four entries of wild emmer possessing temperature-sensitive genes for resistance to yellow rust were studied in the seedling stage, at two temperature-profiles, with 15 pathogenic races from 11 countries in South America, Africa, Asia and Europe. It was shown that the majority of the resistance genes in these wild emmer entries were race-specific. In most of these entries a more resistant reaction was displayed at the higher temperature-profile; however in three entries a shift in reaction towards resistance was observed with certain races but towards susceptibility with some of the other races, suggesting that two different kinds of temperature-sensitive genes were involved in each of these entries. The similarity of temperature-sensitive genes occurring in wild emmer and in cultivated wheat is discussed.