The genus Dasypyrum—part 2. Dasypyrum villosum—a wild species used in wheat improvement

Dasypyrum villosum (L.) P. Candargy is discussed as a species commonly used in wheat improvement. Chromosomal localization of the potentially useful traits and chromosomal position of some morphological and isozyme markes are shown. The investigations using molecular RAPD, AFLP, SSR, RFLP markers and in situ (GISH, FISH) hybridization experiments on D. villosum itself and in wide hybrids with Triticum are summarized. The article also presents the information about designation of D. villosum chromosomes and the current knowledge on the phenomenon of two-coloured D. villosum caryopses.     

Genetic diversity in the parental lines and heterosis of the tropical rice hybrids

Genetic diversity within and between the maintainer (B) and restorer (R) lines used in hybrid breeding programs of the Philippine was investigated with information from analysis of pedigree record, quantitative traits and SSR assays. Mean coefficients of coancestry were calculated as 0.11 within R lines, 0.27 within B lines, and 0.04 between R and B lines, indicating greater diversity among R lines than among B lines, and the significant divergence between B and R lines. These results are consistent with those obtained from quantitative trait analysis and SSR marker assays. Relative gene diversity for 37 random SSR markers averaged 0.20 within B lines,0.28 within R lines, and 0.52 between two groups of lines. There were no consistent associations among various genetic diversity measures. Random sets of SSR marker and pedigree based diversity measures had no significant correlation with mid-parent heterosis for grain yield and biomass, indicating that prediction of heterosis for complex traits based on these two genetic diversity estimates is difficult. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Homoeological relationships between the f chromosome of Brassica rapa and the e chromosome of Brassica oleracea

Eight plants of the putative double monosomic addition line (DMAL, 2n= 20) were developed by crossing a monosomic chromosome addition line of radish [f(A)‐type monosomic addition line (MAL) (2n= 19)] carrying the f chromosome of Brassica rapa (2n= 20, AA) with another [e(C)‐type MAL (2n= 19)] having the echromosome of Brassica oleracea (2n= 18, CC). The homoeological relationships between the two alien chromosomes were investigated by morphological, cytogenetic and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Seventeen morphological traits that were not present in the radish cv. ‘Shogoin’ were observed in both MALs and these traits were substantially exhibited in DMAL plants. At the first metaphase of pollen mother cells (PMCs), the two parental MALs showed a chromosome configuration of 9II +1I, demonstrating impossibility of recombination between the R and the added chromosomes. The DMALs formed 10II in approximately 73% of PMCs, with one bivalent showing loose pairing between two chromosomes differing in size. In an attempt to identify the two MALs by RAPD‐specific markers using 26 selected random primers, 13 and 20 bands were specific for the f(A)‐type and the e(C)‐type MALs, respectively; 12 bands were common to both MALs (26.7%). In conclusion, the f chromosome of B. rapa is homoeologous to the e chromosome of B. oleracea. The genetic domain (genes) for 17 morphological traits are linked to each homoeologous chromosome bearing 27% of the corresponding RAPD markers.     

优质早籼稻产量性状分析及育种策略探讨

对115份优质早籼稻新品系的产量性状与产量的相关分析和通径分析结果表明：各产量性状均与产量呈正相关,除株高外,其余5个性状与产量的相关均达极显著或显著水平,产量性状之间存在着相互制约和相互依赖的关系;每穴穗数对产量的贡献最大（47.84%）,其次为每穗总粒数（21.86%）,再次为千粒重和结实率（分别为14.47%和9.46%）.根据分析结果,笔者认为优质早籼稻高产育种应主攻分蘖和提高分蘖成穗率,同时注意提高每穗粒数和千粒重.优质早籼稻高产（即产量达500～600kg/667m^2）育种的产量性状模式为单株有效穗8～10穗、每穗总粒数125～150粒、结实率80%以上、千粒重24～27g.     

杂交粳稻几个数量性状的配合力分析

利用6个粳型不育系和6个恢复系，采用不完全双列杂交法配制了36个杂交组合，对其8个数量性状的一般配合力及亲本间组合的特殊配合力效应进行了分析。结果表明，株高、穗长、穗总粒数、穗实粒数、稳秕粒数、千粒重这几个性状受亲本一般配合力的影响，单株粒重受特殊配合力的影响，单株稳数的一般配合力和特殊配合力作用相近。其中不育系552A的穗总粒数、稳实粒数、单株粒重等一般配合力的相对效应值较大，恢复系FR796、2002FR24的穗总粒数、穗实粒数、单株粒重的一般配合力的相对效应值较大。     

Evaluation of floral characteristics of barley in the semi-arid climate of north Syria

Previous studies have revealed that, in areas affected by severe drought, yielding ability and stability of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) could be improved by increasing the level of heterozygosity. One possible approach to increase the heterozygosity level is to improve the outcrossing rate. In view of that, the genetic variability and phenotypic correlation coefficients involving four floral traits related to outcrossing behaviour were investigated in 274 drought adapted barley lines from the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA's) current breeding programme. A significant quantitative variation existed in anther length and width, stigma length, and anther extrusion, which indicate that selection for these traits may be effective. Anther extrusion showed weak but highly significant positive correlations with anther and stigma length. Somewhat higher positive correlations were found between anther and stigma length. The results indicate that selection for high anther extrusion and longer anthers and stigmata may increase outcrossing in cultivated barley and consequently improve yielding ability through enhanced heterozygosity.     

Variation for reproductive and agronomic traits among T. repens × T. nigrescens third generation backcross hybrids in the field

Interspecific hybridisation with Trifolium nigrescens Viv. is a possible strategy to improve the reproductive potential of white clover (Trifolium repens L.). Following the development of a fertile F1 hybrid, three generations of backcrossing have been carried out usingT. repens as the recurrent parent. Vegetative characteristics, stolon growth and seed yield components of the backcross (BC) 2 and 3 generations, as well as the parental species were measured on spaced plants grown in the field. Leaf size and plant spread of the BC2 and BC3 generations were less than T. repens but there was no difference in plant fresh weight. Numbers of inflorescences per plant and florets per inflorescence of the backcrosses were greater than T. repens however this was not reflected indifferences in seed yield per plant asT. repens had more seeds per floret and per plant than the backcrosses. Differences in stolon length, the proportion of flowering nodes and the pattern of axillary bud development were observed between T. repens and the backcrosses. Significant variation among the BC 3 generation for vegetative and reproductive traits was observed. Individual plants among the BC 3 generation were identified that combine high forage yield, substantial inflorescence production and good fertility, and these will form the basis of further selection. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

棉花产量育种的数量性状分析

产量是棉花育种的主要目标之一，为提高棉花产量育种效率，本文从产量结构模式、产量与其构成因素的相关关系两方面，分析了与棉花产量育种有关的数量性状，并讨论了提高棉花产量遗传潜力的可能性     

Stability of 1000-grain weight and its relation with other traits of barley in dry areas

Summary The effects of 1000-grain weight, its stability and the correlation coefficients with other traits of 50 barley varieties were studied at 18–20 environments. Additional material was used to study genotypic correlations among traits. Significant differences in stability of 1000-grain weight were found among varieties. Two-row varieties were on average more stable than 6-row varieties. The 1000-grain weight was among the most stable and grain yield the most variable traits. This was discussed in connection with stem reserves translocation to the grain. Consistently high yielding varieties had around average stability of 1000-grain weight. Regression coefficient, b, for 1000-grain weight was positively correlated with variance of log transformed data, both valid estimates for stability of 1000-grain weight. The correlation coefficient of 1000-grain weight with grain yield was positive or non-significant, with number of grains per tiller mainly negative and with volume weight it was positive. In 6-row barley, 1000-grain weight was positively correlated with grain yield, straw yield, total biological yield, and plant height, and negatively with number of tillers per m² and number of grains per tiller.     

Multivariate Extension of Griffing's Diallel Analysis

Diallel-cross designs have been used extensively in plant and animal breeding programs. In most cases, multiple traits are measured in the study, but the analyses are performed on each trait separately. The objective of this paper is to provide an alternative multivariate procedure so that the combining abilities among traits can be evaluated simultaneously and the interaction of combining ability and traits can be tested statistically.
Numerical example is provided from data of a rice study. Three characters, panicles per plant, percent sterility, and 100 kernel weight were used in the analysis. Results showed that some parental lines with greater combining abilities in one trait may not be so good in another trait. Also certain crosses may be better for one trait but not necessarily as good for other traits.