Genome wide association study of grain yield and yield related traits in spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under drought and heat conditions in three different locations

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Abiotic stress, especially drought and heat, affects cereal yields and wheat production worldwide, more particularly in West and South Asia, North...     

Variation and association of morphological and biochemical characters in grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.)

Fifty grass pea land race populations of Ethiopia that were selected based on administrative regions and different altitude classes were used in this study to determine variability in morphological characters, Oxalyl Diamino Propanoic acid(ODAP) – a causative agent of lathyrism, and protein contents and their associations. Highly significant differences were observed among the populations for most of the morphological characters. Populations collected from Gondar region and the higher altitude group (>2550 m) showed the highest mean and coefficient of variation indicating the presence of high genetic diversity in this region and altitude group. ODAP analysis from single plants showed significant variation both within a population and between populations. Four individual plants with low ODAP contents ranging from 0.149% to 0.182% (range within safe level) were identified in populations collected from different regions, indicating the diversity and variation of this trait with in one population and between regions. These low ODAP lines are considered important for further breeding. The association of ODAP with grain yield, biomass, plant height and seed size was negative, suggesting that the selection of tall and late maturing varieties with large seed size and high grain yield potential will enable the development of varieties with low ODAP content. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Phenotypic diversity of Ethiopian grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) in relation to geographical regions and altitudinal range

Fifty grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) populations collected from different administrative regions and altitude classes in Ethiopia, were evaluated for variations of five morphological traits. Shannon-Weaver diversity index was calculated for traits, populations and altitude classes. Monomorphism was recorded in flower color (blue) for most of the populations. Olive seed colour was dominantly distributed in all regions with mean frequency of 50% while black seed colour is rare with mean frequency of 4% in Ethiopia. Much variability was observed within populations. High diversity values for pattern of testa colour and leaflet size were recorded in populations of highland origin (>2550 m.a.s.l.). Shannon's diversity index is highest in Gondar (H = 0.65) followed by Tigray region (H = 0.64) even though there was no significant variation in H values between regions. These regions with high diversity are recommended for immediate in situ and ex situ conservation.