Genome wide association studies (GWAS) of element contents in grain with a special focus on zinc and iron in a world collection of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Genome wide association studies (GWAS) were carried out to map Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) associated with element contents in the grain using 336 spring barley. Of the elements analyzed, Fe content ranged from 21.9 to 91.0 mg kg⁻¹, Zn from 10.4 to 54.5 mg kg⁻¹, Ba from 0.2 to 8.9, Ca from 186.4 to 977.5, Cu from 1.5 to 9.8, K from 353.2 to 7721.5, Mg from 1049.8 to 2024.2, Mn from 8.1 to 22.9, Na from 55.9 to 627.9, P from 2272.9 to 5428.8, S from 880.7 to 1898.0, Si from 19.1 to 663.2, and Sr from 0.35 to 2.62 mg kg⁻¹. GWAS were carried out using 6519 SNP markers and multiple elements in MLM:PCA + K model in TASSEL software. Population analyses showed two sub-populations, primarily based on row types. GWAS for row types showed association with INTERMEDIUM-C, a modifier gene for lateral spikelet fertility in the 4H chromosome, validating current GWAS approach. GWAS also showed that 2 QTL for Ba, 2 for Ca, 4 for Cu, 11 for Fe, 2 for K, 3 for Mg, 6 for Mn, 4 for Na, 3 for S, 5 for Si, and 3 for Zn were mapped in barley chromosomes. The QTL identified in the current study are valuable for breeding nutrient dense barley cultivars in the future, especially Zn and Fe.     

Pigeonpea improvement: An amalgam of breeding and genomic research

In the past five decades, constant research has been directed towards yield improvement in pigeonpea resulting in the deployment of several commercially acceptable cultivars in India. Though, the genesis of hybrid technology, the biggest breakthrough, enigma of stagnant productivity still remains unsolved. To sort this productivity disparity, genomic research along with conventional breeding was successfully initiated at ICRISAT. It endowed ample genomic resource providing insight in the pigeonpea genome combating production constraints in a precise and speedy manner. The availability of the draft genome sequence with a large‐scale marker resource, oriented the research towards trait mapping for flowering time, determinacy, fertility restoration, yield attributing traits and photo‐insensitivity. Defined core and mini‐core collection, still eased the pigeonpea breeding being accessible for existing genetic diversity and developing stress resistance. Modern genomic tools like next‐generation sequencing, genome‐wide selection helping in the appraisal of selection efficiency is leading towards next‐generation breeding, an awaited milestone in pigeonpea genetic enhancement. This paper emphasizes the ongoing genetic improvement in pigeonpea with an amalgam of conventional breeding as well as genomic research.     

A genetic linkage map in southern‐by‐spring oat identifies multiple quantitative trait loci for adaptation and rust resistance

We developed 178 recombinant inbred lines from a southern‐by‐spring oat population designated as “TxH.” These lines were genotyped to generate a high‐quality linkage map that resolved 6,902 markers into 21 linkage groups that matched closely with the latest hexaploid oat consensus map. Three major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting heading date were found in locations that are consistent with known QTLs and candidate genes, and two other QTLs affecting heading date were found in novel locations. Five QTLs affecting plant height were found. Both sets of QTLs are responsible for transgressive segregation observed for these two traits. Four QTLs affecting resistance to crown rust, caused by the pathogen Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae, were identified. Two of these QTLs are consistent with known clusters of rust resistance genes, while two may represent new locations of novel rust resistance genes. A complete set of SNP sequences suitable for generating markers for molecular selection is provided.     

茶氨酸合成酶基因的SNP挖掘和遗传定位

茶氨酸合成酶(Theanine synthetase,TS)基因是茶树茶氨酸代谢过程中的关键酶基因。本研究以氨基酸含量差异明显的亲本及其杂交所得F_1子代为研究材料,克隆TS基因的c DNA序列,挖掘其SNPs位点,并成功将杂合SNP位点定位在遗传连锁群上。研究结果显示,通过序列比对在亲本间检测到3个SNPs,验证得到1个杂合的位点SNP735。将此位点成功转化为dCAPS标记,该标记在子代中的基因型分离比为1∶1,利用该群体已构建的茶树遗传图谱进行遗传定位,将dCAPS标记定位在连锁群LG03上,相邻标记为TM299和TM517。联合此标记及其相邻标记与游离氨基酸总含量和茶氨酸含量进行统计分析,表明具有显著的相关性。     

抗旱节水小麦分子遗传育种研究进展

干旱缺水等自然灾害会导致小麦产量年度间变幅较大,尤其在小麦主产区黄淮地区更为严重。小麦抗旱节水育种是应对干旱的重大措施。本综述对小麦抗旱节水常规育种、抗旱节水分子遗传育种相关性状QTL定位、抗旱相关功能基因克隆鉴定、转基因等方面的研究进展进行了综述。水旱亲本杂交与异地交叉选择是卓有成效的常规育种方法,通过分子标记鉴定了关于根重、根长、胚芽鞘、高水分利用效率等相关性状的大量QTL;42个抗旱相关基因被克隆并进行基因功能分析和验证,均从不同代谢通路上影响着小麦抗旱性;14个来自不同供体的抗旱相关基因被研究者导入小麦品种后,转基因小麦植株的抗旱能力均得到不同程度的提高,部分植株在产量和其它抗逆性方面也得到提高。以上研究进展为抗旱节水小麦分子设计育种提供了理论依据和发展方向。     

绵羊QTL定位的研究进展

本文综述了绵羊的重要经济性状QTL定位的方法和进展，并提出存在问题和展望。     

鸡的微卫星DNA标记与胴体性状的相关分析

测定了青脚麻鸡与隐性白鸡杂交后自交的F2代个体的全净堂重、全净堂率、脂肪宽带、腹脂重和腹脂率6个胴体性状,检测10个微卫星DNA标记,对标记基因型胴体性状值进行方差分析和多重比较,结果表明:MCW328对于10周龄体重和全净膛重两性状各基因型均有显著的差异(P<0.05);ADL292对于腹脂重性状各基因型有极显著的差异(P<0.01),对于腹脂率有显著的差异(P<0.05)。MCW328标记基因与控制10周龄体重和全净膛重QTL连锁,ADL292标记基因与控制腹脂重和腹脂率QTL连锁。