A Major Gene for Resistance to Anthracnose Leaf Blight in Maize

The inheritance of the reaction of maize (Zea mays L.) to anthracnose leaf blight caused by Colletotrichum graminicola was studied in eight generations derived from a cross between a hypersensitively resistant inbred. LB–58, and a susceptible inbred, A632. The generations consisted of the two parents, F₁, F₂ backcrosses and the backcrosses-selfed, Chisquare analysis of the data for individual locations as well as across locations indicated that resistance at both the seedling and mature plant stages of development is conditioned by a single dominant gene, designated CgL. A study of the reactions of LB-58 in several hybrid combinations indicated that resistance was expressed in ail cast-s even though the expression of CgL gene was modified somewhat in different hybrid combinations.     

Genetic effects of the soft starch (h) and background loci on volume of starch granules in five inbreds of maize

Larger particle volume is beneficial for many aspects of maize starch processing, and may improve the performance of some starch attributes. This study focused on the soft starch (h) locus to identify its potentially influential role in starch particle volume distribution. The objectives were to study the genetic expression of starch particle volume of the h locus in different genetic backgrounds and the gene action conditioning starch particle volume of other loci in both normal‐starch and h‐starch backgrounds. Forty‐five populations (five intra‐inbred F_1s, 10 hybrid F_1s 10 F_2s, 10 BC₁F_1s to h/h parent, and 10 BC₁ to h:h conversion of normal parent) were planted in 1993 at two locations and in 1995 at one location. Selfed heterozygotes (±/h) in all generations provided intra‐ear comparisons of normal and h starch, and F₃ and BC₁F₂ generations provided inter‐ear comparisons. Significant differences were found between normal and h:h genotypes in all intra‐ear and inter‐ear comparisons. In all cases, general combining ability effects were highly significant, suggesting the presence of additive gene effects. Generation mean analysis of normal and h:h starch materials yielded similar results, indicating the predominance of additive and some dominance effects for other loci on starch particle volume. These results indicate the usefulness of the soft starch gene and additional genetic variation among inbreds in the improvement of starch particle volume for increased starch recovery in wet milling.     

The inheritance of apetalous flower type in Petunia hybrida Vilm. and linkage tests with the genes for flower doubleness and grandiflora characters and its use in hybrid seed production

Summary Genetic analysis of a mutant flower form in petunia in which the normal corolla tube was replaced by a second set of sepals (apetalous condition) was studied in F₁, F₂, F₃ and BC₁ generations after crossing with inbred normal flowered lines. Segregation patterns observed in these generations indicated that this mutant flower type was a monogenic recessive trait. The genes D for flower doubleness and G for grandiflora plant and flower character segregated independent of the apetalous character. The gene for apetalous flower character has been designated as apt.Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Article No 6272.     

Genetic analysis of photosynthesis‐related traits in faba bean (Vicia faba) for crop improvement

Increasing productivity through improvement of photosynthesis in faba bean breeding programmes requires understanding of the genetic control of photosynthesis‐related traits. Hence, we investigated the gene action of leaf area, gas exchange traits, canopy temperature, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and biomass. We chose inbred lines derived from cultivars 'Aurora' (Sweden) and 'Mélodie' (France) along with an Andean accession, ILB 938, crossed them (Aurora/2 × Mélodie/2, ILB 938/2 × Aurora/2 and Mélodie/2 × ILB 938/2), and prepared the six standard generations for quantitative analysis (P₁, P₂, F₁, F₂, B₁, and B₂). Gene action was complex for each trait, involving additive and dominance gene actions and interactions. Additive gene action was important for SPAD, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and F_v/F_m. Dominance effect was important for biomass production. It is suggested that breeders selecting for productivity can maximize genetic gain by selecting early generations for canopy temperature, SPAD and F_v/F_m, then later generations for biomass. The information on genetics of various contributing traits of photosynthesis will assist plant breeders in choosing an appropriate breeding strategy for enhancing productivity in faba bean.     

Inheritance of insensitivity to culture filtrate of Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, race 2, in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Tan spot of wheat is caused by the fungus Pyrenophora tritici‐repentis. On susceptible hosts, P. tritici‐repentis induces two phenotypically distinct symptoms, tan necrosis and chlorosis. This fungus produces several toxins that induce tan necrosis and chlorosis symptoms in susceptible cultivars. The objectives of this study were to determine the inheritance of insensitivity to necrosis‐inducing culture filtrate of P. tritici‐repentis, race 2, and to establish the relationship between the host reaction to culture filtrate and spore inoculation with respect to the necrosis component. The F₁, F₂, and BC₁F₁ plants and F_2:8 lines of five crosses involving resistant wheat genotypes ‘Erik’, ‘Red Chief’, and line 86ISMN 2137 with susceptible cultivars ‘Glenlea’ and ‘Kenyon’ were studied. Plants were spore‐inoculated at the two‐leaf stage. Four days later, the newly emerged uninoculated third leaf was infiltrated with a culture filtrate of isolate Ptr 92–164 (race 2). Reactions to the spore inoculation and the culture filtrate were recorded 8 days after spore inoculation. The segregation observed in the F₂ and BC₁F₁ generations and the F_2:8 lines of all crosses indicated that a single recessive gene controlled insensitivity to necrosis caused by culture filtrate. This gene also controlled resistance to necrosis induced by spore inoculation.     

Gene action and heritability for photosynthetic activity in two wheat crosses

Summary Gene action and heritability for photosynthetic activity were estimated from generation means in two wheat crosses during two stages (5 ^th leaf and flag leaf between 2 and 5 days after anthesis). Six generations were available for each cross: parents (P₁ and P₂), F₁, F₂ and backcrosses (BC₁ and BC₂).Correlations between some morphophysiological characters and photosynthetic activity of the flag leaf was also determined. The joint scaling test described by Mather & Jinks was used to determine the gene action. It showed that them; [d]; [h]; [i], [l] (mean, additivity, dominance, additive x additive interallelic interaction effects, dominance x dominance interallelic interaction effects) model fits the two crosses at both measurement times. All the model genetic components were significant for the flag leaf, however for the 5 ^th leaf only [h]; [i] and [l] were significant. The presence of additive and additive x additive effects suggested the possibility of selecting for this character using the flag leaf so as to obtain pure inbred lines. Dominance effects [h] were negative and dominance x dominance effects [l] were positive. Broad sense heritability values were medium to low. There were no correlations between the studied morphophysiological characters and the photosynthetic activity.     

Dominant gene for common bean resistance to common bacterial blight caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xanthomonas</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">axonopodis</Emphasis> pv. <Emphasis Type="Italic">phaseoli</Emphasis>

The common bacterial blight pathogen [Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli (Xap)] is a limiting factor for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production worldwide and resistance to the pathogen in most commercial cultivars is inadequate. Variability in virulence of the bacterial pathogen has been observed in strains isolated from Puerto Rico and Central America. A few common bean lines show a differential reaction when inoculated with different Xap strains, indicating the presence of pathogenic races. In order to study the inheritance of resistance to common bacterial blight in common bean, a breeding line that showed a differential foliar reaction to Xap strains was selected and was crossed with a susceptible parent. The inheritance of resistance to one of the selected Xap races was determined by analysis of segregation patterns in the F₁, F₂, F₃ and F₄ generations from the cross between the resistant parent PR0313-58 and the susceptible parent ‘Rosada Nativa’. The F₁, F₂ and F₃ generations were tested under greenhouse conditions. Resistant and susceptible F_3:4 sister lines were tested in the field. The statistical analysis of all generations followed the model for a dominant resistance gene. The resistant phenotype was found to co-segregate with the SCAR SAP6 marker, located on LG 10. These results fit the hypothesis that resistance is controlled by a single dominant gene. The symbol proposed for the resistance gene is Xap-1 and for the bacterial race, XapV1.     

Genetic control of resistance to the aphid Brevicoryne brassicae in the wild species Brassica fruticulosa

Initial studies have shown variable resistance in Brassica fruticulosa to the aphid Brevicoryne brassicae The aim of this work was to fix high levels of resistance to B. brassicae in true breeding lines of B. fruticulosa and obtain data on the genetic control of resistance. Plants from initially variable B. fruticulosa accessions were selfed to produce inbred resistant and susceptible lines that were studied in three separate experiments to determine the extent to which resistance to B. brassicae had been fixed. Results from three experiments using successive generations of resistant and susceptible inbred lines showed that continued selection resulted in resistant inbred lines that supported an average of three aphids per plant compared with an average of 96 aphids per plant for susceptible inbred lines. Data collected from an experiment determining the resistant phenotype of lines including the selfed progenies and the F₁ and F₂ progeny of a cross between resistant and susceptible individual plants indicated that the resistance was not controlled by a single gene.     

The inheritance of resistance to blue mold (Peronospora tabacina Adam) in two cultivars of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

Summary Two blue-mold resistant cultivars of Nicotiana tabacum L. were crossed with each other and with the susceptible Israeli local cultivar Mikhal. F₁, F₂ and F₃ progenies of these crosses, F₁ and F₂ of backcrosses and the parental varieties were grown in a series of experiments, in which the seedlings were exposed to heavy natural infection with Peronospora tabacina Adam. The genetic basis of resistance was found to be identical in the two resistant strains Bel-61-10 and Chemical mutant. A single dominant major gene determined the segregation of resistance versus susceptibility in the crosses of these strains with Mikhal. The level of resistance of resistant segregates was shifted by environment and by quantitatively modifying genes. The index of resistance, which was calculated as a weighted mean of the degree of blue-mold expression of the resistant segregates, differed in the generations of cross progeny. This could be explained by the different expected levels of the modifying genes in these generations. Heritability of the index of resistance was calculated by parent-offspring regression and it was found to be 0.542 in the F₃ and 0.227 in F₂ backcross progenies.     

Advanced backcross QTL analysis reveals complicated genetic control of rice grain shape in a japonica × indica cross

Grain shape is an important trait for improving rice yield. A number of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for this trait have been identified by using primary F₂ mapping populations and recombinant inbred lines, in which QTLs with a small effect are harder to detect than they would be in advanced generations. In this study, we developed two advanced mapping populations (chromosome segment substitution lines [CSSLs] and BC₄F₂ lines consisting of more than 2000 individuals) in the genetic backgrounds of two improved cultivars: a japonica cultivar (Koshihikari) with short, round grains, and an indica cultivar (IR64) with long, slender grains. We compared the ability of these materials to reveal QTLs for grain shape with that of an F₂ population. Only 8 QTLs for grain length or grain width were detected in the F₂ population, versus 47 in the CSSL population and 65 in the BC₄F₂ population. These results strongly suggest that advanced mapping populations can reveal QTLs for agronomic traits under complicated genetic control, and that DNA markers linked with the QTLs are useful for choosing superior allelic combinations to enhance grain shape in the Koshihikari and IR64 genetic backgrounds.     

Inheritance of resistance to two races of sunflower downy mildew (Plasmopara halstedii) in two Helianthus annuus L. lines

Sunflower downy mildew caused by Plasmopara halstedii is an important disease of sunflower capable of causing losses of more than 80% of production. Races 100, 300, 310, 330, 710, 703, 730 and770 of the fungus have been identified in Spain. Race 703, of high virulence, has been identified frequently in the northeast, while race 310 seems to occur over the south, the main sunflower growing region of the country. Oil sunflower lines RHA-274 and DM4 were studied for their resistance to races 310(RHA-274 and DM4) and 703 (DM4). In each cross, only one plant of the resistant parent was crossed to the inbred susceptible line HA-89 (or cmsHA-89).Plants from F₂ and backcross(BC₁F₁ to susceptible parent)generations were evaluated for fungal sporulation on true leaves and/or cotyledons. The resistant-to-susceptible ratios obtained in the F₂ and BC₁F₁ progenies from the crosses cmsHA-89 × RHA-274 and HA-89 × DM4suggested that one major gene in each line is responsible for resistance to race 703.The segregations of the progenies of the cross HA-89 × DM4 inoculated with race 703also fitted the ratios 1:1 and 3:1 (for BC₁F₁ and F₂, respectively)corresponding to control of resistance by a single dominant gene. In RHA-274, the gene for resistance to race 310 was designated Pl ₉, whereas Pl _v is tentatively proposed to designate the gene in DM4 responsible for resistance to races310 and 703. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Inheritance of resistance to the bipartite Tomato chlorotic mottle begomovirus derived from Lycopersicon esculentum cv. ‘Tyking’

Severe outbreaks of bipartite begomoviruses (family Geminiviridae) have been observed on tomatoes after the introduction of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (biotype B) in Brazil. The Lycopersicon esculentum line ‘TX 468-RG’ was identified as one of the best sources of broad-spectrum resistance to species comprising the tomato-infecting Begomovirus complex in Brazil. The genetic basis of resistance to one Begomovirus isolate was investigated using populations from the cross between ‘TX 468-RG’ (P₁) and the susceptible line ‘Ohio 8245’ (P₂). Parental lines, F₁, backcross (BC) to P₁ and BC to P₂ and F₂ generations were inoculated at the two true-leaf stage using 20 viruliferous whiteflies per plant. Assessment was done two weeks after inoculation based upon visual analysis of symptom expression. The ratio of resistant to susceptible plants closely fit to a single recessive gene (locus) model. The sequence analysis indicated that the Begomovirus isolate used in this assay was closely related to the bipartite Tomato chlorotic mottle virus. Therefore, this gene/locus, was tentatively named tcm-1 (tomato chlorotic mottle virus resistance-1). This locus has been transferred to distinct tomato cultivars and levels of resistance similar to that of ‘TX 468-RG’ were observed in advanced (F₈ and F₉) generations. In addition, breeding lines carrying the tcm-1 locus were also resistant to other Brazilian bipartite tomato-infecting Begomovirus species.     

水稻新质源(CMS-FA)雄性不育恢复基因的遗传研究

发掘水稻新型雄性不育细胞质源CMS-FA,育成系列优质米不育系和系列新质源恢复系,组配成强优势杂交稻组合的基础上研究新质源雄性不育恢复系的恢复基因遗传。采用新质源(CMS-FA)不育系金农1A与恢复系金恢3号杂交获得杂交F₁代种子,种植F₁代,收获自交F₂代种子。用F₁分别与不育系或保持系回交,获得(不育系//不育系/恢复系和不育系/恢复系//保持系)2个测交群体。同时种植P₁、P₂、F₁、F₂、B₁F₁和B₂F₁等群体,考察花粉染色率、套袋结实率和自然结实率,卡平方测验遗传分离适合度。结果表明,不育系与恢复系杂交F₁代正常可育,育性恢复(可育)基因为显性遗传。F₂代分离出可育︰不育适合3︰1,育性恢复(可育)基因为1对显性基因控制。B₁F₁和B₂F₁代2个测交群体的可育︰不育都适合1︰1分离规律,验证了F₂代育性恢复(可育)单基因的遗传模式。暂时确定新质源(CMS-FA)核质互作三系的基因型为不育系S(SS)、保持系F(SS)和恢复系S(FF)。     

Inheritance of resistance to broomrape (Orobanche cumana Wallr.) race F in a sunflower line derived from wild sunflower species

Genetic resistance to broomrape (Orobanche cumana Wallr.) race F in sunflower line J1, derived from the wild perennial species Helianthusgrosseserratus Martens and Helianthus divaricatus L., has been reported to be controlled by dominant alleles at a single locus, Or6. However, deviations from this monogenic inheritance have been observed. The objective of the present study was to gain insight into the inheritance of resistance to broomrape race F in the sunflower line J1. F₁, F₂, F₃ and BC generations from crosses between J1 and three susceptible lines, P21, NR5 and HA821 were evaluated. F₁ hybrids showed both resistant (R) and moderately resistant (MR) plants, the latter having a maximum of five broomrape stalks per plant compared with >10 in the susceptible parents. This indicated incomplete dominance of the Or6 alleles. F₂ plants were classified as R, MR or susceptible (more than five broomrape stalks per plant). Three different segregation ratios were observed: 3 : 1, 13 : 3 and 15 : 1 (R + MR : S), suggesting the presence of a second gene, Or7, whose expression was influenced by the environment. A digenic model was confirmed, based on the evaluation of F_2:3 families.     

Reproductive behaviour and broomrape resistance in interspecific hybrids of sunflower

Interspecific hybrids and backcross generations between the wild perennial species Helianthus resinosus, Helianthus paucifiorus, Helianthus laevigatus, Helianthus nuttallii ssp. nuttallii T. & G. and Helianthus giganteus, resistant to broomrape (Orobanche cernua) and susceptible inbred lines were obtained to study crossability to cultivated sunflower and the transmission and expression of resistance to this parasitic weed. Conventional crosses with all the species tested were successful except for the crosses with diploid H. giganteus, for which embryo rescue techniques were needed to overcome hybrid incompatibility. Pollen viability and seed set were highest for F₁ hybrids with hexaploid species and lowest for those with the diploid H. giganteus. We evaluated F₁, BC₁F₁, some BC₂F₁ plants and the wild and cultivated parents. The wild species and interspecific hybrids were resistant to broomrape infection except for H. nuttallii, which showed segregation, indicating that the resistance is dominant. The crossability and resistance of F₁, and back-cross generations of species with different ploidy levels indicate that the transfer of broomrape resistance to cultivated sunflower is feasible.     

Non-random segregation of gene I for Fusarium resistance in the tomato

Significant deviations from the ratios expected, according to the single dominant gene hypothesis for resistance to Fusarium wilt, were found in crosses involving several susceptible and resistant tomato lines. The susceptible class was the deficient one in F₂ and F₃ populations, as well as in backcrosses in which the heterozygotic resistant F₁ served as the male parent. The reciprocal backcross, with the F₁ as the female and the homozygous susceptible as the male, gave segregations better approximating or consistent with the single gene hypothesis. Reciprocal F₁ and F₂ generations did not give any evidence of cytoplasmic effects.The results were interpreted assuming preferential fertilization of ovules by pollen grains carrying the dominant I allele for resistance.The practical implications of the phenomenon of preferential fertilization in breeding for Fusarium resistance are discussed.     

Transfer of resistance to race 2 of Plasmodiophora brassicae from Brassica napus to cabbage (B. oleracea ssp. capitata). III. First backcross and F2 progenies from interspecific hybrids between B. napus and B. oleracea ssp. capitata

Summary The first backcross and F₂ progenies from triploid F₁ and tetraploid F₁ hybrids between B. napus and 2x and 4x B. oleracea ssp. capitata (cabbage) were studied for their general morphology, resistance to race 2 of the clubroot pathogen, chromosome number and meiotic chromosome behavior. No linkage was apparent between resistance and the major morphological characters. Unreduced gametes played a large part in the successful formation of seed of the B₁ and F₂ progeny. B₁ plants with low chromosome numbers were selected for use in recurrent backcrosses. The potential use of anther culture to extract gametic progenies from resistant B₁ and F₂ plants with higher chromosome numbers was suggested. The presence of homoeologous pairing observed in all the plants is considered advantageous for selecting suitable progeny in later generations.     

The genetics of maize (Zea mays L.) growing at low temperatures II. Harvesting time,number of kernels and plant height at maturity

Summary A set of 11 inbred lines of grain maize and generations derived from them were grown at a latitude further north than the generally accepted limit of the crop in the U.K. Analyses of variance for harvesting time, number of kernels and final plant height showed significant differences between the inbred lines and between their F₁, F₂ and backcross generations.A- and C-scaling tests or the joint scaling test were used to analyse the means of parents, F₁, F₂ and the two backcross generations for 8 reciprocal crosses.These tests showed that for all the crosses the addivite-dominance models were adequate for the characters. i.e. there was little or no evidence of non-allelic interactions.There was some evidence for heterosis for number of kernels and plant height, that of number of kernels being particularly impressive.     

Inheritance of resistance to fruit rot (Phytophthora capsici Leon.) and induction of resistance in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Summary Fruit rot in bell pepper caused by Phytopthora capsici Leon. is a limiting factor in its commercial production. Crosses were made between Waxy Globe, a small fruited hot type, resistant to fruit rot and four highly susceptible bell pepper commercial cultivars (Chinese Giant, California Wonder, Osh, Kosh and Yolo Wonder). Studies of the F₁'s, F₂'s and backcrosses indicated that Waxy Globe carries a dominant gene imparting resistance to fruit rot. After three backcrosses with California Wonder, lines were obtained combining the resistance gene of Waxy Globe with the large fruit size and low capsaicin of California Wonder.     

Inheritance of culm number in two uniculm x multiculm wheat crosses

Summary Effective utilization of uniculm wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm in breeding programs requires an understanding of the inheritance of the uniculm character. The parents, F₁, F₂, and first generation backcrosses (B₁ and B₂) of two crosses, each utilizing a uniculm spring wheat line and a locally adapted winter wheat cultivar, were space planted in an experiment to acquire information regarding the genetic control of culm number. Significant F₁ deviations from midparent values revealed the presence of substantial non-additive gene effects. The scaling tests of Mather and the joint scaling test detected the presence of epistasis. Hayman's six-parameter model revealed that a negative dominance effect provided the major contribution to variation in culm number, while additive x additive and dominance x dominance gene effects were of considerable importance.