Increase in grain protein percentage in high-yielding common wheat breeding lines by genes from wild tetraploid wheat

Summary Forty-one breeding lines of common wheat, derived from crosses between the Israeli cultivars Miriam and Lakhish and high-protein lines of wild tetraploid wheat, Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides, were tested for various protein and yield parameters in field trials, under typical agronomic conditions. All lines had a higher grain protein percentage (GPP) than the leading Israeli cultivar Deganit, which was grown as a control. Grain yield (GY) ranged in the breeding lines from a low of 2.44 t/ha to as high as that of Deganit (6.95 t/ha). Despite the weak negative correlation between GPP and GY, several lines excelled both in GPP and in GY. The grain protein yield (GPY) of some of these selected breeding lines was higher than that of Deganit; e.g., 1.19 t/ha in the best line vs. 1.02 t/ha in Deganit. The 16.7% increase in GPY in this line reflected a more efficient utilization of nitrogen.     

Agronomic performance and genetic progress of selected historical soybean varieties in the southern USA

This study was conducted to compare recently developed and historical soybean varieties and evaluate genetic gain in yield and other agronomic traits in the southern USA. A total of 45 southern varieties from public breeding programs, which were released from 1928 to 2008, were used in this study. Three experiments were conducted in 2007 and 2008 at Keiser, Stuttgart, and Marianna in Arkansas (USA). Varieties with maturity groups (MG) late IV to early V had a yield gain of 21.7 kg/ha/yr from the 1950s to the 2000s, mid to late MG V had a yield gain of 16.4 kg/ha/yr from the 1940s to the 2000s, and MG VIs had a yield gain of 12.4 kg/ha/yr from the 1920s to the 2000s. Yield increased linearly for all combined experiments by 16.8 kg/ha/yr. Plant height remained steady over time for most experiments. No significant changes were observed in maturity. Lodging scores decreased, protein concentration decreased, and oil concentration increased linearly over time for all combined experiments. Hutcheson, Narrow, R97‐1634, and Young were recommended as parent lines in future soybean breeding efforts.     

复垦滩涂微咸水灌溉下粳稻产量和品质的表现

为明确不同粳稻品种在江苏沿海滩涂地区的产量和品质表现,以近期育成的23个新品种（系）为材料、其中盐稻12号为对照,在中低盐分（2g/kg）复垦滩涂地块,微咸水（矿化度0.94~2.44g/L）灌溉,比较滩涂实地盐胁迫下粳稻产量和品质的表现。结果表明,参试品种（系）平均产量8.21t/hm²,变幅6.19~11.74t/hm²,为邻近无盐胁迫老垦区产量的85%左右;主要的穗粒结构表现为穗多而粒少,增加穗粒数是滩涂水稻高产栽培途径之一。就稻米品质而言,滩涂中低度盐胁迫对糙米率、精米率、长宽比和食味值的影响不大,对整精米率有一定的影响,影响最大的是稻米外观品质指标垩白粒率和垩白度,在耐盐品种选育与筛选中要加强对垩白度的选择。     

Potential of gamma radiation enhancing the biosynthesis of tropane alkaloids in black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger L.)

Summary A productive yellow flowered mutant with high tropane alkaloid content was isolated in the M₂ generation of gamma irradiated (Co⁶⁰ at 40 kr) progenies ofHyoscyamus niger. Mutant progenies, on an average, were capable of synthetising more than twice crude alkaloid (0.147% to 0.221%) in M₃ through M₆ generations compared to the parental control (0.065 to 0.106%). In pilot scale trial (M₇), two elite lines, Y-15 and Y-17 were found to contain 0.390% and 0.318% crude drug in contrast to 0.211% in an improved inbred used as control. However, owing to conducive plant morphology, Y-17 registered high yield of dry biomass, hence gave more than double yield of crude drug than the improved control (inbred) (23 kg/ha against 11 kg/ha). Also being superior in hyoscyamine and hyoscine yields, it was redesignated as var.Aela, and released for commercial cultivation in India, thus signifying the efficiency of radiation breeding for crop improvement.     

青贮稻秸秆对山羊生长性能和血液生化指标的影响

旨在研究不同处理方式对青贮稻秸秆发酵的影响和青贮稻秸秆对山羊生长性能和血液生化指标的影响。在稻秸中加入乳酸菌、纤维素酶和糖蜜进行混合青贮,结果发现：在稻秸秆中添加2.5 g/t 乳酸菌、600 g/t 纤维素酶、4%糖蜜和加水200 kg/t 进行混合青贮能够降低pH(P＜0.01)、丁酸和丙酸浓度(P＜0.05);显著提高干物质(P＜0.01)、粗蛋白(P＜0.05)和可溶性碳水化合物(P＜0.01)含量,而粗脂肪、中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维则相反。将青贮稻秸替代30%、60%和100%粗饲料进行饲喂山羊。结果显示：替代100%组羊的末重和平均日增重显著高于其他各组(P＜0.01),料重比最低;各组的平均日采食量无显著差异。替代60%组山羊的血清碱性磷酸酶浓度(P＜0.01)和总胆固醇含量(P＜0.05)均显著降低。综上所述,稻秸秆中添加2.5 g/t 乳酸菌、600 g/t 纤维素酶、4%糖蜜和加水200 kg/t 进行混合青贮的效果较好,且青贮稻秸代替100%粗饲料能够提高山羊的生长性能,降低成本     

Optimizing selection for rough rice yield, head rice, and total milled rice

High rough rice yields are important for the profitable production of rice (Oryza sativa L.). The value of rough rice is determined primarily by head rice (whole milled grains) and broken rice, together referred to as total milled rice. The objective of this study was to optimize selection for rough rice yield, head rice, and total milled rice using path-coefficient analysis and selection indices. Thirty-seven long grain pure lines were grown in an experiment at three Arkansas locations during 1993 and 1994. In another test, twenty-eight F₁ hybrids obtained from an eight-parent half diallel of long-grain rices were grown at two locations in Arkansas during 1991. For the pure lines, path analysis revealed that rough rice yield was approximately twice as important in determining total milled rice/ha than head rice. Path analysis for the hybrids revealed that rough rice yield was an even greater component in determining total milled rice/ha. Based on yield components for hybrid rice, panicle density had the largest direct effect determining total milled rice/ha. Filled grain/panicle, grain weight, and head rice, in that order, were secondary, but positive, factors determining total milled rice/ha. A selection index for pure lines based only on selection for head rice was 19.2 percent as effective as selection for total milled rice/ha directly. When selection for total milled rice/ha was based solely on rough rice yield, selection was 82.7 percent as effective as selecting for total milled rice/ha directly. Selection to improve total milled rice/ha should concentrate on increasing both rough rice yield and head rice. Rough rice yield should receive greater priority than head rice in selection strategies. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of cytoplasm on heterosis and combining ability for agronomic traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Summary Effect of sterilizing (WA) cytoplasm on heterosis and combining ability for days to flowering, plant height and grain yield in rice was studied in 70 crosses and their reciprocals produced by 10 cytoplasmic male sterile (A), their maintainer (B) and seven restorer (R) lines following line x tester design. The materials consisting of 140 hybrids (70 A/R and their reciprocal 70 R/B) plus 17 parental lines (10 B + 7 R) were evaluated under six environments, created by growing in three fields with different fertilizer doses (0, 60, 120 kg N/ha) and 2 seasons (dry and wet) during 1986 at IRRI farm. Reciprocal cross effect (A/R vs R/B) were highly significant for all the three traits. Interaction of reciprocal cross effects with environments were also highly significant for yield and days to flowering. Cytoplasmic effect for yield, days to flowering and plant height were estimated by comparing A/R and R/B combination and testing the significance of difference with LSD value. In order to avoid confounding effect of spikelet sterility on yields, twenty crosses showing normal spikelet fertility were selected. Both positive and negative cytoplasmic effects were observed for the three traits. The effects were modified by environments, except for plant height. Heterosis for all three traits was also affected by cytoplasm, however, manifestation of cytoplasmic effects was higher for heterosis for days to flower than in heterosis for yield and plant height. Effect of cytoplasm was more pronounced on general combining ability effects of parents than specific combining ability effects of crosses. Among the parents two CMS lines A4 (IR54752A) and A8 (IR22107-113-3-3A) and two R lines: R2 (IR46) and R7 (IR9761-19-1) showed consistent positive effect of cytoplasm on general combining ability. These lines have given several good heterotic combinations. The study indicated the usefulness of evaluating diverse cytoplasmic sources in various nuclear genotypes bred for hybrid rice breeding program.     

氮肥水平对不同育种时代粳稻产量、氮素吸收利用差异的影响

以选育时期不同(两个选育时代)的12个水稻品种为材料,于施氮量为0,225,300 kg/hm~2纯氮大田条件下,研究了不同氮肥水平下两选育时代的水稻品种产量、物质生产积累量及氮素吸收、利用效率的差异.结果表明,水稻产量随着选育时代的更替有所提高,并随施氮量的增加两时代产量表现不同,早期品种中有83.3%的水稻基因型的产量随施氮量增加呈增加趋势,当代品种产量则有一半基因型在225 kg/hm~2氮肥水平下产量达最大,说明早期品种对氮肥反应较当代品种敏感.农艺性状中的株高和穗长随着育种时代的更替有矮化和减小的趋势,着粒密度有所增加.干物质和氮素平均积累量在生育时期各阶段均表现为当代品种大于早期品种,氮素利用效率亦表现相同的规律.相关分析表明,水稻产量与抽穗、成熟期物质积累量和氮素吸收量均呈显著或极显著正相关关系,与拔节期关系不密切.氮素利用效率与产量呈显著正相关,与株高和穗长呈显著负相关.说明随着选育时代的更替,水稻产量、吸氮量及氮素利用效率有所提高,株型趋于矮化,穗型由散穗向密穗型演变.     

Development of TGMS lines for developing two-line rice hybrids for the tropics

A breeding program was initiated at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in 1990 to develop thermosensitive genic male sterile (TGMS) rice lines for developing two-line rice hybrids for the tropics. The TGMS trait was transferred from a temperate japonica TGMS mutant, Norin PL 12, to indica and tropical japonica rice varieties using the pedigree selection procedure. Six new TGMS rice lines adapted to tropical conditions were developed which showed complete pollen and spikelet sterility when maximum temperature was higher than 30 ^°C 1–2 week after panicle initiation. However, up to 85.5% spikelet fertility was observed when these lines were exposed to 26–29 ^°C during the critical stage. Using two of these TGMS lines, some heterotic rice hybrids showing 1–1.6 t/ha higher grain yield than the inbred check varieties were identified in unreplicated observational yield trial conducted at IRRI. Two of the six two-line hybrids yielded significantly higher than the check variety in a replicated preliminary yield trial. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Development of high yielding IR64 × <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza rufipogon</Emphasis> (Griff.) introgression lines and identification of introgressed alien chromosome segments using SSR markers

Modern rice varieties that ushered in the green revolution brought about dramatic increase in rice production worldwide but at the cost of genetic diversity at the farmers’ fields. The wild species germplasm can be used for broadening the genetic base and improving productivity. Mining of alleles at productivity QTL from related wild species under simultaneous backcrossing and evaluation, accompanied by molecular marker analysis has emerged as an effective plant breeding strategy for utilization of wild species germplasm. In the present study, a limited backcross strategy was used to introgress QTL associated with yield and yield components from Oryza rufipogon (acc. IRGC 105491) to cultivated rice, O. sativa cv IR64. A set of 12 BC₂F₆ progenies, selected from among more than 100 BC₂F₅ progenies were evaluated for yield and yield components. For plant height, days to 50% flowering and tillers/plant, the introgression lines did not show any significant change compared to the recurrent parent IR64. For yield, 9 of the 12 introgression lines showed significantly higher yield (19–38%) than the recurrent parent IR64. Four of these lines originating from a common lineage showed higher yield due to increase in grain weight and another three also from a common lineage showed yield increase due to increase in grain number per panicle. For analyzing the introgression at molecular level all the 12 lines were analyzed for 259 polymorphic SSR markers. Of the total 259 SSR markers analyzed, only 18 (7.0%) showed introgression from O. rufipogon for chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 11. Graphical genotypes have been prepared for each line and association between the introgression regions and the traits that increased yield is reported. Based on marker trait association it appears that some of the QTL are stable across the environments and genetic backgrounds and can be exploited universally.     

Genetic progress after four cycles of recurrent selection for yield and grain traits in common bean

The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic progress after four cycles of recurrent selection in common bean. The base segregating population was obtained from 10 parents, and derived the S_0:1 and S_0:2 families that were evaluated. The S_0:3 families with higher grain yield and grain color, like the standard carioca were selected, and were intercrossed to generate the population of the following cycle. This process was repeated for four cycles. The best families were evaluated in each cycle by many generations and locations, and the five best lines of each cycle were identified. The 20 lines thus obtained were evaluated in two growing seasons, sown in July and November 2002. The grain yield (kg/ha) and grain type (scale of scores) were evaluated. Genetic progress was confirmed for both traits. The mean annual gain with selection for the grain type was 10.5% and 5.7% for grain yield, with no evidence of variability reduction in the population. These results show that recurrent selection is a good alternative for improving common bean quantitative traits.     

Marker‐assisted introgression of rare allele of β‐carotene hydroxylase (crtRB1) gene into elite quality protein maize inbred for combining high lysine,tryptophan and provitamin A in maize

Vitamin A deficiency in humans is a widespread health problem. Quality protein maize (QPM) is a popular food rich in lysine and tryptophan, but poor in provitamin A (proA). Here, we report the improvement of an elite QPM inbred, HKI1128Q for proA using marker‐assisted introgression of crtRB1‐favourable allele. HKI1128 was one of the parental lines of three popular hybrids in India and was converted to QPM in our earlier programme. Severe segregation distortion for crtRB1 was observed in BC₁F₁, BC₂F₁ and BC₂F₂. Background selection by 100 SSRs revealed mean recovery of 91.07% recurrent parent genome varying from 88.78% to 93.88%. Across years, introgressed progenies possessed higher mean β‐carotene (BC: 9.22 µg/g), β‐cryptoxanthin (BCX: 3.05 µg/g) and provitamin A (proA: 10.75 µg/g) compared to HKI1128Q (BC: 2.26 µg/g, BCX: 2.26 µg/g and proA: 3.38 µg/g). High concentration of essential amino acids, viz. lysine (mean: 0.303%) and tryptophan (0.080%) in endosperm, was also retained. Multi‐year evaluation showed that introgressed progenies possessed similar grain yield (1,759–1,879 kg/ha) with HKI1128Q (1,778 kg/ha). Introgressed progenies with higher lysine, tryptophan and proA hold immense potential as donors and parents in developing biofortified hybrids.     

4种蛋白质饲料对幼龄獭兔饲用价值的比较研究

为了评定豆粕、玉米蛋白粉、棉粕、菜粕等4种蛋白质饲料在獭兔幼龄阶段的营养价值,试验以3月龄獭兔为研究对象,通过化学测定、消化试验与饲养试验,比较分析了4种蛋白质饲料的化学组成及其营养价值。结果显示:粗蛋白表观可吸收量以棉粕最高,为383.22 g/kg,分别比豆粕、玉米蛋白粉、菜粕多3.4,137.9,20.85 g/kg;必需氨基酸化学值指数(EAAI)与可吸收量指数均以菜粕最高,分别为1.18,0.047 5;干物质表观消化能以豆粕最高,为9.99 MJ/kg,分别比玉米蛋白粉、棉粕、菜粕高2.94,3.20,2.68 MJ/kg;豆粕的钙消化吸收最佳,消化率与表观吸收量分别为79.32%,18.59 g/kg,极显著高于棉粕,显著高于菜粕;玉米蛋白粉的磷消化吸收最佳,消化率与表观吸收量分别为63.82%,6.14 g/kg,极显著高于棉粕,显著高于菜粕;4个处理的日均增重、日均采食量、料重比均无显著差异,以棉粕组日均增重最大,为26.64 g。棉粕可用作3月龄獭兔的蛋白质饲料。     

Interrelationships among height,lodging and yield in determinate and indeterminate soybeans

Summary Seventy-three determinate and 93 indeterminate random F₉ lines from a cross between determinate and indeterminate soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] parents were evaluated for seed yield, mature plant height, and lodging. Regression analyses indicated that among the determinate lines, seed yield increased by 350 kg/ha and lodging score increased by 0.008 for every 10 cm increase in plant height. Among indeterminate lines seed yield increased by 112 kg/ha and lodging score by 0.3 for every 10 cm increase in plant height. The highest yielding indeterminate lines were tall and very susceptible to lodging. The tall determinate lines had the best combination of high seed yield and excellent lodging resistance.Cooperative Investigations of the Science and Education Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Purdue University Agricultural Experiment Station.     

双季机插稻叶龄模式参数及高产品种特征

为双季机插稻高产品种的选育和精确定量栽培提供参考依据, 2013年和2014年在长江中游双季稻地区(江西上高), 以19个早稻品种和20个晚稻品种为材料, 在高产栽培条件下明确了双季机插稻叶龄模式参数, 并通过系统聚类分析和方差分析等方法对双季机插稻高产品种特征进行了初步研究。结果表明, 机插早稻主茎平均总叶片数(N)为10.7~12.2, 叶数变幅10~13, 伸长节间数(n)均为4个, 够苗叶龄为N-n+1; 机插晚稻品种N为14.4~15.2, 叶数变幅14~16, n均为5个, 够苗叶龄为N-n。高产类型机插双季稻具有分蘖力中等、成穗率较高、全生育期特别是中后期干物质生产量及单茎干物质量大、中后期叶面积指数(LAI)及单茎叶面积较高、穗型较大、总颖花量大、粒叶比协调和日产量高等基本特征。其中, 高产类型机插早稻生育期110~113 d, 日产量75~79 kg hm ^-2 d ^-1, 分蘖力每株2.6~3.4穗, 每穗粒数115~135粒, 千粒重26~28 g; 高产类型机插晚稻115~120 d, 日产量78~82 kg hm ^-2 d ^-1, 分蘖力每株4.2~4.8穗, 每穗粒数130~150粒, 千粒重24~27 g。     

以RNA干扰γ-氨基丁酸转氨酶1基因(OsGABA-T1)表达提高稻米γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)含量

γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)是一种四碳非蛋白质氨基酸, 具有降血压等功能。为提高稻米中GABA含量, 利用RNA干扰技术, 构建水稻中GABA代谢关键酶GABA转氨酶1基因(OsGABA-T1)的干扰载体, 通过农杆菌介导法, 将其转化至粳稻品种宁粳1号中。实时荧光定量PCR检测结果表明导入的RNA干扰结构成功地降低了目的基因OsGABA-T1的表达, 且干扰家系中OsGABA-T2基因表达也随之下降。对转基因T₃代稻米GABA含量测定发现, 糙米中GABA含量相对于对照增加了13倍以上, 精米中GABA含量也显著增加, 而其他主要氨基酸含量则没有明显变化。测定储藏4个月的转基因稻米发现, GABA含量仍具有较高水平。所以, 利用RNA干扰技术可有效提高稻米γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)含量, 为培育富含GABA的降血压功能性水稻品种提供基础。     

Combining ability and heterosis over environments for yield and yield components in two-line hybrids involving thermosensitive genic male sterile lines in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Presence of substantial heterosis and economic hybrid seed production are two most desirable components for success of any commercial hybrid breeding programme. Thermosensitive genic male sterile (TGMS) lines of rice, in this regard, have tremendous potential in realizing further quantum jump in yield and economical hybrid seed cost. Analyses for combining ability and heterosis over optimum (120N : 60P₂O₅ : 40K₂O kg/ha) and high (200N : 90P₂O₅ : 60K₂O kg/ha) fertility environments for six traits were made in 2 years (2001 and 2002) using 120 hybrids of inter‐ and intra‐subspecific nature derived from hybridization of 30 elite indica TGMS lines and four cultivars, viz., ‘Pant Dhan 4’ and ‘Ajaya’ (I = indica), ‘Taichung 65’ (J = japonica) and ‘IR 65598‐112‐2’ (TJ = tropical japonica) in line × tester mating design. Predominance of non‐additive genetic variance suggested good prospects of hybrid breeding. Pooled analysis revealed highly significant variances for lines, general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA) and line x tester. TGMS line 365‐8S was the best general combiner for all the six traits including grain yield. Trend of relative mid‐parent heterosis for grain yield, panicle length, grain number per panicle and earliness in flowering was I/TJ > I/J > I/I. For panicle number per plant and 1000‐grain weight, trends were I/TJ > I/I > I/J and I/I > I/TJ > I/J, respectively. Grain yield recorded heterosis of 49.3%, 71.9% and 92.7% for I/I, I/J and I/TJ hybrid groups respectively. Effect of environments on the hybrid performance indicated better response of hybrids at high fertilizer dose. Study suggests greater prospects of combining improved japonica and tropical japonica germplasms having wide compatible gene with indica TGMS lines for exploitation of intersubspecific heterosis.     

水稻粒重对氮素反应的基因型差异及其类型

以国内外114个水稻基因型的大田试验,研究了0、低、中、高4种氮素水平条件下粒重的变化规律,探讨了水稻粒重对氮素反应的基因型差异及其类型。结果表明：(1)早、中、晚稻在4种氮素水平下粒重均存在极显著的基因型差异。在不施氮条件下,早、中、晚稻平均粒重分别为23.95 g、25.34 g和25.37 g,基因型间的变异系数分别为5.57     

Production of salt tolerant rice breeding line via doubled haploid

Summary A haploid breeding program was initiated to develop doubled haploid salt tolerant rice breeding line via anther culture. Two sensitive breeding lines BR4608-R₁-R₂ and BR4909-R₁-R₂ were crossed with a salt tolerant line IR13146-13-3-3 to transfer its salt tolerant character to the doubled haploids.Anther from confirmed F₁s of the two crosses were cultured in defined medium for callus induction and eventual plant regeneration. Fifteen doubled haploid (DH) lines were obtained from two crosses. Test for salt tolerance were done in vitro. Five out of 15 lines were found tolerant at the level of 8–10 decisiemens/m (ds/m) while the rests were sensitive to that level of salinity.Field experiment was conducted to evaluate the doubled haploids under saline and non saline soil. Five salt tolerant lines produced comparable yield with the resistant control (BR 23) under saline condition, whereas these lines yielded even higher in non saline soil under irrigated condition when evaluated with other 10 sensitive DH linesAbbreviations LSD Least Significant Difference - NAA Napthalene Acetic Acid     

Integrated Nitrogen Management with Green Manures in Rice-Chickpea Cropping System

A field experiment was conducted during wet and dry seasons of 1987–88 and 1988–89 to evaluate the performance of green manures with and without fertilizer nitrogen in lowland rice and their residual effect on succeeding crop of chickpea grown under rice-chickpea cropping system. Incorporation of Ipomea carnea (green leaves), Cassia tora and Parthenium hysterophorus (green young plants) ca. 5 t/ha fresh weight significantly improved yield and yield components namely panicles per hill, panicle length, grains per panicle and test weight of transplanted rice. The results showed that at least 20 kg/ha fertilizer nitrogen applied to rice could be replaced by incorporation of 5 t/ha fresh weight green manure. Supplementation of 60 kg N/ha through urea to the green manures treated plots proved to be the best in respect of grain yield and was comparable to the yield obtained under 80 kg N/ha as urea alone. Plant N-uptake followed the similar pattern of rice grain yield. Residual fertility in terms of available nitrogen increased under the green manure treatments, whereas urea nitrogen alone made no impact on fertility build-up. Green manures showed significantly higher residual response than fertilizer N alone to seed yield and N uptake of chickpea.