Genetic divergence in parental genotypes and its relation with heterosis, F1 performance and general combining ability (GCA) in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.)

Summary Genetic divergence in 110 population (20 parents and 90 F₁ hybrids) of opium poppy was studied by multivariate analysis. All the entries were grouped in 14 clusters. Out of 20 parents, ten were accumulated in one cluster and rest 10 distributed over seven clusters. Estimates of cluster distance showed that maximum intra-cluster distance was in -cluster IX (25.62) followed by cluster I (22.41), V (22.23) and IV (21.06). The inter cluster distances varied from 16.62 (between cluster XII and XIV) to 195.10 (between cluster IV and IX). The cluster analysis indicated substantial diversity among the parental genotypes, which had the potential to release considerable variation in their crosses. The first four principal components (PCs) with eigen values >1 accounted for 68% of variation among the population. The first and second components could account for 29 and 20% of the total morphological and alkaloidal variations, respectively. The PC1 was closely related to yield and yield related traits. The characters contributing greatest positive weight on PC1 were opium yield, plant height, stem diameter, capsule weight/plant and seed yield/plant. The possibilities of relationship between genetic divergence, F₁ performance, heterosis and GCA of parents have been explored.     

Out-crossing in opium poppy Papaver somniferum L.

Summary A quantitative assessment of out-crossing in opium poppy was attempted using two strains (UO 221 C and NBPGR 1) possessing non-waxy stigmas and five strains (UO 177-2, UO 285, D 5-B, D 14 and UO 185) possessing waxy stigmas. The degree of out-crossing, measured over four years, was 15.3 per cent in non-waxy types and 45.8 per cent in waxy types. The overall mean worked out to 33 per cent.     

Genetic combining ability estimates in the F<Subscript>1</Subscript> and F<Subscript>2</Subscript> generations for yield,its component traits and alkaloid content in opium poppy (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Papaver somniferum</Emphasis> L.)

The F ₁ and F ₂ generations of a twenty parent fractional diallel cross of opium poppy (P. somniferum L.) were analyzed for combining ability for ten quantitative and five quality (alkaloids) traits. The results indicated significant differences among the parents for combining ability for all the traits. The GCA and SCA components of variances were significant for all the characters. However, the SCA component of variance (δ ²s) was predominant indicating the preponderance of non-additive gene effect for all the traits except for leaves/plant and papaverine in F₁ hybrids. The average degree of dominance (δ ²s/δ ²g) was more than unity indicating over dominance and also confirming non-additive mode of gene action. Among the parents IS-16, IS-13 and NBRI-1 for early flowering, BR226 and BR241 for branches/plant, capsule weight/plant, seed yield/plant and husk yield/plant, BR227 for leaves/plant, UO1285 for capsule size and opium yield/plant, NBRI-5 for husk yield/plant, morphine, codeine, and thebaine and ‘Papline’ for plant height and papaverine content were found good general combiners. Parent ND1001 was good combiner for codeine and narcotine content. Inclusion of good general combiners in a multiple crossing program or an intermating population involving all the possible crosses among them subjected to bi-parental mating may be expected to offer maximum promise in breeding for higher opium, seed yield and alkaloid contents.     

Genetic and environmental variation in architecture and yield components in determinate white lupin (Lupinus albus L.)

Summary Determinate architecture is of great interest for lupin production in Europe but the extent of genetic and environmental variation in the structure and yield of determinate lupins must be evaluated. Forty-three genotypes of determinate autumn-sown white lupin were studied in four environments in France in 1991/92 and 1992/93. Wide variation was observed for phenological (dates of mainstem and branch flowering, date of end of flowering and date of maturity), morphological (numbers of branch orders, branches and leaves) and seed characters (seed yield, mean seed weight, number of seeds/m²). Both genetic and environmental effects contributed to the observed variation. Heritabilities were high for all characters, and the interaction between genotype and location effects was low. There were significant positive correlations of flowering dates with vegetative plant development including the number of branches, number of leaves and number of branch orders. Seed yield and phenological and archtectural characters were significantly correlated. Distribution of yield on the vegetative orders showed important variations according the genotype, and the variations were related to variation for the architecture. There are possibilities for yield improvement using morphological characters in determinate autumn-sown lupin.     

Genetic analysis of mesocotyl length and its relationship with other agronomic characters in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Summary Mesocotyl length is an important character in promoting seedling emergence of direct-seeded rice. Genetic analysis of rice mesocotyl length was conducted using a six parent diallel cross. Generation mean analysis was carried out on parents (P), F1, F2 and backcrosses (B) of three crosses to complement the genetic information from the diallel analysis. Both analyses demonstrated the presence of significant additive and dominance effects. Duplicate type of non-allelic interaction was detected by the generation mean analysis and two crosses showed significant negative dominance gene effect. Dominance was partial and the narrow sense heritability estimate for mesocotyl length was high, indicating the preponderance of the additive effects.Mesocotyl length was negatively but weakly correlated with the coleoptile length and length of the second internode L2. There was no correlation between mesocotyl length and other mature plant characters such as plant height and internode lengths L₁, (L₁ being the peduncle with subsequent internodes to the base of the plant). Selection for mesocotyl length can therefore be carried out independent of these plant characters and semidwarf rice varieties with long mesocotyl can be developed.     

Thebaine content and yield in induced tetraploid and triploid plants of Papaver bracteatum Lindl.

Summary The effect of colchicine induced autotetraploidy on the thebaine content and yield of the capsules of Papaver bracteatum was studied. A significant increase in the thebaine content of the capsules was found in tetraploid plants during two consecutive growing seasons, but the thebaine yield per plant was slightly reduced in the autotetraploids. Autotriploid plants showed a very high concentration of thebaine (8.8%) only in the first growing season.Preferential bivalent pairing and a relatively high pollen fertility were observed in the tetraploids, thus making possible the stabilization of tetraploidy by selfing.Tetraploidy seems a most promising approach for developing clones (by vegetative propagation) or lines rich in thebaine.     

Genetic variation for disease and nematode resistances and forage quality in perennial diploid and tetraploid lucerne populations (Medicago sativa L.)

Summary Twenty-five lucerne populations of the Medicago sativa complex, which were either diploid or tetraploid and wild or cultivated, were analysed for their resistance to four different fungal diseases and to stem nematode. Forage quality, including stem digestibility and saponin content, was also tested.Populations varied in susceptibility to the diseases caused by Colletotrichum trifolii, Verticillium albo-atrum, Sclerotinia trifoliorum and Pseudopezizza medicaginis, and to the nematode Ditylenchus dipsaci. Except for Sclerotinia rot, sativa and falcata subspecies differed in susceptibility, but this grouping of populations did not account for the full range of variation among them. However, the resistance to P. medicaginis was much lower in the sativa than in the falcata populations.Populations also varied significantly in stem fiber content and digestibility. Stem digestibility was negatively correlated to forage yield. Wild sativa and falcata populations had lower fiber content and higher digestibility than cultivated sativa populations. The medicagenic acid was the sapogenin responsible for the anti-nutritional effect of the lucerne measured by the yellow mealworm larvae Tenebrio molitor. The medicagenic acid content was lowest for the pure sativa populations, highest for the pure falcata populations, and intermediate for the French sativa varieties that have some traits originating from falcata germplasm. Some populations could be used in breeding programs to improve disease and nematode resistance, and forage quality.     

A shattering-resistant mutant of Papaver bracteatum Lindl.: characterisation and inheritance

Summary Papaver bracteatum is a potential crop for the codeine industry. Seed shattering prevailing in the species is a major problem which reduces the seed yields. A spontaneous mutant with capsules having no pores of dehiscence was isolated in an experimental field. The seed yields of this shattering-resistant mutant are lower than in plants with normal capsules but the thebaine content of the capsules from the mutant is higher. The mutation is monogenic dominant; it can be used for breeding cultivars for dual purpose-thebaine and seeds.     

Intra species variation in Atylosia scarabaeoides (L.) Benth., a wild relative of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.)

Summary Atylosia scarabaeoides (L.) Benth., a wild relative of pigeonpea, possesses several useful genes which can be utilized for pigeonpea improvement. In the present study, 33 accessions of A. scarabaeoides were evaluated at ICRISAT Center during the 1987 rainy season for variation in some useful traits to identify parents for inter-generic hybridization. A large variation was observed for leaf components, seed size, pod length, seeds/pod, days to flowering, seed protein, sulphur amino acids, resistance to cyst nematode, phytophthora blight, sterility mosaic, fusarium wilt, pod borer, pod fly, and pod wasp. Only four accessions were found to have more than 28% protein content. Methionine and cystine contents were marginally higher than in pigeonpea but the variation was not large enough to utilize them in the breeding program. In A. scarabaeoides. accessions resistant to fusarium wilt, phytophthora blight, sterility mosaic, and cyst nematode were detected. Compared to pigeonpea, the A. scarabaeoides accessions were less susceptible to lepidopteran borer and were immune to pod fly damage. Accessions ICPW 89 and ICPW 111 in short- (100–120 days), and ICPW 94 and ICPW 118 in medium-duration (140–180 days) were identified as potential parents for use in inter-generic hybridization.ICRISAT Journal Article No. 967     

Genetic control of in vitro regeneration in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Summary Cultivars of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and durum wheat (T. turgidum L. var. durum) were evaluated for epicuticular wax content and its relationship with spectral reflectance. Epicuticular wax is associated with drought tolerance. Highly significant differences (1.51 to 2.80 mg/dm²) were found in the amount of epicuticular wax (EW) among the cultivars. Water stress significantly enhanced the level of EW. EW content under stress and control conditions were positively correlated (r=0.85, p<0.01) suggesting that selection for this trait could be practised in either environment. Surface reflectance was reduced when the waxy layer from the leaf was removed with chloroform. The reduction for the abaxial surface was twice that for the adaxial surface indicating that the abaxial surface was more waxy than the adaxial one. The mean reduction (both surfaces) termed was positively correlated with the amount of EW (r=0.59, p<0.01).     

Genetic basis of pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) resistance and grain yield in desi and Kabuli Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under unprotected conditions

A series of half-diallel crosses involving early, medium and late maturity desi and kabuli type chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes with stable resistance to Helicoverpa pod borer, along with the parents, were evaluated at two locations in India to understand the inheritance of pod borer resistance and grain yield. Inheritance of resistance to pod borer and grain yield was different in desi and kabuli types. In desi type chickpea, the additive component of genetic variance was important in early maturity and dominance component was predominant in medium maturity group, while in the late maturity group, additive as well as dominance components were equally important in the inheritance of pod borer resistance. Both dominant and recessive genes conferring pod borer resistance seemed equally frequent in the desi type parental lines of medium maturity group. However, dominant genes were in overall excess in the parents of early and late maturity groups. In the kabuli medium maturity group, parents appeared to be genetically similar, possibly due to dispersion of genes conferring pod borer resistance and susceptibility, while their F₁s were significantly different for pod borer damage. The association of genes conferring pod borer resistance and susceptibility in the parents could be attributed to the similarity of parents as well as their F₁s for pod borer damage in kabuli early and late maturity groups. Grain yield was predominantly under the control of dominant gene action irrespective of the maturity groups in desi chickpea. In all the maturity groups, dominant and recessive genes were in equal frequency among the desi parental lines. Dominant genes, which tend to increase or decrease grain yield are more or less present in equal frequency in parents of the early maturity group, while in medium and late maturity groups, they were comparatively in unequal frequency in desi type. Unlike in desi chickpea, differential patterns of genetic components were observed in kabuli chickpea. While the dominant genetic component was important in early and late maturity group, additive gene action was involved in the inheritance of grain yield in medium duration group in kabuli chickpea. The dominant and recessive genes controlling grain yield are asymmetrically distributed in early and medium maturity groups in kabuli chickpea. The implications of the inheritance pattern of pod borer resistance and grain yield are discussed in the context of strategies to enhance pod borer resistance and grain yield in desi and kabuli chickpea cultivars.     

Genetic control of flowering time and its component processes in subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)

Summary The inheritance of flowering time and its component processes, vernalization and photoperiod response, were studied in two crosses of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) using a field sowing and four controlled environment sowings with different combinations of vernalization and photoperiod. Time to flowering was under polygenic control and was highly heritable. For both vernalization and photoperiod response, there was dominance for a low response, or earliness. A simple genetic control was indicated for photoperiod response. The results for vernalization response were not clear cut, although the character appeared to be under polygenic control. An interaction between vernalization and photoperiod response was evident in three of the four cultivars studied. This made it impossible to separate the effect of these two component processes and complicated the study of their inheritance. Node of first flower on the main stem was closely related to flowering time and its use led to similar conclusions in the inheritance studies.     

Genetic analysis of ratooning ability of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Summary Genetic analysis of generation means of F₁, F₂, F₃, F₄, and the parental populations of the cross IR10154-23-3-3A/IR15795-232-3-3-2 for ratooning ability was conducted. Good ratooning ability is a recessive trait. The parents differed by at least two pairs of major genes for ratooning ability. A large proportion of transgressive segregants in F₂ suggested that the expression of ratooning ability is influenced not only by major genes but also by modifiers. Broad-sense heritability estimates computed by different methods ranged from 0.66 to 0.88. Narrow-sense heritability by the F₄–F₃ regression method was 0.39. The heritability estimates were 0.42 and 0.33 by the variance component method. The prevalence of additive x additive type of gene effects along with prominent additive effects imply some scope for selection in the segregating generations. However, non-additive type of gene action also affects the expression of ratooning ability.     

Genetic male sterility in the pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Summary Genetic male sterility has been described in the pea (Pisum sativum L.), but no comprehensive effort has been made to study the phenomenon. A preceding companion paper reported the inheritance, allelism and linkage relations of thirteen male sterile mutants obtained from seed mutagen treatments. In the present study, the same male sterile mutants were investigated cytologically to determine the cause of sterility. Normal microsporogenesis and microgametogenesis was compared to that of the mutants. The ms-2, ms-3, and ms-4 mutants exhibited meiotic abnormalities similar to those described by Gottschalk and colleagues except that ms-3 had a high degree of female sterility. Chromosome clumping and spindle abnormalities leading to formation of coenocytic microspores and degeneration were characteristic of ms-2 and ms-4. The ms-2 and ms-4 mutants were previously found to be allelic, and were nearly identical cytologically in the present study. The ms-3 mutant exhibited a lack of chromosome condensation in meiosis I, and a lack of spindle formation in both meiotic divisions. Two mutations (ms-6 and ms-10) affected meiosis, with univalents at metaphase, and asynchronous divisions during meiosis II. Microspores of ms-6 completely degenerated whereas those of ms-10 showed some development. Sticky chromosomes, bridges and fragments, tripolar spindles, and lack of a second division were characteristic of ms-10. The ms-10 mutant also showed reduced female fertility. Two male steriles (ms-5 and ms-9) had abnormalities associated with premature degeneration of the tapetum. Three others (ms-7, ms-8, and ms-11) aborted pollen during meicrogametogenesis. Pollen grains of ms-11 had thinner walls than normal and lacked sculptured exine. The ms-10 mutant, and those affecting microgametogenesis (ms-5, ms-7, ms-8, ms-9, and ms-11) produced some stainable and viable pollen.     

Genetic divergence among a non-restorer collection of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and its relationship with heterosis

Summary A genetic diversity analysis in a collection of 171 non-restorer lines of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) using D² technique and canonical variate analysis indicated that considerable variation in grain yield has been added to the collection by the addition of lines derived from random mating populations. The efficiency of D² and canonical variate techniques in distinguishing extremely diverse genotypes was confirmed. However, the two techniques showed weak correspondence in their clusters. The F₁ hybrids of 15 diverse lines exhibited no relationship between heterosis or per se performance of crosses and diversity in their parents. Therefore, traditional plant breeding methods are being advocated.Approved by ICRISAT as Journal Article no. 435.     

Genetic evaluation of cultivated garlic germplasm (Allium sativum L. and A. ampeloprasum L.)

Garlic cultivated in rural farms of South Italy is often a heterogeneous clone population, which can comprise different cytotypes. A collection of cultivated garlic from the University of Basilicata gene-bank, was evaluated for ploidy level, and 16 different morphological traits. Out of50 accessions, 7 were hexaploids (Allium ampeloprasum L.) and43 diploids (Allium sativum L.). Significant differences in yield were observed within and between ploidy levels. The heritable traits most correlated with yield were plant height (h² = 0.62) within diploid types and neck diameter (h² = 0.75) within hexaploids. Discriminant analysis did show that four characters (leaf basal width, total n^° of leaves, clove diameter and neck height) were able to correctly discriminate all germ plasm accessions between the two species. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic analysis of adult plant resistance to powdery mildew in pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Summary An analysis of adult plant resistance of powdery mildew in 15 F₁, F₂ and F₃ populations of pea derived from crossing 15 diverse and susceptible lines with one resistant line revealed that resistance to powdery mildew is controlled by duplicate recessive genes. The genes were designated as er₁ and er₂.Disease reaction showed independent segregation with three known markers in the resistant parent, namely, af (afila, chromosome 1), st (stipule reduced, chromosome 3) and tl (clavicula, chromosome 7).Contribution form the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, India.     

Genetic divergence among cold tolerant rices (Oryza sativa L.)

Summary Genetic divergence was investigated among 17 rice varieties known to possess some degree of cold tolerance at different growth stages. The 17 varieties and their 102 F₁ hybrids with 6 male testers were studied for isozyme variation at 15 loci, spikelet fertility, and degree of cold tolerance at various stages. Multivariate analyses of the data provided several schemes of divergence based on various sources of evidence. All schemes gave similar results, and separated the varieties into japonica and indica groups. The japonica group displayed specific isozymes, a low F₁ fertility with indica testers, and a high degree of cold tolerance which was expressed in the F₁ progenies. The indica group displayed contrasting specific isozymes, a high F₁ fertility with indica testers, and a moderate to low degree of cold tolerance which was not expressed in the F₁ progenies. One variety, ARC 6000, displayed unique traits in most schemes and was classified into a distinct type based on the isozymes. The results emphasize that cold tolerance is a major trait for classification of rice into two varietal groups and that proper characterization of potential donors is essential in breeding. Isozyme studies are useful tools for this purpose.     

Genetic variation in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merril) for cookability and water absorption during cooking

Summary Improvement of cookability is an important objective in breeding of food legumes. The present study was undertaken to investigate variation in cookability in soybean. Genetic variation was observed among lines from two crosses. Absence of associations between cookability and protein content, oil content and grain yield indicate that selection for cookability can be achieved without adversely affecting the expression of these characters.     

Genetic variation for nitrogen use efficiency in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Summary The new European Common Agricultural Policy and environmental considerations are certainly to change agricultural practices toward low input cultivation systems. Nitrogen is one of the main inputs of winter wheat in northern France and it contributes highly to phreatic water pollution. A research programme has then been set up in order to study whether it is possible to breed for winter wheat cultivars using more efficiently N fertilisers. Less nitrogen would be applied, decreasing pollution risks and operational costs. It has been shown that a large variation exists for N related traits and for the resistance against N deficiency. On the one hand the cv Arche is very resistant to N deficiency, its yield on low N conditions (with no N fertiliser) is on average 89% of its yield on high N conditions (with a high N application). On the other hand, cv Récital is very susceptible to N deficiency as this same percentage is only 61%. A study on 10 hybrids showed that heterosis for grain yield was higher at low N level than at high N level. This was due to a higher number of grains per m².