Inheritance of Seed Coat Thickness in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and its Evolutionary Implications

The desi and kabuli chickpeas are characterized, among other things, by their seed coats being thicker in the desi than in the kabuli type. The inheritance of seed coat thickness, and its relation to flower colour and seed size, was studied. Seed coat thickness exhibits monogenic inheritance, the thin kabuli seed coat being the recessive character. Linkage was found between seed coat thickness and flower colour, the recombinant fraction being 0.19. No relationship was found between seed coat thickness and seed size. The role of these characters in the evolution of the chickpea is discussed.     

Variation in pod production and abortion among chickpea cultivars under terminal drought

The effect of terminal drought on the dry matter production, seed yield and its components including pod production and pod abortion was investigated in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Two desi (with small, angular and dark brown seeds) and two kabuli (with large, rounded and light coloured seeds) chickpea cultivars differing in seed size were grown in a controlled-temperature greenhouse, and water stress was applied by withholding irrigation 1 (early podding water stress, ES), 2 (mid-podding water stress, MS) or 3 (late-podding water stress, LS) weeks after the commencement of pod set. In addition, the pod and seed growth of well-watered plants was followed for the first 19 days after pod set. Growth of the pod wall followed a sigmoid pattern and was faster in the desi than in the kabuli cultivars, while no difference was found in early seed growth among genotypes. Time of pod set affected the yield components in all treatments with the late-initiated pods being smaller, having fewer seeds per pod and smaller seeds, but no significant difference between pods initiated on the same day on the primary and secondary branches was observed. Early stress affected biomass and seed yield more severely than the later stresses, and in all stress treatments secondary branches were more affected than primary ones. Pod production was more affected by early stress than by late stress, regardless of cultivar. Pod abortion was more severe in the kabuli than in the desi cultivars, but final seed size per se did not appear to be a determinant of pod abortion under terminal drought conditions. The data indicated that the production and viability of pods was affected as soon as water deficits began to develop. The results show that pod abortion is one of the key traits impacting on seed yield in chickpeas exposed to terminal drought and that irrespective of differences in phenology, kabuli types have greater pod abortion than desi types when water deficits develop shortly after first pod set.     

Screening of Chickpeas for Adaptation to Autumn Sowing

Dry matter accumulation was determined in 27 chickpea (Cicer arietinum) lines in time‐of‐sowing field trials and in controlled‐environment chambers at day/night temperatures of 13/5, 18/8 and 23/13 °C to assess tolerance to growth‐inhibiting temperatures. Field trials were based at Narrabri, NSW, Australia, in a region of summer‐dominant rainfall where winter crops are grown on stored soil moisture. Percentage emergence was lower than expected in some field trials and in the coolest controlled environment. Subsequent dry matter accumulation showed the effects of poor crop establishment until the onset of flowering. Kabuli types were more susceptible to poor emergence than desi types. Different lines yielded the greatest dry matter production at different stages of growth. In the seedling phase, to 30 days after emergence, kabuli accessions SP1.563 and Garnet showed significantly greater dry matter accumulation than all other accessions in all controlled environments, suggesting broad adaptation. One desi accession, Gully, was almost as productive as these two kabuli accessions in the intermediate environment but was much poorer in the other environments, indicating very narrow adaptation. In the vegetative phase, the greatest relative growth rates were found in the desi accessions. Line 940‐26 was identified as highly productive in both field and controlled‐environment experiments. Dry matter accumulation was not significantly affected by temperature, although it was slightly greater in the coolest controlled environment than in the other two. The accession by temperature interaction was not significant, showing that the breadth of adaptation was similar in all accessions during this growth phase. The optimum time of sowing for dry matter accumulation was late May, 4–6 weeks before the winter solstice. The results showed that chickpeas are well adapted to germination and seedling establishment in moderate conditions, followed by vegetative growth in cooler conditions. These conditions are typical following autumn sowing in a Mediterranean or temperate environment. Kabuli types appear to have stronger growth during the seedling phase and desi types during the vegetative phase. Recombination of these traits could lead to more productive cultivars.     

Using host plant resistance to manage biotic stresses in cool season food legumes

Summary Kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the common cultivated type of chickpea in arid and semi-arid environments in the Mediterranean region. Ascochyta blight, (Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) Labr.), leaf miner (Liriomyza cicerina, Rond.) and cold, are the three most important stresses on chickpea grown under semi-arid conditions in this region. Phenotypic frequencies for responses to these stresses in the eight major chickpeagrowing regions of the world were estimated from 5,672 kabuli chickpea accessions assembled from these regions. In addition, the accessions were evaluated for 12 morpho-physiological and three phenological characters under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Aleppo, Syria. Considerable regional differences in frequency distributions for response to the three stresses were observed. Average phenotypic diversity for responses to the three stresses was lower (H_o=0.474) than for morpho-physiological (H_o=0.754) and phenological (H_o=0.812) characters. The highest frequencies of accessions resistance to Ascochyta-blight and leaf-miner were found in South Asia and South Central Asia, respectively. A small number of chickpea breeding materials of ICARDA showed a moderate level of tolerance to cold. A group of four characters showing the strongest bivariate association with each of the three stresses was identified from the latter group. Then, a discrete multivariate log-linear analysis of the five-way frequency table was performed for each group. The simplest log-linear model for each group included both two- and three-factor association terms, but no independent factors. This suggested the potential for indirect selection for stress tolerance using one or more of these associated characters. The roles of these characters in ideotype breeding of kabuli chickpea for arid and semi-arid Mediterranean conditions deserves careful assessment.     

Heterosis breeding in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss): Analysis of component characters contributing to heterosis for yield

Summary Divergence of 25 accessions of Brassica juncea of Indian, CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States, former USSR) and synthetic origin was studied by D² analysis. On the basis of divergence, ten accessions were selected and crossed in a diallel fashion without reciprocals to study the combining ability and heterosis. None of the accessions was found to be a good general combiner for all the nine quantitative characters that were studied. Significant heterosis over better parent for single plant yield was recorded in CIS x Indian and synthetic x CIS crosses (5 each) followed by Indian x synthetic types (3). The analysis of component characters showed that the mean performance of the majority of hybrids was intermediate for five out of six yield attributing traits, thus exhibiting dominance or partial dominance effect. To estimate the contribution of such yield attributing traits towards heterosis for yield, a comparison was made among three parameters viz. heterosis over mid parent (MP), better parent (BP) and better yielding parent (BYP) of the concerned hybrid. It was observed that estimation of heterosis from BYP was a more accurate method to determine the contribution of component characters towards yield heterosis than the analysis based on MP and BP. From the component character analysis, it was concluded that characters like number of primary and secondary branches, number of siliqua per plant and siliqua density contributed significantly towards heterosis in yield. Plot level yield trials of two selected hybrids (Skorospieka II x RH30 and Donskaja IV x Varuna) over two growing seasons revealed 29.4 to 91.8% heterosis over BYP.     

Cultivar identification and genetic relationship among selected breeding lines and cultivars in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Twenty two RAPD and 22 ISSR markers were evaluated for their potential use in determination of genetic relationships in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars and breeding lines. We were able to identify six chickpea cultivars/breeding lines by cultivar-specific markers. All of the cultivars tested displayed a different phenotype generated either by the RAPD or ISSR primers. Though ISSR primers generated less markers than RAPD primers, the ISSR primers produced higher levels of polymorphism (% of polymorphic markers per primer) than RAPD primers. A high level of within cultivar homogeneity was observed in chickpea. Cultivars/breeding lines originating from a common genetic background showed closer genetic relationship. Chickpea lines with similar seed type(kabuli or desi) had a tendency to cluster together. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Physiological responses of chickpea genotypes to terminal drought in a Mediterranean-type environment

Two field experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of terminal drought on chickpea grown under water-limited conditions in the Mediterranean-climatic region of Western Australia. In the first experiment, five desi (small angular seeds) chickpeas and one kabuli (large round seeds) chickpea were grown in the field with and without irrigation after flowering. In the second experiment, two desi and two kabuli cultivars were grown in the field with either irrigation or under a rainout shelter during pod filling. Leaf water potential (Ψ_l), dry matter partitioning after pod set and yield components were measured in both experiments while growth before pod set, photosynthesis, pod water potential and leaf osmotic adjustment were measured in the first experiment only.

In the first experiment, total dry matter accumulation, water use, both in the pre- and post-podding phases, Ψ_l and photosynthesis did not vary among genotypes. In the rainfed plants, Ψ_l decreased below −3 MPa while photosynthesis decreased to about a tenth of its maximum at the start of seed filling. Osmotic adjustment varied significantly among genotypes. Although flowering commenced from about 100 days after sowing (DAS) in both experiments, pod set was delayed until 130–135 DAS in the first experiment, but started at 107 DAS in the second experiment. Water shortage reduced seed yield by 50 to 80%, due to a reduction in seed number and seed size. Apparent redistribution of stem and leaf dry matter during pod filling varied from 0 to 60% among genotypes, and suggests that this characteristic may be important for a high harvest index and seed yield in chickpea.     

Generation and characterisation of colchicine-induced polyploid Lavandula × intermedia

Double podding in cultivated chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) can increase yield and yield stability. In the present study, we performed reciprocal crosses of ‘kabuli’ (double podded) and ‘desi’ (single podded) chickpeas to determine (i) the expressivity and penetrance of double podding, (ii) the correlations of yield and yield components, and (iii) the heritability of double podding, flower color, and stem pigmentation in F₂ plants. Reciprocal crosses were performed with two genotypes, AC 2969 (kabuli) and ICC 4969 (desi), to generate F₁ and F₂ plants. The results indicated hybrid vigor (heterosis) for yield in F₁ plants and better performance of F₂ plants. Yield and yield components of some lines in F₂ were superior to the best parent, indicative of transgressive segregation. In particular, the presence of double podding (‘s’ allele) significantly increased yield in some of the transgressive segregants. Expressivity and penetrance of the ‘s’ allele depends on the background of the female parent. Some of the double podding progeny had greater seed yields than those of the single podding progeny and greater seed yields than the best parents. Double podding, stem pigmentation, and pink flowers each appears to be governed by a single recessive gene. Stem pigmentation and pink flowers appear to be linked traits that depend on the genetic background of the crossed chickpeas. Taken together, our studies of reciprocal crosses of kabuli and desi chickpeas clearly showed that yield could be improved by selection for transgressive phenotypes that have double podding.     

Variation in relation to geographical distribution of wild oats-seed traits

Summary A sample of 457 wild oats (Avena sterilis L.) from the world collection maintained at the Germplasm Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland, USA, was studied for variation of six seed characters via means, ranges, variances, and frequencies from various geographical areas. It was concuded that region-specific adaptations are responsible for occurrence of certain trait(s) in specific geographical regions; e.g., Libyan and Iraqi collections had high protein percentage, Israeli strains had high oil percentage, and the Middle East and Central Asian lines had a high number of spikelets per panicle. The main conclusion of interest here is that, within the same species, estimates of the amount of variation may vary widely, depending upon the area sampled, geographical scale of sampling, etc., presumably due to the complex interrelationship between genetic and ecological factors.Journal Paper No. J-12670 of the Iowa Agric. and Home Econ. Exp. Stn., Amers, Iowa, Project 2447.     

Multivariate analysis of variation among wild oat accessions — seed traits

Summary A sample of 457 (Avena sterilis L.) accessions from the World Oat Collection maintained at the Germplasm Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland, USA, was studied by multivariate analyses to explain the phenotypic relationships among the entries. According to these analyses, patterns of seed trait associations suggest that diversity may have geographic patterning. For example, the accessions from countries and islands of the western Mediterranean tend to have a common set of traits. Number of spikelets per panicle and groat weight and dimensions were important traits that discriminated the A. sterilis accessions into the group. It was concluded that region-specific adaptations are responsible for occurrence of certain traits and trait associations in specific geographic regions.     

Estimation of Outcrossing Rate in Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.) Sown in Autumn

Gene flow via outcrossing from transgenic plants to relatives will be one of the most important concerns to grow of the transgenic chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in European Union (EU). This report is therefore focused on spontaneous outcrossing rate in chickpea. A total of 39 kabuli type mutants with white flower and one desi type with pink flower were grown to estimate spontaneous outcrossing rate. Outcrossing rate ranged from 0.0 to 1.25% in mutant materials. Since labelling threshold for transgenic contamination in food and feed in European Union (EU) is 0.9%, outcrossing rate of 1.25% is higher than threshold of 0.9% in EU, and this result suggests that cultivation of transgenic chickpea will be under high risk to be contaminated chickpeas in neighbourhood fields.     

Introgression from wild Cicer reticulatum to cultivated chickpea for productivity and disease resistance

Interspecific hybridization is known to improve productivity and resistance to diseases in many crops. Therefore, an attempt was made to introgress productivity and disease resistance into chickpea from wild Cicer species. The true F₁ hybrids of cultivated chickpea genotypes ‘L550’ and ‘FGK45’ with C. reticulatum were backcrossed twice to their cultivated female parents to minimize the linkage drag of undesirable wild traits. The pedigree method was followed to advance the segregating populations from straight crosses (without backcross) and BC₁/BC₂ generations to F₅–F₇. The interspecific derivatives recorded up to a 16.9% increase over the check cultivars and a 25.2% increase over the female parent in a preliminary yield evaluation trial. Of the 22 interspecific derivatives thus derived, four desi and two kabuli lines were further evaluated for seed yield in replicated trials at three diverse locations. These lines possess a high degree of resistance to wilt, foot rot and root rot diseases, and recorded a 6.1–17.0% seed yield increase over the best check cultivars.     

草原干旱面积程序化求算及业务应用研究

为了提升草原干旱定量化评估水平和快速高效的业务化应用能力,基于《北方牧区草原干旱等级》国家标准,对内蒙古不同类型草原区进行干旱等级评估,通过程序化实现了离散点插值与等值线分析、复杂区域拆分、地表面积求算、干旱等级分布图绘制、不同类型草原区各干旱等级面积统计等一系列功能,达到了客观分析评估不同类型草原干旱发生程度的具体业务应用要求,同时也为相关业务工作提供了可供参考的技术方法。     

Evaluation of Yield Criteria for Drought and Heat Resistance in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is usually grown under rainfed, rather than irrigated conditions, where drought accompanied by heat stress is a major growth constraint. The aim of this study was to select chickpea genotypes having resistance to drought/heat stress and to identify the most appropriate selection criteria for this. A total of 377 chickpea accessions were sown 2 months later than normal for the Antalya region (Turkey) to increase their exposure to the drought and high‐temperature conditions of a typical summer in this part of the world. Interspersed between every 10 test genotypes as benchmark genotypes, were plants of the two known genotypes ILC 3279 (drought‐susceptible) and ILC 8617 (drought‐susceptible), while ICC 4958 (known drought‐resistant) and ICCV 96029 (known very early, double‐podded) were also sown for confirmation. All plants were subsequently screened for drought and heat stress resistance. Soon after the two known susceptible genotypes had died, evaluations of the entire trial were made visually on a scale from ‘1’ (free from drought/heat damage) to ‘9’ (all plants died from drought/heat). Yield loss in many of the test genotypes and in the two known susceptible genotypes (ILC 3279 and ILC 8617) rose to 100 %. The desi chickpeas (smaller, dark seeds) were generally more drought‐ and heat‐resistant than the kabuli chickpeas (larger, pale seeds). Two desi chickpeas, ACC 316 and ACC 317, were selected for drought and heat (>40 °C) resistance under field conditions. Seed weight was the trait least affected by adverse environmental conditions and having the highest heritability, and it should be used in early breeding selections. When breeding drought‐ and heat‐resistant chickpeas, path and multivariate analyses showed that days to the first flowering and maturity to escape terminal drought and heat stresses should be evaluated ahead of many other phenological traits, and harvest index, biological yield and pods per plant for increased yield should also be considered.     

春小麦品种农艺性状综合评价的研究

应用灰色关联度分析方法，对育成的6个春小麦品种(系)分别与“参考品种”和对照品种的农艺性状进行综合定量的评价。结果表明，以“参考品种”的综合农艺性状评判出的730-1品系优于以对照品种为参照评判出的730—2品系，该结果与田间表现相一致。     

玉米人工合成群体配合力效应及遗传潜势研究

选用6个自交系为测验种, 采用NCII遗传交配设计, 对以我国西南地区优良玉米地方种质巫溪14, 兰花早和北美, 热、 亚热带种质为主体的人工合成群体LBM、 WBM、 LLS、 WLS和两个美国优良群体BSSSR、 BS16等6个群体的配合力效应及遗传潜势进行了系统评估。 两年两地(武汉、 安阳)的研究结果表明： LBM、 WBM、 WLS群体的单株     

Resistance to powdery mildew in wild emmer (Triticum dicoccoides Körn.)

Summary Wild emmer from 73 collection sites, including 107 accessions from Israel, two from Lebanon and one from Turkey, were evaluated for resistance to powdery mildew in field nurseries in Israel and the Netherlands.The wild emmer entries displayed a diversity of responses to powdery mildew infection, ranging from high resistance to complete susceptibility. Most entries were resistant in at least one of the nurseries; several entries proved to be resistant in all the tests.Comparing the reactions of 47 wild emmer accessions tested in six nurseries, 11 markedly different patterns were discerned, indicating the probable presence of several different resistance genes.Genes for resistance to powdery mildew appear to be very common in wild emmer indigenous to Israel. Resistance was found in accessions from most collection sites, in all the geographic regions represented in the collection.The common occurrence of resistance and the apparent diversity of genotypes makes wild emmer a rich gene-pool for resistance to powdery mildew. Since genes for resistance to wheat pathogens can be quite readily transferred to cultivated wheat, wild emmer may be utilized as a valuable source of powdery mildew resistance in wheat breeding.     

Water Requirements of Safflower Entries in Middle Egypt

Two promising selected land races of safflower ( Carthamns tinctorious L.) designated as line 11 and line 13, together with the local variety Giza 1 , were examined under three levels of moisture depletions, i.e. 40, 60 and 80 % ASMD at Fayoum, Middle Egypt during 1986/87 and 1987/88 seasons. In both growing seasons, the second irrigation treatment i.e. 60 % ASMD gave the highest means for growth characters as well as seed yield and most of its components. Seed oil content per cent exhibited an increased as soil moisture depletion increased with no significant difference between entries. Safflower entries showed clear differences in some yield components which compensate each other and resulted in no significant difference in seed yield per hectar.
Consumptive use of water by safflower plants increased as the available soil moisture around the root zone increased. No significant differences were found in water consumed by safflower entries used in all experiments.
In the two experimental seasons, the best water use efficiency (WUE) for seed production was obtained also from the second treatment (60 % ASMD). The line 11 gave the best WUE.     

用灰色关联度法对福建省水稻区试品种的分析评价

采用灰色系统理论中关联度分析法,对2003年福建省晚稻新品种区域试验中的12个参试品 种进行了多性状的综合评价。结果表明:冈优527综合性状最好,昌优964次之。综合评判结果与品 种在生产实际中的表现基本一致。认为灰色系统理论中灰色关联度分析法对作物新品种的选育与审 定具有重要指导意义。