Variation of quality traits in cassava roots evaluated in landraces and improved clones

About 70 million people obtain more than 500 cal per day from cassava roots. The crop is fundamental as food security of poor rural communities, but little is known about variability of root nutritional and quality traits. Roots from 2457 genotypes comprising landraces and improved clones, were screened for their nutritional (cyanogenic potential, carotene, minerals, and sugars contents) and agronomic (dry matter content, color intensity, and postharvest physiological deterioration) traits. The objective was to assess the range of variation for the traits evaluated to define future research strategies. Results are mostly based on unreplicated measurements. Carotene contents in the roots ranged from 0.102 to 1.040 mg/100 g fresh tissue and correlated positively with color intensity (ρ = 0.860) and cyanogenic potential (ρ = 0.305). Average levels of Fe and Zn were 17.1 and 7.5 mg/kg, respectively. Many clones derived from Meso-America showed high protein levels in the roots, probably as a result of the introgression from wild relatives only found in that region. The observed values for carotene, proteins and minerals contents suggest the potential for improving the nutritive value of cassava.     

Introgression of antioxidant activity into cassava (Manihot esculenta C.): an effective technique for extending fresh storage roots shelf life

Physiological postharvest deterioration (PPD) of cassava is the main constraint affecting its nutritional and economical values. PPD is induced by wounds when detaching storage roots from mother plant during harvesting. It is accelerated by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as oxygen ion (O₂) and peroxide (O₂)^?2. The carotenoid content and its antioxidant property can help in extending shelf life of cassava storage roots. The primary mode of action of carotenoids as antioxidant is to quench singlet oxygen. Cassava breeding was reported to successfully introgress and improve carotenoid content into cassava. The two types of phytoene synthase (PSY) enzymes (PSY1 and PSY2) are key regulators of carotenoids accumulation in cassava. Carotenoids formation and accumulation in cassava storage roots are induced by a single nucleotide polymorphism in PSY2 which causes a non‐conservative amino acid exchange. This single nucleotide polymorphism in PSY gene is co‐segregated with β‐carotene in cassava storage roots, a phenomenon that could help to unravel the mechanism of introgression of carotenoids into cassava. This article investigates breeding feasibility for improving quality of cassava landraces in developing countries.     

The effect of genotype,location and season on cassava starch extraction

When cassava is harvested too early, it often leads to reduction in yield, while delayed harvest leads to development of woody and fibrous tuberous roots, and reduction in starch content. The optimum harvest time is not known. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of genotype, location and season on starch extraction in order to find an optimum harvest regime for cassava, and to find the best parameter for monitoring starch levels in cassava tuberous roots. Results showed that genotypic effect was large for starch weight, starch extraction rate on fresh weight basis, and root dry matter content. This suggested that high starch weights could be realised by selection of suitable varieties for starch extraction. It was found that cassava harvesting and starch extractions should be done between October and November since the highest starch extraction rates were achieved during that period, and drying of the extracted starch using the open air method was fast and convenient. The results also suggested that starch levels can efficiently be monitored using starch extraction rate on fresh root weight basis. Starch content on fresh root basis and root dry matter content can also be used to determine the optimum time to harvest cassava for starch extraction but were inferior to starch extraction on fresh root weight basis.     

Association and Path Coefficients Analysis of Fresh Root Yield of High and Low Cyanide Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Genotypes in the Humid Tropics

Thirty-eight high- and low-cyanide cassava genotypes were examined in the 2004 and 2005 cropping seasons at Umudike, southeastern Nigeria using RCBD with three replications. Simple correlation associations and path coefficients analyses were computed among agronomic characters with the aim of understanding the interrelationships of these characters and the extent of their contribution to the root yield of cassava. There was a significant (P 2 0.05) positive correlation between root yield and number of roots plant-1 with correlation coefficients (r) of 0.57, average weight of root (r = 0.58) in high-cyanide cassava genotypes, while in low cyanide cassava genotypes, fresh root yield was highly significantly (P 2 0.01) correlated with average weight of root (r = 0.74). Path analysis showed that average weight of root had the highest direct effect in high (0.66) and in low cyanide (0.67) cassava genotypes. Also, the number of roots plant-1 in both types of cassava exerted a positive direct effect on fresh root yield, however, a minimum effect was obtained by number of leaves plant-1 (0.22) in high-cyanide cassava and number of stems plant-1 (-0.13) in lowcyanide cassava genotypes. Average weight of roots in high- and low-cyanide cassava genotypes had 98 and 89% direct effects, respectively, on yield of cassava. The results indicated the importance of average weight of roots and other characters such as number of roots plant-1, plant height, and number of leaves plant-1 in determining increased yield hence priority must be accorded it during selection aimed at increasing cassava root yield.     

Hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins expressed during stress responses in cassava

The storage roots of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) suffer from a rapid post-harvest deterioration that is a major constraint to their increased exploitation. In many ways this deterioration resembles wound responses in other better studied plant systems, though it appears to lack an adequate wound repair response. A cDNA clone (cMeHRGP1) for a hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein expressed during the deterioration response was isolated and characterised. This clone proved to be an antisense pairing, coding for part of phosphoserine aminotransferase on its complementary strand. Messenger RNA corresponding to cMeHRGP1 accumulated in deteriorating cassava roots from day three after harvest, by which time the deterioration response was well advanced. There by confirming that aspects of the wound repair response were inadequate in harvested cassava roots. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genotypic Variability in Adaptation Responses of Selected Clones of Cassava to Drought Stress in the Sudan Savanna Zone of Nigeria

Identification of drought‐tolerant and ‐resistant varieties of cassava is of paramount importance for the maximization of productivity potential in drought‐prone areas. Nine improved cassava varieties developed in humid and subhumid agro‐ecologies were evaluated for their growth responses and adaptability in the dry savannas of Nigeria. Field trials were set up in two cropping seasons at three different locations. Parameters evaluated included fresh root yield (FRY), fresh shoot yield (FSY), cumulative leaves formed (CLF), cumulative leaf scars (CLS), root dry‐matter content (DMC), harvest index (HI), and root cyanogenic potential (CNp). Results demonstrated that varietal response differed with water table site, implying different adaptation responses of varieties to the water regime. Variations in all characters studied were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by genotype, suggesting a strong genetic basis for the phenotypic differences amongst varieties. Compared with variation attributable to location, the genotypic components were strong for FRY, FSY, CLF, CLS, HI and DMC. HI and DMC were not significantly affected by location. CNp tended to increase with increasing drought stress. The significance of genotype × environment effects for FRY suggested that genotypes may be selected for specific adaptation for drought‐prone environments. The poor adaptability responses of the majority of the varieties implied that an agro‐ecologically targeted breeding scheme for the dry savanna would be a more appropriate approach for the development of drought‐tolerant varieties.     

不同生态环境木薯高产高效栽培分析

为研究在不同生态环境地区不同木薯间差异和发掘高产高效木薯品种,对6个试验点的4份木薯品种进行鲜薯产量和经济效益的研究。结果表明,在不同生态环境下不同品种的木薯鲜薯产量不同,不同品种的经济效益不同。其中栽培在新马街试验点的木薯品种‘SC124’的鲜薯产量是供试样品中最高的,达到66816.67 kg/hm²,该品种的经济效益也是供试品种中最高的,可达40090.00元/hm²。试验结果为进一步推广高产高效木薯品种提供了有利材料,并为木薯资源开发提供了方法和手段。     

粉垄技术栽培木薯中后期结薯情况及产量品质分析

以木薯华南205为材料,进行""粉垄栽培""试验,在植后160d、290d分别进行单株结薯数、薯长、薯径、单株薯重及鲜薯淀粉含量的测定分析。结果显示,粉垄技术栽培木薯的单株结薯数增加21.71%~23.13%,薯长增加15.09%~17.60%,薯径增加4.08%~8.40%,单株薯重增加36.36%~43.90%,产量增加36.36%~37.74%,鲜薯淀粉含量增加8.84%~18.67%。表明应用粉垄技术栽培木薯可以增加经济产量,提高薯块品质。     

Estimation of genetic parameters and gains for color traits of strawberry

Cassava is an important food security crop in the developing world, as it is adapted to a wide range of climatic conditions including marginal semi-arid agro-ecologies. Cassava is a starchy staple and the storage roots of commercial cassava cultivar are very low in protein content (0.5–2%, dry weight basis). A diet predominantly based on cassava, as is the case in several sub-Saharan countries, could lead to malnutrition, especially in young children over time. A wild progenitor of cassava, Manihot esculenta ssp. flabellifolia have been found to have high root protein content, up to 18% (dry weight basis) and is excellent source of genetic variability for this important trait. Accessions of M. esculenta ssp. flabellifolia with high storage root protein content were crossed with commercial cassava cultivars. High content of storage root protein ranged from 2.87 to 11.25% could be recovered in the F₁ progenies. The F₁ families had an average dry matter content of 29.6%. These F₁ interspecific hybrids would be an entry point for improvement of cassava storage root protein content. A brief discussion of the strategy to be followed is presented.     

木薯单株产量与主要农艺性状的相关性研究

探讨木薯单株产量与主要农艺性状的相关性,以提高木薯育种效率,为木薯品种选育奠定基础。采用13 份木薯种质资源为试验材料,通过相关与通径分析等方法,探讨了11 个主要农艺性状与单株产量之间的相关性以及不同种质资源单株产量之间的差异性。结果表明：NK-2、NK-6、NK-7、NK-10、NK-11、‘新选048’与‘华南205’之间的单株产量呈显著差异;单株产量与块根数呈极显著正相关,与收获指数、生物产量、最长薯长、主茎高度呈显著正相关,与干物质含量呈显著负相关;通径分析结果表明,各农艺性状对单株产量的直接通径系数和决定系数的大小顺序一致,依次为：块根数、最长薯长、生物产量、主茎高度、叶保留高度、干物质含量、收获指数、地上部鲜重、淀粉含量、主茎粗、株高。由此表明,选育高产木薯需要关注的主要农艺性状有：块根数、最长薯长、生物产量、主茎高度、叶保留高度、干物质含量、收获指数等。     

烹调工艺对潮菜中VC的影响

为探讨烹调工艺对潮菜中VC含量的影响,选取5种潮菜加工中常用的绿色蔬菜,以快炒、水煮等烹调方法进行处理,分别测定烹调前后蔬菜中的VC的含量。实验结果表明,不同的预处理及烹调方法会造成蔬菜中VC不同程度的损失,并呈现一定的规律性。     

Heritabilities and Minimum Gene Number Estimates of Carrot Carotenoids

Summary Broad sense heritabilities and gene numbers were estimated for the production of total carotenoids and the major component carotenoids of carrot storage roots: phytoene, ζ-carotene, β-carotene, α-carotene, and lycopene. Two crosses with different backgrounds were evaluated: orange B493 × white QAL and orange Brasilia × dark orange HCM. The HCM (high carotene mass selection), Brasilia and B493 parents had both α-carotene and β-carotene, but HCM had proportionally more α-carotene. Carotene content in F ₂ populations ranged from 522 ppm to 1714 ppm in Brasilia × HCM and from 0 to 695 ppm in B493 × QAL progeny. F ₂ plants segregating for absence of α-carotene were identified in B493 × QAL. Broad-sense heritabilities ranged from 28% to 48% for all carotenes except lycopene and phytoene where estimates were 44% to 89% in the Brasilia × HCM cross, All heritability values exceeded 88% for the B493 × QAL cross, except one estimate for lycopene. The estimated number of genes was 4 conditioning α-carotene, 2 to 3 each for β-carotene and total carotenes and one each for ζ-carotene, lycopene and phytoene in the orange × dark orange cross. In the orange × white cross, the estimates were 4 genes for α-carotene, 1 to 2 each for lycopene and total carotenes and 1 for each of the other carotenes. These results are in general agreement with QTL studies and they provided evidence for continuous inheritance of α-carotene, β-carotene and total carotenoids in the orange × dark orange cross and discrete inheritance for β-carotene and total carotenoids in the orange × white cross.Part of thesis “Biometrical studies and quantitative trait loci associated with major products of the carotenoids pathway of carrot (Daucus carota L.)” presented by the first author as partial fulfillment of the requirement of the PhD degree in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics, UW-Madison, USA, 2001.     

木薯主要农艺性状的遗传变异、相关性和主成分分析

对广西14个主要木薯品种的9个农艺性状进行了遗传变异分析、相关性分析和主成分分析。结果表明,块根长,块根鲜重、块根数的变异系数较大,分别为13.95%、11.33%、10.22%,块根干物质率和茎径的变异系数最小,分别为7.00%和6.57%;在相关性上,产量与块根数呈极显著的正相关,块根干物质率与块根淀粉含量呈极显著的正相关;主成分分析结果表明,前4个主成分对变异的贡献率达85.69%。在性状选择上,首先对变异大的性状进行选择是非常重要的。在品种选择时,应注意选择产量和淀粉含量均高的品种。     

The response of cassava cultivars to root-knot nematode infestation: An in vitro method

The aim of this study was to obtain information on the response of cassava(Manihot esculenta Crantz) to root-knot nematode infestation. To achieve this aim, a novel in vitro dual root/nematode culture method was used, where root cultures of several cassava cultivars were inoculated with axenic Meloidogyne javanica eggs. Following an incubation period,cassava roots were stained, weighed and dissected to determine the number of galls produced on the roots, as well as the number of mature females embedded in the galls. The number of eggs and larvae produced during this time were also determined. Results indicated that the modified in vitro nematode culture medium used was suitable for most root cultures of cassava cultivars. It was found that some cassava cultivars were highly susceptible to root-knot nematode infestation, with some cultivars showing very high numbers of galls and up to 50 mature females inside each gall. Some cassava cultivars screened, however, showed low numbers of galls and mature females, even though the presence of larvae was high. Some of these cultivars formed callus-like structures instead of galls, and this may be a resistance mechanism. This method may be useful as a screening tool, to determine the response and resistance or susceptibility of cassava cultivars to root-knot nematode infestation. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

14-3-3蛋白结构与功能预测及其在木薯成熟期的表达分析

为了深入研究木薯14-3-3蛋白结构和功能,也为研究木薯块根淀粉积累的分子调控提供新思路。本研究采用生物信息学方法对木薯14-3-3蛋白家族的组成成分与理化性质、系统发育进化、导肽、亚细胞定位、二级结构、功能结构域、三级结构及亲水性、疏水性进行分析和预测,并对14-3-3基因在不同木薯品种中进行差异表达分析。结果表明：（1）木薯14-3-3蛋白家族16个异构体存在多个不同的保守结构域,二级结构相似的亲水性蛋白家族成员在进化关系上可划分为2大不同的类别;（2）14-3-3基因家族16个成员在花叶木薯、ZM-Seaside和华南9号(SC9)块根成熟期的表达水平存在显著性差异(P<0.05),与花叶木薯和SC9相比,产量较高的木薯品系ZM-Seaside块根中14-3-3基因表达水平显著下降(P<0.05),推测14-3-3蛋白在木薯块根成熟期的淀粉积累过程中可能起着负调控作用。     

不同样品分散温度对双波长比色法测定木薯直、支链淀粉比率及总淀粉含量的影响

为了研究木薯直、支链淀粉比率及总淀粉含量的测定方法,通过采用双波长比色法,研究不同样品分散温度对木薯淀粉直、支链淀粉比率及总淀粉含量的影响。结果表明：在试验温度70~100℃范围内,85℃时直链淀粉百分比率最低,相对应地,85℃时支链淀粉的百分比率最高。样品分散温度对鲜薯中总淀粉含量测定值有影响,其测定值在80℃时最高。由此可知,不同样品分散温度对木薯淀粉直、支链淀粉比率及总淀粉含量测定值有影响。     

Introgression of genes for dry matter content from wild cassava species

Cassava cultivars often have poor resistance to biotic stresses and lack good quality traits. Wild species of cultivated crops have frequently been used as an important source of genetic diversity. Cassava breeders are becoming increasingly interested in incorporating genes of wild relatives. In 2000 the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) initiated a programme to introgress genes for several root yield and quality traits from wild cassava relatives into its germplasm collection. The objectives of this study were to evaluate one resulting inter-specific cross with high variability for dry matter content (DMC) and to assess the effect of such a cross on other yield related traits. Crossing of the elite cultivar MTAI 8 to the wild relative Manihot tristis increased the percentage DMC above the normal average of about 35%, with percentage DMC ranging from 34.39 to 42.73. The crosses, however, were accompanied by some detrimental effects, most noticeable the reduction in harvest index (HI). It is apparent that when selecting for DMC, caution should be taken and HI and fresh root yield should be monitored. Regression analysis singled root weight, percentage DMC and fresh root yield out as the most important contributors to dry root yield. Principal component analysis indicated that root weight, roots per plants and DMC contributed most to storage root yield.     

木薯不同部位光合同化产物分配的研究

摘要：本试验以南洋红、SC124、GR911、巴西种及GR891为试验材料,分析各木薯品种光合产物蔗糖和淀粉在不同部位的分配。试验结果表明：叶片同化产物蔗糖,直接通过韧皮部的运输到达块根,在块根中通过淀粉合成酶,转化成淀粉,随着块根淀粉含量的增大,叶片、块根中蔗糖含量也有增大的趋势,随着木薯块根淀粉积累的速度增加,叶片、叶柄中淀粉含量呈逐步减少的趋势。     

Carotene and tocopherol in agro-industrial by-products and wastes of the tropics

Of the samples studied to date, only dried carrot wastes and tomato pomace have been found to contain an appreciable amount of carotene and these could be included as natural, rich sources of carotene in a balanced compounded feed.Overall, rice bran contained the maximum concentration of tocopherol and this might be used as a cheap supplement in vitamin E deficient rations compounded for farm animals.