Foliar reaction toPhytophthora infestans in inoculated potato field trials in Michigan

Late blight, caused byPhytophthora infestans, is the most important disease of potato worldwide and foliar resistance is an important component of managing late blight in the field. The objective of this research was to identify germplasm for use in breeding cultivars with foliar resistance toP. infestans. More than 500 clones were tested from 1997 to 2002 in inoculated (US8 genotype) field experiments conducted at the Michigan State University Muck Soils Research Farm in Bath, Michigan. All of the current commercial cultivars tested were classified as susceptible toP. infestans. The most resistant clones were A90586-11, AWN86514-2, B0718-3, Jacqueline Lee (MSG274-3), MSI152-A, MSJ307-2, MSJ317-1, MSJ453-4Y, MSJ456-2, MSJ456-4, MSJ461-1, MSK101-2, MSK128-1, NY121, LBR8, LBR9, Tollocan, and Torridon. Some of these resistant selections were from crosses with B0718-3, Jacqueline Lee, and Tollocan suggesting that the resistance toP. infestans was transmissible. These resistant clones will provide the opportunity to breed late-blight-resistant cultivars from a diverse pool of cultivated germplasm. Consistent foliar reaction toP. infestans over years suggested that the Michigan State University Muck Soils Research Farm is a valuable location for North American breeders to assess the reaction of potato germplasm to the US8 genotype of late blight.     

Uniformity among virus-free clones of ten potato cultivars

Heat therapy and meristem tip propagation were used to develop two or three virus-free clones of 10 cultivars from the following sources: Epicure from British Columbia and Scotland; Katahdin, Kennebec, Keswick, Red Pontiac and Sebago from British Columbia and New Brunswick; Norchip from Alberta, Quebec and Washington; Norland from Alberta, British Columbia and North Dakota; Red La Soda from British Columbia, Nebraska and North Dakota; and White Rose from British Columbia and North Dakota. Tests prior to treatment showed that all but one of the stocks were infected with potato virus X and/or potato virus S but in only five of the ten cultivars were all clones infected with the same virus or viruses. Field trials with the virus-free clones, which extended over four years, showed that one of the Norchip clones produced fewer tubers per plant than two other clones in three years of the four years, but no consistent differences in yield or specific gravity of tubers were found among the clones of any of the 10 cultivars.     

日本大豆种质十胜长叶对我国大豆育成品种的遗传贡献分析

日本大豆品种十胜长叶是引进种质在我国大豆育种中利用最多的品种之一.对2005年以前利用十胜长叶育成的195个大豆品种进行了系谱分析,旨在明确十胜长叶对各育成品种的遗传贡献率,总结其利用方式,为国外种质的利用提供依据.通过分析发现,利用十胜长叶衍生育成的品种分布在吉林、黑龙江、辽宁、北京4个省市,它所衍生的品种数分别为96个、89个、8个和2个;平均遗传贡献率分别为13.04%、14.99%、20.31%和7.81%.其中92.2%的品种是由杂交育成的.十胜长叶对这些品种的遗传贡献率范围为0.78%～50.00%,以遗传贡献率为12.50%、6.25%和25%的衍生品种数较多,占衍生品种总数的77.3%,说明十胜长叶的利用以至少三交效果比较好,通过复交有利于聚合国内外品种的优良特性.十胜长叶在我国大豆育种中的成功利用说明,通过与当地品种杂交选育创造优良中间材料是利用国外引进种质改良我国大豆品种的有效育种途径.     

广西育成大豆品种亲本分析

为提高优异品种选育效率，本研究对广西已育成的39个大豆品种系谱进行追溯，分析其亲本组配方式、地理来源及细胞核（质）遗传贡献，结果表明，育成的39个大豆品种（春大豆28个，夏大豆11个）来源于40个细胞核祖先亲本，17个细胞质祖先亲本；来源于广西本地、外省和国外祖先亲本的核（质）遗传贡献率分别为39.42 %（58.98%）、45.75 %（38.46%）和14.83 %（2.56%）；核祖先亲本主要来源于广西本地及生态条件相近的我国南方、巴西和美国。春大豆育成品种细胞质祖先亲本主要来源于广西、湖北和北京，夏大豆育成品种细胞质祖先亲本主要来源于广西、湖北和上海；2006年以来，96%的大豆育成品种是以育成品种和国外引种作为亲本组配而成；归纳出靖西早黄豆等8个核心春大豆祖先亲本，平果豆等5个夏大豆核心祖先亲本。广西大豆育成品种核遗传基础较为丰富，但还需加强新种质研究利用，以扩大品种的核质基础。        

Pedigree Reconstruction with Genome-Wide Markers in Potato

Reliable pedigree information facilitates a scientific approach to breeding, but errors can be introduced in many stages of a breeding program. Our objective was to use single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to check the pedigree records of elite North American potato germplasm. A population of 719 tetraploids was genotyped with an Infinium SNP array, yielding 5063 high-quality markers. Based on pedigree records, the dataset contained 198 parent-offspring trios, of which 182 were consistent with the marker data. For 13 of the 16 trios with a pedigree error, the true parent was identified in the population. By comparing the additive relationship matrix calculated from pedigree with the genetic distance calculated from markers, an additional 24 pedigree modifications were proposed, including the paternity of several varieties developed with bulk pollen. To ensure accurate pedigree records are published in the future, we recommend that new varieties be SNP genotyped and checked against this dataset.     

Assessment of PCR-based simple sequence repeats to fingerprint North American potato cultivars

Seven primer pairs flanking di- and tri-nucleotide repeat sequences, identified from previously sequenced regions of the potato genome, were examined for their potential use in DNA-fingerprinting of thirty-nineSolanum tuberosum subsp. tuberosum cultivars (released between 1861 and 1988) and one diploidS. phureja breeding line. Of the simple sequence repeats (SSRs), the primers for six SSRs amplified DNA sequences within the potato genome between cultivars for a total of 14 bands. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR)based amplification products generated from each primer pair consisted of 1 to 2 bands per cultivar but band variation among cultivars demonstrated up to 4 bands per SSR. A similarity matrix generated from five SSRs was able to distinguish 24 of the 40 cultivars. However, when the potato cultivars were grouped by tuber type (round white-skinned, long white-skinned, russetskinned, red-skinned, and yellow flesh) only five pairs of cultivars remained indistinguishable: Atlantic/Katahdin, Belchip/Wauseon, Red LaSoda/Bliss Triumph, Red Pontiac/Norland, and Burbank/Spunta. Although SSRs did not generate unique fingerprints for all of the North American genotypes examined, the potential to discriminate most cultivars should increase as additional SSRs are identified in potato.     

Evaluation for chipping and tuber soft rot (Erwinia carotovora) resistance in potato clones from unilateral sexual polyploidization (2x × 4x)

The aim of this work is the evaluation of tetraploid potato clones with germplasm fromS. chacoense andS. phureja for chipping and resistance to tuber soft rot (Erwinia carotovora subsp.carotovora). Tetraploid potato clones were obtained via 2n eggs through 2x–4x crosses. Cytological mechanisms were investigated in the diploid hybrid 2n-egg producer used as parent in the unilateral sexual polyploidization scheme; the omission of the second meiotic division and cytokinesis failure at the end of meiosis were identified with a genetic consequence equivalent to second division restitution (SDR). Tuber marketable yield, specific gravity and chip-processing ability evaluated at harvest and after cold storage with and without reconditioning were higher in some clones as compared to theS. tuberosum tetraploid parent. Tuber soft rot resistance, contributed byS. chacoense, was successfully transferred to the4x level. After inoculation withErwinia carotovora subsp.carotovora and estimation of the rotted area, one tetraploid clone proved to be resistant and three partially resistant. The genetic value of exotic germplasm and sexual polyploidization strategy are discussed in relation to potato improvement.     

小麦育种亲本材料SSR标记遗传多样性及其亲缘关系分析

为了解不同生态区小麦品种间的遗传多样性,以190份分布于黄淮冬麦区、长江中下游冬麦区及西南冬麦区3大麦区的小麦品种为试验材料,利用均匀分布于小麦21条染色体的80对SSR标记对其进行遗传多样性研究,并进行品种间亲缘关系的分析。本文共检测出352个等位类型,每个标记平均4.4个;各位点的多态性信息含量的变幅分别为0.021 2~0.853 2,平均为0.533 4。结果表明:3大麦区品种间遗传差异较为明显,其中长江中下游冬麦区与西南冬麦区遗传差异相对较小,而黄淮冬麦区西部丘陵川地副区与胶东丘陵副区存在较大差异。各麦区间及副区间都存在不同程度的品种交叉现象,其中黄淮冬麦区华北平原副区与淮北平原副区间的种质资源交换较为频繁。遗传聚类结果与品种间亲缘关系相对一致,与品种系谱来源及地域分布也较为吻合,即同一麦区或者具有共同系谱来源的小麦品种可较好地聚为一类。本文研究结果为小麦亲本选配提供了有用的遗传信息和重要参考依据。     

Foliar resistance to ozone injury in the genetic base of U.S. and Canadian soybean and prediction of resistance in descendent cultivars using coefficient of parentage

Development of ozone (O₃)-resistant cultivars is a potentially important approach for maintaining crop productivity under future climate scenarios in which tropospheric O₃ pollution is projected to rise. A first step in the breeding of resistant cultivars for a crop such as soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is identification of sources of O₃ resistance genes. Thirty ancestral lines of soybean were screened for differences in O₃ foliar injury under greenhouse conditions. The ancestors represented 92% of the genetic base of North American soybean as determined by pedigree analysis. Injury among ancestors ranged from 5 to 50% of leaf area, based on response of the five oldest main stem leaves, indicating both the presence of substantial genetic variation for O₃ injury among the ancestors as well as resistance levels greater than that of the standard control cultivar, resistant Essex (15% injury). Ancestral types Fiskeby 840-7-3 and Fiskeby III exhibited the greatest foliar resistance and PI 88788 the least. A subsequent field study confirmed the foliar resistance of the Fiskeby types. Resistant ancestors identified here are proposed for inheritance and DNA mapping studies to determine the genetic basis of foliar resistance. Because the presence of O₃-resistant ancestors suggested that resistant descendents may exist in addition to the resistant control Essex, a method was developed to facilitate their identification. A predicted O₃-resistance score was calculated for 247 publicly-released cultivars, based on pedigree analysis and ancestral response to ozone. Using this approach, the 32 public cultivars most closely related to resistant ancestors and, thus, most likely to be resistant were identified as priority candidates for future screening efforts. Predicted scores from the analysis suggested that cultivars from the Midwest may be more sensitive to foliar injury, on average, than Southern cultivars.     

Resistance of potato clones to the green peach aphid and potato leafroll virus

During 1980 and 1981 potato cultivars and breeding selections, including cultivated species and their hybrid derivatives, were evaluated for resistance to the green peach aphid (GPA),Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and to potato leafroll virus (PLRV). Criteria used were the number of aphids which colonized the clones in free choice field experiments and the number of plants derived from these experiments which showed symptoms of PLRV infection. Generally, greater resistance to GPA was found inSolarium tuberosum gp.andigena selections and hybrids than in gp.tuberosum cultivars. There were approximately fourfold differences in season-mean GPA levels among the clones tested each year. Forty-two families, representing a cross-section of the USDA breeding populations at the University of Idaho Research and Extension Center, Aberdeen, showed a similar range in colonization levels. Resistance to GPA colonization appeared to be more prevalent in gp.andigena, gp.phureja, and gp.stenotonum derivatives. There was a weak positive correlation (r² = .34, P = .01) between foliar total glycoalkaloids and season-mean GPA colonization levels for six clones representing the range of observed resistance to GPA. Resistance to GPA colonization was apparently not directly related to resistance to PLRV infection. Katahdin, for example, was relatively susceptible to GPA colonization but very resistant to PLRV infection whereas selection A69657-4 (gp.andigena) was among the most resistant to GPA colonization but among the more susceptible to PLRV infection. Breeding for resistance to GPA colonization therefore may not be as promising for PLRV control as developing PLRV resistant cultivars.     

Genetic Diversity in Crop Improvement

SUMMARY

The use of genetic diversity to form modern crops is one of the most remarkable accomplishments of agriculture. Even in the age of genomics, genetic diversity remains the cornerstone of crop improvement. There is extensive diversity in soybean and its ancestors. Much of this diversity has been collected though opportunities to extend collections remain. Genetic diversity has been used extensively in Asian breeding but utilization of exotic germplasm has been limited in North America. Capturing the value of diversity is easy for some traits but quite difficult for other traits, such as yield. New procedures and technology may greatly facilitate understanding and effective use of these exotic yield alleles. For the foreseeable future though, progress in capturing yield value from exotic germplasm through traditional breeding will continue to outstrip our scientific understanding of the alleles themselves. Public institutions will need to facilitate access to germplasm to increase utilization of diversity so it favorably impacts humanity.     

An index of acceptability to green peach aphids forSolanum germplasm and for a suspected non-host plant

An electronic system that recorded feeding activity was used in replicated trials conducted to evaluate 25Solarium cultivars and 1Pelargonium (geranium) cultivar for acceptability to the green peach aphid,Myzus persicae (Sulzer). The number of probes and the time spent in probing were found to be indicators of relative acceptability; the number of feedings and the time spent in feeding were not. Although tests as brief as 15 min were useful in screeningSolarium germplasm for resistance to the green peach aphid, 30 min tests were deemed more reliable. An index of acceptability was prepared by using the potato variety Katahdin as a standard for comparison.     

Effects of potato virus S and two strains of potato virus X on yields of Russet Burbank,Kennebec, and Katahdin cultivars in Maine

American Journal of Potato Research - Yields of cultivars Russet Burbank, Kennebec, and Katahdin, as affected by potato virus S (PVS) alone and combined with either a mild or a moderate strain of...     

Bacterial wilt resistance in the progenies of the fusion hybrids between haploid of potato andSolanum commersonii

Bacterial wilt of potatoes, which used to be a widespread disease in tropics and subtropics, has become a threat to potato production in temperate region. The diploid species Solanum commersonii has several desirable characteristics including cold tolerance and resistance to several diseases. Selected somatic hybrids between S. tuberosum dihaploid and bacterial-wilt-resistant S. commersonii clones were cross pollinated with S. tuberosum cultivars for further selection of bacterial wilt resistance. The chromosome numbers of the fusion parents were confirmed as 24, and the three fusion hybrids crossed were all tetraploids. The chromosome number of 11 backcross 1 progenies (BC1) was 48 and that of the other six was close to the tetraploid number. Backcross 2 progenies (BC2) were obtained from only three of the 44 BC1 clones crossed. The S. commersonii parent clone, LZ3.2, was the most resistant to bacterial wilt among wild species clones tested. The first sexual progenies segregated for resistance, with one clone highly susceptible and four clones highly resistant. Three highly resistant BC1 clones, CT02-4, CT08-4, and CT10b-4, were backcrossed to cultivars. Two cross combinations produced mostly susceptible BC2 progenies; however seven clones were resistant or highly resistant for both race 1 and race 3. The highly resistant three clones, CT204-3, CT206-9 and CT206-10, were selected for the further testing as cultivars or breeding materials.     

Susceptibility of potato varieties and advanced breeding lines (Solanum tuberosum L.) toPhytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary in greenhouse screenings

Late blight (Phytophthora infestons (Mont.) de Bary) has re-emerged as an important pathogen of the cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum subsp.tubero-sum L.) in North America. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative susceptibility of potato germplasm in the greenhouse in order to initiate a breeding program for resistance to the US-8/A2 mating type which is the more aggressive and prevalent strain of late blight. Whole plants of 147 cultivars and breeding lines were evaluated. Percent plant area infection was visually assessed. Seven days after inoculation, infection ranged from 0 to 100% and the overall mean was greater than 50%. Two-thirds of the cultivars and breeding lines tested were very susceptible to the US-8 genotype. The highest resistance was identified in the somatic hybrids betweenS. tuberosum andS. bulbocastanum and their backcross derivatives. Pike and Snowden were less susceptible than the other North American cultivars. Zarevo was most resistant among the European cultivars. Seven of the advanced breeding lines were equivalent to Zarevo in infection levels. The host plant resistance identified among the material tested in this study can be used by breeding programs to develop improved cultivars with resistance to US-8 genotypes of late blight.     

中国大豆抗(耐)胞囊线虫病品种及其系谱分析

大豆胞囊线虫病是大豆生产上的重要病害,给大豆生产造成巨大损失.种植抗病品种是经济有效、环境友好型防治方法,国内外大豆抗胞囊线虫病育种取得了较大成绩.汇总我国自1978年以来所审定的大豆抗(耐)胞囊线虫病品种,系谱分析了其抗病基因来源,指出了我国抗病品种遗传基础狭窄,抗病品种抗性单一的问题,提出了利用新的抗源或新型抗病基因是拓宽抗病品种遗传基础的重要途径,并就未来研究从3个方面进行了探讨,以期能够对我国抗病育种提供参考.     

Lipid composition of potatoes during sprouting

The purpose of the study was to determine the lipid composition of potatoes during sprouting. Sprouts from Pontiac and Katahdin potatoes as well as two clones (the genetic material from crosses of a population ofSolanum andigenum from South America andSolanum tuberosum from North America) were found to be significantly higher in crude lipid than either the cortex or pith sections of the tuber. The cortex section was found to be higher in lipid than the pith section. Crude lipid was fractionated into phospholipid, neutral fat, and free fatty acids, and for each of the sections of potatoes the highest percentage of lipid was found in the phospholipid fraction. The fatty acid found in highest concentration in the phospholipid fraction was linoleic acid, but considerable quantities of linolenic and palmitic acids were also present. Synthesis of phospholipid occurs in the actively growing sprout, and compounds that interfere with lipid synthesis, particularly phospholipid synthesis, should prove to be effective sprout inhibitors.     

Approaches to control of potato early dying caused byVerticillium dahliae

Potato early dying disease, caused byVerticillium dahliae, may be either suppressed or controlled by a variety of procedures. These methods include the growing of resistant cultivars, attention to cultural management, utilization of pesticides, and solar heating of soils. The greatest successes in control of Verticillium wilt have been achieved with the use of either soil fumigants or clonal resistance, but these approaches have been restricted. Widespread use of fumigants has been limited by cost, and the lack of commercial acceptance has often restricted the utilization of resistant potato cultivars. The Katahdin and Targhee cultivars are currently available with resistance and/or tolerance to this disease. The Russet Burbank potato also possesses a limited degree of resistance to the fungus, and with this resistance, the disease appears to be suppressed by optimal growing conditions. In potato fields that have been cropped for several years, disease suppression in Russet Burbank was found to be related to methods of irrigation and increased nitrogen availability. It is suggested that improved utilization of resistant germplasm and effective use of biological control strategies may ultimately lead to economical control of this disease.     

An in planta, Agrobacterium-mediated transient gene expression method for inducing gene silencing in rice (Oryza sativa L.) leaves

Background

Although the genetic structure of rice germplasm has been characterized worldwide, few studies investigated germplasm from Thailand, the world’s largest exporter of rice. Thailand and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) have diverse collections of rice germplasm, which could be used to develop breeding lines with desirable traits. This study aimed to investigate the level of genetic diversity and structures of Thai and selected IRRI germplasm. Understanding the genetic structure and relationships among these germplasm will be useful for parent selection used in rice breeding programs.

Results

From the 98 InDel markers tested for single copy and polymorphism, 19 markers were used to evaluate 43 Thai and 57 IRRI germplasm, including improved cultivars, breeding lines, landraces, and 5 other Oryza species. The Thai accessions were selected from all rice ecologies such as irrigated, deep water, upland, and rainfed lowland ecosystems. The IRRI accessions were groups of germplasm having agronomic desirable traits, including temperature-sensitive genetic male sterility (TGMS), new plant type, early flowering, and biotic and abiotic stress resistances. Most of the InDel markers were genes with diverse functions. These markers produced the total of 127 alleles for all loci, with a mean of 6.68 alleles per locus, and a mean Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) of 0.440. Genetic diversity of Thai rice were 0.3665, 0.4479 and 0.3972 for improved cultivars, breeding lines, and landraces, respectively, while genetic diversity of IRRI improved and breeding lines were 0.3272 and 0.2970, respectively. Cluster, structure, and differentiation analyses showed six distinct groups: japonica, TGMS, deep-water, IRRI germplasm, Thai landraces and breeding lines, and other Oryza species.

Conclusions

Thai and IRRI germplasm were significantly different. Thus, they can be used to broaden the genetic base and trait improvements. Cluster, structure, and differentiation analyses showed concordant results having six distinct groups, in agreement with their development, and ecologies.     

马铃薯国外引种的探讨和建议

自1934年以来,我国共引进国外马铃薯普通栽培品种(系)1 315份,90余个杂交组合的实生种子100余万粒,野生种和原始栽培种共13个种的无性系110份,这些种质资源中许多已被直接或间接用于生产或育种。其中,通过多年多点鉴定直接用于生产的品种32个,从引进的杂交实生种子经系统选育推广的品种10余个,直接用于马铃薯有性杂交的国外资源占亲本总数的90%以上,诸多国外品种已成为我国高产、优质和多抗育种的骨干亲本。因此,加强国外马铃薯资源的引进、评价和利用,对于丰富我国马铃薯种质资源遗传基础意义重大,也是应对生物资源国际竞争日益激烈的战略决策。本文在总结我国马铃薯国外引种成就基础上,根据马铃薯国外引种出现的新情况,提出今后强化引种的建议。