Vegetative propagation of Beta vulgaris by leaf cuttings

Summary Leaf cuttings without axillary buds were made from young vegetative beet plants. Roots were formed at the petiole end. Adventitious bud formation occurred at a very low frequency and could not be stimulated by application of growth regulators. Leaf cuttings with axillary buds formed plants at a higher frequency but development of buds into shoots was slow and irregular. As no vascular connections were found between petiole and axillary bud, the slow growth of the buds was attributed to insufficient supply of assimilates from the leaves. Axillary buds rapidly developed into shoots when petiole explants with buds were placed on culture media. Nearly all cultures, however, were contaminated with bacteria that originated from the inner tissue of the explants.     

Vegetative propagation of Beta vulgaris by leaf cuttings with axillary buds

Summary In leaf cuttings with a short piece of hypocotyl tissue axillary bud development was poor. Most cuttings with a long piece of hypocotyl tissue developed into plants. The latter type enabled vegetative propagation of various genotypes.     

Crosses between Beta vulgaris L. and Beta lomatogona F. et M.

Summary A population of 2x^ms sugar beets was crossed with 4x Beta lomatogona F. et M. The 3x F₁-plants were male sterile and were backcrossed with 2x and 4x sugar beets and multiplied without pollination as well. After the 1st backcross mainly 3x apomict types arose again and, among others, a small number of successful 4x backcrosses. After pollination by 4x sugar beets this 4x F₁ B₁ produced. besides predominatly apomictically multiplied 4x plants, also about 7% haploid 2x hybrids. The latter probably possess 1 genome from B. vulgaris and 1 genome from B. lomatogona. In the meiosis of the PMC's a certain amount of homeology between a number of chromosomes of both species could be established. The amphihaploid hybrids can be used as breeding parents for the creation of types in which introgession can occur. During hybridization in addition to 2x and 4x B. vulgaris types a number of 2x-, 3x-, 5x- and 6x-hybrids arose. This is presumably caused by the presence of gametes with the somatic number of chromosomes and the occurrence sometimes of haploid apomictic multiplication.The presence of large numbers of bolters in the F₁ and F₁ B₁ suggests that the bolting tendency of both species is based on different genes.     

Benzyladenine induces foliar adventitious shoot formation on young plants of two sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) cultivars

Summary Benzyladenine (BA) at concentrations from 33–2000 mg/l caused development of adventitious shoots on subsequent leaves of sugarbeet plants when sprayed once onto cotyledon-stage seedlings. Cultivar EL44 produced more adventitious shoots and greater fresh weight reduction in response to BA treatment than cultivar EL40. Related anomalies caused by BA included dissected leaves, and bumps and rods on petioles.     

Peroxidase activity as a possible test for distinguishing s-plasm from n-plasm in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

Summary The O-type lines (N-plasm) of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) proved to have a consistently lower peroxidase activity (49.2–62.7%) than their male sterile (MS) equivalents (S-plasm).Similar differences in peroxidase activity (45.4–56.3%) were found when O-type lines were compared with unrelated MS lines. They were also observed in different parts of the plant (cotyledons, hypocotyl + radicle, true leaves) and were reproducible.The fertile lines could be grouped by their level of peroxidase activity in categories of either S-plasm or N-plasm.The peroxidase activity test could be used for selection of N-plasm lines from fertile sugar beet populations and for selection of MS and O-type lines of higher stability.     

Use of haploids of Beta vulgaris L. for the study of orcein and giemsa stained chromosomes

Summary Some haploids isolated among the progeny from crosses involving several genotypically different motherplants of Beta vulgaris L., were used for an investigation on chromosome morphology of the genus Beta.The length of both the long and short arms proved to vary considerably for each chromosome, so that a representative idiogram of the 9 chromosomes could not be made. Staining the chromosomes according to the BSG-technique revealed only bands in the centromere regions. However, one chromosome with a narrow band in the short arm could be identified, which was supposed to be the nucleolar chromosome. The C-bands presumably correlate with the heterochromatic blocks as observed in mitotic and meiotic (pachytene) prophase.This study was part of a project on cytogenetics of interspecific hybrids resistent to beet cyst eelworm, supported by the Institute of Rational Sugar Production,Bergen op Zoom, the Netherlands.     

Sugar beets homozygous for resistance to beet cyst nematode (Heterodera schachtii Schm.), developed from monosomic additions of Beta procumbens to B. vulgaris

Summary Monosomic additions of Beta vulgaris x B. procumbens with resistance to beet cyst nematode (Heterodera schachtii Schm.) were used for the production of resistant diploids through incorporation of the B. procumbens chromosome fragment bearing the resistance gene(s) into one of the sugar beet chromosomes. The heterozygotes obtained accordingly were selfed for producing homozygotes. These homozygotes differed morphologically from commercial sugar beet varieties, but produced reasonable amounts of pollen. Female transmission of resistance was 100%, whereas male transmission, apart from some exceptions, was more than 90%. The number of hypersensitivity reactions to penetrated larvae was related to the degree of susceptibility. Larval development was severely retarded in the resistant plants, preventing most of them to produce cysts. If cysts were formed, their content was considerably less as compared to those in the susceptible plants.     

Genetic and environmental effects on chromosome doubling of sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) haploids

Summary Chromosome doubling has been a limiting factor for production of doubled-haploids, a means of obtaining fruly homozygous individuals, and a time-saving alternative to repeated selfing for the creation of inbred lines. The existence of genetic, environmental and genotype × environment interaction effects on chromosome doubling ability of sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) haploids was investigated. Haploids were derived from four distinct, highly heterozygous diploid populations through in vitro culture of unpollinated ovules. Ovule-derived plants were treated with colchicine to double their chromosome complement. Environmental effects were determined from replication of the experiment at seven dates. Both genetic and environmental factors were found to affect chromosome doubling ability of sugarbeet haploids. No significant interaction between genotype and environment was identified. The presence of genetic effects on chromosome doubling ability is discussed with regard to its implications on breeding programs.     

Major genes for resistance to beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) in Beta vulgaris

Summary Inheritance of resistance to beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) was studied in segregating F2 and backcross families obtained from crosses between resistant plants of the sugar beet selection Holly-1-4 or the wild beet accession Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima WB42 and susceptible parents. Greenhouse tests were carried out, in which seedlings were grown in a mixture of sand and infested soil. Virus concentrations of BNYVV in the rootlets were estimated by ELISA. To discriminate resistant and susceptible plants, mixtures of normal distributions were fitted to log₁₀ virus concentrations, estimated for segregating F1, F2 and BC populations of both accessions. The hypothesis that Holly-1-4 contained one single dominant major gene was accepted. For WB42, results fitted with the hypotheses that resistance was based on either one (or more) dominant major gene(s) showing distorted segregation, or two complementary dominant genes, which are both required for resistance. Resistance from WB42 appeared to be more effective against BNYVV than resistance from Holly-1-4.This research was carried out as part of a PhD study at the Graduate School Experimental Plant Sciences (EPS), Department of Virology, Wageningen, The Netherlands     

Assessment of the degree of genetic variation in beet based on RFLP analysis and the taxonomy of Beta

Summary Clones derived from Beta vulgaris and Beta maritima were assayed for their ability to detect restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in different beet accessions. The clones able to detect polymorphism were used as genetic markers to assess the degree of genetic variation existing between and within different species of the genus Beta. The data support the current taxonomy of the Beta vulgaris section, while the great genetic similarity found between Beta webbiana and Beta procumbens indicates that they could belong to the same species.Enough variation was found between Beta vulgaris cultivars, allowing the isolation of a sufficient number of genetic markers for the construction of detailed genetic maps.     

Natural variation within the genus Beta and its possible use for breeding sugar beet: A review

Summary Sugar beet is a relatively young crop, which supposedly has a narrow genetic base. Natural variation occurring in primitive beet varieties and in wild Beta species has been used for breeding sugar beet. This paper reviews information on desirable characteristics in Beta germplasm and the attempts made for the introgression of such characters into commercial breeding material. After an introduction on the availability of germplasm and the possibilities of hybridisation, attention is focussed on the mating system (especially male sterility), on morphological and physiological characteristics, including yield and sugar content, and on resistances to diseases and pests.     

The production of alien monosomic additions in Beta vulgaris as a source for the introgression of resistance to beet root nematode (Heterodera schachtii) from Beta species of the section Patellares

Summary Experiments were carried out for adding the chromosome carrying resistance to beet root nematode (Heterodera schachtii) from the wild Beta species of the section Patellares (B. procumbens, B. webbiana and B. patellaris) to the genome of B. vulgaris. Preliminary experiments indicated that crosses between the wild species and B. vulgaris cultivars of the mangold type yielded on average more viable F₁ hybrids than crosses with sugar and fodderbeet. However, crossability varied strongly between individual parental combinations. It was concluded that most types of B. vulgaris can be hybridized with the wild species of the section Patellares if a sufficient number of pair-crosses is made. Crosses between diploid cultivars or species of the section Vulgares and diploid wild species of the section Patellares yielded many hybrids which, however, were highly sterile. From crosses between tetraploid B. vulgaris and the wild species a great number of viable allotriploid and allotetraploid hybrids was obtained. In the backcross progenies of allotriploid hybrids 26% alien monosomic additions occurred, of which 4.1% carried the resistance bearing chromosome of B. procumbens or B. patellaris. The programme will be continued by sereening progenies of the resistant monosomic addition plants for the occurrence of resistant disomic introgression products.     

An evaluation of single plant randomised field trials of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

Summary Diploid, monogerm families of sugar beet were grown in transplanted field trials randomised on a single-plant basis. Individual roots were weighed and a range of chemical characters were assessed. There was no significant difference in performance between plants that had members of their own family as nearest neighbours within the row and plants that had randomly assigned neighbours. Good correlations were found between the performance of families in single-plant trials and their performance in conventional plot trials. We conclude that single-plant randomisation could prove useful for genetical studies and for breeding trials particularly when seed or facilities are limited.     

栽培甜菜中央细胞受精前后的超微结构

应用透射电镜技术比较栽培甜菜(Beta vulgaris)中央细胞受精前后的超微结构特征,以完善甜菜生殖生物学研究,并为相关研究提供基本资料。结果表明,中央细胞在受精前后的超微结构变化主要表现于核及核周围胞质。中央细胞的2个极核融合较早,在花蕾时期即以次生核形式存在,具双相核仁,可明显分辨纤维区和颗粒区;有的有额外小核仁和核仁液泡。核周围的细胞质中具丰富的细胞器且功能活跃,包括线粒体、质体(含或不含淀粉粒)、高尔基体、核糖体和粗面内质网。受精后,形成初生胚乳核,核周围胞质中变化最大的是质体,形成众多变形质体,形态多样,且富含淀粉粒。初生胚乳核分裂过程中,核仁消失,核膜崩解为囊泡状结构,粗面内质网减少,滑面内质网增加。分裂形成2个胚乳游离核,核周围胞质与初生胚乳核相似。总之,中央细胞在受精前后的超微结构特征均呈现代谢活跃状态。     

Variation in some agronomically important characters in a germplasm collection of beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

Summary A geographically representative selection of germplasm of Beta vulgaris, section Beta has been assessed for characteristics important in sugarbeet breeding, including downy mildew resistance, resistance to aphid colonisation and infection by the beet virus yellow complex. The occurrence of maintainer lines for cytoplasmic male-steriles was also investigated. Desirable qualities were found in some accessions, including nothern European wild vulgaris ssp. maritima and some old multigerm cultivars of fodder beets.     

Expression in vitro of resistance to Heterodera schachtii in hairy roots of an alien monotelosomic addition plant of Beta vulgaris,transformed by Agrobacterium rhizogenes

Summary Hairy roots, induced by Agrobacterium rhizogenes, were obtained of nematode susceptible beet plants (Beta vulgaris) and of the nematode resistant alien monotelosomic addition AN5, carrying a telosome from B. patellaris. The additional telosome was found to be stably present in vitro in the roots of AN5. The hairy root cultures were inoculated with larvae of the beet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii. On the root culture of AN5 significantly less cysts developed than on the other root cultures. These results indicate that the resistance to the beet cyst nematode is expressed in the roots after transformation and can be monitored under in vitro conditions.     

Clonal propagation of Acacia saligna by shoot tip culture

Summary Multiple shoots buds were obtained successfully from shoot tips of Acacia saligna by placing explants into solidified Murashighe & Skoog (1962) medium (MS medium) supplemented with 5.0 to 9.0 mg/L BAP. Sequential culture treatment was highly effective for shoot elongation using MS medium containing 0.3 mg/L BAP and 0.2 mg/L IAA. The shoots rooted best on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L IBA. Plantlet survival after transfer to soil was more than 90%. The shoot proliferation method described could be used for the mass clonal propagation of selected genotypes.     

A non-destructive selection method for faster growth at suboptimal temperature in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Summary A non-destructive method has been developed to select common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants whose growth is less effected at a suboptimal temperature. Shoot weight was determined at a suboptimal (14°C) and optimal temperature (20°C), 38 days after sowing and accessions identified with a significantly lower than average weight reduction at 14°C compared to their weight at 20°C. Weight of primary leaves and of the shoot was correlated with seed weight at both temperatures, but no correlation was found between shoot weight reduction at 14°C and seed weight.     

Mass selection for crown height in sugar beets (Beta vulgaris L.). 2. Divergent selection in tetraploids

Summary Five cycles of mass selection for high and low crown height in one tetraploid sugar beet population and four cycles of mass selection for high crown height in another tetraploid population gave average gains of 10–15% per cycle. Realised heritabilities were about 0.3. This progress was obtained because special attention was paid to practical aspects for improving the mass selection method.The responses to selection were measured in successive years and evaluated in 1979 (cycles 1–4) and in 1980 (cycle 5). The correlation coefficients between the data obtained in successive years and those from the evaluation trials were very high (r=0.99).In tetraploids. mass selection for crown height can be applied successfully.     

Mass selection for crown height in sugar beets (Beta vulgaris L.). 1. Divergent selection in diploids

Summary Five cycles of divergent mass selection for crown height in sugar beets gave average gains of 11.3% to 24.1% per cycle. Realised heritabilities were about 0.4. This progress from mass selection was obtained by paying special attention to soil uniformity, seedbed preparation and sowing, regular stands with plant distances of 50 cm, selection per plot, checking of the measurements, equal representation of seed parents in the next generation, reasonable population sizes and flexible selection intensities.Comparing the data of the generations grown in different seasons with the data of the same generations in one growing season resulted in very high correlation coefficients. It is concluded that mass selection can still be a powerful method of intrapopulation improvement.