Temporal genetic structure patterns in tropical maize populations under reciprocal recurrent selection

In order to investigate the effect of long term recurrent selection on the pattern of gene diversity, thirty randomly-selected individuals from the progenitors (p) and four selection cycles (C0, C3, C6 and C11) were sampled for DNA analysis from the tropical maize (Zea mays L.) breeding populations, Atherton 1 (AT1) and Atherton 2 (AT2). Fifteen polymorphic Simple Sequence Repeat markers amplified a total of 284 and 257 alleles in AT1 and AT2 populations, respectively. Reductions in the number of alleles were observed at advanced selection cycles. About 11 and 12% of the alleles in AT1 and AT2 populations respectively, were near to fixation. However, a higher number of alleles (37% in AT1 and 33% in AT2) were close to extinction. Fisher’s exact test and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed significant population differentiations. Gene diversity estimates and AMOVA revealed increased genetic differentiations at the expense of loss of heterozygosity. Population differentiations were mainly due to fixation of complementary alleles at a locus in the two breeding populations. The estimates of effective population at an advanced selection cycle were close to the population size predicted by the breeding method.     

Originality of M3S maize population and changes in allele frequencies revealed by SSR markers after two cycles of selfed progeny recurrent selection

Maksimir 3 Synthetic (M3S) maize population was developed at the Faculty of Agriculture University of Zagreb by intercrossing inbred lines, whose origins trace back to several open-pollinated varieties and local populations from different regions of the former Yugoslavia. The population was subjected to two cycles of selfed progeny recurrent selection for grain yield. The objectives of this study were: (i) to determine genetic distances among the parental inbred lines of the M3S population (M3S progenitors), the M3S population before and after two cycles of recurrent selection, and elite inbred lines representing the BSSS and Lancaster heterotic group; and (ii) to examine the effect of two cycles of recurrent selection on allele frequency changes in the population. Nine M3S progenitors, three BSSS lines, and three Lancaster lines were genotyped at 24 SSR loci, out of which nine randomly chosen loci were used for genotyping 96 individuals from both C0 (the M3S population before selection) and from C2 (M3S population after two cycles of selection). A total of 101 alleles were detected across 24 loci in the 15 lines, whereas 83 alleles were found in the nine M3S progenitors. Among the latter 83 alleles 31 were unique, i.e. found only in one of the progenitors. Mean genetic distance among nine M3S progenitors was 0.61 indicating a broad genetic base of the M3S population. High mean genetic distance was found between M3S progenitors and BSSS lines (0.69) and M3S progenitors and Lancaster lines (0.71). This indicates that the M3S population represents a germplasm source unrelated to both the BSSS and Lancaster germplasm. Mean genetic distance between the M3S population and BSSS as well as Lancaster lines decreased slightly after two cycles of recurrent selection suggesting the need to introduce testers from both groups in future selection in the M3S population in order to maintain heterotic complementarity of the M3S population to these groups. A test of selective neutrality identified several non-neutral loci in the population whose allele frequency changes from the C0 to the C2 cannot be explained by genetic drift. The majority of non-neutral alleles, whose frequency increased after two cycles of selection, were present in at least one line from the BSSS or Lancaster heterotic group.     

不同轮回选择方法对玉米窄基群体的改良效果

利用轮回选择进行群体改良,是玉米种质扩增与改良的有效方法,能为选育优良自交系提供基本素材,进而提高选育自交系及杂交种的效率。本研究以玉米窄基群体P4C0及其经过不同轮回选择方法改良的10个群体为材料,通过多点田间表型鉴定和配合力测定,研究不同轮回选择方法对玉米窄基群体的改良效果,利用SSR分子标记分析不同轮回选择方法对群体遗传多样性的影响。结果表明,几种轮回选择方法都能有效改良群体的主要性状及其一般配合力(GCA)。以时间计算,控制双亲混合选择(MS)对群体P4C0主要性状及其GCA改良效果优于半同胞-S2:3(HS-S2:3)轮回选择,但在株高和穗位高的改良上,HS-S2:3选择效果较好。以轮次计算,开放改良对群体P4HSC1主要性状及其GCA的改良效果优于MS,但开放改良后,群体株高和穗位高有较大幅度的增加。不同轮回选择方法对群体遗传多样性和遗传结构的影响不尽一致。P4C0经过5轮MS后,在群体改良的低代,群体遗传多样性得到了较好的保持,而多代的改良导致群体遗传多样性下降;P4C0经过1轮HS-S2:3选择后,遗传多样性比P4C0有较大幅度的下降。P4HSC1经过1轮开放改良后,遗传多样性有较大幅度的增加。P4HSC1经过3轮MS改良后,群体遗传多样性呈增大的趋势,但每轮增加的幅度均较小。     

Changes in genetic diversity during seven cycles of recurrent selection for grainyield in oat, Avena sativa L.

Variability for desirable alleles within elite breeding populations is a requirement for long-term genetic improvement. Changes in genetic diversity were evaluated in a recurrent selection programme for enhanced grain yield in oat, Avena sativa L., using coefficient of parentage (r_p) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) based genetic similarity (S) estimates. Both r_p and s increased during seven cycles of recurrent selection, indicating a reduction in the level of genetic diversity within the population. The relationship between genetic diversity and agronomic performance was also examined. Genetic similarity measures were poor predictors of the near-homozygous progeny performance and general and specific combining ability effects for three agronomic traits in the recurrent selection programme. In addition, there was no apparent trend for preferential selection of progeny from either more similar or more diverse parents within a given cycle of selection. The overall reduction in genetic diversity in this population has not affected selection response for grain yield. Variability remaining at important loci or de novo variation are possible explanations for the continued selection progress.     

Levels and distribution of genetic diversity of coconut (Cocos nucifera L., var. Typica form typica) from Sri Lanka assessed by microsatellite markers

The coconut variety Typica, form typica, commonly known as Sri Lanka tall coconuts is the most widely exploited and grown variety in Sri Lanka. Under the coconut bio-diversity conservation programme, several Typica populations have been collected by island-wide surveys and planted ex situ. Thirty-three coconut populations were subjected to microsatellite assay with eight coconut-specific microsatellite primer pairs in order to study the levels and distribution of genetic variation of the collected materials for formulating future collection strategies and selecting parents for the breeding programme. A total of 56 alleles were detected ranging from 3 to 10 alleles per primer pair with an average of 7 alleles per locus. Overall a very high level of genetic diversity was detected (0.999) for all the populations studied ranging from 0.526 for population Debarayaya to 0.683 for population Dickwella. Only four introduced coconut populations, i.e. Clovis, Margeret, Dickwella, Mirishena and an embryo-cultured population were clearly separated from the resulting dendrogram. A very high level of within population variation (99%)accounted for native populations suggests a common history and a restricted genetic base for native Sri Lankan tall coconuts. Categorization of alleles into different classes according to their frequency and distribution confirmed the results of the dedrogram and concluded the adequacy of single large collection from the entire target area to represent the total genetic diversity in Sri Lanka. This study discusses useful information regarding conservation and breeding of coconut in Sri Lanka. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

利用水稻MAGIC群体关联定位白叶枯病抗性QTL和创制抗病新种质

以8个不同亲本构建的遗传上相互关联的多亲本高代互交系(multi-parents advanced generation inter-cross, MAGIC)群体,包括2个4亲本群体(DC1和DC2)和1个8亲本群体(DC3)为材料,接种我国白叶枯病强致病力V型菌系(GD-V)和弱致病力II型菌系(C2),关联分析定位MAGIC群体对白叶枯病的抗性QTL,筛选抗病种质。结果表明,大多数亲本对C2菌系表现抗病,而对GD-V表现感病,3个MAGIC群体的病斑长度均出现超亲分离。共检测到7个白叶枯病抗性QTL,大多表现数量抗性,而且抗性QTL表达存在明显的遗传背景效应。QBbr11-1和QBbr11-2受遗传背景影响较小,具有一定的育种应用价值。从3个群体筛选出8份不同抗病QTL聚合的抗病材料,表明质量抗性基因和水平抗性数量性状位点的结合可以显著提高抗性水平。8份不同抗病QTL的聚合系可以用作抗病育种的中间抗源。研究结果表明,MAGIC群体可以将遗传研究和育种应用有机结合,是遗传研究和开展标记辅助育种的理想群体。     

Development of a recurrent apple breeding programme in New Zealand: a synthesis of results,and a proposed revised breeding strategy

This paper describes an apple breeding population that has been developed in New Zealand since 1990 to broaden the genetic base for cultivar breeding. The population is now in its third generation, with recurrent selection for general combining ability being the underlying approach. During the 20 years of the programme, nearly 1,000 trees have been progeny tested. An early focus on selection within open-pollinated tests has been replaced by selection within control-pollinated tests. Genetic evaluation methods along with estimates of genetic parameters (e.g. heritability, genetic correlations, and genotype-by-environment interactions), genetic gain, and genetic diversity are summarised in this paper. The third-generation crossing programme involving nearly 350 parents is almost completed and seedlings from these crosses are in the nursery. In the revised breeding strategy, three hierarchal populations are envisioned to better integrate this broad-based population with the more commercially focused cultivar breeding programme: main breeding population (MBP), elite breeding populations (EBP) and cultivar development populations (CDP). A two-subline structure and a minimum of two crosses per parent will be implemented in the MBP. EBP will focus on developing parents for breeding goals of the CDP. Forward-selected (based on estimated breeding values) candidates from the main- and elite populations will be used as parents of the CDP. Cloning of seedlings in elite populations and also in the first-stage of cultivar development, will be investigated as a tool for enhancing predictability and shortening the cycle for delivering genetic gain.     

Genetic variation within eight populations of perennial forage grasses

Information on both mean performance and genetic variation is important in determining the value of germplasm for breeding via recurrent selection. The objectives of this experiment were to evaluate different methods of controlling spatial variation for forage yield, and to estimate genetic variances and heritability in eight perennial forage grass populations. Polycross families of two populations of smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.), two populations of hybrid wheatgrass (Elytrigia×muctonata (Opiz ex. Bercht.) Prokud.), and four populations of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) were field tested for 2 years. Spatial variation was present in all three progeny tests, but was well accounted for by either the incomplete block design or a nearest neighbour analysis (NNA) of yield potentials. Low rank correlations between adjusted family means for the incomplete block design vs. the NNA created the unanswered question of which would provide a more appropriate estimate of family mean performance. Genetic variation was detected in six out of eight populations for forage yield, four out of six populations for ground cover, all four orchardgrass populations for maturity and one of four orchardgrass populations for leafspot reaction (caused by Drechslera spp.). Excessive year-family interactions prevented detection of genetic variation for leafspot reaction in the other populations. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.30 to 0.42 for forage yield. In all three species, there was a trend toward a negative relationship between population mean and genetic variance, suggesting that less elite populations may need to contribute other traits to be useful in the short term.     

轮回选择对豫综5号玉米群体产量性状配合力的改良效果

玉米群体遗传基础广泛、遗传变异丰富,是培育优良玉米自交系的源泉。玉米群体的改良研究对玉米种质资源创新、优良自交系选育具有重要的指导意义。本研究采用NC II遗传交配设计,以豫综5号5个轮次改良群体为父本,以黄早四、丹340、中综5号、齐319、掖478、Mo17为测验种配制成30个测交组合,通过一年两点的产量性状及其配合力评价试验,研究轮回选择对豫综5号群体的改良效果。结果表明,轮回选择对群体单株产量的改良是有效的,群体与各测验种间的杂交后代产量平均每轮提高3.57%。半姊妹轮回选择和相互半姊妹轮回选择在改良群体产量一般配合力方面, 均得到显著提高,呈逐轮上升的趋势;采用半姊妹轮回选择对豫综5号群体3轮的选择后,C₃群体与C₀相比,一般配合力效应值从–11.63增长到5.57,差异极显著;经1轮相互半姊妹轮回选择后,群体的一般配合力效应值从C₃的5.57增加到C₄的9.75。豫综5号改良群体与黄早四的特殊配合力得到一定的提高,逐轮朝着Reid×唐四平头杂优模式水平提高的方向稳定发展。     

Evaluation of Chromosome Segment Substitution Lines Related to Fiber Yield and Quality Traits from Gossypium hirsutum×Gossypium barbadense

Three generations of chromosome segment substitution lines lines (BC₄F₃, BC₄F_3:4, and BC₄F_3:5, Anyang, Korla) were used to evaluate phenotypic traits related to fiber yield and quality. The average performance of the traits in the population was near to the control, CCRI45, in the four populations. Seventy-eight percent of the lines showed longer and stronger fibers than the recurrent parent, and 22.59%～53.61% of lines had bigger bolls and higher lint percentages than the recurrent parent. Correlation analysis showed that the yield and fiber quality traits were positively correlated among the four populations. These results indicated that most of the genetic background in the substitution lines has been restored to the recurrent parent with abundant genetic variations. In addition, most of substitution lines had good yield and fiber quality. This study provided a large amount of basic research materials for cotton quantity genetics, gene pyramiding, and gene function analysis, and provided parent materials and new strains that can directly applied for cotton breeding.     

Comparison of random bulk population and single-seed-descent methods for lentil breeding

Summary Three lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.) populations were advanced from the F₂ to the F₄ generation by singleseed-descent (SSD) and bulk-population (BP) breeding methods and used to compare the relative efficiency of the methods for maintaining genetic variation and selection opportunities.SSD maintained more genetic variation (% MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGak0dh9WrFfpC0xh9vqqj-hEeeu0xXdbba9frFj0-OqFf% ea0dXdd9vqaq-JfrVkFHe9pgea0dXdar-Jb9hs0dXdbPYxe9vr0-vr% 0-vqpWqaaeaabaGaaiaacaqabeaadaqaaqaaaOqaaiqbeo8aZzaaja% Waa0baaSqaaiaadEgaaeaacaaIYaaaaaaa!3B04!\[\hat \sigma _g^2 \]) in 15 of 21 comparisons of characters that were made. Genetic variances were significantly higher with SSD for plant height, days to maturity and yield in population 1; height of lowest pod in population 2; and days to blooming, height of lowest pod, plant type, and yield in population 3. SSD-derived populations had 10, 9, and 13% more erect lines in the three populations, respectively, when compared to the same populations advanced by BP. The BP method maintained 14, 2, and 4% more taller types in the three populations, respectively, and 16 and 33% more segregants that carried their pods higher from the ground. This indicated a reduced frequency of short plants with low flowers as a result of natural selection operating within BP against less competitive short types. The SSD method is an efficient cost-saving method of advancing lentil populations and is recommended for lentil breeding.Scientific Paper No. 5478.     

Evaluating genetic variation and relationships among two bromegrass species and their hybrid using RAPD and AFLP markers

The two most widely grown bromegrass species in North America are smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.), a hay type grass, and meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehmann), a pasture type grass. Recently a hybrid bromegrass population between the two species has been produced as a dual-purpose hay-pasture grass. Molecular markers have the potential to improve selection procedures to enhance bromegrass breeding. The objective of this study was to use RAPD and AFLP markers to determine genetic relationships and variations among bromegrass populations. Forty-three RAPD markers from 21 primers and 83 AFLP markers from seven primer combinations were used. Both marker types were able to group the individuals into their respective populations. The relationships among the individuals within each of the populations were not similar between the two marker types. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) detected greater within-population variation than among-population variation for both marker types. The highest variation was observed in the hybrid population followed by meadow and then smooth bromegrass. The inter-population distance from both markers indicated that the highest genetic distance was between meadow and smooth bromegrass and lowest between smooth and hybrid bromegrass, which reflect the breeding history of the hybrid population. This study showed that both markers are capable of differentiating bromegrass genotypes into their respective populations, detecting genetic variation and relationships of the populations. Results of this study suggest that these two markers can be used in the future to enhance the current breeding practices in bromegrass, however, AFLP markers would be the marker of choice due to the high number of polymorphic markers. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Correlated responses of fatty acid composition, grain quality, and agronomic traits to nine cycles of recurrent selection for increased oil content in oat

Increases in the groat-oil content of oat (Avena sativa L.) increase the energy value of the grain and improve the feasibility of extracting oat oil for use as a vegetable oil. Nine cycles of recurrent selection for greater groat-oil content conducted in a genetically broad-based oat population resulted in dramatic increases in groat-oil content. Our objectives were todetermine if selection for greater groat-oil content affected fatty acid composition, grain quality traits (test weight and seed weight), or agronomic traits (straw yield, biomass, harvest index, heading date, and height). We evaluated 100 random lines from the base (C0) population and each of the nine selection cycle populations in three environments in order to estimate means, genetic variances, heritabilities, and genotypic and phenotypic correlations of grain quality and agronomic traits. We also evaluated 20 random lines from each population to estimate changes in fatty acid contents. Oleate and stearate contents increased over cycles of selection, as did the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids. Palmitate, linoleate, and linolenate contents and all grain quality and agronomic traits except harvest index decreased over cycles of selection. There was no evidence for reduced genetic variance or heritability in C9 for any trait, but the genotypic and phenotypic correlations between agronomic traits and oil content fluctuated over cycles. Selection for increased groat-oil content improved oil quality but reduced grain quality and agronomic performance of the population. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Advanced cycle pedigree breeding in sunflower. I: Genetic variability and testcross hybrid performance for seed yield and other agronomic traits

As a plant breeding programme matures there is a general tendency to recycle elite inbred parents, a strategy known as advanced cycle pedigree breeding. The challenge with this approach is not only to maintain genetic variability in the base breeding populations but also their usefulness for further genetic advancement in developing experimental hybrids with better performance than the commercial hybrids on the market. To assess the genetic variability and usefulness of breeding populations in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), 109 new inbred lines across four breeding populations Pop1, Pop2, Pop3 and Pop4 in advanced cycle pedigree breeding scheme were testcrossed to two testers to form testcross hybrid (TCH) groups: Pop1_TC, Pop2_TC, Pop3_TC and Pop4_TC. Moderate to high genetic variability along with high heritability were obtained for seed yield and oil yield within and across all TCH groups. Heritability for oil content was low to high ranging from 0.36 (Pop2_TC) to 0.81 (Pop1_TC). Genetic advance (GA%) with a 10 % selection intensity ranged from 36 % (Pop2_TC) to 42 % (Pop1_TC) for seed yield; 38 % (Pop3_TC) to 43 % (Pop1_TC) for oil yield; and 1.3 % (Pop2_TC) to 5.1 % (Pop1_TC) for oil content. To quantify the commercial potential of experimental TCHs, founder parent heterosis (FPH), mid-standard heterosis (MSH) and high standard heterosis (HSH) were calculated. Out of a total of 218 experimental TCHs evaluated, 28 had positive FPH, MPH and HSH values for oil yield representing a 13 % selection intensity as is usually applied in early generation testing.     

基于SNP分子标记的泰山/泰科麦系列小麦遗传解析

对不同年份育成的21个小麦品种（系）进行全基因组扫描,通过分析遗传距离和染色体区段/位点,明确其亲缘关系远近和遗传差异。分析可知,获得的2029个SNP基因位点在B基因组拥有较高的遗传多样性,其次是A和D基因组;在7个同源群中,第3和第6同源群呈现出较高的遗传多样性,而第1和第4同源群的遗传多样性较低;21条染色体中,3A、1B、6B染色体的遗传多样性较高,而1A、6A的遗传多样性偏低。对21份供试材料依据审定（育成）年份分析其群体的平均遗传距离,不同年份品种间的平均遗传距离先增大后减小,遗传多样性逐渐降低;21份供试材料间的遗传相似系数在0.69~0.99之间,大致可聚为4个类群,同一年份的品种一般聚在一起,与其系谱关系吻合。构建并分析供试材料的基因型图谱发现,00s、10s和现在育成的小麦品种（系）共有SNP和共有染色体区段分别主要在A、D和B基因组,对应已发表性状同不同年份育种目标吻合。同时发现21份供试材料均含有25个共同SNP位点,分布在1A、5A、6A、7A、2B、3B、6B、1D、2D、3D和7D染色体上,且每条染色体上分布的SNP位点数目均不相同,通过对应已发表性状进一步证实在品种（系）组配与选育过程中注重产量、株高、分蘖数、抽穗期、灌浆速率和抗病等性状的选择。以上研究结果可为今后小麦新品种组配和选育提供参考依据。     

优良品系中品03-5373系谱的遗传解析及抗大豆胞囊线虫病相关标记鉴定

中品03-5373是高抗大豆胞囊线虫(soybean cyst nematode,SCN) 3号生理小种的优良大豆新种质,可追溯到10个祖先亲本,其中包括灰皮支黑豆、Peking和PI437654等国内外SCN主要抗源。本研究利用152个SSR标记对中品03-5373及其亲本进行鉴定,共发现等位变异437个,每个标记的等位变异范围为2~5个,平均为2.9个。亲缘关系分析表明11份材料间的遗传一致度变化范围为0.2430~0.8224,平均为0.458,4个SSR标记(Satt152、Satt179、Barcsoyssr_18_107和Satt196)形成的单倍型可以将11份材料区别开来。系谱追踪阐明了育种对基因组组成变化的作用,发现中品03-5373亲本中以灰皮支黑豆贡献的等位变异最多(39个),PI437654次之(6个)。通过系谱追踪筛选到与SCN 3抗性相关的候选标记20个,为进一步克隆抗病基因和选择有效的标记组合进行分子育种提供了依据。     

Three-Way and Four-Way Recurrent Selection in Plant Breeding

Three or four-way recurrent selection is proposed for the development of three or four-way crosses. In term of genetic effects, it could be justified if there are interactions between more than three genes, whether alleles or not, if autopolyploids are also considered. For autotetraploids, in particular with tetragenic interaction, four-way recurrent selection could be more effective than reciprocal recurrent selection (two-way selection). According to the types of progenies used to develop the tests, different selection procedures are considered, the two extremes being called method 1 and method 3. With method 1 (selection for three or four-way general combining ability) a plant from a population is used to produce three-way or four-way progenies with the other populations used as testers. With method 3 (selection for three or four-way specific combining ability) three-way or four-way crosses are developed with one plant from each population. To study the genetic advance, the theory is developed to consider either diploidy or autotetraploidy. It is shown that method 3 will allow a greater genetic advance than method 1 for low heritability and low selection intensity. The way towards hybrid development with three and four-way pedigree selection is discussed: again selection can be for general or specific three or four-way combining ability. It is emphasized that an advantage of recurrent selection for three or four-way specific combining ability is that it allows direct varietal development with pedigree selection on three or four-way specific combining ability. Some other practical aspects are also considered.     

Investigation of long-term field experiments on response of breeding lines to common scab in a potato breeding program

Common scab, caused by Streptomyces scabies, is a disease that produces scab-like surface lesions on potato tubers. Testing for susceptibility/resistance of breeding lines at the Potato Research Centre of Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada (AFC) is carried out in a scab nursery maintained at AFC for the annual scab evaluation field trials. A replicated field trial routinely consists of breeding lines from previous testing season(s) plus newly selected lines. Data of scab scores generated from long-term experiments thus formulate an incomplete 2-way table over combinations of breeding lines (genotypes) and trials (years). This requires an advanced statistical method to estimate genetic parameters for evaluation purposes. A data base with 1,435 scab index scores from 344 breeding lines were extracted from 5 years (1995–1999) of field experiments in the scab nursery maintained at AFC. The statistical method Residual Maximum Likelihood (REML) was employed to estimate variance components of the breeding population and Best Linear Unbiased Predictor (BLUP) was used to predict genetic merit of breeding lines. High heritability was obtained from variance components estimated by REML. The BLUP scores of breeding lines provided reliable evaluation of their responses to common scab. Two data base sub-sets were separately formulated from the original data base for those parents and grandparents of the breeding lines having pedigree records available. They were again subjected to REML and BLUP analyses to compare the responses to common scab and identify sources of resistance at the parental and grandparental levels. Two random data sets with equal sized samples of breeding lines were also generated from the over-all data base. The two sets of BLUP scores between corresponding breeding lines and parents showed high association which provides an assessment of the validity of the evaluation process.     

Genetic progress after four cycles of recurrent selection for yield and grain traits in common bean

The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic progress after four cycles of recurrent selection in common bean. The base segregating population was obtained from 10 parents, and derived the S_0:1 and S_0:2 families that were evaluated. The S_0:3 families with higher grain yield and grain color, like the standard carioca were selected, and were intercrossed to generate the population of the following cycle. This process was repeated for four cycles. The best families were evaluated in each cycle by many generations and locations, and the five best lines of each cycle were identified. The 20 lines thus obtained were evaluated in two growing seasons, sown in July and November 2002. The grain yield (kg/ha) and grain type (scale of scores) were evaluated. Genetic progress was confirmed for both traits. The mean annual gain with selection for the grain type was 10.5% and 5.7% for grain yield, with no evidence of variability reduction in the population. These results show that recurrent selection is a good alternative for improving common bean quantitative traits.     

Comparison and analysis of main effects,epistatic effects,and QTL × environment interactions of QTLs for agronomic traits using DH and RILs populations in rice

Two genetic linkage maps based on doubled haploid (DH) and recombinant inbred lines (RILs) populations, derived from the same indica-japonica cross ‘Samgang × Nagdong’, were constructed to analyze the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting agronomic traits in rice. The segregations of agronomic traits in RILs population showed larger variations than those in DH population. A total of 10 and 12 QTLs were identified on six chromosomes using DH population and seven chromosomes using RILs population, respectively. Three stable QTLs including pl9.1, ph1.1, and gwp11.1 were detected through different years. The percentages of phenotypic variation explained by individual QTLs ranged from 8 to 18% in the DH population and 9 to 33% in the RILs population. Twenty-three epistatic QTLs were identified in the DH population, while 21 epistatic QTLs were detected in the RILs population. Epistatic interactions played an important role in controlling the agronomic traits genetically. Four significant main-effect QTLs were involved in the digenic interactions. Significant interactions between QTLs and environments (QE) were identified in two populations. The QTLs affecting grain weight per panicle (GWP) were more sensitive to the environmental changes. The comparison and QTLs analysis between two populations across different years should help rice breeders to comprehend the genetic mechanisms of quantitative traits and improve breeding programs in marker-assisted selection (MAS).