A forage grass and legume plant collecting expedition in Czechoslovakia 1992

The Plant Genetic Resources Unit (PGRU) of the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Welsh Plant Breeding Station (IGER, WPBS), UK, and the Grassland Research Station, Zubrí (GRS, Z), in 1992 part of OSEVA Research Institute for Fodder Crops, Troubsko (OSEVA, RIFC), Czechoslovakia, carried out a collaborative plant collecting expedition in Czechoslovakia between 10 August and 29 August 1992. 14 geographical sub-regions of Czechoslovakia were covered with centres of collection in Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia. The expedition concentrated on a range of vegetation from managed semi-natural grassland to wild, un-managed grassland. The IGER team collected mainly vegetative samples and the GRS, Z team collected seed samples of forage grass and legume populations. Detailed collection site data was recorded at every site. Samples were collected from 67 sites. Vegetative collections of Lolium spp. (34 populations) and Trifolium spp. (39 populations) and seed collectio ns of other species (57 populations) were made by the IGER team. Seed collections of Lolium spp. (26 populations), Trifolium spp. (19 populations) and other species (28 populations) were made by the GRS, Z team (Table 2). A diverse range of habitats was sampled covering a range of altitude, management systems and ecological conditions. Wild grassland was easily found but semi-natural grassland was uncommon in the collective farming landscape. Entry into a free-market economy is forcing changes on the collective farming system which dominates Czechoslovakian agriculture. Changes in crops and management practices will lead to a further reduction in the area of semi-natural grassland and genetic erosion of the unique forage grass and legume populations in Czechoslovakia. The collecting expedition took place in August 1992, 5 months before Czechoslovakia was divided into the separate states of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In the text Czechoslovakia is used to reflect the situation at the time of the collecting expedition.     

A forage grass and legume plant collecting expedition in Portugal

The Plant Genetic Resources Unit of the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, U.K., and the Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal, carried out a joint plant collecting expedition in Portugal in May 1995. Seven regions of Portugal were explored from the north to the south. A diverse range of habitats was sampled covering different altitudes, management systems and ecological conditions, where semi-natural grassland and wild unmanaged grassland was found. Vegetative samples of forage grass and legume populations were collected wherever possible. Seed samples were collected in the absence of live plants and from farmers' stores. Detailed collection site data was recorded at every site. 113 populations of Lolium spp., Festuca spp., Agrostis spp., Dactylis spp. and Briza spp. and 53 populations of Trifolium spp., Medicago spp. and Lupinus spp. were collected from 115 sites. It was possible to find traditional agricultural systems throughout Portugal but they are changing in response to European Union farming policies. For example, Lolium multiflorum Lam. is still intercropped with maize, although seed production of this crop on the farm is no longer permissible and, therefore, local land races are being replaced by commercial varieties. These changes to traditional agricultural systems are contributing to a major loss of genetic diversity.     

Use of prolamine polymorphism in studying genetic resources of forage grasses

Summary Electrophoresis of single seed prolamines was used for the analysis ofLolium perenne L.,Festuca pratensis Huds., andDactylis glomerata L. populations. Identification and registration of populations was carried out according to the frequencies of occurrence of genotypes with corresponding types of prolamine banding patterns. The publication sums up the problems of applied use of molecular markers for identification and registration of world genetic resources of forage grasses, analysis of the dynamics of population composition and other problems of plant growing, genetics, breeding and seed control. The approaches mentioned in the article are promising for their use in genetic banks as well as at the institutions which store collections of genetic resources of given crops and at universities and breeding stations.     

Resistance of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) ecotypes from Polish Gene Bank to melting out (Drechslera poae) under field conditions in 1998–2000

Seed samples of 32 ecotypes obtained from individual plants and 2 old cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) were used in this study. They were selected from 1452 accessions from Polish Gene Bank, Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute - IHAR Radzików based on preliminary tests conducted in greenhouse and growing chamber. All of tested ecotypes were collected during 1979–1981 in Poland by expeditions organised by Polish Gene Bank, IHAR Radzików. Additionally nine cultivars and breeding lines were used as a controls: Limousine, Gol, Conni, BA 130, Barvictor, Bartitia, Parade, Chaupy, RAH 1474. Accessions used as control were chosen based on the results obtained in different trials conducted in Poland, Germany, France, The Netherlands and Great Britain.All these 43 accessions of Kentucky bluegrass were tested for leaf spot and melting out resistance under field conditions during 3 years (1998–2000). These tests were conducted in three treatments: with inoculation by Drechslera poae (Baudys) Shoemaker, with natural infection of this fungus and with application of fungicide Tilt 250 EC. Based on results obtained during spring assessment of the disease severity it was possible to observe the effect of inoculation by D. poae. Resistance of inoculated and grown with natural infection ecotypes, cultivars and breeding lines was scored in average for 5.92 and 7.73, respectively. It was not possible to find significant differences in resistance during fall disease assessment. The repeatability of scores obtained during three years of the experiment was statistically significant. Additionally, results obtained for inoculated genotypes under field conditions significantly correlate with the results obtained during study conducted under greenhouse and growing chamber conditions. Nine ecotypes in the treatment with inoculation by D. poae were scored higher than 6.5 (on the level of the control cultivars: Conni, Gol, and Limousine). The value of newly identified sources of resistance to leaf spot and melting out in Kentucky bluegrass breeding programs was discussed.     

Collection of Trifolium sp. and other forage legumes in Bulgaria

Joint collecting expeditions to improve the genetic diversity of Trifolium species in the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) were carried out in Bulgaria by scientists of the USDA-ARS, University of Florida, Texas A&M University, and Institute of Introduction and Plant Genetic Resources (IIPGR), Bulgaria, on 14–27 July 1990 and 30 July – 13 August 1993. The objectives were to collect seed of T. vesiculosum Savi and other annual clovers in southeastern Bulgaria in 1990 and seed of perennial Trifolium species in southwestern Bulgaria in 1993. A total of 246 collections were made of 50 Trifolium species (38 annual and 12 perennial) and 25 collections of 17 other forage legumes. Collections were made at 90 sites in 13 of the 20 floristic regions in Bulgaria. The genetic diversity of T. vesiculosum in the NPGS was increased by the addition of 16 accessions. Four Trifolium sp. were added to the NPGS. Land utilization for intensive grazing near villages and small plot farming in river valleys greatly increased between 1990 and 1993. Genetic erosion of the extensive Trifolium resources within Bulgaria may occur as these practices increase.     

Characterisation of white clover populations collected from the Caucasus and high altitude regions of eastern Turkey

White clover populations collected from the Caucasus region and eastern Turkey were compared with seven white clover cultivars in a moist, lowland, highly fertile environment. The Caucasus collection came from 15 sites below 1000 m and 19 sites above 1000 m; all seven sites in Turkey were above 1000 m. The populations were generally small leaved and except for those from low altitude sites in Dagestan and Azerbaijan populations were acyanogenic. None of the collected populations were significantly higher yielding than Grassland Huia in any season. However, several populations from the Caucasus were higher yielding than Kent Wild White and similar to that of Grassland Tahora. Survival was poor with only four populations having more than 50% of plants surviving after 18 months in this environment. High altitude Caucasus populations were earlier flowering than low altitude populations, an adaptation to allow adequate seed set.There was a negative relationship between altitude of population origin and proportion of cyanogenic plants; and between altitude and both leaf size and canopy height. High incidence of no leaf mark (vv) was associated with populations from colder rather than warmer environments. Populations from sites with low rainfall were larger leaved and more upright than populations from wetter sites. Populations from severely grazed sites were less upright and less cyanogenic than populations from infrequently or nil defoliated sites.Deceased     

Genetic polymorphism of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Malus sieversii</Emphasis> populations in Xinjiang,China

Malus sieversii (Ledeb.) Roem. is a wild apple species which is distributed in the western mountains in Xinjiang, P.R. China, as well as in Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. M. sieversii germplasm is valuable for plant breeders for drought, cold and disease resistance. Genetic polymorphisms of 20 populations of M. sieversii and 2 populations of M. niedzwetzkyana in Xinjiang, China were analyzed using RAPD markers. We present geographical distribution data as well as the discovery of a rare king old tree. Different types of pollen grain morphology were analyzed.     

Collection and Characterisation of Malabar Tamarind [Garcinia cambogia (Gaertn.) Desr.]

A collaborative crop specific exploration and collection mission to collect the germplasm and to study the population size of male and female/hermaphrodite trees of Malabar tamarind [Garcinia cambogia (Gaertn.) Desr.] in the area of its diversity was undertaken during July 2002 in Kerala and Karnataka. A total of 56 accessions of Malabar tamarind were collected. Two collections of Malabar tamarind were found to be very specific because of the uncommon fruit colour, which is pinkish red. All the collected accessions are grown at National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) Regional Station, Thrissur for characterisation and conservation. Extensive range of variability was found in fruit colour, shape, size and nature of branching and canopy of trees. Characterisation of 13 fruit and five seed characters was done for 51 accessions. The variability was found to be maximum for nipple length (74.8%) and minimum for fruit girth (12.8%). Two promising accessions were identified based on mean fruit weight (161 g) in IC 354028 and mean rind thickness (15 mm) and mean rind weight (125 g) in IC 354019.     

Enzyme polymorphism and adaptation in strawberry clover (Trifolium fragiferum L.)

Enzymatic survey of eight loci in 22 populations of Trifolium fragiferum L. sampled in three regions in Poland showed regional differences with regard to five genetic parameters describing genetic polymorphism and variability. Differences were attributed to the following climatic variables: annual precipitation, temperature and solar radiation. Continental climatic conditions were favorable for accumulation of genetic polymorphism and variability. Vegetative reproduction versus sexual reproduction had a higher incidence rate under milder climatic conditions. This former mode of reproduction also affected patterns of distribution of variation within regions, by reducing the intra-populational component of total variability.     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Genetic Diversity among Syrian Cultivated and Landraces Wheat Revealed by AFLP Markers

Genetic diversity among some important Syrian wheat cultivars was estimated using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Five Triticum aestivum L. and 10 Triticum turgidum ssp. durum were analyzed with 11 EcoRI–MseI primer pair combinations. Of the approximately 525 detected AFLP markers, only 46.67% were polymorphic. Cluster analysis with the entire AFLP data divided all cultivars into two major groups reflecting their origins. The first one contained T. aestivum L. cultivars, and the T. turgidum ssp. durum cultivars and landraces were grouped in the second. Narrow genetic diversity among all cultivars was detected with an average genetic similarity of 0.884. The lowest similarity index (0.9) was found between Cham5 and Hamary (durum wheat), whereas this value was 0.93 between Salamony and Bouhouth 4 (T. aestivum L.). The narrow genetic diversity level indicates that these genotypes could be originated from the same source. AFLP analysis provides crucial information for studying genetic variation among wheat cultivars and provides important information for plant improvement.     

广东大豆地方种质磷效率特性研究Ⅰ.大豆基因型磷效率特性差异及其与土壤有效磷含量的关系

在低磷红壤上,对原产广东省的大豆基因型磷效率与其来源地土壤有效磷含量的关系进行研究。结果表明：植株磷素吸收量相对值不仅可以反映大地低磷红一长适应性,而且可以反映大豆基因型磷效率特性,ＲＶＰＰＵ是较大的大豆基因型。     

Cation exchange capacity of roots: Titration,sum of exchangeable cations,copper adsorption

The cation exchange capacity of roots (CECR) has been measured according to three different methods : titration of H‐roots with NaOH in the presence of CaCl₂, MgCl₂, or NaCl 0.1 N, saturation of roots with mixed Ca‐Mg‐Na solutions of eight different compositions and extraction of the adsorbed cations with copper, saturation of roots with Cu‐ions and extraction with HC1. Two types of roots were studied : roots of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lm.) and roots of clover (Trifolium pratense L.)

The very good coincidence of the results from the three methods tends to prove the reliability of the experimental procedures. The simplicity and the reproducibility of the Cu‐method renders it recommendable in view of possible standardization of the methods in the future.     

Neglected landraces of collard (Brassica oleracea L. var. viridis) from the Carolinas (USA)

A common garden crop grown in the coastal plain region of North and South Carolina (United States) is the non-heading, leafy green type of Brassica oleracea L. known as collard (B. oleracea L. subsp. oleracea convar. acephala (DC.) Alef. var. viridis L.). Predominantly a fall and winter vegetable in this region, collard is often the only green planting to be found in the yard or garden of a rural home during these cool seasons. Historically, the traditional collard patch and even commercial fields were planted with unique varieties perpetuated by individual seed savers, and collectively, the regional diversity for this crop was probably very significant for well over a century. Genetic erosion of this collard germplasm pool has been severe in recent decades as commercial hybrids have been adopted by both large-scale producers and home gardeners. Although a significant number of collard landraces are being perpetuated to this day, existing diversity among landraces still grown in the region is now in the hands of an aging population of seed savers who maintain germplasm through on-farm preservation. From 2003 to 2006, we explored the coastal plain region of North and South Carolina in search of collard gardens containing traditional landraces. Exploration trips were conducted mid-winter to early spring. About 90 samples of collard were obtained from seed savers during the course of this exploration. Observations of morphological differences of these landraces indicate that significant diversity exists in this group. Obtained landraces are being deposited into the U.S. plant introduction collection and will be available for future use. This preserved collection could prove to be an important new source of genes for B. oleracea improvement.     

Interaction of Bradyrhizobium sp. with an antagonistic actinomycete in culture medium and in soil

Summary Experiments were conducted to determine the extent to which populations of Bradyrhizobium sp. strain Tal 209SR were suppressed by the antagonistic activity of a Streptomyces sp. isolated from a highly weathered tropical soil. The activity of the actinomycete was evaluated in culture medium in the presence or absence of clay minerals and in the soil from which the actinomycete was isolated after sterilization by gamma-irradiation. The presence of the actinomycete in culture medium was associated with a significant reduction in the density of Bradyrhizobium sp. (Tal 209SR). Nevertheless, the density of the Bradyrhizobium sp. surviving in the medium in the presence of the actinomycete was much higher than that normally observed when comparable densities of rhizobia are introduced into non-sterile soils. The presence of the antagonistic actinomycete in culture medium was associated with a drastic decrease in the optical density of the medium. This decrease was accompanied by a significant decrease in the insoluble exopolysaccharide content of the medium in addition to the significant decrease in bradyrhizobial cells. The actinomycete did not appear to significantly influence the growth and survival of the test Bradyrhizobium sp. in sterile soil. The inability of the actinomycete to significantly antagonize the test bacterium in sterile soil was not adequately explained by the presence of clay minerals.Hawaii Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Journal Series No. 3129