Fertility improvement in tetraploid pearl millet

Summary Autotetraploid (2n=4x=28) pearl millet inbred lines, Tift 23BE and Tift 239DB, have been developed for use in crosses with other polyploid Pennisetum species. Each line set less than 1% and 3% selfed and open-pollinated seed, respectively. Seed germination was usually less than 17%. First generation (F₁) hybrids between the two inbreds set up to 61% seed while up to 40% of the seed from hybrids germinated.Seed weight per inflorescence for two planting dates averaged 0.32 g and 3.06 g for the two inbreds and the second generation F₂ progeny, respectively. One hundred seed weight was also significantly higher (0.78 g vs 0.48 g) in the F₂ progeny, probably due better endosperm development. Chromosome behavior and pollen stainability were similar in the inbred parents and hybrids. However, the hybrids shed more pollen than the inbred parents.Heterosis was evident in the F₁ hybrids and F₂ progeny which showed significant increases in plant height, leaf length, leaf width, and inflorescence length in addition to fertility improvement.     

High embryo sac fertility and diversity of abnormal embryo sacs detected in autotetraploid indica/japonica hybrids in rice by whole‐mount eosin B‐staining confocal laser scanning microscopy

An eosin B staining procedure for use with confocal microscopy (WE‐CLSM) was used to examine the mature embryo sacs in 24 typical autotetraploid (2n = 4x = 48) indica/japonica hybrids and to compare with their original diploid (2n = 2x = 24) indica/japonica hybrids in rice. Four of the 24 hybrids showed >80% embryo sac fertility, and 13 hybrids over 70%. The average embryo sac fertility of the 24 autotetraploid indica/japonica hybrids was 68.08%, which was 17.33% higher than that in diploid hybrids. When compared with the diploid hybrids, 79.17% of the autotetraploid hybrids had higher embryo sac fertility. A diversity of abnormal embryo sacs occurred in autotetraploid indica/japonica hybrids. Embryo sac abnormalities were similar for both autotetraploid and diploid hybrid, but their frequencies were different. Some novel abnormal types were found in autotetraploid hybrids, such as enlarged egg apparatus. The embryo sac fertilities and frequencies of various abnormalities in autotetraploid hybrids varied with parental genotype and environment. The average seed set of the autotetraploid hybrids were higher than their diploid hybrids in different growing seasons.     

芝麻同源四倍体的诱发与鉴定

在28度的条件下，用0．3％－0．5％的秋水仙素水溶液浸种24h，诱发产生芝麻同源四倍体的效果较好，芝麻同源四倍体与二倍体相比，茎秆粗壮，叶片，花器，种子较大，但生长发育缓慢，结实性较差，芝麻同源四倍体具有52条染色体，其育性与同源染色体形式有关，联会过程中形成的四价体（IV）和两个二价体（II＋II）数目越多，育性和结实率越高。     

部分高粱转换系与不同高粱细胞质的育性反应

利用部分高粱转换系与具相同核背景不同细胞质的高粱不育系杂交,调查F_1代植株花粉育性和主要农艺性状,结果表明4种细胞质之间育性反应存在着明显的差异,A_1与A_2型细胞质之间差异较小;A_1、A_2与A_3、A_4型之间差异较大。A_1和A_2型细胞质与部分高粱转换系杂交F_1代的自交结实率之间的相关达极显著水准。A_2、A_3型细胞质对F_1代主要农艺性状的影响与A_1型对这些性状的影响无显著差异。A_2型细胞质可以在高粱杂交种生产中加以利用。A_3型细胞质与前两种细胞质的育性反应截然不同。找到了A_3型细胞质的恢复源和能同时恢复A_1、A_2、A_3型细胞质的材料。初步确定了能够鉴定高粱4种不同细胞质的鉴定系。通过对同核异质,异核同质育性反应的研究,表明4种细胞质完全不同,细胞质对育性反应起着决定性的作用,育性反应不因核背景的改变而发生显著变化,不同细胞质育性恢复机制不同。     

Variation of hullability and other seed characteristics among sunflower lines and hybrids

Summary The hullabilities of 40 inbred lines (20 male sterility maintainers and 20 male fertility restorers) and 36 hybrids were studied in several environments in France. Thousand seed weight, oil and hull contents and the quantity of hulls remaining with the kernel after hulling were also measured. Principal component analyses and a hierarchical clustering method were used to described the variation of both inbreds and hybrids. Hullability varied from 11 to 66% for inbreds and 16 to 60% for hybrids. This variation is sufficient to permit breeding programmes for this character. Hullability is correlated positively with hull content (r=0.35^* to 0.69^*) but negatively with oil content (r=–0.34^*to–0.71^**). Large seeds generally hull better than small seed (r=0.21ns to –0.66^**). The value of the different classes of genotypes is discussed. Inbreds and hybrids producing achenes with a quite small hull content, a high oil content but a good hullability are the most promising for improvement of the quality of sunflower seed meal. Such genotypes are rare so that a recurrent selection programme is recommended to increase the frequency of favorable genes.     

同源四倍体高粱与约翰逊草种间杂种细胞学特性的相关研究

以6个同源四倍体高梁品系及其与约翰逊草的种间杂种为材料，对两种间细胞学特性的相关性进行了分析，杂种F1后期I，后期II减数分裂的不规则性受到亲本高粱细胞学不规则性的影响，杂种F1减数分裂规则性与约翰逊草相 。     

Performance Studies in F6 Lines of Autotetraploid Fenugreek

Hybridization followed by pedigree selection was carried out between two autotetraploid strains of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). Morphological and cytological investigations were carried out in two autotetraploid parents, their F₁ hybrids and F₆ lines derived from F₁ after selfing. Cytomorphological data of F₆ lines were compared with those of F₁, hybrids and of their parents. The hybrid plants were intermediate with respect to different vegetative traits, however, they showed increased seed set as compared to their autotetraploid parents. The mean pod number per plant in F₆ was one and half times as high as one of the high yielding tetraploid parents and approximately twice as high as that of F₁ hybrid. Meiosis in F₆ was more regular than in F, and the parents. Thus, hybridization followed by pedigree selection is helpful not only in regularizing the meiotic behavior, but vigour and seed fertility have also improved in autotetraploid fenugreek.     

Morphological changes and self-incompatibility breakdown associated with autopolyploidization in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hylocereus</Emphasis> species (Cactaceae)

Chromosome duplication—autopolyploidization—may affect plant morphology and breeding systems, ultimately enabling the production of improved genotypes. In this study, the autotetraploid lines obtained from the self-incompatible diploid Hylocereus monacanthus and the autooctapolyploid lines obtained from the self-compatible tetraploid H. megalanthus were studied and compared with the donor accessions. The resulting H. monacanthus autotetraploids exhibit lower fruit weight, seed number, and pollen viability than the donor plant, but it has larger pollen grains. Although the resulting H. megalanthus autooctaploids had larger pollen grains and lower pollen viability compared with the donor plant, only aborted fruits were obtained from these lines. The most valuable change observed was the breakdown of the self-incompatibility system in the H. monacanthus autotetraploid lines. This research provides important information on the horticultural value of vine cacti autopolyploid lines.     

Enhanced productivity of tropane alkaloids and fertility in artificial autotetraploids of Hyoscyamus niger L.

Summary Genetically stable artificial autotetraploids with over 90% seed set were obtained by colchicine treatment of the solanaceous species Hyoscyamus niger L. (2n=4x=68). The tetraploids were vigorous and yielded 22.5% more tropane alkaloid per individual than the source diploids.CIMAP Publication No. 35/90     

Inbreeding depression in garden and glasshouse chrysanthemums: germination and survivorship

Summary Sixty-six chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora) inbred selections, noninbred cultivars and hybrids, and D. makinoi were the base populations from which up to three generations of inbreds were obtained using multiple plant descent. Each parent possessed pseudo-self compatibility (PSC), which allowed seed set following self pollination. Rapid-generation cycling (laboratory seed ripening to heart stage and subsequent embryo rescue) reduced generation time and minimized confounding maternal with zygotic inbreeding depression during post heart-stage seed development. Selection criteria were male/female fertility and PSC. Two stages of the life cycle were chosen to evaluate inbreeding depression: germination (seed development to germination) and survivorship (fertile individuals at anthesis). PSC was environmentally interactive and genotype dependent, causing variable levels of self seed set between and within populations and generations. By the end of the second generation, families from all noninbred cultivars, D. makinoi, and one F₁ hybrid were eliminated from the experiment due to self incompatibility and/or inbreeding depression. Post-germination inbreeding depression was severe in several advanced inbreds. Inbred progeny of most F₁ or F₂ hybrids expressed less or equal amounts of inbreeding depression compared to advanced inbreds. Linear regression coefficients for either germination or survivorship on percent homozygosity were negative. Correlation coefficients between percent germination and survivorship (as a percent of seed set) were highly significant for Minnesota inbreds (r=0.67, P0.002) and hybrids (r=0.67, P0.006). The correlation coefficient was higher when percent germination and survivorship (as a percent of germinated seedlings) were compared (r=0.95, P0.001).Abbreviations F Fisher's Coefficient of Inbreeding - IBD Inbreeding Depression - PSC Pseudo-self Compatibility - RGC Rapid Generation Cycle - SI Self Incompatibility     

No DNA loss in autotetraploids of Arabidopsis thaliana

To address the issue of genome evolution in autopolyploids and particularly to investigate whether rapid sequence elimination also occurs in autopolyploids as in allopolyploids, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting was employed to examine a large number of genomic loci in F₁ hybrids between two different autotetraploids of Arabidopsis thaliana accessions, namely Ler and Col. Using this approach, perfect additivity in the F₁ hybrids was found between the newly‐formed autopolyploids when compared with their parental lines. Using flow cytometry, the study was extended in a quantitative manner, in which the nuclear DNA contents in one autotetraploid A. thaliana accession Ler, was determined. The increase in genome size of the autotetraploid line was additive. Taken together, no evidence was found for genome size reduction due to autopolyploidization of A. thaliana. The results indicating that there was no DNA loss in autotetraploid A. thaliana suggest that a different type of genome evolution may occur in autopolyploids during the initial stages of their formation when compared with allopolyploids.     

A comparison of inbred lines and their F1 hybrids in forage rape (Brassica napus L.)

Summary The relative yields of spaced plants of inbred lines derived from different seed stock of forage rape were compared with F₁ hybrids among these lines. The hybrids between inbred lines derived from the same parental seed stock showed a mean superiority of 8.8% and the hybrids between inbreds from different stocks showed 19.6% superiority over the inbred lines in early vegetative growth. This hybrid superiority is discussed in relation to the development of superior varieties.     

Intergeneric hybrids and an amphiploid between Elymus canadensis and Psathyrostachys juncea

Summary Fifty four hybrid plants between Elymus canadensis and Psathyrostachys juncea were obtained by handpollination and embryo culture. The average cross compatibility between both species was 31.2 percent. One amphiploid plant was induced by colchicine treatment. The hybrid and amphiploid plants resembled P. juncea in appearance but showed a higher plant height and dry matter yield than the parents. The hybrids showed extremely low pollen stainability and were completely sterile. With the exception of one plant (2n=3x+1=22), all hybrid plants were allotriploids (SHN, 2n=3x=21). The amphiploid plant (SSHHNN, 2n=6x=42) showed 58.9% pollen stainability and 11.6% seed fertility.Mean chromosome associations of the hybrids and amphiploid at metaphase I were 0.02IV+0.06III+2.03II+16.91I and 0.07III+18.00II+5.85I, respectively. Lagging chromosomes, chromosome bridges, abnormal cytokinesis, and micronuclei were occasionally observed at the anaphase, telophase, or tetrad stage.     

Double-bridge hybrids of Solanum bulbocastanum and cultivars of Solanum tuberosum

Summary Solanum bulbocastanum (2n=2x=24) has valuable characters for potato breeding, but cannot be hybridized directly with S. tuberosum cultivars. Both S. acaule (2n=4x) and S. phureja (2n=2x) were used as bridging species. Triploid S. acaule × S. bulbocastanum were doubled with colchicine and the resulting fertile hexaploid F₁'s crossed with S. phureja. The triple hybrids obtained were tetraploid or nearly so. The two genomes of S. acaule in these triple hybrids probably pair preferentially, which may provoke pairing and possibly crossing over between the chromosomes of S. bulbocastanum and S. phureja.More than 20000 pollinations of the triple hybrids with four potato cultivars had to be made to produce 40 quadruple hybrids. These highly vigorous hybrids varied greatly in many morphological characters, resistance to Phytophthora infestans, fertility and crossability. The chromosome numbers are 48 (24 hybrids), 49 and 46, but some higher ploidy levels (65, 66, 72 chromosomes) were found as well. Their origin is to be sought in the fusion of an unreduced egg cell from triple hybrids (either euploid or hypoploid) and a reduced male gamete from the cultivars. This view is corroborated by their extreme resistance to Phytophthora. Also some 48-chromosome hybrids are highly resistant, which may indicate introgression from S. bulbocastanum.Most quadruple hybrids are readily inter-crossable and crossable as females with cultivars; several also as males. Two could be hybridized with S. bulbocastanum, but the few seeds dit not germinate.Studies of pachytene stage of meiosis revealed the presence of a S. bulbocastanum chromosome in at least one tetraploid hybrid, which is highly resistant to Phytophthora. At metaphase I of meiosis chromosome associations higher than quadrivalents were not found. Except in one hybrid, the frequency of quadrivalents did not exceed one per cell and the average proportion of chromosomes associated as bivalents amounted to 90%.The quadruple hybrids (double-bridge hybrids) appear good starting material for breeding programmes aimed at introducing genes from S. bulbocastanum into S. tuberosum cultivars.     

热带水稻光合特性及氮素光合效率的差异研究

在国际水稻研究所（IRRI）农场试验条件下,选用6个不同的热带水稻材料,其中包括2个常规籼稻、2个杂交籼稻和2个新株型稻（NPT）,研究氮肥农学利用率（AE）和氮素光合效率（PNUE）及其相关叶片参数的基因型差异,并探讨了它们之间的关系。结果表明,新株型稻的净光合速率(P_n)大于常规籼稻,杂交籼稻居中。各基因型间的气孔导度(G_s)、胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)、蒸腾速率(T_r)和Ci/Gs的差异趋势不同。不同基因型叶片的氮浓度（N%）和比叶重（SLW）存在一定的差异。常规籼稻的单位叶绿素的净光合速率（P_n/Chl）较NPT低,杂交籼稻为中间类型;叶片净光合速率和单位面积含氮量（Na）之间存在显著的正相关;本研究所选用的热带杂交籼稻的PFP（氮肥偏生产力）和AE比新株型稻和常规籼稻高,两者最低的均为常规籼稻。氮素光合效率与AE间存在显著正相关,表明后期的氮素光合效率对氮肥利用率具有一定的指示和预测作用,这对于判断水稻品种氮肥利用率将具有重要的应用价值。     

Mutation breeding of autotetraploid Achimenes cultivars

Summary Colchicine-induced autotetraploids of three Achimenes cultivars were irradiated with X-rays or fast neutrons. The results were compared, in one cultivar, with those of the irradiated diploid form. The mutation frequency after irradiation of the autotetraploid was 20–40 times higher than for the corresponding diploid. These results may open new possibilities for mutation breeding, though they are hard to explain. Several promising mutants were selected.     

The increase of seed fertility of Brassicoraphanus through cytological irregularity

Summary Amphidiploids (Brassicoraphanus) were produced by means of colchicine treatment of F₁ hybrids between Brassica japonica Sieb. and Raphanus sativus L. The cytology of the amphidiploids was studied from F₁ to F₃ generations. Some plants had the euploid chromosome number 2n=38, whereas others had the aneuploid number 2n=37. One or two of either quadrivalents or trivalents, as well as some univalents, were seen in most of the plants examined. All the plants showed a low seed fertility. In F₃ generation there arose some yellow-flowered plants, all of which showed a higher seed fertility than normal white-flowered plants. It is postulated that the change of flower colour might originate in the segmental exchange of only partially homologous chromosomes following multivalent formation. A gene causing white flower colour was perhaps closely linked to a gene causing sterility, and both genes were probably excluded together through the segmental exchange of the chromosomes. Therefore, it can be said that the increase of fertility was induced by cytological irregularity.     

A strict diploid-like pairing regime is associated with tetrasomic segregation in induced autotetraploids of kale

Fertility and reproductive stability in polyploids depend on the precise control of chromosome pairing at meiosis. In this study, meiotic pairing configurations are related to isozyme segregation ratios in F₁ hybrids between colchicine‐induced autotetraploids of kale. An immediate diploid‐like pairing regime is associated with tetrasomic segregation. Although the mechanisms driving such a behaviour have yet to be identified, pairing preferences are not responsible for the cytological diploidization of autotetraploid kales.     

A comparison of cytoplasmic and chemically-induced male sterility systems for hybrid seed production in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A comparison of two male sterility systems was carried out in wheat for hybrid seed production and hybrid performance. Seventeen hybrid combinations based on Triticum timopheevi cytoplasm were compared with their genetically equivalent CHA-facilitated combinations. The same set of restorer lines was used as parents in CMS- and CHA-based hybrids to maintain genetic equivalence. In the first experiment aimed at study of female line behavior and crossed seed production, the CHA treated lines showed significantly shorter heights whereas CMS lines were similar to the control. The two systems were equally effective in sterilizing rate. The outcrossing percentage of the CMS lines was almost twice that of the CHA treated lines. Thousand-grain weight of the crossed seeds on CMS lines was greater than on the CHA treated lines and control. On average, the germination percentage of seeds on CMS lines was double that of the CHA treated lines and the percentage of effective outcrossed seeds in CMS lines was 3 times more than that from CHA treated lines. The second experiment was conducted to examine the yield performance of the hybrids derived from the two systems of male sterility. A total of 40 entries including 20 hybrids and 20 parents were evaluated in the experiment. The mean grain yield of the CMS-based hybrids was greater than that of the CHA-based hybrids,the B and R lines. All the CMS-based hybrids showed significantly higher grain yields than their better parents whereas all the CHA-based hybrids, except two,showed no significant yield increases over their better parents. Possible reasons for differences in CMS- and CHA-based hybrid performance are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Retrotransposon-related genetic distance and hybrid performance in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Heterosis is a main force leading the development of the hybrid seed industry in sunflower. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if heterosis effects for morphological traits among sunflower hybrids can be related to differences in the repetitive component of the genome of parental lines. The assumption is that, at least for certain traits, heterosis results from mutations in the cis-regulatory elements of genes, largely related to retrotransposon insertions and/or removals. Our experimental approach consists of a correlation study between hybrid performance and retrotransposon-related genetic distances between inbreds. Six sunflower inbred lines of different origin were crossed in a half diallel fashion; comparing parental lines and hybrids, mid parent heterosis of F₁ hybrids was evaluated for six traits. We estimated the parental genetic distances between the six inbreds on data gathered by the inter-retrotransposon-amplified-polymorphism (IRAP) protocol. Different retrotransposons previously isolated in sunflower were targeted by 11 primer pairs designed on conserved LTR domains. As a control, genetic distances were also calculated using 86 genic SNPs. We analysed the correlation between the mid-parent heterosis for each of the six traits analysed and the genetic distance (calculated on data obtained by SNP or IRAP analyses) between the parental lines. Differences between parents showed to be largely related to variations in the retrotransposon component of the genome. Retrotransposon-related genetic distance between parents resulted to be larger than that related to genic SNPs, and significantly correlated to seed yield and, at a lesser extent, to plant height and stem diameter in hybrids. The hypothesis that variations in the repetitive component of the genome, especially LTR-retrotransposons, affect the displaying of heterosis is discussed.