Genetic evaluation of cultivated garlic germplasm (Allium sativum L. and A. ampeloprasum L.)

Garlic cultivated in rural farms of South Italy is often a heterogeneous clone population, which can comprise different cytotypes. A collection of cultivated garlic from the University of Basilicata gene-bank, was evaluated for ploidy level, and 16 different morphological traits. Out of50 accessions, 7 were hexaploids (Allium ampeloprasum L.) and43 diploids (Allium sativum L.). Significant differences in yield were observed within and between ploidy levels. The heritable traits most correlated with yield were plant height (h² = 0.62) within diploid types and neck diameter (h² = 0.75) within hexaploids. Discriminant analysis did show that four characters (leaf basal width, total n^° of leaves, clove diameter and neck height) were able to correctly discriminate all germ plasm accessions between the two species. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic relationships between cultivated and wild olives of Corsica and Sardinia using RAPD markers

In order to ensure the genetic diversity of the Olea europaea complex,it is necessary to characterize the cultivated varieties and the wildpopulations. In the present study, we focused on the olives growing on twoMediterranean islands, Corsica and Sardinia. On these two islands, there areolives with many denominations, as well as forests of oleasters. Here, it wasproposed to determine the relationships among cultivated and wild olives.Some Italian denominations were studied in addition to assess the influenceof the mainland on the two islands in this respect.The 59 RAPD markers obtained showed the existence of manysynonymous, and homonymous. A dendrogram was constructed using theUPGMA method and a FCA was carried out. The results of these twoanalyses showed the existence of a genetic divergence between the oleastersand the cultivated varieties. They suggest that some of the Corsicanvarieties were probably selected from local wild forms, contrary to theSardinian varieties. They also show that there are feral forms growing onboth islands, which result from hybridization between oleasters andvarieties.     

Polyembryony in species of the genus Allium

Polyembryony has been detected in 26 Allium species during a series of germination tests. Additionally to those species already known for their polyembryonic tendency, high rates (up to 32%) of twin seedlings have been found in A. splendens and some other species. Genotype effects were obvious between several accessions within the species A. tuberosum. In A. tuberosum, enzymatic embryo sac isolation has been used for demonstration of polyembryonic development in early stages. Genotype and ploidy dependence of the polyembryonic process and ploidy alterations in plants derived from polyembryony are discussed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic control of isozymes in eggplant and its wild relatives

Summary This study was conducted to elucidate the inheritance and linkage relationships of isozymes in aspartate aminotransferase (AAT, EC 2.6.1.1), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH, EC 1.1.1.1), phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (PGD, EC 1.1.1.43), phosphoglucomutase (PGM, EC 2.7.5.1) and shikimate dehydrogenase (SKDH, EC 1.1.1.25) in eggplant and its wild relatives. Segregating populations were generated by backcrossing of hybrids among the species. Evidence of Mendelian inheritance was obtained for seven loci: Aat-1, Adh-1, Adh-2, Pgd-1, Pgm-1, Pgm-2 and Skdh-1. Twenty-one pairs of loci were tested for independent assortment, suggesting three linked pairs, Aat-2 with Pgd-2 (R=0.35±0.07), Adh-2 with Pgm-1 (R=0.33±0.07) and Pgd-2 with Pgm-2 (R=0.32±0.06).Abbreviations AAT aspartate aminotransferase - ADH alcohol dehydrogenase - PGD phosphogluconate dehydrogenase - PGM phosphoglucomutase - SKDH shikimate dehydrogenase     

Genetic variations of isozymes in cultivated sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Patterns of variation for seven enzyme systems were studied in 68 accessions of cultivated sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), 12 from Japan, 15 from Korea and 41 from Thailand. Only one enzyme system, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), of these exhibited variation. The IDH isozymes were shown to be controlled by a single locus (Idh) with two alleles. The two alleles were widely distributed in the accessions from the three countries. As few gene markers which have simple genetic control are available in sesame, these IDH isozymes could contribute to a range of studies in the breeding and genetics of sesame. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Diversity in the wild potato species Solanum chacoense Bitt.

Summary The morphological and isozyme variation was studied in 22 accessions of Solanum chacoense from Paraguay and Argentina. Clear geographic groups were identified through the use of multivariate analyses. S. chacoense from mountain sites in Argentina could be readily distinguished from plains forms from Paraguay, on the basis of several correlated morphological characters. Three isozyme systems, namely phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI), glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and peroxidase (PRX) were studied using starch gel electrophoresis. The banding patterns indicated that for each isozyme there were several loci, which were polymorphic. A genetic interpretation of one of the PGI loci was made, and indices of genetic diversity and genetic identity calculated. Principal components analysis, cluster analysis and genetic diversity indicated a close relationship between the geographical groups. These results are discussed in the context of in situ genetic conservation.     

Genetic control of esterase-6 isozymes in hexaploid wheat and rye

Summary The EST-6 leaf esterase phenotypes from euploid, nullisomic-tetrasomic and rye chromosome addition and substitution lines of common wheat were determined using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Evidence is presented to demonstrate that Est-6 is a new set of genes, that are expressed in the leaf. The Est-6 gene set were clearly distinguished from the Est-5 genes which are expressed in the grain. The three homoeoallelic loci, Est-A6, Est-B6 and Est-D6, were located on chromosomes 3A, 3B and 3D. An Est-R6 gene was located on chromosome 6R is involved in rye. Some considerations concerning homoeology between homoeologous group 3 of wheat and the rye chromosome 6R are made.     

Interactions between wild and cultivated carrots (Daucus carota L.) in the Netherlands

Summary An investigation was made into the causes why bolters occur in carrot cultivation. In the first year of cultivation blooming plants are the result of a gene flow from wild to cultivated carrots. Hybridization may occur in areas where cultivated carrots are grown for seed production. Apart from bolters producing inedible roots such hybridization also causes a decline in quality of cultivated carrots in general. Small changes in morphological and phenological characteristics of the wild carrot are due to introgression from the cultivated carrot.     

Variation in the grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) and wild species

Summary Forty-nine accessions of Lathyrus sativus were studied for morphological variation. Data were analysed using Principal Components Analysis and Cluster Analysis. The variation in 14 species of Section Lathyrus was also evaluated in order to ascertain affinities between L. sativus and other species. L. sativus is a highly variable species, and there is a clear distinction between the blue-flowered forms from south-west Asia, Ethiopia and the Indian subcontinent, and the white and white and blue flowered forms with white seeds which have a more westerly distribution. Differences in vegetative parts may be due to selection for forage types. L. sativus appears to be closely related to L. cicera and L. gorgoni, and this relationship needs further investigation.     

Diversity in selected wild and cultivated species of pigeonpea using RFLP of mtDNA

Diversity in 28 accessions representing 12 species of the genus, Cajanus arranged in 6 sections including 5 accessions of the cultivated species, C. cajan, and 4 species of the genus Rhyncosia available in the germplasm collection at ICRISAT was assessed using RFLP with maize mtDNA probes. Cluster analysis of the Southern blot hybridization data with 3 restriction enzymes – 3 probe combinations placed the genus Rhyncosia in a major group well separated from all the species belonging to the genus Cajanus. Within the genus Cajanus, the 4 accessions of C. platycarpus belonging to section Rhynchosoides formed a separate group in contrast to those in other sections of pigeonpea. In the section, Cajanus all the 5 accessions of C. cajan were grouped together and C. cajanifolius belonging to the same section was in a subgroup by itself closer to the main group. The four accessions of C. scarabaeoides, were together and the other species belonging to section Cantharospermum were in different subgroups. The intra-specific variation was seen even within accessions of certain pigeonpea wild species such as C. scarabaeoides, C. platycarpus, C. acutifolius, and even the cultivated species of C. cajan. This study suggests that RFLP of mtDNA can be used for the diversity analysis of pigeonpea and it gives some indications on the maternal lineage among the species. The variations in the mitochondrial DNA hybridization patterns also suggest the extensive rearrangement of the organelle genome among the Cajanus species. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Rust infections of some Allium species: An assessment of germplasm for utilizable rust resistance

Summary Isolates of three species of rust (Puccinia allii, P. mixta and Uromyces ambiguus) were each inoculated onto a range of potential host plants, selected to include the major European crop Allium species together with the commoner wild species in the section Allium. Measurements of incubation period, lesion type, latent period and pustule quantity were made in a single environment. Each isolate was able to sporulate on a range of Allium species. There was evidence of specialisation to particular sections of the genus; all the leek isolates performed well on the majority of hosts in section Allium, whilst the chive isolate grew poorly on most members of that section. Exceptions to this are exemplified by A. fistulosum being attacked by all three rust species and A. sativum being attacked by both leek and chive isolates. A continuum of reaction types was found which, for the leek isolates, ranged from the low levels of quantitative resistance in leek cultivars, through higher quantitative levels within the A. ampeloprasum complex, to qualitative resistance in several interactions in non-host sections of Allium, where the pathogen was able to infect and form colonies of some size without sporulating.     

Influence of vernalization and photoperiod to the vegetation period of wild species of oats (Avena spp.)

This paper presents the results of a six year field study of wild Avenaspecies and their response to vernalization and photoperiod. The accessions of twenty one wild and weedy species were tested under 12-hr and 18-hr daylength and cold temperatures (for 40 days at +2 ^°C) treatments and without it (as a control). The results demonstrate that for the majority of species evaluated, cold temperature requirements had a greater influence on heading date and the duration of the vegetative period than daylength. Genotypes with neutral, weak and strong reactions to all treatments were found and spring and winter types were selected. The results further demonstrated that daylength-insensitive forms occurred in the south Mediterranean region and adjacent southern territories.     

Genetic resources of salt tolerance in wild Hordeum species

Salt tolerance was evaluated in 340 accessions of Hordeum, consisting of 41 brittle-rachis forms of Hordeum vulgare L. subsp. vulgare (H. agriocrithon) accessions, 154 H. vulgare L. subsp. spontaneum (H. spontaneum) accessions, and 145 accessions of ten other species or subspecies of wild Hordeum. Germination was carried out at concentrations of 171, 257, and 342 mM NaCl. The levels of salt tolerance for seed germination in wild Hordeum species were generally lower than those found by Mano et al. (1996) in cultivated barley; the NaCl tolerance level of the different species were as follows: H. agriocrithon > H. spontaneum > other wild Hordeum species. In addition, leaf injury index was used to assess tolerance at the seedling stage after treatment with 500 mM NaCl solution for four weeks. The levels of salt tolerance at the seedling stage in wild Hordeum species were generally higher than those found by Mano & Takeda (1995) in cultivated barley. Most wild Hordeum species showed high NaCl tolerance at the seedling stage and are considered good sources of germplasm for salt tolerance breeding. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Avoidance of leaf rust fungi in wild relatives of cultivated cereals

Summary Avoidance of rust fungi that was based on poor appressorium induction was previously found in Hordeum chilense. In the present study 95 accessions of Triticeae were screened for avoidance of Puccinia hordei. The percentage of appressorium formation per germinated spore ranged from 6 to 90%. On none of the 41 accessions of Aegilops, Agropyron, Elymus, Secale, Thinopyrum or Triticum studied was the rate of appressorium formation lower than 25%. Lower rates of appressorium formation were, however, found on accessions of wild barley species Hordeum brachyantherum, H. marinum, H. parodii and H. secalinum. Its implications in cereal breeding are discussed.     

Endosperm protein accumulation in wild and cultivated barley and their cross grown in spike culture

Summary The high protein wild relatives of cultivated cereals have proven difficult to utilize in plant breeding by direct selection for high grain protein percentage, and hence alternative selection criteria are needed. In this study, a spike culture method was used to measure differences in protein accumulation between wild and cultivated barley, and their cross, at different levels of nitrogen supply. Three genotypes, barley cultivar Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Clipper, a wild barley accession H. spontaneum Koch line 363, and a high protein F₅ line (38.4) derived from their cross, were grown from 8 to 27 days after flowering in in vitro spike culture. Nitrogen supply in the culture medium was either 0.4 g/l or 2.0 g/l of N supplied as NH₄NO₃. Spikes were harvested at approximately 3 day intervals during grain development, and salt soluble and hordein protein fractions were measured. Lines 363 and 38.4 differed from Clipper in having extremely high initial rates of protein accumulation, even at 0.4 g/l N. In high nitrogen conditions all three genotypes reached similar salt soluble plus hordein protein levels. Hordein-1 and hordein-2 fractions were measured separately; the percent of hordein-1 was higher in lines 363 and 38.4 than in Clipper at 0.4 g/l N. For all parameters measured, pot-grown spikes of matching age were harvested and were shown to be similar to the 0.4 g/l N treatment. The possible utilization of spike culture for identification of critical protein accumulation parameters is discussed, in relation to their possible utilization in breeding.     

Genetic diversity for RAPD markers between cultivated and wild accessions of Coffea arabica

Summary Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers have been successfully employed to analyse the genetic diversity among cultivated and subspontaneous accessions of Coffea arabica. The narrow genetic base of commercial cultivars was confirmed. On the other hand, a relatively large genetic diversity was observed within the germplasm collection demonstrating the importance of collecting missions. Results suggested an East-West differentiation in Ethiopia, the primary centre of diversification of C. arabica. The large heterosis effect reported in intergroup hybrids could be related to such genetic differentiation. RAPD method appeared to be effective in resolving genetic variations and in grouping germplasm in C. arabica.     

Morphology and cytology of Cicer canariense,a wild relative of chickpea

Summary The short note describes the morphology and chromosome number of Cicer canariense Santos Guerra & Lewis. This taxon has been found to have a meiotic chromosome number of 2n<16 and not 2n<24, as reported earlier. At ICRISAT Center, while other perennial Cicers did not perform well, Cicer canariense flowered and produced seeds. The species grew vigorously and had multi-podded peduncles and multi-seeded pods. Such traits of Cicer canariense can be very useful in the genetic improvement of chickpeas.Submitted as JA 1456 by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).     

A new cytoplasmic male sterility source from wild Helianthus annuus

Summary A new cms source, ANN-5, was found in wild Helianthus annuus. This source showed high stability under different conditions in 1991 and 1992. All progenies from crosses of this source with several stable B-lines and restorer lines, which are homozygous for the gene which restores Leclercq's source of male sterility, were completely male sterile. Flower contained pistils and atrophied stamens. The cytological analysis showed that pollen mother cell degeneration took place in a premeiotic stage.     

Isozyme variation in cultivated and wild pineapple

Summary Isozyme variation was studied in 161 accessions of pineapple including four species of Ananas and one of Pseudananas. Six enzyme systems (ADH, GPI, PGM, SKDH, TPI, UGPP) involving seven putative loci revealed 35 electromorphs. Considerable variation exists within and between species of Ananas. Sixty-six distinct zymotypes were identified. Multivariate analyses of isozyme variation indicated that A. comosus contains five genetically diverse groups that do not match perfectly with the traditional varietal groups. Isozyme evidence also suggests that A. erectifolius is a conspecific variant of A. comosus, and that among other wild species, A. ananassoides is more closely related to A. comosus than A. bracteatus. Pseudananas is genetically distinct from all species of Ananas. It is evident from our study that differentiation among the species of Ananas may be due to ecological isolation rather than genetic divergence with breeding barriers and therefore may represent a species complex.This is journal series No. 3956 of the Hawaii Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.     

The effectiveness of evaluating wild species: searching for sources of resistance to bruchid beetles in the genus Vigna subgenus Ceratotropis

A species level germplasm collection representing 76% of known taxa in the genus Vigna subgenus Ceratotropis was evaluated for resistance to two species of bruchid beetles, Callosobruchus chinensis and C. maculatus. Seven taxa consisting of 29 accessions were found to be resistant to C. chinensis and 4 taxa consisting of 24 accessions were found to be resistant to C. maculatus. This compared with no resistant accessions being found in several hundred landrace accessions of mungbean, V. radiata var. radiata, in the same subgenus. Sometimes resistance was found in all accessions of a particular taxon, such as complete resistance to both C. chinensis and C. macualtus in V. umbellata. Other taxa showed intra taxon variation for resistance such as V. reflexo-pilosa andV. minima. The levels and patterns of resistance among taxa were diverse. The results suggest that various factors cause resistance to bruchid in the subgenus Ceratotropis. While the number of eggs laid on seeds generally reflected seed size, one small seeded cultivar of V. mungo var. mungo, black gram, had an unusually high number of eggs laid per seed. No correlation was found between seed size and levels of resistance. The species level germplasm collection, which reflects the core collection concept in trying to maximize genetic diversity in a limited number of accessions, has enabled a large number of potentially useful sources of resistance to bruchid beetles to be found efficiently. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.