Differential meiotic behaviour in hybrid clones of Aranda ‘Christine’ (Orchidaceae)

Summary The hybrid orchid clones of Aranda Christine show differential meiotic behaviour with respect to meiotic irregularities in the form of non-congressing chromosomes, laggards and complement fractionation. These irregularities occur in significantly variable but high frequencies, which results in the observed sterility of these hybrids. The observed differential meiotic behaviour is probably due to the transmission of a variable set of chromosomes from the third generation hybrid parent, Vanda Hilo Blue. Deviant spores, mainly polysporous and polyploid, are the end products of the meiotic aberrations. Such spores appear to be produced regularly in the intergeneric orchid hybrids.Meiosis in one of the Aranda Christine clones, C80, was found to be highly aberrant and could be unique among orchid hybrids.     

The effect of temperature on fruit set,seed set and seed germination in ‘Sonia’ × ‘Hadley’ hybrid Tea-rose crosses

Summary The effect of temperature on fruit set, seed set and seed germination was studied in Sonia × Hadley Hybrid Tea-rose crosses. Sonia mother bushes were grown at constant temperatures (10, 14, 18, 22, 26°C) in the greenhouses of the phytotron until fruit ripening. Fruit set, fruit weight and number of seeds increased as temperature was higher. Optimum temperatures were found for days to fruit ripening (18°C), seed germination (22°C) and number of seedlings per pollinated flower (22°C). Fruit weight and number of seeds were positively correlated. For crossing and the subsequent growing of seed-bearing plants 22°C was the most favourable temperature. Effects of temperature on pollen tube growth, fertilization and seed germination are discussed.     

Detection of downy and powdery mildew resistance QTL in a ‘Regent’ × ‘RedGlobe’ population

One hundred and eighty six F₁ plants from a ‘Regent’ × ‘RedGlobe’ cross were used to generate a partial linkage map with 139 microsatellite markers spanning all 19 chromosomes. Phenotypic scores for downy mildew, taken over two years, confirmed a major resistance QTL (Rpv3) against downy mildew in the interval VVIN16-cjvh to UDV108 on chromosome 18 of ‘Regent’. This locus explained up to 62 % of the phenotypic variance observed. Additionally a putative minor downy mildew resistance locus was observed on chromosome 1 in one season. A major resistance locus against powdery mildew (Ren3) was also identified on chromosome 15 of ‘Regent’ in the interval UDV116 to VChr15CenGen06. This study established the efficacy of and validated the ‘Regent’-derived downy and powdery mildew major resistance genes/QTL under South African conditions. Closely linked SSR markers for marker-assisted selection and gene pyramiding strategies were identified.     

自由人槭‘秋焰’(Acer×freemanii‘Autumn Blaze’)组培的褐变控制研究

针对自由人槭‘秋焰’(Acer×freemanii‘Autumn Blaze’)初代培养外植体褐化严重问题,采取不同取材时间、添加抗褐变剂、暗处理等措施,研究了三种措施对自由人槭‘秋焰’组织培养中褐化的影响效应。结果表明:随着取材月份变化,外植体褐化率提高;AC和PVP对褐变的处理,与Vc和Na2S2O3的处理相比达到差异极显著,又以2.0g/L的PVP抑制褐化效果最佳;随着黑暗处理时间的加长,褐化率呈现高-低-高的变化趋势。春季4、5月份取材,接种于添加PVP2.0g/L的MS上时,直接进行光照培养,可有效控制褐变。     

Cytogenetics of the trispecific hybrid Nicotiana tabacum × (N. glutinosa × N. trigonophylla) and its reciprocal

The paper deals with the cytogenetics of a new three species hybrid combination obtained as a result of crossing N. tabacum with the fertile amphiploid N. glutinosa × N. trigonophylla. The amphidiploid was established through colchicine doubling of a sterile hybrid of the same parentage in 1956. The tabacum-amphidiploid cross was made reciprocally and meiosis of both the hybrids was studied. While the N. tabacum × (glutinosa-trigonophylla) hybrid showed a pairing frequency of 6.09 bivalents (2 n of hybrid: 48) the reciprocal (glutinosa-trigonophylla) × N. tabacum, showed a mean bivalent frequency of 10.07. Other stages of meiosis also revealed differences. Pollen fertility was reduced to less than 1.0% in both and the hybrids proved to be sterile although one of them, (glutinosa-trigonophylla) × N. tabacum, exhibited a heavy setting of parthenocarpic capsules. In spite of continued failures, germination could be induced in a single seed of a backcross between N. tabacum × (glutinosa-trigonophylla) and N. tabacum.While the amphiploid of the original cross possessed predominance of glutinosa characters, the reciprocal hybrids showed a greater expression of tabacum characters.The pairing behaviour of the hybrids is discussed in the light of pairing behaviour of the same species in other hybrid combinations and a tentative assumption is drawn explaining the affinity between N. trigonophylla and N. tomentosiformis (present in the tabacum genome), confirming, to a certain extent, the statement that a relationship appears to be evident between the progenitors of the sections tomentosae and trigonophyllae, both with 12 chromosomes.

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Samenvatting Met behulp van colchicinebehandeling werd in 1956 de steriele bastaard van Nicotiana glutinosa x N. trigonophylla verdubbeld. De aldus verkregen fertiele amphidiploid (welke onvatbaar was voor het tabaksmozaïek-virus) werd reciprook gekruist met N. tabacum. De uit genoemde 3 soorten opgebouwde bastaarden bezitten 48 chromosomen. Ze zijn in hoge mate steriel. Slechts 1 kiemend zaad werd verkregen van de terugkruising met N. tabacum.Terwijl de amphidiploiden van de oorspronkelijke kruising vooral glutinosa eigenschappen vertoonden, hadden de reciproke bastaarden met N. tabacum meer tabacum-kenmerken.In het gedrag van chromosomen-paring werd een bevestiging gevonden van de verwantschap tussen de 12-chromosomige voorouders van de secties tomentosae en trigonophyllae.

     

Breeding of ‘Manten-Kirari’, a non-bitter and trace-rutinosidase variety of Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.)

Here, we developed a new Tartary buckwheat cultivar ‘Manten-Kirari’, whose flour contains only trace amounts of rutinosidase and lacked bitterness. The trace-rutinosidase breeding line ‘f3g-162’ (seed parent), which was obtained from a Nepalese genetic resource, was crossed with ‘Hokkai T8’ (pollen parent), the leading variety in Japan, to improve its agronomic characteristics. The obtained progeny were subjected to performance test. ‘Manten-Kirari’ had no detectable rutinosidase isozymes in an in-gel detection assay and only 1/266 of the rutinosidase activity of ‘Hokkai T8’. Dough prepared from ‘Manten-Kirari’ flour contained almost no hydrolyzed rutin, even 6 h after the addition of water, whereas the rutin in ‘Hokkai T8’ dough was completely hydrolyzed within 10 min. In a sensory evaluation of the flour from the two varieties, nearly all panelists detected strong bitterness in ‘Hokkai T8’, whereas no panelists reported bitterness in ‘Manten-Kirari’. This is the first report to describe the breeding of a Tartary buckwheat cultivar with reduced rutin hydrolysis and no bitterness in the prepared flour. Notably, the agronomic characteristics of ‘Manten-Kirari’ were similar to those of ‘Hokkai T8’, which is the leading variety in Japan. Based on these characteristics, ‘Manten-Kirari’ is a promising for preparing non-bitter, rutin-rich foods.     

Assessment of tissue culture-derived ‘Gala’ and ‘Royal Gala’ apples (Malus × domestica Borkh.) for somaclonal variation

To assess somaclonal variation, ‘Gala’ and ‘Royal Gala’ trees obtained via axillary and adventitious bud formation were compared ex vitro to conventionally grafted trees. In general, tissue culture-derived trees were relatively erect in comparison to grafted trees. Their branch angles were narrower than those of grafted trees. All trees that flowered had pink blossoms. There were no obvious differences in flowering time or in floral morphology. Most of the seven-year-old grafted control trees produced more fruits than either axillary or regenerated trees. Although there were differences in the range of fruit color between ‘Royal Gala’ and ‘Gala’ apples in both the control and tissue culture-derived plants (the fruits of ‘Royal Gala’ were darker red and more striped than those of ‘Gala’) and also in the degree of pigmentation from tree-to-tree, none of the variation exceeded that observed among apples harvested from an individual ‘Royal Gala’ or ‘Gala’ control tree for either the plants derived from axillary buds or adventitiously. Since both ‘Gala’ and ‘Royal Gala’ axillary buds showed very little somaclonal variation for the morphological and reproductive traits we studied, it appears that tissue culture may be a useful way to propagate these cultivars. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The effect of drought stress on the leaf relative water content and tuber yield of a half-sib family of ‘Katahdin’-derived potato cultivars

Drought tolerance in plants is a complex trait involving morphological, physiological, and biochemical mechanisms. Hundreds of genes underlie the response of plants to the stress. For crops, selecting cultivars that can produce economically significant yields under drought is a priority. Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is considered as drought sensitive crop, although cultivar-dependent differences in tolerance have been described. Cultivar ‘Katahdin’ possesses many appropriate characteristics and is widely used for breeding purposes worldwide; it also has enhanced tolerance to drought stress. In this study, we evaluated cv. ‘Katahdin’ and a half-sib family of 17 Katahdin-derived cultivars for leaf relative water content (RWC) and tuber yield under drought stress. The yields of cultivars ‘Wauseon’, ‘Katahdin’, ‘Magura’, ‘Calrose’, and ‘Cayuga’ did not significantly decline under drought stress. Among these five, Wauseon exhibited the lowest reduction in both tuber yield and relative water content under water shortage. The data showed that ‘Wauseon’ is the most attractive cultivar for studies of molecular and physiological processes under drought and for potato breeding due to low yield losses that correspond with high RWC values. This cultivar can serve as a reservoir of potentially useful genes to develop cultivars with enhanced tolerance to this abiotic stress.     

Effects of repeated 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatments on ripening and superficial scald of ‘Cortland’ and ‘Delicious’ apples

Postharvest 1-MCP can maintain fruit quality and inhibit development of superficial scald, a physiological storage disorder found in apple fruit, but the extent of the inhibition can vary by cultivar. In this study, we investigated whether multiple applications of 1-MCP, which are now permitted by a label modification of the commercial 1-MCP product, SmartFresh™, might improve scald control. ‘Cortland’ and ‘Delicious’ apples were untreated, treated on the day of harvest with the antioxidant inhibitor of scald, diphenylamine (DPA), or with 1 μL L⁻¹ 1-MCP at different intervals after harvest. Treatment times (days) were 1, 4, 7, 1 + 4, 4 + 7, 1 + 4 + 7, 7 + 14, 7 + 28, 7 + 42, and 7 + 84. Internal ethylene concentrations (IECs), flesh firmness, and accumulations of α-farnesene and conjugated trienols (CTols) were measured at harvest, at the time of treatment, and at intervals during air storage at 0.5 °C for up to 36 weeks. Scald was completely inhibited by DPA and all 1-MCP treatments in ‘Delicious’. However, effective control of scald in ‘Cortland’ was obtained with 1-MCP treatments within the first 4 days of harvest, either alone or in combination. Scald control with delayed 1-MCP treatments resulted in poorer scald control that was comparable to that obtained with DPA. IECs and α-farnesene accumulation were similar in untreated and DPA treated fruit, but inhibited by 1-MCP. However, differences among 1-MCP treatments became more evident with increasing storage periods. Inhibition of IECs and α-farnesene accumulation was greater in fruit treated on days 1, 4, 1 + 4, 4 + 7, 1 + 4 + 7, than on day 7 alone. A second application of 1-MCP on day 14 to fruit treated on day 7 increased inhibition of IECs, α-farnesene and CTol accumulations, but increasing delays before the second 1-MCP treatment resulted in progressively less inhibition of these factors. Similar effects of treatment on IECs, α-farnesene and CTol accumulations were found for both cultivars, even though no scald was detected in treated ‘Delicious’ apples. The results indicate that initial 1-MCP treatments should be applied to faster ripening cultivars such as ‘Cortland’ within a few days of harvest.     

Induction of an alloplasmic male-sterile Brassica oleracea by substituting cytoplasm from ‘Early Scarlet Globe’ radish (Raphanus sativus)

Summary Alloplasmic male-sterile Brassica oleracea L. was synthesized in a backcrossing program through amphidiploid Raphanobrassica by using Early Scarlet Globe radish (Raphanus sativus L.) as the donor of cytoplasm and B. oleracea broccoli and cabbage as recurrent pollen parents. Persistence of radish chromosomes and high female sterility were encountered in the first four backcrosses. Following use of colchiploid 4x broccoli as pollen parent, a BC₅ plant was obtained that had 2n=3x+1=28 chromosomes, improved seed set, and no radish traits. The BC₆ with recurrent 2x broccoli contained male-sterile plants with 2n=18 or 19 chromosomes, increased seed set, and broccoli morphology. Subsequent generations segregated for male-sterile and restored male-fertile plants, some with variable development of stamens and pollen. Leaf color of the alloplasmic plants, especially seedlings, was lighter green than normal.     

In field non-invasive sensing of the nitrogen status in hybrid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon × C. transvaalensis Burtt Davy) by a fluorescence-based method

The level of N fertilization and the content of leaf N in Cynodon dactylon × C. transvaalensis Burtt Davy cv. ‘Tifway 419’ bermudagrass were evaluated non-destructively with a fluorescence-based method. It was applied directly into the field by using the Multiplex portable fluorimeter during two consecutive seasons (2010 and 2011). In the 2010 experiment, the nitrogen balance index (NBI₁) provided by the sensor was able to discriminate (at P < 0.05) six different N levels applied, up to 250 kg ha⁻¹, with a precision (root mean square error, RMSE) in the rate estimate of 3.29 kg ha⁻¹. In 2011, the index was insensitive to the N treatment between 150 kg ha⁻¹ and 250 kg ha⁻¹ N rates, and its precision was 39.98 kg ha⁻¹. Calibration of the sensor by using the destructive analysis of turf samplings showed a good linear regression between NBI₁ and the leaf N content for both 2010 (R² = 0.81) and 2011 (R² = 0.93) experiments. This allowed mapping of the leaf N spatial distribution acquired by the sensor in the field with a prediction error of 0.21%. Averaging the overall estimates of leaf N content per N treatment provided an upper limit of 200 kg ha⁻¹ for the required fertilization, corresponding to a critical level of leaf N of about 2.3%. Our results confirm the usefulness of the new fluorescence-based method and sensor for a precise management of fertilization in turfgrass.     

Improved quality retention of packaged ‘Anjou’ pear slices using a 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) co-release technology

After three months storage at 0.5 °C one quarter of a lot of ‘Anjou’ pears (Pyrus communis L.) were treated with 1 μL L^?1 of 1-methylcyclopropane (1-MCP) for 8 h at 20 °C and three quarters of the fruit were left untreated at 20 °C for the same time. Treated and untreated pears were then sliced, dipped in a commercial anti-browning solution and packaged in modified atmospheric bags. Packages, containing slices from 1-MCP treated fruit, were labelled as MCP1. Slices from two thirds of the untreated fruit had one of two secondary treatments applied: (1) multi-functional co-release sachets added to the package at the time of sealing (NT), or (2) an injection of 1-MCP to sealed packages to achieve a final concentration of 1 μL L^?1 (MCP2). The last third of the slices from the untreated lot of pears were sealed into packages with no further treatment (CK). The packages were kept at 5 °C. In-package ethylene concentrations were significantly lower for the NT treated slices. NT also significantly delayed and reduced net oxygen consumption in the package headspace compared with other treatments. The NT treatment also reduced incidence of browning induced by enzymes of microbial origin, termed secondary browning (SB), and better maintained the measured juiciness of slices. In contrast, the CK, MCP1 and MCP2 treatments showed a more rapid appearance and severity of SB. Slices in packages treated with NT retained higher tissue levels of butyl, hexyl and pentyl acetate, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, butanol and hexanol during storage than any of the other three treatments.     

Close linkage of a blast resistance gene,Pias(t), with a bacterial leaf blight resistance gene,Xa1-as(t), in a rice cultivar ‘Asominori’

It has long been known that a bacterial leaf blight-resistant line in rice obtained from a crossing using ‘Asominori’ as a resistant parent also has resistance to blast, but a blast resistance gene in ‘Asominori’ has not been investigated in detail. In the present study, a blast resistance gene in ‘Asominori’, tentatively named Pias(t), was revealed to be located within 162-kb region between DNA markers YX4-3 and NX4-1 on chromosome 4 and to be linked with an ‘Asominori’ allele of the bacterial leaf blight resistance gene Xa1, tentatively named Xa1-as(t). An ‘Asominori’ allele of Pias(t) was found to be dominant and difference of disease severity between lines having the ‘Asominori’ allele of Pias(t) and those without it was 1.2 in disease index from 0 to 10. Pias(t) was also closely linked with the Ph gene controlling phenol reaction, suggesting the possibility of successful selection of blast resistance using the phenol reaction. Since blast-resistant commercial cultivars have been developed using ‘Asominori’ as a parent, Pias(t) is considered to be a useful gene in rice breeding for blast resistance.     

Comparison of selection methods on ‘Pigarro’, a Portuguese improved maize population with fasciation expression

In 1984, Pêgo started, with the CIMMYT support, an on-farm participatory maize breeding (PMB) project at the Portuguese Sousa Valley region (VASO). VASO was intended to answer the needs of small farmers (e.g., yield, bread making quality, ability for polycropping systems). During 20 years of PMB at VASO, mass (MS) and S2 recurrent selection (S2RS) were applied on the maize landrace ‘Pigarro’. Morphological (e.g., ear length and fasciation level) and yield evaluations were conducted in Portugal (2–3 locations in 2 years) and in USA (4 locations in one year) using samples from original population, six MS cycles and three S2RS cycles. North American Populations (BS21, BS22, TEPR-EC6) were also included as checks. ANOVA comparisons and regression analyses on the rate of direct response to selection were performed. Response to MS for Iowa showed significant decrease in stalk lodging, while in Portugal ear length significantly decreased, whereas ear diameter, kernel-row number, and fasciation level significantly increased. Selection also significantly increased days-to-silk and anthesis in Portugal. Response to S2RS in Portugal significantly increased days-to-silk, uniformity, and cob/ear weight ratio. These results showed that the methods used by farmer and breeder were not effective for significant yield increase, but the ear size increased significantly for MS and showed a positive tendency for S2RS. Adaptation to farmer needs was maintained for the last cycles of selection.     

Effect of modified atmosphere packaging and storage temperature on volatile composition and postharvest life of minimally-processed pomegranate arils (cvs. ‘Acco’ and ‘Herskawitz’)

This study investigated the effects of passive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), storage temperature (5, 10 and 15 °C) and duration of 14 days on the postharvest quality attributes, compositional change in flavour attributes and microbiological quality of minimally processed pomegranate arils (Punica granatum L.), cvs ‘Acco’ and ‘Herskawitz’. Volatile compounds were extracted via headspace solid phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). A total of 17 and 18 volatiles were detected and identified in the headspace of pomegranate juices of ‘Acco’ and ‘Herskawitz’, respectively. Based on the physicochemical attributes and microbial evaluation, the postharvest life of MA-packaged ‘Acco’ and ‘Herskawitz’ was limited to 10 days due to fungal growth ≥2 log CFU g⁻¹ at 5 °C. However, the concentration (%) and compositional changes in volatile compounds indicated that the flavour/aroma life (7 days) was shorter than the postharvest shelf-life based on appearance and other physicochemical (10 days) for both cultivars.     

Unreduced 3x gamete formation of allotriploid hybrid derived from the cross of Primula denticulata (4x)?×?P. rosea (2x) as a causal factor for producing pentaploid hybrids in the backcross with pollen of tetraploid P. denticulata

A triploid hybrid, which was obtained from interspecific crosses between tetraploid Primula denticulata (2n = 4x = 44) and P. rosea (2n = 2x = 22), successfully produced 11 plants by backcrossing with pollen of tetraploid P. denticulata. Analysis of ploidy level using flow cytometry and chromosome counting in the 11 BC₁ plants revealed that all progeny had much larger DNA contents and chromosome number than both parents. In this triploid-tetraploid (3x–4x) crossing, progeny was predominantly true or near pentaploid presumably produced by the fertilization between true or near triploid female gamete produced from triploid hybrid and diploid pollen of tetraploid P. denticulata. These results suggest that unreduced (3x) or near triploid female gametes were partially produced by single step meiosis, either first-division restitution or second-division restitution process. The zygotes formed by the fertilization between true or near triploid egg produced by single step meiosis in triploid hybrid and diploid pollen produced by normal meiosis of tetraploid P. denticulata might be the only survivors in embryogenesis.     

Biochemical and proteomic analysis of ‘Kyoho’ grape (Vitis labruscana) berries during cold storage

Low temperature storage is widely used to maintain the quality of postharvest fruit and extend their shelf-life. In this study, changes in specific metabolites and protein expression profiles of grape berries under cold storage were investigated by liquid chromatography and proteomic studies, respectively. During cold storage, total soluble solids and reducing sugars accumulation was accompanied by a decline in organic acids and phenols contents. A comparative analysis of the proteomes of grape berries during cold storage was performed using a two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) proteomic approach. Seventy-nine differentially regulated proteins during cold storage were successfully identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and classified into eight main categories based on their biological function. Down-regulation of proteins associated with glycolysis and the Krebs cycle, and up-regulation of cell wall polysaccharide degradation-related enzymes provided molecular evidence that soluble sugar and carbohydrate metabolism play a crucial role in postharvest regulation. In addition, cold storage increased the expression abundance of several stress related proteins such as heat shock proteins, proteasome and antioxidant enzymes, suggesting a physiological adaptation to low temperature was induced in grape berries. This study contributes to a better understanding of the cellular events in grape berries under cold storage and provides potentially useful information for maintaining fruit quality and minimizing postharvest losses.