Short-day onion cultivars differ in bulb selenium and sulfur accumulation which can affect bulb pungency

The close chemical similarity of S and Se allow for antagonistic behavior between the two elements. To determine variation for Se accumulation within onions, sixteen short-day cultivars were grown under high level (2.0 mg Na₂SeO₄ per litre) and no Se treatments. Selenium accumulation in bulb tissues was cultivar dependent, ranging from 60 to 113 μg Se per g dry wt. High Se fertility enhanced bulb S accumulation. Pungency was reduced in some cultivars grown under Se fertility when compared to the no Se treatment indicating that although S uptake was enhanced, S metabolism in the flavour precursor biosynthetic pathway was affected. The existing variability in onion Se uptake and accumulation have important implications for Se intake in mammalian diets. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic analysis of pungency and soluble solids in long-storage onions

Summary Pungency and soluble solids are important quality attributes of onion. An eight-parent diallel over two years indicated a preponderance of additive genetic variation for both attributes. Variation among years was significant for pungency but not solids. No reciprocal cross differences were noted for pungency or solids. Generatio means analysis for four crosses over two years had a good fit with a simple additive-dominance model to explain the inheritance of both traits in most cases. Both diallel and generation means analyses demonstrated some dominance for low pungency. Broad sense heritability estimates averaged 0.64 for pungency and 0.83 for soluble solids. Selection was effective for increasing and decreasing pungency in derivatives of five crosses. Pungency and soluble solids were correlated among parental inbreds and hybrids but not within F₃'s. The additive control and heritability suggest that onion pungency and soluble solids can be effectively and independently selected.The U.S. Government right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty free licence in and to any copyright is acknowledged.     

Genetic mapping of AFLP markers in Japanese bunching onion (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Allium fistulosum</Emphasis>)

Summary The first genetic linkage map of Japanese bunching onion (Allium fistulosum) based primarily on AFLP markers was constructed using reciprocally backcrossed progenies. They were 120 plants each of (P₁)BC₁ and (P₂)BC₁ populations derived from a cross between single plants of two inbred lines: D1s-15s-22 (P₁) and J1s-14s-20 (P₂). Based on the (P₂)BC₁ population, a linkage map of P₁ was constructed. It comprises 164 markers – 149 amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs), 2 cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPSs), and 12 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) from Japanese bunching onion, and 1 SSR from bulb onion (A. cepa) – on 15 linkage groups covering 947 centiMorgans (cM). The linkage map of P₂ was constructed with the (P₁)BC₁ population and composed of 120 loci – 105 AFLPs, 1 CAPS, and 13 SSRs developed from Japanese bunching onion and 1 SSR from bulb onion – on 14 linkage groups covering 775 cM. Both maps were not saturated but were considered to cover the majority of the genome. Nine linkage groups in P₂ map were connected with their counterparts in P₁ map using co-dominant anchor markers, 13 SSRs and 1 CAPS.     

Heritability estimates and response to selection for the pungency and single center traits in onion

Summary Heritabilities of the pungency and single center traits were estimated in onion breeding populations using selection response and half-sib family analyses. Pungency was determined indirectly by measuring enzymatically produced pyruvic acid in individual bulbs. After one generation of selection, pungency was lowered by 8.1% and 8.9% in the populations 90-61-1 and 89-69-8, respectively, and realized heritabilities of 0.21 and 0.51 were estimated.Selection had no effect in lowering the pungency of population 90–62. Heritability estimates calculated through half-sib progeny analysis were 0.53, 0.48, and 0.25 for pungency in the populations 90-61-1, 90–62 and 89-69-8, respectively. The number of single centered onions was increased by 19% and 22% in populations 90–62 and 89-69-8, respectively, after one generation of selection, and the realized heritability estimates were 0.37 and 0.34, respectively.     

Culture of unpollinated ovules,ovaries, and flower buds in some species of the genus Allium and haploid induction via gynogenesis in onion (Allium cepa L.)

Summary Induction of haploid plants is of great importance for breeding purposes because of the possibility to obtain from haploids homozygous material by artificial chromosome doubling in relatively short times. The present study reports the first evidence of successfull haploid induction in onion. Isolated ovules, ovaries, or whole flower buds of different Allium species were cultured on BDS agar medium. Testa browning in the ovules and an extensive growth of the latter were observed. In cultures of ovaries and flower buds, development of callus and subsequent regeneration of plantlets from the region of the nectaries were observed. In leek, sometimes supernumerary flower organs like ovules were formed in this callus. In onion (Allium cepa L.), plantlets developed from the ovules in all culture methods. Chromosome numbers of these plantlets were counted in root tip squash preparations. They were found to be haploid. Haploid plants were significantly smaller than diploid ones. They were transferred to soil and developed until bulb formation. Because of their importance for breeding, haploid plants obtained by gynogenesis are further stored in vitro.     

Haploid induction from F1 hybrids between CMS shallot with Allium galanthum cytoplasm and common onion by unpollinated flower culture

The induction of haploid plants from F₁ hybrids between CMS shallot with Allium galanthum cytoplasm and common onion was examined. Starting with 535 unpollinated flowers cultured in B5 medium 25 seedlings from part henogenetic embryos were obtained of which 13 seedlings survived. Eleven seedlings were determined as haploid plants (2n = x = 8) and 2 seedlings were doubled haploid plants (2n = 2x = 16). All haploid and doubled haploid plants preserved chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from A. galanthum. Segregation in different characters was observed among the haploid plants. The haploid and doubled haploid plants exhibited the different combinations of genes from shallot and common onion. Crossing of the doubled haploid plants with other shallot strains, common onion cultivars or related species may produce excellent F₁ hybrids for bulb production. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Breeding potential of Solanum tuberosum–S. commersonii pentaploid hybrids: fertility studies and tuber evaluation

Twenty-one (near) pentaploid hybrids between sexually incompatible Solanum commersonii [2x(1EBN)] and cultivated S. tuberosum [4x(4EBN)] were characterized for tuber traits and fertility. A number of genotypes resembled the S. tuberosum type in terms of stolon length and eye depth and produced tubers under long day conditions. Tuber yields were not as high as expected, probably due to lack of adaptation of the S. commersonii genome to the environmental conditions in southern Italy (on average 325 g·pt⁻¹ and 285 g·pt⁻¹ in 2003 and in 2004, respectively). Compared to 2004, in the summer of 2003, characterized by extremely high temperatures, hybrids gave a higher tuber yield than the S. tuberosum control, suggesting that in our environmental conditions the wild S. commersonii genome, rather than resulting in heterosis for tuber yield, provides better adaptation to harsh environments. Although aneuploidy has often been associated with reduced fertility, several hybrids were fertile in crosses with S. tuberosum when used as female parents. In particular, the average berry set and number of seeds per berry were 38.2% and 31.8%, respectively. Based on significant relationships between ploidy levels and all yield and fertility data measured, the presence of extra chromosome affected the parameters considered: tuber yield in 2003 and 2004, percentage of fruit set, number of seeds per berry and number of seeds per pollinated flower. Regression analysis also indicated that “Residuals” were significant for all parameters measured. Therefore, additional factors (e.g. the genetic makeup of hybrids) may be key to fertility and yield.     

Breeding for resistance to bean golden mosaic virus in an interracial population of Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Summary Eighty-three F₂-derived F₈ recombinant inbred lines (RILs) randomly selected from a population (TY 8419) of two common bean genotypes (Pinto UI 114 x ICA Pijao), the two parents, and a control cultivar (Topcrop) were screened for their reaction to bean golden mosaic virus (BGMV) under glasshouse conditions. A randomized complete block design with two replications was used. Data were recorded for disease incidence, foliar yellowing, number of pods and seeds, and yield.Significant (P<0.05) differences among the 83 RILs were recorded for all traits. Of these RILs, 11 lines did not develop any symptom, 24 lines had a mean disease incidence of 8%, 28 lines had a disease incidence of 26.6% and developed intermediate mosaic symptoms, and 20 lines were more susceptible (>50% disease incidence and severe yellowing) than either of the parents, which had 25% to 38% disease incidence and moderate symptoms. Heritability for disease incidence was 0.54±0.01, for foliar yellowing 0.36±0.13, for pods plant^-1 0.69±0.01, for seeds plant^-1 0.54±0.09, and for yield plant^-1 0.49±0.01. Gains from selection (at 20% selection pressure) for these traits were 49.5%, 31.6%, 24%, 0%, and 20%, respectively, over the mean value of all RILs. Correlation coefficients between disease incidence and foliar yellowing and among yield and its components were positive. Disease incidence and foliar yellowing showed negative associations with yield and its components.     

Female fertility of potato (Solanum tuberosum ssp. tuberosum) dihaploids

Summary Results of testcrosses and seed set data of the dihaploid breeding program at the Potato Research Institute in Gross Lüsewitz, Germany, indicate that the low level of female fertility could hinder success in crossing work. With the objective to reveal major components of female fertility, the behavior of 47 outstanding potato dihaploids (S. tuberosum ssp. tuberosum, 2n=2x=24) was assessed in testcrosses over a period of 3 years. Analysis of variance was carried out for the traits: number of seed per berry (S/B), number of intact seed per berry (IS/B), and number of non-germinable seed per berry (NGS/B). Significant sources of variation included cross combinations, years, and cross combination-year interactions. More than 20 S/B were obtained in 25.4% of all cross combinations performed over 3 years using up to three pollinators. Berry set was not correlated to seed set, but was in general determined by the pollinator used. The number of seedless berries (SLB/F) was related to neither total berry set nor seed production. The trait S/B remained stable over different years, and thus it deemed to be most useful as a measure of the level of female fertility in practical breeding work. Selection for female fertility in early generations of a breeding program is recommended to avoid limitations in the production of variability via sexual recombination.     

Field resistance of perennial glandular-haired Medicago strains and alfalfa cultivars to the alfalfa weevil

Summary Field plots planted in 1986 to four, perennial, glandular-haired Medicago strains and four alfalfa cultivars were evaluated for alfalfa weevil, [Hypera postica (Gyllenhal)], abundance and feeding damage as well as plant height from 23 April through 21 may 1987 and from 25 April through 26 May 1988. The plots were located near Mead, Nebraska and both sweep and stem sampling methods were utilized. In 1987, M. glandulosa had the fewest larvae present in sweep samples on 1, 9, and 15 May, although on the last date it did not differ significantly from three other entries. The glandular-haired M. glandulosa also was among those entries having the fewest number of larvae present in stem samples on 9 May, 1987. Significant differences in the number of damaged stem tips were observed on 9 and 21 May, 1987, when M. glandulosa was among those entries having the least amount of damage. The other three glandular-haired strains had larval infestations and damage similar to those for the cultivars. Weevil abundance and damage were generally low in 1988. Medicago glandulosa was shortest of the glandular-haired strains, which were shorter than the cultivars.     

Effect of controlled atmosphere storage on abscisic acid concentration and other biochemical attributes of onion bulbs

Onion bulbs (Allium cepa L.) of cultivars with long-, medium- and short-storage lives, viz. Renate, Ailsa Craig and SS1, respectively, were stored in controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions (3.03 kPa CO₂; 5.05 kPa O₂; 2 °C). Bulb abscisic acid (ABA) concentration, pyruvate, fructans, total soluble solids (TSS) and firmness were measured throughout storage.In all cultivars, bulb ABA concentration declined exponentially during storage. The greatest decrease in ABA concentration occurred during the first 80 days of storage. Although the pattern of decline was similar for the long-, medium- and short-storing onion bulbs, onion cv. SS1 bulbs had the lowest initial ABA concentration. Onion bulb ABA concentration at harvest (measured on a fresh weight basis) may prove to be a better indicator of storage life. The ABA concentration at harvest (DW) may be indicative of a greater difference in sprouting during storage between cv. SS1 and the other cultivars than between cvs. Renate and Ailsa Craig.It is hypothesised that the storage potential of bulbs of different onion cultivars is inversely related to the time at which they reach a minimal ABA content. Thus, the storage life of short-storing cultivars (e.g. cv. SS1) might be prolonged by slowing the decline in ABA concentration. This could help extend the period for supplying these onions from temperate regions. Onion bulbs of cvs. Renate, Ailsa Craig and SS1 were characterised by high, intermediate and low concentrations of pyruvate, fructan and total soluble solids, respectively.     

Low-temperature-related growth and photosynthetic performance of alloplasmic tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) with chloroplasts from L. hirsutum Humb. & Bonpl.

Growth and photosynthetic performance were analyzed in alloplasmic tomato at a high- (25/17 ^°C; HTR) and low-temperature regime (12/6 ^°C; LTR) in order to establish the role of cytoplasmic variation on low-temperature tolerance of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Four alloplasmic tomato lines, containing the nuclear genome of tomato and the plastome of L. hirsutum LA 1777 Humb. & Bonpl., an accession collected at high-altitude in Peru, were reciprocally crossed with 11 tomato entries with a high inbreeding level and a wide genetic variation, resulting in a set of 44 reciprocal crosses. Irrespective of growth temperature, alloplasmic families with alien chloroplasts of L. hirsutum (h) were on average characterized by a high shoot biomass, a large leaf area, and a low specific leaf area in comparison with their euplasmic counterparts. These results do not directly point to an advantageous effect of h-chloroplasts on biomass accumulation at low temperature but rather towards a small general beneficial effect on growth and/or distribution of assimilates. Significant chloroplast-related differences in photosynthetic performance, however, were not detected at both temperature regimes, indicating that h-chloroplasts can properly function in a variable nuclear background of L. esculentum. It is concluded that chloroplast substitution is not an effective method for breeding tomato plants with improved low-temperature tolerance. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Parthenogenetic monohaploids (2n=x=12) from Solanum tuberosum L. and S. verrucosum Schlechtd. and the production of homozygous potato diploids

Summary Dihaploid and dihaploid derived clones of Solanum tuberosum and diploid genotypes of S. verrucosum produced 85 viable monohaploids by female parthenogenesis. All were induced using diploid S. phureja clones, homozygous for embryo spot, as pollinator. Frequency of S. tuberosum monohaploids per 100 berries was rather constant in three successive years (14, 17 and 17 respectively). No male and female fertility was found in flowering monohaploids.Colchicine-induced chromosome doubling yielded homozygous s. tuberosum diploids with low pollen quality but good seed fertility.Two diploid self-incompatible species (S. multidissectum and S. berthaultii) produced no monohaploids. The presence of genes for female parthenogenesis in some dihaploids is discussed.     

Cytogenetic analysis of interspecific hybrids in genus Citrullus (Cucurbitaceae)

Investigations on interspecific crossability in two species of the genus Citrullus were studied based on their morphology, chromosome pairing and pollen fertility in their hybrids resulting from 12 combinations(including reciprocals). These have been utilized for tracing the phylogenetic relationship between the taxa and factors responsible for their differentiation. A collective evaluation of data on cross compatibility,morphology, chromosome association and pollen fertility indicated a close phylogenetic relationship between the species C. colocynthis (wild2n = 22) and C. vulgaris (cultivated 2n = 22). Significant differences for crossability and pollen fertility were observed between hybrids of C. colocynthis × C. vulgaris and reciprocals. Meiotic analysis of F₁ hybrids revealed that these two species are freely crossable and provide normal chromosome association, involving an average of 9 to maximum 11 pairs of chromosomes. This indicated the possibility of high recombination and thereby genetic introgression of desirable traits. As both the species are of economic significance, breeding strategies can be developed for the genetic improvement of these species. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Measuring onion cultivars with image analysis using inflection points

Summary The suitability of image analysis was studied to measure bulb characteristics for varietal testing of onions (Allium cepa L.). Eighteen genotypes were used, which covered a whole range of onion shapes, including some quite identical ones. The characteristic height and diameter were measured both by image analysis and by hand. The methods gave comparable results with regard to precision and discriminating power. The discriminating power of the image analysis method could be increased by adding a new characteristic: the relative position of the diameter.For determining the height of the bulb with image analysis two methods are described to locate the top of a bulb. One method is to use the location of the inflection point as the top of the bulb. For most bulb shapes, this point coincides with the top of the bulb as indicated by a crop expert. For ovate shaped onions, however, the inflection point is below the top of the bulb as indicated by the crop expert. The other method is to use the location of the intercept of the tangent at the inflection point with the length axis of the bulb as the top of the bulb. This point is always above the top as indicated by the crop expert. Moreover it seems to perform slightly worse for the discrimination of cultivars. Therefore the location of the inflection point as the top of the bulb is preferred.     

Self and cross fertility in cranberry

Summary Eight varieties of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) were crossed in a complete diallel experimental design to examine self and cross fertility. Significant differences were detected for total, developed, and percent developed seed set among the varieties as females. Female fertility of Howes and Wilcox was reduced between 30 and 50% as compared to other varieties. Developed and percent developed seed set were significantly reduced for all varieties upon self-pollination. Reduction in developed seed set appeared to be the result of an increased level of abortion in self-pollinated flowers. Significant differences were found among varieties for ovule number. A positive correlation between berry weight and developed seed/berry was observed for most varieties. Genotypic variability in fertility and self-fertility could be exploited in developing varieties with increased productivity.     

Development and use of a two-gene marker-aided selection system for fertility restorer genes in rice

We have established marker-aided selection strategies for the two major Rf genes (Rf3 and Rf4) governing fertility restoration of␣cytoplasmic-genetic male sterility (CMS) in rice. Polymorphisms between restorer and non-restorer␣lines were observed using RG140/PvuII for Rf3 located on chromosome 1 and S10019/BstUI for Rf4 located on chromosome 10. DNA polymorphisms associated with these two loci in restorer lines of wild abortive (WA), Dissi, and Gambiaca cytoplasm are conserved, suggesting that similar biological processes control pollen fertility in this diverse cytoplasm. Because of their close linkage to Rf genes and distinct banding patterns, STS markers RG140/PvuII and S10019/BstUI are well suited for marker-aided selection, enhanced backcross procedures, and pyramiding of Rf genes in agronomically superior non-restorer lines. The combined use of markers associated with these two loci improved the efficiency of screening for putative restorer lines from a set of elite lines. Positional analyses of Rf4 and the inheritance pattern of the polymorphism in S10019/BstUI suggest that Rf4, governing fertility restoration in WA-CMS in rice, is likely to be the same gene governing fertility restoration in BT- and HL-CMS that has a gametophytic effect, which explains why 100% pollen fertility in hybrids is impossible to attain.     

Fertility restoration of hybrids between Solanum melongena L. and S. aethiopicum L. Gilo Group by chromosome doubling and cytoplasmic effect on pollen fertility

Reproductive fertility traits were studied in the reciprocal hybrids of the eggplant(Solanum melongena L.) and S. aethiopicum L. Gilo Group, and in synthetic amphidiploids to discover whether fertility in these reciprocal hybrids was restored by chromosome doubling. Isozyme and RAPD analyses confirmed hybridity of the hybrids and amphidiploids. Analyses of chloroplast and mitochondrial DNAs confirmed that the cytoplasm of each of the hybrids and amphidiploids was from the maternal parent. Pollen sterility of S. melongena × S. aethiopicum Gilo Group [F₁ (Mel × Aet)] was restored by chromosome doubling, while the reciprocal hybrid S. aethiopicum Gilo Group ×S. melongena [F₁ (Aet × Mel)]and its amphidiploid did not produce any pollen grains; their microspores degenerated without being released from tetrads. Hence the cytoplasm of S. aethiopicum Gilo Group seems to beresponsible for their pollen-non-formation type sterility of the hybrid. Both the F₁ hybrids did not set any fruits by either selfing or backcrossing, while their amphidiploids set fruits after pollinating with pollen from the amphidiploid of F₁ (Mel × Aet). Seeds obtained from both the amphidiploids germinated normally. Chromosome doubling has been effective in restoring fertility of the hybrids. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Hybrid breeding for fall armyworm resistance: Combining ability and hybrid prediction

Fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda) emerged as a major lepidopteran pest destroying maize in sub-Saharan Africa. A diallel mating design was used to generate 210 experimental hybrids from 21 lines. Experimental hybrids and four checks were evaluated in two locations. Commercial checks suffered higher foliar and ear damage compared to the top 15 hybrids. Mean squares associated with the genotypic variation were higher than genotype-by-environment interactions for foliar and ear damage traits. Heritabilities were moderate to high. Significant correlations were observed between grain yield (GY) with ear rot (−0.54) and ear damage (−0.45). Positive and significant GCA effects were observed for GY in seven parental lines, which were developed from multiple insect resistance breeding programmes. CKSBL10153 has the highest GCA value for GY and shows significant GCA effects for foliar and ear damage traits. These lines were identified as the ideal combiners for GY and FAW resistance and are therefore recommended for utilization as testers in the development of FAW-resistant three-way cross-hybrid maize with correlated response for increased GY. GCA and marker-based prediction correlations of GY were 0.79 and 0.96, respectively. Both GCA effects and marker-based models were effective in predicting hybrid performance for FAW resistance.     

Chromosome and cytoplasm analyses of somatic hybrids between onion (Allium cepa L.) and garlic (A. sativum L.)

Chromosomes and cytoplasms were analyzed in two lines of a somatic hybrid between onion (Allium cepa L.) and garlic (A. sativum L.). One line of the somatic hybrid had 40 chromosomes and the other 41chromosomes. Genomic in situhybridization successfully revealed the chromosome constitution of the two lines. One line had 20 chromosomes from onion and17 chromosomes from garlic, and the other had 21 chromosomes from onion and 17chromosomes from garlic. Interestingly, both lines had three chimeric chromosomes. PCR-RFLP analyses of chloroplast and mitochondrial DNAs of both lines showed that these were identical to the onion parent. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.