Breeding cassava for resistance to cassava mosaic disease

Summary Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) is one of the most serious and widespread diseases throughout cassava growing areas in Africa, causing yield reductions of up to 90%. Early research on breeding of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) for resistance to CMD in Africa is reviewed. Changes in population size and in activity of the white-fly vector to CMD (Bemisia tabaci Genn.) in relation to changes in environmental conditions such as amount and distribution of rainfall, light intensity and temperature are discussed in relation to screening for resistance to CMD. Over the past eight years, significant progress has been made at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). Resistance to CMD has been successfully incorporated into high yielding cultivars of acceptable quality. The CMD resistant material has been evaluated and many promising clones have been selected in various countries in tropical Africa and India. The resistance has been effective in those countries.     

Selection for early flowering in progenies of interspecific crosses of ten species in the genus Dianthus

Summary Twenty-seven progenies of interspecific crosses, involving ten Dianthus spieces (D. caryophyllus, D. chinensis, D. superbus, D. barbatus, D. japonicus, D. brachyzonus, D. versicolor, D. trifasciculatus, D. serotinus and D. knappii) and some complex interspecific hybrids (Diantini genotypes and D. Allwoodii selections) were grown from seed under 8 hr days at two light intensities: 12 W/m² and 22 W/m². Observations on individual plants were made on vegetative development and date of flowering. After six months, 178 plants were selected from 23 seedling progenies and the resulting clones were compared under 22 W/m² and two photoperiods: 8 hrs and 24 hrs per day for a period of nearly six months. In the seedling stage, large differences were observed between progenies, e.g. in percentage generative plants (0–100%), plant length (3–78 cm) and plant fresh weight (0.5–68 g). Effects of light intensity were most pronounced in plant fresh weight (0.2–18 g in 12 W/m² and 0.5–68 g in 22 W/m²). Progenies of D. chinensis were the earliest to flower. Most progenies of crosses between D. superbus and D. barbatus segregated into flowering and non-flowering (rosetting) plants. In the clonal stage, most clones originating from non-flowering seedlings remained vegetative (rosetting), while all clones from flowering seedlings were either in flower or in bud within six months. Average dates of flowering of seedling progenies and of their clones were highly correlated, suggesting that selection on flowering date at the seedling stage is effective. High correlations were also found between the average flowering date of seedling progenies and the number and total weight of flowers harvested per plant in their clones within six months from planting. Overall effects of LD in the clonal stage were much less spectacular than the effects of light intensity in the seedling stage.     

Correlated resistance of cassava to mosaic and bacterial blight diseases

Summary The two most serious diseases of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) are cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava bacterial blight (CBB) (Xanthomonas manihotis Starr). Clone 58308, derived from the third backcross of the interspecific cross of cassava (M. esculenta) x ceara rubber (M. glaziovii), showed a high level of resistance to both diseases. Crosses of 58308 with several other clones which varied from susceptible to moderately susceptible to both diseases gave progenies with a significant genotypic correlation between resistance to both diseases (r=0.90), apparently due to linkage. The heritabilities of resistance to the diseases were estimated at 50–70% for CMD and 25–65% for CBB. Resistance to both diseases is assumed to be polygenic. The correlated response to selection for CMD and for CBB was estimated.     

Estimates of within family genetic variability for clonal selection in oil palm

Within family genetic and environmental variabilities in oil palm dura (D) ×pisifera (P) hybrid progenies were estimated from a D × P progeny test trial, a clonal trial and a clonal cum D × P progeny test trial and with the objective of examining the efficiency of selecting source palms (ortets) within family for clonal propagation. The clones were derived from seedling embryos or seedlings that were progeny reproductions of families proven in the first trial. The progenies in the second trial represented the source families of two sets of clones planted in the same trial. Estimates were obtained from: between and within family variance components; between and within clone variance components; and difference between pooled within family variance and pooled within clone variance. Estimates were generally similar with the different methods used. Within family genetic variabilities were generally low in progenies derived from more inbred parents especially in bunch and oil yields. In progenies from more outbred or variable parents, within family genetic variabilities were relatively higher particularly for oil to bunch and palm height; nevertheless environmental variabilities predominated. The low efficiency of within family palm or ortet selection for clone production and the need for repeated clonal tests over time and space to identify outstanding clones are stressed and the implications to commercial clonal propagation of oil palm discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The effect of seed tuber weight on characters in the first and the second clonal generation of potato populations

Summary Fifty-five populations from crosses of three Solanum tuberosum ssp. tuberosum cultivars and seven selected S. tuberosum ssp. andigena clones adapted to the northern temperate zone have been studied in the seedling and the first and second clonal generation. This paper only deals with the effect of seed tuber weight on various important agronomic characters which are selected for in early clonal generations, independently of the type of crosses.The results showed that a distinction has to be made between the effects of differences in seed tuber weight within and between seedlings, i.e. genotypes. The effects on the first clonal generation of differences in weight of the tubers within seedlings and those of the first heaviest tubers between seedlings were similar and comparable to seed tuber weight effects within cultivars. In contrast to the within seedlings effects the between seedlings effects proved to be heritable. This is concluded from the fact that, on average, independent of seed tuber weight seedlings with larger first heaviest tubers performed better in the second clonal generation than those with smaller ones. Notably plant height, general impression, date of maturity and particularly tuber yield and mean tuber weight in the second clonal generation were related to the weight of the first heaviest tubers of the seedlings. The potentialities of these findings for an early generation selection are discussed.     

Combining ability of cassava genotypes for cassava mosaic disease and cassava bacterial blight, yield and its related components in two ecological zones in Ghana

Breeding for resistant genotypes is the best strategy to offset the destructive effects of cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava bacterial blight (CBB). Two sets of diallel parents were selected for the forest and the savannah ecological zones in Ghana based on good levels of resistance to CMD and CBB. Both sets were crossed in a half-diallel design. The first set of seven progenitors and their 21 F1 progenies were planted in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in two different locations for two seasons in the forest ecology. The second set of five progenitors and their 10 F1 progenies were planted in a RCBD with three replications in two locations in the coastal savannah ecological zone of Ghana. Both experiments were evaluated for CMD and CBB resistance, fresh root yield, dry root yield, root number, harvest index, dry matter content, plant height at maturity and height at first branching, levels of branching and plant vigour. Results of the combined analysis of variance revealed that the environment effect was significant for all the traits. General combining ability and specific combining ability effects were significant for most of the traits. Narrow sense heritability was significant for plant vigour, root number, CMD and CBB in both the zones. CMD and root number also had a predictability ratio of close to one, indicating the importance of additive gene effects.     

Screening for Fusarium resistance in seedling populations of Asiatic hybrid lily

A test to select Fusarium resistant seedlings of the Asiatic hybrid lily is described. Young seedlings of 28 populations, obtained from an incomplete diallel between eight parents with different levels of Fusarium resistance, were tested for resistance. Significant differences in Fusarium resistance between and within populations were detected. The average percentage of selected seedlings ranged from 34% in resistant × resistant crosses to 2% in susceptible × susceptible crosses. Although resistant descendants were obtained in susceptible × susceptible crosses, using at least one resistant parent produced higher percentages of resistant seedlings. The resistance level of the parents correlated highly with the general combining ability for Fusarium resistance based on the seedling test. For eight populations, seedlings selected for Fusarium resistance and non-tested (control) seedlings of the same cross were compared, after propagation, in a clonal test. Variation between and within populations, found at seedling level, was confirmed at clonal level. A positive selection response was found for all eight populations. In the seedling test, approximately 18% of the seedlings were selected as resistant of which 15% (2.7% of seedlings tested) appeared to be susceptible escapes. Comparison between selection at seedling level and at clonal level indicated that approximately 25% of the seedlings tested were missed (rejected resistant plants) in the seedling test. The practical use of a seedling test for Fusarium resistance in lily breeding programs is discussed.     

不同种子处理方法对机插水稻秧苗素质的影响

为探讨培育健壮的机插秧苗的最佳种子处理方法,以期为普及水稻机插秧以及获得高产提供理论依据,于2014年在田间试验条件下研究了不同的种子处理方法(催芽与拌种旱育保姆与否)对机插水稻秧苗素质的影响。结果表明,催芽、拌种旱育保姆的出芽率较其他的处理高,且拌种旱育保姆后,都能显著的增加秧苗的粗度、抑制秧苗生长、增加叶龄,促进根系加粗加快生长的作用显著;催芽处理对秧苗地上部的影响均不显著,却能促进秧苗根的生长,根长显著增加。综合来看,催芽、拌旱育保姆能提高秧苗的素质,是培育机插秧苗的最佳种子处理方法。     

Cross compatibility between diploid and tetraploid perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

Summary A number of crosses were made between diploid and tetraploid Lolium perenne plants in order to determine the degree of cross compatibility between the two different ploidy levels. The range of hybridization undertaken involved diploidxdiploid, and tetraploid x tetraploid control crossings, diploid x tetraploid crosses, tetraploid x diploid crosses and mixed pollinations. The seed set, the germination capacity of resultant hybrid seeds, and the chromosome constitution of derived seedlings was determined. In addition attempts were made to culture 12 day-old hybrid embryos from the diploid x tetraploid and reciprocal crosses.The crossing results obtained indicated no barrier to fertilization between diploids and tetraploids, but the irregular and poor development of the seed accompanied by much reduced germination, indicated unsatisfactory endosperm establishment of large numbers of triploids, as confirmed by the result of culturing embryos dissected from 12-day old seeds.In preliminary studies undertaken to determine the extent to which diploid and tetraploid ryegrass varieties intercross when grown in close proximity for seed production, Griffiths and Pegler (1966) observed a very low incidence of triploids amongst the progenies of diploid plants exposed to the pollen of tetraploid plants and also amongst the progenies of tetraploid material exposed to the pollen of diploid plants.In these and subsequent studies it was noted that only a very small proportion of the so-called fully formed seeds derived from diploid x tetraploid crosses did actually germinate. When, in 1964, propagules of clones of S.24 perennial ryegrass, well separated from one another, were placed in drills of the tetraploid perennial ryegrass variety Reveille, the proportion of florets which formed caryopses, and of caryopses which germinated was as follows (Table 1).The data (Table 1) clearly indicate that a considerable proportion of the S.24 florets had been fertilized by 2n pollen and had formed caryopses, but most of these had proved to be defective. As noted in the previous studies, the frequency of triploid seedlings was low, thus suggesting incompatibility between the n and 2n gametes for the production of viable zygotes.Of the total progenies classed as tetraploids in the early seedling stage, 80% proved to be ryegrass x tall fescue F₁ hybrids. These arose as a result of free crossing with     

仔猪感染猪等孢球虫后T细胞亚群的动态变化

为了研究仔猪感染猪等孢球虫后T细胞亚群的变化规律,应用纯种猪等孢球虫孢子化卵囊人工感染9头6日龄仔猪,分别检测了感染前1d和感染后1、3、6、9、11d (DPI) 外周血中CD3+、CD4+、CD8+T细胞。结果显示,DPI 3,CD3+、CD4+T细胞增加,之后下降,但差异均不显著（p>0.05）;CD8＋T细胞在DPI 6增加,DPI 9达峰值（P<0.05）。CD4+/CD8+值在DPI 6下降,DPI 11达到最低点。表明DPI 3感染仔猪的免疫功能有所增强,而DPI 8后仔猪免疫功能受到抑制。     

Assessment of parental performance for yield in Hevea breeding

Summary A study using yield data from seedlings from controlled pollinations and clones derived from them, revealed that, for clones, promising parents can be selected in the first year of tapping and, for seedlings, in the second year. It should be noted that secondary characters (e.g. vigour on tapping, resistance to wind, diseases and dryness) will assume importance for parental assessment only when information on these become available, after several years of tapping. Correlation studies between GCA estimates for seedling and clonal yields support an earlier finding that the former can be used as a criterion for selection of parents.     

Histological analysis of embryo-sac formation and detection of meiotic diplospory in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

Summary Embryo-sac formation in six cultivated Asian cassava clones and one unknown wild type, was histologically investigated to determine apomictic potential in the genus Manihot. All the 6 clones were found to possess one single sexual embryo-sac containing 6–8 nuclei at maturity. However, one clone, Rayong 3 possessed two functional embryo-sacs at 12 hours after controlled pollination (HACP). The larger embryo-sac was 6-nucleate (all 3 nuclei of the egg apparatus, 1 polar and 2 antipodal cells) and located towards the false micropylar or the nucellar beak region. The smaller embryo-sac also contained a total of 6 nuclei and approximately 10 m³ or 1/2 the volume of the former and located towards the chalazal pole. Percentage sexuality estimates indicated a 100% sexual reproduction in embryo-sacs of all the clones analysed. However, apomeiotic relationships indicate a low (0.3%) degree of meiotic diplosporous embryo-sac formation, thus suggesting facultative apomixis in cv. Rayong 3. This is the first embryological identification and evidence of apomeiosis and apomictic potential in cassava.Contribution from Plant Breeding Laboratory, Applied Genetics & Biotechnology Division, Faculty of Agriculture, Miyazaki University, No. 91.     

种子沙引发对转基因抗虫棉耐盐性的影响

 以转基因抗虫棉花品种中棉所41和浙905为材料,以其遗传背景品种中棉所23为对照,研究了种子沙引发处理对转基因抗虫棉品种在0%、1.0%和1.5% NaCl浓度下的萌发率、出土率和幼苗生长特性的影响。结果表明,沙引发处理对转基因抗虫棉品种在盐胁迫下的种子萌发和幼苗生长具有明显的效果,但对于非转基因棉品种的效果不明显。幼苗子叶、茎秆和根的超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性、过氧化物酶（POD）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量测定结果表明,沙引发处理使棉花幼苗的子叶和根部维持了较高的SOD与POD活性,但显著减少幼苗体内MDA的积累,说明沙引发有助于促进棉花在逆境下幼苗生长发育和抗逆性的提高。     

Heritility of field resistance to potato leafroU virus in cultivated potato

Potato progenies in a line x tester mating design and the clonal parents were screened for field resistance to potato leafroll virus (PLRV) to determine the heritability of this trait. Twelve advanced potato clones or varieties were crossed as pistillate parents to two pollen testers. The seedling progenies and clonal parents were exposed to aphid-transmitted potato leafroll virus for two growing seasons. Cumulative infection by potato leafroll virus was determined by post-season sero-logical indexing of foliage grown from sprouted tubers after 2 years of exposure. Narrow-sense heritability was estimated from regression of mid-parent on progeny as h = 0.72. This estimate indicates a high level of useabie genetic variance for PLRV resistance in advanced breeding materials. Although variation in resistance to PLRV appears to be a quantitative trait in susceptible and moderately resistant clones, per-formance of the most resistant parents suggests that genes with major effects may be present. These results are similar to the conclusions of other researchers who found one or two genes controlling the pheno-types of extreme resistance, resistance to infection, or suppression of virus titre.     

The effect of cassava mosaic disease on the genetic diversity of cassava in Uganda

Summary Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a tropical crop that is grown in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Cassava was introduced from Latin America into West and East Africa at two independent events. In Uganda a serious threat to cassava's survival is the cassava mosaic disease (CMD). Uganda has had two notable CMD epidemics since the introduction of cassava in the 1850s causing severe losses. SSR markers were used to study the effect of CMD on the genetic diversity in five agroecologies in Uganda with high and low incidence of CMD. Surprisingly, high gene diversity was detected. Most of the diversity was found within populations, while the diversity was very small among agroecological zones and the high and low CMD incidence areas. The high genetic diversity suggests a mechanism by which diversity is maintained by the active involvement of the Ugandan farmer in continuously testing and adopting new genotypes that will serve their diverse needs. However, in spite of the high genetic diversity we found a loss of rare alleles in areas with high CMD incidence. To study the effect of the introgression history on the gene pool the genetic differentiation between East and West Africa was also studied. Genetic similarities were found between the varieties in Uganda and Tanzania in East Africa and Ghana in West Africa. Thus, there is no evidence for a differentiation of the cassava gene pool into a western and an eastern genetic lineage. However, a possible difference in the genetic constitution of the introduced cassava into East and West Africa may have been diminished by germplasm movement.     

The importance of wild potato species resistant to the potato cyst nematode,Globodera pallida,pathotypes P4A and P5A,in potato breeding. I. Resistance studies

Summary Seven wild diploid potato species, Series Tuberosa, representing 1023 clones were screened for resistance to the potato cyst nematode, Globodera pallida. Over 25% of the clones were resistant to pathotype P₄A and almost 30% were resistant to pathotype P₅A. The resistance in hybrid progenies of these and other resistant species with cultivated potatoes was evaluated, and over 2200 seedlings were screened. High frequencies of resistance (>50%) to P₄A were found in progenies with Solanum leptophyes, S. vernei, S. gourlayi and S. capsicibaccatum, whereas resistance to P₅A was found in these species as well as S. sparsipilum. The importance of nematode resistant wild species for potato breeding is discussed.     

On the inheritance of the juvenile period in apple

The following observations were made on the inheritance of the juvenile period (elapsing between seed germination and first flowering) of apple seedlings.

1. 1.
   Highly significant correlations (0.52 and 0.78 at n=382 and 71) were found between the length of the juvenile period and the degree to which seedlings or progenies as a whole show juvenile symptoms. This relation may provide a basis for the early elimination of seedlings with a relatively long juvenile period (and which are possibly late-bearing).     
   
   

澳洲坚果人工杂交子代苗木生长量变异分析

为了认识澳洲坚果植株生长量性状的传递遗传规律,以澳洲坚果10个无性系品种为材料,正反交设计,共90个杂交组合,获得90个全同胞家系苗木。并对种子横径、苗木株高、地径及冠幅进行变异分析。结果表明,10个母本间种子横径达显著差异(P<0.05),同一母本所对应9个父本的组合间种子横径达显著(P<0.05)或极显著(P<0.01)差异,说明种子的大小不仅仅决定于母本,而且也受父本的影响。对苗木株高、地径和冠幅的分析表明,全同胞家系间差异显著(P<0.05),母本半同胞家系间差异显著(P<0.05),而父本半同胞家系间差异不显著。苗木生长量受父母本的基因共同决定,但母本影响的变异分量相对较大,父本影响的变异分量相对较小。     

Variation in seed and seedling charactes of smooth bromegrass,Bromus inermisLeyss,in relation to environment

Summary Soil type, seedling depth, soil moisture, nitrogen and seed lot all affected seedling stand and early vigor. The first two aspects caused significant variations only when other factors were limiting.Individual plant progenies were found to differ in rate of emergence and maximum stand, vigor and height.Seed weight was an important factor among individual plant progenies, with heavy seed being superior. Individual plant progenies similar in seed weight differed in each of the factors fo establishment, indicating that not all of the differences observed among progenies could be ascribed to seed weight. Age and condition of seed, diseases and soil temperature were found to affect stand and vigor.Fifteen selected plant progenies and an experimental synthetic were superior in germination and seedling vigor to the rour commercial varieties tested as checks.Contribution from the Department of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin. Supported in part by the Research Committee of the Graduate School. Published wit the approval of the Director of The Wisonsin agric. Exp. Stn., Madison, Wis., USA.