Differential tolerance to Fe and Zn deficiencies in wheat germplasm

Tolerance to Fe deficiency of wheat genotypes exhibiting differential tolerance to Zn deficiency is not known, even though the relationship between Fe nutrition and differential tolerance of wheat genotypes to Zn deficiency has been hypothesised frequently. In the present experiment, eight Triticum aestivum and two T. turigidum L. conv. durum cultivars were grown in nutrient solution deficient in either Znor Fe. Three indices of tolerance to nutrient deficiency were compared: relative [(-nutrient/+nutrient) × 100] shoot growth, shoot dry weight under nutrient deficiency and relative shoot/root dry weight ratio. Genotypes Aroona, Excalibur, Stilleto and Trident were classified as tolerant to both Zn and Fe deficiency, while durum wheats Durati and Yallaroi were sensitive to Zn deficiency and moderate to sensitive to Fe deficiency. Genotypes Excalibur, Stilleto and Trident come from the same breeding programme and have the common parent (line MEC3 =Sonora64//TZPP/YAQUI54) that could have been the donor of the genes for tolerance to Zn deficiency. When Fe-deficient, all wheat genotypes were severely chlorotic but kept producing shoot and root dry matter at a relatively high rate, making the relationship between the relative shoot growth and the relative leaf chlorophyll content poor. This is the first report of wheat genotypes exhibiting multiple tolerance to Zn and Fe deficiencies. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Carbon isotope discrimination and indirect selection for transpiration efficiency at flowering in lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus), spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) durum wheat (T. turgidum L.), and canola (Brassica napus L.)

Summary Carbon isotope discrimination has been proposed to indirectly select for transpiration efficiency in several C₃ species. To determine the effectiveness of carbon isotope discrimination to indirectly select for transpiration efficiency at flowering we measured: (i) variability for carbon isotope discrimination, (ii) the magnitude of the genotype-by-water regime interaction for carbon isotope discrimination, and (iii) the magnitude of the correlation between carbon isotope discrimination and both transpiration efficiency and dry matter at flowering. Ten lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) genotypes, ten wheat genotypes (eight spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and two durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L.)), and ten canola (Brassica napus L.) genotypes were grown in a greenhouse at 80, 50 and 30% field capacity. Above ground dry matter was harvested at 80% flowering and dry matter at flowering, water used, and carbon isotope discrimination determined. Genotype variation for carbon isotope discrimination was observed in lentil, spring wheat and canola at each water regime, and when averaged over the three water regimes. The largest range in carbon isotope discrimination among lentil and spring wheat genotypes was observed using the wet regime; whereas, the dry regime provided the largest range for CID in canola genotypes. In all species the genotype-by-water regime interaction for carbon isotope discrimination was nonsignificant. The correlation between carbon isotope discrimination and dry matter at flowering was inconsistent across water regimes and years. In addition, in all three crops, no correlation was observed between carbon isotope discrimination and transpiration efficiency at any of the water regimes, and when averaged over water regimes and years. These results suggests that under the conditions reported here, carbon isotope discrimination cannot be used effectively to indirectly select for transpiration efficiency in lentil, spring wheat, and canola.Abbreviations CID carbon isotope discrimination - DMF dry matter at flowering     

Nitrogen efficiency of canola genotypes varies between vegetative stage and grain maturity

There is no information on whether N efficiency in canola at maturity can be reliably determined by screening germplasm in the vegetative stage. Twelve canola genotypes identified in preliminary screening study as having either high or low N efficiency indices were tested for consistency in N efficiency between the vegetative stage and maturity. Plants were grown in a glasshouse under low or adequate N supply and N efficiency was assessed using the following criteria: dry weight at deficient N supply, relative yield at low vs. adequate N supply, and N utilisation efficiency. None of the 12 tested genotypes was classified as efficient or inefficient under all three criteria. One genotype (46C74) was classified as efficient under two criteria, and one genotype (Surpass 300 TT) was inefficient under two criteria. At maturity, three additional efficiency criteria were used: harvest index, N harvest index, and oil and protein concentration in seed. Two genotypes (Wesway and 46C74) (ranked as efficient at vegetative stage) remained efficient at maturity under most of the efficiency criteria used. On the other hand, genotype Surpass 603 CL ranked inefficient during the vegetative stage was ranked as efficient at maturity under two criteria. Overall, there was little consistency in the N efficiency ranking between vegetative stage and maturity in 12 tested genotypes. Screening canola germplasm for N efficiency for breeding purposes would therefore require an assessment at maturity.     

Detection of tolerance of barley cultivars to infection by powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis f.sp. hordei)

Summary Barley genotypes representing a wide range of resistance expressions and origins, from major resistance genes in modern cultivars to field resistances in landraces, were assessed for tolerance to disease under glasshouse and field conditions. A few genotypes were picked out as showing less yield loss than would be expected from the level of mildew infection. Genotypes showing more than the expected yield loss were also found. The potential use of tolerance as a breeding character is discussed.     

棉花耐低钾基因型筛选条件和指标的研究

以2004年我国棉区的主栽品种/组合/品系为主, 收集50个基因型, 在苗期室内液培条件下(低钾浓度和高钾浓度分别为0.02 mmol L^-1和2.50 mmol L^-1)对棉花耐低钾基因型的适宜筛选苗龄和评价指标进行研究, 并与田间缺钾土壤(速效钾含量为59.88 mg kg^-1)的筛选结果进行比较。结果表明, 棉花5叶期幼苗基因型间生物量的变异系数明显高于3叶期, 适宜进行耐低钾基因型筛选。低钾条件下的绝对生物量与相对生物量(0.02/2.50)、吸钾量和钾利用指数(KUI, 单位浓度钾所形成的生物量)极显著(P < 0.01)相关, 相关系数分别为0.7690、0.9522和0.9791。根长、根表面积与整株吸钾量的相关系数分别为0.5201(P < 0.01)和0.3325(P < 0.05)。子叶缺钾斑占子叶总面积的比例(S)在基因型间变化幅度大(变异系数为44.46%)、符合正态分布、与生物量极显著相关(r = –0.4455, P < 0.01), 可作为棉花苗期耐低钾基因型筛选的辅助指标。种子含钾量与棉花幼苗子叶的S值、生物量、钾吸收量和KUI均无相关关系。液培条件下5叶期幼苗的整株生物量与田间条件下产量器官干重极显著相关(r = 0.5091, P < 0.01), 证明苗期室内液培筛选具有可行性, 可作为对大量基因型的初筛方法, 典型基因型需要在田间进行复筛。     

Phenotypic variation in boron-toxicity tolerance at seedling stage in durum wheat (Triticum durum)

Summary Nineteen durum wheat landraces, cultivars or advanced lines of different origins in West Asia and North Africa (WANA), and three barley and two bread wheat varieties were evaluated for their boron (B) toxicity tolerance. Seedlings were grown at five levels of soluble soil B in a plastic house under controlled temperatures. Significant differences existed between the durum wheat entries in days-to-symptom appearance and foliar symptom score. Under the highest soil B treatment, large differences existed between entries for dry weight per plant (P<0.05) but differences were non-significant for shoot B concentrations. Days-to-symptom appearance was highly correlated with symptom score, which was not correlated with shoot B concentrations. Boron toxicity symptom scores of the durum wheat entries ranged from the sensitive barley check to the moderately sensitive bread wheat check. As expected, days-to-symptom appearance decreased and symptom severity increased as the soil B concentrations increased.The result of this study supported the preliminary finding that small, though statistically significant, variation in B toxicity symptom scores exist in durum wheat. The higher CV of symptom scores found here was mainly due to one sensitive entry, Cakmak. If Cakmak was excluded from the analysis, the CV would be reduced by half, to 10%. Durum wheat genotypes which are more tolerant to B toxicity should be sought. Based on the results of this study, and of soil surveys and information collected in WANA, germplasm collected from Algeria, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and the Anatolian Plateau of Turkey should be screened first.Abbreviations B boron - WANA West Asia and North Africa     

Dry Matter Accumulation in Different Guar Genotypes Under Irrigated and Dryland Conditions

This investigation measured plant dry matter accumulation in guar [ Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] grown under water-optimal and water-stressed field conditions. Twelve guar genotypes were planted in irrigated and dryland tests at Chillicothe, TX on a Miles fine sandy loam (fine-loamy mixed, thermic Udic Paleustalf). Dry weight harvests were made at 60, 90, 120, and 150 days after planting (DAP).
Significant variation was found among guar genotypes within maturity groups for plant dry matter accumulation. Percentage shoot dry weight in reproductive parts (pods) ranged from 41 to 79 % among the 12 genotypes at 150 DAP. Percentage stem weight, expressed as a percentage of shoot weight, averaged 36% at 60 DAP and 40% at 150 DAP. Percentage leaves decreased from 60% at 60 DAP to 0 at 150 DAP.
Genotypic differences were found in irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE). IWUE was highest for Lewis (28.3) and lowest for Hall (5.4). Medium maturing genotypes, with the exception of Lewis , had similar IWUE's ranging from 16.3 to 19.2. Early and late maturing genotypes generally had relatively low IWUE's. Genotypes differed significantly in harvest index (ratio of seed to shoot weight). Harvest indices ranged from 0.20 to 0.48. Harvest indices of the same magnitude were found in the water-optimal and the water-stressed tests.     

玉米耐低氮基因型筛选压力的选择

收集了贵州省喀斯特高原生态型玉米自交系、杂交种及农家品种，采用溶液培养的方法，对玉米耐低氮基因型的筛选压力展开了较为系统的研究，初步获得以下研究结果：（1）在极低N胁迫（O．05mmol／L）条件下，不同玉米基因型的缺素症状、地上部干重、根干重、根冠比及植株总吸氮量的基因型差异显著，更易评价和鉴定玉米基因型的耐低氮营养特性。因而，氮素胁迫压力为0．05mmol／L时，较适于对耐低氮基因型材料的筛选。（2）在极低供N条件下，贵毕303基因型具有较高的氮效率，这主要来源于吸收效率的差异，该基因型在低N下总吸氮量最高；而绵单1号、安单136和兴黄单89—2表现出较强的耐低氮特性。     

不同小麦基因型孕穗期根系性状与吸氮量的关系

通过水培培养,研究了生产上主栽的不同小麦基因型在充分供氮条件下孕穗期的根系、根系生理活性及根系与地上部干重以及吸氮量之间的关系。结果表明,地上部干重、根干重、根体积、根冠比、根活性及植株吸氮量不同基因型间有显著差异,根总吸收面积、根活跃吸收面积不同基因型间无明显差异;植株吸氮量与地上部干重显著相关,其相关系数达0.634,经进一步相关性分析表明,植株吸氮量的差异和地上部干重的差异主要是由于植株根干重和根体积不同造成的。研究表明,选择根干重和根体积大的小麦品种有利于提高小麦的氮利用效率。     

甘蔗近缘属植物氮磷钾养分效率的变异分析

为了筛选养分高效甘蔗种质资源及培育养分高效甘蔗品种,采用系统聚类分析法,分别以地上部干重,植株N、P、K素吸收效率和利用效率为指标,将40份具有代表性的甘蔗近缘属植物进行了分类。结果表明,甘蔗近缘属植物地上部干重变幅为1.26~39.6 kg/穴,变异系数为75.92%。云南82-85地上部干重是象草82-21的40.78%,但云南82-85的N、P、K素利用效率分别是象草82-21的4.9、1.7和3.2倍。不同类型甘蔗近缘属植物的地上部干重,N、P、K素营养效率的极差很大,可分为若干组,各组间差异显著,且同组内材料的N、P、K素营养效率之间也存在显著性差异。上述研究结果对选育营养高效的新型种质和阐明营养高效的生理机制具有一定参考价值。     

Breeding for resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Tulipae in tulip (Tulipa L.). I. Development of a screening test for selection

Summary Fusarium oxysporum causes the most serious fungus disease in tulip. Breeding for resistant cultivars may considerably contribute to a solution of the problem.Bulbs of various cultivars planted in contaminated soil showed important and significant differences in resistance. Inoculation trials in the field and in the glasshouse have led to recommendations for the screening of juvenile and adult bulbs.     

棉花抗枯黄萎病品种耐低磷种质筛选

 采用蛭石栽培和营养液浇灌的方法,研究棉花品种耐低磷筛选指标,利用这些指标对88份棉花抗枯、黄萎病品种进行磷素利用率极端基因型的筛选。结果表明,株高和根冠比在不同品种和不同磷浓度处理之间无显著差异,而棉苗干物重、地上部鲜重、总叶面积、叶绿素含量、地上部干物重及磷利用率在不同磷浓度处理和不同品种之间均存在显著差异,可以作为棉花苗期耐低磷能力的评价指标。利用这些指标对棉花抗枯、黄萎病品种进行了分析。聚类结果将88个品种主要分为耐低磷基因型和非耐低磷基因型两大类,分别包括25个和55个品种。其中,中棉所21、中99和陕棉11属于耐低磷的极端基因型。     

Genetic variation in stomatal characteristics and behaviour,water use and growth of five Vicia faba L. genotypes under contrasting soil moisture regimes

Summary Five genotypes of Vicia faba L. with contrasting frequencies were grown in a controlled environment in soil moisture regimes of 100%, 78% and 61% of field capacity. Growth, water use and leaf conductance characteristics were measured. Stomata were more frequent on abaxial than adaxial surfaces, the abaxial/adaxial ratio ranging from 1.12 to 1.34. There were significant (P<0.001) correlations between calculated stomatal conductance, based on measurements of stomatal frequency and length, and leaf conductance measured with a diffusion porometer, in the two higher soil moisture treatments. In the 100% regime only, abaxial stomata opened wider than adaxial. Ranking of the genotypes for leaf conductance and plant transpiration was similar in all three regimes with large leaved types having the lowest conductance and greatest water use efficiency. Growing plants with reduced soil moisture availability improved water use efficiency, the ranking for which was also similar in all treatments. Relative growth rate and net assimilation rate were greatest with full watering, less in the 78% and least in the 61% regime. Leaf area ratio was less affected by available soil moisture and only in some genotypes.     

Selection for improved adaptation of white clover to low phosphorus and acid soils

Summary A total of 490 white clover genotypes were grown in competition withAgrostis tenuis and repeatedly defoliated, in a glasshouse trial. The percentage change in shoot yield from the first to the last harvest (harvest 6) was negatively correlated with the soil-P level from which ecotypes were collected. High- and low-yielding genotypes were selected from this study and compared in a field trial on a low-P soil (12 mg Olsen P/kg soil), in a grazed mixed species sward. Over the first year there was no significant difference in spread into the sward, and over three years no significant difference in persistence. Selection in glasshouses for yield is unlikely to improve edaphic stress tolerance in the field.In a field study in New Zealand, comparison of six ecotype populations showed that after one year the highest-spreading population had been collected from a low-P soil while the lowest spreading population came from a high-P soil, although the correlation between spread and soi-P from which ecotypes were collected was not significant (r=–0.67 p>0.05). However, in another field trial in England it was shown that populations collected from low-P soils not only outyielded those, collected from high-P soils but that they also responded less to added P.It was concluded that populations collected from low-P soils will be a useful source of germplasm to identify genotypes adapted to low-P soils. Successful identification of such genotypes is most likely to be made in the field rather than in controlled more artificial environments.     

Identification of growth stage dependent expression of partial resistance of barley to powdery mildew

Summary Genotypic differences for growth stage dependent expression of partial resistance to barley powdery mildew have been identified on the basis of two components of resistance in the glasshouse and the pattern of epidemic development in the field.Differences for infection frequency and proportion of sporulating colonies were highly significant between the 16 genotypes investigated at four stages of plant development in the glasshouse. Both resistance components were significantly correlated mutually (r=0.73 to 0.86) and with the infection level on leaves developed at comparable growth stages in the field (r=0.52 to 0.73). The infection level of seedlings in the glasshouse was significantly correlated with the infection level of the leaves of the first until the third node in the field (r=0.70 to 0.73). Adult plant resistance was predominantly expressed at the uppermost leaf. A clear genotype × growth stage interaction was apparent for infection level; some genotypes showed partial resistance predominantly at the seedling stage and others predominantly at the adult plant stage.Abbreviations IF Infection Frequency, number of colonies per cm² leaf area, glasshouse experiment - IL Infection Level, number of colonies per cm² leaf area, field experiment - PSC Proportion Sporulating Colonies from total number of colonies, glasshouse experiment     

Introgression of in vitro regeneration capability of Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium Mill. into recalcitrant tomato cultivars

The goal of this research was to study the introgression of the high regeneration capacity of Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium Mill line WV-700, in recalcitrant tomato cultivars (L. esculentum Mill cvs. Petomech, Santa Rita and VFN-8) using backcrossing. Hypocotyl explants of in vitro germinated seeds were cultivated in half strength MS medium supplemented with 5mg/l 6-BA to assess their shoot regeneration capacity. The apical shoot of the in vitro germinated seeds were cultured on a separate medium. Apical shoots from genotypes showing high regeneration rates were acclimated in a glasshouse and used as pollen donors for the next backcrossing. After four backcrossings, the material showed a similar mean fruit weight for the cultivated tomato and a high regeneration capacity similar to the wild species. It is shown that L. pimpinellifolium can be used with success as donor parent to introgress in vitro regeneration capacity to recalcitrant tomato cultivars. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Germination characters and early seedling growth of wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.) genotypes under salt stress conditions

Screening of wheat genotypes as salt tolerance through seed germination and early seedling growth is crucial for their evaluation. Seeds of 20 wheat genotypes were germinated in Petri dishes on a sand bed irrigated with saline (15 dS m_-1) and control solutions for 10 days and also tested at different salinity levels (control, 4, 6, 8, and 10 dS m^-1) which were artificially developed in the soil for 30 days. At 10 days, germination percentage, rate of germination, co-efficient of germination, germination vigor index, shoot length, root length, and seedling dry weight were found to be affected due to salinity. Salt tolerance index (STI) for seedling dry weight maintained a significant positive correlation with rate of germination, germination vigor index, shoot length, and root length, which indicates that these parameters could be used as selection criteria for screening wheat genotypes against salt stress. Significant differences in shoot length, root length, and seedling dry weight in 30-day-old seedlings were observed among selected wheat genotypes as well. From the overall observation of germination characters and early seedling growth, it was concluded that the wheat genotypes including Gourab, Shatabdi, Bijoy, Prodip, BARI Gom 26, BAW 1186, and BAW 1189 showed better salt tolerance as compared to others.     

Genotypic differences in Zn efficiency of Medicago species

Nineteen annual Medicago genotypes from eight species were grown in Mt. Compass sand at three levels of soil Zn application (0, 0.1 and 0.9 mg Zn kg^-1) to achieve Zn status from deficiency to adequacy. Genotypes differed in growth response: under Zn deficiency, those classified as Zn-efficient had less reduction in shoot growth, a higher root mass, greater concentration of Zn in the shoot and total Zn content per plant, and a stable shoot/root ratio compared with Zn-inefficient genotypes. While seed Zn content did not influence the Zn-efficiency ranking, it did affect yield, and so it plays an important role in yield response and Zn accumulation as Zn supply decreases. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

品种基因型和温度对马铃薯脱毒试管苗农艺性状的影响

以大西洋、克新1号、青薯168脱毒基础苗为试验材料,采用二因素随机区组设计,研究不同基因型品种、不同温度对马铃薯脱毒基础苗苗鲜重、根鲜重、苗干重、根干重、叶片数、株高、茎粗、根长和根条数影响,培养14d时,测定各性状指标.结果表明,3个不同成熟期基因型品种、3种不同培养温度处理对马铃薯单株平均根鲜重、叶片数、株高影响有显著性交互作用(p＜0.05),其余性状受品种基因型和温度交互作用影响不显著.不同基因型品种对苗干重、根干重、叶片数、根条数农艺性状指标影响显著(p＜0.05),其余性状指标未达显著影响;不同培养温度对马铃薯单株平均苗鲜重、根鲜重、苗干重、根干重、茎粗、根长、根条数(p＜0.05)农艺性状指标有显著性影响(p＜0.01),其余性状指标未达显著影响;3个不同基因型品种所需的适宜培养温度为(23±2)℃,此培养温度时,3个品种基因型的农艺性状表现最好.     

Variation in traits affecting nodulation of common bean under intercropping with maize and sole cropping

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), an important food crop in Europe, America, Africa and Asia, is thought to fix only small amounts of atmospheric nitrogen. It contributes significantly to the sustainability of traditional cropping systems because of the predominance of small-scale farmers who cultivate beans in those areas. The objectives of this work were to evaluate bush bean varieties under common agronomic cropping systems and to evaluate breeding lines under low N-fertility sole cropping and intercropping systems. The purpose of the study was to characterize the genotype and cropping system's variability in symbiotic and plant characters and to identify the most suitable genotypes to establish an effective symbiosis with indigenous strains of Rhizobium. No significant differences among the bush bean varieties evaluated under typical fertilization practices were observed for N₂-fixation and plant traits except for seed nitrogen. Significant differences among the bean lines studied under low N-fertilization conditions were detected for plant growth,plant component and N₂-fixation traits. A significant interaction of bean genotype x cropping system was found for number of nodules per plant and nodule moisture on the bush bean varieties studied, and for days to emergence, days to flowering, end of flowering, shoot length, root dry weight and shoot nitrogen on the bean lines evaluated. Nodulation parameters were correlated positively with the yield components, shoot and root parts and duration of flowering, and correlated negatively with seed crude protein, pod and seed dimensions and seed dry weight. These observations indicate that it may be possible to increase both the symbiotic N₂-fixation and seed yield through plant breeding. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.