Breeding for organic agriculture: the example of winter wheat in Austria

Breeding for organic agriculture (BFOA) is a strategy for a commercial breeding company based on the exploitation of the frequently observed high correlation for many traits between conventional, low input (LI) and organic agriculture (ORG). Indirect selection under LI can be useful to roughly divide the germplasm into the genotypes better adapted to high input and those better adapted to LI or ORG conditions. BFOA is an evolving process, in which two methods are currently applied: early generations are either selected following the pedigree system under LI, or grown as bulk populations on ORG fields. In the latter case the system switches to LI after individual ear selection under ORG conditions. In both methods, the first replicated yield trial is grown parallel under ORG and LI. Subsequently, the genotypes are grouped into conventional or ORG advanced trial series. The BFOA strategy allows that the larger genetic variability of both the organic and conventional gene pool can be exploited in the selection for ORG. Hitherto, seven winter wheat varieties were released in Austria after exclusive organic VCU testing.     

System analysis of frost resistance in winter wheat and its use in breeding

Morphophysiological and physicochemical parameters of sets of winter wheat genotypes were measured. High correlations were found between survival percentage of the winter wheat check variety under freezing and electroconductivity tests, stem electrical resistance after electric shock, and intensity of delayed leaf fluorescence at low temperatures. These correlations decreased when the number of varieties was increased to 35-100. Complex attribute of frost resistance was divided into large components using factor analysis. Biological interpretation was achieved for the first six components. Quantitative values for each component of frost resistance in the various genotypes were determined. The determination coefficient of multiple regression equations, where function was a level of frost resistance and arguments were the component's value for each genotype, varied from 0.80-0.94 over 10 years. It was proposed that the received equations might serve as a model for frost resistance and indicate which component of frost resistance determines the survival of plants in particular ecological conditions. The component structure concept of frost resistance is suggested and possible applications of this concept are discussed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

庆阳市冬小麦育种的回顾与设想

庆阳位于甘肃省东部,是该省冬小麦的主产区之一.本区气候干旱、寒冷,病虫等自然灾害频繁,小麦产量低而不稳、效益差.选育高产、稳产、优质的旱地小麦品种,是生产上的迫切需要.陇东学院农学系育成的"庆选"、"庆丰"、"西峰"三大系列品种的大面积推广,为本区旱地小麦生产做出了很大贡献.     

The role of molecular markers and marker assisted selection in breeding for organic agriculture

Plant geneticists consider molecular marker assisted selection a useful additional tool in plant breeding programs to make selection more efficient. Standards for organic agriculture do not exclude the use of molecular markers as such, however for the organic sector the appropriateness of molecular markers is not self-evident and is often debated. Organic and low-input farming conditions require breeding for robust and flexible varieties, which may be hampered by too much focus on the molecular level. Pros and contras for application of molecular markers in breeding for organic agriculture was the topic of a recent European plant breeding workshop. The participants evaluated strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the use of molecular markers and we formalized their inputs into breeder’s perspectives and perspectives seen from the organic sector’s standpoint. Clear strengths were identified, e.g. better knowledge about gene pool of breeding material, more efficient introgression of new resistance genes from wild relatives and testing pyramided genes. There were also common concerns among breeders aiming at breeding for organic and/or conventional agriculture, such as the increasing competition and cost investments to get access to marker technology, and the need for bridging the gap between phenotyping and genotyping especially with complex and quantitative inherited traits such as nutrient-efficiency. A major conclusion of the authors is that more interaction and mutual understanding between organic and molecular oriented breeders is necessary and can benefit both research communities.     

Evaluation of winter wheat as a source of high yield potential for the breeding of spring wheat

Grain yield components of high yielding European winter wheat varieties and of the best spring varieties grown in Israel were compared and their growth was analyzed. F₁- and F₂-populations of crosses between winter and spring varieties were tested. Under conditions in which winter wheat attained its normal kernel size which was similar to that of the spring varieties tested, it markedly outyielded spring wheat by means of its greater number of spikelets per spike. This advantage was also expressed in the F₂-populations and, was apparently, not linked with cold requirement. Winter wheat had a longer growing period and a greater leaf-area but a lower net assimilation rate than spring wheat. The higher total dry matter yield of winter wheat was owing to its longer growing period. The higher grain yield, however, was induced by a higher ratio of grain to total dry matter accumulated during the period of kernel development. The inheritance of several characters is discussed and it is concluded that winter wheat should be able to contribute to an increase in yield of progenies of its crosses with spring wheat.Contribution from The National and University Institute of Agriculture, Rehovot, No. E-1072. This research was supported by a grant of the Ford Foundation, Project Ford 4(A-3).     

Faba bean gene-pools development for low-input agriculture: understanding early stages of natural selection

Six faba bean gene-pools were cultivated to develop locally adapted genetic material for low-input (LI) systems that take advantage of the observed benefit of LI agriculture in pollinator density and diversity. Bee pollinators intensify selection on floral traits important in attraction and mechanical-fit but may also select for traits that increase seed set through outcrossing and aided selfing. Our research is focused on examining the impact of natural selection in crop performance under different pollination management strategies, taking into account traits relevant for the inter-phase plant and pollinator. Architectural and floral patterns are the result of natural selection and they reflect local adaptation to factors of the environment and adaptations to differences in pollination management strategy. However, seed production patterns seem to be affected by natural selection in an inconsistent way. Principal Component models showed a large proportion of the temporal variation accounted by plant height and number of open flowers and by floral shape and sexual dimensions. Discriminant Analysis indicated that plant architecture and floral traits related to pollinators are also the result of selection for particular patterns in each pollination management strategy. Flowers with an increase in the zygomorphy were favored under the open-pollination. Our work confirms the need for careful management of plant-pollinator inter-phase in faba bean breeding for LI systems.     

Developing standardized methods for breeding preharvest sprouting resistant wheat, challenges and successes in Canadian wheat

Preharvest sprouting (PHS) in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and durum wheat (T. turgidum L. var durum) causes significant economic losses due to a reduction in grain yield, grain functionality and viability of seed for planting. Average annual estimated losses in Canada are about $100 million. Genetic resistance to PHS reduces these losses. Development of PHS resistant cultivars is complicated by the effects of factors under genetic control, such as spike morphology, seed dormancy, environment, and kernel diseases. Resistance to PHS has been a breeding priority since the late 1960s. Development of RL4137, which is the primary source of PHS resistance in the Canada Western Red Spring market class, has led to cultivar improvements. A white-seeded derivative of RL4137 is the primary source of PHS in the Canada Prairie Spring White and Canada Western Hard White Spring wheat market classes. Procedures to select for PHS resistance vary among breeding programs, market classes and by degree of inbreeding. Methods include artificial sprouting of intact spikes, germination tests, natural weathering in field trials, artificial weathering trials, and indirect assessment of sprouting by measuring Hagberg falling number. Although many genetic loci have been attributed to preharvest sprouting resistance, application of molecular markers is currently limited due to the complex inheritance of the trait. In Canada, cultivars are characterized for their relative level of PHS resistance and the information is made available to producers.     

黄淮麦区Fhb1基因的育种应用

小麦赤霉病是由禾谷镰孢菌引起的一种世界性重要病害,严重威胁小麦生产安全。黄淮麦区作为我国小麦主产区,赤霉病危害日趋严重,因缺乏半冬性抗源,抗赤霉病育种进展缓慢。Fhb1基因是迄今发现的效应最大、抗性最稳定,也是被广泛应用于全球小麦赤霉病抗性育种的主效基因,但Fhb1基因在黄淮麦区尚未被广泛应用。本研究以感病品种矮抗58为轮回亲本, H35为Fhb1基因供体亲本,通过有限回交和分子标记辅助选择,同时利用双单倍体育种和传统系谱选育两种方法,培育出了一批综合性状较好、具有Fhb1基因的优良新品系,其中徐麦DH9和徐麦17252经多年鉴定均达到中抗水平。在以徐麦36和徐麦2023为杂交父本的后代品系中,含Fhb1基因的家系赤霉病平均抗性明显优于感病对照。Fhb1基因的导入显著提高了赤霉病抗性,但部分家系对赤霉病仍旧表现出高感水平,说明赤霉病抗性还受到Fhb1基因以外其他遗传因素的显著影响。本研究为Fhb1基因在黄淮麦区抗赤霉病小麦育种中的应用提供了成功的经验。     

Climate change at winter wheat breeding sites in central Asia, eastern Europe, and USA, and implications for breeding

Key weather parameters (monthly minimum and maximum temperature, precipitation) were extracted for 35 winter wheat breeding sites in central Asia, eastern Europe and Great Plains of USA from 1961 to 2009. Autumn and winter warming happened gradually, over a long period of time, but mostly before 1991. Climate changes after 1991 were mainly expressed through higher temperatures in spring, May, and June. Clear regional differences were observed for air temperature variation. Breeding sites in the USA seemed to be least subjected to climate change. There were no significant linear trends in yearly, seasonal, or monthly precipitation. Changing climates expressed through rising temperatures during critical stages of winter wheat development have already negatively affected yield gains in several countries, especially in eastern Europe. There are some positive changes associated with warmer winters, which may not require additional investment in traits associated with winter survival. Rising temperatures in spring are of particular concern since their effect on yield is negative in some regions. They certainly accelerate wheat development and shift heading to earlier dates. The interaction of higher temperatures in spring with the rate of crop development and yield is a fundamental issue which requires research. Rising temperatures in June are detrimental for grain development and filling and heat tolerance warrants high priority in breeding programs.     

Directions in breeding for winter wheat yield and quality in South Africa from 1930 to 1990

Summary Changes in the genetic yield and quality potential of South African winter wheat cultivars since 1930 were investigated by means of canonical variate analysis. Yield potential improved by 87%, while test weight and protein percentage changed marginally. Flour colour improved mostly since 1965, but advancement of flour yield declined after 1984. Dough strength increased since 1930, yet current levels of dough strength should not be exceeded. When compared to farinograph assessment of dough strength, mixograph dough development time appears to be a less sensitive indicator of variation in dough strength. Selection on the basis of mixograph dough development time only, could influence a breeder's perception of the dough quality profile of his breeding programme. Protein efficiency was maintained despite improvement in yield potential. Baking quality improved by 20%. The genetic winter wheat potential advanced significantly since 1930 in meeting the increased nutritional demands of the South African population.Abbreviations BSI Baking strength index - CBP Chorleywood Breadmaking Process - CVA Canonical variate analysis - CV₁ First canonical variate - CV₂ Second canonical variate - FCL Flour colour - FDT Farinograph dough development time - FLY Flour yield - FPC Flour protein content - FST Farinograph stability - FWS Farinograph water absorption - GPR Grain protein content - GPY Grain protein yield - LFV Loaf volume - MDT Mixograph dough development time - SDS SDS sedimentation volume - STY Starch yield - TSW Test weight - WBS Water absorption - YLD Yield     

我国北部冬麦区小麦区域试验重复次数和试点数量的优化设计

农作物品种区域试验重复次数和试点数量的合理配置有利于提高试验的成本效率和品种选择效率。本研究分析了2010—2019年期间北部冬麦区小麦品种区域试验的重复次数和试点数量设置的合理性,依据小麦品种试验的信噪比和遗传力水平随重复次数和试点数量的变化规律,提出了重复次数和试点数量的优化设计方案。结果表明:(1)北部冬麦区小麦单点试验的遗传力平均达到0.87,需要的重复次数平均值仅为1.4,说明3次重复可以充分保证试验精确度的需求。(2)北部冬麦区水地组和旱地组小麦区域试验达到0.75的遗传力水平时,需要的试点数量分别为11个和13个,目前有效试点数量分别约为11个和8个,分别达到0.75和0.60的遗传力水平。(3)小麦品种区域试验结果对品种的审定和应用十分重要,而每年都可能有少数试验点因为各种异常情况而报废,为保证试验结果的可靠性,可按H=0.75的水平需求安排试验点数量和重复次数,即重复次数可保持当前的3次;水地组的试点数量可保持在11个左右;旱地组可将试点增加到13个;如要将遗传力提高到0.80的水平,则需约16个试点。     

Grouping patterns of rainfed winter wheat test locations and the role of climatic variables

Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) is a member of genus Potyvirus, which causes worldwide soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield loss and seed quality deterioration. It is of great significance to find new resistance loci and genes for cultivation of soybean variety. In the present study, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population and a genome-wide association study (GWAS) panel, which contained 193 lines and 379 germplasms, respectively, were used for QTL mapping of resistance to SMV. Linkage mapping identified a major QTL, qSMV13, on chromosome 13, conferring resistance to SMV SC3 and SC7 strains, explaining phenotypic variations 71.21 and 76.59?%, respectively. The QTL qSMV13 was located close to the known SMV resistance loci Rsv1-h. GWAS analysis revealed five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with resistance to SC3 on chromosomes 2, 11, 13, 14 and 16. One of the SNP markers, ss715614844, was the right flanking marker of qSMV13. Combining linkage mapping and GWAS analysis enabled us to delimit qSMV13 in a 97.2-kb genomic region containing seven genes. A LRR-RLK protein was proposed as the candidate gene of qSMV13. These results provided selection markers and candidate genes for SMV resistance in soybean molecular breeding programs.

     

Effects of row spacing and liquid manure on directly drilled winter wheat in organic farming

In the optimisation of grain yield and quality of wheat, plant distribution is a key factor. In contrast to high yield levels, at moderate levels, widening the row space did not decrease grain yield. To gain information about changes in the quality and yield with changing in row spacings in organic farming systems, experiments were conducted at two locations in the Swiss midlands in 2001/2002. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Titlis) was directly drilled in rows 0.1875 and 0.3750 m apart at the same seeding rate per area. An unfertilised treatment and the usual application of 60 m³ ha⁻¹ liquid farmyard manure were compared. While the grain yield was not decreased by the wider row spacing, the thousand kernel weight (TKW), and grain protein content were increased from 42.6 to 43.5 g and from 11.7 to 12.7%, respectively, compared to the narrow row spacing. Liquid manure, on average of both experimental sites, increased the yield (from 3.725 to 4.765 Mg ha⁻¹) and the grain protein content (from 12.0 to 12.5%). Doubling the space between the rows from 0.1875 to 0.3750 m seemed to be a suitable strategy for managing directly drilled winter wheat in organic farming systems.     

Comparison of bread wheat varieties with different breeding origin under organic and low input management

In recent years needs have increased to investigate the necessity of breeding cereals for organic agriculture. The aims of this study were (1) to compare 37 bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties with different breeding origin under low input conventional and certified organic farming conditions in Austria and Hungary for 3 years, (2) to identify traits highly sensitive to management systems that could be separated according to their suggested selecting environments and (3) to find evidence for the distinctness of organic wheat breeding. According to the results, seven out of the 15 traits assessed during this study showed significant management × genotype interaction meaning that these traits could be the basis of selection for different management systems. Heading date, sensitivity to leaf rust and powdery mildew had high repeatabilities. For economic reasons, it is therefore reasonable to select for these traits in conventional fields even if the selection target is organic agriculture. However, the present study suggests that selection for the other four traits (grain yield, test weight, leaf-inclination and vigorous growth during booting) should be done later in the target environment. The study compared groups of varieties developed by different breeding strategies (organic, conventional and combined strategies). The results of multivariate analyses showed that the organic breeding was distinct from the other two breeding strategies, but the combined and conventional breeding resulted in similar groupings. It is concluded that the selecting environment has measurable effects on the performance of bread wheat varieties under organic and low input growing conditions.     

Efficient application of in vitro anther culture for different European winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeding programmes

The efficiency of our anther culture protocol was tested with high‐ and low‐responding genotypes, ‘Svilena’ and ‘Berengar’, and 93 F₁ winter wheat crosses in 2010 and 2011. Based on data for these genotypes, the effect of genotype influenced the number of embryo‐like structures, regenerated plantlets and green plantlets, while the number of albino plantlets was affected by genotype, year and environmental factors. Although genotype also influenced the production of green plantlets from breeding crosses, with green plantlets per 100 anthers ranging from 0.04 to 28.67, the average regeneration rate over all crosses was 5.3 green plantlets/100 anthers, which resulted in a total of 11 416 well‐rooted green plantlets. The survival rate of green plantlets following acclimatization was 97.21% in 2010 and 96.34% in 2011. In this study, the phenomenon of albinism and genotype dependency did not hinder the production of more than five thousand green plantlets each year. In our experiments, anther culture proved to be an efficient method in winter wheat breeding programmes with lower costs than alternative technologies.     

苯酚染色测定小麦种子纯度的技术要点与存在问题

苯酚染色属化学测纯方法,它是利用苯酚溶液的蒸气与果皮成分发生化学反应而表现特定的颜色,品种不同果皮有着不同的显色反应,从而将混杂的异品种种子区别开来达到测定种子纯度的目的.     

Adaptation and stability analysis of sweet potato varieties for low-input systems in Uganda

Sixteen sweet potato varieties were evaluated for fresh storage root yield in 20 trials during 2000–2001 for three seasons in four locations in Uganda. Of the 16 varieties, 11 were developed by farmers and five by a central breeding programme. The behaviour of the varieties was quantified in terms of wide adaptation (genotypic mean across trials), specific adaptation (genotypic predictions for specific locations) and stability (Shukla stability variance). With respect to all three aspects of yield behaviour, farmer varieties performed on average better than the official varieties. The results illustrate the potential that farmer varieties can have in the improvement of sweet potato in Uganda and other regions where high diversity of sweet potato landraces exists.     

Hybrids between durum wheat and Thinopyrum junceiforme: Prospects for breeding for scab resistance

Tetraploid wheatgrass, Thinopyrum junceiforme(2n = 4x = 28; J₁J₁J₂J₂), a wild relative of wheat, is an excellent source of resistance to Fusarium head blight. Intergeneric F₁ hybrids (2n = 4x = 28; ABJ₁J₂) between durum wheat (Triticum turgidum; 2n = 4x = 28; AABB) cultivars Lloyd or Langdon and Th. junceiforme were synthesized. Most of the pairing in F₁ hybrids was between the J₁- and J₂-genome chromosomes. Some pairing occurred between wheat chromosomes and alien chromosomes, resulting in segmental exchange that was confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The F₁hybrids were largely male-sterile and were backcrossed, as the female parent, to the respective durum cultivar. Backcrosses from Lloyd × Th. junceiforme hybrids yielded fertile partial amphiploids (2n = 6x = 42; AABBJ₁J₂) as a result of functioning of unreduced female gametes of the hybrid. Lloyd proved to be a more useful durum parent than Langdon in crosses with Th. junceiforme designed to transfer scab resistance genes. Pairing in the amphiploids was characterized by preferential pairing,which resulted in bivalent formation. However, some intergeneric pairing also occurred. Several fertile hybrid derivatives were produced by further backcrossing and selfing. The introduction of alien chromatin into the durum complement was confirmed by FISH. Hybrid derivative lines had significantly lower mean infection scores (p = 0.01), the best showing 10.93% infection, whereas the parental durum cultivars had 70.34% to 89.46% infection. Hybridization with wild relatives may offer an excellent means of introducing scab resistance into durum wheat. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.