Quantitative trait locus analysis of nitrogen use efficiency in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was conducted on data generated from two pot experiments carried out in 2005 (using four nitrogen rates) and 2008 (with three rates) with AFLP markers and 94 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of the Prisma × Apex mapping population. In total 41 QTLs were detected on 6 chromosomes and for 18 traits in both trials. About 95 % of the detected QTLs were with major additive effects. The percentage of variance accounted for by individual QTLs in the multiple QTL mapping model ranged from 8.4 to 54.4 % across all mapped traits in both years. Fifteen QTLs were related to NUE and its components; most of these QTLs were detected at lower nitrogen rates and none at the highest rate in both trials. These QTLs were found on Chromosomes 3(3H) and 7(5H) in 2005 and Chromosome 2(2H) in 2008. Except for the QTLs of plant height and NUE based on grain yield, none of the QTLs which were detected for a given trait in 2005, expressed themselves in 2008 irrespective of the nitrogen levels. QTLs controlling some traits were co-located in each year, and QTLs for many traits were detected on the same chromosome and close to the denso locus. Further research is needed to investigate the possibility to reduce nitrogen fertilizer requirements through breeding while maintaining high yield of barley.     

Variation for nitrogen use efficiency traits in current and historical great plains hard winter wheat

Wheat genotypes that efficiently capture and convert available soil nitrogen into harvested grain protein are key to sustainably meeting the rising global demand for grain protein. The purposes of this study were: to characterize the genetic variation for nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) traits within hard winter wheat adapted to the Great Plains of the United States and evaluate trends in the germplasm with year of release; to explore relationships among traits that may be used for selection within breeding programs; and to identify quantitative trait loci associated with NUE traits in this germplasm. NUE traits were measured in a panel of 299 hard winter wheat genotypes, representing historically important and contemporary germplasm, from across the growing region. Trials were grown in two years at two levels of nitrogen fertility. Genotype and genotype × year interaction effects were highly significant for NUE traits, while genotype × nitrogen rate interactions were non-significant. Strong genetic correlations of plant height and flowering date with NUE traits were observed. Wheat breeders have improved NUE: the subset of 183 genotypes that were released as cultivars after 1960 demonstrated significant trends with year of release for improved grain N yield, grain yield, nitrogen harvest index, nitrogen uptake efficiency, nitrogen utilization efficiency, and post-anthesis nitrogen uptake. In genome-wide association analyses, plant height and flowering date were important covariates in the mixed models, and plant height and flowering date substantially explained the variation in NUE traits in this germplasm. Marker-trait associations were identified that may prove useful in breeding.     

QTLs for barley yield adaptation to Mediterranean environments in the ‘Nure’ × ‘Tremois’ biparental population

Multi-environment trials represent a highly valuable tool for the identification of the genetic bases of crop yield potential and stress adaptation. A Diversity Array Technology^®-based barley map has been developed in the ‘Nure’ × ‘Tremois’ biparental Doubled Haploid population, harbouring the genomic position of a gene set with a putative role in the regulation of flowering time and abiotic stress response in barley. The population has been evaluated in eighteen location-by-year combinations across the Mediterranean basin. QTL mapping identified several genomic regions responsible for barley adaptation to Mediterranean conditions in terms of phenology, grain yield and yield component traits. The most frequently detected yield QTL had the early flowering HvCEN_EPS2 locus (chromosome 2H) as peak marker, showing a positive effect from the early winter parent ‘Nure’ in eight field trials, and explaining up to 45.8 % of the observed variance for grain yield. The HvBM5A_VRN-H1 locus on chromosome 5H and the genomic region possibly corresponding to PPD-H2 on chromosome 1H were significantly associated to grain yield in five and three locations, respectively. Environment-specific QTLs for grain yield, and clusters of yield component QTLs not related to phenology and or developmental genes (e.g. on chromosome 4H, BIN_09) were observed as well. The results of this work provide a valuable source of knowledge and tools for both explaining the genetic bases of barley yield adaptation across the Mediterranean basin, and using QTL-associated markers for MAS pre-breeding and breeding programmes.     

Potato Breeding for Nitrogen-Use Efficiency: Constraints,Achievements, and Future Prospects

In this review, the genetic potential and efforts made on different aspects of potato breeding for nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) and the possible physiological and genetic mechanisms determining NUE in potato in relation to other model crops are presented. Strategies to utilize the diverse gene pool of potato and improve the NUE in contrasting N environments are currently evaluated under field conditions using different selection approaches. So far, focused efforts have been made on the identification of potato genotypic differences which will allow for the analysis of specific components of nitrogen-use efficiency and the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on a range of physiological processes and morphological traits of potato. To my knowledge, despite the availability of genome sequence and QTLs identified for NUE and related agronomic and physiological traits in potato, and genomic information from other model crops, candidate genes on NUE have not yet been identified in potato. To maximize the success rate of potato breeding for NUE, basic knowledge how plants respond to different N regimes and other environmental conditions and use of DNA marker technology are vital.     

Identification of QTLs for alpha acid content and yield in hop (Humulus Lupulus L.)

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and microsatellite (SSR) markers were applied to a segregation population of 111 genotypes derived from a pseudo-testcross of hop (Humulus lupulus L.) in order to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for alpha-acid content and yield traits. A total of 199 markers (150 AFLPs, 43 SSRs, one hypothetical sex marker, five chs genes) were located on the 20 linkage groups (LGs) of the maternal and paternal maps, covering 706 and 616 cM, respectively. Due to the presence of 16 common biparental SSR markers, homology of seven LGs between parental maps could be inferred. The progeny segregated quantitatively for alpha-acid content and yield determined in the years from 2002–2006. A total of 13 putative QTLs for alpha acid content, 13 for dry cone weight and 18 for harvest index were identified on the two maps across years. Possible homologies between the detected QTLs on the two maps as well as in different years were established for all three traits. The most promising QTL for alpha acid content was identified on LG03 flanked by two AFLP markers (E-ACC-M-CAA103F*/P-ACA-M-CAC412F). From 13.80 to 36.64% higher content of alpha acids than the averages obtained in different years was observed in plants having both flanking markers. The candidate region for further characterization of QTLs for yield traits was located on LG01 where the putative QTLs for harvest index were detected on both maps in each of the 5 years. The QTLs identified represent an important improvement in alpha acids MAS and the first step towards marker-assisted breeding for hop yield.     

Combining ability and testcross performance of drought‐tolerant maize inbred lines under stress and non‐stress environments in Kenya

Drought and poor soil fertility are among the major abiotic stresses affecting maize productivity in sub‐Saharan Africa. Maize breeding efforts at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) have focused on incorporating drought stress tolerance and nitrogen‐use efficiency (NUE) into tropical maize germplasm. The objectives of this study were to estimate the general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) of selected maize inbred lines under drought stress (DS), low‐nitrogen (LN) and optimum moisture and nitrogen (optimum) conditions, and to assess the yield potential and stability of experimental hybrids under these management conditions. Forty‐nine experimental three‐way cross hybrids, generated from a 7 × 7 line by tester crosses, and six commercial checks were evaluated across 11 optimum, DS and LN sites in Kenya in 2014 using an alpha lattice design with two replicates per entry at each site. DS reduced both grain yield (GY) and plant height (PH), while anthesis–silking interval (ASI) increased under both DS and LN. Hybrids ‘L4/T2’ and ‘L4/T1’ were found to be superior and stable, while inbreds ‘L4’ and ‘L6’ were good combiners for GY and other secondary traits across sites. Additive variance played a greater role for most traits under the three management conditions, suggesting that further progress in the improvement of these traits should be possible. GY under optimum conditions was positively correlated with GY under both DS and LN conditions, but GY under DS and LN was not correlated. Our results suggest the feasibility for simultaneous improvement in grain yield performance of genotypes under optimum, DS and LN conditions.     

QTL-based analysis of genotype-by-environment interaction for grain yield of rice in stress and non-stress environments

Use of DNA-based markers can accelerate cultivar development in variable cultivation environments since, in contrast to phenotype, DNA markers are environment-independent. In an effort to elucidate the genetic basis of genotype-by-environment interaction (G × E) for yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.), the associations between 139 AFLP markers and grain yield were determined for rice grown in fresh water (EC of 0.65 dS m⁻¹) and saline conditions (EC of 4–8 dS m⁻¹) with 0 kg ha⁻¹ or 100 kg ha⁻¹ nitrogen fertilizer in the years 2000 and 2001. A population of recombinant inbred lines of rice, developed from an IR29 × Pokkali cross, was used in the study. Both genotype × salinity and genotype × nitrogen level interactions were significant, with the genotype × salinity interaction being stronger. Through multiple regression analysis using a stepwise procedure for selecting markers, 36 markers were detected for grain yield in the four test conditions and of these 28 were detected in only one test condition implying strong environmental specificity for yield QTL expression. However, the fact that eight QTLs were detected in more than one test condition points to the existence of wide-adaptability genes in this cross. Markers with significant associations with yield explained between 37% and 48% of the yield variation in each test condition. Superior genotypes of rice were identified in all four test conditions based on their marker signatures. Furthermore, across N fertilizer regimes, yield predicted from summed additive effects of QTLs were significantly correlated with observed yield in the same year and across years. Thus marker-assisted selection can help breeders overcome the problem of low selection efficiency encountered during phenotypic selection for yield in stress environments.     

New quantitative trait loci for enhancing adaptation to salinity in rice from Hasawi,a Saudi landrace into three African cultivars at the reproductive stage

Salinity is a major constraint affecting rice productivity in rainfed and irrigated agro-ecosystems. Understanding salinity effects on rice production at the reproductive stage could improve adaptation for this trait. Identifying quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling adaptation to salinity may also accelerate breeding rice germplasm for environments prone to this stress. We used the salt tolerant landrace ‘Hasawi’ as a donor parent to generate three F₂ offspring (consisting each of 500 individuals) with three African cultivars (‘NERICA-L-19’, ‘Sahel 108’ and ‘BG90-2’) used as recipient parents (RP). The F₂s and F_2:3s were evaluated for grain yield and other traits in saline fields. Salinity caused reduction in all measured traits across the F₂-derived offspring, e.g. grain yield reduced between 65 and 73 %, but some offspring had twice the RP’s grain yield. QTL analysis revealed 75 QTLs for different traits in all 3 genetic backgrounds (GBs): 24 of them were common among all the 3 GBs while 31 were noted in 2 GBs, and 17 in one GB. ‘Hasawi’ contributed on average 49 % alleles to these QTLs. Two yield and yield related QTLs (qGY11 and qTN11) common in all 3 GBs were mapped on the same chromosomal segment suggesting these QTLs might be stable across different GBs. Four other QTLs were strongly associated with salinity tolerance with peak marker RM419, representing a potential candidate for MAS due to high LOD score and relatively large effect QTLs.     

Evaluation of grain yield and related agronomic traits of quality protein maize hybrids in Southern Africa

Maize is the major staple food in southern Africa with human consumption averaging 91 kg capita^?1 year^?1, and normal maize is nutritionally deficient in two essential amino acids: tryptophan and lysine. Despite the development of quality protein maize (QPM) with high tryptophan and lysine, stunting and kwashiorkor remain high in sub-Saharan Africa due to lack of high yielding and adapted QPM varieties. This study aimed at evaluating a new generation of QPM varieties for yield and related agronomic traits. Before the QPM varieties were validated on-farm, they were simultaneously selected on-station under five different management conditions. In the 2014/2015 season, 10 elite QPM varieties were selected from on-station trials based on high grain yield and stability, and were compared with the best commercial check varieties on-farm. During the 2015/2016 season, some poorly performing QPM varieties were dropped while new ones were added, resulting in 12 elite QPM varieties being evaluated on-farm. Analysis of variance for the 2014/2015 season showed non-significant hybrid × management condition interaction. Mean grain yields across management conditions ranged from 1.5 to 4 t ha^?1 and were higher under mild stress (2.3–5.5 t ha^?1) compared to random stress conditions (1.1–2.9 t ha^?1). Broad sense heritability estimates were low to moderate (11–69%), and thus could still permit effective selection of better genotypes. Yield advantage ranged from 12 to 25% across the 2 years, suggesting effective genetic gains in QPM breeding. QPM hybrids CZH132044Q, CZH142238Q and CZH142236Q were stable and high yielding. Promotion of such QPM hybrids may help reduce protein energy malnutrition.     

不同水分环境下玉米产量构成因子及籽粒相关性状的QTL分析

干旱胁迫对玉米产量及其相关性状有重要影响。本研究以我国玉米育种骨干亲本齐319和掖478分别和黄早四组配构建的两个F_2:3群体为材料,应用逐步联合分析的QTL定位方法,剖析新疆不同水分环境下(包含水区和旱区)玉米产量构成因子及籽粒相关性状的遗传基础。结果表明,在相同水分处理不同年份间产量构成因子和籽粒相关性状超过70%的QTL可稳定表达,旱区QTL的稳定性明显低于水区,当全部环境联合分析时,各性状QTL稳定性呈现一定程度的降低,但超过60%的QTL仍然稳定表达。两群体中共检测到11个环境钝感的主效QTL(在2个以上环境中检测到,且至少在一个环境下的贡献率大于10%),分布在bin1.10、2.00、4.09、7.02、9.02、10.04和10.07共7个基因组区段上,除bin10.04外所有环境钝感的主效QTL在全部环境下稳定表达。因此,玉米产量构成因子和籽粒相关性状的QTL在新疆相同水分处理不同年份间,甚至不同水分条件下大部分均可稳定表达,这些主效QTL位点可为抗旱分子育种和进一步精细定位提供参考。     

Dissection of component QTL expression in yield formation in rice

Yield and its components were investigated by using a population of 241 recombinant inbred lines (F₉ RILs) derived from an elite hybrid rice cross of ‘Zhenshan 97’בMinghui 63′. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for causal analysing of yield traits were detected at different yield component (YC) influences by conditional and unconditional QTL mapping methods. The number of QTLs significantly affecting yield was different at component‐special influence. Some QTLs controlling yield identified in one component influence were undetectable at the others. More QTLs for yield could be detected at different YC influences. It is possible to reveal that causal gene expression for yield could be different at different YC influences. Mapping QTLs for component effects of yield could help us in understanding the nature of cause‐effect traits for the formation of grain yield.     

Molecular mapping of QTLs for resistance to Fusarium wilt (race 1) and Ascochyta blight in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Fusarium wilt (FW) and Ascochyta blight (AB) are two important diseases of chickpea which cause 100 % yield losses under favorable conditions. With an objective to validate and/or to identify novel quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for resistance to race 1 of FW caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris and AB caused by Ascochyta rabiei in chickpea, two new mapping populations (F_2:3) namely ‘C 214’ (FW susceptible) × ‘WR 315’ (FW resistant) and ‘C 214’ (AB susceptible) × ‘ILC 3279’ (AB resistant) were developed. After screening 371 SSR markers on parental lines and genotyping the mapping populations with polymorphic markers, two new genetic maps comprising 57 (C 214 × WR 315) and 58 (C 214 × ILC 3279) loci were developed. Analysis of genotyping data together with phenotyping data collected on mapping population for resistance to FW in field conditions identified two novel QTLs which explained 10.4–18.8 % of phenotypic variation. Similarly, analysis of phenotyping data for resistance to seedling resistance and adult plant resistance for AB under controlled and field conditions together with genotyping data identified a total of 6 QTLs explaining up to 31.9 % of phenotypic variation. One major QTL, explaining 31.9 % phenotypic variation for AB resistance was identified in both field and controlled conditions and was also reported from different resistant lines in many earlier studies. This major QTL for AB resistance and two novel QTLs identified for FW resistance are the most promising QTLs for molecular breeding separately or pyramiding for resistance to FW and AB for chickpea improvement.     

Genotype × environment interaction and yield stability in a cowpea-based cropping system

Twenty-four cowpea genotypes were evaluated under sole cropping or additive series intercropping with sorghum from 2004 to 2005 at four sites representative of the Guinea and Sudan savannah ecologies in Ghana. The aim was to determine whether cowpea breeding programs that emphasize selection under sole-crop conditions have the potential to produce cultivars that are effective under additive series intercropping. Genotype × cropping systems interaction was significant for days to 50% flowering but not for grain yield, biomass and other studied traits. Genotypic yield reaction to cropping systems indicated that bridging the yield gap between sole cropping and intercropping systems is best addressed by agronomic interventions that reduce stress on intercrop cowpea rather than by selecting for specifically adapted genotypes for intercropping. Significant genotype × environment interactions were observed for all traits when data was pooled over cropping systems. Partitioning of the genotype × environment interaction variance indicated that days to 50% flowering was dominated by heterogeneity of genotypic variance, whereas genotype × environment interactions for grain yield and biomass was mainly due to imperfect correlations. Large differences in genotypic yield stability were observed as estimated by the among-environment variance, regression of yield on the environmental index, Kataoka’s index, and by partitioning of genotype × environment interaction sum of squares into components attributable to each genotype. The results suggest that in regions where genotype × environment interaction for yield frequently causes re-ranking across environments, genotypes with the least contribution to the interaction sum of squares are likely to be most productive. On the whole, the results support the contention that breeding under sole-crop conditions has the potential to produce cultivars effective under intercropping conditions.     

Quantitative trait loci mapping for yield-related traits under low and high planting densities in maize (Zea mays)

Average maize yield per hectare has increased significantly because of the improvement in high-density tolerance, but little attention has been paid to the genetic mechanism of grain yield response to high planting density. Here, we used a population of 301 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross YE478 × 08–641 to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for 16 yield-related traits under two planting densities (57,000 and 114,000 plants per ha) across four environments. These yield-related traits responded differently to high-density stress. A total of 110 QTLs were observed for these traits: 33 QTLs only under low planting density, 50 QTLs under high planting density and 27 QTLs across both densities. Only two major QTLs, qCD6 and qWKEL2-2, were identified across low- and high-density treatments. Seven environmentally stable QTLs were also observed containing qED6, qWKEL3, qRN3-3, qRN7-2, qRN9-2 and qRN10 across both densities, as well as qRN9-1 under low density. In addition, 16 and eight pairs of loci with epistasis interaction (EPI) were detected under low and high planting densities, respectively. Additionally, nine and 17 loci showed QTL × environment interaction (QEI) under low- and high-density conditions, respectively. These interactions are of lesser importance than the main QTL effects. We also observed 26 pleiotropic QTL clusters, and the hotspot region 3.08 concentrated nine QTLs, suggesting its great importance for maize yield. These findings suggested that multiple minor QTLs, loci with EPI and QEI, pleiotropy and the complex network of “crosstalk” among them for yield-related traits were greatly influenced by plant density, which increases our understanding of the genetic mechanism of yield-related traits for high-density tolerance.     

Development of linkage map and mapping of QTLs for oil content and yield attributes in linseed (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Linum usitatissimum</Emphasis> L.)

Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is an important oilseed as well as stem fiber crop and rich source of omega-3 fatty acid. The present study aims to develop linkage map based on Indian genotypes and utilize it for mapping QTLs for important agronomic traits. Two diverse parental genotypes (KL-213 and RKY-14) of linseed showed wide range of variability for oil content and yield attributes. These parental genotypes also showed reasonable level of SSR polymorphism (~ 9.0%). The mapping population showed normal distribution of phenotypic traits. One hundred forty-six SSR markers were mapped on 15 linkage groups with marker density ranging from 3 to 18 markers per linkage group at average distance of 14.2 cM. A total of 11 QTLs were identified for six quantitative traits. Three QTLs for capsules/plant, 2 QTLs each for plant height, seeds/capsule and oil content and 1 QTL each for branches/plant and seed weight/plant were detected. Phenotypic variability explained by these QTLs varied from 1 to 15.23%. This study provides framework linkage map of linseed using Indian genotypes, which needs to be enriched further for future application in marker assisted breeding of linseed.     

Sources of parthenocarpy for Zucchini breeding: relationship with ethylene production and sensitivity

Cytoplasmic genic male sterility system based hybrids were synthesized by line × tester design and evaluated with check GTH 1 in RBD at Sardarkrushinagar, Jagudan and Khedbrahma during kharif 2007. Analysis of variance in individual and across environments revealed significant differences among genotypes and existence of overall heterosis for seed yield per plant and other thirteen traits. The top ranking on the basis of standard heterosis were CMSGT087A × GTR0525 (116.40 %) followed by CMSGT087A × AGTR0534 (108.93 %), CMSGT0307A × AGTR0538 (99.21 %) and CMSGT 0301A × AGTR 0534 (95.51 %) for seed yield per plant and for one or two of its contributing traits. Combining ability analysis revealed presence of both additive and non-additive gene effects. The specific combining ability variance was found more compaired to general combining ability variance for all the characters under studied. This favored a hybrid breeding programme. In stability analysis, linear portion was considerably high for all the traits except for days to flower and pod length. The best stable hybrids for seed yield per plant over environments were CMSGT 308A × AGTR 0534, CMSGT 307A × AGTR 0543, CMSGT 0308A × AGTR 0536 and CMSGT 0311A × GTR 0525 and also recorded stability in any one or more of its contributing traits viz. pods per plant, branches per plant, seed per pod, pod length and test weight. Top ranking hybrids had high mean performance, high heterosis and desirable sca effects and stability for seed yield per plant. Therefore, these hybrids could be valuable for commercial exploitation.     

Estimating gene action,combining ability and heterosis for grain yield and agronomic traits in extra-early maturing yellow maize single-crosses under three agro-ecologies of Ghana

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important cereal crop produced in Ghana. However, yield of the crop is generally low, producing just about 1.7 t/ha. The low yield is attributed to continuous use of local/unimproved varieties. Generally, hybrid varieties have proven to out-yield the local/unimproved varieties due to improved vigour. Development of hybrid varieties depend on good understanding of combining ability and inheritance of important quantitative traits such as grain yield (GY). 45 half-diallel crosses generated from 10 extra-early maturing yellow inbred lines were evaluated in 2015 under rain-fed conditions. The objectives were to determine the genetic control, breeding value and estimate heritability for GY and agronomic traits of the inbred lines under contrasting growing environments in Ghana. General combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were important in the inheritance of GY and agronomic traits of the inbred lines. However, GCA was more important than SCA across environments to suggest that additive gene action was more important than non-additive gene action in the inheritance of GY and agronomic traits in the inbred lines. High broad-sense heritability, for GY and other agronomic traits indicated preponderance of additive gene action in trait expression, thus, selection based on phenotypic expression could be feasible. Inbred lines P1, P4 and P8 were good combiners for high GY. The genotype, P4 × P8, was identified as the ideal and most yielding single-cross hybrid across research environments and should be further tested on-farm before commercialization.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci associated with iron deficiency chlorosis resistance in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)

Iron deficiency chlorosis is an important abiotic stress affecting groundnut production worldwide in calcareous and alkaline soils with a pH of 7.5–8.5. To identify genomic regions controlling iron deficiency chlorosis resistance in groundnut, the recombinant inbred line population from the cross TAG 24 × ICGV 86031 was evaluated for associated traits like visual chlorosis rating and SPAD chlorophyll meter reading across three crop growth stages for two consecutive years. Thirty-two QTLs were identified for visual chlorosis rating (3.9%–31.8% phenotypic variance explained [PVE]) and SPAD chlorophyll meter reading [3.8%–11% PVE] across three stages over 2 years. This is the first report of identification of QTLs for iron deficiency chlorosis resistance-associated traits in groundnut. Three major QTLs (>10% PVE) were identified at severe stage, while majority of other QTLs were having small effects. Interestingly, two major QTLs for visual chlorosis rating at 60 days (2013) and 90 days (2014) were located at same position on LG AhXIII. The identified QTLs/markers after validation across diverse genetic material could be used in genomics-assisted breeding.     

Identification of QTL for stalk sugar-related traits in a population of recombinant inbred lines of maize

Increasing sugar content in silage maize stalk improves its forage quality and palatability. The genetic mapping and characterization of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) is considered a valuable tool for trait enhancement, yet little information on QTL for stalk sugar content in maize has been reported. To this end, we investigated QTLs associated with stalk sugar traits including Brix, plant height (PHT), three ear leaves area (TELA), and days to silking (DTS) in two environments using a population of 202 recombinant inbred lines from a cross between YXD053, which has a high stalk sugar content, and Y6-1, which has a low stalk sugar content. A genetic map with 180 SSR and 10 AFLP markers was constructed, which spanned 1,648.6 cM of the maize genome with an average marker distance of 8.68 cM, and QTLs were detected using composite interval mapping. Seven QTLs controlling Brix were mapped on chromosomes 1, 2, 6 and 9 in the combined environments. These QTLs could explain 2.69–13.08 % of the phenotypic variance. One major QTL for Brix on chromosome 2 located between the markers bnlg1909 and umc1635 explained 13.08 % of the phenotypic variance. Y6-1 also contributed QTL allele for increased Brix on chromosome 6. One major QTLs controlling PHT on chromosome 1 and TELA on chromosome 4 were also identified and accounted for 13.68 and 12.49 % of the phenotypic variance, respectively. QTL alleles for increased DTS were located on chromosomes 1 and 5 of YXD053. Significant epistatic effects were identified in four traits, but no significant QTL × environment interactions were observed. The information presented here may be valuable for stalk sugar content improvement via marker-assisted selection in silage maize breeding programs.     

Breeding progress for yield in winter wheat genotypes targeted to irrigated environments of the CWANA region

The international winter wheat improvement program (IWWIP), an alliance between Turkey–CIMMYT–ICARDA, has distributed improved germplasm to different National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) partners through international nurseries and yield trials for the last 25 years. This study was carried out in order to determine the rate of breeding progress for yield and yield related traits at IWWIP using data of the international winter wheat yield trials (IWWYT), IWWYT 1–13, collected from 1997 to 2010 in irrigated environments across different countries. The relative grain yield of the best line expressed as percent of the best check (Kinaci-97), widely grown cultivar (Bezostaya) and trial mean (TM) increased at a rate of 0.6, 1.6 and 0.2 %/year, each non-significant (P > 0.05), respectively. Regression analysis indicated that TM has increased at a rate of 91.9 kg/ha/year (P = 0.007). The net realized breeding progress was estimated by accounting the variability due to management and weather conditions using surrogate variables such as integrated biological indices taken as means of common checks. The net realized gain for the BL was 66.2 ± 19.7 kg/ha/year (P = 0.01). Success rate of the BL, per cent of sites where the BL exceeds the local check in grain yield, ranged from 50 to 87 % across trials. To date, more than 55 varieties of IWWIP origin have been released in 10 countries of Central and West Asia including Afghanistan, Turkey, Iran, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Some varieties, such as Solh and Kinaci-97, have been released under different names in different countries indicating their broad adaptation. Cluster analysis of IWWYT sites indicated that IWWIP sites in Turkey and Syria are associated with most of the testing sites in Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) region. The recently identified high yielding genotypes are recommended for direct release and/or parental purposes by the respective NARS.