Characteristics and inheritance of natural facultative-parthenocarpic fruit-set in ‘Nadja’ tomato under low temperature conditions

‘Nadja’ tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) set both seedless and seeded fruits under the fluctuating temperatures prevailing during late-March and early-April in Assiut district, Egypt. Entirely seedless fruits developed under the low temperatures prevailing during Dec. Seedless fruits seemed to develop vegetatively , i.e. with no need for stimulus pollination. All seedless fruits were normally jelled and appeared similar in shape and size to the seeded fruits. Study of F₁, F₂, and backcross generations for the crosses ‘Cal Ace’ × ‘Nadja’ and ‘Peto-86’ × ‘Nadja’ suggested that the expression of the trait was due to single homozygous recessive gene. Yield produced by ‘Nadja’ was higher than the F₁, F₂, and backcross generations in both the early- summer and the late-winter plantings. Potentially useful parthenocarpic segregates were found in F₂ of the two crosses for increased fruit weight of normally shaped and jelled fruits. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Metabolic profiling of ‘Conference’ pears under low oxygen stress

Pears (Pyrus communis L. cv. Conference) may develop core breakdown when stored under low oxygen or elevated carbon dioxide conditions. This physiological disorder is characterized by the development of brown spots due to oxidation of phenolic compounds, and eventually, cavities in the center of the fruit. Based on metabolic profiling of brown and sound tissue using GC-EI-TOF-MS, the hypothesis that this disorder is due to an imbalance between oxidative and reductive processes at the cellular level was investigated. Brown tissue was clearly characterized by a distinctive pattern in changes which included a decrease of malic acid and an increase in fumaric acid and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), which indicated a reduced metabolic activity at the level of the Krebs cycle and a putative block of the GABA shunt pathway. Increased gluconic acid concentration might be related to ascorbic acid degradation due to insufficient reducing equivalents or to an impaired pentose phosphate pathway. For the first time, GABA and gluconic acid have been shown to be metabolic markers for core breakdown. The concentrations of other compounds which are believed to be related to hypoxic stress response such as trehalose and putrescine were also considerably higher in brown tissue than in sound tissue. The concentration of some sugars which are typically found in xyloglucans also increased during brown development, possibly indicating cell wall breakdown due to enzymatic processes or chemical reactions of hydroxyl radicals.     

‘Niigata S3’ is a new strawberry cultivar suitable for forcing culture under low temperature and insolation conditions

‘Niigata S3’ is a new strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivar that is early flowering and possesses high soluble solid content and good coloration. It was selected from a cross between Kei812 (seed parent) and ‘Asuka-Ruby’ (pollen parent). The first harvest date of ‘Niigata S3’ was December 27, 34 days earlier than ‘Echigohime’ and 9 days earlier than ‘Asuka-Ruby’ (means of 2007 and 2008). The marketable yield of ‘Niigata S3’ was 85% of ‘Echigohime’, 107% of ‘Asuka-Ruby’, while the early yield was 145% of ‘Echigohime’, 85% of ‘Asuka-Ruby’ (based on 2007 and 2008 means). The shape of the fruit is long conical, and its skin color medium-red. The fruit skin hardness of ‘Niigata S3’ was 31.5 g/mm², which was harder than ‘Echigohime’, and its average soluble solid content was 11.4%, which was higher than the values for ‘Echigohime’ and ‘Asuka-Ruby’ (2008). Furthermore, ‘Niigata S3’ did not bear apical overripe fruit. This new cultivar is adaptable to the climatic conditions of Niigata, as well as other regions that experience low winter temperatures and insolation.     

Inheritance of a resistance specific to tomato spotted wilt tospovirus in Capsicum chinense ‘PI 159236’

Summary Inheritance studies were conducted to determine the genetic basis of resistance in pepper against one Tospovirus isolate classified as tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). F₁, backcrosses and F₂ populations were developed using the resistant parent Capsicum chinense PI 159236 (CNPH 679) and the susceptible parent C. annuum Magda (CNPH 192). Segregation ratios strongly indicated that the resistant response (a localization, hypersensitive-like reaction) to TSWV fits a single-dominant gene model. Under our experimental conditions, the penetrance of this gene was very high. This gene (tentatively named Tsw) is highly effective only against TSWV isolates. The resistance governed by the Tsw gene was not effective against isolates belonging to tomato chlorotic spot virus (TCSV) and groundnut ring spot virus (GRSV), two other previously described Tospovirus species.     

Genetics of stem rust resistance in the durum wheat accession ‘Reichenbachii’

Summary Inheritance of seedling reactions to cultures of races TLM and MBCT of Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici was studied in crosses of the resistant durum Reichenbachii with susceptible Marruecos 9623 and DZ04-118. The Chi-square test for goodness of fit was used to analyze segregating populations. Two independent recessive genes appeared to control resistance of Reichenbachii to both TLM and MBCT. Depending upon the cross, the two genes interacted cumulatively to condition immunity or higher levels of resistance than either parent conditioned singly. There was no evidence of maternal influence on the inheritance of resistance. Resistance genes in Reichenbachii were recessive; therefore, breeders should consider the use of relatively large F₂ populations to effectively transfer these genes to cultivars with good agronomic characteristics.     

Effect of hot water treatments on chilling injury and expression of a new C-repeat binding factor (CBF) in ‘Hongyang’ kiwifruit during low temperature storage

Kiwifruit is cold-sensitive and very susceptible to chilling injury (CI) during low temperature storage. In this study, kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis cv. Hongyang) were pre-treated by water dip for 10 min at 20 (control) or 35, 45, or 55 °C (heat pretreatments) and then stored at 0 °C for 90 days to investigate the effect of hot water treatments (HWT) on chilling injury tolerance. Results showed that 35 °C and 45 °C HWT alleviated but did not completely prevent chilling injury development. By contrast, 55 °C HWT increased symptoms of chilling injury. The 45 °C HWT was the most effective at reducing chilling injury index and incidence. Compared with the other HWT, fruit treated at 45 °C exhibited higher firmness and soluble solids content (SSC), and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content, lipoxygenase (LOX) activity and ethylene production rate. C-repeat/dehydration-responsive element binding factors (CBFs) are key regulators in cold response. To investigate the molecular regulation of HWT on chilling tolerance of kiwifruit, a 637 bp CBF gene was identified and the relative expression of AcCBF was measured by RT-qPCR. In accordance with the effects of HWT on physiological parameters of chilling injury, AcCBF expression level was highest in the 45 °C HWT. These results indicate that HWT at 45 °C for 10 min prior to low temperature storage is effective for alleviating symptoms of chilling injury in ‘Hongyang’ kiwifruit.     

Integrated ethylene and temperature conditioning for induction of ripening capacity in ‘Anjou’ and ‘Comice’ pears

‘Anjou’ and ‘Comice’ pears from three harvest dates were conditioned to develop ripening capacity by exposure to 100 μL L⁻¹ ethylene at 20 °C for 0, 24, 48, or 72 h, followed by varying durations of temperature conditioning at −0.5 or 10 °C. Ripening capacity was tested by measuring fruit firmness after 7 d at 20 °C after completion of conditioning treatments. Fruit firmness was also measured after conditioning but before ripening, and was designated “shipping firmness”, indicative of the potential for the fruit to withstand transport conditions without physical injury. Ripening capacity in both cultivars developed more rapidly with later harvest date, increasing duration of ethylene conditioning, and increasing duration of temperature conditioning. Ripening capacity developed much more rapidly at 10 °C than at −0.5 °C. Useful durations of temperature conditioning at 10 °C were limited by fruit softening below acceptable values of shipping firmness. However, sequential combinations of ethylene and temperature conditioning at both −0.5 and 10 °C were identified wherein post-conditioning shipping firmness was acceptable.     

Induction of ripening capacity in ‘Packham's Triumph’ and ‘Gebhard Red D’Anjou’ Pears by temperature and ethylene conditioning

Methods were tested for rapid induction of ripening capacity in ‘Packham's Triumph’ and ‘Gebhard Red D’Anjou’ pears in order to facilitate early marketing. Fruit of each cultivar were harvested at the onset of maturity and conditioned to develop ripening capacity by exposure to 100 μL L⁻¹ ethylene at 20 °C for 0, 24, 48, or 72 h, followed by varying durations of temperature conditioning at −0.5 or 10 °C. Ripening capacity was tested by measuring fruit firmness after 7 d at 20 °C after completion of conditioning treatments. Fruit firmness was also measured after conditioning but before ripening, and was designated “shipping firmness,” indicative of the potential for the fruit to withstand transport conditions without physical injury. With temperature conditioning at −0.5 °C only, ‘Packham's Triumph’ pears needed 45 d to develop ripening capacity, while ‘Gebhard Red D’Anjou’ pears were not capable of fully ripening after 60 d, the longest duration tested. Using ethylene only, 72 h exposure was necessary to develop full ripening capacity in both cultivars, and adequate shipping firmness was maintained. Using temperature conditioning at 10 °C, ripening capacity in ‘Packham's Triumph’ and ‘Gebhard Red D’Anjou’ developed within 10 and 20 d, respectively, but shipping firmness in ‘Gebhard Red D’Anjou’ was compromised at 20 d. In both cultivars, 24 or 48 h in ethylene followed by 5 d at 10 °C induced ripening capacity while maintaining adequate shipping firmness.     

Genetics of fertility restoration of ‘Wild Abortive’ cytoplasmic male sterility in rice,Oryza sativa L.

Summary Genetics of fertility restoration in six varieties and breeding lines of rice was studied in Wild Abortive cytoplasmic genetic male sterility system using cytoplasmic male sterile lines V 20 A and IR 54752 A. Fertility evaluation of the plants in F₂ and testcross populations of the crosses of V 20 A with PR 103, PR 106 and PAU 502-94-1, and IR 54752 A with PAU 1124-36-1 and PAU 1126-1-1 revealed that fertility restoration in PR 103, PR 106, PAU 502-94-1, PAU 1124-36-1 and PAU 1126-1-1 was controlled by two independently segregating dominant genes. The two genes appeared to have additive effects; one of them being stronger than the other in imparting fertility restoration. Data on spikelet fertility of the plants in F₂ and testcross populations of V 20 A/UPR 82-1-1 cross showed that fertility restoration in UPR 82-1-1 was controlled by two independently segregating dominant genes which exhibited recessive epistatic interaction.

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Identification of a novel gene (Apq1) from the indica rice cultivar ‘Habataki’ that improves the quality of grains produced under high temperature stress

The appearance of brown rice grown under high temperature conditions is an important characteristic for improvement in Japanese rice breeding programs. We performed a QTL analysis of the appearance quality of brown rice using chromosome segment substitution lines of the indica cultivar ‘Habataki’ in the ‘Koshihikari’ genetic background. A line carrying a ‘Habataki’ segment on chromosome 7 showed a high percentage of perfect grains produced under high temperature conditions during the ripening period. To verify the role of this segment, and to narrow down the region containing the useful allele, substitution mapping was performed using multiple paired lines. As a result, the chromosomal location of a gene that we named Appearance quality of brown rice 1 (Apq1) was delimited to a 48-kb region. In addition, we developed an Apq1-near isogenic line (NIL) to evaluate the effect of Apq1 on various agronomic traits. Under high temperature conditions during the ripening period, the Apq1-NIL produced significantly higher percentages of perfect grains than ‘Koshihikari’. Other agronomic traits, including yield and palatability, were similar between the Apq1-NIL and ‘Koshihikari’. Therefore, the ‘Habataki’ allele of Apq1 will be useful in breeding programs aimed at improving the quality of grains ripened under high temperature conditions.     

Detection of downy and powdery mildew resistance QTL in a ‘Regent’ × ‘RedGlobe’ population

One hundred and eighty six F₁ plants from a ‘Regent’ × ‘RedGlobe’ cross were used to generate a partial linkage map with 139 microsatellite markers spanning all 19 chromosomes. Phenotypic scores for downy mildew, taken over two years, confirmed a major resistance QTL (Rpv3) against downy mildew in the interval VVIN16-cjvh to UDV108 on chromosome 18 of ‘Regent’. This locus explained up to 62 % of the phenotypic variance observed. Additionally a putative minor downy mildew resistance locus was observed on chromosome 1 in one season. A major resistance locus against powdery mildew (Ren3) was also identified on chromosome 15 of ‘Regent’ in the interval UDV116 to VChr15CenGen06. This study established the efficacy of and validated the ‘Regent’-derived downy and powdery mildew major resistance genes/QTL under South African conditions. Closely linked SSR markers for marker-assisted selection and gene pyramiding strategies were identified.     

The effect of temperature on fruit set,seed set and seed germination in ‘Sonia’ × ‘Hadley’ hybrid Tea-rose crosses

Summary The effect of temperature on fruit set, seed set and seed germination was studied in Sonia × Hadley Hybrid Tea-rose crosses. Sonia mother bushes were grown at constant temperatures (10, 14, 18, 22, 26°C) in the greenhouses of the phytotron until fruit ripening. Fruit set, fruit weight and number of seeds increased as temperature was higher. Optimum temperatures were found for days to fruit ripening (18°C), seed germination (22°C) and number of seedlings per pollinated flower (22°C). Fruit weight and number of seeds were positively correlated. For crossing and the subsequent growing of seed-bearing plants 22°C was the most favourable temperature. Effects of temperature on pollen tube growth, fertilization and seed germination are discussed.     

Upregulation of polyphenol-related genes prevents ‘skin burning’ of well-colored ‘Cameo’ apples stored under stressful controlled atmosphere conditions

‘Skin burning’ of ‘Cameo’ apples resulting in poorly colored fruit can occur in storage under high CO₂ condition. To elucidate possible reasons for this physiological disorder, we assessed the differential expression of polyphenol-related genes. Poorly colored and well-colored mature ‘Cameo’ apples were stored under either high (3%) or low (0.7%) CO₂ levels, both in combination with 1% O₂, and monitored for seven months for ‘skin burning’. Samples were obtained by the end of storage period, and qPCR analyses were conducted using gene specific primers. We found expression levels of chalcone synthase (MdCHS), chalcone isomerase (MdCHI), anthocyanidin synthase (MdANS), flavonol synthase (MdFLS), dihydroflavonolreductase (MdDFR), and leucoanthocyanidinreductase (MdLAR1) genes to be substantially higher in well-colored compared to poorly colored apples. The delay in establishing the stressful controlled atmosphere (CA) storage condition (3% CO₂ level) led to significantly higher expression levels of MdLAR1, MdCHI, anthocyanidinreductase (MdANR) and flavanone 3-hydroxylase (MdF3H), which may explain the lower incidence of ‘skin burning’ by delayed CA fruit. On the other hand, after seven months in storage, the expression levels of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (MdPAL), MdCHS, MdCHI, MdDFR, MdFLS, and MdF3H, were significantly higher in poorly colored injured apples, which reflect a feedback mechanism to synthesize more polyphenols to counteract the stressful storage condition.     

Identification of major QTLs associated with stable resistance of tomato cultivar ‘Hawaii 7996’ to Ralstonia solanacearum

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the most devastating diseases of tomato. Tomato cultivar ‘Hawaii 7996’ has been shown to have stable resistance against different strains under different environments. This study aimed to locate quantitative trail loci (QTLs) associated with stable resistance using 188 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from ‘Hawaii 7996’ and ‘West Virginia 700.’ A new linkage map with good genome coverage was developed, mainly using simple sequence repeat markers developed from anchored bacterial artificial chromosome or scaffold sequences of tomato. The population was evaluated against phylotype I and phylotype II strains at seedling stage or in the field in Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Reunion. Two major QTLs were identified to be associated with stable resistance. Bwr-12, located in a 2.8-cM interval of chromosome 12, controlled 17.9–56.1 % of total resistance variation. The main function of Bwr-12 was related to suppression of internal multiplication of the pathogen in the stem. This QTL was not associated with resistance against race 3-phylotype II strain. Bwr-6 on chromosome 6 explained 11.5–22.2 % of the phenotypic variation. Its location differed with phenotype datasets and was distributed along a 15.5-cM region. The RILs with the resistance allele from both Bwr-12 and Bwr-6 had the lowest disease incidence, which was significantly lower than the groups with only Bwr-12 or Bwr-6. Our studies confirmed the polygenic nature of resistance to bacterial wilt in tomato, and that stable resistance in ‘Hawaii 7996’ is mainly associated with Bwr-6 and Bwr-12.     

Construction of ‘compound’ rust resistance genes in maize

Summary The Rp1 locus of maize is a complex rust resistance locus where multiple resistance genes are clustered. Rare recombination events between Rp1 genes or alleles can produce two or more detectable genes linked in coupling phase. Such compound genes can then be manipulated as a single gene in breeding programs. Several compound Rp1 genes, each carrying two or three tightly linked resistance genes, were constructed to test their utility in controlling common rust. While none of the lines carrying single Rp1 genes were resistant to all of the characterized North American P. sorghi biotypes, most of the two component and all of the three component Rp1 complexes were resistant. The potential for utilization of compound resistance genes in other crop species is discussed.     

Genetic control of pre-heading phases in the Steptoe × Morex barley population under different conditions of photoperiod and temperature

Although there are numerous studies on the genetic control of flowering time in barley, little is known on the genetic control of duration of different particular pre-heading phases. Extending the stem elongation phase (SE), without modifying total time to heading, has been proposed as a trait to raise yield potential. Moreover, studying the genetic control of pre-heading phases would be of interest for a better understanding of crop phenology which is crucial for adaptation. We studied the genetic control of the leaf and spikelet intitiation phase (LS), the stem elongation phase, and within this, from the onset of jointing to flag leaf (J-FL), and from then to heading (FL-HD), in the Steptoe × Morex population, which is known to segregate for some major developmental genes, under different environmental conditions. After a preliminary greenhouse study in which the appropriateness of the population was tested, 130 double haploid lines and the two parents were grown under four field environments that differed in photoperiod and temperature conditions. Amongst all QTLs detected (13), only three were significant for HD and for both LS and SE and with the same allele direction (although with greater effects in one phase than the other in some cases). Genotype by environment interactions for LS and HD were due to both photoperiod and other factors as temperature or its interaction with photoperiod, while for SE responses to only photoperiod were negligible. QTL × E interactions were important for some QTLs, and either cross-over (e.g. Ppd-H1) or quantitative (e.g. Ppd-H2). However, heritability across field environments for the ratio SE/LS was high (0.8) and several of the QTL effects that were significant for only LS or SE, were conserved across different environments, that is, they were significant with the increasing allele derived from the same parent in all or most environments.     

Application of soft sensor in the on line measurement of theiron ore’s surface temperature

It is difficult to measure the surface temperature of iron ore directly. A method is put forward to handle this problem by using soft sensing technique. This on line measurement method is used to replace the Lagrange interpolation off line method to estimate surface temperature. The method used L M optimum algorithm to build up ANN soft sensor model combined with off line learning neural network to establish the correlation between input variables and target variables, to achieve the surface temperature on line detection. The results of simulation and experimentation indicate that the method is reasonable and feasible.