Genetic effects and heterosis of within-boll yield components in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Within-boll yield components are the most basic contributors to lint and seed yield of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), which is a major source of natural fiber and edible oil throughout the world. Little information is available on genetic effects and heterosis of these traits in cotton. Three cotton cultivars and six breeding lines differing in within-boll yield components were used for this study. Parents and their F₁ progeny with reciprocals from a 3×6 factorial mating design were grown at Jiangxi Agricultural University experimental farm in 2008 and 2009. Seven within-boll yield components and two boll bur characters were analyzed under an additive-dominance genetic model with genotype and environment interaction. Additive effects were significant for all traits and dominance effects were significant for all traits except seed mass per seed. Genetic variances for lint mass per seed, SM/S and boll bur weight were primarily additive variances ranging from 39.6 to 58.9 %. Lint mass per boll and seed number per boll variances were primarily due to dominance genetic effects ranging from 36.4 to 48.8 %. Dominance and additive effects were equally important for boll weight, seed mass per boll and boll bur percentage. Additive and additive × environment effects were more important than other effects for lint percentage. A802-1 had the best mean performance and additive effects increasing BW, SM/B, S/B and SM/S, but reduced LP and LM/S. A9-1 and Lu40534 had additive effects associated with increasing LP. The two crosses A9-1×Lu40534 and Tezsh×33B were detected with favorable heterozygous dominant effects and heterosis over best parent for BW, LP, LM/B, SM/B and S/B. Favorable genotypic and phenotypic correlations were identified between within-boll lint yield components (LM/B, LM/S) and within-boll seed yield components (SM/B, S/B, SM/S). These results indicate that simultaneous genetic improvement of multiple within-boll yield components can be expected in breeding populations derived from these cotton cultivars and breeding lines.     

Association mapping for seed cotton yield,yield components and fibre quality traits in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes

Association mapping has revolutionized human genetics and is increasingly used in plant genetics. It is an efficient way of determining the genetic basis of complex traits. In cotton so far numerous association mapping studies are available as compared to many other important crops. In our study, mapping was performed using cotton 63K infinium beadchip with 201 germplasm lines. Through fast STRUCTURE analysis, lines were grouped into 12 subgroups and revealed genome sharing among the groups. The critical value (R²) was set to 0.243 as threshold to claim LD between two loci. About 3.13% marker pairs recorded significantly high LD (R² = 1), and 8.19% of marker pairs were in the range of 0.3 to 0.99 R². In MLM, 349 significant marker–trait associations were detected as against 642 in GLM because of effectiveness in eliminating false associations in MLM. A total of 68 markers explained >10% phenotypic variation for yield and fibre quality traits. Phenotypic variation explained by markers was smaller, suggesting that they might be associated with minor QTLs.     

The relative contributions of yield components to lint yield of upland cotton,Gossypium hirsutum L.

Summary Stepwise regression analyses provided an estimate of the net effect of yield components on lint yield of Upland cotton. Data from strain tests in the Pee Dee, South Carolina, cotton breeding program for crop years 1968 and 1969 were used in these analyses. Lint yield/m² was the dependent variable. Independent variables were: bolls/m², lint/seed, and seeds/boll.Correlation analyses indicated the relationships among yield components. Partial correlation coefficients were utilized to show the order of variable addition in the regression equations. We found that bolls/m² assumes the major role in determining yield. The lint/seed component assmes the secondary role in the development of lint yield. Seeds/boll made a relatively larger total contribution only after lint/seed had made its contribution.These data indicate that selection pressure should be placed on prolificacy (bolls/m²) and seeds/boll, concommitantly with selection to maintain or increase lint/seed. Although the lint/seed component makes a relatively smaller total contribution to lint yield, it is necessary to maintain or increase this component to secure the increased contributions of seeds/boll.Cooperative investigations of the Plant Science Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee and South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Stations. South Carolina Technical Contribution No 954.     

Germplasm for genetic improvement of lint yield in Upland cotton: genetic analysis of lint yield with yield components

Determination of genetic effects for lint yield and yield components in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) germplasm is critical for its utilization in breeding programs. This study was designed to apply the conditional approach and an additive and dominant model to analyze genetic effects for lint yield and yield components. Forty-eight F₂ populations derived from crosses between four existent Upland cotton cultivars as female parents and 12 germplasm lines as male parents were evaluated at two locations in 2008 and 2009. Conditional and unconditional variance components were estimated by the mixed linear model based conditional approach. Lint yield and yield components were mainly controlled by genotypic effects, i.e., additive variance and dominance variance (≥66 % of total phenotypic variation). Lint percentage and lint index had the highest proportions of additive variance component to the total phenotypic variances. SP156 and SP205 had positive additive effects for lint yield and yield components, and were also parents of the most hybrids with positive predicted dominant effects. Therefore, these two lines are good combiners for development of both pure lines and hybrids. Positive additive contribution effects to lint yield from lint percentage, boll number, boll weight, and seed index were detected in different parents. Adding seed index to boll number and lint percentage increased additive contribution effects to lint yield from these two components relative to the contribution effects from either boll number or lint percentage alone. Results in this study suggest that boll number, lint percentage, and seed index should be balanced in pure line development.     

Use of fiber and fuzz mutants to detect QTL for yield components,seed, and fiber traits of upland cotton

This research detected QTL or molecular markers associated with yield, fiber, and seed traits within multiple fuzz and fiber loci genetic backgrounds. Two F₂ populations from crosses of MD17, a fuzzless-lintless line containing three fuzzless loci, N ₁ , n ₂ and a postulated n ₃ , with line 181, fuzzless-linted and with FM966, a fuzzy-linted cultivar, were used. QTL explaining 68.3 (population with FM966) to 87.1% (population with 181) of the phenotypic variation for lint percentage and 62.8% (population with 181) for lint index were detected in the vicinity of BNL3482-138 on chromosome 26. Single marker regression analyses indicated STV79-108, on the long arm of chromosome 12 had significant association with lint percentage (R ² 26.7%), lint index (R ² 30.6%), embryo protein percentage (R ² 15.4%) and micronaire (R ² 20.0%). Two-locus epistatic interactions were also observed. Results from this research will facilitate further understanding the complex mechanisms of yield, fiber, and seed traits of cotton.     

Molecular tagging of QTLs for fiber quality and yield in the upland cotton cultivar Acala-Prema

Cotton is a high-value per acre crop that is produced as a raw material for the textile industry. With the development of new technologies in the textile industry, much attention has been paid to fiber quality in conjunction with yield. The introgression cultivar “Acala Prema” is extensively planted in the Carolina/USA for its good fiber qualities, high yields and tolerance to Verticillium wilt. To conduct QTL mapping for fiber quality and yield in Acala-Prema, we developed a population of 180 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a single seed derived from a cross between this line and Chinese cultivar 86-1. We examined the yield performance of the RILs in five Chinese environments and fiber qualities in seven Chinese environments. A genetic linkage map comprising 279 loci was constructed using this RIL population, chiefly with SSR markers, and QTLs were repeatedly identified across diverse environments using the composite interval mapping method. A total of 86 nonredundant QTLs for yield and its components and fiber qualities were independently detected in five or seven environments; Prema alleles were responsible for the increase in trait values for 46 QTLs, while 86-1 was responsible for 40 QTLs. Notably, we detected the stable fiber strength QTL qFS-D3-1, which explained 4.51–17.55 % of PV, with LOD scores ranging from 2.83 to 7.09, and the fiber length qFL-D11-1, which explained 10.02–25.34 % of the PV. Eighteen environment epistatic QTLs were also detected. The QTLs detected in this study provide new information for improving fiber quality and may be especially valuable for marker-assisted selection.     

Heritability and predicted selection response of yield components and fibre properties in an inter-specific derived RIL population of cotton

Exploiting genetic variation through inter-specific breeding has improved cotton yield, fibre properties and adaptability. The objectives of this study were to examine heritability and predicted selection response of yield components and fibre properties in a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population from an inter-specific cross between Gossypium hirsutum (Gh) variety Guazuncho 2, and G. barbadense (Gb) line VH8-4602. A population of 93 and 82 RILs was tested in two seasons, with two parents and local controls, Sicot 75 (Gh) and Sipima 280 (Gb) in field experiments. Seed cotton samples hand harvested before and after defoliation were used to measure lint percent, boll weight, 100 seed weight and the lint to measure fibre length, uniformity, short fibre index (SFI), elongation, strength, micronaire, maturity ratio (MR), percent of maturity (PM) and fineness. There was large phenotypic variation for individual traits and transgressive segregation occurred in lint percent, lint weight/seed, fibre no./seed, uniformity, SFI, elongation, MR and PM. Narrow sense heritabilities were moderate for yield components (34.3–41.2%) and for key fibre properties, length, strength, micronaire and fineness (38.3–42.1%), which led to a predicted selection response of 6.7–24.0% for yield components and 3.9–10.9% for key fibre properties under a selection intensity of 10%. Favourable associations were found between key fibre properties, but an adverse association between lint percent and each of these fibre properties. Only five RILs were identified with desirable combinations. The results demonstrated the value of exploiting inter-specific variation to develop cotton germplasm and how breeding strategies can be improved.     

陆地棉Nudix基因家族的全基因组鉴定及表达分析

[目的]Nudix是一类能够催化各种核苷二磷酸衍生物水解的酶,具有维持遗传物质稳定,响应逆境胁迫等生物学功能.本研究旨在对陆地棉Nudix基因进行全基因组分析,为深入研究Nudix基因家族参与棉纤维生长发育调控机制提供参考.[方法]通过生物信息学方法对陆地棉基因组(ZJU_v2.1)的Nudix基因进行全基因组鉴定,并...     

QTL analysis for early-maturing traits in cotton using two upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) crosses

Making use of the markers linked closely to QTL for early-maturing traits for MAS (Marker-assisted selection) is an effective method for the simultaneous improvement of early maturity and other properties in cotton. In this study, two F₂ populations and their F_2:3 families were generated from the two upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) crosses, Baimian2 × TM-1 and Baimian2 × CIR12. QTL for early-maturing traits were analyzed using F_2:3 families. A total of 54 QTL (31 suggestive and 23 significant) were detected. Fourteen significant QTL had the LOD scores not only > 3 but also exceeding permutation threshold. At least four common QTL, qBP-17 for bud period (BP), qGP-17a/qGP-17b (qGP-17) for growth period (GP), qYPBF-17a/qYPBF-17b (qYPBF-17) for yield percentage before frost (YPBF) and qHFFBN-17 for height of first fruiting branch node (HFFBN), were found in both populations. These common QTL should be reliable and could be used for MAS to facilitate early maturity. The common QTL, qBP-17, had a LOD score not only > 3 but also exceeding permutation threshold, explaining 12.6% of the phenotypic variation. This QTL should be considered preferentially in MAS. Early-maturing traits of cotton are primarily controlled by dominant and over-dominant effects.     

Genetic association of within‐boll yield components and boll morphological traits with fibre properties in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Knowledge of genetic relationships between within‐boll yield components and fibre quality is essential for simultaneous improvement of lint yield and fibre quality in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Nine parents and their F₁ progeny with reciprocals from a 3 × 6 factorial mating design were grown in 2008 and 2009. Seven within‐boll yield components and two boll morphological traits and the three fibre quality parameters were analysed based on a conditional additive/dominance (AD) genetic model. Results showed that boll length contributed to the largest proportion of phenotypic, additive and dominance variances for UHM length; seed index contributed to the largest proportion of phenotypic and additive variances for fibre strength; boll width made the largest contribution to phenotypic and additive variances and the second largest contribution to dominance‐by‐environment interaction variance for micronaire, indicating that they played an important role than the other traits for fibre length, strength and fineness/maturity, respectively. It is worthy of note that those correlations between boll shape and fibre quality apply only to the nine parents and the resultant hybrids in this study and do not imply a cause and effect relationship.     

干旱棉区棉花营养特性分析

通过对海岛棉和陆地棉叶片营养元素含量测定值的分析,结果显示海岛棉对氮、钾的需求低于陆地棉,对磷、锰、铜、镁的需求高于陆地棉。海岛棉苗期对铜、硼,蕾期对磷、锌、铜,花铃期对镁、锰、铜的需求高于陆地棉。在生育后期,海岛棉叶片养分含量动态变化与陆地棉有差异。因此,在农业生产中海岛棉与陆地棉的施肥方法应有所区别。     

海岛棉与陆地棉嫁接初试成功

利用海岛棉抗病、生长旺盛、品质优良的特性,以其为砧木,以生育期适中、桃多桃大、高产的陆地棉为接穗进行嫁接,实现嫁接苗抗病、旺长、高产、优质的目的。2006-2007年在4个点以海岛棉为砧木,12个优良抗虫杂交陆地棉为接穗,采用芽接法进行嫁接,具体方法是:海岛棉、陆地棉分别在小棚中同期播种,     

Density responses and spatial distribution of cotton yield and yield components in jujube (Zizyphus jujube)/cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) agroforestry

Trees are the dominant species in agroforestry systems, profoundly affecting the performance of understory crops. Proximity to trees is a key factor in crop performance, but rather little information is available on the spatial distribution of yield and yield components of crop species under the influence of trees in agroforestry systems. Also, little information is available on how crop density may be exploited to optimize the yield in such systems. Here we studied the performance of cotton in jujube/cotton agroforestry. Field experiments were conducted in 2012 and 2013 in Hetian, Xinjiang, China. Cotton was grown at a row distance of 60 cm in three densities, 13.5, 18.0 and 22.5 plants m⁻² in six m wide paths between tree lines in a jujube plantation. Plant density affected both cotton aboveground dry matter and yield significantly. The highest yield was attained at the intermediate density of 18.0 plants m⁻² (20.0 plants m⁻² corresponding in sole cotton), lower than the optimal density in sole cotton (25.0 plants m⁻²). Yield at the lower density was constrained by the low number of bolls per m² as a direct consequence of the low density, whereas at the high plant density yield was constrained by a lower allocation of assimilates to cotton seed and lint, as a consequence of intraspecific and interspecific competitions. There were strong gradients in yield and yield components in relation to the distance from the tree rows. Leaf area and total dry matter of cotton in rows close to the tree lines were reduced, especially in the rows next to the trees. Moreover, biomass allocation to cotton fruits was reduced in these rows. Competitive influences from the trees on cotton performance extended two rows deep in a six-year old jujube stand, and even three rows deep in a seven-year old stand. Shading effects on cotton yield were compensated by increasing plant density as a result of greater boll numbers per unit ground area. Data from this study help guide the design of optimal plant density of cotton in jujube plantations and give insight in the spatial distribution and dynamics of competitive effects in agroforestry systems in general.     

Diallel analysis of yield components,fibre quality and bacterial blight resistance using spaced plants of cotton

Summary Hayman analysis for lint percentage, boll weight, fibre quality and bacterial blight resistance of a ten-parent half-diallel set of crosses was conducted in Upland cotton. The ten parents represented a fixed sample of the best germplasm available to Australian breeders for the characters of commercial importance. Heterosis and inbreeding depression were detected particulady for boll weight and blight resistance. An analysis of genetic components and parameters indicated that since additive effects were substantial and heritability high, early-generation selection of spaced plants and pure-line breeding should be successful. Some genotypes were identified as being potentially good donors for hybridization since they possessed dominant genes for improved character expression. Acala C-1 was identified as the first-choice parent for increased boll size. Coker 315 for increased span length, while Namcala was the best parent for breeding improved fibre strength. McNair 220 possessed the most dominant genes for high lint percentage. Reba P279 and Siokra were the only parents with resistance to the prevelant race of bacterial blight.     

Quantitative analysis and QTL mapping for agronomic and fiber traits in an RI population of upland cotton

Genetic mapping is an essential tool for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) molecular breeding and application of DNA markers for cotton improvement. In this present study, we evaluated an RI population including 188 RI lines developed from 94 F₂-derived families and their two parental lines, ‘HS 46’ and ‘MARCABUCAG8US-1-88’, at Mississippi State, MS, for two years. Fourteen agronomic and fiber traits were measured. One hundred forty one (141) polymorphic SSR markers were screened for this population and 125 markers were used to construct a linkage map. Twenty six linkage groups were constructed, covering 125 SSR loci and 965 cM of overall map distance. Twenty four linkage groups (115 SSR loci) were assigned to specific chromosomes. Quantitative genetic analysis showed that the genotypic effects accounted for more than 20% of the phenotypic variation for all traits except fiber perimeter (18%). Fifty six QTLs (LOD > 3.0) associated with 14 agronomic and fiber traits were located on 17 chromosomes. One QTL associated with fiber elongation was located on linkage group LGU01. Nine chromosomes in sub-A genome harbored 27 QTLs with 10 associated with agronomic traits and 17 with fiber traits. Eight chromosomes in D sub-genome harbored 29 QTLs with 13 associated with agronomic traits and 16 with fiber traits. Chromosomes 3, 5, 12, 13, 14, 16, 20, and 26 harbor important QTLs for both yield and fiber quality compared to other chromosomes. Since this RI population was developed from an intraspecific cross within upland cotton, these QTLs should be useful for marker assisted selection for improving breeding efficiency in cotton line development. Paper number J1116 of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762. Mention of trademark, proprietary product, or vendor does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by USDA, ARS and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products or vendors that may also be suitable.     

旱地莜麦丰产栽培技术

莜麦即裸燕麦,在甘肃省通渭县有悠久的种植历史,种植面积仅次于小麦.随着生产的发展和人们对食品多样化的需要,莜麦以其较高的营养价值及药用价值深爱人们的喜爱.     

常规棉与杂交棉产量构成因素的偏相关和通径分析

采用偏相关和通径分析方法,对2004年河南省常规棉和杂交棉区试资料的皮棉产量及其构成因素进行分析.结果表明,皮棉产量构成因素中,无论常规棉和杂交棉,单株结铃数受环境影响最大;对常规棉,单株铃数对皮棉产量作用最大,其次分别是单铃重、衣分;对杂交棉,衣分对皮棉产量作用最大,其次分别是单株铃数、单铃重.据此结果提出常规棉和杂交棉品种选育策略和栽培的主攻方向.     

Analysis of decision-making coefficients of the lint yield of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Cold water irrigation and growth in low temperature phytotron are two commonly used methods to evaluate cold tolerance of rice at the seedling stage and the cold sensitive seedlings exhibit different injury symptoms, respectively. However, so far no one has systematically dissected the differences of cold tolerance at seedling stage in rice under the two cold environments. We used a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross of a cold-tolerant japonica cultivar, Lijiangxintuanheigu and a cold sensitive indica cultivar, Sanhuangzhan-2 for this study. The cold sensitive seedlings exhibited leaf yellowing after cold water irrigation and leaf rolling during growth in the low temperature phytotron. Leaf yellowing and leaf rolling in RILs was significantly correlated, but the correlation coefficient was low. A total of four quantitative trait locus (QTLs) on chromosomes 1, 6, 9 and 12 were detected using leaf yellowing and percent seedling survival as indicators of cold tolerance after cold water irrigation, while five QTLs on chromosomes 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12 were detected using leaf rolling and percent seedling survival as indicators of cold tolerance during growth in the low temperature phytotron. The two QTLs, qCTS-9 and qCTS-12 were detected using different evaluation indicators under the two cold environments. Our results suggest that rice cold tolerance mechanisms at the seedling stage differ between the two environments, but the detection of common QTL implies the existence of overlap in the metabolic pathways for cold tolerance. The two common QTLs have potential value in rice breeding.     

Diallel analysis of root-knot nematode resistance based on galling index in upland cotton

The southern root‐knot nematode (RKN) [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood) RKN] is one of the most destructive pests in the Cotton Belt of the U.S. Developing and employing resistant cultivars is the most economical and efficient method for RKN management. This greenhouse investigation was conducted to understand the quantitative genetic basis of RKN resistance in the major RKN resistance sources using a nine‐parent diallel analysis based on improved RKN evaluation techniques. The selected genotypes consisted of three ‘Aubrun 623 RNR’ (here RNR = R oot‐knot N ematode R esistance)‐derived resistant lines, one moderately resistant cultivar ‘Acala Nem‐X’, and five susceptible cultivars. Comparison between F₁ and their parents in galling index revealed that the RKN resistance is partially dominant. The general combining ability was more important than the specific combining ability for RKN resistance. The estimates for broad‐sense and narrow‐sense heritabilities on galling index were 0.82 and 0.65, respectively, indicating that RKN resistance in the Auburn and Nem‐X resistance sources is largely controlled by genetic and additive effects. The minimum number of genes for RKN resistance was estimated to be two. Therefore, under reliable and uniform RKN inoculation and infestation conditions, single plant selection should be efficient in transferring Auburn RKN resistance into elite genetic backgrounds.     

Marker-assisted selection of Verticillium wilt resistance in progeny populations of upland cotton derived from mass selection-mass crossing

Two progeny populations of upland cotton derived from mass selection-mass crossing, M₃S₂F₅ and its family lines M₃S₂F_5:6, were generated from 17 hybrid cotton lines derived from regional trials conducted in the Yellow River basin and Yangtze River basin in China. These populations were used to verify 39 reported molecular markers that were related to quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for Verticillium wilt resistance of cotton. Only 12 of 39 markers were polymorphic; 19 had no polymorphisms, and amplification failed for eight markers. The differences in disease grades of aa/AA genotype individuals for five markers, BNL3241, NAU1225, NAU1230, JESPR153, and BNL3031, reached either significant or highly significant levels in at least one population. These markers can thus be effectively used for marker-assisted selection (MAS) of the target trait. Especially for JESPR153 and BNL3031, the differences in disease grades of aa/AA genotype individuals both reached either significant or highly significant levels in the two populations. These two markers should be given preferential consideration when undertaking MAS. The two flanking markers were more effective than the single flanking marker for MAS of single-loci QTL. The selection effect will be greatly enhanced through a reasonable allocation of marker combinations for multi-locus QTL polymerization. When using multi-locus markers for multi-locus QTL-assisted polymerization breeding, the selection effect can be improved progressively by increasing the number of polymerization markers. The possible interaction of different QTLs or genetic backgrounds does not influence the selection effect. A combination of resistant genotypes and disease grade performance enabled final selection of three individuals resistant to Verticillium wilt.