Mapping genes for double podding and other morphological traits in chickpea

Seed traits are important considerations for improving yield and product quality of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The purpose of this study was to construct an intraspecific genetic linkage map and determine map positions of genes that confer double podding and seed traits using a population of 76 F₁₀ derived recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from the cross of ‘ICCV-2’ (large seeds and single pods) × ‘JG-62’ (small seeds and double podded). We used 55 sequence-tagged microsatellite sites (STMS), 20 random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), 3inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and 2 phenotypic markers to develop a genetic map that comprised 14 linkage groups covering297.5 cM. The gene for double podding (s) was mapped to linkage group 6 and linked to Tr44 and Tr35 at a distance of7.8 cM and 11.5 cM, respectively. The major gene for pigmentation, C, was mapped to linkage group 8 and was loosely linked to Tr33 at a distance of 13.5 cM. Four QTLs for 100 seed weight (located on LG4 and LG9), seed number plant^-1 (LG4), days to 50% flower (LG3) were identified. This intraspecific map of cultivated chickpea is the first that includes genes for important morphological traits. Synteny relationships among STMS markers appeared to be conserved on six linkage groups when our map was compared to the interspecific map presented by Winter et al. (2000). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Identification of QTLs associated with spring vegetative budbreak time after dormancy release in pear (Pyrus communis L.)

Dormancy release is greatly affected by chilling unit (CU) accumulation. Lack of CU has a major impact on spring vegetative budbreak (VB). To understand the genetic mechanism governing the chilling requirement (CR), we conducted a QTL analysis of VB date in F₁ population, derived from a cross between ‘Spadona’ (low CR) and ‘Harrow Sweet’ (high CR). Using a unique methodology of tree mobility, replicates of the same genotypes were exposed during the winter, over two consecutive years, to climates that differ greatly in their CU and to the same heat conditions to induce VB, in order to evaluate CR genetic impact and to distinguish it from the heat factor. Broad‐sense heritability within locations ranged from 0.62 to 0.66. Due to a strong impact of GxE interaction, it was reduced to 0.46 for the overall mean. We examined the previously discovered apple QTLs detected in linkage groups (LG) 9 and 8, based on the synteny between the species. Our analysis confirms significant QTLs in LG8 (R² = 12%–24%) and LG9 (R² = 20%–38%) for all locations and years     

Breeding for resistance to bean golden mosaic virus in an interracial population of Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Summary Eighty-three F₂-derived F₈ recombinant inbred lines (RILs) randomly selected from a population (TY 8419) of two common bean genotypes (Pinto UI 114 x ICA Pijao), the two parents, and a control cultivar (Topcrop) were screened for their reaction to bean golden mosaic virus (BGMV) under glasshouse conditions. A randomized complete block design with two replications was used. Data were recorded for disease incidence, foliar yellowing, number of pods and seeds, and yield.Significant (P<0.05) differences among the 83 RILs were recorded for all traits. Of these RILs, 11 lines did not develop any symptom, 24 lines had a mean disease incidence of 8%, 28 lines had a disease incidence of 26.6% and developed intermediate mosaic symptoms, and 20 lines were more susceptible (>50% disease incidence and severe yellowing) than either of the parents, which had 25% to 38% disease incidence and moderate symptoms. Heritability for disease incidence was 0.54±0.01, for foliar yellowing 0.36±0.13, for pods plant^-1 0.69±0.01, for seeds plant^-1 0.54±0.09, and for yield plant^-1 0.49±0.01. Gains from selection (at 20% selection pressure) for these traits were 49.5%, 31.6%, 24%, 0%, and 20%, respectively, over the mean value of all RILs. Correlation coefficients between disease incidence and foliar yellowing and among yield and its components were positive. Disease incidence and foliar yellowing showed negative associations with yield and its components.     

Recurrent selection for yield in Glycine max using genetic male-sterility

Summary Recurrent selection, using genetic male sterility to facilitate intermating in Glycine max, was evaluated when selecting among individual space-planted S₀ soybean plants for three yield-related traits: 1) seed yield per se (YLD), 2) apparent harvest index (AHI), and 3) a selection index in which seed yield was regressed on maturity (REG). The original intermating population was a combination of the cultivar Century and two F₂ populations segregating for male sterility. The selection intensity through three cycles of selection was 20%. The YLD population increased in mean yield by 2.8±2.2 g plant^-1 cycle^-1 buf shifted significantly toward late maturity by 3.9±0.6 days cycle^-1. The AHI population decreased in yield by 4.4±2.6 g cycle^-1 while maturity shifted slightly earlier; there was very little change in AHI. The REG population increased in yield by 5.7±2.4 g plant^-1 cycle^-1 while shifting toward later maturity by only 0.8±0.5 day cycle^-1. We concluded that selection among S₀ plants in these populations, using the selection index of yield regressed on maturity, was affective in increasing single plant yields without causing a significant shift in maturity. Selecting for yield per se caused an unacceptable shift toward late maturity and selection for AHI was ineffective for increasing yield or AHI.     

Inheritance of seed size in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)

Summary The inheritance of seed weight in cowpea was examined in a field planting of the parents, reciprocal F₁s, F₂s and backcrosses to both parents of a cross between TVu 1977-OD (small seeded) and ACC 70002 (large).Seed weight was inherited quantitatively and small seed was partially domiminant to large seed size. Gene action was predominantly additive but dominance and additive × additive epistatic effects were also significant.Broad and narrow sense heritabilities were 85.1±5.3% and 75.4±18.6% respectively. The minimum number of loci involved in the inheritance of seed size was eight, and each gene pair contributed up to 1.02 g increase to seed weight. The estimate of genetic advance from F₂ to F₃ generations with 5% selection intensity was 3.58 g.International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Semi-Arid Food Grain Research and Development Project/National Cowpea Improvement Program, B.P. 1783, Ouagadougou, Upper Volta.Department of Primary Industries, Hermitage Research Station, Warwick 4370, Queensland, Australia.International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), ICRISAT Center, Patancheru, P.O. 502 324, A.P., India.     

Analysis of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) isozyme variants in diploid tuberous Solanum; inheritance and linkage relationships to ds1 (desynapsis), y (tuber flesh colour), cr (crumpled) and yc (yellow cotyledon)

Summary Employing polyacrylamide gradient-gel electrophoresis, the genetic control of leaf glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) isozyme variants and their linkage to ds1 (desynapsis), y (tuber flesh colour), cr (crumpled) and yc (yellow cotyledon) were studied in diploid tuberous Solanum species hybrids.Leaf GOT isozymes proved to be dimeric and under the control of two independently segregating loci (Got-1 and Got-2) with two (1 ^s , 1 ^f ) and three (2 ^s , 2 ^f , 2 ⁿ )alleles respectively. The 2 ⁿ allele was concluded to encode a 2 ^fallozyme subunit capable of forming heterodimeric but no homodimeric active molecules. As expected with Got-1 and Got-2 isozymes being localized in different cellular compartments, no intergenic heterodimer formation was observed.In contrast to earlier studies, a gradual rather than discrete transition between the tuber flesh colour classes white and yellow was observed in segregating progenies. Adopting a standardized classification method, however, monogenic recessive inheritance of white tuber flesh was confirmed. Got-1, ds1 and cr were found to represent a single linkage group. Among the presently studied marker loci no further linkages were detected. As to linkage analysis, the difficulties imposed by gametophytic incompatibility in nearly all diploid potato species and by the frequent occurrence of recessive (sub)lethal genes are discussed.     

Genetic control of isozymes in eggplant and its wild relatives

Summary This study was conducted to elucidate the inheritance and linkage relationships of isozymes in aspartate aminotransferase (AAT, EC 2.6.1.1), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH, EC 1.1.1.1), phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (PGD, EC 1.1.1.43), phosphoglucomutase (PGM, EC 2.7.5.1) and shikimate dehydrogenase (SKDH, EC 1.1.1.25) in eggplant and its wild relatives. Segregating populations were generated by backcrossing of hybrids among the species. Evidence of Mendelian inheritance was obtained for seven loci: Aat-1, Adh-1, Adh-2, Pgd-1, Pgm-1, Pgm-2 and Skdh-1. Twenty-one pairs of loci were tested for independent assortment, suggesting three linked pairs, Aat-2 with Pgd-2 (R=0.35±0.07), Adh-2 with Pgm-1 (R=0.33±0.07) and Pgd-2 with Pgm-2 (R=0.32±0.06).Abbreviations AAT aspartate aminotransferase - ADH alcohol dehydrogenase - PGD phosphogluconate dehydrogenase - PGM phosphoglucomutase - SKDH shikimate dehydrogenase     

A major QTL associated with preharvest sprouting in rapeseed (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> L.)

Preharvest sprouting (PHS) is one of the most important factors affecting the cereal production worldwide, in regions characterized by rainfall and high humidity during harvest season. It is sometimes a problem in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), especially in production of commercial F₁ hybrids. To detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling PHS, a F₂ population consisting of 269 F_2:3 lines was created from the cross between a PHS-tolerant line (117AB) and a PHS-susceptible line (7,605). A linkage map was constructed using 35 Simple Sequence Repeat markers and 242 Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism markers. PHS was measured as a percentage of sprouted seeds on the mother plant, 7 days after physiological maturity. Five putative QTLs for PHS were detected and located on LG2 (N11) and LG7 (N3), respectively. Phenotypic variance explained by each QTL ranged from 4.11 to 50.78% and the five putative QTLs explained about 75.63% of the total phenotypic variance. A major QTL was identified on LG2 (N11) flanked by P3C4180 and C6C13160, which explained 50.78% of the total phenotypic variance. Meanwhile, we detected four significant epistatic interactions with a total contribution of 17.16% of the total phenotypic variance.     

Mapping and validation of QTLs for resistance to an Indian isolate of Ascochyta blight pathogen in chickpea

Ascochyta blight (AB) caused by Ascochyta rabiei, is globally the most important foliar disease that limits the productivity of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). An intraspecific linkage map of cultivated chickpea was constructed using an F₂ population derived from a cross between an AB susceptible parent ICC 4991 (Pb 7) and an AB resistant parent ICCV 04516. The resultant map consisted of 82 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and 2 expressed sequence tag (EST) markers covering 10 linkage groups, spanning a distance of 724.4 cM with an average marker density of 1 marker per 8.6 cM. Three quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified that contributed to resistance to an Indian isolate of AB, based on the seedling and adult plant reaction. QTL1 was mapped to LG3 linked to marker TR58 and explained 18.6% of the phenotypic variance (R ²) for AB resistance at the adult plant stage. QTL2 and QTL3 were both mapped to LG4 close to four SSR markers and accounted for 7.7% and 9.3%, respectively, of the total phenotypic variance for AB resistance at seedling stage. The SSR markers which flanked the AB QTLs were validated in a half-sib population derived from the same resistant parent ICCV 04516. Markers TA146 and TR20, linked to QTL2 were shown to be significantly associated with AB resistance at the seedling stage in this half-sib population. The markers linked to these QTLs can be utilized in marker-assisted breeding for AB resistance in chickpea.     

Association mapping of leaf traits in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) is an important leafy vegetable crop grown worldwide. Leaf traits, surface texture (smooth, savoy or semi‐savoy), petiole colour (different shades of green vs. purple) and edge shape (serrate vs. entire), are important commercial traits of spinach. Association mapping for the three traits was conducted on 323 USDA spinach germplasm accessions, originally collected from 33 countries and representing the entire USDA spinach germplasm collection. The majority of accessions were from Europe (36.3%), Asia (25.3%) and North America (15.8%). The majority of the spinach accessions (82.0%) were smooth (unwrinkled types), whereas the savoy and semi‐savoy types (wrinkled types) accounted for 18.0%. The collection contained 74.9% green petiole types, while the purple petioles consisted of 25.1%. The collection consisted of 27.2% serrated leaf types and 72.8% entire leaf edge types. Genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) was used for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) discovery, and SNPs were used as genotypic data to conduct genetic diversity and association mapping of the three leaf traits. Five genetic subpopulations and principal components (PCs) were postulated by structure 2 and JMP Genomics 7 for this association panel. Five, seven and 14 SNPs were identified to be associated with surface texture, edge shape and petiole colour, respectively. This study provides us an approach to identify SNP markers through association analysis in spinach and thus leads to select these three leaf traits through marker‐assisted selection in spinach breeding programme.     

Identification of QTLs controlling harvest time and fruit skin color in Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai)

Using an F₁ population from a cross between Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai) cultivars ‘Akiakari’ and ‘Taihaku’, we performed quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of seven fruit traits (harvest time, fruit skin color, flesh firmness, fruit weight, acid content, total soluble solids content, and preharvest fruit drop). The constructed simple sequence repeat-based genetic linkage map of ‘Akiakari’ consisted of 208 loci and spanned 799 cM; that of ‘Taihaku’ consisted of 275 loci and spanned 1039 cM. Out of significant QTLs, two QTLs for harvest time, one for fruit skin color, and one for flesh firmness were stably detected in two successive years. The QTLs for harvest time were located at the bottom of linkage group (LG) Tai3 (nearest marker: BGA35) and at the top of LG Tai15 (nearest markers: PPACS2 and MEST050), in good accordance with results of genome-wide association study. The PPACS2 gene, a member of the ACC synthase gene family, may control harvest time, preharvest fruit drop, and fruit storage potential. One major QTL associated with fruit skin color was identified at the top of LG 8. QTLs identified in this study would be useful for marker-assisted selection in Japanese pear breeding programs.     

Reciprocal cross differences in a 6×6 diallel set of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in the F1 generation

Summary Reciprocal cross differences were studied in a 6×6 diallel full set comprising of thirty hybrid combinations of groundnut in the F₁ generation.Reciprocal cross differences were observed for growth habit in four pairs of crosses, for leaf colour, flower colour and stem pigmentation in two pairs of crosses each. It was observed that the inheritance of flower colour, stem pigmentation and testa colour which exhibited different shades of purple colour was likely to be governed by pleiotropic gene(s). Among the quantitative characters significantly positive reciprocal effects were observed in different crosses for number of mature pods per plant, weight of pods per plant and shelling percent. Marked reciprocal cross differences were observed for pod and kernel characters like pod filling, pod beak, pod constriction and testa colour.     

Comparative genome mapping of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench using an RFLP map constructed in a population of recombinant inbred lines

A restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) linkage map of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench was constructed in a population of 137 F_6-8 recombinant inbred lines using sorghum, maize, oat, barley and rice DNA clones. The map consists of 10 linkage groups (LGs) and 323 markers, 247 of which (76.5%) were ordered at a LOD score ≥ 3.0. The LGs comprise from 61 (LG A) to 13 markers (J), which range in length from 205 (A) to 55 cM (J) and have a combined total length of 1347 cM. Highly significant distorted segregation was detected at all of the 38 loci in a 103-cM segment of LG A, the allelic ratios in the segment ranging from approximately 3:1 (one end) to 19:1 (middle) to 2:1 (other end). Duplicated loci located in different LGs have been mapped with 55 of the 295 DNA probes used in the study (18.6%). The distribution of these loci does not provide support for the hypothesis that Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench is of tetraploid origin. Comparison of the map with RFLP maps of maize, rice, and oat produced evidence for sorghum-maize LG rearrangements and homoeologies not reported previously, including evidence that: (1) a segment of maize 5L and a segment of 5S may be homoeologous to sorghum LGA; (2) maize LGs 4 and 6 are partly homoeologous to sorghum LGE; (3) the short arm of maize LG 2 is partly homoeologous to sorghum LGF; (4) maize LG 4 may be partly homoeologous to sorghum LG G; (5) maize LG 5 and sorghum LG G contain a larger amount of homoeologous genetic material than previously indicated; and (6) a short segment of maize LG 1 may be homoeologous to a short segment of sorghum LG I.     

Reproductive Abscission and Yield of Irrigated and Drought Stressed Cowpea

Two experiments were conducted under field conditions to evaluate reproductive abscission, seed yield and yield components of three cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] genotypes. In the first experiment, level of abscission and yield of two cultivars, California Blackeye Pea No. 5 (CA-5) and Speckle Purple Hull (SPH), and one experimental line (AZ-54) were studied. In the second experiment, effect of drought stress on abscission at three nodal positions, seed yield, and yield components of CA-5 were studied. Abscission in both experiments was determined by counting scars left by dropprd reproductive structures including floral buds, open flowers, and immature pods. Abscission of CA-5 and AZ-54 in the first experiment ranged between 68 and 76 % while that of SPH ranged between 86 and 89 %. CA-5 and AZ-54 retained two to three pods per peduncle, and SPH retained only one mature pod per peduncle. Average seed yields of SPH and AZ-54, respectively, were 45 and 50 % of CA-5. Drought stress in the second experiment did not affect production of floral buds Peduncle^?1 (average of 10) but significantly increased percent reproductive abscission and decreased pod retention of CA-5. Abscission in the bottom two-third nodes increased from 82 % in well-irrigated plants to 93 % in non-irrigated plants. This increase in abscission corresponded to nearly 60 % reduction in pod retention. The number of pods per peduncle in the bottom two-third nodes decreased from 1.9 in well-irrigated plants to only. 77 in non-irrigated plants. The increase in abscission and decrease in pod retention with increasing intensity of drought was greatest in the bottom one-third nodes. Drought stress did not affect abscission and pod retention in the top one-third nodes. Stress also decreased peduncles plant^?1, seeds pod^?1, and dry matter and seed yield plant^?1 but did not affect seed weight and harvest index. The decrease in seed yield was largely due to reductions in pods plant^?1 and seeds pod^?1. The reduction in the number of pods and, therefore, seed yield due to stress was because of reductions in the number of peduncles plant^?1 and increases in reproductive abscission. It is concluded external conditions that increase abscission beyond that of normal occurrence affect seed yield adversely.     

Traits associated with dry edible bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) productivity under diverse soil moisture environments

Two experiments were conducted in the Rift Valley, Ethiopia (8°N and 39°E) to determine associations between eight plant traits and seed yield, and to obtain estimates of narrow sense heritability for the traits. Experiment I evaluated seven dry edible bean cultivars/lines at two locations to simulate different soil moisture stress, including, Debre Zeit(non-stress) and Dera (moderate-stress). Experiment II evaluated 25 cultivars/lines in three environments including, Melkassa early planted (non-stress), Melkassa late planted (high-stress), and Dera (moderate-stress). A randomized-complete-block design with three replicates was used in both experiments. Plant traits evaluated were seed yield, pods plant^-1, seeds pod^-1, 100 seed weight, root dry weight, hypocotyl diameter, plant biomass, plant height and days to flowering. Plant traits that were significantly associated with seed yield were included in a stepwise-regression model to determine which trait or combination of traits provided the best model to estimate seed yield in each environment. An analysis of variance was conducted to test main effects and interactions between plant traits and environments. Significant variation among lines occurred for seed yield and all plant traits in both experiments. Strong positive correlations were observed between plant biomass and seed yield in all environments. Seed yield and pods plant^-1 were also highly associated in four of the five environments. Stepwise regression models indicated that the combination of pods plant^-1 and plant biomass consistently contributed to seed yield prediction, while other traits did not. Because both plant biomass and pods plant^-1 had moderate to high narrow sense heritability estimates and low GE interactions, they should be useful as indirect selection criteria to improve and stabilize seed yield in a breeding program. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Diversity, genetic structure, distinctness and agronomic value of Italian lucerne (Medicago sativaL.) landraces

Eleven landraces belonging to the seven commercial ecotypes of northern Italy, and seven elite varieties, were evaluated with the aims of: (i) comparing landrace and variety germplasm for dry weight (DW, recorded across three harvests spanning over two years) and morphophysiological characteristics; (ii) estimating among-population (s _A ²) and within-population (s _W ²) genetic variances of landrace and variety germplasms; (iii) investigating the interrelationships among traits at the plant and the population levels; (iv) exploring patterns of phenotypic diversity, and the relationships between diversity and environmental variables at landrace collecting sites; and (v) assessing the distinctness of ecotypes. Some 256 or 512 genotypes per landrace, and 128 genotypes per variety, were grown in dense stand in an unreplicated design together with a replicated clone. Compared with varieties, landrace material showed higher total DW (+9%) and DW at the last harvest (+43%), lower (2.5-fold) summer mortality and autumn dormancy (P< 0.01), and similar winter mortality. Landraces exhibited a greater s _W ²value than varieties for all traits except autumn dormancy and number of florets per inflorescence (P< 0.01), with s _W ²always exceeding s _A ²(P< 0.01). The ratio of s _W ²to s _A ²averaged 23.1 for landraces and 6.5 for varieties across eight traits. Frequency of mowing at collecting sites was associated with higher total DW, better persistence, lower summer and winter mortality, larger leaflets and more stems per plant (r≥ 0.66, P< 0.05). Cluster analysis showed that landraces geographically close or belonging to the same commercial ecotype tended to greater similarity. However, one landrace that evolved under very frequent mowing differed greatly from other landraces of the same ecotype. Based on discriminant analysis, two ecotypes may be sufficiently distinct for registration in a sui generissystem, even though they may not meet the criteria for registration under a homegenity requirement     

Population-specific QTLs and their different epistatic interactions for pod dehiscence in soybean [<Emphasis Type="Italic">Glycine max</Emphasis> (L.) Merr.]

Pod dehiscence (PD) prior to harvest results in serious yield loss in soybean. Two linkage maps with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were independently constructed using recombinant inbred lines (RILs) developed from Keunolkong (pod-dehiscent) × Sinpaldalkong (pod-indehiscent) and Keunolkong × Iksan 10 (pod-indehiscent). These soybean RIL populations were used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conditioning resistance to PD. While a single major QTL on linkage group (LG) J explained 46% of phenotypic variation in PD in the Keunolkong × Sinpaldalkong population with four minor QTLs, three minor QTLs were identified in the Keunolkong × Iksan 10 population. Although these two populations share the pod dehiscent parent, no common QTL has been identified. In addition, epistatic interactions among three marker loci partially explained phenotypic variation in PD in both populations. The result of this study indicates that different breeding strategies will be required for PD depending on genetic background.     

Inheritance of resistance to angular leaf spot (Isariopsis griseola Sacc.) in french bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Summary Angular leaf spot (Isariopsis griseola Sacc.) is a serious disease of French bean in the hills of India and 40 to 70 per cent of the green pods are damaged and rendered unmarketable. Crosses were made between PLB 257, (Phaseolus coccineus L.), a red flowering pole tope, resistant to angular leaf spot, and Contender (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a highly susceptible commercial cultivar. Studies of the F₁, F₂, and F₃ progenies indicated that PLB 257, carries a recessive gene imparting resistance to angular leaf spot.     

Mapping QTL for seed yield and canning quality following processing of black bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus vulgaris</Emphasis> L.)

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was conducted to identify QTL for seed yield and color retention following processing of a recombinant inbred line (RIL) black bean population. A population of 96 RILs were derived from the cross of black bean cultivars ‘Jaguar’ and 115M and evaluated in replicated trials at one location over 4 years (2004–2007) in Michigan. A 119-point genetic map constructed using simple sequence repeat (SSR), sequence related amplified polymorphism (SRAP), target region amplified polymorphism (TRAP) and phenotypic markers spanned fifteen linkage groups (LG) or 460 cM of the bean genome. Fourteen QTL for yield and color retention in four environments were identified by composite interval mapping on six linkage groups. A major QTL SY10.2^J115 for seed yield was identified on LG B10 with additional QTL on B3, B5, and B11. Color retention following processing was associated with loci on B1, B3, B5, B8, and B11. 115M possessed positive alleles for yield, but negative alleles for color retention. Some QTL for yield and color retention co-localized with regions identified in previous studies while others, particularly for color retention, were unique. Additional QTL for agronomic and canning quality traits were detected and individual contributions to future black bean breeding are discussed.     

Factors affecting in vitro flowering and fruiting of green pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Multiple shoots were efficiently regenerated from cotyledonary node and shoot tip explants of Pisum sativum within 15 days on MS medium containing B₅ vitamins and supplelmented with 2.0 mgl^-1 6-benzylaminopurine. The elongated shoots produced on the same medium were excised and transferred to MS medium containing half strength ammonium nitrate (8.25 gml^-1) and supplemented with auxins (indole-3-butyric acid or naphthalene acetic acid) either alone or in combinations with gibberellic acid. Rooting and flowering were observed on the 7th and 15th day after their transfer to rooting medium. The flowers self-fertilised in vitro and produced mature pods within 25 days of rooting. These seeds were germinable both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro seeds sown in pots under field conditions developed into flowering plants, and subsequently produced pods with viable seeds. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.