Parameters of cold tolerance in common vetch

Summary The cold tolerance of 16 common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) strains was assessed by means of survival rate after direct freezing. Additionally, several seed and seedling parameters, germination in solution with osmotic pressure, and electrolyte exosmosis from shoots and from roots of seedlings were determined. The U.S. cv's Nova II, Vanguard and Warrior and the Turkish cv. Sari Elçi exhibited survival rates higher than 75% after direct freezing test, compared to less than 40% in the remaining entries. Simple correlation analysis showed that only electrolyte exosmosis from shoots after freezing was negatively correlated with survival rate.     

Genetics of colour traits in common vetch (Vicia sativa L.)

Five parents of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) having orange/beige cotyledon colour, brown/white testa colour, purple/green seedling colour and purple/white flower colour were crossed as a full diallele set. The inheritance patterns of cotyledon, testa or seed coat colour, flower and seedling colour, were studied by analyzing their F₁, F₂, BC₁ and BC₂ generations. The segregation pattern in F₂, BC₁ and BC₂, showed that cotyledon colour was governed by a single gene with incomplete dominance and it is proposed that cotyledon colour is controlled by two allelic genes, which have been designated Ct₁ and Ct₂. Testa colour was governed by a single gene with the brown allele dominant and the recessive allele white. This gene has been given the symbol H. Two complementary genes governed both flower and seedling colours. These flower and seedling colour genes are pleiotropic and the two genes have been given the symbols S and F.     

Studies on the distribution of complementary genes causing F1 weakness in common rice and its wild relatives. 2. Distribution of two complementary genes,Hwc-1 and Hwc-2 gene in native cultivars and its wild relatives of tropical Asia

Summary Distribution of two complementary genes Hwc-1 and Hwc-2 causing F₁ weakness was examined using 159 native rice cultivars and 30 strains of wild relatives collected from various sites of tropical Asia including the Himalayan foothills. Hwc-1 is carried by a Peruvian cultivar, Jamaica, a tester cultivar of this experiment. It was not found in the tested cultivars and strains. Hwc-2 was widely distributed in the Japonica types tested. No wild strains had either Hwc-1 or Hwc-2. Hwc-2 was infrequent in the Japonica types collected from Southern Asian countries. Hwc-2 was estimated to be indigenous to the Japonica types, may be linked with certain gene(s) related to adaptation.     

Assignment of Endosperm Balance Numbers to the tuber-bearing Solanums and their close non-tuber-bearing relatives

The Endosperm Balance Number (EBN) of over 80 species and subspecies of the tuber-bearing Solanums and their close non-tuber-bearing relatives representing 13 taxonomic series has been determined, with no species assigned to more than one EBN level. Among North American species, most diploids are 1EBN, most tetraploids are 2EBN and all hexaploids are 4EBN; however, among South American species most diploids are 2EBN, most tetraploids are 4EBN and again all hexaploids are 4EBN. Thus species may be isolated from others of the same ploidy level by EBN differences, e.g., 4×(2EBN) from 4×(4EBN), while other species differing in ploidy but having the same EBN may be intercrossed, e.g., 4×(2EBN) and 2×(2EBN). Chromosome doubling or 2n gametes can be used to make a lower EBN species compatible with a higher EBN species. These findings also explain the major crossing difficulties previously inherent in the use of North American species in potato improvement. They also have direct implications for potato improvement, barring the occurrence of other incompatibility barriers. Any 4×(4EBN) cultivar is endosperm compatible and thus will cross with 4×(4EBN) and 6×(4EBN) species. The 2×(2EBN) haploids of 4×(4EBN) cultivars likewise will hybridize with 2×(2EBN) and 4×(4EBN) species. All 2×(1EBN) species are crossable with 2×(2EBN) haploids through 2n gametes or chromosome doubling.Cooperative investigation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, and the Wisconsin Experiment Station.     

Resistance toPhytophthora porri in leek and some of its wild relatives

Summary Winter leek and related plant material was evaluated for resistance to white tip disease (Phytophthora porri) in the Netherlands. Significant differences in partial resistance were found between winter leek accessions in field tests with zoospore and natural inoculation. These differences were consistent over three years, and indicate that resistance can be improved through mass selection in winter leek cultivars. Some accessions of wild or cultivated relatives of winter leek with higher levels of resistance were found in a glasshouse test with zoospore inoculation. These sources of resistance were also highly resistant in field experiments over a two year period.     

Overcoming hybridization barriers between pea and some of its wild relatives

Pea would benefit from the plasticity and adaptability of its cross-incompatible relatives Pisum fulvum and Lathyrus sativus L., and we have tested reciprocal sexual crossings by manually cross-pollinating plants of genotypes of these three species. Studies of in situ germination of pollen grains on stigmata showed that pollen tubes were generally unable to germinate or could not reach the ovary. A few putative hybrid pods were nevertheless harvested, with one grain per pod germinated in vitro, then micropropagated for flow cytometry, isoenzyme, molecular (ribosomal ITS PCR-RFLP) and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) studies. One such grain was recovered from an inter-generic cross of P. sativum x L. sativus and four from an inter-specific P. sativum x P. fulvumcross. A strong cross-incompatibility was shown between pea and grass pea, where the putative hybrid turned out to be pea. Conversely, with the interspecific, P. sativum x P. fulvum cross, flow cytometry and isoenzymes with leaf tissues strongly suggested hybridity, while molecular approaches and GISH confirmed the production of inter-specific hybrids, and without the need for a wild type P. sativum accession as a bridging cross.     

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     

Avoidance of leaf rust fungi in wild relatives of cultivated cereals

Summary Avoidance of rust fungi that was based on poor appressorium induction was previously found in Hordeum chilense. In the present study 95 accessions of Triticeae were screened for avoidance of Puccinia hordei. The percentage of appressorium formation per germinated spore ranged from 6 to 90%. On none of the 41 accessions of Aegilops, Agropyron, Elymus, Secale, Thinopyrum or Triticum studied was the rate of appressorium formation lower than 25%. Lower rates of appressorium formation were, however, found on accessions of wild barley species Hordeum brachyantherum, H. marinum, H. parodii and H. secalinum. Its implications in cereal breeding are discussed.     

Interspecific hybrids from cross incompatible relatives of sweetpotato

Summary Hybrids were obtained from Ipomoea interspecific crosses through ovule culture. The hybridity of the progeny obtained from I. triloba × IitI. trifida and (I. triloba × I. lacunosa) × I. batatas (4x) crosses was established by comparisons of floral morphology and analyses of peroxidase and esterase isozymes. The hybrids displayed the inflorescence type and sepal shape and texture of their male parents, while corolla size and anther and nectary color tended to be intermediate to their parents. The isozyme banding patterns of the hybrids contained bands present in the patterns of each of their parents. Pollen grain viability, measured by aceto-carmine stainability, was 44.1%, 92.3% and 82.4%, respectively, for the I. triloba × I. trifida hybrid and the (I. triloba × I. lacunosa) × I. batatas (4x) hybrids, H₁ and H₂. A controlled pollination study revealed that the I. triloba × I. trifida, and the (I. triloba × I. lacunosa) × I. batatas (4x) hybrids, H₁ and H₂ were partially self fertile with 6%, 70% and 13%, respectively, of the pollinated flowers producing viable seed. Success in backcrossing and sib-mating varied with the cross combination.     

Evaluation of a DNA probe for the quantitative detection of common bacterial blight in common bean and its application in a breeding program

Summary Breeding of Phaseolus vulgaris L. for resistance to common bacterial blight (CBB) can be done with visual evaluations of symptoms to distinguish broad resistance classes, but a more quantitative measure was needed for genetic studies of resistance. A novel method of evaluation was developed by quantifying Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli (XCP) in bean leaf tissue infected with CBB using a ³²P-labeled probe and densitometric analysis of hybridization signals. Quantification of bacterial populations using the probe was highly correlated (r=0.98) with the number of colony forming units (CFU) from plate counts of the same leaf samples. The probe was used to follow XCP population dynamics on susceptible (BAT 41) and resistant (OAC 88-1) bean genotypes. OAC 88-1 supported a maximum XCP population which was approximately tenfold less than BAT 41. The probe was also used to study an F₂/F₃ population segregating for resistance. Narrow sense heritability estimates were less for resistance measured on the basis of bacterial populations (0.18–0.26) than on visual scores of symptoms (0.29–0.38). The anticipated response to selection for CBB resistance would be less based on bacterial numbers than based on symptom expression in this population. In breeding for resistance to CBB, selection based on visual symptoms combined with measurements of XCP populations using a DNA probe can be used to develop bean genotypes that are both resistant to symptom development and bacterial multiplication.Abbreviations CBB common bacterial blight - CFU colony forming units - XCP Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli     

Molecular diversity and genome-wide linkage disequilibrium patterns in a worldwide collection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> and its wild relatives

Genetic diversity analysis within a species is vital for understanding evolutionary processes at the population and genomic levels. We report a detailed study of molecular diversity, polymorphism and linkage disequilibrium in three groups of rice (Oryza) germplasm accessions based on 176 SSR markers. The first group included 65 rice (O. sativa L.) accessions introduced from seven countries, including five regions of China. The second group included 58 US rice varieties released in the past 25 years. The third group consisted of 54 accessions of rice wild relatives represented by ten different species. The number of alleles per SSR marker ranged from 4 to 32 with a mean of 16 alleles and the polymorphism information content values ranged from 0.43 to 0.91 with a mean of 0.70. The variation in SSR alleles was a significant contribution to the genetic discrimination of the 177 accessions within the three Oryza groups. Analysis of molecular variance identified deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Principal coordinates analysis clearly separated the accessions into their respective three groups. Neighbor-joining phylogenetic cluster reflects the ordination of each accession. Linkage disequilibrium (D′) averaged 0.75 in wild Oryza spp., and about 0.5 in both US and international O. sativa accessions. Our results showed that LD among adjacent loci in both O. sativa and Oryza spp. accessions is strong enough to be detecting marker-trait association via genome-wide scans.     

Cytogenetic analyses of sugarcane relatives (Andropogoneae: Saccharinae)

Summary Meiosis was studied in 31 wild Saccharum relatives, including Erianthus (8 clones), Miscanthus (5 clones), Narenga prophyrocoma (1 clone), S. robustum (3 clones), and S. spontaneum (14 clones). Chromosome number for 18 clones confirmed published counts or was typical of the particular species. Chromosome number for seven clones (Djatiroto 2n=58, Molokai 5099 2n=80, SES 84/58 2n=58, SES 114 2n=64, SES 260 2n=64, Taiwan 100 2n=112, and US 57-11-2 2n=60) differed from published counts (2n=112, 86-100, 64, 60, 60, 96, and 30, respectively). Counts were obtained for the first time for six clones (Local escape 2n=96, Nepal 2n=72, NG 77-77 2n=108–112, NG 77-199 2n=166, US 57-60-2 2n=20, and US 68-1-4 2n=38). Bivalent chromosome pairing predominated in all clones. Meiotic irregularity (numeric aberrations, univalents, multivalents, and telophase II micronuclei) tended to be associated with taxonomic grouping and level of polyploidy. Clones in Erianthus, Miscanthus, and Narenga were apparent euploids (2n=20–60) and tended to have fewer meiotic irregularities than Saccharum clones. Differences in level of meiotic stability among taxonomic groups may reflect error in chromosome association and synapsis associated with high chromosome number.     

Genetic diversity in tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc) Trotter] and its relatives as revealed by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNAs

Tef is one of the staple cereal crops in Ethiopia. To evaluate genetic diversity of tef and its relatives, 47 accessions of tef, three accessions of E. pilosa, and six accessions of E. curvulawere analyzed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The level of polymorphism among the wild species was extremely high, while low polymorphism was detected among tef accessions. All cultivars and wild species under study could be distinguished with the help of different primers, thereby indicating the potential of RAPD in the genetic fingerprinting of tef. Accessions from E. curvula and E. pilosa can be differentiated by a single selected primer. In spite of low polymorphism within tef, accessions under study could be distinguished by a combination of selected primers. Cluster analysis indicated that tef is a very closely related species to E. pilosa with 45%similarity, supporting the hypothesis that tef originated from E. pilosa based on morphological data. Given that RAPD are relatively quick, simple to use, and are not subjected to environmental influences, they provide a valuable new approach for the genetic fingerprinting and study of genetic diversity in tef. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

DNA polymorphisms in Oryza sativa L. and Lactuca sativa L. amplified by arbitrary primed PCR

Summary Thirty-five rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties, including 18 japonica, 5 javanica and 12 indica subspecies and 12 lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) varieties were identified taxonomically, using PCR with originally designed 21 RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) primers and 8 sequence-specific primers, used for amplifying four specific DNA fragments. Use of these primers revealed polymorphisms among varieties in rice and lettuce and facilitates DNA fingerprinting. Dendrograms of both species based on polymorphisms were constructed and genetical relationships were established. In rice, half the number of amplified bands were polymorphic and almost all varieties differentiated. However, differentiation of minor genetic alterations among somaclonal variants or mutants and their mother varieties was not feasible. In L. sativa, 47% of the amplified fragments were polymorphic and all 12 varieties were differentiated. Some of the PCR fragments were variety or type specific, which could be used for indicators for type-selection. The dendrogram obtained showed differentiated clusters of crisphead, leaf and butterhead type, findings in good accord with the classification based on the genetic background.     

Genetic analysis of mesocotyl length and its relationship with other agronomic characters in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Summary Mesocotyl length is an important character in promoting seedling emergence of direct-seeded rice. Genetic analysis of rice mesocotyl length was conducted using a six parent diallel cross. Generation mean analysis was carried out on parents (P), F1, F2 and backcrosses (B) of three crosses to complement the genetic information from the diallel analysis. Both analyses demonstrated the presence of significant additive and dominance effects. Duplicate type of non-allelic interaction was detected by the generation mean analysis and two crosses showed significant negative dominance gene effect. Dominance was partial and the narrow sense heritability estimate for mesocotyl length was high, indicating the preponderance of the additive effects.Mesocotyl length was negatively but weakly correlated with the coleoptile length and length of the second internode L2. There was no correlation between mesocotyl length and other mature plant characters such as plant height and internode lengths L₁, (L₁ being the peduncle with subsequent internodes to the base of the plant). Selection for mesocotyl length can therefore be carried out independent of these plant characters and semidwarf rice varieties with long mesocotyl can be developed.     

The resistance of Hordeum bulbosum and its hybrids with H. vulgare to common fungal pathogens

Summary Two tetraploid and two diploid clones of Hordeum bulbosum were screened for resistance to five isolates of powdery mildew which are virulent on cultivated barley. All were resistant and this resistance was also expressed in hybrids with H. vulgare. The tetraploid genotypes were also resistant to isolates of yellow rust and brown rust. These results show that H. bulbosum contains useful genes for resistance to these diseases and that there is a potential to transfer these into cultivated barley.     

Note on the presence of the sym-1 gene in Vicia faba hampering its symbiosis with Rhizobium leguminosarum

Summary A symbiotically defective mutant in Vicia faba is described. This character is controlled by a recessive gene named sym-1. Reciprocal graft experiments indicate that only the root system controls its expression. Depending on the strain of Rhizobium, the root phenotype can be either Fix⁺ Nod^- or Nod^-.     

Screening relatives of wheat for snow mold resistance and freeing tolerance

Four hundred and eighty one accessions of species and subspecies of genera Triticum and Aegilops were evaluated for resistance to speckled snow mold caused by Typhula ishikariensis and for freezing tolerance. All Triticum and seven of Aegilops species were severely affected by snow mold. Among surviving Aegilops spp., only the Ae. cylindrica accessions exhibited resistance similar to that of the most resistant winter wheat cultivar, PI 173438. After repeated screening of accessions of Ae. cylindrica, 12 accessions were identified as having resistance similar to that of PI 173438; eleven of those were considered more freezing tolerant than PI 173438, but less than wheat cv. Valjevskaya, the freezing tolerant check. Accessions of Ae. cylindrica with snow mold resistance exceeding that of PI 173438, and with freezing tolerance, are currently being screened. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Forage quality of genetically diverse alfalfa germplasms at four phenological growth stages

Summary Forage quality of various alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars has been determined under different environmental conditions, and numerous trials with alfalfa have documented an inverse relationship between forage quality and maturity. Little information is available, however, regarding the comparative forage quality of the germplasm sources from which most USA cultivars were developed. We compared forage quality of these germplasm sources at four phenological stages under disease- and insect-free conditions in a greenhouse. Germplasm sources (cultivars) tested were: Indian (Sirsa #9), African (African), Peruvian (Hairy Peruvian), Flemish (DuPuits), Turkistan (Lahontan), Chilean (Kansas Common), M. varia (Grimm), and Ladak (Ladak). Four harvests were taken and forage was separated into four phenological stages: vegetative, early bud (1–3 buds-per-stem), late bud (>3 buds-per-stem), and bloom. The germplasm source X phenological stage interaction was significant for crude protein (CP) and in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDDM) concentrations. M. varia showed the least decline in IVDDM and CP with increasing maturity. M. varia had higher IVDDM than did African and Indian at late bud and bloom stages. Indian and Flemish had higher CP than did Turkistan and Peruvian at late bud and bloom stages. Alfalfa germplasm sources differ in forage quality when comparisions are made within similar stages of phenological development.Joint contribution of the Dept. of Agronomy and USDA-ARS, Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. Contribution no. 90-475-J.     

Development and cytogenetic characterisation of a double goat grass-barley chromosome substitution in tritordeum

×Tritordeum (Ascherson et Graebner, an amphiploid between Triticum turgidum conv. durum and Hordeum chilense), and chromosome substitution lines of tritordeum where chromosomes 2 H ^ch or 3 H ^ch H. chilense were replaced with chromosome 2 D of T. aestivum or 3 H ^v chromosome of H. vulgare, respectively, were used to assess the effect of specific chromosomes on the rachis. ×Tritordeum has brittle rachis while the 2 D(2 H ^ch) and 3 H ^v (3 H ^ch) substitution lines have non-brittle rachis. Both lines also have compact spikes, a character highly desirable for the improvement of tritordeum threshability. Different combinations of 2 D and 3 H ^v translocations were developed in tritordeum. In this article we present information on the identification and characterisation of all these introgression lines by the fluorescent in situ hybridisation.