Stability of 1000-grain weight and its relation with other traits of barley in dry areas

Summary The effects of 1000-grain weight, its stability and the correlation coefficients with other traits of 50 barley varieties were studied at 18–20 environments. Additional material was used to study genotypic correlations among traits. Significant differences in stability of 1000-grain weight were found among varieties. Two-row varieties were on average more stable than 6-row varieties. The 1000-grain weight was among the most stable and grain yield the most variable traits. This was discussed in connection with stem reserves translocation to the grain. Consistently high yielding varieties had around average stability of 1000-grain weight. Regression coefficient, b, for 1000-grain weight was positively correlated with variance of log transformed data, both valid estimates for stability of 1000-grain weight. The correlation coefficient of 1000-grain weight with grain yield was positive or non-significant, with number of grains per tiller mainly negative and with volume weight it was positive. In 6-row barley, 1000-grain weight was positively correlated with grain yield, straw yield, total biological yield, and plant height, and negatively with number of tillers per m² and number of grains per tiller.     

Environmental correlations among grain yield and other important traits of wheat in drylands

Summary Environmental correlation coefficients were computed among all pairs of five traits, namely grain yield, heading date, number of tillers per m², plant height and 1000-grain weight (grain size) using 30 Triticum durum and 30 Triticum aestivum varieties grown in 18 environments. Grain yield was significantly correlated with the other four traits in almost all of the varieties. The mean correlation coefficient over all varieties ranged from 0.58 to –0.83 for durum wheat and 0.66 to 0.88 for aestivum wheat. The correlation coefficients between heading date and the other traits were also significant, ranging from –0.45 to –0.79 in durum wheat and –0.61 to –0.85 in aestivum wheat. The correlation coefficient between number of tillers with plant height and 1000-grain weight were the smallest, 0.19–0.32 in durum wheat and 0.39–0.60 in aestivum wheat. It was concluded that agronomic practices favouring early and good stand establishment in the dry regions will favour the yield components and important adaptive traits, which contribute towards larger yields. Significant differences were found among genotypes in the environmental correlation coefficients and the associated changes in one trait as a result of changes in other traits.     

Analysis of adaptation of barley,triticale, durum and bread wheat under Mediterranean conditions

Summary Yield data obtained from a comparative small grain cereals trial, grown for five consecutive growing seasons at a total of 23 environments in Cyprus, were subjected to regression analysis. Within each environment, yield trials consisted of a standard set of three cultivars or elite lines of barley, triticale, durum and bread wheat. The regression coefficient (b) of crop mean on the environmental index (I) and the mean square deviation from regression (sd²) were calculated for each crop. Each crop tended to have its own characteristic value of sd² and its magnitude was an excellent indicator of specific crop-environment interaction. The causes of large sd², for two of the four crops, were the susceptibilith of barley to lodging, when favourable conditions were encountered at high yielding environments, and triticale dependence on late season precipitation. Durum wheat and triticale had an average response to different yielding environments (b>1.19) and both were significantly different from those of bread wheat (1.08) and barley (0.54). Hence, barley, bread and durum wheat are specifically adapted to low, average and high yielding Mediterranean environments, respectively. The cultivation of triticale at the expence of durum wheat is not feasible. Furthermore, interactions between crops and environments demonstrated by the regression parameters, should constitute the basis for decision making, regarding crop adaptation in a region. The average yield in all environments should not be considered as a proper criterion for adaptation. In this study, triticale had a similar mean grain yield (3,842 kg/ha) to that of bread wheat, but was significantly higher yielding than barley or durum wheat (5 and 7%, respectively).     

Yield Structure of Winter Faba Beans Grown in Northern Germany in Dependence of Different Environments, Seed Rates, Sowing Rates and Genotypes

Two series of field trials were performed at three sites in Schleswig-Holstein between 1981 and 1988 to inquire into the yield structure of European winter types of Vicia faba L. and to compare their yield potential with that of spring types. Due to low winter survival, 6 winter types could be evaluated only in 4 environments in dependence of 1–3 sowing times (series α: seed rate 30/m²) and 1 winter type in 5 environments in dependence of 3 sowing times and 3 seed rates (series β: seed rate 15, 30, 45/m²). Seed yield of winter type averaged 410 g/m² (D.M.) surpassing spring types by about 14 %. Environments caused a considerable variation in yield (275–620 g/m²) and in each yield component of winter types, while sowing dates and seed rates hardly affected the components seeds/pod and seed weight, which displayed stable genotypic rank orders. Compensative forces among the components plants/m², tillers/plant and pods/tiller, were established. Plant densities of less than 10/m² in spring, generally led to seed yield below 350 g/m². Variation between 15–30 plants/m² due to environments, sowing times or seed rates were frequently not fully compensated by tillering of plants, but often variation of the thus formed yield potential was reduced by pod set of tillers resulting in 210–270 pods/m². The direction of correlations of pods/tillers with tillers/plant and plants/m² differed due to experimental conditions whereas negative correlations between pods/tiller and tillers/ m² were generally evident. Tillering was significantly influenced by the sowing time, though the increase because of early sowing was often covered by compensative effects of different plant densities. A genotypic capability to produce reproductive tillers was demonstrated using an approach which considered different plant densities and compensative forces. Neither a genotypic capability of tillers to set pods nor direct effects of environments or sowing time on pod set were established.     

Response of a new IR50/Moroberekan recombinant inbred population of rice (Oryza sativa L.) from an indica × japonica cross for growth and yield traits under aerobic conditions

Genetic variability, correlation, path coefficient analysis and test of normality was conducted in an F₈ recombinant inbred aerobic rice population developed by single seed descent method to evaluate its potential as a mapping population. Estimates of genotypic variance, phenotypic variance, genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV), phenotypic coefficient of variance (PCV), heritability in the broad sense (H) and expected genetic advance at 5% selection index (GA) for grain yield and other attributing characters were computed. In all the cases, PCV was higher than GCV indicating the influence of environment on the characters. High heritability coupled with high GA was observed for several plant traits; number of tillers, plant height, total number of spikelets panicle⁻¹, biomass plant⁻¹, straw weight, harvest index and grain yield plant⁻¹ and hence offered good scope for selection. Grain yield plant⁻¹ was found to be positively correlated with plant height, number of tillers, panicle length, panicle exsertion, number of panicles plant⁻¹, single panicle weight, test weight, number of fertile spikelets panicle⁻¹, straw weight, biomass plant⁻¹, harvest index and grain breadth both at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Harvest index exerted maximum positive direct effect, followed by biomass plant⁻¹ and straw weight on grain yield plant⁻¹ at phenotypic level. Shapiro-Wilks “W test of normality” indicated that the population was skewed towards female parent IR50 for some traits and for some others towards Moroberekan, the male parent. Most of the characters that showed skewness were platykurtic with a kurtosis value of less than 3.     

The relation between grain yield and some related traits of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and their usefulness in a breeding program

Summary The objective of this study was to evaluate traits which can facilitate and improve selection for grain yield of spring barley. Five experiments were conducted in different environments to measure grain yield and yield related traits of breeding lines and exotic varieties. Differences for rate of canopy expansion were significant and offer the opportunity to select for a high weed suppressing potential but there was no relation to grain yield. Dry matter yield/m² at anthesis and its water-soluble-carbohydrate content were not correlated with grain yield/m² and number of grains/m². Variation in biomass among breeding lines with a similar development and plant height was small. Biomass standardized for plant height was stable across environments and showed a good correlation with number of grains and grain yield. The contribution of pre-anthesis assimilation to grain yield was only important under low yielding experimental conditions, but the differences among the genotypes for this trait were inconsistent. It may be difficult to select genotypes with a high potential contribution of pre-anthesis assimilation to grain yield.     

Grain yield response and stability for oat lines with low-, medium-, and high-yielding ability

Summary Relationships that exist among grain yielding ability and response and stability of grain yields when tested over variable environments were examined. Two sets of oats lines were tested over many environments that had wide ranges in productivities. The lines in each set were divided into high-, medium-, and low-yielding groups on the basis of means across all environments, and variance components for genotype × environment interactions and means of regression responses and coefficients of determination were computed for the three yield categories in each set.Mean grain yields for the high-, medium-, and low-yielding groups across both sets of oats lines were 2.7, 2.3, and 1.9 Mg ha^-1, respectively. Coefficients of variability for the genotype × environment interaction were 18%, 16%, and 12% for the high-, medium-, and low-yielding categories, respectively. Means for regression responses were 1.22 for the high group, 0.99 for the medium, and 0.78 for the low. Most responses for the high and low groups were significantly different from 1.0. Means for coefficients of contingency were 0.63, 0.56, and 0.51 for the high-, medium-, and lowyielding groups, respectively.There was a positive relationship between mean grain yield and response of grain yield to improving environments. Thus, high yielding lines are also the responsive lines. Our study gave conflicting results about stability of production for the three yield groups. Coefficients of variation for genotype × environment interaction indicated that the high-yielding group was more interactive with environments than were the medium- and low-yielding ones: However, the means for coefficients of contingency indicated that the high yielding group was the most stable.Journal Paper No. J-12128 of the Iowa Agric. and Home Econ. Exp. Stn., Ames, IA 50011. Project 2447.     

四川盆地单产9000 kg hm~(-2)以上超高产小麦品种产量结构与干物质积累特点

选择3个典型超高产品种和7个一般高产品种(对照)在4个环境(年份×地点)下考察其产量、产量构成因素和干物质积累、转运特点,以揭示四川盆地高温、高湿、弱光照生态条件下超高产小麦品种的产量形成特性,为超高产育种和生产提供依据。超高产品种在4个环境下的平均产量达9338 kg hm 2,比对照品种高24.2%;其穗数(449×104hm–2)、穗粒数(42.3)、粒数(18 825 m–2)、千粒重(47.8 g)分别比对照高8.2%、10.7%、18.3%和0.6%。超高产品种在各个生育阶段的干物质积累速率、干物质积累量都高于对照品种,尤其是生育前期,如在分蘖盛期和拔节期干物质积累量分别高11.1%和18.2%;同时,其干物质转运量、转运效率和对籽粒的贡献率也高于对照品种,成熟时非籽粒器官干物质所占比重较对照品种低1.2~3.5个百分点。小麦籽粒产量与各个生育阶段的群体干重和分蘖、拔节期的个体干重呈极显著正相关,超高产品种具有分蘖力强,前期生长旺盛、干物质积累多,后期分配到籽粒的干物质比例较高等特点,这是高产的生理基础。     

Adaptation and environmental sensitivity of mungbean genotypes evaluated in the international mungbean nursery

Summary Yield data from the 5th–12th international mungbean nursery (IMN) trials conducted at 23 sites in 15 countries were analyzed by conventional stability analysis—regression of genotype mean on the environmental index, and by segmented regression analysis—fitting separate linear regressions in low yielding and high yielding environments. The gene pool base concept allows comparison of genotypes from different IMN trials grown in different years and sites. A very high positive linear relationship was observed between the regression coefficient and the average yield of cultivars, indicating that high yielding cultivars were less stable across environments. When data points of the regression of genotype mean and site mean for VC 1973A, a high yielding and widely adapted cultivar, were examined, the relationship appeared not to be linear. The segmented regression analysis improved the coefficient of determination (r²) and the genotypes were grouped based on regression coefficients in high yielding and low yielding environments. Different categories of genotypes suitable for high input environments, widely adaptable genotypes, and highly stable genotypes were identified.Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Technical Article 23208.     

Breeding for yield and quality in durum wheat

Three populations of an intervarietal durum wheat cross IWP5308/PDW208, F₅, F₅BIP₁ (population derived after intermating in F₂) and F₅BIP₂ (population derived after intermating in BIPF₁), were evaluated under three different agronomic environments for mean performance and stability of genotypes for grain yield, yield components and protein content. Though the biparental progenies indicated a higher mean performance, they did not differ significantly from progenies of the pedigree method for almost all characters. The biparental progenies, however, produced a higher number of stable genotypes for grain yield per plant, grains per ear and protein content. The F₅ population had a higher number of stable genotypes for 1000 grain weight and number of tillers per plant. The BIP progenies also had a higher number of genotypes with above average mean performance, and many were significantly higher than the checks WH896 and WH542, compared with F₅ progenies. Hence, in spite of high G x E interactions, the use of cycles of biparental mating and selection of top yielding lines on the basis of yield components can enable selection of stable genotypes with high protein content. Number of tillers per plant and 1000 grain weight were the yield component characters which made maximum contribution to phenotypic stability of the genotypes. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Adaptation of semidwarf wheat cultivars to rainfed conditions

Summary With a view to determining the comparative adaptation of semidwarf wheats to rainfed conditions, adaptation analyses were carried out on grain yield data of the 6th and 7th International Spring Wheat Yield Nurseries of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre. Sites were chosen which had not received irrigation: across a combined total of 44 such sites, yield variation was closely related to growing seasonal rainfall. Using these sites, yields of thirty-three common cultivars. Norin 10-derived semidwarf cultivars plus tall ones, were regressed against site mean yield to give a regression slope (b) and deviations from the regression (s_d ²) for each cultivar.Semidwarf cultivars generally showed higher mean yields and larger regression slopes (b > 0.9) than tall cultivars from lower latitudes. Tall cultivars from higher latitudes showed the lowest mean yields and the lowest b values (< 0.7). No consistent trends in s_d ² were evident. Despite the greater regression slopes of semidwarf wheats, the best yields under all but the lowest yielding (driest) conditions were given by certain semidwarf cultivars; these had high mean yields and b values close to 1.0 (for example Tobari 66, Inia 66, Pato ArGentino and Sonalika). In contrast other semiwdarfs (notably Chenab 70) of similar mean yield, plant height and phenology, were not well adapted to the drier conditions as indicated by b values close to 1.3. The usefulness of the regression technique and the implications of these results for selection of semidwarf wheats adapted to drier conditions are discussed.Joint contribution from the Department of Agronomy, University of Sydney, N.S.W. 2006, Australia and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Londres 40. Mexico 6, D.F.     

Effect of d2 dwarfing gene on grain yield and yield components in pearl millet near-isogenic lines

Summary A d₂ dwarfing gene in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is currently being extensively used for the development of hybrid parents. Its effect on grain yield and yield components is poorly understood. Twelve pairs of tall and dwarf near-isogenic lines developed in the diverse genetic background of three composites were evaluated for grain yield and yield components for 2 years at two locations in southern India. The d₂ gene or the genes linked to it, on an average, reduced plant height by 42%, grain yield by 14%, and head girth by 8% but increased head length and number of tillers per plant by about 5–6%. Large variations were observed among pairs (genetic background) for the difference between tall and dwarf near-isogenic lines for all of the above yield components resulting in no significant difference in five pairs and 17–35% less yield in dwarfs as compared to their tall counterparts in six pairs. Days to 50% flowering and seed weight were least affected by the d₂ gene with the average difference between tall and dwarf groups of near-isogenic lines being of the order of 1–2%. These results indicate that the advantageous effects of d₂ dwarfing gene can be effectively exploited by manipulating the genetic background. The difference between the average grain yields of tall and dwarf groups of near-isogenic lines showed considerable variation across environments with the dwarfs yielding as much as tall group in one environment and up to 30% less than the tall group in the other, thus, indicating that the d₂ gene effect may be substantially modified by the environments.Submitted as JA No. 979 by the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).     

Seed Yield Stability of Okra as Influenced by Planting Date

Fifteen selected okra varieties consisting of ten newly-developed lines and five established varieties were evaluated for stability of seed yields in eight different environments i.e. several monthly plantings for three consecutive years. Seed yield data were analyzed to determine the effectiveness of using different planting dates in seed yield trials of new okra varieties. The wide ranges of environmental indices (- 10.8 to 24.4) and seed yield (2.7 to 38.0 g plant ^-1) indicated significant variation between the environments even though the trials were conducted at the same location. A regression method of stability analysis showed that the mean differences between environments, the varieties and their interactions were highly significant. These results suggest that where limited resources prevent the use of several locations, different dates of planting for two or more years could be used to evaluate okra varieties for seed yield without losing much information on their relative ranking.     

Comparison of stability statistics for yield and quality traits in bread wheat

The stability and genotypic mean of four traits, grain yield, grain protein content, alveograph W and bread volume, were evaluated in three multi-location trials, each covering two years. The stability of each genotype was evaluated by environmental variance (s² _E), interaction variance (s² _W) and variance of the ranks of the phenotypic values corrected for the genotypic effect (s² _R). The bootstrap method was used to study correlations between the genotypic mean and the three stability statistics and to calculate their accuracy. The repeatability of the stability statistics was measured by correlations between the values obtained in each of the two years. In addition, theoretical smaller trials were generated by random sampling and the stability values calculated were correlated with those of the original trial. Environmental variance appears to be usable both for yield and for quality traits, but there is a risk of counter-selecting a high genotypic mean of W. Whatever the trait and statistic envisaged, stability is poorly repeatable and its evaluation requires several years and a large number of locations per year to minimise sampling and environmental effects. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Electrofusion of Protoplasts and Heterokaryon Survival in the Genus Medicago

The objective of this study- was to evaluate whether different statistical measures of phenotypic stability vary in their repeatability. Eight multi year and multi location variety tests of wheat, barley and oat were analysed separately for each year. Single year data of yield, of response parameters: environmental variance (S²₃ and coefficient of regression (b), and of stability parameters: deviation mean squares (S²₃), coefficient of determination (r²), ecovalence (W), and the nor, parametric measure variance of ranks (S_i4), were correlated with multi year, multi location results. Repeatability of single year results was highest for yield, where rank correlation coefficients amounted to about 0.80. s²_x and b showed medium values of nearly 0.55 The stability parameters s²_d, r², W and S_i4 did not differ in their repeatability. Respective correlation coefficients possessed values of approximately 0.40 and were very variable from experiment to experiment. Reliability of single year results was especially low for experiments with high varieties × years interactions. Single year results of the examined variety tests could not serve as a basis to quantify phenotypic stability even if more than ten locations were involved.     

耕作方式对华北两熟区冬小麦生长发育和产量的影响

为了解华北地区小麦–玉米两熟区不同耕作模式对冬小麦生育进程、群体大小及产量形成的影响,2009–2011年通过田间定位试验比较了免耕(NTS)、旋耕秸秆还田(RTS)、翻耕秸秆还田(CTS)和翻耕秸秆不还田(CT) 4种耕作模式对冬小麦生长发育和产量的影响。结果表明,RTS、CTS和CT处理对冬小麦生育进程、群体大小、籽粒灌浆和产量无显著影响,而NTS处理推迟了小麦生育进程,造成明显的贪青晚熟。在基本苗差异不大的情况下,NTS处理的单株分蘖显著低于其他处理,群体数量和有效穗数不足,降低了干物质积累量,最终产量最低,较CT处理有效穗数低14.4%~16.9%,产量低16.4%~18.3%。虽然NTS处理推迟了冬小麦的生育进程,分蘖少穗数不足导致减产,但其粒灌浆时间较长,千粒重显著高于其他处理。因此,通过增加播种量和选择分蘖能力强的品种等技术保证免耕小麦群体数量,是华北地区冬小麦免耕技术研究应用亟需解决的问题。     

A comparison of yield and yield component selection in winter wheat

Summary Three populations of winter wheat were formed by crossing Avrora to Sage, TAM W-101, and Danne. Approximately 10% of the F₂ plants from these crosses were selected for high and low levels of number of tillers per plant, number of kernels per spike, 1000-kernel weight, and grain yield. Forty-eight solid seeded F₃ lines obtained from the selected F₂ plants were then selected for high and low expressions of yield components and grain yield. Realized heritabilities were estimated. Indirect responses of yield to yield component selection and direct response to selection for grain yield were measured. Heritabilities were low for tiller number, number of kernels per spike and kernel weights but were high or intermediate for grain yield when selection occurred in the F₂ generation. When selection was practiced in the F₃ generation, heritabilities for tiller number and yield were low, but were intermediate to high for number of kernels per spike and kernel weight and high heritabilities were found for kernel weight. Selection for kernel weight often increased grain yield; however, direct selection for grain yields was usually as effective.Journal article no. J-4488 of the Oklahoma Agri. Exp. Stn., Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074.     

水稻甬优12超高产群体分蘖特性及其与群体生产力的关系

以籼粳交超级稻甬优12为试材,四叶一心期带蘖小苗移栽,通过栽培措施的调控,形成超高产( >13.0 t hm^-2)和高产( >12.0 t hm^-2)群体,以高产群体作为对照,对分蘖挂牌追踪,比较研究超高产群体分蘖发生成穗特点。结果表明,超高产群体分蘖产量及对总产量的贡献率分别为11.53 t hm^-2和87.77%,高产群体分别为10.59 t hm^-2和87.40%。超高产和高产群体的分蘖利用都以一次和二次分蘖为主,一次和二次分蘖的产量均以超高产高于高产群体,超高产群体一次分蘖产量的贡献率略低于高产群体,二次分蘖产量的贡献率高于高产群体。超高产群体一次分蘖发生在第1至第9叶位,第4至第7叶位是分蘖发生与成穗的优势叶位,二次分蘖以1/3、2/3、3/3、2/4、1/5蘖位优势较强。对于高产群体而言,一次分蘖以第4至第7叶位分蘖优势较强,二次分蘖以1/3、2/3、3/3优势较强,三次分蘖发生叶位数明显高于超高产群体,但成穗率较低。超高产群体成穗分蘖的穗长、单穗重、总粒数、着[1]粒密度的平均值高于高产群体,结实率却略低于高产群体。     

Correlated response to recurrent selection for groat-oil content in oats

Summary One hundred random oat (Avena sativa L.) lines from a base (C₀) and each of three populations (C₁, C₂, and C₃) improved for groat (caryopsis) oil content by phenotypic recurrent selection were evaluated for correlated changes in several unselected agronomic traits. In addition, the parents of the base population and four check varieties were evaluated for the same traits. Phenotypic recurrent selection for high groat-oil content resulted in no significant correlated response in mean expression of any trait. Mean grain yield, biomass, groat yield, and harvest index of the improved populations were equal or superior to the mean of the parents and, with the exception of harvest index, equivalent to the mean of the check varieties. Mean test weight and seed weight of all populations were lower than for parents or check varieties. Selection for high groat-oil content caused a decline in genotypic variance for test weight and groat fraction, but reductions in genotypic variance for heading date and plant height may have resulted from culling for good agronomic type. Broad-sense heritability remained moderate to high for all traits except groat fraction. Phenotypic and genotypic correlation coefficients revealed negative, though mostly nonsignificant, relationships between groat-oil content and several traits, which may reflect a purported bioenergetic limitation to increasing groat-oil content in oats. Oil yield, however, was positively correlated with grain and groat yield, groat fraction, biomass, and harvest index. Results suggest that development of high-oil oat cultivars with current levels of production traits via phenotypic recurrent selection is possible.Journal Paper no. J-13038 of the Iowa Agric. and Home Econ. Exp. Stn., Ames, IA 50011. Project 2447.     

Response to conventional and organic environment of thirty-six lentil (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lens culinaris</Emphasis> Medik.) varieties

Thirty-six lentil varieties were evaluated under organic and conventional environment for three consecutive years in order to see whether the promising genetic material for an organic plant breeding program are different from those of a conventional system. The genetic material studied originated from various countries. In the conventional trial plots standard cultural practices (P mineral fertilization & pest control) were applied throughout the growing season, while in the organic ones no fertilizers or pest agrochemicals were applied. Significant regression, but of low value, between grain yield ranking and earliness or harvest index ranking was detected. Combined ANOVA indicated significant differences between genotypes, years, environments and genotype × environmental interactions (GEI). It was observed that under conventional management most of the genotypes had a higher yield compared to the organic one. The mean grain yield ranking of the genotypes in each of the environments revealed that some of the genotypes occupied the same ranking position at both the organic and the conventional environment (non-crossover GEI), while others exhibited a significant alteration in their ranking (crossover GEI) under the two environments. Crossover GEI and non-cross over GEI revealed two types of lentil varieties. Varieties with specific adaptation and varieties with broad adaptation. It was concluded that grain yield was in general higher when lentil varieties were grown under a conventional environment compared to the grain yield produced under an organic environment. Yet, there are lentil genotypes with a higher yielding ability under the organic management and therefore should be targeted by the breeder.