Quantitative resistance to Cercospora leaf spot disease caused by Pseudocercospora cruenta in cowpea

Six populations (Parent 1, Parent 2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2) generated from each of four crosses involving four resistant and two susceptible varieties of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) were evaluated for resistance to Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) disease caused by Pseudocercospora cruenta under induced epiphytotic conditions, in four separate field experiments. Climatic conditions determined the onset of CLS disease in the susceptible cultivar and varied in the four experiments from 35 to 48 days after planting (DAP). Genetic analysis revealed that the mode of inheritance of resistance to P. cruenta can be oligogenic or polygenic depending upon the cross. This is the first report of polygenic inheritance of CLS resistance. Number of nodes infected fitted a simple additive dominance model with predominance of additive effects based on generation mean analysis. Oligogenic resistance was observed for the other three crosses, with the most plausible models being: a single gene model with incomplete dominance in CB27 × IT87D-939-1; a single gene model with complete dominance in CB27 × VRB-10; and a triger model in Los Banos Bush Sitao × IT86D-792, based on segregation analysis of symptomatic : non-symptomatic plants. The role of minor genes was also indicated in the above crosses. Suggested approaches to breeding for resistance to CLS are discussed.     

Diallel Analysis of Grain Yield in Barley Using Doubled-Haploid Lines*

Grain yields of seven barley cultivars (Hordeum vulgare L.) and 398 doubled-haploid lines derived from their diallel crosses were evaluated in hill plots at two locations in Ontario. Additive × additive epistasis and linkage disequilibrium were detected in the seven cultivars. Additive × additive genetic variance was significantly greater than zero but additive genetic variance was not significantly greater than zero. The narrow-sense heritability on the basis of line means was intermediate (0.33). It was predicted that 13.1% yield improvement could be realized in the next recurrent selection cycle using the doubled-haploid method.     

Verification of the introgression of Erianthus arundinaceus germplasm into sugarcane using molecular markers

Erianthus arundinaceus has a number of important agronomic traits including good ratooning ability, tolerance to both drought and water logging, disease resistance and vigour and is of interest as a potential source of parental germplasm to sugarcane breeders. However, to date, attempts to produce fertile hybrids between sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) and E. arundinaceus have been unsuccessful. Microsatellite markers that generated genus‐specific markers and were highly polymorphic within sugarcane were identified. The microsatellite markers and 5S rDNA PCR were used to screen intergeneric (F1) clones from Saccharum officinarum×E. arundinaceus crosses, and two Saccharum backcross progeny (BC1) populations derived from crosses between selected F1 clones and sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), to identify genuine Saccharum spp. BC1 progeny. The 5S rDNA PCR marker and highly polymorphic microsatellites with Erianthus‐specific bands confirmed the F1 parent of the two putative BC1 populations was a S. officinarum×E. arundinaceus hybrid and allowed the identification of the genuine BC1 progeny from selfs of the F1 parent. This is the first verification of BC1 progeny from an F1 intergeneric hybrid x sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) clone with molecular markers and confirms the introgression of E. arundinaceus germplasm into sugarcane. It should now be possible to exploit genes of value from E. arundinaceus in sugarcane breeding programmes.     

Evaluation of Verticillium wilt resistance in commercial cultivars and advanced breeding lines of cotton

Verticillium wilt (VW), caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb, is one of the most destructive diseases in cotton (Gossypium spp.). The most efficient and cost-effective method of controlling the disease is the use of resistant cotton cultivars. Most commercial cultivars and elite breeding lines are developed under non-VW conditions and their responses to the disease are currently unknown. This study was conducted to evaluate current commercial cotton cultivars and advanced breeding lines for VW resistance. In 2011–2013, a total of 84 cultivars from major US seed companies, 52 advanced breeding lines from the US public breeding programs, and 87 introgression lines from a cross between Acala 1517-99 × Pima PHY 76 from the New Mexico Cotton Breeding Program, were evaluated for VW resistance in the greenhouse. Cotton cultivars and breeding lines were evaluated in ten separate replicated tests by inoculation with a defoliating-type isolate of V. dahliae. While leaf severity rating and percentages of infected plants, infected leaves and defoliated leaves were found to be significantly and positively correlated with one another, leaf severity rating and percentage of infected leaves were best choices because of their relatively low coefficients of variation and higher resolutions to differentiate resistant genotypes from susceptible ones. The heritabilities for the VW resistance traits ranged from 0.58 to 0.80 with an average of 0.67, indicating that variation in VW resistance is predominantly due to genetic factors. Of the 223 commercial cultivars and advanced lines, six Upland cultivars (FM 9160B2F, FM 9170 B2F, NG 4010 B2RF, Nitro 44 B2RF, DP 1219 B2RF, and ST 4288 B2F), five advanced lines (Ark 0403-3, MD 10-5, MD 25ne, NC11AZ01, and PD 0504), two introgression lines from Upland × Pima (NM11Q1157 and 08N1618), and four Pima cultivars (COBALT, DP 357, PHY 800, and PHY 830) had higher levels of resistance to VW. The resistance shown by most of these cultivars in the greenhouse was consistent with their performance in previous field tests. Based on the initial VW resistance, 19 highly or moderately resistant genotypes were chosen for re-evaluation and 30 genotypes were also assessed more than once for VW resistance in different tests, most of which had concordant performance. These cultivars and advanced lines should be useful resources to improve VW resistance in cotton breeding.     

Inheritance of resistance to Rhynchosporium secalis in spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

The inheritance of durable resistance of selected spring barley varieties to Rhynchosporium secalis was investigated. Data from the F₂ generation of a 4 × 4 diallel, without reciprocals and the F₄ generation of three crosses selected out of this diallel, suggest that resistance in this sample of varieties tested is complex in inheritance. Significant additive effects were detected indicating that the resistance level of barley cultivars may be improved by the hybridisation of suitable varieties. However, the genes conferring resistance seem to be concealed by the expression of one completely dominant resistance gene in our set of varieties. These results are partly in conflict with previous results on the inheritance of resistance to R. secalis in the breeder's line ‘11258/2286₁₃A’ indicating that the effectiveness of this resistance gene may be greatly influenced by the genetic background of the current population of R. secalis.     

Powdery-mildew-resistance genes Mla29 and Mla32 in H. spontaneum derived winter-barley lines

Allelism to the highly polymorphic Mia locus was demonstrated for the powdery-mildew resistance of two Hordeum spontaneum derived winter–barley lines, ‘110-4 × Sonja’ and ‘142–29 × Dura’, by testing the F2 progeny of crosses between these lines and the winter-barley cv. ‘Triton’ (Mlal3) with two appropriate isolates. The results were confirmed by RFLP analysis, using the probe MWG 1H036, which is very closely linked to the Mia locus. The designations Mla29 and Mla32 are proposed for the genes identified in the two lines.     

Genetic analysis of grain mold resistance in white seed sorghum genotypes

Grain molds in rainy season sorghums can cause poor grain quality resulting in economic losses. Grain molds are a major constraint to the sorghum production and for adoption of the improved cultivars. A complex of fungi causes grain mold. Information on genetics of grain mold resistance and mechanisms is required to facilitate the breeding of durable resistant cultivars. A genetic study was conducted using one white susceptible, three white resistant/tolerant sources, and one colored resistant source in the crossing programme to obtain four crosses. P₁, P₂, F₁, BC₁, and BC₂, and F₂ families of each cross were evaluated for the field grade and threshed grade scores, under sprinkler irrigation. Generation mean analyses and frequency distribution studies were carried out. The frequency distribution studies showed that grain mold resistance in the white-grained resistance sources was polygenic. The additive gene action and additive × additive gene interaction were significant in all the crosses. Simple recurrent selection or backcrossing should accumulate the genes for resistance. Epistasis gene interactions were observed in colored resistance × white resistance cross. Gene interaction was influenced by pronounced G × E. Pooled analysis showed that environment × additive gene interaction and environment × dominant gene interaction were significant. The complex genetics of mold resistance is due to the presence of different mechanisms of inheritance from various sources. Evaluation of segregating population for resistance and selection for stable derivatives in advanced generations in different environments will be effective.     

Resistance to cowpea severe mosaic virus, determined by three dosage dependent genes in Vigna unguiculata L. Walp

P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2 generations of four resistant × susceptible crosses and three resistant × resistant crosses of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) were screened for resistance to cowpea severe mosaic virus (CPSMV), in an insect protected screen house. The segregation ratio, at maturity, showed a 63 susceptible : 1 resistant ratio in the F2 generation indicating that resistance is governed by three major genes. The backcross tests and the F3 test confirmed this. The intermediate levels of symptoms observed in the F1 generation and the progression of symptom expression in the F2 generation suggested that resistance is gene dosage dependent. The genetic basis of immunity, tolerance, high level of resistance is discussed based on the three gene model. Delayed symptom expression was evident in genotypes with one or two susceptible alleles. The implications of delayed expression of symptoms in selection and breeding for resistance to CPSMV are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Diallel analysis of sooty stripe resistance in sorghum

Sooty stripe [Ramulispora sorghi (Ellis and Everhart) Olive and Lefebre] is a widespread foliar disease of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] in West Africa, responsible for grain yield losses up to 46%. We studied the inheritance of sooty stripe resistance in a 9 × 9 sorghum F₂-population diallel grown together with parent lines and checks in1996 under natural disease pressure at two locations in Mali. The percentage of infected leaf area was determined twice over a two-week interval during the season. At the second evaluation, the mean sooty stripe severity amounted to 13% infected leaf area at Samanko and 12% at Cinzana. The frequency distribution of the entries was approximately normal for the mean disease severity, averaged across assessment dates and locations, pointing to the involvement of multiple genes. With the data combined across the two locations, genetic differences among lines and among F₂ populations were highly significant. Genotype × location interaction variances were also significant but much smaller than the genetic variances. Broad-sense heritability estimates were 0.92 for lines and 0.94 for the F₂ populations, for the mean percentage infected leaf area across the two assessment dates. General combining ability effects (GCA) determined most of the differences among the F₂ populations. Specific combining ability effects (SCA), and the interactions of GCA or SCA with locations were also significant but less important. Line performance per se was highly correlated with GCA. Because of the high heritability and predominance of additive effects, prospects are good for the genetic improvement of resistance to sooty stripe in sorghum in Mali, using simple pedigree or recurrent selection procedures. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic control of crossability of triticale with rye

Limited genetic knowledge is available regarding crossability between hexaploid triticale (2n= 6x= 42, 21″, AABBRR, amphiploid Triticum turgidum L.‐Secale cereale L.) and rye (2n= 14, 7″, RR). Our objectives were to determine (1) the crossability between triticales and rye and (2) the inheritance of crossability between F₂ progeny from intertriticale crosses and rye. First, ‘8F/Corgo’, a hexaploid triticale, was crossed as a female with two landrace ryes, ‘Gimonde’ and, ‘Vila Pouca’ and two derived north European cultivars, ‘Pluto’ and ‘Breno’. These crosses produced 21.7, 20.9, 5.9, and 5.6%, seed‐set or crossability, respectively, showing that the landrace ryes produced higher seed‐set than the cultivars. Second, ‘Gimonde’ rye was crossed as a male with four triticales for 3 years. The control cross, ‘Chinese Spring’ wheat × rye, produced 80‐90% seed‐set. Of the four triticales, ‘Beagle’ produced 35.7‐56.8% seed‐set. The other three triticales produced less than 20% seed‐set, showing that the triticales differ in crossability with ‘Gimonde’ rye. Third, six FiS from intertriticale crosses (‘8F/Corgo’בBeagle’, ‘Beagle’בCachirulo’, ‘Lasko’בBeagle’, ‘8F/Corgo’בCachirulo’, ‘Lasko’בCachirulo’, ‘Lasko’ב8F/Corgo’) were crossed to ‘Gimonde’ rye. Results indicated that lower crossability trait was partially dominant in the two F₁S from crosses involving ‘Beagle’(high crossability) with‘8F/Corgo’ and ‘Cachirulo’(low crossability) and completely dominant in the ‘Beagle’בLasko’ cross, as it happens in wheat. Fourth, segregants in four F₂ populations (‘Lasko’בBeagle’, ‘8F/Corgo’בBeagle’, ‘Lasko’ב8F/Corgo’, and‘8F/Corgo’בCachirulo’) were crossed with rye. Segregation for crossability was observed, although distinct segregation classes were blurred by environmental and perhaps other factors, such as self‐incompatibility alleles in rye. Segregation patterns showed that ‘Beagle’, with high crossability to rye, carries either Kr1 or Kr2. The three triticales with low crossability with rye were most likely homozygous for Kr1 and Kr2. Therefore, it is likely that the Kr loci from A and B genomes acting in wheat also play a role in triticale × rye crosses.     

Genetic effects of embryo and endosperm for four malting quality traits of barley

Seed of seven cultivars of two-rowed barley (Hordeum Vulgare L.) and F2 seed from a half-diallel set of crosses among the cultivars were malted in two years to obtain data on diastatic power (DP), alpha-amylase activity (αAA), beta- amylase activity (βAA) and malt nitrogen (N) content. Embryo and endosperm genetic effects on the traits were studied by using a genetic model including genotype × environment interaction for malting quality characters. Variation of the four malting quality traits was affected by gentic effects and environmental interaction. Performance of DP and βAA was mainly controlled not only by endosperm dominance effects but also by embryo genotype × environment interaction and endosperm dominance × environment interaction. Variation of αAA and malt N content was controlled by both embryo and endosperm genetic effects, but the embryo dominance and endosperm additive effects contributed a major part to the total genetic effects. Significant interaction variances (embryo additive × environment and dominance × environment and endosperm dominance × environment) were also observed for αAA and malt N content. Diastatic power was related positively to βAA. Malt N content was associated positively with DP, largely because of the relationship between malt N and βAA. No obvious phenotype association between DP and αAA was found. General narrow-sense heritabilities of αAA and malt N content were 26.1% and 27.8%, respectively. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

大豆对胞囊线虫(Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) 1号和4号生理小种抗性的遗传分析

大豆胞囊线虫(Heterodera glycines Ichinohe)是我国大豆的全国性主要病害之一。1号和4号生理小种是黄淮地区的优势小种。以Essex×ZDD2315、Peking×ZDD2315、PI88788×ZDD2226、Peking×ZDD2226的P₁、P₂、F₁、BC₁F₂为材料，用主基因＋多基因混合遗传模型分析大豆对胞囊线虫1号和4号生理小种抗性的遗传机制。结果表明，ZDD2315、ZDD2226对1号生理小种的抗性受主效基因控制，未发现多基因效应，且与Peking存在相同的抗病基因；抗性遗传表现组合特异性，Essex×ZDD2315组合为3对加性主基因遗传模型，主基因遗传率72.02%，PI88788×ZDD2226组合为2对显性上位主基因遗传模型，主基因遗传率62.33%。对4号生理小种的抗性为主基因＋多基因混合遗传模型，Essex×ZDD2315、Peking×ZDD2315、PI88788×ZDD2226等3个组合为3对主基因+多基因遗传模型，主基因遗传率分别为67.76%、72.46%和53.25%，多基因遗传率分别为24.48%、21.31%和35.77%；Peking×ZDD2226表现为2对主基因遗传模型，主基因遗传率45.40%。抗性基因表现为隐性，育种上可以在早代选择。培育多抗品种应以抗4号生理小种为主要目标进行基因聚合。     

Parial resistance in the barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar 'Chikurin Ibaraki 1' to two PAV-like isolates of barley yellow-dwarf virus: allelic variability at the Yd2 gene locus

The Japanese barley cultivar, ‘Chikurin Ibaraki 1’, is partially resistant to the PAV serotype of barley yellow-dwarf virus (BYDV), but its induced mutant line, Ea52, is susceptible. The inheritance of resistance in cv. ‘Chikurin Ibaraki 1’ to BYDV-PAV was investigated. The F, and F2 plants of crosses of cvs ‘Chikurin Ibaraki 1’, Ea52, ‘Vixen’, carrying the Yd2 gene of resistance, and ‘Plaisant’, a susceptible French cultivar, were tested in growth chamber and field conditions. Isolate RG, against which ‘Chikurin Ibaraki 1’ is partially resistant in growth chamber and field conditions, and isolate 2t, which overcomes the partial resistance of ‘Chikurin Ibaraki 1’ in field conditions (Chalhoub et al. 1994) were used. The segregation of F2 plants of crosses between ‘Chikurin Ibaraki 1’ and the susceptible cultivars to isolate RG (one resistant to three susceptible) suggests that the resistance of ‘Chikurin Ibaraki 1’ is controlled by a single recessive gene. All 537 F2 plants of ‘Chikurin Ibaraki 1’בVixen’ tested with isolate RG in growth chamber and field conditions were resistant. The F2 plants of this cross were all resistant to isolate 2t in growth chamber conditions but segregated with a ratio of one resistant to three susceptible in field conditions owing to the susceptibility of ‘Chikurin Ibaraki 1’ to this isolate. Results suggest that the resistance gene in ‘Chikurin Ibaraki 1’ is tightly linked or allelic with the Yd2 gene in ‘Vixen’. However, it differs from this gene in ‘Vixen’ in that it can be overcome by isolate 2t in field conditions.     

Inheritance of Cercospora Leaf Spot Resistance in Mung Bean, Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek

Inheritance of Cercospora leaf spot resistance in mungbean was studied in 20 crosses involving crosses of resistant × susceptible, resistant × resistant, susceptible × susceptible lines. 3:1 ratio was observed in all 14 F₂s involving resistant × susceptible parents. The inheritance of Cercospora leaf spot resistance is thus controlled by a single recessive gene. Our results are contradictory to observations of Thaklk et al. (1977 a, b) who found monogenic dominant inheritance of Cercospora leaf spot resistance in mungbean.     

小麦条锈菌吸器的遗传分析

吸器（Haustorium）是条锈菌产生于小麦细胞内的唯一器官,为了研究小麦持久抗性品种中条锈菌吸器的遗传规律,选用小麦持久抗条锈品种Aquileja (AQ)、Libellula (LB)、咸农4号（XN）和感病品种铭贤169（MX）配制杂交组合MX×AQ、LB×XN和AQ×XN,组成亲本及杂交一代（F1）杂交二代（F2）和回交一代（BCp1、BCp2）6个世代,接种条锈菌后取样,测定单位菌丝面积内的吸器数目。结果表明：AQ和LB中条锈菌的吸器数目分别为44.2/mm2和23.74/mm2,两个品种对吸器均表现较强的抗性;XN中条锈菌吸器数目(89.83/mm2)与MX(102.02/mm2)无差异,未表现出明显的抗性。小麦持久抗性品种中条锈菌吸器的遗传为部分隐性,显性度为-0.47~-1.83;控制条锈菌吸器数目的基因大约有1~2个。尺度模型检验结果表明MX×AQ组合中条锈菌吸器的遗传符合加性模型,遗传力较高为68%,而LB×XN和AQ×XN经尺度检验分析不符合加性—显性模型,遗传力较低。     

Introgression of crown rust resistance from Festuca spp. into Lolium multiflorum

Crown rust, Puccinia coronata Corda, causes one of the most damaging foliar diseases in Italian ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum Lam. For introgression of crown rust resistance, highly resistant hybrids of the crosses Festuca arundinacea (2n = 6x = 42) ×L. multiflorum (2n = 4x = 28) and reciprocally, L. multiflorum (2n = 2x = 14) ×Festuca pratensis (2n = 4x = 28) and subsequently resistant recombinant individuals were used as female parents and susceptible cultivars of Italian ryegrass as male parents in three successive backcrosses. The BC₃ plants were selfed and crossed mutually. Uredospores of seven different crown rust isolates collected from plants of L. multiflorum, Lolium perenne, F. pratensis, F. arundinacea and L. multiflorum × F. pratensis hybrids were applied to identify the resistance or susceptibility of the parental species, backcrossed, selfed and intercrossed progenies. The various crown rust populations revealed a species-specific capability to infect plants of the Lolium-Festuca complex corresponding to the host species from which the spores originated. Selected BC⁹ plants, however, were found to be completely resistant to all crown rust populations tested. Successful introgression of the resistance was achieved from F. arundinacea as well as from F. pratensis. The resistance represents a dominant character, apparently based on a strong heterologous incompatibility between host and pathogen. In phenotype, bivalent formation during meiosis and in fertility, the novel germplasms are comparable with the L. multiflorum cultivars.     

Genetic Analysis for Partial Resistance to an Iranian Strain of Bacterial Leaf Streak (X. campestris pv. hordei) in Barley

Seven barley genotypes with high genetic variability for resistance to bacterial leaf streak (Xanthomonas campestris pv. hordei) were crossed in diallel fashion to determine the inheritance of resistance to this disease. Two experiments were undertaken in a controlled growth chamber using a complete-block design with four replicates. Each replicate consisted of a row of 20 seedlings per parent or F₁ hybrid. An Iranian strain of bacterial leaf streak was used for inoculation of 12-day-old seedlings. Results showed that the cultivars ‘Express’ and ‘Morex’ and the Iranian pure line Iran-3a had a high partial resistance in booth experiments. Diallel analysis showed highly significant general and specific combining abilities. ‘Morex’ and Iran-3a were the best combiners for partial resistance to bacterial leaf streak in barley and could be successfully used for breeding purposes.     

Diallel analysis of Fusarium head blight resistance in genetically diverse winter wheat germplasm

New sources of partial resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat have been identified over the past decade; however, little is known of their breeding value. A 20 parent partial diallel that included resistant genotypes from the U.S., Europe, China and South America was used to evaluate the potential of these sources of resistance as parents in wheat breeding programs. Eight plants replication⁻¹ of each of 190 crosses and 20 parents were point-inoculated with Fusarium graminearum under greenhouse conditions in two replicated experiments. Both general (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were significant. Most of the variance for FHB severity was associated with additive genes; however, estimates for SCA ranged from highly negative to highly positive in both resistant × resistant and resistant × susceptible crosses which suggest that improving FHB resistance through gene pyramiding strategies based on additive genetic variation may be complicated by interaction effects that condition FHB resistance.     

Quantitative resistance and its components in 16 barley cultivars to yellow rust, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Puccinia striiformis</Emphasis> f. sp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">hordei</Emphasis>

Sixteen barley cultivars with a susceptible infection type (IT = 7–8) in the seedling stage to an isolate of race 24 of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. hordei were planted at two locations in México. Disease severity (DS) parameters were assessed for the flag leaf and for the upper three leaves. The cultivars represented at least five levels of quantitative resistance ranging from very susceptible to quite resistant. “Granado”, “Gloria/Copal” and “Calicuchima-92” represented the most resistant group and had an IT of 7 or 8. The cultivar × environment interaction variance, although significant, was very small compared with the cultivar variance. The disease severity parameters were highly correlated. The monocyclic parameter DS_m, measured when the most susceptible cultivar had reached its maximum DS, was very highly correlated with the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), r being 0.98. Components of quantitative resistance were evaluated in two plant stages. In the seedling stage small cultivar effects for the latency period were observed, which were not correlated with the quantitative resistance measured in the field. In the adult plant stage the latency period (LP), infection frequency (IF) and colonization rate (CR) were measured in the upper two leaves. The LP was much longer than in the seedling stage and differed strongly between cultivars. The differences in IF were too large, those in CR varied much less. The components showed association with one another. The LP and IF were well correlated with the AUDPC (r = 0.7–0.8). †Deceased     

Utilizing wild Fragaria virginiana in strawberry cultivar development: Inheritance of photoperiod sensitivity, fruit size, gender, female fertility and disease resistance

The genetics of photoperiod sensitivity, flowering date, fruit size, gender, female fertility, and disease resistance were investigated in progeny between sets of elite F. virginiana selections and F. × ananassa cultivars and selections planted at sites in Michigan, Minnesota and Ontario. Progeny means varied considerably for all the production traits. Most notable were the large fruit and high fertility observed in crosses with High Falls 22 at all three sites, and Montreal River 10 in Ontario and Michigan. Fragaria virginiana ssp. virginiana parents yielded progeny with much larger fruit than F. virginianassp. glauca parents. General combining ability was significant for all traits at all locations, while specific combining ability was significant for only fruit diameter, ovule set and fruit set in Michigan. Overall, the highest number of day-neutral genotypes were detected in Ontario (mean =44%) compared to Minnesota (31%) and Michigan (26%). In progeny populations of day-neutral F. × ananassa × short-day F. virginiana almost all fit the 1:1 ratio expected if day-neutrality is regulated by a single dominant gene; however, only a few families of short-day F. × ananassa ×day-neutral F. virginianacrosses fit a 1:1 ratio. Likewise, in progeny of day-neutral F. virginiana ×day-neutral F × ananassa crosses, only a few of them fit the 3:1 ratio expected if day-neutrality is regulated by a single dominant gene. These data suggest that it should be relatively easy to useF. virginiana germplasm in strawberry cultivar improvement, and that several different sources of day-neutrality may exist in natural populations. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.