Ontogenetic analysis of yield components and yield stability of durum wheat in water-limited environments

Summary One main reason for the slow improvement of durum wheat in water-limited environments is the lack of clear understanding of the interrelationships among yield components and their compensatory changes under low and erratic moisture availability. Five cultivars, varying in many physiological attributes, were tested under different drought-stress conditions in field and greenhouse experiments. The cause-effect relationships of duration of vegetative period, duration of grain-filling period, number of spikes per m², kernels per spike, kernel weight and grain yield per m² were assessed. Furthermore, yield stability was evaluated. Yield reduction was largest under mid-season stress (58%), followed by terminal stress (30%) and early stress (22%). Cultivar Po was very sensitive to terminal stress.Path-coefficient analysis revealed a complex pattern of relationships among the six variables. An increase in vegetative period reduced the grain-filling period under all conditions. It increased number of kernels per spike under non-stress conditions. The direct effect of spikes per m² on grain yield was significantly positive. However, more spikes per m² resulted in fewer kernels per spike and a low kernel weight and, as a result, a negative relationship with grain yield under early stress. Grain-filling period had a strong influence on grain yield via kernel weight. Kernels per spike had the largest direct effect on grain yield. However, it was negatively correlated with kernel weight, especially under terminal stress. Grain yield heavily depended on kernels per spike under early stress and grain-filling period and kernels per spike under terminal stress.Variation in drought susceptibility index among cultivars was significant under early and terminal stress conditions, but not under mid-stress conditions. Yield potential and stability were not correlated for the different drought-stress conditions.Longer grain-filling period, increased number of kernels per spike and limited spike number per m² can be used as selection criteria for sustainable yield in water-limited environments.     

Genetic variation of a safflower germplasm collection grown as a winter crop in southern Spain

Summary A germplasm collection containing 23 accessions of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) was sown in 1993/94 as a winter crop in southern Spain to perform a comparative evaluation. Morphological, physiological and chemical characters were evaluated. Considerable diversity was found in the group. Only one Mexican accession was dwarf (40 cm tall). Most accessions were spiny but there were two spineless Iranian accessions and others with few spines. Variations were also evident for head and seed size. Seed yield per plant varied from 2.5 to 103.5 g and it was correlated with the number of heads, number of branches and plant height. Cultivars with oil content over 35% were identified. Most accessions were of the high linoleic type but there were two with high or intermediate levels of oleic acid, corresponding to the cultivars Ole and Oleic leed. Sowing in November in southern Spain has produced a long growing period (180–240 days) but earliness is common in Indian accessions. A Chinese phenotype with a prolonged rosette stage could be better adapted for cold tolerance. Red flowered spineless cultivars were present in the collection and will be preferred for ornamental or dye purposes.     

Path analysis of the relationships between seed yield and some morphological and phenological traits in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

Path analysis was performed on plant characters of six safflower genotypes grown in a two year field experiment to determine for seed yield, the direct and indirect effects of the following traits: total biomass, stem yield, number of primary branches/plant, number of secondary branches/plant, number of seeds/m², number of seeds/capitulum, number of capitula/plant, capitulum diameter, 1000-seed weight, seed weight/capitulum, distance between ground level and the first fertile branch, plant height, number of days to the beginning of branching, number of days to the beginning of flowering, number of days to 50% flowering, number of days to full flowering and flowering duration. Seed yield was significantly correlated with the following traits: total biomass, stem yield, capitulum diameter, 1000-seed weight, seed weight/capitulum, distance between ground level and the first fertile branch, number of days to the beginning of branching and flowering duration. Total biomass, seed weight/capitulum, distance between ground level and the first fertile branch, 1000-seed weight and flowering duration had substantial direct effects, in that order, on enhancement of seed yield. The significant positive correlation coefficient of capitulum diameter with seed yield resulted from positive indirect effects of total biomass, seed weight/capitulum and 1000-seed weight. Conversely, the significant negative correlations between number of days to the beginning of branching and distance between ground level and the first fertile branch and seed yield resulted from negative indirect effects of the same three traits. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that 94% of the total variation in seed yield could be explained by variation in total biomass and by number of days to the beginning of branching (84 and 10%, respectively). Results suggest that total biomass and number of days to the beginning of branching are primary selection criteria for improving seed yield in safflower.     

Combining ability of seed vigor and seed yield in soybean

Studies have shown no consensus in relationships between seed yield and vigor in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]. The lack of information regarding the inheritance of seed vigor prompted this study to determine the types of gene action and combining ability estimates for seed vigor and its related traits. Five high and six low seed vigor soybean genotypes were crossed in a diallel, and selfed to produce 55 F₂ progenies, which were examined, along with the parents, for seed vigor, yield, and seed weight. Significant genotype and environment effects were found for seed vigor and yield. General combining ability (GCA) effects for seed vigor and seed yield were significant (p≤ 0.01) and larger than specific combining ability (SCA) effects. Significant GCA and SCA effects were found for seed weight, indicating that both additive and non additive genetic effects were involved in conditioning seed weight. The ratios of mean square, 2GCA / (2GCA+SCA), were 0.96 for seed vigor and 0.93 for seed yield. These ratios indicated that additive gene effects were more important than non additive gene effects for seed vigor and seed yield in these crosses. Mean seed vigor(83.8%), as determined by accelerated aging germination, and mean seed yield (2,155 kg ha^-1)in high vigor × high vigor crosses were higher than the high vigor × low vigor and low vigor × low vigor crosses. Mean percent accelerated aging germination rates in F₂ populations from diallel crosses were significantly related to mid-parent seed vigor(r² = 0.52^**) and midparent seed size (r² = 0.31^**). These results indicated that levels of seed vigor can be improved through breeding, while maintaining high yields because of the predominance of GCA effects in both seed vigor and seed yield. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Efficiency of drained selection environments for improving grain yield in faba bean under undrained target environments on vertisol

Waterlogging is a major constraint of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) production in the highland vertisols of Ethiopia. Genotypes are currently evaluated under both the drained conditions of Broad Bed and Furrow(BBF) and the undrained flatbeds. The objective of this research was to determine if selection of genotypes under BBF is efficient for identification of genotypes for the flatbed conditions. Yields under the flatbed conditions were lower by 20–50% (38% on average) than yields under the BBF. Genetic variation, heritability and predicted genetic gains for grain yield due to direct selection were also lower under the flatbeds than they are under the BBF. There were good levels of genetic correlation (r = 0.20–0.75 or0.45 on average) between yield performances under BBF and flatbeds, indicating that selection under BBF may identify good genotypes for flatbeds and vice versa. There was also high association (r =0.91) between relative yield reduction under flatbeds and the ratio of the predicted genetic gains from indirect selection under BBF to the predicted genetic gains from direct selection under flat beds. This indicates that indirect selection under BBF may be useful to identify better genotypes for flatbed conditions, but the relative efficiency of indirect selection was lower than direct selection under flatbeds themselves. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genotype x environment interaction for durum wheat grain yield and selection for drought tolerance in irrigated and droughted environments in Iran

Durum wheat is grown in the Mediterranean region under stressful and variable environmental conditions. In a 4-year-long experiment, 14 genotypes [including 11 durum breeding lines, two durum (Zardak) and bread (Sardari) wheat landraces, and one durum (Saji) newly released variety] were evaluated under rainfed and irrigated conditions in Iran. Several selection indices [i.e. stress tolerance index (STI), drought tolerance efficiency (DTE), and irrigation efficiency (IE)] were used to characterize genotypic differences in response to drought. The GGE biplot methodology was applied to analyze a three-way genotype-environment-trait data. Combined ANOVA showed that the year effect was a predominant source of variation. The genotypes differed significantly (P < 0.01) in grain yield in the both rainfed and irrigated conditions. Graphic analysis of the relationship among the selection indices indicated that they are not correlated in ranking of genotypes. The two wheat landraces and the durum-improved variety with high DTE had minimum yield reduction under drought-stressed environments. According to STI, which combines yield potential and drought tolerance, the “Saji” cultivar followed by some breeding lines (G11, G8, and G4) performed better than the two landraces and were found to be stable and high-yielding genotypes in drought-prone rainfed environments. The breeding lines G8, G6, G4, and G9 were the efficient genotypes responding to irrigation utilization. In conclusion, the identification of the durum genotypes (G12, G11, and G4) with high yield and stability performance under unpredictable environments and high tolerance to drought stress conditions can help breeding programs and eventually contribute to increasing and sustainability of durum production in the unpredictable conditions of Iran.     

Evaluation of yield stability of cowpea under sole and intercrop management in Nigeria

Summary Nine cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) breeding lines were grown in 13 experiments under sole crop and intercrop management, with and without insecticide application, in Nigeria. Cowpea was intercropped with cassava (Manihot esculenta Cranz), maize (Zea mays L.) and maize-cassava in the forest zone and with sorghum (Sorghum bicolor Moench.) and millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) in the savanna zone. Line by cropping system interactions were significant in 5 of 13 experiments and line by insecticide treatment interactions were significant in 2 of 13 experiments. Cowpea yield was severely depressed in intercropped plots and in plots to which no insecticide was applied. Among-environment variation in cowpea yield was greater when no insecticide was applied. Within each management treatment, the yield performance and stability of the cowpea lines was examined. Stability was assessed both by examining among-environment coefficients of variation and by regression analysis. Several of the breeding lines evaluated appeared promising under different levels of management and in a diversity of environments.     

Durum wheat varieties in N‐deficient environments and organic farming: a comparison of yield,quality and stability performances

Stability and reliability of yield and quality for 15 durum wheat genotypes (old and modern) were evaluated in a 5‐year experiment (southern Italy) in organic farming. Genotypes were grown at two N levels (0 and 80 kg/ha), with the aim of evaluating ‘genotype × environment’ (GE) interactions and their role on genotype selection in N‐limited environments. Several approaches to stability were used, within the frame of mixed models and additive main effects and multiplicative interaction analysis, and their validity in stressful conditions and organic farming was discussed. Especially for protein and gluten content, results indicate high environmental variability and the presence of crossover ‘N × environment’ interactions, which supports the need for specific breeding programmes in N‐deficient environments. The average response was strongly affected by N availability (on average, yield was 2.95 and 3.42 t/ha, protein content was 11.6% and 12.85%, gluten content was 8.55% and 9.92%, respectively, at 0 and 80 kg N/ha), and few genotypes gave high yield and quality at both fertilization levels. Only ‘Gargano’ and ‘Fortore’ showed a good inter‐year stability at both N levels. The old cultivars gave minimal responsiveness to increased N input, but gave good results in limiting conditions, indicating that they may play a role in organic farming.     

Genetic variability and interrelationships of seed yield and yield components in switchgrass

Information on the genetic variability of seed yield and yield components is limited and no information is available on correlations among seed yield and yield components and direct and indirect effects of the yield components on seed yield in switchgrass, Panicum virgatum L. Accordingly, we conducted replicated experiments at Chickasha and Perkins, OK, in 1998 involving 11 lowland type switchgrass populations to assess genetic variation for seed yield and yield components, quantify interrelationships among them, and determine direct and indirect effects of yield components on seed yield through path coefficient analysis to identify traits for indirect selection of seed yield. Significant (P ≤ 0.01) variation existed among the 11 populations over locations for percent seed set and 100-seed weight. Seed yield/plant and the seed yield components panicle number/plant, spikelet number/panicle, and seed number/panicle had significant (P ≤ 0.05) population × location interactions, indicating substantial environmental influence on these traits for these populations. Accordingly, data for these traits were analyzed separately for each location revealing significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences among populations at both locations for each of these traits. Phenotypic correlation between seed yield/plant and seed number/panicle was positive (r = 0.76** at Chickasha and r = 0.72** at Perkins). Path coefficient analyses revealed that seed number/panicle had the highest positive direct effect on seed yield at both locations. Ample genetic variability was present among the switchgrass populations studied to allow breeding improvement of seed yield. Selection for increased seed number/panicle would be the most effective means of indirectly selecting for higher seed yield within this germplasm. Correlation and path coefficient analyses among biomass yield, seed yield, and harvest index indicated that, at least within the switchgrass germplasm studied, it would be possible to breed switchgrass cultivars with enhanced biomass yielding ability and sufficient seed production capability for their commercial propagation.     

Effect of seed coat color on seed dormancy in different environments

Arachis glabrata Benth, variety glabrata coll. GK 10596 (PI 276233; ICG8176) belonging to section Rhizomatosae has multiple disease resistance. Fertile hybrids between A. hypogaea L. and A. glabrata, A. duranensis Krapov & W.C. Gregory and A. glabrata and A. diogoi Hoehne and A. glabrata were produced. Introgression of DNA from A. glabrata into A. hypogaea, A. duranensis and A. diogoi was analyzed by isozyme and RAPD analyses. Hybrids were backcrossed and BC₁ seeds were obtained in all the three hybrids. Hybrids were evaluated for the transfer of disease resistance genes from A. glabrata, which was confirmed. RAPD analysis with several primers showed that DNA fragment pattern were not simply represented, instead there were new bands and several parental bands were absent in the interspecific derivatives. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

红花种子发育规律及适宜采收期研究

通过对川红花种子生长发育过程中的种子鲜重、容积、干物质、含油率、发芽率的分析,研究红花种子发育规律及适宜采收期.结果表明:红花种子干物质积累可以用生长曲线拟合,方程为Y=46.10/(1+e(2.31-0.154t),R2=0.983**.于开花后29.3d达到极大值的90%以上,开花后34.5d达到极大值的95%以上,即开花后30d红花种子干物质积累基本完成.开花后30d左右为红花种子的适宜采收期.     

Relationships among seed quality characteristics in a collection of western wheatgrass germplasms

Although western wheatgrass [Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.)] is an important perennial grass species for agriculture and conservation management in central and western North America, its lack of adequate seed production and seedling vigor limits its effectiveness. To address the weaknesses a study was conducted to assess rhizome spread, seed production, seed weight, germination percentage, and emergence rate of seed produced from 48 western wheatgrass cultivars and germplasm accessions at a field site near Nephi, UT, USA during 2007 and 2008. The western wheatgrass cultivars had approximately two times higher seed production than the germplasm accessions during both 2007 and 2008 and also had higher seed weight in 2007 and emergence rate in 2008. The germplasm accessions had higher seed weight in 2008. For the remaining traits there were no differences among the different germplasm sources. Based on principle component analysis a subset of cultivars and germplasm accessions with high seed production and emergence rate were identified that could be used to produce improved cultivars and germplasms. There was little evidence of strong relationship between geographic, genetic, and phenotypic distances among the various lines examined. Additionally, based on genetic marker data, a subset of lines was grouped into three populations. Based on these results, selection among lines could occur to maximize agricultural performance regardless of site of origin, or within population selection could be practiced to meet conservation goals of minimizing hybridization among populations.     

Evaluation of Indian mustard genotypes to heat stress in irrigated environment - seed yield stability and physiological model

Indian mustard is mostly targeted for commercial cultivation as an early-sown or late-sown crop with the expectation of higher seed yield and oil content. With this lacuna, 45 genotypes were analyzed for yield traits by growing them as early, timely, and late-sown crops over 2 years in Pantnagar, India. The results of the ‘Eberhart and Russell Model’ and ‘GGE Biplot’ analyses were in accordance to each other but Eberhart and Russell’s model was more appropriate for judging the genotype(s) to environment specificity/adaptation while GGE Biplot was the best approach to evaluate the concerned environments for their discriminating power to genotypes. Inverse and counteracting relationships were observed among model parameters, i.e., crop growth rate (C), partitioning coefficient (P), and duration of reproductive phase (Dr) with seed yield and oil content. Seed yield was positively (P ≤ 0.01) related to all related traits except Dr, while oil content was positively (P ≤ 0.01) related to only Dr. Both C and P contributed to final yields, but P had a greater contribution particularly under terminal heat stress.     

Conditions under which selection for mean productivity, tolerance to environmental stress, or stability should be used to improve yield across a range of contrasting environments

Computer simulations were conducted to determine whether conclusions obtained for the special case of a single stress and a single non-stress environment apply to the more general situation where a population of testing environments includes a range of stress and non-stress environments. Mean productivity, tolerance to environmental stress, and a regression coefficient stability parameter of genotypes across environments were compared to determine conditions under which these selection criteria should be used to improve yield across a range of contrasting environments. The results obtained from a worked example based on the single crosses from a 7 × 7 diallel cross in maize and the simulation experiment showed that the conclusions of Rosielle & Hamblin (1981) cannot be directly applied to a population of stress and non-stress environments. Selection for mean productivity should increase yield in both stress and non-stress environments unless the genetic variance in stress environments is more than double that in non-stress environments, and the genetic correlation between yields in contrasting environments is highly negative. Mean productivity and tolerance were shown to be positively correlated even if the genetic variance in stress environments is half that in non-stress environments. Genotypes with a high tolerance to stress were found to have low regression coefficient stability parameters, even when a range of stress and non-stress environments was used. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Breeding for yield stability in unpredictable environments: single traits,interaction between traits,and architecture of genotypes

Summary Attempts to identify individual traits to use as an indirect measure for grain yield have shown some degree of success in environments where crop yields are affected by no stress or only by predictable stresses. However, analytical breeding has been largely unsuccessful in the case of a) stressful environments characterized by low yields due to high variability in the frequency, timing, duration and severity of a number of climatic stresses, and b) breeding programs where the major objective is greater yield stability defined as a reduction in the frequency of crop failures. Experimental evidence suggests that, when environmental variability is high due to unpredictable differences in frequency, timing and severity of various climatic stresses, each time different combinations of several traits are likely to confer drought resistance. Interaction among traits in determining overall crop response to variable stresses is expected to occasionally enhance the importance of a specific trait in a specific stress situation. In this context it becomes difficult to consider drought resistance as a character with its own identity in terms of inheritance.Assessment and verification of traits based on the use of isogenic lines tends to oversimplify the interactions between traits, as the approach provides information on the effect of a specific trait only in a specific genetic background.At the population level of organisation, the dilemma between selection for individual traits and specific combinations of traits can be translated into the dilemma between selection for individual genotypes and specific combinations of genotypes. The evidence that natural selection under stress conditions has not been able to identify either a single trait or a single genotype with a given adapted architecture of traits, is discussed in relation to germplasm development philosophies to stabilize yield in unpredictably stressed environments.     

Mapping quantitative trait loci for flag leaf senescence as a yield determinant in winter wheat under optimal and drought-stressed environments

The timing of flag leaf senescence (FLS) is an important determinant of yield under stress and optimal environments. A doubled haploid population derived from crossing the photo period-sensitive variety Beaver,with the photo period-insensitive variety Soissons, varied significantly for this trait, measured as the percent green flag leaf area remaining at 14 days and 35 days after anthesis. This trait also showed a significantly positive correlation with yield under variable environmental regimes. QTL analysis based on a genetic map derived from 48 doubled haploid lines using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, revealed the genetic control of this trait. The coincidence of QTL for senescence on chromosomes 2B and 2D under drought-stressed and optimal environments, respectively, indicate a complex genetic mechanism of this trait involving the re-mobilisation of resources from the source to the sink during senescence. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genotype-environment interaction for seed yield and ODAP concentration of Lathyrus sativus L. and L. cicera L. in Mediterranean-type environments

In 1994, 407 L. sativus and 96 L. cicera lines were evaluated for phenology, seed yield and seed ODAP (a neurotoxin) concentration in the Mediterranean-type climate of south-western Australia. A selected number of lines from this study were grown at three sites in south-western Australia in 1995 and 1996, to examine genotype-environment interactions on seed yield and ODAP concentration in the seed of the two Lathyrus spp. Principal components analysis showed that L. sativus lines grown in 1995 and 1996 could be divided into two geographical origins: Indian sub-continent and Mediterranean/European. Those lines of Mediterranean/European origin were consistently higher yielding (both in 1994 and 1995/96), with much larger seeds and later phenology. In L. cicera seed yield was closely associated with greater mean seed weight and to a lesser extent with early phenology. The genotype-environment study indicated that higher yielding lines of both species generally responded to favourable environments; in the case of L. sativus the Mediterranean/European lines and for L. cicera the larger seeded, earlier phenology lines. For both species, genotype was the most important determinant of ODAP concentration and environment had less influence. Genotype-environment interactions had no effect on seed ODAP concentrations. In terms of seed yield, both species showed substantial potential in the environments tested. Further improvements in adaptation, seed yield and reduction in ODAP are possible in both species. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Heterosis in landrace-based topcross hybrids of pearl millet across arid environments

This study quantified the magnitude of heterosis in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) topcross hybrids produced by crossing 16 diverse landraces and three high yielding open-pollinating varieties on two homozygous male-sterile lines. Hybrids and pollinators were grown in 12 year ×;location combinations in India that were grouped into three zones. Genetic components of variance quantifying the differences among these hybrids were estimated. The hybrids showed a conspicuous heterosis for grain yield, earliness and biomass yield but not for straw yield. The level and direction of heterosis for time to flowering depended strongly on the earliness of the male-sterile line. In the terminal drought stress zone hybrids made on the early maturing male-sterile line 843A had the highest level of heterosis for grain yield (88%). This was partly due to escape from terminal stress. In the other two zones the heterosis for grain yield was on average 30%. Heterosis for biomass yield and biomass yield per day was on average also positive in all three zones. For all traits, except time to flowering and biomass yield per day, pollinator effects were the only significant source of variation. Differences between hybrids were mostly caused by additive genetic effects. Significant amount of heterosis observed in landrace-based topcross hybrids for grain yield and other productivity-related traits suggested that substantial improvement in pearl millet productivity in and environments can be obtained by topcrossing locally adapted landraces on suitable male-sterile lines. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic potential to improve seed and forage yield simultaneously in smooth bromegrass under water deficit conditions

This study was conducted to assess genetic potential of smooth bromegrass for water stress and to identify the association among different seed and forage production related traits. Thirty-six genotypes were clonally propagated and evaluated in the field under two moisture environments (normal irrigation and water stress) during 2013–2015. High variation was observed among genotypes for all of the measured traits. Water stress had negative effects on seed yield and its components and reduced genotypic variation of measured traits. On average, water stress reduced seed and forage yield by 38 and 14%, respectively. Genetic coefficient of variation for seed yield and its components was higher under stress, providing opportunities for a greater selection differential. The estimates of heritability were higher in normal condition than water stress condition for all of the evaluated traits, which is advantageous for successful selection. Moreover, the majority of seed yield components had higher heritability estimates than seed yield. The higher heritability estimates of some seed yield components, compared to SYP, suggests a potential for indirect selection. The results showed that selection for both forage and seed yield is possible simultaneously in normal irrigation as well as in water stress environment. Genotypes 7, 8, 26 and 27 had high forage yield, while genotypes 23 and 27 had high seed yield under both normal irrigation and water stress condition. Three genotypes ranked among the top three for both seed and forage yield and under both normal irrigation and water stress condition. They are promising parents for further use in developing improved cultivars by cross-breeding.     

磷肥做种肥条施对棉花根系活力及产量的影响

为了提高磷肥利用率和棉花产量,在田间试验条件下研究了两种施磷方式对棉花根系活力和产量的影响。结果表明：在相同施磷量条件下,磷肥条施与传统施肥方式相比较棉花根系活力增加1.7倍,籽棉产量增加14.5%,磷肥农学利用率增加38.0%,磷肥偏生产力增加14.5%。通过试验研究得出磷肥条施不仅可以增加棉花根系活力和产量,而且还可以提高磷肥利用率。