Potential for Selection in the Progeny of an Interspecific Hybrid in Foxtail Millet

Genetic variation for morphology and grain yield components was studied in the F₂ and 14 F₃ families of an interspecific cross of Setaria italica (foxtail millet) with S. viridis s. s. (green foxtail). It appeared possible to recover the cultivated type using a simple selection procedure in F₂ and F₃. Comparison with a cross involving S. viridis var. major (giant green foxtail) is discussed.     

An Inheritance Study of Domestication in Foxtail Millet Using an Interspecific Cross

In order better to understand domestication processes, the inheritance of eight morphological characters and isozymes was studied in the F₂ progeny of an interspecific cross between a wild and 2 cultivated foxtail millet (Setaria viridis and S. italica). Two linkage groups were determined, one involving seed shedding and the phenol colour reaction of the grain. These two characters, as well as the pericarp pigmentation of the seed, appear to he highly specific for the difference between collections of wild and cultivated plants and probably indicate a genotype particularly suitable for plant domestication.     

Molecular evidence of biased inheritance of trifluralin herbicide resistance in foxtail millet

Inheritance of trifluralin herbicide resistance was investigated for phenotype and genotype (molecular identification) in 12 segregating populations derived from crosses between resistant green foxtail (Setaria viridis) and foxtail millet cultivars (S. italica). Combining a herbicide bioassay and a bidirectional allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, the trifluralin resistance in foxtail millet was proved to be conferred by a recessive α2‐tubulin gene mutation at Ile‐239, the allele transferred by green foxtail. However, a distorted segregation ratio in F₂ populations was confirmed, with 16.9% resistant plants on average instead of the 25% expected for a single gene recessive mutation. This was not due to non‐germinating seed and the distortion was also observed in the next generations, indicating a heritable phenomenon. After further crosses and self‐fertilization, however, more advanced generations did not show the same pattern of skewed inheritance as in the early generations. These results suggest the possibility of linkage between the α2‐tubulin gene and a modifier gene to explain the distorted segregation, which might be broken by crossing over.     

Traditional maintenance and multiplication of foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.) landraces in China

Summary Foxtail millet (Setaria italica L. P. Beauv.) has been one of the most important cereals in northern China. A large number of landraces have formed under natural and man-made selection since domestication. Farmers in China have developed various traditional methods of maintenance and multiplication of foxtail millet seeds for next generation. Panicle selection was often done in fields. The selected seeds were generally stored at dry places. Archaeological and historical evidence of the origin of foxtail millet in China and the geographical distribution of landraces is also presented.     

Inheritance of sethoxydim resistance in foxtail millet, Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.

Interspecific hybridization between foxtail millet cultivars (Setaria italica) and a green foxtail (S. viridis) resistant to the herbicide sethoxydim were undertaken to breed foxtail millet for improved herbicide resistance. Parents, reciprocal F₁ hybrids, F₂ selfed derived populations and BC₁ backcross progeny were produced and analysed for mortality and fresh weight over a range of dosages. All resistant progeny were 700 times more resistant than susceptible cultivars and was symptom free under current field dosages. Segregations of resistant and susceptible progeny (3:1 in F₂ and 1:1 in BC₁) were not dependent upon dosage. Heterozygous individuals displayed the same magnitude of resistance as homozygous plants at twelve times the recommended field dosage. Results suggested that sethoxydim resistance in foxtail millet was controlled by a single, completely dominant, nuclear gene. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Mitochondrial DNA variation in foxtail millet, Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) wascharacterized by RFLPs in 94 strains offoxtail millet, Setaria italica (L.)P. Beauv. Three RFLP patterns wereobserved by using rice atp6 as aprobe, and were designated as types I-III. Difference between types I and II seems tobe attributed to recombination between twoatp6 genes. In East and SoutheastAsia and Afghanistan, both of types I andII were found, while type I was predominantin India, Central Asia and Europe. InChina, type III was also found. Chinesestrains showed higher gene diversity thanthose from other regions. This resultcoincided the previous studies on isozymesand nuclear RFLPs.     

Co-suppression of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Si401</Emphasis>, a maize pollen specific <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zm401</Emphasis> homologous gene,results in aberrant anther development in foxtail millet

We previously reported that the maize pollen-specific gene Zm401 functions in anther development. In this study, a Zm401’s ortholog Si401 was amplified and cloned from foxtail millet (Setaria italica). Zm401 and Si401 are highly conserved with 99% of their coding sequences identical to each other. Southern blot and RT-PCR analysis reveal that Si401 has only one copy in the genome and is expressed exclusively in the panicle. Co-suppression of Si401 in foxtail millet results in multiple abnormalities during the late stages of anther development, including premature degeneration of the tapetum, pre-deposition of fibrous bands in endothecium cells, and aborted pollen grains. Our results demonstrate that Si401 plays an essential role in anther development in foxtail millet and might be useful for generation of male-sterile plants in cereal crops.     

谷子近缘野生种的亲缘关系及其利用研究

谷子在约1万年前由青狗尾草驯化而来,我国是谷子的起源中心。谷子所属的狗尾草属在全世界约有125个种,其中中国有15个种,从二倍体到八倍体均有。目前利用染色体原位杂交技术鉴定出狗尾草属6个基因组,利用分子标记分析发现狗尾草属是多起源的,与其多样性的基因组一致。系统演化分析发现,青狗尾草和谷子亲缘关系最近,其次是法式狗尾草和轮生狗尾草;基因组比较分析发现, S. adhaerans的B基因组和S. grisebachii的C基因组与谷子和青狗尾草的A基因具有相对近的亲缘关系,而其他基因组和谷子亲缘较远。在野生资源的利用方面,谷子育种工作者已成功将近缘野生种自然发生的抗除草剂基因转育到谷子中,培育成功了可化学除草的新品种并在生产上利用。本文对谷子野生种的分类、基因组构成、系统进化关系和遗传育种的研究进展进行了综述,重点讨论了谷子近缘野生种在谷子起源与驯化、遗传育种中起到的作用,并对谷子近缘野生种在谷子驯化及育种中的进一步利用做了展望。     

Development and utilization of novel SSRs in foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.]

Although the foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.] is recently regarded as a model crop for studying functional genomics of biofuel grasses, its genetic improvement to some extent was limited due to the non‐availability of molecular markers, particularly the microsatellite markers and the saturated genetic linkage map. Considering this, we attempted to generate a significant number of microsatellite markers in cultivar ‘Prasad’. Two hundred and fifty‐six clones were sequenced to generate 41.82‐kb high‐quality sequences retrieved from genomic library enriched with dinucleotide repeat motifs. Microsatellites were identified in 194 (76%) of the 256 positive clones, and 64 primer pairs (pp) were successfully designed from 95 (49%) unique SSR‐containing clones. The 67.4% primer designing ability, 100% PCR amplification efficiency and 45.3% polymorphic potential in the parents of F₂ mapping population established the efficacy of genomic microsatellites. All the 64 microsatellite markers displayed high level of cross‐species amplification (~67%) in 10 millets and non‐millets species. These experimental findings suggest the utility and efficacy of SSRs in diverse genotyping applications, resolving QTLs, phylogenetic relationships and transferability in several important grass species.     

Osmoregulative capacity in birdseed millet under conditions of water stress. I. Variation in Setaria italica and Panicum miliaceum

Experiments involving 14 accessions of Panicum miliaceum L. (Proso millet) and 11 accessions of Setaria italicaL. (Foxtail millet) have demonstrated variability in the degree of osmoregulative capacity among these accessions. Birdseed millet is generally claimed to be sensitive to drought stress, apparently because of a shallow root system. Accessions with high osmoregulative capacity demonstrate at least some drought tolerance. Osmoregulative capacity was measured on flag leaves of headed millet plants in pots undergoing water stress in a controlled environment chamber. Osmoregulative capacity was determined from the relationship between osmotic potential and leaf water potential; and the logarithmic relationship between osmotic potential and relative water content. The group of accessions of S. italica showed an overall level of osmoregulative capacity which was greater than that observed for the group of P. miliaceum accessions. Four accessions of S. italica(108042, 108463, 108541 and 108564) and one accession of P. miliaceum (108104)demonstrated high osmoregulative capacity. Differences of 1.05 MPa or more between observed and estimated osmotic potential were found at relative water contents of80 % among these accessions. The extent of osmoregulative capacity was associated with osmotic potential at full turgor and the rate of decline in osmotic potential as leaf water potential declined. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Assessment of resistance to lodging of landrace and improved cultivars in foxtail millet

Lodging results in serious yield and quality reductions in foxtail millet (Setaria italica). Among summer crops, foxtail millet is a high density and soft stalked crop that is prone to lodging. Field selection for lodging resistance is difficult because the occurrence of lodging depends on the environmental conditions. A practical method for the evaluation of lodging is not available for foxtail millet, so an understanding of lodging-associated traits and identifying a suitable method to assess lodging are essential to select for lodging resistance and to predict the risk of lodging in a cultivar. In the present study, six stem and root traits associated with lodging was measured in the field and lodging coefficients were determined to evaluate lodging resistance in landrace and improved cultivars. Based on the results of correlation analysis, lodging coefficient is a suitable indicator for field selection for lodging resistance in both classes of cultivars tested for breeding purpose. Statistical analyses demonstrated that lodging was associated with stem quality rather than plant height and internode length at the stem base. The most important trait that directly impacted on lodging coefficient was mechanical strength of the stem and plant height in the landraces, while the weights of the above- and under-ground tissues, in combination with mechanical strength of the stem, were the most important contributors to lodging coefficient in the improved cultivars.     

Identification of primary trisomics and other aneuploids in foxtail millet

A complete set of nine primary trisomics (2n+ 1) for cv.‘Yugu No. 1’of foxtail millet, Setaria italica (L.) Beauv. (2n= 2x= 18), was identified cytologically from progenies derived from crosses between autotriploids(2n= 2x= 27) and their diploid counterparts. Five autotriploid plants were identified from 2100 seedlings derived from 4x-2x crosses; the reciprocal crosses (2x-4x) failed to produce autotriploids. Autotriploids grew vigorously and were morphologically very similar to diploids. Theprimary trisomics (2n= 2x= 19) constituted ?32.5% of the total progeny from the 3x-2x crosses, whereas 59.8% of the descendants were aneuploids with chromosome numbers ranging from 20 (double trisomics and tetrasomics) to 37 (2n= 4x+ 1; or autotetraploid with one additional chromosome). The nine primary trisomics identified were self-fertile; seven had characteristic morphology, whereas trisomics VIII and IX resembled the disomics. The seed set for trisomic V was the lowest (20%), and trisomic VIII the highest (74%). Other aneuploids with 20 or more somatic chromosomes were either self-sterile or partially fertile with various, but low, levels of seed set. Each of the primary trisomics showed its unique transmission rate when self-pollinated; trisomic IX had the highest (45.8%), whereas trisomic V had the lowest (19.6%) transmission rate.     

Starch properties of native foxtail millet, Setaria italica Beauv.

Properties of foxtail millet (Setaria italica Beauv.) starches have been studied. Amylose content ranged between 3.3 and 11.4%. Starch content was from 67.5 to 68.7%. The onset temperature (To) of all samples ranged from 66.4 to 69.6°C, peak temperature (Tp) ranged 71.0 to 74.2°C, and their gelatinization enthalpy varied from 0.44 to 8.22 J/g, respectively. A highest gelatinization temperature was obtained for Bongseongjaerae (69.6°C). The enthalpy of the gelatinization (Δ H _gel ) was highest in Andongjaerae. The highest peak, highest breakdown, very high final viscosity, and very low setback were noted in Jucheonjaerae. The starch granule sizes ranged 10.1–25.0 in length and 4.7–12.5μm in diameter. X-ray diffraction angles indicated that all starch samples possess a typical A-type crystallinity.     

Performance of Avena sativa L./Avena fatua L. Backcross lines

Summary Although wild oats (Avena fatua L.) have been considered a potential source of genes for cultivated oat (Avena sativa L.) improvement, most progenies of A. sativa/A. fatua crosses have weak straw and are very susceptible to crown rust (Puccinia coronata CDA. var. avenae Fraser and Led.). Backcrossing to A. sativa has been suggested as a method of improving progeny lines while introducing new genes from wild oats to cultivated oats. In this study, A. sativa/A. fatua F₁ hybrids were backcrossed twice to A. sativa, and lines from three backcross populations were selected on the basis of agronomic performance in segregating generations. The A. sativa recurrent parents were Dal (tall and late) and Stout (short and early).Backcross lines and recurrent parents were evaluated in five performance trails from 1983 through 1985. There was significant variation among backcross lines for most traits, but most backcross lines did not produce higher grain and straw yields than their A. sativa parent. Several backcross lines were higher than their recurrent parent in test weight and groat percentage. A line derived from Stout, 175BC2-6, was considered the most promising backcross line in the study. This line produced more grain, had heavier kernels, and headed 3.3 days earlier than Stout. Although 175BC2-6 does not have sufficient straw strength and crown rust resistance to be released as a cultivar, it is considered to be a new source of high grain yield, high test weight and earliness for oat breeding.     

Introgression of Cajanus platycarpus genome into cultivated pigeonpea, C. cajan

Summary Cajanus platycarpus, an incompatible wild species from the tertiary gene pool of pigeonpea (C. cajan (L.) Millspaugh), has many desirable characteristics for the improvement of cultivated varieties. To necessitate such transfers, embryo rescue techniques were used to obtain F₁ hybrids. The F₁ hybrids were treated with colchicine to obtain tetraploid hybrids, that were selfed to obtain F₂, F₃ and F₄ progenies. All of the hybrids and subsequent progenies had an intermediate morphology between the two parents. Backcrossing of the tetraploid hybrids with cultivated pigeonpea was not possible given embryo abortion, with smaller aborted embryos than those obtained in the F₀ parental cross.As a route of introgression, diploid F₁ hybrids were backcrossed with cultivated pigeonpea and BC₁ progeny obtained by in vitro culture of aborting embryos. BC₂ plants were obtained by normal, mature seed germination. Although embryo rescue techniques had to be used to obtain F₁ and BC₁ plants, it was possible to produce BC₂ and subsequent generations through direct mature seed. Every backcross to cultivated pigeonpea increased pollen fertility and the formation of mature seeds.Special project assistant till December, 2003.     

Inheritance of internode length,plant form,and annual habit in a cross of cabbage and broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. and var. italica Plenck.)

Summary When an inbred line of cabbage, Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata L., was crossed with an inbred line of broccoli B. oleraceae var. italica, the F₁ progeny were vigorous late annuals. All F₁ × broccoli backcross plants and 92% of the 3260 F₂ plants were annuals, while 40% of the F₁ × cabbage backcross plants were biennials. Annual habit is thus dominant and controlled by more than a single gene. Number of days to bud appearance in annuals varied continuously, and was primarily additive in inheritance. F₁ data suggested partial dominance for lateness but this was not supported by the F₂. Internode length was also continuous in distribution and primarily additive in inheritance, but with some dominance for short internodes in the F₁. Cabbage head forming ability was recessive and multigenic, with 2% of the F₂ plants forming heads, of which none were of commercial type and about half bolted as annuals. There was a significant chi square association between biennial habit and tendency for cabbage head formation. Clasping habit of terminal leaves was recessive to open leaves, multigenic, and associated with both cabbage heading and biennial habit.Technical Paper 4836, Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station; from an M.S. thesis by the senior author.     

Molecular characterization of the progeny of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum etuberosum</Emphasis> identifies a genomic region associated with resistance to potato leafroll virus

Potato leafroll virus (PLRV; Genus Polerovirus; Family Luteoviridae) is one of the most important virus pathogens of potato worldwide and breeders are looking for new sources of resistance. Solanum etuberosum Lindl., a wild potato species native to Chile, was identified as having resistances to PLRV, potato virus Y, potato virus X, and green peach aphid. Barriers to sexual hybridization between S. etuberosum and cultivated potato were overcome through somatic hybridization. Resistance to PLRV has been identified in the BC₁, BC₂ and BC₃ progeny of the somatic hybrids of S. etuberosum (+) S. tuberosum haploid × S. berthaultii Hawkes. In this study, RFLP markers previously mapped in potato, tomato or populations derived from S. palustre (syn S. brevidens) × S. etuberosum and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers developed from tomato and potato EST sequences were used to characterize S. etuberosum genomic regions associated with resistance to PLRV. The RFLP marker TG443 from tomato linkage group 4 was found to segregate with PLRV resistance. This chromosome region has not previously been associated with PLRV resistance and therefore suggests a unique source of resistance. Synteny groups of molecular markers were constructed using information from published genetic linkage maps of potato, tomato and S. palustre (syn. S. brevidens) × S. etuberosum. Analysis of synteny group transmission over generations confirmed the sequential loss of S. etuberosum chromosomes with each backcross to potato. Marker analyses provided evidence of recombination between the potato and S. etuberosum genomes and/or fragmentation of the S. etuberosum chromosomes.     

Genetic studies on the interspecific cytoplasm substitution lines of japonica varieties of Oryza sativa L. and O. glaberrima Steud.

Summary Interspecific cytoplasm substitution lines of Oryza sativa and O. glaberrima, i.e. (sativa)-glaberrima and (glaberrima)-sativa, have been bred by means of successive backcrosses, using three japonica varieties of sativa and two glaberrima strains.In all the six substitution lines with the cytoplasm of the glaberrima strains, the fertility increased with succeeding backcrosses, and eventually completely fertile plants whith the characteristics of the parental japonica variety appeared. This indicates that the glaberrima cytoplasm exerted no effect on the genome manifestation of these japonica varieties. Of the five substitution lines with the cytoplasm of each of the japonica varieties, four lines produced male sterile (M.S.) plants only in the backcross generations. In the remaining substitution line with the cytoplasm of the japonica variety Akebono, there was simultaneous segregation for male sterile (M.S.) and pollen fertile plants bearing indehiscent anthers (ID.M.F.) in the backcross generations. In the compulsively selfed progeny of ID.M.F. plants, pollen fertile plants with dehiscent anthers (D.M.F.) occurred with M.S- and ID.M.F. plants. Morphologically, these three types were supposed to have the same genetic background as the glaberrima parent. It was established that D.M.F.-and ID.M.F. plants were homozygous and heterozygous for a dominant nuclear gene restoring pollen fertility, respectively, and the M.S. plants and the two glaberrima strains used in this study carried a recessive gene for pollen sterility in homozygous condition. The restorer gene was assumed to derive from the japonica variety Akebono. The expression of the restorer gene was of the sporophytic type. The pollen sterility of the substitution lines that possessed the cytoplasm of the japonica varieties was of cytoplasmon-genic nature.     

杀雄剂SQ-1诱导谷子雄性不育研究

选取3个不同的谷子品种, 以杀雄剂SQ-1为雄性不育诱导剂, 采用3种不同杀雄剂浓度, 在3个不同发育时期对谷子喷施处理, 以喷水为对照。杀雄剂SQ-1在适宜喷施剂量与时期下, 供试品种五九爪软谷和香谷能被诱导产生95%~100%的雄性不育率, 对黄金谷杀雄效果尚未达到90%。五九爪软谷和香谷的喷药适宜时期分别为七叶期和八叶期, 喷施剂量同为4~5 kg hm^–2, 以5 kg hm^–2的杀雄效果最佳。     

谷子品种资源及其近缘种酯酶同工酶的研究

本文收集国内不同地区的谷子品种120个,以及狗尾草、谷莠子和御谷等材料,采用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳法进行了酯酶同工酶分析.谷子芽期的酯酶同工酶酶带共出现19条,所得酶谱分成31个类型.从地理分布来分析,黄土高原区和内蒙古高原区品种酯酶同工酶类型丰富.从谷子品种的起源和演变来分析,谷子和普通狗尾草的酶谱大致相同.研究表明,酯酶同工酶重复性好,比较稳定,可以做为谷子分类学和研究谷子进化关系的一个生化指标.