An effective field screening method for flood tolerance in soybean

Flooding is an abiotic stress that causes considerable reductions in crop growth and yield worldwide. Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) cultivars are generally sensitive to flooding stress. The objective of this study was to develop an effective flooding tolerance screening method in the field. A total of 40 soybean genotypes were evaluated for flooding tolerance at V5 and R1 growth stages. At each stage, genotypes were exposed to different durations of flooding stress (3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days). Plant foliar damage score (FDS) and plant survival rate (PSR) were used as the indicators of flooding tolerance. Soybeans were more sensitive to flooding at R1 growth stage than V5 growth stage. Length of flooding duration accounted for the variance of FDS and PSR. Soybean genotypes exposed to a 3‐day flooding in either V5 or R1 growth stage, did not show obvious foliar damage, while genotypes exposed to a 12‐ or 15‐day flooding showed significant foliar damage and plant death. The optimum flooding duration to screen for flooding tolerance in the field was determined to be 9 and 6 days for V5 and R1 growth stages, respectively, as distinguishable responses to flooding allowed genotypes to be classified as either being flooding tolerant or flooding sensitive. High correlation between FDS and PSR (.99, p < .0001) was observed. Similarly, FDS and PSR were highly correlated with grain yield (.95 and .95, p < .0001). The field screening method for flooding tolerance developed in our study will be favourable for selection of soybean flooding‐tolerant germplasm.     

Genomewide association analysis of salt tolerance in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

Salinity is a common abiotic stress causing soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield loss worldwide. The use of tolerant cultivars is an effective and economic approach to coping with this stress. Towards this, research is needed to identify salt‐tolerant germplasm and better understand the genetic and molecular basis of salt tolerance in soybean. The objectives of this study were to identify salt‐tolerant genotypes, to search for single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and QTLs associated with salt tolerance. A total of 192 diverse soybean lines and cultivars were screened for salt tolerance in the glasshouse based on visual leaf scorch scores after 15–18 days of 120 mM NaCl stress. These genotypes were further genotyped using the SoySNP50K iSelect BeadChip. Genomewide association mapping showed that 62 SNP markers representing six genomic regions on chromosomes (Chr.) 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 18, respectively, were significantly associated with salt tolerance (p < 0.001). A total of 52 SNP markers on Chr. 3 are mapped at or near the major salt tolerance QTL previously identified in S‐100 (Lee et al., 2014). Three SNPs on Chr. 18 map near the salt tolerance QTL previously identified in Nannong1138‐2 (Chen, Cui, Fu, Gai, & Yu, 2008). The other significant SNPs represent four putative minor QTLs for salt tolerance, newly identified in this study. The results above lay the foundation for fine mapping, cloning and molecular breeding for soybean salt tolerance.     

Soya Bean (Glycine max L. Merr.) Genotype Response to Early-season Flooding: I. Root and Nodule Development

Soya bean is often grown in regions subject to periodic flooding, with the rooting zone most affected by flooding due to its proximity to the source of stress. Our objectives were to examine the effects of flooding soya bean on its primary roots, adventitious roots and root nodules, and to determine relationships between root morphological changes and early‐season flood tolerance. The experiment was conducted in Belle Glade, FL with 11 soya bean genotypes subjected to (i) no flood, (ii) 2‐week flood 21–35 days after sowing (DAS) or (iii) 4‐week flood 21–49 DAS. All plants were harvested 49 DAS. Flooding reduced soya bean primary root weight, length and volume across genotypes. Adventitious root length and volume were greater in the 4‐week than the 2‐week flood. Soya bean nodule dry weight was threefold higher in the non‐flooded treatments. Genotypic differences in root development and tolerance to flooding were noted, with early‐season flood tolerance correlated with primary root dry weight, length and surface area, and adventitious root dry weight. However, there was no correlation between this study's early‐season root development and late‐season flood tolerance based on seed yield from previous studies. Our results indicate that full season trials may be necessary to identify flood‐tolerant soya bean germplasm.     

Physiological and anatomical traits associated with tolerance to long‐term partial submergence stress in the Lotus genus: responses of forage species,a model and an interspecific hybrid

Cattle production based on natural pastures is often subject to flooding periods, which affect plant performance and as a result, forage production. Although most forage legumes are not tolerant to flooding, Lotus spp. are outstanding alternatives, since species, such as L. tenuis (Lt) and L. corniculatus (LcT), have high forage quality and are adaptable to different environments. We recently obtained a L. tenuis × L. corniculatus hybrid (LtxLc) with potential new cultivar traits, although its tolerance to flooding stress has not yet been evaluated. In the present study, the performance of LtxLc, its parental diploid accessions, the model legume L. japonicus and tetraploid LcT were evaluated under 55 days of partial submergence stress and a 35‐day recovery period. Physiological, morphological and anatomical traits were analysed, showing that tolerance to partial submergence was positively associated with aerenchyma and adventitious root formation and relative growth rates. Overall, Lt and LtxLc showed the best responses under stress and during the recovery period. Nevertheless, the higher forage value of LtxLc makes it recommendable for use in environments affected by flooding. Our results could be used as breeding criteria for the generation of new cultivars tolerant to partial submergence stress.     

A maximin–minimax approach for classifying soybean genotypes for drought tolerance based on yield potential and loss

Screening for drought in soybean is often a bottleneck in plant breeding programmes. Sixteen genotypes were evaluated for drought tolerance during 2012, 2013 and 2014. The experiment was conducted in a split‐plot design, and the main plots consisted of irrigated and water stress treatments, and subplots consisted of 16 genotypes. The average seed yield was highest in 2012 (1708 kg/ha), followed by 2014 (1364 kg/ha) while very low yields (958 kg/ha) were observed during 2013. The per cent reduction in average soybean yield under water stress conditions was maximum (43%) during 2014 followed by 2012 (40%) and 2013 (31%), respectively. The average yields of soybean genotypes also differed significantly, which ranged from 892 (NRC 12) to 2008 kg/ha (JS 97‐52). The maximin–minimax approach was used to classify these genotypes, and only, one genotype was identified as drought resistant and high yielding (EC 538828), three as tolerant and high yielding (JS 97‐52, EC 456548 and EC 602288) and none as low yielding and resistant, while the remaining 12 genotypes were found to be low yielding and susceptible to drought.     

Identification and Characterization of Salt Tolerance of Wheat Germplasm Using a Multivariable Screening Approach

Salinity is one of the major limitations to wheat production worldwide. This study was designed to evaluate the level of genetic variation among 150 internationally derived wheat genotypes for salinity tolerance at germination, seedling and adult plant stages, with the aim of identifying new genetic resources with desirable adaptation characteristics for breeding programmes and further genetic studies. In all the growth stages, genotype and salt treatment effects were observed. Salt stress caused 33 %, 51 % and 82 % reductions in germination vigor, seedling shoot dry matter and seed grain yield, respectively. The rate of root and shoot water loss due to salt stress exhibited significant negative correlation with shoot K⁺, but not with shoot Na⁺ and shoot K⁺/Na⁺ ratio. The genotypes showed a wide spectrum of response to salt stress across the growth stages; however, four genotypes, Altay2000, 14IWWYTIR‐19 and UZ‐11CWA‐8 (tolerant) and Bobur (sensitive), exhibited consistent responses to salinity across the three growth stages. The tolerant genotypes possessed better ability to maintain stable osmotic potential, low Na⁺ accumulation, higher shoot K⁺ concentrations, higher rates of PSII activity, maximal photochemical efficiency and lower non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ), resulting in the significantly higher dry matter production observed under salt stress. The identified genotypes could be used as parents in breeding for new varieties with improved salt tolerance as well as in further genetic studies to uncover the genetic mechanisms governing salt stress response in wheat.     

Vigour/tolerance trade‐off in cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus) response to salinity stress is linked to leaf elemental composition

Developing more stress‐tolerant crops will require greater knowledge of the physiological basis of stress tolerance. Here, we explore how biomass declines in response to salinity relate to leaf traits across 20 genotypes of cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Plant growth, leaf physiological traits and leaf elemental composition were assessed after 21 days of salinity treatments (0, 50, 100, 150 or 200 mM NaCl) in a greenhouse study. There was a trade‐off in performance such that vigorous genotypes, those with higher biomass at 0 mM NaCl, had both a larger absolute decrease and proportional decrease in biomass due to increased salinity. More vigorous genotypes at control were less tolerant to salinity. Contrary to expectation, genotypes with a low increase in leaf Na and decrease in K:Na were not better at maintaining biomass with increasing salinity. Rather, genotypes with a greater reduction in leaf S and K content were better at maintaining biomass at increased salinity. While we found an overall trade‐off between sunflower vigour and salt tolerance, some genotypes were more tolerant than expected. Further analysis of the traits and mechanisms underlying this trade‐off may allow us to breed these into high‐vigour genotypes in order to increase their salt tolerance.     

Variability in Osmotic Stress Tolerance of Starch Potato Genotypes (Solanum tuberosum L.) as Revealed by an In Vitro Screening: Role of Proline,Osmotic Adjustment and Drought Response in Pot Trials

Solanum tuberosum (potato) as a drought sensitive plant is also one of the most promising plants to meet the demands for food and starch of a growing population. Distinguishing genotypes into tolerant and susceptible is therefore of utmost interest. We subjected eighteen potato genotypes and two wild species, S. tarijense and S. chacoense, to osmotic stress applied in vitro by addition of 0.2 m sorbitol to a solid medium. Here, we report that a ratio of root:shoot dry mass (DM) together with the SSI (stress susceptibility index, equivalent to drought susceptibility index by Fischer and Maurer, Aust. J. Agron. Res., 29, 1978) of shoot DM were found to be relevant parameters to characterize genotypes in vitro for their osmotic stress tolerance. Drought stress data from pot trials in a rainout shelter (2013 and 2015) correlated poorly with the data obtained in in vitro experiments. However, the most tolerant and most sensitive genotypes in vitro were also categorized to be more tolerant or sensitive than the average to drought stress in vivo. Both, under in vitro and in vivo conditions, proline displayed an increase under osmotic stress conditions in nearly all potatoes tested, but no direct correlations were found to stress tolerance. However, a genotype classified as tolerant displayed earlier proline accumulation. Proline is thought of as one factor for plants to withstand stressful conditions, but cannot be used to distinguish potato genotypes for their stress tolerance to osmotic stress in vitro. Analysis of the osmotic potential of in vitro and in vivo stressed plants displayed a general increase compared to the control.     

Exploring soybean management options for environments with contrasting water availability

Soybean is commonly cultivated under rainfed conditions being water availability the main constraint. We evaluated the performance of different managements under contrasting water availability to test possible trade‐offs among managements, and to determine physiological variables explaining these yield differences. Four treatments were designed through specific combinations of cultivar, row spacing and stand density. They were classified as stress tolerance or yield potential strategies and were evaluated under two contrasting water availability treatments. Treatments ranged from 349 to 954 mm total water availability. Water stress treatments yielded 72% and 59% of the well‐watered treatment each year, similar to frequent soybean water stress levels for our production region. Management treatments showed significant yield differences (p < 0.05), but the management × water availability interaction did not (p = 0.42). No management option helped reduce negative water stress effects. Highest yields were achieved using 0.25 m row spacing, a stand density of 60 pl per m², and a high yield potential genotype. Yield variations were explained by differences in harvested seeds per unit area (R² = 0.75; p < 0.001) and total N uptake at maturity (R² = 0.93; p < 0.001) across environments. Because management strategies specifically tailored to cope with water shortages showed limited value, farmers need to target yield potential management options.     

Yield stability studies of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) under rhizobia inoculation in the savanna region of Nigeria

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) production is expanding into temperate and tropical environments. Yield stability studies under rhizobia inoculation were investigated in 24 soybean genotypes over two successive growing seasons at three agro‐ecological zone of Nigeria, during the 2015–2016 rainy seasons. Treatments were arranged in a split‐plot design and replicated three times. Treatments were 24 soybean genotypes and three levels of rhizobia inoculation. Results indicated that the variation of genotypes and inoculation on percentage emergence, height, number of leaves, number of branches per plant, total biomass yield, above‐ground biomass and seed yield was significant (p = .05). The effects of genotypes (G), environment (E) and G × E interactions on seed yield were also significant. Two soybean genotypes (TGx 1989‐45F and TGx 1990‐110FN) were identified as the most promising in relation to yield stability. Of the three locations, Abuja produced the least interaction effects followed by Igabi and may be most appropriate environments for large‐scale soybean production. Appropriate inoculation of soybean with inoculants (LegumeFix and or NoduMax) should be encouraged in farmer's field.     

Soya Bean (Glycine max L. Merr.) Genotype Response to Early-season Flooding: II. Aboveground Growth and Biomass

Soya bean is often grown in regions prone to periodic flooding, thus selecting cultivars that maintain production under waterlogged conditions is desirable. An experiment involving flooded soya beans was planted in southern Florida to examine (1) stem and leaf growth; (2) morphological adaptations; and (3) the relationship between early‐season and late‐season flood tolerance in flooded soya beans. Eleven soya bean genotypes previously defined as tolerant or sensitive to flooding were subjected to three treatments at 21 days after sowing (DAS): (1) no flood, (2) 2‐week flood and (3) 4‐week flood. All plants were harvested 49 DAS. Flooded plants exhibited lower stem dry weights but greater partitioning to the stem. Non‐flood treatments had greater leaf dry weight, leaf area and partitioning to leaves than flooded plants. There were positive correlations of genotype stem dry weight and leaf dry weight to early‐season flood tolerance but stem partitioning was negatively correlated with early‐season flood tolerance. Genotypic rankings of early‐season flood tolerance in this study were not correlated with earlier studies basing flood tolerance on seed yield. Our study highlights the range of soya bean morphological adaptations in response to flood. However, our results indicate that early‐season screening may not be an accurate predictor of soya bean genotypic response to late‐season flood.     

Salicylic Acid and Abiotic Stress Responses in Rice

Among plant species rice (Oryza sativa L.) leaves can be characterised with a very high level of salicylic acid content; however, its exact role is still poorly understood. In the present work, rice genotypes with different levels of drought tolerance have been subjected to PEG‐induced drought or cold stress at 10 °C in order to find relationship between the salicylic acid metabolism and the level of stress tolerance; and between the salicylic acid level and other protective mechanisms. Although the drought‐sensitive genotypes usually contained slightly higher amount of salicylic acid than the tolerant ones, there was no strong correlation between the salicylic acid contents and the degree of drought tolerance. Because the expression pattern of the chorismate synthase and isochorismate synthase genes did not correlate with the level of salicylic acid, but there was a correlation between the levels of salicylic acid and ortho‐hydroxy‐cinnamic, it is assumed that the salicylic acid synthesis via ortho‐hydroxy‐cinnamic acid may play a more decisive role than the chorismate–isochorismate–salicylic acid pathway in rice. While the activity of the glutathione reductase enzyme did not show correlation with drought tolerance, the glutathione S‐transferase activities were usually higher in the leaves of the drought‐tolerant varieties than in the sensitive ones. The salicylic acid contents in the leaves were not substantially affected by the applied stress conditions; however, other stress‐related compounds polyamines showed marked, stress‐specific responses. Correlation data suggest that there is no direct link between the abiotic stress‐induced polyamine changes and the salicylic acid metabolism in rice.     

Characterization of Lablab purpureus Regarding Drought Tolerance,Trypsin Inhibitor Activity and Cyanogenic Potential for Selection in Breeding Programmes

Climate change is responsible for the decrease in rainfall in many regions. One consequence is a reduction in arable land for traditional crops. Therefore, we are looking for drought‐tolerant crops from many regions to replace sensitive crops currently in use. Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet, which is grown mainly in Africa and South Asia, is considered to be drought tolerant. The species L. purpureus is a member of the Fabaceae family and has multiple functions, for example as food or forage. In this study, L. purpureus genotypes were compared to find the best genotypes adapted to the new climate conditions and with the highest benefits as food and fodder. The drought tolerance of four L. purpureus genotypes was examined. Classical growth parameters, infrared thermography and stomatal conductance were measured after induction of drought stress to monitor the impact of drought on plant growth and development. Significant differences among the genotypes were found in the tested growth stage. The ranking of the most drought‐tolerant genotype was method dependent. To find potentially usable genotypes, the trypsin inhibitor activity was determined and an analysis of the cyanogenic potential (HCNp) was performed. Both trypsin inhibitor activity and HCNp showed significant differences among the genotypes without showing a correlation to each other. In summary, we recommend as selection criteria of the best genotypes for future breeding programmes: (i) a combination of at least two, better three, independent methods for the determination of drought effects on L. purpureus and (ii) the chemical analysis of compounds which are important for the nutritional value.     

Screening oat germplasm for better adaptation to cold stress in the Southern Great Plains of the United States

Oat (Avena sativa L.) is one of the most important forage crops in the Southern Great Plains of the United States. However, it is more sensitive to cold stress than other small grains. In this study, diverse oat germplasm was evaluated for winter survival across multiple years and locations in the region. Field screening started with an observation trial of 1,861 diverse genotypes in the 2012–2013 season and was followed by four seasons of replicated trials from 2013 to 2017. Selection of good winter survivors was started in 2014–2015 season. All trials were laid out in randomized complete blocks with replications of two in 2013–2014 and 2014–2015, four in 2015–2016, and three in 2016–2017. Winter survival was scored in a 1‐to‐9 scale. Data were analysed for each year and location separately. Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis were carried out on combined data of 35 genotypes that were commonly grown in each year and location. Highly significant (p < 0.001) variations were observed among genotypes, environments and genotype‐by‐environment interaction (GEI). The first three interaction principal components (IPCs) were highly significant (p < 0.001), explaining 96% of GEI. Broad sense heritability ranged from 46% to 93%, while heritability for all environments combined was relatively low (24.6%). At the end of the two cycles (2014/2015‐to‐2016/2017) of selection, mean winter survival was improved by more than 38% per cycle compared with the base population mean. Genotypes CIav 4390, CIav 6909 and CIav 7618 showed significantly higher winter survival than the standard checks Okay and Dallas. Genotypes CIav 4390 showed 20% and 35% improvement over the standard checks Okay and Dallas, respectively. Winter survival improvement in oat will remain a difficult task because of high GEI and low heritability. The identified superior genotypes will be used as crossing parents to transfer cold tolerance genes to other elite lines.     

Differences in Ion Accumulation and Salt Tolerance among Glycine Accessions

Salinity reduces crop yield by limiting water uptake and causing ion‐specific stress. Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is sensitive to soil salinity. However, there is variability among soybean genotypes and wild relatives for salt tolerance, suggesting that genetic improvement may be possible. The objective of this study was to identify differences in salt tolerance based on ion accumulation in leaves, stems and roots among accessions of four Glycine species. Four NaCl treatments, 0, 50, 75 and 100 mm , were imposed on G. max, G. soja, G. tomentella and G. argyrea accessions with different levels of salinity tolerance. Tolerant genotypes had less leaf scorch and a greater capacity to prevent Na⁺ and Cl^? transport from soil solution to stems and leaves than sensitive genotypes. Magnitude of leaf injury per unit increase in leaf Na⁺ or Cl^? concentrations was lower in tolerant than in susceptible accessions. Also, plant injury was associated more with Na⁺ rather than with Cl^? concentration in leaves. Salt‐tolerant accessions had greater leaf chlorophyll‐meter readings than sensitive genotypes at all NaCl concentrations. Glycine argyrea and G. tomentella accessions possessed higher salt tolerance than G. soja and G. max genotypes.     

Effect of hardening on frost tolerance and fatty acid composition of leaves and stems of a set of faba bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicia faba</Emphasis> L.) genotypes

Frost tolerance is a main component of winter-hardiness and improving it would promote faba bean (Vicia faba L.) cropping in cool-temperate regions. In many species, leaf fatty acid composition was found to be related to frost tolerance. The objective of this study was to determine, in a representative sample of genotypes, the effect of hardening on leaf and stem (1) frost tolerance and (2) fatty acid composition, and to seek correlations between them. First leaf, second leaf and stem of 31 faba bean genotypes were analyzed after hardening and without hardening. High frost tolerance of known winter genotypes and several experimental lines was shown. Hardening had a significant, positive effect on frost tolerance of all three organs. Stems were on average more frost tolerant than leaves. Hardening induced significant changes in the fatty acid composition: oleic acid decreased significantly in leaves by 3.24% and in stems by 1.77%, whereas linolenic acid increased in leaves by 6.28% and in stems by 9.06%. In stems, correlations between frost tolerance and fatty acid composition were not significant. Correlation coefficients strongly indicated that non-hardened oleic acid content, changes in oleic acid and in linoleic plus linolenic acid content in leaves partly explained their frost tolerance; 0.347 (P < 0.1) < |r| < 0.543 (P < 0.01). The results corroborate the importance of using genetic differences in the fatty acid metabolism in breeding grain legumes for frost tolerance.     

Understanding physiological and morphological traits contributing to drought tolerance in barley

Drought stress is a major limiting factor for crop production in the arid and semi‐arid regions. Here, we screened eighty barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes collected from different geographical locations contrasting in drought stress tolerance and quantified a range of physiological and agronomical indices in glasshouse trails. The experiment was conducted in large soil tanks subjected to drought treatment of eighty barley genotypes at three‐leaf stage and gradually brought to severe drought by withholding irrigation for 30 days under glasshouse conditions. Also, root length of the same genotypes was measured from stress‐affected plants growing hydroponically. Drought tolerance was scored 30 days after the drought stress commenced based on the degree of the leaf wilting, fresh and dry biomass and relative water content. These characteristics were related to stomatal conductance, stomatal density, residual transpiration and leaf sap Na, K, Cl contents measured in control (irrigated) plants. Responses to drought stress differed significantly among the genotypes. The overall drought tolerance was significantly correlated with relative water content, stomatal conductance and leaf Na⁺ and K⁺ contents. No significant correlations between drought tolerance and root length of 6‐day‐old seedling, stomatal density, residual transpiration and leaf sap Cl^? content were found. Taking together, these results suggest that drought‐tolerant genotypes have lower stomatal conductance, and lower water content, Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl^? contents in their tissue under control conditions than the drought‐sensitive ones. These traits make them more resilient to the forthcoming drought stress.     

Morphological and biochemical responses of Balanites aegyptiaca to drought stress and recovery are provenance‐dependent

Balanites aegyptiaca is a drought‐tolerant tree naturally distributed in Africa and has a high potential for biofuel production and livelihood. To understand the plant tolerance to drought stress, B. aegyptiaca plants collected from five provenances were subjected for 4 weeks to drought stress through different regimes of soil volumetric water content (VWC, i.e. 25% control, 15% as moderate and 5% as a severe drought stress) followed by 2‐week recovery. Morpho‐physiological responses as well as the changes in antioxidant defences under water stress and recovery were investigated. Drought stress significantly reduced plant biomass‐related parameters, stomatal conductance, quantum efficiency and increased leaf temperature. Each provenance showed specific patterns of stress response reactions that were detected in a cluster analysis. The large leaf area and a high level of lipid peroxidation in Cairo provenance increased its sensitivity to severe drought. For provenances El‐Kharga and Yemen, the highest tocopherol contents and the highest catalytic activities of ascorbate peroxidase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) were recorded. These traits contributed to the high drought tolerance of these two provenances in comparison with the other provenances. All plants recovered from stress and showed specifically increased activity of glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) as a repair mechanism. Results showed that the drought tolerance level in B. aegyptiaca is provenance‐dependent.     

QTLs for phosphorus deficiency tolerance detected in upland NERICA varieties

Phosphorous (P) deficiency is a major yield limiting factor in rice (Oryza sativa L.) production. The interspecific New Rice for Africa (NERICA) varieties combine general stress tolerance from African cultivated rice (Oryza glaberrima Steud) with characteristics associated with high yield from O. sativa. However, little is known about their ability to tolerate P deficiency. Here, we examined the variation for tolerance to P deficiency among the 18 upland NERICAs and their parents in multi‐year field experiments. The good performance under P deficiency of the O. glaberrima parent CG 14 and some NERICAs suggested that these tolerant NERICAs contain loci associated with P deficiency tolerance inherited from CG 14. Additionally, four QTL clusters for P deficiency tolerance were detected on chromosomes 4, 6 and 11 using F₃ lines derived from the cross between the P deficiency tolerant variety NERICA10 and a Japonica‐type sensitive variety ‘Hitomebore’. These QTLs represent the first step in identifying stress tolerance genes from O. glaberrima that could subsequently be used to enhance P deficiency tolerance in O. sativa.     

The early stress response of maize (Zea mays L.) to chloride salinity

Chloride is a micronutrient required for photosynthesis but when applied in the concentration of a macronutrient, it may also promote growth by regulating turgor. However, if chloride accumulates excessively, it can induce toxicity. The aim of this study was to identify physiological dysfunctions in maize (Zea mays L.) that arise in response to excessive chloride ion accumulation. For this, a novel water sensor was employed for the first time allowing the in vivo measurement of water content in the plant by using two near IR‐wavelengths with different absorption of water. This enabled to analyse whether water imbalances occurred. Chloride was given together with calcium as companying counter cation. Results show that most of the tested maize genotypes were able to maintain growth, photosynthesis and normal water content when stressed with concentrations as high as 757.1 mg chloride/kg soil dry matter. Leaf blades accumulated only 8.5 mg chloride/g dry matter, with the most genotypes not even showing salt stress necrosis at the leaves. A comparison between more tolerant and more sensitive genotypes revealed that restriction of chloride root‐to‐shoot translocation is a trait of chloride tolerance.