Evaluation of a barley (Hordeum vulgare) chromosome 2 drought tolerance quantitative trait locus in genomic backgrounds of two cultivars

A barley drought tolerance Quantitatif Trait Locus (QTL) on chromosome 2 was transferred from tolerant cultivar ‘Tadmor’ to susceptible ‘Baronesse’ and ‘Aydanhanım’. Effects of this QTL on drought tolerance and other traits were studied using near-isogenic lines under controlled environments and field trials for two years. This QTL resulted in 5.0% and 9.1% improvement in leaf relative water content of ‘Baronesse’ and ‘Aydanhanım’ cultivars, respectively, under controlled environments. The QTL accelerated heading and maturity by 2.5 days in ‘Baronesse’ and by 5–6 days in ‘Aydanhanım’. It was associated with shorter stature and more ears. This QTL region increased grain yields by 1.1 and 0.6 t/ha in ‘Baronesse’ and ‘Aydanhanım’, respectively, mainly by increasing the number of tillers. There were previous reports related to yield promoting effects of this region harbouring flowering locus eps2 (barley HvCEN gene). However, sequencing of 1025 bp fragment encompassing HvCEN coding region revealed that our parents and near-isogenic lines had no Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) variation, ruling out direct involvement of eps2. These findings pointed to the possible effect of another flowering locus in the QTL region.     

Transgressive segregation for phenological traits in barley explained by two major QTL alleles with additivity

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis can contribute to a deeper understanding of crop phenology. The parents of a barley mapping population have similar growth and development profiles, but the progeny show transgressive segregation for phenological traits. These phenotypes were measured in eight field experiments, using different planting dates over 3 years. Five QTL, on four chromosomes, were detected for anthesis date. The four maturity QTL were on the same chromosomes as the anthesis QTL. Five QTL for grain filling were detected on all chromosomes. Three QTL, on chromosomes 1H and 2H, were detected for photoperiod sensitivity. Both parents contributed higher value alleles for all traits, except for photoperiod sensitivity. QTL epistasis was not significant. Two QTL explained most of the phenotypic variation for anthesis and physiological maturity. Non‐parental combinations of alleles at these loci account for the phenotypic transgressive segregation. Candidate genes for these QTL effects are eps2S (2H) and denso (3H). QTL for other traits had smaller effects and were coincident with genes and/or QTL for the same traits reported in other germplasm.     

Detection of an earliness per se quantitative trait locus in the proximal region of wheat chromosome 5AL

A homoeologous quantitative trait locus to that of eps5L on barley chromosome 5H was identified in a syntenic region of wheat chromosome 5A. Wheat single chromosome recombinant lines (SCRs) were developed from a cross between ‘Chinese Spring’(‘Cappelle-Desprez’ 5A) and ‘Chinese Spring’(Triticum spelta 5A), these were grown together with the parental controls under different vernalization and photoperiod regimes. The variation for ear emergence time accelerated heading induced by the T. spelta segment indicated an effect associated with the Xcdo412-Xbcd9 interval. Since no differences between the SCRs and controls in responses to vernalization and photoperiod treatments were detected, this effect was identified as an earliness per se gene, Q Eetocs-5 A.2, which may be homoeologous to the eps5L quantitative trait locus of barley. Xbcd926 has been found to be closely linked to the rice flowering time quantitative trait loci, QHd9a or FLTQ2, on chromosome 9, suggesting possible relationships among the quantitative trait loci across wheat, barley and rice genomes.     

Inheritance of grain filling duration in spring wheat

The genetic basis of grain-filling duration (GFD, days from anthesis to maturity) in six spring wheat hybrids involving nine varieties (‘Son-alika’/‘Bobwhite’, ‘Sonalika’/‘Glennson 70’, ‘Lelija’/‘Bobwhite’, ‘Lelija’/‘Mitacore’, ‘Buckbuck’/‘Dugoklasa’, and ‘Vesna’/‘Radu?a’) and their F₁, F₂, BC₁, and BC₂ generations was studied in the field near Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Parental means differed in four of the six crosses. Generation mean analyses of genetic effects indicated that an additive-dominance model was sufficient for only two crosses: Lel/Bow and Lel/Mco. One or more types of epistasis were significant in the remaining crosses. The F₁ and F₂ means were either intermediate, closer to the mean of the parent with the longer GFD, or closer to the mean of the Parent with the shorter GFD. Even though different modes of gene action controlled GFD among the six crosses, the heritabilities were reasonably high (narrow sense, 39-59) range for six crosses), indicating that progress could be made from selection in these crosses for either long or short GFD. The parents were selected to have a range in days from planting to anthesis and to maturity. The relationship between dates of anthesis or maturity and GFD was not consistent, but the two latest-maturing varieties had the longest GFD, indicating that anthesis or maturity dates are not a good criteria for choosing parents for modifying GFD. Additive genetic effects predominated in the crosses studied here, but epistasis involving dominance gene action was sufficiently important. To eliminate confounding epistatic dominance effects and to take advantage of favourable additive × additive effects during selection for GFD, a breeding strategy involving rapid approach to homozygosity followed by selection after the achievement of homozygosity was suggested.     

Effects of Temperature and Photoperiod on Days to Flowering, Yield and Yield Components of Lupinus albus (L.) under Field Conditions

A better understanding of the agronomic importance of planting date and the influence of cold temperatures and photoperiod during germination and plant growth may lead to better management strategies for cultivation of the sweet white lupin (Lupinus albus). The effects of planting date (temperature and photoperiod) were determined on the number of days to flowering, yield and yield components of four early to medium and one late sweet white lupin genotype in a field trial at Potchefstroom, South Africa, planted during February 1996 to January 1997. Moisture stress was avoided through regular irrigation. Duration of the developmental phases planting date to emergence, emergence to floral initiation, initiation to first flower, duration of flower and days to physiological and harvest maturity was related to field measurements of temperature and photoperiod. Differences in the main determinants of yield, i.e. seeds per pod, pods per plant, single seed mass (SSM), plant and pod height and yield, were measured. Results showed that both temperature and photoperiod influence the growth and development of the Lupinus albus genotypes ‘Esta’, ‘Hantie’, ‘Tifwhite’, ‘Kiev’ and ‘LAL 186’. Temperature influences include the effect of vernalization at seedling emergence. Minimum grass temperatures under 5 °C at emergence are effective for vernalization. However, after grass temperatures at emergence increased again from June to December, to gether with an increase in the photoperiod length, ‘Tifwhite’ as well as the other genotypes still flowered earlier, confirming that these cultivars are long‐day plants, which is in accordance with controlled‐environment data. Cool vernalizing temperatures thus not only influence obligate vernalization requiring genotypes such as ‘Tifwhite’, but also influence the non‐obligate genotypes studied. Plan‐ting date had a significant influence on pods per plant, single seed mass (SSM) and seed yield. In all trials laterplanting, from June to November, decreased SSM and seed yield. The highest seed yield of 1.5 t ha^?1 was obtained for the 10 June planting date and the lowest average yield of 0.450 t ha^?1 for the 5 November planting date.     

Identification and molecular mapping of Flowering Date1 (FD1), a major photoperiod insensitivity gene in the adzuki bean (Vigna angularis)

The induction of flowering under long‐day conditions is an important adaptation by short‐day plants, such as adzuki beans (Vigna angularis), to high‐latitude environments. This study clarified the genetic control underlying the long‐day insensitivity of adzuki bean cultivar ‘Shumari’. ‘Shumari’ was found to be insensitive to a 16‐h day, whereas landrace Acc2265 was highly sensitive. When grown under natural long‐day conditions at Obihiro (42°9′N), Acc2265 initiated flowering at least 80 days after ‘Shumari’. When 86 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from crosses between ‘Shumari’ and Acc2265 were grown under these conditions, their flowering dates ranged from the middle of July to the end of October. The distinct bimodal distribution in the RIL population was due to a single major gene, designated Flowering Date1 (FD1). Molecular mapping showed that FD1 was located between the SSR markers Az02‐37M3 and Az02‐40M9, at distances of 6 and 10.4 cM, respectively, on linkage group 2. RILs carrying FD1^S lacked long‐day sensitivity, whereas RILs carrying FD1^A were sensitive to long‐day conditions, confirming that FD1 controls long‐day sensitivity.     

不同栽培措施对高粱产量的影响

为了探讨不同栽培措施对不同高粱品种产量的影响,寻求高粱获得高产的最佳栽培模式,本试验以晋杂23号和晋中405为试验品种,在山西省农业科院经济作物研究所的试验田研究了不同密度、施肥量、播期对高粱试验品种产量的影响。结果表明,‘晋杂23号’属丰产型品种,不宜密植;‘晋中405’属密植类型,以群体产量获得高产;随着播期的推迟,‘晋杂23号’和‘晋中405’的产量都呈下降趋势,且差异显著。最佳栽培措施：‘晋杂23号’为225 kg/hm2施肥水平、12万株/hm2密度水平及5月2日的播期;‘晋中405’为225 kg/hm2施肥水平、15万株/hm2密度水平及5月2日的播期。     

播期对耐密植大豆品种主要农艺性状及产量的影响

为了研究播期对大豆主要农艺性状及产量的影响,以黑龙江省第三积温带大豆主栽耐密植品种合丰51为试验材料,通过5个播期处理（S1为5月10日,S2为5月20日,S3为5月30日,S4为6月9日, S5为6月19日）,研究不同播期条件下大豆主要农艺性状及产量的变化规律。结果表明,随着播期的延迟,株高、主茎节数及百粒重呈逐渐降低的趋势;单株荚数、单株粒数呈先增加后降低趋势;大豆产量随着播期的延迟呈先增加后降低趋势,在S3处理达到最高值,为4214.3kg/hm2。因此,大豆品种合丰51在黑龙江省东部地区的最佳播种时期为5月30日。     

Pollen viability and stigma receptivity in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lilium</Emphasis> during anthesis

Pollen viability and stigma receptivity are prerequisites for successful pollination and seed set in flowering plants. In this study, the pollen viabilities and stigma receptivities of nine Lilium genotypes (six cultivars and three species native to China) were assayed by in vitro pollen germination and the benzidine-H₂O₂ method, respectively. Embryo sac development during anthesis was observed to further ensure the timing of controlled pollination. In addition, the relationship between stigma secretion and stigma receptivity was studied to estimate the pollination time based on phenotype. Anthers cracked on the day of flowering in all genotypes, but pollen germination during anthesis was not observed in Asiatic hybrids excepted for ‘Tiny pudhye’, which exhibited low pollen viability for a short period of time (from 0 to 1 day after anthesis). In the other genotypes, pollen germination rates were highest on anthesis (five of seven genotypes), 0–1 day after anthesis (L. sulphureum), or 0–2 days after anthesis (one Longiflorum hybrid), and then gradually decreased with days after anthesis. While, stigma receptivity first increased and then decreased during anthesis. For most genotypes, stigmas began to be receptive 1 day after anthesis, and all genotypes exhibited stigma receptivity at 2 days after anthesis. The durations of stigma receptivity and strongest stigma receptivity, were genotype dependent, and were 5–8 days and 1–4 days, respectively. Moreover, on the first flowering day, 6 of 7 genotypes had mature embryo sacs, and at the time at which stigmas began to be receptive, all tested genotypes had mature embryo sacs. Some Lilium genotypes showed stigma secretion, which can be a sign of stigma receptivity. Stigmas became receptive and reached highest receptivity within 1 day of the first appearance of secretion on the surface of the stigma and at peaking, respectively. The results of this study are valuable for the implementation of successful Lilium breeding programs.     

播栽期对机插超级杂交籼稻分蘖成穗的影响及与气象因子的关系

为探讨不同播栽期对机插超级杂交籼稻分蘖成穗的影响,以F优498和宜香优2115两个超级杂交籼稻品种为材料, 设置3月21日(S1)、3月31日(S2)、4月10日(S3)、4月20日(S4)和4月30日(S5) 5个播期,秧龄均为30 d,移栽期依次为4月21日、5月1日、5月11日、5月21日和5月31日,研究其分蘖发生成穗特点及与气象因子的关系。结果表明,不同播栽期水稻产量差异显著,随着播栽期推迟,产量呈降低趋势,早播S1的产量最高、迟播S5的产量最低。不同播栽期处理下水稻主茎对产量的贡献表现为(S1~S4) < S5,一、二次分蘖总和对产量的贡献表现为(S1~S4) > S5,S1优势蘖位为第3~第6叶,而S2~S5优势蘖位为第3~第5叶。随播栽期推迟,分蘖发生和成穗叶位趋于集中,F优498一次分蘖发生在S1~S4以3/0~7/0为主,而在S5以3/0~6/0为主;宜香优2115 在S1以3/0~7/0为主,在S2~S5以3/0~6/0为主。一次分蘖成穗率在S1以3/0~6/0为主,而在S2~S5以3/0~5/0为主;二次分蘖发生和成穗以第3~第4叶为主。气象因子对分蘖发生和成穗的影响为一、二次分蘖发生率与日平均相对湿度呈显著负相关,而与平均气温日较差、积温、日照时数呈显著或极显著正相关;一次分蘖成穗率与分蘖期日平均相对湿度、平均气温呈显著负相关,与分蘖期平均气温日较差、积温、日照时数呈显著正相关,与幼穗分化期日平均相对湿度呈显著负相关,与抽穗开花期日照时数呈显著正相关。综合看来,成都平原地区机插超级杂交籼稻在4月11日前播种5月11日前移栽有利于产量的提高,在4月21日前播种5月21日前移栽有利于稳产,在4月21日以后播种5月21日后移栽产量显著降低。     

Genetic Analysis of Chromosome 2D of Wheat

The Yugoslavian varieties ‘Novosadska Rana 1’ and ‘Sava’ are shown by monosomic comparisons to carry weak height promoters on chromosome 2D characteristic of the ‘Akakomugi’ gene for reduced height, Rht8. Reciprocal monosomic crosses between ‘Bersee’ and ‘Sava’ demonstrate ‘Sava’ chromosome 2D reduces height by about 16 cms, accelerates ear emergence by about 9 days and increases yield through increased grain number and grain size. Recombinant lines developed for chromosome 2D suggest that this chromosome in Mediterranean wheats carries three genes, Rht8, Ppd1 and Yr16, important to their adaptation. Rht8 and Ppd1, a gene for day length insensitivity together reduce height. Ppd1 and, to a minor degree, either yr16, the susceptible allele of a gene for adult plant resistance to yellow rust or a closely linked gene, accelerate time to flowering and thereby avoid desiccating Yugoslavian summer conditions. The same genes reduce spikelets numbers but this is offset by increased floret fertility producing an overall increase in the number of grains per ear. Ppd1 also by avoiding desiccating conditions increases gram size and together with either yr16 or the closely linked fertility gene increases ear and plant yields.     

不同播期和播种量对冬小麦生长特征和产量的影响

为研究播期和播种量对冬小麦生长和产量的影响,设置3个播期和3个播种量,研究小麦干物质积累转运、叶面积和群体光能截获以及产量的变化特征。结果表明,随播期的推迟,干物质积累量降低,每推迟1个播期,干物质积累降低0.13~0.37t/hm²,花前干物质转运量随播期的推迟呈降低趋势,随播种量增加而增加。花后光合同化物积累量则随播期的推迟呈先升高后降低的趋势,随播种量的增加逐渐降低。光能利用率随播期推迟和播种量增加均呈先增加后减小的趋势。在10月4日播种,播种量160kg/hm²时,花后干物质同化物较多,光能利用率达到最大值,2年平均产量达到最大值,为8257.84kg/hm²,是适合当地的播期和播种量种植组合。     

播期和密度对云南冬播燕麦主要经济性状及产量的影响

为探知云南冬燕麦的适宜播期和种植密度,以白燕15号、坝莜6号和远杂2号3个不同生育期的燕麦品种为材料,采用单因素随机区组设计,研究了3个播期和3个种植密度对云南冬播燕麦主要经济性状和产量的影响。结果表明：播期对白燕15号和坝莜6号两品种的主穗小穗数、穗轮层数影响显著(p﹤0.05),对3个供试材料其余的经济性状影响不显著(p﹥0.05);密度对3个供试材料的单株分蘖数和单株有效分蘖数影响显著(p﹤0.05),对其余的经济性状影响不显著(p﹥0.05)。产量结果显示：白燕15号适宜播期为10月29日,密度为64万株.hm-2;坝莜6号适宜播期为10月14日,密度为64万株.hm-2;远杂2号宜适宜播期为10月14日,密度为48万株.hm-2。     

Evaluation of common wheat cultivars for tan spot resistance and chromosomal location of a resistance gene in the cultivar 'Salamouni'

A total of 50 wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars were evaluated for resistance to tan spot, using Pyrenophora tritici‐repentis race 1 and race 5 isolates. The cultivars ‘Salamouni’, ‘Red Chief’, ‘Dashen’, ‘Empire’ and ‘Armada’ were resistant to isolate ASC1a (race 1), whereas 76% of the cultivars were susceptible. Chi‐squared analysis of the F₂ segregation data of hybrids between 20 monosomic lines of the wheat cultivar ‘Chinese Spring’ and the resistant cultivar ‘Salamouni’ revealed that tan spot resistance in ‘Salamouni’ was controlled by a single recessive gene located on chromosome 3A. This gene is designated tsn4. The resistant cultivars identified in this study are recommended for use in breeding programmes to improve tan spot resistance in common wheat.     

Identification of wheat–Thinopyrum intermedium 2Ai-2 ditelosomic addition and substitution lines with resistance to barley yellow dwarf virus

Among the regenerated plants derived from immature hybrid embryos of wheat–Thinopyrum intermedium disomic addition line Z6 × common wheat variety ‘Zhong8601’, a plant with a telocentric chromosome and barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) resistance was obtained. The telocentric chromosome paired with an entire Thinopyrum chromosome to form a heteromorphic bivalent at meiotic metaphase I. Genomic in situ hybridization showed that the telosome originated from Th. intermedium. Two ditelosomic additions and one disomic substitution were identified among the offspring of the plant. Two random amplified polymorphic DNA molecular markers were identified among 150 random primers used to detect the different arms of the alien chromosome. These might be useful for developing translocation lines with BYDV resistance.     

Effects of loci determining photoperiod sensitivity (Ppd-H1) and vernalization response (Sh2) on agronomic traits in the 'Dicktoo'×'Morex' barley mapping population

The objectives of this research were to determine the individual and interaction effects of the Ppd-H1 and Sh2 loci on agronomic traits under short- and long-photoperiod regimes. Nineteen doubled haploid (DH) lines from the ‘Dicktoo’בMorex’ mapping population, which represented the four genotypes at the Ppd-H1 and Sh2 loci, were pheno-typed in controlled environment photoperiods. Both Ppd-H1 and Sh2 had significant effects on several agronomic traits, in addition to their role in determining first node appearance and flowering time. The magnitude of these effects depended on daylight. Under long-day conditions (18 h) Ppd-H1, and under short-day conditions (12 h) Sh2 was a significant determinant of most characters. The interactions between these two loci were significant for several characters, particularly for yield components, under both long- and short-photoperiod regimes. Under the long-day treatment, Ppd-H1 influenced plant height through the determination of node number. There was an epistatic association between the two loci for both 1000-kernel weight and tillering. The combination of photoperiod insensitivity and vernalization requirement caused a significant increase in tillering. This was paralleled by a decrease in 1000-kernel weight. Under the long-day treatment, neither Ppd-H1 nor Sh2 influenced plant yield. Under short-day conditions, the combination of photoperiod insensitivity and vernalization requirement had a pronounced negative effect on plant yield.     

密度与播期对晋西旱作玉米农艺性状及产量的影响

为了研究不同玉米品种在晋西旱作条件下的最佳栽培模式,采用3因素随机区组设计,对3个耐密型品种在4个种植密度和3个播期下的农艺性状及产量的数值差异进行比较研究。结果表明,密度对3个品种的最大叶面积指数、穗粒数、千粒重、产量的影响达显著或极显著水平,对株高、穗位高的影响不显著;播期对株高、穗位高、最大叶面积指数、穗粒数、千粒重、产量的影响达显著或极显著水平,主要农艺性状之间的交互作用共同影响并且决定了玉米产量。综合分析可知‘：先玉335’和‘大丰30’在67500株/hm²和5月中旬处理组合下产量最高,分别为13914.17kg/hm²、13487.67kg/hm²‘;福盛园55’在75000株/hm²和4月下旬处理组合下,产量最高为16114.37kg/hm²,本研究为3个玉米品种在本地区获得高产提供了一定的技术支撑。     

环渤海低平原区冬小麦最佳播期播量行距研究

为探索环渤海低平原区冬小麦在限采条件下的最佳播期播量和最佳的空间分布状态,以‘沧麦6005’为试验材料,通过裂区试验设计,以播期为主处理,设5个水平(A1~A5),以播量为副处理,设4个水平(B1~B4),研究了‘沧麦6005’的群体结构、干物质积累、叶面积指数及产量。结果表明：随着播期的推迟,产量、群体数量均呈降低趋势;在较为适宜的播期条件下,随着播量的增大产量、群体数量出现先增加后降低的趋势;当播期较晚时增加播量可以提高产量;适期播种有利于提高叶面积指数和群体干物质量的积累;适当晚播可以减少无效分蘖和无效叶面积,提高成穗率。不同行距对小麦产量影响显著,行距为20 cm时为最佳。分析认为环渤海低平原区沧麦6005的适宜播期为10月3日到10月13日,适宜密度为375万/hm2到450万/hm2基本苗。     

Combining management and breeding advances to improve field pea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pisum sativum</Emphasis> L.) grain yields under changing climatic conditions in south-eastern Australia

Field pea (Pisum sativum L.) is widely grown across southern Australia. Delayed sowing is recommended to minimise yield losses caused by the disease ascochyta blight. However, drier and hotter springs in recent seasons have resulted in greater yield penalties from delayed sowing than from this disease. Field pea breeding in these shorter growing seasons has rapidly shifted the selection intensity towards genotypes with earlier flowering. Research was conducted to identify optimal management strategies that reduce losses from both disease and delayed sowing. Experiments comprising differing sowing dates (conventional, and 2–3 and 4–6 weeks earlier), various genotypes (including Alma—tall trailing type, and Kaspa—semi-leafless erect and OZP0602—earlier flowering, semi-leafless) and six fungicide treatments (combinations of P-Pickel T^® seed dressing and mancozeb foliar fungicide) were conducted in multi-location sites in South Australia from 2007 to 2009. Ascochyta blight infection occurred in all years irrespective of treatment and location, but only reduced grain yield in one experiment in 2008 and two in 2009. The two earlier sowing dates were generally higher yielding than the conventional sowing date for all genotypes. However under severe disease pressure yield loss was observed with the earliest sowing date. Genotype differences were also observed in terms of yield response to sowing date and in levels of disease infection, although these small improvements in disease resistance did not translate to a yield advantage. The combination of seed treatment and strategic foliar fungicides resulted in a positive yield response in 2009 but this was variable between sowing dates and genotypes. Under recent weather patterns of lower rainfall and shorter growing seasons, this study suggested the optimum planting period is within a week of the first autumn rains in low rainfall regions and 3 weeks after the first autumn rains in medium and medium–high rainfall regions. Grain yield can be optimised in these conditions by using earlier flowering genotypes together with strategic fungicide application and early time of sowing. These earlier flowering genotypes were also found to have broader adaptation to a range of sowing dates providing increased management flexibility. Fungicides with greater efficacy than mancozeb are required to maximise yield at the earliest sowing time.     

Semidwarf gene sdk has pleiotropic effects on rice (Oryza sativa L.) plant architecture

Ideal plant architecture has become a significant objective in high‐yield rice breeding. In this study, a new semidwarf gene in sdk, a spontaneous dwarf mutant of ‘Kasalath’, was characterized and genetically mapped. The mutant has smaller panicles and seeds, reduced awns, and is 6–8 days earlier in heading than ‘Kasalath’. There was no significant difference in number (No.) of seeds and fertile seeds per panicle. Genetic analysis indicated that the dwarf character of sdk is controlled by a recessive gene, semidwarf k (sdk). From a segregating population of about 65 000 individuals, 4987 sdk‐type individuals were sampled. Gene sdk was located in a genomic region of 2622 kb flanked by markers R‐12 and R‐43 in the centromeric region of chromosome 2. The results provide an opportunity for gaining an understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying sdk and opening possibilities for its use in rice breeding programmes.