Analysis of genetic variability of aluminium tolerance response in triticale

Comparative analyses of genetic variability of aluminium tolerance response were made in a range of triticale genotypes of two sets, one consisting of six Australian cultivars (or lines), the other consisting of eight South African lines and an Australian check, by following solution culture and screening under controlled growth cabinet conditions. Results showed that Tahara, Tahara ‘S’ and Abacus were the most Al-tolerant triticales among the Australian genotypes in terms of root regrowth characteristics at 10 μg.g^-1 Al. The 19th ITSN 70-4, along with the standard cultivar Tahara was superior to all other South African genotypes; the eight South African genotypes spanned the range from Al-tolerant, moderately Al-tolerant to Al-sensitive. Regrown root length and percentage of seedlings with root regrowth were the two key indicators for screening and evaluating Al tolerance response. Considerable genetic variability of tolerance to Al stress among the two sets of tested genotypes was revealed by the estimates of genetic parameters. High heritability values were recorded for those two indicators, with associated high levels of relative genetic advance (RGA). Further improvement of varietal tolerance to Al stress in triticale could be anticipated through selection and breeding. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic and statistical models for estimating genetic parameters of maize seedling resistance to Fusarium graminearum Schwabe root rot

Root lodging is an important problem in corn fields. Fungi recovered from roots include seedling blight and stalk rot pathogens. The objective of this work was to study the inheritance of maize seedling resistance to pathogens causing maize lodging. The Fusarium graminearum strain, 241 Fr1, was isolated from maize lodged plants and identified as the most pathogenic isolate for root rotting. Nine inbred lines of maize and their diallel F₁ crosses plus control genotypes were studied. Seedlings were inoculated at the stage of four-leaves. Disease severity was measured as percentage of the root rotted area. Highly significant differences between inoculated and non-inoculated genotypes were found. Four genetic models and two statistical approaches—the mixed model for the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) and the general linear model (GLM)—were used for the analysis. Favorable heterosis of resistance of hybrids over inbreds was the most important effect detected. The general combining ability (GCA) effects were significant for all genetic models and statistical methods studied, and a good agreement existed among the GCA estimates by the different methods. The type of gene action, either additive or dominance, showed a large variation among the parental inbreds and hybrids. Selection of additive effects based exclusively on inbred lines is not sufficient to confer resistance to hybrids, additional selection should be practiced on hybrids to look for favorable dominance effects. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Inheritance of resistance to yellowberry in durum wheat

Resistance to grain yellowberry in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) was investigated using generation mean analysis in four resistant or intermediate-resistant X susceptible crosses. Significant differences in resistance were observed between generations in all crosses. Generation mean analysis indicated a complex gene action controlling this trait, with additive, dominance and epistatic effects. Additive (d) components were positive in all crosses, suggesting that additive effects contributed more to resistance than to susceptibility. In contrast dominance (h) effects were negative in majority of crosses. The minimum number of genes controlling resistance was estimated at 1.41. Mid-parent heterosis ranged from 28.5 to 52.1 indicating dominance of resistance. Broad-sense heritability estimates ranged from 0.52 to 0.88, while narrow-sense heritability estimates ranged from 0 to 0.79. Estimates of genetic gain for resistance ranged from low to high. Estimates of broad and narrow sense heritabilities indicated that genetic effects were larger than environmental effects. Additive effects represented the largest components of genetic effects.     

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.     

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

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

Heritability and gene effects for root characteristics in peas measured at flowering

Summary Heritability and gene effects for root weight, root volume and root to shoot weight ratio were determined in peas (Pisum sativum L.) at flowering. The populations used were developed from four crosses between lines and cultivars differing in size of the root systems. Broad-sense heritability was between 0.41 and 0.81 for root weight, and between 0.44 and 0.77 for root volume. Additive and dominance effects were important in the genetic control of root weight and volume in all populations, while epistatic effects were important only in two populations. The importance of the genetic parameters in the control of root to shoot weight ratio was unclear. Assuming high correlations between root growth in soil-filled pots in the greenhouse and growth in the field, with the presence of large additive effects and high heritability estimates for root weight and volume, selection for superior pure lines with large root systems should be effective.     

棉花耐盐性的双列杂交分析

根据Hayman的方法，对6个耐盐性不同的棉花品种(系)及其15个半双列杂交组合的F1、F2代的平均盐害级别进行了双列杂交分析，结果表明，耐盐和盐敏感品种的一般配合力效应差异达极显著水平，耐盐×盐敏感组合的特殊配合力普遍低于盐敏感×盐敏感、耐盐×耐盐组合。因此，棉花耐盐育种以配制耐盐×盐敏感组合为最佳。棉花耐盐遗     

源于陕A群、陕B群玉米自交系在不同密度条件下配合力分析

采用NC-II遗传设计,以郑58、昌7-2为测验种,与17份高密度条件下筛选的玉米自交系组配成34份杂交组合,2014—2015年分别于陕西杨凌、长武、榆林进行3种密度(45 000、67 500和90 000株hm–2)配合力分析试验。采用PROC VARCOMP分析不同密度条件下产量及耐密性相关性状的遗传效应,采用频率直方分布图研究不同密度条件下产量及耐密性相关性状一般配合力(GCA)平均数的变化规律,利用AMMI评价玉米自交系与杂交组合的稳定性。结果表明,产量、倒伏率、茎秆强度主要受加性遗传效应控制,空秆率主要受非加性遗传效应控制。加性遗传效应对产量及耐密性相关性状的贡献率随种植密度的增加呈上升趋势。玉米自交系产量、空秆率、倒伏率、茎秆强度的一般配合力频率均属于正态分布,随着种植密度的增加,产量GCA的平均值提高了0.28,空秆率GCA平均值降低了0.21,倒伏率GCA平均值降低了0.03,茎秆强度GCA平均值增加了0.02。玉米杂交组合产量与玉米自交系产量GCA密切相关(r=0.877**,r=0.811**,r=0.672**)。随着种植密度的增加,表现稳定的玉米自交系及杂交组合的数量呈上升趋势。因此,强化逆境选择压力,实施高密度选择策略,是增强玉米自交系耐密性和抗倒性,提升一般配合力,实现产量增益的有效措施。     

Genetic variability and inheritance of aluminium tolerance as indicated by long root regrowth in lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)

The objective of this study was to quantify the genetic variability and determine the inheritance of Al tolerance in lucerne (or alfalfa) using a 4-parent diallel mating design. Regrowth root length (RRL), along with root length (RL) and total root length (TRL), was measured to indicate relative Al stress response using a hydroponic system in a 3 μM Al solution at pH 4.5. A diallel analysis indicated the significance of general combining ability (gca) variance for RRL but not the specific combining ability (sca) variance; the same result was obtained for TRL but not for RL. For both RRL and TRL, genetic variance appeared to be more important than the environmental variance. For RRL, a strong but non-significant correlation was indicated between parental performance and their gca effects; while mid-parent heterosis and/or over-dominance were detected, as associated with the expressed sca effects in several combinations. These results suggest the complex genetic nature and expression of Al tolerance in the 4-parent diallel crossing system tested. Al-tolerant parent, GAAT‘S’, was the most promising parent, conferring the highest gca effects for RRL as well as for other two characters. The existence of significant gca variance in RRL may also suggest the feasibility of improving Al tolerance through enhanced root regrowth using phenotypic recurrent mass selection to pyramid desirable Al-tolerant genes, focussing on parental lines and/or elite individual plants expressing long regrowth roots.     

大豆杂种产量的主-微位点组遗传分析

选用来源于中国黄淮和美国的熟期组II~IV的8个大豆品种,按Griffing方法II设计,配成36个双列杂交组合(28个杂种组合+8个亲本)于2003-2005年进行田间试验。应用基于数量性状主基因+多基因遗传模型的主-微位点组分析法,解析8个大豆亲本产量的主、微位点组遗传构成及其效应,估计主、微位点组对产量杂种优势的贡献。结果表明,8个大豆亲本间产量由6个主位点组加微位点组控制,主位点组、微位点组分别解释表型变异的75.98%和10.81%。6个主位点组加性效应(a_J)分别为140.10、259.65、1.95、151.35、–32.70和45.00 kg hm^–2,显性效应(d_J)分别为177.15、314.25、105.75、75.90、242.85和171.00 kg hm^–2。杂种遗传构成包括主位点组杂合显性效应、主位点组纯合加性效应、微位点组杂合显性效应和微位点组纯合加性效应4部分,相对重要性依次递减,以显性效应为主,加性效应为辅。亲本间主、微位点组及其遗传效应的解析阐释了各杂种组合的遗传特点,还提供了进一步挖掘遗传潜力进行优势改良的基础。     

小麦光温敏雄性不育系BS210育性的主基因＋多基因混合遗传分析

应用植物数量性状“主基因+多基因混合遗传模型”方法，分析了光温敏核雄性不育系BS210，与两个恢复系（BY149和O201）配制的2个杂交组合的亲本P₁、P₂、F₁、F₂育性的遗传效应。结果表明，两个组合F₂的育性（结实率）次数分布均呈混合的正态分布，最适遗传模型均为E-1，即育性由两对加性-显性-上位性主基因和加性-显性多基因共同控制。两对主基因的加性效应近似相等，在两个组合中分别为－10.626、－10.068和－14.659、－14.655，主基因遗传力分别为25%和40%。两个组合的多基因加性效应分别为－6.225和5.025，多基因遗传力分别为16.67%和13.33%。两个组合的主效基因表现类似，但多基因效应存在较大的差异。环境对育性的影响较大，二系杂交小麦组合的育性受遗传因素和环境因素的共同控制。     

Genetic control of seedling tolerance to aluminum toxicity in rice

An uncomplete diallel analysis was conducted for 56 F1 progenies derived from 8 male × 7 female parents with differential Al tolerance based on root tolerance index (RTI) in a solution culture with Al concentration of 1 mM Al. Remarkable variation in RTI among the parents was observed after 6 weeks in culture. Significant (P < 0.001) general combine ability (GCA) variance for both male and female parents and specific combine ability (SCA) variance were observed. The variance of GCA was much higher than that of SCA, indicating greater additive expression of the tolerant trait. Higher narrow-sense heritability (48%) was detected, indicating the possibility of a genetic gain in selection for Al tolerance based on RTI. The tolerant performance of F1 progenies appeared to be influenced by the susceptible genotype. suggesting the inconsistent dominance effect. The possible mechanisms of the apparent inconsistent dominance was discussed in terms of the genetic background in wheat. Two restore lines, Pedel and 02428, and one sterile variety, XieqinzaoA, were found to be high in the GCA effect and SCA variance in this case. These genotypes may be useful in development of hybrid rice production on acid soils. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Combining ability for nodulation in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes from Andean and Middle American gene pools

Ten F₁'s obtained from crosses among five common bean genotypes of Andean (WAF 15, Mineiro Precoce and Batatinha) and Middle American (BAT 304 and Ouro) gene pools were assessed for their combining abilities for root nodulation with Rhizobium tropici strain CIAT 899. The plants were grown under controlled conditions and evaluated for number of nodules per plant (NN), nodule dry weight (NDW), mean nodule weight (MNW) and plant fresh weight (PFW). The subdivision of the treatment effects on the general (GCA) and specific combining effects (SCA) were performed according to Griffing's diallel analysis method 2, model 1. The analyses of variance and estimates of quadratic components showed that non-additive gene effects were more important in the expression of NN and PFW, whereas additive gene effect was predominant for NDW and MNW. A close association was observed between high number of nodules and GCA. Generally, crosses involving parents of different gene pools yielded hybrids with high positive estimates of SCA for all assessed traits. The genotypes of Andean origin WAF 15 and Mineiro Precoce are the most promising parents for breeding programs to increase NN and NDW in common beans. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Combining ability of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) genotypes for root traits across diverse environments

Root system architecture is important for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) adaptability to diverse environments. Beans employ complex adaptive root mechanisms for coping with multiple stresses in production environments. Understanding genetic control of root traits is central to improvement of common bean for adaptation to marginal environments. The objectives of this study were to (i) determine combining ability of root and agronomic traits and (ii) estimate the heritability and genetic correlation of root and agronomic traits in common bean. Four bean lines with superior root traits were crossed with four locally adapted varieties in a North Carolina II mating scheme to generate 16 crosses. The 16 F₁s were selfed and advanced to F₂ generation. Eight parents and their F₂ progenies were evaluated in an alpha-Lattice design with two replications. General and specific combing ability mean squares were significant (p ≤ .05) for all traits measured. General predictability ratios ranged from .47 to .68 across locations suggesting that both additive and non-additive gene action modulate root traits and seed yield. Positive and significant (p ≤ .05) phenotypic and genetic correlations revealed significant association between root traits and yield. Moderate to high heritability estimates of between .43 and .67 were realized. Such estimates point to possible deployment of a successful selection programme. Genotype AFR398 displayed significant positive GCA effects among its crosses for both root and agronomic traits hence a potential candidate genotype for inclusion in a bean genetic improvement programme for marginal environments.     

Genetic basis of grain filling rate in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Thell.)

Summary Grain filling rate in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Thell.) positively influences grain yield under a wide range of conditions. The effective utilization of this trait in breeding depends on an understanding of its genetic control. A study was, therefore, conducted to determine the genetic basis of grain filling rate in six crosses of wheat. Higher order genic interactions and/or linkage were important in the genetic regulation of grain filling rate (GFR) in the majority of crosses. Additive ([d]) and dominance ([h]) gene effects were important in the control of GFR in main ears (ME) and whole plant ears (WPE). Additive and additive × additive epistatic effects were the most important in the genetic control of GFR in last ears (LE). Location effects on genetic effects for GFR were significant (P < 0.05) in all ear types of some crosses except in ME. Genotype × environment interaction effects were important (P < 0.001) in LE and WPE.It was concluded that the inheritance of GFR is complex and is dependent on ear type. Breeding procedures that facilitate the exploitation of non-additive and additive gene effects were recommended for the genetic improvement of grain filling rate of wheat.     

Aluminum tolerance in barley: Methods for screening and genetic analysis

Aluminum (Al) tolerance in roots of two cultivars of barley was studied using hematoxylin staining and root re-growth procedures. This study was performed in two F₂ segregating populations originated from crosses between the tolerant FM-404 and sensitive Harrington cultivars. The F₂ progeny analysed with hematoxylin staining revealed a segregation ratio of 3 tolerant: 1 sensitive, showing that the Al tolerance is controlled by a single gene with complete dominance for tolerance. The root re-growth measures do not confirm the 3:1 ratio. This last result can be explained due to the occurrence of genes that affect root growth rate or to the difficulties found in the evaluation of root re-growth. Barley has a complex root system, which makes it difficult to measure root re-growth after an extended period in nutrient solution. Due to the simplicity, reliability and better precision, the hematoxylin staining is the best procedure to determine the Al tolerance and its inheritance in barley. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Barley mutants with increased tolerance to aluminium toxicity

Acid soil and associated aluminium toxicity are considered as the number one abiotic factor limiting crop production. Over 2 billion hectares of acid soils exist world-wide, both in tropical and moderate climatic zones. In Poland acid soils represent up to60% of arable land. At soil pH < 5.0 Al ions become soluble in water and toxic to plants. Genetic improvement of Al tolerance in crops is the only alternative to soil liming, a traditional but short term and expensive agricultural cure to raise soil pH. Of the various cereals, barley is the most sensitive to Al toxicity. The known sources of Al tolerance in barley are limited to old cultivars and landraces. While they represent multiple alleles of a single locus, there is no potential to improve Al tolerance through recombination of non-allelic additive genes. In the Department of Genetics, Silesian University we have employed induced mutations for rapid creation of variability for Al tolerance in barley. Thirteen mutants with increased levels of tolerance to Al toxicity have been selected in M₃ generation after mutagenic treatment of four barley varieties with N-methyl-N-nitroso urea (MNH) and sodium azide. Six further Al tolerant mutants were identified in the collection of semi-dwarf mutants of the Department. All selected mutants confirmed Al tolerance with the use of three different methods of screening, i.e., root re-growth, root tolerance index and hematoxylin staining. Fourteen mutants exhibited significant root re-growth after 48 hour incubation with 3 ppm Al⁺³ and two of them, namely RL819/2 and RL820/6 were tolerant even to 6 ppm Al⁺³. Crosses of two selected mutants with their respective parent varieties indicated that Al tolerance in each mutant was controlled by a single recessive gene. Out of three methods tested, the root re-growth method facilitated by hematoxylin staining proved to be the most reliable technique for large scale testing. Double treatment with MNH or combined treatment with sodium azide and MNH and 6hinter-incubation germination between treatments were the most successful treatment combinations for induction of aluminium tolerance in barley. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic analysis of yield and quantitative traits in pigeonpea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cajanus cajan</Emphasis> L. Millsp.)

Basic information on genetics and inheritance of quantitative characters, which is necessary to develop future breeding programme, is not widely studied in pigeonpea. Hence, present study was conducted among 5 generations in four pigeonpea crosses to know significance of additive-dominance model, gene action involved in inheritance of quantitative characters, heritability and genetic advance. “Scaling” and “joint scaling test” was significant for most characters indicating that additive-dominance model alone is not enough to explain the inheritance of a character. Though additive variance was more, dominance variance also played important role for most of the traits. Positive and negative alleles were found to be distributed between parents. Additive gene effect (d) was significant for pods per plant and seeds per pod whereas dominance gene effect (h) was more predominant among pod yield and seed yield. Dominance × Dominance inter-allelic interactions (l) was more important than Additive × Additive type (i) for most of the traits studied which could be exploited by selecting individuals based on their performance in recurrent selection. Complementary gene action was observed among many traits with few exhibiting duplicate gene action. Heritability and genetic advance was high indicating the effectiveness of selection. Since dominance effects is also present along with additive effects selection could be practised in later generations to identify high yielding genotypes.     

大麦耐铝毒机制的研究进展

铝离子对根系的毒害是酸性土壤中农作物生产的主要限制因子。大麦在所有禾本科农作物中对铝离子毒害最为敏感。耐铝毒性在大麦品种间存在变异,遗传分析表明在大麦第4染色体长臂上有一个主效基因（Alp）控制大麦对铝毒的抗性。本文总结了最近几年关于大麦耐铝毒机理的研究进展,特别是大麦耐铝毒基因Alp的克隆及其功能分析,并对禾本科其它农作物中相关耐铝毒基因的研究进行了比较。     

耐低磷玉米自交系根系性状的主基因+多基因遗传分析

目前对玉米自交系耐低磷能力评价缺乏统一的指标,为探明耐低磷玉米苗期根性状的遗传机制,为耐低磷玉米自交系的筛选及杂交种选育提供理论支撑,利用主基因+多基因遗传模型,研究了玉米自交系及其杂交和回交世代苗期根系性状的遗传机制.结果表明,总根长受加性-显性-上位多基因控制,在F2世代筛选效率最高,环境对其影响较大;根体积受2对加性-显性-上位性主基因+加性-显性多基因控制,主基因间存在互作效应,主基因显性效应为负效应,在B2世代筛选效率最高,受环境影响较小;根表面积的遗传受2对加性-显性-上位性主基因+多基因控制,主基因显性效应对根表面积起负向作用,主基因加性效应起正向作用,在F2代筛选效率最高,受环境影响较小.