The research of bearing capacity for double-angle composited cross-section member of UHV transmission tower

With the rapid development of power industry in China,the traditional single angle steel members of the transmission tower cannot meet the requirements of high voltage, multi-loop, high-load and so on. By doing experiments with double-angle cruciform section, whose specification are L160×12,L160×14,L160×16, we analyze the ultimate bearing capacity of main components which constitute UHV transmission tower. Meanwhile, we use the FEM to deal with the influence of the parameters including different ratios of slenderness, different number and location of fill plate, etc. The calculation results are comperred with each other based on some general codes. The results show that, for some test pieces with certain ratios of width to thickness, other codes and Eurocode 3 code are not safe, but ASCE10-97 code is completely unsafety. So we propose the modifier formulas of calculated length. The best way of arranging plates is uniform layout and the best space between plates is existed.     

Genetic analysis of plant height using two immortalized populations of “CRI12 × J8891” in Gossypium hirsutum L.

Plant height is an important plant architecture trait that determines the canopy structure, photosynthetic capacity and lodging resistance of upland cotton populations. To understand the genetic basis of plant height for marker-assisted breeding, quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was conducted based on the genetic map of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross “CRI12 × J8891” (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Three methods, including composite interval mapping, multiple interval mapping and multi-marker joint analysis, were used to detect QTL across multiple environments in the RILs and in the immortalized F₂ population developed through intermating between RILs. A total of 19 QTL with genetic main effects and/or genetic × environment interaction effects were identified on 15 chromosomes or linkage groups, each explaining 5.8–14.3 % of the phenotypic variation. Five digenic epistatic QTL pairs, mainly involving additive × additive and/or dominance × dominance, were detected in different environments. Seven out of eight interacting loci were main-effect QTL, suggesting that these loci act as major genes as well as modifying genes in the expression of plant height. The results demonstrate that additive effects, dominance and epistasis are all important for the genetic constitution of plant height, with additive effects playing a more important role in reducing plant height. QTL showing stability across environments that were repeatedly detected by different methods can be used in marker-assisted breeding.     

Mapping QTLs with epistatic effects and QTL × treatment interactions for salt tolerance at seedling stage of wheat

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) with additive (a), additive × additive (aa) epistatic effects, and their treatmental interactions (at and aat) were studied under salt stress and normal conditions at seedling stage of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A set of 182 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from cross Xiaoyan 54 × Jing 411 were used. A total of 29 additive QTLs and 17 epistasis were detected for 12 traits examined, among which eight and seven, respectively, were identified to have QTL × treatment effects. Physiological traits rather than biomass traits were more likely to be involved in QTL × treatment interactions. Ten intervals on chromosomes 1A, 1D, 2A (two), 2D, 3B, 4B, 5A, 5B and 7D showed overlapping QTLs for different traits; some of them represent a single locus affecting different traits and/or the same trait under both treatments. Eleven pairs of QTLs were detected on seemingly homoeologous positions of six chromosome groups of wheat, showing synteny among the A, B and D genomes. Ten pairs were detected in which each pair was contributed by the same parent, indicating a strong genetic plasticity of the QTLs. The results are helpful for understanding the genetic basis of salt tolerance in wheat and provide useful information for genetic improvement of salt tolerance in wheat by marker-assisted selection.     

Identification of QTLs for salt tolerance at germination and seedling stage of Sorghum bicolor L. Moench

Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) hybrids display commercially useful levels of heterosis for lint yield. Cotton lint yield is primarily a multiplicative product of boll number and lint per boll, both of which can be further dissected into sub-components. Relationships among the yield components are complex where they further interact with the environment. To identify different yield components of hybrid cotton lint yield and their relationship with environment, three cotton varieties, DP51, STV474 and LA887 and, their respective hybrids were evaluated for lint yield components across five environments. Heterosis was observed for lint yield as well as yield components. The relationship between heterosis and mean environmental yield was negative for two hybrid combinations, whereas one hybrid showed increased heterosis from low to high yielding environments. Boll number was the major yield component contributing to lint yield. However, yield components contributing to the change in heterosis from low to high yielding environments were different for the three hybrids. The change in lint yield heterosis across environments was correlated with lint per boll and lint per seed for DP51 × STV474 and LA887 × DP51. Whereas, bolls number and boll retention were the main yield components contributing to higher lint yield heterosis of STV474 × LA887 in low yielding environments. Results also reveal effects of parental entries on lint yield as well as relationship of heterosis and environment.     

Study on the relationship between genetic variation of DNA methylation and heterosis in soybean leaves

In order to well understand the molecular basis of heterosis in soybean, the methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) method based on capillary electrophoresis was used to estimate levels and patterns of cytosine methylation in 15-day post-emergence leaves of four parental lines [Jilin 47 (no. 19), EXP (no. 12), Jilin 38 (no. 3) and Yi 3 (no. 6)] and 12 hybrids [Jilin 38 × Yi 3(3 × ?6), Jilin 38 × ?EXP(3 × ?12), Jilin 38 × ?Jilin 47(3 × ?19), Yi 3 × ?Jilin 38(6 × ?3), Yi 3 × ?EXP(6 × ?12), Yi 3 × ?Jilin 47(6 × ?19), EXP × Jilin 38(12 ×?3), EXP × Yi 3(12 × ?6), EXP × ?Jilin 47(12 × ?19), Jilin 47 × ?Jilin 38(19 × ?3), Jilin 47 × Yi 3(19 × 6), Jilin 47 × EXP(19 × 12)]. In addition, 12 traits of the hybrids and their parents were also analyzed to understand the relationship between DNA methylation variation and heterosis. MSAP results showed that the total relative methylation level of all hybrids was lower than the corresponding middle parent value, indicating that the methylation degree was decreasing. And may express a variety of genes related to the phenotypic variation of hybridization. Moreover, the hemi-methylation levels of Jilin 38 × Jilin 47 and Yi 3 × Jilin 47 hybrids and full-methylation levels of EXP × Yi 3 and EXP × Jilin 47 hybrids was significant higher than the corresponding mid-parent values. In addition, the heredity of methylation from parents in hybrids is more than the variations, in which there were four types appeared great higher: A1, B4, B8, and D2. Furthermore, the results of relationship between genetic variation in DNA methylation and heterosis showed that the hypo-methylation had a promoting effect to increase node number, and the hype-methylation of hybrids was helpful to add to stem thick. Our results may provide new insights into well understanding the molecular mechanisms of heterosis at the epigenetic level in soybean.     

Estimation of epistasis in doubled haploid barley populations considering interactions between all possible marker pairs

Epistasis, is the interaction between alleles from two or more loci determining complex traits, and thus plays an important role in the development of quantitative traits of crops. In mapping studies of inbreeding species epistasis is usually defined as the interactions between quantitative trait loci with significant additive gene effects. Indeed, in many studies, genes with small effects do not come into the final model and thus the total epistasis interaction effect is biased. Many loci may not have a significant direct effect on the trait under consideration, but they may still affect trait expression by interacting with other loci. In this paper the benefits of using all loci, not only the loci with significant main effects, for estimation of the epistatic effects are presented. The particular examples are with doubled haploids lines and so are restricted to homozygotes and thus additive genetic effects and additive × additive interactions. Numerical analyses were carried out on three populations of doubled haploid lines of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.): 120 doubled haploid lines from the Clipper × Sahara 3771 cross, 145 doubled haploid lines from the Harrington × TR306 cross and 150 doubled haploid lines from the Steptoe × Morex cross. In total, 157 sets of observations were analyzed and altogether 728 pairs of loci were observed for the three datasets.     

QTL analysis for wheat falling number in a recombinant inbred line population segregated with 1BL/1RS translocation in a rainfed agricultural area of China

Falling number (FN) is an inner quality trait in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) ultimately determining the end use of wheat kernels. In this 3-year study, 171 recombinant inbred lines derived from Chuannong17 (a 1BL/1RS tranlocation parent) × Mianyang11 were planted in the Sichuan Basin, a rainfed agricultural area in southwestern China. In this climate, we found that FN had significant differences between 1BL/1RS translocation lines and non-1BL/1RS translocation lines in two of the 3 years and the heavy fluctuation of rainfall and temperature resulted in decreasing FN in grain filling period. We used 191 simple sequence repeats markers to construct a genetic linkage map and then detected 11 additive effect FN quantitative trait loci (QTL) on chromosomes 2B, 3D, 4A, 4D, 6B and 7D, explaining 5.48–31.91% of the phenotypic variance. The FN QTL on chromosomes 4A, 4D and 6B were major or stable and detected at least in 2 years, whereas the Qfn.sicau-3D.1 in 2015 year explained the maximum phenotypic variation (about 31.91%). Furthermore, FN QTLs additive and epistatic effects as well as their interactions with environment were estimated by a mixed linear model approach. We found that the additive effect QTLs had no significant additive × environment interaction, while the paired QTLs had significant additive × additive epistatic effects however none had a significant additive × additive epistasis × environment interaction effect, excluding the paired QTLs Qfn.sicau-3B/Qfn.sicau-5B.     

G550高强冷弯薄壁槽钢受弯构件力学性能与设计方法

为了研究高强冷弯薄壁槽钢受弯构件的力学性能和设计方法,对3种板件加劲形式的G550高强冷弯薄壁型钢槽形截面受弯构件进行了试验研究和有限元参数分析。结果表明,板件加劲形式对高强冷弯薄壁槽钢受弯构件屈曲模式和受弯承载力有显著影响,翼缘V形加劲比腹板V形加劲能够更有效地提高构件抗弯承载力,构件抗弯承载力的变化规律与屈曲模式有关。根据有限元参数分析结果,在已有直接强度法基础上回归出适用于高强冷弯薄壁槽钢受弯构件的直接强度法修正公式。     

Performance of cowpea varieties under <Emphasis Type="Italic">Striga gesnerioides</Emphasis> (Willd.) Vatke infestation using biplot analysis

Striga gesnerioides (Willd) Vatke, is a major destructive parasitic weed of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) which causes substantial yield reduction in West and Central Africa. The presence of different virulent races within the parasite population contributes to significant genotype × environment interaction, and complicates breeding for durable resistance to Striga. A 3-year study was conducted at three locations in the dry savanna agro-ecology of Nigeria, where Striga gesnerioides is endemic. The primary objective of the study was to identify cowpea genotypes with high yield under Striga infestation and yield stability across test environments and to access suitability of the test environment. Data collected on grain yield and yield components were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Means from ANOVA were subjected to the genotype main effect plus genotype × environment (GGE) biplot analysis to examine the multi-environment trial data and rank genotypes according to the environments. Genotypes, environment, and genotypes × environment interaction mean squares were significant for grain yield and yield components, and number of emerged Striga plants. The environment accounted for 35.01%, whereas the genotype × environment interaction accounted for 9.10% of the variation in grain yield. The GGE biplot identified UAM09 1046-6-1 (V7), and UAM09 1046-6-2 (V8), as ideal genotypes suggesting that these genotypes performed relatively well in all study environments and could be regarded as adapted to a wide range of locations. Tilla was the most repeatable and ideal location for selecting widely adapted genotypes for resistance to S. gesnerioides.     

Breeding potential of maize germplasm populations to improve yield and predominant heterotic pattern in Northeast China

Increasing the frequency of favorable alleles in elite germplasm is necessary for germplasm improvement and innovation in maize (Zea mays L.) breeding programs. Jidan27 (Si287 × Si144), an elite commercial single cross hybrid that represents the predominant heterotic pattern Chinese Sipingtou × Stiff Stalk Synthetic, has been widely cultivated in the Northeast China Corn Belt. However, the use of the hybrid Jidan27 has been hampered gradually due to its low yield potential, lack of resistance to lodging, and considerable incidence of head smut disease. Previous studies have evaluated yield potential of exotic populations, but few have considered using these germplasms as donors with favorable alleles to overcome these deficiencies in the hybrid Jidan27. In the present study, 12 exotic populations from CIMMYT and the U.S. and three semi-exotic populations were investigated as sources of favorable alleles to increase yield and lodging resistance, and reducing head smut susceptibility of the hybrid Jidan27. The performance of a set of 30 inbred × populations crosses, the hybrid Jidan27, and the two parental inbred lines Si287 and Si144 was evaluated in three locations for 2 years. Two populations, BS10(FR)C10 and Pop43, were identified as the best donors of favorable alleles lacking in the hybrid for improving the target traits. Further, BS13(S)C7 and Cpop.16 were also found to be better choices for improving grain yield and head smut resistance of the hybrid. These results suggest that the elite exotic germplasms evaluated here could provide useful genetic variability to improve other Chinese Sipingtou × Stiff Stalk Synthetic crosses related to Si287 × Si144 that are widely grown in Northeast China.     

Analysis of genetic effects on a complete diallel cross test of Betula platyphylla

The study utilized the offspring of a 5 × 5 diallel cross of Betula platyphylla as the experimental material. Tree height (H), diameter at breast height (DBH) and stem straight degree (SSD) were measured at the fourth and eighth growth year (SSD were measured only in the eighth growth year). ANOVA analyses showed that growth traits in different growth years were significant among families (P < 0.01). There existed extremely significant correlations between H and DBH in the same year. Although the sequencing of average H and DBH of different families were vicissitudinous at the 4th and 8th year, there also existed significant correlations between H and DBH in different year. The general combining ability, special combining ability (SCA) and reciprocal effect (REC) of different hybridized combinations were also different remarkably. The mean square of SCA was significantly higher than GCA, implied that the non-additive effect played major roles. When B5, B8 and MB15 were selected as parents, the offspring performed perfectly in traits of H, DBH and SSD at the eighth growth year respectively. B5 × XB11, B8 × XB11 and B8 × MB15 had highest SCA values in traits of H, DBH, and SSD at the eighth growth year respectively. Consequently, in order to achieve optimal outcomes, seed orchard building and clonal propagation should be considered simultaneously in birch’s genetic improvement process.     

Compatibility relations between the edible carrot Daucus carota and D. pusillus, a related wild species from the Argentinian Pampas

To establish the feasibility of hybridization between the wild carrot species Daucus pusillus Michx. (2n = 2x = 22; 2n = 2x = 22 and 20), collected in the pampas grasslands of Argentina, and the edible carrot, Daucus carota L. (2n = 2x = 18), controlled pollinations were attempted on the plant. Due to the difficulties encountered, flowers of 12 accesions and three commercial cultivars were excised from individual plants and pollinated in Petri dishes following an incomplete diallel design. After processing, the pollinated pistils (four to six per genotypic combination) were observed under a microscope with UV light. Pollen tubes reaching the ovaries and/or the ovules (compatible relation) were observed in six out of nine D. pusillus × D. pusillus and seven out of 18 D. pusillus × D. carota genotypic combinations. In the eight D. carota × D. pusillus genotypic combinations, only ungerminated pollen, pollen not adhered to the stigmas or pollen tubes overlapping the stylar tissue were observed. Additional flowers were pollinated in a sample of compatible genotypic combinations and the pollinated pistils were in vitro culture to study embryo and endosperm development. Eight out of nine pistils from the intraspecific and nine out of 13 from the interspecific crosses enlarged to form apparently normal schizocarps. Histological analyses revealed normal development of embryo and endosperm. The breeding barriers between the two species are incomplete, making feasible the obtainment of interspecific hybrids by conventional techniques.     

Ploidy manipulation and introgression breeding in Darwin hybrid tulips

Meiotic polyploidisation via crossing with 2n gamete producing genotypes and interploidy crosses are two of the main methods currently used to obtain polyploid tulips. In our study diploid 2n gamete producing F₁ hybrids of Darwin hybrids (Tulipa gesneriana × Tulipa fosteriana) and triploid hybrid resulting from ‘Rhodos’ × ‘Princeps’ cross were used as pollen donor and crossed with cultivars of T. gesneriana in the following combination: 2x × 2x, 3x × 2x, 2x × 3x, and 3x × 3x. The progenies resulting from crosses at diploid level were mostly diploid, whereas a few seedlings were triploid. In 3x × 2x crosses aneuploids with chromosome constitution in between triploid and tetraploid (43–45 chromosomes) were predominant, but also one tetraploid (2n = 4x = 48) and four pentaploids (2n = 5x = 60) were obtained. In 2x × 3x crosses most progenies were triploid with the exception of a few aneuploids (3x + 1 and 3x ? 1), whereas in 3x × 3x cross diploid and aneuploid genotypes were recorded with chromosome number varied from 27 to 34. These results indicate that triploid parents produced aneuploid as well as euploid (x, 2x, 3x) gametes and that success in ploidy manipulation in tulip depends to a large degree on the ploidy level of the parental genotypes used for hybridization. Genome constitution of selected population of F1 and BC1 hybrids was analyzed through genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). GISH analysis of the BC1 showed a considerable amount of intergenomic recombination which is desirable for introgression breeding.     

Exploring opportunities for reducing complexity of genotype-by-environment interaction models

Heterogeneity in genetic effects among environments (G × E) is a common phenomenon in crop plants and can arise from heterogeneity in variance (scale effects) and/or crossover interaction. Here, a study of yield of macadamia progeny in 15 trials established at 9 locations and assessed for yield at 7 years is used to explore the impact on prediction of clonal values (additive + dominance effects) from (i) scaling observations by phenotypic standard deviation of each trial, and (ii) reducing complexity of the pattern of genotype-by-environment interaction. The initial fit of an unconstrained G × E model to unscaled observations indicated significant G × E, which was supported by the fit of the same model to scaled data. Scaling observations reduced heterogeneity of genetic parameter estimates among locations. Clustering of the additive and dominance genetic-by-environment covariance matrices from the fit of G × E models to scaled observations and log-likelihood testing was used to identify reduced models where locations with apparent homogeneous genetic effects (genetic variance not significantly different, and genetic correlations not significantly different from 1) were grouped into single environments. Complexity reduction condensed the additive genetic-by-environment covariance matrix to 3 environments, and 4 environments for the dominance matrix, and the accuracy of parameters estimates increased, although accuracy of prediction as assessed by generalised heritability only improved for a few locations. On the other hand, accuracies of clonal values predicted from a main effects only G + E model were lower. Nevertheless, correlations of the averages of predicted clonal values across locations from different models were very high suggesting models are robust to parameter estimates. These results support the use of scaling by the phenotypic standard deviation to reduce heterogeneity in parameter estimates, and complexity reduction to improve accuracy of estimating parameters required to predict genetic effects.     

Combining ability, heterotic patterns and genetic diversity of extra-early yellow inbreds under contrasting environments

Information on the combining ability, heterotic patterns and genetic diversity of maize (Zea mays L.) inbreds is crucial for the success of a hybrid program targeting the stress environments of West Africa (WA). Studies were conducted in 2011 at four locations in Nigeria to (i) determine the combining ability of 20 extra-early yellow inbred lines, (ii) classify the inbred lines into heterotic groups, and (iii) determine the genetic diversity among the lines. General combining ability (GCA) effects were greater than specific combining ability (SCA) effects across test environments suggesting that additive gene action was more important than the nonadditive in the set of inbred lines. The lines were classified into four heterotic groups based on SCA effects, and three groups based on heterotic groups’ specific and GCA, the GCA effects of multiple traits of inbred lines and molecular markers. TZEEI 79, TZEEI 67, and TZEEI 81 were the best inbred testers while TZEEI 95 × TZEEI 79 was the best single-cross tester. TZEEI 88 × TZEEI 66 and TZEEI 96 × TZEEI 73 were identified as ideal hybrids for further testing, promotion for adoption and commercialization in WA.     

Intergeneric hybrid between Chrysanthemum × morifolium and Artemisia japonica achieved via embryo rescue shows salt tolerance

Using embryo rescue, we generated an intergeneric hybrid between Chrysanthemum × morifolium ‘Maoyan’ and Artemisia japonica Thunb. Cytological tests confirmed that regenerated plantlets were all genuine hybrids possessing 45 chromosomes, with 27 chromosomes inherited from C. × morifolium (2n = 6x = 54) and the other 18 derived from A. japonica (2n = 4x = 36). Hybrid plant flowered normally. The shape and color of the hybrid flowers and leaves resembled those of chrysanthemum, while leaf width, leaf length, plant height, and inflorescence diameter were intermediate between those of the parents. Hybrid plant had higher levels of chlorophyll and free proline, and lower concentrations of malondialdehyde and Na⁺, than the maternal parent (C. × morifolium), and these levels were correlated with the hybrid’s enhanced salt tolerance. These results clearly demonstrate that intergeneric hybridization is an effective method of cultivar improvement in chrysanthemum.     

Sources of parthenocarpy for Zucchini breeding: relationship with ethylene production and sensitivity

Cytoplasmic genic male sterility system based hybrids were synthesized by line × tester design and evaluated with check GTH 1 in RBD at Sardarkrushinagar, Jagudan and Khedbrahma during kharif 2007. Analysis of variance in individual and across environments revealed significant differences among genotypes and existence of overall heterosis for seed yield per plant and other thirteen traits. The top ranking on the basis of standard heterosis were CMSGT087A × GTR0525 (116.40 %) followed by CMSGT087A × AGTR0534 (108.93 %), CMSGT0307A × AGTR0538 (99.21 %) and CMSGT 0301A × AGTR 0534 (95.51 %) for seed yield per plant and for one or two of its contributing traits. Combining ability analysis revealed presence of both additive and non-additive gene effects. The specific combining ability variance was found more compaired to general combining ability variance for all the characters under studied. This favored a hybrid breeding programme. In stability analysis, linear portion was considerably high for all the traits except for days to flower and pod length. The best stable hybrids for seed yield per plant over environments were CMSGT 308A × AGTR 0534, CMSGT 307A × AGTR 0543, CMSGT 0308A × AGTR 0536 and CMSGT 0311A × GTR 0525 and also recorded stability in any one or more of its contributing traits viz. pods per plant, branches per plant, seed per pod, pod length and test weight. Top ranking hybrids had high mean performance, high heterosis and desirable sca effects and stability for seed yield per plant. Therefore, these hybrids could be valuable for commercial exploitation.     

Combined selection in carioca beans for grain size,slow darkening and fast-cooking after storage times

Carioca bean presents grain darkening and increase in the cooking time in postharvest; this results in consumer rejection. The objective of this study was to select carioca bean genotypes with commercial grain size, slow darkening, and fast-cooking after storage. The completely randomized design was used in a 9?×?4?×?2 factorial arrangement, with three replications. Treatments consisted of nine common bean genotypes, four grain storage times (0, 2, 4 and 6 months), and two cultivation years (2014 and 2015). Carioca bean genotypes differed for mass of 100 grains, L, a* and b* values, water uptake, and cooking time; changes observed for these traits were not constant during storage and cultivation years. C 10-2-4/41 presents medium-sized beans (25.11 g), clearer color (L?≥?55.00) with slightly red (a*?≤?7.00) and slightly yellow (b*?≤?16.00) shades, and fast-cooking (<?20 min) for fresh grains and grains stored for 6 months. The three superior carioca bean genotypes selected by the multiplicative index were C 10-2-4/41, Pérola, and CNFC 11 948. C 10-2-4/41 presents commercial grain size, slow darkening and fast-cooking after 6 months of refrigerated storage and will be selected for the breeding program.     

Quantitative trait analysis of flowering time in spring rapeseed (B. napus L.)

The inheritance of flowering time trait in spring-type rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is poorly understood, and the investigations on mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the trait are only few. We identified QTL underlying variation for flowering time in a doubled haploid (DH) mapping population of nonvernalization-responsive canola (B. napus L.) cultivar 465 and line 86 containing introgressions from Houyou11, a Chinese early-flowering cultivar in Brassica rapa L. Significant genetic variation in flowering time and response to photoperiod were observed among the DH lines from 465/86. A molecular linkage map was generated comprising three types of markers loci. QTL analysis indicated that flowering time is a complex trait and is controlled by at least 4 major loci, localized on four different linkage groups A6, A7, C8 and C9. These loci each accounted for between 9.2 and 12.56 % of the total genotypic variation for first flowering. The published high-density maps for flowering time mapping used different marker systems, and the parents of our crosses have different genetic origins, with either spring-type B. napus or B. rapa. So we cannot determine whether the QTL on the same linkage groups were in the same region or not. There was evidence of additive × additive epistatic effects for flowering time in the DH population. Epistasis existed not only between main-effect QTLs, but also between QTLs with minor effects. Four pair of epistasis effects between minor QTLs explained about 20 % of the genetic variance observed in the DH population. The results indicated that minor QTLs for flowering time should not be ignored. Significant genotypes × environment interactions were also found for the quantitative traits, and with significant change in the ranking of the DH lines in different environments. The results implied that FQ3 was a non-environment-specific QTL and may control flowering time by autonomous pathway. FQ4 were winter-environment-specific QTL and may control flowering time by photoperiod-pathway. Identification of the chromosomal location and effect of the genes influencing flowering time may hasten the development of canola varieties having an optimal time for flowering in target environments such as for high altitude areas, via marker-assisted selection.     

Evaluation of genotypic variation in heat tolerance of tall fescue by functional traits

Tall fescue is an important cool season turfgrass. Summer high temperature negatively affects the performance of tall fescue in transitional and warm climate zones. To identify heat tolerant material, 120 tall fescue accessions from different regions of the world were collected and subjected to high temperature under the greenhouse and the growth chamber conditions. Average temperature was 43 °C in the greenhouse trial. Meanwhile, in the growth chamber trial there were 38/30 °C (day/night) and 25/16 °C for heat stress and control, respectively. Leaf water content, leaf dry weight, leaf fresh weight, growth rate (GR), turf quality (TQ), survival rate (SR), chlorophyll content (Chl), evapotranspiration rate (ET) and electrolyte leakage were determined. Significant effects of accessions, duration time and heat treatment on most characteristics were observed. Wild accessions exhibited higher variations in most of the studied traits than commercial cultivars. There were differences in GR and ET with greater variation coefficients than other traits between accessions, suggesting GR and ET could be effective indices for evaluating heat tolerance of tall fescue accessions. Three principal components in growth chamber trial and two principal components in greenhouse trial were extracted. Principal component analysis indicated that common PC1, correlated with TQ, SR and Chl, was named as “turf performance component”, which explained 43.17 % and 39.24 % of genetic variations in the greenhouse trial and the growth chamber trial, respectively. PC2 that defined as “growth potential component” could explain 23.26 % of total variability in the greenhouse trial and 20.36 % in the growth chamber trial. PC3 was named as “leaf water potential component”. Two regression models (F = 0.65 × F1 + 0.35 × F2) and (F = 0.54 × F1 + 0.28 × F2 + 0.18 × F3) were formulated by factor analysis to evaluate heat tolerance of tall fescue accessions in greenhouse and growth chamber trials, respectively. Accessions from subtropical monsoon climate zone generally exhibited better heat tolerance. In contrast, accessions from East Asia showed more heat sensitive. Finally, five accessions including PI 598574, PI 608787, PI 559374, Pure Gold and PI 527504 were selected as heat tolerant accessions for future tall fescue breeding.