Breeding tomato for pollen tolerance to low temperatures by gametophytic selection

Haploid selection for traits related to pollen cold tolerance in tomato was performed in segregating populations derived from a Lycopersicon esculentum × L. pennellii hybrid. BC₁ populations were obtained by combining normal and low temperature treatments on two stages of pollen development: pollen formation, and germination and pollen tube growth. F₁ hybrids were cultivated under low and normal temperatures and their pollen was used to pollinate L. esculentum plants at low and normal temperatures. The four BC₁ populations obtained were tested for the quality and quantity of pollen produced at low temperatures. The population obtained by cold treatment at both stages had a significantly improved pollen germination ability at low temperatures. The two other coldselected BC₁ populations showed no differences compared with the unselected BC population. A second cycle of pollen selection, corresponding to BC₂, was applied in order to test its persistence in the subsequent generations and the possibility to further improve the character. This second cycle showed no improvement although some plants retained the high pollen germination ability at low temperatures that was observed in the first cycle. Hence, gametophytic selection of some characters related with tomato pollen performance may be feasible, at least for the first cycle of selection.     

Seedling salt tolerance in tomato

Soils with higher concentrations of salt are becoming more and more a constraint for many crops to obtain high yields. Wild tomato species, adapted to adverse environments, are a potential reservoir for genes underlying quantitative trait loci (QTL) related to salt tolerance in tomato. In this study two introgression line (IL) libraries derived from two different wild species, Solanum pennellii LA716 and Solanum lycopersicoides LA2951, were used to identify QTLs for salt tolerance in the seedling stage. In the S. pennellii IL library, four major QTLs were identified on chromosomes 6, 7 and 11. In the S. lycopersicoides IL library, six major QTLs were discovered which are located on chromosomes 4, 6, 9 and 12. Co-localization of QTLs on chromosome 6 in the two IL libraries and previously reports hinted that this locus might be conserved in the tomato crop. Three S. pennellii ILs (IL6-2, IL7-1 and IL7-5) harboring QTLs on chromosome 6 and 7 were crossed. Semi-dominance and dominance were shown for these three QTLs, and non-additive and epistatic interactions between them were observed.     

Effects of high temperatures on mature pollen grains in wild and cultivated maize accessions

Summary The effects of high temperature on mature pollen of various maize lines were investigated. Genotypic differences in pollen reaction to high temperature were revealed. Pollen grains resistant to high temperature (35°C, 26°C) were characterized by higher germination capacity and better ability to develop normal pollen tubes. The studies are of interest to evaluate reproductive system tolerance and conduct gamete selection at the mature pollen grain stage in maize.     

Screening young tomato seedlings for resistance to didymella foot- and stemrot

Summary In breeding tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) for resistance to the foot-and stemrot disease, caused by Ascochyta hortorum, the imperfect stage of Didymella lycopersici, the early screening of seedlings for resistance to this disease should greatly reduce labour and expense. Yet inoculation of susceptible seedlings has so far resulted in a number of escapes.The experiments described showed that with a soil temperature of 10–15°C, 100% infection of very young susceptible seedlings could be obtained within 10 days after inoculation. Comparing different methods of inoculation it was found that watering the base of the stem with a concentrated suspension of an 18-day old culture grown at 22°C was quick and reliable. Although wounding did speed up lesion development, as reported by previous workers, initial screening could be done on unwounded seedlings. The observation indicated that the effect of light during the incubation period was more obvious at temperatures above 15°C.These findings were used in the selection of resistant plants from wild species of Lycopersicum for breeding work.

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On study leave from: The Cocoa Research Institute, New Tafo, Ghana.     

Assessment of tolerance to salt stress in Kenyan tomato germplasm

Tomato is an important vegetable crop in Kenya and the development of salt tolerant cultivars would enhance its productivity in the vast marginal areas of the country. This study was aimed at determining the magnitude of genotypic variability for salt tolerance in the Kenyan tomato germplasm. Pot experiments with 22 landraces and 9 market cultivars were laid out as a two and four replicate split-plot design in glasshouse in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Salt treatments in Experiment 1 were 0 and 5 g NaCl kg^-1 resulting into 0.5 and 9.1 dS m^-1 of the soil saturation extracts, respectively. In Experiment 2 the treatments were 0, 4, and 8 g NaCl kg^-1 soil corresponding to 0.5, 7.4, and 14.2 dS m^-1, respectively. Data were recorded on agronomic and biochemical parameters. The germplasm showed large variation for salt tolerance. Fruit and seed production at soil salinity of 14.2 dS m^-1 demonstrated that these tomatoes are fairly tolerant of NaCl. Osmotic adjustment was achieved by higher fruit electrical conductivity, brix and total titratable acidity. Low and high contents of K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ within tomato tissues and soil, respectively, under salt treatment, confirmed competition and antagonism involving Na⁺ and these cations. Low Na⁺ and Cl^- contents in the fruit at 7.4 dS m^-1 revealed their exclusion and ensured production of physiologically normal seeds and nutritionally healthy fruits. Two landraces ‘Chwerotonglo’ and ‘Nyanyandogo’ were identified as salt tolerant. Comparatively, the market cultivars showed superior fruit yields despite their susceptibility to salinity. Accordingly, tolerance of landraces in combination with superior yields of the market cultivars is suitable for tomato improvement for salt tolerance. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Inheritance of tolerance to leaf iron deficiency chlorosis in tomato

By using two tomato genotypes, 227/1 (Fe chlorosis susceptible) and Roza (Fe chlorosis tolerant), and their reciprocal F₁, F₂ and BC₁ generations, the inheritance of tolerance to leaf Fe deficiency chlorosis of Roza was studied. Plants were grown in a nutrient solution and subjected to 2.0 × 10^–6 M Fe EDDHA and 10 mM NaHCO₃ to induce Fe deficiency stress by stabilization of pH to 7.8–8.2. A rating scale of 1–3 for chlorophyll was used and both monogenic and polygenic inheritance hypotheses were tested. Better responses to Fe deficiency, as measured by SPAD meter values, were obtained from the cross Roza × 227/1 than from the reciprocal cross. Data from F₂ and BC₁ suggest Fe chlorosis tolerance of Roza is to be controlled by polygenic loci with a relatively high additive effect.     

Screening rice genotypes for tolerance to alkalinity and zinc deficiency

Summary A preliminary investigation on the inheritance of tolerance to Zn deficiency and the inter-relationship of tolerances to Zn deficiency and alkalinity was made. Three generations of 2 crosses involving parents tolerant (IR20 and IR30) and sensitive (E425) to Zn stress were screened in IRRI concrete beds. One hundred genotypes (varieties and breeding lines) were screened for injury from alkalimity and Zn deficiency. The results of this experiment and earlier mass screening experiments were subjected to association analyses. The results in general indicated that tolerance to different mineral stresses behave nearly independently. The frequency distribution of ratings for 3 generations indicated that the trait tolerance to Zn deficiency is under polygenic control showing continuous variation and transgression in F₂. Tolerance seems to be dominant. The heritability varied between crosses.     

New sources for high resistance of tomato to the tomato spotted wilt virus from Lycopersicon peruvianum

Mechanical inoculation and transmission by thrips in a growth chamber were used in order to screen Lycopersicon peruvianumand Lycopersicon chilense germplasm for tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) resistance. Two highly aggressive Spanish TSWV isolates (HA-931100 and T-941117), having different restrictotypes were used. L. peruvianum accessions PI-126935, PI-126944, CIAPAN 16, PE-18 and CIAPAN 17 showed high resistance to both isolates in mechanical and thrips transmission. Their resistance appears useful in breeding programmes.     

Anthocyanin mutations improving tomato and pepper tolerance to adverse climatic conditions

The effect of four mutated genes affecting anthocyanin biosynthesis was investigated relative to tomato and pepper germination capacities and early seedlings and plantlets growth. The study was performed on isogenic/near isogenic lines (IL/NIL) differing for genes ah (Hoffmann’s anthocyaninless), aw (anthocyanin without) and bls (babylea syndrome) in tomato and al ₁ (anthocyaninless – 1) in pepper. Germination responses of the IL/NILs showed that genes ah, aw and bls in tomato and al ₁ in pepper enhanced germination abilities under stress conditions regardless of the inherent seed properties that imparted rapid germination. This evaluation was conducted with four very different types of stress: 13 ^°C, 33 ^°C,120 mM NaCl and 15% PEG-6000 water solutions. The four genes exercised no effect on root and hypocotyl elongation under the same stress conditions and their effect on plantlets growth varied depending on the genotype and the treatment. The usefulness of genes ah, aw, blsand al ₁ in breeding tomato and pepper cultivars tolerant to adverse climatic conditions at germination when used as a morphological marker, is discussed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Screening for new sources of resistance to Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm) in tomato

Bacterial canker of tomato, caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm), is considered the most serious bacterial threat, resulting in high damages in production areas. Worldwide, Cmm is subjected to quarantine regulations.There is no cultivar in market containing Cmm resistance genes. This project aimed to screen tomatoes or wild relatives of tomato for resistance to Cmm, to be used for starting breeding programs. We have screened 24 different wild accessions of tomato and found several new tolerant sources: Solanum pimpinellifolium GI.1554, S. parviflorum LA735 and S. parviflorum LA2072. We also confirmed the tolerance which was reported previously in S. peruvianum LA2157, S. peruvianum PI127829, S. peruvianum LA385, S. habrochaites LA407 and S. lycopersicum cv. IRAT L3. No immunity was found. Also accessions showing a low disease score still contained high titers of bacteria as determined by a dilution plating method, using tow selective media. These results were confirmed with a TaqMan real time PCR assay, which was developed to determine and quantify Cmm in planta.     

Drought tolerance in sorghum by pollen selection using osmotic stress

A pollen selection study for drought tolerance using Poly Ethylene Glycol (PEG) as a selective agent was conducted in sorghum. Ten genotypes of sorghum suitable for post rainy season were crossed to cytoplasmic male sterile line 104A and three genotypes to 116A producing 13 hybrids. Two sets of 13 hybrids with and without pollen selection were produced. PEG at 36 per cent was applied to stigma and stylar tissue one hour before pollination for pollen selection (selective fertilization) and no treatment for control (nonselective fertilization). Hybrids thus produced through selective and non-selective fertilization were tested in moisture stress environment during post rainy season. The hybrids obtained through selective fertilization produced significantly higher mean grain yield compared to hybrids obtained through non-selective fertilization. The results indicate that selective fertilization through in vivo pollen selection using PEG as selective agent was effective in improving moisture stress tolerance of the progeny in sorghum genotypes studied. Further, the pollen selection also had influence on plant height, panicle length, panicle width, panicle weight and grain mass. Thus,the pollen selection had a significant effect on grain yield through its components and developmentally related traits. Pollen selection for osmoticstress tolerance in sorghum influences the growth and vigour of the plants resulting in superior progeny in moisture stress environment. The analysis of individual crosses indicated that pollen genotype selection was able to favour performance of the progeny. However, the pollen selection had positive effect in majority of the hybrids and the study demonstrates the transmission of the selected trait from pollen generation to progeny. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Characterization 3333 of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) accessions for resistance to phylotype I and phylotype II strains of the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex under high temperatures

Bacterial wilt of tomato caused by Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC) causes substantial yield losses in the tropics and subtropics. Disease management options by chemicals are limited, and host resistance is the cheapest and easiest means of control. However, sources of bacterial wilt resistance in tomato are limited. The disease often coincides with higher temperatures in the tropics, and resistance sources that are more heat stable are particularly valuable for breeding of tropically adapted tomato cultivars. The objectives of this study were to identify tomato accessions that demonstrate relatively high bacterial wilt resistance under high temperatures and to identify accessions that may possess QTLs other than Bwr-6 and Bwr-12 (two major disease resistance QTLs against bacterial wilt), which could be exploited in future breeding. Sixty-seven tomato entries reported as bacterial wilt resistant were evaluated in a greenhouse against one strain each of phylotype I (Pss4) and phylotype IIB (Pss1632) of the RSSC (average temperature ≥29°C). Of those, five and 19 were homozygous for Bwr-6 and Bwr-12, respectively, and six were homozygous for both QTLs. Bwr-12 contributed to resistance against phylotype I strain but not against the phylotype II strain. Bwr-6 contributed to resistance against both phylotype strains. Entries with both QTLs as a group performed relatively better against the phylotype I strain. Entry “94T765-24-79”, which lacked Bwr-6 and Bwr-12, demonstrated relatively high resistance against the phylotype II strain and may carry new QTL/s. As new bacterial wilt resistance QTLs are mapped and markers designed, pyramiding multiple bacterial wilt resistance QTLs into new varieties should be straightforward, thereby increasing the chances of obtaining stable resistance.     

Screening for drought tolerance in wheat genotypes by morphological and SSR markers

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Drought stress has become a significant abiotic stress for wheat in Bangladesh. This study aimed to explore drought tolerance in Bangladeshi wheat based...     

Inheritance of tolerance of the tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) to metribuzin herbicide

Summary The inheritance of tolerance in the tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) to metribuzin 4-amino-6-tert- butyl-3-(methylthio)-as-triazine-5(4H)-one herbicide was investigated. A biossay using a nutrient solution culture in controlled environment growth cabinets was used to evaluate progeny from tolerant by susceptible tomato cultivar crosses for response to metribuzin. Fireball and Vision were used as tolerant cultivars and Heinz 1706 as a susceptible cultivar. Parental, F₁, F₂, and some backcross generations were studied. Visual phytotoxicity, seedling height, and seedling dry weight were recorded.The bioassay was effective for classification of the segregating generations. F₂, and progeny variance analysis suggested that the inheritance of tolerance to metribuzin was controlled by one major gene with modifiers. Heritability values of 0.58 to 0.72 indicated a potential for cultivar improvement through plant breeding.     

Genetic basis of physiological traits related to salt tolerance in tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.

Genetic relationships between salt tolerance and expression of various physiological traits during vegetative growth in tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., were investigated. Parental, F₁, F₂ and backcross progeny of a cross between a salt tolerant (PI174263) and a salt sensitive tomato cultivar (‘UCT5’) were evaluated in saline solutions with electrical conductivity of 0.5 (non-stress) and 20 dS/m (salt stress). Absolute growth, relative growth, tissue ion content, leaf solute potential and the rate of ethylene evolution were measured. Growth of both parents was reduced under salt stress; however, the reduction was significantly less in PI174263 than ‘UCT5’, suggesting greater salt tolerance of the former. Under salt stress, leaves of PI174263 accumulated significantly less Na⁺ and Cl^? and more Ca²⁺ than leaves of ‘UCT5’. Across parental and progeny generations, growth under salt stress was positively correlated with leaf Ca²⁺ content and negatively correlated with leaf Na⁺ content. In contrast, no correlation was observed between growth and either leaf solute potential or the rate of ethylene evolution under salt stress. Generation means analysis indicated that under salt stress both absolute and relative growth and the Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ accumulations in the leaf were genetically controlled with additivity being the major genetic component. The results indicated that the inherent genetic capabilities of PI174263 to maintain high tissue Ca²⁺ levels and to exclude Na⁺ from the shoot were essential features underlying its adaptation to salt stress and that these features were highly heritable. Thus, tissue ion concentration may be a useful selection criterion when breeding for improved salt tolerance of tomato using progeny derived from PI174263.     

Genetics of tolerance to high concentrations of boron in Brassica rapa

The inheritance of tolerance to high concentrations of boron in Brassica rapa was studied in F₂ and F₃ segregating populations. The F₁ hybrids were produced from genotypes contrasting in their reaction to boron. The F₁ hybrids responded similarly to the tolerant parent indicating that boron tolerance was dominant trait. Segregation patterns for boron tolerance in F₂ populations and F₃ derived families were established by the measurements of primary root length and tissue boron concentrations. The segregation ratios were explained in terms of two major genes interacting in a dominant epistatic manner to govern tolerance. Evaluation of selected tolerant and susceptible F₃ families indicated that tolerant families produced significantly longer primary roots as compared to susceptible families.     

玉米花粉花丝耐热性研究进展

在分析高温限制玉米制种和生产的基础上,综述了高温胁迫下玉米花粉花丝的形态结构、生理生化变化,以及玉米花期耐热种质筛选与遗传研究,讨论了玉米花粉花丝耐热性研究存在的问题和今后的研究方向.     

Screening relatives of wheat for snow mold resistance and freeing tolerance

Four hundred and eighty one accessions of species and subspecies of genera Triticum and Aegilops were evaluated for resistance to speckled snow mold caused by Typhula ishikariensis and for freezing tolerance. All Triticum and seven of Aegilops species were severely affected by snow mold. Among surviving Aegilops spp., only the Ae. cylindrica accessions exhibited resistance similar to that of the most resistant winter wheat cultivar, PI 173438. After repeated screening of accessions of Ae. cylindrica, 12 accessions were identified as having resistance similar to that of PI 173438; eleven of those were considered more freezing tolerant than PI 173438, but less than wheat cv. Valjevskaya, the freezing tolerant check. Accessions of Ae. cylindrica with snow mold resistance exceeding that of PI 173438, and with freezing tolerance, are currently being screened. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.