Breeding sugar beets with globe-shaped roots: selection and agronomical performance

Losses and costs during and after harvesting of sugar beets can be reduced by modifying the traditional shape of the roots. Crosses have been made between sugar beets and globe-shaped red table beets, and selection for root shape and sugar content was carried out in the progenies. The root yield of the selected material is equal to that of commercial varieties. The sugar content is still too low and the contents of juice impurities too high, but further selection can improve the material in these respects. The amount of dirt tare can be 40–60% less than that of the control variety.     

Molecular dissection of sugar related traits and it’s attributes in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharum</Emphasis> spp. hybrids

Sugarcane is one of the most important crops in the tropical and sub-tropical regions worldwide because it supplies over half of the world’s sugar. The main goal of sugarcane breeding programs is releasing new cultivars with improved sugar content, disease resistance and agronomic traits. Molecular markers linked to the sugar yield would greatly facilitate the development of sugarcane cultivars with higher sugar content. In this study, quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with sugar and yield related traits were identified using a segregating F₁ population derived from two Saccharum spp. hybrids. Specifically, BRIX, POL, recoverable sugar content (SC), fiber content (FC), moisture content (MC), juice purity, stalk diameter (SD), and stalk weight (SW) data were collected from a replicated field trial of a bi-parental population. A total of 36 and nine QTL for sugar and yield related traits, respectively were identified using a high density genetic map with markers developed by genotyping-by-sequencing. Of the 45 detected QTL, seven QTL were associated with each of the three sugar related traits BRIX, POL, and SC; six QTL with FC and MC; three QTL with juice purity; four QTL with SD; and five QTL with SW. The QTL explained a total of phenotypic variations of 70.90, 61.80, 61.68, 68.67, 91.62, 33.00, 49.91, and 64.49% for BRIX, POL, SC, FC, MC, purity, SD, and SW, respectively. Upon validation, markers from the identified QTL would be useful in marker-assisted selection for selecting superior cultivars with these traits.     

Selection for sugar yield in sugar beet, Beta vulgaris, using different selection indices

In sugar beet breeding, sugar yield is mainly influenced by root yield and sugar content. In this short communication several indices to select for both traits simultaneously are compared in order to find the best one. The indices are correlated with the base index of Williams (1962) from independent experiments. The indices differ in the amount of information necessary for the calculation of their weights. Three different series of each eight sites gave similar results. The optimum index using all information from phenotypic and genotypic variances and covariances, did not perform best. Sugar content with its higher herit ability must have a larger weight than root yield. Heritabilities as index weights performed best, but two other indices using heritabilities and phenotypic but no genetic covariances also performed well.     

Recurrent selection for downy-mildew resistance in pearl millet

One population of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) highly susceptible to downy mildew (Sclerospora graminicola (Sacc.) Schroet.) was subjected to two cycles of recurrent selection for downy mildew resistance using a modified greenhouse screening method. The response to selection was evaluated under greenhouse and field conditions using 50 random S₁ progenies and 50 random full-sib progenies from each cycle bulk. Significant progress over cycles of selection was observed in all evaluation trials. These results demonstrated that, in a susceptible population, recurrent selection effectively increased the level of resistance to downy mildew. The modified greenhouse method for assessing resistance to downy mildew effectively differentiated genotypes and had the advantages of greater rapidity and suitability for use throughout the year, independent of season. A rapid decline of genotypic variance was observed in advanced cycles of selection, indicating that a small number of genes controls downy-mildew resistance in this population. The comparison of genotypic and error variance components from S₁ progenies and full-sib progenies suggested that full-sib progenies can be used successfully in recurrent selection for increased downy-mildew resistance.     

不同引进甜菜品种经济性状关系分析

为了探究不同甜菜品种块根重量、大小、长度之间的差异性,以及甜菜块根个体和含糖率、块根产量和含糖率之间的关系,以5个新疆主栽甜菜品种(KWS1176、KWS9147、BETA379、BETA468、BETA356)为材料,用GB/T 10496-2018中的调查方法测定5个甜菜品种的块根性状、含糖率、根产量和产糖量等经济性状,并分析其相关性。KWS1176、KWS9147、BETA379、BETA468、BETA356之间单个块根重量差异性不显著。块根含糖率表现为：KWS1176(13.62%)> BETA379(13.37%)> BETA468(12.80%)>KWS9147(12.56%)> BETA356(9.04%);块根产量表现为：KWS9147(100000.5 t/hm2)> BETA468(95000.48 t/hm2)> BETA379(93187.97 t/hm2)> BETA356(89875.45 t/hm2)>KWS1176(82000.41 t/hm2)。KWS1176、KWS9147、BETA356含糖率与个体...     

Selective Absorption of K over Na in Sugar Beet Cultivars and its Relationship with Yield and Quality in Two Contrasting Environments of Central Greece

Selective absorption (SA) of K over Na (i.e. the preferential absorption of K over Na) has been proposed as a Na tolerance mechanism but genotypic variation for this trait has not been assessed with sugar beet in the field. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the variation of SA in 14 sugar beet cultivars and to relate SA with yield and root quality in two sites of central Greece (Amfithea and Pyrgetos). Genotypic variation for SA was significant and the SA values were higher in Pyrgetos, the site with the lower soil K and Na concentrations. In Pyrgetos, a favourable environment for sugar beet growth, cultivars yielded more and root quality was better. In that site, a negative relationship between SA and yield (fresh root weight, sugar yield) was found indicating that strong Na exclusion from root is a disadvantage for high yielding. Negative SA–yield relationships were evident in Amfithea when five cultivars with very low SA values (<1.00) were excluded from the analysis. Combined all the cultivars, curvilinear functions were the best-fitted curves for the SA–yield relationships. In Amfithea, where sugar beets had lower water content in root (WCR), a significant, positive correlation between SA and % sucrose content in fresh root weight was found. This finding was ascribed to the dilution of sucrose in roots due to the increased WCR as a result of the increased root Na concentration. In both sites, SA was positively related with root K concentration and negatively with Na concentration. The positive correlations between SA and root α-amino N concentration indicated that sugar beet N nutrition could be affected by the genotypic ability to exclude Na from the root.     

Correlated response to recurrent selection for groat-oil content in oats

Summary One hundred random oat (Avena sativa L.) lines from a base (C₀) and each of three populations (C₁, C₂, and C₃) improved for groat (caryopsis) oil content by phenotypic recurrent selection were evaluated for correlated changes in several unselected agronomic traits. In addition, the parents of the base population and four check varieties were evaluated for the same traits. Phenotypic recurrent selection for high groat-oil content resulted in no significant correlated response in mean expression of any trait. Mean grain yield, biomass, groat yield, and harvest index of the improved populations were equal or superior to the mean of the parents and, with the exception of harvest index, equivalent to the mean of the check varieties. Mean test weight and seed weight of all populations were lower than for parents or check varieties. Selection for high groat-oil content caused a decline in genotypic variance for test weight and groat fraction, but reductions in genotypic variance for heading date and plant height may have resulted from culling for good agronomic type. Broad-sense heritability remained moderate to high for all traits except groat fraction. Phenotypic and genotypic correlation coefficients revealed negative, though mostly nonsignificant, relationships between groat-oil content and several traits, which may reflect a purported bioenergetic limitation to increasing groat-oil content in oats. Oil yield, however, was positively correlated with grain and groat yield, groat fraction, biomass, and harvest index. Results suggest that development of high-oil oat cultivars with current levels of production traits via phenotypic recurrent selection is possible.Journal Paper no. J-13038 of the Iowa Agric. and Home Econ. Exp. Stn., Ames, IA 50011. Project 2447.     

Effect of drought stress on root yield and some morpho-physiological traits in different genotypes of sugar beet (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Beta vulgaris</Emphasis> L.)

To study the effects of different levels of drought stress on root yield and some morpho-physiological traits of sugar beet genotypes, a study was conducted in the research farm of Islamic Azad University of Birjand, Iran in 2013 as strip-split plot experiments based on randomized complete block design. Different levels of drought stress were considered as vertical factor in three levels including normal irrigation, moderate stress, and severe stress. Horizontal factor was assigned to five varieties of sugar beet. Drought stress had a significant effect on root dry weight, total dry weight, root yield, and leaf temperature at 1% probability level and on leaf dry weight, crown dry weight, and harvest index at 5% probability level. Drought stress had an adverse effect on root yield of investigated genotypes of sugar beet. Under normal conditions, the mean of root yield was higher than middle and severe drought stress. Different investigated genotypes of sugar beet responded to drought stress based on their yield potential. The highest positive correlation of root yield was observed with root dry weight (r=0.977**). Stepwise regression analysis and path coefficient analysis showed that root dry weight and petiole dry weight are the most important traits that can affect root yield of sugar beet under drought stress and can used as selection criteria in investigated cultivars of sugar beet. Finally, 7221 genotypes can be considered as tolerant genotypes in the next studies. In comparison, Jolgeh cultivar (as susceptible control) yielded well in areas with normal irrigation, but under moderate and severely stresses its root yield was reduced.     

东北旋耕制度下垄作与平作甜菜产质量差异

为研究东北旋耕制度条件下甜菜平作和垄作对于甜菜产量和质量的影响,2017年以‘H004’为试验材料,采用分区设计的实验方法,在哈尔滨呼兰区多年旋耕地测定了在平作和垄作栽培条件下甜菜的块根产量、绿茎叶产量、含糖率、甜菜地下和地上部位的干物质量比例以及不同耕作条件下不同土层的土壤含水量和容重。研究发现转旋耕条件下平作和垄作甜菜含糖量没有显著差异,但是垄作甜菜块根产量要明显优于平作甜菜,垄作甜菜块根单产达到87.8 t/hm2,而平作甜菜块根单产仅为72.9 t/hm2。此外研究发现平作甜菜地上部分干物质积累较多,如平作甜菜根/地上部干物质比值要显著低于垄作甜菜。同时发现垄作栽培土壤含水量及土壤疏松程度均优于平作,如在20-26 cm土层中垄作土壤的容重和含水量分别为1.38 g/cm3和21.96%,而在20~26 cm平作土壤的容重和含水量仅为1.56 g/cm3和19.35%。本研究表明在东北旋耕制度条件下,垄作栽培更适于甜菜生产,也为下一步研发东北高产高糖甜菜栽培模式鉴定重要基础。     

Effect of Deheading on Juice Quality Characteristics and Sugar Yield of Sweet Sorghum

A field experiment involving 10 sweet sorghum cultivars was undertaken to study the effect of panicle removal at anthesis on juice quality characteristics and sugar yield in sweet sorghum; control plants were left intact. The plants were harvested at grain maturity, and juice extracted from the millable stalk was analysed for sucrose contact (Pol percentage), brix and purity. Deheading treatment resulted in significant increases in millable stalk and sugar yields over those of the intact control plants. As a result of panicle removal, stem dry matter accumulation increased and side tillers were generated. The amount of juice extracted increased in the treated plants, but sucrose (Pol percentage), brix and purity levels in the juice were reduced in comparison with the intact plants.     

Drought tolerance variability in S<Subscript>1</Subscript> pollinator lines developed from a sugar beet open population

Drought tolerance is one of the most important objectives of sugar beet breeding programs in semi-arid regions, particularly during the last decade. Due to global climate changes and limitations of agricultural irrigation water, varieties with drought tolerance are taken into consideration in order to avoid yield losses due to drought. In this study, drought tolerance of 76 S₁ lines (full-sib families) that had been extracted from a genetically broad base multigerm sugar beet open pollinated population, were examined. Test crosses were made between the lines as pollinators and a cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) single cross. The consequent hybrids along with checks were evaluated during 2007 and 23 more tolerant hybrids during 2008, in two adjacent experiments under drought stress and non-stress conditions. Drought tolerance indices calculated based on sugar yield, such as mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP) and stress tolerance index (STI) were used to assess hybrids responses to drought. The results showed significant genetic differences for root yield and sugar yield under both conditions. Drought tolerance indices displayed significant genetic variability for sugar yield among the hybrids. Many hybrids were drought tolerant as compared with the original base population as indicated by their high STI. The estimates of heritability for sugar yield in stress and non-stress conditions were much close to each other (0.31 and 0.34, respectively). Whereas, for root yield the heritability estimate in stress condition (0.46) was relatively higher than that in non-stress condition (0.34). Significant differences were observed among the selected hybrids for root yield and sugar yield, indicating genotypic variability for pollinator lines derived from the population. There were no significant differences for sugar content. For increasing the drought tolerance potential in a breeding population and developing drought-tolerant varieties by male parent, the drought-tolerant lines could be used.     

24份甜高粱主要农艺性状与生物产量综合分析

为了探究甜高粱主要农艺性状与生物产量的关系,筛选出综合表现优良的甜高粱材料,进而为今后甜高粱育种提供理论依据。以24份甜高粱杂交组合为试材,对其主要农艺性状及生物产量进行灰色关联度分析、相关性分析、通径分析以及主成分分析。结果表明：主穗长度和穗粒数的变异系数较大;灰色关联度结果表明糖锤度与生物产量关联度最大。相关分析表明株高与茎秆长度,主穗长度与千粒重达到极显著正相关;通径分析结果表明主穗长度、茎秆长度、千粒重、榨汁率、糖锤度本身的直接效应对甜高粱的生物产量有正向作用。主成分分析得出株高、茎秆长度、穗粒数、糖锤度、榨汁率、主穗长度、生物产量这7个性状相对品种的综合表现影响更大。因此,在选育甜高粱杂交种时,要注重对糖锤度、茎粗、茎秆长度的选择,同时兼顾对株高、穗粒数、主穗长度、榨汁率、千粒重的选择。     

干旱条件下后期灌溉对不同品种甘蔗产量、蔗糖分和某些生理生化特性的效应研究

种在旱地的二个耐旱性不同的甘蔗品种在生长后期分别进行灌溉和不灌溉(对照)处理。灌溉处理的茎长、有效茎数、蔗茎产量和公顷产糖量显著高于对照;在整个工艺成熟期叶片中蛋白质和光合色素含量明显提高,而还原糖和水分含量则明显下降;叶片中过氧化物酶活性增强,蔗汁重力纯度提高,蔗汁还原糖分下降。但二个品种不同处理的蔗糖分、叶片中ATP酶、NADP一苹果酸酶、多酚氧化酶活性和呼吸强度表现不同,耐旱性较差的桂糖11号灌溉处理的显著高于对照;而耐旱性较强的台糖172除蔗糖分差异不大外,其它各项均表现为对照明显高于灌溉处理的。     

Root Yield and Quality of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) in Relation to Plant Population

Introduction of genetic monogerm seed and the advancement of agricultural techniques raised the possibility of eliminating costly thinning operations in sugar beet farming. However, this requires high and uniform seedling emergence to provide prerequisite plant populations in the field. This work investigated the minimum levels of seedling emergence for non-thinned sugar beet farming. The experiment was carried out in a loamy soil to investigate the effects of three levels of emergence (60, 50 and 35%) and two intra-row spacings (8 and 15cm) with or without thinning using seed source of graded viability of cv Eva in 1992 and 1993 under field conditions in Eastern Anatolia. Plant population throughout the growing period was monitored and data were taken of yield and quality parameters. On average, 60, 50 and 35% emergence levels were achieved using seed source of 90, 72 and 54% viability range, which resulted in different levels of plant stands depending on intra-row spacing and thinning. Plant density at harvest ranged between 49 500 and 124 500 ha⁻¹ on average depending on initial establishment, intra-row spacing and thinning. Root yield and sugar yield were the highest at plant stands between 90 000 and 100 000 ha⁻¹, below or above of which declined. Impurity contents (e.g. Na, K and a-amino N contents) and extractable sugar content decreased but sugar content and clear juice purity enhanced as plant stands at harvest increased.     

Recurrent selection for seed quality traits in an opaque-2 maize population

Summary The aim of this research was to evaluate the response to phenotypic recurrent selection for four seed quality traits, i.e. protein content, dye binding capacity, tryptophan content, and specific weight, in a modified opaque-2 population of maize (Zea mays L.). Changes in other agronomic traits were also studied. Four selection cycles, using as selection criterion an index constructed from the four seed quality traits, were completed on an individual plant basis. The material from each cycle and from testerosses of each cycle with a homozygous opaque-2 tester was grown for two consecutive years to evaluate the progress due to selection. The results showed that four cycles of recurrent selection induced sizeable variations among cycles for all selected traits. The rate of progress for the four seed quality traits was nearly linear. Further-more, theldata show that improvement in seed-protein related traits had no negative effects on grain yield and kernel weight, when evaluated as the mean performance of testerosses. There was also no appreciable alteration in the other agronomic traits caused by selection for seed quality traits.     

Selection for brown stripe downy mildew resistance in maize

Summary The maize (Zea mays L.) cultivar Makki Safed 1 (MS1) with susceptibility to brown stripe downy mildew (BSDM) caused by Sclerophthora rayssiae var. zeae Payak & Renfro, was subjected to two cycles of mass selection and one cycle of full-sib family selection. Selection was carried out primarily for BSDM resistance.The mass selection was practised under artificial epiphytotic conditions in a disease nursery. Full-sib progenies and performance trials on MS1 and its improved versions were grown in diseased and disease free environments.Mass selection resulted in a significant improvement for resistance to BSDM. A cycle of full-sib selection resulted in an additional improvement for resistance to the disease. The disease rating of the improved version was 1.5 against 4.5 for the original population (scale: 1, highly resistant to 5, highly susceptible). The yield of the improved populations of MS1 was significantly greater than that of MS1 in the disease nursery. In disease free experiments, the improved populations showed almost no yield advantage over MS1. There were also no significant differences between the original population and the improved population after three selection cycles for ear length, ear girth, number of kernel rows per ear, number of kernels per row, 1000-kernel weight, plant height, ear height and days to silk.     

Recurrent selection for broad adaptation affects stability of oat

A recurrent selection program for adaptation to diverse environments was successful in improving mean oat (Avena sativa L.) grain yield within and across testing environments. The objectives of this research were to determine if this selection program also resulted in changes in other agronomic traits or altered yield stability. Additionally, we investigated how selection modified the response of genotypes to climatic conditions. We evaluated random samples of 100 families from the original population and each of three selection cycle populations in replicated yield trials in Idaho, Iowa, and Norway for two years. Yield stability was assessed via joint regression analysis and superiority analysis. For each cycle, genetic relationships among yields observed indifferent environments were assessed by estimating phenotypic correlations between pairs of target environments. The effect of climate variables on genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) responses was determined with partial least squares regression. Selection resulted in a small increase in mean heading date, a decrease in mean test weight, and no change in total above-ground biomass or plant height. Genotypic regression coefficients on environmental indices and deviations from regression were larger in the last cycle population, but superiority analysis demonstrated that selection significantly improved the adaptability of the population to the target testing environments. Improved adaptation was also demonstrated by increased phenotypic correlations among the most divergent pairs of environments in the later cycles. Partial least squares regression of GEI effects on climate variables suggested that later cycle families tended to respond more favorably to cooler than average conditions than the original population. Selection resulted in improved yield stability as well as improved mean yield. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Divergent recurrent selection for cold tolerance in two improved maize populations

Maize (Zea mays L.) production has significantly expanded into very short-season environments where germination and growth in cooler environments is essentially a pre-requisite. Therefore, an important goal for maize breeders is to improve local germplasm sources of inbred lines that are able to grow under these challenging conditions. The objective of this research was to evaluate direct and correlated responses in two improved early maturing maize populations [NDSCD(M)C10 and BS22(R)C7] after two cycles of S₁ and full-sib intra-population recurrent selection for cold tolerance. The S₁ and full-sib progenies were obtained by self-pollinating 100 random plants and by intercrossing 200 random plants, respectively. Ten percent of the families were selected, based on an index that included emergence percentage, seedling vigor, and root lodging percentage, and recombined at the same time in a summer nursery based upon data across northern North Dakota locations. The essential benefit of this breeding methodology was to achieve one year per cycle of selection based upon progenies. However, direct response to selection was not significant while some correlated responses were significant. We decided to report these results in order to encourage other scientists the evaluation of additional sources of germplasm, the screening at various dates, and the selection of target environments with more intensive cold stress before initiating long-term selection programs for cold tolerance. In addition, further research on the current and alternative long-term selection methods for cold tolerance is recommended for continuous genetic improvement of advanced cycles in the northern U.S. Corn Belt. Part of the thesis submitted by B. Sezegen in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a MS degree at North Dakota State University.     

Response to long-term selection in early maturing maize synthetic varieties

Long-term continuous selection is essential for germplasm improvement. However, choice of germplasm for long-term genetic improvement might limit the success of germplasm enhancement programs. The objective of this research was to report the response to long-term selection in early maturing North Dakota (ND) synthetic varieties. We wanted to determine whether the performance of three ND maize synthetic varieties was improved by long-term mass selection (M) and if the performance of one of them was improved by long-term modified ear-to-row (MER) selection. The evaluation of long-term selection response was performed at two plant densities. An experiment in a randomized complete block design with split-plot arrangement was used to evaluate NDSM(M), NDSAB(M), NDSCD(M), and NDSAB(MER) under 75,000 and 42,500 plants per hectare across seven environments. Long-term mass selection for grain yield and stalk lodging resistance in NDSM(M), NDSAB(M), and NDSCD(M) was not successful, since there were no significant changes in grain yield or stalk lodging in these populations at either low or high densities. On the other hand, long-term modified ear-to-row selection was effective for grain yield improvement in NDSAB(MER). Grain yield increased non-linearly from 3.9 Mg ha⁻¹ in cycle 0 to 5.0 Mg ha⁻¹ in cycle 12 at a rate of 2.5% per cycle. Interaction between plant density and genotype was not detected even though selection was performed at relatively low densities (20,000 plants ha⁻¹ for mass selection and 50,000 plants ha⁻¹ for ear-to-row selection). The confirmation of a lack of interaction between plant density and genotype suggests that selection at low plant densities might still be able to provide high-density stress resistance through density-independent genotypes, allowing progeny testing across multiple locations with better accuracy and fewer resources. Selection methods that emphasize both additive and dominance effects such as full-sib recurrent selection are recommended to maximize genetic improvement of advanced population cycles of early maturing synthetics.     

Responses in Agronomic Traits Associated with Three Recurrent Selection Regimes for Groat-Oil Content in Oat*

Crop strains with high values for the selected trait but unacceptable agronomic characteristics are not useful as varieties. In this study, we determined whether selection for groat-oil content in oat (Avena sativa L.) via three recurrent selection regimes caused associated changes in 10 agronomic traits. Random lines of each cycle of selection of each regime were evaluated in a replicated field experiment at two locations. Biomass, grain yield, groat yield, and test weight decreased in all three regimes. Seed weight and plant height decreased in two regimes, and groat fraction in one. Oil yield increased in two regimes and decreased in the other. Plants headed earlier in one and later in another regime over cycles of selection. No changes in harvest index occurred. Heritabilities and genetic variances were relatively high for all traits in each regime. Factor analysis of the phenotypic correlation matrices indicated that simultaneous increases in grain yield and in groat-oil content are possible, that continuous selection for groat-oil content decreases groat fraction and test weight, and that seed weight is strongly and negatively associated with groat-oil content. A new recurrent selection regime for increasing groat-oil content of oat that may overcome the negative responses of agronomic traits was proposed.