Relationship between Biomass Production and Nitrogen Fixation under Drought-Stress Conditions in Peanut Genotypes with Different Levels of Drought Resistance

The relationship between biomass production and N₂ fixation under drought‐stress conditions in peanut genotypes with different levels of drought resistance is not well understood. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of drought on biomass production and N₂ fixation by evaluating the relative values of these two traits under well watered and water‐stress conditions. Twelve peanut genotypes were tested under field conditions in the dry seasons of 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 in north‐east Thailand. A split‐plot design with four replications was used. Main‐plot treatments were three water regimes [field capacity (FC), 2/3 available soil water (AW) and 1/3 AW], and sub‐plot treatments were 12 peanut lines. Data were recorded on biomass production and N₂ fixation under well watered and water‐stress conditions. Genotypic variations in biomass production and N₂ fixation were found at all water regimes. Biomass production and N₂ fixation decreased with increasing levels of drought stress. Genotypes did not significantly differ in reductions for biomass production, but did differ for reductions in N₂ fixation. High biomass production under both mild and severe drought‐stress conditions was due largely to high potential biomass production under well‐watered conditions and, to a lesser extent, the ability to maintain high biomass production under drought‐stress conditions. High N₂ fixation under drought stress also was due largely to high N₂ fixation under well‐watered conditions with significant but lower contributions from the ability to maintain high nitrogen fixation under drought stress. N₂ fixation at FC was not correlated with the reduction in N₂ fixation at 2/3 AW and 1/3 AW. Positive relationships between N₂ fixed and biomass production of the tested peanut genotypes were found at both levels of drought stress, and the relationship was stronger the more severe the drought stress. These results suggested that the ability to maintain high N₂ fixation under drought stress could aid peanut genotypes in maintaining high yield under water‐limited conditions.     

Genetic variation in drought tolerance at seedling stage and grain yield in low rainfall environments in wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.)

Genetic architecture of seedling drought tolerance is complex and needs to be better understood. To address this challenge, we developed a protocol to identify the most promising drought-tolerant genotypes at the seedling stage in winter wheat. A population of 146 recombinant inbred lines (F₉) derived from a cross between wheat cultivars, ‘Harry’ (seedling drought tolerant) and ‘Wesley’ (seedling drought susceptible) were used in this study. All genotypes were sown in three replications in a randomized complete block design under controlled conditions in a greenhouse. Seven traits were scored and grouped into tolerance traits; days to wilting, leaf wilting, and stay green and survival traits; days to regrowth, regrowth, drought survival rate, and recovery after irrigation. Three selection indices were calculated (1) tolerance index, (2) survival index, and (3) drought tolerance index (DTI). The same set of genotypes were also tested for grain yield in two low rainfall environments for two seasons. High genetic variation was found among all genotypes for all seedling traits scored in this study. Correlations between tolerance and survival traits were weak or did not exist. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.53 to 0.88. DTI had significant phenotypic and genotypic correlations with all seedling traits. Genotypes were identified with a high drought tolerance at the seedling stage combined with high grain yield in low rainfall. Breeding for tolerance and survival traits should be taken into account for improving winter wheat drought tolerance at seedling stage. The selected genotypes can be used for to further improve drought tolerance in high yielding wheat for Nebraska.     

Functional mechanisms of drought tolerance in maize through phenotyping and genotyping under well watered and water stressed conditions

Developing tolerant genotypes is crucial for stabilizing maize productivity under drought stress conditions as it is one of the most important abiotic stresses affecting crop yields. Twenty seven genotypes of maize (Zea mays L.) were evaluated for drought tolerance for three seasons under well watered and water stressed conditions to identify interactions amongst various tolerance traits and grain yield as well as their association with SSR markers. The study revealed considerable genetic diversity and significant variations for genotypes, environment and genotype × environment interactions for all the traits. The ranking of genotypes based on drought susceptibility index for morpho-physiological traits was similar to that based on grain yield and principal component analysis. Analysis of trait – trait and trait – yield associations indicated significant positive correlations amongst the water relations traits of relative water content (RWC), leaf water potential and osmotic potential as well as of RWC with grain yield under water stressed condition. Molecular analysis using 40 SSRs revealed 32 as polymorphic and 62 unique alleles were detected across 27 genotypes. Cluster analysis resulted in categorization of the genotypes into five distinct groups which was similar to that using principal component analysis. Based on overall performance across seasons tolerant and susceptible genotypes were identified for eventual utilization in breeding programs as well as for QTL identification. The marker-trait association analysis revealed significant associations between few SSR markers with water relations as well as yield contributing traits under water stressed conditions. These associations highlight the importance of functional mechanisms of intrinsic tolerance and cumulative traits for drought tolerance in maize.     

Effects of Mild and Severe Drought Stress on Photosynthetic Efficiency in Tolerant and Susceptible Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Genotypes

Drought stress is one of the most important abiotic factors which adversely affect growth, metabolism and yield of crops worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of drought stress on photosynthesis in barley and examine the differential responses of photosynthetic apparatus in relatively tolerant (Yousof) and susceptible (Morocco) barley genotypes. Plants were subjected to different levels of soil water availability including control, mild and severe drought stress. In both genotypes, drought stress led to decrease in chlorophylls, β‐carotene and stomatal conductance accompanied by decrease in CO₂ assimilation rate. Significant increase in α‐tochoperol content was only observed in Yousof cultivar under drought stress. Initial slope and plateau phase of CO₂ response curve of drought‐stressed plants as well as polyphasic chlorophyll a fluorescence transient curve (OJIP test) and fast fluorescence induction kinetics were influenced by drought stress. These parameters were more affected in Morocco cultivar by drought stress compare with Yousof. Drought stress also resulted in reduction of D1 protein content in both genotypes and accelerated photoinhibition process. Based on our results, stomatal conductance is the main factor limiting photosynthesis in Yousof genotype under mild drought stress. However, in Morocco, in addition to stomatal limitation, damage to photosystem II (PSII), reduced electron transport and carboxylation efficiencies were important parts of limitation in photosynthesis. Severe drought stress resulted in structural and biochemical impairment of light‐dependent reactions as well as carboxylation process of photosynthesis in both genotypes. Alpha‐tocopherol showed an important protective role against drought stress in Yousof cultivar as a relatively drought‐tolerant cultivar.     

不同甘薯品种抗旱性评价及耐旱指标筛选

在人工控水条件下,以15个甘薯品种为试验材料,设置干旱胁迫和正常灌水2个处理,研究了干旱胁迫条件下不同甘薯品种产量和农艺性状差异。根据产量抗旱系数法分级,抗旱品种(抗旱系数≥0.6)为济薯21、济薯25、济徐23、济薯15、烟薯25;中等抗旱品种(0.4≤抗旱系数0.6)为徐薯18、济薯26、北京553、济紫薯2号、济薯18;不抗旱品种(抗旱系数0.4)为郑薯20、济紫薯3号、济薯22、济紫薯1号、凌紫。干旱胁迫导致甘薯的叶片数、蔓长、叶面积系数和生物量下降,品种间降幅不同,抗旱性强的品种降幅小,抗旱性弱的品种降幅大。这些农艺性状指标与甘薯品种的抗旱性呈显著正相关,可作为甘薯品种抗旱性鉴定的指标。徐薯18可作为甘薯品种抗旱性鉴定的标准品种。     

Suitability of carbon isotope discrimination,ash content and single mineral concentration for the selection of drought‐tolerant winter rye

Carbon isotope discrimination (?) has been proposed as selection criterion for grain yield under dry conditions, and ash content (m_a) and mineral concentration were suggested as surrogates for ?. In this study, the relationship between grain yield, ?, m_a and mineral concentration (Si, Ca, K, Mg) was examined in 2011 and 2012 on 16 winter rye genotypes grown under severe drought, mild drought (2012 only) and well‐watered conditions. Analyses were performed on mature flag leaves and grains. Highly significant differences between water regimes occurred for all measured traits. ?, m_a and mineral concentrations were significantly correlated with grain yield under severe drought in 2011, but not in 2012 except for ? in flag leaf. ? was related to m_a and mineral concentrations. Although the correlations were quite inconsistent, the results indicate that the measured traits can potentially be used as selection criterion for drought tolerance in rye. For a final statement about the suitability of these traits in rye breeding, the results should be secured with a larger and more diverse set of genotypes.     

Relationship between Carbon Isotope Discrimination and Mineral Content in Wheat Grown under Three Different Water Regimes

Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) has been proposed as an indirect selection criterion for transpiration efficiency and grain yield in wheat. However, because of the high cost for Δ analysis, attempts have been carried out to identify alternative screening criteria. Ash content (m_a) has been proposed as an alternative criterion for Δ in wheat and barley. A pot experiment was conducted to analyse the relationship between Δ and m_a in flag leaf and grain. Plants of 10 genotypes were cultivated under three different water regimes corresponding to moderate, intermediate and severe drought stress obtained by maintaining soil humidity at 75 %, 55 % and 45 % of the humidity at field capacity, respectively. Δ and m_a in flag leaf and grain showed significant differences between the moderate, intermediate and severe drought stress levels. Significant correlations were found among genotypes for Δ and m_a in flag leaf under severe drought stress, and for Δ and m_a in grain under intermediate and moderate drought stress. In flag leaf at anthesis, Δ was negatively associated to K content and positively to Mg content. At maturity, Δ in grain was negatively correlated with Mg and Ca contents in flag leaf and grain, respectively. These results suggested that these traits may be potentially useful traits, which could be surrogates for Δ.     

Response of upland cotton (<Emphasis Type="Italic">G.hirsutum</Emphasis> L.) genotypes to drought stress using drought tolerance indices

Drought tolerance as such is often not considered to be an independent trait by plant breeders. The objective of this study was to evaluate eight drought tolerance indices, namely stress susceptibility index (SSI), yield stability index (YSI), yield reduction ratio (Yr), yield index (YI), tolerance index (TOL), mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP), and stress tolerance index (STI) in upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.) genotypes. For this purpose, 16 genotypes were sampled during the 2013-2014 growing seasons under both normal and drought-stress field conditions at the Main Cotton Research Station of Navsari Agricultural University, Surat, India. The drought tolerance indices were calculated based on seed cotton yield under drought stress and non-stress conditions. Mean comparison of drought tolerance indices and seed cotton yield validated the significant influences of drought stress on yield as well as significant differences among genotypes. Results of calculated correlation coefficients and multivariate analyses showed that GMP, MP and STI indices were able to discriminate drought-sensitive and tolerant genotypes. Cluster analysis using the drought-tolerance indices divided the 16 genotypes into tolerant and susceptible groups. Two genotypes, G.Cot.16 × H-1353/10 and H-1353/10 × G.Cot.16 gave good yield response under drought conditions leading to their stability during water stress conditions. Based on multivariate analyses using the indices individually or in combinations, it was possible to identify the most yield-stable genotypes across the environments. Overall, we concluded that GMP, MP and STI indices can be efficiently exploited not only for screening drought tolerance but also to identify superior genotypessuitable for both stress and non-stress field conditions.     

不同抗旱性甘薯品种叶片生理性状差异及抗旱指标筛选

在人工控水条件下,以15个甘薯品种为试验材料,设置正常灌水和干旱胁迫2个土壤水分处理,研究了干旱胁迫条件下不同甘薯品种叶片生理特性的差异。结果表明,干旱胁迫条件下,叶面积系数均不同程度下降,反映了品种抗旱性的差异。通过抗旱系数聚类分析,将15个甘薯品种分为3个抗旱类型,抗旱品种:济薯21、济薯25、济徐23、济薯15、烟薯25;中等抗旱品种:徐薯18、济薯26、北京553、济紫薯2号、济薯18;不抗旱品种:郑薯20、济紫薯3号、济薯22、济紫薯1号、凌紫。叶面积系数与抗旱系数的相关性分析表明,干旱胁迫条件下抗旱性强的甘薯品种可维持较高的叶面积系数;而正常灌水条件下的叶面积系数不能反映甘薯品种抗旱性。干旱胁迫导致功能叶叶绿素含量和相对含水量下降,叶片相对电导率升高。干旱胁迫条件下,功能叶叶绿素含量和相对含水量与甘薯品种的抗旱性呈显著正相关关系,而功能叶相对电导率则与甘薯品种抗旱性呈显著的负相关关系。因此,叶面积系数以及功能叶叶绿素含量、相对含水量和相对电导率等指标可作为甘薯品种抗旱性鉴定的评价指标。     

Differential Responses of Antioxidative Defence System to Long‐Term Field Drought in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes Differing in Drought Tolerance

Drought is a severe abiotic stress and the major constraint on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity world wide. Deciphering the mechanisms of drought tolerance is a challenging task because of the complexity of drought responses, environmental factors and their interactions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of the antioxidative defence system in imparting tolerance against drought‐induced oxidative stress and yield loss in two wheat genotypes, when subjected to long‐term field drought. Drought resulted in an increase in H₂O₂ accumulation and lipid peroxidation and decrease in ascorbate level in roots and leaves at different plant developmental stages. Drought‐tolerant genotype having higher antioxidative enzymes activities, and ascorbate level was superior to that of sensitive genotype in maintaining lower H₂O₂ content and lipid peroxidation and higher growth, yield and yield components under water deficit. Various antioxidative enzymes showed positive correlation with ascorbate and negative with H₂O₂ content. In developing grains, antioxidative defence response was nearly similar among both the genotypes under control condition; however, sensitive genotype failed to modulate the activities of antioxidative enzymes according to the ROS rush under field drought. Poor capacity of the antioxidative defence system in vegetative and reproductive tissues of sensitive genotype seems to be responsible, at least partly, for reduced yield potential under water deficit.     

基于GreenSeeker的冬小麦NDVI分析与产量估算

以2007-2009年连续2个冬小麦生长季的田间试验数据为基础,利用GreenSeeker获取冠层归一化差值植被指数(NDVI),分别对不同氮营养条件下冬小麦的产量变化、冠层NDVI值随施氮量和生育期的动态变化,以及NDVI与产量的相关性定量分析,建立基于NDVI的冬小麦产量估算模型。结果表明,冬小麦的产量变化随施氮量的增加呈抛物线趋势变化;冠层NDVI在返青期前随施氮量增加基本不变,返青期至灌浆初期随施氮量增加呈显著增加趋势;整个生育期冠层NDVI呈现“低–高–低”变化趋势。冬小麦整个生育期不同施氮水平下的NDVI值与产量的相关性均为正相关关系,且相关性随生育期逐渐增强,在灌浆末期达到最大。利用NDVI建立的冬小麦产量估算模型,以灌浆初期(P=0.005)和灌浆末期(P<0.001)的模型达到极显著水平。经验证,灌浆初期的冬小麦产量预测值与实测值的回归关系达到了显著水平(P=0.0129),灌浆末期则达到极显著水平(P=0.0002)。因此,利用灌浆初期和灌浆末期的NDVI值可以预测冬小麦产量,尤以灌浆末期预测效果更佳。     

Effects of free‐air CO2 enrichment and drought on root growth of field grown maize and sorghum

Increasing CO₂ concentration ([CO₂]) is thought to induce climate change and thereby increase air temperatures and the risk of drought stress, the latter impairing crop growth. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of elevated [CO₂] and drought stress on root growth of one maize genotype (Zea mays cv. Simao) and two sorghum genotypes (Sorghum bicolor cv. Bulldozer and Sorghum bicolor × Sorghum sudanense cv. Inka) under the cool moderate climate of Central Europe. It was hypothesized that root growth stimulation due to elevated [CO₂] compensates for a reduced root growth under drought stress. Therefore, we established an experiment within a f ree‐a ir c arbon dioxide e nrichment system (FACE) in 2010 and 2011. Sorghum and maize genotypes were grown under ambient [CO₂] (385 ppm CO₂) and elevated [CO₂] (600 ppm CO₂) and in combination with restricted and sufficient water supply. Elevated [CO₂] decreased root length density (RLD) in the upper soil layers for all genotypes, but increased it in deeper layers. Higher [CO₂] enhanced specific root length (SRL) of “Simao” and “Bulldozer,” however, did not affect that of “Inka.” “Simao” achieved a higher SRL than the sorghum genotypes, indicating an efficient investment in root dry matter. Although elevated [CO₂] affected the root growth, no interaction with the water treatment and, consequently, no compensatory effect of elevated [CO₂] could be identified.     

Yield stability studies of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) under rhizobia inoculation in the savanna region of Nigeria

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) production is expanding into temperate and tropical environments. Yield stability studies under rhizobia inoculation were investigated in 24 soybean genotypes over two successive growing seasons at three agro‐ecological zone of Nigeria, during the 2015–2016 rainy seasons. Treatments were arranged in a split‐plot design and replicated three times. Treatments were 24 soybean genotypes and three levels of rhizobia inoculation. Results indicated that the variation of genotypes and inoculation on percentage emergence, height, number of leaves, number of branches per plant, total biomass yield, above‐ground biomass and seed yield was significant (p = .05). The effects of genotypes (G), environment (E) and G × E interactions on seed yield were also significant. Two soybean genotypes (TGx 1989‐45F and TGx 1990‐110FN) were identified as the most promising in relation to yield stability. Of the three locations, Abuja produced the least interaction effects followed by Igabi and may be most appropriate environments for large‐scale soybean production. Appropriate inoculation of soybean with inoculants (LegumeFix and or NoduMax) should be encouraged in farmer's field.     

Improving the Productivity of Bread Wheat by Good Management Practices under Terminal Drought

Drought‐induced damages in crop plants are ranked at top amid all losses instigated by diverse abiotic stresses. Terminal drought (drought at reproductive phase) has emerged as a severe threat to the productivity of wheat crop. Different seed enhancement techniques, genotypes and distribution of crop plants in different spacings have been explored individually to mitigate these losses; however, their interaction has rarely been tested in improving drought resistance in wheat. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential role of different seed enhancement techniques and row spacings in mitigating the adversities of terminal drought in two wheat cultivars during two consecutive growing seasons of 2010–2011 and 2011–2012. Seeds of wheat cultivars Lasani‐2008 (medium statured) and Triple Dwarf‐1 (dwarf height) soaked in water (hydropriming) or CaCl₂ (osmopriming) were sown in 20‐, 25‐ and 30‐cm spaced rows; just before heading, the soil moisture was maintained at 100 % field capacity (well watered) or 50 % field capacity (terminal drought) till maturity. Terminal drought significantly reduced the yield and related traits compared with well‐watered crop; however, osmopriming improved the crop performance under terminal drought. Among different row spacings, wheat sown in 20‐cm spaced rows performed better during both years of study. Wheat cultivar Lasani‐2008 performed better than cultivar Triple Dwarf‐1 under both well‐watered and stress conditions. Maximum net returns and benefit–cost ratio were recorded from osmoprimed seeds of cultivar Lasani‐2008 sown in 20‐cm spaced rows under well‐watered condition. Nonetheless, osmoprimed seeds of cultivar Lasani‐2008 sown in 20‐cm spaced rows were better able to produce good yield under terminal drought.     

Diversity in daytime and night‐time transpiration dynamics in barley indicates adaptation to drought regimes across the Middle‐East

A challenge to breeding drought‐tolerant barley in the Middle‐East is that precipitation and evaporative demand patterns dictate opposite water use strategies (conservative vs. risk‐taking). To characterize these strategies, we examined high‐resolution, whole‐plant transpiration rate (TR) responses to increasing vapour pressure deficit (VPD) and nocturnal TR (TR_N) dynamics among 25 local barley genotypes, using a novel phenotyping system. These traits were specifically selected because they exist under modalities enabling the expression of both strategies. The genotypes were selected from locations spread across a large aridity gradient represented by temperature and precipitation data spanning 30 years. Here, we uncovered a substantial diversity in TR responses to VPD where slopes of the linear responses correlated negatively with local maximal temperatures, pointing to opposite drought tolerance strategies. Low canopy conductance (low slopes) was associated with higher aridity, likely to enable water‐saving, while higher conductance was associated with wetter areas, likely to enable a more aggressive water use to maximize physiological activity. TR_N was highly diverse and represented up to 15% of maximal daytime TR, pointing to the possibility of increasing water‐saving by reducing TR_N. Furthermore, we detected pre‐dawn variation in TR_N that negatively correlated with local precipitation, indicating that a tighter circadian control is associated with adaptation to drought, consistently with a circadian resonance mechanism. These findings indicate that canopy conductance and TR_N are potentially beneficial to design drought‐tolerant barley germplasm adapted to different drought regimes taking place in the Middle‐East.     

Impact of water supply on photosynthesis,water use and carbon isotope discrimination of sugar beet genotypes

Improvements in drought tolerance of crop plants require research focused on physiological processes. In 2002 and 2003 pot experiments with sugar beet were conducted in a greenhouse. Two (2002) or three (2003) different genotypes were subjected to three watering regimes (100, 50 and 20% of water holding capacity). Gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and water-use efficiency (WUE) as parameters of possible relevance for drought stress tolerance in sugar beet were investigated. It was studied whether ¹³C discrimination (Δ) is suitable as an indirect measure for WUE of sugar beet.DM yield, photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance decreased with increasing severity of drought stress. In contrast, internal CO₂ partial pressure remained relatively stable and effective quantum yield of photosynthesis was reduced only under severe drought, which points at non-stomatal inhibition of photosynthesis. Different sugar beet genotypes showed significant differences in DM yield, but interactions between genotype and water supply did not occur, indicating that genotypic differences in drought tolerance did not exist. In accordance with that, drought-sensitivity of gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence was the same in different genotypes. Δ was higher in the leaves than in the taproot. Reductions in Δ in drought-stressed plants corresponded to about 24% higher WUE. Differentiating between plant organs, only leaf Δ was negatively correlated with WUE_L whereas taproot Δ and WUE_T were unrelated. Δ was therefore proven to be a sensitive indicator for water availability during the growing period. However, similar as other parameters relevant for drought stress tolerance it requires investigations in broader genetic material of sugar beet to detect genotypic differences.     

Agronomic performance of winter wheat grown under highly divergent soil moisture conditions in rainfed and water‐managed environments

Even in the temperate climates of Europe, increasing early season drought and rising air temperature are presenting new challenges to farmers and wheat breeders. Sixteen winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes consisting of three hybrids, six line cultivars and two breeding lines from Germany as well as five line cultivars from France, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and the Ukraine (referred to as “exotic” lines) have been included in this study. The genetic materials were evaluated over three growing seasons under a range of soil moisture regimes at the three North German sites Braunschweig (irrigated and drought‐stressed), Warmse (rainfed) and Söllingen (rainfed). The average grain yields in the twelve growth environments (water regime × season combinations) ranged from 6.1 to 13.5 t ha^?1. The exotic lines showed little evidence of specific phenological adaptation to drought although they are frequently faced with water scarcity in their countries of origin. The hybrids and German lines exhibited higher regression coefficients (b_i) to environmental means than the exotic lines, indicating particular adaptation to favourable growing conditions. The phenotypical correlations of grain yield between the various environments were high, ranging for instance from 0.6 to 0.8 for the irrigated and drought‐stressed environments at Braunschweig. It is thus expected that in the foreseeable future continued selection aiming at high yield potential will suffice as a means to counter the expected increase in droughts.     

Identification of microsatellite markers linked with yield components under drought stress at terminal growth stages in durum wheat

Grain yield and yield components are the main important traits involved in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) improvement programs. The purpose of this research was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with yield components such as 1000 grain weight (TGW), grain weight per spike (GWS), number of grains per spike (GNS), spike number per m² (SN), spike weight (SW), spike harvest index (SHI) and harvest index (HI) using microsatellite markers. Populations of F₃ and F₄ lines derived from 151 F₂ individuals developed from a cross between Oste-Gata, a drought tolerant, and Massara-1, a drought susceptible durum wheat genotypes, were used. The populations were evaluated under four environmental conditions including two irrigation regimes of drought stress at terminal growth stages and normal field conditions in two growing seasons. Two hundred microsatellite markers reported for A and B genomes of bread wheat were used for parental polymorphism analysis and 30 polymorphic markers were applied to genotype 151 F_2:3 families. QTL analysis was performed using genome-wide single marker regression analysis (SMA) and composite interval mapping (CIM). The results of SMA revealed that about 20% of the phenotypic variation of harvest index and TGW could be explained by Xcfd22-7B and Xcfa2114-6A markers in different environmental conditions. Similarly, Xgwm181-3B, Xwmc405-7B and Xgwm148-3B and marker Xwmc166-7B were found to be associated with SHI and GWS, respectively. A total of 20 minor and major QTL were detected; five for TGW, two for GWS, two for GNS, three for SN, five for HI, two for SHI and one for SW. The mapped QTL associated with ten markers. Moreover, some of these QTL were prominent and stable under drought stress and non drought stress environments and explained up to 49.5% of the phenotypic variation.     

Variabilities in symbiotic nitrogen fixation and carbon isotope discrimination among peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes under drought stress

Drought stress is one of the major environmental factors limiting peanut (Arachis hypogea L.) productivity. Peanut response to drought varies depending on genotypic characteristics, crop growth stages, and environmental conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of drought stress and rehydration on symbiotic nitrogen fixation and carbon isotope discrimination in peanut genotypes with varying drought tolerance. Experiments were conducted for 2 years in rainout shelters under three irrigation regimes: irrigated control, middle-season drought with rehydration, and late-season drought with rehydration. Reduction in percentages of shoot N derived from the atmosphere (%Ndfa) occurred under both drought treatments in both years; a greater reduction occurred under middle-season drought than under late-season drought. Middle-season drought negatively affected carbon isotope discrimination in both years, although there were no significant differences under late-season drought. Variabilities in %Ndfa and carbon isotope discrimination were found among different genotypes. Under middle-season drought, both %Ndfa and carbon isotope discrimination were higher in drought-tolerant lines than drought-susceptible lines. The most drought-tolerant lines had the highest N-fixing capacity under both drought treatments. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between %Ndfa and carbon isotope discrimination under both drought treatments. In most genotypes, %Ndfa remained unchanged after rehydration; only a few genotypes showed a slight increase in %Ndfa after rehydration following both drought treatments. Our data suggested that symbiotic nitrogen fixation in many peanut genotypes was negatively affected by drought and may not recover from the damage caused by drought upon rehydration.     

Root Distribution of Drought-Resistant Peanut Genotypes in Response to Drought

The ability of a plant to modify its root distribution to exploit deeper stored soil water may be an important mechanism to avoid drought. This study aimed at assessing root distributions, variations in root length density (RLD) and percentage of root distribution, and the relevance of root traits for yield of drought‐resistant peanut genotypes under different available soil water levels. The experiment was conducted in the dry season during the years 2003/04 and 2004/05. Eleven peanut genotypes (ICGV 98300, ICGV 98303, ICGV 98305, ICGV 98308, ICGV 98324, ICGV 98330, ICGV 98348, ICGV 98353, Tainan 9, KK 60‐3 and Tifton‐8) and three soil moisture levels [field capacity (FC), 2/3 available soil water (AW) and 1/3 AW] were laid out in a split‐plot design with four replications. Roots were sampled by a core sampler at 37, 67 and 97 days after sowing (DAS). Root length was determined by a scanner and the WINRHIZO Pro 2004a software. RLD was calculated as the ratio of root length (cm) and soil volume (cm³). Graphical illustration of root distribution was constructed by merging RLD in the first and second soil layers (0–40 cm) as upper roots and pooling RLD at the third, fourth and fifth layers (40–100 cm) as lower roots. Pod yield, biomass and harvest index (HI) were recorded at harvest. A drought tolerance index (DTI) was calculated for each parameter as the ratio of the parameter under stress treatment to that under well‐watered conditions. Variations in RLD in 40 to 100 cm layer (RLD_{40 to 100 cm}) were found under well‐watered conditions, and the peanut genotypes could be readily identified as high, intermediate and low for this trait. Changes in RLD in the 40 to 100 cm soil layer were found at 2/3 AW and were more evident at 1/3 AW. ICGV 98300, ICGV 98303, ICGV 98305, ICGV 98308 and KK 60‐3 were classified as drought responsive as they increased RLD in the deeper subsoil level in response to drought. In general, RLD under drought conditions was not related to biomass production. The ability to maintain the percentage of RLD (DTI for %RLD) was related to pod yield, DTI for pod yield and DTI for HI. ICGV 98300, ICGV 98303, ICGV 98305 exhibited high DTI (RLD_{40 to 100 cm}) which may explain their high pod yield, DTI (PY) and DTI (HI). Based on these observations we classified them as drought‐avoiding genotypes.