Rooting traits of peanut genotypes with different yield responses to pre-flowering drought stress

Water stress during the vegetative development normally is not detrimental and sometimes actually increases yield of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Root growth might play an important role in response to early season drought in peanut and might result in an increase in yield. Information on the response of root characters of diverse peanut genotypes to these conditions will provide useful information for explaining mechanisms and improving peanut genotypes for exploiting positive interaction for pod yield under pre-flowering drought. The aim of this study, therefore, was to investigate the root dry weight and root length density of peanut genotypes with different yield responses to pre-flowering drought stress and their relationships with pod yield. Field experiments were conducted at the Field Crop Research Station of Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand during February to July 2007 and during February to July 2009. A split-plot experiment in a randomized complete block design was used. Two water management treatments were assigned as the main plots, i.e. field capacity and pre-flowering stress, and six peanut genotypes as the sub-plots. Total crop dry matter, root dry weight and root length density were recorded at 25 DAE, R5 and R7. Top dry weight and pod yield were measured at harvest and pod harvest index (PHI) was computed using the data on pod yield and biomass. Peanut genotypes were categorized into three groups based on their responses to drought for pod yield, e.g. increasing, decreasing and non-responsive groups. The genotypes of each group showed a differential response for root quantity and distribution. The increasing pod yield group had more root dry weight and root length density in the deeper soil layers during pre-flowering stress compared to the non-stress treatment. The non-responsive group showed no root response under pre-flowering drought conditions compared to the non-stress treatment. A larger root system alone without considering distribution may not contribute much to pod yield but a higher RLD at deeper layers may allow plants to mine more available water in the sub-soil. However, as yield is a complex trait, several mechanisms may be involved. The increasing pod yield group also had the ability to maintain a high PHI.     

Response to two cycles of divergent selection for grain yield under drought stress in four rice breeding populations

Drought is a major production constraint in rainfed rice (Oryza sativa L.). Lack of effective selection criteria is a major limitation hampering progress in breeding for drought tolerance. In an earlier report, we showed in two populations that one cycle of direct selection was effective in increasing grain yield under stress. In the present study, we retested the efficiency of direct selection for grain yield under drought stress in rice using four populations derived from crossing upland-adapted, drought-tolerant varieties (Apo, Vandana) to high-yielding, lowland-adapted, drought-susceptible varieties (IR64, IR72). Each population was subjected to two cycles of divergent selection either under drought stress in upland or under nonstress conditions in lowland conditions. Following selection, approximately 40 high-yielding lines selected under each protocol from each population, along with a set of unselected lines, were evaluated in a series of selection response trials over a range of moisture levels. Significant response to direct selection under stress was realized in 9 out of 15 combinations of populations and stress environments, and in 6 of the 7 severe stress trials. Averaging over all the populations and stress environments, the stress-selected lines had a yield advantage of 25 and 37% over nonstress-selected and random lines, respectively. In contrast to this, under nonstress, the nonstress-selected lines had an average yield advantage of only 7 and 13% over stress-selected and random lines, respectively. Direct selection in managed stress trials during dry seasons gave significant response (25% on average relative to indirect selection in nonstress conditions) under naturally occurring wet season stress. In addition, direct selection under stress in upland gave an average gain of 16 and 45% over nonstress-selected and random lines, respectively, under stress in lowland. The yield advantage of the stress-selected lines appears to result mainly from maintenance of higher harvest index. These results show that direct selection for grain yield under stress is effective and does not reduce yield potential. Overall, this is the first report in rice demonstrating that (a) selection under managed drought stress in the dry season can result in yield gains under natural stress in the wet season, and (b) that selection under upland drought stress can, at least under the conditions of the present study, result in gains under lowland drought conditions.     

Survival and recovery of tall fescue genotypes: association with root characteristics and drought tolerance

Identification and selection of plant genotypes with survival, recovery and sustainable performance during drought periods is one of the main objectives of plant improvement for arid and semi‐arid regions. This study aimed to evaluate root traits and recovery of tall fescue genotypes after a period of drought stress. A total of twenty four tall fescue genotypes were selected from a wide polycross population and assessed for field drought tolerance based on stress tolerance index (STI) and recovery during 2010–2013. The genotypes were classified as tolerant, moderately tolerant and susceptible based on STI. Then, in 2014, genotypes were assessed in a pot experiment for root characteristics under two levels of moisture environments (control and intense drought stress). In both moisture environments, root length (RL), root area (RA), root volume (RV) and root weight (RW) were negatively correlated with days to recovery (DR). Genotypes that recovered from drought had greater RL, RA, RV and RW than the genotypes unable to recover. Principle component analysis (PCA) was performed to identify genotypes with superior root characteristics, stress tolerance and recovery potential that can be used for future breeding programmes. Results indicated that selection based on combining STI, recovery and extensive root system might improve drought tolerance of tall fescue.     

The potential of nitric oxide for reducing oxidative damage induced by drought stress in two turfgrass species,creeping bentgrass and tall fescue

Drought stress is a major factor‐limiting grass growth. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increases under stress conditions and causes cell oxidative damage. This study investigated the effect of sodium nitroprusside [a nitric oxide (NO) donor] treatment on drought stress in two turfgrass species, creeping bentgrass and tall fescue. Physiological characteristics such as relative water content (RWC), ion leakage, chlorophyll and proline content, and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) were evaluated after 40 d drought stress and in the recovery stage. Results showed that nitric oxide (NO) treatment, especially 150 μm , could maintain significantly higher RWC and reduce ion leakage under drought stress conditions in both species. Furthermore, both turfgrass species showed higher chlorophyll and proline content after drought stress period when sprayed with NO, while chlorophyll and proline content of control plants declined. Drought stress significantly reduced SOD and APX activity, while NO treatment induced higher SOD and APX activity under drought conditions. After recovery, leaf RWC returned to the control level; however, NO‐sprayed plants showed higher RWC compared to controls. Both turfgrass species exhibited lower chlorophyll content at the recovery stage when exposed to severe drought stress, and NO application increased chlorophyll content compared to controls. No significant differences were found between NO treatment and control plants for proline and SOD activity, but APX activity of NO‐sprayed plants was higher than in the control plants. These results suggest that foliar application of NO may alleviate drought stress in turfgrass by maintaining membrane stability and inducing antioxidant enzyme activity.     

3种类型油菜对干旱胁迫的生理响应

为了解芸薹属亚种间抗旱差异,选育抗旱材料,以3种类型油菜（甘蓝型油菜Q2、芥菜型油菜新油9号、白菜型油菜L14）为实验材料,采用盆栽控水法,测定干旱胁迫下油菜叶片光合参数、叶绿素荧光参数、水分等生理生化指标,研究3种类型油菜对干旱胁迫的生理响应和抗旱机制。结果表明：随着干旱胁迫的加重,三个不同油菜品种抗旱指标存在差异,其叶片的总生物量、离体叶片失水速率（RWL）、叶片相对含水量(RWC),叶绿素荧光参数及气体交换参数呈降低趋势,其中新油9号的光合系统受到的影响最小,Q2的光合系统受损最严重;根冠比、丙二醛（MDA）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）呈升高趋势,其中L14的SOD、POD活性在所有植物中升幅最大,干旱下分别为胁迫前的2.92、4.14倍。此外,3种类型油菜各有机溶质的积累量存在较大的差异,Q2和新油9号积累最多的是脯氨酸（Pro）,分别增至原来的12.37、6.60倍,L14则积累较多的可溶性蛋白（SP）,增至原来的6.55倍。隶属函数法分析得出抗旱性强弱顺序为：芥菜型油菜新油9号>白菜型油菜L14>甘蓝型油菜Q2。综上表明：油菜可以通过生长调节、光合抑制调节、活性氧代谢调节和渗透调节4种途径共同作用来响应干旱胁迫。     

Characterization of sorghum genotypes for traits related to drought tolerance

Grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is a genetically diverse cereal crop grown in many semiarid regions of the world. Improving drought tolerance in sorghum is of prime importance. An association panel of about 300 sorghum genotypes from different races, representative of sorghum globally, was assembled for genetic studies. The objectives of this research were to (i) quantify the performance of the association panel under field conditions in Kansas, (ii) characterize the association panel for phenological, physiological and yield traits that might be associated with tolerance to limited moisture (drought), and (iii) identify genotypes with higher yield potential and stability under different environments that may be used in the sorghum breeding program. Results show large diversity for physiological and yield traits such as chlorophyll content, leaf temperature, grain numbers and grain weight per panicle, harvest index and yield. Significant differences were found for plant height, grain weight and numbers per panicle, harvest index, and grain yield among and within races. The US elite lines had the highest number of grains and grain weight per panicle while the guinea and bicolor races recorded the lowest. Harvest index and yield was highest for the US elite lines and the caudatum genotypes. Overall, there was a negative correlation between plant height and grain weight, grain numbers and yield. Harvest index and grain numbers were negatively affected by moisture limitation for all the races. Among the races, the caudatum genotypes were more stable in grain yield across the different environments. Overall, there was a wide variability within the association panel for physiological and yield traits that may prove to be useful for improving drought tolerance in sorghum.     

干旱胁迫对不同类型红花品种（系） 苗期生理生化特性的影响

为筛选抗旱品种提供依据,本试验从14份红花品种中筛选出2个抗旱品种（PI401470和PI401477 ）和2个干旱敏感型品种（系）（PI560169和川红1号）,并以此4份品种（系）为材料,研究干旱胁迫对红花幼苗光合、渗透调节物质和抗氧化物保护酶等生理生化特性的影响。结果表明,干旱胁迫下,4个红花品种（系）叶片净光合速率（Pn）、气孔导度（Gs）、胞间CO2浓度（Ci）和蒸腾速率（Tr）均呈不同程度的下降趋势,且品种间差异显著（P﹤0.05）;抗旱红花品（系）的各光合特性指标降幅均低于敏感型红花品种（系）。干旱胁迫条件下,渗透调节物质可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白质、脯氨酸含量均上升,保护性酶SOD、POD和CAT活性也均呈升高趋势,且抗旱型红花品种（系）的增长率高于敏感型品种（系）;抗旱型品种（系）MDA含量增长率低于敏感型品种。对11项指标进行主成分分析,提取了2个主成分,以净光合速率、气孔导度、胞间CO2 浓度、蒸腾速率、SOD活性和CAT活性为第一主成分,以可溶性蛋白质和脯氨酸为第二主成分的抗旱性鉴定指标,累计贡献率达89.50％。     

Simultaneous selection for seed and forage production in cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata): application of drought tolerance and susceptibility indices

An experiment was conducted to estimate drought tolerance of some cocksfoot genotypes based on seed and forage yield and related indices (including tolerance index, mean productivity, geometric mean productivity, reduction percentage index, stress tolerance index and stress susceptibility index) and to identify relationships between measured traits. Twenty‐five genotypes were evaluated in the field under control and drought‐stress environments over 2 years. The results revealed a high variation for seed yield and forage yield and the measured indices under both moisture conditions. No correlation was observed between seed yield and forage yield under the control treatment, but this correlation was positively significant under the water‐stress treatment. Drought‐tolerant and susceptible genotypes were identified based on seed and forage yield performance. Genotypes 2, 4 and 7 had high seed yield, while genotypes 7 and 10 had high forage yield under both stressed and non‐stressed conditions and were identified as the most tolerant genotypes in each category. The results also revealed that genotypes 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 24 had relatively high seed and forage yield in both control and drought‐stressed conditions. These genotypes can be used for further studies to improve both seed and forage yields concurrently.     

Breeding for drought tolerance: Direct selection for yield, response to selection and use of drought-tolerant donors in upland and lowland-adapted populations

Drought is the most important constraint reducing rice yield in rainfed areas. Earlier efforts to improve rice yield under drought mainly focused on improving secondary traits because the broad-sense heritability (H) of grain yield under drought stress was assumed to be low, however gains in yield by selecting for secondary traits have not been clearly demonstrated in rice. In present study, the effectiveness of direct selection for grain yield was assessed under lowland reproductive stage stress at Raipur in eastern India and under upland reproductive stage drought stress at IRRI. The selection under severe stress (in both upland and lowland trials) resulted in greater gains under similar stress levels (yield reduction of 65% or greater under stress) in evaluation experiments than did selection under non-stress conditions, with no yield reduction under non-stress conditions. We observed similar H of grain yield under stress and non-stress conditions, indicating direct selection for yield under drought will be effective under both lowland and upland drought stresses. None of the secondary traits (panicle exsertion, harvest index, leaf rolling, leaf drying) included in our study showed a higher estimate for H than grain yield under stress. Secondary traits as well as indirect selection for grain yield under non-stress situation were predicted to be less effective in improving yield under drought in both lowland and upland ecosystem than direct selection for grain yield under the respective stress situations. The low, but positive values observed for genetic correlation (r_G) between yield under stress and non-stress indicated that it is possible to combine drought tolerance with high-yield potential but low values also indicated that selection for grain yield needs to be carried under stress environments. The study also indicated that under lowland drought stress, the use of highly drought-tolerant donors, as parents in crosses to high yielding but susceptible varieties resulted in a much higher frequency of genotypes combining high-yield potential with tolerance than did crosses among elite lines with high-yield potential but poor tolerance. Breeding strategies that use drought-tolerant donors and that combine screening for yield under managed drought stress with screening for yield potential are likely to result in the development of improved cultivars for drought-prone rainfed rice producing areas.     

Effects of plant architecture and drought stress level on lucerne forage quality

Breeding for enhanced quality in lucerne (Medicago sativa) frequently involves selection for higher leaf‐to‐stem ratio, multifoliolate leaves or short‐internode stems. Three populations selected for such alternative morphologies and a reference cultivar were evaluated for forage yield, leaf‐to‐stem ratio and protein and fibre concentrations in leaves, stems and whole plants. Four managed environments were obtained by combining two stress levels (moderate or nil) with two sowing times. The population selected for high leaf‐to‐stem ratio, as well as the short‐internode population, had highest leaf‐to‐stem ratio (1.27) across six harvests in two non‐stress environments. The latter population had higher stem protein (12.9%) and lower stem neutral‐detergent fibre (NDF) concentration (58.7%) than other populations. The multifoliolate population had intermediate quality, showing low expression of the multifoliolate trait (14.0% across four environments), particularly under stress (10.5%). The autumn‐sown, fully irrigated environment had, on average, highest dry‐matter yield (4.19 t ha^?1) and lowest leaf‐to‐stem ratio (0.74). Drought‐stressed environments had lower plant NDF (?12.3% on average) and leaf protein (?9.7%), and higher stem protein (+8.6%) than fully irrigated environments. The results suggested that environmental effects might have greater impact on quality than genetic effects, even for a population set including material selected for quality‐driven morphology.     

野生大豆转录因子GsWRKY57基因的克隆与抗旱性功能分析

WRKY转录因子是近年来在植物中发现的一类重要转录因子,在植物抗逆相关过程中发挥重要作用。本研究通过对野生大豆转录组数据进行分析,从野生大豆中克隆得到GsWRKY57基因的CDS序列。该基因开放阅读框为903bp,编码300个氨基酸残基,分子量为34.23kD,等电点为5.88。氨基酸序列分析显示该蛋白含有一个WRKY保守结构域,属于III类WRKY转录因子。系统发育树分析表明该蛋白与栽培大豆同源性最高、其次是赤豆、木豆。启动子作用元件分析预测显示该基因可能存在多种非生物胁迫作用元件。组织特异性表达分析表明该基因在大豆叶片中高丰度表达,然后依次是茎、花、荚、根。GsWRKY57基因表达受茉莉酸、水杨酸、脱落酸、干旱等植物逆境诱导。过表达GsWRKY57基因的转基因拟南芥植株相对于野生型耐旱能力增强。     

Comparative study of enzymes related to proline metabolism in tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) under drought and irrigated conditions,and various urea concentrations

There are several mechanisms used by plants for survival in adverse environments such as drought, high temperature and salinity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the drought tolerance of tepary bean as a function of biochemical processes linked to isozyme synthesis and changes in enzymatic activity related to proline metabolism. Mature seeds of common beans var. flor de mayo, Phaseolus vulgaris and tepary beans Phaseolus acutifolius were grown under two water conditions (irrigation and drought), and four levels of urea. Vertical electrophoresis and spectrophotometric techniques were used to evaluate protein patterns, glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), proline oxidase (PO) and pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (P5C reductase) enzyme activities. These enzymes were studied because they are directly related to protein synthesis. Electrophoretic patterns showed more proteins in tepary beans than in common beans with limited irrigation. GDH showed only one isozyme, with a molecular weight between 240 to 270 kDa. A decrease in PO activity was observed in common beans under drought stress with a value of 237 mol/min, in comparison to irrigation conditions of 580 mol/min. GDH and P5C reductase enzymes have had higher activity in common beans than in tepary beans under water stress. There was a significant difference only in glutamate dehydrogenase enzyme with respect to urea level. The results suggest that drought tolerance of tepary beans is due to biochemical processes related to proline metabolic enzymes.     

干旱胁迫对玉米产量和品质的影响研究

干旱胁迫不仅影响玉米生长发育和产量,而且影响了玉米的子粒品质。研究结果表明,干旱胁迫对玉米产量的危害顺序为开花期干旱＞孕穗期干旱＞灌浆期干旱。干旱胁迫虽降低了玉米子粒产量,但使子粒有效养分含量提高。灌浆期干旱胁迫使子粒蛋白质中的各种氨基酸含量提高,孕穗期干旱胁迫使子粒蛋白质中的必需氨基酸含量下降。干旱胁迫使子粒脂肪中不饱和脂肪酸含量下降,饱和脂肪酸含量提高。     

野生大豆转录因子GsWRKY57 的克隆与抗旱性功能分析

WRKY转录因子是近年来在植物中发现的一类重要转录因子,在植物抗逆相关过程中发挥重要作用。本研究通过对野生大豆转录组数据进行分析,从野生大豆中克隆得到GsWRKY57 基因的CDS序列。该基因开放阅 读框为903bp,编码300个氨基酸残基,分子量为34.23kD,等电点为5.88。氨基酸序列分析显示该蛋白含有一个 WRKY保守结构域,属于III类WRKY转录因子。系统发育树分析表明该蛋白与栽培大豆同源性最高、其次是赤豆、木豆。启动子作用元件分析预测显示该基因可能存在多种非生物胁迫作用元件。组织特异性表达分析表明该基因在大豆叶片中高丰度表达,然后依次是茎、花、荚、根。GsWRKY57 基因表达受茉莉酸、水杨酸、脱落酸、干旱等 植物逆境诱导。过表达GsWRKY57 基因的转基因拟南芥植株相对于野生型耐旱能力增强。     

Germination responses of the halophyte Chloris virgata to temperature and reduced water potential caused by salinity,alkalinity and drought stress

Chloris virgata is considered a useful grass species for grassland restoration in northern China. However, little information exists concerning the germination responses of this species to temperature and water potential caused by stress conditions. Experiments were conducted in growth chambers to assess the effect of temperature, salinity, alkalinity, drought and the interactions of temperature and stress on seed germination. Seeds were germinated at three diurnal temperature regimes, with four water potentials in NaCl, NaHCO₃ and PEG solutions. Results showed that optimal germination under stress occurred at 15–25 °C, and germination percentages and rates were inhibited by either an increase or decrease in temperature from the optimal temperature. The inhibitory effects of the low water potential caused by salinity and drought on germination were greater at 25–35 °C, but seeds were subjected to more stress despite the relatively higher water potential because of the alkalinity at this temperature. The recovery percentage under salinity was highest at ?1·2 MPa at 15–25 °C, and more than 80% of seeds also germinated at this water potential after they were transferred from drought stress. However, seeds lost their viability in higher alkalinities under all temperatures, and at 25–35 °C, there was lower recovery percentage under stress. Results suggest that salinity, alkalinity and drought stress have different impacts on seed germination, and the tolerance to stress of C. virgata seeds is affected by the interactions of temperature and water potential caused by salinity, alkalinity and drought. Chloris virgata shows potential utility as a promising grass species in salinity–alkalinity and drought‐stressed environments.     

Evaluation of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) as a forage for sheep in the temperate high‐rainfall zone of south‐eastern Australia

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is currently seldom used in the high‐rainfall (>600 mm) zone of south‐eastern Australia. To determine its potential to improve forage availability during the summer‐autumn feed‐deficit period, a field plot‐scale experiment with sheep evaluated a Continental cultivar of tall fescue (cv. Quantum) at Hamilton, Victoria, between September 2006 and January 2009. Four grazing treatments represented set stocking or rotational grazing at the two‐, three‐ or four‐leaf stage, in a completely randomized design with three replications. Grazing treatment effects on tall fescue tiller population dynamics, forage accumulation rates and consumption, sward nutritive value and botanical composition were measured. Results showed tall fescue can persist and support year‐round grazing by sheep, subject to water availability for summer growth from summer rain or on moisture retentive heavy soils. During the summer‐autumn (December–April) vegetative phase, grazing at the three‐leaf stage optimized forage consumption, with no difference in feed value or botanical composition between the grazing treatments during these months. During the reproductive phase (September–November), feed value was highest under set stocking and declined with the production of each successive leaf. Grazing at the three‐ or four‐leaf stage prevented winter weed invasion, but winter forage consumption was low in these treatments. Set stocking or grazing at the two‐leaf stage improved winter forage consumption rates, but these swards were invaded by winter growing weeds.     

干旱与盐胁迫下不同栽培基质碧玉兰POD活性的变化

选取树皮、泥炭、水苔、陶粒4种材料,净化处理后按8种不同配比分别对碧玉兰进行干旱胁迫和盐胁迫处理。结果表明,干旱胁迫和盐胁迫对碧玉兰体内过氧化物酶（POD）活性的影响存在差异。碧玉兰POD活性在干旱胁迫后35d保持比较平稳的上升趋势,42d时出现大幅度上升;盐胁迫后呈先上升后下降的趋势。干旱胁迫下,3／4树皮＋1／4泥炭所栽培碧玉兰POD活性上升较为稳定;盐胁迫下,1／2树皮＋1／4泥炭＋1／4陶粒所栽培碧玉兰POD活性变化相对其他栽培基质更缓和。     

Genetic analysis of seed‐related traits in smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis) under well‐watered and water‐stressed conditions

In forage grasses, knowledge about the genetic basis of seed production and its association with related traits under water stress is very limited. Half‐sib families derived from the polycross of twenty five smooth bromegrass genotypes were evaluated in the field in well‐watered and water‐stressed environments during 2012 and 2013. Results showed that drought stress had a negative effect on seed yield and reduced phenotypic variation for seed yield and agro‐morphological traits. High genotypic variation was observed among families for seed yield and its components. Narrow‐sense heritabilities (h²) ranged from 0·22 (flag leaf weight) to 0·81 (days to anthesis). These moderate‐to‐high heritability estimates for seed yield and its components indicate that phenotypic selection can be successful to achieve genetic progress for these traits. Seed yield had a positive correlation with 1000‐seed weight, number of ears per plant, number of seeds per panicle, seed weight per panicle and panicle length.     

Influence of sward condition on leaf tissue turnover in tall fescue and tall wheatgrass swards under continuous grazing

Two experiments were carried out on a tall fescue sward in two periods of spring 1994 and on a tall wheatgrass sward in autumn 2001 and spring 2003 to analyse the effect of sward surface height on herbage mass, leaf area index and leaf tissue flows under continuous grazing. The experiment on tall fescue was conducted without the application of fertilizer and the experiment with tall wheatgrass received 20 kg P ha^?1 and a total of 100 kg N ha^?1 in two equal dressings applied in March (autumn) and end of July (mid‐winter). Growth and senescence rates per unit area increased with increasing sward surface height of swards of both species. Maximum estimated lamina growth rates were 28 and 23 kg DM ha^?1 d^?1 for the tall fescue in early and late spring, respectively, and 25 and 36 kg DM ha^?1 d^?1 for tall wheatgrass in autumn and spring respectively. In the tall fescue sward, predicted average proportions of the current growth that were lost to senescence in early and late spring were around 0·40 for the sward surface heights of 30–80 mm, and increased to around 0·60 for sward surface heights over 130 mm. In the tall wheatgrass sward the corresponding values during spring increased from around 0·40 to 0·70 for sward surface heights between 80 and 130 mm. During autumn, senescence losses exceeded growth at sward surface heights above 90 mm. These results show the low efficiency of extensively managed grazing systems when compared with the high‐input systems based on perennial ryegrass.     

Assessing the genetic resources to improve drought tolerance in sugar beet: agronomic traits of diverse genotypes under droughted and irrigated conditions

Drought is the major cause of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) yield losses in the UK and many other regions where the crop is not normally irrigated. However, drought tolerance has not been a breeding target partly because the extent of the problem was not understood, it is difficult to design effective selection screens, and because of the suspicion that few varietal differences existed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic resources necessary to improve drought tolerance. Specific objectives were to assess the degree of genotypic diversity for drought tolerance, characterise genotypic differences in response to drought, and identify sources of germplasm with greater drought tolerance than current commercial varieties. Over 3 years, 46 beet genotypes representing diverse genetic backgrounds were tested in the field under large polythene covers to impose a drought beginning approximately 40 days after emergence until harvest. Sugar, root and total dry matter yields were measured under drought and irrigated conditions. The percentage green crop cover was measured at regular intervals and used in the calculation of radiation use efficiencies for each genotype. Drought tolerance index (DTI) was computed as the fraction of irrigated yield maintained under drought, normalised by the mean yield across all genotypes in the trial. Seven genotypes were tested in all years, and the data on these were used to calculate yield stability statistics and to estimate broad-sense heritability. There were more than two-fold differences in droughted and irrigated yields between genotypes, and nearly a two-fold difference in DTI. According to an index that combines yield potential and drought tolerance, some genotypes performed better than the three locally adapted commercial varieties included in the test. There were significant effects for genotype, treatment and G×E interactions for yield components and radiation use efficiency. There were also significant genotype differences in harvest index but few significant G×E interactions. Droughted and irrigated yields were positively associated, but there was no close relation between yield potential and DTI. The seven genotypes common to all years differed in yield stability and in sensitivity to water availability. Thus, the genetic resources exist for germplasm improvement. Both yield potential and DTI (which may ensure better yield stability) should be considered simultaneously as breeding targets for drought-prone areas.