Qualitative trait variation in Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] germplasm from Western and Southern Ethiopia

Three thousand tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] single panicle derived lines representing 60 populations from western and southern parts of Ethiopia were characterized for panicle form, pigmentation of lemma and anther, caryopsis color, number of main shoot culm internodes, and counts of florets/spikelet at the basal, middle and apical parts of the panicle at Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center during the 1999 main season. The objectives were to assess the diversity patterns of the germplasm with respect to regions and altitude zones. Among the eight characters, high Shannon-Weaver diversity indices (H’) were noted for anther color (0.71) and number of apical spikelet florets (0.68), and the lowest occurred for panicle form (0.40). Monomorphism (H’ = 0.00) was observed for panicle form, lemma color and number of middle spikelet florets each in three different populations. The overall diversity index for all populations was 0.53. In the analysis of variance of H’ estimates, substantial (p <0.05) regional differences were obtained for lemma color, number of culm internodes, and counts of middle and basal spikelet florets. Clinal variation was significant for panicle form, lemma and seed color, and for the overall mean of traits. Over all traits, mean H’ values declined from 0.60 to 0.46 with an increase in the altitude zone of origin from below 1800 to over 2400 meters above sea level. Overall, the study showed substantial diversity in the test tef germplasm. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Diversity among germplasm lines of the Ethiopian cereal tef [ Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter]

Three hundred twenty germplasm lines of the major Ethiopian cereal, tef, [ Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter], were evaluated for 20 morphological, phenological and agronomic characters in two-replicated randomized complete blocks at Debre Zeit and Melkassa Agricultural Research Centers in Ethiopia during the 1995 main season. The objectives were to assess the diversity of the lines, and to estimate the broad sense heritability (H) and genetic advance (GA) of the various characters. The mean squares of genotypes were highly significant (p ≤ 0.001) for all the traits. The phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation ranged in that order from about 6–40% and 3–23% for days to maturity and grain yield/plant, and days to maturity and number of spikelets/main shoot panicle, respectively. The cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into 14 major complexes consisting of one to 183 lines. Of the 19 principal components involved in explaining the entire variation among the genotypes the first five which had eigenvalues of more than one explained about 73.8%. The first principal component which accounted for about 34% of the total variance was due chiefly to plant height, culm and panicle length, diameters of the two basal culm internodes, main shoot panicle mass and grain yield, number of main shoot panicle branches and spikelets, and days to panicle emergence and maturity. Estimates of H varied from about 22% for length of the lowest main shoot stem internode to 74% for number of main shoot panicle branches. Values of GA (expected from selection of the superior 5% of the lines and expressed relative to the means) ranged from about 3% for days to maturity to 36% for number of spikelets/main shoot panicle. Overall, the study indicated the existence of trait diversity in tef germplasm and this can be exploited in the genetic improvement of the crop through hybridization and selection. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Diversity for osmotic adjustment and root depth in TEF [Eragrostis tef (Zucc) Trotter]

Osmotic adjustment (OA) and deep roots were shown to be important drought resistance mechanism in many crop plants. In this study, geno types systematically selected from an Ethiopian endemic tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc) Trotter] germplasm pool were evaluated for osmotic adjustment and root depth in greenhouse in several experiments. The association of these traits with other plant characters was also studied. Osmotic adjustment was investigated in two experiments. Experiment 1 was conducted using nine genotypes for two seasons (spring and fall 1996), and experiment 2 was undertaken in the spring of 1997 with 45 genotypes. In experiment 1, there were significant genotype effects on OA. Though there was also significant genotype by season interaction for OA, some of the extreme lines gave consistently high (Ada and DZ-01-99) and low (DZ-01-354 and Trotteriana) OA values across seasons. There was a significant variation among genotypes for OA in experiment 2. Osmotic adjustment was not associated with the altitude of the region of origin of the particular tef genotype. In both experiments, OA was significantly correlated across tef genotypes with delayed wilting and the maintenance of higher relative water content (RWC) under conditions of soil moisture stress. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the phenotypic diversity for root depth. In all experiments tef genotypes differed significantly for root depth as measured at flowering time. The late maturing genotypes tended to have greater root depth as compared to early maturing genotypes. Root depth was not associated with the altitude of the region of origin of the tested genotypes. There was no association between root depth and OA across genotypes. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Phosphorus Response Studies on Some Varieties of Durum Wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) and Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) Grown in Sand Culture

The response of four varieties each of durum wheat (DZ-04-118, DZ-320, DZ-918 and TOB-2) and tef (DZ-01-354, DZ-01-787, DZ-01-1445, and DZ-Cr-37) to P application levels was examined in a sand culture study conducted in a glasshouse for 4 weeks. Results showed that plant height, shoot and root dry weights, and plant P uptake were increased by increasing levels of P application from 0 to 5 (tef) and 0 to 10 mg P 100 g⁻¹ (wheat). Varietal differences were also observed in all parameters, except in shoot dry weight of the four durum wheat varieties. In general, all modern varieties of the two crops showed better growth and P uptake than the corresponding traditional varieties. The short period study proved that variations generally existed in the P responses of durum wheat and tef varieties which may be confirmed by long-term study up to maturity. Inclusion of more populations in similar studies may help to identify P efficient genotypes.     

Evaluation of amplified fragment length polymorphism markers in tef, Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter, and related species

Tef is an important cereal crop in Ethiopia. This study was conducted to investigate (1) genetic diversity within and among three Eragrostis species (E. tef, E. pilosa and E. curvula), and (2) the relationship between E. tef, E. pilosa and E. curvula. A total of 529 AFLP markers were obtained, out of which 58% (368) were polymorphic, using 10 primer, combinations. The three species were separated distinctly using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), However, diversity revealed at the morphological trait level was not commensurate with that observed for AFLP. This was due to the small number of morphological traits available and their interaction with the environment. Within tef, ‘Rubicunda’ and DZ‐01‐1093 were found to be distantly related to the rest of the tef accessions. The diversity within species was such that E. pilosa was the most diverse followed by E. curvula and E. tef. Moreover, E. pilosa was more closely related to E. tef than E. curvula. Therefore, further study is needed of E. pilosa accessions and of ‘Rubicunda’ and DZ‐01‐1093 in a crossing programme to generate a population for selection and/or genetic mapping. A total of 19 cultivars or accessions had one or more unique fragments using one or more AFLP primers, indicating the potential of the technology in fingerprinting tef in a breeding or seed multiplication programme.     

Genetic diversity in tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc) Trotter] and its relatives as revealed by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNAs

Tef is one of the staple cereal crops in Ethiopia. To evaluate genetic diversity of tef and its relatives, 47 accessions of tef, three accessions of E. pilosa, and six accessions of E. curvulawere analyzed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The level of polymorphism among the wild species was extremely high, while low polymorphism was detected among tef accessions. All cultivars and wild species under study could be distinguished with the help of different primers, thereby indicating the potential of RAPD in the genetic fingerprinting of tef. Accessions from E. curvula and E. pilosa can be differentiated by a single selected primer. In spite of low polymorphism within tef, accessions under study could be distinguished by a combination of selected primers. Cluster analysis indicated that tef is a very closely related species to E. pilosa with 45%similarity, supporting the hypothesis that tef originated from E. pilosa based on morphological data. Given that RAPD are relatively quick, simple to use, and are not subjected to environmental influences, they provide a valuable new approach for the genetic fingerprinting and study of genetic diversity in tef. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Indices of Drought Tolerance in Wheat Genotypes at Early Stages of Plant Growth

Thirty diverse genotypes of bread wheat were evaluated for seed vigour index, germination percentage, root length, shoot length, root‐to‐shoot length ratio, coleoptile length and osmotic membrane stability under laboratory conditions. Considerable variation was observed for all the characters. Discrimination among the genotypes on the basis of mean values was better under normal than under moisture stress conditions, indicating suppression of variability under moisture stress conditions. Comparison of mean performance under normal and osmotic stress conditions indicated that the seed vigour index was the most sensitive trait, followed by shoot length, germination percentage and root length. The root‐to‐shoot length ratio, however, increased under osmotic stress. The magnitude of genetic components of variance and heritability were, in general, lower under osmotic stress than under normal conditions. All the characters except germination percentage, shoot length and coleoptile length showed considerable genetic variability. Heritability in the broad sense was also moderate to high for all the characters under both environments. Due to high heritability and genetic advance great benefit from selection can be expected for the osmotic membrane stability of leaf segments and root‐to‐shoot length ratio. Moderate progress can be expected from root length and seed vigour index. Correlation studies indicated that the osmotic membrane stability of the leaf segment was the most important trait, followed by root‐to‐shoot ratio and root length on the basis of their relationships with other traits.     

Smoke-Water and a Smoke-Isolated Butenolide Improve Germination and Seedling Vigour of Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter under High Temperature and Low Osmotic Potential

The seeds of Eragrostis tef are often exposed to high temperatures and low water availability during unfavourable climatic conditions. This affects germination and seedling stand establishment of the crop. Smoke is currently widely studied for its stimulatory role in seed germination. The effect of smoke-water and a smoke-isolated butenolide was investigated on E. tef seed germination and seedling growth at different temperatures, light conditions and osmotic potentials. Treating E. tef seeds with smoke-water and butenolide increased the percentage germination relative to the control at all tested temperatures. These treatments significantly improved seedling length and the vigour index at 25, 30, 35 and 40 and 30/15 °C. Smoke-water and butenolide increased percentage imbibition from high to low osmotic potential. In comparison with the control, smoke-water- and butenolide-treated seeds of E. tef showed higher percentage germination with decreasing osmotic potential. Smoke-water treatment exhibited significantly longer and more vigorous seedlings than the control between 0 and −0.30 MPa osmotic potential. The findings of this study suggest the possibility of using smoke treatments for minimizing E. tef seedling losses at elevated temperatures and water stress.     

Genetics of grain yield and other agronomic characters in t'ef (Eragrostis tef Zucc Trotter). II. The triple test cross

The normal and selfed families of the triple test cross were employed to detect gene action in t'ef for grain yield and other useful agronomic characters in the breeding programme. Cultivars Kay Murri and Fesho were used as L₁ and L₂ testers, respectively. Eight randomly selected cultivars and two released varieties (DZ-01-354 and DZ-01-196) were crossed with the testers L₁, L₂ and L₃ (the F₁ of L₁ × L₂). In the case of the selfed families, 14 cultivars and two released varieties were used for crossing with the testers. The normal families were grown on an Inceptisol developed from volcanic ash whilst the selfed families were grown on a pellic Vertisol at the Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Centre, Ethiopia. The rainfall during the experimental season was 463 mm. Epistasis was detected for grain yield, yield per panicle, panicle weight, plant weight, harvest index, tiller number, panicle length, culm diameter, days to heading and days to maturity in the normal families of the triple test cross (TTC) of t'ef. Similarly the characters grain yield, yield per panicle, panicle weight, plant height, panicle length, days to heading and days to maturity showed epistasis in the selfed families of the TTC. Epistatic interaction was not important for shoot biomass and for harvest index (for the transformed data) in this family. Therefore, both the normal and selfed families of the TTC were in agreement with regard to detecting epistasis for grain yield, yield per panicle, panicle weight, panicle length, days to heading and days to maturity. Significant additive (D) and dominance (H) components were estimated for the characters in both families, although the magnitudes might have been inflated due to epistasis. The dominance component for panicle length was unimportant in both families of the TTC and as a result the additive components were not biased. In general, the additive, dominance and epistatic components were important in t'ef. Since the crop is self-fertilized only the additive and additive × additive terms are important to develop pure breeding varieties. Therefore, selection for superior segregants should start in advanced generations as homozygosity increases. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetics of grain yield and other agronomic characters in t'ef (Eragrostis tef Zucc. Trotter). I. Generation means and variances analysis

Quantitative genetics of grain yield and other agronomic characters of t'ef (Eragrostis tef) were studied using the F₁, F₂, BC₁, and BC₂ of the cross Fesho × Kay Murri. The study was carried out to estimate gene effects controlling the inheritance of grain yield and related agronomic characters. Significant additive [d] and dominance × dominance [l] interaction effects were detected for grain yield. The variations of yield per panicle and panicle weight were explained in terms of [d], dominance [h], and additive × additive [i] interactions. Non-allelic gene interactions were also detected for kernel weight, harvest index, tiller number, plant height, days to heading and days to maturity. The simple additive-dominance model explained the variation for panicle length, culm diameter and plant weight, allowing unbiased estimates of additive (D) and dominance (H) variance components. Large dominance variances (H) were estimated for grain yield, yield per panicle, and panicle weight. The additive variances for plant height, panicle length, days to heading and days to maturity were higher than the respective dominance variances. High narrow-sense heritability (h²) values (> 0.50) were estimated for plant height, panicle length, days to heading and days to maturity. The lowest h² (0.09) was obtained for kernel weight for which there was little variability. Since grain yield and several important agronomic characters of t'ef are influenced by non-allelic gene interaction, it is advisable to delay selection for yield to later generations with increased homozygosity. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

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.     

Gene action controlling yield and yield‐related traits among tef (Eragrostis tef [Zucc.] Trotter) populations under drought‐stressed and nonstressed conditions

This study was aimed to determine gene action for grain yield and yield‐related traits of newly developed tef populations under drought‐stressed and nonstressed conditions to improve drought tolerance. Ten crosses, along with the parents, were evaluated in the F₂ generation under drought‐stressed conditions at Hastebo and Adigdad sites in 2015 and Dura site in 2016 and under nonstressed conditions at Dura site in 2016. Additive gene action predominantly controlled the inheritance of the grain yield and majority of the yield‐related traits under drought‐stressed and nonstressed conditions. Under both test conditions, the genotypes DZ‐Cr‐387 and 9415 were the best general combiners for increased grain yield and morphological traits. Conversely, genotype 222076 was the best general combiner for reduced maturity period only. The selected parents are novel genetic materials for tef breeding programmes to improve grain yield and morphological traits with reduced days to maturity for drought tolerance breeding. The family of the cross DZ‐Cr‐387 × 222076 was selected for high grain yield and early maturity in both the drought‐stressed and nonstressed environments.     

Cell Membrane Stability in Relation to Drought Tolerance in Wheat Genotypes

Genotyptc differences in wheat were observed in cell membrane with respect to injury caused by osmotic shock created with 40 per cent polyethylene glycol-6000. In general, genotypes with high cell membrane injury also registered much reduction in leaf water potential and osmotic potential. Cell membrane injury measured at 25 days after germination was found to be related with genotypic performance under drought conditions in field. Cell membrane stability measurements of normal plants, even at a very early stage of growth, is reported as criteria for selecting drought tolerant wheat genotypes.     

Physiology of Drought Tolerance in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Correlation between lysine, tryptophan and prolamine contents during maturation of the maize kernel
Changes in the contents of total nitrogen, prolamine, tryptophan and protein bound lysine, and the relative nutritive quality of proteins were studied during the maturation of three normal maize varieties, grown under the same topographical and agrotechnical conditions, in two successive crop years.
Total nitrogen was determined according to Kjeldahl's method, prolamine by the turbidity test, lysine by Carpenter's method and tryptophan was assessed fluorometrically.
A significant decrease (p = 0.01) in total nitrogen, tryptophan and bound lysine content in the dry grain matter was found in the late milk and early dough ripeness stages of the maize kernel. Parallel with the decrease in these components, the relative nutritive quality of proteins also decreased during maturation. Prolamine, which was present in the early milk stage in low quantities, increased significantly (p = 0.01) with kernel maturity, reaching the highest level in the early dough ripeness stage. During further kernel maturation no significant changes in the components studied were observed. The correlation coefficients between the contents of prolamine and total nitrogen, lysine and tryptophan, during the ripening of maize kernel were highly significant (p = 0.001): -0.891, -0.938, -0.856, respectively in the first crop year and –0.844, -0.833, -0.867, respectively in the second crop year.     

不同基因型绿豆品种芽期抗旱性鉴定

研究绿豆芽期抗旱指标,为绿豆品种抗旱性鉴定和品种筛选提供理论依据。本试验采用15%的PEG-6000高渗溶液对58份绿豆品种（系）进行干旱模拟胁迫,测定其发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数和相对根长等指标。结果表明：在15%的PEG浓度条件下,绿豆的各指标均受到不同程度的抑制,发芽势受抑制最大,下降30.62%;而相对根长受抑制较小,仅下降5.63%。且各指标的变异系数均有增加,说明绿豆生理指标在干旱胁迫下变化更显著。利用隶属函数分析法,筛选出1份高抗和4份抗性品种。     

小麦种质资源抗旱性鉴定评价

培育抗旱节水小麦品种是保障我国粮食安全的重要途径之一, 优异抗旱种质资源筛选及抗旱性评价方法的研究对于提高抗旱育种效率具有关键作用。本研究采用反复干旱法和田间直接鉴定法分别鉴定323份小麦种质苗期和成株期的抗旱性。结果表明, 随着干旱次数的增加幼苗存活率逐渐下降, 而其变异系数和广义遗传力增加。成株期单株产量抗旱系数与综合抗旱性度量值D显著正相关(R ² = 0.609), 采用综合抗旱性度量值D有利于区分干旱对不同种质产量的影响力。苗期反复干旱存活率(DS)与单株产量的抗旱系数及综合抗旱性度量值D均无显著相关。基于反复干旱存活率筛选得到28份苗期强抗旱种质, 基于单株产量抗旱系数和综合抗旱性度量值D分别得到25和30份成株期强抗旱种质, 其中, 9份种质用2种评价方法均表现强抗旱; 21份种质在苗期和成株期均表现抗旱或强抗旱。本研究为小麦抗旱性评价方法及抗旱亲本的合理选择提供理论指导和信息支撑。     

马铃薯(Solanum tuberosum L.)干旱胁迫生理特性及耐旱性分析

干旱是一个世界性问题,也是造成中国作物产量低的重要原因.为探究干旱胁迫对马铃薯生理的影响和鉴定耐旱材料,本研究以'青薯9号'和'陇薯5号'两基因型马铃薯组培苗为试材,用0％、10％、20％、30％和40％浓度(m/V)的PEG-6000胁迫96 h模拟干旱筛选适宜的胁迫浓度,在含有适宜胁迫浓度的培养液中培养0、20、2...     

玉米品种耐旱性评价及相关鉴定指标的研究

耐旱性鉴定和评价是培育优良耐旱玉米杂交种品种的基础。本研究通过对一组杂交种进行耐旱性指标评价分析发现,产量仍是衡量耐旱性强弱最重要的指标,而开花吐丝间隔期、株高等农艺指标在评价品种耐旱性时也具有重要的参考价值。产量指标中,种质耐旱指数（DTIg）也可用于评价品种耐旱性。根据DTIg对参试品种进行了五级耐旱性评价。     

不同基因型谷子品种(系)对干旱胁迫的响应及抗旱性评价

旨在为旱区谷子生产及抗旱育种提供理论依据。以10个谷子品种(系)为研究对象,采用管栽试验,研究了干旱胁迫对不同基因型谷子生长及产量相关性状的影响。结果表明,在干旱胁迫条件下,参试的10个谷子品种(系),叶绿素含量下降的幅度为4.90%~33.11%,株高降低的幅度为9.56%~30.93%,穗长减小的幅度为5.58%~30.90%,穗粗减小的幅度为3.42%~16.34%,单穗重降低的幅度为7.30%~45.71%,单穗粒重降低的幅度为11.83%~54.72%,出谷率降低的幅度为4.89%~16.60%。抗旱性评价结果表明,‘冀谷31’、‘沧谷5号’、‘冀谷19’等3个品种的抗旱性较好。