Are tree breeders properly predicting genetic gain? A case study involving <Emphasis Type="Italic">Corymbia</Emphasis> species

The estimation of quantitative genetic parameters in breeding programs is important to ensure efficient selection. In this context, knowledge of the mating system is critical, as it underpins assumptions about inter-relatedness on which variance component estimation depends. However, proper account of the breeding system is not always taken, either because it is unknown and/or because it is ignored. That eucalypts have a mixed-mating system is well-established, however many breeders use models that assume outcrossed mating with an infinite number of male parents (i.e. allogamous mating), from which genetic parameter estimates are then used to predict genetic gains. First-generation, open-pollinated progeny tests of Corymbia citriodora subsp. citriodora and C. citriodora subsp. variegata, being managed for seed production, were used to investigate the likely bias, resulting in overestimation of genetic parameters under the assumption of allogamous mating. When we assumed allogamous mating, we observed inflated predictions of additive variance and narrow-sense heritability (\(\hat{h}_{a}^{2}\)) of diameter at breast height and height. The overestimate of \(\hat{h}_{a}^{2}\) was approximately 32% for C. citriodora subsp. citriodora and 21% for C. citriodora subsp. variegata. Inappropriate modelling of relatedness in eucalypts that assumes panmictic outcrossing when in fact these species have a mixed-mating system results in overestimates of the population genetic gain with selection.     

Evaluation of a multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) introgressed line population for Verticillium wilt resistance in Upland cotton

Verticillium wilt (VW, caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb) is a destructive fungal soil-borne disease in Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). High levels of VW resistance can be transferred into Upland from Pima cotton (G. barbadense L.) through interspecific introgression breeding. In this greenhouse study, VW resistance was evaluated in a multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) introgressed line (IL) population, derived from a random mated Barbadense Upland population with five generations of intermating (called RMBUP-C4) between three Upland cotton cultivars and 18 CS-B Upland lines each carrying a pair of G. barbadense chromosome or arm in the TM-1 background. The objectives of this study were to, (1) evaluate VW resistance of 530 MAGIC ILs in the greenhouse; and (2) to identify lines with VW resistance in the MAGIC population based on a total of three replicated greenhouse tests. Approximately 8 plants for each line in each replicate were grown and screened for VW resistance using three parameters i.e., disease leaf severity rating, percentage defoliated leaves, and percentage infected plants, with a total of ~?25,190 plants evaluated. A correlation analysis indicated that the three parameters were significantly and positively correlated with one another in each test. The disease leaf severity rating was the best parameter to assess VW resistance due to its relatively low coefficient of variation and its higher resolution to differentiate resistant genotypes from susceptible ones. Of the 530 genotypes, 5 showed resistance to VW, namely, NMIL348, NMIL518, NMIL405, NMIL290, NMIL307 and had higher levels of resistance to VW with mean disease leaf severity ratings, percentage of defoliated leaves, and percentage of infected plants across three tests ranging from 0.58–1.46, 9.46–26.74, and 25–95%, respectively. These lines can be used as parental lines to improve VW resistance in cotton breeding programs.     

Pollen characteristics and stigma receptivity for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anemone coronaria</Emphasis> L.

To obtain crossing products, an efficient pollination and subsequent fertilization is essential. This efficient pollination is achieved by pollen germination and tube growth. Here, these pollen characteristics of 2 genetically differentiating cultivars of Anemone coronaria L. were investigated in vitro. For the essential components boron, calcium and an osmoticant, only calcium showed to be crucial for pollen germination. Boron concentrations influenced the pollen tube length with a concentration of 100 mg l^?1 H₃BO₃ resulting in the longest pollen tubes. For the osmoticant sucrose, a concentration of 100 g l^?1 caused a significant positive effect on both pollen germination and pollen tube length for the 2 cultivars. The cultivars reacted similarly with respect to the investigated compounds. Next to this, the pollen development was correlated with 8 different flower stages in A. coronaria. As a final point, the germination of an optimized pollen germination medium was compared with in vivo pollen germination in cross-pollinations within the same cultivar (identified by aniline blue staining). For ‘Mistral Wine’, pollen germination percentage was lower in vitro than in vivo, while ‘Wicabri Blue’ pollen showed no significant difference in germination rates in vivo and in vitro. To achieve fertilization a following requisite is that the stigma is receptive. To study this, the most receptive female flower stage of the 8 different flower stages for A. coronaria was characterized by aniline blue staining. A. coronaria clearly showed protogyny.     

Identification of PCR-based DNA Marker Linked to High Phytase Level of Wheat

The phytase is a key enzyme to hydrolyze phytic acid present in wheat grains and improves the bio-availability of micronutrients in monogastric animals. Phytase trait being contributed by specific regions of the genome requires identification of these regions, using suitable molecular markers. Hence, in the present investigation we attempted to develop a PCR-based marker that detects the phytase level in wheat. Six sets of PCR primers were designed on the basis of nucleotides sequence variation found in the sequence of both varieties. Out of six set of primers, one set amplified two different sized bands, i.e. 334 bp and 295 in two wheat cultivars C-306 (low phytase) and DBW 17 (high phytase), respectively. It exhibited a polymorphic banding pattern with length polymorphism and clearly separating low and high phytase genotypes. The primer set was also used for PCR of 46 synthetic hexaploids and 46 release varieties of wheat to validate the developed markers. Association among identified markers and phytase activity was found to be at 99.9% confidence level based on Fisher’s exact test (F-test). Therefore, this PCR primer set will be useful to select the wheat germplasm having high phytase levels and also in wheat breeding programs aimed at improving phytase levels in bread wheat cultivars.     

Changes in the Functional Components and Radical Scavenging Activity of Korean Maize Hybrids According to Different Cropping Seasons

We evaluated the proximate composition, free sugar content, fatty acid composition, carotenoid content, total phenol content, and radical scavenging activity of the grain from various Korean maize hybrid cultivars grown in two different cropping seasons. The moisture, crude ash, crude fat, crude protein, total starch, and amylose contents were significantly higher in most of the maize hybrid cultivars when grown in the early-season than when grown in the late-season. The free sugar content, fatty acid composition, carotenoid content, and total phenol content differed significantly between cultivars and cropping seasons. The highest unsaturated fatty acid compositions of maize hybrids of early-season and late-season were 86.05 and 86.29%, respectively, in the Daanok cultivar. The carotenoid contents were significantly higher in maize hybrids of late-season compared to those of early-season. The highest total phenol content was 108.09 mg/100 g in Singwangok of the late-season. The radical scavenging activity of maize hybrids differed significantly between cultivars and cropping seasons.     

Evaluation of Seed Vigor Tests for Predicting Seedling Establishment at Low Temperature in Rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.)

This study was carried out to develop an evaluation method to predict rice seedling establishment (SE) under low-temperature conditions. Two Korean-bred japonica cultivars, Shindongjin and Hopum were used in the experiment. Fresh seeds were treated with an accelerated aging (AA) at 40°C and 100% RH for 1-15 days. The SEs of the fresh and AA seeds were evaluated in nursery beds at 17°C, and their correlation coefficients with seed vigor values measured by 9 test methods including standard germination test (SGT), cool germination test (CLT), cold germination test (CDT), seedling growth rate test (SGRT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and α ‐amylase (AMY) activities. The percentage of SE decreased slowly from 75 to 0% with an increasing of AA period from 0 to 15 days. The result of nine vigor tests showed different correlations with the SE. SGT, CLT, SGRT, and POX were significantly correlated with the SE. In the correlation analysis with only short-term aging seeds (1-7 days), the SE was very highly correlated with SGT, CLT, CDT, SGRT, POX, and CAT. These results suggest that seed vigor values measured by several methods including SGT and POX could be used as a reference value to secure SE at low temperatures in nursery bed rice seedling culture.     

Potato Breeding for Nitrogen-Use Efficiency: Constraints,Achievements, and Future Prospects

In this review, the genetic potential and efforts made on different aspects of potato breeding for nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) and the possible physiological and genetic mechanisms determining NUE in potato in relation to other model crops are presented. Strategies to utilize the diverse gene pool of potato and improve the NUE in contrasting N environments are currently evaluated under field conditions using different selection approaches. So far, focused efforts have been made on the identification of potato genotypic differences which will allow for the analysis of specific components of nitrogen-use efficiency and the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on a range of physiological processes and morphological traits of potato. To my knowledge, despite the availability of genome sequence and QTLs identified for NUE and related agronomic and physiological traits in potato, and genomic information from other model crops, candidate genes on NUE have not yet been identified in potato. To maximize the success rate of potato breeding for NUE, basic knowledge how plants respond to different N regimes and other environmental conditions and use of DNA marker technology are vital.     

Assessment of Yield and Yield Component of Soybean Genotypes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Glycine Max</Emphasis> L.) in North of Khuzestan

18 soybean genotypes were examined to investigate the relationships between some principal attributions of morphology with seed yield per soybean, by Random Complete Block Design (RCBD) study. This study was also carried out three replicates to gain reliable results. The results of variance analysis indicated that, there were significance differences among all soybean genotypes. Moreover, the results of correlated analysis revealed that biological yield (0.96), harvest index (0.92), and number of branches (0.92) had the uttermost correlation with seed yield. To data factor analysis, four independent variables justified 99 percent of all data. The first variable, seed yield, justified 96 percent of entire variance. Multiple-Regression Model with method Analytical Regression Model (step-by-step) was utilized to examine soybean seed yield. This model proved that biological yield, thousand seed weight, and harvest index entered into model respectively and justified 98.85 percent of variation of seed yield. Correlated coefficients of considered attributions were equal to 0.96, 0.78, and 0.92, respectively. All of these indexes had significant at 1% in statistical process. Therefore, these traits can be notability used in soybean breeding programs. Also, accordance to cluster analysis, the sample was divided into three groups.     

Marker-assisted backcross selection in an interspecific <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis</Emphasis> population broadens the genetic base of cucumber (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis sativus</Emphasis> L.)

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a major cucurbit vegetable species whose genetic base has been drastically reduced during its domestication. The crop’s narrow genetic base (3–12% DNA polymorphism) has resulted from the use of limited genetic material and intense selection during plant improvement. Recently, however, interspecific hybridization has been successful in Cucumis via mating of C. hystrix Chakr. and C. sativus, which resulted in the amphidiploid C. hytivus. We report herein a marker-assisted strategy for increasing genetic diversity in cucumber through introgression backcrossing employing C. hytivus. The comparatively late-flowering but high-yielding, indeterminate, monoecious line WI 7012A (P₁; donor parent) derived from a C. hytivus × C. sativus-derived line (long-fruited Chinese C. sativus cv. Beijingjietou) was initially crossed to the determinate, gynoecious C. sativus line WI 7023A (P₂; recurrent parent 1), and then advanced backcross generation progeny (BC₂) were crossed with the gynoecious indeterminate line WI 9-6A (P₃; recurrent parent 2). More specifically, a single F₁ individual (P₁ × P₂) was backcrossed to P₂, and then BC progeny were crossed to P₂ and P₃, where marker-assisted selection (MAS) for genetic diversity (8 mapped and 16 unmapped markers; designated Sel) or no selection (designated NSel) was applied to produce BC₃P₂ (Sel) and BC₃P₃ (Sel), and BC₂P₂ (NSel) and BC₂P₂S₁ (NSel) progeny. Relative vegetative growth, number of lateral branches (LB), days to flowering (DF), yield (fruit number), and fruit quality [as measured by length:diameter (L:D) and endocarp:total diameter (E:T) ratios] were assessed in parents and cross-progeny. DF varied from ~20 (BC₃P₂Sel) to ~25 days (BC₂P₃Sel) among the populations examined, where progeny derived from P₂ possessed the shortest DF. Differences in cumulative yield among the populations over six harvests were detected, varying from ~8 fruits per plant in BC₃P₂ (Sel) to ~39 fruits per plant in BC₂P₃ (Sel). Although the vigorous vegetative growth of line P₁ was observed in its backcross progeny, highly heterozygous and polymorphic backcross progeny derived from P₃ were comparatively more vigorous and bore many high-quality fruit. Response to selection was detected for LB, DF, L:D, and E:T, but the effectiveness of MAS depended upon the parental lines used. Data indicate that the genetic diversity of commercial cucumber can be increased by introgression of the C. hystrix genome through backcrossing.