Variation for agronomic and processing traits in Solanum tuberosum haploids × wild species hybrids

Summary The broad range of wild and cultivated species relatives of the commerical potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), guarantees the existence of a gene reservoir to be screened for traits that are absent or present only in low frequencies in the cultivated germplasm. Haploids (2n=2x=24) extracted from the cultivated tetraploid (2n=4x=48) germplasm cross easily with diploid (2n=2x=24) potato species and produce fertile progeny. As most haploid × species hybrids tuberize under long day conditions they can be maintained clonally and evaluated for the traits of interest. Three populations involving Tuberosum haploids × Solanum bukasovii (tub x buk), Tuberosum haploids × Solanum sparsipilum, (tub × spl) and Tuberosum haploids × Solanum berthaultii (tub x ber) clones, were planted at two locations in Wisconsin. The haploids were derived from W231, a selected clone from the University of Wisconsin Potato Breeding Program. The objectives were: to evaluate the H-S populations for agronomic and processing traits, and to determine the phenotypic associations between them. Data were recorded on haulm maturity (HM), tuber weight (TW) and tuber number (NT) per plant, specific gravity (SG), chip color after harvest (CH), and chip color after storage at 4° C and one week of reconditioning at room temperature (CH1). Results for SG and CH indicated good potential of the germplasm evaluated to introgress these traits into the commercial potatoes. For instance, the SG mean for tub x buk, tub x spl and tub x ber were 1.079, 1.086 and 1.082, respectively, and their means for CH were 4.8, 3.9 and 3.5. Chip color after storage and reconditioning was found in low frequency in the populations. Four clones in the tub x spl population, and three clones in the tub x ber population had CH1 4.0, the commercially acceptable score for this trait. Significant (p 0.01) phenotypic correlations (r) were found between HM and SG (r=–0.46 in tub x buk, r=–0.61 in tub x spl, and r=–0.34 in tub x ber), NT and TW (r=0.79 in tub x buk, r=0.88 in tub x spl, and r=0.71 in tub x ber), and TW and SG (r=0.40 in tub x buk, and r=0.36 in tub x spl). The correlation coefficients between processing traits were not significant, which may indicate the presence of separate genetic mechanisms governing the inheritance of these traits.     

Estimating the pleiotropic effect of the jointless-2 gene on the processing and agronomic traits of tomato by using near-isogenic lines

Two near-isogenic lines of the processing tomato cv. ‘IPA-5’, pheno-typically distinct from each other only in terms of the presence or absence of a jointless fruit pedicel, were used to estimate pleiotropic effects of the recessive gene j-2 on 15 processing and agronomic parameters. Total yield, total yield of mature fruit, total yield of green fruit, total number of fruit, total number of mature fruit, total number of green fruit, mean weight of mature fruit, mean weight of green fruit, mean weight of mature plus green fruit, soluble solids, fruit colour, pH, titratable acidity, sugar: acid ratio, and fruit firmness were compared in jointed (J-2/J-2) and jointless pedicel (J-2/J-2) lines. Statistically significant differences were detected between both isolines for the following parameters: total number of fruit, total yield, total yield of green fruit, and total number of green fruit. In all cases, smaller values were observed in the isoline with the genetic constitution J-2/J-2. These data reinforce the view that they j-2 gene may cause, in some specific tomato backgrounds, significant yield constraints. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that this gene cannot exert any important pleiotropic influence on any of the processing characteristics evaluated.     

Using a Chlorophyll Meter to Optimize Nitrogen Fertilizer Application for Intensively-Managed Small-Grain Cereals

Most methods used to estimate N status require collection, processing and analysis of soil and/or plant tissue samples. In this study, leaf chlorophyll content of cereals, determined in the field with a portable chlorophyll meter (Minolta SPAD-502), was used to predict N availability of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.), barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.), oats ( Avena sativa L.) and rye ( Secale cereale L.). The results indicated that accurate nitrogen (N) fertilizer recommendations based on chlorophyll content have both environmental and economic advantages. Determination of leaf chlorophyll content with a chlorophyll meter accurately indicated plant N status allowing N fertilizer requirement to be accurately determined and resulting in increased N uptake efficiency. Applying N fertilizer on this basis improved production economics and improved physical input-output ratio during grain yield formation. Using a chlorophyll meter, responsive and non-responsive categories can be determined at the stage of maximum number of florets per ear primordium (Zadoks' GS 37-41) and at pollination (i.e. pollen grains on well-developed stigmatic hairs, GS 52-58).     

Inheritance of angular leaf spot resistance in common bean line BAT 332 and identification of RAPD markers linked to the resistance gene

The existence of genetic variability for angular leaf spot (ALS) resistance in the common bean germplasm allows the development of breeding lines resistant to this disease. The BAT 332 line is an important resistance source to common bean ALS. In this work we determined the inheritance pattern and identified RAPD markers linked to a resistance gene present in BAT 332. Populations F₁, F₂,BCs and BCr derived from crosses between BAT 332 and cultivar Rudá were used. Rudá is a commercial cultivar with carioca type grains and susceptible to ALS. The resistance of BAT 332 to race 61.41 of the pathogen was confirmed. Segregation analysis of the plants indicated that a single dominant gene confers resistance. For identification of RAPD markers linked to the resistance gene, bulk segregant analysis (BSA) was used. Two RAPD markers,OPAA07₉₅₀ and OPAO12₉₅₀, linked in coupling phase at 5.10 and 5.83 cM of this gene, respectively, were identified. These molecular markers are important for common bean breeders and geneticists as source of genetic information and for marker assisted selection in breeding programs. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Prospects for hybrid breeding in winter triticale: II. Relationship between parental genetic distance and specific combining ability

Significant relative midparent heterosis (MPH%) for grain yield in triticale (×Triticosecale Wittm.) has generated interest in the development of hybrid cultivars. The objectives of this study were to (i) examine the association between parental genetic distance (GD) and specific combining ability (SCA), (ii) investigate the existence of genetically distant heterotic groups in elite germplasm, and (iii) draw conclusions for future hybrid breeding in winter triticale. Genetic distance between 61 lines was estimated, based on 93 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker loci and 10 AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) primer‐enzyme combinations (PEC). Agronomic data of 206 F₁ crosses and their 61 parental lines grown in six German environments were published recently in a companion study. Correlations were made between SCA for grain yield, number of spikes/m², 1000‐kernel weight and number of kernels per spike with GD estimates of the 56 female and five male parents (testers). Principal co‐ordinate analyses (PCoA) based on SSR data revealed no distinct subgroups in the germplasm. Correlations between GD and SCA were low for all traits (|r| ≤ 0.31), which hampers the prediction of SCA from molecular data. A multi‐stage procedure is recommended for future hybrid breeding in triticale by applying a pragmatic approach for the grouping of germplasm following the early history of hybrid breeding of maize.     

Assessment of genetic relatedness of the genera Ananas and Pseudananas confirmed by RAPD markers

Genetic relationships among 18 accessions, including 16 of Ananas and two of Pseudananas, were investigated using RAPD molecular markers. The procedure for DNA extraction was adapted from the method of Dellaporta et al. (1983) where an incubation in proteinase K and a purification step were included. From the total of 148 markers scored,132 (89.2%) were polymorphic. The similarity matrix was used for cluster analysis. The phenogram developed from the RAPD bands showed that for most of the cases, the accessions within a species grouped together. Nevertheless, a moderate infraspecific genetic variation was observed. For example, DNA data grouped all A. comosus accessions with a mean similarity coefficient of 0.85. Comparable results were obtained with all other species investigated. The highest genetic divergence was found withinA. lucidus where the mean similarity coefficient among accessions was0.75. A similar level of genetic polymorphism was observed among species,therefore, a definition about which species were involved in the constitution of A. comosus genotypes was not possible. These results agree with the breeders standpoint suggesting that all Ananas species belong to the primary gene pool of pineapple. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Potential use of doubled haploid lines for the screening of resistance to yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis) in hexaploid wheat

Doubled haploid lines derived from anther culture of two Iranian spring wheat genotypes‘Ghods’susceptible and‘9106’resistant to yellow rust in Iranian field conditions, and their F₁ hybrids were used in this study. Seedlings of 36 doubled haploid lines, selected out of 96 according to their agronomic traits and the two parental genotypes were inoculated with eight races of yellow rust. The parental genotypes (‘Ghods’and‘9106’) were segregating for some of the races but their doubled haploid lines were either resistant or susceptible to them.‘Ghods’was susceptible to three of the races studied but three doubled haploid lines derived from it were resistant to them. Five selected doubled haploids from the‘9106’genotype and six from F₁ hybrid plants were resistant to all eight races tested. After further investigations in Iranian field conditions it was found that some of these lines can be used as donor genotypes for resistance to yellow rust in wheat breeding programmes. Use of these genotypes should be possible if the French yellow rust races used for selection also represent the dominant races in Iran. It can be concluded that anther culture provides an efficient method for fixing genes of resistance to yellow rust and desirable doubled haploids from F₁ plants can be derived.     

Screening for resistance to Nectria galligena Bres. in cut shoots of apple

Summary To find a fast and reliable test to assess resistance to Nectria galligena in apple, different methods of inoculation were compared using macroconidia of N. galligena and one-year-old cut shoots from mature trees of Cox's Orange Pippin, IVT 69078-19, James Grieve and Jonathan.With the best inoculation method 11 genotypes were screened for resistance. Elstar, Golden Delicious, Jonathan and Lombart's Calville were highly resistant and the level of resistance of Ingrid marie, Gloster, Melrose, IVT 69078-19, Cox's Orange Pippin, James Grieve and Idared decreased in this order.The best inoculation method proved to be simple, giving results within four to nine weeks after inoculation.     

New Isozyme Markers in Vicia faba: Inheritance and Linkage

Results on the inheritance of 6 enzyme systems: LDH, PGM, FDH, SKD, SOD, AAT from seeds of Vicia faba and the linkage relationships among these isozyme loci are presented. The allozymes at each one of these loci behaved in a codominant manner and segregated in the expected Mendelian ratio. Linkage tests between these loci showed that they segregate independently.     

Characterization of cytoplasmic male sterility in Petunia hybrida and Zea mays. Localization and activity of cytochrome c oxidase

Summary Anthers of male fertile, cytoplasmic male sterile (cms), and restored male fertile Petunia hybrida, are analyzed for cytochrome c oxidase (cox) activity in subsequent stages of microsporogenesis, and compared with anthers of male fertile, cms-S and cms-C Zea mays. The cox activity is determined in anther extracts and cytochemically. In petunia anthers, the first differences in cox activity occur from meiosis onward. However, at these stages, the initial symptoms of degeneration are already apparent. It is suggested that the decline in enzyme activity of the cms petunia anthers is the result rather than the cause of the non-formation of functional pollen.In maize anthers, the cox activity of sterile-type anthers is reduced in comparison with fertile-type anthers from premeiosis onward. There are also consistent cytochemical differences in the mitochondrial organization of cox activity between pollen of cms-S and male ferile maize anthers. In fertile-type mitochondria, the DAB reaction product indicating cox activity is localized in the cristae and within the space between the outer and inner limiting membranes of the organelles. In mitochondria of pollen of cms-S maize, cox activity is only observed between the outer and inner membranes of the mitochondria. The biochemical and cytochemical differences are observed at stages of development at which no structural signs of degeneration are apparent. The results suggest that cms in maize correlates with deviations in cytochrome c oxidase activity.Abbreviations cox cytochrome c oxidase - DAB 3,3-diaminobenzidine