Selection for partial resistance to downy mildew in peas by means of greenhouse tests

Summary A partially downy mildew resistant pea line was back-crossed to a susceptible cultivar with more pods per node and lower seed weight. Breeding lines with different degrees of infection in a greenhouse test were selected. These lines and the two parental lines were investigated in field trials and tested in the greenhouse for four generations. Significant genetic variation among lines was found for infection of seedlings in greenhouse tests, and infection of pods, pod set and seed weight in field-trials. Infection of seedlings in the greenhouse was correlated with infection of pods in the field. In greenhouse tests, the non-genetic variance component was large in comparison with the genetic component and a significant genotype trial interaction was found. Significant repeatability was obtained for downy mildew on seedlings and pods, number of pods per node and seed weight. An unfavourable correlation between susceptibility to downy mildew and number of pods per node was found. No single breeding line showed the ideal combination of good resistance, high number of pods per node and small seeds. However, one line showing better resistance than the susceptible parent, with smaller seeds and more pods per node than the resistant parent was found. The susceptible parent also carries some resistance factor that is not present in the resistant parent.     

The long way down--are carbon and oxygen isotope signals in the tree ring uncoupled from canopy physiological processes?

The carbon (δ(13)C) and oxygen (δ(18)O) stable isotope composition is widely used to obtain information on the linkages between environmental drivers and tree physiology over various time scales. The tree-ring archive can especially be exploited to reconstruct inter- and intra-annual variation of both climate and physiology. There is, however, a lack of information on the processes potentially affecting δ(13)C and δ(18)O on their way from assimilation in the leaf to the tree ring. As a consequence, the aim of this study was to trace the isotope signals in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) from leaf water (δ(18)O) and leaf assimilates (δ(13)C and δ(18)O) to tree-ring wood via phloem-transported compounds over a whole growing season. Phloem and leaf samples for δ(13)C and δ(18)O analyses as well as soil water, xylem water, leaf water and atmospheric water vapour samples for δ(18)O analysis were taken approximately every 2 weeks during the growing season of 2007. The δ(13)C and δ(18)O samples from the tree rings were dated intra-annually by monitoring the tree growth with dendrometers. δ(18)O in the phloem organic matter and tree-ring whole wood was not positively related to leaf water evaporative enrichment and δ(18)O of canopy organic matter pools. This finding implies a partial uncoupling of the tree-ring oxygen isotopic signal from canopy physiology. At the same time, internal carbon storage and remobilization physiology most likely prevented δ(13)C in tree-ring whole wood from being closely related to intra-annual variation in environmental drivers. Taking into account the post-photosynthetic isotope fractionation processes resulting in alterations of δ(13)C and δ(18)O not only in the tree ring but also in phloem carbohydrates, as well as the intra-annual timing of changes in the tree internal physiology, might help to better understand the meaning of the tree-ring isotope signal not only intra- but also inter-annually.     

Acidic deposition and its effects in southwestern China

The emissions of SO₂ in China correspond at present to 8–10 TgSyr^?1. The rapid industrialization has caused a dramatic increase in the emissions in recent years and this increase is likely to continue. This paper describes studies of concentrations and effects of acidifying substances in parts of the Guizhou and the Sichuan provinces where the S-emissions are large. A small catchment about 10 km from Guiyang centre was equipped with instruments for studies of soils, soil water and streamwater chemistry. The molar ratio Al/(Ca+Mg) is > 0.8 in soil water in some places. Two small streams have median pH-values about 4.6 and 5.1. Laboratory studies with selected Chinese soils showed that the anion adsorption was low. These studies gave also important information on soil sensitivity. The studies confirm that acid deposition may affect soils in parts of south-western China, but the sensitivity varies dramatically and there is a strong need for more information.     

Progression of vertebrate limb development through SHH-mediated counteraction of GLI3

Distal limb development and specification of digit identities in tetrapods are under the control of a mesenchymal organizer called the polarizing region. Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) is the morphogenetic signal produced by the polarizing region in the posterior limb bud. Ectopic anterior SHH signaling induces digit duplications and has been suspected as a major cause underlying congenital malformations that result in digit polydactyly. Here, we report that the polydactyly of Gli3-deficient mice arises independently of SHH signaling. Disruption of one or both Gli3 alleles in mouse embryos lacking Shh progressively restores limb distal development and digit formation. Our genetic analysis indicates that SHH signaling counteracts GLI3-mediated repression of key regulator genes, cell survival, and distal progression of limb bud development.     

Effektivität sowie Stabilität des interspezifischen Chromosomen- und Gentransfers beim hexaploiden Weizen,Triticum aestivum L.

Zusammenfassung Basierend auf experimentellen Ergebnissen wird demonstriert, daß chromosomale Manipulationen effektiv zur gezielten Übertragung von Fremdgenen in den hexaploiden Weizen genutzt werden können und zu züchterisch bzw. agronomisch verwertbaren Produkten führten. Die Stabilität der Integration von Chromosomen oder Chromosomensegmenten und die Expression der übertragenen Gene hängt von einer Vielzahl von cytologischen und genetischen Faktoren ab. Homöologe Austauschereignisse erweisen sich als besonders geeignet, obwohl auch nichthomöologe Substitutionen und Translokationen toleriert sowie beständig vererbt werden können. Die Vorteile unterschiedlicher Transferverfahren und die dabei auftretenden Probleme werden diskutiert.

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The efficiency and stability of interspecific chromosome and gene transfer in hexaploid wheat,Triticum aestivum L.

Summary The transfer of alien chromosomes and genes into wheat can be efficiently achieved by cytogenetic manipulations. They contributed to several substitution and translocation lines with improved resistance against diseases and abiotic stress, which are utilized in breeding programs. The stability of the insertion of alien chromosomes/segments and the expression of the alien genes is depending on numerous cytological and genetical factors. When an alien segment is transferred, the natural organisation of the genes is usually maintained intact. The genes not only can compensate for most of the replaced wheat genes, but they also interact well with their neighbouring recipient genes. Although nonhomoeologous recombinations occured, the homoeologous exchanges are the most dominating. If dosage effects are desired, the target segment can be introduced to additional homoeologous chromosomes. The advantages of different procedures of transfer and their limitations are discussed.

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,Triticum aestivum L.

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Genetische Variabilität

Zusammenfassung Für die Pflanzenzüchtung ist die genetische Variabilität eine entscheidende Voraussetzung. Sie basiert auf Genmutationen, Chromosomenmutationen, Introgressionen, Autopolyploidie, Alloplasmie, transponiblen DNA-Elementen und der Kombination. Diese Variabilitätskomponenten werden charakterisiert. Außerdem wird anhand von Beispielen ihr Einfluß auf die Entwicklung der Kulturpflanzen demonstriert.Um effektiv in der Pflanzenzüchtung arbeiten zu können, bedarf es der Analyse von genetischer Variabilität. Dies geschieht mit Hilfe von Kreuzungsexperimenten und Parameterschätzungen. In zunehmendem Maße werden auch Marker bei der Analyse eingesetzt.Einen wichtigen Faktor zur zielgerichteten Beeinflussung der genetischen Variabilität stellt die Selektion dar. Sie führt zur Einschränkung der Kombination. Die Selektion ist für die Entwicklung von Sorten notwendig. Sie hat aber auch eine Verarmung an genetischer Information zur Folge.Für den weiteren Fortschritt in der Pflanzenzüchtung gilt es, eine genügende genetische Variabilität zu gewährleisten. Dazu bedarf es auch Maßnahmen zu ihrer Erhaltung. Genetische Variabilität muß außerdem verstärkt charakterisiert und analysiert werden.

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Genetic variability

Summary Genetic variability is a decisive prerequisite to plant breeding. It is based on gene mutations, chromosome mutations, introgressions, autopolyploidy, alloplasmy, transposible DNA elements and recombinations. These components of the genetic variability are illustrated and examples are given to demonstrate their contributions to the evolution of crop plants.Effective plant breeding requires the analysis of the genetic variation. It is analysed by hereditary studies and parameter estimations. The utilization of markers is continuously increasing in studies of the genetic variation.Selection is an important factor to a purposive influence on the genetic variability and leads to a restriction of the recombinations. Selection is necessary for the development of varieties but results also in an impoverishment of genetic information.For the continuous progress in plant breeding an adequate genetic variability is to secure. That includes also activities to its conservation. Furthermore the characterization and analysis of the genetic variability has to be intensified.

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Die Bestimmung des hydraulischen Gradienten an der Befeuchtungsfront und seine Bedeutung für die Tonablösung im Boden

The determination of the hydraulic gradient of the wetting front and its relevance for clay detachment in soil As a result of some observations and experiments it must be supposed that clay migration does not only depend on the physico-chemical conditions but also on the water regime. Mechanical displacement of clay particles from its carrier can be the result of only rarely occuring high pore water velocities or of intensive changes of moisture suction at the wetting front, which can be quantified with the hydraulic gradient. A method how to determine the hydraulic gradient of the wetting front will be described. The determination and its importance for clay displacement will be explained by results of laboratory-experiments with sandy material packed into columns.