Assessing Allelopathic Index for Estimating Allelopathic potential of Ajowan Extracts

Allelopathy is a procedure in which secondary metabolites are produced by plants. Some plants may beneficially or antagonistically affect other plants through allelochemical compounds which may be released directly or indirectly from live or dead parts and cause allelopathic and phytotoxic effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the allelopathic possibility of ajowan (Carum copticum) extracts in different concentrations on morphological indices (germination and growth) of wheat (Triticum sativum), barley (Hurdeum vulgare), corn (Zea maize S.C 704), and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seedlings as proceeding crops and to develop a comprehensive formula for measuring the negative and positive effects of allelochemicals on growth indices such as shoot and root length, as well as the germination percentage on donor plants. It was demonstrated that increasing concentrations of ajowan extracts significantly decreased the Allelopathic Index, percent of germination, and other growth related indices of all seedlings. Based on the proposed Allelopathic Index of experimental plants, it was revealed that ajowan has posed a higher risk to corn and barley especially at the early stages of the growing cycle, while safflower and wheat indicated more tolerance to growth inhibition effects of ajowan in rotational sequence.     

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.     

Identification of molecular markers associated with sugar-related traits in a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharum</Emphasis> interspecific cross

The cultivated sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids, 2n = 100–130) is one crop for which interspecific hybridization involving wild germplasm has provided a major breakthrough in its improvement. Few clones were used in the initial hybridization event leading to a narrow genetic base for continued cultivar development. Molecular breeding would facilitate the identification and introgression of novel alleles/genes from the wild germplasm into cultivated sugarcane. We report the identification of molecular markers associated with sugar-related traits using an F₁ population derived from a cross between S. officinarum ‘Louisiana Striped’ × S. spontaneum ‘SES 147B’, the two major progenitor species of cultivated sugarcane. Genetic linkage maps of the S. officinarum and S. spontaneum parents were produced using the AFLP, SRAP and TRAP molecular marker techniques. The mapping population was evaluated for sugar-related traits namely, Brix (B) and pol (P) at the early (E) and late (L) plant growing season in the plant cane (04) and first ratoon (05) crops (04EB, 04LB, 04LP, 05EB and 05EP). For S. officinarum, combined across all the traits, a total of 30 putative QTLs was observed with LOD scores ranging from 2.51 to 7.48. The phenotypic variation (adj. R²) explained by all QTLs per trait ranged from 22.1% (04LP) to 48.4% (04EB). For S. spontaneum, a total of 11 putative QTLs was observed with LOD scores ranging from 2.62 to 4.70 and adj. R² ranging from 9.3% (04LP) to 43.0% (04LB). Nine digenic interactions (iQTL) were observed in S. officinarum whereas only three were observed in S. spontaneum. About half of the QTLs contributed by both progenitor species were associated with effects on the trait that was contrary to expectations based on the phenotype of the parent contributing the allele. Quantitative trait loci and their associated effects were consistent across crop-years and growing seasons with very few QTLs being unique to the early season. When the data were reanalyzed using the non-parametric discriminant analysis (DA) approach, significant marker-trait associations were detected for markers that were either identical to or in the vicinity of markers previously identified using the traditional QTL approach. Discriminant analysis also pointed to previously unidentified markers some of which remained unlinked on the map. These preliminary results suggest that DA could be used as a complementary approach to traditional QTL analysis in a crop like sugarcane for which saturated linkage maps are unavailable or difficult to obtain.     

Effects of inbreeding on nodal root system morphology and architecture of white clover (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trifolium repens</Emphasis> L.)

Plants of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) cultivar Crau, a self-fertile Crau genotype, and nine generations of inbred progeny were raised in sand culture in a glasshouse experiment. Digital images of the root systems were made and root morphological characteristics were determined on all the plants. Root architectural parameters were measured on the Crau parent and the S₁, S₄, S₆, and S₉ inbred lines. The clover roots became shorter and thicker with inbreeding but the number of root tips per plant was unchanged. Root architecture (branching pattern) was largely unaffected by inbreeding. It is concluded that inbreeding white clover will lead to shorter, thicker roots, and reduced nutrient uptake efficiency compared with the parent clover. The degree to which these deleterious traits are overcome during the development of F₁ hybrids needs to be determined.     

A 192bp allele at the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xgwm261</Emphasis> locus is not always associated with the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rht8</Emphasis> dwarfing gene in wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.)

The height-reducing gene Rht8 was introduced into Italian wheats by breeder Nazareno Strampelli from the Japanese landrace Akakomugi, and has been widely used in wheats adapted to southern and eastern European conditions. Following identification of a close linkage to Rht8, microsatellite marker Gwm261 has been used extensively to screen large numbers of diverse international germplasm. A 192bp allele at this locus has been taken as “diagnostic” for Rht8 and used to infer the international distribution of Rht8. In this paper, we report several instances of cultivars and mapping populations that vary for the presence of the 192bp allele at the Xgwm261 locus (Xgwm261 ₁₉₂ ), but with no associated reduction in height, suggesting a lack of association with Rht8. For instance, in the population derived from a cross between Sunco (Rht-B1b, Xgwm261 ₁₆₅ ) and Tasman (Rht-D1b, Xgwm261 ₁₉₂ ), there were significant height differences associated with the segregation of Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b, but no height differences between Xgwm261 genotypes. Similar results were obtained in a population derived from the cross between Molineux (Rht-B1b, Xgwm261 ₁₉₂ ) and Trident (Rht-D1b Xgwm261 ₂₀₈ ). In contrast, the cross between Trident and Chuanmai 18 (Xgwm261 ₁₉₂ ) gave significant height effects at both the Rht-D1 and Xgwm261 loci, with no epistatic interaction between loci. Chuanmai 18 is closely related to the Strampelli wheat Mara (ancestrally derived from Akakomugi) and is therefore likely to carry Rht8. The old Japanese cultivar Norin 10, used by Norman Borlaug to introduce Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b into Mexican wheats, also has a 192bp allele at the Xgwm261 locus, and the sequence of the amplified product is identical to that of Akakomugi. We suggest that the widespread use of Norin 10-derived germplasm during and after the Green Revolution introduced a second haplotype into international germplasm, in which Xgwm261 ₁₉₂ has no association with Rht8. Therefore, the presence of Xgwm261 ₁₉₂ is only indicative of Rht8 in wheat cultivars that have inherited this allele from Akakomugi or a Strampelli wheat ancestor.     

Genetics and molecular mapping of the naked grains in hexaploid oat

Avena sativa L. subsp. nudisativa has the ability to produce naked grains. Genetic studies on the naked trait of oat began over a century ago, but the genetic and molecular factors associated with the expression of this trait have not been fully clarified. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the naked trait in two oat populations of recombinant inbred lines (RILs), to determine the number of genes, to estimate the heritability, and to map genomic regions associated with the naked trait in hexaploid oat. Parental lines and RILs of each population were screened for the naked trait from plants grown in the field over a 2 year period. Based on the phenotypic data, the oat RILs were classed as naked, partially naked, partially hulled and hulled. In both populations and years, a great number of RILs showed variable expressivity for the naked trait. The genetic analysis indicated the action of a major gene (N1) with the action of modifying genes controlling the formation of naked grains. The results of the estimate of heritability show that environmental conditions do not have a great influence in determining the naked trait. The quantitative trait loci analysis detected a genomic region with a large effect on the naked trait that explained more than 50% of the phenotypic variation. Further studies are needed to validate the use of these molecular markers to assist breeding programs to select high quality and stable naked oat cultivars.     

Resistance screening of breeding lines and commercial tomato cultivars for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meloidogyne incognita</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. javanica</Emphasis> populations (Nematoda) from Ethiopia

Soil and root samples were collected from major tomato growing areas of Ethiopia during the 2012/2013 growing season to identify root-knot nematode problems. DNA-based and isozyme techniques revealed that Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica were the predominant Meloidogyne species across the sampled areas. The aggressiveness of different populations of these species was assessed on tomato cultivars Marmande and Moneymaker. The two most aggressive populations of each species were selected and further tested on 33 tomato genotypes. The resistance screening and mechanism of resistance was performed after inoculation with 100 freshly hatched (<24 h) second-stage juveniles (J2). Eight weeks after inoculation the number of egg masses produced on each cultivar was assessed. For the resistance mechanism study, J2 penetration and their subsequent development inside the tomato roots were examined at 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks after inoculation. On both cultivars Marmande and Moneymaker all M. incognita and M. javanica populations formed a high number of egg masses indicating highly aggressive behaviour. Populations from ‘Jittu’ and ‘Babile’ for M. incognita and ‘Jittu’ and ‘Koka’ for M. javanica were selected as most aggressive. None of the 33 tomato genotypes were immune for these M. incognita and M. javanica populations. However, several tomato genotypes were found to have a significant effect on the number of egg masses produced indicating possible resistance. For M. javanica populations there were more plants from cultivars or breeding lines on which no egg masses were found compared to M. incognita populations. The lowest number of egg masses for both populations of M. incognita was produced on cultivars Bridget40, Galilea, and Irma while for M. javanica it was on Assila, Eden, Galilea, Tisey, CLN-2366A, CLN-2366B and CLN-2366C. Tomato genotypes, time (weeks after inoculation) and their interaction were significant sources of variation for J2 penetration and their subsequent development inside the tomato roots. Differential penetration was found in breeding lines such as CLN-2366A, CLN-2366B and CLN-2366C, but many of the selected tomato genotypes resistance for the tested M. incognita and M. javanica populations were expressed by delayed nematode development. Therefore, developing a simple screening technique to be used by local farmers or extension workers is crucial to facilitate selection of a suitable cultivar.     

Characterization of common bean wild populations for their in situ conservation in Northwestern Argentina

In situ conservation of wild species is a method of conservation that allows keeping populations in their natural environments, and set the strategies for maintaining the natural populations. The Active Bank of Northwestern Argentina (BANOA) is in charge of the in situ conservation of wild populations of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Northwestern Argentina (NOA), and has an ex situ collection of 401 landraces and 221 wild accessions from the NOA. We evaluated the phenotypic diversity of 68 common bean wild populations from the NOA both in protected and unprotected areas, finding a moderate variation among them. Ten phenotypic reproductive characteristics related to pod and seed displayed significant differences in the analysis of variance; these traits together with the seed weight were the basis for the multivariate analysis. The cluster analysis ordered the populations in 12 groups but trends in geographical distribution or phenotypical variation were not recognized. For the conservation in situ of the wild bean populations, their diversity should be considered. Two types of populations can be highlighted: (i) candidates for in situ conservation in order to preserve the novel variation generated by convergence with cultivated sympatric germplasm (populations 433, 437, 471, 509, 513 and 517) and (ii) those whose phenotype represents clearly the wild status and should be preserved in situ as such in their current status (populations 480, 495, 496, 525 and 533).     

QTL mapping and analysis of epistatic interactions for grain yield and yield-related traits in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum turgidum</Emphasis> L. var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">durum</Emphasis>

A quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis of grain yield and yield-related traits was performed on 93 durum wheat recombinant inbred lines derived from the cross UC1113 × Kofa. The mapping population and parental lines were analyzed considering 19 traits assessed in different Argentine environments, namely grain yield, heading date, flowering time, plant height, biomass per plant, and spikelet number per ear, among others. A total of 224 QTL with logarithm of odds ratio (LOD) ≥ 3 and 47 additional QTL with LOD > 2.0 were detected. These QTL were clustered in 35 regions with overlapping QTL, and 12 genomic regions were associated with only one phenotypic trait. The regions with the highest number of multi-trait and stable QTL were 3BS.1, 3BS.2, 2BS.1, 1BL.1, 3AL.1, 1AS, and 4AL.3. The effects of epistatic QTL and QTL × environment interactions were also analyzed. QTL putatively located at major gene loci (Rht, Vrn, Eps, and Ppd) as well as additional major/minor QTL involved in the complex genetic basis of yield-related traits expressed in Argentine environments were identified. Interestingly, the 3AL.1 region was found to increase yield without altering grain quality or crop phenology.     

Evaluation of carbon sources,gelling agents,growth hormones and additives for efficient callus induction and plant regeneration in Indian wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.) genotypes using mature embryos

Various factors affecting in vitro regeneration like different carbon sources, different gelling agents, and growth additives were assessed comprehensively for callus induction and plant regeneration for five Indian wheat cultivars using mature embryos as the explants for the first time. The tissue culture responses of cultivars WH-1105, HD-2967, and PBW-343 have not been reported earlier. Besides, the effect of different concentrations of the cytokinin, zeatin has also been optimized. Using the optimized factors, the efficiency of five different varieties, i.e., HD 2967, C 306, RAJ 3765, WH 1105, and PBW 343 was evaluated for regeneration. Modified MS basal medium containing dicamba reduced precocious germination of the embryo and induced embryogenic callus more efficiently. Removal of embryogenic calli from non-regenerable structures during early callus phase improved plant regeneration. These calli on zeatin (1.0 mgl^-1) and dicamba (0.1 mgl^-1) containing medium showed the highest regeneration frequency (98%) with a maximum of 8-9 shoots per calli. Maltose had the maximum callusing and regeneration percentage than other carbon sources. Various gelling agents did not have any significant difference on the regeneration. Of all the varieties, C-306 and HD-2967 were found to be more regenerative and can be used in transformation experiments.