Combining ability for grain chemistry quality traits in a white oat diallelic cross

There has been a strong demand for oat genotypes that contain caryopsis with high chemical quality which can suit the different market niches. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to assess the general (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) of white oat cultivars through diallelic crosses providing information about the genetic effects on expression of grain chemical quality components. Also, it was aimed to estimate the heterosis on F₁ and F₂ generations and the vigor loss due to inbreeding. During 2008, 21 hybrid populations F₁ and F₂ were obtained from artificial crossing among seven Brazilian white oat cultivars, following the complete diallel design, without considering the reciprocals. These populations and their parents were evaluated in the 2009 season in the experimental field in Capão do Leão, RS, Brazil. The higher values of mean squares associated to GCA indicates a strong contribution of additive genetic effects to the expression of grain chemical components. The parents tested showed a tendency to develop progeny with negative heterosis regarding protein, lipid, β-glucan and soluble dietary fiber in the grain, and positive for the content of nitrogen-free extract, total and insoluble dietary fiber. IAC 7 features a potential parent for obtaining grains with high protein and dietary fiber content, and low caloric content, fit to human diet. Meanwhile, UPF 15 and FAPA Louise can represent donors of alleles to increase lipid contents, while FAPA Louise and URS Guapa can be used to raise the grain nitrogen-free extract contents of lines intended for animal feeding.     

Identification and characterization of EST-SSRs in finger millet (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eleusine coracana</Emphasis> (L.) Gaertn.)

In recent years, microsatellites have become the most used markers for studying population genetic diversity. The increased availability of the DNA sequences has given the possibility to develop EST-derived SSR markers. A total of 1,927 ESTs of Eleusine coracana available in the NCBI database were mined for SSRs. Di-nucleotides are the most occurring motifs accounting for more than 50% of the repeats, of which GA was the most abundant motif and tetra-nucleotides are the least occurring motifs. Of the 132 markers identified, 30 primer pairs based were synthesized. SSR markers were used for variety discrimination and genetic assessment in 15 finger millet accessions; 20 primers showed polymorphism and 13 primers were identified as having a PIC value above 0.5. On the basis of the distribution of these polymorphic alleles, the 15 accessions were classified into two groups. This study has demonstrated the potential of EST-derived SSR primer pairs in finger millet. These primers will serve as valuable source for further breeding programs.     

Development of mulberry varieties for sustainable growth and leaf yield in temperate and subtropical regions of India

Sericulture is an agro-based industry, which heavily depends on mulberry (Morus spp.) for its sustainability, as mulberry leaf is the only available feed for the silkworm Bombyx mori L. Sericulture, in West Bengal and other subtropical regions in India, suffers from lack of adequate quantity of quality mulberry leaf during the colder months, the best season for rearing the high yielding bivoltine silkworm hybrids. In order to develop mulberry varieties, which can sustain normal growth during these colder months to yield better, efforts have been made in different research institutes in India. The present report is part of such an effort in which accessions in germplasm bank were screened for better growth, leaf retention and leaf yield contributing associated traits. Twenty three selected parents were crossed, 3,500 seeds were sown, 2,700 seedlings were transplanted to progeny row trail, selected 210 hybrids were evaluated under primary yield trial and finally nine hybrids along with a control variety were studied in detail for all leaf yield contributing traits under final yield trial. Stability analysis was adopted to identify hybrids, which can yield stably across seasons. The hybrids CT-44 and CT-11 out yielding the control by 17.17 and 7.11% were selected as these hybrids yield 7.93 and 8.15 mt/ha leaf respectively during the colder months (February) for their direct use as cultivars in West Bengal and other subtropical areas of India to sustain bivoltine sericulture to produce quality and gradable silk fibers.     

Genotype × environment interactions in populations possessing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ga1</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">ga1</Emphasis> alleles for cross incompatibility in maize

Use of cross incompatibility in corn (Zea mays L.) by the Ga1-s allele may reduce cross-fertilization in specialty and conventional organic corn with pollen from genetically-modified (GM) corn. For effective use, information about environment, and genotype × environment effects on cross-fertilization by ga1 as well as heritability of cross incompatibility in maize is necessary. Our objective was to obtain this information. Four population pairs differing in their genotype at ga1 were evaluated for cross incompatibility with ga1 pollen in different environments. Populations were derived by crossing the recurrent parents B116, PHG35, ARZM16035:S19, and (CHZM05015:Mo17)Mo17 to Ga1-s donor parent Mo508W/Mo506W. Two replicates of each treatment were grown in the center of 952 m² fields planted with purple corn as an adventitious source of ga1/ga1 pollen. Open pollination was allowed and the amount of cross-fertilization estimated by averaging the percentage of purple seeds. Environment and genotype × environment effects were not significant. Contrasts to evaluate differences in cross-fertilization between Ga1-s and ga1 populations revealed that mean percentages of cross-fertilization in Ga1-s populations of B116, ARZM16035:S19, and (CHZM05015:Mo17)Mo17 were significantly lower than in ga1 populations. The estimated broad-sense heritability on an entry-mean basis for cross incompatibility was 0.81. Results suggest differences in genotype at ga1 played a major role in cross-fertilization of populations differing in their genotype at the ga1 locus. Incompatibility may be selected effectively over different environments and the Ga1-s system may be of value to reduce cross-fertilization with GM corn pollen.     

Mapping of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">ms8</Emphasis> male sterility gene in sweet pepper (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum annuum</Emphasis> L.) on the chromosome P4 using PCR-based markers useful for breeding programmes

The nuclear male sterility gene ms8 is expected to facilitate the production of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) hybrids as it provides means for hybridization without the labor-intensive hand emasculation of female inbred lines. The development of molecular markers linked to ms8 locus will help the breeding practice for the selection of hybrid parental lines. In this study, F₂ population resulting from a cross between the sweet pepper male sterile line 320 and the male fertile variety Elf was used to identify DNA markers linked to the ms8 locus. With the use of RAPD–BSA technique, seven markers linked to the ms8 locus were found. Four of them were converted into SCAR markers. In addition, two COSII/CAPS markers linked to the ms8 locus were identified. Comparative mapping with reference pepper maps indicated that the ms8 locus is located on the lower arm of the pepper chromosome P4. Identified markers are useful for molecular breeding, however, at present markers tightly linked to ms8 locus are still lacking. Identification of molecular markers linked to the ms8 locus and determination of its chromosomal localization are useful for fine mapping and also provide the perspective for ms8 gene cloning.     

Assessment of the uniformity and stability of grapevine cultivars using a set of microsatellite markers

Solidity of microsatellite markers is a key issue for varietal identification, especially when they are used for legal purposes, what includes their probable future use in the distinctness, uniformity and stability testing of new varieties needed for the granting of Plant Breeders’ Rights. Nine grapevine microsatellites (VVS2, VVMD5, VVMD27, VVMD28, ssrVrZAG29, ssrVrZAG62, ssrVrZAG67, ssrVrZAG83 and ssrVrZAG112), which had previously demonstrated its capacity to discriminate any grapevine variety, have been assessed to evaluate its uniformity and stability. 19 varieties were selected, representative of a high diversity for morphological, agronomical, cultural and historical aspects, as well as for microsatellite allele variability. Then, for each variety, uniformity and stability were evaluated through the analysis of 50 plants from each of three different plots, and five plants from each of seven additional plots. Material from 4,137 plants of 229 plots of the 19 varieties was sampled in seven countries. Of 3,654 plants analyzed with the set of nine microsatellites, 3,299 were of the right variety and used for the survey. An average of 172 individual values was studied for each allele of each microsatellite of each variety, and none differences were detected that could not be explained as technical variations, with the exception of several putative chimeras in two varieties. Of the total of 171 variety x microsatellite combinations, only in one combination (‘Merlot’ x VVMD27) the number of off-types exceeded the threshold allowed. The remaining 170 combinations have been found uniform and stable according to internationally accepted rules.     

The twenty-first century,the century of plant breeding

To achieve global food security by 2050 primary production must almost be doubled, at least to 80 % by increasing production per unit land. The challenge to plant breeding is tremendous. It is necessary to convince the public of this challenge, who are already dealing with concerns about climate change, a scarcity of good arable land, the demands placed on land with regard to biomass production, scarcity of water and phosphorous as well as increasing consumption of meat. In terms of breeding, concerns are the very small number of major crops and low rates of breeding progress in self-pollinating cereals. Society and politicians can be easily distracted from the dire need to invest in basic breeding research and breeding applications when so many environmental concerns are being emphasized. A holistic approach to these problems is essential. The focus here is on both the obstacles to be overcome and the opportunities to ensure global food security by producing excellent germplasm by 2050. This can be achieved by new technologies and genomics as well as the continuing development of more traditional breeding methodologies.     

Detecting epistatic effects associated with cotton traits by a modified MDR approach

Genetic expression of a trait is complicated and it is usually associated with many genes including their interactions (epistasis) and genotype-by-environment interactions. Genetic mapping currently focuses primarily on additive models or marginal genetic effects due to the complexity of epistatic effects. Thus, there exists a need to appropriately identify favorable epistatic effects for important biological traits. Several multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) based methods are important resources to identify high-order gene–gene interactions. These methods are mainly focused on human genetic studies. Many traits in plant systems are not only quantitatively inherited but also are often measured in repeated field plots under multiple environments. In this study, we proposed a mixed model based MDR approach, which is suitable for inclusion of various fixed and random effects. This approach was used to analyze a cotton data set that included eight agronomic and fiber traits and 20 DNA markers. The results revealed high order epistatic effects were detected for most of these traits using this modified MDR approach.     

Mapping and marker-assisted breeding of a gene allelic to the major Asian rice gall midge resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gm8</Emphasis>

Host plant resistance is the preferred management strategy for Asian rice gall midge (Orseolia oryzae), a serious pest in many rice-growing countries. Identification of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers that are tightly linked to pest resistance genes can accelerate development of gene pyramids for durable/multiple resistance. Based on conventional and molecular allelism tests, we report herein that rice genotype Aganni possesses Gm8 gene, conferring hypersensitive independent (HR– type) resistance to gall midge biotypes GMB1, GMB2, GMB3, GMB4, and GMB4M. The gene Gm8 was mapped to chromosome 8 within a 400-kbp region, and the SSR markers RM22685 and RM22709 flank the gene closely. Using these closely linked flanking markers, nine other gall midge-resistant genotypes were identified as carrying the same gene Gm8. Through marker-assisted selection, Gm8 has been introgressed into an elite bacterial blight-resistant cultivar, Improved Samba-Mahsuri (IS).     

Selection for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora</Emphasis> field resistance in the F<Subscript>2</Subscript> generation of organic outdoor tomatoes

Tomatoes are the most important vegetable, globally as well as in Germany. Outdoor tomato production is seriously impaired due to increasing infections with evolving late blight (Phytophthora infestans) populations. Within organic agriculture, research is being conducted to develop regionally adapted and open pollinated cultivars of outdoor tomatoes with late blight field resistance. In the present experiment, three crosses, including wild, cocktail, and beefsteak tomatoes, were selected for field resistance against late blight in F₂ at one location per cross. The comparison of positive and negative selection in F₃ revealed the selection of single F₂ plants to be efficient in all three crosses. F₂ selection has proved to be a robust and efficient tool for breeding programs. The correlated response to selection in other traits, including yield, fruit weight, days to maturity, harvest period, and plant height, depended on the cross. It was evident that selection for desired traits combined with field resistance against late blight is promising, even in wide crosses. The most undesired attribute of wild tomatoes is the formation of shoots on leaves and in inflorescences. No correlation was observed between field resistance and shoot formation, allowing the selection of genotypes with improved field resistance and yield, but without morphological disadvantages.