Inheritance pattern for pod lenghth and ovule number in wide crosses among Cajanus and Atylosia species

Summary Six interspecific/intergeneric F₂ populations involving two cultivars of C. cajan and five Atylosia species were scored for segregation patterns for pod length and ovule number. It was observed that for both characters the F₂ means and the ranges were correspondingly lower than the midparent values and the spread of the two parents. However, the intrageneric cross of A. lineata and A. scarabaeoides showed transgressive segregation for pod length and the F₂ mean and range were correspondingly larger than the midparent value and spread of the two parents, suggesting the usefulness of combining ability test for choice of suitable parents.     

Disturbed Mendelian segregations at isozyme marker loci in early backcrosses of Lolium multiflorum × Festuca pratensis hybrids to L. multiflorum

Summary The segregation of interspecific recombinant Festuca pratensis (Fp) alleles, introgressed into the germolasm of Lolium multiflorum (Lm), at four loci (PGI/2, AcP/2, GOT/3 and BAP) is described. Heterozygous (Lm/Fp) plants were backcrossed to L. multiflorum (2n=2×=14) and subsequent BC2 Lm/Fp sibling genotypes intercrossed.In crosses between BC1 heterozygous plants (Lm/Fp) used as males and L. multiflorum, there was a reduced transmission of the F. pratensis (Donor Parent) derived alleles in the populations with PGI/2 and AcP/2 marker loci compared to the reciprocal cross but the reduction was not significantly different in those with GOT/3 and BAP markers.Two PGI/2 marked BC2 half-sib families in particular exhibited a more extreme deficiency of Fp/Fp progeny plants than anticipated from the BC2 segregations indicating possible linkage to zygotic lethals. Deficiencies of F. pratensis alleles were, in most cases, less marked in BC2 half-sib families indicating that a further round of recombination had reduced the size of the introgressed chromosome segment or that deleterious linkages had been broken. A tendency towards heterozygote advantage was found in one BAP marked halfsib family.The significance for forage grass breeding of reduced transmission rates of Donor Parent alleles in early back-cross generations especially through the male gametes is discussed.     

Evaluation of Potato Hybrids Obtained from Tetraploid-Diploid Crosses II. Progeny Analysis

A total of 45 tetraploid-diploid (4x—2x) hybrid progenies were obtained by crossing each of ten diploid parents as males to each of five tetraploid parents. Means of six traits of the 45 progenies obtained from a two-year experiment were used in progeny analysis. A new mathematical model is developed for analyzing the incomplete two-way table. It is modified from the conventional model for factorial mating design. The aim of the model is to evaluate the potential of 2x parents in terms of their mean effects (μ_i) and sensitivity measures (B_i) to the 4x parents. The 4x parents were treated as testers in the model. They were compared by the estimates of the magnitude of tester effects (g_i). The mean effects of 2x parents showed a dominant influence on variation of tuber number and mean tuber weight of the hybrid progenies. They also demonstrated a substantial influence on the variation of total and marketable yield, chipping score and specific gravity. The linear response of 2x parents to 4x parents, however, also showed a substantial influence on the variation of the latter traits. The information on μ_i and B_i are useful in terms of choosing superior 2x parents and, together with gj of 4x parents, 4x—2x progenies for specific traits. The μ_i and B_i estimates of the six traits showed a complicated interrelationship to each other.     

Wheat x pearl millet hybridization: consequence and potential

Summary Eight grain pearl millet (2n=14) accessions were crossed as male to hexaploid spring wheat cv. Fukuho (2n=6x=42). An average of 80% wheat pistils showed pearl millet pollen tube entry in the ovules, compared to 56% in wheat x maize cv. Seneca 60 cross. Of the 15 embryos, obtained through in vitro immature seed culture from wheat x pearl millet crosses, 3 plantlets were produced and grown to maturity. These three were of the somatic chromosome constitution 2n=42, 21 and 22, respectively. Haploid wheat plant (2n=21) apparently originated from pearl millet chromosome elimination during embryogenesis. The 22 chromosome plant had retained a single pearl millet chromosome at tillering stage, but this chromosome was eliminated from pollen mother cells prior to and also during gamete formation. The significance and potential uses of this wide cross is discussed.     

The development of Raparadish (x Brassicoraphanus, 2n=38), a new crop in agriculture

Summary Raparadish, x Brassicoraphanus, the amphidiploid hybrid between Brassica rapa (syn. B.campestris) and Raphanus sativus (fodder radish) was made by Dolstra (1982). Primary hybrid plants grew vigorously, suggesting that the amphidiploid AARR might be useful as a fodder crop. Three populations of this new material were studied, with special attention to improvement of fertility and resistance to beet cyst nematode (Heterodera schachtii), whilst preserving genetic variability. For lack of progress one of the populations was abandoned after the fourth generation. The other two populations were observed through nine or ten generations. Apart from the last two generations mass selection for seed set was carried out on the basis of single plants. This led to a considerable increase in average seed production, without losing a wide variation for this trait. Thus more progress is being expected. Five cycles of mass selection for resistance to beet cyst nematodes led to a considerable increase of the level of resistance of both populations. The prospects of this new agricultural crop are discussed.     

Heterosis in Primary Hexaploid Triticale with Heterozygous Wheat or Rye Genome*)

Twelve primary hexaploid triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack), synthesized from, three lines of tetraploid wheat (Triticum durum L., T. turgidum L.) and four inbred lines of rye (Secale cereale L.), were used to produce 18 crosses with homozygous wheat and heterozygous rye genome and 12 crosses with heterozygous wheat and homozygous rye genome. Parents and crosses of triticale, wheat, and rye were tested for two years (rye for one year only) in two-replicate block designs with 1 m²-plots. Data were assessed for plant height, grain yield and for yield-related traits. Performance of triticale crosses was considerably lower than that of the wheat and rye crosses. The amount of heterosis varied greatly between years. Positive and mainly significant heterosis was revealed in triticale generations F₁ and F₂. The average values were closer to those in wheat than to those in rye. For most characters a high level of heterosis was retained in tnucalt1 generation F₂. Heterozygosity of the wheat and rye genome both contributed to heterosis in triticale. However, gene action of the rye genome strongly depended on the homozygous wheat background: one wheat line almost completely suppressed and another greatly stimulated the heterotic effect of the rye genome. In the later case, the amount of heterosis was related to that in rye per se. Information from hybrid rye breeding may therefore be used when establishing gene pools for hybrid breeding in triticale.     

Transfer of resistance to race 2 of Plasmodiophora brassicae from Brassica napus to cabbage (B. Oleracea spp. Capitata). IV. A resistant 18-chromosome B1 plant and its B2 progenies

Summary The somatic karyotype and meiotic chromosome behavior were studied in an 18-chromosome B₁ plant derived from backcrossing a triploid (Brassica napus x B. oleracea ssp. capitata) F₁ hybrid to cabbage. It is considered that cabbage chromosomes no. 1 and no. 7 were substituted by two shorter B. napus chromosomes. Meiotic disturbances were more apparent during the late stages of second division. Seed fertility of this plant was largely restored in the second backcrosses with both cabbage and broccoli. 18-chromosome B₂ plants resistant to race 2 of Plasmodiophora brassicae were recovered among the progenies.Contribution no. J. 725 from the Research Station, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, St-Jean, Québec J3B 6Z8.     

Breeding behavior for tuber protein in Solanum tuberosum and Tuberosum-phureja hybrids

Summary True protein content among tubers within a plant of Solanum tuberosum cv. Oneida was found to be negatively correlated with tuber size. A similar study of S. phureja genotype 148-17 revealed no correlation. Tuber protein was determined for 250 genotypes in each of four hybrid potato populations in a factorial mating design with four potato cultivars as stylar parents mated to four groups of pollen parents (4x cultivars, 4x high protein selections, 2x S. phureja, 2x high protein S. phureja). The hybrid population derived from the 4x high protein selections was significantly higher in protein content than the other populations. High estimates of general combining ability for tuber protein content were found for both stylar and pollen parents. Poor photoperiodic adaptation to growing conditions in northern latitudes was a possible explanation for the variable protein phenotypes typical of S. phureja and the lack of transmission of the high protein character in phureja to 4x-2x hybrids. Although protein content was negatively correlated with total yield, high protein segregates with good yield potential were identified in all four populations.Scientific Journal Series Article 11, 616 of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Overcoming hybridization barriers between pea and some of its wild relatives

Pea would benefit from the plasticity and adaptability of its cross-incompatible relatives Pisum fulvum and Lathyrus sativus L., and we have tested reciprocal sexual crossings by manually cross-pollinating plants of genotypes of these three species. Studies of in situ germination of pollen grains on stigmata showed that pollen tubes were generally unable to germinate or could not reach the ovary. A few putative hybrid pods were nevertheless harvested, with one grain per pod germinated in vitro, then micropropagated for flow cytometry, isoenzyme, molecular (ribosomal ITS PCR-RFLP) and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) studies. One such grain was recovered from an inter-generic cross of P. sativum x L. sativus and four from an inter-specific P. sativum x P. fulvumcross. A strong cross-incompatibility was shown between pea and grass pea, where the putative hybrid turned out to be pea. Conversely, with the interspecific, P. sativum x P. fulvum cross, flow cytometry and isoenzymes with leaf tissues strongly suggested hybridity, while molecular approaches and GISH confirmed the production of inter-specific hybrids, and without the need for a wild type P. sativum accession as a bridging cross.     

Interspecific hybrids of sunflower as a source of Sclerotinia resistance

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is considered the most devastating pathogen of sunflower grown in humid environments. In this study, progenies of partial hybrids between Helianthus maximiliani, a wild species that has been shown to be resistant to S. sclerotiorum, and H. annuus were characterized by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis to identify whether there are introgressions from H. maximiliani into the cultivated sunflower at the molecular level. Wild species‐specific fragments as well as fragments not found in either parent were detected. Progenies tended to cluster together according to the original partial hybrids in the dendrogram by the use of bootstrap procedures. The progenies were studied for their reaction to S. sclerotiorum using artificial inoculation of sunflower heads. Some of the progenies showed a higher level of resistance compared with resistant inbred lines. It was possible to identify two AFLP‐fragments which seem to be linked to Sclerotinia resistance.