Genetic variability among elite red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.) parents used in Chile as revealed by RAPD markers

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is one of the main forage species of temperate regions. Cultivars of red clover are heterogeneous which makes their genetic analysis difficult. We applied RAPDs (Random Amplifed Polymorphic DNA) in order to assess the genetic relationship and levels of genetic variability existing among a group of 16 elite red clover parents organised in four subsets of 4 parents each. Out of 55 primers 21 provided reproducible results. A total of 135 reliable and polymorphic RAPD bands were detected which were used to estimate genetic distances among pair-wise combinations of elite parents. Nei and Li's similarity values ranged from 0.60 to 0.77, with a mean of 0.66, which reflects a rather high genetic variability among the genotypes evaluated. Lower levels of genetic variability, as detected by polymorphic loci and mean heterogeneity values, were detected in a subset of parents selected for resistance to the stem nematode. Cluster analyses resolved the different sets of parents in a manner consistent with what is known from their breeding origins. An Analysis of Molecular Variance detected substantial levels of variation within subsets of parents. RAPDs represent a valuable source of genetic information for red clover breeding programmes. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A factor analysis of plant variables associated with architecture and seed size in dry bean

Summary A knowledge of the biological and functional relationships among traits would be of benefit to plant breeders in the choice of traits to use for increasing efficiency of selection in a breeding program. Principal factor analysis was used to identify biological and functional relationships among dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) traits in segregating populations of a phenotypic recurrent selection program designed to introduce upright architecture into medium-sized dry bean.Two biological interpretations were assigned to factors extracted in the analysis of four seed/pod traits. The first was a size factor, loaded with seed weight and pod width, and the second a number factor, which was loaded with number of seeds per pod and pod length. Similarly, three factors were extracted from the analysis of fifteen architectural traits. The first factor was interpreted as an elongation factor, and was loaded with internode length measurements, while the second factor was interpreted as a structural factor, and was further divided into two subclasses namely, sturdiness factor and profile factor. The sturdiness factor comprised hypocotyl diameter and hypocotyl length, while the profile factor comprised branch angle and number of basal branches. The third factor which was called a reproductive factor was loaded with pod distribution traits and the number and location of nodes on which pods were borne.     

Breeding components for mixture performance

Summary The problems posed by breeding components for use in binary mixtures are discussed. Breeding and selection strategies designed to overcome some of these problems are outlined.     

棉花产量育种的数量性状分析

产量是棉花育种的主要目标之一，为提高棉花产量育种效率，本文从产量结构模式、产量与其构成因素的相关关系两方面，分析了与棉花产量育种有关的数量性状，并讨论了提高棉花产量遗传潜力的可能性     

Combining ability between lines of Cucumis sativus L. and Cucumis sativus var. hardwickii (R.) Alef

Summary Three Cucumis sativus L. (CS) lines adapted to USA growing conditions were used as female parents in crosses to one line each of seven Cucumis sativus var. hardwickii (R.) Alef. (CH) accessions used as male parents to determine the relative combining ability of the CH accessions for six horticultural characters. The 21 F₁ progenies were grown in a randomized complete block design in two locations and evaluated for fruit number, lateral branch number, fruit length, fruit length/diameter ratio, number of female flowering nodes, and days to anthesis. General combining ability (GCA) was significant for all characters in each location. Specific combining ability (SCA) was significant for all characters except days to anthesis in one location and lateral branch number in both locations. Significant location × combining ability interactions were also evident for several characters. Results suggest that CH may be useful for improving fruit yield in commercial cucumber, but that limitations may lie in the attainment of acceptable fruit.Research supported by the College of Agric. and Life Sci., Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison; USDA, ARS, and by funds from Pickle Packers Intl., Inc. Mention of a trademark, proprietary product, or vendor does not constitute a guarantee of warranty of the product by the USDA and does not imply its improval to the exclusion of the other products or vendors that may also be suitable.     

Heterosis and Genetic Variances and their Implications for Breeding Improved Varieties of Spring Beans (Vicia faba L.)*

Handcrosses were made in a factorial manner with 24 Vicia faba inbred lines m three sets, each between four male and four female parents. The resulting 48 hybrids, their parental inbreds and three commercial varieties were grown in performance trials during the years 1985—87 with three replications at one location. Yield and yield components were recorded on single plant basis. The average superiority of the hybrids above the control varieties was 26 % in plant yield. The best crosses outyielded the controls by more than 50 %. However, a few inbred lines also reached, the yield level of the controls. The average heterosis was significant for all characters except for maturity date. In plant yield the average heterosis was 75%, ranging between 34% and 148% in the various cross combinations. The highest average heterosis of 110 % was observed in yield at the lateral stems. In all characters the best inbreds were superior to the lower hybrids and in some characters even equal to the average of the hybrids. A strong positive relationship was found for all characters between hybrid performance and mid-parent value and between the per se performance of the inbreds and their general combining ability. Genotypic differences between the hybrids as well as between the inbreds were highly significant. Most of the variability between the hybrids in all characters were attributed to general combining, ability with only little evidence for specific combining ability. In the discussion the results are evaluated according to the choice of the breeding category of the partial allogamous faba bean species.     

Introduction to an investigation into the possibilities of using physiological characters in breeding tomato for low energy conditions

Summary An introduction is given to a series of papers on an investigation into the possibilities of using physiological characters in breeding tomato for low energy conditions.     

Breeding of Polyploid Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.)

Asparagus is especially suitable for polyploidy breeding. The aim is to develop clone-based hybrid varieties, in particular male 4 × varieties. For this purpose, genetically divergent diploid idiotypes * * Idiotye (according to Reiger et al. 1976) is the sum of total hereditary determinants of an organism, consisting of its genotype (all determinants localized in the chromosomes) and its plasmotype (all determinants localized extra-chromosomally).
) are subjected to mitotic or meiotic polyploidization. In developing hybrid partners, special attention is paid to resistance in addition to yield and quality characters. Early diagnoses are applied in selection so as to shorten breeding times. Somaclonal variations may occur relatively often on in vitro propagation; these need to be eliminated. Triplex and quadruplex type males are suitable for paternal hybrid partners. Strong inbreeding depressions need to be avoided in their production.     

Seed production and breeding potential of the fluted pumpkin,Telfairia occidentalis

Summary Studies during 1980–1987 relating to seed production of the fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. f.) are summarized. Essentially, the dioecious nature of the crop makes sex-ratios of plants affect the number of fruit-bearing females. Overall, about 50% of plants are female, of which some 15% are fruitless. Each fruit-bearing female has 1.5 fruits that contain 60 seeds. The mean weight of seeds is 15 g, and 74% of this total seed weight comprise the seed kernel which contains about 40% oil. Thus, a yield estimate of seed kernels reaches 1.9 t/ha; an output that is superior to that of most other oil seeds now being exploited for seed oil and cake in Nigeria. Measures to raise seed yields and the possibility of breeding work are discussed.     

A database management system for information retrieval and documentation of experiments for plant breeders

Summary An existing database system for seed collections has been augmented by programs providing plans for field experiments, record sheets and adhesive labels for seed packets. Information on accession names and parentage is picked up from the database. At the end of the season information on material seleeted in the trials is automatically added to the database.