Important considerations in the analysis of generation means

Summary The weighted least squares (WLS) procedure has been widely used in the analysis of generation means in biometrical genetics. Two methods to carry out the analysis have been presented in the literature (Mather & Jinks, 1971; Rowe & Alexander, 1980). Neither method identified the factors that need to be taken into account when deciding which procedure to use. This paper examines the fitting of the additive-dominance model using the general principles of least squares analysis and presents the statistical basis of each procedure. Mather & Jink's method, which is more realistic according to genetic theory, is based on the assumption that the populations have nonhomogeneous variances. Rowe & Alexander's method is based on the assumption that the populations have homogeneous variances. In the latter case, there is actually no need to do a WLS analysis. The ordinary least square analysis using the original observations rather than the means, will produce the regression parameter estimates.     

The degree of phenotypic similarity of near-isogenic lines of the wheat cultivar Centana with their recurrent parent

Summary The degree of phenotypic similarity of Centana and its near-isogenic lines (NILs) has been investigated. Some NILs have a disease reaction, a gliadin pattern and a yield level which differs from Centana. This means that they still possess many donor genes. One of the NILs, Shortana, must be a derivative of a backcross line crossed with an unknown genotype resulting in a good yielding variety.     

The degree of phenotypic resemblance of the near-isogenic lines of the wheat cultivar thatcher with their recurrent parent

Summary Thatcher, 16 of its near-isogenic lines (NIL) and 8 donors were investigated for the degree in which the NILs phenotypically resembled their recurrent parent. In general the NILs have a good phenotypic resemblance. In a few NILs characters occur that are not seen in Thatcher. In some cases these are found in the donor indicating the presence of donor genes other than the marker gene in the NIL. In other cases a character possessed by a NIL is not present in Thatcher or in its donor. In such cases either inhibitor genes may play a part, or the donor accession that accompanies the set of NILs may not be the donor used to breed the NIL. Two causes are possible. One is that the donor was a mixture of genotypes, the other is contamination.The presence of donor genes other than the marker Lr gene(s) in a NIL may lead to unexpected results or, what is worse, to wrong conclusions.     

Isozyme polymorphism in three gene pools of cultivated chicory (Cichorium intybus L.)

Summary Polymorphism of ten enzymes, acid phosphatase (APH), isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), phosphorylase (PP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malic enzyme (ME), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase 1 and 2 (GOT-1, GOT-2) and phosphoglucomutase 1 and 2 (PGM-1 and PGM-2), was investigated in three gene pools of cultivated chicory, including six cultivated wild chccory, eight industrial chicory and eight Brussels chicory varieties. LAP, APH, PP and PGM-2 showed high phenotypic polymorphism whilst GOT-1 and ME had poor polymorphism. For three enzyme coding loci Lap, Pgm-1 and Got-2, allele frequencies were determined. Isozyme composition in the three chicory gene pools was significantly different, showing, respectively, high, intermediate and poor average amount of phenotypic polymorphism in cultivated wild chicory, industrial chicory and Brussels chicory. Isozyme variation within and between varieties of the three gene pools is discussed in relation to breeding practices.     

Grain Yield and Quality of Durum Wheat Landraces in a Dry Mediterranean Region of Northern Syria

Twenty-two durum wheat landraces of various origins were evaluated for performance and stability of grain yield, protein content and gluten strength (SDS sedimentation volume) at two sites of Northern Syria situated in the drought-prone part of the local durum wheat belt. Yield was recorded in three seasons, while protein content and SDS volume were assessed in two seasons only. A high “entry X environment” interaction was observed for all traits, which was significantly attributable to heterogeneity of entry regressions on the environmental mean for grain yield only. Compared to the recently-bred, widely-grown variety ‘Sham I’, some landraces showed somewhat similar yield responses, whereas others proved more stable without being significantly lower yielding. Significant variation was found for SDS volume, though only few of the best-ranking landraces for this trait also possessed an acceptable yield level. The entries did not significantly differ for protein content. The broad sense heritability estimates obtained for grain yield (0.59) and SDS volume (0.89) highlighted the interest in some of the landraces examined for improving grain yield and quality in the region.     

Protein yield of oats as determined by protein percentage and grain yield

Summary Relationships among the traits protein percentage, grain yield, and protein yield of oats were studied with F₂-derived lines in F₃ and F₄ from 27 matings obtained by crossing high-protein with high-yield oat lines. High-protein parents were (a) selections from an Avena sativa bulk, (b) selections from three-way matings in which an initial parent was A. sterilss, and (c) cultivars. High-yield parents were derived from backcross populations involving A. sterilis accessions as donor parents.Significnnt genetic variation existed among F₂-derived lines for grain and protein yield in all matings and for protein percentage in all but one mating.Protein percentage had a highly significant negative correlation with grain yield (r=–0.33^**) when pooled over all matings, but in five, these two traits were not correlated. Overall, protein percentage showed a small negative correlation with protein yield (r=–0.09^*), and protein and grain yields had a high positive association (r=0.98^**). F₂-derived lines with both high protein percentage and high grain yield were obtained.High transgressive segregates for protein percentage occurred in two matings, for grain yield in nine, and for protein yield in 14. Most high transgressive segregates for protein yield were high because of high grain yield only, but in four matings, lines were found where protein yield was increased by concurrent increases in both protein percentage and grain yield.Only a few specific parental combinations between high-protein and high-yield parents produced segregates in which increased protein percentage contributed materially to high-protein yields.Journal Paper No. J-11264 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Stn., Ames, Iowa 50011. Project 2447.     

Biodiversity in a germplasm collection of durum wheat

Summary Over 7,600 durum wheat accessions belonging to 22 country gene pools were evaluated in Syria, during the seasons 1985–86 through 1987–88 under semi-arid Mediterranean climatic conditions. Data on seven agronomic traits are presented to assess the distinctiveness and the phenotypic diversity of these pools. Univariate statistical analysis revealed differences among materials of diverse origins for all traits. Mean phenotypic diversity within countries was highest in the germplasm from India, lowest in that from Bulgaria. In a canonical variate analysis, the first three canonical variables explained 77.7% of the total variance. A cluster analysis was performed to supplement the generated information by the canonical analysis. The multivariate analyses evidenced the distinctiveness of the Ethiopian germplasm. The gene pools from Syria and Jordan, closely resembling each other, appeared separate from all others. A certain peculiarity was also shown by the germplasms from Greece, Morocco and France, while the remaining countries clustered into four groups. The results of the present evaluation could provide useful information for breeding activities, germplasm collection, and establishment of core collections. Evidence is presented that environment played a major role in creating the overall variation for the considered traits, although germplasm exchange seemed also an important factor.     

The extent of similarity between near-isogenic lines of the Australian spring wheat variety Triple Dirk with their recurrent parent

Summary The near-isogenic lines of the wheat variety Triple Dirk supposed to differ only for Vrn genes have been investigated for their similarity to Triple Dirk and for purity. The NILs were found to differ from Triple Dirk. It was also discovered that Triple Dirk and the NILs each exist of more than one genotype. It is recommended that each NIL is tested for its Vrn-genotype and purified. New sets of Vrn NILs can only be made with these checked NILs and with one-plant progeny of the newly used recurrent parents.     

Seedling emergence,coleoptile length,and plant height relationships in crosses of dwarf and standard-height wheats

Summary Seedling emergence was closely correlated with coleoptile length and plant height among parents, F₂ and F₃, populations of crosses involving dwarf wheats Olesen Dwarf (CI 14497), Norin 10 derivative D6301, Tom Thumb derivative D6899, and the standard-height varieties Ramona 50 and Nainari 60. Genetic mechanisms that governed plant height also influenced coleoptile length, but the relative effects of genes showing dominant or epistatic effects appeared to be different. With respect to the two parents involved in each of 15 crosses, mean F₂ coleoptile lengths were consistently closer to the low parent value than were corresponding mean F₂ plant heights. A slight curvilinear relationship was also found between coleoptile length and plant height of F₃ lines. The results suggest that selection of semidwarf wheats with long coleoptiles and improved emergence properties from crosses involving the dwarf wheats of this study would be unlikely.     

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.