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Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) cultivation has become increasingly popular in NW Europe but little is known about the performance of contract-free varieties in this region. In this study, we phenotyped 25 quinoa varieties on a single-plant basis in a field trial in Belgium. In addition, we optimized breeding tools such as NIRS (near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy) to estimate the seed crude protein content and a multiplex PCR set to identify true F1 progeny from pair crosses. We identified 14 varieties with sufficiently early maturity, 17 varieties with plant height below 150 cm, 21 large-seeded varieties, four varieties with a crude protein content exceeding 15%, and two low-saponin varieties. A variety of seed colors and plant morphological traits was observed. Seed yield was not correlated with maturity, plant height or saponin content, but was negatively correlated with seed crude protein content. NIRS could accurately predict seed crude protein content with a determination coefficient of 0.94. Our multiplex SSR set could correctly identify the paternity in 77% to 97% of progeny, depending on the pair cross. In conclusion, our study identified various contract-free varieties that may be suitable for cultivation in NW Europe. In addition, our study provides valuable phenotypic information and breeding tools that breeders can harness for breeding efforts in NW European quinoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present investigation, a set of 90 genotypes, derived from 4 different crosses viz., I: PBG5 x ILWC229; II: BGD72 x ILWC229; III: PBG5 x ILWC246 and IV: BGD72 x ILWC246 were evaluated to estimate the genetic diversity for productivity traits during 2020-21 and 2021-22 at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The genetic diversity analysis grouped 90 genotypes into 5 clusters. Cluster I had the maximum number of genotypes, followed by cluster II. The maximum inter-cluster distance was observed between clusters II and V and the traits like seed yield plot-1, 100-seed weight, and biological yield plot-1 in cluster II were having maximum cluster mean. The derivatives from cluster II were superior with respect to traits like seed yield plot-1, biological yield plot-1, 100-seed weight, days to 50% flowering and can serve as potential donors to obtain transgressive segregants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set of 100 genotypes including 92 inter-specific derivatives, their six parents and two check cultivars was evaluated during rabi 2019-20 and 2020-21. The analysis of variance indicated significant differences between genotypes for all traits evaluated in both the years, as well as for the pooled over analysis. The analysis of variance revealed substantial variations across years; however, the year x genotype interaction was non-significant for all of the variables tested. Transgressive segregants were recovered for seed yield, pods per plant, fruiting branches per plant and 100-seed weight. Nine derivatives namely GLW7225, GLW7242, GLW7246, GLW7247, GLW6241, GLW6359, GLW6360, GLW6361 and GLW6362 were found significantly superior than the respective parents and check cultivars for seed yield. High GCV was observed for seed yield, pods per plant, fruiting branches per plant and 100-seed weight. Seed yield, 100-seed weight, days to 50% flowering, pods per plant and fruiting branches per plant had high heritability. Genetic advance was high for seed yield while it was moderate for pods per plant, fruiting branches per plant and 100-seed weight. Plant height, number of pods per plant, fruiting branches per plant, and 100-seed weight had a strong positive association with seed yield. The current study found that the wild progenitor, Cicer reticulatum, contains a large amount of latent diversity for numerous yield augmenting traits that can be introgressed into cultivated chickpea for yield improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild Cicer species are known as potential genetic resources for resistance to a/biotic stresses as cultivated chickpea (C. arietinum L.) has a particularly narrow genetic base and suffers from a range of diseases. The present study was aimed to introgress valuable morphological, phenological, productivity traits and resistance against Ascochyta blight (AB) and Botrytis grey mould (BGM) diseases from wild Cicer pinnatifidum to cultivated chickpea (C. arietinum L.). A set of 158 inter-specific derivatives, derived from inter-specific cross between bushy mutant GL 23137 (C. arietinum) × IG 136820 (C. pinnatifidum), was evaluated along with the parents. Several derivatives were identified with superior traits. GLWP 38 recorded higher pods per plant, biomass per plant, seed yield per plant and 100-seed weight. Some derivatives with early flowering/maturity, erect/semi-erect growth habit and medium main branch length were also found. One AB resistant derivative (GLWP 55) and two BGM resistant derivatives (GLWP 61 and GLWP 63) were identified. Furthermore, genotyping-by-sequencing identified 1409 polymorphic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in derivatives and parents. These SNPs were used to perform graphical genotyping for confirming the degree of introgressions in different derivatives and also at chromosomal level from wild parent. The promising derivatives are being utilized currently in chickpea breeding programme to breed cultivars with improved yield levels and resistance against AB and BGM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, an activation-tagged (AT) rice line T8-Ds-RFP3 developed has been tested for its ability to combat drought and salinity stress conditions besides analysis of its genes associated with improved productivity traits. TAIL-PCR analysis revealed the integration site of Ds element at LOC_Os03g51080 locus in the genome of the AT line. qRT-PCR analysis of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and F-box DUF protein-encoding genes showed more than 10- and 14-fold increased expression levels in the AT line when compared to that of wild-type (WT) plants. AT plants subjected to drought and salinity stresses exhibited enhanced stress tolerance compared to WT plants besides increased root length, tiller number and number of grains per plant. Additionally, AT plants also disclosed increased accumulation of osmolytes and antioxidants under salt and drought stress conditions owing to their enhanced ROS detoxification ability. Furthermore, AT plants also disclosed improved plant water status, photosynthetic efficiency, stomatal conductance and water use efficacy confirming their explicit stress tolerance compared to WT plants. The overall results suggest the underlying coordinated expressions of F-box DUF and GAD genes contribute to the elevated stress tolerance as well as increased productivity of the AT plants. Accordingly, the T8-Ds-RFP3 AT line can serve as a potent genetic resource for optimizing rice cultivars with increased yield potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the agro-biological traits and select the promising populations of alfalfa under pedoclimatic conditions, field experiments were carried out in two locations of the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry (western Lithuania 55°70′ N, 21°49′ E and central Lithuania 55°23′ N, 23°51′ E). Eleven populations were established in acidic soil with a pH of 4.0 (experimental site I) and neutral soil with a pH of 7.0 (experimental site II). The productivity and agro-biological traits: fresh matter yield, dry matter yield, seed yield, stem thickness, and stem, leaf, and inflorescence weight of alfalfa populations were evaluated from 2019 to 2021. In the acidic soil, the populations 3056, 3132, 3130, and 3058 yielded more fresh and dry matter compared to the standard cultivar Birutė in the period from 2019 to 2021. In the acidic soil, populations 3131 and 3057 had a higher seed yield compared to the cultivar Birutė in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The 3086 population significantly differed in leaf weight compared to the cultivar Birutė. The cultivar Birutė and population 3132 were similar in stem thickness and fresh matter yield. In the neutral soil, population 3056 yielded more fresh matter compared to the cultivar Birutė. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture in the populated islands of the Galapagos Archipelago, a protected area due to its unique biodiversity, has been detrimental to its conservation but highly required to meet food necessities. A potential solution to make agricultural farming more sustainable is adopting water-saving technologies (WSTs). Therefore, this study aimed to test the effectiveness of using WSTs such as Groasis Waterboxx® in three of the most valuable crops in the islands through participatory research with the involvement of a group of farmers from the Floreana and Santa Cruz islands and explore a possible transition to more sustainable agricultural practices. Capsicum annuum, Cucumis sativus and Solanum lycopersicum were cultivated using Groasis Waterboxx® and compared to conventional irrigation practices (drip-irrigated controls) to assess the variability of productivity, the number of fruits and individual fruit weight (IFW). In addition, differences in plant traits were analyzed by crop, and island. Results suggested that WSTs such as Groasis Waterboxx® may provide on-farm benefits regarding the yields of the studied traits. From this study, it is difficult to determine whether participation in such a research study will permanently change irrigation practices. However, the participant's responses to the study suggest an increase in their understanding of the use and benefits of WST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Eurasian Journal of Ecology is the property of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Tan spot, caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, is a major foliar disease of wheat in Kazakhstan. This study evaluated 103 winter wheat genotypes for tan spot resistance and high-productivity traits in the field in two years. Entries were also characterized using the molecular marker Xfcp623, indicative of Tsn1 gene conferring sensitivity to Ptr ToxA. The proportion of entries insensitive to Ptr ToxA was relatively high (71%). Forty-eight entries with the lowest tan spot severity in the field were confirmed to be insensitivity to Ptr ToxA in the molecular screening. Entries which were resistant under field conditions had similar level of seedling resistance. Principal component analysis biplots showed, that all spike productivity traits were highly correlated. Days to heading (DH) and tan spot severity, as well as the normalized difference vegetation index and DH were strongly correlated. Thousand kernels weight (TKW) and plant height were highly correlated and both were negatively correlated with DH and tan spot severity, indicating that taller cultivars tended to be more resistant. The Xfcp623 negative entries had lower disease severity (by about 40%), flowered up to 2 days later than entries with Tsn1 and had significantly more spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, TKW and grain weight/spike. The results of the study will be important for increasing the efficiency of breeding based on the elimination of the genotypes with dominant allele Tsn1. Of the 103 entries evaluated, 28 can be directly used in breeding programs to improve tan spot resistance and productivity of winter wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Setting and purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the possibility of an integral grain yield estimation by taking into account the genotype*environment interaction of yield traits in winter common wheat. Methods: At three main locations for the grain production in Bulgaria, 40 winter common wheat varieties were studied. Several productivity traits have been studied as follows: height of stem (HOS), number of productive tillers per m2 (NPT); number of grains per spike (NGS); thousand grain weight (TGW), weights of grain per spike (WGS), the number of grains per m2 (NGm), total above-ground biomass (TBM), harvest index (HI) and grain yield (GY) itself. A new methodology is used to assess the behaviour of each of the varieties, based on the relationship of its grain yield with some productivity traits, by measuring their change in different environmental conditions. Key results: The interaction of genotype x environment is essential for each of the tested traits. The variation of each of them is examined against the background of the others, and then evaluated through its relationship to grain yield. An integrated assessment of varieties is applied through the interaction of their traits and yield components (GY*T) with environmental conditions. Nevertheless of the close means of traits in the tested varieties, a significant difference was found between them. Conclusions: The established Mean Superiority Index (MSI) allows them to be properly stacked and grouped versus check varieties. The approach applied may group successfully varieties by traits that effect grain yields. The reasons for the specific grain yield of each of the varieties are analyzed by the combination of some character, which are dynamically variable according to the environments. Evaluation of a large number of varieties is fully possible by using the GY*trait approach that allows determination of their suitability for production and breeding value, as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Alexandria Journal of Agricultural Research is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The objective of the study was to analyze the efficiency of selection of the maternal breed pigs based on their scores for the indices of complex traits. Databases of phenotypes in the Large White pigs (n = 23 753) for reproductive performance (farrowing performance) and meat and fattening productivity in progeny (n = 34 866) produced from the livestock population at OOO Selection and Hybrid Center (Verkhnyaya Khava, Voronezh oblast) were used. During the study, the economic values for reproductive traits, meat quality, and fattening performance were determined; their trait heritability coefficients were calculated. As a result, the selection index equations for estimating the animal breeding values have been derived to calculate the selection index based on productivity (SI1) and the overall selection index (SI2) for comprehensive evaluation of livestock population and subsequent selection of specimens in order to produce purebred or crossbred progeny. It is recommended to use the SI1 scores in selecting sows and boars for purebred breeding and the SI2 scores in crossbreeding to produce the replacement F1 gilts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed at introgression of productivity enhancing traits and resistance to pod borer and Phytophthora stem blight from wild to cultivated pigeonpea through an inter-specific cross between Cajanus scarabaeoides (ICP 15683) and C. cajan (ICPL 20329). Progenies derived from the direct segregating (without backcross) population and backcross population were evaluated for yield and yield contributing traits namely fruiting branches and pods plant−1 and 100-seed weight. Introgressed progenies having higher fruiting branches, pods and yield plant−1 compared to the cultivated parent were identified in both populations. A few progenies with significantly shorter plant height, early flowering and early maturity as compared to both cultivated and wild parents were also recovered in both populations. Progenies from both the populations were identified with higher resistance to pod borer and Phytophthora stem blight. However, some introgressed progenies having lower seed weight and seeds per pod were also recovered. The promising progenies are currently being used in the breeding programme to develop cultivars with improved productivity and resistance to pod borer and Phytophthora stem blight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Diyala Agricultural Sciences Journal is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of the study is to investigate the heterosis manifestations in durum wheat for quantitative traits related to spike productivity. Diallel cross includes five modern varieties of durum wheat: Victoria (BG), Deni (BG), Superdur, Progress (BG), Predel (BG). The heterosis manifestations of the ten crosses are traced for the traits: spikelet number per spike, number of kernel per spike, grain weight per spike and thousand kernel weight. The experiment is conducted in the 2014-2016 period in the experimental field of FCIChirpan. Standard technology for the cultivation of durum wheat is applied. The trials are organized in a randomized block design with three replications. Of each replication 30 plants are randomly picked and harvested for biometric analysis. The mean values by years from the F1 spike biometric measurements are included in the statistical analysis to determine the mid parent and better parent heterosis. For spikelet number per spike, seven crosses show high parent heterosis in the first year, four in the second and six in the third year. In all years, hybrids with a variety of Victoria have more spikelet number per spike and show better parent heterosis. For the trait kernel number per spike it is observed that combinations with Deni variety in most cases have better parent heterosis. In all years, the cross Superdur x Predel indicates high parent heterosis for this trait. For grain weight per spike most of the combinations exhibit high levels of better parent heterosis. When the Deni variety is used as female parent, all hybrid combinations show high levels of heterosis for the trait grain weight per spike. In regard to the thousand kernel weight different heterosis levels are observed, with only negative values in the first year. In the other two years in hybrid combinations there is positive heterosis in one year and negative in another year. The participation of the Deni variety in hybrid combinations leads to better parent heterosis for this trait. The data allow the use of these crosses directly in the breeding of durum wheat to increase individual traits and/or increase productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivar, GPF2, was crossed with two accessions, EC556270 and ILWC21, of its wild relative C. reticulatum with the objective to introgress productivity enhancing traits from wild to cultivated chickpea. The F1s were backcrossed to cultivated parent to generate backcross derived generations and also selfed to generate F3 progenies. In BC1F1 and BC2F1 generations, plants showing superiority for fruiting branches, pods and seed yield over the recurrent parent were recovered. A set of 77 BC1F2 and F3 progenies along with recurrent parent was grown to record data on various morphological traits, yield components and seed yield were recorded. There was significant improvement in number of pods, number of primary and secondary branches and seed yield. Some BC1F2 progenies recorded 30-32% higher seed yield as compared to recurrent parent. Many backcross progenies were superior to the cultivated parent for more than one trait. It was observed that F2 and F3 progenies were inferior as compared to the backcross derived progenies due to the undesirable characters like prostrate growth habit, seed shape and dull seed colour which were inherited from the wild parent. Results showed that the wild donors contributed several positive alleles for yield and yield contributing traits. The study also suggested that one or two backcrosses are required to reduce linkage drag of undesirable traits from the wild donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explains the construction of an intraspecific genetic linkage map of the A-genome diploid cotton with simple sequence repeat (SSR) and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, using 180 F2 plants derived from the cross of 2 Gossypium arboreum cotton cultivars (Ravi x Entry-17). Polymorphisms between the 2 parents were detected using 1089 pairs of SSR primers and 520 RAPD primers. In total, 34 pairs of SSR primer-amplified and 18 RAPD primer-amplified polymorphic loci were selected to survey the F2 population. In total, 52 polymorphic DNA fragments were generated and used to construct a linkage map with JoinMap 3.0. A total of 45 loci and 5 phenotypic traits were mapped at a logarithm of odds ratio of ≥3.0 on 10 linkage groups. The total length of the map was 346 cM, and the average distance between adjacent markers was 7.7 cM. Chromosome assignments were made according to previous studies. In total, 7 quantitative trait loci (QTLs), including 5 for productivity traits and 2 for fibre traits, were mapped. Identification of these QTLs will set the stage for initiating marker-assisted selection and map-based cloning in cotton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is a valuable warm season pulse crop grown for its grain, vegetable and also fodder. Very few efforts have made to understand the association of various yield components and their direct and or indirect influence on yield of cowpea. In the present study twenty genotypes of cowpea selected from various genetic background were used to study the association pattern among morphological traits and direct and indirect effect of these traits on productivity is also discussed. number of clusters plant, pods per plant had positive correlation with seed yield where as, clusters per plant, pod length and test weight had a positive direct effect on seed yield and days to maturity has negative direct effect on seed yield. Few genotypes were identified to be superior over the local check (C-152). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern rice varieties that ushered in the green revolution brought about dramatic increase in rice production worldwide but at the cost of genetic diversity at the farmers’ fields. The wild species germplasm can be used for broadening the genetic base and improving productivity. Mining of alleles at productivity QTL from related wild species under simultaneous backcrossing and evaluation, accompanied by molecular marker analysis has emerged as an effective plant breeding strategy for utilization of wild species germplasm. In the present study, a limited backcross strategy was used to introgress QTL associated with yield and yield components from Oryza rufipogon (acc. IRGC 105491) to cultivated rice, O. sativa cv IR64. A set of 12 BC2F6 progenies, selected from among more than 100 BC2F5 progenies were evaluated for yield and yield components. For plant height, days to 50% flowering and tillers/plant, the introgression lines did not show any significant change compared to the recurrent parent IR64. For yield, 9 of the 12 introgression lines showed significantly higher yield (19–38%) than the recurrent parent IR64. Four of these lines originating from a common lineage showed higher yield due to increase in grain weight and another three also from a common lineage showed yield increase due to increase in grain number per panicle. For analyzing the introgression at molecular level all the 12 lines were analyzed for 259 polymorphic SSR markers. Of the total 259 SSR markers analyzed, only 18 (7.0%) showed introgression from O. rufipogon for chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 11. Graphical genotypes have been prepared for each line and association between the introgression regions and the traits that increased yield is reported. Based on marker trait association it appears that some of the QTL are stable across the environments and genetic backgrounds and can be exploited universally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]