Euphytica最新文献

In response to the growing population and increasing demand for cattle products, enhancing sorghum forage yield is essential for ensuring food security. This study aimed to identify stable genotypes with high forage yields and key yield traits for sorghum breeding programs. Ninety-five forage sorghum lines were evaluated under five distinct climatic conditions over two years (2020–2021), revealing significant genotype × environment interaction (GEI) effects for 14 agronomic traits. Two BLUP-based mixed model stability methods, weight average absolute score based on BLUP (WAASB) and the multi-trait stability index (MTSI), were employed for stability analysis. Three genotypes, G90 (424B), G80 (382B) and G3 (349B) were identified stable and high yielding for forage yield based on WAASB based methods. The MTSI, a novel simultaneous selection index, effectively selected genotypes based on multiple agro-morphological traits, except for the leaf-to-stem ratio. Genotypes G81, G90, G80, and G89 were identified as desirable based on the MTSI. The strength and weakness plot is highlighted as a valuable graphical tool for identifying and selecting genotypes based on trait strengths and weaknesses. Among these, G90 (424B) and G80 (382B) stood out as superior, excelling in both forage yield and early maturity, as determined by WAASB based methods and MTSI method. These genotypes warrant further comprehensive investigation across diverse environments and show significant potential for future breeding programs.

Grain yield is a product of biomass (BM) and harvest index (HI). HI, not BM, is the major constraint of chickpea productivity in the long season environments of northern Indian plains. This is the first genome wide association study (GWAS) of shelling percentage (Sh.%), HI and related traits in chickpea using genotyping by sequencing approach. Genotyping of 178 germplasm lines involving varieties, trait specific genotypes and advance breeding lines found 35,795 high-throughput single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The objectives of the study were to unravelling the genomic regions responsible for variation in flowering time, shelling percentage, HI and related traits in chickpea. The phenotypic analysis across three environments showed high variability and connections among HI and related traits. Population structure analysis revealed two sub-populations (k = 2). Linkage disequilibrium (LD) was extensive, and LD decay was relatively low. A total of 172 marker-trait associations (MTAs) were identified for HI and related traits using FarmCPU model, of which days to 50% flowering (DAF), HI and shelling percentage showed significant associations. The current study has identified consistent pleiotropic MTAs, SNC_021165.1_57891716 and SNC_021165.1_57917493, SNC_021164.1_6073633 and SNC_021165.1_33405826 for biomass, pod and seed yield/plant, pod and seed number/plant HI and Sh.%, respectively. All the MTAs observed for SYPL, PYPL and maximum number of MTAs for HI and BM were located on the same chromosome number 6. Further maximum number of MTAs for PPL and SN were distributed on chromosome 5. One of the important findings is that most of the MTAs for SYPL, PYPL, BM, and 100SW are distributed within 25 kb genomic region of chromosome 6. A total of 16 MTAs were retained for Insilco analysis (− log10(p) > 4.0) and searched for their candidate genes in a 100-kb flanking region against the reference genome. The maximum number of genes noticed for DAF (50), followed by Sh.% (48), HI (16), SYPL (13), BM (10), and PYPL (8). The transcripts for DAF, Arabinogalactan proteins and pentatricopeptide repeat were involved in flowering of Arabidopsis. For both PYPL and SYPL, MTA found linked to the genes coding for pentatricopeptide repeat, serine/threonine-protein kinase and E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase. These transcripts played role mainly in pollen maturation, fertilization and flowering time. Chaperone protein DnaJ linked to HI, and receptor-like protein kinase (RLK) for Sh.% were involved in improving yield in Arabidopsis and rice, respectively. The present study also validated one of the MTA linked to DAF which showed r² value of 12.62%.

Acroceras macrum, a forage grass from Africa, offers potential for enhancing cattle production in subtropical flood-prone regions. Despite its use in Northeast Argentina since the 1980s, the lack of available fertile seeds limits its widespread adoption and large-scale cultivation. We evaluate a germplasm collection of hybrids generated for breeding purposes in Corrientes, Argentina. To assess the feasibility of breeding programs, we examined heterosis and heritability through phenotypic traits. We evaluated growth characteristics (initial vigor, ground cover), plant morphology (leaf and internode size), biomass production (across two sites and years), reproductive stem proportion, flowering peak timing, and seed filling (measured on four dates). Six families were assessed: four full-sibling families compared to the superior parent, and two half-sibling families. The timing of the flowering peak exhibited a correlation with photoperiod. All traits depended on parental combinations, exhibiting significant intra-familial variability ranging from negative heterotic hybrids exceeding 80% to positive hybrids reaching 90%. Correlations between heterosis of the traits and parents’ genetic distance must be confirmed. Nevertheless, correlativeness was mainly observed for biomass production for distinct years and seasons. Hence, genetic distance could be a useful tool for the election of the parental combinations to improve this key trait in the species. Furthermore, heritability, was significant for most evaluated traits. It also could be exploited for breeding. This comprehensive assessment sheds light on the phenotypic behavior of A. macrum families, providing valuable insights for future breeding efforts aimed at enhancing its agronomic potential in subtropical regions prone to flooding.

Marketed as a healthier alternative to bread wheat, spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta) is in increasing demand from consumers and bakers in Switzerland. The Swiss spelt landscape is currently dominated by two varieties—Ostro and Oberkulmer Rotkorn—considered as references for Swiss “typical” spelt. However, these two varieties are rather old and deliver low yields; the market therefore needs improved spelt varieties with higher agronomic potential while keeping the essential attributes of typical spelt. As spelt and winter wheat can be interbred, modern spelt varieties often result from crosses between the two. It has therefore become increasingly difficult to distinguish between typical spelt and modern wheat-spelt intercrosses. This project aims to clarify the phenotypic distinction between typical spelt and modern wheat-spelt intercrosses in the Swiss context. To do this, we performed field trials with 50 spelt varieties, including typical and modern cultivars from Switzerland and Central Europe. We measured agronomic, rheological and nutritional parameters of each variety. In addition, these cultivars were genotyped using a 25 K Illumina Wheat SNP array. This allowed us to identify which phenotypic parameters were associated with genetic proximity to typical spelt. Swiss typical spelt varieties were characterized by highly extensible doughs, later phenology, low harvest index, high thousand kernel weights, and lower Zeleny/protein ratio. By linking phenotypic characteristics, easily measurable in fields, to the underlying genetic information of each variety, these results will help to better classify spelt varieties in Switzerland and pave the way for more clarity and transparency on the Swiss spelt market.

Genetic resistance to the parasitic root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus thornei, is one of the main management strategies cereal growers can use to minimise the impact of nematodes on winter cereal cropping. Screening of genotypes in the presence of P. thornei populations must provide reliable resistance measures that are realised under field conditions. Adoption of the latest statistical methodologies can help to better differentiate between resistant and susceptible genotypes. In this study, post-harvest P. thornei population densities were measured from a collection of 17 field experiments, with varying starting P. thornei population densities, conducted between 2011 and 2018 in locations across the northern grain growing region of eastern Australia. The experiments primarily consisted of wheat genotypes. The post-harvest P. thornei population densities were analysed across multiple environments in a linear mixed model framework, with a factor analytic structure used to model genotype by environment (G (times) E) interaction effects exclusively for wheat genotypes. In general, genetic correlations between environments were found to be high, indicating limited G (times) E interaction for resistance to P. thornei. Post-processing of results using the factor analytic selection tools (FAST) method provided a measure of the overall performance for each wheat genotype, as well as a stability measure reflecting the consistency of the resistance status across environments. The FAST method quantified genotype resistance on a continuous scale, better reflecting the nature of genetic resistance based on a quantitative variable such as nematode population density, and provided a statistically robust and informative means of aiding selection decisions for resistance to P. thornei.

In China, the main breeding objective for maize (Zea mays L.) is increasing the yield of single-cross hybrids. In this regard, developing yield-prediction models based on genetic markers for hybrids can enhance the probability of obtaining hybrid vigour in maize single-cross hybrids and reduce the cycle for germplasm development (inbred lines). In this study, we used simple sequence repeat markers to genotype 257 cross combinations from 97 commonly used maize inbred lines classified into four heterotic groups (Domestic Reid, P78599-type BSSS, Tangsipingtou, and Lvda Red Cob). We calculated the Q values (the probability of each individual's genomic variation coming from each subpopulation) of each inbred line’s genetic components. We found that these reflected genetic distances between the parental inbred lines. The parental genetic difference was identified as a key factor influencing heterosis for yield performance of single-cross hybrids, and the interaction factors of Q values between the parents were found to be highly correlated with the accuracy of single-cross hybrid yield predictions. Moreover, we developed a yield-prediction model for maize single-cross hybrids based on our established equation: Y = 9480.2 − 2352.6R₁R₂ − 1411.8R₁L₂ + 94.1R₁P₂ + 1148.0R₁S₂ − 988.8L₁R₂ − 1016.9L₁L₂ − 655.7L₁P₂ − 1175.4L₁S₂ − 569.1P₁R₂ + 371.6P₁L₂ − 604.2P₁P₂ + 1684.7P₁S₂ + 733.1S₁R₂ + 726.9S₁L₂ + 924.2S₁P₂ − 1678.1S₁S₂ (the correlation coefficient r = 0.4778). Using this model for maize breeding, we achieved prediction accuracies of 66.7% and 76.9% for low and high-yielding single-cross combinations, thereby reducing the workload in field assessment experiments and improving breeding efficiency.

Drought is a major constraint for maize production in sub-Saharan Africa. Developing high-yielding drought-tolerant maize germplasm will safeguard maize yields in the ever-increasing fluctuating rainfall conditions. This study aimed to identify high-yielding inbred lines with stable performance for utilization in hybrid production. One hundred eighty-two (182) maize inbred lines were evaluated under well-watered and drought-stressed conditions at Ukulinga, Makhathini, and Cedara research stations in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The experiments were carried out in a 13 × 14 alpha lattice design with two replications. The inbred lines exhibited significant differences (p ≤ 0.001) for grain yield and yield-related traits under well-watered and drought-stressed environments. The GGE biplot identified three mega-environments, clearly separating drought-stressed from well-watered environments. Inbred lines TZISTR1190, TZISTR1231, TZISTR1261 and CML540 were superior under well-watered conditions, while TZISTR1164 and CML390 performed well under drought condition. TZISTR1190 displayed both high average yield and stability across environments. Inbred lines combining stable high yielding performance in optimum and stress conditions such as TZISTR1190 and TZISTR1231, can be incorporated into local maize breeding pipelines to develop stable high yielding resilient hybrids.

Persimmon is classified as either pollination-constant non-astringent (PCNA) or non-PCNA on the basis of the loss of astringency in fruit. PCNA trait of persimmon has attracted much research attention owing to its economical merit, as there is no cost in removing astringency. To efficiently develop new PCNA cultivars in crossbreeding, marker-assisted selection plays a crucial role. Here, we describe a cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) marker that can be used to select PCNA persimmon. A sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker used to screen for PCNA offspring is unsuitable for populations recently derived from two non-PCNA parents (‘Yoshidagosho’ and ‘Toyoichi’), resulting in the selection of non-PCNA offspring as PCNA. To detect specific polymorphisms for these non-PCNA offspring, we analyzed fragment sizes of SCAR marker products by capillary DNA sequencing. A slightly lower-molecular-weight fragment at 353 bp was specifically detected in non-PCNA offspring but not in PCNA offspring. We treated the SCAR marker products with the StuI restriction enzyme and demonstrated that the smaller 353-bp fragment corresponded to allele a^353-1, one of four previously identified sequence polymorphisms at the 353-bp peak, and a^353-1 is linked to non-PCNA trait. Comprehensive analysis of 130 germplasms by the CAPS marker, detecting the truncated fragment after StuI treatment, indicated the presence of a^353-1 in 38 non-PCNA cultivars. Our findings suggest the potential use of the CAPS marker for selecting PCNA offspring derived from these 38 non-PCNA cultivars.

Amaranthus (Amaranthus spp.) is one of the crops considered superfoods, given that this grain is enriched for minerals, protein, and vitamins. Most cultivars of this species exhibit seed-shattering, resulting in a reduction in seed yield, but it is expected that this undesirable trait can be improved by further breeding. However, the genetic mechanism of seed-shattering in this organism remains largely unknown. In the present study, we compared two amaranthus isolates, the A. cruentus grain cultivar ‘New Aztec’ (NA) (which exhibits seed-shattering) and Amaranthus spp. Accession DB9350 (DB) (which lacks seed-shattering). In initial experiments, we conducted morphological observations of the spikelets and utricles in these two strains. NA, and not DB, showed a horizontal dehiscence line on the utricle, resulting in easy detachment of the upper part of the pericarp and seed release. Next, we investigated the presence or absence of seed-shattering in the F₁ and F₂ progeny of an NA×DB cross. Notably, all F₁ plants (n=10) showed shattering traits. In contrast, F₂ plants (n = 106) exhibited segregation, yielding 82 and 24 plants showing shattering and non-shattering traits (respectively), consistent with the segregation ratio expected for Mendelian inheritance (3:1, χ²= 0.314, p = 0.575). To elucidate the genetics of this trait, we performed bulked segregant analysis and linkage analysis in the F₂ progeny. This analysis identified a locus, designated Acsh, in the 15.2–16.0 Mbp range of Chromosome 2B; the genotype at this locus co-segregated with the seed-shattering phenotype. Together, these data demonstrated that the seed-shattering trait in A. cruentus is a dominant, single-gene, qualitative trait regulated by Acsh. These results are expected to facilitate the breeding of non-shattering cultivars in grain amaranthus.

Almost all pineapple crops in Brazil are grown using the cultivar Perola. This scenario can be changed through the development of new cultivars with better fruit quality and resistance. The novel approach of the present study was to select pineapple clones that combine both resistance to fusariosis and characteristics related to plant and fruit quality as alternatives to the traditional cultivar Perola. Therefore, the objectives of this work were to estimate genetic parameters and select clones through the REML/BLUP methodology, based on morpho-agronomic characteristics and resistance to fusariosis. Thus, a selection index was used for quantitative characteristics and, later, for qualitative characteristics, such as fruit quality, presence or absence of leaf spines, and resistance to fusariosis. Significant differences were found for most variables, denoting genetic variability among the evaluated clones. Fruit weight with and without crown and D-leaf length presented the highest heritability estimates (above 50%); however, fruit length, mean fruit diameter, soluble solids, titratable acidity, plant height, and number of active leaves presented the lowest heritability estimates due to greater residual variances. Characteristics related to plant and fruit development are strongly affected by the environment and may result in phenotypic changes. Dominance variance was higher than additive variance, which enables the obtaining of heterosis through vegetative propagation. Eleven out of the 20 superior selected clones presented absence of leaf spines and multiple crowns, higher fruit weight and soluble solids content, and desirable fruit shape and pulp color; seven of them showed resistance to fusariosis, making them suitable for final testing for release as new cultivars.