Adaptation Of Cultivars Research Articles

PRODUCTION AND COMMERCIALIZATION OF NIGELLA (Nigella sativa L.)

Because of its relevance in health, pharmaceuticals, spices, and income-earning, nigella is now used all over the world. This crop is grown all over the world. Even though nigella is essential, the yield and productivity per hectare in Nepal in comparison to other countries is quite low. The lack of better variety, lack of fertilizer management, lack of knowledge of cultural methods, and illnesses and insect pest management are all blamed for the lower yield. By examining such issues, a solution for nigella’s low productivity can be devised. As a result to address such problems a review is done on fertilizer requirements, the adaptation of available cultivars, agronomic practice recommendations, disease, and insect pest management, and other topics that are beneficial from the farmer’s point of view.

Adoption and adaptability of modern Aman rice cultivars in Faridpur region - Bangladesh

Rice is not just a staple food; but it is at the center of culture, politics, and economy of Bangladesh. The determinants affecting the adoption of modern rice cultivars and their adaptability in the Aman season (June to November) at the Faridpur region in Bangladesh were discussed. A total of 500 farmers from five different districts such as, Faridpur, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Rajbari, and Gopalganj through multistage sampling technique participated in the survey. Before the survey, 15 farmers were selected for the cultivation of eight modern T. Aman rice cultivars in their fields during three consecutive years 2018 to 2020 in the mentioned five districts of Bangladesh. A structured questionnaire was used to identify the determinants associated with the adoption of modern rice cultivars by replacing the popular old ones. Results revealed that beyond preferences, some other determinants (age, education, risk aversion, land size, yield, and perception of modern rice cultivars and their seed availability) directed the decision to adopt or not. Considering the average grain yield of the tested rice cultivars, the genotypes BRRI dhan72 (G-6) and BRRI dhan87 (G-8) were the high yielding cultivars for the above five districts. Despite having a comparatively low yield, the cultivars BRRI dhan71 (G-4) and BRRI dhan49 (G-3) were more stable compared to other cultivars in the Faridpur region of Bangladesh.

Study on the adaptability of some blueberry cultivars in the Republic of Moldova

Study on the adaptability of some blueberry cultivars in the Republic of Moldova

Genome-wide association analysis of chickpea germplasms differing for salinity tolerance based on DArTseq markers.

Soil salinity is significant abiotic stress that severely limits global crop production. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important grain legume that plays a substantial role in nutritional food security, especially in the developing world. This study used a chickpea population collected from the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Area (ICARDA) genebank using the focused identification of germplasm strategy. The germplasm included 186 genotypes with broad Asian and African origins and genotyped with 1856 DArTseq markers. We conducted phenotyping for salinity in the field (Arish, Sinai, Egypt) and greenhouse hydroponic experiments at 100 mM NaCl concentration. Based on the performance in both hydroponic and field experiments, we identified seven genotypes from Azerbaijan and Pakistan (IGs: 70782, 70430, 70764, 117703, 6057, 8447, and 70249) as potential sources for high salinity tolerance. Multi-trait genome-wide association analysis (mtGWAS) detected one locus on chromosome Ca4 at 10618070 bp associated with salinity tolerance under hydroponic and field conditions. In addition, we located another locus specific to the hydroponic system on chromosome Ca2 at 30537619 bp. Gene annotation analysis revealed the location of rs5825813 within the Embryogenesis-associated protein (EMB8-like), while the location of rs5825939 is within the Ribosomal Protein Large P0 (RPLP0). Utilizing such markers in practical breeding programs can effectively improve the adaptability of current chickpea cultivars in saline soil. Moreover, researchers can use our markers to facilitate the incorporation of new genes into commercial cultivars.

Effect of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) damage on the yield of four maize cultivars in the Coastal Lowland and Western Highland of Cameroon

Maize (Zea mays L.) production in Africa is threatened by the invasive fall armyworm – FAW (Spodoptera frugiperda), and information on its agro-ecological variation and adaptation of different maize cultivars is scarce. The effect FAW was assessed on three hybrid maize cultivars (PAN–12, PAN–53, CMS–8704) and one Landrace in two agro-ecological zones (Coastal Lowland and Western Highland) of Cameroon. Maize cultivars were not fully resistant to FAW feeding and differences occurred in infestation severity and damage incidence between hybrid cultivars and landrace, but no significant yield differences was recorded. FAW infestation severity (IS) and damage incidence (DI) differed (P<0.001) significantly between cultivars in each agro-ecological zone. The highest IS occurred in hybrid maize cultivars as compared to the Landrace. Maize DI differed between cultivars in the Coastal Lowland with the highest in hybrid PAN–12 and PAN–53 as compared to CMS–8704 and Landrace (P<0.001). For the Western Highland, the highest damage incidence occurred in hybrid PAN–53 with the lowest in Landrace (P<0.05). Maize yield differed (P<0.001) significantly across cultivars within each agro-ecological zone. Significantly (P<0.001) higher maize yield occurred in the Coastal Lowland (ranging from 4.2−5.5 tons/ha) as compared to the lowest in the western highland (ranging from 3.2−4.6 tons/ha). The highest yield occurred in PAN–12 and PAN–53 as compared to CMS–8704 and Landrace for each agro-ecological zone. Overall, maize yield could not be predicted from FAW damage since the maize hybrids PAN–12 and PAN–53 recorded the highest damage and the highest yield, which implies high cultivar-specific defensive and yield-producing traits than the effect of FAW damage.

Comparative Analysis of Host Range, Ability to Infect Tomato Cultivars with Tm-22 Gene, and Real-Time Reverse Transcription PCR Detection of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important vegetables in the world. However, tomato is also susceptible to many viral diseases. Several tobamoviruses, including tomato mosaic virus (ToMV), tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV), and tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), are highly contagious pathogens that could result in significant economic losses if not controlled effectively. Tobamoviruses have been managed relatively well with broad adaptation of tomato cultivars with resistance genes. However, emergence of ToBRFV was shown to break down resistance conferred by the common resistance genes, resulting in serious outbreaks in many countries in Asia, Europe, and North America. The objective of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis of biological properties, including host range and disease resistance of ToMV, ToMMV, and ToBRFV. Results showed that despite many similarities in the host range, there were some unique host plant responses for each of the three viruses. In a comparative evaluation of disease resistance using the same tomato cultivars with or without Tm-22 gene, there was a striking difference in responses from tomato plants with Tm-22 gene inoculated with ToBRFV, ToMV, or ToMMV. Whereas these test plants were resistant to ToMV or ToMMV infection, all test plants were susceptible to ToBRFV. Further, for ToBRFV detection, a sensitive and reliable multiplex real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assay using TaqMan probe with an internal 18S rRNA control was also developed. With simple modifications to RNA extraction and seed soaking, real-time RT-PCR could consistently detect the virus in single infested seed in varied levels of contamination, suggesting its usefulness for seed health assay.

Influence of Sowing Time on Yield and Yield Components of Spring Rapeseed in Lithuania

Sowing time, as an element, is important to improving the adaptation of cultivars to environmental conditions and to achieving high seed yields. The field experiment was conducted from 2018–2019 at the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy. The experimental design included treatments with different sowing dates: eight sowing dates in 2018 and 10 sowing dates in 2019. The first sowing of spring rapeseed was carried out when the soil reached its physical maturity, i.e., it did not stick to agricultural implements and it crumbled well. The other sowing dates were every seven subsequent days. From 2018–2019, the rapeseed emerged as best in early May (3 and 4 May), and later sowing reduced the emergence of rapeseed. In 2018, most pods were formed on one plant when the rapeseed was sown (on 1 June), compared to other sowings, on average 2.8 times more. In 2019, most pods were formed by the latest-sown rapeseed (7 June), from 1.4 to 2.7 times more compared to previously sown crops. In 2018, the sowing time of spring rapeseed did not have a significant effect on the number of seeds in one pod. In 2019, it was found that the rapeseed formed most of the seeds in the pod at a similar time as in 2018: the sowings of 19 April and 7 June. The average number of seeds in the pod was significantly reduced by early sowing (5 April). In 2019, the highest 1000-seed weight was found at the earliest-sown crop (5 April), which was on average 18.0% higher compared to the later sowings. The 1000-seed weight of the last-sown rapeseed (7 June) was the lowest. In 2018, the yields of early-sown (20 April) spring rapeseed were the highest. Later sowing significantly reduced the yields by 20.7 to 48.2%. In 2019, the highest seed yield was obtained after sowing spring rapeseed in late April (26 April); it was significant, on average, 1.9 times higher than the yields of spring rapeseed sown from 3 May to 7 June. Meteorological conditions had a stronger effect on the field emergence and yield components of spring rapeseed than the sowing date.

Mobilization of fruit, small fruit and nut crop genetic resources in Belarus

Background. Natural populations of fruit and small fruit plants in Belarus and their specific and varietal composition for a long time attracted the attention of pomologists and breeders. Identification and mobilization of unique local forms and landraces as genetic sources of useful traits as well as monitoring duplicate collections will contribute to their more effective use in breeding practice to develop competitive domestic cultivars of various crops and reveal the adaptability of foreign cultivars to the conditions of Belarus.Methods. The itinerary of the collecting mission passed through 6 regions of the Republic of Belarus (Gomel, Minsk, Mogilev, Vitebsk, Brest, and Grodno) in 2012–2017.Results. As a result, 221 samples of fruit, small fruit and nut plants were collected, including 18 rootstocks of fruit crops. By 2021, 105 unique landraces were tested in the plant introduction and quarantine nursery and planted in the field gene bank, including 28 accessions of apple, 33 of pear, 11 of sour cherry, 5 of sweet cherry, 9 of plum, 8 of apricot, 1 of almond, 2 of hazel, 3 of garden strawberry, 1 of black chokeberry, 1 of viburnum, and 1 of bird cherry. There are plans to use the obtained accessions in breeding practice assources of valuable agronomic traits (high winter hardiness, high yield, resistance to a set of plant pathogens, etc.).

Forage production, morphological, and chemical composition of diploid and tetraploid cultivars of Italian ryegrass in hydromorphic soils

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate forage mass, morphological, and chemical composition of diploids and tetraploids Italian ryegrass cultivars in hydromorphic soil. Eight ryegrass cultivars were evaluated in a two-years completely randomised trial with four plots per cultivar. Forage production was recorded, and samples were collected to evaluate morphological and chemical composition. The contrasts methodology was used to verify differences between diploid and tetraploid cultivars. Compared to tetraploids, the diploids had the greatest number of cuts and the largest accumulation of forage in the second year, highlighting the better adaptation of cultivars in hydromorphic soils. Tetraploid ryegrass increased leaves and reduced stem and inflorescence proportion relative to diploid ryegrass. Tetraploid cultivars had lower DM, organic matter, and acid detergent fibre content than diploid cultivars. However, there was no significant difference between cultivars associated with their ploidy for the neutral detergent fibre and estimated total digestible nutrients. Additionally, only in the second year, tetraploid had lower crude protein content than diploid ones. Tetraploid ryegrass showed be less tolerant to periods of water stress due to flooding, characteristic of hydromorphic soils, resulting in less forage production than diploid ryegrass.

Multivariate techniques for identifying potential carrot hybrids

The adaptation of carrot cultivars to the environment is a fundamental factor for the cultivation. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic potential of carrot genotypes cultivated in two periods by the hierarchical and optimization methods. The experiments were set as completely randomized block design. The treatments consisted of four experimental hybrids (Hybrid 8, 12, 14 and 17), three open-pollinated cultivars (Brasilia, BRS Planalto and Suprema), and a commercial hybrid (Verano), carried out at two cropping seasons. The unweighted pair-group using arithmetic averages (UPGMA), Tocher, and graphics of dispersion methods were applied. The UPGMA method and the graphic of dispersion enabled better separation of the genotypes evaluated in the growing seasons. The genotypes hybrid 12, cultivars Suprema and Verano presented a similar performance in both growing seasons. The cultivar Alvorada presented the greatest carrot yield (26.6 t ha-1) and leaf fresh mass (1538.6 g plant-1) in the spring-summer season, while hybrid 27 presents great potential for a great production (37.6 t ha-1) of carrots in the autumn season

Can Tanzania\u2019s adaptation measures prevent future maize yield decline? A simulation study from Singida region

Cereal crop production in sub-Saharan Africa has not achieved the much-needed increase in yields to foster economic development and food security. Maize yields in the region’s semi-arid agroecosystems are constrained by highly variable rainfall, which may be worsened by climate change. Thus, the Tanzanian government has prioritized agriculture as an adaptation sector in its intended nationally determined contribution, and crop management adjustments as a key investment area in its Agricultural Sector Development Programme. In this study, we investigated how future changes in maize yields under different climate scenarios can be countered by regional adjusted crop management and cultivar adaptation strategies. A crop model was used to simulate maize yields in the Singida region of Tanzania for the baseline period 1980–2012 and under three future climate projections for 2020–2060 and 2061–2099. Adaptation strategies to improve yields were full irrigation, deficit irrigation, mulch and nitrogen addition and another cultivar. According to our model results, increase in temperature is the main driver of future maize yield decline. Increased respiration and phenological development were associated with lower maize yields of 16% in 2020–2060 and 20% in 2061–2099 compared to the 1980–2012 baseline. Surprisingly, none of the management strategies significantly improved yields; however, a different maize variety that was tested as an alternative coping strategy performed better. This study suggests that investment in accessibility of improved varieties and investigation of maize traits that have the potential to perform well in a warmer future are better suited for sustaining maize production in the semi-arid region than adjustments in crop management.

Registration of Gaspé Flint 1.1.1, a small‐size early‐flowering maize inbred line

AbstractFlowering time is one of the most important traits affecting cultivar adaptation and remains of great interest for breeders. Early flowering genetic stocks have been selected and utilized as models for scientific, breeding, and educational purposes. In this study, Gaspé Flint 1.1.1 (GF111; Reg. no. GS‐11, PI 698804), a new rapid cycle, diminutive maize (Zea mays L.) inbred line, is described. GF111 was developed by repeated selfing (eight cycles) and selection starting from an open‐pollinated accession of the Canadian landrace Gaspé Flint. GF111 can be grown in 1‐L pots and is characterized by short stature (0.4–0.8 m), small number of leaves (8.1–9.7), two ears per plant with only one being fertilized, from zero to one tillers, early flowering (41–50 d after sowing and as little as 357 growing degree units), and very limited protandry. High‐density molecular marker analysis showed a high level of homozygosity (>96%) and an approximately 30‐Mb‐long region shared with the maize reference line B73 on chromosome 10. Because of its high homozygosity, rapid generation cycle, easy hand‐based pollination, good fertility, and limited growing requirements as to space and resources, GF111 has great potential to be used in genetic and gene functional studies, in phenotypic screenings on phenomics platforms, and for teaching activities in plant biology and breeding.

Construction of Consensus Genetic Map With Applications in Gene Mapping of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Using 90K SNP Array.

Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops worldwide. A consensus map combines genetic information from multiple populations, providing an effective alternative to improve the genome coverage and marker density. In this study, we constructed a consensus map from three populations of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of wheat using a 90K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. Phenotypic data on plant height (PH), spike length (SL), and thousand-kernel weight (TKW) was collected in six, four, and four environments in the three populations, and then used for quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. The mapping results obtained using the constructed consensus map were compared with previous results obtained using individual maps and previous studies on other populations. A simulation experiment was also conducted to assess the performance of QTL mapping with the consensus map. The constructed consensus map from the three populations spanned 4558.55 cM in length, with 25,667 SNPs, having high collinearity with physical map and individual maps. Based on the consensus map, 21, 27, and 19 stable QTLs were identified for PH, SL, and TKW, much more than those detected with individual maps. Four PH QTLs and six SL QTLs were likely to be novel. A putative gene called TraesCS4D02G076400 encoding gibberellin-regulated protein was identified to be the candidate gene for one major PH QTL located on 4DS, which may enrich genetic resources in wheat semi-dwarfing breeding. The simulation results indicated that the length of the confidence interval and standard errors of the QTLs detected using the consensus map were much smaller than those detected using individual maps. The consensus map constructed in this study provides the underlying genetic information for systematic mapping, comparison, and clustering of QTL, and gene discovery in wheat genetic study. The QTLs detected in this study had stable effects across environments and can be used to improve the wide adaptation of wheat cultivars through marker-assisted breeding.

Adaptability and stability of soybean cultivars in the region of Chapadões

Grain yield is a constant concern in soybean breeding programs for being highly influenced by the environment. This trait can be significantly affected by the sowing times. Thus, for the correct cultivar recommendation, methods of stability and adaptability analysis are used to verify the genotype x environment interaction at different sowing times. In this study, ten soybean cultivars were evaluated in 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 seasons, at different sowing times. Each experiment was carried out in a randomized block design with three replications. The methods of Eberhart & Russel and Lin & Binns were used for cultivars recommendation for general, favorable, and unfavorable environments. Cultivars CS2728, BONUS, and BRS1074 show high yield and predictability and therefore are the most suitable for the region of Chapadão do Sul.

Variation in traits contributing to improved use of nitrogen in wheat: Implications for genotype by environment interaction

Nitrogen (N) is an essential mineral nutrient for wheat grain yield and quality. Wheat cultivars with improved N-use efficiency (NUE, crop yield per unit availability of N from soil and fertiliser) have the potential to maximise farmers’ revenue and minimise environmental pollution risk. Thus, characterizing wheat cultivars for NUE traits is important for selection of cultivars better adapted to target production environments and for season-specific N fertiliser management. The aims of this study were to examine NUE traits in a set of modern winter wheat cultivars contrasting in phenology and grain-N content, and to assess the likely consequences of genotypic variation in N-related traits for adaptation of cultivars to specific environments. A two-year field experiment was conducted with four widely-grown commercial winter wheat cultivars (Arnold, Aurelius, Bernstein, Emilio) under four N application rates (0, 70, 140, 210 kg N ha−1) at the UFT (Universitäts- und Forschungszentrum Tulln, BOKU) in Austria. Detailed plant and soil data were collected to determine Green leaf area index (GLAI), total shoot dry mass (TDM) and N uptake (TNU) at anthesis and harvest, grain yield (GY), N harvest index (NHI), N remobilisation efficiency (NRE), and NUE.

The effects of pollinizers on pollen tube growth and fruit set of European plum (Prunus domestica L.) in a Nordic climate

Norwegian plum production is characterized by climatic limitations, different flowering time, deficiently of wholly-adapted cultivars and appropriate pollen donors for cultivars that can be grown in this region. This study evaluated the progamic phase of fertilization and fruit set in four European plum cultivars (´Mallard´, ´Edda´, ´Jubileum´, and ´Reeves´) after crossing with different pollinizers over two years (2018/2019). Reproductive parameters, in vitro pollen germination, number of pollen tubes in the upper part of the style and locule of the ovary, number of pistils with ovule penetrated by pollen tube, fruit set in all crossing combinations, and fruit set in open pollination of pollen recipient cultivars showed different adaptability of both recipient and donor cultivars to the specific ecological conditions prevailing in Western Norway. The pollinizers ´Victoria´, ´Opal´ and ´Č. Lepotica´ proved to be a very good pollinizers for cultivar ´Jubileum´, while pollinizers ´R. C. Souffriau´ and ´Valor´ for the cultivar ´Reeves´. Cultivars ´Opal´, ´R. E. Prolific´ and ´Mallard´ are excellent pollinizers for ´Edda´ in conditions of higher temperatures during flowering period and post-flowering period. Cultivar ´Č. Lepotica´ proved to be the best pollinizer for ´Edda´ in conditions when the temperatures were lower. Cultivars ´Opal´ and ´R. E. Prolific´ can be considered as good pollinizers for ´Mallard´.

Identification and Characterization of DAMs Mutations Associated With Early Blooming in Sweet Cherry, and Validation of DNA-Based Markers for Selection.

Dormancy release and bloom time of sweet cherry cultivars depend on the environment and the genotype. The knowledge of these traits is essential for cultivar adaptation to different growing areas, and to ensure fruit set in the current climate change scenario. In this work, the major sweet cherry bloom time QTL qP-BT1.1m (327 Kbs; Chromosome 1) was scanned for candidate genes in the Regina cv genome. Six MADS-box genes (PavDAMs), orthologs to peach and Japanese apricot DAMs, were identified as candidate genes for bloom time regulation. The complete curated genomic structure annotation of these genes is reported. To characterize PavDAMs intra-specific variation, genome sequences of cultivars with contrasting chilling requirements and bloom times (N = 13), were then mapped to the ‘Regina’ genome. A high protein sequence conservation (98.8–100%) was observed. A higher amino acid variability and several structural mutations were identified in the low-chilling and extra-early blooming cv Cristobalina. Specifically, a large deletion (694 bp) upstream of PavDAM1, and various INDELs and SNPs in contiguous PavDAM4 and -5 UTRs were identified. PavDAM1 upstream deletion in ‘Cristobalina’ revealed the absence of several cis-acting motifs, potentially involved in PavDAMs expression. Also, due to this deletion, a non-coding gene expressed in late-blooming ‘Regina’ seems truncated in ‘Cristobalina’. Additionally, PavDAM4 and -5 UTRs mutations revealed different splicing variants between ‘Regina’ and ‘Cristobalina’ PavDAM5. The results indicate that the regulation of PavDAMs expression and post-transcriptional regulation in ‘Cristobalina’ may be altered due to structural mutations in regulatory regions. Previous transcriptomic studies show differential expression of PavDAM genes during dormancy in this cultivar. The results indicate that ‘Cristobalina’ show significant amino acid differences, and structural mutations in PavDAMs, that correlate with low-chilling and early blooming, but the direct implication of these mutations remains to be determined. To complete the work, PCR markers designed for the detection of ‘Cristobalina’ structural mutations in PavDAMs, were validated in an F2 population and a set of cultivars. These PCR markers are useful for marker-assisted selection of early blooming seedlings, and probably low-chilling, from ‘Cristobalina’, which is a unique breeding source for these traits.

Phenotypic plasticity in relation to inter-cultivar variation of garlic (Allium sativum L.) functional performance and yield-stability in response to water availability

Genetic diversity and adaptive functional responses of crops to limiting environmental conditions is crucial for sustainable agricultural production in a climate change scenario. Phenotypic plasticity and the study of stomata-related functional traits contribute to understanding the adaptation of cultivars to different water availability scenarios. In this study we compared biomass and functional traits of garlic cultivars against a framework of phenotypic plasticity under four water regimes: fully irrigated (WW); water stressed before (SW) or after bulbing stage (WS) and water-stressed (SS) during the whole growth period. Two widely grown cultivars ‘Gardacho’ and ‘Purple from Las Pedroñeras’ were evaluated in two years with contrasting weather conditions, 2017 and 2018. Locally restricted cultivars ‘Fino de Chinchon’, ‘Cbt 02710’ and ‘Port 07990’ were also included in 2018 to assess the influence of their different agroclimatic origins on their response to water availability. Significant differences were found on functional traits such as stomatal conductance, crop water stress index and water consumption. ‘Gardacho’ and ‘Purple from Las Pedroñeras’ showed the highest phenotypic plasticity with remarkable higher bulb biomass under favourable environments yet important declines under the most stressful environments. In contrast, local cultivars displayed lower yield potential yet more canalized phenotypes and more stable production across water availability environments. This study provides new insight on the value of phenotypic plasticity for cultivar selection in different water availability environments.

Arbuscular Mycorrhiza inoculation for Increasing the Tolerance Index and Productivity of Soybean on Marginal Soils

An efforts to increase soybean crop productivity are highly related to of nutrients availability and crops management. This research was conducted to investigate the plant tolerance index (TI) and the mycorrhizae role to increase the availability of nutrients P and soybean productivity in a dry land. Factorial randomized block design that consists of mycorrhizal factors (0, 5, 10 and 15 g of inoculant per plant) and soybean cultivars (Anjasmoro, Dering 1 and Grobogan) and the repeated three times. The results showed that mycorrhizal inoculation with a dose of 10 g mycorrhizae per plant was able to increase the root length, root volume, dry weights, grain number and the weight of 100 grains. The highest number of grains was obtained by_ the Dering 1 cultivar. In addition the higher of 100 grains weigh was resulted by the Grobogan and anjasmoro cultivar. The cultivar adaptability was increased_ by mycorrhizal inoculation on marginal soils Further more mycorrhizal inoculation gave a nonsignificant effect of tolerance index and the highest TI (1,97) was obtained _by dering cultivars. These results confirmes that the usage 10 g plant−1 of mycorrhizal inoculants chould be applied for increasing the growth and soybean productivity of marginal land.

Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Ground-Based RGB Indices to Assess Agronomic Performance of Wheat Landraces and Cultivars in a Mediterranean-Type Environment

The adaptability and stability of new bread wheat cultivars that can be successfully grown in rainfed conditions are of paramount importance. Plant improvement can be boosted using effective high-throughput phenotyping tools in dry areas of the Mediterranean basin, where drought and heat stress are expected to increase yield instability. Remote sensing has been of growing interest in breeding programs since it is a cost-effective technology useful for assessing the canopy structure as well as the physiological traits of large genotype collections. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a 4-band multispectral camera on-board an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and ground-based RGB imagery to predict agronomic traits as well as quantify the best estimation of leaf area index (LAI) in rainfed conditions. A collection of 365 bread wheat genotypes, including 181 Mediterranean landraces and 184 modern cultivars, was evaluated during two consecutive growing seasons. Several vegetation indices (VI) derived from multispectral UAV and ground-based RGB images were calculated at different image acquisition dates of the crop cycle. The modified triangular vegetation index (MTVI2) proved to have a good accuracy to estimate LAI (R2 = 0.61). Although the stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that grain yield and number of grains per square meter (NGm2) were the agronomic traits most suitable to be predicted, the R2 were low due to field trials were conducted under rainfed conditions. Moreover, the prediction of agronomic traits was slightly better with ground-based RGB VI rather than with UAV multispectral VIs. NDVI and GNDVI, from multispectral images, were present in most of the prediction equations. Repeated measurements confirmed that the ability of VIs to predict yield depends on the range of phenotypic data. The current study highlights the potential use of VI and RGB images as an efficient tool for high-throughput phenotyping under rainfed Mediterranean conditions.