Concerted Breeding Research Articles

Unlocking the potential of Kodo millet: reviving an indigenous super grain for tomorrow's nutrition.

Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.) is an underutilized crop that encompasses nutritional benefits and climate resilience, making it a viable option for future crop development with nutraceutical properties. The cultivation of this crop has ancient roots, where it was revered for its ability to thrive in times of famine and was a vital companion crop to rice. Dishes made with Kodo millet are highly palatable and can be easily integrated into mainstream rice-based dishes. Among all cereals, Kodo millet is distinguished by its gluten-free composition, high phosphorus content, and significant antioxidant potential, which contributes to a diet that may reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Often grown in rainfed zones by marginal farmers, Kodo millet is valued for its grain and fodder. This less demanding crop can tolerate both biotic and abiotic stress, allowing it to thrive in soils with low organic matter and with minimal inputs, making it an ideal dual-purpose crop for rainfed areas. Despite its nutritional and agricultural benefits, Kodo millet's popularity is hindered by challenges such as low yield, market demand, lodging at harvest, and poor dehulling recovery, which necessitate the development of high-yielding varieties through the latest breeding advancements. Systematic investment and concerted breeding efforts are essential to harness the full potential of this nutrient-dense crop. The absence of whole genome sequence for Kodo millet poses a barrier to uncovering novel genetic traits. Consequently, there is an imperative to establish a millet-based value chain that elevates these underutilized crops, shaping smart cropping patterns and enhancing nutritional profiles for sustainable diets. Accordingly, this review highlights the significance of Kodo millet and the impact of breeding to establish it as a smart food choice for the future.

Chromosome Counting in Few Species of Musa by Traditional Technique

Abstract The determination of ploidy level/chromosome numbers in different germplasms is important for better management of genetic diversity and is required before starting concerted breeding programs. The number of chromosomes sets in a cell is one of the defining characters of a species or cultivar. In the present study chromosome counting of Musa spp. were carried out by traditional method and revealed that Elachi trait had 11-12 chromosomes per cell, whereas, in the Poovan, 13-14 chromosomes per cell were seen and in Nendran, about 10-11 chromosomes per cell were counted.

Protein-rich legume and pseudo-cereal crop suitability under present and future European climates

Abstract Replacing animal proteins with plant proteins in diets has been demonstrated to have both health and environmental advantages, driving a debate about the potential of protein-rich crops as dietary replacements for animal products. However, there is a lack of knowledge on how climate change could influence the potential for producing protein-rich crops. This study addresses this knowledge gap for the European Union. We analysed 13 protein-rich crops, using the crop suitability model EcoCrop and climate projections for the 2050s, based on 30 Global Circulation Models, under the Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5. The results suggest that current protein-rich crop distributions reflect climatic suitability. We demonstrate the heterogeneous impacts of climate change on crop suitability. In general, conditions in northern Europe were modelled to become more favourable for protein-rich crops, while in southern Europe modelled future climates limit the production of traditional protein-rich crops commonly grown there, including chickpea and lentil. Model results show an expanded area of high suitability for quinoa. Our results confirm the need for concerted breeding and research planning strategies to improve the tolerance of faba bean, lentil, and chickpea to the abiotic stresses that are predicted to become more common with climate change. At the same time, production in northern Europe can benefit from experimentation with protein-rich crops predicted to become more suitable there. Production planning and agricultural policy should consider these likely impacts, to encourage shifts that follow the emerging geographic patterns of crop suitability, and to support the resilience of protein-rich crop production in regions that may be negatively impacted by climate change.

Genetic diversity and population structure of trifoliate yam (Dioscorea dumetorum Kunth) in Cameroon revealed by genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS)

BackgroundYams (Dioscorea spp.) are economically important food for millions of people in the humid and sub-humid tropics. Dioscorea dumetorum (Kunth) is the most nutritious among the eight-yam species, commonly grown and consumed in West and Central Africa. Despite these qualities, the storage ability of D. dumetorum is restricted by severe postharvest hardening of the tubers that can be addressed through concerted breeding efforts. The first step of any breeding program is bound to the study of genetic diversity. In this study, we used the Genotyping-By-Sequencing of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (GBS-SNP) to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of 44 accessions of D. dumetorum in Cameroon. Ploidy was inferred using flow cytometry and gbs2ploidy.ResultsWe obtained on average 6371 loci having at least information for 75% accessions. Based on 6457 unlinked SNPs, our results demonstrate that D. dumetorum is structured into four populations. We clearly identified, a western/north-western, a western, and south-western populations, suggesting that altitude and farmers-consumers preference are the decisive factors for differential adaptation and separation of these populations. Bayesian and neighbor-joining clustering detected the highest genetic variability in D. dumetorum accessions from the south-western region. This variation is likely due to larger breeding efforts in the region as shown by gene flow between D. dumetorum accessions from the south-western region inferred by maximum likelihood. Ploidy analysis revealed diploid and triploid levels in D. dumetorum accessions with mostly diploid accessions (77%). Male and female accessions were mostly triploid (75%) and diploid (69%), respectively. The 1C genome size values of D. dumetorum accessions were on average 0.333 ± 0.009 pg and 0.519 ± 0.004 pg for diploids and triploids, respectively.ConclusionsGermplasm characterization, population structure and ploidy are an essential basic information in a breeding program as well as for conservation of intraspecific diversity. Thus, results obtained in this study provide valuable information for the improvement and conservation of D. dumetorum. Moreover, GBS appears as an efficient powerful tool to detect intraspecific variation.

Diversity of the Germplasm of <i>Saccharum</i> Species and Related Genera Available for Use in Directed Breeding Programmes for Sugarcane Improvement

Sugarcane is primarily a crop raised by sett cuttings. After the discovery of fertility in sugarcane seeds, attempts have been made for its improvement through concerted breeding efforts. The first phase was limited to crossing among Saccharum officinarum clones and the resulted hybrids although had high sucrose content, lower fibre, lacked vigour, ratooning ability and resistance to diseases. In the second phase after the realization of adaptability to diverse environs, resistance to insect pests and diseases, and tolerance to abiotic stress and ratooning ability in the indigenous canes ( S. barberi, S. spontaneum and S. robustum ), a limited number of these was used in the crossing and subsequent nobilization for varietal improvement. However, the limited use of germplasm could not sustain the challenges to the crop, so also the pace of varietal development. Realization of the fact that further incorporation of S. spontaneum germplasm in breeding sporadic efforts paid dividends, attempts have been made to look into the diversity for traits of agronomic interest not only in Saccharum species, but also in the Saccharum complex, i.e. in the related genera. The present study reviews the diversity available for agronomic traits in Saccharum species clones and related genera which could be made available for use in directed breeding programmes for sugarcane improvement for the ever-increasing need of not only of sugar but also of the energy, paper and other valueadded products from sugarcane.

Investigating inheritance patterns of a spontaneous mutant in pigeonpea and its future implications for CGMS based hybrid breeding

Despite concerted breeding efforts directed towards genetic improvement of pigeonpea, huge gap exists between its potential and actual yields. Recently, in order to stabilize pigeonpea yield the CGMS- based system has been established in pigeonpea. Maintenance of the genetic purity of parental lines and hybrids, however, remains one the greatest challenges associated with CGMS-based system. In the context, identification of some markers clearly discriminating the parental lines and hybrids would be of immense importance. With this view, here we report the discovery of a spontaneous mutant phenotype that would act as potential visual marker in the CGMS based hybrid breeding programmes. Moreover, the nature of inheritance for the mutant phenotype was also examined. All the F1s derived from a bi-parental cross (mutant × normal) were normal with lanceolate leaves and normal flower morphology while the F2 and backcross generations segregated in ratio of 3:1 and 1:1, respectively indicating monogenic recessive inheritance of the gene(s) under investigation. More importantly, existence of a single gene affecting both traits would facilitate rapid introgression of these morphological markers into genetic backgrounds of different A-lines which will help in differentiating the CGMS-hybrids from their parental lines (A-lines). It is envisaged that these morphological markers would greatly assist pigeonpea breeders in maintaining the genetic purity while dealing with CGMS system in pigeonpea.

An overview of Fisheries sector of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is endowed with a vast expanse of inland open waters characterized by rivers, canals, natural and man-made lakes, freshwater marshes, estuaries, brackish water impoundments and floodplains. The potential fish resources resulting from these are among the richest in the world; in production, only China and India outrank Bangladesh. The inland fish diversity of is attributed to the habitats created by the Bengal Delta wetlands and the confluence of the Brahmaputra, Ganges and Jamuna rivers that flow from the Himalayan Mountains into the Bay of Bengal. There are, however, serious concerns surrounding the slow decline in the condition of open water fish stocks which have been negatively impacted upon through a series of natural and anthropogenic induced changes including large scale abstraction of water for irrigation and the construction of water barrages and dams, human activity resulting in the overexploitation of stocks, the unregulated introduction of exotic stocks and pollution from industry. Also, natural phenomena, regular flooding etc. cause rivers to continually change course creating complications of soil erosion or over siltation of waterways. As a consequence, many Bangladeshi species are either critically endangered or extinct. Aquaculture has increasingly been playing a major role in total fish production of the country and presently more than half of the total production comes from aquaculture. The sector provides living and livelihood for more than 11% people of the country. If the available resources are used sustainably with proper technological assistance, fish produced from aquaculture would efficiently meet the protein demand of growing population of the country. The needs of Bangladesh’s poor fisher community to eat what they catch and lack of a legal legislative framework means the situation can only worsen. Hope, however, is offered through several new conservation initiatives including the establishment of fish sanctuaries at strategic points in rivers and floodplains, concerted breeding programmes and the maintenance of captive stocks and cryogenically stored materials. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ralf.v1i1.22375 Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.1(1): 109-126, Dec 2014

Seasonal Carbohydrate Dynamics and Climatic Regulation of Senescence in the Perennial Grass, Miscanthus

Miscanthus is a perennial energy grass predominantly used for combustion but there is increasing interest in fermenting the cell-wall carbohydrates or green-cutting for soluble sugars to produce bioethanol. Our aims were to: (1) quantify non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), (2) observe the timing of seasonal shifts in the stems and rhizome, and (3) identify developmental and/or climatic conditions that promoted carbohydrate remobilization from the stems to the rhizome during senescence. Two genotypes of Miscanthus sinensis, a Miscanthus sacchariflorus and a Miscanthus × giganteus were grown at replicated field sites in Aberystwyth, West Wales and Harpenden, South East England. NSC were quantified from the rhizome and aboveground organs and then correlated with climatic data collected from on-site weather stations. PAR and maximum daily temperatures were higher at Harpenden throughout the year, but daily minimum temperatures were lower. Senescence was accelerated at Harpenden. Carbohydrates were retained within the stems of non-flowering genotypes, at both sites, in winter and were still present after a frost event to −2 °C. Rhizome starch concentrations were at least equal to the previous winter’s levels (February 2011) by September. Lower daily minimum temperatures accelerate the rate of senescence and warmer daily maximum temperatures cannot counteract this effect. At current yields, M. × giganteus, could produce 0.7 t ha−1 of NSC in addition to ligno-cellulosic biomass in November but with concerted breeding efforts this could be targeted for improvement as has been achieved in other crops. Shifting harvests forward to November would not leave the rhizome depleted of carbohydrates.

Ploidy investigation of bananas ( Musa spp.) from the National Banana Germplasm Collection at Rubona–Rwanda by flow cytometry

Bananas ( Musa spp.) are important staple and income-generating crops for millions of people in the highlands of East and Central Africa. This region is considered as a secondary center of banana diversity. The determination of ploidy level in different germplasms is important for better management of genetic diversity and is required before starting concerted breeding programmes. The use of reliable and high-resolution methods such as flow cytometry is recommended. In our study, flow cytometry was used on 89 frozen leaf accessions from the National Banana Germplasm collection at Rubona–Rwanda. Our results indicate that the ploidy level of 65 Highland banana clones analysed, is triploid, as was previously reported using morphological characteristics. However, the clones ‘Pomme’, ‘Kamaramasenge’, ‘Gisubi kayinja’, ‘Gisubi kagongo’, and ‘Dibis’ previously classified in National Banana Germplasm collection at Rubona as diploid, diploid, diploid, triploid, and tetraploid, respectively, were found to be triploid, triploid, triploid, diploid and triploid. These results should therefore, have great significance in banana germplasm management, for breeding programmes as well as for the Musa Germplasm Information System (MGIS).

Physiological controls and regulation of ergot alkaloid formation

Innovation and technical development of ergot alkaloids (EA) has moved closer to scientific research. Circumstantial evidence presently links the initiation of EA metabolism to changes in a range of parameters--morphology, concentrations of enzymes and their substrates, nutrients and external stress. The biosynthesis of EA begins at the level of the genetic information apparatus and continues at the level of physiological expression. EA and their formation play a role in the physiology of the production organism. Insufficient insight into Claviceps physiology hampers the deployment of computers in the control and regulation of the EA process. Knowledge of physiological controls and genetic manipulation are the principal tools of modern EA production. In principle it is now possible to improve EA yields by a concerted breeding of the ergot fungus by sexual and parasexual genetic engineering.

Extrachromosomal genetics of Cephalosporium acremonium

In order to facilitate strain improvement by concerted breeding in the cephalosporin producing imperfect filamentous fungus Cephalo sporium acremonium, it is attempted to develop a eukaryotic vector for molecular cloning based on mitochondrial (mt) DNA.Fragments of mtDNA from C. acremonium were inserted into a yeast/bacterial hybrid plasmid (pDAM1) lacking a eukaryotic replicon. Six hybrid plasmids were obtained each containing a different mt fragment which together comprise about 60% of the total mtDNA. One of these recombinant plasmid vectors (pCP2) showed a high replication efficiency which is comparable to that of vectors containing yeast 2 μm DNA. This plasmid therefore fulfills the requirements for practical application.

Genetics of the ergot fungus Claviceps purpurea

With the purpose of improving alkaloid production in Claviceps purpurea, concerted breeding studies were conducted in order to investigate the exchange of genetic material by meiotic recombination. 1) From two homokaryotic strains differing in the amount of ergocristin produced, 52 biochemical variants were obtained including both auxotrophs and fungicide resistants, 38 of which showed virulence. 2) After host passage, sclerotia formation and ascospore production, 9 stable mutants were obtained (1 auxotrophic and 8 resistant). 3) Several cross infections between the mutant auxotrophic for lysine and different resistant mutants were established and the offspring of one cross was evaluated in detail for both segregation of the marker genes and quantitation of alkaloid production. 4) The marker genes segregated in a Mendelian pattern, as was expected for a two factor cross: 50% parental types and 50% recombination types. This shows that both marker genes are unlinked. 5) Independent of the segregation pattern of the marker genes a "segregation" of quantitative alkaloid production was found. All recombinant strains did not only exceed the level of the low producing parent but some of them showed a higher alkaloid yield than the parent with the higher production rate. The general implication of these data is twofold: under controlled conditions it is possible to perform meiotic recombination with a self-fertile parasitic fungus and it is possible to use this technique for strain improvement.

Genetic studies of the basisdiomycete Agrocybe aegerita

In the edible white rot fungus Agrocybe aegerita the threshold from mycelial growth to fruit body formation is under control of a single gene in both monokaryons and dikaryons.The allele su opens the pathway for fruiting and allows the subsequent expression of the fruiter genes fi(+) (fruit body initials) and fb (+) (fruit bodies). Its allele, su (+), suppresses monokaryotic fruiting completely and restricts dikaryotic fruiting drastically.The detection of this threshold gene su (+)/su and its action and interactions has practical implication in that an opportunity for concerted breeding is created.First results indicate that the fruiter genes are involved in two essential parameters of productivity. Both time of fruiting and biomass production depend on the two fruiter genes fi (+) and fb (+).Comparable results obtained with two other basidiomycetes suggest that the genetic control of fruiting in Agrocybe aegerita is a general mechanism which may be made use of in breeding work with other basidiomycetes of economic value.

I.T.-9 and I.T.-18 Rose Rootstocks12

Abstract Although roses have been propagated by grafting for more than a century, there has been relatively no concerted breeding effort to develop rootstocks (understocks) as has been done for rosaceous fruit crops. Selection of cultivars, both asexually and sexually propagated, that have been used for propagating roses has come about so far more by fortuitious circumstance than by design. A survey (1) of rootstocks used in rose propagation indicated that the largest number were derivatives of either the Caninae or the Synstylae tribes, with the Caninae being more prevalent in Europe and the Synstylae in the U.S. Also, the survey delineated those qualities desired as well as those in which the commonly-used rose root-stocks were deficient. Characteristics found lacking were root flexibility, a trait of importance to to all nurserymen packaging rose plants either for sale or shipment, tolerance to low soil temp, and resistance or tolerance to soil-borne pests such as nematodes.

Genetics of the ergot fungus Claviceps purpurea

The morphological and physiological evaluation of single ascorspore lines (F1) obtained from 4 production strains of Claviceps purpurea and the subsequent production and evaluation of an F2 from two of these strains has shown: 1. The breeding system responsible for the sexual cycle of C. purpurea is characterized by monoecism and self-compatibility. 2. Heterokaryosis is neither required for the completion of the life cycle nor for alkaloid synthesis. 3. The huge variability in both mycelial morphology and alkaloid spectra makes it evident that all production strains are highly heterogeneous. 4. A correlation between morphology and an alkaloid pattern was not found. 5. Alkaloid production is, however, correlated with distinct genotypes. 6. In some cases an increase in the total alkaloid content and in the formation of specific alkaloids was also found, showing that the genetic control of these metabolites may be accessible. Taken together these results open up the way to concerted breeding with Claviceps purpurea with the object of improving alkaloid production.

Concerted breeding in fungi and its biotechnological application

The biotechnological exploitation of fungi is becoming more and more important both for industrial purposes and in the field of cultivation of edible mushrooms. In the past, breeding of fungi was restricted mainly to selection of better strains after spontaneous or induced mutations. Today, the inclusion of genetic recombination—based on better knowledge of how to handle fungi under controlled conditions, of their life cycles, and of their breeding systems—has given the possibility of ‘concerted breeding’. In addition, some recent basic research provides means of preventing ageing and death of fungal strains, by either genetic alterations or therapeutic treatment. Examples of the application of these ideas and results are given.

Cytological and genetic studies of the life cycle of Saccharomycopsis lipolytica.

In the alkane yeast Saccharomycopsis lipolytica (formerly: Candida lipolytica) the variability in the ascospore number is caused by the absence of a correlation between the meiotic divisions and spore wall formation. In four spored yeasts, after meiosis II, a spore wall is formed around each of the four nuclei produced by meiosis II. However, in the most frequently occurring two spored asci of S. lipolytica, the two nuclei are already enveloped by the spore wall after meiosis I due to a delay of meiosis II. This division takes place within the spore during the maturation of the ascus. In this case germination of the binucleate ascospore is not preceded by a mitosis. It follows that the cells of the new haploid clones are mononucleate. In the three spored asci, which occur rarely, only one nucleus is surrounded by a spore wall after meiosis I; the other nucleus undergoes meosis II before the onset of spore wall formation. The result is one bincleate and two mononucleate spores. In the one spored asci the two meiotic divisions occur within the young ascosphore, i.e. spore wall formation starts immediately after development of the ascus. These cytological observations were substantiated by genetic data, which in addition confirmed the prediction that binucleate spores may be heterokaryotic. This occurs when there is a postreduction of at least one of the genes by which the parents of the cross differ. This also explains the high frequency of prototrophs in the progeny of non-allelic auxotrophs since random spore isolates are made without distinguishing between mono- and binucleate spores. The possibility of analysing offspring of binucleate spores by tetrad analysis is discussed. These findings enable us to understand the life cycle of S. lipolytica in detail and we are now in a position to start concerted breeding for strain improvement especially with respect to single cell protein production.

Genetics of fruit body production in higher basidiomycetes

1. In Polyporus ciliatus (Polyporaceae) dikaryotic fruiting is controlled by the tetrapolar mechanism of homogenic incompatibility. 2. The occurrence of subunits of the mating type factors A and B, known in other Holobasidiomycetidae, could not be proved. If subunits are present, their distance must be less than 0.2 map units. 3. Monokaryotic fruiting occurs in a strictly haploid phase. Neither karyogamy nor meiosis is required in the fruit bodies for the development of basidia having two spores. 4. Genetic analysis has revealed that for the initiation of monokaryotic fruting a single gene (fi+/fi) is responsible. Additional genes control the shape of the fruit bodies (fb+/fb) and its fertility (mod+/mod). 5. Monokaryotic fruiting is closely correlated with dikaryotic fruiting in two ways. On the one hand the B factors, part of the controlling system for dikaryotic fruiting, block monokaryotic fruiting when both partners are heterogenic for the B factor. On the other hand, despite the fact that monokaryotic fruiting is suppressed in a dikaryon, the fi gene controls the formation of dikaryotic fruit bodies. The allele fi+ enhances fruit body production whereas the allele fi may inhibit fruit body production completely. 6. The action and interaction of the incompatibility factors, the genes responsible for monokaryotic fruiting and the genes causing heterogenic incompatibility is discussed with respect to evolution and concerted breeding of mushrooms.