Breeding For Heat Tolerance Research Articles

Assessment of heat tolerance and production performance of Aardi, Damascus, and their crossbred goats.

The question of whether the adaptability and production performance in goats may be enhanced using a crossbreeding program between bucks of a native and heat-tolerant breed and does of an exotic and dual-purpose breed was approached and examined herein by comparing purebred Aardi and Damascus goats and their crossbred lines (i.e., (1)/2 Aardi (1)/2 Damascus (½A½D) and (1)/4 Aardi (3)/4 Damascus (¼A¾D)) reared in a region characterized by dry and hot bioclimatic conditions. Twenty-four male 6-month-old kids randomly segregated into four groups (six replicates/group) were used for the experiment. Climatic, thermo-physiological, biophysiological, metabolic, blood hematological, and biochemical measurements were all determined. The obtained results indicated that such a program was proven to be successful. This conclusion was demonstrated by the findings that crossbred goats (i.e., (1)/2A(1)/2D and (1)/4A(3)/4D) under such bioclimatic conditions were able to show (P < 0.05) higher heat tolerance capabilities compared to purebred Damascus goats as well as manifested (P < 0.05) higher production performance compared to the purebred Aardi goats. Accordingly, these evidences could emphasize that the crossbreeding may enable these animals to display a simultaneous improvement of both traits by the possible benefits that could arise from heterosis and breed complementarity. Researches dealing with this aspect may very well improve our understanding of goat's production and welfare under harsh environmental conditions. Future studies should include an economic analysis of traits that have the potential to impact the overall profitability to a vertically coordinated system.

Heat-tolerance in Cotton Is Correlated with Induced Overexpression of Heat-Shock Factors, Heat-Shock Proteins, and General Stress Response Genes

Breeding for heat tolerance is complicated by the polygenic nature of the trait and genetic engineering awaits delineation of the molecular mechanisms. To understand heat-tolerance mechanisms in cotton (Gossypum hirsutum L.), the world’s most important natural fiber crop, this study compared expression of selected heat-stress response genes between heat-tolerant (VH260 and MNH456) and heat-sensitive (ST213 and ST4288) cotton genotypes. Cotton orthologs of selected Arabidopsis heat-stress response genes included two heat-stress transcription factors, three heat-shock proteins, and the general stress response genes: ascorbate peroxidase and the calcium-dependent stress responder, ANNAT8. The seedlings and flowering plants of each genotype were exposed to heat (38°C) for 1 to 3 hours or days, respectively, followed by RNA isolation from the seedlings and ovaries of flowering plants for gene expression analysis by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reactions. All genes, except the heat-shock protein GHSP26, were found to be induced exclusively in the heat-tolerant lines. The genotype VH260, which reportedly is tolerant to extreme heat (45°C), was found to display much higher induction of these genes than MNH456, the heat-tolerance level of which has not been thoroughly studied. Further, VH260 showed high gene induction in both seedlings and ovaries, whereas MNH456 showed lower induction levels. Strong heat tolerance in VH260 most likely is based on early induction of multiple mechanisms coordinately functioning to defend the plants against membrane damage, protein denaturation, and oxidative stress, in addition to rapid sensing of heat stress to signal the defense processes at the flowering stage towards minimizing yield losses and increasing boll retention during heat stress.

Mapping quantitative trait loci for heat tolerance at anthesis in rice using chromosomal segment substitution lines

To study the genetic basis of heat tolerance at anthesis, a set of chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) derived from Sasanishiki (japonica ssp. heat susceptible) and Habataki (indica spp. heat tolerant) were used for analysis across three high temperature environments. Spikelet fertility (SF), daily flowering time (DFT) and pollen shedding level (PSL) under high temperature (HT) were assessed. Eleven related QTLs were detected, of which, two QTLs qSFht2 and qSFht4.2 for spikelet fertility were identified on chromosomes 2 and 4. Four QTLs qDFT3, qDFT8, qDFT10.1 and qDFT11 for daily flowering time were detected on chromosomes 3, 8, 10 and 11. The other five QTLs qPSLht1, qPSLht4.1, qPSLht5, qPSLht7 and qPSLht10.2 on chromosomes 1, 4, 5, 7 and 10, respectively, were found had effects both on spikelet fertility and pollen shedding level. Of the 11 QTLs, 8 were overlapped with QTLs reported by others, 3 QTLs qPSLht4.1, qPSLht7 and qPSLht10.2 identified in this study were novel. The stability of qPSLht4.1 was further verified at different temperatures, which could be used to improve the pollen shedding and pollen growth on stigma for rice heat-tolerance breeding.

Semen quality and fertility of Bama miniature pig (Sus scrofa domestica)

Semen quality and fertility of Bama miniature pig and the effect of season on these parameters were determined in this study. Results were as follows: the overall mean ejaculate volume, 55.71 ± 15.21 ml; sperm concentration, 0.66 ± 0.22 × 108/ml; sperm motility, 65.39% ± 16.45%; abnormal sperm percentage, 12.16% ± 7.70%; farrowing rate, 76.44%; litter size, 7.74 ± 2.46. It showed that the semen quality and fertility of Bama miniature pigs were lower than the normal level of the larger commercial and local breeds. In terms of the effect of season, we noted that the semen quality and fertility of Bama miniature pigs were not worst in summer. This may indicate that Bama miniature pig is a relative heat-tolerant breed in comparison to larger commercial and local breeds. These findings in this study could provide reference material for improve management and husbandry in practice and for using Bama miniature pigs as animal model especially in male fertility studies.

Laser and thermographic infrared temperatures associated with heat tolerance in adult rams

Heat is a major factor limiting the production of animals in the tropics. Sheep are well adapted to diverse ecosystems, however, temperature and relative humidity can influence animal husbandry. Therefore, this study was carried out to verify the thermoregulation in rams of six breeds (Bergamasca, Dorper, Ile de France, Hampshire Down, Santa Ines and Texel) through the evaluation of physiological traits, body measures, laser and thermographic infrared temperatures as well as testicle morphometry associated with heat tolerance. Animals were measured and weighed, coat and hair colour determined, as well as physiological traits and laser and thermographic infrared temperatures measured twice a day. Data were analyzed with the Statistical Analysis System®. There were differences among breeds for most of the traits linked to heat tolerance, with the Santa Ines showing better adaptation to heat stress compared to other breeds. The Dorper was not significantly better than Bergamasca or Hampshire Down breeds, while Texel and Ile de France were less well adapted. Scrotal temperatures were lowest in Hampshire Down and Dorper, while highest in Texel. Temperature gradient measured by thermography identified Hampshire Down as the least heat tolerant breed. Traits linked to heat tolerance should be taken into consideration when choosing breeds for lamb production in tropical regions.

Potato Production in the Hot Tropical Areas of Africa: Progress Made in Breeding for Heat Tolerance

Potato is a cool season crop and grows best between 15 and 18 oC and soil pH of 5.5 to 6.0. Temperatures above 21 oC have adverse effects on growth. In tropical Africa, potato is grown in the highlands at altitudes between 1500 and 3500 meters above sea level. These areas are characterized by cool temperatures with high rainfall of at least 1000 mm per annum. With climate change, these highlands are rapidly warming up. In addition, the rapidly increasing population and consequent diminishing land sizes in these highlands have forced farmers to migrate to the lower, warmer and drier areas, where the migrants have moved with their cropping systems including the potato. Most of the tropical African countries are poor with an exploding population; there is need to come up with strategies to feed this population. Although a short duration crop such as potato can go a long way in solving the food crisis, most of the locally available potato varieties do not do well under high temperatures. Measures such as planting of heat-tolerant varieties and/or late maturing varieties as well as cultural practices such as mulching and changing the planting date may contribute to alleviating the situation. This review paper looks at breeding heat-tolerant potato varieties as a means for profitable production of potatoes in the hot tropical African region.

Evaluation of agronomic and physiological traits associated with high temperature stress tolerance in the winter wheat cultivars

Post-anthesis high temperature stress is a major concern for the winter wheat producing areas in east China, especially in Shandong province. Fourteen agronomic and physiological traits were studied in 58 Chinese wheat accessions under high-temperature conditions in 2012 and 2013. High temperature stress led to reduction in grain yield and other yield component traits. Significant variations were observed for grain yield per plant (GYPP), grain weight per spike (GWS), thousand kernel weight (TKW), grain number of the main-spike, spikelet number and biological yield per plant. Among the physiological traits measured, chlorophyll content and normalized difference vegetation index showed significant variation under high temperature stress. The results indicate that heat susceptibility index estimated for TKW, GYPP, GWS and flag leaf senescence scale (FLSS) could be used as selection criteria for identifying heat tolerant genotypes for the Shandong province. The results also suggest that FLSS is a good, quick visual indicator of stay-green for field selection for heat tolerance. After harvest, TKW can be measured as final indicator of heat tolerance. The varieties Gaoyou 9415, Hemai 13, Jimai 22, Kexin 9, Shannong 8355, Taishan 23, Yannong 5286 and Zimai 7 were heat tolerant and potential germplasm for heat tolerance breeding in Shandong province and other parts of China. The results could be useful for breeding climate resilient varieties for China or other countries in the world suffering high temperature stresses during grain filling period.

Population structure, molecular and physiological characterisation of elite wheat varieties used as parents in drought and heat stress breeding in India

In the present study 24 modern cultivars of wheat were subjected to genetic and physiological characterisation in order to ascertain their use as parents in drought and heat tolerance breeding. The physiological traits, canopy temperature and chlorophyll content of flag leaves were found to be widely distributed. Population structure analysis grouped them into seven clusters with optimum k value=7. AMOVA and PCoA (Principal Coordinate Analysis) revealed higher level of polymorphism among the resistant and susceptible groups. The study revealed that the varieties used in breeding program are highly divergent pure breeding lines with unique pattern of alleles.

Early generation in vitro assay to identify potato populations and clones tolerant to heat

An efficient in vitro system for early generation selection of heat-tolerant potato breeding materials was tested and validated in field conditions. At the family level, family groups expected to be heat tolerant due to their genetic background were identified as heat tolerant. In the in vitro assay, LTVR × LTVR, an advanced heat-tolerant breeding population developed at CIP, had 100 % of plants with tubers at 18 °C, 73 % at 25 °C and 2 % at 32 °C in the dark. The results from true seed family level in vitro screening at 25 °C and tuber family evaluation under field conditions in Tacna, an arid sub-tropical environment in Southern Peru, were positively correlated (r = 0.57). There was low to moderate correlation between percentage of plants with tubers under 27 °C in vitro temperature treatment and harvest index in the in vivo conditions in Majes–Arequipa, San Ramon, and La Molina that followed increasing temperature ranges between the sites. This indicates that the methodology can predict putative heat tolerant clones with a low level of confidence. Low correlation is possibly due to differential responses of the clones to characteristics of the growing environment, such as soil versus media, which were not represented in the in vitro assay, as well as the fact that in the field, day–night temperatures vary during tuberization and tuber filling, and throughout the season, while in vitro temperature and the dark period were kept constant, and conditions were controlled specifically to assess tuberization (tuber induction) at high night temperatures. The ability of the in vitro seedling screening assay to identify families tolerant to high temperatures in an inexpensive and less time consuming way without need of transplanting experimental material to the field will facilitate evaluation of significant samples of genetic resources and improved populations in breeding programs attempting to improve potato for adaptation to new environments and climate change.

Biochemical and physiological characterization of three rice cultivars under different daytime temperature conditions

Heat stress due to high daytime temperatures is one of the main limiting factors in rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield in Colombia. Thus, the objective of the present research was to analyze the effect of three different daytime temperatures (25, 35, and 40 °C) on the physiological responses of three Colombian rice cultivars (F60, F733, and F473), thereby contributing to the knowledge of rice acclimation mechanisms. For 10 d, eight plants of each of the three cultivars were subjected daily to 5 h periods of 35 and 40 °C. The control treatment corresponded to normal growth conditions (25 °C). Thermal stress was assessed based on a series of physiological and biochemical parameters. The 35 °C treatment produced photosynthetic and respiratory differences in all three cultivars. At 40 °C, 'F60' displayed the lowest photosynthetic rate and the highest respiratory rate. Although this cultivar experienced particularly strong electrolyte leakage and changes in proline when subjected to the high-temperature treatments, similar trends were observed in 'F733' and 'F473'. At 40 °C, the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) was lower in 'F473' than in the other cultivars. These results may explain the poor agronomic performance of 'F60' in the field under daytime heat stress. The methodologies employed in the present work may be useful in Colombian rice breeding programs, particularly for the selection of heat-tolerant breeding stocks.

The effects of heat stress in Italian Holstein dairy cattle

The data set for this study comprised 1,488,474 test-day records for milk, fat, and protein yields and fat and protein percentages from 191,012 first-, second-, and third-parity Holstein cows from 484 farms. Data were collected from 2001 through 2007 and merged with meteorological data from 35 weather stations. A linear model (M1) was used to estimate the effects of the temperature-humidity index (THI) on production traits. Least squares means from M1 were used to detect the THI thresholds for milk production in all parities by using a 2-phase linear regression procedure (M2). A multiple-trait repeatability test-model (M3) was used to estimate variance components for all traits and a dummy regression variable (t) was defined to estimate the production decline caused by heat stress. Additionally, the estimated variance components and M3 were used to estimate traditional and heat-tolerance breeding values (estimated breeding values, EBV) for milk yield and protein percentages at parity 1. An analysis of data (M2) indicated that the daily THI at which milk production started to decline for the 3 parities and traits ranged from 65 to 76. These THI values can be achieved with different temperature/humidity combinations with a range of temperatures from 21 to 36°C and relative humidity values from 5 to 95%. The highest negative effect of THI was observed 4 d before test day over the 3 parities for all traits. The negative effect of THI on production traits indicates that first-parity cows are less sensitive to heat stress than multiparous cows. Over the parities, the general additive genetic variance decreased for protein content and increased for milk yield and fat and protein yield. Additive genetic variance for heat tolerance showed an increase from the first to third parity for milk, protein, and fat yield, and for protein percentage. Genetic correlations between general and heat stress effects were all unfavorable (from −0.24 to −0.56). Three EBV per trait were calculated for each cow and bull (traditional EBV, traditional EBV estimated with the inclusion of THI covariate effect, and heat tolerance EBV) and the rankings of EBV for 283 bulls born after 1985 with at least 50 daughters were compared. When THI was included in the model, the ranking for 17 and 32 bulls changed for milk yield and protein percentage, respectively. The heat tolerance genetic component is not negligible, suggesting that heat tolerance selection should be included in the selection objectives.

PHYSIOLOGY AND ENDOCRINOLOGY SYMPOSIUM: Influence of cattle genotype (Bos indicus vs. Bos taurus) on oocyte and preimplantation embryo resistance to increased temperature1,2

High environmental temperatures during the hot months of the year reduce reproductive performance in cattle. Summer heat stress depression in fertility is a multifactorial problem; however, there is evidence that the bovine germinal vesicle and maturing oocyte, as well as the early embryo, are major targets of the deleterious effects of heat stress. Such adverse effects are less pronounced in heat-tolerant breeds (Bos indicus) than heat-sensitive breeds (Bos taurus). This genetic variation results from the greater thermoregulatory ability and cellular thermoresistance of heat-tolerant breeds. Heat-induced oocyte cellular damage occurs in both cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments. Heat shock has been shown to reduce oocyte nuclear maturation, induce apoptosis, compromise oocyte cytoskeleton, and impair oocyte mitochondrial function and developmental competence. However, the oocyte cytoplasm is more susceptible to heat shock than the nucleus. This effect is greater for Bos taurus than Bos indicus oocytes. The detrimental effects of heat shock are also critical during the first cleavage divisions when most of the embryonic genome is inactive; however, the bovine embryo becomes more resistant to increased temperature as it proceeds through development. Several studies demonstrated that Bos indicus embryos are more thermotolerant than Bos taurus embryos. Adaptive changes involved in acquisition of thermotolerance are likely derived from changes in gene expression and (or) activity of biochemical molecules that control cellular functions against stress. Recently, molecules such as IGF-I and caspase inhibitor z-DEVD-fmk have been shown to exert a thermoprotective role, rescuing heat-induced oocyte and embryo cellular damage and developmental competence. Therefore, cattle genotype and thermoprotective molecules can be considered as an alternative to modulate the effects of increased temperature in reproductive function.

Phenotyping Cowpeas for Adaptation to Drought

Methods for phenotyping cowpeas for adaptation to drought are reviewed. Key factors involve achieving optimal time of flowering and cycle length, and appropriate morphology for different types of cultivars as they relate to their utilization for dry grain, hay, and fresh pea production. Strong resistance to vegetative-stage drought is available and should be incorporated. The extreme ability of extra-early erect cowpea cultivars to escape terminal drought should be exploited in zones with very short rainfall seasons. In zones with the possibility of limited rainfall in the middle of the growing season, resistance to mid-season drought, and the delayed-leaf-senescence trait can be valuable. Breeding for water-use efficiency, deeper rooting, and heat tolerance are discussed. Diseases and pests that influence adaptation to drought are considered. Resistance to the organism causing ashy stem blight disease should be incorporated because this disease can destroy cowpea seedlings under hot, dry soil conditions. The value of varietal intercrops with contrasting types of cowpea cultivars in enhancing adaptation to drought is described. Implications of cowpea/cereal rotations for cowpea breeding are discussed. Breeding strategies for enhancing cowpea adaptation to drought are described.

Possible genetic sign of heat stress adaptation in Hungarian GreyBos taurusbreed

The synthesis of Heat Shock Protein 70.2 mRNA is also regulated by the Upper Promoter elements of the gene. This promoter region is polymorphic in cattle. These polymorphisms have a major effect on the activity of the mRNA transcription. In a comparison of quantity of transcribed mRNA from the wild type and AP2 mutant allele the wild type can produce 2-3-fold more transcripts.The Hungarian Grey Cattle (HG) and Norwegian Red (NFR) as control breed were genotyped with PCR-RFLP method. Our results showed that the frequencies of alleles in breeds (p(wt)HG = 0.859419, p(wt)NFR = 0.5) are different. The effective response to heat stress in the Norwegian Red seems to be less important than in the Hungarian Grey breed. The extensive keeping in hot and arid region during centuries could have been proved as selection pressure for the heat tolerance.Our results combined with the global climate forecasts emphasize the role of autochthonous, well adopted, heat tolerant breeds in the near future.

The viability and performance under hot conditions of featherless broilers versus fully feathered broilers

Hot conditions decrease the difference between ambient temperature (AT) and the average temperature of the body surface. A smaller difference reduces the rate of sensible heat loss of excessive internal heat, elevates the body temperature (BT), and may lead to mortality during heat waves. Under conditions of chronic heat, broilers avoid lethal BT elevation by reducing their feed intake; consequently, growth rate and meat yield are lower. Practices to avoid hot conditions are costly, whereas breeding for heat tolerance offers a sustainable approach. Being featherless was shown to provide heat tolerance; this was reevaluated in experimental broilers with a growth rate similar to that of contemporary commercial broilers. In experiment 1, 26 featherless birds and 49 feathered siblings (sibs) were reared at warm AT and exposed to moderate and acute heat waves. The featherless birds maintained normal BT under a moderate heat wave, with a slight elevation under an acute heat wave, and only 1 bird died. In contrast, the heat waves led to a significant elevation in BT of the feathered sibs, and 34% of them died. In experiment 2, featherless broilers were compared with feathered sibs and commercial broilers at 2 AT treatments: a constant temperature of 25°C (control AT) or a constant temperature of 35°C (hot AT). The birds were reared to 46 or 53 d at the control and hot AT, respectively, and the measured traits included BT, growth, and weight of the whole body and carcass parts (breast meat, legs, wings, and skin). At the hot AT, only the featherless broilers maintained a normal BT; their mean d 46 BW (2,031g) was significantly higher than that of birds maintained at the control AT, and it increased to 2,400 g on d 53, much higher than the corresponding means of all feathered broilers (approximately 1,700 g only). Featherless broilers had significantly higher breast meat yield (approximately 20% in both AT), lower skin weight, and supposedly better wing quality. These results confirmed that being featherless improved the livability and performance of fast-growing broilers in hot conditions and suggests that introduction of the featherless phenotype into commercial broiler stocks would facilitate highly efficient yet low-cost production of broiler meat under hot conditions.

Targeting Gene Combinations for Broad-spectrum Rust Resistance in Heat-tolerant Snap Beans Developed for Tropical Environments

Common bean rust disease (caused by Uromyces appendiculatus) and high temperatures (heat stress) limit snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) production in many tropical and temperate regions. We have developed snap bean lines combining broad-spectrum rust resistance with heat tolerance for tropical agroecosystems. Eight breeding populations were developed by hybridizing BelJersey-RR-15 and BelFla-RR-1 (each possessing the Ur-4 and Ur-11 rust resistance genes) and the heat-tolerant snap bean breeding lines HT601, HT603, HT608, and HT611. F2–F4 generations of the populations were evaluated under greenhouse conditions and selected for heat tolerance while simultaneously selecting for the rust resistance genes Ur-4 and Ur-11. Three heat-tolerant F5 lines, which were homozygous for Ur-4 and Ur-11 genes, were selected together with a rust-resistant but heat-sensitive control. These and 12 cultivars adapted to different geographical regions were evaluated for their reaction to rust and yield at six contrasting field sites in eastern Africa and their response to high temperature verified in Puerto Rico. Rust incidence and severity was high at three of the trial sites in eastern Africa. Two of the 12 cultivars were resistant to rust at most of these sites, and three of the four breeding lines were resistant at all sites. The Ur-11 gene effectively conferred rust resistance at all sites. Yield in Puerto Rico was strongly correlated (R2 = 0.71, P &lt; 0.001) with that of the hottest site in eastern Africa, highlighting the similarity in genotypic response to high temperatures at the two distinct sites. The newly developed rust-resistant and heat-tolerant breeding lines showed stable yield at the eastern Africa sites with contrasting mean temperatures compared with the cultivars presently grown in the region. Two of these lines, HT1 and HT2, were confirmed to be homozygous for Ur-4 and Ur-11 and with high heat tolerance under both greenhouse and field environments. This research validates the effectiveness of targeted rust resistance gene combinations for tropical environments and the effective selection of high temperature tolerance traits correlating across multiple environments. The breeding lines HT1 and HT2 developed in this research could be used to improve snap beans for the tropics and other environments with similar constraints.

Quantitative trait loci influencing fruit-related characteristics of tomato grown in high-temperature conditions

The objective of this study was to identify molecular markers linked to fruit-related traits in the tomato subjected to high temperatures. In total, 160 F2 plants derived from a cross between a heat-tolerant breeding line, CL5915-93D4-1-0-3 (Solanum esculentum), and a heat-sensitive wild accession, L4422 (S. pimpinellifolium), were grown in a greenhouse. Six traits including fruit number, fruit weight, brix, seed number, fruit setting, and flower number were scored. The distributions of fruit number, fruit set, flower number, and seed number were skewed towards heat susceptibility which is known to be characteristic of L4422. Polymorphic bands were generated by PCR-derived methods of RAPD, ISSR and AFLP Polymorphism, the segregation ratio, and distribution over the genome of the above 3 markers were compared. Ten linkage groups, ranging 20.6–151.6 cM in size, were constructed with 62 informative markers spanning a total of 776.3 cM. Fruit-related quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were non-randomly distributed in the tomato genome. For the 6 traits investigated, 21 QTLs were dispersed on linkage groups 2–5. The genetic effects of the various QTLs were differently exhibited, in our study we have respectively found from 10.5% to 30.2% of the variation explained by the QTL for flower number (FRN4) and brix (BX2). Thirteen QTL-mapped markers were unique to 1 trait, and 4 markers were linked to more than 1 trait. Among them, QTLs linked to the I868-470 marker had effects on fruit weight and brix, and a significant positive correlation between these 2 traits was noted (r = 0.35, P < 0.05). Thus, the I868-470 marker may have the potential for simultaneous selection of high fruit weight and brix. These markers also allowed us to align genome linkage maps across distantly related species and to reveal the co-localization between these QTLs and major genes.

Assessing the heat tolerance of 17 beef cattle genotypes

Cattle production plays a significant role in terms of world food production. Nearly 82% of the world's 1.2 billion cattle can be found in developing countries. An increasing demand for meat in developing countries has seen an increase in intensification of animal industries, and a move to cross-bred animals. Heat tolerance is considered to be one of the most important adaptive aspects for cattle, and the lack of thermally-tolerant breeds is a major constraint on cattle production in many countries. There is a need to not only identify heat tolerant breeds, but also heat tolerant animals within a non-tolerant breed. Identification of heat tolerant animals is not easy under field conditions. In this study, panting score (0 to 4.5 scale where 0=no stress and 4.5 = extreme stress) and the heat load index (HLI) [HLI(BG<25°C) = 10.66 + 0.28 × rh + 1.30 × BG - WS; and, HLI (BG> 25°C) = 8.62 + 0.38 × rh + 1.55 × BG - 0.5 × WS + e((2.4 - WS)), where BG = black globe temperature ((o)C), rh = relative humidity (decimal form), WS = wind speed (m/s) and e is the base of the natural logarithm] were used to assess the heat tolerance of 17 genotypes (12,757 steers) within 13 Australian feedlots over three summers. The cattle were assessed under natural climatic conditions in which HLI ranged from thermonuetral (HLI < 70) to extreme (HLI > 96; black globe temperature = 40.2°C, relative humidity = 64%, wind speed = 1.58m/s). When HLI > 96 a greater number (P < 0.001) of pure bred Bos taurus and crosses of Bos taurus cattle had a panting score ≥ 2 compared to Brahman cattle, and Brahman-cross cattle. The heat tolerance of the assessed breeds was verified using panting scores and the HLI. Heat tolerance of cattle can be assessed under field conditions by using panting score and HLI.

Bulked Segregant Analysis to Detect QTL Related to Heat Tolerance in Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) Using SSR Markers

The study was undertaken to assess the genetic effect of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conferring heat tolerance at flowering stage in rice. A population consisting of 279 F 2 individuals from the cross between 996, a heat tolerant cultivar and 4628, a heat-sensitive cultivar, was analyzed for their segregation pattern of the difference of seed set rate under optimal temperature condition and high temperature condition. The difference of seed set rate under optimal temperature condition and high temperature condition showed normal distribution, indicating the polygenic control over the trait. To identify main effect of QTL for heat tolerance, the parents were surveyed with 200 primer pairs of simple sequence repeats (SSR). The parental survey revealed 30% polymorphism between parents. In order to detect the main QTL association with heat tolerance, a strategy of combining the DNA pooling from selected segregants and genotyping was adopted. The association of putative markers identified based on DNA pooling from selected segregants was established by single marker analysis (SMA). The results of SMA revealed that SSR markers, RM3735 on chromosome 4 and RM3586 on chromosome 3 showed significant association with heat tolerance respectively, accounted for 17 and 3% of the total variation respectively. The heat tolerance during flowering stage in rice was controlled by multiple gene. The SSR markers, RM3735 on chromosome 4 and RM3586 on chromosome 3 showed significant association with heat tolerance respectively, accounted for 17 and 3% of the total variation respectively. The two genetic loci, especially for RM3735 on chromosome 4, can be used in marker-assistant-selected method in heat tolerance breeding in rice.

RAPD markers for the identification of yield traits in tomatoes under heat stress via bulked segregant analysis

Tomato production is limited to a large extent by climates with high temperatures. Yield-related traits in tomatoes are generally thought to be quantitative inherited traits that are significantly affected by variation in environmental factors. Breeding for heat tolerance is restricted due to the complexity of the traits. The objective of this study was to identify random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to heat-tolerance traits in tomatoes under heat stress. Forty-three F(7) recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a wild cross between CL 5915 (heat-tolerant) and L4422 (heat-sensitive) were obtained and scored for flower number, fruit number, fruit set, fruit weight and yield under screen house conditions during the hot (summer) season of 2003. The distributions of average fruit weight, fruit number, fruit set and yield in the F(7) population were strongly skewed towards heat susceptibility, characteristic of L4422. Significant positive correlation was observed between fruit weight and yield, and between fruit number, fruit set and yield. However, the increase in yield and fruit set by selecting for large flower number may be fairly minor due to non-significant correlation between these traits. Selecting for flower number may not be a useful tool for improving yield under heat stress. A total of 200 RAPD primers were screened, among which 14 were identified as associated with heat-tolerance using bulk segregant analysis (BSA) based on the F(7) population grown in a heat-stressed environment. Some RAPD markers were unique to one specific trait, and others were linked to two traits. All markers for heat tolerance related traits had positive gene effects as a result of the contribution of the CL5915 gene that bolstered these traits. One hundred F(2) plants derived from the same parents (CL5915xL4422) were grown in the same location during the summer of 2004 to test for the stability and reliability of the 14 markers identified. Selection for the desired heat-tolerance genotypes corresponded well with targeting heat tolerance traits using the selected heat tolerance RAPD markers identified. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) for heat tolerance may be efficiently conducted by selecting individuals that contain high fruit number, high fruit weight, and high yield markers (P06, X01, D06 and D11), which would thus facilitate conventional breeding using CL5915 as a donor parent.