Interspecific Progenies Research Articles

Original Research Article Genetic Diversity and Association Analysis for Agronomic and Yield Related Traits in Interspecific Progenies of Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)

The limited genetic diversity in existing cultivars emphasizes the need for incorporating potential exotics and wild relatives in breeding programs. This study focussed on assessing genetic variation and correlations among yield traits in F8 and F9 progenies resulting from nine interspecific crosses, involving three cultivated parental lines and three wild species. Results indicate significant genotypic variation for all traits studied. Phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation varied across agronomic parameters. Heritability estimates ranged from 22.61% (Primary branches plant-1) to 89.35% (Days to maturity) for different traits, emphasizing the potential for selection in breeding programs. Positive correlations were observed among various traits in both progeny generations, providing insights into the interplay of genetic factors influencing pigeon pea traits. The cluster analysis revealed that, 54 interspecific cross derived lines with three parents were grouped into four clusters, indicating the greater diversity among the lines for the selection of yield related traits for pigeonpea crop improvement.

Genetics of quantitative traits from interspecific crosses between Luffa hermaphrodita × Luffa cylindrica

Generation mean analysis study in sponge gourd was undertaken to estimate the gene action operating in the inheritance of quantitative traits using six basic generations of two interspecific crosses, namely SATPUTIA × SG 282 and SATPUTIA × PSG 9. The F2 and backcross generations showed high genetic variance for vine length, fruit weight and fruits per vine. Additive, dominant, additive x additive, additive × dominance and dominance x dominance effects significantly influenced most of the traits. The additive effect significantly contributed to fruit length and weight in both crosses. Dominance effects were significant for almost all the traits in both crosses. Additive × dominance type of interactions contributed significantly for female bud length, ovary length, style length, node to first flower, fruit diameter, fruit weight, fruits per vine and yield per vine. Duplicate effects influenced all the traits in both the crosses except for fruit length in SAT × PSG 9. For further improvement in interspecific progenies, the pedigree method can be applied to exploit additive variance to develop improved inbreds. However, transgressive segregates can further be used to exploit the presence of dominance, additive × dominance and dominance × dominance interactions.

Parental choice and seed size impact the uprightness of progeny from interspecific Glycine hybridizations

AbstractThe narrow genetic base of the US soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) crop makes it vulnerable to emerging abiotic and biotic stress challenges, and limits resiliency of the soybean crop to meet changes in consumer demand for improved seed composition and agronomic performance. The United States Department of Agriculture Glycine soja (Siebold & Zucc.) germplasm collection provides a valuable genetic resource to meet these challenges. Glycine soja is more genetically diverse than domesticated soybean. Even though wild soybean hybridizes freely with G. max, breeding efforts with wild soybean have not been widely employed because the interspecific progeny inherits undesirable traits from the wild parent. Particularly, these progenies inherit a vine‐like architecture that prevents machine harvest. We assessed the potential for improving recovery of agronomically valuable progeny from interspecific crosses in three experiments using 11 interspecific populations. We found that optimal choice of either parent could triple the frequency of recovery of desirable progeny. Selection for large F3 seed size was positively correlated with upright growth habit/plant architecture in five of 11 populations and could triple the recovery of desirable plants. Marker analysis of parents and progeny indicated selection for larger seed size caused minimal selection against the genome of the wild parent. Most genetic markers specific to a wild parent could be recovered in the aggregate of 8–10 upright interspecific progenies, identified via post selection marker analysis. We concluded that choice of parent and selection for larger seed can maximize recovery of the wild genome in machine harvestable progenies.

Genetic Relationship of Brassicaceae Hybrids with Various Resistance to Blackleg Is Disclosed by the Use of Molecular Markers.

Brassica napus is an important oil source. Its narrow gene pool can be widened by interspecific hybridization with the Brassicaceae species. One of the agronomically important traits, that can be transferred through the hybridization, is the resistance to blackleg, a dangerous disease mainly caused by Leptosphaeria maculans. Hybrid individuals can be analyzed with various molecular markers, including Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR). We investigated the genetic similarity of 32 Brassicaceae hybrids and 19 parental components using SSR markers to reveal their genetic relationship. Furthermore, we compared the field resistance to blackleg of the interspecific progenies. The tested set of 15 SSR markers proved to be useful in revealing the genetic distances in the Brassicaceae hybrids and species. However, genetic similarity of the studied hybrids could not be correlated with the level of field resistance to L. maculans. Moreover, our studies confirmed the usefulness of the Brassicaceae hybrids in terms of blackleg management.

Chromosome characterization and physical mapping of 18S rDNA in Lilium longiflorum originated interspecific hybrids using combined genomic and fluorescent in situ hybridization

This study was aimed to differentiate parental genomes, examining intergenomic composition, and mapping mitotic metaphase chromosomes by localizing parental and 18S rDNA probes in seven interspecific hybrid progenies that originated from Lilium longiflorum. Since single method of in situ hybridization has been widely used in interspecific lily breeding, while in this study, flow cytometry was used in conjunction with genomic and fluorescent in situ hybridization to determine the genomic contribution of each parent to the interspecific progenies. A significant variation was observed in the DNA content, chromosome length, and 18S loci in F1 as compared to the female and male parents. L. longiflorum showed nearly two times higher DNA content than the male parents and L. longiflorum × Asiatic progenies, but eight times higher than L. longiflorum × L. hansonii. Genomic in situ hybridization results revealed that both female and male parents contributed an equal number of chromosomes to their interspecific F1 offspring. Fluorescent in situ hybridization mapping revealed that 18S rDNA had 8, 6 and 7 loci in L. longiflorum parents, i.e., White heaven, Bright tower, and White tower, respectively, whereas each Asiatic cultivar and L. hansonii used as male showed 8 and 12 loci respectively. Interspecific progenies showed 8 and 7 loci in LA, and 10–11 in LM hybrids. These cytogenetic results implied equal genetic and chromosomal contribution from both parents to their intergenomic progenies. Therefore, this combined cytogenetic method has the potential to be genome specific and time-saving approach in lily breeding that could determine the status of hybrids and their genomic origin while achieving physical mapping and detecting genes in different genomes.

In silico analysis and expression profiling of Expansin A4, BURP domain protein RD22-like and E6-like genes associated with fiber quality in cotton.

To supply high-quality cotton fibre for the textile industry, the development of long, strong and fine fibre cotton varieties is imperative. An interlinked approach was used to comprehend the role of fibre genes by analyzing interspecific progenies of cotton species. Wild Gossypium species and races are rich source of genetic polymorphism due to environmental dispersal and continuous natural selection. These genetic resources hold mass of outclass genes that can be used in cotton improvement breeding programs to exploit possible traits such as fibre quality, abiotic stress tolerance, and disease and insect resistance. Therefore, use of new molecular techniques such as genomics, transcriptomics and bioinformatics is very important to utilize the genetic potential of wild species in cotton improvement programs. Interspecific lines and Gossypium species used in the study were grown at Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Multan. After retrieving DNA sequence of the genes from NCBI, the primers for gene expression and full-length gene sequence were designed. Expression profiling of Expansin A4, BURP Domain protein RD22-like and E6-like fibre genes was performed through Real Time PCR. BLAST and DNA sequence alignment was conducted for sequence comparison of interspecific lines and Gossypium species. Different in silico analysis were used for characterization of fibre genes and identification of cis acting promoter elements in promoter region. Variable expression of genes related to fibre development was observed at different stages. BLAST and DNA sequence alignment demonstrated resemblance of interspecific lines with G. hirsutum. In silico analysis on the sequence data also confirmed the role of Expansin A4, BURP Domain protein RD22-like and E6-like fibre genes in fibre development. Genetic engineering is also recommended by transferring E6-like, Expansin A4 and BURP Domain RD22-like genes in local cotton cultivars. Similarly, several stress tolerant and light responsive cis acting elements were identified through promotor analysis, which may contribute for fibre development in the breeding programs. Expansin A4, BURP Domain RD22-like and E6-like have positive role in fibre development with variable expression at fiber length and strength associated stages.

Performance of fatty acid composition, iodine value, carotene content, height and height increment of oil palm interspecific hybrids

A total of sixteen oil palm interspecific hybrid progenies were evaluated for their fatty acid composition, iodine value, carotene content, height and height increment at Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) Bagan Datuk, Malaysia. Based on the results, unsaturated fatty acids were higher with a range of 60% compared to current breeding materials. Iodine value showed a considerable amount of the oil palm interspecific hybrid which was around 65. Carotene among some individuals showed an outstanding value of 3424 ppm. Height and height increment showed lower value than current breeding materials with an average 0.17 m height increment per year. Heritability values showed that the genetic component gave higher influence towards height and height increment while the fatty acid composition and carotene content were largely influenced by the environment.

Assessment of variability and association for seed yield and yield attributing traits among the interspecific derivatives of greengram x blackgram cross

The present investigation was carried out with 24 progenies in F4 generation of interspecific cross derivatives of Vigna radiata cv. VBN(Gg)2 x Vigna mungo cv. Mash 114 to study the variability and association among the yield and the yield component traits. A set of 24 F4 progenies from the interspecific cross between greengram (VBN(Gg)2) and blackgram (Mash 114) formed the basic genetic material for the present investigation. Variability studies recorded high Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV) and Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) for the traits viz., number of branches/ plant, number of clusters/ plant, number of pods/ plant and seed yield /plant. High heritability (h2) along with high genetic advance as per cent of mean (GAM) were recorded for the traits, plant height, number of clusters/ plant, number of pods/ plant and seed yield/ plant. Association studies revealed that the trait number of pods/ plant alone recorded high direct positive effect on seed yield/ plant. The results indicated that high magnitude of variability was present among the interspecific progenies for these traits. The high heritability and genetic advance might be due to presence of additive gene action. Hence selection based on these traits might be effective for genetic improvement among the interspecific progenies of Vigna radiata x Vigna mungo. The study indicates that the trait, number of pods / plant should be given due importance in selection programme for seed yield improvement in the interspecific progenies of greengram and blackgram.

Genetic resistance to fusariosis and base rot in interspecific F1 progenies of passion fruit (Passiflora spp.)

Fusariosis and base rot, caused by the fungi Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. passiflorae and F. solani, respectively, seriously damage the cultivation of sour passion fruit in Brazil. This work aims to obtain and evaluate F1 hybrids of Passiflora spp. wild plants resistant to fusariosis and base rot using genotypes of P. edulis (commercial species) and certify interspecific hybridizations using microsatellite markers. Hybridizations were performed using a P. edulis female parent and P. nitida and P. mucronata male parents for crosses aiming fusariosis resistance, and P. nitida, P. cincinnata and P. quadrangularis for hybridizations aiming tolerance to base rot. 35 microsatellite markers were used to confirm hybridization. The washed roots method was used for fusarium resistance tests and inoculation procedure with a mycelium disk fixed on a small wound on the plant stem for base rot. The interspecific hybridizations provided 49 potentially hybrid genotypes. Confirmation of hybridization by microsatellite marker was verified for 57% of the analyzed genotypes. The hybrids 115-1, 115-3, 115-4, 115-5, 115-6, 115-7, 115-9 and 128 are indicated as promising genotypes for a new stage of the breeding program. In the resistance evaluation of 13 F1 hybrids to F. oxysporum f. sp. passiflorae, the genotypes 142 and 143-2 were selected as the most resistant to continue the breeding program.

Characterization of Ogura CMS fertility-restored interspecific hybrids and backcross progenies from crosses between broccoli and rapeseed

Interspecific F1 hybrids were obtained from crosses between two Ogura cytoplasmic male sterility (Ogura CMS) broccoli lines (B14 and 137) and a rapeseed restorer line to introgress the Ogura CMS’s fertility-restoration gene Rfo from rapeseed into broccoli. Ten Rfo-positive interspecific, triploid plant progenies, phenotypically between rapeseed and broccoli, were obtained but still contained multiple rapeseed genes, with reduced fertility and seed setting potential under natural pollination. For fertility and seed setting improvement, successive backcrosses with broccoli were carried out to yield BC2 progenies. Screening revealed six plants with Rfo among 25 BC2 progenies, which were investigated for agronomic traits, ploidy determination, pollen viability and SSR (simple sequence repeat) markers to evaluate for ideal individuals closer to broccoli. Pollen viability tests were carried out at different stages for various hybrid parents. The results were as follows: 137-F1 (68.54%) > B14-F1 (65.32%) > 137-BC1 (48.15%) > B14-BC1 (32.41%). Although there were significant differences among the BC1 and BC2 individuals, the genetic background of BC2 was closer to the parent broccoli compared with that of BC1 plants. The existence of the Rfo gene in broccoli not only facilitates broccoli germplasm innovation, combination of interspecific hybridization and backcrossing, but may also shed light on trait segregation in different generations.

Screening of the superior F1 segregating populations of barberry (Berberis spp.) for cultivation based on phenotypic characterizations

Iranian seedless barberry, with a long history in the human diet, is consumed as dried fruit and also has valuable medicinal properties. In the present study, morphological and pomological characters of the F1 interspecific progenies of barberry (Berberis spp.) were evaluated to select superior ones. There were significant variations among the F1 progenies based on the measured characters. Full blooming date ranged from 20 April to 09 May. Fruit ripening date varied from 01 November to 04 December. Besides, 100-fresh berry weight ranged from 9.00–41.00 g with an average of 22.18, while 100-dry berry weight varied from 2.28 to 10.01 g with an average of 5.56. Berry taste was predominantly sour, while very sour, sour-sweet, and sweet tastes were also observed. Berry skin and pulp colors were highly variable, including light orange, bright red, light red, red, crimson, and red-black. Two progenies (0202 and 0205) were seedless, and also in 20 progenies, there was no seed in some berries and only one seed in the rest berries. Principal component analysis (PCA) classified the characters into 21 principal components that could justify 77.74% of the total variance. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) performed with Euclidean distance and Ward’s method divided the progenies into two main clusters based on morphological traits. According to the ideal values of the characters related to fruit quality, including berry weight, berry skin color, berry taste, seedless, and/or small seed, 11 progenies were promising that might be directly cultivated and used in breeding programs.

Characterization of Progenies from Polycrosses of S. robustum Clones f. sanguineum

The contribution of S. robustum in the development of cultivated varieties of sugarcane is very less compared to other wild species of sugarcane. Some of the popular varieties of Hawaii were immensely benefited from this wild species but only the Port Moresby type could find a place in the ancestry. In India also, some of the recent Co canes have the improved clones of S. robustum in their pedigree. This paper discusses the characterization of interspecific progenies generated from polycross on two clones S. robustum forma sanguineum (red fleshed S. robustum) and their potential in the crop improvement programme of sugarcane. This is the first report of utilization of the red fleshed S. robustum clones in breeding programme of sugarcane. The progenies developed possess high variability for morphological and yield traits with considerable improvement over the S. robustum parents. The variability generated will be of utmost importance in crop improvement programme of sugarcane as the world gene bank holds only very limited variability for this group of plants (2n = 60) which are characterized by gigantic growth and red coloured flesh.

The Use of Wild Relatives of Safflower to Increase Genetic Diversity for Fatty Acid Composition and Drought Tolerance

Wild relatives of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) may contribute genes to improve cultivated species under water stress conditions. This study was conducted to increase genetic diversity of safflower for agromorphological traits and fatty acid profiles using interspecific hybridization. Three species—C. tinctorius, C. palaestinus Eig., and C. oxyacanthus M. Bieb.—were used to develop three segregating populations of C. tinctorius × C. palaestinus (TP), C. oxyacanthus × C. palaestinus (OP), and C. oxyacanthus × C. palaestinus (TO). Seventy‐three lines, along with the three parental species, were evaluated for agromorphological traits under water stress and nonstress conditions in F3 and F4 generations during 2 yr. Fatty acid analysis of interspecific progenies showed occurrence of transgressive segregation. The results showed that mean values of seed yield for TP and TO progenies, where C. tinctorius was one of their parents, were higher than mean value of seed yield for OP that derived from the two wild species. High genetic variation was observed for seed yield, capitulum diameter, and phenological traits in interspecific populations under both moisture conditions. Indirect selection for flowering and seed yield components under water deficit conditions was most efficient to improve seed yield. Results indicated that gene introgression from wild relatives of safflower into the cultivated gene pool increased genetic variation for the measured traits and allowed identifying superior genotypes for future breeding programs.

Microsatellite Genetic Markers of Saccharrum spp., and Erianthus sp. on Their Hybrids

Progeny identification is the important step that should be done after hybridization. However, polyploidy, aneuploidy and the high chromosome segregation in sugarcane which results various phenotypic characteristics variation and environmental effects become limiting factors to identify the progenies based on morphological characteristic. Microsatellite as one of molecular marker which has codominance inheritance, multiallelic, abundant in the genome and does not influenced by environmental factor is the best tool to asses the crossing fidelity accurately. This research aimed to identify the possibility of genetic marker of Saccharum spp. and Erianthus sp. on their hybrid using microsatellite molecular marker. This study was carried out in Molecular Genetic laboratory, Indonesian Sweetener and Fiber Crops Research Institute (ISFCRI) Malang, from August 2016 to July 2017. Eighty-six (86) F1 intraspecific and interspecific progeny, three commercial sugarcane varieties (PSJT941, PS881 and VMC7616) and two wild types (S. spontaneum dan Erianthus sp.) were assessed genetically by three microsatellite markers. Identification of microsatellite genetic markers was conducted by comparing the visualization band results from electrophoresis of each male and female parent through their progenies. All primers could identify Saccharum spp. and Erianthus sp. genetic markers. There were one to eleven Saccharum spp. and Erianthus sp. genetic markers could be identified such as 2-11 PS881-specific alleles; 2-3 VMC7616-specific alleles; 1-5 PSJT941-specific alleles; two S. spontaneum-specific alleles and 1-2 Erianthus-specific alleles. These findings could be used as the advance genetic marker of microsatellite in sugarcane breeding to asses the cross fidelity.

Polyploidy in Fruit Tree Crops of the Genus Annona (Annonaceae).

Genome duplication or polyploidy is one of the main factors of speciation in plants. It is especially frequent in hybrids and very valuable in many crops. The genus Annona belongs to the Annonaceae, a family that includes several fruit tree crops, such as cherimoya (Annona cherimola), sugar apple (Annona squamosa), their hybrid atemoya (A. cherimola × A. squamosa) or pawpaw (Asimina triloba). In this work, genome content was evaluated in several Annona species, A. triloba and atemoya. Surprisingly, while the hybrid atemoya has been reported as diploid, flow cytometry analysis of a progeny obtained from an interspecific cross between A. cherimola and A. squamosa showed an unusual ploidy variability that was also confirmed karyotype analysis. While the progeny from intraspecific crosses of A. cherimola showed polyploid genotypes that ranged from 2.5 to 33%, the hybrid atemoyas from the interspecific cross showed 35% of triploids from a total of 186 genotypes analyzed. With the aim of understanding the possible implications of the production of non-reduced gametes, pollen performance, pollen size and frequency distribution of pollen grains was quantified in the progeny of this cross and the parents. A large polymorphism in pollen grain size was found within the interspecific progeny with higher production of unreduced pollen in triploids (38%) than in diploids (29%). Moreover, using PCR amplification of selected microsatellite loci, while 13.7% of the pollen grains from the diploids showed two alleles, 41.28% of the grains from the triploids amplified two alleles and 5.63% showed up to three alleles. This suggests that the larger pollen grains could correspond to diploid and, in a lower frequency, to triploid pollen. Pollen performance was also affected with lower pollen germination in the hybrid triploids than in both diploid parents. The results confirm a higher percentage of polyploids in the interspecific cross, affecting pollen grain size and pollen performance. The occurrence of unreduced gametes in A. cherimola, A. squamosa and their interspecific progeny that may result in abnormalities of ploidy such as the triploids and tetraploids observed in this study, opens an interesting opportunity to study polyploidy in Annonaceae.

Effects of symbiotic fungi on seed germination of interspecific hybrid progenies in Orchidaceae

Effects of symbiotic fungi on seed germination of interspecific hybrid progenies in Orchidaceae

Perennial wheat lines have highly admixed population structure and elevated rates of outcrossing

Perennial wheat has been proposed to alleviate long standing issues with soil erosion in annual cropping systems, while supporting rural communities and providing grain farmers with a marketable climate-resilient crop. The Washington State University perennial wheat breeding program has created several hundred interspecific progeny by crossing several different cultivars of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with Thinopyrum species and × Agrotriticum spp. Prior to the chromosome composition of these wheat-wheatgrass derivatives was not characterized, limiting their utility as stable breeding germplasm. We determined the mitotic chromosome number and species origin of chromosomes for eight breeding lines, and estimated their relatedness and population structure using AFLPs. Additionally, self-pollination and outcrossing rates were estimated for these breeding lines to gain an understanding of perennial wheat’s reproductive strategy. We intercrossed the lines with each other to produce 20 families and then measured the level of chromosome pairing during meiosis I in the F1 progeny. The lines contained between 44 and 64 chromosomes, of which eight to 16 were from Th. ponticum. Our analysis of molecular diversity indicated greater genetic diversity within, rather than across, breeding lines (88 and 12%, respectively). The outcrossing rate was estimated at 16%. Understanding chromosome number and origin is necessary for developing a population of breeding lines that can be used as parents. Our results suggest that the perennial wheat breeding lines act as a single diverse population that can be improved using breeding strategies for inbred and outcrossing crops.

Evaluation of the Resistance to "Multiple Environmental Stress" of Oryza sativa, O. glaberrima and their Interspecific Progenies

Evaluation of the Resistance to "Multiple Environmental Stress" of Oryza sativa, O. glaberrima and their Interspecific Progenies

Yield, market quality, and leaf spots partial resistance of interspecific peanut progenies

Development of leaf spots resistant runner peanut cultivars is one of the major demands in Brazil. In the 2009/10 crop season, 12 pre-breeding progenies (LPM) were selected out of 380 plants of an interspecific BC1F3 population for leaf spots resistance and agronomic traits. In the 2010/11, the 12 LPMs were evaluated for leaf spots resistance, without fungicide sprays. The recurrent parent (susceptible control) and all LPMs were susceptible; partial resistant segregating plants were selected. Some progenies had yield, pod and seed shape similar to the control. The 12, and the 5 LPMs selected in the 2011/12 and 2012/13 crop seasons, respectively, were evaluated under appropriate disease management. Differences were detected for pod yield and weight of 100 seeds. Seed/pod weight ratio, oil content and oleic/linoleic ratio were similar to thecontrol. Individual plants were selected for pod yield and market quality. Variability detected in the first backcross generation for partial resistance and agronomic traits will be useful.

Broadening genetic diversity in Brassica napus canola: Development of canola-quality spring B. napus from B. napus×B. oleracea var. alboglabra interspecific crosses

Rahman, H., Bennett, R. A. and Seguin-Swartz, G. 2015. Broadening genetic diversity in Brassica napus canola: Development of canola-quality spring B. napus from B. napus × B. oleracea var. alboglabra interspecific crosses. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 29-41. The narrow genetic base in spring Brassica napus (AACC) canola is a limitation for continued improvement of this crop. This research focused on broadening of genetic diversity in spring canola by using B. oleracea (CC). Seeds of B. oleracea contain high levels of erucic acid and glucosinolates, which are undesired in canola. Therefore, inheritance of these traits and the prospect of developing spring canola with allelic diversity introgressed from B. oleracea were investigated in B. napus×B. oleracea interspecific progenies. Zero-erucic plants in F2 generation occurred at a lower frequency than expected based on segregation involving only the C-genome erucic acid alleles. Selection in F2 to F3 focused on zero erucic acid, while focus in later generation was...