Length Of Main Spike Research Articles

Influence of biochar and seaweed extract applications on growth, yield and mineral composition of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under sandy soil conditions

Two pot experiments were conducted during 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 winter seasons to study the effect of biochar (BC) as soil amendments at two rates 2% and 5%, seaweed extract (SWE) as foliar applications at 1 and 2g/l and the combination between BC 2% and SWE treatments on growth, yield attributes and some macro- and micronutrients concentration in roots, leaves and grains of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar Sakha 93. Two samples were taken at 105 and 150 days after sowing. At the first sample date, plant height, leaves number per main tiller, number of tillers/plant, shoot fresh weight, root length, root fresh weight, chlorophyll reading, spikes number per plant, main spike length and N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu concentrations in roots and leaves were determined. At the second sample date (harvesting time), spike weight, number of grains per spike, weight of grains/spike and weight of 100 grains were recorded and nutrients concentrations in grains were determined. Obtained results revealed that, adding biochar, sprayed seaweed extract treatments individually or in combination have stimulating effect on the most of morphological characters and yield components as compared with control plants in both seasons. Generally, using the low level of BC at 2% individually or in combination with SWE treatments has more promotion effect on the most of growth parameters and yield components and achieved the highest concentrations on the most of macro- and micronutrients in roots, leaves and grains as compared with the control in both seasons.

QTL underlying some agronomic traits in barley detected by SNP markers.

BackgroundIncreasing the yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a main breeding goal in developing barley cultivars. A high density genetic linkage map containing 1894 SNP and 68 SSR markers covering 1375.8 cM was constructed and used for mapping quantitative traits. A late-generation double haploid population (DH) derived from the Huaai 11 × Huadamai 6 cross was used to identify QTLs and QTL × environment interactions for ten traits affecting grain yield including length of main spike (MSL), spikelet number on main spike (SMS), spikelet number per plant (SLP), grain number per plant (GP), grain weight per plant (GWP), grain number per spike (GS), thousand grain weight (TGW), grain weight per spike (GWS), spike density (SPD) and spike number per plant (SP).ResultsIn single environment analysis using composite interval mapping (CIM), a total of 221 QTLs underlying the ten traits were detected in five consecutive years (2009–2013). The QTLs detected in each year were 50, 48, 41, 41 and 41 for the year 2009 to 2013. The QTLs associated with these traits were generally clustered on chromosome 2H, 4H and 7H.In multi-environment analysis, a total of 111 significant QTLs including 18 for MSL, 16 for SMS, 15 for SPD, 5 for SP, 4 for SLP, 14 for TGW, 5 for GP, 11 for GS, 8 for GWP, and 15 for GWS were detected in the five years. Most QTLs showed significant QTL × environment interactions (QEI), nine QTLs (qIMSL3-1, qIMSL4-1, qIMSL4-2, qIMSL6-1, qISMS7-1, qISPD2-7, qISPD7-1, qITGW3-1 and qIGWS4-3) were detected with minimal QEI effects and stable in different years. Among 111 QTLs,71 (63.40 %) QTLs were detected in both single and multiple environments.ConclusionsThree main QTL cluster regions associated with the 10 agronomic traits on chromosome 2H, 4H and 7H were detected. The QTLs for SMS, SLP, GP and GWP were located in the region near Vrs1 on chromosome 2H. The QTLs underlying SMS, SPD and SLP were clustered on chromosome 4H. On the terminal of chromosome 7H, there was a QTL cluster associated with TGW, SPD, GWP and GWS. The information will be useful for marker-assisted selection (MAS) in barley breeding.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12863-016-0409-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Genetic Variability for Morphological Traits in Released Varieties of Barley (Hordeum vulgareL.) under Partially Reclaimed Saline-Sodic Soil

Morphological traits of barley showed differences among varieties released for different uses and climatic zones. Understanding these morphological variations is an important part for development of crop models for different purposes, and to know the plant worth. Narrow and waxy leaves are good indication for tolerant to abiotic stresses like drought, salinity, alkalinity and rainfed situation. Sixty four released varieties of barley were grown under partially reclaimed saline-sodic soil, under irrigated conditions during rabi 2010–11 showing wide spectrum of variation for various characters. The characters studied for morphological variation were - growth habit, morphology of leaf, presence of anthocyanin pigmentation, spikelet arrangement, presence of awn, tip sterility, waxiness on leaf, seed colour and seed shape. The characters studied for yield were namely plant height, days to maturity, fertile tillers/plant, length of main spike, grains per main spike, 1000-grains weight, grain yield per plant. The data on seven yield traits used for estimation of mean, range and least significant differences. Based on this study eight varieties selected were - RD-2552, HBL-276, RD-2592, PL-419, Kedar, PL-751, JB-58, K-508 produced higher grain yield plant−1.

Association of Agronomic Traits with SNP Markers in Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum L. durum (Desf.)).

Association mapping is a powerful approach to detect associations between traits of interest and genetic markers based on linkage disequilibrium (LD) in molecular plant breeding. In this study, 150 accessions of worldwide originated durum wheat germplasm (Triticum turgidum spp. durum) were genotyped using 1,366 SNP markers. The extent of LD on each chromosome was evaluated. Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) markers with ten agronomic traits measured in four consecutive years was analyzed under a mix linear model (MLM). Two hundred and one significant association pairs were detected in the four years. Several markers were associated with one trait, and also some markers were associated with multiple traits. Some of the associated markers were in agreement with previous quantitative trait loci (QTL) analyses. The function and homology analyses of the corresponding ESTs of some SNP markers could explain many of the associations for plant height, length of main spike, number of spikelets on main spike, grain number per plant, and 1000-grain weight, etc. The SNP associations for the observed traits are generally clustered in specific chromosome regions of the wheat genome, mainly in 2A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 1B, and 6B chromosomes. This study demonstrates that association mapping can complement and enhance previous QTL analyses and provide additional information for marker-assisted selection.

Adaptive peculiarities of winter rye samples productivity and its elements

Purpose. Determination of differential assessment, adaptive capacity and stability of experimental rye F1 hybrids and their parental components.Methods. Estimation of rye F1 hybrids and their parental components was performed by the following indices: productivity, productive tillering, plant height, main spike length, grain number per plant, grain weight and number from the main spike, and 1000-grain weight. The investigations were carried out in 2011-2013 on experimental field of the Plant Production Institute nd. a V.Ya. Yuryev in the Laboratory of Winter Rye Breeding and Genetics. Eight paternal components, two sterile parent lines, and 16 experimental hybrids were used in the TopCross system.Results. The assessment of the adaptive capacity of the experimental hybrids and parental components of winter rye demonstrated a correlation of quantitative traits. Samples with high overall adaptive capacity, stability and breeding value were isolated. Basing on the study results a new winter rye F1 hybrid Saturn combining high overall adaptive capacity by all the studied traits with high winter hardiness and increased starch content in grain in its genotype was transferred to the state trials.

Effect of different sowing times on the plant developmental parameters of wheat (Triticum aestivumL.)

Studies on plant development phases and yield component patterns of wheat are essential for a better understanding of adaptation in wheat. Our main aim was to carry out detailed phenological analyses of 18 wheat genotypes in three sowing times for determining the effect of sowing date on individual phenophases, and yield components. Sowing date had the single greatest effect on the start of intensive stem elongation. The longer vegetation period had a favourable effect on main spike length and on the spikelet number per spike, but had no influence on thousand-kernel weight and grain number per spike. The time between the first node appearance and start of intensive stem elongation had a significant effect on the number of reproductive tillers. A close association (R2 = 0.191) was observed during the second phase of intensive stem elongation between the boot stage-to-heading interval and the number of spikelets per spike. Two-way analysis of variance on the yield components showed that the sowing date, as a main factor, had a weaker effect on the phenophases than on morphological and developmental parameters. The insensitive allele of the Ppd-D1 gene shortened the time required for first node appearance and heading both in autumn and spring sowing.

Increased micronutrient content (Zn, Mn) in the 3Mb(4B) wheat –Aegilops biuncialissubstitution and 3Mb.4BS translocation identified by GISH and FISH

3M(b) Triticum aestivum L. (Mv9kr1) - Aegilops biuncialis Vis. (MvGB642) addition lines were crossed with the Chinese Spring ph1b mutant genotype (CSph1b) to produce 3M(b)-wheat chromosome rearrangements. In the F3 generation, 3M(b)(4B) substitution lines and 3M(b).4BS centric fusions were identified with in situ hybridization using repetitive and genomic DNA probes, and with SSR markers. Grain micronutrient analysis showed that the investigated Ae. biuncialis accession MvGB382 and the parental line MvGB642 are suitable gene sources for improving the grain micronutrient content of wheat, as they have higher K, Zn, Fe, and Mn contents. The results suggested that the Ae. biuncialis chromosome 3M(b) carries genes determining the grain micronutrient content, as the 3M(b).4BS centric fusion had significantly higher Zn and Mn contents compared with the recipient wheat cultivar. As yield-related traits, such as the number of tillers, the length of main spike, and spikelets per main spike, were similar in the 3M(b).4BS centric fusion and the parental wheat genotype, it can be concluded that this line could be used in pre-breeding programs aimed at enriching elite wheat cultivars with essential micronutrients.

Effect of crop species and mixed ratios on morphological plasticity and competitiveness of Phalaris minor Retz

入侵植物小子虉草(<i>Phalaris minor</i> Retz.)为农田恶性杂草, 对其科学、有效的控制与管理是世界性难题。本文以小子虉草为试验对象，在温室条件下采用de Wit取代法，研究了其与小麦、蚕豆和油菜3种农作物在不同混种比例下, 小子虉草的表型可塑性与竞争效应, 以提高农田生态系统对该入侵物种的预警和控制能力。结果表明, 除混种比例对小子虉草的分枝数和主穗长度影响不显著外(<i>P</i>≥0.05), 作物种类、混种比例以及二者交互对小子虉草的株高、主穗种子数、剑叶面积和生物量有显著或极显著影响(<i>P</i>≤0.05或0.001)。在油菜混合种群中, 小子虉草的株高显著大于按同等比例与小麦、蚕豆的混合种群及其单一种群的株高, 但分枝数、主穗长、主穗种子数、剑叶面积和生物量则显著小于按同等比例与小麦、蚕豆混种时植株的上述指标。3种作物按不同比例与小子虉草混种时, 小麦、蚕豆和油菜的相对产量均小于1.0, 表明3种作物与小子虉草在田间以种间竞争为主; 小子虉草与蚕豆以各种比例混种、与小麦以1∶1和1∶2混种时, 其相对产量均大于1.0, 表明此时以其种内竞争为主; 油菜混合种群中小子虉草的相对产量均小于1.0, 表明此时以种间竞争为主。在混种比例大于1∶1时, 小子虉草与油菜的竞争平衡指数显著小于0, 表明此时油菜的竞争能力大于小子虉草, 而供试其他条件下小子虉草与供试作物的竞争平衡指数均显著大于0, 说明小子虉草对小麦、蚕豆及低密度种植条件下的油菜具有很强的竞争能力。本研究结果显示油菜对小子虉草具有较强的竞争抑制作用, 在油菜混合种群小子虉草的分枝数、主穗长、主穗种子数、剑叶面积和生物量显著降低, 因此在小子虉草入侵地大面积种植油菜有抑制小子虉草的效果。

Evaluation of Genetic Similarity and Agronomic Traits of Castor Bean Populations Naturally Grown in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of Turkey

ABSTRACTGenetic characterization of wild castor bean genotypes collected from the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey was evaluated by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of seed storage proteins. Five distinct groups were identified from the cluster analysis of the castor bean genotypes studied at 0.80 coefficient level. Cluster analysis showed that some of the genotypes from the same location were grouped separately. Genetic similarity coefficients ranged from 0.36 to 0.95 among genotypes. The highest similarity (95%) was obtained between Iskenderun-1 and Iskenderun-2; Adana-4 and Iskenderun-2; Iskenderun-4 and Mersin-1. In addition to genetic diversity, plant characteristics such as stem color, seed color, days to maturity, plant height, main spike length, 100-seed weight and seed yield per plant were recorded. The results of both genetic similarity and agronomic analysis of castor bean genotypes would help in planning breeding programs for improving high yielding cultivars.

Effects of drought stress condition on the yield of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) lines

Water deficit is one of the most important factors limiting crop yield, and the monitoring of crop water status is important for reasonable irrigation and water saving cultivation. Drought stress tolerance is seen in almost all plants but its extent varies from species to species and even within species. In this study, seven agronomical traits (grain yield, 1000 grain weight, biomass, harvest index, plant height, main spike length and awn length) of 17 spring wheat lines with variable responses to drought stress, obtained from the agriculture research centre of Zanjan province, Iran, were investigated under three different levels: (a) normal irrigation (b) after anthesis drought stress condition, and (c) no irrigation, in a split block design in a randomized complete block design with three replications in Zanjan, Iran, from March to September 2006.This study was conducted to extract the probable correlation between different traits and stress tolerance index (STI) of wheat lines. It was also conducted to estimate the direct and indirect effects of traits on STI and heritability of these traits to provide plant breeders useful information regarding drought resistance in wheat breeding. Analysis of variance indicated that there were significant differences among the genotypes for all studied traits. For biomass, 1000 grain weight, grain yield and harvest index, there was no significant interaction between genotypes and levels of stress. The Zarrin line produced the highest amount of grain yield, biomass, and harvest index. Moreover, under normal irrigation and no irrigation conditions, the harvest index (75 and 70%) had the highest broad sense heritability. Under normal conditions, a positive and significant correlation between STI with grain yield, biomass, and harvest index was observed. Additionally, in stress conditions there was a positive and significant correlation between STI and awn length, spike length and plant height. Under normal conditions, the correlation between biomass and STI was bigger than the stress condition. In path analysis, in all three different conditions, the biggest direct effect on STI was related to grain yield resulting in a positive and significant correlation between grain yield and STI. Key words : Agronomical traits, correlation, drought stress, path analysis, wheat, yield.

Molecular diversity and association mapping of quantitative traits in Tibetan wild and worldwide originated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) germplasm

Molecular diversity of 40 accessions of Tibetan wild barley (TB), 10 Syrian (SY), 72 North American (NA), 36 European (EU), 9 South American (SA) and 8 Australian (AU) varieties were characterized using multiple microsatellite loci. The 42 SSR primers amplified 278 alleles across the 175 barley accessions tested in the present study. The average gene diversity for the whole sample was 0.3387 whereas the mean value for the each population was as follows: TB = 0.3286, SY = 0.2474, EU = 0.299, AU = 0.2867, NA = 0.3138, SA = 0.2536. Clustering analysis based on Nei’s original genetic distance showed that the EU and NA barley populations were grouped together. The TB population was well separated from the other 5 barley populations. Associations between microsatellite markers and 14 quantitative traits were also investigated. Significant associations were found for 18 microsatellite marker loci. The number of marker loci associated with each trait ranged from one (stem diameter, filled grains per plant, grain weight per plant, length of main spike and awn length) to seven (plant height). The percentage of the total variation explained by each marker ranged from 4.59% (HVM2 associated with plant height) to 17.48% (Bmac90 associated with density of main spike). This study provides candidate markers for further QTL mapping of these traits and for marker-assisted selection.

Short communication. Evaluation of castor (Ricinus communis L.) induced mutants for possible selection in the improvement of seed yield

The aim of the present work was to determine selection criteria suitable for developing castor ideotypes with high yield potentials. Nineteen M4 generation castor mutants were obtained by gamma irradiation (100 to 1000 Gy) of DS30 castor seeds, and evaluated alongside this reference variety over 2006-07 for their possible use in the improvement of castor seed yield. Days to ripening, plant height, number of spikes/plant, length of main spike, number of main spike capsules, capsule weight, 100-seed weight and seed yield per plant were recorded for each mutant. Correlation coefficients were calculated, path analyses performed, and the genetic features of the different traits were determined. A significant, positive correlation was seen between capsule weight and seed yield. The 100-seed weight showed a positive but non-significant phenotypic relationship plus a significant genotypic relationship with seed yield. Capsule weight also showed a strong direct effect on seed yield, plus a strong positive and significant genotypic correlation with this variable. More than 50% heritability was observed for all the traits studied except the 100-seed weight and capsule weight. The number of main spike capsules showed the greatest genetic advance, followed by spike length and number of spikes. Traits such as the number of capsules, spike length and number of spikes showed strong heritability and good genetic advance. These traits are therefore governed by additive genes, and for the improvement of seed yield selection may be based directly on these attributes. In conclusion, for the improvement of seed yield the main emphasis should be placed on the number of spikes and capsule weight, via the selection of the highest yielding mutants among those tested. However, spike length and 100-seed weight should also be taken into account.

COMPONENT ANALYSIS OF SOME METRIC TRAITS IN BARLEY

The performance of the eight genetically diverse varieties of barley and their 28 Fis was evaluated to assess their genetic architecture for the yield and yield contributing traits in a set of diallel crosses. The component analysis indicated the presence of additive (B) and dominance (A and A2) genetic variances for plant height length of main spike and grain yield/plant. Ô component was higher than A, for plant height, number of grains/main spike and biological yield per plant. For remaining characters A was higher than B component, indicating the preponderance of dominance genetic variance. Over dominance was observed for days to reproductive phase, number of productive tillers/plants, length of main spike and grain yield/plant. Highly significant values of f were observed only for plant height indicating the predominance of dominant alleles. While highly significant values of fi2 were recorded for all the traits except days to reproductive phase revealing the predominance of dominant alleles.

ASSOCIATION STUDIES IN TRITICALE

Correlation and path coefficient analyses were carried out in 63 strains of triticale for grain yield and its components. Grain yield plant showed significantly positive association with tillers/plant, grains/main spike and spikelets/main spike, while length of main spike and 100-grain weight though had positive association but of low magnitude. Plant height had negative correlation with yield. Path coefficient analysis revealed that tillers/plant, grains/main spike and 100-grain weight had positive direct effects on grain yield/plant. Spikelets/main spike and spike length also showed positive direct effect on grain yield/plant but of low magnitude. Therefore, due stress must be laid on number of tillers/plant, number of grains/main spike. 100-grain weight, number of spikelets/main spike and length of main spike during the selection for higher yield in triticale.

Correlation and path analysis in Ricinus Communis L.

Correlations and Path coefficient between seed yield and yield components were estimat- ed in thirty five inbrids of Castor. The genotypic correlations were heigher than the pheno- typic correlation. Number of nodes to main spike, length of main spike, length of female portion, number of effective spike and height of plant and significant postive correlation with yield, Path coefficient analysis revealed that length of female portion, number of nodes to main spike and height of the plant had the maximum direct effect of yield.