Progeny Rows Research Articles

Leveraging soil mapping and machine learning to improve spatial adjustments in plant breeding trials

AbstractSpatial adjustments are used to improve the estimate of plot seed yield across crops and geographies. Moving means (MM) and P‐Spline are examples of spatial adjustment methods used in plant breeding trials to deal with field heterogeneity. Within the trial, spatial variability primarily comes from soil feature gradients, such as nutrients, but a study of the importance of various soil factors including nutrients is lacking. We analyzed plant breeding progeny row (PR) and preliminary yield trial (PYT) data of a public soybean breeding program across 3 years consisting of 43,545 plots. We compared several spatial adjustment methods: unadjusted (as a control), MM adjustment, P‐spline adjustment, and a machine learning‐based method called XGBoost. XGBoost modeled soil features at: (a) the local field scale for each generation and per year, and (b) all inclusive field scale spanning all generations and years. We report the usefulness of spatial adjustments at both PR and PYT stages of field testing and additionally provide ways to utilize interpretability insights of soil features in spatial adjustments. Our work shows that using soil features for spatial adjustments increased the relative efficiency by 81%, reduced the similarity of selection by 30%, and reduced the Moran's I from 0.13 to 0.01 on average across all experiments. These results empower breeders to further refine selection criteria to make more accurate selections and select for macro‐ and micro‐nutrients stress tolerance.

Evaluating Water Stress Adaptation in Cotton: Multivariate Analysis in F6–F7 Generations for Yield, Fibre Quality and Variety Selection

AbstractThe impact of drought stress on productivity of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a well‐known challenge in agricultural production, and concurrently, the question of whether using the same or different selection criteria in well‐watered and water‐deficit conditions to select drought‐tolerant cotton varieties remains unclear. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the single plant progeny lines within the F6 and F7 generations for determine response to DS and select the tolerant lines within the F7 generation. Single plant progeny rows were established, with the deficit water condition comprising 108 and 136 single plants for the F6 and F7 generations, respectively, and the WW condition consisting of 120 and 156 single plants for the F6 and F7 generations, respectively, with four blocks in Augmented experimental design. These progeny rows have length of 12 m, incorporate five control varieties (Karizma, Gloria, Carla, Candia and Claudia) to facilitate a comprehensive comparison. The study findings showed that fibre length, boll number and lint percentage were identified as the most crucial selection criteria under both WW and deficit irrigation conditions through principal component analysis. These indicators are highly beneficial for evaluating cotton's drought tolerance and screening potential drought‐tolerant lines under both irrigation scenarios. According to the decision tree analysis, FL and BN have emerged as the most critical decision‐making parameter in both irrigation conditions. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that each selection criterion has different impact in the comprehensive selection process. Also, as a result of all statistical analysis results and breeder observations, a total of 10 cotton lines were selected in the F7 generation. These selected genotypes hold promise for future cotton breeding programmes, providing an avenue to enhance drought tolerance and elevate cotton yield and productivity.Clinical Trial Registration: This study does not involve a clinical trial, and therefore, clinical trial registration is not applicable.

Genetic improvement of Egyptian cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) for high yield and fiber quality properties under semi arid conditions

Between 2016 and 2018, the Agriculture Research Center's Sakha Agriculture Research Station conducted two rounds of pedigree selection on a segregating population of cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) using the F2, F3, and F4 generations resulting from crossing Giza 94 and Suvin. In 2016, the top 5% of plants from the F2 population were selected based on specific criteria. The superior families from the F3 generation were then selected to produce the F4 families in 2017, which were grown in the 2018 summer season in single plant progeny rows and bulk experiments with a randomized complete block design of three replications. Over time, most traits showed increased mean values in the population, with the F2 generation having higher Genotypic Coefficient of Variance (GCV) and Phenotypic Coefficient of Variance (PCV) values compared to the succeeding generations for the studied traits. The magnitude of GCV and PCV in the F3 and F4 generations was similar, indicating that genotype had played a greater role than the environment. Moreover, the mean values of heritability in the broad sense increased from generation to generation. Selection criteria I2, I4, and I5 were effective in improving most of the yield and its component traits, while selection criterion I1 was efficient in improving earliness traits. Most of the yield and its component traits showed a positive and significant correlation with each other, highlighting their importance in cotton yield. This suggests that selecting to improveone or more of these traits would improve the others. Families number 9, 13, 19, 20, and 21 were the best genotypes for relevant yield characters, surpassing the better parent, check variety, and giving the best values for most characters. Therefore, the breeder could continue to use these families in further generations as breeding genotypes to develop varieties with high yields and its components.

Development of wilt resistant parental lines through mutagenesis in castor(Ricinus communis L.)

The present study was taken up to diversify the pistillate and monoecious lines to be used in hybridization programme. Mutagenesis was carried out using the chemical mutagen ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) to induce mutation in popular pistillate line DPC 9 and land race Rasipuram local. The segregating mutant population was evaluated for their wilt resistance by screening in wilt sick plot. Plant to progeny row was continued up to M5 generation by selecting superior progenies in terms of yield and wilt resistance. Skewness and kurtosis indicated the presence of gene interactions for most of the traits studied. The pistillate progeny M5 29-11-5 (YRCP 2) and the monoecious progeny M4 106-2-3(YRCS 1904) were found to be the promising one and this could be further utilized as parents in hybrid development process.

Canopy coverage phenotyping and field spatial variability adjustment as an efficient selection tool in soybean breeding

AbstractAccurate estimation of grain yield potential in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] progeny rows (PRs) by measuring yield itself is challenging due to the small number of seeds available. To obtain more precise estimates of soybean yield potential and control nongenetic sources of variability, soybean breeders in the United States use secondary traits, visual selection (VIS), adjustments for field spatial variation, pedigree (PED) information, and unmanned aerial systems–based plant phenotypes; however, there are limited comparisons among the different PR testing procedures. We conducted a selection experiment in 2018 PR populations developed for yield and diversity from four soybean breeding programs. Then, we compared the performance of the lines selected using 13 selection categories in 2019 preliminary yield trials (PYTs). The sources of information used across categories included spatially adjusted (SP) traits, PED information, the canopy of the plant measured by aerial and ground digital images, reproductive length (RL), and grain yield (YLD). SP trait covariates and canopy data were the information sources most highly associated with lower yield ranks and higher yield performance of PYT. The most effective secondary trait was average canopy coverage (ACC) measured by high‐throughput phenotyping (HTP) platforms. Our selection experiment shows that ACC used as a secondary trait in combination with SP trait covariates effectively selects high‐yielding lines from non‐replicated experiments. Based on the scenarios considered in this study, it may be possible to increase the gain from selection by phenotyping secondary traits using HTP and implementing spatial variation adjustments in PR trials, which could help enhance crop productivity.

A comparative study between trait selections and marker‐assisted selections to improve fiber strength in upland cotton

AbstractA determination of efficiency in the use of marker‐assisted selection (MAS) for improving cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fiber quality is critical for a successful utilization of MAS in cotton breeding. This study was designed to determine selection responses and realized heritability (h2) of fiber strength selected by MAS in comparison with phenotype selections by traditional breeding. Previously identified single‐sequence repeats markers, CGR6764 and DPL0852, flanking a fiber strength quantitative trait locus on chromosome A07 were used in MAS. Two genetic populations, MD15/TAM98D‐99ne (Pop 1) and TAM98D‐99ne/UA48 (Pop 2), were developed. F2 plants were selected by three methods based on (1) phenotype, (2) combined marker‐genotype and phenotype (MAS‐1), and (3) marker‐genotype alone (MAS‐2) in Pop 1 and two methods based on phenotype and MAS‐1 in Pop 2. F3 progeny rows derived from the selected F2 plants were planted with two replicates in 2019. In Pop 1, the fiber strength mean of the selected F3 progenies was in an order of MAS‐1 > MAS‐2 > phenotype selection. In Pop 2, there was no significant difference in strength between F3 progenies derived from selections by MAS‐1 and phenotypic breeding. In Pop 1, h2 of MAS selections was higher than phenotype selections. In Pop 2, h2 of MAS selections was similar to the phenotype selections. The results indicate that selection efficiency by MAS for fiber strength is better than or equivalent to phenotype selection.

Cytological Study of Anthers for Pollen Sterility in the F7 Generation of a Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cross

The present research work was proficiently done at the experimental plot of Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke under the rainfed conditions of Jharkhand, India during kharif 2021. The F7 generation seeds of the cross Pusa-1176 x BPT-5204 was sown as panicle to progeny rows in the seed bed nursery and thereafter transplanted into the field. In this investigation, the study has been oriented more towards the male sterility as it is more sensitive than female gametes based on the observation recorded in previous generation (F6) regarding spikelet sterility percentage. Henceforth, the study has been focussed on the microscopic study of pollen grains to validate the reason behind the cause of spikelet sterility in the panicles. To understand this phenomenon, pollen viability test was done by staining the anthers with 1% Iodine- potassium iodide in order to know the extent of fertility or sterility present in the pollen grains of the rice segregants. Through microscopic study, segregation was observed in the pollen sterility % among the families studied which might be due to the change in the environmental conditions such as temperature, photoperiod and humidity etc. The expected genetic ratio obtained was 9:3:3:1(partially sterile+highly fertile/completely fertile/ highly sterile/completely sterile) revealing that it is controlled by 2 genes since the ratio fitted in digenic ratio.

Identification of small effect quantitative trait loci of plant architectural, flowering, and early maturity traits in reciprocal interspecific introgression population in cotton.

Plant architecture, flowering time and maturity traits are important determinants of yield and fiber quality of cotton. Genetic dissection of loci determining these yield and quality components is complicated by numerous loci with alleles conferring small differences. Therefore, mapping populations segregating for smaller numbers and sizes of introgressed segments is expected to facilitate dissection of these complex quantitative traits. At an advanced stage in the development of reciprocal advanced backcross populations from crosses between elite Gossypium hirsutum cultivar 'Acala Maxxa' (GH) and G. barbadense 'Pima S6' (GB), we undertook mapping of plant architectural traits, flowering time and maturity. A total of 284 BC4F1 and BC4F2 progeny rows, 120 in GH and 164 in GB background, were evaluated for phenotype, with only 4 and 3 (of 7) traits showing significant differences among progenies. Genotyping by sequencing yielded 3,186 and 3,026 SNPs, respectively, that revealed a total of 27 QTLs in GH background and 22 in GB, for plant height, days to flowering, residual flowering at maturity and maturity. More than of 90% QTLs identified in both backgrounds had small effects (%PV < 10), supporting the merit of this population structure to reduce background noise and small effect QTLs. Germplasm developed in this study may serve as potential pre-breeding material to develop improved cotton cultivars.

Registration of ‘S13‐10592C’, a high‐yielding soybean cultivar with resistance to multiple diseases and elevated oil content

AbstractThe conventional soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivar ‘S13‐10592C’ (Reg. no. CV‐547, PI 699629) was released by the University of Missouri–Fisher Delta Research Center soybean breeding program in 2019 to meet the high demand for high‐yielding germplasm with elevated oil content. S13‐10592C was derived from a cross of ‘S08‐17361’ × ‘S05‐11482’, which was designed to combine high yield performance, desirable seed traits, and broad disease resistance. The progeny row designated S13‐10592C was visually selected based on yield potential in 2013 and further tested (2014–2018) in 111 environments across nine states, including Missouri and other southern states. S13‐10592C is resistant to stem canker, sudden death syndrome, and charcoal rot. S13‐10592C is a mid‐maturity group IV (relative maturity 4.6) with indeterminate growth habit, white flowers, tawny pubescence, and a tan pod wall at maturity. Seed of S13‐10592C weighs on average 15.7 g 100–1 seeds and consist of 406.3 g kg–1 protein and 234.5 g kg–1 oil on a dry weight basis, which is capable of producing 48.2% of meal protein.

Biofortified wheat: Harnessing genetic diversity for improved nutritional quality to eradicate hidden hunger

AbstractThe present study is based on backcross introgression lines carrying high grain zinc (Zn) quantitative trait loci (QTL) introgressed from domestic einkorn wheat (Triticum monococcum L.) and wild einkorn wheat (T. boeoticum) in the background of high‐yielding wheat (T. aestivum L.) cultivars of India. Initially, individual trials each for BC1F3 and BC2F3 progenies from different cross combinations were evaluated for grain Zn concentration, yellow pigment content (YPC) and agronomic traits. Highly promising BC1F3 and BC2F3 progenies were identified and advanced in off‐season as ear to progeny rows. A total of 42 BC1F5 and 43 BC2F5 derivatives were evaluated in a single trial where the BC1F5 progenies from recipient parent WH1105 and tetraploid parent Donor 2 were recorded with highest grain Zn (64.1–67.9 ppm) showing up to 35.8% enhancement over recipient. The highest grain YPC (5.35 ppm) was observed for BC1F5 progenies from the cross involving PBW703 (3.34 ppm) as recipient and Donor 7 (6.32 ppm) as tetraploid donor parent. Monitoring of backcross derivatives with the marker YP7A‐2 linked to yellow pigment gene Psy‐A1, also revealed nine lines positive for high yellow pigment allele (Psy‐A1c) indicating introgression from durum wheat (T. durum Desf.). Nineteen high Zn derivatives were shortlisted and selfed for 2 yr (2017–2018 and 2018–2019) to get desirable homozygosity and preliminary yield evaluation was conducted for two consecutive years (2019–2020 and 2020–2021). Introgression lines in the background of PBW698 (IL8 and IL17) were recorded with the highest Zn concentration (51.37 and 51.30 ppm) indicating 55.90% increment over recipient parent with good agronomic performance. These biofortified introgression wheat lines can contribute to mitigating the malnutrition among the masses in developing countries.

Improve Soybean Variety Selection Accuracy Using UAV-Based High-Throughput Phenotyping Technology.

The efficiency of crop breeding programs is evaluated by the genetic gain of a primary trait of interest, e.g., yield, achieved in 1 year through artificial selection of advanced breeding materials. Conventional breeding programs select superior genotypes using the primary trait (yield) based on combine harvesters, which is labor-intensive and often unfeasible for single-row progeny trials (PTs) due to their large population, complex genetic behavior, and high genotype-environment interaction. The goal of this study was to investigate the performance of selecting superior soybean breeding lines using image-based secondary traits by comparing them with the selection of breeders. A total of 11,473 progeny rows (PT) were planted in 2018, of which 1,773 genotypes were selected for the preliminary yield trial (PYT) in 2019, and 238 genotypes advanced for the advanced yield trial (AYT) in 2020. Six agronomic traits were manually measured in both PYT and AYT trials. A UAV-based multispectral imaging system was used to collect aerial images at 30 m above ground every 2 weeks over the growing seasons. A group of image features was extracted to develop the secondary crop traits for selection. Results show that the soybean seed yield of the selected genotypes by breeders was significantly higher than that of the non-selected ones in both yield trials, indicating the superiority of the breeder's selection for advancing soybean yield. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator model was used to select soybean lines with image features and identified 71 and 76% of the selection of breeders for the PT and PYT. The model-based selections had a significantly higher average yield than the selection of a breeder. The soybean yield selected by the model in PT and PYT was 4 and 5% higher than those selected by breeders, which indicates that the UAV-based high-throughput phenotyping system is promising in selecting high-yield soybean genotypes.

Isolation of Gamma Ray Induced Urd Bean [Vigna mungo (L.) hepper] Mutants with Improved Batter Quality

Background: The urd bean variety MDU 1 has a duration of 70-75 days, bushy in nature and is susceptible to yellow mosaic virus. In order to develop a determinate type and improved batter quality, MDU 1 and VBN (Bg) 4 blackgram seeds were treated with different doses (100 Gy, 200 Gy, 300 Gy, 400 Gy and 500 Gy) of gamma rays. Methods: Uniform sized seeds treated with different mutagenic doses were raised in randomised block design which constitute M1 generation. Each plant was harvested individually and forwarded to M2 generation following plant to progeny row method. The determinate types were selected from M2 generation and forwarded to further generations. After attaining homozygosity in the advanced generation, the mutants were checked for its biochemical characters (Total solubule protein content analysed by kjeldahl method, albumin and globulin analysed by Lowery’s method, arabinose content analysed by Bial method. Result: The mutants ACM - 16 -011, ACM - 16 -015, ACM - 16 -018 were found to have an arabinose content of 8.28%, 8.98% and 8.14% respectively. All these mutants recorded more batter volume over the variety MDU 1. The albumin (%) and globulin (%) contents were also found at remarkably increased levels in the mutants. These mutants have the potential to develop a high quality variety of urd bean and therefore are very useful in breeding programme.

Accuracy of genomic prediction for seed oil concentration in high‐oleic soybean populations using a low‐density marker panel

AbstractInsoybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], seed oil concentration is a complex quantitative trait, and genomic selection (GS) has been shown to be a valuable tool for performing selection on such traits. The objectives of this study were to evaluate multiple GS models for seed oil concentration using a low‐density marker panel in four biparental soybean populations and to assess predictive ability of the models using six unique training populations (TPs). Individuals were grown as BC1F4:F5 progeny rows in 2014. Genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) were calculated for each genotype within a population using genomic best linear unbiased predictor (GBLUP), BayesA, and BayesB models in a biparental specific context. In 2015, 60 individuals from each population were randomly selected and grown at six locations with two replications each to generate a “true” phenotypic value for each genotype. Prediction accuracies for each estimation set were generated by correlating the GEBVs with the “true” phenotypic value. Across all populations, the GS prediction accuracy was greatest using GBLUP; however, no GS prediction model showed a significant advantage in accuracy over the phenotypic values. Generally, TPs consisting of more individuals had higher prediction accuracies; however, variations were observed across populations and models. The results show that GS in a biparental context and with low marker densities can be a valuable tool for breeders focused on making gains for oil concentration; however, consideration must be given as to how to apply these methods to each situation.

Registration of Clearfield ‘CLM04’ southern medium grain rice

Abstract‘CLM04’ (Reg. no. CV‐155, PI 692953) is a high‐yielding, early‐maturing, and short‐stature Clearfield (BASF Corporation) medium‐grain rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar developed by the University of Arkansas Rice Research and Extension Center (RREC) in Stuttgart, AR, and approved for release by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Experimental Station in January 2019. It was derived from the cross ‘RU1202168'/‘Jupiter’ made at RREC in spring 2013 and advanced as F4 bulk of a single progeny row 14P54617 at the RREC in summer 2014. From 2015 to 2019, CLM04 was evaluated in 51 statewide and regional replicated trials. The Clearfield medium‐grain cultivar ‘CL272’ as well as conventional medium‐grain cultivars ‘Jupiter’ and ‘Titan’ served as checks. Grain yield of CLM04 was 9.58 Mg ha−1 compared with 9.17 Mg ha−1 for CL272, 9.97 Mg ha−1 for Jupiter, and 10.15 Mg ha−1 for Titan. CLM04 has an average height of 107 cm which is 10, 9, and 5 cm taller than Jupiter, Titan, and CL272, respectively. CLM04 reached 50% heading 5 d later than Titan at 87 d from emergence, which is similar to CL272 and Jupiter, which mature at 85 and 87 d, respectively. CLM04 is moderately resistant to leaf blast and susceptible to sheath blight, bacterial panicle blight, kernel smut, and false smut.

Registration of Clearfield ‘CLL15’ southern long‐grain rice

Abstract‘CLL15’ (Reg. no. CV‐154, PI 692952) is a high‐yielding, very early maturing, short‐stature Clearfield (BASF) long‐grain rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar with improved disease package developed by the University of Arkansas Rice Research and Extension Center in Stuttgart, AR, and approved for release by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture in January 2019. It was selected from the cross of RU1302048/RU1302045 made in summer 2013. CLL15 was initiated as a F4 bulk of a single progeny row in the winter nursery near Lajas, Puerto Rico, in spring 2015. From 2016 to 2019, CLL15 was evaluated in 47 multilocation trials. Clearfield cultivars ’CL151’, ‘CL153’, and ‘CL172’ served as checks. Grain yield of CLL15 was 9.33 t ha−1 across all trials compared with 9.50 t ha−1 for ‘CL151’, 8.74 t ha−1 for CL153, and 8.74 t ha−1 for CL172. However, in the multilocation trials in Arkansas—Arkansas Rice Performance Trial and Producer Rice Evaluation Program—CLL15 consistently produced the highest grain yield, ranging from 8.80 to 10.31 t ha−1. Plant height of CLL15 was 97 cm, which is 2 cm taller than CL172, but shorter than 101 cm for CL151 and 99 cm for CL153. CLL15 reached 50% heading in 83 d, which was similar to CL151 and 2 d earlier than both CL153 and CL172. CLL15 is moderately resistant to blast and susceptible to sheath blight, bacterial panicle blight, kernel smut, and false smut.

Efficiency of electron beam over gamma rays to induce desirable grain-type mutation in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Purpose Rice is the predominant crop of Tamil Nadu state, India that occupies about 30% of the total cropped area. However, grain type and quality are the critical traits that determine the market value and domestic consumption rice variety. Most of the households of Tamil Nadu, India prefer to consume medium slender to fine grain type of rice. Hence, the present study was conducted to induce medium slender grain type in popular rice variety ADT 37 (Aduthurai 37), a short bold rice variety using gamma rays (GR) and electron beam (EB) mutagens. Materials and methods Healthy, dried seeds (12.0% moisture content) of ADT 37 rice variety were exposed to various doses of GR (100–500 Gy) and EB (200–600 Gy). The irradiated population were maintained up to M4 generation by plant to progeny row basis to identify stable mutants for grain-type variation. The selected grain-type mutants (medium slender- and slender-type mutants) in M4 generation were characterized for phenotypic and grain quality traits. Results A high frequency of desirable grain-type variation was observed in EB-irradiated population than gamma-irradiated population. A total of 25 grain-type mutants (long slender and medium slender) were obtained in M4 generation of ADT 37 variety. The morphological characterization and cooking quality assessment of the ‘grain-type’ mutants revealed that six out of 25 mutants viz., M-3 (Mutant-3), M-5, M-9, M-10, M-13 and M-15 recorded single plant yield of more than 30 g. There was non-significant variation in yield per plant (g) among the mutants and control (parent) due to key changes in grain type and thousand grain weight. Conclusion EB showed higher mutation frequency, mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency than the GR in inducing both chlorophyll and viable mutants. This study revealed that the percentage contribution of the EB was 2.57 times higher than that of GR in obtaining desirable slender and medium slender grain-type mutants. The grain-type mutants obtained in the present study can be either directly released as variety or used as parents in hybridization program of rice crop improvement.

Comparative Studies on Mutagenic Effectiveness and Efficiency in Horsegram [Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam) Verdc.

Background: Two horsegram varieties viz., PAIYUR 2 and CRIDA1-18R were mutated with gamma rays (G), electron beam (EB), G+EB and G+EMS (ethyl methane sulphonate) to determine the mutagenic potency in breeding programme.Methods: Uniform seeds treated with different mutagenic doses were raised in randomized block design which constituted M1 generation. Each plant was harvested individually and forwarded to M2 generation following plant to progeny row method.Result: A dose dependant decline was observed for seed germination, plant survival, root length, shoot length, plant height, pollen fertility and seed fertility in M1 population. Wide spectrum of chlorophyll mutants was induced in M2 generation with maximum frequency at EB followed by combination treatments (G+EMS and G+EB) in both varieties. The mutagenic effectiveness ranged from 0.14 per cent to 1.45 per cent in PAIYUR 2 and 0.15 per cent to 1.71 per cent in CRIDA1-18R. The high mutation rate for effectiveness was exhibited by G and G+EB. With reference to sterility, EB was found to be efficient mutagen in both varieties whereas varied efficiency was noted for lethality (EB - PAIYUR 2; G+EMS - CRIDA1-18R) and injury (G - PAIYUR 2; G+EMS - CRIDA1-18R).

Genetic Enhancement of Yield Traits in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.): An Analysis of Selection in Early Segregating Generations

Background: Indirect selection for yield contributing traits in segregating generation is practiced to realize the potential yields. However, the effectiveness of selection either in early or late segregating generation is a debatable issue in self pollinated crops. The issue is addressed in chickpea by analyzing four segregating generations of a cross in the same season. Method: A bold seeded desi chickpea variety BGD 103 crossed with JAKI 9218. The segregating generations were advanced up to F5 without selection and retaining part of the seeds in each generation. The populations comprised of 162 F­2 plants, 162 F3, F4 and F5 progeny rows were evaluated during rabi 2018-19. The observations on seed traits were recorded and data was subjected to statistical analyses to estimate correlation among the traits in each generations, inter-generation correlation and heritability.Result: The range of variation for the traits narrowed with advancement of the generations. The heritability decreased for seed weight, increased for number of pods per plant and number of seeds per plant with the advancement of generation. In all the four generations, seed yields were associated with number of pods per plant, seeds per plant and seed weight. The change in association among seed traits different generations and estimates of inter-generation correlations suggest that simultaneous improvement of seed weight, seed number and seed yield could be achieved by selection in F3 and F4 generations.

Registration of soybean cultivar ‘TN15‐5007’ with high meal protein

AbstractSoybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivar ‘TN15‐5007’ (Reg. no. CV‐535, PI 692131) is a conventional (non‐genetically modified) cultivar released by the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station in 2019 on the basis of high seed yield in Tennessee, the Mid‐South, and southeastern regions of the United States. It was developed to create a high‐yielding cultivar with high meal protein. TN15‐5007 was developed from 1 of 3,500 single plants. Progeny rows were selected using breeder's phenotypic score, which includes adapted maturity, lodging resistance, disease resistance, and pod density. TN15‐5007 was a selected line and was entered in yield tests in 2015–2018. TN15‐5007 has white flowers and gray pubescence. The plants have an upright growth habit with good resistance to lodging. The pods have a tan pod coat, and the seeds are yellow. The 100‐seed weight is approximately 12.7 g, which was equal to that of ‘Ellis’ in the 2018 USDA Uniform Test. In that test, TN15‐5007 matured 2 d earlier than Ellis, the same as ‘AG 46X7’, 1 d earlier than ‘AG 4835’, and 1 d later than ‘AG 4632’, indicating that the relative maturity of TN15‐5007 is approximately 4.7, which is highly desirable for producers in Tennessee and the Mid‐South region. TN15‐5007 is resistant to the disease stem canker. It produced 436 g kg−1 protein and 213 g kg−1 oil on a dry weight basis and produced a very high 505 g kg−1 meal protein in the 2018 Southern Uniform Test.

Registration of TN15‐4009 soybean germplasm with resistance to soybean cyst nematode, southern root knot nematode, and peanut root knot nematode

AbstractThe conventional (non‐genetically modified) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] line TN15‐4009 (Reg. no. GP‐437, PI 691608) was released by University of Tennessee Agricultural Research in 2019 as a germplasm line on the basis of its high seed yield potential in the southern region of the United States and resistance to soybean cyst nematode (SCN), southern root knot nematode, and peanut root knot nematode. The objective of its development was to create a high‐yielding SCN‐resistant soybean line. Progeny rows were selected based on adapted maturity, lodging resistance, disease resistance, and pod density and were entered in yield tests from 2015 through 2018. TN15‐4009 has white flowers and tawny pubescence. The pods have a tan pod wall, and the seed is yellow with a smooth seed coat. The seed size is approximately 13.6 g 100 seed−1, which was significantly greater than that of ‘Ellis’ in the 2018 USDA Uniform Test. In that test, TN15‐4009 matured 1 d earlier than Ellis and the same as ‘AG 4835’, indicating that the relative maturity of TN15‐4009 is approximately 4.8. Soybean line TN15‐4009 is resistant to SCN HG type 5.7 (score = 1) and HG type 2.5.7 (score = 1), resistant to southern root knot nematode (score = 1), and resistant to peanut root knot nematode (score = 1.3). TN15‐4009 is susceptible to stem canker.