Quality Germplasm Research Articles

Status of duck breeding in India

Duck is the second most important species of poultry after chicken in India. Due to its many advantages, it is popular in the coastal states and states having large water bodies. Different indigenous and exotic breeds that are being evaluated and reported through research findings are summarized in this review. The history of import of exotic breeds to the country with breeding programme initiated for these breeds in India are discussed with reference to the status of breeds in respect to meat and egg production improved through selection in other countries. The status of purebred selection and breeding programme in indigenous duck being undertaken in our country are very few and being documented with reference to world scenario. Crossbreeding experiment using indigenous and exotic breeds in the countries are reported in respect to growth, conformation traits, production, reproduction, carcass quality, egg quality, egg weight and feed conversion ratio. Performance of the crossbred improved in respect to different traits measured compared to the indigenous breed showing heterosis in positive direction. General combining ability, specific combining ability and reciprocal effects are found to be significant for most of the traits studied in a 3×3 diallel cross using indigenous duck of Odisha, Khaki Campbell and White Pekin. The importance of availability of quality germplasm and performance improvement through duck breeding in India is to be taken on priority. Besides this, the conservation and documentation of all the indigenous breeds and variety is need of the hour. Commercial exploitation of indigenous duck breeds as they are well adapted to our harsh climatic conditions needs to be explored.

Genetic diversity and population structure of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua in China using SSR markers.

Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Polygonatum genus, belonging to the Liliaceae family, with significant medicinal and nutritional value. In China, this species is a traditional medicinal and edible herb with a long history of application and is widely appreciated by the people. However, as the demand for medicinal herbs continues to grow, excessive harvesting has led to the depletion of wild resources and the risk of genetic erosion. In addition, the chaotic cultivation of varieties and the lack of high quality germplasm resources have led to inconsistent quality of medical materials. Therefore, it is urgent to conduct genetic diversity evaluation of this species and establish a sound conservation plan. This study assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of 96 samples collected from seven regions in China using the simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular marker technology. In this study, a total of 60 alleles (Na) were detected across the 10 polymorphic SSR markers used, with an average of 6.0 alleles generated per locus. The values of polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.3396 to 0.8794, with an average value of 0.6430. The average value of the effective number of alleles (Ne) was 2.761, and the average value of the Shannon's information index (I) was 1.196. The population structure analysis indicates that the Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua germplasm can be classified into three subpopulations (JZ, QY, JD) at the molecular level, which corresponds to the previous subgroups identified based on individual plant phenotypic traits. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) showed that 74% of the genetic variation was between individuals within populations in different regions. The phylogenetic analysis of the 96 germplasm samples divided them into three main populations. The QY and JD subpopulations are largely clustered together, which could be attributed to their mountainous distribution and the local climate environment. The genetic differentiation coefficient (Fst) value was low at 0.065, indicating relatively low population differentiation. The ratio of the genetic differentiation coefficient (Fst) between the JZ population and the other two populations (QY and JD) is much higher than the ratio between the QY and JD populations. Based on the clustering results and the ratio of the genetic differentiation coefficient (Fst), it can be inferred that the genetic relationship between the QY and JD subpopulations is closer, with a certain degree of genetic differentiation from the JZ subpopulation. This study supports the conservation of germplasm resources of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua in China and provides new parental material for germplasm genetic improvement and breeding programs.

Improved Clonal Propagation through Rejuvenation of Mature Branch Cutting of Four Important Acacia Species

Asexual propagation techniques for producing good quality germplasm for breeding and dissemination purposes have proven difficult for acacia species comprised of mature planting material. The study was conducted to study the effect of rejuvenation on the rooting ability of mature cuttings. Shoots were induced from the lower branch by cutting a part of the mature branch of the crown and leaving it horizontally on the propagation bench under the misting system. Shoots were harvested and further used as stem cuttings to evaluate their rooting ability through the application of rooting hormone. The rooting ability of the cuttings is highly variable among species. The percentage of stem sections producing juvenile shoots was similar for Acacia mangium Willd. (88%) and Acacia auriculiformis A.Cunn. ex Benth. (90%). Only 52% of stem sections were able to produce shoots for Acacia crassicarpa A.Cunn. ex Benth., followed by Acacia aulococarpa A.Cunn. ex Benth. with only 31%. Overall, A. auriculiformis rooted better and recorded the highest mean value for all traits tested. Hormone treatment significantly enhances the rooting ability of A. auriculiformis and A. mangium. However, A. aulococarpa and A. crassicarpa did not respond well to the treatment. Rejuvenated stem cuttings were rooted better than mature cuttings, producing the highest mean value for all traits tested in all species, with or without hormone treatment. Results indicated that it is possible to rejuvenate mature cuttings through bud break in a controlled environment.

Variation in Glucosinolate Accumulation among Different Sprout and Seedling Stages of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica).

Glucosinolates (GLs) are plant secondary metabolites that may act against different types of cancers. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) is rich in GLs which makes it an excellent source of these nutraceuticals. The composition and concentration of GLs vary among broccoli cultivars and throughout the developmental stages of the plant. To obtain the GL profiles of broccoli, GL compositions and contents in four early developmental stages (seeds, 3-day sprouts, 11-day and 17-day seedlings) were determined for nine cultivars of broccoli in this study. A total of 12 GLs including 9 aliphatic GLs and 3 indole GLs were identified from the nine broccoli cultivars using LC-QTOF-MS. UPLC results showed that aliphatic GLs concentrations decreased with broccoli sprouts and seedling growth for most cultivars. Interestingly, indole GLs amounts increased after germination and reached the highest level in 3-day sprouts or 11-day seedlings, and they fell back to a low level in 17-day seedlings. The GL profiles of nine cultivars documented in this study will provide useful information for high quality germplasm selection for cultivation or genetic engineering, and further understanding of the GL metabolic pathways.

Metabolome and transcriptome analyses of the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway for the efficient accumulation of anthocyanins and other flavonoids in a new duckweed variety (68-red)

Duckweed is a kind of aquatic plant with the characteristics of high nutritional value and medicinal benefits. However, most researches focused on the natural germplasms. The underlying metabolic pathway remains to be systematically elaborated in duckweed. In our laboratory, one reddish-purple mutant with high-flavonoids was screened from a mutant library of Spirodela polyrhiza 6068, named 68-red. The content of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins in 68-red mutant increased by 563.47% and 231.19%, respectively, compared to wild type. It is interesting that cynaroside and orientin content were significantly increased, in contrast, apigetrin and vitexin were decreased in 68-red mutant. Considering this, metabolome and transcriptome were employed to explore the flavonoids biosynthetic pathway. Here, a total of 734 metabolites were identified in the wild type and 68-red mutant. Among which, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside and pelargonidin-3-O-(6″-O-malonyl)glucoside were significantly accumulated, which were positively correlated with deep reddish-purple of 68-red mutant. In addition, proanthocyanidins (B1, B2, B3, B4, C1, C2), flavonoid and its glycosides (11 luteolin and its glycosides, 14 quercetin and its glycosides, 14 kaempferol and its glycosides, 2 apigenin glycosides) were significantly accumulated, 2 apigenin glycosides were down-regulated in 68-red mutant. The transcriptome data and qRT-PCR indicated that 16 enzyme genes in flavonoids biosynthetic pathway (PAL, C4H, CHSs, F3H, ANS, ANR, F3′Hs, DFRs, LAR, GT1, BZ1) were significantly up-regulated in 68-red mutant. Correlation analysis found that three copies of F3′H gene play important roles in the synthesis of anthocyanins, luteolin and apigenin glycosides. In conclusion, the 68-red mutant is a high quality germplasm resources for food and medical industry. Metabolome and transcriptome provide new insight for exploring the enzyme genes and functional metabolites in duckweed.

Evaluation of biochemical, Proximate composition of some Quality germplasm of Indian Mustard

Evaluation of biochemical, Proximate composition of some Quality germplasm of Indian Mustard

Genetic Improvement of Tharparkar Cattle: A Review

Tharparkar cattle are an important dual breed of desert which can be improved for sustainable milk production by using different molecular markers and through selective breeding. Although, genetic studies done on Tharparkar, are fewer, there is need of more attention on genetic studies and identification of useful markers and SNPs associated with production traits. This review article describes the production and reproduction performance of the breed and emphasizes more on genetic studies, breed characterization, marker assisted selection or identification of molecular markers, genomic assessment, etc. to improve the breed status. Molecular markers for heat tolerance, disease resistance, high fat and protein production, A2 milk composition identified in Tharparkar cattle positively encourage breeders to improve the breed for future use. It may help the government agencies to undertake systematic animal husbandry practices and breed improvement programmes so that high quality germ plasm may be provided to the farmers for breed improvement in rural area.

Conservation and Use of Latin American Maize Diversity: Pillar of Nutrition Security and Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Latin America is the center of domestication and diversity of maize, the second most cultivated crop worldwide. In this region, maize landraces are fundamental for food security, livelihoods, and culture. Nevertheless, genetic erosion (i.e., the loss of genetic diversity and variation in a crop) threatens the continued cultivation and in situ conservation of landrace diversity that is crucial to climate change adaptation and diverse uses of maize. We provide an overview of maize diversity in Latin America before discussing factors associated with persistence of large in situ maize diversity, causes for maize landrace abandonment by farmers, and strategies to enhance the cultivation of landraces. Among other factors, maize diversity is linked with: (1) small-holder farming, (2) the production of traditional food products, (3) traditional cropping systems, (4) cultivation in marginal areas, and (5) retention of control over the production system by the farmers. On the other hand, genetic erosion is associated with substitution of landraces with hybrid varieties or cash crops, and partial (off-farm labor) or complete migration to urban areas. Continued cultivation, and therefore on-farm conservation of genetic diversity held in maize landraces, can be encouraged by creating or strengthening market opportunities that make the cultivation of landraces and open pollinated varieties (OPVs) more profitable for farmers, supporting breeding programs that prioritize improvement of landraces and their special traits, and increasing the access to quality germplasm of landraces and landrace-derived OPVs.

Yarn Performance of Texas Quality Upland Cotton Germplasm

Ring and rotor spinning predominate the cotton spinning market with ring spinning dominating globally while United States (U.S.) spinners prefer rotor because of its production speed and high automation level. Newer and faster spinning technologies such as “air jet” spinning, exemplified by Murata Vortex Spinning (MVS), are being deployed. Rotor spinning produces yarn five times faster than ring, and the MVS produces 100 % cotton yarn over 20 times faster than ring spinning. Fiber quality improvements will be necessary for Upland cotton to be competitive with other fibers on MVS. Texas A&M Agrilife Research has released improved fiber quality germplasm lines and cultivars that equal or exceed the fiber quality parameters associated with the New Mexico Acala germplasm pool, which is considered the elite quality among Upland breeding pools. Two improved quality Texas A&M germplasm lines were compared with Acala 1517-08 for High Volume Instrument (HVI) and Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS) fiber quality parameters plus yarn strength and appearance parameters. These genotypes were grown in 2017 and 2019 at Weslaco, Texas under irrigated culture. The three genotypes were similar in all fiber quality measurements except lengh and fiber strength. TAM 06WE-621 and TAM KJ-Q14 produced stronger yarns with improved yarn appearance when spun on either ring or air jet spinning technologies. Data suggest that the Texas A&M quality germplasm pool can be used to develop Upland cotton cultivars that will produce fibers competitive for the emerging MVS technology.

Intraspecific Chemical Variability of Essential Oil of Curcuma caesia (Black Turmeric)

Rhizome essential oil of Curcuma caesia has myriad of therapeutic activities which is being practiced since ages as folklore remedy but commercially remained underutilized till date. Though previous reports had characterized the phytoconstituents of C. caesia essential oil, a comparative assessment will lead to identify a good germplasm for commercialization. Quality germplasm should have high yield and quality constituents. Hence, the current study deals with intraspecific variability of C. caesia rhizome essential oil associated with two geographical regions, i.e., Odisha and West Bengal. The Principal Component Analysis and Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering analysis distinguished two groups of essential oils on the basis of the phytoconstituents. The highest oil yield was found in Mayurbhanj (0.64 ± 0.015% w/w) population, whereas the lowest oil yield was in South 24-Parganas population (0.39 ± 0.01% w/w). The chemical constituents of C. caesia were analyzed by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry which detected a total of 34 compounds accounting to 90.08–97.94% of the total oil. Oxygenated monoterpenes constituted the major fraction followed by oxygenated sesquiterpenes. West Bengal accessions were dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes (34.8–45.41%) followed by oxygenated sesquiterpenes (26.63–38.06%). However, Odisha accessions were rich in oxygenated monoterpenes (37.6–54.36%) followed by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (21.9–33.8%). In this study, phytochemical variability in C. caesia associated with geographical distribution patterns has been successfully studied in respect of essential oil yield and quality.

On-Site Capabilities of a Mobile Laboratory for Aquatic Germplasm Cryopreservation.

Cryopreservation of genetic material can become an important tool for user groups in imperiled fishes, wild fisheries, aquaculture, and biomedical research. Persistent challenges within aquatic species cryopreservation are standardization and reliable collection of diverse, high quality samples. The overall goal of this study was to work with different user groups and cryopreserve sperm on-site at their facilities to evaluate the uses and challenges of a mobile laboratory with high-throughput and quality control capabilities comparable to those of a specialized centralized facility. The objectives were to demonstrate collection and cryopreservation of sperm of: 1) large-bodied freshwater Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) for aquaculture; 2) small-bodied freshwater Xiphophorus for biomedical and imperiled repository development, and 3) saltwater Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) for wild fisheries research. Over the course of this project, the mobile laboratory traveled more than 4,000 km collecting germplasm from more than 650 male fishes. A total of 136 Blue Catfish were processed in 2015 and 2016 resulting in a total of 6,146 0.5-mL French straws. A total of 521 males from 11 different species in the genus Xiphophorus were processed over 4 d in 2015 resulting in a total of 488 0.25-mL French straws. And, a total of 17 Red Snapper males were processed during 2015 resulting in a total of 316 0.5-mL French straws. This is the first development of a mobile laboratory with high-throughput capability for aquatic species. User groups would no longer be limited to germplasm resources that can only be shipped as samples or transported as live animals to a central cryopreservation facility. Mobile laboratories create opportunities to collect higher quality germplasm, provide access to new species, and enable direct cooperation, including training, with a wide variety of user groups and applications.

Tree Seed and Seedling Supply and Distribution System in Uganda

In Uganda, the tree seed sector is largely centralized, limiting access by farmers to high quality seedlings due to distant supply locations. This has left suppy of most of the tree germplasm to the informal sector, characterized by road-side tree nurseries and seed dealers who have limited knowledge on seed sourcing and collection and seedling production. Through semi-structured and key informant interviews, a sample survey involving 73 smallholder tree seed collectors, processors and tree nursery operators, this study investigates the role of government, smallholder tree seed collectors, processors and suppliers, nursery operators and the private sector in Uganda’s tree seed and seedling production and supply system. The study also identifies constraints in the seed and seedlings distribution system in Uganda and suggests key policy and institutional reforms. The source of tree germplasm is found to be heavily influenced by ease of access. About 60%) of the germplasm is purchased by individual farmers for their own planting. Low quality seed, limited seed sources and overgrown seedlings remain key deficiencies in the tree seed sector. Potential business opportunities in the tree seed and seedling production and supply value chain are identified, including production and sale of high quality germplasm. These will enhance availability of tree germplasm of high quality to meet the growing need for afforestation and reforestation in Uganda.

EFFECT OF PROVENANCE AND WATER STRESS ON BIOMASS AND POLYPHYLLIN CONTENT IN THE MEDICINAL PLANT Paris polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis

Water stress and provenance could affect the secondary metabolites synthesis and accumulation in herbs. Thus, this study explored the effect of soil water moisture and provenance on the growth of Paris polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis (PPY). Three provenances (Jinping, Luquan and Weixi in Yunnan, China) of PPY samples were grown in different soil water moisture conditions [0.80, 0.70 and 0.50 field capacity (FC)] during Dec. 2015 to Sep. 2017. Results showed that the highest biomass weight was presented in 0.70 FC for Luquan and Weixi samples. Biomass weight for Jinping provenance presented a decreasing tendency with the decreased soil water moisture and the highest biomass were shown in 0.80 FC. However, quantitative analysis revealed that the total content of polyphyllin increased with decreasing the soil water moisture for Jinping and Weixi samples. The highest total content of polyphyllin in rhizome was inclined to show in Jinping samples, while the stem and leaf tissues were shown in Weixi samples. Additionally, results of ANOVA combined with PCA indicated that the difference among these three provenances were significant. Correlation analysis results revealed that 0.50 FC induced the competitive relationship occurrence for polyphyllin distribution. Thus, 0.70 FC was the most suitable soil-water condition for PPY growth. Besides, provenance collected from Jinping could consider as a good quality germplasm. Consequently, this study might provide a preliminary foundation for irrigation project formulated and provenance screened for PPY cultivation.

Barley: Global challenges and perspectives under non-tropical dry areas

The International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) is one of the 15 CGIAR centers and has a global mandate for barley improvement, specifically for more than 16 million ha of barley is grown in non-tropical dry areas across the globe. ICARDA’s barley improvement program has been reorganized into spring barley for high and low input environments and winter barley programs to address the requirements of different agro-climatic conditions/regions. The spring barley program targets germplasm improvement for feed, food and malt purposes, targeting germplasm enhancement for global stressed environments in hulled and huskless barley. The winter barley program is basically focused to improve germplasm for colder regions in West and Central Asia where cold and frost are the major stresses along with drought. Each year, nearly 10000 advanced lines are evaluated for various agronomic, biotic and abiotic stress tolerances, and grain quality parameters in the breeding program. ICARDA’s gene bank holds more than 33,000 barley accessions of which 2042 accessions are wild relatives of barley. The Focused Identification of Germplasm Strategy (FIGS) approach is utilized to mine efficiently this collection by selecting manageable subsets with higher frequencies for finding the sought traits. ICARDA’s barley improvement program annually shares more than 330 sets of international trials and nurseries, with more than 60 collaborators in 35 to 40 countries. During 1977-2018, more than 269 barley varieties have been released across the globe by different countries, with direct introduction of germplasm from ICARDA’s barley breeding programs, out of which 53 are released during last 10 years. In recent year, ICARDA’s feed and food barley improvement program aims at improving nutritional qualities of barley, specifically Zn, Fe, and β-Glucan contents. Simultaneously, the malt barley improvement is targeting to identify better malting quality germplasm for developing countries in Africa and Asia with a possibility of additional income to farmers through premium price for better quality in East Africa and South Asia. Doi.org/10.25174/2249-4065/2018/85893

Fatty acid and mineral composition of some agro-morphologically distinct quality germplasm of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) which occupies largest area among the all oleiferous Brassicas, is an important source of nutritionally important fatty acid and micronutrients for animal including humans. The present study was aimed to evaluate the fatty acid and mineral composition of 30 agromorphologically distinct quality germplasm of Indian mustard. The quality germplasms were evaluated for fatty acid profiling by injecting methyl ester sample into SP-2300 (2%) + SP-2310 (3%) packed silica column. Micronutrients were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. Fatty acid variability in quality germplasm revealed the erucic acid content of <2% in genotypes BC3-BC4–1 (0.57%), F3-F4–1 (0.67%), F3-F4–3 (1.05%), NUDH-YJ-3-3 (0.28%), F3-F4–2 (0.74%), F4-F5–1 (0.72%), PRQ 2004-8 (0.51%) and PRQ-2005-1 (1.24%). w6/3 ratio was fairly better in genotypes PLGM-2002-2-7(2.28), LG BC 2005-6-8 (2.20), PRQ 2004-9 (1.92), PRQ-2005-11-BE (1.91) and F4-F5–5 (2.13). The mineral proportion of meals showed that all quality genotypes had variable amounts of N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu. The identified genotypes having low erucic acid, optimal ratio of essential fatty acids and promising micronutrients can be used for preparation of functional food or for determining the quality traits and nutritional status of Indian mustard.

Genetic Dissection of End-Use Quality Traits in Adapted Soft White Winter Wheat.

Soft white wheat is used in domestic and foreign markets for various end products requiring specific quality profiles. Phenotyping for end-use quality traits can be costly, time-consuming and destructive in nature, so it is advantageous to use molecular markers to select experimental lines with superior traits. An association mapping panel of 469 soft white winter wheat cultivars and advanced generation breeding lines was developed from regional breeding programs in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. This panel was genotyped on a wheat-specific 90 K iSelect single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip. A total of 15,229 high quality SNPs were selected and combined with best linear unbiased predictions (BLUPs) from historical phenotypic data of the genotypes in the panel. Genome-wide association mapping was conducted using the Fixed and random model Circulating Probability Unification (FarmCPU). A total of 105 significant marker-trait associations were detected across 19 chromosomes. Potentially new loci for total flour yield, lactic acid solvent retention capacity, flour sodium dodecyl sulfate sedimentation and flour swelling volume were also detected. Better understanding of the genetic factors impacting end-use quality enable breeders to more effectively discard poor quality germplasm and increase frequencies of favorable end-use quality alleles in their breeding populations.

Elite Fiber Quality Germplasm Lines of Upland Cotton: TAM 11K‐13 ELSU, TAM 11T‐08 ELSU‐ESU, and TAM 11L‐24 LSU

Premium prices are paid to US upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) producers based on the US Commodity Credit Cooperation loan value for cotton having micronaire values between 3.7 and 4.2, upper half mean length (UHML) of 27.0 mm or greater (depending on leaf trash content and color grade), fiber bundle strength (Str) equal to or greater than 290 kN m kg−1, and uniformity of fiber lengths greater than 82.0. Cotton produced in the United States is predominately exported, and international markets demand UHML of 27.8 mm. Since the severe drought and heat year of 2011, an increasing portion of upland cotton hectarage in Texas is grown without supplemental irrigation. The majority of US upland cotton is exported, and since lack of adequate moisture affects not only yield potential but also raw product quality, especially UHML and fiber maturity, breeders must continually improve fiber quality in order for the United States to remain competitive, especially under dryland culture. TAM 11K‐13 ELSU (Reg. No. GP‐1030, PI 684656), TAM 11T‐08 ELSU‐ESU (Reg. No. GP‐1032, PI 684658), and TAM 11L‐24 LSU (Reg. No. GP‐1031, PI 684657) possess the potential to produce cotton fibers with UHML greater than current cultivars adapted to Texas and equal to or exceeding the minimum requirement for pima grade 1, 34.9 mm. TAM 11T‐08 ELSU‐ESU produces raw cotton fibers with Str exceeding all current cultivars available to Texas producers. All three will produce UHML and Str that exceed the minimum requirements for nondiscount and/or premiums within the current marketing structure.

Role of plant breeders’ rights in an evolving peach and nectarine fresh fruit sector

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; The evolving impact of plant breeders’ rights was investigated in a bid to provide a basis for understanding the complex relationship that exists between scientific, legislative and market matters that shape the peach and nectarine fresh fruit sector. The results show that there is complementarity among varietal legislation, deregularisation, international trade policies, market trends and research intensity. Plant varietal legislation is found to play a facilitative role in ensuring the growth in the sector which has evolved from merely facilitating access to better quality cultivars which were bred beyond South Africa’s borders, to the provision of good quality germplasm that aids in the breeding of locally bred varieties which better meet the production needs of local farmers. The results of the analysis show that strengthened varietal legislation has contributed significantly to cultivar development, reduced varietal concentration, increased resource (land) utilisation and increased export revenue generation and market penetration. The study warns of the negative effects that widening the scope of the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act would have on innovation and cultivar access by poor farmers. Because of the strong ties existing between innovation and R&amp;D investment, the recommendation is for an increase in R&amp;D investment in the local research institution.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Significance: &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Insights into the impact of legislation on the industry’s growth and development are given.&#x0D; Empirical evidence related to the sector’s performance of the innovation market is presented.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Fungus Evaluation from Seeds Germplasm before Medium and Long Term Storage

Abstract During 2000-2016, 213 entries from 29 plant species from different crop groups (cereals, legumes, industrial crops, perennial grasses, vegetables, cucurbits, aromatic and medicinal plants) from core collection of the Suceava Genebank were evaluated from phytosanitary status point of view, before the storing. The seeds testing to the micromycetes incidence in the laboratory by incubating of them on blotting paper substrate and agar medium was performed. Fungal saprophytes from genus as: Alternaria spp., Stemphylium spp., Cladosporium sp., Rhyzopus sp., Epicocum sp., Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., Botrytis sp. occurred frequently in seeds samples of the tested crops. Also, 12 fungal parasite were isolated: Sclerospora sp., Diplodia sp., Nigrospora sp. on maize; Drechslera spp. on wheat, barley, rye and flax; Septoria sp. on barley; Fusarium spp. on maize, barley, rye, millet, bean, pea, flax, hemp, peppers, cucumbers; Colletotrichum spp. on maize, bean and faba bean; Sclerotinia sp., Isariopsis sp. and Rhyzoctonia sp. on bean; Verticillium sp. on peppers and okra, Ascochyta sp. on pea. The obtained results were expressed as percentage of the number of fungal isolated from tested samples species, highlighting the existing microflora and need to seed health testing with major importance in maintaing of high quality germplasm avoiding the pathogens preservation and dissemination.

Regulating the Quality of Seedlings for Forest Restoration: Lessons from the National Greening Program in the Philippines

The use of low quality planting material is one of the major reasons for the limited success of past reforestation programs in the Philippines and elsewhere in the tropics. In the Philippines, a national policy has been in place since 2010, which regulates the quality of seedlings. As part of the policy, government reforestation programs are required to use only high quality seedlings from accredited seedling suppliers. A survey of nurseries producing seedlings for the National Greening Program in Eastern Visayas and Northern Mindanao regions was carried out to determine the effectiveness and challenges in implementing the forest nursery accreditation policy. The survey identified factors that limit the effectiveness of seedling quality regulation including lack of auditing of seedling quality in accredited nurseries, insufficient monitoring of the seedling supply chain among the network of nurseries supplying seedlings for reforestation programs, inadequate seedling production schedules, and inappropriate criteria for seedling quality assessment. The limited sources of high quality germplasm, nursery operators’ limited information on the attributes of high quality planting materials and lack of knowledge about high quality seedling production technologies contributed to the widespread production of low quality seedlings. The lack of seedling quality checks makes the government’s bidding scheme of seedling purchases prone to favouring the proliferation of low quality seedlings that are usually sold at lower prices. Nursery accreditation represents a major initiative in promoting the success of Philippine reforestation but our study found that considerable improvement of the policy and of its implementation is necessary. From our study, key lessons can be learned for the implementation of forest landscape restoration initiatives in other tropical developing countries.