Selection Of Genotypes Research Articles

Selection of elite cross combination and genotype through genetic divergence analysis in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Selection of elite cross combination and genotype through genetic divergence analysis in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Empowering cotton breeding programs through the strategic exploration and exploitation of phenotypic diversity of genetic resources under climate change conditions

Plant phenotype assessment approaches have facilitated crop improvement in recent years by providing opportunities for the dissection of complex nature quantitative traits. Fiber quality and yield are significant economic traits with a complex nature mainly due to interactions between its genetic architecture and the surrounding environment. These economic traits showed stagnant performance in recent decades due to eroded genetic diversity via the selection process. It necessitates exploiting conserved germplasm resources to rebuild genetic diversity within cotton cultivars. Compared to the conventional univariate selection methods using a single trait at a time, the multivariate analysis extends its selection to multiple variables for the selection of genotypes. In evaluating a core collection of cotton over two years using various phenotyping methods, multivariate analysis, particularly principal component analysis (PCA), was employed to assess genetic diversity. The PCA analysis demonstrated substantial variability of 39.83% and 45.37% across two years, highlighting a significant impact on yield and fiber quality attributes. The cumulative eigenvalues of principal components exceeding 80% supported the classification of accessions into six distinct groups based on their trait variability. Both PCA and cluster analysis successfully categorized accessions into six groups, indicating high diversity and suggesting their potential utility in breeding programs. The diverse genotypes identified in this study would be potential resources for variety development and accelerated breeding programs, particularly focusing on stress resilience under climate change scenarios. By utilizing these diverse genotypes, there is an opportunity to enhance breeding strategies and accelerate the development of improved cotton varieties with enhanced yield and fiber quality attributes. The significance of our study lies in its demonstration of the importance of genetic diversity in improving yield and fiber quality attributes, thus underscoring its relevance to cotton breeding programs.

Использование молекулярно-генетических маркеров для идентификации генов чувствительности к фотопериоду в селекционном материале сои

Soybean is one of the important oil and forage crops. It contains large amounts of oil, protein, vitamins, and other valuable nutrients. Annually, sowing area under soybean in Russia enlarges towards central and Siberian regions. However, soybean is very sensitive to photoperiod that is a key factor in regulation of soybean growth and development. The identification of gens controlling a photoperiodic sensitivity in soybeans is important for breeding of new adaptive cultivars. DNA-markers are an effective instrument for the selection of valuable genotypes from breeding germplasm. In this work, we identified gens contributing the most of decrease in soybean sensitivity to a day length. There were estimated six cultivars, five lines F6–F7, and five hybrids F1 of soybean. We used six molecular markers. Due to results, the early maturing cultivars Elana and Barguzin had the largest amount of recessive alleles; the cultivar Mamont had the largest amount of dominant alleles that characterizes it as middle maturing. The rest samples had two or three recessive alleles and belong to maturity groups from early to middle early. The analysis of hybrid combinations showed that a molecular marker for a Е3-gen is inherited co-dominantly. This allowed using it to control transferring of desired gens at crosses in progeny. Thus, the usage of the molecular-genetic markers was effective in selection by a studied trait and can be used in the breeding process.

Влияние погодных условий на завязываемость семян рапса озимого в условиях центральной зоны Краснодарского края

The purpose of the research was to study the influence of temperature and air moisture, wind velocity, cloud coverage, and precipitation amount on seed set of winter rapeseed in the central zone of the Krasnodar region. The objects of the research were winter rapeseed cultivars Elvis, Loris, Sarmat, Selegor, and Olivin. The conditions of 2022 during flowering period were favourable. The air temperature varied from 14.3 to 18.3 °C, precipitation amounted 12.4 mm, and they did not prevent pollination. The wind velocity in average by ten-day periods was 5.1 m/sec, cloud coverage (32.2%) and air moisture (61.1%) were op-timal both for self-pollination and for pollen transfer by wind and insects. The seed set in average was 81.3%. The weather conditions of 2023 were less fa-vorable. Lowered air temperatures – from 12.2 to 16.1 °C, frequent precipitations – 40 mm, air velocity from 2.8 to 4.7 m/sec, increased cloud coverage – to 85%, and air moisture to 77.3% negatively influenced self-pollination and prevented pollen transfer by wind and insects, and thereby decreased the realization of a potential productivity by 23.9%. The cultivars Sarmat and Selegor demonstrated the highest seed set both in favorable and unfavorable conditions. The cultivar Elvis was less sensitive to weather changes during flowering. The variation of a trait of seed set in favorable conditions was insignificant (CV = 2.4–7.1%). Changing of a trait of seed set in a pod to highly variable (CV = 11.7–28.3%) in 2023 certifies the genotype selection with high seed set ability is able only in unfavorable for pollination weather con-ditions.

Performance evaluation and multivariate analysis of maize accessions against drought stress in Lamjung district, Nepal

The selection of drought-tolerant genotypes from the existing gene pool is a preliminary step for breeding for drought tolerance. Research efforts aimed at exploring the ability of crops to withstand drought stress have not yet touched the realm of reproductive drought performance of local genotypes. To examine how local crop accessions demonstrate varying reproductive performance under drought conditions, twenty accessions of maize (Zea mays L.) were evaluated for six quantitative traits in a two-factor factorial completely randomized design with two replications between February to June of 2023. All the traits under study showed significant differences among the genotypes (p < 0.05). Owing to their grain yield, ear weight, and hundred grain weight, accessions NGRC05592, NGRC05582, NGRC05564, NGRC05565, NGRC05571, and NGRC05569 performed better under drought condition than other tested accessions. Accession NGRC05592 showed the highest yield under drought condition, whereas, NGRC05573 and NGRC05576 showed poor performance. GGE Biplot analysis for grain yield revealed that NGRC05571 and NGRC05592 had the highest mean yield, with the accession NGRC05592 standing out as the stable variety under changing soil moisture levels and performing best among all the tested accessions under drought condition. The possibility of accession NGRC05592 being used as a potential genetic resource for drought breeding programs has been observed, but further studies aiming at its stability under field conditions in diverse agro-climatic regions across different years are encouraged to assure its prospect for developing cultivars suited to drought-affected regions.

Multi-model approach for optimizing cold-wave resilient maize selection: unveiling genotype-by-environment interaction and predicting yield stability

Cold waves both significantly reduce yield & damage crops as well; unforeseeable nature of cold waves makes it challenging for farmers to manage risk. Thus, we aim to select maize hybrids that thrive under cold stress (both escaping early cold-waves and tolerating cold snaps); pinpoint stable, high-yielding hybrids ideal for regions prone to cold stress. In this investigation 2 years winter trial in Nepal was appraised on diverse maize hybrids for cold wave tolerant, stable across four stations with a Randomized Complete Block Design & 3 replications at each station. Likewise, this research employed 4 statistical methods both fixed effect and linear mixed model: genotype-environment interactions (AMMI), visually analyzes genotype performance and stability across environments (GGE) breeding values of genotypes for selection (BLUP), multiple traits for selection (MTSI). This scholarship revealed significant (P < 0.001) impacts of genotype, environment, and their interaction (GEI) on yield. This GEI, accounting for 100% of yield variance, was mainly captured by 3 principal components, with the first explaining 49%. Notably, mixed-effects models and biplots identified superior hybrids exhibiting both high average yields and consistent performance. GGE biplot analysis unveiled high-yielding and adaptable: GK3157, NK6607, RMH1899 Super, GK3254, RMH666, Shan 111, DKC9149, and Sweety-1. Further, BLUP and WAASBYY analyses delineated the superior performers and stabilized hybrids for yield, with DKC9141, Uttam 121, NK6607, MM2929, RMH-666, GK 3254, and GK3157, and RMH-1899 super candidates for both high yield and stability. In Nepalgunj, Delta 3333, MM2122, and Shaan 111 excelled in both yield and stability, while Rampur favored Rampur Hybrid 6 and MM2424 for stability. Parwanipur and Tarahara shared similar winners for stability and yield, including MM2122, Shaan 111, and Delta 3333 in Parwanipur, and NK7884, MM2424, and Delta 2222 in Tarahara. Based on Multi genotype ideotype distance (MGDI), 9 hybrids were selected for yield and stability, including MM 2033, NK 6607, Sweety 1 so on; exhibited escape to cold waves whilst GK3254, TMMH-846, and MM-9442, were chosen for cold waves adapted hybrids. Moreover, by identifying cold-tolerant maize hybrids, this study has potential to mitigate risks for farmers (economic burden, crop failure) and bolster food security.

Morphological and agronomical characterization of beef type tomato hybrids

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops and agro-morphological characterization has a key role in the development of new varieties. In this study, 228 samples of the tomato hybrid type “Beef” (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were characterized by comparing with 11 standard varieties based on 24 quantitative traits and 2 qualitative traits to reveal the phenotypic diversity by using conventional descriptors proposed by IPGRI (1996) and UPOV (2011). A significant level of variability was found in most of the traits studied among the genotypes in two locations. A high level of broad-sense heritability (H2) was detected for many traits such as the number of fruits, firmness, immature fruit color, stem length up to the first inflorescence, total height, and number of days to the first flowering in both locations. There was a highly significant positive correlation among the color values (L*, a*, b*, c*, h*) but no positive correlation between a* and h*. Number of locule had a positive correlation with fruit width and fruit weight, and a positive correlation was determined between fruit length and pericarp thickness in both locations. While fruit weight had a highly significant negative correlation with the number of fruits and number of flowers, there was a highly significant negative correlation between the number of locules and the fruit length-to-width ratio in both locations. Results of PCA showed that PC1 and PC2 accounted for around 15.6% and 13.7% of total variation and 13.8% and 11.8% of total variation for Location 1 and Location 2, respectively. The first five principal components accounted for around 54.2% of the total variation for Location 1 and 48.2% of the total variation for Location 2. Cluster analysis grouped the 239 genotypes under six cluster groups for Location 1 and seven cluster groups for Location 2. Results of the cluster analysis revealed that Cluster 3 for Location 1 and Cluster 2 for Location 2 had prominent genotypes for some of the agronomically important traits like yield. The results showed that present phenotypic diversity could be useful in the selection of best-performing genotypes, which would be important candidates for the beef red tomato market in the spring season.

Effects of drought on morpho-physiological attributes and secondary metabolites of wheat genotypes: Growth traits, seed yield and stress tolerance indices

In parallel with rapid growth in human population, increasing deficiency of water for irrigation along with abruptly changing environmental conditions has increased the food insecurity problem which needs immediate attention to secure the future food security. This study aimed to identify the water stress tolerance and high yielding potential of newly developed wheat genotypes, based on agronomic, morphological and biochemical aspects, along with the stress tolerance indices (STI). These genotypes were developed through conventional breeding from a cross (Bhakkar x S-24) and named as BS following the names of the parental genotypes. The experiment comprised a total 20 newly developed genotypes and 2 parental genotypes. Split plot field experiment was conducted using reduced number of irrigations as water stress treatment. All studied genotypes exhibited distinct negative impacts of deficit irrigation with respect to various studied agronomic attributes but was genotype specific. There were genotype-specific variations to deficit irrigation, regarding leaf chlorophyll contents, water relations, membrane lipid peroxidation, as well as antioxidative defense mechanism. Under deficit irrigation genotypes BS3, BS4, BS8, BS9, and BS20 demonstrated superiority in growth and grain yield related attributes that was attributed to their effective performance in maintaining better water content through better osmotic adjustment, chlorophyll levels, as well as better defense against oxidative stress. Comparatively less reductions in growth and yield i.e 26.43 % and 30.56 %, 28.94 % and 28.01 %, 32.13 % and 30.07 %, 34.35 % and 31.36 %, and 24.14 % and 26.55 % were recorded in BS3, BS4, BS8, BS9, and BS20 respectively as compared with remaining genotypes. However, the opposite was true for genotypes BS7, BS13, BS15 followed by BS6 and BS7. Stress tolerance indices also showed the better tolerance of the genotype BS3, BS4, BS8, BS9 and BS20. In conclusion, breeding programs for the development of stress-tolerant wheat genotypes should also consider the physio-biochemical mechanisms alongside the agronomic traits. This holistic approach will contribute significantly for the selection of genotypes that exhibit resilience to water deficit stress with high yield potential.

Does the ultrasensitive HBsAg Next assay enhance Hepatitis B diagnosis? An evaluation of analytical performances

BackgroundAccurate laboratory confirmation for Hepatitis B diagnosis and monitoring are crucial. Recently an ultrasensitive immunoassay test, the HBsAg Next (HBsAgNx), has been reported approximately eight times more sensitive than current HBsAg assays. The aim of our study was to assess the analytical performances of this new test. Methodology253 clinical samples from Saint Louis University Hospital were analyzed, splitted into four panels: (1) routine prospectively screening serums (n = 196), (2) retrospective serum samples before HBV reactivation (HBV-R) (n = 18), (3) occult HBV infection (OBI) (n = 10) and (4) a selection of wild type HBV genotypes (n = 29) ResultsPanel 1, showed robust agreement with the HBsAg Qualitative II (HBsAgQII) assay (Cohen's kappa = 0.83). Despite this agreement, 7 false positive with the HBsAgQII assay were found negative with HBsAgNx. One OBI was detected only with HBsAgNx. Panel 2 showed potential time savings in diagnosing HBV-R using HBsAgNx among 4/18 HBsAg positives samples. Panel 3 highlighted the ability of HBsAgNx to detect HBsAg in OBI patients defined by negative for HBsAg with HBsAgQII assay and positive for HBV DNA. Furthermore, the HBsAgNx assay detected all different genotypes. ConclusionThe study highlights the effectiveness of the HBsAgNx assay, showing its performance. It excels in detecting weakly positive samples and addressing challenging cases. HBsAgNx assay demonstrates promising analytical performances, with improved sensitivity and specificity compared to standard HBsAgQII assay, able to detect all genotypes. Its potential impact on early detecting and monitoring reactivations, and occult infections could be very useful in clinical practice.

Evaluation of Yield Stability and Adaptability of Oat Genotypes (Avena sativa L.)

This study’s main objectives were (i) to determine the stability of oat genotypes for the grain yield (t ha-1), (ii) to investigate the relationship of stability parameters with the grain yield in the analyzed set of genotypes, and (iii) to identify the high-yielding, stable, and adaptive oat genotypes for breeding purposes. The study was conducted during the 2015-22 period and involved fourteen winter oat genotypes maintained in the Bulgarian Seed Gene Bank. The trial was laid out in a randomized block design of variants in three replications and an experimental plot size of 10 m2. Sixteen grain yield stability parameters were determined. The AMMI stability value (ASV), the yield stability index (YSI), and the genotype selection index (GSI) were also calculated. A year and genotype x year interaction had an almost equally dominant effect on the grain yield per hectare. The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients indicated that grain yield had significant positive associations with Thennarasu’s non-parametric statistics—the NP(2), NP(3), and NP(4), Kang’s rank-sum (KR), and the YSI. The yield stability parameters estimated the G11, G12, G13, and the G1 genotypes as the most stable. The ASV identified the G14, G8, and the G12 as the most stable genotypes, while the YSI detected the G14, G12, and G11, respectively. The GSI classified the G14, G12, G8, and the G11 as genotypes with the broadest adaptability to adverse climatic conditions. Thus, they could serve as a source material in winter oat breeding programs.

Canonical correlations between morphoagronomic and production traits in traditional cowpea varieties based on genotypic values

Obtaining information about the main morphoagronomic and yield components, as well as their interrelationships, is of utmost importance in cowpea breeding programs, aiming at the selection of superior genotypes. The analysis of canonical correlations allows us to predict and describe the relationship between groups of characters, allowing the indirect selection of superior genotypes. The objective of this work was to verify relationships between morphological characters and production components through the analysis of canonical correlations using genotypic values obtained via mixed REML/BLUP models in traditional cowpea varieties. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with three replications and 12 treatments. Traditional varieties were characterized and evaluated during the germination, seedling, flowering and harvest stages with data obtained from plants, pods and seeds. Using the genotypic correlation matrix, two sets of characteristics were established, Group I, formed by production components and Group II, formed by morphoagronomic characters. A second correlation analysis was performed to verify associations between morphoagronomic and seed traits (seed length, width and thickness). It was found that dependence between the groups evaluated and intergroup associations can be established, which allows the study of cause-effect and the practice of indirect selection between groups of variables studied. An increase in pod length, hundred-grain mass and seed size is achieved through the selection of early maturing plants, with greater width of the apical leaflet and length of the hypocotyl.

SCREENING OF WHEAT GENOTYPES FOR WATER DEFICIT CONDITIONS UNDER THE SCENARIO OF CLIMATE CHANGE

The top-ranked crop in cereals, wheat feeds people around the globe more than any other food crop, with a diversity of uses in the food industry. The global production of wheat is 250 million tons which is still not enough to address the needs of the ever-increasing human population. Wheat plays a vital role in the human diet because it is the source of protein, carbohydrates, and calories. Due to its wider adaptation wheat is sown as a rain-fed and irrigated crop. Drought upsets the crop during all growth and developmental stages and all these stages of the crop are not equally affected by the drought. At initial growth stages, water stress reduces plant emergence and germination and causes a reduction in plant growth by reducing its height, number of productive tillers, and total leaf surface area. When drought occurs at anthesis it reduces the percentage of fertile spikelets. This research aimed to check the response of wheat genotypes under drought stress for different morphological attributes at the maturity stage. Significant results were obtained under drought and normal conditions. The data were further analyzed under PCA for the selection of best genotypes under normal and stress conditions. Zincol performed well under both conditions. Results obtained from this research will be useful in selecting the best genotypes for rainfed and water-stress environments in future breeding programs.

Unraveling the impact of water deficit stress on nutritional quality and defense response of tomato genotypes.

Water deficit stress triggers various physiological and biochemical changes in plants, substantially affecting both overall plant defense response and thus nutritional quality of tomatoes. The aim of this study was to assess the antioxidant defense response and nutritional quality of different tomato genotypes under water deficit stress. In this study, six tomato genotypes were used and subjected to water deficit stress by withholding water for eight days under glass house conditions. Various physiological parameters from leaves and biochemical parameters from tomato fruits were measured to check the effect of antioxidant defense response and nutritional value. Multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index (MGIDI) was used for the selection of genotypes with improved defense response and nutritional value under water deficit stress condition. Results indicated that all physiological parameters declined under stress conditions compared to the control. Notably, NBH-362 demonstrated resilience to water deficit stress, improving both defense response and nutritional quality which is evident by an increase in proline (16.91%), reducing sugars (20.15%), total flavonoids (10.43%), superoxide dismutase (24.65%), peroxidase (14.7%), and total antioxidant capacity (29.9%), along with a decrease in total oxidant status (4.38%) under stress condition. Overall, the findings suggest that exposure to water deficit stress has the potential to enhance the nutritional quality of tomatoes. However, the degree of this enhancement is contingent upon the distinct genetic characteristics of various tomato genotypes. Furthermore, the promising genotype (NBH-362) identified in this study holds potential for future utilization in breeding programs.

The use of fixed shelling percentage biases genotype selection in hybrid maize multi-environment yield trials

Context or problemPhenotyping is an integral part of plant breeding operations. In many cases the trait measured is not identical to the target trait for reasons of speed and or cost. This is a form of indirect selection, where correlation between the trait measured and the target phenotype influences the rate of genetic gain. Low correlations lead to slow rates of genetic gain. In sub-Saharan African maize breeding programs, maize grain yield in breeding experimental plots is measured as a field weight (FW), which includes the grain and cob. The weight of grain from each plot is estimated as a standard proportion of grain to total ear weight using a shelling percentage of 80 %. This approach assumes that there is no genetic, environment or genetic by environment interaction in shelling percentage which, if present, would contribute to slower rates of genetic gain for grain yield. Objective or research questionThis study investigated the magnitude of genetic and environmental variation in shelling percentage and its impact on selection in six hybrid maize multi-environment yield trials in Ethiopia over two seasons. MethodsThe data of shelled grain weight (SW) and cob weight (CW) from the trials were analyzed using a bivariate linear mixed model. ResultsGenetic variances for both traits varied across the six testing sites ranging from 0.199 to 2.975 for SW and from 0.029 to 0.245 for CW. The genetic correlations between pairs of sites for SW and CW also varied, indicating the existence of genotype by environment interaction for these traits. Additionally, the bivariate regressions between FW and SW indicated there was substantial genetic deviation around the 80 % shelling response, and this relationship was impacted by environmental influences. ConclusionThe use of a constant relationship of 80 % shelling biases grain yield prediction in multi-environment hybrid maize yield trials and thus reduces the rate of genetic gain in maize breeding programs. Implications or significanceTaking into account the variations in the shelling percentage of the genotypes across sites in predicting grain yield from field weight improves the accuracy of genotype selection and the rate of genetic gain in maize breeding programs.

Physiological Indices for the Selection of Drought-Tolerant Safflower Genotypes for Cultivation in Marginal Areas

Safflower is known as a tolerant plant to abiotic stress factors. This study was conducted to introduce some physiological indices to improve drought-tolerant safflower genotypes for cultivation in marginal and arid areas. Six safflower genotypes were studied for two years (2017–2019) in the East Azarbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Centre of Iran under non-stressed and low-water conditions from flowering to seed maturity. The occurrence of water deficits led to a significant decrease in relative water content (RWC), stomatal conductance (gs), osmotic adjustment (Oadj), water potential (WP) and agronomic water use efficiency (WUEa) and an increase in the water stress index (CWSI). In addition, the values of these traits differed significantly between the safflower genotypes. The correlations between the physiological traits and seed yield were significant. The regression relationships between seed yield and the above traits showed that CWSI, WP and WUEa had a strong relationship with seed yield under normal (R2 = 0.854, 0.801 and 0.856, respectively) and water deficit conditions (R2 = 0.931, 0.877 and 0.900, respectively). It can be concluded that the CWSI, WP and WUEa indices are able to select high-yielding and drought-tolerant safflower genotypes for the late season. Among the components of seed yield, the number of capitula per plant (r = 0.86) and seeds per capitula (r = 0.92), which were positively and significantly correlated with seed yield, played the main roles in the formation of seed yield. The Golemehr and Mec.295 genotypes achieved higher seed yields under normal (4676 and 4961 kg h−1, respectively) and water deficit conditions (3211 and 3385 kg h−1, respectively) and can be recommended for cultivation in marginal and arid areas.

The Problem of Charcoal Rot in Soybean, its Implications, and Approaches for Developing Resistant Varieties

Soybean is an annual legume with edible seeds. The soybean’s charcoal rot is one of the serious challenges faced in its cultivation regions, which brings severe production and economic losses. charcoal rot is the result of infection by the soil-borne fungus Macrophomina phaseolina. Though several researchers have made efforts to deal with soybean’s charcoal rot challenge, but at present, there are no soybean varieties in the market that are resistant to charcoal rot. The pathogen is thought to infect plants in their roots from contaminated soil, using unknown toxin-mediated processes. Conventional integrated approaches for managing charcoal rot in soybeans have been implemented in the field, but their efficacy is limited. So, developing soybean durable resistant varieties against M.phaseolina is the only solution to rescuing this crop. The potential approach is identifying new genetic sources and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with resistance to charcoal rot in the resistant soybean population and conducting genome-wide association studies to increase understanding of underlying resistance mechanisms. The discovery of the genetic markers associated with resistance will contribute to charcoal rot resistance genotype selection for breeding programs in the future.

Multi-trait index: selection and recommendation of superior black bean genotypes as new improved varieties

Common bean provides diet rich in vitamins, fiber, minerals, and protein, which could contribute into food security of needy populations in many countries. Developing genotypes that associate favorable agronomic and grain quality traits in the common bean crop could increase the chances of adopting new cultivars black bean. In this context, the present study aimed at selection of superior black bean lines using multi-variate indexes, Smith-Hazel-index, and genotype by yield*trait biplot analysis. These trials were conducted in Campos dos Goytacazes - RJ, in 2020 and 2021. The experimental design used was randomized blocks, with 28 treatments and three replications. The experimental unit consisted of four rows 4.0 m long, spaced at 0.50 m apart, with a sowing density of 15 seeds per meter. The two central rows were used for the evaluations. The selection of superior genotypes was conducted using the multiple trait stability index (MTSI), multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index (MGIDI), multi-trait index based on factor analysis and genotype-ideotype distance (FAI-BLUP), Smith-Hazel index, and Genotype by Yield*Trait Biplot (GYT). The multivariate indexes efficiently selected the best black bean genotypes, presenting desirable selection gains for most traits. The use of multivariate indexes and GYT enable the selection of early genotypes with higher grain yields. These lines G9, G13, G17, G23, and G27 were selected based on their performance for multiple traits closest to the ideotype and could be recommended as new varieties.

Plant genotype and inoculation with indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi modulate wheat productivity and quality of processed products through changes in the frequency of root AM fungal taxa

ContextArbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been extensively applied as biofertilizers in wheat to promote crop productivity. However, variability in AM root colonization, grain yield, and nutrients was observed among wheat genotypes and according to AM genotype and environment. ObjectivesWe hypothesized that wheat response to AM inoculation is more affected by genotype than environment; the response is driven by increases in AM abundance and community structure changes, and not by modification of composition. MethodsWe inoculated an indigenous AM consortium on four old genotypes (Bianco Nostrale, Andriolo, Abbondanza, Sieve) and one modern variety (Bologna) of bread wheat for two years. The effect was evaluated by assessing grain yield, nutrients, and quality of processed products (flour and breadsticks), while the AM abundance and the community composition and structure in roots were characterized, at two plant growth stages, using morphological and molecular tools. ResultsThe functional traits of AMF and plant were better explained by inoculation than by genotype or environment (33 %, 17 %, 4 % of total explained variance), although significant interactions environment x genotype and genotype x inoculation were highlighted. Consistent increases in AM abundance in Sieve and Bologna were associated with positive changes in grain yield and nutrients, supporting the good responsiveness of these genotypes with inoculated AMF, while the plant response of other genotypes was shaped by air temperature and rainfall. However, we did not find significant correlations between changes in AM colonization and mycorrhizal response ratio, with the exception of P and K. After inoculation, AM community composition was similar in all wheat genotypes, but the structure greatly differed among genotypes in interaction with inoculation and plant growth stage. These changes were significantly related to wheat productivity. A Septoglomus taxon, present in the inoculum, was the best predictor of wheat performance. The characterization of the community structure at early crop development and maturity allowed the identification of fast and latest active AM colonizers. Our results showed for the first time that AM inoculation affect the rheological parameters and nutraceuticals of processed products, although the response was modulated by genotype. ConclusionsThe selection of responsive wheat genotypes is fundamental for the positive outcome of inoculation. The positive effects on wheat productivity and field persistence of the inoculated AMF support the use of indigenous consortia that have low impacts on resident AMF. SignificanceOur findings advance the understanding of the facilitative mechanisms that underlie compatibility between AMF and wheat genotypes.

A strategy to optimize soil phosphorus reserve: A study based on native maize of Mexico and genotype selection

A strategy to optimize soil phosphorus reserve: A study based on native maize of Mexico and genotype selection

Trait analysis of short duration boro rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties in northern region of Bangladesh: Insights from heatmap, correlation and PCA

The role of genetic variation is utmost importance in the selection of a desirable genotype for breeding programs. In the northern region of Bangladesh, the performance of five short duration boro rice varieties (BRRI dhan28, BRRI dhan74, BRRI dhan81, BRRI dhan88, and Bangabandhu dhan100) on yield and yield-contributing traits were evaluated in four locations. Yield attributes tiller hill-1 (TN), panicle hill-1 (PN), filled grain panicle-1 (FG), panicle length (PL), 1000-grain weight (TGW), and harvest index (HI), showed a positive correlation with grain yield (GY). Conversely, spikelet sterility (SSP) and unfilled grains panicle-1 (UFG) showed negative associations with grain yield. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the first three components accounted for 89.60% of variability. The highest positive eigenvalue was observed in DF, DM, BY, HI, PN, SY, TN, PL and GY in PC1, indicating their significant influence on the overall genotype variations. PC2 was primarily driven by plant height (PH) and FG, while PC3 driven by TGW and UFG. The results suggest that grain yield is highly influenced by FG, PH, DM, DF, PN, TN, PL, TGW, SY, BY, and HI. These components highlighted the importance in distinguishing rice genotypes with higher grain yield potential. By considering these traits, BRRI dhan74 have outperformed other varieties, followed by BRRI dhan88 and Bangabandhu dhan100. BRRI dhan74 is most suitable for all four location followed by BRRI dhan88. The traits such as PN, PL, FG, TGW, PH, &amp; HI significantly influence rice yield and should be prioritized in breeding programs aimed at developing high-yielding rice varieties.