Germplasm Sources Research Articles

Autotetraploid Induction of Three A-Genome Wild Peanut Species, Arachis cardenasii, A. correntina, and A. diogoi.

A-genome Arachis species (AA; 2n = 2x = 20) are commonly used as secondary germplasm sources in cultivated peanut breeding, Arachis hypogaea L. (AABB; 2n = 4x = 40), for the introgression of various biotic and abiotic stress resistance genes. Genome doubling is critical to overcoming the hybridization barrier of infertility that arises from ploidy-level differences between wild germplasm and cultivated peanuts. To develop improved genome doubling methods, four trials of various concentrations of the mitotic inhibitor treatments colchicine, oryzalin, and trifluralin were tested on the seedlings and seeds of three A-genome species, A. cardenasii, A. correntina, and A. diogoi. A total of 494 seeds/seedlings were treated in the present four trials, with trials 1 to 3 including different concentrations of the three chemical treatments on seedlings, and trial 4 focusing on the treatment period of 5 mM colchicine solution treatment of seeds. A small number of tetraploids were produced from the colchicine and oryzalin gel treatments of seedlings, but all these tetraploid seedlings reverted to diploid or mixoploid states within six months of treatment. In contrast, the 6-h colchicine solution treatment of seeds showed the highest tetraploid conversion rate (6-13% of total treated seeds or 25-40% of surviving seedlings), and the tetraploid plants were repeatedly tested as stable tetraploids. In addition, visibly and statistically larger leaves and flowers were produced by the tetraploid versions of these three species compared to their diploid versions. As a result, stable tetraploid plants of each A-genome species were produced, and a 5 mM colchicine seed treatment is recommended for A-genome and related wild Arachis species genome doubling.

Identification of Clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae) Resistance Loci in Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) with Recessive Character.

The soil-borne pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae is the causal agent of clubroot, a major disease in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis). The host's resistance genes often confer immunity to only specific pathotypes and may be rapidly overcome. Identification of novel clubroot resistance (CR) from germplasm sources is necessary. In this study, Bap246 was tested by being crossed with different highly susceptible B. rapa materials and showed recessive resistance to clubroot. An F2 population derived from Bap246 × Bac1344 was used to locate the resistance Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) by Bulk Segregant Analysis Sequencing (BSA-Seq) and QTL mapping methods. Two QTL on chromosomes A01 (4.67-6.06 Mb) and A08 (10.42-11.43 Mb) were found and named Cr4Ba1.1 and Cr4Ba8.1, respectively. Fifteen and eleven SNP/InDel markers were used to narrow the target regions in the larger F2 population to 4.67-5.17 Mb (A01) and 10.70-10.84 Mb (A08), with 85 and 19 candidate genes, respectively. The phenotypic variation explained (PVE) of the two QTL were 30.97% and 8.65%, respectively. Combined with gene annotation, mutation site analysis, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis, one candidate gene in A08 was identified, namely Bra020861. And an insertion and deletion (InDel) marker (co-segregated) named Crr1-196 was developed based on the gene sequence. Bra013275, Bra013299, Bra013336, Bra013339, Bra013341, and Bra013357 in A01 were the candidate genes that may confer clubroot resistance in Chinese cabbage. The resistance resource and the developed marker will be helpful in Brassica breeding programs.

Evaluation of Tomato Germplasm against Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus and Identification of Resistance in Solanum pimpinellifolium.

The tomato is one of the most important vegetable crops grown worldwide. Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), a seed-borne tobamovirus, poses a serious threat to tomato production due to its ability to break the resistant genes (Tm-1, Tm-2, Tm-22) in tomatoes. The objective of this work was to identify new resistant source(s) of tomato germplasm against ToBRFV. To achieve this aim, a total of 476 accessions from 12 Solanum species were tested with the ToBRFV US isolate for their resistance and susceptibility. As a result, a total of 44 asymptomatic accessions were identified as resistant/tolerant, including thirty-one accessions of S. pimpinellifolium, one accession of S. corneliomulleri, four accessions of S. habrochaites, three accessions of S. peruvianum, and five accessions of S. subsection lycopersicon hybrid. Further analyses using serological tests identified four highly resistant S. pimpinellifolium lines, PI 390713, PI 390714, PI 390716, and PI 390717. The inheritance of resistance in the selected lines was verified in the next generation and confirmed using RT-qPCR. To our knowledge, this is a first report of high resistance to ToBRFV in S. pimpinellifolium. These new genetic resources will expand the genetic pool available for breeders to develop new resistant cultivars of tomato against ToBRFV.

Unveiling the sweetness: evaluating yield and quality attributes of early generation sweet corn (Zea mays subsp. sachharata) inbred lines through morphological, biochemical and marker-based approaches.

Sweet corn is gaining tremendous demand worldwide due to urbanization and changing consumer preferences. However, genetic improvement in this crop is being limited by narrow genetic base and other undesirable agronomic traits that hinder the development of superior cultivars. The main requirement in this direction is the development of potentially promising parental lines. One of the most important strategies in this direction is to develop such lines from hybrid-oriented source germplasm which may provide diverse base material with desirable biochemical and agro-morphological attributes. The study was undertaken to carry out morphological and biochemical evaluation of 80 early generation inbred lines (S2) of sweet corn that were developed from a cross between two single cross sweet corn hybrids (Mithas and Sugar-75). Moreover, validation of favourable recessive alleles for sugar content was carried out using SSR markers. The 80 sweet corn inbreds evaluated for phenotypic characterization showed wide range of variability with respect to different traits studied. The highest content of total carotenoids was found in the inbred S27 (34μgg-1) followed by the inbred S65 (31.1μgg-1). The highest content for total sugars was found in S60 (8.54%) followed by S14 (8.34%). Molecular characterization of 80 inbred lines led to the identification of seven inbreds viz., S21, S28, S47, S48, S49, S53, and S54, carrying the alleles specific to the sugary gene (su1) with respect to the markers umc2061 and bnlg1937. Comparing the results of scatter plot for biochemical and morphological traits, it was revealed that inbreds S9, S23, S27 and S36 contain high levels of total sugars and total carotenoids along with moderate values for amylose and yield attributing traits. The inbred lines identified with desirable biochemical and agro-morphological attributes in the study could be utilized as source of favourable alleles in sweet corn breeding programmes after further validation for disease resistance and other agronomic traits. Consequently, the study will not only enhance the genetic base of sweet corn germplasm but also has the potential to develop high-yielding hybrids with improved quality. The inbreds possessing su1 gene on the basis of umc2061 and bnlg1937 markers were also found to possess high sugar content. This indicates the potential of these lines as desirable candidates for breeding programs aimed at improving sweet corn yield and quality. These findings also demonstrate the effectiveness of the molecular markers in facilitating marker-assisted selection for important traits in sweet corn breeding.

Late‐heading parental selection in orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.)

AbstractDactylis glomerata L., orchardgrass or cocksfoot, is frequently planted as a companion crop in perennial forage legumes such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). However, many commercial orchardgrass cultivars flower earlier than legumes, resulting in a reduction in grass yield and nutritional value if harvested to maximize the legume. Additionally, during orchardgrass seed production over years, later flowering can gradually shift to earlier flowering. In this study, we employed parental selection based on half‐sib family (HS‐family) trait values for dry matter yield (DMY) and heading date (HD), and augmented it with marker‐assisted selection to enrich for late‐heading‐associated alleles in six vernalization and flowering time candidate genes. The parent population resulted from polycrossing three late‐heading orchardgrass germplasm sources and evaluating 94 HS‐families. HDs differed by years and locations for both the parent and HS‐family populations. Of the 313 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified within the candidate genes, 16 were associated with HD with a range of effects from 0.48 to 3.37 days to heading. An SNP detected across multiple years and locations in this study was also found in a previous study, within the intron of the Constans 1 gene (DgCO1). DMY was not highly significant in this study, highlighting a large environmental effect alongside lower variation across the HS‐families. However, parental plants fixed for the SNP within DgCO1 showed a trend to later heading as well as higher DMY.

Growth and yield of some genotypes of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in response to begomovirus resistance

Capsicum annuum is the widely cultivated and consumed species in the world. Planting virus-resistant chili varieties is one of the reliable disease control strategies to overcome viral attacks. Local high-yielding varieties can be used as a source of germplasm in the assembly of chili peppers resistant to Begomovirus. This study is aimed to determine the growth and yield some chili pepper in response to Begomovirus resistance. This research was carried out at the Saree Agricultural Extension Training Center and Horticulture Laboratory at Syiah Kuala University. This research was designed using a non-factorial Randomized Block Design. Planting materials used were four chili pepper, namely as genotype of Perintis, Lolay, Karo and Kencana as a variety of comparison. The results showed that genotype Perintis and Lolay have better in plant height, plant stem diameter, the faster flowering time, the best of fruit weight per plant and weight per fruit. The faster harvest times and the number of fruits per plant are found in genotype Perintis. Genotype Perintis has slowly attached by Begomovirus, but at the age 135 days after transplanting, all of the plants (Perintis, Lolay, Karo, Kencana) were attacked by Begomovirus.

Solute contributions to osmotic adjustment in leaf segments of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) exposed to polyethylene glycol-induced water deficit

ABSTRACT This study examined osmotic adjustment (OA) and solutes accumulated in leaf segments of wheat cultivar Hartog exposed to polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced water deficit (WD) in laboratory experiments. Additional 10 mM K+ or Na+ added to basal solution with PEG −0.5 MPa enhanced leaf OA by up to 100%. Omission of nitrogen from the basal solution suppressed the expression of OA in leaf segments, but the addition of 10 mM NO3 – increased leaf OA by up to 81%. K+ and glycinebetaine were not accumulated in leaf segments exposed to WD under PEG −0.5 MPa during 48 h, but Na+, Cl−, proline and total soluble sugars accounted for up to 21, 20, 7 and 40% of OA, respectively. Total soluble sugars were the largest contributor to OA and may also contribute to membrane stability. Further data are needed on accumulation of leaf NO3 − and glycinebetaine in response to increasing nitrogen supply, and on which other inorganic and organic solutes may also contribute to OA under PEG-induced WD. Laboratory experiments with leaf segments exposed to WD under −0.5 MPa PEG, and with 10 mM K+, Na+ or NO3 − added to the basal solution, could provide an effective and rapid pre-screen of diverse germplasm sources for OA expression. Selected genotypes should then be validated by exposure to soil WD for agronomic evaluation, and for OA expression under field WD.

Warm‐season turfgrass species genotype‐by‐environment interaction for turfgrass quality under drought

AbstractOne of the biggest challenges the turfgrass industry is currently facing is limitations of available water for irrigation of turfgrass areas. Efforts on breeding for drought resistance have increased over the past several years across the United States. Thus, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the performance of bermudagrass (Cynodon spp. Rich.), St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walter) Kuntze), seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Swartz) and zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp. Willd.) breeding lines from five different breeding programs under drought and estimate genetic parameters in order to increase selection efficiency for drought resistance improvement in these breeding programs. The germplasm sources were bermudagrass from Oklahoma State University and University of Georgia (UGA); St. Augustinegrass from North Carolina State University, Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) and University of Florida (UF); zoysiagrass from UF and TAMUS; seashore paspalum from UGA. Field trials were conducted from 2016 to 2019 at research facilities in Citra, FL and Dallas, TX. The response variables evaluated were per cent living ground cover (%GC), and turfgrass quality under normal or non‐drought (TQND) and drought conditions (TQD). The genetic variance was significant for TQND and TQD in bermudagrass, TQD in St. Augustinegrass and all traits in zoysiagrass. The heritability estimates were higher for TQD than for TQND in bermudagrass and St. Augustinegrass. Genetic correlation estimates showed that indirect selection can be effective to select drought‐resistant genotypes. Several genotypes performed better than all commercial cultivars in both St. Augustinegrass and zoysiagrass.

Registration of R16‐45 as a flood‐tolerant, high‐yielding soybean germplasm line

AbstractR16‐45 (Reg. no. GP‐526, PI 704118) is a high‐yielding soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] breeding line with flood tolerance at early reproductive stages released as germplasm by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station in 2023. It is an F2 selection from the cross between the flood‐tolerant breeding line R07‐6669 and the high‐yielding Arkansas cultivar ‘UA 5612’. R16‐45 is a conventional (non‐genetically modified) soybean with a relative maturity of 5.6. Plants have determinate growth habit, white flower color, and buff hilum color. It has gray pubescence, tan pod wall at maturity, and yellow cotyledons with a dull yellow seed coat. R16‐45 showed high yield potential and broad adaptability across 17 environments in Arkansas and other southern states, with an average of 4145 kg ha−1 (95.3% of the checks’ mean). Six years of field evaluations for flooding tolerance showed that R16‐45 is consistently tolerant to 8‐to‐10‐day flooding stress at the R1/R2 growth stages (average flood damage score of 3.6, compared with 6.0 from the reference checks). In addition, R16‐45 is resistant to stem canker. Given substantial yield losses associated with flooding stress and stem canker, R16‐45 is a valuable germplasm source for public and private soybean breeding programs attempting to incorporate novel genetic diversity into their breeding pipeline.

Intraspecific discrimination power of plastid coding region rbcL as DNA barcoding marker in Dalbergia sissoo population of Pakistan

The conservation of diseases resistant sources of Dalbergia sissoo germplasm has attained the key status among the Agricultural prospects and solution against their possible threats. For this purpose, the best strategy is DNA barcoding based on nuclear, mitochondrial and plastid genomic regions. This approach is frequently used for species discrimination but its potential to discriminate the individuals at intraspecific level could also be worth exploring considerably. Hence, in the present study the potential of rbcL DNA barcode was evaluated for demonstrating intraspecific variation among the shisham genotypes collected across Pakistan. DNA barcoding analysis was performed on 20 selected shisham genotypes. Nucleotide sequences were analyzed to confirm genetic diversity among studied genotypes (θw = 1.000, π = 0.00172). The allelic profile of data yielded 11 unique sequence types (STs) numbers. The phylogenetic tree based on SYM+G model revealed the discriminatory power of rbcL DNA barcode to resolve and differentiate the individuals at intraspecific level. Keywords: Allelic profile, Sequence types, Akaike Information Criterion, Typing efficiency, DNA substitution.

Identification of High-Yielding Soybean Lines with Exceptional Seed Composition Qualities

In current markets, the primary uses for soybean seeds are in products derived from their oil or protein content. However, growers are compensated based on seed yield, so a more valuable crop is one that does not compromise on yield when compared with existing options, with an optimum combination of protein and oil. A negative correlation of seed protein with seed yield and oil makes the simultaneous improvement of these traits difficult but not impossible through conventional breeding. Selections of lines with exceptional yield and seed composition were made from two recombinant inbred line (RIL) soybean mapping populations to identify high protein and/or high oil lines with yields comparable to elite cultivars. The performance of these RILs was evaluated in multiple environments, and several genotypes were identified with yields comparable to those of high-yielding check cultivars with seed protein and/or oil content superior to the checks. These genotypes will provide breeders with additional sources of germplasm for continuing efforts to improve seed composition traits without compromising seed yield and provide growers with more profitable cultivars.

Morphological Characteristics and Similarity Analysis of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in Wonosobo, Temanggung, and Magelang Regencies

The diversity of cassava in Wonosobo, Temanggung and Magelang districts must be investigated. The objective of the study was to analyze the diversity of cassava based on morphological characteristics. The cassava of each accession was planted in Bandongan, Magelang Regency. Morphological characters observed after six months of planting included apical leaf color, apical leaf hair, leaf lobe shape, petiole color, leaf color, number of leaf lobes, leaf length, leaf width, petiole length, vein color, petiole orientation, color epidermis of stem, color of outer appearance of stem, distance between nodes, stem growth, color of mature branch tip, branching type, tuber, tuber shape, outer tuber skin color, tuber flesh color, and tuber inner skin color. Analysis of the morphological characteristics of cassava is presented in the form of a dendrogram using the MVSP (Multi Variate Statistical Package) version 3.22. The results of the study obtained 39 accessions of cassava which showed different morphological characteristics. The lowest morphological similarity (0.735) was found in Group I only consisted of 2 acquisitions that did not have tubers, namely Red Vegetables and Green Vegetables and Group II ( Groups III and IV) have a similarity of 0.92. The highest similarity was in groups IIIa and IIIb and Groups IVa and IVb have a similarity coefficient value of 0.95. The morphological diversity of 39 accessions is a source of cassava germplasm: 37 accessions are harvested for tubers and 2 accessions areharvested explicitly for leaves as vegetables. This research was useful for the development of cassava-based food industry bioproducts.

Predicting genetic response to future climate change in Eucalyptus grandis by combining genomic data with climate models

Exploring the genetic response of forest trees to climate change can provide rapid and economical scientific guidance for forest management. A viable genomic approach, environmental association analysis (EAA) can help forest managers make informed decisions about conservation and translocation of wild populations, selection in breeding populations, or other management interventions. To accomplish this, EAA associates environmental drivers with genomic information to identify the underlying genes responsible for adaptation. In this study, high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were assayed in 137 individuals of Eucalyptus grandis from 16 populations using double-digest genotyping-by-sequencing (ddGBS), leading to the identification of 50 putative adaptive loci and 11 adaptive genes. The predicted precipitation of the coldest quarter was identified as an important driver of genetic variation using generalized dissimilarity modelling and risk of non-adaptedness (RONA) analyses. Sixteen populations showed low overall risk of non-adaptedness under different future climatic scenarios. However, three populations at the extremities of the species’ natural range showed higher risk of non-adaptedness with RONA scores > 0.1 in the late-century period (2081–2100) of a high-emission scenario. The results of this study suggest that several populations could be suitable sources of adaptive germplasm for future management interventions, such as translocations. Overall, this study demonstrates a practicable and effective strategy to assess the local adaptation of forest trees, and potentially other organisms using E. grandis as an example. The benefits and potential areas for future improvement of EAA in the context of forest management under projected future climate scenarios are discussed.

IDENTIFICATION OF OUTSTANDING SALADETTE TOMATO LINES WITH A WIDENED GENETIC BASE

The “bell pepper” or “chino criollo” tomato is a native Mexican variety with similar characteristics to the “Saladette” tomato and the potential to be used as a source of germplasm to generate commercial hybrids of this type. The aim of this investigation was to identify and select advanced lines with a wide genetic base, derived from crosses between Saladette tomatoes and native populations to generate free pollination varieties and potential parents of Saladette tomato hybrids. The hypothesis was that crosses between native populations and Saladette commercial hybrids generate outstanding offspring. The 103 genotypes evaluated included 10 native parents, three parents derived from commercial hybrids, one commercial hybrid control (“El Cid”) and 89 S4 advanced lines. The evaluation was carried out in a greenhouse and hydroponics during the 2020 spring-summer cycle, using a randomized complete block experimental design with three replications and four plants per replication. The total weight and number of fruits were recorded based on the sum of the two cuts performed. The days to flowering of the first cluster, average fruit weight, and total soluble solids were also determined. Analyses of variance were carried out for each variable, as well as orthogonal contrasts and correlations between different combinations of the materials of interest. The comparison of means was carried out using Tukey’s test (p ≤ 0.05). Nine advanced lines with similar or greater characteristics to the control were identified and are recommended to be recombined genetically in a diallelic cross scheme to identify new outstanding offspring. The advanced line 2051 (LOR85 X C) was identified, with a similar yield to that reported for the control, which can be used as an open pollination variety since it has similar characteristics to the control “El Cid”, but with native tomato genes.

Genome-wide analysis of the AP2/ERF gene family in Tritipyrum and the response of TtERF_B2-50 in salt-tolerance

The AP2/ERF transcription factor is widely distributed across the plant kingdom and plays a crucial role in various abiotic stress responses in plants. Tritipyrum, an octoploid resulting from an intergeneric cross between Triticum aestivum (AABBDD) and Thinopyrum elongatum (EE), is a valuable source of germplasm for incorporating superior traits of Th. elongatum into T. aestivum. With the recent availability of whole -genome sequences for T. aestivum and Th. elongatum, we explored the organization and expression profiling of Tritipyrum AP2/ERF genes across the entire genome. Our investigation identified 543 Tritipyrum AP2/ERF genes, which evolutionary analysis categorized into four major groups (AP2, DREB, ERF, and RAV), whose members share a conserved motif composition. These 543 TtAP2/ERF genes were distributed throughout 28 chromosomes, with 132 duplications. Synteny analysis suggests that the AP2/ERF gene family may have a common ancestor. Transcriptome data and Real-Time PCR expression profiles revealed 43 TtAP2/ERF genes with high expression levels in response to various salt stressors and recovery regimens. Tel2E01T236300 (TtERF_B2-50) was particularly salt stress-sensitive and evolutionarily related to the salt-tolerant gene AtERF7 in A. thaliana. Pearson correlation analysis identified 689 genes positively correlated (R > 0.9) with TtERF_B2-50 expression, enriched in metabolic activities, cellular processes, stimulus response, and biological regulation. Real-time PCR showed that TtERF_B2-50 was highly expressed in roots, stems, and leaves under salt stress. These findings suggest that TtERF_B2-50 may be associated with salt stress tolerance and may serve as a valuable foreign gene for enhancing salt tolerance in wheat.

Stratified haploid identification system through the R1-nj kernel and reduced seedling vigor in tropical maize germplasm

Abstract. Thawarorit A, Dermail A, Lertrat K, Chankaew S, Suriharn K. 2023. Stratified haploid identification system through the R1-nj kernel and reduced seedling vigor in tropical maize germplasm. Biodiversitas 24: 4262-4268. Haploid identification through the R1-nj marker is commonly applied in in-vivo doubled haploid technology in maize, although misclassification issues often occur. We explored the innate properties of maternal haploids at the seedling stage to verify true haploids and to reduce false positives. There are many questions about whether reduced seedling vigor is effective for haploid verification in tropical maize backgrounds. This study aimed to evaluate the haploid induction rate of Stock6-derived F3 population inducers and to investigate the effectiveness of reduced seedling vigor at the V2/V3stage as an alternative marker to verify putative haploids. Field trials and haploid induction were conducted in the rainy season of 2021 and the dry season of 2021/22 in Khon Kaen, Thailand. Two tropical source germplasm: P789 and S7328, were included as donor females. Haploids were identified through the R1-nj marker and reduced seedling vigor. Significant reduction of haploid frequency up to 2.5% on average between the two identification methods, indicating that a considerable number of false positives could be found using reduced seedling vigor. Inducer population K11 was promising since it performed a stable ability to produce haploids over donors and seasons and had a low misclassification rate. Further breeding strategies and haploid selection schemes are discussed.

Light-Induced TaHY5-7A and TaBBX-3B Physically Interact to Promote PURPLE PERICARP-MYB 1 Expression in Purple-Grained Wheat.

Purple-grained wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important germplasm source in crop breeding. Anthocyanin biosynthesis in the pericarps of purple-grained wheat is largely light-dependent; however, the regulatory mechanisms underlying light-induced anthocyanin accumulation in the wheat pericarp remain unknown. Here we determined that anthocyanins rapidly accumulate in the pericarps of the purple-grained wheat cultivar Heixiaomai 76 (H76) at 16 days after pollination under light treatment. Using transcriptome sequencing, differential gene expression analysis, and phylogenetic analysis, we identified two key genes involved in light signaling in wheat: ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5-7A (TaHY5-7A) and B-BOX-3B (TaBBX-3B). TaHY5-7A and TaBBX-3B were highly expressed in purple-grained wheat pericarps. The heterologous expression of TaHY5-7A partially restored the phenotype of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) hy5 mutant, resulting in increased anthocyanin accumulation and a shortened hypocotyl. The heterologous expression of TaBBX-3B in wild-type Arabidopsis had similar effects. TaHY5-7A and TaBBX-3B were nucleus-localized, consistent with a function in transcription regulation. However, TaHY5-7A, which lacks a transactivation domain, was not sufficient to activate the expression of PURPLE PERICARP-MYB 1 (TaPpm1), the key anthocyanin biosynthesis regulator in purple pericarps of wheat. TaHY5-7A physically interacted with TaBBX-3B in yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays. Additionally, TaHY5-7A, together with TaBBX-3B, greatly enhanced the promoter activity of TaPpm1 in a dual luciferase assay. Overall, our results suggest that TaHY5-7A and TaBBX-3B collaboratively activate TaPpm1 expression to promote light-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis in purple-pericarp wheat.

Genetic diversity of the breeding collection of tomato varieties in Kazakhstan assessed using SSR, SCAR and CAPS markers.

Tomato is one of the most prominent crops in global horticulture and an important vegetable crop in Kazakhstan. The lack of data on the genetic background of local varieties limits the development of tomato breeding in the country. This study aimed to perform an initial evaluation of the breeding collection of tomato varieties from the point of view of their genetic structure and pathogen resistance using a set of PCR based molecular markers, including 13 SSR markers for genetic structure analysis, and 14 SCAR and CAPS markers associated with resistance to five pathogens: three viruses, fungus Fusarium oxysporum, and oomycete P hytophthora infestans. Nine SSR markers were with a PIC value varying from 0.0562 (low information content) to 0.629 (high information content). A weak genetic structure was revealed in the samples of varieties including local cultivars and, predominantly, varieties from Russia and other ex-USSR countries. The local varieties were closely related to several groups of cultivars of Russian origin. Screening for a set of resistance markers revealed the common occurrence of the resistance locus I against Fusarium oxysporum and only the occasional presence of resistance alleles of other markers. No markers of resistance to the three considered viruses were revealed in local tomato varieties. Only two local cultivars had markers of resistance to P. infestans, and only the 'Meruert' cultivar had a combination of resistance markers against P. infestans and F. oxysporum. The obtained results have demonstrated the need for further studies of local tomato varieties with a wider range of molecular markers and source germplasm to lay a foundation for the development of tomato breeding in Kazakhstan.

Reactions of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) Genotypes for Blast Resistance and Yield in Wukari and Takum Taraba State, Nigeria

Finger millet contains high level of methionine, tryptophan, vitamin B, fibre and minerals such as phosphorus, iron, calcium, which serve a good source of balance diet formulations for hypertension, obesity, diabetic patients, pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, people leaving with HIV, malnourished people, incidence of iron deficiency (anemia), and calcium deficiency causing rickets in young children. Production constraints responsible for the low yields have been identified as pests, blast and Striga, drought, low soil fertility, labor intensity, high weed infestation, low yielding varieties, lodging, and poor attitude to the crop. Finger millet blast about 50% yield losses. This disease has been identified as the highest priority constraint to finger millet production in Nigeria, since most landraces and a number of other genotypes are highly susceptible. Field trials were conducted on 22 germplasm (U 15, P224, ACC 32, ACC14, KNE814, IE 3779, KNE 628, KNE 688, KNE 1149, Etiyo Brown, Gulu E, Kala, RW 127(IE 6613), KNE 392, GBK 029681, ACC 3953, GBK 011136A, KNE 689, KNE 1034, Emiroit, Red local check and Black local check) from ICRISAT and farmers in 3 replicates at Wukari and Takum in 2019, to assess for blast disease resistance and yield. A significant negative correlation (0.52) was found between blast severity and DF (days to flowering) suggesting that late/medium flowering varieties are more resistant than the early ones as indicated by genotypes KNE814, IE 3779, KNE 628, KNE 688, KNE 1149, Gulu E,, KNE 392, GBK 029681, ACC 3953, GBK 011136A, KNE 689, KNE 1034, Emiroit and Red (local check) varieties, which were medium maturing and highly resistance to blast disease, with foliar blast severity (1.07 - 3.0), neck blast (1.5 - 2.5) and finger blast (11 - 25 %), NET (3.45 - 4.38), NFPH (5.80) and subsequently highest yield (1565 - 1887 kg/ha), compared to black local variety with the highest foliar blast severity (4.00 - 6.70), neck blast (2.7 - 4.40), finger blast (32 - 36 %), NET (2.50 - 2.70), NFPH (3.30 - 4.70) and lowest yield (688 - 989 kg/ha), respectively in Wukari and Takum locations. Hence, these varieties resistant to foliar, neck, finger blast diseases, good yield parameters are recommended as sources of germplasm for genetic improvement and further research.

Reactions of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) Genotypes for Blast Resistance and Yield in Wukari and Takum Taraba State, Nigeria

Finger millet contains high level of methionine, tryptophan, vitamin B, fibre and minerals such as phosphorus, iron, calcium, which serve a good source of balance diet formulations for hypertension, obesity, diabetic patients, pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, people leaving with HIV, malnourished people, incidence of iron deficiency (anemia), and calcium deficiency causing rickets in young children. Production constraints responsible for the low yields have been identified as pests, blast and Striga, drought, low soil fertility, labor intensity, high weed infestation, low yielding varieties, lodging, and poor attitude to the crop. Finger millet blast about 50% yield losses. This disease has been identified as the highest priority constraint to finger millet production in Nigeria, since most landraces and a number of other genotypes are highly susceptible. Field trials were conducted on 22 germplasm (U 15, P224, ACC 32, ACC14, KNE814, IE 3779, KNE 628, KNE 688, KNE 1149, Etiyo Brown, Gulu E, Kala, RW 127(IE 6613), KNE 392, GBK 029681, ACC 3953, GBK 011136A, KNE 689, KNE 1034, Emiroit, Red local check and Black local check) from ICRISAT and farmers in 3 replicates at Wukari and Takum in 2019, to assess for blast disease resistance and yield. A significant negative correlation (0.52) was found between blast severity and DF (days to flowering) suggesting that late/medium flowering varieties are more resistant than the early ones as indicated by genotypes KNE814, IE 3779, KNE 628, KNE 688, KNE 1149, Gulu E,, KNE 392, GBK 029681, ACC 3953, GBK 011136A, KNE 689, KNE 1034, Emiroit and Red (local check) varieties, which were medium maturing and highly resistance to blast disease, with foliar blast severity (1.07 - 3.0), neck blast (1.5 - 2.5) and finger blast (11 - 25 %), NET (3.45 - 4.38), NFPH (5.80) and subsequently highest yield (1565 - 1887 kg/ha), compared to black local variety with the highest foliar blast severity (4.00 - 6.70), neck blast (2.7 - 4.40), finger blast (32 - 36 %), NET (2.50 - 2.70), NFPH (3.30 - 4.70) and lowest yield (688 - 989 kg/ha), respectively in Wukari and Takum locations. Hence, these varieties resistant to foliar, neck, finger blast diseases, good yield parameters are recommended as sources of germplasm for genetic improvement and further research.