Suitable Genotypes Research Articles

Lipoxygenase 결핍된 Non-GM콩의 특성

ABSTRACT The properties of non-GM soybeans with lipoxygenase (LOX) free genotypes, such as Gaechuck#1 (black, LOX2,3-free), Gaechuck#2 (yellow, LOX2,3-free) and Jinyangkong (yellow, LOX1,2,3-free), were compared to Taekwangkong (yellow, LOX1,2,3-present) as control. Length and weight of soybeans were significantly longer in Gaechuck#1, but LOX free genotypes of yellow beans was smaller than Taekwangkong, in terms the size and weight. After soaking for 12 hr, increased ratios of soybean weight were 217.07～226.55%, and they were significantly higher in Gaechuck#2. The total color difference (ΔE) to Taekwangkong was the highest in Gaechuck#1, but another yellow soybean were similar. Crude lipids content was significantly higher in Taekwangkong (17.30%), and these LOX free genotypes (13.71～14.66%) did not show significant difference. Crude protein contents were significantly higher in Gaechuck#1 (34.79%) compared to the other soybeans (32.93～33.47%). Contents of glutamic acid among the detected composition amino acid were highest, and its total contents were highest in Gaechuck#1 (32.42 g/100 g), and the total content of Gaechuck#2 was similar to Taekwangkong. Contents of total isoflavone were higher in LOX free genotypes than Taekwangkong, especially significantly higher in Gaechuck#1 (1672.54 μg/g). Contents of total phenol were highest in Gaechuck#1 (276.91 mg/100 g), and flavonoids content of Gaechuck#1 (26.93 mg/100 g) was 2.6～2.8 times higher than the other samples. DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging activities and reducing power were significantly higher in Gaechuck#1. The yield of soybean curd from tested samples was the highest in Gaechuck#2. Gaechuck#2 as LOX free genotypes was similar to Taekwangkong with regard to physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities. Therefore, we propose that Gaechuck#2 is a more suitable genotype for soybean curd products.

Improvement of somatic embryogenesis and plantlet conversion in Oplopanax elatus, an endangered medicinal woody plant.

Oplopanax elatus is a medicinal plant on the verge of extinction because of overexploitation. In the present study, the effects of various factors on enhancing somatic embryogenesis and plantlet conversion were studied. Mature seeds were collected from a total of 13 plants from 4 mountains in South Korea, and the genetic distances were calculated to analyze the effect of genotype on somatic embryogenesis. Results of cluster analysis and the unweighted-pair-group method with arithmetic mean of 13 genotypes indicated the presence of 3 main groups. Both genotype and explant type affected the induction of somatic embryos (SEs). Sorak 2 and root were found to be the most suitable genotype and explant type, respectively, for SE induction in O. elatus. Among the different types of carbon sources tested, 5% sucrose induced the maximum number of SEs. The formation and development of SEs were significantly influenced by culture density; thus, 10 mg embryonic callus was found to be the most suitable for SE induction. The highest rates of germination and SE conversion were obtained in a germination medium containing 1.8 gelrite and 3.2 g·l-1 agar. In addition, 80% of the plantlets that were transplanted into artificial soil acclimatized successfully. Thus, our results showed that the percentage survival of O. elatus during in vitro proliferation could be increased by optimizing to the somatic embryogenesis system.

Seasonal reproductive performance of crossbred ewes in intensive lamb-production systems

The lambing performance of 1179 crossbred ewes with 5540 joining records in three seasons (autumn, winter and spring) at two sites (Cowra and Wagga Wagga) was evaluated in three lamb-production systems (spring joining with autumn backup matings at both locations, with accelerated lambing at Cowra or annual autumn joining at Wagga Wagga) over 4 years. Two genotypes of ewes, Border Leicester × Merino (BLM) and Hyfer (Dorset × Merino composite), were used at both sites, with natural matings to Dorset, Suffolk or Hyfer rams. The following five traits were analysed separately at each site to evaluate ewe lambing performance: fertility, litter size, lambs born (per ewe joined), lambs weaned (per ewe joined) and weight of lamb weaned (per ewe joined). The mixed model included fixed effects for season of joining, ewe breed, ram group, ewe prejoining weight (spline) and their interactions, with ewe fitted as a random effect. The autumn (February) joinings had higher ewe fertility, litter size and overall lamb production than did joinings in spring (October and November), with winter (June) being intermediate. At the autumn joinings, the BLM ewes had higher fertility, lambs weaned and weight of lamb weaned than did the Hyfer ewes, although this was reversed at the spring joinings, causing significant season × ewe breed interactions. While litter size was larger in the autumn than in the spring for both breeds there was a much smaller seasonal effect among the Hyfer than BLM ewes. Prejoining ewe weight had a significant effect on all reproduction traits, with generally a curvilinear response with increasing weight. The interactions of weight with season × ewe breed were significant (P < 0.001) for all traits at Cowra and most traits at Wagga Wagga. Ram group was significant (P < 0.05) for most traits, with ewes joined to Hyfer rams having higher fertility than those joined to Suffolk. and with Dorset rams being intermediate. At Wagga Wagga, this was the case for spring joinings, but there was no difference between the ram groups in autumn, causing a significant ram × season interaction (P < 0.001). Ewe repeatability ranged from 0.15 to 0.25 for all traits. Using suitable breeds or genotypes, together with optimising management, could improve out-of-season lamb production.

The mismeasure of machine: Synthetic biology and the trouble with engineering metaphors

The scientific study of living organisms is permeated by machine and design metaphors. Genes are thought of as the “blueprint” of an organism, organisms are “reverse engineered” to discover their functionality, and living cells are compared to biochemical factories, complete with assembly lines, transport systems, messenger circuits, etc. Although the notion of design is indispensable to think about adaptations, and engineering analogies have considerable heuristic value (e.g., optimality assumptions), we argue they are limited in several important respects. In particular, the analogy with human-made machines falters when we move down to the level of molecular biology and genetics. Living organisms are far more messy and less transparent than human-made machines. Notoriously, evolution is an opportunistic tinkerer, blindly stumbling on “designs” that no sensible engineer would come up with. Despite impressive technological innovation, the prospect of artificially designing new life forms from scratch has proven more difficult than the superficial analogy with “programming” the right “software” would suggest. The idea of applying straightforward engineering approaches to living systems and their genomes—isolating functional components, designing new parts from scratch, recombining and assembling them into novel life forms—pushes the analogy with human artifacts beyond its limits. In the absence of a one-to-one correspondence between genotype and phenotype, there is no straightforward way to implement novel biological functions and design new life forms. Both the developmental complexity of gene expression and the multifarious interactions of genes and environments are serious obstacles for “engineering” a particular phenotype. The problem of reverse-engineering a desired phenotype to its genetic “instructions” is probably intractable for any but the most simple phenotypes. Recent developments in the field of bio-engineering and synthetic biology reflect these limitations. Instead of genetically engineering a desired trait from scratch, as the machine/engineering metaphor promises, researchers are making greater strides by co-opting natural selection to “search” for a suitable genotype, or by borrowing and recombining genetic material from extant life forms.

Screening of Salt Tolerant CIP Potato Germplasm for Saline Areas

Fifteen salt tolerant CIP (International Potato Centre) Potato genotypes along with BARI (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute) Alu 7 (Diamant) and one local variety viz., Dohazari Sada were evaluated at Bashkhali, Chittagong during 2011-12 to screen the suitable genotypes for cultivation in saline areas of Bangladesh. Diamant and Dohazari Sada and all of the CIP genotypes were found to grow well up to 60 DAP (Days After Planting) at saline areas having healthy plants and no senescence was noticed but after that 61-100% plants died due to high level of soil salinity (6.41dS/m) depending on genotypes. Genotype CIP 112 gave the highest yield (21.07 t/ha) and CIP 102 was comparatively less affected by soil salinity than the other genotypes. However, all the salt tolerant CIP genotypes were found to be promising in the saline soil. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/agric.v11i1.15249 The Agriculturists 2013; 11(1) 95-102

Combining ability and genetic components for pod and seed traits in cowpea lines

The identification of suitable parental genotypes potentially generating superior lines with traits contributing to the overall yield of cowpea is an important step in the development of improved varieties. Eight parents and their 28 hybrids obtained through diallel crossing design were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Highly significant differences among the parents and their hybrids for different traits were observed. General combining ability (GCA) mean squares were larger than the specific combining ability mean squares for all the traits analysed. The ratio h 2 /H 2 revealed different number of genes controlling the traits, pointing out their polygenic inherited control. The estimated low narrow sense heritability recorded in this study indicated that recurrent selection procedure could be effective to improve the analysed traits in the genotypes included in this study. Kananado with large, positive and significant GCA effects was identified as the parent with desirable genes for the genetic improvement of the considered yield component in cowpea. In addition, IT03K-316-1 x Cowpea-2 and IT99K-316-2 x Kananado seemed to be the best hybrids for number of pods/plant and 100-seed weight, respectively.

Agro-morphological characterization and assessment of variability, heritability, genetic advance and divergence in bacterial blight resistant rice genotypes

Genetic based knowledge of different growth traits including morphological, physiological and developmental plays fundamental role in the improvement of rice. Genetic divergence allows superior recombinants which are essential in any crop development project. Forty-one rice genotypes including bacterial blight (BB) resistant and susceptible checks were assessed for 13 morphological traits. Among the genotypes, almost all the traits exhibited highly significant variation. The higher extent of genotypic (GCV) as well as phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) were noticed for number of tillers hill−1, total number of spikelets panicle−1, number of filled grains panicle−1, and yield hill−1. High heritability together with high genetic advance was observed for total number of spikelets panicle−1, number of filled grains panicle−1, and yield hill−1 indicating dominant role of additive gene action in the expression of these traits. Number of filled grains panicle−1 exhibited positive correlation with most of the traits. Yield hill−1 showed a good number of highly significant positive correlations with number of filled grain panicle−1, total number of spikelets panicle−1, 1000 grain weight hill−1, number of panicle hill−1, and panicle length. The UPGMA dendrogram divided all the genotypes in to six major clusters. The PCA showed 13 morphological traits generated about 71% of total variation among all the genotypes under this study. On the basis of 13 morphological traits, genotypes such as IRBB2, IRBB4, IRBB13, IRBB21, and MR263 could be hybridized with genotypes MR84, MR159, MRQ50, MRQ74, PH9 and IR8 in order to develop suitable BB resistant rice genotypes.

Multivariate analysis for yield and its component traits in rice (Oryza sativaL.) under alkaline soil condition

A study was undertaken to assess the response of rice genotypes grown under alkaline soil condition using various multivariate analytical tools. ANOVA and MANOVA revealed significant differences among 33 genotypes for different traits. Principal component analysis (PCA) grouped the traits into three components, which jointly explained 67% of the total variation. Largest variation was explained by total biomass, spikelet per panicle and grain yield per panicle. When different alkalinity groups were compared in pairwise fashion using SIMPER analysis, it was found that there is no common trait to differentiate between the groups. Considering all traits together, Vikas and KMR 3 were identified as the most suitable genotypes which can be utilized as donors for tolerance to alkalinity.

Correlation between the morphological characters of pomegranate (Punica granatum) traits and their implications for breeding

Pomegranate is one of the most important horticultural crops in Iran. Selection of suitable genotypes resistant to unfavourable environmental and soil conditions and diseases is important for increasing the yield efficiency and acreage of this important crop. The aim of this research was to compare commercial pomegranate genotypes in Iran and to determine any correlations between morphological characteristics. Eight pomegranate types were used during the research. Twenty-six morphological characteristics were evaluated based on the pomegranate descriptor. Results from simple correlation analyses showed significant positive and negative correlations in certain important characteristics. Titratable acidity and vitamin C were in significant correlation with chlorophyll index and leaf weight. Factor analysis was used to determine the effective characteristics and the number of main factors. For each factor loading a value of more than 0.65 was judged as being significant. Effective characteristics were categorised into 5 main factors that contributed to 94.86% of the overall variance. Fruit characteristics were defined mainly by the first factor, contributing to 34.94% of the total variance. According to this study, leaf weight and chlorophyll index can be used for separation of sour from sweet cultivars in the juvenile phase.

Genome-wide mapping of the ozone-responsive transcriptomes in rice panicle and seed tissues reveals novel insight into their regulatory events

The 'ozone (O3)-responsive transcriptome' behavior in the panicles and grains of rice plant was studied individually through high-throughput oligo-DNA microarray technique. O3 differentially and separately regulated 620 and 130 genes in the panicles and grains. Among the O3-responsive genes, 176 and 444 genes were up- and down-regulated in panicle compared to 24 and 106 genes in grain, respectively. Further mapping revealed that the majority of differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in signaling, hormonal, cell wall, transcription, proteolysis, and defense events. Many previously unknown O3-responsive novel genes were identified. Inventory of 745 O3-responsive genes and their mapping will expand our knowledge on novel regulatory processes in both panicles and grains of rice; and, serve as a resource towards the designing of rice crops for future high-O3world. Tropospheric ozone (O3) severely affects agricultural production worldwide. Present study aims to reveal a detailed O3 responsive gene network in panicle and grains of rice plants through transcriptomics approach. Our results provide an insight into the basis of O3-response in rice plants, and will help to develop suitable rice genotype for future high O3- world.

Seed Quality-Related Traits Influence Germination of Helianthus annuus L. Grown Under Three Levels of Water Supply

In order to select a suitable sunflower genotype with a high germination rate and germination speed under controlled field conditions, a selection program was launched. The effect of seed quality-related traits on the emergence time, germination percentage (G%), and germination index (GI) using three water regimes (rainfed, 50% water supply, 100% water supply) was assessed for six lines selected from an adapted sunflower population: C8.3.1.2 (Line1), 64A71 (Line 2), C7.3.2.2 (Line 3), C1.3.1.1 (Line 4), C5.2.3.2 (Line 5), and C31.1.1.2 (Line 6). Total seed crude protein (SCP), seed oil content (SOL), kernel-grain ratio (KGR), hull-kernel ratio (HKR), seed length:width ratio (LWR), and 100-seed weight (HSW) were assessed. Genotype and water regime independently affected G%, which ranged from 31%–72%, 39%–96%, and 35%–89% for rainfed, 50% water, and 100% water regimes, respectively. All lines showed the highest G% at 50% water supply except for C7.3.2.2. Except for C7.3.2.2 and C1.3.1.1, G% decreased when the water level increased. There was a significant positive correlation between KGR and G% in 50% and 100% regimes (r = 0.63, r = 0.59, respectively; P < 0.01). However, the association was significantly negative between HKR and G% in 50% and 100% regimes (r = −0.47, r = −0.63, respectively; P < 0.01). The G% in the 100% regime was also significantly and positively correlated with SCP (r = 0.49; P < 0.05). Compared with the 50% and 100% regimes, G% in the rainfed treatment was not correlated with any seed-related traits. The HKR, KGR, and SCP can be considered to be the most selective criteria since they show a significant correlation with the 50% and 100% water regimes. In conclusion, 50% water supply is the most adapted regime for most of the sunflower genotypes examined in our study.

Assessment of certain wood quality parameters of selected genotypes of Melia dubia Cav. grown in a seedling seed orchard

Certain wood quality parameters of about 9-year-old Melia dubia Cav. trees grown in a seedling seed orchard at Yeshwanthpura Research Station of Kolar research range, Karnataka India were studied. Trees were categorized into three classes depending upon their girth at the breast height––small ( 60 cm). Different anatomical (gross structure), physical and mechanical properties of the wood were evaluated using standard testing procedures and Indian Standards. The results of this study showed that there was no significant difference in the heartwood percentage and specific gravity among three girth classes. High shrinkage values from green to oven-dry condition in all the classes indicate that the timber is dimensionally unstable compared to teak. The static bending strength parameters––FS at LP, MOR and MOE, compression strength parallel to grain, compressive strength perpendicular to grain at limit of proportionality and surface hardness (side and end) were evaluated and compared among all the three girth classes. The data on mechanical properties were statistically analysed using ANOVA between three girth classes. The results on wood quality parameters may be utilized in selection of suitable genotypes for raising large scale plantations.

Leaf Functional Traits and Stem Wood Characteristics Influencing Biomass Productivity of Mulberry (Morus spp. L) Genotypes Grown in Short-Rotation Coppice System

The present study was undertaken to obtain insights into the productivity determinant traits of mulberry (Morus spp. L.), a potential bioenergy tree crop. Our objectives were to identify leaf functional traits and stem wood characteristics that are correlated to biomass yield of mulberry. Based on the growth performance, six mulberry genotypes from different performance groups including high (Selection1 and Thaibeelad), average (Mysore Local) and poor (Triploid10, Jhoropakari and Selection1635) were selected for the study, along with a reference high-yielding genotype (Victory1). The study was conducted in Southern India for two consecutive years, covering two experimental seasons including exp season I (July 2009 to October 2009) and exp season II (July 2010 to October 2010). Mulberry trees were cultivated in a short-rotation coppice system under well-irrigated optimum farming conditions. Data were collected on biomass yield along with several leaf-level physiobiochemical characteristics and wood quality parameters. Significant genetic variation was recorded amongst the genotypes in most of the studied parameters. Fifteen out of a total of 22 traits, used in computing correlation coefficient matrix, were found to correlate with aboveground biomass yield. Light-saturated rate of photosynthesis, performance index, leaf nitrogen content, minimum leaf water potential and leaf-specific hydraulic conductance showed strong positive correlation with biomass productivity. Wood density, wood cross-sectional area and fibre cell density exhibited tight correlation with woody biomass yield. In conclusion, the identified 15 characteristics could be useful in the selection of suitable mulberry genotypes for higher biomass yield.

Physiological traits related to drought tolerance in tall fescue

The physiological basis of genetic variation in drought response and its association with yield and related indices is not clear in tall fescue. In this study thirty genotypes of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were sampled from a polycross population and evaluated under two levels of irrigation in 2010 (normal and intense stress) and 2011 (normal and mild stress). Physiological traits including relative water content (RWC), total chlorophyll (TChl), chlorophyll a (Chla), chlorophyll b (Chlb), Chla/Chlb, carotenoids (Car), TChl/Car and proline content along with forage yield, agro-morpholgical traits and selection indices (stress tolerance index, STI and drought susceptibility index, DSI) were studied. Large variation and moderate to high heritability was estimated for most of the studied traits. Intense drought condition decreased chlorophyll content while mild stress significantly increased it. In the other hand intense drought stress increased Chla/b while mild stress didn’t change it. Under mild drought stress condition STI was positively correlated with RWC while under intense drought stress condition STI was positively correlated with chlorophyll content. Although proline content was significantly increased in both intense and mild drought stress conditions, no relationship was found between proline accumulation with forage yield and STI. Applications of principle component analysis for screening suitable genotypes are also discussed.

Growing floricultural crops with brackish water

In the current review we focus on the opportunity to use brackish water in the cultivation of floricultural plants, plants for which, due to their high economic value, growers have traditionally used good quality water for irrigation. Now, even for these crops the use of alternative water sources for irrigating nursery plants is needed because of the limited supplies of fresh water in many countries; understanding how saline water can be used will also enhance sustainable development in floriculture. While salt stress usually reduces plant growth, any such reduction might not be negative for ornamentals, where shoot vigour is sometime undesirable, although on flower crops salt stress can delay flowering or decrease flower quality characteristics. However, a decrease in growth rate is not enough to characterize the salt tolerance of ornamental plants, but traits like tip and marginal leaf burn, as consequence of sodium and chlorine accumulation, have to be considered for their effects on aesthetical value. With this in mind, some halophytes should be considered for floriculture because of their ability to cope with saline environments; their potential to tolerate salt is an important factor in reducing production costs. Consequently, the identification of ornamental halophytes is important for producing a commercially acceptable crop when irrigated with brackish waters. Many aspects of a plant's reaction to salt are genetically determined, so selection of suitable genotypes or breeding for salt tolerance in ornamentals are interesting options. Developing salt-tolerant floricultural crops, together with typical management practices that avoid excessive salinity stress in the root media, will provide the grower with economically and environmentally sound wastewater reuse options.

Temperature Effect on Morphobiochemical Characters in Some Black Gram (Vigna mungo) Genotypes.

Lack of suitable varieties and genotypes of black gram with adaptation to local conditions is among the factors affecting its production. Efforts to genetically improve the crop mostly involve identifying important morphological descriptors followed by development of advanced breeding lines for locale-specific cultivars. The present day available black gram varieties have not been properly characterized for their thermo sensitiveness with respect to morphological and biochemical characters. Hence efforts were taken in the present research to study the effect of the temperature on these characters in seven black gram varieties over different development stages. We aimed at studying the effect of 3 temperature regimes for identifying suitable stress tolerant genotypes. High percent germination (87.2%), root length (3.68 cm), carbohydrate content (3.72 mg g−1 fresh tissue) among the genotypes was highest at 10°C–20°C temperature. High shoot length (13.39 cm), free amino acid content (3.73 mg g−1 fresh tissue), and protein content (9.54 mg g−1 fresh tissue) was found to be present when the genotypes were exposed to 20°C–30°C temperature. The black gram varieties J.L and PDU-1 performed best in all the temperature regimes over characters. Thus suitable varieties for all temperature regimes were identified using biochemical analysis.

Phosphorus efficiency of naturalized Chilean white clover in a grazed field trial

AbstractNine naturalized white clover populations and two cultivars (Huia and Will) were evaluated at two soil phosphorus ( P ) levels (6 and 20 P mg kg−1) to characterize them for DM production and P efficiency, and to facilitate the selection of suitable genotypes to produce cultivars for P‐deficient marginal soils. The study was carried out in Chile during 2007–2010 under field grazing conditions using a randomized complete factorial block design with three replicates. The clover was grown with perennial ryegrass. Botanical composition and herbage DM production were recorded, phosphorus concentrations in soil and in clover and ryegrass herbage were determined, and P absorption (PAE) and P utilization (PUE) efficiency were calculated. Population 8‐1‐X yielded more DM under the low than under the high soil‐ P level and was the highest yielding clover in the low soil‐ P treatment. It also had the highest PAE (0·6 kg P ha−1 per mg kg−1 Olsen P) under low P availability. Dry‐matter yield of 9‐2‐X was statistically similar to 8‐1‐X and Huia at low P level; however, because of its lower P absorption, it had the highest PUE (455 kg DM ha−1 per kg ha−1 absorbed P). Furthermore, the highest yield of ryegrass occurred when grown with 8‐1‐X, and this combination gave the maximum total yield. These two populations have potential for inclusion in breeding programmes.

Relative Productivity, Moisture Budgeting and Water Use Efficiency of Moth Bean (Vigna aconitifolia) Genotypes Under Extreme Arid Environment

Eleven moth bean genotypes were evaluated under extreme arid environment of Jaisalmer during Kharif 2008 for their adaptability to extreme arid environment. Genotypes varied significantly in growth, yield and overall adaptability. Genotypes GMO-03-06 produced maximum seed and straw yield while CZM-1 produced the minimum. The cluster analysis based on growth and yield parameters grouped genotypes into two clusters. Cluster-1 consists of early flowering (33.6 days) genotypes with smaller above ground biological frame but larger sink capacity. Cluster-2 consists of late flowering (38.2 days) genotypes with larger biological frame and poor harvest index. Index of yield attributes, index of productivity, index of sink and index of plant structure were the four principal components explaining 80.6 % variability in the genotypes. These indexes could be used as a parameter to identify suitable moth bean genotypes for extreme arid environment. Soil–water balance model revealed superiority of cluster-2 genotypes over cluster-1 moth bean genotypes.

Comparative analyses of spot blotch and tan spot epidemics on wheat under optimum and late sowing period in South Asia

In South Asia, foliar blight of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a disease complex caused by Cochliobolus sativus (the spot blotch pathogen) and Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (the tan spot pathogen) which can reduce yields by >30 %. Little is known about the effects of wheat genotypes and their planting time on foliar blight epidemics. Field experiments were conducted to determine the infection potential and epidemic development of C. sativus and P. tritici-repentis on two susceptible (Sonalika and BL1473) and two tolerant (NL750 and Milan/Shanghai-7) wheat genotypes under optimum (November 26) and late (December 11 and December 26) planting conditions. The dynamics of airborne conidia were studied using air samplers. The highest aerial concentrations of conidia and disease incidence of both pathogens on all four wheat genotypes were detected during the first 3 weeks of March under both optimum and late seeding conditions in both years. Compared to optimum sowing time (i.e. November 26), wheat genotypes had higher disease severity when planted late on December 11 and 26. The disease complex reduced grain yield by 20.5, 27.2 and 37.3 % for November 26, December 11 and December 26 plantings, respectively in 2004. The corresponding differences were 17.7, 23.6 and 30.2 % in 2005. The findings of this study provide valuable information on the epidemiology of spot blotch and tan spot, which could help in developing strategies for managing these diseases in South Asian region through the selection of suitable genotypes and planting dates.

Healthy food from organic wheat: choice of genotypes for production and breeding

In the present study, 40 wheat genotypes were grown in the same soil in organic farming system trials in Alnarp, Sweden. The purpose was to evaluate opportunities for production and breeding of organic wheat of high nutritious value. The results showed a large variation in content of minerals, total tocochromanols and heavy metals in the grain of 40 organically produced wheat genotypes. Principal component and cluster analysis were used as tools for selection of the most suitable genotypes for production and breeding of organic wheat of high nutritious value. No single genotype group was found particularly superior from the studied material to produce this specific type of wheat. However, certain genotypes from different groups were found with promising nutritional characters. The most promising genotypes as related to nutritionally relevant compounds were 6356 spelt, Triticum monococcum, Ölands 17 borst spelt, Lv Dal 16 brun borst and Fylgia. By choosing these genotypes for organic production and future wheat breeding, nutritionally improved organic wheat products might be developed. However, for future breeding, nutritional components such as protein, fibre, glycaemic index and B-group vitamins should also be considered.