Trait Values Research Articles

Transgressive segregation and the inheritance of paraquat resistance in Canada fleabane (Conyza canadensis)

Abstract Transgressive segregation refers to the phenomenon whereby the progeny of a diverse cross exhibit phenotypes that fall outside the range of the parents for a particular trait of interest. Segregants that exceed the parental values in life history traits contributing to survival and reproduction may represent beneficial new allelic combinations that are fitter than respective parental genotypes. In this research, we use geographically disparate paraquat resistant biotypes of horseweed (Canada fleabane) [Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist; syn. Erigeron canadensis L.] to explore transgressive segregation in biomass accumulation and the inheritance of the paraquat resistance trait in this highly self-fertilizing species. Results of this research indicated that the paraquat resistance traits in E. canadensis biotypes originating in California, USA and Ontario, Canada were not conferred by single major gene mechanisms. Segregating generations from crosses among resistant and susceptible biotypes all displayed transgressive segregation in biomass accumulation in the absence of the original selective agent, paraquat. However, when challenged with a discriminating dose of paraquat, progeny from the crosses of susceptible x resistant and resistant x resistant biotypes displayed contrasting responses with those arising from the cross of two resistant biotypes no longer displaying transgressive segregation. These results support the prediction that transgressive segregation is frequently expressed in self-fertilizing lineages and is positively correlated with the genetic diversity of the parental genotypes. When exposed to a new environment, transgressive segregation was observed regardless of parental identity or history. However, if hybrid progenies were returned to the parental environment with exposure to paraquat, the identity of fittest genotype (i.e., parent or segregant) depends on the history of directional selection in the parental lineages and the dose to which the hybrid progeny was exposed. It is only in the original selective environment that the impact of allelic fixation on transgressive segregation can be observed.

Combining ability of new maize lines according to grain productivity and its components

The most important indicator of the initial material’s value in breeding for heterosis is its combining ability. The purpose of the current work was to study the combining ability of new self-pollinated maize lines according to grain productivity and its main components. The study was conducted at the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy”, located in the southern part of the Rostov region with unstable moisture, in 2021–2023. The objects of the studies were 9 new constant self-pollinated maize lines and the line ‘RD 329’, used as a standard. The objects of the studies were also 3 testers, simple maize hybrids ‘Kros 1’, ‘Kros 2’, ‘Kros 3’ and 30 new test-cross hybrids of maize. There have been identified new highly heterotic maize hybrids of practical interest ‘Kros1×Sl 303’ (5.05 t/ha), ‘Kros1×Sl 308’ (4.75 t/ha), ‘Kros1×Sl 309’ (4.84 t/ha). There have been identified new self-pollinated lines ‘Sl 303’ (gi = 0.56), ‘Sl 308’ (gi = 0.43) and ‘Sl 309’ (gi = 0.47) with high combining ability according to the trait ‘grain productivity’ and are recommended for use in programs of hybridization. Self-pollinated lines with high GCA according to grain productivity, as a rule, had higher GCA for such productivity traits as ‘a number of grains per ear’, ‘one ear weight’ and ‘a number of ears per plant’. This contributed to the formation of a large number of grains per ear in test-cross maize hybrids (623–655 pcs.), the formation of ears with a large weight (131–147 g), and the absence of sterile plants in dry conditions. The combining ability according to the trait ‘1000-grain weight’ had no effect on productivity of test-cross hybrids in dry conditions. The use of self-pollinated lines with high values of productivity traits and transmitting high values to hybrids made it possible to develop new productive hybrid combinations.

Preharvest Natural Multitoxin Contamination of Winter Wheat Genotypes in Hungary with Special Attention to Aflatoxins and HT-2 Toxin

Toxigenic fungi are among the most significant disease-causing agents in wheat. DON is the most common Fusarium mycotoxin, and for a long time, it was the only toxin researched. However, multitoxin data from wheat samples have drawn attention to the fact that much more toxins can be involved in the wheat toxin story than we supposed earlier. For resistance breeding, we need a more detailed approach to identify toxins that occur above the limit and identify the source of the fungal species that produces them. This study analyzed local wheat varieties for fungal infections and natural multitoxin contamination. Eighteen winter wheat genotypes were tested for fungal contaminations across three different locations in 2021 and 2022. Fourteen different mycotoxins—deoxynivalenol, aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, and G2), fumonisins (B1 and B2), sterigmatocystin, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, T-2, HT-2, and diacetoxyscirpenol—were analyzed using HPLC/triple-quad MS. Toxigenic species such as Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium had low rates of occurrence, but the toxin contamination was often surprisingly high. Many samples without corresponding fungal infections were also identified as containing mycotoxins. Therefore, the identified fungal infection is less useful for forecasting toxin level. In conclusion, mycotoxin contamination is decisive. Most samples were contaminated by one or more mycotoxins. Although the mycotoxin concentrations typically remained below EU limits, some samples exhibited higher levels, particularly aflatoxins and Ht-2 toxin. Significant variations were observed across year, location, and genotype. For several toxins, significant genotype differences were identified, supporting the hypothesis that resistance may be a useful and suitable control measure. Stability of toxin contamination across years and locations is a very valuable trait; genotypes were identified with low toxin levels and stability (low variance) to all mycotoxins tested. It seems that, in addition to DON, more attention should be given to aflatoxin B1, B2, and G1, which provided similar concentrations. The HT-2 toxin was present in many samples surpassing EU limits. This is the first report on the dangerous occurrence of preharvest-origin aflatoxins and the HT-2 toxin of wheat in Hungary.

Shared genetic architecture links energy metabolism, behavior and starvation resistance along a power-endurance axis

Abstract Shared developmental, physiological, and molecular mechanisms can generate strong genetic covariances across suites of traits, constraining genetic variability, and evolvability to certain axes in multivariate trait space (“variational modules” or “syndromes”). Such trait suites will not only respond jointly to selection; they will also covary across populations that diverged from one another by genetic drift. We report evidence for such a genetically correlated trait suite that links traits related to energy metabolism along a “power-endurance” axis in Drosophila melanogaster. The “power” pole of the axis is characterized by high potential for energy generation and expenditure—high expression of glycolysis and TCA cycle genes, high abundance of mitochondria, and high spontaneous locomotor activity. The opposite “endurance” pole is characterized by high triglyceride (fat) reserves, locomotor endurance, and starvation resistance (and low values of traits associated with the “power” pole). This trait suite also aligns with the first principal component of metabolome; the “power” direction is characterized by low levels of trehalose (blood sugar) and high levels of some amino acids and their derivatives, including creatine, a compound known to facilitate energy production in muscles. Our evidence comes from six replicate “Selected” populations adapted to a nutrient-poor larval diet regime during 250 generations of experimental evolution and six “Control” populations evolved in parallel on a standard diet regime. We found that, within each of these experimental evolutionary regimes, the above traits strongly covaried along this “power-endurance” axis across replicate populations which diversified by drift, indicating a shared genetic architecture. The two evolutionary regimes also drove divergence along this axis, with Selected populations on average displaced towards the “power” direction compared to Controls. Aspects of this “power-endurance” axis resemble the “pace of life” syndrome and the “thrifty phenotype”; it may have evolved as part of a coordinated organismal response to nutritional conditions.

Assessing the Diversity of Beta vulgaris L. ssp. maritima (Sea Beet) Populations in Egypt

Sea beet (Beta vulgaris L. subsp. maritima (L.) Arcang.) is a wild member of the Amaranthaceae family and a progenitor for all the cultivated beets (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris). It is a source of stress-resistant genes, contributing 21 valuable traits to sugar beet through multiple breeding approaches. Despite its importance, the core morphological diversity of sea beet within the Egyptian Mediterranean coastal region has not yet been thoroughly explored. The field observations indicated notable morphological diversity among sea beet populations. This study investigated the morphological diversity of six sea beet populations along with their associated soil and climatic conditions in their primary habitats. Our morphometric investigations identified two varieties: Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima var. glabra, characterized by glabrous, erect, larger basal leaves, and Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima var. pilosa, distinguished by its hairy, prostrate form with smaller basal leaves. These varieties exhibited differences in their spatial distribution, showing high variations at the inter- and intra-population levels as well as the variety level. Soil parameters significantly influenced population morphological variability, which demonstrated a strong positive correlation with soil organic carbon. Our results highlight the need for precise survey and molecular characterization to secure these potential genetic resources from alteration and loss, especially in coastal habitats that are particularly sensitive to future climate change.

Analysis of Rfo-Mediated Network in Regulating Fertility Restoration in Brassica oleracea

Ogura cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) lines play a crucial role in the utilization of heterosis. However, valuable traits, such as disease resistance genes from Ogura CMS hybrids, are challenging to incorporate for germplasm innovation, particularly in cabbage and broccoli. To date, the Rfo-mediated network regulating fertility restoration remains largely unexplored. In this study, we conducted a transcriptomic analysis of broccoli flower buds from Ogura CMS SFB45 and its Rfo-transgenic fertility restoration line, pRfo, at different stages of pollen development. Gene Ontology (GO) terms such as “pollen exine formation”, “flavonoid metabolic and biosynthetic processes”, and “pollen wall assembly”, along with Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways including “flavonoid biosynthesis”, “MAPK signaling pathway-plant”, and “ABC transporters”, were significantly enriched. We identified five differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in tapetum-mediated callose metabolism, thirty-four DEGs related to tapetum-mediated pollen wall formation, three DEGs regulating tapetum programmed cell death (PCD), five MPKs encoding DEGs, and twelve DEGs associated with oxidative phosphorylation. Additionally, yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays demonstrated that RFO directly interacts with ORF138 at the protein level. These findings provide valuable insights into the fertility recovery mechanisms regulated by Rfo in broccoli and offer important clues for breeders aiming to enhance Ogura CMS hybrids in Brassica oleracea.

Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Trait Variation Across Varying Temperature-Light Regimes

Seagrass trait variation, which results from both local genetic adaptation and phenotypic plasticity, has important effects on ecosystems. Physical drivers underlie these processes and are important determinants of trait variation. Despite this, few studies examine multivariate predictive relationships between sets of physical drivers and sets of seagrass traits. Here, we use redundancy analysis to define this relationship for eelgrass Zostera marina, using traits that represent bed structure, morphology, and physiology and physical drivers that emphasize light conditions and temperature variability on different time scales. We found a relationship between plant size (i.e., leaf length and width, rhizome width, number of leaves) and shoot density that dominated the trait variation. Specifically, as temperatures became warmer, more variable, and light was less limiting, plants became smaller (shorter, narrower, and fewer leaves, thinner rhizomes) but beds became denser. Plant biomass (leaf area index), which increased with decreasing temperature variability and bottom light, further refined this relationship. Overall, temperature variability (i.e., daily temperature range, heat accumulation, time in the optimal temperature range, and tidal and meteorological variability), as well as bottom light, were important predictors of eelgrass traits. We further identified three distinct temperature-light regimes across which traits differed; these included the cool low variability temperature regime with low light, the warm high variability temperature regime with high light, and the intermediate case between these endpoints. Our study identifies specific temperature and light drivers that define certain eelgrass traits and provides a multivariate statistical model that can be used to predict eelgrass trait values from known physical conditions.

Field margin management for promoting plant diversity—A functional approach to investigating the effects of multiple measures on plant community dynamics

Strategies to counteract the loss of arable plant diversity often target field margins. Yet there is still need for research on how arable plant diversity is impacted by the type, scale and diversity of margin management. To assess this experimentally, we combined five measures imposing different disturbance regimes (flower-strip mown twice a year, tilling in spring or autumn, adding sand as substrate, and frequent mowing as a control) at two spatial scales.We explored how plant community dynamics are affected by both single measures and their combination. We addressed four hypotheses: H1) single measures shift community weighted mean (CWM) values of functional traits and reduce the within-measure community weighted standard deviation (CWSD) of these traits; H2) heavy disturbance (early tilling and sand) causes taxonomic and functional diversity (alpha-diversity) to increase over time; H3) combining different measures increases dissimilarity (beta-diversity) and thus gamma-diversity across measures; and H4) increased spatial heterogeneity of measures promotes all levels of diversity.We found shifts in CWM and reduced CWSD in flower-strips (smaller seed mass, perennial lifespan) and late-tilling (later flowering-onset) whereas sand and early-tilling tended to increase CWSD (H1). Trends across measures indicate shifts towards species with competitive strategies (H1). Compared to frequently mown controls, heavy disturbance (sand and early-tilling) promoted alpha-diversity over time, despite lower initial diversity. Moderate disturbance (flower-strip, late tilling) initially promoted alpha-diversity, but diversity then did not increase further (H2). Combining different measures promoted diversity compared to single measures, but the similarity between measures increased over time (H3). Scale played a minor role in determining community-composition (H4).Disturbance regimes imposed by different management of field margins shape the functional composition of arable plant communities. Strategies combining different measures help to balance initial benefits of moderate disturbance with the longer-term diversity gains from heavier disturbance.

<i></i>Ring width distribution as a valuable anatomical trait for predicting bending strength and rigidity in European oak wood beams

Ring width variability affects the elasticity and strength of wood members. This study was conducted to determine which dispersion statistics of annual ring width distributions measured in cross section in European oak (Quercus robur L.) wood beams are useful as covariates in models for predicting modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR). For this purpose, 21 European oak trees growing in north-western Spain were felled, logged and sawn. The planks obtained were air-dried and surfaced into beams (50×100×2,000 mm), which were visually graded according to the UNE 56544:2022 standard. MOE, MOR, moisture content and density (determined according to EN 408:2010 standard) and abundance of sapwood and ring widths were determined in 30 beams apt for structural purposes. MOE was significantly related to standard deviation, variance and interquartile range of the ring width distribution in the beam. MOE was also related to mean ring width (r =-0.52, p<0.01) and maximum ring width per beam (r =-0.54, p<0.01), an easy to measure variable. MOR was also related to ring width distribution parameters, although yielding lower r values. The influence of ring width evenness and maximum ring width can be considered to improve visual strength grading standards for European oak timber.

Assessing temporal variability in durum wheat performance and stability through multi-trait mean performance selection in Mediterranean climate

Durum wheat, a staple crop in Italy, faces substantial challenges due to increasing droughts and rising temperatures. This study examines the grain yield, agronomic traits, and quality of 41 durum wheat varieties over ten growing seasons in Southern Italy, utilizing a randomized complete block design. Notably, most varieties were not repeated between trials and 45% of the data was missing. The results indicate that the interaction between genotype and environment (GEI) significantly impacted all traits. High temperatures, elevated vapor pressure deficit (VPD), and water deficits severely affected yield and quality during warm years, while cooler years with favorable water availability promoted better growth and higher yields. Broad-sense heritability (H²) was generally low, suggesting that environmental factors played a major role in the observed traits. However, some traits, such as grain yield, ears per square meter, plant height, bleached wheat, thousand-grain weight, and hectoliter weight exhibited moderate to high heritability of the mean genotype (h²mg), indicating their potential for effective selection in breeding programs. Correlation analyses revealed strong connections between certain traits, such as protein content, and gluten index as well as between grain yield, and spike per square meter. Using the Multi-Trait Mean Performance Selection (MTMPS) index, the study identified six top-performing varieties. Among these, Antalis (G4) and Core (G18) consistently demonstrated strong adaptability and stability across different environments, particularly in hotter, drier conditions. Furio Camillo (G31) also exhibited valuable traits. This study highlights the challenges and complexities of breeding durum wheat for improved yield and quality in the face of climate change.

Genome Wide Association Analysis for Uniform Coleoptiles Emergence and Early Seedling Growth in Rice

Early seedling vigour (ESV) is a complex trait in rice. Detection of QTLs/genes controlling these traits can help us in enhancing the yield potential in rice varieties. Association mapping is a technique based on the principle of linkage disequilibrium that is used to find genes or quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying the complex traits. In this study of haplotype breeding 281 rice genotypes were taken. ANOVA analysis showed P- value for traits and genotypes was found significant. Similarly, P-value for interaction between the traits and genotypes was also found to be highly significant (1.8663*10-208). Further, mean germination data positively correlated with mean shoot length, mean leaf number, mean culm diameter, mean shoot dry weight, and mean shoot area of 21st day among the 281 genotypes. Among the 281 number of genotypes, 111 genotypes are found to be in PCA1 and 170 genotypes are found to be in PCA2 based on the phenotypic analysis. PCA1 component constituted 29.93% and PCA2 constituted the 13.68% of total variation in the analysis. Besides, whole genome phylogenetic analysis showed three major groups of which Group 1 consists of 215 genotypes, group 2 consists of 38 genotypes and group 3 consists of 28 genotypes respectively. Especially, both the subgroups II and III comprised of the unique genotypes from the indica and aus subpopulations of rice. In this analysis, 16 significant associations (LOD Score >7) for different traits were identified using the three different models (MLM, farmCPU, and blink) for GWAS studies Especially, one major QTL was identified for the mean coleoptiles’ emergence for 10 DAS on 11th chromosome (18983591) which explained 49% of the phenotypic variance. Additionally, another major QTL contributing to the shoot length variation of 29.75% was identified in the Chr02 (32954393) for shoot length trait on 28 DAS. A candidate gene namely Os02g0778400 UMP/CMP kinase A/adenylate kinase (LOC_Os02g53790) was located in the significant SNP region of the GWAS analysis. Further characterization of this gene would assist in elucidation of the mechanism regulating the early seedling length in rice under direct seeded rice.

Genetic Variation Study of Several Romanian Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Varieties Revealed by Molecular Markers and Whole Genome Resequencing

Numerous varieties of Capsicum annuum L. with multiple valuable traits, such as adaptation to biotic and abiotic stress factors, can be found in south-east Romania, well known for vegetable cultivation and an important area of biodiversity conservation. To obtain useful information about sustainable agriculture, management, and conservation of local pepper varieties, we analyzed the genetic diversity and conducted deep molecular characterization using whole genome resequencing (WGS) for variant/mutation detection. The pepper varieties used in the present study were registered by VRDS in the ISTIS catalog between 1974 and 2019 and maintained in conservative selection; however, no studies have been published yet using WGS analysis in order to characterize this specific germplasm. The genome sequences, annotation, and alignments provided in this study offer essential resources for genomic research as well as for future breeding efforts using the C. annuum local varieties.

Leaf Photosynthetic and Photoprotective Acclimation in the Ultraviolet-A1 and Blue Light Regions Follow a Continuous, Shallow Gradient.

Although blue light is known to produce leaves with high photosynthetic capacity, the role of the blue-adjacent UV-A1 (350-400 nm) in driving leaf photosynthetic acclimation is less studied. Tomato plants were grown under hybrid red and blue (RB; 95/5 μmol m-2 s-1), as well as four treatments in which RB was supplemented with 50 μmol m-2 s-1 peaking at 365, 385, 410 and 450 nm, respectively. Acclimation to 365-450 nm led to a shallow gradient increase in trait values (i.e., photosynthetic capacity, pigmentation and dry mass content) as the peak wavelength increased. Furthermore, both UV-A1 and blue light grown leaves showed efficient photoprotection under high light intensity. When treated plants were transferred to fluctuating light for 5 days, leaves from all treatments showed increases in photosynthetic capacity, which were strongest in RB, followed by additional UV-A1 treatments; RB grown leaves showed reductions in maximum quantum yield of photosystem II, while UV-A1 grown leaves showed increases. We conclude that both UV-A1 and blue light effectively trigger photosynthetic and photoprotective acclimation, the extent of acclimation becoming stronger the longer the peak wavelength is. Acclimatory responses to UV-A1 and blue light are thus not distinct from one another, but follow a continuous gradient.

Interspecific trait differences drive plant community responses on serpentine soils

Abstract Serpentine ecosystems are characterised by multiple environmental stressors: high levels of trace metals such as nickel (Ni), low availability of macronutrients and low water retention. These harsh environmental conditions exert a strong selective force on the vegetation, but their effect on community assembly processes and the functional trait composition remains unknown. In 26 plots on four serpentine sites on Lesbos Island (Greece), we measured six leaf functional traits related to resource acquisition and stress resistance on the 20 most abundant plant species. We quantified the proportion of variance explained by inter‐ and intraspecific trait differences and tested if individual species showed changes in trait values explained by soil Ni content. We investigated the adaptive value and the community level changes for each trait along the natural soil Ni gradient using a mixed model approach and functional diversity analyses. We tested the role of the abundant serpentine endemic and Ni‐hyperaccumulating species Odontarrhena lesbiaca in driving these patterns. Intraspecific variation explained by soil Ni content is smaller than 4%, and most of the variance is explained by interspecific differences in trait values. Most species do not show significant changes in trait values in response to soil Ni. At the community level, low specific leaf areas, small and thick leaves are selected on high Ni soils. Functional diversity analyses suggest a shift towards a stress tolerance syndrome (thick and small leaves with low SLA values) and an increase in functional diversity on Ni‐rich soils. However, these patterns are driven by the increasing abundance of O. lesbiaca. The endemic Ni hyperaccumulator has a stress tolerance strategy with small thick leaves and low SLA, while the community of broadly distributed species show an increase in trait values related to dominance and fast growth. Synthesis. Intraspecific variation in leaf trait responds little to soil metal toxicity. Endemic species harbour unique trait values compared to species with broad distribution which should justify their conservation as a priority.

Functional traits mediate the elevational patterns of functional diversity and community structure of mosses in a tropical mountain area

Functional diversity refers to the value, range, and distribution of functional traits within a community, such as the morphological, physiological and behavioral characteristics of species that determine the role a species plays in an ecosystem. Assessing the drivers of elevational pattern of functional diversity is crucial to predict the effects of global change on functional diversity and community structure. In our research, we collected mosses species data from 65 sampling sites and measured 11 functional traits that are related to their ecological functions. We applied double canonical correspondence analysis (DCCA) to analyze species responses to environmental conditions based on their traits. We applied generalized additive models with a Gaussian function of variance to determine the elevational patterns of functional trait composition, diversity and community structure. We applied and compared boosted regression trees (BRT) without considering functional traits and piecewise structural equation modelling (SEM) mediated with functional traits to relate environmental variables with functional diversity and functional community structure, respectively. We found the first DCCA axis accounted for the largest dissimilarities between the two groups of species and correlated mainly with the water-utilization traits. Although both functional diversity and community structure displayed negatively skewed pattern along the elevational gradient, habitat complexity and climatic variables contributed differently to their respective patterns. The SEM approach consistently outperformed the BRT approach in explaining the variations in both functional diversity and community structure. Our findings highlight the important role of functional traits in mediating the relationship between the environment and functional diversity metrics. Both biotic and abiotic processes play a significant role in shaping the community assemblages, with environmental variables having distinct impacts. Traits related to structure maintenance, water absorption, cell hydration, and nutrient acquisition were found to be key drivers of functional diversity, while water-utilization traits were mainly responsible for regulating functional community structure.

Ppbbx24-del mutant positively regulates light-induced anthocyanin accumulation in the ‘Red Zaosu’ pear (Pyrus pyrifolia White Pear Group)

Red fruit peel is one of the most valuable economic traits in pear and is mainly determined by anthocyanins. Many pear cultivars with a red peel originated from bud sports; however, little is known about the genetic mechanisms underlying this trait. We have previously identified a mutant PpBBX24 containing a 14-nucleotide deletion in the coding region (Ppbbx24-del) as the only known variant associated with the red coloration of the mutant ‘Red Zaosu’ pear (Pyrus pyrifolia White Pear Group). Herein, we analyzed the role of the mutant gene in red coloration and its mechanism of action. The results showed that light promoted red <pg=>peel coloration in ‘Red Zaosu’ pear, and Ppbbx24-del had positive effects on light-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis, while normal PpBBX24 had the opposite effects. Transient and stable <pg=>transformation experiments confirmed that Ppbbx24-del could promote anthocyanin accumulation in pear fruit peels, calli, and tobacco flowers. Due to the loss of NLS and VP domains, Ppbbx24-del co-localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm, whereas PpBBX24 localized only in the nucleus. Real-time PCR and transcriptome analyses indicated that PpMYB10 and PpHY5 is highly expressed in ‘Red Zaosu’ pear. In yeast one-hybrid and dual luciferase assays, Ppbbx24-del and PpHY5 independently promoted the expression of PpCHS, PpCHI, and PpMYB10 by binding to their promoters; however, PpBBX24 did not affect the expression of these genes. Additionally, we found that Ppbbx24-del and PpHY5 had additive effects on the expression of PpCHS, PpCHI, and PpMYB10, as they promote the expression of anthocyanin synthesis genes separately. The co-expression of PpBBX24 and PpHY5 inhibited the activation of downstream genes by PpHY5, and this was attributed to the interaction between the two loci. In conclusion, our results clarify the molecular mechanism by which mutant Ppbbx24-del and PpBBX24 exert opposite effects in the regulation of anthocyanin accumulation in pear. These findings lay an important theoretical foundation for the use of Ppbbx24-del to create red pear cultivars.

Genetic Estimates of Correlation and Causality Between Keratoconus and Osteoarthritis.

The relationship between keratoconus (KC) and osteoarthritis (OA) has been hypothesized, yet the causal link remained obscure. We aimed to evaluate the genetic correlation and causality between KC and OA through a genetic perspective. Linkage Disequilibrium Score Regression and bidirectional 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis were conducted. Data were used from genome-wide association study on KC (4669 cases and 116,547 controls), OA (encompassing 24,955 patients with knee OA, 15,704 patients with hip OA, 39,427 patients with knee or hip OA, and 378,169 control participants), and KC data in the FinnGen consortium for replication and meta-analysis. Simple model, weighted model, inverse-variance weighted, weighted median, and MR-Egger regression were employed to assess the causal effects. MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier method, MR-Egger method, and leave-one-out analysis were also applied to detect pleiotropy. No statistically significant genetic correlation between KC and OA (all P > 0.05) were observed. MR estimates obtained from all 5 methods after meta-analysis revealed nonsignificant odds ratio values of KC-related traits to knee OA, hip OA, and OA (all adjusted P > 0.05). No evidence of causal relationships of knee and hip OA with KC-related traits was detected after meta-analysis of all 5 MR methods (all adjusted P > 0.05). The large MR analysis indicated that KC may not be causally associated with a risk of OA.

Plant responses to urban gradients: Extinction, plasticity, adaptation

Abstract Biodiversity‐oriented urban management and planning require information on the drivers of wildlife composition and ecosystem function within cities. Urban landscapes impose environmental gradients along which species may be filtered away, or respond by showing adaptive variation in functional trait values. Such trait variation may in turn be due to a species' phenotypic plasticity, or a consequence of microevolution leading to local adaptation. This study investigates three possible plant responses to urban environmental gradients, with different evolutionary consequences: extinction, plasticity and adaptation. We assessed whether individual functional traits (LMA—leaf mass per area, plant height and flower length), population performance traits (seed mass and germination rate), as well as species frequency in the plant community, responded to gradients in mowing frequency, soil fertility and structure, temperature and surrounding mean building height, among four herbaceous plant species present in the metropolitan area of Strasbourg. Using a common garden experiment, we tested whether the observed trait variation was hereditary, and may thus constitute evidence for local adaptation. Our results detected the three types of expected responses. Plantago lanceolata is plastic to urban gradients, and Trifolium pratense showed both plastic and hereditary responses. Dactylis glomerata and Medicago lupulina showed all three responses: they both declined under increasing mowing frequency, were plastic to surrounding mean building height, and showed hereditary responses to different urban gradients. Urban management and planning therefore impact on the evolutionary capabilities of plants in cities. In the case of management this is highlighted by the detected trends in species' traits and frequency in response to mowing. The consequences of urban planning are evidenced by mean building height eliciting most often plastic and adaptive responses. Synthesis. Herbaceous plants often change their morphology in response to urban conditions: grass cutting, altered soils, warmer temperatures and being surrounded by tightly packed buildings. These changes are sometimes hereditary, which suggests that city management and planning affect the ability of plants to survive and evolve in urban environments.

EFFECTS OF SOWING DATE AND LOCATIONS ON THE SELECTED WHEAT CULTIVARS QUALITY PERFORMANCE

The current study was aimed assessing the effects of cultivars, sowing date and locations on bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L) quality parameters grain protein concentration (GP), Gluten Index GI, falling number (FN), Water absorption capacity (WAC %), Pasting temperature (PT), and loaf volume (LV) of five bread wheat cultivars viz. Alla, Hassad, Charmo, Maaroof, and Adana as control, two sowing dates (Nov 15th, Dec 15th) at each location under rainfed environment. Grain samples were obtained from previous field experiments were conducted at two locations of Sulaimani Governate in Iraq-Kurdistan-region, Qlyasan and Halabja, during growing seasons 2018-2019. The experiments were conducted using RCBD within split plot arrangement with three replicates. Result for companied analysis, showed that cultivars sowing date, locations, the interactions CS, CL, and SL and tri-interaction CSL were high significantly affects to all quality traits except GP for location, LV for SL and GP for CS interaction, which were non-significant. The results confirmed that sowing wheat lately is an accept option for maximizing GP, GI, PT, and LV, while, optimum sowing was increasing FN and WA traits, regardless of cultivar or location. Wheat grown at Qlyasan appeared to have more GP content, FN, WA, PT, and LV, while Halabja location to have stronger gluten quality (GI). The di-interactions viz. CS, CL, and SL and tri-interaction CSL played a significant important role in changing or modifying the values of the quality traits.

Quantifying phenotypic variability of indigenous chickens using morphometric traits by applying multivariate analysis: Input for sustainable rural chicken farming

Despite environmentally influenced performance traits in farm animals, variations in morphometric characters reflect unswerving genetic effects. In this study, body weight and body dimension measurements of indigenous chickens reared in four rural communities were investigated using multivariate statistical procedures to elucidate the existence of phenotypic variability between chicken populations. The study districts were selected based on higher indigenous chicken population, geographic distance, and agro-ecological distinctiveness. Eleven morphometric traits were measured on 1060 adult chickens from the districts. The results revealed that there were significant (p < 0.0001) variations between populations across districts. Significantly (P < 0.0001) higher mean values for morphometric traits were obtained in chickens reared in the Hula (highland district) than in those of the three districts. Likewise, multivariate discriminant analysis showed that most of the variables had significant power to differentiate the chicken populations into separate groups. Accordingly, three discriminant functions were extracted, of which the first two explained 95.6 % of the total variances in the populations. Moreover, in cluster analysis, chickens were differentiated into two sub-groups: Hula as a separate population, and Shebedino, Aleta Chuko and Boricha populations clustered together. Furthermore, the discriminant analysis correctly assigned 56.7 %, 55.1 %, 51.5 %, and 53.3 % to their source populations of Hula, Aleta Chuko, Shebedino, Hula, and Boricha, respectively, showing high mixing and mobility of chickens across neighboring districts. Therefore, this study confirmed the existence of significant morphometric variability between the studied populations, which could be used as a valuable source of information for selective breeding and sustainable use of indigenous chickens, particularly for rural farmers who almost rely on phenotypic features to select breeding stocks. In addition, the higher morphometric measurements shown for Hula chickens should be confirmed by on-station evaluation, and further molecular tools should be applied to validate the genetic distinctiveness of the studied chicken populations.