Use Of Traits Research Articles

SCREENING FLAX FOR IDENTIFYING CADMIUM TOLERANT CULTIVARS FOR GROWTH IN POLLUTED ENVIRONMENT

Toxic metal pollutants such as cadmium disrupt all stages of plant development. Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) has demonstrated the ability to tolerate and accumulate high amounts of cadmium, making it suitable for phytoremediation. Within-species variability of cadmium tolerance and uptake needs to be examined in controled conditions to assess multiple beneficial, or even required traits for use in phytoremediation programs. In this study, 31 flax cultivars were screened for their ability to germinate and grow in the presence of a sublethal concentration of cadmium (20 mg.kg-1). Several parameters, including growth indicators and photosynthesis performance, were analyzed using principal component analysis. A subset of flax cultivars was then selected for measuring cadmium uptake using gamma spectrometry. The results showed that the cultivars Belinka, Diana, Laura, Marina, Flanders, and Jitka have comparable metal uptake and transfer to shoots. Among these, the cultivar Jitka proved to be the best candidate for phytoremediation, consistent with previous reports.

Genomic prediction for potato (Solanum tuberosum) quality traits improved through image analysis.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the most widely grown vegetable in the world. Consumers and processors evaluate potatoes based on quality traits such as shape and skin color, making these traits important targets for breeders. Achieving and evaluating genetic gain is facilitated by precise and accurate trait measures. Historically, quality traits have been measured using visual rating scales, which are subject to human error and necessarily lump individuals with distinct characteristics into categories. Image analysis offers a method of generating quantitative measures of quality traits. In this study, we use TubAR, an image-analysis R package, to generate quantitative measures of shape and skin color traits for use in genomic prediction. We developed and compared different genomic models based on additive and additive plus non-additive relationship matrices for two aspects of skin color, redness, and lightness, and two aspects of shape, roundness, and length-to-width ratio for fresh market red and yellow potatoes grown in Minnesota between 2020 and 2022. Similarly, we used the much larger chipping potato population grown during the same time to develop a multi-trait selection index including roundness, specific gravity, and yield. Traits ranged in heritability with shape traits falling between 0.23 and 0.85, and color traits falling between 0.34 and 0.91. Genetic effects were primarily additive with color traits showing the strongest effect (0.47), while shape traits varied based on market class. Modeling non-additive effects did not significantly improve prediction models for quality traits. The combination of image analysis and genomic prediction presents a promising avenue for improving potato quality traits.

Study of new spring common wheat samples from the world collection in the conditions of the Ryazan region

In the conditions of the Ryazan region there have been studied 64 spring common wheat varieties from the collection of the Federal Research Center VIGRR named after Vavilov in order to identify valuable traits for use in breeding. Field trials were carried out in the collection nursery on dark gray forest heavy loamy soil in 2018–2022, using the methodological recommendations of the Federal Research Center VIGRR named after Vavilov. There has been established that the highest yields (more than 5.0 t/ha) were formed by the varieties ‘Arseya’, ‘Maestro’ (Ryazan region), ‘KWS Akvilon’, ‘Ethos’ (Germany), ‘KWS Torridon’ (Great Britain), ‘Odeta’ (Czech Republic), ‘Calispero’ (France), which was on 29.9–49.9 % higher than the mean variety productivity in the trial. Yield stability with the least variation (Cv) was established for the varieties from the Central region – RIMA, ‘Arseya’ (Ryazan region), ‘Zlata’ (Moscow region) and ‘Omskaya 36’ (West Siberian region) with 3.1–9.6 %. The studied assortment of plant heights was divided into groups, such as dwarfs (< 60 cm) – 4.7 %, semi-dwarfs – 12.5 %, medium-sized – 75.0 %, tall – 7.8 %. There were identified 8 early ripening varieties ‘Chelyaba 2’ (Chelyabinsk region), ‘Odeta’ (Czech Republic), ‘Zlata’ (Moscow region), ‘Novosibirskaya 29’, ‘Novosibirskaya 15’, ‘Polyushka’ (Novosibirsk region), ‘M-83-1531’ (USA), ‘Burlak’ (Ulyanovsk region). The varieties ‘Voevoda’ and ‘Favorit’ (Saratov region) showed high resistance to various pathogens. There has been found a strong correlation between productivity and the density of productive stems with r = 0.753±0.084. 0.808±0.075, an average correlation with a number of grains per head with r = 0.427±0.115. 0.716±0.089 and grain weight per head with r = 0.374±0.118...0.689±0.092. Grain weight per head was largely determined by a number of grains per head with r = 0.621±0.099. 0.824±0.072.

Genome-wide association mapping to identify genetic loci governing agronomic traits and genomic prediction prospects in tetraploid potatoes

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and Genomic Prediction (GP) have become powerful tools for examining genetically complex traits in crops. The present study was undertaken on a diverse potato panel of 222 tetraploid potato cultivars and breeding lines, genotyped using genotyping with a sequencing approach to identify 120,622 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. The phenotype data was observed on 12 agronomic traits, including morphological (qualitative) and tuber yield traits (quantitative). The population structure showed three different sub-populations with varying levels of admixtures in them. The LD decay was observed at ∼5Mb distance and GWAS using the Q+K model identified 46 marker-trait associations (MTAs), including 20 associations for tuber morphological traits and rest 26 for tuber yield traits. The average phenotypic variance captured by the associated SNPs was around 10 % for most traits. The putative candidate genes identified for different traits were cytochrome P450 71A4 for flesh color, phytochrome-B and ATP synthase subunit for tuber number, and receptor-like kinases and MYB transcription factor for tuber yield. We did not get any marker trait association for tuber skin color and chip score. The GP accuracy was moderate (0.3–0.5) to high (>0.5) for most of the traits except crisp score, tuber shape and marketable tubers, which recorded low GP accuracy. The reduced marker density did not show any decline in the GP accuracy of different traits. Overall, the study presents the genetic analysis of a diverse panel with information on genetic control and genomic predictions of complex traits for use in genomics-assisted breeding and genomic selection in potatoes.

Using intraspecific molecular and phenotypic variation to promote multi-functionality of reforestation during climate change – A review of tropical forest case studies in South-east Asia

Abstract The study of intraspecific genetic variation in plant traits for use in tropical forest restoration has broad potential for increasing our ability to achieve multi-functional objectives during this era of climate change. Developing seed-sourcing guidelines that optimize phenotypic characteristics best suited to a particular planting site as well as to future conditions imposed by environmental change could be useful for effective reforestation. Because evolution operates differently across tree species, this is an especially cumbersome task in tropical forests that contain thousands of species. Partially due to this high plant diversity, research and application of intraspecific variation in genetics, plant traits, and plant function in tropical forests wane far behind less diverse forest biomes. To examine the potential for improving reforestation efforts in tropical forests by considering intraspecific variation in plant traits and functions, we review the state of knowledge on intraspecific variation in South-east Asia as a case study. We focus on the dipterocarp family ( Dipterocarpaceae ), a highly diverse family of 16 genera with approximately 695 known species that often dominate lowland tropical rainforests of South-east Asia with many of these forests in a degraded state and in need of restoration. We found that there is research accumulating to understand genetic variation in approximately 10% of these 695 species. Intraspecific molecular variation exists at different spatial scales among species with 74% of species having moderate to high population differentiation (Fst > 0.10) and 92% of species with evidence of fine-scale genetic structure. Although this suggests a high potential for trait variation, few studies associated molecular with phenotypic variation. Seventeen tree species across 11 studies revealed intraspecific variation in traits or functions. Research indicates that intraspecific variation in growth may vary two-fold and drought tolerance four-fold among genotypes highlighting the possibility to pre-adapt trees to climate change during reforestation and to use intraspecific variation to promote the use of native species in commercial forestry. Our review presents opportunities and ideas for developing seed-sourcing guidelines to take advantage of intraspecific variation in traits and function by identifying how to locate this variation, which species would benefit, and how to test for trait variation. We also highlight an emerging area of research on local adaptation, common garden studies, and adaptive drought conditioning to improve reforestation during climate change.

A case study comparing the addition of two different carbon sources in pilot scale RAS with trout with and without biofilters

In this study, water quality and fish performance of traditional RAS with nitrifying biofilters were compared with systems operated under heterotrophic N assimilation (HET-N), a process where bacteria consume ammonium directly for growth and thereby remove dissolved N excreted from the fish, using three different modes of carbon addition. Using twelve identical pilot scale RAS, four treatment groups were established in triplicate: RAS with autotrophic biofilters (Control), RAS with autotrophic biofilters and acetate addition (BF RAS +Acetate), RAS without biofilter with acetate addition (BF RAS -Acetate) and RAS without biofilter and a biopellet reactor (Biopellet RAS). The nine RAS with carbon addition all had lower levels of nitrate and orthophosphate at the end of the trial compared to the three control RAS (approx. 70% less NO3- in the Biopellet RAS and 72% less PO43- in BF RAS -Acetate). Without biofilters installed, both BF RAS -Acetate and Biopellet RAS maintained acceptable water quality parameters during their respective start-up phases and were fully developed in under 3 weeks. The addition of acetate to the water caused an expected formation of bioflocs in the systems, and a significant increase in bacterial activity and turbidity. Substantial feed spill was observed in RAS with acetate addition. The absence of bacterial accumulation and no increase in turbidity in the water in Biopellet RAS suggest that the processes primarily occurred within the reactor. The overall fish mortality was <1%, however, both types of RAS with acetate addition led to reduced fish growth (7.4–20%) compared to the control RAS and the RAS with biopellets. Biopellets were found to reduce dissolved N and P, and had a fast start up time without deteriorating water quality, thereby showing promising traits for use in RAS.

GIFTdb: a useful gene database for plant fruit traits improving.

Fruit traits are critical determinants of plant fitness, resource diversity, productive and quality. Gene regulatory networks in plants play an essential role in determining fruit traits, such as fruit size, yield, firmness, aroma and other important features. Many research studies have focused on elucidating the associated signaling pathways and gene interaction mechanism to better utilize gene resources for regulating fruit traits. However, the availability of specific database of genes related to fruit traits for use by the plant research community remains limited. To address this limitation, we developed the Gene Improvements for Fruit Trait Database (GIFTdb, http://giftdb.agroda.cn). GIFTdb contains 35 365 genes, including 896 derived from the FR database 1.0, 305 derived from 30 882 articles from 2014 to 2021, 236 derived from the Universal Protein Resource (UniProt) database, and 33 928 identified through homology analysis. The database supports several aided analysis tools, including signal transduction pathways, gene ontology terms, protein-protein interactions, DNAWorks, Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST), and Protein Subcellular Localization Prediction (WoLF PSORT). To provide information about genes currently unsupported in GIFTdb, potential fruit trait-related genes can be searched based on homology with the supported genes. GIFTdb can provide valuable assistance in determining the function of fruit trait-related genes, such as MYB306-like, by conducting a straightforward search. We believe that GIFTdb will be a valuable resource for researchers working on gene function annotation and molecular breeding to improve fruit traits.

Morphological and Molecular Characterization of a New Self-Compatible Almond Variety

Almonds are one of the most popular nuts, cultivated in countries with Mediterranean climates. In an almond orchard of the self-incompatible cultivar ‘Ferragnes’ in Greece, a tree with different morphological characteristics and signs of self-compatibility was observed. The aim of this study was to study the phenotype, investigate the self-compatibility trait, and elucidate the phylogenetic background of this tree, named ‘Mars’. Morphological traits and kernel and nut characteristics were measured in ‘Mars’, ‘Ferragnes’, ‘Tuono’, and ‘Lauranne’ cultivars. The self-compatibility trait of almonds is attributed to the Sf allele; thus, its existence was investigated in ‘Mars’ by PCR amplification. Moreover, the S-RNase genes of all the cultivars were sequenced. The genetic profile of ‘Mars’ was identified using eight SSR molecular markers and compared with the ‘Ferragnes’, ‘Ferraduel’, ‘Texas’, ‘Tuono’, and ‘Lauranne’ cultivars. The morphological traits suggest that ‘Mars’ is more similar to the ‘Ferragnes’ cultivar, while it bears the Sf allele. S-RNases sequencing revealed that ‘Mars’ has the genotype S1Sf, and the SSR markers showed that it is differentiated genetic material, suggesting it is a cross between ‘Ferragnes’ and ‘Tuono’. Therefore, ‘Mars’ is evaluated as a self-compatible variety with interesting agronomic traits for use in new mono-cultivar almond plantations.

Study of the Component Composition of Essential Oil, Morphology, Anatomy and Ploidy Level of Hyssopus officinalis f. cyaneus Alef

Common hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) is widely used as an aromatic and medicinal plant. In the component composition of the essential oil from the above-ground mass of H. officinalis f. cyaneus, from the collection of the Nikita Botanical Garden, the bicyclic monoterpene ketones isopinocamphone (50.99–64.41%) and pinocamphone (3.95–18.88%) predominate, which allows us to attribute this form to the isopinocamphone chemotype for use in pharmacology. An essential oil sample with a high content of isopinocamphone (70.74%) in complete absence of pinocamphone was determined, which made it possible to use the plant as a starting material for breeding. The objective of our work was to study the component composition of the essential oil of this form, and the morphology, anatomy and ploidy level of microshoots in vitro on a nutrient medium with BAP. This was compared with ex situ samples to develop a cultivation technique with the preservation of a valuable trait for use in task-oriented selection. Biotechnological methods are used for future mass propagation, study and the preservation of breeding forms. Morphological and anatomical features and ploidy of H. officinalis microshoots were studied in vitro. Using in vitro culturing of microshoots on MS medium containing BAP, a decrease in the cuticular layer and the degree of development of collenchyma near vascular bundles in leaves were shown compared to microshoots ex situ. Significant structural changes were found with a high increase in BAP concentration, while no changes in the ploidy level were detected.

Cross-cultural translation and adaptation of the Danish version of the brief version of the 10-item Big Five Inventory.

Personality traits are associated with pain-related beliefs and coping strategies, and different chronic conditions are linked through specific personality profiles. This highlights the importance of having valid and reliable measures of personality traits for use in clinical and research settings when assessing patients in chronic pain. To translate and cross-culturally adapt the 10-item Big Five Inventory (BFI-10) into Danish. A bilingual expert panel (N=4) and a panel of laymen (N=8) translated and culturally adapted the questionnaire into Danish. Face validity was evaluated in a group of persons suffering from recurring or ongoing painful conditions (N=9). Data were collected to evaluate the internal consistency, test-retest reliability and factor structure (N=96). Some of the participants in the lay panel considered the questionnaire too short, considering its aim of assessing personality. Acceptable internal consistency was found for two out of five subscales (0.78 for both Extraversion and Neuroticism), while the internal consistency was non-acceptable for the remaining subscales (0.17-0.45). Test-retest reliability was acceptable for three subscales (0.80 for Neuroticism, 0.84 for Conscientiousness, and 0.85 for Extraversion). Assumptions for determining the factor structure were not met and therefore was this analysis omitted. Although face valid, only two out of five subscales had acceptable internal consistency and only three subscales had acceptable test-retest reliability. These findings indicate that interpreting findings regarding personality using the Danish BFI-10 should be done with caution.

Dissecting the genetic architecture of leaf morphology traits in mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wizcek) using genome‐wide association study

AbstractMungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wizcek) is an important pulse crop, increasingly used as a source of protein, fiber, low fat, carbohydrates, minerals, and bioactive compounds in human diets. Mungbean is a dicot plant with trifoliate leaves. The primary component of many plant functions, including photosynthesis, light interception, and canopy structure, are leaves. The objectives were to investigate leaf morphological attributes, use image analysis to extract leaf morphological traits from photos from the Iowa Mungbean Diversity (IMD) panel, create a regression model to predict leaflet area, and undertake association mapping. We collected over 5000 leaf images of the IMD panel consisting of 484 accessions over 2 years (2020 and 2021) with two replications per experiment. Leaf traits were extracted using image analysis, analyzed, and used for association mapping. Morphological diversity included leaflet type (oval or lobed), leaflet size (small, medium, large), lobed angle (shallow, deep), and vein coloration (green, purple). A regression model was developed to predict each ovate leaflet's area (adjusted R2 = 0.97; residual standard errors of &lt; = 1.10). The candidate genes Vradi01g07560, Vradi05g01240, Vradi02g05730, and Vradi03g00440 are associated with multiple traits (length, width, perimeter, and area) across the leaflets (left, terminal, and right). These are suitable candidate genes for further investigation in their role in leaf development, growth, and function. Future studies will be needed to correlate the observed traits discussed here with yield or important agronomic traits for use as phenotypic or genotypic markers in marker‐aided selection methods for mungbean crop improvement.

Cow activity measurements can be used to define new fertility traits for use in genetic evaluation

Cow activity measurements are widely used in herd management tools for estrus detection. The aim of this study was to examine whether a new trait based on activity measures can be useful for genetic evaluation of cow fertility in Norwegian Red dairy cattle. Data from 284 herds with Lely milking robot were collected. Daily measurements of cow activity level were available from Lely activity tags and included data from 13,224 lactations of 8,139 Norwegian Red cows. We analyzed daily activity and included records from 10 to 150 d in milk for cows with at least 50 records. The trait analyzed was interval from calving to first high activity (CFHA). In total 87% of the cows had at least one episode of high activity recorded. The mean (standard deviation) of CFHA was 42 (28) days. A linear animal repeatability model with fixed effects of month-year of calving, age-parity, and herd, and random animal and permanent environment effects was used for estimation of variance components. The trait CFHA showed significant genetic variation with a heritability of 0.05 (0.01). This trait reflects the cow's ability to return to estrus cycle and show estrus after calving, which are important aspects of cow fertility.

Development of smut resistance genetic resources in millet with other economically valuable features

Aim. Creation and transfer to the National Center of Plant Genetic Resources of Ukraine genetic sources of millet with race-specific resistance against smut in combination with other economically valuable traits. Methods. In 2019 was laid a breeding nursery of raw material with signs of improved technological qualities of grain (high mass of 1000 grains, optimum film density, high grain alignment and spherical grain shape). In order to isolate forms of millet that are immune to different races of smut and to create sources of simultaneous resistance against damage to the most aggressive races of smut an analysis of the virulence of races was carried out and the most virulent of them were selected, which can characterize resistance against all 13 pathotypes in total. Results. A reconsideration for the resistance of millet against smut was carried out on a p infectious background of the most effective races of the pathogen for a well-established method of assessing the race-specific resistance of millet to smut, developed in the National Research Center of Institute of agriculture. Conclusion. In 2020 5 lines – sources of group resistance against smut – were selected in the nurseries of trials of breeding material of millet ( (l. 1110-05, l. 1727-14, l. 2142-14, l. 3199-16, l. 3267-16), which combined resistance in different ratios against the most virulent and aggressive pathotypes of smut – Rs2, Rs3 and Rs12 with economically valuable traits. 3 samples are also selected (l. 1427-08, l. 2098-14, l. 2155-14), which overwhelm the standards for a complex of economic and valuable signs: resistance to lodging (8.5 points), resistance to melanosis damage (lesion – 0%), high weight of 1000 grains &gt; 9g, low film density (13.5–15.0%), spherical grain shape, race-specific resistance to the soot race group with the most virulent and aggressive races of the pathogen – Rs2 and Rs12. These lines of own breeding were transferred to the National Center of Plant Genetic Resources of Ukraine under catalog numbers IUDS019538, IUDS019539, IUDS019540, IUDS019541, IUDS019542, IUDS019543, IUDS019544, IUDS019545) as genetic sources of resistance of millet to the most common race of smut in combination with other economically valuable traits for use in breeding and scientific programs of scientific-research institutions of Ukraine.

Progenitor species hold untapped diversity for potential climate-responsive traits for use in wheat breeding and crop improvement.

Climate change will have numerous impacts on crop production worldwide necessitating a broadening of the germplasm base required to source and incorporate novel traits. Major variation exists in crop progenitor species for seasonal adaptation, photosynthetic characteristics, and root system architecture. Wheat is crucial for securing future food and nutrition security and its evolutionary history and progenitor diversity offer opportunities to mine favourable functional variation in the primary gene pool. Here we provide a review of the status of characterisation of wheat progenitor variation and the potential to use this knowledge to inform the use of variation in other cereal crops. Although significant knowledge of progenitor variation has been generated, we make recommendations for further work required to systematically characterise underlying genetics and physiological mechanisms and propose steps for effective use in breeding. This will enable targeted exploitation of useful variation, supported by the growing portfolio of genomics and accelerated breeding approaches. The knowledge and approaches generated are also likely to be useful across wider crop improvement.

Paper and Salt: Biodegradable NaCl-Based Humidity Sensors for Sustainable Electronics

Flexible and thin-film humidity sensors are currently attracting the attention of the scientific community due to their portability and reduced size, which are highly useful traits for use in the Internet o Things (IoT) industry. Furthermore, in order to perform efficient and profitable mass production, it is necessary to develop a cost-effective and reproducible fabrication process and materials. Green fabrication methods and biodegradable materials would also minimize the environmental impact and create a sustainable IoT development. In this paper, flexible humidity sensors based on a common salt (NaCl) sensing layer are reported. Our sensors and the fabrication techniques employed, such as dip and spray coating, provide a biodegradable, low cost, and highly reproducible device. One of the sensors reported presents a typical resistive behaviour from 40% RH up to 85% RH with a sensitivity of −0.21 (Z/%RH). The performance of the sensors obtained with several fabrication techniques is studied and reported at multiple frequencies from 100 Hz to 10 MHz, showcasing its versatility and robustness.

Graft Compatibility Classification within Aurantioideae Based on Biometric Traits and the Anatomy of Graft Union

Citrus relatives are a relevant source of valuable traits for use in citrus breeding, including resistance to diseases such as Huanglongbing (HLB). Resistant rootstocks may impact tree responses to HLB. This requires graft compatibility, which has been poorly investigated within the Aurantioideae. In this study, the biometric characteristics and the anatomy of the graft union of 86 scion/rootstock combinations were assessed. This comprised 18 genotypes/species and 8 genera from Citrinae, Balsamocitrinae, and Clauseninae subtribes sensu Swingle and Reece. Most graft combinations were found to be noncompatible. Phylogenetic proximity did not ensure successful grafting as, for example, Orange jasmine autografts failed, whereas some intergeneric grafts were successful (&gt;60% of graft-take). Plant scion height was directly related to graft-take, but the correlation between the scion and rootstock stem diameters was not a reliable indicator of graft compatibility. Rangpur/Tabog, Tabog/Rangpur, Wampee/Rangpur, Wampee/Pomeroy, Wampee/Swingle, Pomeroy/Wampee, and Swingle/Wampee were the most compatible intergeneric graft combinations. Graft-take success for this was at similar levels to those of sweet orange grafted on common citrus rootstocks. The position as a scion or rootstock in the combination affected the performance and was specific to the genotypes tested. The lack of differentiation between xylem-derived calli and the accumulation of phenolic compounds at the graft union were clear anatomical and biochemical markers, respectively, of incompatibility for most Aurantioideae combinations. In the field, within a set of the ten most promising combinations, Hamlin/Rangpur (control) was the only one that became infected by ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’. This was first observed 12 months after planting. Overall, the assessment of biometric traits and anatomy of the graft union allowed Aurantioideae genotypes to be divided into four clusters, with respect to their graft compatibility, as follows: fully compatible with high graft-take and plant growth; potentially compatible with high graft-take but lower plant growth; partially incompatible with lower graft-take and poor plant growth; and fully incompatible with a complete absence of graft-take.

Genome Editing Technologies for Efficient Use of Plant Genetic Resources

Plant genetic resources (PGRs) are the basis for food and nutritional security, and enhanced utilization of these resources is of paramount importance for genetic improvement of crops. Till date the use of PGRs has been limited in conventional breeding programmes for developing widely adapted crop varieties. In the recent past, genome-wide association studies, genomics and functional genomics approaches using diverse germplasm accessions have facilitated discovery of novel quantitative trait loci (QTLs), genes and alleles associated with useful agronomic traits for use in crop improvement through molecular breeding and genetic engineering. More recently, genome editing has emerged as a new plant breeding technology with great potential for enhancing the use of PGRs, for addressing the challenges of climate change, malnutrition, environmental security, achieving SDGs by 2030, and to sustainably feed 10 billion people by 2050. In this article, an attempt has been made to highlight the use of CRISPR-based genome editing technologies for crop improvement through the use of PGRs.

Mini Core Germplasm Collections for Developing Climate Resilient Crop Cultivars and Achieving Enhanced Genetic Gains in Plant Breeding Programs

Crop germplasm diversity contributes to developing improved crop cultivars aimed at increasing crop productivity to meet future food security needs of world. The large size of germplasm collections and lack of reliable information on traits of economic importance has resulted in low use (<1%) of germplasm. To facilitate realization of the potential benefits of germplasm collections to broaden the genetic base of cultivars in many crops, the mini core (~1% of the entire collection) concept was postulated and a development process proposed, to produce resources recognized globally as an “International Public Good” (IPG). Mini core collections have been developed in several crops and new diverse sources of genetic variation identified for biotic and abiotic stresses, agronomic and nutritional traits for use in crop improvement programs. Using genetically diverse sources scientists have developed breeding lines with enhanced trait expression and higher genetic gains. Molecular characterization of germplasm has revealed that phenotypic traits were as effective as molecular markers in sampling allelic diversity to form mini core collections.

Evaluation of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes for tolerance to Frost in controlled environment

The study aimed to evaluate the frost tolerance variability of Ethiopian chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) germplasm under controlled environment using growth chamber. A total of 72 genotypes were screened for frost tolerance using complete randomized design with two replications. The analysis of variance result indicated that there was a significant (P&lt;0.01) difference amongst genotypes for plant height, number of foliage, number of primary branch, growth rate, and fresh biomass weight. Based on plant survival rate (SR), 31 (43.1%) genotypes scored above 0.8 values. Based on Freezing tolerance rate (FTR), 37(51.4%) and 31(43.1%) genotypes were rated at a score of 1 to 3 in freezing test 1 (T1) and freezing test 2 (T2), respectively. There was a strong negative correlation between fresh biomass yields with SR (-0.75** for T1 and -0.71** for T2 at p&lt;0.01), while a strong positive correlation with FTR value (0.74** at p&lt;0.01). Based on the combined result of FTR and SR scores, 26 genotypes were found to be frost-tolerant genotypes at a temperature level as low as -5oC at seedling stage. Based on our findings, Ethiopian chickpea germplasm has a genetic potential for frost-tolerance traits for use in breeding programs.

Phenology-dependent root bacteria enhance yield of Brassica napus

The plant root microbiome can enhance yield in crops, but whether this effect is due to one yield-promoting bacterial community consisting of key taxa, or multiple configurations of taxa with different traits is unclear. A changing climate and the need to reduce carbon-intensive agricultural inputs has spurred breeding programs to explore holobiont approaches to optimizing crop yields. Here we used an extensive dataset of >1300 Brassica napus (a key oilseed crop) root samples across 4 trials and 16 varieties in a novel, robust analytical pipeline to decipher the beneficial root-associated bacterial communities associated with B. napus yield performance. We found three taxonomically distinct, but phylogenetically similar communities associated with leaf development, anthesis, and seed development that were linked to crop yield performance across multiple years and sites. Here we show B. napus is associated with not one, but several phenology-dependent yield-promoting root bacterial communities that influence seed yield via different, and yet undetermined, mechanisms. Therefore, we need to consider the relationship between B. napus phenology, and holobiont community assembly and function in selecting microbiome associated traits for use in breeding programs.