Comparison of yield based drought tolerance indices in improved varieties, genetic stocks and landraces of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Drought strongly influences potato (Solanum tuberosum) production and quality. Potato being a drought susceptible crop, the development of varieties with enhanced tolerance to water stress could highly improve productivity in drought prone areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of several yield based indices to be used in large scale screening for drought tolerance. The experiment included improved varieties, genetic stocks and landraces potatoes grown under drought and irrigated conditions. A group of accessions with high yield under both conditions was identified. Mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP), tolerance (TOL), drought tolerance index (DTI), drought susceptible index (DSI) and yield stability index (YSI) were calculated from tuber yield under drought and irrigated conditions. The relationships between these indices and yield were analyzed. The Fleiss’ Kappa concordance test was used to analyze the correspondence between accessions previously identified as highly productive under both drought and irrigated conditions and accessions with optimal values for the different indices. MP, GMP and DTI allowed identifying genotypes combining high yield potential and high yield under drought within the three subsets of genotypes. Conversely, DSI, YSI and TOL showed low and variable concordance values across subsets, suggesting that their efficiency in screening genotypes highly depends on the nature of the tested genetic material.     

Morphological variation of starch granules in S<Subscript>1</Subscript> cassava progenies

The need to develop new cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) varieties with different starch characteristics has greatly motivated new research. The aim of this study was to evaluate morphological alterations in starch granules as well as genetic gains in segregating S₁ cassava populations. Starch from accessions (S₀): BGM0222, BGM1378 and BGM1662 and from their self-fertilized progenies (S₁): F0222, F1378 and F1662, with 78, 80 and 76 individuals, respectively, were evaluated for the following traits: area (ArStGr, µm²), perimeter (PrStGr, µm), length (LeStGr, µm) and number of starch granules (NuStGr). Moreover, some agronomic traits of the S₁ progenies were evaluated at harvest such as: plant height (PlaHei), shoot yield (ShoYi), root yield (RoYi), starch yield (StYi), and root dry matter content (DMC). With the selection of transgressive individuals in S₁ progenies, it is possible to obtain selection gains for values higher and lower than the average of the S₀ genitors, whereas selection gains can reach up to 16.58, 8.39, 7.87 and 34.18% for ArStGr, LeStGr, PrStGr, and NuStGr, respectively. Average size of the starch granule varied from 9.8 to 12.37 µm among individuals in an S₁ progeny. Positive and high correlations between the individuals were found for some morphological characteristics of the cassava starch granule but not strongly correlated with agronomic traits. Therefore, it is possible to select S₁ cassava individuals for agronomic characteristics without losing other important starch traits. Cassava-segregating populations allow the obtainment of individuals with different morphological characteristics as for starch granules, enabling obtainment of genetic gains with the selection.     

Genotypic Variability in Adaptation Responses of Selected Clones of Cassava to Drought Stress in the Sudan Savanna Zone of Nigeria

Identification of drought‐tolerant and ‐resistant varieties of cassava is of paramount importance for the maximization of productivity potential in drought‐prone areas. Nine improved cassava varieties developed in humid and subhumid agro‐ecologies were evaluated for their growth responses and adaptability in the dry savannas of Nigeria. Field trials were set up in two cropping seasons at three different locations. Parameters evaluated included fresh root yield (FRY), fresh shoot yield (FSY), cumulative leaves formed (CLF), cumulative leaf scars (CLS), root dry‐matter content (DMC), harvest index (HI), and root cyanogenic potential (CNp). Results demonstrated that varietal response differed with water table site, implying different adaptation responses of varieties to the water regime. Variations in all characters studied were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by genotype, suggesting a strong genetic basis for the phenotypic differences amongst varieties. Compared with variation attributable to location, the genotypic components were strong for FRY, FSY, CLF, CLS, HI and DMC. HI and DMC were not significantly affected by location. CNp tended to increase with increasing drought stress. The significance of genotype × environment effects for FRY suggested that genotypes may be selected for specific adaptation for drought‐prone environments. The poor adaptability responses of the majority of the varieties implied that an agro‐ecologically targeted breeding scheme for the dry savanna would be a more appropriate approach for the development of drought‐tolerant varieties.     

Assessment of Groundnut under Combined Heat and Drought Stress

In semi‐arid regions, particularly in the Sahel, water and high‐temperature stress are serious constraints for groundnut production. Understanding of combined effects of heat and drought on physiological traits, yield and its attributes is of special significance for improving groundnut productivity. Two hundred and sixty‐eight groundnut genotypes were evaluated in four trials under both intermittent drought and fully irrigated conditions, two of the trial being exposed to moderate temperature, while the two other trials were exposed to high temperature. The objectives were to analyse the component of the genetic variance and their interactions with water treatment, year and environment (temperature) for agronomic characteristics, to select genotypes with high pod yield under hot‐ and moderate‐temperature conditions, or both, and to identify traits conferring heat and/or drought tolerance. Strong effects of water treatment (Trt), genotype (G) and genotype‐by‐treatment (GxTrt) interaction were observed for pod yield (Py), haulm yield (Hy) and harvest index (HI). The pod yield decrease caused by drought stress was 72 % at high temperature and 55 % at moderate temperature. Pod yield under well‐watered (WW) conditions did not decrease under high‐temperature conditions. Haulm yield decrease caused by water stress (WS) was 34 % at high temperature and 42 % under moderate temperature. Haulm yield tended to increase under high temperature, especially in one season. A significant year effect and genotype‐by‐environment interaction (GxE) effect were also observed for the three traits under WW and WS treatments. The GGE biplots confirmed these large interactions and indicated that high yielding genotypes under moderate temperature were different to those at high temperature. However, several genotypes with relatively high yield across years and temperature environments could be identified under both WW and WS conditions. Correlation analysis between pod weight and traits measured during plant growth showed that the partition rate, that is, the proportion of dry matter partitioned into pods, was contributing in heat and drought tolerance and could be a reliable selection criterion for groundnut breeding programme. Groundnut sensitivity to high‐temperature stress was in part related to the sensitivity of reproduction.     

Introgression of genes for dry matter content from wild cassava species

Cassava cultivars often have poor resistance to biotic stresses and lack good quality traits. Wild species of cultivated crops have frequently been used as an important source of genetic diversity. Cassava breeders are becoming increasingly interested in incorporating genes of wild relatives. In 2000 the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) initiated a programme to introgress genes for several root yield and quality traits from wild cassava relatives into its germplasm collection. The objectives of this study were to evaluate one resulting inter-specific cross with high variability for dry matter content (DMC) and to assess the effect of such a cross on other yield related traits. Crossing of the elite cultivar MTAI 8 to the wild relative Manihot tristis increased the percentage DMC above the normal average of about 35%, with percentage DMC ranging from 34.39 to 42.73. The crosses, however, were accompanied by some detrimental effects, most noticeable the reduction in harvest index (HI). It is apparent that when selecting for DMC, caution should be taken and HI and fresh root yield should be monitored. Regression analysis singled root weight, percentage DMC and fresh root yield out as the most important contributors to dry root yield. Principal component analysis indicated that root weight, roots per plants and DMC contributed most to storage root yield.     

陆地棉种质资源抗旱性状的关联分析

干旱是导致全世界棉花严重减产、纤维品质下降的重要因素,因此获得高产、优质、耐旱的棉花新品种一直是棉花的育种目标。本研究选取217份陆地棉栽培种组成的自然群体为研究对象,采用全生育期处理组灌水量为对照组50%的干旱胁迫处理,并在处理后期对217份材料的株高、衣分、单铃重等18个性状进行2年2点的表型鉴定,干旱胁迫后,群体间响应差异明显,多个表型性状在对照和处理间表现显著差异。通过BLUP分析表型数据并计算各性状的抗旱系数;全基因组范围选取的214对多态性SSR分子标记扫描群体,共检测到393个多态性位点,基因多样性系数平均值为0.402,范围为0.072~0.631,PIC值平均为0.329,范围为0.070~0.560;群体结构分析表明,该群体可分为2个亚群。用上述SSR标记分别对18个性状的抗旱系数进行关联分析,共关联到76个极显著位点(P<0.01),表型变异解释率为2.930%~7.218%,其中共有14个标记位点能同时被2种或以上性状检测到。研究结果可为后期棉花杂交育种亲本选择及抗旱分子标记辅助育种提供理论基础及参考依据。     

大豆成株期抗旱性鉴定评价方法研究

以我国不同地区育成的77个大豆品种(系)为供试材料、以晋豆21为对照, 在年降雨量不足40 mm的甘肃敦煌市, 设干旱胁迫和正常灌水2个处理, 考察与产量相关的8个农艺性状, 应用简单相关、等级相关等统计学方法, 筛选优异的抗旱种质资源, 旨在明确大豆成株期抗旱性鉴定指标和评价方法。9种抗旱性评价方法比较结果表明, 基于抗旱系数法、伤害指数和敏感指数对供试材料的抗旱性评价结果完全一致, 基于生物产量、单株粒数和单株荚数的综合评价方法与基于产量的直接评价方法比并无优势。经典的抗旱系数法适宜于筛选抗旱资源, 但不一定能筛选出正常条件下的丰产资源, 而本文提出的改进抗旱指数法可筛选到抗旱性和丰产性兼备的品种, 为抗旱育种和生产应用服务;通过划分不同品种熟期组, 筛选到不同熟期类型的抗旱、丰产品种。本研究为制订“大豆抗旱性鉴定评价技术规范”提供了理论依据, 对大豆资源的抗旱性鉴定和抗旱性育种具有重要的意义。     

小麦种质资源抗旱性鉴定评价

培育抗旱节水小麦品种是保障我国粮食安全的重要途径之一, 优异抗旱种质资源筛选及抗旱性评价方法的研究对于提高抗旱育种效率具有关键作用。本研究采用反复干旱法和田间直接鉴定法分别鉴定323份小麦种质苗期和成株期的抗旱性。结果表明, 随着干旱次数的增加幼苗存活率逐渐下降, 而其变异系数和广义遗传力增加。成株期单株产量抗旱系数与综合抗旱性度量值D显著正相关(R ² = 0.609), 采用综合抗旱性度量值D有利于区分干旱对不同种质产量的影响力。苗期反复干旱存活率(DS)与单株产量的抗旱系数及综合抗旱性度量值D均无显著相关。基于反复干旱存活率筛选得到28份苗期强抗旱种质, 基于单株产量抗旱系数和综合抗旱性度量值D分别得到25和30份成株期强抗旱种质, 其中, 9份种质用2种评价方法均表现强抗旱; 21份种质在苗期和成株期均表现抗旱或强抗旱。本研究为小麦抗旱性评价方法及抗旱亲本的合理选择提供理论指导和信息支撑。     

Genetic variation in drought tolerance at seedling stage and grain yield in low rainfall environments in wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.)

Genetic architecture of seedling drought tolerance is complex and needs to be better understood. To address this challenge, we developed a protocol to identify the most promising drought-tolerant genotypes at the seedling stage in winter wheat. A population of 146 recombinant inbred lines (F₉) derived from a cross between wheat cultivars, ‘Harry’ (seedling drought tolerant) and ‘Wesley’ (seedling drought susceptible) were used in this study. All genotypes were sown in three replications in a randomized complete block design under controlled conditions in a greenhouse. Seven traits were scored and grouped into tolerance traits; days to wilting, leaf wilting, and stay green and survival traits; days to regrowth, regrowth, drought survival rate, and recovery after irrigation. Three selection indices were calculated (1) tolerance index, (2) survival index, and (3) drought tolerance index (DTI). The same set of genotypes were also tested for grain yield in two low rainfall environments for two seasons. High genetic variation was found among all genotypes for all seedling traits scored in this study. Correlations between tolerance and survival traits were weak or did not exist. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.53 to 0.88. DTI had significant phenotypic and genotypic correlations with all seedling traits. Genotypes were identified with a high drought tolerance at the seedling stage combined with high grain yield in low rainfall. Breeding for tolerance and survival traits should be taken into account for improving winter wheat drought tolerance at seedling stage. The selected genotypes can be used for to further improve drought tolerance in high yielding wheat for Nebraska.     

Response of upland cotton (<Emphasis Type="Italic">G.hirsutum</Emphasis> L.) genotypes to drought stress using drought tolerance indices

Drought tolerance as such is often not considered to be an independent trait by plant breeders. The objective of this study was to evaluate eight drought tolerance indices, namely stress susceptibility index (SSI), yield stability index (YSI), yield reduction ratio (Yr), yield index (YI), tolerance index (TOL), mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP), and stress tolerance index (STI) in upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.) genotypes. For this purpose, 16 genotypes were sampled during the 2013-2014 growing seasons under both normal and drought-stress field conditions at the Main Cotton Research Station of Navsari Agricultural University, Surat, India. The drought tolerance indices were calculated based on seed cotton yield under drought stress and non-stress conditions. Mean comparison of drought tolerance indices and seed cotton yield validated the significant influences of drought stress on yield as well as significant differences among genotypes. Results of calculated correlation coefficients and multivariate analyses showed that GMP, MP and STI indices were able to discriminate drought-sensitive and tolerant genotypes. Cluster analysis using the drought-tolerance indices divided the 16 genotypes into tolerant and susceptible groups. Two genotypes, G.Cot.16 × H-1353/10 and H-1353/10 × G.Cot.16 gave good yield response under drought conditions leading to their stability during water stress conditions. Based on multivariate analyses using the indices individually or in combinations, it was possible to identify the most yield-stable genotypes across the environments. Overall, we concluded that GMP, MP and STI indices can be efficiently exploited not only for screening drought tolerance but also to identify superior genotypessuitable for both stress and non-stress field conditions.     

Genotype selection for physiological responses of drought tolerance using molecular markers in polycross hybrids of orchardgrass

The present study aimed to assess the effect of contrasting levels of molecular and phenotypic diversity among polycross parents of orchardgrass on the performance of synthetic progeny with respect to physiological responses and drought tolerance. Four polycross groups each composed of six parental plants were evaluated under normal irrigation and drought stress conditions. A number of 923 inter simple sequence repeats and sequence related amplified polymorphism markers and several phenotypic traits were used to select contrasting levels of diversity (high and low) in parental genotypes. Highly significant correlation was observed between molecular distance and progeny performances at both normal irrigation and drought stress conditions. High molecular diversity among polycross parents led to a significant yield advantage of first generation progeny with averages of 34.40% for normal irrigation and 48.10% for drought stress conditions. Also crosses between genetically distant parents produced progeny with considerable drought tolerance and yield stability. Positive associations between phenotypic distance of parents and progeny performance were found for most physiological traits at both moisture regimes but phenotypic distances had weak association with forage yield, stress tolerance index and yield stability of progeny. Significant associations between drought tolerance index and some physiological traits confirmed the importance of these traits in conferring drought tolerance of orchardgrass. Our results underscore the effectiveness of marker‐assisted polycross breeding to improve drought tolerance and yield stability through physiological traits in orchardgrass.     

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.     

不同甘薯品种抗旱性评价及耐旱指标筛选

在人工控水条件下,以15个甘薯品种为试验材料,设置干旱胁迫和正常灌水2个处理,研究了干旱胁迫条件下不同甘薯品种产量和农艺性状差异。根据产量抗旱系数法分级,抗旱品种(抗旱系数≥0.6)为济薯21、济薯25、济徐23、济薯15、烟薯25;中等抗旱品种(0.4≤抗旱系数0.6)为徐薯18、济薯26、北京553、济紫薯2号、济薯18;不抗旱品种(抗旱系数0.4)为郑薯20、济紫薯3号、济薯22、济紫薯1号、凌紫。干旱胁迫导致甘薯的叶片数、蔓长、叶面积系数和生物量下降,品种间降幅不同,抗旱性强的品种降幅小,抗旱性弱的品种降幅大。这些农艺性状指标与甘薯品种的抗旱性呈显著正相关,可作为甘薯品种抗旱性鉴定的指标。徐薯18可作为甘薯品种抗旱性鉴定的标准品种。     

绿豆种质资源苗期抗旱性鉴定

鉴定筛选苗期抗旱绿豆种质,对改良绿豆品种抗旱性、促进绿豆产业发展具有重要意义,同时,也为"绿豆抗旱性鉴定评价技术规范"的制定提供方法和信息支撑。本研究以70份绿豆种质为材料,采用苗期反复干旱法,测定幼苗存活率、萎蔫指数、株高、叶片鲜重、叶片干重、叶片含水量、生物量和胁迫指数等指标,分析各指标间的相关性,结果显示第1次旱胁迫后的幼苗存活率与第2次旱胁迫后的幼苗存活率呈极显著正相关;萎蔫指数、株高与幼苗存活率呈极显著负相关,故遴选出第1次旱胁迫幼苗存活率、萎蔫指数和株高为绿豆苗期抗旱性评价的适宜指标。采用隶属函数法,综合分析划级,获得高抗旱种质16份、抗旱种质20份,中抗种质23份、敏感种质8份和极敏感种质3份。以第1次旱胁迫幼苗存活率、萎蔫指数和胁迫株高分别评价绿豆的抗旱性并与综合评价结果相比较,一致率分别为70.0%、58.6%和51.4%。认为第1次旱胁迫幼苗存活率可以作为大规模绿豆种质苗期抗旱筛选的鉴定指标。     

水稻重测序核心种质资源的稻瘟病抗性鉴定与评价

稻瘟病一直是制约水稻产量的重要因素之一,稻瘟病抗源筛选是抗性基因挖掘和抗病育种的基础。本试验利用3000份(简称3K)重测序中的1217份核心种质资源,通过湖北恩施两河和芭蕉2个病圃自然诱发鉴定抗性,结合不发病条件下农艺性状考察和抗病资源的苗期人工接种抗谱测定,综合评价和筛选优异的稻瘟病抗源。自然诱发鉴定结果显示材料间的稻瘟病抗感差异显著,从中共获得144份抗苗瘟、叶瘟和穗瘟的抗病种质。选用稻瘟病综合抗性较好的34份材料以30个不同来源的稻瘟病菌株苗期接种,鉴定显示有17份材料的抗性频率≥70%,抗谱较广。农艺性状考察结果显示,大部分抗病材料植株偏高,单株产量低,农艺性状差。结合病圃鉴定、人工接种鉴定和农艺性状考察,鉴定出7份稻瘟病抗性强、抗谱广且农艺性状较好的优异抗源材料IRGA 411-1-6-1F-A、YJ30、金早47、泉珍10号、YN 1353-3、云粳23和IRAT1047,可作为抗源亲本用于稻瘟病抗性基因挖掘和品种抗稻瘟性改良。     

Wide hybridization and introgression breeding in safflower: Effectiveness of different selection methods

Possibility of using interspecific hybridization to increase genetic diversity of drought tolerance in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) and effectiveness of different selection methods is poorly understood. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of (a) interspecific hybridization to expand genetic diversity in safflower for agronomic traits and drought tolerance in advance generations and (b) different selection methods (direct vs. indirect) for improving seed yield. Interspecific hybridizations were performed between species of C. tinctorius × C. palaestinus (TP), C. palaestinus × C. oxyacantha (PO) and C. tinctorius × C. oxyacantha (TO). Based on the field screening of genotypes in F3 generation, four groups of selected genotypes (derived from combination of direct and indirect selection under both drought and normal environments along with selection based on drought tolerance index (STI)) were evaluated in F4 and F5 generations. Indirect selection for seed yield was significantly more efficient than direct selection. Selection in stress environment resulted to more efficiency than selection in normal environment. No significant difference was observed between direct selection and selection based on STI. The result showed that TP was the best population to combine high seed yield and drought tolerance in safflower.     

棉花种质资源收集鉴定与创新利用

十二五期间通过对我国西南地区、南海诸岛、及国外野生棉起源中心实地考察和广泛征集,新收集国内外棉花种质资源1220份,其中陆地棉986份、海岛棉176份、亚洲棉58份,所收集种质均已入国家中期库保存。收集的棉花种质资源分别在河南安阳、海南三亚、新疆阿拉尔进行主要农艺经济性状鉴定和特性鉴定。通过SSR(Simple sequence repeat)分子标记、重测序等技术对收集到的种质进行了分子鉴定,筛选到大量与纤维品质、抗黄萎病、抗旱、抗草甘膦显著关联的基因。在收集保存的种质资源基础上,通过辐射诱变、远缘杂交、复合杂交创造出优质、高产、抗逆等优异种质资源。通过展示向全国科研院所及公司发放棉花种质19 191份次。     

Development of drought‐tolerant breeding lines derived from Helianthus annuus × H. argophyllus interspecific crosses

Helianthus argophyllus is a wild species known as “silver sunflower”, which possesses several traits, including morphological traits that increase drought tolerance. Therefore, introgressions between chosen cultivated lines and two H. argophyllus accessions were made, and segregating generations were established. Important agronomic traits including single heading, high pollen fertility, silver canopy (indicating more cuticular wax), and content of cuticular waxes and oil were selected over six segregating generations. The resulting F₆ lines showed introgression of water saving traits, as they had lower excise leaf water loss, with comparable yield to standard checks. However, these F₆ lines were late maturing and showed poor flowering synchronization between the cultivated and introgressed lines. Introgressed line “D‐22” was particularly promising as a breeding line, with superior agronomic and drought resistance traits. This line had the potential to be used as an inbred parental line for introgression of drought resistance traits into elite sunflower germplasm. Combining ability analysis of the introgressed lines further showed their potential for heterosis breeding or to be used as parental lines in breeding programme.     

Traits related to drought resistance in common bean

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is grown in regions where water deficits during reproductive development significantly reduce yield. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of specific phenological and physiological traits with drought resistance in common bean. Five genotypes were grown under and near a rain shelter in 1988, and an additional 16 progeny lines were included in 1990. Drought stress determined by the drought intensity index was severe (0.78) in 1988 and more moderate (0.63) in 1990. Water stress reduced the expression of most traits with the exception of days to flower and leaf moisture retention capacity. Seed yield among genotypes was reduced from 22 to 71% due to drought. Yield under stress was correlated with yield under nonstress in 1990 and negatively correlated with the drought susceptibility index in 1988. Yield components which exhibited the largest differential genotypic responses to stress were pod and seed number, whereas seed size was more stable. Genotypic variation was detected in all the partitioning indexes, chiefly harvest index and relative sink strength, and the heritability estimates for these traits were high. The limited genetic variability observed among water relations traits and their role in water conservation would restrict their potential use in the selection for drought resistance in common bean. The differential correlations between phenological, biomass and partitioning traits and the indexes for yield and drought susceptibility would suggest that the most effective approach in breeding for drought resistance in common bean would be based first on selection for high geometric yield followed by selection among the high-yielding individuals for low to moderate levels of the drought susceptibility index. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.