Appropriate characters for racial classification in maize

To determine the relative importance of the genotype, the environment, and their interaction on the expression of morphological characters in maize races, 50 Mexican races and 24 races from Central America, South America, and the U.S. were grown in several locations and seasons in México and 47 characters were measured directly. Estimates of the ratio of variance components, rc = [Vc/(Ve+VCs/], were used as criteria to determine the appropriate characters for racial classification. Twenty-four useful variables were identified. Analysis of the structure of the data matrix facilitated visual examination of correlations among the variables and of the variability represented by each variable. Based on these analyses, a minimum list of 9 characters was suggested to be appropriate variables for racial classification: number of leaves per plant, branched part length/tassel length, central spike internode length, male glume length, kernel width, rachis segment length, pith diameter, ear diameter/length, and kernel width/length.     

新疆阿勒泰地区5个大赖草种群的表型多样性分析

为了解大赖草种群﹝Leymus racemosus ( Lam.) Tzvel.﹞的表型变异规律及多样性特征,对分布于新疆阿勒泰地区的5个大赖草种群(分别位于阿勒泰市、福海县、布尔津县和哈巴河县)的16个表型性状进行了测定;在此基础上,对各表型性状进行了Shannon-Weaver指数( H＇)分析和主成分分析。结果表明：各种群间的16个表型性状均存在较大差异,其中分布于哈巴河县的2个种群各表型性状的平均值均较高。种群内各表型性状的变异系数为5.97%~40.05%,差异较大;其中,穗下第一节间长度的变异系数在各种群内均较大(17.16%~40.05%);总体上看,种群内与营养生长有关的性状(如穗下第一节间长度、剑叶长度和宽度等)变异较大,而与繁殖有关的性状变异较小。在种群间,穗下第一节间长度、剑叶长度和宽度的变异系数均较大,分别为31.85%、26.87%和27.85%;而小穗和外颖长度以及穗节数的变异系数均较小,分别为15.21%、16.53%和16.91%。5个种群间16个表型性状的H＇值均有较大差异,并且,种群内各表型性状的H＇平均值(1.660)明显高于种群间(0.239)。主成分分析结果显示：前5个主成分的累计贡献率为80.210%,其中,第1主成分中与营养器官相关的性状(如株高、穗下第一节间长度、剑叶长度和宽度、茎节数)载荷较大,第2至第4主成分中与繁殖器官相关的性状(如穗长度和宽度、外颖和内颖长度、小穗长度和宽度以及外稃长度)载荷较大,表明这12个性状为大赖草种群表型性状变异的主要因子。研究结果显示：大赖草种群间的表型多样性低于种群内,且营养器官的表型变异是导致大赖草种群表型多样性的主要因子。     

Contribution of genetic and environmental factors in the phenotypic variability of major indices of child development at different stages of postnatal ontogenesis

Main indices of physical development of monozygotic and dizygotic twins were investigated during 13 years period. Using the coefficients of the within-pair correlation of characters studied an attempt was made to estimate the correlative contribution of genetic and environmental determinants to formation of phenotypic variance of height, weight and chest circumference from birth up to 13 years old. The indices of composing components obtained suggest that underlying formation of phenotypic variance of each of the characters analysed are the mechanisms reflecting qualitative, quantitative and time peculiarities of functioning of polygenic systems involved in determination of characters studied and peculiarities of their interaction with environmental factors.     

Inheritance of human finger and palm dermatoglyphic characteristics]

The degree of genetic determination of 25 quantitative dermatoglyphic characteristics has been studied on family: twin material: 45 pairs of MZ and 75 single-sex DZ twins; and 53 single-sex "parent-child" pairs. Approximating formulae were used to estimate main components of phenotypic variance due to additive interaction of genetic factors, to non-linear effects (intralocus dominance) and to the effect of total-familiar and random environmental factors. All the finger dermatoglyphic characteristics studied had a high degree of genetic determination (G greater than 0,80), and for most of them the contribution into the large variance of intralocus dominance effects was comparable with that of additive gene interaction, included in the determination of these characters. There are some palm dermatoglyphic characteristics ("ad" distance "cd" comb counting, "bad", "adt" and "cda" angles), which degree of genetic determination is low (G less than 0,35). At least ten quantitative finger and palm dermatogliphic characteristics with a high degree of genetic determination can be used for special studies in frames of multidimentional genetical analysis, including determination of twin zygosity type. Earlier described "indices" (using twin data) of relative role of genetic and environment factors in the determination of populational variability of quantitative characters are considered. None of them is shown to be a reliable estimate of the coefficient of genetic character determination. The use of these indices in practical studies can result in wrong conclusions on the degree and the character of genetic determination of quantitative characters.     

GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL VARIATION IN LIFE-HISTORY TRAITS OF A MONOCARPIC PERENNIAL: A DECADE-LONG FIELD EXPERIMENT

Directional and stabilizing selection tend to deplete additive genetic variance. On the other hand, genetic variance in traits related to fitness could be retained through polygenic mutation, spatially varying selection, genotype-environment interaction, or antagonistic pleiotropy. Most estimates of genetic variance in fitness-related traits have come from laboratory studies, with few estimates of heritability made under natural conditions, particularly for longer lived organisms. Here I estimated additive genetic variance in life-history characters of a monocarpic herb, Ipomopsis aggregata, that lives for up to a decade. Experimental crosses yielded 229 full-sibships nested within 32 paternal half-sibships. More than 5000 offspring were planted as seeds into natural field sites and were followed in most cases through their entire life cycle. Survival showed substantial additive genetic variance (genetic coefficient of variation ≈ 54%). Small differences at seedling emergence were magnified over time, such that the genetic variability in survival was only detectable by tracking the success of offspring for several years starting from seed. In contrast to survival, reproductive traits such as flower number, seeds per flower, and age at flowering showed little or no genetic variability. Despite relatively high levels of additive genetic variation for some life-history characters, high environmental variance in survival resulted in very low heritabilities (0–9%) for all of these characters. Maternal effects were evident in seed mass and remained strong throughout the lengthy vegetative period. No negative genetic correlations between major components of female fitness were detected. Mean corolla width for a paternal family was, however, negatively correlated with the finite rate of increase based on female fitness. That negative correlation could help to maintain additive genetic variance in the face of strong selection through male function for wide corollas.     

Field performance of maize grown from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium verticillioides</Emphasis>-inoculated seed

Fusarium verticillioides is an important fungus occupying dual roles in the maize plant. The fungus functions as an endophyte, a fungal/host interaction beneficial to the growth of some plants. At other times, the fungus may function as a mycotoxin producing pathogen. The advantages and/or disadvantages of the endophytic relationship must be established in order to target appropriate sites for controlling diseases and mycotoxins in maize. One possibility could be to ensure seed maize is fungal free prior to planting. Reciprocal inoculations were made with two fungal isolates on seed of two maize genotypes. Yield was measured at harvest by ear and seed characters and vegetative growth at one-month intervals for plant survival, height, weight and stem diameter. Yield and vegetative growth differed among mature plants only once based on seed inoculation status. In 1998, plant weight was reduced and seed weight per ear was increased for the dent maize, GT-MAS: gk, grown from F. verticillioides RRC 374- inoculated seed compared to other seed treatments. Most vegetative characters were reduced at the first collection for Silver Queen plants grown from F. verticillioides-inoculated seed in 1997 and 1999, but not in 1998. However, no significant differences occurred among mature Silver Queen plants during any of the three growing seasons. In conclusion, yield and vegetative growth of mature maize plants grown from F. verticillioides-inoculated seed were equal to or greater than plants grown from non-inoculated seed under south Georgia field conditions during 1997, 1998, and 1999.     

Developmental instability in gynodioecious Teucrium lusitanicum

Developmental instability was assessed in two geographical races of Teucrium lusitanicum using morphometric measures of vegetative and reproductive structures. T. lusitanicum is a gynodioecious species. Male sterile (female) individuals showed greater developmental instability at all sites. Plants located inland had higher developmental instability of vegetative characters and lower developmental instability of reproductive characters than coastal plants. These results support the contentions that (1) developmental instability is affected more by the disruption of co-adapted gene complexes than by lower heterozygosity, and (2) different habitat characteristics result in the differential response of vegetative and reproductive structures.     

东北草原羊草种群单穗数量性状的生态可塑性

羊草（Leymus chinensis(Trin.)Tzvel.）是一种多年生禾本科优良牧草。经过对东北草原3个固定样地连续12a,分别随机取样100个穗状花序的调查和测定,将羊草种群单穗数量性状的生态可塑性进行了统计分析,并且分别与不同生长发育阶段气候因子进行了相关分析。结果表明,羊草种群的单穗长度、小穗数和小花数的生态可塑性变化在样地内和样地间,以及年度内和年度间均达到了极显著水平。其中,均表现为年度内大于年度间,样地内大于样地间,样地间大于年度间。羊草种群单穗数量性状均与形成性状的生育期,及其以前各生育期不同阶段的光照时间、积温、降水量有着一定程度的相关关系。在整个冬性枝条生长发育期,较多的降水、较少的光照时间和较低的积温将对翌年幼穗分化及其生长有一定的促进作用,而较少的降水、较多的光照时间和较高的积温则有不利影响;从拔节到抽穗阶段较多的降水对幼穗分化具有一定的促进作用,但从返青到抽穗不同阶段较高的积温和较多的光照、以及返青初期较多的降水量则有着一定的不利影响。气候因子对羊草种群幼穗分化滞后效应的生态时间差可长达10个月。     

绞股蓝雌雄种群觅源行为和繁殖对策比较

绞股蓝（Ｇｙｎｏｓｔｅｍｍａ ｐｅｎｔａｐｈｙｌｌｕｍ）雌雄异株,种群性比偏雄。作者利用比较生态学方法,从行为生态学角度探讨相同生境中绞股蓝雌雄种群的觅源行为和繁殖对策,得到如下初步结果和结论：（１）绞股蓝雄性种群的主枝生物量比显著大于雌性种群,这意味着雄性种群的营养繁殖投资显著增加,而两性种群在其它结构中的生物量分配无显著差异;（２）雌性种群的叶面积比和单位叶面积比雄性种群显著增加,这与两性种群     

Quantitative trait locus analysis of drought tolerance and yield in Maize in China

Drought accounts for significant yield losses in crops. Maize (Zea mays L.) is particularly sensitive to water stress at reproductive stages, and breeding to improve drought tolerance has been a challenge. By use of a linkage map with 121 single sequence repeat (SSR) markers, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for grain yield and yield components were characterized in the population of the cross X178×B73 under water-stressed and well-watered conditions. Under the well-watered regime, 2, 4, 4, 1, 2, 2, and 3 QTLs were identified for grain yield, 100-kernel weight, kernel number per ear, cob weight per ear, kernel weight per ear, ear weight, and ear number per plant, respectively, whereas under the water-stressed conditions, 1, 5, 2, 6, 1, 3, and 2 QTLs, respectively, were found. The significant phenotypic correlations among yield and yield components to some extent were observed under both water conditions, and some overlaps between the corresponding QTLs were also found. QTLs for grain yield and kernel weight per ear under well-watered conditions and ear weight under both well-watered and water-stressed conditions over-lapped, and all were located on chromosome 1.03 near marker bnlg176. Two other noticeable QTL regions were on chromosome 9.05 and 9.07 near markers umc1657 and bnlg1525; the first corresponded to grain yield, kernel weight per ear, and ear weight under well-watered conditions and kernel number per ear under both water conditions, and the second to grain yield and cob weight per ear under water-stressed conditions and ear number per plant under both water conditions. A comparative analysis of the QTLs herein identified with those described in previous studies for yield and yield components in different maize populations revealed a number of QTLs in common. These QTLs have potential use in molecular marker-assisted selection.     

A comparative study of morphological integration in Apis mellifera (Insecta, Hymenoptera)

Morphometric correlation matrices from 11 Mediterranean and European honey bee races have been compared. The degree of integration, measured by the eigenvalue variance of the correlation matrix or by Cheverud's index of integration, varies considerably between races but covaries neither with overall body size nor with the variance of the respective sample. Hence, the degree of morphological integration does not depend on body size or the level of variability The patterns of morphometric correlation are significantly similar among all races, but some minor differences in the patterns could be detected: The similarity between the correlation matrices is independent of the degree of phylogenetic relatedness between the respective races. In all races characters belonin to the same functional and/or developmental unit (leg, wing, abdominal characters) have Eiter correlations than the average. Most of the variation in the pattern of correlation can be expfained as a side effect of variation in the degree of integration. Races with high levels of integration tend to have hiher correlations between the main groups of characters, and races with low levels of integration tave smaller correlations between the main grous of characters, while the basic pattern remains undisturbed. In summary, the comparative analysis of morphometric correlation matrices reveals a picture of stability with respect to the pattern of integration and of variation in the degree of integration, which is random with respect to body size, degree of variability, and phylogeny.     

濒危植物马蹄参枝叶形态变异与环境因子的相关性分析

调查马蹄参在湖南、广东、广西、云南4省9个天然种群20项枝叶的形态指标在种群内和种群间的表型变异,运用相关分析揭示枝和叶形态指标间以及与环境因子之间的相关性,并进行聚类分析(UPGMA)和主成分分析.结果表明:各性状在种群内和种群间均存在一定变异性.广西花坪自然保护区两个种群(HP1,HP2)枝叶形态性状(尤其是枝)的...     

LIFE-CYCLE COMPONENTS OF SELECTION IN ERIGERON ANNUUS: II. GENETIC VARIATION

Genetic variation for seedling and adult fitness components was measured under natural conditions to determine the relative importance of the seedling stage for lifetime fitness in Erigeron annuus. Variation in lifetime reproductive success can result from both the persistent effects of genetic variation expressed among seedlings and from variation in adult fitness components. Analysis of covariance was used to separate the stage specific from the cumulative effects of genetic variance expressed earlier in the life cycle. E. annuus produces seeds through apomixis, which allowed measurement of the fitness of replicate genotypes from germination through the entire life cycle. There were significant differences among genotypes for date of emergence, seedling size, survivorship and fecundity, but heritabilities were low, indicating slow response to selection. For all characters, environmental components of variance were one to two orders of magnitude larger than genetic variance components, resulting in broad sense heritabilities less than 0.1. For seedling size and fecundity, all of the genetic variance was in the form of genotype-environment interactions, often with large negative genetic correlations across environments. In contrast, genotypes differed in mean survivorship through one year, but there were no genotype-environment interactions for viability. Genetic differences in viability were primarily expressed as differences in overwinter survivorship. Genotype × environment interactions among sites and blocks were generated early in the life cycle while the genotype × environment interactions in response to competitive environment (open, annual cover, perennial cover) first appeared in adult fecundity. Genetic variation in lifetime fitness was not significant, despite a fourfold difference in mean fitness among genotypes.     

内蒙古锡林郭勒高原大针茅种群分株构件数量性状的地理变异研究

采用单因素方差分析、变异组分分析和分形几何学的原理和方法,对内蒙古锡林郭勒盟不同气候条件下的三个大针茅种群分株构件数量性状进行了研究,并结合它们所在生境特点对所得结果进行了分析。结果显示：（1）整个生长季内,不同种群大针茅营养枝高度的生长模式不同;营养枝高度和生殖枝高度在种群间差异显著,且多数变异存在于种群之间;（2）在不同生长期内,大针茅种群地上部干重与植株高度之间存在显著的分形关系;在无强度干扰的情况下,大针茅种群营养枝分形维数的大小与大针茅营养枝地上部干重的累积程度是一致的;但在长期严重干旱条件下,分形维数值表现为快速增加;（3）整个生长季内,同一生境条件下大针茅种群营养枝地上部干重与植株高度之间也存在显著的分形关系,且不同样地间分形维数值差异显著。不同生境条件下大针茅种群分株构件数量性状的差异是对所在生境长期适应、自然选择的结果。     

Comparison of quantitative genetic parameters between two natural populations of a selfing plant species, Medicago truncatula Gaertn.

 In this paper we compare mean values, heritability estimates, coefficient of genetic variation, and genetic correlations among several fitness components of two natural populations of a selfing plant species, Medicago truncatula L. It is shown that the population that had been found most polymorphic for molecular markers in a previous study was also the most variable for quantitative characters. Depending on the traits, the larger heritabilities in this population were due to either larger coefficients of genetic variances or smaller coefficients of environmental variances. Whereas genetic and phenotypic correlation matrices were very similar within each population, they were quite different between populations. In particular, although a positive correlation between age and size at maturity was found in both populations, the correlation between age at maturity and reproductive success was negative in the more variable population (late flowering plant, with a larger size at flowering, produced fewer pods), whereas no correlation was observed in the less variable population. We suggest that while in the less variable population all individuals have a high reproductive effort, several strategies coexist in the more variable population, with some early-flowering genotypes showing a high reproductive effort and other late-flowering genotypes showing a larger competitive ability through increased vegetative growth. Received: 25 June 1996 / Accepted: 11 October 1996     

不同生境条件下羊草种群无性系和有性生殖特征的比较研究

比较研究了东北草原不同生境条件下4个羊草种群无性系和有性生殖数量特征的差异,结果表明,由于各种群所处立地的资源差异(特别是土壤水分),导致各种群在无性系(包括营养枝和根茎芽密度)和有性生殖(生殖枝密度、生殖枝分化率、生殖贡献)等数量特征方面差异显著,尤其在低平原种群与沙丘种群之间最为显著.与沙丘种群相比,低平原种群营养枝平均密度高50%;根茎芽平均密度高30%以上;生殖枝密度平均值高200%以上.     

腾格里沙漠人工固沙植被中油蒿的生长及生物量分配动态

植物的资源分配模式反映了对环境的生态适应对策。2007年整个生长季, 采用生物量法对腾格里沙漠东南缘固沙植被区半灌木油蒿(Artemisia ordosica)地上部分各器官的生长及资源分配格局动态进行了研究。结果表明: 不同时期各器官的生长速率不同, 光合产物在各器官中的分配也不是等量的, 而是按一定的顺序在不同时期有不同的分配中心; 2007年油蒿的营养生长、繁殖输出、生殖枝大小都显著大于年降水量不足其一半的年份, 而繁殖分配和头状花序大小没有差异; 营养器官生物量大的油蒿总的繁殖输出也大, 但生殖期内营养生长和生殖生长既不同时也不等速, 表明资源分配的权衡(Trade-off)是存在的; 固沙植被建立以后, 随着时间延长, 油蒿的当年总生物量、繁殖输出、繁殖器官生物量分配有减小的趋势, 但不显著。     

谷子的亲缘识别能力及其与种植密度和土壤养分水平的关系

为探明作物是否具有识别邻株身份的能力以及这种能力是否受到环境因子的调控,通过大田试验,研究邻株身份(亲缘株、非亲缘株和陌生株)、种植密度和土壤养分水平的交互效应对谷子(Setaria italica)地上部分生物量分配的影响。结果表明,谷子与亲缘株为邻时的净繁殖生物量分配和种子生物量分配,比与非亲缘株为邻时显著提高,且营养生物量分配显著降低(P<0.05)。在高种植密度条件下,亲缘组谷子的穗长、净繁殖生物量分配和种子生物量分配显著大于非亲缘组,而营养生物量分配显著小于非亲缘组(P<0.05)。随着土壤养分水平提高,亲缘组谷子的种子生物量分配显著增加,营养生物量分配显著减少(P<0.05)。由此推断,谷子具有对亲缘邻株的识别能力,且这种能力受种植密度和土壤养分水平的调控,在高种植密度和高土壤养分水平条件下,谷子的亲缘邻株识别能力较强。     

Floral and vegetative morphometrics of five Pleurothallis (Orchidaceae) species: correlation with taxonomy,phylogeny, genetic variability and pollination systems

Morphometric analyses of vegetative and floral characters were conducted in 21 populations of five Pleurothallis (Orchidaceae) species occurring in Brazilian 'campo rupestre' vegetation. A phylogenetic analysis of this species group was also carried out using nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2). Results of the ordination and cluster analyses agree with species' delimitation revealed by taxonomic and allozyme studies. The groups formed in ordination analysis correspond to the pollinator groups determined in a previous pollination study. Relationships among the species in the cluster analysis using only vegetative characters are similar to those found in a previous allozyme study, but those indicated by cluster analysis using only floral characters differ. These results support the hypothesis that floral similarities are due to convergence driven by similar pollination mechanisms, and therefore floral traits may not be good indicators of phylogenetic relationships in this group. The results of the phylogenetic analysis support this conclusion to some extent. There is no correlation between genetic (allozyme) and morphological variability in the populations nor in the way this variability is distributed among conspecific populations. We describe a new subspecies of Pleurothallis ochreata based on differences in vegetative and chemical characters as well as geographic distribution. Absence of differentiation in floral characters, attraction of the same pollinator species, interfertility and genetic similarity support the argument for subspecific rather than specific status.