1. The importance of genetic resources in plant breeding

Modern agricultural technology and the introduction of new high-yielding varieties are largely eliminating the wide range of crop genetic diversity that has evolved during the five to ten thousand years since food plants were first domesticated. Related wild species are also on the decline because of new land use policies. These gene pools (or what is left of them) are generally spoken of as genetic resources, and are vitally needed in the creation of new crop varieties by plant breeders. Wild species and land races often furnish genes conferring resistance to diseases and pests and adaptation to environmental stresses which cannot be found in the modern crop varieties.
The study of genetic diversity of crops, its storage in gene banks or in natural reserves, its evaluation and enhancement, are briefly described. The genetic resources work of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and other international agencies such as the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) is outlined.     

Importance of genetic characterization and conservation of plant genetic resources: The breeding system and genetic diversity of wild soybean (Glycine soja)

Abstract Plant genetic resources play an important role in the improvement of cultivated plants. To characterize and evaluate the ecological and reproductive features of wild soybean ( Glycine soja Sieb. et Zucc.), which is the most probable ancestor of cultivated soybean ( G. max (L) Merr.), the breeding system and genetic diversity of G. soja were investigated. The extent of natural cross-pollination of G. soja was estimated in four populations along the Omono River in Akita Prefecture, Japan by examining allozyme variation. Although it has been previously believed that G. soja is autogamous, as is cultivated soybean, the mean multilocus outcrossing rate ( t m) estimate was 13%. These values are much higher than the outcrossing rate previously reported for both G. soja and G. max . Frequent visits by honeybees and carpenter bees to flowers were also observed, which supported this conjecture. Furthermore, to evaluate the genetic variation of G. soja as a genetic resource, the genetic structure of 447 populations over Japan were analyzed. Wild soybean populations had a higher degree of variation of isozyme loci. The G ST coefficient of gene differentian values among the sites within the district were particularly high, revealing that the isozyme genotype was greatly different among site populations and homogeneous within the sites. The genetic differentiation among nine districts was observed in the allele frequencies of a few loci, indicating that geographic isolation in the wild soybean population was effectively created through the distance between the districts. The difference in the allele frequency among the districts may be produced under genetic drift. Finally, the importance of the preservation of natural plant populations and the habitats of wild progenitors (i.e. the in situ conservation of plant genetic resources) was emphasized.     

The use of AFLPs to examine genetic relatedness in barley

The generation of AFLPs in spring barley cultivars provided genetic information relating to the development of the crop in the UK since 1953. Principal co-ordinate (PCO) analysis of genetic similarities (gs) confirmed the marked contrast in the cultivars used in the 1970s and 1980s. The earliest cultivars, many derived from Proctor, were succeeded by tall-strawed, disease-resistant types with high yield but poor malting potential. In the 1980s they were in turn replaced by short-strawed cultivars with excellent yield and good malting quality, which originated from Triumph. A PCO plot of gs provided insight into the effects of selection for disease resistance and the antagonism between malting quality and particular resistance genes. The analysis of gs was more useful than pedigrees and estimates of kinship in revealing the genetic relationship between cultivars. Theoretical considerations for maximising the efficiency of an AFLP genotyping programme are discussed in the context of the number of primer pairs required to distinguish genotypes at varying levels of similarity.     

Synthetic hexaploid wheat and its utilization for wheat genetic improvement in China

Synthetic hexaploid wheat （Triticum turgidum x Aegilops tauschii） was created to explore for novel genes from T. turgidum and Ae. tauschii that can be used for common wheat improvement. In the present paper, research advances on the utilization of synthetic hexaploid wheat for wheat genetic improvement in China are reviewed. Over 200 synthetic hexaploid wheat （SHW） accessions from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre （CIMMYT） were introduced into China since 1995. Four cultivars derived from these, Chuanmai 38, Chuanmai 42, Chuanmai 43 and Chuanmai 47, have been released in China. Of these, Chuanmai 42, with large kernels and resistance to stripe rust, had the highest average yield （〉 6 t/ha） among all cultivars over two years in Sichuan provincial yield trials, outyielding the commercial check cultivar Chuanmai 107 by 22,7%. Meanwhile, by either artificial chromosome doubling via colchicine treatment or spontaneous chromosome doubling via a union of unreduced gametes （2n） from T. turgidum-Ae, tauschii hybrids, new SHW lines were produced in China. Mitotic-like meiosis might be the cytological mechanism of spontaneous chromosome doubling. SHW lines with genes for spontaneous chromosome doubling may be useful for producing new SHW-alien amphidiploids and double haploid in wheat genetic improvement.     

Genetic diversity and conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources

Biodiversity refers to variation within the living world, while genetic diversity represents the heritable variation within and between populations of organisms, and in the context of this paper, among plant species. This pool of genetic variation within an inter-mating population is the basis for selection as well as for plant improvement. Thus, conservation of this plant genetic diversity is essential for present and future human well-being. During recent years, there has been increasing awareness of the importance of adopting a holistic view of biodiversity, including agricultural biodiversity, conservation for sustainable utilization and development. These principles have been enshrined in the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Global Plan of Action of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The emphasis is now to understand the distribution and extent of genetic diversity available to humans in plant species, so that the genetic diversity can be safely conserved and efficiently used. It is generally recognized that plant genetic diversity changes in time and space. The extent and distribution of genetic diversity in a plant species depends on its evolution and breeding system, ecological and geographical factors, past bottlenecks, and often by many human factors. Much of the large amount of diversity of a species may be found within individual populations, or partitioned among a number of different populations.A better understanding of genetic diversity and its distribution is essential for its conservation and use. It will help us in determining what to conserve as well as where to conserve, and will improve our understanding of the taxonomy and origin and evolution of plant species of interest. Knowledge of both these topics is essential for collecting and use of any plant species and its wild relatives. In order to mange conserved germplasm better, there is also a need to understand the genetic diversity that is present in collections. This will help us to rationalize collections and develop and adopt better protocols for regeneration of germplasm seed. Through improved characterization and development of core collections based on genetic diversity information, it will be possible to exploit the available resources in more valuable ways.     

Challenges in the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources

The meeting on 'Genetic Resources in the Face of New Environmental, Economic and Social Challenges' held in Montpellier (France) from 20-22 September 2011 brought together about 200 participants active in research and management of the genetic diversity of plant, animal, fungal and microbial species. Attendees had the rare opportunity to hear about agronomy, botany, microbiology, mycology, the social sciences and zoology in the same conference. The research teams presented the results of about 50 projects funded by the French Foundation for Research on Biodiversity to preserve genetic diversity carried out in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. These projects aimed to better understand and manage genetic resources in a rapidly changing world (e.g. structural changes in the agricultural industry, the need for climate change mitigation and adaptation, the challenge of achieving food security despite the growing world population and changing dietary habits, the opportunities provided by the many new molecular biology tools, the problems caused by widespread scientific budget cuts). The meeting also hosted some roundtables open to all participants which provided a forum to establish a much needed dialogue between policy-makers, managers and researchers.     

黄河、长江流域棉区棉花抗病品种的AFLP分析

选取黄河流域棉区的72个抗病品种和长江流域棉区的29个抗病品种,利用AFLP技术对其进行了遗传多样性分析。结果20对具有多态性的AFLP引物组合在黄河流域棉区的72个品种和长江流域棉区的29个品种上分别扩增出200条和127条多态性带,利用SPSS(11.0)软件计算得到品种之间的平均欧氏距离为4.356(黄河流域棉区)和4．391(长江流域棉区)。在阈值取15．2时,可以将黄河流域棉区的72个品种划分为4个类群(the Huanghe valley groups,abbreviate HVGs),即HVG1、HVG2、HVG3和HVG4,分别包括27、19、10和16个品种;长江流域棉区的29个品种被划分为4个类群(the Changjiang valley groups,CVGs),即CVG1、CVG2、CVG3和CVG4,分别包括14、4、5、和6个品种。通过比较两棉区品种成对欧式距离的最大值、最小值、平均值及成对欧氏距离的区间分布和累积百分率,表明来自黄河、长江流域两棉区的品种遗传多样性水平相近。     

Comparative virulence of Pyrenophora teres f. teres from Syria and Tunisia and screening for resistance sources in barley: implications for breeding

Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the pathogenic diversity and virulence groups among Pyrenophora teres f. teres isolates, sampled from Syria and Tunisia, and to identify the most effective source of resistance in barley that could be used in breeding programmes to control net blotch in both countries. Methods and Results: One hundred and four isolates of P. teres f. teres were collected from barley in different agroecological zones of Tunisia and Syria. Their virulence was evaluated using 14 barley genotypes as differential hosts. The upgma clustering identified high pathogenic variability; the isolates were clustered onto 20 pathotypes that were sheltered under three virulence groups, with high, intermediate and low disease scores. According to susceptibility/resistance frequencies and mean disease ratings, CI05401 cultivar ranked as the best differential when inoculated with the Syrian isolates. However, CI09214 cultivar was classified as the best effective source of resistance in Tunisia. Conclusions: All P. teres f. teres isolates were differentially pathogenic. CI09214 and CI05401 cultivars were released as the most effective sources of resistance in Syria and Tunisia. Significance and Impact of the Study: National and international barley breeding programmes that seek to develop resistance against P. teres f. teres in barley should strongly benefit from this study. This resistance cannot be achieved without the proper knowledge of the pathogen virulence spectrum and the sources of host resistance.     

Harvest index: a review of its use in plant breeding and crop physiology

This review charts the use of the concept of harvest index in crop improvement and physiology, concentrating on the literature from the last 20 years. Evidence from abstract journals indicates that the term has been applied most to small grain cereal crops and pulses, in India, Western Europe and the USA, and that it has been less useful for maize and tuber crops. Standard methods of measuring harvest index, the associated problems of measurement and interpretation, and representative values for a range of world species are reviewed. The values for modern varieties of most intensively-cultivated grain crops fall within the range 0.4 to 0.6. Variation between varieties of the same species is illustrated by trends in the harvest indices of old, outclassed and recent varieties of temperate and mediterranean wheat and barley (compared under uniform conditions); this shows a progressive increase throughout the present century, although improvement has been much slower in Australia and Canada than in the UK. In most cases, the improvement in harvest index has been a consequence of increased grain population density coupled with stable individual grain weight. The high heritability of harvest index is explored by examining its (rather weak) response to variation in environmental factors (fertilisation, population density, application of growth regulators) in the absence of severe stress. A fuller perspective is gained by reviewing aspects of the harvest index of rice, maize and tropical pulses. With rice, attention must be paid to the fact that the adhering lemma and palea (not primarily part of economic yield) can make up 20% of grain weight; and there are important interactions among biomass, grain yield and season length. Maize differs from most small grain crops in that harvest index (in N. American varieties) was already high at the start of this century, and increases in yield potential have been largely the consequence of increased biomass production. The harvest index of many pulse species and varieties tends to be low because selection has been for some yield in all seasons. Extension of the harvest index concept to express the partitioning of mineral nutrients as well as dry matter (e.g. the nitrogen harvest index) has provided a range of responses whose implications for production and breeding remain to be explored. It is concluded that even though the principal cereal crops appear to be approaching the upper limit of harvest index, and future yield gains will have to be sought by increased biomass production, there will still be a need for the concept of harvest index as a tool in interpreting crop response to different environments and climatic change.     

Genetic control of Eucalyptus urophylla and E. grandis resistance to canker caused by Chrysoporthe cubensis

Chrysophorte cubensis induced canker occurs in nearly all tropical and subtropical regions where eucalypts are planted, causing losses in both wood quality and volume productivity, especially so in the warmer and more humid regions of Brazil. The wide inter and intra-specific genetic variability of resistance to canker among Eucalyptus species facilitates the selection of resistant plants. In this study, we evaluated resistance to this pathogen in five Eucalyptus grandis (G) and 15 E. urophylla (U) trees, as well as in 495 individuals from 27 progenies derived from crosses between the trees. In the field, six-months-old test seedlings were inoculated with C. cubensis. Lesion length in the xylem and bark was measured eight months later. The results demonstrated that xylem lesions could preferentially be used for the selection of resistant clones. Eight trees (7 U and 1 G) were susceptible, and the remainder (8 U and 4 G) resistant. Individual narrow and broad sense heritability estimates were 17 and 81%, respectively, thereby suggesting that canker resistance is quantitative and highly dependent on dominance and epistasis.     

Prediction of genetic values of quantitative traits with epistatic effects in plant breeding populations

Though epistasis has long been postulated to have a critical role in genetic regulation of important pathways as well as provide a major source of variation in the process of speciation, the importance of epistasis for genomic selection in the context of plant breeding is still being debated. In this paper, we report the results on the prediction of genetic values with epistatic effects for 280 accessions in the Nebraska Wheat Breeding Program using adaptive mixed least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). The development of adaptive mixed LASSO, originally designed for association mapping, for the context of genomic selection is reported. The results show that adaptive mixed LASSO can be successfully applied to the prediction of genetic values while incorporating both marker main effects and epistatic effects. Especially, the prediction accuracy is substantially improved by the inclusion of two-locus epistatic effects (more than onefold in some cases as measured by cross-validation correlation coefficient), which is observed for multiple traits and planting locations. This points to significant potential in using non-additive genetic effects for genomic selection in crop breeding practices.     

棉花抗蚜性及抗性遗传机制研究进展

从形态抗蚜性、生化抗蚜性和诱导抗蚜性等 3个方面总结了棉花对棉蚜抗性机制的研究进展。其中 ,形态抗性来源于叶片茸毛等一些主要物理性状 ,生化抗性则与单宁类、萜烯类化合物等次生物质以及氨基酸、可溶性糖等营养物质有关 ,而诱导抗性主要通过为害胁迫和外源刺激 2种途径诱导产生。文章还对棉花部分形态抗蚜性状遗传机制的研究做了概述。这些研究为深入利用棉化的抗蚜性从而达到控制棉蚜的发生提供了依据     

The current situation and trend of tomato cultivation in China

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Miller) is an important vegetable crop widely cultivated in China. According to the climate, four ecological districts of tomato cultivation can be distinguished, namely Southern District, Middle and Eastern District, Northern District, and Northeastern District. Tomatoes are grown mainly in plastic tunnels or in open fields. The varieties with large fruit, red or pink are favored. Though there are many diseases and pests which attack tomatoes, only a few of them were included in the breeding programme, such as TMV, CMV, Cladosperium fulvum, Pseudomonas solanacearum. Further work will include the disease resistance to other diseases and pests, fruit quality and long growing season for greenhouse production.     

棉花黄萎病及其抗病育种的研究

就棉花黄萎病菌的致病机理、棉花的抗黄萎病机制、抗黄萎病的遗传方式以及抗黄萎病棉花育种等方面的研究进行了综述。     

The combined use of embryos and semen for cryogenic conservation of mammalian livestock genetic resources

The objective of this empirical simulation study was to evaluate the use of a combination of semen and embryos in the creation of gene banks for reconstruction of an extinct breed. Such an approach was compared for banks with varying proportions of embryos on the basis of the amount of the material to be stored, time for reconstruction, maintenance of genetic variability, and probability of failure during reconstruction. Four types of populations were simulated, based on reproductive rate: single offspring, twinning, enhanced reproduction, and litter bearing. Reconstruction was simulated for banks consisting of different combinations of semen and reduced numbers of embryos (expressed as a percentage of the material needed for a bank containing exclusively embryos and ranging from 10 to 90%). The use of a combination of semen and embryos increased the number of insemination cycles needed for reconstruction and the level of genetic relatedness in the reconstructed population. The risk for extinction was unacceptably high when a very low proportion of embryos (< 20%) was used. However, combining semen with embryos could decrease costs, allowing for the conservation of more breeds, and specific strategies for semen use could decrease the level of relationships in the reconstructed breed.     

The population genetic effects of ancestry and admixture in a subdivided cattle breed

The genetic structure of the Dexter, a minority cattle breed with complex demographic history, was investigated using microsatellite markers and a range of statistical approaches designed to detect both admixture and genetic drift. Modern representatives of two putative ancestral populations, the Devon and Kerry, together with the different populations of the Dexter, which have experienced different demographic histories, were analysed. Breed units showed comparatively high levels of genetic variability ( H _E = 0.63–0.68); however, distinct genetic subgroups were detected within the Dexter, which could be attributed to known demographic events. Much lower diversity was identified in three small, isolated Dexter populations ( H _E = 0.52–0.55) and higher differentiation ( F _ST > 0.13) was found. For one of these populations, where strong selection has taken place, we also found evidence of a demographic bottleneck. Three methods for quantifying breed admixture were applied and substantial method-based variation in estimates for the genetic contribution of the two proposed ancestral populations for each subdivision of the Dexter was found. Results were consistent only in the case of a group consisting of selected Traditional Dexter animals, where the ancestor of the modern Kerry breed was also determined as the greater parental contributor to the Dexter. The inconsistency of estimation of admixture proportions between the methods highlights the potentially confounding role of genetic drift in shaping small population structure, and the consequences of accurately describing population histories from contemporary genetic data.     

Genetic diversity and breeding system in a group of neotropical epiphytic ferns (Pleopeltis; Polypodiaceae)

Epiphytes are ecologically important components of tropical forests worldwide and yet they have been underrepresented in studies of reproductive biology. Given the presumed ephemeral nature of their substrates, and the importance of dispersal and colonization, epiphytes might be expected to undergo substantial inbreeding to ensure reproductive success, as in weedy terrestrial plants. While there is some evidence for inbreeding in epiphytic angiosperms, the only previous studies of fern epiphytes indicate that they are predominantly outcrossing. The present study reports on the genetic diversity and breeding system of six members of the Neotropical epiphytic fern genus Pleopeltis (Polypodiaceae). A survey of isozyme variability using starch gel electrophoresis revealed high population levels of polymorphism (P = 0.62), allelic diversity (A = 2.3), and individual heterozygosity (Ho = 0.181), but little differentiation among conspecific populations (I 3 0.98; Gst = 0.048), and high interpopulational gene flow rates (Nm > 1). In addition, there was no indication of homozygote excess within populations that might indicate a history of selfing in these ferns: populations generally conformed to Hardy-Weinberg expected genotype frequencies, and both Wright's inbreeding coefficient (Fis) and Holsinger's intragametophytic selfing rates approached zero. Possible mechanisms limiting inbreeding in these ferns include antheridiogen activity and high levels of genetic load that would lead to inbreeding depression upon selfing.     

不同灌水模式对冬小麦籽粒产量和水、氮利用效率的影响

在田间试验条件下,以冬小麦品种泰农18为材料,设置灌底墒水(CK)、底墒水+拔节水(W1)、底墒水+拔节水+越冬水与灌浆水交替灌溉(越冬/灌浆水交替灌溉模式,W2)、底墒水+拔节水+开花水(优化传统灌溉模式,W3)、底墒水+越冬水+拔节水+灌浆水(传统灌溉模式,W4)5种灌溉模式,每处理每次灌水量均为600 m3·hm-2,研究了山东泰安偏旱年份(2009-2010年)不同灌溉模式对小麦籽粒产量、水分利用效率和氮素利用效率的影响.结果表明:在小麦全生育期119.7 mm降水量条件下,越冬/灌浆水交替灌溉模式(W2)与传统灌溉模式(W4)籽粒产量差异不显著,但水分利用效率显著高于传统灌溉模式,与灌水量相同的优化传统灌溉模式(W3)相比,其小麦籽粒产量明显提高,水分利用效率无显著差异;越冬/灌浆水交替灌溉模式和传统灌溉模式的氮肥偏生产力最高,且籽粒收获后越冬/灌浆水交替灌溉模式在0 ～100 cm土层的硝态氮积累量显著高于传统灌溉模式和优化传统灌溉模式,降低了硝态氮的淋溶损失.在本试验条件下,越冬/灌浆水交替灌溉模式(W2)是可以兼顾小麦籽粒产量、水分利用效率和氮素利用效率的最佳灌溉模式.     

蜜蜂遗传多态性的影响因素及主要研究方法

蜜蜂遗传多态性与蜜蜂种质资源保存、优良品种繁育和科学引种等问题密切相关,具有重要的研究价值。文章综述蜜蜂遗传多态性的影响因素和研究方法,影响因素包括自然因素和人为因素,自然因素主要有环境因子和种群竞争等,人为因素主要有品种引进和农药毒害作用等;研究方法包括形态学检测和DNA分析检测等。通过比较各研究方法的优缺点,认为宜采用多种方法相结合的手段进行全方位、多角度地综合评价蜜蜂的遗传多态性。     

The role of zoos and captive breeding in lemur conservation

All the lemurs of Madagascar are declining in the wild, but the species and numbers held in collections outside Madagascar are not sufficient to ensure the continuence of their genetic diversity in captivity. General recommendations as to how to rectify this situation are presented, including a strong plea for coordinated population management among collections holding lemurs.