The effect of semi-dwarf genes on root system size in field-grown barley

Root system size (RSS) was measured in 12 diverse barley genotypes and 157 double-haploid lines (DHs), using electric capacitance. The parents of the DHs, Derkado and B83-12/21/5, carry different semi-dwarfing genes, sdw1 and ari-e.GP, respectively. Estimates of RSS were taken in the field thrice during plant development: stem elongation (RSS1), heading (RSS2) and grain filling (RSS3). The 12 barley genotypes were assessed over 3 years and at two or three locations each year; the DH mapping population was assessed at two locations in 2002. Among the 12 barley genotypes, those with the semi-dwarf genes had greater RSS values in all 3 years (28.9, 24.6 and 15.0% in years 1, 2 and 3, respectively) compared to non-semi-dwarf controls. The DH population showed transgressive segregation on both sides of the parent means, indicating polygenic control of RSS. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for RSS were found on five of the seven chromosomes: 1H, 3H, 4H, 5H and 7H and these were compared with previously mapped agronomic traits. The TotalRSS QTL on 3H was associated with sdw1 and QTLs for height, plant yield and plant weight. The RSS3 QTL on 5H was associated with ari-e.GP and QTLs for height, plant yield, plant weight, harvest index and tiller number. The RSS3 QTL on 7H was also associated with a TotalRSS QTL and QTLs for plant weight and harvest index. Other RSS QTLs were not associated with any other trait studied. RSS is considered to be a polygenic trait linked to important traits, in particular to yield. The study highlights the effects of semi-dwarfing genes and discusses the potential for breeding for root traits.     

Comparative effects of Glomus mosseae and P fertilizer on foliar mineral composition of Acacia senegal seedlings inoculated with Rhizobium

Summary A factorial experiment with two controlled factors was conducted in the greenhouse with Acacia Senegal seedlings. The substrate was a degraded sandy soil (Dior soil) poor in available P (11 ppm — Olsen). The first controlled factor was soil sterilization, with two levels: (A) sterilized soil; (B) non-sterilized soil. The second factor was fertilization, with six levels: (1) uninoculated control; (2) inoculation with Rhizobium (ORS 1007); (3) inoculation with Glomus mosseae; (4) double inoculation with ORS 1007 and G. mosseae; (5) inoculation with ORS 1007 and 30 ppm phosphorus per plant; (6) inoculation with ORS 1007 and 60 ppm phosphours. The combination of the two factors and their levels led to 12 different plant treatments (A1–A6 and B1–B6). Compared to the control B1, the B5 and B6 treatments containing phosphorus increased: nodule dry weight about 7 times ; leaf dry weight about 4 times ; total N, P and Mg 4–5 times; total K and Ca 3–4 times. The mycorrhizal inoculation had the same positive effect on plant growth and mineral composition but with lower values. Plants inoculated with Rhizobium alone gave the lowest results. The A1 treatment gave lower values than B1. Foliar mineral contents varied within a narrow range (20–30%).     

磷肥对花生根系形态、生理特性及产量的影响

采用池栽, 测定不同施磷量对花生(Arachis hypogaea)根系性状、生理特性及产量的影响。结果表明: (1)结荚中期, 根系总长度、体积、表面积及根尖数量均随施磷量的增加而增加, 在施磷30-90 kg·hm^-2范围内, 施磷比不施磷4项指标分别增加3.5%-20.7%、9.3%-21.9%、9.7%-20.3%和12.6%-21.4%。特别是当施磷量超过60 kg·hm^-2时, 上述4项指标均显著高于不施磷处理; 施磷可使根系中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT) 3种酶活性分别提高12.7%-20.6%、14.8%-36.8%和17.0%-41.8%, 丙二醛(MDA)含量降低8.4%-19.5%, 根系活力和可溶性蛋白含量分别提高10.4%-25.0%、29.2%-53.5%; 同时, 施磷可使单株根瘤数量和鲜重分别增加10.7%-21.7%和22.6%-35.6%。(2)收获期, 除MDA含量随施磷量的增加而增加, SOD、POD和CAT活性, 根系活力和可溶性蛋白含量均随施磷量增加而呈降低趋势, 但多数指标施磷与不施磷及不同施磷量之间差异不显著。造成这一现象的原因与施磷后花生荚果库容增大, 对光合产物需求量增加, 导致植株和根系营养不良, 加速衰老有关。(3)花生单株结果数、生物产量、经济系数、出米率及产量均随施磷量的增加而增加, 其中产量的增加主要是通过生物产量和经济系数协同提高来实现的。     

Yield response of various wheat genotypes to inoculation withAzospirillum brasilense

Summary Twenty different wheat genotypes representing a wide genetic variability, were tested for their yield and yield components response to inoculation withAzospirillum brasilense, at two levels of N fertilization. Only two cultivars responded by a significant yield increase of 7.4 and 8.0 per cent — both at the higher N level. The response reflected an increase in the number of grains per plant added as additional spikes. The importance of the host plant genotype for a successful wheat-bacteria association is discussed.     

Arbuscular mycorrhiza alter the concentration of essential oils in oregano (Origanum sp., Lamiaceae)

The effect of root colonization by Glomus mosseae on the qualitative and quantitative pattern of essential oils (EO) was determined in three oregano genotypes (Origanum sp.). To exclude a simple P-mediated effect through mycorrhization the effect of P application to plants on the EO accumulation was also tested. In two genotypes the leaf biomass was increased through mycorrhization. Root colonization by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) did not have any significant effect on the EO composition in oregano; however, in two genotypes the EO concentration significantly increased. As EO levels in P-treated plants were not enhanced, we conclude that the EO increase observed in mycorrhizal oregano plants is not due to an improved P status in mycorrhizal plants, but depends directly on the AMF–oregano plant association.     

Response of lentil to VA Mycorrhizal inoculation and plant available P levels of unsterile soils

Summary Responses of lentil in unsterile soils at low, medium and high levels of plant available soil P toGlomus fasciculatum inoculation were evaluated. It was observed that growth, dry matter accumulation, nodulation, and nitrogen fixation were considerably improved in VAM inoculated plants over uninoculated control at low and medium levels of plant available soil P.     

Dynamic Model for the Effects of Soil P and Fertilizer P on Crop Growth, P Uptake and Soil P in Arable Cropping: Experimental Test of the Model for Field Vegetables

In a previous paper (Greenwood et al. Annals of Botany88: 279–291,2001), we described a mechanistic model that calculates theeffects of extractable soil P and fertilizer P on daily incrementsin dry matter yield and P uptake of field crops. This paperdescribes the calibration of that model for six different speciesand subsequent tests of the calibrated model against resultsof independent experiments on the same soil type. Calibrationsfor lettuce, carrot and turnip were obtained by altering onlyone parameter, the effective root radius, while for onion, leekand spinach, both this and one of the parameters linking growthrate to % P in the plant were altered. The validity of the calibratedmodel was tested against results of field experiments that wereharvested at the seedling stage and at commercial maturity.The model predictions of the shapes of the responses of dryweight and of % P to both extractable soil P and fertilizerP were generally not significantly different from those measured.The model also gave satisfactory predictions of the time courseof dry weight and plant % P from emergence to commercial harvestof two crops grown with optimum levels of P fertilizer. In anotherexperiment, reasonably good agreement was obtained between simulatedresponses of plant dry weight yield and % P in the dry matterof carrot at commercial maturity and mid-way through the growingseason. Values of the effective root radius and various rootparameters, and calculations of P fluxes through the soil tothe root surfaces during the course of the simulation were,with few exceptions, consistent with information in the literature.Simulated P responsiveness is very sensitive to changes in thevalues of plant parameters affecting the dependence of P uptakeon plant % P as well as those concerned with the ability ofroots to exploit the soil's reserves of P. Reasons for inter-speciesdifferences in P response are elucidated and weaknesses in themodel identified. The model could form the basis of a short-cutapproach to forecasting optimal fertilizer P practices for differentcrops on different soils. It runs interactively on the Internetat: www.qpais.co.uk/phosmod/phos.htm Copyright 2001 Annals ofBotany Company Vegetable crops, model, simulation, plant phosphate, phosphate fertilizer, soil phosphate, crop response, root radius, species comparison     

Comparison of AC electronic monitoring and field data for estimating tolerance to Empoasca kraemeri (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) in common bean genotypes

Two methods for estimating the tolerance of common bean genotypes to Empoasca kraemeri Ross & Moore were compared, using a yield trial carried out at Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT), Cali, Colombia, versus stylet penetration tactics measured by AC electronic feeding monitors. A stylet penetration index was devised based on principal component scores of three penetration tactics identified (pulsing laceration, cell rupturing, and lancing sap ingestion), combined with knowledge of the hopperburn symptoms caused by each tactic. Tolerant genotypes, as classified by the CIAT yield index, showed significantly more unprotected yield and lower hopperburn scores than the susceptible control. They also induced performance of less pulsing laceration (the tactic considered most damaging to the plant), and more of the other two, mitigating tactics, especially cell rupturing. When index values were calculated for each genotype, stylet penetration index values matched those of the yield index for three out of five genotypes: two EMP-coded tolerant lines ('EMP 385' and 'EMP 392') and the susceptible control 'BAT 41'. Thus, for these three genotypes, all subsequent hoppereburn symptoms are predictable by the type of feeding behavior performed on them. 'Porrillo Sintético' and 'EMP 84', considered borderline genotypes by the yield index, were overestimated and underestimated respectively, by the stylet penetration index. We postulate that, for these two genotypes, plant physiological responses to feeding (either compensatory or heightened sensitivity, respectively) synergize with type of feeding performed to generate the overall hopperburn condition. This multivariate analysis of electronic monitoring data was successfully used to devise an index of resistance. The implications of using the stylet penetration index and the advantages of using electronic monitoring in a bean-breeding program are discussed.     

Interaction between VA-mycorrhizal fungus and Azotobacter and their combined effects on growth of tall fescue

Amounts of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, and Mn absorbed by a nodulating and a non-nodulating (Non-nod) peanut genotype at two nitrogen fertilizer levels (nil and 200 kg N ha^–1) were determined in a field experiment. The amounts of nutrient elements in the plant parts were greatest for N, followed by K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Mn, and Zn in descending order. Although there were differences in the uptake of other nutrients, the major difference between Non-nod and nodulating genotypes was in nitrogen indicating the poor yield of the Non-nod line due to its inability to acquire N.Submitted as Journal Article No: 677 by International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).     

Differential responses of soybean genotypes to excess manganese in an acid soil

To determine the tolerance of soybean genotypes to Mn toxicity, a green house study was conducted. Hayesville sandy loam (clayey, oxidic, mesic, Typic Hapludult), high in manganese, was used for the experiment. The experimental design was split-plot with three replications. Forty-one different soybean genotypes were planted in pots at two different pH levels: 5.2 (original soil pH) and 6.4 (amended with lime). Soybean genotypes were allowed to grow to the dry pod stage.Soil pH levels affected the soybean genotypes yields significantly (p < 0.01). Tolerant genotypes showed a higher or similar seed yield at pH 5.2 compared to pH 6.4. Sensitive genotype yields were lower at pH 5.2 than at pH 6.4. In general, Mn in leaves was higher at pH 5.2 than at pH 6.4. Some of the sensitive genotypes at pH 5.2. showed severe chlorosis and crinkle leaf symptoms as a result of Mn toxicity. Excess available Mn at pH 5.2. induced Ca deficiency. Soybean genotypes PI423758, PI417440, Aoda, Kingston, Rokusum and some others were tolerant to Mn toxicity, whereas PI417288, Verde, Wilson 5, Sango, Funk Delicious and some others were sensitive to Mn toxicity. The genotypes found to be tolerant can be recommended to plant breeders for development of Mn-tolerant cultivars.     

Diagnosing P status and P requirement of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) by leaf and soil analysis

In this paper we present a new method for evaluating soil and plant tests for phosphate (P). We apply it to field experiments conducted over 2 years in four widely separated tea gardens of the Terai and the Dooars regions at the Himalayan foothills of India. We applied 5 levels of P to each site and measured yield, P concentration in the leaves, and Bray P values through time. Leaf P concentrations were closely described by a 3-dimensional Mitscherlich equation in which one of the independent variables was the amount of P applied and the other was the initial Bray P value. From this, we calculated the relative effectiveness of the applied P and the Bray P. The effectiveness of the applied P relative to that measured by Bray P, ranged from 0.87 down to 0.55. We added values for applied P and Bray P, with appropriate weighting for relative effectiveness, to calculate an effective level of P for each treatment. The relation between yield and effective P was then closely described by a Mitscherlich equation modified to permit a different maximum for each site. These relationships were used to show that P requirement was greatest on the most productive sites and in the middle of the growing season when growth rates were largest. We also tested the relation between leaf P concentration and yield. Yield was linearly related to leaf P over a concentration range of about 3 to about 4 g P kg^?1. The regression lines for different yield levels were close to parallel but with different intercepts. We propose that leaf P analysis could be used to monitor P status and that soil tests plus the values for relative effectiveness of applied P be used to estimate fertilizer requirement.     

Phenotypic variation in the agronomic and morphological traits of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pisum sativum</Emphasis> L. Germplasm obtained from different parts of the world

A total of 286 genotypes were collected from 39 countries of the world and were evaluated to determine the phenotypic diversity for 17 quantitative traits. Higher degree of coefficient of variation were recorded for grain yield⁻⁵ (52.46%), biomass⁻⁵ (45.73%), fresh pod width-10 (47.24%), dry pod weight⁻¹⁰ (40.33%), plant height⁻¹ (35.25%), harvest index (32.70%) and number of branches⁻⁵. Cluster-II clearly reflected that late genotypes were having lightest pods weight, shortest pod width, and pod length; low grain yield, biomass and harvest index. Width, and pod length; low grain yield, biomass and harvest index. While genotypes in Cluster-III were in contrast to Cluster-II having heaviest pods weight, longest pods width and length, highest grain yield, biomass and harvest index. Higher PC₋₁ values have been determined for days to flower initiation which consequently were contributing weighed positive to days to pods picking, days to flower completion, days to dry pod appearance, days to plant harvesting while negatively contributed to yield producing traits, indicating that late flowering pea germplasm emphasizes more on the vegetative growth and was low yielding. However, higher PC₋₂ values have been obtained for number of branches⁻⁵, grain yield and biomass while lower values for days to flowering, days to pods picking, days to flower completion, days to dry pod appearance and days to plant harvesting confirming the fact that early genotypes were high yielding.     

In vitro pollen germination and transient transformation of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> and other plant species

To study pollen-specific gene expression, fast and convenient methods involving in vitro pollen germination and bombardment with promoter deletion constructs are needed. Unfortunately, because of variation of pollen germability and tube growth, conducting these experiments is often unsatisfying for many plant species, including maize, especially when pollen is collected at different times of the day or season. We have overcome these problems by defining a novel medium (PGM) that guarantees germination efficiencies of more than 90% for maize pollen from at least 7 genotypes (A188, AC 3572 C, B73, H99, Hi-II, Q2, Tx232). This medium is also suitable to germinate pollen of other monocot species, such asPennisetum americanum andTradescantia species, and dicot species, such asArabidopsis thaliana, Arachis hypogaea, Columnea oesterdiana, Nicotiana tabacum, Phaseolus vulgaris, Pisum sativum, Solanum lycopersicum, Solanum tuberosum, andVicia faba. On average, reproducible germination rates ranging from 50–100% were observed with all plant species tested. In addition, we report a transient transformation assay using the luciferase (Luc) reporter gene. Biolistic parameters were defined to obtain reproducibleLuc activity measurements after bombarding thick-walled pollen, such as maize pollen. For comparison, samples of germinated maize and tobacco pollen were bombarded with the reporter gene under control of the constitutive ubiquitin-and pollen-specificZmMADS2 maize promoters. The important parameters necessary to apply both in vitro pollen germination and transient transformation for a large range of plant species are discussed. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Leaf senescence-like characteristics contribute to cotton's premature photosynthetic decline

Leaf and canopy photosynthesis of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) declines as the crop approaches cutout, just as the assimilate needs for reproductive growth are peaking. Our objective with this study was to determine whether this decline is due to remobilization of leaf components to support the reproductive growth or due to some cue from the changing environmental conditions during the growing season. Field studies were conducted in 1995–1996 at Stoneville, Mississippi, using six cotton genotypes and two planting dates (early and late), which produced two distinctly different cotton populations reaching cutout at different times. Among the six genotypes were a photoperiod sensitive line (non-flowering) and its counter part which had photoperiod insensitive genes backcrossed four times to the photoperiod sensitive line (flowering). This pair was used to assess the degree that the photosynthetic decline could be attributed to reproductive sink development. Leaf CO₂-exchange rate (CER) and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence measurements were taken in mid-August, a period corresponding to cutout for the early planted plots, and those leaves were collected. Leaf Chl level, soluble protein level, various soluble carbohydrate levels and Rubisco activities were assayed on those leaves. Averaged across years, leaf CER and soluble protein levels were reduced approximately 14% and 18%, respectively, for the early planted compared to the late planted cotton. Neither leaf Chl levels or Chl fluorescence Fv/Fm values for Photosystem II yield were altered by the planting date. In 1996, leaves from the non-flowering line had 12% greater Chl and 20% greater soluble protein levels than the flowering line. However, in 1996, the CER of the early planted non-flowering line was reduced 10% compared to the late planted. Although remobilization of leaf N to reproductive growth appears to be the principle component causing the cutout photosynthetic decline, the data also indicate that environmental factors can play a small role in causing the decline. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Heterologous expression and strategies for encapsulation of membrane-localized plant P450s

Heterologous expression of plant P450 proteins is critical for functional definitions of their enzymatic activities as well as for producing natural products whose biosyntheses involve P450s. Over the past decade and a half, several expression systems, using bacterial, yeast and insect cells, have been utilized successfully for expression of P450s from different plant species. Extensive optimizations in each system have focused on the improvement of expression levels, and the enhancement of the redox environment for catalytic activity. In this review, we discuss the strengths and limitations of each system, as well as recent developments and applications of each system. We also discuss the principles behind Nanodisc technology, which utilizes an amphipathic “membrane scaffold protein” (MSP) to stabilize the soluble membrane protein-containing nanometer diameter phospholipid bilayers, and its potential applications in plant P450 research.     

Comparative evaluation of genetic diversity using RAPD,SSR and cytochrome P450 gene based markers with respect to calcium content in finger millet (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eleusine coracana</Emphasis> L. Gaertn.)

Genetic relationships among 52 Eleusine coracana (finger millet) genotypes collected from different districts of Uttarakhand were investigated by using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), simple sequence repeat (SSR) and cytochrome P450 gene based markers. A total of 18 RAPD primers, 10 SSR primers, and 10 pairs of cytochrome P450 gene based markers, respectively, revealed 49.4%, 50.2% and 58.7% polymorphism in 52 genotypes of E. coracana. Mean polymorphic information content (PIC) for each of these marker systems (0.351 for RAPD, 0.505 for SSR and 0.406 for cyt P450 gene based markers) suggested that all the marker systems were effective in determining polymorphisms. Pair-wise similarity index values ranged from 0.011 to 0.999 (RAPD), 0.010 to 0.999 (SSR) and 0.001 to 0.998 (cyt P450 gene based markers) and mean similarity index value of 0.505, 0.504 and 0.499, respectively. The dendrogram developed by RAPD, SSR and cytochrome P450 gene based primers analyses revealed that the genotypes are grouped in different clusters according to high calcium (300–450 mg/100 g), medium calcium (200–300 mg/100 g) and low calcium (100–200 mg/100 g). Mantel test employed for detection of goodness of fit established cophenetic correlation values above 0.95 for all the three marker systems. The dendrograms and principal coordinate analysis (PCA) plots derived from the binary data matrices of the three marker systems are highly concordant. High bootstrap values were obtained at major nodes of phenograms through WINBOOT software. Comparison of RAPD, SSR and cytochrome P450 gene based markers, in terms of the quality of data output, indicated that SSRs and cyt P450 gene based markers are particularly promising for the analysis of plant genome diversity. The genotypes of finger millet collected from different districts of Uttarakhand constitute a wide genetic base and clustered according to calcium contents. The identified genotypes could be used in breeding programmes and amajor input into conservation biology of cereal crops.     

Interactions of highly regenerative genotypes of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and tissue culture protocols

Summary Highly regenerative alfalfa genotypes selected in three different laboratories from ‘Regen-S’/ ‘Saranac’ (3 genotypes) and ‘Rangelander’ (1 genotype) were culture using tissue culture and regeneration protocols from two of the laboratories. Regeneration of progerny from crosses among the genotypes indicated that genotypes from Regen-S/Saranac have the same genetic control of regeneration, but the Regen-S/Saranac system may be at least partially different from the one in Rangelander. Significant interactions occurred between genotypes and culture protocols for both embryoid formation and conversion into plantelts. Moreover, interactions involving genotypes from Regen-S/Saranac were as different from each other as they were from the Rangelander genotype. The hypothesis that genotypes from the Saranac genetic background would regenerates equally well on both protocols was rejected. Factors in addition to genes controlling regeneration clearly influence genotype X culture-protocol interactions. The importance of evaluating final plantlet formation along with embryoid formation is discussed. A hybrid of two Rege-S derivatives in which 90% of the F₁ progeny regenerate was identified and the hybrid seed is available to interested scientists.     

Association mapping of plant height, yield, and yield stability in recombinant chromosome substitution lines (RCSLs) using Hordeum vulgare subsp. spontaneum as a source of donor alleles in a Hordeum vulgare subsp. vulgare background

Grain yield and plant height of 80 recombinant chromosome substitution lines (RCSLs) of barley were measured in six environments with contrasting available moisture profiles. Two environments were in OR, USA (Moro and Pendleton) during one growing season (2004), and four in Chile (Cauquenes and Santa Rosa) during two growing seasons (2004/2005 and 2007/2008). From the yield data obtained in the different environments, yield adaptability (Finlay–Wilkinson slope) and stability (deviations from regression) were calculated. Two commercial cultivars (Harrington and Baronesse) were used as checks in all environments. Marker-quantitative trait associations were identified using 47 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and the general linear model (GLM) implemented in TASSEL. The mean plant height and grain yield of the 80 RCSLs differed greatly across environments, reflecting differences in water availability. In all environments, there were significant differences (P < 0.05) in grain yield among RCSLs. There was also abundant variation in yield adaptability, indicating a differential response of the RCSLs to environmental conditions across environments. Using principal component analysis, it was possible to identify genotypes with better agronomic performance than the recurrent parent cv. Harrington. The association analysis revealed 21 chromosomal regions that were highly correlated with differences in grain yield, plant height and/or yield adaptability (Finlay–Wilkinson slope). In approximately one-fourth of the cases, the H. spontaneum donor contributed favorable alleles. The associations were referenced to the quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the same traits reported in the literature.