Genetic variation for foot-rot and Fusarium head-blight resistances among full-sib families of a self-incompatible winter rye (Secale cereale L.) population

The amount of genetic variation for resistance to foot rot caused by Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides, Fusarium spp., and Microdochium nivale and for resistance to head blight caused by Fusarium culmorum are important parameters when estimating selection gain from recurrent selection in winter rye. One-hundred and eighty-six full-sib families of the selfincompatible population variety Halo, representing the Petkus gene pool, were tested for foot-rot resistance at five German location-year combinations (environments) and for head-blight resistance in three environments with artificial inoculation in all but one environment. Foot-rot rating was based on 25 stems per plot scored individually on a 1–9 scale. Head-blight resistance was plotwise scored on a 1–9 scale and, additionally, grain-weight per spike was measured relative to the non-inoculated control plots. Significant estimates of genotypic variance and medium-sized heritabilities (h ²=0.51–0.69) were observed in the combined analyses for all resistance traits. In four out of five environments, the amount of genetic variance was substantially smaller for foot-rot than for head-blight rating. Considerable environmental effects and significant genotype-environment interactions were found for both foot-rot and head-blight resistance. Coefficients of error-corrected correlation among environments were considerably closer than phenotypic correlations. No significant association was found between the resistances to both diseases (r=-0.20 to 0.17). In conclusion, intra-population improvement by recurrent selection should lead to substantial higher foot-rot and head-blight resistances due to significant quantitative genetic variation within Halo. Selection should be carried out in several environments. Lack of correlation between foot-rot and head-blight resistance requires separate infection tests for improving both resistances.     

A 9 × 9 diallel analysis in peanuts (A. hypogaea L.): Flowering time,tops' weight,pod yield per plant and pod weight

Summary Four quantitative traits were studied by analysing F₂ data derived from a 9 × 9 diallel cross utilizing widely divergent, inbred, erect cultivars of peanuts, A. hypogaea. Bidirectional dominance was found in the traits total pod yield per plant and number of days from planting to first flower; in pod size, the alleles giving small pods were consistently dominant and for high tops' weight, dominance and overdominance were found. The high heritability of pod yield/plant (0.79) indicates that breeding for higher yield/plant can succeed if large F₂ populations are grown and rigorous visual selection combined with progeny testing are employed. The genetic correlations of pod yield/plant with other traits were low. Breeding for plants with large (jumbo) pods can be aided by the fact that they are homozygous recessive, or nearly so. Simultaneous breeding for high yields and large pods is possible: there was a positive (but low) genetic correlation between the two (0.16). A modification by which less biased estimates of the number of effective factors can be obtained and a possible relationship between bidirectional dominance and genic interaction were proposed.     

Hybrid maize breeding with doubled haploids. IV. Number versus size of crosses and importance of parental selection in two-stage selection for testcross performance

Parental selection influences the gain from selection and the optimum allocation of test resources in breeding programs. We compared two hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) breeding schemes with evaluation of testcross progenies: (a) doubled haploid (DH) lines in both stages (DHTC) and (b) S₁ families in the first stage and DH lines within S₁ families in the second stage (S₁TC-DHTC). Our objectives were to (1) determine the optimum allocation regarding the number of crosses, S₁ families, DH lines, and test locations, (2) investigate the impact of parental selection on the optimum allocation and selection gain (ΔG), and (3) compare the maximum ΔG achievable with each breeding scheme. Selection gain was calculated by numerical integration. Different assumptions were made regarding the budget, variance components, correlation between the mean phenotypic performance of the parents and the mean genotypic value of the testcross performance of their progenies (ρ _P ), and the composition of the finally selected test candidates. In comparison with randomly chosen crosses, maximum ΔG was largely increased with parental selection in both breeding schemes. With an increasing correlation ρ _P , this superiority increased strongly, while the optimum number of crosses decreased in favor of an increased number of test candidates within crosses. Thus, concentration on few crosses among the best parental lines might be a promising approach for short-term success in advanced cycle breeding. Breeding scheme S₁TC-DHTC led to a larger ΔG but had a longer cycle length than DHTC. However, with further improvements in the DH technique and the realization of more than two generations per year, early testing of S₁ families prior to production of DH lines would become very attractive in hybrid maize breeding. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. T. Wegenast and C. F. H. Longin contributed equally to this work.     

全球陆地生态系统光合作用与呼吸作用的温度敏感性

基于全球647套通量数据,定量分析了全球尺度下生态系统光合作用和呼吸作用的温度敏感性(Q10)随纬度、气候和植被的分布规律。结果表明:在全球尺度下,光合作用和呼吸过程的温度敏感性(Q10,G和Q10,R)都随纬度的升高而增加,其中Q10,G和Q10,R的均值分别为3.99±0.21和2.28±0.074。除热带多树草原、常绿落叶林外,Q10,G均大于Q10,R值。不同植被类型的温度敏感性存在显著性差异,表现为:针叶林阔叶林;落叶林常绿林,其中生态系统的季节性变异是造成差异的主要原因。当植被类型和纬度区域共同影响Q10值时,植被类型对Q10值的总变异贡献更大。气候类型对Q10,G和Q10,R都有显著影响。在气候带上,干旱带的Q10,G最小,而冷温带的Q10,G最高。不同气候类型下(除温带草原气候外)的Q10,G都大于Q10,R。在极端条件下,温度可能不在是主导因素,而水分对温度敏感性的影响不可忽略,今后的研究需要更多的关注生态系统温度敏感性对水分变化的响应。     

Seed weight increases with altitude in the Swiss Alps between related species but not among populations of individual species

Seed weight is a crucial plant life history trait, determining establishment success and dispersal ability. Especially in stressful environments, larger seeds may be selected at the expense of seed number, because larger seeds have a better chance of giving rise to an established offspring. We tested the hypotheses that between related species-pairs and among populations of single species a similar trend for increasing seed weight with increasing altitude should be present. Firstly, we measured seed weights from 29 species-pairs, with one species occurring in lowland areas and a congeneric species from high altitudes. Seeds of the alpine species were 28±8% larger than seeds from lowland species (P<0.01). Compared to the related lowland species, 55% of the alpine species had heavier seeds, 3% (one species) had lighter, and 41% had seeds of approximately equal weight. Secondly, we compared seed weights among populations of four species from different habitats and with different life histories. Seeds from between 11 and 34 populations per species were sampled along altitudinal gradients of 800–1,500 m (ca. 800 m in Scabiosa lucida, ca. 1,000 m in Saxifraga oppositifolia, ca. 1,000 m in Epilobium fleischeri, and ca. 1,500 m in Carex flacca). In all the four species, we found no indication for heavier seeds at higher altitudes. Our results indicate a selection pressure for species with heavier seeds at higher altitude, but the trend does not seem to operate across all cases. Phylogenetic constraints may limit the correlation among altitude and seed weight, operating particularly against selection for larger seed size, the closer populations and species are related to each other.     

活血丹小尺度空间遗传结构

活血丹(Glechoma lonituba)是唇形科活血丹属的多年生克隆草本植物。采用简单重复序列区(ISSR)分子标记技术,比较分析了3个不同斑块活血丹的遗传多样性、克隆多样性以及小尺度空间遗传结构,并探讨其与生境异质性、繁殖体传播和人为干扰的相关性。结果表明:1)活血丹物种水平的遗传多样性很低,各斑块的遗传多样性较低,以水渠边斑块最高,平葛村斑块次之,竹林下斑块最低。2)活血丹物种水平的克隆多样性较高,各斑块活血丹的克隆多样性以水渠边斑块最大,平葛村斑块次之,竹林下斑块最低。3)遗传分化系数Gst为0.7129,表明活血丹的遗传变异大部分存在于斑块间;斑块间的基因流较小,仅为0.2004。4)空间自相关分析表明活血丹一定的空间距离下存在显著的空间遗传结构,竹林下斑块在100cm时存在显著性正相关,其X轴截矩为205.994cm;平葛村斑块在200cm时存在显著性正相关,其X轴截矩为235.388cm;水渠边斑块在150cm时存在显著性正相关,其X轴截矩为240.336cm。应用软件SPAGeDi 1.2软件对各斑块的空间遗传结构进行量化,表明平葛村斑块具有最强的空间遗传结构,水渠边和竹林下斑块的空间遗传结构较弱。活血丹的遗传结构、克隆结构及空间分布格局受到其繁殖体传播特征、人为干扰和繁殖权衡的影响,是其对生境异质性的适应结果。     

Consistent detection of QTLs for crown rust resistance in Italian ryegrass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lolium multiflorum</Emphasis> Lam.) across environments and phenotyping methods

Crown rust, caused by Puccinia coronata f. sp. lolii, is one of the most important diseases of temperate forage grasses, such as ryegrasses (Lolium spp.), affecting yield and nutritional quality. Therefore, resistance to crown rust is a major goal in ryegrass breeding programmes. In a two-way pseudo-testcross population consisting of 306 Lolium multiflorum individuals, multisite field evaluations as well as alternative methods based on artificial inoculation with natural inoculate in controlled environments were used to identify QTLs controlling resistance to crown rust. Disease scores obtained from glasshouse and leaf segment test (LST) evaluations were highly correlated with scores from a multisite field assessment (r = 0.66 and 0.79, P < 0.01, respectively) and thus confirmed suitability of these methods for crown rust investigations. Moreover, QTL mapping based on a linkage map consisting of 368 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers revealed similar results across different phenotyping methods. Two major QTLs were consistently detected on linkage group (LG) 1 and LG 2, explaining up to 56% of total phenotypic variance (V _p). Nevertheless, differences between position and magnitude of QTLs were observed among individual field locations and suggested the existence of specific local pathogen populations. The present study not only compared QTL results among crown rust evaluation methods and environments, but also identified molecular markers closely linked to previously undescribed QTLs for crown rust resistance in Italian ryegrass with the potential to be applied in marker-assisted forage crop breeding. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Phenotypic plasticity of invasive Alternanthera philoxeroides in relation to different water availability, compared to its native congener

Phenotypic plasticity and genetic differentiation are two possible mechanisms that plants use to cope with varying environments. Although alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) possesses very low genetic diversity, this alien weed has successfully invaded diverse habitats with considerably varying water availability (from swamps to dry lands) in China. In contrast, its native congener (Alternanthera sessilis) has a much narrower ecological breadth, and is usually found in moist habitats. To understand the mechanisms underlying the contrasting pattern, we performed a greenhouse experiment to compare the reaction norms of alligator weed with those of its native congener, in which water availability was manipulated. Our results revealed that the two congeners had similar direction of phenotypic plasticity. However, A. philoxeroides showed greater plasticity in amount than did A. sessilis in many traits examined during the switch from wet to drought treatment. Nearly all of the phenotypic variance in A. philoxeroides could be ascribed to plasticity, while A. sessilis had a much higher fraction of phenotypic variance that could be explained by genotypic variation. These interspecific differences in plastic responses to variable water availability partially explained the difference in spatial distribution of the two congeners.     

Efficiency of physiological trait-based and empirical selection approaches for drought tolerance in groundnut

Drought is the major abiotic constraint affecting groundnut productivity and quality worldwide. Most breeding programmes in groundnut follow an empirical approach to drought resistance breeding, largely based on kernel yield and traits of local adaptation, resulting in slow progress. Recent advances in the use of easily measurable surrogates for complex physiological traits associated with drought tolerance encouraged breeders to integrate these in their selection schemes. However, there has been no direct comparison of the relative efficiency of a physiological trait‐based selection approach (Tr) vis‐à‐vis an empirical approach (E) to ascertain the benefits of the former. The genetic material used in the present study originated from three common crosses and one institute‐specific cross from four collaborating institutes in India (total seven crosses). Each institute contributed six genotypes and each followed both the Tr and E selection approaches in each cross. The field trial of all selections, consisting of 192 genotypes (96 each Tr and E selections), was grown in 2000/2001 in a 4 × 48 alpha design in 12 season × location environments in India. The selection efficiency of Tr relative to E, RE_Tr, was estimated using the genetic concept of response to selection. Based on all the 12 environments, the two selection methods performed more or less similarly (RE_Tr= 1.045). When the 12 environments were grouped into rainy season and post‐rainy season, the relative response to selection in Tr method was higher in the rainy than in the post‐rainy season (RE_Tr= 1.220 vs 0.657) due to a higher genetic variance, lower G × E, and high h². When the 12 environments were classified into four clusters based on plant extractable soil‐water availability, the selection method Tr was superior to E in three of the four clusters (RE_Tr= 1.495, 0.612, 1.308, and 1.144) due to an increase in genetic variance and h² under Tr in clustered environments. Although the crosses exhibited significant differences for kernel yield, the two methods of selection did not interact significantly with crosses. Both methods contributed more or less equally to the 10 highest‐yielding selections (six for E and four for Tr). The six E selections had a higher kernel yield, higher transpiration (T), and nearly equal transpiration efficiency (TE) and harvest index (HI) relative to four Tr selections. The yield advantage in E selections came largely from greater T, which would likely not be an advantage in water‐deficient environments. From the results of these multi‐environment studies, it is evident that Tr method did not show a consistent superiority over E method of drought resistance breeding in producing a higher kernel yield in groundnut. Nonetheless, the integration of physiological traits (or their surrogates) in the selection scheme would be advantageous in selecting genotypes which are more efficient water utilisers or partitioners of photosynthates into economic yield. New biotechnological tools are being explored to increase efficiency of physiological trait‐based drought resistance breeding in groundnut.     

Aspects of breeding ecology of the eastern olivaceous warbler (Hippolais pallida)

The breeding ecology of eastern olivaceous warblers Hippolais pallida is poorly known. In this study, we provide data on nest site selection and breeding parameters of the species in a population in northwestern Bulgaria, the only one known to be regularly and heavily parasitized by the common cuckoo Cuculus canorus (hereafter cuckoo). Eastern olivaceous warblers only bred within human settlements of the study area, avoiding seemingly suitable habitat outside them. Nests were built in a wide range of plant taxa but ailanthuses Ailanthus altissima and mulberries Morus spp. were most frequently used (21%). After taking into account the availability of vegetation, there was an apparent preference for several plant taxa but not for mulberries. Mean nest height was 1.65 ± 0.98 (0.53–7.60) m, n = 217, and it varied significantly among different types of nesting substrate. Laying date and clutch size of first breeding attempts averaged 10 June ± 0.98 days, n = 101 and 3.9 ± 0.07 (2–5) eggs, n = 72, respectively. Hatching success, fledging success, and breeding success were 42.5, 86.4, and 36.7%, respectively. The main sources of nest mortality were predation and cuckoo parasitism, with no significant difference in the proportion of nests lost to each. Cuckoo parasitism seemed responsible for the relatively low hatching success in this population.     

The evolution of plant response to herbivory: simultaneously considering resistance and tolerance in Brassica rapa

Although the evolution of plant response to herbivory can involve either resistance (a decrease in susceptibility to herbivore damage) or tolerance (a decrease in the per unit effect of herbivory on plant fitness), until recently few studies have explicitly incorporated both of these characters. Moreover, theory suggests these characters do not evolve independently, and also that the pattern of natural selection acting on resistance and tolerance depends on their costs and benefits. In a genotypic selection analysis on an experimental population of Brassica rapa (Brassicaceae) I found a complex set of correlational selection gradients acting on resistance and tolerance of damage by flea beetles (Phyllotreta cruciferae: Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Ceutorhynchus assimilis: Curculionidae), as well as directional and stabilizing selection on resistance to attack by weevils. Evolution of response to flea beetle attack is constrained by a strong allocation cost of tolerance, and this allocation cost may be caused by a complex correlation among weevil resistance, weevil tolerance, flea beetle resistance, and flea beetle tolerance. Thus, one important conclusion of this study is that ecological costs may involve complex correlations among multiple characters, and for this reason these costs may not be detectable by simple pairwise correlations between characters. The evolution of response to weevil attack is probably constrained by a series of correlations between weevil resistance, weevil tolerance, and fitness in the absence of weevil damage, and possibly by a cost of tolerance of weevil damage. However, the nature of these constraints is complicated by apparent overcompensation for weevil damage. Because damage by both flea beetles and weevils had non-linear effects on plant fitness, standard measures of tolerance were not appropriate. Thus, a second important contribution of this study is the use of the area under the curve defined by the regression of fitness on damage and damage-squared as a measure of tolerance. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic variability of resistance to Eimeria acervulina and E. tenella in chickens

Summary The genetic variability of 18 sire families of the Athens-Canadian randombred population infected with coccidiosis was assessed by examining the response variables of weight gain, packed red blood cell volume, mortality and coccidial lesions. A significant gain and PCV depression and high lesion scores for Eimeria tenella and E. acervulina were produced in the infected group compared to the noninfected group. Significant variation among the sire families was observed for all of the response variables except E. acervulina lesions and a significant sex x sire interaction was observed for weight gain. The heritability (h²) estimates for the response variables revealed that resistance to coccidiosis in chickens is moderately heritable. The h² estimates for gain and PCV increased with the coccidial infections indicating that maximum progress in selecting for resistance should be made when the population was exposed to coccidial infection. Gain was positively correlated to the other measures of resistance and thus selecting for coccidial resistance should not reduce growth rates. PCV was similarly correlated but had higher positive correlation with E. tenella lesion. Percent mortality which is the selection parameter in most coccidial selection programs was correlated with resistance to coccidiosis. The phenotypic and genotypic correlations demonstrated that chickens susceptible to E. tenella were also susceptible to E. acervulina. Total lesion scores were moderately to highly correlated with the other variables and would be a suitable variable to use in coccidiosis experimentation including a genetic selection program for resistance. This study shows that progress could be made in selecting for resistance to coccidiosis in chickens using one or a combination of these response variables.     

Genetic Diversity and Genetic Structure of an Endangered Species, Trillium tschonoskii

The genetic diversity and genetic structure of Trillium tschonoskii (Maxim) were investigated using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. Eight primer combinations were carried out on 105 different individuals sampled from seven populations. Of the 619 discernible DNA fragments generated, 169 (27.3%) were polymorphic. The percentage of polymorphic bands within populations ranged from 4.52 to 10.50. Genetic diversity (H_E) within populations ranged from 0.0130 to 0.0379, averaging 0.0536 at the species level. Genetic differentiation among populations was detected based on Nei's genetic diversity analysis (53.03%) and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) (52.43%). AMOVA indicated significant genetic differentiation among populations (52.43% of the variance) and within populations (47.57% of the variance) (p < 0.0002). Gene flow was low (0.4429) among populations. Species breeding system and limited gene flow among populations are plausible reasons for the high genetic differentiation observed for this species. We propose an appropriate strategy for conserving the genetic resources of T. tschonoskii in China.     

Demographic consequences of age-structure in extreme environments: population models for arctic and alpine ptarmigan

Organisms living in arctic and alpine environments are increasingly impacted by human activities. To evaluate the potential impacts of global change, a better understanding of the demography of organisms in extreme environments is needed. In this study, we compare the age-specific demography of willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) breeding at arctic and subalpine sites, and white-tailed ptarmigan (L. leucurus) breeding at an alpine site. Rates of egg production improved with age at the alpine and subalpine sites, but the stochastic effects of nest and brood predation led to similar rates of annual fecundity among 1-, 2-, and 3+-year-old females. All populations had short generation times (T<2.7 years) and low net reproductive rates (R ₀<1.2). Stable age distributions were weighted towards 1-year-old females in willow ptarmigan (>59%), and to 3+-year-old females in white-tailed ptarmigan (>47%). High damping ratios (ρ>3.2) indicated that asymptotic estimates were likely to match natural age distributions. Sensitivity and elasticity values indicated that changes in juvenile survival would have the greatest impact on the finite rate of population change (λ) in willow ptarmigan, whereas changes to the survival of 3+-year-old females would have a greater effect in white-tailed ptarmigan. High survivorship buffers white-tailed ptarmigan in alpine environments against the potential effects of climate change on annual fecundity, but may make the species more sensitive to the effects of pollutants or harvesting on adult survival. Conversely, processes that reduce annual fecundity would have a greater impact on the population viability of willow ptarmigan in arctic and subalpine environments. If these same demographic patterns prove to be widespread among organisms in extreme environments, it may be possible to develop general recommendations for conservation of the biological resources of arctic and alpine ecosystems.     

The role of plant genotype,environment and gender in resistance to a specialist chrysomelid herbivore

Summary Patchiness in herbivore attack is a well-documented phenomenon. When neighboring plants suffer vastly different levels of attack, then one suspects genotypic differences among plants to be the underlying mechanism. In this study, I use common garden experiments in two natural, but divergent, habitats at the Cedar Creek Natural History Area in central Minnesota to determine the role of plant genotype, environment and gender in plant resistance to a specialist herbivore. Resistance was measured by larval survivorship and weight. Eight clones ofRhus glabra were selected and 12 equal-aged ramets were dug up and planted in two gardens (each garden received 6 ramets per clone). First instarBlepharida rhois (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) larvae of known parentage were transferred to ramets and censused every other day. At the end of the experiment, larvae were collected and weighed. Analysis of variance was used to determine the importance of plant genotype, environment and gender on larval mortality and weight. The experiment was repeated in its entirety one month later. Both plant genotype and environment significantly affected larval survivorship in the first run of the experiment. No interactions were significant. Results from the second run indicated marginally significant genotype and environment main effects, and a genotype by environment interaction in larval survivorship. There was a significant genotype by environment interaction in larval weight on the same run. In neither run did clone gender have significant affects on resistance.     

Genetic mapping reveals a single major QTL for bacterial wilt resistance in Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.)

Bacterial wilt caused by Xanthomonas translucens pv. graminis (Xtg) is a major disease of economically important forage crops such as ryegrasses and fescues. Targeted breeding based on seedling inoculation has resulted in cultivars with considerable levels of resistance. However, the mechanisms of inheritance of resistance are poorly understood and further breeding progress is difficult to obtain. This study aimed to assess the relevance of the seedling screening in the glasshouse for adult plant resistance in the field and to investigate genetic control of resistance to bacterial wilt in Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). A mapping population consisting of 306 F₁ individuals was established and resistance to bacterial wilt was assessed in glasshouse and field experiments. Highly correlated data (r = 0.67–0.77, P < 0.01) between trial locations demonstrated the suitability of glasshouse screens for phenotypic selection. Analysis of quantitative trait loci (QTL) based on a high density genetic linkage map consisting of 368 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers revealed a single major QTL on linkage group (LG) 4 explaining 67% of the total phenotypic variance (Vp). In addition, a minor QTL was observed on LG 5. Field experiments confirmed the major QTL on LG 4 to explain 43% (in 2004) to 84% (in 2005) of Vp and also revealed additional minor QTLs on LG 1, LG 4 and LG 6. The identified QTLs and the closely linked markers represent important targets for marker-assisted selection of Italian ryegrass.     

Plastid genome characterisation in Brassica and Brassicaceae using a new set of nine SSRs

The objective of the present study was to identify favourable exotic Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) alleles for the improvement of agronomic traits in the BC₂DH population S42 derived from a cross between the spring barley cultivar Scarlett and the wild barley accession ISR42-8 (Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum). QTLs were detected as a marker main effect and/or a marker × environment interaction effect (M × E) in a three-factorial ANOVA. Using field data of up to eight environments and genotype data of 98 SSR loci, we detected 86 QTLs for nine agronomic traits. At 60 QTLs the marker main effect, at five QTLs the M × E interaction effect, and at 21 QTLs both the effects were significant. The majority of the M × E interaction effects were due to changes in magnitude and are, therefore, still valuable for marker assisted selection across environments. The exotic alleles improved performance in 31 (36.0%) of 86 QTLs detected for agronomic traits. The exotic alleles had favourable effects on all analysed quantitative traits. These favourable exotic alleles were detected, in particular on the short arm of chromosome 2H and the long arm of chromosome 4H. The exotic allele on 4HL, for example, improved yield by 7.1%. Furthermore, the presence of the exotic allele on 2HS increased the yield component traits ears per m² and thousand grain weight by 16.4% and 3.2%, respectively. The present study, hence, demonstrated that wild barley does harbour valuable alleles, which can enrich the genetic basis of cultivated barley and improve quantitative agronomic traits.     

The local distribution of a perennial bunchgrass: biotic or abiotic control?

The present study was designed to investigate the relative importance of biotic versus abiotic factors in determining the distribution of species among heterogeneous environments. The composition of 70 quadrats of 0.25-m², located in a 13-m × 40-m region of a mown field in Durham, North Carolina, was defined through two sets of principal component scores representing soil and vegetation gradients in the study area. The first principal component in each of the analyses exhibited a monotonic increase in value along an elevational gradient characterizing the field. This represents a one-dimensional correlation structure between the background soil and vegetation variables. Secondary soil and vegetation gradients, represented by the remaining principal component axes, were for the most part uncorrelated.Regression analyses were used to study the relationships coupling the distribution of Danthonia sericea, a bunchgrass species, to the distribution of associated soil and vegetation gradients. The correlation of the distribution of Danthonia to the dominant soil/vegetation gradient was highly significant. In addition, strong, secondary correlations with the background vegetation remained after removal of variance associated with soil composition; the converse was, in general, not true. One exception involved a minor zinc gradient that exhibited a negative correlation with the distribution of Danthonia. A strong correlation was found coupling an interaction term associated with the primary soil/vegetation gradient to the distribution of Danthonia. The results suggest that the present distribution of Danthonia is modified to a large extent by competitive interactions with other plant species. However, the relative significance of the soil-by-vegetation interaction term also indicates that soil composition must be explicitly considered to properly understand the role of biotic interactions. Any one factor, biotic or abiotic, may modify the distribution of a species, but the way in which it modifies the distribution will depend directly upon the composition of the other factors making up the biotic and abiotic, environmental background.Abbreviations Danthonia = the species Danthonia sericea - PC = principal component - PCA = principal component analysis - SS = sum of squares     

Genetic analysis of phytic acid content in pearl millet

Summary The genetics of phytic acid content in pearl millet (Pennisettum typhoides (Burm) S & H) was studied using a 12 parent diallel. The analysis of variance of diallel progenies exhibited significant genotypic differences. Different analyses, i.e., combining ability analysis, analysis of variance of diallel tables and genetic component analysis, showed that both additive and non additive gene effects were significant. It is suggested that a population improvement is possible by breeding for low phytic acid cultivars of pearl millet.     

Patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation in the tsetse fly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glossina morsitans morsitans</Emphasis> Westwood populations in East and southern Africa

Genetic diversity and differentiation within and among nine G. morsitans morsitans populations from East and southern Africa was assessed by examining variation at seven microsatellite loci and a mitochondrial locus, cytochrome oxidase (COI). Mean COI diversity within populations was 0.63 ± 0.33 and 0.81 taken over all populations. Diversities averaged over microsatellite loci were high (mean number of alleles/locus ≥7.4; mean H _E ≥ 65%) in all populations. Diversities averaged across populations were greater in East Africa (mean number of alleles = 22 ± 2.6; mean h _e = 0.773 ± 0.033) than in southern Africa (mean number of alleles = 18.7 ± 4.0; mean h _e = 0.713 ± 0.072). Differentiation among all populations was highly significant (R _ST = 0.25, F _ST = 0.132). Nei’s G _ij statistics were 0.09 and 0.19 within regions for microsatellites and mitochondria, respectively; between regions, G _ij was 0.14 for microsatellites and 0.23 for mitochondria. G _ST among populations was 0.23 for microsatellite loci and 0.40 for mitochondria. The F, G and R statistics indicate highly restricted gene flow among G. m. morsitans populations separated over geographic scales of 12–917 km.