Polyamines in yellow lupin (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lupinus luteus</Emphasis> L.) tolerance to soil drought

Polyamines (PAs) are related to many physiological processes, including soil drought stress. Two yellow lupin ‘Morocco 4’ (drought tolerant) and ‘Taper’ (drought sensitive) were exposed to soil drought for 2 weeks. The half of the examined plants were additionally sprayed with a solution of polyamine biosynthesis inhibitor—dl-α-difluoromethylarginine (DFMA). Yellow lupin leaves showed a 19% increase and seeds a 54% decrease in the total PA contents. The seeds contained fourfold less PAs than the leaves under drought conditions. The highest amount of spermidine and lack of agmatine were found in the leaves, while in the seeds the highest content of spermine and the presence of agmatine was confirmed. The use of DFMA under drought conditions decreased the content of spermine in ‘Morocco 4’ and ‘Taper’ (41 and 19%, respectively) and spermidine in ‘Taper’ (by 13%), as well as reduced two out of three of the yield components. More tolerant ‘Morocco 4’, after DFMA treatment was characterized by a higher spermidine and spermine content and a smaller decrease in yield components compared to the less tolerant ‘Taper’. Simultaneously subjecting plants to soil drought and DFMA treatment caused in ‘Morocco 4’ a decline in the number of pods and seeds per plant and seeds dry weight per plant (64, 50 and 54%, respectively), while in ‘Taper’ a reduction of the number of pods per plant and seeds per pod (32 and 27%, respectively) was observed. These results confirm that PAs are involved in yellow lupin tolerance and may play a protective function under soil drought conditions.     

Gibberellic Acid Treatment Reduces the Tolerance of Field-Grown Common Bean to Leaf Removal

I studied the influence of gibberellic acid (GA₃) treatment in a field population of common bean on plant tolerance to leaf removal. Individual bean seedlings were treated with a foliar application of 10 μM GA₃ on day 7 and day 14 after emergence, which led to a significant increase in height in GA₃-treated plants. Twenty-eight days after emergence, either zero, one, two, or three leaflets from each trifoliate leaf were removed from each of 20 GA₃-treated and 20 control plants. All pods were harvested from each plant after plants became senescent 6 weeks later. Multivariate analyses revealed that leaf removal produced significant reductions in several yield components in both GA₃-treated and control plants, although the effects were not pronounced until at least two leaflets from each trifoliate leaf (67% of the total leaf area) were removed. However, GA₃-treated plants suffered greater reductions in total pod wall mass and total seed number than control plants after 33 and 67% leaf area removal. These results indicate that GA₃ treatment may have altered the assimilatory capacity or resource allocation pattern of treated plants in such a way as to decrease their ability to tolerate leaf removal, a negative consequence of the hormonal alteration of traits important to plant compensation for biotic stressors. Received December 6, 1996; accepted March 5, 1997     

Distribution of 14C-sucrose applied to leaves at different nodes of okra (Abelmoschus esculentum) during flowering and early pod growth

The distribution pattern of ¹⁴C-sucrose from ¹⁴C-sucrose applied to vegetative okra plants and leaves 1–9 on separate plants during the green pod development stage were investigated in relation to duration and leaf position. Results indicated bi-directional transport of assimilates to both apical and basal portions of the stem. Within 48 h ¹⁴C moved to all plant parts; stem and leaves appeared to be strong sinks. In plants fed at the vegetative stage, 48 h after feeding, 66% of the fed activity was exported from the fed leaf. At the pod development stage, about 35% of the activity exported from the fed leaf was present in green pods and 65% in vegetative parts. In plants where leaf 1–9 was fed, irrespective of the position of the fed leaf, the subtending fruit was the strongest sink among the reproductive parts. Leaves and stems were the principal sinks.     

Determination of Resistance or Susceptibility of Soybean Genotypes to Soybean Cyst Nematode, Heterodera glycines, Race 3

Resistance and/or susceptibility of several soybean genotypes to soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines, race 3 was investigated. Three, 11, and 4 soybean genotypes were identified as resistant, moderately resistant, and susceptible, respectively. Resistant plants had fewer cysts on the roots and more root nodules, with the converse in susceptible plants. Reduction in yield of six extensively grown soybean cvs in Alabama was from 10 to 56% compared with the north Alabama average; resistant cv. ‘Bedford’ showed a yield loss of 10%. Cyst numbers were negatively correlated with nodule numbers and other agronomic characters. Nodules and other yield components were positively correlated except for non-correlation of nodules and number of pods with plant height in the 1980 experiment.     

Plant growth modelling without integrating mechanisms

The integration of root and shoot activity for resource acquisition and allocation is a central problem both in experimental physiology and in mathematical growth modelling. A key feature in all proposed solutions is the mechanism by which roots and shoot communicate their resource status, their needs or their demands. In experimental studies, chemical messengers (hormones or nutrients) have been central. In mathematical models, partitioning or productivity functions of one form or another have been incorporated to fill a similar role. In this paper, the central hypothesis is that growth and resource allocation can be based solely on local, internal, non-structural resource concentrations and local kinetic rules, without the need for additional mechanisms to integrate activities at the organis-mal level. The specific objective was to develop a formal model using the classical two-compartment, two-resource framework which did not include direct intercompartmental coordinating or communicating mechanisms or resource partitioning functions. The formalization effort was successful based on two criteria. First, the ‘plants’ grow at steady and balanced rates when ‘growth conditions’ are constant; and second, challenged with experimental manipulations such as pruning or limitations in resource acquisition, their growth responses mimic those of real plants. Analysis of the results indicates that the complex integrated growth patterns of the modelled plants are emergent properties – having no direct or indirect mechanistic basis – of the simple system. They imply that similar ‘mechanism-less’ integration is possible in real plants as an emergent property of strictly local, cellular-level activities.     

Records of Source--Sink Relations by Means of Respiration Measurements

A method for recording respiration rates of attached singlesoybean pods is described. By means of such records source-sinkrelations can be observed over an extended period of time ifphotosynthesis of leaves is recorded simultaneously. It is shownthat there are direct influences on respiration, such as changesin temperature and indirect effects which influence primarilythe assimilate influx into the pods, e.g. light and competitionbetween pods. The shading of a single leaf next to the pod has only a smalleffect because the pod is supplied by more than one leaf. Bygirdling the plants, the export-import conditions can be studiedon a single leaf as source and a single pod as sink. The resultsshow that a trifoliate fully-grown leaf produces more assimilatethan can be used by a single pod. If only one pod is growingwithin the girdled area then starch is accumulated and the photosyntheticrate of the leaf is greatly reduced. The respiration rate ofthe pod is only slightly increased, in spite of the abundantavailability of assimilates. It appears therefore, that thefilling rate of pods is determined mainly by the capacity ofthe pod to off-load the phloem, and cannot be increased beyonda certain level by additional sucrose influx. Our results show that, using this method, the source-sink relationscan be recorded qualitatively over time periods of 3–4weeks. Key words: Source-sink relations, pod respiration, Glycine max, pod filling, photosynthesis     

Cultivar-specific impairment of strawberry growth,photosynthesis, carbohydrate and nitrogen accumulation by ozone

In a 2-year study, fruiting plants of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cv. ‘Korona’ and ‘Elsanta’ were exposed for 2 months to 78 ppb ozone on average or filtered air without ozone in controlled environment chambers. Plant growth, photosynthesis, carbohydrate accumulation, and macronutrient concentrations were investigated in order to demonstrate cultivar-specific differences in the ozone sensitivity of ‘Korona’ and ‘Elsanta’ on the whole plant level. Moreover, the hypothesis was tested whether properties of the root system in strawberry were involved in ozone tolerance, for example, the roots’ ability to store or make available carbohydrates and their capacity to secure plants’ supply with nitrogen during a stress situation. In strawberry, ozone reduced leaf area by reducing leaf number. Moreover, specific leaf area (SLA) and relative leaf water content were reduced. Net photosynthesis was only slightly impaired, but activity of Rubisco and chlorophyll content in older leaves of cv. ‘Elsanta’ were significantly reduced. The most important, indirect impairment of photosynthesis was the reduction of plants’ total leaf area, which resulted in a decrease in plant biomass. The reduction of root biomass, the root/shoot ratio, and also the distribution of carbohydrates indicated a partitioning priority of the shoot at expense of the root system. Cultivar ‘Elsanta’ was characterized by significantly lower carbohydrate levels in ozone-exposed leaves, whereas levels remained fairly stable in ‘Korona’ leaves. In addition, nitrogen concentrations in leaves and roots decreased significantly in ‘Elsanta’, not in ‘Korona’. The reduced nitrogen concentration in leaves may be related with the more distinct reduction in Rubisco activity and chlorophyll content in older leaves of ‘Elsanta’.     

Factors inducing regeneration response in oat (Avena sativa L.) anther culture

The efficiency of embryogenesis of anther culture was compared using four cultivars of oat (Avena sativa L.): ‘Akt’, ‘Bingo’, ‘Bajka’, and ‘Chwat’. Despite the high resistance of oat to the process of androgenesis, all tested cultivars produced embryo-like structures and only two of them, ‘Akt’ and ‘Chwat’, produced fertile doubled haploid plants. A strong cultivar dependency was observed during induction of androgenesis. Further, cold pretreatment together with high temperature shock enhanced the efficiency of this technique. The highest number of embryo-like structures and haploid plants was obtained from cv. ‘Chwat’ (3.6% and 0.8%, respectively). Embryo-like structure formation also depended on the distance from the base of the flag leaf to the penultimate leaf of the panicle. Most of them were observed on anthers harvested from panicles of which the distance from the base of the flag leaf to the penultimate leaf was less than 4 cm. The presence of the induction medium supplemented with different plant growth regulators was essential for the induction of embryo-like structures but did not increase the production of haploid plants and doubled haploid lines. The highest number of embryo-like structures and plants was obtained on W14 medium with the addition of 2.0 mg/dm³ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.5 mg/dm³ kinetin (2.7%). The low haploid plant regeneration rate (from 0.03 to 0.05%) still limits the practical application of anther culture for the production of doubled haploid lines in oat.

     

Growth,photosynthetic performance and antioxidative response of ‘Hass’ and ‘Fuerte’ avocado (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Persea americana</Emphasis> Mill.) plants grown under high soil moisture

‘Hass’ and ‘Fuerte’ avocado plants were grown under well-watered or waterlogged conditions. Results indicated significant effects on the majority of the allometric parameters in waterlogged plants, with ‘Fuerte’ displaying a more pronounced growth inhibition. Waterlogged conditions caused a progressive and simultaneous decline in net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance, earlier in ‘Fuerte’ than in ‘Hass’. Maximal potential quantum yield of PSII was unaffected by the soil water regime and/or variety and leaf water potential values in waterlogged plants were not more negative compared with control plants. ‘Fuerte’ waterlogged plants exhibited increased contents of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, whereas oxidative injury was not detected in ‘Hass’. Finally, none of the two cultivars displayed valuable antioxidant potential, as evidenced by the decreased activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase.     

机械损伤对Bt玉米化学防御的系统诱导效应

植物在生长过程中形成了抵御机械损伤等外界胁迫的直接和间接防御体系, 并具有明显的系统性特征。Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis)玉米(Zea mays)是全球商品化最快的抗虫转基因作物之一。机械损伤等外界胁迫对Bt玉米和常规玉米化学防御的系统诱导效应是否存在差异是值得探讨的问题。该文以两个不同转化事件的Bt玉米‘5422Bt1’(Bt11)和‘5422CBCL’(Mon810)以及它们共同的同源常规玉米‘5422’幼苗为材料, 对玉米第一叶进行机械损伤处理6 h后, 检测非损伤部位(第二叶和根系)中Bt蛋白含量、直接防御物质丁布(DIMBDA)含量及其调控基因(Bx1、Bx6和Bx9)表达、直接防御物质总酚含量及其调控基因(PAL)表达、直接防御蛋白调控基因(MPI和PR-2a)表达以及间接防御物质挥发物调控基因(FPS和TPS)表达的变化。结果表明, 与健康植株相比, 机械损伤对两个Bt玉米第二叶和根系的Bt蛋白含量均没有显著影响; 机械损伤第一叶只能系统诱导常规玉米‘5422’第二叶中PAL、TPS和根系中PAL、FPS基因的表达, 使得第二叶丁布含量显著增加, 但根中丁布含量及其调控基因Bx6和Bx9基因的表达量明显下降; 而机械损伤能系统诱导Bt玉米‘5422Bt1’第二叶中Bx6、PAL、PR-2a、TPS和根系中Bx6、Bx9、PAL、MPI、PR-2a、TPS基因的表达, 使得第二叶丁布含量明显增加; 对于另一Bt玉米‘5422CBCL’而言, 机械损伤能系统诱导第二叶中Bx9、PAL、PR-2a、TPS和根系中Bx6、PAL、MPI、TPS基因的表达, 使得根系的总酚含量显著增加。由此可见, 机械损伤对两个Bt玉米化学防御反应的系统诱导作用均强于常规玉米‘5422’, 说明在机械损伤的系统诱导防御过程中, 人工导入抗性(Bt基因)与自身化学防御过程之间的互作关系是协同的。     

夏秋季遮光对山东黄金芽茶树生理生化特性的影响

选用遮光率分别为55%、70%、85%的黑色、蓝色遮阳网,观测遮光后茶园小气候、茶树叶色、叶绿素荧光参数、茶树生长状况及茶叶生化成分,分析不同遮光处理对山东黄金芽生理生化特性的影响,明确适宜夏秋季的遮光方式.结果表明: 与对照相比,遮光直接降低光照强度,茶园空气温度、叶面温度明显降低,空气湿度则增高;遮光程度越大,黄金芽叶色返绿越明显,叶绿素含量增幅越大;55%遮光处理能保持品种叶色黄化特性,且生化品质较好;而70%遮光率处理茶苗生长势较好,不受光胁迫;与蓝色遮阳网相比,黑色遮光处理能更好地促进茶树生长,保持叶色黄化和提高茶叶品质.黄金芽茶树品种苗期管理宜选择黑色70%遮光率处理(日光合有效辐射为1.2～3.5万lx),以促进茶树生长;成龄后则以黑色55%遮光处理(日光合有效辐射为1.8～5.5万lx)为优,既能保证黄金芽叶色黄化又能提高茶叶生化品质,从而充分发挥其品种特色,实现优质高产目标.     

山西不同生态型大豆品种苗期耐低温性综合评价

为探明山西不同生态型大豆(Glycine max)品种对苗期低温胁迫的应答表现, 寻求大豆苗期耐低温性综合评价指标和评价方法, 选取了山西普遍种植的‘晋大53’、‘晋大70’和‘晋豆24’ 3个不同生态型大豆品种, 在苗期将材料分别置于14、17和20 ℃人工气候箱中, 保持昼夜恒温, 进行低温胁迫处理。分别测定了各品种光合与产量性状值, 用基因型主效应及其与环境互作(GGE)双标图分析各性状对品种的效应及性状间的相关性, 应用隶属函数法综合评价各品种的苗期耐低温性。结果显示: 低温胁迫下不同生态型大豆品种苗期延长1-12天; 苗期光合性状值均下降, 其中, 叶片气孔导度(G_s)和蒸腾速率(T_r)下降最明显; 产量性状值均呈下降趋势, 单株生物量和单株荚数下降最明显; 各项性状在不同品种中对低温的应答效应不同, 且性状间存在明显的相关性, 可作为耐低温性的评价指标。品种‘晋大70’的耐低温性最佳。     

Efficient Down-Regulation of the Major Vegetative Storage Protein Genes in Transgenic Soybean Does Not Compromise Plant Productivity

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) contains two related and abundant proteins, VSP alpha and VSP beta, that have been called vegetative storage proteins (VSP) based on their pattern of accumulation, degradation, tissue localization, and other characteristics. To determine whether these proteins play a critical role in sequestering N and other nutrients during early plant development, a VspA antisense gene construct was used to create transgenic plants in which VSP expression was suppressed in leaves, flowers, and seed pods. Total VSP was reduced at least 50-fold due to a 100-fold reduction in VSP alpha and a 10-fold reduction in VSP beta. Transgenic lines were grown in replicated yield trials in the field in Nebraska during the summer of 1999 and seed harvested from the lines was analyzed for yield, protein, oil, and amino acid composition. No significant difference (alpha = 0.05) was found between down-regulated lines and controls for any of the traits tested. Young leaves of antisense plants grown in the greenhouse contained around 3% less soluble leaf protein than controls at the time of flowering. However, total leaf N did not vary. Withdrawing N from plants during seed fill did not alter final seed protein content of antisense lines compared with controls. These results indicate that the VSPs play little if any direct role in overall plant productivity under typical growth conditions. The lack of VSPs in antisense plants might be partially compensated for by increases in other proteins and/or non-protein N. The results also suggest that the VSPs could be genetically engineered or replaced without deleterious effects.     

Manipulation of sucrose phloem and embryo loading affects pea leaf metabolism,carbon and nitrogen partitioning to sinks as well as seed storage pools

Seed development largely depends on the long‐distance transport of sucrose from photosynthetically active source leaves to seed sinks. This source‐to‐sink carbon allocation occurs in the phloem and requires the loading of sucrose into the leaf phloem and, at the sink end, its import into the growing embryo. Both tasks are achieved through the function of SUT sucrose transporters. In this study, we used vegetable peas (Pisum sativum L.), harvested for human consumption as immature seeds, as our model crop and simultaneously overexpressed the endogenous SUT1 transporter in the leaf phloem and in cotyledon epidermal cells where import into the embryo occurs. Using this ‘Push‐and‐Pull’ approach, the transgenic SUT1 plants displayed increased sucrose phloem loading and carbon movement from source to sink causing higher sucrose levels in developing pea seeds. The enhanced sucrose partitioning further led to improved photosynthesis rates, increased leaf nitrogen assimilation, and enhanced source‐to‐sink transport of amino acids. Embryo loading with amino acids was also increased in SUT1‐overexpressors resulting in higher protein levels in immature seeds. Further, transgenic plants grown until desiccation produced more seed protein and starch, as well as higher seed yields than the wild‐type plants. Together, the results demonstrate that the SUT1‐overexpressing plants with enhanced sucrose allocation to sinks adjust leaf carbon and nitrogen metabolism, and amino acid partitioning in order to accommodate the increased assimilate demand of growing seeds. We further provide evidence that the combined Push‐and‐Pull approach for enhancing carbon transport is a successful strategy for improving seed yields and nutritional quality in legumes.     

Allocation of S in Generative Growth of Soybean

Soybean plants (Glycine max L. Merr) were grown with 100 [mu]M S and 15 mM N and studied with respect to S allocation during grain development. The grains accounted for 87% of the S taken up after d 42, the balance coming from internal redistribution of S from leaves and pods. Detailed studies of the leaves, pods, and grains associated with leaf axils 6 and 7 showed that sulfate accumulated in the pods as they expanded to 50% of full length, ahead of grain enlargement, but declined to very low levels as grain growth commenced. Conversely, homoglutathione (hGSH), cysteine, and methionine increased. In developing grains, hGSH accounted for 60 to 90% of the soluble-S but sulfate was barely detectable. The data are consistent with a model in which, under S-limiting conditions, the pods act as sinks for sulfate and grain growth initiates the assimilation of sulfate into hGSH in the pods, and then into developing grains, where it is incorporated into grain proteins.     

An Apparent Trade-Off between Direct and Signal-Based Induced Indirect Defence against Herbivores in Willow Trees

Signal-based induced indirect defence refers to herbivore-induced production of plant volatiles that attract carnivorous natural enemies of herbivores. Relationships between direct and indirect defence strategies were studied using tritrophic systems consisting of six sympatric willow species, willow leaf beetles (Plagiodera versicolora), and their natural predators, ladybeetles (Aiolocaria hexaspilota). Relative preferences of ladybeetles for prey-infested willow plant volatiles, indicating levels of signal-based induced indirect defence, were positively correlated with the vulnerability of willow species to leaf beetles, assigned as relative levels of direct defence. This correlation suggested a possible trade-off among the species, in terms of resource limitation between direct defence and signal-based induced indirect defence. However, analyses of volatiles from infested and uninfested plants showed that the specificity of infested volatile blends (an important factor determining the costs of signal-based induced indirect defence) did not affect the attractiveness of infested plant volatiles. Thus, the suggested trade-off in resource limitation was unlikely. Rather, principal coordinates analysis showed that this ‘apparent trade-off’ between direct and signal-based induced indirect defence was partially explained by differential preferences of ladybeetles to infested plant volatiles of the six willow species. We also showed that relative preferences of ladybeetles for prey-infested willow plant volatiles were positively correlated with oviposition preferences of leaf beetles and with the distributions of leaf beetles in the field. These correlations suggest that ladybeetles use the specificity of infested willow plant volatiles to find suitable prey patches.     

Growth,yield and reproduction of dwarf tomato grown under simulated microgravity conditions

Abstract

A closed hydroponic system combined with a horizontal uniaxial clinostat has been used to grow tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under simulated microgravity conditions. The study was carried out to evaluate the quanti-qualitative traits (growth, yield and quality) of the dwarf tomato variety ‘Micro-Tom’ grown under simulated microgravity conditions and to determine if tomato plants would complete their life cycle (‘seed-to-seed’). Morphological and growth characteristics of ‘Micro-Tom’ were modified during clinorotation treatment. The ‘Micro-Tom’ plants grown under simulated microgravity exhibited a spreading growth and an increasing of the internode length. Total fruit yield, small fruit yield, leaf area, leaf dry weight, fruit dry weight, total dry weight and shoot – root ratio were lower in the clinorotated tomato plants than those grown in the control treatment. Foliar amount of carotenoids, and chlorophyll a and b were also substantially reduced under simulated microgravity conditions. Quality parameters (total soluble solids and fruit dry matter) of tomato plants were also negatively affected by clinorotation. The number of flowers per plant was increased by 32% in clinorotated plants versus controls. Fruit setting was reduced by 46% under clinorotation, while no significant difference was recorded for the pollen fertility and the seed number in small and large fruits. Clinorotation-exposed and control seeds were used in a germination trial in order to evaluate whether the seeds so formed were viable and if subsequent generations might be obtained in microgravity. Seeds formed under simulated microgravity proved to be biologically and functionally complete (germination = 78.6%) showing that ‘Micro-Tom’ plants could realize complete ontogenesis, from seed to seed in microgravity.     

Growth of broad beans infected by Uromyces viciae-fabae

The effect of artificially regulating the level of a rust infection with Uromyces viciae-fabae (Pers.) Schroet. on the growth and yield of two cultivars of Viciafaba L. (broad beans) was examined in 1973/74. Disease decreased leaf area ratio without increasing net assimilation rate particularly during the stage of ‘pod filling’. Consequently, assimilate supply to developing beans was diminished and the weight of beans per pod and yield of beans per plant decreased. This is unlike the effect of Botrytis fabae Sard, on broad beans which reduces yield by decreasing the number of pods per plant. This suggests that the two leaf spotting pathogens decrease yield in different ways and so may require different approaches to minimise yield losses.     

Regulation of monocarpic senescence of Brassica campestris by the developing pods

Senescence of Brassica campestris L. cv. B-9 was studied with regard to seed maturation and source-sink relationships. In normal control plants leaf senescence (as determined by the change in chlorophyll level) started and proceeded in a progressive manner from base to apex during the period of early pod setting. Complete yellowing of the leaves occurred well before the seed maturation and pod wall senescence. The pod wall always senesced before the attainment of final seed weight. In two different sets of acrocarpous plants containing 65 pods and 10 pods, respectively, leaf senescence was delayed during the pod filling period. It started non-sequentially after complete yellowing and senescence of the pod wall. The degree of leaf senescence at the post-pod filling stage was almost proportional to the number of pods present. When peduncles of the acrocarpous 10-podded plants were removed after the pod filling stage of the plant, leaf senescence was delayed compared to plants whose pedicels were removed, although the senescence pattern of the upper three leaves was nonsequential in both cases. Defruiting at an early stage of development delayed leaf senescence, although the pattern of such senescence remained unaltered (i.e. nonsequential). Defoliation hastened the seed-filling process and pod wall senescence. Plants containing fewer pods had higher average seed weight, although yield per plant was reduced.
These results suggest that the pod wall serves as a temporary as well as intermediary storage organ and that foliar senescence is not directly related to seed maturation. The possible cause of uncoupling between foliar senescence and seed development is discussed.     

Multiple paternity in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., Fabaceae)

We report on two field experiments that were conducted in 1991 and 1992 at the South Coast Extension and Research Center, Irvine, CA, to study the incidence of multiple paternity in the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Hypocotyl color and shikimate dehydrogenase (Skdh) isozymes were used as genetic markers. The white-seeded cultivar ‘Ferry Morse 53’ (FM 53) was used as the female parent. This cultivar is homozygous recessive (pp) for hypocotyl color. The pollen source parents were three homozygous dominant (PP) purple-hypocotyled, black-seeded cultivars. Three cultivars, ‘ICA Pijao,’ G4459, and the maternal parent FM 53, are of Mesoamerican origin and homozygous for the fast (F) allele at the Skdh locus. The other cultivar, Black Valentine, is of Andean origin and is homozygous for the slow (S) allele at the Skdh locus. Overall, 6 125 pods were obtained from 57 and 111 plants harvested individually in 1991 and 1992, respectively. All progeny, 28938 seeds, were scored for hypocotyl color at the seedling stage. The purple-hypocotyled seedlings were genotyped for the Skdh locus to identify their pollen parents. Multiple paternity was identified in all the pods with hybrid seeds (i.e., those of intercultivar crosses) at 5.8% and 8.1% in 1991 and 1992, respectively. All multiply sired pods produced both nonhybrid and hybrid seeds. As many as three successful fathers per pod were identified, but the number of markers limited measuring higher levels of multiple paternity. Most multiply sired pods (≈70%) were filled by nonhybrid seeds plus a single hybrid seed. Ovule position effect within multiply sired pods was inferred from the nonrandom distribution of hybrid seeds within a pod. On average, hybrid seeds occurred more frequently in ovules in position 7 (most basal) and in position 1 (most stylar) than in ovules in the middle positions of the pod.