Selection of isoresponsive genotypes in toria (Brassica campestris L.) based on the pattern of response to environmental variations: a proposed method

Summary Thirty-one toria genotypes were compared with three well-established cultivars, Ludhiana Composite-2, K-1 and TCSU-2 (standard testers). The genotypes, which were almost identical to a standard tester in response to environmental variations and which also had other desirable characteristics, were considered to be acceptable for commercial cultivation. Using this criterion, TCSU-7, TH-5 and TH-4 were found to be acceptable for commercial cultivation. TH-4 and TCSU-7 were found superior to TH-5 if r² can be considered as a measure of the agronomical manipulations expected in environmental variations.     

Monosomic analysis of heading date and spikelet number in the common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) multispikelet line ‘Noa’

Summary Genetic analysis of heading date and spikelet number was carried out in the common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) multispikelet line Noa, by using the monosomic series of the regular line Mara. Noa's high number of spikelets was found to be controlled by a recessive major gene on chromosome 2D; a slight reduction in spikelet number was induced by another recessive gene on Noa's 7A chromosome. Noa's late heading date was found to be controlled by two recessive genes, located on chromosome 2D (a major effect) and 6B (a minor effect). The nature of the genes located on Noa's 2D chromosome and the relationship between spikelet number and heading date are discussed.     

Genetic analysis of two wheat cultivars, ‘Sonalika’ and ‘WL 711’ for reaction to leaf rust (Puccinia recondita)

Summary Genetic analysis for leaf rust reaction of two widely adapted cultivars, Sonalika and WL 711, has been done using 21 near isogenic Lr lines and rust culture IL004 — avirulent on the two cultivars and all the Lr lines used. The segregation pattern in the F₂ generation indicated the presence of a recessive gene in Sonalika and of a dominant gene in WL 711. These genes in cultivars Sonalika and WL 711 have been identified as Lr 11 and Lr 13, respectively. Gene Lr 13 is no longer effective in WL 711 but it continues to give field resistance in the backgrounds of Chris, Prelude and Thatcher. There has been no significant change in the virulence spectrum of the leaf rust pathogen in India with the release of WL 711. High susceptibility of WL 711 seems to be due to the evolution of more aggressive forms of the pathogen to this cultivar. The gene Lr 11, which behaves as a recessive in Sonalika, was effective against leaf rust when this cultivar was released. The high susceptibility of Sonalika is probably due to an increase in the frequency of race 77 virulent on Lr 11. Lr 11 has shown a dominance reversal in the background of Sonalika. Present results suggest that interaction of resistance genes with the background genotype must be studied for their effective use in breeding programme.     

Heritable variation in the phaseolin protein of nondomesticated common bean,Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Summary Crude protein extracts from single seeds of nondomesticated Mexican bean accessions were analysed by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for variability in phaseolin protein. Six new phaseolin types; M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, which contained polypeptides within the same range of molecular weights (51,000 to 45,000 daltons) as occur in the S, T and C phaseolin types of cultivated beans were identified. No T and C types were found among the non-domesticated Mexican accessions, and the S type occurred in less than 7% of the seeds screened. Genetic analyses of F₂ progenies from crosses between Sanilac (S), and five of the M types showed that each M phaseolin phenotype was allelic to the S type and expressed codominantly.     

An explication of ‘wind illness’ in Northern Thailand

Wind illness is a very common complaint among the Northern Thai, yet is rarely recognized by Thai physicians trained in biomedicine. Persons most susceptible to wind illness are adult women who have ever borne a child. Consequently, data were obtained from 415 everparous women, 43% of whom reported ever having had wind illness and 57%, never having had it. In addition, 20 individuals who had ever had the syndrome were followed for case study, and 13 indigenous healers who traditionally treat clients suffering wind illness were interviewed. Their perceptions of the etiology, symptomatology and treatment of wind illness are reported in Part I. Part II is an attempt to define wind illness in terms of biomedicine and as a consequence of fertility. Part III synthesizes the emic and etic accounts with explanations for the perdurance of wind illness despite the advances of biomedicine and the recent fertility decline in Northern Thailand.     

Towards a pluralistic concept of function function statements in biology

The meaning of function statements is not clear. Several authors have come up with different explications. By interviewing biologists I tried to get a picture of how they think about function. Two explications of Feature X of organism S has function F came to the fore: (1) X contributes to F and F contributes to survival/reproduction of S and (2) X does F and that contributes to the evolutionary development of X in S via natural selection. Most biologists also related function to adaptation. Gould and Vrba criticize the ordinary use of adaptation in biology. They propose to use it only in the sense of features developed by natural selection for their current role and to use exaptation for features enhancing fitness, but not developed for this by natural selection. This, however, leaves a terminological gap, because as a consequence only effects of adaptations are functions. Effects of exaptations and effects which are not beneficial, like the production of heart sounds, are placed on the same level. That is not in accordance with the practice of biology. That is why a distinction is made between general, adaptive and exaptive functions: function as a pluralistic concept.Revised version of an earlier paper, published in Dutch in Kennis en Methode, November 1988.     

Genetic analysis of resistance to whitebacked planthopper in twenty-one varieties of rice,Oryza sativa L.

Summary The inheritance of resistance to whitebacked planthopper Sogatella furcifera (Horvath) was studied in 21 rice varieties. Reactions of F₁; F₂ and F₃ progenies of the crosses of 21 resistant varieties with the susceptible variety TN 1 revealed that a single dominant gene governs resistance in Mushkan 41, Santhi, Siahnakidar 195, SM2-34, Tirisurkh 251, Zirijowaian 245, 18, 24A, 39, 76 S, 78, 180, 213 B, 267, 293, CI 6037-4, NP97, S39 JKW and Bansphul. In varieties 65 and 274 A, resistance is governed by one dominant and one recessive gene which segregate independently of each other. Tests for allelism with the Wbph 1 gene originally identified in N 22 revealed that the dominant gene present in all the test varieties is the same as Wbph 1. Further studies are required to determine the allelic relationships of the recessive gene found in varieties 65 and 274 A.     

A partial genome assay for quantitative trait loci in wheat (Triticum aestivum) using different analytical techniques

F₁ plants between two intervarietal chromosome substitution lines of European spring wheat varieties, Sicco (Chinese Spring 5B) and Highbury (Chinese Spring 5B), were used to produce 114 doubled haploid lines, 45 by the Hordeum bulbosum technique and 69 by anther culture. These two sets of lines were characterized for variation at a range of morphological, isozyme and RFLP marker loci, and genetic maps were developed with emphasis on chromosomes 6B, 7A, 7B and 7D. A subset of lines, scored for production traits in field trials in 1986 and 1987, were analysed for quantitative trait loci (QTL). The performance of the lines for the quantitative traits studied showed no overall differences due to the method of production of the lines. QTL were located on the linkage map for ear emergence time, height, tiller weight, yield and 50-grain weight using four analytical methods. Many of these effects showed genotype x year interaction.     

Comparisons of a new triazole retardant PP 333 with ancymidol and other compounds on pot-grown tulips

PP 333 was compared with ancymidol, CGA 65993, dikegulac-sodium (as Atrinal) and maleic hydrazide for its ability to restrict stem extension in tulip cvs Paul Richter, Apeldoorn and Trance. Single, 300 ml compost drenches were applied one day after housing fully cooled bulbs grown in a sphagnum peat/sand compost (3:1 v/v).Experiments in 1979/1980 and 1980/1981 with mid- and late-season crops showed that PP 333, like ancymidol, could reduce stem extension without deleterious responses. However, higher amounts of PP 333 (0.8–33.3 mg a.i./pot) were required than of ancymidol (0.625–2.5 mg a.i./pot). Cv. Paul Richter was much less responsive to PP 333 and ancymidol than Apeldoorn, particularly when grown as a late-season crop. Dikegulac was the most effective chemical in the latter situation, especially as it restricted post-flowering extension growth. PP 333 and ancymidol were better able to control such growth in the mid-season crops. Other than for the above purpose, dikegulac proved unsuitable because it increased flower bud blasting and gave rise to abnormally coloured perianth segments. Similarly, marked reductions in stem length of Apeldoorn and Paul Richter with CGA 65993 were associated with unacceptable side-effects, namely, smaller flowers (both cvs) and more bud blasting in Apeldoorn. Maleic hydrazide (5–500 mg a.i./pot) had little influence on stem length in any of the three cultivars.The trials indicated the need to test each cultivar/retardant combination, as well as to take into account the time of forcing because, whereas Paul Richter and Apeldoorn were adequately dwarfed by PP 333 and ancymidol without adverse effects, both compounds caused about 50% of Trance flowers to blast. No treatment influenced flowering date in cv. Paul Richter but PP 333 delayed flowering by two days in Apeldoorn and Trance, as did the higher doses of ancymidol in Apeldoorn.     

The level of free amino acids in erythrocytes of different breeds of hen

Summary The content of free amino acids was determined in erythrocytes of adult Leghorn (Lg, White Rock (WR) and Cornish (Cr) hens, bred under identical conditions. The concentration of total amino acids was twice as high in the erythrocytes as in plasma, amounting to 396 m/100 ml, 424 m/100 ml and 475m/100 ml in White Rock, Cornish and Leghorn hens, respectively.Significant differences were found in the ratio of basic amino acids to acidic amino acids. These values were 0.76, 1.75 and 3.19 in White Rick, Leghorn and Cornish hens, respectively; in the plasma of all 3 breeds the ratio was 1. Statistically significant interbreed differences were expressed more distinctly in erythrocyte than in plasma amino acid concentrations. For absolute concentrations the differences were significant in the case of 9 amino acids.     

Characterization of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in cultivated rice contributing to field resistance to sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani)

Sheath blight, caused by Rhizoctonia solani, is one of the most important diseases of rice. Despite extensive searches of the rice germ plasm, the major gene(s) which give complete resistance to the fungus have not been identified. However, there is much variation in quantitatively inherited resistance to R. solani, and this type of resistance can offer adequate protection against the pathogen under field conditions. Using 255 F₄ bulked populations from a cross between the susceptible variety Lemont and the resistant variety Teqing, 2 years of field disease evaluation and 113 well-distributed RFLP markers, we identified six quantitative trait loci (QTLs) contributing to resistance to R. solani. These QTLs are located on 6 of the 12 rice chromosomes and collectively explain approximately 60% of the genotypic variation or 47% of the phenotypic variation in the LemontxTeqing cross. One of these resistance QTLs (QSbr4a), which accounted for 6% of the genotypic variation in resistance to R. solani, appeared to be independent of associated morphological traits. The remaining five putative resistance loci (QSbr2a, QSbr3a, QSbr8a, QSbr9a and QSbr12a) all mapped to chromosomal regions also associated with increased plant height, three of which were also associated with QTLs causing later heading. This was consistent with the observation that heading date and plant height accounted for 47% of the genotypic variation in resistance to R. solani in this population. There were also weak associations between resistance to R. solani and leaf width, which were likely due to linkage with a QTL for this trait rather than to a physiological relationship.     

Transmission of primary trisomics in pearl millet

Summary Transmission rates of extra chromosomes found in the full set of trisomics of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) (2n = 14) were estimated by examining the progeny of selfed trisomics and the progeny of trisomics crossed to disomics. When the trisomics were selfed, dark green and tiny had the highest transmission rate (23.8% and 23.3%, respectively) and pseudonormal the lowest (13.8%). Other trisomics had an intermediate rate of transmission. When the trisomics were used as females in crosses with disomics, both dark green and tiny again had the highest transmission rate and pseudonormal the lowest. When the trisomics were used as males in crosses to disomics, no trisomic was transmitted to the progeny except for spindle, and this occurred with a very low frequency (2.0%). A variation in transmission rate was observed from plant to plant and season to season for the same trisomic type. A study of the transmission rate of the extra chromosomes indicated that the following factors were probably contributing to the lower rate of transmission: small- or light-weight seeds tended to have a higher proportion of trisomics than heavier seeds; lighter seeds had a lower percentage germination; a positive and significant correlation was noticed between trivalent frequency and transmission rate. Plants with reduced vigour produced a higher frequency of trisomics. Though trisomics involving longer extra chromosomes showed a high degree of pollen and ovule sterility, they were highly transmissible. This has resulted in a close relationship between gametic sterility and transmission rate of extra chromosome.     

Puromycin enhances 20-hydroxyecdysone-induced protein synthesis in wing discs of Drosophila melanogaster

The effect of cycloheximide and puromycin on 20-hydroxyecdysone-induced protein synthesis in wing discs of Drosophila melanogaster has been studied by one-dimensional and two-dimensional SDS polyacrylamide electrophoresis. It is found that puromycin, but not cycloheximide, when applied simultaneously with the hormone enhanced the hormone-induced synthesis of the early and late proteins. However, when puromycin was applied after hormone treatment, only the late proteins were induced. The possible implication of these observations is discussed.     

The effect of some macronutrients on adventitious root development on scion apple cultivars in vitro

The influence of some macronutrients, especially NH₄NO₃ and KNO₃, on root development of microcuttings from 3 apple scion cultivars is discussed. A reduction of the level of NH₄NO₃ in the medium from full strength to 1/4 strength significantly increased the percentage rooting of Gala and Royal Gala, but not Jonagold. Further reduction of NH₄NO₃ level from 1/4 strength to zero significantly reduced the percentage of rooting in Gala but not Royal Gala. Jonagold rooted best at zero concentration NH₄NO₃. Without NH₄NO₃, rooting percentages were as high as 100% for all 3 cultivars when KNO₃ was provided at full strength. The results show that adventitious roots can be induced on apple scion cultivars by media manipulation.     

A simple method for maintaining high multiplication of Narcissus shoot cultures in vitro

A simple method for stimulating and maintaining high in vitro multiplication of Narcissus shoot clump cultures was developed. Shoot clumps were subjected either to normal cutting where leaves were trimmed to 20 mm in length at the beginning of each culture passage or to severe cutting where shoot clumps were cut down to the basal plate region removing all green tissue. Severe cutting at the beginning of each culture passage initially doubled the leaf multiplication, compared to normal cutting, but the difference between cutting treatments declined in successive passages. The improvement in leaf multiplication was maintained when shoot clumps were subjected to severe cutting only at every other culture passage, with no cutting in the alternate recovery passages. In vitro multiplication was increased by severe cutting in all seven Narcissus cultivars which were tested.Abbreviations NAA-1 naphthylacetic acid - BAP benzylaminopurine     

The inheritance of host plant resistance and its effect on the relative infection efficiency of Magnaporthe grisea in rice cultivars

The inheritance of host plant resistance and its effect on the relative infection efficiency for leaf blast was studied in the crosses IR36/CO39 (partially resistant × highly susceptible) and IR36/IR64 (both partially resistant). On the natural scale, gene action appeared multiplicative. After log transformation, additive effects described most of the genetic variation in the cross IR36/CO39, while additive and dominance effects were about equal in magnitude in the cross IR36/IR64. Dominance was towards increased resistance. No transgressive segregation occurred in the cross IR36/CO39. The number of genes that reduce lesion number was estimated to be zero in CO39 and five or more in IR36. The cross IR36/IR64 showed transgressive segregation in both directions, and IR36 and IR64 each contain at least one gene that is not present in the other cultivar. The heritabilities (narrow sense) in the F₂ were low (range 0.06–0.16), while narrow sense heritabilities based on F₃ lines were much higher (range 0.41–0.68). Lesion numbers in F₃ lines were reasonably correlated with those in F₅ progenies derived from the same F₂ plant (r was±0.6 in both crosses). Partial resistance can be effectively improved by selecting the most resistant plants from the most resistant F₃ lines.     

Über den Rostbefall einer Population tetraploider Pappeln

Zusammenfassung 1. Aus Sämlingen der Zuchtsorten Oxford und Rochester, Vater mit großer Wahrscheinlichkeit die dem gleichen Zuchtkreis angehörende Sorte Androscoggin, wurde mit Vegetationspunktbehandlung durch Kolchizin-Agar eine tetraploide Population hergestellt.2. Bei den Gliedern dieser tetraploiden Population handelt sich um alloploide Formen, und der Grad der morphologischen Streuung ist noch viel ausgeprägter als bei den nicht behandelten Diploiden.3. Während bei den Müttern Oxford und Rochester, wie bei dem Vater Androscoggin, der Grad der Anfälligkeit gegenüber dem RostMelampsora larici gering ist, zeigt sich in der tetraploiden Population schwacher bis mittelstarker Rostbefall, es treten aber auch eine Anzahl von Individuen auf, die völlig rostresistent sind.4. Diese 4n-Pflanzen, die bei bester Großwüchsigkeit und klarer Ausprägung von morphologischen Tetraploidieeigenschaften rostresistent sind, sollen für die weiteren Zuchtmaßnahmen genutzt werden: Schaffung von Triploiden mit dem Ziel, genetisch bunte polyploide Populationen mit hoher Leistung und Sicherheit gegen verheerende Pilzepidemien aufzubauen.5. Es zeigt sich, daß es bei forstlichen Objekten möglich ist, eine große Zahl unerwünschter ERbträger frühzeitig auszumerzen.

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On rust resistance of a population of tetraploid poplars

Summary A population of tetraploid poplars was raised from mothers of the artificial varieties Oxford or Rochester, and Androskoggin as father. Since the trial field of the Forschungsinstitut für Pappelwirtschaft at Hann.-Münden lies close to the river Weser, there is always a high degree of natural infection by the rustMelampsora present. While the parents show only a weak response to this rust, class 1 on a scale from 0 to 5, the tetraploid population exhibits a wide range of rust resistance. We find forms with absolute resistance, class o, though a few forms with sensitivity of class 4. Only forms which, in addition to other genetically fixed qualities, have a high resistance toMelampsora are useful for further crosses.

     

Variation in the karyotype of three cultivars of Narcissus tazetta L. (Amaryllidaceae)

Three cultivated varieties of Narcissus tazetta, Grand Soleil d'Or, Chinese Sacred Lily and Cypri, are triploid (2n = 3x+30) with the basic number 10. Grand Soleil d'Or has three homomorphic sets, each comprising 2 long submetacentrics, 4 long acrocentrics and 4 short acrocentrics. Karyotypes of the other two varieties are heteromorphic. Both possess one telocentric satellited chromosome. In addition, Cypri shows translocation between two chromosomes belonging to the seventh and eighth triplets. The number of secondary constrictions varies between 3 (Chinese Sacred Lily) and 4 (Grand Soleil d'Or and Cypri) which is also the number of nucleoli observed in the respective varieties.     

Ethnocentricity and the social construction of ‘mass hysteria’

This study provides a critical historical review and analysis of the variety of human expressions which have been erroneously labeled under the grandiose category mass hysteria. It is argued that Western science reductionist approaches to the classification of mass hysteria treat it as an entity to be discovered transculturally, and in their self-fulfilling search for universals systematically exclude what does not fit within the autonomous parameters of its Western-biased culture model, exemplifying what Kleinman (1977) terms a category fallacy. As a result of objectivist methodologies, the etiology of actions labeled as mass hysteria is typically viewed as deviant, irrational or abnormal behavior resulting from a malfunctioning proper social order. However, what constitutes the correct social order is a function of a researcher's historical sociocultural and/or scientific milieu. This study reviews the problem, advocating Geertz's (1973) culturally relativistic approach to understanding various cross-cultural behavior that is sensitive to and tolerant of the unique context and milieu of participants. Mass or epidemic hysteria is viewed as an invention of Western psychiatry and should be abandoned and replaced with the term collective exaggerated emotions. Instead of attempting to discover a neatly packaged, unitary external disease entity, the focus of a meaning-oriented approach emphasizes the deciphering of foreign realities, semantic networks and symbol systems.     

Mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency of EMS,DES and gamma-rays in rice

Summary Data on chlorophyll mutation frequency after treatment with EMS, DES and gamma-rays and sequential administration of gamma-rays and the two alkylating agents in three varieties of rice have been used to work out quantitatively the effectiveness and efficiency of each mutagen and combination treatment. For effectiveness, the order is EMS > DES and for efficiency it is EMS > DES > gamma-rays. In some sequential treatments (Gamma-rays + DES in IR8 and Basmati; DES + gamma-rays in IR8 and Jhona; Gamma-rays + EMS in IR8 and Basmati; and EMS + gamma-rays in IR8, Jhona and Basmati) mutation frequency is more than additive (synergistic) but these treatments are decisively less efficient because of their relatively high injurious effects in the M₁. generation. EMS induces more albinas than gamma-rays do. The mutational spectrum patterns induced by gamma-rays and DES are alike. In general, combination treatments tend to increase the frequency of albinas over other types of chlorophyll mutants.