A global barley panel revealing genomic signatures of breeding in modern Australian cultivars

The future of plant cultivar improvement lies in the evaluation of genetic resources from currently available germplasm. Today’s gene pool of crop genetic diversity has been shaped during domestication and more recently by breeding. Recent efforts in plant breeding have been aimed at developing new and improved varieties from poorly adapted crops to suit local environments. However, the impact of these breeding efforts is poorly understood. Here, we assess the contributions of both historical and recent breeding efforts to local adaptation and crop improvement in a global barley panel by analysing the distribution of genetic variants with respect to geographic region or historical breeding category. By tracing the impact that breeding had on the genetic diversity of Hordeum vulgare (barley) released in Australia, where the history of barley production is relatively young, we identify 69 candidate regions within 922 genes that were under selection pressure. We also show that modern Australian barley varieties exhibit 12% higher genetic diversity than historical cultivars. Finally, field-trialling and phenotyping for agriculturally relevant traits across a diverse range of Australian environments suggests that genomic regions under strong breeding selection and their candidate genes are closely associated with key agronomic traits. In conclusion, our combined data set and germplasm collection provide a rich source of genetic diversity that can be applied to understanding and improving environmental adaptation and enhanced yields.     

东北春大豆种质资源表型分析及综合评价

种质资源是大豆遗传育种和解析复杂数量性状的基础,通过对种质资源的评价,可指导育种实践中优异互补亲本的选择,提高优异基因交流累加和新品种培育的效率。本研究选用来自东北三省一区1923-2010年间选育的340份春大豆种质资源,通过在牡丹江地区对12个表型性状的2年综合鉴定,评价品种群体遗传变异特点和筛选优异种质资源,结果表明:(1)春大豆种质资源表型变异丰富。除生育期年份间差异不显著外,其他性状品种间和年份间均呈显著的差异,且2年变化趋势相同。有效分枝数变异幅度最大,其次是主茎荚数、单株粒重和株高,这些性状选择潜力较大,品质性状的变异幅度较小,选择潜力有限;(2)表型性状特征频率分布均符合正态分布。受育成单位纬度和育种目标的影响,生育期呈现北早南晚,北部育成品种营养体较小、植株矮小、节数相对较少、脂肪含量较高,南部育成品种营养体较大、植株高大、单株有效节数多且主茎单节最多荚数多,部分品种蛋白质含量相对较高;(3)采用主成分分析方法综合评价表明,吉育71的ZF值最高,综合性状表现最好,表型性状与ZF值相关分析结果显示,生育期、株高、主茎节数、地上部生物产量、收获指数、主茎荚数和主茎单节最多荚数等7个表型性状可作为春大豆种质资源综合评价指标。在大豆育种中应重视利用具有丰富遗传多样性的基因资源,在亲本选配时适当选择综合性状优良、育种性状优势互补的种质。     

Towards molecular breeding of reproductive traits in cereal crops

The transition from vegetative to reproductive phase, flowering per se , floral organ development, panicle structure and morphology, meiosis, pollination and fertilization, cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) and fertility restoration, and grain development are the main reproductive traits. Unlocking their genetic insights will enable plant breeders to manipulate these traits in cereal germplasm enhancement. Multiple genes or quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting flowering (phase transition, photoperiod and vernalization, flowering per se ), panicle morphology and grain development have been cloned, and gene expression research has provided new information about the nature of complex genetic networks involved in the expression of these traits. Molecular biology is also facilitating the identification of diverse CMS sources in hybrid breeding. Few Rf (fertility restorer) genes have been cloned in maize, rice and sorghum. DNA markers are now used to assess the genetic purity of hybrids and their parental lines, and to pyramid Rf or tms (thermosensitive male sterility) genes in rice. Transgene(s) can be used to create de novo CMS trait in cereals. The understanding of reproductive biology facilitated by functional genomics will allow a better manipulation of genes by crop breeders and their potential use across species through genetic transformation.     

燕麦种质资源形态学性状的遗传多样性

【目的】燕麦种质资源遗传多样性研究不仅有助于种质资源的收集和评价,而且对燕麦生产和育种具有重要指导意义。【方法】研究对260份燕麦种质资源的20个形态学性状多样性、变异及聚类进行分析,评价其形态学性状的遗传变异水平,明确燕麦种质资源的性状特点与遗传多样性,以期为燕麦种质创新和品种改良提供依据。【结果】260份燕麦种质资源形态学性状间存在广泛的遗传多样性,质量性状的遗传多样性指数以粒色最大(1.53),芒色最小(0.76);12个数量性状呈正态分布,数量性状的遗传多样性指数以千粒重最大(2.03),有效分蘖数最小(1.22),变异系数最大的是有效分蘖数(89.02%),最小的是株高(11.19%)。根据燕麦品种(系)间各性状的遗传差异,聚类分析将供试的260份燕麦种质资源分为6类,其中种质群Ⅰ包括42份材料,可作为种用型育种目标的亲本材料;种质群Ⅱ包括31份材料,可作为选育高产饲草品种的亲本材料;种质群Ⅳ包括41份材料,可作为选育大粒专用型品种的育种材料;种质群Ⅴ包括46份材料,可作为燕麦矮化的亲本材料;而种质群Ⅲ包括46份材料,种质群Ⅵ包括54份材料,这两类种质群材料的综合性状表现不突...     

中国花生核心种质的建立

以中国花生种质资源数据库中记录的6390份花生资源为材料,以其基本数据、特征数据和评价数据为信息,采用分层、层内分组聚类以及随机取样与必选资源相结合的方法,构建了由576份资源组成的花生核心种质,占基础收集品的9.01%。对核心种质的植物学类型组成和遗传多样性指数的分析,以及对各性状特征值、符合率和包含的主要抗病资源抗性等级及重要农艺性状资源的检测结果表明,本研究建立的核心种质是有效的。基础收集品中各种性状的遗传变异在核心种质中均存在,所用15个性状的各种特征值符合率均在90%以上,其中绝大部分性状的符合率达96%以上。     

中国花生核心种质的建立

以中国花生种质资源数据库中记录的6390份花生资源为材料,以其基本数据、特征数据和评价数据为信息,采用分层、层内分组聚类以及随机取样与必选资源相结合的方法,构建了由576份资源组成的花生核心种质,占基础收集品的9.01%。对核心种质的植物学类型组成和遗传多样性指数的分析,以及对各性状特征值、符合率和包含的主要抗病资源抗性等级及重要农艺性状资源的检测结果表明,本研究建立的核心种质是有效的。基础收集品中各种性状的遗传变异在核心种质中均存在,所用15个性状的各种特征值符合率均在90%以上,其中绝大部分性状的符合率达96%以上。     

Germplasm-regression-combined (GRC) marker-trait association identification in plant breeding: a challenge for plant biotechnological breeding under soil water deficit conditions

In the past 20 years, the major effort in plant breeding has changed from quantitative to molecular genetics with emphasis on quantitative trait loci (QTL) identification and marker assisted selection (MAS). However, results have been modest. This has been due to several factors including absence of tight linkage QTL, non-availability of mapping populations, and substantial time needed to develop such populations. To overcome these limitations, and as an alternative to planned populations, molecular marker–trait associations have been identified by the combination between germplasm and the regression technique. In the present preview, the authors (1) survey the successful applications of germplasm–regression–combined (GRC) molecular marker–trait association identification in plants; (2) describe how to do the GRC analysis and its differences from mapping QTL based on a linkage map reconstructed from the planned populations; (3) consider the factors that affect the GRC association identification, including selections of optimal germplasm and molecular markers and testing of identification efficiency of markers associated with traits; and (4) finally discuss the future prospects of GRC marker–trait association analysis used in plant MAS/QTL breeding programs, especially in long-juvenile woody plants when no other genetic information such as linkage maps and QTL are available.     

Multi-parent populations in crops: a toolbox integrating genomics and genetic mapping with breeding

Crop populations derived from experimental crosses enable the genetic dissection of complex traits and support modern plant breeding. Among these, multi-parent populations now play a central role. By mixing and recombining the genomes of multiple founders, multi-parent populations combine many commonly sought beneficial properties of genetic mapping populations. For example, they have high power and resolution for mapping quantitative trait loci, high genetic diversity and minimal population structure. Many multi-parent populations have been constructed in crop species, and their inbred germplasm and associated phenotypic and genotypic data serve as enduring resources. Their utility has grown from being a tool for mapping quantitative trait loci to a means of providing germplasm for breeding programmes. Genomics approaches, including de novo genome assemblies and gene annotations for the population founders, have allowed the imputation of rich sequence information into the descendent population, expanding the breadth of research and breeding applications of multi-parent populations. Here, we report recent successes from crop multi-parent populations in crops. We also propose an ideal genotypic, phenotypic and germplasm ‘package’ that multi-parent populations should feature to optimise their use as powerful community resources for crop research, development and breeding.Subject terms: Plant genetics, Plant breeding, Agricultural genetics, Quantitative trait

Over recent years, numerous multi-parent populations (MPPs) have been successfully developed in crops (Huang et al. 2015; Cockram and Mackay 2018). MPPs bring together key genomic, phenotypic and germplasm resources to form a platform for research and development. In this review, we examine three themes covering new developments in crop MPP research: (1) we survey the rapidly expanding variety of crop MPPs, explaining how differences in their design and construction affect their power and precision in mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL), on which we provide a brief primer. (2) We review the use of genomic technologies in MPPs, which have proven particularly suitable for gathering dense genomic information across large populations. We make general recommendations for collecting genotypic resources in MPPs. (3) We discuss successful applications of MPPs, particularly where they have been used for breeding and pre-breeding. This includes the identification of QTL, the application of genomic prediction to MPPs, and the direct use of MPP lines as germplasm for varietal release or pre-breeding. These recent developments have shown the potential of MPPs for crop improvement.     

Unlocking Allelic Diversity for Sustainable Development of Salinity Stress Tolerance in Rice

Rice is a major cereal crop, negatively impacted by soil-salinity, both in terms of plant growth as well as productivity. Salinity tolerant rice varieties have been developed using conventional breeding approaches, however, there has been limited success which is primarily due to the complexity of the trait, low yield, variable salt stress response and availability of genetic resources. Furthermore, the narrow genetic base is a hindrance for further improvement of the rice varieties. Therefore, there is a greater need to screen available donor germplasm in rice for salinity tolerance related genes and traits. In this regard, genomics based techniques are useful for exploring new gene resources and QTLs. In rice, the vast allelic diversity existing in the wild and cultivated germplasm needs to be explored for improving salt tolerance. In the present review, we provide an overview of the allelic diversity in the Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) like Saltol, qGR6.2, qSE3 and RNC4 as well as genes like OsHKT1;1, SKC1 (OsHKT1;5/HKT8) and OsSTL1 (salt tolerance level 1 gene) related to salt tolerance in rice. We have also discussed approaches for developing salt-tolerant cultivars by utilizing the effective QTLs or genes/alleles in rice.     

Improving breeding efficiency in potato using molecular and quantitative genetics

Key message

Potatoes are highly heterozygous and the conventional breeding of superior germplasm is challenging, but use of a combination of MAS and EBVs can accelerate genetic gain.

Abstract

Cultivated potatoes are highly heterozygous due to their outbreeding nature, and suffer acute inbreeding depression. Modern potato cultivars also exhibit tetrasomic inheritance. Due to this genetic heterogeneity, the large number of target traits and the specific requirements of commercial cultivars, potato breeding is challenging. A conventional breeding strategy applies phenotypic recurrent selection over a number of generations, a process which can take over 10 years. Recently, major advances in genetics and molecular biology have provided breeders with molecular tools to accelerate gains for some traits. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) can be effectively used for the identification of major genes and quantitative trait loci that exhibit large effects. There are also a number of complex traits of interest, such as yield, that are influenced by a large number of genes of individual small effect where MAS will be difficult to deploy. Progeny testing and the use of pedigree in the analysis can provide effective identification of the superior genetic factors that underpin these complex traits. Recently, it has been shown that estimated breeding values (EBVs) can be developed for complex potato traits. Using a combination of MAS and EBVs for simple and complex traits can lead to a significant reduction in the length of the breeding cycle for the identification of superior germplasm.     

野生稻有利基因的发掘和利用

摘要: 野生稻作为栽培稻的野生亲缘种, 具有许多优良的性状和有利基因, 是栽培稻品种进一步改良的天然遗传种质资源库。其中, 野生稻对病虫害的抗性、对各种逆境的耐受性以及胞质雄性不育等, 已广泛应用于现代栽培稻的育种改良。文章综述了野生稻种质资源的有利性状及相应控制基因的发掘, 探讨了其在今后水稻育种中的应用潜力。     

云南苦荞种质资源主要性状的遗传多样性分析

为了从云南苦荞种质资源中挖掘优异种质资源,拓宽苦荞遗传基础,以48份苦荞种质资源为材料研究了6个主要农艺性状和5个品质性状的遗传多样性。结果表明,云南的苦荞资源存在着丰富的遗传多样性,6个农艺性状中株粒重的变异系数为34.4%最大,品质性状中总黄酮含量的变异系数为51.72%最大。聚类结果表明,将48份材料聚为3大类,可区分为低产型、矮秆高产型和中秆高产型。6个主要农艺性状和5个品质性状的主成分分析结果表明,前3个累计贡献率分别达84.105%和80.332%,各主成分性状载荷值反映了主要数量性状的育种选择潜力。综合分析种质资源的主要农艺性状,可为云南苦荞种质资源的利用提供有效的科学依据。     

Domestication to crop improvement: genetic resources for Sorghum and Saccharum (Andropogoneae)

BACKGROUND: Both sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) are members of the Andropogoneae tribe in the Poaceae and are each other's closest relatives amongst cultivated plants. Both are relatively recent domesticates and comparatively little of the genetic potential of these taxa and their wild relatives has been captured by breeding programmes to date. This review assesses the genetic gains made by plant breeders since domestication and the progress in the characterization of genetic resources and their utilization in crop improvement for these two related species. GENETIC RESOURCES: The genome of sorghum has recently been sequenced providing a great boost to our knowledge of the evolution of grass genomes and the wealth of diversity within S. bicolor taxa. Molecular analysis of the Sorghum genus has identified close relatives of S. bicolor with novel traits, endosperm structure and composition that may be used to expand the cultivated gene pool. Mutant populations (including TILLING populations) provide a useful addition to genetic resources for this species. Sugarcane is a complex polyploid with a large and variable number of copies of each gene. The wild relatives of sugarcane represent a reservoir of genetic diversity for use in sugarcane improvement. Techniques for quantitative molecular analysis of gene or allele copy number in this genetically complex crop have been developed. SNP discovery and mapping in sugarcane has been advanced by the development of high-throughput techniques for ecoTILLING in sugarcane. Genetic linkage maps of the sugarcane genome are being improved for use in breeding selection. The improvement of both sorghum and sugarcane will be accelerated by the incorporation of more diverse germplasm into the domesticated gene pools using molecular tools and the improved knowledge of these genomes.     

Advances in Arachis genomics for peanut improvement

Peanut genomics is very challenging due to its inherent problem of genetic architecture. Blockage of gene flow from diploid wild relatives to the tetraploid; cultivated peanut, recent polyploidization combined with self pollination, and the narrow genetic base of the primary genepool have resulted in low genetic diversity that has remained a major bottleneck for genetic improvement of peanut. Harnessing the rich source of wild relatives has been negligible due to differences in ploidy level as well as genetic drag and undesirable alleles for low yield. Lack of appropriate genomic resources has severely hampered molecular breeding activities, and this crop remains among the less-studied crops. The last five years, however, have witnessed accelerated development of genomic resources such as development of molecular markers, genetic and physical maps, generation of expressed sequenced tags (ESTs), development of mutant resources, and functional genomics platforms that facilitate the identification of QTLs and discovery of genes associated with tolerance/resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses and agronomic traits. Molecular breeding has been initiated for several traits for development of superior genotypes. The genome or at least gene space sequence is expected to be available in near future and this will further accelerate use of biotechnological approaches for peanut improvement.     

Biotechnology: Genetic improvement of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)

Summary This report reviews the contributions to the improvement of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) through traditional approaches with emphasis on the application of biotechnological methods. Strategies include breeding for higher yield, improved grain quality, and biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. Hybrid development and polyploidy breeding are also discussed. Plant breeders, working in concert with biotechnologists, have developed new powerful tools for plant genetic manipulation and genotype evaluation that will significantly improve the efficiency of plant breeding. Improving sorghum through biotechnology is the latest in a long series of technologies that have been applied to this crop. Five basic tools of technology have been developed for sorghum improvement: (1) in vitro protocols for efficient plant regeneration; (2) molecular markers; (3) gene identification and cloning; (4) genetic engineering and gene transfer technology to integrate desirable traits into the sorghum genome; and (5) genomics and germplasm databases. Reports on studies involving the problems, progress, and prospects for utilizing the biotechnological methods for sorghum improvement are discussed.     

Molecular markers in management of ex situ PGR – A case study

Worldwide germplasm collections contain about 7.4 million accessions of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. One of the 10 largest ex situ genebanks of our globe is located at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research in Gatersleben, Germany. Molecular tools have been used for various gene bank management practices including characterization and utilization of the germplasm. The results on genetic integrity of long-term-stored gene bank accessions of wheat (self-pollinating) and rye (open-pollinating) cereal crops revealed a high degree of identity for wheat. In contrast, the out-pollinating accessions of rye exhibited shifts in allele frequencies. The genetic diversity of wheat and barley germplasm collected at intervals of 40 to 50?years in comparable geographical regions showed qualitative rather than a quantitative change in diversity. The inter- and intraspecific variation of seed longevity was analysed and differences were detected. Genetic studies in barley, wheat and oilseed rape revealed numerous QTL, indicating the complex and quantitative nature of seed longevity. Some of the loci identified were in genomic regions that co-localize with genes determining agronomic traits such as spike architecture or biotic and abiotic stress response. Finally, a genome-wide association mapping analysis of a core collection of wheat for flowering time was performed using diversity array technology (DArT) markers. Maker trait associations were detected in genomic regions where major genes or QTL have been described earlier. In addition, new loci were also detected, providing opportunities to monitor genetic variation for crop improvement.     

作物诱变育种研究进展

作物新品种的培育能保持粮食稳产增收,利用自然和诱变获得遗传变异是作物育种的基础。随着栽培作物基因库的日益贫乏,诱变育种技术已成为目前种质资源创新和挖掘新基因的一个重要途径。本文综述了植物诱变育种的发展简史,物理诱变、化学诱变的主要类型、特点、异同及其在农业育种上的应用。由于诱变育种存在的主要问题是有益突变频率仍然较低,变异的方向和性质尚难控制,因此提高诱变效率,迅速鉴定和筛选突变体以及探索定向诱变的途径,是今后研究的重要课题。     

不同来源甜高粱种质资源的表型遗传多样性分析

通过对主要农艺性状的方差分析及聚类分析,对194份不同来源的甜高粱种质资源进行了表型性状的遗传多样性分析。结果表明,不同来源品种间的性状差异较大,与中国品种相比,国外品种具有植株高大、生物产量高及含糖量高等优异性状,可用于国内资源的种质创新及品种改良。遗传距离为0.66时将所有资源划分为6类,各类群主要按农艺性状进行了划分。研究结果将为杂交育种的亲本选择提供理论参考。