Optimising visual selection in early clonal generations of potato based on genetic and economic considerations

Summary In 1985, 1986 and 1987, 600 clones were visually assessed at harvest on plant appearance. The clones were harvested 80 days after planting in the first year, in the following years after approximately 80 days as well as after 145 days. The correlation coefficients between years and between harvest times were low to medium. Simulating different selection intensities using the performance of these 600 clones in two successive years, the relation between selection pressure in the first year and the retained proportion of well performing clones in the second year was described. Including the costs of testing, the most economic selection procedure was calculated. This procedure consisted in testing 1,579 first-year clones and 499 second-year clones for every 100 third-year clones required. The optimal period of the main evaluation in the second clonal year is at ware potato harvest time. This selection procedure also provides good selection possibilities for underwater weight and foliage maturity.     

The efficiency of visual selection in early generations of a potato breeding programme

The efficiency of visual selection in the early generations of a potato breeding programme is examined. Tubers from 571 potato genotypes were scored by four breeders after being grown, from true seed, in a glasshouse and in the field for three consecutive years. The four breeders were in good agreement as to which clones would be selected in any environment. The association between breeders was greatest when the clones were grown in plots in the field. All correlations of breeders' preferences between different environments were significantly greater than zero, but only accounted for a small percentage of the total variation. Selection in both the glasshouse and first clonal year produced a desirable response. However, such selection carried a high cost in terms of losing clones with commercial potential. Comparison of a random sample of clones with ones from the same crosses which had been selected, indicated that selection in the glasshouse and first clonal year was at best random with some suggestion, however, of a negative effect.     

Growth,yield, and yield components of ethephon-treated corn

Field studies were conducted during 1985 and 1986 to study the effect of stage and rate of ethephon application on growth, combine-harvested yield, and yield components of three corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids at two densities. Ethephon was applied at four rates from 0 to 560g ha^–1 at three growth stages: tassel elongation (TE 3mm), TE + 6d, and Ear elongation (EE 3mm). The greatest rate of ethephon decreased lodging by 85% in 1985 and 93% in 1986. Reduction in yield at the greatest rate of ethephon was 6% and 2% of the control in 1985 and 1986, respectively. Brace-root rating in 1986 was increased 20%, when comparing the greatest application rate with the control. In the same year, weight per seed was reduced 2%, which was equivalent to the percentage yield reduction. Plant and ear heights generally decreased in a linear fashion with increasing rate of ethephon. The growth stage at the time of ethephon application significantly altered all variables except grain moisture. Grain yield, seed weight, and lodging decreased as ethephon application was delayed. Decrease in seed weight probably caused the yield decrease with delayed application. Stages of application interacted with rate such that ear height was reduced less as ethephon application was delayed. The greatest rate of ethephon applied at the beginning of EE resulted in the best lodging control. However, reduction in lodging did not result in higher yield. Also, ethephon applied at the TE stage mainly affected elongation of internodes below the ear; at the EE stage, elongation of internodes above the ear was affected.     

Comparisons of alfalfa somaclonal and sexual derivatives from the same genetic source

Summary Tetraploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) clones were derived from the same diploid genetic background by four different methods. A phenotypically superior clone was selected from each method and compared for herbage yield and fertility. The four methods and their best clones were: a) In vitro somatic chromosome doubling of one diploid hybrid (HG2-4x); b) selection within a two allele tetraploid synthetic population derived from HG2-4x (HAG); c) somaclonal variant selection from cell suspension culture of the diploid hybrid (NS1); and d) sexual polyploidization of a sibling hybrid (HXG). Clones HG2-4x, HAG, and NS1 were likely diallelic or monoallelic at all loci. Clone HXG was probably tetrallelic or triallelic at most loci. Experiments measured fertility, clonal herbage yield, and herbage yield of test cross progeny for each selected clone. Fertility rankings were HXG = HAG > NS1 > HG2-4x. Clonal herbage yield rankings were HXG = HAG > NS1 > HG2-4x. Test cross progeny herbage yield rankings varied depending on the tester, but, in general, HXG HAG NS1 HG2-4x. Overall the best clones from the sexual methods exceeded the best somaclonal variant which, in turn, was better than the chromosome doubled clone.     

Biometrisch-genetische Untersuchungen an Klonen und Nachkommenschaften beiPhlox paniculata L.

Summary In clonus and progenies linear phenotypic and genotypic correlations and interactions between genotypes, years and locations as well as methods for the estimation of the heritability are investigated.The significant correlation coefficients found should facilitate selection for more than one character at one time. With one exception high genotypic correlations correspond to significant phenotypic ones (Table 1). Usually genotype/year and genotype/year/location-interactions were not significant, but genotype/location-interactions were regularly significant in trials carried over more than one season. There were also clear differences in the ability of genotypes to yield consistently in different locations over several seasons (ecovalence).Estimates of heritabilities both in the narrow sense and in the broad sense were relatively high, especially those of flowering date, plant height and leaf number. Both types of heritabilities showed the same ranking (Table 3). Half-sib families from polycrosses were not suitable for half-sib correlations.From the results obtained it has been concluded that one year trials with replicated clones in different locations yield useful estimates of heritability. Therefore, in breeding plants with long generation times, raising of progenies may be dispensed with in the interest of saving time.

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Angenommen durch W. Seyffert     

Early-generation selection between and within pair crosses in a potato (Solanum tuberosum subsp. tuberosum) breeding programme

 In 1992, 72 seedlings from each of 198 pair crosses were grown in a glasshouse, and the tubers produced by each plant were visually assessed on a 1–9 scale of increasing preference. Three groups of four progenies with high, medium and low mean scores were chosen to progress, without selection via tuber progenies and four-plant plots at a high-grade seed site, to replicated yield trials in the third clonal generation. The three groups maintained their high, medium and low scores for visual preference over the three clonal generations and also had high, medium and low scores in the second and third clonal generations for yield, size and appearance of tubers, all of which were components of visual preference. The three groups were predicted to have 13.6%, 1.8% and 0.2% of their clones exceeding the mean of 13 control cultivars for visual preference in the replicated trials, and 12.1%, 4.9% and 1.4% for yield, and 56.8%, 37.1% and 14.8% for appearance. The experiment confirmed that selection for visual preference within crosses in the seedling and first clonal generations is very ineffective, but that worthwhile progress can be made from selection in the second clonal generation, with correlated responses for faster emergence, earlier maturity, higher yield and greater regularity of shape (appearance). Combining selection of the high group of progenies with selection in the second clonal generation of the best 34 out of the 120 clones in this group, produced a response in visual preference in the third clonal generation of 1.00 compared with a maximum possible of 1.74. Ways of achieving further improvements in early-generation selection are discussed. Received: 26 May 1998 / Accepted: 9 June 1998     

Effects of selection criteria on yield stability in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Summary Selection in the F₃ generation for seed yield, fruiting branches/plant, effective pods/plant, and seed index (100-seed weight) was carried out in two chickpea crosses. Sixty F₅ lines (15 lines/selection criterion) along with check variety were evaluated for seed yield in three distinct environments. The effects of selection criteria on yield stability was examined using linear regression approach and genotype-grouping technique. There were no differences between selection criteria for linear yield responses of F₅ lines to different environments. Within all four selection criteria the lines showed similar linear responses. The non-linear component was relatively higher for lines selected for effective pods and seed index than lines selected for yield and fruiting branches. On the basis of mean yield and coefficient of variation across environments, the seed index was the least effective selection criterion for developing high yielding and stable lines. When the results of stability parameters and genotype-grouping technique were considered together, selection for yield and fruiting branches was highly effective for isolating stable and high yielding lines.     

Experimental comparison of selection methods to improve a non-linear trait in Tribolium

Summary Five lines of Tribolium castaneum (flour beetle) were selected in each of three, replicates for biomass, using quadratic (Q) and linear (L) selection indices, direct selection for biomass (B) and indirect selection for each component trait, i.e. pupal weight (P) and family size (F), respectively, for five generations. The highest response in biomass was obtained in the Q line using an exact quadratic index in which the genetic value for each trait was based on information from both traits. The expected results were that Q selection would not exceed L selection while the L method would be superior with respect to direct selection for biomass (B line); P selection would be better and F selection worse than B selection. Selection was effective for pupal weight in the Q, L, B and P lines, but was not effective for family size, although the Q line increased slightly. The lines had no linear response for family size. Selection for biomass was influenced more by family size than by pupal weight. It is advantageous to include terms such as squares and products in the selection index, even though the response to selection may have been non-linear because of the low heritability of family size and an intermediate optimum for this component trait.     

Incidence and control of black spot syndrome of tiger nut

Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentum) is a very profitable crop in Valencia, Spain, but in the last years, part of the harvested tubers presents black spots in the skin making them unmarketable. Surveys performed in two consecutive years showed that about 10% of the tubers were severely affected by the black spot syndrome whose aetiology is unknown. Disease control procedures based on selection of tubers used as seed (seed tubers) or treatment with hot‐water and/or chemicals were assayed in greenhouse. These assays showed that that this syndrome had a negative impact on the germination rate, tuber size and yield. Selection of asymptomatic seed tubers reduced drastically the incidence of the black spot syndrome with respect to using seed tubers with severe symptoms (selection of healthy seed tubers was not possible because the causal agent is undetermined). Thermal treatment of seed tubers with severe symptoms reduced the number of unmarketable harvested tubers by half but was detrimental for the germination. Chemical treatments of seed tubers with severe symptoms decreased the incidence of the black spot syndrome about 40% for sodium hypochlorite and about 10% for hydrochloric acid, trisodium phosphate and the fungicide trioxystrobin.     

Anthocyanin yields of clonal wild carrot cell cultures

The anthocyanin yields in clonal populations of wild carrot suspension cultures were measured after four patterns of cloning and selection. These patterns were:

A study of heterosis in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Summary Heterosis (over mid parent) and useful heterosis (over commercial variety H14) estimates were obtained from a line x tester analysis of crosses involving thirteen diverse female parents with two locally adapted varieties H14 (local standard) and J34. Marked heterosis was observed for seed cotton yield, boll number and halo length. The values of positive heterosis and useful heterosis for seed cotton yield ranged from 28.1 to 87.0% and 20.1 to 45.5%, respectively. The overall study of heterosis revealed that female parents PRS-72 (USSR), 5904F (USSR) and MCU-5 (Madras Cambodian Uganda Selection, Coimbatore) were among the top three females, showing considerable heterosis in crosses with H14 and J34 for seed cotton yield and fibre properties. The practical difficulties in exploiting the phenomenon of heterosis and possible experimental approaches in upland cotton are discussed.     

Quantitative genetics of yield breeding forPopulus short rotation culture. III. Efficiency of indirect selection on tree geometry

Quantitative analysis of genetic covariances was used to identify the critical morphological components of wood productivity and to evaluate the efficiency of indirect selection for these components at the four levels of biological organization, (1) leaf, (2) branch, (3) main stem, and (4) whole-tree, in 4-yearPopulus deltoides ×P. simonii andP. deltoides ×P. nigra F₁ progeny. A total of 44 morphometric traits measured at the four organizational levels showed varying genetic associations with productivity, variations being dependent on traits, developmental processes (current terminal, sylleptics, and proleptics), and hybridization combinations. Most of the leaf and branch traits on the current terminal and/or sylleptic branches had higher genetic correlations with stem-wood volume than those on proleptics, which resulted in larger indirect selection responses in volume, especially in DxS progeny. Indirect clonal selection on leaf size and area, branching capacity, and branch angle at age 4 years was expected to generate 10–35% more genetic gain per year in 6-year volume than direct selection on 6-year volume in the DxS progeny. The efficiency of indirect selection on the numbers of different order branches and bifurcation ratio was greater than 1.0 relative to that for direct selection for stemwood volume in the D × N progeny. Under the pressure of artificial selection for superior volume production, with the proportion selected=15%, the two F₁ progeny populations exhibited distinct evolutionary divergence in tree geometry. The high-yielding D × S clones displayed a decurrent-like crown with strong apical dominance, whereas the crown ideotype for the high-yielding D × N clones was found to be excurrent-like and surrounded by dense foliage and branches.     

Development of black dot disease (Colletotrichum coccodes (Wallr.) Hughes) and its effects on the growth and yield of potato plants

Seed tubers of cvs Désirée and Pentland Crown with different severities of black dot were planted in 1988 and 1989 at Rothamsted in fields in 4– or 7-course rotations, respectively. Tubers treated with prochloraz (1988) or imazalil (1989) were planted in some plots, and in others Colletotrichum coccodes inoculum was added to the soil at planting. In further experiments at Mepal, Cambridgeshire in 1989 and 1990 and at Rothamsted in 1990 on sites where potatoes had not been grown for more than 15 years, large amounts of inoculum were added to the soil around disease-free seed tubers of two (1989) or three (1990) cultivars at planting. In all experiments plants were sampled during the season and the effects of treatments on disease development, growth and yield were recorded. Disease on roots, stem bases and tubers was found early in the season and was more severe on Désirée than on Pentland Crown plants from fields in 4– or 7-course rotations. Severity increased throughout the season and with increasing amounts of disease on the seed tubers, especially with Desiree. Disease was also found on plants from disease-free tubers and was more severe in 1988 than 1989. At harvest, black dot on tubers was significantly more severe from severely affected than from disease-free seed, and was most severe where inoculum, especially large amounts, had been added at planting. Fungicide treatment decreased disease early in the season but had no effect on tuber infection at harvest. In 1989 the weight loss of seed tubers during sprouting increased with increasing amounts of black dot, but the disease had little effect on plant size through the season. At harvest the yield of ware tubers (>50 mm) decreased with severe disease but total tuber yields were not significantly affected. However, at harvest in 1988 severely affected seed yielded significantly less than healthy seed. Plants grown from mini-tubers were free from disease on sites where potatoes had not been grown for at least 15 years. Inoculum applied at planting caused severe disease on all cultivars in both years, whereas disease was slight on uninoculated plants. Inoculated plants senesced early at Mepal in 1990, but there were no significant differences in total tuber yield in any experiment. However, yields of ware tubers (>50 mm) were sometimes decreased and the total tuber number per plant increased.     

Fixed effect genetic analysis of a diallel cross in dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Summary A full diallel cross among four diverse homozygous strains of dry edible beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was evaluated for yield, protein content, and culinary quality traits in the F₂ and F₃ generations in two locations. Interpretation of diallel effects [Method 1 Model I] using a fixed-effect genetic model made it possible to combine data from two generations into a single analysis and quantify the relative contributions of additive and dominance genetic effects to general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining abilities. GCA was found to arise from three potential sources: additive effects, dominance interactions at homozygous loci, and average dominance interactions in hybrids involving the parent in question. SCA was found to be a function solely of dominance. Additive effects were the primary determinant of GCA and were highly significant. Specific dominance interactions were significant for seed yield, cooked bean moisture content, and texture but not for protein content. Texture was the only trait for which the additive-dominance model failed to provide an adequate fit to the data, suggesting that texture is significantly affected by epistatic interaction. One cross (Brazil-2 × Sanilac) was identified that exhibited a large heterotic effect for seed yield although the parents' additive effects were nonsignificant. Such a nicking effect was attributed to complementation between the two parents.Cooperative investigations of the Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824. Part of a thesis submitted by the senior author in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree at Michigan State University. Approved for publication by the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station as Journal Article No. 11791. Research supported by USAID under a Title XII Bean/Cowpea CRSP and cooperative with Washington State University, Pullman, WA99164     

Optimizing embryogenic callus production and plant regeneration from `Tifton 9' bahiagrass seed explants for genetic manipulation

Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) is a warm season forage grass widely cultivated in southeastern U.S. and South America. The cultivar Tifton 9 has several desirable characteristics such as high forage yield, more vigor at the seedling stage, etc.; but its forage quality is very low. As an initial step for future genetic manipulations to improve its forage characteristics, we have optimized in vitro culture conditions for plant regeneration. In this report, we describe an efficient method for embryogenic callus induction and plant regeneration from bahiagrass (cv. Tifton 9) seed explants, which are readily available and easy to manipulate, compared to other explant sources reported in the literature.Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 30 M dicamba and 5 M 6-benzyladenine (BA) was optimal for callus induction and growth. Out of 9734 seeds cultured, 65.7% germinated and 21.4% produced embryogenic callus on this medium. Shoot formation was best when embryogenic calluses induced in this medium were transferred to MS medium supplemented with 5 M BA and 1 M gibberellic acid with 1640 plantlets formed per gram fresh weight of callus tissue. When transferred to hormone-free SH medium, shoot systems produced well-developed root systems. The resulting plantlets grew normally produced viable seeds when transferred to soil in the greenhouse. Histochemical staining for GUS activity arising from transient expression of the introduced uidA (-glucuronidase) gene indicated that bahiagrass embryogenic callus produced by this method is suitable for gene transfer via biolistic bombardment; and it can serve as a good target tissue for future genetic manipulations to improve the forage quality of bahiagrass (cv. Tifton 9).     

Effect of time delay in specific growth rate on the periodic operation of bioreactors with input multiplicities

The effect of time delay in specific growth rate () on the periodic operation of bioreactors with input multiplicities is theoretically analyzed for productivity improvement. A periodic rectangular pulse is applied either in feed substrate concentration (S_f) or in dilution rate (D). Periodic operation under feed substrate concentration cycling gives improvement in productivity at lower value of ¯S_f of the two steady-state multiplicities of S_f only when the time delay in is larger. Whereas the larger value of ¯S_f gives improvement in average productivity for all values of time delay. Dilution rate (D) cycling gives an improvement in average productivity particularly for larger time delay in . This improvement in average productivity is obtained only at smaller value of dilution rate out of the two steady-state input multiplicities of D.List of Symbols D 1/h dilution rate - F memory function - g dummy variable - K_i g/l substrate inhibition constant - K_m g/l substrate saturation constant - P g/l product concentration - P_m g/l product saturation constant - Q g/(hl) product cell produced per unit time - S g/l substrate concentration - S_f g/l feed substrate concentration - S_f,p g/l feed substrate concentration during fraction of a period - X g/l biomass concentration - Y_X/S g/g cell mass yield - w variable either S or Z - Z g/l weighted average of substrate concentration Greek Letters 1/h time delay parameter - ₁ , ₂ product yield parameters, g/g and 1/h - pulse width expressed as a fraction of a period - 1/h specific growth rate - _m 1/h maximum specific growth rate - h period of oscillation - – average value     

Improvement of growth and camptothecin yield by altering nitrogen source supply in cell suspension cultures of Camptotheca acuminata

Nitrate at 70m gave the highest biomass of Camptotheca acuminata in suspension culture in MS medium, but a NH₄ ⁺/NO₃ ^– molar ratio of 5:1 (giving a total of 40 m N) gave the maximum camptothecin yield. A two-stage flask culture system was established to improve culture efficiency; cell dry weight, camptothecin content and yield was increased by 30%, 280% and 340%, respectively when compared with those of control, reaching up to 36g l^–1, 0.36mgg^–1, and 12.8mgl^–1, respectively.     

Agronomic evaluation of tissue-culture-derived soybean plants

Summary Genetic alterations of regenerated plants based on the tissue culture process (somaclonal variation) have become common for many plant species including soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. The objective of this study was to test for the presence of tissue-culture-derived genetic variation in eight agronomic traits in homozygous progeny regenerated by organogenesis using the commercially important cultivar Asgrow A3127. A total of 86 lines derived by repeated self-pollination of nine regenerated plants was grown in two locations for 2 years. When compared to the unregenerated parent, statistically significant variation (P<0.05) was found for maturity, lodging, height, seed protein and oil, but not for seed quality, seed weight, or seed yield. All of the variation noted was beneficial and did not involve decreased yield. Since the differences were not large, the results indicate that the tissue culture process is not necessarily detrimental to plant performance, which is an important consideration since tissue culture techniques are used in many genetic engineering methods.     

Efficient repetitive alteration of the mouse Huntington's disease gene by management of background in the tag and exchange gene targeting strategy

The introduction of subtle mutations to predetermined locations in the mouse genome has aided in the assessment of gene function and the precise modeling of inherited disorders. Subtle mutations can be engineered into the mouse genome by the tag and exchange gene targeting strategy (Askew et al., 1993; Stacey et al., 1994; Wu et al., 1994). This two-step method involves both a positive and a negative selection. The negative selection step typically generates a large amount of undesired background that may prevent the practical recovery of gene targeted clones (Vazquez et al., 1998). In this work we describe a strategy to effectively manage this background by calculation of a tolerable level of background for a specific targeting event, pre-screening for clones with low background, subcloning and growth of cell lines under selection. This strategy was used to repeatedly and efficiently alter the mouse Huntington's disease homologue (Hdh) resulting in an average of 15 percent of the clones having the desired modification. Analysis of the remaining background clones showed they arose de novo by a mechanism that involved physical loss of the marker rather than mutation or inactivation. We calculated the rate of loss of this marker as 8.3×10^–6 events/cell/generation. We further show that the exchanged clones retained the capacity to contribute to the mouse germline demonstrating the utility of this strategy in the production of mouse lines with Hdh variants.