Breeding new varieties for controlled environments

Agricultural production in controlled environments is increasingly feasible, and may play an important role in providing nutrition and choice to growing urban centres. New technologies in lighting, ventilation, robotics and irrigation are just a few of the innovations that enable production of high‐value specialty crops outside of a traditional field setting. However, despite all of the advances in the hardware within the plant factory operation, innovation of the most complex machine has been neglected – the plant itself. Indoor agricultural operations typically rely on legacy varieties, plants selected and bred for field conditions. In the field, phenotypic stability is paramount, as production must be consistent in an unpredictable and changing environment. However, the controlled environment affords focus on different breeding priorities as environmental flux, pests, pathogens and post‐harvest quality are less formidable barriers to production. On the contrary, breeding for controlled environments shifts the focus to a completely different set of plant traits, such as rapid growth, performance in low light environments and active manipulation of plant stature. Instead of breeding for phenotypic stability, plants may be bred to maximise genetic plasticity, allowing specific traits to be presented as a function of the quality of the ambient light spectrum. In this scenario plant varieties may be grown with optimal size, supporting a focus on consumer traits like flavour or accumulation of health‐related compounds. Gene editing may be a central technology in the production of designer plants for controlled environments. This review considers the opportunity for breeding for controlled environments, with a focus on a revision of priorities for controlled‐environment breeders.     

Distribution of deoxynivalenol inFusarium-infected forage maize

A time course study was carried out to assess the appearance and distribution of DON in different organs of forage maize cultivated in the field. DON was produced after the flowering period and increased until harvest to high amounts in the rudimentary ears and leaf sheaths/leaf blades deriving from nodes located below the ear node, whereas nodes and internodes were either not or only slightly contaminated with DON. Genrally, DON was not detected in the ears, including husks, during the whole cultivation time.Fusarium biomass determined in the infected organs confirmed these findings. It seems that the contribution of DON containing rudimentary ears, leaf sheaths and leaf blades to the total DON contamination of forage maize is so far widely underestimated. Therefore advanced evaluation procedures are recommended to get a better understanding of the infection and contamination process and to prove genotypic differences in the resistance of forage maize genotypes againstFusarium infection.     

Breeding for resistance to aflatoxin accumulation in maize

Contamination of maize,Zea mays, grain with aflatoxin, a naturally occurring toxin produced byAspergillus flavus, frequently reduces the value and marketability of maize produced in the southern USA. Drought, high temperatures, and insect damage are often associated with high levels of maize aflatoxin contamination. Growing resistant maize hybrids is generally considered the most feasible method of reducing or eliminatingA. flavus infection and subsequent accumulation of aflatoxin. Developing appropriate screening techniques and identifying maize germplasm with resistance to aflatoxin contamination provides the foundation for a breeding program. Only a few sources of aflatoxin resistance have been identified. Four germplasm lines (Mp313E, Mp420, Mp715, and Mp717) have been developed and released by USDA-ARS at Mississippi State University. NC 388, developed at North Carolina State University, is reported as another putative source of aflatoxin resistance. Conventional phenotypic selection was used to successfully combine resistance to aflatoxin contamination from two of these lines, Mp313E and Mp715, with desirable agronomic qualities from Va35. The identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with resistance to aflatoxin contamination will also permit the use of marker assisted selection in transferring resistance into elite germplasm lines. Development of parental inbreds that combine aflatoxin resistance with superior agronomic quality is an essential component of a hybrid maize breeding program designed to reduce or eliminate aflatoxin contamination.     

Molecular evaluation of two methods for developing maize synthetic varieties

A generalized way to obtain a maize (Zea mays L.) synthetic variety is to randomly mate all possible crosses among inbred lines, but, when the number of lines is large, it would save time and effort to use other mating methods. This work is aimed to determine the utility of two alternative methods, assuming that an equal contribution of each inbred line to the synthetic is the goal (; 1993). Eight Reid inbred lines originated from the U.S. Corn Belt population Reid, and eight non-Reid unrelated inbreds were the base meterial for synthetic verieties EPS20 and EPS21, respectively . Each variety was built using both alternative methods: i) controlling the balanced contribution of each parental inbred (convergent cross method), and ii) randomly mating a seed mixture from the eight inbreds (random method). In the convergent cross method, single crosses between inbreds, and double crosses were performed in 1995, and 1996, respectively, as the first step to create EPS20c and EPS21c. Finally, in 1997, about 40 plants from each double-cross hybrid were mated only once (as male or female) in plant-to-plant crosses between double cross-hybrids, to generate about 20 ears that provided the base material for synthetics EPS20c and EPS21c. In the random method, a total of 304 seeds from the eight inbred lines, 38 seeds from each one, were bulked and sown in ten rows of 15 two-kernel hills per row in 1998 to form EPS20r and EPS21r. After thinning, 150 plants were left, and random plant-to plant crosses were made (where each plant was used only once as male or female), that resulted in 38 and 39 ears, respectively. The two crossing schemes were followed by two generations of recombination. A sample of 40 individuals from each synthetic variety was genotyped with 17 SSR (simple sequence repeat) markers loci. Primer sequences and chromosomal locations are available at the MaizeDB (www.agron.missouri.edu/ssr.html). Genetic drift due to the relatively small samples used to constitute balanced synthetic varieties, and/or natural selection could modify the original frequencies, but did not cause allele or heterozygosity losses. Therefore, the convergent cross method appeared to be appropriate for developing synthetic varieties either from related or non related inbreds. The random method should be used with caution, especially when inbred parents are genetically different, since relative adaptive advantages of some inbred lines could cause loss of genetic variability.     

Breeding Population of the Ringed Plover in Britain

A census of Ringed Plovers in Britain in 1973–74 revealed a total of over 5,700 pairs, with the best concentrations in eastern England (particularly in Norfolk and Essex), the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland. Some interesting recent changes in habitat are chronicled.     

Polysaccharides of root-cap slime from five maize varieties

Radioactive root-cap slime from five maize varieties consisted of a mixture of neutral, weakly-acidic and acidic polymers. The distribution of radioactivity between monosaccharides of these components showed that the slimes were essentially the same but that preparations, even those made at different times from the same variety, contained variable proportions of glucose. Results obtained with different maize varieties can therefore be considered together.     

抗褐飞虱水稻品种的培育及其抗性表现

褐飞虱Nilaparvata lugens(Stl)是危害水稻的主要虫害之一,发掘和利用新的抗褐飞虱基因培育抗性品种是目前防治褐飞虱最经济有效的方法之一。抗褐飞虱基因来自药用野生稻的抗虫品种B5,对褐飞虱生物型1和2具有高度抗性,B5携带的抗性基因Bph14被定位在第3染色体上。本研究以B5-10为抗源,以优良杂交稻亲本扬稻6号为受体亲本,通过复交和回交,利用与Bph14紧密连锁的分子标记MRG2329在后代中进行分子标记辅助选择,通过苗期分子标记检测和成株期农艺性状选择,最后育成恢复系R476和杂交组合广两优476。采用苗期群体鉴定技术对R476和广两优476的褐飞虱抗性进行了鉴定,R476和广两优476的抗性水平分别为中抗和中感。广两优476在稻飞虱发生较重的稻田进行试种示范,与对照品种扬两优6号和两优培九相比,广两优476对稻飞虱表现出明显的抗性。研究结果表明在育种过程中利用分子标记辅助选择Bph14基因是培育抗褐飞虱水稻品种的有效途径之一。     

Measurement and prediction of digestibility of forage maize in The Netherlands

Results of digestibility trials on fresh and ensiled maize (aerial parts) were analysed and compared with laboratory data.

Digestibility of the organic matter of ears was almost constant at 84–85%. Digestibility of organic matter of stover showed great variation. Variation between animals in apparent digestibility of organic matter was greater for maize diets than for diets based on grass products. Most of the differences between animals were caused by differences in the digestion of cell walls. When the true digestibility of cell contents was assumed to be complete, endogenous excretion was, on average, only 7% with respect to organic matter intake, and seemed dependent on digestibility of organic matter.

Prediction of apparent digestibility was more accurate with digestibility in vitro than with crude fibre, although for maize silage, significant relationships were found between crude fibre content and digestibility of organic matter. Standard deviation of organic matter digestibility between lots of fresh and ensiled maize grown on commercial farms amounted to only about 1.2 –2%. As this was only twice the accuracy of digestibility in vivo with four animals, fixed values will be presented to farmers, possibly corrected for year, hybrid selection and cropping practice.     

Breeding for resistance to downy mildews and stalk rots in maize

Summary The present review includes information on distribution, symptoms, inoculation techniques, disease rating, sources of resistance, genetics of resistance, breeding approaches for resistance, and the present status of resistance breeding with respect to Sclerophthora and Peronosclerospora downy mildews and Erwinia, Cephalosporium and Fusarium stalk rots. Some suggestions highlighting research gaps pertinent to future breeding strategies are mentioned.Publication No. 2993, Experiment Station, GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India     

Silicon amelioration of manganese toxicity in Mn-sensitive and Mn-tolerant maize varieties

Differences in tolerance to Mn excess and amelioration by Si were evaluated in two maize varieties. Dry weight, callose accumulation, chloroplast ultrastructure, and photosynthesis parameters were used as stress indicators. Variety Kneja 605 was much more Mn-sensitive than variety Kneja 434. In Kneja 605 excess Mn caused severe chloroplast damage and enhanced carotenoid production, symptoms similar to those triggered by photoinhibiton. In Mn-tolerant Kneja 434, in contrast, a Mn-induced decrease of the carotenoid concentrations, and only slight alterations in the chloroplasts were observed. These effects were similar to light Fe-deficiency symptoms. The threshold tissue concentration for Mn-induced callose accumulation was much lower in Kneja 605 than in Kneja 434. Therefore tolerance to excess Mn in Kneja 434 was not due to more efficient exclusion but to more efficient detoxification and compartmentation of Mn. The constitutively thicker epidermal layers in Kneja 434 and the observation that Si-induced amelioration of Mn toxicity in Kneja 605 substantially increased the thickness of the epidermal layers suggest that Mn storage in non-photosynthetic tissue could be a Mn tolerance mechanism in maize.     

Modern maize varieties going local in the semi-arid zone in Tanzania

Background

Maize is the most produced crop in Sub-Saharan Africa, but yields are low and climate change is projected to further constrain smallholder production. The current efforts to breed and disseminate new high yielding and climate ready maize varieties are implemented through the formal seed system; the chain of public and private sector activities and institutions that produce and release certified seeds. These efforts are taking place in contexts currently dominated by informal seed systems; local and informal seed management and exchange channels with a long history of adapting crops to local conditions. We here present a case study of the genetic effects of both formal and informal seed management from the semi-arid zone in Tanzania.

Results

Two open pollinated varieties (OPVs), Staha and TMV1, first released by the formal seed system in the 1980s are cultivated on two-thirds of the maize fields among the surveyed households. Farmer-recycling of improved varieties and seed selection are common on-farm seed management practices. Drought tolerance and high yield are the most important characteristics reported as reason for cultivating the current varieties as well as the most important criteria for farmers’ seed selection. Bayesian cluster analysis, PCA and F_ST analyses based on 131 SNPs clearly distinguish between the two OPVs, and despite considerable heterogeneity between and within seed lots, there is insignificant differentiation between breeder’s seeds and commercial seeds in both OPVs. Genetic separation increases as the formal system varieties enter the informal system and both hybridization with unrelated varieties and directional selection probably play a role in the differentiation. Using a Bayesian association approach we identify three loci putatively under selection in the informal seed system.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the formal seed system in the study area distributes seed lots that are true to type. We suggest that hybridization and directional selection differentiate farmer recycled seed lots from the original varieties and potentially lead to beneficial creolization. Access to drought tolerant OPVs in combination with farmer seed selection is likely to enhance seed system security and farmers’ adaptive capacity in the face of climate change.     

SSR与SRAP标记在玉米品种鉴定中的比较研究

利用SSR标记和SRAP标记对19个玉米品种及8份莱农15样品进行了分析,比较了2种标记的分辨能力及在亲缘关系和杂交种纯度鉴定中的表现.与SSR标记相比,SRAP标记用于玉米品种鉴定扩增住点数量更多,PIC值更高,具有更高的分辨率;在亲缘关系分析方面,SSR检测的遗传距离变幅更大,2种标记计算的遗传距离呈极显著正相关,分类结果基本一致;在杂交种纯度检测中,SRAP标记的期望位点在杂交种群体中检测率高于SSR标记相应位点,检测杂交种纯度结果更接近田问种植鉴定,因而准确度更高.SRAP在玉米品种鉴定中具有一定的优势,可作为SSR标记技术的有益补充,特别是在杂交种纯度鉴定中应用.     

玉米温光敏雄性不育系的选育策略

为了选育新类型玉米雄性核不育系,提出了为玉米核不育性添加温光敏感性的设想和选择与鉴定相结合的策略．同时应用分期播种的方法为作物提供不同的生长和发育的环境条件,以鉴定玉米雄穗的育性变化和对不同环境条件温光的反应。研究结果表明．春播环境下可鉴定和选择玉米的不育性,夏播环境下可鉴定和选择其温光敏感性。针对玉米核不育性难以找到保持系的特性,结合两种播期选择两种性状。但春播环境下选择的不育性群体难以通过选择单株来保持其不育性,为记录性群体选择。通过从春播入选的杂合不育性优良株系群体转移到其对应的夏播温光敏感性入选的同一优良群体中进行优良单株选择．能逐渐使不育性和温光敏感性相结合而选育出纯合温光敏不育系。这种新的选择程序主要包括应用分期播种法、记录性选择法和春夏两季交叉式选择法,使含有不育基因的可育株系逐步累积不育基因并增加了温光敏感性而育成玉米温光敏不育系。     

Breeding status of the Red Kite Milvus milvus in Britain in 2000

Capsule The first co-ordinated Red Kite survey across Britain since the reintroduction programme began in 1989, yields 430 breeding pairs.

Aims To estimate the current size and extent of the British breeding population.

Methods A complete census of the populations in the East Midlands, Yorkshire, central and north Scotland was undertaken, while in Wales and the Chilterns, populations were surveyed using a stratified sample of tetrads. Breeding and territorial pairs were identified.

Results The survey indicated that there were 430 breeding pairs in Britain (95% CIs, 372–490). There were 259 breeding pairs in Wales (95% CIs, 200–318) and 109 (95% CIs, 96–124) in the Chilterns. Elsewhere, 16 breeding pairs were located in the East Midlands, three in Yorkshire, seven in central Scotland and 33 in north Scotland. An additional three pairs were recorded in southern England, away from the main population centres.

Conclusion The 2000 survey provides a baseline against which to measure future changes in Red Kite populations in Britain, using standard, repeatable methods.     

Assessing temporal changes in genetic diversity of maize varieties using microsatellite markers

To quantify genetic diversity among modern and earlier maize cultivars, 133 varieties, representative of the maize grown in France during the last five decades, were fingerprinted using 51 SSR. The varieties were grouped into four periods. For each period, allelic richness, genetic diversity and genetic differentiation among periods were computed. A total of 239 alleles were generated. Allelic richness, in terms of number of alleles per locus, for each period was 4.5, 3.6, 3.9 and 3.6 respectively. Genetic diversity corresponding to Neis unbiased heterozygosity was calculated, based on allelic frequencies. Values ranged from 0.56 to 0.61. Period I presented the highest genetic diversity, whereas the three other periods all presented a similar value. A great proportion of the total genetic diversity (H_T=0.59) was conserved within all periods (H_S=0.57), rather than among periods (G_ST=0.04). The analysis of molecular variance showed that the variation among periods represented only 10% of the total molecular variation. However, the differentiation among periods, although low, was significant, except for the last two periods. Our results showed that the genetic diversity has been reduced by about 10% in the maize cultivars bred before 1976 compared to those bred after 1985. The very low differentiation (G_ST=0.21%) observed among cultivars of the last two decades should alert French maize breeders to enlarge genetic basis in their variety breeding programmes.     

Importance of rare taxa for bacterial diversity in the rhizosphere of Bt- and conventional maize varieties

Ribosomal 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing was used to explore whether the genetically modified (GM) Bt-maize hybrid MON 89034 × MON 88017, expressing three insecticidal recombinant Cry proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis, would alter the rhizosphere bacterial community. Fine roots of field cultivated Bt-maize and three conventional maize varieties were analyzed together with coarse roots of the Bt-maize. A total of 547 000 sequences were obtained. Library coverage was 100% at the phylum and 99.8% at the genus rank. Although cluster analyses based on relative abundances indicated no differences at higher taxonomic ranks, genera abundances pointed to variety specific differences. Genera-based clustering depended solely on the 49 most dominant genera while the remaining 461 rare genera followed a different selection. A total of 91 genera responded significantly to the different root environments. As a benefit of pyrosequencing, 79 responsive genera were identified that might have been overlooked with conventional cloning sequencing approaches owing to their rareness. There was no indication of bacterial alterations in the rhizosphere of the Bt-maize beyond differences found between conventional varieties. B. thuringiensis-like phylotypes were present at low abundance (0.1% of Bacteria) suggesting possible occurrence of natural Cry proteins in the rhizospheres. Although some genera indicated potential phytopathogenic bacteria in the rhizosphere, their abundances were not significantly different between conventional varieties and Bt-maize. With an unprecedented sensitivity this study indicates that the rhizosphere bacterial community of a GM maize did not respond abnormally to the presence of three insecticidal proteins in the root tissue.     

The influence of temperature on the development and yield of maize in Britain

Sugar beet seedlings were evaluated for resistance to downy mildew by exposing them to natural infection in a glasshouse maintained at a high relative humidity (c. 95–98%). Exposure to natural infection for at least 3 days was required for adequate infection levels which occurred in the majority of tests; failure in others was related to decreases in relative humidity during clear weather. Seedling disease symptoms were different from those of mature plants. In most instances there was adequate differentiation among seedlings in populations with low, but worthwhile, levels of variation for resistance. The application of the method in selection programmes for resistance is discussed.