Genotypic Variation in Root Morphological Characteristics of Common Bean in Relation to Phosphorus Efficiency (in English)

Root morphology in plants may be related to phosphorus (P) efficiency by affecting the absorption characteristics of the root system. However, genotypic variation in root morphological characteristics of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) as affected by P availability has not been well clarified. In the present study, systematic studies were conducted in a P-buffered sand culture system using three pairs of common bean parental materials with contrasting root traits in response to P deficiency. The results indicate that P availability significantly affects bean root morphology. Common bean tends to have smaller root system, shorter and coarser roots at low P availability. Genotypic variation in root morphology was observed among different genotypes in response to P availability. The P efficient genotypes appear to have larger, finer and longer root systems than the P inefficient genotypes, and such a variation was particularly obvious in the basal roots. From allomeric analysis, we found that morphological characteristics of the basal roots contribute more to P efficiency than those of the tap roots. Further studies with the F9 recombinant inbred lines derived from one of the most contrasting parental pairs, DOR364 and G19833, confirmed the above findings, indicating that those morphological characteristics are inheritable hence provide potential for genetic improvement. Root morphology in plants may be related to phosphorus (P) efficiency by affecting the absorption characteristics of the root system. However, genotypic variation in root morphological characteristics of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) as affected by P availability has not been well clarified. In the present study, systematic studies were conducted in a P-buffered sand culture system using three pairs of common bean parental materials with contrasting root traits in response to P deficiency. The results indicate that P availability significantly affects bean root morphology. Common bean tends to have smaller root system, shorter and coarser roots at low P availability. Genotypic variation in root morphology was observed among different genotypes in response to P availability. The P efficient genotypes appear to have larger, finer and longer root systems than the P inefficient genotypes, and such a variation was particularly obvious in the basal roots. From allomeric analysis, we found that morphological characteristics of the basal roots contribute more to P efficiency than those of the tap roots. Further studies with the F9 recombinant inbred lines derived from one of the most contrasting parental pairs, DOR364 and G19833, confirmed the above findings, indicating that those morphological characteristics are inheritable hence provide potential for genetic improvement.     

菜豆根形态特性的基因型差异与磷效率

应用磷控释砂培以及计算机图象分析技术,研究了磷效率差异显的菜豆（Phaseolus vulgaris L.)亲本及其重组自交系后代的根形态特性及其与磷效率的关系。试验结果表明,供磷状况显影响菜豆根系形态学特性。在低磷胁迫下,菜豆根系总根长变短、根部生物量减少,根直径增大。菜豆根形态特性对低磷有效性的适应性反应具有显的基因型差异。在低磷条件下磷高效率基因型的根系比磷低效率基因型相对根部生物量较大、总根长较长,根表面积较大。异计分析表明,菜豆基根根形态特性在低磷条件下的适应性变化对磷效率的贡献远远大于主根,并且这些适应性变化是可以遗传的,表明通过对菜豆根形态特性进行遗传改良来提高磷效率有一定的可行性。     

First use of microsatellite markers in a large collection of cultivated and wild accessions of tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray)

Tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray) is a dry-land crop species that originated in the deserts of Mexico and the south-western United States and therefore is proposed as a source of drought and salt tolerance for related species and for production in marginal rainfall areas. Few genetic tools have been developed or tested for tepary bean but microsatellites from common bean are an obvious choice for diversity analysis in the crop. The first goal of this study was to validate a set of gene-derived and non-gene simple sequence repeat or microsatellite markers from common bean in tepary bean cultivars and wild relative accessions. The second and more extensive objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity and population structure of the tepary bean accessions to determine if leaf-morphology variants are valid as separate sub-groups of wild tepary beans; if P. parvifolius exist as a separate variants or species; and if cultivated tepary beans originated from one domestication event or several events. Our analysis of 140 tepary bean genotypes showed that a single domestication was likely as the cultivars were most closely related to accessions from Sinaloa and northern Mexico and that diversity was much higher in the wild genotypes compared to the cultivated ones. Other results were that P. parvifolius was classified as a separate species by population structure analysis while the variants P. acutifolius var. acutifolius and var. tenuifolius were admixed and inter-crossed. P. latifolius is not a valid species or variant of P. acutifolius but represents a group of cultivars within tepary bean. This is the first analysis of microsatellite diversity in tepary beans and has implications for breeding and conservation of this crop and its wild relatives.     

Phaseolin variability among wild and cultivated common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) from Colombia

Phaseolin seed protein variability in a group of 8 wild and 77 cultivated common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) accessions was determined using 1-dimensional SDS/ PAGE and 2-dimensional IEF-SDS/PAGE. Wild common bean accessions exhibited the 'CH' and 'B' patterns, previously undescribed among either wild or cultivated common beans. The cultivated genotypes showed (in decreasing frequency) the previously described 'S,' T,' and 'C phaseolin patterns as well as the new 'B' pattern similar to the pattern identified in a Colombian wild common bean accession. In the northeastern part of the Colombian bean-growing region, the cultivars exhibited almost exclusively an 'S' phaseolin type, while in the south-western part, the 'T' and 'C phaseolin cultivars were more frequent. Seed size analysis indicated that 'T' and 'C' phaseolin cultivars had larger seeds than 'S' and 'B' phaseolin cultivars. Our results suggest that Colombia is a meeting place for Andean and Middle American common bean germplasms, as well as a domestication center for the common bean.     

Genetic relationship among cultivated and wild grapevine accessions from Tunisia.

We have used nuclear and chloroplast molecular markers to genotype cultivated and wild accessions of Vitis vinifera L. from Tunisia and assess their genetic relationships. Fifty-five distinct genotypes were identified among 80 cultivated accessions, including 18 genotypic groups containing between 2 and 5 accessions per group. They could represent a total of 60 distinct cultivars owing to berry colour variation found within identical genotype groups. Most of the 55 genotypes represent unique table grape genotypes except for one of them that was found identical to the genotype of table grape cultivar Rosseti. Hybridization among cultivars as well as self pollinations seems to have played an important role in their origin since several groups of closely related cultivars were observed. Furthermore, a parentage analysis showed a high probability for a parent hybrid relationship within two groups of three cultivars. No strong genetic similarities were found between cultivated and wild samples indicating that the cultivated accessions do not derive from local Vitis vinifera L. populations but could have been introduced from other regions in historic times.     

Synthesis of soluble heat shock proteins in seminal root tissues of some cultivated and wild wheat genotypes

Effect of heat stress on the synthesis of soluble heat shock proteins (HSPs) and the regrowth in seminal roots of three cultivated and three wild wheat genotypes was examined. In regrowth experiments, 2-d-old etiolated seedlings were exposed to 23 (control), 32, 35, 37 and 38 degrees C for 24 h, and 35 and 37 degrees C (24 h) followed by 50 degrees C (1 h). The lengths of the seminal roots generally decreased significantly at the end of 48 and 72 h recovery growth periods at 35, 37 and 38 degrees C temperature treatments compared with control. Genotypic variability was significant level at all temperature treatments for the seminal root length. Also, genotypic differences for the number of seminal roots were determined among the wheat cultivars and between the wild wheat species and the wheat cultivars at all temperature treatments; but genotypic differences among wild wheat species were only detected at 37-->50 degrees C treatment. Acquired thermotolerance for the seminal root length is over 50% at 37-->50 degrees C treatment. The genotypic variability of soluble heat shock proteins in seminal root tissues were analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). Total number of low molecular weight (LMW) HSPs was more than intermediate-(IMW) and high- (HMW) HSPs at high temperature treatments. The most of LMW HSPs which were generally of acidic character ranged between 14.2-30.7 kDa. The genotypes had both common (43 HSP spots between at least two genotypes and 23 HSP spots between 37 and 37-->50 degrees C) and genotype-specific (72 HSP spots) LMW HSPs.     

The genetic diversity of the Vigna angularis complex in Asia.

A selected set of accessions of components of the azuki bean (Vigna angularis) complex comprising 123 cultivated accessions and 23 wild or weedy accessions from Bhutan, China (including Taiwan), India, Japan, Korea, and Nepal was analyzed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) methodology. Using 12 AFLP primer pairs, 580 unambiguous bands were generated, 313 (53.9%) of which were polymorphic among azuki bean accessions. All 580 bands were used to assess phenotypic (band) and genetic (nucleotide) diversity among the 146 azuki bean accessions. The results indicate five major groups of azuki bean germplasm primarily associated with geographic origin of accessions and their status: wild, weedy, or cultivated. These five groups are (i) Himalayan wild, (ii) Nepal-Bhutan cultivated, (iii) Chinese wild, (iv) Taiwan wild - Bhutan cultivated, and (v) northeast Asian accessions. Within the northeast Asian accessions, three subgroups are present. These consist of (v1) Japanese complex - Korean cultivated, (v2) Japanese cultivated, and (v3) Chinese cultivated accessions. The results suggest domestication of azuki bean occurred at least twice, once in the Himalayan region of southern Asia and once in northeast Asia. The remarkable diversity of azuki bean germplasm in the Himalayan region compared with other regions suggests this is a rich source of germplasm for plant breeding. The results suggest there are important gaps in the germplasm collections of azuki bean and its close relatives from various parts of Asia and that specific collecting missions for Vigna germplasm related to azuki bean in the highlands of subtropical Asia are needed.     

Tolerance to Zinc Deficiency in Rice Correlates with Zinc Uptake and Translocation

To study variation in zinc efficiency (ZE) among current Chinese rice genotypes, a pot experiment was conducted with 15 aerobic and 8 lowland rice genotypes. Aerobic rice is currently bred by crossing lowland with upland rice genotypes, for growth in an aerobic cultivation system, which is saving water and producing high yields. A Zn deficient clay soil was used in our screening. Zn deficiency resulted in a marked decrease in shoot dry matter production of most genotypes after 28 days of growth. Genotypes were ranked according to their tolerance to Zn deficiency based on ZE, expressed as the ratio of shoot dry weight at Zn deficiency over that at adequate Zn supply. Substantial genotypic variation in ZE (50–98%) was found among both lowland and aerobic genotypes. ZE correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with Zn uptake (R ² = 0.34), Zn translocation from root to shoot (R ² = 0.19) and shoot Zn concentration (R ² = 0.27). The correlation with seed Zn content was insignificant. In stepwise multiple regression analyses, variation in Zn uptake and Zn translocation explained 53% of variation in ZE. Variation in Zn uptake could be explained only for 32% by root surface area. These results indicate that Zn uptake may be an important determinant of ZE and that mechanisms other than root surface area are of major importance in determining Zn uptake by rice.     

耐低磷水稻基因型筛选指标的研究

采用溶液培养试验,并结合大田试验,研究和探讨了耐低磷水稻基因型的筛选指标.结果表明,溶液培养试验中,在正常供磷和低磷胁迫条件下,在所有调查性状中水稻单株干重都具有较大的基因型间变异(CV分别为21.73%和19.54%).在所有调查性状的相对值中,相对单株干重(低磷胁迫/正常供磷)也具有较大的基因型间变异(CV为19.60%);相关分析表明,相对单株干重与相对根干重、相对株高、相对单株吸磷量、相对地上部磷积累、相对磷利用效率和相对植株磷浓度均呈极显著正相关(P＜0.01).因此,水稻相对单株干重可以作为苗期筛选水稻耐低磷基因型的一个筛选指标.溶液培养试验中水稻的相对单株干重和大田试验中水稻的相对稻谷产量(不施磷/施磷)没有显著相关性,因此溶液培养试验的相对单株干重不能作为评价大田试验中水稻耐低磷能力的指标.低磷营养液培养的水稻体内磷利用效率与缺磷土壤生长的水稻体内磷利用效率呈极显著正相关.因此,直接以低磷营养液培养水稻苗期体内磷利用效率作为筛选指标,然后进行大田试验验证,是一条筛选水稻磷高效利用基因型的有效途径.     

Zinc efficiency of oilseed rape (t Brassica napus and t B. juncea) genotypes

Twenty five genotypes of oilseed rape (canola and mustard) were tested under varied supply of Zn (+Zn: 2 mg kg^–1 soil, -Zn: no Zn added) in two pot experiments in soil culture to determine the genotypic variation in tolerance to the Zn-deficient conditions, that is, to identify the Zn-efficient genotypes. On the basis of performance of genotypes in pot experiments, ten genotypes were tested in 1995 for their performance under varied supply of Zn (+Zn: 3.5 kg ha^–1, -Zn: no Zn added) on a Zn-deficient field in South Australia.Zn efficiency (ratio of shoot dry matter in -Zn to shoot dry matter in +Zn treatment and expressed in percentage) in pot Experiment 1 varied from 35% for 92-13 to 74% for Siren. Narendra, Dunkeld, Barossa, Oscar and Xinza 2 performed well under -Zn treatment. Zn efficiency in Experiment 2 varied from 32% for Wuyou 1 to 62% for Pusa Bold. Pusa Bold and CSIRO-1(mustard genotypes) were the most efficient in terms of dry matter production among all the oilseed rape genotypes tested. Root dry matter accumulation was significantly higher in Zn-efficient genotypes. Zn efficiency (ratio of seed yield in -Zn to seed yield in +Zn and expressed in percentage) in field experiment varied from 62% for Huashang 2 to 76% for Dunkeld. With few exceptions, the ranking of genotypes in pot and field experiments indicates similarity in their response to Zn deficiency. There looks to be genetic control over Zn concentration in tissues. Zn-efficient genotypes had lower Zn concentration in roots and higher Zn concentration in youngest fully opened leaf blades, indicating a better transport of Zn. This, together with a higher Zn uptake, appears to be the basis of expression of Zn efficiency.     

蓖麻根腐病抗性鉴定及其SSR标记的初步建立

蓖麻根腐病是茄腐镰孢菌(Fusarium solani)引起的根部病害,严重影响蓖麻产量。抗源缺乏制约了抗病品种的选育。为寻找抗病种质、建立抗性分子标记,该研究对252份蓖麻材料的抗性进行了表型和分子标记鉴定。结果表明:(1)浓度为1×10⁶个·mL^-1的孢子悬浮液灌根是一种有效的接种方法; 以接种后枯萎天数为基础的5级评价法,可作为鉴定标准。(2)鉴定出130份抗病材料,其中高抗为105份。(3)野生材料中抗病材料比率(66%)远高于栽培材料(35%),建议将野生材料,尤其是中国华南野生材料的研究利用作为今后抗病育种的重要方向。(4)初步建立了8个与抗性关联的SSR标记。该研究结果提供了有效的根腐病抗性鉴定方法和评价标准,筛选出了一批育种迫切需要的抗病基因资源,初步建立了可用于辅助选择的SSR标记,为蓖麻抗根腐病育种奠定了重要基础。     

Molecular ecology and selection in the drought-related Asr gene polymorphisms in wild and cultivated common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The abscisic acid (ABA) pathway plays an important role in the plants' reaction to drought stress and ABA-stress response (Asr) genes are important in controlling this process. In this sense, we accessed nucleotide diversity at two candidate genes for drought tolerance (Asr1 and Asr2), involved in an ABA signaling pathway, in the reference collection of cultivated common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and a core collection of wild common bean accessions. RESULTS: Our wild population samples covered a range of mesic (semi-arid) to very dry (desert) habitats, while our cultivated samples presented a wide spectrum of drought tolerance. Both genes showed very different patterns of nucleotide variation. Asr1 exhibited very low nucleotide diversity relative to the neutral reference loci that were previously surveyed in these populations. This suggests that strong purifying selection has been acting on this gene. In contrast, Asr2 exhibited higher levels of nucleotide diversity, which is indicative of adaptive selection. These patterns were more notable in wild beans than in cultivated common beans indicting that natural selection has played a role over long time periods compared to farmer selection since domestication. CONCLUSIONS: Together these results suggested the importance of Asr1 in the context of drought tolerance, and constitute the first steps towards an association study between genetic polymorphism of this gene family and variation in drought tolerance traits. Furthermore, one of our major successes was to find that wild common bean is a reservoir of genetic variation and selection signatures at Asr genes, which may be useful for breeding drought tolerance in cultivated common bean.     

Variation in phosphorus efficiency among 73 bread and durum wheat genotypes grown in a phosphorus-deficient calcareous soil

A greenhouse experiment was carried out to study the severity of phosphorus (P) deficiency symptoms on leaves, shoot dry matter production, and shoot concentration and content (the total amount per shoot) of P in 39 bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and 34 durum wheat (Triticum durum L.) genotypes grown in a severely P-deficient calcareous soil with low (20mgPkg⁻¹ soil) and adequate (80mgPkg⁻¹ soil) P supply for 39 days. As the seed P concentration or content can affect plant performance under P-deficient conditions, the seeds of the genotypes used in the present study were also analyzed for P concentration. Phosphorus efficiency (relative shoot growth) of genotypes, calculated by the ratio of shoot dry matter production under low P to that under adequate P supply, significantly differed among the genotypes, and varied between 46.7% and 78.6%. Phosphorus efficiency ranged from 51% to 71% with an average of 61% for bread and from 47% to 79% with an average of 66% for durum wheat genotypes. There was no correlation between P efficiency ratio and P concentration of plants (R ²=0.0001), but P efficiency of all bread and durum wheat genotypes showed a very significant correlation with the P content (the total amount of P per shoot) (R ²=0.333^***). The relationship between the P efficiency and total amount of P per shoot was much more significant in bread (R ²=0.341^***) than in durum wheat (R ²=0.135^*). Like shoot P concentrations, also severity of visible leaf symptoms of P deficiency on older leaves, including leaf chlorosis and necrosis, did not correlate with P efficiency. In most cases, genotypes showing higher P efficiency had higher absolute shoot dry weight under P deficient conditions. Under P deficient conditions, the absolute shoot dry weight very significantly correlated with shoot P content (R ²=0.665^***), but the correlation between the absolute shoot dry weight and shoot P concentration tended to be negative. There was also variation in native seed P reserve of the genotypes, but this variation had no influence on the P efficiency. The results indicate that the total amount of P per shoot and shoot dry matter production at low P supply are most reliable parameters in ranking genotypes for P efficiency at early growth stage. In wheat germplasm tested in the present study, several wheat genotypes are available showing both very high P efficiency and very high shoot content and concentration of P suggesting that P acquisition ability should be most important mechanism for high P efficiency in such genotypes. On the other hand, there are also genotypes in the germplasm having more or less same P concentration or P content in shoot but differing substantially in P efficiency, indicating importance of P utilization at cellular level in P efficiency. All these results suggest that P efficiency mechanisms can be different from one genotype to other within a given plant species.     

Phosphatase and phytase activities in nodules of common bean genotypes at different levels of phosphorus supply

Plants grown at limited P supply can increase the activity of phosphatases in roots to hydrolyse organic-P compounds in the soil thus improving plant P acquisition, but little information is available about the role of these enzymes for internal plant metabolism at limited-P conditions. This work intended to measure the activities of acid phosphatases and phytases in nodules of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) genotypes at different levels of P supply. The experiment was carried out in a 5?×?5 factorial design with four replicates, comprising five bean genotypes and five P levels (20, 40, 80, 160 and 320 μmol P plant^?1 week^?1) in nutrient solution. Root seedlings were inoculated with Rhizobium tropici and plants were grown in 1-l bottles. Nodule samples were detached from 39-day-old plants and enzyme activities were determined in crude extracts. Plants were harvested at the stage of pod setting. Polynomial models fitted to data indicated maximal values at the level of 194 μmol P for shoot mass, at 206 μmol P for nodule mass and at 221 μmol P for shoot N. Whereas shoot mass was 1.7 times lower at 20 than at 160 μmol P, nodule mass was 7.5 times lower. Concentration of P in nodules increased from 40 to 320 μmol P but remained stable between 20 and 40 μmol P, suggesting a minimal threshold concentration of 3 mg P g^?1 for nodule growth. Activities of phosphatases and phytases in nodules decreased strongly as P supply was raised from 20 to 80 μmol P, remaining almost stable at higher P levels. Phosphatase activity ranged from 1,154 to 406 nmol min^?1 g^?1 (nodule fresh mass) from 20 to 80 μmol P respectively, while the phytase activity ranged from 55 to 14 nmol min^?1 g^?1 from 20 to 80 μmol P. Bean genotypes differed in shoot and nodule mass at the levels of 80 and 160 μmol P, whilst they differed in nodule enzyme activities only at the lowest P level, the relationship between nodule enzyme activities and growth of different bean genotypes was not evident. It is concluded that bean plants at P-deficient conditions increase the activities of phosphatases and phytases in nodules. This may constitute an adaptive mechanism for N₂-fixing legumes to tolerate P deficiency, by increasing the utilisation of the scarce P within the nodules.     

玉米氮素吸收的基因型差异及其与根系形态的相关性

采用溶液培养的方法,选用在田间、土培试验中对氮反应有典型差异的玉米自交系：478、H21、Wu312、Zong31、Baici,在4个供N水平（0.04、0.4、2.4mmol/L）下,研究了玉米苗期氮素吸收、分配的基因差异以及与根系形态之间的相关关系,结果表明：在一定的NO3^-浓度范围内（0.04-2mmol/L）,根系生物量随N水平的提高而增加,而高N不同程度地降低了5个自交系根系干重。低N下（0.04mmol/L）,与其它自交系相比,N高效基因型478具有较大的根系生物量,其根系干重分别为H21、Wu312、Zong31、Baici的1.1、1.74、1.6、1.18倍,并往根系分配了较大比例的N素,根系N累积占总N量的百分率比Wu312、Zong31分别高18.34％、17.08％,而N低效基因型Wu312、Zong31则往地上部分配了较大比例的氮素。随N水平的增加,显著促进了地上部的生长,并在地上部分配了较大比例的N素。当N水平增至4mmol/L时,地上部N素分配的基因型差异减小。低N下,5个自交系根系干重、总根长、根轴总长与总吸N量显著线性相关,而高N下不表现相关关系,说明在N素胁迫的条件下,根系形态对N吸收效率起重要作用。     

Evaluation of physiological traits for improving drought tolerance in faba bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicia faba</Emphasis> L.)

Among grain legumes, faba bean is becoming increasingly popular in European agriculture due to recent economic and environmental interests. Faba bean can be a highly productive crop, but it is sensitive to drought stress and yields can vary considerably from season to season. Understanding the physiological basis of drought tolerance would indicate traits that can be used as indirect selection criteria for the development of cultivars adapted to drought conditions. To assess genotypic variation in physiological traits associated with drought tolerance in faba bean and to determine relationships among these attributes, two pot experiments were established in a growth chamber using genetic materials that had previously been screened for drought response in the field. Nine inbred lines of diverse genetic backgrounds were tested under adequate water supply and limited water conditions. The genotypes showed substantial variation in shoot dry matter, water use, stomatal conductance, leaf temperature, transpiration efficiency, carbon isotope discrimination (Δ¹³C), relative water content (RWC) and osmotic potential, determined at pre-flowering vegetative stage. Moisture deficits decreased water usage and consequently shoot dry matter production. RWC, osmotic potential, stomatal conductance and Δ¹³C were lower, whereas leaf temperature and transpiration efficiency were higher in stressed plants, probably due to restricted transpirational cooling induced by stomatal closure. Furthermore, differences in stomatal conductance, leaf temperature, Δ¹³C and transpiration efficiency characterized genotypes that were physiologically more adapted to water deficit conditions. Correlation analysis also showed relatively strong relationships among these variables under well watered conditions. The drought tolerant genotypes, ILB-938/2 and Melodie showed lower stomatal conductance associated with warmer leaves, whereas higher stomatal conductance and cooler leaves were observed in sensitive lines (332/2/91/015/1 and Aurora/1). The lower value of Δ¹³C coupled with higher transpiration efficiency in ILB-938/2, relative to sensitive lines (Aurora/1 and Condor/3), is indeed a desirable characteristic for water-limited environments. Finally, the results showed that stomatal conductance, leaf temperature and Δ¹³C are promising physiological indicators for drought tolerance in faba bean. These variables could be measured in pot-grown plants at adequate water supply and may serve as indirect selection criteria to pre-screen genotypes.     

Grain zinc, iron and protein concentrations and zinc-efficiency in wild emmer wheat under contrasting irrigation regimes

Micronutrient malnutrition, and particularly deficiency in zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe), afflicts over three billion people worldwide, and nearly half of the world’s cereal-growing area is affected by soil Zn deficiency. Wild emmer wheat [Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccoides (Körn.) Thell.], the progenitor of domesticated durum wheat and bread wheat, offers a valuable source of economically important genetic diversity including grain mineral concentrations. Twenty two wild emmer wheat accessions, representing a wide range of drought resistance capacity, as well as two durum wheat cultivars were examined under two contrasting irrigation regimes (well-watered control and water-limited), for grain yield, total biomass production and grain Zn, Fe and protein concentrations. The wild emmer accessions exhibited high genetic diversity for yield and grain Zn, Fe and protein concentrations under both irrigation regimes, with a considerable potential for improvement of the cultivated wheat. Grain Zn, Fe and protein concentrations were positively correlated with one another. Although irrigation regime significantly affected ranking of genotypes, a few wild emmer accessions were identified for their advantage over durum wheat, having consistently higher grain Zn (e.g., 125 mg kg^?1), Fe (85 mg kg^?1) and protein (250 g kg^?1) concentrations and high yield capacity. Plants grown from seeds originated from both irrigation regimes were also examined for Zn efficiency (Zn deficiency tolerance) on a Zn-deficient calcareous soil. Zinc efficiency, expressed as the ratio of shoot dry matter production under Zn deficiency to Zn fertilization, showed large genetic variation among the genotypes tested. The source of seeds from maternal plants grown under both irrigation regimes had very little effect on Zn efficiency. Several wild emmer accessions revealed combination of high Zn efficiency and drought stress resistance. The results indicate high genetic potential of wild emmer wheat to improve grain Zn, Fe and protein concentrations, Zn deficiency tolerance and drought resistance in cultivated wheat.     

Mitochondrial restriction fragment length polymorphisms in wild Phaseolus vulgaris L.: insights on the domestication of the common bean

Summary Previous examination of intraspecific mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diversity in common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris, showed that five restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) distinguish the mitochondrial genomes of the two major gene pools of cultivated beans, the Mesoamerican and the Andean. In the study presented here, mtDNA was used to compare the amount of diversity in cultivated beans to that in collections of wild beans to gain an understanding of how and when the mitochondrial genomes of the gene pools became distinct. The mtDNA of six wild bean accessions from Central and South America were digested with nine restriction endonucleases and analyzed by Southern hybridization. A total of twenty RFLPs were detected demonstrating a significantly higher amount of mtDNA variability in wild beans than in cultivated ones. All of the wild beans had the same mtDNA pattern for four out of the five inter-gene pool RFLPs, indicating that the polymorphism arose soon after domestication: two in the gene pool of the cultivated Mesoamerican beans and two in the gene pool of the cultivated Andean beans. The fifth RFLP must have occurred before domestication since the locus was also polymorphic in the wild beans. Wild beans from the south Andes were distinct and less variable than wild accessions of the north Andes and Mesoamerica. The distribution of mtDNA RFLPs among the wild beans supports the concept of two distinct domestication events for P. vulgaris.