Genotypic stability analysis of yield and related agronomic characters in wheat-Agropyron derivatives under varying watering regimes

Summary Genotypic stability of grain yield and yield related traits was estimated for the 8 wheat-Agropyron derivatives, 441, 442, Vostock, PPG 56, PPG 56SS, 449, 450 and 441SS, together with two spring wheat controls, Drabant and Sv 01382, grown under varying watering regimes for two years. Differences among environments, genotypes and their interactions were highly significant for all traits. The genotypes X environments linear response were significant for number of spikelets per main spike, grain number per main spike and single grain weight. No significant linear responses were detected for grain yield or the rest of yield related traits. Deviations from linear responses were highly significant for all traits under study. Grain yield stability was not associated with the stability of yield components. PPG 56SS was identified as the stable variety with the highest mean grain yield per plant under the severe stress environment. Mean grain yields in the severe stress environment were correlated with the genotypic stability parameter . The severe stress environment was recognized as the optimum test environment. The study revealed a shift in the association between grain yield per plant and its components under the varying environments.     

Occurrence of reducing terminal N-acetylglucosamine 3-sulfate and fucosylated outer chains in acidic N-glycans of porcine zona pellucida glycoproteins

Structures of acidic N-glycans released from porcine zona pellucida glycoproteins by hydrazinolysis were studied. The results indicated that the acidic glycans are of mono- to tetraantennary complex-type with and without N-acetyllactosamine repeating units. Sulfated residues are not only located at the C-6 position of GlcNAc included in the N-acetyllactosamine repeating units, but also at the C-6 position of GlcNAc in the non-repeated antennae and at the C-3 position of reducing terminal GlcNAc residue. Analysis of the oligosaccharide fragments released by endo--galactosidase digestion and by hydrazine/nitrous acid treatment also revealed that various sulfated and non-sulfated forms of fucosylated structures such as Fuc12Gal14(±SO–36)GlcNAc (type 2H), Gal14(Fuc13)(±SO–36)GlcNAc(Lex) and Fuc13 or 4(±SO–36)GlcNAc, are expressed in the repeated outer chain moieties.     

Inheritance of heading date,plant height,ear length and spikelets per spike in an intervarietal cross of wheat

Summary A study to obtain information on early segregating generations of an intervarietal cross WG 357 X Tobari 66 in spring wheat on the genetics of days to heading, plant height, ear length and spikelets per spike was conducted. WG 357 has amber, hard and lustrous grains and is a well adapted high yielding variety of North India whereas Tobari 66 is red grained introduction from CIMMYT.The parental F₁, F₂, B₁, B₂, biparentals, F₃ (parents of biparentals), F₃ bulk and F₄ bulk generations were studied in order to provide analysis of generations means (Mather 1949; Hayman 1958) and variance component analysis (Kearsay 1965; Perkins and Jinks 1970).There were highly significant differences among the generations for all the characters studied. There were significant differences among the F₃ lines as well as among the biparental progenies. Only in case of ear length was the contrast between the two also significant. The mean value of most of the generations arising from the cross fell between the parental range.The three-parameter model failed to account for the variation in generation means in the case of days to heading. This character was concluded to be influenced by linkage and higher order interactions. For the other characters the three parameter model was adequate. For all characters, additive gene effects were most important as compared to dominance gene effects.The analysis of gene action as provided by the generation variance indicated that additive variance was much more pronounced as compared to dominance variance. The heritability was high for days to heading (71 per cent for narrow sense and 80 per cent in broad sense) and plant height (62 and 93 per cent in narrow and broad sense respectively.The implications of the results in breeding programmes have been discussed.     

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

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

Genetic and environmental considerations for evaluating crown position of wheat

Summary Crown position affects winter survival of fallsown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Direct or indirect selection for crown depth has been little practiced. Reports have suggested that short subcrown internode length was closely related to semidwarf plant height and that semidwarfism was related to poor emergence. This study determined the relationships among crown depth, plant height, and emergence rate index in three wheat populations. The efficiency of evaluating crown placement in the field was examined and additional information was obtained on its genetic control. The F₂-derived F₄ and F₅ lines from the crosses of female parents Daws, Nugaines, and Stephens with male parent Selection 7952 were planted at Central Ferry and Pullman, Washington, respectively. Correlations from each population indicated that crown depth and subcrown internode length were not closely associated with plant height and emergence rate index. Crown depth was a more reliable indicator of crown placement than subcrown internode length. Adjustment of the data for seed depth differences was essential for evaluating subcrown internode length but less important for evaluating crown depth. After adjustment for seed depth, narrow-sense h ² values for subcrown internode length and crown depth were 0.25–0.41. Crown depth and subcrown internode length were inherited as quantitative traits in phenotypes that expressed variable dominance. Modest gains due to selection for crown depth were achieved.Contribution from USDA-ARS and College of Agriculture and Home Economics Research Center, Washington State University, Scientific Paper No. 7795     

Genotypic control of pollen plant formation in Nicotiana tabacum L.

Summary Tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L.) of four varieties (Badischer Burley, White Burley, Techne, Kupchunos) were raised at different temperatures and daylengths and the effect of genotype on embryogenic pollen grain formation in situ and on pollen plant formation in anther and pollen cultures from these plants was studied. Genotype controlled embryogenic pollen grain and pollen plant formation by defining productivity under standard growth conditions (long days at 24 °C). Kupchunos was the most productive variety, followed by White Burley, Techne, and Badischer Burley. Furthermore, genotype defined which environmental factor was able to affect embryogenic pollen grain and pollen plant formation and also to which degree. In anther cultures, in addition to these effects, genotype controlled the formation of (an) inhibitory substance(s) in the anther wall in interaction with the plant growth conditions. In Badischer Burley and Techne, inhibitor action could be prevented by isolation of the pollen after one week of anther culture. Finally, direct pollen cultures in Badischer Burley and Techne produced embryos were only when the pollen was isolated from nearly mature anthers, while in White Burley and Kupchunos, embryos also produced at earlier stages and at higher yields. This indicated that genotype controls the time when the embryogenic pollen grains become ready to divide. The results are discussed in relation to strategies to overcome recalcitrance of species and genotypes.     

Production of a novel syrup containing neofructo-oligosaccharides by the cells of Penicillium citrinum

A novel syrup containing neofructo-oligosaccharides was produced from sucrose (Brix 70) by whole cells of Penicillium citrinum. The efficiency of fructo-oligosaccharides production was more than 55% and those of the main carbohydrate components, 1-kestose (Fruf 21Fruf 21 Glc), nystose (Fruf 21Fruf 21 Fruf 21 Glc) and neokestose (Fruf 26 Glc12 Fruf), were 22, 14 and 11%, respectively.     

Analysis of the effect of rye chromosomes 4R, 6R and telomeric heterochromatin on 7R on homologous chromosome pairing in pentaploid hybrids (AABBR,AABBD)

Summary Meiotic pairing in Triticum turgidum cv. Ma (4x) with a mean chiasmata frequency of 27.16 per cell was compared with chiasmata frequencies in its hybrids with several triticale strains, Chinese Spring wheat and its addition lines for Imperial rye chromosomes 4R and 6R. In hybrids between Ma and x Triticosecale cv. Rosner the chiasmata frequency was marginally reduced by an average of 1.25%, by 8.8% in hybrids with x Triticosecale cv. DRIRA HH and by 6.7% with DRIRA EE (lacking 90% telomeric heterochromatin from chromosome arm 7RL). In pentaploid hybrids between Ma and T. aestivum cv. Chinese Spring the reduction was an average of 10.30%, while addition lines with rye chromosome 6R reduced chiasmata frequencies by an average of 7.4% and rye addition line for 4R showed the greatest depression in chiasmata frequency in hybrids by a 25.04% reduction. An interchange difference involving long chromosome segments was observed between Ma and Rosner.Contribution No. 819 Ottawa Research Station     

On morphological variation in Keratella cochlearis populations from Holstein lakes (Northern Germany)

Keratella cochlearis occurs in many Holstein lakes (northern Germany) as three well defined and separated forms: cochlearis, hispida, and tecta, each showing very little variation between the lakes. The present data show that the tecta form did not originate from a Lauterborn cycle.     

α-and β-Glycosidases in maize roots

Four glycosidases were analyzed in 10 mm apical segments prepared from growing roots (15 mm) of Zea mays L. The pH optima were found to be 5.8 for -glucosidase, 4.4 for -galactosidase, 6.4 for -glucosidase and 6.0 for -galactosidase. The -glucosidase showed 4-fold higher activity than the -galactosidase. The distribution of the -glucosidase activity was signifcantly different from that of the -galactosidase, -glucosidase and -galactosidase.Abbreviations -Glu -glucosidase - -Gal -galactosidase - -Glu -glucosidase - -Gal -galactosidase     

Magnetic orientation and magnetoreception in birds and other animals

Animals use the geomagnetic field in many ways: the magnetic vector provides a compass; magnetic intensity and/or inclination play a role as a component of the navigational map, and magnetic conditions of certain regions act as sign posts or triggers, eliciting specific responses. A magnetic compass is widespread among animals, magnetic navigation is indicated e.g. in birds, marine turtles and spiny lobsters and the use of magnetic sign posts has been described for birds and marine turtles. For magnetoreception, two hypotheses are currently discussed, one proposing a chemical compass based on a radical pair mechanism, the other postulating processes involving magnetite particles. The available evidence suggests that birds use both mechanisms, with the radical pair mechanism in the right eye providing directional information and a magnetite-based mechanism in the upper beak providing information on position as component of the map. Behavioral data from other animals indicate a light-dependent compass probably based on a radical pair mechanism in amphibians and a possibly magnetite-based mechanism in mammals. Histological and electrophysiological data suggest a magnetite-based mechanism in the nasal cavities of salmonid fish. Little is known about the parts of the brain where the respective information is processed.     

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

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

Quantitative inheritance and barriers to crossability in Cicer arietinum L.

Summary Three different diallel crosses were studied in Cicer arietinum; two of size 6×6, one within each of the two botanical groups macrosperma and microsperma of the cultivated subspecies, and one of 9×9 involving lines covering most of the morphological variation of chickpea. Barriers to crossability present neither a botanical nor a geographical pattern, being probably a direct consequence of interactions between genotypes. The genetic systems of twelve quantitative characters were analysed. Full dominance in a negative sense (small values dominant) is shown by leaflet length, width and shape index, rachis length, leaflet density on the rachis and pod length. Full dominance in a positive sense is shown by seeds per pod. Overdominance (in a positive sense) is evident for pods, seeds and yield per plant. Weak reciprocal differences were manifested by pod length, and pods, seeds and yield per plant. The system controlling number of leaflets per leaf is not clear. Dominance of primitive over selected characters seems to be the rule. As far as the environmental effects have permitted the analysis, no differences in genetic systems were observed between botanical groups.     

In Vitro Modification of Sex Expression in Mulberry (Morus Alba) by Ethrel and Silver Nitrate

This paper compared the behavior of a diverse set of wheat genotypes in their tissue culture response. Significant differences were detected in plant regeneration, culture efficiency, and regeneration capacity when mature embryos of 47 wheat cultivars, breeding lines, and the common wheat progenitors, Triticum monococcum, T.tauschii, and Aegilops speltoides were compared. Although not currently used in wheat tissue culture, mature embryo-derived callus of cv. Zak (SWS), Scarlet (HRS), Tara (SWS), Jagger (HRW), UC 1036 (HRS), and Kyle durum showed better or comparable plant regeneration than commonly cultured cultivars Fielder and Bobwhite. Of the three diploid wheat progenitors tested, Ae. speltoides regenerated the most plants. In one replicated experiment, callus induction was correlated with culture efficiency (r = 0.42; p = 0.002) and regeneration capacity (r = 0.39; p = 0.002), and in a second larger screen, callus induction correlated with the total number of plants regenerated (r = 0.6; p = 0.001. Immature and mature embryos of Bobwhite and Crocus were compared for callus induction and plant regeneration. Immature embryos were superior explants in terms of plant regeneration. However, sufficient numbers of plants can be regenerated from mature embryos saving on growth facility resources and time required for the collection of immature embryos.     

Sparse distribution of γ/δ T lymphocytes around human epithelial tumors predominantly infiltrated by primed/memory T cells

Summary Evidence from the mouse system has suggested that T lymphocytes accumulating in non-lymphoid tissue, in particular epithelia, may preferentially express the T cell receptor (TCR) . In this study, we characterize the T cell receptor or phenotype of lymphocytes infiltrating human tumors of epithelial origin using monoclonal antibodies (mAb) for immunohistology and flow cytometry on cells extracted by enzyme digestion. This report shows that the majority of CD3⁺ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are TCR ⁺ but a small percentage of TCR can be clearly defined scattered throughout the tumor tissue with apparently no microanatomical selection. So far there has been little evidence for an accumulation of activated T cells in human tumor tissues as defined by mAb against molecules appearing transiently during the acute phase of activation. Now mAb are available that can identify primed or memory T cells such as mAb UCHL-1 recognizing the CD45RO antigen. Here we show that CD3⁺ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes have a statistically significant accumulation of primed T cells, as compared to the autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes, suggesting their immune stimulation by tumor cells.     

Evaluation of structural and physiological plant characteristics in relation to the distribution of cadmium in maize inbred lines

To establish the structural and physiological characteristics related to the genotypic variation in Cd distribution between maize inbred lines (shoot Cd excluders and non-shoot Cd excluders), shoot and root morphological parameters were studied on plants grown in nutrient solution. Furthermore, the xylem sap composition and the desorbability of Cd from roots of these inbreds have been compared. No relationship between the morphological characteristics of either shoot (specific leaf area and leaf area ratio) or root (specific root length, specific surface area, and average diameter) and Cd distribution could be assessed. Cadmium concentrations in the xylem exudates from non-shoot Cd excluders were higher than those from shoot Cd excluders, but not related to citrate and malate concentrations. The absolute and relative amounts of Cd desorbed from roots of shoot Cd excluders were about twice as high compared to those of the non-shoot Cd excluders, especially at the lowest Cd concentration in solution. The absence of a relationship between shoot or root morphological parameters and Cd partitioning and the differences between both groups in the amounts of Cd desorbed, even at similar root Cd concentrations, indicate that the differential Cd distribution between shoot Cd excluders and non-shoot Cd excluders may be related to the observed differences in root Cd concentration, desorption characteristics and binding capacity of Cd inside and/or outside the root and its distribution within the roots.     

On age morphological changes of males of Chydoridae (Cladocera)

Summary Young and adult males of 11 species of Chydoridae are studied, their figures being published here (fig. 1–15). The necessity is stressed to distinguish young forms of males and gynandromorphic individuals.Pleuroxus balatonicus is considered to be described from the population ofPleuroxus unicatus having under Balaton Lake conditions retarded transformation of young males into adult form, and accordingly having unusually numerous young males. \qO\qs\qn\qo\qv\qn\qy\ye \qr\ye\qz\qu\ql\Qj\qt\qa\qt\qy 11 (. 1–15). . , Pleuroxus uncinatus , Pleuroxus balatonicus.     

Growth ofEucheuma isiforme (C. Agardh) J. Agardh on experimental rafts off the coast of Yucatan State,Mexico

A field experiment was carried out at two sites off Yucatan State, Southeast Mexico, in order to determine the feasibility of culturing the red seaweedEucheuma isiforme; this was done during May–September 1989. At both sites (Uaymitun and Dzilam) the 25 days harvest and 14 algae per line plant density growth rates (2.21% day^–1 and 1.21% day^–1, respectively) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those obtained with other combinations of the two factors tested (50, 75, 100 and 125 days harvest and 9 and 14 algae per line plant density). The mean carrageenan content of the cultured algae was 35.8% and 31.4% at Uaymitun and Dzilam, respectively.     

Biological basis for the management of ‘lugs negra’ (Sarcothalia crispata Gigartinales,Rhodophyta) in southern Chile

The present paper describes growth dynamics in a natural bed of the resource luga negra (Sarcothalia crispata) in Guapilinao, southern Chile (41°57 S, 73°31 W). This resource is currently harvested and exported as raw material for the production of carrageenan. Seasonal variation in biomass, frond size, density and phenology was determined by periodic sampling. Natural recruitment was evaluated on different substrata added to the field; at the same time, substrata were inoculated under greenhouse conditions. Results showed that luga negra has seasonal growth: biomass increased from a minimum in spring to a maximum in mid to late summer. On the other hand, density was minimal in winter (200 ind. m^–2) and increased to 2000 ind. m^–2 in late spring. Peak abundance of mature tetrasporic fronds occurred in late summer, whereas that of cystocarpic fronds occurred in winter. Recruitment began in summer and extended into winter. Survival on different substrata were compared. Gametophytes had better survival rates on clam shells and 5 mm rope while tetrasporophytes had the best survival rate on clam shells and secondarily on boulders.     

Genetic control of heading date and spikelet number in common wheat (T. aestivum L.) line ‘Noa’

Summary The phenology and build-up of spikelet number under 10 h day-length were studied in five wheat lines: the multispikelet line Noa, the regular line Mara, the F₁ hybrid between them and monosomics 2D of Mara and of this hybrid (lacking the 2D chromosome of Mara). Noa had a longer spike development phase, a higher initial number of spikelet primordia and a slower rate of spikelet production than Mara. The F₁ hybrid was similar to Noa in its high initial number of spikelets and to Mara in its high rate of spikelet production. This hybrid had a shorter spikelet phase than both parents. Deletion of one dose of the Mara 2D chromosome from either Mara or the F₁ hybrid caused a reduction in the rate of spikelet production and an increase in the duration of the spikelet phase. These effects were due to the reduced dosage of the 2D chromosome. However, in the F₁ hybrid this deletion also caused an increase in the spike development phase — an indication that Noa carries on its 2D chromosome a recessive gene for late heading date which acts on the spike development phase. This gene of Noa is independent of the day-length sensitive gene ppd, and is different from Noas dominant gene for large initial number of spikelets.