Stay-green alleles individually enhance grain yield in sorghum under drought by modifying canopy development and water uptake patterns

* Stay-green is an integrated drought adaptation trait characterized by a distinct green leaf phenotype during grain filling under terminal drought. We used sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), a repository of drought adaptation mechanisms, to elucidate the physiological and genetic mechanisms underpinning stay-green. * Near-isogenic sorghum lines (cv RTx7000) were characterized in a series of field and managed-environment trials (seven experiments and 14 environments) to determine the influence of four individual stay-green (Stg1–4) quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on canopy development, water use and grain yield under post-anthesis drought. * The Stg QTL decreased tillering and the size of upper leaves, which reduced canopy size at anthesis. This reduction in transpirational leaf area conserved soil water before anthesis for use during grain filling. Increased water uptake during grain filling of Stg near-isogenic lines (NILs) relative to RTx7000 resulted in higher post-anthesis biomass production, grain number and yield. Importantly, there was no consistent yield penalty associated with the Stg QTL in the irrigated control. * These results establish a link between the role of the Stg QTL in modifying canopy development and the subsequent impact on crop water use patterns and grain yield under terminal drought.

Grain yield components of pearl millet under optimum conditions can be used to identify germplasm with adaptation to and zones

There is evidence that high-tillering, small-panicled pearl millet landraces are better adapted to the severe, unpredictable drought stress of the and zones of NW India than are low-tillering, large-panicled modern varieties, which significantly outyield the landraces under favourable conditions. In this paper, we analyse the relationship of and zone adaptation with the expression, under optimum conditions, of yield components that determine either the potential sink size or the ability to realise this potential. The objective is to test whether selection under optimal conditions for yield components can identify germplasm with adaptation to and zones in NW India, as this could potentially improve the efficiency of pearl millet improvement programs targeting and zones. We use data from an evaluation of over 100 landraces from NW India, conducted for two seasons under both severely drought-stressed and favourable conditions in northwest and south India. Trial average grain yields ranged from 14 g m(-2) to 182 g m(-2). The landraces were grouped into clusters, based on their phenology and yield components as measured under well-watered conditions in south India. In environments without pre-flowering drought stress, tillering type had no effect on potential sink size, but low-tillering, large-panicled landraces yielded significantly more grain, as they were better able to realise their potential sink size. By contrast, in two low-yielding and zone environments which experienced pre-anthesis drought stress, low-fillering, large-panicled landraces yielded significantly less grain than high-tillering ones with comparable phenology, because of both a reduced potential sink size and a reduced ability to realise this potential. The results indicate that the high grain yield of low-tillering, large-panicled landraces under favourable conditions is due to improved partitioning, rather than resource capture. However, under severe stress with restricted assimilate supply, high-tillering, small-panicled landraces are better able to produce a reproductive sink than are large-panicled ones. Selection under optimum conditions for yield components representing a resource allocation pattern favouring high yield under severe drought stress, combined with a capability to increase grain yield if assimilates are available, was more effective than direct selection for grain yield in identifying germplasm adapted to and zones. Incorporating such selection in early generations of variety testing could reduce the reliance on random stress environments. This should improve the efficiency of millet breeding programs targeting and zones. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

More fertile florets and grains per spike can be achieved at higher temperature in wheat lines with high spike biomass and sugar content at booting

An understanding of processes regulating wheat floret and grain number at higher temperatures is required to better exploit genetic variation. In this study we tested the hypothesis that at higher temperatures, a reduction in floret fertility is associated with a decrease in soluble sugars and this response is exacerbated in genotypes low in water soluble carbohydrates (WSC). Four recombinant inbred lines contrasting for stem WSC were grown at 20/10 degrees C and 11 h photoperiod until terminal spikelet, and then continued in a factorial combination of 20/10 degrees C or 28/14 degrees C with 11 h or 16 h photoperiod until anthesis. Across environments, High WSC lines had more grains per spike associated with more florets per spike. The number of fertile florets was associated with spike biomass at booting and, by extension, with glucose amount, both higher in High WSC lines. At booting, High WSC lines had higher fixed C-13 and higher levels of expression of genes involved in photosynthesis and sucrose transport and lower in sucrose degradation compared with Low WSC lines. At higher temperature, the intrinsic rate of floret development rate before booting was slower in High WSC lines. Grain set declined with the intrinsic rate of floret development before booting, with an advantage for High WSC lines at 28/14 degrees C and 16 h. Genotypic and environmental action on floret fertility and grain set was summarised in a model.

The shifting influence of drought and heat stress for crops in Northeast Australia

Characterization of drought environment types (ETs) has proven useful for breeding crops for drought-prone regions. Here we consider how changes in climate and atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations will affect drought ET frequencies in sorghum and wheat systems of Northeast Australia. We also modify APSIM (the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator) to incorporate extreme heat effects on grain number and weight, and then evaluate changes in the occurrence of heat-induced yield losses of more than 10, as well as the co-occurrence of drought and heat. More than six million simulations spanning representative locations, soil types, management systems, and 33 climate projections led to three key findings. First, the projected frequency of drought decreased slightly for most climate projections for both sorghum and wheat, but for different reasons. In sorghum, warming exacerbated drought stresses by raising the atmospheric vapor pressure deficit and reducing transpiration efficiency (TE), but an increase in TE due to elevated CO2 more than offset these effects. In wheat, warming reduced drought stress during spring by hastening development through winter and reducing exposure to terminal drought. Elevated CO2 increased TE but also raised radiation use efficiency and overall growth rates and water use, thereby offsetting much of the drought reduction from warming. Second, adding explicit effects of heat on grain number and grain size often switched projected yield impacts from positive to negative. Finally, although average yield losses associated with drought will remain generally higher than for heat stress for the next half century, the relative importance of heat is steadily growing. This trend, as well as the likely high degree of genetic variability in heat tolerance, suggests that more emphasis on heat tolerance is warranted in breeding programs. At the same time, work on drought tolerance should continue with an emphasis on drought that co-occurs with extreme heat. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The shifting influence of drought and heat stress for crops in Northeast Australia

Characterization of drought environment types (ETs) has proven useful for breeding crops for drought-prone regions. Here we consider how changes in climate and atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations will affect drought ET frequencies in sorghum and wheat systems of Northeast Australia. We also modify APSIM (the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator) to incorporate extreme heat effects on grain number and weight, and then evaluate changes in the occurrence of heat-induced yield losses of more than 10%, as well as the co-occurrence of drought and heat. More than six million simulations spanning representative locations, soil types, management systems, and 33 climate projections led to three key findings. First, the projected frequency of drought decreased slightly for most climate projections for both sorghum and wheat, but for different reasons. In sorghum, warming exacerbated drought stresses by raising the atmospheric vapor pressure deficit and reducing transpiration efficiency (TE), but an increase in TE due to elevated CO2 more than offset these effects. In wheat, warming reduced drought stress during spring by hastening development through winter and reducing exposure to terminal drought. Elevated CO2 increased TE but also raised radiation use efficiency and overall growth rates and water use, thereby offsetting much of the drought reduction from warming. Second, adding explicit effects of heat on grain number and grain size often switched projected yield impacts from positive to negative. Finally, although average yield losses associated with drought will remain generally higher than for heat stress for the next half century, the relative importance of heat is steadily growing. This trend, as well as the likely high degree of genetic variability in heat tolerance, suggests that more emphasis on heat tolerance is warranted in breeding programs. At the same time, work on drought tolerance should continue with an emphasis on drought that co-occurs with extreme heat. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Maize yield determination in the Northern Region: Hybrid by environment by management interactions

In Maize, as with most cereals, grain yield is mostly determined by the total grain number per unit area, which is highly related to the rate of crop growth during the critical period around silking. Management practices such as plant density or nitrogen fertilization can affect the growth of the crop during this period, and consequently the final grain yield. Across the Northern Region maize is grown under a large range of plant populations under high year-to-year rainfall variability. Clear guidelines on how to match hybrids and management across environments and expected seasonal condition, would allow growers to increase yields and profits while managing risks. The objective of this research was to screen the response of commercial maize hybrids differing in maturity and prolificity (i.e. multi or single cobbing) types for their efficiency in the allocation of biomass into grain.

同源四倍体与二倍体水稻的遗传差异及产量、品质性状研究

本文以中国科学院成都生物研究所培育的同源四倍体水稻和二倍体水稻为材料，进行遗传差异及产量、品质性状的研究：1、以二倍体水稻为对照，研究了同源四倍体水稻在2004 年和2005 年的结实情况。结果同源四倍体的花粉育性、结实率均不同程度下降，尤其低代材料更是大幅度下降。F 检验表明，同源四倍体不同个体间的各产量性状均差异显著，说明其具有很大的遗传改良潜力。从1996 年到2005 年对部分同源四倍体水稻进行了连续选择改良，T 检验表明经过9 年的选择改良，其结实率显著提高。本文还对同源四倍体水稻各产量性状间的相关性进行了分析,结果结实率与花粉育性、穗着粒数、穗实粒数极显著相关；理论产量与花粉育性、有效穗数、穗着粒数、穗实粒数、结实率及千粒重极显著相关。i2、用(CT)n 微卫星标记和PCR-Acc Ι分子标记对40 份同源四倍体和14 份二倍体水稻Wx 基因进行研究。结果，(CT)n 微卫星标记检测，Wx 基因呈Wx1、Wx2 和Wx3 3 种多态性；PCR-Acc Ι 检测，Wx 基因表现为G-型和T-型。测定稻米直链淀粉含量(AC)、胶稠度(GC)和糊化温度(GT)，并探讨其与Wx 基因的关系，结果，二倍体和同源四倍体水稻均存在：Wx 基因型相同，AC 差异较小，Wx 基因型不同时，AC 差异较大，Wx1 基因型品种AC 最高， Wx2 基因型品种AC 次之，Wx3 基因型品种AC 最低；基因型相同时，同源四倍体AC 低于二倍体；同源四倍体与对应二倍体间，Wx 基因型相同时，AC 差异很小；而Wx 基因型发生变异时，AC 差异很大。同时，进行相关性分析，结果二倍体和四倍体水稻均存在AC、GC 与Wx 基因密切相关；而GT 与Wx 基因相关不显著。综合分析，(CT)n微卫星标记与PCR-Acc Ι 分子标记检测的相关系数为0.842，呈极显著正相关，可以将其结合起来进行同源四倍体新品种的选育和改良。3、利用RAPD 技术，对同源四倍体和二倍体水稻的遗传差异进行分析。17条引物在同源四倍体中扩增出178 条带（PPB＝81.5%），在二倍体中扩增出173条带（PPB＝76.3%）；同源四倍体和二倍体的Shannon 遗传多样性指数分别为0.4848 和0.4679，多态信息量分别为0.3301 和0.3216，遗传距离分别为0.3572和0.3460；同源四倍体与其对应二倍体间遗传距离为0.1914-0.4633，平均为0.2914。表明同源四倍体的遗传多样性高于二倍体，且同源四倍体与其二倍体之间存在较大的遗传差异，这些将为水稻品种改良和新品种选育提供科学依据。上述产量、品质性状及遗传差异分析的结果，不仅有利于加快同源四倍体水稻的遗传改良进程，而且为进一步研究、利用同源四倍体水稻奠定了初步基础。 AbstractStudy on genetic diversity, yield characters and quality traitsof autotetraploid and diploid riceLiu Yuhua (Botany)Directed by Associate Prof. Tu ShengbinIn this study, diploid and autotetraploid rice, which were cultivated in ChengduInstitute of Biology were analyzed in genetic diversity, yield characters and qualitytraits.In the study, 2 diploid and 29 autotetraploid rice(2n=4x=48) materials, including4 preliminary and 25 advanced generation, were investigated for yield characters.Compared with diploid check, the pollen fertility and seed set of autotetraploiddeclined dramatically, especially in preliminary generation. F-test indicated that therewere remarkable differences among different varieties, showing that autotetraploidmaterials had strong potential for improvement. From 1996 to 2005, someautotetraploid rice had been selected and improved. T-test showed that seed setincreased obviously. The relationships among yield characters of autotetraploid ricewere analyzed. Seed set was strongly correlated with pollen fertility, total grainnumber per panicle and productive grain number per panicle; theoretical yield wasstrongly correlated with pollen fertility, productive panicle number per plant, totalgrain number per panicle, productive grain number, seed set and 1000-grain weight.Wx genotypes of 40 autotetraploid rice and 14 diploid rice were tested by usingthe (CT)n microsatellite marker and a cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence(CAPS) molecular marker named PCR-Acc Ι. Three microsatellite alleles wereproduced, i.e. Wx1, Wx2 and Wx3 both in autotetraploid and in diploid rice.Comparatively, PCR- Acc Ι molecular marker produced two genotypes, G-type andT-type for both autotetraploid and diploid rice. In this study, amylose content (AC), gel of consistency (GC) and gelatinization temperature (GT) of rice grain weremeasured and their relationships with Wx alleles were analyzed. The results showedthat variation of AC between autotetraploid and diploid rice was small when they hadthe same Wx genotype. However, variation of AC turned to be large when the Wxgenotypes were different. Actually, AC met the maximum value in Wx1 varieties andWx2 varieties the middle and Wx3 varieties the minimum. And AC was lower inautotetraploid than in diploid. Correlation analysis was done in this experiment. ACand GC of rice grain were probably controlled by Wx gene or other gene whoselocation was strictly linked to Wx gene, while GT of rice was not. The correlationcoefficient between Wx genotypes which revealed by (CT)n microsatellite marker andPCR-Acc Ι molecular marker was 0.842 with significant level. That revealed aconsistent result between the two types of markers. So it was possible to utilize boththe two types of markers to select and promote germplasm of autotetraploid rice.RAPD molecular markers were used to analyze the genetic diversity betweendiploid and autotetraploid rice. 178 repeatable bands were detected through 17 RAPDprimers with percentage of polymorphic bands was 81.5% in autotetraploid rice while173 repeatable bands were detected with percentage of polymorphic bands was 76.3%in diploid rice. According to the measurement of Shannon index, polymorphicinformation content and genetic distance, genetic diversity of autotetraploid was on ahigher level, genetic variation between autotetraploid and diploid rice was relativelyhigh. All these contributed to the genetic selection and improvement in rice breeding.As mentioned above, the results are not only helpful to promote the process ofrice improvement, but also to confirm the basic for further study of autotetraploid rice.

Desempenho agronômico de dez linhagens de soja-hortaliça

Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho de dez linhagens de soja-hortaliça, em campo. O delineamento experimental adotado foi blocos ao acaso, com dez tratamentos (linhagens) e cinco repetições. Cada parcela experimental foi constituída por quatro linhas de plantio, com cinco metros de comprimento. Utilizou-se irrigação por aspersão. As linhagens avaliadas foram: JLM003; JLM004; JLM010; JLM018; JLM019; JLM024; JLM030; BR36; BR155 e BRS216. Avaliaram-se a precocidade média, altura de inserção da primeira vagem, número de vagens chochas, número de vagens com um grão, número de vagens com dois grãos, número de vagens com três grãos, massa fresca de vagens com um, dois e três grãos, massa fresca de 100 sementes, provenientes de vagens com um, dois e três grãos, massa de vagens não comerciais e produção de vagens comerciais por planta. Com base nos resultados obtidos, a linhagem JLM010 foi a mais indicada para a produção de soja-hortaliça por apresentar produção de grãos imaturos de 12,53 t ha-1 e maior massa fresca de 100 sementes.

Fertilização nitrogenada, densidade de plantas e rendimento de milho cultivado no sistema plantio direto

In maize (Zea mays L.), the inadequate nitrogen supply and planting density are considered limiting factors to the grain yield. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different nitrogen levels and plant densities to the maize yield components and productivity. The experiment was carried out in the Cerrado region, located in the southern of the Maranhao State, Brazil, in a clay Oxisol (Ustox), cropped under the no-tillage system for six years. The randomized completed blocks experimental design with four replications was used, with treatments arrangement in a 5 x 4 factorial. The treatments were a combination of five doses of nitrogen as urea (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha(-1)) and four plant densities (25,000; 50,000; 75,000 and 100,000 plants he). The grain number and mass per spike and grain mass per plant were improved by increased N and decreased plant density. Higher incomes of grains were obtained with adding concomitantly in N doses and in plants density. The maximum grain yield (11,9 Mg ha(-1)) was obtained with 120 kg ha(-1) of N and 83,000 plants ha(-1).

Densidades populacionais de milho em arranjos espaciais convencional e equidistante entre plantas

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Épocas de início da inundação do solo e altura da lâmina de água em arroz irrigado

Este trabalho, desenvolvido na Fazenda Experimental Edgárdia da Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas da UNESP, Botucatu, no ano agrícola de 1990/91, objetivou avaliar os efeitos de épocas de início da inundação do solo e da altura da lâmina de água sobre o desenvolvimento de plantas de arroz (Oryza sativa L.), cultivar IAC 242. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso; as parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições, corresponderam a três épocas de início da irrigação (15, 42 e 74 dias após a emergência das plantas) e as subparcelas, a três alturas de lâminas de água (5, 10 e 15 cm). Verificou-se que a produtividade de grãos não foi afetada pela altura da lâmina de água e que a utilização da lâmina de 15 em reduziu o perfilhamento, com conseqüente diminuição do número de colmos e de panículas por metro quadrado. O início da irrigação aos 74 dias reduziu a produtividade de grãos, em decorrência do menor número de espiguetas granadas por panícula. A época de início da irrigação mostrou-se mais importante para a produtividade de grãos do que a altura da lâmina de água para o cultivar.

Efeitos de níveis de cobertura do solo sobre a produtividade e crescimento do feijoeiro irrigado, em sistema de plantio direto

The objective of this research was to study the effects of five different treatments of grass (Brachiaria decumbens) straw mulch on common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.): 0% (0 t.ha-1), 25% (2,25 t.ha-1), 50% (4,5 t.ha-1), 75% (6,75 t. ha-1) and 100% (9,0 t/ha) designed by randomized blocks, with four replicates. The irrigation was applied when minimum soil water potential were reached about - 30kPa. The water management based on tensiometers and soil water characteristic curve. A microsprinkler irrigation system was used. The experiment was set up at the Experimental Station of Embrapa Rice and Bean (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária Arroz e Feijão) at Santo Antonio de Goiás, Brazil, in a Dark - Red Latosol soil. The results showed: the bean yield and his components were not affected by treatments, except grain number/pod,. The mulch increased the water use efficiency and, consequently, decreased the number of irrigations when the mulch reached more than 50% straw mulch. The treatment with 100% of mulching presented the largest leaf area index and dry matter accumulation was not affected by mulching.

Densidades e arranjos populacionais de milho e componentes agronômicos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Influência da fonte e do dreno de fotoassimilados no metabolismo glicídico de plantas de milho

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

População de plantas e uso de piraclostrobina na cultura do milho: alterações agronômicas e fisiológicas

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)