Effect of Meiotic Polyploidisation on Selected Morphological and Anatomical Traits in Interspecific Hybrids of Brassica oleracea × B. napus

In Brassica, interspecific hybridisation plays an important role in the formation of allopolyploid cultivars. In this study, the ploidy of F1 and F2 generations resulting from interspecific hybridisation between B. oleracea inbred lines of head cabbage (B. oleracea L. var. capitata) (2n = 18) and kale (B. oleracea L. var. acephala) (2n = 18) with inbred lines of rapeseed (B. napus L.) (2n = 38) was examined by flow cytometry analysis and chromosome observation. Furthermore, the effect of meiotic polyploidisation on selected phenotypic and anatomical traits was assessed. The F1 hybrids of head cabbage × rapeseed (S3) and kale × rapeseed crosses (S20) were allotriploids with 2n = 28 chromosomes, and nuclear DNA amounts of 1.97 (S3) and 1.99 pg (S20). These values were intermediate between B. oleracea and B. napus. In interspecific hybrids of the F2 generation, which were derived after self-pollination of F1 hybrids (FS3, FS20) or by open crosses between F1 generation hybrids (FC320, FC230), the chromosome numbers were similar 2n = 56 or 2n = 55, whereas the genome sizes varied between 3.81 (FS20) and 3.95 pg 2C (FC230). Allohexaploid F2 hybrids had many superior agronomic traits compared to parental B. napus and B. oleracea lines and triploid F1 hybrids. In the generative stage, they were characterised by larger flowers and flower elements, such as anthers and lateral nectaries. F2 hybrids were male and female fertile. The pollen viability of F2 hybrids was comparable to parental genotypes and varied from 75.38% (FS3) to 88.24% (FC320), whereas in triploids of F1 hybrids only 6.76% (S3) and 13.46% (S20) of pollen grains were fertile. Interspecific hybrids of the F2 generation derived by open crosses between plants of the F1 generation (FC320, FC230) had a better ability to set seed than F2 hybrids generated from the self-pollination of F1 hybrids. In the vegetative stage, F2 plants had bigger and thicker leaves, larger stomata, and significantly thicker layers of palisade and spongy mesophyll than triploids of the F1 generation and parental lines of B. oleracea and B. napus. The allohexaploid F2 hybrids analysed in this study can be used as innovative germplasm resources for further breeding new vegetable Brassica crops at the hexaploid level.

History of development and results of selection of Solanaceae crops in FSBSI FSVC

The article presents a brief history of the establishment of the Laboratory of Plant Breeding and Seed Production of Solanaceae Crops of FSBSI FSVC. The process of development of tomato, pepper, eggplant and physalis breeding is shown from the beginning of the establishment until the present time. Practical selection of Solanaceae crops in FSBSI FSVC is directly connected with the name of Academician VASKhNIL A.V. Alpatyev, who is the founder of scientific research on thermophilic crops. On the basis of conducted scientific researches the technique of creation of cold-resistant, early-ripening cultivars of tomato was developed, including influence of certain conditions on parental forms and hybrid material from its first generations to increase adaptability to new, not characteristic conditions of selected material. Subsequently, this technique was applied to the breeding of sweet pepper, eggplant and physalis. Interspecific hybridisation was used to enrich the gene pool of Solanaceous crops. As a result of distant hybridization, the following cultivars were created: the original tomato cultivar Severyanin with large parthenocarpic fruits on 1 and 2 racemes; an anadrous mutant for use in breeding; ultra-rapid, short-stage forms for obtaining heterosis effect; the cultivar Vkusny with increased content of dry matter in fruits. On the basis of interspecific hybrid of Ph. ixocarpa x Ph. angulata, the cultivars Dessert and Lakomka, characterized by high yield and resistance to diseases, high content of sugars, pectin and absence of bitterness, are created. Types of pepper Capsicum chinense, C. frutescens and C. annuum were used to create resistant forms to viral diseases. Involvement of wild eggplant species (Solanum aethiopicum, S. macrocarpon) to the breeding process allowed to obtain hybrid combinations with flavonoids content 1,3 times higher and phenolcarboxylic acids 1,6–1,7 times higher than in S. melongena.The development of theoretical bases ofSolanaceae crops breeding for resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors, as well as for high quality production, allowed to create a series of cosmopolitan cultivars, which at present are in demand, both in production and as a source material. The current scientific priorities are to use innovative biotechnology and molecular marking methods to accelerate the breeding process and improve selection efficiency.

Breeding Aspects of Selected Ornamental Bulbous Crops

This article provides an overview of the origin, genetic diversity and methods and trends in breeding of selected ornamental geophytes (Lilium, Tulipa, Narcissus and Hippeastrum). The role of interspecific hybridisation and polyploidisation in assortment development is reviewed. A great variety of cultivars with traits of interest have been generated over the last century by using classical breeding. Geophyte breeders have been interested in a diversity of traits, including resistance to diseases, flower colour and shape, long lasting flowering and a long vase life. Shortening the long breeding process of many geophytes by reducing the juvenile phase and using in vitro techniques are reviewed. Currently, the breeding process has been enhanced by using modern molecular cytogenetic techniques. Genomic in situ hybridisation is frequently used, among other techniques, for genome differentiation in interspecific hybrids, and for assessment of the extent of intergenomic recombination in backcross progenies. Furthermore, several molecular marker techniques are used for verification of hybrid status, identification of genetic diversity, confirmation of the genetic fidelity of in vitro propagated plants and construction of high-density linkage maps. Recently, a myriad of new plant breeding technologies, such as cisgenetics and genome editing technologies have been used to improve the traits of ornamental geophytes, an endeavour that is discussed here. Breeding trends, cultivar novelties as well a new cultivars registered by international authorities during the last five years are presented in detail.

Meiotic behaviour and pollen fertility of F1, F2 and BC1 progenies of Iris dichotoma and I. domestica

Pollen characteristics are very important for Iris interspecific hybridisation. In this study, the pollen viability and male meiosis were studied in yellow-flowered Iris dichotoma (Y2), I. domestica (S3) and their hybrids F1, F2 and BC1 (BC1-Y and BC1-S). The BC1-Y hybrids showed higher pollen viability than that of F1, F2 and BC1-S hybrids, which were between I. dichotoma (26.1%) and I. domestica (35.1%). Two sterile hybrids, F2-1 and BC1-S-1, exhibited more meiotic abnormalities (57.3% and 58.7%) than other individuals. During the first meiotic division, a diffuse diplotene stage was observed for the first time in the genus Iris. The meiotic abnormalities included non-congressed chromosomes, chromosome bridges, lagging chromosomes, unequal division, abnormally oriented spindle fibres, nonsynchronous division and polyad, and resulted in reduced pollen fertility. The relatively high frequency of 2n pollen grains was found in hybrids of BC1-Y-2, BC1-Y-1, BC1-S-2, BC1-S-3 and BC1-S-4. Our research provides a new resource for meiotic behaviour and pollen fertility of the genus Iris.

Genomic sequencing confirms absence of introgression despite past hybridisation in a critically endangered bird

1AbstractGenetic swamping resulting from interspecific hybridisation can increase extinction risk for threatened species. The development of high-throughput and reduced-representation genomic sequencing and analyses to generate large numbers of high resolution genomic markers has the potential to reveal introgression previously undetected using small numbers of genetic markers. However, few studies to date have implemented genomic tools to assess the impacts of interspecific hybridisation in threatened species. Here we investigate the utility of genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to detect introgression resulting from past interspecific hybridisation in one of the world’s rarest birds. Anthropogenic impacts have resulted in hybridisation and subsequent backcrossing of the critically endangered Aotearoa New Zealand endemic kakī (black stilts; Himantopus novaezelandiae) with the non-threatened self-introduced congeneric poaka (Aotearoa New Zealand population of pied stilts, Himantopus himantopus leucocephalus), yet genetic analyses with a limited set of microsatellite markers revealed no evidence of introgression of poaka genetic material in kakī, excluding one individual. We use genomic data for ~63% of the wild adult kakī population to reassess the extent of introgression resulting from hybridisation between kakī and poaka. Consistent with previous genetic analyses, we detected no introgression from poaka into kakī. These collective results indicate that, for kakī, existing microsatellite markers provide a robust, cost-effective approach to detect cryptic hybrids. Further, for well-differentiated species, the use of genomic markers may not be required to detect admixed individuals.

New records and geographic distribution of the sympatric zones of unisexual and bisexual rock lizards of the genus Darevskia in Armenia and adjacent territories

Caucasian rock lizards of the genus is a unique taxa, including both bisexual and parthenogenetic species. The parthenogenetic species have originated as a result of natural hybridisation between females and males of different bisexual species. The species involved in interspecific hybridisation are called parental. However, sympatric zones (SZ) of unisexual and bisexual rock lizards of the Caucasus are still poorly studied, although they are very important for understanding the role of hybrid individuals of different origin in reticulate evolution. This paper presents the location of the SZs of parthenogenetic and their parental bisexual rock lizards of the genus Darevskia in Armenia and adjacent territories of Georgia and Nagorno-Karabakh. We summarised the locations of the SZs identified from 1957 to the present, based on our field survey data gathered in 2018-2019 and records from publications and museum collections. This dataset includes 39 SZs of three types: SZ of parental bisexual species, SZ of parental species with unisexual species and SZ of the parthenogenetic species. For each zone, species composition, geographical and altitudinal distribution are presented. New records expand our knowledge of the geographical and altitudinal distribution of SZs in these species and provide additional data for understanding the mechanisms of reticulate evolution and hybridogeneous speciation in the past, present and future. The new records, including geographical and altitudinal distributions of three types of SZs, are presented, which expand the previously-known list to 39 locations of contact zones for parthenogenetic and its bisexual parental species of rock lizards of the genus Darevskia in Armenia and the adjacent territories of Georgia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

POTENSI PRODUKSI DAN MUTU SERAT PADA GALUR-GALUR F1 HASIL PERSILANGAN INTERSPESIES KAPAS TETRAPLOID

<p>ABSTRAK</p><p>Persilangan interspesies kapas tetraploid antara G. hirsutum danG. barbadense dilakukan untuk memperbaiki mutu serat G. hirsutum.Penelitian dilakukan dengan menguji 16 galur F1 hasil persilanganinterspesifik kapas tetraploid, 8 varietas tetua betina dari kelompokG. hirsutum (Kanesia 9, Kanesia 10, Kanesia 11, Kanesia 12, Kanesia 14,dan Kanesia 15), dan 2 varietas tetua jantan dari kelompok G. barbadense(Pima dan Giza 90). Penelitian disusun dalam rancangan acak kelompokyang diulang dua kali, dengan luas plot 50 m 2 dan jarak tanam 100 x 25cm 2 . Percobaan dilaksanakan di Asembagus dari bulan Januari sampaidengan Desember 2009. Pengamatan dilakukan terhadap komponenproduksi, produksi, dan mutu serat. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwaproduktivitas galur-galur F1 hasil persilangan interspesies kapas tetraploidberkisar antara 1.495-2.602,50 kg kapas berbiji/ha dan kandungan seratantara 30,14 – 38,66%. Galur F1 yang tertinggi produktivitasnya adalah P08019 (Kanesia 10 x Pima), sedangkan galur yang tertinggi kandunganseratnya adalah P 08032 (Kanesia 13 x Pima). Heterosis produksi kapasberbiji atas rerata kedua tetua pada galur-galur F1 berserat panjang hasilpersilangan interspesies kapas tetraploid cukup luas kisarannya yaitu dari-20,60 sampai 35,47. Galur-galur F1 hasil persilangan interspesies kapastetraploid memiliki kehalusan, kekuatan dan panjang serat yang lebih baikdibandingkan tetua betinanya (G. hirsutum). Limabelas dari 16 galur F1memiliki kehalusan serat yang berada dalam kisaran 3,5 – 4,9 mic.Perbaikan genetik 15 galur F1 tersebut untuk kekuatan serat adalah 7,34 -72,88%, sedangkan untuk karakter panjang serat mencapai 8,94 – 34,58%.Terdapat korelasi negatif antara potensi produksi dan kekuatan serat, jugaantara kehalusan serat dengan kekuatan dan panjang serat.</p><p>Kata kunci : G. hirsutum, produksi, mutu serat, persilangan interspesies,tetraploid</p><p>ABSTRACT</p><p>Yield and Fiber Properties of F1 Lines Resulted fromInterspecific Hybridisation of Tetraploid Cotton</p><p>Interspecific hybridisation of tetraploid cotton between G. hirsutumand G. barbadense aiming to improve fiber properties of G. hirsutum wascarried out in Asembagus from January through December 2009.Experiment was testing 16 F1 interspecific cotton lines, eight G. hirsutumvarieties of female parents (Kanesia 9, Kanesia 10, Kanesia 11, Kanesia12, Kanesia 14, dan Kanesia 15), and two G. barbadense varieties of maleparents (Pima dan Giza 90). The experiment was arranged in randomizedblock design with two replicates; plot size was 50 m 2 and planting spacewas 100 x 25 cm 2 . Parameters observed were yield components, yield, andfiber properties. Experiment result showed that yield of F1 lines resultedfrom interspecific hybridisation of tetraploid cotton ranged 1,495 –2,602.50 kg seed cotton/ha with gin turnout of 30.4 – 38.66%. Line P08019 (Kanesia 10 x Pima) was the best yielding line, whereas lineP 08032 performed the highest gin turn. Heterosis of yield overmid parentsof each line ranged from -20.60 to 35.47. F1 lines resulted frominterspecific hybridisation of tetraploid cotton have better fiber fineness,strength, and length as compared to their female parents. Fifteen out of 16F1 line have fiber finess of 3.5 - 4.9 mic. The F1 lines showed geneticimprovement of fiber strength by 7.34 - 72.88% and of fiber length by 8.94- 34.58%. A negative correlation was observed between yield and fiberstrength, as well as between fiber fineness and fiber strength and length.</p><p>Key words : G. hirsutum, production, fiber value, interspecifichibdridisation, tetraploid</p>

A Wild Cajanus scarabaeoides (L.), Thouars, IBS 3471, for Improved Insect-Resistance in Cultivated Pigeonpea

Cajanus scarabaeoides (L.), Thouars, is the closest wild crop relative of cultivated pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan (L.), Millspaugh. This wild pigeonpea has several insect-resistance mechanisms, particularly to Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner). Estimated economic losses in the semi-arid tropics from H. armigera damage in pigeonpea are approximately two billion USD/year. Therefore, it is imperative to improve pest resistance in this crop. In this study, we investigated insect-resistance components in IBS 3471, a C. scarabaeoides accession, and explored the possibility of transferring resistance mechanism/s to cultivated pigeonpea. A detached leaf bioassay revealed that IBS 3471 has more effective antibiosis and antixenosis resistance mechanisms against H. armigera compared to the susceptible C. cajan variety, ICPL 87. To further investigate the antibiosis resistance mechanism, we fed H. armigera larvae a heated and non-heated artificial diet supplemented with lyophilised IBS 3471 leaf powder. Incorporation of IBS 3471 leaf powder inhibited H. armigera larval weight and delayed larval development compared to larvae reared on diet supplemented with ICPL 87 leaf powder. The putative insect-resistance compounds in C. scarabaeoides were heat-labile. Proteomic analysis revealed higher levels of potential insecticidal proteins, namely lectin and cysteine proteinase inhibitor, in wild pigeonpea compared to the cultivated variety. Nutritional analysis and interspecific hybridisation experiments also indicated that IBS 3471 is a potential candidate for improvement of insect-resistance in pigeonpea. This study demonstrates that IBS 3471 has multiple resistance mechanisms against H. armigera, and they are transferable to cultivated pigeonpea.