Implication of High Variance in Germplasm Characteristics

The beauty of conserving germplasm is the securement of genetic resources with numerous important traits, which could be utilized whenever they need to be incorporated into current cultivars. However, it would not be as useful as expected if proper information was not given to breeders and researchers. In this study, we demonstrated that there is a large variation, both among and within germplasm, using a low-cost image-based phenotyping method; this could be valuable for improving gene bank screening systems and for crop breeding. Using the image analyses of 507 accessions of buckwheat, we identified a wide range of variations per trait between germplasm accessions and within an accession. Since this implies a similarity with other important agronomic traits, we suggest that the variance of the presented traits should be checked and provided for better germplasm enhancement.

Agronomic Characteristics and Seed Yield of Indonesian Mungbean (Vigna radiata) Genetic Resources

The availability of mungbean (Vigna radiata) genetic resources is important in breeding programs for development of new improved varieties. The objective of this study was to describe the characters of 300 accessions of ILETRI’s mungbean genetic resources collections. The study was conducted in Jambegede Experimental Station, East Java, Indonesia during dry season 2018. The results showed that the descriptive characters of 300 mungbean germplasm accessions had a fairly wide range, namely 50%-flowering date ranged from 30-50 days after planting with an average of 41.92 days, Pod maturity ranged from 50 - 88 days after planting with an average of 74.08 days, 100-seed weight ranged from 2.43 to 7.96 g with an average of 4.52 g, and Seed weight per plot ranged from 10 - 525 g with an average of 254.53 g. There were three accessions with seed size more than 7.5 g/100 seeds, namely MLGV 0713, MLGV 0960, and MLGV 1027. These accessions could be used as a source of genes for developing high yielding and large seed size of new improved mungbean varieties. Furthermore, the high diversity data in mungbean collection can provide information to used by breeders.

YIELD COMPONENTS EVALUATION IN CHICKPEA GERMPLASM COLLECTION, GROWN IN AKMOLA REGION, KAZAKHSTAN

Germplasm collection of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) originated from various countriies andecology was evaluated in field trial conditions of Akmola region. The analysis of yield components among germplasm accessionswas carried out according to local standard indicators of productivity. The following genotypes are recommended for yield breeding in Kazakhstan based on the current research: ICC-8515 (Greece); ICC-12947, ICC-1431, ICC-456, ICC-1205, and ICC-5337 (India); ICC-3776, ICC-1083, ICC-13283, ICC-13764, and ICC-13187 (Iran); ICC-15697 (Syria); and ICC-7272 (Algeria). The recommended germplasm accessions were identified asthe most adapted for cultivation in environment of Akmola region and, therefore, they can be used as ainitial genetic resourse for breeding of chickpea varieties with ‘Northern-ecotype’. Hybrid populations were produced in the crossings between International and domestic chickpea germplasms. The offspring segregations in chickpea hybrid populations represent perspective and important genetic resorses for selection of superious genotypes with high yield and tolerance to drought. Finally, the best selected breeding lines are expected to be introduced into domestic chickpea breeding programs in Kazakhstan.

Molecular Genetic Diversity and Population Structure in Ethiopian Chickpea Germplasm Accessions

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a cheap source of protein and rich in minerals for people living in developing countries. In order to assess the existing molecular genetic diversity and determine population structures in selected Ethiopian chickpea germplasm accessions (118), a set of 46 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers equally distributed on the chickpea genome were genotyped. A total of 572 alleles were detected from 46 SSR markers, and the number of alleles per locus varied from 2 (ICCM0289) to 28 (TA22). The average number of alleles per locus, polymorphism information content, and expected heterozygosity were 12, 0.684, and 0.699, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the 118 chickpea genotypes from diverse sources into three evolutionary and/or biological groups (improved desi, improved kabuli, and landraces). The population structure analysis revealed six sub-populations from 118 chickpea genotypes studied. AMOVA revealed that 57%, 29%, and 14% of the total genetic variations were observed among individuals, within populations, and among populations. The insights into the genetic diversity at molecular levels in the Ethiopian germplasm lines can be used for designing conservation strategies as well as the diverse germplasm lines identified in this study can be used for trait dissection and trait improvement.

Resistance to Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus in Cucumis melo

Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) is a severe threat to melon production worldwide. At present, there are no cultivars available on the market which show an effective resistance or tolerance to CGMMV infection; only wild Cucumis species were reported as resistant. Germplasm accessions of Cucumis melo, as well as C. anguria, C. ficifolius, C. myriocarpus and C. metuliferus, were mechanically infected with isolates belonging to the European and Asian strain of CGMMV and screened for resistance by scoring symptom severity and comparing the accumulation of virus by qRT-PCR. The wild species C. anguria and C. ficifolius showed no symptoms and did not accumulate CGGMV following inoculation, while C. metuliferus was highly susceptible to the isolates of both strains of CGMMV. The virus accumulated also in C. myriocarpus and the European isolate produced symptoms, but the Asian isolate did not. Thirty C. melo accessions were susceptible to CGMMV. An isolate-dependent expression of symptoms was observed in 16 melon accessions: they showed mild and severe symptoms at 14 and 21 days after inoculation with the European and Asian isolate, respectively. Freeman’s Cucumber showed few or no symptoms following inoculation with the isolate of either CGMMV strain. This particular accession also showed reduced virus accumulation, whereas most other tested germplasm accessions showed significantly higher viral loads and, therefore, may well be a candidate for breeding programs aiming to reduce the losses produced by CGMMV with resistant commercial melon cultivars.