Inheritance of some quantitative traits in the hybrid generations ‘Kuboyar × Gagat’

Rice is an important food for humans. In the world, for food purposes white-grain rice varieties are mainly used, but there are varieties in which kernel pericarp is of red, brown, purple or black color. Such rice is more beneficial for health promotion. The current paper has presented the results of genetic analysis of the inheritance of a number of variable quantitative traits in rice hybrid populations of the first and third generations obtained by the hybridization of the varieties ‘Kuboyar’ and ‘Gagat’. The variety ‘Kuboyar’ is medium-sized, with a compact erect panicle, an oval caryopsis and white pericarp. The variety ‘Gagat’ is tall, with a long drooping panicle, a long kernel and black pericarp. The work was carried out on the territory of the OP ‘Proletarskoe’ of the Rostov region in 2018–2020. The analysis of the inheritance of some quantitative traits that have a direct impact on the rice productivity made it possible to establish new inheritance regularities. According to the trait ‘plant height’ there has been identified partial dominance of the largest values of the trait in the hybrids F2 and F3. Allelic differences of 3 pairs of genes were identified in parental forms. The trait ‘panicle length’ showed overdominance of the trait in F2, it was absent in F3, and there were digenic differences in parental forms. The trait ‘number of spikelets per panicle’ demonstrated overdominance of large values and positive transgression. According to the trait ‘1000-grain weight’, the hybrids of both generations were split by the digenic scheme in a ratio of 1:4:6:4:1. There was no dominance in the trait ‘kernel length’; the initial varieties had differences in 2 pairs of genes. According to the trait ‘kernel width’, there was identified incomplete dominance of smaller values, and there was monohybrid split. There have been selected the best plants F3 with a black pericarp, average values of the traits ‘plant height’, ‘panicle length’, ‘1000-grain weight’ and an increased number of grains per panicle for the further breeding process.

Trait profile of maize varieties preferred by farmers and value chain actors in northern Ghana

Plant breeders’ knowledge of precise traits preferred by variety users would accelerate varietal turnover and widen adoption of newly developed maize varieties in Ghana. The objective of this research was to provide empirical evidence of trait preferences of farmers and other actors in the maize value chain in northern Ghana, based on which research strategies for maize improvement could be formulated. Participatory rural appraisal was conducted in 2016 to determine key traits preferred by maize value chain actors across the three regions in northern Ghana. A total of 279 maize value chain actors were interviewed. Different scoring and ranking techniques were used to assess the maize traits preferred by the different actors. Participatory variety selection trials were also conducted in the Tolon, West Gonja, Binduri, and Sissala East districts in northern Ghana from 2014 to 2016. The mother-baby trial approach was used to evaluate eight hybrids with 3000 farmers. Data on yield and agronomic performance of the hybrids and farmer’s selection criteria were collected. Data analyses were performed using GenStat Edition 16 and SPSS Edition 20 statistical packages. The participatory rural appraisal method identified farmers, input dealers, traders, and processors as the primary maize value chain actors in the study areas. Trait preferences of the different actors overlapped and revolved around grain quality including nutritional value, and stress tolerance and grain yield. Results of the participatory variety selection study revealed that across districts, farmers preferred high-yielding varieties with multiple cobs per plant, white grain endosperm color, and bigger and fully filled cobs. For the first time, our holistic assessment of the trait preferences of key actors of the maize value chain in northern Ghana revealed a comprehensive list of traits, which could be used by breeders to develop varieties that may be preferred by all value chain actors in northern Ghana.

Relationship between phenological and morphological characteristics of plant with popcorn races of a diversity microcenter in southern Brazil

The far west region of Santa Catarina (FWSC) state in southern Brazil was indicated as a microcenter of diversity of the Zea genus. In this region, local popcorn varieties are grown in small areas, but in a significant number of farms. The present study aimed to characterize the diversity of 41 local populations from that region, based on phenology and morphological characters of plant, ear and grain. Therefore, an experimental design of complete randomized blocks with two replications was conducted. The data allowed to identify a rich diversity of popcorn in the FWSC for the characteristics of plant, ear, and grain, as well as for the phenology. For the color, 20 populations presented white grain, nine black, nine yellow, two red and one orange. Regarding the cycle, all varieties of yellow and round grains were considered hyper early/early and the varieties of white grains, intermediate/late. Average plant height varied from 1.8 to 3.2 m, while the weight of one thousand kernels varied from 80.9 to 200.4 g. The accumulated day degrees for tasseling ranged from 689.05 to 1,090.57. Based on the cluster analysis of qualitative and quantitative characters, three groups were formed, and five populations were isolated. The inclusion of plant characteristics and phenology can be an important and complementary tool for studies in popcorn races. Trends in some plant characteristics were observed within popcorn varieties with the same grain features. This result is important information for popcorn genetic breeding strategies.

Development of white-grain pre-harvest sprouting tolerant and pyramided protein-rich leaf rust resistant wheats using molecular breeding

The present study was undertaken for developing pre-harvest sprouting tolerant (PHST) wheat genotypes using marker-assisted backcross breeding (MABB). A major QTL for PHST was introgressed into an elite Indian wheat cv. Lok1 that is PHS susceptible. These PHST lines were also pyramided with one gene each for high grain protein content (Gpc-B1) and leaf rust resistance (Lr24). For introgression of PHST QTL, initially Lok1 was separately crossed with each of the two donors (PHS tolerant white-grained AUS1408 and CN19055). Backcrossing in each generation was followed by foreground and background selections using SSR markers. In advanced lines, KASP assay was also carried out for the candidate gene TaMKK3-A underlying the PHST QTL. The MAS derived lines homozygous for PHST QTL were screened for PHS using simulated rain chambers resulting in the selection of 10 PHST lines. For pyramiding of three QTL/genes (PHST QTL, Gpc-B1, and Lr24), MABB derived BC4F2 plants (from the cross Lok1/CN19055) were crossed with a MAS derived BC2F5 line [Lok1 (Gpc-B1 + Lr24)] developed earlier by us in the same background of Lok1. After foreground MAS followed by PHS screening, four advanced lines carrying all the three QTL/genes in homozygous condition were selected. These lines exhibited high level of PHST (PHS score 2–3) associated with significant improvement in GPC with no yield penalty and resistance against leaf rust under artificial epiphytotic conditions.

Molecular and phenotypic characterization of a collection of white grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] for temperate climates

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a subsistence crop and the main food for populations in arid or semiarid regions and it is appreciated for the production of gluten-free products, forages, raw materials for industrial transformation and packaging. The end-use of different sorghum purposes having various plant or kernel characteristics require specific breeding programs to develop the desired ideotype. Sorghum grains can be classified according to kernel color, tannins and polyphenols content: white, yellow, red, brown, and black. White sorghum is characterized by a low level of total phenolic content and tannins. The advantage of using white sorghum is: increased protein digestibility, nutritional composition and consumer acceptance similar to other cereals. A collection of 117 white grain sorghums was characterized using 10 SSRs and preliminary agronomic observations were made for main traits. SSR analysis revealed from 10 to 33 alleles per locus.Observed heterozygosity was lower than expected according to the reproduction system of sorghum. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 6 main groups of genotypes. Only one group is constituted by genotypes with the same geographical origin (Egypt) while other groups are admixtures of different countries. The principal coordinate analysis revealed good correspondence between genetic profiles and groups evidenced by similar agronomic performances.

Features of selection of winter wheat on grain quality

The quality of grain means a set of technologico-biochemical, baking and food properties determining the economic value of a grain variety. When choosing source material for selection, the degree of grain preservation in adverse environmental conditions is taken into account as well as the genotypic potential of grain yield and quality. It is believed that in the arid conditions of the Volga region, the main limiting factor in the formation of high-quality grain is the amount of precipitation during the growing season of wheat and the uniformity of its distribution, so more than 25 indices of the winter wheat quality are evaluated annually, including the quantitative expression of indices of the rheological properties of dough. Experimental data indicate that such indices as water absorption capacity (WAC, %); energy absorbed by dough during mixing (W·h/kg); dough stability, (min); dough dilution (C2, N·m); and starch retrogradation index (C5, N·m) provide sufficient information for selection. The dough formation time seems the least promising indicator: genotype-environmental interactions on this index were manifested in 100% of cases. In the process of studying the ball-shaped forms of winter soft wheat it has been revealed that they have a high crop yield and excellent grain quality, namely the dough stability, which is 10.3, 9.9, 9.7, and 8.4 min in the studied samples Nos. 209–212, respectively. They also exceed the Saratov 90 variety by C2 , which characterizes dough dilution, having values of 0.57, 0.52, and 0.47 N·m, while having excellent baking qualities. The variation limits of the index of flour whiteness were 60.5–71.9 in the red-grain group of winter wheat and 57.5–69.6 in the white-grain one. The average value of this index is 66.3 and 57.5, respectively. Extra-quality flour can be obtained from the Smuglianka variety and lines with breeding numbers 17-17, 34-17, 1081-17, 1096-17, and 1093-17. Of all the others, we can get highest-grade flour without exception. The correlation between the indicators of meal whiteness and flour whiteness in the red-grain and white-grain forms of winter wheat is 0.7660 at the 1% significance level and 0.9311, respectively. This means that it is possible to assess the whiteness of flour from the color of whole-milled grain with a high probability.

Changes of antioxidant activity during storage of wheat grains with different colours

Aim. Evaluate the change in antioxidant activity (AOA) during one-month storage period of flour and grist obtained by grinding wheat grains with different colours: white, red and purple. Wheat grain contains components with antioxidant activity. Over time AOA may be changed that is why it is important to investigate the dynamics of AOA changes in wheat samples with different grind flour and whole grain grist. Methods. The level of antioxidant activity of wheat flour spirituous extract and grist was determined based on their capacity to neutralize stable free radicals 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Results. Changes in level of antioxidant activity of cultivar «Bilyava» – white grain, «Kuyalnik» – red and «Chernozerna» – purple grain were investigated. Conclusions. Asymmetric distribution of components with antioxidant properties in wheat grains was observed. The purple grain cultivar demonstrated highest antioxidant activity the while white grain cultivar showed lowest antioxidant activity.Keywords: colored grain, antioxidant activity, flour, grist.

Evaluation of white grain maize varieties for growth, yield and yield components

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most commonly cultivated crop after rice in Nepal. The present study was done to evaluate and recommend the best performing white maize genotypes in mid hill region of Nepal. This study was conducted at research field of Kavre, Nepal during the rainy season of 2019. Five white maize genotypes were evaluated in randomized complete block design with four replications where Deuti used as standard check. Ear and plant height of plant, days to 50% silking and tasseling, count of leaf above and below main cob, total number of leaf, cob length, cob diameter, kernel rows per cob, kernels count per row, thousand kernels weight, shelling and sterility percentage, stay green and grain yield parameters were observed. Deuti and DMH-7314 had good stay green and husk cover rating. Plant height (282.6 cm) and ear height (162.4 cm) was more in HB-008. Number of kernels per row was more in HB-008 (36.5) and HB-007 (36.5) and thousand kernel weights was more in DMH-7314 (386.3 g) followed by Deuti (353.9 g). DMH-7314 was late in tasseling (86 days) and silking (89 days) but shelling percentage was lowest in DMH-7314 (70.8) than other varieties. Analysis of variance reveled that genotype HB-008 (9.70 t/ha) as compared to standard check Deuti (7.80 t/ha). Thus genotype HB-008 perform better in mid hill region of Kavre, Nepal.