SEED AND PLANT IMPROVEMENT JOURNAL
Year:2012 | Volume:28-1 | Issue:2|Papers Count:13

Genetic variation of fifteen grapevine cultivars including six Khorasan native cultivars, eight imported cultivars from Torkamanstans and one Vitis muscadiana cultivar was studied using RAPD and ISSR markers. PCR amplification of DNA, using seven primers for RAPD and ISSR analysis, produced 59 and 58 bands, respectively that could be scored in all genotypes. The average number of polymorphic bands per RAPD and ISSR primers were 8.4 and 8.2, respectively. The RAPD and ISSR data were combined for UPGMA cluster analysis. Dendrogram based on genetic distance (UPGMA) segregated fifteen grapevine cultivars into two main clusters. Torkaman cultivars formed cluster I and native Khorasan cultivars with one cultivar of V. muscadiana were grouped together in cluster II. Based on Jaccard’s similarity coefficient, the highest similarity was observed between the Torkaman 6 and Torkaman 8 and the lowest similarity between Torkaman 3 and Sahebi Neyshabour cultivars.

To evaluate the response of different maize genotypes to common smut, Ustilago maydis (DC.) Corda, an experiment was carried out in RCBD in three replications with 29 hybrids in 2004, 46 hybrids in 2005, and 25 hybrids in 2006 at Karaj and Zarghan, Iran. Inoculation of ears by tip injection method was conducted using a syringe (3 ml in each ear) at silking stage. The evaluation of genotypes was conducted 3-4 weeks after inoculation. The results of experiments showed significant differences among hybrids. The resistance and susceptibility of hybrids that was determined with 0-7 scale, categorized them into six groups from highly resistant (HR) to highly susceptible (HS). In 2004, reactions could not be assessed in Zarghan, due to the high occurrence of Maize rough dwarf virus (MRDV) on hybrids. In 2005, three hybrids K3547/3×K1264/6, K3047/2×K1264/1 and K3615/1×K1264/1 and in 2006, hybrids K3640/6×K18, K3544×K166A and KLM77029/8-1-2-3-2-2×MO17 were assessed as resistant hybrids.

This study was conducted in Mashhad, Iran during 2008-2010 to determine genetic variation and evatuate the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of thirteen selected sweet cherry (Prunus avium cv. Siahe Mashhad) genotypes using phenological and pomological characteristics. The results showed that selected genotypes had a wide variation in fruit traits (fruit weight, stone weight, flesh to stone ratio, soluble solid content, pH and total acid content) and phenological stages. Genotypes SH4 (March 23th) and SH21 (April 4th) had the earliest and latest blooming, respectively. All the selected genotypes were self-incompatible and fruit set formation in the open pollination between genotypes varied from 11.05 to 43.64 percent. The fruit weight also varied significantly among the genotypes. Genotypes SH7 with 9.2 g and SH1 with 4.5 g, had the highest and lowest fruit weight. The results of the present study revealed a high variation in different characteristics of these thirteen genotypes of Siahe Mashhad sweet cherry.

Bearing of pear trees is affected by various genetical and environmental factors. Pear cultivars are gametophytic self-incompatible that is under control of multi allelic S locus and therefore need to compatible pollinizer cultivars for economical bearing. This research was conducted in order to identify S -alleles of several indigenous pear cultivars including Dargazi, Konjuni, Beyrouti, Ghosi and Amroud-II by PCR techniques. Genomic DNA of plant materials quantitatively and qualitatively were evaluated after extraction. Subsequently, S-alleles were partially amplified by using specific Sall-F/Sall-R1 primers, as well as FB-F/FB-R1 and FB-F/FB-R2 primer pairs designed via alignment of all Pyrus S-alleles. Last primer pairs designed as semi nested for former pair. For pecise identification of S-alleles, amplified regions were restriction digested by selected Dra I, Eco RI, Msp I and Hae III enzymes. The primers could amplify all S-alleles in all cultivars and totally 5 alleles including S1 (Sj, Se) in Beyrouti, Ghosi and Amroud-II, S2 (Sl) in Dargazi, S4 (Sb) in Beyrouti and Dargazi, S5 (Sa) in Konjouni, S13 (St) in Ghosi and S42 in Konjouni were identified. The results demonstrating presence of rare S42 allele from Ussuri pear (Pyrus ussuriensis Maxim.) from Manchuria in China in Konjouni cultivar that is the first report of gene flux of this species in indigenous cultivars.

Response of nine eggplant cultivars to black stem disease which has been widely distributed in Kohgiluye va Boyer Ahmad province, Iran, was evaluated in greenhouse using a higly aggressive isolate of Phytophthora capsici, isolated from infected eggplants collected in the region. Inoculum of the pathogen was produced on vermiculite + hemp seed extract and added to the soil of pots containing three-week old seedlings of each cultivar. Percentages of root and crown colonization and dead seedlings were measured four weeks after inoculation. Based on the results of experiment, cultivar Sarkhon Hormozgan was moderately resistant, cultivars Juybar Mazandaran and Local Zabol were moderately susceptible, cultivars Saih Neishabour, black Beauty, Borazjan, Siah Mashhad and Ghalami Varamin were susceptible and cultivar Emami 905 was very susceptible.

Self-incompatibility in almond is controlled gametophytically by the multiallelic S-locus. In order to characterize the self-incompatibility and self-compatibility in almond and some Prunus species, several specific simple and multiplex PCR primers were used. Plant materials included seventy almond cultivars from different geographical regions and twenty two Prunus species. PCR analysis with the specific primer pairs allowed identifying 14 unique S -alleles in almond, 11 in related Prunus species and Sf in some cultivars and Prunus species. Some unknown alleles were also identified in Iranian cultivars and Prunus species.Findings show the genetic relationships among almond and related Prunus species. Self-incompatibility adopted by many Prunus species avoids inbreeding and thus maintains species diversity.

In this study nineteen Iranian sour cherry genotypes from West Azarbaijan, East Azarbaijan, Kordestan, Tehran, Kohgiloye va Boyerahmad, Isfahan, Kerman, Khorasan, Alborz, Fars provinces and Erdi Botermo cultivar from Hungary as control, were evaluated using morphological and molecular markers. In the first experiment, 34 qualitative and 11 quantitative traits were examined. Analysis of variance indicated that genotypes differed significantly for all traits. Factor analysis divided characters into four groups explained 71.86% of total variance. Cluster analysis divided genotypes into four sub groups based on morphological data. The first group consisted of three dwarf genotyps from Yasooj (BO AH V1524), Kordestan (BO KA V282) and Khorasan (BO GA V6442). The second group consisted of one genotype from Tehran (BO LA V181) that had the maximum plant height. In the second experiment, RAPD markers were used for genetic diversity evaluation. Thirteen primers that were used produced 144 bands that 117 of them were polymorphic. Genetic similarity in genotypes ranged from 0.30 to 0.81. Cluster analysis divided genotypes into six sub groups with 0.54 genetic similarity. In clustering the most of genotypes from one region were grouped together. In this cluster also three dwarfing genotypes BO AH V1524, BO KA V282, and BO LA V181 were grouped together.

Information about reproductive systems of pasture plant species help to determine their genetic variation potential and adaptability, when planted in a new condition. Due to the importance of Onobrychis as a fodder plant, pollination mechanisms of thirteen Onobrychis populations of annual species O. crista-galli, O. pulchella, O. caput-galli and O. micrantha together with O. viciaefolia and O. altissima as perennial species were examined based on morphological characteristics of flower, pollen/ovule ratio and quantity of fruit and seed production in natural and isolated pollinations. The results showed that flower length in O. viciaefolia and O. altissima was longer than that in other species. Style length was also longer than filament length in these two species. The most pollen/ovule ratio belonged to O. viciaefolia (22211) and the least belonged to O. crista-galli 387 (2) (840). Seed and Fruit production in all species in tripping and isolated methods were similar to those in natural pollination, but in completely isolated condition seed and fruit were not produced in the perennial species. Based on the sum of the results it can be concluded that the perennial species O. viciaefolia and O. altissima are obligate xenogamy and the annual species O. crista-galli, O. pulchella, O. caput-galli and O. micrantha are facultative.

The first step in walnut breeding programs is identification of superior and promising genotypes in different regions. In order to identify superior and promising genotypes in Fars province, Iran, this research was carried out during 2009-2011 in Bavanat region as one of walnut-growing regions. Phenological and pomological traits of 349 genotypes were evaluated using UPOV and IPGIRI descriptors. Genotypes with more than 10 g fruit weight, kernel weight of more than 6.5 g, kernel percentage of more than 45%, shell thickness less than 1.5mm and more than 25% of lateral bearing were selected as superiors genotypes and evaluated in the subsequent years. Based on the results, genotypes A79, A59, A30, A40, A14, A34, A17, A42, A68 and A69 which had the mentioned features and also full to very full kernels with bright to very bright colors, were identified as superior genotypes of the region. Fruit and kernel weight of these genotypes were 10.02-16.32 g and 5.51-7.77 g, respectively. Their kernel percentage and lateral bearing were also more than 43.5 and 25.8%, respectively. Genotypes A92 and A63 with 34 and 29 days delay compared to the reference standard (A2), respectively in the first year and 31 and 30 days delay in the second year were determined as late leafing genotypes.

In order to investigate the genetic variation of annual species of Onobrychis caput-galli, twelve populations from National Plant Gene Bank of Iran, were evaluated based on morphological characteristics using a randomomized complete block design with three replications in the experimental field of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran. During 2010-2011. The results of ANOVA showed that the populations had significant differences for all the studied traits (p<0.01), indicating high genetic variation among the populations. Mean comparisons showed that the most phenotypic differences among the populations were related to pod weight trait. Population no.10 (TN-412) had the highest 100 pod weight (1.39g), 100 seed weight (0.65g), terminal leaflet width (0.37cm) and lateral leaflet width (0.50cm). Lateral leaflet width trait had the highest positive and significant correlation with 100 pod weight (0.84**).Cluster analysis using Ward method, classified populations into three clusters. Population no.10 was differentiated from other clusters in aspect of plant height at 50% flowering, number of leaflets per leaf, peduncle length, 100 pod weight, 100 seed weight, terminal leaflet length, terminal leaflet width, lateral leaflet length and lateral leaflet width traits, and other populations that can be valuable sources for breeding programs, were located in two groups.

To obtain high yielding and stable durum wheat genotypes with desirable grain quality and resistant to important diseases, 18 durum wheat genotypes along with two commercial durum and bread wheat check cultivars were evaluated in six warm and dry locations of Iran including Darab, Dezful, Ahvaz, Iranshahr, Khorramabad and Zabol during two cropping seasons (2008-2010). The experiments were conducted in a RCBD with three replications. Grain yield and some agronomical characteristics were recorded in each location. Simple and combined analysis of variance were performed on grain yield data and stability analysis with AMMI model was undertaken. Based on the overall results, genotypes no.18 (MALMUK1/LOTUS5F3LOCAL (SEL.ETHIO.135.85) and 20 (RASCON-21/3MQUE/ALO//FOJA) were superior to others, however some genotypes had specific adaptability makes them suitable for specific locations. Genotype no.20 with broad adaptability, better grain quality parameters and relative resistance to foliar diseases was selected for further investigation.

Microspore culture was applied to induce embryogenesis in roses (Rosa hybrida) cv. HAV1. Important factors affecting viability of isolated microspores and formation of multi-cellular structures including isolation media (NLN, AB, B) and induction media were studied. The most responsive developmental stage of microspores (late unicellular) was determined using DAPI staining. The least infection of microspores was observed when microspores were sterilized with sodium hypochlorite (3.5%) for 15 minutes. The best isolation medium was B medium. Among induction media, the highest ratio of multi-cellular structures was formed in AT3 (1). The presence of lactalbumin hydrolysate in the induction medium increased the frequency of divisions and formation of multi-cellular structures. Among various treatments tested, the highest frequency of multi-cellular structures was observed in microspores cultured in AT3 (1) and stressed with heat shock (30oC) for 7 days, However they produced only very few pro-embryos. Hereby, microspore embryogenesis protocol for roses is introduced for the first time.

Line G-14088 was first introduce in Iran together with 60 other chitti bean lines in 1988 through CIAT. It was tested in different breeding experiments for yield and agronomic characteristics and was compared with local cultivar checks and other advanced lines of chiti bean from 1988 to 2005 in different locations of Iran. Due to higher seed yield and favorable characteristics, it was selected as a superior line in all experiments. Line G-14088 was found to be a high yielding genotype in dry sowing condition and suitable for mechanized cultivation. It was evaluated as a susceptible line to BCMNV, but tolerant to CMV and BCMV. It was also susceptible to two spotted mite and bacterial diseases. In farmers conditions its yield (2080 kgha-1) was more than the check cultivar grown by the farmers. Based on favorable characteristics and higher seed yield, line G-14088 was officially introduced in 2010 and named Sadri for cultivation in temperate- cold areas of Iran.