SEED AND PLANT PRODUCTION JOURNAL
Year:2013 | Volume:29-1 | Issue:4|Papers Count:17

This research was conducted to evaluate and classify twenty olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars based on pomological traits in Olive Research Station of Gilvan, Zanjan, Iran during 2010-2011. A split plot experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications was used. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis were used to classify cultivars based on fruit traits (fresh and dry weight, pulb/pit ratio and oil content). Analysis of variance for the characteristics showed significant differences among cultivars, years and their interaction effects. Based on the results, cultivars Caridolia, Picual, Voliotici and Kaissy were classified as table olive and Cailletier, Koroneiki, Arbequine, Leccino, Baladi and Nabali as oil olives. A high genetic diversity of fruit traits was observed in current study. These diversity can be used in parental choice for breeding aims and programs. However, it is necessary to determine the heritability of these traits before accomplishment of any breeding program.

Study of physiological traits and the relationship between these traits and grain yield in drought stress conditions can be useful to identify effective physiological traits involving in resistance to drought stress. In order to study these traits, parameters such as gas exchange, water status, flag leaf characteristics, chlorophyll content index, grain yield and thousand grain weight were measured in twenty bread wheat genotypes (18 lines, together with Sardari and Azar 2 cultivars). The experiment was conducted in rainfed condition at Agricultural Research Station of Gheidar, Zanjan, Iran. Mean comparisons showed that line No. 4 and cultivar Azar 2 had the highest grain yield among the genotypes. Genotypes having lower internal CO2 concentration and higher thousand grain weight, produced higher yield. Decrease in photosynthesis was mainly due to non-stomatal limitations, and high grain yield was not related to leaf relative water content. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis based on measured traits classified genotypes into three separate clusters. Based on the overall results of present study, genotypes No. 2, 4, 8, 10, 13, 17, 6 and 18 were superior than the others under rainfed condition.

Fire blight caused by Erwinia amylovora, is one of the most catastrophic diseases of plants in the Rosaceae subfamily Pomoideae. The objective of this study was to determine the resistance of thirty pear cultivars to a mixture of four E. amylovora strains. Disease development was assessed according to severity index (I.V.S.) based on the progression of necrosis rate through shoots, from the inoculation point at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 days after inoculation. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among cultivars, indicating a wide range of relative resistance to the fire blight pathogen. Pear cultivars showed considerable variations in resistance to fire blight with the severity of infection ranging from 0.4% to 100%. Cultivars were divided into four groups including very resistant (0-10%), moderately resistant (11%-50%), susceptible (51%-80%) and very susceptible (81%-100%) according to the percentage of the length of necrosis to the total shoot length. Three cultivars ‘Dargazi’, ‘Harrow Sweet’ and ‘Natanzi’ were very resistant, 14 cultivars were moderately resistant, 10 cultivars were susceptible and three cultivars ‘Mohamad Ali’, ‘Duchesse’ and ‘KS6’ were very susceptible. Results obtained from specific primers link to fire blight showed that RLG1 and CH02c02b primers produced resistance allele in Dargazi and some of other cultivars.

In order to evaluate 164 durum wheat landraces from wheat collection of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran, this study was undertaken along with four wheat genotypes Veery/Nacozari, Soisson, Dena and Zardak as checks. The plant materials were sown on an observation nursery. The checks were repeated systematically after every 30 lines. All genotypes were evaluated for different agronomic and morphologic traits during 2010-11. The results indicated positive relationship between grain yield and spike weight, number of grains per spike, grain weight per spike and 1000 grain weight. Classification of the genotypes was performed using factor analysis. It classified fourteen traits in five new variables (five components) which explained 77.02% of the total variation. Based on the results, 120 lines were selected. The results of this study relived presence of high genetic variability among the landraces for different traits, therefore these materials are valuable genetic resources that can be added to the wheat gene pool for breeding proposes.

A study was conducted on a 9×9 full diallel set of tomato to find out the extent combining ability for yield and earliness characters by randomized complete block design with three replications and four plants for each replication. The analysis was done according to Hayman and Griffing methods using Diallel software. Significant differences among genotypes were found for all of traits. Highly significant variation due to general combining ability (GCA) as well as specific combining ability (SCA) indicated the importance of additive and non-additive types of gene action in inheritance of all characters except number of fruits per palnts. The heterosis showed a positive response to earliness in number of days to first flowering. The Prg genotype with the lowest GCA among all parents, had the most effect in earliness and the Mb3 genotype with the highest GCA had the most effect on yield components. Cross combinations Supc×Ptk, Pte×Ptk, Mb3×Vfj, Supl44×Csh74 and Sps×Csh74 were five best specific combiners for yield components and earliness.

To study cold tolerance (CT) of thirteen chickpea advanced lines together with Jam cultivar as check and relationship between CT and agronomic traits, two experiments were conducted under controlled and field conditions during 2010-2011 cropping season at Maragheh Dryland Agricultural Research Station. The first experiment was conducted under natural condition (fall sowing at field), using randomized complete block design with four replications. In the second experiment, seeds of genotypes were planted in concrete boxes with one meter height from soil level, using nylon covers to prevent snow fall on planting beds during winter. Percentage of genotypes cold injeries was assessed in early spring after ending of cold. Under field condition, there were significant differences among genotypes for all studied traits. There were also significant differences among genotypes for no snow cover cold (Base cold: BC) tolerance in concrete boxes. Line FLIP 00-84C with 87% of survived plants under field condition and 23% of BC (-20oC for two days) damage, was the most tolerant line. There was negative and significant correlation (r=-0.56) between CT under controlled condition and number of survived plants after winter in field condition. There were also significant positive correlation between BC damage and percentage of cold damage of plants after the first and second severe colds (r=0.56 and r=0.50, respectively). In conclusion, there was a conformity between results obtained from controlled and field conditions, therefore box planting method could be recommended as a new and reliable method for evaluating cold tolerance in chickpea germplasm.

To evaluate the quality and quantity of forage yield of seventeen cold region alfalfa ecotypes, this experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications in Karaj, for two years (2008-10). Chemical components of forage were measured by AOAC methods. Based on the results of combined analysis of variance, ecotypes were significantly different at 1% probability level for fresh forage yield and at 5% for dry forage yield and leaf to stem ratio. However interaction effects of ecotype×year were not significant for fresh and dry forage yields. Ecotypes were also significantly different for neutral detergent fiber (N.D.F.) at 1% and for crude protein (C.P.), dry matter digestibility (D.M.D.), organic matter digestibility (O.M.D.) and ash at 5% probability levels. Ecotype×year interaction was significant for N.D.F. at 5% and for D.M.D. and O.M.D. at 1% probability levels. The highest fresh forage yield and dry forage yield (61.3 and 16.4 tha-1, respectively) were obtained from ecotype Gharaaghaj. The highest C.P. (17.73%) was achieved from ecotype Chaleshtar, N.D.F. (50.43%) from Silvaneh, A.D.F. (35.33%) from Silvaneh, D.M.D. (62.98%) from Ordoubad, O.M.D. (59.89%) from Ordoubad and Ash (9.92%) from Silvaneh. Ecotypes Gharaaghaj with 2.79, Sahandava with 2.67, and Garaghouzlou with 2.68 tha-1 had the highest protein yield.

Twenty foreign maize hybrids along with the Irania commercial cultivar (KSC704) and a promising hybrid (KSC705), as check cultivars, were evaluated in eight locations of Iran (Karaj, Shiraz, Gharakhil, Moghan, Miandoab, Dezful, Isfahan and Ilam) during two consecutive years (2011-12) using randomized complete block design with four replications. Based on the results, hybrid No. 20 (89 May 70) with 11.392 tha-1 produced the highest grain yield followed by hybrids No. 16 (DKC 6589) and No. 15 (DKS 6315) with 11.243 and 11.077 tha-1, respectively, which were not sigficantly different. Based on superiority measure (Pi), hybrids No. 16, 20 and 15 were identified as superior hybrids, respectively. Some inconsistencies were found among stability indices in detection of stable and unstable hybrids. Superiority measure (Pi) almost detected high yielding hybrids as superior.

Virulence factors of three isolates of Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici collected from Ardebil, Zarghan and Sari were determined using yellow rust differential set and near isogenic lines. To evaluate resistance of wheat genotypes to three races 6 E 6A+, 6 E 150A+ and 198 E 150A+ of yellow rust, forty five advanced lines were investigated, using a randomized complete block design with three replications at seedling stage in greenhouse. Resistance components including latent period and infection type were recorded. Analysis of variance showed a significant difference at 1% probability level among the lines for both infection type and latent period. Lines no. 16, 18, 20, 22, 29, 30, 31, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 exhibited complete resistance to all races indicating the presence of seedling genes in these lines. With comparison of reactions of these lines and near isogenic lines to the races, the possibility of presence of some resistance genes in the test lines was postulated. Seedling resistance sources found in the present study can be used in combination with adult plant resistance in wheat breeding programs.

Crossing of pollinators and single crosses carrying RZ1 gene resulted in 44 sugar beet hybrids which were evaluated in infected fields in Fars and Khorasan. The seed of six diploid resistant pollinators and seven single crosses were first planted as parents in stekling field. After vernalization, parents were crossed in isolate tents, and hybrid seeds were harvested from female plants.The new hybrids along with resistant and susceptible checks were evaluated in infected condition during 2008-2009. According to the cluster analysis of the two year evaluation for yield, quality and disease severity index, the hybrids (7112*sb36)* 26388, (231*SB36)*26388, (436*SB36)*26388, (419*SB36)*27645, (231*SB36)*27645) and (419*SB36)*26388 were grouped with resistant checks. It seems that selection in the pollinators 26388 and 27645 will result in better hybrids.

Chamomile is a valuable medical plant that grows wildly all across the north to south areas of Iran. Genetic diversity of 170 genotypes of eleven populations of Anthemis tinctoria, one population of Matricaria recutita and 5 populations of Tripleurospermum sevanense and its association with geographical factors were studied at Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Iran using total proteins profiles. On the basis of SDS-PAGE, 34 reproducible protein peptide bands were detected and used for the analysis of genetic diversity. The average number of polymorphic bands over total detected bands ranged from 0.141(in the population of AT-Bane 2) to 0.361 (in the population of AT-Sardasht). SDS-PAGE of total proteins showed high inter- and intra-population diversity but no clear differentiation on the basis of the origin or source. The mean genetic distance among populations was 0.0179, ranged from 0.645 between population of TS-Ghazvin and AT-Bane 2 to 0.025 between TS-Khoramabad and TS-Ardebil 1. The correlation between genetic and geographical distance matrices was not significant (R2=0.03, p=0.235) analyzed by means of Mantel test, indicating the lack of significant trends in variation of total proteins. These results suggested that the genetic basis of cultivated chamomile should be broadened by involving diverse parents in the breeding program. Expansion of the genetic base for cocksfoot breeding might be achieved by systematic use of germplasm that differs in protein profiles and has better quantitative traits.

In this study flowering time and some morphological traits, nut and kernel characteristics were evaluated in a F1 almond progeny of 72 seedlings resulted from the cross between Touno (intermediate flowering) and Shahrood-12 (late flowering) cultivars. Modified-bulk segregant analysis in combination with 87 nuclear SSR markers spanning the whole almond genome and 5 chloroplastic SSR markers were used to identify molecular markers linked to flowering time in several descendants selected from the progeny. Results showed a quantitative inheritance of this trait in the progeny. The seedlings showed a wide range of flowering time between those of both progenitors and some were earlier than ‘Tuono’. Two microsatellite loci (CPPCT008 and EPPCU2584) were tightly linked to flowering traits. After construction of the genetic map of population, QTL analysis was performed for flowering time and nut and kernel characteristics. The results showed that the UDP-97403 locus had 4 and 0 cM distance from one gene loci controlling tree growth habit, nut width, nut thickness and kernel width, and BPPCT007 locus had 2 cM distance from one gene loci controlling kernel width. The results showed generally that genetic markers used in the present study are suitable tools for indirect selection of descendants with desirable flowering time and nut and kernel properties, and ulitization of these markers and marker assisted selection strategies which are less time consuming and efforts, can be successfully used in breeding programs of almond and other prunus species.

Glutenin subunits which are influenced by genetic factors have significant impact on the bread making quality. In this study, grain quality traits together with high molecular weight glutenin subunits were evaluated in 32 commercial cultivars of bread wheat using SDS-PAGE. Cultivars Zagross, Maroon, Chenab and Sirvan with 10 genome score were high quality cultivars and cultivars Bezostaya, Parsi, Golestan, Chenab, Niknejad, Atrak, Marvdasht, Karaj 2, Khazar 1, Vee/Nac, Rasoul and Moghan 1 with favorable quality were better than other cultivars. There were significant positive correlations between 2*, 17+18 and 5+10 alleles and SDS-sedimentation volume. Principal component analysis performed for 12 traits showed that four components defined 73.4% of observed variations. Accordingly, screening based on the effective characteristic such as protein (%), water absorption (%), grain hardness and SDS-sedimentation volume can be appropriate. Based on the results of stepwise regression analysis, sunn pest damage (%), Zeleny sedimentation volume, grain protein content and 1000 grain weight respectively justified a total 76.8% changes of SDS-sedimentation volume. Selected cultivars based on genotypic rating and physical test were determined for breeding programs.

Thirty five morphological traits were evaluated in seven local walnut genotypes Jamal, Damavand, B21, K72, Z53, Z60, Z67 and eight foreign cultivars Chandler, Pedro, Hartley, Ronde de Montignac, Serr, Lara, Vina and Franquette in 2008 and 2009. Related to tree traits, a moderate variation in characters were observed, but there were higher variations in tree vigor and bearing habit. Leaf characteristics showed lower variation, while leafing time, showed very high variation so that there were 21 days difference between the earliest and latest cultivars. Pistillate flower receptivity and pollen shedding period order, could separate the genotypes. According to dichogamy, two genotypes were protogynous, one cultivar was homogamus tend to protogynous and the others were protandreous. Time of fruit ripening was also highly variable. There were 42 days difference between the earliest and latest cultivars. Fruit shapes in longitudinal section through and perpendicular suture had high potential to distinct genotypes. Fruit and kernel size, and kernel percent also showed high variation. In conclusion, cultivars Chandler, Pedro and Hartley showed to be superior based on leafing date, lateral fruitfulness and nut and kernel characteristics. Cultivars Ronde de Montignac and Franquette had good pollen shedding period for these three cultivars. Local cultivar Jamal had better performance and Damavand showed good pollen shedding period appropriate for it.

In the present study, twenty two selected lines from eleven Iranian eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) landraces along with Varamin landrace, as control, were studied in a randomized complete block design with three replications in three locations (Karaj, Varamin and Dezful). Sum of yield and marketing score for each line was recorded. Analysis of variance for yield showed significant differences among lines in all locations. Combined analysis also showed high significant differences for lines, locations and interaction of line×location. Line V44 with 39.4 tha-1 produced the highest yield and had a very good marketing score, while line B60 with 26.8 tha-1 produced the lowest yield. Based on these results, twelve lines D1, D7, D13, SH2, SH12, N12, N61, Y3, Y9, B29, V44 and B130 were selected for yield adaptability and stability traits.

Research was conducted during 1999 to 2009 to develop and introduce a new common millet (Panicum miliaceum) cultivar suitable for areas with short growing seasons in Iran. Several common millet populations collected from different locations of Iran were evaluated in research farm of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute in Karaj and based on yield, agronomic traits and tolerance to abiotic stresses such loding, 21 superior lines were selected. During years 2000 to 2009, these lines were evaluated in different research experiments in Karaj, Gorgan and Dezful and also in farmers fields in Yazd, Kerman and Zabol, finally a superior line coded as KCM7 was selected. Based on the results of these experiments, the new line was early maturing with high and stable fresh forage yield of 35.5 tha-1 and dry forage yield of 7.6 tha-1. The panicle length of KCM7 is 26.87 cm, its 1000 seed weight is 4.2 g with yellow color seeds and yield of 1.69 tha-1. Line KCM7 was officially introduced in 2009 by Seed and Plant Improvement Institute after approval of Seed Registration Committee of Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization with name of Pishahang as the first common millet cultivar in Iran.

The main objective for development and introduction of the new cultivar was to a achieve a high yielding and adaptative to short growing period or a catch crop, suitable for growing in different areas of Iran. After preliminary selections carried out during 1998-2000, 72 foxtail millet populations which had been collected from different parts of Iran, were examined and based on different agronomic characteristics, fifteen superior genotypes were selected and evaluated in a randomized complete block design. Line No. 12, coded as TN-15-93-1 in National Plant Gene Bank, with 29.4 tha-1 forage produced the highest yield among the genotypes. This line with the new code of KFM9 was compared with eight other advanced lines and a local check cultivar in multilocational yield traits in Karaj, Gorgan and Dezful during 2001-2003. Based on the results of these experiments, line KFM9 with 30 tha-1 fresh forage yield, 3.2 tha-1 dry forage yield, 2.5 tha-1 seed yield, 1000 seed weight of 3.54 g and other good characteristics such as earliness and tolerance to lodging was selected as the superior line. The new line was officially introduced through Seed and Plant Improvement Institute in 2009 and named Bastan.