Through an application of genetic engineering, genes from a soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) which confer resistance to pests were transferred into rice. Successful employment of genetic engineering in traditional breeding programs is dependent upon stable transmission of transgene in transgenic varieties. Three different segregating F2 populations were developed from a cross between each one of the transgenic lines namely: Tarom Molaii, Neda and Nemat and Sang Tarom while the segregation mode of cry1Ab gene being studied in these populations. The results of phenotypic assay in field and genotypic analysis (employing PCR in laboratory on the different F2 populations) revealed monogenic segregation ratio forcry1Ab gene. The results indicated single copy integration ofcry1Ab gene in the genomes of transgenic Tarom molaii, Neda and Nemat. This illustrates predictable segregation pattern of cry1Ab gene in transgenic plants. In addition, the data obtained imply that integration of cry1Ab gene in the genome of the studied transgenic lines is stable and can be successfully transmitted to successive generations. So, these transgenic lines could be well employed for improving pest tolerance of varieties in integrated pest management programs.

Cantaloupe is one of the most important vegetable crops in Iran. In recent years, due to some problems, such as low sweetness and fruit yield, plant death diseases, and the indiscriminate introduction of foreign commercial hybrid cultivars, the genetic resources of this product have been severely eroded. Therefore, in this research the crossing of important local cultivars such as Saveh and Niagara with the commercial and selected F1 cultivar Galia was considered to combine the best traits and select the best genotypes of the F2 generation by pedigree selection method and continuity of generations. This experiment was carried out in the Faculty of Agricultural Technology (Aboureyhan Campus) University of Tehran research farm. The selection of the best genotypes was done in three stages (natural screening in the field for disease, virus, and mite resistance, evaluation based on qualitative traits in the laboratory, and final selection of genotypes based on the results obtained from multivariate analysis of quantitative traits). The results showed that in Niagara × Gallia (NGF2) population, general heritability was high for all the evaluated traits except the fruit shape index. In the Saveh × Gallia (SGF2) population flesh thickness, soluble solids and fruit harvest date had the highest heritability. The results showed that the traits included in the stepwise regression model accounted for 90.3 and 80.3 percent of the total changes related to fruit weight in NGF2 and SGF2 populations, respectively. Based on the principal component analysis, in NGF2 and SGF2 populations, two principal components explained 71.88 and 71.31% of the data variance, respectively. Based on the results of the bi-plot analysis, 30 NGF2 and 53 SGF2 genotypes were selected, and cultivated in order to continue generations and reach pure parental lines in the F3 generation.

Extended Abstract Introduction and Objective: In rice, the use of male sterility is a prerequisite for the commercial exploitation of heterosis. Two well established male sterility systems in rice are cytoplasmic genetic male sterility (CMS), a three-line system, and environmentally sensitive genic male sterility (EGMS). EGMS has two types of mechanisms: PGMS and TGMS. TGMS lines are sterilized when they are at a temperature above 25-30°C during the cluster and flowering stages. In order to accelerate the development of TGMS lines in various genetic fields, marker-assisted selection (MAS) can increase the speed and accuracy of this transmission. The aim of this study was to identify the chromosomal location of the gene controlling the sterility trait TGMS and the SSR marker associated with this gene in Nemat TGMS cultivar. Material and Methods: For this study, Nemat TGMS cultivar was crossed with Fajr cultivar to obtain F2 and BC1 populations for genetic studies. After DNA extraction from 142 genotypes and PCR, the results observed in F1, F2 and BCF1 generations clearly indicated that the TGMS trait in TGMS is controlled by a recessive gene. For this study 14 SSR markers were used to determine the marker correlated with TGMS gene. The frequency of recombination between markers and TGMS locus was estimated using maximum likelihood, assuming that all individuals were completely sterile in terms of TGMS homozygous location. Linkage between marker loci and TGMS QTL was tested by chi square (χ2) test and LOD score. Results: Among the markers, RM110 and RM29 primers had a high correlation with TGMS gene (5.74 and 11.63 cM, respectively). Various markers have been reported by researchers for the TGMS gene on chromosome 2. Conclusion: The use of mutation in sterilization (TGMS) and variation in cultivar genotype has led to different markers being reported even for a particular gene. The use of markers that have a high correlation with this trait (MAS) can facilitate the transfer of TGMS gene to other cultivars.

Molecular markers are considered as useful tools for breeding, screening and genetic characterization of genotypes. In crop plants, using of marker assisted selection (MAS) for traits such as product quality and resistance to pests and diseases is being widely adopted by numerous breeding programs worldwide. In current study effects of high molecular glutenin subunit loci Glu1, alleles 2*, 17+18 and 5+10 were shown to be the most effective alleles for increasing gluten quality, respectively. In present study, we have screened F2 progenies of a composite cross (M-83- 17/3/Dove”S”/Buc”S”//2*Darab/4/Pishtaz/3/Ww33/Vee”S”//Niknejad) belonging to breeding program for temperate climate regions of Iran for presence of 2*, 17+18 and 5+10 alleles. Forty individuals from F2 generation were tagged in the field. Sequence tagged site (STS) primers Were used as specific markers to test for the presence of 2*, 17+18 and 5+10 in progenies. Our genotyping tests have revealed that out of 40 progenies, 12 individuals possessed the three alleles. Six out of 12 F3 progenies with 10 samples were selected and have been transferred to F4 generation. Results obtained from molecular markers experiment were in agreement with the results from SDS sedimentation test. It is indicated that 2*, 17+18 and 5+10 alleles have positive correlation with SDS-sedimentation volume. Cluster analysis based on between-group variances recognized five different clusters for high quality alleles with different combinations of the three alleles mentioned and three clusters for SDS-sedimentation volume with high, medium and low SDS-sedimentation volume, respectively.

The present study considers assessment of morphometry and genetic diversity of 24 populations of Hypnea. Statistical analyses indicated that characters such as algal branching in habit, size of alga and Position of tetrasporange sorus had the most important role in intera-specific variation. In both morphometry and genetic diversity analysis, grouping of the populations separated the studied species into four distinct clusters and groups but populations were spread in clusters. Analysis revealed significant genetic difference among populations and some degree of genetic admixture and gene exchange among the studied populations.

To investigate the effect of vermicompost, N fertilizer and their integration on growth, biological and essential yields oil and its components in two populations (Varamin and Isfahan), an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in the field of Isfahan Medicinal Plants Research Center in 2016. Fertilizer treatments including 100% urea, vermicompost 33.3 and urea 66.6%, vermicompost 66.6 and urea 33.3%, 100% vermicompost and control treatment (without fertilizer) as the first factor and Varamin and Isfahan populations as the second factor were selected. The results showed that the interaction effects of nitrogen fertilizer and populations on all studied traits were significant. In both populations, nitrogen fertilizer improved height, biological and essential oil yields, content of essential oil compounds (d-Carvone and its yield, α-phellandrene and linalool; except p-Cymene and Limonene in Isfahan population). Since in medicinal plants, the quantity (biological yield) and quality (essential oil and d-Carvone; the most important ingredient and the highest amount of essential oil in this experiment), 66.6% vermicompost + 33.3% urea in Varamin population, was the best treatment in the experiment. In addition an in the direction of human health and sustainable agriculture, it is possible to reduce 33% of chemical fertilizers application and pollution; however, in terms of other essential oil contents (α-phellandrene, Linalool and p-Cymene), 100% vermicompost fertilizer treatment was superior in Isfahan population.