Introgression Progress for Phenotypic Traits and Parent-progeny Diversity at Advanced Segregation Population From Oryza Barthii and Oryza Glaberrima/oryza Sativa Crosses

Rice is a cereal staple of global fame and importance. Oryza barthii, a wild species holds significant traits and its utilization in rice breeding is rare. This study traced introgression trend of heritable traits in the offspring of O. barthii with an Africa-Asian progenitor to F8 and assessed diversity between the parents and the F8 population. Significant (P<0.05) genotypic variation existed for all the traits except tiller number, panicle/meter squared, grains/panicle and 1000 grain weight. Grains/panicle and days to 50% flowering had respective least (3.34%) and highest (96.32%) broad sense heritabilities. All traits had lower GCV compared to PCV. The least (5.28% and 8.05%) and the highest (90.8% and 98.1%) GCV and PCV were respectively from grains/panicle and tiller number. Clear variations on the panicles and grains include: variations in sizes, shapes, colours, presence or absence of awns. The total variance explained by five principal component axes was 80.1%. Plant height at maturity was the only trait with significant (p ≤ 0.01) correlation and regression between F6 and F7. Progenies resemblance to Parent 1(IRGC 104084) retrogressively declined but parent-offspring to parent 2 (TGS 25) progressively increased from F6 to F8. Three visible groups of rice type in this study were: the O. barthii (11%), O. sativa (67%) and the intermediate group (22%). This research has added to rice genetic resources; an investigation of the nutritional status of the progenies would be an interesting research.

Genome wide association study of plant height and tiller number in hulless barley

Hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum), also called naked barley, is a unique variety of cultivated barley. The genome-wide specific length amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) method is a rapid deep sequencing technology that is used for the selection and identification of genetic loci or markers. In this study, we collected 300 hulless barley accessions and used the SLAF-seq method to identify candidate genes involved in plant height (PH) and tiller number (TN). We obtained a total of 1407 M paired-end reads, and 228,227 SLAF tags were developed. After filtering using an integrity threshold of >0.8 and a minor allele frequency of >0.05, 14,504,892 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) loci were screened out. The remaining SNPs were used for the construction of a neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree, and the three subcluster members showed no obvious differentiation among regional varieties. We used a genome wide association study approach to identify 1006 and 113 SNPs associated with TN and PH, respectively. Based on best linear unbiased predictors (BLUP), 41 and 29 SNPs associated with TN and PH, respectively. Thus, several of genes, including Hd3a and CKX5, may be useful candidates for the future genetic breeding of hulless barley. Taken together, our results provide insight into the molecular mechanisms controlling barley architecture, which is important for breeding and yield.

Agro-morphological characterization based genetic diversity of Indonesian local rice germplasm

The present study was carried out to characterize 103 Indonesian local rice germplasm on the basis of 20 agro-morphological traits. The local rice germplasm originated from Riau and Jambi province in Sumatera island. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to analyzed 11 quantitative data. PCA explained the genetic diversity of the rice germplasm accession. Most of the morphological characters showed variation in different accession. PC1 and PC2 explained about 32.5% and 22.1% of the variability, respectively. PCI and PC2 mostly related with traits such as productive tiller number (PTN), vegetative tiller number (VTN), plant height (PH), and culm length (CL). PCA-Biplot showed accession from Jambi and Riau manage to be separated, even though the PCA percent is only 54.6%. Accession originated from Riau marked by number of tillers (PTN, VTN), and grain weight (GW) traits. Based on cluster analysis, rice germplasm grouped in to 4 main clusters. Most of the accession from Jambi and Riau grouped in the same cluster, which is cluster I. Whereas eight local accessions from Riau grouped in the same cluster separately (cluster II). Two accession which are Padi Jarum (Acc 2711) and Ketan Hitam (Acc 9300) are individually, separated from others.

Impact of UREAStable on Soil Property, Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Yield of Durum Wheat under Balanced Fertilizer Application

Wheat requirement of nitrogen for plant growth, and crop yields and quality depends upon substantial N inputs. Therefore, a field experiment was carried out at Gimbichu district in 2017 and 2018 main cropping season with the objective of evaluating the overall performance of applying slow-release/UREAstable fertilizer over the conventional urea fertilizer for durum wheat production, and to determine optimum rates of slow-release urea fertilizer for wheat productivity. The treatments consisted of Control, 90 kg N ha-1 from conventional urea applied in split, 90 kg N ha-1 from UREAstable applied once at planting, 90 kg N ha-1 from UREAstable applied in split, 45 kg N ha-1 from UREAstable applied once at planting, 45 kg N ha-1 from UREA stable applied in split form, 135 kg N ha-1 from UREA stable applied in split form, 135 kg N ha-1 from conventional UREA applied in split form and 135 kg N ha-1 from UREAstable applied once at planting. The results revealed that plant height, spike length, Tiller number, grain yield, biomass yield, harvest index and grain and straw uptake were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the application of slow release and conventional urea fertilizer. The highest spike length (3.8cm), Tiller number (2.1), grain yield (2205 kg ha-1), biomass yield (6968 kg ha-1) and nitrogen grain straw uptake (35.6 kg N ha-1) were recorded from 135kg N ha-1 urea stable fertilizer applied in split form followed by application of 135 kg N ha-1 conventional urea fertilizer applied in split form. While, maximum straw nitrogen uptake was obtained from application of 135 kg N ha-1 conventional urea fertilizer applied in split form. Therefore, taking the findings of the present study consideration it may be concluding that farmers can use 135 kg N ha-1 UREAstable fertilizer to improve nitrogen use efficiency and productivity of wheat in the study area in addition to conventional urea fertilizer. However, further research may be required at various locations to come up with an inclusive recommendation.

The Effect of Chelated Zinc and Nano-Zinc and Interaction on Growth Traits of Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.)

The field experiment was carried out in one of the farmers’ fields in Al-Fajr district, Dhi Qar governorate, located 90 km north of Nasiriyah city center, during the agricultural season 2020-2021. To show the effect of spraying different levels of chelated and nano zinc on the growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment was conducted using factorial experiments according to the complete block design (RCBD). The experiment included two factors, the first factor using chelated zinc at five levels (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 mg. L−1), and the second factor using nano-zinc at five levels (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 mg. L−1). The results show that chelated zinc was a significant effect on the leaf area, the flag leaf, tiller number and chlorophyll, and no significant effect on plant height and spike length. As for the zinc nanoparticles, it had a significant effect on leaf area and chlorophyll, and no significant effect on the plant height, spike length and the tiller number. While the interaction affected significantly the leaf area, and no significantly affect the plant height, spike length, tiller number and chlorophyll.

Identification and Evaluation of Wheat-Aegilops bicornis Lines with Resistance to Powdery Mildew and Stripe Rust

Wheat pathogens, especially those causing powdery mildew and stripe rust, seriously threaten yield worldwide. Utilizing newly identified disease resistance genes from wheat relatives is an effective strategy to minimize disease damage. In this study, chromosome-specific molecular markers for the 3Sb and 7Sb chromosomes of Aegilops bicornis were developed using PCR-based landmark unique gene (PLUG) primers for screening wheat-Ae. bicornis progenies. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed to further identify wheat-Ae. bicornis progenies using oligonucleotides probes Oligo-pSc119.2-1, Oligo-pTa535-1, and Oligo-(GAA)8. After establishing Ae. bicornis 3Sb and 7Sb chromosome-specific FISH markers, Holdfast (common wheat)-Ae. bicornis 3Sb addition, 7Sb addition, 3Sb(3A) substitution, 3Sb(3B) substitution, 3Sb(3D) substitution, 7Sb(7A) substitution, and 7Sb(7B) substitution lines were identified by the molecular and cytological markers. Stripe rust and powdery mildew resistance, along with agronomic traits were investigated to evaluate the breeding potential of these lines. Holdfast and Holdfast-Ae. bicornis progenies were all highly resistant to stripe rust, indicating that the stripe rust resistance might derive from Holdfast. However, Holdfast-Ae. bicornis 3Sb addition, 3Sb(3A) substitution, 3Sb(3B) substitution, and 3Sb(3D) substitution lines showed high resistance to powdery mildew while Holdfast was highly susceptible, indicating that chromosome 3Sb of Ae. bicornis carries previously unknown powdery mildew resistance gene(s). Additionally, the transfer of the 3Sb chromosome from Ae. bicornis to wheat significantly increased tiller number, but chromosome 7Sb has a negative effect on agronomic traits. Therefore, wheat germplasm containing Ae. bicornis chromosome 3Sb has potential to contribute to improving powdery mildew resistance and tiller number during wheat breeding.

Down-expression of TaPIN1s Increases the Tiller Number and Grain Yield in Wheat

Background Tiller number is a factor determining panicle number and grain yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum). Auxin plays an important role in the regulation of branch production. PIN-FORMED 1 (PIN1), an auxin efflux carrier, plays a role in the regulation of tiller number in rice (Oryza sativa); however, little is known on the roles of PIN1 in wheat. Results Nine homologs of TaPIN1 genes were identified in wheat, of which TaPIN1-6 genes showed higher expression in the stem apex and young leaf in wheat, and the TaPIN1-6a protein was localized in the plasma membrane. The down-expression of TaPIN1s increased the tiller number in TaPIN1-RNA interference (TaPIN1-RNAi) transgenic wheat plants, indicating that auxin might mediate the axillary bud production. By contrast, the spikelet number, grain number per panicle, and the 1000-grain weight were decreased in the TaPIN1-RNAi transgenic wheat plants compared with those in the wild type. In summary, a reduction of TaPIN1s expression increased the tiller number and grain yield per plant of wheat. Conclusions Phylogenetic analysis and protein structure of nine TaPIN1 proteins were analyzed, and subcellular localization of TaPIN1-6a was located in the plasma membrane. Knock-down expression of TaPIN1 genes increased the tiller number of transgenic wheat lines. Our study suggests that TaPIN1s is required for the regulation of grain yield in wheat.

Weeding Frequencies Decreased Rice–Weed Competition and Increased Rice N Uptake in Organic Paddy Field

Different weeding frequencies (WFs)―0WF, 2WF, 4WF, 6WF, and 8WF―were adopted in an organic rice field to investigate their influence on weed types, rice and weed biomass, rice tiller and weed number, N concentration, and N uptake. The study field was located in Tsuruoka, Yamagata, Japan. Rice (cv. Sasanishiki) was planted from May to September 2019, and all weeding events were carried out until 49 days after transplantation (DAT) using a rotary weeder. Rice and weed samples were collected at 60, 88, and 110 DAT. Echinochloa crus-galli (E. crus-galli), Schoenoplectus juncoides, and Monochoria vaginalis (Burm. f.) were the most commonly found weeds. High weed diversity was observed at both 6WF and 8WF, E. crus-galli was the dominant weed at 0WF. Compared to 0WF, 2WF displayed a significantly decreased weed biomass. However, at 8WF, the weed biomass was reduced by 79.0%, the rice biomass was increased by 277%, and the rice tiller number was almost three times higher than that at 0WF and 110 DAT. Compared to 0WF, a significantly increased rice N uptake was observed at 4WF, and rice N uptakes achieved at 6WF and 8WF were two and four times higher than those at 0WF, respectively. Higher weeding frequencies provide notable benefits in suppressing weeds and supporting rice growth, especially in N uptake competition with weeds.

Efficacy of Different Fungicides Against Rhizome Rot Disease of Ginger Under Farmer Field Condition in Salyan, Nepal

A study was conducted from March to August 2020 to evaluate the effectiveness of different fungicides for the management of rhizome rot disease in ginger. The field experiment was conducted under Randomized Complete Block Design with four replication and five treatments; Carbendazim 50% WP @ 1gm/litre + Mancozeb 75% WP @ 2.5gm/litre, Metalaxyl 8% WP + Mancozeb 64% WP @ 2gm/litre, Carbendazim 50% WP @ 1gm/litre, Trichoderma viride @ 5gm/litre and control. The height of pseudo stems, leaf number, germination percentage, tiller number, disease incidence, disease severity and percentage of disease control was recorded during field experiment. There was no significant effect of pre sowing rhizome treatment in height of pseudostems, leaf number and germination percentage. The highest tiller number (3.40) was found with Carbendazim 50% WP @1gm/litre + Mancozeb 75% @ 2.5gm/ litre treatment and lowest tillers number (2.95) was found with control. The highest disease incidence (34.37) and severity (30.03) was found in control plot whereas the lowest disease incidence (2.58) and disease severity (2.46) was found with Carbendazim 50% @ 1gm/litre treatment + Mancozeb 75% @ 2.5gm/litre. Similarly, the highest percentage disease control (85.61) was found with Carbendazim 50% @ 1gm/litre + Mancozeb 75% @ 2.5gm/litre treated rhizome and the lowest (54.14) was found with Trichoderma viride @ 5gm/litre treatment. Therefore, seed treatment with Carbendazim 50%WP @ 1gm/litre + Mancozeb 75% WP @ 2.5 gm/litre is found effective among other fungicides in Bagchaur-3, Salyan and is recommended for enhancing tiller and reducing rhizome rot disease incidence and severity in ginger.