Analysis of Yield Components of F1 Hybrids of Crosses between Spring and Winter Wheat Types (Triticum aestivum L.)

F1 hybrids were produced using the German spring wheat variety Remus as a female parent and eight Croatian wheat varieties (six winter and two spring types) as male parents. The heterosis (MP-mid parent, BP-better parent) for five yield components was investigated in eight cross combinations. Data are based on field trial. All the combinations tested gave average heterosis (MP, BP) for 1000-grain weight (14.38%, 6.12%) and grain weight per spike (11.47%, 3.68%). The highest heterosis (MP, BP) was found for 1000-grain weight (35.27%, 28.42%) in the hybrid Remus/Sivka and for grain weight per spike (20. 45%, 19.1%) in the hybrid Remus/Dukat. These data showed that the spring wheat variety Remus could be used in cross combinations for improvement of yield through higher 1000-grain weight and grain weight per spike

Analysis of Yield Components of F1 Hybrids of Crosses between Spring and Winter Wheat Types (Triticum aestivum L.)

F1 hybrids were produced using the German spring wheat variety Remus as a female parent and eight Croatian wheat varieties (six winter and two spring types) as male parents. The heterosis (MP-mid parent, BP-better parent) for five yield components was investigated in eight cross combinations. Data are based on field trial. All the combinations tested gave average heterosis (MP, BP) for 1000-grain weight (14.38%, 6.12%) and grain weight per spike (11.47%, 3.68%). The highest heterosis (MP, BP) was found for 1000-grain weight (35.27%, 28.42%) in the hybrid Remus/Sivka and for grain weight per spike (20. 45%, 19.1%) in the hybrid Remus/Dukat. These data showed that the spring wheat variety Remus could be used in cross combinations for improvement of yield through higher 1000-grain weight and grain weight per spike

Influence of Zeatin on Wheat Regeneration from Immature Embryos

Immature embryo culture of nine Croatian winter wheat genotypes were performed in order to determine the influence of zeatin, as an exogenous growth regulator, on regeneration capacity of callus and number of regenerated shoots. Immature embryos 0.5-1.5 mm in size were aseptically isolated and plated with the scutellum exposed on modified MS medium containing MS salts and vitamins supplemented with 2 mg/l 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and 30 g/l sucrose. For shoot initiation, calli were transferred on two different regeneration media: MSZ0 medium (MS salts and vitamins supplemented with 0.2 mg/l 2,4-D and 30 g/l sucrose) and MSZ5 medium (MS salts and vitamins supplemented with 0.2 mg/l 2,4-D, 5 mg/l zeatin and 30 g/l sucrose) and incubated at 26°C with 16/8 h light/dark photoperiod. Mean regeneration capacity of callus was higher on MSZ5 medium compared to MSZ0 medium (48.0% and 33.6% respectively). For all genotypes, except Lipa, regeneration capacity of callus was higher on MSZ5 medium. However, mean number of regenerated shoots was similar on MSZ5 compared to MSZ0 medium (1.6 and 1.3 respectively). The highest number of regenerated shoots per callus induced was found for genotype Žitarka (4.39), followed by genotypes Barbara (2.76), Lipa (2.61), line ZG1 (2.04) and Edita (1.67)

Effect of Within-Row Spacing on Agronomic and Morphological Characteristics of the Flue-Cured Tobacco Cultivars

In flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) production the aim is improvement of yield and quality (usability) of cured leaf. This has been achieved through development of new cultivars and adjustment of cultural practices. In Croatia, most of the flue-cured tobacco is grown at plant spacing of 45 cm within and 100 cm between rows, i.e. at planting density of about 22,000 plants per ha. In order to evaluate the effect of decreased planting density on agronomic and morphological characteristics of flue-cured tobacco, field experiments with six flue-cured tobacco cultivars and two within row plant spacings (45 and 55 cm) were conducted at two locations in the main Croatian flue-cured tobacco growing regions, over four years (2005 to 2008). Wider spacing within rows resulted in 396.12 kg ha-1 higher yield and 861.01 $ ha-1 higher value than the closer spacing. Change in price was not significant. Length, width, and leaf area of the 9th leaf also increased significantly at 55 cm within row spacing, while plant height and leaf number were unchanged. Cultivar x plant spacing and environment x plant spacing interactions were not significant for the studied traits. Results indicate that higher yield, higher value and good quality of cured tobacco leaf could be produced at 55 cm within row spacing (about 18,000 plants per ha)

Immunohystochemical Expression of Cancer/Testis Antigens (MAGE-A3/4, NY-ESO-1) in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: The Relationship with Clinical-Pathological Features

The aim of this study was to explore the expression of cancer/testis tumor associated antigens (C/T TAAs) MAGE-A 3/4 and NY-ESO-1 in lung squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, and to evaluate their association with the standard clinical-pathological features of surgically treated lung cancer patients. The study included 80 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (40 adenocarcinomas, 40 squamous cell carcinomas) who had undergone surgery in the period between 2002 and 2005. The MAGE-A3/4 and NY-ESO-1 antigen expression was analyzed immunohistochemically (IHC). The results showed MAGE-A3/4 and NY-ESO-1 positive staining in 65.1% and 23.3% of squamous cell carcinomas and 18.9% and 10.8% of adenocarcinomas, respectively. A statistically higher MAGE-A3/4 expression was observed in planocellular bronchial carcinoma (p<0.001), while no difference was found in the expression of NY-ESO-1 in adenocarcinoma and planocellular carcinoma (p=0.144). A significant association was found between the MAGE-A3/4 expression and presence of tumor necrosis in squamous cell cancer specimens (p=0.001), but not in adenocarcinoma (p=0.033). A statistically significant association was noted between the NY-ESO-1 expression and positive hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes in adenocarcinoma (p=0.025) whereas it was not the case in squamous cell carcinoma. Non-small cell lung cancer frequently expresses cancer/testis tumor associated antigens. Our results demonstrate that the MAGE-A3/4 and NY-ESO-1 expression was significant associated with prognostic factors of poor outcome of disease (presence of tumor necrosis and lymph node metastasis). As C/T antigens are important for inducing a specific immune reaction in lung cancer patients, there is an intention to form a subgroup of patients in the future, whose treatment would be enhanced by specific immunotherapy based on the observed scientific results

Genetic Diversity in Southeast European Soybean Germplasm Revealed by SSR Markers

Breeding material and registered soybean cultivars in Southeast European countries are strongly linked to Western breeding programs, primarily in the USA and Canada. There is little reliable information regarding the source of germplasm introduction, its pedigree and breeding schemes applied. Consequently, use of these genotypes in making crosses to develop further breeding cycles can result in an insufficient level of genetic variability. The objective of this study was to assess genetic diversity and relationships of 23 soybean genotypes representing several independent breeding sources from Southeastern Europe and five plant introductions from Western Europe and Canada using 20 SSR markers. In total 80 alleles were detected among 28 genotypes with an average of four alleles per locus and an average marker diversity of 0.585. Allele frequency distribution was characterised with a high proportion of alleles at very low frequencies with 11 % of unique alleles. Cluster analysis clearly separated all genotypes from each other assigning them into three major clusters, which largely corresponded to their origin. Results of clustering were mainly in accordance with the known pedigrees

Stalk rot resistance in Maksimir 3 synthetic maize population after four cycles of recurrent selection

Fusarium stalk rot (FSR) and anthracnose stalk rot (ASR), caused by Fusarium spp. and Colletotrichum graminicola (Ces.) G.W. Wils. respectively, are the two most important stalk diseases in maize which increase the incidence of stalk lodging and reduce grain yield. The aim of the present study was to (1) evaluate the effect of four cycles of recurrent selection in the Maksimir 3 Synthetic (M3S) maize population on ASR and FSR resistance and (2) to investigate the correlation among the different disease rating methods. The experiment included six M3S cycle populations per se and their test-crosses with a single cross hybrid. ASR resistance was estimated on artificially inoculated plant rows using three ratings (the number of infected internodes, the number of internodes rotten more than 75% and evaluation of outer stalk discoloration) whereas FSR resistance was estimated in artificially inoculated rows as well as in naturally inoculated rows by rating severity of disease symptoms on longitudinally cut stalks using the standard resistance scale. The results of the present study showed that four cycles of selection in the M3S maize population, conducted primarily for grain yield improvement, did not significantly affect its resistance to both ASR and FSR. Among the disease ratings a moderate positive correlation was found only between two ASR resistance ratings (the number of infected internodes and the number of internodes rotted more than 75%) in both population per se (r=0.49**) and population test-crosses (r=0.56**)

Influence of Zeatin on Wheat Regeneration from Immature Embryos

Immature embryo culture of nine Croatian winter wheat genotypes were performed in order to determine the influence of zeatin, as an exogenous growth regulator, on regeneration capacity of callus and number of regenerated shoots. Immature embryos 0.5-1.5 mm in size were aseptically isolated and plated with the scutellum exposed on modified MS medium containing MS salts and vitamins supplemented with 2 mg/l 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and 30 g/l sucrose. For shoot initiation, calli were transferred on two different regeneration media: MSZ0 medium (MS salts and vitamins supplemented with 0.2 mg/l 2,4-D and 30 g/l sucrose) and MSZ5 medium (MS salts and vitamins supplemented with 0.2 mg/l 2,4-D, 5 mg/l zeatin and 30 g/l sucrose) and incubated at 26°C with 16/8 h light/dark photoperiod. Mean regeneration capacity of callus was higher on MSZ5 medium compared to MSZ0 medium (48.0% and 33.6% respectively). For all genotypes, except Lipa, regeneration capacity of callus was higher on MSZ5 medium. However, mean number of regenerated shoots was similar on MSZ5 compared to MSZ0 medium (1.6 and 1.3 respectively). The highest number of regenerated shoots per callus induced was found for genotype Žitarka (4.39), followed by genotypes Barbara (2.76), Lipa (2.61), line ZG1 (2.04) and Edita (1.67)

Pre-Harvest Sprouting and Dormancy in Diverse Wheat Genotypes

Pedeset genotipova pšenice sijano je 1994/95. i 1995/96. godine u sjeverozapadnoj Hrvatskoj radi utvrđivanja osjetljivosti na priježetveno proklijavanje i dormantnosti. Osjetljivost na proklijavanje je testirano u fiziološkoj zriobi na intaktnim klasovima u vlažnom filter papiru. Razina dormantnosti je utvrđena pomoću jednostavnih testova klijavosti na ovršenim zrnima u tri roka nakon žetve. Jednaku razinu otpornosti na proklijavanje u fiziološkoj zriobi kao otporni standard RL.4137 imalo je 24 genotipa u 1995. godini i 30 genotipova u 1996. godini. Manji broj genotipova bio je jednak standardu RL.4137 po razini dormantnosti u tri roka nakon žetve. Po razini dormantnosti više genotipova je bilo slično standardu RL.4137 nakon trećeg nego nakon sedmog dana klijanja. Ovo je posljedica niske razine klijanja treći dan kombinirana s relativno visokom razinom klijanja sedmi dan kod nekih genotipova. Uz mali postotak klijavosti dormantnost se kod takvih genotipova očitovala i kroz odgođeno klijanje. Za utvrđivanje ovog svojstva bilo bi, stoga, korisno mjeriti dormantnost nakon tri i nakon sedam dana klijanja.Visoka interakcija genotip x okolina, dobivena kako za osjetljivost na proklijavanje tako i za dormantnost, upućuje na potrebu testiranja genotipova u većem broju okolina.Fifty wheat genotypes have been sown in northwestern Croatia, in 1994/95 and 1995/96 in order to determine variation for pre-harvest sprouting susceptibility and dormancy. Sprouting susceptibility was tested at physiological maturity, using intact spikes in wet paper towels. Dormancy level was detected from simple germination tests on treshed seeds at three intervals after harvest . 24 genotypes in 1995 and 30 genotypes in 1996 had the same level of sprouting resistance at physiological maturity as the sprouting resistant standard RL.4137. By comparison, a smaller number of genotypes were ranked equal to RL.4137 on the basis of the level of dormancy measured at three intervals after harvest. More genotypes appeared similar to RL.4137 on the third than after the seventh day of germination. This was a consequence of the low level of germination at the third day combined with relatively high level at the seventh day in some genotypes. In addition to a lower germination percentage , dormancy in these genotypes was detected as delayed germination. Thus, dormancy measurements after both three and seven days of germination would appear to be useful for detection of this characteristic. High genotype by environment interaction observed for sprouting susceptibility as well as for dormancy suggests the need of testing genotypes in more environments