Genome selection in fruit breeding: application to table grapes

Genomic selection (GS) has recently been proposed as a new selection strategy which represents an innovative paradigm in crop improvement, now widely adopted in animal breeding. Genomic selection relies on phenotyping and high-density genotyping of a sufficiently large and representative sample of the target breeding population, so that the majority of loci that regulate a quantitative trait are in linkage disequilibrium with one or more molecular markers and can thus be captured by selection. In this study we address genomic selection in a practical fruit breeding context applying it to a breeding population of table grape obtained from a cross between the hybrid genotype D8909-15 (Vitis rupestris × Vitis arizonica/girdiana), which is resistant to dagger nematode and Pierce’s disease (PD), and ‘B90-116’, a susceptible Vitis vinifera cultivar with desirable fruit characteristics. Our aim was to enhance the knowledge on the genomic variation of agronomical traits in table grape populations for future use in marker-assisted selection (MAS) and GS, by discovering a set of molecular markers associated with genomic regions involved in this variation. A number of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) were discovered but this method is inaccurate and the genetic architecture of the studied population was better captured by the BLasso method of genomic selection, which allowed for efficient inference about the genetic contribution of the various marker loci. The technology of genomic selection afforded greater efficiency than QTL analysis and can be very useful in speeding up the selection procedures for agronomic traits in table grapes

Path analysis for physiological traits that influence seed germination of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg

The quality of yellow passion fruit seed is determined by fruit storage and the duration of this period. Two orthree harvest dates can thereby be defined to obtain maximum quality. This study aimed to obtain estimates of phenotype,genotype and residual correlation coefficients and evaluate the direct and indirect effects (path analysis) of genotype correlationsin seed extracted from fruits stored for 7, 14 and 21 days at cooled (8 ºC) and at environment temperature (25 ºC). Thevariables accelerated aging and moisture content explained the higher germination percentage in the refrigerated environment.However, in natural conditions, the variables dry matter and electric conductivity influenced seed germination percentagestrongly, evidencing that the indirect effects of accelerated aging, electric conductivity and weight reduction had the greatestinfluence on dry matter

Seasonal and genetic influences on sex expression in a backcrossed segregating papaya population.

This study aimed to evaluate the genetic and seasonal influence on sex expression in segregating generationsof papaya elite and backcrossed genotypes. In the four seasons of the 2005/2006 growing season, 200 hermaphrodite plantswere evaluated. Of the eight studied traits, four were related to flowering and four to fruiting, i.e., to the percentage of normal,deformed, sterile, and total number of flowers, as well as the percentage of total, carpelloid, pentandric, and marketablefruits. Significant differences due to the genotype x season interaction were verified. Based on the genotypic determinationcoefficient and the variation index it was concluded that winter and spring are most appropriate for the selection of superiorgenotypes. Thus, selection in early stages of plant development is more successful, indicating that the physiological age mayalso be a factor involved in the expression of the above traits

Breeding new sugarcane clones by mixed models under genotype by environmental interaction

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is one of the most important crops cultivated in the tropics and subtropics and plays a significant economic and environmental role in Brazil. Twentyfour new clones were evaluated in different locations as potential models for recommendation as new varieties. The mixed model methodology, using the harmonic mean of the relative performance of genetic values (MHPRVG), facilitated the analysis of genotypic stability and adaptability, culminating in the recommendation of clones for each location. MHPRVG ranked clones RB92579, RB867515, SP81-3250, RB947520 and RB931530 as the best five, and, additionally, clones with greater genotypic potential were identified for each test in the six localities

Função de Meyer e Schilz para estimar o teor de água de sementes de feijão avaliado por radiofrequência

A obtenção de funções dielétricas que sejam independentes da massa específica aparente para estimar o teor de água dos grãos é importante para o desenvolvimento de sensores para utilização em secadores automáticos. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a adequabilidade da função de Meyer e Schilz, [(épsilon'1)/épsilon"], para determinação indireta, não destrutiva e em linha do teor de água de sementes de feijão em radiofreqüências, em que épsilon' e épsilon" representam a permissividade elétrica relativa e o fator de perda dielétrica, respectivamente. Foram utilizadas amostras da variedade Campeão-3 com teor de água entre 11,5 e 20,6% b.u. e massa específica aparente no intervalo entre 756 e 854 kg m-3. Todas as medições das propriedades dielétricas foram feitas em ambiente a 20 ± 1ºC e umidade relativa de 66 ± 2%. O modelo permitiu estimar o teor de água das sementes de feijão com erro padrão da estimativa e erro máximo de 0,5 e 1,0 ponto percentual, respectivamente.Derivation of density-independent dielectric functions for moisture determination in grains is important for the implementation of on-line sensors in automated driers. The object of this study was to investigate the Meyer and Schilz function [(epsilon'1)/epsilon"] for indirect and non-destructive water content measurement of seeds of common bean by radiofrequency, where epsilon' and epsilon" are the relative permittivity and the dielectric loss factor, respectively. Samples consisted of common bean seeds variety Campeão-3 at moisture contents ranging from 11.5 to 20.6% w.b., and bulk densities from 756 to 854 kg m-3, performing dielectric measurements in a room at 20 ± 1ºC and 66 ± 2% relative humidity. The model could estimate common bean seed moisture content with a standard error of the estimate, and maximum error of 0.5 and 1.0 percentage point in moisture, w.b., respectively

Desenvolvimento de mudas de Coffea canephora Pierre ex A. Froehner em diferentes combinações de substrato e recipiente

In coffee transplant production, substrate is one of the factors limiting growth. The ideal substrate should meet the oxygen, water and nutrient requirements for normal plant growth. The objective of this work was to verify the effect of different substrates and containers on the growth of coffee transplants in the nursery, and also to develop a new methodology for producing Coffea canephora Pierre ex A. Froehner transplants using agroindustrial residues. The following containers were used: polyethylene bags, conical tubettes with 80 cc and 120 cc capacity and pressed blocks (mixture of organic material). Each treatment corresponded to one type of substrate and one type of container. The results showed that organic material may be a potential substrate for C. canephora transplant production. The transplants produced in the organic material, organic material + controlled nutrients, soil + cow manure + controlled nutrients substrates presented the best results for all the traits compared, in relation to the other substrates, indicating that they are the best option for producing coffee transplants. The pressed block, polyetilene bags and big size tubettes may be appropriate containers for C. canephora transplant production. The commercial substrate was inadequate for coffee transplant production, regardless of the container.Na produção de mudas de café, um dos fatores de restrição ao bom desenvolvimento das mudas é o substrato. O substrato ideal é aquele que satisfaz as exigências essenciais (ar, água e nutrientes) necessárias ao bom crescimento das plantas. Assim, objetivou-se neste trabalho verificar o efeito de diferentes substratos e recipientes sobre o desenvolvimento de mudas de café no viveiro, além de testar um novo método para produção de mudas de Coffea canephora Pierre ex A. Froehner, utilizando resíduos agroindustriais. Como substratos, foram utilizados uma mistura de terra e esterco de curral, Substrato comercial e o composto formado por bagaço de cana e torta de filtro, com e sem fertilizante de liberação controlada. Como recipientes, foram utilizados saquinhos plásticos, tubetes cônicos de 80 mL e 120 mL e blocos prensados. Cada tratamento foi formado pela combinação de um substrato e um recipiente diferente. Pelos resultados, verificou-se que o composto apresentou possibilidades de uso na produção de mudas de C. canephora. As mudas produzidas nos substratos composto, compostos/fertilizante de liberação controlada, terra/esterco/fertilizante de liberação controlada, destacaram-se em todas as características, inferindo-se que essas seriam as melhores opções de substrato para produção de mudas de café. Bloco prensado, saquinho e tubete grande foram os recipientes mais indicados para a produção das mudas de C. canephora. O Substrato comercial mostrou-se inadequado para a produção de mudas de café, independentemente do recipiente

Prediction of popcorn hybrid and composite means

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the combining ability of 10 popcorn populations in a circulantdiallel; to test the viability of superior hybrids; and to identify genetic composites for intrapopulation breeding. In fourcontrasting environments, 30 treatments were evaluated for grain yield (GY), plant height (PLH) and popping expansion(PE), in a random block design with four replications. Results indicated that the evaluation of treatments in a larger groupof environments favors the expression of variability in genotypes. The additive effects for PE and the dominance effects forGY and PLH were highest. GY and PE of the combinations UNB2U-C1 x Angela and Braskalb x Angela were outstanding.The predicted mean PE and GY were highest for hybrid UNB2U-C1 x Angela and the composite formed by these parents(26.54 mL g-1 and 1,446.09 kg ha-1 respectively)

Avaliação do desenvolvimento vegetativo e do comportamento de mudas de café (Coffea arabica) infectadas ou não por uma população fluminense de Meloidogyne exigua

Coffee is one of the main commodities of the State of Rio de Janeiro and, among other problems, the damage caused by Meloidoyne exigua Goeldi, 1887, hinders the expansion of coffee in the State. The production of seedlings by hypocotyledonary grafting solves this problem, since it combines the resistance of Coffea canephora Pierre ex Froehn. to M. exigua to the quality and productivity of C. arabica L. Despite practiced in São Paulo, the hypocotyledonary grafting has not been validated in the conditions present in the State of Rio de Janeiro and neither the resistant genotypes were tested with populations of M. exigua belonging to the State, potentially different because of the genetic variability of this species. In this work was evaluated under greenhouse conditions the development of seedlings of four genotypes of coffee in non-grafted or grafted on ‘IAC Apoatã 2258’, infested or not with M. exigua. ‘IAC Obatã’ in non-grafted and ‘Iapar 59’ grafted had stood out with good vegetative growth. ‘IAC Obatã’, ‘IAC Red Catuaí 144’ and ‘IAC Tupi’ were susceptible to the fluminense population of M. exigua, while ‘IAC Apoatã 2258’ and ‘Iapar 59’ showed resistance, although allowed small reproduction of the nematode.O café é um dos principais produtos agrícolas do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Dentre outros problemas, os danos provocados por Meloidogyne exigua Goeldi, 1887 dificultam a expansão da cafeicultura no Estado. A produção de mudas por enxertia hipocotiledonar contorna esse problema, associando a resistência de Coffea canephora Pierre ex Froehn. a M. exigua à qualidade e produtividade de C. arabica L. Não obstante, praticada em São Paulo, a enxertia hipocotiledonar não foi ainda validada nas condições fluminenses nem os genótipos ditos resistentes foram testados frente às populações fluminenses de M. exigua, potencialmente distintas devido à variabilidade genética dessa espécie. Neste trabalho avaliou-se em casa-de-vegetação o desenvolvimento de mudas de quatro genótipos de café em pés francos ou enxertadas sobre ‘IAC Apoatã 2258’, infestados ou não por M. exigua. Destacaram-se ‘IAC Obatã’ em pé-franco e ‘Iapar 59’ enxertado, com bom desenvolvimento vegetativo. ‘IAC Obatã’, ‘IAC Catuaí Vermelho 144’ e ‘IAC Tupi’ foram suscetíveis à população fluminense de M. exigua, enquanto ‘IAC Apoatã 2258’ e ‘Iapar 59’ comportaram-se como resistentes, embora permitindo pequena reprodução do nematóide

Different planting spacings and fertilization levels on the activity of nitrate reductase in leaves of papaya hybrid UENF/CALIMAN-01

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes espaçamentos de plantio e de níveis de adubação NPK sobre a atividade da redutase do nitrato (RN) nas folhas do híbrido de mamoeiro UENF/CALIMAN-01 , visando a sugerir possível ajuste em seu manejo de adubação nitrogenada, no sentido de maximizar a eficiência do uso do nitrogênio. O experimento foi conduzido na fazenda Caliman Agrícola S.A., no município de Linhares - ES. Utilizou-se o delineamento estatístico experimental em blocos casualizados, com esquema fatorial, com três espaçamentos de plantio entre plantas (E1 = 1,8 m; E2 = 2,25 m, e E3 = 2,7 m), cinco níveis de adubação NPK convencional (A1 = 80% do padrão; A2 = 100% padrão da empresa; A3 = 120% do padrão; A4 = 140% do padrão, e A5 = 160% do padrão) e cinco períodos de avaliação (meses de março a julho). O padrão de adubação NPK da empresa consiste em 350; 105 e 660 kg ha-1ano-1 de sulfato de amônio (20% de N), superfosfato simples (18% de P) e cloreto de potássio (60% de K), respectivamente. Os dados obtidos para a atividade da RN foram submetidos a uma análise de variância e teste de médias. Dentre os tratamentos testados, o nível A1 (80% do padrão), independentemente do espaçamento, poderia ser indicado no manejo do híbrido de mamoeiro UENF/CALIMAN-01, pois em todos eles a atividade da redutase do nitrato, em praticamente todos os períodos avaliados, apresentou valores adequados, ou até mesmo superiores aos encontrados na literatura em cultivares de mamoeiro. A redução da adubação NPK pôde ser justificada, uma vez que não houve diferença na produtividade das plantas entre os tratamentos avaliados.The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different planting spacings and levels of NPK manuring on the activity of the nitrate reductase (NR) in the leaves of the papaya hybrid UENF/CALIMAN-01, aiming to suggest possible adjustment in the handling of nitrogen fertilization, in the sense of maximizing the efficiency of the use of the nitrogen. The experiment was driven in the Caliman Agrícola S.A. farm, in the municipal district of Linhares- ES. A complete block design, factorial, with three planting spacings among plants (E1 = 1.8 m, E2 = 2.25 m and E3 = 2.7 m), five levels of NPK conventional manuring (A1 = 80% of the standard, A2 = 100% of the company standard, A3 = 120% of the standard, A4 = 140% of the standard and A5 = 160% of the standard) and five evaluation periods ( from March to July) was used. The standard of the company NPK manuring consists of 350, 105 and 660 Kg ha-1year -1 of sulfate of ammonium (20% of N), simple superphosphate (18% of P) and potassium chloride (60% of K), respectively. The data obtained for the activity of NR were submitted to a variance analysis and average test. Among the tested treatments, A1 (80% of standard), independent of the spacing, could be indicated in the handling of the hybrid UENF/CALIMAN-01, because in all of them the activity of the nitrate reductase in, practically, all of the appraised periods, presented appropriate values, or even, superiors to the ones found in the literature for the papaya tree. The reduction of NPK fertilization could be justified, once that did not have difference in the productivity of the plants among the evaluated treatments.FINEPCNPq(FAPERJ) Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeir

Productivity and fruit quality of yellow passion fruit cultivars with or without artificial pollination

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência da polinização artificial na produtividade e qualidade de frutos de cultivares de maracujazeiro‑amarelo. Foram utilizadas sete cultivares comerciais de maracujazeiro‑amarelo, em dois experimentos realizados na região de Tangará da Serra, MT, em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com cinco repetições e parcelas constituídas por duas linhas de quatro plantas. No primeiro experimento, a polinização foi natural; no segundo, foi realizada a polinização artificial, duas vezes por semana. O plantio foi feito no dia 11 de janeiro de 2010 e as colheitas no período de julho de 2010 à março de 2011. A polinização artificial aumentou a produtividade de todas as cultivares, mas estas apresentaram diferentes sensibilidades à técnica. Quando a polinização artificial foi utilizada, as cultivares FB 100, FB 200 e BRS Ouro Vermelho tiveram maior rendimento do que IAC 275, IAC 277, BRS Sol do Cerrado e BRS Gigante Amarelo. A polinização artificial aumenta a produtividade, a massa de fruto, o diâmetro e comprimento de fruto e a percentagem de polpa, e reduz a espessura de casca. Há indicação de forte interação genótipo por ambiente, quanto à produtividade das cultivares avaliadas.The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of artificial pollination on productivity and fruit quality of yellow passion fruit cultivars. Seven commercial cultivars of yellow passion fruit were evaluated in two experiments carried out in Tangará da Serra, MT, Brazil, in a randomized block design with five replicates and plots consisting of two rows of four plants. In the first experiment, pollination was natural, whereas in the second it was artificial, performed twice a week. Planting was done on January 11, 2010, and harvests occured from July 2010 to March 2011. Artificial pollination increase the productivity of all cultivars, but their response to the technique varied. When artificial pollination was used, the cultivars FB 100, FB 200 and BRS Ouro Vermelho had a higher productivity than IAC 275, IAC 277, BRS Sol do Cerrado e BRS Gigante Amarelo. Artificial pollination increases productivity, fruit mass, diameter and length of fruit, and pulp percentage, and it reduces peel thickness. Strong genotype by environment interaction may be occurring, as for the productivity of the evaluated cultivars