Pre-anthesis ovary development determines genotypic differences in potential kernel weight in sorghum

Kernel weight is an important factor determining grain yield and nutritional quality in sorghum, yet the developmental processes underlying the genotypic differences in potential kernel weight remain unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the stage in development at which genetic effects on potential kernel weight were realized, and to investigate the developmental mechanisms by which potential kernel weight is controlled in sorghum. Kernel development was studied in two field experiments with five genotypes known to differ in kernel weight at maturity. Pre-fertilization floret and ovary development was examined and post-fertilization kernel-filling characteristics were analysed. Large kernels had a higher rate of kernel filling and contained more endosperm cells and starch granules than normal-sized kernels. Genotypic differences in kernel development appeared before stamen primordia initiation in the developing florets, with sessile spikelets of large-seeded genotypes having larger floret apical meristems than normal-seeded genotypes. At anthesis, the ovaries for large-sized kernels were larger in volume, with more cells per layer and more vascular bundles in the ovary wall. Across experiments and genotypes, there was a significant positive correlation between kernel dry weight at maturity and ovary volume at anthesis. Genotypic effects on meristem size, ovary volume, and kernel weight were all consistent with additive genetic control, suggesting that they were causally related. The pre-fertilization genetic control of kernel weight probably operated through the developing pericarp, which is derived from the ovary wall and potentially constrains kernel expansion

Pre-anthesis ovary development determines genotypic differences in potential kernel weight in sorghum

Kernel weight is an important factor determining grain yield and nutritional quality in sorghum, yet the developmental processes underlying the genotypic differences in potential kernel weight remain unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the stage in development at which genetic effects on potential kernel weight were realized, and to investigate the developmental mechanisms by which potential kernel weight is controlled in sorghum. Kernel development was studied in two field experiments with five genotypes known to differ in kernel weight at maturity. Pre-fertilization floret and ovary development was examined and post-fertilization kernel-filling characteristics were analysed. Large kernels had a higher rate of kernel filling and contained more endosperm cells and starch granules than normal-sized kernels. Genotypic differences in kernel development appeared before stamen primordia initiation in the developing florets, with sessile spikelets of large-seeded genotypes having larger floret apical meristems than normal-seeded genotypes. At anthesis, the ovaries for large-sized kernels were larger in volume, with more cells per layer and more vascular bundles in the ovary wall. Across experiments and genotypes, there was a significant positive correlation between kernel dry weight at maturity and ovary volume at anthesis. Genotypic effects on meristem size, ovary volume, and kernel weight were all consistent with additive genetic control, suggesting that they were causally related. The pre-fertilization genetic control of kernel weight probably operated through the developing pericarp, which is derived from the ovary wall and potentially constrains kernel expansion

Potencial de genótipos de trigo duro para produtividade e caracteres agronômicos no Estado de São Paulo Potential of durum wheat genotypes for productivity and agronomic traits in São Paulo State

O trigo duro produz a semolina que, extraída dos grãos, é a matéria-prima empregada na elaboração de macarrão. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o potencial produtivo e comportamento agronômico de 17 linhagens de trigo duro (BH-1146/LGN//2*IAC-1003) oriundas do programa de melhoramento do Instituto Agronômico (IAC) e três cultivares-controle: IAC-1001, IAC-1002 e IAC-1003, originárias de introduções do Centro Internacional de Melhoramento de Milho e Trigo (CIMMYT), México. Os experimentos foram instalados em Capão Bonito (sequeiro) e em Mococa (irrigado), em 2007 e 2008. Foram avaliados os seguintes caracteres: produtividade (kg ha-1), altura das plantas, comprimento da espiga e comprimento do internódio da raque (cm), número de grãos por espiga e massa de cem grãos (g). A tolerância à toxicidade de alumínio foi realizada empregando soluções nutritivas, no laboratório. As cultivares IAC-1001 e IAC-1003 destacaram-se quanto à produção de grãos nos dois locais. As linhagens 2, 9 e 13 possuem porte semianão mais baixo; as linhagens 4, 15 e a cultivar IAC-1001 exibiram espigas mais compridas; as cultivares IAC-1001 e IAC-1002 sobressaíram-se pelo grande número de grãos por espiga; a 'IAC-1003' pelos grãos mais pesados e as linhagens 1, 4, 15 e 17 revelaram maior comprimento do internódio da raque. Houve tendência dos genótipos de porte semianão mais alto serem mais produtivos, com maior número de grãos por espiga e grãos mais pesados. As linhagens obtidas pelo programa de melhoramento do IAC foram tolerantes à toxicidade de alumínio e as cultivares-controle sensíveis.<br>Semolina extracted from grains of durum wheat is used for manufacturing pastas. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate the yield potential and agronomic behavior of seventeen durum wheat inbred lines (BH-1146/LGN//2*IAC-1003) originated from Instituto Agronômico (IAC) breeding program and three check cultivars IAC-1001, IAC-1002 and IAC-1003, introduced from International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico. The experiments were carried out in upland conditions at Capão Bonito and under irrigation at Mococa, in 2007 and 2008. The following characters were evaluated: yield (kg ha-1), plant height, head length and raquis internode length (cm), number of grains per spike and 100 grains weight (g). The tolerance to aluminum toxicity was evaluated in nutrient solution, under laboratory conditions. 'IAC-1001' and 'IAC-1003' showed good performance in relation to grain yield at the two locations. The inbred lines 2, 9 and 13 showed shorter semi dwarf plant type; inbred lines 4, 15 and the cultivar IAC-1001 had longer heads; 'IAC-1001' and 'IAC-1002' exhibited more fertile spikes; 'IAC-1003' heavier grains and the inbred lines 1, 4, 15 and 17 presented higher raquis internode length. The more productive genotypes tent to present taller semi dwarf plant types, more of grain per spike and heavier grains. The inbred lines from the IAC breeding program were tolerant to aluminum toxicity and the check cultivars were sensitive

Herdabilidade e correlações entre caracteres agronômicos em populações híbridas de trigo duro

Objetivou-se estimar os coeficientes de herdabilidade em sentido restrito referentes ao número de espigas por planta, de número de grãos por espiga, massa de cem grãos e produção de grãos, bem como as correlações ambientais, fenotípicas e genotípicas entre esses caracteres. Os estudos foram realizados em cruzamentos entre os genótipos de trigo duro P19 (P1) e P33 (P2), ambos originados no programa do Instituto Agronômico (IAC), de Campinas e IAC-1003 (P3), genótipo introduzido do Centro Internacional de Melhoramento de Milho e Trigo (CIMMYT), México. Baixas estimativas de herdabilidade no sentido restrito foram obtidas para o caráter número de espigas por planta (0,23 a 0,38), exceto pelo cruzamento P1 x P2 (0,77). Valores baixos também foram obtidos para número de grãos por espiga (0,13 a 0,31), excetuando-se o cruzamento P1 x P3 (0,77). Para o caráter massa de cem grãos, os valores variaram de médios a baixos (0,24 a 0,49) para todos os cruzamentos e também para produção de grãos (0,09 a 0,45), sugerindo que a seleção para todos os caracteres na maioria dos cruzamentos deveria ser postergada para gerações posteriores. As correlações fenotípicas entre produção de grãos e os demais caracteres avaliados foram todas positivas e significativas, indicando que plantas com maior número de espigas, maior número de grãos por espiga e com grãos mais pesados seriam as mais produtivas