Epistasis for grain yield in soybeans

Em soja [Glycine max (L.) Merrill], a produção de grãos é o caráter de maior importância econômica, com herança quantitativa e altamente influenciado pelo ambiente. As estratégias de seleção utilizadas para o desenvolvimento de cultivares em soja poderiam ser otimizadas por meio do estudo da importância relativa dos componentes de variância, particularmente a proporção de variação devida às interações não alélicas (epistasia). Com o objetivo de estudar a variação epistática para a produção de grãos em soja utilizou-se o delineamento "Triple Test Cross Modificado" (TTC) de Jinks et al. Uma amostra de 32 linhas puras (Pi) derivadas de um cruzamento biparental foi cruzada com duas linhagens divergentes (L1 e L2) contrastantes para PG, derivadas da mesma população. O experimento de avaliação foi desenvolvido no ano agrícola de 2006/2007 em um delineamento em látice triplo triplicado (9 repetições), contendo 100 tratamentos: 32 cruzamentos Pi x L1 (L1i), 32 cruzamentos Pi x L2 (L2i), 34 linhas puras (32 Pi mais dois testadores) e duas testemunhas comerciais. A variação entre os contrastes de médias (L1i + L2i - Pi) foi altamente significativa na análise de variância (P<0,01), indicando a ocorrência de epistasia. Os resultados gerais indicam, portanto, que a epistasia pode ser um componente importante para a expressão da produção de grãos de soja e, consequentemente, esta deve ser incluída nos modelos para a decomposição dos componentes da variância genética.Grain yield is the most important trait in soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]. It is characterized by quantitative inheritance and high environmental effects. Selection strategies used for development of soybean cultivars could be optimized by the study of the relative importance of the variance components, in particular the proportion of the non-allelic interaction components (epistasis). In order to study the epistatic variation for grain yield in soybeans the "Modified Triple Test Cross" (TTC) method (Jinks et al), was used. Thirty two inbred lines (Pi) derived from a single cross were crossed with two divergent inbred lines (L1 e L2) of the same population and evaluated in 2006/2007 growing season in a triple lattice design (9 replications) with 100 entries: 32 Pi x L1 crosses (L1i), 32 Pi x L2 crosses (L2i), 34 inbred lines (32 Pi plus two testers) and two commercial controls. The variation among the mean contrasts (L1i + L2i - Pi) ) was highly significant in the analysis of variance (P<0.01), indicating the occurrence of epistasis. Results indicate that epistasis can be an important component for the expression of grain yield in soybeans and consequently it needs to be included in the model for the partition of the genetic components of variance

Genetic variability during four cycles of recurrent selection in rice

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar parâmetros genéticos e fenotípicos entre progênies da população CNA6 de arroz (Oryza sativa) de terras altas para os caracteres produtividade de grãos e altura de plantas, em quatro ciclos de seleção recorrente, para análise da variabilidade genética e da interação genótipo × local. Os dados experimentais foram obtidos de ensaios de rendimentos de progênies S0:2, conduzidos em delineamento experimental de blocos aumentados de Federer, sem repetição para progênies por local. O efeito de progênies S0:2 foi significativo em todos os ciclos para produtividade de grãos e nos três primeiros ciclos para altura de plantas, o que é indicativo da manutenção do potencial genético da população em gerar progênies transgressivas. A participação do componente da interação progênie × local na variância fenotípica foi de alta magnitude. A variabilidade genética da população CNA6 de arroz de terras altas quanto à produtividade de grãos e à altura de plantas é mantida durante os quatro ciclos de seleção recorrente.The objective of this work was to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters among progenies of the CNA6 population of upland rice (Oryza sativa) for grain yield and plant height in four cycles of recurrent selection, in order to evaluate the genetic variability and the genotype × location interaction. The experimental data were obtained from yield trials of S0:2 progenies, which were carried out in the experimental design of Federer’s augmented blocks, without replications for progenies within each location. The effect of S0:2 progenies was significant in all cycles for grain yield and in the first three cycles for plant height, indicating the maintenance of the population’s genetic potential to generate transgressive progenies. The participation of the component of the progeny × location interaction in phenotypic variance was of high magnitude. The genetic variability of the CNA6 population of upland rice is maintained for grain yield and plant height during the four cycles of recurrent selection

Parental selection for crossings based on molecular genetic distances and perspectives for soybean breeding

A seleção de genitores para cruzamentos constitui-se em uma das etapas mais importantes em programas de melhoramento genético, pois com isso evita-se o desenvolvimento de populações pouco promissoras. Com o advento dos marcadores moleculares surgiu a possibilidade de predizer o desempenho das populações com base nas distâncias genéticas entre os genitores, mas os resultados disponíveis são contraditórios. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a possibilidade de predizer a variabilidade de cruzamentos de soja a partir de medidas de distâncias genéticas obtidas com marcadores moleculares AFLP. Foram realizados seis cruzamentos biparentais, entre cultivares recomendados para o Estado de São Paulo, com diferentes graus de distâncias genéticas (DG): baixo (DG£ 0,20), médio (DG@ 0,44) e alto (DG@ 0,65). Para cada cruzamento foram obtidas 100 progênies F2:3, que foram avaliadas em delineamentos em látice simples e parcelas lineares de 2 m espaçadas de 0,5 m, contendo 30 plantas após o desbaste, no ano agrícola de 2007/08. Foram avaliados os caracteres: número de dias para florescimento (DF), altura das plantas no florescimento (AF), número de dias para maturação (DM), altura das plantas na maturação (AM), acamamento (AC) e produção de grãos (PG). Para cada cruzamento foi estimada a variância genética entre progênies ( 2 p ), o coeficiente de herdabilidade entre médias de progênies ( 2 X h ), e a amplitude das médias individuais das progênies ( 3 : 2 F ) para todos os caracteres. Para a produção de grãos (PG) foi estimada ainda a proporção esperada de linhagens superiores (PS) e a heterose (h). Observou-se um aumento na magnitude da variância genética ( 2 p ), do coeficiente de herdabilidade ( 2 X h ) e da amplitude das médias das progênies ( 3 : 2 F ) com o aumento da distância genética (DG), principalmente para PG, DM e AF, evidenciado pelas correlações entre estas estimativas e DG ( = r 0,60 a 1,00). Para os demais caracteres as correlações foram ligeiramente inferiores. Além disso, para PG observou-se também uma correlação alta com a proporção esperada de linhagens superiores ( = r 0,77) e com a heterose ( = r 0,83). Estes resultados indicam claramente um aumento da variabilidade genética com o aumento da distância genética entre os genitores, sendo possível uma seleção prévia de genitores, da ordem de 50%, com base nas distâncias genéticas obtidas com marcadores moleculares AFLP, com o intuito de reduzir o número de populações a ser avaliado.The selection of parents for crossings is one of the most important steps in plant breeding programs, in order to avoid the development of unfavorable populations. The population performance can be predicted by using genetics distances based on molecular markers, but the reported results are not consistent. Thus, the objective of this work was to investigate the possibility of predicting genetic variability of soybean crosses, based on genetic distances between parents derived from AFLP molecular markers. Six two-way crosses of soybean were performed between cultivars adapted to the state of São Paulo, Brazil, with different levels of molecular genetic distances (DG): low (DG£ 0,20); intermediate (DG@ 0.44) and high (DG@ 0.65). For each cross 100 F2:3 progenies were evaluated in a simple lattice design and plots 2 meter long spaced by 0.5 meter, containing 30 plants after thinning, in the 2007/08 growing season. The following traits were evaluated: days to flowering (DF), plant height at flowering (AF), days to maturity (DM), plant height at maturity (AM), lodging (AC) and grain yield (PG). For each cross the following parameters were estimated: genetic variance among progenies ( 2 p ), heritability among progeny means ( 2 X h ) and amplitude of the individual progeny means ( 3 : 2 F ) for all traits. For grain yield the expected proportion of superior inbred lines (PS) and heterosis (h) were also estimated. It was observed an increasing of genetic variance ( 2 p ), heritability ( 2 X h ) and amplitude of the progeny means ( 3 : 2 F ), with the genetic distance (DG) increasing, mainly for PG, DM and AF, as can be seen by the correlation coefficients between those estimates and DG ( = r 0.60 to 1.00). For the other traits, the correlation coefficients were smaller. Besides, a correlation of DG with the proportion of superior inbred lines ( = r 0.77) and with heterosis ( = r 0.83) were also observed for PG. General results indicate clearly an increasing of genetic variability following the increasing of genetic distances between the parents, and thus, a previous selection of parents of around 50%, based on AFLP genetic distances, is possible, in order to reduce the number of populations to be evaluated

ARTICLE - Epistatic effects on grain yield of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill

Studies addressing the estimation of genetic parameters in soybean have not emphasized the epistatic effects. The purpose of this study was to estimate the significance of these effects on soybean grain yield, based on the Modified Triple Test Cross design. Thirty-two inbred lines derived from a cross between two contrasting lines were used, which were crossed with two testers (L1 and L2). The experiments were carried out at two locations, in 10 x 10 triple lattice designs with 9 replications, containing 32 lines (Pi ), 64 crosses (32 Pi x L1 and 32 Pi x L2 ) and controls. The variation between ( L͞1i + L͞2i - P͞i ) revealed the presence of epistasis, as well as an interaction of epistasis x environment. Since the predominant component of epistasis in autogamous species is additive x additive (i type), we suggest postponing the selection for grain yield to later generations of inbreeding in order to exploit the beneficial effects of additive x additive epistasis

Efeitos epistáticos para produção de grãos em soja [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]

Studies addressing the estimation of genetic parameters in soybean have not emphasized the epistatic effects. The purpose of this study was to estimate the significance of these effects on soybean grain yield, based on the Modified Triple Test Cross design. Thirty-two inbred lines derived from a cross between two contrasting lines were used, which were crossed with two testers (L1 and L2). The experiments were carried out at two locations, in 10 x 10 triple lattice designs with 9 replications, containing 32 lines (Pi ), 64 crosses (32 Pi x L1 and 32 Pi x L2 ) and controls. The variation between ( &#862;L1i + &#862;L2i - &#862;Pi ) revealed the presence of epistasis, as well as an interaction of epistasis x environment. Since the predominant component of epistasis in autogamous species is additive x additive (i type), we suggest postponing the selection for grain yield to later generations of inbreeding in order to exploit the beneficial effects of additive x additive epistasis

Performance of low phosphorus tolerant rice genotypes under drought stress

<div><p>ABSTRACT The identification of genotypes more tolerant to water deficit and more efficient in the use of nutrients little available in the soil is an important low-cost strategy to promote sustainable agriculture in marginalized regions. In this sense, a study was carried out in the SITIS Phenotyping Platform of the Embrapa Arroz e Feijão, with the objective of evaluating the drought tolerance of upland rice genotypes tolerant to phosphorus (P) deficiency. The experimental design was performed in a randomized complete block with split-split plots and two replications. In the plots were established two water regimes (with and without water deficit), in the subplots two soil phosphorus contents (25 and 200 mg dm-3) and in sub-subplots 48 upland rice genotypes. The water deficit had more impact on grain yield than the phosphorus supply. The genotypes AB 062037, AB 062041, AB 062138, Arroz Mato Grosso, BRA 02601, BRA 052045, CNA 4098, CNA 6187, Guapa, Guaporé and Rio Paranaíba were classified in the most productive group under both water regimes. The most productive genotypes under water deficit showed higher root density in the deeper soil layers. The most productive genotypes in the two water regimes were also those that showed the highest transpiration.</p></div

Genetic variability during four cycles of recurrent selection in rice

<div><p>Abstract: The objective of this work was to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters among progenies of the CNA6 population of upland rice (Oryza sativa) for grain yield and plant height in four cycles of recurrent selection, in order to evaluate the genetic variability and the genotype × location interaction. The experimental data were obtained from yield trials of S0:2 progenies, which were carried out in the experimental design of Federer’s augmented blocks, without replications for progenies within each location. The effect of S0:2 progenies was significant in all cycles for grain yield and in the first three cycles for plant height, indicating the maintenance of the population’s genetic potential to generate transgressive progenies. The participation of the component of the progeny × location interaction in phenotypic variance was of high magnitude. The genetic variability of the CNA6 population of upland rice is maintained for grain yield and plant height during the four cycles of recurrent selection.</p></div

Genetic progress after cycles of upland rice recurrent selection

Periodic assessment of the genetic progress made in recurrent selection programs is essential for assessing the evolution of the programs and identifying the main factors that have contributed to this progress. This study aimed to estimate genetic progress in grain yield, plant height and days-to-flowering achieved in the CNA6 population of upland rice (Oryza sativa L.), after four cycles of recurrent selection; and evaluate the genetic potential of this population to generate superior inbred lines after each selection cycle. The experimental data were obtained from progeny yield trials of each recurrent selection cycle. These trials were carried out in two or three locations per cycle, and consisted of S0:2 progenies and at least three checks. Federer&#8217;s augmented block design, with one replication on location (the environment), was adopted. Results revealed genetic progress for grain yield and plant height, with total genetic gains of 375.87 kg ha&#8722;1 and -3.90 cm, respectively, during the four selection cycles. The annual relative gain observed for grain yield was 1.54 %. The genetic potential of the population was analysed by the expected proportion of superior inbred lines. The standard adopted as the limit for obtaining superior inbred lines was the average of the checks for each trait. The genetic potential for grain yield and plant height increased during the study period. For days-to-flowering, no genetic gain occurred; however, the genetic potential of the population to generate superior inbred lines for this trait was maintained after the selection cycles

Heterose e distâncias genéticas moleculares para a produção de grãos em soja Heterosis and molecular genetic distances for grain yield in soybeans

Em soja, tem sido relatada a ocorrência de heterose para a produção de grãos, e embora a utilização de cultivares híbridas não seja ainda uma realidade nesta espécie, o conhecimento da heterose é importante para uma pré-seleção de cruzamentos, visto que cruzamentos mais heteróticos estão associados a uma maior divergência entre os genitores. Entretanto, a obtenção de sementes F1 em quantidade suficiente para a avaliação experimental em parcelas é muito difícil e, assim, outros indicadores da ocorrência da heterose poderiam ser muito úteis. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho a avaliação da heterose para a produção de grãos em soja e as suas relações com as distâncias genéticas (DG), obtidas com o marcador molecular AFLP. Seis híbridos F1 oriundos de cruzamentos com diferentes distâncias genéticas (DG) e os respectivos genitores foram avaliados em experimentos com quatro repetições, empregando o delineamento em blocos ao acaso. Foi observada uma grande variação entre os cruzamentos quanto às heteroses, isso é, de 6,29 a 56,50% em relação à média dos genitores ( h mg) e de -0,34 a 51,30% em relação ao genitor superior (h gs). As correlações entre as distâncias genéticas (DG) e as heteroses foram elevadas (r = 0,83 e 0,60, respectivamente, para h mg e h gs), indicando que as distâncias genéticas podem ser utilizadas como indicativas de cruzamentos mais divergentes e, consequentemente, como um dos auxiliares na seleção de genitores mais divergentes em soja.<br>Heterosis has been reported for grain yield in soybeans, and despite the fact that hybrid cultivars have not been used yet, the knowledge of heterosis magnitude is very important for a previous selection of crosses, since heterosis is related to parental divergence. However, the obtention of enough F1 seeds for experimental evaluation in plots is a time-consuming task, and thus, other indicators of the occurrence of heterosis could be very useful. The objective of this work was to evaluate heterosis and its relationship with AFLP molecular genetic distance (DG). Six F1 hybrids, derived from parents with different levels of genetic distances (DG) and their respective parents, were evaluated in completely randomized block designs, with four replications. Heterosis estimates were very different among different crosses, varying from 6.29 to 56.50% for mid-parent heterosis (h mg) and from -0.34 to 51.30% for high-parent heterosis (h gs). Besides, the correlation between heterosis and genetic distances (DG) were very high (0.83 and 0.60,respectively, for h mg and h gs), which indicates that DG can be used as indicative of more divergent crosses, and thus, as one criterion for selection of more divergent parents