Phenotyping pipeline reveals major seedling root growth QTL in hexaploid wheat

Seedling root traits of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) have been shown to be important for efficient establishment and linked to mature plant traits such as height and yield. A root phenotyping pipeline, consisting of a germination paper-based screen combined with image segmentation and analysis software, was developed and used to characterize seedling traits in 94 doubled haploid progeny derived from a cross between the winter wheat cultivars Rialto and Savannah. Field experiments were conducted to measure mature plant height, grain yield, and nitrogen (N) uptake in three sites over 2 years. In total, 29 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for seedling root traits were identified. Two QTLs for grain yield and N uptake co-localize with root QTLs on chromosomes 2B and 7D, respectively. Of the 29 root QTLs identified, 11 were found to co-localize on 6D, with four of these achieving highly significant logarithm of odds scores (>20). These results suggest the presence of a major-effect gene regulating seedling root vigour/growth on chromosome 6D

Leaching of Mineral Nitrogen, Organic Nitrogen and Phosphorous in Conventional & Organic Farming in Korean Greenhouse

The aim of this study was to receive basic data on the transport of mineral and organic N and P from the top soil to the subsoil in conventional and organic farming in Korea. It was focused to deliver the information about the environmental impact of Korean organic farming systems with regards to ground water pollution. High ammonium concentrations have been recorded in the seepage waters from the organic farming system, while the concentrations were negligibly low in the conventional farming plots as also found in other open field studies. The content of organic nitrogen in the seepage water from conventional farming systems were up to 4 % of the total nitrogen in the seepage water, while it was increased to 8% in organic farming systems. The content of total organic phosphorous are is 6 times higher in the organic farming soils under greenhouse conditions compared to the conventionally fertilized soils under greenhouse. It was concluded that the Korean organic farming system shows some ecological risks in term of ground water pollution not only by nitrate and mineral phosphate, but also by organic nitrogen and phosphorus