Marker-assisted selection for soybean organic breeding

Marker-assisted selection (MAS) is a valuable tool in crop breeding, including organic breeding. The application of molecular markers allows rapid screening at early developmental stages as well as more accurate and efficient identification and selection of plants with desired traits. Besides accelerating breeding, this approach reduces the need for extensive field trials and multiple generations of selection. Considering that organic breeding emphasizes sustainable practices and minimal environmental impact, MAS can reduce the need for excessive land, water, and resources typically required for conventional breeding. In addition, it can help breeders to develop organic-compliant varieties by targeting specific traits and preserving organic standards, providing more efficient and sustainable strategies for organic production systems. Molecular markers were used to screen ECOBREED soybean germplasm harbouring traits relevant to organic farming, such as cadmium accumulation, supernodulation and disease tolerance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Diaporthe complex. Genotypes with low cadmium accumulation should be used in organic food production to improve food safety, while supernodulation in soybean could be an important trait showing potential for increased nitrogen fixation. Molecular screening of genotypes for disease resistance is especially important in organic farming where chemical interventions are limited, offering an efficient and sustainable strategy for organic production

Assessment of 25 genes reported to influence thousand grain weight in winter wheat germplasm

Exploitation of genetic variation for TGW and related traits is a promising approach to improve wheat yield in wheat breeding programs. The aim of this study was the molecular characterization of 34 winter wheat cultivars with functional markers for the assessment of candidate genes known to enhance thousand grain weight and/or thousand grain weight components. We analyzed the effects of 25 genes related to water-soluble carbohydrates, starch, cell division and grain size regulation, abiotic stress, chlorophyll, and adaptability on grain size and weight. Ten genes were found to be associated with grain size and/or thousand grain weight: Six genes were associated with grain length (TaSST-D1, TaFlo2-A1, Ppd-D1, 6-SFT-A2, TaTEF-7A, and Tackx4), five with grain width (TaSnRK2.3-1B, Ppd-D1, TaSST-D1, 1-FEH w3, and TaGS-D1), three with factor form-density (TaGS1a, TaPPH-7A, and Ppd-D1), and three with TGW (TaSST-D1, TaFlo2-A1, and Tackx4). Also, a possible new haplotype at 6-SFT-A2 and TaSST-D1 loci was identified during the study. These results confirmed many previous studies mostly performed on spring wheat, but also contradicted some others and identified new possible associations, providing proof that the genetic background of wheat cultivars and interactions with the growing environment affect the expression of genes and/or QTL’s that can influence grain size and weight. Our results demonstrated that accumulation of favorable/superior alleles has a significant positive effect on the studied traits, as genotypes with an allelic profile comprised of all favorable alleles for each trait were superior compared to genotypes with different allelic profiles

Contributions to make modern Romanian bread winter wheat more resistant to FHB

Results of work to transfer FHB resistance from Sumai 3 to modern Romanian winter semi dwarf wheat and chances to obtain transgressive segregation for resistance are presented. Four F2 populations of Sumai 3 top-crossed to advanced winter lines, with various levels of FHB resistance were included in the study

STUDIES CONCERNING THE IN VITRO CULTIVATION OF SOME INDIGENOUS MACROMYCETE SPECIES

Abstract For long time mushrooms presented interest for consumption as food, as traditional medicine or in bioremediatio

Molecular Methods for Assessement the Bacterial Communities from Different Type of Soils in Romania

Rhizobia are soil bacteria that are capable to form nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with leguminous plants. This ability, as well as the diversity of microbial populations in the soil, and in the rhizosphere of host plants and non-host plants is influenced by several factors, including crop management. The aim of this work was the examination of the influence of some factors on indigenous populations of rhizobia in soils under different crop managements. The genetic diversity of rhizobial strains isolated directly from soil (free-living state) or from root nodules of three herbaceous perennial legumes was examined. The study was conducted in the experimental fields located in Moara Domnească area (South of Romania) and in the Braşov County. The characteristics of brown reddish soil were determined (nitrogen content, organic carbon content and pH). Counting of the rhizobia populations was done by most probable number estimation and by viable plate counts. Bacterial strains were isolated directly from soil samples or from root nodules of different plant species (Trifolium repens, T. pratense and Lotus corniculatus). The characterization of rhizobia was performed by DNA fingerprinting (ERIC PCR and BOX PCR) and the bacterial diversity of soils was examined by DGGE technique. The results revealed that the rhizobial diversity was significantly lower in soils under increased fertilization with N. A reduced intraspecific polymorphism was observed in the strains recovered from the same plant species (Trifolium spp.), whatever the origin of the plant (Moara Domnească or Braşov) but clear differences appeared to be related to the origin of nodules (red or white clover) as revealed by DNA fingerprints. However, various amplicon profiles were observed by DGGE when total DNA isolated from soils was examined, the differences being associated with the fertilization level.<br /

Molecular Methods for Assessement the Bacterial Communities from Different Type of Soils in Romania

Rhizobia are soil bacteria that are capable to form nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with leguminous plants. This ability, as well as the diversity of microbial populations in the soil, and in the rhizosphere of host plants and non-host plants is influenced by several factors, including crop management. The aim of this work was the examination of the influence of some factors on indigenous populations of rhizobia in soils under different crop managements. The genetic diversity of rhizobial strains isolated directly from soil (free-living state) or from root nodules of three herbaceous perennial legumes was examined. The study was conducted in the experimental fields located in Moara Domnească area (South of Romania) and in the Braşov County. The characteristics of brown reddish soil were determined (nitrogen content, organic carbon content and pH). Counting of the rhizobia populations was done by most probable number estimation and by viable plate counts. Bacterial strains were isolated directly from soil samples or from root nodules of different plant species (Trifolium repens, T. pratense and Lotus corniculatus). The characterization of rhizobia was performed by DNA fingerprinting (ERIC PCR and BOX PCR) and the bacterial diversity of soils was examined by DGGE technique. The results revealed that the rhizobial diversity was significantly lower in soils under increased fertilization with N. A reduced intraspecific polymorphism was observed in the strains recovered from the same plant species (Trifolium spp.), whatever the origin of the plant (Moara Domnească or Braşov) but clear differences appeared to be related to the origin of nodules (red or white clover) as revealed by DNA fingerprints. However, various amplicon profiles were observed by DGGE when total DNA isolated from soils was examined, the differences being associated with the fertilization level.<br /