Restriction fragment length polymorphism in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench): genetic map construction and analysis of quantitative traits

In this investigation, restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) were used to construct a genetic linkage map for sorghum and to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling morphological characteristics. For both purposes, an F[subscript]2 population from a cross between Sorghum bicolor subspecies bicolor (CK60) and Sorghum bicolor subspecies drummondii (PI229828) was used;The map consists of 201 loci distributed among ten linkage groups covering a distance of 1530 cM, with an average eight cM between adjacent loci. Maize genomic clones, maize cDNA clones, and sorghum genomic clones were used to identify the loci. Comparison of sorghum and maize maps revealed a high degree of homology, linkage order, and similar genetic distance. Most often a sorghum linkage group contains loci that map to two maize chromosomes. Frequently, these two maize chromosomes share considerable DNA duplication;For QTL identification, 152 unselected F[subscript]2 plants were evaluated. Interval mapping identified a total of 43 QTL, four for plant height, four for tillering, three for leaf length, two for leaf width, three for stalk circumference, two for maturity, six for panicle length, five for seed-branch length, two for sterile portion of the seed-branch, six for peduncle diameter, three for number of seed-branches per panicle, and three for seed weight. For each QTL, the most likely map position, magnitude of effects, gene action, and the source (progenitor) of alleles that increased the trait mean were described. Eighty-one percent of the QTL were placed into four linkage groups;Collectively, the QTL for each trait explained from 26% (in leaf width) to 69% (in panicle length) of the total phenotypic variation. Gene action was specific for each QTL. However, for most traits additive to partial dominance was the prevalent gene action (70% of the QTL). For alleles that increased the trait mean, most (70% of the QTL) came from the parent of higher phenotypic mean;QTL for plant height and for maturity may correspond to loci previously identified by alleles with qualitative effects. Also, QTL for plant height may correspond to QTL previously reported for the same trait in the maize genome

Divergência genética entre cultivares de capim-elefante avaliada por marcadores RAPD em amostras compostas

Elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) is native to regions of tropical Africa and was introduced in Brazil around 1920 through plantings imported from Cuba. It is currently one of the most widespread forage plants throughout the country. At first, there were two cultivars, Napier and Mercker, with well defined characteristics. New genotypes arose and it is believed that the large number of cultivars existing today in germplasm bank is due to duplicates. DNA markers for cultivar characterization are a very valuable tool, especially in situations where morphological and isoenzymatic markers have already been used as in the case of elephantgrass. Thus RAPD markers were used to estimate the genetic divergence among the Napier group elephantgrass cultivars from the elephantgrass Active Germplasm Bank at EMBRAPA Dairy Cattle. The polymerase chain reaction with 37 arbitrary primers from the OPERON Technologies series supplied 94 polymorphic and 73 monomorphic bands. From the matrix of complement of the Nei index, cluster analysis by the Tocher optimization method formed three clusters. Pearson correlation among genetic distance estimates obtained from the DNA markers and the isoenzymatic markers showed the consistency of both the methods in assessing genetic divergence among elephantgrass cultivars. No duplicates were found in the treatments assessed.O capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) é nativo de regiões da África Tropical e foi introduzido no Brasil por volta de 1920, por meio de mudas provenientes de Cuba, e é, atualmente, uma das forrageiras mais difundidas em todo o país. No início de sua utilização, existiam praticamente dois cultivares com características bem definidas, Napier e Mercker. Com o decorrer do tempo, surgiram novos genótipos e acredita-se que o grande número de cultivares existentes atualmente no Banco de Germoplasma da espécie se deva à ocorrência de duplicatas. O uso de marcadores de DNA na caracterização de cultivares constitui uma ferramenta de grande valor, principalmente em situações em que marcadores morfológicos e isoenzimáticos já foram empregados, caso do capim-elefante. Em vista disso, objetivou-se estimar a divergência genética entre cultivares de capim-elefante do grupo "Napier" provenientes do Banco Ativo de Germoplasma de capim-elefante da EMBRAPA Gado de Leite, por meio de marcadores RAPD. As reações de polimerase em cadeia com 37 iniciadores arbitrários da série OPERON Technologies proporcionaram 94 bandas polimórficas e 73 monomórficas. Por meio da matriz do complemento do índice de Nei, a análise de agrupamento pelo método de otimização de Tocher indicou a formação de três grupos. Correlação de Pearson entre estimativas de distância genética obtidas a partir dos marcadores de DNA e dos marcadores isoenzimáticos indicaram a consistência de ambos os métodos para a avaliação da divergência genética entre cultivares de capim-elefante. Não foram encontradas duplicatas nos tratamentos avaliados

Área foliar total do mamoeiro estimada por um método não-destrutivo

Leaf area estimation is an important feature in physiological research involving predominantly photosynthesis, transpiration and growth. This study was carried out to develop a practical and nondestructive empirical mathematical model to estimate the area of one leaf and the total leaf area for papaya trees (Carica papaya L.). Two irrigated commercial orchards were evaluated over a period of 50 to 550 days after transplanting, during which the length of the leaf midrib (LM) varied from 0.04 to 0.60 m. A mathematical model was developed to estimate the area of one leaf for the papaya tree, taking into account LM and the age of the plant measured in days after transplanting. The model was considered satisfactory. Based on the average length of the last two leaves of the crown and the total leaf number of the plant, it was possible to satisfactorily estimate the total leaf area of the papaya tree.A estimativa da área foliar é importante no estudo de aspectos fisiológicos que envolvam, principalmente, crescimento, transpiração e fotossíntese. Desenvolveu-se um modelo matemático empírico prático e não-destrutivo para estimativa da área de uma folha e a área foliar total do mamoeiro (Carica papaya L.) em pomar comercial. Para isso foram avaliados dois pomares irrigados. As plantas foram avaliadas no período de 50 a 550 dias após o transplantio, em que as folhas tiveram o comprimento da nervura central (LM) variando de 0,04 m a 0,60 m. Um modelo matemático foi desenvolvido para a estimativa da área de uma folha do mamoeiro, levando em consideração o LM e a idade da planta, representada em dias após o transplantio. O modelo foi considerado satisfatório. Com base no comprimento médio das duas ultimas folhas da copa e do número total de folhas presentes na planta pode-se estimar a área foliar total do mamoeiro

Agrobiodiversity in Cucurbita spp. landraces collected in Rio de Janeiro assessed by molecular markers

Diversity and genetic relationship in forty landraces of Cucurbita spp. collected at small farms in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were analyzed by RAPD and ISSR markers, using 20 and 15 primers, respectively. Both markers were efficient to cluster the accessions separating among species, but not so much to the detection of intra-specific variability, considering the event of different pairs of accessions comprising null genetic distances observed for both markers in C. moschata. Low values observed for genetic distance among the C. moschata landraces showed that most likely genetic losses is in progress in that region of cultivation due to anthropic and market pressure, which are stimulating the small farmers to abandon their local varieties in order to use commercial seeds, including hybrids, which is causing risk of genetic erosion

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

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)

Dialeto parcial para avaliar a capacidade combinatória de características de importância econômica do mamoeiro

The dependence of Brazil on imported improved papaya seeds was the main motivation for this research that primarily intended to evaluate the combining ability of eight genotypes from the 'Solo' group, crossed with eight genotypes from the 'Formosa' group following a partial diallel scheme. The traits mean fruit weight, brix degree and flavor revealed prevalence of additive effects in both genetic groups, while plant height was preponderantly additive only for the 'Solo' genotypes. On the other hand, the yield trait expressed additive superiority for the 'Formosa' genotypes. For intrapopulation breeding for higher yield, the indicated genotypes are 'Maradol' and 'Cariflora' from the 'Formosa' group as well 'Sunrise Solo 783' and 'Sunrise Solo TJ' from the 'Solo' group; but, when the objective is to breed for better fruit quality, the genotypes 'JS 12' and 'JS 11' ('Formosa' group), and 'Sunrise Solo72/12' and 'Baixinho de Santa Amália' ('Solo' group) are indicated. Based on the set of evaluated traits, the best hybrid combinations were 'Sunrise Solo 72/12 × JS 12', 'Sunrise Solo TJ × JS 12', 'Baixinho de Santa Amália × JS 12', 'Sunrise Solo TJ X JS 11' and 'Sunrise Solo 72/12 × Costa Rica'.A dependência do Brasil por sementes melhoradas de mamoeiro foi a principal motivação para a implementação deste trabalho que fundamentalmente objetivou avaliar a capacidade combinatória de oito genitores do grupo 'Solo' em cruzamento dialélico parcial com oito genótipos do grupo 'Formosa'. As características peso médio dos frutos, teor de graus brix e degustação de sabor revelaram prevalência de efeitos aditivos em ambos os grupos, ao passo que altura de planta foi preponderantemente aditiva somente para os materiais do grupo 'Solo'. Por outro lado, a produtividade expressou superioridade aditiva apenas para o grupo 'Formosa'. Para o melhoramento intrapopulacional visando maiores produtividades, são indicados os genitores 'Maradol' e 'Cariflora', do grupo 'Formosa', e 'Sunrise Solo 783' e 'Sunrise Solo TJ', do grupo 'Solo'; por sua vez, quando se visam melhorias para a qualidade do fruto, merecem destaque os genitores 'JS 12' e 'JS 11', do grupo 'Formosa', e 'Sunrise Solo 72/12' e 'Baixinho de Santa Amália', do grupo 'Solo'. Os híbridos 'Sunrise Solo 72/12 × JS 12', 'Sunrise Solo TJ × JS 12', 'Baixinho de Santa Amália × JS 12', 'Sunrise Solo TJ × JS 11' e 'Sunrise Solo 72/12 × Costa Rica' foram superiores para o conjunto de características avaliadas

Selection index and molecular markers in reciprocal recurrent selection in maize

Reciprocal recurrent selection among full-sib families is one of the outstanding methodologies of maizeimprovement, since gains are possible in the per se and/or in cross populations. Here the selection index proposed by Smithand Hazel was used in the cited methodology; besides, an additional phase involving RAPD markers was introduced topreserve the genetic variability of the selected genotypes and identify contaminants before their recombination. Multivariatetechniques of grouping and discriminant analyses were used for this purpose, to assure the continuance of the improvementprogram and amplify the genetic distance between the populations Cimmyt and Piranão, which were used for an intervarietalhybrid. The molecular technique proved useful to identify contaminants and helpful in the choice of the genotypes to berecombined to maximize heterosis among populations. The technique can be included in recurrent selection programs, mainlythose that target the development of hybrids

Seleção e herdabilidade na predição de ganhos genéticos em maracujá-amarelo

The objective of this research was to evaluate the alternatives of selection for a population of yellow passion fruit, structured in Design I, for obtaining the best genotypic gain prediction. Six traits were evaluated in 113 progenies at two environments: Viçosa, MG, and Miracema, RJ, in Brazil, grouped in three sets in the randomized blocks design, with three replications and three plants per plot. For gain prediction calculation, the indexes of Mulamba & Mock, Pesek & Baker, Smith and Hazel, and the selection based on number of fruits per plants, were used. The absence of interaction genotype versus environment was observed. The alternatives that presented the best genetic gain prediction were the combined selection and selection among male families. Genetic gain prediction, based on combined selection, was 18.55% for direct selection of fruit number per plant. The indexes of Smith and Hazel presented the lowest genetic gain prediction. The indexes of Mulamba & Mock and Pesek & Baker had the highest predicted genetic gain. The indexes allied with alternatives studied have high potential in the selection of the progenies.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a alternativa de seleção para a população de maracujá-amarelo, estruturada no Delineamento I, para obtenção do melhor ganho genotípico predito. Avaliaram-se seis características produtivas em 113 progênies, nas localidades de Viçosa, MG, e Miracema, RJ, em arranjos de três agrupamentos, com delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com três repetições e três plantas por parcela. Foram empregados, para o cálculo dos ganhos preditos, os índices de seleção de Mulamba & Mock, Pesek & Baker, Smith e Hazel e a seleção direta em número de frutos por planta. Foi observada falta de interação entre genótipos e ambiente. As alternativas que demonstraram os maiores ganhos preditos foram a seleção combinada e a seleção entre famílias de machos, com 18,55% para seleção direta em número de frutos por planta pela seleção combinada. O índice de Smith e Hazel apresentou os menores ganhos preditos. Os índices de Mulamba & Mock e Pesek & Baker os maiores ganhos preditos. Os índices aliados às alternativas estudadas têm potencial para a seleção das progênies