Evaluation of the yield and the yield stability of perspective lines of barley

The study was carried out in the Experimental field of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding – Agricultural University, Plovdiv during the period 2009-2011. New breeding lines were investigated using block design with 4 replications and 20 m2 plot size. The aim of the investigation was to estimate barley lines by yield, stability and some important traits, using Obzor as a standard. Applying biometrical and cluster analysis and index of yield stability, it has been established that some  breeding lines: numbers 21411003, 21401409 and 21001008, respectively, had better traits in comparison with the standard cultivar “Obzor” as well as stable yields regardless of differences in the climatic conditions over the years. These lines can be certified as new cultivars according to the government’s requirements for cultivar testing

Genetic diversity in cultivated carioca common beans based on molecular marker analysis

A wide array of molecular markers has been used to investigate the genetic diversity among common bean species. However, the best combination of markers for studying such diversity among common bean cultivars has yet to be determined. Few reports have examined the genetic diversity of the carioca bean, commercially one of the most important common beans in Brazil. In this study, we examined the usefulness of two molecular marker systems (simple sequence repeats – SSRs and amplified fragment length polymorphisms – AFLPs) for assessing the genetic diversity of carioca beans. The amount of information provided by Roger’s modified genetic distance was used to analyze SSR data and Jaccards similarity coefficient was used for AFLP data. Seventy SSRs were polymorphic and 20 AFLP primer combinations produced 635 polymorphic bands. Molecular analysis showed that carioca genotypes were quite diverse. AFLPs revealed greater genetic differentiation and variation within the carioca genotypes (Gst = 98% and Fst = 0.83, respectively) than SSRs and provided better resolution for clustering the carioca genotypes. SSRs and AFLPs were both suitable for assessing the genetic diversity of Brazilian carioca genotypes since the number of markers used in each system provided a low coefficient of variation. However, fingerprint profiles were generated faster with AFLPs, making them a better choice for assessing genetic diversity in the carioca germplasm

Identification of RAPD markers linked to the Fin and P loci in Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Bulked segregant analysis was used to identify random amplified polymorphic DNA RAPD markers linked to the genes for indeterminate growth habit (Fin) and seed color (P) in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) using an F2 population derived from the cross A 195 × Kristal 137. The variety A 195 is characterized by determinate growth habit and brown colored seeds, while Kristal 137 exhibits indeterminate growth habit and white colored seeds. Among the 140 RAPD primers used to discriminate between two parental genotypes and between two bulks of DNA, respectively, from determinate and indeterminate plants, only 64 (45.71%) amplified polymorphic markers. Nineteen primers amplified clear polymorphic bands and were further tested among 100 F 2 plants. The analysis of the genetic linkage between analyzed molecular markers and the loci for indeterminate growth habit and seed color was performed using the program Join Map 3.0. The logarithm of odds (LOD) of 8.0 and 10 were used as thresholds for linkage grouping, respectively of locus Fin and locus P. One RAPD marker, AA18-600-P1, was found linked to the Fin locus that determines plant habit type and mapped at 17.6 cM apart from it (rec. freq. = 0.162). Five RAPD markers were found linked to the P locus, with distances to this locus varying from 4.1 cM (marker AB18 1500-P2, rec. freq.= 0.034) to 42.6 cM (marker Q03700-P1)

Molecular characterization of Phaseolus vulgaris L. genotypes included in Bulgarian collection by ISSR and AFLP (TM) analyses

Seventy-eight (33 Bulgarian and 45 foreign) common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes included in Bulgarian collection were screened for ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeats) and AFLP (TM) (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) markers. ISSR analysis was performed with 13 primers, and 55 (36.7%) out of the 150 bands observed were polymorphic. One hundred and sixty-four AFLP (TM) fragments were obtained with three primer combinations, of which 54 (32.9%) were polymorphic. UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method Arithmetic Averages) analysis was performed using DICE coefficient and dendrograms were constructed using either the data from each method (ISSR and AFLP (TM)) separately or combined in a single joint matrix. Despite some genetic heterogeneity observed in both pools (Middle American origin: M and Andean origin: A) the genotypes were separated in to main groups: one gathering genotypes mainly from pool M and the other more genotypes from pool A. Moreover, Bulgarian genotypes were spread over the two groups suggesting that they are not subject to genetic erosion and that the Phaseolus genetic diversity is conserved. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved