The effects of cytoplasmic male sterility and xenia on the chemical composition of maize grain

Sterile hybrids often outyield their fertile counterparts, especially if pollinated by a genetically unrelated pollinator. The combined effect of cms and xenia is referred to as the Plus-hybrid effect. The objective of this study was to determine the individual, as well as, combining effect of cms and xenia on the maize grain chemical composition. The percent of oil, protein and starch in the grain was also observed. Two sterile hybrids, their fertile counterparts and five fertile pollinator-hybrids were selected for the studies. The three-replicate trial set up according to the split-plot experimental design was performed at Zemun Polje in 2008. The obtained results show that the effects of cms on the oil percent was not significant in the studied hybrid ZP 341, while it increased at the significance level of P = 0.1 in the second observed hybrid ZP 360. The effect of this factor on the protein and starch percent was also significant (P = 0.01) in some hybrid combinations. Xenia effects on all three chemical parameters were significant (P = 0.01) in some hybrid combinations. The gained results indicate that the identification of a good combination of two hybrids, in which one would be a sterile female component, and the other a pollinator, would end up not only in the increased yield, but also in the improved maize grain quality

Macedonian Genebank: Seed Protein Content of Wild Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) Accessions

During this study, the content of crude protein content in seeds of 23 wild red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) populations, collected in East part of Macedonia, district Probistip, was assessed. On the basis of the average crude protein content, the collected accessions were divided into 3 groups with the crude protein content ≥ 15.0% (MKD01527, MKD01530, MKD01531, MKD01539, MKD01540, MKD01542, MKD01543); ≥ 16.0% (MKD01525, MKD01528, MKD01529, MKD0538, MKD01541, MKD01553, MKD01554, MKD01560) and ≥ 17.0% (MKD01536, MKD01537, MKD01544). The highest crude protein content of 17.3% was determined for population MKD01535 and the lowest (14.4 %) for MKD01526. Information on protein content, as an indicator of wild red clover quality, could be used as a selection tool for identifying accessions to be included in red clover breeding programs

Macedonian Genebank: Seed Protein Content of Wild Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) Accessions

During this study, the content of crude protein content in seeds of 23 wild red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) populations, collected in East part of Macedonia, district Probistip, was assessed. On the basis of the average crude protein content, the collected accessions were divided into 3 groups with the crude protein content ≥ 15.0% (MKD01527, MKD01530, MKD01531, MKD01539, MKD01540, MKD01542, MKD01543); ≥ 16.0% (MKD01525, MKD01528, MKD01529, MKD0538, MKD01541, MKD01553, MKD01554, MKD01560) and ≥ 17.0% (MKD01536, MKD01537, MKD01544). The highest crude protein content of 17.3% was determined for population MKD01535 and the lowest (14.4 %) for MKD01526. Information on protein content, as an indicator of wild red clover quality, could be used as a selection tool for identifying accessions to be included in red clover breeding programs

MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF GENES FOR QUALITY TRAITS IN MACEDONIAN WHEAT GENOTYPES (Triticum aestivum L.)

The main goal of this study was to characterize glutenin subunits with high molecular weight (HMW-GS) in Macedonian wheat genotypes by using DNA markers and to analyse the polymorphism of the Glu-A1 and Glu-D1 loci, influencing wheat bread-making quality. Polymorphysm and allelic variations in the Glu-A1 loci were determined through characterization of Ax-null, Ax1 and Ax2* alleles, and in Glu-D1 loci through characterization of Dx2+Dy12 and Dx5+Dy10 alleles. Ax null, that has a negative influence on bread-making quality, was detected in 77.66% of the genotypes. The allelic pair Dx5+Dy10 was present in 68.09% of the genotypes. Only 8.51% of the analysed genotypes had the allele Ax1. According to the identified alleles in the Glu A1 and Glu D1 loci, the genotypes were grouped in two main clusters, 64 in the first and 30 genotypes in the second cluster. Both clusters consisted of three subclusters, comprising different number of genotypes. The most of the genotypes belonged to the subgroups 1a (presence of Dx5+Dy10) and 2a (presence of Dx2+Dy12). Genotypes in the 2a subgroup had Ах-null in Glu-A1 locus and Dx2+Dy12 in Glu-D1 locus, negatively influencing the wheat bread-making quality. These genotypes are not recommended to be used in a breeding program for improving wheat bread-making quality. Genotypes from the subgroups 1b and 1c possessed the alleles Аx2* and Ax1 in Glu-A1 locus and Dx5+Dy10 in Glu-D1 locus, indicating good bread-making quality. The superior breeding lines with improved quality, good agronomic characteristics and high yield have to be evaluated for their adaptability and stability. The lines with a complex of positive characteristics may be submitted for registration of new varieties. Further investigations of the material are needed for the other loci influencing the wheat bread-making quality

The effects of nitrogen on protein, oil and trypsin inhibitor content of soybean

Nitrogen fertilization have influence on protein, oil and trypsin inhibitor content of different soybean genotypes. Seed protein content was increased over control by 60 kg ha-1 nitrogen while trypsin inhibitor was reduced by all treatmens (30, 60,90 N kg ha-1) as compared to controls. Significant genetic variation in TI was found both within the genotype class with the Kunitz inhibitor present as well as within the class lacking this inhibitor. Genotypes containing the Kunitz trypsin inhibitor protein (KTI) exhibit a higher TI than genotypes lacking this protein, however, in both groups of genotypes TI was similary affected by nitrogen application. Oil content was reduced following nitrogen fertilisation

НАУЧНИ ФАКТИ И ПРЕТПОСТАВКИ ЗА ГЕНЕТСКИ МОДИФИЦИРАНИТЕ КУЛТУРИ: КОМЕРЦИЈАЛИЗАЦИЈА И ПРОИЗВОДСТВО ВО СВЕТОТ

The genetically modifications of the agricultural crops are performed for more than two decades. Debates over the genetically modified (GM) crops are taking place continuously and all of the countries do not have equal approach to these crops. The most of the world countries do not cultivate GM crops, and some of them have bans on cultivation. However, since 1996 the areas under GM crops and the number of countries with cultivation are increasing. The purpose of this work is to analyze the GM crops cultivation in the period 1996-2013. The review of cultivation is presented by countries, crops and modified traits. The result of the analysis demonstrate that the total area in 2013 have increased 100-fold, compared to 1996. The number of countries growing GM crops was increasing until 2011, reducing for one county afterwards. Within the European Union, beside the strongest attitude against cultivation of GM crops, five countries continue to plant such crops. Soybean, corn, cotton and canola are the four main GM crops grown worldwide. Within the last few years, cultivation of sugar beet and alfalfa is increasing. Beside these principal crops, papaya, squash, sweet pepper, tomato and poplar are grown on small areas. It is important to emphasize that the production of the six most cultivated crops is intended for industrial processing and feed only and not for food. Herbicide tolerance and insectresistance remain to be dominant modified traits of the commercialized GM crops

Genetic Variability Induced by Gamma Rays and Preliminary Results of Low-Cost TILLING on M2 Generation of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

In order to increase genetic variability for chickpea improvement, the Kabuli genotype, variety Ghab4, was treated with 280 Grays of gamma rays (Cobalt 60). Field characterization began with the M2 generation. A total of 135 M2 families were sown in the field resulting in approximately 4,000 plants. Traits related to phenology (days to flowering, days to maturity), plant morphology of vegetative parts (plant height, height of first pod, number of primary branches per plant) and yield (number of seeds per pod, total number of pods per plant, total number of seeds per plant, seed yield and hundred seed weight) were recorded and analyzed to evaluate genetic variability. An evaluation of the efficacy of low-cost TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes) to discover mutations in the M2 generation was undertaken. Mutation screening focused on genes involved in resistance to two important diseases of chickpea; Ascochyta blight (AB) and Fusarium wilt (FW), as well as genes responsible for early flowering. Analysis of variance showed a highly significant difference among mutant families for all studied traits. The higher estimates of genetic parameters (genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, broad sense heritability and genetic advance) were recorded for number of seeds per plant and yield. Total yield was highly significant and positively correlated with number of pods and seeds per plant. Path analysis revealed that the total number of seeds per plant had the highest positive direct effect followed by hundred seed weight parameter. One cluster from nine exhibited the highest mean values for total number of pods and seeds per plant as well as yield per plant. According to Dunnett’s test, 37 M2 families superior to the control were determined for five agronomical traits. Pilot experiments with low-cost TILLING show that the seed stock used for mutagenesis is homogeneous and that small mutations do not predominate at the dosage used

Assesment of winter wheat advanced lines by use of multivariate statistical analyses

This study was conducted to evaluate 49 advanced lines of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for their morphoagronomic traits and to determine best criteria for selection of lines to be included in future breeding program. The material was assessed in two years experiment at two locations, using RCBD design with three replications. Ten quantitative traits: plant height, number of fertile tillers, spike length, number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, weight of grain per spike and per plant, fertility, biological yield and harvest index were evaluated by PCA and two-way cluster analysis. Three main principal components were determined explaining 71.391% of the total variation among the genotypes. One third of the variation is explained by PC1 which reflects the genotype yield potential. PC2 and PC3 explained 25.22% and 15.49% of the total variance, mostly in relation to the plant height and spike components, respectively. Biplot graph revealed strongest positive association between spike length, number of spikelets and biological yield and between number of tillers, weight of grains per spike and per plant. Two-way cluster analysis resulted with a dendrogram with one solely separated genotype, superior for all traits and two main clusters of genotypes defined with wide genetic diversity especially between the groups within the second cluster. Genotypes with high values for specific traits will be included in the future breeding programmes. Classification of genotypes and the extend of variation among them illustrated on the heatmap has proved to be practical tool for selecting genotypes with desired traits in the early stages of the breeding process

Macedonian Genebank: Seed protein content in wild meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) accessions

During several collecting expeditions conducted in the Eastern part of Macedonia, district Probistip, 27 wild meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) accessions were collected on different natural stands, like meadows and pastures. Accessions were documented, characterized, evaluated and seeds stored at -18°C. One of the traits evaluated was seed crude protein content, which is a desired trait for forage mixture components. The crude protein contents varied from 8.63 % / 100g DM for accession MKD 01514 to 14.6 % / 100g DM for accession MKD01496. Accessions grown on dry stands exhibited SCP content less than 10, 0 % / 100g DM, therefore accessions MKD01498, MKD01508 and MKD01514 may be recommended for further use on a stands with a good-water supply. The rest of the populations collected were growing on semi-moist or moist meadows, with the SCP content ≥11.0 % / 100g DM, providing material with a high seed protein content to be included in meadow fescue breeding programs