Agronomic Traits (agronomic + trait)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Kinds of Agronomic Traits

  • important agronomic trait


  • Selected Abstracts


    Altered pesticide use on transgenic crops and the associated general impact from an environmental perspective

    PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 11 2007
    Gijs A Kleter
    Abstract The large-scale commercial cultivation of transgenic crops has undergone a steady increase since their introduction 10 years ago. Most of these crops bear introduced traits that are of agronomic importance, such as herbicide or insect resistance. These traits are likely to impact upon the use of pesticides on these crops, as well as the pesticide market as a whole. Organizations like USDA-ERS and NCFAP monitor the changes in crop pest management associated with the adoption of transgenic crops. As part of an IUPAC project on this topic, recent data are reviewed regarding the alterations in pesticide use that have been observed in practice. Most results indicate a decrease in the amounts of active ingredients applied to transgenic crops compared with conventional crops. In addition, a generic environmental indicator,the environmental impact quotient (EIQ),has been applied by these authors and others to estimate the environmental consequences of the altered pesticide use on transgenic crops. The results show that the predicted environmental impact decreases in transgenic crops. With the advent of new types of agronomic trait and crops that have been genetically modified, it is useful to take also their potential environmental impacts into account. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    OsEF3, a homologous gene of Arabidopsis ELF3, has pleiotropic effects in rice

    PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2009
    C. Fu
    Abstract Heading date is an important agronomic trait in rice. A rice mutant with a late heading date and no photoperiodic sensitivity in long or short day conditions was obtained from rice T-DNA insertion mutants in Zhonghua11 (ZH11). Through isolation and analysis of the flanking sequence of the T-NDA insertion site, the target sequence of insertion was obtained and found to locate in AP003296, the sequence accession number of rice chromosome 1 of RGP (http://rgp.dna.affrc.go.jp). The putative amino acid sequences of this target gene are homologous to the Arabidopsis protein ELF3 encoded by an early flowering gene. The rice target gene orthologous to Arabidopsis ELF3 is named OsEF3; this encodes a putative nematode responsive protein-like protein. OsEF3 has pleiotropic effects in rice that differ from the effects of Arabidopsis ELF3, which only affects biological rhythms. OsEF3 regulates heading date by influencing the BVG stage and does not affect photoperiodic sensitivity, which suggests that the OsEF3 gene may be involved in an autonomous pathway in rice. OsEF3 may affect root development and kilo-grain weight by delaying cell division or cell elongation. [source]


    Mutations of genes in synthesis of the carotenoid precursors of ABA lead to pre-harvest sprouting and photo-oxidation in rice

    THE PLANT JOURNAL, Issue 2 2008
    Jun Fang
    Summary Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) or vivipary in cereals is an important agronomic trait that results in significant economic loss. A considerable number of mutations that cause PHS have been identified in several species. However, relatively few viviparous mutants in rice (Oryza sativa L.) have been reported. To explore the mechanism of PHS in rice, we carried out an extensive genetic screening and identified 12 PHS mutants (phs). Based on their phenotypes, these phs mutants were classified into three groups. Here we characterize in detail one of these groups, which contains mutations in genes encoding major enzymes of the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway, including phytoene desaturase (OsPDS), ,-carotene desaturase (OsZDS), carotenoid isomerase (OsCRTISO) and lycopene , -cyclase (,-OsLCY), which are essential for the biosynthesis of carotenoid precursors of ABA. As expected, the amount of ABA was reduced in all four phs mutants compared with that in the wild type. Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis revealed the occurrence of photoinhibition in the photosystem and decreased capacity for eliminating excess energy by thermal dissipation. The greatly increased activities of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging enzymes, and reduced photosystem (PS) II core proteins CP43, CP47 and D1 in leaves of the Oscrtiso/phs3-1mutant and OsLCY RNAi transgenic rice indicated that photo-oxidative damage occurred in PS II, consistent with the accumulation of ROS in these plants. These results suggest that the impairment of carotenoid biosynthesis causes photo-oxidation and ABA-deficiency phenotypes, of which the latter is a major factor controlling the PHS trait in rice. [source]


    Scorpiurus muricatus L. subsp. subvillosus (L.) Thell., a potential forage legume species for a Mediterranean environment: a review

    GRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 1 2010
    V. Abbate
    Abstract Prickly scorpion's tail, Scorpiurus muricatus L. subsp. subvillosus (L.) Thell., is an annual legume species, widespread in pastures of the basin of the Mediterranean Sea. It has been neglected by researchers and farmers for a long time, although the species has promise as a forage crop for its high nutritive value, self-reseeding capability and its preference by ruminants. Harvesting and threshing of seed, however, are difficult and it has seed-coat dormancy, which delays and reduces germination, hindering its use as a forage crop. It is suggested that plant breeding programmes would allow the selection of ecotypes and varieties for field crop cultivation. In this study, the main botanical, biological, ecological and agronomic traits are reviewed to identify those issues that currently limit its introduction into cultivation as a forage crop in Mediterranean areas. [source]


    Effects of variety, cropping year, location and fertilizer application on nutritive value of durum wheat straw

    JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 2 2008
    A. Tolera
    Summary This study was carried out to assess the effects of variety, year, location and level of fertilizer application on chemical composition and in sacco dry matter (DM) degradability of durum wheat straw as well as to understand the relationship between straw quality and agronomic traits of the crop and to assess the possibilities of selecting wheat varieties that combine high grain yield with desirable straw quality. Two local (Arendeto and Tikur sinde) and two improved (Boohai and Gerardo) varieties of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum Desf.) were used in the experiment. The four varieties were grown at two locations (Akaki and Ejere) in the years 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 in 5 × 5 m plots in three replications. Diammonium phosphate and urea fertilizers were applied at four levels (0/0, 32/23, 41/23 and 64/46 kg/ha of nitrogen/phosphorus). Straw quality was assessed based on chemical composition and in sacco DM degradability. Correlation of straw quality with grain and straw yield and with other agronomic characteristics of the crop was determined. The potential utility index (a measure that integrates grain and digestible straw yield) was used for ranking of the varieties. The local varieties had higher crude protein (CP) and lower neutral detergent fibre contents and higher digestibility than the improved varieties. The cropping year and location had significant effect on CP content and degradability of the straw, which could be due to climatic variation. However, the fertilizer level did not have any significant effect on straw quality except that the CP content of the straw tended to increase with increasing level of fertilizer application. Based on the potential utility index the varieties ranked, in a decreasing order, as Tikur sinde > Arendeto > Gerardo > Boohai and the ranking was consistent across years and locations. Except the CP content, straw quality was not negatively correlated with grain and straw yield. This indicates that there is a possibility of selecting varieties of wheat that combine high grain and straw yield with desirable straw quality. [source]


    Occurrence of the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L.) and its parasitoids in Ethiopia: influence of geographical region and agronomic traits

    JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 6-7 2006
    G. Ayalew
    Abstract:, Surveys were carried out in 2001 in brassica-producing areas of Ethiopia to determine the geographic distribution and severity of diamondback moth (DBM) and occurrence of indigenous parasitoids. Principal component analysis was used to analyse the importance of nine parameters , DBM density, parasitism by different parasitoid species (Oomyzus sokolowskii, Diadegma spp., Apanteles sp. and overall parasitism), cropping systems, pesticide use, frequency of pesticide application and altitude. A total of 194 brassica fields in 13 different areas were visited. Principal component analysis showed that the first two of the nine principal components (largely DBM density and pesticide use) accounted for 70% of the variation in the data set. Higher DBM numbers were associated with pesticide usage and higher overall parasitism with intercropping. Eight parasitoid species were recorded of which three species were important both in distribution and level of parasitism. These include Oomyzus sokolowskii (Hym., Eulophidae), Diadegma spp. (Hym., Ichneumonidae) and Apanteles sp. (Hym., Braconidae). Overall parasitism ranged from 3.6% to 79.5% with big differences between areas. Apanteles sp. and Diadegma spp. were largely confined to the south-western part of Ethiopia where insecticide use is minimal. Oomyzus sokolowskii is mainly distributed in areas of the Rift Valley and northern Ethiopia with relatively heavy insecticide use. This study indicated a huge impact of repeated insecticide treatment and agronomic practices on DBM severity and its parasitoids. [source]


    Mass Production of Intergeneric Chromosomal Translocations through Pollen Irradiation of Triticum durum-Haynaldia villosa Amphiploid

    JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 11 2007
    Tong-De Bie
    Abstract Haynaldia villosa possesses a lot of important agronomic traits and has been a powerful gene resource for wheat improvement. However, only several wheat,H. villosa translocation lines have been reported so far. In this study, we attempted to develop an efficient method for inducing wheat,H. villosa chromosomal translocations. Triticum durum-Haynaldia villosa amphiploid pollen treated with 1 200 rad 60Co-,-rays was pollinated to Triticum aestivum cv. ,Chinese Spring'. Ninety-eight intergeneric translocated chromosomes between T. durum and H. villosa were detected by genomic in situ hybridization in 44 of 61 M1 plants, indicating a translocation occurrence frequency of 72.1%; much higher than ever reported. There were 26, 62 and 10 translocated chromosomes involving whole arm translocations, terminal translocations, and intercarlary translocations, respectively. Of the total 108 breakage-fusion events, 79 involved interstitial regions and 29 involved centric regions. The ratio of small segment terminal translocations (W·W-V) was much higher than that of large segment terminal translocations (W-V·V). All of the M1 plants were self-sterile, and their backcross progeny was all obtained with ,Chinese Spring' as pollen donors. Transmission analysis showed that most of the translocations were transmittable. This study provides a new strategy for rapid mass production of wheat-alien chromosomal translocations, especially terminal translocations that will be more significant for wheat improvement. [source]


    Introgression of Resistance to Powdery Mildew Conferred by Chromosome 2R by Crossing Wheat Nullisomic 2D with Rye

    JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 7 2006
    Diao-Guo An
    Abstract Using the nullisomic back-cross procedure, four wheat-rye chromosome substitution 2R (2D) lines with different agronomic performance, designated WR02-145-1, WR01-145-2, WR02-145-3, and WR02-145-4, were produced from a cross between 2D nullisomic wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. "Xiaoyan 6") and rye (Secale cereale L. cv. "German White"). The chromosomal constitution of 2n=42=21 in WR02-145 lines was confirmed by cytological and molecular cytogenetic methods. Using genomic in situ hybridization on root tip chromosome preparations, a pair of intact rye chromosomes was detected in the WR02-145 lines. PCR using chromosome-specific primers confirmed the presence of 2R chromosomes of rye in these wheat-rye lines, indicating that WR02-145 lines are disomic chromosome substitution lines 2R(2D). The WR02-145 lines are resistant to the powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis DC. f. sp. tritici E. Marchal) isolates prevalent in northern China and may possess gene(s) for resistance to powdery mildew, which differ from the previously identified Pm7 gene located on chromosome 2RL. The newly developed "Xiaoyan 6"- "German White" 2R (2D) chromosome substitution lines are genetically stable, show desirable agronomic traits, and are expected to be useful in wheat improvement. (Managing editor: Li-Hui Zhao) [source]


    Variations in cadmium accumulation among rice cultivars and types and the selection of cultivars for reducing cadmium in the diet

    JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 1 2005
    Jianguo Liu
    Abstract A pot trial was conducted with 52 rice cultivars of different types collected from different origins. The results showed that there were great differences in Cd concentrations in straw, brown rice and grain chaff among the rice cultivars grown in a soil containing a Cd concentration of 100 mg kg,1; the Cd concentrations in brown rice ranged from 0.22 to 2.86 mg kg,1. The great genotypic differences in Cd concentrations indicated that it is possible to lower the Cd content of rice through cultivar selection and breeding. Significant differences were found in the Cd concentrations of the rice types of Indica consanguinity and those of Japonica consanguinity, but not between their origins. There were significant correlations between straw and brown rice in Cd concentration and in the total amount of Cd accumulated. The distribution ratios of the Cd accumulated in brown rice to the total Cd accumulation in the above-ground rice plant varied greatly from 12.9 to 137.8 g kg,1, and there was significant correlation between the distribution ratios and Cd concentrations in brown rice. These indicated that Cd concentration in rice grain is governed by the transport of Cd from root to shoot and also from shoot to grain. Cd concentrations in brown rice also correlated significantly with some important agronomic traits, as well as with nitrogen concentrations, one of the most important criteria for rice quality. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Plant genome sequencing: applications for crop improvement

    PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, Issue 1 2010
    David Edwards
    Summary DNA sequencing technology is undergoing a revolution with the commercialization of second generation technologies capable of sequencing thousands of millions of nucleotide bases in each run. The data explosion resulting from this technology is likely to continue to increase with the further development of second generation sequencing and the introduction of third generation single-molecule sequencing methods over the coming years. The question is no longer whether we can sequence crop genomes which are often large and complex, but how soon can we sequence them? Even cereal genomes such as wheat and barley which were once considered intractable are coming under the spotlight of the new sequencing technologies and an array of new projects and approaches are being established. The increasing availability of DNA sequence information enables the discovery of genes and molecular markers associated with diverse agronomic traits creating new opportunities for crop improvement. However, the challenge remains to convert this mass of data into knowledge that can be applied in crop breeding programs. [source]


    A novel transcriptomic approach to identify candidate genes for grain quality traits in wheat

    PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, Issue 5 2009
    Yongfang Wan
    Summary A novel methodology is described in which transcriptomics is combined with the measurement of bread-making quality and other agronomic traits for wheat genotypes grown in different environments (wet and cool or hot and dry conditions) to identify transcripts associated with these traits. Seven doubled haploid lines from the Spark × Rialto mapping population were selected to be matched for development and known alleles affecting quality. These were grown in polytunnels with different environments applied 14 days post-anthesis, and the whole experiment was repeated over 2 years. Transcriptomics using the wheat Affymetrix chip was carried out on whole caryopsis samples at two stages during grain filling. Transcript abundance was correlated with the traits for approximately 400 transcripts. About 30 of these were selected as being of most interest, and markers were derived from them and mapped using the population. Expression was identified as being under cis control for 11 of these and under trans control for 18. These transcripts are candidates for involvement in the biological processes which underlie genotypic variation in these traits. [source]


    Discovery and transmission of functional QTL in the pedigree of an elite soybean cultivar Suinong14

    PLANT BREEDING, Issue 3 2010
    J. Qin
    With 3 figures and 5 tables Abstract In this study, we extended in silico mapping for single trait to analyse data from multiple environments by calculating intraclass correlations and to mapping pleiotropic QTL for multiple traits by defining new statistic to measure the correlation between multiple traits and the marker. Data sets include phenotypes of eight agronomic traits obtained from six different ecologic environments and years, and genotypic information from 477 polymorphic markers on 14 ancestral lines in the pedigree of ,Suinong14'. With in silico mapping, a total of 39 markers distributed on 14 linkage groups are detected as QTL responsible for eight agronomic traits and 10 QTL are identified as having pleiotropic effects. Tracing transmission of functional QTL in the pedigree indicated that certain QTL, such as Sat_036 on linkage group D1a, Satt182 on linkage group L, and Satt726 on linkage group B2 may be responsible for the contribution of exotic germplasm to the improved cultivars. [source]


    Mapping quantitative trait loci influencing panicle-related traits from Chinese common wild rice (Oryza rufipogon) using introgression lines

    PLANT BREEDING, Issue 6 2009
    X. Luo
    Abstract Panicle-related traits are important agronomic traits which directly associated with grain yield. In this study, we investigated quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with panicle-related traits using a set of 265 introgression lines (ILs) of common wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.) in the background of Indica high-yielding cultivar Guichao 2 (O. sativa L.). A total of 39 QTLs associated with panicle-related traits including panicle length (PL), primary branch number (PBN), secondary branch number (SBN), spikelet number per panicle (SPP) and spikelet density (SD), were detected in the ILs with single-point analysis. The alleles of 20 QTLs derived from wild rice showed positive effects, and some QTLs, such as, QPl1b for PL, QPbn8 for PBN, QSd4 and QSd11b for SD and QSpp4 for SPP showed larger positive effects, providing good candidates and useful information for marker-aided improvement of yield potential of rice. Most of the QTLs controlling SPP, SBN and SD were located in cluster or closely linked on chromosomes, and the directions of their additive effects were consistent, which explained the genetic basis of significant correlations between their phenotypic characters. [source]


    Effects of Hordeum chilense cytoplasm on agronomic traits in common wheat

    PLANT BREEDING, Issue 1 2007
    S. G. Atienza
    Abstract The genome of bread wheat, AABBDD, was substituted into the cytoplasm of Hordeum chilense by repeated backcrossing to produce alloplasmic lines. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of H. chilense cytoplasm on agronomic traits in common wheat. Three cytolines were developed. The alloplasmic nature of these lines was confirmed using chloroplast simple-sequence repeat markers. Each cytoline was compared with its respective euplasmic control for agronomic performance during 2 years of field trials. The interaction between H. chilense cytoplasm and common wheat genome greatly affected most of the traits evaluated. Among them, alloplasmic lines showed delayed anthesis date, lower yield and lower plant height. These effects are similar to those caused by Aegilops cytoplasm. The main conclusion of this work is that H. chilense cytoplasm is of limited value for wheat breeding. [source]


    Segregation patterns of AFLP markers in F1 hybrids of a cross between tetraploid and diploid species in the genus Malus

    PLANT BREEDING, Issue 4 2004
    Y. H. Li
    Abstract Malus xiaojinensis, one of the most important wild genotypes in the genus Malus, is resistant to a variety of stresses such as Fe deficiency chlorosis, drought and cold. However, lack of knowledge of its genetic background prevents using genetic analysis to study those agronomic traits and corresponding gene functions. Here, as the first step towards construction of the linkage map of M. xiaojinensis, genetic analysis of the F1 triploid hybrids (M. xiaojinensis × M. baccata) was performed with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Using 15 EcoRI- MseI primer combinations, 1110 AFLPs were identified, with 31.3% of M. xiaojinensis -, 12.7% of M. baccata-specific markers, 54.9% of common markers, and 1.2% of non-parental markers; 93.3% of the AFLP markers exhibit the expected segregation ratio. Thirty-two M. xiaojinensis -specific markers and 47 common markers display a 5 : 1 and 11:1 segregation ratios, respectively, suggesting that M. xiaojinensis is an autotetraploid, or at least an isosyndetic allotetraploid. [source]


    Heterosis for yield and other agronomic traits of winter triticale F1 and F2 hybrids

    PLANT BREEDING, Issue 4 2001
    G. Oettler
    Abstract Triticale is generally treated as a self-pollinating crop and line breeding is practised. Hybrid breeding has been discussed for some time, but there is little information for winter triticale. This study investigated heterosis for eight agronomic traits in F1 and F2 hybrids grown together with their parents as drilled plots in three environments. On average, grain yield heterosis was 12.5 dt/ha (a relative 10.5%) compared with the mid-parent value for F1 hybrids, and 6.2 dt/ha (5.0%) for F2 hybrids and withawide range of 4.4,17.1 dt/ha for F1 hybrids. A positive contribution to the heterosis of yield was made by kernels/spike and 1000-kernel weight, whereas spikes/m2 showed negative heterosis. Hybrid plants in F1 and F2 were taller than mid-parents (8.3 cm and 5.3 cm, respectively), with a tendency to earlier heading. The negative heterosis for falling number in F1 and F2 hybrids could be a problem for commercial production of triticale hybrids. By selecting parents for combining ability and the identification of heterotic patterns, grain yield heterosis of 20% appears feasible. [source]


    Inheritance of agronomic traits from the Chinese barley dwarfing gene donors ,Xiaoshan Lixiahuang' and ,Cangzhou Luodama'

    PLANT BREEDING, Issue 6 2000
    Zhang Jing
    Abstract The inheritance of agronomic traits from the barley dwarfing gene donors ,Xiaoshan Lixiahuang' and ,Cangzhou Luodamai' was studied. The results indicated that dwarf plants, six-row and short spikes, dense spikelets and naked kernels, respectively, were controlled by one pair of recessive genes, but a toothed awn was determined by one pair of dominant genes in both barley cultivars. The genes for the six characters in ,Xiaoshan Lixiahuang' were allelic to those in ,Cangzhou Luodamai'. Genetic linkage was found among the genes for plant height, spike length and spikelet density. They were located on the long arm of chromosome 3 (3HL) in the order: plant height, spikelet density, spike length. The genes for naked kernels, six-row spikes and tooth awns were independent of each other, and carried on the long arms of chromosomes 1(7H), 2(H) and 7(5H), respectively. The dwarfing genes were the same as the gene uz in Japanese and Korean barley cultivars. [source]


    Molecular marker-facilitated pyramiding of different genes for powdery mildew resistance in wheat

    PLANT BREEDING, Issue 1 2000
    J. Liu
    Abstract Breeding durable resistance to pathogens and pests is a major task for modern plant breeders and pyramiding different resistance genes into a genotype is one way of achieving this. Three powdery mildew resistance gene combinations, Pm2+Pm4a, Pm2+Pm21, Pm4a+Pm21 were successfully integrated into an elite wheat cultivar ,Yang047,. Double homozygotes were selected from a small F2 population with the help of molecular markers. As the parents were near-isogenic lines (NILs) of ,Yang158,, the progenies showed good uniformity in morphological and other non-resistance agronomic traits. The present work illustrates the bright prospects for the utilization of molecular markers in breeding for host resistance. [source]