Correlation Analysis of Genetic Distance and Heterosis of the Major Brassica napus L. Cultivars in Yunnan Province

[Objective] The correlation between genetic distance and heterosis of the major Brassica napus L. cultivars in Yunnan Province was analyzed. [Method] The genetic distances among the 8 major Brassica napus L. cultivars in Yunnan Province were investigated with the SSR molecular marker technique. Moreover, the correlation between genetic distance and field appearance of heterosis was ana-lyzed. [Result] There was a certain correlation between the genetic distance and heterosis of crossing parents （P〉0.05）. [Conclusion] It is difficult to predict the het-erosis of Brassica napus L. cultivars and to screen parents by using the SSR molecular marker technique.

Relationship between SSR Genetic Distance and Heterosis in Hot Pepper

[Objective] This study aimed to predict the heterosis of hot pepper using SSR genetice distance. [Method] Twenty-five hybridized combinations between 10pepper parents were obtained through NCⅡ incomplete diallel cross to analyze the relationship between SSR genetic distance and heterosis. [Result] The genetic distance of the parents varied in a range from 0.13 to 0.33, and the average genetic distance was 0.25, indicating that the genetic difference was not obvious among the parents, namely, they shared a close genetic relationship. In addition, the SSR genetic distance was closely related to yield per plant and fruits per plant, but showed no obvious correlation with other traits. [Conclusion] This study proved that in a certain range the combinations between the parents with a distant genetic distance possessed stronger heterosis and a larger possibility to produce a high yield and vice versa.

Relationship Between Heterosis and Parental Genetic Distance Based on Molecular Markers for Functional Genes Related to Yield Traits in Rice

The genetic distances among 18 cytoplasmic male sterile lines and 11 restorer lines were analyzed with molecular markers derived from yield-related functional genes. The correlation between parental genetic distance and heterosis was investigated by analyzing the performance of 47 combinations. The results showed that the genetic distance was significantly correlated with yield heterosis （r=0.29^＊）, but not significantly correlated with heterosis for other traits, such as number of effective panicles per plant, seed setting rate, 1000-grain weight, number of grains per panicle and theoretical yield. However, the correlation coefficient was so small that the parental genetic distance could not to be used to predict heterosis.

Analysis on Genetic Similarity of Japonica Rice Variety from Different Origins of Geography in the World

The genetic similarity and genetic difference among improved japonica rice varieties from different countries （or regions and organizations） were detected. The aim is to provide genetic basis to the breeding of japonica rice varieties. The genetic similarity and cluster of 313 improved japonica varieties from 20 countries （or regions and organizations） were analyzed using the SSR marker. With 34 SSR primers which were polymorphic and uniformly distributed in rice genome, totally 198 alleles were detected among these improved varieties with the average number of alleles per pair of primers of 5.8235. RM320, RM531, RM1, RM21, and RM336 located more alleles, which were 16, 13, 12, 10, and 10 respectively. RM320, RM336, RM286, RM531, and RM21 showed higher genetic diversity indexes, which were 2.3668, 2.0041, 1.9684, 1.9508, and 1.7203, respectively. The genetic similarity for improved japonica varieties among different countries （or regions and organizations） were ranged from 0.279 to 0.918, and the mean value was 0.653. The rice varieties from countries whose latitude and geography position were all nearer were clustered together with higher genetic similarity indexes. The rice varieties from countries who had more different latitude and far geography position were clustered separately with lower genetic similarity indexes. The results indicated the genetic similarity indexes among improved japonica varieties had a close relationship with the geographical position, especially with the latitude.

Relationship Between F_1,F_2 Hybrid Yield, Heterosis and Genetic Distance Measured by Molecular Markers and Parent Performance in Cotton

Genetic distance among 36 cotton cultivars measured by molecular markers of RAPDs, ISSRs, and SSRs was from 0.0701 to 0.4255 with the mean of 0.2844, and from 2.18 to 12.60 with the mean of 7.04 based on the genotype performance in two-year field experiments, which has a significant positive correlation (r = 0.3350). The correlative coefficients for boll number per plant, boll weight, yield per plant, lint percent and lint yield per plant were 0.8035,0.8877,0.7135,0.9640 and 0.8956 between F1 and F2 hybrid performance assessed by three-environment field experiments, respectively. The mean of F1 and F2 hybrid het-erosis of yield per plant and lint yield per plant were 13.62% , 16.31% , 7.90% and 9.02% , and the correlative coefficients between them were 0.3689 and 0.3787, respectively. The correlation between the genetic distance and heterosis was low, and influenced directly by the selected parents.

Improved genetic distance-based spatial deployment can effectively minimize inbreeding in seed orchard

Background:Inbreeding in seed orchards is expected to increase with the advancement of breeding cycles,which results in the delivery of crops with suboptimal genetic gain,reduced genetic diversity,and lower seed set.Here,a genetic distance-dependent method for clonal spatial deployment in seed orchards was developed and demonstrated,which reduced the inbreeding levels.The method’s main evaluation parameter of inbreeding is the genetic distance among individuals and the deployment method used an improved adaptive parallel genetic algorithm(IAPGA)based on Python language.Using inbreeding-prone Chinese Mongolian pine breeding population material originating from a single natural population,the proposed method was compared to a traditional orchard design and a distance-based design;namely,complete randomized block(RCB)and optimum neighborhood(ONA)designs,respectively.Results:With the advancement of selective breeding cycles,group separation among orchard related individuals is expected to increase.Based on the genetic distance among individuals,the IAPGA design was superior in significantly reducing the inbreeding level as compared to the two existing designs,confirming its suitability to advanced-generation orchards where relatedness among parents is common.In the 1st,2nd,and mixed generations clonal deployment schemes,the IAPGA design produced lower inbreeding with 87.22%,81.49%,and 87.23%of RCB,and 92.78%,91.30%,and 91.67%of ONA designs,respectively.Conclusions:The IAPGA clonal deployment proposed in this study has the obvious advantage of controlling inbreeding,and it is expected to be used in clonal deployment in seed orchards on a large-scale.Further studies are needed to focus on the actual states of pollen dispersal and mating in seed orchards,and more assumptions should be taken into account for the optimized deployment method.

An Analysis on the Relationship between Maize Heterosis and Genetic Distance

13 normal maize inbred lines with quite different quantitative traits were used as experimental materials in this paper. The results showed that there was significantly positive correlation between genetic distance and plot yield,mid-parent heterosis,super heterosis,or SCA of yield. In a certain range,the longer the genetic distance between parental inbred lines,the stronger the heterosis. Therefore,in genetic practice,it was necessary to take the molecular genetic distance between inbred lines as an important reference.

Analysis of Genetic Similarity for Improved Japonica Rice Varieties from Different Provinces and Cities in China

To provide a genetic basis for japonica rice breeding, the genetic similarity and cluster of 139 accessions of improved japonica rice varieties from 12 provinces and cities of China were analyzed using 34 SSR markers. Totally 198 alleles were detected among these improved japonica rice varieties with the average number of alleles per pair of primers was 5.3235. RM320, RM531, RM1, RM286, and RM336 showed more alleles, which were 15, 12, 11, 9, and 9, respectively. RM320, RM336, RM286 and RM531 showed higher genetic diversity indexes; which were 2.3324, 2.0292, 1.8996, and 1.7820, respectively. The range of genetic similar index among improved japonica rice varieties from different provinces was from 0.321 to 0.914, with the average of 0.686. There was a high genetic similarity among improved japonica rice varieties from Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Ningxia, and Yunnan, which were located in similar latitude or similar ecological environment, while there was a low genetic similarity between improved japonica rice varieties from Guizhou and Jiangsu, and other provinces which were located in more different latitudes and ecological environments. The markers of RM320, RM531, RM1, RM286, and RM336 fit to be used in analysis of genetic diversity for improved japonica rice variety. The genetic similarity among improved japonica rice varieties from different provinces was closely associated with genetic basis of parents, and was also correlated with latitude and ecological environment where the varieties were bred.

Genetic Similarity Analysis of Hunan Rice Landraces with Same or Similar Name in Household and Genebank Conservations

This study was conducted to analyze the phenotypic and genotypic similarity or diversity of rice （Oryza sativa L.） landraces in household and hypothermic genebank conservations in Hunan Province and identify the genetic distance between the rice landraces with the same or similar names. A total of 92 accessions of rice landraces were divided into seven groups according to their local names, but the morphological traits showed large variations even within the same group as well as between household and genebank conservations. The SSR marker analysis showed that, in all the groups except Group E, the allelic variations within each subgroup of the household conservation were less than those of the genebank conservation, indicating the household-conserved rice landraces’ many-generation purifcation from natural and artifcial selections in the process of their cultivation year after year; and the similarity coeffcient among the household rice landraces was the highest except for Groups C and E. Thus, the study suggested that the same-name or similar-name rice resources retained by farmers would be valuable for collection and evaluation.

Analysis on Genetic Diversity and Isolation Mechanism by Distance of Different Ecological Type Sheep Breeds in Mon-golia Sheep Group

In the present study with Tan sheep, small-tailed Han sheep, Hu sheep, Tong sheep, and Wadi sheep, we detected the distribution of gene frequency of several microsatellite sites in different chromosomes, the result showed that： 1） Hu sheep was in the status of Hardy-Weinberg extreme disequilibrium （P 〈 0.01）, while populations including Tong sheep, small-tailed Han sheep, Tan sheep, and Wadi sheep were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium （P 〉 0.05）. 2） Variance analysis of the heterozygosity and poly- morphic information content at rnicrosatellite makers showed that there were not significant differences among populations as to heterozygosity and PIC （P 〉 0.05）, as to effective number of alleles there were not significant differences both among Tan sheep, Hu sheep, Tong sheep, and Wadi sheep, and between Wadi sheep and small-tailed sheep （P 〉 0.05）, but between the former three populations and the latter two populations, there were significant differences （0.01〈 P 〈0.05）. The variation levels of small-tailed Han sheep was the highest in the five populations based on microsatellite maker data, subsequently followed by Wadi sheep, Tong sheep, Tan sheep, and then Hu sheep. 3） The phylogenetic relationships of the five sheep populations in this study did not meet the mechanism of isolation by distance, and the genetic differentiation relationships among five sheep populations were not closely linearly correlative with their geography distribution. Our findings supported related records in literature： The five populations originated on different time stage from the primogenitor population and communicated genetically with each other thereafter in the process of natural and artificial selection and on different ecological environment.

RFLP Detection of Genetic Variation of Maize Inbred Lines

Genetic similarities of 13 inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.) were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). The objectives of the study were to detect genetic similarities among 13 inbreds and to assign them to heterotic groups. By means of 24 probe_enzyme combinations (PECs) selected for locus specificity, clear patterns and reproducibility, 85 alleles were found with an average of 3.3 alleles per locus. The allelic frequency data were used to estimate genetic similarities among lines, and as a result the diversity index of 0.499 was obtained. Genetic similarities between the pairs of 13 lines ranged from 0.523 up to 0.802 with an average of 0.649. The UPGMA clustering algorithm analysis classified the 13 lines into five groups, which generally corresponded to known maize heterotic groups based on pedigree information. The authors concluded that RFLP_based markers could be used for investigating genetic relationships between maize inbred lines and assigning them to heterotic groups, but it seemed that a large number of PECs were needed to obtain reliable estimates of genetic similarity.

Genetic analysis of the maximum germination distance of Striga under Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.strigae biocontrol in sorghum

Maximum germination distance（MGD） is an important component of Striga resistance in sorghum. The objective of this study was to determine gene action influencing MGD of Striga hermonthica and Striga asiatica among selected sorghum lines treated with a biocontrol agent, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. strigae（FOS） for effective breeding with Striga resistance, and FOS compatibility. Twelve sorghum genotypes were selected based on their Striga resistance, FOS compatibility, and superior agronomic performance. Selected genotypes were crossed using a bi-parental mating design to generate six families for genetic analysis. Agar-gel assays were used to determine low haustorium initiation factor（LHF） using the 12 parental lines, their F_1 progenies, backcross derivatives, and F_2 segregants in two sets. One set had S. hermonthica seed and the other one had S. asiatica seed. Both were treated with and without FOS. Genotypes were evaluated using a split-plot design with three replications and MGD data were recorded followed by generation mean analysis. FOS reduced MGD by 1cm under both S. hermonthica and S. asiatica infestations. Additive, dominance, and epistatic gene actions were involved in the control of MGD of the two Striga species in the evaluated populations. On average, the relative contribution of additive, additive×additive and dominance×dominance genetic effects on the MGD of S. hermonthica and S. asiatica, with FOS, were 20, 33, and 36%; and 21, 32, and 35%, respectively. Breeding methods exploiting these genetic effects may provide enhanced response to selection for Striga resistance and FOS compatibility in integrated Striga management（ISM） programmes.

Genetic Diversity in Wild Grapes Native to China Based on Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) Analysis

The use of the RAPD technique was investigated on a set of 73 genotypes of 18 wild grape species native to China, and one interspecific hybrid, seven Vitis vinifera L. cultivars, one rootstock cultivar and one strain of V. riparia L. Genetic diversity among these grapes was investigated based on RAPD analysis. The screening of 280 decamer oligonucleotides allowed the selection of 20 primers used for the analysis. A total of 191 RAPD markers were produced from the 20 selected primers. Relationships among the 83 clones or accessions based on their genetic distances were clustered using unweighted pair_group method arithmetic average (UPGMA) analysis in a dendrogram. Twenty_two clusters which fortunately adapted to 22 grape species level were clearly resolved on the dendrogram. The 18 wild grape species native to China were grouped into ten subclusters. The largest distance was found between V. riparia L., V. vinifera L., interspecific hybrid ( V. vinifera L.× V. larbrusca L.) and the wild grapes native to China. Among the wild grapes native to China, the largest distance was found between V. hancockii Hance and the other wild species. V. qinlingensis P.C.He was the second. Large genetic variation occurred among the different flower_type clones in one species.

Assessing the numbers of SNPs needed to establish molecular IDs and characterize the genetic diversityof soybean cultivars derived from Tokachi nagaha

The development of a core set of SNP molecular markers that could be widely used in soybean genetic research would greatly facilitate research into the genetic diversity of soybean.We conducted an analysis of Tokachi nagaha and 137 of its descendant soybean cultivars using 4044 SNP markers with the goal of determining the appropriate number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)needed to construct unambiguous molecular IDs and characterize genetic diversity based on a genetic distance matrix correlation method.When the number of SNPs was held constant,the number of accession pairs that could be distinguished increased as the polymorphism informative content(PIC)value of the SNPs increased.A core panel of 20 selected SNPs from 11 linkage groups with a mean PIC value of 0.3703 and a range of 0.3640–0.3749 was able to identify almost all of the accession pairs in our study[9445 pairs(99.92%)].The eight accession pairs that could not be identified with this core SNP set all originated from the same province and some of them had the same parental cultivars.The molecular IDs of the 138 accessions were constructed using the core 20 SNPs.It is known that both the number of SNPs and PIC values should be considered when SNPs are selected for use in the analysis of genetic diversity.In this study,when the PIC value was 0.3460,the correlation coefficient between the genetic distance matrices associated with a panel of 200 SNPs and the total population was>0.800,indicating satisfactory correlation.Our high-accuracy,high-resolution core SNP panel for germplasm fingerprinting and our findings about assessing genetic diversity will likely markedly improve the management and utilization efficiency of soybean germplasm resources.

Genetic Diversity of Chinese Temperate and Exotic Tropical, Subtropical Quality Protein Maize Inbreds by SSR Markers

Information on genetic relationship is of great value to maize (Zea mays L.) breeding. Theobjectives of this study were: 1) to classify 22 quality protein maize (QPM) inbreds intodifferent groups by using simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers, which included exotictropical, subtropical and domestic temperate QPM and normal maize inbreds; 2) to examine theconsistency of grouping results obtained from SSR, specific combining ability (SCA) analysis,and genetic backgrounds of these inbreds. A set of 39 polymorphic SSR primers was selected from70 primer pairs, which detected 136 alleles among the 22 lines. The mean polymorphisminformation content was 0.55. Based on analysis of genetic similarities, five groups wereidentified including Luda Red Cob, Sipingtou, Reid, Lancaster and a miscellaneous group withseveral tropical inbreds which could not be classified into the above four groups. The resultsgenerally agreed with previous results based on analysis of yield combining ability andpedigree data.

Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal a Unique Species of Elaphe(Serpentes,Colubridae)New to Science

The snakes comprising the monophyletic group referred to as ratsnakes are found throughout Asia,Europe and the New World.Recently,three snake samples likely belonging to the ratsnakes were collected in Zoige County,Sichuan Province,China.Species identity was difficult to delimit morphologically because the specimens were juveniles and partially damaged.Subsequently,a molecular phylogenetic approach was used.Portions of three mitochondrial genes(cyt b,ND4 and 12S rRNA) were sequenced and analyzed.The results showed that they were sister to the genus Elaphe.Very little genetic variation was found among the three samples.The minimum genetic distances between these samples and those within Elaphe were greater than any currently recognized species within the genus.We conclude that this likely represents a new species within the genus Elaphe.Adult specimens and a morphologic description are needed for further study.

A genetic algorithm for community detection in complex networks

A new genetic algorithm for community detection in complex networks was proposed. It adopts matrix encoding that enables traditional crossover between individuals. Initial populations are generated using nodes similarity, which enhances the diversity of initial individuals while retaining an acceptable level of accuracy, and improves the efficiency of optimal solution search. Individual crossover is based on the quality of individuals' genes; all nodes unassigned to any community are grouped into a new community, while ambiguously placed nodes are assigned to the community to which most of their neighbors belong. Individual mutation, which splits a gene into two new genes or randomly fuses it into other genes, is non-uniform. The simplicity and effectiveness of the algorithm are revealed in experimental tests using artificial random networks and real networks. The accuracy of the algorithm is superior to that of some classic algorithms, and is comparable to that of some recent high-precision algorithms.

Genetic Relationships in Advanced Generation Hybrids Derived from Crosses between Texas (<i>Poa arachnifera</i>) and Kentucky (<i>Poa pratensis</i>) Bluegrass Using ISSR Markers

Fertile, advanced generation hybrids derived from crosses between Texas (Poa arachnifera Torr.) and Kentucky (Poa pratensis L.) bluegrass have been selected. The hybrids are currently being evaluated for low-input turf potential. Since they are derived from hand-harvested seed from first-generation hybrids located in field nurseries their exact genetic origin is unknown. This experiment was conducted to determine if there are still genetic relationships among the advanced generation hybrids and some of the Texas and Kentucky parents in their pedigrees. Four Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) primer combinations resolved on 6% nondenaturing polyacrylamide gels resulted in 179 polymorphic bands that were scored to create a genetic similarity matrix and dendrogram based on Jaccard’s coefficient. The clustering of the advanced generation hybrids was generally in agreement with what would be expected based on their pedigrees and indicated it was more likely to select a fertile hybrid from an advanced generation, rather than the F1 generation.

RAPD Assessment of Genetic Diversity of Yunjie(Eruca sativa Mill.)in China

Genetic diversity of Yunjie(.Eruca sativa Mill.)in China was assessed by analyses of RAPD(randomly amplified polymorphic DNA)markers. Twenty native cultivars representing Yunjie-growing eco-types in China were selected as material in this study. Twelve out of the 64 tested random decamer primers were able to identify 131 stable RAPD bands from these Yunjie cultivars. Of them 105 bands, or 80.15% of the total, were polymorphic. Most Yunjie cultivars from the same ecotype had their characteristic DNA bands. Cluster analysis by unweighted pair group method of arithmetic means(UPGMA)suggested that the 20 Yunjie genotypes could be divided into four groups. The genetic distances among the 20 cultivars varied from 0.117 8 between Shuozhou and Shenchi to 0. 499 4 between Hetian and Xiliang. Hetian alone could be a new type of Yunjie identified in China because it had the greatest genetic distance from all the other tested cultivars. These results indicate that Chinese Yunjie have abundant genetic diversity. Classification of Chinese Yunjie based on the RAPD information was in good agreement with the relationships between these Yunjie cultivars in their geographic origins and their plant morphology.

An Assessment of Genetic Relatedness between Soybean [<i>Glycine max</i>(L.) Merrill] Cultivars Using SSR Markers

In this present investigation, simple sequence repeat (SSR) analysis was used to determine the genetic relatedness among 32 soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) cultivars from NRC for soybean, Madhya Pradesh. Among them 10 primer pairs showed 100% amplification. Mainly three primer pairs could amplify polymorphic SSRs from all of these cultivars. The polymorphic information content (PIC) among cultivars varied from 0.21 (S26) to 0.83 (S27) with an average of 0.51. Pairwise coefficients of genetic similarity between all genotypes ranged from 0.76 to 1.00. Unweighted pair-group method arithmetic average (UPGMA) analysis allocated the cultivars in 2 major clusters or groups and 6 sub-clusters. Of the two major clusters one contained 20 cultivars and the other contained 12 cultivars. The largest cluster was again divided into three sub-clusters I, II and III with 12, 2 and 6 cultivars respectively and the smallest cluster was divided into three sub-clusters IV, V, VI containing 7, 4 and 2 cultivars respectively. These results suggest that SSR markers are efficient for measuring genetic relatedness among soybeans irrespective of a wide agro-climatic zone. Genetic relationship assessments among soybean cultivars in India could provide useful information for efficient utilization of these materials, especially for widening the genetic base.