Development of a KASP Marker on Chromosome A05 for Seed Oil Content of Brassica napus

In order to identify the molecular markers that can be widely used in the breeding of Brassica napus L.varieties with high seed oil content under different genetic backgrounds,we developed a Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR(KASP)marker for seed oil content on the basis of the results from available studies.The verification in the F_(2) population showed that the marker was closely linked to the quantitative trait locus(QTL)for oil content on chromosome A05.The findings helped to breed the‘Fengyou’varieties with high seed oil content in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.

Evaluation of Seed Oil Content in Cucumber Germplasm

With 35 different ecological types of cucumber germplasm resources as test materials, the soxhlet extraction was used to extract the crude fat from the cu- cumber seeds to analyze the seed oil content, with the aim to lay foundations for the application and new variety breeding related with cucumber seed oil. The results showed that there were significant differences in seed oil content between different cucumber varieties with the amplitude of variation rangeing from 31.03% to 40.59%, among which the seed oil content of south China cucumber was the highest of 40.59%, while the seed oil content of north China cucumber was the lowest of 31.03%. Four va.rieties with oil content of greater than 38.50% and four varieties with oil content of less than 32.01% werescreened out.

Effect of salinity on seed germination, growth and ion content in dimorphic seeds of Salicornia europaea L. （Chenopodiaceae）

The halophyte Salicornia europaea L. is a widely distributed salt-tolerant plant species that produces numerous dimorphic seeds. We studied germination and recovery in dimorphic seeds of Central Asian S. europaea under various salinity conditions. We also tested the effects of various salts on Na＋ and K＋ accumulation during plant development from germination to anthesis under greenhouse conditions. We found good germination （close to control） of large seeds under NaCl between 0.5 and 2%, Na2SO4 and 2NaCl ＋ KCl ＋ CaCl between 0.5 and 3%, and 2Na2SO4 ＋ K2SO4 -- MgSO4 between 0.5 and 5%. For the small seeds, we found stimulating effects of chloride salts （both pure and mixed） under 0.5-1% concentrations, and sulfate salts under 0.5-3%. Both types of seeds showed high germination recovery potential. Salt tolerance limits of the two seed types during germination and at the later stages of development were very similar （4-5%）. During plant growth the optimal concentrations of mixed chloride and sulfate salts ranged from 0.5 to 2%. The mechanisms of salt tolerance in the two seed types of S. europaea appear to differ, but complement each other, improving overall adaptation of this species to high salinity.

Evaluation of Total Seed Protein Content in Eleven Arkansas Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) Lines

Cowpea is cultivated on more than 11 million hectares with a worldwide production of 5.4 million tons of dried seeds. Cowpea is an affordable source of protein, which is used as an alternative to soybean for people who are allergic to soybean protein. The aim of this research was to assess the variability of the total seed protein content in cowpea. Eleven Arkansas breeding lines were used in this study. Field experiment design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 2 blocks, and conducted in three different locations within Arkansas State (Fayetteville, Alma, and Hope) in 2015. A standard chemical protocol was performed involving an analysis of the total nitrogen by combustion using an Elementar Rapid N III instrument to estimate the protein content. The average protein content was 25.4%, and ranged from 23.7% to 27.4% with a standard deviation of 1.9%. The significant effects of genotype, environment (location), and genotype by environment were observed for the total seed protein content in cowpea. The broad sense heritability (H2) for cowpea seed protein was estimated to be 57.8% based on the eleven cowpea genotypes studied. The cowpea lines, “Early Scarlet” and 09-204 had the highest seed protein content with 27.4% and 26.9% dried seed weight, respectively. This study provides valuable information on cowpea protein content for breeders to select and utilize those breeding lines with high seed protein content to develop new high protein cowpea cultivars.

The influence of ultra-low moisture content on the seed viability of rice in store

This paper deals with the influence of ultra-lowmoisture content and the rate of desiccation on rice seed viability and physiological property bydesiccating using four kinds of desiccants(phos-

小麦种子在不同贮存条件下保存10年后生活力的差异

冬小麦农大139含水量为6.7%和11.8%。分别密封保存于室温和0～5℃冰箱。10年后,测定其发芽势,发芽率等指标,结果表明:①在室温条件下,含水量为11.8%的种子全部死亡,含水量为6.7%的种子有近50%的发芽率同保存前种子发芽率相比明显下降。②在0～5℃冰箱保存的种子,两种含水量均达到80%左右的发芽率,同保存前相比没有明显差别。统计分析表明,贮存温度及贮存温度和种子含水量的互作对贮存种子活力的影响达到极显著水平。

Identification of long InDels through whole genome resequencing to fine map qIF05-1 for seed isoflavone content in soybean(Glycine max L. Merr.)

Soybean seed isoflavones are a type of secondary metabolites that can provide health and nutrition benefits for humans. In our previous study, a stable quantitative trait locus(QTL) qIF05-1 controlling the seed isoflavone content in soybean was detected on chromosome(Chr.) 05 in a recombinant inbred line(RIL) population from a cross of Huachun 2×Wayao. In this study, the parental lines were re-sequenced using the Illumina Solexa System with deep coverage. A total of 63,099 polymorphic long insertions and deletions(InDels)(≥15 bp)were identified between the parents Huachun 2 and Wayao. The InDels were unevenly distributed on 20chromosomes of soybean, varying from 1,826 in Chr. 12 to 4,544 in Chr. 18. A total of 10,002 long InDels(15.85% of total) were located in genic regions, including 1,139 large-effect long InDels which resulted in truncated or elongated protein sequences. In the qIF05-1 region, 68 long InDels were detected between the two parents. Using a progeny recombination experiment and genotype analysis, the qIF05-1 locus was mapped into a 102.2 kb genomic region, and this region contained 12 genes. By RNA-seq data analysis, genome sequence comparison and functional validation through ectopic expression in Arabidopsis thaliana, Glyma.05G208300(described as GmEGL3), which is a basic helix-loop-helix(bHLH) transcription factor in plants, emerged as the most likely confirmed gene in qIF05-1. These long InDels can be used as a type of complementary genetic method for QTL fine mapping, and they can facilitate genetic studies and molecular-assisted selection breeding in soybean.

Response of Four Dry Bean Market Classes to Pre-Emergence Applications of Pyroxasulfone, Sulfentrazone and Pyroxasulfone plus Sulfentrazone

Only one herbicide mode of action (ALS inhibitor) is currently available to Ontario dry bean producers for soil-applied broadleaf weed control. Four field studies were conducted over two years (2014, 2015) to examine the tolerance of four market classes of dry beans to sulfentrazone (210 and 420 g·ai·ha-1) and pyroxasulfone (100 and 200 g·ai·ha-1) applied alone and in combination. The registration of these two herbicides would provide Ontario dry bean producers with two additional modes of action for broadleaf weed control. Pyroxasulfone caused up to 23%, 6%, 7% and 10% injury in adzuki, kidney, small red Mexican and white bean, respectively;sulfentrazone caused up to 51%, 12%, 15% and 44% injury and the combination caused up to 90%, 23%, 29% and 62% injury, respectively. Kidney and small red Mexican bean density, height, seed moisture content and yield were not affected. Pyroxasulfone (200 g·ai·ha-1) + sulfentrazone (420 g·ai·ha-1) reduced adzuki and white bean density, shoot dry weight, height and yield. This study concludes that pyroxasulfone (100 g·ai·ha-1) + sulfentrazone (210 g·ai·ha-1) applied PRE can be safely used to control weeds in Ontario kidney and small red Mexican bean production.

3D genome structural variations play important roles in regulating seed oil content of Brassica napus

Dissecting the complex regulatory mechanism of seed oil content(SOC)is one of the main research goals in Brassica napus.Increasing evidence suggests that genome architecture is linked to multiple biological functions.However,the effect of genome architecture on SOC regulation remains unclear.Here,we used high-throughput chromatin conformation capture to characterize differences in the three-dimen-sional(3D)landscape of genome architecture of seeds from two B.napus lines,N53-2(with high SOC)and Ken-C8(with low SOC).Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that differentially accessible regions and differentially expressed genes between N53-2 and Ken-C8 were preferentially enriched in regions with quantitative trait loci(QTLs)/associated genomic regions(AGRs)for SOC.A multi-omics analysis demonstrated that expression of SOC-related genes was tightly correlated with genome structural varia-tions in QTLs/AGRs of B.napus.The candidate gene BnaA09g48250D,which showed structural variation in a QTL/AGR on chrA09,was identified byfine-mapping of a KN double-haploid population derived from hybridization of N53-2 and Ken-C8.Overexpression and knockout of BnaA09g48250D led to significant in-creases and decreases in SOC,respectively,in the transgenic lines.Taken together,our results reveal the 3D genome architecture of B.napus seeds and the roles of genome structural variations in SOC regulation,enriching our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of SOC regulation from the perspective of spatial chromatin structure.

Tolerance of Four Dry Bean Market Classes to Pre-Emergence Applications of Sulfentrazone

Ontario dry bean growers are currently limited to ALS inhibitor herbicides for soilapplied broadleaf weed control;therefore another mode of action is needed. Sulfentrazone is a PPO inhibitor herbicide that has activity on some annual grass and broadleaf weed species. Four field trials were conducted over two years (2014, 2015) to determine the tolerance of four commonly grown dry bean market classes (adzuki, kidney, small red Mexican and white bean) to PRE applications of sulfentrazone at 140, 210, 280 and 420 g·ai·ha-1. Crop injury, plant height, plant density, shoot biomass, seed moisture content and yield were examined. Sulfentrazone (420 g·ai·ha-1) caused up to 74%, 22%, 30%, and 57% injury in adzuki, kidney, small red Mexican and white bean, respectively. Plant density, height and yield were not reduced for kidney or small red Mexican bean. Sulfentrazone (420 g·ai·ha-1) reduced white bean plant density, height and yield by 28%, 29% and 29%, respectively;and reduced adzuki bean plant density, height and yield by 51%, 34% and 57%, respectively. Overall, kidney and small red Mexican bean were the most tolerant to sulfentrazone, followed by white bean, and then adzuki. This study determined sulfentrazone applied PRE is safe for Ontario kidney bean and small red Mexican bean crops.

Evaluation of Some Promising Soybean Genotypes to Infestation with Cotton Leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis) under Field Conditions

A two-year study was carried out in Giza Agricultural Experiments and Research Station, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Giza, Egypt in the 2020 and 2021 summer seasons to evaluate the relative tolerance of ten soybean genotypes for cotton leafworm infestation under field conditions. Soybean genotypes H11L145, H155, H113, H4L4, H15L17, H129, H30, H19L96, Giza 111, and Crawford were distributed in randomized complete blocks design with three replications. Soybean genotypes differed significantly for cotton leafworm at the 6th, 7th, and 8th week from sowing. Low values of cotton leafworm assemblages were recorded for H113, H4L4, H15L17, Giza 111, and H129. Low percentages of the larval survival number and weight, as well as the number of the survival of pupa were recorded by feeding on leaves of genotypes H4F4, H15L17, and Giza 111 under laboratory conditions. There were significant differences among the studied genotypes in most yield attributes in both seasons. Soybean genotypes H15L17, Giza 111, H113, H129, H19L96, and H4L4 gave higher seed yield per ha, meanwhile soybean genotypes H155, H19L96, H30, Giza 111, and H15L17 had higher seed oil content than the other genotypes in both seasons. The number and weight of larvae surviving, as well as the number of pupa survival, were negatively correlated with leaf total phenols and seed oil content. It can be concluded that soybean genotypes H15L17, H4L4, and Giza 111 are promising genotypes with desirable seed oil content for tolerating cotton leafworm infestation in breeding programs.

Biochemical Characteristics of Saint Mary’s Thistle Varieties (<i>Silybum marianum</i>L. <i>Gaertn.</i>) under Soil-Climate Conditions of the Khorezm Region

This article deals with the biochemical characteristics of varieties of Saint Mary’s Thistle such as Panacea, Debut and Samaryanka. Based on the studies, it was found that the highest oil content was found in the species Debut (26%). The lowest oil content was observed in the variety Samaryanka (19%). The highest protein content and the sum of total amino acids in the seeds of St. Mary’s Thistle varieties were found in the variety Debut (131.1), and the lowest indication was observed in the species Samaryanka (79.2). By the number of replaceable amino acids existing in the seeds of the species of St. Mary’s Thistle, it was found in the Varieties Debut (126.3), and the lowest indication was observed in the variety Samaryanka (112). Based on the results of studies and the noted biochemical characteristics and varietal differences of the St. Mary’s Thistle, the possibility and expediency of expanding the crops of this species in the soil and climatic conditions of the Khorezm region are suggested. The research was conducted 2017-2019 y.

Genome-and transcriptome-wide association studies provide insights into the genetic basis of natural variation of seed oil content in Brassica napus

Seed oil content(SOC)is a highly important and complex trait in oil crops.Here,we decipher the genetic basis of natural variation in SOC of Brassica napus by genome-and transcriptome-wide association studies using 505 inbred lines.We mapped reliable quantitative trait loci(QTLs)that control SOC in eight environments,evaluated the effect of each QTL on SOC,and analyzed selection in QTL regions during breeding.Six-hundred and ninety-two genes and four gene modules significantly associated with SOC were identified by analyzing population transcriptomes from seeds.A gene prioritization framework,POCKET(prioritizing the candidate genes by incorporating information on knowledge-based gene sets,effects of variants,genome-wide association studies,and transcriptome-wide association studies),was implemented to determine the causal genes in the QTL regions based on multi-omic datasets.A pair of homologous genes,BnPMT6s,in two QTLs were identified and experimentally demonstrated to negatively regulate SOC.This study provides rich genetic resources for improving SOC and valuable insights toward understanding the complex machinery that directs oil accumulation in the seeds of B.napus and other oil crops.

Diversity in the Content of Some Nutritional Components in Husked Seeds of Three Wild Rice Species and Rice Varieties in Yunnan Province of China

In addition to rice （Oryza sativa L.） cultivars, there are three wild rice species, namely O. rufipogon Griff, O. officinalis Wall and O. granulata Baill, in Yunnan Province, China. Each species has different subtypes and ecological distributions. Yunnan wild rice species are excellent genetic resources for developing new rice cultivars. The nutritional components of the husked seeds of wild rice have not been investigated thus far. Herein, we report on the contents of total protein, starch, amylose, 17 amino acids, and five macro and five trace mineral elements in husked seeds from three wild rice species and six O. sativa cultivars. The mean （± SD） protein content in the husked rice of O. rufipogon, O. officinalis, and O. granulata was （14.5 ± 0.6）%, （16.3 ± 1.1）%, and （15.3 ± 0.5）%, respectively. O. officinalis III originating from Gengma had the highest protein content （19.3%）. In contrast, the average protein content of six O. sativa cultivars was only 9.15%. The total content of 17 amino acids of three wild rice species was 30%-50% higher than that of the six cultivars. Tyrosine, lysine, and valine content in the three wild rice species was 34%-209% higher than that of the cultivars. However, the difference in total starch content among different O. sativa varieties or types of wild rice species was very small. The average amylose content of O. rufipogon, O. officinalis, and O. granulata was 12.0%, 9.7%, and 11.3%, respectively, much lower than that of the indica and japonica varieties （14.37%-17.17%） but much higher than that of the glutinous rice cultivars （3.89%）. The sulfur, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and ferrite content in the three wild rice species was 30%-158% higher than that of the six cultivars. The considerable difference in some nutritional components among wild rice species and O. sativa cultivars represents a wide biodiversity of Yunnan Oryza species. Based on the results of the present study, it is predicted that some good genetic traits, especially high protein and ideal amylose content, of Yunnan wild rice species may be useful in improving the nutritional value of rice. This is the first report regarding the amino acid, mineral element, protein and amylose content of husked seeds of some Yunnan wild rice species that have important genetic characteristics for rice quality and nutritional value.

Analysis of QTLs for erucic acid and oil content in seeds on A8 chromosome and the linkage drag between the alleles for the two traits in Brassica napus

The history of canola breeding began with the discovery of germplasm with low erucic acid content in seeds of spring forage cultivar in the 1950＇s. FAEI mutations led to a dramatic decrease of the seed erucic acid content in Arabidopsis thaliana. The products of the two FAE1 loci, BnA8.FAE1 and BnC3.FAE1, showed additive effects to the level of erucic acid content in oilseed rape. Previous research be- lieved that the pleiotropy of FAE1 was responsible for the decrease in seed oil content along with the reduction of seed erucic acid content in the modem cultivars. TN DH population was developed from a canola cultivar Tapidor and a Chinese traditional cultivar Ningyou7. The population had been tested in 10 and 11 environments to map QTLs for the erucic acid content and oil content in seeds. As the map resolution increased, a novel QTL for seed erucic acid content was revealed, after Meta-analysis, 7 cM away from the most significant seed erucic acid content QTL where BnA8.FAE1 is located. Seven independent QTLs for seed oil content （qOC） were detected around the two seed erucic acid content QTLs （qEA） across 39.20 cM on linkage group AS. Two of the qOCs co-localized with the two qEAs, respectively, and were detected in a single environment. The other five qOCs were detected in 10 of 11 environments independent ofqEAS. Alleles from Tapi- dot in all the QTLs at the （~39.20 cM region contributed negative effects to either erueic acid content or oil content in seeds. Parallel, geno- typing showed that on 5 of the 7 QTLs regions, Tapidor alleles had the same genotypes with that in ＇Liho＇, the original low seed erucic acid content source. Through rounds of crossbreeding with oil-cropped eultivars and intensive selection for multi generations, Tapidor still had the inferior alleles for low seed oil content from ＇Liho＇, the forage rape. This showed a strong linkage drag of low seed oil content, which was controlled by the five qEA-independent qOCs, with low seed erucic acid content. Ninety cultivars of B. napus from 8 countries were used to analyze the genetic drag with 9 molecular markers located in the QTL confidence intervals （24.04 cM） on linkage group A8. It was noticed that more than 46% of the cultivars with low seed erucic acid content trait remained the genotype of low seed oil content at least in one locus. Backcross and marker-assisted selection could break the genetic drag between the low oil content and erucic acid in seeds in the process for breeding modern high seed oil content canola cultivars.

Natural variation of GmFATA1B regulates seed oil content and composition in soybean

Soybean(Glycine max) produces seeds that are rich in unsaturated fatty acids and is an important oilseed crop worldwide. Seed oil content and composition largely determine the economic value of soybean. Due to natural genetic variation, seed oil content varies substantially across soybean cultivars. Although much progress has been made in elucidating the genetic trajectory underlying fatty acid metabolism and oil biosynthesis in plants, the causal genes for many quantitative trait loci(QTLs) regulating seed oil content in soybean remain to be revealed. In this study, we identified Gm FATA1B as the gene underlying a QTL that regulates seed oil content and composition, as well as seed size in soybean. Nine extra amino acids in the conserved region of Gm FATA1B impair its function as a fatty acyl–acyl carrier protein thioesterase, thereby affecting seed oil content and composition. Heterogeneously overexpressing the functional Gm FATA1B allele in Arabidopsis thaliana increased both the total oil content and the oleic acid and linoleic acid contents of seeds. Our findings uncover a previously unknown locus underlying variation in seed oil content in soybean and lay the foundation for improving seed oil content and composition in soybean.

The relationship between individual seed quality and maternal plant body size in crowded herbaceous vegetation

Aims In most natural plant populations,there is a strong right-skewed dis-tribution of body sizes for reproductive plants-i.e.the vast majority are relatively small,suppressed weaklings that manage not just to survive effects of crowding/competition and other hazards but also to produce offspring.recent research has shown that because of their relatively large numbers,these relatively small resident plants collectively contribute most of the seed offspring production available for the population in the next generation.However,the success of these offspring will depend in part on their quality,e.g.reflected by seed size and resource content.accordingly,in the present study,we used material from natural populations of herbaceous species to test the null hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between body size variation in resident plants-resulting from between-site variation in the intensity of crowding/competition-and variation in the mass or N content of their individual seeds.Methods using populations of 56 herbaceous species common in eastern ontario,total above-ground dry plant mass,mean mass per seed and mean nitrogen(N)content per seed were recorded for a sample of the largest resident plants and also for the smallest reproduc-tive plants growing in local neighbourhoods with the most severe crowding/competition from near neighbours.Important Findingsmass per seed was numerically smaller from the smallest resident plants for most study species,but with few exceptions,this was not significantly different(P>0.05)from mass per seed from the larg-est resident plants.the results therefore showed no general effect of maternal plant body size on individual seed mass,or N content.this suggests that the reproductive output of the smaller half of the resident plant size distribution within these populations is likely to contribute not just most of the seed production available for the next generation but also seed offspring that are just as likely-on a per individual basis-to achieve seedling/juvenile recruitment success as the seed offspring produced by the largest resident plants.this conflicts with the traditional‘size-advantage’hypothesis for predicting plant fitness under severe competition,and instead supports the recent‘reproductive-economy-advantage’hypothesis,where competitive fitness is promoted by capacity to produce offspring that-despite severe body size suppression imposed by neighbour effects-in turn have capacity to produce grand-offspring.