Breeding Method of Spring-Sown Maize in Northern China

This paper outlines effective methods for selecting and breeding maize varieties,with a focus on early and late hybridization,superior line re-selection,multi-part selection,and other techniques.The goal is to facilitate the innovation of northern spring-sown maize germplasm resources,the selection and breeding of new varieties,thereby contributing to food security in China.

Are yarn quality prediction tools useful in the breeding of high yielding and better fibre quality cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.)?

Results The population had large variations for lint yield,fibre properties,predicted yarn properties,and composite fibre quality values.Lint yield with all fibre quality traits was not correlated.When the selection was conducted first to keep those with improved fibre quality,and followed for high yields,a large proportion in the resultant populations was the same between selections based on Cottonspec predicted yarn quality and HVI-measured fibre properties.They both exceeded the selection based on FQI and Background The approach of directly testing yarn quality to define fibre quality breeding objectives and progress the selection is attractive but difficult when considering the need for time and labour.The question remains whether yarn prediction tools from textile research can serve as an alternative.In this study,using a dataset from three seasons of field testing recombinant inbred line population,Cottonspec,a software developed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation(CSIRO)for predicting ring spun yarn quality from fibre properties measured by High Volume Instrument(HVI),was used to select improved fibre quality and lint yield in the population.The population was derived from an advanced generation inter-crossing of four CSIRO conventional commercial varieties.The Cottonspec program was able to provide an integrated index of the fibre qualities affecting yarn properties.That was compared with selection based on HVI-measured fibre properties,and two composite fibre quality variables,namely,fibre quality index(FQI),and premium and discount(PD)points.The latter represents the net points of fibre length,strength,and micronaire based on the Premiums and Discounts Schedule used in the market while modified by the inclusion of elongation.PD points.Conclusions The population contained elite segregants with improved yield and fibre properties,and Cottonspec predicted yarn quality is useful to effectively capture these elites.There is a need to further develop yarn quality prediction tools through collaborative efforts with textile mills,to draw better connectedness between fibre and yarn quality.This connection will support the entire cotton value chain research and evolution.

Breeding of National Authorized New Wheat Variety Shannong 116 and Supporting Cultivation Technical Measures for High Yield, High Quality and High Efficiency

Shannong 116 is a strong gluten,high yield and multi-resistance wheat variety bred by Shandong Agricultural University,which was approved by the State in 2021 and by Shandong Province in 2022.Shannong 116 combines the excellent characteristics of the female parent(strong gluten,disease resistance and early maturity)and the male parent(high yield,water saving and lodging resistance),with a plant height of 76.9 cm,compact plant type,orderly spike layer and good maturity performance,which is suitable for large-scale promotion and market order planting in Huanghuai wheat area.In this paper,the characteristics of Shannong 116 are analyzed,and cultivation technical measures for high yield,high quality and high efficiency are put forward,in order to provide a technical support for the popularization and application of the variety.

Breeding of High Yield and Genetically Modified Hybrid Cotton-Sumian 29

Sumian 29, a genetically modified cotton variety, was approved by Autho- rized Committee of Crop Varieties of Jiangsu Province in 2013. Yield performance, cultivation characteristics of Sumian 29, and its selection and breeding process were introduced in the paper. Regional tests from 2010 to 2011 in Jiangsu Province showed that seed cotton yield and lint yield averaged 4 185 and 1 737 kg/hm2, and increased by 10.6% and 8.5% respectively, when compared with control （Siza 3）. In production test, seed cotton yield and lint yield of Sumian 29 averaged 4 176 and 1 744.5 kg/hm2, respectively. Sumian 29 had high resistance to cotton bollworm, and also resistance to Fusarium wilt and Verticillium wilt of cotton. All of its fiber qualities achieved National Standard III and above. Sumian 29 has good application prospects.

Selection efficiencies for improving drought/salt tolerances and yield using introgression breeding in rice(Oryza sativa L.)

The backcross(BC) breeding strategy has been increasingly used for developing high yielding varieties with improved abiotic stress tolerances in rice. In this study, 189Huang-Hua-Zhan(HHZ) introgression lines(ILs) developed from three different selection schemes were evaluated for yield related traits under drought stress and non-stress conditions in the target and off-season winter nursery environments to assess the selection efficiency of BC breeding for improving different complex traits, and led us to five important results. The first result indicated that the primary target traits should be selected first in the target environments(TEs) in order to achieve the maximum genetic gain. Secondly, BC breeding for drought tolerance(DT) in rice was almost equally effective by strong phenotypic selection in the main target environments and in the winter-season of Hainan.Thirdly, exploiting genetic diversity in the subspecific gene pools is of great importance for future genetic improvement of complex traits in rice. Fourthly, considerable genetic gain can be effectively achieved by selection for secondary target traits among the ILs with the primary traits. Finally, the developed ILs provide useful materials for future genetic/genomic dissection and molecular breeding of complex traits.

Pre-Breeding Genetic Diversity Assessment of Tomato(Solanum lycopersicum L.)Cultivars Based on Molecular,Morphological and Physicochemical Parameters

Appropriate knowledge of the parental cultivars is a pre-requisite for a successful breeding program.This study characterized fruit yield,quality attributes,and molecular variations of ten tomato cultivars during three consecutive generations under greenhouse conditions.Peto 86,Castle Rock,and Red Star cultivars showed the highest fruit yield(kg/plant),total phenolic compounds(TPC),and sap acidity.Principal component analysis categorized the evaluated fruit yield into three groups based on their quality attributes.A robust positive correlation appeared among traits inside each group.A positive correlation was likewise noticed between the first and the second groups.However,a negative correlation was detected between the first,the second and the third group.Molecular profiling,using seven inter-simple sequence repeat(ISSR)primers,produced 60 loci,including 49 polymorphic loci.The molecular analysis also pinpointed the highest genetic similarity(0.92)between P73 and Moneymaker,while the lowest genetic similarity(0.46)was observed between Castle Rock and Moneymaker.The cultivars P73 and Moneymaker showed the lowest genetic distance(2.24),while the highest genetic distance(5.92)was observed between Super Marmand and Peto86,on the one hand,and between Castle Rock and Moneymaker,on the other hand.The chemical analysis of fruit sap indicated the highest levels of TPC,total flavonoids,anthocyanin,ascorbic acid and total soluble solids in Peto 86 and Castle Rock cultivars.Phylogeny analysis of tomato cultivars based on morphological and molecular attributes indicated four distinct clades.Peto 86,Castle Rock,and Red star cultivars can be recommended for the tomato hybridization breeding programs in the future,with other tomato cultivars as potentially high-yielding parents.

Breeding of a New High-yield, High-oil and Web Blotch-resistant Big Peanut Variety Shanghua 511

Shanghua 511 is a high-yield, high-oil and web blotch-resistant big peanut variety bred by the Shangqiu Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences through sexual hybridization （Yuhua 18♀×Shangyan 9658♂）. In the wheat-peanut interplanting regional experiment conducted in Henan Province during 2012-2013, the average pod and seed yield of Shanghua 511 were 5906.19 and 4149.3 kg/hm2, respectively. In the wheat-peanut interplanting production experiment conducted in Henan Province in 2013, the average pod and seed yield of Shanghua 511 were 6036.45 and 4309.50 kg/hm2, respectively. In the kernels of Shanghua 511, the contents of crude fat, oleic acid and linoleic acid were 56.62%, 44.9% and 33.4% respectively, and the oleic/linoleic acid ratio was 1.34. This variety had high resistance to web blotch and medium resistance to leaf spot, viral diseases, root rot and collar rot. The 100-pod weight, 100-kernel weight, shelling percentage and growth period of Shanghua 511 were 270.6, 110.9 g, 70.6% and 120 d, respectively. Shanghua 511 passed the approval of Henan Provincial Crop Variety Approval Committee in August, 2015, and is suitable for spring sowing and wheat interplanting in the surrounding area of Henan Province and the area to the north of Huaihe River.

Breeding of Zhongyouza 8, a Canola Variety with Large Seeds and High Oil Yield

High oil yield resulted from a combination of high grain yield and high oil content is a prerequisite for the high efficient oilseed rape production. By using irradiation induced mutation and sexual hybridization combined with paired test cross, the fertility, yield and oil content of the three lines of cytoplasmic male sterility have been improved and a new hybrid variety Zhongyouza 8 with high oil yield was developed. It has been testified that the yield of Zhongyouza 8 was significantly higher than that of the control variety Zhongyou 821 with 9.82 and 10.64% increase in the regional trials of Hubei Province and nationwide, respectively. The oil content and oil yield of Zhongyouza 8 were the highest among all the lines involved in Hubei provincial trials, being 42.77% and 1 051.05 kg ha^-1 which was raised by 3% and 161.25 kg ha^-1 compared to the control Zhongyou 821, respectively. The genetic basis for the strong heterosis, and the factors contributing to the yield and oil content increase of Zhongyouza 8 as well as the strategy for high oil yielding variety improvement through increasing seed size were also discussed in this paper.

Evaluation of Breeding Substrates for Cocoa Pollinator, <i>Forcipomyia</i>spp. and Subsequent Implications for Yield in a Tropical Cocoa Production System

A comparative study was carried out to determine the most suitable substrate for breeding of midges (Forcipomyia spp.) and the implications for pollination and yield in a typical cocoa production system in the forest ecological zone of Ghana. For the field experiment, the typically available substrates in cocoa farms which were used as the treatments under cocoa trees were: 1) rotten cocoa leaf litter;2) rotten cocoa pod husks;and 3) rotten banana pseudostem. The untreated cocoa trees served as control. The experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design with three replications. For the laboratory experiment, the design was completely randomized design with four replications. The objective was to determine which substrate best supported breeding of the midges. The rotten banana pseudostem substrate recorded the highest population (7680) of Forcipomyia spp. after 56 days of observation. The cocoa pod husk and cocoa leaf litter recorded populations of 5226 and 1920, respectively. Similar observations were recorded in the level of pollination of the cocoa trees treated with rotten banana pseudostem (95.78%), cocoa pod husks (89.05%) and cocoa leaf litter (68.42%). Application of all substrates to the cocoa tree resulted in a 77% mean reduction in flower abortion as compared to the control. Fruit abortion, on the other hand, was significantly greater in trees treated with rotten banana pseudostem (73.7%) and rotten cocoa pod husks (71.3%) than in trees treated with rotten cocoa leaf litter (54.3%). Application of banana substrate explained 88% of the variation in cherelle production (fruit set) whereas cocoa pod husks and cocoa leaf litter accounted for 71% and 94%, respectively, of the variation in cherelle production. The study concluded that although cocoa leaf litter resulted in average increases in midges population and subsequently not too high levels of pollination, there was a significantly higher number of set fruits retained which implied high cocoa pod yields. Consequently, in accordance with the observed trend cocoa leaf litter should be considered as the most appropriate substrate for midges activity in cocoa for high yields.

Increasing yield potential of hybrid rice through molecular breedingIncreasing yield potential of hybrid rice through molecular breeding

Rice is the staple food for more than half of the world population. The utilization of the wild abortive cytoplasmic male sterility （CMS） in 1970s has significantly raised rice yield potential. But the world＇s annual rice production will have to increase 70 percent over the next 30 years, to keep up with the demends of the growing population.

Dominant early heading without yield drag in a sister-line BC breeding progeny DEH_229 is controlled by multiple genetic factors with maineffect loci

Dominant early heading(DEH)in rice(Oryza sativa L.)is of interest in both breeding and genetics.The genetic mechanisms underlying DEH have remained largely unclear.We have developed a near-isogenic DEH line without yield drag named DEH_229 by sister-line backcross(BC)breeding with MH63,a restorer,as the genetic background.We conducted a pilot genetic investigation under both short-day(SD)and long-day(LD)conditions.The DEH line harbored only 1.06%variation in the genome sequence relative to MH63.The variants were distributed throughout the genome.Using QTL mapping by sequencing(QTL-seq)on an F_(2) population derived from a cross of MH63×DEH_229,57 loci were detected under the SD condition.Joint mapping employing a genome-wide association study with accessions from the 3000 rice genome sequencing project(3K-RG),reduced the number of QTL by 43.9%.Using Rice Functional Genomics&Breeding(RFGB)database,the number of SNP cluster regions within the QTL regions reduced by 27.3%.Further comparison of the genome variation between DEH_229 and MH63 in addition to gene annotation information revealed a new DEH allele of DTH3 with multiple variable sites as a possible major factor underlying the early-heading phenotype of DEH_229.An InDel marker,ZMEH_1,was designed based on the variation between DEH_229 and MH63 within this region.It accounted for 86.0%of heading date variation under both SD and LD conditions in 109 randomly chosen progeny derived from extreme lines of the MH63×DEH_229 population.This study reveals the genetic complexity of DEH in the near-isogenic line and may provide useful material and marker information for plant molecular breeding.

Verification and evaluation of the “Three Optimums Theory”in rice breeding for maximum yield

Rice breeding for maximum yield is a hot topic today in the rice community of the world, and a hard nut to crack into the bargain. For many years, we have been devoted to the subject. In 1987 we discussed the subject in publications at home and abroad, in which we first introduced the general strategy of combining ideal plant morphology with the use of vigor. Afterward, drawing on the wisdoms of other researchers, we experimented with test materials featuring "rather short stalks" and "rather big panicles", but the results were not very satisfactory. Then, we switched from the "two rathers" to the "three optimums" (plant height, panicle size, and tillering ability). Three years’ (1991-1993) verification, especially the demonstra

Breeding and Cultivation Technique of Forage Foxtail Millet Variety Jicaogu 1

[Objective] This study was conducted to solve the problem of the lacking of special forage foxtail millet varieties. [Method] With wild large-grain foxtail millet as an original material, foxtail millet variety Jicaogu 1 （S724） for forage use was bred. [Result] Jicaogu 1 has following outstanding characteristics： （1） high content of crude protein： quality detection showed that the millet straw had a high content of crude protein up to 9.8%; （2） high yields of fresh grass and hay： in field detection, the average yield of fresh grass was 58 308.15 kg/hm2, which was higher than Sicao 2 （35 763.00 kg/hm2） by 58.29%, and the hay yield was 15 922.65 kg/hm2, which was higher than Sicao 2 （11 548.05 kg/hm2） by 37.88%; and （3） biological characteristics： Jicaogu 1 shows young seedlings with a growth period of 122 d, a plant height of 198.22 cm, an ear length of 23.65 cm, a stem/leaf ratio of 1.43 and a fresh weight/dry weight ratio of 37.86, there are 2-3 tillers generally, and the seed yield is 3 383.40 kg/hm2. [Conclusion] Summer seeding in vacant field in North China or spring seeding in Inner Mongolia could be carried out with Jicaogu 1, which is also adapt to mechanized harvest. The development of forage foxtail millet could be promoted by strengthening the extension of Jicaogu 1.

Breeding of National Authorized Two-line Hybrid Rice Yanliangyou 2208

The breeding processes, characteristics and comprehensive characters of two-line hybrid rice Yanliangyou 2208 and its parents （Yan 220S and Yanhui 888） taking part in the national rice regional test of southern rice regions were introduced. Yanliangyou 2208 was approved by the National Crop Variety Appraisal Committee in 2013. The achievement has been transformed successfully and has been applied in production. It has good development and promotion prospects.

The Breeding of New Indica-japonica Intersubspecific Hybrid Rice Combination Chunyou 84

Chunyou 84 is an indica-japonica hybrid rice combination developed from Chunjiang 16A, a late japonica CMS line with early anthesis time, and C84, an indi-ca-japonica intermediate type restorer line with wide compatibility. It has the charac-teristics of high yield potential, high seed production, excel ent agronomic characters, good resistance and wide adaptability. It was registered and released by Zhejiang Provincial Crop Variety Appraisal Committee in March, 2013. The breeding proce-dure, characteristics, major techniques of cultivation and seed production of Chunyou 84 were introduced in this paper.

Investigation on Breeding Direction of Grain Crops——Taking Henan Province as an example

[Objective] This paper aimed to investigate the breeding direction of grain crops in Henan Province. [Method] Superior varieties are the basis of grain yield-increase, and a proper breeding direction is essential for breeding of superior varieties. According to the actual situation and production requirements in Henan Province, by using statistical data of grain production, this paper analyzed the current situation and influencing factors of grain production in Henan Province, and summarized the breeding direction of current grain production. [Result] The increase of grain output in Henan Province mainly relies on the increase of grain yield per unit area and is achieved based on the increase of wheat and corn yield. There are several main factors affecting grain production in Henan Province, including the frequent meteorological disasters, low resistance to natural disasters, excessive chemical fertilizer inputs, decreased material conversion efficiency, aggravated pollution of the agricultural surface source, imbalanced quality and the distribution of cultivated land, emphasizing yield traits but neglecting related traits during crop breeding pro- cess, unitary dominant varieties resulting from narrow germplasm resources, and reduced grain-planting population with the migration of rural labor force. On this basis, the grain breeding direction is proposed with high yield, high efficiency, adaptability, stress resistance, specificity and safety, to enhance the grain crop breeding level, breed superior varieties, and realize the intensive use of cultivated land, intensive saving of materials, intensive substitution of labor force, intensive protection of environment and intensive efficiency of technologies by adjusting the breeding direction, thus promoting the sustained and stable development of grain production. [Conclusion] This paper provides basis for the breeding of superior varieties of grain crops and improvement of grain output in Henan Province.

Rice breeding for low methane and high yields

Rice is the staple food for more than half of the world’s population,and the demand for rice is expected to increase by 28%by 2050(Jiang et al.,2017).However,rice production is one of the largest anthropogenic sources of the potent greenhouse gas methane(CH4),accounting for 22%of total agricultural CH4 emissions(Qian et al.,2023).Therefore,to achieve sustainable intensification of rice cultivation,it is necessary to increase yields while reducing CH4 emissions.Field management techniques to reduce CH4 emissions while maintaining high yields have been studied extensively over the past few decades,but crop breeding to reduce CH4 emissions without compromising yields has received less attention(Kwon et al.,2023).

Stress-Tolerant Cassava: The Role of Integrative Ecophysiology-Breeding Research in Crop Improvement

This review highlights an integrative multidisciplinary eco-physiological, breeding and agronomical research on the tropical starchy root crop cassava conducted at CIAT. Laboratory and field studies have elucidated several physio-logical/biochemical mechanisms and plant traits underlying the high productivity in favorable conditions and tolerance to stressful environments, such as prolonged water stress and marginal low-fertility soils. Cassava is endowed with inherent high photosynthetic capacity expressed in near optimal environments that correlates with biological produc- tivity across environments and wide range of germplasm.Field-measured photosynthetic rates were also associated with root yield, particularly under prolonged drought. Extensive rooting systems and stomatal sensitivity to both atmospheric humidity and soil water shortages underlie tolerance to drought. The C4 phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) was associated with photosynthesis and yield making it a selectable trait, along with leaf duration, particularly for stressful environments. Germplasm from the core collection was screened for tolerance to soils low in P and K, resulting in the identification of several accessions with good levels of tolerance. Cassava has a comparative advantage against major tropical food and energy crops in terms of biological productivity. Results also point to the importance of field research versus greenhouse or growth-chamber studies. In globally warming climate,the crop is predicted to play more role in tropical and subtropical agro-ecosystems. More research is needed under tropical field conditions to understand the interactive responses to elevated carbon dioxide, temperature, soil fertility, and plant water relations.

Progress and perspective on cotton breeding in Pakistan

Cotton is the prime natural fiber with economic significance globally.Cotton farming and breeding have a long his-tory in Pakistan.The development of high yielding upland cotton(Gossypium hirsutum)varieties gradually replaced the cultivation of diploid Gossypium species.Climate change along with emergence of new epidemic diseases caused yield loss in recent years.The biotic stress considerably reduced the performance and yield potential of cotton.Suit-able breeding strategies are essential to generate useful genetic variations and to identify desired traits.Conventional breeding has remarkably increased cotton yield and fiber quality,which has cultivated the NIAB-78,S-12,MNH‐786,and FH‐Lalazar like cultivars.However,this phenotypic selection based breeding method has low efficiency to pro-duce stress resilient cotton.The efficiency of traditional breeding has significantly improved by the marker assisted selection technology.Breakthroughs in molecular genetics,bioinformatics analysis,genetic engineering,and genome sequencing have opened new technique routes for cotton breeding.In addition,genetic improvement through quantitative trait loci,transcriptome,and CRISPR/Cas9 mediated genomic editing can provide suitable platform to improve the resistance to stresses induced by bollworms,cotton leaf curl virus,heat,drought,and salt.The approval of transgenic lines harboring triple gene Cry1Ac+Cry2A+GTG are critical for cotton crop.This review has critically discussed the progress and limitations of cotton breeding in Pakistan,and reviewed the utilization of novel genetic variations and selection tools for sustainable cotton production.

Breeding of New Japonica-indica Hybrid Rice Combination Chunyou 284

Chunyou 284 is a medium- japonica hybrid combination,as well as an indica-japonica subspecific hyrbid with super-high yield,which was developed from Chunjiang 23A,a thermo-sensitive CMS line with very early anthesis time,and C84,an indica-japonica intermediate type restorer line with wide compatibility.This combination has the advantages of high yield potential,early maturity,excellent comprehensive agronomic traits and wide adaptability.It was approved by Jiangsu Provincial Crop Variety Approval Committee in June,2018.The breeding process,main characteristics,cultivation techniques and seed production points of the combination were introduced.