Genetic dissection of crown root traits and their relationships with aboveground agronomic traits in maize

The crown root system is the most important root component in maize at both the vegetative and reproductive stages. However, the genetic basis of maize crown root traits(CRT) is still unclear, and the relationship between CRT and aboveground agronomic traits in maize is poorly understood. In this study, an association panel including 531 elite maize inbred lines was planted to phenotype the CRT and aboveground agronomic traits in different field environments. We found that root traits were significantly and positively correlated with most aboveground agronomic traits, including flowering time, plant architecture and grain yield. Using a genome-wide association study(GWAS)coupled with resequencing, a total of 115 associated loci and 22 high-confidence candidate genes were identified for CRT. Approximately one-third of the genetic variation in crown root was co-located with 46 QTLs derived from flowering and plant architecture. Furthermore, 103 (89.6%) of 115 crown root loci were located within known domestication-and/or improvement-selective sweeps, suggesting that crown roots might experience indirect selection in maize during domestication and improvement. Furthermore, the expression of Zm00001d036901, a high-confidence candidate gene, may contribute to the phenotypic variation in maize crown roots, and Zm00001d036901 was selected during the domestication and improvement of maize. This study promotes our understanding of the genetic basis of root architecture and provides resources for genomics-enabled improvements in maize root architecture.

Genetic Diversity,Population Structure,and Genome-Wide Association Study of Seven Agronomic Traits in 273 Diverse Upload Cotton Accessions

Upland cotton(Gossypium hirsutum)is the most important plant producing natural fibers for the textile industry.In this study,we first investigated the phenotypic variation of seven agronomic traits of 273 diverse cotton accessions in the years 2017 and 2018,which were from 18 geographical regions.We found large variations among the traits in different geographical regions and only half of the traits in either years 2017 or 2018 followed a normal distribution.We then genotyped the collection with 81,612 high quality SNPs.Phylogenetic tree and population structure revealed a diverse genetic structure of the core collection,and geographical diversification was an important factor,but account for part of the variances of genetic diversification.We then performed genome-wide association study for the seven traits in the years 2017 and 2018,and the average values of each trait in the two years,respectively.We identified a total of 19 significant marker-trait associations and found that Pollen Ole e 1 allergen/extension could be the candidate gene associated with the fall-off cotton bolls from the last three branches.In addition,large variations were observed for the heritability of traits in the years 2017 and 2018.These results provide new potential candidate genes for further functional validation,which could be useful for genetic improvement and breeding of new cotton cultivars with better agronomic performances.

Evolutionary Fixed Potential Agronomic Traits in Polysomic Polyploidy Plants with Special Reference to Potato

It is commonly known that polyploidization has become one of major forces for a speciation and evolution, especially with evolutionary fixed potential agronomic traits in plants. Although several studies demonstrate that allopolyploid plants were successful in developing novel crops, autopolyploid ones are also more substantial and worth exploring. Obviously, autopolyploid development via sexual or asexual pathways can lead to advantages in biomass, changing process of development, and lots of benefits on coping with climate changes do not comprehend as a whole. This review shed light on 1) gaining gigantic effect and increasing phytochemical content;2) enhancing biotic and abiotic tolerance to adapt to climate change;3) changing in process of development;4) adapting ecology. Based on these benefits, this review provides breeders with several choices when they need in the breeding strategies. Also further review on prospects of polyploidy potato in food security is concerned.

QTL Analysis of Agronomic Traits in Soybean

[Objective]The aim was to analyze QTL of agronomic traits in soybean and provide reference for a discussion on soybean genetic mechanism and genetic breeding. [Method]The composite interval mapping method was used for QTL location and genetic effects analysis on 5 quantitative traits including protein content,fat content,yield,100-grain weight and growth period. [Result]The control of these traits 4,4,1,2,5,a total of 16 QTL loci was detected. The genetic contribution rate was in 7.4%-33.7%,among which,a large main-effect QTL of the genetic contribution rate were located in linkage group I Satt562-Sat_219,Sat_219-Satt496,Sat_219-Satt496 interval of the three control protein content QTL sites,their genetic contribution rates were 29.15%,33.7 % and 31.67% respectively,all from the female parent Hefeng 25 plus minor gene; still in O linkage group Satt477-Satt331,Satt331-Satt153 interval of two control growing period QTL loci,their genetic contribution rates were up to 24.69% and 24.96%,also from the female parent Hefeng 25 plus minor gene. In addition,six QTL sites from M linkage group Satt175 （protein）,A1 linkage group Satt684 （oil）,F linkage group Satt348 （oil）,J linkage group Sat_412 （oil）,C1 linkage group Sat_416 （100-grain weight） and C1 linkage group Sat_416 （growth period） marks only 0.01 cm were detected. [Conclusion]QTL sites which had effects on the 5 important agronomic traits in soybean were located.

Relation Analysis of Several Agronomic Traits and Single Plant Lint Yield in Upland Cotton with High Quality

[ Objective] The purpose was to study the correlation between main agronomic traits and single plant lint yield in upland cotton with high quality. [ Method] Twenty-four upland cotton lines with high quality were analyzed for single plant lint yield and 10 agronomic traits in a randomized, complete block at the agriculture experimental station of JXAU, Nanchang, China in 2007. They were divided into three types （ high, medium, low yield） based on single plant lint yield by Ward＇s method. A total of 11 traits of three types were compared. Correlation a- nalysis and stepwise regression analysis of 10 agronomic traits to single plant lint yield were carried out. [ Result] There existed statistically sig- nificant difference in bolls per plant, ~int percentage, lint index, fruit node numbers, growth period for three yield types. The high yield type ex- hibited the highest bolls per plant, lint percentage and lint index, the lowest fruit node numbers and the shortest growth period. Bolls per plant, boll weight and single plant lint yield were significantly and positively correlated. Fruit node numbers and single plant lint yield were significantly and negatively correlated. Bolls per plant, boll weight, and fruiting position number were the most important factors influencing single plant lint yield of upland cotton lines with high quality. [ Conclusion ] The results will have certain significance for the development of upland cotton variety with high quality.

RITSD Analysis of the Agronomic Traits of Somaclonal in Rice

[Objective]The aim was to study the sensitive response characteristics of the main agronomic traits of somaclonal and the variation of sensitive response of the lines of somaclonal to sowing date. [Method]The RITSD changing of agronomic traits was studied by using 24 rice somaclonal and its donor parent under two sowing dates. [Result]The average values of RITSD were higher （over one） for the traits of pant height （PH）,density of spikelets （DS）,filled spikelets per panicle （FSP）,spikelets per panicle （SP） and grain weight per plant （GWP）,but lower for days of sowing to heading （DSH）,effective panicles （EP）,panicle length （PL）,seed setting rate （SS） and 1 000-grain weight （1 000-GW）. These showed that PH,DS,FSP,SP and GWP were easily affected by sowing date and tended to higher with the later sowing; the RITSD of somaclonal changed with the agronomic traits. The frequency of RITSD＇ variation of DSH and PH was higher than that of PL. The RITSD＇ value of EP,PL,DS,FSP,SP and SS became higher,and higher or lower for DSH and GWP in different somaclonal; compared with the donor,20 of 24 was significantly different,and the frequency of RITSD variation was over 83. 3%,however,RITSD of the most lines （75%） changed only for 1-2 characters; cluster analysis showed that the RITSD of agronomic traits belonged to different combinations of somaclonal in rice. [Conclusion]the study had provided a theoretical basis for the screening and using of the somaclonal.

Improvement for Agronomic Traits of Partial Waxy Wheat by Combination of Backcrossing with a PCR-based DNA Marker

To improve agronomic traits of partial waxy wheat, crossing between Chinese Baihuomai and wheat cultivars PH85-16, Jinan 17, and Yannong 15 was performed. The progeny plants were further backcrossed to these cultivars as recurrent parents for five generations. To get homozygous plants with the null allele at the Wx-D1 locus, self-pollination was carried out in the BC5F1 generation. Through another three generations, 6 partial waxy wheat lines were obtained, which had similar agronomic performance as their recurrent parents and carried the null allele at the Wx-D1 locus. In each generation, the Wx-D1 locus was identified by a PCR-based DNA marker and the agronomic traits were examined in progeny plants. The results from this study indicate that the use of backcrossing with a PCR-based DNA marker was useful in waxy wheat breeding. These partial waxy wheat lines can be used in field production.

Correlation and Principal Component Analysis on Main Agronomic Traits of New Waxy Corn Varieties

[Objective] This study was conducted to provide certain theoretical reference for the comprehensive evaluation and breeding of new fresh waxy corn vari- eties. [Method] With 5 good fresh waxy corn varieties as experimental materials, correlation analysis and principal component anatysis were performed on 13 agronomic traits, i.e., plant height, ear position, ear weight, ear diameter, axis diameter, ear length, bald tip length, ear row number, number of grains per row, 100-kernel weight, fresh ear yield, tassel length, and tassel branch number. [Result] The principal component analysis performed to the 13 agronomic traits showed that the first three principal components, i.e., the fresh ear yield factors, the tassel factors and the bald top factors, had an accumulative contribution rate over 87.2767%, and could basically represent the genetic information represented by the 13 traits. The first principal component is the main index for the selection and evaluation of good corn varieties which should have large ear, large ear diameter but small axis diameter, i.e., longer grains, larger number of grains per ear, higher, 100-grain weight and higher plant height. As to the second principal component, the plants of fresh corn varieties are best to have longer tassel and not too many branches, and under the premise of ensuring enough pollen for the female spike, the varieties with fewer tassel branches shoud be selected as far as possible. From the point of the third principal component, bald tip length affects the marketing quality of fresh corn, and during fariety evaluation and breeding, the bald top length should be control at the Iowest standard. [Conclusion] The fresh ear yield of corn is in close positive correlation with ear weight, 100-grain weight, ear diameter, number of grains per row and ear length, and plant height also affects fresh ear yield.

Identification of Faba Bean(Vicia faba L.)Germplasm Resources in Hubei Province and Evaluation on Their Main Agronomic Traits

Through field observation and lab analysis, 13 agronomic traits, including plant height and effective branching number per plant, etc., of 207 faba bean （Vicia faba L.） germplasms saved in Crop Middle-term Genebank of Hubei Province were evaluated, moreover, the identification on the disease resistance and the quality was carried out on parts of germplasm resources. The results showed that the faba beangermplasm resources in Hubei Province were abundant, the variation range of agronomic traits like the growth period, plant height and 100-bean weight, etc., was great, and the range of choice was wide. In the aspect of quality, there were 9 germplasms withthe content of crude protein higher than 30%, and the variation range of amylose content in total starch was large, which provided excellent sources of parents for breedinq hi.qh-quality faba bean varieties in Hubei Province.

Analysis on the Combining Ability and Heritability of Main Agronomic Traits of Hybrid Glutinous Sorghum

Using 3 sterile lines and 12 restorer of glutinous sorghum as experimental materials,36 hybrid combinations（3×12 NCⅡ） were designed to analyze the combining ability and heritability of six main agronomic traits,including plant height,panicle length,growth period,1 000-grain weight,per panicle grains and per panicle grain weight.The results showed that except per panicle grain number all other five agronomic traits have remarkable or extremely remarkable general combining ability and specific combining ability.Six agronomic traits were found to be control by additive genetic effect.Most of these agronomic traits are more easily influenced by restorers than sterile lines,suggesting that more attention should be paid to select restores in hybrid glutinous sorghum breeding.The narrow-sense heritability of these agronomic traits were in order growth period plant height per panicle grain weight panicle length 1 000-grain weight per panicle grains.

Changes in Agronomic Traits of Indica Hybrid Rice during Genetic Improvement

[Objective]The aim was to elucidate the changes of agronomical traits of indica hybrid rice during its genetic improvement.[Method]23 typical indica hybrid combinations cultivated in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River during the last 30 years were selected as experimental materials.All the hybrid rice combinations were grown in the same field;and then yield and morphological characters of single plant were compared;correlation and path analyses among agronomic characteristics were also conducted.[Result]During the 30 years of genetic improvement,the effective panicle number per plant was progressively decreased,which caused the decrease of grain yield and biomass per plant of hybrid rice combinations in spite of the slightly increased plant height,1 000-grain weight and number of grains per panicle.Although the transformation percentage of the matter in stem and sheath decreased after flowering,leave photosynthetic capacity after flowering was increased as panicle weight.Correlation and path analysis showed that although both biomass per plant and number of grains per panicle were significantly correlated with grain yield per plant,biomass per plant acted as the key factor affecting yield per plant.[Conclusion]It was suggested that in rice high yield cultivation,panicle number was as important as large panicle,and tillering ability should not be neglected in breeding.

Effects on Agronomic Traits of M_1 by Pollen of Upland Cotton Irradiated by ^(60)Co-γ Ray

[Objective] The aim was to provide reference for research on radiation and breeding of cotton pollen through irradiating common ripe pollen grain of upland cotton by 60Co-γ Ray of varied doses. [Method] Ripe pollen grains of upland cotton were irradiated by 60Co-γ Ray with doses of 5, 10, 15, and 20 Gy, respectively, to learn radiation effect and select appropriate dose. [Result] Most properties of M1 obviously showed variation when dose was over 10 Gy; vitality, growth, and fertility were greatly inhibited when dose was 15 Gy which was almost semi-lethal concentration, and variation species were richest at the same time, which provided materi- als for practical breeding. [Conclusion] 60Co-γ Ray of 15 Gy is more suitable for mutagenesis research on ripe pollen grains of upland cotton.

Effects of Genotype and Planting Density on Agronomic Traits and Storage Root of Sweetpotato

The effects ol different genotypes and planting densities on main agronomic traits, storage root traits and yield were studied with 6 high-quality sweetpotato varieties as study objects by 2-factor completely random design. The results showed that there were significant differences in stem diameter, length of the longest vine and top/root （T/R） between different genotypes, T/R differed significantly under dif- ferent planting densities, and number of basal branches decreased with planting density increasing. Genotype and genotype x density showed significant or very sig- nificant effects on fresh root yield per plant, dry matter content and fresh root yield per hectare, fresh root yield per plant gradually decreased with planting density in- creasing, while fresh root yield per hectare increased with planting density increas- ing. Numbers of storage roots in different sizes of the 6 sweetpotato cultivars all exhibited an order of number of large-sized storage roots〈number of medium-sized storage roots〈small-sized storage root; and there were very significant differences in ratio of large-sized storage roots between different genotypes. The number of large- sized storage roots, ratio of large-sized storage roots and number of commercial storage roots deceased with planting density increasing, while there were no signifi- cant differences in number of medium-sized storage roots, number of small-sized storage roots, ratio of medium-sized storage roots and ratio of small-sized storage roots between different densities. Correlation analysis showed that there was signifi- cant positive correlation between number of basal branches and fresh root yield per plant; dry matter content in storage roots was in significant positive correlation with stem diameter, and in significant negative correlation with length of the longest vine; fresh root yield per hectare was in significant positive correlation with fresh root yield per plant, and in very significant negative correlation with dry matter content; and ratio of large-sized storage roots was in very significant positive correlation with number of large-sized storage root and fresh root yield per plant, and in very sig- nificant negative correlation with ratio of medium-sized storage roots and ratio of small-sized storage roots. This experiment showed that under the planting density of 7.5×104 plants/hm2, the 6 sweetpotato cultivars all reached the highest numbers of commercial storage roots and fresh root yields per hectare.

A Study on the Effects of Oxygenation Irrigation on Some Growth Agronomic Traits of Super Rice Shenyou 9516

In the growing process of rice, roots need aerobic respiration. Oxygenation irrigation means oxygenation in accordance with the demand of crops for oxygen for their growth. This experiment designed three treatments： mechanical oxygenation, chemical oxygenation and conventional irrigation. The mechanical oxygenation group A was divided into 6 small treatment groups and the chemical oxygenation group B was divided into 3 small treatment groups. Each treatment group had 3 replications and the average was used for analysis. Some agronomic traits of the roots and the plants of super rice were examined. The result showed that the two oxygenation treatments significantly promoted the growth of the roots and the plants. In the me- chanical oxygenation group A4, the number of filled grain per panicle was 37.6% higher than that of the conventional treatment group, and the kilo-grain weight was 7.4% higher than that of the conventional treatment group. The study results provide a theoretical basis for the application of oxygenation irrigation to super rice.

Effects of Spraying Deltamethrin on Agronomic Traits and Yield of Soybean

At the seedling and beginning flowering stages,2.5% deltamethrin EC was sprayed to control the pests in summer soybean,and its effects on agronomic traits and yield of soybean were analyzed.The results showed that compared with the control,the plant height,branch number,effective pod number,grain number per plant,grain weight per plant,100-grain weight and yield of Qihuang 34 significantly increased by 9.3%,25.8%,15.8%,26.8%,33.2%,9.1% and 33.0%,respectively,while those of Qihuang 35 increased by 13.8%,10.0%,15.8%,16.9%,11.6%,6.0%and 16.9%,respectively;the noneffective pod number of Qihuang 34 and Qihuang35 significantly decreased by 18.5% and 38.7%,respectively.The spraying of 2.5%deltamethrin EC showed no significant effects on the other agronomic traits of the two cultivars.

Mutation Classification and Genetic Diversity Analysis of Triticum aestivum ssp. yunnanense King Based on Agronomic Traits

[Objective] The present study was conducted to provide basis for researches on breeding new wheat varieties and conserving rare species in Yunnan Province.[Method] 29 materials of Triticum aestivum ssp.yunnanense King（Yunnan Hulled Wheat）were taken for the research on classification and genetic diversity analysis based on 14 agronomic traits.[Result] Yunnan hulled wheat A14 could be an unnamed white seed variety,and other 28 materials were divided into 10 named mutation types;Yunnan hulled wheat was rich in variability of agronomic traits,in which the coefficient of variance（CV）of sterile spikelet number was the largest（22.59%）,while the CV of earing period was the lowest（3.71%）;the diversity indexes of seven qualitative characters ranged from 1.55-2.04.Moreover,the 29 Yunnan hulled wheat could be divided into 3 clusters by the UPGMA analysis.However,Yunnan hulled wheat varieties originating from similar mutation types did not completely cluster together.The genetic relationship was relatively close among A13（YT-35）,A14（YT-36）and A21（YT-37）,but the faster genetic relationship was observed between them and other Yunnan hulled wheat varieties.[Conclusion] Yunnan hulled wheat had an extensive genetic diversity in agronomic traits.

Genetic Analysis on Agronomic Traits of Doubled Haploid Population in Tobacco

[Objective] This study aimed to conduct genetic analysis on agronomic traits of doubled haploid population in tobacco. [Method] Main agronomic traits of DH population in tobacco were investigated, including plant height, effective number of leaves, lumbar leaf length, lumbar leaf width, intermodal distance and pericaulome length. Based on the estimation of skewness coefficient and kurtosis coefficient of Hongda x Hicks Broad Leaf populations, the number of gene pairs was calculated. [Result] The number of gene pairs controlling plant height （topping plant height and natural plant height） is 10.20 and 10.80, respectively; the number of gene pairs con- trolling leaf number （effective number of leaves and natural number of leaves） is 6.21 and 6.25, respectively; the number of gene pairs controlling pericaulome length, intermodal distance, lumbar leaf length and lumbar leaf width is 8.51, 15.30, 20.36 and 17.45, respectively. [Conclusion] This study revealed the characteristics of genetic variation of tobacco traits, which provided theoretical basis for the breeding of new varieties.

Correlation Analysis on Main Agronomic Traits and Yield and Quality of Hybrid Cotton

ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze the correlations of the main agronomic traits, yield and quality of hybrid cotton cultivars. MethodThe growth period, main agronomic traits, yield components, yield and quality of 13 hybrid cotton cultivars were compared, and the correlations of their main agronomic traits, yield components, yield and quality were analyzed. ResultThe growth period of the 13 cultivars was about 123 d, and all of them presented strong growth potential throughout the growth period. The ginned cotton yield shared an extremely significant positive correlation with the first fruiting branch position, plant height, number of fruiting branches, number of bolls per plant, number of bolls per hectare and seed cotton yield; the first fruiting branch position and micronaire value shared a significant positive correlation. Keza No.1 and Chunzamian No.1 had the lowest micronaire value, 4.5. The specific strength of all the cotton cultivars ranged from 27 cN/tex to 30 cN/tex, presenting significant difference. In addition, there was extremely significant difference in the ginned cotton yield among all the cotton cultivars. ConclusionThe study provides theoretical reference for the cultivation of high-yield hybrid cotton.

QTL Analysis of Major Agronomic Traits in Soybean

Soybean is a main crop, and most agronomic traits of soybean are quantitative; therefore, there is vely important studying and applying value to locating these traits. A F2：10 RIL population containing 154 lines, derived from the cross between Charleston as female and Dongnong 594 as male parent, were used in this experiment. A genetic linkage map was constructed with 164 SSR primers, which were screened with the two parents and amplified on the 154 lines. 12 agronomic traits different between the two parents were investigated, and QTLs of all the traits were analyzed using the software Windows QTL Cartographer V2.0. The agronomic traits included quality traits： protein content, oil content, and content of protein and oil; yield traits： pods per plant, seed weight per plant, and 100 seeds weight; and other agronomic traits： plant height, days to maturity, branches, nod number in main stem, average leaf length, and average leaf width. The results showed that 68 QTLs in total were found for the 12 agronomic traits. The number of QTLs per trait varied from 3 for the average leaf width to 11 for 100 seeds weight and plant height, and was 5.8 on average. Good accordance was seen in many QTLs between the results of this study and the results obtained by other similar studies; therefore, these QTLs may be valuable for molecular marker assistant selection in soybean. In this study, 68 major QTLs of 12 important traits of soybean were analyzed.

QTL Mapping for Important Agronomic Traits in Synthetic Hexaploid Wheat Derived from Aegiliops tauschii ssp. tauschii

Aegiliops tauschii is classified into two subspecies： Ae. tauschii ssp. tauschii and Ae. tauschii ssp. strangulata. Novel genetic variations exist in Ae. tauschii ssp. tauschii that can be utilized in wheat improvement. We synthesized a hexaploid wheat genotype（SHW-L1） by crossing an Ae. tauschii ssp. tauschii accession（AS60） with a tetraploid wheat genotype（AS2255）. A population consisting of 171 F8 recombinant inbred lines was developed from SHW-L1 and Chuanmai 32 to identify QTLs associated with agronomic traits. A new genetic map with high density was constructed and used to detect the QTLs for heading date, kernel width, spike length, spikelet number, and thousand kernel weight. A total of 30 putative QTLs were identified for five investigated traits. Thirteen QTLs were located on D genomes of SHW-L1, six of them showed positive effect on agronomic traits. Chromosome region flanked by wPt-6133–wPt-8134 on 2D carried five environment-independent QTLs. Each QTL accounted for more than 10% phenotypic variance. These QTLs were highly consistent across environments and should be used in wheat breeding.