bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti‐Cryptococcus activity of combination of extracts of Cassia alata and Ocimum sanctum
Authors: Ranganathan S. , Balajee S. A. M.
Published: March 2003

The paper reports the anti‐Cryptococcus activity of combination of ethanolic extracts of leaves of Cassia alata and Ocimum sanctum. The activity of combination of the extracts was heat‐stable and worked at acidic pH.
The utility of serology in diagnosing candidosis in non‐neutropenic critically ill patients
Authors: Ibàñez‐Nolla J. , Torres‐Rodríguez JM. , Nolla M. , León M. A. , Mèndez R. , Soria G. , Díaz R. M. , Marrugat J.
Published: March 2003

Summary.  This study was carried out to evaluate the utility of serological tests in the diagnosis of candidal infections in non‐neutropenic critically ill patients. A prospective study was carried out in a 10‐bed general intensive care unit; all patients with at least one organic sample with Candida spp. were included. A therapeutic–diagnostic algorithm was designed, and patients were treated or not, according to a classification. Blood samples were taken, and serological tests included: antigenaemia detection using two different commercial latex kits (Cand‐Tec® and Pastorex®) and antibody detection by indirect haemagglutination (IHA) and indirect germ tube immunofluorescence (IFA). A total of 56% of antibody tests (IHA 45% and IFA 64%) and 26% of antigen tests (Cand‐Tec 36% and Pastorex 17%) were positive. The sensitivity and specificity of these tests with respect to systemic candidosis were 37% and 78%, respectively, for antibodies, and 0% and 90% for antigens. There was statistical significance for mortality and low levels of antibodies; Candida glabrata was detected by IFA and Candida tropicalis by Cand‐Tec. Serological tests may help to define the prognosis of these patients and to support the detection of specific Candida species.
Yeast infection of burns
Authors: Mousa H. A.‐L. , Al‐Bader S. M.
Published: March 2003

Summary. In a prospective study, 132 patients were investigated for yeast infection of burn wounds. Ten patients (7.6%) were infected with Candida species. All patients with yeast infections were also infected with bacteria with the exception of one patient who was infected with Candida tropicalis alone. The predominant yeast recovered was Candida krusei. Yeast infection was found to be more common in the younger age group. The isolation of a Candida species alone from one patient and Candida isolation from patients with sepsis in burn wounds indicate a significant role for yeasts in the production of infection in burn wounds. Therefore, special cultures for yeasts are recommended for all cases of burn wound infection.
Case Report. Disseminated infection of Blastoschizomyces capitatus in a patient with acute myelocytic leukaemia
Authors: Buchta V. , Žák P. , Kohout A. , Otčenášek M.
Published: March 2003

Summary.  Blastoschizomyces capitatus infection in a 48‐year‐old man with acute myelocytic leukaemia is reported. A multiorgan involvement and fulminant course of the fungal infection resulted in the patient's death despite fluconazole prophylaxis, therapy with amphotericin B and administration of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor. Predisposing factors to the infection, clinical relevance of surveillance strains and in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing are discussed.
Onychomycosis in Northern Greece during 1994–1998
Authors: Koussidou T. , Devliotou‐Panagiotidou D. , Karakatsanis G. , Minas A. , Mourellou O. , Samara K.
Published: March 2003

Summary.  In the 5‐year period 1994–1998, 13 957 patients were examined in the Mycological Laboratory of the State Hospital for Skin and Venereal Diseases, in Thessaloniki, Greece. Of the 2766 patients presenting with onychomycoses (20%), 67% were women and 33% were men. In the toenail infections, dermatophytes were most often isolated (72.3%), especially in women, followed by moulds (9.6%) and yeasts (2%); 16.1% of the infections were mixed. In the fingernail infections mostly yeasts were isolated (72%), especially in women, followed by dermatophytes (10%) and moulds (5.6%); 12.4% of the infections were mixed.
Phospholipase and protease activities in clinical Candida isolates with reference to the sources of strains
Authors: Kantarcioǧlu A. Serda , Yücel A.
Published: March 2003

Summary.  The present study was aimed at determining in vitro phospholipase and protease activities in 95 clinical isolates of various Candida species (C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. guilliermondii,C.kefyr, C. krusei, C. lipolytica, C. lusitaniae, C. parapsilosis, C.rugosa and C. tropicalis). 59 (62.1%) of isolates examined were phospholipase positive and 75 (78.9.9%) were protease positive. 56 (93.3%) of C.albicans isolates tested were phospholipase producers – however only a few strains of C. glabrata and C. kefyr behaved in the same way. Protease activity was detected in 57 (95%) of C. albicans strains tested and in a few strains of C. kefyr, C.lipolytica, C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis– the remaining isolates were negative. 56 strains of C.albicans and 2 strains of C. kefyr tested produced both phospholipase and protease.
Heritability of resistance to foliar late blight in a diploid hybrid potato population of Solanum phureja×Solanum stenotomum
Authors: Haynes K. G. , Christ B. J.
Published: March 2003

The emergence of new races of Phytophthora infestans has necessitated the search for additional sources of potato germplasm with resistance to late blight. This study examined 281 clones, derived from 72 families of a diploid random‐mated hybrid population of Solanum phureja×Solanum stenotomum. The clones were evaluated in a replicated field trial for 2 years with the control cultivar ‘Atlantic’ in Pennsylvania, USA. The P. infestans US‐8 A2 mating type culture was used to inoculate spreader rows of susceptible S. tuberosum cv.‘Russet Burbank’. Percent defoliation caused by the late blight fungus was estimated visually in each plot three times near the end of the growing season. Area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was estimated and showed that late blight was more severe in 1997 than in 1996. Genetic differences among clones and significant, but small, clone–environment interaction were detected for AUDPC. Broad‐sense and narrow‐sense heritability estimates, over years, were 0.79 ± 0.05 (P = 0.05) and 0.78 ± 0.29, respectively. Seventy‐five percent of the diploid clones had a significantly lower mean AUDPC than Atlantic. These results support the idea that this diploid population is worthy of use in breeding for late blight resistance in tetraploid potato cultivars.
Developing tomato breeding lines resistant to tomato yellow leaf curl virus
Authors: Pico B. , Ferriol M. , Diez M. J. , Nuez F.
Published: March 2003

Using controlled whitefly‐mediated inoculation techniques, seven Lycopersicon chilense accessions, highly resistant to isolates of tomato yellow leaf curl virus(TYLCV) from Southern Europe, TYLCV‐Sr, were selected. All exhibited similar levels of partial resistance, being symptomless and with low levels of viral DNA accumulation. However, a differential response to infection was found in interspecific hybrids with tomato and inbred lines derived from different L. chilense accessions, allowing a precise discrimination among them. This selection procedure which considers the expression of the resistance genes in the tomato genetic background led to the selection of two highly resistant F1 hybrids derived from L. chilense LA 1932 and LA 1938. A backcrossing programme was initiated, selecting for horticultural characteristics and TYLCV resistance, in field and controlled inoculation conditions. As a result of this programme, six advanced breeding lines (UPV Ty 1, 3, 6, 9, 17 and 53), exhibiting a high level of resistance to TYLCV‐Sr, were obtained. Under high inoculum pressure conditions these lines suffered only 30‐40% yield loss relative to non‐infected control plants, and compared with 90‐95% yield loss in susceptible controls. These lines also have horticultural characteristics appropriate for the fresh market tomato cultivation system in this area, and are a good base material for obtaining commercial hybrids highly resistant to different isolates of TYLCV.
Comparison of QTLs for seed germination under non‐stress, cold stress and salt stress in tomato
Authors: Foolad M. R. , Lin G. Y. , Chen F. Q.
Published: March 2003

The purpose of this study was to examine whether rate of tomato seed germination under non‐stress, cold‐stress and salt‐stress conditions was under similar genetic control by identifying and comparing quantitative trait loci (QTLs) which affect germination rate under these conditions. A fast‐germinating accession (LA722) of the wild tomato species Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium Jusl. and a slow‐germinating cultivar (NC84173, maternal and recurrent parent) of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were hybridized and BC1 and BC1S1 progeny produced. The BC1 population was used to construct a linkage map with 151 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers. The BC1S1 population (consisting of 119 BC1S1 families) was evaluated for germination under non‐stress (control), cold‐stress and salt‐stress conditions and the mean time to 50% germination (T50) in each treatment was determined. Germination analyses indicated the presence of significant (P < 0.01) phenotypic correlations between T50 under control and cold stress (r = 0.71), control and salt stress (r = 0.58) and cold stress and salt stress (r = 0.67). The QTL analysis indicated the presence of genetic relationships between germination under these three conditions: a few QTLs were identified which commonly affected germination under both stress‐ (cold‐, salt‐ or both) and non‐stress conditions, and thus were called stress‐nonspecific QTLs. A few QTLs were also identified which affected germination only under cold or salt stress and thus were called stress‐specific QTLs. However, the stress‐nonspecific QTLs generally exhibited larger individual effects and together accounted for a greater portion of the total phenotypic variation under each condition than the stress‐specific QTLs. Whether the effects of stress‐nonspecific QTLs were due to pleiotropic effects of the same genes, physical linkage of different genes, or a combination of both could not be determined in this study. The results, however, indicate that the rate of tomato seed germination under different stress and nonstress conditions is partly under the same genetic control.
Genetic relationships in cultivars of hop, Humulus lupulus L., determined by RAPD analysis
Authors: Š Uštar‐Vozlič J. , Javornik B.
Published: March 2003

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to evaluate the genetic variability and relationship of 65 hop cultivars from all the major hop‐growing regions in the world. Twenty‐eight selected random primers used in the RAPD reaction generated an average of 38.6%) polymorphic fragments, which was sufficient to produce 47 different RAPD profiles among the cultivars examined. The level of genetic variability was much higher than previously reported. Genetic similarity was estimated and UPGMA cluster analysis was performed using the RAPD data. Cluster analysis separated the cultivars into genetically related RAPD groups which were compared with pedigree data and grouping of the hop cultivars by essential oil type. The RAPD groups, strongly supported by pedigree data, gave more precise information on the level and distribution of genetic variability within hop cultivars than characterization by essential oils. Cultivars were divided into American and European groups, supporting the distinction between two geo‐graphically distinct hop germplasms. Five genetically distinct groups revealed differences within the European germplasm, reflecting past hop breeding practices which have been adopted in different regions. The use of RAPD markers for hop germplasm characterization and genetic diversity study is discussed.
Molecular marker‐facilitated pyramiding of different genes for powdery mildew resistance in wheat
Authors: Liu J. , Liu D. , Tao W. , Li W. , Wang S. , Chen P. , Cheng S. , Gao D.
Published: March 2003

Breeding durable resistance to pathogens and pests is a major task for modern plant breeders and pyramiding different resistance genes into a genotype is one way of achieving this. Three powdery mildew resistance gene combinations, Pm2+Pm4a, Pm2+Pm21, Pm4a+Pm21 were successfully integrated into an elite wheat cultivar ‘Yang047′. Double homozygotes were selected from a small F2 population with the help of molecular markers. As the parents were near‐isogenic lines (NILs) of ‘Yang158′, the progenies showed good uniformity in morphological and other non‐resistance agronomic traits. The present work illustrates the bright prospects for the utilization of molecular markers in breeding for host resistance.
A maternal factor conferring resistance to crown rust in Lolium multiflorum cv.‘Axis’
Authors: Adams E. , Roldan‐Ruiz I. , Depicker A. , Bockstaele E. Van , Loose M. de
Published: March 2003

The genetic basis for crown rust resistance was analysed in the progeny of reciprocal crosses between Lolium multiflorum plants that were either resistant (cv. ‘Axis’) or susceptible to crown rust. The progeny harvested from the resistant parent was two‐ to seven‐fold more resistant than the progeny harvested from the susceptible parent. These data indicate the presence of a maternal factor which increases resistance to crown rust in some of the ryegrass plants used as parents.
Postulation of leaf‐rust resistance genes in Czech and Slovak barley cultivars and breeding lines
Authors: Dreiseitl A. , Steffenson B. J.
Published: March 2003

Leaf‐rust resistance (Rph) genes in 61 Czech and Slovak barley cultivars and 32 breeding lines from registration trials of the Czech Republic were postulated based on their reaction to 12 isolates of Puccinia hordei with different combinations of virulence genes. Five known Rph genes (Rph2, Rph3, Rph4, Rph7, and Rph12) and one unknown Rph gene were postulated to be present in this germplasm. To corroborate this result, the pedigree of the barley accessions was analysed. Gene Rph2, as well as Rph4, originated from old European cultivars. The donor of Rph3, which has been mainly used by Czech and Slovak breeders, is ‘Ribari’ (‘Baladi 16’). Rph12 originates from barley cultivars developed in the former East Germany. Rph7 in the registered cultivar ‘Heris’ originates from ‘Forrajera’. A combination of two genes was found in 10 cultivars. Nine heterogeneous cultivars were identified; they were composed of one component with an identified Rph gene and a second component without any resistance gene. No gene for leaf rust resistance was found in 17 of the accessions tested. This study demonstrates the utility of using selected pathotypes of P. hordei for postulating Rph genes in barley.
Genetic analysis of β‐amylase thermostability to develop a DNA marker for malt fermentability improvement in barley, Hordeum vulgare
Authors: Kaneko T. , Kihara M. , Ito K.
Published: March 2003

β‐Amylase thermostability is one of the major factors affecting fermentability in the brewing process; consequently, it could be used as a selection marker for the trait. In order to clarify what controls its thermostability, the linkage analysis of β‐amylase thermostability and its genotype as restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns was performed in three cross populations. Then, β‐amylase cDNAs cloned from the three varieties which had a different thermostability type were expressed in Escherichia coli. According to the results of the linkage analysis and gene expression test, it was concluded that β‐amylase thermostability resulted from a difference in its structural gene. Furthermore, to construct an STS marker for the gene, the gDNA sequences of β‐amylase were compared among the three varieties, which had different thermostabilities. Although there were many differences in the intron sequence, few nucleotides differed in the exon region. Based on the variation in the intron region, a sequence‐tagged‐site marker was constructed to detect β‐amylase genotypes in breeding material.
Molecular mapping of the leaf rust resistance gene Rph7 in barley
Authors: Graner A. , Streng S. , Drescher A. , Jin Y. , Borovkova I. , Steffenson B. J.
Published: March 2003

Leaf rust of barley, caused by Puccinia hordei Otth, is an important foliar disease in most temperate regions of the world. Sixteen major leaf rust resistance (Rph) genes have been described from barley, but only a few have been mapped. The leaf rust resistance gene Rph7 was first described from the cultivar ‘Cebada Capa’ and has proven effective in Europe. Previously mapped restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers have been used to determine the precise location of this gene in the barley genome. From the genetic analysis of a ‘Bow‐man’/‘Cebada Capa’ cross, Rph7 was mapped to the end of chromosome 3HS, 1.3 recombination units distal to the RFLP marker cMWG691. A codominant cleaved amplified polymorphic site (CAPS) marker was developed by exploiting allele‐specific sequence information of the cMWG691 site and adjacent fragments of genomic DNA. Based on the large amount of polymorphism present in this region, the CAPS marker may be useful for the marker‐assisted selection of Rph7 in most diverse genetic backgrounds.
Combination of resistance tests and molecular tests to postulate the yellow rust resistance gene Yr17 in bread wheat lines
Authors: Robert O. , Dedryver F. , Leconte M. , Rolland B. , de Vallavieille‐Pope C.
Published: March 2003

Yellow rust caused by Puccinia striiformis is a wheat disease of worldwide importance. The Yr17 resistance gene introgressed from Aegilops ventricosa was effective, in France, against all yellow rust isolates until 1998. The SC‐Y15 marker is one of three molecular markers closely linked to Yr17. In this paper, results obtained are compared with the molecular marker SC‐Y15 and with resistance tests performed at the seedling and adult plant stages on 31 lines from five populations derived from recurrent selection programmes. The resistance tests showed that Yr17 controlled the resistance in seven lines, but that others had additional resistance at the adult stage (18 lines). The molecular test corresponded well with the resistance test in most lines (98% of 156 plants tested), including individual plants that were resistant or susceptible in heterogeneous lines. It also indicated the presence of Yr17 in lines in which it could not be identified by the resistance test because of the presence of other genes. Three of the 156 plants tested appeared to have the gene Yr17 according to the resistance tests, but lacked the molecular marker. These could have resulted from breakage of the linkage, the number being consistent with the estimate of linkage already published. This indicated the need for a resistance test, at least in later stages of breeding programmes, if it is considered essential to have the Yr17 gene present. The use of the selected lines in breeding programmes is also discussed.
Large‐scale production of wheat and triticale double haploids through the use of a single‐anther culture method
Authors: Tuvesson S. , Ljungberg A. , Johansson N. , Karlsson K.E. , Suijs L. W. , Josset J.P.
Published: March 2003

A total of 257 parental wheat and 38 triticale lines were used for anther culture. On average, 2.1 green wheat haploids were obtained per spike. This response occurred irrespective of the origin of the material (Germany, France, Sweden or UK) and 5 years of testing. Triticale responded with 5.3 green haploids per spike. Using the criterion that one parental line should give at least one green haploid per spike in the screening experiment, green haploids were produced from 88 out of 91 F1 wheat breeding combinations and from each of 21 F1 and F2 triticale breeding combinations. An average of 4.7 green plants were obtained per spike from the wheat production programme, while the triticale programme gave an average of 6.2 green plants per spike. A single medium supplemented with different hormones for anthers and embryos was used for culture of both crops.
Genotypic variation for tolerance to phosphorus deficiency in rice and the potential for its exploitation in rice improvement
Authors: Wissuwa M. , Ae N.
Published: March 2003

Deficiency in phosphorus (P) can severely limit rice yields. Developing cultivars with tolerance to P deficiency may represent a more sustainable solution than sole reliance on fertilizer application. To assess genotypic variation for tolerance to P deficiency the P uptake of 30 genotypes was measured on P‐deficient soil. Variation for P uptake was high, ranging from 0.6 to 12.9 mg P/plant. Traditional varieties were superior to modern varieties. A major quantitative trait locus for P uptake had previously been identified in a population developed by crossing the modern variety ‘Nipponbare’ with the P deficiency‐tolerant landrace ‘Kasalath’. This quantitative trait locus was transferred to ‘Nipponbare’ by three backcrosses. Under P deficiency this improved line surpassed ‘Nipponbare’ in P uptake by 170% and in grain yield by 250%. These results show that the genotypic variation for tolerance to P deficiency in rice can be used successfully in rice improvement. By combining high P uptake of the donor variety ‘Kasalath’ with a high harvest‐index characteristic of modern varieties it was possible to more than triple the grain yield of ‘Nipponbare’ under P deficiency.
The Aegilops ventricosa segment on chromosome 2AS of the wheat cultivar ‘VPM1’ carries the cereal cyst nematode resistance gene Cre5
Authors: Jahier J. , Abelard P. , Tanguy M. , Dedryver F. , Rivoal R. , Khatkar S. , Bariana H. S. , Koebner R.
Published: March 2003

Previous studies showed that the intermediate level of resistance in bread wheat line ‘VPM1’ to pathotype Ha12 of the cereal cyst nematode could be conferred by an Aegilops ventricosa‐derived gene, CreX, in chromosome arm 2AS, which also carries the rust resistance genes Yrl7, Lr37 and Sr38. Near isogenic lines (NILs) differing for the presence and absence of the Ae. ventricosa‐derived linked genes Yrl7/Lr37/Sr38 were tested with cereal cyst nematode. Lines carrying Yr17 produced significantly fewer nematode cysts than the controls. An infested soil experiment produced better differentiation among resistant and susceptible genotypes. Susceptibility of ‘Trident’ indicated that linkage between CreX and Yr17 is incomplete. Microsatellite markers did not differentiate between ‘Trident’ and CreX‐carrying genotypes. However, Xgwm636 (104) was associated with the presence of Yr17 in all six genetic backgrounds. Since none of the reported cereal cyst nematode resistance genes is located in chromosome 2AS, CreX was designated as Cre5.
Multi‐trait selection in a diallel crossing scheme of cocoa
Authors: Ndoumbé M. , Bieysse D. , Cilas C.
Published: March 2003

Cocoa breeding seeks to increase the yield by area unit. In this context, one must consider the resistance to Phytophthora disease, the most serious one in cocoa culture. Thus, herein two traits were used: yield, i.e. number of healthy pods obtained in 7 years and Phytophthora resistance, estimated by pod rot rate. A combined individual‐family selection is proposed on the basis of the total genetic value in order to spread clonal material. This selection method was applied in a 6 × 6 diallel scheme in Cameroon. The heritability of Phytophthora resistance (near 0.2) was higher than for yield (0.13). A selection index was constructed to obtain good genetic gains on each of the two traits (yield and Phytophthora resistance). To improve prediction of genetic values, a third trait, potential yield, was used. With the chosen weight, the expected genetic gain was about 35% for resistance at 1% level of selection. This selection was applied and a confirmation trial is being established with the selected trees.
A microsatellite marker linked to leaf rust resistance transferred from Aegilops triuncialis into hexaploid wheat
Authors: Aghaee‐Sarbarzeh M. , Singh Harjit , Dhaliwal H. S.
Published: March 2003

Aegilops triuncialis (UUCC) is an excellent source of resistance to various wheat diseases, including leaf rust. Leaf rust‐resistant derivatives from a cross of a highly susceptible Triticum aestivum cv.‘WL711’ as the recurrent parent and Ae. triuncialis Ace.3549 as the donor and with and without a pair of acrocentric chromosomes were used for molecular tagging. The use of a set of sequence tagged microsatellite (STMS) markers already mapped to different wheat chromosomes unequivocally indicated that STMS marker gwm368 of chromosome 4BS was tightly linked to the Ae. triuncialis leaf rust resistance gene transferred to wheat. The presence of the Ae. Triuncialis‐specific STMS gwm368 homoeoallele along with the non‐polymorphic 4BS allele in the rust‐resistant derivatives with and without the acrocentric chromosome indicates that the resistance has been transferred from the acrocentric chromosome to either the A or the D genome of wheat. This alien leaf rust resistance gene has been temporarily named as LrTr.
Genotypic and environmental variation of resistance to head blight in triticale inoculated with Fusarium culmorum
Authors: Oettler G. , Wahle G.
Published: March 2003

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a widespread disease of small‐grain cereals and can cause substantial losses in grain yield. To assess quantitative genetic parameters as a basis for an efficient breeding programme for resistance, 100 triticale (×Triticosecale Wittm.) genotypes were tested in various environments and artificially inoculated at anthesis with an aggressive isolate of Fusarium culmorum. A visual rating (1–9 scale) was used to assess head blight infection. Five grain yield traits relative to an uninoculated control were also measured. The mean value of the average rating, calculated from four or five readings, was 4.4. It ranged from 3.0 to 5.9 and showed continuous variation. Infection caused a 48% reduction of mean kernel weight per spike, which was the result of 26% fewer kernels per spike and a 32% lower 1000‐kernel weight. The 50‐ml kernel weight was affected by only 20%. The range and genotypic variation was highest for relative kernel weight per spike. For all relative grain yield traits, the most important source of variation was the environment, followed by genotype‐environment interaction, with genotype generally coming last. In contrast, genotypic variation was the most important factor for the disease rating, which also had the highest heritability (h2= 0.89). Phenotypic correlations between the average head blight rating and relative grain yield traits were moderate (r = 0.42–0.57). In conclusion, an average disease rating provides a quantitative assessment of resistance and is suitable for screening large numbers of genotypes. Relative kernel weight per spike gives a ranking of the genotypes that is very similar to the visual score.
STMS markers for grain protein content and their validation using near‐isogenic lines in bread wheat
Authors: Singh Harjit , Prasad M. , Varshney R. K. , Roy J. K. , Balyan H. S. , Dhaliwal H. S. , Gupta P. K.
Published: March 2003

The present study, undertaken as a continuation of an earlier study on quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis of grain protein content (GPC) in bread wheat (Prasad et al. 1999), includes the following: (1) identification of an additional molecular marker associated with GPC; (2) development of near‐isogenic lines (NILs) for high GPC; and (3) the use of three sets of NILs (a total of 10 NILs) to validate the two available markers linked with QTL for GPC. A total of 114 sequence‐tagged microsatellite site (STMS) primer pairs (that were not used in the previous study) were used for detection of polymorphism between the two parents (PH132, with high GPC; WL711, with low GPC) of a mapping population of 100 recombinant inbred lines (RILs). A total of 95 primer pairs gave amplification products, of which only 30 detected reproducible polymorphism between the parental genotypes. Bulked segregant analysis was conducted using these 30 primers on two bulks (each comprising eight RILs) representing the two extremes of the normal distribution. A solitary primer pair (WMC415) showed association with GPC, which was further confirmed through selective genotyping. Subsequently, 100 RILs were genotyped. A single‐marker linear regression analysis showed significant association between the marker WMC415 and GPC, thus identifying a quantitative trait locus (designated as QGpcccsu‐5A1), which explained 6.21% of the variation for GPC among the RILs. The above STMS marker, together with the STMS marker (WMC41) identified earlier, explains approximately 25% of the variation for GPC. In order to conduct validation of the above two available markers, 10 NILs were developed for high GPC using two genotypes (WL711 and HD2329) with low GPC as recipient parents and another two genotypes (PH132 and PH133) with high GPC as donor parents. NIL 2233 (with 11.7% GPC), derived from HD2329, when tried with WMC41 gave a characteristic amplification profile similar to that of its donor parent PH132, and NIL 2215 (with 11.9% GPC) derived from WL711, when tried with WMC415 gave an amplification profile that resembled its donor parent PH133. The remaining eight NILs with high GPC gave patterns similar to those of their corresponding recipient parents with both the markers, suggesting that either the QTL, other than those associated with the above markers, were actually transferred from the donor parents and contributed to high GPC in these NILs or that recombination had occurred between the markers identified and the corresponding QTL. Thus, the marker validation conducted using NILs, while demonstrating the utility of these two microsatellite markers for use in marker‐assisted selection in plant breeding, also suggested that many more QTL exist that would need to be identified using closely linked molecular markers.
Heterosis for yield and other agronomic traits of winter triticale F1 and F2 hybrids
Authors: Oettler G. , Becker H. C. , Hoppe G.
Published: March 2003

Triticale is generally treated as a self‐pollinating crop and line breeding is practised. Hybrid breeding has been discussed for some time, but there is little information for winter triticale. This study investigated heterosis for eight agronomic traits in F1 and F2 hybrids grown together with their parents as drilled plots in three environments. On average, grain yield heterosis was 12.5 dt/ha (a relative 10.5%) compared with the mid‐parent value for F1 hybrids, and 6.2 dt/ha (5.0%) for F2 hybrids and withawide range of 4.4–17.1 dt/ha for F1 hybrids. A positive contribution to the heterosis of yield was made by kernels/spike and 1000‐kernel weight, whereas spikes/m2 showed negative heterosis. Hybrid plants in F1 and F2 were taller than mid‐parents (8.3 cm and 5.3 cm, respectively), with a tendency to earlier heading. The negative heterosis for falling number in F1 and F2 hybrids could be a problem for commercial production of triticale hybrids. By selecting parents for combining ability and the identification of heterotic patterns, grain yield heterosis of 20% appears feasible.
Molecular cytogenetic analysis of a durum wheat ×Thinopyrum distichum hybrid used as a new source of resistance to Fusarium head blight in the greenhouse
Authors: Chen Q. , Eudes F. , Conner R. L. , Graf R. , Comeau A. , Collin J. , Ahmad F. , Zhou R. , Li H. , Zhao Y. , Laroche A.
Published: March 2003

Fusarium head blight (FHB, scab), caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe, is a serious and damaging disease of wheat. Although some hexaploid wheat lines express a good level of resistance to FHB, the resistance available in hexaploid wheat has not yet been transferred to durum wheat. A germplasm collection of Triticum durum× alien hybrid lines was tested as a potential source of resistance to FHB under controlled conditions. Their FHB reaction was evaluated in three tests against conidial suspensions of three strains of F. graminearum at the flowering stage. Two T. durum×Thinopyrum distichum hybrid lines, ‘AFR4’ and ‘AFR5′, expressed a significantly higher level of resistance to the spread of FHB than other durum‐alien hybrid lines and a resistant common wheat line ‘Nyu‐Bay’. Genomic in situ hybridization using total genomic DNA from alien grass species demonstrated that ‘AFR5’ had 13 or 14 alien genome chromosomes plus 27 or 28 wheat chromosomes, while ‘AFR4’ had 22 alien genome and 28 wheat chromosomes. All of the alien chromosomes present in these two lines belonged to the J genome. ‘AFR5’ is likely to be more useful as a source of FHB resistance than ‘AFR4’ because of its relatively normal meiotic behaviour, high fertility and fewer number of alien chromosomes. ‘AFR5’ shows good potential as a source for transferring FHB resistance gene into wheat. The development of T. durum addition lines carrying resistance genes from ‘AFR5’ is underway.
The phylogenetic relationship between different Cichorium intybus cultivars and cultivar groups, as revealed by RAPDs
Authors: Stallen N. Van , Noten V. , Neefs V. , Proft M. de
Published: March 2003

The phylogenetic relationship between different Cichorium intybus cultivars and cultivar groups was studied. A total of 127 random amplified polymorphic DNA markers have been used to distinguish between 51 Cichorium intybus cultivars belonging to three different cultivar groups. A principal component analysis was performed on the complete data set and a clear grouping of chicory cultivar groups was observed. The three chicory groups tested (root chicory, witloof and pain de sucre) were separated from one another in the principal component plots. The first two axes accounted for 43.9% of the total variation. Although the chicory used in traditional forcing in soil and the red chicory cultivars were related more to each other and to the chicory cultivars from the witloof group, they still formed separate groups in the principal component plot.
Identification of resistance to Ascochyta fabae in Vicia faba germplasm
Authors: Sillero J. C. , Avila C. M. , Moreno M. T. , Rubiales D.
Published: March 2003

A total of 752 faba bean accessions were screened under field conditions for resistance to Ascochyta fabae. Several methods of assessing disease development were compared for evaluating the resistance of these accessions. Thirty‐four accessions displayed low disease severity ratings. In 15 of them, lesions were restricted in size and number, whereas in the remaining 19, lesions were well developed but scarce. These lines could have been discarded if screening had depended only on scales based on lesion type, which shows the need to complement such scores with disease severity or to use a simplified scale that integrates both lesion type and the amount of damage.
Relationship between European corn borer resistance and concentration of mycotoxins produced by Fusarium spp. in grains of transgenic Bt maize hybrids, their isogenic counterparts, and commercial varieties
Authors: Magg T. , Melchinger A. E. , Klein D. , Bohn M.
Published: March 2003

The European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis Hb., is a major pest of maize in central Europe and promotes the infection of maize with Fusarium spp. In this study, transgenic Bt maize hybrids were compared with their isogenic counterparts, and with commercial hybrids from the recommended list with regard to their level of ECB resistance and their concentration of deoxynivalenol (DON), its 15‐acetyl (15‐A‐DON) and 3‐acetyl (3‐A‐DON) derivatives, nivalenol (NIV), fusarenon‐X (FUS‐X), fumonisins (FUM), and zearalenon (ZEN) in harvested grains. The field experiments were performed in Germany at four locations in 1999 and at five locations in 2000. Transgenic Bt hybrids showed significantly lower means than their corresponding isogenic counterparts and than commercial hybrids for all resistance traits: damage rating of stalks, number of larvae per plant, number of larvae per ear, and percentage of damaged plants or ears under infestation. Among all mycotoxins analysed, DON consistently showed the highest concentration across all year × location combinations. Mycotoxin concentrations varied significantly between locations, years and genotypes, whereas mycotoxin concentrations were not significantly different between infested and protected plots. Associations between ECB resistance traits and mycotoxin concentrations were not consistent across years. It is concluded that under central European conditions, the use of Bt maize hybrids will only slightly reduce the contamination of maize kernels with mycotoxins produced by Fusarium spp.
QTL mapping and associated marker selection for the efficacy of green plant regeneration in anther culture of rice
Authors: Kwon Y. S. , Kim K. M. , Eun M. Y. , Sohn J. K.
Published: March 2003

Anther culturability of rice is a quantitative trait controlled by nuclear‐encoded genes. The identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) and associated marker selection for anther culturability is important for increasing the efficiency of green plant regeneration from microspores. QTL associated with the capacity for green plant regeneration in anther culture of rice were mapped on chromosomes 3 and 10 using 164 recombinant inbred (RI) lines from a cross between ‘Milyang 23’ and ‘Gihobyeo’. The quantitative trait locus located on chromosome 10 was detected repeatedly when three anther culture methods were applied and was tightly linked to the markers, RG323, RG241 and RZ400. Associations between these markers and the efficacy of green plant regeneration in 43 rice cultivars and two F2 populations, ‘MG RI036’/‘Milyang 23’, and ‘MG RI036’;/‘IR 36’ were analysed. One of these markers, RZ400, was able to identify effectively genotypes with good (> 10.0%) and poor (< 3.0%) regenerability, based on the marker genotypes in the cultivars and two F2 populations. This marker enables the screening of rice germplasm for anther culturability and introgression into elite lines in breeding programmes.
Herbicide‐tolerant crops in agriculture: oilseed rape as a case study
Authors: Senior I. J. , Dale P. J.
Published: March 2003

Oilseed rape has been modified extensively by conventional breeding for the production of varieties useful for human consumption (blended vegetable oil and margarine) and industrial processes (rubber additives and high‐temperature lubricants). Because much is now known about its genetic and biochemical composition, it has been an obvious choice for genetic modification and is now at the forefront of the commercial development of genetically modified (GM) or transgenic crops. Around the world, the increase in commercial plantings of all transgenic crops has been rapid. In 1996, 1.7 million hectares were planted, but by 1998 this figure had jumped to 27.8 million ha. The area in the year 2001 is likely to be about 50 million ha. With the possible introduction of transgenic varieties into European agriculture, it is essential that the associated farming practices employed are appropriate for their growth, both from a commercial and an environmental viewpoint. Some of the first transgenic crops are those carrying agronomic traits, e.g. herbicide tolerance transgenes. However, before full commercialization occurs, important agronomic and environmental questions need to be answered. How are these new crops to be incorporated into existing cropping practices? How will this change the current herbicide use profile for a given crop? Do herbicide‐tolerant varieties enhance or impede integrated pest management schemes? What is the likely uptake of such crops in agriculture? What are the ecological implications of their introduction? Are there effective measures to control the spread of transgenes to wild relatives? This paper addresses these questions, with special emphasis on oilseed rape production in the UK, but includes examples from other crops and countries where appropriate.
Self‐pollination vs. cross‐pollination in almond: pollen tube growth, fruit set and fruit characteristics
Authors: Dicenta F. , Ortega E. , Cánovas J. A. , Egea J.
Published: March 2003

Pollen tubes reaching the ovary, fruit set and the main fruit characteristics of six self‐compatible genotypes (‘Marta’, ‘Antoñeta’, ‘Guara’, ‘Lauranne’, ‘S2332’ and ‘S4017’) of almond were studied after self‐ or cross‐pollination. No significant differences after self‐ or cross‐pollination were found in the number of pollen tubes reaching the ovary, the percentage of ovaries finally penetrated, fruit set and fruit characteristics. The results showed the possibility of obtaining suitable fertilization, yields and quality of fruits by self‐pollination of self‐compatible almond cultivars in a single cultivar orchard.
Comparison and integration of genetic maps generated from F2 and BC1‐type mapping populations in perennial ryegrass
Authors: Armstead I. P. , Turner L. B. , King I. P. , Cairns A. J. , Humphreys M. O.
Published: March 2003

Linkage maps of perennial ryegrass were constructed from F2 and BC1‐type populations using, predominantly, restriction fragment length polymorphism data based on heterologous probes used in mapping other grass species. The maps identified seven linkage groups, which covered a total of 515 cM (F2) and 565 cM (BC1). They were aligned using 38 loci identified in both populations (common loci) and a possible marker order for all mapped loci in either population was identified in an integrated map. The estimated recombination frequencies and map distances between adjacent common loci were compared between the two data sets and regions of heterogeneity identified. Overall, the common markers identified a map distance of 446 cM in the F2 population and 327 cM in the BC1 population, reflecting a higher recombination frequency in the former, although the difference was not evenly spread over the seven linkage groups.
Inheritance of green peach aphid resistance in the peach cultivar ‘Rubira’
Authors: Pascal T. , Pfeiffer F. , Kervella J. , Lacroze J. P. , Sauge M. H. , Weber W. E.
Published: March 2003

The green peach aphid (GPA) is a serious pest of peach tree in many areas of the world. To date, only one GPA resistance gene has been assigned in peach. This study was initiated to determine the inheritance of GPA resistance in the red leaf peach rootstock cultivar ‘Rubira’. Crosses were made between ‘Rubira’ and the susceptible green leaf peach rootstock cultivar ‘Pamirskij 5′. Genetic analysis was performed on the parents, F1 and F2 progenies. Analyses of segregation patterns of plants in F1 (1:0) and F2 (3:1) indicated single dominant gene control of GPA resistance in ‘Rubira’. Reddish spots, probably due to aphid feeding punctures, are associated with, but not themselves responsible for, the GPA resistance in ‘Rubira’. No relationship was found between GPA resistance and the red leaf character of ‘Rubira’.
Variation among and within Italian alfalfa ecotypes by means of bio‐agronomic characters and amplified fragment length polymorphism analyses
Authors: Zaccardelli M. , Gnocchi S. , Carelli M. , Scotti C.
Published: March 2003

Three accessions, corresponding to different ‘foundation’ farms, of each of the alfalfa (lucerne) Italian ecotypes ‘Vogherese’ and ‘Marem‐mano’, and two varieties were studied in order to evaluate: (1) the among‐ and within‐ecotype variation; and (2) the possibility of distinguishing the populations by means of bio‐agronomic characters and molecular markers (amplified fragment length polymorphisms, AFLPs). The two ecotypes could be distinguished by the differences in persistency after 15 cuttings in 3 years cultivation and by the seasonal distribution of the dry matter yield. Within‐ecotype variation was always of minor importance as compared with the among‐ecotype differences. The AFLP analyses generated 20 polymorphic fragments in ‘bulk’ samples: none was able to distinguish the two ecotypes, while variety‐specific fragments were found. The same analysis on an individual plant basis (485 polymorphic fragments) confirmed the absence of differences among ecotypes, while 10% of the total variance was attributable to variation among accessions within ecotype. The results of the analyses using agronomic traits and molecular markers are discussed in relation to the possibility of ecotype identification.
Hormonal Response of Female Goats to Active Immunization against a Recombinant Human Inhibin α‐subunit, and establishment of an Enzyme‐linked Immunosorbent Assay for Caprine Follicle‐stimulating Hormone
Authors: Hennies M , Voglmayr JK , Dietrich E , Stollmann M , Moeller R , Holtz W
Published: March 2003

The effect of selective immunosuppression of endogenous inhibin in goats on FSH, LH, progesterone and estradiol‐17β profiles was studied during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. Eighteen adult female Boer goats were immunized against the recombinant human inhibin α‐subunit (hINH‐α). With the exception of estradiol, which was determined by radio‐immunoassay (RIA), all plasma hormone concentrations were determined by ELISA. The ELISA for FSH presented in this paper was established in the authors’ laboratory, based on an existing RIA. Mean basal concentrations of FSH were not affected by immunosuppression of endogenous inhibin, nor was there a difference in the amplitude of the pre‐ovulatory FSH surge. Immunization against inhibin appears to eliminate the slight secondary rise of FSH occurring 12–20 h after the major surge associated with ovulation. The LH profiles of the immunized goats were characterized by lower basal concentrations both before and after the pre‐ovulatory LH surge which itself was reduced by 50% in immunized does. By contrast, concentrations of circulating estradiol were significantly elevated after inhibin‐immunization. Progesterone profiles were not affected. Extending immunization into the anoestrous season by a booster injection of hINH‐α, implicating oestrus induction with a progestagen and eCG, produced no discernible differences in FSH and LH profiles in comparison with nonimmunized control goats. The findings suggest that in goats, paracrine factors may play a more significant role in controlling follicular activity than a feedback mechanism acting via the pituitary.