The yield of durum wheat extremely reduces in response to salinity stress because of several variations in biochemical, physiological and molecular traits in this unfavorable condition. According to the agro-physiological traits under salinity stress, the most resistant and sensitive cultivars were selected from 10 genotypes of durum wheat over a period of 2 years. Afterwards, the molecular, biochemical, and physiological traits in these two genotypes were evaluated. The seedlings (3–4 leaves) were exposed to salinity through irrigating with 0.5 × Hoagland solution containing 200 mM NaCl until physiological maturity. Principal components analysis for the agronomic characteristics and stress resistance index led to identifying Behrang and Arya as the most tolerant and sensitive genotypes, respectively. In these two genotypes in response to salinity stress, osmolyte contents (proline, total soluble carbohydrates and total soluble proteins) and enzymatic antioxidant defence system activities (ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and guaiacol peroxidase) were much higher in the most tolerant genotype than those of the sensitive cultivar. Moreover, the most tolerant genotype showed less amount of oxidative stress parameters (hydrogen peroxide, electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde and other aldehydes) than the sensitive one. Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (P5CR) and delta-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS) genes expression increased under salinity stress (considering much higher increase in the most tolerant cultivar). Also, proline content was shown to have a significant positive correlation with P5CS and P5CR genes expression levels. Our result not only identified Behrang cultivar as a superior genotype for durum wheat breeding programs, but also represented several efficient mechanisms involved in salt tolerance.

Triticum urartu Thum. ex Gandil. is a wild species identified as A-genome donor for polyploid wheats, which could be used as gene source for wheat breeding. The high-molecular weight glutenin subunits are endosperm storage proteins that are associated with bread-making quality. In T. urartu, these proteins are encoded by the Ax and Ay genes at the Glu-Au1 locus. The Ay gene of 17 Glu-Au1 allelic variants previously detected in this species has been analysed using PCR amplification and digestion of the PCR products with two endonucleases (DdeI and PstI). The combination of two restriction patterns has revealed variations between the active and inactive alleles, and within each type. This variation, especially that detected among the active alleles, could enlarge the high-quality genetic pool of modern wheat and be used for bread-making quality improvement in durum and common wheat.

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is one of the most important legume crops in the world. However, soybean grain yield is extensively affected by environmental stresses such as soil salinity. In this study, we evaluated the germplasm of 51 Indonesian soybean accessions for salt tolerance to identify salt-tolerant germplasms for possible use in breeding for soybean salt tolerance. Based on experiments under hydroponic conditions, adding 100 mM of NaCl to a 1/2 concentration of Hoagland and Arnon solution, several Indonesian soybean germplasms, such as Java 7, Seputih Raman, Tambora, Ringgit (JP 30217), Sinyonya (early) and Sinyonya (late) were identified as salt-tolerant in terms of salt tolerance rate (STR) and leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD value) taken with the Konica Minolta SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter. The selected salt-tolerant germplasms were further evaluated under soil medium cultivation in pots irrigated with 100 mM NaCl for around 5 weeks. The six selected soybean germplasms again showed higher salt tolerance in terms of SPAD, STR and shoot dry weight. Expression analysis of the salt tolerance gene Ncl revealed a significant positive correlation between Ncl expression and salt tolerance, suggesting that Ncl is essential for salt tolerance in the Indonesian soybean germplasms we tested. The salt-tolerant Indonesian soybean germplasms identified in this study could be used in local soybean breeding practices for the improvement of salt tolerance.

Although alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a leguminous herbage widely used in temperate regions as animal feed, there is not much research in tropical regions to develop cultivars adapted to these environmental conditions. The utilization of adapted cultivars with adequate management practices is important to improve productivity, quality and persistence of cultivated pastures. The objectives of this study were to verify the genetic variability among alfalfa cultivars and to rank them using mixed model methodology. A total of 35 alfalfa cultivars were evaluated in the rainy and dry seasons, from 1996 to 2000, in plots of 2.8 m2 in Sertãozinho, São Paulo, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replications. Longitudinal data of dry matter yield were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS® System. Several covariance structures were tested and the spherical spatial structure was selected. The results show that the genetic variability was statistically significant only for the dry season. Moreover, the interaction among cultivars and harvests variance was highly significant for both seasons. The empirical best linear unbiased predictions of cultivar effects were obtained, allowing for the selection of the superior cultivars MH 15, 5715, SW 8210, Rio, High, 5888, Monarca, Victoria, Florida 77 and Falcon. Crioula, the most common cultivar in Brazil, showed low forage potential in Sertãozinho. Results indicate potential for use of more productive cultivars of alfalfa to produce animal feed in tropical environments.

Bael is an important sub-tropical fruit crop in family Rutaceae that is widely distributed throughout South-East Asia. For local communities, the nutritious composition of its fruits and leaves offers tremendous economic and social possibilities to exploit. However, its underutilized status, as well as man-made threats to its natural habitat, make it imperative to implement concrete strategies for its cultivation and conservation. To fully grasp the ability of this adaptable fruit tree for human health and environmental well-being, it is necessary to characterize the genetic diversity. The goal of this study was to use morphological (13 quantitative traits), biochemical (9 attributes) and molecular (10 SRAP primers) characterization to evaluate 24 bael genotypes from two agroecological zones of India. Fruit and pulp weight ranged from 79.0– to 1478.8 g and 15.0– to 894.3 g with mean values of 448.67 and 233.3 g, respectively. Traits such as fruit, pulp, and seed weight (g), fruit length (cm) and width (cm), number of fruits per tree, number of seeds per fruit, shell weight (g) and shell thickness (mm) recorded highly significant differences. High phenol (11.65–24.38 mg GAE/g fw) and flavonoid (12.32–74.63 mg CE/g fw) content was observed in fruit pulp indicating significant antioxidant potential of this fruit. Several morphological and biochemical characters were found to have significant positive correlations. Principal component analysis revealed that first five components contributed 96.76% to total variation. Hierarchical cluster analysis separated the populations into two distinct clusters, while analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) using SRAP markers revealed that 70% of the total marker variation was due to interpopulation variance, while 30% was attributed to intrapopulation.

The rice-based agriculture of the Indian subcontinent has been interwoven in the rich socio-cultural fabric of the country. Of which, bio-culturally diverse North-Eastern states nurture thousands of landraces with poorly tapped agronomic traits. In the present study, 27 standard microsatellite data from 171 rice landraces from six states were analysed to understand their genetic diversity and population structure. Further, combining with a global dataset, we determined subpopulation identity using both model-based and multivariate analyses to uncover their history. We found moderate to high genetic diversity and high differentiation [standardized G”ST = 0.57]. The AMOVA partitioned overall variance into within population (75%) and among population (25%). The landraces from six states remained at various degrees of differentiation (pairwise FST = 0.09–0.41). We have detected a preponderance of aus-type in a majority of aromatic landraces. Rests were japonica and admixed with a little representation of indica. The presence of aromatic aus probably implied assimilation into local culture from the primary aus growing region of Bangladesh and India. Likewise, the arrival of japonica may stem from the exchange of goods among neighbouring dynasties via Southern and Southwestern Silk routes. The shared ancestry may reflect a merger of two ancient cultures. Our analyses also uncovered the existence of aus-type short and medium grain aromatic rice predicting an origin of aroma in aus subpopulation. Collectively, it demonstrated the diversity and divergent history of the rice landraces have been shaped by various socio-cultural interactions operative over time and space.

Mexico has a wealth of plant genetic resources, including Capsicum species. In southern Mexico, specifically in the western part of the Yucatan Peninsula, Maya farmers have preserved a great diversity of chilli pepper landraces of C. annuum, C. frutescens and C. chinense. However, the morphological diversity, capsaicinoid content, conservation status and potential use of these species have not been studied. To fill this gap and generate information to support the conservation and use of these species, we characterized the phenotypic diversity and capsaicinoid content for nine chilli pepper landraces from the western Yucatan Peninsula by assessing 15 quantitative and 39 qualitative traits for 10 plants of each landrace. For quantitative variables, two groups of chilli pepper landraces were obtained by principal component analysis and cluster analysis. Group I was formed by Rosita, Bobo, Dulce, Xcat'ik1, Xcat'ik2 and Verde landraces; Group II included the Maax, Bolita and Pico Paloma landraces. For qualitative variables, three groups of chilli pepper landraces were obtained; Group I included Dulce, Bobo, Xcat'ik1, Xcat'ik2 and Verde landraces, Group II only included the Rosita landrace, and Group III included Maax, Bolita and Pico Paloma landraces. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography–photodiode array (UPLC-PDA) quantification of capsaicinoids indicated higher values in landraces Rosita (14,062.3 μg/g D.W), Bolita (5928.1 μg/g D.W), Maax (3438.4 μg/g D.W) and Pico Paloma (3138.9 μg/g D.W). The Yucatan chilli pepper landraces provide valuable diverse germplasm for morphological characteristics and capsaicinoid content that can be used in breeding and conservation programmes.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important crop for developed as well as underdeveloped countries, especially those in the Indian sub-continent that contribute more than 60% to both the global area and global production. The harsh environmental conditions under which chickpeas are generally grown impose restrictions on the expression of genetic yield potential. In the present study, a number of different breeding approaches for the development of genotypes possessing multiple resistances to different biotic and abiotic stresses, coupled with enhanced productivity are reported. In one study, 90 genetically diverse genotypes (35 medium-sized desi types, 35 bold-seeded desi types, 10 medium-sized kabuli types and 10 bold-seeded kabuli types) were tested in several locations in the 2000–2002 seasons, under rainfed (dryland) conditions and with supplemental irrigation. The bold-seeded desi genotypes gave superior performance in the rainfed environment, while the bold-seeded kabuli genotypes outyielded the other cultivars under supplemental irrigation. From crosses between accessions from geographically diverse sources, crosses between lines carrying multiple disease resistances, and crosses between the cultivated chickpea and the wild species, C. reticulatum, 23 selections were tested for yield and resistance to multiple stresses at various locations in northern and central India. From the crosses between geographically diverse parents, six high-yielding kabuli genotypes with wide adaptation and drought tolerance were identified. Pyramiding genes for multiple resistances proved useful in identifying eight lines possessing multiple disease resistance. Introgressing wild genes generated nine genotypes with high yield potential, resistance to soil-borne diseases and adaptation to water-limited environments. We conclude that high productivity, multiple resistance and wide adaptability can be achieved simultaneously by using potentially complementary approaches.

A civil war is being fought in Darfur in western Sudan that has resulted in a humanitarian disaster with large numbers of Sudanese refugees seeking a safe haven in neighbouring Chad. The conflict is largely ecological in origin and is based on competition for natural resources, including plant genetic resources. Western Sudan has relatively low rainfall and supports rainfed sedentary agriculture and nomadic pastoralism, and a range of domesticated plant species is grown under irrigation by seasonal watercourses. Nomadic pastoralist populations move their herds according to established routes of seasonally available range and pasture species. There has always been a delicate balance between the sedentary and nomadic ways of life that through careful use of water and plant genetic resources has maintained the ecology of the region in balance. Drought, deforestation, overpopulation and overgrazing have accelerated desert encroachment and have exerted huge pressures on the ecology of the region. Indigenous plant genetic resources, including many wild species used as famine foods, are the key to livelihoods in the region. The upsurge in violence has resulted in many farmers abandoning their farms and seed stocks. Social systems are disrupted and rehabilitation of agriculture will be very difficult. This article describes domesticated and wild plant genetic resources of southern Darfur and details their importance to livelihoods in the region.

Rocket (Eruca spp. and Diplotaxis spp.) is widely cultivated as a green vegetable in Mediterranean countries, Europe, United States and Brazil, but few rocket cultivars are available and limited variety selection has taken place. Plant genetic resources and germplasm are fundamental sources for plant breeding, and the assessment of the genetic diversity among germplasm accessions is useful to facilitate the more efficient use of plant genetic resources. The objective of this study was to characterize phenotypic diversity and relationships among genotypes of Eruca and Diplotaxis originating from 11 countries across three regions (Europe, Africa and Asia). Principal component analyses explained over 85% of total variation for 51 qualitative and quantitative agromorphological traits. Cluster analyses divided the accessions into five major clusters according to plant traits, siliqua properties and geographical origin of genotype with a few exceptions. These findings indicate a number of useful traits in the gene pool and a wide range of phenotypic variation that provides a good source of diversity for use in modern Eruca breeding programmes.

Thirteen wild plants and their food uses in the folk traditions of some regions of central Italy are described. These uses that can be exploited for human nourishment were collected during field research (1977–2003). Some wild food plants quoted are not very well known. The herbs have been selected for their peculiar organoleptic characteristics (Taraxacum apenninum, T. glaciale, Crepis leontodontoides), for their nutritional interest (Bunium bulbocastanum, Sinapis alba, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum apenninum, T. glaciale) and the possibility of their cultivation in marginal areas (see Chenopodium bonus-henricus, Podospermum canum, P. laciniatum and some of the quoted species).

Investigating genetic structure and diversity is crucial for rice improvement strategies, including mapping quantitative trait loci with the potential for improved productivity and adaptation to the upland ecology. The present study elucidated the population structure and genetic diversity of 176 rice germplasm adapted to the upland ecology using 7063 genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers from the Diversity Array Technology (DArT)-based sequencing platform (DArTseq). The SNPs were reasonably distributed across the rice genome, ranging from 432 SNPs on chromosome 9 to 989 SNPs on chromosome 1. The minimum minor allele frequency was 0.05, while the average polymorphism information content and heterozygosity were 0.25 and 0.03, respectively. The model-based (Bayesian) population structure analysis identified two major groups for the studied rice germplasm. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that all (100%) of the genetic variance was attributable to differences within the population, and none was attributable to the population structure. The estimates of genetic differentiation (PhiPT = 0.001; P = 0.197) further showed a negligible difference among the population structures. The results indicated a high genetic exchange or gene flow (number of migrants, Nm = 622.65) and a substantial level of diversity (number of private alleles, Pa = 1.52 number of different alleles, Na = 2.67; Shannon's information index, I = 0.084; and percentage of polymorphic loci, %PPL = 55.9%) within the population, representing a valuable resource for rice improvement. The findings in this study provide a critical analysis of the genetic diversity of upland rice germplasm that would be useful for rice yield improvement. We suggested further breeding and genetic analyses.

A total of 326 pearl millet accessions selected for fodder traits from the world collection at ICRISAT genebank, India were evaluated in rainy, postrainy and summer seasons to identify promising sources for fodder yield. In rainy season, majority of accessions grew significantly tall, produced thick stems, long and broad leaves compared with postrainy and summer seasons. Total tillers per plant were significantly more in rainy and summer seasons than in postrainy season. Significant (P = 0.05) positive correlations were observed among all traits in all seasons except total tillers, which showed significant negative correlation with all other traits but for a few cases. Accessions of cluster 1 flowered early and produced more tillers per plant, while those of cluster 3 flowered late, grew tall, produced thick stems, more leaves per plant, which were long and broad. Promising sources identified include IP 11839 and IP 11840 for plant height and number of leaves per plant, IP 15710, IP 15735 and IP 15752 for stem thickness and leaf width, and IP 3628, IP 15285, IP 15288, IP 15302, IP 15342, IP 15351, IP 15290, IP 20347 and IP 20350 for total tillers per plant. Further testing of these sources of fodder traits at different locations will be very useful.

Wild soybean (Glycine soja) is a valuable genetic resource for soybean improvement. Seed composition profiles provide beneficial information for the effective conservation and utilization of wild soybeans. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the variation in free amino acid abundance in the seeds of wild soybean germplasm collected in Japan. The free amino acid content in the seeds from 316 accessions of wild soybean ranged from 0.965 to 5.987 mg/g seed dry weight (DW), representing a 6.2-fold difference. Three amino acids had the highest coefficient of variation (CV): asparagine (1.15), histidine (0.95) and glutamine (0.94). Arginine (0.775 mg/g DW) was the predominant amino acid in wild soybean seeds, whereas the least abundant seed amino acid was glutamine (0.008 mg/g DW). A correlation network revealed significant positive relationships among most amino acids. Wild soybean seeds from different regions of origin had significantly different levels of several amino acids. In addition, a significant correlation between latitude and longitude of the collection sites and the total free amino acid content of seeds was observed. Our study reports diverse phenotypic data on the free amino acid content in seeds of wild soybean resources collected from throughout Japan. This information will be useful in conservation programmes for Japanese wild soybean and for the selection of accessions with favourable characteristics in future legume crop improvement efforts.

Local upland rice germplasm is an invaluable resource for farmers who grow rice on acidic soils without flooding that benefits wetland rice. In this study, we evaluated the adaptation to soil acidity in common local upland rice varieties from an area with acidic soil in Thailand. Tolerance to hydrogen and aluminium (Al) toxicity was determined by measuring root growth, plant dry weight and phosphorus (P) uptake in aerated solution culture without the supplementation of Al (0 mg/l) at pH 7 and 4 and with the supplementation of 10, 20 and 30 mg Al/l at pH 4. The root growth of upland rice plants grown from farmers' seed was depressed less by Al than that of common wetland rice varieties. Pure-line genotypes of upland rice varieties were differentiated into several classes of Al tolerance, with frequency distribution of the classes that sometimes differed between the accessions of the same varieties. The effect of Al tolerance on root length was closely correlated with depression by Al in root dry weight and whole-plant P content. A source for adaptation to soil acidity for exploitation in the genetic improvement of aerobic and rainfed rice is clearly found among local upland rice varieties grown on acidic soils. However, the variation in tolerance to soil acidity within and among the seed lots of the same varieties maintained by individual farmers as well as among the varieties needs to be taken into consideration.

Triticum urartu possesses the Au genome common to bread wheat. Similarly, Triticum monococcum contains the Am genome, which is closely related to the A-genome donor of bread wheat. Aegilops speltoides of the Sitopsis section has the S genome, which is most similar to the B genome of bread and durum wheat when compared with all other wild grasses. Amphiploids developed through bridge crossing between Am/Au and S-genome diploid resources and elite durum cultivars demonstrate enormous diversity to improve both bread and durum wheat cultivars. We evaluated such A-genome amphiploids (Triticum turgidum × T. urartu and T. turgidum × T. monococcum, 2n = 6x = 42; BBAAAmAm/AuAu) and S-genome amphiploids (T. turgidum × Ae. speltoides, 2n = 6x = 42; AABBSS) along with their durum parents (AABB) for their resistance to powdery mildew (PM) at the seedling stage. The results indicated that 104 accessions (53.6%) of A-genome amphiploids (AABBAmAm/AuAu) were resistant to PM at the seedling stage. Of their 24 durum parents, five (20.83%) were resistant to PM and 16 (66.6%) were moderately tolerant. Similarly, ten (50%) accessions of S-genome amphiploids (BBAASS) possessed seedling PM resistance, suggesting a valuable source of major resistance genes. PM screening of the amphiploids and parental durum lines showed that resistance was contributed either by the diploid progenitors or durum parents, or both. We also observed the suppression of resistance in several cases; for example, resistance in durum wheat was suppressed in respective amphiploids. The results from this germplasm screening will facilitate their utilization to genetically control PM and widen the genetic base of wheat.

The presence of excessive phytic acids in foods exerts undesirable antinutritional effects while their agricultural product is utilized as food for humans and as fodder for animals. In this study, 40 cultivated groundnut genotypes were grown in two years and used to estimate the phytic acid phosphorus (PAP) and inorganic phosphorus (InP) contents. The PAP content differed significantly (P= 0.01) among the genotypes and ranged from 149.3 to 315.0 mg PAP/100 g seed with an average of 227.6 mg PAP/100 g seed. The genotypes TG 17 and TG 67 had the highest (315 mg) and the lowest (149.3 mg) PAP content, respectively. The InP content ranged from 58.7 mg/100 g seed in the SG 99 genotype to 102.6 mg/100 g seed in the TG 40 genotype, with a mean of 82.6 mg/100 g seed. The ratio of InP to PAP varied from 0.24 to 0.56. A significantly higher InP:PAP ratio was found in the genotypes TKG 19A, TAG 24, TG 37A, TBG 39 (TDG 39), TG 51, TG 67 and GG 7, which was due to either an increase in InP content or a decrease in PAP content.

Global food security could be imperilled by the combined pressures from the effects of continually evolving climatic conditions, demographics and other socio-economic factors, the demands of the livestock, bioenergy and fibre industries for food-based substrates, the static or decreasing availability of natural resources for agriculture and the impracticality of increased use of economically and environmentally costly agricultural inputs. The optimal harnessing of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) in manners that translate their repertoire of hidden potentials into significantly enhanced crop productivities has been severally identified as crucial to achieving the required considerably significant increases in food production. The scope of the problems and the plausible means for addressing them compel the devising of novel and more efficient ways for deploying PGRFA in need-based crop improvement programmes. We posit a continuum approach to the management of PGRFA which links seamlessly the effective conservation and access to PGRFA through their use in developing superior and resilient crop varieties to the provision of their high-quality seeds and planting materials to the growers. To achieve the mainstreaming of this paradigm, we propose the institutionalization of overarching national PGRFA strategies that prescribe result-oriented action plans spanning above three components of the management of PGRFA for a country's priority crops. We also describe the strategy as a means for identifying and assigning responsibilities to critical stakeholders and providing for the governance of all aspects of PGRFA activities over specific time frames. Steps to developing and adopting a national PGRFA strategy are also suggested.

Acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) inhibiting herbicides have played a significant role in effective weed control in the cultivation of sunflower since their discovery. The development of sunflower lines and hybrids resistant to these herbicides made their post-emergence application possible. In this study, wild Helianthus species were screened phenotypically for imidazolinone (IMI) and sulfonylurea (SU) resistance by herbicide spray and for allelic variations at Ahasl1 (Ahas1 large subunit) locus using simple sequence repeat and single nucleotide polymorphism markers. Helianthus praecox accession 1823 plants showed promising resistance to three classes of SU-based herbicides and Helianthus nuttallii accession NUT05 plants remained green for a longer time after imazethapyr spray. A total of 50 accessions belonging to 21 wild Helianthus species of different ploidy levels were analysed for allelic variation along with some parents of commercial sunflower hybrids. None of the wild species showed the resistant allele (Ahasl1-1) similar to SCG101 (IMI-resistant line), although it is present in some of the parental lines of hybrids. However, the parental lines having Ahasl1-1-type allele failed to survive the field dose of imazethapyr spray. Inter-species and inter-accessional allelic variation could be observed among the species. PRA1823 and NUT05 showed repeat length variations at Ahasl1 locus. Sequencing of full length Ahasl1 gene from both these accessions did not reveal any resistance mutations in the protein sequences. The molecular basis of the phenotypes identified in this study could be explored further and utilized in breeding programmes for imparting herbicide resistance in cultivated hybrids across sunflower growing regions of the world.

Terminal-repeat retrotransposon in miniature (TRIM) elements are a miniature form of retrotransposons and play an important role in genome organization. The Cassandra TRIM family has been identified in over 50 plant species, including both monocots and dicots. Cassandra elements carry an independently transcribed 5S RNA sequence in their terminal repeat regions, which is unique compared with other TRIM families. Although the existence of Cassandra elements has been documented in many plants, much work remains to characterize Cassandra family members and elucidate their distribution. In this study, we comparatively analysed the Cassandra family members in the Brassica oleracea, B. rapa and Arabidopsis thaliana genomes. A total of 602, 451 and 173 members, of which 130, 60 and 9 were relatively intact, were identified from the B. oleracea, B. rapa and A. thaliana genomes, respectively. Most of the Cassandra elements (1120/1226) were found in intergenic spaces, but 106 elements were inserted in genic regions such as introns, exons and untranslated regions. Our comparative analysis of the Cassandra family members in A. thaliana, B. rapa and B. oleracea reveals that some Cassandra elements have been commonly retained during the last 20 million years in three species and some elements have been uniquely evolved in Brassica species. This study promotes our understanding of the role and utility of Cassandra elements in the evolution of the Brassicaceae family.