Iranian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding
Volume:3 Issue: 2, Oct 2014

In this research, some independent experiments were carried out for investigating the effects of microspore developmental stage, bud pretreatments (cold, heat and Ca), and embryo induction medium on anther culture of some strawberry cultivars. The results showed that the percentages of responsive and embryogenic anthers in cultivar Paros in liquid medium were influenced not only by different developmental stages of microspores, but also by the ratio of mass/volume of the cultured anthers. Moreover, study of the different bud pretreatments in anther culture of four strawberry cultivars demonstrated a highly significant interaction between bud pretreatments and cultivars in the three studied traits including the percentages of responsive, embryogenic and callogenic anthers. The percentage of responsive anthers was increased by low temperature stress (4 °C) and calcium pretreatments. The significant interactions were also observed between embryo induction media and cultivars. Chromosome counting on 30 androgenic plants showed that only one plant was haploid. This plant was obtained from anther culture in cultivar Paros by the use of H1 medium (2 mg l–1 IAA and 1 mg l–1 BA) and cold pretreatment.

Due to worldwide increasing of salinity, the identification of genes conferring tolerance to plants is important. The aim of this study was to investigate salinity effects on the expression of three genes-related to proteins and aquaporin in grape (Vitis vinifera L.). Based on screening study on 18 grape genotypes, H6 and Gharashani that showed lower decrease in water potential, leaf area, leaf growth rate and relative water content under salinity, were selected as tolerant genotypes compared to sensitive ones (Shirazi and GhezelUzum). Plants were treated with 50 mM NaCl as a critical concentration for 0, 24 hours and 14 days. High expression of VvFS41 gene in the sensitive genotypes under salinity showed that these genotypes used all of their capacity to survive under stress condition. The expression of VvPHP1 showed no regular status. Expression of VvPIP2.2 decreased in roots of all genotypes under salinity and the determination of VvPIP2.2 role seems be difficult in these genotypes. Based on the results, sensitive genotypes showed higher changes in proteins and aquaporin genes under salinity, but tolerant genotypes was more stable. Our findings showed a significant difference between tolerant and sensitive genotypes and highlighted a strong relationship between the accumulation of specific transcripts and stress tolerance.

Different responses of plant genotypes to the change of environmental conditions have been the most important and challenging issue for plant breeders and agronomists for the selection of superior genotypes. Cumin is one of the most important medicinal and aromatic plants in Iran that are strongly affected by varying environmental conditions. This study was aimed to investigate E×SD interaction and also select stable and adaptable ecotypes of cumin in different sowing dates by AMMI analysis. For this purpose different cumin ecotypes were evaluated in five sowing dates in Kerman (a semiarid region in Iran). Accordingly, nine cumin ecotypes were evaluated in a RCBD with three replications in each sowing date during growing season of 2011-12. Seed yield were measured at the end of growing season in each sowing date and the collected data were analyzed using the AMMI model. The AMMI ANOVA showed a significant variation among sowing dates, ecotypes and G×SD interaction for seed yield. For this trait, 26.95% of the total sum of squares was attributable to ecotypes, 26.15% to sowing dates, and 46.9% to E×SD, indicating high genotypic variation to sowing dates. The first two IPCA explain 72.32% of the E×SD interaction effect (43.65% and 28.67% for IPCA1 and IPCA2, respectively). Rank correlations confirmed a relationship between ASV, AMMI1, and YSI and agreement between YSI and yield in ranking ecotypes. Based on the mentioned statistics, Isfahan and Khorasan-Jonoubi were identified as unstable ecotypes. Semnan ecotype with regard to the high yield-stability reaction in different sowing dates is recommended for cultivation in semiarid regions of Iran.

Six varieties of durum wheat were included in a full diallel mating design during 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 cropping seasons in the farm of Maragheh Dryland Agricultural Research Institute (DARI), Iran. Parental durum wheat genotypes and their complete diallel progenies were grown in a randomized complete block design with two replications in the growing seasons of 2005-06. The highest values of number of seeds per spike, one hundred seed weight and seed yield were obtained in Gerdish. The GCA effects indicated that Zardak was an ideal general combiner for one hundred seed weight, coleoptile length, number of germinated seeds, number of seeds per spike, growth vigor and radicle length. Crosses of Knd1149//68/ward × Waha and Zardak × Chehel daneh exhibited the highest value of seed yield and significant heterosis. Graphic analysis indicated that the hybrid between Knd1149//68/ward and Waha was the best hybrid for seed yield, because it integrated the four genes (A2, D1, D2 and probably D3) for seed yield. Zardak, Knd1149//68/ward and Gerdish can be used either as the best parents for selection programs based on their GCA effects, or as a superior parent in hybrid programs based on their SCA effects.

Sixty isolates of Pythium aphanidermatum as the causal agent of sugar beet root rot were selected on the basis of their geographical origins, morphological and genetic diversity studies. Pathogenicity test using the Kruskal-Wallis analysis showed significant differences between the pathogenic potential of isolates. Based on the growth rate, isolates were categorized in two groups with low and high growth rate. The potential of ISSR and rep-PCR for fingerprinting purposes was evaluated using eight ISSR and three rep-PCR primers. A strong linear relationship was observed between resolving power of a primer, PIC, and MI. PIC value for the rep-PCR primers (0.41) was higher than the ISSR primers (0.39). Based on UPGMA method and Jaccard's coefficient, ISSR separated Khuzestan and Fars provinces isolates from other isolates at 63% similarity level, while rep-PCR separated these isolates at 61% similarity level. The PCA analysis showed that despite the similarities of both markers, rep-PCR represent a higher resolution than the ISSR. So the rep-PCR marker leads to further differentiating of the isolates. There was a relationship between genetic divergence and geographical origins of isolates. rep-PCR can replace ISSR in diversity studies because of their comparable accuracy in the interpretation of genetic diversity of isolates.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is largely consumed in Iran as an oleaginous and confectionery product. In this study, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity and phenolic composition in different parts of the seeds from six sunflower genotypes were investigated. The antioxidant activity of extract was evaluated by different assays. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents in kernel were 6.8 and 4.1 times higher than those in shell. Antioxidant activity of kernel extract was significantly higher than shell. It can be attributed to higher total phenolic and flavonoid content. In kernel extracts, a positive correlation coefficient was observed between total phenolic content and FRAP (r = 0.636) and Nitric oxide radical inhibition (r= 0. 721) assays. The amount of identified phenolic compounds varied in different extracts and ranged from 0.29 µg/g (Vanillic acid, shell of S5 genotype) to 433.6 µg/g (Syringic acid, kernel of S2 genotype). Therefore, the result indicated that kernel sunflower seeds can be used as potent natural antioxidants in diet.