Genotypic variation of zinc and selenium concentration in grains of Brazilian wheat lines.

Exploration of genetic resources for micronutrient concentrations facilitates the breeding of nutrient-dense crops, which is increasingly seen as an additional, sustainable strategy to combat global micronutrient deficiency. In this work, we evaluated genotypic variation in grain nutrient concentrations of 20 Brazil wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) accessions in response to zinc (Zn) and Zn plus selenium (Se) treatment. Zn and Se concentrations in grains exhibited 2- and 1.5-fold difference, respectively, between these wheat accessions. A variation of up to 3-fold enhancement of grain Zn concentration was observed when additionally Zn was supplied, indicating a wide range capacity of the wheat lines in accumulating Zn in grains. Moreover, grain Zn concentration was further enhanced in some lines following supply of Zn plus Se, showing stimulative effect by Se and the feasibility of simultaneous biofortification of Zn and Se in grains of some wheat lines. In addition, Se supply with Zn improved the accumulation of another important micronutrient, iron (Fe), in grains of half of these wheat lines, suggesting a beneficial role of simultaneous biofortification of Zn with Se. The significant diversity in these wheat accessions offers genetic potential for developing cultivars with better ability to accumulate important micronutrients in grains.

Evaluation of germplasm effect on Fe, Zn and Se content in wheat seedlings.

Micronutrients are essential for human health and crucial for plant survival. The capacity of food crops in acquiring mineral nutrients affects plant growth and potentially the yield and nutrient content in edible tissues/organs. In this study, we selected 20 wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) accessions and evaluated genotypic variations of the young seedlings in response to iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se) treatments. Wheat accessions exhibited different growth responses to these minerals and possessed various abilities to accumulate them. Wheat seedlings in general were less tolerable to excess of Fe and benefits from increased levels of Zn supply. They were sensitive to selenite and profited from selenate treatment at low dosages. Limited mineral interactions were observed between Fe or Zn with other nutrients. In contrast, selenate supply enhanced Fe, Zn, sulfur (S), molybdenum (Mo), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca) and manganese (Mn) content in wheat seedlings, supporting its beneficial role in promoting plant growth; Selenite supplement reduced Zn, S, Mo, Mg, Ca and Mn levels in the plants, consisting with its detrimental role in inhibiting seedling growth. Based on nutrient accumulation, plant growth, and mineral interaction, a number of accessions such as EMB 38 and BRS 264 appeared to be good lines for breeding wheat cultivars with better plant health and potential to accumulate essential micronutrients in edible grains.

Estimates of genetic parameters for physic nut traits based in the germplasm two years evaluation / Estimativa de parâmetros genéticos de caracteres de pinhão-manso em dois anos de avaliação do banco de germoplasma

In spite of increasingly widespread interest in planting physic nut, breeding efforts are still in its infancy. In that context, an important resource recently established aiming future breeding efforts was the assembly of a germplasm bank with near 200 accessions. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters, repeatibility coefficients and genetic correlation between seven traits, measured in 110 accessions (half sib families) of this germplasm bank in different stages of development. The results show that higher relative values of additive variance were only found for yield and height, and the existence of low environmental variation (either of temporary or permanent nature) among plots within blocks. Given the high repeatibility values found for all traits, on average three measurements are necessary to predict, accurately and efficiently, the true breeding value of an individual. Based on the results of genetic correlations, breeding effort should initially be use track trees with increased stem diameter, elevated number of branches and canopy volume so as to increase the chances of finding an exceptionally highly productive tree.

Apesar do crescente interesse no plantio do pinhão manso, os esforços de melhoramento ainda estão em seu início. Nesse contexto, um importante recurso recentemente estabelecido visando a futuros trabalhos de melhoramento foi a montagem de um banco de germoplasma com cerca de 200 acessos. O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar parâmetros genéticos, coeficientes de repetibilidade e correlações genéticas entre sete características, mensuradas em 110 acessos (famílias de meios-irmãos) desse banco de germoplasma em diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento. Os resultados demonstram que valores elevados de variância genética aditiva foram encontrados apenas para produção e altura e a existência de baixa variação ambiental (tanto de natureza temporária quanto permanente) entre parcelas dentro de blocos. Dado os altos valores de repetibilidade encontrados para todas as características, em média três mensurações são necessárias para se predizer, acurada e eficientemente, o real valor de melhoramento de um indivíduo. Baseado nos resultados de correlações genéticas, esforços de melhoramento devem inicialmente ser usados para se identificar árvores de elevado diâmetro de caule, elevado número de ramos e volume de copa, de modo a aumentar as chances de se encontrar árvores excepcionalmente produtivas.

Caracterização morfo-agronômica do banco de germoplasma de pinhao manso na fase jovem / Morpho-agronomic characterization of the germplasm bank of jatropha young stage

O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar a caracterização mofo-agronômica no banco de germoplasma de pinhão-manso com base na avaliação fenotípica realizada no primeiro ano de implantação. O estudo foi realizado com 175 acessos de pinhão-manso do banco de germoplasma, que estão implantados em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com duas repetições, sendo cinco plantas por parcela no espaçamento 4 x 2 m. As características estudadas foram produção de grãos, número de ramos secundários, altura, diâmetro de caule, projeção da copa juvenilidade e altura da primeira inflorescência. Com base nos resultados, verifica-se a existência de variabilidade genética no banco de germoplasma para os caracteres avaliados, sendo possível estabelecer um programa de melhoramento genético para a cultura. As variáveis avaliadas influenciaram diferencialmente, de maneira direta ou indireta, na produção de grãos, sendo a juvenilidade a característica que apresentou o maior efeito direto (negativo) na produção de grãos. Há acessos de pinhão-manso com ausência de ésteres de forbol nos grãos que podem ser fonte de variabilidade genética para o desenvolvimento de cultivares comerciais não tóxicas. Os caracteres quantitativos que mais contribuíram para a divergência genética foram juvenilidade e produção de grãos.

The objective of this work was to make the morpho-agronomic characterization of genetic diversity in the germplasm bank of jatropha based phenotypic analysis performed on the first year of deployment. The study was conducted with 175 accessions of jatropha from the germplasm bank, which are implanted in a randomized block design with two replications, five plants per plot, spaced 4 x 2 m. Based on the results, it appears that there is genetic variability in germplasm bank for all the traits can be exploited in a breeding program for the crop. The variables differentially influenced, directly or indirectly, in grain production, with the juvenility trait with the highest direct effect (negative) in grain production. There are accessions of jatropha in the absence of phorbol esters in the grains that can be a source of genetic variability for the development of commercial cultivars non-toxic. The quantitative traits that contributed most to genetic diversity were juvenile and grain production.