Exploring the Potential of Heterosis to Improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Popcorn Plants.

Nitrogen is crucial for plant growth and development, and improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is a viable strategy for reducing dependence on nitrogen inputs and promoting sustainability. While the benefits of heterosis in corn are well known, the physiological mechanisms underlying this phenomenon in popcorn are less understood. We aimed to investigate the effects of heterosis on growth and physiological traits in four popcorn lines and their hybrids under two contrasting nitrogen conditions. We evaluated morpho-agronomic and physiological traits such as leaf pigments, the maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII, and leaf gas exchange. Components associated with NUE were also evaluated. N deprivation caused reductions of up to 65% in terms of plant architecture, 37% in terms of leaf pigments, and 42% in terms of photosynthesis-related traits. Heterosis had significant effects on growth traits, NUE, and foliar pigments, particularly under low soil nitrogen conditions. N-utilization efficiency was found to be the mechanism favoring superior hybrid performance for NUE. Non-additive genetic effects were predominant in controlling the studied traits, indicating that exploring heterosis is the most effective strategy for obtaining superior hybrids to promote NUE. The findings are relevant and beneficial for agro farmers seeking sustainable agricultural practices and improved crop productivity through the optimization of nitrogen utilization.

Recurrent Interpopulation Selection in Popcorn: From Heterosis to Genetic Gains.

In view of the need to develop new popcorn cultivars and considering the uncertainties in choosing the most appropriate breeding methods to ensure consistent genetic progress, simultaneously for both popping expansion and grain yield, this study addressed the efficiency of interpopulation recurrent selection regarding genetic gains, the study of the response in genetic parameters as well as heterotic effects on the control of the main agronomic traits of popcorn. Two populations were established, Pop1 and Pop2. A total of 324 treatments were evaluated, which consisted of 200 half-sib families (100 from Pop1 and 100 from Pop2), 100 full-sib families from the two populations and 24 controls. The field experiment was arranged in a lattice design with three replications in two environments, in the north and northwest regions of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The genotype × environment interaction was partitioned and the genetic parameters, heterosis and predicted gains were estimated by the Mulamba and Mock index, based on selection results in both environments. The genetic parameters detected variability that can be explored in successive interpopulation recurrent selection cycles. Exploring heterosis for GY, PE and yield components is a promising option to increase grain yield and quality. The Mulamba and Mock index was efficient in predicting the genetic gains in GY and PE. Interpopulation recurrent selection proved effective to provide genetic gains for traits with predominantly additive and dominance inheritance.

Additive and Non-Additive Effects on the Control of Key Agronomic Traits in Popcorn Lines under Contrasting Phosphorus Conditions.

Phosphorus is a non-renewable natural resource that will run out of reserves in the upcoming decades, making it essential to understanding the inheritance of nutrient use efficiency for selecting superior genotypes. This study investigated the additive and non-additive effects of commercially relevant traits for the popcorn crop (grain yield-GY, popping expansion-PE, and expanded popcorn volume per hectare-PV) in different conditions of phosphorus (P) availability in two locations in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Six S7 lines previously selected for P use-L59, L70, and P7, efficient and responsive; and L54, L75, and L80, inefficient and non-responsive-were used as testers in crosses with 15 progenies from the fifth cycle of intrapopulation recurrent selection of UENF-14, with adaptation to the North and Northwest regions of Rio de Janeiro State. Using the Griffing diallel analysis, P use efficiency was predominantly additive in the expression of PE, and non-additive effects were prominent for GY and PV. For obtaining genotypes that are efficient for phosphorus use, it is recommended that heterosis with parents that provide additive gene accumulation for PE be explored.

All Are in a Drought, but Some Stand Out: Multivariate Analysis in the Selection of Agronomic Efficient Popcorn Genotypes.

The search for productive germplasm adapted to adverse conditions is an important action to mitigate the harmful effects of climate change. The aim was to identify the yield potential of 50 popcorn inbred lines grown in field conditions, in two crop seasons (CS), and under contrasting water conditions (WC). Morphoagronomic, physiological, and root system traits were evaluated. Joint and individual analyses of variance were performed, in addition to the multivariate GT bip-lot analysis. Expressive reductions between WC were observed in 100-grain weight (100 GW), popping expansion (PE), grain yield (GY), expanded popcorn volume per ha (EPV), row number per ear (RNE), plant height (PH), relative chlorophyll content (SPAD), and nitrogen balance index (NBI). It was found that the SPAD, 100 GW, GY, PE, and grain number per ear (GNE) traits had the most significant impact on the selection of genotypes. Regardless of WC and CS, the ideal lines were L294 and L688 for PE; L691 and L480 for GY; and L291 and L292 for both traits. SPAD, 100 GW, and GNE can contribute to the indirect selection. Our work contributes to understanding the damage caused by drought and the integration of traits for the indirect selection of drought-tolerant popcorn genotypes.

PGPR-Mediated Salt Tolerance in Maize by Modulating Plant Physiology, Antioxidant Defense, Compatible Solutes Accumulation and Bio-Surfactant Producing Genes.

Salinity stress is a barrier to crop production, quality yield, and sustainable agriculture. The current study investigated the plant growth promotion, biochemical and molecular characterization of bacterial strain Enterobacter cloacae PM23 under salinity stress (i.e., 0, 300, 600, and 900 mM). E. cloacae PM23 showed tolerance of up to 3 M NaCl when subjected to salinity stress. Antibiotic-resistant Iturin C (ItuC) and bio-surfactant-producing genes (sfp and srfAA) were amplified in E. cloacae PM23, indicating its multi-stress resistance potential under biotic and abiotic stresses. Moreover, the upregulation of stress-related genes (APX and SOD) helped to mitigate salinity stress and improved plant growth. Inoculation of E. cloacae PM23 enhanced plant growth, biomass, and photosynthetic pigments under salinity stress. Bacterial strain E. cloacae PM23 showed distinctive salinity tolerance and plant growth-promoting traits such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), siderophore, ACC deaminase, and exopolysaccharides production under salinity stress. To alleviate salinity stress, E. cloacae PM23 inoculation enhanced radical scavenging capacity, relative water content, soluble sugars, proteins, total phenolic, and flavonoid content in maize compared to uninoculated (control) plants. Moreover, elevated levels of antioxidant enzymes and osmoprotectants (Free amino acids, glycine betaine, and proline) were noticed in E. cloacae PM23 inoculated plants compared to control plants. The inoculation of E. cloacae PM23 significantly reduced oxidative stress markers under salinity stress. These findings suggest that multi-stress tolerant E. cloacae PM23 could enhance plant growth by mitigating salt stress and provide a baseline and ecofriendly approach to address salinity stress for sustainable agriculture.

Water Use Efficiency in Popcorn (Zea mays L. var. everta): Which Physiological Traits Would Be Useful for Breeding?

To ensure genetic gains in popcorn breeding programs carried out under drought conditions knowledge about the response of morphophysiological traits of plants to water stress for the selection of key traits is required. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate popcorn inbred lines with agronomically efficient (P2 and P3) and inefficient (L61 and L63) water use and two hybrids (P2xL61 and P3xL63) derived from these contrasting parents, cultivated under two water regimes (WW watered-WW; and water-stressed-WS) in a greenhouse, replicated five times, where each experimental unit consisted of one plant in a PVC tube. Irrigation was applied until stage V6 and suspended thereafter. Individual and combined analyses of variance were performed and the genotypic correlations and relative heteroses estimated. The water use efficient inbred lines were superior in root length (RL), root dry weight (RDW), and net CO2 assimilation rate (A), which were the characteristics that differentiated the studied genotypes most clearly. High heterosis estimates were observed for RL, SDW, leaf width (LW), leaf midrib length (LL), and agronomic water use efficiency (AWUE). The existence of a synergistic association between root angle and length for the characteristics A, stomatal conductance (gs), and chlorophyll concentration (SPAD index) proved most important for the identification and phenotyping of superior genotypes. Based on the study of these characteristics, the higher AWUE of the previously selected inbred lines could be explained. The results reinforced the importance of root physiological and morphological traits to explain AWUE and the possibility of advances by exploiting heterosis, given the morphophysiological superiority of hybrids in relation to parents.

Supporting Physiological Trait for Indirect Selection for Grain Yield in Drought-Stressed Popcorn.

The identification of traits associated with drought tolerance in popcorn is a contribution to support selection of superior plants under soil water deficit. The objective of this study was to choose morphological traits and the leaf greenness index, measured on different dates, to estimate grain yield (GY) and popping expansion (PE), evaluated in a set of 20 popcorn lines with different genealogies, estimated by multiple regression models. The variables were divided into three groups: morpho-agronomic traits-100-grain weight (GW), prolificacy (PR), tassel length (TL), number of tassel branches, anthesis-silking interval, leaf angle (FA) and leaf rolling (FB); variables related to the intensity of leaf greenness during the grain-filling period, at the leaf level, measured by a portable chlorophyll meter (SPAD) and at the canopy level, calculated as the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The inbred lines were cultivated under two water conditions: well-watered (WW), maintained at field capacity, and water stress (WS), for which irrigation was stopped before male flowering. The traits GY (55%) and PE (28%) were most affected by water restriction. Among the morpho-agronomic traits, GW and PR were markedly reduced (>10%). Under dry conditions, the FA in relation to the plant stalk tended to be wider, the FB curvature greater and leaf senescence accelerated (>15% at 22 days after male flowering). The use of multiple regression for the selection of predictive traits proved to be a useful tool for the identification of groups of adequate traits to efficiently predict the economically most important features of popcorn (GY and PE). The SPAD index measured 17 days after male flowering proved useful to select indirectly for GY, while, among the morphological traits, TL stood out for the same purpose. Of all traits, PR was most strongly related with PE under WS, indicating its use in breeding programs. The exploitation of these traits by indirect selection is expected to induce increments in GY and PE.

Phenotyping Latin American Open-Pollinated Varieties of Popcorn for Environments with Low Water Availability.

Drought is a common abiotic stress in tropical and subtropical regions that limits the growth and development of agricultural crops, mainly impacting grain yield. Acting through plant breeding is the most viable alternative for obtaining genotypes more tolerant of environments with stress. This work aims to select popcorn genotypes for environments with drought and to identify discriminating traits for the evaluation of drought tolerance in popcorn germplasm. Fifteen Latin American populations of popcorn were evaluated in water stress (WS) and well-watered (WW) conditions. The evaluated traits were based in morpho-agronomic, physiological and radicular descriptors. Data were submitted to individual and joint ANOVA and GT Biplot analysis. Variability was detected between populations for all traits in both conditions. The drought caused a reduction of 30.61% and 3.5% in grain yield and popping expansion, respectively. Based in GT biplot analysis, 880POP was the most stable in WS and WW, being indicated as a promising population for cultivation in environments with water limitation. This study is going to allow the establishment of a collection of great importance to maize germplasm and to provide information to facilitate the process of selection in breeding programs focused on drought tolerance.

Combined selection for adaptability, genotypic stability and cowpea yield from mixed models / Seleção combinada para adaptabilidade, estabilidade genotípica e produtividade de feijão-caupi a partir de modelos mistos

ABSTRACT: The potential expression of crop productivity is a constant challenge for plant breeders in the face of oscillations in environmental variables, making selection difficult and increasing the operational and methodological costs in obtaining the ideal cultivar for a determined region. The objective of the research was to investigate the effects of genotype x environment interaction in the selection of cowpea lines with high grain yield, adaptability, and genotypic stability simultaneously, in environments of the Northwest region of Rio de Janeiro State, using mixed models (Maximum Restricted Likelihood - REML/Best Linear Unbiased Prediction - BLUP). 27 cowpea genotypes were evaluated in six environments by combining location (Cambuci-RJ and Bom Jesus do Itabapoana-RJ) and year (2016, 2017 and 2018). A randomized block design with four replications was performed. The genetic parameters were estimated via the REML/BLUP procedure, and the selection was based on the harmonic mean method of the relative performance of the genetic values (HMRPGV). A meaningful difference was observed for environment and genotype x environment interaction. The residual variance and the variance of the genotype x environment interaction formed the most significant fractions of the phenotypic variance. Lines 4 (Bico-de-ouro 1-5-24), 6 (Pingo-de-Ouro 1-5-4), 5 (Pingo-de-Ouro 1-5-26), and 9 (Pingo-de-Ouro 1-5-8), stood out as superior in terms of stability and adaptability and grain yield by HMRPGV. Commercial cultivars 13 (BRS-Tumucumaque) and 26 (BRS-Itaim) had high grain yield, adaptability, and specific stability in the evaluated edaphoclimatic conditions.

RESUMO: A expressão potencial da produtividade das culturas constitui um desafio constante aos criadores de plantas frente às oscilações das variáveis ambientais, dificultando a seleção e onerando os custos operacionais e metodológicos na obtenção da cultivar ideal para determinada região. O objetivo do trabalho foi investigar os efeitos da interação genótipos x ambientes na seleção de linhagens de feijão-caupi com alta produtividade de grãos, adaptabilidade e estabilidade genotípica simultaneamente, em ambientes da região Noroeste do estado do Rio de Janeiro, usando modelos mistos (Máximo Verosimilhança Restrita - REML/Melhor Predição Linear não Viesado - BLUP). Avaliou-se 27 genótipos de feijão-caupi em seis ambientes pela combinação de local (Cambuci-RJ e Bom Jesus do Itabapoana-RJ) e ano (2016, 2017 e 2018). Foi utilizado o delineamento em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Os parâmetros genéticos foram estimados via procedimento REML/BLUP, e a seleção baseou-se no método da média harmônica do desempenho relativo dos valores genéticos (HMRPGV). Observou-se diferença significativa para ambiente e interação genótipo x ambiente. A variância residual e a variância da interação genótipo x ambiente formaram as maiores frações da variância fenotípica. As linhagens 4 (Bico-de-ouro 1-5-24), 6 (Pingo-de-ouro 1-5-4), 5 (Pingo-de-ouro 1-5-26) e 9 (Pingo-de-ouro 1-5-8) foram classificadas como superiores quanto a estabilidade e adaptabilidade e rendimento de grãos pelo critério da HMRPGV. As cultivares comerciais 13 (BRS-Tumucumaque) e 26 (BRS-Itaim) reuniram elevada produtividade de grãos, adaptabilidade e estabilidade específica nas condições edafoclimáticas avaliadas.

Limited Nitrogen and Plant Growth Stages Discriminate Well Nitrogen Use, Uptake and Utilization Efficiency in Popcorn.

The extensive use of nitrogen (N) in agriculture has caused negative impacts on the environment and costs. In this context, two pot experiments were performed under different N levels and harvested at different vegetative stages to assess two popcorn inbred lines (P2 and L80) and their hybrid (F1 = P2 × L80) for the N use, uptake and utilization efficiency (with the inclusion and exclusion of root N content); to find the contrasting N levels and vegetative stages that effect nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and to understand the relationship between the traits related to NUE. The hybrid and P2 were confirmed better than L80 for all the studied traits. NUE is mainly affected by the shoot dry weight, uptake and utilization efficiency. Extremely low and high N levels were found to be more discriminating for N use and dry weight, respectively. At the V6 (six fully expanded leaf) stage, root N content (RNC) should be considered; in contrast, at the VT (tasseling stage) stage, RNC should not be considered for the uptake and utilization efficiency. The genetic parameter performance for N use, uptake, shoot dry weight and N content could favor the achievement of the genetic gain in advanced segregating generations.

Testers in supersweet corn lines / Avaliação de testadores em linhagens de milho superdoce

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the discriminatory capacity of tester lines for tropical corn lines converted to supersweet shrunken (sh2) gene, for the development of hybrids adapted to tropical conditions. Lines were used as female parents in crosses with three testers: open-pollinated mixed variety; supersweet line L4; supersweet commercial hybrid Tropical Plus. Four trials were carried out to evaluate topcrosses in Maringá - PR e Sabáudia - PR, Brazil in the main growing season of 2015/16. The following traits were evaluated: total ear weight (TEW, in kg), commercial ear weight (CEW, in kg) and total soluble solids (TSS, in °Brix). The GCA estimates for TEW and CEW were highest for L4. The lines Balu-114 and UEM-25 were selected based on the effects of g ̂ ifor the traits studied and should be used in the establishment of base populations for the breeding of superior lines. The s ̂ ijvalue for TEW was highest for cross BALU-182 x Tropical, while for CEW was the highest value for cross BALU-94 x Mista.

RESUMO: O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho de testadores quanto à capacidade de discriminação de linhagens tropicais convertidas à superdoce, por meio da incorporação do gene shrunken (sh2), visando a produção de híbridos adaptados às condições tropicais. As linhagens utilizadas como parentais femininos foram os testadores: variedade de polinização aberta Mista; linhagem superdoce L4; híbrido comercial superdoce Tropical Plus. Os quatro experimentos foram conduzidos em Maringá - PR e Sabáudia - PR, na safra verão de 2015/16. As características avaliadas foram: Peso de espigas totais (PET, em kg), Peso de espigas comerciais (PEC, em kg) e sólidos solúveis totais (SST, em ºBrix). A linhagem L4 foi o testador que mais proporcionou efeito de heterose. As maiores estimativas de CGC para PET e PEC foram obtidas por L4. As linhagens Balu-114 e UEM-25 foram selecionados com base nos efeitos de g ̂ i para as características estudadas e deverão ser utilizados na formação de populações base para a extração de linhagens superiores. O cruzamento BALU-182 x Tropical apresentou o maior valor de s ̂ ijpara PET, enquanto o cruzamento BALU-94 x Mista obteve o melhor valor para PEC.

Relative importance of gene effects for nitrogen-use efficiency in popcorn.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of additive and non-additive genes on the efficiency of nitrogen (N) use and N responsiveness in inbred popcorn lines. The parents, hybrids and reciprocal crosses were evaluated in a 10x10 triple lattice design at two sites and two levels of N availability. To establish different N levels in the two experiments, fertilization was carried out at sowing, according to soil analysis reports. However, for the experiments with ideal nitrogen availability, N was sidedressed according to the crop requirement, whereas for the N-poor experiments sidedressing consisted of 30% of that applied in the N-rich environment. Two indices were evaluated, the Harmonic Mean of the Relative Performance (HMRP) and Agronomic Efficiency under Low Nitrogen Availability (AELN), both based on grain yield at both N levels. Both additive and non-additive gene effects were important for selection for N-use efficiency. Moreover, there was allelic complementarity between the lines and a reciprocal effect for N-use efficiency, indicating the importance of the choice of the parents used as male or female. The best hybrids were obtained from inbred popcorn lines with contrasting N-use efficiency and N responsiveness.

SNP-based mixed model association of growth- and yield-related traits in popcorn.

The identification of the genes responsible for complex traits is highly promising to accelerate crop breeding, but such information is still limited for popcorn. Thus, in the present study, a mixed linear model-based association analysis (MLMA) was applied for six important popcorn traits: plant and ear height, 100-grain weight, popping expansion, grain yield and expanded popcorn volume per hectare. To this end, 196 plants of the open-pollinated popcorn population UENF-14 were sampled, selfed (S1), and then genotyped with a panel of 10,507 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) markers distributed throughout the genome. The six traits were studied under two environments [Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ (ENV1) and Itaocara-RJ (ENV2)] in an incomplete block design. Based on the phenotypic data of the S1 progenies and on the genetic characteristics of the parents, the MLMA was performed. Thereafter, genes annotated in the MaizeGDB platform were screened for potential linkage disequilibrium with the SNPs associated to the six evaluated traits. Overall, seven and eight genes were identified as associated with the traits in ENV1 and ENV2, respectively, and proteins encoded by these genes were evaluated for their function. The results obtained here contribute to increase knowledge on the genetic architecture of the six evaluated traits and might be used for marker-assisted selection in breeding programs.

Azospirillum brasilense promotes increases in growth and nitrogen use efficiency of maize genotypes.

The development of cultivars with an improved nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) together with the application of plant growth-promoting bacteria is considered one of the main strategies for reduction of fertilizers use. In this sense, this study: i) evaluated the effect of Azospirillum brasilense on the initial development of maize genotypes; ii) investigated the influence of A. brasilense inoculation on NUE under nitrogen deficit; and iii) sought for more NUE genotypes with higher responsiveness to A. brasilense inoculation. Twenty-seven maize genotypes were evaluated in three independent experiments. The first evaluated the initial development of maize genotypes with and without A. brasilense (strain Ab-V5) inoculation of seeds on germination paper in a growth chamber. The second and third experiments were carried out in a greenhouse using Leonard pots and pots with substrate, respectively, and the genotypes were evaluated at high nitrogen, low nitrogen and low nitrogen plus A. brasilense Ab-V5 inoculation. The inoculation of seeds with A. brasilense Ab-V5 intensified plant growth, improved biochemical traits and raised NUE under nitrogen deficit. The inoculation of seeds with A. brasilense can be considered an economically viable and environmentally sustainable strategy for maize cultivation.

Estimation of genetic merit of diallel hybrids of sweet pepper by mixed models / Estimação do mérito genético de híbridos dialélicos de pimentão sob cultivo hidropônico via modelos mistos

ABSTRACT: The use of mixed models for evaluating diallel crosses is a highly timely option to the reliable prediction of progeny genetic values. In the sweet pepper crop, hybrids are commercially explored on a large scale, mainly because of their characteristics of economic importance. This study aimed to assess the potential of hybrids obtained from a partial diallel among five sweet pepper lines developed for the hydroponic cultivation system and two simple hybrids, by applying mixed models. It was performed crosses in the partial diallel scheme among the (L1B, L6, L7, L18, and L19) lines and the simple hybrids 'Valdor' and 'Atlantis'. Plants were cultivated in hydroponic system with substrate and irrigated three times a day using nutrient solution. On the basis of mixed models, the following traits were assessed: mean fruit diameter (FD), mean fruit length (FL), mean fruit number per plant (FNP), mean fruit mass (FM), early yield (EYIELD), and mean fruit mass per plant (FMP). The L6 line was the one that showed the highest estimate of general combination capacity for FMP, FM, and EYIELD, proving to be promising for recommendation. The hybrid that provided the best specific combining ability for FD, FM, FMP, and EYIELD was L6 x 'Valdor'. Triple hybrids were efficient to maximize yield for the traits of interest by the use of the mixed model.

RESUMO: A utilização de modelos mistos na avaliação de cruzamentos dialélicos é uma opção altamente oportuna para a fidedigna predição dos valores genéticos das progênies. Na cultura do pimentão, os híbridos são largamente explorados comercialmente, principalmente por suas características de importância econômica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial de híbridos resultantes de um dialelo parcial entre cinco linhagens de pimentão desenvolvidas para o sistema de cultivo hidropônico e dois híbridos simples, utilizando modelos mistos. Foram realizados cruzamentos no esquema de dialelo parcial entre as linhagens (L1B, L6, L7, L18 e L19) e os híbridos simples 'Valdor' e 'Atlantis'. As plantas foram cultivadas em sistema hidropônico com substrato e irrigadas três vezes ao dia com solução nutritiva. Com base em modelos mistos, foram avaliadas as características: diâmetro médio de frutos (DF); comprimento médio de frutos (CF); número médio de frutos por planta (NFP); massa média de frutos (MMF); produção precoce (PP) e massa média de frutos por planta (MFP). A linhagem L6 foi a que expressou maior estimativa de capacidade geral de combinação para MFP, MMF e PP, revelando-se promissora para recomendação. O híbrido triplo que apresentou melhor capacidade específica de combinação para DF, MMF, MFP e PP, foi L6 x 'Valdor'. Os híbridos triplos foram eficientes para incrementar a produtividade para as características de interesse com a aplicação da modelagem mista.

Genome wide association study for gray leaf spot resistance in tropical maize core.

Gray leaf spot is a maize foliar disease with worldwide distribution and can drastically reduce the production in susceptible genotypes. Published works indicate that resistance to gray leaf spot is a complex trait controlled by multiple genes, with additive effect and influenced by environment. The aim of this study was to identify genomic regions, including putative genes, associated with resistance to gray leaf spot under natural conditions of disease occurrence. A genome wide association study was conducted with 355,972 single nucleotide polymorphism markers on a phenotypic data composed by 157 tropical maize inbred lines, evaluated at Maringá -Brazil. Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms were significantly associated with gray leaf spot, some of which were localized to previously reported quantitative trait loci regions. Three gene models linked to the associated single nucleotide polymorphism were expressed at flowering time and tissue related with gray leaf spot infection, explaining a considerable proportion of the phenotypic variance, ranging from 0.34 to 0.38. The gene model GRMZM2G073465 (bin 10.07) encodes a cysteine protease3 protein, gene model GRMZM2G007188 (bin 1.02) expresses a rybosylation factor-like protein and the gene model GRMZM2G476902 (bin 4.08) encodes an armadillo repeat protein. These three proteins are related with plant defense pathway. Once these genes are validated in next studies, they will be useful for marker-assisted selection and can help improve the understanding of maize resistance to gray leaf spot.

GGE Biplot projection in discriminating the efficiency of popcorn lines to use nitrogen / Projeção GGE Biplot na discriminação da eficiência de linhagens de milho-pipoca ao uso do nitrogênio

ABSTRACT Nitrogen is essential for sustaining life on the planet, and it is the most important nutrient for obtaining high agricultural production. However, their use leads to the release of nitrous oxide with a global warming potential 296 times higher than the CO2 molecule, making it a challenge to reduce their use in agriculture. The objective of this research was to identify efficient popcorn inbred lines and responsive nitrogen use and exhibit a good expansion volume. For this, 29 inbred lines from the Germplasm Collection of Darcy Ribeiro North Fluminense State University (UENF) were evaluated at two contrasting levels of nitrogen availability (low and ideal) at two representative locations in the north and northwest of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, arranged in a randomized block design with three replicates. These inbred lines were discriminated against efficient use of nitrogen by multivariate GGE Biplot. Selective accuracy was close to 1, showing that the genotypes were enough to provide contrasting success in selection procedures. The first two main components (PC) retained 93.82% of the total variation, and PC1 furnished an information ratio (IR) that was unaffected by noise. L77 was the most unstable line, while P7, P2, P6, P3, P5, P4, P9, P10, P8, P9, L70, L74, and L55 were efficient and responsive. The GGE biplot method is recommended for the reliable identification of popcorn lines that are efficient and responsive to the use of nitrogen.

RESUMO O nitrogênio é indispensável à manutenção da vida no planeta, sendo o mais importante nutriente para a obtenção de elevadas produções agrícolas. No entanto, a sua utilização ocasiona a liberação de óxido nitroso, com potencial de aquecimento global 296 vezes maior que a molécula de CO2, tornando-se um grande desafio a redução de seu uso na agricultura. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi identificar linhagens de milho-pipoca eficientes e responsivas no uso de nitrogênio e que apresentem um elevada capacidade de expansão. Para isto, avaliaram-se 29 linhagens da Coleção de Germoplasma da Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF) em dois níveis contrastantes de nitrogênio (baixo e ideal) em dois locais representativos do Norte e Noroeste do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, arranjadas no delineamento em blocos casualizados com três repetições. Estas linhagens foram discriminadas em relação a eficiência no uso do nitrogênio pela técnica multivariada GGE Biplot. A acurácia seletiva foi próxima de 1, revelando que os genótipos foram suficientes contrastantes para proporcionar sucesso em procedimentos seletivos. Os dois primeiros componentes principais (CP) retiveram 93,82% da variação total, sendo que o CP1 expressou relação de informação (IR) não impactada por ruídos. L77 foi a linhagem mais instável, enquanto P7, P2, P6, P3, P5, P4, P9, P10, P8, P9, L70, L74 e L55 foram eficientes e responsivas. Recomenda-se o método GGE Biplot na identificação fidedigna de linhagens de milho-pipoca eficientes e responsivas ao uso do nitrogênio.

Diallel mixed-model analysis of papaya fruit deformities / Análise dialélica via modelos mistos das deformidades em frutos de mamoeiro

ABSTRACT: Changes in the shape of fruits from hermaphrodite flowers due to floral anomalies are quite common. The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of the general and specific combining ability on the proportions of normal and deformed (carpelloid and pentandric) papaya fruits in hermaphrodite plants using mixed models. The ‘JS12-N’, ‘Waimanalo’ and ‘Golden’ parents showed the potential to decrease the number of deformed fruits. In contrast, the ‘Maradol x JS12-N’, ‘Maradol x Waimanalo’, ‘Maradol x Golden’, ‘JS12-N x JS12-4’, ‘JS12-N x Sekati’, ‘JS12-N x Waimanalo’, ‘Waimanalo x JS12-N’, ‘Waimanalo x JS12-4’, ‘Waimanalo x Golden’, ‘Waimanalo x Sunrise Solo 72/12’, ‘Golden x Maradol’, ‘Golden x JS12-N’, ‘Golden x Sekati’, ‘Golden x Waimanalo’ and ‘São Mateus x JS12-N’ hybrids have the potential to increase the number of marketable fruits while decreasing the number of carpelloid and pentandric fruits.

RESUMO: Alterações na forma dos frutos originários de flores hermafroditas são bastante comuns. Estas alterações são provocadas por anomalias florais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo obter via modelos mistos estimativas de capacidade geral e específica de combinação para proporção de frutos de mamoeiro normais e com deformidades: carpeloidia e pentandria, em plantas hermafroditas. Os genitores ‘JS12-N’, ‘Waimanalo’ e ‘Golden’ apresentam potencial para redução de frutos com deformidades. Os híbridos ‘Maradol x JS12-N’, ‘Maradol x Waimanalo’, ‘Maradol x Golden’, ‘JS 12-N x JS12-4’, ‘JS 12-N x Sekati’, ‘JS 12-N x Waimanalo’, ‘Waimanalo x JS12-N’, ‘Waimanalo x JS12-4’, ‘Waimanalo x Golden’, ‘Waimanalo x Sunrise Solo 72/12’, ‘Golden x Maradol’, ‘Golden x JS12-N’, ‘Golden x Sekati’, ‘Golden x Waimanalo’ e ‘São Mateus x JS12-N’ apresentaram potencial para aumento do número de frutos comerciais e redução de frutos carpelóides e pentândricos.

Indexes in the comparison of pre-commercial genotypes of common bean / Índices na comparação de genótipos pré-comerciais de feijão - vagem

The objective of this research was to analyze the use of cultivar index selection (GARCIA, 1998) in the indication of superior genotypes of common bean for the northwest region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, in comparison to the other nonparametric indices used in plant breeding. The indexes of ELSTON (1963), MULAMBA & MOCK (1978), SCHWARZBACH (1972) and GARCIA (1998) were employed in the evaluation of 14 strains (F9 e F10) of common bean of indeterminate growth habit. The experiments were conducted in the municipalities of Bom Jesus do Itabapoana (2010 and 2011) and Cambuci (2011). The design employed was of randomized blocks with four repetitions. The traits pod yield (PRODV), grain yield (PRODG), average number of pods per plant (NMVP), average weight of pod (PMV) and average number of seeds per pod (NMSV) were assessed. The index of GARCIA (1998) proved to be more efficient than the other indexes, since it showed more correlation with PRODV and selected more productive strains. The recommended genotypes were: UENF 7-5-1 and UENF 7-6-1, followed by the genotypes UENF 7-10-1, UENF 7-12-1 and UENF 7-20-1.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a utilização do índice de seleção de cultivares (GARCIA, 1998) na indicação de genótipos superiores de feijão-vagem para a região Noroeste do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, em comparação a outros índices não paramétricos comumente utilizados no melhoramento vegetal. Os índices de ELSTON (1963), MULAMBA & MOCK (1978), SCHWARZBACH (1972) e GARCIA (1998) foram empregados na avaliação de 14 linhagens (F9 e F10) de feijão-vagem de hábito de crescimento indeterminado. Os experimentos foram conduzidos nos municípios de Bom Jesus do Itabapoana (2010 e 2011) e Cambuci (2011). O delineamento empregado foi o de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. As características produtividade de vagens (PRODV), produtividade de grãos (PRODG), número médio de vagens por planta (NMVP), peso médio de vagem (PMV) e número médio de sementes por vagem (NMSV) foram avaliadas. O índice de GARCIA (1998) demonstrou ser mais eficiente que os demais índices, uma vez que apresentou maior correlação com a PRODV e selecionou as linhagens mais produtivas. Os genótipos recomendados foram: UENF 7-5-1 e UENF 7-6-1, seguidos pelos genótipos UENF 7-10-1, UENF 7-12-1 e UENF 7-20-1.

Breeding full-sib families of sugar cane using selection index / Melhoramento em famílias de irmãos-completos de cana-de-açúcar usando índices de seleção

An experiment with families belonging to the first selection stage (T1) of the Sugar Cane Breeding Program (PMGCA) of the Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ)/RIDESA was carried out in the Plant Disa, located in the municipality of Conceição da Barra-ES, in 2006, aiming to evaluate families, for the selection of superior plants for the later stages of the breeding program of the culture. Sixty-eight full-sib families and three genotypes considered standards with potential recommendation for the area under study were evaluated. The experiment was arranged in a statistical randomized block design, in which the families were grouped into four sets. Each set had four replicates and one hundred seedlings per plot, with spacing of 0.5 meters between plants and 1.40 between rows. The evaluations were conducted during two growing seasons, corresponding to the first and second ratoon, 2008 and 2009, respectively. The traits stem diameter (DMC), total weight of the plot (P), number of stems (NC) Brix of the lower stem (Brix PE) and Brix of the upper stem (Brix PT) were assessed. All traits were significant for the genotypes, by the F test (P<0.01), in joint analyses of environments, which reveals significant differences between families. The values found in this study for the genetic variation coefficient (CVg) indicate great potential for success in breeding programs targeting at the selection of the traits evaluated. The highest gains were achieved when the indices of Smith and Hazel and Mulamba and Mock were used, which allowed simultaneous superior gains in all traits for the best families.

Foi instalado, em 2006, na Usina Disa, Município de Conceição da Barra-ES, um ensaio de famílias pertencentes a primeira fase de seleção (T1) do Programa de Melhoramento Genético da Cana-de-Açúcar (PMGCA) da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ)/ RIDESA, com o objetivo de avaliar famílias, visando à seleção de plantas superiores para as fases posteriores do programa de melhoramento genético da cultura. Foram avaliadas 68 famílias de irmãos-completos e mais três genótipos considerados padrões, com potencial de recomendação para a região avaliada. O delineamento estatístico utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso, no qual as famílias foram agrupadas em quatro sets, cada qual com quatro repetições e cem seedlings por parcela, espaçadas a 0,5 metros entre plantas e 1,40 metros entre linhas. As avaliações foram efetuadas durante duas safras agrícolas, correspondentes a primeira e a segunda soca, 2008 e 2009, respectivamente, sendo avaliadas as características diâmetro médio do colmo (DMC), peso total da parcela (P), número de colmos (NC), Brix da parte inferior do colmo (Brix PE) e Brix da parte superior do colmo (Brix PT). Todas as características foram significativas para famílias avaliadas, pelo teste F (P<0,01) nas análises conjuntas dos ambientes, demonstrando haver diferenças significativas entre as famílias. Os valores encontrados, no presente estudo, para o parâmetro genético coeficiente de variação genético (CVg), indicam grandes possibilidades de sucesso neste programa de melhoramento visando à seleção para as características avaliadas, sendo atribuídos os maiores ganhos genéticos quando utilizados os índices de Smith e Hazel e Mulamba e Mock, os quais permitiram ganhos simultâneos superiores em todas as características avaliadas para as melhores famílias.