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- Author or Editor: R. Scorza x
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The objective was to study selected physiological characteristics of the canopy and examine changes in dry matter partitioning between the root and shoot in two genetically reduced size growth types (dwarf and pillar) relative to the standard growth type. The dwarf phenotype had reduced leaf/root ratio, less allocation of dry matter to woody tissue and more to leaf tissue, high net photosynthesis, and lower leaf respiration compared to the standard and pillar phenotypes. The dwarf and pillar types had greater resistance to water flow than the standard type. Genetic changes in growth habit significantly alter many physiological parameters of peach tree growth and structure.
Abstract
Stone fruit breeding programs by the USDA have been a major source of improved peach and nectarine cultivars. A nearly complete turnover has occurred in locations, personnel, and cultivars in the 23 years since Havis reviewed these programs (15). It is appropriate to review the changes and note the progress that has been made in the last 2 decades.
Flow cytometric analysis, of leaf nuclei from three cultivars, was used to estimate the DNA content of peach (∼0.61 pg or ∼0.59 × 109 bp/diploid nucleus; 2x=16), and ndicated that the peach genome is only slightly larger than that of Arabidopsis. This value was indirectly confirmed by measurements of nuclei from haploid, triploid and “tetraploid” (cytochimera) peach accessions. cDNA and genomic clones have been used to determine the level of polymorphism among various peach cultivars and related species. Overall, ∼33% of the clones detected polymorphic loci. As expected, the highest level of polymorphism was found in interspecific hybrids (∼50%); whereas in intraspecific populations, only 1 in 5 genomic clones, and 1 in 3 cDNA clones were able to detect polymorphisms (RFLPs). These clones, as well as RAPD primers, are being used to construct a genetic linkage map by analyzing their segregation in 3 intraspecific peach populations (an Fl from France and two F2s from the U.S.). Taken together, these populations are segregating for 12 Mendelian traits and a number of quantitative traits. Our results have enabled us to identify a number of linkage groups, some composed of both molecular and phenotypic markers. The current structure of the peach map is reported.
Two unpruned willow leaf and two unpruned standard leaf peach [Prunuspersica(L.) Batsch.] selections were evaluated for physiological components related to water use efficiency (WUE). The purpose of the study was to assess the value of willow leaf phenotypes to improve water use efficiency in peach and separate the environmental from the genetic components. The willow leaf characteristic itself did not confer improved water use efficiency. Light interception was a key determinant of WUE in these genotypes and the relationship of WUE with intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) by the entire canopy indicated a significant negative correlation. Internal shading of the tree by excessive leaf area reduced WUE and canopies that intercept more than 60% of the PAR have reduced WUE. While WUE is improved by reducing the amount of PAR interception of the canopy, productivity is reduced. Neither of the willow leaf genotypes had a significant correlation of WUE with yield (leaf and fruit weight); however, the standard leaf type cultivars, `Bounty' and `Redhaven', had significantly different regressions that indicate greater productivity in `Bounty' for a given level of WUE. `Redhaven' was the least productive cultivar; `Bounty' was the most productive, and the two willow leaf genotypes were intermediate in the relationship of intercepted PAR with yield. Therefore, genetic differences in peach growth types can be selected for both increased WUE as well as increased productivity. Future work in peach breeding to improve WUE and productivity must take into consideration light interception, productivity, and WUE in an integrated manner to make progress in the efficient use of water and light.
Armillaria root rot (ARR) of peach caused by the soil-borne basidiomycete fungus Armillaria tabescens is causing premature decline and mortality of peach trees on most southeastern U.S. peach farms. Soil inoculum may be present both in former peach orchard sites and on sites that were once in hardwood forest. The fungus is protected under the bark of dead root pieces and may survive up to 100 years at various depths in the soil profile. No commercially available rootstocks are resistant to ARR. Since 2002, we have embarked on a multipronged strategy to develop control options to combat ARR. First, we have two replicated trials on commercial grower replant sites with a history of ARR. Trial 1 compares four preplant fumigation treatments (none, Telone II, methyl bromide, and Enzone), three rootstocks (Lovell, Halford, and Guardian) and preplant root dips with endomycorrhizal fungi. Trial 2 compares the use of raised beds, root collar excavation and preplant root dips. Both trials examine long-term productivity and tree survival. Second, we are examining the use of systemic fungicide injection into infected trees to protect trees around infection foci. Third, we are trying to develop a genetically modified ARR-resistant rootstock. We have inserted the gene encoding the gastrodia antifungal protein (GAFP—a low molecular weight lectin that binds mannose and chitin) from a Chinese orchid into tobacco (model herbaceous system) and plum (model Prunus system). GAFP has antifungal activity against several basidiomycete root rot pathogens. Pathogenicity tests with transformed tobacco plants show enhanced tolerance to several root rot pathogens when compared to nontransformed plants. Transformed plums are being multiplied for pathogenicity tests.
Rooted cuttings of `Halford' and `Redhaven' peaches [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] and `Stanley' (Prunus domestica L.) and `Marianna 2624' (P. cerasifera × P. munsoniana) plums were planted in soil containing ≈38 tomato ringspot virus-(TomRSV) infested nematodes (Xiphinema americanum sensu lato Cobb) per 100 cc. Test- and control-plant sap extracts were made from root and leaf tissues after 10, 22, and 34 weeks. Aliquots of these samples were assayed by mechanical inoculation to Chenopodium quinoa Willd. Total nucleic-acid extracts prepared from the remainder of each sample were analyzed by dot blot hybridization using a cRNA probe for TomRSV. The bioassay identified one `Stanley' and two `Redhaven' infected plants. Hybridization results indicated that two of two `Stanley', three of three `Halford', five of five `Redhaven', and zero of six `Marianna 2624' were infected. Our results demonstrate the sensitivity of molecular hybridization for TomRSV detection in Prunus and substantiate the TomRSV resistance of `Marianna 2624'.
Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv Wisconsin 38) leaf discs were transformed with the disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA101 carrying the Rol C gene from A. rhizogenes (Oono et al., Jpn. J. Genet. 62:501-505, 1987), NPT II and GUS. Shoots that regenerated on kanamycin-containing medium were confirmed transgenic through GUS assays, Southern analyses and transmission of foreign genes through the sexual cycle. Transgenic plants were as short as half the height of control plants, earlier flowering by up to 35 days, had smaller leaves, smaller seed capsules, fewer seeds, smaller flowers and reduced pollen viability. The number of seed capsules, leaf number and root density were similar between transgenic and control plants. Transgenic clones varied in the expression of the Rol C gene and transgenic plants similar or only slightly different from controls were identified. Transformation with the Rol C gene presents a potentially useful method of genetically modifying horticultural crops, particularly for flowering date, height, and leaf and flower size.
Peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.] is considered the best genetically characterized species of the genus Prunus. We therefore used it as a model in our study of the genome organization in Prunus by means of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RPLPs). Initial results indicated that 60% of cloned DNA sequences examined occur at low copy number within the peach genome. After selecting and examining these sequences, polymorphisms sufficient for RPLP mapping were found. We determined that ≫33% of our cDNA clones and 20% of our genomic clones detected RPLPs among peach cultivars. Analysis of RPLP segregation in two families, both of which segregate for known morphological characters, revealed segregation in 12 RFLP markers for one family and 16 for the other. Although we have not detected linkage between RFLP and morphological markers, preliminary analyses indicate possible linkage between two RPLP markers.
We have constructed a genetic linkage map of peach consisting of RFLP, RAPD, and morphological markers, based on 78 F2 individuals derived from the self-fertilization of four F1 individuals originating from a cross between `New Jersey Pillar' and KV 77119. This progeny set was chosen because parental genotypes exhibit variation in canopy shape, fruit flesh color, and flower petal color, size, and number. The segregation of 81 markers comprised of RFLP, RAPD and morphological loci was analyzed. Low copy genomic and cDNA probes were used in the RFLP analysis. The current genetic map for the WV family contains 57 markers assigned to 9 linkage groups, which cover 520 cM of the peach nuclear genome. The average distance between two adjacent markers was 9 cM. Linkage was detected between Pillar (Pi) and double flowers (Dl). RFLP markers loosely linked to Pi, flesh color (Y), and white flower (W) loci were found. Twenty-four markers remain unassigned.
Plants transgenic for potyvirus coat protein (cp) genes have been shown to be resistant to viruses homologous and heterologous to the cp source virus. We have produced plum plants transgenic for the papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) cp gene. PRSV is a potyvirus related to plum pox virus (PPV). PRSVcp transgenic plants have been inoculated with PPV under containment conditions at the USDA Foreign Diseases-Weed Science Research Facility, Frederick, MD, and evaluated for two years. At least one plant is apparently resistant or tolerant to PPV based on symptomology, ELISA and RT-PCR assays. This suggests the potential utility of cp-mediated virus protection in tree fruits. To further test this potential, both short and long-term studies are in progress to evaluate resistance and cp expression in various organs, throughout the year and over the commercial life of individual trees. Plum plants have also been transformed with the PPVcp gene. Studies are underway to evaluate the protection derived from this cp gene.