the result of a selection program, based on few morphological traits (see subsequently), aimed at identifying, throughout Sardinia, genotypes with good biomass and fruit production ( Mulas et al., 2002 ). The origin of each accession, the accession
specificity, high sensitivity, and good reproducibility. Analyses of gene expression using qRT-PCR require stable reference genes as internal controls to normalize the data. The accuracy of the quantitative analysis is largely dependent on the selection of
-tolerant succulents [particularly stonecrop ( Sedum ) species] have been the dominant plant selections for extensive green roof applications ( Getter and Rowe, 2006 ). However, expanding the plant palette available for green roofs is desirable. Green roof vegetation
Abstract
Recurrent half-sib selection within a heterogeneous population of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) was effective in improving germination at 15°C from 34.4% in cycle 0 to 92.4% in cycle 3. The linear regression coefficient indicated an average increase of 19.8% units per cycle of selection. Correlated responses to selection resulted in increased percentage of germination at 20° and 25° and decreased days to germination at 15°, 20°, and 25°.
selecting for resistance to multiple pathogens ( Yang and Francis, 2005 ). Marker-assisted selection (MAS) offers an opportunity to overcome some of the problems associated with phenotypic selection and facilitates combining multiple resistance genes
In recent years, much emphasis has been placed on functional/antioxidant properties of various fruits and vegetables and their contribution to human health. Since average per capita consumption of potatoes in the United States is about 137 pounds, even moderate levels of antioxidants could be viewed as an important human health benefit. Variation in antioxidant activity has not been extensively investigated for colored potatoes (specialty selections). Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate antioxidant activity of specialty selections from the Texas Potato Variety Development Program and identify elite lines to use in breeding for improvement of this trait. Potato tubers were also assessed for their outer appearance, skin color, flesh color, spoilage and yield characteristics. Specialty potato selections (320 lines) were screened for total antioxidant activity using the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. After an initial screening, the top 10 % of selections were reevaluated in the following year. Significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences were found among selections and, for some selections, differences were found between seasons. Total antioxidant activity ranged from 27 μg/gfw to 832 μg/gfw. The specialty selection CO112F2-2 (purple flesh) had the highest antioxidant activity (832 μg/gfw) irrespective of season. In most cases, purple flesh selections produced the highest antioxidant activity, probably due to the presence of anthocyanins, followed by yellow selections.
A six-parent diallel which included carrot inbreds with a range of carotene content from 80 to 490 ppm was evaluated over 2 years. General combining ability accounted for most of the variation observed. Phenotypic mass selection was exercised for high carotene content in three carrot populations. Response to selection continued to be high in one population, HCM, after 11 cycles of selection. In contrast, after three generations of selection, little progress was able to be made in a population derived from primarily Nantes-type open-pollinated cultivars. Realized heritability estimates varied from 15% to 49%. Environment contributed significantly to variation in carotene content.
The apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) cultivars Starkspur Supreme Delicious and Melrose were planted in 1987 on eight apomictic apple rootstock selections made in Germany by Dr. Hanna Schmidt and on M.7. Selections 2 [M. hupehensis (Pamp.) Rehd. parentage] and 8 [M. sieboldii (Regel) Rehd. parentage] were similar to M.7 in precocity, cumulative yield per tree, and yield efficiency, while the other selections with M. sargenti Rehd. in their parentage were slower to flower and had lower yields and yield efficiencies. Selections 2 and 8 tended to result in larger trees than M.7, while the selections with M. sargenti parentage were generally similar to M.7 in size. Except for trees on M.7 and selection 2, `Starkspur Supreme Delicious' developed more severe symptoms of internal bark necrosis (IBN) than did `Melrose', which normally does not show IBN. However, `Melrose' showed IBN symptoms on selections with M. sargenti parentage. IBN symptoms were positively correlated with leaf Mn concentrations. Influence of rootstocks on other nutrient elements, although significant, were small compared to the effect on Mn. A significant interaction occurred between cultivar and rootstock in their effects upon branch morphology, mostly because fewer flowering spurs and more vegetative spurs were observed on `Melrose' than on `Starkspur Supreme Delicious' when grafted on Selection 2. These apomictic selections offered no advantage over M.7 as rootstocks for apples.
Abstract
Seed of four heterogeneous cucumber [Cucumis sativus (L.)] populations (C0-C3) that had undergone recurrent half-sib selection for improved germinability at 15°C were evaluated for seedling emergence and other horticultural characteristics under field conditions. Correlated responses to selection were observed for percent emergence 7 days after sowing and mean number of days to emergence. No correlated response to selection was observed for changes in sex expression, seedling vigor, or yield. These results suggest that selection for low temperature germinability at 15° did not result in any change in the horticulturally important characteristics monitored.
Abstract
Studies were conducted on the feasibility of shortening the evaluation period of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) selections by propagating by softwood cuttings taken from each of the single-plant selections at the time of fruit evaluation row the following spring. Softwood cuttings were taken from a single plant of 5 early, 5 midseason, and 5 late ripening selections in June, July, and August. July cuttings (60%) rooted better than June (37%) and August (31%) cuttings. Early selections (34%) rooted about the same as midseason (32%) and late (35%) selections. The earlier the cuttings were potted, the larger the root system they developed before frost when grown in an unheated greenhouse. None of the rooted cuttings potted 30 Sept, developed root systems large enough to survive field planting. Supplemental heat and light after potting increased root growth of plants potted 25 Aug. but not those potted 10 Sept. Eighty percent of the plants transplanted to the field survived.