Previous PageTable Of ContentsNext Page


Short communications


Short communications

Seedborne fungi in sorghum

Rajni Gupta

Applied Mycology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India

Sorghum is an important food and fodder crop of dryland agriculture. This paper reports on the fungi observed on sorghum seeds during seed tests.

Materials and methods

Seed samples were selected and collected from the fields, stores and market during their preharvest, postharvest and storage. Fields of sorghum at different locations were chosen for the collecting of seed samples at preharvest and postharvest stages. When the crops were ready for harvest, mature cobs were collected randomly from each field and kept in sterilized polythene bags in a refrigerator at 4°C until analysis. Similarly, freshly harvested cobs were collected from the same fields and used for further analysis. Stored sorghum seed samples were collected from "godowns" of traders and farmers during different seasons (winter, summer and rainy) of the year.

The mould associated with different seed samples was analyzed following seed plating method (ISTA, 1985) using potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. From one sample 200 seeds were taken and plated with 10 seeds per plate. Thus, 20 plates were studied from one sample. The plates were incubated at 28±2°C for 12/12 hours fluorescent light/ dark. After incubation, the seeds were checked with a stereobinocular microscope for the presence of moulds and then the fungal population was determined. Fungal isolates were identified according to illustrations and descriptions given by Gilman (1957) and Barnett (1960). Fusarium species were identified according to the method of Nelson et al. (1983).

Results and discussion

During the course of seed pathology studies conducted from 1989 to 1991,165 seed samples were tested for seed fungi and 19 species of fungi were identified (Table 1). The percentage of contaminated samples was calculated. Because of the fast growing type of fungi in the moist blotter used for germination, the contamination values within the samples were impossible to determine.

The predominant fungi belonged to the genera of Aspergillus, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Mucor, Nigrospora, Penicillium, Phoma, and Trichoderma. The pathogens identified were Alternaria alternate, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. japonicus, A. candidus, A. nidulens, Fusarium oxysporum, F. semitectum, F. moniliforme, F. solani, Curvularia lunata, Cladosporium herbarum, Botryotrichum piluliferum, Helminthosporium microsporum, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. citrinum, P. expansum and Verticillium albo atrum.

Among the preharvest sorghum grains Fusarium species were predominant, e.g. F. moniliforme, F. oxysporum, F. solani, F. semitectum and F. sporotrichioides. Curvularia lunata were also common whereas A. flavus, A japonicus, A. niger, A. nidulens, Chaenophora cacubitarum, Chaetomium globosum, Bipolaris spicifera, Helminthosporium microsporum, Nigrospora oryza and Trichoderma viride were less common. Penicillium expansum, P. chrysogenum and P. citrinum were also predominant.

Table 1. Fungi observed on sorghum seeds (expressed as % infestation of samples)

Mycoflora

Pre harvest

Post harvest

Stored

     

Winter

Summer

Rain

Aspergillus candidus

-

-

-

19.00

38.50

A. flavus

14.28

42.8

86.60

100.00

91.42

A. japonicus

5.19

14.2

73.33

85.70

36.40

A. niger

2.59

-

-

-

46.60

A. versicolor

5.19

-

6.66

9.52

31.40

A. nidulens

-

-

20.00

61.90

31.40

Acremonium vitis

1.29

7.01

6.06

9.52

-

Alternaria alternata

14.28

64.28

46.66

-

-

Bipolaris spicifera

2.89

7.14

-

-

10.00

Botryotrichum piluliferum

1.29

28.57

66.66

52.30

14.20

Chaetomium globosum

1.29

-

-

-

-

Chaenophora cucurbitaceum

1.29

-

-

-

-

Cladosporium herbarum

7.79

14.20

20.00

4.76

-

Curvularia lunata

83.11

57.10

73.33

66.66

42.80

Drechslera avenaceum

-

-

6.66

-

-

Fusarium equiseti

1.29

-

-

-

-

F. moniliforme

32.47

35.70

40.00

-

-

F. oxysporum

36.36

64.20

26.60

-

-

F. semitectum

51.94

71.4

46.60

-

-

F. solani

20.78

35.70

-

-

-

F. sporotrichioides

25.97

28.50

13.30

-

-

Helminthosporium microsporum

11.60

28.50

33.33

4.76

-

Mucor racemosus

-

14.20

33.33

47.60

87.80

Myrothecium roridum

-

7.14

-

-

-

Nigrospora oryza

1.29

-

-

-

-

Penicillium chrysogenum

38.00

48.33

40.00

-

50.00

P. citrinum

26.00

30.00

53.33

-

45.00

P. expansum

50.40

53.33

40.00

-

36.66

Phoma hibemica

23.38

-

-

-

-

Trichoderma viride

9.99

-

-

-

-

Verticillium albo atrum

23.37

14.20

46.60

-

10.00

In the postharvest sorghum grains various Fusarium, Curvularia, and Penicillium species as well as Alternaria alternata were common. Among the Fusarium species were F. semitectum, F. sporotrichioides, F. oxysporum, F. moniliforme and F. solani. Further, Curvularia lunata, Penicillium expansum, P. citrinum, P. chrysogenum and Helminthosporium microsporum were predominant. Only two Aspergillus species were observed. Mucor racemosus, Myrothecium roridum and Verticillium albo atrum were present in small numbers.

On the other hand, Fusarium and Curvularia species were not predominant in the stored sorghum grains. Other fungi such as Aspergillus flavus, A. japonicus, A. niger, A. nidulens, A. versicolor, A. candidus, Acremonium vitis, Penicillium expansum, P. citrinum and P. chrysogenum cause seed or seedling rot on sorghum. The contamination of seeds with Verticillium albo atrum also inhibited the germination of the surrounding seeds.

Among saprophytes, Cladosporium is usually a field fungus, but the frequently observed Penicillium, Rhizopus and Aspergillus are known storage fungi which occur on different plant seeds (Christensen 1972). These storage fungi could cause deterioration of seeds during storage (Halloin 1986). Fungi which can inhibit some pathogens were also observed (Vajna 1987). Similarly, Surekha and Reddy (1991) reported the presence of Fusarium and Aspergillus species in stored sorghum grains. Simay (1994) observed Alternaria, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Penicillium and Rhizopus in flax seeds.

These fungal species are also known to produce various mycotoxins (Frisvad and Thrane 1987; Bilgrami and Sinha 1984). Thus the presence of these mycotoxic moulds indicates mycotoxin contamination of the sorghum grain samples. Several environmental factors and processing mechanisms may affect the fungal population, its growth and subsequent mycotoxin production. But the presence of mycotoxic moulds indicates the possibility of mycotoxin contamination of sorghum grains under unhygienic and unscientific storage conditions. Contamination of sorghum grain samples with mycotoxin-producing moulds is definitely harmful to human beings and could be major hazards in seed storage and safe movement of germplasm. Some of the Fusarium species were found to be good producers of zearalenone toxins (Rajni and Singh 1994) during this investigation. Some of the isolated fungi, e.g. species of Fusarium, are known seedborne pathogens and cause serious sorghum diseases (Mathur et al. 1975).

Acknowledgements

I am grateful to Professor K.G. Mukerji for reviewing this manuscript.

References

Barnett, U.L.1960. Illustrated genera of imperfect fungi. Minneapolis Burgess Publ. Co.

Bilgrami, K.S. and K.K. Sinha. 1984. Mycotoxin contamination in food and its control. Indian Rev. Life Sci. 4:19-36.

Christensen, C.M. 1972. Microflora and seed deterioration. Pp.59-93 In viability of seeds (E.H. Roberts, ed.). Chapman and Hall Ltd., London.

Frisvad and V. Thrane. 1987. J. Chromatography 404:195-204.

Gilman, J.C. 1957. A manual of soil fungi. Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., New Delhi.

Halloin, J.M. 1986. Microorganisms and seed deterioration. Physiology of Seed Deterioration, CSSA Spec. Pub. 11:89-99.

ISTA. 1985. International rules for seed testing. Rules 1985. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich.

Mathur, S.K., S.B. Mathur and P. Neergaard. 1975. Seed Sci. and Technol. 3:683-690.

Nelson, P.F., T.A. Taussoun and F.O. Marasas (eds.). 1983. Fusarium species An illustrated manual for identification. State University Press, Pennsylvania, USA.

Rajni, Gupta and S. Singh. 1994. Natural occurrence of Fusarium species and zearalenone in sorghum grains during field and storage. Geobios 21:251-256.

Simay, I.E.1994. Seedborne fungi of flax. Plant Genet. Resour. Newsl. 97:4546.

Surekha, M. and S.M. Reddy. 1991. Mycotoxigenic moulds in sorghum fodder. Indian J. Anim. Nutr. 8(3):217-220.

Vajna, L. (ed.). 1987. A biological vedekezes. Biological control. In Novenypatogen gombak (Phytopathogenic fungi).

Collecting wild Vitis in China

Li Chao-Luan1, Cao Ya-ling1, He Young-Hua,1 Gu Jian,1 Zhang Zongwen2 and Zhou Ming-De2

1 Chengdu institute of Biology, Academia Sinica, Chengdu 610041, China

2 IPGRI Office for East Asia, c/o CAAS, 30 Bai Shi Qiao Road, Beijing 100081, China

With the cooperation of the IPGRI Office for East Asia, the Chengdu institute of Biology, Academia Sinica carried out a collecting mission in China from 1992 to 1994. The aim of the expedition was mainly to gather more information and sample the wild taxa of Vitis species. The mission covered Guangdong, Jiangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang, Hubei, Sichuan, Shanxi, Shaanxi and Hebei provinces of China. Forty samples of 22 species were collected.

Collecting route and sites

Information from botanical specimens observed in herbaria indicates that most wild Vitis species in China are distributed in three regions: north China (Qinling-Taihang mountains in Shanxi and Hebei), central China (Shenglongjia-Dalou-Wuling mountains in Sichuan, Hubei and Hunan) and south and east China (Lingnan-Wuyi mountains in Guandong, Fujian, Jiangxi and Zhejiang). Emphasis was placed on some mountains in the above areas where the differences in geography and climate are known to have enhanced the differentiation of wild species of Vitis A few endemic species which tend to be distributed in south Yunnan-Guizhou had been found during the mission in 1993-94. Collecting sites are as follows and the locations are indicated in Figure 1.

1. Dingfu mountain (Guangdong), 112°20'E/23°20'N

2. Ruyuan (Guangdong), 113°20'E/24°80'N

3. Jinggang mountain (Jiangxi), 114°10'E/26°5'N

4. Nanping (Fujiang), 118°20'E/26°60'N

5. Wuyi mountain (Fujiang), 117°80'E/27°80'N

6. Longquan (Zhejiang), 119°10'E/28°10'N

7. Ruian (Zhejiang), 120°60'E/27°80'N

8. Xianju (Zhejiang), 120°80'E/28°90'N

9. Changhua (Zhejiang), 119°10'E/30°10'N

10. Jingdezhen (Jiangxi), 117°20'E/29°50'N

11. Lushan (Jiangxi), 116°00'E/29°60'N

12. Wuhan (Hubei), 114°50'E/30°60'N

13. Shenlongjia (Hubei), 114°40'E/31°50'N

14. Wulong (Sichuan), 107°80'E/29°30'N

15. Maoxian (Sichuan), 103°80'E/31°70'N

16. Baihe (Shenxi), 110°00'E/32°80'N

17. Hua mountain (Shenxi), 110°10'E/34°50'N

18. Hexian (Shanxi), 111°80'E/36°50'N

19. Neiqiu (Hebei), 114°30'E/37°40'N

Wild Vitis and recent collections

From the records (Planchon 1886; Sosnovskii 1949; Moore 1991), wild Vitis species are distributed in four centres, south Europe (1 species), West and Central Asia (1 species), East Asia (40 species) and North and Central America (20 species). China in East Asia has one of the highest numbers of records of wild Vitis species. A survey of herbaria in China and other countries in Europe and America revealed a total of 36 wild species native to China (Li Chao-Luan, 1996) (Table 1).

- Fig.1. Map of collecting sites for Vitis wild species in recent mission in China

Table 1. Wild Vitis species recorded in China on data from Li 1996

Vitis species

Vitis species

amurensis Rupr.

Iongquanensis P.L.Qiu

baibuashanensis M.S. et D.Z.Lu

luochengensis W.T.Wang

balanseana Planch.

menhaiensis C.L.Li

bellula (Rehd.) W.T.Wang

mengziensis C.L.Li

betulifolia Diels & Gilg

piasezkii Maxim.

bryoniaefolia Bge.

piloso-nervosa Metcalf

chunganensis Hu

pseudoreticulata W.T.Wang

chungii Metcalf

retondii Roman. du Caill. ex Planch.

davidii Roman. du Caill.) Foex

romaneti Roman. du Caill. ex Planch.

erythrophylla W.T.Wang

ruyuanensis C.L.Li

fengqinensis C.L.Li

shenxiensis C.L.Li

flexuosa Thunb.

sinocinerea W.T.Wang

hancockii Hance

silvestrii Pamp.

hekouensis C.L.Li

tsoii Merr.

heyneana Roem. & Schult

wenchouensis Q.Ling ex W.T.Wang

hui Cheng

wilsonae Veitch

jingganensis W.T.Wang

wuhanensis C.L.Li

lanceolatifolia C.L.Li

zhejiang-adstricta P.L.Qui

Collecting was done in natural habitats including mountain slopes and valleys in forest, woodland, shrubland and wasteland ranging from 60 to 1800 m a.s.l., between 38°00'N/121°00'E and 25°00'S/102°00'W. During the mission a total of 60 cuttings which belong to 22 wild species were taken and transplanted at the Chadian nursery in Chengdu. Some of them, especially all of V. Ianceolatifolia from Guangdong (Ruynan) and V. wenchouensis from Zhejiang (Ruian), died separately in 1993 and 1994. Table 2 lists all the wild species found in recent collecting missions. The rate of seed germination is very slow (generally, 1-3~c for wild Vitis species) with the exception of a few species Usually, it is not easy to collect the ripe seeds because animals take them before they are mature.

Table 2. Vitis germplasm recently collected in China

Name of wild species

Collecting sites

V. amurensis Rupr.

Hebei(Neiqiu)

V. balanseana Planch.

Guangdong(Dingfu mountain)

V. bellula (Rehd.) W.T.Wang

Guangdong(Ruyuan)

V. betulifolia Diels & Gilg

Sichaun(Wulong, Maoxian)

V. bryoniaefolia Bge.

Jiangxi(Jinggang mountain), Hebei (Neiqiu)

V. chungii Metcalf

Fujiang(Nanping)

V. chunganensis Hu

Fujian (Nanping)

V. davidii (Roman.du Caill.)Foex

Hubei(Shenglongjia)

V. erythrophylla W.T.Wang

Jiangxi(Fuliang)

V. flexuosa Thunb.

Fujiang(Wuyi Mountain)

V. hancockii Hance

Zheiiang(xianju)

V. heyneana Roem. & Schult

Shenxi(Baihe)

V. heyneana Roem. & Schult subsp. Fcifolia (Regel)C.L.Li

Shenxi(Hua mountain, Baihe)

V. hui Cheng

Jiangxi(Lushan)

V. jingganensis W.T.Wang

Jiangxi(Jianggang mountain)

V. Ianceolatifolia C.L.Li

Guangdong(Ruyuan)

V. Iongquarresis P.L.Qiu

Zhejiang(Longquan)

V. pseudoreticulata W.T.Wang

Guangdong(Ruyuan)

V. piasezkii Maxim.

Hexian(shanxi)

var. pagnucii (Planch.) Rehd.

Shenxi(Hua mountain)

V. romaneti Roman. du Caill.ex Ptanch.

Fujiang(Wuyi mountain)

V. ruyuanensis C.L.Li

Guangdong(Ruyuan)

V. silvestri Pamp.

Shenxi(Baihe)

V. tsoii Merr.

Fujiang(Nanping)

V. wenchouensis Q.Ling ex W.T.Wang

Zheiiang(Wenzhou)

V. wilsonae Veitch

Hubei(Shenglonggia)

V. wuhanensis C.L.Li

Hubei(Wuhan)

V. zbejian-adstrica P.L.Qiu

Zhejiang(Changhua)

Genetic erosion

Although the number of wild Vitis species and the potential for genetic variability in China are higher than other areas, genetic erosion of wild Vitis species is the greatest owing to the increased cropping and deforestation. Vitis piloso-nervosa in Fujian (Napping), V. mengziensis, V. fengqingensis, V. hekouensis and V. menhaiensis were only collected once, 40-60 years ago. Vitis retordii in China has scattered distribution in some areas in South Guangxi. None of the above species has been found in recent collecting trips.

Evaluation and use of collected germplasm

Vitis davidii, with large fruits, has been cultivated and collected as a table fruit by local people along the Yangzi River. Vitis heyneanain has been collected and served as a table grape in South China. It was reported that the species resistant to downy mildew were V. pseudorecticulata, V. piasezkii, V. romanetii, V. flexnosa, V. bryoniaefolia and V. hancockii (He and Wang 1986). Vitis amurensis, V. davidii and V. heyneana possess genes for resistance to anthracnose. These species have been included in our recent collections. All collections will be evaluated in Chengdu for agronomic adaptation in several years and then elite germplasm will be identified and made available for scientific research and use.

References

He, P.C., and Wang, G.Y.1986. Studies on the resistance of wild Vitis species native to China to downy mildew, Plasmopara viticola (Berk et Cutris) serf et de Toni. Acta Hort. Sin.13(1):17-24.

Moore, M.O. 1991. Classification and systematics of Eastern North American Vitis L. (vitaceae) North Mexico. Sida. 14(3):339-369.

Li, C.L. 1996. Vitaceae. Reip. Pop. Sin. vol. 48(2), Science Press (in press).

Planchon, I.E.1886. Ampelideas (Verae) in DC. Monogr. Phan. 5:321-368.

Sosnovskii, D.L 1949. Vitaceae. In Kom. Fl. URSS. 14:675-704

The role of women in plant genetic resources activities in Ghana

S.O. Bennett-Lartey and Richard Akromah

Plant Genetic Resources Centre, CSIR, PO Box 7, Bunso, Ghana

In Ghana, women are known to play important roles in the agriculture of the country. According to the 1984 Population Census Data, the percentages of men and women in agriculture are roughly the same, 51.5 and 48.5% respectively (Ghana-CIDA Grains Development Project 1993). A look at the gender analysis clearly indicates that women play great roles in land preparation, planting, crop maintenance, harvesting and marketing of food crops (Ghana-CIDA Grains Development Project 1993). By their roles, they ensure that there are always seeds for planting at the next season.

Women have maintained the landraces of food crops under subsistence agriculture, thus enhancing the chances of natural outcrossing in situ among subspecies and cultivars. Their long-term association with crops has also enabled them to identify and select elite types in many instances. Women have selected for maturity and quality in such crops as root and tubers, cereals and pulses. For example, small-scale women farmers have selected late-maturing cultivars in yams and cassava to enable them prolong the harvesting period and harvest just enough for the household each year. Women have also selected for quality with respect to traditional dietary requirements and cultural festivities.

Women have contributed greatly to the preservation of seed and other propagules. The practices of keeping seeds in plots, dusting seeds with wood ash and hanging fruits and cobs over the fireplace are meant to prolong the storability and maintain viability of such crops as cowpea, maize, pepper, eggplant and lima beans from one harvest to the next planting season. Women also store root and tuber crops in the ground to prolong their storage life.

Another important function of women in genetic resources conservation is the distribution of germplasm. Women in many cultures tend to discuss seeds and other propagules in their everyday casual conversation with their colleagues in the agricultural front. Through these informal chats they get to know old and new landraces of superior characteristics and make efforts to introduce such cultivars to their farms. Women also move germplasm across environments through marketing of farm produce.

Women enhance germplasm utilization by learning from each other different food preparations of particular food crops which encourages them to continue to grow those crops on their farms.

In their role as planters of the season's crops in a mixed cropping system, women have been responsible for the spatial arrangement of the crops in the field, ensuring a perfect mix, based on their knowledge of the associated plants' growth habit, shade tolerance and maturity periods. This system has helped in many instances to prevent total loss of germplasm in the event of disease or pest outbreak. Moreover, the utilization of a diversity of crop species in both time and space dimensions increases total yields, redresses environmental risks and provides a varied food supply for the subsistence farmer.

By their conservative attitude to change, due to the comparatively low level of their education, most women farmers have not been quick at adopting new varieties arising from plant breeding efforts. This has helped to reduce the spread of modern varieties and genetic erosion by varietal displacement. As subsistence farmers, Ghanaian women are custodians of most of the crop germplasm (Acheampong 1991) and they pride themselves in maintaining as many varieties as possible.

From the foregoing, it cannot be overemphasized that women have been responsible for maintaining Ghana's primitive cultivars, landraces and orphan crops that have not received sufficient financial and scientific resources towards the sustainable and equitable use of their rich diversity and their conservation.

The country has a unique opportunity to involve women in the national strategy for the conservation of crop germplasm. The knowledge from traditional practices of seed preservation will be useful in designing methodologies for ex situ and in situ conservation. For example, it was because of the farmers' traditional practice of mixing rice grains and other vegetable seeds in storage that the Plant Genetic Resources Centre investigated the desiccating properties of rice seeds and found it to be a suitable substitute for silica gel in desiccators (Akromah and Bennett-Lartey 1994).

We conclude by saying that the future of the biodiversity and environment of Ghana lies primarily in the hands of its people. We need to train local people, particularly women, in methods of seed identification, collecting, conservation and inventory of local genetic resources by merging traditional and non-traditional methods and processes.

References

Acheampong, E. 1991. IBPGR trainees speak. In: Geneflow 1991. IBPGR, Rome.

Akromah, R and S.O. Bennett-Lartey, 1994. Seed drying over toaster rice. Tropical Science (in print)

Ghana-CIDA Grains Development Project. 1993. Gender Analysis in

Crop Production in Ghana: A Handbook. Ghana-CIDA Grains Development Project, Crops Research institute, Kumasi, Ghana.

Genetic diversity of wild sesame from southern India

A.J. Prabakaran

School of Genetics, TNAU, Coimbatore, India

Present Address: Directorate of Oilseeds Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-30, India

Introduction

The Indian subcontinent is the centre of diversity for sesame. In addition to the richness of diversity in the cultivated species Sesamum indicum L., several wild species occur (Josh) 1961). Concern about conservation and use of this diversity in national and regional contexts has been expressed (Arora and Riley 1994). Sesame is the oldest oilseed crop known to humans and is valued for its high quality seed oil. While India ranks first in area and production of sesame, the productivity remains very low. Wild germplasm is a potential source of variability having agronomically desirable attributes. Because the established heterosis for seed yield in intervarietal crosses could not be exploited because the economic means to produce hybrid seeds was not available, breeders were prompted to look for cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines with cytoplasm of wild species and nuclear genome of the cultivated species. The severe loss due to biotic and abiotic stresses and the need to increase yields by using hybrid sesame made it necessary to produce interspecific hybrids of economic value. Hence, attempts were made to collect different species of Sesamum native to southern India and to incorporate these desirable traits into the well-adapted cultivars of S. Indicum.

Collection and characterization

The wild species of sesame growing as weeds in non-arable lands of the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala were collected and assembled in the species garden. Because seed germination of a few wild species was reported to be poor, stem cuttings and roots were collected along with seeds. The details of the species collected and established are given in Table 1. A few distinct ecotypes could be identified, based on morphological characteristics. Cytological studies were carried out to verify the chromosome number and fertility. Interestingly, the collected species of Sesamum were found to represent all of the three chromosome groups recognized in Sesamum (Josh) 1961) - 26, 32 and 64 - and were fully fertile. Individual plants of each species were self-pollinated to maintain the identity of each species because sesame is reported to be an often cross-pollinated crop.

Evaluation and utilization

Wild species of Sesamum collected and characterized were evaluated for their reactions to both biotic and abiotic stresses and the results are listed in Table 1. These wild species are potential sources of resistance to diseases like phyllody and the insect pest Antigastra. Some wild forms were located in water-scarce rocky areas, salt-rich sands and waterlogged places. Hence, they were recognized as resistant donors in a stress breeding programme. To incorporate these desirable genes from the wild relatives into the cultivars, controlled hybridization was conducted in both direct and reciprocal directions following hand emasculation and pollination. Viable interspecific hybrids were obtained in only a few species crosses (Table 2). Histological studies revealed that both pre- and post-fertilization barriers operate as isolation mechanisms among different species of Sesamum. The interspecific hybrids were evaluated and characterized cytologically. A fertile interspecific hybrid between S. alatum and S. Indicum was produced for the first time (Prabakaran et al. 1992). Among the different cross-combinations studied, reciprocal difference for male sterility was observed in a cross involving S. malabaricum and S. Indicum. This provided the first evidence for cytoplasm-induced male sterility in sesame (Prabakaran et al. 1995). Further studies on maintenance of male sterility and restoration of fertility are being conducted. The interspecific hybrids between S. Indicum and S. Iaciniatum/S. prostratum were sterile with irregular microsporogenesis; hence, chromosome doubling using colchicine was done to produce fertile amphiploids. The amphiploids were backcrossed to the cultivar parent and many new cytogenetic stocks are expected from it. Autotetraploids of two species, S. Indicum and S. alatum, were induced by colchicine treatment and used as parents in the hybridization programme involving species with higher chromosome number and amphidiploids that are highly incompatible with diploids.

References

Arora, R. K. and K. W. Riley (eds.). 1994. Sesame biodiversity in Asia: Conservation, Evaluation and Use. IPGRI office for South Asia, New Delhi.

Joshi, A.B. 1961. Sesamum. Indian Central Oilseed Committee, Hyderabad. pp. 109.

Prabakaran, A.J., R.S. Ramalingam, S.R. Sree Rangasamy and A. Narayanan. 1992. First interspecific hybrid of Sesamum alatum Thonn. x S. indicum (L). Oil Crops Newsl. 9:40.

Prabakaran, A.J., S.R. Sree Rangasamy and R.S. Ramalingam. 1995. Identification of cytoplasm induced male sterility in sesame through wide hybridization. Curr. Sci. 68:1044-1047.

Table 1. Species diversity in Sesamum collected from southern India

Sl. No.

Sesamum species

Place of occurrence

Brief morphological description

Chrome some no.

Pollen fertility (percent)

Desirable attributes

1.

S. Indicum

Cultigen

Annual, erect, moderately branching, ovate to wavy entire leaves, pale white flowers, anthers yellowish white, yellow glands present, medium long cylindrical capsules, smooth seeds with thin testa

26

94.23

Cultivated for high quality seed oil and high oil content

2.

S. alatum_

Thiruvatriyur, Tamil Nadu, Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh

Annual, erect, highly branching, linear, trim, penta- lobed entire leaves, maroon flowers, anthers purple, purple glands present, deeply grooved cylindrical capsules, winged seeds with thick testa

26

96.02

Resistant to phyllody, good plant type

3.

S. malabaricum

Malabar hills, Kerala

Annual, erect, profusely branching, heteromorphic linear to three lobed entire leathery leaves, purple flower with dark purple lip, anthers yellowish white, prominent yellow glands, long cylindrical capsules, rough seeds with thick testa

26

95.13

Cytoplasm donor for male sterility, resistant to waterlogging, good plant type

4.

S. Iaciniatum

Namakkal and Karur, Tamil Nadu

Perennial, prostrate, profusely branching, deeply dissected coarse leaves, deep purple flowers with purple anthers, yellow glands absent, small laterally compressed tough capsules, deeply reticulate seeds with thick testa

32

96.76

Tolerant to phyllody, resistant to shattering, Antigastra and drought

5.

S. prostratum*

Adayar, Tamil Nadu and Pettaikadu, Kerala

Perennial, prostrate, profusely branching, coarse leathery leaves with serrated margin, dark purple flowers with purple anthers, yellow glands absent, medium laterally compressed tough capsules seeds with thick testa

32

94.49

Resistant to shattering, Antigastra and salinity, tolerant to phyllody

6.

S. occidentals

Trichur, Kerala

Annual, erect, profusely branching, coarse linear entire leaves, purple tinged flowers with light purple anthers, yellow glands present, long cylindrical capsules, rough seeds with thick testa

64

95.21

Resistant to drought

7.

S. radiatum

Trichur, Kerala

Annual, erect, moderately branching, coarse broader leaves, light purple flowers and anthers, yellow glands present, long laterally compressed capsules, rough seeds with thick testa

64

96.18

Resistant to drought

* Distinct ecotypes were collected

Table 2. Cross-compatibility between different species of the genus Sesamum

 

S.

S.

S.

S.

S.

S.

S.

S.

S.

 

indicum

2n=26

indicum_

2n=52

alatum

2n=26

alatum_

2n=52

malabaricum

2n=26

laciniatum

2n=32

prostratum

2n=32

occidentale

2n=64

radiatum

2n=64

S. Indicum

2n=26

S

H

X

X

H

H

H

X

X

S. Indicum*

2n=52

H

S

X

X

H

H

H

X

X

S. alatum

2n=26

H@

X

S

H

X

X

X

X

X

S. alatum*

2n=52

X

X

H

S

X

X

X

X

X

S. malabaricum

2n=26

H

H

X

X

S

H

H

X

X

S. laciniatum

2n=32

H

H

X

X

H

S

H

X

X

S. prostratum

2n=32

H

H

X

X

H

H

S

X

X

S. occidentale

2n=64

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

S

H

S. radiatum

2n=64

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

H

S

* Induced autotetraploid; H-viable hybrids obtained; S-selfed, X-no seed set; H@-only one viable hybrid obtained.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) collection research in Turkmenistan

Gregory M. Levin

The Turkmenian Experimental Station of Plant Genetic Resources, Garrygala, 745160, Turkmenistan, CIS

Introduction

The Turkmenian Experimental Station of Plant Genetic Resources in southwestern Turkmenistan has the world's largest pomegranate collection (Levin 1994, 1995). In the past 30 years, the pomegranate research collection has been selected from the best cultivars based on the 20 most important qualitative and quantitative traits.

The size of the basic pomegranate core collection is 10% of the institute's main collection. This collection has been assembled from material gathered according to Vavilov's law of homologous ranges, in order to sample the highest genetic diversity for this crop. The core collection will be very useful for breeding work on pomegranate. The Experimental Station of Garrygala plans to carry out research investigations on all those accessions received in the last 10 years.

Pomegranate genetic diversity

Early pomegranates

Early pomegranates usually ripen in September and have a sweet taste. The institute's collection includes 135 of these early ripening cultivars, of which 26 are softseeded. Very early cultivars are of special interest. They ripen in August or the beginning of September. The collection includes the cultivars Sweet Fruited, 6/49 sweet, Andalib, Seidi, Zelili, Kerogly, Sjunt, Anvari, Sumbar, Schichimderinsky, Sverchranniy and others. The contents of the juice (at maturity) in these varieties is 17.8-18.7% dry matter, 14.2515.07% sugar, 0.51-0.87 acid, 8.1217.95 mg/100 g of ascorbic acid. Their taste value attains 4.0-4.2 points.

High juice taste

Juice is the main product of the crops. It is obtained from the giant cells of the outer fleshy tegument of the seeds.

Quality tests have been made on 300 cultivars; 100 of them scored high for juice (4.8-5.0 points).

Dwarf pomegranates

Dwarf neoteric variety Punica granatum L. var. nana Pers. is used in gardening. Breeders have been trying to hybridize this variety with fruit cultivars, but the attempt has not been successful. A selection has been made by the institute to obtain low-vegetative seedlings from among big hybrid, highly vegetated populations of seedlings. These forms have value in cold regions where pomegranates are covered with snow in winter. This collection includes valuable dwarf forms and cultivars, such as the soft-seeded Agat, 3/ 22, 4/29 and 9/20. The author includes these cultivars in hybridization and already has valuable dwarf seedlings that are early and late ripening, with sweet and acid-sweet taste.

Decorative pomegranates

These forms have been used in gardening since ancient times. Our collection includes dwarf decorative forms of P. granatum nana and Chyrda-nar (seedling of cv. Chico) with red flowers and small red fruits, dwarf hybrid forms 48/1 x P. granatum nana, Chyrda-pnana x Bala Mjursal, Chyrda-nar x Gjuloscha, Chyrdanar x Krmyzy-kabuch with red flowers and middle red fruits, vigorous double forms with red and whitered flowers, forms with white single-flower, forms with dark-violet (almost black) fruits, small red fruits and other.

Cultivars have been selected from main collection on other qualities and characteristics indicated in Table 1.

References

Levin, G.M. 1994. Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) plant genetic resources in Turkmenistan. Plant Genetic Resources Newsl. 97:31-36.

Levin, G.M. 1995. Aspects of pomegranate culture in Turkmenistan. Plant Genetic Resources Newsl. 102:29-31.

Table 1. Cultivars of pomegranate selected for various qualities and characteristics in genepool collection of Turkmenian Experimental Station of Plant

Trait

Cultivar

High yield (1.5-3 t/ha)

Apsheronsky krasnyi, Achik-dona, Bedana varganzinskaya, Veles, Kandagarsky, Krachuna, Kara-Kalinsky, Nikitsky 125, Paper shell, Sakerdze, Turch-nar kurujdeysky, 6396

High yield of standard truit (70% and more)

Apsheronsky zelenoplodnyi 869, VIR-1, Gjulosha 270, Gjulosha 4431, Ispansky Rubin,Kandagarsky, Kazake, Kzyl KS 1015, Kzyl UK 12/5, Krmyzy-kabuch, Mjagkosemiannyi rosovyi, Mjatadji, Shach-nar, 6396

Resislance to pests and diseases (0-1 points)

Aurora, Agdash shirin, Azadi, Armud-shirin iz Shouljan, Afghansky 255929, Bedana dashnabadskaya, Veles, Gei-shirin iz Gadruta, Gok-enar chandyrsky krupnoplodoyi, Gjulovsha njuvadinskaya, Dachistan, Djuraeva 1, Djuraeva 2, Djuraeva 3, Ez gjulovaha, Eni krmyzy, Zakatalsky, Iran 29-3, Iran 20-4, Ispansky Rubin, Kai-nar klon 5-4-2, Kaim-anor araxinsky klon, Kalifornijsky Chico, Kandagarsky, Meichosh 6269, Nar sladk x llindenzi ran.zrel, Sladkiy iz Agdama, Sweet Fruited, Sjunt, Turan, Charikarsky, Shelli 4487, Shirin-gjulovsha, 6-43-14

Resistance to cracking of fruits (no more than 1.0 points)

Ak-dona 2, Apsheronsky krasnyi, Apsheronsky rosovyi, Achik-nar 4454, Genlikskysladkyi 4441, Ispansky Rubin, Kazake, Kalifornijsky Chiko, Kara-Kalinsky, Kzyl UK 6/)3, Kok-dona, Meles, Mjagkosemjannyi rosovyi, Nazik-kabuch, Nikitsky rannyi, Nikitsky 43, Nikitsky 118, Shirin-kizil, Shouljansky

Resistance of fruit to sunburn

Al-shirin-nar, VIR-1, Genlik-mir, Genliksky sladkiy 4441, Gjulosha krasnaya, Zubeida, Kara-Kel 7, Krmyzy-kabuch, Mjatadji, Paper Shell, Charikarsky, Shouljansky 871

Long keeping ot fruits more) at conditions of non-regulation temperature

Apsheronsky, Afghansky 1716, Bala Mjursal, Bala Mjursal No.5, Bashkalinsky, Boz-nar, N. Vavilov, (151-160 days and Washingtonsky 5-4-41, Veles, VIR-1, Vkusnyi, Grebeshok, Gjulosha krasnaya, Zakatalsky, Zubeida afghanskaya, Ispansky Rubin, Kazake, Kaim-anor araxinsky klon, Kalin-kabuch, Kara-Kalinsky, Kzyl KS 10/5, Koine-Kasyrsky kislosladkyi krasnyi, Ljubimyi, Meichosh 6269, Meles, Nazik-kabuch, Nor-alma, Paper Shell, Paper Shell 2421, Shachnar, Shaartuzsky, Shouljansky 862, Shouljansky jelloplodoyi 868a, 6396

Large fruit (3500 g)

Alma-nar, Afghansky 255527, Wonderful, Washingtonsky 5-4-41, VIR -1, Gumistatemnokrasnyi, Geishirin iz Gadauta, Zakatalsky, Zubeida, Ispansky Rubin, Iransky mestnyi 291338, Kazake, Kaim-anor, Kalifornijsky Chico, Kandagarsky, Kalitornijsky 6157, Kzyl-dona, Kizil-anor, Kizil-kabuch, Kunduzsky, Meichosh 6269, Mikitsky 43, Nikitsky 96, Nikitsky 118, Nikitsky 125, Sakerdze, Salavatsky, Chvalynsky

Short (or absent) neck calyx of fruit

Bedana dashnabadskaya, Sotshnyi, Sjunt, Shaar-sabzy, Shirin- nar, 680a

Thin pericarp of fruit (1-2 mm)

Azerbajdjan, Andalib, Apsheronsky, Apsheronsky zelenoplodnyi 869, Atphansky (Denau), Bala Mjursal, Veles, Vkusnyi, Vurgun, Gabib, Gjulosha, Zakatalsky, Zubeida, ran 7, Iran 3-1 Sijach, Iran 18-2, Iran 251, Ispansky Rubin, Kazake, Kalin-kabuch, Kalitornilsky 6506, Kandagarsky krupnoplodny, KaraKalinsky, Kzyl-anor, Krmyzy-kabuch, Kyz-bibi, Mardakiansky 5, Mjetadii, Nazik-kabuch, Nor-alma, Oleg, Paper Shell, Sakerdze, Sladky krasnokojyi, 4/29, 77

Coarse grain (500 mg)

Al-shirin-nar, Apsheronsky krasnyi, VIR-1, N. Vavilov, Gurdjaani, Gjulosha, Ez giulosha, Iran 3-2 Savei, Iransky mestnyi 291338, Iransky svetlorozdvyi 291335, Iransky 24-2, Iransky 26-1, Kazake, Kaim-anor, Kandagarsky, Kirovabadaky krasnyi, Koine-Kasyrsky kislosladky krasnyi, Kunduzsky, Malta, Manyshsky 1, Mercheulsky krasnyi, Muganskymalinovyi, Paper Shell, Purpuro-vyi iz Kalitornii, Sakerdze, Charikarsky, Chuchuk-dona, Shouljansky 862, 18/10 (Leninavan), 4/26 (Leninavan), F16, N2 12-5

Small seed

Vishnevyi, Vkusnyi, Iransky 7, Iransky 25-2, Krmyzy- kabuch

High taste (4.8-5.0 points)

Aleko, Afgansky 1716, Boz-nar, Washingtonsky 5-4-41, Veles, Vkusnyi, Gissarsky alyi, Grebeshok, Gjulosha, Gjulovsha njuvadinskaya, Dashnabadsky, Desertnyi, Zakatalsky krasnyi, Zubeida afganskaya, Irada, Iransky 13-2, Iransky 20-4, Iransky 26-1, Iransky mjagkosemiannyi, Kazake, Kazjansky, Kalitornijskyi 6319, Kandagar 10, Kara-Kalinsky, Krmyzykabuch, Kukurchinsky, Mjagkosemjannyi rosovyi, Purpurovyi iz Kaiitornii, Podorok, Sakerdze, Sejanez Ak-dona kongursky, Sogdiana, Sladky krasnokojyl, Shirin-djojdar, Shouljansky 862, n1 7-7, n1 13-7, n2 9-1, F16, 3122, 9/20, 63/4

High juice yield (60-70% of fnuit weight)

Bala Mjursai, Veles, Vkusnyi, Iransky mestnyi 291338, Kalitornijsky 6506, Kalitornijsky 6319, Kalinkabuch, KaraKalihsky, Kara-Kel 6, Kara-Kel 9, Kirovabadsky krasoyi, Kolobok, Krachuna, Nazikkabuch, Mardaklanly, Sakerdze, Suchumsky, Shach-nar, 77

High juice quality

Al-shirin-nar, Bashkaiinsky, Boz-nar, Boris, N. Vavilov, Washingtonsky 5-4-41, Veles, Granatovoe jabloko 1, Gissarsky alyi, Gurdjaani, Gjuli-Gaz, Zubeida afganskaya, indijsky 384554, Irana, Kazake, Kazake UK 11/4, Kandagar 4, Kandagar 8, Kara-Kaim, Kardash, Kizil-anor, Koine-Kasyrsky kislosladky krasoyi, Kosmonavt, Krmyzy-kabuch, Kukurchinsky, Meichosh 6269, Mechseti, Meles, Nazik-kabuch, Nikitsky 67, Nikitsky 127, Nor-alma, Oleg, Paper Shell, Pooa-rok, Prevoshodny, Rannyi (Geokchai), Republikansky, Sakerdze, Samuchsky krasnyi, Saphidin, Chiviabadsky kyslosladky, Shirin-gjulovsha, Shouljansky 862, 9/20, n2 12-5, Salavatsky, Shach-nar, Kai-achik-anor, Gjulosha rosoveya, Gjulosha krasnaya, Bala Mjursal, Kara Bala Mjursal, Zubeida, Zakatalsky, Zakatalsky krasnyi, Kalinkabuch, sheronsky, Apsheronsky krasnyi, Kzyi-anor, Kok-puchak, Surch-anor, Kunduzsky, Kandagar 13, Atgansky krasnyi, Iransky 3-2 Savei, Iransky 4-1, Iransky 18-2, Iransky 25-1, Iransky 25-2, Washingtonsky 5-4-41,Kalitomiisky 6306, Kalitornijsky 6506, Kalitomiisky 6157, Kalitomijsky 6324, Kalitornqskaya krasaviza, Purpurovyi, Wondertul, Ispansky Rubin, Nikitsky rannyi, Nikitsky 96, Nikitsky 109, Nikitsky 118, Sochnyi (Nikitsky 110), Azerbajdjan, Apsheron, Nasimi, Osennyi, Sejanez Ermazarskogo, Oleg, Desertnyi, Partianka, Ariana, Kemine, Sumbarsky, Chvalinsky, Vishnevyi, KaraKalinsky, Lachin, Bagt, Teremok, Kolobok, Vkusnyi, Iranskyi mestnyi 290347, Iranskyi mestnyi 291333, Iranskyi mestnyi 291338, Afgansky 255929, and others

High pulp matter (in juice) (19-20% and more)

Aleko, Achik-nar, Achadarsky, Boris, Washingtonsky 5-4-41, Vkusnyi, Hybrid 1 (Kara-nar), Divichinsky krasnyi, Djuraeva 1, Eni krmyzy, Kalitornijsky Chico, Kalitornijsky 6506, Krmyzy-kabuch, Kmmyzy-kabuch njuvadinsky, Kyrk-kyz, Kunja-Urgenchsky kislosladkyi, Manyshsky 1, Nasimi, Nikitsky 96, Paper Shell, Salavatsky, Samarkandaky 4, Sverchrannyi, Sejanez Ak-dona kongurskyi, Sejanez Ermazarskogo

High sugar content (in juice) (320%)

Achadarsky, Burachnyi, Hybrid 1 (Kara-nar), Gjuli-Gaz, Divichinsky krasayi, Iran 20-4, Manyshsky 1, Samuchsky rosovyi, Sejanez Ermazarskogo, 63/4

High ascorbic acid content (in juice) (320 mg/100 g)

Burachnyi, Veles, Vkusnyi, Gissarskyi alyi, Gjulosha krasnaya, Durdy Klych, Zakatalsky, Zubeida afganskaya, Zelili, Ispansky Rubin, Iran 20-4, Kag-nar klon 5-4-2, Kasjansky, Kalitomijsky Chico, Kzyl-anor, Koine-Kasyrsky kislosladkyi, Kukurchinsky, Livijsky, Peruansky, Samuchsky rosovyi, Seidi, Sladky krasnokojyi, Chernaya Rosa, n2 10-5, F16, 3/22,

Previous PageTop Of PageTable Of ContentsNext Page