No abstract

A resource of resistance genes analogs within Brassicaceae species identifies functional resistance genes to improve plant breeding programmes.

Locating centromeres on genome sequences can be challenging. The high density of repetitive elements in these regions makes sequence assembly problematic, especially when using short-read sequencing technologies. It can also be difficult to distinguish between active and recently extinct centromeres through sequence analysis. An effective solution is to identify genetically active centromeres (functional in meiosis) by half-tetrad analysis. This genetic approach involves detecting heterozygosity along chromosomes in segregating populations derived from gametes (half-tetrads). Unreduced gametes produced by first division restitution mechanisms comprise complete sets of nonsister chromatids. Along these chromatids, heterozygosity is maximal at the centromeres, and homologous recombination events result in homozygosity toward the telomeres. We genotyped populations of half-tetrad-derived individuals (from Brassica interspecific hybrids) using a high-density array of physically anchored SNP markers (Illumina Brassica 60K Infinium array). Mapping the distribution of heterozygosity in these half-tetrad individuals allowed the genetic mapping of all 19 centromeres of the Brassica A and C genomes to the reference Brassica napus genome. Gene and transposable element density across the B. napus genome were also assessed and corresponded well to previously reported genetic map positions. Known centromerespecific sequences were located in the reference genome, but mostly matched unanchored sequences, suggesting that the core centromeric regions may not yet be assembled into the pseudochromosomes of the reference genome. The increasing availability of genetic markers physically anchored to reference genomes greatly simplifies the genetic and physical mapping of centromeres using half-tetrad analysis. We discuss possible applications of this approach, including in species where half-tetrads are currently difficult to isolate.

A triploid hybrid with an ABC genome constitution, produced from an interspecific cross between Brassica napus (AACC genome) and B. nigra (BB genome), was used as source material for chromosome doubling. Two approaches were undertaken for the production of hexaploids: firstly, by selfpollination and open-pollination of the triploid hybrid; and secondly, by application of colchicine to axillary meristems of triploid plants. Sixteen seeds were harvested from triploid plants and two seedlings were confirmed to be hexaploids with 54 chromosomes. Pollen viability increased from 13% in triploids to a maximum of 49% in hexaploids. Petal length increased from 1.3 cm (triploid) to 1.9 cm and 1.8 cm in the two hexaploids and longest stamen length increased from 0.9 cm (triploid) to 1.1 cm in the hexaploids. Pollen grains were longer in hexaploids (43.7 and 46.3 lm) compared to the triploid (25.4 lm). A few aneuploid offsprings were also observed, with chromosome number ranging from 34 to 48. This study shows that trigenomic hexaploids can be produced in Brassica through interspecific hybridisation of B. napus and B. nigra followed by colchicine treatment.

Tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa C.H. Stirton var. albomarginata and var. crassiuscula) has been identified as one of the most productive and drought-tolerant species of herbaceous perennial legumes based on 6 years of field evaluation in Western Australia in areas with Mediterranean climate and annual rainfall ranging from 200 to 600mm. Importantly, tedera demonstrated broad adaptation to diverse soils, and some accessions have shown moderate levels of tolerance to waterlogging and salinity. Tedera exhibits minimal leaf shedding during summer and autumn. Economic modelling strongly suggests that giving livestock access to green tedera in summer and autumn will dramatically increase farm profit by reducing supplementary feeding. The breeding program (2006-12) evaluated the available genetic diversity of tedera for its field performance in seven nurseries with 6498 spaced plants in total covering a wide variation in rainfall, soils and seasons. Best overall plants were selected using a multivariate selection index generated with best linear unbiased predictors (BLUPs) of dry matter cuts and leaf retention traits. The breeding program also evaluated tedera for grazing tolerance, grazing preference by livestock, waterlogging tolerance, seed production, cold tolerance, disease susceptibility and presence of secondary compounds. Tedera is a diploid, self-pollinated species. Therefore, 28 elite parents were hand-crossed in several combinations to combine outstanding attributes of parents; F1 hybrids were confirmed with the aid of highly polymorphic, simple sequence repeat markers. The F1s were progressed to F4s by single-seed descent breeding. Elite parent plants were selfed for two generations to be progressed in the breeding program without hybridisation. Over time, selections from the crossing and selfing program will deliver cultivars of three ideotypes: (i) drought-tolerant, (ii) cold- and drought-tolerant, (iii) waterlogging- and drought-tolerant