No abstract

A degree of seed dormancy (SD) is required for malting barley varieties in Uruguay, and many other parts of the world, in order to prevent pre-harvest sprouting. Water sensitivity (WS) (a decrease in germination under excess water) is a related trait that can create problems at the malthouse. Both traits are affected by environmental conditions during grain filling. We used a population of 100 doubled haploid lines derived from the cross BCD47 × Baronesse to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting SD, WS, and malting quality traits. Preliminary experiments revealed that BCD47 has low SD and Baronesse has high SD. WS for these accessions was not known before this research. A major SD QTL – detected in four experiments – is on chromosome 5H, with BCD47 contributing the low dormancy allele. Four other regions with QTL effects for SD were mapped, but these QTL were significant in data from only one or two environments. Four regions were detected with QTL effects for WS, but only two – in 5H coincident with the SD QTL, and 3H – were significant in more than one environment. SD and WS were affected by the average temperature at the end of the grain-filling period, with higher temperatures associated with lower values for SD. At the same region on 5H where SD and WS QTL were detected, we found significant QTL for malt extract, α-amylase activity, β-glucans, FAN, Kolbach index, wort turbidity and protein content, with BCD47 contributing favourable alleles for all traits. These results underscore the importance of environmental effects on both SD and WS as well as the difficulties of combining good malting quality with adequate levels of SD and WS.

Dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.) is a warm‐season grass, native to South America. Its adoption as a pasture crop has been hindered by low seed germination and slow establishment. However, variability in germination behaviour for this species has never been systematically analysed. For Paspalum spp., dry‐storage and moist cold or warm pre‐conditioning treatments have been reported as effective for the relief or breaking of seed dormancy. In the present work, seed germination responses at 32°C were assayed for sixteen P. dilatatum genotypes, representing its known natural genetic variability, to two moist pre‐conditioning treatments (at 5 and 20°C) and without pre‐conditioning, and three seed storage periods (0, 3 and 6 months). Pre‐conditioning at 20°C showed high germination percentages (>80%), with ratios equal to or higher than pre‐conditioning at 5°C, suggesting that cold is not required to break dormancy. Longer storage times resulted in increases in germination responses for most of the genotypes, while other biotypes showed no effect. Biotypes Virasoro and Chirú showed a remarkably different behaviour with higher germination percentages of untreated freshly harvested seeds. Our results show that diversity for traits involved in seed germination exists among naturally occurring P. dilatatum genotypes and the characterization of these traits should be addressed during ecotype characterization and evaluation of potential domesticates of this species.

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis can contribute to a deeper understanding of crop phenology. The parents of a barley mapping population have similar growth and development profiles, but the progeny show transgressive segregation for phenological traits. These phenotypes were measured in eight field experiments, using different planting dates over 3 years. Five QTL, on four chromosomes, were detected for anthesis date. The four maturity QTL were on the same chromosomes as the anthesis QTL. Five QTL for grain filling were detected on all chromosomes. Three QTL, on chromosomes 1H and 2H, were detected for photoperiod sensitivity. Both parents contributed higher value alleles for all traits, except for photoperiod sensitivity. QTL epistasis was not significant. Two QTL explained most of the phenotypic variation for anthesis and physiological maturity. Non-parental combinations of alleles at these loci account for the phenotypic transgressive segregation. Candidate genes for these QTL effects are eps2S (2H) and denso (3H). QTL for other traits had smaller effects and were coincident with genes and/or QTL for the same traits reported in other germplasm.

-Paspalum dilatatum Poir. is a promising perennial summer grass forage for temperate regions, but among other factors, slow stand establishment has hindered its adoption. One of the reasons may be seed dormancy. Intraspecific variability in seed dormancy has been reported in P. dilatatum, but the mechanisms underlying this variability remain unclear. In this paper, we focus on the role of seed external covering structures on germination, particularly the lemma. Seeds of apomictic and sexual biotypes of P. dilatatum were subjected to acid scarification and removal of the lemma to study their germination, imbibition rate and sensitivity to ABA. Seeds without lemma showed higher germination than other treatments in dormant genotypes. We found that the lemma delayed but did not prevent water uptake in any genotype. Comparing sexual biotypes, P. dilatatum subsp. flavescens showed higher lemma-imposed dormancy than P. dilatatum "Virasoro", and also higher seed dormancy at the caryopsis level. The thickness of the lemma was not different between these biotypes, so this trait did not explain differences in dormancy. Intraspecific variability of seed dormancy in this species may be attributable to the lemma incidence, however differences in the caryopsis component of seed dormancy should be considered.Index terms: perennial warm-season forage grasses, seed dormancy, seed covering structures, acid scarification.Impacto diferencial da lema sobre a germinação de sementes entre diferentes genótipos de Paspalum dilatatum RESUMO -Paspalum dilatatum Poir. é uma gramínea forrageira perene de regiões temperadas, mas sua utilização é limitada pelo seu estabelecimento lento, entre outros fatores. Uma razão pode ser a dormência das sementes. Tem sido relatada variabilidade intraespecífica da dormência em P. dilatatum, mas os mecanismos envolvidos nesta variabilidade não são claros. Neste trabalho estudamos o papel das coberturas externas sobre a germinação, particularmente da lema. Sementes de biótipos sexuais e apomíticos de P. dilatatum foram submetidos à escarificação ácida e remoção da lema para estudar a germinação, a taxa de embebição e a sensibilidade ao ABA. As sementes sem lema mostraram maior germinação que outros tratamentos em genótipos com dormência. Ainda, a lema retarda, mas não impede a entrada de água. Comparando genótipos sexuais, P. dilatatum subsp. flavescens apresentou uma maior dormência imposta pela lema que P. dilatatum "Virasoro", e também dormência mais elevada ao nível do cariopse. A espessura da lema não foi diferente entre estes genótipos, e portanto esta não explicou as diferenças na dormência. A variabilidade intraespecífica da dormência nesta gramínea panicóide pode ser atribuída às diferenças na incidência da lema. Contudo, diferenças na dormência ao nível da cariopse devem ser consideradas.Termos de indexação: gramínea forrageira perene estival, dormência das sementes, coberturas externas das sementes, escarificação ácida.

We used the ‘Baronesse’/‘Full Pint’ doubled haploid population to analyse the genetic factors controlling flowering date under South American conditions. Both parents have similar heading dates, but the population shows transgressive segregation. Two genes, eps2S on chromosome 2H and sdw1 on chromosome 3H, explained most of the phenotypic variation for anthesis date, with the later allele carried by ‘Baronesse’ and ‘Full Pint’ , respectively. Both effects were completely additive with no interaction. We studied three plant developmental periods: seedling emergence to tillering (Z10–Z20), tillering (Z20–Z30) and end of tillering to anthesis (Z30–Z49) under field conditions at three contrasting planting dates. Z10–Z20 was also measured under semi‐controlled conditions. eps2S controlled Z30–Z49 periods, while sdw1 controlled Z20–Z30. Each of the two genes for the end‐point phenotype—anthesis date—was a determinant of flowering at a different developmental stage. No gene x planting date interactions were detected.

In warm‐temperate regions, the adoption of warm‐season forage grasses has been hindered by low and unpredictable seedling emergence because of seed dormancy. Developing models driven by temperature (T) and soil water potential (Ψ) may provide tools for choosing adequate sowing conditions. Models are usually developed with controlled chamber germination data, but they can be built using field emergence and weather station data. Seedling emergence data of four Paspalum populations (two dallisgrass subspecies, bahiagrass and vaseygrass) were gathered from five experiments in three Campos locations (Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Salto) during two years, with fall and spring sowing dates and irrigated and non‐irrigated plots. Thermal and hydrothermal time models were used for emergence timing. The predictions were better for irrigated plots and fall sowings. For maximum emergence proportion (MEP), a mixed linear model was adjusted. Within a non‐irrigated treatment, the higher MEP was for early‐spring sowings, but the lowest for late‐spring ones. Additionally, a thermal time index (TTI) was modified to model MEP. A coefficient which weighs degree‐days accumulation according to the hydrothermal range (HTR) of each day was set. The HTRs were defined by T and Ψ thresholds. Thresholds and coefficient values were optimized by genotype until linear regressions between MEP and modified TTI achieved higher fit. Days with high temperature (>18°C or 20°C according to genotype) accumulated half or none of degree‐days when high‐ or mid‐soil water content was available, respectively. Differences among Paspalum genotypes, sowing date recommendations and modified TTI usefulness were discussed.

Aim of the study: To analyze the course of leaf water status, water-use efficiency and growth in Eucalyptus grandis and hybrids throughout seasons with different rainfall.Area of study: The study was conducted in northern Uruguay.Methods: A randomized block trial was established containing E. grandis (ABH17), E. grandis × Eucalyptus camaldulensis (GC172), E. grandis × Eucalyptus tereticornis (GT529), and E. grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla (GU08). Predawn leaf water potential (Ψpd) and midday leaf water potential (Ψmd) were measured every six weeks from the age of 16 months, throughout two growing seasons. Stomatal conductance (gs), net photosynthetic rate (A), and leaf-level transpiration (E) were measured once in each growing season, along with leaf carbon isotope discrimination (∆13C) and tree growth. Stomatal density and distribution were studied.Results: ABH17 and GU08 had the lowest daily fluctuation of leaf water potential and showed stronger stomatal regulation; they were hypostomatic, and stomata on the adaxial leaf surfaces remained immature. GC172 and GT529 (Red-Gum hybrids) were amphistomatic and transpired more intensively; they were less efficient in instantaneous and intrinsic water use and grew faster under high soil moisture (inferred from rainfall). Under such conditions, GC172 reached the highest gas-exchange rate due to an increase in tree hydraulic conductance. ABH17 and GU08 were hypostomatic and used water more efficiently because of stronger stomatal regulation.Research highlights: Red-Gum hybrids evidenced less water use efficiency due to lower stomatal regulation, different stomatal features, and distinct growth patterns as a function of soil moisture (inferred from rainfall).Keywords: Eucalypt hybrids; stomatal conductance; water-use efficiency; transpiration.Abbreviations used: Ψpd:predawn leaf water potential;Ψmd: midday leaf water potential; ΔΨ: daily fluctuation of leaf water potential ( ; A: net photosynthetic rate, E: leaf transpiration rate, gs: stomatal conductance, WUE: instantaneous water-use efficiency; WUEi: integrated water-use efficiency; A/E: leaf photosynthesis-to-leaf transpiration ratio; ∆13C: leaf carbon isotope discrimination; K: tree hydraulic conductance; E/∆Ψ: ratio between leaf transpiration and daily fluctuation of leaf water potential; δ13C: natural abundance of 13C.