Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Plant breeding – Research'

<p> Lima bean (<i>Phaseolus lunatus</i>) is a semi-perennial, leguminous species characterized by large flat, crescent-moon-shaped pods and trifoliate leaves with generally vigorous growth habit. Lima bean is naturally distributed from the southern United States to northern Argentina, from sea level to over 2,700m and has been grown commercially in California since the late 1800&rsquo;s. The objective of the University of California Davis Lima bean breeding program is to develop improved large and baby, bush- and vine-type dry bean varieties with lygus (<i>L. hesperus</i>) and nematode (<i>M. incognita </i>) resistance and to develop breeding tools such as genetic maps and molecular markers linked to important traits to facilitate future breeding efforts. To broaden the genetic base of the California Lima bean breeding program and add novel sources of stress resistance, 313 exotic accessions of Lima beans were field-tested at UC Davis (38.54N, -121.79W). Only nine percent of accessions produced seed and were evaluated for a second season for yield and lygus tolerance relative to &lsquo;UC Haskell&rsquo;, a leading baby-vine cultivar. Ten accessions outperformed the check for either yield or insect damage and may be good candidates to incorporate into California breeding. To facilitate breeding and research at a genetic level, several tools were developed for this semi-orphan crop, including the first large Recombinant Inbred (RI) population (n &sim;300) derived from California cultivars originating from the conspecific Mesoamerican and Andean gene pools which show transgressive segregation for most agronomic traits. Traits including flowering time, inflorescent position, plant height, pod position and pod density showed correlation with yield that varied with and without lygus pressure, indicating potential tolerance mechanisms, which should be studied in more depth. This population was used to create a genetic linkage map containing 515 SNPs spanning 1622 cM across 13 linkage groups with synteny to common bean. This genetic map in combination with two seasons of field phenotypic data were used for composite interval mapping of 27 QTLs for germination rate, plant height, seed weight, yield, flowering time, inflorescence position, growth habit, and hydrogen cyanide potential in Lima bean. Seven of the new Lima bean QTLs for flowering time, plant height and seed weight are in similar locations to common bean QTLs. This research has increased our scientific and agronomic knowledge of Lima bean, a semi-orphan crop that has potential for increased utilization in California and globally.</p><p>

Some aspects of the presence of systemic endophytic fungi in agriculturally important New Zealand grasses were studied in relation to plant breeding. Seedling resistance to adult Argentine stem weevil feeding in perennial ryegrass, Italian ryegrass and tall fescue was found to be related to the presence of their respective Acremonium endophytes in the seed rather than to plant genetic resistance. In addition a study of perennial ryegrass revealed that this resistance was independent of endophyte viability. The seedling resistance conferred by the endophyte of Italian ryegrass was found to be beneficial for field establishment. This endophyte differs from that in perennial ryegrass and tall fescue in that it does not confer resistance to Argentine stem weevil on mature plants, but only on seedlings. The extent of plant genetic seedling tolerance to adult Argentine stem weevil feeding was limited to broad inter-specific differences, with tall fescue more tolerant than perennial ryegrass and both of these more tolerant than Italian ryegrass. This ranking corresponds with previous observations on feeding preference on mature plants. A study of factors affecting the concentration of endophyte mycelia in infected seed of perennial ryegrass revealed that plant genetic factors had little effect. The major factors studied were: 1) the endophyte concentration in the maternal parent plant directly influenced the endophyte concentration in the seed. 2) nitrogen fertilizer applications to a seed crop reduced the concentration of mycelia in the seed, with earlier applications having a greater effect. 3) application of the fungicide propiconazole (Tilt) to a seed crop reduced the endophyte concentration in the seed. 4) the endophyte concentration in the seed was found to directly influence the endophyte concentration in seedlings, six month old plants and that of seed harvested from a first year seed crop. As there have been no previous reports of tetraploid perennial ryegrass cultivars with endophyte an experiment was conducted to determine if these could be developed by the standard procedure of colchicine treatment. The results revealed that endophyte was retained following colchicine treatment.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) was recently introduced to western Canada as a forage crop. To reach its full potential, high yielding, early maturing fenugreek cultivars that produce good seed yield and quality within 100 frost free days need to be developed. In this study, mutation breeding approach was used on five locally adapted fenugreek genotypes to generate variants showing improved seed yield and yield attributing traits that can be used for cultivar development. Mutant generations of these plants were evaluated in multi-location, multi-year trials, and individual plants were selected for high seed and biomass yield. Seeds from a tetraploid fenugreek line and its diploid parent Tristar were grown under multiple environments to understand effect of environment on seed oil content. In addition, mold resistant fenugreek genotypes were identified by screening a collection of fenugreek accessions against a destructive fungal pathogen Cercospora traversiana.<br>xv, 179 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is a medicinal plant with potential applications in the natural health product industry. In a multi-environmental setting, 10 genotypes were tested across 14 growing environments (using a Randomized Complete Block Design), representing irrigated and rainfed growing conditions in southern Alberta, Canada over two cropping years (2006 and 2007). The objectives of this study were (1) to determine seed yield, plus content and productivity of selected bioactive compounds (galactomannan, diosgenin and 4-hydroxyisoleucine), (2) to assess the impact of growing environment on these variables and (3) to identify promising genotypes for breeding and industrial use. Using principal component and cluster analyses, the study provides insight on the relative influence of growing environments and genes on the biochemical and agronomical traits as well as identifies genotypes based on performance and stability. These are useful as parental materials in cultivar development for the Canadian natural health product industry.<br>xiii, 154 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 29 cm

Evolutionary life history theory predicts that tradeoffs among fitness-related phenotypes will occur as a result of resource limitations and/or physiological constraints. Such tradeoffs are defined as the cost(s) incurred on one component of fitness (e.g., reproduction) by the increased expression of another fitness-related trait (e.g., longevity). Only recently have researchers begun to investigate the mechanistic bases of life history tradeoffs. A recent proposal is that reactive oxygen species (ROS) have a central role in shaping life history traits and tradeoffs. Research on disparate animal taxa has highlighted strong correlations between oxidative stress resistance and fitness-related life history traits, for example. Here, I use the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to test several hypotheses concerning the effects of ROS on life history traits and the manifestation of life history tradeoffs. Additionally, I use heat stress and an alternate food source to explore the responses of life history traits to other forms of physiological stress. Relative fitness and other traits related to reproduction were found to be affected in mostly negative ways by increasing oxidative insult. Lifespan was surprisingly unaffected by oxidative stress, but was modified by temperature. In vivo ROS levels as measured by fluorescent microscopy reveal a tradeoff between antioxidant production and reproduction in this species.

Kiwifruit are of huge economic importance for New Zealand representing 29 percent of total horticultural exports. Fruit size is the biggest determinant of what consumers are willing to pay, and there is also a positive relationship between consumer preference for flavour and percentage dry matter. The two main cultivars exported from New Zealand are Actinidia chinensis ‘Hort 16A’ (gold kiwifruit) and A. deliciosa ‘Hayward’ (green kiwifruit). Under current commercial practice the only product allowed for use on kiwifruit to increase fruit size in New Zealand is Benefit®. Benefit® has been shown to induce different results when applied to A. chinensis and A. deliciosa, whereas synthetic plant growth regulators such as the cytokinin-like substance N-(2- chloro-4-pyridyl)-N’-phenylurea (CPPU) have been found to promote similar increases in fresh weight of fruit in both cultivars. Final fruit size is determined by both cell division and cell enlargement. It was been shown that fresh weight can be increased in both of the major Actinidia cultivars even though their physiology differs. Hormonal control of fruit size in relation to cell division and cell enlargement phases of fruit growth was studied in both A. chinensis and A. deliciosa. CPPU was applied to both cultivars in a growth response experiment where fruit were collected throughout the growing season. The objective of this experiment was to create growth curves, to compare and contrast the effect on A. chinensis and A. deliciosa, and to provide material for hormone analysis. Application of CPPU was found to significantly increase the fresh weight of both A. chinensis and A. deliciosa fruit (46.98 and 31.34 g increases respectively), and alter the ratio of inner and outer pericarps of A. chinensis fruit. CPPU and Benefit® were applied individually and together to both cultivars. It was found that only A. chinesis fruit were affected by the application of Benefit®; fresh weight was increased by 26.38 g, and percentage dry matter was significantly reduced. There was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) interaction between CPPU and Benefit® when applied to A. chinensis. 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyloxyacetic acid (3,5,6-TPA) was applied to A. deliciosa on two application dates at three concentrations and was found to decrease fresh weight of fruit, but significantly increase percentage dry matter regardless of application date or concentration. Lastly CPPU and 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) were applied to A. deliciosa at two application dates and in all combinations. Application date affected the response to both a low concentration of CPPU and NAA. A synergistic interaction was observed when CPPU was applied early plus NAA late (CPPU early (4.53 g increase) plus NAA late (13.29 g) < CPPU early plus NAA late (33.85 g). Finally endogenous hormone content was studied. Methods were developed and tested for the simultaneous analysis of both indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and cytokinins. Freeze dried fruit were purified using Waters Sep-pak® cartridges and Oasis® columns then IAA was quantified by high pressure liquid chromatography. Preliminary results indicate a correlation between application of CPPU and endogenous IAA, high concentrations of IAA correlated well with periods of rapid fruit growth particularly for CPPU treated fruit.

There has been limited research on the rooting patterns of alfalfa. This information would be important in developing new germplasm sources that are more water efficient, salt tolerant and drought tolerant. Ten alfalfa varieties were evaluated for possible genetic control of rooting traits. Seedlings were grown hydroponically in a growth chamber. The cultivars evaluated showed a significant statistical difference for width of lateral root system and number of lateral roots. The variation in seedling rooting patterns is sufficient to warrant a selection program for improved lateral rooting patterns.

The association between individual plant performance and seed yield variability within and between field pea crops was investigated. In 1988/89 six F8 genotypes with morphologically distinct characteristics were selected from a yield evaluation trial. Analysis of the individual plant performance within these crops indicated an association between low seed yields and the location and dispersion of plant harvest index (PHI) and plant weight (PWT) distributions. The analyses also showed there was a strong linear relationship between the seed weight (SWT) and PWT of the individual plants within each crop, and that the smallest plants tended to have the lowest PHI values. A series of 20 simulations was used to formalize the relationships between SWT, PWT and PHI values within a crop into a principal axis model (PAM). The PAM was based on a principal axis which represented the linear relationship between SWT and PWT, and an ellipse which represented the scatter of data points around this line. When the principal axis passed through the origin, the PHI of a plant was independent of its PWT and the mean PHI was equal to the gradient of the axis. However, when the principal axis had a negative intercept then the PHI was dependent on PWT and a MPW was calculated. In 1989/90 four genotypes were sown at five plant populations, ranging from 9 to 400 plants m⁻². Significant seed and biological yield differences were detected among genotypes at 225 and 400 plants m⁻². The plasticity of yield components was highlighted, with significant genotype by environment interactions detected for each yield component. No relationship was found between results for yield components from spaced plants and those found at higher plant populations. The two highest yielding genotypes (CLU and SLU) showed either greater stability or higher genotypic means for PHI than genotypes CVN and SVU. Despite significant skewness and kurtosis in the SWT, PWT, and PHI distributions from the crops in this experiment, the assumptions of the PAM held. The lower seed yield and increased variability in PHI values for genotype CVN were explained by its higher MPW and the positioning of the ellipse closer to the PWT axis intercept than in other genotypes. For genotype SVU, the lower seed yield and mean PHI values were explained by a lower slope for the principal axis. Both low yielding genotypes were originally classified as having vigorous seedling growth and this characteristic may be detrimental to crop yields. A method for selection of field pea genotypes based on the PAM is proposed. This method enables the identification of weak competitors as single plants, which may have an advantage over vigorous plants when grown in a crop situation.

Lolium perenne is one of the most important forage crops globally and in New Zealand. Lotus corniculatus is a dicotyledonous forage that contains valuable traits such as high levels of condensed tannins, increased digestibility, and high nitrogen fixing abilities. However, conventional breeding between these two forage crops is impossible due to their markedly different taxonomic origin. Protoplast fusion (somatic hybridisation) provides an opportunity for gene introgression between these two species. This thesis describes the somatic hybridisation, the regeneration and the molecular analysis of the putative somatic hybrid plants obtained between L. perenne and L. corniculatus. Callus and cell suspensions of different cultivars of L. perenne were established from immature embryos and plants were regenerated from the callus. Of the 10 cultivars screened, cultivars Bronsyn and Canon had the highest percentage of callus induction at 36% each on 5 mg/L 2,4-D. Removal of the palea and lemma which form the seed coat was found to increase callus induction ability of the embryos. Plant regeneration from the callus was achieved when the callus was plated on LS medium supplemented with plant growth regulators at different concentrations. Variable responses to shoot regeneration was observed between the different cultivars with the cv Kingston having the lowest frequency of shoot formation (12%). Different factors affecting the protoplast isolation of L. perenne were investigated. The highest protoplast yield of 10×10⁶ g⁻¹FW was obtained when cell suspensions were used as the tissue source, with enzyme combination 'A' (Cellulase Onozuka RS 2%, Macerozyme R-10 1%, Driselase 0.5%, Pectolyase 0.2%), for 6 h incubation period in 0.6 M mannitol. Development of microcolonies was only achieved when protoplasts were plated on nitrocellulose membrane with a L. perenne feeder layer on PEL medium. All the shoots regenerated from the protoplast-derived calli were albino shoots. The highest protoplast yield (7×10⁶ g⁻¹FW) of L. corniculatus was achieved from cotyledons also with enzyme combination 'A' (Cellulase Onozuka RS 2%, Macerozyme R-10 1%, Driselase 0.5%, Pectolyase 0.2%), for 6 h incubation period in 0.6 M mannitol. The highest plating efficiency for L. corniculatus of 1.57 % was achieved when protoplasts were plated on nitrocellulose membrane with a L. perenne feeder layer on PEL medium. The highest frequency of shoot regeneration (46%) was achieved when calli were plated on LS medium with NAA (0.1 mg/L) and BA (0.1 mg/L). Protoplast fusion between L. perenne and L. corniculatus was performed using the asymmetric somatic hybridisation technique using PEG as the fusogen. L. perenne protoplasts were treated with 0.1 mM IOA for 15 min and L. corniculatus protoplasts were treated with UV at 0.15 J/cm² for 10 min. Various parameters affecting the fusion percentage were investigated. Successful fusions were obtained when the fusions were conducted on a plastic surface with 35% PEG (3350 MW) for 25 min duration, followed by 100 mM calcium chloride treatment for 25 min. A total of 14 putative fusion colonies were recovered. Shoots were regenerated from 8 fusion colonies. Unexpectedly, the regenerated putative hybrid plants resembled L. corniculatus plants. The flow cytometric profile of the putative somatic hybrids resembled that of L. corniculatus. Molecular analysis using SD-AFLP, SCARs and Lolium specific chloroplast microsatellite markers suggest that the putative somatic hybrids could be L. corniculatus escapes from the asymmetric protoplast fusion process. This thesis details a novel Whole Genome Amplification technique for plants using Strand Displacement Amplification technique.

Variables for the accelerated ageing (AA) test, methods for reducing fungal contamination during the AA test, using the conductivity test as a vigour test, the effect of seed size on seed vigour and the relationship between laboratory test results and field perfonnance in selected Brassica spp were investigated. In the first experiment, three seed lots of turnip rape hybrid (B. rapa x campestris), turnip (B. campestris) and forage rape (B. napus); and seven seed lots of Asian rape (B. napus), six seed lots of Asian kale (B. oleraceae var. alboglabra L.) and five seed lots of choisum (B. rapa var. pekinensis) with germinations above 90% were aged at two different temperatures (41 and 42°C ± 0.3°C) and three ageing times (24, 48 and 72 ± 15 minutes). The second experiment was divided into three sections. In the first, the same seed lots and species were aged at one temperature (41°C) and time (72 h), but either 40 ml of saturated salts; KCl (83%RH), NaCl (76%RH), NaBr (55%RH); or distilled water (96%RH) were used as the ageing solutions. In the second, one turnip rape hyprid seed lot was aged at three temperatures (41, 42 and 45°C) and two times (72 and 96h), again using the three saturated salts and distilled water as ageing solutions. In the third, three turnip rape hybrid seed lots and three Asian kale seed lots were surface sterilised (1 % sodium hypochlorite) prior to ageing at one temperature (41°C) and time (72 h). In the third experiment, the same species and seed lots used in experiment one at their original seed moisture content (SMC) were tested for conductivity after soaking in deionised water for 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 h. They were then re-tested after the SMC had been adjusted to 8.5%. In the fourth experiment, three seed lots of forage rape and three seed lots of Asian kale were graded into three seed size categories; large (retained on a 2.0 mm screen), medium (retained on a 1.7 mm screen) and small (passed through a 1.7 mm screen). Graded seeds were then tested for standard germination, AA (41°C/48 h) and conductivity (measured at 16 and 24 h). In the final experiment, the relationships between laboratory tests for the six species (each consisting of three seed lots), field emergence from three sowings, and cold room emergence were evaluated. Both time and temperature influenced post-AA germination. Increasing the ageing period from 48 to 72 hours at 41°C, and 24 to 48 hours at 42°C resulted in decreased mean germination percentage for all species but not always clear separation of seed lots. While there were sometimes few differences between ageing at 41°C and 42°C, the former is preferred because it is already the temperature used for other species. For Asian rape, choisum and turnip, the previously recommended testing conditions of 41°C/72 h provided good seed lot separation, but for Asian kale and turnip rape hybrid, AA testing at 41°C/48 h provided better results. Seed moisture content after ageing ranged from 29-37% depending on species. Fungal growth on seeds during the ageing period appeared to reduce post-ageing germination in some seed lots . Substituting saturated salts for distilled water did not stress seed lots in the AA test, due to the lowered RH%, the exception being seed lots 1210 and 1296. For forage and Asian species, seed lot germination mostly remained above 90% when aged for 72 h at lowered RH%. Increasing the ageing duration from 72 to 96 hours resulted in some decreases in post-AA germination but no clear separation of seed lots. Surface sterilising the seeds prior to the AA test resulted in a lower incidence of contaminant fungi which was associated with a lower percentage of abnormal seedlings. The conductivity test was mostly able to identify vigour differences among forage and Asian vegetable brassica seed lots. Differences in conductivity readings were observed among seed lots in all species. Increasing the period of imbibition resulted in increased conductivity from most seed lots but radicle emergence occurred after 16-20 h of imbibition. Variation was observed in the time to reach 95% maximum of the imbibition curve for most species. Conductivity readings at 16 h would avoid possible influences of radicle emergence on results. Adjusting the SMC to 8.5% resulted in reduced variation in conductivity among replicates of seed lots, due to a reduction in imbibition damage. Seed size had a significant effect on both post-AA germination and conductivity results. In forage rape, large size seeds had higher post-AA germination cf. medium cf. small size seeds. In Asian kale, large size seeds had higher post-AA germination compared with small size seeds. For both forage rape and Asian kale, large size seeds had lower conductivity readings cf. small size seeds. The correlation analyses demonstrated significant relationships between AA testing and field emergence parameters (percentage emergence, emergence index and emergence rate). Significant relationships were also observed between conductivity testing and these field emergence parameters. Based on the correlation analysis, AA testing at 41°C/48 hand/or 42°C/48 h could be recommended to be used as an AA test for turnip and Asian rape; and 41°C/48 hand/or 41°C/72 h for Asian kale and choisum. Based on the correlation analysis, conductivity testing at 16 h can be used to predict the field emergence potential of forage and Asian vegetable seed lots. Vigour tests were consistently able to provide better indicators of field perfonnance than the standard germination test, although these relationships did vary with the different field sowings.

L'agroécologie a des attentes fortes en termes de recherche sur les concepts et sur les méthodes de sélection et de gestion de la diversité. En effet, la prise en compte de la diversité des environnements et des pratiques spécifiques à chaque système agroécologique appelle des approches plus décentralisées, c'est à dire une meilleure prise en compte des interactions génotype × environnement, et associant les savoirs empiriques des praticiens aux connaissances scientifiques.L'objectif de cette thèse est de développer une méthodologie de la sélection participative pour le blé tendre, basée sur la décentralisation et la co-construction entre paysans, associations du Réseau Semences Paysannes et chercheurs de l'équipe DEAP de l'INRA du Moulon. Cette approche vise à créer des variétés-populations adaptées aux environnements et aux pratiques des paysans, à développer des méthodes et des outils opérationnels pour la gestion et la sélection de la biodiversité cultivée à la ferme et à renforcer l'apprentissage et l'autonomie des paysans en matière de sélection.Ce travail a contribué à atteindre ces objectifs, notamment les deux derniers, en se basant sur une approche interdisciplinaire dans les champs de la statistique, génétique quantitative, génétique des populations, bio-informatique et sociologie.Les objectifs ont été en partie atteints avec la création de méthodes et d'outils : fiches de suivi de la culture, base de données permettant de gérer les relations entre lots de semences dans un large réseau d'acteurs, dispositifs expérimentaux à la ferme et méthodes statistiques permettant de prendre en compte le déséquilibre des essais à la ferme, en profitant du large réseau d'expérimentation, afin de réaliser des comparaisons de moyennes dans les fermes et d'analyser les interactions génotype × environnement dans le réseau de fermes, programme informatique qui permet de créer un dossier avec des résultats personnalisés pour chaque paysan, livret technique sur la sélection participative.Une analyse moléculaire et phénotypique montre que le programme de sélection participative s'insère dans la gestion in-situ des ressources génétiques par la création de nouvelles variétés-populations et par leur gestion dans un large réseau de fermes regroupant une grande diversité d'environnements et de pratiques.Les paysans ont renforcé leur apprentissage et leur autonomie. Ils étaient acteurs du programme et leurs pratiques ont évolué avec, par exemple, un nombre croissant de populations évaluées sur le réseau, de sélections et d'échanges de semences entre paysans au fur et à mesure que le projet avançait.Deux innovations émergent de ce projet : organisationnelle et génétique. L'innovation organisationnelle correspond au mode de fonctionnement du projet, basé sur la décentralisation de la sélection directement dans les fermes et la co-construction entre les acteurs et leur mise en réseau. Les innovations génétiques découlent de ce mode d'organisation : une large diversité génétique et phénotypique a été créée, est maintenue et évaluée dans les fermes et de nouvelles variétés populations, issues du programme, sont utilisées par des paysans dans leurs fermes.La méthodologie que nous avons développée est évolutive, flexible et adaptable. Elle place les paysans au coeur de la sélection et de la gestion des ressources génétiques. Ce projet participe à la transition vers un nouveau système semencier adapté à l'agroécologie

Cette thèse sur l’histoire des rosiéristes lyonnais entre 1820 et 1939 s’articule autour de plusieurs problématiques : l’individu et l’exploitation familiale, l’activité commerciale et les goûts des consommateurs, et l’action collective d’une profession qui se démarque progressivement au sein du monde horticole. De l’apparition des premières spécialisations, vers 1820, au déclin de l’activité rosicole pendant l’entre-deux-guerres, la périodisation souligne l’âge d’or de la rosiculture française matérialisée, entre autre, par la formation de lignées professionnelles tout au long du XIXe siècle. L’étude se propose de reconstituer les divers aspects, chronologiques, entrepreneuriaux, socio-économiques, techniques ou culturels de l’activité et apporte des éléments explicatifs à la compréhension du travail des obtenteurs : ceux-ci appartiennent à l’excellence du monde horticole et sont, à ce titre, sujets de l’histoire des élites – il s’agit ici d’élites professionnelles. Grâce aux archives des établissements — livres de comptes, registres d’expédition, correspondances commerciales — la thèse met à jour les évolutions du marché du rosier et montre comment une activité marginale, ignorée des statistiques officielles, se développe par l’intermédiaire d’un réseau commercial étendu. Pour ce faire, le diaporama des acheteurs et l’examen d’une clientèle élitaire et mondaine permettent de décrypter la consommation d’une époque et l’émergence de nouveaux codes esthétiques articulés autour d’un produit qui renvoie à des pratiques culturelles et à des constructions sociales et identitaires. L’exploitation des données quantifiées relatives à la structuration du marché, l’identification nominative de la clientèle et la périodisation des modes en matière de roses, illustrée par une exploitation statistique des préférences des acheteurs, confèrent à cette thèse une démarche neuve et originale. L’analyse des logiques économiques et sociales qui ont influencé la réussite puis le recul du secteur rosicole donne à voir le fonctionnement d’une filière artisanale, son évolution quantitative et qualitative et l’organisation d’un marché à vaste échelle, soutenu par un savoir-faire garant de la qualité du produit et du choix de l’acheteur. Certaines de ces micro-entreprises consolident leur position par une politique dynamique faisant interagir mécanismes de vente et talents créatifs en adoptant des pratiques commerciales relativement modernes pour répondre à un accroissement et une diversification progressive des transactions commerciales. Quant à la mise en adéquation du marché de l’offre et de celui de la demande, elle montre un élargissement de la clientèle lié aux transformations économiques et culturelles provoquées par l’évolution des loisirs dans la majorité des catégories sociales qui voient dans la culture des fleurs une activité de détente et un moyen d’embellir le cadre de vie. Au fil de la réflexion se déclinent de nouvelles préférences florales établies autour de considérations esthétiques qui ne sont pas sans rapport avec la mise en scène ornementale que les architectes paysagistes s’attachent à reproduire. La nouveauté du coloris n’est-elle pas un constitutif déterminant dans le succès d’une variété ? En ce sens, l’engouement en faveur de la rose jaune informe sur les codes de l’élégance qui se généralisent dans les jardins. La colorimétrie dominante constitue donc un observatoire privilégié des sensibilités et des mutations esthétiques et allégoriques qui s’inscrivent au cœur d’une histoire des représentations. Dans un autre versant, l’enquête prosopographique révèle des relations économiques et familiales solidement imbriquées et livre des éléments explicatifs sur la réalité de la petite exploitation et sur les mécanismes comportementaux qui président à la constitution d’une culture familiale<br>This thesis on the story of Lyon’s roses’ breeders between 1820 and 1939 focuses on several issues: the individual and the family farm, the commercial activity and consumers’ tastes, and the collective action of a profession which gradually stands apart from the horticultural world. From the apparition of first specializations around 1820 to the decline of the activity related to roses during the interwar, the periodization highlights the golden age of French roses’ culture materialized, among others, by the formation of professional lines throughout the nineteenth century. This study proposes to reconstruct various aspects, historical, entrepreneurial, socio-economic, technical or cultural of the activity and provides explanatory material in order to understand the work of breeders: they belong to the excellence of the horticultural world and are, as such, subject to the history of elites – we are talking here of professional elites: With the archives of companies – account books, shipping records, professional correspondence – the thesis updates the developments of the roses’ market and shows how a marginal activity, ignored by official statistics, develops through an extensive sales network. In order to do so, the overview of buyers and the examination of an elitist and fashionable clients permits to decrypts the consumption of an epoch and the emergence of new aesthetic codes articulated around a product that refers to cultural practices and social and identity constructions. The exploitation of quantified data about the market’s structuration, the nominal identification of clients and the periodization of roses’ trends, illustrated by a statistical analysis of the preferences of buyers, give to this thesis a new and original approach. The analysis of economic and social logics that have influenced the success and the decline of the roses’ sector show the functioning of a traditional industry, its quantitative and qualitative evolution and the organization of a large-scale market, supported by a know-how which guarantees the quality of the product and the choice of the buyer. Some of those micro-companies consolidate their position by choosing a dynamic policy using and combining both sales’ mechanisms and creative talents, taking relatively modern business practices in response to a gradual increase and diversification of commercial transactions. Concerning the matching of supply and demand, it shows a broadening of the customer, which is related to the economic and cultural changes brought about by the expansion of leisure in most social groups who see the flowers ’culture as a relaxing activity and a way to beautify the living environment. Throughout the reflexion, new floral preferences established have been declined; around aesthetic considerations which are not unrelated with the development of ornamental staging which landscape architects strive to reproduce. Isn’t the novelty of a colour a preeminent element determining the success of a variety? In this sense, the enthusiasm for the yellow rose lets us know about codes of elegance that became widespread in the gardens. The colorimetry is therefore a privileged observatory of sensibilities and aesthetic and allegorical mutations that join the heart of a history of representations.In another side, the prosopographic survey reveals economic and family relationships securely nested and delivers explanatory elements of the reality of small farm functioning and behavioural mechanisms that govern the formation of a family culture. De facto, this work aims to provide a contribution to the understanding of the historical genesis of a professional group, whose history is constructed in terms of lineage and genealogy

Isolates of Monilinia fructicola (Wint.) Honey obtained from stone fruit orchards in Hawkes Bay, North Island and from Californian fruit exported to New Zealand, were tested for resistance to methyl benzimidazole carbamate (MBC). Resistant isolates from the North Island had EC₅₀ values of >30,000, and most isolates from the imported fruit had of values approximately 1.5 mg a.i./l carbendazim. Sensitive isolates failed to grow on 1 mg a.i./l carbendazim. A detached peach shoot system was used in controlled conditions for estimation of values for incubation period, latent period and rate of spore production on flowers (cv Glohaven). The same variables and the rate of colonisation of host tissue were measured on fruit (cv Fantasia) in controlled conditions. An inoculum density of 1x10⁴ spore/flower or fruit greatly increased fitness in vivo compared to an inoculum density of 1x10² spore/flower (fruit). Isolates varied considerably, but there was no consistent relationship between the degrees of resistance and fitness. This was in contrast to earlier studies with dicarboximide resistant strains of M. fructicola. The survival in the field of 10 isolates resistant or sensitive to MBC or dicarboximide fungicides on twig cankers and mummified fruit was compared. The ability to produce conidia on twig cankers inoculated in late spring 1989 was maintained by all sensitive and MBC resistant isolates for at least 1 year. The production of conidia on mummified fruit inoculated in February 1990 decreased after 2-3 months in the field but some conidia were still produced on all fruit in the following spring. Dicarboximide resistant isolates produced less conidia than either the MBC resistant and the sensitive isolates. The pathogenicity and fitness of all isolates were similar to the original values after survival for 1 year. A technique was developed to produce apothecia reliably from inoculated peach (cv Black Boy) and nectarine (cv Fantasia) fruit in controlled conditions in the laboratory. The fruit were inoculated with resistant or sensitive isolates, or combinations, and were incubated for 8 weeks at 25°C (±1°C) with 12 hours photoperiod of fluorescent light (Sylvania 2x65 W, daylight) to produce mummified fruit. The fruit were then buried in moist autoclaved peat moss for 10 weeks at 25°C (±1°C) in the dark to form stromata. These fruit were then hydrated with running tap-water (total hardness (CaCO₃) = 47 g/m³ and conductivity at 20°C = 12.7 mS/m) for 72 hours. The hydrated mummified fruit were placed in moist peat moss and were incubated for 13-14 weeks at 8°C (±0.5°C) in the dark. At the end of this period, stipe initials were visible. Differentiation of stipe initials into mature apothecia occurred within 15-20 days after transfer to 12°C (±2 °C) with a 12 hour photoperiod of fluorescent and incandescent light. All isolates produced apothecia when treated in this way. A technique for isolation of ascospore sets in linear arrangement was developed for tetrad analysis of the inheritance of resistance. At least 3 hours of fluorescent and incandescent light at 12°C (±2°C) was essential to allow ascospore ejection from individual asci taken from apothecia previously maintained in a 12 hour photoperiod at 12°C (±1°C). A water film on the surface of water agar was necessary to hold a set of ejected ascospores in linear sequence. Single ascospores were obtained in sequence with the aid of a micromanipulator. Genetic analysis of MBC resistant isolates was carried out on ascospores derived from apothecia produced in the laboratory. Analysis of ascospore sets in linear arrangement and ascospore populations indicated that resistance to >30,000 mg a.i./l carbendazim (high-resistant) is governed by a single major gene and is affected by gene conversion mechanisms. Crossing over was frequent, suggesting that recombination of resistance with other characters, such as pathogenicity and fitness, may occur readily. The segregation ratio (1:1) from most resistant isolates revealed that heterokaryons containing both resistant and sensitive alleles were common in resistant populations and that resistance is dominant. Allozyme analysis of ascospore progeny through electrophoresis revealed a narrow genetic base of M. fructicola in New Zealand. The technique for reliable apothecial production in controlled conditions developed in this study provided an important step for the determination of the biology of M. fructicola strains resistant to MBC fungicides, and the complexity of its life cycle. Genetic heterogeneity in field populations can be conserved in one isolate through heterokaryosis, thus providing for adaptability of the pathogen to the changing environmental conditions. Knowledge on genetic variability, overwintering ability, pathogenicity and fitness factors may be useful for future management strategies of stone fruit brown rot. Special emphasis should be made in particular to prevent primary infection on blossoms, which would delay the establishment of recombinant strains of M. fructicola and the onset of brown rot epidemics.

碩士<br>國立中興大學<br>科技法律研究所<br>100<br>Since the Japanese colonial period, there have been a plenty of researches done in agricultural science and technology in Taiwan, especially in the field of plant breeding. Recently, in order to promote national economic development, public research organizations and national universities started to license out the results of plant breeding research to the industry in the wake of the relaxation of Foundamental Science and Technology Act. However, pratical problems occur when licensing activities proceed. Partially because plant variety right is comparatively new than rights such as patent and trademark, plant variety right is not yet commonly known. Nevertheless, most of the licensing problems can be attributed to the immaturity of related legislations. This thesis will begin with reviewing the technology transfer system in public research orgenizations. By examining the prevalent model license agreements in the public research organizations and national universities, licensing issues derived from current technology transfer system and relative acts will then be analysed. Finally, recommendations will be proposed in the last chapter with a hope that licensing issues on the results of plant breeding researches in the public research organisations and national universities will be prompted and solved.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz ssp. esculenta) is the second most important food crop and a main source of income for the rural communities with potential for industrial use in the coastal region of Kenya. However, its productivity of 5 to 9 t ha-1 is low due to the low yield potential of the local cassava landraces caused by cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) among other biotic and abiotic constraints. Breeding for CBSD resistant varieties with farmer desired characteristics is hampered by limited information on the current status of the disease and farmers’ preferred characteristics of new CBSD resistant genotypes. In addition, there is a lack of an effective inoculation technique for cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) for screening genotypes for CBSD resistance. Information about the general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) for CBSD above and below ground symptoms, fresh biomass yield (FBY) and fresh storage root yield (FSRY) (kg plant-1), harvest index (HI), dry matter % (DM %) and picrate score (PS) is limited and conflicting especially for the cassava germplasm in Kenya. These studies were carried out to update information on the status of CBSD, farmer’s preferences for cassava genotypes, and identify the most effective CBSV inoculation technique. In addition, the studies aimed to: determine the GCA and SCA for, and gene action controlling, the incidence and severity of above ground CBSD, root necrosis, FBY, FSRY, HI, DM %, and PS; and identify CBSD resistant progeny with farmers’ desired characteristics. A survey carried out in three major cassava-growing divisions in Kilifi, Kwale and Malindi Districts indicated that there was potential to increase production and productivity by increasing the area under cassava production and developing CBSD resistant genotypes that are early maturing, high yielding and sweet. In addition, CBSD was widely distributed, being present in 98.0% of the farms surveyed at a mean incidence of 61.2%. However, 99.0% of farmers interviewed lacked awareness and correct information about the disease. The genetic variability of cassava within the farms was low as the majority of farmers grew one or two landraces. Highly significant differences (P < 0.01) were observed among inoculation techniques for CBSV for which the highest infection rate of up to 92.0% was observed in plants inoculated by wedge grafting infected scion. Highly significant differences (P < 0.01) were observed among genotypes, between sites and their interaction for incidence of CBSD and root necrosis, while the differences among genotypes and the interaction between genotypes and the period of ratings were highly significant (P < 0.01) for the severity of CBSD and root necrosis. Above ground CBSD symptoms were not always associated with below ground CBSD symptoms and below ground CBSD symptoms were more severe at 12 months after planting (MAP) than at 6 MAP. Therefore, selecting cassava genotypes with resistance to below ground CBSD is more important than selection based on resistance to above ground CBSD and should be done after 12 months. Genotypes 5318/3 (exotic) followed by Msa140 and Plot4 (both local) had high resistance and can be used as new sources of resistance to root necrosis. Both GCA and SCA effects were highly significant with GCA sums of squares (SS) predominant over the SCA SS for most traits evaluated except for DM % at the clonal stage. These results indicate that although additive and non-additive genetic effects are involved in the inheritance of these traits, the additive genetic effects are more important except for DM %. Therefore breeding for CBSD-resistant genotypes that have characteristics desired by farmers in the coastal region of Kenya can be achieved through recurrent selection and gene pyramiding followed by participatory selection or use of a selection index that incorporates characteristics considered important by farmers.<br>Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

Maize ear rots are among the most important impediments to increased maize production in Africa. Besides yield loss, they produce mycotoxins in their host whose contamination has been linked to several human and animal mycoses. The main objectives of the studies reported on in this thesis were (i) to investigate farmer perceptions of maize ear rot disease and prospects for breeding for host plant resistance in Zambia; and (ii) to establish the levels of incidence and extent of maize ear rot infection as well as the level of mycotoxins in the maize crops of smallholder farms in central and southern Zambia; (iii) to appraise the field inoculation techniques and assess them for their suitability for the Zambian environmental conditions, (iv) to determine the combining ability of Zambian maize populations for resistance to ear rot and investigate the genetic basis of this resistance; and (v) to investigate both direct and indirect responses to full-sib selection for ear rot resistance in Zambian maize populations. A participatory rural appraisal (PRA) was conducted in four communities, involving a total of 90 farmers. Participatory methods were used, such as focused group discussions, group interviews, participant scoring and ranking. Farmers ranked and scored the various constraints affecting their maize production in general and the maize ear rots in particular. Ear rots were ranked as the third most important biotic stress and it was evident that although farmers were aware of the disease, they were not aware of mycotoxins. This was reflected in the way they disposed of rotten maize: either by feeding livestock or eating it in periods of hunger. The survey of ear rots and mycotoxins was carried out in the Southern and Central Provinces of Zambia. A total of 114 farms were covered in the survey: maize samples were collected and both ear rot fungi and mycotoxins were isolated. Fusarium and Stenocarpella were the most frequently isolated fungi from smallholder farms. The levels of fumonisins on these farms ranged from 0.05 to 192 ppm, while those of aflatoxins were between 1.5 and 10.6 ppb. In 50% of the farmsteads surveyed, the mycotoxins, i.e. fumonisins and aflatoxins, exceeded the recommended FAO/WHO 1limits of 2 ppm and 2 ppb, respectively. Five field inoculation techniques namely, colonised toothpick, leaf whorl placement, ear top placement, spore suspension spray, and silk channel injection, were evaluated over three seasons in a series of experiments. It was found that the leaf whorl placement of inoculums, followed by colonized toothpick method, gave a constant ranking of genotypes across locations and years compared to the other three methods. In addition, the use of a mixture of ear rots as inoculum was as effective as its principal single species constituents. In the population diallel analysis, five broad-based maize populations were crossed in a diallel and evaluated under artificial ear rot inoculation using an inoculum mixture of three ear rot fungi, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium verticilloides and Stenocarpella maydis at four locations in Zambia. The purpose was to estimate general (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) and investigate genotype x environment interaction. GCA effects were found not to be significant for disease severity but were significant for grain yield across environments. Populations with a strong GCA effect for disease severity across sites included PRA783244c3, Pop25, MMV600, and ZUCASRc2. Across sites, the F1 combinations, MMV600 x Pop25, ZUCASRc2 X Pop25, and Pop25 x PRA783244c2 had strong SCA effects for root lodging, ear drooping, husk cover and ear insect damage. In a related diallel analysis of 10 full-sib families derived from these populations, it was observed that resistant x susceptible families and their reciprocal crosses performed better than their resistant parents, suggesting an over dominant expression of resistance. Both maternal and non maternal effects were observed to be influencing resistance to ear rots. There was a preponderance influence of non-additive gene action. A response to full-sib recurrent selection was conducted in four locations in Central Zambia. Out of the 343 families created in 2005/6 season, 10% were selected from each population and recombined to create five new populations. These, with the original populations, were evaluated in four sites during the 2007/8 season. There was a net reduction in ear rot incidence and rot severity in the new synthetic population. Pop10 had the largest reduction in disease severity. The predicted gain per cycle was -4.1% and realized gain was -2.5% for disease incidence, and 0.19% and 19.4% for grain yield. Genetic variability was maintained though with low heritability estimates. Negative but at times strong association between grain yield and ear rot disease severity was detected suggesting that in general selecting for ear rot resistance would enhance grain yield in the five populations. Overall the importance of the ear rots and mycotoxins in compromising yield and health of the communities in Zambia, respectively, were confirmed and support the call to improve maize varieties for resistance to ear rots. The results indicate that the five populations could be enhanced for ear rot resistance through population improvement procedures such reciprocal recurrent selection that exploit both additive and non-additive variation. Selection might be compromised by the large genotype x environment interaction effects, and large reciprocal effects and their interaction with the environments. To enhance repeatability genotypes should be artificially inoculated, by placing the inoculum in the leaf whorl followed by colonized toothpick inoculation, and screened in many environments to identify genotypes with stable resistance to ear rots.<br>Thesis (Ph.D) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

Viral diseases are a major limiting factor to cowpea production in many countries of Africa. In Uganda, studies indicated that the cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV) is common and a potential threat to cowpea production in the region. There have been no efforts to develop cowpea cultivars with resistance to CABMV in Uganda. This work focused on the development of cultivars resistant to CABMV. Production of cowpea in Uganda is constrained by several factors, including a lack of awareness of diseases among the majority of farmers. A participatory rural appraisal (PRA) was conducted to elicit farmers’ indigenous knowledge of cowpea production and also to gain insight into their understanding of viral diseases affecting cowpea in Uganda. PRA tools such as group discussions, transect walks, problem listing and ranking were used to gather information. Insect pests, diseases, low yielding cultivars and the high cost of pesticides were perceived to be the most important production constraints. Farmers were not aware of the problem of virus diseases, but provided descriptive names of symptoms. Only three cowpea cultivars (Ebelat, Ecirikukwai and Blackcowpea) were produced in the area. Seed size and colour were seen as important traits in new varieties. Information about the occurrence, distribution and identity of cowpea viruses is limited in Uganda. The objective of this study was to identify the important cowpea virus diseases occurring naturally in the major cowpea growing regions of Uganda. Surveys were conducted to determine the incidence and severity of virus symptoms in four districts (Soroti, Kumi, Pallisa and Tororo) in 2004 and 2005. The incidence ranged from 40.5 to 94.4% and severity ranged from 15.0 to 30.6% (for Kumi and Pallisa districts, respectively) during the 2004 surveys. In 2005, the incidence ranged from 55.9 to 85.4% and severity ranged from 4.7 to 14.5% (for Tororo and Soroti districts, respectively). The CABMV, cowpea mild mottle virus (CPMMV), cowpea severe mosaic virus (CPSMV) and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) were serologically detected by double antibody sandwich enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA). Fifty four improved cowpea genotypes were screened for resistance to CABMV during the first season of 2004 at Serere Agricultural and Animal Production Research Institute in Uganda. Further screening was conducted in the second season of 2004 using 27 genotypes. The genotypes were planted in single rows between the rows of the susceptible cultivar, Ebelat. This was to provide high pressure of aphid vector (Aphis craccivora Koch) and CABMV inoculum. In addition, the test genotypes were artificially inoculated with a CABMV extract on fully expanded primary leaves of fourteen day-old seedlings. The CABMV incidence and severity was assessed. Disease severity was assessed on a 0-60% visual estimation scale where 0 = with no symptoms and 60 = with severe symptoms. Serological analysis was conducted using DAS-ELISA. Five genotypes showed good levels of resistance to CABMV, namely MU-93, IT82D-889, IT82D-516-2, IT85F-2841 and SECOW-2W. These resistant lines were crossed with three susceptible local landraces, namely Ebelat, Ecirikukwai and Blackcowpea in a North Carolina II mating design. The F1, F2 and BC1F1 populations and the parents were evaluated in the field to assess the response to CABMV and to study the inheritance of resistance to CABMV. The general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects were significant, indicating that both additive and non-additive genetic factors are important in determining the control of CABMV in cowpea. The proportions (%) of the sum of squares for crosses attributable to GCA and SCA for CABMV severity were 51.4% for GCA due to females, 8.4% for GCA due to males and 40.2% for the SCA. The narrow-sense heritability estimates, obtained by regressing F1 on mid-parents was 0.87 and 0.84, F2 on F1 progenies 0.49 and 0.48, and F2 progenies on mid-parents 0.63 and 0.79, for AUDPC and final disease severity, respectively. Single gene conditioned resistance in seven populations, but resistance was quantitatively inherited and involved many genes in eight populations. Observation of transgressive segregation and moderate to high heritability suggests a quantitative mode of gene action and the importance of additive effects. The predominance of GCA variance, high heritability estimates and observation of transgressive segregation suggested that resistance could be improved by selection.<br>Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

Fusarium root rot (FRR) disease, caused by the fungus Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli (FSP), is an important soil-borne disease reducing common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) yields, and hence food security, in Uganda and elsewhere in developing countries where the crop is grown without fungicides. The key aim of this study was to elucidate the significance of bean root rot (BRR), appraise methods for screening germplasm for resistance to FRR, determine the genotypic variability of resistance, and the inheritance of resistance to FRR in common bean. This information was deemed useful in devising an appropriate strategy for breeding FRR resistance in beans. A participatory rural appraisal (PRA) was conducted in south-western and eastern Uganda to ascertain farmers’ awareness of BRR and their influence on preferred bean varieties. Bean root rot is considered to be the most devastating and most recognised disease, especially in south-western Uganda. Control measures for BRR were very minimal, and in some cases, non-existent. Use of resistant varieties to control the disease was not evident, because the most popular varieties were susceptible to the disease. The resistant bean varieties currently available have undesirable characteristics such as small seed size, black seed and late maturity. Large-seeded bean varieties, even though cited as being more susceptible to BRR than the small-seeded varieties, are still very popular. The study highlighted the need for breeding FRR resistance in the large-seeded bean varieties that are highly preferred by farmers. Four isolates of FSP (FSP-1, FSP-2, FSP-3 and FSP-4) were tested for pathogenicity under screenhouse and laboratory conditions. In addition, three methods of storing and maintaining the viability of FSP isolates were appraised. The isolate FSP-3, was found to be the most pathogenic, resulting in 100% disease incidence on all bean varieties tested, with high severity scores. The potato dextrose agar (PDA) slants stored at 5oC were found to be the best method of storage for pathogenic isolates. The FSP-3 isolate was subsequently utilised for screening bean lines for resistance to FRR. The influence of soil composition, irrigation frequency, and inoculation technique on the severity of FRR was studied on six bean lines. Interactions of irrigation frequency, soil composition, and bean lines were not significant. The 50% swamp soil:50% forest soil composition and forest soil alone categorized the varieties most distinctly according to their reaction to FRR. Also, the best distinct classification for the varieties was obtained under treatments that were watered daily and once in a week. Based on economic considerations, the standard forest soil and daily irrigation were subsequently adopted for screening bean germplasm for resistance to FRR. It was also found that sorghum seed as a medium for pathogen inoculation was better than the agar slurry medium. One hundred and forty seven common bean varieties were evaluated for resistance to FRR (isolate FSP-3) under screenhouse conditions. In order to confirm this resistance, 46 common bean lines selected from the screenhouse trial were further evaluated using natural inoculum in a BRR-infested field. Forty-four varieties comprising ten large-seeded, four medium-seeded and 30 small-seeded varieties showed moderate resistance to FRR; but none were resistant or immune to the disease. Based on adaptability, eight moderately resistant varieties were selected for use as parents in the study of inheritance of resistance to FRR. A 12 x 12 diallel mating design was utilised to develop 66 F1 and F2 populations, plus their reciprocal crosses, with the aim of studying the mode of inheritance of resistance to FRR. The F1 and F2 progeny evaluations showed that FRR resistance was mainly governed by additive genes in most populations. However, there were a few crosses which displayed highly significant specific combining ability (SCA) effects, implying that dominant effects were important in some populations. Maternal effects were also highly significant at both the F1 and F2 generations, suggesting that resistance was modified by cytoplasmic genes. The non-maternal effects were also significant in some populations, suggesting that the cytoplasmic genes were interacting with nuclear genes. The number of genes governing resistance to FRR varied from two to nine among the eight sources of resistance. The allelism test of resistant x resistant populations, and the observation of continuous distributions of severity scores, suggested the presence of many loci governing FRR resistance in beans. Broad sense heritability of disease resistance varied from 0.22-0.69, while heritability in the narrow sense was estimated as 0.35-0.49 in the populations. These results suggested that selection and backcrossing to both parents would be the best breeding procedures for improving resistance in the popular large-seeded bean varieties in Uganda. However, there could be complications in breeding for resistance to FRR in beans, because resistance was modified by cytoplasmic gene effects and their interaction with nuclear genes in some of the populations.<br>Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

Reduced banana yield owing to black Sigatoka Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet is a threat to the livelihoods of Ugandan subsistence farmers who depend entirely on the banana crop for food security. The objectives of this investigation were to: (i) assess farmers’ knowledge of black Sigatoka disease in central Uganda; (ii) document the qualities farmers would desire in the banana genotypes to be developed for black Sigatoka resistance; (iii) appraise the methods for assessing black Sigatoka resistance in diploid banana populations; (iv) determine the phenotypic variation for black Sigatoka resistance and agronomic traits in diploid and tetraploid bananas; (v) determine the influence of tetraploid and diploid parents on the black Sigatoka resistance and agronomic traits in the triploid progenies; and (vi) evaluate 2x by 2x banana progenies for yield and black Sigatoka resistance. A survey that focused on low and medium banana production zones in Uganda established that there was limited awareness of black Sigatoka disease as a constraint on banana production in the areas surveyed. It was also established that farmers liked local bananas because of their superior taste, early maturity, and marketability. There were farmers who had been exposed to new black Sigatoka resistant materials but never liked these new banana materials because of poor taste and lack of market. Farmers desired new banana materials with good taste on cooking, heavy bunches, resistance to pests and diseases, drought tolerance, and early maturing capacity in that order. The results indicated that the banana farmers in Uganda attached more importance to food quality attributes than to production attributes especially when considering new banana materials. This suggested that farmers mainly grow bananas for consumption. Three black Sigatoka assessment methods, youngest leaf spotted, disease development time and area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) were appraised using a diploid population. All the three methods were able to classify the diploid accessions into resistant and susceptible clones. The cultivar rankings of AUDPC correlated strongly with the rankings of disease development time. The cultivar rankings of AUDPC correlated positively with the rankings of youngest leaf spotted method. The youngest leaf spotted at flowering and AUDPC predicted significantly total number of leaves at flowering (R2 = 0.53). Overall AUDPC had the highest coefficient of determination (R2=0.84) in assessment of banana diploids for black Sigatoka resistance indicating that it accounted for the highest variation in disease response observed among the diploid clones. From this investigation it was recommended that AUDPC should be used to assess resistance on black Sigatoka in Musa species. A phenotypic analysis on the diploid and synthetic tetraploids, and a molecular analysis using RAPD markers on the tetraploid population were conducted. Results indicated that the diploid population had significant (P<0.001) variation for plant height, plant girth, days from flowering to harvest, bunch weight, number of suckers, youngest leaf spotted, total leaves at flowering, area under disease progress curve, and number of functional leaves at harvest. Principal component analysis showed that plant height and girth explained most of the variation observed in the diploid population. In the tetraploid population, significant differences were observed for plant height, plant girth, and number of suckers (P<0.05). In the tetraploids principal component analysis, indicated that youngest leaf spotted and total leaves at flowering had higher loadings on principal component one. Genetic distances computed from RAPD markers indicated limited genetic variability in the tetraploid population. Another investigation was also carried out to determine the influence of tetraploid and diploid parents on black Sigatoka resistance and agronomic traits in the triploid progenies generated from tetraploid-diploid crosses. The results indicated that diploids transferred black Sigatoka resistance to triploid progenies as measured by disease development over time, the number of functional leaves at flowering and at harvest. On the other hand, the female synthetic tetraploids influenced plant height and bunch weight in the triploid progenies generated from tetraploid-diploid crosses as observed from triploid progeny correlations and parent-offspring regressions. Therefore, it is important to select tetraploids with heavy bunch weights to generate high yielding triploids in tetraploid-diploid crosses. Lastly, this thesis investigated the relationship between bunch weight and black Sigatoka resistance traits in 2x by 2x progenies generated using a random polycross design. Phenotypic correlations revealed strong positive relationships between bunch weight with total leaves at flowering, youngest leaf spotted, plant girth, and days from planting to flowering among the 2x by 2x progenies. Linear regression analysis indicated that girth, total fingers and finger length significantly predicted bunch weight (R2=0.67). However, days from planting to flowering, and total leaves at flowering had strong indirect effects on bunch weight via plant girth. The results imply that selection for parents with good combining ability for girth, finger length and total fingers can improve bunch weight in a diploid population.<br>Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the second most important cereal crop in Malawi. Rice productivity in the dominant (85%) rainfed ecosystem is very low, with mean yield of only 1.4 t ha-1. Farmers plant traditional landraces that have low yield potential and are susceptible to various stresses such as drought and diseases. Development and introduction of improved rice varieties, with stress tolerance traits from introduced varieties, such as the New Rice for Africa (NERICAs), could significantly increase productivity. Previous attempts to introduce high yielding irrigated varieties into the dominant rainfed ecosystem in Malawi have not been successful because farmers basically did not adopt the varieties, claiming that the varieties were lacking in grain traits that they preferred but that the traits were present in their landraces. The notable traits mentioned, through previous informal surveys, were long grains, medium to slender shape and aromatic grain with intermediate gelatinization temperature. No formal study has been conducted to ascertain the preferences, and the genetic control of the traits, including yield and yield related traits, have not been studied. The objectives of this study were to: 1) confirm farmers’ preferences for grain traits using participatory rural appraisal; 2) determine amount of genetic variability for yield and yield related traits in Malawi rice landraces, 3) determine the genetic control and correlations of grain length, grain shape and 1000-grain weight, 4) determine the inheritance of aroma and gelatinization temperature and, 5) determine the genetic control, correlations and path coefficients of yield and yield related traits, in F2 generations of Malawi rice landraces and NERICA varieties crosses. To confirm the farmers’ preferences for grain traits, a participatory rural appraisal was conducted in 2006 in two villages that were representative of rainfed rice growing areas in Malawi. The villages were Liundi and Nawanga in Machinga and Salima Districts, respectively. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through questionnaires and discussions with 190 respondents, as well as through observations. To determine variability among Malawi rice landraces, 19 landraces were planted at Lifuwu in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates in 2006. Data on plant height, days to 50% flowering, number of panicles per hill, panicle length, number of filled grains per panicle, 1000-grain weight, panicle weight, grain length and grain yield were collected and analyzed. Four Malawi rice landraces were crossed to four NERICA varieties in 2006 in a North Carolina Design II mating scheme to determine the genetic control of grain size. F1 plants were raised in 2007 and in 2008, 16 F2 populations together with their parents were planted in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates at Lifuwu. Data on grain length, grain shape and 1000-grain weight were collected and analyzed. To determine the inheritance of aroma and gelatinization temperature, four Malawi rice landraces were crossed to four NERICA varieties in 2006 and F1 plants were raised in 2007. In 2008, 16 F2 populations together with their parents were planted in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates at Lifuwu. Aroma and gelatinization temperature were evaluated. To determine the gene action of yield and yield related traits, four Malawi rice landraces were crossed to four NERICA varieties in 2006 in a North Carolina Design II mating scheme and F1 plants were raised in 2007. In 2008, 16 F2 populations together with their parents were planted in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates at Lifuwu. Data on grain yield, the number of panicles per hill, days to 50% flowering, panicle length, panicle weight and 1000-grain weight were collected and analyzed The participatory rural appraisal confirmed that that long, slender or medium shape grains, with aroma and intermediate gelatinization temperature were the key traits preferred by farmers. Therefore the farmer preferred traits of long, slender grains, with aroma and medium gelatinization temperature, must be selected for in any high yielding varieties to be developed for the rainfed rice ecosystem. Results showed that differences were significant (P=0.05) for all the traits that were studied. Heritability estimates were low to moderate: 18.3% for panicle weight, 40.0% for panicles per hill and 56.3% for days to 50% flowering date. The high genetic variability among the landraces could be used in a breeding programme to develop improved varieties for various morphological traits. The number of panicles per hill and 1000-grain weight combined moderate heritabilities with relatively high genetic advance and therefore could be reliable traits for yield improvement. Genetic analysis of grain size showed that Malawi rice landraces were variable for all three grain size characteristics, namely grain length, grain shape and 1000-grain weight. NERICA varieties were variable for 1000-grain weight. Sixteen F2 progenies were variable for all three characteristics, and the variability was significant (P=0.05). Heritability estimates were high (45.4%) for grain length and low for grain shape (12.3%) and for 1000-grain weight (14.3%) suggesting that early generation selection would be effective for grain length. Predominance of additive gene action for grain length and grain shape suggested that early generation selection would be effective for these traits. Selection for 1000-grain weight would be more effective in later generations because of preponderance of non-additive gene action in the control of this trait. The correlation between grain length and grain shape was positive (r=0.769) and highly significant (P=0.01) suggesting that breeders would choose to select for both traits simultaneously, or they would choose one of the traits to develop varieties with long grains and medium shape. Crosses between aromatic and non-aromatic varieties had non-aromatic F1. The F2 progenies segregated into 3:1 ratio for non-aromatic: aromatic suggesting that, in the Malawi rice landraces, aroma was probably simply inherited through a single recessive gene. F1 progenies, between parents with high and intermediate gelatinization temperatures had intermediate gelatinization temperature. F2 progenies segregated into 1:3 ratios for high; intermediate gelatinization temperature in three out of four crosses suggesting control by one dominant gene. The segregation pattern in one cross was not significantly different from 3:13 ratio for high: intermediate suggesting that two dominant genes, one an inhibitor, were controlling the trait. Breeding and selecting for aroma and intermediate gelatinization temperature could be accomplished relatively easily because the traits are simply inherited. The genetic variability for yield and yield related traits was wide and significant (P=0.05) in the F2 populations of Malawi rice landraces and NERICA varieties crosses indicating that the populations would be valuable sources to develop varieties with improved yield. Panicle weight and the number of panicles per hill were positively correlated with, and had high direct effects on grain yield, therefore they could be used to indirectly select for high yield. Grain yield, the number of panicles per hill and plant height were predominantly controlled by additive gene action suggesting that bulk breeding methods would be adopted for these traits. The days to 50% flowering, panicle weight and 1000-grain weight were predominantly under the control of nonadditive gene action suggesting that hybrid development would be profitable for these traits. Faya Mpata, Faya Zidyana and NERICA 3 could be the best parents for improving yield and yield related traits because they had high general combining abilities for the traits.<br>Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.<br>Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn. ssp. coracana) is an important food, food security and cash crop in eastern and southern Africa where small-scale farmers grow it in low input farming systems. The crop has food security, nutritional, cultural, medicinal, and economic value with high industrial potential. Little research and hardly any breeding have been done on the crop leading to low yields and low production. A project was therefore implemented in western Kenya during 2004-2007 seasons to investigate the possible breeding contributions to enhance productivity and production of the crop. The research comprised a social survey, germplasm evaluation, appraisal of ethrel as a chemical hybridising agent (CHA), genetic analysis of yield, and resistance to blast and Striga, and breeding progress in developing new finger millet varieties. A participatory rural appraisal (PRA) was conducted in three districts during 2006 to position finger millet (FM) in the farming systems, production constraints, and variety diversity and farmer preferences. The PRA established the high rating the peasant farmers gave to finger millet among crop enterprises, using it for food, cash, brewing, ceremonies and medicinal purposes. Farmers cultivated many varieties ranging from five to nine in a district, but each district had its own popular variety. Farmers used the following criteria to select new cultivars: high yield potential; early maturity; resistance to blast disease, Striga, birds, drought, and lodging; large head size, dark grain colour, and good taste. This probably indicated the willingness of farmers to adopt new varieties. Farmers identified constraints to production as blast disease, Striga, wild FM, birds, rats, termites, lack of market, labour shortage, and low yield. The farmers’ variety selection criteria and production constraints underscored the need to improve finger millet varieties. Evaluation of 310 accessions for trait variability and association conducted during 2005 long rain (LR) season at two sites revealed wide variation among the accessions for yield and secondary traits. The best accessions grain yield was above the yield potential of 5,000- 6,000kg ha-1 reported in other environments. Accessions KNE 072 (7,833kg ha-1), GBK 028463 (7,085kg ha-1), GBK 029661 (6,666kg ha-1) and FMBT ACC#42 (6,566kg ha-1) were outstanding. The data showed the opportunity to select for yield directly because of its wide variability but indirect selection could also be used to exploit seedling vigour as shown by its high correlation to yield and direct and indirect positive effects on yield through plant height and single plant yield in path analysis. The wide genetic variability among the genotypes for several traits indicated high potential to breed new and better finger millet varieties.<br>Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is an important food security crop in the semi-arid areas of Eastern Kenya. It provides food for more days in a calendar year than any other crop grown. Kenya has relied on varieties bred in other countries and because of this, local breeding methodologies and expertise are lacking. Access to appropriate varieties and adequate planting materials are major limiting factors to cassava production. Farmers grow late bulking landraces that take up to 18 mo to harvest. Efforts to introduce early bulking genotypes from IITA failed because of poor end-use quality. Local cassava breeding is necessary to alleviate the production constraints. Before a local breeding program can be established, farmers' preferences and production constraints must be identified and methodology appropriate to the Kenyan environment must be developed. The aims of this study were to identify farmer production constraints and preferences, to develop methods appropriate for cassava breeding in the semi-arid areas of Kenya, develop a population segregating for bulking period to estimate genetic variances that would explain the gene effects controlling yield components, and through participatory selection identify varieties that combine early bulking and preferred end-user traits. PRA tools, focus groups and individual interviews were used to identify production constraints and farmer preferences for cassava varieties. The PRA found that farmers grow 13 landraces in the area and 11 production constraints were identified and prioritised. The four most limiting in the order of importance were drought, lack of planting material, pests and diseases. Crosses between cassava varieties often do not produce much seed and the seed produced does not germinate well. Germination studies were done with open pollinated seeds to identify conditions favourable for seed germination in Kenya. The highest germination of the seeds was at 36°C. The control seeds had a higher germination percent (77%) compared to the seeds which were pre-heated at 36°C (57%). Crosses were made between selected IITA and local Kenyan genotypes following the NC 11 mating design to develop new genotypes which combine early bulking along with other farmer/end-user preferred characteristics. The hybrid progenies were evaluated in a seedling trial and clone genotypes advanced to a clonal trial and performance trial. The clonal trial was destroyed by red spider mites and cassava green mites, and only the tolerant 225 genotypes were planted in a performance trial that was harvested at 6, 7 and 8 mo after planting. The SCA effects were estimated to be 57% to 75% for most of the traits, except root number, which was mainly controlled by GCA effects (55%). Participatory selection of genotypes that combined early bulking and end-user qualities at the 7 and 8 mo after planting was done by farmers. Thirty genotypes that combined early bulking and end-user qualities were identified and ranked according to their performance in both agronomic and end-use traits using a selection index. A number of selected genotypes yielded more than three times the yield of the best parents, showing strong progress in breeding. Combining the farmers' preference aggregate score and the selection index based on the agronomic data, assisted in the final identification of the best genotypes developed in the breeding process. These results clearly demonstrated that it is possible to breed early bulking varieties with good end-use quality in the semiarid areas.<br>Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

Grain yield of rice can be enhanced by breeding for drought tolerance and optimum shattering. New generations of rice, the interspecific fixed lines known to carry more drought tolerance traits, are a potential source for improvement of the Ugandan landraces but they frequently carry genes for grain shattering. Information gathered through surveys to understand rice production constraints and farmers’ preferred rice traits are limited and they are generally unranked. The objectives of this study were seven-fold. They were to 1) determine farmers’ perceptions on the key production constraints and preferences for rice in Uganda, 2) develop and appraise cheap and efficient rice breeding equipment, 3) determine anthesis and the grain shattering pattern of rice, 4) characterize for drought tolerance and grain-shattering ability in rice populations in Uganda, 5) investigate crossability between O. sativa and the new interspecific fixed lines, and 6 and 7) determine the inheritance and gene action controlling drought tolerance and grain shattering traits. The experiments were conducted at Namulonge, Uganda, from 2006 to 2009. Data on farmer’s perceptions of the key production constraints and preferences for rice in Uganda were obtained through participatory rural appraisal (PRA) methods and a formal household survey of 380 farmers from three regions in Uganda during March 2007 to June 2008. The results showed that the variety NERICA 4 was the most preferred by farmers. Rice yellow mottle virus disease, rice blast and African rice gall midge were major constraints under lowland conditions, while drought was the major constraint under upland conditions. The preferred traits in traditional varieties included aroma characteristics, grain size and the texture of cooked grains. Cultivars that combine high yield potential, early maturity, drought tolerance, aroma characteristics and special market attributes should be included in the breeding objectives. A new anther suction device that uses an ordinary household vacuum cleaner was fabricated. Its overall units include a pipette tip, silicone tubing, hose tubes, a metallic stand, a rubber stopper and a household vacuum cleaner of 1600 w capacity. It is efficient, cheaper, less bulky and has lower replacement costs than the commercial one. In addition, a hand-held single grain tester, which is efficient, cheaper and more suitable for field studies than the laboratory tester, was developed and appraised. Studies to determine the grain-shattering pattern in rice were conducted by making assessments at 10, 20 and 30 days after anthesis. The results revealed that the highest level of discrimination among the varieties was between 10 days and 20 days after anthesis. Among the genotypes tested, NERICA rice attained anthesis earlier than CT rice and O. sativa attained anthesis later than both rice groups. Appropriate methods of planting the parental lines were proposed for pollination to be synchronised. Interspecific rice and O. sativa were characterized in the field for drought tolerance and grain-shattering ability. There was high variability wihin species in grain shattering and drought tolerance traits, suggesting that selection could be effective. The distribution of grain shattering scores was not normal, suggesting that some selection had taken place for the trait, unlike the drought tolerance traits and leaf roll scores where normal distributions were observed. Results of the crossability test between O. sativa and interspecific fixed lines revealed that some genotypes had high crossability when used as males, or as females, or as both females and males. The best male genotype combiners were CT 16334(2)-CA-2-M, WAB 365-B-1H1-HB and IRAT 257, while the best females combiners were CT 16334(2)-CA-11-M, CT 16317-CA-4-M and IRAT 325. In addition, additive effects were more important that non-additive effects for pollen viability and seed set in the crosses. Genotypes with acceptable crossability and varying levels of drought tolerance and grainshattering ability were selected for further studies. The selected genotypes were crossed in a North Carolina II mating scheme, and as pairs of crosses, and used to understand the genetic mechanisms of drought tolerance at the reproductive and vegetative stages. Evaluation of the populations revealed that additive effects for filled grains were more important under drought stress and non-drought stress conditions than the non-additive effects. There were high heritability estimates for leaf roll under drought stress, implying that additive effects were more important. There was a higher contribution of additive effects for grain-shattering ability than nonadditive effects in the populations. Allelic tests for the shattering trait revealed that a single gene was in 46% of the crosses; two genes in another 46% of the crosses had duplicate dominant effects as well as complimentary dominant/recessive effects; and there were three genes in four percent of the crosses. Segregation ratios of 3:1 and 1:3 were also found in two crosses. This could be due to a reversal of the function of the genes. Another surprising finding was that the segregation ratio of 3:1 was found in a cross with loose grain attachment to the pedicel in an allelism test. This segregation was probably due to unfixed loci in some of the interspecific lines. This study identified rice breeding priorities for Uganda, prepared breeding tools and provided relevant information for generating lines that have improved drought tolerance and optimum grain-shattering ability by determining the modes of gene action for these two traits.<br>Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

Sixteen native shrub species with various breeding systems and pollination syndromes were investigated in geographically separated populations to determine breeding systems, reproductive success, population structure, and habitat characteristics. Of the sixteen species, seven are hermaphroditic, seven dioecious, and two gynodioecious. Two of the dioecious species are cryptically dioecious, producing what appear to be perfect, hermaphroditic flowers, but that function as either male or female. One of the study species, Raukaua anomalus, was thought to be dioecious, but proved to be hermaphroditic. Teucridium parvifolium, was thought to be hermaphroditic, but some populations are gynodioecious. There was variation in self-compatibility among the four Alseuosmia species; two are self-compatible and two are self-incompatible. Self-incompatibility was consistent amongst individuals only in A. quercifolia at both study sites, whereas individuals in A. macrophylla ranged from highly self-incompatible to self-compatible amongst four study sites. The remainder of the hermaphroditic study species are self-compatible. Five of the species appear to have dual pollination syndromes, e.g., bird-moth, wind-insect, wind-animal. High levels of pollen limitation were identified in three species at four of the 34 study sites. Moderate to high levels of pollen limitation were evident in 50% of the gender dimorphic populations compared with 31% of hermaphroditic populations. Melicope simplex populations were female-biased in 14 study plots and successful fruit set was influenced by combinations of male plant density, male flower numbers and distance to the nearest pollen. Natural fruit set in wind-pollinated species was generally higher than in animal-pollinated taxa. Populations of Coprosma spathulata were mostly malebiased, and male plant density and proximity influenced natural fruit set, with a correlation between low fruit set and low male density. Population recruitment was evident in 32 of the 34 sites. In Pimelea arenaria, recruitment failure was widespread in populations throughout the North Island despite high seed set. Gender ratios showed variation from north to south, with a lower proportion of females with increasing latitude. Many of the sixteen shrubs in this study show remarkable resilience to the effects of fragmentation of natural ecosystems, and many of the species have benefited from the creation of new edge habitat after perturbation - it may be that edges are important refugia for some native taxa, especially shrubs.

A study was undertaken to compare growth potential of three Eucalyptus species of natural origin in South Eastern Australia, with commercially grown species on mid and high altitude temperate sites in the summer rainfall growing zones in South Africa. The three species were Eucalyptus globulus subsp. bicostata (E. bicostata), Eucalyptus cypellocarpa and Eucalyptus nobilis. Nine sites were selected to represent the growing areas of South Africa experiencing cold winter drought with occasional snow falls. Improved, commercially grown pure Eucalyptus species and interspecific hybrid clones were included as controls in the trials to give comparative growth performances on specific sites. Both balanced and unbalanced lattice designs were used to evaluate the growth potential of the unimproved Australian species and the improved commercial controls incorporated into the trials. Volume production and basal area growth were assessed for the three species at all sites. However, only three sub species E.globulus (E. bicostata, E. maidenii and E. globulus) showed varying levels of disease (Mychosphaerella nobilosa) infestation and this was therefore assessed in trials at 12 and 30 months respectively, and correlation analysis was used to study the relationship between the impact of disease infestation and growth performance. It was found that negative phenotypic correlations existed between the levels of infection and tree growth. ie greater infection slower growth. Evaluation of genotype x environment interaction (GXE) revealed that this did not exist in the E. bicostata nor E. nobilis populations, and therefore one population of each species can be developed for all the sites tested. E. cypellocarpa was the only species that showed some GXE interaction implying that separate populations to be developed for different sites. Contrary to what was expected, unimproved Eucalyptus species being investigated performed equally as well as the improved commercial species included as controls, thus providing potential for commercial deployment with selection and breeding.<br>Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

M.Sc.<br>This project considers the feasibility of using heated cooling water from coal-fired power stations within Eskom for the culturing of C/arias gariepinus (Sharptooth catfish) and Oreochromis mossambicus (Mozambique tilapia). The work includes: an overview of world wide trends in power plant thermal effluent aquaculture, the identification of suitable power stations for aquaculture, long term monitoring of the physical and chemical characteristics of the cooling water at selected power stations, including the effects of the cooling water on the growth response, food conversion, condition factor, survival rate and suitability for human consumption of the aforementioned fish species reared in the cooling water at Matla and Kriel Power Stations.

Breeding maize (Zea mays L.) for tolerance to acidic soils could improve maize yields. The current study aims to identify maize genotypes with tolerance to acidic soils, as well as identifying secondary traits associated with the tolerance to soil acidity. Ten maize varieties were screened for tolerance to aluminium (Al) toxicity under glasshouse, laboratory and field conditions. In the glasshouse, two soil acidity levels (limed and unlimed soil) were used and the experiment was set up in a complete randomised design (CRD) with three replications. The experiment lasted for 10 days and measurements were taken on plant height (PH), leaf area, stem diameter and dry matter. In the laboratory, a haematoxylin staining (HS) experiment was conducted to determine the response of 10 maize varieties to Al toxicity. Two Al concentrations (0 and 222 μM) were used and the experiment was set up in a completely randomized design with three replications. After 7 days, shoot length, was recorded. Five stress tolerance indices were estimated to determine the resilience of each genotype. A root growth stress tolerance index was also computed for both experimental procedures. In the field, two trials were established at two sites, namely Mbinja and Mpumaze. Limed and unlimed plots were used, and the trial was set up in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Maize kernel yield and other standard field parameters were recorded. Selection of tolerant genotypes from the field screening was also done using three indices, namely harmonic mean (HM), stress tolerance index (STI) and stress susceptibility index (SSI). Both the glasshouse and laboratory assays identified similar genotypes of maize as being tolerant. These tolerant genotypes were Ngoyi, PANBG3492 BT, PAN 6Q408 and PHB 3442 based on the root growth stress tolerance index (RGSTI). It was therefore demonstrated that these two assays produced the same level of efficiency in identifying tolerant genotypes using this index. Based on ranking of seedling vigour index under soil acidity stress, the top three genotypes at Mpumaze were PHB32W71, PAN6616 and Sahara while at Mbinja, the top three were PAN6616, PAN6Q408 CB and PAN6P110. The genotypes PANBG3492 BT, PAN6Q408 and PHB3442 were also found to be tolerant to acidic soils at seedling stage. These genotypes are recommended for further evaluation in more sites to confirm their tolerance and yield potential under acidic soils. The study also revealed that plant height, leaf area and stem diameter could be used for indirect selection for tolerance to Al toxicity under glasshouse conditions. The seedling vigour index was also effective in identifying tolerant genotypes under glasshouse conditions. On the other hand, shoot length stress tolerance index and the haematoxylin score were useful for indirect selection for tolerance to Al toxicity in the laboratory. In the field, it was observed that ear length, leaf area and ear diameter can be useful in identifying genotypes that are tolerant to soil acidity. They can therefore be useful as indirect selection criteria under field conditions. Additionally, the best selection indices for identifying soil acidity tolerant genotypes under field conditions were the HM and the STI. It is recommended that varieties that were identified as tolerant be further evaluated in several soil acidity hot spots to confirm their tolerance and stability of performance under field conditions.<br>Agriculture and  Animal Health<br>M. Sc. (Agriculture)