Felipe Lopes da Silva

Repeatability of full-sib sugarcane families across harvests and the efficiency of early selection

This study was designed to estimate the repeatability coefficient of traits of the plant-cane and first rattoon in a large number of full-sib sugarcane families and to select the superior families based on their predicted genotypic values. The population used in this study consisted of 190 families, and crossing was performed at the Federal University of Alagoas, in Murici, Alagoas, Brazil, in 2007. Five experiments, each with 22 families, took place at the Centro de Pesquisa e Melhoramento da Cana-de-Açúcar (CECA), in Oratórios, Minas Gerais, while four experiments, each with 20 families, took place at the Volta Grande mill (VGM), in Conceição das Alagoas, Minas Gerais. Each experiment took the form of a randomized complete block design with six replications. The following traits were determined from the plant-cane and first rattoon: percentage of soluble solids w/w in the juice (Brix), tons of stalks per hectare (TSH) and tons of brix per hectare (TBH). Statistical analyses were performed using the mixed model methodology. Variance components were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood (REML) and the genotypic values of families were predicted by best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP). The moderately high estimates of repeatability for TSH and TBH and the high rates of coincidences of the families selected in both plant-cane and first rattoon indicate that selection of families using repeated measures across the first two harvests combined with individual clone selection at the rattoon stage may be efficient in sugarcane breeding programs, increasing the efficiency of obtaining new cultivars.

Análise dialélica em clones de cana-de-açúcar

Aiming at the evaluation of the gene action predominant in sugarcane characters of economic importance and the identification of crossing with favorable genetic potential to the development of new cultivars, eight genotypes were evaluated according to the unbalanced diallel cross scheme. Progenies obtained from 44 crosses were evaluated on a 7 x 7 lattice experimental design with three replications at the Centro de Pesquisa e Melhoramento da Cana-de-acucar (CECA) of the Universidade Federal de Vicosa. The following characters were studied: juice Brix %, stalk number, average stalk weight, tons of stalks per hectare, tons of Brix per hectare and flowering percent. The results emphasized the importance of either the additive and the non-additive genetic effects in the expression of those characteristics. The genotypes SP82-6108 and IAC86-2210 showed potential for increasing the sugarcane productivity, that is also valid for the following crossing combinations: SP82-6108 x SP88-754, SP82-6108 x SP87-365, SP81-1763 x SP82-6108, IAC86-2210 x SP88-754, IAC86-2210 x SP86-96, IAC86-2210 x SP81-1763, SP88-819 x SP87-365, SP84-2029 x SP87-365 and SP88-754 x SP87-365.

Relações fenotípicas e genotípicas entre componentes de produção em cana-de-açúcar

Phenotypic and genetic path analyses were carried out in order to quantify direct and indirect effects of production components on the variable ton of stalks per hectare (TSH) and mean stalk weight (MSW). Seventeen hybrid families were evaluated on a randomized complete block design with four replicates, at the Centro de Pesquisa e Melhoramento da Cana-de-Acucar - CECA of the Universidade Federal de Vicosa, Minas Gerais State. Planting was carried out in January 2000. The following variables were defined as production components: stalk height (SH), stalk diameter (SD) and stalk number (SN). The results indicated that the variables MSW and SN can be used for indirect selection of high yielding families, since they showed positive and high direct effects on TSH. Despite SH and SD showed high correlation with MSW, only SD showed high direct genetic effect on MSW, demonstrating the importance of this variable for indirect selection of families with higher mean stalk weight.

Prediction of genetic gains from selection in Arabica coffee progenies

Gains from selection for yield were estimated in Arabica coffee progenies carrying rust-resistance genes. The experiment in augmented block design was installed in Tres Pontas, state of Minas Gerais. Three blocks were established with six plants per plot, spaced 3.50 x 0.90 m, in 96 regular (F2 progenies) and two control treatments. The plant response to rust was evaluated on a grade scale in 2008. Yield (bags per hectare) was estimated in the growing seasons 2005 to 2008. Significant differences between treatments for yield were observed in all harvests, except 2005. The presence of genetic variability among progenies allowed significant gain from selection for yield. Under the experimental conditions of this study, selection for yield can be performed in the first high-yield year, without major losses compared to genetic gain from selection for yield when based on the mean of four harvests.

Seleção assistida por marcadores para teor de matéria seca e açúcares redutores em tubérculos de batata

Early generation selection for clones with high content of tuber dry matter and low levels of reducing sugars is required for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) processing. Selection of superior clones at early generations became possible with the deployment of genetic markers, and can precisely identify the superior individuals. Therefore, it is necessary to identify genetic markers closely linked to genes of interest to do assisted selection. The aim of this research was to evaluate the efficiency of marker assisted selection with genetic markers previously identified by ANDREU (2004), which are assumed to be associated with dry matter and reducing sugars content in potato tubers. Clones from 20 families were evaluated during the seedling generation (S), first clonal generation (C1) and second clonal generation (C2). The estimated coefficients of correlation for all traits among generations were significant, even though of low magnitude, confirming that selection at early generation based only on phenotypic traits is inviable. A total of sixteen bands were amplified using these markers. However, by multiple stepwise regression, only seven of these bands showed association with the evaluated traits. Moreover, no markers associated with dry matter and reducing sugars content in the C1 were significantly associated with these traits in the C2, suggesting the existence of QTLs x environment interactions. The marker assisted selection resulted less efficient than the phenotypic selection in all cases studied, and thus is not recommended for early generation selection of clones for the processing industry. These results suggest that the markers used are not closely linked to the genes controlling the traits most important for processing. Therefore, it is important to identify new markers closely linked with such traits of interest that could improve the efficiency of marker assisted selection.

Divergência genética entre cafeeiros do germoplasma Maragogipe

This study aimed to identify the genetic divergence among coffee trees of the Maragogipe group in the active germplasm coffee bank in Patrocinio, Minas Gerais, Brazil, using multivariate analyzes. In the study, 27 morpho-agronomical descriptors were assessed. Mahalanobis generalized distance was applied to quantify the genetic divergence among genotypes. The following methods were used: Tocher clustering, Unweighted Pair-Group Method Using Arithmetic Averages (UPGMA) hierarchical clustering and the canonical variables analysis. The cluster analysis by Tocher method and the UPGMA separated the accessions into three and six groups, respectively. The analysis of the relative contribution of each characteristic to the genetic dissimilarity highlighted the intensity of curling leaf, inflorescence number per leaf axil and average yield as those that contributed most to the achievement of genetic divergence. It was observed that the first three canonical variables explained more than 90% of the total variance contained in the set of the analyzed characteristics. The combination between MG0167 and MG0170 accessions is the most promising for a possible crossing for immediate use in breeding programs.

Breeding for Tolerance to Abiotic Stress

Soybean is the most widely grown protein and oil crop in the world, and it is, therefore, one of the crops most prone to occurrence of biotic and abiotic stresses. In recent years, with climate change, abiotic stresses have become increasingly common. The objective of this chapter is to discuss important aspects related to the soybean breeding for abiotic stresses, such as water deficit, salt, aluminum, and phosphorus efficiency use. Additionally, it addresses strategies for driving breeding programs focused on the development of tolerant cultivars, employing classic breeding with new tools, such as genomic selection. In this approach, it is essential to know the morphological and physiological changes caused by the stresses and also the mechanisms involved in plant tolerance to them. The genetic basis of these mechanisms is also discussed. In addition, the phenological stage most adequate for plant phenotyping is presented, in order to improve discrimination among genotypes, thus maximizing success in the development of new cultivars tolerant to abiotic stresses.

High-throughput targeted genotyping using next-generation sequencing applied in Coffea canephora breeding

The use of molecular markers to detect polymorphism at DNA level is one of the most significant developments in molecular biology techniques. With the development of new next-generation sequencing technologies, the discovery of SNP became easier and faster, and the costs of data point were reduced. The development and use of SNP markers for coffee have provided new perspectives for the evaluation of genetic diversity and population structure via different statistical approaches. In this study, 72 Coffea canephora genotypes were analyzed to identify the SNP markers and apply them to genetic studies and selection of parents/hybrids in genetic breeding. As many as 117,450 SNP were identified using the RAPiD Genomics platform. After quality analyses, 33,485 SNP were validated for analyses of genetic diversity and population structure. Genotypes were separated based on their varietal groups, and Hybrids were differentiated using the clustering and Bayesian approach. Coffee accessions mistakenly identified in the germplasm and breeding program were detected. The Conilon varietal group presented the lowest genetic dissimilarity values, suggesting the introduction of new accessions in the germplasm bank. The highest genetic distances values were observed among genotypes of the heterotic groups (Conilon and Robusta). The markers were efficient in evaluating the genetic diversity and population structure of C. canephora. Promising crosses were selected within and between the varietal groups. Hybrids with greater genetic distances were selected, which were important for C. canephora breeding programs.

Methods for Advancing Segregating Populations

The use of hybridization method in soybean breeding is extremely important for the development of cultivars with desired agronomic characteristics. Segregating populations from these crosses must be conducted through successive generations of self-pollination, and the choice of the appropriate method of conduction favors to increase the efficiency of selective process of superior lineages. In this sense, the present chapter aims to describe the main methods for advancing soybean segregating populations and to conduct a comparative discussion among them.

Quantitative Traits in Breeding

Quantitative traits are those controlled by several genes and are strongly influenced by the environment, presenting continuous distribution, for example, soybean grain yield. Most of the important economic characteristics for the soybean crop are quantitative in nature. These peculiarities make the genetic control of the traits considered complex and require the study of genetic parameters that are used to increase the accuracy of the process of selection of superior genotypes. This chapter aims to present QLTs associated with some quantitative traits of importance in soybean breeding programs. It also presents new breeding strategies for quantitative traits based on new developments in genomics and quantitative genetics.