Scholarship & Research

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/1

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 24

Multi-environment evaluation of winter pea genotypes for winter survival and yield stability
(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2024) Poudel, Amrit; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Kevin McPhee; This is a manuscript style paper that includes co-authored chapters.
Winter pea can be grown as a rotational crop for soil moisture conservation and nutrient recycling in the wheat-growing region of Montana. Development of winter hardy cultivars would increase seed yield and expand the area of adaptation of this crop. Harsh winter conditions present a significant challenge to the production of winter peas. The objective of this study was to screen pea germplasm and breeding lines for winter survival and identify genotypes with good winter hardiness for future crop production. Field trials were conducted to evaluate genotypes at Bozeman, Havre, Huntley, and Moccasin, MT in 2021, 2022, and 2023. These lines included elite winter cultivars and several checks. Winter hardiness was evaluated as the percentage of surviving plants and by agronomic performance including yield. Genotypes were evaluated based on the GGE biplot method. This analysis captured multiple variables including yield, protein content, seed size, and their overall stability across multiple years and locations of study to aid in selecting lines. Differential winter survival was observed across locations and years. Higher winter survival was seen in Bozeman and Havre. Few lines were identified as having high seed yield and stable production over years and locations. Breeding lines had higher mean yield with few good lines having stable production of greater than 2500 kg/ha. Germplasm lines showed better winter survival than breeding lines. Protein content ranged from 20% to 31%. Larger seeds were observed in Moccasin, whereas Havre had the highest protein content. Mega- environment differentiation helped to select specific genotypes based on the trait of interest for a particular environment. Several European and US lines used in the experiments having high winter hardiness record performed better for seed yield and resistance to stress. The lines identified as having high levels of cold tolerance can be used as a prospective genetic resource in pea breeding programs. Genotypes having high and stable seed yield can be considered for release as a variety and made available to producers.
The impact of Teosinte branched1 and reduced height mutations in durum wheat
(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2021) Brown, McKenna Margaret; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Michael J. Giroux
Increasing the yield of wheat requires identifying new genetic combinations of alleles by crossing or by creating variation in yield limiting genes. Wheat yield is impacted by tiller number and seeds per tiller, both of which are impacted by the Reduced height (Rht) and Teosinte branched1 (TB1) genes. In this study, durum plants varying for Rht and TB1 alleles created by EMS mutagenesis were studied to determine the impact of each allele upon agronomic and seed traits. Both projects aimed to increase durum yield, one through an increase in tiller number; the other through the development of a plant with height between current full-height and semi-dwarf varieties that can allocate more resources to seed production. The impact of TB1 null alleles were studied alone and together in greenhouse and field trials, along with an RNA sequencing study to determine the impact of TB1 mutation upon global gene expression in developing meristems. TB1 single and double null mutants produced more biomass and tillers per plant, and expression of genes in meristems varied. A screen of wheat varieties grown in Montana identified that several spring and durum wheat varieties contain different TB1 alleles, but none contained TB1 null alleles. Rht experiments included field trials, coleoptile length and gibberellic acid responsiveness assays, and an in-vitro test to determine the impact of each Rht mutation upon binding to Gibberellin Interacting Domain 1 (GID1) that directly influences plant height. It was found that the previously described Rht-B1b-E529K allele reduced both plant height and coleoptile length while two newly characterized Rht mutations had lesser impacts with trends towards intermediate-height plants. The results of this research demonstrate that Rht alleles that alter RHT binding to GID1 and TB1 null alleles may prove useful in increasing durum tillering and optimizing plant height for different growing conditions.
Chickpea variety evaluation and intercropping for disease management and yield
(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2022) Zhou, Yi; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Chengci Chen; This is a manuscript style paper that includes co-authored chapters.
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important food grain legume, but production is constrained by the soilborne pathogen complex, Ascochyta rabiei, and the development of fungicide resistance. Cultivar resistance is one of the most efficient strategies in disease management. However, chickpea cultivars with resistance to soilborne pathogens or complete resistance to A. rabiei have not been developed. Intercropping chickpea-flax has the potential for Ascochyta blight management. To minimize the impact of soilborne disease and Ascochyta blight on chickpea production, refining of integrated pest management practices is essential. To evaluate the effect of cultivar selection in combination with seed treatment on soilborne disease control, twenty-five cultivars/lines were planted with or without fluxapyroxad, pyraclostrobin, and metalaxyl under field conditions. The area under disease progress curve (AUDPC), seed yield, and protein content were assessed. Fusarium solani was isolated and identified in the late season, and the disease severity of root rot was evaluated. The results showed that seed treatment effectively suppressed damping-off and improved chickpea yield but only slightly reduced late-season root rot. The AUDPC of NDC160166 and NDC 160236 was not significantly reduced by seed treatment, which could be a future resource of resistance. To assess the effects of configurations and resistant cultivar on yield and Ascochyta blight management in intercropping chickpea-flax, two chickpea cultivars (CDC Leader and Royal) were planted with flax under six configurations (monocrop chickpea, 70% chickpea-30% flax in mixture, 50% chickpea-50% flax in mixture, 50% chickpea-50% flax in alternate rows, 30% chickpea-70 flax in mixture, monocrop flax). Yield and nutrient content of component crops and Ascochyta blight infection were evaluated. Chickpea yield decreased as flax proportion increased in the mixture. Chickpea yielded higher in the alternate row design than in the mixture at the same seeding rate due to less interspecies competition in the alternate rows. Intercrop increased 2%-23% land productivity. Chickpea-flax intercrop effectively reduced Ascochyta blight under higher disease pressure. The configuration of 50% chickpea and 50% flax in the mixture was more effective in suppressing Ascochyta blight than in the alternate row configuration. Integrated resistant cultivar and intercropping configuration was most effective in disease suppression.
Alternative fruit crops for the northern Rocky Mountain climate: production and quality factors of cultivars
(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2020) Setzer, Durc Parker; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Mac Burgess
The demand for healthy foods is large and increasing. There are many high-antioxidant berry and fruit crops that fit this market but not all are suitable for cold climates. This study evaluates six novel fruit crops for Montana: Aronia, Black and Red Currant, Dwarf Sour Cherry, Haskap and Saskatoon. Trials were planted in 2015 in a randomized complete block design with three blocks per site, at three different sites in Montana. Qualities investigated include yield, fruit mass, soluble solids (SS), and total phenolic content (TPC). The trialed species were generally well suited to Montana. Yields varied among cultivars and yields in Bozeman were smaller than other sites. The following results incorporate data across sites from 2016 to 2018. Yield results are the most mature year. TPC is reported as milligrams of gallic acid equivalent per 100 grams of fresh fruit. Aronia yields averaged 4061 grams, mean fruit mass was 0.89 grams. SS averaged 22° brix. TPC averaged 2800 mg. The cultivar McKenzie produced higher TPC than Viking. Black Currant yields averaged 3784 grams; fruit mass averaged 1.15 grams. Mean SS were 17.5° brix. The cultivar Stikine produced the largest yield, Blackcomb the heaviest fruit, Titania the highest SS. Red Currant yield in Corvallis averaged 5059 grams and mean fruit mass was 0.79 grams. The cultivar Jonkeer van Tets provided the largest yield and fruit mass. Dwarf Sour Cherry yield averaged 6435 grams. Mean fruit mass and SS were 4.1 grams and 16.2° brix, respectively. The cultivar Carmine Jewel produced the largest yield, Lutowka Rose the largest fruit, and Romeo the highest SS. Crimson Passion did not flower at any site. Haskap yield averaged 1364 grams, mean fruit mass was 1.2 grams and mean SS were 15.3° brix. Phenolic content averaged 919 milligrams. The cultivar 85-19 produced the largest yield, Aurora the largest fruit, Indigo Gem the highest SS, and Auroroa and Borealis the highest phenolic contents. Saskatoon mean yield was 1567 grams. Mean fruit mass and SS were 1.02 grams and 20.1° brix, respectively. Northline produced the largest Saskatoon yield, Martin the heaviest fruit and Smoky the highest SS.
Genetic dissection of grain yield and yield component traits in hexaploid spring wheat
(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2020) Jones, Brittney Hannah; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Michael J. Giroux; Nancy K. Blake, Hwa-Young Heo, Jay R. Kalous, John M. Martin, Jessica A. Torrion and Luther E. Talbert were co-authors of the article, 'Improving hexaploid spring wheat by introgression of alleles for yield component traits from durum wheat' in the journal 'Crop science' which is contained within this dissertation.; Nancy K. Blake, Hwa-Young Heo, Jay R. Kalous, John M. Martin, Deanna L. Nash, Jessica A. Torrion and Luther E. Talbert were co-authors of the article, 'Impact of yield component alleles from durum wheat on end-use quality of spring wheat' in the journal 'Cereal chemistry ' which is contained within this dissertation.; Nancy K. Blake, Hwa-Young Heo, John M. Martin, Jessica A. Torrion and Luther E. Talbert were co-authors of the article, 'Allelic response of yield component traits to resource availability in spring wheat' in the journal 'Theoretical and applied genetics' which is contained within this dissertation.
Hexaploid wheat accounts for 30% of global grain production, ranking in the top three major food crop species along with maize and rice. Grain yield from hexaploid wheat is an important agronomic consideration for sustainable agriculture. As the human population continues to grow and the amount of farmable land decreases it is imperative that a focus be placed on improving grain yield performance. Grain yield is a quantitative trait and as such improved performance is largely influenced by genetic variation, environment and genotype x environment interactions. Due to the quantitative nature of grain yield the mechanisms of genetic control are largely unknown. The purpose of the presented research was to genetically dissect grain yield and yield component traits in hexaploid spring wheat grown in Montana in order to leverage new understanding to improve Montana germplasm and future breeding programs. This investigation included three research aims: (i) to determine the genetic impact of introgressed durum yield component alleles on hexaploid spring wheat agronomic and end-use quality performance (Chapters 2 and 3); (ii) investigate how resource availability as simulated by plant competition and seed density impacted yield component allele response at four yield component quantitative trait loci (Chapter 4); and (iii) to better understand the mechanism of genetic control of QTn.mst-6B a quantitative trait locus associated with tiller number through high-resolution mapping (Chapter 5). This research highlights the complexity of pleotropic interaction among yield component traits and variability associated with grain yield as impacted by environment and resources availability. Results from the three aims provide a detailed investigation of single quantitative trait loci for use as novel sources of cultivar improvement and increased genetic gain as well as, a better understanding of grain yield and yield component traits.
Evaluation of wheat production practices under wheat streak mosaic disease risk and wheat stem sawfly pressure in Montana
(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2020) McKelvy, Uta; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Mary Burrows; Monica Brelsford, Jamie Sherman and Mary Burrows were co-authors of the article, 'Susceptibility and tolerance of winter wheat, spring wheat and barley cultivars to mechanical inoculation with wheat streak mosaic virus' submitted to the journal 'Plant health progress' which is contained within this dissertation.; Peggy Lamb, Monica Brelsford and Mary Burrows were co-authors of the article, 'Impact of planting date, seeding rate and cultivar choice on spring and winter wheat productivity and profitability in Montana' submitted to the journal 'Agronomy journal' which is contained within this dissertation.; David Weaver and Mary Burrows were co-authors of the article, 'Evaluation of chemical and cultural management practices for wheat stem sawfly control and effects on beneficial insects in spring wheat in Montana' submitted to the journal 'Journal of economic entomology' which is contained within this dissertation.
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an economically important crop for Montana's agricultural industry. Wheat streak mosaic (WSM) is an important viral disease in Montana and the wheat stem sawfly (WSS; Cephus cinctus Norton) is a major insect pest in the state. Understanding these disease and pest problems and the factors that promote and suppress disease and pest pressure forms the foundation for a successful integrated pest management program. In this dissertation, we evaluate wheat production practices in Montana and provide information on the effectiveness and implications of cultural and chemical management practices in mitigating WSM disease and WSS pressure. We assessed the tolerance of popular winter wheat, spring wheat, and barley cultivars in Montana to mechanical inoculation with WSMV in field studies. Winter wheat 'Brawl CL Plus' and breeding lines CO12D922 and MTV1681 demonstrated moderate WSMV incidence and minor yield penalties under WSMV inoculation, making them suitable cultivars to be grown in high-risk environments. We investigated the effects of cultivar choice, planting date, and seeding rate on grain yield and quality parameters in field studies. Our results validated current planting date recommendations for Montana. Yield reductions were observed at planting dates later than mid-September and April for winter wheat and spring wheat, respectively. No yield increase was observed when winter wheat was planted before mid-September. No meaningful and reliable economic benefits were associated with an increase in seeding rate beyond the recommended density. We developed a WSM risk prediction model and released it as the online learning tool AWaRe ('Assessment of Wheat streak mosaic Risk'). AWaRe presents the first learning tool that integrates complex information on the dynamics underlying WSM disease and relates them to the user in an interactive way. We expect the adoption of risk assessment based WSM management practices that result in a reduced economic impact through the use of this tool. The potential of different insecticides to manage WSS damage was compared to spring wheat genotypes with varying degrees of WSS resistance. Results showed that application of the systemic insecticide Thimet-20G provided effective protection of susceptible cultivar 'Reeder,' but use of solid-stem cultivars were similarly effective.
Characterization and identification of novel reduced height (RHT-1) alleles in wheat
(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2019) Jobson, Emma Marie; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Michael J. Giroux; M.J. Giroux, J.M. Martin, R.E. Johnston and A.J. Oiestad were co-authors of the article, 'The impact of the wheat RHT-B1B semi-dwarfing allele on photosynthesis and seed development under field conditions' in the journal 'Frontiers in plant science' which is contained within this dissertation.; M.J. Giroux, J.M. Martin and T.M. Scheider were co-authors of the article, 'The impact of the RHT-B1B, RHT-D1B, and RHT-8 wheat semi-dwarfing genes on flour milling, baking, and micronutrients' in the journal 'Cereal chemistry' which is contained within this dissertation.; M.J. Giroux, J.M. Martin and J.B. Ohm were co-authors of the article, 'RHT-1 semi-dwarfing alleles alter dough rheology by modifying gluten composition' submitted to the journal 'Cereal chemistry' which is contained within this dissertation.; M.J. Giroux, J.M. Martin and A.C. Hogg were co-authors of the article, 'Identification and molecular characterization of novel RHT-1 alleles in hard red spring wheat' submitted to the journal 'Crop science ' which is contained within this dissertation.
Since their introduction in the 1960s, the semi-dwarfing Reduced Height (Rht-1) genes in wheat have been incorporated into the majority of modern wheat varieties. Their popularity has been driven by their positive impact on yield. The two most common semi-dwarfing alleles, Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b, reduce height ~20% and increase yield ~6% compared to tall varieties. Their shorter stature makes them less susceptible to lodging under increased water and nitrogen inputs compared to tall wheat varieties. Despite their prevalence, the exact mechanism by which Rht-B1b/Rht-D1b increase yields is still unknown. Furthermore, very little research has been done to characterize their impact on bread making and end use quality. Finally, beyond Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b, there is very little allelic diversity available to wheat breeders. The objectives of this research were to investigate the impact of Rht-B1b on photosynthesis, characterize the impact of Rht-B1b/Rht-D1b on bread making and dough rheology, and to identify and test novel Rht-1 alleles created using EMS mutagenesis. In regards to photosynthesis: we found Rht-B1b reduces flag leaf photosynthetic rate (18%) and chlorophyll A content (23%) compared to the tall wildtype at anthesis. In regards to end use quality: we found Rht-B1b/Rht-D1b decrease total grain protein content (2%) but increase gluten index (21%), bake mixing time, and bake mixing tolerance compared to the tall lines. Increased gluten index and mixing time in the semi-dwarfing lines was shown to be associated with increased high molecular weight glutenins. In regards to developing novel alleles: we identified three nonsense Rht-1 alleles and characterized their impact on coleoptile length, gibberellin responsiveness, and DELLA/GID1 interaction. Further research will be needed to investigate their impact on agronomic traits and found that each abolished GID1 interaction in the absence but not the presence of Gibberellic acid. Overall this dissertation provides new insight on the impact of the semi-dwarfing alleles on wheat growth and development, wheat milling and baking properties and increases the available allelic diversity through the introduction of three new Rht-1 nonsense alleles.
Impact of nitrogen and water management to grain yield, yield components and traits, and grain quality of two contrasting wheat classes
(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2019) Bicego Vieitez de Almeida, Breno; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Luther E. Talbert and Jessica Torrion (co-chair); Anish Sapkota and Jessica A. Torrion were co-authors of the article, 'Differential nitrogen and water impacts on yield and quality of wheat classes' which is contained within this thesis.; Jessica A. Torrion was a co-author of the article, 'Nitrogen and water impacts on grain yield and components of different wheat classes' which is contained within this thesis.
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeders and physiologists must consider not only grain yield but also its quality. Physiological selection may be an important tool to aid breeders achieve improvements more rapidly. However, different genotypes may have distinct responses to agronomic management and environments. The relationship between those traits also may vary according to wheat class. In the present study we characterized the grain yield, yield components and traits, and quality parameters response of four hard red and four soft white spring wheat cultivars subjected to various nitrogen (N) levels and moisture regimes (stressed vs non-stressed environment) over two years. About one-third grain yield reduction from 2016 to 2017 could be attributed to heat stress. Overall, soft whites had higher grain yield than hard reds, but a stronger negative grain yield-grain protein content relationship. Considering a given year, increments in grain yield also resulted in higher grain protein in hard reds except when N was very low. The cultivar with Gpc-B1 gene for higher grain protein, had similar grain yield to its parent material and to other well adapted hard red cultivar. Vida, characterized by extended green leaf duration after heading (stay-green trait), was better adapted to water and heat stress than the rest of hard reds. Grain fill duration was an important trait especially under heat and drought stress for both wheat classes. We found that, across moisture regime environments and year, productive tiller number had consistently a direct relation with kernel number per area, which was strongly related to grain yield. During the heat and drought stressed year, kernel weight was an important yield component and had neutral relation with kernel number. Nitrogen fertilization had effect on grain yield only during the hot and dry year with irrigation, but no effect was observed under rainfed conditions for this year. Based on the lower grain protein requirement as well the lack of N effect on grain yield for the tested conditions, soft whites may be grown with lower N input than hard reds.
Genetic exploration of spike and seed morphology in a two-rowed barley nested association mapping panel
(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2018) Getz, Megan Marie; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Jamie Sherman
Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is unique as it has six-rowed cultivars and two-rowed cultivars. The six-rowed has three fertile florets on each spikelet, while two-rowed has only a single fertile center floret per spikelet. This by itself affects seed uniformity as seed produced in the lateral florets tend to be less symmetrical and smaller in size than the center floret. Yield and plumpness are also affected by spike morphology. While the genes and alleles affecting six-rowed vs. two-rowed spikes are known, there are a number of other genes that affect additional spike morphological traits such as number of seeds per head, length of head, and compaction of spikelets. Here, a two-rowed Nested Association Mapping (NAM) population was used to genetically dissect barley spike and seed morphology. To create the population, 13 diverse founder lines of barley were crossed with Conlon, a high yielding, plump, spring variety. Approximately 80 progenies were selected from each of the Conlon by founder crosses, and then backcrossed to Conlon in hopes of exposing the advantageous traits while adapting lines to the Great Plains of the Northwest. The population varying for spike and seed morphology was grown out in a field trial in Bozeman, MT and Logan, UT where phenotypic data was collected throughout the stages of growth and harvest. At maturity (Zadok's 50) stage five heads from each of the lines were collected. Digital Image Analysis was used to measure spike length, kernel count, density, and seed size. Genetic maps were created for each family as well as a consensus map for the whole population. Associations between the phenotypic data and the genotypic data observed in the individual families and consensus map allowed us to identify QTLs conserved across multiple families as well as unique to individual families. Evidence of pleiotropic effects between traits was observed. Some of the QTLs previously were identified, and some are novel. One of the families was of particular interest due to unique QTLs impacting seeds per spike and seed weight. Additionally, several novel QTLs were identified on chromosome 7H that highly impact seed traits.
Quantitative trait loci associated with lodging, stem strength, yield, and other important agronomic traits in dry field peas
(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2017) Smitchger, Jamin A.; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Kevin McPhee; Norman F. Weeden (co-chair)
In pea, lodging changes canopy structure, increases disease pressure, reduces yield, and reduces harvest efficiency. In order to discover the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) influencing lodging resistance and other important agronomic traits in pea, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population was created from a relatively wide cross between the commercial variety Delta and an unnamed pea variety. The RIL population was grown for 6 site-years in Bozeman and Moccasin, MT, USA, and phenotypic data was collected for 22 quantitative morphological traits and seven categorical traits which were thought to be associated with lodging resistance. Genotypic data was derived from genotype by sequencing, microsattelite markers, and cleaved amplified sequence tagged sites. QTL analysis identified a total of 135 putative QTLs for the 22 traits examined in the study. There were 12 specific regions where 115 QTLs co-located, indicating that as few as 12 genes may be responsible for multiple pleiotropic effects. Ten QTLs were found for lodging resistance. Due to the large amount of phenotypic data collected, the putative mechanism of lodging resistance was determined for each QTL. In nearly every case, lodging resistance was associated with reduced plant height, a change in tendril number, or increased stem strength. This conclusion was supported by mathematical modeling. Branch number, which determines the number of tendrils per plant, was also positively associated with lodging resistance during all site-years, indicating that increasing tendril number also increases lodging resistance. Yield was controlled by eight QTLs. All QTLs for yield had pleiotropic effects on lodging resistance and yield per plant. Seed size was not correlated with yield, and a model was created which explained why no association between yield and seed size was found. The pleiotropic effects and utility of the QTLs discovered in this study are discussed. The results of this study further refine the ideotype for pea, and can be used for marker assisted selection in this crop.

Scholarship & Research

Browse

Filters

Settings

Sort By

Results per page

Search Results