Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
6.2
3.3
Journals
Agronomy
Special Issues
Breeding for Stability of Crop Yield and Related Traits under...
share announcement

Breeding for Stability of Crop Yield and Related Traits under Combined Environmental Constraints

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Breeding and Genetics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2020) | Viewed by 25441

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Karin Koehl

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Max Planck Inst Mol Plant Physiol, D-14476 Potsdam, Germany

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The climate changes predicted by global change models will increase the likelihood of yield reductions as a result of adverse abiotic conditions. Temperatures are predicted to increase, and precipitation patterns will change, resulting in insufficient water supply or water logging during times that are critical for crop productivity. Thus, low soil water availability, high vapor pressure deficit, high night temperatures and heat stress during the day will negatively affect the quantity and quality of crop yield. During critical growth periods, plants will be subjected to a combination of adverse factors. High day temperatures cause high vapor pressure deficits and heat stress. Altered water-saving management techniques may result in decreased soil water availability, hence, in drought stress accompanied by increased salinity because of changed soil water dynamics and heat stress due to decreased evapotranspiration. Agricultural management strategies that try to avoid stress by the use of earlier sowing or early varieties require the adaptation of crops to altered day length and thus modified circadian rhythms, reduced light sums, altered light quality, and increased risks of low temperatures during sensitive developmental phases like flowering. Similar challenges arise when crop production moves to higher latitudes or altitudes. Quantifying the interaction between crop genotypes and the combined effects of different environmental challenges is complex. However, these insights would allow to define the targets for the breeding of crops with high yield stability in a changing environment.

The Special Issue ‘Breeding for stability of crop yield and related traits under combined environmental constraints’ will focus on manuscripts reporting experiments that study the effect of combined abiotic stresses on different genotypes. Furthermore, we welcome studies comparing the response of different genotypes to the interaction between single abiotic stressors and altitude- and latitude-dependent effectors such as day length and light quality. Together, these papers will elucidate the genetic variability of crop resilience towards combined stresses and identify future breeding priorities.

Dr. Karin Koehl
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • yield stability
  • genetic diversity
  • abiotic stress
  • stress combinations
  • genotype–environment interaction
  • circadian rhythm
  • development
  • agricultural management

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

26 pages, 2405 KiB  
Article
Combining Ability of Early-Maturing Yellow Maize Inbreds under Combined Drought and Heat Stress and Well-Watered Environments
by Laouali M. Nasser, Baffour Badu-Apraku, Vernon E. Gracen and Hortense N. A. Mafouasson
Agronomy 2020, 10(10), 1585; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10101585 - 16 Oct 2020
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3225
Abstract
Grain-yield potential of maize (Zea mays L.) is limited by the harsh climatic conditions during dry seasons in the savanna of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). One hundred and five hybrids derived from diallel crosses involving 15 early-maturing yellow maize inbreds were screened under [...] Read more.
Grain-yield potential of maize (Zea mays L.) is limited by the harsh climatic conditions during dry seasons in the savanna of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). One hundred and five hybrids derived from diallel crosses involving 15 early-maturing yellow maize inbreds were screened under combined drought and heat stress (CDHS) and well-watered (WW) conditions at four locations representative of the dry savannas of Niger, 2012–2014. The objective of the study was to examine the general combining ability (GCA) effects of the inbred lines and specific combining ability (SCA) of the crosses under CDHS and WW environments, assess yield and stability of the derived hybrids under contrasting environments and investigate inter-relationships among traits of the hybrids under contrasting environments. GCA and SCA effects for grain yield and other measured traits were significant, with preponderance of GCA effects over SCA effects under both the CDHS and WW environments. Inbred ENT 13 possessed positive and significant GCA effects for grain yield under both CDHS and WW environments indicating that the inbred could be used for developing outstanding hybrids with good levels of tolerance to CDHS. This also implied that the inbred line could serve as invaluable genetic resource for introgression of favorable alleles into tropical early-maturing maize populations for accelerated genetic gains from selection for improved grain yield. Hybrids ENT 13 × TZEI 167 and TZEI 157 × ENT 13 were the most stable and among the highest yielding hybrids across research environments. These outstanding hybrids could be tested extensively for commercialization in SSA to improve food security. Plant and ear aspects and days to 50% silking could be combined with grain yield in a selection index for improvement of yield under CDHS without yield penalties under WW environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Breeding for Stability of Crop Yield and Related Traits under Combined Environmental Constraints)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1312 KiB  
Article
Cotton Genotypic Variability for Transpiration Decrease with Progressive Soil Drying
by Mura Jyostna Devi and Vangimalla Reddy
Agronomy 2020, 10(9), 1290; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10091290 - 31 Aug 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2446
Abstract
Drought is a major abiotic stress factor limiting cotton yield. It is important to identify the genotypes that can conserve water under drought stress conditions and improve yield. The objective of the current study was to evaluate cotton genotypes for water conservation traits, [...] Read more.
Drought is a major abiotic stress factor limiting cotton yield. It is important to identify the genotypes that can conserve water under drought stress conditions and improve yield. The objective of the current study was to evaluate cotton genotypes for water conservation traits, i.e., high FTSW (Fraction of Transpirable Soil Water) threshold for transpiration. Plants utilize water slowly by declining transpiration at high FTSW and conserving soil water, which can be used by the plant later in the growing season to improve yield. Fifteen cotton varieties were selected based on their differences in transpiration response to elevated vapor pressure deficit (VPD) to study drought responses. Two pot experiments were carried out in the greenhouse to determine the FTSW threshold for the transpiration rate as the soil dried. A significant variation (p < 0.01) in the FTSW threshold values for transpiration decline was observed, ranging from 0.35 to 0.60 among cotton cultivars. Genotypes with high FTSW thresholds also displayed low transpiration under well-watered conditions. Further studies with four selected genotype contrasts in FTSW threshold values for transpiration showed differences (p < 0.05 to 0.001) in gas exchange parameters and water potentials. This study demonstrated that there are alternate traits among the cotton genotypes for enhancing soil water conservation to improve yield under water-limited conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Breeding for Stability of Crop Yield and Related Traits under Combined Environmental Constraints)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1925 KiB  
Article
Strengths and Weaknesses of National Variety Trial Data for Multi-Environment Analysis: A Case Study on Grain Yield and Protein Content
by Vahid Rahimi Eichi, Mamoru Okamoto, Trevor Garnett, Paul Eckermann, Benoit Darrier, Matteo Riboni and Peter Langridge
Agronomy 2020, 10(5), 753; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10050753 - 24 May 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 7045
Abstract
Multi-environment trial studies provide an opportunity for the detailed analysis of complex traits. However, conducting trials across a large number of regions can be costly and labor intensive. The Australian National Variety Trials (NVT) provide grain yield and protein content (GPC) data of [...] Read more.
Multi-environment trial studies provide an opportunity for the detailed analysis of complex traits. However, conducting trials across a large number of regions can be costly and labor intensive. The Australian National Variety Trials (NVT) provide grain yield and protein content (GPC) data of over 200 wheat varieties in many and varied environments across the Australian wheat-belt and is representative of similar trials conducted in other countries. Through our analysis of the NVT dataset, we highlight the advantages and limitations in using these data to explore the relationship between grain yield and GPC in the low yielding environments of Australia. Eight environment types (ETs), categorized in a previous study based on the time and intensity of drought stress, were used to analyze the impact of drought on the relationship between grain yield and protein content. The study illustrates the value of comprehensive multi-environment analysis to explore the complex relationship between yield and GPC, and to identify the most appropriate environments to select for a favorable relationship. However, the NVT trial design does not follow the rigor associated with a normal genotype × environment study and this limits the accuracy of the interpretation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Breeding for Stability of Crop Yield and Related Traits under Combined Environmental Constraints)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3097 KiB  
Article
Envirotypes Based on Seed Yield Limiting Factors Allow to Tackle G × E Interactions
by Erwan Corlouer, Arnaud Gauffreteau, Anne-Sophie Bouchet, Christine Bissuel-Bélaygue, Nathalie Nesi and Anne Laperche
Agronomy 2019, 9(12), 798; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9120798 - 23 Nov 2019
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4106
Abstract
One challenge in plant breeding is to ensure optimized production under fluctuating environments while reducing the environmental impacts of agriculture. Thus, new rapeseed varieties should be adapted to a wide range of pedoclimatic conditions and constraints. Addressing this issue requires identifying the critical [...] Read more.
One challenge in plant breeding is to ensure optimized production under fluctuating environments while reducing the environmental impacts of agriculture. Thus, new rapeseed varieties should be adapted to a wide range of pedoclimatic conditions and constraints. Addressing this issue requires identifying the critical factors limiting production and the genotype by environment (G × E) interaction. Our goal was to characterize the effects of environment and G × E interaction on the seed yield of rapeseed grown over a large field network. First, we defined a pedoclimatic indicator set with the ability to highlight the potential limiting factors along the crop cycle by analyzing the yield of two genotypes grown under 20 environments. Out of the 84 pedoclimatic indicators, 10 were identified as limiting after a partial least squares regression analysis. The environments were then clustered into five envirotypes, each characterized by few major limiting factors: low winter temperatures and heat stress during seed filling (1); low solar radiation during seed filling (3); vernalization conditions during winter (4) and high temperatures at flowering (5). A larger genetic diversity was evaluated in a subset of 11 environments to analyze the impact of envirotyping on genotype ranking. Their results were discussed in light of field network management and plant breeding purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Breeding for Stability of Crop Yield and Related Traits under Combined Environmental Constraints)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 2424 KiB  
Article
Dissection of Year Related Climatic Variables and Their Effect on Winter Rapeseed (Brassica Napus L.) Development and Yield
by Ana Marjanović-Jeromela, Sreten Terzić, Mirjana Jankulovska, Miroslav Zorić, Ankica Kondić-Špika, Milan Jocković, Nikola Hristov, Jovan Crnobarac and Nevena Nagl
Agronomy 2019, 9(9), 517; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9090517 - 6 Sep 2019
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3883
Abstract
Winter oilseed rape (WOSR) production is dependent on weather conditions, but is also characterized by low nitrogen (N) use efficiency. The objectives of this study were to: (i) evaluate sources of variability for the seed yield and oil content of four rapeseed cultivars [...] Read more.
Winter oilseed rape (WOSR) production is dependent on weather conditions, but is also characterized by low nitrogen (N) use efficiency. The objectives of this study were to: (i) evaluate sources of variability for the seed yield and oil content of four rapeseed cultivars under the influence of three sowing dates (SD trial) and five nitrogen dosages (N trial) during four growing seasons; (ii) understand year-related interactions and the effect of climatic variables in different growth stages; and (iii) assess the presence of interactions cultivar by year (C × Y) and treatment by year (T × Y). Six climatic factors were observed, during germination, overwintering, budding, flowering and ripening. The mixed effect split-plot analysis of variance was used, as well as factorial regression models. The C × Y interaction was the most important for the oil content in both trials. The precipitation at budding stage (75.8%), relative air humidity at overwintering (63.3%) and flowering stage (53.0%) accounted for the highest proportion of T × Y interaction for the seed yield, as well as precipitation at flowering (92.0%) and ripening (85.0%) for the oil content. Water availability was the main determinant of the seed yield and/or oil content accompanied with cooler temperatures during the seed development. The study successfully dissected the effect of year-related climatic variables on the agronomical traits in winter rapeseed. Based on this, appropriate agronomic practices can be applied at specific growing stages to ensure a high seed and oil yield. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Breeding for Stability of Crop Yield and Related Traits under Combined Environmental Constraints)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 3045 KiB  
Article
Seasonal Variations in Canopy Size and Yield of Rayong 9 Cassava Genotype under Rainfed and Irrigated Conditions
by Supattra Mahakosee, Sanun Jogloy, Nimitr Vorasoot, Piyada Theerakulpisut, Poramate Banterng, Thawan Kesmala, Corley Holbrook and Craig Kvien
Agronomy 2019, 9(7), 362; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9070362 - 9 Jul 2019
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3379
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of seasonal variation on canopy size, and the effect of canopy size on light penetration of ‘Rayong 9′ cassava under irrigated and rainfed conditions. Rayong 9 was planted under two water regimes in [...] Read more.
The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of seasonal variation on canopy size, and the effect of canopy size on light penetration of ‘Rayong 9′ cassava under irrigated and rainfed conditions. Rayong 9 was planted under two water regimes in a randomized complete block design with four replications in May and November for two years. At final harvest, years were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) for biomass, shoot dry weight, and harvest index and contributed to large portions of total variations in shoot dry weight (56.8%) and HI (44.5%). Planting date was a significant source of variations in all measured characters, and it contributed to the largest portions of variations in biomass, storage root dry weight and storage root fresh weight (46.1–60.9%). Water regimes were not significantly different for most characters except for harvest index (p ≤ 0.01). The canopy of the crop planted in May grew rapidly in early growth stages in the rainy season and then slowly after the rainy season. The canopy of the crop planted in November grew rapidly in the middle to the late growth stages. Irrigation did not significantly increase root yield although it slightly increased canopy development, leaf area index (LAI), light penetration and photosynthesis. Irrigation at the late growth stages of the crop planted in May significantly increased storage root yield. Irrigation at these growth stages helped maintain canopy development, LAI and light penetration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Breeding for Stability of Crop Yield and Related Traits under Combined Environmental Constraints)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop