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

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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 22495

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Karin Koehl

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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

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 2405 KiB

Open AccessArticle

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 16 | Viewed by 2862

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 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)

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11 pages, 1312 KiB

Open AccessArticle

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 5 | Viewed by 2195

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, 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)

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14 pages, 1925 KiB

Open AccessArticle

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 8 | Viewed by 6420

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 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)

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18 pages, 3097 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

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 12 | Viewed by 3776

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 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)

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21 pages, 2424 KiB

Open AccessArticle

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 - 06 Sep 2019

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3546

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 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)

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20 pages, 3045 KiB

Open AccessArticle

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 - 09 Jul 2019

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3063

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 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)

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