Xu, Y., An, D., Li, H. and Xu, H. 2011. Review: Breeding wheat for enhanced micronutrients. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 231-237. Low concentrations or deficiencies of bioavailable iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and other essential micronutrients in human food afflict a large proportion of the world's population. Plant biofortification, to improve the mineral concentrations in the edible portions of crop plants by conventional breeding or modern transgenic approaches, is regarded as the most economical and sustainable strategy. Many researchers have demonstrated that there are significant differences in grain mineral element concentrations among wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and its relatives. Compared with cultivated wheat, wild wheats are potential genetic resources for enhancing micronutrient in wheat grain. An ancestral wild tetraploid wheat (T. turgidum ssp. dicoccoides) carrying the allele Gpc-B1, which is associated with increased Fe, Zn, and protein concentrations in grain, was cloned using a positional cloning strategy. Combining conventional breeding with modern genetic engineering approaches, such as introgression of genes from wild relatives into wheat, synthetic hexaploid wheat, quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis, and even gene cloning and genetic transformation, are important for developing wheat cultivars higher in micronutrients.

Singh, S. P. and Schwartz, H. F. 2011. Review: Breeding common bean for resistance to insect pests and nematodes. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 239-250. Various insect pests and nematodes cause severe losses (35-100%) globally to the yield and quality of dry and green common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The objectives of this review are to briefly describe major insect pests and nematodes in the Americas, breeding strategies and methods used, and research progress achieved. We also describe integrated genetic improvement for resistance to multiple insect pests and nematodes and cultivar development. Breeding for resistance to one insect pest or nematode at a time has been practiced in most instances. Backcross, pedigree, and bulk-pedigree breeding methods have been used. Considerable progress has been made in genetics and germplasm enhancement for resistance to bean pod weevil (Apion godmani Wagner), tropical bruchid (Zabrotes subfasciatus Boheman), leafhoppers (Empoasca kraemeri Ross and Moore), and root- knot nematode (Meloidogyne species). However, improvement in resistance to Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say), lesion (Pratylenchus species) and soybean cyst (Heterodera glycines) nematodes, and other regional insect pests has been minimal or non-existent. Furthermore, dry or green common bean cultivars with high levels of resistance to one or more insect pests and nematodes are rare. Breeding strategies for integrated and simultaneous genetic improvement of multiple qualitatively and quantitatively inherited resistances for cultivar development are briefly described.

Chen, J. M., Qi, W. C., Wang, S. Y., Guan, R. Z. and Zhang, H. S. 2011. Correlation of Kennedy pathway efficiency with seed oil content of canola (Brassica napus L.) lines. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 251-259. The Kennedy pathway (KP) has been demonstrated to be crucial for seed oil accumulation. To answer whether the KP enzyme activities can explain seed oil content variation of conventional canola lines, six lines with three different levels of oil (high, middle and low) were tested for seed KP enzyme activities and hexose (2 sucrose glucose fructose) concentrations at 18, 25, 32, 39 and 46 d after pollination (DAP). The results showed that lines with high and middle seed oil content levels (HO and MO) had higher phosphatidate phosphatase (PAP) and diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) activities and higher sugar contents than the lines with low oil levels (LO). The lowest KP enzyme activity (LEA) for each combination of line and DAP can be regarded as indicator to the bioassembly efficiency. In most of the combinations, DGAT was the enzyme with LEA, and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) or PAP acted as the enzyme with LEA in a few cases. Correlation analyses showed that peak values and averages of LEA in the lines were significantly correlated with seed oil content, indicating that KP enzyme efficiency is tightly associated with seed oil content.

Sakin, M. A., Sayaslan, A., Duzdemir, O. and Yuksel, F. 2011. Quality characteristics of registered cultivars and advanced lines of durum wheats grown in different ecological regions of Turkey. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 261-271. In this study, pasta-quality-associated characteristics of 25 durum wheat genotypes were investigated. Durum wheat genotypes consisted of 13 advanced experimental lines and 12 registered cultivars that were grown in three different locations of Turkey for 2 yr. Genotype, location, year and their interactions were found to be statistically significant in terms of all investigated quality characteristics. Mean quality parameters for the genotypes varied as follows: yellowberry kernel 1.7-6.1%, pigment content 3.67-8.31 mg kg^-1, lipoxygenase (LOX) activity 12.9-27.9 EU g^-1, protein content 10.8-11.8% (14% mb), gluten index (GI) 12-61, sodium dodecyl sulphate-sedimentation volume 17.3-28.7 mL, specific sedimentation volume 1.60-2.52 mL. Of the genotypes, 10 contained γ-gliadin 45 and six γ-gliadin 42 proteins. Except for Zenit, none of the registered cultivars and advanced experimental lines investigated in this study were able to meet simultaneously the requirements for high-quality pasta products; yet certain experimental lines prevailing in specific quality characteristics, such as Line-Gdem-2, Line-Gdem-12 and Line-20, may be used for further breeding purposes. The results of this study also imply that grain yield and quality should be taken collectively into consideration in wheat breeding programs.

Suprayogi, Y., Clarke, J. M., Bueckert, R., Clarke, F. R. and Pozniak, C. J. 2011. Nitrogen remobilization and post-anthesis nitrogen uptake in relation to elevated grain protein concentration in durum wheat. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 273-282. Grain protein concentration is an important end-use suitability factor in durum wheat [Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum (Desf.) Husn.] through its effect on cooking quality. Genetic differences in grain protein concentration are exploited in Canadian durum breeding programs, but the physiological basis of these differences remains unknown. Eighteen durum genotypes varying in grain protein concentration were grown at three pre-selected Saskatchewan locations that differ for soil nitrogen (N). These included check cultivars and six low- and six high-protein doubled haploid (DH) selections from the cross DT695×Strongfield (low- by high-protein). Plants were sampled at the anthesis, milk, dough and physiological maturity developmental stages, and dry matter and N concentration of plant parts were determined. The high-protein selections expressed 0.6 to 1.1 percentage units higher grain protein concentration than the low selections over the three environments (P<0.05), but yielded less grain than the low selections in two of the three environments. Remobilization of N from vegetative organs to grain varied with environment and accounted for 73 to 98% of grain N, the remainder made up from post-anthesis N uptake. The high-protein selections showed greater post-anthesis N uptake than the low selections in two of three environments (P<0.01), but lower N remobilization from vegetative organs to the grain than the low selections in the same environments (P<0.05). Subtle differences in N and dry matter partitioning accounted for the observed differences in grain protein concentration.

Mohammed, A. R. and Tarpley, L. 2011. High night temperature and plant growth regulator effects on spikelet sterility, grain characteristics and yield of rice (Oryza sativaL.) plants. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 283-291. The presence of seasonally high night temperature (HNT) as a result of global warming, occurring during the critical stages of development, could reduce rice yield and quality. To understand how a combination of HNT and plant growth regulators (PGR; a-tocopherol and glycine betaine) affects yield and yield-related parameters of rice plants, we conducted three pot experiments under two levels of night temperature (NT; 27 and 32^oC) with or without PGR treatments. Plants were subjected to a HNT through the use of continuously controlled infrared heaters, starting 20 d after emergence (DAE), from 2000 until 0600. Plants were treated with a-tocopherol and glycine betaine 20 DAE. The NT had no effect on number of productive tillers, main-stem panicle length or number of primary branches per panicle; however, reduced yield resulted from significant effects on spikelet sterility (SS), and grain length, width, and weight. The grains located at the base of the panicle showed decreased length and width compared with grains located at the tip of the panicle. Application of glycine betaine increased grain yield by predominantly decreasing SS in rice plants, suggesting the potential future use of glycine betaine to help partially prevent HNT damage to rice.

McKenzie, R. H., Bremer, E., Middleton, A. B., Pfiffner, P. G. and Woods, S. A. 2011. Optimum seeding date and rate for irrigated cereal and oilseed crops in southern Alberta. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 293-303. High crop productivity is essential for irrigated crops and may be strongly affected by decisions of seeding date and rate. An irrigated field experiment was conducted at two locations in southern Alberta for 4 yr to compare the impact of seeding date and rate on productivity and quality of nine cereal crops and two oilseed crops. Seeding rate was only evaluated on one date in late April or early May, when maximum yields were expected. Delayed seeding reduced crop yields by 0.6 to 1.7% per day after the end of April: flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) = CWRS wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), feed triticale (×Triticosecale W.) = CPS or SWS wheat = triticale or barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) silage = durum (T. turgidum L.), feed or malt barley < canola (Brassica napus L.). Crop quality deteriorated with delayed seeding for some crops, particularly canola, malt barley and SWS wheat, but was unaffected or even slightly improved for other crops. Seeding rate generally had a smaller effect on crop yield or quality than seeding date, but triticale and SWS wheat required high seeding rates to achieve maximum yields. Early seeding and a sufficient seeding rate were required for high crop productivity of irrigated cereal and oilseed crops in southern Alberta.

Chytyk, C. J., Hucl, P. J. and Gray, G. R. 2011. Leaf photosynthetic properties and biomass accumulation of selected western Canadian spring wheat cultivars. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 305-314. Current studies indicate wheat straw as a viable source for the production of cellulosic ethanol. Since photosynthetic performance impacts the overall success of the mature plant, this study aimed to measure the photosynthetic vigour of 11 spring wheat cultivars during field development as well as their biomass composition at maturity to determine which would be optimum for ethanol production. All cultivars had similar maximal quantum yields of photosystem II photochemistry (F_V/F_M), normalized difference vegetation index and biomass composition in the field. However, differences were observed in photosynthetic rate, with McKenzie having the highest light-saturated maximal rate of CO₂ uptake (A_max) and apparent quantum yield of CO₂ uptake (F_app CO₂), while also having the best water use efficiency. Snowbird was found to have the lowest CO₂-compensation point (G*) and A_max. Upon subjecting wheat samples to photoinhibitory conditions, McKenzie and Kyle were found to be the most resistant and susceptible, respectively, with a difference of 11% in F_V/F_M. Abundance of xanthophyll pigments were not found to be a contributing cause to differential photoinhibitory resistance as there was not a noticeable difference between cultivars. Although some cultivars were found to have enhanced photosynthetic traits over others, these were slight and did not contribute to changes in plant biomass. However, McKenzie did present a higher cellulose content, which would be favourable for ethanol production.

Monreal, M. A., Grant, C. A., Irvine, R. B., Mohr, R. M., McLaren, D. L. and Khakbazan, M. 2011. Crop management effect on arbuscular mycorrhizae and root growth of flax. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 315-324. The effects of two tillage systems, two preceding crops and the use of phosphorus (P) fertilizer on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization, root biomass and root size of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) were evaluated at two sites in Manitoba, Canada. The Brandon Research Centre Farm site had been historically managed under conventional tillage (CT), and the Manitoba Zero Tillage Research Association Farm site under reduced tillage (RT). The preceding crops were a mycorrhizal crop, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and a non-mycorrhizal crop, canola (Brassica napus L.), grown under RT or CT using rates of 0, 11 and 22 kg P ha^-1 applied as monoammonium phosphate (MAP). Phosphorus was applied to the following flax crop as MAP at rates of 0 or 11 kg P ha^-1. Flax root biomass was larger in all site-years when wheat rather than canola was the preceding crop. Also, AMF colonization and root size of flax increased in 3 and 2 site-years, respectively, when grown after wheat. Flax's root biomass decreased under CT and AMF colonization decreased when P was added either to the previous crop or to flax only in one site year. Weather conditions may have enhanced the effects of preceding crop, P fertilizer and tillage.

He, Y.-C., Ge, J., Wei, Q., Jiang, A.-M., Gan, L., Song, Z.-J. and Cai, D.-T. 2011 Using a polyploid meiosis stability (PMeS) line as a parent improves embryo development and the seed set rate of a tetraploid rice hybrid. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 325-335. Polyploidy is widely accepted to play an important role in the evolution and breeding of plant species. However, a low seed set rate significantly hindered the development of polyploid rice breeding. Our results show that the seed set rate in polyploid meiosis stability (PMeS) line HN2026-4X was above 80%, but less than 40% in the other two tetraploid lines (4X indicates a tetraploid line and 2X indicates a diploid line). Furthermore, the seed set rate of Balilla-4X×HN2026-4X was also higher (67.18%) compared with that of Balilla-4X×NJ11-4X (37.26%), suggesting that the PMeS trait was transmitted to the next generation. The significantly higher seed set rate was attributed to the high pollen fertility and viability, as well as the normal meiosis of the HN2026-4X line as a male parent and also to successful embryogenesis. Investigations into embryo microstructure suggested that the embryo development pattern in Balilla-4X×HN2026-4X appeared normal at all stages, but many changes were discovered in Balilla-4X×NJ11-4X. The embryos were mainly defective at the four following stages: 1 d after pollination (DAP), 2-3 DAP, 4-5 DAP, and 10-15 DAP. The pattern of embryo developmental failure was similar in the two hybrids, but the abortive frequency in Balilla-4X×HN2026-4X was significantly lower than that of Balilla-4X×NJ11-4X at the respective stages. Additionally, aberrant fertilization, poor endosperm development, and abnormal embryo polarization also contributed to the low seed set in the hybrid of Balilla-4X×NJ11-4X. This study suggests that the PMeS line is a valuable resource, which could be used to develop tetraploid rice hybrids with superior yield.

Lee, D.-G., Park, K. W., An, J. Y., Sohn, Y. G., Ha, J. K., Kim, H. Y., Bae, D. W., Lee, K. H., Kang, N. J., Lee, B.-H., Kang, K.-Y. and Lee, J. J. 2011. Proteomics analysis of salt-induced leaf proteins in two rice germplasms with different salt sensitivity. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 337-349. This study was conducted to investigate salt-stress-related physiological responses and proteomics changes in the leaves of two rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars. Shoot growth and water content of rice leaves were more severely reduced in Dalseongaengmi-44 than in Dongjin under salt stress. The salt-sensitive Dalseongaengmi-44 exhibited a greater increase in sodium ion accumulation in its leaves than the salt tolerant Dongjin. Comparative analysis of the rice leaf proteins using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DGE) revealed that a total of 23 proteins were up-regulated under salt stress. Based on matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and/or electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry analyses, the 23 protein spots were found to represent 16 different proteins. Ten of the identified proteins were previously reported to be salt-responsive proteins, while six, class III peroxidase 29 precursor, beta-1,3-glucanase precursor, OSJNBa0086A10.7 (putative transcription factor), putative chaperon 21 precursor, Rubisco activase small isoform precursor and drought-induced S-like ribonuclease, were novel salt-induced proteins. Under salt stress, fragmentation was increased in several proteins containing the Rubisco large chain. The results of these physiological and proteomics analyses provide useful information that can lead to a better understanding of the molecular basis of salt-stress responses in rice.

McLeod, J. G., Randhawa, H. S., Ammar, K., Payne, J. F and Muri, R. B. 2011. Bumper spring triticale. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 351-354. Bumper spring triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) is well adapted to the Canadian prairies with high grain yield in each of the soil zones It has shorter straw than the check cultivars and excellent lodging resistance. Bumper matures in a similar number of days as the check cultivars. It combines large heavy seed with test weight equal to the best cultivar AC Certa. Bumper is resistant to the prevalent races of leaf and stem rust and common bunt. Its reaction to Fusarium head blight is moderately resistant.

Taran, B., Bandara, M., Warkentin, T., Banniza, S. and Vandenberg, A. 2011. CDC Orion kabuli chickpea. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 355-356. CDC Orion, a kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivar, was released in 2010 by the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan for distribution to Select seed growers in western Canada through the Variety Release Program of the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. CDC Orion has a pinnate leaf type, fair resistance to ascochyta blight (Ascochyta rabiei Pass. Lab.), late maturity, large seed size and high yield potential in the Brown and Dark Brown soil zones of the Canadian prairies.

Mitchell Fetch, J. W., Brown, P. D., Ames, N., Chong, J., Fetch, Jr., T. G., Haber, S. M., Menzies, J. G., Townley-Smith, T. F. and Stadnyk, K. D. 2011. Stainless oat. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 357-361. Stainless is a grey-hulled spring oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivar postulated to carry the crown rust resistance gene, Pc91, which was effective against the prevalent pathotypes of crown rust races on the Canadian prairies at the time of its release. Stainless could possibly also carry one or more of the crown rust resistance genes, Pc38, Pc39, and Pc68. It had very good resistance to loose and covered smut, good resistance to the prairie stem rust races (likely due to the presence of Pg2, Pg13, and Pga) and moderate tolerance to barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). Stainless had high kernel weight, intermediate percent plump kernels, intermediate percent thin kernels, and high levels of total dietary fibre. Stainless exhibited high yielding capacity in the eastern portion of the Black soil zone of western Canada where resistance to rust diseases is important. Stainless was supported for registration by the Prairie Grain Development Committee in February 2007. Stainless was registered (Reg. No. 6422) on 2008 Apr. 07.

Fowler, D. B. 2011. Accipiter hard red winter wheat. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 363-365. Accipiter is an intermediate height, high-yielding, winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar with good stem and moderate leaf rust resistance that is registered for production in western Canada. It is a hard red winter wheat cultivar that is eligible for grades of the Canada Western General Purpose (CWGP) wheat class. The CWGP class was created in 2007 to encourage the development of cultivars to fill the high energy demands of the biofuel and livestock feed markets in western Canada. The grain yield of Accipiter was 114% of the Canada Western Red Winter Wheat class grain quality check cultivar, CDC Osprey, and 103% of the high-yielding check, CDC Falcon. High grain yield potential combined with good agronomic and disease packages make Accipiter a good fit for the CWGP class.

Fan, L., Yu, C., Fang, C., Zhang, M., Ranieri, M., Dubé, C. and Khanizadeh, S. 2011. The effect of three production systems on the postharvest quality and phytochemical composition of Orléans strawberry. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 403-409. The effects of two production systems, plastic mulch (PM) and plastic mulch with row covers (PMRC) versus the commonly used matted-row system (MRS) on postharvest fruit quality, including shelf life, fruit weight loss and juice leakage, fruit glossiness, postharvest disease caused by grey mould (Botrytis cinerea Pers.), and chemical composition of Orléans strawberry were evaluated during 2008 and 2009. Plastic mulch with row covers accelerated fruit maturity by 7 to 10 d and produced larger fruits compared with the MRS. Production systems significantly changed the total phenolic content (TPC) and total antioxidant content (TAC), but the effect varied during the harvest season. Total phenolic content was significantly higher for PMRC than MRS and PM at early harvest, but the effect was similar to PM at mid and late harvest. Total antioxidant content was significantly higher for PMRC compared with MRS and PM at all stages of fruit production, especially at late harvest. Fruit weight loss and juice leakage and the presence of grey mould during storage were lower and fruit glossiness was higher for those harvested under PMRC compared with those from MRS. No significant differences were observed for firmness, pH, titratable acidity (TA) and soluble solids content (SSC) between the three production systems. Titratable acidity and SSC of PMRC were slightly higher than those from MRS and PM, but the differences were not significant. It seems that PMRC not only accelerates ripening, but also has a significant effect on pre- and postharvest fruit quality and chemical composition of the harvested fruits.

Wang, B. and Shen, Q. R. 2011. NH₄ -N/NO₃^- -N ratios on growth and NO₃^--N remobilization in root vacuoles and cytoplasm of lettuce genotypes. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 411-417. Aerobically growing crops generally prefer nitrate (NO₃^-) to ammonium (NH₄ ), but partial replacement of NO₃^- by NH₄ usually makes crops grow better. Five cultivars of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) frequently cultivated in southeast China, including Ny, Sx1, Rw, Nct and Nrnct, were hydroponically grown in four ratios of NH₄-N:NO₃-N: 0:100, 10:90, 25:75 and 50:50. Based on biomass of roots and shoots of plants, Sx1 was a mostly sensitive genotype, while Nrnct was a mostly insensitive genotype to partial NO₃^- replacement by NH₄ among the five cultivars. Total root surface area, root length, SPAD readings and net photosynthesis rate of Sx1 and Nrnct were found to be highest at 25:75 of NH₄-N:NO₃-N. Sx1 had a greater improvement than Nrnct under moderate NH₄ nutrition (NH₄-N:NO₃-N=25:75). The capacities of NO₃^- release and remobilization from vacuoles to cytoplasm of Sx1 were stronger than those of Nrnct. The results suggest that we can improve the utilization of nitrogen and decrease the NO₃^- content in lettuce through planting the appropriate lettuce cultivar in a proper NH₄-N/NO₃-N ratio.

Mitchell Fetch, J. and Fetch Jr., T. 2011. Inheritance of resistance to oat stem rust in the cultivars Ronald and AC Gwen. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 419-423. Oat stem rust, caused by Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. avenae Eriks. and E. Henn., causes sporadic epidemics and yield losses in Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan. Oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars registered for production in this area possess resistance to stem rust, but their genetic composition is unknown. Race TJJ (NA67), first detected in 1998, is virulent on most Pg genes; thus, it is desirable to know the gene(s) that are present in currently grown oat varieties. The hulled cultivar Ronald and the hulless cultivar AC Gwen were selected for characterization of inheritance of stem rust resistance, and crossed to the susceptible cultivar Triple Crown. Race BLD (NA1) was used to evaluate F₁ plants and F₂ populations. All F₁ plants were resistant, indicating the presence of at least one dominant gene. Pooled F₂ populations fit a 13:3 (resistant:susceptible) ratio for both Ronald (χ² =0.31, P =0.58) and AC Gwen (χ² =3.32 and P =0.07), indicating the presence of one dominant and one recessive gene. Segregation ratios in pooled F₃ families fit a 7:8:1 (homozygous resistant:segregating:homozygous susceptible) ratio with race BLD (χ² =0.84, P =0.66 for Ronald; χ² =1.99, P =0.37 for AC Gwen), a 1:2:1 ratio (segregating families with 1:3 ratio) with race TJD (χ² =2.87, P =0.24 for Ronald; χ² =3.45, P =0.18 for AC Gwen), and a 1:2:1 ratio (segregating families with 3:1 ratio) with race FDJ (χ² =1.33, P =0.51 for Ronald; χ² =2.04, P =0.36 for AC Gwen). These results and reactions to known races of Puccinia graminis f. sp. avenae indicate that both Ronald and AC Gwen possess the dominant gene Pg2 and recessive gene Pg13. This genetic study characterized the stem rust resistance in Ronald and AC Gwen, and confirmed the limited base of stem rust resistance in Canadian oat cultivars.

Willenborg, C. J. and Dosdall, L. M. 2011. First report of redbacked cutworm damage to cow cockle [ Vaccaria hispanica(Mill.) Rauschert], a potential new crop for western Canada. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 425-428. We report the effects of redbacked cutworm Euxoa ochrogaster (Guenée) on cow cockle [Vaccaria hispanica (Mill.) Rauschert] plant height, seed yield, and 1000-seed weight (TSW). Euxoa ochrogaster damage to plots varied considerably among genotypes, with some genotypes exhibiting <10% damage and others >45%. Seed yield also varied significantly among genotypes and exhibited a strong linear relationship with the extent of E. ochrogaster damage. This is the first known report of any insect pest feeding on cow cockle. Results suggest that E. ochrogaster has the potential to cause significant losses in cow cockle crops.