alireza pour-aboughadareh

Aegilops species possessing the U genome are the most widely distributed species in the world. Considering the limitation in the genetic diversity in cultivated wheat, the use of wild relatives and other species of Aegilops can be provided a rich and diverse gene pool of new and ideal alleles for breeders. Therefore, the main goals of the present study were investigation of genetic diversity and population structure in Aegilops accessions collected from different regions of Iran using the CBDP markers.

In this study, the genetic diversity among 77 Aegilops accessions collected from 18 provinces in Iran and belonging to five species including Ae. biuncialis (UUMM genome), Ae. columnaris (UUMM genome) Ae. Neglecta (UUMM genome), Ae. triuncialis (UUCC genome), Ae. umbellulata (UU genome) , was evaluated using 15 CBDP primers. The obtained molecular data were subjected to statistical analyses using GenAlEx ver. 6.502, DARwin ver. 6, and Structure ver. 2.3.4 softwares.

A total of 189 polymorphic fragments were amplified using 15 used CBDP primers (95.27%). The PIC index ranged from 0.28 (CBDP15) to 0.42 (CBDP-2 CBDP-4) with an average of 0.35. The results of analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that the highest proportion of genetic variance referred to within species (76%). Among all species, Ae. triuncialis showed the highest values of genetic parameters. The highest level of genetic similarity was found between Ae. biuncialis with Ae. columnaris (0.905) and Ae.biuncialis with Ae. neglecta (0.879). Although cluster analysis based on CBDP data classified all accessions into three main groups the grouping pattern was exactly in accordance with the genomic constitution of species. Moreover, the clustering pattern was confirmed by a principal coordinate’s analysis (PCoA). The population structure analysis further confirmed the results obtained from the cluster analysis and PCoA, so all studied accessions were grouped based on their genomic structure, degree of genetic similarity, and geographic similarities.

Results of the present study showed a high usefulness of CBDP markers in evaluating the genetic diversity in the Aegilops germplasm. Therefore, it seems that this marker technique can be used in programs related to the preparation of genetic maps and molecular phylogenetic studies. Also, the existence of high genetic diversity among some Iranian Aegilops species can provides a significant prospect for breeders to use them in pre-breeding programs in wheat.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) has been known as one of the most adapted cereal crops to various environmental conditions. In addition, this cereal crop ranks fourth in the world in terms of economic importance after wheat, rice, and corn. Identification of high-yielding genotypes with highly desirable growth traits is one of the most important goals in barley breeding programs. However, the present study aimed to select superior genotypes based on grain yield and some morpho-phenological traits using different selection models.

To identify superior genotypes of barley for cultivation in the warm and dry conditions in the southern regions in the Fars province, 21 genotypes were investigated in a randomized complete block with three replications during the 2021-2023 cropping seasons. During the plant growth and development, several morpho-phenological traits were recorded. Agronomic traits measured were days to spike emergence (DHE), days to maturity (DMA), plant height (PLH), grain filling period (GFP), grain yield (GY), 1000-kernel weight (TKW), spike length (SL), spike density (SD), awn length (AL), spike weight (SPW), number of grains per spike (NGS), row type (RT) and number of spikes per m2 (NS). After collecting experimental data, statistical analyses were computed using SAS and R softwares 

Results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that there is a significant difference among the investigated genotypes in terms of all the measured traits (except for Awn length and spike length). Based on the multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index (MGIDI), genotypes G1 (Oxin), G7, G3, and G14 with the lowest values were identified as superior genotypes. Moreover, the ideotype design via the best linear unbiased prediction (FAI-BLUP) model identified genotypes G20, G8, G2 (Golchin) and G1 (Oxin) as the desirable genotypes compared with other genotypes. The Venn diagram revealed that genotypes G1 and G7 were selected using both selection indices, simultaneously. The MGIDI index showed a positive and significant correlation with DHE (0.58**), while it negatively and significantly correlated with GFP (-0.51*) and GY (-0.74 **). The FAI-BLUP index showed a significant positive relationship with SL (0.50 *) and SPW (0.45*), while it negatively and significantly correlated with DHE (-0.47 *). To better evaluate and group the investigated genotypes, principal components analysis (PCA) was used. Results of the PCA showed that the first and second principal components explained 30.5 and 20.6 percent, respectively. Moreover, the results of the PCA showed that the selected genotypes based on MGIDI and FAI-BLUP indices are located in the 1st and 2nd regions of the PCA diagram. In total, the results showed that there is a relative compliance between the MGIDI and FAI-BLUP indices with PCA. Additionlly, there was a high agreement between the MGIDI indices and the first principal component, and on the other hand, the second principal component showed a high agreement with the FAI-BLUP index.

In conclusion, the genotype G7 with the highest grain performance and the relative superiority in terms of MGIDI and FAI-BLUP indices was identified as a superior genotype compared to all reference genotypes. Hence, this genotype can be recommended for further comprehensive evaluation before commercial release in the southern regions in Fars province.

Multi-environmental trials (METs) and analysis of genotype-by-environment (GE) interaction have a critical role in breeding programs related to the release of high-yielding cultivars with high yield satbility for cultivation across different environments. Different statistical and graphical methods have been proposed to evaluate the GE interaction effects. In the present study, the effect of GE interaction on grain yield in set of new promising lines of barley was evaluated using the additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model.

A set of promising lines of barley including 18 new advanced lines along with two commercial cultivars (cv. Golchin and cv. Oxin) as reference checks were evaluated in the multi-environment trials. Experiments were carried out in five geographical regions in the warm agro-climatic of Iran which included Ahvaz (E1 and E2), Darab (E3 and E4), Gonbad (E5 and E6), Zabol (E7 and E8), and Moghan (E9 and E10) for two consecutive cropping seasons (2021-2022 and 2022-2023). The AMMI model and some stability and adaptability statistics were used to evaluate the effect of GE interaction on grain yield and identify the high yielding with yield stability promising lines.

The results indicated that grain yield was significantly affected by environments (E), genotypes (G), and their interaction (GEI). Environments and GE interaction effect explained the highest portion of observed variation of grain yield. Moreover, the GEI effect was further divided into three principal components (IPCAs) and accounted for 68.99 of the total GE interaction variation. Mean comparison showed that promising lines 14, 3, 10, and 17 had higher grain yield (4960, 4920, 4750, and 4670 kg.ha-1, respectively) when compared to the other promising lines and check cultivars. According to the AMMI-based stability statistics, promising lines 17 had the highest yield stability. Moreover, this genotype along with promising lines 1, 3, 10, and 14 were selected as superior promising lines based on the BLUP-based stability and adaptability statistics. Principle components analyisis based on biplot rendered using the WAASB index and grain yield clustered all studied promising lines and experimental environments into four quadrants. Accordingly, promising lines 3, 10, and 17 were placed into the highest yield stability group.

The results of this research revealed that promising lines 4 and 14 had specific adaptability to the northern regions (Moghan and Gonbad), and promising lines 3 and 10 showed specific adaptability to the southern regions (Ahvaz, Darab, and Zabol). Therefore, further evaluation of these promising lines, for selection and releasing some of them as new commercial cultivars as well as using them as parents in the national barley breeding programs, is required.

Drought stress or water deficit has been known as one of the most important abiotic stresses so it considerably is decreased crop production. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is the fourth most important cereal crop in the world after wheat, rice and corn. Among cereals, barley is the most tolerant crop against abiotic stresses and due to this capability is cultivated in a wide range of climates. The objective of the current study was to identify the superior drought-tolerant genotypes using grain yield and several yield-based indices of tolerance and susceptibility by applying various multivariate selection models.

In the present study a set of promising genotypes of barley including 17 new genotypes along with a Jolge cultivar (as a check) was investigated through two separate experiments based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the Cereal research station, Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran during two consecutive growing seasons (2019-2020 and 2020-2021) cropping seasons. After sowing, the number of irrigations was one time in autumn and five times in spring. Drought stress treatment was applied after anthesis, and irrigation was stopped for all stressed plot until seed repining stage. After collecting experimental data and estimating grain yield, several yield-based drought tolerance and susceptible indices were calculated. A heatmap-based correlation method was used to investigate association among calculated indices and grain yield data. Then three selection indices such as multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index (MGIDI), factor analysis and ideotype design via best linear unbiased prediction (FAI-BLUP), and Smith-Hazel (SH) were exploited to identify the most tolerant-genotypes. All statistical analyses were computed using iPASTIC and R softwares.

Based on combined analysis of variance for grain yield data showed significant differences for year, environment, and genotype main effects, as well as, the interaction effects for year × genotype, and year × environment × genotype. The result obtained from screening barley genotypes using drought tolerance and susceptible indices revealed good repeatability so that some of the investigated genotypes appeared in the same pattern in each year of experiments. Based on the Spearman’s correlation coefficients, grain yields (Yp and Ys) positively and significantly correlated with MP, GMP, and STI indices in the first year. In the second year, a positive and significant correlation was observed between grain yields with STI, MP, GMP, and HM indices. Based on the averaged two-year data, grain yields significantly and positively correlated with HM, STI, MP, and GMP indices, supporting the repeatability of our findings. To identify the most tolerant genotypes based on multi-indices, we used three multi-trait selection indices such as MGIDI, FAI-BLUP, and SH. Accordingly, genotypes numbers G7, G9, and G16 for the first year, G4, G13, and G17 for the second year, and three genotypes G7, G13, and G16 over two years were selected as superior genotypes using the MGIDI index. Based on the FAI-BLUP index, the following genotypes were identified as the most tolerant genotypes: G7, G9, and G17 in the first year; G4, G9, and G13 in the second year; G7, G13, and G16 in over two years. The result of screening genotypes using the Smith-Hazel index showed that three sets of genotypes including G4/G7/G13, G13/G14/G16, and G2/G3/G18 were identified as the high-yielding and most tolerant genotypes in each year and averaged two years, respectively. The venn-plot rendered based on three selection indices revealed that genotype numbers G7 and G13 were superior genotypes in the first and second years.

In conclusion, our results indicated that G13 “Comp.Cr229//As46/Pro/3/Srs/4/Express/5/D10*2” with the highest grain yield in both control and drought stress conditions as well as the best ranking pattern for all drought tolerance indices can be a candidate as a superior drought-tolerant genotype for further studies before commercial introduction.

So far around 500 species of Artemisia have been found in different regions of the world, and among them 34 species are endemic to Iran. It has been evidenced that Artemisinin is one of the medicinal compounds found in Artemisia that has various medical properties, especially antimalarial. The main objective of the present study was to comprise phytochemical profile and expression pattern of some genes related to artemisinin biosynthesis pathway in A. fragrans and A. annua species.

In the present study, the accumulated artemisinin content in A. fragrans and A. annua species were detected using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. Moreover, phytochemical compounds in leave tissue were identified using the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. The gene expression patterns for some artemisinin biosynthesis related genes including 4FPSF, DBR2, HMGR1, HMGR2, WIRKY, ADS, DXS, and SQS were comprised in two studied species. In each species, association between artemisinin content and the relative expression of investigated genes were determined through correlation analysis. All statistical analysis was performed based on three replication using R software.

Based on obtained results, there was observed a significant difference between two Artemisia species in terms of artemisinin content, and the highest content was recorded for A. fragrans. Using GC-MS analysis, in general 26 and 20 phytochemical compounds were identified in A. fragrans and A. annua species, respectively. Among identified compounds, eight compounds were similar in both species. Moreover, some compounds such as Comphor, 1,8-Cineole, 4-Terpineol, and Pinocarvone were most important. According to the gene expression analysis, the highest relative expression of 4FPSF, ADS, and DXS genes were recorded in A. annua, while the highest numbers of transcripts for SQS, HMGR1, HMGR2, DRB2, and WIRKY genes were estimated in A. fragrans. The results of correlation analysis for both species showed that artemisinin content significantly and positively correlated with the expression of ADS, DBR2, DXS, and HMGR1 genes. However, in A. annua species, the SQS gene was not expressed and there was no correlation between these genes and artemisinin content.

In general, the obtained results revealed a significant difference between two studied Artemisia species in terms of the artemisinin content and other phytochemical compounds. Furthermore, our results indicated that A. fragrans could be used as an ideal source for extract artemisinin and other compounds. Hence, conducting other supplementary studies on this species is recommended.

The aim of this study was to select of the barley superior lines based on some of morpho-phenological traits using various indices based on REML/BLUP model and as well as the SIIG index and comparison of these indices. A set of 17 promising lines along two checks were evaluated in a RCBD with three replications at three research stations including Zabol, Darab, and Gonbad Kavous during the 2020-2021 cropping year. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the test regions and genotypes in terms of all measured traits. The results obtained by REML model indicated that the highest and lowest heritability values were related to 1000-grain weight and grain filling period, respectively. The MTSI index identified lines G9, G2 and G3 as superior lines, while the FAI-BLUP index identified G13, G11 and G3 as the best lines based on their traits and grain yield. Based on the SIIG index, lines G7, G2, G8 and G17 were identified as the most superior lines. In general, by comparing the results obtained from different indices, selected lines with SIIG index due to high grain yield and high 1000-grain weight were chosen as selected genotypes for complementary tests. In addition, the selected genotypes using FAI-BLUP and MGIDI indices were early maturity and had a high 1000-grain weight, but their grain yield were lower than both checks of experiment.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) as one of the small grain cereals is widely cultivated in Iran and the world. Hence, the achievement of high-yielding and stable varieties is one of the main breeding proposed. The present study aimed to investigate a set of international genotypes of barley in terms of grain yield and some agronomic traits using the best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP) model under climatic conditions in Iran.

In this study, a set of genotypes including 24 international barley genotypes provided from ICARDA were investigated for grain yield and some agronomic traits including the number of days to heading, number of days to physiological maturity, grain filling period, plant high, spike length, and thousand grains weight in a randomized block design in the three research stations located at Karaj, Birjand, and Zabol during the 2020-2021 cropping season. After collecting and analyzing the experimental data, the best genotypes were identified based on BLUP model.

The results obtained from experimental data showed that the genotype and genotype-by-environment interaction effects were significant for grain yield and other measured traits (except days to heading and spike length). The highest values of genetic variance and heritability were estimated for spike length, 1000-grains weight, grain yield, and plant height. The results of the based-BLUP (best linear unbiased predictor) statistics revealed that genotypes G3, G6, G10, and G23 had the highest yield performance and stability compared with other genotypes across different environments. Taking into account the role of each measured trait on grain yield stability, genotypes G10, G16, G22, and G24 were identified as the best barley genotypes using the MTSI index. 

In conclusion, it can be stated that the MTSI index has high efficiency in breeding programs to use other traits related to grain yield to select stable and high-yield genotypes.

Drought stress is known as one of the main factors limiting agricultural production. Investigation of the effect of drought stress on grain yield and other agronomic and physiological traits can be useful in identifying drought-tolerant cultivars. The aim objective of the present study was to study the effect of terminal drought stress on some of the agronomic and physiological characteristics in a set of promising barley lines.

This study was carried out at the Cereal Research Station located in Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran during 2020-2021 cropping seasons. The plant material consisted of 17 promising genotypes of barley along with a commercial cultivar (cv. Jolgeh). All genotypes were investigated in two separate experiments based on a randomized complete block design with three replications under two control and drought stress conditions.

The results of combined analysis of variance showed a significant difference between control and drought stress conditions in terms of all measured traits except spike length and the number of seeds per spike. Furthermore, a significant difference was observed among the tested genotypes in terms of all measured traits except initial chlorophyll fluorescence, maximum quantum yield of PSII, and maximum primary yield of photochemistry of PSII. However, the interaction effect between drought stress conditions and genotype was only significant for the number of days to physiological maturity, grain filling period, main spike length, and chlorophyll content.The results of principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the first five components accounted for 84.80% of the total phenotypic variation, under drought stress condition. Considering the angle among trait-vectors indicated that some of traits such as number of days to anthesis and to physiological maturity, awn length, plant height, leaf area index, chlorophyll content, and number of seeds per spike positively correlated with grain yield in the drought stress condition. In general, our results showed that genotypes G2, G3, G6, G7, G12, and G18 were identified as the best genotypes compared with other tested genotypes.

According to results, genotype G7 due to its highest grain yield and ideal agronomic and physiological features can be candidates for further complementary investigations in multi-environmental trials with the aims of realization of a new commercial cultivar.

Identifying genotypes that combine high performance across many traits has been a challenger task. Classical linear multi-trait selection indexes are available, but the presence of multicollinearity and the arbitrary choosing of weighting coefficients may erode the genetic gains. Therefore it is necessary use novel approach for elite genotype selection based on multiple traits that overcome the fragility of classical linear indexes. The aim of this study was initially to select superior genotypes based on grain yield and a number of morpho-phenological traits and finally to compare different indicators for selecting ideal genotypes.

In order to evaluate a number of pure barley lines using multi-trait selection indicators in the Darab Agricultural Research Station, two one-year experiments in the crop years (2017-19) and one two-year experiment (2019-2021) were done. The first year experiment consisted of 108 pure barley lines which were executed as an Augment design and in the second year 34 lines were selected for Darab region. The selected lines were performed using two separate 1 and 2 experiments in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Then, 11 promising lines were selected and along with 6 other lines that were top in Zabul and Moghan regions, were examined in a two-year experiment. The two-year experiment was performed using a randomized complete block design with three replications.

The results of variance analysis of two-year experiments showed that the effect of year was significant for all traits except plant height. The effect of genotype was significant for all traits except grain yield and on the other hand, the genotype × year interaction was significant only for grain yield at 5% probability level. The Smith-Hazel index selected three genotypes, G7, G2 and G15, as the superior genotypes. In the multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index (MGIDI), genotypes G15, G2, G16 and G20 were selected as the best genotypes. G14, G8 and G18 genotypes were among the top genotypes using factor analysis and ideotype design via best linear unbiased prediction index (FAI-BLUP). According to the results of selection index of ideal genotype (SIIG), G20, G17, G19 and G15 genotypes were the top genotypes with the highest SIIG values, respectively. The results of correlation between the studied traits and MGIDI, FAI-BLUP and SIIG indices showed that all indices except FAI-BLUP had a significant correlation with grain yield. Among the indicators, FAI-BLUP did not show a significant correlation with any of the indicators.

In general, the results of different indices showed that in the conditions of this study, none of the indices showed superiority over each other, and therefore finally the G15 genotype, which was the ideal genotype based on most indices, and the genotype G14 (selected genotype by FAI-BLUP index) due to its earlier maturity and high grain yield as the best genotypes in this study for cultivation and introduction in the southern regions of the country that have a similar climate to Darab, is recommended.

Objective:

Salinity stress is one of the most important environmental stresses that significantlyhas negative effects on plant growth and crop production all over the world. Among cereal crops, barley (Hordeum vulgar L.) is the most tolerate cereal to abiotic stresses, especially to salinity stress. In the present study, to evaluate the molecular response of some promising genotypes of barley to salinity stress, the expression patterns of APX, GPX, SOD, Rbohf1, and Rbohf2 genes were assessed under two control and salt stress conditions.

Materials and methods:

In this study, the effect of salt treatment (200 mM NaCl) on relative expression patterns of APX, GPX, SOD, Rbohf1, and Rbohf2 genes in a set of six promising genotypes of barley along with a local cultivar as the reference genotype (cv. Mehr) was evaluated. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design in two environments (normal and saline stress) under controlled glasshouse conditions using a hydroponic system. After seedling establishment and applying stress treatment (21-days), plants were subjected to sampling and the relative expression for targeted genes was estimated as proposed by Pfaffl (2001).

Results:

According to the results, a significant difference was observed between control and salt treatments, as well as, among tested barley genotype in terms of all investigated genes. Salt treatment significantly increased expression of Rbohf1, APX, GPX, Rbohf2, and SOD by 6.80, 4.51, 4.26, 2.76, and 2.72-fold compared to control treatment, respectively. A comparison of the expression patterns of studied genes revealed that promising genotypes G6 and G7 showed better tolerance against oxidative stress induced by salt treatment and revealed an acceptable tolerance to salinity stress.

Conclusions:

Our results revealed that the genotypes G6 and G7 due to their genetic background have a high potential to the regulation of their antioxidant system. Hence, these genotypes can be used as ideal candidates for supplementary studies and even participate in adaptability and stability trials to release as commercial cultivars tolerant to salt stress.

Multi-environment trials and study genotype-by-environment interaction have a fundamental role in the selection of the high yielding and stable genotypes across different environments before its commercial release.

In the present study, 19 barley genotypes were evaluated across four research stations including Moghan, Zabol, Gonbad, and Darab in a randomized complete block with three replications in terms of the number of days to heading, number of days to physiological maturity, grain filling period, plant height, 1000-grains weight and grain yield during 2020-2021 cropping season.

Statistical analyses showed a significant difference among environments, genotypes, and their interaction for grain yield and other measured traits. The likelihood ration test (LRT) showed significant effect for genotype-by-environment interaction on grain yield and other agronomic traits, hence, the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) analysis was computed. The values of estimated genetic variance components based on the BLUP model showed that the genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) effect accounted for a high portion of phenotypic variance in all measured traits. Furthermore, plant height, 1000-grains weight and grain yield showed the highest values for broad heritability compared with other measured traits. Based on the multi-traits stability index (MTSI), genotypes G5, G6, G8, and G17 were identified as the most stable genotypes. Besides, the biplot rendered based on grain yield and the weighted average of absolute scores for the best linear unbiased predictions of the GEI recognized G5, G9, G10, and G17 as high-yielding and stable genotypes compared with others.

In conclusion, our results revealed that genotype G5 has the most general adaptability, and other identified genotypes showed specific adaptation with some of the warm regions in the south and north of the country. Hence, this genotype can be introduced as a high-yielding and stable commercial cultivar after an investigation of its stability over various years.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the first domesticated crops in the old world agriculture that has created from its wild relative, H. spontaneum (C. Koch.) Thell. due to consecutive selection processes by farmers in different parts of the world. It has been reported that barley received the second and fourth ranks after wheat, rice, and corn in Iran and the world, respectively. The high content of fiber as well as the low amount of protein in the aboveground organs has caused this plant to be especially considered as a silage fodder in the livestock industry. On the other hand, seeds of barley have a critical role in supplying human nutritional needs due to their phosphor, calcium, protein, and B vitamins contents. In addition, barley malt and its extract are also used in food formulation, especially in the beverage industry, due to its enzymatic properties, flavor, coloring, and nutritional value. Considering the importance of barley in providing an important part of human nutritional needs, the comprehensive investigation of its nutritional value can play a significant role in increasing of the cultivated area and improving the genetic base of the existing cultivars. In this review, the main aspects of the nutritional and technology of seed barley are discussed. Hence, it seems that the presented information can plays a key role in improving the status of barley in the country.

Wheat is the main food of near 40 percent of the world's population. Due to the growing population of the world and global climate changes, increasing the yield performance of field crops is one of the most important challenges facing plant breeders. Leaf rust is one of the most important fungal diseases that dramatically reduces wheat production. In general, the management of fungal diseases depends mostly on several factors such as tracing virulent pathogens, genetic and pathological diversity in the pathogen population, production of resistant cultivars, and development of resistance genes in different epidemiological regions. Due to the complexity and time-consuming stages for improving resistant wheat cultivars to a specific disease by traditional methods, the employment of molecular marker-assisted selection as one of the powerful tools in increasing the efficiency, accuracy, and speed of breeding programs for disease resistance is of particular importance. Using molecular markers, breeders will be able to produce improved cultivars containing resistance genes against various diseases, including leaf rust (Lr genes), with greater speed and accuracy. In this study, our attempt is centered on discussing the most important loci controlling resistance to wheat leaf rust disease and corresponding molecular markers associated with identified Lr genes.

Salinity stress is considered as one of the most important abiotic stresses that significantly decreased crop production in the world. The development of salt-tolerant varieties is one of the most strategies against decreasing crop performance in saline conditions. Hence, assessment of expression patterns of genes responsible for the biosynthesis pathways can be very effective in creating tolerant genotypes. The main objective of this study was to compression of expression patterns of HvSOS1, HvSOS3, HvNHX3, and HvHKT3 genes in some advanced barley genotypes under salinity stress conditions.

In the present study, the effect of salt stress on relative changes expression of HvSOS1, HvSOS3, HvNHX3, and HvHKT3 genes in the six advanced barley genotypes along with Mehr cultivar (as a check) was investigated under the control (no NaCl) and salt (200 mM NaCl) treatments. All tested genotypes were planted under controlled greenhouse conditions using a hydroponic system. After salt treatment duration, all seedling plants were subjected to sampling and the relative expression of selected genes was estimated.

Based on obtained results, there are significant differences between treatments as well as among tested genotypes. Salt treatment significantly increased expression of HvSOS1, HvSOS3, HvNHX3, and HvHKT3 genes by 14.76-, 4.65-, 4-, and 4-fold compared to the control treatment, respectively. Comparison of the expression patterns of studied genes showed that two genotypes G3 and G6 had the highest transcription rate of mentioned genes and it seems that they have an acceptable tolerance to the high levels of salinity stress. A positive association between HvHKT3 and HvSOS genes was another obtained result so that two identified genotypes indicated the highest expression of these genes under salt treatment.  

It is inferred that increasing expression of studied genes is an important part of the salt tolerance mechanism because each of them has a key role in the signaling pathway and translocation of Na ions in the plant cells. Two identified genotypes, G3 and G6, with having this potential can be appreciated candidates for future research and use as salt-tolerant cultivars.

Due to abundance of non-living and living stresses in warm region, identification of barley genotypes with high and stable yield is one of the main goals of barley breeding programs in this region.

17 barley promising genotypes along with two check varieties were evaluated in five the Agricultural Research Stations including Ahvaz, Darab, Zabol, Gonbad, and Moghan during two consecutive cropping seasons (2018-2020). GGE biplot analysis was used for identifying the high yielding and stable genotypes across test environments.

Combined analysis of variance for grain yield data indicated a significant effect for locations, genotypes and year × location. Genotype × location and year × location × genotype. Mean comparison showed that G1, G2, G4, G5, G10, G12, G16 and G19 had high yield than other genotypes and can be considered. Grain yield stability of these genotypes were investigated for identifying of high yielding and stable genotypes across test environments. GGE Biplot analysis revealed that the first two components  accounted for 36.76% and 16.68% of the total gain yield variation, respectively. Thus these  two components can be used for explanation of grain yield of genotypes. In this study, two mega-environments were identified in warm regions of Iran. Accordingly, the first mega-environment included of the first and second year of Ahvaz and Zabol. G19 with 5114 kg/h was identified as superior genotype of this environment. The second mega-environment comprised of the the first and second year of Darab and Gonbad. G5 with 5155kg/h was identified as superior genotype of this environment. The first and second year of Moghan was located on the border between two mega environments. G3, G6, G8, G9, G14, G17 and G18 were not placed in none of the mega environments and were not suitable for cultivation in investigated environments. The vector view of ideal genotypes revealed that G4 and G5 are placed close to the ideal genotype, are most desirable than the other genotypes. The vector view of GGE biplot indicated discriminating and representative environments (first and second year of moghan) are good environments for selecting generally adapted genotypes.

In general, results indicated that genotypes G5 and G19 were identified as ideal barley genotypes for warm regions in north and south parts of Iran, respectively.

Objective :

The main goals of this study were investigation of genetic diversity in 103 Aegilops accessions and comparison of the efficiency of start codon targeted (SCoT) and CAAT box-derived polymorphism (CBDP) markers.         

 Materials and methods:

 In this study, the genetic diversity in 103 Aegilops accessions belonging to seven species including seven samples of Ae. caudata, 14 samples of Ae. crassa, 19 samples of Ae. cylindrica, 11 samples of Ae. neglecta, 20 samples of Ae. tauschii, 15 samples of Ae. triuncialis and 17 samples of Ae. umbellulata was evaluated using 15 SCoT and 15 CBDP primers. 

 Results:

 In total, 15 SCoT and 15 CBDP primers amplified 164 and 141 polymorphic bands, respectively. SCoT primers showed the highest values for all of the informativeness parameters than CBDP primers. However, both molecular markers indicated the same PIC values. The results of analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that the highest proportion of genetic variance referred to within species. Among all species, Ae. cylindrica had the highest values of genetic parameters. Although cluster analysis based on each marker system classified all accessions into two main groups, the grouping pattern obtained from CBDP data indicated a clear phylogenetic relationship among Aegilops species compared to SCoT data. Besides, the results of clustering were confirmed by principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) analysis.  

Conclusion: 

On the whole, both molecular markers revealed good capability in depicting of polymorphism among tested accessions. However, CBDP markers provided a vivid grouping pattern for evaluated samples. Hence, the use of this technique individually or in combination with other molecular markers is recommended for phylogenetic assessments.

In order to study the genetic diversity of agro-morphological traits and the effect of water deficit stress on these characters in 41 populations of Triticum boeoticum and Triticum urartu, an experiment was conducted as a split-plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among populations for all of the studied traits. Group comparison between T. boeoticum and T. urartu species were significant in term of most traits. Populations Tb.216, Tb.176, Tb.200, Tb.320, Tb.120 and Tb.3 showed the highest spike length, number of spikelet per spike, grain yield and days to heading, so were identified as superior populations. Significant and positive correlations of grain yield with number of grains per spike, plant height and leaf width were observed in both conditions. Cluster analysis based on all traits, categorized the populations into two groups. In addition, with regard to altitude and latitude, populations under study were categorized in two groups. In general, results of this study showed genetic diversity in wild einkorn species collected from eco-geographical regions of Iran was affected by agro-morphological traits. Overall, Kermanshah and Lorestan provinces regarded as better regions in terms of genetic diversity.

In order to identify drought tolerant chickpea genotypes، an experiment was conducted in the west of Iran، during 2007-2009 cropping seasons. Several selection indices were used to illustrate genotypic differences in response to drought stress. The results of combined analysis of variance showed that year، genotype، stress conditions and their interaction effects were highly significant. Correlation analysis between indices revealed that the yield index (YI)، stress tolerance index (STI)، geometric mean productivity (GMP) and mean productivity (MP) were correlated to grain yield and together in three years، indicating that they can be used as an alternative to each other for selecting drought tolerant genotypes in both stress and non-stress conditions. Consequently، GGE biplot showed that most ideal genotypes for rainfed conditions were genotypes G6 and G15. In conclusion، the identification of these chickpea genotypes with high yield and stability performance under unpredictable environments and high tolerance to drought stress conditions can help breeding programs in future.

In order to evaluate the effect of water deficit stress on agronomic and morpho-physiological traits in eight populations of the Triticum urartu species an experiment was experiment was conducted using a split plot design based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at Research Station of Faculty of Agriculture، Tabriz University in 2010-2011. Analysis of variance indicated significant differences among populations in approximately all traits except of number of total tillers per plant، total weight of spike، harvest index، chlorophyll index، and duration of grain filling، indicating the existence of genetic variation among populations. Genetic coefficient of variation were high for most traits such as leaf area، biomass، harvest index and grain yield per plant under both stress and control conditions. Based on yield related traits، populations collected from Marivan and Songhor were more drought tolerant. Cluster analysis grouped populations in two clusters that tolerant populations were placed in one separate cluster. In general، results of this study showed that wild einkorn populations (Triticum urartu) of Iran، especially populations from Kermanshah and Kurdistan provinces were more tolerant to water deficit regarding morpho- physiological and agronomic traits.