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Ongom PO, Fatokun C, Togola A, Dieng I, Salvo S, Gardunia B, Mohammed SB, Boukar O. Genetic progress in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] stemming from breeding modernization efforts at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture. THE PLANT GENOME 2024; 17:e20462. [PMID: 38778513 DOI: 10.1002/tpg2.20462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Genetic gain has been proposed as a quantifiable key performance indicator that can be used to monitor breeding programs' effectiveness. The cowpea breeding program at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has developed and released improved varieties in 70 countries globally. To quantify the genetic changes to grain yield and related traits, we exploited IITA cowpea historical multi-environment trials (METs) advanced yield trial (AYT) data from 2010 to 2022. The genetic gain assessment targeted short duration (SD), medium duration (MD), and late duration (LD) breeding pipelines. A linear mixed model was used to calculate the best linear unbiased estimates (BLUE). Regressed BLUE of grain yield by year of genotype origin depicted realized genetic gain of 22.75 kg/ha/year (2.65%), 7.91 kg/ha/year (0.85%), and 22.82 kg/ha/year (2.51%) for SD, MD, and LD, respectively. No significant gain was realized in 100-seed weight (Hsdwt). We predicted, based on 2022 MET data, that recycling the best genotypes at AYT stage would result in grain yield gain of 37.28 kg/ha/year (SD), 28.00 kg/ha/year (MD), and 34.85 kg/ha/year (LD), and Hsdwt gain of 0.48 g/year (SD), 0.68 g/year (MD), and 0.55 g/year (LD). These results demonstrated a positive genetic gain trend for cowpea, indicating that a yield plateau has not yet been reached and that accelerated gain is expected with the recent integration of genomics in the breeding program. Advances in genomics include the development of the reference genome, genotyping platforms, quantitative trait loci mapping of key traits, and active implementation of molecular breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christian Fatokun
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Abou Togola
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ibnou Dieng
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | - Ousmane Boukar
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kano, Nigeria
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Agyenim-Boateng KG, Zhang S, Gu R, Zhang S, Qi J, Azam M, Ma C, Li Y, Feng Y, Liu Y, Li J, Li B, Qiu L, Sun J. Identification of quantitative trait loci and candidate genes for seed folate content in soybean. TAG. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS. THEORETISCHE UND ANGEWANDTE GENETIK 2023; 136:149. [PMID: 37294438 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-023-04396-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE From 61 QTL mapped, a stable QTL cluster of 992 kb was discovered on chromosome 5 for folate content and a putative candidate gene, Glyma.05G237500, was identified. Folate (vitamin B9) is one of the most essential micronutrients whose deficiencies lead to various health defects in humans. Herein, we mapped the quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying seed folate content in soybean using recombinant inbred lines developed from cultivars, ZH35 and ZH13, across four environments. We identified 61 QTL on 12 chromosomes through composite interval mapping, with phenotypic variance values ranging from 1.68 to 24.68%. A major-effect QTL cluster (qFo-05) was found on chromosome 5, spanning 992 kb and containing 134 genes. Through gene annotation and single-locus haplotyping analysis of qFo-05 in a natural soybean population, we identified seven candidate genes significantly associated with 5MTHF and total folate content in multiple environments. RNA-seq analysis showed a unique expression pattern of a hemerythrin RING zinc finger gene, Glyma.05G237500, between both parental cultivars during seed development, which suggest the gene might regulate folate content in soybean. This is the first study to investigate QTL underlying folate content in soybean and provides new insight for molecular breeding to improve folate content in soybean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwadwo Gyapong Agyenim-Boateng
- The National Engineering Laboratory for Crop Molecular Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Shengrui Zhang
- The National Engineering Laboratory for Crop Molecular Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Rongzhe Gu
- The National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement (NFCRI)/ Key Laboratory of Germplasm and Biotechnology (MARA), Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Shibi Zhang
- The National Engineering Laboratory for Crop Molecular Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jie Qi
- The National Engineering Laboratory for Crop Molecular Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Muhammad Azam
- The National Engineering Laboratory for Crop Molecular Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Caiyou Ma
- The National Engineering Laboratory for Crop Molecular Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yecheng Li
- The National Engineering Laboratory for Crop Molecular Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yue Feng
- The National Engineering Laboratory for Crop Molecular Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yitian Liu
- The National Engineering Laboratory for Crop Molecular Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jing Li
- The National Engineering Laboratory for Crop Molecular Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Bin Li
- MARA Key Laboratory of Soybean Biology (Beijing), Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Lijuan Qiu
- The National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement (NFCRI)/ Key Laboratory of Germplasm and Biotechnology (MARA), Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Junming Sun
- The National Engineering Laboratory for Crop Molecular Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
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Lazaridi E, Bebeli PJ. Evaluation of Cowpea Landraces under a Mediterranean Climate. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1947. [PMID: 37653864 PMCID: PMC10223609 DOI: 10.3390/plants12101947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) yield is strongly influenced by environmental conditions. Average seed yield can decrease to a great extent when drought conditions occur, especially when they prevail during flowering and seed filling periods. Identifying genotypes presenting yield stability is one of the most important breeding goals. Local varieties or crop landraces are genetic resources that, despite exhibiting intermediate yield production capacity, present high yield stability in low-input cropping systems. The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate five selected cowpea landraces originated from different Greek islands under Mediterranean climatic conditions. A complete randomized block design with four replications was used during three consecutive cropping seasons. Many phenological and agronomic traits studied showed statistically significant genotype × experimental year interaction, while there was a strong experimental year effect. Among the landraces studied, local population VG23 from Kythira Island was the most productive under the experimental climatic and soil conditions, while local population VG2 from Lemnos Island was characterized by low seed productivity. Conclusively, our study showed that VG23 landrace is a promising genetic material to be used for seed yield improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Penelope J. Bebeli
- Laboratory of Plant Breeding and Biometry, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece;
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Lazaridi E, Bebeli PJ. Cowpea Constraints and Breeding in Europe. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1339. [PMID: 36987026 PMCID: PMC10052078 DOI: 10.3390/plants12061339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is a legume with a constant rate of cultivation in Southern European countries. Consumer demand for cowpea worldwide is rising due to its nutritional content, while Europe is constantly attempting to reduce the deficit in the production of pulses and invest in new, healthy food market products. Although the climatic conditions that prevail in Europe are not so harsh in terms of heat and drought as in the tropical climates where cowpea is mainly cultivated, cowpea confronts with a plethora of abiotic and biotic stresses and yield-limiting factors in Southern European countries. In this paper, we summarize the main constraints for cowpea cultivation in Europe and the breeding methods that have been or can be used. A special mention is made of the availability plant genetic resources (PGRs) and their potential for breeding purposes, aiming to promote more sustainable cropping systems as climatic shifts become more frequent and fiercer, and environmental degradation expands worldwide.
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Owusu EY, Kusi F, Kena AW, Akromah R, Attamah P, Awuku FJ, Mensah G, Lamini S, Zakaria M. Genetic control of earliness in cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp). Heliyon 2022; 8:e09852. [PMID: 35847611 PMCID: PMC9283894 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Global climate change is expected to further intensify the already harsh conditions in the dry savannah ecological zones of sub-Saharan Africa, posing serious threats to food and income security of millions of smallholder farmers. Breeding cowpea for improved earliness could help minimize this risk, by ensuring that the crops complete their lifecycle before the cessation of rainfall. In this study, we crossed two sets of cowpea lines showing contrasting phenotypes for earliness in terms of days to 50% flowering (DFF). One set of the lines comprised three extra-early parents (viz.: Sanzi-Nya, Tobonaa and CB27, 30-35 DFF), and the other set consisted of three early-to-medium maturity lines (viz.: Kirkhouse-Benga, Wang-Kae and Padi-Tuya, 42-45 DFF). The derived crosses and their parents were evaluated for key earliness-related traits at Nyankpala and Manga sites of CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), Ghana. To unravel the genetic control of measured traits, we compared the appropriateness of Chi-square goodness of fit tests using classical Mendelian ratios, and frequency distribution (histogram)-related statistics such as skewness and kurtosis. The Chi-square test suggested a single dominant gene mode of inheritance for earliness, whereas the quantitative methods implicated duplicate epistasis and complementary epistatic gene actions. Our results show that coercing segregating lines to fit into classical Mendelian ratios to determine the genetic control of earliness could be misleading, due to its subjectivity. Thus, the genetic control of earliness in cowpea is governed by complementary and duplicate epistasis. The most applicable breeding approach for traits influenced by duplicate epitasis is selection of desirable recombinants from segregating populations developed from bi-parental crosses. Complementary epitasis, as found in the Wang-Kae × CB27 cross, could be exploited in developing improved extra-early lines through backcrossing. Heritability and genetic advance estimates were high for days to first flower appearance (DFFA) and days to 95 % pod maturity (DNPM) in the Padi-Tuya × CB27 and Kirkhouse-Benga x CB27 crosses, indicating that breeding for extra-earliness is feasible. CB27 could be a good donor for introgression of earliness into medium to late maturing improved cowpea varieties, because crosses developed from it had high heritability and genetic advance estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Yaw Owusu
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Ghana.,Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Francis Kusi
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Ghana
| | | | - Richard Akromah
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Patrick Attamah
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Ghana
| | - Frederick Justice Awuku
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Ghana
| | - Gloria Mensah
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Ghana
| | - Salim Lamini
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Ghana
| | - Mukhtaru Zakaria
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Ghana
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Gerrano AS, Thungo ZG, Mavengahama S. Phenotypic description of elite cowpea (Vigna ungiculata L. Walp) genotypes grown in drought-prone environments using agronomic traits. Heliyon 2022; 8:e08855. [PMID: 35146164 PMCID: PMC8818927 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification and selection of cowpea genotypes possessing suitable agronomic attributes is key for cultivar development to increase production. The objective of this study was to evaluate cowpea genotypes using agronomic traits to aid selection and identification of best genotypes for adoption and breeding to develop high-yielding cultivars. Agronomic traits of 20 cowpea genotypes were evaluated under Tompi Seleka and Polokwane environments using a completely randomised block design. Significant (P ≤ 0.01) genotype effect was identified for agronomic traits, whereas environment effect was significant (P ≤ 0.05) for number of productive branches (NB), leaf width (LW), leaf length (LL), hundred-seed weight (HSW) and grain yield (GY). Significant genotype-by-environment interaction effect was observed for pod length (PL), pod width (PW) and number of seeds per pod (SPP). Correlation analysis revealed positive and significant associations between NB with LW (r = 0.58; P ≤ 0.01), LL (r = 0.67; P ≤ 0.01), number of pods per plant (PPP) (r = 0.56; P ≤ 0.01) and HSW (r = 0.47; P ≤ 0.05). LW was positively and significantly correlated with LL (r = 0.71; P ≤ 0.00), PPP (r = 0.56; P ≤ 0.01) and SPP (r = 0.58; P ≤ 0.01). Positive and significant correlation was observed between LL with chlorophyll content index (CCI) (r = 0.54; P ≤ 0.05), PPP (r = 0.68; P ≤ 0.01) and pod length (PL) (r = 0.52; P ≤ 0.05). PW was positively and significantly associated with PL (r = 0.68; P ≤ 0.01) and SPP (r = 0.61; P ≤ 0.01), whereas PL was positively associated with SPP (r = 0.82; P ≤ 0.01). Cowpea genotypes CH14, Embo buff, IT89D-349, IT96D-602, Veg cowpea 1, Veg cowpea 2, Veg cowpea 3 and Veg cowpea dakama red recorded high NB, plant height (PH), LL, LW, chlorophyll content index (CCI), number of pods per plant (PPP), HSW and GY. Also, genotypes 2460, IT96D-748, Oukawa, Ukaluleni, Veg cowpea dakama cream and Vigna Onb were associated with PL, SPP and PW. The identified genotypes possessing suitable agronomic traits are recommended for farmer-adoption and inclusion in breeding programs for cultivar development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abe Shegro Gerrano
- Agricultural Research Council – Vegetables, Industrial and Medicinal Plants, Private Bag X293, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Food Security and Safety Niche Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, South Africa
| | - Zamalotshwa Goodness Thungo
- Agricultural Research Council – Vegetables, Industrial and Medicinal Plants, Private Bag X293, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Corresponding author.
| | - Sydney Mavengahama
- Food Security and Safety Niche Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, South Africa
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