Development of improved varieties and hybrids in safflower_2013

Abstract

Cytoplasmic genetic male sterility (CMS) system Maintenance: Fifty nine A-lines were maintained using 23 B-lines. These B-lines were maintained through self-pollination under mosquito nets. Male sterility in 1054 (A x B) crosses was assessed, it ranged from 89 to 100%. The combinations giving 98-100% were selected for further stabilization. CMS-based-hybrid seed production: Seed of the CMS-hybrid DSH-185 was produced at three dates of sowing with one month interval under irrigated condition in alfisols. The A-line and male parent were planted in 4: 1 ratio under isolation for open-pollination though honeybee. Hybrid seed yield was higher in November sown crop as compared to other two sowing dates. In addition to seed of DHH-185, seed of four hybrids were produced under isolation for multilocation evaluation. Seed of 40 new hybrids was produced through hand-pollination under pollination-nets. CMS-based safflower hybrids: Two new hybrids, DSH 249 and DSH 250 were entered in IHT-2012-13 and the hybrid, DSH 185 was promoted to AVHT-II -2012-13 of AICRP (Safflower). Seven new CMS hybrids were evaluated along with the hybrid check DSH 129 and high yielding variety check A1 in a randomized block design with three replications in a preliminary hybrid yield evaluation trial under unirrigated conditions in black soils. Higher seed yields were realized from two hybrids DSH 242 (2485 kg/ha) and DSH 244 (2102 kg/ha) over the hybrid check, DSH 129 (1593 kg/ha). Five hybrids recorded significantly higher seed yields (1435-2485 kg/ha) over check variety A1 (1325 kg/ha).

Development of male parental lines A total of 328 male parental lines were evaluated in 18 preliminary yield evaluation trials under unirrigated conditions in RBD with 3 replications. Fifteen male parents yielded (969 to 1156kg/ha) higher than check variety A1 (470-630 kg/ha), of which, six were resistant to wilt in sick plot. Six high oil type male parents with 34-34.7% oil content yielded (944-1041kg/ha) higher than the best check variety A1 (554-630 kg/ha), of which one is resistant to wilt in sick plot. One high oleic (80%) male parent yielded 20% (722 kg/ha) higher than A1 (600kg/ha) with 34% oil content and resistance to wilt in wilt sick plot. Self-seed of 84 male parents was produced for further evaluation and hybrid production. Six high seed yielding wilt resistant varieties were entered into IVT-2012-13 of ACRP (Safflower). Self-seed of these varieties were produced in high quantity for further evaluation in AICRP (Safflower).

Maintenance of marker-linked GMS system Non-spiny-marker linked-GMS (MGMS) lines continuously exhibited tight linkage between male sterility and morphological marker non-spiny trait. The non-spiny trait could differentiate male sterile and fertile plants when the plants were 40 to 45 days old. MGMS lines were maintained through sib crossing between marker linked male sterile plants and non-marker fertile sister plants in each line.

Breeding for Fusarium wilt resistance Twenty eight interspecific derivatives in F5 to F6 generations and 35 advanced generation breeding lines have exhibited wilt resistance (0-8% wilt incidence) in wilt sick plot. Eighteen wilt resistant advanced generation breeding lines were evaluated in a randomized block design with three replications in different trials. The plot size was 30sq.m / entry / replication at 45 x 20 cm spacing in each trial. Six wilt resistant lines recorded 73-105% higher seed yield over the best check A1. About 30 to 33% oil content was recorded in these entries whereas oil content in the check A1 was between 27-28%. Ten high oleic lines (80% oleic acid) viz., Ole-9-P2-P4-P48, Ole-9-P2-P4-P16, Ole-9-P2-P1-P22, Ole-9-P2-P4-P8, Ole-9-P2-P4-P1, Ole-9-P2-P1-P20, Ole -9-P2-P4-P2, Ole -9-P2-P2-P5, Ole -9-P2-P1-P16, exhibited wilt resistance (0-6 % wilt incidence) in wilt sick plot. The high oleic line Ole-9-P2-P4-P1 possessed 34% oil content and gave 20% higher seed yield than the check A1. Screening of interspecific derivatives against Alternaria leaf blight A total of 655 plant-progenies of four interspecific derivatives which showed up to 20% Alteranria severity under high disease pressure in the field last year continually expressed disease severity up to 20% this year also.

Prebreeding Development of high oleic type parental lines: Advanced 192 F3 families of the crosses between high oleic and low oleic crosses to F4 generation. Molecular markers (ESSR) ploymorhic to low oleic and high oleic genotypes were identified and validated in F2 progenies of low oleic x high oleic cross. Development of yellow variegated seeding marker: First time in safflower, a seedling trait showing yellow colour variegation on coteldanory and rosette leaf was developed and stabilized to use it as a distinct marker in breeding programmes; the lines with this marker were self-pollinated as well as sib crossed and cross-pollinated to non-variegated GMS, CMS and normal parental lines. Registration of safflower lines Submitted registration proposal of a high oleic line (Ole-9-P2-P1-P22) having 81.63% oleic content and 34% oil content to Institute’s Germplasm Identification Committee (IGIC) on 30 June 2012, approval of Chairman of IGIC is awaiting for forwarding it to Plant Germplasm Registration Committee, NBPGR, ICAR.