Assessing genetic potential of elite interspecific and intraspecific advanced lentil lines for agronomic traits and their reaction to rust (Uromyces viciae-fabae)

The narrow genetic base of lentil (Lens culinaris) has challenged the efforts of breeders to increase its productivity under changing environmental conditions. Inclusion of wild species and diverse cultivated genotypes offers an opportunity to generate new variation through wide hybridisation to broaden the genetic base of cultivated lentil. We evaluated 96 elite, interspecific (L. culinaris × L. orientalis) and intraspecific advanced lentil genotypes along with four checks to determine the extent of genetic variation, resistance to lentil rust (Uromyces viciae-fabae), and the nature and magnitude of their genetic divergence. Sufficient genetic variability was revealed for all of the traits. High heritability and genetic advance were recorded for number of seeds per pod, number of pods per plant, seed yield per plant and biomass per plant. A positive correlation was recorded between grain yield and ten important plant traits. Statistical (D2) and molecular analyses grouped all genotypes into two main clusters and revealed sufficient genetic diversity among advanced lines. Our study showed promising results for creating new variation through wide hybridisation and identified lines L-354 and L-437-1 (rust-resistant) and HPLL-32 (moderately rust-resistant) superior for seed yield and related traits.

Improving salt tolerance of wheat and barley: future prospects

Cropping on saline land is restricted by the low tolerance of crops to salinity and waterlogging. Prospects for improving salt tolerance in wheat and barley include the use of: (i) intra-specific variation, (ii) variation for salt tolerance in the progenitors of these cereals, (iii) wide-hybridisation with halophytic ‘wild’ relatives (an option for wheat, but not barley), and (iv) transgenic techniques. In this review, key traits contributing to salt tolerance, and sources of variation for these within the Triticeae, are identified and recommendations for use of these traits in screening for salt tolerance are summarised. The potential of the approaches to deliver substantial improvements in salt tolerance is discussed, and the importance of adverse interactions between waterlogging and salinity are emphasised. The potential to develop new crops from the diverse halophytic flora is also considered.