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Barley is the most salt tolerant cereal‚ and is grown in a wide range of climatic conditions. To improve the plant tolerance to salinity‚ expression analysis of genes involved in stress tolerance could be effective in identification and development of tolerant genotypes. In this study, for evaluation of salinity effect on expression of Hv TIP2;3 and Hv TIP4;1 genes (encoding channel proteins in the membrane) in roots of barley, three genotypes; Clipper (salt susceptible), Sahara3771 (salt tolerant) and advanced breeding line (a salt tolerant line derived from a cross between Kavir and Sahra cultivars) were planted under 0, 100 and 200 mM NaCl. To determine the expression differences of these genes, RNA was extracted from root samples harvested at 24 hours, 3 days and 3 weeks after applying salinity treatments and cDNA was generated. Analysis of variance revealed a significant difference among genotypes, salinity levels and sampling stages for Hv TIP2;3 and Hv TIP4;1 genes expression pattern, whereas genotype × salinity interaction for Hv TIP2;3and genotype × sampling stage interaction were significant for both of the studied genes. The expression of TIP 2;3 gene in the 100 mM NaCl was increased in salt susceptible genotype Clipper and decreased in tolerant genotypes compared with control. Mean comparison of genotype and sampling combination showed that the expression level of Hv TIP4;1 gene at 3 weeks after salinity stress was increased in Sahara and advanced breeding line and decreased in Clipper. According to the results‚ it was confirmed that these genes are affected by salinity stress‚ and effective utilization of this genes in the barley in order to increase salinity tolerance could lead to desirable results. 

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Knowledge about the amount of genetic diversity and understanding relationship between genotypes are important steps in plant germplasm conservation and breeding activities. In this study, the genetic diversity among 106 sunflower lines was assessed by 30 microsatellite primers. A total of 71 alleles were detected. Number of alleles in microssatellite loci ranged from 2 to 4 with the average number of 2.207 alleles per locus. The effective number of alleles ranged from 1.058 in locus ORS718 to 3.147 in locus HA3040. The average number of effective alleles was 1.641. The mean of PIC value was 0.344. Based on allele number and PIC value, SSR loci such as HA3040 and ORS733 are considered appropriate markers for studying genetic diversity in oily sunflower. Based on the results of cluster analysis using Jaccard's similarity coefficient and complete algorithm, the lines were grouped into four groups. Nineteen six out of 106 genotypes were grouped according to their origins (research centers). The highest and lowest Nei genetic distances were 0.21 and 0.004 between “NOVARTIS and HUNGARY” and “SPII with ENSAT and INRA-MONTPOL” groups, respectively. Analysis of the population structure revealed 5 subpopulations in the studied panel. The results show that the assignment of lines to subpopulations is not concordance with their geographical distribution pattern. The genetic diversity and distance revealed by SSR markers can be used in oily sunflower crossing and breeding programs

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Determination of genetic diversity of breeding material is the first step in breeding programs. Evaluation of tobacco genetic diversity is essential for breeding programs and preservation of genetic resources. Genetic diversity level in tobacco genotypes, is very important for selection of parents in breeding programs. In this study, genetic diversity of 100 tobacco genotypes was evaluated using 25 ISSR markers. Banding pattern based on the presence or absence of the bands showed with 0 and 1, respectively. Out of 237 fragments produced in total cultivars, 195 bands were polymorphic and average of polymorphism ranged from 4 to 12 per primer. Average of polymorphism percentage was 94.10. To determine the efficiency of ISSR markers, PIC and their polymorphic percentage was calculated. UBC 818, UBC 812 and UBC 815 had the best marker parameters and were introduced as the best primers for assessment of genetic diversity. In order to evaluate the genetic similarity between cultivars, different similarity coefficient (SM, Dice and Jaccard) was calculated and Mantel corresponding test was performed. Finally, dendrogram was drawn based on SM similarity coefficient and UPGMA algorithm and the Cofenetic coefficient was calculated. All genotypes formed two distinct clusters indicating the high efficiency of used primers in amplification the approximate parts of the genome. The principle coordinate analysis showed that the first three components could explain 79.65 % of total variance. Totally, evaluation the tobacco genetic diversity using ISSR markers is suitable and ISSR marker can be used as appropriate marker system to identify the diversity and genetic relationship for breeding programs of this plant.

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Plant breeding is selection of advanced genotypes and its progress depends on correct evaluation of genetic variation. Among different selection procedure, molecular markers have a good potential for evaluation of variation. In this research, RAPD molecular markers were used to evaluation of genetic diversity among 25 wheat cultivars and advanced breeding lines. Genomic DNA was extracted from leaves by Dellaporta method and 30 primers were used for PCR amplification. Results of Primers led to 200 storable electrophoretic bands which 130 of them (65%) were polymorphic. F4 and A18 primers produced the greatest and lowest band, respectively. Cluster analysis was performed based on band presence (1) and absence (0) using Jaccard coefficient similarity and UPGMA method. Similarity coefficient ranged from 0.22 to 0.87 with an average of 0.64. The highest similarity (0.87) was observed between Azar2 and Sardari and lowest similarity (0.22) was observed between Seimareh and BAVICORA. With cut of line on 0.72 in dendrogram, 6 main groups were clustered and other genotypes were clustered in different group. Regarding to the high similarity among these genotypes, it is necessary to develop the wheat germplasm in related research centers.

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Yarrow plant or plain short type yarrow, known as Achillea wilhelmsii C. kock, belongs to Asteraceae family. The present study was conducted in order to evaluate three different yarrow populations for determination of their genetic relationship, using morphological traits in the form of nested design as completely randomized with ten replications. General heritability of all traits ranged from 98 to 100, indicating a high heritability for these traits. The highest coefficient of genetic variation belonged to root diameter (1.66), indicating the existence of hifh diversity among genotypes. The lowest coefficient of genetic variation belonged to leaf length to width ratio (0.36), suggesting a low level of variation for this character. Based on PCA analysis, the first two components justified almost 90 percent of total variations. The three populations were nearly separated according to biplot analysis. Also, cluster analysis confirmed the biplot results and the populations were identified as three separated clusters which reflect the apparent difference among yarrow populations. The results of this study showed a wide genetic diversity for evaluated populations with regarding measured traits in Hormozgan province. Aforementioned findings indicated a dormant potentials of native yarrow populaton in south Iran and high value of these resources and obviously more attention need to be paid to identify, maintenance, assessing and apply them in breeding programs.

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For development of high yield wheat cultivars, this study was conducted to estimate the general combining ability (GCA) of parents, specific combining ability (SCA) of hybrid progenies, heritability and heterosis of grain yield and some agronomic traits. A partial diallel crosses which obtained in a set of six wheat genotypes were sown in randomized complete block design at Gachsarann agricultural research station in 2013-14 growing season under dryland condition. The results of this study revealed a significant difference among the genotypes for all of the traits that indicating considerable genetic variation. Significant effects of GCA and SCA indicated role of additive and non-additive gene action in the control of all considered traits. The mean square ratio of GCA to SCA and Baker genetic ratio showed a preponderance of non-additive gene action for all of the studied traits. Broad-sense heritability was high (0.67-0.99) for all of them, which indicated the role of genetic factors compared with non-genetic factors for controlling of these traits. Narrow-sense heritability was low to moderate (0.06–0.37). Among the parents, Koohdasht was the best general combiners for early growth vigor, days to maturity, spike length, peduncle length, flag leaf extrusion and grain yield. The Koohdasht × DAMARA-6 hybrid showed the best specific cross for days to heading, days to maturity, grain filling period, plant height, chlorophyll content, canopy temperature, grain length and grain yield. These hybrids showed positive and significant heterosis for grain yield, chlorophyll content and grain length and negative heterosis for plant height. It is expected to produce desirable segregants and could be exploited successfully in wheat improvement programs. In addition, because of preponderance of non-additive gene action for studied traits, particularly in the early generations, efficiency of genetic selection was low and selection for genetic improvement of these traits must be retraced in advanced generations.

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Plants are capable of responding to environmental stresses by activating their adaptation mechanisms and their response to environmental factors by changing their gene expression. Drought stress is considered as the most important abiotic stress in agriculture. In this regard, in present research, proteomics techniques used to detect proteins were responding to drought stress. To select drought susceptible genotype, 64 chickpea genotypes were assessed by simple lattice design 8×8 at the Sararood station (Iran) and then in the greenhouse of College of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Kermanshah Razi University (Iran) in three levels of stress including normal, medium and intensive stress conditions at poding stage. Finally, SAR 80 JI 09 K12-8 genotype was selected as susceptible to drought stress. Then, the evaluations consisted of a leaf proteome induced under drought stress conditions were performed. To study and identify the proteins associated with drought, total protein was extracted from the leaves by TCA- acetone method and isolated in the first dimension by IPG gels with pH gradient 7-4 and in second dimension after by 12.5% concentration polyacrylamide gels. Therefore, in the drought susceptible genotype the value of each spot was used as a standard amount. Protein spots on the gel were scanned and identified by using Image Master 2D Platinum of Melanie 6.0 software. The results of two-dimensional gel analysis and protein identification of drought susceptible genotypes showed that leaf proteome pattern has been widely changed in drought stress condition. In susceptible genotype, 212 protein spots repeatable were identified. 10 spots were detected by using MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometry which were divided in different groups based on response to drought stress in biological cycles.

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Abstract In order to genetic analysis of spike characteristics in barley, an experiment was conducted with 100 F3 and F4 barley families derived from Badia × Komino cross at Research Farm college of Agricultural University of Gonbad Kavous (Iran) based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Agronomic traits such as spike length, number of seeds per spike, total of spike, total weight of spike, grain length and grain diameter were measured. Linkage map with 7 SSR and 69 polymorphic alleles of iPBS markers were prepared which covered 632.2 cM of barley genome. QTL analysis was performed based on the method of composite interval mapping (CIM). Ten QTLs (with additive effect ranged from 127.07 for spike number to -0.625 mm for grain length) were detected. Phenotypic variance explained by QTLs ranged from 10.9 to 12.9 percent, which the highest related to spike length in F3 generation and the lowest related to the total number of spikes in F3 generation and the total weight of spike in F4 generation. All detected QTL were major effects and after validation can be used in breeding programs and marker-assisted selection.

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Estimation of genetic variation in crops, a very important role in the development of breeding programs and preservation of genetic resources through morphological characteristics, is possible. To identifying genetic variation and double haploid barley lines classification in relation to germination traits, 72 lines derived from the cross of Steptoe and Morex were evaluated in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two replications, at three conditions including normal and two salinity levels of NaCl (100 and 200 mM NaCl). Investigated traits in this study were coefficient of velocity of germination, final germination percentage, mean germination daily, germination rate index and average germination speed. The results indicated that considerable genetic variation among genotypes in all traits. Genetical correlation based on average of the three environments indicated that high significant correlation exist (r= 0.85**) between the daily germination and final germination percentage. In this study, the highest value of phenotypic and genotypic variation coefficient, broad and narrow sense heritability and genetic gain were calculated for final germination percentag. Based on cluster analysis, barley genotypes were grouped into three categories and genotypes of the third cluster, were superior coefficient of variation of germination, germination percentage, germination rate and mean daily germination index, but had low a mount of germination rate. Therefore, the genotype of this group can be used in breeding for high germination percentage. Using principle component analysis; five traits were grouped in the form of two new variables that explained 99.061 percent of the total variance. Analysis biplot indicated that the genotypes of first group have a high percentage of germination index and germination index coefficients.

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Oilseed rape (Brassica nupus L), a member of Brassicaceae family, is an important crop regarding oil production worldwide. Brassicaceae is an economically important family of flowering plants with about 350 genera and more than 3000 species. Eleven pairs of single sequence repeat (SSR) primers were used to identify the genetic diversity among 21 oilseed rape genotypes. Results of SSR molecular marker analysis revealed that SSR primers produced a total number of 76 scorable bands of which 46 (60.5%) bands were polymorphics. The average number of bands for each primer and genotype was 6.9 and 3.6, respectively. Both CB10036B and Na10A09 primers produced 10 and Cb10403 primer produced 4 polymorphic bands, respectively. UPGMA cluster analysis based on Dice similarity matrix showed that Zarfam and Gerinimo genotypes had the highest (0.99%) and Licord and KS-11 genotypes had the lowest (0.72%) similarity. Both Iranian and foreign genotypes were grouped together in one major cluster, indicating presumably they may have the same origin and/or common pedigree. Results of AMOVA analysis within and between groups (spring – Autumn) revealed that almost 97% of total genetic diversity belonged to within group genotypes. 

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In order to estimate the components of genetic variance and general and specific combining abilities of maize lines, an experiment was done using 8 S6 inbred lines as female parents and 2 male inbred lines as testers consisted of K1264/5-1 (early mature) and K3615/1 (late mature) using line by tester mating design based on randomized complete block design with three replications in two different conditions (Salt stress with Ec=5 dsm-1 and non-salt conditions) in research field of graduate university of advanced technology (Kerman, Iran) in 2014. Analysis of variance results showed significant differences among inbred lines for some of measured traits in both salt and non-salt conditions. Significant differences observed for line × tester mean-squares in non-salty condition for all measured traits except days to silking and physiological maturity. In salt stress condition, just for leaves number per plant and days to silking, line × tester effects were not significant. Additive variance for days to silking and physiological maturity in non-salt condition was more than dominant variance, therefore the additive to non-additive variance ratio was more than 1 and indicating emphasis on this matter too. Inbred line L6 had a significant positive GCA and the highest grain yield with 1455.785 and 789.107 kg/ha in non-salt and salt stress condition, respectively. The crosses (L4×T1=428.460 and L7×T1= 438,345) in non-salt condition and (L3×T1=438.345) in salt stress conditions had a positive significant specific combining ability. Finally, from all existed variation, the lines and line × tester effects were more important than tester effects that indicates transmission of diversity from lines to hybrids.

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In order to study genetic diversity, heritability and relation of some important traits with grain yield in bread wheat, 20 bread wheat irrigated lines evaluated using a randomized complete block design with three replications during two cropping cycles/years. Based on combined analysis results, there were a significant difference between genotypes. Also, in all traits, coefficient of phenotypic variation was greater than coefficient of genetical variation, indicating the effect of environment on investigated traits. The significant correlation between grain yield and number of days to maturity, spikes per m2 and the grains per spike. number of days to heading and number of days to maturity had highest heritability among traits, with 87 and 69%, respectively. Results of this showed that selection of early heading or shorter no. of days to heading and early maturing or shorter number of days to maturity is recommended to breeders for selection materials favorable for terminal warm condition and water shortage, preventing grain yield reduction. Results of cluster analysis showed that genotypes are divided in six groups. Totally, six superior genotypes from the fourth cluster were selected as superior lines. Based on bi-plot analysis, genotypes 14 and 5 showed the lowest genotype × trait interaction, but genotypes 16 and 8 showed the highest genotype × trait interaction.

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This experiment was conducted during 2013-2014 in Tabriz University research farm, Iran. In this research, the inheritance of some agronomic and physiological traits in different generations of Bam (tolerant to drought) and Artha (sensitive to drought) cross was studied in field conditions by generation mean analysis. The experiment was a split plot design using randomized complete blocks with two replications with the irrigation conditions in the main plots and generations in the sub-plots. The interaction between generations and irrigation conditions was significant only for grain yield. Based on the result of generation means analysis for the spike length and straw weight, the threeparameter model was found fitting the analysis. For the thousand-seed weight in the water stress condition and for the plant weight in the irrigation condition, a non-significant chi-square suggesting that the six-parameter model for these traits is suitable. For the other traits, the chi-square was significant in both conditions. For spike length and leaf area, the degree of dominance was greater than one (2.3 and 1.53, respectively) which showed the existence of over-dominance gene action in controlling these traits. Straw weight in normal condition, leaf area and thousand seed weight in the stress condition had a high broad-sense heritability. The narrow-sense heritability for all other traits was low, suggesting the need for exploiting dominance gene action in the breeding programs if hybrid varieties are produced in the bread wheat.

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In order to evaluate heritability and gene action for some of the important quantitative traits in oriental tobacco, two genotypes, Basma 16-10 and SPT406 were crossed with Basma S. 31 cultivar, separately in 2009-2010. Parents with F1, F2, BC1 and BC2 generations were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Traits such as plant height, leaf length, leaf width, leaf number, internnode number, stem diameter and yield per plant were recorded. The results obtained from analysis of variance indicated that generations mean squares were statistically significant for all traits expect for stem diameter. Therefore, generation mean analysis was performed for significant triats to estimate gene actions using Chi-square and scaling tests. The Chi-square of simple three-parametric model (additive-dominance model) was significant for studied crosses, indicating the presence of non allelic-interactions in the inheritance of these traits in oriental tobacco. Both additive and dominance genetic effects were significant for plant height, leaf length, leaf width, leaf number and internnode number. In addition, presence of high amount of dominance effect and dominance × dominance interactions suggests the importance of non-additive genetic effects for these traits in oriental tobacco. Therefore, selection for these traits in early generations can not be successful. However, additive genetic effects play an important role in the inheritance of yield, and then selection for this trait is hopeful in early generations during tobacco breeding process.

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In order to investigate yield stability, genotype×environment interactions and estimation of a number of genetic parameters related to yield and yield components, seven promising rice lines together with Shirodi and line 843 (as control cultivars) were evaluated. The experiment was carried out base on randomized complete block design with three replications in three locations of Mazandaran province, Iran (Tonekabon, Amol and Sari) during three growing seasons from 2012 to 2014. Analysis of variance revealed that there were significant differences among genotypes for yield at almost all three locations. Combined analysis of variance indicated that there were no significant differences among locations and years, whereas year×location×genotype interaction was found significant for grain yield, plant height and thousand grain weight. Results of stability analysis by univariate methods showed that genotype number 6 was the most stable genotype over all three locations, having less variance within locations and smaller coefficients of variance and a high grain yield (6020.8 kg ha-1 ). The high coefficient of phenotypic and genotypic variation was indicative to genetic variability for all of the studied traits. The broad-sense heritability ranged from 49.06% (plant height) to 92.48%% (number of filled grain per panicle) and was 59.46% for grain yield. The highest phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation and genetic gain over total average obtained for the number of grains per panicle. Thus, it is possible to improve this trait by selection method and could be used as a selection index to improve grain yield. Overall, genotype number 6 could be considered as a superior genotype to achieve a dwarf cultivar with stable yield. 

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Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is one of the important and commercial small fruits that are planted in temperate regions which contain high amount of natural antioxidants. Study of genetic diversity is very important for distinguish the genotypes relationships and evaluation and exploitation of genetic resources for breeding programs. To evaluate the physiological and phenological characteristics of strawberries genotypes, an experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design with 3 replications in the Agricultural Research Center of Kurdistan, Iran. Physiological parameters (amount of chlorophyll a, b and ab, soluble solids, titratable acidity and anthocyanin) and phenological characters (appearance of first stolon, first flower and first fruit, flowering and fruiting period) and yield of genotypes were evaluated. Results of analysis of variance showed significant differences among genotypes for all traits at the 1% level of probability, indicating the existence of genetic diversity among genotypes. The results of mean comparison showed significant differences among genotypes for all traits, indicating existence of wide diversity among the studied strawberry genotypes. The highest chlorophyll content belonged to Paros genotype and the highest yield recorded from Queen Eliza and Gaviota genotypes, respectively. The highest anthocyanin and soluble solids content was belonged to Gaviota and lowest amount of these parameters belonged to Paros and Chandler genotypes and Chandler genotype also had the highest amount of chlorophyll a. There were little difference between phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation, indicating the low effect of environment on these characters. All traits had high common heritability with range of 82-99 %. Data were analyzed using principal factor analysis. The factor analysis technique extracted four factors. Four factors explained about 74.05% of the total variation, and 50.84% of the variance was accounted for by the two first factors. Factors I and II were identified as photosynthetic, and fertility Index, respectively. According to results of factor analysis and other analysis, Paros genotype was identified as suitable cultivar.

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In order to identify QTLs associated with stemlet and rootlet growth in the early stages of germination of wheat, 144 recombinant inbred lines derived from the cross of Kaz and Mantana were evaluated in a completely randomized design. The linkage map using composite interval by 234 microsatellite (SSR) primers and 267 AFLP loci have been already prepared in this population which covered 20 chromosomes of wheat. For root length, 1, 2 and 2 QTLs were located on 4D, 4B and 2D chromosomes, respectively. Two QTLs of rootlet length was located on 6B and 3D chromosomes. The QTLs of rootlet number were identified on 4A, 5A and 3B chromosomes. For each of stemlet dry weight (SDW) and rootlet dry weight (RDW) traits only one QTL identified on 4A and 3D chromosomes, respectively. Overall, for SDW to RDW ratio on 2D and 3D chromosomes, three QTLs were located. The QTLs of stemlet wet weight (SWW) were detected on 6B and 2B chromosomes. On 1B, 2D and 6B chromosoms, three QTLs were recognized for SWW to RWW ratio. For all traits, the range of LOD = 2.04-6.34 and R2 =5.11-19.58 were calculated. The highest amount of LOD and R2 (5.11 and 19.58, respectively) were obtained for rootlet length QTL (QSL-chpgu-4D). The least distance to the nearest adjacent marker (AFgcCGb marker) was 0.005 Centi-Morgan which belonged to rootlet length QTL (QRL-chpgu-3D) on 3D chromosome.

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Identification and application of genetic diversity are essential to breeding programs success. In this study, genetic diversity of 20 rainfed barley genotypes were assessed using morphological traits as well RAPD and intron-exon splice junction (ISJ), semi-random markers. Results of this study showed that there were significant differences among genotypes for all traits, indicating high genetic variation among them. The highest and lowest broad sense heritability was related to spike length and grain yield, respectively The estimates of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were high for number of grain per spike, and low for 1000-kernel weight, respectively. Mean of polymorphic percentage in ISJ marker was higher than RAPD marker. Cluster analysis showed that the distinctions based on morphological traits did not correspond with the distinction based on molecular data.The results showed that RAPD and ISJ markers were able to distinct two and six-rowed and also hulless and hulled barley genotypes. Distinction of three clusters did not follow the same pattern.There was significant and negative correlation between similarity matrices of molecular data and morphological traits, but similarity matrices of two molecular markers was significantly and positively correlated.

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