Abstract The aim was to estimate the minimum number of plants required per plot to assess the anthracnose severity by artificial inoculation of V2 stage plants. Seventy-eight carioca common bean cultivars were inoculated in 13 experiments to assess its reaction to races 65, 73, 81, and 89 of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. Sample sizes ranged from one to nine plants were adopted to setting the number of plants per plot. A total of 1000 samplings were performed for each sample size. The following parameters were estimated in each sampling: accuracy, coefficient of variation and Pearson's correlation. The mean values of each parameter in the 1000 samplings for each sample size were subjected to quadratic regression with a plateau as a function of sample size for each experiment. Six plants per plot were needed to assess the severity of anthracnose by artificially inoculating the pathogen on common bean plants at the V2 stage. V Seventyeight Seventy eight 1 65 73 81 8 lindemuthianum 100 sampling accuracy Pearsons Pearson s correlation experiment 6 7 10

Abstract We aimed to estimate genetic parameters and select sorghum lines for forage purposes based on agronomic and chemical traits. A total of 100 inbred lines, comprising the biomass/bmr, biomass, dual purpose (sweet/forage), and forage types, were evaluated in the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 crop years. We analyzed the data using a linear mixed model approach. Genetic variance, line mean-based heritability, selection accuracy, genetic correlation between traits and crops and the coefficient of experimental variation were estimated. The breeding values of the lines were predicted, and the factor analysis and genotype-ideotype distance index based on BLUP (FAI-BLUP) were applied for multi-trait selection. Biomass production and cell wall composition traits were measured. There was genetic variation among the lines, with moderate to high heritability. The lines selected by the FAI-BLUP index resulted in significant genetic gains expected with selection for all traits. 10 biomassbmr biomass bmr biomass/bmr sweet/forage, sweetforage sweet/forage , sweet (sweet/forage) types 20202021 2020 2021 2020/202 20212022 2022 2021/202 years approach variance meanbased mean heritability accuracy estimated predicted genotypeideotype genotype ideotype FAIBLUP FAI (FAI-BLUP multitrait multi trait measured 1 (sweet/forage 2020202 202 2020/20 2021202 2021/20 202020 20 2020/2 202120 2021/2 20202 2 2020/ 20212 2021/

Abstract Lipids are compounds that play an important role in coffee bean development, contributing to beverage quality. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were conducted to pinpoint quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) linked to lipid metabolism in Coffea arabica. Genotyping by sequencing (GBS) and phenotyping data from 104 wild C. arabica accessions, Mundo Novo cultivar, and C. arabica var. Typica were utilized. GBS data were aligned to C. arabica Et039 reference genome, and both single-locus and multi-locus GWAS methods were employed. Methods were adjusted for kinship matrix, population structure, and principal component analysis. Of the 19 QTNs identified, 5 showed consistency across different population structure adjustments. The multi-locus methods mrMLM and FarmCPU proved more effective in identifying QTNs associated with lipid content. Four QTNs were situated near seven genes potentially involved in lipid metabolism. Higher frequencies of identified QTNs in accessions with elevated lipid content suggest their utility as markers for coffee plant breeding. development quality Genomewide Genome wide (GWAS (QTNs (GBS 10 C cultivar var utilized Et Et03 genome singlelocus single locus multilocus multi employed matrix analysis 1 adjustments breeding Et0

Abstract NCED1 (9-cis-epoxy carotenoid dioxygenase) plays important roles in controlling ABA levels and drought stress tolerance. The relationships between sequence polymorphisms of the TaNCED1 gene and drought resistance in wheat were analysed. Four allelic variations of the TaNCED1-5B generated to drought resistance were identified. Four groups of KASP (kompetitive allele-specific PCR) markers were developed based on the four alleles and were verified in a natural population of 311 wheat cultivars. The distribution of the four alleles of TaNCED1-5B in the natural population was clarified. Among the allelic variations, 84.62% of the wheat varieties with TT/-/C/-,TT/C/C/-,TT/-/C/G or TT/C/C/G haplotypes were dryland cultivars. The common feature of the above four haplotypes is that they all contain the TT (98) and C (343) alleles at the TaNCED1-5B-TT/CG (98) and TaNCED1-5B-C/T (343) loci, which indicated that these two locis had highly positive correlation with drought resistance in wheat. NCED 9cisepoxy cisepoxy 9 cis epoxy dioxygenase tolerance TaNCED analysed TaNCED15B TaNCEDB 5B B identified kompetitive allelespecific allele specific PCR 31 cultivars clarified 8462 84 62 84.62 TT//C/,TT/C/C/,TT//C/G TTCTTCCTTCG TT/ /C/ ,TT/C/C/ ,TT/ /C/G G TTCCG 98 (98 343 (343 TaNCED15BTT/CG TaNCED15BTTCG TaNCEDBTTCG TT/CG CG TaNCED15BC/T TaNCED15BCT TaNCEDBCT C/T T loci 3 846 8 6 84.6 /C TTCC ,TT/C/C ,TT (9 34 (34 TaNCED15BTT BTT BTTCG TTCG TaNCED15BC BC BCT CT 84. ( (3 TaNCEDBTT TaNCEDBC

Abstract The goal of this research was to evaluate the flooding tolerance of sugarcane genotypes under recurring floods of both plant and ratoon canes. Control and recurring flood conditions were compared using 10 sugarcane genotypes. As a result of the flooding, cane height increased and tillering decreased. Flooding reduced cane yield and commercial cane sugar (CCS) yield, as well as the percentage of polarization (POL), purity, and CCS in sugarcane juice. Sugarcane flood tolerance varied by genotype, with KPS01-4-29 and SP94-2-483 having the highest flooding tolerance index and KK07-037, K95-84, and KK07-599 having the highest yield under flooded conditions. Furthermore, under flooded conditions, a relationship between yield traits, cane height, and cane number was observed in sugarcane (r = 0.45* to 0.92**). As a result of our research, flood-tolerant sugarcane genotypes could be selected. Sugarcane genotype selection for flooding tolerance could include cane height and cane number as indirect traits. canes 1 decreased (CCS POL, POL , (POL) purity juice KPS01429 KPS KPS01 4 29 KPS01-4-2 SP942483 SP SP94 2 483 SP94-2-48 KK07037, KK07037 KK KK07 037, 037 KK07-037 K9584, K9584 K K95 84, 84 K95-84 KK07599 599 KK07-59 Furthermore traits r 045 0 45 0.45 0.92**. 092 0.92** . 92 0.92**) floodtolerant tolerant selected (POL KPS0142 KPS0 KPS01-4- SP94248 SP9 48 SP94-2-4 KK0703 KK0 03 KK07-03 K958 K9 8 K95-8 KK0759 59 KK07-5 04 0.4 09 0.92* 9 KPS014 KPS01-4 SP9424 SP94-2- KK070 KK07-0 K95- KK075 5 KK07- 0. 0.92 KPS01- SP942 SP94-2 0.9 SP94-

Abstract In many cases, traditional analysis of breeding trials based on analysis of variance (ANOVA) do not allow a suitable genetic evaluation. Alternatively, mixed model-based approaches create the possibility of dealing with unbalanced data and modeling spatial trends. The aims of this study were to compare the goodness-of-fit of the model and the genotype ranking through different residual modeling approaches and to select the best performing tropical wheat genotypes based on the best-fitting model. A panel of tropical wheat genotypes was evaluated in three field trials conducted between 2020 and 2021 for grain yield. Linear mixed model analyses were used on the data to estimate the genetic parameters and to predict the genotypic values in analyses of single- and multi-environment trials. Accounting for spatial trends in the analyses of single- and multi-environment trials provides better outcomes than the compound symmetry model does. cases ANOVA (ANOVA evaluation Alternatively modelbased goodnessoffit goodness fit bestfitting fitting 202 yield single multienvironment multi environment does 20 2

Abstract The purple glume-tip is an essential morphological marker for selective rice breeding, aiding in assisted selection and variety purification. However, the inheritance of purple glume-tip in japonica rice landrace Donglan Black Rice (DBR) has not yet been explored deeply. The F2 and F4 populations were constructed from crossing between Huazhan with colorless glume-tip and DBR to identify the associated genomic region(s). Genetic analysis displayed two highly comparable and perplexing phenotypes in the purple glume-tip of rice. Two significant genes with recessive epistasis predominantly regulated the two phenotypes. The two target gene loci were located in the intervals of 5315163-5316875 bp on chr6 and 27915598-27939357 bp on chr4, respectively, where reported genes associated with the purple color trait in rice, Os06g0205100 and Os04g0557500, are present. The two genes may be potential target genes. However, the role of Os04g0557500 in the glume-tip coloration remains unreported. glumetip glume tip breeding purification However (DBR deeply F regions. regions region s . region(s) 53151635316875 5315163 5316875 5315163-531687 chr 2791559827939357 27915598 27939357 27915598-2793935 chr4 respectively Osg Os g Os06g020510 present Os04g055750 unreported region(s 5315163531687 531516 531687 5315163-53168 279155982793935 2791559 2793935 27915598-279393 Os06g02051 Os04g05575 531516353168 53151 53168 5315163-5316 27915598279393 279155 279393 27915598-27939 Os06g0205 Os04g0557 53151635316 5315 5316 5315163-531 2791559827939 27915 27939 27915598-2793 Os06g020 Os04g055 5315163531 531 5315163-53 279155982793 2791 2793 27915598-279 Os06g02 Os04g05 531516353 53 5315163-5 27915598279 279 27915598-27 Os06g0 Os04g0 53151635 5 5315163- 2791559827 27 27915598-2 Os06g Os04g 279155982 2 27915598-

Abstract Maize is considered one of the most important cereal fodder crops. Many studies on morphological diversity in fodder maize have been helpful in obtaining good heterotic hybrids. The current study focused on analysing diversity of 28 fodder maize inbreds with 30 SSR markers, which revealed total of 110 alleles; and their polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.064 to 0.745. Population structure analysis revealed four subpopulation groups with the ΔK value of 132.70. Clustering based on the pairwise dissimilarity coefficient grouped the genotypes into two major and four sub-clusters. The high dissimilarity (0.777) observed between DM 84 and UMI 1221 indicated that these two were highly divergent. Principal coordinate analysis also showed diverse nature of inbreds and corroborated the clustering pattern. Parental diversity and their heterosis performance revealed that parents with average or narrow divergence could be useful in obtaining hybrids with medium/early flowering and moderate/high crude protein content. crops 2 3 markers 11 alleles PIC (PIC 0064 0 064 0.06 0745 745 0.745 13270 132 70 132.70 subclusters. subclusters sub clusters. clusters sub-clusters 0.777 0777 777 (0.777 8 122 divergent pattern mediumearly medium early moderatehigh moderate 1 006 06 0.0 074 74 0.74 1327 13 7 132.7 0.77 077 77 (0.77 12 00 0. 07 0.7 132. (0.7 (0. (0 (

Abstract Chakhao is a popular pigmented black rice variety with remarkably high anthocyanin content. Due to its susceptibility to various biotic and abiotic stresses, its production has remained low. Here, two genes, Pi54 blast-resistant and OsSPL14, high-yielding genes of rice, were pyramided in a Chakhao landrace by crossing with CR Dhan 307. From a total of 147 F4 lines developed, 32 were identified with the positive alleles of both genes, of which 16 were black grain coloured, and their total anthocyanin content ranged from 30.19±2.19 to 240.31±2.62 mg 100 g-1 dried weight. Among these, ChM 68 F4 line had the highest anthocyanin content (240.31 ± 2.62 mg 100 g-1 of powdered grain) with more 118.96 mg 100 g-1 anthocyanin than the recipient parent, CHK13 (121.35±3.32 mg 100 g-1), making it a promising line to be released as a high-yielding and durable blast-resistant Chakhao variety in Manipur. stresses low Here Pi Pi5 blastresistant blast resistant OsSPL14 OsSPL highyielding yielding 307 14 F developed 3 1 coloured 3019219 30 19 2 30.19±2.1 24031262 240 31 62 240.31±2.6 10 g1 g g- weight these 6 240.31 24031 (240.3 262 2.6 11896 118 96 118.9 parent CHK CHK1 121.35±3.32 12135332 121 35 (121.35±3.3 g1, , g-1) Manipur OsSPL1 301921 30.19±2. 2403126 24 240.31±2. 240.3 2403 (240. 26 2. 1189 11 9 118. 121.35±3.3 1213533 12 (121.35±3. 30192 30.19±2 240312 240.31±2 240. (240 121.35±3. 121353 (121.35±3 3019 30.19± 240.31± (24 121.35±3 12135 (121.35± 301 30.19 (2 121.35± 1213 (121.35 30.1 ( 121.35 (121.3 30. 121.3 (121. 121. (121 (12 (1

Abstract BRS A504 CL is a new rice cultivar, resistant to herbicides from the imidazolinone chemical group, developed for the Clearfield Production System for upland rice in Brazil. The cultivar has excellent grain quality and yield potential of 8,188 kg ha-1. A A50 group Brazil 8188 8 188 8,18 ha1. ha1 ha 1. 1 ha-1 A5 818 18 8,1 ha- 81 8,

Abstract Tomato cultivation is globally significant, demanding enhanced yields and biotic stress resilience for sustainability. Dwarf plant utilization in tomato genetic enhancement offers underexplored benefits. Yet, Santa Cruz dwarf tomato germplasm is unavailable. This study evaluated genetic dissimilarity, agronomic potential, and acylsugar content of Santa Cruz dwarf tomato plants across three successive backcrossings. Twelve advanced backcrossing populations (BC) and a commercial control (cv. Kada) were assessed, totaling 15 treatments. Agronomic traits and acylsugar content were measured, and analysis techniques were applied to assess genetic dissimilarity and backcrossing superiority. BC3 populations UFU-Sci#8, UFU-Sci#6, UFU-Sci#5, and UFU-Sci#1 excelled. Dwarf plants predominantly exhibited high leaflet acylsugar levels, suggesting potential for acquisition of hybrid with pest resistance. Notably, UFU MC TOM1 (dwarf plant) displayed significant glycine and L-serine presence, associated with various biotic stresses. These findings unveil the promising creation of dwarf Santa Cruz tomato hybrids with a broad spectrum of resistance. sustainability benefits Yet unavailable backcrossings BC (BC cv. cv (cv Kada assessed 1 treatments measured superiority UFUSci#8, UFUSci8 UFUSci Sci#8, Sci 8 UFU-Sci#8 UFUSci#6, UFUSci6 Sci#6, 6 UFU-Sci#6 UFUSci#5, UFUSci5 Sci#5, 5 UFU-Sci#5 UFUSci#1 UFUSci1 Sci#1 UFU-Sci# excelled levels resistance Notably TOM Lserine L serine presence stresses UFUSci#8 Sci8 Sci#8 UFUSci#6 Sci6 Sci#6 UFUSci#5 Sci5 Sci#5 UFUSci# Sci1 Sci# UFU-Sci

Abstract This study was aimed at developing a molecular genetic database that allows the certification of the pecan cultivars planted in Brazil, based on reference cultivars from the USA. We used a set of 10 nSSR and 10 cpSSR markers for cultivar identification and characterization. The database developed is an instrument for certification of cultivars, characterization of potential new cultivars, and selection of material for pecan breeding. The CertiBase database is composed of genotypes and haplotypes characterized for 40 reference pecan cultivars, while the CertiBase algorithm for plant identification is implemented in a user-friendly free software. Varietal certification of cultivars will bring more security to the entire production chain, in addition to enabling the characterization of the ancestry of potential new cultivars and establishment of breeding programs of pecan in Brazil. Brazil USA 1 4 userfriendly user friendly software chain

Abstract True sugarcane seed (TSS) families offer economic, environmental, and practical advantages over clonal varieties. Identification of well-germinating and high-yielding TSS families to replace sett/settling planting is a prerequisite for direct commercial cultivation. Promising TSS families are identified through family selection, an efficient, proven, and cost-effective approach. A total of 139 crosses, with varying sets of 22, 51, and 66 crosses were produced in 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21, respectively. Among the 66 TSS families evaluated, 18F02, 18F27, 19F25, 19F46, 20F10, and 20F11 outperformed the popular clonal check Co 86032, with moderate to low variability, within an acceptable range for cane (number of millable canes per clump ≥ 5.0; single cane weight ≥ 1.0 kg) and sugar (Brix% ≥ 18.0%; Sucrose% ≥ 15.0%) yield traits, accompanied by good fluff germination and seedling establishment parameters. These results implied the possibility of exploiting promising true seed-based families for commercial sugarcane cultivation. (TSS economic environmental varieties wellgerminating well germinating highyielding high yielding settsettling sett settling cultivation selection efficient proven costeffective cost effective approach 13 22 51 6 201819, 201819 2018 19, 19 2018-19 201920, 201920 2019 20, 20 2019-20 202021, 202021 2020 21, 21 2020-21 respectively evaluated 18F02 F 18F27 19F25 19F46 20F10 20F1 86032 variability number 5.0 50 5 0 10 1 1. kg Brix% Brix (Brix 18.0% 180 18 Sucrose 15.0% 150 15 traits parameters seedbased based 2 20181 201 2018-1 20192 2019-2 20202 202 2020-2 18F0 18F2 19F2 19F4 20F 8603 5. 18.0 15.0 2018- 2019- 2020- 18F 19F 860 18. 15. 86 8

Abstract ‘BRS Sarau’ is a highly productive peach cultivar widely adapted to the Southern and Southeast region of Brazil. It produces fruits of excellent flavor and shape, with attractive skin and flesh color, and its harvest starts near the Christmas holidays, when the demand for peaches is high. BRS Sarau Brazil shape color holidays high

Abstract Obtaining transgenic sugarcane lines in vitro is a laborious, expensive, and time-consuming process. To minimize these disadvantages, the presence of transgenes must be checked as soon as possible. Here, we describe a method for direct PCR amplification of DNA from sugarcane plantlets, using smaller quantities of vegetal material, low-cost lab reagents, and rapid processing. By using this methodology, we were able to identify 100% of the transgenic lines generated. The outlined protocol enabled us to perform an earlier checking of the transgene insertions on genomes of transformed lines reducing costs and labor at in vitro stages. laborious expensive timeconsuming time consuming process disadvantages possible Here plantlets material lowcost low cost reagents processing methodology 100 generated stages 10 1