ARS | Publication request: Field performance of inbred and partially inbred lines

Submitted to: Annual Beet Sugar Development Foundation Research Report
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: April 10, 2012
Publication Date: May 20, 2012
Citation: McGrath, J.M. 2012. Field performance of inbred and partially inbred lines [CD-ROM]. 2012 Annual Beet Sugar Development Foundation Research Report. Denver, Colorado: Beet Sugar Development Foundation.

Technical Abstract: Self-fertile breeding accessions were evaluated. These materials are being used to develop recombinant inbred populations for genetic analyses of agronomic and disease resistance traits, which is difficult with the normally self-sterile breeding populations used traditionally. Populations were developed from a single hybrid individual derived from a cross between C869 sugar beet with each of the major Beta vulgaris crop types (Fodder beet, red table beet, Swiss chard, sugar beet) as well as with a wild beet accession. Only one population (MSR6) would be considered substantially inbred, and agronomic information was determined for this family. In all populations, a great deal of morphological variability was evident. Each population was scored for natural Cercospora leaf spot infection, and a wide range of variability in leaf spot reaction was also evident. This is noteworthy because the genetics of Cercospora resistance are poorly understood with 2 to 10 genes thought to contribute to resistance. In the MSR6 population, replications were obtained by examining five beets for root weight, sucrose content, and water content. Average root weight was relatively small compared with sugar beet hybrids, and ranged from 200 grams to 1.4 kilograms (mean = 700 g, std. dev. = 250 g). Sucrose content (fresh weight) as determined via NIR ranged from 7.5% to 15.4% (mean = 12.1, std. dev. = 1.46), and water content (fresh weight) as determined via NIR ranged from 80.7 to 88.3% (mean = 84.1, std. dev. = 1.37). This population will be useful to approximate the inheritance of sucrose content in beets.