Summary
Significant genetic variation in CO2 assimilation rate (A), stomatal conductance (g), and A: g ratio, which are indicators of intrinsic differences in productivity and water use efficiency (WUE), has been demonstrated in grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] hybrids. The primary objective was to determine the possible parental influence on the components of the A: g relationship in sorghum hybrids across a range of water supplies. Thirty F1 hybrids resulting from a 6 × 6 diallel crossing pattern constituted the genetic material. Field experiments were conducted using four water supply treatments established through differential irrigation. Carbon assimilation rate (A), g, and leaf water potential (Ψw) of individual leaves were monitored every 15 to 20 days. Genetic analyses revealed that general- and specific-combining ability effects were evident for A. However, reciprocal and maternal effects were more important in governing the A-g and A-Ψw relationships. Since the maternal effects were the major determinants in causing reciprocal differences, A can be improved by selecting specific female parents to exploit cytoplasmic factors or physiological characteristics of this parent. Substantial genetic variation in the A-g relationship resulting from significant genetic control of A offers the opportunity to impose selection for high A and stability of A, which might directly contribute to whole plant WUE and productivity in grain sorghum.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- A:
-
carbon assimilation rate
- g:
-
stomatal conductance to water vapor
- GCA:
-
General Combining Ability
- SCA:
-
Specific Combining Ability
- WUE:
-
Water Use Efficiency
References
Baer, G.R. & L.E., Schrader, 1985. Inheritance of DNA concentration, and cellular contents of soluble protein, chlorophyll, ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase, and pyruvate, Pi dikinase activity in maize leaves. Crop Sci. 25: 916–923.
Blum, A. & C.Y., Sullivan, 1972. A laboratory method for monitoring net photosynthesis in leaf segments under controlled water stress. Experiments with sorghum. Photosynthesis 6: 18–23.
Chan, P.H. & S.G., Wildman, 1972. Chloroplast DNA codes for the large subunit of Fraction I protein. Biochem. Biophys. Acta 277: 677–680.
Clegg, M.C., C.Y., Sullivan & J.D., Eastin, 1978. A sensitive technique for the rapid measurement of carbon dioxide concentration. Plant Physiol. 62: 924–926.
Cockerham, C.C., 1963. Estimation of genetic variances. In: W.D. Hanson & H.F. Robinson (Eds), Statistical Genetics and Plant Breeding, pp.53–94. NAS-NRC Publ. No. 982, Washington DC.
Condon, A.G., R.A., Richards & G.D., Farquhar, 1987. Carbon isotope discrimination is positively correlated with grain yield and dry matter production in field-grown wheat. Crop Sci 27: 996–1001.
Crosbie, T.M., J.J., Mock & R.B., Pearce, 1978. Inheritance of photosynthesis in a diallel among eight maize inbred lines from Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic. Euphytica 27: 657–664.
Farquhar, G.D. & R.A., Richards, 1984. Isotopic composition of plant carbon correlates with WUE of wheat genotypes. Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 11: 539–552.
Fousova, S. & N., Avratovscukova, 1973. Nonadditive components of genetic variance in rate of photosynthesis of leaf discs, and ways of detecting them. Acta Univ. Agric., Brno A 21: 251–261.
Griffing, B., 1956. Concept of general and specific combining ability in relation to diallel crossing systems. Aust. J. Biol. Sci. 9: 463–493.
Henzell, R.G., K.J., McCree, C.H.M.van, Bavel & K.F., Schertz, 1976. Sorghum genotype variation in stomatal sensitivity to leaf water deficit. Crop Sci. 16: 660–662.
Hobbs, S.L.A. & J.D., Mahon, 1985. Inheritance of chlorophyll content, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase activity, and stomatal resistance in peas. Crop Sci. 25: 1031–1034.
Hofmann, W.C., M.K., O'Neill & A.K., Dobrenz, 1984. Physiological responses of sorghum hybrids and parental lines to soil moisture stress. Agron. J. 76: 223–228.
Hubick, K.T., G.D., Farquhar & R., Shorter, 1986. Correlation between water-use efficiency and carbon isotope discrimination in diverse peanut (Arachis) germplasm. Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 13: 803–816.
Hubick, K.T., G.L., Hammer, G.D., Farquhar, L.J., Wade, S.von, Caemmerer & S.A., Henderson, 1990. Carbon isotope discrimination varies genetically in C4 species. Plant Physiol. 92: 534–537.
Izhar, S. & D.H., Wallace, 1967. Studies of the physiological basis for yield differences. III. Genetic variation in photosynthetic efficiency of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Crop Sci. 7: 457–460.
Kidambi, S.P., D.R., Krieg & D.T., Rosenow, 1990. Genetic variation for gas exchange rates in grain sorghum. Plant Physiol. 92: 1211–1214.
Krieg, D.R., 1983. Photosynthetic activity during stress. Agric. Water Manage. 7: 249–262.
Krieg, D.R., 1989. Water use efficiency of grain sorghum. In: D., Wilkinson (Ed.), Proceedings of the 43rd Annual Corn and Sorghum Industry Research Conference. pp.27–41. American Seed Trade Association, Washington, D.C.
Krieg, D.R. & R.B., Hutmacher, 1982. The utility of various drought resistance mechanisms. In: H.D., Loden & D., Wilkinson (Eds), Proceedings of the 37th Annual Corn and Sorghm Industry Research Conference. pp.37–51. American Seed Trade Association, Washington, D.C.
Krieg, D.R. & R.B., Hutmacher, 1986. Photosynthetic rate control in sorghum: Stomatal and nonstomatal components. Crop Sci. 26: 112–117.
Kuppers, B.I.L., M., Kuppers & E.D., Schulze, 1988. Soil drying and its effect on leaf conductance and CO2 assimilation of Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. I. The response to climatic factors and to the rate of soil drying in young plants. Oecologia (Berlin) 75: 99–104.
Kuppers, M. & E.D., Schulze, 1985. An empirical model of net photosynthesis and leaf conductance for the diurnal courses of CO2 and H2O exchange. Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 12: 513–526.
Mahon, J.D. & S.L.A., Hobbs, 1981. Selection of peas for photosynthetic CO2 exchange rate under field conditions. Crop Sci. 21: 616–621.
McIntosh, M.S., 1983. Analysis of combined experiments. Agron. J. 75: 153–155.
Wilson, D. & J.P., Cooper, 1969. Apparent photosynthesis and leaf characters in relation to leaf position and age, among contrasting Lolium genotypes. New Phytol. 68: 645–655.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kidambi, S.P., Krieg, D.R. & Nguen, H.T. Parental influences on gas exchange rates in grain sorghum. Euphytica 50, 139–146 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00023637
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00023637