NRU :: Browsing by Author "Okii, Dennis"

Browsing by Author "Okii, Dennis"

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Factors Influencing Genomic Prediction Accuracies of Tropical Maize Resistance to Fall Armyworm and Weevils
(Plants, 2021) Badji, Arfang; Machida, Lewis; Kwemoi, Daniel Bomet; Kumi, Frank; Okii, Dennis; Mwila, Natasha; Agbahoungba, Symphorien; Ibanda, Angele; Bararyenya, Astere; Ndapewa Nghituwamhata, Selma; Odong, Thomas; Wasswa, Peter; Otim, Michael; Ochwo-Ssemakula, Mildred; Talwana, Herbert; Asea, Godfrey; Kyamanywa, Samuel; Rubaihayo, Patrick
Genomic selection (GS) can accelerate variety improvement when training set (TS) size and its relationship with the breeding set (BS) are optimized for prediction accuracies (PAs) of genomic prediction (GP) models. Sixteen GP algorithms were run on phenotypic best linear unbiased predictors (BLUPs) and estimators (BLUEs) of resistance to both fall armyworm (FAW) and maize weevil (MW) in a tropical maize panel. For MW resistance, 37% of the panel was the TS, and the BS was the remainder, whilst for FAW, random-based training sets (RBTS) and pedigree-based training sets (PBTSs) were designed. PAs achieved with BLUPs varied from 0.66 to 0.82 for MW-resistance traits, and for FAW resistance, 0.694 to 0.714 for RBTS of 37%, and 0.843 to 0.844 for RBTS of 85%, and these were at least two-fold those from BLUEs. For PBTS, FAWresistance PAs were generally higher than those for RBTS, except for one dataset. GP models generally showed similar PAs across individual traits whilst the TS designation was determinant, since a positive correlation (R = 0.92***) between TS size and PAs was observed for RBTS, and for the PBTS, it was negative (R = 0.44**). This study pioneered the use of GS for maize resistance to insect pests in sub-Saharan Africa.
Genetic variation, Heritability estimates and GXE effects on yield traits of Mesoamerican common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) germplasm in Uganda
(Plant Genetic Resources, 2018) Okii, Dennis; Mukankusi, Clare; Sebuliba, Sulaiman; Tukamuhabwa, Phinehas; Tusiime, Geoffrey; Talwana, Herbert; Odong, Thomas; Namayanja, Annet; Paparu, Pamela; Nkalubo, Stanley; Otim, Michael; Ugen, Michael; Buah, Stephen; Gepts, Paul
Germplasm of common beans from the Mesoamerican gene pool races: Durango, Jalisco, Mesoamerica and Guatemala have highest genetic variation for the crop’s improvement. The objective was to assign 50 common bean germplasm in Uganda into its gene pool races based on analyses of population structure. Secondly, to estimate heritability and effects of genotype environment (GXE) interaction on common bean agronomic and yield traits in space and time. Sample genomic DNA was amplified in 2011 with 22 Simple sequence repeat markers (SSRs) and alleles separated using capillary electrophoresis. Field evaluations were conducted in 2010 and 2011 at NaCRRI and 2015 at CIAT – Kawanda. Multivariate analyses of SSRs data identified four subgroups within the germplasm: K4.1–K4.4, with corresponding Wrights fixation indices (FST) as 0.1829 for K4.1, 0.1585 for K4.4, 0.1579 for K4.2 and least for K4.3 at 0.0678. Gene pool race admixtures in the population (14%) were notable and attributed to gene flow. Four superior parents currently used in improving resistance to major diseases grouped as; Jalisco for MLB49-89A; Mesoamerica for MCM5001 and G2333; Durango for MEXICO 54. Heritability values for yield traits estimated using phenotypic data from above fixed parents, was above 0.81. Season and location had significant effect (P < 0.05) on numbers of: flower buds per inflorescence, pod formation and weight of 100 seeds. The findings will improve understanding of co-evolutionary relationships between bean hosts and pathogens for better disease management and will broaden the germplasm base for improving other tropical production constraints.
Maize Combined Insect Resistance Genomic Regions and Their Co-localization With Cell Wall Constituents Revealed by Tissue-Specific QTL Meta-Analyses
(Plant Science, 2018) Badji, Arfang; Otim, Michael; Machida, Lewis; Odong, Thomas; Bomet Kwemoi, Daniel; Okii, Dennis; Agbahoungba, Symphorien; Mwila, Natasha; Kumi, Frank; Ibanda, Angele; Mugo, Stephen; Kyamanywa, Samuel; Rubaihayo, Patrick
Combinatorial insect attacks on maize leaves, stems, and kernels cause significant yield losses and mycotoxin contaminations. Several small effect quantitative trait loci (QTL) control maize resistance to stem borers and storage pests and are correlated withsecondary metabolites. However, efficient use of QTL in molecular breeding requires a synthesis of the available resistance information. In this study, separate meta-analyses of QTL of maize response to stem borers and storage pests feeding on leaves, stems, and kernels along with maize cell wall constituents discovered in these tissues generated 24 leaf (LIR), 42 stem (SIR), and 20 kernel (KIR) insect resistance meta-QTL (MQTL) of a diverse genetic and geographical background. Most of these MQTL involved resistance to several insect species, therefore, generating a significant interest for multiple-insect resistance breeding. Some of the LIR MQTL such as LIR4, 17, and 22 involve resistance to European corn borer, sugarcane borer, and southwestern corn borer.
Recombination fraction and genetic linkage among key disease resistance genes (Co-42/Phg-2 and Co-5/“P.ult”) in common bean
(African journal of biotechnology, 2019) Okii, Dennis; Badji, Arfang; Odong, Thomas; Talwana, Herbert; Tukamuhabwa, Phinehas; Male, Allan; Mukankusi, Clare; Gepts, Paul
Anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum), Angular leaf spot (Pseudocercospora griseola) and Pythium root rot are important pathogens affecting common bean production in the tropics. A promising strategy to manage these diseases consists of combining several resistance (R) genes into one cultivar. The aim of the study was to determine genetic linkage between gene pairs, Co-42/Phg-2, on bean-chromosome Pv08 and Co-5/“P.ult” on-chromosome Pv07, to increase the efficiency of dual selection of resistance genes for major bean diseases, with molecular markers. The level of recombination was determined by tracking molecular markers for both BC3F6 and F2 generations. Recombination fraction r, among gene pairs, the likelihood of linkage, L(r), and logarithm of odds (LOD) scores were computed using the statistical relationship of likelihood which assumes a binomial distribution. The SCAR marker pair SAB3/PYAA19 for the gene pair Co-5/“P.ult” exhibited moderate linkage (r = 32 cM with a high LOD score of 9.2) for BC3F6 population, but relatively stronger linkage for the F2 population (r = 21 cM with a high LOD score of 18.7). However, the linkage among SCAR marker pair SH18/SN02, for the gene pair Co-42/Phg-2 was incomplete for BC3F6 population (r = 47 cM with a low LOD score of 0.16) as well as F2 population (r = 44 cM with a low LOD score of 0.7). Generally, the weak or incomplete genetic linkage between marker pairs studied showed that all the four genes mentioned earlier have to be tagged with a corresponding linked marker during selection. The approaches used in this study will contribute to two loci linkage mapping techniques in segregating plant populations.
Responses to selection for yield traits and key diseases among common bean genetic pyramids across locations
(Journal of Crop Improvement, 2019) Okii, Dennis; Badji, Arfang; Odong, Thomas; Talwana, Herbert; Tukamuhabwa, Phinehas; Magdalena, William; Gepts, Paul; Mukankusi, Clare
Knowledge of response to selection (R) helps to analyze the efficiency of crop-improvement programs and devise appropriate selection strategies. The objective of this study was to determine response to selection of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genetic pyramids for diseases and yield traits. Populations evaluated included pyramided parents, climbing pyramided progenies, and checks. The trial was planted in 2016 in Uganda (Kabale and Kawanda) and Northern-Tanzania (Maruku and Kitengule) in randomized incomplete blocks with three replications. Summarized data and appropriate parameters were incorporated into the breeder’s equation (R = ih2S). R was positive for mean days to flowering (5 days) and negative for mean number of pods per plant (−9.5 pods) and 100-seed weight (−1.9 g). Diseases (anthracnose, angular leaf spot, and bean common mosaic virus) had positive, undesirable R. Generally, pyramided lines segregated at BC3F9 for disease resistance and yield traits, and thus, superior bean lines should be identified in subsequent generations, such as BC3F11.

Browsing by Author "Okii, Dennis"

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