Browsing by Author "Anderson, Neil O."

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    Perennial Flax Data Files
    (2024-11-25) Goodman, Elizabeth; Anderson, Neil O.; Tong, Cindy B.S.; ander044@umn.edu; Anderson, Neil; University of Minnesota Flower Breeding & Genetics Lab
    Wild, perennial flax species (Linum spp.) are being domesticated for high-value agronomic and ornamental uses, with added ecosystem services benefits. Perennial flax ideotypes have recently been defined for oilseed, cut flower, fiber, pollinator, and garden (herbaceous perennial) breeding objectives, and are being used to drive selection within the Forever Green perennial flax breeding program. Oilseed: Breeding for non-shattering types, high oil and protein content, high alpha-linoleic acid content, large seed size, high yielding, 2x harvest/season; Fiber / Cut Flower: Coordinated breeding with cut flower objectives, to produce tall, long-stemmed genotypes with flowers at the top of the stems; for fiber: long strands suitable for weaving, textiles, or other products; for cut flowers: long postharvest vase life. Challenges include establishment, mechanical harvesting and weed control. Pollinator / Ecosystem Services: Perennial flax is a semi-evergreen, flowering plant commonly seen with numerous blue saucer-shaped flowers. With an early and long flowering period – from May to November – a field of these plants can provide local pollinator populations with food resources throughout the year. A research team is studying the pollinator benefits of perennial flax in Minnesota and elsewhere around the globe. Traits of interest include: pollinator type, diurnal and season visitation, pollen and nectar rewards, nectar sugar content (type and quantity). Other ecosystem services afforded by perennial flax include: drought and heat tolerance, perenniality (as far north as USDA Z3). Herbaceous perennial: colorful, continuous flowering herbaceous perennial hardy to USDA Z3, with edible flax seeds, blue flowers, and a spherical (mound) plant growth habit. Data sets herein support publications from project breeding and selection activities will advance the development of perennial flax as a new specialty crop in Minnesota by guiding future breeding and selection decisions.
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    Rapid Generation Cycling and Inbreeding Depression in Chrysanthemums
    (1989) Anderson, Neil O.
    Advanced inbred lines that are nearly homozygous for favorable alleles could serve as parents for creating uniform, commercially acceptable F1 hybrid seed garden and greenhouse chrysanthemums, Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelv. (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.). Since this species is highly self incompatible, it is difficult to inbreed via self pollination. Consequently, there is a paucity of information on inbred line development and the effects of inbreeding depression in this hexaploid (2n = 6x = 54), perennial species. Objectives of this research were to: (1) use rapid generation cycling techniques (laboratory seed ripening and embryo rescue) to reduce the total generation time; (2) produce as many inbred generations in one year as possible, and (3) analyze the inbred generations for reproductive characteristics and inbreeding depression. Embryogenesis occurred at a faster rate using laboratory seed ripening when compared with in situ methods. ER of heart-stage embryos significantly improved seed set, percent germination, and survivorship in comparison to in situ treatments. Sixty-six inbred, noninbred, hybrid and species parents were self pollinated to generate four inbred generations in 1.33 years using RGC techniques. Inbred populations were evaluated for inbreeding depression (IBD) at three life cycle stages (seed set, seed germination, and survivorship). IBD was greatest primarily in noninbred cultivars and hybrids during the period in which the zygotic genome became activated (heart-stage to germination). Most F1 and F2 hybrid-derived inbreds expressed less or equal amounts of IBD in comparison to advanced inbreds. These recombinant inbreds have some control system(s) operating that negates the deleterious effects of inbreeding. Linear regression coefficients for germination aand survivorship were negative, indicating a reduction in progeny performance as homozygosity increased. IBD in chrysanthemums could be explained by a genetic model based on dominance and epistasis. Lethal equivalent values ranged from 2B = $-$4.5 to 10.8 (germination) and 2B = $-$3.6 to 6.2 (survivorship). Negative lethal equivalents occurred for all inbred chrysanthemum families and were not due to fixed heterozygosity in polyploid species, as they occurred in lethal equivalents calculated for fitness traits in published work with tetraploid Cyclamen and diploid Borago, Gilia, Phlox, Zea, and Helianthus.