An attachable article or device, such as a wristband, includes a flexible electronic display disposed thereon in a manner that is bendable or conformable to a user's wrist or other curved surface, and that enables various images to be displayed on the electronic display in a manner that is easily viewable to the user. The attachable article implements a messaging routine that enables a user or wearer to receive notifications of incoming messages and to selectively view incoming messages or indications thereof.

Attachable article with signaling, split display and messaging features

Plant disease resistance is largely governed by complex genetic architecture. In maize, few disease resistance loci have been characterized. Near-isogenic lines are a powerful genetic tool to dissect quantitative trait loci. We analyzed an introgression library of maize (Zea mays) near-isogenic lines, termed a nested near-isogenic line library for resistance to northern leaf blight caused by the fungal pathogen Setosphaeria turcica The population was comprised of 412 BC5F4 near-isogenic lines that originated from 18 diverse donor parents and a common recurrent parent, B73. Single nucleotide polymorphisms identified through genotyping by sequencing were used to define introgressions and for association analysis. Near-isogenic lines that conferred resistance and susceptibility to northern leaf blight were comprised of introgressions that overlapped known northern leaf blight quantitative trait loci. Genome-wide association analysis and stepwise regression further resolved five quantitative trait loci regions, and implicated several candidate genes, including Liguleless1, a key determinant of leaf architecture in cereals. Two independently-derived mutant alleles of liguleless1 inoculated with S. turcica showed enhanced susceptibility to northern leaf blight. In the maize nested association mapping population, leaf angle was positively correlated with resistance to northern leaf blight in five recombinant inbred line populations, and negatively correlated with northern leaf blight in four recombinant inbred line populations. This study demonstrates the power of an introgression library combined with high density marker coverage to resolve quantitative trait loci. Furthermore, the role of liguleless1 in leaf architecture and in resistance to northern leaf blight has important applications in crop improvement.

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Maize Introgression Library Provides Evidence for the Involvement of liguleless1 in Resistance to Northern Leaf Blight.

Genome-wide association (GWA) studies can identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) putatively underlying traits of interest, and nested association mapping (NAM) can further assess allelic series. Near-isogenic lines (NILs) can be used to characterize, dissect and validate QTL, but the development of NILs is costly. Previous studies have utilized limited numbers of NILs and introgression donors. We characterized a panel of 1270 maize NILs derived from crosses between 18 diverse inbred lines and the recurrent inbred parent B73, referred to as the nested NILs (nNILs). The nNILs were phenotyped for flowering time, height and resistance to three foliar diseases, and genotyped with genotyping-by-sequencing. Across traits, broad-sense heritability (0.4-0.8) was relatively high. The 896 genotyped nNILs contain 2638 introgressions, which span the entire genome with substantial overlap within and among allele donors. GWA with the whole panel identified 29 QTL for height and disease resistance with allelic variation across donors. To date, this is the largest and most diverse publicly available panel of maize NILs to be phenotypically and genotypically characterized. The nNILs are a valuable resource for the maize community, providing an extensive collection of introgressions from the founders of the maize NAM population in a B73 background combined with data on six agronomically important traits and from genotyping-by-sequencing. We demonstrate that the nNILs can be used for QTL mapping and allelic testing. The majority of nNILs had four or fewer introgressions, and could readily be used for future fine mapping studies.

/pdf/genotypic-and-phenotypic-characterization-of-a-large-diverse-2u6x4544az.pdf

Genotypic and phenotypic characterization of a large, diverse population of maize near‐isogenic lines

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to using a haploid inducing line (whether existing or created) and transforming the haploid line so that it encodes cellular machinery capable of editing genes. The transformed haploid inducing line is used as a parent in a cross between two plants. During pollination, the parental gametes fuse to form an embryo; and the gene editing machinery is also delivered to the embryo at this time. During embryonic development, one set of parental chromosomes are lost, and the gene editing machinery operates on the remaining set of chromosomes. Thus, at least one haploid progeny with edited genes is produced from the cross.

Simultaneous gene editing and haploid induction

Biomass utilization is increasingly considered as a practical way for sustainable energy supply and long-termenvironment care around the world. In concerns with food security, starch or sugar-based bioethanol and edible-oilderivedbiodiesel are severely restricted for large scale production. Alternatively, conversion of lignocellulosic residuesfrom food crops could be considered, but due to its recalcitrance, the current biomass process is unacceptably expensive.In this context, genetic breeding of energy crops appears as a promising solution. To fulfil the global world need as bothfood and biofuel sources, energy crops are expected to be produced with higher yields and especially in marginal lands.This review focus on recent progress and patents dealing with energy plants and the challenges associated with bioenergydevelopment. We also discuss the potential use of molecular approaches including genome sequencing, molecular markers,and genetic transformation for improving specific traits or generating new cultivars of energy plants.

Development of energy plants and their potential to withstand various extreme environments.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods and compositions for identifying, selecting, and/or producing drought tolerant maize plants or germplasm. Maize plants or germplasm that have been identified, selected, and/or produced by any of the methods of the presently disclosed subject matter are also provided.

Genetic markers associated with drought tolerance in maize

Genetic variation is a cornerstone of crop improvement. It serves as a tool to model crop responses to various biotic and abiotic factors. Simply stating, the germplasm with a wider base has better chance of surviving the challenges due to diseases, pests and environment. Important selection criteria such as uniformity, performance and adaptation have significantly contributed towards neglecting the superior exotic or non-elite alleles in crop species. The commercial maize breeding in the U.S. is a classical example of such efforts. Most U.S. hybrids are entirely derived from few open pollinated varieties descended from a mix of only two races. With the intention of transferring novel alleles into the mainstream maize, we selected a large number of diverse inbreds and landraces as allelic diversity donors. Two proprietary complimentary inbreds (stiff stalk and non-stiff stalk) were selected as recurrent parents to cross with the donors. Each donor is being crossed to both recurrent parents and backcrossing is continued to BC5 generation. Over 65,000 backcross-derived near isogenic lines (NILs) distributed in 266 populations are being generated. A subset of donors is also being crossed with B73, a public maize line, and will be available for broad distribution. Each of the BC5 populations is genotyped using an average of 140 evenly distributed SNP markers. The analysis of genotypic data showed an average of 5% donor genome with 2-3 introgressions per line. This collection of NILs enhances our ability to isolate alleles for genes of interest and test their effects in elite isogenic backgrounds. Media summary The collection of over 65000 near isogenic lines will enhance our ability to isolate alleles for genes of interest and test their effects in elite isogenic backgrounds. A subset of these NILs is available for broad distribution.

Kust Kari Denise

Papers

Genetic markers associated with drought tolerance in maize

High Throughput Allele Discovery and Incorporation in Elite Maize Germplasm (Syngenta Maize Allelic Diversity Platform