高羊茅和其他羊茅植株再生与遗传转化研究进展

高羊茅、紫羊茅和草地羊茅均为很重要的多年生冷季型牧草与草坪草,生物技术在其品种改良中具有很大的应用潜力.30年来,三种羊茅的组织培养、胚性培养物的长期保存以及遗传转化等研究取得了较大进展,已建立起多种植株再生体系和遗传转化技术,但作为单子叶植物,这些草种的组织培养和转基因遗传改良也还存在一些问题.本文就以上几方面的内容进行了综述.     

高羊茅转基因研究进展

高羊茅为很重要的多年生冷季型草坪草,生物技术在其品种改良中具有很大的应用潜力。本文对高羊茅植株再生体系的建立及遗传转化方面的研究进展进行了综述。同时,对高羊茅转基因研究中存在的问题和前景作了讨论。     

草坪草-高羊茅遗传育种研究进展

随着我国草坪业的快速发展 ,草坪草遗传育种工作越来越受到人们的关注。简要介绍了高羊茅的育种历史和现状 ,并对高羊茅植株再生体系的建立及遗传转化方面的研究进展进行了综述。此外 ,还提出了我国高羊茅育种的几点建议。     

高羊茅FaCONSTANS基因的表达及功能分析

植物由营养生长向生殖生长转变过程中光周期调控起着重要的作用。CONSTANS (CO) 是光周期途径中的特有基因,为探讨高羊茅FaCONSTANS (FaCO) 基因响应日照长短从而启动植物开花的机理,利用实时荧光定量qRT-PCR技术分析在长日照、短日照、持续光照、持续黑暗条件下FaCO基因的表达水平。构建过表达载体p1300-FaCO,利用农杆菌介导法遗传转化拟南芥,构建沉默载体p1300-FaCO-RNAi遗传转化高羊茅。结果表明,FaCO基因的表达受光周期调控,与生物钟控制的昼夜节律相关。在长日照条件下FaCO基因促进拟南芥开花,且恢复拟南芥突变体开花表型。RNAi沉默FaCO基因的高羊茅转基因植株晚花或者一直处于营养生长阶段。本研究初步探究高羊茅FaCO基因对开花过程的调控,这将有助于更进一步了解该基因的生物学功能。     

农杆菌介导的高羊茅高效遗传转化和转基因植株再生

用带有质粒pDBA121(含hpt基因和bar基因)的农杆菌EHA 105转化高羊茅(Festucaarundinacea Schreb.)胚性悬浮细胞,建立了可重复的、高效的农杆菌介导的高羊茅遗传转化系统.商业用的除草剂Basta直接用于转化细胞的筛选.基因型、受体材料的类型、培养基成分和筛选剂影响农杆菌介导的转化频率.悬浮细胞的农杆菌转化效率为每克悬浮细胞再生2.85～10.9株转基因植株,大大高于基因枪法的高羊茅转化效率(2～5株).经PCR分析和Southern杂交检测表明,bar基因已整合进入高羊茅基因组,转基因植株Basta喷洒试验表明bar基因已成功地实现高水平的表达.此转化系统的建立为高效地将外源有用基因导入高羊茅并高效稳定地表达奠定了基础.     

羊茅属(禾本科)新类群

描述了山东产羊茅属的2个新类群,即毛鞘羊茅和崂山小颖羊茅。毛鞘羊茅与羊茅相近,表现在叶片内卷成线状,圆锥花序紧缩成穗状,外稃背部粗糙,区别在于具有向上膜质的叶耳,叶鞘密被倒向的微毛,小穗长7-10mm,第1外稃长4-5mm,顶端具0.5-1mm长的芒或无,内稃脊光滑;崂山小颖羊茅与原变种的区别在于第1颖卵状披针形,长1.5-2mm,具2-3脉。     

高羊茅组织培养再生体系及GUS基因瞬间表达研究

以成熟种子为外值体,对高羊茅纰织培养和植株再生体系进行了优化,分析了不同浓度2．4-D、6-BA和激动素对高羊茅愈伤组织诱导和愈伤组织分化成苗的影响．结果表明：9．0mg／L 2．4-L)对愈伤组织的诱导效果最佳．0．2mg／L激动素是愈伤组织分化成苗的最适浓度．二者的诱导率和分化率分别达到68．08%和45．83％。在愈伤组织继代培养基中附加1．0mg／L 2．4-D、0．5mg／L 6-BA和1．25mg／L CuSO4;有利于胚性愈伤组织的形成,可以明显促进愈伤组织分化。同时．采用基因枪法将GUS基因导入高羊茅愈伤组织中,通过组织化学染色检测到了GUS瞬间表达活性;并对影响CUS基因瞬间表达的因素进行了分析．以期为提高基因枪法遗传转化效率提供参考。     

根癌农杆菌介导的高羊茅遗传转化研究

采用携带卡那霉素抗性基因nptⅡ和Na^ ／H^ 反向运输AtNHX1基因的表达载体pROK2／AtNHX1(带有35S启动子)和pROK2U／AtNHX1(带有ubi1启动子)的根癌农杆菌AGL1和GV3101,对4个品种高羊茅下胚轴来源的胚性愈伤组织进行了遗传转化。胚性愈伤组织经根癌农杆菌感染和共培养后,用50～150mg／L巴龙霉素筛选抗性愈伤组织,获得1126棵再生植株,用10～20mg／L卡那霉素进一步筛选再生植株,总共得到525棵绿色抗性植株。抗性植株的总DNA用AtNHX1基因的特异引物进行PCR检测,其中21棵为PCR阳性,最高转化频率为1．77％。Southern杂交结果证实,外源基因以低拷贝整合到高羊茅的基因组中,实验发现,在不同品种之间转化效率有所差异。     

羊茅属植物内生真菌研究进展

感染内生真菌的羊茅属植株在畜牧业和草坪业上具有重要的生态和经济意义。关于内生真菌与羊茅属植株互利共生的关系已有大量研究,就已报道的有关羊茅属内生真菌种类、内生真菌促进羊茅属植株生长发育以及内生真菌提高羊茅属植株抵抗生物胁迫和非生物胁迫的研究做一综述,指出羊茅属内生真菌研究中存在的问题并做出展望,以期更好地利用我国羊茅属内生真菌资源。     

施肥对高羊茅草坪越夏的影响

施用N、K、Ca和杀真菌剂对高羊茅（Festuca arundineces Schreb.cv.Pixie)越夏影响的研究结果表明,施氮肥可以打破高羊茅的夏季休眼,促进植株生长,促进植株对N、K的吸收,增加植株叶绿素含量,提高草坪质量,而不会明显降低草坪草的抗热性。但施氮肥后褐斑病等病害加重,通过喷洒杀真菌剂可控制病害的发生。     

Epichloë typhina from toxic tall fescue grasses.

Epichloë typhina, a clavicipitaceous systemic phytopathogen, was isolated from two varieties and three hybrids of tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae). The morphology of the fescue isolates was compared with E. typhina isolated from bent grass (Agrostis perennans). In all isolates, conidia were identical and were typical of E. typhina. In fescue grasses the endophyte failed to produce stromata, but on bent grass the fungus seasonally produced stromata, typical of the genus. Cattle grazing the fescue grasses showed signs of the fescue toxicity syndrome, the E. typhina was found in frequencies of 100%; in grasses from pastures in which cattle showed no signs of the syndrome, frequencies were 0 to 50%. Nutritional factors in vitro were more complex for the isolates from fescue than for the isolate from bent grass. These studies suggested that E. typhina includes biotypes that might be involved in the toxicity syndrome. The fescue biotypes grew poorly on media, and yields were inadequate for toxicity studies. However, the bent grass isolate grew well on three media, and extracts from two of these were toxic to chicken embryos. All isolates produced in vitro the nontoxic fungal steroid tetraenone [ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one], which has been isolated from toxic fescue grasses.     

Grass species and endophyte effects on survival and development of fall armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Grass selections including 10 zoysiagrasses, 18 paspalums, 34 Bermuda grasses, tall fescue, creeping red fescue, and perennial ryegrasses with and without endophyte were evaluated for potential resistance to fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), larvae. Laboratory evaluations assessed the degree of antibiosis among >70 grass lines to first-instar fall armvworms. When all parameters measured were considered, the trend in resistance to fall armyworm among endophyte-infected (E+) and endophyte-free (E-) cool season grasses from greatest to least was: 'Dawson' E+ > APR 1234 > 'Dawson' E- > 'Rosalin' E+ > Lp 5425, 'Rosalin' E-, ATF 480 > 'Tulsa' or: E+ slender creeping red fescue > E+ turf- type perennial ryegrass > E- slender creeping red fescue > E+ forage-type perennial ryegrass > E- forage-type perennial ryegrasses, and E+ tall fescue > E- turf-type tall fescue. Among warm season grasses larval weight gain was reduced on all zoysiagrasses. Larval weight gain also was lower on the Bermuda grasses 'Tifsport', 'Tifgreen', 97-4, 97-14, 97-22, 97-28, 97-39, 97-40,97-54, 98-15, 98-30, and 98-45 than when larvae were fed 'Tulsa' tall fescue or the diet control. Only APR1234 and 'Dawson' creeping red fescue reduced larval survival to the same extent that was observed for zoysiagrasses. Survival on Bermuda grasses was least on 97-8. Seashore paspalums were only rarely less susceptible to fall armyworm than tall fescue, although pupal weights were consistently lower on 'Temple 1' and 'Sea Isle 1' paspalums than that on 'Tulsa' tall fescue. Genetic resistance to key grass pests can reduce insecticide use and simplify management of these cultivars.     

Comparative analysis of transgenic tall fescue (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Festuca arundinacea</Emphasis> Schreb.) plants obtained by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis>-mediated transformation and particle bombardment

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and particle bombardment are the two most widely used methods for genetically modifying grasses. Here, these two systems are compared for transformation efficiency, transgene integration and transgene expression when used to transform tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). The bar gene was used as a selectable marker and selection during tissue culture was performed using 2 mg/l bialaphos in both callus induction and regeneration media. Average transformation efficiency across the four callus lines used in the experiments was 10.5% for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and 11.5% for particle bombardment. Similar transgene integration patterns and co-integration frequencies of bar and uidA were observed in both gene transfer systems. However, while GUS activity was detected in leaves of 53% of the Agrobacterium transformed lines, only 20% of the bombarded lines showed GUS activity. Thus, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation appears to be the preferred method for producing transgenic tall fescue plants.     

Low allelopathic potential of an invasive forage grass on native grassland plants: a cause for encouragement?

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), a highly competitive European grass that invades US grasslands, is reportedly allelopathic to many agronomic plants, but its ability to inhibit the germination or growth of native grassland plants is unknown. In three factorial glasshouse experiments, we tested the potential allelopathic effects of endophyte-infected (E+) and uninfected (E−) tall fescue on native grasses and forbs from Midwestern tallgrass prairies. Relative to a water control, at least one extract made from ground seed, or ground whole plant tissue of E+ or E− tall fescue reduced the germination of 10 of 11 species in petri dishes. In addition, the emergence of two native grasses in potting soil was lower when sown with E+ and E− tall fescue seedlings than when sown with seeds of conspecifics or tall fescue. However, when seeds of 13 prairie species were sown in sterilized, field-collected soil and given water or one of the four tall fescue extracts daily, seedling emergence was lower in one extract relative to water for only one species, and subsequent height growth did not differ among treatments for any species. We conclude that if tall fescue is allelopathic, its inhibitory effects on the germination and seedling growth of native prairie plants are limited, irrespective of endophyte infection. On the other hand, the apparent inability of these plants to detect tall fescue in field soil could hinder prairie restoration efforts if germination near this strong competitor confers fitness consequences. We propose that lack of chemical recognition may be common among resident and recently introduced non-indigenous plants because of temporally limited ecological interactions, and offer a view that challenges the existing allelopathy paradigm. Lastly, we suggest that tall fescue removal will have immediate benefits to the establishment of native grassland plants.     

Species variation in the fixation and transfer of nitrogen from legumes to associated grasses

Summary Three legume species (alfalfa, red clover, and birdsfoot trefoil) in combination with five grass species (timothy, bromegrass, red fescue, tall fescue, and orchardgrass) were used to study N transfer in mixtures, using the 15_N dilution technique. The advantage of grass-legume mixtures was apparent. Total herbage and protein yields of grasses in mixtures were higher than those alone, especially at the later cuts. This benefit of mixed cropping is mainly due to N transfer from legumes to associated grasses. N₂-fixation and N transfer by alfalfa rated highest, red clover intermediate, and birdsfoot trefoil lowest. The importance of each pathway of N transfer from legumes appeared to differ between species. Alfalfa and red clover excreted more N than trefoil, while the latter contributed more N from decomposition of dead nodule and root tissue. The greatest advantage from a grass-legume mixture, with respect to the utilization of N released from the legume, varied with early maturing tall fescue (Kentucky 31), orchardgrass (Juno), and bromegrass (Tempo), to intermediate timothy (Climax), and least with late maturing red fescue (Carlawn). Contribution no. 817 of the Ottawa Research Station.     

Neotyphodium endophytes in grasses: deterrents or promoters of herbivory by leaf-cutting ants?

Endophytic fungi, particularly in the genus Neotyphodium, are thought to interact mutualistically with host grasses primarily by deterring herbivores and pathogens via production of alkaloidal mycotoxins. Little is known, however, about how these endophytes interact with host plants and herbivores outside the realm of agronomic forage grasses, such as tall fescue, and their livestock grazers or invertebrate pest herbivores. We tested the effects of Neotyphodium inhabiting introduced tall fescue and native Arizona fescue on preference, survival, and performance of the leaf-cutting ant, Acromyrmex versicolor, an important generalist herbivore in the southwestern United States. In a choice experiment, we determined preferences of foraging queens and workers for infected and uninfected tall fescue and Arizona fescue. In a no-choice experiment, we determined queen survival, worker production, and size of fungal gardens for foundress queens reared on diets of infected and uninfected tall fescue and Arizona fescue. Foraging workers and queens did not significantly prefer either uninfected tall fescue or Arizona fescue relative to infected grasses, although ants tended to harvest more uninfected than infected tall fescue and more infected than uninfected Arizona fescue. Queen survivorship and length of survival was greater on uninfected tall fescue, uninfected Arizona fescue, and infected Arizona fescue than on infected tall fescue or the standard diet of palo verde and mesquite leaves. No queens survived beyond 6 weeks of the study when fed the infected tall fescue diet, in contrast to the effects of the other diets. Likewise, worker production was much lower and fungal garden size much smaller on infected tall fescue than in all other treatments, including the standard diet. In general, ant colonies survived and performed better on uninfected tall fescue and infected and uninfected Arizona fescue than standard diets of palo verde and mesquite leaves. The interaction of Neotyphodium with its host grasses is highly variable and these endophytes may increase, not alter, or even decrease resistance to herbivores. The direction of the interaction depends on host and fungal genotype, herbivore species, and environmental factors. The presence of endophytes in most, if not all, host plants suggests that endophytes may alter foraging patterns, performance, and survival of herbivores, such as leaf-cutting ants, but not always in ways that increase host plant fitness. Received: 27 October 1998 / Accepted: 19 October 1998     

Occurrence of endophyte fungi on grasses in Poland – Review

The first reports from Pfannmöller et al. (1994) and Lewis (2000) regarding the level of Neotyphodium colonization of grasses in Poland identified ratios ranging from 20 % to 60 %. To date, the studies of endophytes in Poland have focused mainly on the rate of endophyte infection in subsequent years of plantation use, the effect of endophytes on turf performance and the occurrence of endophytes in cultivars of meadow fescue, tall fescue and perennial ryegrass. The aforementioned studies were mainly conducted on breeding varieties of grasses. From 2007 to 2009, intensive studies on Neotyphodium occurrence in ecotypes of wild grasses in Poland were conducted. The results suggest that Neotyphodium species are quite common in Poland and colonize roughly 70 % of semi-natural, used or abandoned grasslands. In this paper we review studies that have been conducted thus far in Poland regarding the occurrence of Neotyphodium spp. in grasses.     

Tall fescue EST-SSR markers with transferability across several grass species

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is a major cool season forage and turf grass in the temperate regions of the world. It is also a close relative of other important forage and turf grasses, including meadow fescue and the cultivated ryegrass species. Until now, no SSR markers have been developed from the tall fescue genome. We designed 157 EST-SSR primer pairs from tall fescue ESTs and tested them on 11 genotypes representing seven grass species. Nearly 92% of the primer pairs produced characteristic simple sequence repeat (SSR) bands in at least one species. A large proportion of the primer pairs produced clear reproducible bands in other grass species, with most success in the close taxonomic relatives of tall fescue. A high level of marker polymorphism was observed in the outcrossing species tall fescue and ryegrass (66%). The marker polymorphism in the self-pollinated species rice and wheat was low (43% and 38%, respectively). These SSR markers were useful in the evaluation of genetic relationships among the Festuca and Lolium species. Sequencing of selected PCR bands revealed that the nucleotide sequences of the forage grass genotypes were highly conserved. The two cereal species, particularly rice, had significantly different nucleotide sequences compared to the forage grasses. Our results indicate that the tall fescue EST-SSR markers are valuable genetic markers for the Festuca and Lolium genera. These are also potentially useful markers for comparative genomics among several grass species.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at .     

Evolutionary origins and ecological consequences of endophyte symbiosis with grasses

Over the past 20 yr much has been learned about a unique symbiotic interaction between fungal endophytes and grasses. The fungi (Clavicipitaceae, Ascomycota) grow intercellularly and systemically in aboveground plant parts. Vertically transmitted asexual endophytes forming asymptomatic infections of cool-season grasses have been repeatedly derived from sexual species that abort host inflorescences. The phylogenetic distribution of seed-transmitted endophytes is strongly suggestive of cocladogenesis with their hosts. Molecular evidence indicates that many seed-transmitted endophytes are interspecific hybrids. Superinfection may result in hyphal fusion and parasexual recombination. Most endophytes produce one or more alkaloid classes that likely play some role in defending the host plant against pests. Hybridization may have led to the proliferation of alkaloid-production genes among asexual endophytes, favoring hybrids. The ergot alkaloid ergovaline, lolitrems, and lolines are produced by only a single sexual species, Epichlo? festucae, but they are common in seed-transmitted endophytes, suggesting that E. festucae contributed genes for their synthesis. Asexual hybrids may also be favored by the counteracting of the accumulation of deleterious mutations (Muller's rachet). Endophyte infection can provide other benefits, such as enhanced drought tolerance, photosynthetic rate, and growth. Estimates of infection frequency have revealed variable levels of infection with especially high prevalence in the subfamily Pooideae. Longitudinal studies suggest that the prevalence of seed-transmitted endophytes can increase rapidly over time. In field experiments, infected tall fescue suppressed other grasses and forbs relative to uninfected fescue and supported lower consumer populations. Unlike other widespread plant/microbial symbioses based on the acquisition of mineral resources, grass/endophyte associations are based primarily on protection of the host from biotic and abiotic stresses.