Variation in pathogenicity of Fusarium verticillioides and resistance of maize genotypes to Fusarium ear rot

Abstract

The ineffective control measures of pathogens is due to variability among their populations. Hence, the study of pathogenic variation of Fusarium verticillioides strains on maize genotypes. Six F. verticillioides infected maize ear were randomly obtained from three agro-ecological zones in Southwest Nigeria. Pathogenicity of F. verticillioides strains at 1.0?×?10⁶ spores/mL were examined in vivo based on the rating scale of 1–7 on maize genotypes T2L COMP.1.STR SYN-W-1, PVA SYN 8F2, and T2L COMP.4. The pathogens were inoculated to the maize genotypes on 8th week for disease severity and were all moderately susceptible, however, genotype T2L COMP.4 was the most susceptible. It was observed that, 9.4% were classified as highly virulent, 12.5% as virulent, 37.5% as moderately virulent, 21.8% as slightly virulent, and 18.8% as non-virulent. In all, Fusarium verticillioides strains displayed different degrees of virulence, however, maize genotype T2L COMP.4 was the most susceptible to ear rot.     

A novel maize microRNA negatively regulates resistance to Fusarium verticillioides

Although microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the defence response against multiple pathogenic fungi in diverse plant species, few efforts have been devoted to deciphering the involvement of miRNA in resistance to Fusarium verticillioides, a major pathogenic fungus affecting maize production. In this study, we discovered a novel F. verticillioides‐responsive miRNA designated zma‐unmiR4 in maize kernels. The expression of zma‐unmiR4 was significantly repressed in the resistant maize line but induced in the susceptible lines upon exposure to F. verticillioides exposure, whereas its target gene ZmGA2ox4 exhibited the opposite pattern of expression. Heterologous overexpression of zma‐unmiR4 in Arabidopsis resulted in enhanced growth and compromised resistance to F. verticillioides. By contrast, transgenic plants overexpressing ZmGA2ox4 or the homologue AtGA2ox7 showed impaired growth and enhanced resistance to F. verticillioides. Moreover, zma‐unmiR4‐mediated suppression of AtGA2ox7 disturbed the accumulation of bioactive gibberellin (GA) in transgenic plants and perturbed the expression of a set of defence‐related genes in response to F. verticillioides. Exogenous application of GA or a GA biosynthesis inhibitor modulated F. verticillioides resistance in different plants. Taken together, our results suggest that the zma‐unmiR4–ZmGA2ox4 module might act as a major player in balancing growth and resistance to F. verticillioides in maize.     

玉米离体根尖的多层滤纸床液体静止培养方法

设计建立了适于玉米根尖离体培养的多层滤纸床液体静止培养方法,培养的适宜体系为：1／4MS大量元素改良＋1／2MS微量元素＋IBA0.1-0.3mg/L,黑暗培养。该方法避免了传统液体培养通气状况不良的问题,玉米根的生长速度可达到1－2cm/d,分支和生长正常。该方法在控制条件下快速繁殖根系,成本低廉,简便易行,是根系发育和生理研究的理想实验体系。     

Evaluation of maize inbred lines resistance to ear rot disease and fumonisin accumulation in Moghan

Reaction of 10 maize inbred lines against Fusarium verticillioides and fumonisin accumulation were evaluated under field conditions with three replications in Pars Abad-e-Moghan, Iran. For artificial inoculation, the inbred lines were inoculated with spore suspension in concentration of 1 × 10⁶ ml^?1 7–10 days after emergence of silk, using nail punch method. To evaluate the development of the disease, its severity percent and grain yield (g plant^?1) was determined two months after inoculation. Total fumonisin produced on maize grains were also evaluated by ELISA kits. The results showed inbred lines K19, K19/1 and K74/1 were susceptible and the rest of the inbred lines were moderately resistant to the diseases. Among moderately resistant inbred lines, A679 and K18 had lowest fumonisin accumulation. Average of the fumonisin accumulation under natural infection condition (control) was 3.37 mg kg^?1 while it was 29 mg kg^?1 under artificial infection condition, which was 760% more than control.     

Technological exploration of BAC-FISH on mitotic chromosomes of maize

The rice BAC-DNA was used as probes and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was applied to the interphase and metaphase mitotic chromosomes of maize. To optimize the BAC-FISH technique, we respect-ively assayed the effect of several factors, including maize or rice genomic Cot DNA used as blocking reagent of DNA, washing temperatures and FAD concentration in the washing buffer and in the hybrid solution. The results show that Cot DNA of maize genome blocked the repet-itive sequence of the rice BAC-DNA when the Cot value was below 50. Meanwhile, it was necessary to adjust the Cot value according to the different probes and their ratios. Decreasing the concentration of FAD in the hybridization mixtures, adjusting the washing rate after hybridization, and most especially, blocking the rice-specific repetitive sequences of BAC-DNA could improve the positive signals of BAC-FISH.     

Genetic basis of resistance to sugarcane mosaic virus in European maize germplasm

 Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) causes considerable damage to maize (Zea mays L.) in Europe. The objective of the present study was to determine the genetic basis of resistance to SCMV in European maize germplasm and to compare it with that of U.S. inbred Pa405. Three resistant European inbreds D21, D32, and FAP1360A were crossed with four susceptible inbreds F7, KW1292, D408, and D145 to produce four F₂ populations and three backcrosses to the susceptible parent. Screening for SCMV resistance in parental inbreds and segregating generations was done in two field trials as well as under greenhouse conditions. RFLP markers umc85, bnl6.29, umc10, umc44, and SSR marker phi075 were used in F₂ populations or F₃ lines to locate the resistance gene(s) in the maize genome. Segregation in the F₂ and backcross generations fitted to different gene models depending on the environmental conditions and the genotype of the susceptible parent. In the field tests, resistance in the three resistant European inbreds seems to be controlled by two to three genes. Under greenhouse conditions, susceptibility to SCMV in D32 appears to be governed by one dominant and one recessive gene. Allelism tests indicated the presence of a common dominant gene (denoted as Scm1) in all three resistant European inbreds and Pa405. Marker analyses mapped two dominant genes: Scm1 on chromosome 6S and Scm2 on chromosome 3. Received: 17 November 1997 / Accepted: 25 November 1997     

Seed biopriming with novel strain of Trichoderma harzianum for the control of toxigenic Fusarium verticillioides and fumonisins in maize

Fusarium verticillioides is one of the most important fungal pathogens in maize causing both pre- and post-harvest losses and also capable of producing Fumonisins. In the present study attempts have been made for screening potential T. harzianum from native rhizosphere and to study its effect on Fusarium ear rot disease, fumonisin accumulation in different maize cultivars grown in India. Eight isolates of T. harzianum were isolated and T. harzianum isolate Th-8 exhibited better antifungal activity than carbendizim. Th-8 was formulated in different solid substrates like wheat bran, paddy husk, talcum powder and cornstarch. Maize seeds of kanchan (moderately resistant), pioneer (resistant) and sweet corn (susceptible) were selected for laboratory and field studies and these seeds were treated with a conidial suspension of T. harzianum at the rate of 1 × 10⁸ spore/ml and formulation at the rate of 10 g/kg. Treated seeds were subjected to evaluate F. verticillioides incidence, seed germination, seedling vigour and field emergence, yield, thousand seed weight and fumonisin production. It was found that the pure culture of T. harzianum was more effective in reducing the F. verticillioides and fumonisin incidence followed by Talc formulation than the carbendizim treated and untreated control. Formulations of T. harzianum were effective at reducing the F. verticillioides and Fumonisin infection and also increasing the seed germination, vigour index, field emergence, yield, and thousand seed weight in comparison with the control.     

Resistance to Fusarium verticillioides in 20 Zambian Maize Hybrids

Visual assessment of maize ears and Fusarium spp. isolation from kernels were compared to determine resistance in 20 Zambian maize hybrids. The mean percentage Fusarium spp. isolations in non-inoculated field experiments varied between years (12–62%). Symptomless infection by Fusarium spp. had domination over symptomatic. More than 95% of the Fusarium species isolated were F. vertcillioides . A disease severity index and the percentage of visibly diseased, discoloured and damaged kernels did not differentiate hybrids with respect to Fusarium spp. ear rot under natural conditions. Artificial inoculation provided a good estimate of Fusarium spp. resistance based on visual symptoms in a year of moderate disease pressure, but not in a year of high disease pressure. The percentage Fusarium spp. isolations showed significant differences between hybrids after inoculation, and it was significantly negatively correlated with the number of days from planting to midsilk. Parental line L5522 contributed to hybrid resistance to Fusarium . The hybrids MM 701-1 and MM 752 were the most resistant among the 20 hybrids.     

In vitro influence of bacterial mixtures on Fusarium verticillioides growth and fumonisin B1 production: effect of seeds treatment on maize root colonization

AIMS: Enterobacter cloacae, Microbacterium oleovorans, Pseudomonas solanacearum and Bacillus subtilis were investigated in order to evaluate: (i) the inoculum size of two bacterial mixtures on Fusarium verticillioides growth and fumonisin B1 production in vitro at different water activities and (ii) the efficacy of a seed treatment with the best bacterial mixture on F. verticillioides root colonization in greenhouse studies. METHODS AND RESULTS: The influence of bacterial mixtures (1 = E. cloacae and M. oleovorans and 2 = P. solanacearum and B. subtilis) to antagonize 13 F. verticillioides strains at different inoculum concentrations (10(8), 10(9) and 10(10) cells ml(-1)) and water activities (0.937, 0.955 and 0.982 aW) were examined. Antibiosis, growth rate and fumonisin B1 production were determined. Bacterial mixture 1 proved to exert the most effective control. Seed treatment with mixture 1 at 10(8) cells ml(-1) had the best inhibitory effect on F. verticillioides root colonization. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the combination E. cloacae and M. oleovorans has the potential for the biological control of F. verticillioides as a maize seed inoculant. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The application of this knowledge contributes to prevent the vertical transmission of F. verticillioides.     

Genetic variation in ZmTIP1 contributes to root hair elongation and drought tolerance in maize

Drought is a major abiotic stress that threatens maize production globally. A previous genome‐wide association study identified a significant association between the natural variation of ZmTIP1 and the drought tolerance of maize seedlings. Here, we report on comprehensive genetic and functional analysis, indicating that ZmTIP1, which encodes a functional S‐acyltransferase, plays a positive role in regulating the length of root hairs and the level of drought tolerance in maize. We show that enhancing ZmTIP1 expression in transgenic Arabidopsis and maize increased root hair length, as well as plant tolerance to water deficit. In contrast, ZmTIP1 transposon‐insertional mutants displayed the opposite phenotype. A calcium‐dependent protein kinase, ZmCPK9, was identified as a substrate protein of ZmTIP1, and ZmTIP1‐mediated palmitoylation of two cysteine residues facilitated the ZmCPK9 PM association. The results of this research enrich our knowledge about ZmTIP1‐mediated protein S‐acylation modifications in relation to the regulation of root hair elongation and drought tolerance. Additionally, the identification of a favourable allele of ZmTIP1 also provides a valuable genetic resource or selection target for the genetic improvement of maize.     

高油、高淀粉玉米吸硫特性及施硫对其产量、品质的影响

研究了高油、高淀粉玉米硫素的吸收分配及施硫对籽粒产量、品质的作用。结果表明：在11250kg/hm^2的产量水平下,开花前硫素吸收量占总吸收量的百分比平均为57.53%,花后对硫的吸收较强;高油1号、长单26、掖单13每公顷吸硫量分别为：32.46kg、34.94kg,34.20kg。施硫能增加穗粒数和粒重（高油玉米粒重增加不显著）,并显著提高其产量,施硫22.5kg/hm^2（S1）能使籽粒含油率和蛋白质含量分别比对照提高9.05%和6.88%,蛋白质中清蛋白、球蛋白和谷蛋白含量提高,品质改善;施硫量增至90kg/hm^2(S2)时,籽粒含油率和蛋白质含量仍有提高,但蛋白质中醇溶蛋白含量增加,蛋白质品质降低。     

Ivr2, a candidate gene for a QTL of vacuolar invertase activity in maize leaves. Gene-specific expression under water stress

Water shortage produced an early and large stimulation of acid- soluble invertase activity in adult maize leaves whereas cell wall invertase activity remained constant. This response was closely related to the mRNA level for only one of the invertase gene (Ivr2), encoding a vacuolar isoform. In parallel, four quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were detected for invertase activity under control and nine under stressful conditions. One QTL in control and one in stressed plants was located near to the lvr2 gene on chromosome 5. Other QTLs for invertase activity were found close to carbohydrate QTLs; some of them formed stress clusters.     

外引玉米种质对两种穗腐病原镰孢菌抗性鉴定

采用双牙签接种技术,2016-2017年连续2年对从美国、加拿大、罗马尼亚、德国、法国、荷兰等国家引进的177份玉米种质资源抗玉米穗腐病原拟轮枝镰孢(F.verticillioides)和禾谷镰孢(F.graminearum)进行了鉴定。结果表明,鉴定的177份玉米种质资源中,对拟轮枝镰孢表现高抗(HR)的资源2份,占总数的1.13%;抗病(R)38份,占总数的21.47%;中抗(MR)75份,占总数的42.37%;感病(S)48份,占总数的27.12%;高感(HS)14份,占总数的7.91%。177份玉米种质资源中,对禾谷镰孢(F.graminearum)表现抗病(R)12份,占鉴定资源总数的6.78%;中抗(MR)66份,占总数的37.29%;感病(S)64份,占总数的36.16%;高感(HS)35份,占总数的19.77%,未发现对禾谷镰孢菌表现高抗的材料。在177份玉米种质资源中,兼抗两种穗腐病原镰孢菌的种质资源有12份。     

玉米重金属铅(Pb~(2+))含量的配合力分析与育种对策

选择有代表性的12个玉米自交系,按Griffing4模式组配获得66个组合(F1),用温室盆栽,在3个Pb2+污染水平下对叶片和子粒Pb2+含量配合力和遗传参数进行分析。结果表明:玉米叶片和子粒的Pb2+含量一般配合力与特殊配合力差异均达到显著水平,非加性方差大于加性方差,遗传方差大于环境方差,广义遗传率大于狭义遗传率,该性状的变异主要来自遗传因素,遗传力较强。玉米种质筛选过程中,土壤Pb2+浓度在333.32 mg/kg以下,用亲本郑58组配的组合在筛选时不仅注重子粒Pb2+含量未超标而且要注重叶片Pb2+高富集,其主要是兼顾饲料和粮食安全的同时进行土壤Pb2+污染的生物修复;土壤Pb2+浓度高于715.46 mg/kg时,用亲本178组配的组合筛选应注意叶片和子粒低Pb2+积累的种质选育,对今后在不同Pb2+污染土壤中开展玉米品种筛选和规避污染育种策略的选择具有一定的指导意义。     

玉米雄穗分枝数与主轴长的QTL鉴定

在包含103个SSR标记的连锁图谱基础上, 运用复合区间作图法检测玉米组合(N87-1×9526 )F3家系在正常与干旱胁迫环境下的雄穗分枝数与主轴长性状QTL。雄穗分枝数在正常环境下被检测到2个QTL座位, 分别位于第5和7连锁群上; 在胁迫环境下被检测到4个QTL座位分别位于 2、5、7和10连锁群上, 其中位于第5和7连锁群上的QTL不仅具有一致性而且与本作图群体中曾检测到的耐旱相关性状QTL存在连锁。雄穗主轴长在正常环境下被检测到2个QTL位于第2和第6连锁群上, 在干旱胁迫环境下被检测到了3个QTL分别于第2、4和10连锁群上, 其中位于第2染色体上的QTL是两种环境下所共同检测到的QTL。分析QTL的遗传作用方式表明, 雄穗分枝数以部分加性效应为主, 而雄主轴长全部表现为显性和超显性。     

Genetics of resistance to the pink stem borer (Sesamia nonagrioides) in maize (Zea mays)

Our knowledge of the genetics of resistance to the pink stem borer ( Sesamia nonagrioides ) in maize ( Zea mays ) is restricted to a few crosses among maize inbreds. The objectives of this study were to enlarge our understanding of the genetics of traits related to damage by pink stem borer and yield under infestation and to use generation means analyses to compare per se and testcross performance for detecting epistatic effects. All generations, either per se or crossed to testers, were evaluated in a 10 × 10 triple lattice design under artificial infestation with S. nonagrioides in 2005 and 2006. Most traits fit an additive–dominance model; but evidence for epistasis for resistance and yield under infestation was shown. Epistasis, in general, did not appear to play an important role in the inheritance of yield under pink stem borer infestation. However, the epistasis contribution to maize yield performance could be important in some outstanding crosses such as EP42 × A637. Testcross generation means revealed epistatic effects undetected by the generation means analysis, but neither method was able to eliminate dominance effects that could prevail over epistatic effects.     

Field resistance in maize cultivars to stem borer Chilo partellus

The Kenyan maize varieties, Hybrid 511, Hybrid 622, Pwani hybrid, Katumani Composite B, and local populations were evaluated along with the varieties of Multiple Insect-Resistant Tropical (MIRT) pool and experimental varieties from The Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Mexico for resistance to the stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe). The artificial infestation by first-generation C. partellus on maize during the early whorl stage revealed that the leaf feeding damage, the dead heart formation, and the stem damage on the Kenyan hybrids and populations were significantly greater than on the MIRT varieties. The experimental varieties of CIMMYT were also susceptible to C. partellus. When the maize was infested at anthesis, the Kenyan varieties displayed a moderate level of resistance in terms of stem tunnelling and grain damage by C. partellus. The varieties of Multiple Insect Resistance Tropical pool can be effectively used by the breeders to enhance the resistance of agronomically good, but susceptible, varieties of Kenya.