Effects of water supply on root traits and biological yield of Durum (Triticum durum Desf.) and Khorasan (Triticum turanicum Jakubz) wheat

The ability of a plant to change its root characteristics to increase the acquisition of soil water is an important adaptation mechanism to water limitation. In this regard, a field study was carried out in the Pannonian region of eastern Austria with two tetraploid wheat genotypes, i.e. Durum (Triticum durum Desf.) and Khorasan (Triticum turanicum Jakubz), during a comparatively wetter and drier year, i.e. 2008 and 2009, respectively. The genotypes showed significant differences in average root diameter and fine root length. All root traits varied with soil depth. The highest root length density and root biomass were observed with Khorasan wheat in 0–10 cm soil depth. Durum wheat showed a stronger response in fine roots to water availability and produced more fine roots in the moist year. Electric root capacitance was higher with Khorasan wheat. Durum showed higher biological yield stability across years with different precipitation with respect to above- and belowground biomass. It produced more leaf area under humid conditions. Khorasan allocated more assimilates to belowground organs in dry conditions, but without positive effect on aboveground biomass.     

Effects of nutrient solution zinc activity on net uptake,translocation, and root export of cadmium and zinc by separated sections of intact durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var durum) seedling roots

Cd accumulation in durum wheat presents a potential health risk to consumers. In an effort to understand the physiological mechanisms involved with Cd accumulation, this study examined the effects of Zn on Cd root uptake and phloem translocation in a split– root system. Durum wheat seedlings were grown in chelate-buffered nutrient solution with intact root systems divided into two sections. Each root section grew in a separate 1 l pot, one of which contained 0.2 μM CdSO₄. In addition, each two-pot system contained ZnSO₄ in the following combinations (in μm) (for -cd root system: +cd root system): 1:1, 1:10, 10:1,10:10, 1:19, and 19:1. Harvested plant material was analyzed for Cd and Zn. In addition, rates of Cd and Zn net uptake, translocation to the shoot, and root export (translocation from one root segment to the other) between days 8 and 22 were calculated. Results show that Zn was not translocated from one root section to its connected root section. Uptake rates of Cd increased as solution Zn concentrations increased. Cd translocation from one root section to the other decreased significantly when the Zn concentration in either pot was greater than 1 μM. These results show the potential of Zn to inhibit movement of Cd via the phloem, and suggests that providing adequate Zn levels may limit phloem loading of Cd into wheat grain. Increasing the rhizosphere activity of Zn²⁺ in Cd-containing soils may therefore result in reduced Cd accumulation in grain even while net Cd uptake is slightly enhanced. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic dissection of seminal root architecture in elite durum wheat germplasm

Although root architecture has been shown to play an important role in crop performance, particularly under drought conditions, no information is available on the genetic control of root traits in durum wheat, a crop largely grown in rainfed areas with low rainfall. In our study, a panel of 57 elite durum wheat accessions were evaluated under controlled conditions for root and shoot traits at the seedling stage. Significant genetic variability was detected for all the root and shoot traits that were investigated. Correlation analysis suggested that root and shoot features were only partially controlled by common sets of genes. The high linkage disequilibrium (up to 5 cM) present in the germplasm collection herein considered allowed us to use simple sequence repeat‐based association mapping to identify chromosome regions with significant effects on the investigated traits. In total, 15 chromosome regions showed significant effects on one or more root architectural features. A number of these regions also influenced shoot traits and, in some cases, plant height measured in field conditions. Major effects were detected on chromosome arms 2AL (at Xgwm294), 7AL (at Xcfa2257 and Xgwm332) and 7BL (at Xgwm577 and Xcfa2040). The accessions with the most remarkable differences in root features will provide a valuable opportunity to assemble durum wheat mapping populations well suited for ascertaining the effects of root architecture on water use efficiency and grain yield.     

Ethylene production and involvement during the first steps of durum wheat (Triticum durum) anther culture

The role of ethylene in anther culture of durum wheat ( Triticum durum Desf. cv. Ardente) was analyzed by testing the effects of 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethrel) silver thiosulfate (Ag⁺), a -aminooxyacetic acid (AOA) and 1-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylic acid (ACC) on microspore division observed after 21 days of culture and on development of calli estimated at day 45. The use of ethrel and Ag⁺ indicated a positive effect of ethylene on microspore division, whereas the use of AOA, and to a lesser extent ACC, snowed a negative effect. In contrast, the addition of ethrel or Ag⁺ indicated that ethylene inhibits the development of microspore-derived calli. AOA gave contradictory results. Ethylene production by anthers was about 7 pl anther⁻¹h⁻¹ and decreased during culture. ACC content in the anthers was maximal at day 9, whereas malonyl ACC (MACC) increased sharply from day 0 to day 3 and then decreased. The addition of AOA or ACC to the culture medium decreased or increased, respectively, ethylene production of anthers and the ACC and/or MACC content, but at concentrations higher than those that modified the formation of calli. This formation seems to occur in two successive phases: induction and initiation of microspore division, which was promoted by ethylene, followed by callus development, which was inhibited by ethylene.     

Biofortification of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum (Desf.) Husnot) grains with nutrients

Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum (Desf.) Husnot) was grown under conditions to promote mineral biofortification at the grain level. Along plant development, biomass accumulation and the kinetics of nutrients accumulation were assessed, identifying the nutrient fluxes of roots and shoots, and the timescale constraints of crop biofortification. Plants were grown under environmentally controlled conditions, submitted to four increasing concentrations of nutrient solutions (1-, 2-, 4- and 6-fold) of micro- (Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn) and macronutrients (Ca, K, P and Mg). The threshold of mineral toxicity was not reached as evaluated through plant biomass accumulation, but considering grain yield, the twofold nutrient concentration was the best treatment for biofortification. In the different treatments, the contents and the mineral unrests of roots uptake and shoots translocation varied, at different magnitudes and trends, before the onset of booting and from the physiological maturity onwards. Except for Cu, all mineral nutrients were mainly detected in the bran and embryo of the grains; therefore, the production of biofortified pasta for human consumption requires the use of integral semolina.     

不同畦长灌溉对小麦耗水特性及产量的影响

在2009-2010和2010-2011年小麦生长季,设置10、20、40、60、80和100 m 6个畦田长度,研究不同畦长对小麦耗水特性及产量的影响.结果表明： ≤80 m畦长处理下,随畦长的增加,灌水量逐渐增加,灌水量占总耗水量的比例增加,土壤贮水消耗量减少,小麦拔节至开花期的耗水量和生长季总耗水量均减少,开花期0～200 cm各土层土壤含水量增加,土壤供水能力提高,籽粒产量和水分利用效率逐渐提高.与80 m畦长处理相比,<80 m畦长处理的灌水量少,上层土壤含水量低,促使小麦吸收更多的深层贮水,总耗水量增加,不利于节水;而100 m畦长处理的灌水量、土壤贮水消耗量和总耗水量均增加,由于一次性灌水量过多且灌溉水分布不均匀,导致小麦千粒重降低,籽粒产量和水分利用效率显著下降,也不利于节水高产.     

Effect of salt and osmotic stresses on germination in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.)

In order to determine the relative importance of ionic toxicity versus the osmotic component of salt stress on germination in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.), seeds of three cultivars differing in their salt and drought resistance (Omrabi-5, drought-resistant; Belikh, salt-resistant and Cando, salt-sensitive) were incubated in various iso-osmotic solutions of NaCl, mannitol and polyethylene-glycol (PEG) (osmotic potential of –0.15 (control solution) –0.58, –1.05 or –1.57 MPa). Moderate stress intensities only delayed germination, whereas the highest concentration of NaCl and PEG reduced final germination percentages. PEG was the most detrimental solute, while mannitol had no effect on final germination percentages. All osmotica reduced endosperm starch and soluble sugars content as well as -amylase activities recorded after 48 h of treatment while -amylase activities were, in contrast, slightly stimulated in all cultivars. Deleterious effects of NaCl and PEG were higher on isolated embryos germinated onto an in vitro Linsmaier and Skoog (LS) medium comparatively to whole seeds. All PEG-treated embryos, however, recovered after the stress relief while NaCl-treated embryos exhibited a lower rate of recovery and some extent of abnormal germination after rinsing. It was concluded that stress inhibition of germination could not be attributed to an inhibition of mobilisation of reserves and that the main effect of PEG occurred via an inhibition of water uptake while detrimental effects of NaCl may be linked to long-term effects of accumulated toxic ions. The behaviour of the three cultivars during germination did not fully reflect their mean level of putative stress resistance in field conditions and germination is, therefore, not recommended as a reliable selection criterion for breeding purposes.     

Differences in developmental plasticity and growth rate among drought-resistant and susceptible cultivars of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum)

Understanding how growth and development of durum wheat cultivars respond to drought could provide a basis to develop crop improvement programmes in drought-affected tropical and subtropical countries. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the responses of five durum wheat cultivars to moisture stress at different developmental phases. Phenology, total dry matter (TDM), relative growth rate (RGR), leaf area ratio (LAR), net assimilation rate (NAR), leaf weight ratio (LWR), specific leaf area (SLA) and shoot:root ratio were compared. Pre-anthesis moisture stress delayed phenological development, whereas post-anthesis moisture stress accelerated it. TDM accumulation rate was different between drought-resistant and susceptible cultivars. RGR and its components changed with age and moisture availability. Drought-resistant cultivars had a high RGR in favourable periods of the growing season and a low RGR during moisture stress. In contrast, the drought-susceptible cultivar (Po) showed an opposite trend. LAR explained the differences in RGR (r=0.788) best, whereas the relationship between NAR and RGR was not significant. Even though both LWR and SLA were important factors determining the potential growth rate, LWR was of major importance to describe cultivar differences in LAR, and consequently in RGR. The drought-resistant cultivars Omrabi-5 and Boohai showed vigorous root development and/or a low shoot:root ratio. It is concluded that biomass allocation is the major factor explaining variation in RGR among the investigated durum wheat cultivars.     

Effects of foliar applied benzyladenine on grain yield and grain protein in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The effects of foliar applications of nitrogen and benzyladenine (BA) on grain yield and grain protein of wheat grown under field conditions were studied over 2 years with 5 cultivars at 2 locations. Nitrogen (N) at 20 kg.ha^–1, and BA at 100 or 800 mg.l^–1 were applied alone or combined at pre and post-anthesis; applications of BA at 8 mg.l^–1 were also made on individual ears in order to study the effect on cell number. Weekly determinations of the chlorophyll content of the flag leaf were conducted after anthesis to study leaf senescence. At harvest, yield, yield components and grain protein percentage were determined. N and BA applications delayed chlorophyll loss in the flag leaf, but modified neither yield nor yield components. Foliarly applied BA increased grain protein in four of the five cultivars tested. It is concluded that delay of the senescence induced by BA might allow more energy to be available for N uptake by the crop leading to an increase in grain protein.Research supported by a CAFPTA grant 1656/86 and by CONICET, PID 30017700/85.CONICETComisión de Investigaciones Cientificas de la Provincia de Buenos AiresInstituto de Fisiologia Vegetal     

Stability parameters and performance of interregional crosses in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.)

Summary Twelve durum wheat varieties originating from 3 ecologically diverse regions and their 48 intergroup crosses were evaluated for stability of performance with respect to grain yield and certain component traits. The linear component of the genotype-environment interaction was revealed for grain yield, 100-grain weight and plant height, non-linear for tiller number whereas for grains per spike both components were equally important. However, except for tiller number, the linear component appeared to be contributing to a large extent towards the prevalent interactions. NP 404, Bijaga Yellow and Giorgio VZ 331 depicted stable performance for grain yield. However, considering all the attributes, the parents NP 404, Bijaga Yellow, Anhinga s and Mexicali 75 and hybrids NP 401 x Mexicali 75, NP 404 x Anhinga s, NP 412 x Mexicali 75, NP 404 x Gerardo VZ 466 and Anhinga s x Capeiti appeared promising. The Mexican group as a whole exhibited a more stable performance than the other two evaluated groups. Compensating shift among the component characters was evident in the case of parents as well as hybrids and stability of performance appeared to be under genetic control. Effective utilization of these two aspects through introduction in otherwise desirable varieties has been advocated.Part of Ph.D. thesis of senior author submitted to the Punjab Agricultural University     

灌溉频次和时期对冬小麦籽粒产量及品质特性的影响

为探讨我国北方地区冬小麦的节水灌溉模式,2006—2008年,在中国科学院栾城农业生态系统试验站,以冬小麦品种科农9204为试验材料,在总灌溉量为120mm的条件下,研究了灌溉次数和灌溉时期对籽粒产量、水分利用效率(WUE)、籽粒蛋白质含量以及相关主要品质特性的影响。结果表明,拔节期、抽穗期和灌浆期一次灌溉分别有利于产量、干物质积累量和千粒重的形成或提高;两次灌溉处理中,以拔节和抽穗期各灌60mm处理籽粒产量最高,籽粒蛋白质产量有随灌溉时期后移而降低的趋势;冬小麦生育期间随灌溉次数增多和灌溉时期后移,湿面筋含量、面团形成时间、面团稳定时间等均显著降低。综合考虑冬小麦的籽粒产量、WUE、营养品质和加工品质,在总灌溉量为120mm的条件下,以拔节和抽穗期各灌溉60mm为宜。     

不同抗旱性冬小麦根系时空分布与产量的关系

为明确不同抗旱性冬小麦品种(Triticum aestivum L.)根系时空分布及其与产量的关系,以抗旱性品种长武134、长旱58和干旱敏感性品种小偃22、西农979为材料,采用根箱试验研究干旱胁迫和充分供水条件下4个品种在拔节期、开花期和成熟期根系总生物量、总根长密度、根系在表层(0—20 cm)和深层(20 cm以下)土壤中的垂直分布、动态变化及其对产量的影响。结果表明,干旱胁迫下抗旱性品种产量显著高于干旱敏感性品种,其中长旱58产量最高,西农979最低;充分供水条件下,西农979产量最高,长武134最低,长旱58与小偃22之间没有差异。相关分析表明,产量与各生育时期根系性状均有显著关系。多元逐步回归分析的结果显示,干旱胁迫和充分供水条件下,拔节期深层根生物量对产量有正效应,而成熟期总根长密度对产量表现为负效应。通径分析表明,干旱胁迫下,根系性状对产量的直接贡献大小为开花期总根长密度(|0.54|)拔节期深层根生物量(|0.36|)成熟期总根长密度(|-0.31|);充分供水时,成熟期总根长密度(|-1.56|)拔节期深层根生物量(|0.83|)。研究表明,减少成熟期总根长密度,增加拔节期深层根生物量对抗旱性及干旱敏感性冬小麦品种产量均有显著的正效应,增加开花期根长密度有利于提高抗旱性冬小麦产量。     

Grain protein and grain yield of tritordeum in comparison to wheat and triticale

The new species of cereal × Tritordeum Ascherson et Graebner (Hordeum chilense Roem. et Shultz × Triticum ssp.) has a grain protein concentration (GPC) of up to 25%. The relationship between GPC and yield, and the factors responsible for the high GPC of tritordeum were examined and compared in field experiments. Three experimental tritordeum lines, two early and a later released (recombined and secondary tritordeums) were compared to wheat (cv. Cajeme) and triticale cultivars (cv. Trujillo). GPC's were 19%–22% for recombined tritordeums, 16% for the secondary tritordeum, 12–15% for wheats and 11% for triticale. Grain yields of the recombined and secondary tridordeum were 17–33% and 45–57% that of the wheats and triticale, respectively. Reducing grain sink size by spikelet removal resulted in an increased GPC of remaining grains. Considering all species together there were a strong inverse relationship between GPC and grain yield (GY) per main ear (GPC=26–4.76 ln GY; r²=0.82). In another experiment, frost damage to an early sown treatment of wheat reduced sink size. Harvest index (HI) of early sown wheat was reduced from 0.45 to 0.19, values comparable to that of tritordeum. Having similar HI, the GPC of the early sown wheat was the same as an early sown tritordeum (around 18%). Data for total N uptake and the N concentration of plant tissue during the growing season indicated that enhanced N uptake and remobilisation were not responsible for tritordeum's high GPC. These results suggest that the high GPC of the early lines of tritordeum is a consequence of the small grain yield concentrating the grain protein.     

Molecular mapping of stomatal‐conductance‐related traits in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum)

The most promising traits identified in wheat to raise yield potential via an increase in biomass accumulation are stomatal conductance and stomatal‐conductance‐related traits, such as carbon isotope discrimination (CID) and photosynthetic rate. The evaluation of the extent of genetic variation and the mapping of chromosomal regions controlling these traits are essential for the development of effective breeding strategies in durum wheat. A population of 161 F2‐derived, F8–F9 recombinant inbred lines obtained from a cross between durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum) cultivars Ofanto and Cappelli was phenotyped for heading date, plant height, leaf porosity, CID and chlorophyll concentration (estimated through the SPAD index) for 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 seasons, at Ottava, Sardinia (Italy) under irrigated conditions. The genotype mean heritability for leaf porosity, CID and chlorophyll concentration was moderate in size. Six quantitative trait loci were detected for leaf porosity, four for chlorophyll concentration, but only one for CID, because of the small variation expressed in the population for this trait under these experimental conditions. The quantitative trait loci for leaf porosity located on chromosome 3B appear to be more stable with respect to the others, and different microsatellite markers are positioned within the interval of the quantitative trait loci, or in their vicinity, that represent useful tools in programmes for selection assisted by molecular markers.     

TdERF1, an ethylene response factor associated with dehydration responses in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum)

Water deficit and increasing salinization reduce productivity of wheat, the leading crop for human diet. While the complete genome sequence of this crop has not been deciphered, a BAC library screening allowed the isolation of TdERF1, the first ethylene response factor gene from durum wheat. This gene is putatively involved in mediating salt stress tolerance and its characterization provides clues toward understanding the mechanisms underlying the adaptation/tolerance of durum wheat to suboptimal growth conditions. TdERF1 expression is differentially induced by high salt treatment in 2 durum wheat varieties, the salt-tolerant Grecale (GR) and the salt-sensitive Om Rabiaa (OR). To further extend these findings, we show here that the expression of this ERF is correlated with physiological parameters, such as the accumulation of osmo-regulators and membrane integrity, that discriminate between the 2 contrasted wheat genotypes. The data confirm that GR and OR are 2 contrasted wheat genotypes with regard to salt-stress and show that TdERF1 is also induced by water stress with an expression pattern clearly discriminating between the 2 genotypes. These findings suggest that TdERF1 might be involved in responses to salt and water stress providing a potential genetic marker discriminating between tolerant and sensitive wheat varieties.     

The embryogenic response of immature embryo cultures of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.): histology and improvement by AgNO3

Immature zygotic embryos of durum wheat cv Ardente were cultured vitro on 2,4-D to induce somatic embryogenesis. Five days after culture initiation, somatic proembryos were directly initiated from the scutellum of immature embryos. After 28 days, somatic embryos were fully developed with a scutellum-like structure. Histological observations between the first and the eighty day in culture showed a clear unicelllar origin for a few of these somatic embryos, whilst most of them originated from a meristematic multilayer. Furthermore, estimation of the mitotic index of outer epithelium, subepithelium and inner epithelium of the scutellum during the first week of culture, showed a strict epidermal origin of these early developed structures. The addition of 1 mg·L^–1 of AgNO₃ enhanced the induction of direct somatic embryogenesis (a more than 22 fold increase), affecting both the percentage of embryogenic explants and the number of somatic embryos per explant, suggesting the possible involvement of ethylene.     

冬小麦品种粒重叶比的遗传研究

本研究采用Griffing方法Ⅰ,利用6 × 6完全双列杂交,对6个不同类型的冬小麦品种粒重叶比的遗传进行了初步分析.结果表明粒重叶比的一般配合力(GCA)效应,特殊配合力(SCA)效应和反交(R)效应,均达到极显著水平,其均方比为1.94650.67001;粒重叶比的遗传以加性基因效应占优势,但反交效应和非加性基因效应也不可忽视;粒重叶比的广义遗传力(hB2)为97.79%,狭义遗传力(hN2)为58.53%.河农2552是较为理想的育种亲本.     

不同带长微喷带灌溉对土壤水分布与冬小麦耗水特性及产量的影响

于2010—2012年度冬小麦生长季,选用高产冬小麦品种济麦22,采用测墒补灌方式,设置40m(T40)、60m(T60)和80m(T80)3种带长的微喷带灌溉处理,研究不同带长微喷带灌溉对土壤水分分布及冬小麦耗水特性和产量的影响.结果表明:拔节期和开花期采用微喷带补灌,随微喷带带长缩短,灌溉水在土壤中的水平分布均匀系数显著增加.拔节期补灌,T40和T60处理在距畦首0～40m范围内各小麦行间的0～200cm土层土壤含水量均无显著差异;T80处理在距畦首38～40m、58～60m和78～80m处各小麦行间的0～200cm各土层土壤含水量变化规律一致,均表现为随距微喷带的距离增加而减小.T40处理的小麦在拔节至开花期间和开花至成熟期间分别对40～60cm和20～80cm土层土壤贮水的消耗量显著高于T60和T80处理,而对深层土壤贮水消耗量和总土壤贮水消耗量、开花期补灌水量、总灌水量和总耗水量显著低于T60和T80处理.随微喷带带长缩短,小麦籽粒产量、产量水分利用效率显著升高,而流量降低,在灌水量一定的情况下,单位时间内的有效灌溉面积减小.综合考虑小麦籽粒产量、水分利用效率和流量,40和60m是本试验条件下的适宜微喷带带长.     

Water and salt stress-induced alterations in proline metabolism of Triticum durum seedlings

Many plants accumulate proline as a non-toxic and protective osmolyte under saline or dry conditions. Its accumulation is caused by both the activation of its biosynthesis and inactivation of its degradation. We report here on the alterations induced by water and salt stress in the proline metabolism and amino acid content of 5-day-old seedlings of Triticum durum cv. Simeto. Most of the amino acids showed an increase with the induction of either stress, but proline increased more markedly than did other amino acids. We also measured the activities of two enzymes, Δ¹-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) reductase (EC 1.5.1.2) and proline dehydrogenase (EC 1.5.1.2), which are involved in proline biosynthesis and catabolism, respectively. The activity of P5C reductase was enhanced during both water and salt stress, while proline dehydrogenase was inhibited only during salt stress. The results indicate that synthesis de novo is the predominant mechanism in proline accumulation in durum wheat. Use of a cDNA clone that encodes P5C-reductase from Arabidopsis thaliana , showed no differences in the gene expression between controls and stressed plants, implying that the increase in enzyme activity is unrelated to the expression of this gene.