Specific features of source-sink relations in alloplasmic hybrid of winter wheat with alien cytoplasm of goatgrass with emphasis on resistance to low temperature stress

We studied the influence of alien cytoplasm of spring goatgrass Aegilops ovata L. on some physiological parameters in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), Mironovskaya 808, under normal conditions and in the case of modified source-sink relations. Measurements of relative rates of plant dry matter growth and its distribution among organs, CO₂ exchange (photosynthesis upon light saturation and dark respiration), content of sugars (sucrose + glucose + fructose) and their ratio in leaves, frost hardiness, and indices of membrane stability and damage of leaves by frost have shown that, on average, alloplasmic hybrid differed from the initial cultivar by almost all parameters. Reduced frost hardiness, increased index of leaf damage by frost, lowered leaf content of sugars, and reduced sucrose/(glucose + fructose) ratio in the alloplasmic hybrid were combined with higher roots/leaves ratio, relative rate of dry matter growth, and photosynthesis and respiration rates. The alloplasmic hybrid was more tolerant to decreased source strength in source-sink relations as compared to the initial cultivar.     

Carbon balance and source‐sink metabolic changes in winter wheat exposed to high night‐time temperature

Carbon loss under high night‐time temperature (HNT) leads to significant reduction in wheat yield. Growth chamber studies were carried out using six winter wheat genotypes, to unravel postheading HNT (23°C)–induced alterations in carbon balance, source‐sink metabolic changes, yield, and yield‐related traits compared with control (15°C) conditions. Four of the six tested genotypes recorded a significant increase in night respiration after 4 days of HNT exposure, with all the cultivars regulating carbon loss and demonstrating different degree of acclimation to extended HNT exposure. Metabolite profiling indicated carbohydrate metabolism in spikes and activation of the TriCarboxylic Acid (TCA) cycle in leaves as important pathways operating under HNT exposure. A significant increase in sugars, sugar‐alcohols, and phosphate in spikes of the tolerant genotype (Tascosa) indicated osmolytes and membrane protective mechanisms acting against HNT damage. Enhanced night respiration under HNT resulted in higher accumulation of TCA cycle intermediates like isocitrate and fumarate in leaves of the susceptible genotype (TX86A5606). Lower grain number due to lesser productive spikes and reduced grain weight due to shorter grain‐filling duration determined HNT‐induced yield loss in winter wheat. Traits and mechanisms identified will help catalyze the development of physiological and metabolic markers for breeding HNT‐tolerant wheat.     

Characterisation of two wheat enolase cDNA showing distinct patterns of expression in leaf and crown tissues of plants exposed to low temperature

Seasonal low temperature (LT) adversely affects growth of plants. The onset of LT in temperate zones also entails the process of cold acclimation, preparing the plants to withstand freezing temperatures. During this process of cold acclimation a number of physiological, biochemical and molecular changes occur. A differentially expressed enolase gene in wheat plants exposed to LT was previously identified by cDNA‐amplified fragment length polymorphism. In this study, two wheat enolase cDNA, TaENO‐a and TaENO‐b amplified by 5′,3′ rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE)‐PCR (polymerase chain reaction), were isolated and characterised. Quantitative real‐time PCR (QPCR) was done to assess their expression patterns in leaf and crown tissues of wheat plants exposed to LT. BLAST searches and bioinformatic analyses were done to determine the structure, domains and phylogeny of the cloned sequences. The two cDNA sequences differed mostly in the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions. Deduced amino acid sequence showed high identity to bacteria, yeast, fungi, human and plant enolases with conserved putative DNA‐binding and repressor domains. A genomic clone containing 17 exons distributed over 4.5 kb structurally shared a high degree of similarity to rice enolase. QPCR revealed combined effects of LT and ageing on expression of TaENO‐a and TaENO‐b. Down‐regulation of TaENO‐a was observed with age in the crown tissues upon exposure to LT, but in leaf initial up‐regulation was followed by down‐regulation. Expression of TaENO‐b was similar to expression patterns previously reported for cold‐regulated (COR) genes in wheat, wherein the recessive vrnA‐1 allele influenced its expression in the leaf and genetic background determines its expression in the crown.     

An integrative proteome analysis of different seedling organs in tolerant and sensitive wheat cultivars under drought stress and recovery

Roots, leaves, and intermediate sections between roots and leaves (ISRL) of wheat seedlings show different physiological functions at the protein level. We performed the first integrative proteomic analysis of different tissues of the drought‐tolerant wheat cultivar Hanxuan 10 (HX‐10) and drought‐sensitive cultivar Chinese Spring (CS) during a simulated drought and recovery. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the roots (122), ISRLs (146), and leaves (163) showed significant changes in expression in response to drought stress and recovery. Numerous DEPs associated with cell defense and detoxifications were significantly regulated in roots and ISRLs, while in leaves, DEPs related to photosynthesis showed significant changes in expression. A significantly larger number of DEPs related to stress defense were upregulated in HX‐10 than in CS. Expression of six HSPs potentially related to drought tolerance was significantly upregulated under drought conditions, and these proteins were involved in a complex protein–protein interaction network. Further phosphorylation analysis showed that the phosphorylation levels of HSP60, HSP90, and HOP were upregulated in HX‐10 under drought stress. We present an overview of metabolic pathways in wheat seedlings based on abscisic acid signaling and important protein expression patterns.     

不同品种小麦叶片对拔节期低温的生理响应及抗寒性评价

以黄淮海麦区参加区试的24个小麦品种为材料,分析了拔节期低温胁迫对其叶片相对电导率、可溶性糖含量、可溶性蛋白含量、游离脯氨酸含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性的影响。结果表明,低温胁迫后,叶片相对电导率、可溶性糖含量、脯氨酸含量、MDA含量、SOD活性和POD活性均高于对照(P0.01),而可溶性蛋白含量低于对照(P0.01)。小麦叶片各指标存在极显著的品种间差异(P0.01)。以叶片各指标的相对值作为抗寒性指标,采用隶属函数法和极极点排序法计算参试品种的平均隶属度值为0.19—0.63,综合排序值为1.66—4.08。通过K-means聚类,将24个小麦品种聚为5类。其中良星619、丰德存麦1号、B07-4056、石H083-363、山农055843和良星99等6个品种抗寒性最强,宿553、陕农509、A-9、中原6号、徐麦4036、舜麦1718和石麦19等7个品种抗寒性强,尧麦16、C-44、山农05-066、冀麦585和石B05-7388等5个品种抗寒性中等,偃展4110、B-33、B05-6507和石4185等4个品种抗寒性弱,石06-6136和石优20这2个品种抗寒性最弱。相关分析表明,平均隶属度值和综合排序值与相对可溶性糖含量、相对脯氨酸含量、相对POD活性呈正相关(P0.05),与相对MDA含量呈负相关(P0.05)。叶片可溶性糖含量、游离脯氨酸含量、POD活性及MDA含量可以作为拔节期小麦抗寒性的鉴定评价指标。     

Relationship between osmotic stress-induced abscisic acid accumulation,biomass production and plant growth in drought-tolerant and -sensitive wheat cultivars

The effects of increasing osmotic stress induced by 100–400 mOsm (−0.976 MPa) polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) were investigated in a drought-tolerant (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Mv Emese) and drought-sensitive (cv. GK élet) wheat cultivar at the three-leaf stage. During osmotic stress, the decline of the water potential (ψ _w) was more significant in the leaves, while the abscisic acid (ABA) levels of the roots increased earlier and remained higher in the sensitive than in the tolerant variety. There was an increasing gradient of ABA content toward the youngest leaves in the drought-sensitive GK élet, while more ABA accumulated in the fully developed, older leaves of the tolerant cultivar Mv Emese. In accordance with the rapid and significant accumulation of ABA, the stomatal conductance decreased earlier in the tolerant cultivar. The effect of water stress on the PSII photochemistry was pronounced only 1 week after the exposure to PEG, as indicated by the earlier decrease of the net CO₂ fixation, the effective quantum yield (Φ_PSII) and the photochemical quenching (q _P) in light-adapted samples of the tolerant variety in 400 mOsm PEG 6000. The stress treatment caused more significant reductions in these parameters toward the end of the experiment in the sensitive cultivar. In spite of small differences in the photosynthetic characteristics, the net biomass production was not significantly altered by this osmotic stress. The accumulation of ABA controlled the distribution of the biomass between the shoot and root systems under osmotic stress, and contributed to the development of stronger and deeper roots in the drought-sensitive cultivar GK élet. However, the root elongation did not correlate with the drought sensitivity of these cultivars on the basis of crop yield.     

Rice LTG1 is involved in adaptive growth and fitness under low ambient temperature

Low temperature (LT) is one of the most prevalent factors limiting the productivity and geographical distribution of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Although significant progress has been made in elucidating the effect of LT on seed germination and reproductive development in rice, the genetic component affecting vegetative growth under LT remains poorly understood. Here, we report that rice cultivars harboring the dominant LTG1 (Low Temperature Growth 1) allele are more tolerant to LT (15–25°C, a temperature range prevalent in high‐altitude, temperate zones and high‐latitude areas), than those with the ltg1 allele. Using a map‐based cloning strategy, we show that LTG1 encodes a casein kinase I. A functional nucleotide polymorphism was identified in the coding region of LTG1, causing a single amino acid substitution (I357K) that is associated with the growth rate, heading date and yield of rice plants grown at LT. We present evidence that LTG1 affects rice growth at LT via an auxin‐dependent process(es). Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis of this locus suggests that the ltg1 haplotype arose before the domestication of rice in tropical climates. Together, our data demonstrate that LTG1 plays an important role in the adaptive growth and fitness of rice cultivars under conditions of low ambient temperature.     

Low-temperature tolerance and genetic potential in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): response to photoperiod, vernalization, and plant development

It is frequently observed that winter habit types are more low-temperature (LT) tolerant than spring habit types. This raises the question of whether this is due to pleiotropic effects of the vernalization loci or to the linkage of LT-tolerance genes to these vernalization loci. Reciprocal near-isogenic lines (NILs) for alleles at the Vrn-A1 locus, Vrn-A1 and vrn-A1, determining spring and winter habit respectively, in two diverse genetic backgrounds of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were used to separate the effects of vernalization, photoperiod, and development on identical, or near identical, genetic backgrounds. The vrn-A1 allele in the winter lines allowed full expression of genotype dependent LT tolerance potential. The winter allele (vrn-A1) in a very cold tolerant genetic background resulted in 11°C, or a 2.4-fold, greater LT tolerance compared to the spring allele. Similarly, the delay in development caused by short-day (SD) versus long-day (LD) photoperiod in the identical spring habit NIL resulted in an 8.5°C or 2.1-fold, increase in LT tolerance. The duration of time in early developmental stages was shown to underlie full expression of genetic LT-tolerance potential. Therefore, pleiotropic effects of the vernalization loci can explain the association of LT tolerance and winter habit irrespective of either the proposed closely linked Fr-A1 or the more distant Fr-A2 LT-tolerance QTLs. Plant development progressively reduced LT-acclimation ability, particularly after the main shoot meristem had advanced to the double ridge reproductive growth stage. The Vrn-1 genes, or other members of the flowering induction pathway, are discussed as possible candidates for involvement in LT-tolerance repression.     

Cold-induced changes of enzymes,proline, carbohydrates,and chlorophyll in wheat

Quantitative changes in total leaf soluble proteins, proline, carbohydrate content, chlorophyll fluorescence, guaiacol peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities were determined in a less cold-hardy (LCH) spring cv. Kohdasht (LT₅₀ = −6°C), a semi cold-hardy (SCH) facultative cv. Azar 2 (LT₅₀ = −15°C), and a cold-hardy (CH) winter cv. Norstar (LT₅₀ = −26°C) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) exposed to 4°C for 9 weeks. Seedlings were grown in a controlled growth room for 14 days at 20°C and then transferred to 4°C (experimental day 0) for 63 days (cold treatment); otherwise they were maintained continuously at 20°C (control treatment). The samples were harvested 0, 2, 21, 28, 42, and 63 days after exposure to 4°C. The results showed significant low temperature (LT)-induced accumulation of total soluble proteins, proline, and carbohydrates and elevation in activities of CAT and POD in leaves of SCH and CH winter cultivars rather than in LCH spring cultivar. In contrast, the chlorophyll fluorescence (F _v/F _m) declined during LT treatment irrespective of cultivar. The results suggest that developmental traits such as vernalization requirement of wheat affects on cold-tolerance expression system of plants.     

Differential modulation of S‐nitrosoproteome of Brassica juncea by low temperature: Change in S‐nitrosylation of Rubisco is responsible for the inactivation of its carboxylase activity

Nitric oxide (NO), a new addition to plant hormones, affects numerous processes in planta. It is produced as a part of stress response, but its signaling is poorly understood. S‐nitrosylation, a PTM, is currently the most investigated modification of NO. Recent studies indicate significant modulation of metabolome by S‐nitrosylation, as the identified targets span major metabolic pathways and regulatory proteins. Identification of S‐nitrosylation targets is necessary to understand NO signaling. By combining biotin switch technique and MS, 20 S‐nitrosylated proteins including four novel ones were identified from Brassica juncea. Further, to know if the abiotic stress‐induced NO evolution contributes to S‐nitrosothiols (SNO), the cellular NO reservoirs, SNO content was measured by Saville method. Low temperature (LT)‐stress resulted in highest (1.4‐fold) SNO formation followed by drought, high temperature and salinity. LT induced differentially nitrosylated proteins were identified as photosynthetic, plant defense related, glycolytic and signaling associated. Interestingly, both the subunits of ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) showed an increase as well as a decrease in nitrosylation by LT. Inactivation of Rubisco carboxylase by LT is well documented but the mechanism is not known. Here, we show that LT‐induced S‐nitrosylation is responsible for significant (～40%) inactivation of Rubisco. This in turn could explain cold stress‐induced photosynthetic inhibition.     

不同小麦品种对低温胁迫的反应及抗冻性评价

以济麦19、济麦21、济南17等15个冬小麦品种为材料,对其在低温胁迫条件下功能叶和叶鞘超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、过氧化物酶(POD)活性、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量与可溶性蛋白含量等生理指标进行测定,以功能叶各项指标的抗冻系数作为衡量抗冻性的指标,利用主成分分析、聚类分析对其抗冻性进行综合评价。低温胁迫条件下,不同冬小麦品种起身拔节期功能叶和叶鞘中SOD活性、POD活性和CAT活性均不同程度地上升,MDA含量和可溶性蛋白含量均下降。通过主成分分析和聚类分析,将15个冬小麦品种划分为3类:济麦19、山农8355属强抗冻类型;山农664、泰山9818、济麦21、济麦22、烟农24、烟农19、烟农21、汶农6号、鲁麦21、济南17属中度抗冻类型;其余3个品种(泰山23、聊麦18、临麦2号)属弱抗冻类型。     

Differential responses in two varieties of winter wheat to elevated ozone concentration under fully open‐air field conditions

Two modern cultivars [Yangmai16 (Y16) and Yangfumai 2 (Y2)] of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with almost identical phenology were investigated to determine the impacts of elevated ozone concentration (E‐O₃) on physiological characters related to photosynthesis under fully open‐air field conditions in China. The plants were exposed from the initiation of tillering to final harvest, with E‐O₃ of 127% of the ambient ozone concentration (A‐O₃). Measurements of pigments, gas exchange rates, chlorophyll a fluorescence and lipid oxidation were made in three replicated plots throughout flag leaf development. In cultivar Y2, E‐O₃ significantly accelerated leaf senescence, as indicated by increased lipid oxidation as well as faster declines in pigment amounts and photosynthetic rates. The lower photosynthetic rates were mainly due to nonstomatal factors, e.g. lower maximum carboxylation capacity, electron transport rates and light energy distribution. In cultivar Y16, by contrast, the effects of E‐O₃ were observed only at the very last stage of flag leaf ageing. Since the two cultivars had almost identical phenology and very similar leaf stomatal conductance before senescence, the greater impacts of E‐O₃ on cultivars Y2 than Y16 cannot be explained by differential ozone uptake. Our findings will be useful for scientists to select O₃‐tolerant wheat cultivars against the rising surface [O₃] in East and South Asia.     

Treatment with the herbicide granstar induces oxidative stress in cereal leaves

Disks excised from leaves and intact 7-day-old plants of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Mironovskaya 808), winter rye (Secale cereale L., cv. Estafeta Tatarstana), maize (Zea mays L., hybrid Kollektivnyi 172 MV), and common wild oat (Avena fatua L.) were treated with the xenobiotic (herbicide Granstar, 3–300 μg/l), and the effects of short-term action (up to 3 h) and long-term aftereffect (up to 3 days) on physiological and biochemical indices related to oxidative stress development were studied. Changes (predominantly toward increase) of lipid peroxidation intensity, superoxide anion-radical (O₂^·−)generation, total antioxidant activity, and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase) under the action of the herbicide were observed. Plant responses depended nonlinearly on the herbicide concentration and duration of treatment. Winter wheat and winter rye turned out to be more tolerant, and maize and common wild oat were less tolerant. It is concluded that oxidative stress is the basis for cereal plant responses to the herbicide action.     

Developmental regulation of metabolites and low temperature tolerance in lines of crosses between spring and winter wheat

Low temperature (LT) tolerance in cereals needs developmental regulation of metabolites, a process which is associated with vernalization requirement. This study was initiated to investigate the relationships among stage of phenological development, final leaf number (FLN), the activities superoxide dismutase, catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase, the contents of proline, photosynthetic pigments, and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) during vernalization and LT acclimation in spring and winter wheat. Six genotypes with different vernalization requirements were grown under greenhouse and field conditions. The spring-habit parent, “Pishtaz” and line 4021, rapidly entered the reproductive phase and had a limited capacities to LT acclimate. They also had the lowest antioxidative activities and accumulation of proline among genotypes. Lines 4002 and 4014, with a short vernalization requirement and higher FLN, remained in the early stages of phenological development longer and developed a higher level of LT tolerance and metabolites compared to spring habit genotypes. In contrast, the winter habit “Norstar” and line 4023 spent a longer time in the vegetative stage and accumulated higher levels of metabolites. Maximum LT tolerance and metabolite accumulations occurred near the vegetative/reproductive transition in all genotypes. The longer periods of vernalization and increased FLN that happened along with increased defense mechanisms and decreased damage indices (H₂O₂ content and LT₅₀) ensured LT tolerance in wheat. These results demonstrate that both genetic and environmental factors via developmental regulation of metabolites play important roles in creating LT tolerance in long mild winters of Iran. Significant correlations coefficients for many of the metabolites considered in this study and Lethal temperature 50 (LT₅₀) also suggest that they could be useful as indirect measures of plant LT tolerance potential in wheat breeding programs.     

Growth,photosynthetic and biochemical responses of tea cultivars infected with various diseases

Under natural and greenhouse conditions we found a significant reduction in the physiological and biochemical constituents in leaves of five disease types when compared to healthy ones. The growth characteristics such as height, dry mass, photosynthetic and transpiration rates, stomatal conductance, and water use efficiency were reduced significantly more in susceptible cv. TRI-2024 than in tolerant cv. TRI-2025. Also contents of total sugars, nitrogen, amino acids, proteins, polyphenols, and catechin were reduced in diseased plant leaves. However, the reduction was more prominent in susceptible than tolerant cultivar. Canker size and barker moisture content were larger in the susceptible cultivar than in the tolerant cultivar.