Wheat curl mite resistance: interactions of mite feeding with wheat streak mosaic virus infection

The majority of plant viruses are dependent on arthropod vectors for spread between plants. Wheat streak mosaic virus (family Potyviridae, genus Tritimovirus, WSMV) is transmitted by the wheat curl mite, Aceria tosichella Keifer, and this virus and vector cause extensive yield losses in most major wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-growing regions of the world. Many cultivars in use are susceptible to this vector-virus complex, and yield losses of 10-99% have been documented. wheat curl mite resistance genes have been identified in goat grass, Aegilops tauschii (Coss) Schmal., and transferred to hexaploid wheat, but very few varieties contain effectively wheat curl mite resistance, due to virulent wheat curl mite populations. However, wheat curl mite resistance remains an effective strategy to reduce losses due to WSMV. The goal of our project was to identify the most effective, reproducible, and rapid method for assessing wheat curl mite resistance. We also wanted to determine whether mite resistance is affected by WSMV infection, because the pathogen and pest commonly occur together. Single and group wheat curl mite infestations produced similar amounts of leaf rolling and folding on wheat curl mite-susceptible wheat varieties that were independent of initial wheat curl mite infestation. This finding will allow accurate, efficient, large-scale screening of wheat germplasm for wheat curl mite resistance by infesting plants with sections of wheat leaf tissue containing mixed stages of wheat curl mite. The wheat curl mite-resistant breeding line 'OK05312' displayed antibiosis (reduced wheat curl mite population development). The effect of WSMV infection on wheat curl mite reproduction was genotype-dependent. Mite populations increased on infected wheat curl mite- and WSMV-susceptible plants compared with uninfected plants, but WSMV infection had no significant effect on wheat curl mite populations on resistant plants. OK05312 is a strong source of wheat curl mite resistance for wheat breeding programs.     

远缘杂交在转移有益基因创造小麦新种质中的潜力

本文概述了小麦远缘杂交技术的发展以及这些技术的应用对以染色体易位方式转移有益基因到普通小麦中的影响。通过对小麦远缘杂交技术的总结得出,普通小麦由于本身的多倍性,对导入的外源基因具有较强的调节能力,是适宜外源有益基因导入的良好受体。而以染色体易位方式转移有益基因是创造小麦新种质的有效方法之一,许多研究也表明以染色体易位导入的外源有益基因更利于表达。近几年,随着细胞遗传学以及其它生物技术的发展,对小麦族进化途径和染色体间的亲缘关系进一步明确,从而更便于进行易位导入的技术选择,也使得染色体易位鉴定方法更趋完善。现在已有更良好的外源导入的工具和方法,使多基因控制的外源优良性状导入成为可能。在小麦远缘杂交中染色体易位所具有的上述优势,在育种实践中逐步显示出来,为开拓小麦种质资源开创了一条新的途径。     

转反义硫氧还蛋白基因小麦萌发种子中蛋白质的变化

硫氧还蛋白h（thioredoxin h,Trx h）是一类广泛存在于生物体内的多功能活性蛋白,分子量约为12kD,它通过还原靶蛋白中的二硫键参与酶活性调节、抗胁迫、信号传导等许多重要的生命活动。硫氧还蛋白h能促进谷物类种子萌发过程,主要表现在以下2个方面：（1）在籽粒萌发期间,硫氧还蛋白可通过还原储存蛋白的分子内二硫键使其更易于被降解;（2）硫氧还蛋白也可以直接地通过将酶还原或者间接地通过使酶抑制蛋白失活而激活酶。源于Phalaris coerulescens的trxs基因（thioredoxin s,trxs）与小麦硫氧还蛋白h基因（thioredoxin h,trx h）同属于硫氧还蛋白基因家族,它们的cDNA有94％的同源性,表达产物也有相似的生物功能。我们采用基因枪法将反义trxs基因导入小麦,获得了可稳定遗传的小麦,并检测出转基因种子中硫氧还蛋白h表达量、水溶蛋白和醇溶蛋白的还原状态以及α-淀粉酶活性均低于对照小麦;另外,通过模拟降雨抗穗发芽试验证实转基因株系具有很强的抗穗发芽能力。以转反义trxs基因抗穗发芽小麦为材料,检测反义trxs基因小麦籽粒萌发过程中蛋白质的变化,探讨转反义trxs基因小麦的抗穗发芽机理。研究表明反义trxs基因能够减缓KCl可溶性蛋白中Chloroform-methanol（CM）蛋白向代谢类蛋白的转化进程,在萌发初期降低籽粒代谢类蛋白的含量,使籽粒代谢速度下降,而CM蛋白主要包含一些分子量小于20kD的蛋白质。在籽粒成熟过程中,硫氧还蛋白能够阻止麦谷蛋白亚基形成谷蛋白聚合体的过程,在转基因小麦中麦谷蛋白更易于形成大分子量的谷蛋白大聚合体,使得转基因小麦中的谷蛋白在萌发初期更难于被水解,因此转基因小麦籽粒会因谷蛋白难于降解而萌发较慢。另外,反义trxs基因减慢了麦胚中10kD蛋白的降解过程。     

WheatGenome.info: an integrated database and portal for wheat genome information

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) is one of the most important crop plants, globally providing staple food for a large proportion of the human population. However, improvement of this crop has been limited due to its large and complex genome. Advances in genomics are supporting wheat crop improvement. We provide a variety of web-based systems hosting wheat genome and genomic data to support wheat research and crop improvement. WheatGenome.info is an integrated database resource which includes multiple web-based applications. These include a GBrowse2-based wheat genome viewer with BLAST search portal, TAGdb for searching wheat second-generation genome sequence data, wheat autoSNPdb, links to wheat genetic maps using CMap and CMap3D, and a wheat genome Wiki to allow interaction between diverse wheat genome sequencing activities. This system includes links to a variety of wheat genome resources hosted at other research organizations. This integrated database aims to accelerate wheat genome research and is freely accessible via the web interface at http://www.wheatgenome.info/.     

小麦—白三叶草复合群体中种群关系的初步研究

小麦和白三叶草（Ｔｒｉｆｏｌｉｕｍｒｅｐｅｎｓ）复合共生,是一种新型的农田人工群落。其功能表现为种养（养地与养殖）的有效结合,并通过小麦与三叶草的群体优势抑制农田杂草种群。因此,在理论上,这种复合群体是多功能效益,而且是相对稳定的农田生态系。在生产实...     

Physicochemical characteristics and fine structure of high-amylose wheat starches isolated from Australian wheat cultivars

High-amylose starch is a source of resistant starch (RS) which have great impact on human health like dietary fiber. Nowadays, high-amylose wheat has been produced by genetic backcrossing, which enhances apparent amylose content and generates altered amylopectin. In this study, the high-amylose wheat starches isolated from various high-amylose wheat cultivars grown in Australia were characterized for understanding their physicochemical properties and fine structure of starch. The physicochemical characteristics of the high-amylose wheat starches are significantly different among the cultivars. Amylose contents of these cultivars were in a range of 28.0–36.9%, which is significantly higher than that of the normal wheat starch (25.6%). The high-amylose wheat starches also had higher blue value but lower λ_max than the normal wheat starch. Gelatinization temperature of the high-amylose wheat starches is higher than that of the normal wheat starch but transition enthalpy is lower. X-ray diffraction showed that the high-amylose wheat starch had C-type crystals close to A-type crystal. Pasting properties of the high-amylose wheat starches were varying depending on the cultivars. However, almost high-amylose wheat starches had lower peak and final viscosities and higher setback viscosity than did the normal wheat starch. Fine structure of amylose and amylopectin was different among the high-amylose wheat cultivars and related to the physicochemical properties of starch. These results help to understand well the characteristics of the high-amylose wheat starches before application for food processing.     

Wheat acetyl-CoA carboxylase

The acetyl-CoA carboxylase present in both wheat germ and total wheat leaf protein contains ca. 220 kDa subunits. It is the major biotin-dependent carboxylase present in wheat chloroplasts. Active acetyl-CoA carboxylase purified from wheat germ is a homodimer with an apparent molecular mass of ca. 500 kDa. The enzyme from wheat germ or from wheat chloroplasts is sensitive to the herbicide haloxyfop at micromolar levels. The incorporation of ¹⁴C-acetate into fatty acids in freshly cut wheat seedling leaves provides a convenient in vivo assay for both acetyl-CoA carboxylase and haloxyfop.     

Treatment of germinated wheat to increase levels of GABA and IP6 catalyzed by endogenous enzymes

We found that the levels of bioactive products from wheat can be increased dramatically by manipulating germination conditions and taking advantage of the activity of endogenous enzymes. The yield of phytic acid (IP(6)) from wheat germinated in the presence of high, controlled levels of dissolved oxygen (188 +/- 28 mg/100 g wheat) was almost three times greater than that from wheat germinated with no supplemental oxygen (74 +/- 10 mg/100 g wheat). The yield of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from wheat germinated in the presence of uncontrolled levels of dissolved oxygen was 18 +/- 3 times greater than that from nonsupplemented wheat (1 mg/100 g wheat). The concentration of GABA was much greater in wheat germ than in whole wheat, and the yield of GABA from wheat germ processed with supplemental water (163 +/- 7 mg/100 g wheat germ) was notably greater than that from wheat germ processed with no supplemental water (100 +/- 2 mg/100 g wheat germ). In contrast, IP(6) was more concentrated in wheat bran, and the yield of IP(6) from wheat bran processed with supplemental water (3100 +/- 12 mg/100 g wheat bran) was notably higher than that from wheat bran processed with no supplemental water (2420 +/- 13 mg/100 g wheat bran). We conclude that the large amount of GABA extracted from wheat germ is likely due to high glutamate decarboxylase activity and low aminotransferase activity and that the large amount of IP(6) extracted from wheat bran is likely due to high levels of tyrosinase activity. Our findings indicate that bioactive molecules such as GABA and IP(6) can be successfully mass-produced by taking advantage of endogenous enzymatic activities.     

小麦抗赤霉病外源种质的创制和育种利用

小麦赤霉病是危害小麦安全生产的重要病害之一,种植抗病品种是防治赤霉病最经济有效的手段。目前在生产上应用的抗源很少,越来越多的研究者将目光转移到小麦的近缘属种,寻找新的抗源以及寻求新的育种突破。携带抗性基因的外源染色体可以通过染色体工程手段以附加系、代换系和易位系等形式导入小麦。综述了将大赖草等多个小麦近缘种的抗赤霉病基因导入普通小麦、创制抗病外源种质和育种利用的最新研究进展,以期为小麦抗赤霉病育种提供参考信息。     

豆科作物-小麦轮作方式下旱地小麦花后干物质及养分累积、转移与产量的关系

研究旱作条件下豆科绿肥轮作影响旱地小麦产量变化的作物营养生态机制,对优化旱地作物种植施肥制度,促进水分资源高效利用、土壤培肥、作物增产有重要意义。通过两年定位试验,分析了与不同豆科作物轮作引起的后茬小麦产量变化及其与干物质、氮磷钾养分累积、转移的关系。结果表明:与秋豆轮作的第一季,小麦籽粒产量无显著变化,但第二季小麦产量提高23.4%;与绿豆轮作,两季产量分别降低19.2%和4.4%;与大豆轮作,产量无显著变化。与秋豆轮作增加了小麦花后干物质及氮、磷养分累积,和对照相比分别增加了35.1%,128.8%和14.0%,而与大豆和绿豆轮作花后干物质累积分别降低26.7%和17.0%,花后氮累积分别降低44.2%和24.4%,花后磷累积与对照相比无显著差异。与此对应,秋豆-小麦轮作,其后茬小麦花后干物质及养分累积对产量形成的贡献显著增加,茎叶花前累积氮、磷向籽粒的转移对产量的贡献明显小于大豆-小麦和绿豆-小麦轮作处理。与氮、磷不同,小麦茎叶花前累积钾素向籽粒转移的同时,花后植株钾素没有累积,反而明显损失,其中与秋豆轮作的小麦花后植株钾素损失量较小,为3.8 kg/hm2,籽粒钾素占转移钾的81.0%;休闲或与大豆、绿豆轮作的小麦花后植株钾素损失较多,分别为10.9,12.6和5.5kg/hm2,籽粒钾素占转移钾的52.9%,52.9%和66.8%。与秋豆-小麦轮作处理小麦增产的主要原因是花后植株能累积更多干物质和氮、磷养分,减少了花前累积于茎叶的钾素在花后的损失。     

Domesticated emmer wheat [T. turgidum L. subsp. dicoccon (Schrank) Thell.] as a source for improvement of zinc efficiency in durum wheat

Modern durum wheat (AABB) is more sensitive to zinc (Zn) deficiency than bread wheat (AABBDD). One strategy to increase productivity and expansion of durum wheat industry in Zn-deficient soils is to improve its ability to grow and yield in such soils. This ability is termed Zn efficiency. In a growth room experiment using soil culture, we assessed the potential of Triticum turgidum L. subsp. dicoccon (Shrank) Thell. (domesticated emmer wheat, AABB) as a genetic resource for further improvement of Zn efficiency in modern durum wheat. Twenty four accessions of domesticated emmer wheat, four durum landraces/cultivars, and two bread wheat cultivars/ advanced breeders lines of known Zn efficiency were tested under Zn deficiency and Zn sufficiency. Significant variation was observed among genotypes in Zn deficiency symptoms, dry matter production, shoot Zn concentration, shoot Zn content and Zn utilisation efficiency (physiological efficiency). We identified domesticated emmer wheat accessions with greater Zn efficiency than modern durum wheat and even bread wheat genotypes. These accessions could be used in breeding programs to improve Zn efficiency of durum wheat. The results suggest that Zn efficiency of durum or bread wheat is likely to be determined collectively by its progenitors.     

内蒙古紫皮小麦紫皮性状的遗传分析

本文对内蒙古紫皮小麦进行了遗传分析。研究了这一材料的来源,普通小麦与内蒙古紫皮小麦杂交后代的细胞学特征,回交一代和杂种第二代的紫皮性状表现,以及内蒙古紫皮小麦、普通小麦和赖草的同工酶。综合研究的结果初步表明,这一紫皮小麦与国外报道的紫皮小麦材料不同。本材料是由普通小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)与赖草(Leymus dasystachys(Trin.) Dilger)杂交,经回交、自交后得到的,而国外报道的紫皮小麦材料是由普通六倍体小麦与四倍体紫皮小麦杂交得到的。内蒙古紫皮小麦很可能是一个异代换系,具有一对来自赖草的染色体,控制紫皮性状的基因在这对外源染色体上,其紫皮性状能稳定遗传,受控于一对显性基因。     

Interspersion of different repeated sequences in the wheat genome revealed by interspecies DNA/DNA hybridisation.

The repeated sequences in oats DNA have been used to study chromosomal repeated sequence organisation in wheat. Approximately 75% of the wheat genome consists of repeated sequences but only approximately 20% will form heteroduplexes with repeated sequences from oats DNA at 60 degrees C in 0.18 M Na+. The proportion of wheat DNA that forms heteroduplexes with oats DNA is shown to be independent of the wheat DNA fragment length. However, the proportion of wheat DNA that is retained with the heteroduplexes when fractionated on hydroxyapatite is very dependent upon the wheat fragment length up to 3500 nucleotides. This is because more non-renatured wheat DNA is attached to the heteroduplexes with longer fragments. The results indicate that the repeated sequences in the wheat genome homologous to repeated sequences in oats are not clustered in the chromosomes but distributed amongst other repeated and possible non-repeated sequences.     

Influence of three resistance sources in winter wheat derived from TAM 107 on yield response to Russian wheat aphid

A study to determine yield response to the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), was conducted during the 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 growing seasons at three eastern Colorado locations, Akron, Fort Collins, and Lamar, with three wheat lines containing either Russian wheat aphid-resistant Dn4 gene, Dn6 gene, or resistance derived from PI 222668, and TAM 107 as the susceptible control. Russian wheat aphids per tiller were greater on TAM 107 than the resistant wheat lines at the 10x infestation level at Fort Collins and Akron in 1999. Yield, seed weight, and number of seeds per spike for each wheat line were somewhat affected by Russian wheat aphid per tiller mainly at Fort Collins. The infested resistant wheat lines harbored fewer Russian wheat aphids and yielded more than the infested susceptible wheat lines. Wheat lines containing the Dn4, Dn6, and PI 222668 genes contain different levels of antibiosis or antixenosis and tolerance. Although differences existed among sites and resistance, there is a benefit to planting resistant wheat when there is a potential for Russian wheat aphid infestations.     

Australian wheat production expected to decrease by the late 21st century

Climate change threatens global wheat production and food security, including the wheat industry in Australia. Many studies have examined the impacts of changes in local climate on wheat yield per hectare, but there has been no assessment of changes in land area available for production due to changing climate. It is also unclear how total wheat production would change under future climate when autonomous adaptation options are adopted. We applied species distribution models to investigate future changes in areas climatically suitable for growing wheat in Australia. A crop model was used to assess wheat yield per hectare in these areas. Our results show that there is an overall tendency for a decrease in the areas suitable for growing wheat and a decline in the yield of the northeast Australian wheat belt. This results in reduced national wheat production although future climate change may benefit South Australia and Victoria. These projected outcomes infer that similar wheat‐growing regions of the globe might also experience decreases in wheat production. Some cropping adaptation measures increase wheat yield per hectare and provide significant mitigation of the negative effects of climate change on national wheat production by 2041–2060. However, any positive effects will be insufficient to prevent a likely decline in production under a high CO₂ emission scenario by 2081–2100 due to increasing losses in suitable wheat‐growing areas. Therefore, additional adaptation strategies along with investment in wheat production are needed to maintain Australian agricultural production and enhance global food security. This scenario analysis provides a foundation towards understanding changes in Australia's wheat cropping systems, which will assist in developing adaptation strategies to mitigate climate change impacts on global wheat production.     

Distribution and diversity of Russian wheat aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) biotypes in South Africa and Lesotho

Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) was recorded for the first time in South Africa in 1978. In 2005, a second biotype, RWASA2, emerged, and here we report on the emergence of yet another biotype, found for the first time in 2009. The discovery of new Russian wheat aphid biotypes is a significant challenge to the wheat, Triticum aestivum L., industry in South Africa. Russian wheat aphid resistance in wheat, that offered wheat producers a long-term solution to Russian wheat aphid control, may no longer be effective in areas where the new biotypes occur. It is therefore critical to determine the diversity and extent of distribution of biotypes in South Africa to successfully deploy Russian wheat aphid resistance in wheat. Screening of 96 Russian wheat aphid clones resulted in identification of three Russian wheat aphid biotypes. Infestations of RWASA1 caused susceptible damage symptoms only in wheat entries containing the Dn3 gene. Infestations of RWASA2 caused susceptible damage symptoms in wheat entries containing Dn1, Dn2, Dn3, and Dn9 resistant genes. Based on the damage-rating scores for the seven resistance sources, a new biotype, which caused damage rating scores different from those for RWASA1 and RWASA2, was evident among the Russian wheat aphid populations tested. This new biotype is virulent to the same resistance sources as RWASA2 (Dn1, Dn2, Dn3, and Dn9), but it also has added virulence to Dn4, whereas RWASA2 is avirulent to this resistance source.     

Can spelt wheat be used as heterotic group for hybrid wheat breeding?

Key message

Spelt wheat is a distinct genetic group to elite bread wheat, but heterosis for yield and protein quality is too low for spelt to be recommended as heterotic group for hybrid breeding in wheat.

Abstract

The feasibility to switch from line to hybrid breeding is currently a hot topic in the wheat community. One limitation seems to be the lack of divergent heterotic groups within wheat adapted to a certain region. Spelt wheat is a hexaploid wheat that can easily be crossed with bread wheat and that forms a divergent genetic group when compared to elite bread wheat. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of Central European spelt as a heterotic group for Central European bread wheat. We performed two large experimental field studies comprising in total 43 spelt lines, 14 wheat lines, and 273 wheat–spelt hybrids, and determined yield, heading time, plant height, resistance against yellow rust, leaf rust, and powdery mildew, as well as protein content and sedimentation volume. Heterosis of yield was found to be lower than that of hybrids made between elite wheat lines. Moreover, heterosis of the quality trait sedimentation volume was negative. Consequently, spelt wheat does not appear suited to be used as heterotic group in hybrid wheat breeding. Nevertheless, high combining abilities of a few spelt lines with elite bread wheat lines make them interesting resources for pre-breeding in bread wheat. Thereby, the low correlation between line per se performance and combining ability of these spelt lines shows the potential to unravel the breeding value of genetic resources by crossing them to an elite tester.

     

小麦改良的可利用资源：黑麦抗病基因

黑麦(Secale cereale)蕴藏着丰富的抗病基因,是改良小麦抗性的重要资源,黑麦抗病基因的导入一直是小麦育种的重要研究课题。本文综述了黑麦抗病基因的染色体定位、分子标记研究和含黑麦抗病基因的小麦种质资源在我国小麦育种中的应用,对应用中存在的问题进行了分析,并对今后的研究方向进行了展望。     

气候变化对我国干旱/半干旱区小麦生产影响的模拟研究

利用随机天气模型,将气候模式对大气中CO₂倍增时预测的气候情景与CERES-小麦模式相连接,研究了气候变化对我国冬小麦和春小麦生产的可能影响。并对水分、温度、CO₂综合对小麦的作用进行初步模拟分析。所得结论为:①气候变化后小麦发育将加快,生育期缩短,春小麦生育期缩短的绝对数和相对数均小于冬小麦。②北方十个站点小麦生产的最适水分条件在不同站点、不同气候情景下都有所不同。最适水分条件变幅在40%～80%。③在不考虑CO₂对小麦影响的情况下,由于热量充足,只要水分条件适宜,未来我国北方干旱、半干旱地区小麦产量整体都有增产趋势。如果考虑CO₂,增产效果更加明显。