Variation in the spectrum of Fusarium species on winter wheat

In 1998–2000 a monitoring of the spectrum of Fusarium species on winter wheat was carried out in the Rhineland. The epidemic spread ofFusarium spp. on wheat plants during growing season was investigated as well as the grain contamination after harvest.F avenaceum was the Fusarium species isolated most frequently followed byF culmorum, F poae andF graminearum. Microdochium nivale occurred considerably only in 1998. Both, susceptibility and plant height of the cultivars were correlated to the incidence of Fusarium species /M nivale on harvested kernels; interactions with cropping intensities were detected. The incidence ofF poae seemed to be independent of the cultivar-specific Fusarium susceptibility. Despite the lack of disease symptoms, between growth stages 45–85 mycelium ofFusarium spp. was detectable in the leaves as well as conidia on the leaf surfaces.     

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.     

Preference of cereal aphids for different varieties of winter wheat

This paper reports on the development of a simple and robust preference meter (developed in-house) to score the host choice behavior of apterous aphids. With this tool, the preferences of two important cereal aphids Sitobion avenae (Fab.) and Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker) were investigated against four different varieties of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with a different susceptibility for Fusarium head blight (FHB). Differences in the choice behavior of both aphid species were observed for different wheat varieties. The preferred wheat variety of S. avenae and M. dirhodum was not the same. Also, both aphid species clearly had a differential preference for seedlings and ears. Using seedlings, M. dirhodum was about 1.8 times more rapid in making its choice than S. avenae. In separate experiments with ears, S. avenae was 4.5 times faster than in the experiments with seedlings. In the present study, we aim to highlight differences in preference behavior in relation to potential mechanisms for host selection.     

一级生产水平下冬小麦、夏玉米的生产模拟

通过模拟计算得到一级生产水平下冬小麦和夏玉米的累积干物质动态曲线.两年的计算结果和实测值都比较吻合.研究表明,在黄淮海平原,可以把亩产吨粮作为冬小麦夏玉米一年两茬平作粮田达到一级生产水平的指标.若用中熟夏玉米套作代替早熟夏玉米平作,籽粒的年产量可增加一成.通过对不同叶面积指数下干物质产量的模拟计算,得到一年两茬平作的干物质产量最大可达46t·hm^-2,籽粒产量19.1t·hm^-2.     

Association mapping for Fusarium head blight resistance in European soft winter wheat

Resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB) is of great importance in wheat breeding programs in the northern hemisphere. In Europe, breeders prefer adapted germplasm as resistance donor because of high grain yield and quality demands. Our objective was to identify chromosomal regions affecting FHB resistance among 455 European soft winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) lines using a genome-wide association mapping approach and to analyze the importance of epistatic interactions. All entries were evaluated for FHB resistance by inoculation in two environments and several ratings. Wheat was genotyped by 115 simple sequence repeat markers randomly distributed across the genome and two allele-specific markers for Rht-B1 and Rht-D1 genes. The genome-wide scan revealed nine significant (P < 0.05) marker–phenotype associations on seven chromosomes including dwarfing gene Rht-D1. Using a Bonferroni–Holm correction, three significant associations remained on chromosomes 1B, 1D, and 2D. The proportion of the genotypic variance explained simultaneously by individual markers was 36% and increased to 50% when two digenic epistatic interactions were considered, one of them associated with Rht-B1. In conclusion, new genomic regions on chromosomes 1D and 3A could be found for FHB resistance in European wheat and the effect of epistatic interactions was substantial.     

Photosynthetic and translocation pattern in contrasting winter wheat varieties

The rates of photosynthesis and patterns of translocation of ¹⁴C from the flag leaves of tall and semi-dwarf wheat varieties, with and without awns, were compared in a field experiment. The rates of photosynthesis of the awnless varieties fell during the 14 days after anthesis but those of the awned varieties did not change. Wide differences in translocation pattern of ¹⁴C supplied at anthesis were also found between varieties, but the differences in distribution pattern of ¹⁴C supplied 14 days later were less. At anthesis, the high yielding semi-dwarf selection translocated most carbohydrate to the ears and awned selections least. It is suggested that varietal differences in translocation pattern are determined by differences in the capacity of the grain to store carbohydrate.     

一级生产水平下冬小麦,夏玉米的生产模拟

通过模拟计算得到一级生产水平下冬小麦和夏玉米的累积干物质动态曲线 .两年的计算结果和实测值都比较吻合 .研究表明 ,在黄淮海平原 ,可以把亩产吨粮作为冬小麦 夏玉米一年两茬平作粮田达到一级生产水平的指标 .若用中熟夏玉米套作代替早熟夏玉米平作 ,籽粒的年产量可增加一成 .通过对不同叶面积指数下干物质产量的模拟计算 ,得到一年两茬平作的干物质产量最大可达 46t·hm- 2 ,籽粒产量 1 9.1t·hm- 2 .     

A major QTL for resistance against Fusarium head blight in European winter wheat

We report on the verification of a resistance quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 1BL (now designated Qfhs.lfl-1BL) which had been previously identified in the winter wheat cultivar Cansas. For a more precise estimation of the QTL effect and its influence on plant height and heading date lines with a more homogeneous genetic background were created and evaluated in four environments after spray inoculation with Fusarium culmorum. Qfhs.lfl-1BL reduced FHB severity by 42% relative to lines without the resistance allele. This QTL did not influence plant height, but significantly delayed heading date by one day. All of the most resistant genotypes of the verification population carried this major QTL displaying its importance for disease resistance. This resistance QTL has not only been found in the cultivar Cansas, but also in the three European winter wheat cultivars Biscay, History and Pirat. A subsequent meta-analysis confirmed the presence of a single QTL on the long arm of chromosome 1B originating from the four mentioned cultivars. Altogether, the results of the present study indicate that Qfhs.lfl-1BL is an important component of FHB resistance in European winter wheat and support the view that this QTL would be effective and valuable in backcross breeding programmes. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Toxigenic Fusarium species infecting wheat heads in Poland

Toxigenic Fusarium species are common pathogens of wheat and other cereals worldwide. In total, 449 wheat heads from six localities in Poland, heavily infected with Fusarium during 2009 season, were examined for Fusarium species identification. F. culmorum was the most common species (72.1% on average) with F. graminearum and F. avenaceum the next most commonly observed, but much less frequent (13.4 and 12.5% respectively). F. cerealis was found in 1.8% of all samples, and F. tricinctum was found only in one sample (0.2%). Subsequent quantification of the three major mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol, zearalenone and moniliformin) in grain and chaff fractions with respect to associated prevailing pathogen species uncovered the following patterns. Moniliformin (MON) was found in low amounts in all samples with F. avenaceum present. In contrast, deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) were the contaminants of F. culmorum- and F. graminearum-infected heads. The highest concentration of DON was recorded in grain sample collected in Radzików (77 µg g^?1). High temperatures in Central Poland during July and August accompanied with high rainfall in July were responsible for this high DON accumulation. Trichothecene, zearalenone, enniatin and beauvericin chemotypes were identified among 21 purified isolates using gene-specific PCR markers.     

Quantification of trichothecene-producing Fusarium species in harvested grain by competitive PCR to determine efficacies of fungicides against Fusarium head blight of winter wheat

We developed a PCR-based assay to quantify trichothecene-producing Fusarium based on primers derived from the trichodiene synthase gene (Tri5). The primers were tested against a range of fusarium head blight (FHB) (also known as scab) pathogens and found to amplify specifically a 260-bp product from 25 isolates belonging to six trichothecene-producing Fusarium species. Amounts of the trichothecene-producing Fusarium and the trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) in harvested grain from a field trial designed to test the efficacies of the fungicides metconazole, azoxystrobin, and tebuconazole to control FHB were quantified. No correlation was found between FHB severity and DON in harvested grain, but a good correlation existed between the amount of trichothecene-producing Fusarium and DON present within grain. Azoxystrobin did not affect levels of trichothecene-producing Fusarium compared with those of untreated controls. Metconazole and tebuconazole significantly reduced the amount of trichothecene-producing Fusarium in harvested grain. We hypothesize that the fungicides affected the relationship between FHB severity and the amount of DON in harvested grain by altering the proportion of trichothecene-producing Fusarium within the FHB disease complex and not by altering the rate of DON production. The Tri5 quantitative PCR assay will aid research directed towards reducing amounts of trichothecene mycotoxins in food and animal feed.     

Seasonal mycorrhizal colonization of winter wheat and its effect on wheat growth under dryland field conditions

 A field experiment was conducted to determine the seasonal patterns of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) in a dryland winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system and to determine wheat growth and P uptake responses to inoculation with mycorrhizal fungus. Broadcast-incorporated treatments included (1) no inoculation with mycorrhizal fungus, with and without P fertilizer, and (2) mycorrhizal fungal inoculation at a rate of 5000 spores of Glomus intraradices (Schenck and Smith), per 30 cm in each row, with and without fertilizer P. Winter wheat was seeded within a day after treatments were imposed, and roots were sampled at five growth stages to quantify AM. Shoot samples were also taken for determination of dry matter, grain yield and yield components, and N and P uptake. No AM infection was evident during the fall months following seeding, which was characterized by low soil temperature, while during the spring, the AM increased gradually. Increases in wheat grain yields by enhanced AM were of similar magnitude to the response obtained from P fertilization. However, responses differed at intermediate growth stages. At the tillering stage, P uptake was mainly increased by P fertilization but not by fungal inoculation. At harvest, enhanced AM increased P uptake regardless of whether or not fertilizer P was added. The AM symbiosis increased with rising soil temperatures in the spring, in time to enhance late-season P accumulation and grain production. Accepted: 15 July 1998     

Genotype x strain interactions for resistance to Fusarium head blight caused by Fusarium culmorum in winter wheat

Summary In 3 consecutive years, a set of 17 winter wheat genotypes, representing a wide range of Fusarium head blight resistance, was inoculated with four strains of Fusarium culmorum. Fusarium head blight ratings were analyzed. The interaction between genotypes, strains, and years was described using a Finlay-Wilkinson model and an Additive Main effects and Multiplicative Interaction effects (AMMI) model. The interaction consisted primarily of a divergence of genotypical responses with increasing disease pressure, modified by genotype specific reactions in certain years. The divergence was mainly caused by one very pathogenic strain. The Fusarium head blight resistance in this study can be described as horizontal resistance in terms of Vanderplank, with the exception of three genotypes selected from one particular cross that showed a strain-year combination dependent resistance which was ineffective in 1 year.     

Deoxynivalenol and 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol and Fusarium species in winter triticale

Fusarium species infecting heads of Triticale and mycotoxins presence in infected kernels and chaff were studied during two seasons. The most important species observed on infected heads were in 1986F. avenaceum (39%),F. nivale (21%),F. culmorum (20%),F. graminearum (14%), and others (6%). In 1987 after long and snowy winterF. nivale dominated (64%), followed byF. avenaceum (24%),F. culmorum (6%), andF. graminearum (5%). The mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and 3-acetyl DON were present in all 11 subsamples of kernels from heads infected byF. culmorum and/orF. Graminearum (1.6–16.4 mg and 0.7–2.4mg/kg, respectively). Chaff from the same subsamples contained 9.9–33.2mg/kg of DON and 5.2–16.0mg/kg of 3-AcDON. Kernels with visibleFusarium-damage contained 2.4–31.2 mg/kg of DON and 1.2–6.0 mg/kg of 3-AcDON. Remaining part of kernels without symptoms of visibleFusarium-damage contained only DON in an amount of 0.9–5.9 mg/kg.     

水分亏缺冬小麦近等基因系冠气温差与群体总耗水量的关系

研究品种之间群体耗水特性的差异及其关键影响因素,为品种耗水特性评价与低耗水品种鉴选方法提供依据。选用水分亏缺条件下产量差异不显著,但耗水量差异极显著的冬小麦品种晋麦47和京411及其15个近等基因系为实验材料。利用防雨池和防雨棚开展实验,模拟水分亏缺条件。监测全生育期土壤水分含量,计算总耗水量,收获后测定籽粒产量,计算水分利用效率(WUE)。同时,分别在拔节-孕穗期、抽穗-开花期和灌浆期3个不同生育期监测冠层-大气温度差值(CTD)、叶片蒸腾速率和气孔导度。结果表明,3个不同生育期,15个近等基因系及其亲本之间,CTD均达到显著差异。CTD的方差分析表明,基因型和年份均对不同生育期的CTD有显著影响,但是二者之间仅在抽穗-开花期存在互作(P=0.0002)。15个近等基因系及其亲本之间耗水量存在显著差异,产量没有显著差异。源于耗水量的差异,部分品种/系之间WUE达显著差异。3个不同生育期,15个近等基因系及其亲本之间,CTD与总耗水量均呈极显著负相关关系。抽穗-开花期最高,2012—2013年度和2016—2017年度分别达到0.7042和0.6095。叶片蒸腾速率和气孔导度与群体总耗水量之间相关性很弱,3个生育期均未达到显著水平。对该组近等基因系材料,影响群体总耗水量的关键因素不是叶片蒸腾生理特性,而是群体冠层生长特性。表明构建合理的群体冠层结构不仅是获得高产的途经,而且是调控群体总耗水量,提高品种水分利用效率的重要途径。     

Evaluation of genetic diversity of Fusarium head blight resistance in European winter wheat

Genetic diversity in relation to Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance was investigated among 295 European winter wheat cultivars and advanced breeding lines using 47 wheat SSR markers. Twelve additional wheat lines with known FHB resistance were included as reference material. At least one SSR marker per chromosome arm, including SSR markers reported in the literature with putative associations with QTLs for FHB resistance, were assayed to give an even distribution of SSR markers across the wheat genome. A total of 404 SSR alleles were detected. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 21, with an average of 8.6 alleles. The polymorphism information content of the SSR markers ranged from 0.13 (Xwmc483) to 0.87 (Xwmc607), with an average of 0.54. Cluster analysis was performed by both genetic distance-based and model-based methods. In general, the dendrogram based on unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages showed similar groupings to the model-based analysis. Seven clusters were identified by the model-based method, which did not strictly correspond to geographical origin. The FHB resistance level of the wheat lines was evaluated in field trials conducted over multiple years or locations by assessing the following traits: % FHB severity, % FHB incidence, % diseased kernels, in spray inoculation trials, and % FHB spread and % wilted tips, in point inoculation trials. Association analysis between SSR markers and the FHB disease traits detected markers significantly associated with FHB resistance, including some that have not been previously reported. The percentage of variance explained by each individual marker was, however, rather low. Haplotype analysis revealed that the FHB-resistant European wheat lines do not contain the 3BS locus derived from Sumai 3. The information generated in this study will assist in the selection of parental lines in order to increase the efficiency of breeding efforts for FHB resistance.     

Leaf-cutting ant preferences for five native tropical plantation tree species growing under different light conditions

To examine the susceptibility of five Costa Rican tree species to leaf-cutter ants (Atta cephalotes L.: Formicidae, Attini), young and mature leaves from trees that were grown in a plantation under full sun and partial shade were offered to six leaf-cutter colonies located in full sun and six in patial shade. In addition to offering leaf disks to the ants, we offered large pieces of leaves to assess the effect of cutting leaves on food choices. Leaf-cutters responded differently to each plant species, preferring Virola koschyni Warburg (Myristicaceae) and Hyeronima alchorneoides Allemao (Euphorbiaceae) over Stryphnodendrum microstachyum Poeppig & Endlicher (Mimosoideae), Pentaclethra macroloba Willdenow (Fabaceae) and Vochysia ferruginea Martius (Vochysiaceae). In agreement with previous studies, interspecific differences among the tree species in water and saponin content appeared to account for the observed ant preferences among the five tree species: leaf-cutter ants preferred leaves and disks with more water and less saponins and the five tree species varied significantly in these traits. An observed positive correlation between preference and phenolic/nitrogen ratio appears to be spurious, and is instead due to a negative correlation between water content and nitrogen content. For the first time, Atta nest location has been shown to affect consumption: nests located in partial shade removed more leaf material than those from the sun plots. However, nest location had no effect on preference ranking of the tree species tested. Pieces of leaves from all the tree species grown in partial shade were significantly more removed than those trees grown in full sun. Leaf age, toughness, leaf specific weights, ant activity, and colony were not correlated with food choices. Because of the observed preferences, the five tree species should not be considered as equal candidates for plantation purposes. However, complete characterization of the candidate status of tree species for plantations in the neotropics must include information on the ability of such species to tolerate pest attacks in addition to their natural defenses to attack.     

不同环境条件下小麦氮代谢关键酶活性及籽粒品质

研究了两种环境条件下3个不同蛋白含量小麦品种的氮代谢关键酶活性及籽粒品质的差异.结果表明,龙口试验点的小麦旗叶硝酸还原酶(NR)、谷胺酰氨合成酶(GS)和籽粒谷胺酰氨合成酶活性均显著高于泰安试验点,3个品种间的酶活性顺序均为：济麦20＞优麦3号＞PH971942.优质强筋小麦品种的籽粒综合品质性状在龙口试验点的表现优于泰安试验点. 灌浆期环境因素与小麦籽粒品质和酶活性存在显著的相关性,灌浆期间的较高气温、适当干旱和寡照环境有利于提高小麦籽粒品质.龙口试验点的中、强筋小麦品种和泰安试验点的中筋小麦品种蛋白质含量与旗叶NR和GS活性均达显著正相关.小麦品种用途不同,对环境条件的要求不同,适宜的环境条件提高了氮代谢关键酶的活性,利于改善小麦品质.     

河南若干小麦品种籽粒戊聚糖含量的初步研究

1999-2000年对河南省8个有代表性的小麦品种的戊聚糖进行了测定,不同品种戊聚糖的平均含量变化范围为6%-9%。不同品种和不同生态条件下小麦籽粒戊聚糖含量均有很大差异。5个试点小麦籽粒戊聚糖的平均含量与千粒重,降落值均成负相关关系（r=-0.83,r=-0.31),而与蛋白质的含量却呈正相关关系（r=0.35)。说明戊聚糖含量与生态因素有很大关系,采用Eberhart-Russell模型对小鼠戊聚糖含量的稳定性进行分析。发现豫麦34是戊聚糖含量较理想的品种。     

Inheritance of Fusarium head blight resistance in the soft red winter wheat Ernie

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe [telomorph:Gibberella zeae Schw. (Petch)], is an increasingly important disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Host-plant resistance is considered to be the most economical means of control, but a lack of unique sources of resistance has hindered efforts to breed resistant varieties. The soft red winter wheat, Ernie, has moderately high FHB resistance and is widely used in U.S. breeding programs; however, the genetics of resistance have not been studied. The objectives of this study were to estimate the genetic effects, gene numbers, and heritability for traits related to FHB resistance in Ernie through generation means analyses and variance analyses of 243 F₃-derived F₈ and F₉ recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Replicated experiments were grown in the greenhouse, inoculated with F. graminearum, and evaluated for disease spread and the FHB index (FHBI). The latter was calculated as the percentage of diseased spikelets in inoculated spikes and is often referred to as type-II resistance. Gene action for both disease spread and FHBI was primarily additive with partial dominance for low disease. Broad-sense heritabilities for spread and FHBI were 78.2% and 78.3%, respectively, while the narrow-sense heritabilities were 51.3% and 55.4%, respectively. Line-mean heritabilities from analyses of variance of RILs were 0.70 and 0.87 for spread and FHBI, respectively. A minimum of four genes conditioned both disease spread and FHBI. These results suggest that breeders should be able to enhance FHB resistance by combining the resistance in Ernie with other complementary additive sources of resistance.