Inheritance of disarticulation derived from some hexaploid brittle rachis wheat

Inheritance of disarticulation in progenies of hybrids among Tibetan weedrace (9053 and AS907 of Triticum aestivum var. tibetanum), Yunnan hulled wheat (AS338 of T. aestivum concv. yunnanense) and spelt wheat (AS326 of T. aestivum concv. spelta) was studied. Disarticulation type is governed by some disarticulation modifying genes. These modifying genes can be divided into two groups, that is, wedge modifying genes (Wm) and barrel modifying genes (Bm). The two kinds of genes are codominant. Wedge type disarticulation is governed by the complement of at least two dominant wedge modifying genes (Wm ₁ and Wm ₂, Wm ₃ and Wm ₄, or Wm ₅ and Wm ₆). Barrel type disarticulation is controlled by at least one dominant barrel modifying gene (Bm ₁, Bm ₂ or Bm ₃) and its expression can be inhibited in certain genetic backgrounds. As to the background inhibition that dominant barrel modifying genes cannot express in some homozygous brittle rachis wheat, the hypothesis of epistasy of many homozygous alleles was suggested.     

Variation and Segregation for Rachis Fragility in Spelt Wheat, Triticum Spelta L.

Spelt wheat, Triticum spelta L., has been proved to be rich-sources of useful genes for tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress, and grain quality. But this crop plant has some undesirable traits including glume tenacity and brittle rachis. Free-threshing and reduced fragility of rachis are very important traits for cultivation. The objectives in the present study were to investigate genetic variation of rachis fragility in a wide range of spelt accessions, to examine its genetic segregation pattern, and to clarify if rachis fragility is associated with dosage of chromosome 5A in aneuploid lines of bread wheat. The results demonstrated that spelt germplasm contains a wide range of rachis toughness, and thus selection of spelt wheat with desirable characteristics combined with an appropriate level of tough rachis would be possible. Spike morphology in the F₂ plants was segregated into the three types, square-headed, speltoid, and compactoid. The F₂ plants with compactoid spikes had the most brittle rachis, followed by the speltoid and square-headed spike F₂ plants. Rachis fragility in bread wheat also had genetic variation and was associated with dosage of chromosome 5A.     

小麦穗型突变体表型及其转录组分析

为了明确突变体小麦穗型变化的分子机制,对源自扬辐麦4号的穗型突变体sui1进行表型分析,并在不同的穗生长阶段（孕穗期T1、灌浆期T2）,对突变体sui1与野生型的穗轴节和穗下节进行转录组分析。结果发现,相较于野生型,突变体的穗轴节、穗下节长度变短,株高降低,赤霉病发病程度加重。转录组分析结果表明,相同时期穗下节差异表达基因多于穗轴节,相同组织孕穗期差异表达基因多于灌浆期,筛选出差异表达基因2 526个,其中上调基因890个,下调基因1 636个;对差异表达基因进行基因本体论（GO）分类发现,不同组织的分子功能注释基因在两个时期富集相同,大部分集中在三磷酸腺苷（ATP）结合上;差异表达基因京都基因与基因组百科全书（KEGG）富集分析结果发现,植物-病原体互作通路富集基因最多,不同时期生物中的碳固定通路富集因子最高,不同组织光合作用-天线蛋白通路富集因子最高;对差异表达基因进行植物-病原体互作通路基因筛选,筛选出相关基因160个,其中防御反应基因63个（39%）,蛋白激酶活性基因21个（13%）,二磷酸腺苷（ADP）结合基因18个（11%）,推测这些基因可能对小麦突变体sui1穗轴节及穗型...     

Genetic mapping of the gene for brittle rachis in a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis>—<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegilops triuncialis</Emphasis> introgression line

Aegilops triuncialis L. (2n = 4x = 28, genome formula UUCC) has been used to obtain one of the “Arsenal collection”, the distant hybridization of Triticum aestivum L. The introgression line 124/00ⁱ, which was derived from the cross of T. aestivum ‘Rodina' with γ-irradiated pollen of an accession of Ae. triuncialis. However, undesirable genes can be incorporated into the cultivated varieties from Ae. triuncialis. The spikes of Ae. triuncialis disarticulate from stems at a single node at the bottom of the spikes. It was defined as a synaptospermic diaspore. However, the spike of 124/00ⁱ unexpectedly disarticulate below each spikelet showing wedge type of disarticulation. The brittle rachis gene Br ¹²⁴ (B rittle r achis of 124 /00 ⁱ ) of 124/00ⁱ was allelic to Br2 located on the short arm of chromosome 3A. From the microsatellite mapping, the Br ¹²⁴ gene was bracketed by Xbarc19 (20.3 cM) and Xgwm779.1(14.3 cM) on the short arm of chromosome 3A. The present study suggested that the dominant mutation from synaptospermic diaspore to wedge type disarticulation occurred in the gamete of Ae. triuncialis when Ae. triuncialis pollen was treated with γ-irradiation.     

Microsatellite mapping of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scr1</Emphasis> locus conferring screwed spike rachis to modify the spatial orientation of spikelets in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.

In the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) inflorescence, spikelets are arranged in two opposite rows on the main axis. Spikelet primordia initiate alternately on opposite sides at angles of 180°. Genotypes exhibiting screwed spike rachis (SCR) have been selected as a gene resource having non-standard spike morphology in wheat. Although the SCR phenotype is a prospective gene resource, it is under-utilized. The SCR phenotype is due to the attachment of spikelets to the rachis nodes on the SCR. Seed number and individual kernel size are critical economic parameters and increasing seed number and single grain weight causes competition among the growing seeds. The SCR phenotype is hypothesized to avoid competition by assuring kernel growth space in each floret. The SCR trait has been observed in spikes and peduncles of KM 60-96. The semi-dwarfism of KM 60-96 was GA₃-sensitive, and it was determined by the presence of Rht8 gene. The response of KM 60-96 to microtubule depolymerizing and stabilizing drugs indicated that the SCR phenotype was not caused by a defect in the α-Tubulin gene. The F₂ of two hexaploid hybrids and a pentaploid hybrid between SCR/normal types segregated 3 SCR:1 normal indicating that the SCR phenotype was determined by a single dominant gene, Scr1. Analysis with microsatellite markers indicated that the Scr1 allele was located in the region between markers Xgwm191 and Xgwm371 in chromosome arm 5BL. From the observation of the backcross generation, introgression of the Scr1 allele into locally adapted wheat cultivars is feasible to increase kernel growth space in each spikelet in the limited spike length.     

速生型刺槐遗传转化体系的建立

为获得稳定的转基因刺槐植株,以速生型刺槐叶轴为转化受体,对转化过程中的一些影响因素进行了探究,建立了较为完善的遗传转化体系。结果表明:继代20~35d之间刺槐叶轴最适宜转化;卡那霉素的筛选浓度为30mg/L;头孢霉素的抑菌浓度为200mg/L;合适的侵染时间是20min;30mg/L的乙酰丁香酮有利于抗性芽的发生;共培养2d对转化适宜;抑菌7d后再加选择压有利于抗性芽的产生。最后得到的抗性植株经PCR检测,初步证明外源目的基因OsDREB1已整合到刺槐基因组中。     

The third glume phenotype is associated with rachilla branching in the spikes of tetraploid wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum</Emphasis> L.)

We investigated the new inflorescence architectural character “three glumes” and a new status of ramification in tetraploid wheat. Using 9 tetraploid accessions with “turgidum type of branching”, the segregation of branched spike and the third glume indicated the complete linkage of genes for both phenotypes. The rachilla were elongated and bore florets at basal nodes while bearing spikelets at the apical nodes in T. durum Desf. TRI 9644 and T. turgidum L. PI 67339. The phenotype was different from “sham-ramification” in Triticum jakubzineri Udacz. et Schachm., with florets at basal and apical nodes of elongated spikelet rachilla. We confirmed a new status of ramification, “false-true ramification”. It was considered that the “false-true ramification” was determined by the shr2 gene in the long arm of chromosome 2A because the ramification of PI 67339 and TRI 9644 was supposed to be allelic. The segregation of “sham-ramification” and the third glume also indicated the complete linkage of genes for both phenotypes. Thus we concluded that the presence of third glume phenotype is associated with rachis and rachilla branching in the spikes of tetraploid wheat. The present study confirmed the existence of three distinct types of spike ramification, whose classification is not entirely unified: (a) “true ramification”—“branched spike”—“genuine branching”—“turgidum type of branching”, (b) “false ramification”—“pseudo-branched spike”—“sham ramification”—“vavilovii type of branching” and (c) “false-true ramification”.     

Changes of gene expression in early generations of the synthetic allotetraploid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">hytivus</Emphasis> Chen et Kirkbride

Changes of gene expression played an important role in the evolution of plant allopolyploids. Frequency, time and type of the changes of gene expression between the first two self-pollinated generations (S₁ and S₂) of a synthesized allotetraploid Cucumis × hytivus Chen et Kirkbride and in its diploid parents was analyzed with cDNA-AFLP and reverse-Northern blot technique. Sequences similarity of genes involved in changed expression were also analyzed with BLAST package. The results from cDNA-AFLP analysis showed that 36 (3.37%) genes showed silencing (27) or activation (9) in allotetraploids. These changes initiated in S₁ or S₂ generation. The silenced/activated genes included rRNA and protein-coding genes. Further reverse-Northern blot analysis validated the results obtained. Thus four types of changes of gene expression were observed, including silencing of genes from both parents, maternal parent, paternal parent, and genes novel expression. The results indicate rapid changes in gene expression in early generations of C. × hytivus, which contributed to the evolution of this synthetic allotetraploid.     

Chromosome location of the gene for the hulled character in the Tibetan weedrace of common wheat

The hulled character of the Tibetan weedrace ( Triticum aestivum var. tibetanum) was found to be governed by a single dominant gene on the short arm of chromosome 2D. The hulled character gene may be identical to the gene Tg derived from Aegilops tauschii.     

Soil quality effects of tillage and residue under rice–wheat cropping on a Vertisol in India

Soil quality in rice (Oryza sativa L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping systems is governed primarily by the tillage practices used to fulfill the contrasting soil physical and hydrological requirements of the two crops. The objective of this study was to develop a soil quality index (SQI) based on bulk density (BD), penetration resistance (PR), water stable aggregates (WSA) and soil organic matter (OM) to evaluate this important cropping system on a Vertisol in India. Regression analysis between crop yield and SQI values for various tillage and crop residue management treatments indicated SQI values of 0.84–0.92, 0.88–0.93 and 0.86–0.92 were optimum for rice, wheat and the combined system (rice + wheat), respectively. The maximum yields for rice and wheat were 5806 and 1825 kg ha⁻¹ occurred at SQI values of 0.85 and 0.99, respectively. Using zero tillage (ZT) for wheat had a positive effect on soil quality regardless of the treatments used for rice. Regression analyses to predict sustainability of the various tillage and crop residue treatments showed that as puddling intensity for rice increased, sustainability without returning crop residues decreased from 6 to 1 years. When residue was returned, the time for sustainable productivity increased from 6 to 15 years for direct seeded rice, 5 to 11 years with low-intensity puddling (P₁) and 1 to 8 years for high-intensity (P₂) puddling. For sustainability and productivity, the best practice for this or similar Vertisols in India would be direct seeding of rice with conventional tillage and residues returned.     

Evaluation of barley landraces and selections from natural outcrosses ofH. vulgare ssp.spontaneum with ssp.vulgare for breeding in semi-arid areas

Summary Landraces of barley and tough rachis genotypes selected from natural crosses of ssp.spontaneum withssp. vulgare were evaluated in Cyprus under rainfed conditions with the best commercially grown grain varieties. Landraces, eliminated from cultivation around 40 years ago, gave grain yields comparable to those to the best commercially grown varieties, Athenais and Kantara. Also, selected genotypes from the natural hybrids gave grain yields approaching those of Athenais and Kantara, in spite of the fact that human interference was limited only to visual individual plant selection in natural habitats, followed by the evaluation of 44 genotypes in the present studies. Locally adapted landraces and selected genotypes from the natural hybrids expressed valuable measurable traits, such as 1000-grain weight, crude protein content, volume weight, lodging and disease resistance, which could be used in breeding programmes. The heading date of these 44 selected tough rachis genotypes was within a narrow range, which lies within the optimum range determined by long term studies for Cyprus. Furthermore, non-visible gene complexes for adaptation to moisture, heat and other stresses present in land races and natural hybrids could be exploited for breeding in semi-arid areas. These natural hybrids apparently contributed towards maintaining genes present in landraces which became extinct long time ago.     

Evaluation of Roegneria for resistance to head scab caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe

71 accessions from 13 Roegneria species were evaluated for resistance to wheat scab. The results showed that 31 of the 71 accessions possessed high resistance (HR) to initial infection and high resistance (HR) to pathogen spread. The disease spread from inoculated floret to head rachis was not observed, and the incidence of head infection were lower under natural than under artificial inoculation conditions. The intergeneric hybrid F1 of Roegneria tsukushiensis (Honda) B.R. Lu, Yen et J.L. Yang. var. transiens (Hack.) B.R. Lu, Yen et J.L. Yang × Hordeum vulgare Linn. exhibited resistance (R) to pathogen invasion and high resistance (HR) to spread. Therefore, Roegneria could be used as scab resistant resources in cereal breeding. In addition, the relatioship between its resistance and ecological environments where Roegneria was distributed was discussed in this paper.     

Genetic characterization of Lens ervoides from Ethiopia

Summary A single population of the Mediterranean species Lens ervoides was located in Ethiopia and seeds were collected. Based on chromosomal arrangement and isozyme profile the Ethiopian L. ervoides is similar to populations of this species in the Mediterranean region. All hybrids between L. ervoides from Ethiopia and an accession of this species from Israel were dwarf, whereas hybrids between the former and an accession from Algeria were normal. Segregation in F₂ and BC generations indicated that the dwarf habit in lentil is governed by dominant alleles of two complementary genes designated df ₁ and df ₂. The dominant allele of another gene, dfi, inhibits the dwarf phenotype. The evolution of L. ervoides from Ethiopia and its potential as a genetic resource are briefly discussed.     

Diversity of laccase genes from basidiomycetes in a forest soil

Fungal oxidative exo-enzymes lacking substrate specificity play a central role in the cycling of soil organic matter. Due to their broad ecological impact and available knowledge of their gene structure, laccases appeared to be appropriate markers to monitor fungi with this kind of oxidative potential in soils. A degenerate PCR-primer pair Cu1F/Cu2R, specific for basidiomycetes, was designed to assess directly the diversity of laccase genes in soils. PCR amplification of mycelial cultures and fruit-bodies of a wide spectrum of basidiomycetes, covering all functional groups (saprophytes, symbionts, and pathogens), produced multiple DNA fragments around 200 bp. A neighbor-joining tree analysis of the PCR-amplified laccase sequences showed a clear species-specificity, but also revealed that most fungal taxa possess several laccase genes showing a large sequence divergence. This sequence diversity precluded the systematic attribution of amplified laccase of unknown origin to specific taxa. Amplification of laccase sequences from DNA, extracted from a brown (moder) forest soil, showed a specific distribution of laccase genes and of the corresponding fungal species in the various soil horizons (O_h, A_h, B_v). The most organic O_h-horizon displayed the highest gene diversity. Saprophytic fungi appeared to be less widespread through the soil horizons and displayed a higher diversity of laccase genes than the mycorrhizal ones.     

Factors influencing crossability among triticale and wheat and its subsequent effect along with hybrid necrosis on haploid induction

Gene introgression in wheat is not only limited by crossability but also affected by environmental conditions, genotypic differences and necrotic genes. Hence, the present investigation was formulated to determine the influence of genotypic and environmental factors on the crossability of elite triticale and wheat genotypes, screen the effect of necrotic genes in the F₁ hybrids and the relative performance of hybrids towards haploid induction following the Imperata cylindrica-mediated chromosome elimination approach. The dry temperate region was observed to be significantly better than sub-humid mid-hills for seed set in intergeneric crosses. Lower rate of crossability (17.49–48.33% and 14.46–36.51%) was found in triticale?×?wheat crosses at both locations. The hybrids having HPW236 as one of the parent revealed necrosis ranging from the lowest to highest grade. Further, negative influence of the necrotic genes on the haploid induction parameters was apparent due to significant hybrid necrosis symptoms in F₁ hybrids. Statistically significant variation in haploid induction parameters was also evident between and within different cross combinations, indicating that haploid induction parameters were profoundly influenced by genotypic specificity.     

Crop and Soil Responses to Fertilization with Distillers’ Grains–Derived Manure in a Saskatchewan Soil

A 2-year field trial was conducted to evaluate crop and soil responses to application of manure from cattle fed distillers’ grain (DGM) in comparison with manure from cattle fed regular barley grain (BGM). Manure addition in general promoted grain and straw yield and increased plant nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) uptake in both years by approximately 30–50%. In the first year, effect of manure type on crop responses was insignificant, which is consistent with the similar chemical composition of both manures. In the second year, P recovery was greater in DGM treatments, presumably related to a relatively greater P in DGM. Manure application in general increased soil residual nitrate nitrogen (NO₃^– N) and available P contents at 0–15 cm deep. The high background fertility of studied soil together with the excess moisture during the second year may have masked the significant effects of manure type on most crop and soil responses during this study.     

Diversity, abundance and vertical distribution of methane-oxidizing bacteria (methanotrophs) in the sediments of the Xianghai wetland, Songnen Plain, northeast China

Purpose

Methanotrophs in wetlands are of great importance because up to 90 % of the methane (CH₄) produced in such wetlands could be oxidized by methanotrophs before reaching the atmosphere. The Xianghai wetland of Songnen Plain represents an important ecosystem in northeast China. However, methanotrophic characteristics in this ecosystem have not been studied in detail. The aim of this study is to give an overview of methanotrophic diversity and vertical distribution in the sediments of this important wetland.

Materials and methods

Sediment cores were collected from three freshwater marshes, each dominated by a particular vegetation type: Carex alata, Phragmites australis and Typha orientalis. The diversity of methanotrophs was studied by phylogenetic analysis of both the 16S rRNA gene and the particulate methane monooxygenase (pmoA) gene. Methanotroph abundance was determined by quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting the pmoA gene; group-specific pmoA gene quantification was also used to estimate the abundance of each methanotrophic group.

Results and discussion

16S rRNA and pmoA gene homological analysis revealed the presence of type Ia, Ib and II methanotrophs. Novel pmoA sequences distantly affiliated to cultured Methylococcus sp. were detected, implying the existence of novel methanotrophs in the wetland. Most obtained representatives of Methylobacter genus (both 16S rRNA and pmoA genes) were closely clustered in relation to sequences acquired from the Zoige wetland, Tibet and Siberia permafrost soils, therefore suggesting methanotrophs belonging to Methylobacter genus shared characteristics with methanotrophs in cold areas. The dominance of type I methanotrophs (especially the Methylobacter genus) was detected by both clone library analysis and group-specific qPCR assay. The relatively high methanotroph diversity and pmoA copy numbers measured in the T. orientalis marsh sediments indicated that vegetation type played an important role during CH₄ oxidation in the wetland.

Conclusions

We present the first data set on methanotroph diversity and vertical distribution in the sediments of the Xianghai wetland. DNA sequences information of Methylococcus-like methanotrophs in the wetland will facilitate the isolating of novel methanotrophs from the wetland. In a worldwide context, our study has enriched the database of genotypic diversity of methanotrophs, which will help in the understanding of the geographical distribution of methanotrophic communities.     

Soybean preference for Bradyrhizobium japonicum for modulation

Abstract

Caldwell and Vest (1968) planted soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr.) with various genotypes at Beltsville, USA, without inoculating them with Bradyrhizobium japonicum, and showed that soybeans preferred certain serotypes of rhizobial strains for nodulation. Recently, the authors have reported that soybeans carrying nodulation-conditioning genes preferred appropriate strains showing specific behavior for nodulation (Ishizuka et al. 1991). For instance, nodulation of soybean cv. Hardee which carries the nodulation-conditioning genes, Rj ₂ and Rj ₃, does not occur with B. japonicum USDA122, USDA33, Is-1, etc. Nodulation of cv. Hill which carries the Rj ₄ gene, does not occur with B. japonicum USDA61, Is-21, etc. while A62-2 which carries a recessive gene rj ₁, does not nodulate with almost any of the strains of B. japonicum. Therefore, the B. japonicum strains can be classified into three nodulation types based on the compatibility with these Rj-cultivars, that is, type A strains which effectively nodulated both Rj ₂ Rj ₃-cultivars and Rj ₄-ones, type B strains which did not nodulate the Rj ₂ Rj ₃-cultivars and type C strains which did not nodulate the Rj ₄-cultivars. When the nodulation types of the isolates from nodules of field-grown soybeans were examined, it was suggested that the Rj ₂ Rj ₃-cultivars and Rj ₄-cultivars preferred the type C and type B strains, respectively (Ishizuka et al. 1991).     

Faster anaerobic decomposition of a brittle straw rice mutant: Implications for residue management

Rice (Oryza sativa) in Asia is typically grown on submerged soils in intensive cropping systems with only a brief interval between harvest of one crop and planting of the next. Incorporation of crop residues can be challenging because the fallow period between crops is often too short to allow sufficient decomposition. During early stages of anaerobic residue decomposition in flooded soils, plant growth may be inhibited by nutrient immobilization or by the production of potentially toxic organic acids. Straw from a brittle stem mutant of rice (Oryza sativa L. var. IR68) was tested in a 30-d incubation experiment under continuously flooded conditions in a greenhouse to determine if it would decompose more rapidly than the non-brittle phenotype, thereby allowing shorter fallow time between crops. Brittle straw decomposed faster, as indicated by 51% total C loss as CO₂ or CH₄ within 3 weeks of incorporation, compared with 28% for non-brittle straw. However, brittle straw also produced a significantly higher (P<0.0001) amount of formic, acetic, aconitic, propionic, and butyric acids than non-brittle straw. There was no difference in soil N immobilization pattern between the two straw types, or in P or K availability in the soil, perhaps due to the short duration of the experiment. To maximize the potential advantage of faster decomposition of brittle straw in intensive rice cropping systems, it may be helpful to manage water for sufficient soil aeration to mitigate the negative organic acid and methane production effects.     

Comparison between analytical results of plant sap analysis and the dry ashing method for tomato plants cultured hydroponically

Tomato plants (Lycopersicon. esculentum Mill cv. Momotaro) were cultured in nutrient solutions of varying concentrations or of varying nitrate (NO₃) levels. The leaf blades and the main petioles including rachis were collected from the mixture of three successive leaves below each fruit truss at two growth stages. Comparisons were made between the nutrient concentration in the leaf blade and the petiole determined by plant sap analysis, and that in the leaf blade determined by the dry ashing method. Closely correlated relationships were found to exist between the phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations in the leaf blade and the petiole determined by plant sap analysis, and those in the leaf blade determined by the dry ashing method at two growth stages. For the concentration of potassium (K), there was no correlation between results of plant sap analysis and those determined by the dry ashing method at either growth stage.