Phenological and physiological evaluation of first and second cropping periods of sorghum and maize crops

Environmental conditions influence phenology and physiological processes of plants. It is common for maize and sorghum to be sown at two different periods: the first cropping (spring/summer) and the second cropping (autumn/winter). The phenological cycle of these crops varies greatly according to the planting season, and it is necessary to characterize the growth and development to facilitate the selection of the species best adapted to the environment. The aim of this study was to characterize phenological phases and physiological parameters in sorghum and maize plants as a function of environmental conditions from the first cropping and second cropping periods. Two parallel experiments were conducted with both crops. The phenological characterization was based on growth analyses (plant height, leaf area and photoassimilate partitioning) and gas exchange evaluations (net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration and water-use efficiency). It was found that the vegetative stage (VS) for sorghum and maize plants was 7 and 21 days, respectively, longer when cultivated during the second cropping. In the first cropping, the plants were taller than in the second cropping, regardless of the crop. The stomatal conductance of sorghum plants fluctuated in the second cropping during the development period, while maize plants showed decreasing linear behaviour. Water-use efficiency in sorghum plants was higher during the second cropping compared with the first cropping. In maize plants, in the second cropping, the water-use efficiency showed a slight variation in relation to the first cropping. It was concluded that the environmental conditions as degree-days, temperature, photoperiod and pluvial precipitation influence the phenology and physiology of both crops during the first and the second cropping periods, specifically cycle duration, plant height, leaf area, net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and water-use efficiency, indicating that both crops respond differentially to environmental changes during the growing season.     

贵州省不同年代糯高粱品种（系）农艺性状演变分析

以贵州省不同年代酿酒用糯高粱品种（系）为研究对象,采用随机区组试验设计,对其农艺性状、产量构成以及抗性差异进行分析,结果表明：随着年代更替,贵州省酿酒用糯高粱单产逐步提高。新品种（红缨子、黔高8号）较老品系（黑壳糯、红壳糯）平均单产增幅25%以上;穗粒数、穗粒重增加显著,增幅分别为51.7%、62.7%;主穗一、二级枝梗数增加幅度分别为19.8%、62.7%;株高降低24.9%,茎粗增加9.5%;节间数增加0.9个,节间长缩短13.3cm;单株叶面积和叶面积指数增加显著;倒伏率、发病率下降显著,成穗率明显提升。各指标相关性分析显示,产量与穗粒数、穗粒重,穗粒数与主穗一、二级枝梗数呈极显著正相关;产量与株高、倒伏率极显著负相关,与茎粗正相关,相关系数分别为-0.981、-0.970和0.928,株高、茎粗与倒伏率相关显著,相关系数分别为0.964和-0.910;产量与叶面积指数正相关,与发病率显著负相关。总的结果表明,主穗一、二级枝梗数的增加提高了糯高粱的穗粒数,植株株高的降低、茎粗的增加促进了抗倒性的提升,抗病性的提升保证了后期叶片光合作用的持续进行,最终提高了糯高粱产量。     

Diversity,plant growth-promoting traits,and biocontrol potential of fungal endophytes of Sorghum bicolor

The diversity of fungal endophytes in Sorghum bicolor was investigated in samples collected from 10 different geographical regions of Karnataka state, India. A total of 360 endophytes were isolated from leaf, stem, and root tissues and were assigned to 26 fungal species based on morphology and molecular characterization using ITS sequences. All the endophytes belonged to the phylum Ascomycota. The diversity (Shannon H, 2.57; Simpson_1-D, 0.92) and species richness (Margalef's, 4.68; Menhinick, 3.61) were found to be higher for the endophytes isolated from leaf tissues. The species evenness of the endophytic assemblage was strongly influenced by tissue type, followed by geographical location. The biocontrol potential of isolated endophytes was evaluated against economically destructive sorghum grain mould pathogens such as Fusarium thapsinum, Epicoccum sorghinum, Alternaria alternata, and Curvularia lunata using the dual culture method. Biocontrol potential was exhibited by 26 endophytic isolates, of which Trichoderma asperellum recorded broad-spectrum activity against target pathogens, followed by E. nigrum and A. longipes. Most (82%) endophytes showed plant growth-promoting traits. Biosynthesis of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was observed in 84% of isolates, and phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, and cellulase activity was observed in 69%, 23%, and 27% of isolates, respectively. Seeds treated with T. asperellum exhibited a significantly higher seed vigour index (2096), germination percentage (94%), and yield under greenhouse and field conditions. The results were substantiated by the confocal microscopy analysis, which clearly demonstrated the colonization of treated endophyte in root tissues. The present study reveals an ecofriendly approach to explore T. asperellum in sorghum disease management.     

Genetic control of sorghum resistance to leaf anthracnose

A study was carried out to investigate the inheritance of resistance to anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum sublineolum, in sorghum. Crosses between resistant and susceptible parents and backcrosses between F₁ plants and the susceptible parents were carried out under field conditions. The F₁ generations and the segregant populations were evaluated under artificial inoculation conditions in the greenhouse. In the F₁ generation of all crosses with the respective isolates, all of the plants presented a resistance reaction except for the F₁ plants resulting from the BR009 × SC283 cross. In the F₂ generation, the frequencies of resistant and susceptible plants conformed to the hypothesis that one gene with two alleles controls host resistance, except in one cross. Out of the eight backcrosses, six presented segregation that corresponded to the hypothesis formulated. For most crosses, resistance was dominant, and the proportions of resistant and susceptible plants in the segregant populations conformed to the frequencies expected under the hypothesis of gene‐for‐gene resistance and dominant gene action.     

Root architecture of sorghum genotypes differing in root angles under different water regimes

Plant root architecture offers the potential for increasing soil water accessibility, particularly under water-limited conditions. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the root architecture in two genotypes of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) differing in root angles and to assess the influence of different deficit irrigation regimes on root architecture. The response of two sorghum genotypes, ‘Early Hegari-Sart’ (EH; steep root angle) and ‘Bk7’ (shallow root angle) to four irrigation treatments was investigated in two replicated outdoor studies using large pots. The results indicated that EH possessed steeper brace and crown root angles, fewer brace roots, greater root biomass, and root length density than Bk7 at deeper soil depths (i.e., 15–30 and 30–45 cm) compared with a shallower depth (i.e., 0–15 cm). Across the soil profile, EH had greater root length density and length of roots of small diameter (<1 mm) than Bk7. Accordingly, EH showed more rapid soil-water capture than Bk7. Different levels of irrigation input greatly affected root architecture. Severe deficit irrigation (25% of full crop transpiration throughout the season) increased the angle and number of crown roots, root biomass, and root length density compared with 75 and 100% of full crop transpiration treatments. Consequently, root system architecture can be effectively manipulated through both genotypic selection and irrigation management to ensure optimal performance under different levels of soil available water.     

高粱光敏色素A基因的克隆、蛋白结构与长短日照诱导表达模式

光敏色素是一类红光/远红光受体,对植物光形态建成、外部形态和生理功能等方面起着重要的调节作用。为明晰光敏色素A在调控高粱光形态建成发育过程中的作用,本研究比较分析光温敏感程度不同的高粱品种Btx623、Rio、Tx430和LH645的PhyA基因序列和PHYA蛋白的保守结构域,利用qRT-PCR明确长短日照条件处理下PhyA基因的表达模式。结果表明,Btx623、Rio和Tx430之间PhyA基因序列存在非同义突变,LH645在PhyA基因的第7个外显子上插入了5 bp碱基序列;高粱PhyA蛋白中含有1个PAS-2结构域、1个GAF结构域、1个Phytochrome结构域、2个PAS结构域、1个组氨酸激酶A结构域和1个类似组氨酸激酶的ATP激酶结构;遗传进化树分析表明,单子叶和双子叶植物PhyA蛋白明显聚为2大类,高粱PhyA、谷子PhyA和玉米PhyA1、PhyA2聚为一个亚类,相互间亲缘关系较近,与水稻PhyA同源性相对较远;在短日照(SD)条件下各时期PhyA基因转录水平变化显著,Rio PhyA基因转录水平较Btx623和Tx430变化明显,LH645 PhyA基因转录变化不显著,在长日照(LD)条件下Rio PhyA基因转录水平低于Btx623和Tx430,LH645 PhyA基因转录水平变化不显著。以上结果表明,PhyA受光周期诱导,推测其在高粱光形态建成中起重要调控作用。本研究为进一步解析PhyA基因功能及其在调控高粱光形态建成发育过程中的作用提供理论基础。     

高丹草种子萌发和幼苗生长对模拟盐碱互作胁迫的响应

为限制盐碱地高丹草种子萌发和幼苗生长的主导影响因素,将2种中性盐(NaCl、Na2SO4)和2种碱性盐(NaHCO3、Na2CO3)按照不同比例混合,模拟出16种盐碱互作条件,研究盐碱互作胁迫对高丹草种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。结果表明,高丹草种子萌发及幼苗生长参数与总盐浓度、pH以及CO2-3和HCO-3浓度的影响较大,而CO2-3和HCO-3浓度又是影响pH的主要因素,总盐浓度和pH可作为影响高丹草种子萌发及幼苗生长的主导因素。但是,反映种子萌发参数的发芽率(Gr)、发芽势(Gp)、发芽指数(Gi)等指标以及反映幼苗生长参数的芽长(GL)、根长(RL)和侧根数(LRN)等指标对盐浓度和pH胁迫的敏感性不同,在相同等盐浓度下,随着pH的增加,GL、RL和LRN降低幅度较Gr、Gp、Gi等参数的降低幅度更为明显,盐害系数之间也存在明显的差异,说明盐浓度对高丹草种子萌发的影响较大,而高pH胁迫则主要影响其幼苗生长。因此,盐碱地高丹草的种植过程中不仅要考虑土壤含盐量的因素,而且要考虑pH的影响。     

水稻与高梁属间远缘杂交花粉管行为观察

水稻和高粱是禾本科的两个异属作物,因其遗传距离较远,杂交表现不亲和,结实率极低,难以获得种子.为初步了解水稻与高粱属间远缘杂交花粉管行为,探索该远缘杂交的发生过程,本实验以籼稻珍汕97A×珍汕97B和Ⅱ-32A×Ⅱ-32B两个组合为对照,对珍汕97A×晋江多枝高粱和Ⅱ-32A×晋江多枝高粱两个属间远缘杂交组合的花粉管行为作初步的观察与研究,结果表明晋江多枝高粱花粉粒能象水稻花粉粒一样在水稻柱头上正常萌发,花粉管在花柱及子房中生长与伸长,有些能最终到达子房的基部;同时高梁花粉管生长也出现诸如不能进入花柱、胼胝质不规则堆积、花粉管末端钝化等一系列的异常表现,致使不少花粉管停滞生长.     

Parental influences on gas exchange rates in grain sorghum

Summary Significant genetic variation in CO₂ assimilation rate (A), stomatal conductance (g), and A: g ratio, which are indicators of intrinsic differences in productivity and water use efficiency (WUE), has been demonstrated in grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] hybrids. The primary objective was to determine the possible parental influence on the components of the A: g relationship in sorghum hybrids across a range of water supplies. Thirty F₁ hybrids resulting from a 6 × 6 diallel crossing pattern constituted the genetic material. Field experiments were conducted using four water supply treatments established through differential irrigation. Carbon assimilation rate (A), g, and leaf water potential (_w) of individual leaves were monitored every 15 to 20 days. Genetic analyses revealed that general- and specific-combining ability effects were evident for A. However, reciprocal and maternal effects were more important in governing the A-g and A-_w relationships. Since the maternal effects were the major determinants in causing reciprocal differences, A can be improved by selecting specific female parents to exploit cytoplasmic factors or physiological characteristics of this parent. Substantial genetic variation in the A-g relationship resulting from significant genetic control of A offers the opportunity to impose selection for high A and stability of A, which might directly contribute to whole plant WUE and productivity in grain sorghum.Abbreviations A carbon assimilation rate - g stomatal conductance to water vapor - GCA General Combining Ability - SCA Specific Combining Ability - WUE Water Use Efficiency