山东省小麦赤霉病菌种群组成及其致病力分化

由禾谷镰孢菌群Fusarium graminearum clade引起的赤霉病是小麦的重要病害。为明确山东省小麦赤霉病菌的种群组成及其致病力,于2011年和2012年从山东省15地市分离了95株小麦赤霉病菌,在形态和分子生物学鉴定种的基础上,采用鉴定B型毒素化学型的特异性引物进行毒素化学型分析。在95个菌株中,93株分离物为禾谷镰孢菌F.graminearum,2株为燕麦镰孢菌F.avenaceum。94株分离物为脱氧雪腐镰孢菌烯醇(deoxynivalenol,DON)化学型,1株为雪腐镰孢菌烯醇(nivalenol,NIV)化学型。在94株DON毒素化学型菌株中,90株为15-乙酰脱氧雪腐镰孢菌烯醇(15-acetyldeoxynivalenol,15-AcDON)化学型,4株为3-乙酰脱氧雪腐镰孢菌烯醇(3-acetyldeoxynivalenol,3-AcDON)化学型。在小麦扬花期,采用单花滴注接种法对29个菌株进行了致病力测定,供试菌株的致病力分化明显。表明在山东省冬小麦产区,产15-AcDON毒素的F.gra-minearum是小麦赤霉病菌的优势种群。     

Diversity of the Fusarium graminearum species complex on French cereals

Fusarium graminearum is an important pathogen causing Fusarium head blight (FHB) on wheat and barley and Fusarium ear rot (FER) on maize, and harvested grains often are contaminated with trichothecenes such as deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV) that are a major health and food safety concern due to their toxicity to humans and farm animals. In this study, species identity and trichothecene toxin potential of 294 members of the Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC) collected from wheat, barley and maize in France in 2011 was determined using a microsphere-based multilocus genotyping assay. F. graminearum was predominant on all three hosts, but three isolates of F. cortaderiae and two isolates representing F. graminearum × F. boothii hybrids were also identified from maize. The 15-ADON trichothecene chemotype predominated on all three hosts, representing 94.7 %, 87.8 % and 85.4 % of the strains on barley (N?=?19), wheat (N?=?90), and maize (N?=?185), respectively. However, the NIV chemotype was found in 12.2 % of the wheat isolates and in 14.6 % of the maize isolates. Only a single FGSC isolate from this study, originating from barley, was found to have the 3-ADON chemotype. Regional differences could be observed in the distribution of the 15-ADON and NIV chemotypes, with the NIV producing-isolates being present at higher frequency (21.2 %) in the South of France compared to the rest of the country (4.4 %). Such information is critical because of the increased concern associated with NIV contamination of cereals. In addition, these results are needed to develop management strategies for FHB and FER in France and to improve understanding of the distribution and significance of FGSC diversity in Europe and worldwide.     

Fusarium head blight (FHB) in Flanders: population diversity, inter-species associations and DON contamination in commercial winter wheat varieties

The presence of Fusarium spp. causing Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat was studied in Flanders (Belgium) in 2007 and 2008. Symptoms, deoxynivalenol content (DON), Fusarium spp. and trichothecene chemotypes were determined at seven locations on different commercial wheat varieties. Overall, significant differences in disease pressure between locations and varieties were observed within 1 year. In addition, we were able to detect consistent and significant resistance differences among the common varieties both under high disease pressure (2007) and low disease pressure (2008). The accumulation of DON was not related to the presence of F. graminearum but showed a clear correlation with rainfall during and after the period of anthesis. During the two-year survey, characterisation of 756 Fusarium samples by species-specific PCR designated F. poae and F. graminearum as the predominant species in Flanders. Furthermore, most of the ears were colonised by multiple FHB pathogens in 2007 whereas the Fusarium population was less complex in 2008. Log-linear analysis of these multiple (two- and three-way) species interactions revealed a clear correlation between F. poae and several pathogens of the FHB disease complex. Finally, chemotype analysis showed that F. culmorum and F. graminearum were respectively of the NIV chemotype and DON chemotype. 3-ADON and 15-ADON chemotypes occurred in more or less equal amounts within the F. graminearum population both in 2007 and 2008. The congruence of these results with observations throughout Europe are discussed.     

Diversity in genetic structure and chemotype composition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium graminearum</Emphasis> sensu stricto populations causing wheat head blight in individual fields in Germany

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is one of the most destructive diseases of wheat. Twelve small commercial wheat fields (size 1–3 hectares) were sampled in Germany for Fusarium populations at three spots per field with 10 heads each. PCR assays using generic primers confirmed 338 isolates as F.graminearum sensu stricto (s.s.) (64.9%) out of 521 Fusarium spp. that were further analyzed. Populations of F. graminearum s.s. in Germany contain three types of trichothecenes with a dominancy of 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol chemotype (92%) followed by 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol chemotype (6.8%) and a few isolates of nivalenol chemotype (1.2%). All these isolates were genotyped using 19 microsatellite loci. The 12 populations showed a high genetic diversity within the small scale sampling areas resulting in 300 different haplotypes. Genetic diversity within populations (71.2%) was considerably higher than among populations (28.8%) as shown by analysis of molecular variance. Gene flow (Nm) between populations ranged from 0.76–3.16. Composition of haplotypes of one population followed over 2 years changed considerably. No correlation between genetic and geographical distance was found. In conclusion, populations of F. graminearum s.s. in Germany display a tremendous genetic variation on a local scale with a restricted diversity among populations.     

Nivalenol‐producing Fusarium cerealis associated with fusarium head blight in winter wheat in Manitoba,Canada

Fusarium head blight (FHB) in small grain cereals is primarily caused by the members of the Fusarium graminearum species complex. These produce mycotoxins in infected grains, primarily deoxynivalenol (DON); acetylated derivatives of DON, 3‐acetyl‐DON (3‐ADON) and 15‐acetyl‐DON (15‐ADON); and nivalenol (NIV). This study reports the isolation of Fusarium cerealis in infected winter wheat heads for the first time in Canada. A phylogenetic analysis based on the TRI101 gene and F. graminearum species‐specific primers revealed two species of Fusarium: F. graminearum sensu stricto (127 isolates) and F. cerealis (five isolates). Chemotype determination based on the TRI3 gene revealed that 65% of the isolates were 3‐ADON, 31% were 15‐ADON and 4% were NIV producers. All the F. cerealis isolates were of NIV chemotype. Fusarium cerealis isolates can often be misidentified as F. graminearum as the morphological characteristics are similar. Although the cultural and macroconidial characteristics of F. graminearum and F. cerealis isolates were similar, the aggressiveness of these isolates on susceptible wheat cultivar Roblin and moderately resistant cultivar Carberry differed significantly. The F. graminearum 3‐ADON isolates were most aggressive, followed by F. graminearum 15‐ADON and F. cerealis NIV isolates. The findings from this study confirm the continuous shift of chemotypes from 15‐ADON to 3‐ADON in North America. In Canada, the presence of NIV is limited to barley samples and the discovery of NIV‐producing F. cerealis species in Canadian wheat fields may pose a serious concern to the Canadian wheat industry in the future.     

Trichothecene genotype and genetic variability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium graminearum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">F. cerealis</Emphasis> isolated from durum wheat in Argentina

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is one of the most important fungal diseases affecting wheat worldwide and it is caused mainly by species within the Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC). This study evaluated the presence of FGSC in durum wheat from the main growing area in Argentina and analyzed the trichothecene genotype and chemotype of the strains isolated. Also, the genetic variability of the strains was assayed using ISSR markers. Molecular analysis revealed that among the strains isolated and identified morphologically as F. graminearum, there were 14 strains identified as F. cerealis. Also, it revealed that durum wheat grains were mostly contaminated by F. graminearum, being this the only species reported so far, within the FGSC, affecting durum wheat in Argentina. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated a high genetic variability within rather than between F. graminearum populations. All F. graminearum strains presented 15ADON genotype and were able to produce DON while all F. cerealis strains presented the NIV genotype and most of them were able to produce this toxin. The finding of F. cerealis in durum wheat grains indicates the need for investigating if this fungus is the responsible for the NIV contamination found in wheat in Argentina.     

Natural occurrence of fusarium head blight,mycotoxins and mycotoxin‐producing isolates of Fusarium in commercial fields of wheat in Hubei

Combined analyses of the natural occurrence of fusarium head blight (FHB), mycotoxins and mycotoxin‐producing isolates of Fusarium spp. in fields of wheat revealed FHB epidemics in 12 of 14 regions in Hubei in 2009. Mycotoxin contamination ranged from 0·59 to 15·28 μg g^?1 in grains. Of the causal agents associated with symptoms of FHB, 84% were Fusarium asiaticum and 9·5% were Fusarium graminearum, while the remaining 6·5% were other Fusarium species. Genetic chemotyping demonstrated that F. asiaticum comprised deoxynivalenol (DON), 3‐acetyldeoxynivalenol (3‐AcDON), 15‐acetyldeoxynivalenol (15‐AcDON) and nivalenol (NIV) producers, whereas F. graminearum only included DON and 15‐AcDON producers. Compared with the chemotype patterns in 1999, there appeared to be a modest shift towards 3‐AcDON chemotypes in field populations during the following decade. However, isolates genetically chemotyped as 3‐AcDON were present in all regions, whereas the chemical 3‐AcDON was only detected in three of the 14 regions where 3‐AcDON accounted for 15–20% of the DON and acetylated forms. NIV mycotoxins were detected in seven regions, six of which also yielded NIV chemotypes. The number of genetic 3‐AcDON producers was positively correlated with amounts of total mycotoxins (DON, NIV and acetylated forms) or DON in wheat grains. Chemical analyses of wheat grains and rice cultures inoculated with different isolates from the fields confirmed their genetic chemotypes and revealed a preferential biosynthesis of 3‐AcDON and 4‐AcNIV in rice. These findings suggest the importance of chemotyping coupled with species identification for improved prediction of mycotoxin contamination in wheat.     

Characterization of Fusarium asiaticum and F. graminearum isolates from gramineous weeds in the proximity of rice fields in Korea

Fusarium graminearum species complexes (FGSCs), such as Fusarium asiaticum and F. graminearum, are important pathogens that cause Fusarium head blight (FHB) in several cereal crops worldwide. In this study, we collected 342 gramineous weed samples in the proximity of rice fields from May to June 2018 in Korea. Among the 500 Fusarium isolates from the weed samples, 13 species of Fusarium were identified, and F. asiaticum (41.2%), F. avenaceum (18.0%), F. acuminatum (16.4%) and F. graminearum (14.8%) were the most frequently isolated. The trichothecene genotype analysis showed that 206 F. asiaticum strains consisted of the nivalenol (NIV) genotype (n = 195, 94.7%) and 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3ADON) genotype (n = 11, 5.3%), whereas 74 F. graminearum strains consisted of the 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15ADON) genotype (n = 58, 78.4%) and 3ADON genotype (n = 16, 21.6%). Geographical differences were observed in the FGSC and trichothecene genotype compositions, which appeared host-dependent between the southern provinces and mid-eastern provinces. The aggressiveness assessment of FHB showed that the 3ADON chemotype was most aggressive followed by the 15ADON and NIV chemotypes in wheat, while the NIV chemotype was most aggressive followed by the 3ADON and 15ADON chemotypes in rice. The F. asiaticum strains grew slowly and produced fewer conidia and perithecia than the F. graminearum strains, regardless of their chemotypes. The results of this study suggest that F. asiaticum with the NIV chemotype has a host preference for rice, and FHB-causing pathogens can be harboured in gramineous weeds, which play a role in the dispersal of FHB pathogens to rice and other cereal crops.     

Investigation into components of partial disease resistance,determined <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>, and the concept of types of resistance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> head blight (FHB) in wheat

This work presents an analysis of the relationship between components of partial disease resistance (PDR) detected using in vitro detached leaf and seed germination assays, inoculated with Microdochium majus, and Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance to Fusarium graminearum assessed using point inoculation, termed Type II resistance. Relationships between in vitro-determined PDR components and FHB resistance using techniques which inoculate the wheat spike uniformly, termed Type I resistance (incidence and severity), have been reported previously. In this study shorter incubation periods, longer latent periods and shorter lesion lengths in the detached leaf assay and higher germination rates in the seed germination assay were related to greater FHB resistance measured by single point inoculation (Type II), collectively explaining 54% of the variation. Overall the relationships observed for Type II FHB resistance were similar to previous findings for Type I resistances. However, the relative magnitude of effects of the individual PDR components determined in vitro varied between FHB disease resistance parameters. Resistance in seed germination and latent period in the detached leaf assay were more strongly related to resistance assessed by point inoculation (Type II) and severity-Type I as opposed to incubation period which was most strongly related to disease incidence-Type I. The results provide evidence that individual components of partial disease resistance differentially affect aspects of FHB disease progression in the wheat spike. This work supports the view that the current model of types of resistance is an oversimplification of the interacting mechanisms underlying expression of FHB resistance.     

Impact of primary infection site of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> species on head blight development in wheat ears evaluated by IR-thermography

The effect of the primary infection site by Fusarium graminearum and F. culmorum within wheat ears on Fusarium head blight (FHB) was investigated under controlled conditions. FHB development was assessed visually and thermographically following inoculation by: (i) spraying ears, or injecting inoculum into spikelets on (ii) tip, (iii) centre and (iv) base of the ears, separately. Fusarium infection significantly increased the temperature span within ears 6 days post inoculation (dpi), especially infections starting at the ear tip. The temperature difference between air and ear was negatively correlated to FHB severity and enabled disease detection even 29 dpi. F. culmorum caused significant higher disease severity neither reflected in the frequency of infected kernels nor in thousand kernel weight (TKW). Spray inoculations had the strongest effect on TKW, whereas tip inoculations had no effect. Centre and base inoculations had intermediate effects on TKW, although FHB levels did not differ with the same trend among inoculation scenarios. The overall low correlations among FHB severity, infected kernels and TKW are explained by the pathogen spread within ears – downwards more than upwards – and the effect on yield formation which is lower for infections of the upper parts of ears. An exponential model showed high goodness of fit for gradients of infected kernels within ears (R ²  ≥ 70) except tip infection with F. culmorum. This study confirmed that FHB is a function of the primary infection site within ears. Thermography was useful to differentiate among infection scenarios and may be applied in breeding for FHB resistance.     

Evaluation of the temporal distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium graminearum</Emphasis> airborne inoculum above the wheat canopy and its relationship with Fusarium head blight and DON concentration

With the aim of unravelling the role of airborne Fusarium graminearum inoculum in the epidemic of Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by this species in wheat spikes, a network of Burkard air samplers was set up in five wheat fields distributed in Belgium from 2011 to 2013. Each year from April to July, the daily amounts of F. graminearum inoculum above the wheat canopy were quantified using a newly developed TaqMan qPCR assay. The pattern of spore trapping observed was drastically different per year and per location with a frequency of detection between 9 and 66% and a mean daily concentration between 0.8 and 10.2 conidia-equivalent/m³. In one location, air was sampled for a whole year. Inoculum was frequently detected from the wheat stem elongation stage until the end of the harvesting period, but high inoculum levels were also observed during the fall. Using a window-pane analysis, different periods of time around wheat flowering (varying in length and starting date) were investigated for their importance in the relation between airborne inoculum and FHB parameters (FHB severity, frequency of F. graminearum infection and DON). For almost all the combinations of variables, strong and significant correlations were found for multiple window lengths and starting times. Inoculum quantities trapped around flowering were highly correlated with F. graminearum infection (up to R?=?0.84) and DON (up to R?=?0.9). Frequencies of detection were also well correlated with both of these parameters. DON concentrations at harvest could even be significantly associated with the F. graminearum inoculum trapped during periods finishing before the beginning of the anthesis (R?=?0.77). Overall, these results highlight the key role of the airborne inoculum in F. graminearum epidemics and underline the importance of monitoring it for the development of disease forecasting tools.     

A comparison of aggressiveness and deoxynivalenol production between Canadian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium graminearum</Emphasis> isolates with 3-acetyl and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol chemotypes in field-grown spring wheat

Twenty four isolates of Fusarium graminearum, half of which were 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON) and half 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON) chemotypes, were tested for their ability to produce deoxynivalenol and to cause Fusarium head blight (FHB) in spring wheat cultivars. The objectives of this study were to determine (1) whether 3-ADON isolates differ in aggressiveness, as measured by the FHB index, and DON production from 15-ADON isolates under field conditions, and (2) whether the performance of resistant host cultivars was stable across isolates. Field tests of all isolates were conducted with three replicates at each of two locations in Canada and Germany in 2008 with three host genotypes differing in FHB resistance level. The resistant host genotype showed resistance regardless of the chemotype or location. The differences between mean FHB indices of 3-ADON and 15-ADON isolates were not significant for any wheat genotype. In contrast, average DON production by the 3-ADON isolates (10.44 mg kg⁻¹) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than for the 15-ADON isolates (6.95 mg kg⁻¹) at three of the four locations where moderately resistant lines were tested, and at both locations where susceptible lines were evaluated. These results indicate that 3-ADON isolates could pose a greater risk to food safety. However, as the mean aggressiveness and DON production of 3-ADON and 15-ADON chemotypes was similar on highly resistant lines, breeding and use of highly resistant lines is still the most effective measure of reducing the risks associated with DON in wheat.     

Jasmonic acid and abscisic acid play important roles in host–pathogen interaction between Fusarium graminearum and wheat during the early stages of fusarium head blight

The effect of phytohormones on the defense response of wheat against Fusarium graminearum infection was investigated. Infection of heads with F. graminearum induced accumulation of salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), abscisic acid (ABA), and indole acetic acid (IAA). Exogenous phytohormone treatments showed crosstalk between them and a complex effect on expression of the genes ATB2, ExpB6, LEA Td16, PR1, Pdf1.2, PR4. JA treatment reduced F. graminearum growth and fusarium head blight (FHB) symptoms while an increase in FHB was observed with ABA. Transient down-regulation of allene oxide synthase (AOS) supports a complex role for JA in wheat head.     

The Brachypodium distachyon UGT Bradi5gUGT03300 confers type II fusarium head blight resistance in wheat

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by fungi belonging to the Fusarium genus, is a widespread disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and other small-grain cereal crops. The main causal agent of FHB, Fusarium graminearum, produces mycotoxins mainly belonging to type B trichothecenes, such as deoxynivalenol (DON), that can negatively affect humans, animals and plants. DON detoxification, mainly through glucosylation into DON-3-O-glucose, has been correlated with resistance to FHB. A UDP-glucosyltransferase from the model cereal species Brachypodium distachyon has been shown to confer resistance both to initial infection and to spike colonization (type I and type II resistances, respectively). Here, the functional characterization of transgenic wheat lines expressing the Bradi5g03300 UGT gene are described. The results show that, following inoculation with the fungal pathogen, these lines exhibit a high level of type II resistance and a strong reduction of mycotoxin content. In contrast, type I resistance was only weakly observed, although previously seen in B. distachyon, suggesting the involvement of additional host-specific characteristics in type I resistance. This study contributes to the understanding of the functional relationship between DON glucosylation and FHB resistance in wheat.     

Identification,virulence factors characterization,pathogenicity and aggressiveness analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> spp., causing wheat head blight in Iran

Fusarium head blight (FHB), mainly caused by Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC) and also by other species of this genus, is one of the most destructive cereal diseases with high yield losses and mycotoxin contamination worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify Fusarium species, characterize their virulence factors such as trichothecene genotypes and cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs), and also investigate virulence of the isolates obtained from wheat plants with FHB symptoms in Golestan province of Iran. Among 41 isolates tested, 24 were F. graminearum sensu stricto (s.s.), six were F. proliferatum, four were F. culmorum, three isolates belonged to each of F. subglutinans and F. meridionale species and one isolate of F. asiaticum was identified. Among Fusarium isolates, the nivalenol (NIV) genotype could be found more frequently, followed by 3-acetyl deoxynivalenol (3-ADON) and 15-acetyl deoxynivalenol (15-ADON) genotypes. Production of trichothecenes in autoclaved rice cultures was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and confirmed by GC–MS. The mean levels of NIV, 3-ADON and 15-ADON produced by Fusarium spp. were 824, 665 and 622 μg kg^?1, respectively. All Fusarium isolates were capable of producing CWDEs, mainly cellulase and xylanase. Lipase and pectinase activities appeared later and at less quantities. In overall, the isolates FH1 of F. graminearum and FH8 of F. proliferatum showed the maximum activity of CWDEs, which was correlated with high level of their virulence and aggressiveness on wheat. On the other hand, correlation was observed between the level and type of trichothecene produced by each isolate and its virulence on wheat. Virulence of trichothecene producing isolates was higher than that of non-trichothecene producing isolates. Our results suggested that CWDEs and trichothecenes, as virulence factors, have considerable roles on virulence and aggressiveness of the pathogen. This is the first report on the effect of trichothecenes and CWDEs on virulence and aggressiveness of Fusarium spp. associated with FHB disease in wheat growing regions of Iran.     

Real-time PCR Quantification and Mycotoxin Production of Fusarium graminearum in Wheat Inoculated with Isolates Collected from Potato, Sugar Beet, and Wheat

ABSTRACT Fusarium graminearum causes Fusarium head blight (FHB) in small grains worldwide. Although primarily a pathogen of cereals, it also can infect noncereal crops such as potato and sugar beet in the United States. We used a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method based on intergenic sequences specific to the trichodiene synthase gene (Tri5) from F. graminearum. TaqMan probe and primers were designed and used to estimate DNA content of the pathogen (FgDNA) in the susceptible wheat cv. Grandin after inoculation with the 21 isolates of F. graminearum collected from potato, sugar beet, and wheat. The presence of nine mycotoxins was analyzed in the inoculated wheat heads by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. All isolates contained the Tri5 gene and were virulent to cv. Grandin. Isolates of F. graminearum differed significantly in virulence (expressed as disease severity), FgDNA content, and mycotoxin accumulation. Potato isolates showed greater variability in producing different mycotoxins than sugar beet and wheat isolates. Correlation analysis showed a significant (P < 0.001) positive relationship between FgDNA content and FHB severity or deoxynivalenol (DON) production. Moreover, a significant (P < 0.001) positive correlation between FHB severity and DON content was observed. Our findings revealed that F. graminearum causing potato dry rot and sugar beet decay could be potential sources of inoculum for FHB epidemics in wheat. Real-time PCR assay provides sensitive and accurate quantification of F. graminearum in wheat and can be useful for monitoring the colonization of wheat grains by F. graminearum in controlled environments, and evaluating wheat germplasms for resistance to FHB.     

Identification and characterization of international Fusarium head blight screening nurseries of wheat at CIMMYT, Mexico

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a major threat to wheat production globally, causing not only yield losses but also food and feed contamination. FHB research began at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in the early 1980’s, and since then, large-scale FHB screening has been conducted to identify and incorporate new resistance genes into elite CIMMYT germplasm. Promising lines with good FHB resistance were regularly compiled as a Fusarium Head Blight Screening Nursery (FHBSN) and distributed worldwide. The first FHBSN was assembled in 1985, and the most recent two were the 13th and 14th FHBSN that were released in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Candidate lines for a FHBSN came mainly from different CIMMYT wheat breeding programs and were tested for three consecutive years before being included in an FHBSN. FHBSN screening was conducted under strictly standardized field conditions at El Batán, where CIMMYT headquarters is located, using artificial inoculation of F. graminearum strains, whose aggressiveness and DON chemotypes had been previously identified. FHB index was scored at 31 days after inoculation for all lines and DON concentration was measured only for elite lines in their 2nd and 3rd year of evaluation. Haplotyping is a new tool for genetic characterization of FHBSN entries and helps to identify new resistance sources with novel resistance genes and to better target crosses toward diversifying and/or pyramiding resistance. The 13th FHBSN was taken as an example in this paper to show the procedure and strategy for the development of new FHB resistant lines.     

Enhanced overall resistance to Fusarium seedling blight and Fusarium head blight in transgenic wheat by co-expression of anti-fungal peptides

Introduction of alien genes into wheat has been proposed as a strategy to breed cultivars with improved resistance to Fusarium seedling blight (FSB) and Fusarium head blight (FHB). In this study, we co-transformed different anti-fungal peptides (AFPs) into an elite wheat cultivar Yangmai11. We identified the genetically stable transgenic wheat lines carrying single or multiple genes by PCR, qRT-PCR and Southern blot analyses. Transgenic wheat lines 451 and 513 expressing two AFPs displayed a consistent, significantly improved overall resistance to FSB and FHB, whereas only FHB resistance was observed from other lines. Furthermore, crude proteins extracted from the lines 451 and 513 showed a clear inhibitory activity against F. graminearum in vitro. Taken together, it was essential to properly combine and express AFPs in transgenic wheat in order to obtain an improved overall resistance to Fusarium pathogens.