Maize Smut Induced by Ustilago maydis (D. C.) Corda – Specific Effect of Smut Intensity and Location of Galls on Yield Losses

Seventeen maize hybrids were used in this study to estimate the damage effects of smut intensity and location of galls on yield during the growing seasons 1982, 1983 and 1984. The term "relative yield" was introduced to give an indication about the variation in yield of each maize hybrids among years in accordance with the proposed system of grade classification. Additional calculations were also applied to give quantitative measurements of the specific effect of grade and location of galls on yield losses. The results showed that:
1. In most cases, the relative yield followed up the grade classification, being the highest for the highly resistant group (99.0 %) and the lowest for the highly susceptible ones (82.0 %).
2. Small galls, as expressed in grade 2 and 3 did not appreciably reduce the yield, but the losses resulted from grade 4 up to grade 8 were more destructive and the losses ranged from 11.0 to 95.0 %, respectively.
3. The loss in yield associated with smut galls located on ear, stem + ear, stem + tassel, stem and tassel were 57.1, 48.9, 38.6, 24.3 and 9.3 %, respectively.
4. Yield losses were greatly influenced by increasing smut infection and/or smut location among years, due to the changes of climatical conditions.
5. The loss in yield at any specific smut location tended to increase exponentially with increasing smut intensity, but the degree of severity was, however, greater when the galls were located on the ear.     

Effect of Nitrogen Rates at Different Growth Stages on Corn Yield and Common Smut Disease [Ustilago maydis (D.C.) Corda]

The effect of N fertilizer rates and time of N application on plant growth, N %, N uptake, smut index and yield response of corn were investigated in the field during the summer seasons 1988 and 1989. Increasing N rate from 30 to 60 and/or 90 kg/acre produced greater response on the studied parameters, followed by a limited response at 120 kg N/acre. Opposite results were detected on yield losses, owing to the severity of smut infection. Single application of N at planting was the least productive for DM and grain yields, compared with 2-split or 3-split N treatments. On the other hand, splitting N application at planting and 16-leaf growth stages produced limited smut infection with greater increase in grain yield and lowest DM and N accumulations. The results also showed that 3-split N treatment acted to accelerate the vigour growth and N uptake to a greater extent, creating more favourable conditions for stimulating smut infection, with an attendant increase on yield losses. Because of the advantage of applying 90 kg N/acre over the N treatments on the measured parameters, with particular reference to yield potential and smut performance, attention was given to splitting N fertilizer at planting and 16-leaf growth stages.     

低浓度玉米小斑病菌C小种毒素培养滤液诱导寄主抗性的研究

利用低浓度玉米小斑病菌C小种毒素培养滤液作为激发子诱导玉米获得抗病性。以一对同核异质玉米B37自交系为试材,采用离体叶片接种法检测适宜诱导抗性的低浓度玉米小斑病菌C小种毒素培养滤液作为激发子诱导玉米抗病性的适宜诱导浓度,测定与抗病性相关酶的变化。经用1∶50和1∶60的低浓度玉米小斑病菌C小种毒素培养滤液预处理植株,再接种高浓度(1∶10)毒素培养滤液处理的病斑面积分别为(0.30±0.14)和(0.36±0.17)mm2,而对照为(2.70±0.24)mm2,是处理的7.5~9倍,差异极显著。经0~72 h的动态检测,以1∶60预处理效果为最佳,与对照相比,苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)活性平均提高了23.4%,过氧化物酶(POD)活性平均提高了65.9%,有害物质丙二醛(MDA)的含量平均降低了28.2%。叶片内部所产生的生化反应与叶片表面的抗性病理反应相吻合,证实低浓度玉米小斑病菌C小种毒素滤液本身能够成功地作为激发子来诱导寄主-玉米获得抗性。     

抗玉米丝黑穗病转基因株系的分子检测及抗病株系选育

采用花粉介导方法将质粒pGL II_RC_1导入玉米自交系海92_1中,获得了T0种子128粒,种子经潮霉素抗性筛选得到抗潮霉素植株16株。对抗性植株分离的统计分析表明,多数情况下几丁质酶基因以单拷贝形式导入转基因植株,后代分离比约为3∶1。抗性苗移栽到大田后,5~6叶期取样进行PCR扩增、PCR Southern blot杂交分析,对T1的分析结果表明,几丁质酶基因已导入转基因植物细胞中。对T2,T3植株的检测结果显示,目的基因已整合到转化植株基因组中并可随植株世代稳定遗传。田间抗病鉴定结果表明,转基因植株及后代的玉米丝黑穗病发病率明显比对照降低。根据分子检测及田间抗病鉴定结果,得到GH05024,GH05028 2个抗丝黑穗病的纯合转基因株系。     

玉米雄穗分枝数主效QTL定位及qTBN5近等基因系构建

立足于发掘玉米雄穗分枝数优异基因资源, 利用郑单958骨干亲本郑58和昌7-2构建的188个重组自交系(recombinant inbred line, RIL)家系群体, 结合288个多态性分子标记构建的连锁图谱和2年玉米雄穗分枝数表型数据, 运用完备复合区间作图法进行QTL定位, 共检测到5个控制玉米雄穗分枝数的一致性主效QTL, 分别位于玉米5条染色体上。通过连续回交及分子标记辅助选择构建了位于bin 5.05的控制雄穗分枝数主效QTL-qTBN5近等基因系(near isogenic line, NIL), 对基因遗传效应进行了验证, 并将qTBN5进一步定位在13.2 Mb区间之内, 为玉米雄穗分枝数主效基因的精细定位及分子育种奠定基础。     

Genetics and identification of molecular markers linked to resistance to loose smut (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ustilago tritici</Emphasis>) race T33 in durum wheat

This study was conducted to determine the genetic control of resistance to loose smut caused by Ustilago tritici race T33 in two durum recombinant inbred line populations (DT662 × D93213 and Sceptre × P9162-BJ08*B) and to identify molecular markers linked to the resistance. Resistance in both populations was controlled by single genes. Two SSR markers were linked with loose smut resistance in the Sceptre × P9162-BJ08*B population. In DT662 × D93213, two AFLP, two wheat SSRs and one SCAR markers were linked to resistance. The SCAR marker, 3.2 cM distal to the smut resistance locus (Utd1) on chromosome 5BS, accounted for up to 64% of the variability in disease reaction; the other markers were proximal to Utd1 at genetic distances ranging from 5.9 to 35.9 cM. SSR markers Xgwm234 and Xgwm443 segregated in both crosses suggesting a common resistance gene. The SCAR and SSR markers can be used effectively for marker assisted selection to incorporate loose smut resistance into durum cultivars.     

Epistasis in Maize (Zea mays L.) III. Comparison of Single and Three-Way Crosses for Forage Traits

The importance of epistasis for forage performance and quality traits was studied in early maturing European maize (Zea mays L.) breeding materials. Sixty-six three-way crosses (3W), 33 of the flint x (dent · dent) and 33 of the dem × (flint · flint) type, were compared with the mean of their respective non-parental single crosses () using data obtained in six environments. For each of the 11 traits examined, at least 6 out of the 66 three-way crosses displayed significant (P < 0.05) epistatic deviations, calculated as – 3W. Averaged over crosses and environments, epistatic deviations were highly significant (P < 0,31] for 8 trails, but of minor importance except for grain yield. In general, the variance of epistatie deviations was appreciably smaller than the variance of genotype × environment interactions. Highly significant correlations occurred among epistatie deviations for silking date, dry matter content of ear, and dry matter yield of grain and stover. The reliability of predicting the performance of three-way crosses from 2W as opposed to assessing them directly was investigated as a function of the number of test environments. Disturbing e fleets of epistasis on prediction only became important under intense testing (> 3 or 4 environments), With fewer test environments, both procedures were almost equivalent, due to a smaller influence of genotype × environment interaction on the values, Epistasis is concluded to be of minor importance with regard to the optimum type of hybrid for forage use.     

Effects of Exposure to Short Periods of Suboptimal Temperature during Chill (5 °C) on Gas Exchange and Chlorophyll Fluorescence in Maize Seedlings (Zea Mays L.)

The effect of various periods of exposure to suboptimal temperature ('warm breaks'– WB: 14 °C for 4 h, 1 h and 0 h – control in 24 h cycles) during chilling (5 °C) of maize seedlings on the photosynthesis, the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) and on the injuries of the cell membranes of leaves and water content in plants was compared. The measurements were conducted after 1, 3, 7 and 12 chill cycles. It was found that WB of either length distinctly diminished the chill-induced inhibition of net photosynthesis and the decrease of photochemical efficiency of PSII. The protective effect on WB on these parameters was observed shortly after completion of chilling of the plant as well as an after-effect. Daily warming up of the plants also reduced the leakage of electrolytes and diminished the water deficit of the chilled seedlings. The protective effect of WB on the measured parameters of the plants was greater in the chill-sensitive genotype than in the chill-tolerant one, especially when plants were warmed up for 4 h. The results obtained are an indication that short periods of warm weather during cold spring may diminish the injuries of the photosynthetic apparatus, as well as reduce the disturbance of water status of seedlings, contributing in this way to better condition of maize crops.     

Assessment of Sensitivity to Frost in Ochrus chickling (Lathyrus ochrus (L.) D.C.) by Chlorophyll Fluorescence Analyses

Ochrus chickling ( Lathyrus ochrus (L.) D.C.) is a promising feed legume for rain-fed farming systems in the Mediterranean environments of West Asia and North Africa (WANA) because of its drought tolerance and resistance to broom rape ( Orobanche crenata Forsk.). However, it is highly susceptible to cold and improving Its resistance would further improve its adaptation.
The potential of the chlorophyll fluorescence technique in screening for frost sensitivity in seedlings of five Lathyrus ochrus genotypes and one each of Vicia ervilia (L.) Wild and V. sativa L. was assessed by measuring the rate of rise in induced or variable chlorophyll fluorescence of fully developed leaflets after cold hardening in the open and subsequent exposure to freezing. The method differentiated the highly frost-susceptible L. ochrus genotypes from the more tolerant Vicia species. Testing the technique with nine genotypes of L. ochrus in which the plants were established, cold-hardened and frost-stressed under controlled conditions confirmed its sensitivity even to reveal the narrow inter plant differences that generally exist within a cultivar or genotype to frost. It is therefore considered as a useful screening technique for cold/frost tolerance in L. ochrus.     

Identification of a major QTL for adult plant resistance to coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix) in the natural Timor hybrid (Coffea arabica x C. canephora)

Most of the commercial varieties of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) derived from the Timor hybrid (TH) have been shown to contain major genes for coffee leaf rust (CLR) resistance. To identify markers tightly linked to such genes, an F₂ mapping population derived from a cross between ‘Caturra’ (susceptible variety) and the TH‐derived DI.200 line (highly resistant) was generated. Using expressed sequence information and a bioinformatics approach, both targeted region amplified polymorphism (TRAPs) markers and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were identified. Phenotypic evaluations in the field and under controlled conditions confirmed the existence of one quantitative trait locus for CLR resistance. Four candidate SSR markers were associated with high CLR resistance. They spanning a region of 2.5 cM designated Q_{CLR_4} located within chromosome 4 of the international C. canephora map. The presence of this region was confirmed in a set of elite lines and commercial varieties. The Q_{CLR_4} region corresponds to a new and genetically independent S_H locus that could potentially be useful in gene pyramiding with other genes to enhance rust resistance in TH derivatives.     

The resistance to leaf rust and powdery mildew of recombinant lines of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) derived from H. vulgare × H. bulbosum crosses

A set of 23 recombinant lines (RLs) of barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) derived from H. vulgare  ×  H. bulbosum L. crosses was inoculated with barley leaf rust ( Puccinia hordei ) and powdery mildew ( Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei ) at the seedling stage to identify their levels and mechanisms of resistance. Eight RLs were studied further in glasshouse and field tests. All three barley parents ('Emir', 'Golden Promise' and 'Vada') were highly susceptible to powdery mildew and leaf rust isolates. Several RLs showed partial resistance expressed as high relative latency periods and low relative infection frequencies against leaf rust. This high level of partial resistance was due to a very high level of early aborting colonies without host cell necrosis. Several RLs showed hypersensitive resistance to some or all isolates. For powdery mildew, one RL was completely resistant to the CC1 isolate and had a hypersensitive resistance to the CO-02 isolate. Three RLs derived from 'Emir' were completely resistant to both powdery mildew isolates, and three more RLs tested in the field had higher levels of partial resistance than their parents. The results indicate that H. bulbosum contains major and minor gene(s) for resistance to leaf rust and powdery mildew that can be transferred to cultivated barley.     

Identification and mapping of random amplified polymorphic DNA markers linked to a rhizomania resistance gene in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) by bulked segregant analysis

Bulked segregant analysis was employed to identify random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to a gene that confers rhizomania resistance to a sugar beet line created from a Holly Sugar Company breeding population (USA). Polymorphism revealed with 160 arbitrary 10-mer oligonucleotide primers was screened in two bulks produced by separately pooling the individual DNAs from the six most resistant and the six most susceptible plants of an F₂ population segregating for rhizomania resistance. A study of the F₂ individuals showed that 19 primers generated 44 polymorphic markers which were then grouped into nine linkage groups. By analysis of variance, 12 were shown to have a significant effect upon the level of resistance and were mapped on a segment 22.3 cM long. A quantitative trait locus (QTL) of resistance was identified and located in a 4.6cM interval between two markers. It accounted for 67.4% of the observed variation and almost all the genetic variation. These results suggest that the identified QTL corresponds to a unique major gene conditioning the Holly resistance studied, which we have named Rz-l.