Expression of late maturity α-amylase in wheat containing gibberellic acid insensitivity genes

Summary Two wheat cultivars, Spica and Lerma 52, which consistently produce high levels of -amylase during the later stages of grain development (late maturity -amylase), were crossed with a set of four near-isogenic lines carrying the tall (rht) allele or one of the dwarfing genes Rht1, Rht2 or Rht3 (GA-insensitive alleles). The F₁ and F₂ populations were developed and analysed for grain -amylase and plant height. The Rht3 gene exhibited the strongest influence on plant height and strongly inhibited new -amylase synthesis during the later part of grain ripening. By comparison, Rht1 and Rht2 had a less pronounced effect but still significantly reduced the expression of late maturity -amylase. These observations suggest that gibberellic acid is involved either directly or indirectly in this phenomenon. The implications of the effect of dwarfing genes on expression of late maturity -amylase are discussed in relation to cultivar improvement and to the identification and control of high -amylase germplasm.     

Effects of exogenous abscisic acid and gibberellic acid on pre-maturity α-amylase formation in wheat grains

Effects of in situ and in vitro applied abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA₃) on pre-maturity ??-amylase (PMA) were investigated in glasshouse experiments under cool-temperature shock-induced and non-induced conditions using UK winter wheat varieties, Spark (low PMA susceptible) and Rialto (high PMA susceptible). In the in situ study, hormone solutions (ABA [100???M], GA₃ [50???M] and ABA?+?GA₃ [100?+?50???M]) were applied during mid-grain development to intact, developing grains of induced and non-induced plants. Alpha-amylase activity was measured in embryoless half-grains at maturity by a modified Phadebas assay. In the in situ study under non-induced conditions, applied ABA had no significant effect on ??-amylase in either variety whereas applied GA₃ significantly increased ??-amylase in Rialto, but not in Spark. In the in situ study under induced conditions, applied ABA and GA₃ produced no significant effect on ??-amylase in Spark; however in Rialto, applied ABA produced a small but significant decrease in ??-amylase whereas GA₃ significantly increased ??-amylase under induced conditions. In the in vitro study, spikes were harvested from induced/non-induced plants at 44/40?days after anthesis. Embryoless half-grains were incubated in hormone solutions at 25?°C and ??-amylase activity was measured. Results similar to the in situ study were observed in the in vitro study for both varieties and conditions, except GA₃ treatment which significantly increased ??-amylase under non-induced conditions in Spark. From these exogenous hormone studies, it appears that GA-response is a major factor during PMA induction by a cool-temperature shock whereas ABA-response seems to be of less importance.     

Regulation of high pI α-amylase synthesis in wheat aleurone by a gene(s) located on chromosome 6B

Synthesis of high and low pI α-amylase in germinating wheat grains and GA₃-treated de-embryonated grains of Chinese Spring (CS) and its ditelosomic derivative (CS dit 6BS) were compared and related to high pI α-amylase production in grains affected by late maturity α-amylase (LMA). In de-embryonated grains of CS dit 6BS (lacking the long arm of chromosome 6B) treated with GA₃, synthesis of high pI α-amylase isozymes controlled by Amy-1 genes on chromosomes 6A and 6D was dramatically reduced compared to Chinese Spring. The results suggest the presence of a gene(s) on the long arm of chromosome 6B, which is (are) required for GA-induced α-amylase synthesis in the aleurone. Similarly, in wheat grains affected by LMA, high pI α- Amy genes on the group 6 chromosomes are activated apparently by a single gene, tentatively located on chromosome 6B. Both genes may be part of the GA-induced amylase synthesis pathway in the aleurone. By contrast, synthesis of the high pI α-amylase isozymes in the early stages of germination of CS dit 6BS grains was very similar to CS. This contrast between GA₃-treated de-embryonated grains and germinating grains could be explained by control of α-amylase synthesis in scutellum in the early stages of germination being different to that in GA₃-treated aleurone. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Polymorphisms of α-amylase activity in barley landraces and cultivars from China

Summary -Amylase activity was assayed by measuring reducing power equivalent for 80 accessions of cultivated barley, Hordeum vulgare L., representing major barley growing areas of China. Replications were applied at two different levels of the experiment and enzyme activity was assayed on four consecutive days starting on the 6th day after germination. The area under the curve formed by connecting the four data points was integrated as the measurement of -amylase activity. The results established that there was extensive variation in -amylase activity in cultivated barley; about three-fold difference existed among accessions assayed. Comparisons were also made between six- and two-rowed, and between covered and naked barleys. The results showed that high -amylase activity was not necessarily associated with six-rowed type, and that covered barleys were slightly higher in -amylase activity than naked ones.     

Pre-maturity α-amylase and incipient sprouting in UK winter wheat,with special reference to the variety Rialto

In 1998 and 1999 the UK winter wheat variety Rialto produced unexpected low Hagberg falling numbers that could not be directly linked to sprouting. It was proposed that these reductions in quality could be due to pre-maturity α-amylase activity (PMAA). The problem was not identified during the selection and commercial development stages. Our study tested the hypothesis that the variety Rialto is PMAA-susceptible. Analysis was done on 13 year-location combinations of field grown Rialto. Together, visual and chemical assessments of sprouting and iso-electric focusing of α-amylase isozymes identified several samples with significant α-amylase activity in the apparent absence of sprouting. In addition, tests with α-amylase sensitive Phadebas gel revealed distinctive PMAA discoloration patterns in 10–44% of the grain from the 13 samples, leading to the conclusion that Rialto is PMAA-susceptible. Diurnal temperature range accumulated for an 11 day period during a warm spell in early simulated grain development displayed a significant but negative correlation with the number of grains showing clear PMAA discoloration patterns on Phadebas gel. The number of clear PMAA grains correlated positively with rainfall accumulated over 11 days. These results suggest that PMAA can increase under conditions similar to those conducive to pre-harvest sprouting. It is however also possible that in some instances both PMAA and incipient sprouting could have produced similar patterns of α-amylase activity. In addition to tests with Rialto, Phadebas gel tests were therefore also done with the known high Hagberg varieties Option and Malacca, sprouted in a controlled environment. Results from the additional gel tests suggest that visual and chemical assessments of sprouting in the grain combined with Phadebas gel analysis could identify PMAA more reliably in grain sub-samples than Phadebas gel analysis alone.     

Inheritance and QTL mapping of leaf rust resistance in the European winter wheat cultivar ‘Beaver’

Genetic studies were conducted on an European winter wheat cultivar, Beaver, to determine the mode of inheritance of leaf rust resistance at seedling and adult plant growth stages using a recombinant doubled haploid population, Beaver/Soissons. Greenhouse studies indicated the involvement of genes Lr13 and Lr26 in governing leaf rust resistance at seedling growth stages, whereas, adult plant resistance (APR) in the field with pathotypes carrying virulence individually for Lr13 and Lr26 showed trigenic inheritance for the population. Marker regression analysis of adult plant field data indicated the involvement of six significant QTLs (chromosomes 1B, 3B, 3D, 4B, 4D and 5A) in year 2005, four QTLs (1B, 3B, 4B and 5A) in 2006, and six QTLs (1A, 1B, 3B, 4A, 4B and 5A) in 2007 for reducing leaf rust severity. QTLs on chromosomes 1B, 4B and 5A were considered the most important because of their detection across years, whereas QTLs on chromosomes 1A, 3B, 3D and 4A were either inconsistent or non-significant and unexplained. Based on an association of closely linked markers with phenotypic data, putative single gene stocks were identified for each consistent QTL and crossing was initiated to develop populations segregating for each to permit fine mapping of the identified regions.     

Inheritance of field resistance to Septoria tritici blotch in the wheat doubled-haploid population Solitär × Mazurka

Breeding for field resistance to Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by Mycosphaerella graminicola (anamorph: Septoria tritici), is the most suitable strategy for controlling this important disease of wheat. Although many Stb genes for resistance to single pathogen isolates have been identified in wheat, knowledge of their efficiency against natural fungal populations is lacking. In a quantitative-trait-locus (QTL) mapping approach in six environments and four locations, field resistance to STB was studied in a doubled-haploid population derived from a cross between the field-resistant cultivar Solitär and the susceptible cultivar Mazurka. After plant height as a disease escape trait was accounted for, five QTL with effects on STB response on chromosomes 5A, 6D and 7D explained 20 % of the genotypic variance; QTL × environment interactions were minor. Field resistance was conferred exclusively by alleles from Solitär, which was previously shown to carry the isolate-specific genes Stb6 and Stb11 as well as minor QTL detected with seven fungal isolates. Surprisingly, neither the Stb6 nor Stb11 isolate-specific genes nor minor QTL previously detected in Solitär were found to be involved in its field resistance. The study suggests that resistance breeding for STB should not rest solely on the deployment of Stb genes. Field tests are indispensable to show their efficacy and durability and to identify genes conferring partial field resistance to STB.     

Correlation between α-amylase gene expression and seedling vigor in rice

Summary This report examines the relationship between seedling vigor, -amylase enzyme activity and -amylase mRNA accumulation in ten varieties of rice (Oryza sativa L.) grown at two temperatures (15°C and 30°C). A significant, positive correlation was observed between seedling vigor, -amylase enzyme activity, and the accumulation of mRNA from one rice -amylase gene (RAmy1A) at both temperature regimens. The results of this study support previous experiments which have correlated -amylase enzyme activity to seedling vigor. We have extended this correlation to the expression of one of ten genes that comprise the rice -amylase multigene family. These results suggest that the expression of -amylase gene RAmy1A is an important, and possibly rate-limiting factor in determining seedling vigor in rice.     

Yield and yield components of wheat and maize in wheat–maize intercropping in the Netherlands

Intercropping is widely used by smallholder farmers in developing countries, and attracting attention in the context of ecological intensification of agriculture in developed countries. There is little experience with intercropping of food crops in Western Europe. Yields in intercrops depend on planting patterns of the mixed species in interaction with local growing conditions. Here we present data of two years field experimentation on yield and yield components of a wheat–maize intercrop system in different planting configurations in the Netherlands. Treatments included sole crops of wheat (SW) and maize (SM), a replacement intercrop consisting of strips of six wheat rows alternating with two maize rows (6:2WM), as well as subtractive or additive designs, based on skip-row (6:0WM, 0:2WM) and add-row (8:2WM, 6:3WM) configurations. The land equivalent ratio (LER) of intercrops varied from 1.18 to 1.30 in 2013 and from 0.97 to 1.08 in 2014. Wheat grown in the border rows of wheat strips had higher ear number per meter row, greater kernel number per ear, and greater yield per meter row than wheat in inner rows and sole wheat, indicating reduced competition. Wheat in the border rows in the intercrops had, however, reduced thousand kernel weight and harvest index, indicating that competition in border rows intensified over time. Intercropping negatively affected maize biomass and thousand kernel weight, especially in add-row treatments. This study indicates that there is a potential yield benefit for the wheat–maize intercropping system under Western European growing conditions. However, the LER was affected by yearly variation in weather conditions and significantly greater than one in only one of the two years of the study.     

Inheritance of Perpetual Blooming in Rosa chinensis ‘Old Blush'

Perpetual blooming is one of the most important biological and economical traits in modern rose, while the genetic basis underlining the control of this trait is poorly investigated. With an aim in dissecting the genetic determinism of perpetual blooming, we developed six rose populations(OB, W, F1, F2, BC1 OB and BC1W) derived from a WOB population [interspecific diploid hybridization between Rosa chinensis ‘Old Blush'(OB) and R. wichuriana ‘Basye's Thornless'(W)]. Perpetual blooming is absent both in a F1 population with 296 individuals and a BC1 W population(W as the backcross parent) with 150 individuals. However, the perpetual blooming trait showed a typical 3︰1 segregation in a backcross population BC1 OB with OB as the backcross parent. In this population with 300 individuals, 83 plants had the perpetual blooming phenotype while the other 217 featured non-perpetual blooming, indicating that the perpetual blooming trait is very likely controlled by two recessive genes in R. chinensis(rpb1 and rpb2). These genetic data suggest that the inheritance of rose perpetual blooming may be controlled by a complex mechanism.     

Gibberellic acid effects on germination and α-amylase activity of winter wheats

Summary Sensitivity to GA in non-Gai genome winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars was investigated to determine magnitude of variation of the trait, its association with other traits, and effects of geographical location of production. -Amylase enzyme activity was measured before and after treatment with gibberellic acid in 18 cultivars grown at one location and in five cultivars grown at six locations. Dye-labeled starch and agar-starch media procedures were used for the first and second experiments, respectively. -Amylase activity differed significantly among the 18 cultivars after germination in water, germination in GA, and in absolute and relative sensitivity to GA. Cultivars that reacted similarly to GA had some common ancestors in their pedigrees, and -amylase activity and sensitivity to GA were significantly negatively associated with seed weight. -Amylase activity differed between tall and semi-dwarf cultivars in the second experiment, but not in the first experiment. The magnitude of variation in -amylase activity and its relationship to preharvest sprouting susceptibility of the cultivars suggested that the trait can be modified to improve seed dormancy. Significant interactions between cultivar responses to GA and geographical location of grain production suggested that selection should be carried out in several environments.Contribution no. 81-162-j, Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan KS 66506, USA.     

Investigation of Creative Inheritance of Building Decoration

As an important symbol of the beauty of a building, the decoration is a part of building which cannot be ignored. With different building styles, the style of building decoration will be different. Its function will also change with the development of building styles in different times. This paper demonstrates how to creatively protect and carry on the achievements in building decoration and probes into its active significance in protecting and remaining national tradition and regional culture.     

Embryo lethality in wheat × rye hybrids—mode of inheritance and the identification of a complementary gene in wheat

Crosses between hexaploid wheat and rye can only succeed when pre- and post-zygotic barriers have been overcome. A rye gene determining embryo lethality (Eml-R1), which is involved in post-zygotic isolation, has been mapped to chromosome 6R. In the present paper the mode of inheritance of Eml-R1 was studied by employing a wheat/rye chromosome 6R addition line. We show that Eml-R1 exists in at least two alternative forms, with the mutant allele Eml-R1b being dominant with respect to wild-type Eml-R1a. Furthermore, we have exploited nulli-tetrasomic lines of wheat to detect a complementary wheat gene present on chromosome 6A. This gene has been designated Eml-A1.     

Inheritance of rol-genes from Agrobacterium rhizogenes through two generations in Kalancho?

Transformation of Kalancho? blossfeldiana ‘Molly’ using the naturally occurring bacterium Agrobacterium rhizogenes is a non-GMO strategy to breed compact plants. In the present study, crosses resembling a commercial breeding strategy were made to determine if the improved ornamental quality observed in the T1 generation was inherited to the offspring. F1 lines were produced by crossing the commercial Kalancho? cultivar ‘Sarah’ with a selected T1 line. Subsequently, F2 populations were produced by self-pollination of individual selected lines. The rol-genes were inherited to the progeny and the presence of rol-genes was confirmed in all F1 and many F2 plant lines exhibiting dwarfism. Screening of F1 and F2 plants showed that the rol-genes were inherited together. Besides decreased plant height, several F1 and F2 lines containing rol-genes exhibited changes in plant diameter, number of branches, flower diameter and time to first open flower and duration of flowering compared to the WT ‘Molly’. Furthermore, increased ethylene tolerance was observed in several lines containing rol-genes compared to the WT ‘Sarah’. Screening of three selected F2 populations derived from self-pollination of F1 lines containing rol-genes indicated a shift in distribution towards a lower mean plant height within the entire plant population compared to a control population of plants without rol-genes. Moreover, one of these F2 populations also exhibited earlier flowering compared to the control population. Compact potted plants and lines without delayed flowering and with improved ethylene tolerance were obtained and are valuable in commercial breeding programmes without using recombinant DNA technology.     

Productivity and profitability of cotton–wheat system as influenced by relay intercropping of insect resistant transgenic cotton in bed planted wheat

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is the leading cash crop being grown across the globe including Pakistan. By the inclusion of insect resistant transgenic cotton (BT cotton), the cotton production has mounted many folds in Pakistan. BT cotton is mostly grown in Southern Punjab in cotton–wheat cropping system of Pakistan; however there exists a time conflict among wheat harvest and BT cotton sowing in this system. Wheat is harvested during late April but the ideal sowing time of BT cotton is early-mid March indicating a time conflict of 4–6 weeks which is becoming the main concern leading to wheat exclusion from this system. Intercropping of BT cotton in standing wheat is one of the possible options to manage this overlapping period. This two year field study was, therefore, conducted at two locations (Multan, Vehari) to evaluate the economic feasibility of relay intercropping of BT cotton through different sowing methods in BT cotton–wheat cropping system. BT cotton–wheat cropping systems included in the study were: conventionally tilled cotton (CTC) on fallow land during early and late March, CTC during late April after harvest of flat sown wheat (FSW), bed sown wheat (BSW) + intercropped cotton during early and late March, and ridge sown wheat (RSW) + intercropped cotton during early and late March. Planting cotton in fallow land with conventional tillage during early March had more seed cotton yield; whereas planting in the same way during April after wheat harvest had minimum seed cotton yield. Likewise, FSW had more yield than ridge and bed sown wheat with intercropped BT cotton during early or late March. However, the system productivity in terms of net income, benefit: cost ratio and marginal rate of return of BSW + intercropped BT cotton during early March was the highest during both years at both locations. However, the system with sole crop of BT cotton sown on fallow land during late or early March was the least economical even than the system with CTC during late April after harvest of FSW. In conclusion, BSW + intercropped cotton during early March may be opted to manage the time conflict and improve the economic productivity of BT cotton–wheat cropping system without wheat exclusion from the system.     

Inheritance of the virgata pattern of partly colored seed coats in ‘Early Giant’ common bean

The inheritance of the virgata pattern of partly colored seed coats found in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Early Giant (EG) was studied by a series of test crosses with line 5-593 and genetic stocks developed by backcrossing selected genes into the recurrent parent 5-593, a Florida dry bean breeding line with a self-colored, black seed coat with genotype T Z Bip P [C r] J G B V Rk. Analysis of the F₂ from the cross EG × 5-593 led to the hypothesis that the virgata pattern of EG has genotype t z bip^vgt, where vgt stands for virgata. The test cross EG × t z virgarcus BC₃ 5-593 confirmed the hypothesis that EG carries t z from data recorded in F₁, F₂, and 27 F₃ progenies from randomly selected F₂ plants. The F₃ segregation was also consistent with the hypothesis that a single recessive gene converts virgarcus into virgata. The test cross EG × t z bip bipunctata BC₃ 5-593 failed to show genetic complementation in F₁ progeny, and the F₂ segregated 3:1 for the parental phenotypes virgata and bipunctata, respectively. Including previously published data, all possible crosses were made among bipunctata, virgata, and virgarcus parents, supporting a multiple allelic series at Bip. We propose the gene symbol bip^vgt for the new allele at Bip, where the allelic series has the order of gene dominance Bip > bip^vgt > bip. Based on test crosses, the complete seed-coat color and pattern genotype of EG is tz bip^vgt P [C r] J G B v^lae rk^d.     

Chloroplast degeneration as a consequence of “hybrid necrosis” in wheat

The results of a cytological study of hybrid necrosis in wheat are presented. Two types of necrosizing of the leaves have been found viz. necrosis via dull green discoloration, and necrosis via a yellow intermediate colour. In the first case the conglomeration of the cell contents starts when the size of the chloroplasts is only little reduced. In the second case the chloroplasts become very small before forming small lumps or bunches. It is suggested that the conglomeration of the cell contents is more disastrous for the plant than the decrease in size of the chloroplasts. The problem of the genetical and physiological causes of hybrid necrosis is discussed.     

Study on Inheritance and Development of Traditional Street, Lane and Courtyard in City Growth

City is not a concretionary but a dynamic matter. It should keep close touch with the animated tradition, and we should look forward to its future too. Thus we will be facing with the problem of inheritance and development of the tradition. Because the tradition is a potential for good as wdll as for evil, it can promote the development of a thing, and also may hinder its progress, so there should be correct attitudes to the traditional inheritance. This paper studies the modem application of the traditional street, lane and courtyard, which brings new vitality to the tradition and imparts fresh life to the modem city.     

Inheritance of anthocyanin content in the ripe berries of a tetraploid × diploid grape cross population

Variation patterns and inheritance of anthocyanin content in the ripe berries of a tetraploid × diploid table grape cross population were investigated in two successive years. The population segregated for three different ploid levels: dipolids, triploids, and tetraploids. A total of 28 different anthocyanins were detected and quantified in the progeny population. Transgressive segregation for the total anthocyanin content was observed in all the three ploid progeny populations. The total anthocyanin content increased as the ploid level increased. The broad sense heritabilities (H²) of the total anthocyanin content were all relatively high, ranging from 0.53 to 0.98, 0.57 to 0.97 and 0.43 to 0.94 in the diploid, triploid and tetraploid population, respectively. Our results suggested that the total anthocyanin content followed an additive inheritance model in this polyploid segregation population. We also observed that the relative contribution of individual anthocyanins to the total anthocyanin content varied significantly among different ploid populations, suggesting that genetic background has important impact on the accumulation of the individual anthocyanin compounds. These results will help develop better breeding strategies in a polyploid table grape breeding program for improving the content of anthocyanins, an important class of polyphenolics possessing antioxidant activities and many other health-related benefits.