Genotypic differences in wheat Al tolerance

Summary Aluminium tolerance of 83 genotypes from Croatian and Yugoslav Triticum aestivum germplasm was evaluated in nutrient solutions having Al³⁺ activities of 0, 12.5 and 25 M. Relative root length (25 M Al³⁺/0 Al) of various genotypes ranged from 2 to 97% (from very sensitive to tolerant to Al). No genotype with Al tolerance close to that of very tolerant cultivar Atlas-66 was found. Soil, climatic, fertilization, and liming effects that wheat plants giving seeds for the nutrient solution Al-tolerance screening had been subjected to during their growth cycle did not influence the Al-tolerance ranking. Significant correlation was found between screening wheat for Al tolerance in nutrient solutions and in acid Pseudogley soil amended with five rates of limestone in a greenhouse experiment. Seed protein concentration was significantly related to the Al-tolerance ranking (r² = 0.962). Such a significant correlation was not obtained in a case of rheological and other quality characteristics of seeds. Al-tolerant wheat genotypes identified in this study will be used in breeding for improved Al tolerance.Abbreviations HSD Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference - RRL-2 relative root length, in % (12.5 M Al³⁺/0 Al) - RRL-4 relative root length, in % (25 M Al³/0 Al)     

Aluminum tolerance in triticale, wheat, and rye

Acid soils containing high levels of aluminum (Al) are known to severely limit plant growth on over 1.6 billion hectares worldwide. In the United States, a gradual decline in the pH of many soils both in the Great Plains as well as the Southeast, has caused many soils to become high in levels of free Al. This worldwide condition encouraged the analysis of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell.), triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack), and rye (Secale cereale L.) germplasm from one of the major acid soil regions of the world (Brazil) in order to evaluate and compare the genetic potential of Al genes for cereal improvement. The objectives were to compare Al-tolerance levels in wheats, triticales, and ryes by measuring root elongation responses in Al-containing hydroponic nutrient solutions. Root elongation was impaired for all species grown in 1 mg/L concentrations of Al. Rye had the longest root regrowth and Al-sensitive wheats had the shortest root regrowth. The triticales containing a 2D(2R) substitution developed in the mid-1970s had the poorest root regrowth of all triticale types. The newly developed advanced triticale lines (AABBRR) yet to be released for commercial production showed the highest degree of Al tolerance of all the triticale types and approached or exceeded the levels observed in rye. This indicated that progress is being made in improving Al-tolerance of triticale in Brazil. Of all the old and new wheat varieties showing the highest degree of Al-tolerance, none of them were better than ‘BH 1146’ a variety that is at least 50 years old. This indicated that over the past 50 years, although Brazilian wheat breeders have made yield improvements in wheat production, they have not improved Al-tolerance. Rye showed a higher degree of Al-tolerance than the other cereals when tested in 1 mg/L of Al, but as expected, some variation was noted. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Germination characters and early seedling growth of wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.) genotypes under salt stress conditions

Screening of wheat genotypes as salt tolerance through seed germination and early seedling growth is crucial for their evaluation. Seeds of 20 wheat genotypes were germinated in Petri dishes on a sand bed irrigated with saline (15 dS m_-1) and control solutions for 10 days and also tested at different salinity levels (control, 4, 6, 8, and 10 dS m^-1) which were artificially developed in the soil for 30 days. At 10 days, germination percentage, rate of germination, co-efficient of germination, germination vigor index, shoot length, root length, and seedling dry weight were found to be affected due to salinity. Salt tolerance index (STI) for seedling dry weight maintained a significant positive correlation with rate of germination, germination vigor index, shoot length, and root length, which indicates that these parameters could be used as selection criteria for screening wheat genotypes against salt stress. Significant differences in shoot length, root length, and seedling dry weight in 30-day-old seedlings were observed among selected wheat genotypes as well. From the overall observation of germination characters and early seedling growth, it was concluded that the wheat genotypes including Gourab, Shatabdi, Bijoy, Prodip, BARI Gom 26, BAW 1186, and BAW 1189 showed better salt tolerance as compared to others.     

A proposal for aluminum tolerance selection in white oat under hydroponic conditions

White oat genotypes were subjected to Al stress in hydroponic conditions in order to verify the viability of methods based on minimum nutrient solution (MNS) in comparison to complete nutrient solution (CNS), commonly used in the characterization and selection for Al tolerance in this species. The experimental design was completely randomized blocks with three replicates composed of 10 seedlings each. Six white oat genotypes subjected to different Al levels in minimum (0, 3, 6, and 9 mg L⁻¹) and complete (0, 10, 20, and 30 mg L⁻¹) solutions were evaluated. In this evaluation, the MNS was efficient in identifying aluminum-tolerant, white oat genotypes under hydroponics. The root growth resumption showed to be the most effective trait in the aluminum-tolerant plant selection. At concentrations equal to or higher than 3 mg Al L⁻¹ in minimum and 10 mg Al L⁻¹ in complete solution, severe damage caused by the toxic element on root development was verified. The white oat cultivars UFRGS 14, ALBASUL, and BARBARASUL showed aluminum tolerance in the tested conditions.     

Evaluation of Al-tolerance on upland and lowland types of NERICA lines under hydroponic conditions

We evaluated Al-tolerance in 44 interspecific lines (32 upland and 12 lowland) developed from the crosses of Oryza sativa and O. glaberrima called New Rice for Africa (NERICA) with 2 O. glaberrima lines and 13 O. sativa varieties under hydroponic culture containing 0.15, 0.3, 0.6, and 1.2 mM Al (+Al) and 0 mM Al (?Al as a control). Ten upland and four lowland NERICA lines showed strong Al-tolerance judging from their higher relative root and shoot dry weights (percentage ratios of dry weights in the Al treatments to the control) than those of the tolerant O. sativa check of IR 53650. Their tolerance was supported by relatively higher root Al accumulation (dark blue color) opposite performance with common knowledge (shown pale blue color) in root using hematoxylin staining compared to the Al-susceptible genotypes identified based on relative root and shoot dry weights in the study. Net Al concentration was higher in roots than in shoots in all +Al conditions for all genotypes; however, a clear difference in the Al concentration among the Al-tolerant, Al-moderately tolerant, and Al-susceptible genotypes was observed in the shoots. Al concentrations in the shoots of the Al-tolerant and Al-moderately tolerant upland and lowland NERICA lines were significantly lower than those of its Al-susceptible counterparts in the groups under 0.6 and 1.2 mM Al conditions, respectively. Differences in root and shoot growth among the Al-tolerant, Al-moderately tolerant, and Al-susceptible NERICA lines were clearer under strong Al toxic conditions (0.6 and 1.2 mM Al) than under weak Al toxic conditions (0.15 and 0.3 mM Al).     

Evaluation of Triticum aestivum germplasm from Croatia and Yugoslavia for aluminium tolerance

Summary Aluminium tolerance of 90 genotypes of Triticum aestivum L. germplasm from the breeding programmes of eight Croatian and Yugoslav institutions was evaluated in nutrient solutions having Al³⁺ activities of 0, 12.5 and 25M. Overall distribution of Al tolerance of wheat genotypes was skewed toward lower tolerance rankings. Average Al tolerance differed among gene pools created at different breeding institutions. Genotypes tolerant enough to be useful in the breeding programmes aimed at selecting cultivars with improved Al tolerance are identified in germplasm from four institutions. No correlation was found between chemical characteristics of soils used over the years by breeding institutions for their field trials and the Al-tolerance ranking of the corresponding germplasm material.Abbreviations HSD Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference - RRL-4 relative root length, in % (25M Al³⁺/0 Al)     

Evaluation of aluminium tolerance in a spring rye collection by hydroponic screening

Aluminium (A1) tolerance of 63 rye accessions from a world spring rye collection was evaluated using the haematoxylin method and the root growth method. The haematoxylin method is based on the ability of A1‐tolerant seedlings to continue root growth following a short pulse treatment with a high Al concentration, while the root growth method uses the root growth and root tolerance index to judge A1 tolerance. Significantly higher levels of A1 tolerance were found in rye than in the A1‐tolerant bread wheat cultivar ‘Maringa’. Under the assumption that the ability of roots to grow under A1 stress is a combination of root vigour (long roots) and A1 tolerance, a hypothesis allowing for the differentiation of five genotype classes was suggested. This study demonstrated that the haematoxylin method and the root growth parameter identify genotypes with long root growth under A1 stress, but failed to detect A1 tolerance in genotypes with poor root vigour. These genotypes can only be identified using the root tolerance index parameter. However, the haematoxylin method is highly suitable for screening large segregating populations derived from improved germplasm that has been preselected for agronomically preferable traits, including plant vigour.     

A new phenotyping technique for screening for drought tolerance in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)

Screening for drought tolerance is severely handicapped by the lack of a simple and reliable phenotyping technique. The objective of this study was to develop a new screening technique based on seedling survivability, drought tolerance score, root and shoot length, and fresh and dry weight of roots and shoots of lentil plants exposed to drought under hydroponic conditions. Its effectiveness was compared with two soil culture techniques. The hydroponic technique involved removing 15‐day‐old seedlings of 80 genotypes from the nutrient solution and exposing them to air for 5 h daily for 6 days. Three genotypes received from ICARDA, ‘ILL‐10700’, ‘ILL ‐ 10823’ and ‘FLIP‐96‐51’, showed maximum seedling survivability and minimum reduction in the growth parameters with a drought score of 0.0–0.2 indicating higher tolerance to drought stress, while Indian genotypes ‘JL‐3’, ‘E‐153’ and ‘VL‐507’ showed no seedling survivability and maximum reduction in growth parameters with a drought score of 4.0 indicating low drought tolerance. The results suggest that this new phenotyping technique is effective, rapid and easy for screening a large number of genotypes.     

玉米自交系耐铝性评价及根系形态解剖特征

采用营养液培养方法,对9个玉米自交系的耐铝性进行了评价,并对其中两个耐铝性不同的典型自交系的根系形态和解剖特征进行了比较。结果表明,玉米自交系在含铝营养液中的耐铝性评价结果与酸性土壤上的耐酸性筛选结果基本一致。耐铝基因型具有苏木精着色程度较低、种子根相对伸长率和植株相对生物量较高的共同特点。种子根相     

棉花耐低钾基因型筛选条件和指标的研究

以2004年我国棉区的主栽品种/组合/品系为主, 收集50个基因型, 在苗期室内液培条件下(低钾浓度和高钾浓度分别为0.02 mmol L^-1和2.50 mmol L^-1)对棉花耐低钾基因型的适宜筛选苗龄和评价指标进行研究, 并与田间缺钾土壤(速效钾含量为59.88 mg kg^-1)的筛选结果进行比较。结果表明, 棉花5叶期幼苗基因型间生物量的变异系数明显高于3叶期, 适宜进行耐低钾基因型筛选。低钾条件下的绝对生物量与相对生物量(0.02/2.50)、吸钾量和钾利用指数(KUI, 单位浓度钾所形成的生物量)极显著(P < 0.01)相关, 相关系数分别为0.7690、0.9522和0.9791。根长、根表面积与整株吸钾量的相关系数分别为0.5201(P < 0.01)和0.3325(P < 0.05)。子叶缺钾斑占子叶总面积的比例(S)在基因型间变化幅度大(变异系数为44.46%)、符合正态分布、与生物量极显著相关(r = –0.4455, P < 0.01), 可作为棉花苗期耐低钾基因型筛选的辅助指标。种子含钾量与棉花幼苗子叶的S值、生物量、钾吸收量和KUI均无相关关系。液培条件下5叶期幼苗的整株生物量与田间条件下产量器官干重极显著相关(r = 0.5091, P < 0.01), 证明苗期室内液培筛选具有可行性, 可作为对大量基因型的初筛方法, 典型基因型需要在田间进行复筛。     

Analysis of genetic variability of aluminium tolerance response in triticale

Comparative analyses of genetic variability of aluminium tolerance response were made in a range of triticale genotypes of two sets, one consisting of six Australian cultivars (or lines), the other consisting of eight South African lines and an Australian check, by following solution culture and screening under controlled growth cabinet conditions. Results showed that Tahara, Tahara ‘S’ and Abacus were the most Al-tolerant triticales among the Australian genotypes in terms of root regrowth characteristics at 10 μg.g^-1 Al. The 19th ITSN 70-4, along with the standard cultivar Tahara was superior to all other South African genotypes; the eight South African genotypes spanned the range from Al-tolerant, moderately Al-tolerant to Al-sensitive. Regrown root length and percentage of seedlings with root regrowth were the two key indicators for screening and evaluating Al tolerance response. Considerable genetic variability of tolerance to Al stress among the two sets of tested genotypes was revealed by the estimates of genetic parameters. High heritability values were recorded for those two indicators, with associated high levels of relative genetic advance (RGA). Further improvement of varietal tolerance to Al stress in triticale could be anticipated through selection and breeding. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Chromosomal location of aluminium tolerance genes in rye

Rye is known for its high tolerance of aluminium in the soils in comparison with wheat and other cereals. To localize the major gene/ genes controlling aluminium tolerance on the rye chromosomes, four series of wheat‐rye addition lines, two sets of triticale D(R) substitution lines and several wheat/rye translocation lines were tested in experiments on seedlings grown in nutrient solutions with various concentrations of aluminium. The results indicate that the major locus responsible for Al tolerance in rye is located on the short arm of chromosome 3R. The importance of these results for controlled introgressions into cereals is discussed.     

New genetic sources of resistance in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus</Emphasis> to individual and combined aluminium toxicity and progressive soil drying stresses

Bean species and genotypes show wide phenotypic variability in relation to aluminium (Al) resistance and progressive soil drying. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize sources of resistance to Al toxicity and progressive soil drying among six genotypes of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), four of runner bean (P. coccineus), and one of tepary bean (P. acutifolius), using hydroponic and soil cylinder screening methods. One experiment on hydroponic screening of Al resistance was carried out using a basal nutrient solution with and without 20 μM Al. Two experiments were carried out using two oxisols in 80 cm long soil cylinders with high Al (HAl) and low Al (LAl) saturation treatments. The three experiments showed an average of 36.9–53.5% inhibition of root growth with HAl compared with LAl treatments. Differences in root development and distribution were observed among genotypes and species. Two accessions of P. coccineus (G35346-2Q, G35464-5Q) and one Andean common bean genotype (ICA Quimbaya) were outstanding in root and shoot growth in the HAl treatments. P. coccineus accession (G35346-3Q) was outstanding under combined stress of Al-toxic acid soil and progressive soil drying. Accessions of P. coccineus may represent unique sources of Al resistance for the improvement of common bean through interspecific crosses.     

Phenotypic evaluation of interspecific recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus</Emphasis> species for aluminium resistance and shoot and root growth response to aluminium–toxic acid soil

Aluminium (Al) toxicity limits common bean productivity in acid soil regions of the tropics. To improve Al resistance of common bean, Al-sensitive Phaseolus vulgaris (SER16) was crossed to Al-resistant P. coccineus (G35346-3Q) to create 94 F_5:6 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of the pedigree SER16 × (SER16 × G35346-3Q). RILs were characterized for resistance to Al in a hydroponic system with 0 and 20 μM Al in solution, and for shoot and root growth response to Al-toxic infertile acid soil in 75 cm long soil cylinder system using an oxisol of low Al- (12.5%; pH 4.6; fertilized) and high Al-saturation (77%; pH 4.1; unfertilized). G35346-3Q increased its taproot elongation rate by 3.5% between 24 and 48 h under 20 μM Al in solution, while the best RIL, Andean genotype ICA Quimbaya, and sensitive genotype VAX1 expressed reductions of 2.6, 12.5, and 69.5%, respectively. In the acid soil treatment the correlation between leaf area and total root length was highly significant under high Al saturation (r = 0.70***). Genotypes that were Al resistant in the hydroponic system were not necessarily tolerant to Al-toxic acid soil conditions based on shoot and root growth responses. Phenotypic evaluation using both systems allows the identification of genotypes with Al resistance combined with acid soil adaptation. Two genotypes (ALB88 and ALB91) emerged as lines with multiple traits. Results suggest that inheritance of Al resistance and acid soil tolerance in G35346-3Q is complex. Results from this work will be useful for identification of molecular markers for Al resistance in Phaseolus species and to improve acid soil adaptation in common bean.     

Influence of High Shoot and Root-Zone Temperatures on Growth of Three Wheat Genotypes during Early Vegetative Stages

High temperatures, whether of shoot or root, are reported to affect shoot and root growth of various plant species. The scanty information available on the differential response of wheat genotypes to high shoot and root‐zone temperatures triggered this investigation to study the response and adaptation of shoot and root growth of three wheat genotypes to high shoot and root‐zone temperatures during early growth stages. Three wheat genotypes; Fang (heat tolerant), Siete Cerros (heat sensitive) and Imam (recent cultivar adapted to a hot irrigated environment) were grown in soil and hydroponically. Three shoot/root‐zone temperatures (23/23, 23/35 and 35/35 °C for the soil experiment and 22/22, 22/38 and 38/38 °C for the hydroponic experiment) were applied at three‐leaf growth stage. High root‐zone temperature alone or combined with high shoot temperature reduced xylem sap flow rate, root dry weight, root length and root/shoot ratio. Unexpectedly, shoot fresh and dry weights and relative growth rate (RGR) were not significantly affected by the high root‐zone temperature except for the susceptible genotype, Siete Cerros, after prolonged exposure in the hydroponic experiment. In contrast, high shoot/root‐zone temperature significantly reduced shoot fresh and dry weights from as early as the first week of the hydroponic experiment. The 38/38 °C treatment also caused significant reduction in RGR and net assimilation rate during the first 2 weeks, but no significant differences were found during the last 2 weeks compared with 22/22 °C. Interesting responses were observed among genotypes in terms of shoot and root dry weights and root/shoot ratio at 38/38 °C treatment. The heat‐sensitive Siete Cerros showed the least reduction in these traits during the first 2 weeks while the heat‐tolerant Fang and Imam responded by greatly reducing their shoot and root weights. The situation was almost reversed with the duration of treatments such that Siete Cerros became the most affected genotype while Fang and Imam were better adapted to high shoot/root‐zone temperature. Specific root weight was the exceptional trait that increased under high temperature treatments. Results indicate that despite the reduction in root length and weight observed under high root‐zone temperature, shoot growth was not much affected suggesting that the use of suitable cultivar coupled with proper management could alleviate most of high root‐zone temperature effects during early growth stages.     

低磷胁迫对草莓幼苗根系生长和酸性磷酸酶活性的影响

为探讨低磷胁迫对不同品种草莓幼苗的根系生长和酸性磷酸酶活性(APA)的影响,试验选取4个草莓品种（‘红颜’、‘章姬’、‘甜查理’、‘童子一号’）,采用水培的方法,设正常磷处理(KH2PO4 1×10-3 mol/L)、低磷处理(KH2PO4 1×10-6 mol/L)2个处理,分别于处理后0、7、14、21、28、35 天,取样对其根系分泌酸性磷酸酶活性进行测定分析,并于处理后35天,测定其根鲜重、主根长、侧根数。结果表明,草莓幼苗受低磷胁迫后,其主根长度受到了抑制,而同期测定的侧根数、根鲜重、根冠比则显著增加。根系分泌的酸性磷酸酶活性在低磷处理早期就有显著提高,且随着低磷胁迫的延续,其活性持续升高;各项形态、生理指标显示,供试4种草莓品种中,‘甜查理’相对于其他供试草莓品种对低磷胁迫环境适应性较好,说明可以通过选择、改良草莓的根系特性来提高草莓的磷效率。     

Inheritance of root regrowth as an indicator of apparent aluminum tolerance in triticale

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a predominant growth-limiting factor in acid soils. Better understanding of the genetic mechanisms by which plants tolerate toxic Al expedites the development of tolerant plant genotypes. The genetic behavior of apparent Al tolerance in two triticale crosses as measured by root regrowth of seedlings at a level of 10 μg · ^g−1 Al stress in nutrient solutions was analyzed by following a bi-parental (BIP) mating design. The validity of the additive-dominance genetic model was tested with relevant gene effects estimated. The continuous variation of regrown root length showed that apparent Al tolerance was a metrical character in nature. Both the additive and dominance effects were responsible while the additive effects played a major role in the expression of Al tolerance. Non-allelic interaction (or epistasis) was indicated from the inadequacy of the model and different types of epistatic gene effects were detected in the two crosses. These results suggest that Al tolerance was of polygenic system rather than simply inherited. One to three pairs of genes were involved in apparent Al tolerance for the parental difference. The moderately high value of estimates of heritability together with the estimates of genetic advance (GA) could be used in planning a selective breeding program aimed at greater Al tolerance. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Enhancement of aluminum tolerance in wheat by addition of chromosomes from the wild relative Leymus racemosus

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is the key factor limiting wheat production in acid soils. Soil liming has been used widely to increase the soil pH, but due to its high cost, breeding tolerant cultivars is more cost-effective mean to mitigate the problem. Tolerant cultivars could be developed by traditional breeding, genetic transformation or introgression of genes from wild relatives. We used 30 wheat alien chromosome addition lines to identify new genetic resources to improve wheat tolerance to Al and to identify the chromosomes harboring the tolerance genes. We evaluated these lines and their wheat background Chinese Spring for Al tolerance in hydroponic culture at various Al concentrations. We also investigated Al uptake, oxidative stress and cell membrane integrity. The L. racemosus chromosomes A and E significantly enhanced the Al tolerance of the wheat in term of relative root growth. At the highest Al concentration tested (200 μM), line E had the greatest tolerance. The introgressed chromosomes did not affect Al uptake of the tolerant lines. We attribute the improved tolerance conferred by chromosome E to improved cell membrane integrity. Chromosome engineering with these two lines could produce Al-tolerant wheat cultivars.     

Aluminium uptake by roots of rye seedlings of differing tolerance to aluminium toxicity

Summary The aluminium accumulation pattern was studied in roots and root tips of rye seedlings from two inbred lines, differing in Al-tolerance and their F₁ hybrid.This investigations were undertaken in order to find whether the mechanism preventing root tips from to high Al-accumulation and damage to apical meristem observed in Al-tolerant isoline of wheat is also operating in rye. Al-uptake into the root tissue was studied in nutrient solution experiments during 24 h of incubation in solution containing aluminium. After Al-incubation roots were harvested, separated into root tips and basal parts, and aluminium content in root tissue was determined after wet digestion using catechol violet colorimetric method. It was found, that at low external Al-concentration in rye roots the mechanism preventing root tips from Al-accumulation and Al-damage operates, similarly as in Al-tolerant wheat isoline. But contrary to wheat in rye seedlings functioning of this mechanism was observed in both Al-tolerant and Al-sensitive lines. It is concluded that observed mechanism of the inhibition of Al-accumulation in apical part of roots plays much more important role in Al-tolerance mechanism in wheat than in rye.Abbreviations EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - NIL near-isogenic line     

不同浓度盐胁迫对小麦萌发和幼苗生长的影响

提高以盐渍化为代表的中低产田的产量,已成为进一步提高小麦总产量的主要途径,对于保障中国粮食安全具有重要意义。笔者依据300 mmol/L盐浓度下的发芽率和水培苗期在200 mmol/L和400 mmol/L两个盐浓度梯度水平下的株高、根长、根数变化,对选自不同生态类型区的21份冬小麦资源及育成品种进行了耐盐性鉴定,并依据盐胁迫下的小麦发芽率和苗期植株变化对供试材料的耐盐力进行综合评判。研究结果表明：从供试材料中筛选出了1级耐盐材料3份;2级耐盐材料3份;3级耐盐材料5份,丰富了小麦耐盐种质资源。该方法与田间盐池鉴定方法相比,具有工作量小、速度快的优点,且鉴定结果与田间表现吻合度高,研究结果可为小麦耐盐育种提供理论和技术支撑,同时也可为进一步提高盐渍化土壤小麦产量提供技术支撑。