Breeding approaches for bacterial leaf blight resistance in rice (Oryza sativa L.), current status and future directions

Bacterial leaf blight (BLB) is one of the most serious threats to the rice crop in irrigated and rainfed areas of the world. It is caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae and has been known for more than a century. Through rigorous screening and selection, a number of resistant cultivars have been produced and utilized, but resistance was overcome by the development of mutant strains of pathogen and by the dynamic change in Xoo populations. About 38 resistance genes have been reported in rice against the disease and a few have been cloned. The pyramiding of several resistance genes through marker assisted selection has been a quite effective strategy for combating the disease. However, new powerful tools such as transgenics have been introduced to make a significant impact. The purpose of this mini-review is to consolidate the existing knowledge about bacterial leaf blight in rice and the progress made both in conventional as well as in molecular dimensions of breeding together with potential findings and constraints.     

Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) Induced Changes in Growth,Some Biochemical Attributes,and Mineral Accumulation in Two Cultivars of Mung Bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]

Addition of cadmium, lead, and cadmium + lead (Cd, Pb, and Cd+Pb) to growth medium leads to a reduction in seed germination, length, fresh and dry biomass of shoots and roots, total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and soluble proteins in plants. This study was undertaken on two mungbean cultivars (MN-92 and MN-98). Application of these metals in the growth medium reduced the bioabsorption of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K). Concentrations of all the metals were greater in the roots than in the shoots except for K, which was greater in the shoots. Mungbean cultivar NM-98 performed better than NM-92 in response to heavy-metal toxicity. Overall, the metal-induced physiobiochemical changes resulted in reduced growth of both mungbean cultivars.     

K-priming positively modulates growth and nutrient status of salt-stressed cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) seedlings

Being macronutrient, K⁺ is involved in a number of metabolic processes including stimulation of over 60 enzymes. The present study was conducted to investigate whether K-priming could alleviate the effects of salinity on the growth and nutrient status of cotton seedlings. The seeds of two cotton cultivars, namely FH-113 and FH-87, were primed with solutions of three potassium sources (KNO₃, K₂SO₄ and K₂HPO₄) using three concentrations (0%, 1.25% and 1.5%) of each potassium source. After 1 week of germination, the seedlings were subjected to salinity (0 and 200 mM NaCl) stress. The results showed that salinity significantly affected growth and nutrients status of cotton seedlings. The K-priming alleviated the stress condition and significantly improved dry matter as well as nutrient uptake in cotton seedlings. Of the priming treatments pre-sowing treatment with KNO₃ (1.5%) was most effective in increasing shoot and root lengths and biomass of cotton seedlings. The seedlings raised from seed treated with KNO₃ (1.5%) showed varied accumulation of cations (Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺) and faced less oxidative stress irrespective of cotton cultivars under salt stress. The results suggested that pre-sowing seed treatment with KNO₃ (1.5%) might be recommended for synchronized germination and sustainable production of cotton crop under saline environments.     

Improving iron bioavailability and nutritional value of maize (Zea mays L.) in sulfur-treated calcareous soil

Soil factors such as pH, calcium, carbonate, and bicarbonate precipitation products in calcareous soils reduce iron (Fe) availability to crops and limit grain Fe concentrations. In the present greenhouse study, we evaluated the potential of Fe fertilizer amendments combined with organic amendments, like biochar (BC) and poultry manure, in sulfur (S)-treated low pH calcareous soils (pH_S1) to assess Fe biofortification of maize. Elemental sulfur (S) was used both for lowering soil pH and Fe solubilization. Soil pH was successfully lowered down from 7.8 to 6.5 by S application at the rate of 2.5 g kg^?1 soil. Pot experiment results revealed that Fe fertilizer combined with BC and S (pH_S1) significantly increased root and shoot dry weight, grain weight, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance by 69%, 86%, 28%, 74%, 57%, and 33%, respectively, relative to the control. Similarly, combined application of Fe + BC in S-amended (pH_S1) soil increased starch (34%), protein (64%), and fat (1 fold) while antinutrient phytate and polyphenols were decreased up to 29% and 40%, respectively, over control. Regarding the maize nutrients profiles, application of Fe with BC gave the maximum increase of Fe and ferritin was increased 1.7 fold at pH_S1. The results of this study showed that Fe fertilization with BC at pH_S1 soil is beneficial for crop growth and Fe bioavailability.     

Application of Box-Behnken Design for Optimization of Different Pretreatment Conditions for Cellulase Production

Effects of dilute acid and acid steam pretreatments were inspected for cellulose production of Eucalyptus leaves through Box-Behenken design,a three variable factors for response surface methodology by Bacillus subtilus K~(-1)8.Maximum cellulose production performed in 250 mL erlenmeyer flask with submerged fermentation attained at 50℃,p H 5,140 r·min~(-1) for 24 h.Results showed the efficient cellulose production from acid steam pretreatment(being autoclaved at 15 Psi for 15 min)than acid pretreatment.The optimum condition for maximum carboxymethyl cellulas(CMCase)was 1.811 IU·mL~(-1)·min~(-1)(0.8%acid conc.,10 g biomass loading,6 h reaction time)and filter paper activity(FPase)was 2.255 IU·mL~(-1)·min~(-1)(1%acid conc.,10 g biomass loading,8 h reaction time).Whereas,the acid steam maximum CMCase activity recorded was 2.585 IU·mL~(-1)·min~(-1)(0.8%acid conc.,15 g substrate loading and 8 h reaction time)and the highest FPase activity was 2.055 IU·mL~(-1)·min~(-1)(0.8%conc.,10 g biomass,6 h reaction time then autoclaved).Results revealed that acid pretreated Eucalyptus leaves were better lignocellulosic biomass for cellulose production by submerged fermentation.     

Development and validation of a GC–MS method for soybean organ-specific metabolomics

Field mold (FM) can easily deteriorate the preharvest soybean in the field, and Fusarium moniliforme is demonstrated as the dominant pathogenic fungi. Metabolomics is a powerful tool to reveal the resistance mechanism in response to microbial infection. Therefore, in this research, the Design of Experiment (DOE) model was developed to optimize the extraction solvent combinations for metabolomic study of soybean seed and pod based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Combined with the number of extracted peaks and the peak area of common substances, the extraction efficiency of different solvent was analyzed by multivariate statistical analysis. The result showed that isopropanol/water/methanol (1:1:1 and 1:1:4, v/v/v) mixture was highly efficient for metabolites extractions of soybean seed and pod, respectively. Additionally, the potential metabolites and pathways concerned in FM resistance were explored by the optimized extraction solvent system based on metabolomics analysis. Amino acid metabolism in soybean seed was disturbed by F. moniliforme and metabolic pathways related to energy conversion in soybean pod strongly responded to fungal infection. This study constructs a GC–MS-based metabonomic method for soybean metabolites; comparative analysis of organ-specific metabolomics for soybean fruit could be further applied in soybean metabolomics researches.     

Maize productivity and soil carbon storage as influenced by wheat residue management

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L) residue removed, burnt, or incorporated with or without 0, 60, and 120 kg nitrogen (N) ha^?1 effects on maize (Zea mays L) hybrids (Pioneer-3025, Pioneer-30P45, and Kiramat) were assessed at University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan during 2010 and 2011 for maize production and soil carbon (C) storage. Pioneer-30P45 had higher grain yield, leaf area, and delayed maturity. Residue burning combined with 120 kg N ha^?1 produced higher grain yield. The leaf area, leaf area ratio, grain N content, and solar radiation interception were improved with N + residue burnt/incorporated over control. The grain yield was positively correlated with yield parameters. Soil organic carbon (SOC) content were in order of incorporated > burnt > removed at all growth stages (i.e., sowing, tasseling, maturity, and harvesting). Conclusively, wheat residue burnt/incorporated into the soil with 120 kg N ha^?1 was best for maize production of Pioneer-30P45; however residue incorporation into the soil improved SOC.     

日本大豆引种四川盆地的品质评价研究

将原产于日本的17个大豆种质资源引种至我国四川盆地栽培,并对其引种前后的籽粒品质性状进行分析评价,探究引种大豆在四川盆地的适应性,以期为丰富西南大豆种质资源提供参考。品质性状变异分析结果表明,大豆异黄酮的变异系数大,除苷元外均达到30%以上,而其余性状的变异系数也均大于10%。与引种前相比,各供试大豆的可溶性蛋白含量普遍升高,而脂肪酸、可溶性多糖和异黄酮含量普遍降低。基于引种大豆11个品质性状的主成分聚类分析,将供试的17份种质资源划分为五大类,其中,Ⅰ类大豆为高脂肪酸品种,其生育期适中,亚油酸含量大于55‰,可作为高油脂杂交育种亲本材料加以利用;Ⅲ类大豆为高蛋白型品种,可作为豆制品开发原材料加以利用;Ⅴ类大豆为高异黄酮型品种,可作为功能性成分原料来源加以利用。