Regional phenotypic diversity of Puccinia triticina and wheat host resistance in western Europe, 1995

Pathogenicity data from surveys of Puccinia triticina (formerly P. recondita f. sp. tritici) conducted in western Europe in 1995 were analysed to compare the structure of regional populations of the pathogen. Many of the populations differed in phenotypic diversity and pathotypic composition, even though they occurred within a single epidemiological unit, suggesting that local factors may influence the establishment and propagation of individual pathotypes in the regional populations. Neighbouring regions were more similar than distant regions, and all regions shared at least one pathotype, except populations in northern Italy and Scotland. A high degree of similarity was found between populations in northern France and Great Britain, providing strong evidence of free movement of inoculum between these regions. Resistance genes were postulated for a selection of 91 wheat cultivars, representing those most commonly grown in western Europe in 1995. Thirteen cultivars lacked detectable seedling resistance genes and the remaining 78 possessed from one to three resistance genes; those detected were Lr1, Lr3a, Lr10, Lr13, Lr14a, Lr17b, Lr20, Lr26 and Lr37. The most commonly detected resistance gene was Lr13, which was present singly or in combination with other resistance genes in 48 cultivars (53%). The gene Lr14a was detected in 18 cultivars, Lr26 was present in 16 cultivars. The role of host selection in the composition of the regional populations of P. triticina in western Europe in 1995 was difficult to assess on the basis of the results obtained, since virulence data were not available for Lr13 and Lr14a. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Aegilops ventricosa segment on chromosome 2AS of the wheat cultivar 'VPM1' carries the cereal cyst nematode resistance gene Cre5

Previous studies showed that the intermediate level of resistance in bread wheat line ‘VPM1’ to pathotype Ha12 of the cereal cyst nematode could be conferred by an Aegilops ventricosa‐derived gene, CreX, in chromosome arm 2AS, which also carries the rust resistance genes Yrl7, Lr37 and Sr38. Near isogenic lines (NILs) differing for the presence and absence of the Ae. ventricosa‐derived linked genes Yrl7/Lr37/Sr38 were tested with cereal cyst nematode. Lines carrying Yr17 produced significantly fewer nematode cysts than the controls. An infested soil experiment produced better differentiation among resistant and susceptible genotypes. Susceptibility of ‘Trident’ indicated that linkage between CreX and Yr17 is incomplete. Microsatellite markers did not differentiate between ‘Trident’ and CreX‐carrying genotypes. However, Xgwm636 (104) was associated with the presence of Yr17 in all six genetic backgrounds. Since none of the reported cereal cyst nematode resistance genes is located in chromosome 2AS, CreX was designated as Cre5.     

Inheritance of seedling and adult plant resistance to leaf rust of selected Australian spring and English winter wheat varieties

Genetic studies were conducted to gain an understanding of the inheritance of adult plant resistance (APR) to leaf rust in six common wheat varieties. The Australian varieties ‘Cranbrook’ and ‘Harrier’ each carry two genes for APR to leaf rust. These genes are genetically independent of the seedling resistance genes Lr23 and Lrl7b, carried by the respective varieties. Adult plant resistance in ‘Suneca’ was conferred by at least two genes, in addition to the seedling genes Lr1 and Lrli. It is likely that the APRs in ‘Cranbrook’, ‘Harrier’ and ‘Suneca’ are conferred by uncharacterized gene(s). Tests of allelism confirmed that seedling resistances in the varieties ‘Avocet R’, ‘Hereward’, ‘Moulin’ and ‘Pastiche’ are conferred by Lrli. Adult plant resistance in the variety ‘Hereward’ was inherited monogenically, whereas varieties ‘Moulin’ and ‘Pastiche’ each carried two dominant genes. On the basis of rust specificity and pedigree analysis, it would seem likely that the APR genes in ‘Hereward’, ‘Moulin’ and ‘Pastiche’ are also currently uncharacterized.     

Effect of 3B, 5A and 3A QTL for Fusarium head blight resistance on agronomic and quality performance of Canadian winter wheat

The objectives of this study were to investigate (i) the correlations between Fusarium head blight (FHB) index, deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation and percentage of Fusarium‐damaged kernels (FDK) with agronomic and quality traits and (ii) the effect associated with the presence of single QTLs for FHB resistance on agronomic and quality traits in winter wheat. The population was derived from the cross between ‘RCATL33' (FHB resistance derived from ‘Sumai 3’ and ‘Frontana’) and ‘RC Strategy’. Parental lines and recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were genotyped with SSR markers associated with the 3B, 5A and 3A QTLs. The population was planted in FHB‐inoculated nurseries and in agronomy trials. Lines in the 3B QTL class had the lowest FHB index, DON content and FDK level and did not have a significantly lower yield, thousand kernel weight or protein content compared with the lines grouped in other QTL classes (including no QTL class). Marker‐assisted selection of the 3B QTL for FHB resistance into high‐yielding FHB‐susceptible winter wheat is the recommended approach for the development of lines with increased FHB resistance without significant yield and quality penalties.     

Evaluation of fresh pasta-making properties of extra-strong common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The relationship between characterictics of flour of common wheat varieties and fresh pasta-making qualitites was examined, and the fresh pasta-making properties of extra-strong varieties that have extra-strong dough were evaluated. There was a positive correlation between mixing time (PT) and hardness of boiled pasta, indicating that the hardness of boiled pasta was affected by dough properties. Boiled pasta made from extra-strong varieties, Yumechikara, Hokkai 262 and Hokkai 259, was harder than that from other varieties and commercial flour. There was a negative correlation between flour protein content and brightness of boiled pasta. The colors of boiled pasta made from Yumechikara and Hokkai 262 grown under the condition of standard manuring culture were superior to those of boiled pasta made from other varieties. Discoloration of boiled pasta made from Yumechikara grown under the condition of heavy manuring culture was caused by increase of flour protein content. On the other hand, discoloration of boiled pasta made from Hokkai 262 grown under the condition of heavy manuring culture was less than that of boiled pasta made from Yumechikara. These results indicate that pasta made from extra-strong wheat varieties has good hardness and that Hokkai 262 has extraordinary fresh pasta-making properties.     

河西灌区3种主要农田杂草间的化感拮抗作用对小麦苗期生长发育的影响

比较研究了3种麦田杂草黄花蒿(Artemisia annuaL.)、曼陀罗(Datura stramonium L.)和反枝苋(Amaranthus retroflexusL.)彼此间的 拮抗作用对小麦幼苗生长的影响,结果表明:随杂草浸提液对小麦处理1次到3次的过程,杂草浸提液间的拮抗作用对小麦生长抑制作用累积效应明显;当黄花蒿浸提液浓度为0.3g/mL时,曼陀罗浸提液与反枝苋浸提液之间存在较强的拮抗作用,表现为对小麦生长促进作用明显;当曼陀罗浸提液浓度为0.1～0.3g/mL时,黄花蒿浸提液与反枝苋浸提液之间存在较弱的拮抗作用,表现为对小麦生长促进作用较弱;当反枝苋浸提液浓度为0.5g/mL时,黄花蒿与曼陀罗之间存在较弱的拮抗作用,表现为对小麦生长促进作用较弱.     

Increased anthocyanin content in purple pericarp × blue aleurone wheat crosses

Due to their antioxidant activity, anthocyanins are of increasing interest for nutritionists, food scientists and plant breeders. Anthocyanins in wheat grains are expressed in either the pericarp or aleurone layer. Previous studies revealed that different anthocyanins are present in wheat varieties carrying genes for either the purple pericarp or the blue aleurone trait. Progeny from crosses between red‐, purple‐ and blue‐grained wheat varieties were selected over several cycles for grain colour by visual scoring. Bulked F₅ grains were evaluated for their total anthocyanin content by UV‐VIS spectrophotometry and HPLC‐MS. The results demonstrate that it is possible to increase the anthocyanin content by the combination of the different genetic backgrounds for purple pericarp and blue aleurone, even though the majority of progeny were within the range of the purple‐ and blue‐grained check varieties. Visual scoring for grain colour is efficient, reliable and fast for selection in early breeding generations. Advanced breeding lines with high anthocyanin content can be identified by simple extraction methods and spectrophotometric measurements.     

Breeding for organic agriculture: the example of winter wheat in Austria

Breeding for organic agriculture (BFOA) is a strategy for a commercial breeding company based on the exploitation of the frequently observed high correlation for many traits between conventional, low input (LI) and organic agriculture (ORG). Indirect selection under LI can be useful to roughly divide the germplasm into the genotypes better adapted to high input and those better adapted to LI or ORG conditions. BFOA is an evolving process, in which two methods are currently applied: early generations are either selected following the pedigree system under LI, or grown as bulk populations on ORG fields. In the latter case the system switches to LI after individual ear selection under ORG conditions. In both methods, the first replicated yield trial is grown parallel under ORG and LI. Subsequently, the genotypes are grouped into conventional or ORG advanced trial series. The BFOA strategy allows that the larger genetic variability of both the organic and conventional gene pool can be exploited in the selection for ORG. Hitherto, seven winter wheat varieties were released in Austria after exclusive organic VCU testing.     

小麦–华山新麦草异代换系DH2322的分子细胞遗传学鉴定

利用分子标记、细胞学、基因组原位杂交(GISH)等技术,结合田间农艺性状调查,对小麦–华山新麦草七倍体材料H8911与硬粒小麦D4286杂交F4代分离群体中株系DH2322进行了综合鉴定。华山新麦草基因组特异SCAR标记鉴定表明,DH2322含有华山新麦草遗传物质;细胞遗传学观察显示,DH2322染色体构型为2n=42=21 II;有丝分裂和花粉母细胞减数分裂中期I基因组原位杂交(GISH)鉴定表明,DH2322的染色体由40条小麦染色体和2条华山新麦草Ns染色体构成,且2条Ns染色体能完全配对为一个二价体;SSR和STS分子标记分析表明,DH2322缺失小麦D基因组的2D染色体,而含有华山新麦草的2Ns染色体;农艺性状分析结果表明,DH2322具有双亲的形态学特征,结实性好,穗长和穗粒数显著大于亲本。     

普通小麦-华山新麦草1Ns二体异附加系的农艺性状和品质

对新培育的普通小麦-华山新麦草1Ns二体异附加系H9021-28-5的农艺性状、面粉加工品质和籽粒矿物质元素含量考察和测定表明,与亲本7182相比,异附加系H9021-28-5的株高、分蘖数、穗粒数、小穗数和结实率等性状值显著降低,籽粒重量和粒径等性状值显著升高,条锈病抗性增强;沉降值、稳定时间、弱化度、拉伸曲线面积等品质指标得到显著改善,籽粒中镁、铜、锌、钼等元素的含量显著提高。华山新麦草1Ns染色体对小麦部分农艺性状、面粉加工品质指标和矿物质元素含量具有正向效应。