Search

MiR396s play important roles in regulating plant growth and stress response, and great potential for crop yield promotion was anticipated. For more comprehensive and precise understanding of miR396s in Poaceae, we analyzed the phylogenetic linkage, gene expression, and chromosomal distribution of miR396s in this study. Although the mature miR396s' sequences were mostly conserved, differential expression patterns and chromosomal distribution were found among Poaceae species including the major cereal crops rice, wheat, and maize. Consistently, in comparison with rice, wheat and maize plants transformed with the target mimicry construct of miR396 (MIM396) exhibited differential effects on grain size and disease resistance. While the TaMIM396 plants showed increased grain size, panicle length and sensitivity to B. graminis , the ZmMIM396 plants didn't show obvious changes in grain size and disease resistance. In Addition, several GROWTH-REGULATING FACTOR (GRF) genes in wheat and maize were repressed by miR396s, which could be reversed by MIM396, confirming the conserved regulatory roles of miR396 on GRFs. While providing new solution to enhance grain yield in wheat and revealing potential regulatory variations of miR396s in controlling grain size and disease resistance in different crops, this study gives clues to further explore miR396s' functions in other Poaceae species. • Poaceae miR396s are divided into three groups and display both conserved and diversified evolutionary characterizations. • Inhibition of miR396s results in increased grain size, panicle length and pathogen sensitivity in wheat but not in maize. • Different GRFs were upregulated in the MIM396 transgenic plants compared to their corresponding wild type in wheat and maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Zinc (Zn) is an essential mineral nutrient for plant and human growth, and dietary Zn deficiency is a worldwide nutritional problem. Using different Zn fertilizer application methods, this study determines the potential of increasing the Zn concentrations of maize and wheat grain to improve the nutritional status of local residents. Field trials were conducted in the Loess Plateau for two growing seasons to investigate the effects of different Zn fertilizer application methods on the grain Zn concentrations of maize and wheat as well as the grain Zn recovery, yield, and iron (Fe) status of grains under rain-fed conditions. Soil and foliar Zn application did not significantly affect the biomass and grain yield of maize and wheat, suggesting that local soils are not Zn deficient. However, foliar Zn application significantly improved the grain Zn concentration of maize by 27% and 37% and of wheat by 28% and 89% during the first and second growing seasons, respectively. The maize grain Fe concentrations during both growing seasons were also enhanced by foliar Zn application. The foliar application of Zn realized higher grain Zn recoveries of 35.2‰ and 42.9‰ in maize as well as 26.4‰ and 32.3‰ in wheat during the first and second growing seasons, respectively, compared with the soil Zn application with a maximum grain Zn recovery of 1.7‰. Hence, in the Loess Plateau in China, foliar Zn application is an economical method of improving the grain Zn concentration in maize and wheat and increasing grain Fe concentration in maize. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A quantitative lateral flow immunoassay for the detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) in cereals has been developed. The ready-to-use device includes a nitrocellulose membrane on which capturing reagents are immobilized in spatially confined zones and a conjugate pad on which the antibody labelled with gold nanoparticles is pre-adsorbed. Stabilization of gold labelled antibodies and blocking of non-specific interactions of the nitrocellulose membrane were obtained by using 1% ovalbumin. This, combined with the use of PEG in the extraction of OTA from cereal samples, allows us to level the matrix effects caused by various cereals (maize, wheat and durum wheat). The immunochromatographic assay developed includes a rapid and very simple treatment of samples, which, in addition, does not involve the use of organic solvents and allows the quantitative determination of OTA with limits of detection as low as 1.5 μg kg−1. The coefficients of inter–assay variations are below 20%, with recoveries which ranged from 87 to 119%. Fifteen maize samples, four wheat and six durum wheat samples were extracted with the aqueous medium and analysed by the developed assay. A good correlation was observed (y = 0.99 x + 0.18, r2  = 0.982, n = 25) when data was compared with that obtained through a reference method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]