Search

Bread wheat spring cultivar Saratovskaya 29 (S29) is a highly drought tolerant. S29, five single chromosome substitution and two introgression lines of this cultivar for chromosomes of second homoeological group were grown in a climatic chamber under optimal and water deficit conditions of water supply. The donor of the three homologous chromosomes 2A, 2B and 2D was the German spring cultivar Yanetskis Probat; the donors of chromosome 2D were the old spring varieties of Western Siberia, Caesium 111 and Sibirka 1818. The donors of 2A chromosome were the species Triticum timopheevii and Aegilops markgrafii. Eleven physiological indexes including water use efficiency, the chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids contents, osmotic substances contents, antioxidant enzymes activities and lipoxygenase activity were measured in leaves of wheat at the stage of beginning of earing. To assess genotypes, we established a comprehensive evaluation value (D) based on various measured physiological parameters and shoot biomass. The D positively correlated with the tolerance of shoot biomass (r = 0.955, P

Understanding the genetic architecture of drought tolerance is of great importance for overcoming the negative impact of drought on wheat yield. Earlier, we discovered the critical role of chromosome 2A for the drought-tolerant status of wheat spring cultivar Saratovskaya 29. A set of 92 single-chromosome recombinant double haploid (SCRDH) lines were obtained in the genetic background of Saratovskaya 29. The lines carry fragments of chromosome 2A from the drought-sensitive cultivar Yanetzkis Probat. The SCRDH lines were used to identify regions on chromosome 2A associated with the manifestation of physiological and agronomical traits under distinct water supply, and to identify candidate genes that may be associated with adaptive gene networks in wheat. Genotyping was done with Illumina Infinium 15k wheat array using 590 SNP markers with 146 markers being polymorphic. In four identified regions of chromosome 2A, 53 out of 58 QTLs associated with physiological and agronomic traits under contrasting water supply were mapped. Thirty-nine candidate genes were identified, of which 18 were transcription factors. The region 73.8–78.1 cM included the largest number of QTLs and candidate genes. The variation in SNPs associated with agronomical and physiological traits revealed among the SCRDH lines may provide useful information for drought related marker-assisted breeding.

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with the phenotypic expression of the activity of different forms of lipoxygenase (LOX) under water deficit were detected in the chromosomes of the D-genome using intogression lines of common wheat Triticum aestivum L. Chinese Spring (Synthetic 6x). QTL associated with the activity of seed soluble LOX was identified on the short arm of chromosome 4D. The activity of membranebound form of enzyme in the seedlings was mapped to the short arm, while that of a soluble form was on the long arm of chromosome 5D. Two regions responsible for the activity of soluble LOX in the leaves were found on the short arm of chromosome 2D. Three QTLs associated with the activities of chloroplast LOXs were found on the same chromosome: the activity of the soluble form was linked to Xgwm261 and Xgwm539 markers, and the membrane form to Xgdm93 marker. QTLs for the activities of both soluble and membrane-bound LOX in the leaves were identified in the centromeric region of chromosome 7D. The activities of two membrane enzymes in the leaves were linked to Xgdm130 marker on the short arm of this chromosome. Loci associated with the activity of different LOX forms colocalized with QTLs for the shoot mass, gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence, content of photosynthetic pigments, and grain productivity of wheat. A correlation between these parameters and the LOX activity was detected and it was shown that various forms of the enzyme were differentially involved in the adaptation of wheat plants to water deficit. The current paper discusses their presumed physiological role.

Alien hybridization in cereals is used for the comparative investigation of the genome structure and evolution, as well as for extracting useful genes from the wild gene pool. The tetraploid species Triticum timopheevii has long been used as a source of genes for resistance to fungal diseases. Line 821 was developed on the genetic background of cultivar Saratovskaya 29 (S29), which is drought-resistant but is very susceptible to diseases and carries large introgressions in 2A and 2B chromosomes and a small introgression in the subtelomeric region of the 5A chromosome. The two genotypes were compared for the parameters associated with the direct and indirect reaction of the photosynthetic apparatus to water stress. In the flag leaves of line 821, an increased transpiration rate and stomatal conductance (1.6 times the value in optimal watering and 1.2 times the value under a water deficit) and, correspondingly, reduced efficiency of water usage were found compared to the initial cultivar. Additionally, the actual effectiveness and electron transport rate of photosystem II, the chlorophyll and carotenoid content, and the total antioxidant capacity were reduced by approximately a factor of three under water stress. Under the same conditions, the activity of lipoxygenase doubled. On the whole, tolerance to a water deficit declined in the line in comparison to the parent cultivar and was accompanied by leaf senescence. Thus, it may be supposed that 2A, 2B, and 5A chromosomes of the drought-tolerant cultivar S29 carry important genetic factors responsible for the reaction to water stress in wheat plants.

Density and length of leaf pubescence are important factors of diversity in the response to water deficiency among wheat genotypes. Many studies evidence an important protective value of leaf hairiness in plants, especially under the conditions of drought, thermal loads and increased solar radiation. However, the physiological and adaptive roles of such traits in cereals, including cultivated plants, have not been sufficiently studied to date. The aim of this work was to study the association of morphological characteristics of leaves with parameters of gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence in wheat lines carrying a genetically different leaf hairiness. Isogenic and inter-varietal substitution wheat lines were used, carrying various combinations of dominant and recessive alleles of the known genes. A quantitative assessment of the pubescence was carried out in contrasting watering conditions to establish the physiological role of this trait in adaptation to drought. With the help of a portable system for studying the gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence, ten parameters of photosynthesis were studied, as well as morphological features of leaves and shoot biomass. It was found that gas exchange parameters are inversely proportional to the density and length of trichomes. In drought conditions, the trichome density increased and the length of trichomes decreased under the observed decrease in the level of gas exchange. A similar dependence was observed for the level of non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. Under optimal conditions, the poorly haired cultivars exhibited a higher biomass than the densely haired. However, under water deficiency they significantly reduced the biomass and showed a low value of the tolerance index.

Understanding of the genetic basis of physiological properties, which are most relevant to water-deficit tolerance would be helpful for genomic-assisted improvement of bread wheat. A set of bread wheat inter-varietal single chromosome substitution lines (ISCSLs) of variety ‘Janetzkis Probat’ (JP) in the genetic background of ‘Saratovskaya’ 29 (S29) were used to reveal the critical chromosomes in wheat genome controlling tolerance to water deficit. The same lines were involved in the identification of chromosomes associated with the activity of antioxidant enzymes that are closely related to the detoxification of H2O2 [catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione reductase (GR)]. The recipient cultivar S29 was highly drought tolerant while the donor JP was sensitive. Using non-metric multidimensional scaling of yield components and indices of drought tolerance/susceptibility chromosomes 2A and 4D, substitution in the genetic background of S29 was found to lead to a critical decrease of water-deficit tolerance. The drop of tolerance correlated with a sharp decline of cumulative activity of the catalase and the enzymes of ascorbate–glutathione cycle in wheat leaves. Clear evidence was obtained for the involvement of genes present on the homoeologous group 2 chromosomes in the control of GR and CAT activity. Substitution of the chromosome 4D had a significant reducing impact on the CAT activity level.

The various enzyme systems and low molecular weight (LMW) redox agents are related to the folding and polymerization of prolamins in the ripening wheat grains and the formation of baking quality. Protein disulfide isomerases (PDIs) and cyclophylins accelerate "correct" folding of prolamins, which is most likely necessary for the subsequent formation of the macromolecular structure of the gluten protein matrix. PDIs are also involved in the polymerization of prolamins, catalyzing the oxidation of protein sulfhydryl groups. Molecular chaperone binding BiP protein facilitates folding of prolamins, with its role increasing in the stressful conditions. Reducing systems of thioredoxin and glutaredoxin, LMW redox pairs GSH/GSSG and Asc/DHAsc, thiol oxidases, and lipoxygenases (LOXs) regulate redox balance and the rate of polymerization of prolamins at the different stages of grain ripening. Additionally, LOX is probably involved in the protein-starch-lipid interactions between the starch granule and the protein matrix, mediated by puroindolines, determining the formation of grain texture. It is assumed that the high variability of baking quality in different environmental conditions is due to the interaction of labile enzyme systems with the storage proteins in the developing wheat caryopsis.

Lipoxygenase (LOG) in protein fractions isolated from the leaves of substituted wheat lines was investigated. Three molecular forms of the enzyme were detected. A water deficiency caused the induction of a membrane-bound form (mLOG) and resulted in a decrease in the activity of “soluble” enzymes (s1LOG) and (s2LOG) in most genotypes. A correlation analysis demonstrated the dependence between the level of enzymatic activity and indices of resistance to drought. A genetic control of the s1LOG and s2LOG activity at an optimal water supply level was associated with chromosomes 1A, 1D, 3A, 5A, 5B, and 5D, while under the conditions of the modeled soil drought, it was associated with chromosomes 1B and 1D.

Variation in tolerance of prolonged drought was identified among a set of single chromosome bread wheat substitution lines, involving the replacement of each cv. Chinese Spring chromosome in turn with its homologue from a synthetic hexaploid (Triticum dicoccoides × Aegilops tauschii). Water stress was applied under controlled conditions by limiting the supply of water to 30% from 100% aqueous soil. The reaction to the resulting long-term drought stress was quantified by three indices, based on grain yield components. Enhanced drought tolerance was associated with the presence of donor chromosomes 1A, 5A, 1D, 3D, 5D and 6D, and enhanced susceptibility with chromosomes 3A, 4B and 7D.

Changes in bread-baking properties of wheat flour caused by soybean lipoxygenase and polyunsaturated fatty acids were studied. A positive effect of soybean flour added during dough kneading in an amount of 2% was demonstrated. A method for dough fermentation increasing the loaf volume and improving organoleptic characteristics and total bread-baking estimate is recommended.

A number of morphological, physiological and phenological traits have been suggested as significant markers of adaptation to drought in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). This study was aimed at the identification of a relationship between dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR, EC 1.8.5.1) and catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6) activities in leaves of wheat plants and stability of yield components under water deficit. The single chromosome substitution lines of cv. Chinese Spring carrying separate chromosomes from the donor Synthetic 6x, an artificial hexaploid combining the genomes of the two wild species, Triticum dicoccoides (AABB) and Aegilops tauschii (DD), were the objects of the investigations. The activities of the DHAR and CAT were correlated with flag leaf relative water content and two indexes of stability of grain yield components under drought across the set substitution lines. The lines carrying a synthetic hexaploid homologous pair of chromosomes 1B, 1D, 2D, 3D or 4D all expressed a low constitutive level of DHAR and the lines carrying chromosomes 3B, 1D, 2D and 3D a low constitutive level of CAT. All were able to increase this level (by fourfold for DHAR and by 1.5-fold for CAT) in response to stress caused by water deficit. When challenged by drought stress, these lines tended to be the most effective in retaining the water status of the leaves and preventing the grain yield components from being compromised. The discovered genetic variability for enzymes activity in leaves of wheat might be a useful selection criterion for drought tolerance.

Activity of two enzymes of thiol-disulfide cell metabolism, lipoxygenase (LOX, EC 1.13.11.12) and disulfide-reductase (TPDO, EC 1.8.4.2) was studied in recombinant inbred lines of bread wheat ITMI. Their activity in the caryopsis may be connected with the gluten quality, one of the most important traits significant for breeding. The activity of lipoxygenase under favorable and droughty environmental conditions was shown to be associated with the quantitative trait locus (QTL) located on chromosome 4BS near the structural gene of a subunit of this enzyme. However, no QTL common to this enzyme and any characteristic of gluten quality have been found. Four loci responsible for the activity of disulfide reductase were identified on chromosomes 4A, 5D, 6A, and 7D. Previously, indicators of grain and flour properties, such as elasticity, flour strenght, and grain hardiness were mapped at the same loci. This indicates that the given enzyme participates in the formation of the protein complex upon maturation of wheat grain. The detected QTL can be involved in further genetic studies designed to establish the regularities of gluten formation.

The effects of intercultivar substitution of individual chromosome pairs (except for 1B, 6D, and 7A) in the wheat cultivars Saratovskaya 29 and Janetzkis Probat, differing in quality, on specific lipoxygenase activity, the grain yield per spike, and the main technological properties of flour and dough were studied. It was demonstrated that the substitution of individual chromosomes of the recipient cultivar Saratovskaya 29 with the homologous chromosomes of the donor cultivar Janetzkis Probat caused significant changes in lipoxygenase activity and several other quality characteristics. The correlations between the lipoxygenase activity and the parameters of physical dough properties were determined. Three molecular forms of lipoxygenase (Lpx-1, Lpx-2, and Lpx-3), differing in the value of surface charge and enzymatic activity, were detected by native PAGE.

A quantitative trait locus (QTL) approach was taken to reveal the genetic basis in wheat of traits associated with photosynthesis during a period of exposure to water deficit stress. The performance, with respect to shoot biomass, gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf pigment content and the activity of various ascorbate-glutathione cycle enzymes and catalase, of a set of 80 wheat lines, each containing a single chromosomal segment introgressed from the bread wheat D genome progenitor Aegilops tauschii, was monitored in plants exposed to various water regimes. Four of the seven D genome chromosomes (1D, 2D, 5D, and 7D) carried clusters of both major (LOD >3.0) and minor (LOD between 2.0 and 3.0) QTL. A major QTL underlying the activity of glutathione reductase was located on chromosome 2D, and another, controlling the activity of ascorbate peroxidase, on chromosome 7D. A region of chromosome 2D defined by the microsatellite locus Xgwm539 and a second on chromosome 7D flanked by the marker loci Xgwm1242 and Xgwm44 harbored a number of QTL associated with the water deficit stress response.

Analysis of the correlation between endogenous lipoxygenase activity and 15 wheat grain quality parameters in three bread wheat populations has shown that enzyme activity influences the weight of 1000 grains, dough deformation energy, dough tenacity, and mixing properties. The correlations between the enzyme activity and the basic quality parameters are negative at high activity levels. The optimum values of specific lipoxygenase activity at which all quality parameters studied have the maximum values range from 108.5 ± 1.2 to 126.4 ± 1.9. It has been found that the ability of lipoxygenase to strengthen gluten is related to the lowering of dough extensibility.