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Genetics and Breeding of Wheat

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2021) | Viewed by 31426

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Dr. Sukhwinder Singh

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Geneshifters, LLC, Pullman, WA, USA
Interests: wheat; modern breeding methods; biotechnology
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Dear Colleagues,

Wheat is the world’s most important staple food crop and leading source of 19% of the everyday calories and 21% of protein requirements for humans. Demand for wheat is projected to increase by 60% over coming decades, yet land scarcity, climate change and a decreasing availability of affordable inputs threaten to limit our ability to continue raising wheat production. To meet demand, genetic improvements and development of breeding techniques are necessary. Bread wheat has a complex genome and, it is essential to identify key-genes, their structure, role, and function in the development of wheat plants for higher grain yield, better quality, and tolerant to biotic & abiotic stresses. The application of novel methods and analysis of genetically manipulated wheat plants for their utility in breeding can be translated to the field through the introgression of desirable new alleles into wheat breeding programs. This Special Issue on the “Genetics and Breeding Wheat” cover papers on basic and applied research highlighting all aspects of the genetics, breeding, biotechnology, germplasm enhancement, and any new theories which can improve wheat yield, quality, and tolerance to biotic & abiotic stresses.

Dr. Sukhwinder Singh
Guest Editor

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Keywords

wheat
modern breeding methods
biotechnology
biotic and abiotic stress tolerance
genetic resources
germplasm enhancement
cultivar development
genetic gain
genomic selection
evolution
doubled haploidy
molecular markers
polyploidy
triticum

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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13 pages, 2151 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Cytogenetic Characterization of Novel 1RS.1BL Translocation and Complex Chromosome Translocation Lines with Stripe Rust Resistance

by Zhi Li, Zhenglong Ren, Feiquan Tan, Peigao Luo and Tianheng Ren

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(5), 2731; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23052731 - 1 Mar 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1960

Abstract

Rye is the most important source for the genetic improvement of wheat. In this study, two stable wheat-rye primary 1RS.1BL translocation lines, RT855-13 and RT855-14, were selected and identified by acid polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (A-PAGE), co-dominant PCR, and multi-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (MC-FISH) from the progeny of the crossing of the wheat cultivar Mianyang11 and a Chinese rye Weining. When more than two independent, simple reciprocal translocations are involved in a carrier, they are defined as complex chromosome translocations (CCT). The MC-FISH results also indicated that CCT occurred in RT855-13; namely that, besides 1RS.1BL translocation chromosomes, there are other two pairs of balanced reciprocal translocations. It was demonstrated that the interchange between a distal segment of 4B and long arm of 3D occurred in the RT855-13. The novel translocation chromosomes in wheat were recorded as 3DS.4BS^DS and 3DL-4BS^PS.4BL. Reports about CCT as a genetic resource in plant breeding programs are scarce. Both lines expressed high resistance to Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, which are prevalent in China and are virulent on Yr9, and the CCT line RT855-13 retained better resistance as adult plants compared with RT855-14 in the field. Both lines, especially the CCT line RT855-13, exhibited better agronomic traits than their wheat parent, Mianyang11, indicating that both translocation lines could potentially be used for wheat improvement. The results also indicated that the position effects of CCT can lead to beneficial variations in agronomic and resistant traits, making them a valuable genetic resource to wheat breeding programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Wheat)

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16 pages, 594 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Analysis of Hexaploid Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Using the Complete Sequencing of Chloroplast DNA and Haplotype Analysis of the Wknox1 Gene

by Mari Gogniashvili, Yoshihiro Matsuoka and Tengiz Beridze

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(23), 12723; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222312723 - 24 Nov 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2399

Abstract

The aim of the presented study is a genetic characterization of the hexaploid wheat Triticum aestivum L. Two approaches were used for the genealogical study of hexaploid wheats—the complete sequencing of chloroplast DNA and PCR-based haplotype analysis of the fourth intron of Wknox1d and of the fifth-to-sixth-exon region of Wknox1b. The complete chloroplast DNA sequences of 13 hexaploid wheat samples were determined: Free-threshing—T. aestivum subsp. aestivum, one sample; T. aestivum subsp. compactum, two samples; T. aestivum subsp. sphaerococcum, one sample; T. aestivum subsp. carthlicoides, four samples. Hulled—T. aestivum subsp. spelta, three samples; T. aestivum subsp. vavilovii jakubz., two samples. The comparative analysis of complete cpDNA sequences of 20 hexaploid wheat samples (13 samples in this article plus 7 samples sequenced in this laboratory in 2018) was carried out. PCR-based haplotype analysis of the fourth intron of Wknox1d and of the fifth-to-sixth exon region of Wknox1b of all 20 hexaploid wheat samples was carried out. The 20 hexaploid wheat samples (13 samples in this article plus 7 samples in 2018) can be divided into two groups—T. aestivum subsp. spelta, three samples and T. aestivum subsp. vavilovii collected in Armenia, and the remaining 16 samples, including T. aestivum subsp. vavilovii collected in Europe (Sweden). If we take the cpDNA of Chinese Spring as a reference, 25 SNPs can be identified. Furthermore, 13–14 SNPs can be identified in T. aestivum subsp. spelta and subsp. vavilovii (Vav1). In the other samples up to 11 SNPs were detected. 22 SNPs are found in the intergenic regions, 2 found in introns, and 10 SNPs were found in the genes, of which seven are synonymous. PCR-based haplotype analysis of the fourth intron of Wknox1d and the fifth-to-sixth-exon region of Wknox1b provides an opportunity to make an assumption that hexaploid wheats T. aestivum subsp. macha var. palaeocolchicum and var. letshckumicum differ from other macha samples by the absence of a 42 bp insertion in the fourth intron of Wknox1d. One possible explanation for this observation would be that two Aegilops tauschii Coss. (A) and (B) participated in the formation of hexaploids through the D genome: Ae. tauschii (A)—macha (1–5, 7, 8, 10–12), and Ae. tauschii (B)—macha M6, M9, T. aestivum subsp. aestivum cv. ‘Chinese Spring’ and cv. ‘Red Doly’. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Wheat)

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26 pages, 4905 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of the Brassinazole-resistant (BZR) Gene Family and Its Expression in the Various Developmental Stage and Stress Conditions in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

by Mahipal Singh Kesawat, Bhagwat Singh Kherawat, Anupama Singh, Prajjal Dey, Mandakini Kabi, Debanjana Debnath, Debanjana Saha, Ansuman Khandual, Sandeep Rout, Manorama, Asjad Ali, Ramasubba Reddy Palem, Ravi Gupta, Avinash Ashok Kadam, Hyun-Uk Kim, Sang-Min Chung and Manu Kumar

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(16), 8743; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22168743 - 14 Aug 2021

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 6151

Abstract

Brassinosteroids (BRs) play crucial roles in various biological processes, including plant developmental processes and response to diverse biotic and abiotic stresses. However, no information is currently available about this gene family in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In the present investigation, we identified the BZR gene family in wheat to understand the evolution and their role in diverse developmental processes and under different stress conditions. In this study, we performed the genome-wide analysis of the BZR gene family in the bread wheat and identified 20 TaBZR genes through a homology search and further characterized them to understand their structure, function, and distribution across various tissues. Phylogenetic analyses lead to the classification of TaBZR genes into five different groups or subfamilies, providing evidence of evolutionary relationship with Arabidopsis thaliana, Zea mays, Glycine max, and Oryza sativa. A gene exon/intron structure analysis showed a distinct evolutionary path and predicted the possible gene duplication events. Further, the physical and biochemical properties, conserved motifs, chromosomal, subcellular localization, and cis-acting regulatory elements were also examined using various computational approaches. In addition, an analysis of public RNA-seq data also shows that TaBZR genes may be involved in diverse developmental processes and stress tolerance mechanisms. Moreover, qRT-PCR results also showed similar expression with slight variation. Collectively, these results suggest that TaBZR genes might play an important role in plant developmental processes and various stress conditions. Therefore, this work provides valuable information for further elucidate the precise role of BZR family members in wheat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Wheat)

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18 pages, 1099 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genes Associated with Foliar Resistance to Septoria Nodorum Blotch of Hexaploid Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

by Dora Li, Esther Walker and Michael Francki

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(11), 5580; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22115580 - 25 May 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2642

Abstract

The genetic control of host response to the fungal necrotrophic disease Septoria nodorum blotch (SNB) in bread wheat is complex, involving many minor genes. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling SNB response were previously identified on chromosomes 1BS and 5BL. The aim of this study, therefore, was to align and compare the genetic map representing QTL interval on 1BS and 5BS with the reference sequence of wheat and identify resistance genes (R-genes) associated with SNB response. Alignment of QTL intervals identified significant genome rearrangements on 1BS between parents of the DH population EGA Blanco, Millewa and the reference sequence of Chinese Spring with subtle rearrangements on 5BL. Nevertheless, annotation of genomic intervals in the reference sequence were able to identify and map 13 and 12 R-genes on 1BS and 5BL, respectively. R-genes discriminated co-located QTL on 1BS into two distinct but linked loci. NRC1a and TFIID mapped in one QTL on 1BS whereas RGA and Snn1 mapped in the linked locus and all were associated with SNB resistance but in one environment only. Similarly, Tsn1 and WK35 were mapped in one QTL on 5BL with NETWORKED 1A and RGA genes mapped in the linked QTL interval. This study provided new insights on possible biochemical, cellular and molecular mechanisms responding to SNB infection in different environments and also addressed limitations of using the reference sequence to identify the full complement of functional R-genes in modern varieties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Wheat)

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19 pages, 7260 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Abiotic Stress Response of Near-Isogenic Spring Durum Wheat Lines under Different Sowing Densities

by Judit Bányai, Marco Maccaferri, László Láng, Marianna Mayer, Viola Tóth, Mónika Cséplő, Magda Pál, Klára Mészáros and Gyula Vida

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(4), 2053; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22042053 - 19 Feb 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2449

Abstract

A detailed study was made of changes in the plant development, morphology, physiology and yield biology of near-isogenic lines of spring durum wheat sown in the field with different plant densities in two consecutive years (2013–2014). An analysis was made of the drought tolerance of isogenic lines selected for yield QTLs (QYld.idw-2B and QYld.idw-3B), and the presence of QTL effects was examined in spring sowings. Comparisons were made of the traits of the isogenic pairs QYld.idw-3B++ and QYld.idw-3B−− both within and between the pairs. Changes in the polyamine content, antioxidant enzyme activity, chlorophyll content of the flag leaf and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) of the plot were monitored in response to drought stress, and the relationship between these components and the yield was analyzed. In the case of moderate stress, differences between the NIL++ and NIL−− pairs appeared in the early dough stage, indicating that the QYld.idw-3B++ QTL region was able to maintain photosynthetic activity for a longer period, resulting in greater grain number and grain weight at the end of the growing period. The chlorophyll content of the flag leaf in phenophases Z77 and Z83 was significantly correlated with the grain number and grain weight of the main spike. The grain yield was greatly influenced by the treatment, while the genotype had a significant effect on the thousand-kernel weight and on the grain number and grain weight of the main spike. When the lines were compared in the non-irrigated treatment, significantly more grains and significantly higher grain weight were observed in the main spike in NIL++ lines, confirming the theory that the higher yields of the QYld.idw-3B++ lines when sown in spring and exposed to drought stress could be attributed to the positive effect of the “Kofa” QTL on chromosome 3B. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Wheat)

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19 pages, 7322 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Developmental Changes in P-Type Cytoplasmic Male Sterile and Maintainer Anthers in Wheat

by Yamin Zhang, Qilu Song, Lili Zhang, Zheng Li, Chengshe Wang and Gaisheng Zhang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(4), 2012; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22042012 - 18 Feb 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2775

Abstract

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) plays an important role in the application of heterosis in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). However, the molecular mechanism underlying CMS remains unknown. This study provides a comprehensive morphological and proteomic analysis of the anthers of a P-type CMS wheat line (P) and its maintainer line, Yanshi 9 hao (Y). Cytological observations indicated that the P-type CMS line shows binucleate microspore abortion. In this line, the tapetum degraded early, leading to anther cuticle defects, which could not provide the nutrition needed for microspore development in a timely manner, thus preventing the development of the microspore to the normal binucleate stage. Proteomic analysis revealed novel proteins involved in P-type CMS. Up to 2576 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were quantified in all anthers, and these proteins were significantly enriched in oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, citrate cycle (TCA cycle), starch and sucrose metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and pyruvate metabolism pathways. These proteins may comprise a network that regulates male sterility in wheat. Based on the function analysis of DEPs involved in the complex network, we concluded that the P-type CMS line may be due to cellular dysfunction caused by disturbed carbohydrate metabolism, inadequate energy supply, and disturbed protein synthesis. These results provide insights into the molecular mechanism underlying male sterility and serve as a valuable resource for researchers in plant biology, in general, and plant sexual reproduction, in particular. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Wheat)

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17 pages, 2766 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Heteroalleles in Common Wheat: Multiple Differences between Allelic Variants of the Gli-B1 Locus

by Eugene Metakovsky, Laura Pascual, Patrizia Vaccino, Viktor Melnik, Marta Rodriguez-Quijano, Yulia Popovych, Sabina Chebotar and William John Rogers

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(4), 1832; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22041832 - 12 Feb 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1948

Abstract

The Gli-B1-encoded γ-gliadins and non-coding γ-gliadin DNA sequences for 15 different alleles of common wheat have been compared using seven tests: electrophoretic mobility (EM) and molecular weight (MW) of the encoded major γ-gliadin, restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns (RFLPs) (three different markers), Gli-B1-γ-gliadin-pseudogene known SNP markers (Single nucleotide polymorphisms) and sequencing the pseudogene GAG56B. It was discovered that encoded γ-gliadins, with contrasting EM, had similar MWs. However, seven allelic variants (designated from I to VII) differed among them in the other six tests: I (alleles Gli-B1i, k, m, o), II (Gli-B1n, q, s), III (Gli-B1b), IV (Gli-B1e, f, g), V (Gli-B1h), VI (Gli-B1d) and VII (Gli-B1a). Allele Gli-B1c (variant VIII) was identical to the alleles from group IV in four of the tests. Some tests might show a fine difference between alleles belonging to the same variant. Our results attest in favor of the independent origin of at least seven variants at the Gli-B1 locus that might originate from deeply diverged genotypes of the donor(s) of the B genome in hexaploid wheat and therefore might be called “heteroallelic”. The donor’s particularities at the Gli-B1 locus might be conserved since that time and decisively contribute to the current high genetic diversity of common wheat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Wheat)

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Review

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21 pages, 2605 KiB

Open AccessReview

Male Fertility Genes in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and Their Utilization for Hybrid Seed Production

by Manjit Singh, Marc C. Albertsen and A. Mark Cigan

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(15), 8157; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22158157 - 29 Jul 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5180

Abstract

Hybrid varieties can provide the boost needed to increase stagnant wheat yields through heterosis. The lack of an efficient hybridization system, which can lower the cost of goods of hybrid seed production, has been a major impediment to commercialization of hybrid wheat varieties. In this review, we discuss the progress made in characterization of nuclear genetic male sterility (NGMS) in wheat and its advantages over two widely referenced hybridization systems, i.e., chemical hybridizing agents (CHAs) and cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS). We have characterized four wheat genes, i.e., Ms1, Ms5, TaMs26 and TaMs45, that sporophytically contribute to male fertility and yield recessive male sterility when mutated. While Ms1 and Ms5 are Triticeae specific genes, analysis of TaMs26 and TaMs45 demonstrated conservation of function across plant species. The main features of each of these genes is discussed with respect to the functional contribution of three sub-genomes and requirements for complementation of their respective mutants. Three seed production systems based on three genes, MS1, TaMS26 and TaMS45, were developed and a proof of concept was demonstrated for each system. The Tams26 and ms1 mutants were maintained through a TDNA cassette in a Seed Production Technology-like system, whereas Tams45 male sterility was maintained through creation of a telosome addition line. These genes represent different options for hybridization systems utilizing NGMS in wheat, which can potentially be utilized for commercial-scale hybrid seed production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Wheat)

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14 pages, 1595 KiB

Open AccessReview

High-Molecular-Weight Glutenin Subunits: Genetics, Structures, and Relation to End Use Qualities

by Yi Li, Jiahui Fu, Qun Shen and Dong Yang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(1), 184; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22010184 - 26 Dec 2020

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 4910

Abstract

High-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GSs) are storage proteins present in the starchy endosperm cells of wheat grain. Encoding the synthesis of HMW-GS, the Glu-1 loci located on the long arms of group 1 chromosomes of the hexaploid wheat (1A, 1B, and 1D) present multiple allelism. In hexaploid wheat cultivars, almost all of them express 3 to 5 HMW-GSs and the 1Ay gene is always silent. Though HMW-GSs are the minor components in gluten, they are crucial for dough properties, and certain HMW-GSs make more positive contributions than others. The HMW-GS acts as a “chain extender” and provides a disulfide-bonded backbone in gluten network. Hydrogen bonds mediated by glutamine side chains are also crucial for stabilizing the gluten structure. In most cases, HMW-GSs with additional or less cysteines are related to the formation of relatively more or less interchain disulfide bonds and HMW-GSs also affect the gluten secondary structures, which in turn impact the end use qualities of dough. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Wheat)

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