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20 pages, 4958 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predicting Cloned Disease Resistance Gene Homologs (CDRHs) in Radish, Underutilised Oilseeds, and Wild Brassicaceae Species

by Aldrin Y. Cantila, William J. W. Thomas, Philipp E. Bayer, David Edwards and Jacqueline Batley

Plants 2022, 11(22), 3010; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11223010 - 8 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2713

Abstract

Brassicaceae crops, including Brassica, Camelina and Raphanus species, are among the most economically important crops globally; however, their production is affected by several diseases. To predict cloned disease resistance (R) gene homologs (CDRHs), we used the protein sequences of 49 [...] Read more.

Brassicaceae crops, including Brassica, Camelina and Raphanus species, are among the most economically important crops globally; however, their production is affected by several diseases. To predict cloned disease resistance (R) gene homologs (CDRHs), we used the protein sequences of 49 cloned R genes against fungal and bacterial diseases in Brassicaceae species. In this study, using 20 Brassicaceae genomes (17 wild and 3 domesticated species), 3172 resistance gene analogs (RGAs) (2062 nucleotide binding-site leucine-rich repeats (NLRs), 497 receptor-like protein kinases (RLKs) and 613 receptor-like proteins (RLPs)) were identified. CDRH clusters were also observed in Arabis alpina, Camelina sativa and Cardamine hirsuta with assigned chromosomes, consisting of 62 homogeneous (38 NLR, 17 RLK and 7 RLP clusters) and 10 heterogeneous RGA clusters. This study highlights the prevalence of CDRHs in the wild relatives of the Brassicaceae family, which may lay the foundation for rapid identification of functional genes and genomics-assisted breeding to develop improved disease-resistant Brassicaceae crop cultivars. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pre-breeding towards the Effective Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources Volume II)

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12 pages, 238 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Use of Pathotype Data for the Selection and Development of Barley Lines with Useful Resistance to Scald

by Hugh Wallwork, Mark Butt, Milica Grcic and Tara Garrard

Plants 2022, 11(19), 2501; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192501 - 24 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1337

Abstract

Resistance in barley to scald caused by Rhynchosporium commune is readily overcome as virulent pathotypes in the pathogen population are selectively favoured over less virulent pathotypes. Diverse sources of resistance amongst host accessions have been found upon screening a wide array of accessions [...] Read more.

Resistance in barley to scald caused by Rhynchosporium commune is readily overcome as virulent pathotypes in the pathogen population are selectively favoured over less virulent pathotypes. Diverse sources of resistance amongst host accessions have been found upon screening a wide array of accessions from around the world. Deciding which of these is of greatest value, and which are different from each other, takes a much greater investment of time and effort. This paper reports on the use of seedling screening techniques using 262 individual scald isolates collected from around Australia, to identify the most useful resistance sources from amongst 30 previously selected. No resistance source was effective against all isolates, but some such as Pamunkey, CI8618, CI4364 and ICARDA 4 were shown to have resistance to most isolates, whilst others were much less useful. Some of the most effective donors were shown to likely have more than one gene involved. The value of gene pyramids is discussed, as are the advantages and pitfalls of transferring the resistances from poorly adapted genetic backgrounds into better-adapted breeding lines so that they can more readily be used by breeding programs. This is a work in progress and the introgressed resistances being developed are available to all. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pre-breeding towards the Effective Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources Volume II)

15 pages, 3408 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Targeted Metabolomics Provide Chemotaxonomic Insights of Medicago ruthenica, with Coupled Transcriptomics Elucidating the Mechanism Underlying Floral Coloration

by Lin Zhu, Hongyan Li, Zinian Wu, Zhiyong Li, Maowei Guo, Bu Ning, Wanpeng Liu, Qian Liu, Lei Liu, Zhiyong Wang, Jun Li and Fugui Mi

Plants 2022, 11(18), 2408; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11182408 - 15 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1998

Abstract

Medicago ruthenica, a wild legume forage widely distributed in the Eurasian steppe, demonstrates high genetic and phenotypic variation. M. ruthenica with a purely yellow flower (YFM), differing from the general phenotype of M. ruthenica with a purple flower (PFM), was recently discovered. [...] Read more.

Medicago ruthenica, a wild legume forage widely distributed in the Eurasian steppe, demonstrates high genetic and phenotypic variation. M. ruthenica with a purely yellow flower (YFM), differing from the general phenotype of M. ruthenica with a purple flower (PFM), was recently discovered. The similar characteristics of YFM with Medicago falcata have led to conflicting opinions on its taxonomy using traditional morphological methods. The lack of chemotaxonomy information about M. ruthenica species and the unclear flower coloration mechanisms have hampered their study. Here, we investigated M. ruthenica using targeted metabolomics based on the chemotaxonomy method and elaborated the floral coloration mechanisms using transcriptomics. The identified flavonoids were the same types, but there were different contents in YFM and PFM, especially the contents of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G), an anthocyanin that causes the purple-reddish color of flowers. The over-accumulation of C3G in PFM was 1,770 times more than YFM. Nineteen anthocyanin-related genes were downregulated in YFM compared with their expression in PFM. Thus, YFM could be defined as a variety of M. ruthenica rather than a different species. The loss of purple flower coloration in YFM was attributed to the downregulation of these genes, resulting in reduced C3G accumulation. The taxonomic characteristics and molecular and physiological characteristics of this species will contribute to further research on other species with similar external morphologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pre-breeding towards the Effective Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources Volume II)

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9 pages, 249 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Use of Botanical Varieties of Brassica oleracea L. in the Breeding of Forage Kale

by John E. Bradshaw

Plants 2022, 11(16), 2160; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11162160 - 20 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1722

Abstract

At present, forage kale cultivars for feeding cattle and sheep are either open-pollinated ones from population-improvement schemes within suitable botanical varieties of Brassica oleracea or triple-cross hybrids from within or between botanical varieties, the only commercialised latter type being between marrow-stem kale and [...] Read more.

At present, forage kale cultivars for feeding cattle and sheep are either open-pollinated ones from population-improvement schemes within suitable botanical varieties of Brassica oleracea or triple-cross hybrids from within or between botanical varieties, the only commercialised latter type being between marrow-stem kale and Brussels sprouts. Eight botanical varieties (15 cultivars) and 13 types of hybrids (50 hybrids) between them were produced and assessed for forage traits in SE Scotland in the early 1980s when there was government funding in Great Britain for such work (terminated in 1990). These previously unpublished results may now be of interest to a new generation of commercial forage brassica breeders. In addition to height and dry matter yield and content, quality traits, such as digestibility and antimetabolites, were assessed. The hybrids with marrow-stem kale as one parent varied in height, but combined a high-dry-matter yield with desirable quality traits for a forage crop. None was ideal and none had a superior combination of traits to the hybrids with Brussels sprouts. The hybrids between marrow-stem kale and January King cabbage were the shortest and a possible alternative to dwarf thousand-head kale. The results can be used to justify new forage brassica breeding programmes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pre-breeding towards the Effective Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources Volume II)

20 pages, 4629 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes and Epigenetic Modification-Related Expression Variation Induced by Saline Stress at Seedling Stage in Fiber and Oil Flax, Linum usitatissimum L.

by Ningning Wang, Yujie Lin, Fan Qi, Chunxiao Xiaoyang, Zhanwu Peng, Ying Yu, Yingnan Liu, Jun Zhang, Xin Qi, Michael Deyholos and Jian Zhang

Plants 2022, 11(15), 2053; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11152053 - 5 Aug 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2056

Abstract

The ability of different germplasm to adapt to a saline–alkali environment is critical to learning about the tolerance mechanism of saline–alkali stress in plants. Flax is an important oil and fiber crop in many countries. However, its molecular tolerance mechanism under saline stress [...] Read more.

The ability of different germplasm to adapt to a saline–alkali environment is critical to learning about the tolerance mechanism of saline–alkali stress in plants. Flax is an important oil and fiber crop in many countries. However, its molecular tolerance mechanism under saline stress is still not clear. In this study, we studied morphological, physiological characteristics, and gene expression variation in the root and leaf in oil and fiber flax types under saline stress, respectively. Abundant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) induced by saline stress, tissue/organ specificity, and different genotypes involved in plant hormones synthesis and metabolism and transcription factors and epigenetic modifications were detected. The present report provides useful information about the mechanism of flax response to saline stress and could lead to the future elucidation of the specific functions of these genes and help to breed suitable flax varieties for saline/alkaline soil conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pre-breeding towards the Effective Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources Volume II)

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13 pages, 718 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Morpho-Agronomic and Biochemical Characterization of Accessions of Tiger Nut (Cyperus esculentus) Grown in the North Temperate Zone of China

by Xiangdong Yang, Lu Niu, Yuanyu Zhang, Wei Ren, Chunming Yang, Jing Yang, Guojie Xing, Xiaofang Zhong, Jun Zhang, Jan Slaski and Jian Zhang

Plants 2022, 11(7), 923; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11070923 - 29 Mar 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3157

Abstract

Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) has recently attracted increasing interest from scientific and technological communities because of its potential for serving as additional source of food, oil, and feed. The present study reports morphology and biochemical characterization of 42 tiger nut accessions [...] Read more.

Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) has recently attracted increasing interest from scientific and technological communities because of its potential for serving as additional source of food, oil, and feed. The present study reports morphology and biochemical characterization of 42 tiger nut accessions collected from China and other counties performed in the 2020 and 2021 growing seasons at Nongan, Jilin Province. Assessment of variability of 14 agronomic traits including plant height, maturation, leaf width, tilling number, color, size, and shape: 100-tuber weight showed a wide range of phenotypic variation. The color, size, and shape and maturation of the tubers, as well as the leaf width, were the most distinct characteristics describing variation among the accessions. Compositional analyses of major nutritional components of the tubers reveals that this crop could be a source of high-value proteins, fatty acids, and carbohydrates. Specifically, tiger nut tubers contained high levels of starch, oil, and sugars, and significant amounts of fiber, Ca, P, and Na. Furthermore, the tubers appeared to be a good source of proteins as they contain 16 amino acids, including the essential ones. Amino acid profiles were dominated by aspartic acid followed by glutamic acid, leucine, alanine, and arginine. Overall, these results demonstrated that tiger nut is well adapted to the temperature and light conditions in the north temperate zone of China, even with a shorter growth season. The tiger nut accessions collected here exhibited wide variations for agronomical and biochemical traits, suggesting potential for potential for breeding improvement by maximizing the fresh tuber and grass yield based on the optimal selection of genetic characteristics in climate and soil conditions of northern China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pre-breeding towards the Effective Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources Volume II)

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18 pages, 4002 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Response of Diverse Sesame Genotypes to Waterlogging Durations at Different Plant Growth Stages

by Mohammad Habibullah, Shahnaz Sarkar, Mohammad Mahbub Islam, Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Md. Zillur Rahman, Mohamed F. Awad, Abdelaleim I. ElSayed, Elsayed Mansour and Md. Sazzad Hossain

Plants 2021, 10(11), 2294; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10112294 - 25 Oct 2021

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 3454

Abstract

Sesame is sensitive to waterlogging, and its growth is devastatingly impacted under excess moisture conditions. Thus, waterlogging tolerance is crucial to alleviate yield constraints, particularly under expected climate change. In this study, 119 diverse sesame genotypes were screened for their tolerance to 12, [...] Read more.

Sesame is sensitive to waterlogging, and its growth is devastatingly impacted under excess moisture conditions. Thus, waterlogging tolerance is crucial to alleviate yield constraints, particularly under expected climate change. In this study, 119 diverse sesame genotypes were screened for their tolerance to 12, 24, 48, and 72 h of waterlogging relative to non-waterlogged conditions. All plants died under 72 h of waterlogging, while 13.45%, 31.93%, and 45.38% of genotypes survived at 48, 24, and 12 h, respectively. Based on the seedling parameters and waterlogging tolerance coefficients, genotypes BD-7008 and BD-6985 exhibited the highest tolerance to waterlogging, while BD-6996 and JP-01811 were the most sensitive ones. The responses of these four genotypes to waterlogged conditions were assessed at different plant growth stages—30, 40, and 50 days after sowing (DAS)—versus normal conditions. Waterlogging, particularly when it occurred within 30 DAS, destructively affected the physiological and morphological characteristics, which was reflected in the growth and yield attributes. Genotype BD-7008, followed by BD-6985, exhibited the highest chlorophyll and proline contents as well as enzymatic antioxidant activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). These biochemical and physiological adjustments ameliorated the adverse effects of waterlogging, resulting in higher yields for both genotypes. Conversely, JP-01811 presented the lowest chlorophyll and proline contents as well as enzymatic antioxidant activities, resulting in the poorest growth and seed yield. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pre-breeding towards the Effective Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources Volume II)

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Review

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14 pages, 1320 KiB

Open AccessReview

Cell Membrane Features as Potential Breeding Targets to Improve Cold Germination Ability of Seeds

by Lakhvir Kaur Dhaliwal and Rosalyn B. Angeles-Shim

Plants 2022, 11(23), 3400; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11233400 - 6 Dec 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3690

Abstract

Cold stress breeding that focuses on the improvement of chilling tolerance at the germination stage is constrained by the complexities of the trait which involves integrated cellular, biochemical, hormonal and molecular responses. Biological membrane serves as the first line of plant defense under [...] Read more.

Cold stress breeding that focuses on the improvement of chilling tolerance at the germination stage is constrained by the complexities of the trait which involves integrated cellular, biochemical, hormonal and molecular responses. Biological membrane serves as the first line of plant defense under stress. Membranes receive cold stress signals and transduce them into intracellular responses. Low temperature stress, in particular, primarily and effectively affects the structure, composition and properties of cell membranes, which ultimately disturbs cellular homeostasis. Under cold stress, maintenance of membrane integrity through the alteration of membrane lipid composition is of prime importance to cope with the stress. This review describes the critical role of cell membranes in cold stress responses as well as the physiological and biochemical manifestations of cold stress in plants. The potential of cell membrane properties as breeding targets in developing strategies to improve cold germination ability is discussed using cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) as a model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pre-breeding towards the Effective Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources Volume II)

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