Explore the vast range of titles available.

Heavy metal stress can lead to many adverse effects that inhibit cellular processes at various levels of metabolism, causing a decrease in plant productivity. In response to environmental stressors, phenolic compounds fulfill significant molecular and biochemical functions in plants. Increasing the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds in plants subjected to heavy metal stress helps protect plants from oxidative stress. A pot experiment was carried out to determine the effect of the accumulation of copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) salts at concentrations of 200, 500, and 1000 ppm on seed germination, the activity of enzymes in the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase pathway (PAL) and tyrosine ammonia-lyase (TAL), along with the total phenol and flavonoid contents in seedlings of hybrid Triticum aestivum L. (winter wheat) cultivars. The accumulation of heavy metals, especially Cu, had a negative impact on the seed germination process. The cultivar “Hyacinth” reacted most strongly to heavy metal stress, which was confirmed by obtaining the lowest values of the germination parameters. Heavy metal stress caused an increase in the activity of PAL and TAL enzymes and an increase in the accumulation of phenolic compounds. Under the influence of Cu, the highest activity was shown in cv. “Hyvento” (especially at 200 ppm) and, due to the accumulation of Pb, in cv. “Hyacinth” (1000 ppm) and cv. “Hyking” (200 ppm). The cultivar “Hyking” had the highest content of phenolic compounds, which did not increase with the application of higher concentrations of metals. In other cultivars, the highest content of total phenols and flavonoids was usually observed at the lowest concentration (200 ppm) of the tested heavy metals, Cu and Pb.

Wheat stripe rust is a fungal disease caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. Tritici (Pst). It significantly impacts wheat yields in Xinjiang, China. Breeding and promoting disease-resistant cultivars carrying disease-resistance genes remains the most cost-effective strategy with which to control the disease. In this study, 17 molecular markers were used to identify Yr5, Yr9, Yr10, Yr15, Yr17, Yr18, Yr26, Yr41, Yr44, and Yr50 in 82 wheat cultivars from Xinjiang. According to the differences in SNP loci, the KASP markers for Yr30, Yr52, Yr78, Yr80, and Yr81 were designed and detected in the same set of 82 wheat cultivars. The results showed that there was a diverse distribution of Yr genes across all wheat cultivars in Xinjiang, and the detection rates of Yr5, Yr15, Yr17, Yr26, Yr41, and Yr50 were the highest, ranging from 74.39% to 98.78%. In addition, Yr5 and Yr15 were prevalent in spring wheat cultivars, with detection rates of 100% and 97.56%, respectively. A substantial 85.37% of wheat cultivars carried at least six or more different combinations of Yr genes. The cultivar Xindong No.15 exhibited the remarkable presence of 11 targeted Yr genes. The pedigree analysis results showed that 33.33% of Xinjiang wheat cultivars shared similar parentage, potentially leading to a loss of resistance against Pst. The results clarified the Yr gene distribution of the Xinjiang wheat cultivars and screened out varieties with a high resistance against Pst.

Plant roots and rhizosphere soils assemble diverse microbial communities, and these root-associated microbiomes profoundly influence host development. Modern wheat has given rise to numerous cultivars for its wide range of ecological adaptations and commercial uses. Variations in nitrogen uptake by different wheat cultivars are widely observed in production practices. However, little is known about the composition and structure of the root-associated microbiota in different wheat cultivars, and it is not sure whether root-associated microbial communities are relevant in host nitrogen absorption. Therefore, there is an urgent need for systematic assessment of root-associated microbial communities and their association with host nitrogen absorption in field-grown wheat. Here, we investigated the root-associated microbial community composition, structure, and keystone taxa in wheat cultivars with different nitrogen absorption characteristics at different stages and their relationships with edaphic variables and host nitrogen uptake. Our results indicated that cultivar nitrogen absorption characteristics strongly interacted with bacterial and archaeal communities in the roots and edaphic physicochemical factors. The impact of host cultivar identity, developmental stage, and spatial niche on bacterial and archaeal community structure and network complexity increased progressively from rhizosphere soils to roots. The root microbial community had a significant direct effect on plant nitrogen absorption, while plant nitrogen absorption and soil temperature also significantly influenced root microbial community structure. The cultivar with higher nitrogen absorption at the jointing stage tended to cooperate with root microbial community to facilitate their own nitrogen absorption. Our work provides important information for further wheat microbiome manipulation to influence host nitrogen absorption.Key points• Wheat cultivar and developmental stage affected microbiome structure and network.• The root microbial community strongly interacted with plant nitrogen absorption.• High nitrogen absorption cultivar tended to cooperate with root microbiome.

Root system characteristics determine soil space exploration and resource acquisition, and these characteristics include competitive traits that increase individual fitness but reduce population performance. We hypothesize that crop breeding for increased yield is often a form of “group selection” that reduces such “selfish” traits to increase population yield. To study trends in root architecture resulting from plant breeding and test the hypothesis that increased yields result in part from group selection on root traits, we investigated root growth and branching behavior in a historical sequence of wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars that have been widely grown in northwestern China. Plants were grown in gel‐filled chambers to examine growth angles, numbers, and lengths of seminal roots, and in soil‐filled chambers under eight soil resource levels for fractal analysis of root system architecture. Yield in field was evaluated at standard and low planting densities. Newer cultivars produced higher yields than older ones only at the higher sowing density, showing that increased yield results from changes in competitive behavior. Seminal root number and growth angles were negatively correlated with yield, while primary seminal root length was positively correlated with yield. Roots of higher‐yielding modern varieties were simpler and less branched, grew deeper but spread less laterally than modern varieties. The fractal dimension of root branching was negatively correlated with the yield of cultivars at all resource levels. Root:shoot ratio was negatively correlated with yield under high soil resource levels. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the success of wheat breeding for higher yields over past 100 years in northwestern China has been in part due to unconscious group selection on root traits, resulting in smaller, less branched, and deeper roots, suggesting a direction for further increases in crop yield in the future.

During the winter agricultural season of 2022-2023, a field experiment was carried out in the Al-Basatin Al-Sharqiya, located 4 km away from the center of Al-Muthanna governorate. The objective of this study was to investigate various anatomical and genetic parameters of wheat varieties under the influence of the mutagenic alkaloid colchicine at concentrations of 0, 250, 500, and 750 mg L -1 . The study employed a split plot design with three replications. The main plots consisted of different concentrations of the colchicine compound, while the secondary plots comprised four varieties (Ibaa99, Mawadah, Bohuth 22, Babel). The statistical analysis yielded significant variations in the anatomical and molecular traits among the cultivars. Notably, the cultivar Mawada demonstrated superior performance in terms of stoma density on the upper leaf surface, with an average of 118.15 stomata mm -2 . Conversely, the Babel variety exhibited the highest average stoma density of 113.70 stomata mm -2 on the lower leaf surface. Regarding Bohuth 22, it demonstrated notable proficiency in terms of stoma length, exhibiting an average measurement of 3.82 μm for both the upper and lower leaf surfaces. Additionally, it displayed the highest average stoma width for the lower surface, measuring at 2.66 μm. The highest mean stomatal density for both the upper and lower leaf surfaces (114.1, 104.44 stomata mm -2 ) was observed at a colchicine concentration of 750 mg L -1 . Regarding the intersection of the treatments, it was observed that treatment C1V3 exhibited superior performance in terms of the dimensions of the stoma, specifically the length and width on the lower surface of the leaf. The average difference between the measurements was found to be 4.40-2.96 μm, consecutively. The C2V2 treatment demonstrated superior performance in relation to the stomatal density observed on the upper surface of the leaf, exhibiting an average of 132.6 stomata mm -2 . The treatment labelled as C2V4 exhibited the highest average stomata density (131.85 stomata mm -2 ) on the lower surface of the leaf. The molecular analysis conducted using RAPD-PCR technology revealed that the primer OPA 9 exhibited a total of 37 bands. Among these bands, 6 were found to be unique, while the remaining 31 bands displayed divergence. The OPA12 primer exhibits a minimum total of 29 bands, consisting of 24 distinct bands and 5 unique bands. Notably, all primers demonstrate a 100% occurrence of differentiated bands.

A field trial was conducted to investigate the productivity of three bread wheat cultivars, namely Giza-168, Shandawel-1, and Misr-2, under different fertilization treatments, i.e., azotobacter inoculation, 25% nitrogen (N) + azotobacter, 50%N + azotobacter, 75%N + azotobacter, and 100%N of the recommended level (180 kg/ha). The treatments were laid in a split-plot design, and each was replicated three times. The findings showed that wheat cultivars examined in the two seasons exhibited significant variations (p ≤ 0.05) in plant height (PH, cm), number of tillers m−2 (NTM), number of spikelets per spike (NSS), 1000-grain weight (TGW, g), spike length (SL, cm), biological yield (BY, ton ha−1), grain yield (GY, ton ha−1), straw yield (SY, ton ha−1), harvest index (HI, %), protein content (PC, %), days to 50% heading (DTH), and chlorophyll content (CC, SPAD). As a result, Giza-168 had a higher GY (14%), HI (27%), and TGW (10%) than any of the other two cultivars in both growing seasons. Furthermore, Misr-2 exhibited the highest PH (16%), NTM (26%), NSS (28%), SL (10%), BY (30%), SY (46%), and CC (3%). The application of the two treatments of 100%N and N75% + azotobacter exhibited high and statistically similar performance, resulting in an increase in all studied traits by greater than 30–50% compared to the other three treatments. According to the findings of the current investigation, the application of N fertilizer combined with azotobacter increased wheat yield more than either solely azotobacter or N application. We concluded that the application of nitrogen combined with azotobacter reduced the quantity of applied nitrogen by 25%.

Salinity stress severely impacts wheat productivity and grain quality. This study investigated the effects of application of plant growth promoting substances (non-primed control (NP), hydropriming (HP), combined priming (1 mM silicon + 250 mg L − 1 thiourea) (SiP + TUP), combined TU priming (250 mg L − 1 thiourea) + Si foliar application (1 mM silicon) (TUP + SiF), combined TU foliar application (250 mg L − 1 thiourea) + Si priming (1 mM silicon) (TUF + SiP) on salt tolerance and grain quality of two wheat cultivars (salt-tolerant Barzegar and salt-sensitive Amin) under three salinity levels (0.5, 4 and 10 dS m − 1 ). The experiment used a completely randomized factorial design with three replications under greenhouse conditions. Salinity reduced grain yield by 42–60% (more severely in Amin), decreased ash content, moisture, carbohydrates, fiber, and gluten, while increasing grain hardness and protein. The combined TUP + SiF treatment significantly mitigated these effects, particularly in Barzegar, restoring 10.5–39.0% of yield versus 34.4–50.0% in Amin. Mechanistically, the treatment: (1) enhanced K + /Na + ratio (1.7–2.2-fold) via upregulation of transporters, (2) reduced oxidative damage (MDA decreased by 33.8–60.9%) through boosted antioxidant enzymes (SOD 12–14%, POD 33%, APX 25–26%, CAT 55–94%), and (3) improved grain quality by increasing gluten (8.8–9.8%) and carbohydrates (6.7–7.5%) while reducing hardness and protein. Silicon’s role in epidermal silica deposition reduced Na + uptake, while thiourea’s thiol group directly scavenged ROS. Cultivar differences revealed Barzegar’s superior ion homeostasis and antioxidant capacity. The TUP + SiF combination effectively counters salinity impacts through synergistic physiological mechanisms, with greater efficacy in tolerant cultivar. These findings provide practical strategies for wheat cultivation in saline soils, though cultivar-specific optimization may enhance results.

Salinity is among major environmental constraints in arid and semi-arid regions of the world that is deteriorating soil fertility and reducing uptake of micronutrients especially Fe and Zn. The crop plants grown in calcareous and high pH soils are inherently low in these mineral nutrients. Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L . ) is the principal diet for almost one third of world’s population. The information regarding the fortification of wheat with Fe and Zn under saline conditions is limited. The soil and foliar application of Fe and Zn may be helpful for improving the nutritional quality of wheat produced from salt-affected land. The aim of present study was to assess the responses of selected wheat cultivars (Faisalabad-2008 and Galaxy-2013) to soil and foliar application of Fe and Zn under saline conditions. Foliar and soil application of Fe and Zn was done individually as well as in combination. The experimental units were replicated thrice in Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The data of various wheat growth, ionic and biochemical parameters including grain yield, total chlorophyll contents, root and shoot length, root and shoot dry weights, Zn, Fe, K, and Na, SOD and CAT enzyme activity were recorded using standard procedures. It was clearly depicted by the results that the presence of salt stress in the growth medium significantly (p ≤ 0.05) deteriorated plant growth and yield. Also, the results showed that Zn and Fe application significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased wheat plant growth under salt stress. The foliar application proved to be more efficient than soil application. However, the plants that contained combined application (soil and foliar) of Fe and Zn gave maximum yield as well as higher accumulation of Fe, Zn, and K in shoot and grains. It was, therefore, concluded that the combined soil and foliar application of Fe and Zn is an effective strategy to ameliorate micronutrients (Fe and Zn) deficiency in crops grown under salt-affected soil conditions.

Wheat stem rust is caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici . This major disease has been effectively controlled via resistance genes since the 1970s. The appearance and spread of new races of P . graminis f. sp. tritici (eg., Ug99, TKTTF, and TTRTF) have renewed the interest in identifying the resistance gene and breeding cultivars resistant to wheat stem rust. In this study, gene postulation, pedigree analysis, and molecular detection were used to determine the presence of stem rust resistance genes in 65 commercial wheat cultivars from Hebei Province. In addition, two predominant races 21C3CTHTM and 34MRGQM were used to evaluate the resistance of these cultivars at the adult-plant stage in 2021–2022. The results revealed that 6 Sr genes (namely, Sr5 , Sr17 , Sr24 , Sr31 , Sr32 , Sr38 , and SrTmp ), either singly or in combination, were identified in 46 wheat cultivars. Overall, 37 wheat cultivars contained Sr31 . Sr5 and Sr17 were present in 3 and 3 cultivars, respectively. Gao 5218 strong gluten, Jie 13-Ji 7369, and Kenong 1006 contained Sr24 , Sr32 , and Sr38 , respectively. No wheat cultivar contained Sr25 and Sr26. In total, 50 (76.9%) wheat cultivars were resistant to all tested races of P . graminis f. sp. tritici in field test in 2021–2022. This study is important for breeding wheat cultivars with resistance to stem rust.

AbstractKey messageFour QTL for ergot resistance (causal pathogen Claviceps purpurea) have been identified in the durum wheat cultivar Greenshank.Claviceps purpurea is a pathogen of grasses that infects flowers, replacing the seed with an ergot sclerotium. Ergot presents a significant problem to rye, barley and wheat, in particular hybrid seed production systems. In addition, there is evidence that the highly toxic alkaloids that accumulate within sclerotia can cross-contaminate otherwise healthy grain. Host resistance to C. purpurea is rare, few resistance loci having been identified. In this study, four ergot resistance loci are located on chromosomes 1B, 2A, 5A and 5B in the durum wheat cv. Greenshank. Ergot resistance was assessed through analysis of phenotypes associated with C. purpurea infection, namely the number of inoculated flowers that produced sclerotia, or resulted in ovary death but no sclerotia, the levels of honeydew produced, total sclerotia weight and average sclerotia weight and size per spike. Ergot testing was undertaken in Canada and the UK. A major effect QTL, QCp.aafc.DH-2A, was detected in both the Canadian and UK experiments and had a significant effect on honeydew production levels. QCp.aafc.DH-5B had the biggest influence on total sclerotia weight per spike. QCp.aafc.DH-1B was only detected in the Canadian experiments and QCp.aafc.DH-5A in the UK experiment. An RNASeq analysis, undertaken to identify wheat differentially expressed genes associated with different combinations of the four ergot resistance QTL, revealed a disproportionate number of DEGs locating to the QCp.aafc.DH-1B, QCp.aafc.DH-2A and QCp.aafc.DH-5B QTL intervals.