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The environmental adaptation of eudicots is the most reasonable explanation for why they compose the largest clade of modern plants (70% of angiosperms), which indicates that the basal eudicots would be valuable and helpful to study their survival and ability to thrive throughout evolutionary processes. Here, we detected two whole-genome duplication (WGD) events in the high-quality assembled Akebia trifoliata genome (652.73 Mb) with 24 138 protein-coding genes based on the evidence of intragenomic and intergenomic collinearity, synonymous substitution rate (K

A major and stable QTL cQSGR.sau.3D, which can explain 33.25% of the phenotypic variation in SGR, was mapped and validated, and cQSGR.sau.3D was found to be independent of GI. In this study, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population containing 304 lines derived from the cross of Chuan-nong17 (CN17) and Chuan-nong11 (CN11) was genotyped using the Wheat55K single-nucleotide polymorphism array. A high-density genetic map consisting of 8329 markers spanning 4131.54 cM and distributed across 21 wheat chromosomes was constructed. QTLs for whole spike germination rate (SGR) were identified in multiple years. Six and fourteen QTLs were identified using the Inclusive Composite Interval Mapping-Biparental Populations and Multi-Environment Trial methods, respectively. A total of 106 digenic epistatic QTLs were also detected in this study. One of the additive QTLs, cQSGR.sau.3D, which was mapped in the region from 3.5 to 4.5 cM from linkage group 3D-2 on chromosome 3D, can explain 33.25% of the phenotypic variation in SGR and be considered a major and stable QTL for SGR. This QTL was independent of the seeds' germination traits, such as germination index. One Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR (KASP) marker, KASP-AX-110772653, which is tightly linked to cQSGR.sau.3D, was developed. The genetic effect of cQSGR.sau.3D on SGR in the RIL and natural populations was successfully confirmed. Furthermore, within the interval in which cQSGR.sau.3D is located in Chinese Spring reference genomes, thirty-seven genes were found. cQSGR.sau.3D may provide new resources for pre-harvest sprouting resistance breeding of wheat in the future.

Stripe rust (caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) is one of the most severe diseases for wheat production. An important method to improve the stripe rust resistance of wheat is to introduce resistance genes from related species into the wheat genome. The 1RS.1BL wheat–rye translocation from Petkus rye has contributed substantially to wheat resistance breeding worldwide. However, given the breakdown of the stripe rust resistance gene Yr9 in 1RS, its importance for wheat improvement has decreased. In this study, we developed 166 new primary 1RS.1BL translocation lines by crossing rye varieties Weining, Baili, and Aigan with several wheat cultivars. Cytogenetic and molecular analyses indicated that all of these lines contained a pair of intact 1RS.1BL translocation chromosomes. The stripe rust resistance of these translocation lines and their wheat parents was evaluated in southwestern China during the severe stripe rust epidemics in 2015 and 2021. The results showed diverse effects of the 1RS.1BL translocations from different rye cultivars on resistance to stripe rust. The highest genetic diversity was observed in 1RS.1BL translocations derived from diverse rye varieties but in the same wheat background. The development of diverse 1RS.1BL translocation lines offers ample opportunities to introduce new variations into wheat for improving stripe rust resistance. Finally, 71 new translocation lines, including nine developed from the cross of MY11 × Aigan, four from MY11 × Baili, 40 from MY11 × Weining, 14 from A42912 × Baili, and four from A42912 × Weining. These lines showed consistent resistance to stripe rust in fields under frequent changes of the pathogen races and could be useful genetic stocks for breeding wheat cultivars with resistance to stripe rust.

Wheat-rye 1RS·1BL translocations from ‘Petkus’ rye have contributed substantially to wheat production worldwide with their great disease resistance and yield traits. However, the resistance genes on the 1RS chromosomes have completely lost their resistance to newly emerged pathogens. Rye could widen the variation of 1RS as a naturally cross-pollinated related species of wheat. In this study, we developed three new 1RS·1BL translocation lines by crossing rye inbred line BL1, selected from Chinese landrace rye Baili, with wheat cultivar Mianyang11. These three new translocation lines exhibited high resistance to the most virulent and frequently occurring stripe rust pathotypes and showed high resistance in the field, where stripe rust outbreaks have been most severe in China. One new gene for stripe rust resistance, located on 1RS of the new translocation lines, is tentatively named YrRt1054. YrRt1054 confers resistance to Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici pathotypes that are virulent toward Yr9 and YrCn17. This new resistance gene, YrRt1054, is available for wheat improvement programs. The present study indicated that rye cultivars may carry additional untapped variation as potential sources of resistance.

This study identified QTLs associated with the functional stay green trait by a high-density genetic map. Two large effect QTLs, QSg.sau-2B.1 and QSg.sau-6A.2, were identified in multiple years and one of them was successfully validated. The functional stay green phenotype enables wheat to acclimate to stressful environments and prolongs the effectiveness of photosynthesis during the end-of-crop season. Despite the fact that stay green mutants in wheat have been reported, our knowledge of loci for the functional stay green trait remains limited. In this study, an RIL population containing 371 lines genotyped using the Wheat55K SNP array was used to map QTLs controlling the functional stay green trait in multiple years. In total, 21 and 19 QTLs were mapped using the BIP or MET modules of the ICIM method, respectively. Among them, two QTLs, QSg.sau-2B.1 and QSg.sau-6A.2, were considered large effect QTLs for the stay green trait and explained 11.43% and 15.27% of phenotypic variation on average, respectively. Two KASP markers were developed and tightly linked to QSg.sau-2B.1 and QSg.sau-6A.2, respectively, and the genetic effects of different genotypes in the RIL population were successfully confirmed. QSg.sau-2B.1 was also validated by linked KASP marker in different genetic backgrounds. QSg.sau-2B.1 and QSg.sau-6A.2 may influence heredity of the stay green trait and also exhibited a positive effect on the grain filling content. In the interval where QSg.sau-2B.1 and QSg.sau-6A.2 were located on the Chinese Spring and T. turgidum ssp. dicoccoides reference genomes, several genes associated with the leaf senescence process were identified. Altogether, our results identified two QTLs associated with the functional stay green trait and will be useful for the fine mapping and cloning of genes for stay green in the future.

Genetic diversity is usually regarded as an important role for understanding the origin, evolution and environmental adaptation of species. A total of 174 living collections of Akebia trifoliata and 72 high-polymorphism-potential (HPP) simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were employed to systematically explore the diversity and structure of this species. The average number of alleles (Na), Shannon's information index (I), number of effective alleles (Ne), observed heterozygosity (Ho), expected heterozygosity (He) and polymorphism information content (PIC) values were 9.01, 1.64, 4.98, 0.56, 0.72 and 0.69, respectively, and the linkage disequilibrium (LD) locus pairs percentage was on 1.17%. The PIC value of AK78 was the highest (0.92), while that of AK53 was the lowest (0.21). Sixty of 72 loci exhibited high polymorphism, while only one exhibited low polymorphism. In addition, the average PIC of chromosomes varied from 0.56 to 0.79. The genetic diversity of the SCB population was the highest, while that of NQH was the lowest. Further analysis of SCB suggested that JSJ-MJ, in the main part of the Heng Duan Mountain zone, had the highest genetic diversity and could be the origin centre of A. trifoliata. The main migration route of A. trifoliata could have been latitudinally from western to eastern China along the Yangtze River. Structure, cluster and principal coordinate analyses yielded similar results, revealing that the 6 populations could be divided into 2 groups or clusters. The geographic origin of several unknown accessions, such as Alc-166, Alc-171, Alc-172 and Alc-174, was revealed by cluster analysis. Overall, the results suggested that the living collections of A. trifoliata had high genetic diversity, good representativeness, and low duplication, which will benefit A. trifoliata germplasm collection, preservation, and breeding applications.

As the largest clade of modern plants, flower plants have evolved a wide variety of flowers and fruits. MADS-box genes play key roles in regulating plant morphogenesis, while basal eudicots have an evolutionarily important position of acting as an evolutionary bridge between basal angiosperms and core eudicots.

WRKY transcription factors have been found in most plants and play an important role in regulating organ growth and disease response. Outlining the profile of

Secale cereale is used as a source of genes for disease resistance in wheat cultivation. In this study, a homozygous translocation line (RT14-245) that originated from a cross between a commercial wheat cultivar (Mianyang 11) and a local Chinese variety of rye (Baili) was developed. Multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization and PCR analysis demonstrated that the translocation chromosome was 7BS.7RL. Resistance analysis showed that RT14-245 was resistant to prevalent pathotypes of stripe rust and powdery mildew. RT14-245 also exhibited high resistance to Fusarium head blight, which was similar to the resistance exhibited by the wheat cultivar Sumai 3. The results indicated that RT14-245 simultaneously exhibited high levels of resistance against stripe rust, powdery mildew, and Fusarium head blight. These results indicate that chromosome arm 7RL in the translocation line RT14-245 is an excellent new resource for wheat breeding programs.

In this study, a novel T6RS.6AL translocation line, 117-6, was selected from a cross between common Chuannong25 (CN25) wheat and Qinling rye. The results of nondenaturing fluorescence in situ hybridization (ND-FISH) and PCR showed that 117-6 contained two T6RS.6AL translocation chromosomes. The distal region of the 6RS chromosome in 117-6 was mutant and showed different FISH signal patterns. When inoculated with different stripe rust races and powdery mildew races in seedlings, 117-6 expressed high resistance to them. The 117-6 line also exhibited high resistance to stripe rust and powdery mildew in the field under natural

In this study, a novel T1RS.1BL translocation line RT843-5 was selected from a cross between wheat Mianyang11 (MY11) and Weining rye. The results of MC-FISH, PCR, and A-PAGE showed that RT843-5 contained two intact T1RS.1BL translocation chromosomes. RT843-5 showed resistance to the most virulent and frequently occurring stripe rust races/isolates. Additionally, RT843-5 showed resistance in the field in locations where stripe rust outbreaks have been the most severe in China. Genetic analysis indicated one new gene for stripe rust resistance, located on 1RS of RT843-5, which was tentatively named YrRt843. Furthermore, the chlorophyll content, the activities of catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of RT843-5 were significantly higher than those in its wheat parent MY11, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation was significantly lower after anthesis in RT843-5 compared to in MY11. RT843-5 had a significantly higher 1000-kernel weight and yield than MY11. The results indicated that RT843-5 exhibited functional stay-green traits after anthesis, that delayed the senescence process in wheat leaves during the filling stage and had positive effects on grain yield. The present study indicated that Weining rye may carry untapped variations as a potential source of resistance, and that RT843-5 could be an important material for wheat breeding programs in the future.

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.4BSDS and 3DL-4BSPS.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.

As a kind of plant-specific transcription factor (TF), DNA-Binding One Zinc Finger (Dof) is widely involved in the response to environmental change, and as an evolutionarily important perennial plant species, Akebia trifoliata is ideal for studying environmental adaptation. In this study, a total of 41 AktDofs were identified in the A. trifoliata genome. First, the characteristics, including the length, exon number, and chromosomal distribution of the AktDofs and the isoelectric point (PI), amino acid number, molecular weight (MW), and conserved motifs of their putative proteins, were reported. Second, we found that all AktDofs evolutionarily underwent strong purifying selection, and many (33, 80.5%) of them were generated by whole-genome duplication (WGD). Third, we outlined their expression profiles by the use of available transcriptomic data and RT-qPCR analysis. Finally, we identified four candidate genes (AktDof21, AktDof20, AktDof36, and AktDof17) and three other candidate genes (AktDof26, AktDof16, and AktDof12) that respond to long day (LD) and darkness, respectively, and that are closely associated with phytohormone-regulating pathways. Overall, this research is the first to identify and characterize the AktDofs family and is very helpful for further research on A. trifoliata adaptation to environmental factors, especially photoperiod changes.

Stripe rust is one of the most serious wheat diseases of the world, usually resulting in massive loss of grain production. The most effective and environmentally friendly way to control the spread of stripe rust is to plant wheat varieties that carry stripe rust resistance genes. The identification and utilization of stripe rust resistance genes is very important for achieving this goal. This chapter summarizes the hazards of stripe rust and the current progress in the discovery of stripe rust resistance genes. It also introduces the advanced methods to identify Yr genes. The chapter also shows the successful application of Yr genes in wheat breeding program in southwestern China, which is the largest epidemic area of stripe rust in the world. The further identification and applications of Yr genes are also discussed.

Wheat powdery mildew, caused by the obligate parasite Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, severely reduces wheat yields. Identifying durable and effective genes against wheat powdery mildew and further transferring them into wheat cultivars is important for finally controlling this disease in wheat production. Pm40 has been widely used in wheat breeding programs in Southwest China due to the spectrum and potentially durable resistance to powdery mildew. In the present study, a resistance test demonstrated that Pm40 is still effective against the Bgt race E20. We identified and cloned the TraesCS7B01G164000 with a total length of 4883 bp, including three exons and two introns, and encoded a protein carrying the CC-NBS-NBS-LRR domain in the Pm40-linked region flanked by two EST markers, BF478514 and BF291338, by integrating analysis of gene annotation in wheat reference genome and both sequence and expression difference in available transcriptome data. Two missense mutations were detected at positions 68 and 83 in the CC domain. The results of both cosegregation linkage analysis and qRT-PCR also suggested that TraesCS7B01G164000 was a potential candidate gene of Pm40. This study allowed us to move toward the final successfully clone and apply Pm40 in wheat resistance improvement by gene engineering.

Akebia trifoliata, a member of the family Lardizabalaceae, has high exploitation potential for multiple economic purposes, so genetic improvements to meet requirements for commercial demand are needed. However, this progress is largely impeded by a lack of effective selection markers. In this study, we obtained 271.49 Gb of clean transcriptomic data from 12 samples (three tissues at four developmental stages) of A. trifoliata fruit. We identified 175,604, 194,370, and 207,906 SSRs from the de novo assembled 416,363, 463,756, and 491,680 unigene sequences obtained from the flesh, seed, and rind tissues, respectively. The profile and proportion of SSR motifs expressed in each fruit tissue and developmental stage were remarkably similar, but many trinucleotide repeats had differential expression levels among different tissues or at different developmental stages. In addition, we successfully designed 16,869 functional EST-SSR primers according to the annotated unigenes. Finally, 94 and 72 primer pairs out of 100 randomly selected primer pairs produced clear bands and polymorphic bands, respectively. These results were also used to elucidate the expression profiles of different tissues at various stages. Additionally, we provided a set of effective, polymorphic, and reliable EST-SSR markers sufficient for accelerating the discovery of metabolic and pathway-specific functional genes for genetic improvement and increased commercial productivity.

Photosynthesis is not only a primary generator of reactive oxygen species (ROS) but also a component of plant defence. To determine the relationships among photosynthesis, ROS, and defence responses to powdery mildew in wheat, we compared the responses of the Pm40-expressing wheat line L658 and its susceptible sister line L958 at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours post-inoculation (hpi) with powdery mildew via analyses of transcriptomes, cytology, antioxidant activities, photosynthesis, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. The results showed that H2O2 accumulation in L658 was significantly greater than that in L958 at 6 and 48 hpi, and the enzymes activity and transcripts expression of peroxidase and catalase were suppressed in L658 compared with L958. In addition, the inhibition of photosynthesis in L658 paralleled the global downregulation of photosynthesis-related genes. Furthermore, the expression of the salicylic acid-related genes non-expressor of pathogenesis related genes 1 (NPR1), pathogenesis-related 1 (PR1), and pathogenesis-related 5 (PR5) was upregulated, while the expression of jasmonic acid- and ethylene-related genes was inhibited in L658 compared with L958. In conclusion, the downregulation of photosynthesis-related genes likely led to a decline in photosynthesis, which may be combined with the inhibition of peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) to generate two stages of H2O2 accumulation. The high level of H2O2, salicylic acid and PR1 and PR5 in L658 possible initiated the hypersensitive response.

This study mapped QTLs associated with kernel-related traits by high-density genetic map. Five new major and stable QTLs for KL, KDR, SN, and KWPS were mapped in multiple environments. In the present study, a recombinant inbred line population including 371 lines derived from the cross of Chuannong18 and T1208 was genotyped using the Wheat55K single nucleotide polymorphism array. A novel high-density genetic map consisting of 11,583 markers spanning 4192.62 cM and distributed across 21 wheat chromosomes was constructed. QTLs for important kernel-related traits were mapped in multiple environments. A total of 96 and 151 QTLs were mapped by using the ICIM method and the MET method, respectively. And a total of 114 digenic epistatic QTLs were also detected across 21 chromosomes, and the epistatic effects of each trait were analyzed. BLAST analysis showed that 23 QTLs for different kernel-related traits were first time mapped and five of them were major and stable QTLs for kernel diameter ratio (121.34-126.83 cM on 4BS), spike number per square meter (71.32-73.84 cM on 2DS), kernel weight per spike (71.32-75.26 cM on 2DS), and kernel length (16.78-31.64 cM on 6A and 51.63-58.40 cM on 3D), respectively. Fifteen QTL clusters that contained 58 QTLs were also detected, and all most stable QTLs were contained in these QTL clusters. Significant correlations between different traits were detected and discussed. These results lay the foundation for fine mapping and cloning of the gene(s) underlying the stable QTLs detected in this study.

Complex chromosome rearrangements (CCRs) are defined as structural abnormalities involving more than two chromosome breaks, coupled with exchanges of chromosomal segments. Information on CCRs in plants is limited. In the present study, a plant (26-4) harboring translocation chromosomes 1RS.1BL and 4RS.4DL was selected from a double monosomic (1R and 4R) addition line, which was derived from the hybrid between wheat cultivar MY11 and a Chinese local rye variety. The genome of the plant with double alien translocation chromosomes in the monosomic form showed more instability than that harboring a single translocation. The CCRs involving chromosomes 1RS.1BL and 3B, which were generated de novo in this plant, showed double monosomic translocation chromosomes. A new CCR line with balanced reciprocal translocations 1RS.3BL and 3BS.1BL was developed, which presented normal morphological traits of wheat and underwent rapid growth in the field. A new 1RS.1BL translocation line was also selected from the progeny of plant 26-4. The CCRs and simple 1RS.1BL translocation lines showed significant improvement in grain yield, number of spikes per square meter, kernel number per spike, and resistance to stripe rust and powdery mildew. The CCR line exhibited better agronomic traits and adult plant resistance in the field than its sister line, which harbored a simple 1RS.1BL translocation. The CCRs are remarkable genetic resources for crop improvement.

This study mapped QTLs associated with kernel-related traits by high-density genetic map. Five new major and stable QTLs for KL, KDR, SN, and KWPS were mapped in multiple environments. In the present study, a recombinant inbred line population including 371 lines derived from the cross of Chuannong18 and T1208 was genotyped using the Wheat55K single nucleotide polymorphism array. A novel high-density genetic map consisting of 11,583 markers spanning 4192.62 cM and distributed across 21 wheat chromosomes was constructed. QTLs for important kernel-related traits were mapped in multiple environments. A total of 96 and 151 QTLs were mapped by using the ICIM method and the MET method, respectively. And a total of 114 digenic epistatic QTLs were also detected across 21 chromosomes, and the epistatic effects of each trait were analyzed. BLAST analysis showed that 23 QTLs for different kernel-related traits were first time mapped and five of them were major and stable QTLs for kernel diameter ratio (121.34–126.83 cM on 4BS), spike number per square meter (71.32–73.84 cM on 2DS), kernel weight per spike (71.32–75.26 cM on 2DS), and kernel length (16.78–31.64 cM on 6A and 51.63–58.40 cM on 3D), respectively. Fifteen QTL clusters that contained 58 QTLs were also detected, and all most stable QTLs were contained in these QTL clusters. Significant correlations between different traits were detected and discussed. These results lay the foundation for fine mapping and cloning of the gene(s) underlying the stable QTLs detected in this study.

Yr41 is an all-stage resistance gene against wheat stripe rust. Previous greenhouse tests showed that Yr41 had strong resistance to races CYR31, CYR32, SY11–4, V26, and so on. To evaluate the contribution of Yr41 in practical wheat production, three F2 populations derived from disease-resistant parents, AIM5 and AIM6, which carry Yr41, and a susceptible parent L661, which lacks Yr41 (i.e., AIM5/L661, AIM6/L661, and L661/AIM5) were employed to investigate resistance responses and yield components under field conditions. Therefore, the molecular marker BE446068, which is closely linked to Yr41, within 0.19 cM, was also employed to identify the F2 plant genotypes. A χ2 test showed that infection type exhibited a significantly skewed distribution in the three genotypes of homogenous RR, heterogeneous Rr, and homogenous rr plants but not in the heterogeneous Rr plants derived from AIM5/L661 at the P = 0.05 level, indicating that Yr41 was effective against stripe rust. Multiple comparison analysis of yield parameters among various genotypes showed that yield parameter TGW exhibited significant differences among the three genotypes of all cross combinations at the P = 0.05 level, and there was no obvious difference in PEP among them, which could be explained by the onset and development of stripe rust. Multiple comparison results suggested that Yr41 could protect yields by preventing decreases in yield parameters, especially TGW, with additive and partial dominant effects. Yr41 will play an important role in the improvement of wheat resistance to stripe rust and wheat production practices and provide a new strategy to evaluate disease resistance under field conditions.

Non-denaturing fluorescence in situ hybridization (ND-FISH) has been used to distinguish wheat chromosomes and to detect alien chromosomes in the wheat genome. In this study, five different oligonucleotide probes were used with ND-FISH to examine 21 wheat cultivars and lines. These oligonucleotide probes distinguished 42 wheat chromosomes and also detected rye chromatin in the wheat genome. Moreover, the signal patterns of the oligonucleotide probes Oligo-pTa535-1 and Oligo-pSc119.2-1 showed high polymorphism in the wheat chromosomes. A total of 17.6% of the A group chromosomes, 25.9% of the B group chromosomes and 8.9% of the D group chromosomes showed obvious mutations when they were compared to the standard ND-FISH signal patterns, and most of them were Oligo-pSc119.2-1 mutants. The results suggested that these polymorphisms could be induced by the crossing of wheat cultivars. The results provided more information for the further application of oligonucleotide probes and ND-FISH.

Rye is one of the most important related species used for wheat genetic improvement and breeding programs. In the present study, five novel 1BL.1RS translocations were developed and characterized from crossing of the common wheat line A42912 and a Chinese rye “Baili”. Codominant PCR and MC-FISH determined that these five translocation lines harbored a pair of 1BL.1RS chromosomes. The MC-FISH results indicated that several accompanying mutations on the wheat chromosomes occurred during the chromosome translocation process. These five new 1BL.1RS translocation lines also exhibited high resistance to stripe rust and powdery mildew and showed significantly better yield traits in the field. The present study indicates that Baili rye may carry yet untapped and potentially important sources of resistance, which may be used for wheat genetic improvement. These five novel primary 1BL.1RS translocations are likely to find application in wheat genetic improvement programs.

Fusarium head blight (FHB), mainly caused by Fusarium graminearum, is one of the most destructive fungal diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Because of the quantitative nature of FHB resistance, its mechanism is poorly understood. We conducted a comparative transcriptome analysis to identify genes that are differentially expressed in FHB-resistant and FHB-susceptible wheat lines grown under field conditions for various periods after F. graminearum infection and determined the chromosomal distribution of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). For each line, the expression in the spike (which exhibits symptoms in the infected plants) was compared with that in the flag leaves (which do not exhibit symptoms in the infected plants). We identified an island of 53 constitutive DEGs in a 140 kb region with high homology to the FhbL693b region on chromosome 3B. Of these genes, 13 were assigned to specific chloroplast-related pathways. Furthermore, one gene encoded inositol monophosphate (IMPa) and two genes encoded ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO). Our findings suggest that the temporary susceptibility in locally infected spikes results from the cross-talk between RuBisCO and IMPa, which blocks secondary signaling pathways mediated by salicylic acid and induces a systemic acquired resistance in the distant leaf tissue.

Powdery resistance putatively derived from Thinopyrum intermedium in the wheat line L962 is controlled by a single dominant gene designated PmL962 and mapped to chromosome arm 2BS. Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), is a destructive disease affecting the production of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Powdery mildew resistance was putatively transferred from Thinopyrum intermedium to the common wheat line L962, which conferred resistance to multiple Chinese Bgt isolates. Genetic analysis of the powdery mildew response was conducted by crossing the resistant line L962 with the susceptible line L983. Disease assessments of the F1, F2, and F2:3 populations from the cross L983/L962 indicated that resistance was controlled by a single dominant gene. A total of 373 F2:3 lines and 781 pairs of genomic simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers were employed to determine the chromosomal location of the resistance gene. The gene was linked to four publicly available and recently developed wheat genomic SSR markers and seven EST-STS markers. The resistance gene was mapped to chromosome arm 2BS based on the locations of the linked markers. Pedigree, molecular marker and resistance response data indicated that the powdery mildew resistance gene in L962 is novel. It was temporarily designated PmL962. It is flanked by Xwmc314 and BE443737at genetic distances of 2.09 and 3.74 cM, respectively, and located in a 20.77 cM interval that is co-linear with a 269.4 kb genomic region on chromosome 5 in Brachypodium distachyon and a 223.5 kb genomic region on rice (Oryza sativa) chromosome 4. The markers that are closely linked to this gene have potential applications in marker-assisted breeding.

Rye has been used worldwide as a source for the genetic improvement of wheat. In this study, two stable wheat-rye primary T1RS.1BL translocation lines were selected from the progeny of the crossing of the wheat cultivar Mianyang11-1 and a Chinese local rye variety, Weining. These two novel translocation lines were identified by molecular cytogenetic analysis. PCR results, multi-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (MC-FISH), and acid polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (A-PAGE) indicated that both new translocation lines harbor a pair of T1RS.1BL translocation chromosomes, and have been named RT828-10 and RT828-11, respectively. The cytogenetic results also indicated that the pSc119.2 signals of 5AL were absent in both lines along with the pSc119.2 signals of 4AL of RT828-11. When inoculated with different stripe rust and powdery mildew isolates, both lines expressed high resistance to Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici and Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici pathotypes, which are prevalent in China and are virulent on Yr9 and Pm8. The line RT828-11 also exhibited excellent agronomic traits in the field. The present study indicates that this rye variety may carry untapped variations that could potentially be used for wheat improvement.

Powdery mildew is one of the serious diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., 2 n = 6 × = 42, genomes AABBDD). Rye (Secale cereale L., 2 n = 2 × = 14, genome RR) offers a rich reservoir of powdery mildew resistant genes for wheat breeding program. However, extensive use of these resistant genes may render them susceptible to new pathogen races because of co-evolution of host and pathogen. Therefore, the continuous exploration of new powdery mildew resistant genes is important to wheat breeding program. In the present study, we identified several wheat-rye addition lines from the progeny of T. aestivum L. Mianyang11 × S. cereale L. Kustro, i.e., monosomic addition lines of the rye chromosomes 4R and 6R; a disomic addition line of 6R; and monotelosomic or ditelosomic addition lines of the long arms of rye chromosomes 4R (4 RL) and 6R (6 RL). All these lines displayed immunity to powdery mildew. Thus, we concluded that both the 4 RL and 6 RL arms of Kustro contain powdery mildew resistant genes. It is the first time to discover that 4 RL arm carries powdery mildew resistant gene. Additionally, wheat lines containing new wheat-rye translocation chromosomes were also obtained: these lines retained a short arm of wheat chromosome 5D (5 DS) on which rye chromosome 4R was fused through the short arm 4 RS (designated 5 DS-4 RS · 4 RL; 4 RL stands for the long arm of rye chromosome 4R); or they had an extra short arm of rye chromosome 4R (4 RS) that was attached to the short arm of wheat chromosome 5D (5 DS) (designated 4 RS-5 DS · 5 DL; 5 DL stands for the long arm of wheat chromosome 5D). These two translocation chromosomes could be transmitted to next generation stably, and the wheat lines containing 5 DS-4 RS · 4 RL chromosome also displayed immunity to powdery mildew. The materials obtained in this study can be used for wheat powdery mildew resistant breeding program.

Increased chromosome instability was induced by a rye (Secale cereale L.) monosomic 2R chromosome into wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Centromere breakage and telomere dysfunction result in high rates of chromosome aberrations, including breakages, fissions, fusions, deletions, and translocations. Plants with target traits were sequentially selected to produce a breeding population, from which 3 translocation lines with target traits have been selected. In these lines, wheat chromosomes 2A, 2B, and 7B recombined with segments of the rye chromosome arm 2RL. This was detected by FISH analysis using repeat sequences pSc119.2, pAs1 and genomic DNA of rye together as probes. The translocation chromosomes in these lines were named as 2ASMR, 2BSMR, and 7BSMR. The small segments that were transferred into wheat consisted of pSc119.2 repeats and other chromatin regions that conferred resistance to stripe rust and expressed target traits. These translocation lines were highly resistant to stripe rust, and expressed several typical traits that were associated with chromosome arm 2RL, which are better than those of its wheat parent, disomic addition, and substitution lines that show agronomic characteristics. The integration of molecular methods and conventional techniques to improve wheat breeding schemes are discussed.