Fine mapping and characterization of stripe rust resistance gene YrAYH in near-isogenic lines derived from a cross involving wheat landrace Anyuehong

Stripe rust,caused by Puccinia striiformis f.sp.tritici(Pst),is a devastating disease in wheat worldwide.Discovering and characterizing new resistance genes/QTL is crucial for wheat breeding programs.In this study,we fine-mapped and characterized a stripe rust resistance gene,YRAYH,on chromosome arm 5BL in the Chinese wheat landrace Anyuehong(AYH).Evaluations of stripe rust response to prevalent Chinese Pst races in near-isogenic lines derived from a cross of Anyuehong and Taichung 29 showed that YrAYH conferred a high level of resistance at all growth stages.Fine mapping using a large segregating population of 9748 plants,narrowed the YRAYH locus to a 3.7 Mb interval on chromosome arm 5BL that included 61 annotated genes.Transcriptome analysis of two NIL pairs identified 64 upregulated differentially expressed genes(DEGs)in the resistant NILs(NILs-R).Annotations indicated that many of these genes have roles in plant disease resistance pathways.Through a combined approach of fine-mapping and transcriptome sequencing,we identified a serine/threonine-protein kinase SRPK as a candidate gene underlying YrAYH.A unique 25 bp insertion was identified in the NILs-R compared to the NILs-S and previously published wheat genomes.An InDel marker was developed and co-segregated with YrAYH.Agronomic trait evaluation of the NILs suggested that YrAYH not only reduces the impact of stripe rust but was also associated with a gene that increases plant height and spike length.

Identification of loci and candidate genes controlling kernel weight in barley based on a population for which whole genome assemblies are available for both parents

Kernel weight(KW), together with kernel number per unit area, determines yield of cereal crops. Here,two barley recombinant inbred lines(RILs) populations with a shared parent were used to identify loci controlling KW. One is Baudin/AWCS276(BA) for which a linkage map was available. Several largeeffect QTL controlling KW were detected in this population. Another is Morex/AWCS276(MA). A linkage map with 5273 makers formed 1454 clusters, was constructed by the genotyping by sequence(GBS) data of 201 RILs from this population. A single marker was selected to represent each of the clusters and the linkage map constructed with these markers covers a total length of 1022.4 c M with an average interval of approximately 0.7 cM between loci. Three of the large-effect loci controlling KW(located on 2 HL, 6 HL,and 7 HL, respectively) identified from the BA population were also detected in the MA population under different environments. The locus on 6 HL was detected in each of the experiments conducted for both populations thus was selected for developing near isogenic lines(NILs). Apart from KW, the two isolines for each pair of the putative NILs obtained showed no significant difference for any of the morphological characteristics assessed. The average difference in KW between the isolines for all the NILs obtained was about 15% based on assessments under both glasshouse and field conditions. Taken advantage that high quality genome assemblies for both Morex and AWCS276 are available, we identified candidate genes underlying two of the three loci based on an orthologous analysis. The NILs developed and the candidate genes identified in this study should facilitate the cloning and functional analysis of genes regulating KW in barley.

Fine mapping and transcriptome sequencing reveal candidate genes conferring all-stage resistance to stripe rust on chromosome arm 1AL in Chinese wheat landrace AS1676

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici(Pst), threatens wheat production worldwide, and resistant varieties tend to become susceptible after a period of cultivation owing to the variation of pathogen races. In this study, a new resistance gene against Pst race CYR34 was identified and predicted using the descendants of a cross between AS1676, a highly resistant Chinese landrace, and Avocet S, a susceptible cultivar. From a heterozygous plant from a F7recombinant inbred line(RIL) population lacking the Yr18 gene, a near-isogenic line(NIL) population was developed to map the resistance gene. An allstage resistance gene, YrAS1676, was identified on chromosome arm 1AL via bulked-segregant exomecapture sequencing. By analyzing a large NIL population consisting of 6537 plants, the gene was further mapped to the marker interval between KA1A_485.36 and KA1A_490.13, spanning 485.36–490.13 Mb on1AL. A total of 66 annotated genes have been reported in this region. To characterize and predict the candidate gene(s), an RNA-seq was performed using NIL-R and NIL-S seedlings 3 days after CYR34 inoculation. Compared to NIL-S plants, NIL-R plants showed stronger immune reaction and higher expression levels of genes encoding pathogenesis-associated proteins. These differences may help to explain why NIL-R plants were more resistant to Pst race CYR34 than NIL-S plants. By combining fine-mapping and transcriptome sequencing, a calcium-dependent protein kinase gene was finally predicted as the potential candidate gene of YrAS1676. This gene contained a single-nucleotide polymorphism. The candidate gene was more highly expressed in NIL-R than in NIL-S plants. In field experiments with Pst challenge,the YrAS1676 genotype showed mitigation of disease damage and yield loss without adverse effects on tested agronomic traits. These results suggest that YrAS1676 has potential use in wheat stripe rust resistance breeding.

QTL mapping for grain number per spikelet in wheat using a high-density genetic map

Grain number per spikelet (GNS) is a key determinant of grain yield in wheat.A recombinant inbred line population comprising 300 lines was developed from a cross between a high GNS variety H461 and Chinese Spring from which the reference genome assembly of bread wheat was obtained.Both parents and the recombinant inbred lines were genotyped using the wheat 55K single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) array.A high-density genetic map containing 21,197 SNPs was obtained.These markers covered each of the 21 chromosomes with a total linkage distance of 3792.71 c M.Locations of these markers in this linkage map were highly consistent with their physical locations in the genome assembly of Chinese Spring.The two parents and the whole RIL population were assessed for GNS in two consecutive years at two different locations.Based on multi-environment phenotype data and best liner unbiased prediction values,three quantitative trait loci (QTL) for GNS were identified.One of them located on chromosomes 2B and the other two on 2D.Phenotypic variation explained by these loci varied from 3.07%to26.57%.One of these QTL,QGns.sicau-2D-2,was identified in each of all trials conducted.Based on the best linear unbiased prediction values,this locus explained 19.59%–26.57%of phenotypic variation.A KASP(Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR) marker closely linked with this locus was generated and used to validate the effects of this locus in three different genetic backgrounds.The identified QTL and the KASP marker developed for it will be highly valuable in fine-mapping the locus and in exploiting it for markerassisted selection in wheat breeding programs.

A major vernalization-independent QTL for tiller angle on chromosome arm 2BL in bread wheat

Tiller angle(TA)strongly influences plant architecture and grain yield in cereals.However,the genetic basis of TA in wheat is largely unknown.We identified three TA-related quantitative trait loci(QTL).One of them was QTa.sau-2 B-769,a major QTL localized on chromosome arm 2 BL.QTa.sau-2 B-769 was detected in seven environments,explaining 18.1%–51.1%of phenotypic variance.We developed a linked Kompetitive Allele-Specific Polymerase chain reaction(KASP)marker,KASP-AX-108792274,to further validate this locus in three additional populations in multiple environments.QTa.sau-2 B-769 increased TA by up to 24.9%in these populations.There were significant and positive correlations between TA and flag leaf angle(FLANG).However,TA was not correlated with plant height or anthesis date,suggesting that expression of QTa.sau-2 B-769 is independent of vernalization.Traes CS2 B01 G583800,a gene known to be involved in leaf angle regulation,was identified as the most likely candidate gene for QTa.sau-2 B-769.These results enrich our understanding of the mechanisms regulating wheat TA at maturity and may support precise mapping and cloning of gene(s)underlying QTa.sau-2 B-769.

Mapping a stable adult-plant stripe rust resistance QTL on chromosome 6AL in Chinese wheat landrace Yibinzhuermai

Stripe rust,caused by Puccinia striiformis f.sp.tritici(Pst),is one of the most important diseases threatening the yield and stability of wheat production in China and many other countries.Identification and utilization of new genes for durable stripe rust resistance are important for ongoing control of this disease.The objectives of this study were to identify quantitative trait loci(QTL)associated with adult-plant stripe rust resistance in the Chinese wheat landrace Yibinzhuermai(YBZR)and to provide wheat breeders with new sources of potentially durable resistance.A total of 117 recombinant inbred lines(RILs)(F5:8)derived from a cross between YBZR and highly susceptible cultivar Taichung 29(TC29)were assessed for stripe rust severity in field experiments at Wenjiang in 2016 and 2017 and Chongzhou in 2016,2017,2018,and 2019 in Sichuan following inoculation with a mixture of current Pst races.The RILs were genotyped using the Wheat55K single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)array.Three QTL were identified on chromosome arms 6AL,5BL and 7DS.QYr.YBZR-6AL and QYr.YBZR-7DS conferred major effects in all field environments,explaining 10.6%to 14.7%and 11.5%to 21.2%of phenotypic variation,respectively.The QTL on 5BL and 7DS likely correspond to previously known QTL,whereas QYr.YBZR-6AL is probably novel.Haplotype analysis revealed that the resistance allele at QYr.YBZR-6AL was present in 2.8%of 324 Chinese wheat landraces.SNP markers closely linked with QYr.YBZR-6AL were converted to kompetitive allele-specific PCR markers and validated in the RIL population and a subset of 92 wheat cultivars.QYr.YBZR-6AL and its markers should be useful in breeding programs to improve the level and durability of stripe rust resistance.

体育锻炼对促进学生心理健康的方法研究

心理健康是学生健康成长和学习文化知识的前提。随着学生心理问题不断增多,心理健康教育也越来越重要;体育锻炼不仅能促进学生身体健康成长,也有助于学生的心理健康发展。通过阐述学生心理问题的表现、成因以及体育锻炼对心理健康发展的意义,探讨了促进学生心理健康的体育锻炼方法及成效。

Isolation and characterization of an isoamylase gene from rye

Genomic DNA and cDNA sequences of an isoamylase gene were isolated and characterized from the rye genome. The full-lengths of the rye isoamylase gene are 7351 bp for genomic DNA and 2364 bp for cDNA. There are 18 exons and 17 introns in the genomic sequence, which shares a similar organization with homologous genes from Aegilops tauschii, maize, rice and Arabidopsis. Exon regions of rye and other plant isoamylase genes are more conserved than the introns. High sequence similarity(>95%) was observed in mature proteins of isoamylase genes originating from rye, Ae. tauschii, wheat and barley. The transcript profile revealed that rye isoamylase is mainly expressed in the seed endosperm with a maximum level at the middle developmental stage(15 DPA). A phylogenetic tree based on the deduced aa sequences of mature proteins from rye and other plant isoamylases indicated that rye isoamylase is more closely related to Ae. tauschii wDBE1 and wheat iso1. This is the first report on identification and characterization of the isoamylase gene from rye, making it possible to explore the roles of this enzyme for amylopectin development in rye and triticale.

Transcriptomic comparison to identify rapidly evolving genes in Braya humilis

The Brassicaceae species Braya humilis shows broad adaptation to different climatic zones and latitudes. However, the molecular adaptation mechanism of B. humilis is poorly understood. In China, B. humilis is mainly distributed on the QinghaiTibetan Plateau(QTP) and in the adjacent arid region. Previous transcriptome analysis of B. humilis has revealed that 39 salt and osmotic stress response genes are subjected to purifying selection during its speciation. To further explore the adaptation mechanism of B. humilis to an arid environment, OrthoMCL program was employed in this study and 6,268 pairs of orthologous gene pairs with high confidence were obtained between B. humilis and Arabidopsis thaliana. A comparative evolutionary analysis based on nonsynonymous to synonymous substitution ratio(Ka/Ks) was then conducted. There were 64 pairs exhibiting a Ka/Ks ratio more than 0.5 and among which, three instrumental candidate genes, T20487,T22576, and T23757, were identified with strong selection signatures(Ka/Ks >1). The corresponding A. thaliana orthologs are double-stranded RNA-binding domain protein, MADS-box family protein, and NADH-dehydrogenase subunit6, which is encoded by mitochondria genome. This report not only demonstrates the adaptation contribution of fast evolving nuclear genes, but also highlights the potential adaptive value of mitochondria gene to the speciation and adaptation of B. humilis toward the extreme environment in an arid region.

Ultra-low threshold continuous-wave quantum dot mini-BIC lasers

Highly compact lasers with ultra-low threshold and single-mode continuous wave(CW)operation have been a long sought-after component for photonic integrated circuits(PICs).Photonic bound states in the continuum(BICs),due to their excellent ability of trapping light and enhancing light-matter interaction,have been investigated in lasing configurations combining various BIC cavities and optical gain materials.However,the realization of BIC laser with a highly compact size and an ultra-low CW threshold has remained elusive.We demonstrate room temperature CW BIC lasers in the 1310 nm O-band wavelength range,by fabricating a miniaturized BIC cavity in an InAs/GaAs epitaxial quantum dot(QD)gain membrane.By enabling effective trapping of both light and carriers in all three dimensions,ultra-low threshold of 12μW(0.052 kW cm^(-2))is achieved at room temperature.Single-mode lasing is also realized in cavities as small as only 5×5 unit cells(~2.5×2.5μm^(2) cavity size)with a mode volume of 1.16(λ/n)^(3).The maximum operation temperature reaches 70℃ with a characteristic temperature of T_(0)~93.9 K.With its advantages in terms of a small footprint,ultra-low power consumption,and adaptability for integration,the mini-BIC lasers offer a perspective light source for future PICs aimed at high-capacity optical communications,sensing and quantum information.

Bright semiconductor single-photon sources pumped by heterogeneously integrated micropillar lasers with electrical injections

The emerging hybrid integrated quantum photonics combines the advantages of different functional components into a single chip to meet the stringent requirements for quantum information processing.Despite the tremendous progress in hybrid integrations of III-V quantum emitters with silicon-based photonic circuits and superconducting single-photon detectors,on-chip optical excitations of quantum emitters via miniaturized lasers towards single-photon sources(SPSs)with low power consumptions,small device footprints,and excellent coherence properties is highly desirable yet illusive.In this work,we present realizations of bright semiconductor SPSs heterogeneously integrated with on-chip electrically-injected microlasers.Different from previous one-by-one transfer printing technique implemented in hybrid quantum dot(QD)photonic devices,multiple deterministically coupled QD-circular Bragg Grating(CBG)SPSs were integrated with electrically-injected micropillar lasers at one time via a potentially scalable transfer printing process assisted by the wide-field photoluminescence(PL)imaging technique.Optically pumped by electrically-injected microlasers,pure single photons are generated with a high-brightness of a count rate of 3.8 M/s and an extraction efficiency of 25.44%.Such a high-brightness is due to the enhancement by the cavity mode of the CBG,which is confirmed by a Purcell factor of 2.5.Our work provides a powerful tool for advancing hybrid integrated quantum photonics in general and boosts the developments for realizing highly-compact,energy-efficient and coherent SPSs in particular.

The plant terpenes DMNT and TMTT function as signaling compounds that attract Asian corn borer(Ostrinia furnacalis) to maize plants

During their co-evolution with herbivorous insects,plants have developed multiple defense strategies that resist pests,such as releasing a blend of herbivory-induced plant volatiles(HIPVs)that repel pests or recruit their natural enemies.However,the responses of insects to HIPVs in maize(Zea mays L.) are not well understood.Here,we demonstrate that the Asian corn borer(ACB,Ostrinia furnacalis),a major insect pest of maize,shows a preference for maize pre-infested with ACB larvae rather than being repelled by these plants.Through combined transcriptomic and metabolomics analysis of ACB-infested maize seedlings,we identified two substances that explain this behavior:(E)-4,8-dimethylnona-1,3,7-triene(DMNT) and(3E,7E)-4,8,12-trimethyltrideca-1,3,7,11-tetraene(TMTT).DMNT and TMTT attracted ACB larvae,and knocking out the maize genes responsible for their biosynthesis via gene editing impaired this attraction.External supplementation with DMNT/TMTT hampered the larvae's ability to locate pre-infested maize.These findings uncover a novel role for DMNT and TMTT in driving the behavior of ACB.Genetic modification of maize to make it less detectable by ACB might be an effective strategy for developing maize germplasm resistant to ACB and for managing this pest effectively in the field.

Dual-resonance enhanced quantum light-matter interactions in deterministically coupled quantum-dot-micropillars

Optical microcavities have widely been employed to enhance either the optical excitation or the photon emission processes for boosting light-matter interactions at the nanoscale.When both the excitation and emission processes are simultaneously facilitated by the optical resonances provided by the microcavities,as referred to the dual-resonance condition in this article,the performances of many nanophotonic devices approach to the optima.In this work,we present versatile accessing of dual-resonance conditions in deterministically coupled quantum-dot(QD)-micropillars,which enables emission from neutral exciton(X)—charged exciton(CX)transition with improved single-photon purity.In addition,the rarely observed up-converted single-photon emission process is achieved under dual-resonance conditions.We further exploit the vectorial nature of the high-order cavity modes to significantly improve the excitation efficiency under the dual-resonance condition.The dual-resonance enhanced light-matter interactions in the quantum regime provide a viable path for developing integrated quantum photonic devices based on cavity quantum electrodynamics(QED)effect,e.g.,highly efficient quantum light sources and quantum logical gates.

Bright and pure single-photons from quantum dots in micropillar cavities under up-converted excitation

Self-assembled semiconductor quantum dots(QDs)are potentially scalable candidates for solid-state single-photon emitters which deterministically generate one single-photon per excitation.Such on-demand single-photon sources serve as one of the key elements in modern photonic quantum technologies[1].Until very recently,near-optimal QD single-photon sources with simultaneous high degree of brightness,single-photon purity and indistin-