Selection and application of four QTLs for grain protein content in modern wheat cultivars

The grain protein content(GPC)is the key parameter for wheat grain nutritional quality.This study conducted a resampling GWAS analysis using 406 wheat accessions across eight environments,and identified four previously reported GPC QTLs.An analysis of 87 landraces and 259 modern cultivars revealed the loss of superior GPC haplotypes,especially in Chinese cultivars.These haplotypes were preferentially adopted in different agroecological zones and had broad effects on wheat yield and agronomic traits.Most GPC QTLs did not significantly reduce yield,suggesting that high GPC can be achieved without a yield penalty.The results of this study provide a reference for future GPC breeding in wheat using the four identified QTLs.

Analysis of the Conditional Correlations from Different Genetic Systems Between the Protein Content and the Appearance Quality Traits of Indica Rice

A factorial mating design in two environments was conducted using 7 cytoplasmic male sterile lines （A） and 5 restorer lines （R） along with their F1 （A × R） and F2 populations. The unconditional and conditional analyses of genetic models and the corresponding statistic methods, including endospermic, cytoplasmic, and maternal plant genetic systems, were used to analyze the genetic relationships between protein content （PC） and the appearance quality traits of indica rice （Oryza sativa L.）. The results from unconditional analysis indicated that PC was significantly correlated with the appearance quality traits of rice, except for the brown rice thickness （BRT）. Only the genetic covariance between PC and the brown rice width （BRW） was positively correlative, whereas all the other pairwise traits were negatively correlative. The results from conditional analysis revealed that the weight of brown rice （WBR） or the amylose content （AC） could significantly affect the relationships between PC and the appearance quality traits of indica rice. The conditional analysis showed that WBR might negatively affect the relationships between PC and the brown rice length （BRL）, BRW, or BRT through the geuotype x environmental （GE） interaction effects, but positively affected the relationships between PC and the ratio of brown rice length to width （RLW） or the ratio of brown rice length to thickness （RLT）. The amylase content could positively affect the relationships between PC and BRL, RLW, RLT through the cytoplasmic effects and maternal additive effects, but negatively affected the relationships between PC and BRW.

Difference of Phytic Acid Content and its Relation to Four Protein Composition Contents in Grains of Twenty-nine japonica Rice Varieties from Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces,China

Twenty-nine japonica rice varieties collected from Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces, China were planted in Hangzhou, China, to investigate the phytic acid content in brown rice and its frequency distribution as well as the correlation among the contents of phytic acid, total protein and four protein compositions in brown rice. The phytic acid content in brown rice ranged from 0.699% to 1.034%, with a mean of 0.868% for the 29 tested rice varieties. Xiushui series rice varieties generally exhibited lower phytic acid level than Wuyujing and Huai series rice varieties. A rough normal distribution, with a mean of 8.722%, was observed for the total protein contents in the tested varieties. Of the four protein compositions, the glutelin, globulin and albumin contents had larger coefficient of variation than the prolamin content, although the difference in prolamin content was genotype-dependent. No significant correlation was found between the phytic acid and four protein composition contents, whereas the total protein content was significantly and positively related to the glutelin content in brown rice.

Studies on Single Cell Culture in vitro in Wheat——The variation of grain protein content and its fractions from regenerated plants

On the basis of previous studies dealing with the variation of major agronomic and yield characteristics of regenerated plants derived from single cell culture in vitro of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.Cultivar NE 7742), the grain protein content and its fractions from regenerated plants with stable agronomic characteristics were studied from 1992 to 1995. The results showed that the variation of grain protein content and its fractions in somaclones from single cell culture in vitro were very significant and the range was very wide (11531770%). Several types of variation were found in the studies, especially the type with higher protein content than that of cultivar NE 7742 (non-culture parent). Among them, -2069% of lines the grain protein content was significantly higher than that of NE 7742 and combined with high yielding potential. The tendency of variation of the four protein fractions showed that the variation of albumin was not obvious and maintained the same level as NE774 increased in some somaclones and decreased in others. However, the percentages both globulin and glutenin tended to increase. The variation of total amount of structural protein and the ratio between globulin and glutenin tended to increase. The variation of total amount of structural protein and the ratio between globulin and albumm was mainly influenced by globulin under the condition of culture in vitro. The variation of total amount of storage protein and the ratio between gliadin and glutenin was mainly affected by glutenin. The results mentioned above demonstrated that the induction and screening of somaclonal variation could be an effective way in wheat improvement in combining high protein content with high yield.

Effects of Nitrogen Fertigation Rate on Protein Components in Grains and Processing Quality of Different Wheat Varieties

[Objective] This study aimed to explore the effects of nitrogen fertigation rate on the protein components in grains and processing quality of different wheat varieties. [Method] Under the condition of higher soil fertility, different amounts of N-fertilizer were applied in the plots, and then the contents of total protein and its components, percentage of the component content to total protein content as well as the processing quality of grains of two strong-gluten wheat varieties （Linyou145 and Zhengmai9023） and two weak-gluten wheat varieties （Ningmai9 and Baofeng949） were determined. [Result] The contents of total protein and globulin, gliadin and glutenin were improved significantly with the increase of the N-fertilizer amount; but the content of albumin did not show remarkable increase; in addition, the percentage of each protein component was relative stable and did not increase significantly. Increase in the amount of N-fertilizer improved the sedimentation value, wet gluten content, loaf volume and loaf score, decreased the volume weight of grain. [Conclusion] This study provideed theoretical support for high-quality wheat production.

Comparison of Protein Content among Non-diapause Pupae,Diapause Pupae and Eclosion-adult from Diapause Pupae of Papilio memnon

[ Objective] The experiment aimed to explore the diapause mechanism of Papilio memnon L. further. [ Method] The colorimetry method was used to detect protein content of non-diapause pupae, diapause pupae and eclosion-adult from diapause pupae at different developmental stages. [Result] It was showed that the protein content of non-diapause pupae was from 111.768 to 115.030 7 mg/g and the change of protein content during whole pupal stage, while diapause pupae were from 81.218 to 131.623 7 mg/g and the change of protein content was not big from last ten-day period of October to last ten-day pariod of November, however, the content increased from the last ten-day period of November. The protein content of emerging adult was 296.969 3 mg/g. [Conclusion] The change of protein content was related to Papilio memnon at different development stage.

Variations in Phytic Acid Content and Their Relationship with Protein Content and Kernel Morphological Characters of Chinese Winter Wheat Cultivars

[Objective] The aim of this study was to determine the variation of phytic acid content （PAC） and its frequency distribution, as well as the relationship between PAC and protein content, kernel characteristics in 161 Chinese winter wheat cultivars from four regions. [Method] One hundred and sixty-one winter wheat varieties from China Wheat Zones I, II, III and IV （Table 1） were grown in a randomized block de- sign, in the 2009-2011 cropping season; and then the indexes for describing the grain morphological characteristics such as the thousand kernel weight （TKW）, kernel length （KL）, kernel width （KW） and kernel thickness （KT） were measured; the phytic acid content （PAC）, protein content and sedimentation value were also determined; finally, the relationship between PAC and protein content, kernel characteristics were analyzed. [Result] The PAC in the cultivars tested ranged from 0.92% to 1.95% with a mean value of 1.41%. Protein content ranged from 12.60% to 19.20%, with a mean of 15.24%. Most （53.4%） of the wheat genotypes had a PAC value in the range of 1.25% to 1.55%. No significant correlation was found between PAC and protein content, sedimentation value, while protein content and SDS sedimentation value was significant correlated, which suggested the possibility of breeding wheat cultivars that have a low PAC but a high protein content and good gluten quality. There was a high correlation between TKW and KW （,.=0.79）, KL （r=0.50） and KT （r=0.64）. PAC was found having no significant correlation with TKW, KW, KL and KT. [Conclusion] The result suggests the possibility of breeding wheat cultivars that have a low PAC but high kernel weight.

In-situ gas contents of a multi-section coal seam in Sydney basin for coal and gas outburst management

The gas content is crucial for evaluating coal and gas outburst potential in underground coal mining. This study focuses on investigating the in-situ coal seam gas content and gas sorption capacity in a representative coal seam with multiple sections (A1, A2, and A3) in the Sydney basin, where the CO_(2) composition exceeds 90%. The fast direct desorption method and associated devices were described in detail and employed to measure the in-situ gas components (Q_(1), Q_(2), and Q_(3)) of the coal seam. The results show that in-situ total gas content (Q_(T)) ranges from 9.48 m^(3)/t for the A2 section to 14.80 m^(3)/t for the A3 section, surpassing the Level 2 outburst threshold limit value, thereby necessitating gas drainage measures. Among the gas components, Q_(2) demonstrates the highest contribution to Q_(T), ranging between 55% and 70%. Furthermore, high-pressure isothermal gas sorption experiments were conducted on coal samples from each seam section to explore their gas sorption capacity. The Langmuir model accurately characterizes CO_(2) sorption behavior, with ft coefcients (R^(2)) greater than 0.99. Strong positive correlations are observed between in-situ gas content and Langmuir volume, as well as between residual gas content (Q_(3)) and sorption hysteresis. Notably, the A3 seam section is proved to have a higher outburst propensity due to its higher Q_(1) and Q_(2) gas contents, lower sorption hysteresis, and reduced coal toughness f value. The insights derived from the study can contribute to the development of efective gas management strategies and enhance the safety and efciency of coal mining operations.

Protein Content and Amino Acid Composition in Grains of Wheat-Related Species

The protein content and amino acid composition for 17 wheat-related species （WRS） and three common wheats （control） were determined and analyzed, and the essential amino acids （EAAs） in WRS were evaluated according to FAO/WHO amino acid recommendations. The results showed that the mean protein content for WRS was 16.67%, which was 23.21% higher than that for the control. The mean contents （g 100 g^-1 protein） of most amino acids for WRS were lysine 2.74%, threonine 2.83%, phenylalanine 4.17%, isoleucine 3.42%, valine 3.90%, histidine 2.81%, glutamic acid 29.96%, proline 9.12%, glycine 3.59%, alanine 3.37%, and cysteine 1.57%, which were higher than those for the control. The contents of the other 6 amino acids for WRS were lower than those for the control. The materials （Triticum monococcum L., Triticum carthlicum Nevski, and Triticum turgidum L.） contained relatively high concentration of the most deficient EAAs （lysine, threonine, and methionine）. Comparing with FAO/WHO amino acid recommendations, the amino acid scores （AAS） of lysine （49.8%）, threonine （70.7%）, and sulfur-containing amino acids （74.8%） were the lowest, which were considered as the main limiting amino acids in WRS. It was observed that the materials with Triticum urartu Turn. （AA） and Aegilops speltoides Tausch. （SS） genomes had relatively high contents of protein and EAA. The contents of protein （16.91%）, phenylalanine （4.78%）, isoleucine （3.53%）, leucine （6.16%）, and valine （4.09%） for the diploid materials were higher than those for the other materials. These results will provide some information for selecting parents in breeding about nutrient quality and utilization of fine gene in wheat.

Pse-in-One 2.0: An Improved Package of Web Servers for Generating Various Modes of Pseudo Components of DNA, RNA, and Protein Sequences

Pse-in-One 2.0 is a package of web-servers evolved from Pse-in-One (Liu, B., Liu, F., Wang, X., Chen, J. Fang, L. & Chou, K.C. Nucleic Acids Research, 2015, 43:W65-W71). In order to make it more flexible and comprehensive as suggested by many users, the updated package has incorporated 23 new pseudo component modes as well as a series of new feature analysis approaches. It is available at http://bioinformatics.hitsz.edu.cn/Pse-in-One2.0/. Moreover, to maximize the convenience of users, provided is also the stand-alone version called “Pse-in-One-Analysis”, by which users can significantly speed up the analysis of massive sequences.

Effects of Different Nitrogen Fertilizer Levels and Native Soil Properties on Rice Grain Fe, Zn and Protein Contents

Deposition of protein and metal ions （Fe, Zn） in rice grains is a complex polygenic trait showing considerable environmental effect. To analyze the effect of nitrogen application levels and native soil properties on rice grain protein, iron （Fe） and zinc （Zn） contents, 32 rice genotypes were grown at three different locations each under 80 and 120 kg/hm2 nitrogen fertilizer applications. In treatments with nitrogen fertilizer application, the brown rice grain protein content （GPC） increased significantly （1.1% to 7.0%） under higher nitrogen fertilizer application （120 kg/hm2） whereas grain Fe/Zn contents showed non-significant effect of nitrogen application level, thus suggesting that the rate of uptake and translocation of macro-elements does not influence the uptake and translocation of micro-elements. The pH, organic matter content and inherent Fe/Zn levels of native soil showed significant effects on grain Fe and Zn contents of all the rice genotypes. Grain Zn content of almost all the tested rice genotypes was found to increase at Location III having loamy soil texture, neutral pH value （pH 6.83） and higher organic matter content than the other two locations （Locations I and II）, indicating significant influence of native soil properties on brown rice grain Zn content while grain Fe content showed significant genotype × environment interaction effect. Genotypic difference was found to be the most significant factor to affect grain Fe/Zn contents in all the tested rice genotypes, indicating that although native soil properties influence phyto-availability of micronutrients and consequently influencing absorption, translocation and grain deposition of Fe/Zn ions, yet genetic makeup of a plant determines its response to varied soil conditions and other external factors. Two indica rice genotypes R-RF-31 （27.62 μg/g grain Zn content and 7.80% GPC） and R1033-968-2-1 （30.05 μg/g grain Zn content and 8.47% GPC） were identified as high grain Zn and moderate GPC rice genotypes. These results indicate that soil property and organic matter content increase the availability of Fe and Zn in rhizosphere, which in turn enhances the uptake, translocation and redistribution of Fe/Zn into rice grains.

High Temperature During Rice Grain Filling Enhances Aspartate Metabolism in Grains and Results in Accumulation of AspartateFamily Amino Acids and Protein Components

Global warming causes the exacerbation of rice growing environment, which seriously affects rice growth and reproduction, and finally results in the decrease of rice yield and quality. We investigated the activities of aspartate metabolism enzymes in grains, and the contents of Aspartate-family amino acids and protein components to further understand the effects of high temperature （HT） on rice nutritional quality during rice grain filling. Under HT, the average activities of aspartate aminotransferase （AAT） and aspartokinase （AK） in grains significantly increased, the amino acid contents of aspartate （Asp）, lysine （Lys）, threonine （Thr）, methionine （Met） and isoleucine （lie） and the protein contents of albumin, globulin, prolamin and glutelin also significantly increased. The results indicated that HT enhanced Asp metabolism during rice grain filling and the enhancement of Asp metabolism might play an important role in the increase of Asp-family amino acids and protein components in grains. In case of the partial appraisal of the change of Asp-family amino acids and protein components under HT, we introduced eight indicators （amino acid or protein content, ratio of amino acid or protein, amino acid or protein content per grain and amino acid or protein content per panicle） to estimate the effects of HT. It is suggested that HT during rice grain filling was benefit for the accumulation of Asp-family amino acids and protein components. Combined with the improvement of Asp-family amino acid ratio in grains under HT, it is suggested that HT during grain filling may improve the rice nutritional quality. However, the yields of parts of Asp-family amino acids and protein components were decreased under HT during rice grain filling.

Identification of QTL Affecting Protein and Amino Acid Contents in Rice

The phenotypes of protein and amino acid contents were measured in an F9 recombinant inbred line population derived from a cross between Zhenshan 97B and Delong 208. A total of 48 and 64 QTLs were identified in 2004 and 2005, respectively. The contribution of each QTL to the phenotypic variation ranged from 4.0% to 43.7%. Most QTLs co-localized, forming 29 QTL clusters on the chromosomes with three major ones detected in both years, which were mapped on chromosomes 1, 7 and 9, respectively. The two QTL clusters for amino acid content, qAa1 and qAa7, influenced almost all the traits with the allele from Zhenshan 97B, and the third QTL cluster for amino acid content, qAa9, increased the lysine content with the allele from Delong 208. A wide coincidence was found between the QTL detected under this study and the loci involved in amino acid metabolism pathways in nitrogen assimilation and transport, or protein biosynthesis. The results would facilitate the identification of candidate genes and could be used in marker-assisted selection for the favorable allele in rice quality improvement.

Comparison of Near Infrared Spectroscopy Models for Determining Protein and Amylose Contents Between Calibration Samples of Recombinant Inbred Lines and Conventional Varieties of Rice

The near infrared spectra of 178 recombinant inbred lines （RILs） from the cross of Ⅱ-32B/Yuezaoxian 6 （YZX6） and 511 varieties in rice were acquired. A total of 80 RILs and 96 cultivars were selected as modeling samples by comparing the spectra similarity primarily. Three partial least square （PLS） regression models were developed, based on the RILs （RIL-model）, the varieties （Var-model） and their mixture （Mix-model）, for protein content （PC） and amylose content （AC）, respectively. Cross validation and outer prediction showed that the models were largely influenced by the range and distribution of modeling samples. The regression model of PC based on the cultivars and the model of AC based on RILs had higher coefficient of determination （r^2 ≥ 0.9） and lower root mean square error of cross validation （RMSECVs）. The disadvantages of RIL samples for PC model and variety samples for AC model were probably caused by the narrow range of variance. Aberrant predictions were obtained for outer sample with PC or AC outside the range or within the distribution gap of modeling samples. The Mix-models gave more reliable prediction as the distribution of RIL and variety modeling samples were complementary to each other.

Effects of Powdery Mildew on 1 000-Kernel Weight, Crude Protein Content and Yield of Winter Wheat in Three Consecutive Growing Seasons

In order to clarify the impact posed by wheat powdery mildew （Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici） on the yield and yield components in different epidemic seasons, field trials were conducted in three growing seasons, 2009-2010, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, in Langfang City, Hebei Province, China. The relationships between 1000-kernel weight, crude protein content of grain and yield and disease index （DI）, as well as area under disease progress curve （AUDPC） were studied. The models of the percentage of loss of 1000-kernel weight, crude protein content and yield were constructed using DI at critical point （CP） of growth stages （GS） and AUDPC in the three growing seasons, respectively. The CPs for estimating 1 000-kernel weight, crude protein content of grain and yield of wheat caused by powdery mildew were GS 11.1, GS 10.5.3 and GS l 0.5.3, respectively. Models based on DI at CP to estimate the percentage of loss of 1000-kernel weight, crude protein content of grain and yield were better than models based on AUDPC. And models of the percentage of loss of 1000-kernel weight, crude protein content and yield for 2011-2012 season were significant different from these for 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 seasons. These results indicated that besides powdery mildew, weather conditions also had influence on 1 000-kernel weight, crude protein content of grain and yield loss of wheat when powdery mildew occurred.

Effects and Mechanisms of P and K Nutrients on Yield and Protein Content of Fodder Rice

Effects and mechanisms of P and K nutrients on yield and protein content of Weiyou 56, a fodder hybrid rice combination,were studied through pot experiment and biochemical analysis. The results showed that the increase of P and K nutrients enhanced the activities of PEP carboxylase (PEPC), glutamine synthase (GS) and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) in leaves, sucrose synthase (SS), ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase (ADPGP) and GS in grains, and the chlorophyll content in leaves, soluble sugar and starch content in grains, protein N and total N content in leaves and grains. Howerer, they decreased soluble sugar content in leaves and led to an increase of protein content in brown rice, biomass, grain yield and harvest index. Excessive P nutrients slightly reduced SPS and ADPG activity in leaves and grains respectively.

Effects of Waterlogging in Different Growth Stages on the Photosynthesis,Growth,Yield,and Protein Content of Three Wheat Cultivars in Jianghan Plain

To maintain high wheat grain yield in areas where frequent and periodic waterlogging occurs,the effects of waterlogging on the photosynthesis,growth,yield,and protein content of three wheat cultivars,namely Xiangmai55(X55),Jingmai102(J102),and Zhengmai9023(Z9023),in four different growth stages were investigated.Experiments were conducted in specially designed experimental tanks in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River during the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 wheat growing seasons in China.Results showed that X55 was the most susceptible to waterlogging,followed by J102 and Z9023.Chlorophyll content reduction and leaf senescence,which resulted in decreased green-to-total leaf number ratio,were induced to the greatest extents by waterlogging in booting and flowering stages,followed by milky stage.Meanwhile,chlorophyll content in flag leaf,plant height were significantly decreased by waterlogging in jointing stage but effectively recovered after waterlogging withdrawal,and recovery ability varied among the cultivars.Plant biomass and grain yield were most significantly decreased by waterlogging in booting and flowering stages,followed by milky and jointing stages.Grain protein content was also considerably affected by waterlogging depending on growth stage and cultivars.The decreased grain yield caused by waterlogging was mostly due to the sharp decline in 1 000-grain mass.Waterlogging led to reduced protein yield in all growth stages in three wheat cultivars.Above all,in this experiment,waterlogging decreased grain yield significantly,and waterlogging at booting stage and flowering stage was most serious.Comparing the three cultivars,X55 was most sensitive to waterlogging.

Genetic Analysis and Improvement Strategies of Protein Content in Rice Seeds

Enhancing the nutritional quality of food crops is a way to improve human nutrition and health. Grain protein content （ GPC ） is an important nutritional quality trait for rice and many other crops. Therefore, it will be very significant to increase GPC and improve rice quality. This paper mainly reviewed the genetic studies GPC in rice, mapping and cloning of QTLs and genes associated with GPC. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism and gene function related to GPC in rice. Thus, here we put forward the genetic strategy by gene pyramiding or molecular marker assisted selection to improve GPC and nutritional quality in rice. This review could provide important information for genetic improvement of grain nutritional quality of rice.

Rapid and Non-destructive Prediction of Protein Content in Peanut Varieties Using Near-infrared Hyperspectral Imaging Method

This study was undertaken to investigate the feasibility of near-infrared(NIR) hyperspectral imaging(1 000–2 500 nm) for non-destructive and quantitative prediction of protein content in peanut kernels. Partial least squares regression(PLSR) calibration model was established between the spectral data extracted from the hyperspectral images and the reference measured protein content values, with the coefficient of determination of prediction(R_P^2) of 0.885 and root mean square error of prediction(RMSEP) of 0.465%.Regression coefficients(RC) from PLSR analysis were used to identify the most essential wavelengths that had the greatest influence on changes in the protein content. Eight optimal wavelengths were selected by RC and its corresponding simplified RC-PLSR prediction model was also obtained, showing better performance with a higher R_P^2 of 0.870 and a lower RMSEP of 0.494%. The results indicate that hyperspectral imaging with PLSR analysis can be used as a rapid and non-destructive method for predicting protein content in peanut.

STUDIES ON THE OPTIMUM PROTEIN CONTENT AND THE RATIO OF ANIMAL TO PLANT PROTEIN IN THE DIET OF THE BLACK SEA BREAM(SPARUS MACROCEPHALUS)

An experiment on the optimum dietary protein content for the black sea bream using semi-purified dietsshowed the optimum content is 50.19% by weight as inferred from the growth rate and food consumptionof the fish. Another experiment on the proper ratio of animal to plant protein in its diet using sandeel as theanimal protein source and peanut cake meal as plant protein source showed that the ratio had great ef-fect on its growth and should be 1.00:0.89—0.96 as judged from the growth rate and food consumptionof the fish.