Investigation of Aegilops umbellulata for stripe rust resistance,heading date,and the contents of iron,zinc,and gluten protein

Aegilops umbellulata(UU)is a wheat wild relative that has potential use in the genetic improvement of wheat.In this study,46 Ae.umbellulata accessions were investigated for stripe rust resistance,heading date(HD),and the contents of iron(Fe),zinc(Zn),and seed gluten proteins.Forty-two of the accessions were classified as resistant to stripe rust,while the other four accessions were classified as susceptible to stripe rust in four environments.The average HD of Ae.umbellulata was significantly longer than that of three common wheat cultivars(180.9 d vs.137.0 d),with the exception of PI226500(138.9 d).The Ae.umbellulata accessions also showed high variability in Fe(69.74-348.09 mg kg^(-1))and Zn(49.83-101.65 mg kg^(-1))contents.Three accessions(viz.,PI542362,PI542363,and PI554399)showed relatively higher Fe(230.96-348.09 mg kg^(-1))and Zn(92.46-101.65 mg kg^(-1))contents than the others.The Fe content of Ae.umbellulata was similar to those of Ae.comosa and Ae.markgrafii but higher than those of Ae.tauschii and common wheat.Aegilops umbellulata showed a higher Zn content than Ae.tauschii,Ae.comosa,and common wheat,but a lower content than Ae.markgrafii.Furthermore,Ae.umbellulata had the highest proportion of γ-gliadin among all the species investigated(Ae.umbellulata vs.other species=mean 72.11%vs.49.37%;range:55.33-86.99%vs.29.60-67.91%).These results demonstrated that Ae.umbellulata exhibits great diversity in the investigated traits,so it can provide a potential gene pool for the genetic improvement of these traits in wheat.

Genetic Analysis and Molecular Tagging a Novel Yellow Rust Resistance Gene Derived from Synthetic Hexaploid Wheat Germplasm M08

Yellow rust of wheat （caused by Puccinia striiformis Westend. f. sp. tritici Eriks.） has been periodically epidemic and severely damaged wheat production in China. The development of resistant cultivars could be an effective way to reduce yield losses of wheat caused by yellow rust. Rust reaction tests and genetic analysis indicated that M08, the synthetic hexaploid wheat derived from hybridization between Triticum durum （2n = 6X = 28; genome AABB） and Aegilops tauschii （2n = 2X = 14; genome DD）, showed resistance to current prevailing yellow rust races at seedling stage, which was controlled by a single dominant gene, designated as YrAm. Bulked segregant analysis was used to identify microsatellite markers linked to gene YrAm in an F2 population derived from cross M08 （resistant） × Jinan 17 （susceptible）. Three microsatellite marker loci Xgwm77, Xgwm285, and Xgwml31 located on chromosome 3B were mapped to the YrAm locus. Xgwml31 was the closest marker locus and showed a linkage distance of 7.8 cM to the resistance locus. Thus, it is assumed that YrAm for resistance to yellow rust may be derived from Triticum durum and is located on the long arm of chromosome 3B.

Evaluation of Wheat Stripe Rust Resistance in Sichuan Province

Wheat stripe rust,caused by Puccinia striiformis Westend. f. sp. tritici Erikss.（ Pst）,is one of the most destructive diseases of wheat（ Triticum aestivum L.） worldwide. Sichuan province plays an important role in stripe rust epidemic in China. To identify and evaluate wheat stripe rust resistance in Sichuan Province,134 wheat cultivars（ lines） were inoculated with seven Pst races at seedling stage and adult stage. The results indicated that the resistance frequencies of wheat cultivars（ lines） against seven races CYR31,Su11-7,CYR29,Su11-4,CYR32,CYR33 and V26 were 92. 4%,92. 5%,89. 3%,89. 4%,87. 3%,85. 0% and 82. 8%,respectively. Among 134 materials,76（ 56. 0%） performed resistance against all tested races both in seedling and adult stages. The virulence of new pathogenic type V26 of Pst on wheat cultivars（ lines） was stronger than the dominant races CYR32 and CYR33. All wheat cultivars（ lines） were classified into three types according to analysis of resistance spectrum; 66. 4% of cultivars（ lines） showed all-stage resistance,17. 9% were adult-plant resistance,and 15. 7% were susceptible. This indicated that although the overall resistance level of wheat cultivars（ lines） in Sichuan Province was very high,the resistance type was simple. Therefore,it is important to identify new resistance genes and enhance resistance gene diversity. Meanwhile,pyramiding breeding of all-stage resistance gene and adult-plant resistance gene could be gradually developed,to achieve durable resistance of wheat cultivars（lines） against stripe rust in Sichuan Province.

The Stripe Rust Resistance Gene Yr10 Encodes an Evolutionary-Conserved and Unique CC-NBS-LRR Sequence in Wheat

The first seedling or all-stage resistance （R） R gene against stripe rust isolated from Moro wheat （Triticum aes- tivum L.） using a map-based cloning approach was identified as Yr10. Clone 4B of this gene encodes a highly evolutionary- conserved and unique CC-NBS-LRR sequence. Clone 4E, a homolog of Yr10, but lacking transcription start site （TSS） and putative TATA-box and CAAT-box, is likely a non-expressed pseudogene. Clones 4B and 4E are 84% identical and divergent in the intron and the LRR domain. Gene silencing and transgenesis were used in conjunction with inoculation with differen- tially avirulent and virulent stripe rust strains to demonstrate Yr10 functionality. The Yr10 CC-NBS-LRR sequence is unique among known CC-NBS-LRR R genes in wheat but highly conserved homologs （E = 0.0） were identified in Aegilops tauschii and other monocots including Hordeum vulgare and Brachypodium distachyon. Related sequences were also identified in genomic databases of maize, rice, and in sorghum. This is the first report of a CC-NBS-LRR resistance gene in plants with limited homologies in its native host, but with numerous homologous R genes in related monocots that are either host or non-hosts for stripe rust. These results represent a unique example of gene evolution and dispersion across species.

Combined linkage and association mapping reveals two major QTL for stripe rust adult plant resistance in Shaanmai 155 and their haplotype variation in common wheat germplasm

The development and deployment of diverse resistance sources in new wheat cultivars underpin the durable control of stripe rust.In the present study,two loci for adult plant resistance(APR),QYr SM155.1 and QYr SM155.2,were identified in the Chinese wheat breeding line Shaanmai 155.QYr SM155.1 was mapped to a 3.0-c M interval between the single-nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)markers AX-109583610 and AX-110907562 on chromosome arm 2 BL.QYr SM155.2 was mapped to a 2.1-c M interval flanked by the SNP markers AX-110378556 and AX-86173526 on chromosome arm 7 AS.A genome-wide association study was used to identify markers associated with APR in a panel of 411 spring wheat lines.Thirteen and 11 SNPs were significantly associated with QYr SM155.1 and QYr SM155.2,respectively,corresponding to physical intervals of 653.75–655.52 Mb on 2 BL and 81.63–83.93 Mb on7 AS.To characterize the haplotype variation and the distribution of these QTL,haplotype analysis was performed based on these SNPs in an independent panel of 1101 worldwide wheat accessions.Three major haplotypes(2 B_h1,2 B_h2,and 2 B_h3)for QYr SM155.1 and four major haplotypes(7 A_h1,7 A_h2,7 A_h3,and 7 A_h4)for QYr SM155.2 were identified.Accessions individually harboring QYr SM155.1_h1 and QYr SM155.2_h1 haplotypes and their combination displayed resistance.Additional assays of 1306 current Chinese cultivars and breeding lines using markers flanking QYr SM155.1 and QYr SM155.2 indicated that the resistance haplotypes of the two QTL were present in respectively 1.45%and 14.16%of lines.Increasing resistance haplotype frequencies at these two loci using marker-assisted selection should benefit wheat production in China.

Variation in Chromosome Constitution of the Xiaoyan Series Partial Amphiploids and Its Relationship to Stripe Rust and Stem Rust Resistance

The wild relatives of wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） contain tremendous amounts of potentially useful genes and represent a promising source of genetic diversity for wheat improvement （Bommineni and Jauhar, 1997）. Thinopyrum ponticum （Popd.） Barkworth and D. R. Dewey [syn. Agropyron elongatum （Host） P. Beauv., Elytrigia pontica （Podp.） Holub, Lophopy- rum ponticum （Podp.） A. L6ve] （2n = 10x = 70）, has high crossability with various Triticum species. Numerous studies have shown that Th. ponticum carries many potentially valu- able resistance genes against biotic and abiotic stresses （Shannon, 1978; Cox, 1991; Zheng et al., 2014a,b）. Transferring the useful genes from Th. ponticum to common wheat through chromosome engineering had been a successful way to enhance the resistance of wheat to pests and diseases （Sharma et al., 1989; McIntosh, 1991）.

Isolation and Characterization of NBS-LRR Class Resistance Homologous Gene from Wheat

One resistance gene analog fragment named RGA-CIN14 was isolated from TcLr19 wheat,which contains kinase-2,kinase-3a,and the GLPL motif of the NBS-spanning region,using degenerated primers according to the nucleotide binding site （NBS） conserved domain.Based on the RGA-CIN14,a full-length cDNA,CIN14,which was 2 987 bp encoding 880 amino acids,was obtained by using the method of the rapid amplification cDNA ends （RACE）.Bioinformatics analysis showed that the deduced amino acids of CIN14 protein consisted of a NB-ARC conserved domain and many leucine-rich repeats （LRR） domains.The phylogenetic tree analysis indicated a considerable identity of the protein encoded by CIN14 with that of wheat leaf rust resistance gene Lr1,but a lower similarity with Lr21.The expression profile of the CIN14 gene detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that the CIN14 gene was not induced by Puccinia triticina and it was a constitutive gene with low abundance in the wheat leaf tissue.The resistance homology sequence was successfully obtained,which provides the shortcut for cloning of the resistance gene in TcLr19 wheat.

Release of Stem Rust Resistant Wheat Varieties for Commercial Production in Kenya

Detection in 1999 of a new stem rust （Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici） race Ug99 in Uganda with broad virulence including the virulence for Sr31 and its migration to Kenya and Ethiopia has been recognized as a significant threat to local and world wheat production. All the Current Kenyan commercial varieties are susceptible to this race. This study was aimed at identifying suitable wheat varieties with resistance to Ug99 and replacing the susceptible commercial varieties through multi-locational testing and variety release. Thirty three lines were identified from a prescreen population of 104 lines and tested in 3 wheat growing regions in Kenya for two seasons in 2006 and 2007. The resulting four superior lines were evaluated under the National Performance Trial （NPT） where two lines which out-performed the best check variety were released as for commercial production. ＇Robin＇ was the best line and out yielded the commercial variety by 27%. ＂Eaglel0＂ was the second best and was better significantly than the check variety. These two lines which combined both adult plant resistant gene Sr2 complex and other major genes are expected to have some durable resistance and may be used to replace the current susceptible commercial varieties grown in Kenya.

Molecular Mapping of Two Novel Stripe Rust Resistant Genes YrTp1 and YrTp2 in A-3 Derived from Triticum aestivum × Thinopyrum ponticum

Loss of variety resistance to stripe rust （Puccinia striiformis Westend f. sp.tritici） is an important factor causing massive periodical epidemic of rust in wheat production. Creation and development of new races of rust pathogen have led to serious crisis of resistance loss in widely planted varieties. This has quickened the search for new resistance resources. Molecular marker could facilitate the identification of the location of novel genes. A line A-3 with high resistance （immune） to currently epidemic yellow rust races （CY29, 31, 32） was screened out in offspring of Triticum aestivura x Thinopyrum ponticum. Segregation in F2 and BC1 populations indicated that the resistance was controlled by two independent genes： one dominant and one recessive. SSR markers were employed to map the two resistant genes in the F2 and BC1 populations. A marker WMC477-167bp located on 2BS was linked to the dominant gene with genetic distance of 0.4 cM. Another marker WMC364-2os bp located on 7BS was linked to the recessive-resistant gene with genetic distance of 5.8 cM. The two genes identified in this paper might be two novel stripe rust resistant genes, which were temporarily designated as YrTpl and YrTp2, respectively. The tightly linking markers facilitate transfer of the two resistant genes into the new varieties to control epidemic of yellow rust.

Pyramiding the disease resistant genes to southern rust and stalk rot in maize(Zea mays L.) with marker-assisted selection

Southern corn rust(SCR) caused by Puccinia polysora Underw and maize stalk rot caused by Pythium inflatum Matthews(MSR-2) are two destructive diseases of maize(Zea mays L.) in China.Our previous studies indicated that maize inbred line Qi319 is highly resistant to SCR but susceptible to MSR-2,while inbred line 1145 is highly resistant to MSR-2 but susceptible to SCR.The SCR resistant gene(RppQ) in Qi319 and MSR-2 resistant gene(Rpi1) in 1145 have been mapped on chromosome 10 and 4 respectively.In this research,through marker-assisted selection(MAS) with the molecular markers,bnlg1937 tightly linked to Rpi1 and phi041 tightly linked to RppQ,pyramid breeding of the two kinds of disease resistant genes were carried out from the year of 2003 to 2007.Two homozygotic inbred lines of F5 generation,DR94-1-1-1 and DR36-1-1-1 were identified.MAS result suggested DR94-1-1-1 and DR36-1-1-1 contained the two resistance genes RppQ and Rpi1.Field inoculation tests confirmed their high resistance to the two diseases.In addition,field investigation indicated that the two selected inbred lines,particularly DR94-1-1-1,had excellent agronomic traits such as plant height,ear height and yield-relating traits including ear length,ear diameter,ear weight,kernels per ear,kernels per row and kernel weight per ear.The two selected inbred lines DR94-1-1-1 and DR36-1-1-1 can either be directly developed into commercial variety or used as immediate donors of SCR and MSR resistance breeding programs in maize.

Development of Triticum aestivume——Leymus mollis Translocation Lines and Identification of Resistance to Stripe Rust

Wheat stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is one of the most widely distributed and destructive fungal diseases worldwide. Since 1995, most Chinese wheat cultivars have lost their stripe rust resistance due to the subsequent emergence of the new races CYR30, CYR31, CYR32, and CYR33 （Han et al., 2010）. Therefore, it is necessary to seek effective resistance genes and develop new resistance germ- plasm for wheat resistance breeding.

Characterization of Three Novel Wheat LThinopyrum intermedium Addition Lines with Novel Storage Protein Subunits and Resistance to Both Powdery Mildew and Stripe Rust

Wide hybridization is an effective approach for enhancing the resistance of bread wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） to biotic and abiotic stresses by introducing favorable alien genes （Sepsi et al., 2008）. Wheatgrass, Thinopyrum intermedium （Host） Barkworth ＆ D.R. Dewey or Agropyron intermedium （Host） Beauvoir （2n = 42; genome formula JJjSjSstst）, is a perennial species in the tribe Triticeae and an important source of wheat improvement for biotic and abiotic stress resistance and quality-related traits, such as high grain protein concentration （Chen et al., 1998; 2001; 2003; Han et al., 2004; Li and Wang, 2009）. In addition, the ready crossing ability of wheatgrass with various Triticum species has made it popular in germ- plasm development.

Corrosion behavior of low alloy steels in a wet–dry acid humid environment

The corrosion behavior of corrosion resistant steel（CRS） in a simulated wet–dry acid humid environment was investigated and compared with carbon steel（CS） using corrosion loss, polarization curves, X-ray diffraction（XRD）, scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, electron probe micro-analysis（EPMA）, N2 adsorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy（XPS）. The results show that the corrosion kinetics of both steels were closely related to the composition and compactness of the rust, and the electrochemical properties of rusted steel. Small amounts of Cu, Cr, and Ni in CRS increased the amount of amorphous phases and decreased the content of γ-Fe OOH in the rust, resulting in higher compactness and electrochemical stability of the CRS rust. The elements Cu, Cr, and Ni were uniformly distributed in the CRS rust and formed CuFeO2, Cu2O, CrOOH, NiFe2O4, and Ni2O3, which enhanced the corrosion resistance of CRS in the wet–dry acid humid environment.

Corrosion Behavior of S450EW Low-alloy Weathering Steel in Cyclically Alternate Corrosion Environments

Weathering steel is widely used in various fields due to its excellent mechanical properties and high corrosion resistance. The effect of chromium content on the S450 EW weathering steel in cyclic immersion test was studied. The results indicated that the corrosion resistance of S450 EW weathering steel is closely related to chromium content. The addition of chromium significantly inhibited the weathering steel corrosion. The corrosion rate of experimental steel after 96 h immersion was 1.101 g·m-2·h-1. The rust of S450 EW weathering steel was mainly constituted of Fe OOH and Fe3O4 phase, and the elevation of chromium content promoted the formation of α-Fe OOH. The fine precipitates of the two phases contributed to the formation of dense dust layer of test steel. Furthermore, the increase of chromium is beneficial for the cure of original defects and cracks of the rust layer via the enrichment of chromium. The corrosion potential and the resistance of corrosion process were thus increased, protecting the experimental steel from further corrosion. A S450 EW steel with corrosion resistance more than 1.5 times of Q450NQR1 steel was prepared.