Application of potassium nitrate and salicylic acid improves grain yield and related traits by delaying leaf senescence in Gpc-B1 carrying advanced wheat genotypes.

Grain protein content (GPC) is an important quality trait that effectively modulates end-use quality and nutritional characteristics of wheat flour-based food products. The Gpc-B1 gene is responsible for the higher protein content in wheat grain. In addition to higher GPC, the Gpc-B1 is also generally associated with reduced grain filling period which eventually causes the yield penalty in wheat. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of potassium nitrate (PN) and salicylic acid (SA) on the physiological characteristics of a set of twelve genotypes, including nine isogenic wheat lines carrying the Gpc-B1 gene and three elite wheat varieties with no Gpc-B1 gene, grown at wheat experimental area of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, PAU, Punjab, India. The PN application significantly increased the number of grains per spike (GPS) by 6.42 grains, number of days to maturity (DTM) by 1.03 days, 1000-grain weight (TGW) by 1.97 g and yield per plot (YPP) by 0.2 kg/plot. As a result of PN spray, the flag leaf chlorophyll content was significantly enhanced by 2.35 CCI at anthesis stage and by 1.96 CCI at 10 days after anthesis in all the tested genotypes. Furthermore, the PN application also significantly increased the flag leaf nitrogen content by an average of 0.52% at booting stage and by 0.35% at both anthesis and 10 days after anthesis in all the evaluated genotypes. In addition, the yellow peduncle colour at 30 days after anthesis was also increased by 19.08% while the straw nitrogen content was improved by 0.17% in all the genotypes. The preliminary experiment conducted using SA demonstrated a significant increase in DTM and other yield component traits. The DTM increased by an average of 2.31 days, GPS enhanced by approximately 3.17 grains, TGW improved by 1.13g, and YPP increased by 0.21 kg/plot. The foliar application of PN and SA had no significant effect on GPC itself. The findings of the present study suggests that applications of PN and SA can effectively mitigate the yield penalty associated with Gpc-B1 gene by extending grain filling period in the wheat.

Genome-wide association study unravels genomic regions associated with chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under different sowing conditions.

KEY MESSAGE: Genome-wide association study identified 205 significant marker-trait associations for chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in wheat. Candidate gene mining, in silico expression, and promoter analyses revealed the potential candidate genes associated with the studied parameters. The present study investigated the effect of varied sowing conditions (viz., early, timely, and late) on different chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in diverse wheat germplasm set comprising of 198 lines over two cropping seasons (2020-2021 and 2021-2022). Further, a genome-wide association study was conducted to identify potential genomic regions associated with these parameters. The results revealed significant impacts of sowing conditions on all fluorescence parameters, with the maximum and minimum effects on FI (26.64%) and FV/FM (2.12%), respectively. Among the 205 marker-trait associations (MTAs) identified, 11 high-confidence MTAs were chosen, exhibiting substantial effects on multiple fluorescence parameters, and each explaining more than 10% of the phenotypic variation. Through gene mining of genomic regions encompassing high-confidence MTAs, we identified a total of 626 unique gene models. In silico expression analysis revealed 42 genes with an expression value exceeding 2 TPM. Among them, 10 genes were identified as potential candidate genes with functional relevance to enhanced photosynthetic efficiency. These genes mainly encoded for the following important proteins/products-ankyrin repeat protein, 2Fe-2S ferredoxin-type iron-sulfur-binding domain, NADH-ubiquinone reductase complex-1 MLRQ subunit, oxidoreductase FAD/NAD(P)-binding, photosystem-I PsaF, and protein kinases. Promoter analysis revealed the presence of light-responsive (viz., GT1-motif, TCCC-motif, I-box, GT1-motif, TCT-motif, and SP-1) and stress-responsive (viz., ABRE, AuxRR-core, GARE-motif, and ARE) cis-regulatory elements, which may be involved in the regulation of identified putative candidate genes. Findings from this study could directly help wheat breeders in selecting lines with favorable alleles for chlorophyll fluorescence, while the identified markers will facilitate marker-assisted selection of potential genomic regions for improved photosynthesis.

Ascertaining yield and grain protein content stability in wheat genotypes having the Gpc-B1 gene using univariate, multivariate, and correlation analysis.

The high performance and stability of wheat genotypes for yield, grain protein content (GPC), and other desirable traits are critical for varietal development and food and nutritional security. Likewise, the genotype by environment (G × E) interaction (GEI) should be thoroughly investigated and favorably utilized whenever genotype selection decisions are made. The present study was planned with the following two major objectives: 1) determination of GEI for some advanced wheat genotypes across four locations (Ludhiana, Ballowal, Patiala, and Bathinda) of Punjab, India; and 2) selection of the best genotypes with high GPC and yield in various environments. Different univariate [Eberhart and Ruessll's models; Perkins and Jinks' models; Wrike's Ecovalence; and Francis and Kannenberg's models], multivariate (AMMI and GGE biplot), and correlation analyses were used to interpret the data from the multi-environmental trial (MET). Consequently, both the univariate and multivariate analyses provided almost similar results regarding the top-performing and stable genotypes. The analysis of variance revealed that variation due to environment, genotype, and GEI was highly significant at the 0.01 and 0.001 levels of significance for all studied traits. The days to flowering, plant height, spikelets per spike, grain per spike, days to maturity, and 1000-grain weight were specifically affected by the environment, whereas yield was mainly affected by the environment and GEI. Genotypes, on the other hand, had a greater impact on the GPC than environmental conditions. As a result, a multi-environmental investigation was necessary to identify the GEI for wheat genotype selection because the GEI was very significant for all of the evaluated traits. Yield, 1000-grain weight, spikelet per spike, and days to maturity were observed to have positive correlations, implying the feasibility of their simultaneous selection for yield enhancement. However, GPC was observed to have a negative correlation with yield. Patiala was found to be the most discriminating environment for both yield and GPC and also the most effective representative environment for GPC, whereas Ludhiana was found to be the most effective representative environment for yield. Eventually, two NILs (BWL7508, and BWL7511) were selected as the top across all environments for both yield and GPC.

Eighty years of gene-for-gene relationship and its applications in identification and utilization of R genes.

The gene-for-gene relationship of host-pathogen interaction explained by H. H. Flor in mid of the 20th century set a milestone in understanding the biochemical and genetic basis of plant diseases and several components involved in plant-pathogen interactions. It highlighted the importance of accomplishing differential sets and understanding the pathogen population structure, it further led to the identification and cloning of several resistance (R) genes in plants. These R genes have been deployed and altered for fighting against diseases in a large number of crops using various conventional approaches and biotechnological tools. Identification of R genes and their corresponding Avr genes in many cases played a significant role in understanding of R-Avr gene interactions. Rapid cloning of R genes and editing of susceptible R genes are the other avenues that have broadened the horizon of utilizing R genes in crop improvement programmes. Further, combining R genes with quantitative disease resistance genes has paved the way to develop durable resistance in cultivars. The recent advances in genetics, genomics, bioinformatics and other OMICS tools are now providing greater prospects for deeper understanding of host-pathogen interaction.

Resurrection of Wheat Cultivar PBW343 Using Marker-Assisted Gene Pyramiding for Rust Resistance.

Wheat variety PBW343, released in India in 1995, became the most widely grown cultivar in the country by the year 2000 owing to its wide adaptability and yield potential. It initially succumbed to leaf rust, and resistance genes Lr24 and Lr28 were transferred to PBW343. After an unbroken reign of about 10 years, the virulence against gene Yr27 made PBW343 susceptible to stripe rust. Owing to its wide adaptability and yield potential, PBW343 became the prime target for marker-assisted introgression of stripe rust resistance genes. The leaf rust-resistant versions formed the base for pyramiding stripe rust resistance genes Yr5, Yr10, Yr15, Yr17, and Yr70, in different introgression programs. Advanced breeding lines with different gene combinations, PBW665, PBW683, PBW698, and PBW703 were tested in national trials but could not be released as varieties. The genes from alien segments, Aegilops ventricosa (Lr37/Yr17/Sr38) and Aegilops umbellulata (Lr76/Yr70), were later pyramided in PBW343. Modified marker-assisted backcross breeding was performed, and 81.57% of the genetic background was recovered in one of the selected derivative lines, PBW723. This line was evaluated in coordinated national trials and was released for cultivation under timely sown irrigated conditions in the North Western Plain Zone of India. PBW723 yields an average of 58.0 qtl/ha in Punjab with high potential yields. The genes incorporated are susceptible to stripe rust individually, but PBW723 with both genes showed enhanced resistance. Three years post-release, PBW723 occupies approximately 8-9% of the cultivated area in the Punjab state. A regular inflow of diverse resistant genes, their rapid mobilization to most productive backgrounds, and keeping a close eye on pathogen evolution is essential to protect the overall progress for productivity and resistance in wheat breeding, thus helping breeders to keep pace with pathogen evolution.

Pyramiding of High Grain Weight With Stripe Rust and Leaf Rust Resistance in Elite Indian Wheat Cultivar Using a Combination of Marker Assisted and Phenotypic Selection.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important cereal crop globally as well as in India and yield improvement programs encounter a strong impediment from ever-evolving rust pathogens. Hence, durable rust resistance is always a priority trait for wheat breeders globally. Grain weight, represented as thousand grain weight (TGW), is the most important yield-contributing trait in wheat. In the present study high TGW has been transferred into two elite Indian wheat cultivars PBW343 and PBW550 from a high TGW genotype, Rye selection 111, selected from local germplasm. In the background of PBW343 and PBW550, an increase in TGW upto 27.34 and 18% was observed, respectively (with respect to recipient parents), through conventional backcross breeding with phenotypic selections in 3 years replicated RBD trials. Resistance to leaf rust and stripe rust has been incorporated in the high TGW version of PBW550 through marker assisted pyramiding of stripe rust resistance gene Yr15 using marker Xuhw302, and a pair of linked leaf rust and stripe rust resistance genes Lr57-Yr40 using marker Ta5DS-2754099_kasp23. Improved versions of PBW550 with increased TGW ranging from 45.0 to 46.2 g (up to a 9% increase) and stacked genes for stripe and leaf rust resistance have been developed. This study serves as proof of utilizing conventional breeding and phenotypic selection combined with modern marker assisted selection in improvement of important wheat cultivars as a symbiont of conventional and moderan techniques.

Assessment of nutritional and quality traits in biofortified bread wheat genotypes.

Cereal crops are the rich source of nutritional components that play an important role in micronutrient malnutrition. Biofortification is one of the most successful approaches to enhance the level of micronutrients, mainly targeted in bread wheat. Bread wheat is one of main sources of calories and proteins in the developing countries. In the present study, 50 bread wheat genotypes characterized for the zinc and iron content, the most important micronutrients. On the basis of the results, the nineteen genotypes were selected and evaluated for biochemical as well as quality parameters. The protein content, gluten quantity and quality found to be reduced in high zinc containing genotypes, whereas the total soluble sugars, total carotenoids, proline and grain hardness found to be in positive relation with high micronutrient content. These results could be useful to generate bread wheat varieties rich in micronutrients as well as better nutritional and quality traits.