Tadeusz Adamski

Analysis of Drought-Induced Proteomic and Metabolomic Changes in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Leaves and Roots Unravels Some Aspects of Biochemical Mechanisms Involved in Drought Tolerance.

In this study, proteomic and metabolomic changes in leaves and roots of two barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes, with contrasting drought tolerance, subjected to water deficit were investigated. Our two-dimensional electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF and MALDI-TOF/TOF) analyses revealed 121 drought-responsive proteins in leaves and 182 in roots of both genotypes. Many of the identified drought-responsive proteins were associated with processes that are typically severely affected during water deficit, including photosynthesis and carbon metabolism. However, the highest number of identified leaf and root proteins represented general defense mechanisms. In addition, changes in the accumulation of proteins that represent processes formerly unassociated with drought response, e.g., phenylpropanoid metabolism, were also identified. Our tandem gas chromatography – time of flight mass spectrometry (GC/MS TOF) analyses revealed approximately 100 drought-affected low molecular weight compounds representing various metabolite types with amino acids being the most affected metabolite class. We compared the results from proteomic and metabolomic analyses to search for existing relationship between these two levels of molecular organization. We also uncovered organ specificity of the observed changes and revealed differences in the response to water deficit of drought susceptible and tolerant barley lines. Particularly, our results indicated that several of identified proteins and metabolites whose accumulation levels were increased with drought in the analyzed susceptible barley variety revealed elevated constitutive accumulation levels in the drought-resistant line. This may suggest that constitutive biochemical predisposition represents a better drought tolerance mechanism than inducible responses.

Effects of the semi-dwarfing sdw1/denso gene in barley

Recent advances in cereal genomics have made it possible to analyse the architecture of cereal genomes and their expressed components, leading to an increase in our knowledge of those genes that are associated with the key agronomical traits. Presently, use of a dwarfing gene in breeding process is crucial for the development of modern cultivars. In barley, more than 30 types of dwarfs or semi-dwarfs have been hitherto described. However, only a few of them have been successfully used in barley breeding programs. Both breeding and molecular mapping experiments were undertaken to enhance and evaluate the performance of semi-dwarf barley lines. The semi-dwarfing cultivars had improved lodging resistance and a higher harvest index. There have been a lot of investigations that have contributed new information to our basic understanding of the mechanisms underlying growth regulations in barley. This paper reviews semi-dwarfing genes in barley in general and special attention is paid to mapping of the sdw1/denso locus, changes in protein abundance and associations of the semi-dwarfness with gibberellins.

The relationship between grain hardness, dough mixing parameters and bread-making quality in winter wheat.

The influence of grain hardness, determined by using molecular markers and physical methods (near-infrared (NIR) technique and particle size index—PSI) on dough characteristics, which in turn were determined with the use of a farinograph and reomixer, as well as bread-making properties were studied. The material covered 24 winter wheat genotypes differing in grain hardness. The field experiment was conducted at standard and increased levels of nitrogen fertilization. Results of molecular analyses were in agreement with those obtained by the use of physical methods for soft-grained lines. Some lines classified as hard (by physical methods) appeared to have the wild-type Pina and Pinb alleles, similar to soft lines. Differences in dough and bread-making properties between lines classified as hard and soft on the basis of molecular data appeared to be of less significance than the differences between lines classified as hard and soft on the basis of physical analyses of grain texture. Values of relative grain hardness at the increased nitrogen fertilization level were significantly higher. At both fertilization levels the NIR parameter determining grain hardness was significantly positively correlated with the wet gluten and sedimentation values, with most of the rheological parameters and bread yield. Values of this parameter correlated with quality characteristics in a higher degree than values of particle size index.

Methods to predict transgressive segregation in barley and other self-pollinated crops

Most of agronomically important characters are biometric traits. An improvement of these traits in cultivated plants by deriving segregants superior to parents, which could be developed as cultivars, is a main goal in breeding of self-pollinated crops. Two problems need to be solved: when will the progeny be better than its parents and how can a genetic potential of a given pair of parental genotypes be predicted? In this paper, transgressive segregation in homozygous barley populations is shortly reviewed. Various approaches to choosing parental forms are shown, and a theoretical method for predicting the frequency of transgressive segregants in a homozygous population is presented. Additionally, relationships between parental diversity estimated with molecular markers and the progeny performance are discussed. Although the prediction of transgressive segregation is still a problem, it seems promising to apply an approach measuring the performance of the parental genotypes and estimating their genetic distance by molecular markers.

Quantitative trait loci for plant height in Maresi × CamB barley population and their associations with yield-related traits under different water regimes

High-yielding capacity of the modern barley varieties is mostly dependent on the sources of semi-dwarfness associated with the sdw1/denso locus. The objective of the study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with the plant height and yield potential of barley recombinant inbred lines (RILs) grown under various soil moisture regimes. The plant material was developed from a hybrid between the Maresi (European cv.) and CamB (Syrian cv.). A total of 103 QTLs affecting analysed traits were detected and 36 of them showed stable effects over environments. In total, ten QTLs were found to be significant only under water shortage conditions. Nine QTLs affecting the length of main stem were detected on 2H-6H chromosomes. In four of the detected QTLs, alleles contributed by Maresi had negative effects on that trait, the most significant being the QLSt-3H.1-1 in the 3H.1 linkage group. The close linkage between QTLs identified around the sdw1/denso locus, with positive alleles contributed by Maresi, indicates that the semi-dwarf cv. Maresi could serve as a donor of favourable traits resulting in grain yield improvement, also under water scarcity. Molecular analyses revealed that the Syrian cv. also contributed alleles which increased the yield potential. Available barley resources of genomic annotations were employed to the biological interpretation of detected QTLs. This approach revealed 26 over-represented Gene Ontology terms. In the projected support intervals of QGWSl-5H.3-2 and QLSt-5H.3 on the chromosome 5H, four genes annotated to ‘response to stress’ were found. It suggests that these QTL-regions may be involved in a response of plant to a wide range of environmental disturbances.

Effect of Genotype, Environment and Their Interaction on Quality Parameters of Wheat Breeding Lines of Diverse Grain Hardness

Abstract Understanding the contribution of genotype, environment and genotype-by-environment interaction to wheat grain quality facilitates the selection for quality in breeding programs. Stability of grain quality characteristics is an important requirement in the baking industry. We assessed 24 winter wheat genotypes with different grain hardness in multienvironment trials at four locations and two levels of fertilization in each location. Grain samples were analyzed for hardness, protein and starch content, and wet gluten content, Zeleny sedimentation value, alveograph parameter (W) and hectoliter weight. All parameters were evaluated on whole grains using the near infrared transmittance technique. Differences between hard and soft genotypes appeared to be significant, apart from grain hardness, for protein content, Zeleny test and alveograph parameter. Genotype was found to have a major influence only on grain hardness; for protein content, wet gluten and Zeleny sedimentation value environment prevailed the influence of genotype, and for starch content, alveograph W parameter and hectoliter weight both sources of variation had similar importance. Genotype-by-environment interaction was of smaller size relative to genotype and environment in terms of all the studied quality parameters. Stable genotypes predominate the breeding lines studied. Response of unstable genotypes to environmental conditions was nonlinear in most cases.

Identification of Tillering Node Proteins Differentially Accumulated in Barley Recombinant Inbred Lines with Different Juvenile Growth Habits

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an important cereal crop grown for both the feed and malting industries. The allelic dwarfing gene sdw1/denso has been used throughout the world to develop commercial barley varieties. Proteomic analysis offers a new approach to identify a broad spectrum of genes that are expressed in the living system. Two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry were applied to investigate changes in protein abundance associated with different juvenile growth habit as effect of the denso locus in barley homozygous lines derived from a Maresi × Pomo cross combination. A total of 31 protein spots were revealed that demonstrate quantitative differences in protein abundance between the analyzed plants with different juvenile growth habit, and these protein spots were selected to be identified by mass spectrometry. Identification was successful for 27 spots, and functional annotations of proteins revealed that most of them are involved in metabolism and disease/defense-related processes. Functions of the identified proteins and their probable influence on the growth habit in barley are discussed.

Phenotypic distribution of barley SSD lines and doubled haploids derived from F1 and F2 hybrids

SummaryThe doubled haploid (DH) system and the single seed descent (SSD) technique are frequently applied in breeding of self-pollinated crops to rapidly obtain homozygous lines from heterozygous hybrids. This study presents a comparison of populations of barley DH and SSD lines in terms of traits of stem structure. The SSD and DH lines derived from F1 and F2 hybrids Roland x Apex were examined in a field experiment. On the basis of a comparison of means, variances and correlations between traits in the F1DH, F2DH and SSD populations the occurrence/absence of linkage between genes responsible for the analysed traits was inferred. Independent inheritance was found for 1000-grain weight and the length of particular internodes, spike length and stem wall thickness. Moreover, no linkage was found for stem wall thickness and spike length, length of internodes I, II and thickness of stem walls, stem diameter and thickness of stem walls. The results obtained for the other pairs of traits indicate the presence of linkage.

QTLs for earliness and yield-forming traits in the Lubuski × CamB barley RIL population under various water regimes

Drought has become more frequent in Central Europe causing large losses in cereal yields, especially of spring crops. The development of new varieties with increased tolerance to drought is a key tool for improvement of agricultural productivity. Material for the study consisted of 100 barley recombinant inbred lines (RILs) (LCam) derived from the cross between Syrian and European parents. The RILs and parental genotypes were examined in greenhouse experiments under well-watered and water-deficit conditions. During vegetation the date of heading, yield and yield-related traits were measured. RIL population was genotyped with microsatellite and single nucleotide polymorphism markers. This population, together with two other populations, was the basis for the consensus map construction, which was used for identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting the traits. The studied lines showed a large variability in heading date. It was noted that drought-treatment negatively affected the yield and its components, especially when applied at the flag leaf stage. In total, 60 QTLs were detected on all the barley chromosomes. The largest number of QTLs was found on chromosome 2H. The main QTL associated with heading, located on chromosome 2H (Q.HD.LC-2H), was identified at SNP marker 5880–2547, in the vicinity of Ppd-H1 gene. SNP 5880–2547 was also the closest marker to QTLs associated with plant architecture, spike morphology and grain yield. The present study showed that the earliness allele from the Syrian parent, as introduced into the genome of an European variety could result in an improvement of barley yield performance under drought conditions.

Evaluation of susceptibility of auto- and alloplasmic barley DH lines to Fusarium seedling blight

Auto- and alloplasmic doubled haploid (DH) lines of barley were examined for susceptibility to Fusarium culmorum (W.G.Sm.) Sacc. (isolate KF350) seedling blight. Inoculated kernels were incubated at 20 °C in a chamber saturated to 100% RH a with 12/12 h dark/light cycle. Germination capacity, disease score on a 5-degree scale and root length were evaluated. The data were analysed statistically using three-factor analysis of variance. It was observed that the infection score of roots of DH lines with H. bulbosum cytoplasm was higher than that of their autoplasmic analogues. Length of infected seedling roots expressed as per cent of the control root length ranged from 81 to 56% in autoplasmic DH lines and from 60 to 48% in alloplasmic lines. These differences were statistically significant (at P = 0.01). It was evident, that H. bulbosum cytoplasm increase susceptibility of barley genotypes to Fusarium seedling blight.