Zygmunt Kaczmarek

Natural Occurrence and Distribution of Fusarium Toxins in Contaminated Barley Cultivars

Grain samples of 15 naturally contaminated barley cultivars, collected after harvest in southeastern Poland, were analysed for occurrence of Fusarium trichothecenes and zearalenone (ZEA). Barley kernels were contaminated with the following toxic metabolites: deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-AcDON), 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-AcDON), nivalenol (NIV), HT-2 toxin (HT-2), T-2 toxin (T-2), diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), T-2 tetraol and ZEA. Significant correlations between concentrations of individual toxins and the dominant Fusarium species were found. Moreover, significant differences in toxin concentrations between cultivars were detected. Distribution of these mycotoxins was studied in two fractions of kernels (diameter > 2.5 mm and < 2.5 mm). A two-factor analysis of variance revealed significant differences between the two fractions, and between the analysed cultivars. Most of the interactions between fractions and cultivars were also significant. The highest concentration of the analysed toxins was in the fraction of small kernels. Kernel fraction <2.5 mm, although accounting for only 12.8% of sample weight, contained high proportions of the total toxin content: 80% of DON, 94% of NIV, 85% of ZEA, 83% of T-2 tetraol, 80% of DAS, 68% of HT-2 toxin and 81% of T-2 toxin. The results indicate that the level of contamination with Fusarium trichothecenes and ZEA, can be reduced by rejection of small kernels.

Influence of Ca/Mg ratio on phytoextraction properties of Salix viminalis. II. Secretion of low molecular weight organic acids to the rhizosphere

A hydroponic experiment in a phytotron was performed to investigate the effect of two different Ca/Mg ratios (4:1 and 1:10) and trace element ions (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) in solution on the efficiency of low molecular weight organic acid (LMWOA) formation in Salix viminalis rhizosphere. Depending on the Ca/Mg ratio and presence of selected trace elements at 0.5mM concentration, the amount and kind of LMWOAs in the rhizosphere were significantly affected. In physiological 4:1 Ca/Mg ratio the following complex of acids was observed: malonic (Pb, Zn), citric, lactic, maleic and succinic (Zn) acids. Under 1:10 Ca/Mg ratio, citric (Cd, Zn), maleic and succinic (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) acids were seen. Additionally, high accumulation of zinc and copper in all systems was observed, with the exception of those where one of the metals was at higher concentration. Summing up, the results indicate a significant role of LMWOAs in Salix phytoremediation abilities. Both effects can be modulated depending on the mutual Ca/Mg ratio.

A multivariate approach to the problem of QTL localization.

QTL mapping with statistical likelihood-based procedures or asymptotically equivalent regression methods is usually carried out in a univariate way, even if many traits were observed in the experiment. Some proposals for multivariate QTL mapping by an extension of the maximum likelihood method for mixture models or by an application of the canonical transformation have been given in the literature. This paper describes a method of analysis of multitrait data sets, aimed at localization of QTLs contributing to many traits simultaneously, which is based on the linear model of multivariate multiple regression. A special form of the canonical analysis is employed to decompose the test statistic for the general no-QTL hypothesis into components pertaining to individual traits and individual, putative QTLs. Extended linear hypotheses are used to formulate conjectures concerning pleiotropy. A practical mapping algorithm is described. The theory is illustrated with the analysis of data from a study of maize drought resistance.

2C DNA variation and relationships among New World species of the genus Lupinus (Fabaceae)

The 2C DNA values in 38 species and accessions of the genus Lupinus (Fabaceae) from the New World have been analysed using flow cytometry. They are representatives of North and South American species (the Atlantic and the Andean regions). Estimated 2C DNA values ranged from 1.08 pg in L. pusillus to 2.68 pg in L. albicaulis (both from North America), that is a variation of more than 2.5-fold. The variation for North American lupins was much higher than that for South American ones. Statistical analysis of the data resulted in a grouping that showed for North American lupins some correlation with the length of life cycle. Discussion concerns some aspects of the evolution of the genus.

Differential physiological and molecular response of barley genotypes to water deficit.

Changes in physiological parameters (relative water content (RWC), biomass, water use efficiency (WUE), net photosynthetic yield (PN) and quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm)), in proline and sugar content, and expression profile of genes reported to be associated with the barley response to water deficit, including LEA genes, NHX1, Hsdr4, BLT101 and genes encoding transcription factors (HvDREB1, HvABF1, HvABI5 and HvZIP1), were analyzed in seedlings of nine barley genotypes subjected to a progressive increase in water deficit. Seedlings of all genotypes wilted when the soil water content (SWC) declined from 65% (control conditions) to 10% (severe drought conditions), but recovered turgor within a few hours of re-watering. However, when severe drought conditions were prolonged for a week, large differences in survival characteristics were observed between genotypes after re-watering. Multivariate analysis of the changes in physiological and molecular characteristics allowed several different homogenous groups within the genotypes to be distinguished, depending on stress intensity. Furthermore, integration between the stress-response traits was found and was shown to vary depending on the genotype and the stress level. Based on analysis of physiological traits and survival characteristics, two barley genotypes with high adaptability to the stress conditions (cv. Saida and breeding line Cam/B1), and two with low adaptability (cv. Express and breeding line Harmal), were identified. In addition, only changes in expression of the genes HvZIP1, encoding a b-ZIP-type transcription factor, and Hsdr4, encoding a protein of unknown function, were shown to be linked with adaptability of barley to water deficit. In summary, physiological and molecular data revealed large, stress-level-dependent differences between the barley cultivars and breeding lines tested in their response to water deficit.

Scab Response and Moniliformin Accumulation in Kernels of Oat Genotypes Inoculated with Fusarium avenaceum in Poland

Inoculation experiments with 14 genotypes of oats (10 cultivars and 4 lines) were performed during 1996, 1997 and 1998 in Sitaniec, South-Eastern Poland. Panicles of oats were inoculated with a conidial suspension of Fusarium avenaceum, which caused a reduction in yield by 33% and in 1000 kernel weight (TKW) by 21%. During the period between inoculation and harvest, F. avenaceum was able to accumulate moniliformin (MON) in kernels at an average level of 0.13mgkg−1 (μgg−1). The highest reduction of yield components caused by the F. avenaceum inoculation was found for cv. Santor, followed by lines CHD 1171, STH 2795 and cvs: Kwant and Farys, while cvs Slawko, Dukat, Borys and Komes exhibited the highest resistance to the disease in terms of TKW and yield reductions after inoculation.

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.

Influence of Ca/Mg Ratio on Phytoextraction Properties of Salix Viminalis I. The Effectiveness of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn Bioaccumulation and Plant Growth

Phytoremediation and its efficiency—influenced by several factors—is prime concern in reduction of environment contamination with heavy metals. The aim of the study was to estimate in controlled conditions - in relation to the natural Ca/Mg ratio 4:1—the influence of different Ca/Mg ratios (1:1/4, 20:1, 1:10) on selected heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) accumulation efficiency shown by three morphological parts of Salix viminalis ‘Cinamomea’ (cane bark, shoots and roots). Accumulation of heavy metals in experimental conditions was significantly Ca/Mg ratio dependent, and occurred in the following order: 1:10 > 4:1 > 20:1 > 1:1/4. The highest accumulation under 0.5 mM solutions (as compared to 0.1 mM) was noted for copper and zinc, and the lowest for cadmium. Biometric parameters of Salix viminalis cuttings revealed the highest biomass productivity under 20:1 and 4:1 Ca/Mg ratios. In the case of shoot length increase, both metal concentration and kind of metal present in the solution were important. The results indicate that higher calcium ion concentration in solution (Ca/Mg 20:1) stimulates Salix viminalis growth by 3 fold when compared to other Ca/Mg ratio. It can be an important factor in remediation of the environment with this plant.

Efficiency of Zn phytoextraction, biomass yield and formation of low-molecular-weight organic acids in S × rubens – a hydroponic experiment

The aim of the study was to estimate Zn phytoextraction and changes in biomass of S × rubens growing in modified Knops solution with different levels of Zn addition (0.5, 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 mM). Obtained results were correlated with secretion of selected low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) in the rhizosphere, roots and leaves. An increase in Zn concentration in Knops solution resulted in Zn accumulation in roots, shoots and leaves. The highest accumulation was observed for plants growing in 5 mM Zn, at concentration levels 4741.36 ± 98.66, 1227.31 ± 16.57 and 2241.65 ± 34.90 mg kg−1 DW in roots, shoots and leaves, respectively. The bioaccumulation factor and the translocation factor for plants growing in 0.5, 1.0 and 2.5 mM Zn clearly indicate that this Salix taxon is an effective Zn accumulator. The general reduction of Salix biomass with an increase in Zn concentration in the solution was observed. In the rhizosphere, the total LMWOA concentration was almost 0.93 µmol kg−1 DM for control (Zn free) plants, while for 5.0 mM of Zn it was 4.9 µmol kg−1 DM. Increasing concentrations of acids were observed in roots (1.34 for the control and 5.57 µmol kg−1 DM for plants treated with 2.5 mM of Zn).

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.