Tissue specific expression of UMAMIT amino acid transporters in wheat

Wheat grain protein content and composition are important for its end-use quality. Protein synthesis during the grain filling phase is supported by the amino acids remobilized from the vegetative tissue, the process in which both amino acid importers and exporters are expected to be involved. Previous studies identified amino acid importers that might function in the amino acid remobilization in wheat. However, the amino acid exporters involved in this process have been unexplored so far. In this study, we have curated the Usually Multiple Amino acids Move In and out Transporter (UMAMIT) family of transporters in wheat. As expected, the majority of UMAMITs were found as triads in the A, B, and D genomes of wheat. Expression analysis using publicly available data sets identified groups of TaUMAMITs expressed in root, leaf, spike, stem and grain tissues, many of which were temporarily regulated. Strong expression of TaUMAMITs was detected in the late senescing leaves and transfer cells in grains, both of which are the expected site of apoplastic amino acid transport during grain filling. Biochemical characterization of selected TaUMAMITs revealed that TaUMAMIT17 shows a strong amino acid export activity and might play a role in amino acid transfer to the grains.

Analysis of historical selection in winter wheat

Winter wheat is a major crop with a rich selection history in the modern era of crop breeding. Genetic gains across economically important traits like yield have been well characterized and are the major force driving its production. Winter wheat is also an excellent model for analyzing historical genetic selection. As a proof of concept, we analyze two major collections of winter wheat varieties that were bred in western Europe from 1916 to 2010, namely the Triticeae Genome (TG) and WAGTAIL panels, which include 333 and 403 varieties respectively. We develop and apply a selection mapping approach, Regression of Alleles on Years (RALLY), in these panels, as well as in simulated populations. RALLY maps loci under sustained historical selection by using a simple logistic model to regress allele counts on years of variety release. To control for drift-induced allele frequency change, we develop a hybrid approach of genomic control and delta control. Within the TG panel, we identify 22 significant RALLY quantitative selection loci (QSLs) and estimate the local heritabilities for 12 traits across these QSLs. By correlating predicted marker effects with RALLY regression estimates, we show that alleles whose frequencies have increased over time are heavily biased towards conferring positive yield effect, but negative effects in flowering time, lodging, plant height and grain protein content. Altogether, our results (1) demonstrate the use of RALLY to identify selected genomic regions while controlling for drift, and (2) reveal key patterns in the historical selection in winter wheat and guide its future breeding.

The Future of Climate Resilience in Wheat

As the most widely cultivated crop globally - providing 20% of all human calories and protein - there is an urgent need to increase wheat’s resilience to harsher climates [1]. The risk of simultaneous crop failures due to heat and/or drought in global “breadbaskets” has risen and is projected to rise further [2-4]. Severe water scarcity events are predicted for up to 60% of the world’s wheat-growing areas by the end of this century [5]. Furthermore, for each 1°C increase in average seasonal temperature, it is predicted that wheat yields will decrease by 6% on average globally, and much more in some already marginal environments where wheat is a traditional staple food [6,7]. At the current rate of yield gain, wheat production is predicted to fall well short of future demand due to population growth alone. Emerging environmental threats only make the challenge harder. On top of this, demand by consumers, farmers and the food industry is predicted to increase due to wheat’s high grain-protein content relative to other cereals, wide growing range and adaptability to most environmental stresses. Since farmer adoption of improved cultivars is a critical part of adaptation [8], new and more targeted breeding efforts are needed to ensure that wheat's climate resilience is maximized [9-11]. This article briefly outlines research that has been conducted and current research needs to develop climate resilient wheat.

Deciphering the effect of different nitrogen doses on grain protein content, quality attributes and yield related traits of rice

Understanding the gravity of nutritional significance of rice (Oryza sativa L.) protein, an experiment conducted in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) involving effect of nitrogen (N) rates i.e.,140 kg N/ha, 120 kg N/ha, 100 kg N/ha and 80 kg N/ha on grain protein content, yield parameters and cooking characteristics of polished rice from eight rice genotypes was conducted. N application significantly affected the grain protein content, grain yield, head rice recovery, plant height and effective tillers. In high protein cultivars substantially low to intermediate amylose content and more cooking time was recorded while in low protein counterpart amylose content was comparatively high with low cooking time. Maximum cooking time in polished rice was of 25 min at 180 kg N/ha dose and highest amylose content of about 27% at 80 kg N/ha. Gumminess and hardness of cooked rice and cooking time significantly elevated with increase in N dose. The substantial differences in grain protein content in brown, polished and cooked rice was observed. Cooking revealed the significant increase in protein content ranged from 50%-70% in low protein to high protein genotypes. R-RGM-ATN-47 with highest grain yield of 62.13 q/ha, grain protein content of 10.00 % in polished rice and intermediate amylose appears to be the most promising candidate.

Cereal properties of spelt wheat grains depending on the variety

Purpose. To investigate the formation of cereal properties of spelt wheat grain depending on variety and line. Methods. Laboratory, mathematical and statistical, physicochemical. Results. As a result of studies it is found that technological properties of grain significantly vary depending on spelt variety and weather conditions. The protein content in spelt grain ranges from 11.0 to 21.3 % depending on the variety. A very high protein content in spelt grain (over 18.0 %) is in variety Zoria of Ukraine; rather high protein content (16.0–17.9 %) is in varieties Schwabenkorn (17.6 %), NSS 6/01 (17.3 %), Avstraliiska 1 (16.7 %) and LPP 3218 (16.7 %); low protein content (12.0–13.9 %) is in varieties LPP 3435 (13.1 %)and LPP 1224 (13.0 %); very low protein content is in varieties Shvedska 1 (11.0 %) and LPP 3117 (11.5 %); the rest of varieties has this indicator at the level of average – 14.0–15.9 %. Vitreous consistency of the endosperm has corn of varieties Zoria of Ukraine and Avstraliiska 1, semi vitreous consistency has grain of varieties NSS 6/01, Schwabenkorn, Frankenkorn and lines LPP 3218, LPP 3132, LPP 1305, LPP 1197, LPP 3124, LPP 3435, semi floury consistency has Shvedska 1 and LPP 3117. Culinary assessment of rolled spelt grains varies significantly depending on the variety. Total culinary assessment of rolled grain porridge of the spelt ranges from 6,8 to 9,0 points. Origin of spelt variety does not affect this indicator. The highest culinary assessment (8.9–9.0 points) has porridge obtained from grain of the variety Zoria of Ukraine and LPP 3132 line which makes it possible to use its grain to obtain cereal products. The lowest assessment of the porridge has variety Shvedska 1 and lines LPP 1224, LPP 3117 – 6.8–7.7 points. The other varieties have a culinary assessment of the porridge at a level of 8.1–8.8 points. For spelt grain indicator of protein content and grain vitreuesness can be used to evaluate the culinary properties of cereals. Conclusions. As a result of the conducted researches, it is established that Zoria Ukrainy, Schwabenkorn, NSS 6/01, Australian 1 varieties and LPP 3218 line are characterized by high protein content. Hard consistency of endosperm has the grain of Australian 1 and Zoria Ukrainy varieties in which the grain hardness is 73 and 84%, respectively. The origin of spelt wheat variety does not affect the color of cooked porridge. The general culinary evaluation of rolled spelt wheat porridge ranges from 6.8 to 9.0 points. Zoria Ukrainy spelt grain has the highest culinary evaluation which makes it possible to use it to produce cereals. To evaluate the culinary properties of spelt cereals, grain protein content and its hardness can be used.

The Effect of Abiotic Stresses on the Protein Composition of Four Hungarian Wheat Varieties

Global climate change in recent years has resulted in extreme heat and drought events that significantly influence crop production and endanger food security. Such abiotic stress during the growing season has a negative effect on yield as well as on the functional properties of wheat grain protein content and composition. This reduces the value of grain, as these factors significantly reduce end-use quality. In this study, four Hungarian bread wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum ssp. aestivum) with different drought and heat tolerance were examined. Changes in the size- and hydrophobicity-based distribution of the total proteins of the samples have been monitored by SE- and RP-HPLC, respectively, together with parallel investigations of changes in the amounts of the R5 and G12 antibodies related to celiac disease immunoreactive peptides. Significant difference in yield, protein content and composition have been observed in each cultivar, altering the amounts of CD-related gliadin, as well as the protein parameters directly related to techno-functional properties (Glu/Gli ratio, UPP%). The extent of changes largely depended on the timing of the abiotic stress. The severity of the negative effect depended on the growth stage in which abiotic stress occurred.

Genomic Selection and Genome-Wide Association Studies for Grain Protein Content Stability in a Nested Association Mapping Population of Wheat

Grain protein content (GPC) is controlled by complex genetic systems and their interactions and is an important quality determinant for hard spring wheat as it has a positive effect on bread and pasta quality. GPC is variable among genotypes and strongly influenced by the environment. Thus, understanding the genetic control of wheat GPC and identifying genotypes with improved stability is an important breeding goal. The objectives of this research were to identify genetic backgrounds with less variation for GPC across environments and identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling the stability of GPC. A spring wheat nested association mapping (NAM) population of 650 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) derived from 26 diverse founder parents crossed to one common parent, ‘Berkut’, was phenotyped over three years of field trials (2014–2016). Genomic selection models were developed and compared based on predictions of GPC and GPC stability. After observing variable genetic control of GPC within the NAM population, seven RIL families displaying reduced marker-by-environment interaction were selected based on a stability index derived from a Finlay–Wilkinson regression. A genome-wide association study identified eighteen significant QTLs for GPC stability with a Bonferroni-adjusted p-value < 0.05 using four different models and out of these eighteen QTLs eight were identified by two or more GWAS models simultaneously. This study also demonstrated that genome-wide prediction of GPC with ridge regression best linear unbiased estimates reached up to r = 0.69. Genomic selection can be used to apply selection pressure for GPC and improve genetic gain for GPC.

TREND, POPULATION STRUCTURE AND TRAIT MAPPING FROM 15 YEARS OF NATIONAL VARIETAL TRIALS OF UK WINTER WHEAT

There are now a rich variety of genomic and genotypic resources available to wheat researchers and breeders. However, the generation of high-quality and field-relevant phenotyping data which is required to capture the complexities of gene x environment interactions remains a major bottleneck. Historical datasets from national variety performance trials (NVPT) provide sufficient dimensions, in terms of numbers of years and locations, to examine phenotypic trends and study gene x environment interactions. Using NVPT for winter wheat varieties grown in the UK between 2002 – 2017, we examined temporal trends for eight traits related to yield, adaptation, and grain quality performance. We show a non-stationary linear trend for yield, grain protein content, HFN and days to ripening. Our data also show high environmental stability for yield, grain protein content and specific weight in UK winter wheat varieties and high environmental sensitivity for Hagberg Falling Number. We also show that UK varieties released within this period cluster into four main population groups. Using the historical NVPT data in a genome-wide association analysis, we uncovered a significant marker-trait association peak on wheat chromosome 6A spanning the NAM-A1 gene that have been previously associated with early senescence. Together our results show the value of utilizing the data routinely collected during national variety evaluation process for examining breeding progress and the genetic architecture of important traits.

Raise and characterization of a bread wheat hybrid line (Tulaykovskaya 10 × Saratovskaya 29) with chromosome 6Agi2 introgressed from Thinopyrum intermedium

Wheatgrass Thinopyrum intermedium is a source of agronomically valuable traits for common wheat. Partial wheat–wheatgrass amphidiploids and lines with wheatgrass chromosome substitutions are extensively used as intermediates in breeding programs. Line Agis 1 (6Agi2/6D) is present in the cultivar Tulaykovskaya 10 pedigree. Wheatgrass chromosome 6Agi2 carries multiple resistance to fungal diseases in various ecogeographical zones. In this work, we studied the transfer of chromosome 6Agi2 in hybrid populations Saratovskaya 29×Tulaykovskaya 10 (S29×T10) and Tulaykovskaya 10×Saratovskaya 29 (T10×S29). Chromosome 6Agi2 was identified by PCR with chromosome-specific primers and by genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). According to molecular data, 6Agi2 was transmitted to nearly half of the plants tested in the F2 and F3 generations. A new breeding line 49-14 (2n = 42) with chromosome pair 6Agi2 was isolated and characterized in T10×S29 F5 by GISH. According to the results of our field experiment in 2020, the line had high productivity traits. The grain weights per plant (10.04±0.93 g) and the number of grains per plant (259.36±22.49) did not differ significantly from the parent varieties. The number of grains per spikelet in the main spike was significantly higher than in S29 (p ≤ 0.001) or T10 (p ≤ 0.05). Plants were characterized by the ability to set 3.77±0.1 grains per spikelet, and this trait varied among individuals from 2.93 to 4.62. The grain protein content was 17.91 %, and the gluten content, 40.55 %. According to the screening for fungal disease resistance carried out in the field in 2018 and 2020, chromosome 6Agi2 makes plants retain immunity to the West Siberian population of brown rust and to dominant races of stem rust. It also provides medium resistant and medium susceptible types of response to yellow rust. The possibility of using lines/varieties of bread wheat with wheatgrass chromosomes 6Agi2 in breeding in order to increase protein content in the grain, to confer resistance to leaf diseases on plants and to create multiflowered forms is discussed.