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Funnell-Harris DL, Sattler SE, Dill-Macky R, Wegulo SN, Duray ZT, O'Neill PM, Gries T, Masterson SD, Graybosch RA, Mitchell RB. Responses of Wheat ( Triticum aestivum) Constitutively Expressing Four Different Monolignol Biosynthetic Genes to Fusarium Head Blight Caused by Fusarium graminearum. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2024:PHYTO01240005R. [PMID: 38875177 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-01-24-0005-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
The Fusarium head blight (FHB) pathogen Fusarium graminearum produces the trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol and reduces wheat yield and grain quality. Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotype CB037 was transformed with constitutive expression (CE) constructs containing sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) genes encoding monolignol biosynthetic enzymes caffeoyl coenzyme A (CoA) 3-O-methyltransferase (SbCCoAOMT), 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (Sb4CL), or coumaroyl shikimate 3-hydroxylase (SbC3'H) or monolignol pathway transcriptional activator SbMyb60. Spring wheats were screened for type I (resistance to initial infection, using spray inoculations) and type II (resistance to spread within the spike, using single-floret inoculations) resistances in the field (spray) and greenhouse (spray and single floret). Following field inoculations, disease index, percentage of Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK), and deoxynivalenol measurements of CE plants were similar to or greater than those of CB037. For greenhouse inoculations, the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) and FDK were determined. Following screens, focus was placed on two each of SbC3'H and SbCCoAOMT CE lines because of trends toward a decreased AUDPC and FDK observed following single-floret inoculations. These four lines were as susceptible as CB037 following spray inoculations. However, single-floret inoculations showed that these CE lines had a significantly reduced AUDPC (P < 0.01) and FDK (P ≤ 0.02) compared with CB037, indicating improved type II resistance. None of these CE lines had increased acid detergent lignin compared with CB037, indicating that lignin concentration may not be a major factor in FHB resistance. The SbC3'H and SbCCoAOMT CE lines are valuable for investigating phenylpropanoid-based resistance to FHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deanna L Funnell-Harris
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Scott E Sattler
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Ruth Dill-Macky
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108
| | - Stephen N Wegulo
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Zachary T Duray
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Patrick M O'Neill
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Tammy Gries
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Steven D Masterson
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Robert A Graybosch
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Robert B Mitchell
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
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da Conceição RRP, Queiroz VAV, Simeone MLF, da Silva Araújo DD, do Carmo PHF, de Menezes CB, Figueiredo JEF, de Resende Stoianoff MA. Does sorghum phenolic extract have antifungal effect? Braz J Microbiol 2024; 55:1829-1839. [PMID: 38722522 PMCID: PMC11153430 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01327-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal effect of SC319 sorghum phenolic extract (SPE) on the Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Stenocarpella, Colletotrichum, and Macrophomina genera. SPE was extracted by 20% ethanol and used in four assays: (1) against Fusarium verticillioides in solid (PDA) and liquid (PD) potato dextrose media; (2) Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assay with 16 fungi isolates; (3) Conidial Germination Rate (CGR) with 14 fungi isolates and (4) Growth Curve (GC) with 11 fungi isolates. There was no reduction in the mycelial growth (colony diameter and dry weight) and in the number of Fusarium verticillioides spores in assay 1 (PDA and PD). The colony's dry weight was almost six times higher in the presence than in the absence of SPE. All SPE samples presented MIC (assay 1) above the maximum concentration tested (5000 µg.mL-1) for the 16 isolates. Also, there was no inhibitory effect of SPE on conidia germination rate (CGR). Oppositely, in GC assay, the control had a higher CFU count than the samples with SPE in 24 h. This result suggests that SPE can delay the fungal growth in the first hours of incubation, which is an important finding that may help reduce the severity of fungal diseases in plants. However, further studies are needed to confirm these results, including sorghum genotypes with different profiles of phenolic compounds. Although the SC319 SPE was not effective as an antifungal agent, it may have potential as a growth promoter of beneficial fungi in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Regina Pereira da Conceição
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Avenida Antônio Carlos, no 6.627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Paulo Henrique Fonseca do Carmo
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Avenida Antônio Carlos, no 6.627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | | | | | - Maria Aparecida de Resende Stoianoff
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Avenida Antônio Carlos, no 6.627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
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Khasin M, Bernhardson LF, O'Neill PM, Palmer NA, Scully ED, Sattler SE, Sarath G, Funnell-Harris DL. Phenylpropanoids Following Wounding and Infection of Sweet Sorghum Lines Differing in Responses to Stalk Pathogens. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2024; 114:177-192. [PMID: 37486162 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-12-22-0459-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) lines M81-E and Colman were previously shown to differ in responses to Fusarium thapsinum and Macrophomina phaseolina, stalk rot pathogens that can reduce the yields and quality of biomass and extracted sugars. Inoculated tissues were compared for transcriptomic, phenolic metabolite, and enzymatic activity during disease development 3 and 13 days after inoculation (DAI). At 13 DAI, M81-E had shorter mean lesion lengths than Colman when inoculated with either pathogen. Transcripts encoding monolignol biosynthetic and modification enzymes were associated with transcriptional wound (control) responses of both lines at 3 DAI. Monolignol biosynthetic genes were differentially coexpressed with transcriptional activator SbMyb76 in all Colman inoculations, but only following M. phaseolina inoculation in M81-E, suggesting that SbMyb76 is associated with lignin biosynthesis during pathogen responses. In control inoculations, defense-related genes were expressed at higher levels in M81-E than Colman. Line, treatment, and timepoint differences observed in phenolic metabolite and enzyme activities did not account for observed differences in lesions. However, generalized additive models were able to relate metabolites, but not enzyme activities, to lesion length for quantitatively modeling disease progression: in M81-E, but not Colman, sinapic acid levels positively predicted lesion length at 3 DAI when cell wall-bound syringic acid was low, soluble caffeic acid was high, and lactic acid was high, suggesting that sinapic acid may contribute to responses at 3 DAI. These results provide potential gene targets for development of sweet sorghum varieties with increased stalk rot resistance to ensure biomass and sugar quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Khasin
- Wheat, Sorghum, and Forage Research Unit, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Lois F Bernhardson
- Wheat, Sorghum, and Forage Research Unit, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Patrick M O'Neill
- Wheat, Sorghum, and Forage Research Unit, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Nathan A Palmer
- Wheat, Sorghum, and Forage Research Unit, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Erin D Scully
- Stored Product Insect and Engineering Research Unit, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Manhattan, KS 66502
| | - Scott E Sattler
- Wheat, Sorghum, and Forage Research Unit, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Gautam Sarath
- Wheat, Sorghum, and Forage Research Unit, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Deanna L Funnell-Harris
- Wheat, Sorghum, and Forage Research Unit, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
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Funnell-Harris DL, Sattler SE, O'Neill PM, Gries T, Ge Z, Nersesian N. Effects of Altering Three Steps of Monolignol Biosynthesis on Sorghum Responses to Stalk Pathogens and Water Deficit. PLANT DISEASE 2023; 107:3984-3995. [PMID: 37430480 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-08-22-1959-re] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
The drought-resilient crop sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) is grown worldwide for multiple uses, including forage or potential lignocellulosic bioenergy feedstock. A major impediment to biomass yield and quality are the pathogens Fusarium thapsinum and Macrophomina phaseolina, which cause Fusarium stalk rot and charcoal rot, respectively. These fungi are more virulent with abiotic stresses such as drought. Monolignol biosynthesis plays a critical role in plant defense. The genes Brown midrib (Bmr)6, Bmr12, and Bmr2 encode the monolignol biosynthesis enzymes cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, caffeic acid O-methyltransferase, and 4-coumarate:CoA ligase, respectively. Plant stalks from lines overexpressing these genes and containing bmr mutations were screened for pathogen responses with controlled adequate or deficit watering. Additionally, near-isogenic bmr12 and wild-type lines in five backgrounds were screened for response to F. thapsinum with adequate and deficit watering. All mutant and overexpression lines were no more susceptible than corresponding wild-type under both watering conditions. The bmr2 and bmr12 lines, near-isogenic to wild-type, had significantly shorter mean lesion lengths (were more resistant) than RTx430 wild-type when inoculated with F. thapsinum under water deficit. Additionally, bmr2 plants grown under water deficit had significantly smaller mean lesions when inoculated with M. phaseolina than under adequate-water conditions. When well-watered, bmr12 in cultivar Wheatland and one of two Bmr2 overexpression lines in RTx430 had shorter mean lesion lengths than corresponding wild-type lines. This research demonstrates that modifying monolignol biosynthesis for increased usability may not impair plant defenses but can even enhance resistance to stalk pathogens under drought conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deanna L Funnell-Harris
- Wheat, Sorghum, and Forage Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln (UNL), Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Scott E Sattler
- Wheat, Sorghum, and Forage Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, UNL, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Patrick M O'Neill
- Wheat, Sorghum, and Forage Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln (UNL), Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Tammy Gries
- Wheat, Sorghum, and Forage Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, UNL, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Zhengxiang Ge
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, UNL, Lincoln, NE 68583
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Tetreault HM, Gries T, Liu S, Toy J, Xin Z, Vermerris W, Ralph J, Funnell-Harris DL, Sattler SE. The Sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor) Brown Midrib 30 Gene Encodes a Chalcone Isomerase Required for Cell Wall Lignification. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:732307. [PMID: 34925394 PMCID: PMC8674566 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.732307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and other C4 grasses, brown midrib (bmr) mutants have long been associated with plants impaired in their ability to synthesize lignin. The brown midrib 30 (Bmr30) gene, identified using a bulk segregant analysis and next-generation sequencing, was determined to encode a chalcone isomerase (CHI). Two independent mutations within this gene confirmed that loss of its function was responsible for the brown leaf midrib phenotype and reduced lignin concentration. Loss of the Bmr30 gene function, as shown by histochemical staining of leaf midrib and stalk sections, resulted in altered cell wall composition. In the bmr30 mutants, CHI activity was drastically reduced, and the accumulation of total flavonoids and total anthocyanins was impaired, which is consistent with its function in flavonoid biosynthesis. The level of the flavone lignin monomer tricin was reduced 20-fold in the stem relative to wild type, and to undetectable levels in the leaf tissue of the mutants. The bmr30 mutant, therefore, harbors a mutation in a phenylpropanoid biosynthetic gene that is key to the interconnection between flavonoids and monolignols, both of which are utilized for lignin synthesis in the grasses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M. Tetreault
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Lincoln, NE, United States
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Tammy Gries
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Lincoln, NE, United States
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Sarah Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, The DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - John Toy
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Lincoln, NE, United States
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Zhanguo Xin
- Plant Stress and Germplasm Development Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Wilfred Vermerris
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - John Ralph
- Department of Biochemistry, The DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Deanna L. Funnell-Harris
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Lincoln, NE, United States
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Scott E. Sattler
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Lincoln, NE, United States
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
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Khasin M, Bernhardson LF, O'Neill PM, Palmer NA, Scully ED, Sattler SE, Funnell-Harris DL. Pathogen and drought stress affect cell wall and phytohormone signaling to shape host responses in a sorghum COMT bmr12 mutant. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 21:391. [PMID: 34418969 PMCID: PMC8379876 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-021-03149-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As effects of global climate change intensify, the interaction of biotic and abiotic stresses increasingly threatens current agricultural practices. The secondary cell wall is a vanguard of resistance to these stresses. Fusarium thapsinum (Fusarium stalk rot) and Macrophomina phaseolina (charcoal rot) cause internal damage to the stalks of the drought tolerant C4 grass, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), resulting in reduced transpiration, reduced photosynthesis, and increased lodging, severely reducing yields. Drought can magnify these losses. Two null alleles in monolignol biosynthesis of sorghum (brown midrib 6-ref, bmr6-ref; cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, CAD; and bmr12-ref; caffeic acid O-methyltransferase, COMT) were used to investigate the interaction of water limitation with F. thapsinum or M. phaseolina infection. RESULTS The bmr12 plants inoculated with either of these pathogens had increased levels of salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) across both watering conditions and significantly reduced lesion sizes under water limitation compared to adequate watering, which suggested that drought may prime induction of pathogen resistance. RNA-Seq analysis revealed coexpressed genes associated with pathogen infection. The defense response included phytohormone signal transduction pathways, primary and secondary cell wall biosynthetic genes, and genes encoding components of the spliceosome and proteasome. CONCLUSION Alterations in the composition of the secondary cell wall affect immunity by influencing phenolic composition and phytohormone signaling, leading to the action of defense pathways. Some of these pathways appear to be activated or enhanced by drought. Secondary metabolite biosynthesis and modification in SA and JA signal transduction may be involved in priming a stronger defense response in water-limited bmr12 plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Khasin
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 251 Filley Hall, University of Nebraska-East Campus, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
| | - Lois F Bernhardson
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 251 Filley Hall, University of Nebraska-East Campus, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
| | - Patrick M O'Neill
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 251 Filley Hall, University of Nebraska-East Campus, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
| | - Nathan A Palmer
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 251 Filley Hall, University of Nebraska-East Campus, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
| | - Erin D Scully
- Stored Product Insect and Engineering Research Unit, Center for Grain and Animal Health, USDA-ARS, Manhattan, KS, 66502, USA
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66502, USA
| | - Scott E Sattler
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 251 Filley Hall, University of Nebraska-East Campus, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
| | - Deanna L Funnell-Harris
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 251 Filley Hall, University of Nebraska-East Campus, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA.
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA.
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Myrans H, Vandegeer RK, Henry RJ, Gleadow RM. Nitrogen availability and allocation in sorghum and its wild relatives: Divergent roles for cyanogenic glucosides. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 258-259:153393. [PMID: 33667954 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2021.153393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Crop plants are assumed to have become more susceptible to pests as a result of selection for high growth rates during the process of domestication, consistent with resource allocation theories. We compared the investment by domesticated sorghum into cyanogenic glucosides, nitrogen-based specialised metabolites that break down to release hydrogen cyanide, with five wild relatives native to Australia. Plants were grown in pots in a greenhouse and supplied with low and high concentrations of nitrogen and monitored for 9 weeks. The concentrations of nitrate, total phenolics and silicon were also measured. Domesticated Sorghum bicolor had the highest leaf and root cyanogenic glucoside concentrations, and among the lowest nitrate and silicon concentrations under both treatments. Despite partitioning a much higher proportion of its stored nitrogen to cyanogenic glucosides than the wild species, S. bicolor's nitrogen productivity levels were among the highest. Most of the wild sorghums had higher concentrations of silicon and phenolics, which may provide an alternative defence system. Cyanogenic glucosides appear to be integral to S. bicolor's physiology, having roles in both growth and defence. Sorghum macrospermum displayed consistently low cyanogenic glucoside concentrations, high growth rates and high nitrogen productivity and represents a particularly attractive genetic resource for sorghum improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Myrans
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Rebecca K Vandegeer
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Robert J Henry
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Roslyn M Gleadow
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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Wang X, Mace E, Tao Y, Cruickshank A, Hunt C, Hammer G, Jordan D. Large-scale genome-wide association study reveals that drought-induced lodging in grain sorghum is associated with plant height and traits linked to carbon remobilisation. TAG. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS. THEORETISCHE UND ANGEWANDTE GENETIK 2020; 133:3201-3215. [PMID: 32833037 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-020-03665-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE We detected 213 lodging QTLs and demonstrated that drought-induced stem lodging in grain sorghum is substantially associated with stay-green and plant height suggesting a critical role of carbon remobilisation. Sorghum is generally grown in water limited conditions and often lodges under post-anthesis drought, which reduces yield and quality. Due to its complexity, our understanding on the genetic control of lodging is very limited. We dissected the genetic architecture of lodging in grain sorghum through genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 2308 unique hybrids grown in 17 Australian sorghum trials over 3 years. The GWAS detected 213 QTLs, the majority of which showed a significant association with leaf senescence and plant height (72% and 71%, respectively). Only 16 lodging QTLs were not associated with either leaf senescence or plant height. The high incidence of multi-trait association for the lodging QTLs indicates that lodging in grain sorghum is mainly associated with plant height and traits linked to carbohydrate remobilisation. This result supported the selection for stay-green (delayed leaf senescence) to reduce lodging susceptibility, rather than selection for short stature and lodging resistance per se, which likely reduces yield. Additionally, our data suggested a protective effect of stay-green on weakening the association between lodging susceptibility and plant height. Our study also showed that lodging resistance might be improved by selection for stem composition but was unlikely to be improved by selection for classical resistance to stalk rots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemin Wang
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Warwick, QLD, 4370, Australia
| | - Emma Mace
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Warwick, QLD, 4370, Australia
- Agri-Science Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), Warwick, QLD, 4370, Australia
| | - Yongfu Tao
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Warwick, QLD, 4370, Australia
| | - Alan Cruickshank
- Agri-Science Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), Warwick, QLD, 4370, Australia
| | - Colleen Hunt
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Warwick, QLD, 4370, Australia
- Agri-Science Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), Warwick, QLD, 4370, Australia
| | - Graeme Hammer
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - David Jordan
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Warwick, QLD, 4370, Australia.
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Funnell-Harris DL, Sattler SE, O'Neill PM, Gries T, Tetreault HM, Clemente TE. Response of Sorghum Enhanced in Monolignol Biosynthesis to Stalk Rot Pathogens. PLANT DISEASE 2019; 103:2277-2287. [PMID: 31215851 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-09-18-1622-re] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
To increase phenylpropanoid constituents and energy content in the versatile C4 grass sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench), sorghum genes for proteins related to monolignol biosynthesis were overexpressed: SbMyb60 (transcriptional activator), SbPAL (phenylalanine ammonia lyase), SbCCoAOMT (caffeoyl coenzyme A [CoA] 3-O-methyltransferase), Bmr2 (4-coumarate:CoA ligase), and SbC3H (coumaroyl shikimate 3-hydroxylase). Overexpression lines were evaluated for responses to stalk pathogens under greenhouse and field conditions. Greenhouse-grown plants were inoculated with Fusarium thapsinum (Fusarium stalk rot) and Macrophomina phaseolina (charcoal rot), which cause yield-reducing diseases. F. thapsinum-inoculated overexpression plants had mean lesion lengths not significantly different than wild-type, except for significantly smaller lesions on two of three SbMyb60 and one of two SbCCoAOMT lines. M. phaseolina-inoculated overexpression lines had lesions not significantly different from wild-type except one SbPAL line (of two lines studied) with mean lesion lengths significantly larger. Field-grown SbMyb60 and SbCCoAOMT overexpression plants were inoculated with F. thapsinum. Mean lesions of SbMyb60 lines were similar to wild-type, but one SbCCoAOMT had larger lesions, whereas the other line was not significantly different than wild-type. Because overexpression of SbMyb60, Bmr2, or SbC3H may not render sorghum more susceptible to stalk rots, these lines may provide sources for development of sorghum with increased phenylpropanoid concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deanna L Funnell-Harris
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Scott E Sattler
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Patrick M O'Neill
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Tammy Gries
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Hannah M Tetreault
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Lincoln, NE 68583
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Thomas E Clemente
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
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Tetreault HM, Scully ED, Gries T, Palmer NA, Funnell-Harris DL, Baird L, Seravalli J, Dien BS, Sarath G, Clemente TE, Sattler SE. Overexpression of the Sorghum bicolor SbCCoAOMT alters cell wall associated hydroxycinnamoyl groups. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0204153. [PMID: 30289910 PMCID: PMC6173380 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is a drought tolerant crop, which is being developed as a bioenergy feedstock. The monolignol biosynthesis pathway is a major focus for altering the abundance and composition of lignin. Caffeoyl coenzyme-A O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT) is an S-adenosyl methionine (SAM)-dependent O-methyltransferase that methylates caffeoyl-CoA to generate feruloyl-CoA, an intermediate required for the biosynthesis of both G- and S-lignin. SbCCoAOMT was overexpressed to assess the impact of increasing the amount of this enzyme on biomass composition. SbCCoAOMT overexpression increased both soluble and cell wall-bound (esterified) ferulic and sinapic acids, however lignin concentration and its composition (S/G ratio) remained unaffected. This increased deposition of hydroxycinnamic acids in these lines led to an increase in total energy content of the stover. In stalk and leaf midribs, the increased histochemical staining and autofluorescence in the cell walls of the SbCCoAOMT overexpression lines also indicate increased phenolic deposition within cell walls, which is consistent with the chemical analyses of soluble and wall-bound hydroxycinnamic acids. The growth and development of overexpression lines were similar to wild-type plants. Likewise, RNA-seq and metabolite profiling showed that global gene expression and metabolite levels in overexpression lines were also relatively similar to wild-type plants. Our results demonstrate that SbCCoAOMT overexpression significantly altered cell wall composition through increases in cell wall associated hydroxycinnamic acids without altering lignin concentration or affecting plant growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M. Tetreault
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Erin D. Scully
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Tammy Gries
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Nathan A. Palmer
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Deanna L. Funnell-Harris
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Lisa Baird
- Department of Biology, Shiley Center for Science and Technology, University of San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Javier Seravalli
- Redox Biology Center and Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Bruce S. Dien
- National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, USDA-ARS, Peoria, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Gautam Sarath
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Thomas E. Clemente
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
- Center for Plant Science Innovation, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Scott E. Sattler
- Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
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Funnell-Harris DL, Scully ED, Sattler SE, French RC, O'Neill PM, Pedersen JF. Differences in Fusarium Species in brown midrib Sorghum and in Air Populations in Production Fields. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2017; 107:1353-1363. [PMID: 28686087 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-08-16-0316-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Several Fusarium spp. cause sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) grain mold, resulting in deterioration and mycotoxin production in the field and during storage. Fungal isolates from the air (2005 to 2006) and from leaves and grain from wild-type and brown midrib (bmr)-6 and bmr12 plants (2002 to 2003) were collected from two locations. Compared with the wild type, bmr plants have reduced lignin content, altered cell wall composition, and different levels of phenolic intermediates. Multilocus maximum-likelihood analysis identified two Fusarium thapsinum operational taxonomic units (OTU). One was identified at greater frequency in grain and leaves of bmr and wild-type plants but was infrequently detected in air. Nine F. graminearum OTU were identified: one was detected at low levels in grain and leaves while the rest were only detected in air. Wright's F statistic (FST) indicated that Fusarium air populations differentiated between locations during crop anthesis but did not differ during vegetative growth, grain development, and maturity. FST also indicated that Fusarium populations from wild-type grain were differentiated from those in bmr6 or bmr12 grain at one location but, at the second location, populations from wild-type and bmr6 grain were more similar. Thus, impairing monolignol biosynthesis substantially effected Fusarium populations but environment had a strong influence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deanna L Funnell-Harris
- First, fourth, and fifth authors: Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit (WSFRU), United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), 251 Filley Hall, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska (UNL), Lincoln 68583-0937; second author: Stored Product Insect and Engineering Research Unit, USDA-ARS Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, 1515 College Avenue, Manhattan 66502; and third and sixth authors: WSFRU, USDA-ARS, Departments of Agronomy and Horticulture, UNL
| | - Erin D Scully
- First, fourth, and fifth authors: Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit (WSFRU), United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), 251 Filley Hall, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska (UNL), Lincoln 68583-0937; second author: Stored Product Insect and Engineering Research Unit, USDA-ARS Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, 1515 College Avenue, Manhattan 66502; and third and sixth authors: WSFRU, USDA-ARS, Departments of Agronomy and Horticulture, UNL
| | - Scott E Sattler
- First, fourth, and fifth authors: Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit (WSFRU), United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), 251 Filley Hall, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska (UNL), Lincoln 68583-0937; second author: Stored Product Insect and Engineering Research Unit, USDA-ARS Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, 1515 College Avenue, Manhattan 66502; and third and sixth authors: WSFRU, USDA-ARS, Departments of Agronomy and Horticulture, UNL
| | - Roy C French
- First, fourth, and fifth authors: Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit (WSFRU), United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), 251 Filley Hall, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska (UNL), Lincoln 68583-0937; second author: Stored Product Insect and Engineering Research Unit, USDA-ARS Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, 1515 College Avenue, Manhattan 66502; and third and sixth authors: WSFRU, USDA-ARS, Departments of Agronomy and Horticulture, UNL
| | - Patrick M O'Neill
- First, fourth, and fifth authors: Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit (WSFRU), United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), 251 Filley Hall, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska (UNL), Lincoln 68583-0937; second author: Stored Product Insect and Engineering Research Unit, USDA-ARS Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, 1515 College Avenue, Manhattan 66502; and third and sixth authors: WSFRU, USDA-ARS, Departments of Agronomy and Horticulture, UNL
| | - Jeffrey F Pedersen
- First, fourth, and fifth authors: Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Unit (WSFRU), United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), 251 Filley Hall, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska (UNL), Lincoln 68583-0937; second author: Stored Product Insect and Engineering Research Unit, USDA-ARS Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, 1515 College Avenue, Manhattan 66502; and third and sixth authors: WSFRU, USDA-ARS, Departments of Agronomy and Horticulture, UNL
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12
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Funnell-Harris DL, O'Neill PM, Sattler SE, Yerka MK. Response of Sweet Sorghum Lines to Stalk Pathogens Fusarium thapsinum and Macrophomina phaseolina. PLANT DISEASE 2016; 100:896-903. [PMID: 30686147 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-09-15-1050-re] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) has potential for bioenergy. It is adapted to a variety of U.S. locations and the extracted juice can be directly fermented into ethanol. However, little research on fungal stalk rots, diseases that pose serious constraints for yield and quality of juice and biomass, has been reported. A greenhouse bioassay was designed to assess charcoal rot (Macrophomina phaseolina) and Fusarium stalk rot (Fusarium thapsinum) in plants at maturity, the developmental stage at which these diseases are manifested. Multiple plantings of a susceptible grain line, RTx430, were used as a control for variation in flowering times among sweet sorghum lines. Lesion length measurements in inoculated peduncles were used to quantify disease severity. Sweet sorghum lines 'Rio' and 'M81E' exhibited resistance to F. thapsinum and M. phaseolina, respectively; and, in contrast, 'Colman' sorghum exhibited susceptibility to both pathogens. Lesion development over time in Colman was monitored. These results will enhance molecular and biochemical analyses of responses to pathogens, and breeding stalk-rot-resistant sweet sorghum lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deanna L Funnell-Harris
- Grain, Forage and Bioenergy Research Unit (GFBRU), United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), and Department of Plant Pathology
| | - Patrick M O'Neill
- Grain, Forage and Bioenergy Research Unit (GFBRU), United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), and Department of Plant Pathology
| | - Scott E Sattler
- GFBRU, USDA-ARS and Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68583-0919
| | - Melinda K Yerka
- GFBRU, USDA-ARS and Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68583-0919
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Scully ED, Gries T, Funnell-Harris DL, Xin Z, Kovacs FA, Vermerris W, Sattler SE. Characterization of novel Brown midrib 6 mutations affecting lignin biosynthesis in sorghum. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2016; 58:136-49. [PMID: 26172142 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.12375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The presence of lignin reduces the quality of lignocellulosic biomass for forage materials and feedstock for biofuels. In C4 grasses, the brown midrib phenotype has been linked to mutations to genes in the monolignol biosynthesis pathway. For example, the Bmr6 gene in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) has been previously shown to encode cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), which catalyzes the final step of the monolignol biosynthesis pathway. Mutations in this gene have been shown to reduce the abundance of lignin, enhance digestibility, and improve saccharification efficiencies and ethanol yields. Nine sorghum lines harboring five different bmr6 alleles were identified in an EMS-mutagenized TILLING population. DNA sequencing of Bmr6 revealed that the majority of the mutations impacted evolutionarily conserved amino acids while three-dimensional structural modeling predicted that all of these alleles interfered with the enzyme's ability to bind with its NADPH cofactor. All of the new alleles reduced in vitro CAD activity levels and enhanced glucose yields following saccharification. Further, many of these lines were associated with higher reductions in acid detergent lignin compared to lines harboring the previously characterized bmr6-ref allele. These bmr6 lines represent new breeding tools for manipulating biomass composition to enhance forage and feedstock quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin D Scully
- Grain, Forage, and Bioenergy Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
| | - Tammy Gries
- Grain, Forage, and Bioenergy Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
| | - Deanna L Funnell-Harris
- Grain, Forage, and Bioenergy Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
| | - Zhanguo Xin
- Plant Stress and Germplasm Development Unit, USDA-ARS, Lubbock, TX, 79414, USA
| | - Frank A Kovacs
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Kearney, Kearney, NE, 68849, USA
| | - Wilfred Vermerris
- Department of Microbiology & Cell Science and UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Scott E Sattler
- Grain, Forage, and Bioenergy Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
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