Heterologous expression and characterization of ToxA1 haplotype from India and its interaction with Tsn1 for spot blotch susceptibility in spring wheat

BACKGROUND

ToxA, a necrotrophic effector protein, is present in the genome of fungal species like Parastagnospora nodorum, Pyrenophora tritici-repentis and Bipolaris sorokiniana. Tsn1 is the sensitivity gene in the host whose presence indicates more susceptibility to ToxA carrying pathogen, and ToxA-Tsn1 interaction follows an inverse gene-for-gene relationship.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The present study involved cloning and expressing the ToxA1 haplotype from B. sorokiniana. It was found that the amplicon exhibited an expected product size of 471 bp. Sequence analysis of the ToxA1 nucleotide sequence revealed the highest identity, 99.79%, with P. tritici-repentis. The protein expression analysis showed peak expression at 16.5 kDa. Phylogenetic analysis of the ToxA1 sequence from all the Bipolaris isolates formed an independent clade along with P. tritici-repentis and diverged from P. nodorum. ToxA-Tsn1 interaction was studied in 18 wheat genotypes (11 Tsn1 and 7 tsn1) at both seedling and adult stages, validating the inverse gene-for-gene relationship, as the toxin activity was highest in the K68 genotype (Tsn1) and lowest in WAMI280 (tsn1).

CONCLUSION

The study indicates that the haplotype ToxA1 is prevailing in the Indian population of B. sorokiniana. It would be desirable for wheat breeders to select genotypes with tsn1 locus for making wheat resistant to spot blotch.

Genome sequencing and annotation of Cercospora sesami, a fungal pathogen causing leaf spot to Sesamum indicum

Cercospora sesami is a plant pathogen that causes leaf spot disease in sesame plants worldwide. In this study, genome sequence assembly of C. sesami isolate Cers 52-10 (MCC 9069) was generated using native paired-end and mate-pair DNA sequencing based on the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. The genome assembly of C. sesami is 34.3 Mb in size with an N50 of 26,222 bp and an average GC content of 53.02%. A total number of 10,872 genes were predicted in this study, out of which 9,712 genes were functionally annotated. Genes assigned to carbohydrate-active enzyme classes were also identified during the study. A total of 80 putative effector candidates were predicted and functionally annotated. The C. sesami genome sequence is available at DDBJ/ENA/GenBank, and other associated information is submitted to Mendeley's data.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03468-4.

Rust (Uromyces viciae-fabae Pers. de-Bary) of Pea (Pisum sativum L.): Present Status and Future Resistance Breeding Opportunities

Uromyces viciae-fabae Pers. de-Bary is an important fungal pathogen causing rust in peas (Pisum sativum L.). It is reported in mild to severe forms from different parts of the world where the pea is grown. Host specificity has been indicated in this pathogen in the field but has not yet been established under controlled conditions. The uredinial states of U. viciae-fabae are infective under temperate and tropical conditions. Aeciospores are infective in the Indian subcontinent. The genetics of rust resistance was reported qualitatively. However, non-hypersensitive resistance responses and more recent studies emphasized the quantitative nature of pea rust resistance. Partial resistance/slow rusting had been described as a durable resistance in peas. Such resistance is of the pre-haustorial type and expressed as longer incubation and latent period, poor infection efficiency, a smaller number of aecial cups/pustules, and lower units of AUDPC (Area Under Disease Progress Curve). Screening techniques dealing with slow rusting should consider growth stages and environment, as both have a significant influence on the disease scores. Our knowledge about the genetics of rust resistance is increasing, and now molecular markers linked with gene/QTLs (Quantitative Trait Loci) of rust resistance have been identified in peas. The mapping efforts conducted in peas came out with some potent markers associated with rust resistance, but they must be validated under multi-location trails before use in the marker-assisted selection of rust resistance in pea breeding programs.

Genetics of spot blotch resistance in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using five models for GWAS

Genetic architecture of resistance to spot blotch in wheat was examined using a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) involving an association panel comprising 303 diverse genotypes. The association panel was evaluated at two different locations in India including Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), and Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA), Pusa, Samastipur (Bihar) for two consecutive years (2017-2018 and 2018-2019), thus making four environments (E1, BHU 2017-18; E2, BHU 2018-19; E3, PUSA, 2017-18; E4, PUSA, 2018-19). The panel was genotyped for 12,196 SNPs based on DArT-seq (outsourced to DArT Ltd by CIMMYT); these SNPs included 5,400 SNPs, which could not be assigned to individual chromosomes and were therefore, described as unassigned by the vendor. Phenotypic data was recorded on the following three disease-related traits: (i) Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC), (ii) Incubation Period (IP), and (iii) Lesion Number (LN). GWAS was conducted using each of five different models, which included two single-locus models (CMLM and SUPER) and three multi-locus models (MLMM, FarmCPU, and BLINK). This exercise gave 306 MTAs, but only 89 MTAs (33 for AUDPC, 30 for IP and 26 for LN) including a solitary MTA detected using all the five models and 88 identified using four of the five models (barring SUPER) were considered to be important. These were used for further analysis, which included identification of candidate genes (CGs) and their annotation. A majority of these MTAs were novel. Only 70 of the 89 MTAs were assigned to individual chromosomes; the remaining 19 MTAs belonged to unassigned SNPs, for which chromosomes were not known. Seven MTAs were selected on the basis of minimum P value, number of models, number of environments and location on chromosomes with respect to QTLs reported earlier. These 7 MTAs, which included five main effect MTAs and two for epistatic interactions, were considered to be important for marker-assisted selection (MAS). The present study thus improved our understanding of the genetics of resistance against spot blotch in wheat and provided seven MTAs, which may be used for MAS after due validation.

Validation of Novel spot blotch disease resistance alleles identified in unexplored wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm lines through KASP markers

BACKGROUND

During the last few decades, the diverse sources of resistance, several genes and QTLs for spot blotch resistance have been identified. However, a large set of germplasm lines are still unexplored that have the potential to develop highly resistant wheat cultivars for the target environments. Therefore, the identification of new sources of resistance to spot blotch is essential for breeding programmes to develop spot blotch resistant cultivars and sustain wheat production. The association mapping panel of 294 diverse bread wheat accessions was used to explore new sources of spot blotch disease resistance and to identify genomic regions using genome wide association analysis (GWAS). The genotypes were tested in replicated trials for spot blotch disease at three major hot spots in India (Varanasi in UP, Pusa in Bihar, and Cooch Behar in West Bengal). The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated to assess the level of resistance in each genotype.

RESULTS

A total of 19 highly and 76 moderately resistant lines were identified. Three accessions (EC664204, IC534306 and IC535188) were nearly immune to spot blotch disease. The genotyping of all accessions resulted in a total of 16,787 high-quality polymorphic SNPs. The GWAS was performed using a Compressed Mixed Linear Model (CMLM) and a Mixed Linear Model (MLM). A total of seven significant MTAs, common in both the models and consistent across the environment, were further validated to develop KASP markers. Four MTAs (AX-94710084, AX-94865722, AX-95135556, and AX-94529408) on three chromosomes (2AL, 2BL, and 3BL) have been successfully validated through the KASP marker.

CONCLUSIONS

The new source of resistance was identified from unexplored germplasm lines. The genomic regions identified through GWAS were validated through KASP markers. The marker information and the highly resistant sources are valuable resources to rapidly develop immune or near immune wheat varieties.

New Genomic Regions Identified for Resistance to Spot Blotch and Terminal Heat Stress in an Interspecific Population of Triticum aestivum and T. spelta

Wheat is one of the most widely grown and consumed food crops in the world. Spot blotch and terminal heat stress are the two significant constraints mainly in the Indo-Gangetic plains of South Asia. The study was undertaken using 185 recombinant lines (RILs) derived from the interspecific hybridization of 'Triticum aestivum (HUW234) × T. spelta (H⁺26)' to reveal genomic regions associated with tolerance to combined stress to spot blotch and terminal heat. Different physiological (NDVI, canopy temperature, leaf chlorophyll) and grain traits (TGW, grain size) were observed under stressed (spot blotch, terminal heat) and non-stressed environments. The mean maturity duration of RILs under combined stress was reduced by 12 days, whereas the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was 46.03%. Similarly, the grain size was depleted under combined stress by 32.23% and thousand kernel weight (TKW) by 27.56% due to spot blotch and terminal heat stress, respectively. The genetic analysis using 6734 SNP markers identified 37 significant loci for the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) and NDVI. The genome-wide functional annotation of the SNP markers revealed gene functions such as plant chitinases, NB-ARC and NBS-LRR, and the peroxidase superfamily Cytochrome P450 have a positive role in the resistance through a hypersensitive response. Zinc finger domains, cysteine protease coding gene, F-box protein, ubiquitin, and associated proteins, play a substantial role in the combined stress of spot blotch and terminal heat in bread wheat, according to genomic domains ascribed to them. The study also highlights T. speltoides as a source of resistance to spot blotch and terminal heat tolerance.

Prognostic Significance of Serum Biochemistry Profile in Children With Severe Acute Malnutrition

Background Malnutrition is a condition caused by defective nutrition in which either deficiency or excess of energy, protein, or micronutrients cause any measurable adverse effects on tissues/body form (body shape, size, composition), function, and clinical outcome. Children with a weight-for-height below -3 standard deviations (SD) of the mean based on the WHO standards have a high risk of death exceeding nine-fold that of children with a weight-for-height above 1 SD. In severe acute malnutrition (SAM) liver function tests, renal function tests, and serum electrolytes are deranged but their correlation with the prognosis is not well defined. So, there was a need for a study to know the prognostic significance. For this purpose, the current study was conducted in the pediatric ward of Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences (UPUMS), Saifai, UP, India. Method This is an observational cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, UPUMS (Saifai, UP, India) from January 2018 to July 2019 after approval from the institutional ethical committee. We enrolled 100 children with SAM who fulfilled the inclusion criterion after obtaining proper and well-informed consent. Result We studied children aged six to 59 months. The mean age of admitted patients in our study was nearly 24 months (24.18 months). The median age that was most common at the time of admission is nearly 1 year (13 months). In our study relation of serum sodium and serum potassium with the survival of SAM was found statistically significant. Conclusion Severe acute malnutrition is both a medical and social disorder. The risk of mortality increases as the severity of malnutrition increases. High-risk cases can be identified and can be treated aggressively and on a priority basis. Serum electrolyte disturbances in SAM are one of the most important predictors of the severity.

Genomic selection for spot blotch in bread wheat breeding panels, full-sibs and half-sibs and index-based selection for spot blotch, heading and plant height

KEY MESSAGE

Genomic selection is a promising tool to select for spot blotch resistance and index-based selection can simultaneously select for spot blotch resistance, heading and plant height. A major biotic stress challenging bread wheat production in regions characterized by humid and warm weather is spot blotch caused by the fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana. Since genomic selection (GS) is a promising selection tool, we evaluated its potential for spot blotch in seven breeding panels comprising 6736 advanced lines from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center. Our results indicated moderately high mean genomic prediction accuracies of 0.53 and 0.40 within and across breeding panels, respectively which were on average 177.6% and 60.4% higher than the mean accuracies from fixed effects models using selected spot blotch loci. Genomic prediction was also evaluated in full-sibs and half-sibs panels and sibs were predicted with the highest mean accuracy (0.63) from a composite training population with random full-sibs and half-sibs. The mean accuracies when full-sibs were predicted from other full-sibs within families and when full-sibs panels were predicted from other half-sibs panels were 0.47 and 0.44, respectively. Comparison of GS with phenotypic selection (PS) of the top 10% of resistant lines suggested that GS could be an ideal tool to discard susceptible lines, as greater than 90% of the susceptible lines discarded by PS were also discarded by GS. We have also reported the evaluation of selection indices to simultaneously select non-late and non-tall genotypes with low spot blotch phenotypic values and genomic-estimated breeding values. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of integrating GS and index-based selection for improving spot blotch resistance in bread wheat.

Issues and gaps in international guidance and national regulatory systems affecting international live insect trade

International trade in live insects involves the shipping of many different species, for various purposes, with a variety of handling requirements regulated by numerous authorities with varying objectives. The diversity of factors at play has both created and been subject to a complex regulatory landscape. A review of global production, shipping and use experiences from a range of perspectives has shown gaps and inconsistencies in international guidance and national implementation. Private carriers add another layer of uncertainty that is disproportionate to risks, resulting in variable practices and charges. Many benefits can come from international trade in insects, including pollinator services, control of pests and of disease vectors, and enhanced international scientific research and innovation. These benefits will be better achieved through a more evidence-based and efficient approach to regulating trade. This change in approach will in turn require an improved and widely accepted risk-management landscape for insect trade.

International live insect trade: a survey of stakeholders

There are significant numbers of transboundary shipments of live insects for pollination, pest management, industrial processes, research and other uses, but data collection and analysis have proved difficult. The World Organisation for Animal Health and Collectif TIS (Technique de l'Insecte Stérile), a French think tank, carried out a stakeholder survey to understand the nature of the live insect trade and potential challenges to safety and efficiency. Target respondents had experience in the areas of biocontrol, sterile insect technique, entomological research and regulatory affairs. Although the survey was sent globally, the responses were unintentionally biased towards Europe, where interest is high, since this region is developing a comprehensive framework to promote the use of beneficial insects to replace pesticides. The survey also explored respondents' knowledge of several international agreements on the movement and risk management of beneficial or invasive insects. Knowledge of the various regulations was generally poor, and respondents highlighted a perceived lack of clarity regarding live insect shipments in the existing international regulations and guidelines. Almost two-thirds of participants reported reluctance by carriers to accept live insects for shipment, and three-quarters described occasional to systematic delays that resulted in a reduction of quality or viability. Some respondents reported that they instead hand-carry live insects, mostly in small quantities. Participants described being directly involved in trade covering 70 species of live insects and ticks transported among 37 countries, with volumes ranging from fewer than ten insects to over a million per shipment. Of these, 30% were potential vectors of pathogens to humans or animals, 42% were potential plant pest species (including some used for biocontrol), and 17% were classical biocontrol agents. The results of this survey begin to define the current scope, scale and issues for those involved in shipping live insects and ticks across political boundaries. The survey's aim is to persuade regulatory bodies and shipping operators to facilitate safety, efficiency and consistency in this underdeveloped sector.

SNP Discovery Using BSR-Seq Approach for Spot Blotch Resistance in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), an Essential Crop for Food Security

The pathogenic fungus, Bipolaris sorokiniana, that causes spot blotch (SB) disease of wheat, is a major production constraint in the Eastern Gangetic Plains of South Asia and other warm, humid regions of the world. A recombinant inbred line population was developed and phenotyped at three SB-prone locations in India. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) for SB resistance was identified using a bulked segregant RNA-Seq-based approach, referred to as “BSR-Seq.” Transcriptome sequencing of the resistant parent (YS#24), the susceptible parent (YS#58), and their resistant and susceptible bulks yielded a total of 429.67 million raw reads. The bulk frequency ratio (BFR) of SNPs between the resistant and susceptible bulks was estimated, and selection of SNPs linked to resistance was done using sixfold enrichments in the corresponding bulks (BFR >6). With additional filtering criteria, the number of transcripts was further reduced to 506 with 1055 putative polymorphic SNPs distributed on 21 chromosomes of wheat. Based on SNP enrichment on chromosomal loci, five transcripts were found to be associated with SB resistance. Among the five SB resistance-associated transcripts, four were distributed on the 5B chromosome with putative 52 SNPs, whereas one transcript with eight SNPs was present on chromosome 3B. The SNPs linked to the trait were exposed to a tetra-primer ARMS-PCR assay, and an SNP-based allele-specific marker was identified for SB resistance. The in silico study of these five transcripts showed homology with pathogenesis-related genes; the metabolic pathway also exhibits similar results, suggesting their role in the plant defense mechanism.

Pyramiding of genes for grain protein content, grain quality, and rust resistance in eleven Indian bread wheat cultivars: a multi-institutional effort

Improvement of grain protein content (GPC), loaf volume, and resistance to rusts was achieved in 11 Indian wheat cultivars that are widely grown in four different agro-climatic zones of India. This involved use of marker-assisted backcross breeding (MABB) for introgression and pyramiding of the following genes: (i) the high GPC gene Gpc-B1; (ii) HMW glutenin subunits 5 + 10 at Glu-D1 loci, and (iii) rust resistance genes, Yr36, Yr15, Lr24, and Sr24. GPC increased by 0.8 to 3.3%, although high GPC was generally associated with yield penalty. Further selection among high GPC lines allowed identification of progenies with higher GPC associated with improvement in 1000-grain weight and grain yield in the backgrounds of the following four cultivars: NI5439, UP2338, UP2382, and HUW468. The high GPC progenies (derived from NI5439) were also improved for grain quality using HMW glutenin subunits 5 + 10 at Glu-D1 loci. Similarly, progenies combining high GPC and rust resistance were obtained in the backgrounds of following five cultivars: Lok1, HD2967, PBW550, PBW621, and DBW1. The improved pre-bred lines developed following multi-institutional effort should prove a valuable source for the development of cultivars with improved nutritional quality and rust resistance in the ongoing wheat breeding programmes.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-022-01277-w.

Key ingredients and recycling strategy of personal protective equipment (PPE): Towards sustainable solution for the COVID-19 like pandemics

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the complications of plastic trash management and disposal. The current situation of living in fear of transmission of the COVID-19 virus has further transformed our behavioural models, such as regularly using personal protective equipment (PPE) kits and single-use applications for day to day needs etc. It has been estimated that with the passage of the coronavirus epidemic every month, there is expected use of 200 billion pieces of single-use facemasks and gloves. PPE are well established now as life-saving items for medicinal specialists to stay safe through the COVID-19 pandemic. Different processes such as glycolysis, hydrogenation, aminolysis, hydrolysis, pyrolysis, and gasification are now working on finding advanced technologies to transfer waste PPE into value-added products. Here, in this article, we have discussed the recycling strategies of PPE, important components (such as medical gloves, gowns, masks & respirators and other face and eye protection) and the raw materials used in PPE kits. Further, the value addition methods to recycling the PPE kits, chemical & apparatus used in recycling and recycling components into value-added products. Finally, the biorenewable materials in PPE for textiles components have been discussed along with concluded remarks.

Metabolite profiling identified pipecolic acid as an important component of peanut seed resistance against Aspergillus flavus infection

In a previous study, we identified a halotolerant rhizobacterium belonging to the genus Klebsiella (MBE02) that protected peanut seeds from Aspergillus flavus infection. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the effect of MBE02 against A. flavus via untargeted metabolite profiling of peanut seeds treated with MBE02, A. flavus, or MBE02+A. flavus. Thirty-five metabolites were differentially accumulated across the three treatments (compared to the control), and the levels of pipecolic acid (Pip) were reduced upon A. flavus treatment only. We validated the function of Pip against A. flavus using multiple resistant and susceptible peanut cultivars. Pip accumulation was strongly associated with the resistant genotypes that also accumulated several mRNAs of the ALD1-like gene in the Pip biosynthesis pathway. Furthermore, exogenous treatment of a susceptible peanut cultivar with Pip reduced A. flavus infection in the seeds. Our findings indicate that Pip is a key component of peanut resistance to A. flavus.

The in vitro toxicity of nitrile and epithionitrile derivatives of glucosinolates from swedes (Brassica napus) in human and bovine liver cells

AIM

To investigate the direct in vitro toxicity in human and bovine liver cells, and inhibition of activity of ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2) and cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) by five nitrile and epithionitrile derivatives from swede (Brassica napus).

METHODS

The following compounds were investigated: 1-cyano-2-hydroxy-3-butene (CHB, epithionitrile derivative of progoitrin), 1-cyano-2-hydroxy-3,4-epithiobutane (epithionitrile derivative of progoitrin), 3-butenenitrile (nitrile from sinigrin), 4-pentenenitrile (nitrile from gluconapin), and 5-hexenenitrile (nitrile from glucobrassicanapin). Direct cytotoxicity was assessed by incubating the compounds (at 100 mM, 200 mM, 2 M) with human (HepG2) hepatocellular carcinoma cells or bovine primary hepatocytes for 24 hours. Cell viability was then assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cytotoxicity in Hep2G cells was also assessed after incubation for 72 hours at sub-chronic concentrations (1, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20 µM) and for combinations of compounds (20 µM). The ability of compounds to inhibit activity of the ABCG2 transporter and the CYP3A4 enzyme were assessed using human ABCG2 vesicles and demethylation of erythromycin by rat liver microsomes, respectively.

RESULTS

No reduction of cell viability compared to control assays was observed when the tested compounds were incubated with Hep2G cells or bovine liver cells at concentrations up to 2 mM for 24 hours or with Hep2G cells at concentrations up to 20 µM for 72 hours. None of the five tested compounds inhibited the ability of the ABCG2 transporter to transport the fluorescent substrate at concentrations up to 2 mM. Furthermore, no inhibition of CYP3A4 activity (measured as N-demethylation of erythromycin) was observed for CHB up to 2 mM.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that under these conditions, the selected nitrile or epithionitrile derivatives of glucosinolates are not hepatotoxic in vitro.

Dissecting Quantitative Trait Loci for Spot Blotch Resistance in South Asia Using Two Wheat Recombinant Inbred Line Populations

Spot blotch (SB) disease causes significant yield loss in wheat production in the warm and humid regions of the eastern Gangetic plains (EGP) of South Asia (SA). Most of the cultivated varieties in the eastern part of SA are affected by SB under favorable climatic conditions. To understand the nature of SB resistance and map the underlying resistant loci effective in SA, two bi-parental mapping populations were evaluated for 3 years, i.e., 2013-2015 for the BARTAI × CIANO T79 population (denoted as BC) and 2014-2016 for the CASCABEL × CIANO T79 population (CC), at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. DArTSeq genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) platform was used for genotyping of the populations. Distribution of disease reaction of genotypes in both populations was continuous, revealing the quantitative nature of resistance. Significant "genotype," "year," and "genotype × year" interactions for SB were observed. Linkage map with the genome coverage of 8,598.3 and 9,024.7 cM in the BC and CC population, respectively, was observed. Two quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were detected on chromosomes 1A and 4D in the BC population with an average contribution of 4.01 and 12.23% of the total phenotypic variation (PV), respectively. Seven stable QTLs were detected on chromosomes 1B, 5A, 5B, 6A, 7A, and 7B in the CC population explaining 2.89-10.32% of PV and collectively 39.91% of the total PV. The QTL detected at the distal end of 5A chromosome contributed 10.32% of the total PV. The QTLs on 6A and 7B in CC could be new, and the one on 5B may represent the Sb2 gene. These QTLs could be used in SB resistance cultivar development for SA.

Genetic characterization for lesion mimic and other traits in relation to spot blotch resistance in spring wheat

Lesion mimic (Lm) mutants display hypersensitive responses (HR) without any pathogen attack; their symptoms are similar to those produced by a pathogen and result in cell death. In wheat, such mutants have been reported to be resistant against leaf rust due to their biotrophic nature. However, Lm mutants tend to encourage spot blotch (SB) disease caused by Bipolarissorokiniana since dead cells facilitate pathogen multiplication. In this study, 289 diverse wheat germplasm lines were phenotyped in three consecutive growing seasons (2012–2015). Genotype data was generated using the Illumina iSelect beadchip assay platform for wheat germplasm lines. A total of 13,589 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected andused for further association mapping. Lm was positively associated with Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) for SB but negatively with glaucous index (GI), leaf tip necrosis (Ltn) and latent period (LP). Ltn had a negative association with AUDPC and Lm but a positive one with LP. In a genome-wide association study (GWAS), 29 markers were significantly associated with these traits and 27 were an notated. Seven SNP markers associated with Lm were on chromosome 6A; another on 1B was found to be linked with Ltn. Like wise, seven SNP markers were associated with GI; one on chromosome 6A with the others on 6B. Five SNP markers on chromosomes 3B and 3Dwere significantly correlated with LP, while nine SNP markers on chromosomes 5A and 5B were significantly associated with AUDPC for SB. This study is the first to explore the interaction in wheat between Lm mutants and the hemibiotrophic SB pathogen B.sorokiniana.

IMA Genome - F13: Draft genome sequences of Ambrosiella cleistominuta, Cercospora brassicicola, C. citrullina, Physcia stellaris, and Teratosphaeria pseudoeucalypti

Draft genomes of the fungal species Ambrosiella cleistominuta, Cercospora brassicicola, C. citrullina, Physcia stellaris, and Teratosphaeria pseudoeucalypti are presented. Physcia stellaris is an important lichen forming fungus and Ambrosiella cleistominuta is an ambrosia beetle symbiont. Cercospora brassicicola and C. citrullina are agriculturally relevant plant pathogens that cause leaf-spots in brassicaceous vegetables and cucurbits respectively. Teratosphaeria pseudoeucalypti causes severe leaf blight and defoliation of Eucalyptus trees. These genomes provide a valuable resource for understanding the molecular processes in these economically important fungi.

Effect of heat stress during flowering and pod formation in pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Heat stress is a major constraint of yield in grain legumes including peas. Increasing global warming and human population now urge to develop climate resilient varieties. The present experiment was conducted over 2 years to evaluate the heat tolerance of 211 pea genotypes. In the present study, the field pea genotypes showed a wide variation for reproductive stage heat stress (RSHS) quantitative traits. Significant positive correlations were found between no. of seeds per plant and no. of pods per plant; seed diameter (mm) and 25-seed weight (g) in heat tolerant as well as heat susceptible genotypes. Principal component analysis revealed two major principal components contributed approximately 91% of total variations and heat tolerant and susceptible genotypes separately formed two major clusters. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that no. of seeds per plant was the best predictor for no. of pods per plant. On the basis of four RSHS traits, the most prominent heat tolerant pea genotypes identified in the present study JP-625, IARI-2877, PMR-38 II, EC-318760, EC-328758 and IARI-2904 would better combat RSHS and provide yield stability under changing climatic conditions.

ToxA-Tsn1 Interaction for Spot Blotch Susceptibility in Indian Wheat: An Example of Inverse Gene-for-Gene Relationship

The ToxA-Tsn1 system is an example of an inverse gene-for-gene relationship. The gene ToxA encodes a host-selective toxin (HST) which functions as a necrotrophic effector and is often responsible for the virulence of the pathogen. The genomes of several fungal pathogens (e.g., Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, Parastagonospora nodorum, and Bipolaris sorokiniana) have been shown to carry the ToxA gene. Tsn1 is a sensitivity gene in the host, whose presence generally helps a ToxA-positive pathogen to cause spot blotch in wheat. Cultivars lacking Tsn1 are generally resistant to spot blotch; this resistance is attributed to a number of other known genes which impart resistance in the absence of Tsn1. In the present study, 110 isolates of B. sorokiniana strains, collected from the ME₅A and ME₄C megaenvironments of India, were screened for the presence of the ToxA gene; 77 (70%) were found to be ToxA positive. Similarly, 220 Indian wheat cultivars were screened for the presence of the Tsn1 gene; 81 (36.8%) were found to be Tsn1 positive. When 20 wheat cultivars (11 with Tsn1 and 9 with tsn1) were inoculated with ToxA-positive isolates, seedlings of only those carrying the Tsn1 allele (not tsn1) developed necrotic spots surrounded by a chlorotic halo. No such distinction between Tsn1 and tsn1 carriers was observed when adult plants were inoculated. This study suggests that the absence of Tsn1 facilitated resistance against spot blotch of wheat. Therefore, the selection of wheat genotypes for the absence of the Tsn1 allele can improve resistance to spot blotch.

Variations in straw fodder quality and grain-Straw relationships in a mapping population of 287 diverse spring wheat lines

A wheat association mapping population consisting of 287 diverse spring wheat lines were evaluated for three years in one location (Varanasi) and out of these for one year across three locations (Karnal, Dharwad and Varanasi) in India. Straw fodder quality traits analyzed were nitrogen (N) content, neutral (NDF) and acid (ADF) detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin (ADL), ash (ASH), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and metabolizable energy (ME) content. Grain yield (GY) and straw yield (SY) were also recorded. Highly significant (P < 0.0001) differences among lines were observed for all traits except for ADF and ADL in the three years trials conducted at Varanasi. However, year and location had strong (P < 0.0001) effects on all traits. Compared to line-dependent variations in GY and SY variation in straw fodder quality traits were small. Proportionally greatest variations between lines were observed for straw N where lowest and highest N varied by about 30%. Difference for NDF and ADF between lines were at most 4% units and below 3% units for IVOMD. Grain yield and straw yield were positively correlated (P < 0.0001) with GY accounting for 26% of the variation in SY. Straw N, IVOMD and ME were weakly but significantly (P < 0.05) negatively associated with GY and SY. Straw NDF and ADF were significantly (P < 0.05) positively correlated with GY but the association was again weak. Straw NDF, ADF and ADL were also weakly but significantly positively correlated with SY. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were applied to detect significant marker- straw fodder quality trait associations. Five genomic regions contributed for six traits (ADF, ADL, ASH, IVOMD, ME and NDF). ADF and ADL mapped in the common QTL region on chromosome 2B. Similarly, for the IVOMD and ME QTLs on chromosome 5B were associated with SNP marker, wsnp_Ku_c35090_44349517. While some associations were detected for ADF, ALD, ASH, IVOMD, ME and NDF on chromosomes 1A, 2B, 3A, 5A and 5B, the phenotypic variation explained was low to medium by individual QTL. A likely contributing factor was the comparatively small difference in straw fodder quality traits among the lines. It is interesting to note that line dependent variations in GY and SY were about two-fold. In other words, strong genotypic variations of GY and SY do exist. The lack of any similar variations in straw fodder quality traits is intriguing and requires further research.

Vulnerability of Indian wheat against rising temperature and aerosols

Potential impacts of change in climate on Indian agriculture may be significantly adverse, if not disastrous. There are projections of potential loss in wheat yield due to the rise in daily minimum (Tmin) and maximum (Tmax) temperature, but only few researchers have considered the extent of such loss on a spatial scale. We therefore, systematically studied the effect of change in Tmax, Tmean (daily average temperature) and Tmin, solar radiation (Srad) and precipitation (RAIN) during wheat growing seasons (from 1986 to 2015) on wheat crop yield over five wheat growing zones across India, taking into account the effect modification by aerosol loading (in terms of aerosol optical depth, 2001-2015). We note that for the entire India, 1 °C rise in Tmean resulted a 7% decrease in wheat yield which varied disproportionately across the crop growing zones by a range of -9% (peninsular zone, PZ) to 4% (northern hills zone, NHZ). The effect of Tmean on wheat yield was identical to the marginal effect of Tmax and Tmin, while 1% increase in Srad enhance wheat yield by 4% for all India with small geographical variations (2-5%), except for the northern hill region (-4%). Rise in 1 °C Tmean exclusively during grain filling duration was noted positive for all the wheat growing regions (0-2%) except over central plain zone (-3%). When estimates of weather variables on wheat yield was combined with the estimated impact of aerosols on weather, the most significant impact was noted over the NHZ (-23%), which otherwise varied from -7% to -4%. Overall, the study brings out the conclusive evidence of negative impact of rising temperature on wheat yield across India, which we found spatially inconsistent and highly uncertain when integrated with the compounding effect of aerosols loading.

Deposition of Aerosolized Lucinactant in Nonhuman Primates

Background: Lucinactant for inhalation is an investigational noninvasive, aerosolized surfactant replacement therapy for treatment of preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome. Lucinactant for inhalation consists of lyophilized lucinactant and the Aerosurf^® Delivery System (ADS). The objective of this study was to characterize the total and regional pulmonary deposition of lucinactant delivered by the ADS in nonhuman primates (NHPs).

Methods: Lucinactant was radiolabeled by the addition of technetium-99m (^99mTc)-sulfur colloid. The radiolabeled aerosol was characterized and validated using a Mercer cascade impactor. An in vivo deposition study was performed in three cynomolgus macaques. Radiolabeled lucinactant was aerosolized using the ADS and delivered via nasal cannula under 5 cm H₂O nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) for 5–9 minutes. A two-dimensional planar image was acquired immediately after aerosol administration, followed by a three-dimensional single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) image and a second planar image. The images were analyzed to determine the pulmonary (lungs) and extrapulmonary (nose + mouth, trachea, stomach) distribution. The SPECT data were used to determine regional deposition.

Results: The radiolabed lucinactant aerosol had a mass median aerodynamic diameter = 2.91 μm, geometric standard deviation (GSD) = 1.81, and an activity median aerodynamic diameter = 2.92 μm, GSD = 2.06. Aerosolized lucinactant was observed to deposit in the lungs (11.4%), nose + mouth (79.9%), trachea (7.3%), and stomach (1.4%). Analysis of the SPECT image demonstrated that the regional deposition within the lung was generally homogeneous. Aerosolized lucinactant was deposited in both the central (52.8% ± 1.2%) and peripheral (47.2% ± 1.2%) regions of the lungs.

Conclusion: Aerosolized lucinactant, delivered using the ADS via constant flow nCPAP, is deposited in all regions of the lungs demonstrating that surfactant can be aerosolized and delivered noninvasively to NHPs.

Hydrogen Peroxide Prompted Lignification Affects Pathogenicity of Hemi-biotrophic Pathogen Bipolaris sorokiniana to Wheat

Spot blotch caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana has spread to more than 9 million ha of wheat in the warm, humid areas of the Eastern Gangetic Plains (EGP) of South Asia and is a disease of major concern in other similar wheat growing regions worldwide. Differential lignin content in resistant and susceptible genotypes and its association with free radicals such as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), superoxide (O₂ ^-) and hydroxyl radical (OH^-) were studied after inoculation under field conditions for two consecutive years. H₂O₂ significantly influenced lignin content in flag leaves, whereas there was a negative correlation among lignin and H₂O₂ to the Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC). The production of H₂O₂ was higher in the resistant genotypes than susceptible ones. The O₂ ^- and OH^- positively correlated with AUDPC but negatively with lignin content. This study illustrates that H₂O₂ has a vital role in prompting lignification and thereby resistance to spot blotch in wheat. We used cluster analysis to separate the resistant and susceptible genotypes by phenotypic and biochemical traits. H₂O₂ associated lignin production significantly reduced the number of appressoria and penetration pegs. We visualized the effect of lignin in disease resistance using differential histochemical staining of tissue from resistant and susceptible genotypes, which shows the variable accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and lignin around penetration sites.

Pulmonary and Regional Deposition of Nebulized and Dry Powder Aerosols in Ferrets

The utilization of ferrets as a non-clinical model for disease is rapidly increasing within drug development. Many of these models include respiratory diseases that involve targeted drug delivery via nose-only inhalation. While the deposition patterns within other non-clinical models (mice, rats, canines, and non-human primates) have been well studied, the local and regional deposition of aerosols in ferrets has not been well characterized. Therefore, inhalation aerosols were developed, radiolabeled and the radiolabeling methods validated to support SPECT-CT imaging and quantification of regional deposition within ferrets. The studies were conducted with one liquid formulation and one dry powder formulation (two concentrations of dry powder). Additionally, both aerosols were polydisperse and therefore reflect the majority of pharmaceutical aerosols. Overall, the studies showed lung deposition fractions between 5 and 10% with median aerodynamic particle sizes of 2.5 and 2.8 μm. The lung deposition fraction of the liquid aerosol was ~ 9%, nearly double observed in rats with a similarly sized aerosol. Analysis of respiratory tract (oropharynx, laryngopharynx, trachea, bifurcation area, and lung) deposition indicates increased deposition of the liquid aerosol compared to the dry powder aerosol, however, when this analysis was refined to the pulmonary region (trachea, bifurcation, and lung) the deposition was similar between formulations. These data provide the first description of the regional deposition of inhalation aerosols in ferrets with standard nose-only inhalation procedures. These data can be used for calculations of both total and regional doses within ferret inhalation drug delivery.

Deciphering Genotype-by- Environment Interaction for Targeting Test Environments and Rust Resistant Genotypes in Field Pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Rust caused by Uromyces viciae-fabae is a major biotic constraint to field pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivation worldwide. Deployment of host-pathogen interaction and resistant phenotype is a modest strategy for controlling this intricate disease. However, resistance against this pathogen is partial and influenced by environmental factors. Therefore, the magnitude of environmental and genotype-by-environment interaction was assessed to understand the dynamism of resistance and identification of durable resistant genotypes, as well as ideal testing locations for rust screening through multi-location and multi-year evaluation. Initial screening was conducted with 250 diverse genotypes at rust hot spots. A panel of 23 promising field pea genotypes extracted from initial evaluation was further assessed under inoculated conditions for rust disease for two consecutive years at six locations in India. Integration of GGE biplot analysis and multiple comparisons tests detected a higher proportion of variation in rust reaction due to environment (56.94%) as an interactive factor followed by genotype × environment interaction (35.02%), which justified the requisite of multi-year, and multi-location testing. Environmental component for disease reaction and dominance of cross over interaction (COI) were asserted by the inconsistent and non-repeatable genotypic response. The present study effectively allocated the testing locations into various categories considering their "repeatability" and "desirability index" over the years along with "discrimination power" and "representativeness." "Mega environment" identification helped in restructuring the ecological zonation and location of specific breeding. Detection of non-redundant testing locations would expedite optimal resource utilization in future. The computation of the confidence limit (CL) at 95% level through bootstrapping strengthened the accuracy of the GGE biplot and legitimated the precision of genotypes recommendation. Genotype, IPF-2014-16, KPMR-936 and IPF-2014-13 identified as "ideal" genotypes, which can be recommended for release and exploited in a resistance breeding program for the region confronting field pea rust.

Genome-wide association mapping of spot blotch resistance in wheat association mapping initiative (WAMI) panel of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Spot blotch (SB) caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana, is one of the most important diseases of wheat in the eastern part of south Asia causing considerable yield loss to the wheat crop. There is an urgent need to identify genetic loci closely associated with resistance to this pathogen for developing resistant cultivars. Hence, genomic regions responsible for SB resistance were searched using a wheat association mapping initiative (WAMI) panel involving 287 spring wheat genotypes of different origin. Genome-wide association mapping (GWAM) was performed using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers from a custom 90 K wheat SNP array. A mixed linear model (MLM) was used for assessing the association of SNP markers with spot blotch resistance in three consecutive years. Three traits were measured: incubation period, lesion number and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). Significant SNP markers were found linked to five, six and four quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for incubation period, lesion number and AUDPC respectively. They were detected on 11 different chromosomes: 1A, 1B, 1D, 4A, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6D, 7A, 7B with marker R² range of 0.083 to 0.11. The greatest number of significant SNP-markers was found for lesion number and AUDPC on chromosome 6B and 5B, respectively, representing a better coverage of B-genome by SNPs. On the other hand, the most significant and largest SNP markers for incubation period were detected on 6A and 4A chromosomes indicating that this trait is associated with the A-genome of wheat. Although, QTLs for spot blotch resistance have been reported in wheat on these same chromosomes, the association of incubation period and lesion number with SB resistance has not been reported in previous studies. The panel exhibits considerable variation for SB resistance and also provides a good scope of marker-assisted selection using the identified SNP markers linked to resistant QTLs.

Deciphering genome-wide WRKY gene family of Triticum aestivum L. and their functional role in response to Abiotic stress

WRKY transcription factors (TFs) act in regulating plant growth and development as well as in response to different stress. Some earlier studies done by individual researchers reported different wheat WRKY TFs. Although, the recently released wheat genome has opened an avenue to investigate wheat WRKYs (TaWRKY) TFs. Prime objective of this study to performed genome-wide classifications of TaWRKYs and their functional annotation. The classification of 107 individual identified characterized sequences of TaWRKY (IICS-TaWRKY) and 160 uncharacterized draft sequences of TaWRKY (UDS-TaWRKY), along with their gene structures and motifs analysis was performed. Along with comparative sequence analysis and microarray analysis was performed to mimic out TaWRKYs functions in response to different abiotic stresses, accompanied by in-vitro validation. The comparative phylogenetic analysis and estimation of Ka/Ks ratio with Triticum urartu, illustrate group based clasifications of TaWRKYs and evolutionary divergences. Furthermore, motif-based and protein-DNA interaction analysis of TaWRKYs helps to identify, their putative function in target DNA recognition sites. Subsequently, results of microarray and comparative sequence analysis provides the evidence of TaWRKYs involved in heat and/or drought stress. Further, in-vitro results validates that TaWRKY014, TaWRKY090 are found to participate in response of drought stress, whereas TaWRKY008, TaWRKY122, and WRKY45 are involved in response of heat and drought stress. These findings can be utilized in developing novel heat and drought-tolerant wheat cultivars using marker-assisted breeding and transgenic development.

Natural Variation in Elicitation of Defense-Signaling Associates to Field Resistance Against the Spot Blotch Disease in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Spot blotch, caused by the hemibiotropic fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana, is amongst the most damaging diseases of wheat. Still, natural variation in expression of biochemical traits that determine field resistance to spot blotch in wheat remain unaddressed. To understand how genotypic variations relate to metabolite profiles of the components of defense-signaling and the plant performance, as well as to discover novel sources of resistance against spot blotch, we have conducted field studies using 968 wheat genotypes at 5 geographical locations in South-Asia in 2 years. 46 genotypes were identified as resistant. Further, in independent confirmatory trials in subsequent 3 years, over 5 geographical locations, we re-characterized 55 genotypes for their resistance (above 46 along with Yangmai#6, a well characterized resistant genotype, and eight susceptible genotypes). We next determined time-dependent spot blotch-induced metabolite profiles of components of defense-signaling as well as levels of enzymatic components of defense pathway (such as salicylic acid (SA), phenolic acids, and redox components), and derived co-variation patterns with respect to resistance in these 55 genotypes. Spot blotch-induced SA accumulation was negatively correlated to disease progression. Amongst phenolic acids, syringic acid was most strongly inversely correlated to disease progression, indicating a defensive function, which was independently confirmed. Thus, exploring natural variation proved extremely useful in determining traits influencing phenotypic plasticity and adaptation to complex environments. Further, by overcoming environmental heterogeneity, our study identifies germplasm and biochemical traits that are deployable for spot blotch resistance in wheat along South-Asia.