Alien chromosome segment from Aegilops speltoides and Dasypyrum villosum increases drought tolerance in wheat via profuse and deep root system

Abstract

Background Recurrent drought associated with climate change is a major constraint to wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) productivity. This study aimed to (i) quantify the effects of addition/substitution/translocation of chromosome segments from wild relatives of wheat on the root, physiological and yield traits of hexaploid wheat under drought, and (ii) understand the mechanism(s) associated with drought tolerance or susceptibility in wheat-alien chromosome lines. Methods A set of 48 wheat-alien chromosome lines (addition/substitution/translocation lines) with Chinese Spring background were used. Seedling root traits were studied on solid agar medium. To understand the influence of drought on the root system of adult plants, these 48 lines were grown in 150-cm columns for 65 d under full irrigation or withholding water for 58 d. To quantify the effect of drought on physiological and yield traits, the 48 lines were grown in pots under full irrigation until anthesis; after that, half of the plants were drought stressed by withholding water for 16 d before recording physiological and yield-associated traits. Results The alien chromosome lines exhibited altered root architecture and decreased photochemical efficiency and seed yield and its components under drought. The wheat-alien chromosome lines T5DS·5S#3L (TA5088) with a chromosome segment from Aegilops speltoides (5S) and T5DL . 5 V#3S (TA5638) with a chromosome segment from Dasypyrum villosum (5 V) were identified as drought tolerant, and the drought tolerance mechanism was associated with a deep, thin and profuse root system. Conclusions The two germplasm lines (TA5088 and TA5638) could be used in wheat breeding programs to improve drought tolerance in wheat and understand the underlying molecular genetic mechanisms of root architecture and drought tolerance. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12870-019-1833-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Molecular Characterization of the Dwarf53 Gene Homolog in Dasypyrum Villosum

“…This marker helped us establish that the D53 gene in D. villosum is located on the long arm of the 5V chromosome. A previous study showed that the 5V chromosome of D. villosum improves drought tolerance by stimulating the development of a deeper and branched root system [22]. However, that study used the 5638 line, bearing the short arm of the 5V chromosome and, according to our results, not carrying the D53 gene.…”

“…D. villosum is known to have greater tillering capacity than wheat [13]. Branching of the roots contributes to better absorption of water and nutrients from the soil under conditions of their deficiency [8,22]. At the same time, the D53 gene also has some effect on the length of the stems [2].…”

Pyramiding of High Grain Weight With Stripe Rust and Leaf Rust Resistance in Elite Indian Wheat Cultivar Using a Combination of Marker Assisted and Phenotypic Selection

“…Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) is an important cereal crop in India, ranking second after rice for the area (29.31 million hectares) and production (103.6 million metrics) with the state of Punjab sharing 18% of production. With global per capita consumption of 67.4 kg/year, wheat is the most widely consumed food grain ( Djanaguiraman et al, 2019 ). In India only, the population is projected to cross the 1.70 billion mark by 2050 with a domestic demand of wheat exceeding 140 million tons ( Nagarajan, 2005 ) 1 .…”

Molecular analysis of gibberellin receptor gene GID1 in Dasypyrum villosum and development of DNA marker for its identification

“…Dasypyrum villosum (2n = 2x = 14, VV) is an annual cereal of Triticeae family, it grows in mid-sea region, southwestern Asia and Russia. Species of Dasypyrum genus have approved themselves as a reliable source of resistance genes to biotic [2,3] and abiotic [4] stress. As a rule, gene transfer from Dasypyrum to common wheat occurs through the use of lines with substituted or translocated chromosomes [5][6][7]; this method has been widely used from the end of the last century to the present day [8][9][10][11][12].…”

“…Dasypyrum villosum (2n = 2x = 14, VV) однолетний злак трибы Triticeae, в природе встречающийся в районе Средиземноморья, юго-западной части Азии и России. Виды рода Dasypyrum зарекомендовали себя как надежный источник генов устойчивости к биотическим [2,3] и абиотическим [4] стрессам. Как правило, перенос генов от дазипирумов в геном мягкой пшеницы происходит путем использования линий с замещенными или транслоцированными хромосомами [5][6][7], этот способ широко применяется с конца прошлого века до наших дней [8][9][10][11][12].…”