Genetic diversity, antifungal evaluation and molecular docking studies of Cu-chitosan nanoparticles as prospective stem rust inhibitor candidates among some Egyptian wheat genotypes.

Hanaa S Omar,Neama H Osman,Mohamed A Abou-Zeid,Nour El-Houda A Reyad,Abdullah Al Mutery,Himanshu Sharma

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0257959

Hanaa S Omar, Neama H Osman + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257959

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Abstract

Wheat has a remarkable importance among cereals worldwide. Wheat stem and leaf rust constitute the main threats that destructively influence grain quality and yield production. Pursuing resistant cultivars and developing new genotypes including resistance genes is believed to be the most effective tool to overcome these challenges. This study is the first to use molecular markers to evaluate the genetic diversity of eighteen Egyptian wheat genotypes. Moreover, the molecular docking analysis was also used to assess the Cu-chitosan nanoparticle (CuChNp) treatment and its mode of action in disease control management. The tested genotypes were categorized into two main cluster groups depending on the similarity matrix, i.e the most resistant and susceptible genotypes to stem and leaf rust races. The results of SCoT primers revealed 140 polymorphic and 5 monomorphic bands with 97% polymorphism. While 121 polymorphic and 74 monomorphic bands were scored for SRAP primers (99% polymorphism). The genotypes Sakha 94, Sakha 95, Beni Sweif 4, Beni Sweif 7, Sohag 4 and Sohag 5 were resistant, while Giza 160 was highly susceptible to all stem rust races at the seedling stage. However, in the adult stage, the 18 genotypes were evaluated for stem and leaf rust-resistant in two different locations, i.e. Giza and Sids. In this investigation, for the first time, the activity of CuChNp was studied and shown to have the potential to inhibit stem and leaf rust in studied Egyptian wheat genotypes. The Spraying Cu-chitosan nanoparticles showed that the incubation and latent periods were increased in treated plants of the tested genotypes. Molecular modeling revealed their activity against the stem and leaf rust development. The SRAP and SCoT markers were highly useful tools for the classification of the tested wheat genotypes, although they displayed high similarities at the morphological stage. However, Cu-chitosan nanoparticles have a critical and effective role in stem and leaf rust disease control.

Highlights

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is considered to be a major source of food grains in Egypt and worldwide
Eighteen Egyptian wheat genotypes were evaluated in their seedling stage against twenty different stem and leaf rust races under greenhouse conditions in Giza locations during the two growing season 2020
The results revealed that the gene-targeted molecular marker (SCoT) has several advantages over the use of dominant random markers

Summary

Introduction

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is considered to be a major source of food grains in Egypt and worldwide. By 2050, wheat demand is expected to noticeably rise by 60 percent, in the developing countries [1]. Wheat is mainly targeted by three rust diseases, i.e. stripe, leaf, and stem rusts. The latter was caused by Puccinia graminis Pers. Stem rust fungus attacks wheat plants, especially those planted lately, leading to blockage of the vascular system, plant stunting, and causing up to approximately 100% yield losses due to damaged grains and tillers [4]. In Egypt, leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina could cause yield loss of 5–10% or more in commercial wheat cultivars as they lack adequate resistance to the pathogen [6,7]

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