Late Stages Of Grain Research Articles

Senescence-Specific Expression of RAmy1A Accelerates Non-structural Carbohydrate Remobilization and Grain Filling in Rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Remobilization of pre-anthesis NSCs (non-structural carbohydrates) is significant for effective grain filling in rice (Oryza sativa L.). However, abundant starch particles as an important component of NSCs are still present in the leaf sheath and stem at the late stage of grain filling. There are no studies on how bioengineering techniques can be used to improve the efficiency of NSC remobilization. In this study, RAmy1A was expressed under the senescence-specific promoter of SAG12, which was designed to degrade starch in the leaf sheath and stem during grain filling. RAmy1A mRNA successfully accumulated in the leaf, stem, and sheath of transgenic plants after anthesis. At the same time, the starch and total soluble sugar content in the leaf, stem, and leaf sheath were obviously decreased during the grain-filling period. The photosynthetic rate of transgenic lines was higher than that of the wild types by an average of 4.0 and 9.9%, at 5 and 10 days after flowering, respectively. In addition, the grain-filling rate of transgenic lines was faster than that of the wild types by an average of 26.09%. These results indicate an enhanced transport efficiency of NSCs from source tissues in transgenic rice. Transgenic rice also displayed accelerated leaf senescence, which was hypothesized to contribute to decreased grain weight.

Late-Maturity Alpha-Amylase in Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Its Impact on Fresh White Sauce Qualities.

When wheat experiences a cold-temperature ‘shock’ during the late stage of grain filling, it triggers the abnormal synthesis of late-maturity α-amylase (LMA). This increases the enzyme content in affected grain, which can lead to a drastic reduction in falling number (FN). By commercial standards, a low FN is taken as an indication of inferior quality, deemed unsuitable for end-product usage. Hence, LMA-affected grains are either rejected or downgraded to feed grade at the grain receiving point. However, previous studies have found no substantial correlation between low FN-LMA and bread quality. The present study extends previous investigations to semi-solid food, evaluating the physical quality of fresh white sauce processed from LMA-affected flour. Results show that high-LMA flours had low FNs and exhibited poor pasting characteristics. However, gelation occurred in the presence of other components during fresh white sauce processing. This demonstrates that LMA-affected flours may have new applications in low-viscosity products.

Regulation of Gene Expression in the Remobilization of Carbon Reserves in Rice Stems During Grain Filling.

Carbon reserves in rice straw (stem and sheath) before flowering contribute to a significant portion of grain filling. However, the molecular mechanism of carbon reserve remobilization from straw to grains remains unclear. In this study, super rice LYP9 and conventional rice 9311 showed different carbon reserve remobilization behaviors. The transcriptomic profiles of straws of LYP9 and 9311 were analyzed at three stages of grain filling. Among the differentially expressed genes (DGs), 5,733 genes were uniquely up- or down-regulated at 30 days after anthesis (DAA) between LYP9 and 9311 in comparison with 681 at 10 DAA and 495 at 20 DAA, suggesting that the gene expression profile of LYP9 was very different from that of 9311 at the late stage of grain filling. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis and Gene Ontology (GO) classification of DGs both showed that the carbohydrate catabolic pathway, plant hormone signal transduction and photosynthesis pathway were enriched in DGs, suggesting their roles in carbon reserve remobilization, which explains to a certain extent the difference in non-structural carbohydrate content, photosynthesis and ABA content between the two cultivars during grain filling. Further comparative analysis and confirmation by quantitative real-time PCR and enzyme assays suggest that genes involved in trehalose synthesis (trehalose-phosphate phosphatase and trehalose 6-phosphate synthase/phosphatase), starch degradation (β-amylase) and sucrose synthesis (sucrose-phosphate synthase and sucrose synthase) were important for carbon reserve remobilization, whereas ABA content was determined by the counteraction of NCED1 and ABA8ox1 genes. The higher expression level of all these genes and ABA content in 9311 resulted in better efficiency of carbon reserve remobilization in 9311 than in LYP9.

Effect of panicle nitrogen on grain filling characteristics of high-yielding rice cultivars

The effects of four levels of panicle nitrogen fertilizer on the grain filling characteristics of three rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties (super japonica rice Ningjing 3, three-line japonica hybrid rice Changyou 3 and three-line indica–japonica hybrid rice Yongyou 12) were analyzed. The results showed that difference in time of maximum filling rate (Tmax) was the smallest between the superior and inferior spikelets of Ningjing 3, bigger between those of Changyou 3, the biggest between those of Yongyou 12. Ningjing 3 was of the synchronous grain-filling type, Yongyou 12 the asynchronous type, and the Changyou 3 the medium type. The grain filling rate, the initial filling power (R0), the maximum filling rate (Gmax), and the average filling rate (G) of the superior and inferior spikelets of the three varieties under the treatment of panicle N with the amount of 120 kg ha−1 (middle panicle N, shortened as NM) treatment were higher than those of other treatments. NM treatment led to the highest increase in grain weight at the middle stage of filling for all the three varieties. The treatment shortened the early and late stages of grain filling, but extended the middle stage when the filling rate was the highest. However, the middle stage of grain filling of Changyou 3 and Yongyou 12 was much more extended than that of Ningjing 3, indicating a better effect of N on hybrid rice varieties.

Photochemical and antioxidative responses of the glume and flag leaf to seasonal senescence in wheat.

The non-leaf photosynthetic organs have recently attracted much attention for the breeding and screening of varieties of cereal crops to achieve a high grain yield. However, the glume photosynthetic characteristics and responses to high temperature at the late stages of grain filling are not well known in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In the present study, an experiment was conducted to investigate the anatomy, chloroplast temporal changes, chlorophyll fluorescence, xanthophyll cycle and antioxidative defense system in glumes of field-grown wheat during grain filling compared with flag leaves. Observations using a light microscope revealed that the glumes developed a solid structural base for performing photosynthesis. Compared with the flag leaves, the glumes preserved a more integral ultrastructure, as observed under transmission electron microscopy, and had higher values of Fv/Fm and ΦPSII at the maturity stage. Further analysis of the chlorophyll fluorescence demonstrated that the glumes experienced high non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) at the late stages. Determination of the pool size of the xanthophyll cycle suggested that the (A+Z)/(V+A+Z) ratio was consistently higher in glumes than in flag leaves and that the V+A+Z content was considerably higher in glumes at the maturity stage. In addition, the glumes exhibited a higher antioxidant enzyme activity and a lower accumulation of reactive oxygen species. These results suggest that the glumes are photosynthetically active and senesce later than the flag leaves; the advantages may have been achieved by coordinated contributions of the structural features, higher NPQ levels, greater de-epoxidation of the xanthophyll cycle components and antioxidative defense metabolism.

Nitrogen effect on amino acid composition in leaf and grain of japonica rice during grain filling stage

This paper reports the effect of nitrogen on amino acid composition of leaf and grain for japonica rice during the grain filling stage, using pot experiments with three N rate treatments. Dynamic changes of free amino acids (FAA) and protein amino acids (PAA) in leaves and grains were monitored. Results showed that FAA in leaves decreased with the progress of grain filling. FAA in grains increased at first 14 days after anthesis and then decreased to a nearly constant level. PAA in leaves showed a diminishing trend as leaf senesced after anthesis. Conversely, PAA in grain exhibited an increasing trend with the progress of grain filling. N had significantly positive effect on contents of FAA and PAA in leaves and grains. There was no obvious trend of the variation of FAA in leaves and grains with N rates. PAA in leaves was more sensitive to N fertilization. By contrast, PAA in grains was more stable across N rates, especially at the late stage of grain filling. In addition, composition of leaf PAA was different from that of grain, indicating the reconstruction of amino acids during the process of translocation of N compounds from leaves to grains.

Carbon assimilation, leaf area dynamics, and grain yield in contemporary earlier- and later-senescing maize hybrids

Maize breeding during the past 50 years has been associated with a delay of leaf senescence, but it is not clear whether this trait is likewise associated with higher grain yield in modern hybrids. Post-silking growth, leaf area dynamics, photosynthetic parameters and yield were compared in modern maize hybrids differing in canopy senescence rate. In the first two experiments, four hybrids were grown in the field at Balcarce, Argentina (37°45′ S, 58°18 W). In spite of differences in chlorophyll retention and photosynthesis of the ear leaf, post-silking growth and grain yield were very similar in all four hybrids while kernel N concentration was lower in the later-senescing hybrids. In a third experiment, a later-senescing (NK870) and an earlier-senescing (DK682) hybrid were grown to analyze the potential photosynthetic contribution of delayed leaf senescence. Leaf area and chlorophyll content were larger in NK870, especially at the lower canopy level (0.75m above the ground). However, hybrids did not differ for canopy light interception. Because photosynthetic photon flux density below 1m above the ground was less than 10% of incident radiation and photosynthesis quantum yield did not change during senescence, the potential photosynthetic output of lower leaves below 1m was very low. Lower leaves of NK870 had N concentrations higher than those needed to sustain photosynthesis at the light conditions below 1m. Therefore, we show that delayed senescence does not necessarily improve post-silking C accumulation because: (i) canopy light interception is not reduced by senescence except at very late stages of grain filling; (ii) contrasting hybrids show more pronounced senescence differences at canopy levels receiving less than 10% of incident radiation; (iii) delayed senescing hybrids present lower kernel N concentrations while extra N is retained in leaves exposed to a light limiting micro-environment. Delayed senescence at lower canopy levels may be unproductive, at least under non-stressing conditions.

Water Use Efficiency and Physiological Response of Rice Cultivars under Alternate Wetting and Drying Conditions

One of the technology options that can help farmers cope with water scarcity at the field level is alternate wetting and drying (AWD). Limited information is available on the varietal responses to nitrogen, AWD, and their interactions. Field experiments were conducted at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) farm in 2009 dry season (DS), 2009 wet season (WS), and 2010 DS to determine genotypic responses and water use efficiency of rice under two N rates and two water management treatments. Grain yield was not significantly different between AWD and continuous flooding (CF) across the three seasons. Interactive effects among variety, water management, and N rate were not significant. The high yield was attributed to the significantly higher grain weight, which in turn was due to slower grain filling and high leaf N at the later stage of grain filling of CF. AWD treatments accelerated the grain filling rate, shortened grain filling period, and enhanced whole plant senescence. Under normal dry-season conditions, such as 2010 DS, AWD reduced water input by 24.5% than CF; however, it decreased grain yield by 6.9% due to accelerated leaf senescence. The study indicates that proper water management greatly contributes to grain yield in the late stage of grain filling, and it is critical for safe AWD technology.

Changes in Activities of Key Enzymes for Starch Synthesis and Glutamine Synthetase in Grains of Progenies from a Rice Cross During Grain Filling

The progenies differed in amylose and protein contents in grains, which derived from a rice cross, Dongnong 423×Toukei 180, were used to study changes in the activities of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPP), soluble starch synthetase (SSS), starch branching enzyme (SBE) and glutamine synthetase (GS) in rice grains during grain filling. The activities of AGPP, SSS and SBE gradually increased and then declined as a single-peak curve with the process of grain filling in the progenies with high and low amylose contents in grains. The progenies with high amylose content peaked earlier in the AGPP, SSS and SBE activities and had higher AGPP, SSS and SBE activities at the early grain filling stage than those with low amylose content. The GS activity peaked earlier and was higher at the late stage of grain filling in the progenies with high protein content than in those with low protein content. It is suggested that the activities of key enzymes for starch synthesis and glutamine synthetase could be changed in oriented breeding for amylose and protein contents in grains.

Starch Synthesis and Programmed Cell Death during Endosperm Development in Triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack)

Triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) grains synthesize and accumulate starch as their main energy source. Starch accumulation rate and synthesis activities of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, soluble starch synthases, granule-bound starch synthase and starch-branching enzyme showed similar pattern of unimodal curves during endosperm development. There was no significant difference in activity of the starch granule-bound protein isolated from total and separated starch granules at different developmental stages after anthesis in triticale. Evans Blue staining and analysis of DNA fragmentation indicated that cells of triticale endosperm undergo programmed cell death during its development. Dead cells within the endosperm were detected at 6 d post anthesis (DPA), and evidence of DNA fragmentation was first observed at 21 DPA. The period between initial detection of PCD to its rapid increase overlapped with the key stages of rapid starch accumulation during endosperm development. Cell death occurred stochastically throughout the whole endosperm, meanwhile, the activities of starch biosynthetic enzymes and the starch accumulation rate decreased in the late stages of grain filling. These results suggested that the timing and progression of PCD in triticale endosperm may interfere with starch synthesis and accumulation.

Effect of Shading at Post Flowering on Photosynthetic Characteristics of Flag Leaf and Response of Grain Yield and Quality to Shading in Wheat

Shading post flowering,caused by cloudy weather and the surrounding protective trees,often occurs in some wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) area in north China. In general,wheat yield is negatively influenced by shading post flowering,but the effect on grain quality is reported discrepantly. This study aimed at disclosing the effects of post-flowering shading on photosynthesis of leaf and yield and quality of grain in wheat,accordingly,giving suggestions to wheat production. Three treatments were designed with shading of 20%,50%,and 80% for 30 d,respectively. The normal condition was taken as the control. The results showed that shading treatments had significant influences on photosynthetic characteristics of flag leaf. The shading treatments increased the number of sterile spikelet and reduced the grain weight per spike and the 1000-grain weight. As a result,the grain yield of the three shading treatments significantly decreased by 27.6%,49.0%,and 60.2% compared with the control. In the shad-ing treatments,the contents of the chlorophylls a and b increased,whereas the ratio of chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b decreased. Moreover,the net photosynthetic rate,the stomatal conductance,and the transpiration rate were also significantly reduced,but the intercellular CO2 concentration was promoted. The shading depression on net photosynthetic rate became smaller in the process of grain filling,with the largest effect at early stage of grain filling and the smallest effect at late stage of grain filling stage. The contents of protein,wet gluten,glutenin,gliadin and the ratio of glutenin to gliadin in grains increased significantly with the increase of shading. The shading influence on glutenin was greater than that on gliadin. Although the shading treatments decreased grain yield obviously,it raised some quality parameters,such as extensibility,development time,stability time,and water absorption of dough. The responses of yield and quality of wheat grain to shading were different because of the discrepant synthesis mechanisms of starch and protein under weak light condition. In wheat protective areas,yield is a priority factor and the tree-wheat intercropping mode should be avoided.

Comparison of the Drought Stress Responses of Tolerant and Sensitive Wheat Cultivars During Grain Filling: Changes in Flag Leaf Photosynthetic Activity, ABA Levels, and Grain Yield

Water status parameters, flag leaf photosynthetic activity, abscisic acid (ABA) levels, grain yield, and storage protein contents were investigated in two drought-tolerant (Triticum aestivum L. cv. MV Emese and cv. Plainsman V) and two drought-sensitive (cvs. GK Elet and Cappelle Desprez) wheat genotypes subjected to soil water deficit during grain filling to characterize physiological traits related to yield. The leaf water potential decreased earlier and at a higher rate in the sensitive than in the tolerant cultivars. The net CO2 assimilation rate (P N) in flag leaves during water deficit did not display a strict correlation with the drought sensitivity of the genotypes. The photosynthetic activity terminated earliest in the tolerant cv. Emese, and the senescence of flag leaves lasted 7 days longer in the sensitive Cappelle Desprez. Soil drought did not induce characteristic differences between sensitive and tolerant cultivars in chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters of flag leaves during post-anthesis. Changes in the effective quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSII) and the photochemical quenching (qP) depended on the genotypes and not on the sensitivity of cultivars. In contrast, the levels of ABA in the kernels displayed typical fluctuations in the tolerant and in the sensitive cultivars. Tolerant genotypes exhibited an early maximum in the grain ABA content during drought and the sensitive cultivars maintained high ABA levels in the later stages of grain filling. In contrast with other genotypes, the grain number per ear did not decrease in Plainsman and the gliadin/glutenin ratio was higher than in the control in Emese during drought stress. A possible causal relationship between high ABA levels in the kernels during late stages of grain filling and a decreased grain yield was found in the sensitive cultivars during drought stress.

Differential Expression and Function Analysis of Proteins in Flag Leaves of Rice during Grain-Filling Period

The experiment was conducted to study the protein expression pattern in flag leaves of rice cultivar Jinhui 809 with large panicles and high grain-setting percentage during grain-filling period using two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spec-trometry.The results showed that there were 17 protein spots with differential expression.Among them,three protein spots had the most expression amount from early to mid-stage,nine protein spots had the most expression amount from middle to late stages,four protein spots reached the most expression amount in late stage,and one protein spot had two top expression peaks in early and late stages of grain filling,respectively.MALDI-TOF/MS analysis and database searching identified 12 differential proteins involved in biosynthesis and degradation,carbohydrate transportation,anti-oxidation reaction,hormone metabolism,cytoskeleton construction and tissue maturation,respectively.Ribose/galactose/methyl galactoside importing ATP-binding protein 1 was par-ticipated in photosynthates transportation from leaf to grain in early and mid-stages.Auxin-responsive protein IAA27 influenced photosynthates transportation by regulating the activity of ATPase.N-acetyl-glutamate semialdehyde dehydrogenase delayed leaf senescence through regulating polyamine metabolism in late stage.In addition,glutathione S-transferase and superoxide dismu-tase played an important role in plant detoxification and fighting against oxygen species damage at late stage of grain filling.The current results provide the valuable evidences for us to reveal the metabolism mechanism at grain filling stage in super-rice.

Differential Expression and Function Analysis of Proteins in Flag Leaves of Rice During Grain Filling

To investigate the molecular mechanism of metabolism in rice ( Oryza sativa L.) source organs, protein expression pattern in flag leaves of rice cultivar Jinhui 809, a cultivar with large panicle and high seed-setting percentage, was analyzed during grain-filling period. Using two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, 17 protein spots with differential expression were detected. Among them, 3 protein spots had the most expression amount from early to medium stage, 9 protein spots for middle–late stages, and 4 protein spots for late stage. In addition, 1 protein spot had two-expression peaks at early and late stages of grain filling. Twelve differential proteins were identified with MALDI-TOF/MS analysis and database searching. They were involved in biosynthesis and degradation, carbohydrate transportation, antioxidation reaction, hormone metabolism, cytoskeleton construction, and tissue maturation. Ribose/galactose/methyl galactoside importing ATP-binding protein 1 participated in photosynthate transportation from leaf to grain in early and medium stages. Auxin-responsive protein IAA27 influenced photosynthate transportation through regulating the activity of ATPase. N-acetyl-glutamate semialdehyde dehydrogenase delayed leaf senescence through regulating polyamine metabolism in late stage. In addition, glutathione S-transferase and superoxide dismutase played an important role in plant detoxification and fighting against active oxygen damage at late stage of grain filling.

Effects of High Temperature on Key Enzymes Involved in Starch and Protein Formation in Grains of Two Wheat Cultivars

AbstractHigh temperature is a major determinant of grain growth and yield formation in wheat. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of high temperature regimes on the activities of key regulatory enzymes involved in starch and protein accumulation in grains of two winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars Yangmai 9 and Xuzhou 26 with different protein contents. Four day/night temperature regimes of 34 °C/22 °C, 32 °C/24 °C, 26 °C/14 °C and 24 °C/16 °C were established after anthesis, resulting in two daily temperature levels of 28 °C and 20 °C and two diurnal temperature differences of 12 °C and 8 °C. The activities of glutamine synthase (GS) in flag leaves and glutamate pyruvic aminotransferase (GPT), sucrose synthase (SS), soluble starch synthase (SSS) and granule‐bound starch synthase (GBSS) in grains were measured during the periods of grain filling. High temperature reduced both content and yield of starch in grains, while enhanced protein content and reduced protein yield in grains. High temperature significantly enhanced the activities of SS and GBSS on 14 days after anthesis (DAA). High temperature affected SSS slightly in Yangmai 9, but reduced SSS activity markedly in Xuzhou 26 on 14 DAA. However, at the middle and late stages of grain filling, high temperature reduced the activities of SS, GBSS and SSS significantly in the two wheat cultivars. High temperature reduced GPT activity in grains in the two wheat cultivars, but reduced GS activity in flag leaves of Yangmai 9 and enhanced GS activity of Xuzhou 26 on 14 DAA. In addition, under the same high temperature level, SS activity was higher at 34 °C/22 °C, whereas the activities of SSS and GBSS were higher at 32 °C/24 °C. Also, diurnal temperature differences affected GPT and GS activities differently between the two cultivars. Under optimum temperature level, the activities of key enzymes for starch and protein synthesis were higher at 26 °C/14 °C. The activities of SS, SSS and GBSS significantly correlated with starch accumulation in grains, except for GBSS activity to starch content on 14 DAA. GPT activity was positively correlated with protein yield, and GS activity was negatively correlated with protein yield on 14 DAA, while the activities of both GPT and GS were negatively related to protein content in grains.

Awns play a dominant role in carbohydrate production during the grain‐filling stages in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

In wheat (Triticum aestivum L), the leaves particularly flag leaves have been considered to be the key organs contributing to higher yields, whereas awns have been considered subsidiary organs. Compared with extensive investigations on the assimilation contribution of leaves, the photosynthetic characteristics of awns have not been well studied. In this study, we investigated the ultrastructure of chloroplasts, oxygen evolution, and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase [phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase) EC 4.1.1.31)] activity in both flag leaves and awns during the ontogenesis of wheat. Transmission electron microscope observations showed initial increases in the sizes of grana and the degree of granum stacks from the florescence‐emergence stage both in flag leaves and in awns, followed by the breakdown of membrane systems after the milk‐development stage. The results of oxygen evolution assays revealed that in both organs, the rate of photosynthesis increased in the first few stages and then decreased, but the decrease occurred much earlier in flag leaves than in awns. A PEPCase activity assay demonstrated that the activity of PEPCase was much higher in awns than in flag leaves throughout ontogeny; the value was particularly high at the late stages of grain filling. Our results suggest that awns play a dominant role in contributing to large grains and a high grain yield in awned wheat cultivars, particularly during the grain‐filling stages.

A large-grain rice cultivar, Akita 63, exhibits high yields with high physiological N-use efficiency

A new large-grain cultivar, Akita 63, of japonica-type rice exhibited high yields with high physiological nitrogen (N)-use efficiency for grain production. Akita 63 and three reference cultivars, Yukigesyou, Toyonishiki and/or Alitakomachi were grown in a field with different levels of N supply for three years. The grain yield of Akita 63 was 22–58% greater than that of the reference cultivars. The highest yield was 9.83 t ha −1 of brown (hulled) rice (approximately 12.3 t ha −1 of rough (unhulled) rice). The dry weight of the aboveground part and the number of spikelets at harvest, and the total leaf area (LAI) at the full-heading stage for a given amount of N accumulated in the aboveground part (plant N) did not differ between Akita 63 and the reference cultivars. The grain yield or panicle dry weight for a given amount of plant N at harvest and for a given unit of LAI were, however, greater in Akita 63 (superior in physiological N-use efficiency) than in the reference cultivars because of a higher proportion of dry matter partitioning into panicles in Akita 63 than in the reference cultivars. As the grain size of Akita 63 was about 35% larger than that of the reference cultivars, the sink capacity (the number of spikelets per unit land area × grain size) for a given amount of plant N was much larger in Akita 63. Reaccumulation of starch in the culms and leaf sheaths was very limited in Akita 63, but remarkable in the reference cultivars in the late stage of grain filling. When pot-grown Akita 63 and the reference cultivar, Toyonishiki, at different stages of ripening were fed with 13CO 2 and 13C partitioning into constituent organs was examined at harvest, the proportion of 13C partitioned into panicles was much higher in Akita 63 throughout the ripening period. These results indicate that Akita 63 is a new type of high yielding cultivar of japonica-type rice, superior in physiological N-use efficiency.

Effects of Induced Resistance on Disease Severity/Yield Relations in Mildewed Barley

AbstractField experiments showed that the treatment of winter barley with microbial metabolites produced by a Bacillus subtilis strain led to increased yields in spite of a remaining mildew infection. Disease severity/yield relations obtained on a single tiller basis for either mildew infection at EC 75 or area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) were negatively correlated for untreated plants (R2= 89%, 94%) while this relation did not exist for inducer‐treated ones (R2= 10%, 13%). Despite an increasing infection density. yields of main tillers of inducertreated plants were not decreased. On the other hand area under green leaf area curve (AUGLAC) showed a higher correlation with grain yield (R2= 89%) of inducer‐treated plants. Possible explanations for the mitigated damaging effect of powdery mildew were expected in carbohydrate metabolism. especially carbohydrate formation and translocation. Assimilation rates of flag leaves of inducer‐treated barley with similar infection densities to those of untreated plants were increased over a prolonged period and even exceeded those of non infected ones. In inducer‐treated plants the export of 14CO2 from flag leaves into ears remained unimpaired by mildew infection and the allocation of assimilates to grains was highest at late stages of grain filling. Obviously plants were stimulated by inducer treatments to compensate for the damaging effect of powdery mildew and to tolerate mildew infection without yield loss.