Triticale Lines Research Articles

Malting and Brewing Process Optimization of Elite Lines of Triticale for Beer Production

Malting and Brewing Process Optimization of Elite Lines of Triticale for Beer Production

Development and characterization of a novel wheat-rye T2DS·2DL-2RL translocation line with high stripe rust resistance

Rye (Secale cereale L.), a close relative of common wheat, represents a valuable genetic resource for enhancing the disease resistance of common wheat. Introducing novel rye-derived genes into wheat can potentially improve disease resistance. In this study, we successfully developed a novel wheat-rye derivative line LCR4 through hybridization between hexaploid triticale line Currency and common wheat cultivar Jimai 22 (JM22). We confirmed that LCR4 was a T2DS·2DL-2RL translocation line via comprehensive molecular cytogenetic analyses, including genomic in situ hybridization, multi-color fluorescence in situ hybridization, molecular marker analysis, and wheat SNP-arrays genotyping. Notably, upon inoculation with Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) race V26 at the seedling stage and mixed Pst races at the adult stage, LCR4 exhibited robust resistance against stripe rust infection at both stages. Subsequent genetic analysis further elucidated that the translocated 2RL chromosome segment is responsible for this resistance. Consequently, LCR4 harboring elite agronomic traits can be effectively employed in breeding programs against stripe rust.

Exploring the potential of triticale lines for bioethanol production

Aim: Triticale is a well adaptable crop, tolerant of disease and abiotic stresses, and able to grow with good yields even in poor soil, thus representing a good choice to develop a new industrial agri-chain in Italy in a sustainability contest, to cope with its soil problems due to incoming desertification. Methods: Two triticale elite lines were grown in marginal lands in controlled field experiments. The lines were harvested at two different development stages, namely green mass and seeds, and suitable standard protocols were applied to test their potential to produce bioethanol in line with the emerging bioenergy processes. Results: The protocols applied were able to obtain bioethanol with a good yield from both feedstocks. In particular, very efficient fermentation kinetics was observed using seed feedstock, with a sharp curve between 15 h and 24 h, reaching 84% of the total alcohol obtained (final time 72 h). Conclusions: Therefore, the results of this research point to new sustainable potential for industrial applications of triticale crops in Italy. Furthermore, the high activity of the endogenous amylolytic enzymes, mainly α-amylase, and the high starch content suggest the potential use of triticale in other industrial applications, like the brewing industry.

Effect of Chromosomal Localization of NGS-Based Markers on Their Applicability for Analyzing Genetic Variation and Population Structure of Hexaploid Triticale.

This study aimed to determine whether using DNA-based markers assigned to individual chromosomes would detect the genetic structures of 446 winter triticale forms originating from two breeding companies more effectively than using the entire pool of markers. After filtering for quality control parameters, 6380 codominant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) markers and 17,490 dominant diversity array technology (silicoDArT) markers were considered for analysis. The mean polymorphic information content (PIC) values varied depending on the chromosomes and ranged from 0.30 (2R) to 0.43 (7A) for the SNPs and from 0.28 (2A) to 0.35 (6R) for the silicoDArTs. The highest correlation of genetic distance (GD) matrices based on SNP markers was observed among the 5B-5R (0.642), 5B-7B (0.626), and 5A-5R (0.605) chromosomes. When silicoDArTs were used for the analysis, the strongest correlations were found between 5B-5R (0.732) and 2B-5B (0.718). A Bayesian analysis showed that SNPs (total marker pool) allowed for the identification of a more complex structure (K = 4, ΔK = 2460.2) than the analysis based on silicoDArTs (K = 2, ΔK = 128). Triticale lines formed into groups, ranging from two (most of the chromosomes) to four (7A) groups depending on the analyzed chromosome when SNP markers were used for analysis. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) varied among individual chromosomes, ranging from 0.031 for 1A to 0.228 for 7R.

Accumulation of Hydrogen Peroxide in Flag Leaves Induces Effective Regeneration of Triticale During Rehydration After Water Stress

A key element in the effective recovery of plants after drought is slowing down of their senescence accelerated during the drought. Therefore, in this paper the relationships between hydrogen peroxide content and effective recovery during rehydration after water stress were analyzed. The study focused on two DH lines of winter triticale with different regeneration potential, as shown by different numbers of lateral stems with ears, grown during rehydration after water stress. During rehydration, the GZDH27 line grows two to three lateral stems with ears, whereas the GZDH88 line grows a single lateral stem with ear. The two DH lines of winter triticale showed comparable responses to the drought stress but their responses to rehydration after the drought stress were clearly different. Results revealed, that the increased accumulation of hydrogen peroxide, which was induced during the drought, can be maintained during rehydration, thus stimulating plant senescence. In the line GZDH88, rehydration did not slow down drought-induced senescence. This was manifested by higher levels of hydrogen peroxide, accompanied by lower levels of chlorophyll in the flag leaves of GZDH88 plants, as the result of which only one lateral stem was formed during rehydration. However, development of one lateral stems during rehydration in the GZDH88 line allowed for smaller yield loss than in the GZDH77 line, that developed of three lateral stems during rehydration. The efficient production of carbohydrates and their effective allocation into the ears of the lateral stems required considerable energy expenditure in the GZDH27 line. Our results indicate that growing three lateral stems with ears during rehydration does not guarantee limitation of grain yield loss. However, to reach the final conclusion, it is important to evaluate a greater number of triticale genotypes under drought stress and rehydration during various stages of a plants development.

Triticale selection lines yield’s level and its structural elements in the middle Amur river region

The studies were carried out in 2020-2022 at the Far Eastern Research Institute of Agriculture (Khabarovsk Territory). The object of study is breeding lines of spring triticale. Agrometeorological conditions differed by years: 2020 - within the average multi-year values, 2021 - high temperatures of the surface air layer and lack of moisture, 2022 - excessive waterlogging. As a result of the research, breeding lines of spring triticale were identified according to grain yield (38.0-45.4 c/ha) - 102-20, 103-20, 104-20, 105-20, 106-20, 107-20, 109- 20, 116-20, 178-20, 184-20, 185-20, 190-20, 196-20, 208-20, 212-20, 217-20, 218-20. In the soil and climatic conditions of the Middle Amur region, samples 102-20, 103-20, 105-20, 116-20, 117-20, 118-20, 119-20, 122-20, 123-20, 134-20, 178- 20, 257-20, 258-20 formed a stable productivity over the years (V˂10 %). The indicator of productive tillering ranged from 1.6 to 3.4 plants according to the samples. Breeding lines of spring triticale 125-20, 184-20 with the maximum number of grains per ear (52-53 pieces) were marked. On average, over the years of research, all samples (except line 105-20) exceeded the standard variety Ukro in terms of grain weight per ear (1.58-2.27 g). In terms of the weight of 1000 grains, 73 % of the samples exceeded the standard variety Ukro by 0.4-9.8 g. A high correlation coefficient was established between the formation of yield and the productive tillering of triticale plants (r = 0.89). The number and weight of seeds of triticale genotypes in the conditions of the region correlate to an average degree (r=0.63). The amount of grain from the main ear and its weight are weakly correlated with the weight of 1000 grains (r= -0.41 and r=0.43, respectively).

Exploring agronomic traits and breeding prospects of primary tritipyrum and triticale lines to increase grain yield potential

A study was conducted to evaluate 13 non-Iranian primary tritipyrum (AABBEbEb, 2n=6x=42) as new amphiploid cereal derived from the hybridization of wild sand couch grass species, Thinopyrum bessarabicum (2n=4x=14, EbEb) and durum (Triticum durum, 2n=4x=28, AABB) wheat and five promising triticales for 31 different phenological and agronomic traits in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications under field conditions. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant differences between genotypes for most of the studied traits. The factor analysis results revealed five factors that almost explained 89% of the total variance. The stepwise regression and path coefficient analyses revealed that the number of grains per spike and harvest index were the most important traits contributing to the high-yield of the genotypes. Cluster analysis grouped 18 lines into three diverse genotypic clusters. Cluster III included 4115, 4116, and M45 triticale lines indicating the highest value for harvest index as well as grain yield and its components. The non-Iranian primary combined tritipyrum line, (Ka/b)(Cr/b)-5 and promising triticale line No. 4116, showed the highest values for grain-related traits, and therefore these lines may be used in further breeding programs to develop new commercial cereal hybrid/cultivars. Overall, the results indicated grain number per spike and harvest index could be utilized as the key selection criteria in breeding for improvement of grain yield in primary tritipyrum and triticale genotypes.

Two functional CC-NBS-LRR proteins from rye chromosome 6RS confer differential age-related powdery mildew resistance to wheat.

Rye (Secale cereale), a valuable relative of wheat, contains abundant powdery mildew resistance (Pm) genes. Using physical mapping, transcriptome sequencing, barley stripe mosaic virus-induced gene silencing, ethyl methane sulfonate mutagenesis, and stable transformation, we isolated and validated two coiled-coil, nucleotide-binding site and leucine-rich repeat (CC-NBS-LRR) alleles, PmTR1 and PmTR3, located on rye chromosome 6RS from different triticale lines. PmTR1 confers age-related resistance starting from the three-leaf stage, whereas its allele, PmTR3, confers typical all-stage resistance, which may be associated with their differential gene expression patterns. Overexpression in Nicotiana benthamiana showed that the CC, CC-NBS, and CC-LRR fragments of PMTR1 induce cell death, whereas in PMTR3 the CC and full-length fragments perform this function. Luciferase complementation imaging and pull-down assays revealed distinct interaction activities between the CC and NBS fragments. Our study elucidates two novel rye-derived Pm genes and their derivative germplasm resources and provides novel insights into the mechanism of age-related resistance, which can aid the improvement of resistance against wheat powdery mildew.

Different patterns of the photosynthetic apparatus recovery during early rehydration following drought stress in two types of intergeneric hybrid of triticale

The study aimed to reveal the activity of the photosynthetic apparatus during early rehydration in double haploid (DH) lines of triticale with different types of flag leaf rolling in response to soil drought. Two DH lines, showing full (Type O) and limited (Type V) flag leaf rolling, were investigated. The measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence, analysis of red/far-red fluorescence excitation spectra, as well as detection of selected PSII proteins (PsbA/D1, PsbS) and transmembrane cytochrome complex b6f (PetC/Rieske protein) were performed. The measurements were carried out on the last day of drought and after 1 h, 3 h, and 5 h of rehydration. The physiological condition of flag leaves was studied based on measurements of water relations, the progress of leaf senescence, histochemical detection of reactive oxygen species, and the content of sugars and phenolic compounds. In Type O, as compared with Type V, a further decline in the activity of the photosynthetic apparatus was observed during the post-drought rehydration period. This was accompanied by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and more advanced senescence of flag leaves. Fluorescence excitation spectra revealed disorders in photosynthetic light conversion in Type O flag leaves during drought and rehydration over the entire range of excitation wavelengths corresponding to UVC, UVB, and UVA radiation. Type V flag leaves developed an effective UV protection mechanism in the form of increased accumulation of cell wall-bound phenolics, which efficiently absorbed UV radiation. Both types differed in the level of accumulation of PsbA, PsbS, and PetC proteins during drought and early rehydration. Soil drought caused a similar reduction in grain yield in both types. However, in Type O, the largest share in the grain yield was ascribed to the ears of lateral stems, while in Type V to the ears of the main stems. Our research has shown that the limited rolling of flag leaves under drought stress corresponds to the effective photoprotection of the photosynthetic apparatus in the first hours of rehydration.

Behavior assessment of some Triticale (Triticosecale wittmack) Genotypes under Mediterranean Semi-arid Conditions

Background: In Mediterranean climate, drought and heat stress are the main constraints for cereal production under rainfed conditions. In these conditions, the selection of suitable genotypes is crucial to improve production. Methods: 20 advanced triticale lines were evaluated under semi-arid conditions in Setif (Algeria) during the 2019/2020 season using agronomic, morphological and physiological traits. Result: The results obtained showed that lines with higher numbers of tillers, spikes, grains per spike, leaf area index and leaf chlorophyll content produced more grains and used water more efficiently when faced to drought and heat stress in post-anthesis phase. Also, high chlorophyll content, high relative water content and maintenance of cell membrane stability delayed senescence and extended the grain filling stage. Relative water content was also related to high grain protein content. This work evaluated this set of triticale lines and identified traits positively related to grain yield and water use efficiency in Mediterranean region.

Evaluation of some Triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) cultivars and lines under Duzce ecological conditions

This study was carried out with five triticale cultivars (Özer, Truva, Karma-2000, Alperbey and Tatlıcak-97) and 10 advanced triticale lines to determine the grain yield and yield components during 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 growing seasons under Duzce ecological conditions. In this study, the parameters of the genotypes such as spike length, number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, grain weight per spike, thousand kernel weight, and grain yield were investigated. According to the two year results, whereas spike length, number of spikelets per spike, and number of grains per spike of genotypes changed 10.6-15.3 cm, 24.5-39.7, and 48.8-87.8, respectively, the grain related parameters such as grain weight per spike, thousand kernel weight, and grain yield were 2.518-4.261 g, 34.3-46.8 g, 720.2-1093.4 kg da-1, respectively. The highest yielding genotypes were found to be T-5, T-8, T-9 and Özer.

Selection of introgressive wheat and triticale lines for grain quality and resistance to diseases for use in organic farming

17 introgressive lines and varieties of winter wheat and 2 lines of winter triticale (collection of the Kazakh Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Growing) were studied to determine the possibility of their use in organic farming. The studies were conducted in 2021-2022 in the foothill zone of the south-east of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the basis of the research field stationary of the Kazakh Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Growing. Analysis for genetically modified sources showed the absence of 35S and NOS regulatory elements in the samples. DNA identification by PCR to detect effective brown, stem and yellow rust genes ( Lr9, Lr26/Sr31/Yr9, Lr34/Yr18/ Sr57, Lr35/Sr39, Sr2, Sr36 ) made it possible to identify 4 samples (1633-40, 1675-170, 1723-11, 2041-7) with valuable Lr34/Yr18/Sr57/Pm38 genes and 1 sample (1127-7) with Lr26/Sr31/Yr9/Pm8 genes. Phytopathological assessment of the resistance of cereal crops was carried out on the natural background using the appropriate scales of recording the infestation of plants by brown stem rust and yellow rust. As a result, 9 samples resistant to 2 types of rust (brown and yellow) with reaction type R and zero percent were found (1127-7, 1675-170, 1676, 2005-13, 2041-13, 2046-1, KZ231, T-409-1, T-989-1). Stem rust in the years of research was not recorded. Grain quality assessment was carried out on the basis of the requirements of relevant GOSTs on the following parameters: grain nature, vitreousness, protein and gluten content, gluten quality. It was found that all the samples under consideration in terms of vitreousness and gluten content correspond to the class of strong wheat. Samples with high grain natures (≥800 g/l; 1674-27, 1675-149, 1675-170), protein content (≥16%; 2041-13, 2005-13, 2041-7, 1716-24, 1675-149, 1127-7, 1633-31, 1717-27, KZ231), quality and quantity of gluten (1127-7, KZ231) were selected. According to the results of comprehensive evaluation, 2 lines (1127-7, KZ231), which showed good resistance to 2 types of rust and high grain quality, were noted. These lines are recommended for use in organic farming.

Adaptive potential of winter triticale breeding lines (×Triticosecale Wittmack) in Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Topicality. The requirements for modern winter triticale varieties include high grain yield and quality, as well as resistance to adverse environmental factors, i.e. high adaptability. Therefore, it remains important to develop varieties that combine the highest yield potential with genetic resistance to limiting factors. Purpose. To identify winter triticale breeding lines with high adaptability for use in breeding practice. Materials and Methods. The studies were carried out at the V. M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat NAAS of Ukraine. As a standard, the Amur variety was used. We have examined 20 breeding lines. Accounting plot area was 10 m2, trial was repeated four times. In experiment, laboratory-field and mathematical-statistical methods were used. Results. In 2019/20-2021/22, contrasting meteorological conditions made it possible to evaluate and select breeding lines of winter triticale by adaptive potential. It was found that the yield, which actually characterises the genotype response to environmental growing conditions, was the highest (5.36 t/ha) in 2020/21 and the lowest (3.81 t/ha) in 2019/20. It was established that the breeding lines 22002 ( = 4.97 t/ha), 22008 ( = 4.88 t/ha), 22016 ( = 4.79 t /ha) had the best general adaptability in comparison with the Amur variety-standard, and they were included in the group with the highest indicators of maximum yield (ranks of 1–3). The coefficient of variation was characterized by an insignificant (7.24–7.66 %) and medium level of variability (12.54–16.65 %), which confirms a fairly high and stable genotypic component in the formation of plant productivity. Calculations of ecological plasticity made it possible to identify the lines 22015, 22004 (bi = 0.63), which significantly reduced the yield under limited growing con-ditions. It is explained by high resistance of these lines to adverse environmental factors. In terms of yield, the highest homeostaticity and breeding value were shown by lines 22004, 22015, and 22008. Conclusions. During the research, we have identified the breeding lines 22004, 22015, 22008, and 22002 with high adaptive potential, which can used as a source material for developing highly productive varieties in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Key words: winter triticale, breeding lines, adaptability, yield, meteorological conditions

Hormonal homeostasis associated with effective induction of triticale microspore embryogenesis

The endogenous level of cytokinins (CKs) and auxins (Auxs) was analyzed in isolated microspores and ovaries of two doubled haploid (DH) lines of triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm.) to better understand the mechanism of microspore embryogenesis (ME)—the most efficient and widely applied method of producing DHs. The responsiveness of the studied lines to ME significantly varied. ME was induced by pre-treating tillers with low temperature (4 °C for 3 weeks) alone or in combination with synthetic auxin (2,4-D), auxin inhibitor (PCIB) or melatonin (MEL) applied for 4 days before microspore isolation. Hormonal profile analyses, accompanied by ME effectiveness evaluation confirmed the multi-level crosstalk of Auxs/CKs and the specific hormonal homeostasis required for effective microspore reprogramming. It was found that triticale microspores contained mainly cis zeatin derivatives: cis-zeatin-O-glucoside (cZOG), cis-zeatin riboside (cZR) and cis-zeatin (cZ), as well as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and IAA-aspartate (IAAsp). Increased ME efficiency was associated with higher contents of most of the identified CKs and Auxs, as well as the higher active Aux/active CK ratio. Trans CK isoforms were detected only in ovaries, confirming their importance as a source of bioactive molecules stimulating embryogenic development. Two of the pre-treatments tested: 12.5 μM PCIB and 50 μM MEL decreased the active Aux/active CK ratio, which was accompanied by an increase in the regeneration efficiency.

Evaluation of Triticale Lines Compared to Wheat Cultivars in Terms of Agronomic Traits Using Supervised Learning Methods and Multivariate Statistics

The first man-made cereal grain triticale merges the yield and quality potential of wheat with tolerance of rye against environmental stresses. To find the traits with the greatest impact on the superiority of triticale over wheat, four promising triticale lines and six bread wheat varieties were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in the field of the Agricultural Research Station of Shiraz University, Iran. Attribute weighting algorithms revealed main leaf width (MLW), grain number per spike (GN/S), spikelet number per spike (SN/S), 1000-grain weight (TGW), plant height (PHT), main leaf length (MLL), and grain yield (GYLD) as the most discriminative traits between triticale lines and wheat cultivars. According to the principal component analysis, the first two components explained 33.46% and 24.79% of the total variation in traits, respectively, while the first component was more positively correlated to GYLD, TGW, GN/S, SN/S, leaf number (LN), and MLW. Stepwise regression study showed that grain yield as a dependent variable has been modeled as a function of the independent variables GN/S, days to heading (DHE), and SN/S. Triticale and wheat clusters, respectively, were created using cluster analysis for genotypes. Integrating results of supervised learning methods and multivariate statistics indicated that GN/S and SN/S traits can be used to create a selection index for high yield. Furthermore, the M45 triticale line with the highest value of harvest index, GYLD, and GN/S can be introduced as a promising line for high-yield production. This study specify the key grain yield-related traits being subsequently used to increase the yield of bread wheat cultivars and triticale lines.

Compensatory Effect of the ScGrf3-2R Gene in Semi-Dwarf Spring Triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack).

The dwarfness in many triticale cultivars is provided by the dominant Ddw1 (Dominant dwarf 1) allele found in rye. However, along with conferring semi-dwarf phenotype to improve resistance to lodging, this gene also reduces grain size and weight and delays heading and flowering. Grf (Growth-regulating factors) genes are plant-specific transcription factors that regulate plant growth, including stem growth, in terms of length and thickness, and leaf and fruit size. In this work, we partially sequenced the rye gene ScGrf3 on chromosome 2R homologous to the wheat Grf3 gene, and found multiple polymorphisms in intron 3 and exon 4 complying with two alternative alleles (haplotypes ScGrf3-2Ra and ScGrf3-2Rb). For the identification of these, we developed a codominant PCR marker. Using a new marker, we studied the effect of ScGrf3-2R alleles in combination with the Ddw1 dwarf gene on economically valuable traits in F4 and F5 recombinant lines of spring triticale from the hybrid combination Valentin 90 x Dublet, grown in the Non-Chernozem zone for 2 years. Allele ScGrf3-2Ra was associated with greater thousand-grain weight, higher spike productivity, and earlier heading and flowering, which makes ScGrf3-2R a perspective compensator for negative effects of Ddw1 on these traits and increases prospects for its involvement in breeding semi-dwarf cultivars of triticale.

Evaluation of grain yield stability of tritipyrum as a novel cereal in comparison with triticale lines and bread wheat varieties through univariate and multivariate parametric methods.

Salinity is a major abiotic stress affecting cereal production. Thus, tritipyrum (x. Tritipyrum), a potential novel salt-tolerant cereal, was introduced as an appropriate alternative for cereal production. The purposes of this study were to evaluate agronomic traits, yield, and yield stability of eight primary tritipyrum lines, five promising triticale lines, and four bread wheat varieties and to screen a stable yielding line. The experiments were conducted in randomized complete block designs with three replicates in three locations during four growing seasons. Analysis of variance in each environment and Bartlett's test for the variance homogeneity of experimental errors were made. Subsequently, separate experiments were analyzed as a combined experiment. The stability of grain yield was analyzed according to Eberhart and Russell's regression method, environmental variance, Wrick's ecovalance, Shokla's stability variance, AMMI, and Tai methods. Genotype × environment interactions (GEI) and environments were significant for the agronomic traits. Stability analysis revealed that combined primary tritipyrum line (Ka/b)(Cr/b)-5 and triticale 4115, 4108, and M45 lines had good adaptability in all environments. The results of the AMMI3 model and pattern analysis showed that the new cereal, tritipyrum, had the most stable response in various environments. The tritipyrum line (Ka/b)(Cr/b)-5 had the best yield performance and general adaptability. Based on Tai's method, the contribution of spike number to the stability of grain yield over different environments was higher than that of other yield components. Also, tritipyrum lines demonstrated higher stability compared with wheat and triticale. Totally, M45 triticale and tritipyrum (Ka/b)(Cr/b)-5 lines were the most stable genotypes with high grain yield. Complementary agronomic experiments may then release a new grain crop of triticale and a new pasture line of combined primary tritipyrum for grain and forage. Moreover, the combined tritipyrum line can be used in bread wheat breeding programs for producing salt-tolerant wheat cultivars.

Pyramiding wheat pre-harvest sprouting resistance genes in triticale breeding

Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is an important problem in cereal production reducing yield and grain quality. After decades of improvement, triticale remains particularly susceptible to PHS but no resistance genes or QTLs were identified so far in this species. As wheat shares the A and B genomes with triticale, wheat PHS resistance genes can be introgressed into triticale genome by recombination after interspecific crosses. In this project, three PHS resistance genes have been transferred from wheat to triticale by marker-assisted interspecific crosses, followed by four backcrosses. The gene TaPHS1 from the 3AS chromosome of cultivar Zenkoujikomugi (Zen) and the TaMKK3 and TaQsd1, respectively located on the 4AL and 5BL chromosomes derived both from cultivar Aus1408, were pyramided in the triticale cultivar Cosinus. Only the TaPHS1 gene increases consistently the PHS resistance in triticale. The lack of efficacy of the other two genes, especially TaQsd1, could be the result of an imperfect linkage between the marker and the gene of interest. The introduction of PHS resistance genes did not alter agronomic nor disease resistance performances of triticale. This approach leads to two new, agronomically performant and PHS-resistant triticale cultivars. Today, two breeding triticale lines are ready to enter the official registration process.

EFECTO DE UN BIOESTIMULANTE EN EL RENDIMIENTO DE FORRAJE DE TRITICALE (x Triticosecale) EN SIEMBRA ESCALONADA ASOCIADA CON HABA (Vicia faba)

<p><strong>Background.</strong> The associations of poaceae and fabaceae forage species are important to provide cattle with a balanced diet between proteins and carbohydrates; also to contribute to the sustainable management of soils. <strong>Objective</strong>. The objective of the research was to determine the effect of the natural biostimulant on the triticale forage components during staggered sowing associated with faba bean. <strong>Methodology</strong>. The research was carried out under a randomized complete block experimental design with three repetitions. The genetic material was a line of semi-late triticale and a local variety of faba bean. Applications of a biostimulant were made in two phenological of the triticale stages forage during the staggered sowing (0, 20 and 40 days after sowing the bean). The variables evaluated were percentage increase of foliar N in triticale, biomass in triticale and broad bean, green forage yield of triticale and faba bean, presence of <em>Rhizobium</em> nodules in faba bean and interspecific competition indices of the associated system. <strong>Implications</strong>. The establishment of a triticale-faba bean association requires certain planting arrangements, varieties and nutrition to avoid the effects of competition, which cause the dominance or displacement of any of the species. <strong>Conclusions</strong>. The application of biostimulant in triticale in the tillering stage 20 days after sowing the bean, the highest yield of triticale forage was found, allowing the increase in the concentration of foliar nitrogen (1.8%) and rhizobial nodules per plant (175.83) of broad bean; higher biomass (6.49 t ha<sup>-1</sup>) in triticale and higher amount of total forage (39.02 t ha<sup>-1</sup>). The competition indices indicate that the bean cultivation in association favors the total relative yield without showing aggressive behavior between crops (A = 0); triticale and faba bean share their competitive capacity (CR>1) according to staggered plantings with and without biostimulant in a certain phenological state of triticale.</p>

NAC Transcription Factor TwNAC01 Positively Regulates Drought Stress Responses in Arabidopsis and Triticale.

The NAC transcription factors play important roles in regulating plant growth, development, and senescence, and responding to biotic and abiotic stressors in plants. A novel coding sequence (1,059 bp) was cloned from hexaploid triticale in this study. The putative protein (352 amino acids) encoded by this sequence was over 95% similar to the amino acid sequence of a NAC protein from Aegilops tauschii (XP020161331), and it formed a clade with Ae. tauschii, durum wheat, and barley. The putative protein contained a conserved nature actomyosin (NAM) domain (129 consecutive amino acids) between the 20th and 148th amino acids at the N-terminus and three transcription activation regions at the C-terminus. The novel gene was identified as a triticale NAC gene localized in the nucleus and designated as TwNAC01 (GenBank accession MG736919). The expression levels of TwNAC01 were the highest in roots, followed by leaves and stems when triticale lines were exposed to drought, polyethylene glycol 6,000 (PEG6000), NaCl, cold, methyl jasmonate (MeJA), and abscisic acid (ABA). Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana overexpressing TwNAC01 had significantly lower leaf water loss rates and longer roots than wild-type (WT) A. thaliana. Virus-induced silencing of the TwNAC01 gene in triticale delayed root development and decreased length of primary root. Under drought stress, leaves of TwNAC01-silenced triticale had higher levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), but lower relative water content (RWC), net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration, and transpiration rate than the leaves of the WT. Gene overexpression and silencing experiments suggested that TwNAC01 improves plant stress tolerance by increasing root length, regulating the water content of plant leaves by reducing MDA and H2O2 content, and adjusting respiration rate. The results suggest that TwNAC01 is a novel NAC transcription factor gene that can be exploited for triticale and cereal improvement.