Winter Wheat Seeds Research Articles

Comparative study of non-ionizing and ionizing radiation effect on hydration of winter wheat seeds in metabolic active and inactive states

Although the biological effect of non-ionizing (NIR) and ionizing radiation (IR) on plant seed potential is well documented, the mechanism of this impact is not clear yet. Since cell hydration, a fundamental parameter for determining cell function, is magneto-sensitive, in present work, a comparative study of extremely low frequencies (ELF) electromagnetic field (EMF), ELF EMF-modulated millimeter waves, and radiation exposure effects on winter wheat seeds water absorption and dry mass changes was performed. The seeds were incubated in physiological solutions (PS) for 2 and 72 h. In case of 2-h incubation, the water absorption determined by osmotic gradients between seeds and bathing medium, PS treated by all these factors leads to changes of water absorption. While in case of 72-h incubation (when germination processes are in active state) these impact had reversed character. The obtained data strongly suggest seeds bathing medium as a target through which the biological effects of NIR and IR are realized.

Initial growth processes in seeds in magnetic fields, strengthened or weakened in relation to the geomagnetic field

The effects of modifications of magnetic fields, simulating anomalies of natural magnetism of the Earth, were studied in the seeds of peas and winter wheat. It has been shown that strengthening or weakening of the geomagnetic field inhibits water absorption and initial growth processes. The influence of magnetic fields on the orientation of rootlets and development of plantlets is determined. The connection between the magnetic susceptibility of seeds and content of heavy metals in them is established, which obviously concerns the magnetic susceptibility and magnetotropism in plants.

About period after harvesting maturation of winter soft wheat seeds (Triticum aestivum L.)

When studying period of maturation after harvest, varietal specificity of level of winter wheat seed maturation process reaction on hydrothermical factors has been revealed. This trait should been taken into consideration when deciding practical problems in respect to rational variety-regionizing as well as to development of seed technology based on biological peculiarities.

Exogenous nitric oxide improves seed germination in wheat against mitochondrial oxidative damage induced by high salinity

Effects of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) on starch degradation, oxidation in mitochondria and K +/Na + accumulation during seed germination of wheat were investigated under a high salinity level. Seeds of winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L., cv. Huaimai 17) were pre-soaked with 0 mM or 0.1 mM of sodium nitroprusside (SNP, as nitric oxide donor) for 20 h just before germination under 300 mM NaCl. At 300 mM NaCl, exogenous NO increased germination rate and weights of coleoptile and radicle, but decreased seed weight. Exogenous NO also enhanced seed respiration rate and ATP synthesis. In addition, seed starch content decreased while soluble sugar content increased by exogenous NO pre-treatment, which was in accordance with the improved amylase activities in the germinating seeds. Exogenous NO increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) and catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6); whereas decreased the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2), and superoxide anions (O 2 •−) release rate in the mitochondria. Exogenous NO also decreased Na + concentration while increased K + concentration in the seeds thereby maintained a balance between K + and Na + during germination under salt stress. It is concluded that exogenous NO treatment on wheat seeds may be a good option to improve seed germination and crop establishment under saline conditions.

Fate of 4-nonylphenol in a biosolids amended soil

The fate of the endocrine disrupting compound 4-nonylphenol (NP) in an agricultural soil amended with biosolids was assessed in a greenhouse study. A biosolids with a total NP concentration of 900 mg kg −1 was incorporated into the 4 cm surface layer of soil columns at an agronomic rate equivalent to 1.7 kg m 2. Half of the columns were planted with Triticum aestivum L., red hardy winter wheat seeds, whereas the remaining columns were unplanted to evaluate the influence of plant growth on the fate of NP. The degradation of total NP and eight NP isomers was monitored over 45 d. The half-life of NP in this soil system ranged from 16 to 23 d depending on treatment. After 45 d from the start of the trail, 15% of the initial biosolids-NP remained in the planted columns, whereas ∼30% remained in the unplanted columns, indicating enhanced degradation in the presence of plants. The eight NP isomers exhibited different degradation rates, but minimal amounts of all isomers persisted after 45 d. Movement of NP below the zone of incorporation was slight (<2% of total NP present at any sampling interval) and no NP was detected in column leachates or in wheat leaves.

Development and evaluation of SCAR markers for a Pseudomonas brassicacearum strain used in biological control of snow mould

Biological control microorganisms have long been promoted as an alternative to conventional pesticides. Before registration of a microbial biocontrol product for commercial sale, it must be evaluated as regards potential spread and persistence after release. In this study, strainspecific sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers were developed to monitor the biocontrol candidate strain Pseudomonas brassicacearum MA250, which is effective against snow mould ( Microdochium nivale). One SCAR marker, OPA2-73, was used in quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR) on samples from a climate chamber experiment in which winter wheat seeds were treated with the bacterium or a chemical control agent, or left untreated. The results showed that MA250 persisted for up to 3 weeks after sowing on the kernel residues and also colonized the roots of treated seedlings. Total MA250 cell numbers on biocontrol treated seedlings after three weeks were approximately 10 6 cells, compared with the original inoculum of 10 6–10 7 cells per seed. Corresponding cell numbers of MA250 on chemically treated and untreated seedlings were below the detection limit. This study shows that SCAR marker OPA2-73 is a specific and sensitive tool for monitoring the biocontrol microorganism MA250 in environmental samples.

The results of the state variety examination of the soft winter wheat seeds quality (Triticum aestivum L.), which are included in to the State Register of plant varieties of Ukraine

According to the seed quality indices the soft winter wheat seeds quality which were included in to the State Register of ріалі varieties of Ukraine in 2008 was defined (consistence of the albumen, flour s-rength. bread size). In the steppe area the consistence of albumen in seed was not changed. In the forest-steppe area seed quality markers improved and drew near the seed quality markers of the steppe area. More then 80% of wheat varieties, produced by Ukrainian breeders are considered to be strong and valuable by the seed quality verse 19,4 % of foreign varieties. That means that the varieties of the Ukrainian breeding are competitive.

Kiełkowanie zbóż w warunkach sąsiedztwa ziarniaków Avena fatua L. i Festuca rubra L. – aspekt allelopatyczny

The present studies were aimed at determining the allopathic interspecies interactions of weed grains from wild oats (Avena fatua L.) and red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) on winter wheat and winter rye germination and seedling growth. Preliminary studies on inter-crop influences were done in a laboratory using developing dishes. Those tests allowed us to determine the allelopathic effect of the tested grain weed species on the germinating ability of seeds of other grain crop species as well as on the length of root, coleoptiles length, fresh and air dry matter of roots and coleoptiles. The results showed that the neighborhood of wild oats (Avena fatua L.) and red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) decrease germinating ability of winter wheat by about 4% as compared to the pure stand. There was no inhibiting influence of the neighboring red fescue on wheat germinating ability. There was observed a negative influence of the tested weed species on winter rye germinating ability but a significant difference was only observed between control dishes and treatment with red fescue. The research showed that the neighbourhood of wild oats inhibited the length of coleoptile and root seeds of winter wheat and their fresh and air dry matter stronger than red fescue. Winter rye was more sensitive to the neighbourhood of red fescue than wild oats.

Use of a novel nonantibiotic triple marker gene cassette to monitor high survival of Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 on winter wheat in the field

Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 was tagged with a triple marker gene cassette containing gfp, encoding green fluorescent protein; luxAB, encoding luciferase; and telABkilA, encoding tellurite resistance, and the tagged strain was monitored in the first Swedish field release of a genetically modified microorganism (GMM). The cells were inoculated onto winter wheat seeds and the GMM cells (SBW25:tgl) were monitored in the field from September 2005 to May 2006 using plating, luminometry and microscopic analyses. Cell numbers were high on all sampling occasions and metabolically active cells were detected on all plant parts. Field results were similar to those obtained in a parallel phytotron study, although the amount of SBW25:tgl detected on shoots was significantly higher in the phytotron than in the field. After winter, cell counts were 100-fold higher on the roots and root-associated soil compared with prewinter measurements, although the cells had a lower relative metabolic activity. The wheat seeds were naturally infested with Microdochium nivale, but no treatment resulted in reduction of disease symptoms. No SWB25:tgl cells were ever found in bulk soil or uninoculated plants. The Swedish field trial results complement and contrast with prior field studies performed with the same parent organism in the United Kingdom under different soil, plant and climatic conditions.

Survey of incidence of bunts (Tilletia caries and Tilletia controversa) in the Czech Republic and susceptibility of winter wheat cultivars

Bunts (caused by &lt;i&gt;Tilletia caries&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;T. controversa&lt;/i&gt;) belong to very important diseases of winter wheat because contaminated commodities (seeds, foods and feeds) affect the marketability of the crop on both domestic and export markets. They can be relatively easily controlled by chemical seed treatments. Due to the availability of effective chemical control, the reaction of wheat cultivars to bunts has so far not been an important trait for plant breeders in some areas of the world. However, if synthetic chemicals are not allowed, like in organic farming, untreated seed may quickly lead to a build-up of bunt to levels that render the crop unmarketable. The use of wheat cultivars partially or fully resistant to bunts could greatly contribute to ease the bunt problem. The reaction of winter wheat cultivars was evaluated in field tests. Seeds of winter wheat were inoculated with teliospores of &lt;i&gt;T. caries&lt;/i&gt;. The reaction to &lt;i&gt;T. controversa&lt;/i&gt; was studied under heavy natural infestation with spores in the soil. With &lt;i&gt;T. caries&lt;/i&gt;, the heaviest infection was found in cvs Drifter and Ebi, while cvs Nela, Brea and Samanta had the lowest. The average level of infection with &lt;i&gt;T. controversa&lt;/i&gt; was higher than that of &lt;i&gt;T. caries&lt;/i&gt;. The cvs Niagara, Brea and Versailles had significantly lower numbers of bunt ears of &lt;i&gt;T. controversa&lt;/i&gt; in 2002. The incidence of both bunts in grain samples that had not been cleaned and sorted after harvest was monitored for 4 years. A total of 1 058 samples collected from various locations in the Czech Republic were analysed for the presence of bunt spores and the species determined. The investigation demonstrated a rather widespread occurrence of bunts across the Czech Republic, with &lt;i&gt;T. controversa&lt;/i&gt; being more frequent.

A laboratory‐based comparison of a molluscicide and an alternative food source (red clover) as means of reducing slug damage to winter wheat

Slugs are major pests of many crops in the UK, including winter wheat, yet current methods of control are often unreliable. This study investigates the potential use of red clover, as an alternative food source, to reduce the amount of damage caused to winter wheat by the field slug, Deroceras reticulatum (Müller). Two laboratory-based studies, each conducted over a 7-day period, investigated the effects of red clover seedlings and commercial metaldehyde pellets on damage to winter wheat seeds and seedlings. The results indicate that metaldehyde applications, in the form of commercially available pellets, resulted in significantly greater protection to wheat seeds compared with red clover, whereas metaldehyde and red clover were equally as effective in reducing damage to wheat seedlings. A further laboratory experiment investigated the effect of two slug population densities (48 and 16 adults m(-2)) and high and low red clover seed rates (125% and 75% of a standard rate) on damage to wheat seeds. Results showed that, at the highest slug population density, red clover sown at 125% of the standard rate gave 99% protection to wheat seeds, compared with the 75% seed rate which gave 55%. At the lower slug population density, both seed rates of red clover resulted in similar levels of protection. Implications for the potential use of red clover as an alternative food source for reducing damage to winter wheat in field conditions are discussed.

Fusarium spp. and Microdochium nivale Infestation of Asymptomatic Wheat Kernels in Slovakia

In this work the occurrence, level of infestation and Fusarium species spectrum in winter wheat seeds were evaluated. The Fusarium species were isolated from the asymptomatic seeds of the same cultivars collected from several locations of Slovakia, after standard harvest. The highest level of infestation was recorded in Malý Saris and Vigl’as- Pstrusa - the most wet and cold locations among the evaluated ones. The species spectrum differences in cultivars within each locality were small and negligible. Greater differences were observed among locations, without cultivars specification. F. poae was the predominant species in locations with low infestation level of seeds. The species spectrum was wider in locations with higher infestation level and the dominant species was Microdochium nivale followed by F. poae. Other species - F. avenaceum, F. culmorum, F. acuminatum, F. sambucinum, F. sporotrichioides, F. graminearum, F. semitectum, F. tricinctum, F. compactum and F. oxysporum were less frequent. These facultative pathogens in asymptomatic grains are important for distribution trough the seeds for sowing and important for further infections and epidemiology in the field.

Hoary Cress (Cardaria draba) Root Extract Reduces Germination and Root Growth of Five Plant Species1

The allelopathic potential of hoary cress was evaluated by exposing the seeds and the germinated seeds of winter wheat, alfalfa, crested wheatgrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, and hoary cress to a water extract of dried, hoary cress roots under controlled conditions in an environmental chamber. Germination for all species was reduced in the hoary cress root extract when compared with distilled water, with winter wheat and hoary cress being more tolerant than the other species. Root length of all species was reduced by the extract when compared with distilled water. These data show the presence of phytotoxic chemical(s) that may inhibit germination and initial seedling growth in natural environments. Three glucosinolate compounds were identified in hoary cress root extracts.Nomenclature: Glucosinolate; alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. ‘Latac’; bluebunch wheatgrass, Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Love; crested wheatgrass, Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.; hoary cress, Cardaria draba (L.) Desv., #3 CARDR; wheat, Triticum aestivum L. ‘Hill 81’.Additional index words: Allelopathy, Brassicaceae, glucosinolates.

The Relationship between Grain Ripening and Falling Number in Winter Wheat Seeds.

アミロ粘度が高い良質のコムギを適期に収穫するための知見を得る目的で, 1996年と1997年に北海道の主要産地で秋播コムギ(品種チホクコムギとホクシン)の登熟期における千粒重, 子実水分, フォーリングナンバー(FN)値の推移を調査した.年次による粒重の増加速度が異なり, 千粒重が最大となる時期(粒重最大期)に差異がみられた.子実水分は40%までは年次および産地を問わずほぼ一定の速度で低下した.しかし, 40%を切ってからは年次や産地により異なり, 出穂後55日でも水分が30%以下にならない場合や, 2～3日のうちに30%を切る場合などがあった.粒重最大期の年次間差や子実水分40%以降の低下速度の違いは登熟期の気温, 日照時間, 降水量の影響が大きいと考えられた.FN値は, 1996年には上昇をはじめる時期が遅くその上昇程度も小さく, 最大値が300sec以下の産地が多かった.1997年のFN値上昇は出穂後32～34日の早い時期にはじまり, ホクシンはチホクコムギよりFNの最大値が大きく, 300sec以上を示す期間が長かった.FN値が300secを超えると生理的成熟期にあたる粒重最大期を過ぎており, これ以降であればアミロ粘度が高い良質コムギの収穫が可能と考えられた.

PCR‐based diagnostics of Microdochium nivale and Tilletia tritici infecting winter wheat seeds*

UK cereal‐seed producers work under severe time constraints during the autumn harvest period. Management of seed health during seed production is restricted by the lack of prompt information from seed‐health assays. Currently, advisory testing is carried out using a lengthy agar‐plate test for Microdochium nivale (up to 7 days) and a seed‐washing/filtration method for Tilletia tritici (24 h). Although the T. tritici test can be completed within 1 day, the throughput for this test is restrictive. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for the detection of these two fungal pathogens of wheat have been developed, initially using purified fungal DNA, cultured mycelia and spores. The PCR Mimic technique, a form of competitive PCR, was chosen for the quantification of fungal infection. The development of simple DNA isolation methods for use with the PCR Mimic technique is described.

Germination and vigour loss of non-sprouted and sprouted wheat seeds during storage – testing the viability constants

AbstractThe loss of percentage germination and vigour of non-sprouted and sprouted seeds of winter wheat was determined during storage for 80 days at 11 different combinations of moisture content and temperature. Before storage the initial percentage germination and vigour were reduced according to the level of sprouting. During storage the percentage germination and vigour decreased. The rate of germination loss increased with increasing seed moisture content and/or increasing temperature. The species-specific constants KE, CW, CH and CQ of the viability equation were not different for non-sprouted and sprouted seeds. Likewise, the relation between the percentage of normal and abnormal seedlings was independent of sprouting. The rate of vigour loss was also independent of the storage conditions and of sprouting.

Evaluation of Resistance of Winter Wheat to Fusarium acuminatum by Inoculation of Seedling Roots with Single, Germinated Macroconidia.

Fusarium acuminatum is one of the causal agents of dryland root rot of winter wheat in Colorado. The effect of F. acuminatum seedling root infection, recorded at heading, on winter wheat cultivars Sandy and CO84 was investigated in the greenhouse. Winter wheat seeds were surface disinfested, germinated, and vernalized. Vernalized seedling roots were inoculated by placing a single, germinated macroconidium of F. acuminatum on the largest root. Inoculated and non-inoculated vernalized seedlings were transplanted to pots and half the plants subjected to water stress. Inoculated plants had significantly lower survival rates and, at maturity, lower relative leaf water content, fewer tillers, shorter plant height, and higher cell ion leakage than non-inoculated plants. Wheat cultivars differed significantly for most traits studied. CO84 was susceptible whereas Sandy was more tolerant of the pathogen, particularly under water stress conditions. These results suggest that relative leaf water content, cell ion leakage, and to some extent seedling survival may be useful attributes for evaluation of resistance to the root rot pathogen.

Mycopopulation of the Treated Winter Wheat Seed in Eastern Croatia

During eight-year period treated winter wheat seed samples were analysed to study mycopopulation (9 cultivars, 4658 samples). Routine moist chamber method was used. Contamination or infection was recorded in 91.66% of examined samples. Ten fungi genera (Fusarium, Alternaria, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Bipolaris, Epiccocum, Trichothecium and Rhisopus) were identified on seed samples, with average frequency ranging from 0, 01 to 1, 84%. Fusarium spp. were the most important parasites recorded on wheat seeds, with Fusarium graminearum as the most frequent species (89.27% of all Fusarium isolates). Alternaria spp. were the most important saprophytic fungi.

Fusarium spp. Occurrence During Germination and Successive Growth of Young Wheat Plants. Study of Microbial Soil Activity Against Phytopathogenic Fungi

The antagonistic activity of different soils against phytopathogenic fungi was assessed on winter wheat seeds infected with Fusarium culmorum (W.G.Smith) Sacc. The results showed highly significant influence of soil origin (location) and soil antagonistic activity by comparing sterilized vs. natural soil. Varietal differences of wheat were significant, too. Possible methods of soil antagonistic activity testing are discussed.

Effects of fertilizer salts on the germination of corn, winter wheat, and their common weed species

Abstract Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were carried out to study the effects of the fertilizer salts, NH4NO3, ammonium nitrate‐limestone, (NH4)2SO4, urea, KC1, K2SO4, superphospate, and triple superphosphate, on the germination of corn, winter wheat, and their common weed species (ABUTH and AMARE for corn and GALAP and MATIN for wheat). Increasing rates of fertilizer salts from 10, 100, and 1,000 ppm were applied in five replicates in both laboratory and greenhouse experiments on 0.5 kg of a loamy soil. In the laboratory experiments, seeds were germinated on top of paper at 22°C. Germination of winter wheat seeds was inhibited only by the highest dose of urea, while that of its weed species was highly affected by the applied fertilizers. Germination and emergence of corn was only slightly affected by the fertilizer salts. Significant changes in germination of AMARE could be observed with each fertilizer salt and each concentration; these changes tended to be positive even with the highest level of superphosphates. Emergence of ABUTH was only slightly affected by the lower rates of fertilizers while it was significantly reduced by higher doses of nitrogen (N) fertilizers. Results of these studies may serve as means of integrated weed control.