Combined analysis of 08/09 and 2010 experiments

At a meeting held in Canberra in July 2010, it was agreed to undertake a study to investigate whether a combined analysis of the 08/09 series of LMA experiments and the single 2010 experiment was feasible. The current protocol for classification of lines relies on obtaining information from two valid LMA screening experiments. The analysis of the 08/09 series of experiments represented the first attempt to undertake a combined analysis of LMA screening experiments. It is well known (see for example, Mrode [1995]) that the optimum methodology to evaluate genetic material for eventual selection is to use a multivariate or multi-trait analysis. This multi-trait analysis takes account of the relationships which exist between the different traits. In our example, each experiment is considered as a trait and so for these data we have three traits, one for each experiment

An integrated framework for predicting the risk of experiencing temperature conditions that may trigger late-maturity alpha-amylase in wheat across Australia

Late-maturity alpha-amylase (LMA) is a key concern for Australia’s wheat industry because affected grain may not meet receival standards or market specifications, resulting in significant economic losses for producers and industry. The risk of LMA incidence across Australia’s wheatbelt is not well understood; therefore, a predictive model was developed to help to characterise likely LMA incidence. Preliminary development work is presented here based on diagnostic simulations for estimating the likelihood of experiencing environmental conditions similar to a potential triggering criterion currently used to phenotype wheat lines in a semi-controlled environment. Simulation inputs included crop phenology and long-term weather data (1901–2016) for >1750 stations across Australia’s wheatbelt. Frequency estimates for the likelihood of target conditions on a yearly basis were derived from scenarios using either: (i) weather-driven sowing dates each year and three reference maturity types, mimicking traditional cropping practices; or (ii) monthly fixed sowing dates for each year. Putative-risk ‘footprint’ maps were then generated at regional shire scale to highlight regions with a low (66%) likelihood of experiencing temperatures similar to a cool-shock regime occurring in the field. Results suggested low risks for wheat regions across Queensland and relatively low risks for most regions across New South Wales, except for earlier planting with quick-maturing varieties. However, for fixed sowing dates of 1 May and 1 June and varying maturity types, the combined footprints for moderate-risk and high-risk categories ranged from 34% to 99% of the broad wheat region for South Australia, from 12% to 97% for Victoria, and from 9% to 59% for Western Australia. A further research component aims to conduct a field validation to improve quantification of the range of LMA triggering conditions; this would improve the predictive LMA framework and could assist industry with future decision-making based on a quantifiable LMA field risk

Crop Updates 2006 - Cereals

This session covers twenty nine papers from different authors: PLENARY 1. The 2005 wheat streak mosaic virus epidemic in New South Wales and the threat posed to the Western Australian wheat industry, Roger Jones and Nichole Burges, Department of Agriculture SOUTH COAST AGRONOMY 2. South coast wheat variety trial results and best options for 2006, Mohammad Amjad, Ben Curtis and Wal Anderson, Department of Agriculture 3. Dual purpose winter wheats to improve productivity, Mohammad Amjad and Ben Curtis, Department of Agriculture 4. South coast large-scale premium wheat variety trials, Mohammad Amjad and Ben Curtis, Department of Agriculture 5. Optimal input packages for noodle wheat in Dalwallinu – Liebe practice for profit trial, Darren Chitty, Agritech Crop Research and Brianna Peake, Liebe Group 6. In-crop risk management using yield prophet®, Harm van Rees1, Cherie Reilly1, James Hunt1, Dean Holzworth2, Zvi Hochman2; 1Birchip Cropping Group, Victoria; 2CSIRO, Toowoomba, Qld 7. Yield Prophet® 2005 – On-line yield forecasting, James Hunt1, Harm van Rees1, Zvi Hochman2,Allan Peake2, Neal Dalgliesh2, Dean Holzworth2, Stephen van Rees1, Trudy McCann1 and Peter Carberry2; 1Birchip Cropping Group, Victoria; 2CSIRO, Toowoomba, Qld 8. Performance of oaten hay varieties in Western Australian environments, Raj Malik and Kellie Winfield, Department of Agriculture 9. Performance of dwarf potential milling varieties in Western Australian environments, Kellie Winfield and Raj Malik, Department of Agriculture 10. Agronomic responses of new wheat varieties in the Southern agricultural region of WA, Brenda Shackley and Judith Devenish, Department of Agriculture 11. Responses of new wheat varieties to management factors in the central agricultural region of Western Australia, Darshan Sharma, Steve Penny and Wal Anderson,Department of Agriculture 12. Sowing time on wheat yield, quality and $ - Northern agricultural region, Christine Zaicou-Kunesch, Department of Agriculture NUTRITION 13.The most effective method of applying phosphorus, copper and zinc to no-till crops, Mike Bolland and Ross Brennan, Department of Agriculture 14. Uptake of K from the soil profile by wheat, Paul Damon and Zed Rengel, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Western Australia 15. Reducing nitrogen fertiliser risks, Jeremy Lemon, Department of Agriculture 16. Yield Prophet® and canopy management, Harm van Rees1, Zvi Hochman2, Perry Poulton2, Nick Poole3, Brooke Thompson4, James Hunt1; 1Birchip Cropping Group, Victoria; 2CSIRO, Toowoomba, Qld; 3Foundation for Arable Research, New Zealand; 4Cropfacts, Victoria 17. Producing profits with phosphorus, Stephen Loss, CSBP Ltd, WA 18. Potassium response in cereal cropping within the medium rainfall central wheatbelt, Jeff Russell1, Angie Roe2 and James Eyres2, Department of Agriculture1, Farm Focus Consultants, Northam2 19. Matching nitrogen supply to wheat demand in the high rainfall cropping zone, Narelle Simpson, Ron McTaggart, Wal Anderson, Lionel Martin and Dave Allen, Department of Agriculture DISEASES 20. Comparative study of commercial wheat cultivars and differential lines (with known Pm resistance genes) to powdery mildew response, Hossein Golzar, Manisha Shankar and Robert Loughman, Department of Agriculture 21. On farm research to investigate fungicide applications to minimise leaf disease impacts in wheat – part II, Jeff Russell1, Angie Roe2and James Eyres2, Department of Agriculture1, and Farm Focus Consultants, Northam2 22. Disease resistance update for wheat varieties in WA, Manisha Shankar, John Majewski, Donna Foster, Hossein Golzar, Jamie Piotrowski, Nicole Harry and Rob Loughman, Department of Agriculture 23. Effect of time of stripe rust inoculum arrival on variety response in wheat, Manisha Shankar, John Majewski and Rob Loughman, Department of Agriculture 24. Fungicide seed dressing management of loose smut in Baudin barley, Geoff Thomas and Kith Jayasena, Department of Agriculture PESTS 25. How to avoid insect contamination in cereal grain at harvest, Svetlana Micic, Paul Matson and Tony Dore, Department of Agriculture ABIOTIC 26. Environment – is it as important as variety in sprouting tolerance? Thomas (Ben) Biddulph1, Dr Daryl Mares1, Dr Julie Plummer1 and Dr Tim Setter2, School of Plant Biology, University of Western Australia1 and Department of Agriculture2 27. Frost or fiction, Garren Knell, Steve Curtin and Wade Longmuir, ConsultAg Pty Ltd, WA 28. High moisture wheat harvesting in Esperance 2005, Nigel Metz, South East Premium Wheat Growers Association (SEPWA) Projects Coordinator, Esperance, WA SOILS 28. Hardpan penetration ability of wheat roots, Tina Botwright Acuña and Len Wade, School of Plant Biology, University of Western Australia MARKETS 29. Crop shaping to meet predicted market demands for wheat in the 21st Century, Cindy Mills and Peter Stone,Australian Wheat Board, Melbourn

8th Int’l Symposium on Preharvest Sprouting in Cereals, Detmold Germany (report on)

Established and supported under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centre Progra

Genetic variation for quality traits in synthetic wheat germplasm

Synthetic hexaploid wheats offer breeders ready access to potentially novel genetic variation associated with the D genome of Aegilops tauschii. In order to assess the application of this germplasm to wheat quality improvement, collections of primary and derived synthetic hexaploid wheat lines were surveyed for traits that determine colour and colour stability in Asian noodles and the frequency of a genetic defect know as late maturity α-amylase (LMA). The range of variation was then compared with bread wheat and durum wheat cultivar collections. Primary synthetics contained substantial genetic variation for quality traits associated with colour and colour stability of Asian noodles including near-zero extremes for polyphenol oxidase and lipoxygenase. These extremes represent a significant advantage compared with current bread wheat cultivars and are similar to the best durum wheats. While alternative strategies for reducing polyphenol oxidase and lipoxygenase are available, the synthetics nevertheless provide a useful resource for wheat breeders attempting to develop improved wheat cultivars for the Asian noodle market. Unfortunately, however, most primary synthetics were prone to late maturity α-amylase and mature grain contained unacceptably high levels of α-amylase. Elimination of this genetic defect, or selection within breeding populations for low or non-LMA, is both time consuming and labour intensive and presents a significant obstacle to exploitation of variation for other traits. As proof of concept, near-zero polyphenol oxidase (PPO) lines, free from LMA, were recovered from backcross populations involving a high LMA primary synthetic

Development of highly sprouting tolerant wheat germplasm with reduced germination at low temperature

Special Issue: Proceedings of the 10th International Symposium on Pre-Harvest Sprouting in Cereals, 2004 The original publication can be found at www.springerlink.comThe development of sprouting tolerant spring and winter wheat varieties that retain dormancy in cool, wet conditions is a long-term objective in Hokkaido, Japan. A highly tolerant spring dwarf line, ‘OS21-5’, derived from ‘Tordo’ x ‘Zenkoji’, was used to develop transgressive spring, ‘OS38’ and ‘OS74’; and winter, ‘OW77’, ‘OW104’ and ‘OW93’ wheats. More recently, winter lines with improved agronomic performance, though still deficient in quality and scab resistance, have been identified. In general, germination percentage of mature grain at 10 °C was closely related to the mean temperature experienced during the 5 days prior to maturity (dough–yellow ripening stage) and to the capacity to maintain a high amylograph paste viscosity. Dormancy at 10 °C appeared to be determined by a combination of genotype and variation in sensitivity to temperature during the later stages of ripening. Genotypes such as ‘OS38’ and ‘OWl04’ were both highly tolerant to germination at 10 °C and insensitive to temperature during ripening. By comparison, most of the other cultivars showed a similar, intermediate sensitivity to ripening temperature, and dormancy decreased as ripening temperature increased. Dormancy of ‘RL4137’ at maturity, and to a lesser extent ‘Gifukomugi’ and ‘KKI354’, was very sensitive to ripening temperature and useful levels of dormancy only developed under cool ripening temperatures, mean temperature <18–20 °C.Shun-Ichi Osanai, Yoichi Amano and Daryl Mare

A GDSL Esterase/Lipase Catalyzes the Esterification of Lutein in Bread Wheat

Xanthophylls are a class of carotenoids that are important micronutrients for humans. They are often found esterified with fatty acids in fruits, vegetables, and certain grains, including bread wheat (Triticum aestivum). Esterification promotes the sequestration and accumulation of carotenoids, thereby enhancing stability, particularly in tissues such as in harvested wheat grain. Here, we report on a plant xanthophyll acyltransferase (XAT) that is both necessary and sufficient for xanthophyll esterification in bread wheat grain. XAT contains a canonical Gly-Asp-Ser-Leu (GDSL) motif and is encoded by a member of the GDSL esterase/lipase gene family. Genetic evidence from allelic variants of wheat and transgenic rice (Oryza sativa) calli demonstrated that XAT catalyzes the formation of xanthophyll esters. XAT has broad substrate specificity and can esterify lutein, β-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin using multiple acyl donors, yet it has a preference for triacylglycerides, indicating that the enzyme acts via transesterification. A conserved amino acid, Ser-37, is required for activity. Despite xanthophylls being synthesized in plastids, XAT accumulated in the apoplast. Based on analysis of substrate preferences and xanthophyll ester formation in vitro and in vivo using xanthophyll-accumulating rice callus, we propose that disintegration of the cellular structure during wheat grain desiccation facilitates access to lutein-promoting transesterification.This research was funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (UA00102), Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology (CE140100008), and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Translational Photosynthesis (CE1401000015). Support was also provided by ARC Discovery Early Career Reasearch Award (DE170100054 to H.E.M.), by the Research Foundation – Flanders (postdoctoral fellowship 12N4818N to K.X.C.), and by an Australian Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship to J.L.W