Genome-wide functional analysis reveals that autophagy is necessary for growth, sporulation, deoxynivalenol production and virulence in Fusarium graminearum

Autophagy is a conserved cellular recycling and trafficking pathway in eukaryotic cells and has been reported to be important in the virulence of a number of microbial pathogens. Here, we report genome-wide identification and characterization of autophagy-related genes (ATGs) in the wheat pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum. We identified twenty-eight genes associated with the regulation and operation of autophagy in F. graminearum. Using targeted gene deletion, we generated a set of 28 isogenic mutants. Autophagy mutants were classified into two groups by differences in their growth patterns. Radial growth of 18 Group 1 ATG mutants was significantly reduced compared to the wild-type strain PH-1, while 10 Group 2 mutants grew normally. Loss of any of the ATG genes, except FgATG17, prevented the fungus from causing Fusarium head blight disease. Moreover, subsets of autophagy genes were necessary for asexual/sexual differentiation and deoxynivalenol (DON) production, respectively. FgATG1 and FgATG5 were investigated in detail and showed severe defects in autophagy. Taken together, we conclude that autophagy plays a critical role in growth, asexual/sexual sporulation, deoxynivalenol production and virulence in F. graminearum

Transfer of stripe rust resistance from Aegilops variabilis to bread wheat

In terms of area, the bread wheat producing regions of China comprise the largest area in the world that is constantly threatened by stripe rust epidemics. Consequently, it is important to exploit new adultplant resistance genes in breeding. This study reports the transfer of stripe rust resistance from Aegilops variabilis to bread wheat resulting in resistant line, TKL2(R). Genetic analysis of the segregating populations derived from a cross between TKL2(R) and a susceptible sister line, TKL2(S), indicated that the adult-plant resistance to Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici in TKL2(R) is conferred by a single dominant gene. This gene provided resistance to physiological races currently endemic to China, thus indicating its potential usefulness in wheat breeding.Keywords: Aegilops variabilis, gene transfer, Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, Triticum aestivum, wide hybridizatio

Inheritance of resistance to Chinese stripe rust on Australian wheat variety Sunco

Australian wheat variety Sunco carry good adult plant resistance to Chinese stripe rust races CY32. Wheat variety Chuanyu12 released in Sichuan province is terrible adult plant susceptible. A DH population developed from Sunco/Chuanyu12 was used for genetic analysis of Chinese stripe rust races resistance on Sunco. The results show Sunco combines one major resistance gene with two minor genes, and the major gene is resistant or middle resistant to stripe rust. If carried only minor gene (s), the material will be susceptible to stripe rust, if combined major gene with minor gene (s), it can express good adult plant resistance to stripe rust

Assessment of fresh Chinese white salted noodle quality on four Sichuan major varieties

Four Sichuan major varieties (i.e. CY12, MY26, CM107, CM36) were selected for the assessment of their raw white salted noodle quality with sensory evaluation and apparatus such as NIR and Minolta. The result showed that CY12 had best color with highest stability, CM107 had best smoothness, and CM36 was hardest. MY26 had better hardness and elasticity than the others, and its texture score was the highest

Genetic Diversity Assessment of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center and Chinese Wheat Core Germplasms by Non-Denaturing Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization

Germplasm is the material basis for crop genetic improvement and related basic research. Knowledge of genetic diversity present in wheat is the prerequisite for wheat breeding and improvement. Non-denaturing fluorescence in situ hybridization (ND-FISH) is a powerful tool to distinguish chromosomal polymorphisms and evaluate genetic diversity in wheat. In this study, ND-FISH using Oligo-pSc119.2-1, Oligo-pTa535-1, and Oligo-(GAA)7 as probes were used to analyze the genetic diversity among 60 International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) derived wheat lines, and 93 cultivated wheat and landraces from the Chinese wheat core germplasm. A total of 137 polymorphic FISH patterns were obtained, in which 41, 65, and 31 were from A-, B-, and D-genome chromosomes, respectively, indicating polymorphism of B-genome > A-genome > D-genome. In addition, 22 and 51 specific FISH types were observed in the two germplasm resource lines. Twelve types of rearrangements, including seven new translocations, were detected in all 153 wheat lines. Genetic relationships among 153 wheat lines were clustered into six groups. Our research provides cytological information for rational utilization of wheat germplasm resources

Design and Implementation of 3D Printing System for Continuous CFRP Composites

The rapid and low-cost manufacturing of continuous Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composites using 3D printing technology is a hot topic in the field of composite materials’ research. Due to the continuity and infusibility of the long carbon fiber, a series of problems such as loosening of fiber, breakage, and nozzle clogging occurred in the printing process, which result in poor surface quality and performance in the printed product. This paper aims to solve these problems based on the researches and optimizations of three-dimensional printing technology for continuous CFRP composite components. Firstly, the coupling mechanism of continuous fiber and resin polymer in the flow path of nozzle is analyzed, the finite element simulation models of flow field and temperature field of CFRP three-dimensional printing are established by using ANSYS CFX software, and the coupling characteristics and interface performance in the printing process are studied. Then, based on the results of simulation analysis, a modification method of the surface coating film is applied, and a special modification solution is configured to modify the surface of the carbon fiber so as to increase its strength and bondability with the molten resin. Finally, the mechanical structure of the three-dimensional printing system of continuous CFRP components is designed to achieve the synchronization of printing and fiber modification. Considering the continuity of continuous carbon fiber, this paper proposed a new method of printing path design called “unicursal” for continuous CFRP parts, that is, when designing and planning a three-dimensional print path, it ensured that there is no interruption in the printing process, so as to achieve carbon fiber continuity in composite parts. The reliability and superiority of the printing system designed in this paper are confirmed by printing of the composite parts

Design and Implementation of 3D Printing System for Continuous CFRP Composites

The rapid and low-cost manufacturing of continuous Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composites using 3D printing technology is a hot topic in the field of composite materials’ research. Due to the continuity and infusibility of the long carbon fiber, a series of problems such as loosening of fiber, breakage, and nozzle clogging occurred in the printing process, which result in poor surface quality and performance in the printed product. This paper aims to solve these problems based on the researches and optimizations of three-dimensional printing technology for continuous CFRP composite components. Firstly, the coupling mechanism of continuous fiber and resin polymer in the flow path of nozzle is analyzed, the finite element simulation models of flow field and temperature field of CFRP three-dimensional printing are established by using ANSYS CFX software, and the coupling characteristics and interface performance in the printing process are studied. Then, based on the results of simulation analysis, a modification method of the surface coating film is applied, and a special modification solution is configured to modify the surface of the carbon fiber so as to increase its strength and bondability with the molten resin. Finally, the mechanical structure of the three-dimensional printing system of continuous CFRP components is designed to achieve the synchronization of printing and fiber modification. Considering the continuity of continuous carbon fiber, this paper proposed a new method of printing path design called “unicursal” for continuous CFRP parts, that is, when designing and planning a three-dimensional print path, it ensured that there is no interruption in the printing process, so as to achieve carbon fiber continuity in composite parts. The reliability and superiority of the printing system designed in this paper are confirmed by printing of the composite parts

Genetic Improvement and Application Practices of Synthetic Hexaploid Wheat

Synthetic hexaploid wheat (SHW) is a useful genetic resource that can be used to improve the performance of common wheat by transferring favorable genes from a wide range of tetraploid or diploid donors. From the perspectives of physiology, cultivation, and molecular genetics, the use of SHW has the potential to increase wheat yield. Moreover, genomic variation and recombination were enhanced in newly formed SHW, which could generate more genovariation or new gene combinations compared to ancestral genomes. Accordingly, we presented a breeding strategy for the application of SHW—the ‘large population with limited backcrossing method’—and we pyramided stripe rust resistance and big-spike-related QTLs/genes from SHW into new high-yield cultivars, which represents an important genetic basis of big-spike wheat in southwestern China. For further breeding applications of SHW-derived cultivars, we used the ‘recombinant inbred line-based breeding method’ that combines both phenotypic and genotypic evaluations to pyramid multi-spike and pre-harvest sprouting resistance QTLs/genes from other germplasms to SHW-derived cultivars; consequently, we created record-breaking high-yield wheat in southwestern China. To meet upcoming environmental challenges and continuous global demand for wheat production, SHW with broad genetic resources from wild donor species will play a major role in wheat breeding