Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, not only leads to severe yield losses but also poses a threat to food safety due to the mycotoxins produced by the pathogen. Since this disease is preventable but not curable, the current control mainly relies on chemical fungicides, the long-term use of which may lead to pathogen resistance and environmental pollution. To develop green control methods, we screened 13 biocontrol strains from the rhizosphere soil of wheat, among which strain No. 12 (identified as Pythium aphanidermatum) showed significant antifungal effects. In the plate confrontation test, this strain reduced the colony diameter of the pathogen by 69.2% (1.47 mm vs. 4.78 mm in the control group), with an inhibition rate of 77% (P < 0.01). Microscopic observation revealed obvious deformations in the pathogen hyphae, suggesting a lysing effect. The coleoptile experiment further confirmed that the pre-treatment with this strain reduced the incidence rate to 0. These findings provide new candidate strains for the biocontrol of FHB and offer a scientific basis for reducing the use of chemical fungicides and promoting sustainable agricultural development.
Triticum/growth & development* ; Fusarium/growth & development* ; Plant Diseases/prevention & control* ; Soil Microbiology ; Pest Control, Biological/methods* ; Pythium/physiology* ; Biological Control Agents ; Rhizosphere ; Fungicides, Industrial

Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is a pivotal indicator for achieving high wheat yields and sustainable resource utilization. This paper reviews recent research advances in the NUE of wheat, emphasizing genotypic variations, physiological mechanisms, molecular regulation, and agronomic management practices. Furthermore, this paper analyzes the critical regulatory nodes in nitrogen uptake, transport, assimilation, and redistribution, summarizes the current research bottlenecks, and makes an outlook on the future research directions. We then propose a strategy integrating emerging biotechnologies with precision agronomic management to enhance both wheat yields and NUE. This review aims to offer a theoretical framework for breeding nitrogen-efficient wheat cultivars and promoting the eco-friendly production of wheat.
Triticum/growth & development* ; Nitrogen/metabolism* ; Plant Breeding

Salinity is the most important factor for the growth of crops. It is an effective method to alleviate the toxic effect caused by salt stress using saline-alkali-tolerant and growth-promoting bacteria in agriculture. Seven salt-tolerant bacteria were screened from saline-alkali soil, and the abilities of EPS production, alkalinity reduction and IAA production of the selected strains were investigated. A dominant strain DB01 was evaluated. The abilities of EPS production, alkalinity reduction and IAA production of strain DB01 were 0.21 g/g, 8.7% and 8.97 mg/L, respectively. The isolate was identified as Halomonas aquamarina by partial sequencing analysis of its 16S rRNA genes, and had the ability to inhibit the growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp., Alternaria solani, Phytophthora sojae and Rhizoctonia cerealis. It also could promote root length and germination rate of wheat seedlings under salt stress. Halomonas aquamarina can provide theoretical basis for the development of soil microbial resources and the application in saline-alkali soil improvement.
Alkalies ; metabolism ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; genetics ; Halomonas ; genetics ; Plant Roots ; microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; genetics ; Salt Tolerance ; genetics ; Seedlings ; growth & development ; microbiology ; Soil ; chemistry ; Soil Microbiology ; Triticum ; microbiology

OBJECTIVE: To observe the repairing effects of estrogen and wheat-grain moxibustion on thin-type endometrium in rats and to explore its possible mechanism. METHODS: Forty healthy SPF-grade adult female SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, an estrogen group and a moxibustion group according to random number table method, 10 rats in each group. The model of thin-type endometrium was established during estrous period in all the groups except for the normal group. No intervention was given in the normal group. The intragastric administration of 2 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride solution was applied the next day after modeling in the model group. The intragastric administration of 2 mL of estradiol was given the next day after modeling in the estrogen group. The wheat-grain moxibustion was given at "Guanyuan" (CV 4) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) the next day after modeling in the moxibustion group, 7 moxa cones for each acupoint. The treatment in 3 groups was given once a day. After three estrous cycles, the samples were collected during estrous period; the thickness and morphology of endometrium were observed by HE staining; the expressions of vimentin, keratin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in endometrium tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry; the expressions of HOXA10 and LIF in endometrium tissue were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: The endometrial thickness in the model group was significantly thinner than that in the normal group (<0.01); compared with the model group, the endometrial thickness in the estrogen group and the moxibustion group were increased significantly (<0.05, <0.01); the endometrial thickness in the moxibustion group was insignificantly higher than that in the estrogen group (>0.05). The expressions of keratin, vimentin and VEGF in endometrium in the model group were significantly lower than those in the normal group (<0.01); compared with the model group, the expressions of keratin, vimentin and VEGF in endometrium in the estrogen group and the moxibustion group were significantly increased (<0.01). The expressions of keratin, vimentin and VEGF in the moxibustion group were insignificantly higher than those in the estrogen group (>0.05). The expressions of HOXA10 and LIF in endometrium in the model group were significantly lower than those in the normal group (<0.01); compared with the model group, the expressions of HOXA10 and LIF in endometrium in the estrogen group and moxibustion group were significantly increased (<0.05). CONCLUSION The wheat-grain moxibustion could up-regulate the expressions of keratin, vimentin and VEGF in endometrium to improve the endometrial thickness; in addition, it could increase the levels of factors related to endometrial receptivity including HOXA10, LIF, which improves endometrial receptivity and play a repair role.
Animals ; Endometrium ; physiology ; Female ; Moxibustion ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Triticum ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of host species on growth and development and active component content of Thesium chinense.

METHODPlant morphology and active component content of T. chinense grown with different hosts were measured. The hosts were evaluated by using index-sum method.

RESULTHosts significantly promoted the growth of T. chinense by increasing height, per plant weight, stem diameter, leaf area, the number of seed and haustorium,and decreased RW/SW ratio compared to without host treatment. Considerable differences existed among the effect of different host species treatments. Synthetical evaluation score of Gnaphlium affine was the highest (37), followed by Imperata cylindrical and Prunella vulgaris (36). It is suggested that they were superior hosts for T. chinense. But the scores of Triticum aestivum (25) and Eremochloa ophiuroides (17) were lower, so they were unsuited hosts for T. chinense.

CONCLUSIONHosts significantly promoted the growth of T. chinense. Considerable differences existed among the growth and development of T. chinense grown with different hosts, as well as active component content. Gnaphlium affine, Imperata cylindrical and Prunella vulgaris were superior hosts for T. chinense. While Triticum aestivum and Eremochloa ophiuroides were unsuited hosts for T. chinense.

Host-Parasite Interactions ; Poaceae ; growth & development ; parasitology ; Prunella ; growth & development ; parasitology ; Santalaceae ; growth & development ; physiology ; Triticum ; growth & development ; parasitology

PeaT1, a protein elicitor from Alternaria tenuissima can promote plant growth and trigger systemic acquired resistance in plants. In order to expand the application of PeaT1, P43 promoter sequence and nprB signal peptide-encoding sequence were cloned from Bacillus subtilis 168 chromosomal DNA. The two sequences and peaT1 gene were spliced by overlapping extension. This product was cloned into the Escherichia coli-B. subtilis shuttle vector pHY300-PLK and the resultant recombinant expression vector (pHY43N- peaTI) plasmid was transformed into B. subtilis WB800. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analysis showed that protein elicitor PeaT1 was expressed extracellularly in B. subtilis. This recombinant bacterial strain enhanced drought tolerance and promoted seedling growth in wheat.
Adaptation, Physiological ; drug effects ; Alternaria ; chemistry ; genetics ; Bacillus subtilis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Droughts ; Fungal Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Triticum ; growth & development

In this study, peaT1 gene was subcloned into the Pichia pastoris expression vector pPIC9K, which contained both the methanol-inducible promoter and the transcription terminator of the AOX1 gene, resulting the plasmid pPIC9K-peaT1. The recombinant plasmid was linearized by Sal I or Bgl II and transformed into P. pastoris GS115 by electroporation method. Recombinant strain was screened by Minimal Dextrose Medium and further confirmed by PCR. The gene was in frame integrated into the Pichia genome through homologous recombination, resulting the recombinant strain. Regulated by the alpha-Factor, promoter of AOX1 gene and termination signal of yeast genomic, the recombinant protein was expressed and secreted into the supernatant. The SDS-PAGE analysis indicated that the apparent molecular weight of target protein was about 35 kD. Bioassay results showed that the inhibition rate of the expressed protein against TMV was 30.37%. The supernatant was collected and then purified by anion exchange chromatography. This protein can promote seedling growth of wheat obviously.
Alternaria ; genetics ; Fungal Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Triticum ; drug effects ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo investigate the activity and the location of the endogenesis inhibitory substances in seed of of Thesium chinense.

METHODThe rough extracts from different concentrations, places and extracting times of T. chinense seeds were prepared and determined by its effect on wheat and Brassica sp seed.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe extract dramatically inhibited the germentation and the growth of wheat and Brassica sp seed and the inhibitory activity was positively related to the concentration of the extracts. When the concentration reached 0. 32 g mL(-1), wheat seed did not germentate. With increasing the extracting times, the inhibitory activity first decreased, then increased. The capsule and kernel both had inhibitory substances and the latter was stronger than the former. Highly active inhibitory substances were found first time in the seed of T. chinense.

Brassica ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Germination ; drug effects ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plant Growth Regulators ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Santalaceae ; chemistry ; Seeds ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Triticum ; drug effects ; growth & development

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was conducted in bread wheat for 14 important traits utilizing data from four different mapping populations involving different approaches of QTL analysis. Analysis for grain protein content (GPC) suggested that the major part of genetic variation for this trait is due to environmental interactions. In contrast, pre-harvest sprouting tolerance (PHST) was controlled mainly by main effect QTL (M-QTL) with very little genetic variation due to environmental interactions; a major QTL for PHST was detected on chromosome arm 3AL. For grain weight, one QTL each was detected on chromosome arms 1AS, 2BS and 7AS. QTL for 4 growth related traits taken together detected by different methods ranged from 37 to 40; nine QTL that were detected by single-locus as well as two-locus analyses were all M-QTL. Similarly, single-locus and two-locus QTL analyses for seven yield and yield contributing traits in two populations respectively allowed detection of 25 and 50 QTL by composite interval mapping (CIM), 16 and 25 QTL by multiple-trait composite interval mapping (MCIM) and 38 and 37 QTL by two-locus analyses. These studies should prove useful in QTL cloning and wheat improvement through marker aided selection.
Bread ; Chromosome Mapping ; Quantitative Trait Loci ; genetics ; Triticum ; genetics ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo select a proper Ganoderma luciderm strain for the fruiting body production.

METHODThe strains were cultivated on the agar media and in the liquid media, respectively. Then the strains were inoculated onto the solid medium made from agricultural products (such as wheat bran, corn powder, wood meal, etc.) and cultured for a certain period.

RESULTStrains, which were easier to produce polyporic tissues at the vegetative growth stage, would be more quickly to form fruiting body with high quality and yield of the spores.

CONCLUSIONAppearance of the polyporic tissues at the mycelium vegetative growth stage could be used as a marker for the strain selection for the G. luciderm substituted cultivation.

Bioreactors ; Culture Media ; Fruiting Bodies, Fungal ; growth & development ; Ganoderma ; growth & development ; Mycelium ; growth & development ; Triticum ; Zea mays