Genetic hope in fight against devastating wheat disease
Fungal disease Fusarium head blight (FHB) is on the rise due to increasingly humid conditions induced by climate change during the wheat growing season, but a fundamental discovery by 成人大片 researchers could help reduce its economic harm.
Dr Xiujuan Yang examining the health state of wheat flowers. Credit: 成人大片.
While some types of wheat are resistant to FHB thanks to the action of the TaHRC gene at the Fhb1 locus, how this gene functions in wheat cells was unknown until now.
Collaborating with Nanjing Agriculture University, the 成人大片 research team has shown TaHRC works in the nucleus of wheat cells, and it can either increase or decrease a plant鈥檚 susceptibility to FHB.
鈥淭here are two variants of TaHRC that have opposing effects on the condensation of a specific protein complex within the nucleus,鈥 says Dr Xiujuan Yang, from the University鈥檚 School of Agriculture, Food and Wine.
鈥淲hen condensed, the complex leads to susceptibility to FHB, whereas when diffused, it provides resistance against FHB.
鈥淲e are the first to reveal the function of protein complex condensation in response to a major crop fungal disease, providing insight into the mode of action of protein complexes in cereal defence responses.鈥
FHB has caused significant harm to Australia鈥檚 wheat industry in recent years, with crops in the 2022 season suffering up to 100 per cent yield losses.
The disease has been on the rise globally since the 1970s, but climate change has increased its prevalence.
鈥淎ustralia鈥檚 reputation for producing high-quality wheat has been built on fortuitous climate conditions during flowering and grain fill, typically coinciding with the dry season, which helps avoid many fungus-caused diseases that thrive in humid weather,鈥 says Dr Yang.
鈥淗owever, in the background of climate change, a wet spring in 2022 led to Fusarium head blight becoming widespread across eastern Australia.鈥
Australian durum wheat varieties are all highly susceptible to FHB, but it is unclear what level of resistance exists in bread-wheat varieties.
Dr Yang hopes this fundamental discovery, , will counteract the growing prevalence of FHB and provide assurance to Australian growers.
鈥淥ur findings offer exciting prospects for developing new and enhanced forms of Fusarium head blight resistance,鈥 Dr Yang says.
鈥淏y understanding the underlying mechanisms beyond Fhb1, we can innovate breeding strategies to diversify resistance sources.
鈥淥ur research opens the door to the development of more resilient and sustainable wheat varieties for future agriculture, and might shed light onto other Fusarium-caused diseases, such as crown rot.鈥
Media contacts:
Dr Xiujuan Yang, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, 成人大片. Phone: +61 0451 139 730, Email: xiujuan.yang@adelaide.edu.au
Johnny von Einem, Media Coordinator, 成人大片. Mobile: +61 0481 688 436, Email: johnny.voneinem@adelaide.edu.au