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An empirical test of the treatment of indels during optimization alignment based on the phylogeny of the genus Secale (Poaceae).

The ability of the program POY, implementing optimization alignment, to deal with major indels is explored and discussed in connection with a phylogenetic analysis of the genus Secale based on partial Adh1 sequences. The Adh1 sequences used span exon 2-4. Nearly all variation is found in intron 2 and intron 3, which form the basis for the phylogenetic analyses. Both in some ingroup and outgroup taxa intron 3 has a major duplication. Previous phylogenetic analyses have repeatedly confirmed monophyly of both Secale and Hordeum, the latter being part of the outgroup. However, optimization alignment only recovers both genera as monophyletic when knowledge of the duplication is incorporated in the analysis. The phylogenetic relationships within Secale are not clearly resolved. Subspecific taxa of Secale strictum have identical sequences and they are confined to a monophyletic group. However, the two subspecific taxa of Secale cereale do not form a monophyletic group, and the position of Secale sylvestre is uncertain.

Algorithms↗

Bromus fasciculatus presl--a third diploid progenitor of Bromus section Genea allopolyploids (Poaceae).

Allozyme variation of ten heterozymes of seven enzymes among five accessions of a rare diploid Bromus fasciculatus was analysed with the use of PAGE and compared with that for six other species of section Genea of the genus Bromus. Allozymes charasteristic for diploids B. tectorum and B. fasciculatus are combined in fixed heterozygous phenotypes of tetraploid B. rubens. Fixed heterozygous phenotypes of tetraploid B. madritensis combine one allozyme of B. fasciculatus with another of diploid B. sterilis at each of the loci studied. Of the three diploids studied, only B. sterilis fits well for a role of a genome donor for the polyploid B. diandrus-rigidus complex. Bromus fasciculatus thus appears to be a diploid ancestor for the two tetraploids of section Genea, B. rubens and B. madritensis.

Bromus↗

Extent and degree of hybridization between exotic (Spartina alterniflora) and native (S. foliosa) cordgrass (Poaceae) in California, USA determined by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPDs).

Spartina alterniflora, smooth cordgrass, native to the eastern USA, was introduced into south San Francisco Bay approximately 25 years ago. It has spread by purposeful introduction of rooted plants and dispersal of seeds on the tides. Previous work suggested that S. alterniflora was competitively superior to the native California cordgrass, S. foliosa, and that the two species hybridized. The present study determined the spread of S. alterniflora and S. foliosa x alterniflora hybrids in California and examined the degree of hybridization. We used nuclear DNA markers diagnostic for each species to detect the parental species and nine categories of hybrids. The California coast outside San Francisco Bay contained only the native species. All hybrid categories exist in the Bay, implying that several generations of crossing have occurred and that hybridization is bidirectional. Hybrids were found principally near sites of deliberate introduction of the exotic species. Where S. alterniflora was deliberately planted, we found approximately equal numbers of S. alterniflora and hybrid individuals; S. foliosa was virtually absent. Marshes colonized by water-dispersed seed contained the full gamut of phenotypes with intermediate-type hybrids predominating. The proliferation of hybrids could result in local extinction of S. foliosa. What is more, S. alterniflora has the ability to greatly modify the estuary ecosystem to the detriment of other native species and human uses of the Bay. To the extent that they share these engineering abilities, the proliferation of cordgrass hybrids could grossly alter the character of the San Francisco Bay.

Journal Article↗

Ploidy level variability in South American fescues (festuca L., poaceae): use of flow cytometry in up to 5 1/2-year-old caryopses and herbarium specimens.

Ploidy levels and chromosome numbers for 24 species of Festuca L. from 29 sites in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela are given. The ploidy level of 22 species is reported for the first time. A higher proportion of tetraploids in northern South America and the high frequency of polyploids in the whole continent are documented. In combination with chromosome counts, ploidy level was determined using flow cytometry in 4- to 5 1/2 -year-old herbarium specimens and mature caryopses. Flow cytometric determination from seeds was more reliable than determination from herbarium specimens. In herbarium specimens, the youngest, fresh green leaves, still hidden in sheaths, seem to be most suitable for cytometric determination. In old, brownish leaves, or poorly preserved herbarium specimens, the degradation of DNA signal in flow histograms was documented. DNA content measured in seeds was always higher than that measured in herbarium specimens, which may be caused by the presence of different cytosolic compounds. Differences of about 15% in relative DNA content of F. sodiroana and F. vaginalis was found in simultaneous measurements in seeds.

DNA, Plant↗

Patterns of resistance to three cereal aphids among wheats in the genus Triticum (Poaceae).

Forty-one accessions of wild and cultivated wheats belonging to 19 Triticum species were tested in the field for resistance to three species of aphids, Rhopalosiphum padi Linnaeus, Sitobion avenae Fabricius and Schizaphis graminum Rondani. Antibiotic resistance was estimated by the increase in biomass of aphids over 21 days on adult plants. Overall resistance was estimated by the plant biomass lost due to aphid infestation. All three species of aphids survived and reproduced on all wheats, and reduced spike biomass compared to uninfested controls. The level of antibiosis varied among wheat species and among accessions, with accessions from three, five and one species showing antibiosis to R. padi, S. avenae and S. graminum, respectively. Overall resistance to the three aphid species was observed in five to seven accessions per aphid species. Resistance was usually specific to one aphid species. The frequency of accessions with antibiosis or overall resistance was associated with the ploidy level of the plant species. Except for overall resistance to R. padi, resistance was highest for diploid species and lowest for hexaploid species. No consistent relationship between resistance and level of domestication was detected. Accessions of the wild wheats, Triticum boeoticum Bois, Triticum tauschii (Coss.) Schmal. and Triticum araraticum Jakubz. exhibited high levels of resistance to aphids, as did Triticum monococcum L. which is derived from T. boeoticum. Nevertheless, individual susceptible or resistant accessions occurred at all levels within the evolutionary tree of wheat.

Analysis of Variance↗

Seedling and adult plant resistance to Sitobion avenae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Triticum monococcum (Poaceae), an ancestor of wheat.

Cereal aphids are important pests of wheat, Triticum aestivum L. and Triticum durum Desf. Crop resistance is a desirable method for managing cereal aphids in central North America, where the dominant crop, spring-sown wheat, has a low value per unit area. A diploid ancestor of wheat, Triticum monococcum L., is reported to be partially resistant to Sitobion avenae (Fabricius), the most damaging cereal aphid in the region. To identify potential sources of resistance, 42 accessions of T. monococcum and three cultivated wheats were infested with aphids, seedlings for six days and adult plants for 21 days. Overall resistance was estimated by the biomass loss of foliage and spikes in relation to uninfested control plants. Antibiosis was estimated by the gain in biomass of aphids during infestation, and tolerance was estimated as a biomass conversion ratio, overall resistance divided by antibiosis. A few T. monococcum accessions exhibited partial resistance. No relationship was found between seedling and adult plant resistance: the former exhibited primarily antibiosis and the latter primarily tolerance. Two accessions with antibiosis reduced aphid biomass by 60% compared with commercial wheats. Tolerance was correlated with growth potential, and was useful only in accessions with high growth potential. Four accessions exhibited tolerance levels at least 30% greater than commercial wheats. Highly susceptible accessions also were identified, which would be useful for investigating the inheritance of antibiosis and tolerance.

Animals↗

Sex ratios of Sitodiplosis mosellana (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae): implications for pest management in wheat (Poaceae).

Sex ratios of populations of the wheat midge Sitodiplosis mosellana Gehin, developing on wheat Triticum aestivum L., were determined at reproduction, adult emergence, and dispersal. The patterns of sex ratio through the life cycle of S. mosellana result from: (i) a genetic mechanism that causes all or nearly all of the progeny of individual females to be a single sex, with an overall sex ratio that is slightly biased at 54-57% females; (ii) a differential mortality during diapause that increases the sex ratio to 60-65% females; (iii) mating which occurs near the emergence site followed by female dispersal which causes the post-dispersal sex ratio to rise to nearly 100% females; and (iv) oviposition which spreads eggs among different plants and assures that the next generation has a local sex ratio close to the population average. These changes in sex ratio through the life cycle have implications for using crop resistance or pheromones to manage S. mosellana, because mating takes place quickly near emergence sites, and because mated females but not males disperse from emergence sites to oviposition sites. Crop refuges used to protect resistance genes against the evolution of virulence by S. mosellana must be interspersed to prevent assortative mating that would occur in separate blocks of resistant and susceptible plants. Monitoring or mating disruption using a pheromone would be ineffective when wheat is grown in rotation with a non-host crop.

Agriculture↗

Sources of variation in the interaction between three cereal aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and wheat (Poaceae).

The relative contributions of host plant, herbivore species and clone to variation in the interaction between cereal aphids and wheat were investigated using five clones each of three species, Rhopalosiphum padi (Linnaeus), Sitobion avenae (Fabricius) and Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), on seedlings of two cultivars of Triticum aestivum L. and one cultivar of Triticum durum Desf. More individuals and biomass of R. padi than of the other two species were produced on seedlings. The three wheat cultivars lost similar amounts of biomass as a result of infestation by aphids, with the amount lost depending on aphid species: S. avenae caused the lowest loss in biomass. Variation in aphid biomass production was due mostly to differences among aphid species (70%), less to the interaction between wheat type and aphid species (7%), and least to aphid clone (1%). The specific impact of the aphids on the plants ranged from 1.7 to 3.7 mg of plant biomass lost per mg of aphid biomass gained, being lowest for R. padi and highest for S. graminum. Variation in plant biomass lost to herbivory was due mostly to unknown sources of error (95%), probably phenotypic differences among individual seedlings, with 3% due to aphid species and none attributable to aphid clone. For these aphid-plant interactions, differences among aphid clones within species contributed little to variation in aphid and plant productivity; therefore, a small sample of clones was adequate for quantifying the interactions. Furthermore, one clone of each species maintained in the laboratory for about 200 parthenogenetic generations was indistinguishable from clones collected recently from the field.

Analysis of Variance↗

Initiation of the Vascular System and the Transition to Flowering in Early Tassels of Zea mays Land Race Chapalote (Poaceae).

Serial transections of young tassels of (Zea mays land race) chapalote revealed relationships between the vascular system in its procambial state and the lateral primordia along the axis. A lateral tassel primordium usually consists of an indefinite rim with a prolongation that will become a tassel branch or spikelet pair. A lateral tassel primordium usually develops via modifications of the vegetative leaf primordium in which the leaf apex is enhanced but the leaf base and the bud it produces are suppressed. The clearest sign of the transition from the vegetative state to the tassel is the scale leaf, which is intermediate in form between a vegetative leaf and a lateral tassel primordium. Procambial traces differentiate in isolation in the tassel axis in response to the lateral tassel primordia. Adjacent procambial traces then link axially into sympodia to initiate the three-dimensional vascular system of the tassel axis. Older sympodia occur near the center of the axis interior to more recently initiated procambial traces. Procambial continuity does not occur between the tassel axis and the lateral primordia until isolated traces in the lateral primordia link with the sympodia in the tassel axis. The transition from distichy to polystichy by the lateral tassel primordia occurs as the narrowing of the leaf base makes space available on the tassel axis for lateral primordia out of the vegetative distichous plane.

Journal Article↗

Pseudoviviparous reproduction of Poa alpina var. vivipara L. (Poaceae) during long-term exposure to elevated atmospheric CO2.

Pseudovivipary is an asexual reproductive strategy exhibited by some arctic/alpine grasses in which leafy plantlets are produced in place of seeds, with genetic conservation an advantage for stress tolerators in these nutrient-poor habitats. Photosynthetic metabolism and the development of this reproductive system were investigated under varying nutrient availability and predicted future CO(2) partial pressure (pCO(2)). Poa alpina var. vivipara L., grown at present ambient pCO(2) or ambient plus 340 micro mol mol(-1) CO(2) (elevated pCO(2)), was supplied with either 0.05 mol m(-3) phosphorus and 0.2 mol m(-3) nitrogen, or 0.2 mol m(-3) phosphorus and 1.0 mol m(-3) nitrogen. Gas exchange measurements and determination of total non-structural carbohydrate (TNC), nitrogen and phosphorus contents revealed that parent plant leaf blade tissues experienced acclimatory loss of photosynthetic capacity after long-term growth at elevated pCO(2) (particularly so when nutrient availability was low); there were associated reductions in photosynthetic nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiencies (PNUE and PPUE). In addition, decreased PNUE and PPUE were exhibited by plantlets grown at elevated pCO(2) with low nutrient availability. Decreased reproductive dry matter in this treatment also resulted from a lack of reproductive initiation in daughter tillers, and altered phenology. Pseudoviviparous P. alpina is likely to be at a disadvantage in both vegetative and reproductive phases at predicted future elevated atmospheric CO(2) concentrations, particularly where nutrients are scarce and when in competition with species experiencing less acclimatory loss of photosynthetic capacity.

Acclimatization↗

Ecological genetics of vernalization response in Bromus tectorum L. (Poaceae).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass or downy brome) is an exotic annual grass that is dominant over large areas of former shrubland in western North America. To flower in time for seed production in early summer, B. tectorum plants generally require vernalization at winter temperatures, either as imbibed seeds or as established seedlings. METHODS: Variation in response to increasing periods of vernalization as seeds or seedlings for progeny of ten full-sib families from each of four B. tectorum populations from contrasting habitats was studied. KEY RESULTS: As vernalization was increased from 0 to 10 weeks, the proportion of plants flowering within 20 weeks increased, weeks to initiation of flowering decreased, and seed yield per plant increased, regardless of whether plants were vernalized as seeds or seedlings. Most of the variation was accounted for by differences among populations. Plants of the warm desert population flowered promptly even without vernalization, while those of the cold desert, foothill and montane populations showed incremental changes in response variables as a function of vernalization period. Populations differed in among-family variance, with the warm desert population generally showing the least variance and the cold desert population the most. Variation among populations and among families within populations decreased as vernalization period increased, whereas the non-genetic component of variance showed no such pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Variation in vernalization response was found to be adaptively significant and apparently represents the result of contrasting selection regimes on a range of founder genotypes.

Bromus↗

Genome evolution in the genus Sorghum (Poaceae).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The roles of variation in DNA content in plant evolution and adaptation remain a major biological enigma. Chromosome number and 2C DNA content were determined for 21 of the 25 species of the genus Sorghum and analysed from a phylogenetic perspective. METHODS: DNA content was determined by flow cytometry. A Sorghum phylogeny was constructed based on combined nuclear ITS and chloroplast ndhF DNA sequences. KEY RESULTS: Chromosome counts (2n = 10, 20, 30, 40) were, with few exceptions, concordant with published numbers. New chromosome numbers were obtained for S. amplum (2n = 30) and S. leiocladum (2n = 10). 2C DNA content varies 8.1-fold (1.27-10.30 pg) among the 21 Sorghum species. 2C DNA content varies 3.6-fold from 1.27 pg to 4.60 pg among the 2n = 10 species and 5.8-fold (1.52-8.79 pg) among the 2n = 20 species. The x = 5 genome size varies over an 8.8-fold range from 0.26 pg to 2.30 pg. The mean 2C DNA content of perennial species (6.20 pg) is significantly greater than the mean (2.92 pg) of the annuals. Among the 21 species studied, the mean x = 5 genome size of annuals (1.15 pg) and of perennials (1.29 pg) is not significantly different. Statistical analysis of Australian species showed: (a) mean 2C DNA content of annual (2.89 pg) and perennial (7.73 pg) species is significantly different; (b) mean x = 5 genome size of perennials (1.66 pg) is significantly greater than that of the annuals (1.09 pg); (c) the mean maximum latitude at which perennial species grow (-25.4 degrees) is significantly greater than the mean maximum latitude (-17.6) at which annual species grow. CONCLUSIONS: The DNA sequence phylogeny splits Sorghum into two lineages, one comprising the 2n = 10 species with large genomes and their polyploid relatives, and the other with the 2n = 20, 40 species with relatively small genomes. An apparent phylogenetic reduction in genome size has occurred in the 2n = 10 lineage. Genome size evolution in the genus Sorghum apparently did not involve a 'one way ticket to genomic obesity' as has been proposed for the grasses.

Cell Nucleus↗

The considerable genome size variation of Hordeum species (poaceae) is linked to phylogeny, life form, ecology, and speciation rates.

Genome size variation in plants is thought to be correlated with cytological, physiological, or ecological characters. However, conclusions drawn in several studies were often contradictory. To analyze nuclear genome size evolution in a phylogenetic framework, DNA contents of 134 accessions, representing all but one species of the barley genus Hordeum L., were measured by flow cytometry. The 2C DNA contents were in a range from 6.85 to 10.67 pg in diploids (2n = 14) and reached up to 29.85 pg in hexaploid species (2n = 42). The smallest genomes were found in taxa from the New World, which became secondarily annual, whereas the largest diploid genomes occur in Eurasian annuals. Genome sizes of polyploid taxa equaled mostly the added sizes of their proposed progenitors or were slightly (1% to 5%) smaller. The analysis of ancestral genome sizes on the base of the phylogeny of the genus revealed lineages with decreasing and with increasing genome sizes. Correlations of intraspecific genome size variation with the length of vegetation period were found in H. marinum populations from Western Europe but were not significant within two species from South America. On a higher taxonomical level (i.e., for species groups or the entire genus), environmental correlations were absent. This could mostly be attributed to the superimposition of life-form changes and phylogenetic constraints, which conceal ecogeographical correlations.

Cell Nucleus↗

A chloroplast genealogy of hordeum (poaceae): Long-term persisting haplotypes, incomplete lineage sorting, regional extinction, and the consequences for phylogenetic inference.

To analyze reasons for inconclusive results of earlier chloroplast phylogenies in the grass genus Hordeum, we established a genealogy of chloroplast haplotypes by sequencing the trnL-trnF region in 875 individuals, covering all 31 species of the genus. Although the outcomes of phenetic and parsimony analyses of 88 haplotypes were ambiguous, a network approach showed that in Hordeum ancient chloroplast types co-occur with their descendants. Moreover, we found up to 18 different chloroplast haplotypes within a single species and up to 6 species sharing single haplotypes. Persisting polymorphisms together with incomplete lineage sorting occurred preferentially in the rapidly speciating New World taxa of the genus, where ancient chloroplast types have survived for at least 4 Myr. Lineages-through-time plots and a high number of missing chloroplast haplotypes indicated far-reaching extinction of chloroplast lineages in Europe and particularly the Mediterranean. Survival of these lineages in East Asia and North America resulted in chloroplast relationships that markedly differed from nuclear estimations of species relationships. Thus, even for the deepest splits in the genus, reaching back more than 9 Myr, no safe phylogenetic inference from chloroplast data is possible in Hordeum. The chloroplast genealogy, however, revealed biogeographic patterns and indicated processes involved in speciation in Hordeum. We conclude that the described phenomena are not restricted to Hordeum and that the knowledge of the chloroplast relationships within a genus is indispensable to prevent misinterpretation of phylogeographic data within single species.

Chloroplasts↗

Population structure and conservation genetics of wild rice Oryza rufipogon (Poaceae): a region-wide perspective from microsatellite variation.

Oryza rufipogon Griff. is the most agriculturally important but seriously endangered wild rice species. To better estimate how genetic structure can be used to obtained a conservation perspective of the species, genetic variability at six polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci was examined. High levels of genetic variability were detected at six loci in 1245 individuals of 47 natural populations covering most of the species' range in China (overall RS = 3.0740, HO = 0.2290, HS = 0.6700). Partitioning of genetic variability (FST = 0.246) showed that most microsatellite variation was distributed within populations. Significant departures from Hardy-Weinberg expectations and very strong linkage disequilibrium indicate a high degree of inbreeding in the species and severe subdivision within populations. A mean Nm value of 0.7662 suggested a limited gene flow among the assayed populations. Our study suggests that conservation and restoration genetics should focus in particular on the maintenance of historically significant processes such as high levels of outbreeding and gene flow and large effective population size in the species.

China↗

Effect of genotype and environment on branching in weedy green millet (Setaria viridis) and domesticated foxtail millet (Setaria italica) (Poaceae).

Many domesticated crops are derived from species whose life history includes weedy characteristics, such as the ability to vary branching patterns in response to environmental conditions. However, domesticated crop plants are characterized by less variable plant architecture, as well as by a general reduction in vegetative branching compared to their progenitor species. Here we examine weedy green millet and its domesticate foxtail millet that differ in the number of tillers (basal branches) and axillary branches along each tiller. Branch number in F(2:3) progeny of a cross between the two species varies with genotype, planting density, and other environmental variables, with significant genotype-environment interactions (GEI). This is shown by a complex pattern of reaction norms and by variation in the pattern of significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) amongst trials. Individual and joint analyses of high and low density trials indicate that most QTL have significant GEI. Dominance and epistasis also explain some variation in branching. Likely candidate genes underlying the QTL (based on map position and phenotypic effect) include teosinte branched1 and barren stalk1. Phytochrome B, which has been found to affect response to shading in other plants, explains little or no variation. Much variation in branching is explained by QTL that do not have obvious candidate genes from maize or rice.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Inferring population history from fine-scale spatial genetic analysis in Oryza rufipogon (Poaceae).

Determining the genetic structure of an in situ conserved population can provide insight into the dynamics of population genetic processes associated with successful plant conservation. We used 21 microsatellite loci to analyse the genetic relationships among individuals (n = 813) collected from a small Oryza rufipogon population conserved since 1993 in Hunan Province of China. The analysis revealed four distinct genetic subpopulations (F(ST) = 0.145) without geographic isolation. One subpopulation was composed of possible introgressed individuals, two subpopulations were composed of seed recruits and their descendants, and the fourth subpopulation consisted of reintroduced individuals, seed recruits and their descendants. Positive spatial genetic structures were detected by spatial autocorrelation statistics at the population (c. 63 m) and subpopulation levels (11-30 m), but the degree of autocorrelation was stronger at the population level. These results showed that prejudging the cryptic structure is important before autocorrelation analysis for the entire population. Our study suggests that population history can be a significant determinant on population structure for plant restoration projects.

China↗

Airborne grass (Poaceae) pollen in southern Spain. Results of a 10-year study (1987-96).

This work reports an exhaustive study of the aerobiology of the Gramineae in Seville, Spain, which is typical of coastal Mediterranean areas. Sampling was done with a Cour trap installed on the roof terrace of the School of Pharmacy, Seville, from 1987 to 1996, both inclusive. The climatic pattern of that period was characterized by two exceptionally wet years (1989 and 1996), between which were 5 consecutive years of drought (1990-5). This typically Mediterranean climate affects grass aerobiology. The annual amounts of total grass pollen are low, never exceeding 2500 grains/m3. The start, length, and intensity of the pollen season are significantly correlated with preseasonal meteorologic factors (precipitation and temperature), but intraseasonal meteorologic conditions have no effect on the three variables. The relationships are stated by three equations that, while further years of observations are anticipated, can be considered models to forecast the characteristics of the pollen season: the starting date depends on the mean temperatures of January and February, and the length and intensity of the season depend on the rainfall between the beginning of January and the starting date of the season. For the study period, the weekly concentrations (pollen curves) throughout the year showed no typical pattern of variation over the years, so that it was impossible to make mid- and long-term forecasts of the variation in weekly concentration. The most noteworthy aspects of grass pollen curves are a long pollen season, which starts in February or March and lasts until September or October; peaks of higher concentration (> 100 grains/m3) in May and June, associated with increases in temperature and absence of precipitation; and other peaks in the summer months that may be as high as the spring peaks.

Air Pollutants↗