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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #201416
Title: EXPRESSION OF FUNGICIDAL COMPOUNDS IN NEAR-ISOGENIC SORGHUM LINES DIFFERING IN SEED AND PLANT COLOR

Author
item SPANGLER, LINDSAY - PENN STATE
item IBRAHEEM, FARAG - PENN STATE
item Pedersen, Jeffrey
item CHOPRA, SURINDER - PENN STATE

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/13/2006
Publication Date: 11/12/2006
Citation: Spangler, L.M., Ibraheem, F., Pedersen, J.F., Chopra, S. 2006. Expression of fungicidal compounds in near-isogenic sorghum lines differing in seed and plant color. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts 2006.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Plants defend themselves during attempted invasion of pathogens via induced and systemic acquired resistance mechanisms. One of the important active components of plant defense is the production of low molecular weight antimicrobial compounds called phytoalexins. Sorghum plants produce phytoalexins of the 3-deoxyanthocyanidins type as a rapid response to Cochliobolus heterostrophus infection. These compounds have structural similarities with flavan-4-ols; the precursors of the red phlobaphene pigments that accumulate in the developing kernels of sorghum. Previous studies suggested that flavan -4-ol might serve as precursors of sorghum 3-deoxyanthocyanidins phytoalexins. Recent studies from our lab indicated that flavan-4-ol biosynthesis is under the control of a Myb transcription factor yellow seed1 (y1). We want to extend this work further and test if the biosynthesis of flavan-4-ol and 3-deoxyanthocyanidins are under a common regulation of y1. The objective of this project was to genetically demonstrate if y1 is required for sorghum phytoalexins by screening F10 recombinant sorghum lines. The seeds were inoculated with C. heterostrophus and then their responses were compared with standard sorghum stocks that differ in their ability to produce these compounds. Pure apigeninidin and luteolinidin were used to quantify the induced phytoalexins in sorghum lines under study. Results of biochemical analysis showing the levels of phytoalexins will be presented. The results from this study can be used for comparison in future studies on phytoalexin expression of other sorghum lines.