Fructan biology in cereal grains and its impact on grain morphology, yield, composition, and plant performance
Final Report Abstract
The project aimed at resolving fructan biology in cereal grains and its impact on grain morphology, yield, composition, and plant performance. The work was performed at the University of Adelaide (UoA) and with associated partners. The main research questions were: (1) Is the variation in fructan profiles abundant and genetically controlled in barley? Fructan patterns of 156 two row Spring barley lines were successfully evaluated and GWAS enabled to dissect the genetic background controlling the observed variability. Notably, the presence of neoseries-type fructans and the related biosynthesis gene have been identified in barley for the first time. Results for the genetic differences in fructan biosynthesis genes could be complemented by gene expression data showing a high level of regulation for fructan biosynthesis in the different grain tissues during grain development. (2) Can specific spectral signatures be defined for fructans and be used for their detection? Calibration models for the prediction of the content of fructans and other soluble sugars from hyperspectral data were developed and characteristic spectral signatures could be defined. A prototype for the non-invasive detection of fructans and other soluble sugars based on the principle of inverse spectroscopy was developed and will be commercialised in the near future. (3) Do fructan profiles correlate with grain yield, composition, and performance traits, and do changes in fructan biosynthesis and accumulation influence grain morphology? Our investigations of several barley mutants with perturbed biosynthesis of grain carbohydrates and altered grain morphology clearly hint to a strong correlation of storage carbohydrate biosynthesis (including starch, fructans and MLG) with grain tissue development. Also, the response of barley lines to drought for growth and yield traits varied largely, which may be partly related to distinct fructan patterns. However, this correlation was not highly significant. Therefore, in subsequent analyses profiles of other soluble carbohydrates will be included. (4) Are inulin-type fructans integrated in membranes and impact lipid peroxidation? Although tissue-specific patterns of fructan biosynthesis genes could be resolved during grain development, the differential detection of fructan structures in grain tissues remains unclear. A comprehensive set of material from drought stress experiments and during grain development has been collected which is currently used for the metabolite profiling of lipid peroxidation. (5) Can the results obtained for barley be transferred to other species e.g., wheat or oat? According to the original planning, a comprehensive set of methods and technologies was generated during this project and will be subsequently transferred to other cereal species. Related collaborative projects have been placed in Europe as well as in Australia and will ensure the continuity in the research area of fructan biology in cereals.
Publications
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(2019) Determination of fructans in plants: Current analytical means for extraction, detection and quantification. Annual Plant Reviews Online 2: 1-39
Matros A., M. Peukert, J. Lahnstein, U. Seiffert & R.A. Burton
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(2020) Fructans are differentially distributed in root tissues of asparagus. Cells 9 (9): 1943
Witzel K. & A. Matros
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(2020) Overexpression of HvCslF6 in barley grain alters carbohydrate partitioning plus transfer tissue and endosperm development. Journal of Experimental Botany 71 (1): 138-158
Lim W.L., H.M. Collins, C.S. Byrt, J. Lahnstein, N.J. Shirley, M.K. Aubert, M. R. Tucker, M. Peukert, A. Matros & R.A. Burton
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(2021) GWAS reveals the genetic complexity of fructan accumulation patterns in barley grain. Journal of Experimental Botany
Matros A., K. Houston, M.R. Tucker, M. Schreiber, B. Berger, M.K. Aubert, L.G. Wilkinson, K. Witzel, R. Waugh, U. Seiffert & R.A. Burton
