Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important crop worldwide and forms the staple diet of many African countries including South Africa. Fusarium ear rot (FER) of maize is caused by a fungus, Fusarium verticillioides, which also produces the fumonisin mycotoxin group. The consumption of fumonisin contaminated maize grain has been associated with serious human and animal health complications. Several South African maize inbred lines exhibiting resistance to FER and fumonisin contamination have been identified. These locally adapted inbred lines could be used to generate mapping populations to identify QTLs associated with resistance to FER and fumonisin contamination. The corresponding markers could be utilised in breeding programmes through marker-assisted selection to ensure the development of commercial cultivars with resistance to FER and fumonisin contamination. In this study, resistant and susceptible maize inbred lines were utilised to commence the development of recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations for the mapping and validation of QTLs associated with FER and fumonisin resistance. One F2 population was phenotypically and genotypically analysed to produce a linkage map for the preliminary identification of QTLs associated with resistance to F. verticillioides infection and fumonisin deposition. A potential QTL for resistance to FER was detected and should be validated across several locations and years in the subsequent RIL population. Additionally, potential resistance barriers of maize to infection by F. verticillioides were investigated by histological studies. The importance of a closed stylar canal in determining resistance to FER was established for nine South African maize inbred lines by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). No significant association was observed between a closed stylar canal and the resistance/susceptible status of maize inbred lines before pollination, while the canals appeared closed in all inbred lines following pollination. The results suggest that the stylar canal architecture is not an essential factor determining resistance to F. verticillioides ingress in the maize inbred lines selected for this study. Furthermore, the possibility of resistance to FER and fumonisin contamination being initiated during the seedlings phase of a resistant and susceptible maize inbred line was investigated by means of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Fusarium verticillioides growth originating from soil-borne or seed-borne contamination was monitored in various above and below soil plant tissues but no significant difference in the colonisation could be determined between resistant and susceptible maize seedlings. No fumonisin was produced regardless of the inoculation method or resistance status of the plant. These results suggests that the resistant and susceptible maize seedlings used in this study may not be resistant to systemic fungal ingress but may resist the deposition of fumonisins. The resistance associated with the resistant inbred line is not mediated during the seedling phase but potentially through structural and biochemical defence mechanisms during later plant developmental stages. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Mielies (Zea mays L.) is ‘n belangrike graangewas wat wêreldwyd geproduseer word en dien as stapelvoedsel in talle Afrika-lande, insluitend Suid-Afrika. Fusarium kopvrot (FKV) in mielies word veroorsaak deur die swam, Fusarium verticillioides, wat ook die fumonisien mikotoksien groepe produseer. Die inname van fumonisien-geïnfekteerde mielies gaan gepaard met ernstige gesondheidsprobleme in mense en diere. Verskeie Suid-Afrikaanse ingeteelde mielielyne, wat weerstandbiedend is teen FKV en fumonisien kontaminasie, is voorheen identifiseer. Hierdie plaaslik-aangepaste teellyne kan gebruik word om kartering populasies te genereer om kwantitatiewe eienskap loci (KEL) te identifiseer wat verband hou met weerstandbiedenheid teen FKV en fumonisien kontaminasie. Die ooreenstemmende merkers kan gebruik word in teelprogramme deur gebruik te maak van merker-geassisteerde seleksie om kommersieële kultivars, wat weerstandbiedend is teenoor FKV en fumonisien kontaminasie, te ontwikkel. In hierdie studie is weerstandbiedende en vatbare mielie inteellyne gebruik om rekombinante inteellyn (RIL) populasies te begin ontwikkel vir die kartering en validasie van KEL’e geassosieer met FKV en fumonisien weerstandbiedenheid. Een F2 populasie was fenotipies en genotipies geanaliseer om ‘n koppeling-kaart te verwek vir die voorlopige identifikasie van KEL’e geassosieer met weerstandigheid tot F. verticillioides infeksie en fumonisein afsetting. ‘n Potensiële KEL vir weerstandbiedenheid is geïdentifiseer, wat verdere bevestiging in die daaropvolgende RIL populasie in verskeie geografiese areas en oor addisionele seisoene, benodig. Potensiële fisiese versperrings teen F. verticillioides tydens mieliesaad infeksie is ook ondersoek met behulp van histologiese studies. Die belangrikheid van ‘n geslote styl-kanaal vir weerstandbiedendheid teenoor FKV is bevestig in nege Suid-Afrikaanse inteellyne deur middel van skandeer elektron mikroskopie (SEM). Geen beduidende verwandskap tussen ‘n geslote styl-kanaal en die weerstandbiedenheid/vatbaarheid van die inteellyne voor bestuiwing is gevind nie, terwyl die kanaal in alle inteellyne gesluit was na bestuiwing. Die resultate dui daarop dat die styl-kanaal argitektuur nie ‘n noodsaaklike faktor is in die bepaling van weestand tot F. verticillioides besmetting in die suiwer mielielyne wat geselekteer was in hierdie studie nie. Verder is die moontlikheid dat weestand tot FKV en fumonisien kontaminasie geïnisieer kan word gedurende die saailing-fase ondersoek in beide ‘n weerstandbiedende en vatbare mielie inteellyn met behulp van konfokale laser skandering mikroskopie (CLSM). Die groei van F. verticillioides afkomstig vanuit die grond of saad is gemonitor in verskeie bo- en ondergrondse plantweefsels, maar geen beduidende verskille in kolonisasie kon opgespoor word tussen weerstandbiedende en vatbare mielie saailinge nie. Geen fumonisien produksie is waargeneem nie, ongeag die innokulasie metode of weerstand-status van die plant. Hierdie resultate dui daarop dat die weerstandbiedende en vatbare mielie saailinge wat in hierdie studie gebruik is moontlik nie weerstandbiedend is teen sistemiese swaminfeksie nie, maar wel weerstand kan bied tot afsetting van fumonisiene. Die weerstand geassosieër met die weerstandbiedende inteellyn word nie bemiddel gedurende die saailingfase nie maar waarskynlik deur strukturele en biochemiese verdedigingsmeganismes tydens latere plant ontwikkelings-stadia. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

Receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases (RLCKs) form a large family of proteins in plants. RLCKs have been found in different plant species, regulating plant immunity to different bacterial and fungal pathogens. Previous studies implicated <i>Arabidopsis</i> <i>botrytis induced kinase1 (BIK1)</i> and <i>tomato protein kinase 1b (TPK1b)</i> in plant resistance to <i>Pseudomonas syringae</i> and <i>Botrytis cinerea</i>. In this study, we classified 195 putative maize RLCKs into ten subfamilies. Based on the amino acid sequence similarity to BIK1 and TPK1b, a novel maize RLCK,<i> zea mays bik1-like kinase 1 (ZmBLK1)</i> was identified. Enzyme assays with cloned <i>ZmBLK1</i> revealed a functional kinase when expressed in planta. The recombinant protein located to the plasma membrane. Expression of <i>ZmBLK1</i> is highest in maize leaves compared to other structures at silking stage. Expression of the recombinant <i>ZmBLK1</i> significantly reduced the rate of lesion spread in maize leaves inoculated with the Goss’s wilt pathogen. In maize kernels, expression of <i>ZmBLK1</i> increases during kernel maturation. Kernels from transgenic maize overexpressing <i>ZmBLK1</i> were not resistant to <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> or to aflatoxin contamination. In addition, mutations were made in <i>ZmBLK1</i> that were hypothesized to create a constitutively active kinase. However, resulting proteins had similar activity to the wild-type ZmBLK1 and transgenic plants showed similar responses to the Goss’s wilt and Aspergillus ear rot pathogens. Overall, this research established the first characterization of RLCKs in maize and described a potential contribution of ZmBLK1 to maize immune responses.

Diplodia ear rot (DER) of maize (Zea mays L.) caused by the fungus, Stenocarpella maydis (Berk.) Sutton has increased in incidence in localized fields over the past decade. My research focused on screening for resistance by examining the development of DER following inoculations prior to flowering, analyzing a diallel cross for DER resistance, and examining the genetic variability of the fungus from isolates collected from the U.S. and the Republic of South Africa. DER developed in maize following inoculations with a spore suspension prior to flowering in both greenhouse and field evaluations. A spore suspension gave a better differentiation of resistance responses than dried preparations of colonized millet, colonized ground popcorn, or kernels from a diseased maize ear, all applied in the whorl 10 to 15 days prior to flowering (V12 for inbreds), and natural occurrence of disease. General combining ability was significant for both 1994 and 1995 growing seasons in an analysis of the F₁ of the diallel cross, indicating that additive gene action may be responsible for resistance and could be introduced into commercial cultivars. Specific combining ability was significant in 1995 and indicates that dominant gene action or epistasis may play role in DER resistance. There were minimal numbers of isozyme polymorphisms found in my S. maydis collection. Two isolates were polymorphic for esterase, two isolates were polymorphic for hexokinase and malate dehydrogenase and one isolate was polymorphic for hexose kinase. Fungi that have limited isozyme polymorphisms often are biotrophs or fungi with formae speciales which are usually limited to one host. These groups of fungi usually have races and this may indicate that a gene-for-gene interaction exists. These findings suggest that i) the whorl inoculation separates genotypes into resistant, intermediate, and susceptible groupings; ii) additive gene action is predominant form of inheritance, and iii) there are few isozyme polymorphisms in the population of S. maydis sampled. / Ph. D.

Stink bugs, including native brown stink bug (Euschistus servus) and invasive brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys), cause damage to a variety of crops including field corn (Zea mays). Frequency and size of stink bug infestations have increased in corn fields in the Mid-Atlantic U.S., and there are growing concerns that these infestations may contribute to reductions in grain quality including increased mycotoxin concentrations. Prior research on native and invasive stink bugs has focused on understanding their biology, the damage they cause, and elucidating effective and economic management strategies. However, few studies examined the potential for stink bugs to facilitate fungal infection and mycotoxin contamination of corn grain. Thus, the objectives of this research were to: 1) assess the relationship between invasive brown marmorated stink bug (H. halys) feeding injuries and fumonisin contamination of field corn in the Mid-Atlantic U.S., 2) determine if stink bugs are a vector for mycotoxigenic Fusarium spp. in corn, and 3) evaluate the efficacy of pesticides for mitigating stink bug feeding injury and associated mycotoxin contamination in field corn. A correlation between H. halys feeding injury and fumonisin concentrations was identified, and the ability of H. halys to increase F. verticillioides infection and fumonisin concentrations in corn was demonstrated in field experiments. Fusarium species including fumonisin-producing F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum were isolated from field-collected stink bugs, and in laboratory experiments, E. servus was able to transmit F. verticillioides to non-infected corn ears after feeding on F. verticillioides-infected corn. In field studies, both fungicide and insecticide reduced stink bug-associated mycotoxin concentrations in corn, but levels of control were inconsistent. Thus, additional tactics that target both the stink bug and Fusarium should be implemented to mitigate risks of mycotoxin contamination in corn. / Doctor of Philosophy / Native and invasive stink bugs can severely damage crops including field corn. Frequency and size of stink bug infestations in Mid-Atlantic U.S. corn fields have increased, and there is growing concern that this may contribute to reductions in grain quality. Insect feeding injury is a risk factor for fungal infection and mycotoxin contamination in corn. Mycotoxins are toxic chemicals produced by certain fungi that have detrimental health effects on animals including livestock and humans. The relationship between stink bug feeding injuries and mycotoxin contamination in corn grain is not well understood, and management strategies to minimize the risk of mycotoxin contamination in corn need to be identified. The main goal of this research was to characterize interactions between stink bugs and mycotoxin-producing fungi and identify tactics for controlling both the insect pest and pathogen. Specific objectives were to: 1) assess the relationship between invasive brown marmorated stink bug (H. halys) feeding injuries and fumonisin contamination of field corn in the Mid-Atlantic U.S., 2) determine if stink bugs are a vector for mycotoxin-producing Fusarium spp. in corn, and 3) evaluate the efficacy of pesticides for mitigating stink bug feeding injury and associated mycotoxin contamination in field corn. Results from this work indicated that stink bugs have the ability to cause feeding injuries which facilitate invasion of mycotoxin-producing Fusarium species, leading to increases in mycotoxin concentrations in corn grain. Studies also demonstrated that stink bugs can vector Fusarium species during feeding and increase Fusarium infection of corn resulting in subsequent mycotoxin contamination. Field studies indicated that pesticide applications targeting both the stink bugs and mycotoxigenic fungi may be needed to minimize risk of mycotoxin contamination in corn. However, under low pest pressure, application of pesticides is unlikely to be profitable.

No description available.

A cultura do milho é responsável por 40% dos grãos produzidos no país, sendo considerada um dos segmentos mais importantes para a economia do agronegócio brasileiro. Devido ao seu alto valor nutritivo, o milho possui grande suscetibilidade ao crescimento de fungos, com destaque para Fusarium verticillioides, que além de causar danos nas raízes, colmos e espigas, é responsável por produzir fumonisinas, um grupo de micotoxinas termoestáveis e possivelmente carcinogênico, ao homem e animais. É sabido que apesar da importância não existem muitas informações associando a influência de diferentes fatores sobre a sua produção, principalmente nas condições tropicais brasileiras. Desta forma, estudos foram realizados com o objetivo geral de avaliar a influência de fatores ambientais, genótipos e métodos de inoculação de F. verticillioides na severidade da podridão de espigas, qualidade sanitária das sementes, produtividade do milho, na produção de fumonisinas e histopatologia em frangos de corte. As investigações aqui relatadas foram divididas em quatro capítulos. No primeiro capítulo, avaliou-se o efeito de fatores ambientais, genótipos e métodos de inoculação de F. verticillioides na produção de fumonisinas em grãos de milho. No segundo capítulo, comparou- se em locais diferentes métodos de inoculação artificial (spray, injetável) e natural de F. verticillioides em dez genótipos de milho pela quantificação da severidade da doença e produtividade. No terceiro capítulo, realizou-se um levantamento da população de F. verticillioides através de análise sanitária e transmissão do fungo à campo das plantas para as sementes e das sementes para as plântulas inoculados com diferentes métodos de inoculação. Por fim, o quarto capítulo, avaliou-se na safra de 2015/2016, procedentes de lavouras experimentais contendo cultura de milho, híbridos comerciais inoculados com F. verticillioides e determinou-se os parâmetros zootécnicos e histopatológicos em frangos de corte. O delineamento experimental para o primeiro e segundo capítulos, desenvolvidos em campo, foi igualmente realizado nos quatros locais estudados, sendo o de blocos ao acaso em fatorial de 10x3, com três repetições, sendo dez genótipos de milho e três métodos de inoculação. No terceiro capítulo, desenvolvido em laboratório, os experimentos tiveram o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em fatorial de 10x3 com quatro repetições, sendo dez genótipos de milho e três métodos de inoculação. Utilizou-se as sementes provenientes dos híbridos que foram inoculados pelos três métodos de inoculação. Cada unidade experimental consistiu de um Gerbox contendo 25 sementes. No quarto capítulo, o experimento foi conduzido no aviário experimental da Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade Federal do Tocantins, no campus de Araguaína-TO. Foram utilizados 160 pintos de um dia, frangos de corte da linhagem Cobb 500, distribuídos em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com dois tratamentos (ração basal de milho com ausência de fumonisina e a ração de grãos de milho com fumonisina), com 10 repetições contendo 8 aves cada. Todas as análises da concentração fumonisinas foram realizadas no Laboratório de Micotoxologia (LAMIC), da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), e utilizou-se a metodologia de quantificação denominada LC-MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry) POP 45. Com relação aos resultados obtidos, para o primeiro capítulo, concluiu-se que não foi possível assegurar que grãos sintomáticos e assintomáticos quanto à infecção de Fusarium verticillioides, estejam livres de contaminação por fumonisinas e os métodos de inoculação por aspersão e o inoculado no centro da espiga não influenciaram em diferentes concentrações de fumonisinas. A produção de fumonisinas nos grãos de milho é potencializada por condições ambientais de temperatura elevada e pela susceptibilidade do genótipo e alta severidade de F. verticillioides. Nestas condições, houve tendência de produzir maiores teores de fumonisinas para a maioria dos genótipos avaliados. A produtividade de grãos foi reduzida pela incidência de F. verticillioides. Para o segundo capítulo, verificou-se que o método de inoculação artificial através de aspersão no estilo-estigma e o injetável no centro da espiga, proporcionaram maior intensidade da podridão da espiga, possibilitando diferenciar do método natural. Em Planaltina, verificou-se que o método de inoculação por aspersão resultou em maior severidade da doença, causada por Fusarium verticillioides do que o método de inoculação injetável no centro da espiga. Os híbridos de milho P4285, DKB390PRO2 e DKB310PRO2 foram os mais resistentes à podridão da espiga, nos quatro ambientes, enquanto que o híbrido 32R48YH apresentou a maior severidade da doença. O método de inoculação artificial foi o mais eficiente em ambientes de climas amenos e esta informação é importante na padronização do método para seleção e caracterização de genótipos de milho em programas de melhoramento. Para o terceiro capítulo, concluiu-se que as sementes oriundas de espigas inoculadas com spray apresentaram maior grau de incidência do patógeno, sendo este, o método mais eficiente de inoculação artificial de F. verticillioides na fase R1 para a avaliação de emergência de sementes. Os híbridos 32R48YH e o DKB240PRO2 tiveram o maior nível de infecção por F. verticillioides pois obtiveram a maior incidência do fungo. Enquanto que os híbridos P3630H e P4285H demostraram ser os mais resistentes, pois obtiveram as menores incidência do patógeno. Os híbridos P3250, 32R48YH e 30K75Y apresentaram menor percentagem de emergência quando a inoculação foi realizada pelo método injetável enquanto que os híbridos P4285H, 30K75Y e DOW30A37PW apresentaram menor percentagem de emergência quando a inoculação foi realizada pelo método spray. A transmissão da semente para a planta foi confirmada pela análise molecular. Verificou- se que, apesar das plantas não terem apresentado sintomas visíveis, pôde-se confirmar que houve infecção latente. A técnica de PCR foi capaz de revelar a presença do patógeno nas sementes de milho em menor nível de incidência avaliado (1%). No quarto capítulo, foi concluído que a concentração de 2,78μg/g de fumonisina determinada na ração não foi suficiente para provocar alterações nos parâmetros zootécnicos (peso das aves e no consumo de ração) e histopatológico (tecidos do intestino, fígado e coração) de aves da linhagem COBB 500, alimentadas até o 21° dia. As análises dos parâmetros zootécnicos e histopatológicos permitiram revelar concentrações mínimas e seguras de fumonisina que não provocaram danos toxicológicos em aves da linhagem COBB 500. Este é um importante parâmetro que pode contribuir nas etapas de produção de carnes e de produtos avícolas. / The corn crop is responsible for 40% of the grains produced in the country, being considered one of the most important segments for the Brazilian agribusiness economy. Due to its high nutritional value, maize is highly susceptible to fungus growth, especially Fusarium verticillioides, which besides causing damage to the roots, stalks and ears, is responsible for producing fumonisins, a group of thermostable mycotoxins and possibly carcinogenic, to man and animals. It is known that despite the importance, there is not much information associating the influence of different factors on its production, mainly in Brazilian tropical conditions. Studies were carried out with the general objective of evaluating the influence of environmental factors, genotypes and methods of inoculation of F. verticillioides on the severity of ear rot, seed quality, maize productivity, fumonisin production and histopathology in broilers. The investigations reported here were divided into four chapters. In the first chapter we evaluated the effect of environmental factors, genotypes and methods of inoculation of F. verticillioides on the production of fumonisins in corn grains. In the second chapter, was compared in different locations, methods of artificial (spray and injectable) and natural inoculation of F. verticillioides in ten maize genotypes by quantification of disease severity and productivity. In the third chapter a population of F. verticillioides was carried out through sanitary analysis and transmission of the fungus from plants to the seeds and from seeds to the seedlings inoculated with different methods of inoculation. Finally, the fourth chapter evaluated the harvest of 2015/2016 coming from crops containing commercial hybrids corn inoculated with F. verticillioides and the zootechnical and histopathological parameters were determined in broilers. The experimental design for the first and second chapters, conducted in the field, was also performed in the four localities studied, being a randomized block design in a 10x3 factorial scheme, with three replications, being ten maize genotypes and three inoculation methods. In the third chapter the experiments had a completely randomized design, in a 10x3 factorial scheme with four replications, being ten maize genotypes and three inoculation methods. Were used seeds from the hybrids that were inoculated by the three methods of inoculation. Each replicate consisted of a Gerbox containing 25 seeds. In the fourth chapter, the experiment was conducted in the experimental aviary of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the Federal University of Tocantins, on the campus of Araguaína-TO. A total of 160 broilers of Cobb 500 lineage (of one day old), were used in a completely randomized experimental design with two treatments (basal corn meal with no fumonisin and corn grain feed with fumonisin), with 10 replicates containing 8 broiler chicks each. All fumonisin concentration analyzes were performed at the Laboratory of Mycotoxology (LAMIC), Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), and the quantitative methodology called LC-MS / MS (Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry) POP 45 was used. Regarding the results obtained, for the first chapter, it was concluded that it was not possible to assure that symptomatic and asymptomatic grains for Fusarium verticillioides infection are free from fumonisin contamination and the methods of inoculation by spraying and inoculation in the center of the ear did not influence different concentrations of fumonisins. Fumonisin production in maize grains is potentiated by high temperature environmental conditions and the susceptibility of the genotype and high severity of F. verticillioides. Under these conditions, there was a tendency to produce higher levels of fumonisins for most genotypes evaluated. The grain yield was reduced by the incidence of F. verticillioides. For the second chapter, it was verified that the method of artificial inoculation by sprinkling in the style-stigma and the injectable in the center of the spike, provided a greater intensity of the rot of the ear, allowing to differentiate of the natural method. In Planaltina, it was verified that the spray inoculation method resulted in a greater severity of the disease, caused by F. verticillioides than the injectable inoculation method in the center of the spike. Hybrids of maize P4285, DKB390PRO2 and DKB310PRO2 were the most resistant to ear rot in the four environments, while the hybrid 32R48YH showed the highest severity of the disease. The artificial inoculation method was the most efficient in mild climate environments and this information may be important in the standardization of the method for selection and characterization of maize genotypes in breeding programs. For the third chapter, it was concluded that the seeds from ears inoculated with spray presented a higher level of incidence of the pathogen, being this the most efficient method of artificial inoculation of F. verticillioides in the R1 phase for seed emergence evaluation. The hybrids 32R48YH and DKB240PRO2 had the highest level of infection by F. verticillioides because they had the highest incidence of the fungus. While the hybrids P3630H and P4285H proved to be the most resistant because they obtained the lowest incidence of the pathogen. Hybrids P3250, 32R48YH and 30K75Y presented a lower percentage of emergence when the inoculation was performed by the injectable method, while the hybrids P4285H, 30K75Y and DOW30A37PW showed a lower percentage of emergence when the inoculation was performed by the spray method. The transmission of the seed to the plant was confirmed by molecular analysis. It was found that, although the plants showed no visible symptoms, it was possible to confirm that there was a latent infection. The PCR technique was able to reveal the presence of the pathogen in maize seeds at a lower incidence level (1%). In the fourth chapter, it was concluded that the concentration of 2.78 μg/g of fumonisin determined in the diet was not sufficient to cause alterations in the zootechnical parameters (broilers weight and feed consumption) and histopathological parameters (intestinal, liver and heart tissues) of broilers of the COBB 500 lineage, fed until the 21st day. Analyzes of the zootechnical and histopathological parameters allowed to reveal minimum and safe concentrations of fumonisin that did not cause toxicological damages in broilers of Cobb 500 lineage. This is an important parameter that can contribute in the stages of production of meat and broiler chicks products.

Fusarium verticillioides è responsabile della fusariosi della spiga in mais e della contaminazione della granella con micotossine. Sono state individuate le regioni geniche e i geni candidati per la resistenza a Fusarium dal confronto tra una linea di mais resistente (CO441) e una suscettibile (CO354), impiegando tre diversi approcci: analisi QTL, analisi trascrittomica (RNASeq) e analisi metabolomica. 184 famiglie F2:3 (CO441xCO354) sono state valutate in due diversi ambienti nell’anno 2011 e inoculate artificialmente con due diverse tecniche (forchetta e stuzzicadente). E’ stata rilevata una significativa variazione genotipica in risposta all’infezione. Sulla base di una mappa preliminare di linkage molecolare contenente 74 marcatori microsatelliti polimorfici, sono stati determinati 8 QTLs comuni alla resistenza alla fusariosi della spiga e alla riduzione della contaminazione da fumonisine. Sono stati considerati geni candidati per la resistenza i geni differenzialmente espressi, risultanti dall’ RNASeq, in semi di mais CO441 prima e 72 ore dopo l’infezione. I metaboliti putativi correlati alla resistenza sono stati rilevati tramite high resolution LC-MS in entrambe le linee di mais. I geni candidati e i metaboliti mappano in pathway coinvolti nei meccanismi di difesa: fenilalanina, tirosina e triptofano biosintesi, fenilpropanoidi e flavonoidi biosintesi, metabolismo dell’acido linoleico e α-linolenico. Abbondanti trascritti derivano dalla biosintesi dei terpenoidi e dei diterpenoidi. Nei geni candidati verranno ricercati polimorfismi fra le due linee di mais e che andranno ad arricchire la mappa di linkage molecolare. / Fusarium verticillioides is responsible for Fusarium ear rot in maize and mycotoxin contamination of grain. Genomic regions and candidate genes for resistance to Fusarium were detected through the comparison of resistant (CO441) and susceptible (CO354) maize lines, by following three different approaches: Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL), transcriptomic (RNASeq) and metabolomic analyses. 184 F2:3 families (CO441xCO354) were evaluated in two different environments in 2011 and artificially infected with two side-needle inoculation methods (pin-bar and toothpick). Significant genotypic variation in response to infection was detected. On the basis of a genetic draft map containing 74 polymorphic SSRs markers, 8 common QTLs for Fusarium ear rot resistance and fumonisin contamination reduction were revealed. Candidate genes for resistance resulted from differentially expressed genes before and 72 hours post infection of CO441 kernels through RNASeq technology. Putative metabolites related to resistance were detected through high resolution LC-MS in both maize lines. Candidate genes and metabolites mapped in pathways involved in defense mechanism: phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis, linoleic and α-linolenic acid metabolism. Abundant genic transcripts derived from terpenoid and diterpenoid biosynthesis. Candidate genes will be screened for polymorphisms between the two maize lines in order to enrich the linkage map.

Phytopathogene <i>Fusarium</i> spp.treten weltweit in landwirtschaftlichen Kulturen auf und führen häufig zur Ertragsreduktion, Verschlechterung der Produktqualität sowie Kontaminationen der Erntegüter mit toxischen Sekundärmetaboliten, sog. Mykotoxinen. Die durch <i>Fusarium spp.</i> hervorgerufene partielle Taubährigkeit (FHB) des Weizens und anderer Getreidearten sowie die <i>Fusarium</i> Kolbenfäule an Mais sind aus ökonomischer Sicht von besonderer Bedeutung. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde die Verwendung von volatilen organischen Verbindungen (VOCs) zur Detektion von Fusariosen an Sommerweizen und Hybridmais unter Gewächshausbedingungen untersucht. Maiskolben wurden mit <i>F. graminearum</i>, <i>F. verticillioides</i> und <i>F. subglutinans</i> infiziert, während Weizenähren mit Sporensuspensionen von <i>F. graminearum</i>, <i>F. avenaceum</i> und <i>F. poae</i> inokuliert wurden. Auch Mischinfektionen wurden durchgeführt. Für die Sammlung der VOCs wurde ein statisches Verfahren (Festphasenmikroextraktion, SPME) sowie ein dynamisches Verfahren (open-loop stripping, OLS) eingesetzt. Die Analyse erfolgte in beiden Fällen mittels GC-MS. Ein nichtparametrischer Test (Kruskal-Wallis) wurde zur Identifikation von spezifischen volatilen Markern herangezogen. Auf diese Weise konnte an Mais ein Set aus 27 volatilen Biomarkern für die Infektion mit <i>Fusarium</i> spp. ermittelt werden. Die Kombination der VOCs ermöglichte hier die Unterscheidung zwischen Infektionen mit <i>F. graminearum</i> und <i>F. verticillioides</i>. An Weizen konnte ein Set aus 13 charakteristischen VOCs für den <i>Fusarium</i> Befall ermittelt werden. Die selektierten volatilen Marker beinhalteten sowohl einfache Moleküle mit 5 bis 8 Kohlenstoffatomen (C₅ - C₈), welche häufig von Pflanzen und Mikroorganismen emittiert werden, als auch infektionsspezifische Sesquiterpene (C₁₅H₂₄). In Zeitreihenversuchen konnte gezeigt werden, dass ein Großteil der relevanten VOCs bereits nach kurzer Zeit emittiert wird. So waren in Mais volatile Biomarker detektierbar, bevor Symptome am Kolben erkennbar waren (4 – 8 Tage nach der Inokulation). Ein Monitoring von VOC Profilen im Hinblick auf volatile Marker könnte eine schnelle und nicht-destruktive Detektion von <i>Fusarium</i> Infektionen (ggf. auch Risikoabschätzung zur Mykotoxinbelastung), z.B. im Feld oder Lager, ermöglichen. Hierfür stehen transportable Detektoren zur Verfügung. Das makrozyklische Lacton Zearalenon (ZEN) wird von mehreren <i>Fusarium</i> spp. produziert und besitzt eine östrogene Wirkung auf den menschlichen und tierischen Organismus. Schweine gelten diesbezüglich als besonders anfällig. ZEN wird in gemäßigten Klimazonen regelmäßig in Lebens- und Futtermitteln nachgewiesen. Bislang wurden zahlreiche Bioassays für die Detektion von ZEN beschrieben. Sie basieren meist auf den menschlichen Östrogenrezeptoren α und β und reagieren unspezifisch auf eine Vielzahl von östrogenen Substanzen (z.B. Genistein, 17β-Estradiol). Die vorliegende Arbeit beschreibt erstmalig ein Bioassay zur spezifischen Detektion von ZEN sowie dem kritischen Metabolit α-Zearalenol (α-ZOL). Das Assay basiert auf einer <i>zes2::gfp</i> Mutante des Mykoparasiten <i>Gliocladium roseum</i> und ermöglicht eine Detektion von ZEN in Feldproben (z.B. kontaminierter Mais). Schritte zur Probenvorbereitung und Extraktion, einschließlich Aufreinigung mit Immunoaffinitätssäulen, sowie die Kultur des Inditaktorstammes wurden optimiert. Das Assay eignet sich für die qualitative Detektion von ZEN in einem weiten Konzentrationsbereich sowie für eine quantitative ZEN Bestimmung in kontaminierten Mais Feldproben im Bereich zwischen 0,9 mg kg^-1 und 90 mg kg^-1. Neben der Detektion in Feldproben, konnte das Bioassay erfolgreich für ein Screening von Pilzstämmen zur Identifikation von ZEN-Produzenten eingesetzt werden. Das hier beschriebene <i>G. roseum zes2::gfp</i> Bioassay kann mit einer einfachen Laborausstattung durchgeführt werden und eignet sich möglicherweise für die Anwendung in Entwicklungsländern.

Submitted by Claudia Rocha (claudia.rocha@udesc.br) on 2018-02-28T16:34:26Z No. of bitstreams: 1 PGPV16MA215.pdf: 500238 bytes, checksum: d01d8d01d1ca49176f3a0bdc5c42b7e5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-02-28T16:34:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PGPV16MA215.pdf: 500238 bytes, checksum: d01d8d01d1ca49176f3a0bdc5c42b7e5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-19 / PROMOP / Gibberella ear rot (GER) caused by Fusarium graminearum reduces the yield and quality of maize grain, interfering in the presence of damaged grains (DG). The disease control is hampered by unavailability of resistance hybrids and effectiveness of cultural practices to reduce fungal inoculum sources. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of preventative and curative fungicide application during maize silking on the GER control and the effect on grain yield (GY) and incidence of DG. The study was conducted in experimental area of Santa Catarina State University, in Lages, Brazil in two sowing dates in 2014/15 growing seasons, using the hybrid P32R48YH. Two F. graminearum isolates, one from Minas Gerais (MEMR0004) and other from Paraná state (MEMR0005) were inoculated in the maize ears five days after silking. Eight fungicides belonging to the chemical group of triazoles, triazolinthione, strobilurins, and benzimidazole, individually or in combination were tested. Maize plants inoculated with fungus without fungicide applicaton were used as experiment control. An application with different fungicides was carried out on tassels with pressurized spray with flow rate of 200 L ha-1, 48 hours before inoculation (preventive action) or 48 hours after inoculation (curative action). There was homoscedasticity between sowing dates and the data were analyzed together. Differences statistics were not found between treatments to GER severity and DG. Preventative application of fungicides (mean values) to MG isolate reduce GER severity and increased GY differing from curative application. Isolated PR showed higher percentages of DG differing from the isolated MG. In PR isolated curative application of fungicides affected the GY with a significant difference between treatments. The fungicides trifloxystrobin + prothioconazol and azoxystrobin + cyproconazol + carbendazim showed stability in control of GER keeping the lower severity to 46%. These fungicidal beyond carbendazim used alone reduced the DG incidence. The tebuconazol + trifloxystrobin and azoxystrobin + cyproconazol + carbendazim in preventive application maintained GY higher than control, in curative were tebuconazol, trifloxystrobin + prothioconazol and methyl thiophanate. The fungicides application on corn silking is a strategy control that can be used in the integrated management of GER to maintain hybrid potential production and grain quality due to reduction in the percentage of DG / A podridão da espiga de giberela (PEG), causada pelo fungo Fusarium graminearum, reduz o rendimento e a qualidade de grãos de milho, interferindo na presença de grãos avariados (GA). O controle da doença é dificultado pela indisponibilidade de híbridos resistentes e pela baixa eficácia de práticas culturais em reduzir as fontes de inóculo do fungo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação preventiva e curativa de fungicidas no espigamento do milho no controle da PEG e na influência sobre rendimento de grãos (RG) e incidência de GA. O estudo foi conduzido na área experimental da Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, no município de Lages, Brasil em duas épocas de semeadura na safra 2014/15, utilizando o híbrido P32R48YH. Dois isolados de F. graminearum um proveniente de Minas Gerais (MEMR0004) e outro do Paraná (MEMR0005) foram inoculados nas espigas cinco dias após emissão dos estilos-estigmas. Oito fungicidas pertencentes aos grupos químicos dos triazois, triazolintiona, estrobilurinas e benzimidazóis isolados ou em mistura foram testados. Plantas de milho inoculadas sem aplicação de fungicidas foram utilizadas como controle experimental. Uma aplicação dos diferentes fungicidas foi realizada sobre os pendões com auxílio de pulverizador pressurizado com vazão de 200 L ha-1, 48 horas antes da inoculação (ação preventiva) e 48 horas depois da inoculação (ação curativa). Houve homocedasticidade entre as épocas de semeadura sendo os dados analisado de forma conjunta. Não houve diferença estatística na severidade da PEG e GA entre os tratamentos. Aplicação preventiva de fungicidas (valores médios) no isolado MG reduziu a severidade da PEG e aumentou o RG diferindo da aplicação curativa. O isolado PR apresentou maiores percentuais de GA diferindo do isolado MG. No isolado PR a aplicação curativa de fungicidas afetou o RG havendo diferença significativa entre os tratamentos. Os fungicidas trifloxistrobina + protioconazole e azoxistrobina + ciproconazole + carbendazim apresentaram estabilidade no controle da PEG mantendo a severidade inferior a 46%. Esses fungicida além do carbendazim utilizado isoladamente reduziram a incidência de GA. Os fungicidas tebuconazole + trifloxistrobina e azoxistrobina + ciproconazole + carbendazim aplicados de forma preventiva mantiveram o RG superior ao controle, em aplicações curativas foram tebuconazol, trifloxistrobina + protioconazole e tiofanato metílico. A aplicação de fungicidas no espigamento do milho é uma estratégia de controle que pode ser utilizada no manejo integrado da podridão da espiga de giberela com a finalidade de manter o potencial produtivo do hibrido e a qualidade de grãos devido a redução do percentual de GA

E’ stata approfondita l’espressione genica complessiva in spighe di mais, in seguito all’ infezione fungina. Nella prima parte del lavoro, sono stati valutati un genotipo di mais resistente ed uno suscettibile a F. verticillioides, campionando le cariossidi 48 ore dopo l’infezione. Sono state identificate circa 800 sequenze differenzialmente espresse e circa il 10% è stato assegnato alla categoria della difesa. Nel genotipo resistente, i geni coinvolti nella difesa hanno mostrato un tipo di risposta basale, mentre in quello suscettibile tali geni rispondevano specificamente all’infezione. Nella seconda parte del lavoro, l’analisi di espressione è stata estesa a fasi precoci e tardive dell’infezione utilizzando un ceppo normale ed uno mutante di F. verticillioides. Numerosi geni risultavano differenzialmente regolati 48 ore dopo l’infezione con entrambi i ceppi. Il ceppo normale era in grado di attivare i meccanismi di difesa prima del mutante. Nella terza parte del lavoro, 10 linee resistenti e suscettibili sono state infettate con 4 specie fungine. In tutti i genotipi l’espressione dei geni coinvolti nella difesa era indotta in seguito all’infezione, ma le linee resistenti presentavano una risposta basale di difesa. / We investigated global gene expression in maize ears at several time points after fungal infection. In the first part of the work, resistant and susceptible genotypes were tested in kernels sampled 48 h after infection with a wild type strain of F. verticillioides. About 800 differentially expressed sequences were identified and nearly 10% assigned to the category cell rescue, defense and virulence. In the resistant genotype, defense-related genes provided basic defense against the fungus, while in the susceptible genotype defense genes responded specifically to pathogen infection. In the second part of the work the expression analysis was extended to early and late phases of infection with a wild type and a mutant strains of F. verticillioides. Kernels were sampled in the area around the point of infection. Most of genes were differentially regulated 48 h after infection with both fungal strains. The wild type strain was able to activate host defense genes before the mutant strain. In the third part of the work, ten resistant and susceptible lines were infected by different fungal species. All genotypes were able to induce the expression of defense genes upon infection, but the resistant lines showed a basal defense response.