Magister Scientiae (Biodiversity and Conservation Biology) / Wheat is a key global commodity in terms of acreage and tradeable value and as a staple in
household diets. Many factors including biotic stress conditions have detrimental effects on
global wheat production and yield. The increasing prevalence of biotic stress inflicted by fungal
species such as Fusarium has significantly reduced yield and quality of cereal crops thus,
threatening sustainable agriculture and food security. Interactions between wheat and
Fusarium spp. such as Fusarium proliferatum triggers the accumulation of reactive oxygen
species (ROS) to levels toxic to the plant thus leading to oxidative damage and ultimate cellular
death. In order to maintain redox homeostasis, plants rely on ROS-scavenging antioxidants
(enzymatic and non-enzymatic) to control ROS molecules to levels less toxic to plants. This
study investigated the impact of F. proliferatum on the physio-biochemical responses of two
wheat cultivars (SST 015 and SST 088). Changes in seed germination, growth, biomass,
chlorophyll and mineral contents were monitored. Furthermore, changes in ROS accumulation
and antioxidant enzyme activity was measured in the shoots of both wheat cultivars.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uwc/oai:etd.uwc.ac.za:11394/7526 |
| Date | January 2019 |
| Contributors | Klein, Ashwil, Bangani, Xolisa |
| Publisher | University of the Western Cape |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | University of the Western Cape |
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