title: Effect of waxy (Low Amylose) on Fungal Infection of Sorghum Grain.
abstract: Loss of function mutations in waxy, encoding granule bound starch synthase (GBSS) that synthesizes amylose, results in starch granules containing mostly amylopectin. Low amylose grain with altered starch properties has increased usability for feed, food, and grain-based ethanol. In sorghum, two classes of waxy (wx) alleles had been characterized for absence or presence of GBSS: wx(a) (GBSS(-)) and wx(b) (GBSS(+), with reduced activity). Field-grown grain of wild-type; waxy, GBSS(-); and waxy, GBSS(+) plant introduction accessions were screened for fungal infection. Overall, results showed that waxy grains were not more susceptible than wild-type. GBSS(-) and wild-type grain had similar infection levels. However, height was a factor with waxy, GBSS(+) lines: short accessions (wx(b) allele) were more susceptible than tall accessions (undescribed allele). In greenhouse experiments, grain from accessions and near-isogenic wx(a), wx(b), and wild-type lines were inoculated with Alternaria sp., Fusarium thapsinum, and Curvularia sorghina to analyze germination and seedling fitness. As a group, waxy lines were not more susceptible to these pathogens than wild-type, supporting field evaluations. After C. sorghina and F. thapsinum inoculations most waxy and wild-type lines had reduced emergence, survival, and seedling weights. These results are valuable for developing waxy hybrids with resistance to grain-infecting fungi.
authors.affiliation: First and third authors: Grain, Forage and Bioenergy Research Unit (GFBRU), U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), and Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0937; second and fifth authors: GFBRU, USDA-ARS, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0937; and fourth author: Department of Statistics, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0937.
authors.forename: Deanna L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Funnell-Harris
authors.affiliation: First and third authors: Grain, Forage and Bioenergy Research Unit (GFBRU), U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), and Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0937; second and fifth authors: GFBRU, USDA-ARS, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0937; and fourth author: Department of Statistics, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0937.
authors.forename: Scott E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Sattler
authors.affiliation: First and third authors: Grain, Forage and Bioenergy Research Unit (GFBRU), U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), and Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0937; second and fifth authors: GFBRU, USDA-ARS, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0937; and fourth author: Department of Statistics, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0937.
authors.forename: Patrick M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.affiliation: First and third authors: Grain, Forage and Bioenergy Research Unit (GFBRU), U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), and Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0937; second and fifth authors: GFBRU, USDA-ARS, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0937; and fourth author: Department of Statistics, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0937.
authors.forename: Kent M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Eskridge
authors.affiliation: First and third authors: Grain, Forage and Bioenergy Research Unit (GFBRU), U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), and Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0937; second and fifth authors: GFBRU, USDA-ARS, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0937; and fourth author: Department of Statistics, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0937.
authors.forename: Jeffrey F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Pedersen
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000528:Alternaria / Q000502:physiology*; D000688:Amylose / Q000378:metabolism; D001203:Ascomycota / Q000502:physiology*; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D005670:Fusarium / Q000502:physiology*; D005838:Genotype; D009154:Mutation; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D045868:Sorghum / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D013213:Starch / Q000378:metabolism; D013214:Starch Synthase / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins; D013213:Starch; D000688:Amylose; D013214:Starch Synthase