Metabolite profiling coupled with statistical analyses for potential high-throughput screening of quantitative resistance to fusarium head blight in wheat

Abstract

Fusarium head blight (FHB) [Fusarium graminearum (teleomorph Gibberella zeae)] causes considerable losses in wheat (Triticum aestivum) yield and grain quality. Because conventional screening for disease resistance based on five separate types of resistance is inefficient, a metabolomics approach to discriminating resistance was investigated. Spikelets of six wheat cultivars/lines varying in level of resistance were inoculated with F. graminearum or water. The spikelet disease severity was quantified, and the metabolic profiles were recorded using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry. A total of 214 metabolites were detected in spikelets and rachis, including 79 with acceptable treatment effects. Univariate analysis of variance identified 41 resistance-related (RR) metabolites and multivariate analysis identified 45 resistance function associated metabolites, including 28 RR metabolites. Highly resistant cultivar 'Wangshuibai' and line AW488 had the maximum numbers of constitutive (22) and induced (14) RR metabolites, respectively. A moderately resistant line, BRS177, had 12 induced RR metabolites. The RR metabolites identified here are potential candidate biomarkers for high-throughput screening of wheat breeding lines against FHB.

Keywords:

• disease resistance
• metabolomics
• phytochemicals
• Triticum aestivum
• Fusarium graminearum
• wheat scab