Water deficits in wheat: fructan exohydrolase (1‐FEH) mRNA expression and relationship to soluble carbohydrate concentrations in two varieties
Terminal drought is a risk for wheat production in many parts of the world. Robust
physiological traits for resilience would enhance the preselection of breeding lines in
drought‐prone areas.• Three pot experiments were undertaken to characterize stem water‐
soluble carbohydrate (WSC), fructan exohydrolase expression, grain filling and leaf gas
exchange in wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties, Kauz and Westonia, which are considered
to be drought‐tolerant.• Water deficit accelerated the remobilization of stem WSC in …
physiological traits for resilience would enhance the preselection of breeding lines in
drought‐prone areas.• Three pot experiments were undertaken to characterize stem water‐
soluble carbohydrate (WSC), fructan exohydrolase expression, grain filling and leaf gas
exchange in wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties, Kauz and Westonia, which are considered
to be drought‐tolerant.• Water deficit accelerated the remobilization of stem WSC in …
Summary
- • Terminal drought is a risk for wheat production in many parts of the world. Robust physiological traits for resilience would enhance the preselection of breeding lines in drought‐prone areas.
- • Three pot experiments were undertaken to characterize stem water‐soluble carbohydrate (WSC), fructan exohydrolase expression, grain filling and leaf gas exchange in wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties, Kauz and Westonia, which are considered to be drought‐tolerant.
- • Water deficit accelerated the remobilization of stem WSC in Westonia but not in Kauz. The profile of WSC accumulation and loss was negatively correlated with the mRNA concentration of 1‐FEH, especially 1‐FEH w3 (1‐FEH‐6B). Under water deficit, Westonia showed lower concentrations of WSC than Kauz but did not show a corresponding drop in grain yield.
- • The results from pot experiments suggest that stem WSC concentration is not, on its own, a reliable criterion to identify potential grain yield in wheat exposed to water deficits during grain filling. The expression of 1‐FEH w3 may provide a better indicator when linked to osmotic potential and green leaf retention, and this requires validation in field‐grown plants.