Expression profiling of two sucrose transporter genes during post-anthesis in wheat

Abstract

Sucrose transporters (SUTs) are critical for distribution and storage of sucrose between the source and sink tissues and considered as an important key for an efficient growth of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during post-anthesis as well as during senescence stage. Therefore, a complete study including molecular and biochemical experiments was carried out to assess the TaSUT1 and TaSUT2 genes expression, reactive oxygen species: superoxide radical (O 2 • -) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), production and antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), activity as well as non-enzymatic antioxidants: ascorbate, α-tocopherol and carotenoid, content in flag leaf and other leaves of promising line N81-18 of wheat during post-anthesis. The TaSUT1 and TaSUT2 genes expression was identified in both flag leaf and other leaves, as the flag leaf had the highest genes expression. The activity of SOD and CAT significantly increased in both flag leaf and other leaves, which caused a decrement of O 2 •and H 2 O 2 content, respectively. Moreover, the ascorbate, α-tocopherol and carotenoid content significantly increased as a cellular defence mechanism to minimize the damage due to oxidative stress caused during post-anthesis and leaf senescence. Overall, it can be concluded that flag leaf had the highest TaSUT1 and TaSUT2 genes expression as well as non-enzymatic antioxidants that could be considered as the main key for future genetic studies and practical breeding programs.

The Influence of Flag Leaf Removal and Its Characteristics on Main Yield Components and Yield Quality Indices on Wheat

“…In a previous study [60], the authors observed that the chlorophyll content was highly maintained in the early grain-filling period, and their photosynthetic capacity gradually became lower after this period. Regarding the carotenoid content, during the first experimental year (Figure 2C), a high level was maintained from booting to 21 DAA (>65 mg/100 g DM) in flag leaf as a cellular defense mechanism to minimize the damage due to oxidative stress [61]. Additionally, Chl a, Chl b, and the total carotenoids' content in the second experimental year had a specific variability (Figure 2D) because of the environmental conditions and the effort of plants to protect their productivity components during this critical period.…”