Pramod Prasad | Directorate of Wheat Reaseach (original) (raw)

Papers by Pramod Prasad

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India, Section B: biological sciences, Nov 25, 2015

AbstractBacterial blight (BB), caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), is a serious constr... more AbstractBacterial blight (BB), caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), is a serious constraint to basmati rice production. The increasingly evident outbreaks of BB in recent years necessitate an immediate search for ecology-conscious, cost-effective and durable management strategy. Given the context, this investigation aimed to generate knowledge about the haplotypic and pathogenic variability of Xoo population severely affecting Pusa Rice Hybrid 10 (PRH-10), world’s first superfine aromatic basmati hybrid. Seven haplotypes were detected from the experimental field applying two PCR-based assays, i.e. repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction and insertion sequence based PCR. The experimental results revealed greater genetic heterogeneity in the Xoo population with high value of total haplotypic diversity (HT = 0.79). In addition, based on the virulence assay, the genetic heterogeneity corresponded to the presence of four pathotypes. Importantly, the substantial line × strain interactions was significant (p ≤ 0.01), which confirmed the host specificity in the system. In parallel, it was noted that most of the key resistance genes except Xa21, deployed in the rice breeding program at International Rice Research Institute were overcome by the Xoo strains, thus underscoring the relevance of this gene in resistance breeding. Therefore, incorporating Xa21 alone, or in combination with xa13 or xa5 into the parental lines, using various modern genomics-assisted approaches might be the potential fast-track strategy to breed PRH-10 with remarkably enhanced BB resistance. The present investigation provides a molecular framework for future epidemiological studies and is likely to assist rice breeders to expedite basmati rice improvement.

Functional & Integrative Genomics

Identification of novel effectors with conserved features has always remained a challenge in plan... more Identification of novel effectors with conserved features has always remained a challenge in plant-pathogen interaction studies. The introduction of the genomics era in plant-pathogen studies has led to the identification of significant candidate effectors with novel motifs such as RxLR and dEER motifs. However, in the case of fungal pathogens, limited conserved motifs associated with effectors have been discovered yet. In the present study, we have performed comparative secretome analysis for major plant pathogens of diverse nutrition mechanisms with the aim of dissecting the features underlying their corresponding secretome and conserved motifs. We showed that rust fungi possess the lowest Cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs) consortium lower than other biotrophic pathogens. We also showed rust fungi possess the highest secretory superoxide dismutase (SOD) than other studied plant pathogens. Further, we prioritized the candidate secretory effectors proteins (CSEPs) of all the studi...

Indian Phytopathology

Five hundred and eight yellow rust (YR) samples were pathotyped from Northern states of India dur... more Five hundred and eight yellow rust (YR) samples were pathotyped from Northern states of India during 2014-15 and 2015-16 cropping seasons. The virulence of these samples was tested on 16 wheat differentials and 6 supplementary varieties. Eleven known pathotypes were identified from the analysis of 508 YR samples during this period. Additionally, the infection types of three samples on differentials, collected from US Nagar (Uttarakhand), Kangra and Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh) districts, were dissimilar to the known pathotypes in India. Subsequently, three isolations were taken from each sample, established separately on susceptible check (A-9-30-1) and each isolation was used to inoculate differentials. All the isolations taken from single sample, showed similar reaction types on differentials. It proved the presence of new pathotype. The new pathotypes (virulences) were designated as 111S68, 79S4 and 79S68. Rust resistance genes Yr2 (Heines VII), Yr5, Yr9, Yr10, Yr15, Yr24, YrA were found effective to all these new pathotypes, identified in this study. Evaluation of 135 advance lines and released varieties of bread, durum, dicoccum wheat and triticale indicated that new pathotypes (111S68, 79S4, and 79S68) were less virulent than known pts. 47S103 (T) and 47S102 (K) virulent to Yr1. More than 70 per cent evaluated wheat and triticale material was found resistant to moderately resistant to all Yr1-virulences. New pathotypes, identified from indigenous wheat, would aid in understanding the evolution mechanism in Yr1-virulences of yellow rust pathogen in India for better management of yellow rust.

Journal of Cereal Research

ML/MD-2 is a conserved lipid/sterol-binding protein family having a role in sterol transfer and i... more ML/MD-2 is a conserved lipid/sterol-binding protein family having a role in sterol transfer and innate immunity in lower and higher eukaryotes. Here we report a genome-wide survey of this family, identifying 84 genes in 25 fungal and five oomycetes plant pathogen, having a different nutrition mode. All the fungal species were found to have varied numbers of family members, a distinctively substantial expansion of the ML gene family was observed inRhizophagus irregularis(RI) with 33 genes. Our analysis also showed that NPC2 like proteins, a subfamily of ML domain superfamily, were not only restricted to animals and insect species but also present in plant fungal pathogens, including members ofClavicipitaceae,Pucciniacease,andTremellaceaefamily. The phylogenetic analysis showed that these NPC2 like fungal proteins are more closely related to animals/insects than other fungal species. The molecular docking studies of these proteins with cholesterol and other derivatives indicate lipid-...

Survival Strategies in Cold-adapted Microorganisms, 2021

Nanotechnology provides answer for sustainable agriculture by enhancing nutrient utilization effi... more Nanotechnology provides answer for sustainable agriculture by enhancing nutrient utilization efficacy, improving efficiency of pest control, mitigating impact of climate change, and reducing harmful environmental impacts of agriculture food production. A lot of auspicious nanotechnologies have been anticipated and needed to be checked for their beneficial role. Here we explore nanotechnology in relation to agriculture and environmental aspects. We have discussed how nanotechnology can be applied to enhance plant growth and development, and provided comprehensive overview about nanofertilizers, nano-pesticide, and applications in field of food sector.

Journal of Cereal Research, 2021

Wheat is the staple food and main source of calories in Indian diet and has been under cultivatio... more Wheat is the staple food and main source of calories in Indian diet and has been under cultivation in the Indian subcontinent since Harrapan civilization. It is a cosmopolitan grain consumed by nearly 2.5 billion people in more than 90 countries and provides ~20% of the total calories in the human diet (Anonymous, 2020). The ever-increasing population, rapid urbanization, reduction in cultivable area, increased domestic consumption, demands well-planned efforts to face the future challenges of food security of India. Worldwide wheat production is threatened by various biotic and abiotic stresses. Among wheat diseases, three rusts (yellow, brown and black) are major threats due to the rapid appearance of new races (pathotypes) of rust pathogens with additional virulence for the major and widely deployed resistance genes. Yellow (stripe) rust which occurs in comparatively cooler areas can cause yield losses often ranging from 10 to 70% on susceptible varieties (Chen, 2005), whereas, brown (leaf) rust which is most widely occurring in wheat-growing areas can cause yield losses up to 50 per cent (Bhardwaj et al., 2016). Black (stem) rust although mostly occurs at maturity stage can cause yield losses up to 100 per cent in case of an early start of disease in warmer areas (Prasad et al., 2016). rust pathotypes is a major breeding objective in our wheat breeding programmes. Seedling resistance or ‘all stage resistance’ (ASR), is typically expressed at all growth stages, conferred by a single ‘major effect’ gene often associated with a hypersensitive response and is often race specific (Riaz et al., 2016). Therefore, the present study was carried out to identify all stage resistance (ASR) against three rust diseases in advanced bread wheat lines.

Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources, 2015

Isothiocyanates, the degradation products of glucosinolates reported specifically in the members ... more Isothiocyanates, the degradation products of glucosinolates reported specifically in the members of Brassicaceae family are potential alternative compounds to currently used fumigants. In the present study, six Brassica species, viz. Brassica alba (L.) Rabenh, B. nigra (L.) W. D. J. Koch (cv. ‘Banarasi rai’) , B. napus L. (cv. ‘PPNS-1’ ), B. rapa L. (cv. ‘RESBR-240’), B. juncea (L.) Czern. (cv. ‘Kranti’) and B. carinata A. Braun (cv. ‘Kiran’) were evaluated for Sinigrin (one of the most important glucosinolates found in Brassica ) content using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Sinigrin concentration in different Brassica species ranged between 3.65 μM/g in B. napus L. to 16.42 μM/g in B. juncea (L.) Czern. (cv. ‘Kranti’). Therefore, B. juncea (L.) Czern. (cv. ‘Kranti’) was found as the most appropriate Brassica species to be used as biofumigant followed by B. nigra (L.) W. D. J. Koch (cv. ‘Banarasi rai’) and B. alba (L.) Rabenh .

Crop Protection, 2021

Abstract Yellow rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is economically one of... more Abstract Yellow rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is economically one of the most important diseases of wheat in India and worldwide. During four wheat-growing seasons (2015-19), a total of 951 yellow rust samples collected from farmers’ fields (n = 602) and trap plot nurseries (n = 349) were analyzed for virulence on 30 differentials. From this analysis, 11 distinct Pst pathotypes were identified. The virulence pattern of these pathotypes was also tested on 14 Avocet near-isogenic lines (NILs) and Avocet S. None of the pathotypes were virulent to Yr5, Yr10, Yr15, Yr16, Yr24, Yr32, and YrSP. Pathotype 46S119 (46E159) was most prevalent and widely distributed in all the areas and its overall frequency was maximum (56.2%) followed by 110S119 (110E159, 31.9%). However, the frequency of 46S119 has decreased gradually from 62.0% (2015-16) to 48.4% (2018-19). Pathotype 238S119 (238E159) being the most virulent among the identified pathotypes, was detected in 6.8% of samples. Each of the remaining pathotypes was identified in

Cereal Research Communications, 2021

Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 2021

KEY MESSAGE A new leaf rust resistance gene Lr80 was identified and closely linked markers were d... more KEY MESSAGE A new leaf rust resistance gene Lr80 was identified and closely linked markers were developed for its successful pyramiding with other marker-tagged genes to achieve durable control of leaf rust. Common wheat landrace Hango-2, collected in 2006 from the Himalayan area of Hango, District Kinnaur, in Himachal Pradesh, exhibited a very low infection type (IT;) at the seedling stage to all Indian Puccinia triticina (Pt) pathotypes, except the pathotype 5R9-7 which produced IT 3+. Genetic analysis based on Agra Local/Hango-2-derived F3 families indicated monogenic control of leaf rust resistance, and the underlying locus was temporarily named LrH2. Bulked segregant analysis using 303 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers located LrH2 in the short arm of chromosome 2D. An additional set of 10 chromosome 2DS-specific markers showed polymorphism between the parents and these were mapped on the entire Agra Local/Hango-2 F3 population. LrH2 was flanked by markers cau96 (distally) and barc124 (proximally). The 90 K Infinium SNP array was used to identify SNP markers linked with LrH2. Markers KASP_17425 and KASP_17148 showed association with LrH2. Comparison of seedling leaf rust response data and marker locations across different maps demonstrated the uniqueness of LrH2 and it was formally named Lr80. The Lr80-linked markers KASP_17425, KASP_17148 and barc124 amplified alleles/products different to Hango-2 in 82 Australian cultivars indicating their robustness for marker-assisted selection of this gene in wheat breeding programs.

Journal of Cereal Research, 2020

This study was designed to identify the drought tolerant and susceptible genotypes among 160 whea... more This study was designed to identify the drought tolerant and susceptible genotypes among 160 wheat genotypes. Analysis of variance under drought condition showed mean square due to genotypes had highly significant differences for all the quantitative traits in both years and pooled data, except flag leaf width, flag leaf area those were significant only and under control condition. Mean square due to genotypes had highly significant differences for all the traits in both the years and pooled data, except plant height in the pooled data that was significant only. On the basis of grain yield per plant under both the conditions twenty one tolerant genotypes namely;

Plant Disease, 2021

Wheat is the second most cultivated cereal crop in the world and is an important crop in India. L... more Wheat is the second most cultivated cereal crop in the world and is an important crop in India. Leaf (brown) rust, caused by Puccinia triticina, was the most prevalent among the three rusts found in all the wheat-growing areas of India, Bhutan, and Nepal during 2016 to 2019. Leaf rust samples from wheat crops in these countries were pathotyped using the wheat differential genotypes and binomial Indian system of nomenclature. To facilitate international communication, each pathotype identified was also tested using the North American differentials. A total of 33 pathotypes were identified from 1,086 samples, including three new pathotypes: 61R47 (162-5 = KHTPM) and 93R49 (49 = NHKTN) from India and 93R57 (20-1 = NHKTN) from Nepal. Two pathotypes, 121R60-1 (77-9/52 = MHTKL) and 121R63-1 (77-5 = THTTM), accounted for 79.46% of the population. Virulence on Lr19 was identified in 0.27% of the samples from Nepal only. The proportion of pathotype 121R60-1 (77-9 = MHTKL) increased to 57.55%...

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 2017

Leaf rust (Puccinia triticina Erikss.) is one of the most damaging pathogens of wheat (Triticum a... more Leaf rust (Puccinia triticina Erikss.) is one of the most damaging pathogens of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). With the rapid evolution of new races, worldwide distribution, and high genetic diversity, P. triticina has the ability to cause severe epidemics in wheat growing areas. In plants, salicylic acid (SA) and sugar-mediated defense pathways are expected to provide durable and broad-spectrum resistance. To understand the role of SA and sugar-mediated resistance mechanisms in wheat during early leaf rust infection, expression profiles of the key regulators of SA (

Indian Phytopathology, 2019

Wheat and barley yellow rust pathogens, Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) and P. striifor... more Wheat and barley yellow rust pathogens, Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) and P. striiformis f. sp. hordei (Psh), respectively, can change quickly in virulence. The present study was conducted using host differentials and microsatellite marker assay to determine the relationship of two newly detected atypical Pst pathotypes (6S0 and 7S0) with known pathotypes from wheat (46S103, 47S103, 46S119, 111S68 and 79S68) and barley (0S0-1, 4S0, 0S0 and 1S0). A set of 21 SSR markers were used to determine interrelationship among these pathotypes. In toto, 79 alleles were detected across the 21 loci. Six markers (RJ22, SUNIPst9-40, SUNIPst09-48, SUNIPst10-48, SUNIPst11-01 and SUNIPst16-10) were found highly informative. The polymorphism information content (PIC) values of these markers were > 0.69. These markers provided useful information on genetic divergence of newly emerged Pst pathotypes. Principle component analysis (PCoA) explained 62.91% variation among the analysed pathotypes. The molecular variation studies showed that new Pst pathotypes (6S0 and 7S0) are more close to known pathotypes from barley than from wheat. The major distinction in term of virulence was that pathotype 7S0 possessed extra virulence for Yr1 and lacked virulence for rpsTr1 and rpsTr2.

Crop Protection, 2018

Surveys on wheat stem rust were conducted in major wheat-growing areas of the Indian subcontinent... more Surveys on wheat stem rust were conducted in major wheat-growing areas of the Indian subcontinent during 2009-2015 to determine the virulence phenotypes and simple sequence repeat (SSR) genotype diversity of Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. E. Henn (Pgt). Rust-infected stems or leaves of wheat were collected and inoculated on a susceptible wheat cultivar. Indian stem rust differential lines were used to designate Pgt pathotypes in these samples. About 80% of the samples analyzed during the study were from central and southern India. Twelve pathotypes of P. graminis f. sp. tritici were designated in 574 samples analyzed during the study. The severity and incidence of stem rust were maximum during 2013-2014 followed by 2012-2013. Pathotypes 40A and 11 designated in 36.8% and 32.6% of the samples, respectively, were the most predominant. The stem rust resistance genes Sr7a,

Journal of Plant Pathology, 2019

Detection and characterization of changes in virulence patterns of pathogen populations is a prel... more Detection and characterization of changes in virulence patterns of pathogen populations is a prelude to effective management of wheat rusts. Such information is useful for the identification of sources of resistance, pre-emptive breeding and judicious deployment of resistant wheat cultivars. During 2013-14, three new Yr9-virulent pathotypes (110S119, 238S119 and 110S84) of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) possessing combined virulence to cvs Strubes Dickkopf (Yr2, Yr3a, Yr4a) and Suwon92xOmar (YrSU) were detected in India. These pathotypes were more aggressive and virulent than those reported earlier. Riebesel 47/51 (Yr2, Yr9) and Hobbit (Yr14) hitherto resistant to Indian Pst populations, became susceptible to 238S119 and 110S119, respectively. Moreover, the bread wheat cv. HD2967, currently occupying a 10-12 million ha area, showed a high level of susceptibility to these pathotypes. Stripe rust resistance genes, Yr1, Yr5, Yr10, Yr15, Yr24, Yr28 and YrSP were found effective against the new pathotypes. Phylogenetic relationships of the new and nine other closely related pathotypes were elucidated by comparing sequences of the internal transcribed spacer regions. It appeared that pathotypes110S84 and 110S119 were distinct and evolved independently, whereas 238S119 could have evolved from 46S119 by gaining virulence to cvs Strubes Dickkopf and Riebesel 47/51. Recently developed Indian bread wheat germplasm comprising 56 newly released cultivars and 64 advanced lines (2016-17) were evaluated under controlled conditions at the seedling stage for resistance to the three new and the two already known Yr9-virulent pathotypes 46S119 and 78S84. None of the cultivars was resistant to the new pathotypes.