1. Erdei László, Vashegyi Ágnes, Pető Andrea Department of Plant Biology
HURO/0901/ Szeged - Timisoara axis for the safe food and feed SZETISA1
Macroelements in the Romanian wheat genotypes. Effects of Fusarium infection on macroelement concentrations in maize genotypes
Erdei László, Vashegyi Ágnes, Pető Andrea
Department of Plant Biology
University of Szeged
3rd Progress Report Meeting
Timisoara, January, 2012
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2. Macroelements in the Romanian wheat genotypes
Samples were collected from 13 localities in Timis and Arad counties:
Manastur – TM
Sanandrei – TM
Faget - TM
Pietroasa - TM
Lovrin – TM
Aldesti – TM
Dudestii Vechi – TM
Horea - AR
Siria – AR
Recas – AR
Semlac – AR
Paulis – AR
Barzava – AR
Ripen ears were separated into grains and chaff.
K, Ca and Mg were determined in both parts by atomic absortion spectrophotometer (Hitachi Z-8200)

3. K concentrations (µmol K/g DM)

4. Ca concentrations (µmol Ca/g DM)

5. Mg concentrations (µmol Mg/g DM)

6. Conclusions
Potassium concentrations were similar in the grain, in Barzava and Faget slightly higher. In garain and chaff K levels near equal, but in some cases in grain it is higher or lower.
Calcium concentrations are 2 to 3-fold higher in chaff than in grains. In grains, no fluctuation was observed.
Magnesium concentrations are 2-fold higher in grains compared to tose in the chaff. The highest Mg concentrations in grains were fount at Barzava and Aldesti.
It is not known whether the differences are the consequences of the gentype or the agricultural site.

7. Macroelement concentrations in Fusarium-infected maize genotypes
From field experiments of Prof. Mesterházy Ákos,
Cereal Research Nonprofit Ltd.
Maize genotypes
Zea mays L. cv. Sarolta – Fusarium resistant
Zea mays L. cv. Boglár – more sensitive
Fusarium inoculates
Fusarium graminearum (Fg),
F. culmorum (Fc),
F. verticillioides (Fv)
Infection: 8-10 days after flowering, with mycelia, using toothpick
Experimental design: 3 rows in 3 sites with repetitive rows of control and the 3 Fusarium strains. From each row 3 ears (with husks) and the leaves beneath were collected.

8. Effects of Fusarium infection on K concentration in maize kernels (from the middle part of the cob). Comparison of two sampling dates and 3 Fusarium species (Fg, Fc, Fv) in 2 maize genotypes. Mean +- S.D., n = 9.

9. Effects of Fusarium infection on Ca concentration in maize kernels (from the middle part of the cob). Comparison of two sampling dates and 3 Fusarium species (Fg, Fc, Fv) in 2 maize genotypes. Mean+- S.D., n= 9.

10. Effects of Fusarium infection on Mg concentration in maize kernels (from the middle part of the cob). Comparison of two sampling dates and 3 Fusarium species (Fg, Fc, Fv) in 2 maize genotypes. Mean+- S.D., n= 9.

11. Conclusions
Element concentrations (K, Ca, Mg) were higher in the infected kernels compared to the control.
Increase in element concentrations was proportional to the time passed after inoculation. Fist samling date was 8-10 days after inculation, the second one 3 weaks later, at harvest. By that time the infection was maximal and the kernels shrivelled.
Intensity of infection depended on the Fusarium species. Most agressive was F. graminearum, followed by F. culmorum and F. verticillioides.

12. Element concentration gradients along maize ears (base, middle, apex), in control and infected samples

13. Control and Fusarium graminearum – infected maize genotype „Sarolta”
Base Middle Apex

14. Volume (and surface) relations of control and Fusarium – infected maize kernels
Control - 36 kernels
10 g
Infected -80 kernels
10 g

15. K concentration gradients along the maize ear as affected by Fusarium strains Upper row: samples at 26 August, lower row: samples at 13 September, 2011

16. Ca concentration gradients along the maize ear as affected by Fusarium strains Upper row: samples at 26 August, lower row: samples at 13 September, 2011

17. Mg concentration gradients along the maize ear as affected by Fusarium strains Upper row: samples at 26 August, lower row: samples at 13 September, 2011

18. Conclusions
In control, non-infected ears the element concentrations were near the same in the kernels taken from the basal, middle or apical part of the ear.
In the dgnotype Sarolta, K concentration slightly increased, whereas Ca and Mg slightly decereased along the ear from base to apex.
At the infected middle partthe concentrations of all the elements incrreased. The enhancement was prportional with the agression of the Fusarium species, in the same order, as before.
Concentration values were calculated on unit mass basis. Since the infected kernels have much less mass than conntrol ones, per unit mass they containe larger number of kernels than the control sample. The higher element concentrations in the infected samples thus are du to the larger surface area of the kernels and/or the remaining tissues where these elements are lovalized.

19. Thank you for your attention!
Acknowledgements
Thanks are due to
Prof. Mesterházy Ákos and Dr. Toldiné dr. Tóth Éva for the field samples of wheat and maize and for their help.
Thank you for your attention!