Amylopectin chain length dynamics and activity signatures of key carbon metabolic enzymes highlight early maturation as culprit for yield reduction of barley endosperm starch after heat stress

Jose Antonio Cuesta-Seijo, Alice Jara De Porcellinis, Angela Hørdum Valente, Alexander Striebeck, Cynthia Voss, Lucia Marri, Andreas Hansson, Anita M Jansson, Malene Hessellund Dinesen, Jonatan Ulrik Fangel, Jesper Harholt, Milan Popovic, Mercedes Thieme, Anton Hochmuth, Samuel C Zeeman, Teis Nørgaard Mikkelsen, Rikke Bagger Jørgensen, Thomas Georg Roitsch, Birger Lindberg Møller, Ilka Braumann

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Abiotic environmental stresses have a negative impact on the yield and quality of crops. Understanding these stresses is an essential enabler for mitigating breeding strategies and it becomes more important as the frequency of extreme weather conditions increases due to climate change. This study analyses the response of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to a heat wave during grain filling in three distinct stages: the heat wave itself, the return to a normal temperature regime, and the process of maturation and desiccation. The properties and structure of the starch produced were followed throughout the maturational stages. Furthermore, the key enzymes involved in the carbohydrate supply to the grain were monitored. We observed differences in starch structure with well-separated effects because of heat stress and during senescence. Heat stress produced marked effects on sucrolytic enzymes in source and sink tissues. Early cessation of plant development as an indirect consequence of the heat wave was identified as the major contributor to final yield loss from the stress, highlighting the importance for functional stay-green traits for the development of heat-resistant cereals.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPlant and Cell Physiology
ISSN0032-0781
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2019

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