A South Dakota State University scientist has demonstrated for the first time that a weed called red rice gets its seed color and its ability to remain dormant from the same gene.

That discovery has important implications for both rice-producing and wheat-producing regions. If red color and dormancy in wheat are also controlled by a single gene, it could mean that it will be more difficult to deal with pre-harvest sprouting in white wheat varieties, for example.

Red rice, or weedy rice, is a major weed in rice-growing regions. Extensive work by assistant professor Xing-You Gu in SDSU’s Department of Plant Science suggests that a single gene helps regulate more than one trait in red rice, including dormancy and seed coat color.

Gu said weedy rice causes problems for rice growers worldwide, in part because it germinates at a later time than domestic varieties of rice. That delayed germination is a reflection of the plant’s dormancy trait — the major focus of Gu’s research. Like the shattering mechanism assures that the seed bank in the soil will be replenished before grain is harvested off the field, the dormancy trait is important for survival because it assures that seed will remain viable in the soil until conditions are right for germination.

“The question is, Why is red rice so difficult to control in rice-growing areas? Based on my recent research, red rice is not only a red pigmentation issue. This gene is a transcription factor participating in the regulation of many pathways that could enhance weedy rice’s adaptability,” Gu said.

“Transcription factors” are proteins that are required in reading and interpreting genetic instructions in DNA. Gu said they act as part of the plant’s machinery to turn transcription of certain genes on or off to allow for changes in the plant’s development, for example.

Gu has presented his findings about seed dormancy and red seed coat color at three different conferences, including the Fifth International Weed Science Congress in Vancouver, Canada, in June 2008.

Gu said the association of dormancy and red seed coat, or pericarp, color isn’t in itself surprising. Wheat breeders are aware of the connection, for example. But until now, scientists have not been sure whether a single gene or more than one is involved.

“In common wheat there is a report of association between seed dormancy and red seed coat color,” Gu said, adding that red-colored wheat varieties are more dormant than the white varieties. That means red-colored varieties are also more resistant to pre-harvest sprouting — a major problem for growers of wheat varieties worldwide.

“The question we haven’t answered is if the dormancy genes and the red color genes are the same gene, or two closely linked genes,” Gu said.

Gu said that if the genes are only closely linked in wheat, breeders could use genetic tools to dissect the genes and use one the dormancy gene to improve white wheat varieties’ resistance to pre-harvest sprouting. If they’re the same gene, however, then there is absolutely no way to use the dormancy gene without also getting the red seed coat color.

“We haven’t done similar research in wheat, but based on our research in weedy rice, the gene that controls red color also controls seed dormancy,” Gu said. “Our research will have a possible impact on seed science and seed development.”

Gu said one focus of his work in the future will be to look for homologous genes — those that confer similar characteristics due to shared ancestry — in crops such as wheat and barley.

Gu said that if wheat is like red rice, then wheat breeders would have to search for additional dormancy genes independent of the genes that also regulate red seed coat color in order to improve white-colored varieties’ resistance to pre-harvest sprouting.

A part of Gu’s work involves map-based cloning on major quantitative trait loci, or QTLs. A quantitative trait locus is a region of DNA, though not necessarily a gene, that is closely associated with an observable characteristic or trait.

Gu and his graduate students also do fine-mapping of QTLs by dissecting and identifying which subsection is responsible for seed dormancy. That is research that will help scientists and plant breeders everywhere understand which genes are involved.

“Seed dormancy is one of the most important biological mechanisms. The trait is important for seed-bearing plants, but of the detailed biological mechanism, we know very little,” he said.

The National Science Foundation and the USDA National Research Initiative supported Gu’s seed dormancy research.

 

BROOKINGS, S.D. — South Dakota Art Museum is sponsoring a two-day trip Nov. 7 and 8 to downtown Minneapolis featuring culture, art and food.



The itinerary includes several unique stops, first to the Minneapolis Institute of Art for a docent-led tour of their permanent and traveling exhibitions and to the enormous annual Art Attack open studio and gallery crawl that hosts over 130 artists demonstrating work in a variety of mediums and offering unique gifts.  



Another important stop is at the Midwest Art Conservation Center where the Art Museum sends artwork for restoration. Trip participants will have the unique opportunity to witness restoration of one of the Art Museum’s own Harvey Dunn portraits.



“We are so lucky to have this special ‘behind the scenes’ restoration look,” said Lynn Verschoor, SDAM director.



“Few people have the chance to ever actually witness this process. It’s an incredible opportunity.”



The group will stay at the fully renovated Depot Renaissance Hotel, a classic monument to train travel in the revitalized Minneapolis Riverfront District.



Other planned entertainment includes “Menopause, the Musical,” and a special appetizer and wine pairing by chef Holly at the family-owned Crofut Winery.



The two-day trip is 20 percent off for SDAM members at $256 for double occupancy and $300 for a single hotel room. Non-members can make reservations for $320 double occupancy and $375 for a single room.



The price includes bus transportation, overnight lodging, all admission/entry fees and meals, except one dinner.



Those interested should make reservations by Nov. 1.



For reservations or more information call the Art Museum at 605.688.5423, toll free at 866.805.7590, or check the SDAM website at www.southdakotaartmuseum.com.

BROOKINGS, S.D. — Richard Flavell of Ceres Inc., a California-based energy crop company, will speak at South Dakota State University on Oct. 16 and 17 about using homegrown grasses to produce energy.



Flavell’s research group in the United Kingdom was among the very first worldwide to successfully clone plant DNA, isolate and sequence plant genes, and produce transgenic plants. Flavell is an expert in cereal plant genomics and a leader in European plant biotechnology.



The chief scientific officer at Ceres Inc. will make his first lecture presentation, “How do we use home-grown grasses to reduce oil imports?,” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 in Room 103 of the Northern Plains Biostress Lab.



His second address, “Turning biomass energy crops into commercial reality,” will be held in the South Dakota Art Museum Alumni Auditorium at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17.



Tom Schumacher, professor of soil biophysics and soil conservation and management at SDSU, said as South Dakota becomes more involved in the biofuels industry, getting a global perspective of the issues from speakers like Flavell is key.



Schumacher emphasized that speakers on campus don’t come solely for the benefit of the academic community.



“Academics, crop producers and the general public need to be informed and work together if we are all to have direction and progress in the future,” said Schumacher.



Flavell received his Ph.D. from the University of East Anglia and has published over 200 scientific articles. He lectures widely and contributes significantly to the development of modern biotechnology in agriculture.



In addition to his work with Ceres, he is an adjunct professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology at the University of California at Los Angeles.



Flavell’s presentations are part of the Robert H. and Katherine Burris Distinguished Lecture Series in Plant Biochemistry. The Burris’ contributed funds for the annual distinguished lectureship series at SDSU, sponsored jointly by the chemistry/biochemistry and plant science departments.



The endowment provides an opportunity to bring to the SDSU campus plant biochemists who make significant contributions in research and practice.



For a complete program schedule, log on to http://plantsci.sdstate.edu/Burris/.

BROOKINGS, S.D. — – A dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Wellness Center at South Dakota State University will be held Friday, Oct. 17.



The ceremony begins at 1 p.m. at the south entrance of the $12.1-million facility, followed by guided tours of the building from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.



The 74,000-square-foot structure houses student intramurals, exercise regimes and student health clinic and counseling services. The Center sits on the northwest side of the Stan Marshall Health, Physical Education and Recreation building.



The construction includes an addition on the north side of the HPER building that features expanded Division I locker rooms for volleyball, women’s basketball, swimming and a team meeting room for swimming.



The Wellness Center will be featured as an “Outstanding Design” in the Architectural Portfolio issue of the American and University Magazine that hits newsstands in November.



“The Wellness Center from start to finish has been an excellent study of what a facility can be when you involve all the stakeholders,” said SDSU Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Doug Wermedal.



“Students, faculty, staff, and community members were all involved in planning out what features they wanted in the building.”



Wermedal pointed out that housing student health services and wellness together wasn’t an accident.



“A lot of the initial design work was accomplished face-to-face,” he said. “The architects came to campus and heard our requests. What we were looking for was to have a unique facility that brought those elements together.”



Along with Student Health Clinic and Counseling Services, the facility is home to Jackrabbit Pharmacy. Brookings Chiropractic Center will offer chiropractic and massage services as well.



When Wellness Center Director Ruth Schroeder interviewed for the position, she heard that students wanted a facility that had a “wow” factor.



“That’s exactly what it does,” Schroeder said. “It’s very unique because not many universities have all the functions of health and wellness in one building.



“It’s also a very contemporary design, which appeals to students. It has a nice mix of bright, pleasing colors and that’s a wonderful visual aspect as well.”



The center’s fitness amenities include three hardwood courts that can be used for basketball, volleyball, tennis and badminton. The facility includes an elevated indoor walk/running track, cardiovascular and weight areas, fitness floor and group exercise rooms.



In addition, the facility has three climbing features: a 35-foot tall climbing pinnacle, a bouldering cave, and a climbing wall.



The facility also contains one conference room, a juice and snack bar, and an area to purchase health and fitness supplies.



Founded in 1881, South Dakota State University is the state’s land-grant institution as well as its largest, most comprehensive school of higher education. SDSU graduates students from eight different colleges representing more than 200 majors, minors and options. The institution also offers 20 master’s degree programs and 11 Ph.D. programs.