Rye-durum wheat 1BL.1RS translocation: implications for drought tolerance and nutritional status

The translocation of the short chromosome arm 1RS of rye onto the 1B chromosome of common wheat has been shown to improve resistance to stress and yield. Here, translocation was operated in durum wheat and its effects on drought tolerance were evaluated. Both the 1BL.1RS translocation line (Svevo 1BL.1RS) and the corresponding Svevo control were exposed to drought for 7 days. Significant differences were found in root morphology between Svevo and Svevo 1BL.1RS under control and drought conditions. Although Svevo 1BL.1RS experienced more severe growth inhibition due to drought than Svevo, it exhibited greater resilience to oxidative stress. Furthermore, several drought-responsive genes were upregulated in both shoots and roots only in the translocation line. Notably, in roots of Svevo 1BL.1RS, the expression of these genes was also higher in the control condition compared to Svevo, suggesting that these genes could be constitutively expressed at higher levels in the translocation line. Moreover, the 1BL.1RS translocation had a significant impact on the plant's ability to accumulate nutrients under drought. Overall, the impact on sulfate accumulation and the expression of genes associated with its assimilation pathways are particularly noteworthy, highlighting the involvement of sulfur in the plant response to water stress. Additionally, the genetic characterization of Svevo 1BL.1RS revealed variants extending beyond the translocation, located in drought stress-responsive genes.