ARS | Publication request: Association of Avenanthramide Concentration in Oat (Avena sativa) Grain with Crown Rust Incidence and Genetic Resistence

Submitted to: Cereal Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: March 7, 2008
Publication Date: September 5, 2008
Citation: Wise, M.L., Doehlert, D.C., Mcmullen, M.S. 2008. Association of Avenanthramide Concentration in Oat (Avena sativa) Grain with Crown Rust Incidence and Genetic Resistence. Cereal Chemistry. 85(5)639-641.

Interpretive Summary: Avenanthramides are a group of anti-oxidants produced, among the food crops, exclusively in oat. These phytonutrients have shown anti-atherosclerotic properties as well as protection against oxidative damage in laboratory experiments. In the oat grain the levels of avenanthramides tend to be highly variable among cultivars and growth environments. In these experiments we demonstrate a significant effect of the fungal disease crown rust on the levels of avenanthramide found in the grain. Genetic disposition to produce avenanthramides is also demonstrated to be associated with disease resistance. The impact of this work will be to assist breeders with a better understanding of the factors that influence avenanthramide levels in the oat crop.

Technical Abstract: Avenanthramides (avn) are antioxidant compounds found in oat tissues, including the grain, that are of interest from a nutritional standpoint. In this study, we have measured avenanthramide concentration in the grain of 18 oat genotypes grown in six environments. These genotypes varied widely in crown rust (Puccinia coronata) resistance. Crown rust infected two of the six environments studied. The grain avenanthramide concentrations in the crown rust environments was significantly higher than those in the uninfected environments. Avenanthramide concentrations, in the crown rust infected environments, was also significantly correlated with the degree of crown rust resistance, as evaluated in the field. These results suggest that avenanthramide accumulation in the grain is induced by crown rust infection, and that the extent of their accumulation is dependent upon the genetic degree of the disease resistance. It appears that avenanthramide accumulation in the grain is greatest in resistant cultivars grown in crown rust environments.