ARS | Publication request: Characterization of the surface properties of wheat spikelet components

Submitted to: National Fusarium Head Blight Forum Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: December 2, 2009
Publication Date: December 7, 2009
Citation: Dunlap, C.A., Schisler, D.A. 2010. Characterization of the surface properties of wheat spikelet components. Proceedings of the National Fusarium Head Blight Forum. p. 41-43.

Technical Abstract: The physicochemical surface properties of wheat spikelet components were determined. The water and water:acetone (1:1, v/v) contact angle for the glumes and lemmas of two wheat cultivars were measured. The results demonstrate that the surface chemistry and ultrastructure of glume and lemma tissues changes around the time of anthesis for both of the wheat cultivars tested, with the structures reaching a minimum in hydrophobicity immediately after flowering. These results will be used in conjunction with microbial colonization data using Fusarium head blight biocontrol agent Crytococcus flavescens OH 182.9 (NRRL Y-30216) to understand the role of the physiochemistry of infection court tissues in wheat-microbe-pathogen interactions on wheat heads. Comprehending the microbiology of the wheat phyllosphere will lead to improved methods of controlling microbial pathogens such as the causal agent of Fusarium head blight of wheat.