Ancient Varieties Research Articles

Coexpression Regulation of New and Ancient Genes in the Dynamic Transcriptome Landscape of Stem and Rhizome Development in "Bainianzhe"-An Ancient Chinese Sugarcane Variety Ratooned for Nearly 300 Years.

The sucrose yield in sugarcane largely depends on stem morphology, including length, diameter and sugar content, making sugarcane stem a key trait in breeding. The "Bainianzhe" variety from Songxi County, Fujian Province, possesses both aerial stems and rhizomes, providing a unique model for studying stem development. We performed a spatiotemporal transcriptomic analysis of the base, middle and apical sections of both aerial stems and rhizomes. The analysis categorized transcriptomes by developmental stage-base, middle and apical-rather than environmental differences. Apical segments were enriched with genes related to cell proliferation, while base segments were linked to senescence and fibrosis. Gene regulatory networks revealed key TFs involved in stem development. Orphan genes may be involved in rhizome development through coexpression networks. Plant hormones, especially genes involved in ABA and GAs synthesis, were highly expressed in rhizomes. Thiamine-related genes were also more prevalent in rhizomes. Furthermore, the apical segments of rhizomes enriched in photosynthesis-related genes suggest adaptations to light exposure. Low average temperatures in Songxi have led to unique cold acclimation in Bainianzhe, with rhizomes showing higher expression of genes linked to unsaturated fatty acid synthesis and cold-responsive calcium signalling. This indicates that rhizomes may have enhanced cold tolerance, aiding in the plant's overwintering success.

Assessment of Whole Grain Ancient Wheat Sourdough in Lyophilised and Native Forms for Cookie Formulation.

This study explored the potential of two forms of sourdough-native and lyophilised-obtained through the spontaneous fermentation of whole grain flours from ancient wheat varieties, for cookie production. The research involved evaluated the dough's rheological properties through creep and recovery measurements and Mixolab analysis, assessing proximate composition, physical attributes, texture, colour, and sensory characteristics using the Rate-all-that-apply (RATA) method. The rheological analysis revealed that native sourdough significantly impacted dough behaviour, making it more challenging to process. Although differences were observed in the proximate composition, colour, and texture, these factors did not influence the samples as much as the rheological parameters. Sensory evaluation identified Khorasan lyophilised sourdough, along with its control sample, as the most promising, while modern wheat, spelt, and emmer exhibited potentially undesirable attributes. Based on these findings, it was concluded that lyophilised Khorasan sourdough was very favourable for cookie production and should be considered for further in-depth research and development. This suggests that the lyophilised forms of ancient wheats could offer valuable alternatives for cookie formulation, with implications for both the processing and sensory attributes of the final product.

Managing the Nutraceutical and Sensorial Qualities of Pisanello, an Ancient Tomato Landrace, in Soilless Conditions

Recently, there has been significant consumer demand for traditional tomato varieties due to their favourable organoleptic qualities; however, the cultivation of these ancient varieties is becoming more restricted due to inadequate shelf life and low productivity. The “Pisanello” is a Tuscany tomato variety mainly cultivated in the provinces of Pisa, Lucca, and Livorno, and the main producers of this ancient tomato are small local farmers. The purpose of this work was, firstly, to study the range of quality parameters of this landrace tomato grown using different cultivation techniques, both in soil and soilless systems. For this purpose, the physicochemical parameters of Pisanello tomatoes grown in six different farms in Tuscany using both soilless and soil methods were investigated. Secondly, Pisanello tomatoes grown using different soilless techniques (rockwool and aeroponics) and soil-grown tomatoes (Pisanello and Goldmar F1) were evaluated from organoleptic and nutraceutical points of view. The sensory profile evaluation of all types of tomatoes under investigation was carried out. The aeroponic cultivation of Pisanello induced higher organoleptic qualities than those of tomatoes cultivated in rockwool (+34% for titratable acidity and +18% for total soluble solids). On the other hand, soilless rockwool-grown tomatoes showed a better sensory profile with respect to aeroponic cultivation. Nevertheless, the Goldmar F1 tomato, morphologically similar to ‘Pisanello’, received lower scores from the sensory panel compared to the Tuscany landrace tomato. This indicates that ancient tomato varieties selected over decades remain the preferred choice for consumers. Therefore, from a long-term viewpoint, the valorisation of local tomato varieties such as Pisanello can promote the regional commercialization of novel niche products originating from ancient fruit thanks to their acceptability by consumers.

Влияние концентрации и рецептуры макросолей в питательной среде на показатели регенерации меристем, на этапе ввода в культуру in vitro, у некоторых аборигенных донских сортов винограда

Abstract. Rare indigenous grape varieties are of significant value for viticulture, breeding and preservation of genetic material. Often, ancient grape varieties, due to prolonged vegetative propagation, are infected with one or more chronic diseases (viruses, phytoplasmas, bacterial cancer). The most reliable way to improve the health of such plants is the method of apical meristems in in vitro culture. In which, on artificial nutrient medium, it is necessary to regenerate the plant from isolated extremely small apical explants (about 50-100 microns). One of the most important components of nutrient medium are macroelements. Not only their quantity is of great importance, but also the compounds they represent, as well as the balance and ratio of all elements in the nutrient medium. In this regard, the purpose of our study was to study the characteristics of mineral nutrition of grape plants of native Don varieties in in vitro culture. To do this, we studied the effectiveness of the most commonly used nutrient media in microclonal propagation. The experiments were carried out on four rare native Don varieties Plechistik oboepolyi, Bessergenevskiy №10, Musketnyi and Durman. Protocols used: Murashige and Skuug (MS), McCown Wood Plant (WPM), Chee and Pool (C2D), Quoirin & lepoivre (QL) and Anton Rebrov (AR1). The nutrient media differed only in the composition of macrosalts; all other components were added in equal quantities. The varietal response of the studied varieties was different. The Plechistik oboepolyi and Bessergenevskiy №10varieties regenerated best, and the Musketnyi and Durman varieties regenerated more poorly. It has been established that the composition of macroelements significantly affects the regeneration and differentiation of shoots in apical meristems. For most varieties, the most stable results were observed when using WPM and AR1 nutrient media. The worst development of explants in all varieties in the study occurred on MS and C2D media. Key words: apical meristem, introduction into in vitro culture, regeneration of explants, recipes for nutrient media, concentration of macronutrients, native Don varieties

Morphological Characterization, Polyphenolic Profile, and Bioactive Properties of Limoncella, an Ancient Mediterranean Variety of Sweet Citrus.

Limoncella of Mattinata, a rare and ancient Mediterranean citrus fruit, was investigated by sequence analysis of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions, which assigns it as a variety of Citrus medica L. Morphological, chemical, and biomolecular approaches, including light and electron microscopy, HPLC-ESI-MS/MS, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory assays, were used to characterize the flavedo and albedo parts, usually rich in bioactive compounds. The morphological findings showed albedo and flavedo cellular structures as "reservoirs" of nutritional components. Both albedo and flavedo hydroalcoholic extracts were rich in polyphenols, but they were different in compounds and quantity. The flavedo is rich in p-coumaric acid and rutin, whereas the albedo contains high levels of hesperidin and quercitrin. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and genoprotective effects for albedo and flavedo were found. The results confirmed the health properties of flavedo and highlighted that albedo is also a rich source of antioxidants. Moreover, this study valorizes Limoncella of Mattinata's nutritional properties, cueing its crops' repopulation.

Study of Ancient and Modern Wheat Grain Textures, Physiochemical Properties, and Biscuit Quality

We conducted a comprehensive study to investigate how different types of wheat affect the quality of biscuits. Our research included an ancient wheat variety called T. spherococcum, as well as present-day cultivated hard wheat varieties and soft wheat varieties (T. aestivum). We compared three hard wheat varieties (MACS6478, MACS2496, NI5439) and two soft wheat varieties (HS 490, NIAW3170) with ancient wheat (T. spherococcum) to analyze various aspects such as agronomic, grain and flour physicochemical, dough mixing, and biscuit quality parameters. Our results showed that soft wheat has a weaker association between starch and the protein matrix in the grain, leading to less starch damage, a lower particle size index (PSI), and higher flour recovery than hard wheat. Soft wheat flour also has lower gluten strength, a higher gliadin fraction, and decreased mixing resistance. Additionally, soft wheat flour has lower starch damage, which results in lower alkaline water retention capacity (AWRC) than hard wheat flour. These physiochemical findings helped us better understand how these traits related to biscuit quality. The study concluded that simple and fast physiochemical tests such as PSI, MST, AWRC, and flour protein content would help to select the best biscuit-quality wheat. These tests are quick and simple and do not need high-end sophisticated instruments. We also concluded that T. spherococcum was a hard wheat, and its flour physicochemical dough mixing properties were similar to that of hard wheat. It also produced inferior quality biscuits like hard wheat.

Durum wheat pasta cooking: A combined assessment of the relevant quality, energy and environmental indicators

The scientific literature currently available on the subject has documented pasta cooking to be the second most environmentally impacting phase in the pasta life cycle after durum-wheat (DW) grain production. Those two phases have, therefore, priority in selecting the improvements that can be made, with the consequential effect of improving the life-cycle environmental profile of pasta products. Under this perspective, the authors tested a previously created electrical cooker for dry pasta from an ancient DW variety cultivated in Sicily, performing a combined assessment of the most relevant quality, energy, and environmental issues. The experiments were carried out both on the short and the long shape of pasta, applying alternatively a 10 and 3 L/kg water-to-pasta ratio.The study attained the proposed goal of proving whether the aforementioned cooker effectively reduces the energy-environmental burdens associated with the cooking of the pasta at issue, without compromising its total quality properties.Induction cooking systems need, however, for a larger share of renewable energy power, so that they can become even more eco-efficient than they are now. This is expected to grow in the next future because of the ongoing national and world transition towards renewable and cleaner energy sources. Therefore, the use of eco-sustainable pasta cookers, such as the one investigated within this article, combined with the replacement of traditional energy sources with renewable ones, and the promotion of environmental education amongst stakeholders of the pasta sector can act as valid strategies for mitigating and improving the cooking environmental impacts.

Origins and Genetic Characteristics of Egyptian Peach.

Peach (Prunus persica), a significant economic fruit tree in the Rosaceae family, is extensively cultivated in temperate and subtropical regions due to its abundant genetic diversity, robust adaptability, and high nutritional value. Originating from China over 4000 years ago, peaches were introduced to Persia through the Silk Road during the Han Dynasty and gradually spread to India, Greece, Rome, Egypt, Europe, and America. Currently grown in more than 80 countries worldwide, the expansion of peach cultivation in Egypt is mainly due to the development and utilization of peach varieties with low chilling requirements. These varieties exhibit unique phenotypic characteristics such as early maturity, reduced need for winter cold temperatures, low water requirements, and high economic value. In this study, a systematic analysis was conducted on the genetic characteristics and kinship relationships of peaches with low chilling requirements in Egypt. We conducted a comprehensive evolutionary and Identity-by-Descent (IBD) analysis on over 300 peach core germplasm resources, including Egyptian cultivars with low chilling requirements, to investigate their origin and genetic characteristics. The evolutionary analysis revealed that 'Bitter almond' is closely related to China's wild relative species Prunus tangutica Batal, while 'Early grand' shares one branch with Chinese ornamental peach cultivars, and 'Nemaguard' clusters with some ancient local varieties from China. The IBD analysis also indicated similar genetic backgrounds, suggesting a plausible origin from China. Similarly, the analysis suggested that 'Swelling' may have originated from the Czech Republic while 'Met ghamr' has connections to South Africa. 'Desert red', 'Early swelling', and 'Florida prince' are likely derived from Brazil. These findings provide valuable insights into the genetic characteristics of Egyptian peach cultivars. They offer a significant foundation for investigating the origin and spread of cultivated peaches worldwide and serve as a valuable genetic resource for breeding low chilling requirement cultivars, which is of considerable significance for the advancement of peach cultivation in Egypt.

Telomere-to-telomere genome assembly of sorghum

“Cuohu Bazi” (CHBZ) is an ancient sorghum variety collected from the fields of China, known for its agronomic traits like dwarf stature, early maturation. In this study, we present the first telomere-to-telomere (T2T) and gap-free genome assembly of CHBZ using PacBio HiFi reads, Oxford Nanopore Technologies, and Hi-C data. The assembled genome comprises 724.85 Mb, effectively resolving all 3,913 gaps that were present in the previous sorghum BTx623 reference genome. Notably, the T2T assembly captures 10 centromeres and all 20 telomeres, providing strong support for their integrity. This assembly is of high quality in terms of contiguity (contig N50: 71.1 Mb), completeness (BUSCO score: 99.01%, k-mer completeness: 98.88%), and correctness (QV: 61.60). Repetitive sequences accounted for 70.41% of the genome and a total of 32,855 protein-coding genes have been annotated. Furthermore, 161 CHBZ-specific presence/absence variants genes have been identified when comparing to BTx623 genome. This study provides valuable insights for future research on sorghum genetics, genomics, and evolutionary history.

Unraveling genetic, compositional, and organoleptic traits of elephant garlic of different geographical origins

The ancient native variety of elephant garlic, known as “Aglione della Valdichiana” and cultivated in the Valdichiana area of Tuscany, Italy, has gained recent recognition in the National Catalog of Local Varieties. The renewed interest in traditional products has led to a focus on identifying local varieties of elephant garlic, driven by their distinctive organoleptic and nutritional characteristics. However, other types of elephant garlic nowadays available on the market appear similar, but challenges exist in discerning their origin and composition. This study focused on characterizing elephant garlic from Lazio, Italy, and the Val di Chiana region through genetic, chemical, and aromatic analyses to understand genetic and geographic influences. ISSR markers differentiated elephant garlic from common varieties and highlighted regional genetic diversity. Chemical analysis revealed higher polyphenol content and antioxidant activity in elephant garlic compared to common garlic. Moreover, analysis highlights the variability in the concentrations of sulfur-containing compounds between common and elephant garlic. Aromatic and sensory assessments underscored distinctions between garlic types and regions, emphasizing the significant impact of geographic origin and genetic background on metabolite profiles in Allium genotypes.

Effect of Polyethylene Glycol-Simulated Drought Stress on Stomatal Opening in "Modern" and "Ancient" Wheat Varieties.

Climate change is leading to an increase in the intensity, duration, and frequency of severe droughts, especially in southern and southeastern Europe, thus aggravating water scarcity problems. Water deficit stress harms the growth, physiology, and yield of crops like durum wheat. Hence, studying ancient wheat varieties' stress responses could help identify genetic traits to enhance crop tolerance to environmental stresses. In this background, this study aimed to investigate the effects of PEG 6000-stimulated drought stress in the ancient wheat variety Saragolla and the modern one Svevo by analyzing various biochemical and molecular parameters that can especially condition the stomatal movement. Our data revealed that drought stress caused a significant increase in the levels of total soluble sugars, ABA, and IAA in both selected cultivars to a greater extent in the Saragolla than in the Svevo. We demonstrated that, under water deficit stress, calcium dynamics as well as the expression of ERF109, MAPK3/6, MYB60, and TaTPC1, involved in the activation of drought-related calcium-sensitive pathways, display significant differences between the two varieties. Therefore, our study provided further evidence regarding the ability of the ancient wheat variety Saragolla to better cope with drought stress compared to the modern variety Svevo.

Assessing the impact of wheat varieties and processing methods on diabetes risk: A systematic review

Diabetes mellitus remains a major global health challenge, with diet playing a critical role in both its management and prevention. Among dietary factors, wheat-based products are staple foods worldwide, yet their impact on diabetes risk is influenced by the variety of wheat and the methods used in its processing. This systematic review aims to synthesize existing research on how different wheat varieties and their processing methods affect the risk of diabetes. We conducted a comprehensive search of multiple databases, selecting studies that met predefined inclusion criteria focused on wheat characteristics and diabetes outcomes. Our review categorizes wheat varieties based on their genetic profiles and glycemic indices, and examines how traditional and modern processing methods, such as milling and fermentation, alter these properties and influence health outcomes. Preliminary findings suggest that whole grains and ancient wheat varieties often have lower glycemic responses compared to refined and genetically modified strains. Additionally, processes like stone grinding and fermentation have been shown to improve glycemic profiles and potentially lower diabetes risk. This review highlights significant gaps in current research, particularly in long-term clinical outcomes and comparisons of genetic variations. We discuss the implications for dietary guidelines and propose directions for future research to better understand and utilize wheat's nutritional potential in diabetes prevention.

Identification of genetically plastic forms among Belarusian ancient flax (Linum usitatissimum convar. elongatum Vav. et Ell.) varieties using the Linum Insertion Sequence LIS-1

The Linum Insertion Sequence 1 (LIS-1) occurs in the genetically plastic flax genotypes in response to the lack or excess of mineral and water nutrition, but also naturally, and can be transmitted to the progeny. We have analyzed 21 ancient Belarusian varieties of flax Linum usitatissimum convar. elongatum Vav. et Ell. The LIS-1 presence or absence was checked for individual plants in at minimum two generations with primer-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and agarose gel electrophoresis. The studied flax varieties formed four groups: non-responsive varieties (LIS-1 was not found, group NR); responsive, which formed and completely lost the insertion (group R0); responsive, which formed and retained LIS-1 (group R1); and responsive unstable (group R2). A statistically significant difference was found in ‘plant height’ (p < 0.05), ‘technical length of the stem’ (p < 0.05) between R0 and NR, and R2 and NR LIS-1 groups. The machine learning algorithm random forest classifier was used to predict the presence, absence or heterozygosity of LIS-1 in flax plants based on their growth and reproductive characteristics. As a result, the accuracy of the prediction was 98% on test data. In terms of sources for the selection of fibre flax varieties adaptive to environmental challenges, the most promising group consists of responsive varieties that have formed LIS-1 insertion (R0, R1 and R2 groups).

New Insights into the Production of Assyrtiko Wines from the Volcanic Terroir of Santorini Island Using Lachancea thermotolerans.

Assyrtiko is a rare ancient grape variety of Greece, which is known to produce Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Santorini white wines. Besides the famous character of the volcanic terroir, Assyrtiko of Santorini is also marked by a low pH value and sharp acidity. The aim of the present study was to apply a new inoculation procedure that modulates the fermentation process by maintaining the unique sensorial characteristics of Assyrtiko wines based on acidity. For this purpose, the Lachancea thermotolerans species, known for the formation of lactic acid, was tested in sequential fermentation with three different Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. At the end of the fermentation process, implantation control for S. cerevisiae strains (interdelta sequence profile analysis) was performed, oenological parameters were determined according to the OIV protocols, and the volatile compounds produced were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Finally, all produced wines were evaluated by quantitative descriptive analysis by two groups of experts; the Greek team of oenologists from Santorini Island specialized in Assyrtiko wines, and the French team of oenologists specialized in wine from Bordeaux. As expected, the inoculated strain was the one that dominated the fermentation process, but nine S. cerevisiae indigenous strains were also identified in the produced wines. Lachancea thermotolerans produced 1 g/L of lactic and also modulated the volatile profile of the wines independently of the S. cerevisiae strain used. The origin of the panelists played an important role in bringing up sensorial traits, such as acidity. Our results led to a new interesting application of L. thermotolerans for white wine production adapted to climate change claims.

Hedonic Analysis of Dried Pasta Prices Using E-Commerce Data-An Explorative Study.

Italy is the world leader in the production of pasta and the Italian market is characterized by strong price competition among large industrial producers. Thus, recently, many small and medium firms have started to differentiate their products as a way to achieve higher margins and escape from price competition. Using data on the prices and characteristics of dried pasta sold online in the Italian market and a hedonic price model, we estimated the implicit prices associated with several attributes that are currently available for dried pasta. We find that the "artisanal" statement on pasta labeling is associated with the highest price premium. Also, results show that protected geographical indication, Halal and Kosher certifications, and the use of ancient wheat varieties are valuable features of dried pasta sold in the Italian market. Instead, a positive, albeit limited in magnitude, price premium is associated with dried pasta made using 100% Italian durum wheat semolina, the organic method, enriched with additional ingredients. Findings suggest that producers can differentiate their products by mostly emphasizing their small-scale production methods, the territorial connotation, and the cultural and environmental sustainability of production. Otherwise, certifying dried pasta as Halal or Kosher can represent a complementary or alternative strategy to differentiate the product and achieve a higher price.

Characterization among and within Sicilian Tetraploid Wheat Landraces by Gluten Protein Analysis for Traceability Purposes.

The criteria of "Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability" as well as a high "overall quality index" are used to register the Italian modern varieties to the national register. Differently, local conservation varieties can be certified under different EU Directives that facilitate, as an overall objective, the preservation of biodiversity and the containment of genetic erosion. In recent years, products derived from ancient grains are perceived to be healthier and more sustainable by consumers, especially in Italy, with consequent higher market prices. The ancient tetraploid wheat varieties registered in the national register of conservation varieties amount to 28, 24 of which are Sicilian. They are supposed to have wide genetic variability compared to modern ones, making them vulnerable to fraud because they are difficult to trace. It is therefore important to have tools able to discriminate between autochthonous Sicilian varieties. This can be completed by gluten proteins composition, which also provides information on the technological properties of derived products. Fifty-one accessions belonging to twenty-two ancient varieties of Sicilian tetraploid (mostly durum) wheat were analyzed. Although wide intra-accession and intra-varietal variability measurements were assessed, the gliadin pattern of bulks of seeds belonging to each variety was discriminatory. Moreover, differences in technological attitudes were found between landraces. This paves the way to use gluten protein patterns for traceability, allowing local farmers and producers to valorize their products and assure consumers regarding the transparency of the entire supply chain.

Selection of Durum Wheat and SSR Markers for Organic Farming in Central Italy Using AMMI Analysis

Durum wheat is one of the main crops in the Mediterranean region, which is characterized as the hotspot of climate change, with large year-to-year weather fluctuations. Although chemical input reduction in agriculture is strongly demanded, as well as healthy food, there is still a lack of stable and high-yielding crop varieties specifically adapted for organic conditions. This study evaluates the performance of fifteen durum wheat varieties in terms of suitability for organic farming in central Italy and assesses the impact of the genotype–environment interaction (GEI) on productive and quality traits. Variety performance was evaluated in field experiments over four successive seasons. In addition, a genotypic diversity analysis of 38 microsatellites associated with traits important for organic farming was performed. The AMMI (additive main effects and multiplicative interaction) stability analysis revealed that the best and most stable genotype regarding quality traits, such as thousand-kernel weight, protein content, and test weight was the ancient variety, Senatore Cappelli. The most stable and high yield was determined for the Fuego, Iride, and Mv-Pelsodur genotypes. Moreover, SSR markers that could be used for plant breeding, targeting organic farming systems based on molecular markers and GEI results, were identified.

An overview of the red-fleshed apple: History and its importance for horticulturists, gardeners, nurserymen, and consumers

The present review summarizes the information on the botany, breeding, genetic features, cultivation, and nutraceutical values of red-fleshed apples. Malus sieversii var. niedzwetzkyana or Niedzwetzky’s apple became widely known after the publication of Georg Dieck in the last XIX century. It is characterized by anthocyanin coloration of all organs. Another source of red flesh is the ancient variety ‘Surprise’, which differs from the Niedzwetzky’s apple by a mutation in another gene. These two mutated genes, MYB10 and MYB110a, are located on chromosomes 9 and 17, respectively. Their expression correlated with the anthocyanin accumulation. In type 1 red-fleshed apples, which belong to the Niedzwetzky’s apple progeny, the transcription factor MYB10 confers extensive anthocyanin accumulation in fruit flesh and skin, flowers, leaves, and stems. In type 2 red-fleshed apples, the ‘Surprise’ progeny, only the flesh is red, determined by the transcription factor MYB110а. A new combination Malus domestica f. niedzwetzkyana comb. nov. has been proposed for orchard apples, originated from Niedzwetzky’s apple. The apple cultivars which are progeny of Niedzwetzky’s apple and ‘Surprise’ apple can be placed to Malus Niedzwetzkyana Group and Malus Surprise Group, respectively. All red-fleshed cultivars of orchard apple can be grouped together into Malus domestica Red Flesh Group. Many dozens of new ornamental apple trees have been developed for of European and North American conditions, including the most famous red-flowered centennial apple varieties such ‘Aldenhamensis’, ‘Lemoinei’, ‘Makamik’, and ‘Oekonomierat Echtermeyer’. Rootstocks ‘MB’, ‘PB9’, ‘54-118’, ‘62-396’ and others have become popular in nurseries for the propagation of dwarf and semi-dwarf apple trees thanks to their red leaves, which are useful when removing scion shoots from budded plants. In the F3-F4 and next generation, the new high-quality red-fleshed cultivars have been developed by crossing both Niedzwetzky’s apple and ‘Surprise’ apple with the best orchard apple varieties. Marker-assisted breeding shows great promise for accelerating the development of new red-fleshed cultivars with outstanding traits. The use of the Redlove®, Red Moon®, Kissabel®, and Lucy™ apples brands will ensure the red-fleshed apples’ best path to the consumer as well as the fruit quality and production volume of these novelties. Increasing the consumption of red-fleshed apples is essential for a healthy diet.

Evaluation of the intra-varietal diversity of ‘Tempranillo Tinto’ clones prospected in the demarcated winemaking region of Rioja (Spain)

The sustainability of traditional viticulture systems is compromised by different threats, like those derived from climate change. The use of alternative grapevine varieties is suggested as a possible solution, but different regulations limit this practice in many well-known winemaking regions. In these cases, the exploitation of clonal diversity emerges as a useful alternative of adaptation. Here, 30 ‘Tempranillo Tinto’ clones selected from a grapevine collection of 729 clones initially prospected in the demarcated winemaking region of Rioja (Spain) have been studied. The characterization of 27 traits related to phenology, agronomic performance, and oenological potential during three consecutive seasons revealed a high intra-varietal phenotypic spectrum, of interest to adapt to different growing conditions and needs. Interestingly, this diversity was markedly higher to that observed in a series of commercial clones used as controls. Further analyses revealed their clustering into four groups of clones with significant phenotypic differences. We identified a group of clones with late ripening and long veraison-to-harvest periods, of special interest to respond to projected warming conditions. In general, we proved that old vineyards in traditional winemaking regions are reservoirs of clonal diversity for ancient grapevine varieties like ‘Tempranillo Tinto’, which store useful traits to address current and future viticulture challenges.

Unmanned-Aerial-Vehicle Data as an Effective Tool for the Evaluation of Ancient Khorasan and Modern Kabot Spring Wheat Varieties under Different Tillage Systems

With the changing climate, there is an increasing emphasis on drought-resistant varieties, including the ability to maintain quality production. As there is also interest in ancient wheat varieties, the aim of this study was to evaluate the growth parameters of the ancient Khorasan (Kamut®) and modern Kabot spring wheat varieties using remote sensing data. Images from unmanned aerial vehicles during four growing seasons were processed. Based on vegetation indices, the growth of these varieties and their response to meteorological conditions were evaluated, as well as the ability to resist drought and higher temperatures with respect to specific soil conditions under conventional (CT), minimum (MTC), and minimization (MTD) tillage systems. It was found that Khorasan had the lowest values of the vegetation indices on the CT variant in the dry years 2022 and 2023. On the contrary, in the previous wet years, 2020 and 2021, both varieties showed similar results. Regarding water stress, the CT variant was also the least suitable for ancient Khorasan (average Crop Water Stress Index = CWSI = 0.38). On the contrary, this variant seems to be suitable for the modern Kabot variety (CWSI = 0.29), while no significant difference between tillage variants was found for this variety. In general, water stress was easily detectable from the observed parameters in the growth phase of stem elongation (R2 up to 0.88). Regarding the individual methods of tillage and water stress, the ancient variety Khorasan performed the worst with the CT variant. MTD appeared to be the best tillage method for Khorasan cultivation in terms of water management.