Noodles were prepared by replacing wheat flour with 0%-25% Sedum aizoon L. (FSAL) powder, and the effects of FSAL addition on dough rheology, gluten structure, noodle quality, descriptive sensory attributes, antioxidant activity, and in vitro starch digestibility were investigated. In parallel, gluten proteins were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, intrinsic fluorescence, SDS-PAGE, surface hydrophobicity, sulfhydryl/disulfide content, and noncovalent interaction analysis. The data indicated that FSAL markedly affected starch thermal transitions, with retrogradation enthalpy decreasing from 9.5J/g for the control sample to 5.8J/g after FSAL incorporation. Moderate FSAL addition improved several cooking and textural quality attributes, and the FSAL20 sample exhibited a relatively balanced descriptive sensory profile, with high perceived intensities of hardness, elasticity, chewiness, taste, and aroma. At elevated inclusion levels, however, disruption of the gluten network was observed, indicative of weakened protein organization and a decline in cooking, textural, and sensory quality attributes. FSAL also enhanced the antioxidant capacity of noodles, with DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities increasing from 42% and 12% in the control to 63% and 80%, respectively, at 25% FSAL addition. In vitro digestion showed that resistant starch increased from 49% to 63%, whereas rapidly digestible starch decreased from 33% to 12%. Collectively, these results indicate that FSAL influences noodle quality primarily by altering gluten conformation and intermolecular interactions within the dough matrix. The present results support the use of FSAL powder as an effective functional component in cereal products, and a 20% inclusion level achieved a suitable balance between the descriptive sensory attribute profile and functional benefits. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Appropriate incorporation of Sedum aizoon L. powder improves noodle texture, antioxidant capacity, and dietary fiber enrichment while reducing starch digestibility in vitro. These results support the development of functional noodle products with enhanced nutritional value and potential commercial application.

Avena fatua (wild oat), a globally invasive weed threatening cereal production, has evolved herbicide resistance, complicating field management. A previous study identified an Australian resistant population (R1) with moderate resistance to the acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase)-inhibiting herbicide fenoxaprop-P-ethyl via nontarget-site resistance (NTSR). RNA-seq revealed that a glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene, AfGSTU16, was upregulated in R1. Transgenic rice overexpressing AfGSTU16 (AfGSTU16-OE) exhibited an enhanced tolerance to fenoxaprop-P-ethyl. However, in vitro assays of recombinant AfGSTU16 in Escherichia coli showed no metabolic activity toward fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, indicating resistance independent of direct herbicide degradation. Alternatively, AfGSTU16-OE rice accumulated lower hydrogen peroxide levels and displayed higher antioxidant enzyme activities under herbicide stress. Transcriptome analysis further showed enrichment in xenobiotic detoxification and antioxidant defense pathways. Collectively, these findings suggest that AfGSTU16 confers fenoxaprop-P-ethyl resistance in the wild oat mainly by enhancing antioxidant capacity to alleviate herbicide-induced oxidative damage rather than via direct herbicide metabolic degradation.

A Faustian Bargain? Commoning under market conditions: The case of A cereal producer cooperative in a Swiss Alpine Region

Grasses, including major cereal crops, associate with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi to varying degrees depending on environmental conditions. Understanding mechanisms driving this environment-induced variation in mycorrhization, i.e. plant AM plasticity, is necessary to predict grass-mycorrhizal responses to global change factors, such as nutrient enrichment, and to resolve the role of AM symbiosis in cereal crop production. We compared AM plasticity in four cereal crops by testing the effect of nitrogen (N) fertilization on AM colonization and root PLFA 16:1ω5 concentration. To assess whether mycorrhization patterns reflect root functional traits, we compared specific root length among species. To determine whether plants regulate AM colonization qualitatively (by selectively associating with certain AM taxa) or quantitatively (by collectively suppressing colonization across taxa), we investigated directional shifts and variability in AM community structure in response to N fertilization. AM colonization varied between cereal species and was reduced by N fertilization, but we found limited evidence for interspecific differences in AM plasticity. Winter wheat appeared less AM responsive and associated more with uncultured AM fungi compared to the three spring-sown cereal species, oat, spring wheat and spring barley. Fertilization did not affect AM community composition, and within-species variation in AM community β-dispersion did not covary with variation in AM colonization or PLFA 16:1ω5 concentration. These results support the view that host plants regulate arbuscular mycorrhization quantitatively rather than through taxonomic selectivity. We propose AM plasticity as a plant-mycorrhizal trait to be used for more accurate predictions of plant environmental responses in eco-physiological and agroecological research.

Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS), where seeds germinate on panicles before harvest under humid conditions, is a serious global issue in cereal crop production, including rice. Fine-mapping of the previously reported chromosome 4 locus identified OsERF94 as a strong candidate gene for functional validation. In this study, we investigated the role of OsERF94 in PHS using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. The CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis of OsERF94 induced frameshift mutations, resulting in a loss-of-function of OsERF94 in the 1-I-ET and 2-D-ET lines. The 1-I-ET and 2-D-ET lines exhibited significantly higher germination rates under PHS conditions compared to the wild type, indicating increased susceptibility to PHS. Whole-genome re-sequencing confirmed that few or no mutations could be detected at off-target candidate sites in both edited lines, ensuring the precision of the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. A transcriptome analysis revealed altered expression patterns of several GA-related genes, including OsLOL1, OsKO3, OsGA3ox2, and OsGA2ox5 in the OsERF94 mutant lines. The up-regulation of GA biosynthetic genes and the down-regulation of GA deactivation genes observed in both the OsERF94 mutant lines suggest possible alterations in GA metabolism during the early stages of PHS. Transient luciferase reporter assays using a single-luciferase system suggested that OsERF94 may be associated with changes in the promoter activities of several GA- and ethylene-related genes. These findings suggest that OsERF94 may contribute to the regulation of PHS, potentially through moderation of GA- and ethylene-related pathways. Overall, this study improves our understanding of the molecular role of OsERF94 in PHS and highlights its potential as a target for the genetic improvement of PHS resistance in rice-breeding programs.

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) offer a promising avenue for sustainable cereal crop production, yet the conserved molecular mechanisms underlying their interactions with major crop plants remain poorly characterized. Transcriptomic studies on PGPB-treated wheat and rice differ substantially in experimental conditions, complicating the identification of reproducible host-response signatures. Here, we re-analyzed raw RNA-Seq data from eight independent PGPB-inoculation studies in root tissues of Oryza sativa and Triticum aestivum using a standardized bioinformatics pipeline. Cross-species ortholog mapping, applied post hoc to independently computed DEG lists, identified 69 differentially expressed (DE) orthologs with conserved expression patterns across diverse PGPB-cereal combinations. These genes encode transporters, metabolic enzymes, transcription factors, and defense-related signaling proteins, and are enriched in pathways including plant-pathogen interaction, MAPK signaling, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Protein-protein interaction network analysis identified hub genes - including CHS1, AHT1, TBT1, PHT3, 4-coumarate-CoA ligase, B7F9W3, and A0A0P0W4Y6 - as potential molecular markers of PGPB responsiveness in cereals. This study provides both conserved candidate genes and a methodological framework for comparative transcriptomics of plant-microbe interactions across heterogeneous datasets.

Spatio-temporal variability of compound drought heatwave events (CDHEs) in Australian agricultural regions and their impacts on cereal crops.

Drying is a critical step in the precooking process of instant cereal production. This study compared the effects of hot air drying (HAD) and infrared drying (IRD)—conducted at 40, 50, 60, and 70 °C—on the drying characteristics and quality attributes of microwave-pretreated (MWP) coix seed. The results showed that drying time was significantly reduced as the drying temperature increased. HAD exhibited a high initial drying rate but often caused surface case-hardening due to rapid superficial moisture evaporation, whereas IRD enabled more uniform internal moisture migration and better preserved the loose internal structure. Activation energies were 21.47 kJ/mol for HAD and 28.75 kJ/mol for IRD, and the two-term model best described both drying curves. Quality analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) jointly confirmed that IRD at 60 °C yielded the most favorable balance of physical properties and cooking characteristics. Collectively, IRD demonstrates superior applicability to HAD for drying MWP coix seed.

Multi-scale analysis of brown seaweed fortified pasta on structural, functional, nutraceutical, sensorial and volatilomic attributes.

Mycotoxins remain a persistent threat to the safety and quality of cereal grains and other agricultural products, and their impact on human health continues to raise global concerns. In many situations, the practices traditionally used to control these toxins are no longer sufficiently effective. They can be costly, difficult to implement on a large scale, and, in some cases, create environmental drawbacks. As cereal products move through the supply chain, the need for faster and more sensitive detection tools, more reliable detoxification options, and practical postharvest preventive measures has become increasingly clear. This review scrutinizes recent advances in biotechnology- and nanotechnology-based approaches, focusing on their superior environmental sustainability compared to classical methods. Specifically, it evaluates how nanoparticle-assisted biosensors and advanced spectroscopic techniques significantly enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of mycotoxin monitoring systems. Biological and nanocatalytic detoxification methods, which provide milder and more environmentally friendly modes of action, are also discussed. In addition, advances in active and smart packaging are considered, especially their potential to limit fungal growth and prevent recontamination during storage and distribution. Taken together, these developments suggest that combining high-performance analytical tools with emerging bio-nano solutions could support more effective and sustainable mycotoxin management throughout the cereal supply chain. © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Intracellular immune receptors protect plants from microbial invasion by detecting and responding to pathogen-derived effector molecules, often triggering cell death responses. However, pathogen effectors can evolve to avoid immune recognition, resulting in devastating diseases that threaten global agriculture. Here, we show that an integrated Exo70 domain from the barley intracellular nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) RGH2 can interact with both the rice blast pathogen effector AVR-Pii and a closely related wheat blast causing variant. We used structure-led engineering to develop RGH2+ that shows increased binding affinity toward AVR-Pii variants and increased cell death responses on heterologous expression in Nicotiana benthamiana. Infection assays in transgenic barley lines carrying RGH2+ with the paired NLR RGH3 indicate a reduced susceptibility to blast strains expressing AVR-Pii variants. These results demonstrate the potential of engineering NLR receptors as an effective strategy for improving resistance toward one of the most destructive diseases affecting cereal production.

Spikelets represent a key innovation of grasses (Poaceae) with their arrangements in the inflorescence determining cereal yield. Genetic mechanisms underlying spikelet development were mainly investigated in the core grasses. Representing an early-diverging grass lineage, Pharus bears the first evolved spikelets with primitive traits and unisexual flowers, making it ideal for exploring this issue. Here, we generated a comprehensive transcriptome atlas of inflorescence and spikelet development in Pharus latifolius, supported by an improved genome assembly. Six key developmental stages were identified for transcriptomic analyses, revealing dynamic expression programs primarily associated with meristem fate determination at early stages and organ specification later. Particularly, we identified conserved and lineage-specific transcriptional regulators playing key roles in the Pharus sexual differentiation through retention of paralogs and divergent expression. By bridging the knowledge gap between early-diverging and core grasses, our results shed new insights into the spikelet origin and provided valuable data for functional research on cereal grain production.

In this study, an acid-tolerant and high-fermentation performance strain of Kazachstania humilis (K. humilis 3-8) was screened from sourdough isolates and co-cultured with Fructilactobacillus sanfranciscensis (F. sanfranciscensis 5) to prepare liquid sourdough, which was further applied in mantou production. The effects on physicochemical properties, nutritional characteristics, and microbial interactions were investigated. K. humilis 3-8 exhibited strong gas production and acid tolerance, achieving a dough volume increase of 72.19% after 3 h fermentation. In co-culture, F. sanfranciscensis 5 maintained stable growth, while its metabolites significantly inhibited the growth of K. humilis 3-8 during mid-fermentation. The co-fermented dough showed decreased pH and increased total titratable acidity. Metabolomic analysis indicated enhanced carbohydrate metabolism and amino acid metabolism, suggesting carbon–nitrogen metabolic interactions between the two strains. When applied to Mantou production, the optimized co-culture system substantially enhanced product functionality, increasing resistant starch content by 76.7% (from 23.02% to 40.68%). Total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were markedly enhanced. These findings elucidate complex microbial interactions governing sourdough ecosystems and establish a scientific foundation for the targeted improvement of traditional fermented cereal products through rational strain selection and process optimization.

ABSTRACT Agriculture is one of the primary drivers of economic activity in Burkina Faso. However, agricultural productivity faces several risks, most notably land tenure insecurity, which might undermine the adoption of effective farming practices. This study aims to assess the effect of land tenure insecurity on the adoption of agroforestry in Burkina Faso. To this end, a linear regression model with an endogenous treatment effect was applied using data from 1807 rural households, collected as part of the second national land management programme for the 2016/2017 agricultural season. The results indicate that perceived land tenure insecurity significantly discourages the adoption of agroforestry. In contrast, both formal and informal land rights help reduce this insecurity and consequently promote the uptake of agroforestry practices. Advancing sustainable agriculture, and agroforestry in particular, requires securing land tenure by facilitating easier access to title deeds. Implementing policies that issue low-cost land titles and formalize property rights would not only strengthen land tenure security but also encourage broader agroforestry adoption in Burkina Faso. KEY POLICY HIGHLIGHTS Land tenure security is essential for the adoption of agroforestry, as perceived insecurity hinders its uptake and obstructs sustainable agricultural transformation. Strengthening both formal and informal land rights through recognition and protection reduces land tenure insecurity and increases farmers’ willingness to adopt sustainable agricultural practices such as agroforestry. Streamlined and low-cost land registration policies can enhance land tenure security and foster the adoption of agroforestry.

Immature rice is a distinctive cereal product widely consumed in Asian countries due to its natural green color, soft texture, unique flavor, and high nutritional value. However, its fragile structure and pigment sensitivity create significant processing challenges. This study investigates the effects of infrared (IR) roasting temperature (550–650 °C) and time (20–40 min) on the physicochemical, nutritional, and cooked-rice qualities of immature rice (Oryza sativa L., cv. RD6). A two-factor study with three level of factorials was designed and response surface methodology (RSM) was used to evaluate roasting variables and to identify optimal processing conditions (p ≤ 0.05). Increasing roasting severity decreased rice yield, moisture content, water activity, and chlorophyll content, while promoting grain darkening, increasing phenolic content, and enhancing cooked-rice expansion and hardness. Several responses exhibited significant linear and quadratic relationships with roasting conditions, with model coefficients of determination (R2) ranging from 0.676 to 0.829. Multi-response optimization using desirability analysis identified the optimal roasting condition as 650 °C for 20 min, which produced predicted values that closely matched experimental validation (p > 0.05). These results demonstrate that IR roasting provides an effective green-energy processing approach for producing value-added immature rice while maintaining desirable color, nutritional properties, and cooked-rice texture.

Yield constraints in Ethiopia’s cereal production systems

To quantify ultra-processed food (UPF) intake in Scotland, identify key contributing food groups and examine sociodemographic associations using nationally representative data. Cross-sectional analysis of 2021 Scottish Health Survey data using 2-d dietary recalls via Intake24 classified by NOVA. UPF intake was calculated as percentage of total energy intake (%TEI) and grams per day (g/d). Multivariable linear regression assessed associations with sex, age, ethnicity, income, socio-economic classification, highest educational qualification, urban-rural location, region and Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintiles. Nationally representative sample of Scottish households. Individuals aged 16 years or over with complete dietary and sociodemographic data (n 2645). Mean energy intake was 1637·8 kcal/d (95 % CI 1615·8, 1659·8). Mean UPF consumption was 666·9 g/d (95 % CI 647·9, 685·9), amounting to 919·9 kcal/d (95 % CI 901·1, 938·6), representing 55·4 % of TEI (95 % CI 54·7, 56·2) and 28·2 % of total food weight. The main contributors to UPF intake were cereal products (244·8 kcal/d, 27·0 % of UPF kcal), confectionery (170·3 kcal/d, 17·9 %) and meats (153·6 kcal/d, 16·2 %). Sandwiches (99·9 % UPF), salty snacks (94·1 %) and dietary supplements (90·5 %) showed highest UPF proportions by food groups. Adjusted analyses revealed greater UPF consumption (%TEI) among males (β = -3·3, P < 0·001), younger adults (β = -2·8 per decade, P < 0·001), White participants (β = +12·9 v. non-White, P < 0·001) and lower SIMD quintile (β = -1·8 per quintile, P < 0·001). Similar patterns emerged for absolute intake (g/d). UPF dominates Scotland's diet, with inequitable distribution across sociodemographic groups. Policy actions - such as adopting NOVA in dietary guidelines and restricting UPF marketing - are urgently needed to address this public health crisis.

Fusarium graminearum, the causal agent of Fusarium head blight, poses a serious threat to global cereal production and food safety due to severe mycotoxin contamination. Here, we report that Spampcin56-86, a marine antimicrobial peptide from Scylla paramamosain, exhibits potent antifungal activity by rapidly inhibiting spore germination and mycelial growth of F. graminearum. Mechanistically, the peptide disrupts fungal cell membrane integrity, leading to extensive leakage of intracellular contents. Concurrently, it induces lethal reactive oxygen species accumulation and membrane lipid peroxidation, triggering a compensatory chitin stress response. Importantly, Spampcin56-86 markedly suppresses deoxynivalenol (DON) biosynthesis through transcriptional interference with the TRI gene cluster. In planta assays further demonstrate that the peptide delivers robust therapeutic protection against foliar infections and effectively prevents wheat grain spoilage during storage, without causing phytotoxicity. Collectively, these findings highlight Spampcin56-86 as a promising, safe, and dual-action natural biocontrol agent for managing F. graminearum and mitigating mycotoxin risks.

Plant proteins can meet dietary needs when properly combined, but individuals who avoid legumes, tofu, or tempeh may struggle to maintain adequate protein intake. Some may turn to ultraprocessed foods, reducing their intake of fiber-rich, micronutrient-dense protein sources and increasing exposure to additives and processing-derived contaminants. These factors can disrupt the nutritional exposome, referring to the totality of dietary exposure that an individual faces throughout life. To evaluate whether the food industry addresses these issues, we analyzed the nutrition labels of 240protein-fortified bread and pasta products from 29 countries across diverse geographic regions. Although protein fortification can improve amino acid balance, increase dietary fiber, lower glycemic response, and increase satiety, its potential is limited by the excessive reliance on functional but lysine-poor gluten, the presence of antinutritional factors, and technological, economic, or cultural barriers to incorporating more diverse plant-protein sources. Strategic ingredient blending, precision processing, and AI-assisted formulation approaches are new tools poised to help produce nutritionally balanced, safe, and sustainable cereal products aligned with plant-forward diets.

Agriculture remains central to India’s economy, with rice–wheat systems playing a key role in food security, especially in regions like Chhattisgarh, the “Rice Bowl of India.” However, despite large cultivation areas, low rice productivity highlights a significant gap that presents both a challenge and an opportunity for improving agricultural output. This study presents a comprehensive spatiotemporal analysis of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield dynamics across three sampling areas or blocks like (Aarang, Rasni and Lakholi) in Raipur District during the period 2015-2024. Using historical yield records, Crop Cutting Experiment (CCE) data and farmer-reported yield information, we employed rigorous statistical analyses including ANOVA, independent samples t-tests, correlation analysis and regression modeling to evaluate yield trends, regional variations and the impact of agricultural practices. Our findings reveal significant yield improvements over the study period, with rice yields increasing from 2,641.1 kg/ha (2015) to 3,519.5 kg/ha (2024), representing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.24%. Wheat yields demonstrated similar positive trends, rising from 3,079.1 kg/ha to 4,002.4 kg/ha (CAGR: 2.96%). Statistical analyses confirmed significant differences between improved and traditional farming practices (p &lt; 0.001), with productivity gaps of 14.89% for rice and 15.76% for wheat. Regional ANOVA indicated non-significant differences among blocks for both crops (Rice: F = 0.92, p = 0.411; Wheat: F = 0.87, p = 0.429), suggesting homogeneous agro-climatic conditions. Correlation analysis identified year (r = 0.95 for rice, r = 0.92 for wheat) and rainfall (r = 0.68 for rice) as significant yield determinants. The study underscores the potential for yield enhancement through technology adoption and provides evidence-based recommendations for sustainable intensification of cereal production in central India.