The potato production in semi-arid regions is often hampered by extreme temperatures, high solar radiation, and low soil fertility, which reduce photosynthetic performance and nutrient absorption. Therefore, it is crucial to identify cultivars that can tolerate such conditions without compromising their yield for sustainable production. To address this challenge, a two-year field trial (2023-2025) was conducted at the Horticulture Experimental Area of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Six commercial potato cultivars, including Sante, Musica, Sadaf, Lady Rosetta, Berna, and Kuroda, were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The experimental site was characterized by sandy loam soil and moderate salinity in irrigation water. Measurements were taken on morphological, chlorophyll fluorescence, and nutrient uptake attributes and subjected to ANOVA to determine significant genotypic differences (p ≤ 0.05). Results revealed that cultivar Sadaf produced 25-80% higher tuber yield, and 5-30% greater nitrogen, while 20-60% greater phosphorus-uptake efficiency compared to the rest of cultivars. Musica also demonstrated a stable performance; however, Sante and Berna were constrained in physiological adaptability and nutrient-uptake efficiency. Principal component and cluster analyses confirmed these patterns, grouping Sadaf and Musica with favorable traits and placing Sante and Berna with stress-linked parameters. The improved performance in Sadaf might be linked with enhanced PSII quantum yield, proton flux, and chlorophyll content, indicating improved light energy utilization and nutrient assimilation. The study highlights developing climate-resilient and input-efficient cultivars for sustainable cultivation in semi-arid ecosystems.

Brassica juncea is a widely cultivated leafy vegetable species in Northeast Asia, including Korea, Japan, and China. Under shade conditions, B. juncea exhibits shade avoidance syndrome (SAS), which negatively impacts its market quality. However, B. juncea is cultivated in diverse climates worldwide, including regions with frequent foggy days, highlighting the need to understand its adaptation to shade conditions to improve cultivation quality. To investigate the relationship between SAS phenotypes and environmental factors, including daylength, precipitation, and temperature, we analyzed 30 clones and six commercial cultivars of B. juncea. After 7 days of growth, all six commercial cultivars exhibited a canonical SAS response, with hypocotyl length increasing by 3.25- to 5.18-fold under dim light compared to white light conditions. Among the 30 clones, shade responsiveness varied widely, with hypocotyl elongation ranging from 1.42- to 8.54-fold change. A simple correlation analysis revealed that environmental factors were not highly correlated with shade responsiveness due to their complex interactions. To address this, we applied six machine learning models and found that the random forest algorithm provided the most accurate predictions of environmental influences on hypocotyl length. Using this model, we identified daylength, precipitation, and temperature as key environmental factors contributing to SAS phenotypes in B. juncea. Our findings not only identify clones that can be cultivated under low-light conditions with reduced SAS effects but also establish a link between SAS phenotypes and natural environmental conditions. These insights provide a foundation for future breeding strategies to improve shade adaptation in B. juncea.

Identification and characterization of key aroma chemotypes and volatile biomarkers by HS-SPME-GC-MS for precision flavor breeding in blueberries.

Integration of inter-simple sequence repeats with machine learning approach for diversity analysis and authentication of Iranian cotton cultivars.

Strawberries ( Fragaria ×ananassa ) are highly sought-after fruit because of their flavor, color, and nutritional benefits. The balance of the soluble solids content (SSC) and titratable acidity (Tacid) contribute to the overall strawberry taste and perceived sweetness, while the total monomeric anthocyanin content (TMAC) is the primary basis for fruit color. Although North Carolina has an active strawberry breeding program to develop genotypes adapted to the South Atlantic region of the United States, parental germplasm has not been characterized. In this study, a greenhouse collection of fruit from 268 commercial cultivars and advanced breeding lines was used to characterize fruit composition diversity. Strawberry genotypes (all octoploids) were separated into four distinct clusters based on fruit composition profiles and multivariate analysis results. Genotypes in cluster 1 exhibited the lowest SSC (7.0%), Tacid (0.72%), and TMAC (31.22 mg/100 g), whereas cluster 2 had the second lowest %SSC and %Tacid and highest TMAC (54.57 mg/100 g). Cluster 3 was characterized by high SSC (10.3%) and pH (3.66), and fruit from cluster 4 had the highest average Tacid (1.21%) and lowest pH (3.43). Genotypes from Florida were found in the same cluster, while California genotypes were split among clusters 1 and 2. The first principal components (PCs; PC1 and PC2) accounted for 64.88% of the total variance within total fruit composition, with pH and Tacid contributing to PC1 (91.1%), SSC contributing to PC2 (71.1%), and TMAC associated with PC3 (77.4%). These differences in fruit composition among genotypes in the North Carolina core germplasm collection will be useful in the determination of future crosses in the breeding program.

Downy mildew, caused by the obligate pathogen Peronospora effusa, can have a devastating economic impact on spinach production. Growing resistant cultivars is the most economical way to manage this disease and the only viable management practice for organic spinach production. However, rapidly emerging races or novel strains may result in a breakdown of the resistance deployed. It is therefore critical to monitor the population dynamics of P. effusa and to determine the disease reactions of newly released cultivars to the new races and novel strains. In this study, 74 isolates of P. effusa were examined for their pathogenicity on differential host cultivars, resulting in the identification of three new races and 18 novel strains with unique virulence pathotypes. Of those identified, race 19 of P. effusa could infect many widely grown cultivars with resistance to P. effusa races 1 to 17. Targeted sequencing of DNA isolated from lesions of P. effusa race 19 isolates revealed genetic variations among isolates and within isolates of P. effusa race 19. The isolates showed either no genetic variation (only one genotype was found from multiple lesions of an isolate tested), limited, or abundant genetic variation (multiple genotypes were found within an isolate tested). Additionally, 70 commercial spinach cultivars were tested with two P. effusa races, 18 and 19, and four novel strains. The results of this study are helpful for growers in selecting suitable cultivars for production and for breeders in developing downy mildew-resistant cultivars.

Sudden death syndrome (SDS) is a major disease that affects soybean (Glycine max) production, primarily caused by the soil-borne fungus, Fusarium virguliforme in North America. Understanding the interactions among soybeans, F. virguliforme, and microorganisms in the soil near the vicinity of roots can provide microbial candidates for SDS management. The objective of this study was to elucidate the role of rhizosphere microbial composition and activity, both in the presence and absence of F. virguliforme, across two commercial soybean cultivars with differing susceptibility to SDS. Bacterial and fungal community dynamics were assessed using full-length 16S rRNA and Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS1) sequencing, respectively. Microbial activity was further evaluated with an optimized metatranscriptome workflow. The analysis revealed that SDS-tolerant soybeans recruit microbes with growth-promoting and biocontrol potential, such as members of the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Trichoderma, Mortierella, and Talaromyces, when exposed to F. virguliforme. This distinct microbial recruitment strategy in response to F. virguliforme could provide the ability for soybeans to survive under pathogen stress. In contrast, pathogen inoculation reduced the abundance and activity of the nitrogen-fixing Bradyrhizobium spp. These findings suggest that selective recruitment of beneficial microbes likely contributes to SDS tolerance, while pathogen pressure compromises symbiotic nitrogen fixation. The results highlight candidate taxa and interactions for developing synthetic microbial communities to support SDS management. The information generated from this study is useful for assembling a combined synthetic microbial community and testing.

ABSTRACT Drought events can have a devastating impact on agriculture, and due to climate change, such extreme events are expected to become more frequent. Sugarcane plays a critical role in the Brazilian economy by producing sugar and bioethanol, contributing positively to the reduction of CO2 emissions. Although sugarcane is considered resilient to drought, this stress remains the primary abiotic factor reducing sugar and biomass yields. Here, we describe the role of a sugarcane gene, ScTpx2, which is induced by drought in sugarcane leaves under field conditions. When overexpressed in Arabidopsis, ScTpx2 enhanced plant survival under extreme water deficit and improved performance under mild stress conditions, which better represent field scenarios. We subsequently overexpressed the ScTpx2 gene in sugarcane plants. After 10 days of water deficit at 30% field capacity in a greenhouse, net photosynthesis in ScTpx2-overexpressing lines (ScTpx2OE) was 12–23% higher than in wild-type plants. While malondialdehyde (MDA) content, a marker of oxidative stress, increased by 129% in wild-type plants under water deficit, in ScTpx2OE plants, the increase ranged from 20% to 107%. Additionally, the vascular bundles and xylem areas were larger in ScTpx2OE compared to WT. These findings suggest that the ScTpx2 protein influences the development of the vascular system, thereby improving water transport efficiency. Our results demonstrate that overexpression of the ScTpx2 gene mitigates the effects of water deficit in sugarcane, offering promising opportunities for biotechnological applications in developing drought-tolerant commercial cultivars.

Crown rust, caused by Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae (Pca), remains a persistent threat to oat production in Australia. To monitor recent shifts in virulence and population structure, 30 Pca isolates collected during the 2024 growing season across major Australian oat-producing regions were analysed. Virulence analysis of 30 isolates using 52 oat differential lines identified 25 unique races that were not detected in previous years. Whole-genome sequencing of 28 of these isolates were analysed in the context of a broader historical Australian and international genomic datasets including isolates from Taiwan, South Africa, USA. Results confirmed the uniqueness of the Australian Pca population and revealed well-established genotypic lineages persisting over multiple years, with L18 and L16 being dominant. Notably, L16 was again present in Western Australia after being undetected in 2023, while L18 maintained its prevalence for a third consecutive season. Beyond these dominant groups, phylogenetic analysis and a k-mer containment analysis also identified a novel and genetically distinct lineage, designated as L19, represented by one isolate collected in WA. To add to the characterisation of lineage L19, we recorded virulence phenotypes on a small collection of current commercial cultivars. These findings enhance understanding of Pca diversity and emphasise the importance of surveillance approaches that integrate phenotypic and genomic surveillance.

Phenolic compounds and multifunctional properties of thinned apples: revalorizing fruit by-products for industrial applications

Objective: To increase the protein content of two commercial prickly pear cultivars, fermenting and adding some components, in order to complement the diet of ruminants in areas whose conditions impose limitations upon agriculture. Design/Methodology/Approach: A randomized complete bock design and a factorial treatment arrangement were used to test two prickly pears cultivars (Cristalino (Opuntia albicarpa) and Rojo Pelón (Opuntia ficus-indica)), two particle sizes (chopped and blended), and two non-protein nitrogen (NPN) sources and their combination (1 % urea, 0.1 % ammonium sulfate, and urea + ammonium sulfate). The substrates were fermented for 9 h. One percent yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and 0.25 % Saccharum spp. treacle were added to the substrates. Results: The levels of the tested factors recorded significant differences (p<0.05). The “Cristalino” cv, the “blended” particle size, and the “urea plus ammonium sulfate” NPN had the highest protein content (CP): 29.9 %, 33.5 %, and 37.7 %, respectively. The treatment with the highest CP (46.1 %) used the Cristalino cv, blended particles, and urea plus ammonium sulfate. Study Limitations/Implications: The study faced no limitations. Findings/Conclusions: Fermenting prickly pears is a nutritious option to feed ruminants.

Adventitious shoot regeneration is an essential prerequisite for the application of biotechnological tools such as CRISPR-Cas in woody fruit crops. Nonetheless, many Prunus species exhibit strong recalcitrance to in vitro regeneration. Light quality has emerged as an important environmental factor influencing morphogenic responses under in vitro conditions. In this study, the effect of different LED light spectra on adventitious shoot regeneration was evaluated in three peach-related genotypes: the commercial peach cultivar ‘Siroco 5’ (Prunus persica L.) and the hybrid rootstocks ‘GF677’ and ‘Garnem’ (P. persica × P. dulcis). Callus explants derived from the basal region of in vitro proliferation cultures were exposed for 30 days to five LED light treatments: white (control), blue, red + far-red, mixed (red + far-red + blue), and sequential LED light. Regeneration efficiency was assessed through the frequency of organogenic callus formation (FOC), the number of regenerated shoots per explant, the organogenic rate, and the fresh weight of the regenerated explants. While FOC was consistently high across genotypes and light treatments, shoot regeneration was significantly influenced by both genotype and light spectrum. The hybrid rootstocks exhibited a higher regeneration capacity than the commercial cultivar under most conditions. Red + far-red LED light promoted the highest regeneration efficiency across all of the genotypes, particularly enhancing shoot regeneration and fresh weight in ‘Siroco 5’. These results demonstrate that LED light spectrum modulation, especially red + far-red, is an effective strategy to optimize adventitious shoot regeneration in peach cultivar and hybrid rootstock genotypes, providing a robust basis for future applications in micropropagation and genetic improvement programs.

Pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) poses a major threat to global pulse production. This virus, transmitted through seeds, can spread within fields via insect vectors, especially pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum), in a nonpersistent manner. To mitigate the risks associated with PSbMV, it is crucial to plant virus-free seeds, detect the virus at an early stage, and implement effective control measures for the vectors, given that most commercial pulse cultivars are vulnerable to the virus. This study designed and assessed multiple primers for PCR-based virus detection and demonstrated their capability to identify PSbMV isolates in infected plant tissues. The primers successfully detected PSbMV in dried plant tissues and in aphids collected from infected plants, even after being stored at room temperature for up to 3 months. Furthermore, a hydrolysis probe-based assay was developed, and its effectiveness for quantitative PCR (qPCR), digital PCR (dPCR), and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) was evaluated. Our results showed high sensitivity and linearity of the assay, capable of detecting PSbMV at concentrations as low as 22 copies per reaction mix using digital PCRs. Our findings underscore the effectiveness of the developed primers and assay for the rapid and sensitive detection of PSbMV isolates in a variety of plant tissues, aphids, and seed samples, offering improved tools for disease monitoring and management in agricultural settings.

Durio zibethinus, commonly known as the "king of the fruits," is widely cultivated in Southeast Asia, contributing significantly to the region's economy. In addition to commercial cultivars, numerous local edible durian species are also found in these countries. With the rapid advancement of omics technologies, extensive studies have been conducted on durians using various omics approaches. To date, omics studies have primarily focused on commercial durians (D. zibethinus), with relatively less emphasis on endemic, minimally commercialized local durians (Durio sp.). As such, this review summarizes all omics studies performed on both commercial cultivars and local durians of different species. In addition, it explores their applications in evolutionary studies, understanding the fruit ripening mechanism, identifying genetic markers for breeding, and uncovering their pharmaceutical and industry potential, as well as post-harvest processing. Furthermore, the current limitations of durian omics studies and future research prospects are discussed.

As a cool-season leafy vegetable, spinach ( Spinacia oleracea L.) is highly sensitive to high temperatures, which limits its year-round production in warm climates. Although many commercial cultivars are marketed as “heat tolerant,” their performance under high temperatures in hydroponic systems remains largely unverified. Full-cycle testing of many cultivars is time-consuming and resource intensive, highlighting the need for rapid, early-stage screening methods to identify heat-tolerant cultivars. Therefore, this study evaluated short-term (4-day) responses of 32 commercial spinach cultivars at two constant temperatures (20 and 30 °C) under indoor farming conditions. Changes in canopy area and petiole elongation, along with chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (variable fluorescence/maximum fluorescence and performance index) and soil plant analysis development (SPAD) index, were analyzed to classify cultivar-specific heat tolerance. At 20 °C, ‘Dallas’, ‘Amador’, and ‘Pawnie’ exhibited the greatest canopy expansion (114%–181%), whereas ‘Lizard’, ‘Sioux’, and ‘Space’ remained compact. A high temperature (30 °C) reduced canopy expansion in most cultivars; however, ‘Mandolin’, ‘SV2157’, and ‘SV3580VC’ maintained stable canopy growth, indicating high heat resilience. Compact, yet consistent, performers ‘Lakeside’, ‘Lizard’, and ‘Sioux’ also maintained stable growth under heat, suggesting suitability for production in warm climates. In contrast, ‘Hammerhead’, ‘Reflect’, and ‘Rangitoto’ exhibited poor canopy and petiole development, reflecting low heat tolerance. Chlorophyll fluorescence and SPAD index remained relatively constant, suggesting limited sensitivity to short-term heat exposure.

Pelargonium is a globally cultivated ornamental plant; however, its ornamental and commercial values are severely threatened by heat stress. To identify heat-tolerant Pelargonium , we evaluated plant morphological traits, leaf color, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic characteristics of six Pelargonium wild species and three commercial cultivars under heat stress. The results showed that heat stress significantly increased leaf color hue ( h °), chlorophyll concentration indices (CCIs), and chlorophyll a content in P. sidoides and Pelargonium ‘Chocolate Mint’. In addition, the net assimilation rate ( P n ) was remarkably improved in P. sidoides under heat stress. Conversely, heat stress dramatically reduced whole plant dry weight and CCIs of new leaves, induced leaf chlorosis, and enhanced the heat damage index of P. stenopetalum and Pelargonium ‘Madame Thibault’. Moreover, heat stress caused significant reductions in P n , chlorophyll a, and soluble sugar contents in P. stenopetalum . In conclusion, among nine Pelargonium genotypes evaluated, P. sidoides and Pelargonium ‘Chocolate Mint’ exhibited heat tolerance, whereas P. stenopetalum and Pelargonium ‘Madame Thibault’ were identified as heat susceptible. Thus, these heat-tolerant genotypes offer important genetic materials and contribute to breeding efforts aimed at developing new heat-tolerant Pelargonium cultivars.

Expansion of United States hop production beyond the Pacific Northwest, has prompted the need for hop research with a regional focus. North Dakota State University has responded to this demand within the Red River Valley by conducting hop cultivar performance and agronomic management trials. In addition, interest in low-input hop yards have prompted an evaluation in hop production with non-supplemental water sources. Field experiments were conducted in 2017 and 2018 at the NDSU Horticulture Research Farm near Absaraka, ND, USA, to evaluate the growth and yield characteristics of nine commercial hop cultivars in response to varied training densities. Cultivars were planted in 2016 on a non-irrigated six-meter trellis system with data collection occurring in 2017 and 2018. Bines were trained at two, four and eight bines per crown. Before mechanical harvest, plant biomass, plant height, and harvest bine number were recorded. Postharvest, cone moisture, cone size, and yield were determined. It was determined that cultivars produced significantly higher yield kg·ha -1 when trained with eight bines per crown in 2018. However, ‘Nugget’ and ‘Canadian Red Vine’ yielded the highest in 2017 compared with the other cultivars. Furthermore, ‘Nugget’, ‘Canadian Red Vine’, and ‘Cascade’ yielded the highest in 2018 compared with the other cultivars. Relatively low yields within the study have prompted interest repeating the trial under irrigated conditions.

A rare alle of TabZIP45-4B enhances wheat adaptation to low nitrogen growth conditions.

Surface ozone (O3) pollution is known to have a detrimental effect on agriculture whilst rising carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations are sometimes found to offer plants protection against O3 effects. Considering the important role of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) as a major food crop in South Africa and its contribution to the national economy, the tolerance of this crop to O3 damage must be established. A pilot study using open-top chambers was conducted whereby two local commercial sugarcane cultivars (NCo376 and N31) were fumigated during the summer growth season to explore the effects of elevated O3 as well as the interacting effects of O3 and CO2 on various stress and crop quality indicators. Statistical significance of differences in treatment means was analysed by hierarchical linear modelling to account for variability between chamber and pots in explaining changes across individual plants. The results revealed a significant reduction in the number of dead leaves (senescing) for the N31 cultivar exposed to elevated O3 compared with the other treatments. There was also a statistically significant decrease in chlorophyll fluorescence (used to assess photosynthetic performance) in the O3-treated NCo376 plants. This pilot study shows limited effects of O3 fumigation on growth and physiology, with preliminary indications that sugarcane is less sensitive to O3 than other crops. An increase in O3 concentrations associated with future climate change is expected, which will have implications for cultivar selection as a possible adaptation strategy to reduce susceptibility of this crop to O3.

Two well-known recessive mutations (a, conditioning white flowers and unpigmented testa; and r, conditioning wrinkled seeds) were found to be major contributors to the loss of germination percentage in garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) when seeds were maintained at cool temperatures (5 °C) for extended periods. After approximately 20 years in storage, seeds homozygous for the unpigmented mutation displayed an average germination rate about 20% lower than wildtype seeds, while wrinkled seeds displayed a rate about 25% less. Seeds homozygous for both the a and r mutations (a combination typical of many commercial cultivars) exhibited a reduction in germination percentage of about 50% over the storage period, indicating that the two mutations have an additive effect on the ageing process. Additional results involving a second mutation (a2) in the phenylpropanoid pathway, as well as information available from the literature that a second, independent mutation in starch synthesis (rb) also reduces seed longevity, suggest that an intact phenylpropanoid pathway and a normally functioning starch synthesis pathway are necessary for optimal storage life of pea seeds.