Crop Breeding Programs Research Articles

Variability in the essential oil of different wild populations of Prangos platychlaena collected from Southwestern Iran

In this study, variation in the essential oil (EO) compositions of the aerial parts of Prangos platychlaena collected from 13 different natural habitats of five provinces in southwestern Iran, was investigated for the first time. Significant variability in the EO yield was observed among the investigated populations (ranging from 0.04 to 2.85% v/w). GC-FID and GC/MS analysis of the EOs identified 35 chemical components. The EOs were rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons (69.06–90.14%). The main constituents of the EOs were delta (Δ)-3-carene (or 3-carene, (+)-3-carene, δ-3-carene) (9.25–43.17%), α-pinene (4.58–27.41%), β-pinene (3.72–25.55%) and β-phellandrene (4.02–17.88%). Briefly, the highest amounts of the mentioned components were observed in the EOs of R5, R4, R9, R10, R5, R4, R9 and R7 populations. According to the cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) of all the major components, the populations could be grouped into four main chemotypes: chemotype I (β-pinene/β-phellandrene/α-pinene/Δ-3-carene/α-phellandrene/α-thujone/α-terpinolene), chemotype II (Δ-3-carene/β-phellandrene/β-pinene/α-pinene), chemotype III (Δ-3-carene/β-phellandrene/α-pinene/β-pinene/β-caryophyllene/myrcene) and chemotype IV (α-pinene/Δ-3-carene/β-phellandrene/β-pinene/α-phellandrene). These chemotypes are discussed as being possibly the result of environmental and ecological factors, differences in plant genetics and their interactive effects. Finally, the difference between the EOs of P. platychlaena, collected from different habitats, is consistent with the fact that variation in chemical compositions could be related to the specific populations of P. platychlaena, which were collected from various environmental and ecological conditions and different geographical areas and origins. Moreover, the results of the present investigation can help to improve the conservation and breeding programs of this new crop.

Suppression of Metacaspase- and Autophagy-Dependent Cell Death Improves Stress-Induced Microspore Embryogenesis in Brassica napus.

Microspore embryogenesis is a biotechnological process that allows us to rapidly obtain doubled-haploid plants for breeding programs. The process is initiated by the application of stress treatment, which reprograms microspores to embark on embryonic development. Typically, a part of the microspores undergoes cell death that reduces the efficiency of the process. Metacaspases (MCAs), a phylogenetically broad group of cysteine proteases, and autophagy, the major catabolic process in eukaryotes, are critical regulators of the balance between cell death and survival in various organisms. In this study, we analyzed the role of MCAs and autophagy in cell death during stress-induced microspore embryogenesis in Brassica napus. We demonstrate that this cell death is accompanied by the transcriptional upregulation of three BnMCA genes (BnMCA-Ia, BnMCA-IIa and BnMCA-IIi), an increase in MCA proteolytic activity and the activation of autophagy. Accordingly, inhibition of autophagy and MCA activity, either individually or in combination, suppressed cell death and increased the number of proembryos, indicating that both components play a pro-cell death role and account for decreased efficiency of early embryonic development. Therefore, MCAs and/or autophagy can be used as new biotechnological targets to improve in vitro embryogenesis in Brassica species and doubled-haploid plant production in crop breeding and propagation programs.

Ex situ and in situ conservation gap analysis of crop wild relative diversity in the Fertile Crescent of the Middle East

Crop wild relatives (CWRs) are important reservoirs of adaptive traits for crop breeding programmes. Both ex situ and in situ conservation approaches should be deployed to ensure CWR availability for use. This paper aims to (a) create a regional database of occurrence records for the 441 priority CWRs in the Fertile Crescent, (b) identify CWR-rich areas in the Fertile Crescent, (c) recommend locations to implement genetic reserves intended for CWRs active in situ conservation and (d) undertake ex situ and in situ conservation gap analyses. The study area comprises Jordan, Syria, Palestine/Israel, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq. Occurrence records of the 441 priority CWR within the Fertile Crescent were gathered from herbaria, gene banks and online databases. Gaps in the current ex situ and in situ conservation were identified. Hotspots of CWR diversity were identified, and complementary analysis was carried out to identify areas for in situ conservation using DIVA-GIS. Then proposed genetic reserves were compared with the existing protected areas to establish genetic reserve areas whether within or outside the protected areas. A total of 23,878 occurrence records were collated for 441 CWR priorities. The first priority grid square is located in Syria near Tal Kalakh City, close to the Lebanese border from the north. The second priority site is located in Turkey’s Izmir Province near Kemal Atatürk Mahallesi. The third priority site is located in Turkey’s Sahinbey/Gaziantep Province. The ex situ gap analysis revealed that of the 441 taxa, 134 (30%) CWRs are totally absent from the current gene banks collections. Only 307 (70%) CWRs are represented in gene banks, and, of these taxa, 252 (57%) of them have less than 10 accessions in gene banks. A total of 353 taxa were categorised as a high priority for collection and conservation; 23 taxa were categorised as a medium priority and 41 taxa as a low priority. However, 24 taxa were identified that did not require urgent collection (see Supplementary Table 7). The most important areas for a further collection of ex situ conservation are located in the west and south of Turkey across the Mediterranean seashore, north of Lebanon and west of Syria (in Lattakia and Tartus Governorate), across the border between Turkey and Syria and northern Iraq. Ten genetic reserves are recommended in the Fertile Crescent for CWR conservation. The results and methods used will help meet the conservation targets of CWR in the Fertile Crescent; they will also help achieve global food security.

The Role of Genotype by Environmental Interaction in Plant Breeding

A genotype x environment interaction is a change in the relative performance of a character of two or more genotypes measured into two or more environments. Living organisms are made up of genes whose expressions are subject to modification by environment; therefore, genotypic expression of a phenotype is environmentally dependent. This is because genotypes exhibit different level of phenotypic expression under different environmental conditions resulting in cross over performances. In genotype x environment interaction, the magnitude of the observed genetic variation changes from one environment to another and tends to be larger in better environments than poor environments. Genotype x environment interaction is a fundamental component in understanding complex trait variation and the most challenging factor in identification of genetic variation. Interaction involves a change in rank order for genotypes between environments and the relative magnitude of genetic, environmental and phenotypic variance between environments. Genotype x environmental interaction can lead to differences in performance of genotypes over environments. The relationship between selection environments and target production environment had been a major problem because many of the selected activities performed by the conventional approach. Genotype x environment interaction analysis can be used to analyze the stability of genotypes and the value of test locations. Genotypes by environment interactions are almost unanimously considered to be among the major factors limiting response to selection and, in general, the efficiency of breeding programs. Exploitation of genetic variability is the most important tool in plant breeding and this has to be inferred by phenotypic expression. The consequences of the phenotypic variation depend largely on the environment. This variation is further complicated by the fact that not all genotypes react in similar ways to change in environment and no two environments are exactly the same. If relative performance of genotypes grown in different environments is different, then genotype x environment interaction becomes a major challenging factor to crop breeding programs. Genotype x environment interaction is one of the main challenge in the selection of broad adaptation and stable genotypes in most breeding programs. The varietal stability could be challenged not only due to the change in the test environment but also due to change in growing season per environment. Some environmental variations are predictable (soil type, soil fertility, plant density) whereas others also may be unpredictable (rainfall, temperature, humidity).Generally, genotype x environment interaction is the most critical in plant breeding to make selection of genotypes based on their adaptability and stability for desirable traits. Keywords: Genotype x Environmental Interaction; Environment; Phenotype; Genotype; Interaction; Variation DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/11-20-02 Publication date: October 31 st 2020

Studies on genetic parameters, correlation and path analysis for yield attributes and Iron content in a backcross population of rice [Oryza sativa (L.)

In any crop breeding program, the effective selection of traits that are associated with yield depends on the information on nature and magnitude of variation in the traits and its response to the environment. A study was conducted to determine the variability, heritability, correlation and path analysis of yield and yield components in BC1F2 generation of backcross combination, CO 51 × RPHP 48. The population was developed in order to introgress the high iron content in CO 51 background. The narrow difference between GCV and PCV indicates that there was a meagre influence of environment on the expression of 12 traits studied. Broad sense heritability was high for grain iron content and low for kernel length/breadth ratio. Grain yield was found to be significant and positively correlated with the number of productive tillers per plant, panicle weight, the number of grains per panicle and 100 seed weight indicating yield improvement can be achieved through improvement of these traits. The results of genotypic path analysis revealed that the number of productive tillers per plant and kernel length had a high positive direct effect which could be considered as good selection criteria for yield improvement.

Advancements in molecular marker technologies and their applications in diversity studies

Crop improvement is a continuous effort, since some 10,000 years ago when primitive man made the transition from hunting and foraging to domestication and crop cultivation. Since then, man-made interventions have changed the entire scenario of crop evolution, by means of genetic alterations of plants and animals made to satisfy man's needs. The process of domestication has led to dramatic changes in their appearance, quality and productivity that have contributed substantially to global food security. The tremendous decline in cultivable land, freshwater, and increasing risk of biotic and abiotic stress demand immediate attention on crop improvement to cope with the higher demand of ∼ 40% of the food by 2020. Therefore, plant genetic variation plays a key role in plant breeding for its improvement. Most of the genetic variations useful for crop improvement have been deposited and maintained in seed gene banks across the world; they need to be brought into the mainstream of breeding lines. Recent advances and progress made in molecular markers have been substantial tools for deeper insights of genetics, and greatly complemented breeding strategies. Integration of the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies with precise phenotyping, association mapping, proteome and metabolome studies has increased the chances of finding candidate genes and their allelic variants controlling a trait of interest. Further, these functional markers (FMMs), genotype-by-sequencing and association mapping methodologies have opened new avenues for identification of novel genetic resources (lines) that can facilitate accelerated crop breeding programs for increased yield, high nutritional quality, and tolerance to a variety of abiotic and biotic stresses. The details of popular molecular markers, advancement in the technologies and strategies for crop diversity studies and their application in crop breeding programs are presented here.

Phenotypic and Nodule Microbial Diversity among Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) Accessions

Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) is the most common legume cover crop in the United States. Previous research found limited genetic variation for crimson clover within the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) collection. The aim of this study was to assess the phenotypic and nodule microbial diversity within the NPGS crimson clover collection, focusing on traits important for cover crop performance. Experiments were conducted at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (Maryland, USA) across three growing seasons (2012–2013, 2013–2014, 2014–2015) to evaluate 37 crimson clover accessions for six phenotypic traits: fall emergence, winter survival, flowering time, biomass per plant, nitrogen (N) content in aboveground biomass, and proportion of plant N from biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). Accession effect was significant across all six traits. Fall emergence of plant introductions (PIs) ranged from 16.0% to 70.5%, winter survival ranged from 52.8% to 82.0%, and growing degree days (GDD) to 25% maturity ranged from 1470 GDD to 1910 GDD. Biomass per plant ranged from 1.52 to 6.51 g, N content ranged from 1.87% to 2.24%, and proportion of plant N from BNF ranged from 50.2% to 85.6%. Accessions showed particularly clear differences for fall emergence and flowering time, indicating greater diversity and potential for selection in cover crop breeding programs. Fall emergence and winter survival were positively correlated, and both were negatively correlated with biomass per plant and plant N from BNF. A few promising lines performed well across multiple key traits, and are of particular interest as parents in future breeding efforts, including PIs 369045, 418900, 561943, 561944, and 655006. In 2014–2015, accessions were also assessed for nodule microbiome diversity, and 11 genera were identified across the sampled nodules. There was large variation among accessions in terms of species diversity, but this diversity was not associated with observed plant traits, and the functional implications of nodule microbiome diversity remain unclear.

Quantitative detection of Exserohilum turcicum in northern leaf blight diseased sorghum and maize leaves

Exserohilum turcicum is the causal agent of northern leaf blight (NLB) disease in sorghum and maize. Early detection of this economically important pathogen is essential for effective disease management to limit yield losses. Here we present a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay specific for E. turcicum detection and biomass quantification in sorghum and maize. In planta fungal quantification was achieved through amplification of a cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (cpr1) gene fragment and subsequent normalisation to the host glutathione S-transferase III gene (gst3). The assay could specifically detect E. turcicum in sorghum and maize, but the cpr1 gene fragment was not amplified in non-target fungal pathogens. Application of the assay with NLB diseased sorghum and maize leaf material revealed a significant increase in E. turcicum DNA in leaves with lesion symptoms when compared to leaves with early stage chlorotic fleck symptoms in both hosts. Furthermore, E. turcicum was detected at levels as low as 1 pg in infected sorghum and maize leaves. The assay enables rapid detection and quantification of E. turcicum in sorghum and maize and has useful applications in crop breeding programmes and disease management where cultivar selection and early detection of the pathogen are essential to limit disease spread.

Gibberellin Metabolism and Signaling: Targets for Improving Agronomic Performance of Crops.

Gibberellins (GAs) are a class of tetracyclic diterpenoid phytohormones that regulate many aspects of plant development, including seed germination, stem elongation, leaf expansion, pollen maturation, and the development of flowers, fruits and seeds. During the past decades, the primary objective of crop breeding programs has been to increase productivity or yields. ‘Green Revolution’ genes that can produce semidwarf, high-yielding crops were identified as GA synthesis or response genes, confirming the value of research on GAs in improving crop productivity. The manipulation of GA status either by genetic alteration or by exogenous application of GA or GA biosynthesis inhibitors is often used to optimize plant growth and yields. In this review, we summarize the roles of GAs in major aspects of crop growth and development and present the possible targets for the fine-tuning of GA metabolism and signaling as a promising strategy for crop improvement.

The endosphere microbial communities, a great promise in agriculture.

Agricultural food production and sustainability need intensification to address the current global food supply to meet human demand. The continuous human population increase and other anthropogenic activities threaten food security. Agrochemical inputs have long been used in conventional agricultural systems to boost crop productivity, but they are disadvantageous to a safe environment. Towards developing environmentally friendly agriculture, efforts are being directed in exploring biological resources from soil and plant microbes. The survival of the rhizosphere and endosphere microbiota is influenced by biotic and abiotic factors. Plant microbiota live interdependently with the host plants. Endophytes are regarded as colonizer microbes inhabiting and establishing microbial communities within the plant tissue. Their activities are varied and include fixing atmospheric nitrogen, solubilizing phosphate, synthesis of siderophores, secretion of metabolite-like compounds containing active biocontrol agents in the control of phytopathogens, and induced systemic resistance that stimulates plant response to withstand stress. Exploring beneficial endophyte resources in the formulation of bio-inoculants, such as biofertilizers, as an alternative to agrochemicals (fertilizers and pesticides) in developing environmentally friendly agriculture and for incorporation into crop breeding and disease control program is promising. Therefore, in this review, endosphere microbial ecology, associating environmental factors, and their roles that contribute to their effectiveness in promoting plant growth for maximum agricultural crop productivity were highlighted.

Heritable epigenetic diversity for conservation and utilization of epigenetic germplasm resources of clonal East African Highland banana (EAHB) accessions

Key messageGenetically identical East African Highland banana (EAHB) clones are epigenetically diverse with heritable epialleles that can contribute to morphological diversity.Heritable epigenetic variation can contribute to agronomic traits in crops and should be considered in germplasm conservation. Despite the genetic uniformity arising from a genetic bottleneck of one ancestral clone, followed by subsequent vegetative propagation, East African Highland bananas (EAHBs) display significant phenotypic diversity potentially arising from somatic mutations, heritable epialleles and/or genotype-by-environment interactions. Here, we use DNA methylation profiling across EAHB accessions representing most of the primary EAHB genepool to demonstrate that the genetically uniform EAHB genepool harbours significant epigenetic diversity. By analysing 724 polymorphic DNA methylation sites by methylation-sensitive AFLP across 90 EAHB cultivars, we could differentiate the EAHB varieties according to their regions (Kenya and Uganda). In contrast, there was minimal association of DNA methylation variation with the five morphological groups that are used to classify EAHBs. We further analysed DNA methylation patterns in parent–offspring cohort, which were maintained in offspring generated by sexual (seed) and asexual (vegetative) propagation, with higher levels of altered DNA methylation observed in vegetatively generated offspring. Our results indicate that the phenotypic diversity of near-isogenic EAHBs is mirrored by considerable DNA methylation variation, which is transmitted between generations by both vegetative reproduction and seed reproduction. Genetically uniform vegetatively propagated crops such as EAHBs harbour considerable heritable epigenetic variation, where heritable epialleles could arise in offspring and contribute to functional traits. This study provides a basis for developing strategies for conservation of epigenetic resources and for integration of epimarkers into crop breeding programmes.

Identification of qLG2, qLG8, and qWG2 as novel quantitative trait loci for grain shape and the allelic analysis in cultivated rice.

Three novel QTLs for grain shape were genetically fine mapped, with two of which to a 250-kb target interval on rice chromosome 2 that contains fourteen candidate genes. Grain shape (grain length, width, and thickness) determines crop yield and grain quality. However, the trait is regulated by numerous naturally occurring quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Here, we report the genetic mapping of three new QTLs, qLG2, qWG2, and qLG8 that each exerts a semi-dominant effect on grain shape in cultivated rice. These QTLs were validated using populations derived from the corresponding chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs), and were further delimited to small genomic intervals in progeny testing experiments. Especially, qLG2/qWG2 was placed into an about 250-kb genomic candidate region, and 14 predicted ORFs localized within the interval. We also evaluated the individual and pyramiding genetic effect(s) of these QTL(s) using the corresponding nearly isogenic lines, and found that they have additive effects on the traits. Collectively, these findings provided useful information as a tool to improve grain shape in crop breeding programs and established foundations for future QTL cloning.

Improvement in ornamental, medicinal, and aromatic plants through induced mutation

In several crop breeding programs, high selection pressure has been applied since its domestication which resulted in narrowing in the genetic variability. Therefore, obtaining new crop cultivars has become a difficult task for breeders. Development of strategies to increase the genetic variability has now become the prime area of research in crop breeding for several research groups. Mutation breeding is able to create lot of genetic diversity in the crops naturally as well as through induced mutagenesis. Mutation breeding is an important tool in plant breeding which has proven highly successful in improving crop varieties globally to feed an ever increasing and nutritionally demanding human population. Moreover, it has the advantage of improving a defective, but an elite cultivar, for a single trait without significantly affecting its acceptable phenotype. Till date, induced mutagenesis has been used in several crops including cereals, pulses, flowering plant, medicinal and aromatic plants for their many physical and biochemical trait improvement. Several physical and chemical mutagens like ethyl methane sulfonate, X-rays, or γ-rays have proven their importance in plant mutation breeding. After mutagenesis, selected superior mutants are recommended for large-scale production or further breeding in similar or different environments. Mutation breeding has been successfully applied in release of nearly 3,000 plant varieties especially in cereals, pulses, and flower and has a limited role in improvement of medicinal and aromatic plants. This review discusses the prospective effects of induced mutation in many medicinal and aromatic plants using different mutagens for their improvement in both quantitative and qualitative traits.

The photosynthesis game is in the "inter-play": Mechanisms underlying CO2 diffusion in leaves

Ensuring global food security is a worldwide major concern considering the predicted climate change scenarios for the main agricultural regions of the world. Stomatal conductance (gs) and mesophyll conductance (gm) are major drivers limiting photosynthesis (A). Both conductances frequently impose about two-thirds of the total photosynthetic limitation under optimum conditions. However, under abiotic stress, like drought or salinity, the diffusional limitations can reach more than 85 % of the total. Thus, knowledge about both conductances is essential to improve water use efficiency (WUE) through targeted crop breeding programs and to promote sustainable, resource-efficient, and environmental-friendly agriculture strategies.Intriguingly, knowledge obtained from both conductances from decades of research differs importantly by their focus. Whilst the role of both mechanics and metabolism of guard cells on the regulation of stomatal movements remains much less understood, the signaling pathways that regulates stomatal movements are well-documented. The opposite is true for gm, in which the biochemical regulation and signaling pathways remain mostly still unexplored. Even more surprising is the lack of information about the putative molecular mechanisms that should drive the known coupled behavior of both conductances in response to the environment. Here, we discussed the main mechanisms driving the responses of each of the conductances, but highlighting a special focus into the possible common determinants that could link their coupled behavior. Further integrative multidisciplinary studies joining molecular biology and ecophysiology are required in order to improve our understanding of both conductances, the major actors limiting photosynthesis and WUE in a changing environment.

DayCent Model Predictions of NPP and Grain Yields for Agricultural Lands in the Contiguous U.S.

AbstractAccurate estimation of crop net primary production (NPP) and yields is fundamental for regional analyses of agroecosystem dynamics using process‐based models. In this study, we simulated croplands in the contiguous U.S. using the DayCent ecosystem model with new production algorithms. Crops were divided into crop variety groups based on regional varieties of three major crops (corn, soybeans, and winter wheat) and generic parameter values that were generated for each group. These varieties have been developed through crop breeding programs and enhance production of major crop types in different temperature and precipitation regimes. NPP and yields for the three major crops were evaluated at the county level with reported yields from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The predictions of the multiyear average yields in all counties were more accurate than most other published results using process‐based models. DayCent predictions of yields produced an overall R2 of 0.54, 0.54, and 0.38 for corn, soybean, and winter wheat, respectively, with predictions for most counties within ±20% of the NASS reported yields. Our estimations of the total annual NPP for the three crops in the contiguous U.S. are 0.24, 0.09, and 0.06 Pg C yr−1 for corn, soybean, and winter wheat, respectively. Together, they contribute 7.3% to 14.8% of the total NPP for all vegetation in the contiguous U.S. We conclude that crop variety groups capture heterogeneity in NPP for major crop types and can improve biogeochemical model predictions of NPP for croplands.

Characterization of adaptability components of Brazilian isolates of Macrophomina pseudophaseolina

AbstractMacrophomina pseudophaseolina is a new Macrophomina species reported on different crop and weed species in Brazil, India and Senegal, but to date there are no studies about its adaptability components. In this work, a collection of 62 M. pseudophaseolina isolates obtained from roots of the weed species Trianthema portulacastrum and Boerhavia diffusa collected in Northeastern Brazil, was used to: (a) study the effect of temperature and salinity on mycelial growth, (b) to determine their sensitivity to the fungicide carbendazim and (c) to assess their aggressiveness on melon and watermelon seedlings. Results showed variability among M. pseudophaseolina isolates. The optimum temperature for mycelial growth ranged between 26.4 and 38.1ºC. NaCl reduced the in vitro growth of all isolates, which were also highly sensitive to the fungicide carbendazim, exhibiting EC50 values ranging from 0.013 to 0.089 mg/L a.i. Disease severity values on melon and watermelon seedlings showed that M. pseudophaseolina isolates were more aggressive in melon than in watermelon. Information about adaptability components of M. pseudophaseolina obtained in this study could be incorporated on breeding programs for melon and watermelon crops.

Molecular Diversity Analysis and Metabolic Profiling of Seed Oil in Lepidium sativum L. Genotypes

Assessment of genetic diversity by using metabolic and molecular markers is important for the characterization of local unexplored germplasms of garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) and their further utilization in crop breeding programme. However, such studies are limited to garden cress, an important medicinal crop of India. In the present study, biochemical, morphological and molecular characters were used to unravel the diversity and relationship among fifteen elite genotypes of garden cress, and the volatile constituents of seed oil were also analysed by GC-MS. Here, we report the genetic differentiation of garden cress genotypes collections in India using 10 RAPD and 9 ISSR markers. Analysis of variance revealed significant mean square values for all the morphological and biochemical traits. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) (10) and inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) (9) markers produced a total of 114 bands, out of which 89 showed polymorphism. The average polymorphism was 90.8% (RAPD) and 66.03% (ISSR). The mean values of RAPD and ISSR markers for polymorphism information content (PIC) were 0.37 and 0.27, effective multiple ratio (EMR) were 4.92 and 3.10, marker index (MI) were 1.84 and 1.17 and the resolving power (Rp) were 1.39 and 1.56, respectively. In the clustering based on the combined biochemical, morphological and molecular data, the 15 genotypes were divided into two main clusters ranged from 0.50 to 0.86. Based on the observed variations, it is concluded that the magnitude of morphological, biochemical and molecular variations in the garden cress genotypes studied is significant. The volatile constituents of seed oil were also analysed by GC-MS for qualitative analysis which showed 72 similar components in oil of 15 local genotypes of garden cress. The results obtained in the present study could be useful for breeding and improvement of garden cress in the future.

De novo RNA sequencing analysis of Aeluropus littoralis halophyte plant under salinity stress

The study of salt tolerance mechanisms in halophyte plants can provide valuable information for crop breeding and plant engineering programs. The aim of the present study was to investigate whole transcriptome analysis of Aeluropus littoralis in response to salinity stress (200 and 400 mM NaCl) by de novo RNA-sequencing. To assemble the transcriptome, Trinity v2.4.0 and Bridger tools, were comparatively used with two k-mer sizes (25 and 32 bp). The de novo assembled transcriptome by Bridger (k-mer 32) was chosen as final assembly for subsequent analysis. In general, 103290 transcripts were obtained. The differential expression analysis (log2FC > 1 and FDR < 0.01) showed that 1861 transcripts expressed differentially, including169 up and 316 down-regulated transcripts in 200 mM NaCl treatment and 1035 up and 430 down-regulated transcripts in 400 mM NaCl treatment compared to control. In addition, 89 transcripts were common in both treatments. The most important over-represented terms in the GO analysis of differentially expressed genes (FDR < 0.05) were chitin response, response to abscisic acid, and regulation of jasmonic acid mediated signaling pathway under 400 mM NaCl treatment and cell cycle, cell division, and mitotic cell cycle process under 200 mM treatment. In addition, the phosphatidylcholine biosynthetic process term was common in both salt treatments. Interestingly, under 400 mM salt treatment, the PRC1 complex that contributes to chromatin remodeling was also enriched along with vacuole as a general salinity stress responsive cell component. Among enriched pathways, the MAPK signaling pathway (ko04016) and phytohormone signal transduction (ko04075) were significantly enriched in 400 mM NaCl treatment, whereas DNA replication (ko03032) was the only pathway that significantly enriched in 200 mM NaCl treatment. Finally, our findings indicate the salt-concentration depended responses of A. littoralis, which well-known salinity stress-related pathways are induced in 400 mM NaCl, while less considered pathways, e.g. cell cycle and DNA replication, are highlighted under 200 mM NaCl treatment.

Western Canadian producers’ attitudes towards wheat breeding funding

AbstractIn 2017, the federal government initiated national consultations for two new crop royalty systems that could be used to support additional crop breeding. In this study, we examine wheat growers’ attitudes towards breeding research and assess their inclination to contribute more to wheat variety development through checkoffs or enhanced royalties. We report a random effect probit estimation for a survey of 877 western Canadian wheat producers that took place from November 2018 to January 2019. We found at least 26% of survey respondents were willing to pay more to support additional wheat breeding. However, this support is contingent on the model for revenue collection and where additional revenue is invested. Producers generally favored increased checkoffs over enhanced royalty collection. Among the royalty options presented, the farm saved seed royalties mechanism had less support than the simpler to implement end‐point royalties mechanism. We also found support is much higher if new royalty mechanisms are used to support university or government programs versus private breeding programs. This result suggests developing widespread producer support for enhanced royalty collection may require broader commitments for funding, ownership, and control of crop breeding programs.

Agronomic traits and grain quality of selected spelt wheat varieties versus common wheat

ABSTRACT The growth in demand for traditional and organic products has led to increased interest in the cultivation of spelt wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ssp. spelta). The aim of this study was to compare agronomic traits and grain quality of 14 varieties of spelt wheat with a common wheat variety (T. aestivum L. ssp. vulgare variety Türkis). Wheat grain of the 15 varieties was collected from field in 2011–2012 (Year 1) and 2012–2013 (Year 2). To assess the baking quality of the whole-grain flour, the Rapid Mix Test was used and protein and gluten content, sedimentation and hardness index were measured. The spelt wheat varieties, Ceralio and Schwabenspelz, were characterized by high yields, higher than average protein content, and high baking values. The grain quality of the spelt wheat varieties, i.e., quality of the proteins and the potential for fermentation in dough, milling efficiency, baking values, protein and gluten content, exceeded that of the common wheat variety. We concluded that the spelt wheat varieties could be a valuable source of genes for the studies traits in crop breeding programs, or could be useful for the production of flour for baking.