Crop Plants Research Articles

Genotyping-by-sequencing-based high-resolution mapping reveals a single candidate gene for the grapevine veraison locus Ver1.

Veraison marks the transition from berry growth to berry ripening and is a crucial phenological stage in grapevine (Vitis vinifera): the berries become soft and begin to accumulate sugars, aromatic substances, and, in red cultivars, anthocyanins for pigmentation, while the organic acid levels begin to decrease. These changes determine the potential quality of wine. However, rising global temperatures lead to earlier flowering and ripening, which strongly influence wine quality. Here, we combined genotyping-by-sequencing with a bioinformatics pipeline on ∼150 F1 genotypes derived from a cross between the early ripening variety 'Calardis Musqué' and the late-ripening variety 'Villard Blanc'. Starting from 20,410 haplotype-based markers, we generated a high-density genetic map and performed a quantitative trait locus analysis based on phenotypic datasets evaluated over 20 years. Through locus-specific-marker-enrichment and recombinant screening of ∼1000 additional genotypes, we refined the originally postulated 5 Mb veraison locus, Ver1, on chromosome 16 to only 112 kb, allowing us to pinpoint the ethylene response factor (ERF) VviERF027 (VCost.v3 gene ID: Vitvi16g00942, CRIBIv1 gene ID: VIT_16s0100g00400) as veraison candidate gene. Furthermore, the early veraison allele could be traced back to a clonal 'Pinot' variant first mentioned in the 17th century. 'Pinot Precoce Noir' passed this allele over 'Madeleine Royale' to the maternal grandparent 'Bacchus Weiss' and, ultimately, to the maternal parent 'Calardis Musqué'. Our findings are crucial for ripening time control, thereby improving wine quality, and for breeding grapevines adjusted to climate change scenarios that have a major impact on agro-ecosystems in altering crop plant phenology.

Factors affecting the production of sugarcane yield and sucrose accumulation: suggested potential biological solutions

Environmental stresses are the main constraints on agricultural productivity and food security worldwide. This issue is worsened by abrupt and severe changes in global climate. The formation of sugarcane yield and the accumulation of sucrose are significantly influenced by biotic and abiotic stresses. Understanding the biochemical, physiological, and environmental phenomena associated with these stresses is essential to increase crop production. This review explores the effect of environmental factors on sucrose content and sugarcane yield and highlights the negative effects of insufficient water supply, temperature fluctuations, insect pests, and diseases. This article also explains the mechanism of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the role of different metabolites under environmental stresses, and highlights the function of environmental stress-related resistance genes in sugarcane. This review further discusses sugarcane crop improvement approaches, with a focus on endophytic mechanism and consortium endophyte application in sugarcane plants. Endophytes are vital in plant defense; they produce bioactive molecules that act as biocontrol agents to enhance plant immune systems and modify environmental responses through interaction with plants. This review provides an overview of internal mechanisms to enhance sugarcane plant growth and environmental resistance and offers new ideas for improving sugarcane plant fitness and crop productivity.

Risk Assessment of Spodoptera exempta against Food Security: Estimating the Potential Global Overlapping Areas of Wheat, Maize, and Rice under Climate Change

Spodoptera exempta, known as the black armyworm, has been extensively documented as an invasive agricultural pest prevalent across various crop planting regions globally. However, the potential geographical distribution and the threat it poses to host crops of remains unknown at present. Therefore, we used an optimized MaxEnt model based on 841 occurrence records and 19 bioclimatic variables to predict the potential suitable areas of S. exempta under current and future climatic conditions, and the overlap with wheat, rice, and maize planting areas was assessed. The optimized model was highly reliable in predicting potential suitable areas for this pest. The results showed that high-risk distribution areas for S. exempta were mainly in developing countries, including Latin America, central South America, central Africa, and southern Asia. Moreover, for the three major global food crops, S. exempta posed the greatest risk to maize planting areas (510.78 × 104 km2), followed by rice and wheat planting areas. Under future climate scenarios, global warming will limit the distribution of S. exempta. Overall, S. exempta had the strongest effect on global maize production areas and the least on global wheat planting areas. Our study offers a scientific basis for global prevention of S. exempta and protection of agricultural crops.

SiO2 nanoparticle attenuates phytotoxicity of graphene quantum dots in Zea mays (L.) plants

AbstractThe tremendous potential of graphene quantum dots (gqds) in biomedical applications has raised increasing concerns about their risks to ecosystem and human beings. silicon dioxide nanoparticles (sio2 nps) serve as promising nanofertilizers in enhancing plant tolerance against abiotic stresses, but the knowledge of their role in regulating crop responses to gqd stress is far from sufficient in depth and width. The present work offers insight into the effects of sio2 nps on the root uptake and phytotoxicity of gqds in maize (zea mays L.) seedlings. the addition of sio2 nps significantly decreased the accumulation of gqds in the roots and leaves by 33.3% and 58.8%, respectively. physiologically, the presence of sio2 nps led to substantial enhancement in photosynthesis and antioxidant enzyme activities relative to the plants under the gqds stress. responsive differentially expressed genes were mainly associated with crucial pathways regarding photosynthesis, the mapk signaling pathway in the maize plants, and glutathione metabolism. sio2 nps alleviated the gqds‐induced oxidative stress and helped to re‐establish redox homeostasis by up‐regulating the expression of genes related to antioxidant enzyme activities. these results showed that the root application of sio2 nps alleviated the gqd‐induced inhibition to the photosynthesis and growth of crop plants, which are of great significance for advancing the sustainable utilization of nanofertilizers in agriculture.

Occurrence and distribution of Meloidogyne spp. in fields rotated with sweetpotato and host range of a North Carolina population of Meloidogyne enterolobii.

Root-knot nematodes (RKN, Meloidogyne spp.) are some of the most economically important and common plant parasitic nematodes in North Carolina (NC) cropping systems. Soil samples collected from fields planted with crops rotated with sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] in 39 NC counties in 2015-2018 were processed at the NC Nematode Assay Laboratory. The occurrence of second-stage juvenile (J2) RKN populations was examined based on collection year, month, county, and previous planted crop. The highest number of RKN positive samples originated from Cumberland (53%), Sampson (48%), and Johnston (48%) counties. The highest average RKN population density was detected in Sampson (147 J2/500 cm3 soil) and Nash (135 J2/500 cm3 soil) counties, while Wayne (7 J2/500 cm3 soil) and Greene (11 J2/500 cm3 soil) counties had the lowest average RKN population density. Meloidogyne enterolobii is a new invasive species that is impacting sweetpotato growers of NC. The host status of a NC population of M. enterolobii, the guava-root knot nematode, was determined by examining eggs per gram of fresh root (ER) and the final nematode egg population divided by the initial population egg count (reproductive factor, RF) in greenhouse experiments. This included eighteen vegetable, field, cover crops and weed species. The tomato 'Rutgers' was used as a susceptible control. Cabbage 'Stonehead', pepper 'Red bull', and watermelon 'Charleston gray' and 'Fascination' were hosts and had similar mean ER values to the positive control, ranging from 64 to 18,717. Among field crops, cotton, soybean 'P5018RX', and tobacco were hosts with ER values that ranged from 185 to 706. Members of the Poaceae family such as sweet corn (Zea mays) and sudangrass (Sorghum x drummondii) were non-hosts to M. enterolobii and the mean ER values ranged from 1.85 to 7. The peanut 'Tifguard' and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) also had lower ER values than the vegetable hosts. Growers should consider planting less susceptible or non-hosts such as peanut, sudangrass, sweet corn, and winter wheat in 2-3 year crop rotations to lower populations of this invasive nematode.

On-farm crop diversity, conservation, importance and value: a case study of landraces from Western Ghats of Karnataka, India

Landraces are important genetic resources that have a significant role in maintaining the long-term sustainability of traditional agro-ecosystems, food, nutrition, and livelihood security. In an effort to document landraces in the on-farm conservation context, Central Western Ghat region in India was surveyed. A total of 671 landraces belonging to 60 crops were recorded from 24 sites. The custodian farmers were found to conserve a variety of crops including vegetables, cereals and pulses, perennial fruits, spices, tuber and plantation crops. The survey indicated a difference in the prevalence of landraces across the sites. A significant difference with respect to the Shannon-diversity index, Gini-Simpson index, evenness, species richness, and abundance was observed among the different survey sites. Computation of a prevalence index indicated the need for immediate intervention in the form of collecting and ex situ conservation of landraces of some crops as a back-up to on-farm conservation. The study also identified the critical determinants of on-farm conservation, including (i) suitability to regional conditions, (ii) relevance in regional cuisine and local medicinal practices, (iii) cultural and traditional significance, and (iv) economic advantage. The information documented in this study is expected to promote the collection and conservation of landraces ex situ. The National Genebank housed at ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi conserves around 550 accessions of landraces collected from the Central Western Ghats region surveyed in this report. Information collected from custodian farmers on specific uses will be helpful to enhance the utilization of these accessions.

Agroforestry in Madagascar: past, present, and future

AbstractAgroforestry systems promise a high multifunctionality providing cash and subsistence yields as well as other ecosystem services. Such land systems may be particularly promising for smallholders in tropical landscapes due to high labour intensity and productivity on limited land. Focusing on Madagascar, we here describe the history of agroforestry in the country and review the current literature on agroforestry outcomes as well as factors promoting and hindering agroforest establishment and maintenance. From this, we discuss the potential future of agroforestry in Madagascar. Historically, many crops farmed today in agroforestry systems were originally introduced as plantation crops, mostly in the nineteenth century. Since then, people co-opted these crops into mixed agroforestry systems, often focusing on clove, vanilla, coffee, or cocoa in combination with fruit trees or, for clove, with livestock. Other crops are also integrated, but shares are comparatively low. Overall, 27.4% of Malagasy exports are crops typically farmed in agroforestry systems, providing income for at least 500,000 farmers. Outcomes of agroforestry for biodiversity and ecosystem services are commonly researched, showing benefits over annual crops and monocultures. Social-economic outcomes, including yields, are more scarcely researched, but findings point towards financial benefits for smallholder farmers and a sense of community and collective memory. However, findings emphasize that research gaps remain in terms of geographic and crop coverage, also for ecological outcomes. Looking to the future, we highlight the need to overcome hurdles such as land tenure insecurity, financial barriers to implementation, and unstable value chains to scale agroforestry in Madagascar to the benefit of multifunctional land systems and human wellbeing.

Host and Shelter Plants for the Beet Leafhopper which Vectors Curly Top Viruses and Phytoplasmas in Southern Idaho

Weeds and crop plants not only serve as reproductive hosts and transitory or shelter plants for the beet leafhopper (BLH; Circulifer tenellus) but also as sources of plant pathogens that can then be vectored by the BLH. Thus, the plants that the BLH are feeding on and infecting is of interest and may be changing over time. Therefore, BLH samples from a recent survey were investigated through DNA barcoding via the rbcL and matK chloroplast gene regions to determine what the BLHs had been feeding on prior to capture on yellow sticky cards in southern Idaho during 2020 and 2021. In June both years, the first generation of BLHs predominately fed on Pinus spp. (59 to 76% of samples) which were likely in mountainous areas and dispersed approximately 48 to 80 km to crop and sagebrush steppe locations. During July to September, the BLH predominantly fed on Salsola spp. (Russian thistle; 61 to 66% of samples) and Bassia scoparia (Kochia; 15% of samples). Both years the BLHs that fed on pine had the highest percentage (55 and 75%, respectively) of samples with beet curly top virus based on primers that can detect both the Worland and Colorado strains. Both years, BLH that had fed on Russian thistle and alfalfa had the highest percentage of samples with Spinach curly top Arizona virus. These data will be utilized in the development of future curly top management plans.

Exploring the effects of crop growth differences on radar vegetation index response and crop height estimation using dynamic monitoring model

Abstract. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) has emerged as a promising technology for monitoring crop plant height due to its ability to capture the geometric properties of crops. Radar vegetation index (RVI) has been extensively utilized for qualitative and quantitative remote sensing monitoring of vegetation growth dynamics. However, the combination of crop, growing environment, and temporal dynamics makes crop monitoring data a complex task. Despite the relatively simple underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon, there is still a need for more research to identify specific vegetation structures that correspond to changes in the response of vegetation indices. Building upon this premise, this study utilized a dynamic monitoring model to conduct dynamic monitoring of plant height for three common crops: rice, wheat, and maize. The findings revealed that (1) models developed for specific spatial and temporal scales of particular crop varieties may not accurately predict crop growth in different regions or with different varieties in a timely manner, due to growth variations; (2) these models maintain accuracy over a range of plant heights, such as rice at around 70cm, wheat at around 50cm, and maize at around 150cm; (3) among the three crops, planting density was identified as the main factor influencing the differences in RVI response. This research contributes to our comprehension of the dynamic response of RVI to different growth conditions in crops, and offers valuable insights and references for agricultural monitoring.

Chlorella vulgaris algae ameliorates chlorpyrifos toxicity in Nile tilapia with special reference to antioxidant enzymes and Streptococcus agalactiae infection

BackgroundChlorpyrifos (CPF) is a widely used pesticide in the production of plant crops. Despite rapid CPF biodegradation, fish were exposed to wastewater containing detectable residues. Recently, medicinal plants and algae were intensively used in aquaculture to replace antibiotics and ameliorate stress impacts.Methods and resultsAn indoor experiment was conducted to evaluate the deleterious impacts of CPF pollution on Nile tilapia health and the potential mitigation role of Chlorella vulgaris algae. Firstly, the median lethal concentration LC50 − 72 h of CPF was determined to be 85.8 µg /L in Nile tilapia (35.6 ± 0.5 g body weight) at a water temperature of 27.5 °C. Secondly, fish were exposed to 10% of LC50 − 72 h for six weeks, and tissue samples were collected and examined every two weeks. Also, Nile tilapia were experimentally infected with Streptococcus agalactiae. Exposed fish were immunosuppressed expressed with a decrease in gene expressions of interleukin (IL) 1β, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Also, a decline was recorded in glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) gene expression in the head kidney tissue. A high mortality rate (MR) of 100% was recorded in fish exposed to CPF for six weeks and challenged with S. agalactiae. Fish that received dietary C. vulgaris could restore gene expression cytokines and antioxidants compared to the control. After six weeks of CPF exposure, fish suffered from anemia as red blood cell count (RBCs), hemoglobin (Hb), and packed cell volume (PCV) significantly declined along with downregulation of serum total protein (TP), globulin (GLO), and albumin (ALB). Liver enzymes were significantly upregulated in fish exposed to CPF pollution, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (42.5, 53.3, and 61.7 IU/L) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (30.1, 31.2, and 22.8) after 2, 4, and 6 weeks, respectively. On S. agalactiae challenge, high MR was recorded in Nile tilapia exposed to CPF (G3) 60%, 60%, and 100% in week 2, week 4, and week 6, and C. vulgaris provided a relative protection level (RPL) of 0, 14.29, and 20%, respectively.ConclusionsIt was concluded that CPF pollution induces immunosuppressed status, oxidative stress, and anemic signs in Nile tilapia. In contrast, C. vulgaris at a 50 g/kg fish feed dose could partially ameliorate such withdrawals, restoring normal physiological parameters.

[Analysis and Evaluation of Heavy Metal Pollution in Farmland Soil in China：A Meta-analysis].

In this study, a Meta-analysis was used to investigate the pollution status of eight farmland soil heavy metal elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in China. Meanwhile, their spatiotemporal changes and differences between different types of cultivated land were explored. The research data were chosen from 449 relevant literature data collected by CNKI and Web of Science from 2005 to 2021, and the Meta-analysis used a weighted method based on "sampling numbers", "study area", and "standard deviation". The results showed that the national average values of the eight heavy metal elements in Chinese farmland soil were ω(As)11.00 mg·kg-1, ω(Cd)0.350 2 mg·kg-1, ω(Cr)62.91 mg·kg-1, ω(Cu)28.87 mg·kg-1, ω(Hg)0.135 1 mg·kg-1, ω(Ni)28.91 mg·kg-1, ω(Pb)34.67 mg·kg-1,and ω(Zn)90.24 mg·kg-1. Compared with their background values, all elements except As accumulated to some extent, and Cd and Hg accumulated the most, exceeding their background values by 177.9% and 340.3%, respectively. The research results indicated that Cd and Hg were the main pollution elements in farmland soil in China, and their accumulation was mainly influenced by human activities. In terms of their temporal and spatial changes, the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the eastern coast were the most concentrated areas of pollution cases, and the pollution center shifted from the middle reaches of the Yangtze River to the southwest over time. The accumulation of heavy metals in farmland soil was affected by crop planting types, and the accumulation of heavy metals in vegetable and paddy soil was significantly greater than that in other cultivated land types.

PSEUDO-RESPONSE REGULATOR 3b and transcription factor ABF3 modulate abscisic acid-dependent drought stress response in soybean.

The circadian system plays a pivotal role in facilitating the ability of crop plants to respond and adapt to fluctuations in their immediate environment effectively. Despite the increasing comprehension of PSEUDO-RESPONSE REGULATORs (PRRs) and their involvement in the regulation of diverse biological processes, including circadian rhythms, photoperiodic control of flowering, and responses to abiotic stress, the transcriptional networks associated with these factors in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) remain incompletely characterized. In this study, we provide empirical evidence highlighting the significance of GmPRR3b as a crucial mediator in regulating the circadian clock, drought stress response, and abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway in soybeans. A comprehensive analysis of DNA affinity purification sequencing and transcriptome data identified 795 putative target genes directly regulated by GmPRR3b. Among them, a total of 570 exhibited a significant correlation with the response to drought, and eight genes were involved in both the biosynthesis and signaling pathways of ABA. Notably, GmPRR3b played a pivotal role in the negative regulation of the drought response in soybeans by suppressing the expression of abscisic acid responsive element-binding factor 3 (GmABF3). Additionally, the overexpression of GmABF3 exhibited an increased ability to tolerate drought conditions, and it also restored the hypersensitive phenotype of the GmPRR3b overexpressor. Consistently, studies on the manipulation of GmPRR3b gene expression and genome editing in plants revealed contrasting reactions to drought stress. The findings of our study collectively provide compelling evidence that emphasizes the significant contribution of the GmPRR3b-GmABF3 module in enhancing drought tolerance in soybean plants. Moreover, the transcriptional network of GmPRR3b provides valuable insights into the intricate interactions between this gene and the fundamental biological processes associated with plant adaptation to diverse environmental conditions.

An Accurate Representation of the Number of bZIP Transcription Factors in the Triticum aestivum (Wheat) Genome and the Regulation of Functional Genes during Salt Stress

Climate change is dramatically increasing the overall area of saline soils around the world, which is increasing by approximately two million hectares each year. Soil salinity decreases crop yields and, thereby, makes farming less profitable, potentially causing increased poverty and hunger in many areas. A solution to this problem is increasing the salt tolerance of crop plants. Transcription factors (TFs) within crop plants represent a key to understanding salt tolerance, as these proteins play important roles in the regulation of functional genes linked to salt stress. The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) TF has a well-documented role in the regulation of salt tolerance. To better understand how bZIP TFs are linked to salt tolerance, we performed a genome-wide analysis in wheat using the Chinese spring wheat genome, which has been assembled by the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium. We identified 89 additional bZIP gene sequences, which brings the total of bZIP gene sequences in wheat to 237. The majority of these 237 sequences included a single bZIP protein domain; however, different combinations of five other domains also exist. The bZIP proteins are divided into ten subfamily groups. Using an in silico analysis, we identified five bZIP genes (ABF2, ABF4, ABI5, EMBP1, and VIP1) that were involved in regulating salt stress. By scrutinizing the binding properties to the 2000 bp upstream region, we identified putative functional genes under the regulation of these TFs. Expression analyses of plant tissue that had been treated with or without 100 mM NaCl revealed variable patterns between the TFs and functional genes. For example, an increased expression of ABF4 was correlated with an increased expression of the corresponding functional genes in both root and shoot tissues, whereas VIP1 downregulation in root tissues strongly decreased the expression of two functional genes. Identifying strategies to sustain the expression of the functional genes described in this study could enhance wheat’s salt tolerance.

Functions of Basic Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH) Proteins in the Regulation of Plant Responses to Cold, Drought, Salt, and Iron Deficiency: A Comprehensive Review.

Abiotic stresses including cold, drought, salt, and iron deficiency severely impair plant development, crop productivity, and geographic distribution. Several bodies of research have shed light on the pleiotropic functions of BASIC HELIX-LOOP-HELIX (bHLH) proteins in plant responses to these abiotic stresses. In this review, we mention the regulatory roles of bHLH TFs in response to stresses such as cold, drought, salt resistance, and iron deficiency, as well as in enhancing grain yield in plants, especially crops. The bHLH proteins bind to E/G-box motifs in the target promoter and interact with various other factors to form a complex regulatory network. Through this network, they cooperatively activate or repress the transcription of downstream genes, thereby regulating various stress responses. Finally, we present some perspectives for future research focusing on the molecular mechanisms that integrate and coordinate these abiotic stresses. Understanding these molecular mechanisms is crucial for the development of stress-tolerant crops.

Significant Effect Of Amended Soil On Microbial Flora Of Soil And Plant Growth In Comparison With Natural Low Nutritive Soil

Soil chemical properties, such as Carbon and Nitrogen levels, are crucial for fulfilling the basic needs of plants. The presence of secondary and tertiary nutrients plays a vital role in constructing soil structure, influencing the survival of normal microbial flora, seeds, and later plant growth. The use of chemical fertilizers addresses nutritional deficiencies, but reports indicate that only 40% is utilized by plants, leading to soil issues like salinity and drought logging. When soil lacks essential nutrients, external amendments are necessary, impacting plant growth and crop yield by enhancing normal microbial flora i.e. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs). Recognizing the significance of both chemical nutrients and physical properties for healthy plant growth, a soil amendment called "Fertisol soil" was developed. This involved adding basic and secondary nutrients to the soil. The amended soil underwent analytical characterization and was compared with natural soil through chemical analysis and microbial growth assessments. Comparative studies using the amended soil showed improved plant growth and flowering capacity compared to control plants in terms of height and flowering. This highlights the positive impact of balanced nutrient amendments on soil health and overall plant performance.

The stimulating effects of international emission price fluctuations on bioenergy development of an energy-importing economy

An increase in emission price creates economic incentives because bioenergy producers could sell bioenergy and realize values attached to emission offset. Recently, the termination of the short-term goal of carbon neutrality in some European countries has skyrocketed, and demand for fossil energy has increased, as has the emission price. This situation brings challenges and opportunities to an energy-importing economy like Taiwan, which relies on fossil imports and is vulnerable to price distortions but also gets a chance to develop low-carbon energy domestically. This study proposes a mathematical programming model to investigate how such variations in emission price would affect bioenergy development from energy crops and how bioenergy producers with different production possibilities would behave in uncertain market conditions. Some insightful results are explored. First, bioenergy producers would change their production strategies from energy-focused technologies to emission-oriented ones because the gain from co-products would make emission offset more profitable. At a high emission price, biopower production declines from 11,492 GWh to about 3315 GWh. Still, more than 8.73 million tons of biochar is produced, and the total offset from bioenergy and biochar sequestration expands to 33.7 million tons of CO2. Second, the production pattern of energy crops varies substantially under market conditions. Energy crop plantation at low energy prices is 227,000–263,000 ha but expands to 638,000–798,000 ha when energy and emission prices increase. Third, reducing bioenergy production does not necessarily minimize social welfare because the gain from carbon sequestration may outweigh the loss from reduced bioenergy production at high emission prices. Potential policies that can be applied to adjust production strategies are also discussed in detail.

Engineering Rapeseed Germination and Root Growth with Mechanical Strength of Polysaccharide Hydrogel.

Plant roots are highly sensitive to physical stress in the soil, with appropriate mechanical impedance promoting root elongation and lateral root growth. However, few studies have quantitatively explored the relationship between the mechanical impedance of the growth medium and the phenotypes of plant roots. In this study, we used a tensile machine equipped with a self-made steel needle mimicking the root tip to measure the force needed to penetrate the hydrogel medium (agar, low acyl gellan gum, and κ-carrageenan), providing insights into the force required for the rapeseed root tip to enter the medium following germination. These findings indicate that root penetration length is inversely associated with the mechanical strength of the growth medium, with variations observed in the root system adaptability across different substrates. Specifically, when the gel puncture resistance of the culture medium without adding MS reached approximately 18.4 mN, root penetration and growth were significantly hindered. With the addition of 1/2 MS medium, the polysaccharide concentration is 1.0 wt %, which is more suitable for cultivating rapeseed. This research not only offers a method for quantifying root phenotypes and medium mechanical impedance but also presents an approach for plant growth regulation and crop breeding.

Winter Wheat Mapping in Shandong Province of China with Multi-Temporal Sentinel-2 Images

Winter Wheat Mapping in Shandong Province of China with Multi-Temporal Sentinel-2 Images

Uncovering DNA methylation landscapes to decipher evolutionary footprints of phenotypic diversity in chickpea.

Genetic diversity and environmental factors are long believed to be the dominant contributor to phenotypic diversity in crop plants. However, it has been recently established that, besides genetic variation, epigenetic variation, especially variation in DNA methylation, plays a significant role in determining phenotypic diversity in crop plants. Therefore, assessing DNA methylation diversity in crop plants becomes vital, especially in the case of crops like chickpea, which has a narrow genetic base. Thus, in the present study, we employed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing to assess DNA methylation diversity in wild and cultivated (desi and kabuli) chickpea. This revealed extensive DNA methylation diversity in both wild and cultivated chickpea. Interestingly, the methylation diversity was found to be significantly higher than genetic diversity, suggesting its potential role in providing vital phenotypic diversity for the evolution and domestication of the Cicer gene pool. The phylogeny based on DNA methylation variation also indicates a potential complementary role of DNA methylation variation in addition to DNA sequence variation in shaping chickpea evolution. Besides, the study also identified diverse epi-alleles of many previously known genes of agronomic importance. The Cicer MethVarMap database developed in this study enables researchers to readily visualize methylation variation within the genes and genomic regions of their interest (http://223.31.159.7/cicer/public/). Therefore, epigenetic variation like DNA methylation variation can potentially explain the paradox of high phenotypic diversity despite the narrow genetic base in chickpea and can potentially be employed for crop improvement.

Wheat companion plants reduced aphid and flea beetle infestations in Brassica vegetable crops in a multiple-year field study in central Germany

Alternative pest control systems such as companion plants are increasingly gaining importance owing to a reduced range of available synthetic insecticides and more rigorous regulation of their use in the EU. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of Brassica vegetables grown with wheat companion plants on relevant pests, respective natural enemies and harvest weight. Six trials were conducted in white cabbage and three in Chinese cabbage between 2017 and 2021. We identified an overall aphid-regulating effect for Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) and Myzus persicae (Sulz.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in white cabbage and a regulating effect on flea beetles (Phyllotreta spp.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in both tested Brassica crops. Feeding by cabbage root fly Delia radicum L. (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) larvae on white cabbage roots was not consistently affected. Natural enemies including ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), hoverfly larvae (Diptera: Syrphidae), spiders (Araneida), ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), and rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) were assessed on crop plants or in pitfall traps. The activity density of rove beetles was increased by wheat companions in both Brassica crops, while that of ground beetles was reduced in white cabbage. The weight of harvested white cabbage was reduced by wheat companions, varying between a mean reduction of 7.67% and 40.08% in different experiments. In conclusion, wheat companion plants can be an additional tool for regulating pests in Brassica vegetables. However, competition effects on crop yield and the compatibility with other cultivation aspects, e.g. crop rotation, have to be considered.