Cultivars Research Articles

Размножение in vitro перспективных сортов картофеля для возделывания в условиях Республики Коми

The paper deals with the results of clonal micropropagation of promising potato varieties for cultivation in the conditions of the Komi Republic. The study material is three potato varieties (Zyryanets, Pechorsky, Vychegodsky), characterized by the high resistance to late blight and abiotic stress factors in the conditions of the Komi Republic. The primary explants were weakly germinated eyeholes, as well as cuttings and shoot tips isolated from 14- and 30-day-old potato plants which underwent surface sterilization and then were cultivated in the Murashige–Skoog nutrient medium containing various hormones. The Pechorsky variety was identified to have the high growth index and specific growth rate of shoots in vitro. This variety can be included in studies on cell and genetic engineering aimed at creating potato forms with the complex resistance.

Application of biosensors in the detection of plant biomolecules

Traditional plant research mainly relies on the observation of external performance, and it is difficult to accurately understand the internal physiological and environmental responses of plants. However, the introduction of biosensors provides different avenues to address these issues. The application of biosensors in plants is an emerging field, combining sensor technology with biology, bringing new opportunities for plant research and agricultural production. The core content of plant biosensing technology is to embed biosensors into plants to monitor and transmit information such as biomolecules, metabolites, or environmental factors inside plants. This paper introduces the design of biosensors, the research progress of biosensors, and the development trend of biosensors. Biosensors can quickly and accurately respond to changes in plants and transmit data to researchers or farmers through wireless communication. Real-time monitoring of the nutritional status and health status of plants can help to gain insight into the adaptability and stress resistance of plants to the environment and provide support for the cultivation of original varieties with greater adaptability. Farmers can accurately fertilize, water, and prevent pests and diseases based on sensor data, improve crop yield and quality, and reduce waste of resources. In general, plant biosensor research is of great significance in the fields of environmental monitoring, biological research, agricultural application, environmental protection, and sensing technology, which can help solve practical problems and promote the development and application of science and technology.

Формування фітопатогенного мікобіому на вегетативних органах рослин пшениці озимої

Cultivated plants, which are characterized by high resistance to phytopathogenic microorganisms, create significant selective pressure on their populations and select highly pathogenic and aggressive forms. Highly susceptible plants to such microorganisms ensure a rapid growth in the population of phytopathogenic micromycetes in agrocenoses. Cultivation of such plant groups on production crops leads to an increase in biological pollution of the agrosphere and a significant decrease in the level of biological safety. This requires increased use of chemical means of plant protection against diseases, which causes chemical pollution of agroecosystems and leads to a significant decrease in the quality of plant products through the accumulation of metabolic products of phytopathogenic microorganisms in it and a decrease in biological safety in agrocenoses. Therefore, the assessment and selection of winter wheat varieties as a factor in the regulation of the phytopathogenic mycobiome in agrocenoses is a highly relevant area of research that ensures the selection of ecologically safe varieties of cultivated plants. Cultivation of such varieties leads to a decrease in the level of biological pollution in agrocenoses and increases the quality and safety of plant products. It is known that biotic, abiotic and anthropogenic factors affect the formation of populations of microorganisms. Therefore, the formation of the mycobiome on the vegetative organs of winter wheat during the ontogenesis of plants under traditional and organic technologies was investigated. It has been proven that the meteorological conditions during the years of the study, namely: high air temperature and a significant amount of precipitation during the growing season, which was observed in 2021 and in the long dry years of 2020 and 2022, had a significant impact on the formation of the population of micromycetes in the agrocenosis of winter wheat. According to the results of our own research, the population density of micromycetes and the intensity of sporulation of mushroom species decreased during the phase of emergence into the tube using traditional cultivation technology. At the same time, during the earing phase, mushroom sporulation increases by 2–3 times. This can be explained by the homeostatic reaction of the population of micromycetes in the mycobiome of vegetative organs of winter wheat plants to the chemical pressure of applied pesticides, which can cause contamination of agrocenoses with infectious structures of pathogens and their toxic metabolites. At the same time, the population density of micromycetes, under organic cultivation technology, increased during the growing season from the tillering phase to the earing phase, depending on the soil and climatic conditions. Under the conditions of various winter wheat cultivation technologies, significant changes in the formation of micromycete populations were observed due to the influence of varietal characteristics of plants. A significantly lower frequency of occurrence of species and their intensity of sporulation was observed on the vegetative organs of the Skagen variety, compared to winter wheat plants of the Podolyanka variety. This testifies to the ability of physiological and biochemical substances of plants of various varieties of winter wheat to stimulate or restrain the development of micromycetes in the mycobiome of vegetative organs of the culture. Evaluation of the plant variety based on indicators of influence on the density, frequency of occurrence and intensity of sporulation of micromycetes will ensure a decrease in the level of biological pollution and an increase in the biosafety of plant raw materials.

Monitoring of sunflower breeding material to identify the level of resistance to false powdery mildew

Increased production of sunflower oilseeds requires the use of yielding, adapted to the conditions of cultivation varieties and hybrids resistant to harmful pathogens of the growing area. A number of reasons contribute to the decline in crop resistance. One of them is the emergence of conditions for the development of not only new diseases, but also more aggressive races of already well-known pathogens. The most effective and environmentally friendly way to control crop diseases is to create sustainable breeding material. In this regard, in the conditions of the East Kazakhstan region studies were conducted to assess the resistance to false powdery mildew of the promising breeding material of sunflower created by the specialists of the East Kazakhstan Agricultural Experimental Station. Quantitative indices of affected plants and the intensity of sporoniferous lesions on seedlings were determined. Characterization of the degree of susceptibility of the tested samples on a 5-point scale was given. The results of the experiments confirmed the possibility of selection at different stages of the breeding work. The selected source material can be used as parental forms in the creation of new sunflower varieties and hybrids.

Influence of planting and maintenance practices on the soil’s agrophysical properties, yield and quality of potato varieties of kamchatka breeding

The influence of different technological methods of planting and care, different in the number of treatments and timing of formation of a full ridge profile on the agrophysical properties of soil, the formation of yields in the cultivation of new varieties of potatoes of Kamchatka breeding, to improve the existing technology was studied. Rolling the soil when planting potatoes, contributed to the conservation of moisture in the soil at an average of 1.6%. During the vegetation period soil moisture was the highest at potato planting with soil consolidation and ridging in the period of mass sprouts and made up 36,65 % at 34,04 % in the control. On the average during the vegetation period, the soil volume weight in the layer 0-15 cm varied within the range 0,64-0,66 g/cm3 and was optimal for potatoes. Application of new technological methods in growing potatoes had a positive effect on the structural and aggregate state of the soil. At different system of care during vegetation the maximum size of a ridge was formed at early ridge formation with filling of shoots, the ridge height before harvesting averaged 24.5 cm, and the area of cross-section 930.4 cm2, increase to the control - 16.0 cm and 572.6 cm2 respectively. This method created favorable conditions for the development and accumulation of potato yield, the yield of the variety Geyser was 37.6 t/ha, Vulkan - 33.3 t/ha. Covering of soil at planting and ridge forming during the period of mass potato shoots promoted the increase of the crop capacity of the variety Geyser by 4,7 t/ha (14,3 %), Vulkan - 3,7 t/ha (12,5 %), due to soil rolling the increase of the crop capacity on the variety Geyser was on the average 4,0 %, Vulkan - 2,6 %, due to ridge forming - 10,0 %, 9,6 % respectively.

COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FOREST AND GARDEN BILBERRIES AS A RATIONALE FOR USE AS A SOURCE OF FUNCTIONAL INGREDIENTS

The attention of researchers - developers and manufacturers of food products is deservedly attracted by bilberries due to the rich and various complex of natural components that are beneficial to health. Both wild-growing and cultivated bilberries are involved in the sphere of industrial processing. It is traditionally believed that a berry grown in natural habitats is more environmentally friendly and is not inferior to cultivated varieties in terms of nutritional value. The purpose of the work is to conduct a study of the biochemical composition of berries of forest and garden bilberries to analyze its ability to accumulate food and biologically active compounds. The studies were carried out using modern physicochemical analysis methods (spectrophotometric method, HPLC, atomic absorption method). It has been experimentally shown that garden bilberries accumulate significantly more sugars than forest bilberries The trend for indigestible carbohydrates is the opposite: wild-growing bilberries are characterized by a high content of fiber and pectin with a predominance of the protopectin fraction. According to the content of organic acids, no priorities were identified: forest and garden bilberries were characterized by almost the same content. However, malic acid prevails in wild bilberries, and citric acid prevails in garden bilberries. It has been experimentally proven that wild bilberries are significantly superior to garden bilberries in terms of the content of bioactive polyphenolic compounds, anthocyanins, vitamin C, and carotenoids. In the complex of polyphenolic compounds of forest and garden bilberries, the same representatives of flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, catechin, resveratrol) and their metabolic products, phenolic acids (gallic, cinnamic, chlorogenic, ferulic, lilac), were identified. With the same qualitative composition of anthocyanin compounds, differences in quantitative ratios were revealed: cyanidin-3-galactoside prevails in wild bilberries, and delphinidin-3-galactoside prevails in garden bilberries. As for macronutrients, potassium prevails in both types of bilberries, and more calcium accumulates in garden bilberries. Forest bilberries surpass garden bilberries in terms of micronutrient accumulation. Considering the results of the analysis of the chemical composition it is obvious that the berries of forest and garden bilberries are of exceptional interest to food technologists, since they are a source of biologically active and minor components useful for health, as well as natural dyes and antioxidants. Therefore, the use of bilberries and its processing products in the production of food products will make it possible to endow products with healthy properties and realize functional properties in food technologies.

Characterizing subgenome recombination and chromosomal imbalances in banana varietal lineages.

Bananas and plantains (Musa spp.) are among the most important crops worldwide. The cultivated varieties are vegetatively propagated, so their genetic diversity is essentially fixed over time. Musa acuminata, M. balbisiana and M. schizocarpa have provided the named A, B and S subgenomes that predominantly constitute these varieties. Here we aimed to characterize intergenetic recombination and chromosomal imbalances between these A/B/S subgenomes, which often result in copy-number variants (CNVs) leading to changes in gene dosage and phenotype, in a diverse panel of bananas and plantains. This will allow us to characterize varietal lineages better and identify sources of genetic variation. We delimited population structure and clonal lineages in a diverse panel of 188 banana and plantain accessions from the most common cultivars using admixture, principal component and phylogenetic analyses. We used new scalable alignment-based methods, Relative Averaged Alignment (RAA) and Relative Coverage, to infer subgenome composition (AA, AAB, etc.) and interspecific recombination. In our panel, we identified ten varietal lineages composed of somatic clones, plus three groups of tetraploid accessions. We identified chromosomal exchanges resulting in gains/losses in chromosomal segments (CNVs), particularly in AAB and ABB varieties. We demonstrated alignment-based RAA and Relative Coverage can identify subgenome composition and introgressions with similar results to more complex approaches based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) databases. These ab initio species-agnostic methods can be used without sequencing a panel of wild ancestors to find private SNPs, or in recently diverged pools where private SNPs are uncommon. The extensive A/B/S exchanges and the variation in the length of some introgressions between lineages further support multiple foundational events of hybridization and residual backcrossing. Imbalances between A/B/S may have resulted in CNVs and gene dosage variation. Since most edible banana genomes are fixed on time, these CNVs are stable genetic variations probably associated with phenotypic variation for future genetic studies.

Loss of Traditional Orchards and Its Impact on the Occurrence of Threatened Tree-Dwelling Bird Species

Horticulture is one of the land use types in agricultural landscapes, which is beneficial for nature if traditional ways of management are implemented. Orchards are affected by three negative transformations: abandonment that leads to afforestation; grubbing as a result of the cessation of fruit plantation; or intensification with the use of chemicals. In this study, changes in orchard management and structure were examined over a decade (2014–2023) in southern Poland (the Carpathians). Additionally, changes in the distribution of Syrian woodpeckers were assessed—a rare species of special concern in the European Union being a major nest hole excavator in orchards. Over a decade, trees in nearly one-fourth of orchards were removed, 15% of orchards were overgrown by forests due to abandonment, and only 40% remained unchanged. The changes were most pronounced in already abandoned orchards and many traditionally used ones. Fruit trees were grubbed in orchards in areas with a high density of people and roads, whereas succession prevailed in orchards in the vicinity of forests. During the same period, around 40% of woodpecker territories vanished, and this phenomenon was associated with tree grubbing or succession by forests. As the Syrian woodpecker requires protection in Europe, it is recommended to preserve traditional horticulture. Moreover, conservative cultivation of traditional varieties of fruit trees and agro-tourism in traditional orchards could be implemented in synergy with nature conservation.

Genome-wide association study on resistance of cultivated soybean to Fusarium oxysporum root rot in Northeast China

BackgroundFusarium oxysporum is a prevalent fungal pathogen that diminishes soybean yield through seedling disease and root rot. Preventing Fusarium oxysporum root rot (FORR) damage entails on the identification of resistance genes and developing resistant cultivars. Therefore, conducting fine mapping and marker development for FORR resistance genes is of great significance for fostering the cultivation of resistant varieties. In this study, 350 soybean germplasm accessions, mainly from Northeast China, underwent genotyping using the SoySNP50K Illumina BeadChip, which includes 52,041 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Their resistance to FORR was assessed in a greenhouse. Genome-wide association studies utilizing the general linear model, mixed linear model, compressed mixed linear model, and settlement of MLM under progressively exclusive relationship models were conducted to identify marker-trait associations while effectively controlling for population structure.ResultsThe results demonstrated that these models effectively managed population structure. Eight SNP loci significantly associated with FORR resistance in soybean were detected, primarily located on Chromosome 6. Notably, there was a strong linkage disequilibrium between the large-effect SNPs ss715595462 and ss715595463, contributing substantially to phenotypic variation. Within the genetic interval encompassing these loci, 28 genes were present, with one gene Glyma.06G088400 encoding a protein kinase family protein containing a leucine-rich repeat domain identified as a potential candidate gene in the reference genome of Williams82. Additionally, quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis evaluated the gene expression levels between highly resistant and susceptible accessions, focusing on primary root tissues collected at different time points after F. oxysporum inoculation. Among the examined genes, only this gene emerged as the strongest candidate associated with FORR resistance.ConclusionsThe identification of this candidate gene Glyma.06G088400 improves our understanding of soybean resistance to FORR and the markers strongly linked to resistance can be beneficial for molecular marker-assisted selection in breeding resistant soybean accessions against F. oxysporum.

Morphological structure of variety populations of Clarkia unguiculata Lindl. in the south of Western Siberia

Clarkia unguiculata Lindl. - ornamental-flowering, annual, Californian crop - promising for landscaping in the south of Western Siberia. Decorativeness is determined by its morphobiological traits and adaptive properties. The aim of the work was to evaluate stratification variability of morphological structure of C. unguiculata Lindl. shoots in cultivated populations to improve the methodology of its breeding and seed production in the south of Western Siberia. Cultivated varieties Clarkia different producers were evaluated: C. unguiculata ‘Coral Reefs’ (Novosibirsk State Agricultural University), C. unguiculata ‘Albina’ and ‘Purpurnaya’ (LLC “Group of Companies “Gavrish”); C. unguiculata ‘Rubinovaya’ (Agrofirm Seeds of Altai LLC); C. unguiculata ‘Sakura’ (JSC “APK “ Russky Ogorod”). The study of biometric parameters and stratification variability of shoots was carried out on 10-20 test samples. In C. unguiculata plants 3 stratification of shoots were clearly distinguished: upper (main stem and the first two shoots of the second order), middle and lower (including seed shoots). A high correlation between peduncle productivity and linear brush size was found (r = 0.93). The total number of pedicels ranged from 32-50 per generative individual (CV = 20 %). The number of pedicels of the fourth (CV = 91,6 %) and fifth (CV = 64,2 %) orders was the most variable. The basiton type of branching was observed in the Cultivated varieties: C. unguiculata ‘Coral Reefs’, C. unguiculata ‘Sakura’ and C. unguiculata ‘Ruby’, while the acroton type was observed in the Cultivated varieties C. unguiculata ‘Albina’ and C. unguiculata ‘Purpurea’. Clustering of cultivated populations by the degree of development and productivity of flower stalks of different orders, by measuring Euclidean distances revealed 2 main clusters: the first included, characterized by high floral productivity original, variety Coral Reefs, registered 25.11.2022 in the State Variety Commission of the Russian Federation, and the second all the remaining cultivated populations: C. unguiculata ‘Rubinovaya’ with a minimum degree of flower productivity, C. unguiculata ‘Albina’ and C. unguiculata ‘Purpurnaya’ with average and C. unguiculata ‘Sakura’ above average. As a result, it was possible to identify important quantitative traits: the total number of peduncles per individual, linear size of the brush and the number of flowers on the peduncle. All cultivated populations are sources of a complex of breeding significant quantitative, morphobiological traits. The cultivated population of Clarkia unguiculata ‘Coral Reefs’ is recommended for landscaping the south of Western Siberia and other regions of Russia.

Modification of agricultural traits in cultivated varieties of barley and wheat

CRISPR/Cas technology makes it possible to induce mutations at defined positions. In breeding-oriented research, this opens up exciting opportunities for the targeted improvement of many agricultural crops. Wheat and barley are among the most important cereals in the world. However, the transformation poses a particular challenge for cereals and is strongly genotype dependent. This is because agrobacteria, which is mostly used for delivering the CRISPR/Cas system, have a limited compatibility with these non-host plants. Transformation of wheat is additionally difficult due to the large genome size and polyploidy.
 Besides obtaining improved genotypes, the object of the current study was to optimize the method of genomic editing based on the CRISPR/Cas system using particle bombardment for non-model varieties of barley and wheat. In barley, we targeted theNudgene that controls hulled/naked phenotype of the grain. Since the regeneration rate remains an issue for the cultivated cultivars, we used the JD633 vector that carries theGRF4-GIF1chimera to increase the efficiency of regeneration. We obtained five T0plants, carrying mutations. In wheat, targetingPpd-1genes that control photoperiod-dependent floral induction results in Cas9-induced mutations in 52 of 210 T0plants. The developed collection of wheat plants with different new alleles ofPpd-D1andPpd-B1genes is being studied for the expression under short day conditions and the effect on the vegetation period.
 Thus, we have obtained plants of the cultivated varieties of barley and wheat with edited agronomically important genes, using the improved protocols of biolistic transformation.
 This work was done within the framework of State Assignment Kurchatov Genomic Center of ICG SB RAS (No. 075-15-2019-1662).

Development of a PEI-coated SWNTs Nanocarrier for efficient delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 in early embryos of Litopenaeus vannamei

Cultivation of superior varieties is the key to maintaining the sustainable development of the Litopenaeus vannamei (L.vannamei) industry. CRISPR/Cas9 technology represents a generation of genetic breeding technology based on gene editing. However, the conventional delivery strategy of CRISPR/Cas9 components could not be used due to the particular physiological traits and practical difficulties of L. vannamei embryos. We designed and established polyethylenimine (PEI)-coated nanoparticles with carboxylated SNWTs core to safely deliver CRISPR/Cas9 plasmids into early embryos for target gene editing. The results showed that the transfection efficiency of this strategy was 36%, which was approximately 4-fold higher than the efficiency of the classical lipid transfection method. The transcription factor Pax6, which has notable effects on early embryonic eye development, provides clear phenotypic proof for this strategy. Unnatural base alterations were found in up to 20% of transfected embryos. This study establishes a foundation for the application of CRISPR technology in L. vannamei and provides an innovative approach for large-scale gene function studies in aquaculture.

Carbon footprint of major grain crops in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River during 2011-2020

The middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River is one of main grain production areas in China, which is of great significance to food security. Understanding the carbon footprint of major grain crop production is helpful to develop high-yield and low-carbon agriculture. Based on the data of yield, sown area and farmland production input of main grain crops (rice, wheat and maize) in six provinces (Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, and Zhejiang) in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River from 2011 to 2020, we estimated carbon footprint in the production of the three grain crops. The results showed that from 2011 to 2020, yield per unit area, planting area, and total yield of rice, wheat and maize were the highest in Jiangsu Province. In terms of area-scaled carbon footprint, rice in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River had the highest area-scaled carbon footprint, with an average of 2.0 t CE·hm-2, followed by wheat and maize. The area-scaled carbon footprint of the three staple crops was increasing. In terms of yield-scaled carbon footprint, rice was the highest, with an average of 0.8 kg CE·kg-1, followed by wheat and maize. In terms of carbon input structure, irrigation electricity, chemical fertilizers and pesticides accounted for a relatively high proportion. Irrigation electricity accounted for 35.0%, 36.3%, and 33.2% of the total carbon input of rice, wheat and maize, respectively. Chemical fertilizers accounted for 28.8%, 32.5%, and 32.5%, respectively, while pesticides accounted for 24.2%, 13.3% and 11.5%, respectively. In terms of carbon efficiency, maize had the highest (3.9 kg·kg-1 CE), followed by rice and wheat. With the green development of agriculture, carbon emission in the production of major grain crops in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River could be reduced by improving irrigation efficiency, fertilizer utilization efficiency, pesticide utilization efficiency and mechanized operation efficiency, as well as diversification of straw returning, cultivation of new varieties and policy leverage.

Assessment of genetic variability amongst cultivated varieties of quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) detected by SSR

Assessment of genetic variability amongst cultivated varieties of quince (<i>Cydonia oblonga</i> Mill.) detected by SSR

Flash drought in Odisha- prediction, impact assessment, coping strategies: Current status and future strategies

A detailed review was done on the past studies conducted by the researchers on climate change and variability, particularly for the Indian conditions having a typical monsoon climate. The short-term droughts (flash droughts) occurring due to the prolonged dry spells, heat waves, soil moisture deficits, which are caused due to the climate variability were also investigated. Accurate prediction techniques used for flash drought (FD), assessment of its impact on agriculture and farmers’ income as well as appropriate coping strategies recommended by different researchers to minimize the losses in crop yield and farmers’ income were analyzed. The total loss in crop yield was found to increase with increase in land size; however, per acre loss was higher for smaller holdings. It was observed that the resource crunch small and marginal farmers particularly belonging to SC/ST were worst sufferers due to their inability to adopt appropriate coping strategies such as: crop insurance, short duration climate resilient cultivars, low-interest loans from financial institutions etc. It was inferred that the FD needs special attention particularly for the state of Odisha, where a majority of the population are engaged in agriculture and its allied activities. Agriculture accounts for around 30 per cent of the net state domestic product (NSDP). Investigations of the past studies revealed that the western Odisha regions are most vulnerable to climate change and variability and to the FD caused by the climate variability. The small and marginal tribal farmers of western Odisha whose sole source of income is from agriculture, with low affordability, are worst affected. To cope with these natural calamities, they need to adopt coping strategies namely, going for a variety of sources of income, cultivation of short-duration climate resilient varieties, in-situ rainwater conservation and use for life-saving irrigation, crop insurance, and low interest loans as well as low-cost post-harvest techniques for the perishable crop produce etc.&#x0D;

A QTL allele from wild soybean enhances protein content without reducing the oil content

Abstract Soybean is one of the chief crops producing protein and oil for human consumption. Wild soybean, the ancestor of cultivated soybean, possesses high seed protein content; therefore, it is a valuable genetic resource that could enhance protein content in the cultivated varieties. To identify the genes responsible for increasing protein content in wild soybean, a population comprising 113 BC4F6 chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSL) was developed from a cross between soybean cultivar ‘Jackson’ and wild soybean accession JWS156-1. The CSSL population was cultivated in the field conditions for 3 years (2018, 2019 and 2020), and the seeds harvested from each line were analysed for protein and oil contents by InfraTec Nova instrument. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis with 243 SSR markers identified 12 QTLs associated with seed protein, oil and protein + oil contents. Among these QTLs, qPro8 and qPro19, two major and stable QTLs for protein content, were detected on chromosomes 8 and 19, respectively. No QTL for oil content was detected in the vicinity of qPro19, indicating that qPro19 did not influence the seed oil content. The effect of qPro19 was validated using near-isogenic lines (NILs) of qPro19. By introducing the qPro19 allele from wild soybean into another soybean variety, ‘Tachiyutaka’, a BC4 line, T-678, that showed enhanced seed protein content, without reducing the seed oil content. This study implied that the qPro19 allele from wild soybean could be a potential genetic resource for breeding programmes aimed to improve soybean seed quality.

Response of Abscission Zone of Blue Honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) Fruit to GA3 and 2,4-D Spray Application

The nutritional value of blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) fruit is abundant; however, its production faces challenges due to a short harvesting period and fruit drop issues. In this study, the effects and potential mechanisms of two different plant growth regulators, GA3 (Gibberellins acid) and 2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), on blue honeysuckle fruit abscission and abscission layer formation were investigated. The main cultivated variety of blue honeysuckle, ‘Berel’, was used as the experimental material. GA3 and 2,4-D were sprayed on the plants from the veraison. The anatomical structure of the fruit abscission zone (FAZ) was observed after treatment. Key enzymes involved in cell wall degradation, pectinase, cellulase, polygalacturonase, and pectin methylesterase, were analyzed for their activities. Furthermore, the gene expression levels of cell wall detachment-related genes CX1, CX2, PL20, PE, and key genes for gibberellin and ethylene synthesis GA2OX1, GA1, ACO, and ACO3 were examined. The results indicated that the application of GA3 and 2,4-D could delay the formation of the abscission layer. In the FAZ treated with GA3 and 2,4-D at 5 DAT, the activity of key enzymes involved in cell wall degradation decreased, the expression of genes related to cell wall degradation enzymes and key genes for ethylene synthesis was inhibited, and the drop of fruit reduced. In conclusion, exogenous application of GA3 and 2,4-D suppresses the abscission of ‘Berel’ blue honeysuckle fruit, likely through the inhibition of cell wall degradation and abscission layer formation.

Assessing clethodim spot spraying applications for control of problematic weedy rice and other grasses in California rice fields

AbstractSpot spraying applications offer the opportunity to target specific weeds in a field, while simultaneously reducing herbicide usage and increasing the long‐term efficacy of chemical control options. The study is focused on controlling California weedy rice accessions (Oryza spp.) and problematic grass weeds with a spot spray application of clethodim in a flooded rice system. The efficacy of incorporating nonionic surfactant to clethodim applications was also assessed. Dose‐response experiments were carried out in a greenhouse on five weedy rice accessions, common grass rice weeds, and cultivated rice varieties L207, M105, M206, M209, M211, and S102 to determine the dose needed to affect these populations. Clethodim was applied in a field setting to assess spot spraying efficacy, the possibility of herbicide dispersion in the water, and crop injury. Clethodim successfully controlled weedy rice and grasses in the greenhouse. The effective rates to control 90% of the five test populations (ED90) were between 51 and 74 g ai ha−1 clethodim for weedy rice accessions. Adding nonionic surfactant to clethodim increased its efficacy by 1.6‐ to 1.9‐fold. Cultivated rice varieties did not exhibit any tolerance to clethodim, however, spot spraying applications at 150 g ai ha−1 clethodim did not cause any dispersion in the field. Clethodim spot spray application was effective both at the three‐ to four‐leaf growth stage and tillering growth stage for weedy rice.

How Himalayan communities are changing cultivation practices in the context of climate change

Climate change can have significant impacts on crop yields and food security. This study assessed the linkages between climate change and crop yields to obtain a better understanding on the drivers of food security. The study was conducted in Pasagaun village of Lamjung District in Nepal, where household surveys and focus group discussions (FGDs) were used to collect data including crop cultivation, irrigation facilities, and adaptation strategies. Moreover, climate data (temperature and precipitation) from 1992 to 2020 were collected from the Khudi Bazar meteorological station and crop yield data were obtained from the Agri-Business Promotion and Statistics Division. Trend analysis of temperature and precipitation was conducted using Mann-Kendall trend test and Sen's Slope method, and the results showed an increase in the average temperature of approximately 0.02 ​°C/a and a decrease in the annual precipitation of 9.84 mm/a. The cultivation of traditional varieties of rice and foxtail millet (Kaguno) has vanished. Although, there was no significant impact of the maximum temperature on the yield of rice and maize, the regression analysis revealed that there are negative relationships between rice yield and annual minimum temperature (r ​= ​−0.44), between millet yield and annual precipitation (r ​= ​−0.30), and between maize yield and annual minimum temperature (r ​= ​−0.31) as well as positive relationship between rice yield and annual precipitation (r ​= ​0.16). Moreover, average rice yield and millet yield have decreased by 27.0% and 57.0% in 2000–2020, respectively. Despite other reasons for the decrease in crop yield such as the lack of irrigation facilities, out-migration of farmer, and increased pest infestation, respondents have adopted adaptation strategies (for example, shifts in cultivation time and changes in crop types) to minimize the impacts of climate change. More investigation and community-based farming education are needed to understand and alleviate the harmful impacts of climate change on crop yield, as effective adaptation coping strategies are still insufficient. This study provides insights into the adaptation strategies that are necessary to keep food security in the face of climate change.

Bioprospecting for improved floral fragrance in wild sunflowers

Abstract Cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is not typically considered to have a pleasant floral fragrance. In field production, seed yield is often limited by pollination services, particularly in the production of hybrid seed. Improved floral fragrance, as determined by volatile organic compounds, may be a route to improving pollinator attraction for oilseed and confectionary production and could also add value to ornamental sunflowers. Wild relatives of H. annuus have a long history of being used to breed improved traits into cultivated varieties, yet it is unknown whether favorable scents are present in wild Helianthus species and thus an available resource for fragrance breeding. In order to assess the diversity of floral fragrance available in crop wild relatives, 30 diverse accessions of wild Helianthus as well as seven varieties of H. annuus spanning a domestication gradient were grown in greenhouse experiments and variation in floral volatiles was analyzed by solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. While alpha-pinene made up a significant portion of the volatiles emitted for most taxa, there was substantial diversity present across the genus as well as within H. annuus. Most volatiles emitted were monoterpenoids with a significant share of sesquiterpenoids. The diversity identified here will inform further targeted study of which compounds affect pollinator attraction and health. Several wild accessions such as Helianthus debilis subsp. tardiflorus and Helianthus praecox subsp. praecox as well as open-pollinated domesticated accessions of H. annuus show promise for breeding for improved floral fragrance due to high volatile abundance and likely favorable compound compositions.