Elements In Grains Research Articles

Common millet and soybean intercropping with bio-fertilizer as sustainable practice for managing grain yield and quality

Climate changes are one of the biggest threats to food security. Sustainable agriculture, focused on eco-friendly practices for highly efficient food production, enables greater resilience and safety. This study experimented on intercropping and bio-fertilizer application as convenient ecological solutions for crop yield stability and quality. The experiment was conducted during 2018 and 2020 with soybean and common millet sown in three sowing patterns: alternating rows, alternating strips 1 (2 rows of soybean + 2 rows of millet), and alternating strips 2 (2 rows of soybean + 4 rows of millet), as well as sole crops (control), with or without a bio-fertilizer Coveron. Grain yield and nutrient grain yield response were calculated through land equivalent ratio (LER) and element-LER (E-LER), while quality was estimated based on the concentration of antioxidants (phytate phosphorus, total phenolic compounds, and yellow pigment) and elements in grains, including potential bio-availability of essential elements. Results revealed LER values to be >1 for all sowing patterns, with the highest one achieved in alternating strips 1 (1.38) together with a greater level of all antioxidants in millet grain. Intercropping significantly enhanced Fe and Mn accumulation in both crops and simultaneously decreased the concentration of potentially toxic elements (Al, Cr) in millet grain. Potential bio-availability of essential elements, expressed through the ratio between phytic acid and Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn revealed smaller values in intercropped soybean and millet with the bio-fertilizer. The bio-fertilizer also increased the concentration of some micro-elements in millet grain, classifying it as a highly dependent plant to microbial inoculation. Interaction of intercropping and bio-fertilizer was most pronounced for LER, E-LER, and accumulation of Fe and Mn in grains. These results highlighted the benefits of soybean–common millet intercropping, especially in combination with the bio-fertilizer, in light of enhanced land utilization and nutrient absorption, thus increasing the resilience of soybean and millet under dry land conditions and low-input systems toward stability and food security.

Dynamics of the Content and Distribution of Trace Elements in Sod-Podzolic Soils and Plants of Agrocenoses

The paper presents the results of a survey of sod-podzolic soils for agricultural purposes and plants of reference sites of the Ivanovo region for the content of boron, copper, cobalt, manganese and zinc in them, conducted in 2014 and 2021. Correlation analysis determined the influence of individual physical and chemical properties of soils on the content and distribution of available forms of trace elements in the soil and the relationship between the trace elements themselves. Changes in the availability of trace elements of the soils of the plots have been established. According to the amount of content of available forms of trace elements in soils, the need for the use of micronutrients is determined. The sequences of crops were determined by the content of trace elements in grain and straw of cereals, the green mass of forage grasses, as well as the distribution of trace elements between parts of the grown crop. Grain, straw and green mass were evaluated for compliance with veterinary standards for the content of copper, zinc and cobalt in feed. The coefficients of accumulation of trace elements by plant products of crops are calculated and their comparative analysis is carried out. By the magnitude and sign of the correlation coefficients between the concentrations of trace elements in plants, the manifestation of antagonism and synergy between trace elements was determined. The Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients between the content of mobile forms of trace elements in the soil and their content in plant products, as well as between the content of trace elements in grain and straw of cereals revealed their strength and the ambiguous nature of the relationships..

Identification of subspecies-divergent genetic loci responsible for mineral accumulation in rice grains.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a major staple food that provides not only dietary calories but also trace elements for the global inhabitants. The insufficiency of mineral nutrients and the potential accumulation of excessive toxic elements in grains pose risks to human health. The substantial natural variations in mineral accumulation in rice grains presents potentials for genetic improvements of rice via biofortifications of essential mineral nutrients and eliminations of toxic elements in grains. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying the natural variations in mineral accumulation have not been fully explored to date owing to unstable phenotypic variations, which are attributed to poor genetic performance and strong environmental effects. In this study, we first compared the genetic performance of different normalization approaches in determining the grain-Cd, grain-Mn, and grain-Zn variations in rice in different genetic populations. Then through quantitative trait loci (QTLs) identification in two rice inter-ectype populations, three QTLs, including qCd7, qMn3, and qZn7, were identified and the QTLs were found to exhibit allelic differentiation in the different ecotypes. Our results were expected to broaden our understanding for mineral accumulation in rice and propose the potential functional alleles that can be explored for further genetic improvement of rice.

FUNCTIONING OF SOYBEAN-RHIZOBIA SYMBIOSIS AFTER VARIOUS METHODS APPLYING TRACE ELEMENTS COMPLEX

Objective. Investigate the effect of inoculation of soybean seeds with an active strain of nodule bacteria Bradyrhizobium japonicum T21-2 and treatment of seed or vegetative plants with a complex of trace elements Avatar-2 on the functioning of the symbiotic apparatus and grain productivity. Methods. Physiological, microbiological, gas chromatographic, vegetation experiment, statistical. Results. As a result of joint treatment of seeds with nodule bacteria and Avatar-2, inhibition of nodulation activity of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in the stage of three true leaves was revealed in comparison with symbiotic systems formed as a result of standard inoculation of seed with rhizobia of Bradyrhizobium japonicum T21-2 strain. In the stage of budding / beginning of flowering and bean formation on the soybean roots of this variant, the number of nodules exceeded the corresponding figure in plants, bacterized without the use of trace elements by 16.6 % and 24.1 %, respectively. The combination of inoculation of seeds and feeding of plants during the vegetation with Avatar-2 did not have a significant effect on the activity of symbiotic systems in the stage of three true leaves and budding / beginning of flowering. However, in the stage of bean formation, a 38 % increase in nitrogen-fixing activity was detected compared to plants grown from seeds of rhizobia inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum T21-2 strain (without the use of trace elements). Activation of soybean growth processes at all stages of plant development when exposed of seed bacterization and use of Avatar-2 by different methods was noted. Inoculation of seeds and using microfertilizers, both as separate elements of soybean cultivation technology and complex treatments in the conditions of vegetation experiment, resulted in a decrease in grain content of copper, zinc, iron and nickel. It was found that pre-sowing treatment of soybean seeds with a complex of chelated nutrients without bacterization caused an increase in grain weight per plant by 17.8 %, and when feeding non-inoculated growing plants with this fertilizer — by 27.5 % compared to the control. The combination of both factors — inoculation of seeds with a bacterial preparation and different using of trace element complex also had a positive effect on individual productivity of soybean plants, as evidenced by an increase of 14.4 % and 30.2 % compared to plants whose seeds were treated with rhizobia only. Conclusion. The combination of intensification factors in soybean cultivation technology through the use of different methods of complex microfertilizer and seed treatment with highly active strain of nodule bacteria has a significant impact on plant growth, content of individual trace elements in grain and creates a significant reserve of grain productivity of this crop.

Exogenous Application of Biostimulants and Synthetic Growth Promoters Improved the Productivity and Grain Quality of Quinoa Linked with Enhanced Photosynthetic Pigments and Metabolomics

Modern agriculture is mainly concerned with maximum resource use efficiency linked with greater productivity to feed the growing global population. The exogenous application of biostimulants is considered a sustainable approach to improve the growth and productivity of field crops. The present study was carried out to explore the comparative impact of biostimulants and synthetic compounds on quinoa crop (cultivar UAF-Q7), as it has gained significant popularity among agricultural scientists and farmers throughout the world, due to its high nutritional profile. A two-year field experiment was carried out at the Research Area of Directorate of Farms, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Application of moringa leaf extract (MLE) produced the maximum total chlorophyll (5.11 mg g−1) and carotenoids (1.2 mg g−1), compared with the control. Antioxidants’ activities and gas exchange attributes were also recorded as the highest following MLE application. Mineral elements in root and in shoot were found highest in response to MLE application. Similarly, application of MLE significantly improved the growth and yield attributes of quinoa. Mineral elements of grain (Mg, Zn and Fe) were also significantly enhanced. MLE was found to be more responsive in improving the growth and quality compared with synthetic compounds.

Pollution status and exposure assessment of lead, cadmium, total mercury and total arsenic in grains on sale from Shaanxi Province, 2002-2018

To investigate the pollution status of lead, cadmium, total mercury and total arsenic in grains sold in Shaanxi Province, and to analyze the potential risk of dietary exposure. A total of 1873 samples of wheat, wheat flour, rice, maize and their products were randomly collected in circulation. The contents of lead and cadmium were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and total mercury and arsenic were determined by atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The pollution status of four elements in grains was evaluated by single factor pollution index method, margin of exposure(MOE) was used to assess lead exposure, cadmium exposure was assessed by the ratio of estimated monthly intake(EMI) to provisional tolerable monthly intake(PTMI), and exposure to mercury and arsenic was assessed using the ratio of estimated weekly intake(EWI) to provisional tolerable weekly intake(PTWI). The average values of lead, cadmium, total mercury and total arsenic in grains sold in Shaanxi Province were 0.070, 0.022, 0.0079 and 0.030 mg/kg. The over-standard rates of lead, cadmium and total mercury were 6.30%, 1.39% and 4.43%. The average single factor pollution index of lead, cadmium, total mercury and total arsenic was less than 0.7; The MOE value of lead in grains was 0.99-18.41, the intake of cadmium in grains accounted for 19.08% of PTMI, and the intake of mercury and arsenic accounted for 10.28% and 10.67% of PTWI. Lead, cadmium, total mercury and total arsenic in all kinds of cereals sold in Shaanxi Province from 2002 to 2018 were less polluted and their intake was within the safe range.

Genomic selection can accelerate the biofortification of spring wheat.

Genomic selection enabled accurate prediction for the concentration of 13 nutritional element traits in wheat. Wheat biofortification is one of the most sustainable strategies to alleviate mineral deficiency in human diets. Here, we investigated the potential of genomic selection using BayesR and Bayesian ridge regression (BRR) models to predict grain yield (YLD) and the concentration of 13 nutritional elements in grains (B, Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P and Zn) using a population of 1470 spring wheat lines. The lines were grown in replicated field trials with two times of sowing (TOS) at 3 locations (Narrabri-NSW, all lines; Merredin-WA and Horsham-VIC, 200 core lines). Narrow-sense heritability across environments (locations/TOS) ranged from 0.09 to 0.45. Co, K, Na and Ca showed low to negative genetic correlations with other traits including YLD, while the remaining traits were negatively correlated with YLD. When all environments were included in the reference population, medium to high prediction accuracy was observed for the different traits across environments. BayesR had higher average prediction accuracy for mineral concentrations (r = 0.55) compared to BRR (r = 0.48) across all traits and environments but both methods had comparable accuracies for YLD. We also investigated the utility of one or two locations (reference locations) to predict the remaining location(s), as well as the ability of one TOS to predict the other. Under these scenarios, BayesR and BRR showed comparable performance but with lower prediction accuracy compared to the scenario of predicting reference environments for new lines. Our study demonstrates the potential of genomic selection for enriching wheat grain with nutritional elements in biofortification breeding.

Optical and dielectric properties of metal halide perovskites 2D

The two-dimensional (2D) metal halide hybrid (C2H5NH3)2MnCl4 has been grown by slow evaporation technique at room temperature. The phase-purity and morphology were confirmed using powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy studies. Optical properties like reflectance and bandgap were determined from UV–visible spectrum. The dielectric properties of the studied compound have been investigated using impedance spectroscopy as a function of frequency for different temperatures from 1 Hz to 1 MHz between 353 and 453 K. The real and imaginary components Z′ and Z″ of impedance are fitted using an equivalent circuit model, consisted of a series combination of parallel resistance-constant phase elements of grain (Rg║CPEg), resistance-capacitance of grain boundary (Rgb║Cgb) and resistance-capacitance of electrode (Rel║Cel), which reveal the existence of distribution of relaxation times and thermally activated non-Debye-like relaxation. The frequency-dependent AC conductivity is well described by Jonscher’s universal power law, which follows the Arrhenuis relation. The above results indicate the semiconductor behaviour with wide bandgap energy.

Вимогливість сучасних сортів пшениці озимої до мінерального живлення

Goal. To determine the content of nutrition elements in the main and non-consumer products of winter wheat varieties that are currently grown in Ukraine. Methods. The research was conducted during 2016-2020 on two objects of strain testing in the Forest-steppe zone of Ukraine, on production fields in Western Polissia, Right-Bank, and Left-Bank Forest-steppe, with statistical analysis of chemical analytical data. Results. According to the generalization of data on the content of NPK and microelements in the 167 samples of winter wheat, the peculiarities of modern varieties for the accumulation of nutrients in the main and non-consumer products of winter wheat are revealed. Modern varieties are characterized by a narrower ratio N:P2O5 in grain (1:0.30), which differs from that one established by standards (1:0.34-0.35), as well as by significantly higher potassium accumulation in straw. The content of nutritious elements in grain has a significantly lower coefficient of variation (11-15%) than in straw (29-70%). High variability of microelement composition of grain and straw, especially cobalt and iron is established. It is proposed to use average geometric values as normative instead of arithmetic mean ones. The identified features of the chemical composition of the main and non-consumer products are noted on all objects of research. Conclusions. The clarified parameters are determined of the removal of nutrients with winter wheat yields of modern selection, which are (kg/t): for grain N — 21,6, P2O5 — 6.5, K2O — 4.6, for straw — 4.9, 1, 1, and 17.5, respectively. Average parameters of microelements in the final winter wheat product are (mg/kg): for grain — Zn — 19, CO — 0.51, Fe — 37, Mn — 30, Cu — 2.1, for straw — Zn — 1,8, CO — 0,52, Fe — 27, Mn — 12, Cu — 0.6. Modern varieties are inherent in the increased demand for the accumulation of nitrogen relative to phosphorus and potassium in grain, as well as increased potassium accumulation in straw.

High-resolution genome-wide association study pinpoints metal transporter and chelator genes involved in the genetic control of element levels in maize grain.

Despite its importance to plant function and human health, the genetics underpinning element levels in maize grain remain largely unknown. Through a genome-wide association study in the maize Ames panel of nearly 2,000 inbred lines that was imputed with ∼7.7 million SNP markers, we investigated the genetic basis of natural variation for the concentration of 11 elements in grain. Novel associations were detected for the metal transporter genes rte2 (rotten ear2) and irt1 (iron-regulated transporter1) with boron and nickel, respectively. We also further resolved loci that were previously found to be associated with one or more of five elements (copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and/or zinc), with two metal chelator and five metal transporter candidate causal genes identified. The nas5 (nicotianamine synthase5) gene involved in the synthesis of nicotianamine, a metal chelator, was found associated with both zinc and iron and suggests a common genetic basis controlling the accumulation of these two metals in the grain. Furthermore, moderate predictive abilities were obtained for the 11 elemental grain phenotypes with two whole-genome prediction models: Bayesian Ridge Regression (0.33–0.51) and BayesB (0.33–0.53). Of the two models, BayesB, with its greater emphasis on large-effect loci, showed ∼4–10% higher predictive abilities for nickel, molybdenum, and copper. Altogether, our findings contribute to an improved genotype-phenotype map for grain element accumulation in maize.

Univariate and Multivariate QTL Analyses Reveal Covariance Among Mineral Elements in the Rice Ionome.

Rice provides more than one fifth of daily calories for half of the world’s human population, and is a major dietary source of both essential mineral nutrients and toxic elements. Rice grains are generally poor in some essential nutrients but may contain unsafe levels of some toxic elements under certain conditions. Identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling the concentrations of mineral nutrients and toxic trace metals (the ionome) in rice will facilitate development of nutritionally improved rice varieties. However, QTL analyses have traditionally considered each element separately without considering their interrelatedness. In this study, we performed principal component analysis (PCA) and multivariate QTL analyses to identify the genetic loci controlling the covariance among mineral elements in the rice ionome. We resequenced the whole genomes of a rice recombinant inbred line (RIL) population, and performed univariate and multivariate QTL analyses for the concentrations of 16 elements in grains, shoots and roots of the RIL population grown in different conditions. We identified a total of 167 unique elemental QTLs based on analyses of individual elemental concentrations as separate traits, 53 QTLs controlling covariance among elemental concentrations within a single environment/tissue (PC-QTLs), and 152 QTLs which determined covariation among elements across environments/tissues (aPC-QTLs). The candidate genes underlying the QTL clusters with elemental QTLs, PC-QTLs and aPC-QTLs co-localized were identified, including OsHMA4 and OsNRAMP5. The identification of both elemental QTLs and PC QTLs will facilitate the cloning of underlying causal genes and the dissection of the complex regulation of the ionome in rice.

Intensification of corn fertilizer system under irrigation conditions in the Chechen republic

The article presents the results of studying options for the use of mineral and organic fertilizers in order to improve the nutritional conditions of corn during irrigation in the Chechen Republic. The studies were conducted in 2015-2017 on corn hybrids PR38A24 and Beshtau. Against the background of N90P120K60, the effectiveness of plant nutrition with the following agrochemicals was studied: Bioplant Flora 1 l/ha; Nagro 0.5 l/ha; mixture (Crystalon 3 kg/ha + Brexil Zn 0.15 kg/ha + urea 7 kg/ha). Against the background of N90P120K60 + fertilizing plants with a mixture of agrochemicals, the effectiveness of presowing seed treatment with fertilizers Bioplant Flora 1 l/t and Nagro 1 l/t was studied. Mineral fertilizers N90P120К60 and agrochemicals used for plant nutrition and seed treatment caused changes in the concentration of trace elements in corn grain. The content of trace elements in the grain was significantly lower than the maximum permissible concentration (MPC). The studied options for fertilizer systems significantly increased the yield of corn. The maximum grain yield of PR38A24 and Beshtau hybrids was provided by the application of N90P120К60 mineral fertilizers in combination with fertilizing plants with a mixture of fertilizers (Kristallon + Brexil Zn + Urea) and pre-sowing seed treatment with organic fertilizer Bioplant Flora (14.4 and 12.1 t/ha), as well as organic fertilizer Nagro (15.4 and 12.0 t/ha). The starch content increased with the use of certain mineral fertilizers at a dose of N90P120К60 in the grain of the PR38A24 hybrid to 77.28 % (6.64 %), the Beshtau hybrid – up to 73.02 % (10.39 %). The availability of grain protein PR38A24 hybrid increased to a greater extent (up to 9.89 %) due to the use of mineral fertilizers. In the grain of the Beshtau hybrid, the maximum protein content (12.28 %) was provided by a combination of mineral fertilizers with Bioplant Flora plant nutrition.

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Increasing the grain yield of winter wheat in Ukraine and in the world is largely related to achievements in selection and improvement of agrotechnics for its growing. Modern high-yielding varieties of winter wheat are characterized by a longer period of consumption of nutritive elements and their more efficient use. To realize their genetic potential, such varieties require an individual approach to the management of mineral nutrition of plants. However, the prevention of nutritional deficiencies due to non-compliance of fertilizers with the physiological needs of new varieties and hybrids until present time remains an unsolved problem. Therefore, the aim of our research was to compare the consumption of nutritive elements by winter wheat plants of Ukrainian and European selection after the resumption of spring vegetation. In the research had compared the dynamics of consumption of nutritive elements by winter wheat plants of four Ukrainian varieties: Rozkishna, Bunchuk, Smug-lyanka and Podolyanka; 8 varieties of Foreign selection: Balitus, Panonicus – Austria; Arctis, Matrix – Germany; Annitsa, Manditsa – Croatia; Bodichek and Daria – Czech Republic. The content of N, P, K and microelements in the aboveground organs of plants after the resumption of their spring vegetation in the tillering stage, shooting, flowering and complete ripeness (grain and straw separately) was determined. Wheat was grown on the varietal test field of theV. Yuryev Plant Research Institute of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine on typical heavy clayey loam chernozems with the same agrotechnics and fertilizers. Wea-ther conditions during the research period differed in the times of the dry period: in 2018 in April-May during the growth of vegetative mass, and in 2019 – in June–July, that is in the phase of grain ripening. It is found, that the nitrogen content in the aboveground part of winter wheat during the spring-summer vegetation was higher in varieties of European selection, except for well provided with moisture tillering phase in 2019. A similar trend of greater potassium accumulation had plants of European varieties whose potassium content in grain was higher by 0.03–0.14% in 2018 and by 0.22–0.24% in 2019 than in the varieties of Ukrainian selection. No significant permanent differences in the accumulation of phosphorus by plants between groups of varieties were found. The content of nutritive elements in grain and straw had less variability than in the aboveground part of plants during the growing season. During both years of observations during the growing season, wheat of European varieties accumulated more manganese than Ukrainian varieties, and, as a result, the content of this element in the grain of the European group was higher by 2.2–2.3 mg/kg, in straw –by 5.2–7.7 mg/kg. Instead, wheat of Ukrainian varieties consumed more zinc from the flo-wering phase, and the content of this element in the grain of the Ukrainian group was higher by 1.1–1.2 mg/kg, in straw – by 0.09–0.22 mg/kg. The accumulation of iron in the tissues of winter wheat was higher for European varieties at the stage of booting, and for Ukrainian varieties – during flowering. Thus, the same conditions of soil supply with nutritive elements, accumulation of NPK and microelements in the aboveground part of winter wheat plants after the resumption of spring vegetation is determined by weather conditions and varietal features of nutrition. The extraordinary needs of varieties for mineral nutrition can be constant over time, and can be manifested only under certain hydrothermal conditions during the growing season, so to identify such varietal features, it is necessary to conduct research for both drought and good moisture.

THE USE OF RICE IN THE TECHNOLOGY OF GLUTEN-FREE FERMENTED NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

Drinks are important in the human diet. The most promising ones include fermented beverages enriched with bioactive substances of their raw materials and with products of their fermentation. Gluten-free foods, too, are becoming popular as there are more and more people worldwide suffering from coeliac disease. The paper presents the results of theoretical and experimental research on developing a technology of a fermented soft drink based on rice as a gluten-free raw material. The domestic cultivars of husked and unhusked rice described in the paper are Agat, Prestizh, and Premium. Their physical, biological, and physicochemical parameters have been studied, and their amino acid and vitamin composition, the content of macronutrients and trace elements have been determined. According to the research results, it is practical to use rice of the Agat variety in the technology of fermented beverages. Compared with the samples of Premium and Prestizh, the extractivity of Agat is higher by 2–5%, and as to the soundness of its kernels and the husk content, it exceeds them, respectively, by 2.5 and 5.5%. The fat content, which reduces the amount of esters formed during fermentation and adversely affects the foam retention of a drink, was lower in Agat by 28–37%. The content of protein compounds, vitamins, macronutrients and trace elements in grain is essential for the technology of fermented beverages. It has been established that Agat is higher in amino acids than other varieties are: by 5.7% (husked) and by 18% (unhusked). The highest content of vitamins has been found in Agat rice (on average, by 9.4% more of them). Compared with the other cultivars, unhusked Agat rice is higher in the macronutrients and trace elements that are vital for yeast activity: calcium – by 28%, magnesium – by 24%, iron – by 10–18%, copper – by 16.6%. The optimal initial concentration of yeast cells in the wort is 3–5 million/cm3. When using husked rice, the acidity of the wort at the end of fermentation was higher by 7.6% than it was in the wort made with unhusked rice. When comparing different varieties of rice, the acidity values of the fermented wort did not differ significantly. All samples had high sensory qualities characteristic of fermented beverages.

The Nutritional Components of Rice are Closely Related to Grain Quality Traits in Rice

Starch, protein and lipid are the most important nutrients in rice, and their composition and content in rice grains play a decisive role in the grain quality. Rice quality (including appearance quality, cooking quality, nutrition quality, grinding and processing quality, etc.) is not only affected by the composition of the nutrients in grain of rice, but also by the physical and chemical characteristics and their content in grains, but also vulnerable to external environmental conditions. To clarify the relationship between the main nutrients in rice and their grain quality traits is of great theoretical significance and potential application value for the continuous improvement of rice quality in the future. Therefore, this paper reviewed the effects of starch, protein, lipid and mineral elements in grain of rice and also on quality of trait in rice. It is also discussed the relationship between these nutrients and rice grain quality traits. All of those will provide important information for the quality of grain improvement and breeding of new varieties with high quality in rice.

Resistance of genetically modified wheat plants, containing a double-stranded RNA suppressor of the

Aim. Analysis of physiological and biochemical characteristics and grain productivity traits of transgenic common wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L.) with a double-stranded RNA suppressor of the proline dehydrogenase gene (pdh) compared to non-transgenic genotypes under conditions of soil drought. Methods. Biochemical assays: spectrophotometric measurements of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, APX) activity, proline dehydrogenase activity and free L-proline content; biotechnological assays: Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in planta; physiological: morphometric traits and elements of grain productivity; mathematical statistics. Results. The presence of a double-stranded RNA suppressor of the gene pdh in transgenic plants leads not only to a decrease in enzyme activity (on average 2 times compared to the nontransgenic plants), but also to an increase in the content of free L-proline both under optimal conditions and under soil drought (2.6–4.1 times). Under soil moisture defi ciency, transgenic plants with reduced pdh gene activity in terms of yield structure signifi cantly exceeded the corresponding values of grain productivity elements for the non-transformed ones. In terms of the grain weight from the main stem, the biotechnological plants under soil moisture defi ciency exceeded the control plants 1.5–1.6 times, while the number of grains did not differ signifi cantly. The grain productivity of the whole plant in the transformed lines under conditions of soil moisture defi ciency was somewhat inferior to those in the nontransformed plants grown under optimal conditions. Soil drought caused a signifi cant increase in SOD and APX activity (by 40 and 11 %, respectively) in plants of the original variety. On the contrary, the activity of both antioxidant enzymes under drought conditions in transgenic plants decreased: SOD – down to 73–76 %, APX – down to 82–86 %, compared with the variant of 70 % of fi eld capacity. Conclusions. The analysis of physiological and biochemical characteristics, as well as economic and grain productivity elements of transgenic common wheat plants with a double-stranded RNA suppressor of the proline dehydrogenase gene showed their increased tolerance to soil drought, compared with non-transgenic genotypes, which may be associated with higher proline accumulation and an increase in the antioxidant enzymes activity. Under soil moisture defi ciency, transgenic wheat plants with reduced pdh gene activity signifi cantly exceeded the corresponding values of grain productivity elements for non-transformed plants. The analysis of the antioxidant enzymes activity in the chloroplasts of transgenic plants showed that under physiological conditions, the antioxidant system works more actively in comparison with non-transgenic genotypes, which may be a prerequisite for increasing the tolerance of these plants to the infl uence of stressors of various origin. It is likely that the positive relationship between the level of free L-proline and the resistance of transgenic wheat plants to osmotic stress is associated either with the effect of L-proline on the expression of other genes of the stress-strain response of plants, or with the positive effect of the increased content of this amino acid on resistance at the early stages of stress development. It has been suggested that an increase in the antioxidant enzymes activity in biotechnological plants can be caused by the expression of heterologous genes.

Use of energy dispersive X-ray spectral analysis in a scanning electron microscope system to evaluate the mineral composition of grain bread

The concentration of 18 basic elements (in% by weight) contained in the morphological parts of wheat, rye and triticale grains was studied. It is established that the nature of the distribution of micronutrients is determined by their biological role. The elements are part of enzymes: manganese, iron and zinc prevail in the nucleus. Phosphorus, potassium, magnesium are found in greater quantity in the vital layer of aleurone. Cobalt, nickel, aluminum, calcium, chromium, copper, selenium and cadmium dominate the grain surface. The largest amount of mineral elements in the grain is concentrated in the seed. The distribution of metals in triticale grains is characterized by characteristic patterns of wheat and rye. In the distribution of mineral elements in wheat, rye and triticale grains, differences are observed, which are explained by the specific characteristics of these plants. From the grain studied, cereal bread was prepared unmatched on a thick grain leaven. The analysis of the mineral content of the grain bread showed that it was enriched with all major biogenic mineral elements and contained toxic metals (lead and cadmium) in a quantity not exceeding the CMP. A strong negative correlation has been established between levels of certain biological and toxic elements in grain and in pain. The revealed relationship indicates the possibility of switching from dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in a scanning electron microscope system to predict the quality and safety of grain pain, particularly for predicting of the content heavy metals in finished bakery products.

Grain modeling and finite element simulation of damage evolution for AA5182-O aluminum alloy sheet

The evolution of crystal damage in rolled AA5182-O aluminum alloy sheet was studied by experiment and finite element simulation in this paper. Grain size characteristic on rolling anisotropy was determined by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) test and section line method, and the average grain size of R00°and R90° with the rolling direction was achieved. An improved grain modeling method was proposed by adjusting base rectangle and regularity coefficient based on Voronoi method. It established six finite element models of uniaxial tension grains, which considers anisotropic grain size and regularity coefficient. The Gurson–Tvergaard–Needleman (GTN) model was applied to analyze damage evolution of elements in grains, and whose damage parameters were achieved by the tensile test and the response surface method. The mechanical properties of grain boundaries were characterized by cohesive zone model. The Abaqus software was adopted to conduct the uniaxial tension finite element analysis to investigate influence of anisotropic grain size, number, and regularity coefficient on plasticity damage evolution of this material. The results show that when regularity coefficient of is 0.01 and 007, the fracture elongation of 54 grains model which is considering grain sizes of R00° and R90° is the closest to experimental results.

Biochemical composition of emmer wheat (Triticum Dicoccum (Schrank) Schuebl) grain depending on the variety

The article presents the research results of the biochemical composition of grain – the content of protein, starch, ash, chemical elements in wheat grains (emmer, soft). The sedimentation index according to Zelen test, and the proportion of chemical elements in the grain ash were determined. It is known that the grain of diff erent wheat varieties diff er in size and content of anatomical components, which aff ects its biochemical composition. Modern wheat varieties can form grain with the protein content of about 20 %. Emmer is of high value as a raw material for dietary food. Biochemical components of emmer wheat grain, especially of new varieties, are poorly investigated. Therefore, studies on the biochemical composition of emmer wheat grain new varieties and lines are relevant. The aim of the study was to investigate the issue of then emmer wheat biochemical components, depending on the genotype. To properly evaluate the crop, the tasks of the study were performed – the protein and starch content, number of falls, ash content, trace element content, sedimentation index according to Zelen test were determined. The studies were conducted during 2017–2019 with Holikovska emmer wheat variety and LP 1152 line, grown under the Right-bank forest steppe. It was found that the biochemical composition of wheat grain (emmer, soft) signifi cantly depends on the varietal characteristics, agri-technical and weather conditions. The highest protein content and sedimentation index according to the Zelen test had the LP 1152 wheat line – 16.2 % and 53.9 cm3, respectively. In Holikovska emmer variety, these indicators were at the level of soft wheat Odessa Epoch variety – 13.8 % and 45.8 cm3 respectively. Protein content has greatly varied over the years of research. In emmer wheat grain – from 15.2 to 17.3 %, and in Holikovska variety – from 11.7 to 15.3 %. There is a strong correlation between protein content in grain and sedimentation index according to Zelen test. The starch content varied from 48.5 to 69.1 % in Holikovska variety grain and from 50.0 to 61.7 % in LP 1152 line grain. The alpha amylase activity of wheat varieties has been low throughout the research years. The average ash content of Holikovska wheat grain was 1.81 %, the LP 1152 line was 1.95 %, which is 19–22 % higher compared to the standard varieties, respectively, the variety Akratos and Age of Odessa. Emmer wheat grain has a signifi cantly higher content of phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc and copper. Key words: wheat, emmer, variety, biochemical composition, protein, starch, chemical elements, sedimentation.

QTL pyramiding for producing nutritious and safe rice grains.

Breeding of rice varieties that are enriched with essential micronutrients and simultaneously have reduced levels of toxic elements in grains is largely unexplored in rice breeding practice. In this issue of JIPB,Liu et al. (2020) developed two rice lines with a low level of cadmium and simultaneously high levels of zinc or selenium accumulation in the grains, thus providing elite genetic materials for breeding rice varieties that are important for addressing mineral malnutrition and ensuring food safety.