High Lodging Research Articles

Assessment of the resistance to lodging of spring triticale based on the study of physical and mechanical properties

The results of the study of architectonics and physical and mechanical properties of the stems of selective forms of spring hexaploid triticale of different ecological and geographical origin are presented. Traits of 19 collection and breeding samples from the collections of the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) and the Siberian Research Institute of Plant Growing and Selection - branch of the Federal Research Center of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SibNIIRS – branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences) served as research objects. Macrometric parameters were studied on 25 representative specimens of each breeding sample when they reached the phase of full ripeness during three years (2021–2023). The resistance of the stem to bending or fracture was determined on an experimental specimen manufactured at the SibNIIRS with a stable platform, bars for fixing the specimen and a slot for placing a dynamometer. The susceptibility of triticale plants to lodging was evaluated by a set of traits: weight of a 10-cm straw of the 2nd internode; stem resistance to breaking determined by the peak reading of an electronic dynamometer; stem tissue density of the 2nd internode. The studied samples differed significantly in these parameters and were characterized by different degrees of the resistance to lodging. Promising breeding specimens that can be used as sources of valuable traits have been identified based on the totality of the strength parameters. Application of the principal component method allowed to identify the marker trait "sum of lengths of the 2nd and 3rd internodes", which was determinant in providing high lodging resistance in the studied samples. A close relationship between the trait of 10-cm straw mass of the 2nd internode and the parameter of the stem resistance to breakage has been established. The conjugation of these characteristics will make it possible to identify the sources of valuable traits and purposefully carry out the selection process of triticale for resistance to lodging without attracting short-stemmed forms.

The DEP1 Mutation Improves Stem Lodging Resistance and Biomass Saccharification by Affecting Cell Wall Biosynthesis in Rice

BackgroundPlant cell walls have evolved precise plasticity in response to environmental stimuli. The plant heterotrimeric G protein complexes could sense and transmit extracellular signals to intracellular signaling systems, and activate a series of downstream responses. dep1 (Dense and Erect Panicles 1), the gain-of-function mutation of DEP1 encoding a G protein γ subunit, confers rice multiple improved agronomic traits. However, the effects of DEP1 on cell wall biosynthesis and wall-related agronomic traits remain largely unknown.ResultsIn this study, we showed that the DEP1 mutation affects cell wall biosynthesis, leading to improved lodging resistance and biomass saccharification. The DEP1 is ubiquitously expressed with a relatively higher expression level in tissues rich in cell walls. The CRISPR/Cas9 editing mutants of DEP1 (dep1-cs) displayed a significant enhancement in stem mechanical properties relative to the wild-type, leading to a substantial improvement in lodging resistance. Cell wall analyses showed that the DEP1 mutation increased the contents of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and pectin, and reduced lignin content and cellulose crystallinity (CrI). Additionally, the dep1-cs seedlings exhibited higher sensitivity to cellulose biosynthesis inhibitors, 2,6-Dichlorobenzonitrile (DCB) and isoxaben, compared with the wild-type, confirming the role of DEP1 in cellulose deposition. Moreover, the DEP1 mutation-mediated alterations of cell walls lead to increased enzymatic saccharification of biomass after the alkali pretreatment. Furthermore, the comparative transcriptome analysis revealed that the DEP1 mutation substantially altered expression of genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, and cell wall biosynthesis.ConclusionsOur findings revealed the roles of DEP1 in cell wall biosynthesis, lodging resistance, and biomass saccharification in rice and suggested genetic modification of DEP1 as a potential strategy to develop energy rice varieties with high lodging resistance.

Not Just Scraping By: Experimental Evidence for Large Cutting Tools in the High Lodge Non-handaxe Industry

The presence or absence of handaxes endures as the major criterion of Lower Palaeolithic classification, with contemporaneous core-and-flake industries modelled as simpler counterparts to Acheulean technology. This is based on the supposed absence of formal tools, particularly of large cutting tools (LCTs) which are understood to be important within Acheulean lifeways, functioning as butchery knives among other uses. Scrapers from the core-and-flake industry of High Lodge (MIS 13) evidence formalised flake-tool production techniques, geared towards large tools with long cutting edges and acute angles, comparable in many respects to Acheulean handaxes. A holistic set of experiments was designed to test the production, efficiency, and practical utility of these scrapers. The experiments compared these scraper forms against handaxes and Quina scrapers. Their use in roe deer butchery indicates functional differences but demonstrates the appropriacy of both large, refined scrapers, and handaxes for processing carcasses of this size. The results support the inclusion of High Lodge scraper forms within the standard definition of LCTs. This interpretation challenges perceived discrepancies between handaxe and non-handaxe industries and deterministic explanations for Acheulean material culture. The feasibility of alternative LCTs supports the argument that the Acheulean represents socially inherited behaviours rather than latent reinventions.

Management of Seeding Rate and Nitrogen Fertilization for Lodging Risk Reduction and High Grain Yield of Mechanically Direct-Seeded Rice under a Double-Cropping Regime in South China

Precision hill-drop direct seeding using mechanical drilling is a unique direct seeding technique employed in south China that offers advantages such as excellent grain yield and high lodging resistance. Improving yield and lodging-related traits is essential for efforts to improve mechanically direct-seeded rice (MDSR) production. Seeding rates (SR) and nitrogen (N) fertilization rate are two of the main factors affecting grain yield and lodging resistance under MDSR production. However, little information about double-season MDSR production in south China is available. Here, we evaluated yield and lodging risk for two rice cultivars Huanghuazhan, HHZ, lodging-resistant; Xiangyaxiangzhan, XYXZ, lodging-susceptible across two consecutive growing seasons under two under two seeding rates (LSR, 30 cm × 18 cm; HSR, 30 cm × 12 cm) and three N fertilization rates (N1 = 100 kg ha−1, reduced N; N2 = 150 kg ha−1, normal N; and N3 = 200 kg ha−1, enhanced N). We found that increased SR and N fertilization rate improved grain yield and increased lodging risk. SR and N were consistently and positively related to plant height (PH), gravity center height (GCH), the length from the broken basal internode to the panicle tip (SL), the fresh plant weight of the plant part above the broken point (FW), and the length of the two basal internodes. SR and N decreased breaking force (F) and breaking strength (BM), driving increased lodging risk as reflected by increases in lodging index (LI) values. Culm diameter (CD) and culm wall thickness (CWT) did not respond consistently to SR and N treatments. Correlation analysis revealed that PH, GCH, the length of first and second basal internodes, FW, and bending moment for the whole plant (WP) were positively correlated with LI, while F and BM were negatively associated with LI. These findings suggest that the increased lodging risk resulting from high SR could be mitigated by applying appropriate rates of N; that is, this work suggests that grain yield can be maximized and lodging risk minimized by increasing SR while decreasing N fertilization rate. Seasonal differences in the effects of SR and N fertilization should be considered to achieve a high grain yield and maintain high lodging resistance. Our study suggests that increasing SR and decreasing N fertilization can enhance rice grain yield while improving lodging resistance for both varieties. Optimizing grain yield by increasing SR while reducing lodging risk by lowering N application rates may maintain lodging resistance and improve grain yield.

Raman developmental markers in root cell walls are associated with lodging tendency in tef

Main conclusionUsing Raman micro-spectroscopy on tef roots, we could monitor cell wall maturation in lines with varied genetic lodging tendency. We describe the developing cell wall composition in root endodermis and cylinder tissue.Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is an important staple crop in Ethiopia and Eritrea, producing gluten-free and protein-rich grains. However, this crop is not adapted to modern farming practices due to high lodging susceptibility, which prevents the application of mechanical harvest. Lodging describes the displacement of roots (root lodging) or fracture of culms (stem lodging), forcing plants to bend or fall from their vertical position, causing significant yield losses. In this study, we aimed to understand the microstructural properties of crown roots, underlining tef tolerance/susceptibility to lodging. We analyzed plants at 5 and 10 weeks after emergence and compared trellised to lodged plants. Root cross sections from different tef genotypes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, micro-computed tomography, and Raman micro-spectroscopy. Lodging susceptible genotypes exhibited early tissue maturation, including developed aerenchyma, intensive lignification, and lignin with high levels of crosslinks. A comparison between trellised and lodged plants suggested that lodging itself does not affect the histology of root tissue. Furthermore, cell wall composition along plant maturation was typical to each of the tested genotypes independently of trellising. Our results suggest that it is possible to select lines that exhibit slow maturation of crown roots. Such lines are predicted to show reduction in lodging and facilitate mechanical harvest.

Response of maize stalk to plant density on cellulose accumulation by modulating enzymes activities

Hybrids and plant density are the main factors affecting maize lodging resistance, and cellulose plays an important role in lodging resistance. High plant density often decreases the stalk cellulose, but the cause is unclear. Therefore, we hypothesized that enzymatic activity might be the main factor affecting maize cellulose accumulation. For testing this hypothesis, three plant densities （4.5, 9.0 and 13.5 plants m−2） were set up and three maize hybrids （high lodging resistant cultivars: Xianyu 335, Zhengdan 958; low lodging resistant cultivar: Xinyu 41）with different lodging resistance were selected as materials. The results showed that high plant densities reduced the stalk cellulose contents and strength, and hence lodging risk increased. Through logistic curve fitting, we found that the period of rapid accumulation of cellulose in stalks was 10–26 DPV6 (days post 6-leaf stage). Analyse changes of stalk sucrose and related enzyme activity during 10–26 DPV6 showed that with the increase of plant density, the sucrose content of the stalks significantly decreased (P＜0.05), sucrose content began to differ at 16-DPV6. Both sucrose phosphate synthase(SPS) and sucrose synthase(SS) activity of stalks in this stage decreased with the increase of plant densities. At 20 DPV6, there has a great difference in SPS among different plant densities during this period. Compared with 4.5 plants m−2, the decreases for SPS in Xianyu 335 and Zhengdan 958 was lower than Xinyu 41 at 9.0 plants m−2 and 13.5 plants m−2. The SPS for Xianyu 335 decreased by 10.0%− 16.0% and 28.7%− 37.7% at 9.0 plants m−2 and 13.5 plants m−2, respectively. However, the SPS for Xinyu 41 decreased by 24.4%− 27.3% and 40.2%− 50.2%, respectively. At 16 DPV6, there was a large difference in SS among different plant densities, the decreases for SS in Xianyu 335 and Zhengdan 958 was lower than Xinyu 41. Xianyu 335 decreased by 3.6%− 15.9%, 18.8%− 32.7% at at 9.0 plants m−2 and 13.5 plants m−2, respectively. Similarly Xinyu 41 decreased by 18.2%− 26.4% and 31.8%− 50.6%, respectively. Thus, under high plant density, the activities of SS and SPS in maize stalks were decreased, the accumulation and conversion of sucrose into cellulose were inhibited, and the activity of cellulose synthesis-related enzymes in varieties with poor lodging resistance were more sensitive to the increase of density. Therefore, we concluded that higher activity of SS and SPS increased cellulose accumulation and stalk strength in maize varieties with better lodging resistance reduced the lodging percentage under close density conditions.

Evaluating Rice Varieties for Suitability in a Rice–Fish Co-Culture System Based on Lodging Resistance and Grain Yield

Rice–fish co-cultures have been practiced for over 2000 years, and they have tremendous potential in terms of increasing food security and economic benefits. However, little research has been conducted into achieving stable yields and high lodging resistance with regard to rice while simultaneously promoting the harmonious and healthy growth of fish in rice–fish co-culture paddy fields. We conducted a field study aimed at selecting suitable rice varieties for rice–fish co-culture systems (encompassing both ratoon and main crop). This selection process was grounded in an evaluation of lodging resistance and grain yield among 33 rice varieties used throughout the studied region. The results revealed a range of lodging indices of the main crop for the second internode, spanning from 62.43 to 138.75, and the annual grain yield (main crop and ratoon crop) ranged from 7.17 to 13.10 t ha−1 within rice–fish co-culture systems. We found that the use of rice–fish co-culture farming could improve the milling quality, nutrient quality, and appearance quality of rice, though the improvement gained through co-culturing varied across rice varieties. Moreover, the lodging index of the three basal internodes of rice plants was significantly and positively correlated with the plant height and the culm fresh weight, but it was negatively correlated with the bending strength of the rice basal internodes. Additionally, the 33 tested rice varieties were clustered in accordance with their lodging resistance (i.e., high resistance with lodging indices 62.43–75.42; medium resistance with lodging indices 80.57–104.62; and low resistance with lodging indices 113.02–138.75) according to the hierarchical cluster analysis. The 33 rice varieties were also clustered in accordance with the annual (main crop and ratoon crop) grain yield (i.e., high yield with 11.17–13.10 t ha−1; medium yield with 10.15–10.83 t ha−1; and low yield with 7.16–9.88 t ha−1). In all, 11 rice varieties were identified by a comprehensive evaluation as suitable varieties for grain production in the rice–fish co-culture system. These varieties displayed favorable traits, including a high annual rice yield, strong lodging resistance, and good grain quality. This is the first study to systematically evaluate rice varieties based on grain yield, lodging resistance, and grain quality in rice–fish co-culture systems.

Study of the breeding forms of emmer wheat (<i>Triticum dicoccum</i> (Schrank) Schuebl.)

The results of the study of economically useful features of the plants of the semi-naked emmer wheat breeding lines (Triticum dicoccum (Schrank) Schuebl.) with purple pericarp coloring of grain are presented. Seven breeding lines F9, created by two-step hybridization of the purple-grain durum wheat with naked and awnless emmer, and five breeding samples of seminaked emmer wheat were studied. In the field experiments, plants were selected for selection valuable traits. Phenological observations, structural analysis, and evaluation of the quantitative traits of the plants of emmer wheat breeding forms with purple grain coloration were carried out from 2020 to 2022. Two-way analysis of variance showed significant factors - the breeding lines and the years of study. In the course of the study, it was found that for further breeding work, emmer wheat lines carrying a combination of economically important traits are of value. Short-stalked purple-grain form 27-1 is resistant to lodging, the yield of the grain - 80 %, the weight of 1000 grains – 34–37 g. Line 27–12 has grains with purple color, high grain-unit value of about 800 g/l and good grain productivity for emmer wheat reaching 400 g/m2. Purple emmer line 31–16 has a good bushiness (3–4 pieces), short stalk (71–74 cm), high lodging resistance (4–5 points) and grain threshing capacity (80 %). From 2021 to 2022, the same studies were conducted with emmer wheat from the collection of the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR). The selection line of emmer wheat 41/14 was distinguished by the high indicator of threshed grains (85 %). The main disadvantages of the established forms of emmer wheat with purple-colored grains still remain relatively low grain yield, insufficiently strong ear shank, not complete grinding of the grain from the flowering glumes and husks. However, further breeding work can improve these traits, as well as increase the grain yield, the weight of 1000 grains and a more complete release of the grain from the chaff during threshing.

Assessment of Soybean Lodging Using UAV Imagery and Machine Learning.

Plant lodging is one of the most essential phenotypes for soybean breeding programs. Soybean lodging is conventionally evaluated visually by breeders, which is time-consuming and subject to human errors. This study aimed to investigate the potential of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based imagery and machine learning in assessing the lodging conditions of soybean breeding lines. A UAV imaging system equipped with an RGB (red-green-blue) camera was used to collect the imagery data of 1266 four-row plots in a soybean breeding field at the reproductive stage. Soybean lodging scores were visually assessed by experienced breeders, and the scores were grouped into four classes, i.e., non-lodging, moderate lodging, high lodging, and severe lodging. UAV images were stitched to build orthomosaics, and soybean plots were segmented using a grid method. Twelve image features were extracted from the collected images to assess the lodging scores of each breeding line. Four models, i.e., extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), random forest (RF), K-nearest neighbor (KNN) and artificial neural network (ANN), were evaluated to classify soybean lodging classes. Five data preprocessing methods were used to treat the imbalanced dataset to improve classification accuracy. Results indicate that the preprocessing method SMOTE-ENN consistently performs well for all four (XGBoost, RF, KNN, and ANN) classifiers, achieving the highest overall accuracy (OA), lowest misclassification, higher F1-score, and higher Kappa coefficient. This suggests that Synthetic Minority Oversampling-Edited Nearest Neighbor (SMOTE-ENN) may be a good preprocessing method for using unbalanced datasets and the classification task. Furthermore, an overall accuracy of 96% was obtained using the SMOTE-ENN dataset and ANN classifier. The study indicated that an imagery-based classification model could be implemented in a breeding program to differentiate soybean lodging phenotype and classify lodging scores effectively.

RL-DeepLabv3+: A lightweight rice lodging semantic segmentation model for unmanned rice harvester

Lodging is a common natural hazard that occurs in rice during harvest. Currently, the unmanned rice harvester lacks a warning for lodging detection, which often results in harvesting omissions and machine blockages, degrading operational efficiency. Therefore, we proposed a lightweight semantic segmentation model RL-DeepLabv3 + for rice lodging detection of the unmanned rice harvester. We designed a backbone network Rice Lodging-Channel-wise Feature Pyramid (RL-CFP), replaced the Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling (ASPP) module with the Channel Attention-based Deep Separable Dilated Convolutional Pyramid (CD-ASP) module, and added the Channel Attention Module (CAM) to the decoding and encoding stages. We trained and evaluated the model using a homemade rice lodging dataset. The model size is 3.39 MB, and the number of parameters is 7.80 × 105. The mean intersection over union (mIoU) and mean pixel accuracy (mPA) of the model were 90.52 % and 94.73 %, which were higher than those of other comparable models. In application tests, when the input image resolutions were 640 × 480 and 1280 × 720, the model detection speeds were 50 frames/s and 21 frames/s in the vision system of the unmanned rice harvester. The proposed model has the advantages of high lodging detection accuracy, small model space occupation, and uncomplicated application deployment. It can provide a warning to the unmanned rice harvester for lodging detection and improve its intelligence level.

Characterization of lodging variation of weedy rice.

Weedy rice (Oryza spp.), one of the most notorious weeds of cultivated rice, evades eradication through stem lodging and seed shattering. Many studies have focused on seed shattering, whereas variations in lodging have received less attention and the underlying mechanisms that cause the differences in lodging between weedy and cultivated rice have not been studied in detail. Here, we compared lodging variation among diverse Chinese weedy rice strains and between weedy rice and co-occurring cultivated rice. The chemical composition of basal stems was determined, and transcriptome and methylome sequencing were used to assess the variation in expression of lodging-related genes. The results showed that the degree of lodging varied between indica-derived weed strains with high lodging levels, which occurred predominantly in southern China, and japonica-derived strains with lower lodging levels, which were found primarily in the north. The more lodging-prone indica weedy rice had a smaller bending stress and lower lignin content than non-lodging accessions. In comparison to co-occurring cultivated rice, there was a lower ratio of cellulose to lignin content in the lodging-prone weedy rice. Variation in DNA methylation of lignin synthesis-related OsSWN1, OsMYBX9, OsPAL1, and Os4CL3 mediated the differences in their expression levels and affected the ratio of cellulose to lignin content. Taken together, our results show that DNA methylation in lignin-related genes regulates variations in stem strength and lodging in weedy rice, and between weed strains and co-occurring cultivated rice.

Lodging resistance of rice plants studied from the perspective of culm mechanical properties, carbon framework, free volume, and chemical composition

In this study, four varieties of rice were cultivated on the same farmland under same conditions and for same duration. However, their lodging resistance was found to be obviously different from each other. Herein, three key factors that highly influenced the lodging resistance were identified. First, in terms of morphological trait, in contrast to the generally believed theory that the overall thickness of the fresh culm wall governs the strength, the thickness of the depressed region of the dried basal culm wall largely determined the mechanical properties by acting as the weak link. This depressed region represents the vulnerable part with high syneresis rate. Second, the culm and its carbon framework exhibited sufficient strength and rigidity for both support and stability of the rice stem. The constraint of high lodging resistance of rice plants is attributed to the culm flexibility. Furthermore, the results of the positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy corroborate that the most amorphous part and the highest-fraction free volume in the culm carbon framework were found for samples that exhibited high lodging resistance. This result confirmed the significant influence of the culm flexibility on lodging resistance. Third, a higher level of nitrogen element content in the basal culm can benefit its growth and development, which may contribute to an increase in lodging resistance of rice plants.

Acheulean Diversity in Britain (MIS 15-MIS11): From the Standardization to the Regionalization of Technology

The appearance of the Acheulean and the production of new bifacial tools marked a revolution in human behavior. The use of longer and complex operative chains, with centripetal and recurrent knapping, adapted to different raw materials, created long useful edges, converging in a functional distal end. How and why these handaxes vary has been the subject of intense debates. Britain provides a clearly defined region at the edge of the hominin occupied world for discussing variation in Acheulean assemblages. The environmental changes from MIS 15 to MIS 11 are significant in understanding population change, with probable breaks in evidence during MIS 14 and MIS 12, followed by several sites during the long stable climate of MIS11c. In this latter period, different Acheulean technological expressions appear to coexist in Britain. This paper draws together different studies, combining technology and geometric morphometrics to analyze handaxes from six British sites: Brandon Fields, Boxgrove (Q1B), High Lodge, Hitchin, Swanscombe (UMG), and Elveden. Compared to the earlier Acheulean of MIS 15, the assemblages of MIS 13 show increased standardization and the use of soft hammer percussion for thinning mid-sections and butts of tools, or sharpening tips through tranchet removals. Although there is regional population discontinuity through MIS12 there is no evidence of a marked change in technology after this glacial period. Rather, there is a development towards more intense shaping with the same underlying techniques, but with flexibility in imposed handaxe form. From MIS11 there appear to be distinctive localized traditions of manufacture, which suggest that a recognition of place and territories had developed by this time. These are expressed over medium time-scales of several thousand years and have significance for how we view cultural expression and transmission.

EVALUATING QUINOA LODGING RISK AND YIELD UNDER DIFFERENT IRRIGATION THRESHOLDS, NITROGEN RATES AND PLANTING DENSITIES IN NORTH-WESTERN CHINA

<List> <ListItem><ItemContent> ● A moderate irrigation threshold of −25 kPa gave the greatest actual yield. </ItemContent></ListItem> <ListItem><ItemContent> ● Nitrogen rates of 80−160 kg·ha⁻¹ reduced lodging risk without yield decrease. </ItemContent></ListItem> <ListItem><ItemContent> ● Planting density of 30 plants·m⁻² provided both high yield and lodging resistance. </ItemContent></ListItem> <ListItem><ItemContent> ● A lower-stem lodging index was best for prediction of quinoa lodging risk. </ItemContent></ListItem></List> Lodging is a major yield-limiting factor of quinoa production. In 2018 and 2019, the orthogonal field experiments were conducted to investigate the responses of quinoa lodging risk and yield to irrigation threshold (soil matric potential of −15, −25 and −55 kPa), nitrogen rate (80, 160 and 240 kg·ha⁻¹) and planting density (20, 30 and 40 plants m⁻²). Results showed that high irrigation thresholds and nitrogen rates significantly (<i>P</i> < 0.05) increased plant height and fresh weight per plant, and high planting densities reduced stem diameter and strength, all of those led to significantly ( <i>P</i> < 0.05) high lodging risks. The −15 and −55 kPa treatments gave the lowest actual yield ( <i>P</i> < 0.05) in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Higher lodging rate with a nitrogen rate of 240 kg·ha⁻¹ resulted in a lower actual yield than 80 and 160 kg·ha⁻¹ in both years. Planting density of 30 plants m⁻² gave a significantly (<i>P</i> < 0.05) greater estimated yield than 20 plants m⁻² and had a lower lodging rate than 40 plants m⁻², resulting in the maximum actual yield among planting densities. In conclusion, a moderate irrigation threshold of −25 kPa, a nitrogen rate of 80−160 kg·ha⁻¹ and an intermediate planting density of 30 plants m⁻² were determined to be best for quinoa cultivation in North-western China. In addition, the lower-stem lodging index (quarter plant height) could evaluate lodging risk more accurately than middle-stem (half plant height) or upper-stem (three quarters plant height) lodging indexes.

Grain yield and lodging-related traits of ultrashort-duration varieties for direct-seeded and double-season rice in Central China

Lodging is the most common constraint on grain yield of direct-seeded rice. There is limited information about lodging resistance and its related plant traits in direct-seeded and double-season rice (DDR) in Central China. This study aims to identify the plant traits that achieve high lodging resistance in ultrashort-duration varieties (about 95 days) of DDR. Field experiments were conducted in 2017 and 2018 in Wuxue County, Hubei Province, China, with four ultrashort-duration varieties grown under two nitrogen (N) rates. Lodging-related traits were measured on the 15th day after heading, and yield and yield attributes were measured at maturity. The grain yield of the four varieties ranged from 4.59 to 7.61 t ha−1 across the two N rates, with a total growth duration of 85 to 97 days. Varietal differences in lodging index were mainly explained by the bending moment, which was closely related to plant height. Breaking resistance did not affect the lodging index significantly. Shortening plant height from 95.4 to 80.5 cm decreased the lodging index by 22.4% but did not reduce grain yield. Our results suggested that reducing plant height was effective in improving the lodging resistance of ultrashort-duration varieties of DDR. Lodging resistance should be enhanced by improving breaking resistance rather than reducing plant height to increase DDR grain yield further.

A mechanistic view on lodging resistance in rye and wheat: a multiscale comparative study.

SummaryThe development of crop varieties that are resistant to lodging is a top priority for breeding programmes. Herein, we characterize the rye mutant ´Stabilstroh’ (‘stable straw’) possessing an exceptional combination of high lodging resistance, tall posture and high biomass production. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging displayed the 3‐dimensional assembly of vascular bundles in stem. A higher number of vascular bundles and a higher degree of their incline were the features of lodging‐resistant versus lodging‐prone lines. Histology and electron microscopy revealed that stems are fortified by a higher proportion of sclerenchyma and thickened cell walls, as well as some epidermal invaginations. Biochemical analysis using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectrometry further identified elevated levels of lignin, xylan, zinc and silicon as features associated with high lodging resistance. Combined effects of above features caused superior culm stability. A simplistic mathematical model showed how mechanical forces distribute within the stem under stress. Main traits of the lodging‐resistant parental line were heritable and could be traced back to the genetic structure of the mutant. Evaluation of lodging‐resistant wheat ‘Babax’ (‘Baviacora’) versus contrasting, lodging‐prone, genotype ´Pastor´ agreed with above findings on rye. Our findings on mechanical stability and extraordinary culm properties may be important for breeders for the improvement of lodging resistance of tall posture cereal crops.

New variety of soft winter wheat Alyonushka

The article presents the main methods of creating and the results of studying a new variety of winter soft wheat Alyonushka. The variety was created at the FSBRI OP Penza Research Institute of Agriculture by the method of intraspecific hybridization of varieties with subsequent individual selection from the hybrid population F3 Kazanskaya 237 // Moshinskaya 2 / Zolushka. The characteristics of the new variety are given according to the most important economically valuable traits and properties. The new variety Alyonushka in terms of grain yield and the elements composing it, during the years of research (2015–2018), significantly exceeded the standard variety Fotinya. The average increase in grain to the standard for these years was 0.78 t / ha. The high yield of the new variety is formed due to the high mass of 1000 grains, the number and weight of grain per spike. It has high winter hardiness (88% on average), high lodging resistance (9 points) and grain quality at the level of valuable wheat. The new variety Alyonushka stably forms a completed grain (grain nature is 756-797 g / l), the content of crude protein in the grain is 14.8-16.2%, gluten is 28.2-30.2% with a gluten quality of 50-85 units. ... IDK (I-II group), baking strength of flour - 296 units, volumetric yield of bread from 100 g of flour - 780 cm3, overall assessment of bread - 4.7 points. The economic efficiency of cultivation of the Alyonushka variety in comparison with the Fotinya standard was 3780 rubles / ha. The profitability level of the new variety was 135%, which is 21% higher than that of the standard.

Myronosets – a new productive and high-protein winter triticale cultivar, adapted to the woodlands/forest-steppe and forest-steppe of Ukraine

The creation of new triticale genotypes, the potential of which to a certain extent would meet scientific and production needs, will never lose its relevance.&#x0D; Purpose and objectives – to create a new productive and high-protein winter triticale cultivar, adapted to the Woodlands/Forest-Steppe and Forest-Steppe of Ukraine.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The breeding work to expend the triticale diversity was continued at the Educational and Research Center of Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University in 2007–2017. The control and environmental trials were conducted in 2009-2019 in the Woodlands (Polissya Institute of Agriculture NAAS (2007–2009); predecessor: seeded fallow), central Forest-Steppe (V.M. Remeslo Myronivska Institute of Wheat NAAS (2016–2019); forecrops: mustard, soybean, pea for seeds; Bila Tserkva NAU (2009–2016); predecessors: seeded fallow, potato), and northern Forest-Steppe (Institute of Horticulture NAAS (2016–2017); forecrop: perennial grasses). No mineral fertilizers were applied. No plant protection measures were taken. Hybridization was performed by manual emasculation of female components. Plants were pollinated by the twirl method 2–3 days after emasculation. The breeding material was studied in compliance with the guidelines of the All-Union Research Institute of Plant Breeding and the methodology of the state cultivar trials. Data were statistically processed, as B.А. Dospekhov described, using Statistica-5.5 and Excel-2003 software.&#x0D; Results and discussion. We focus on the importance of triticale for mankind both at the present and in the future. We retrospectively reviewed data on the creation of a new winter triticale cultivar, Myronosets. Bioecological features and morphological characteristics of the new cultivar are given. The grain yield and quality are also summarized. The article covers the quantitative parameters of dough and bread from Myronosets grain. We compared the yields, resistance to lodging, in-spike germination, resistance to fungal pathogens and unfavorable abiotic environmental factors in the new triticale cultivar and previously created ones.&#x0D; The data of the 2019–2020 state variety trials of Myronosets are analyzed, and they indicate that the new cultivar has a high potential in agroecosystems of the Woodlands and Forest-Steppe of Ukraine.&#x0D; Myronosets was found to be a source of the short stem (£90 cm) in subsequent hybrid generations.&#x0D; In 2008, interspecific hybridization within the notogenus × Triticosecale and double individual selection from F2–F4 hybrid populations derived from crossing (♀Avhusto x ♂Yahuar) x ♂K9844/93 followed by repeated improving selections in F10 allowed us to distinguish the best line, LCh97, which was later named as cultivar Myronosets.&#x0D; The new triticale cultivar can give &gt; 7.5 t/ha. The average yield is 5.7 t/ha in the Forest-Steppe – Woodlands transition belt, 6.3 t/ha in the central Forest-Steppe, and 3.5 t/ha in the Woodlands. It is noticeable for high lodging resistance, high shedding resistance, low spike brashness, resistance to in-spike germination, complex resistance to Puccinia recondita f. sp. tritici Rob. ex Desm (8.5 points), Blumeria graminis (DC.) Speer (9 points.), and Fusarium graminearum Schwabe (8.5 points) and to to the pest Mayetiola destructor Say (8.5 points), high frost tolerance, high winter hardiness, and high drought resistance (8.5–9 points). About 70% of plants survive the laboratory freezing at -18.3°C. The cultivar is also resistant to spring and autumn frosts (9 points).&#x0D; Myronosets plants were revealed to be able to regulate their performance under the influence of unfavorable extreme bio- and abiotic factors, leaving 3–4 (more seldom 1–2) fruiting stems, often 1–3 stems with underdeveloped spikes and 1–2 unfertile stems without spikes, which form a radical rosette.&#x0D; Conclusions. As it was shown in the state variety trials, Myronosets is a mid-protein cultivar and recommended for cultivation in agroecosystems of the Woodlands and Forest-Steppe. Myronosets was proven to be a source of the short stem

Towards an ideotype for food-fuel dual-purpose wheat in Argentina with focus on biogas production

BackgroundWheat straw, one of the most abundant agricultural residues worldwide, can be used to produce biogas, which is considered one of the most efficiently produced renewable energies. Wheat grown with the dual-purpose of producing food and biogas should display simultaneously high grain and straw yields, low lodging susceptibility and high conversion efficiency of straw into biogas. The aims of this study were to determine the best food-fuel dual-purpose wheat candidates among 36 wheat genotypes—including French, CIMMYT and local (Criollo) germplasm—used in breeding programs in Argentina and to gain some insights into the relationships between key traits relevant for dual-purpose wheat genotypes.ResultsHigh variability in individual key traits for dual-purpose wheat ideotype has been found. Genotypes of French origin displayed the highest grain yield, and those of CIMMYT origin, the lowest straw yield. Genotypes of Criollo origin showed the highest lodging susceptibility, and French ones, the lowest. Straw yield was positively correlated with grain yield in all genotypes, and negatively correlated with plant height in genotypes of Criollo origin. Straw conversion into biogas was measured in terms of the biogas potential production and kinetic parameters Bmax (maximum specific biogas production) and k (first-order kinetic constant) were analyzed. All key traits were analyzed together by a principal component analysis. Baguette 31 and SNR Nogal, two genotypes of French origin, showed high grain yield, high-to-very high straw yield, low lodging susceptibility, and moderate-to-high Bmax and k. Buck Guapo and Buck Baqueano, two genotypes of Criollo origin, displayed good values for grain yield, straw yield and Bmax and k. However, their high lodging susceptibility precludes their production in shallow soils or high-input systems. Lastly, some old genotypes (e.g. Klein Atlas) harbored a good combination of all key traits and could prove valuable to be included in future breeding programs for dual-purpose wheat.ConclusionsWhile none of the genotypes excelled in every key trait, a few candidates showed potential for dual-purpose ideotype, particularly Baguette 31 and SNR Nogal. The challenge lays in gathering all attributes for food and 2G fuel in the same genotype.

Use of unmanned aerial vehicle imagery and a hybrid algorithm combining a watershed algorithm and adaptive threshold segmentation to extract wheat lodging

Lodging is a major yield-limiting factor in wheat, so we need a method to collect wheat lodging information efficiently. Traditional extraction of crop lodging is cost intensive and time consuming; satellite remote sensing technology is vulnerable to the cloud and is limited by its temporal and spatial resolution. Therefore, a new method for wheat lodging extraction based on a watershed algorithm combined with an adaptive threshold segmentation hybrid algorithm is proposed. An unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a high-resolution thermal infrared and visible sensor was used to acquire images of lodged and nonlodged wheat. Results indicate that there are morphological differences between lodged and nonlodged wheat and that the spectral reflectance and temperature of lodged wheat is higher than that of nonlodged wheat. The watershed algorithm is sensitive to the edge response and can reflect the contour characteristics of the lodging area. However, the impact of noise is obvious; there are salt-and-pepper patches. The wheat lodging ratios were calculated as 17.81%, with an accuracy of 80.26%. With adaptive threshold segmentation, the wheat lodging ratios were calculated as 18.78%, with an accuracy of 84.65%. If these two methods are fused, the influence of noise can be reduced, and an extraction accuracy of 93.58% can be achieved. This research provides a new idea for highly efficient crop lodging data collection, which can be used for precision farming and the selection of crop genotypes with high lodging resistance.