High Seed Oil Content Research Articles

Xiangchun 37, a spring soybean variety with multiplexed traits of medium maturity period, high yield, and high seed oil content.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-024-01505-5.

Optimizing Jatropha curcas bioenergy plantations in Pakistan: A geospatial suitability analysis using advanced spatial modeling

Bioenergy from energy plants, an alternative fuel, is projected to increasingly meet future worldwide energy demands as well as those of a developing nation like Pakistan. Jatropha curcas (JC) has been found to possess many desirable qualities, including high oil content seeds (27–40 %), rapid growth, ease of growing, tolerance to drought, ability to grow on poor soil and wasteland, needing less nutrient input and management, and not interfering with current food crops, insects, or pest resistance. Hence, growing JC in highly appropriate barren lands could reduce the global reliance on fossil fuels. However, an evaluation of the suitability of the land would be required for tree establishment to be effective. In this study, we integrated an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) with the ArcGIS tool for assessing suitable available sites to cultivate JC across Pakistan. Using geospatial technologies, this study intended to assess and map possible areas appropriate for JC bioenergy plantations with the necessary climate, soil type, and topography factors. Pakistan was classified into 3 levels of suitability for JC plantations based on the results of a spatial analysis that integrated various data sets and varied evaluation criteria: Most Suitable, Moderately Suitable, and Less Suitable. Our results showed that out of the total area of Pakistan, around 54,392,075 hectares (57 %), 22,516,700 hectares (23 %), and 19,594,100 hectares (20 %) were identified as highly suitable, moderately suitable, and less suitable, respectively, for JC bioenergy plantations. We conclude that the methods used in this study provided a considerably reliable estimate of suitable sites for JC production in Pakistan. It can assist smallholder-based initiatives to promote JC cultivation on farmer-owned to enhance their living circumstances. Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) was found to be a beneficial tool in breaking down the issues of identifying and classification of the locations for afforestation in the management of forests.

Identification of a Major QTL for Seed Protein Content in Cultivated Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Using QTL-Seq.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a great plant protein source for human diet since it has high protein content in the kernel. Therefore, seed protein content (SPC) is considered a major agronomic and quality trait in peanut breeding. However, few genetic loci underlying SPC have been identified in peanuts, and the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unknown, limiting the effectiveness of breeding for high-SPC peanut varieties. In this study, a major QTL (qSPCB10.1) controlling peanut SPC was identified within a 2.3 Mb interval in chromosome B10 by QTL-seq using a recombinant inbred line population derived from parental lines with high and low SPCs, respectively. Sequence comparison, transcriptomic analysis, and annotation analysis of the qSPCB10.1 locus were performed. Six differentially expressed genes with sequence variations between two parents were identified as candidate genes underlying qSPCB10.1. Further locus interaction analysis revealed that qSPCB10.1 could not affect the seed oil accumulation unless qOCA08.1XH13 was present, a high seed oil content (SOC) allele for a major QTL underlying SOC. In summary, our study provides a basis for future investigation of the genetic basis of seed protein accumulation and facilitates marker-assisted selection for developing high-SPC peanut genotypes.

Transcriptomic and lipidomic analysis of the differential pathway contribution to the incorporation of erucic acid to triacylglycerol during Pennycress seed maturation.

Thlaspi arvense (Pennycress) is an emerging feedstock for biofuel production because of its high seed oil content enriched in erucic acid. A transcriptomic and a lipidomic study were performed to analyze the dynamics of gene expression, glycerolipid content and acyl-group distribution during seed maturation. Genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis were expressed at the early stages of seed maturation. Genes encoding enzymes of the Kennedy pathway like diacylglycerol acyltransferase1 (TaDGAT1), lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (TaLPAT) or glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase (TaGPAT) increased their expression with maturation, coinciding with the increase in triacylglycerol species containing 22:1. Positional analysis showed that the most abundant triacylglycerol species contained 18:2 at sn-2 position in all maturation stages, suggesting no specificity of the lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase for very long chain fatty acids. Diacylglycerol acyltransferase2 (TaDGAT2) mRNA was more abundant at the initial maturation stages, coincident with the rapid incorporation of 22:1 to triacylglycerol, suggesting a coordination between Diacylglycerol acyltransferase enzymes for triacylglycerol biosynthesis. Genes encoding the phospholipid-diacylglycerol acyltransferase (TaPDAT1), lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (TaLPCAT) or phosphatidylcholine diacylglycerolcholine phosphotransferase (TaPDCT), involved in acyl-editing or phosphatidyl-choline (PC)-derived diacylglycerol (DAG) biosynthesis showed also higher expression at the early maturation stages, coinciding with a higher proportion of triacylglycerol containing C18 fatty acids. These results suggested a higher contribution of these two pathways at the early stages of seed maturation. Lipidomic analysis of the content and acyl-group distribution of diacylglycerol and phosphatidyl-choline pools was compatible with the acyl content in triacylglycerol at the different maturation stages. Our data point to a model in which a strong temporal coordination between pathways and isoforms in each pathway, both at the expression and acyl-group incorporation, contribute to high erucic triacylglycerol accumulation in Pennycress.

Fine mapping and candidate gene analysis of a major QTL for oil content in the seed of Brassica napus.

By integrating QTL fine mapping and transcriptomics, a candidate gene responsible for oil content in rapeseed was identified. The gene is anticipated to primarily function in photosynthesis and photosystem metabolism pathways. Brassica napus is one of the most important oil crops in the world, and enhancing seed oil content is an important goal in its genetic improvement. However, the underlying genetic basis for the important trait remains poorly understood in this crop. We previously identified a major locus, OILA5 responsible for seed oil content on chromosome A5 through genome-wide association study. To better understand the genetics of the QTL, we performed fine mapping of OILA5 with a double haploid population and a BC3F2 segregation population consisting of 6227 individuals. We narrowed down the QTL to an approximate 43kb region with twelve annotated genes, flanked by markers ZDM389 and ZDM337. To unveil the potential candidate gene responsible for OILA5, we integrated fine mapping data with transcriptome profiling using high and low oil content near-isogenic lines. Among the candidate genes, BnaA05G0439400ZS was identified with high expression levels in both seed and silique tissues. This gene exhibited homology with AT3G09840 in Arabidopsis that was annotated as cell division cycle 48. We designed a site-specific marker based on resequencing data and confirmed its effectiveness in both natural and segregating populations. Our comprehensive results provide valuable genetic information not only enhancing our understanding of the genetic control of seed oil content but also novel germplasm for advancing high seed oil content breeding in B. napus and other oil crops.

Variability for seed germination and seedling vigour in aging groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seeds after storage under ambient conditions

Seed germination and seedling vigour in aging seeds of 32 groundnut genotypes was studied under ambient storage conditions to assess the extent of variability for these traits under storage. The association, if any of these traits with seed soil content and seed mass was also examined. Both,seed germination and seedling vigour declined with aging of the groundnut seeds in all test genotypes. However, the rate of decrease varied among the genotypes suggesting significant genotypic difference and possibility of their improvement through breeding. Aging also has strong negative effect on both, root and shoot growth of the seedlings, but profound effect was observed on root growth. Seed germination and seedling vigour are not associated with seed oil content, but seedling vigour is positively correlated with seed mass. The results indicate the possibility of developing new groundnut genotypes that retained good levels of seed germination and seedling vigour even in storage for 12 months under ambientconditions. Further, it is also possible to combine enhanced high seed oil content with high seed germination and seedling vigour. As seed germination and seedling vigour are associated with pod yield, it may be desirable to evaluate the advanced breeding lines for these traits besides other yield and yield parameters.

Genetic and Morpho-Physiological Differences among Transgenic and No-Transgenic Cotton Cultivars.

Three carbon-chain extension genes associated with fatty acid synthesis in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), namely GhKAR, GhHAD, and GhENR, play important roles in oil accumulation in cotton seeds. In the present study, these three genes were cloned and characterized. The expression patterns of GhKAR, GhHAD, and GhENR in the high seed oil content cultivars 10H1014 and 10H1041 differed somewhat compared with those of 10H1007 and 2074B with low seed oil content at different stages of seed development. GhKAR showed all three cultivars showed higher transcript levels than that of 2074B at 10-, 40-, and 45-days post anthesis (DPA). The expression pattern of GhHAD showed a lower transcript level than that of 2074B at both 10 and 30 DPA but a higher transcript level than that of 2074B at 40 DPA. GhENR showed a lower transcript level than that of 2074B at both 15 and 30 DPA. The highest transcript levels of GhKAR and GhENR were detected at 15 DPA in 10H1007, 10H1014, and 10H1041 compared with 2074B. From 5 to 45 DPA cotton seed, the oil content accumulated continuously in the developing seed. Oil accumulation reached a peak between 40 DPA and 45 DPA and slightly decreased in mature seed. In addition, GhKAR and GhENR showed different expression patterns in fiber and ovule development processes, in which they showed high expression levels at 20 DPA during the fiber elongation stage, but their expression level peaked at 15 DPA during ovule development processes. These two genes showed the lowest expression levels at the late seed maturation stage, while GhHAD showed a peak of 10 DPA in fiber development. Compared to 2074B, the oil contents of GhKAR and GhENR overexpression lines increased 1.05~1.08 folds. These results indicated that GhHAD, GhENR, and GhKAR were involved in both seed oil synthesis and fiber elongation with dual biological functions in cotton.

Identification and delineation of potential castor growing areas in different Agro-eco sub regions of India

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world. Castor oil is having globalimportance specially in chemical industry because it is the only commercial source of a hydroxylated fatty acid.Castor also hastremendousfuture potential as an industrial oilseed crop because of its high seed oil content, unique fatty acid composition, potentially high oil yields, and ability to be grown under drought and saline conditions. Soils and prevailing climatic conditions across different Agro-Eco Sub Regions (AESR) of India were assessed and matched with crop requirement criteria to identify the potential castor growing areas. Potential castor growing areas comprise favourable soil depth (deep soils) with longer Length of Growing Period (LGP). Among the traditional castor growing areas, AESR 5.2, 7.3, 8.2 and 8.3 have potential to grow castor whereas in non-traditional castor growing areas, AESR6.3, 6.2, 13.1, 15.4 and 17.1 are most potential for expanding castor cultivation. Relative yield and spread index of castor indicated that most of the potential areasidentified in different AESRsfall in zone II and III, need special attention to increase productivity and area expansion programme. Site specific management strategies like selection of suitable variety matching with LGP and proper adoption of nutrient management will overcome the limitations observed in these zones.

3D genome structural variations play important roles in regulating seed oil content of Brassica napus

Dissecting the complex regulatory mechanism of seed oil content (SOC) is one of the main research goals in Brassica napus. Increasing evidence suggests that genome architecture is linked to multiple biological functions. However, the effect of genome architecture on SOC regulation remains unclear. Here, we used high-throughput chromatin conformation capture to characterize differences in the three-dimensional (3D) landscape of genome architecture of seeds from two B. napus lines, N53-2 (with high SOC) and Ken-C8 (with low SOC). Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that differentially accessible regions and differentially expressed genes between N53-2 and Ken-C8 were preferentially enriched in regions with quantitative trait loci (QTLs)/associated genomic regions (AGRs) for SOC. A multi-omics analysis demonstrated that expression of SOC-related genes was tightly correlated with genome structural variations in QTLs/AGRs of B. napus. The candidate gene BnaA09g48250D, which showed structural variation in a QTL/AGR on chrA09, was identified by fine-mapping of a KN double-haploid population derived from hybridization of N53-2 and Ken-C8. Overexpression and knockout of BnaA09g48250D led to significant increases and decreases in SOC, respectively, in the transgenic lines. Taken together, our results reveal the 3D genome architecture of B. napus seeds and the roles of genome structural variations in SOC regulation, enriching our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of SOC regulation from the perspective of spatial chromatin structure.

Spectral Response of Camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz) to Different Nitrogen Fertilization Regimes under Mediterranean Conditions

Knowledge about the spectral response of camelina under different regimes of nitrogen (N) fertilization is very scarce. Therefore, 2-year open-field trials were carried out in the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons with the aim of evaluating the spectral response of spring camelina to four different N fertilization regimes by using remote (UAV) and proximal (leaf-clip Dualex) sensing techniques. The tested treatments were: (i) control: no N application (T0); (ii) top dressing: 60 kg N ha−1 before stem elongation (T1); basal dressing: 60 kg N ha−1 at sowing (T2); basal + top dressing combination: 60 kg N ha−1 at sowing + 60 kg N ha−1 before stem elongation (T3). Camelina seed yield and N use efficiency were strongly affected by fertilization regimes, with the best results obtained at T2. A reduction in plant development and seed yield was detected in 2022, probably due to the rise in air temperatures. A significant effect of both growing season and N fertilization was observed on the photosynthetic pigments content with the T1 highest values in 2022. The highest seed oil content was achieved at T1, while the protein content increased with increasing N, with the best values at T3. Positive and significant correlations were observed among several vegetation indices obtained through UAV flights (NDVI, MRS705, FGCC) and seed yield, as well as between FGCC and leaf N concentration. Overall, these findings demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing remote sensing techniques from UAVs for predicting seed yield in camelina.

RESEARCH ON THE BEHAVIOR OF SOME SUNFLOWER CULTIVATIONS IN THE SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF THE NORTH AREA OF OLT COUNTY

The sunflower, unlike other phytotechnical plants, tolerates drought much better, this is primarily due to the better developed root system with a high capacity to absorb and solubilize water and nutrients from the soil, for a longer period of time, its ability to reduce evapotranspiration and, respectively, the possibility of a rapid return of the leaves to the state of turgor, but the production decreases proportionally to the intensity and duration of these processes. To achieve high performance, sunflower cultivars must have stable F1 heterosis, high seed oil content, high production capacity, short growing season, uniformity in average plant height, high resistance to agents pathogens. In the ecopedological conditions of the Bărăşti - Olt area, on a preluvosol type soil, research was carried out on a number of 6 hybrids: Favorit, Performer, Venus, Saturn, Alex, Vera, the production results highlighting their different adaptation to specific culture conditions. The highest yields were recorded for the Performer hybrid -3935 kg/ha and the Venus hybrid -3786 kg/ha. All hybrids achieved productions above 3000 kg/ha.

Evaluation of Some Promising Soybean Genotypes to Infestation with Cotton Leafworm (<i>Spodoptera littoralis</i>) under Field Conditions

A two-year study was carried out in Giza Agricultural Experiments and Research Station, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Giza, Egypt in the 2020 and 2021 summer seasons to evaluate the relative tolerance of ten soybean genotypes for cotton leafworm infestation under field conditions. Soybean genotypes H11L145, H155, H113, H4L4, H15L17, H129, H30, H19L96, Giza 111, and Crawford were distributed in randomized complete blocks design with three replications. Soybean genotypes differed significantly for cotton leafworm at the 6th, 7th, and 8th week from sowing. Low values of cotton leafworm assemblages were recorded for H113, H4L4, H15L17, Giza 111, and H129. Low percentages of the larval survival number and weight, as well as the number of the survival of pupa were recorded by feeding on leaves of genotypes H4F4, H15L17, and Giza 111 under laboratory conditions. There were significant differences among the studied genotypes in most yield attributes in both seasons. Soybean genotypes H15L17, Giza 111, H113, H129, H19L96, and H4L4 gave higher seed yield per ha, meanwhile soybean genotypes H155, H19L96, H30, Giza 111, and H15L17 had higher seed oil content than the other genotypes in both seasons. The number and weight of larvae surviving, as well as the number of pupa survival, were negatively correlated with leaf total phenols and seed oil content. It can be concluded that soybean genotypes H15L17, H4L4, and Giza 111 are promising genotypes with desirable seed oil content for tolerating cotton leafworm infestation in breeding programs.

OIL CONTENT OF SUNFLOWER GENOTYPES IN YEARS 2020 AND 2021 IN FUNDULEA LOCATION

At NARDI Fundulea, sunflower breeding program is focused for developing sunflower hybrids with high seed oil content, with resistance at main pathogens such as Plasmoparahalstedii, Sclerotiniasclerotiorum, Phomopsishelianthi and with resistance at sulfonylurea herbicides (SU) and to imidazolinone (CL Plus) herbicides.
 Temperature and precipitation influence seed oil content of sunflower genotypes in booth years 2020 and 2021, in Fundulea location. The amount of precipitation during the sunflower vegetation period from April to September, in both years 2020 (248.6 mm) and 2021 (273.2 mm), was lower than the 60-year average amount (351.8mm). 
 Average seed oil content, in year 2020, was included in the values of 48.63% at sunflower experimental hybrid H54CLP in Clearfield Plus system and 51.79% at sunflower experimental hybrid H87SU in Express Sun system and in year 2021, was included in the values of 41.69% at H54CLP and 50.56% at H87SU. Agricultural year (2020, 2021), sunflower hybrid and their interaction, influence significant positive the oil content of seed. 
 In year 2020 in Fundulea location, pathogen Plasmoparahalstedii has an attack degree between 3% at H76SU, H50CLP and 17% at H54CLP and in year 2021, between 6% at H76SU, H50CLP and 23% at H54CLP.

The role of storage reserves and their mobilization during seed germination under drought stress conditions of rapeseed cultivars with high and low oli contents

Seed germination is one of the complex traits in the plant life cycle, which is accomplished by the interaction of various complex processes including seed reserve mobilization and utilization under various environmental conditions. Since seed reserves can influence seed germination, the quantitative and qualitative differences in seed reserves may relate to the germination characteristics of rapeseed seeds. Therefore, we hypothesized the positive relationship between seed germination and mobilization process of seed reserves during the seed imbibition of two rapeseed cultivars with high and low oil contents under normal and drought stress conditions. Herein, we measured the initial absorption of water and seed microstructure during seed imbibition, besides, we also determined seed germination parameters, osmolytes, enzymatic activity, lipid peroxidation, and fatty acid composition in both rapeseed cultivars. Our results displayed that the high oil content cultivar (QY1) showed a higher germination percentage with higher water absorption during the seed imbibition under drought stress conditions. Moreover, seed microstructural analysis indicated that oil bodies (OBs) were surrounding the protein storage vacuoles (PBs) compartment and cell periphery, the gap between OBs was increased to some extent, and boundaries became blurred in QY1 under drought stress conditions. Besides, the number of oil bodies was higher, while their area was lower, which might provide more energy for the germination process. Furthermore, the active metabolism of protein, sugar, and proline in QY1 was higher than ZYZ108 under normal and drought stress conditions, which might be closely related to the accretion of osmoregulatory substances that improved water uptake, thereby improving seed germination. Additionally, unsaturated fatty acids were higher in QY1 than ZYZ108, which provide greater protection against drought stress damages. Besides, QY1 exhibited high efficiency of defense system, which reduced malonaldehyde (MDA) content, hence ameliorating the oxidative damage due to drought stress. Taken together, this investigation provides new insight into the role of seed reserves as energy resources in the germination process in high oil content seeds of rapeseed cultivars, especially under drought stress conditions.

Pyruvate transporter BnaBASS2 impacts seed oil accumulation in Brassica napus.

Bile acid: sodium symporter family protein 2 (BASS2) is a sodium-dependent pyruvate transporter, which transports pyruvate from cytosol into plastid in plants. In this study, we investigated the function of chloroplast envelope membrane-localized BnaBASS2 in seed metabolism and seed oil accumulation of Brassica napus (B. napus). Four BASS2 genes were identified in the genome of B. napus. BnaA05.BASS2 was overexpressed while BnaA05.BASS2 and BnaC04.BASS2-1 were mutated by CRISPR in B. napus. Metabolite analysis revealed that the manipulation of BnaBASS2 caused significant changes in glycolysis-, fatty acid synthesis-, and energy-related metabolites in the chloroplasts of 31 day-after-flowering (DAF) seeds. The analysis of fatty acids and lipids in developing seeds showed that BnaBASS2 could affect lipid metabolism and oil accumulation in developing seeds. Moreover, the overexpression (OE) of BnaA05.BASS2 could promote the expression level of multiple genes involved in the synthesis of oil and the formation of oil body during seed development. Disruption of BnaA05.BASS2 and BnaC04.BASS2-1 resulted in decreasing the seed oil content (SOC) by 2.8%-5.0%, while OE of BnaA05.BASS2 significantly promoted the SOC by 1.4%-3.4%. Together, our results suggest that BnaBASS2 is a potential target gene for breeding B. napus with high SOC.

Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of Oil-Body-Membrane Proteins in Polyploid Crop Brassica napus

Oil-body-membrane proteins (OBMPs) are essential structural molecules of oil bodies and also versatile metabolic enzymes involved in multiple cellular processes such as lipid metabolism, hormone signaling and stress responses. However, the global landscape for OBMP genes in oil crops is still lacking. Here, we performed genome-wide identification and characterization of OBMP genes in polyploid crop Brassica napus. B. napus contains up to 88 BnaOBMP genes including 53 oleosins, 20 caleosins and 15 steroleosins. Both whole-genome and tandem duplications have contributed to the expansion of the BnaOBMP gene family. These BnaOBMP genes have extensive sequence polymorphisms, and some harbor strong selection signatures. Various cis-acting regulatory elements involved in plant growth, phytohormones and abiotic and biotic stress responses are detected in their promoters. BnaOBMPs exhibit differential expression at various developmental stages from diverse tissues. Importantly, some BnaOBMP genes display spatiotemporal patterns of seed-specific expression, which could be orchestrated by transcriptional factors such as EEL, GATA3, HAT2, SMZ, DOF5.6 and APL. Altogether, our data lay the foundations for studying the regulatory mechanism of the seed oil storage process and provide candidate genes and alleles for the genetic improvement and breeding of rapeseed with high seed oil content.

Improving Physic Nut (Jatropha curcas) – a Bio-fuel and Multipurpose Crop Production in Sub-Saharan Africa through Appropriate Nursery Media

Physic nut (Jatropha curcas) is a bio-fuel and multipurpose crop that can be used to produce biodiesel, biogas and latex. The toxic substances – curcin and diterpenoids in raw Jatropha leaves and seeds can scare grazing animals away and this suggests the possibility of using the plant as live fence to curb cattle menace which is one of the major constraints facing crop production in Sub-Saharan Africa especially in Nigeria. Despite its nutritive, medicinal and economic values, Jatropha is one of the most neglected crops in Nigeria and in sub-Sahara Africa at large. There is often loss of vigour of Jatropha seedlings due to high seed oil content which results in rancidity and weak seedling growth. An experiment was conducted at Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, Enugu state, Nigeria to determine the appropriate nursery media towards improving the production of Jatropha curcas in sub-Saharan Africa. Four nursery media viz: 3:2:1; 1:2:1; 0:0:1 and; 1:0:0 of top soil, organic manure and river sand respectively, were evaluated. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Data on emergence percentage, seedling height, number of leaves per seedling and seedling girth were collected and analyzed using Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for CRD. The treatment means with significant differences were separated using least significant difference at 0.05 probability level. The results showed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) among the treatments in emergence percentage of Jatropha curcas. However, there were significant differences (p<0.05) among the treatments in seedling height and stem girth with the highest values obtained in 1:2:1 of top soil, poultry droppings and river sand, respectively and the least in 0:0:1 of top soil, poultry droppings and river sand, respectively. It could be concluded that the use of 1:2:1 of top soil, organic manure and river sand, respectively significantly improved seedling growth of Jatropha curcas compared to the other treatments and could therefore be recommended for Jatropha curcas nursery for improved production of the crop in sub-Sahara Africa.

Intra-population variability of oil content and fatty acid composition in modern hemp cultivars

Purpose and objectives. To identify new promising material with high seed productivity, oil content and optimal fatty acid composition
 Results and discussion. It was found that the variability ranges of the oil content and seed weight increased under the influence of selections. Use of distant genotypes in hybridization contributed to the generation of high-oil lines, which later become donors of this trait. High oil content was recorded in hybrids derived from crossing cultivars and self-pollinated lines of the Central European eco-geographical type with cultivars and self-pollinated lines of the southern type. In this case, cultivar-line and line-cultivar hybrids (oil content of 36−39%), rather than inter-line ones, turned out to be the most successful results.
 Family-group selection is a basis for increasing and further stabilizing the oil content in seeds. The oil content was revealed to gradually increase during the breeding for increased oil content. It was found that the population variability of the seed oil content was from 33.99% to 46.98%.
 Continuous breeding selection gradually widens the expression range of the “oil content” trait from medium to maximum. In order to increase the practical value of cultivars via breeding techniques the seed productivity was also increased. The cultivars of different genetic origins, Hlesiia and Mykolaiychyk, as well as the cultivars of hybrid origin, Artemida and Harmoniia, were considered the most promising ones. In Mykolaichyk populations, the oil content gradually increased and stabilized at a level of 33, 35, or 37.8% without changes in the fatty acid composition of oil.
 The selections stabilized the oil content in cultivar populations. This proves the high efficiency of the developed breeding methods to create cultivars with high seed productivity and of targeted selection to increase the oil content in hemp seeds. Thus, the importance of a cultivar combining high seed yield and high oil output rises. The modern cultivars were ranked in order of decreasing oil levels in seeds as follows: Mykolaichyk, Artemida, Harmoniia, Hlesiia.
 Oil of all cultivars had an optimal ratio of omega-3 to omega 6 fatty acids of 1:3.1−1:3.9 (2016−2017). In 2018−2019, the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids was 4.0:1− 4.8:1. The linoleic acid content ranged from 55% to 58% and the linolenic acid content – from 12.58% to 18.23%. Mykolaichyk and Artemida were noticeable for gamma-linolenic acid. These results allow us to assert that the fatty acid composition of hemp seeds is unique and immutable during the breeding for increased oil content.
 Conclusions. We believe that the Central European type is a source and donor of high oil content, while the southern type – of a longer seed formation and, accordingly, of high oil accumulation.
 The heterosis phenomenon resulted from combining distant genotypes in one organism was observed. In this case, cultivar-line and line-cultivar hybrids, but not inter-line hybrids, turned out to be the most successful ones (oil content of 36−39%).
 The new hemp cultivars, Mykolaichyk, Artemida and Harmoniia, which combine high seed productivity with high seed oil content and unique fatty acid composition, have been created.

Isolation of soybean-specific plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria using soybean agglutin and evaluation of their effects to improve soybean growth, yield, and soil nutritional status

The basic requirements of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) for field applications are that they have an affinity for the host plant and that they can colonize the rhizosphere. Here, a new technique was established using soybean agglutin (SBA) as a tool to isolate soybean-specific PGPR. Thirty-three PGPR strains with an affinity for soybean were obtained via the screening method with SBA. All 33 isolates were able to produce indole acetic acid and solubilize inorganic phosphate and potassium. Most isolates (93.94%) were able to solubilize organic phosphate and almost half (45.45%) were able to produce siderophores. More than 40% of the isolates exhibited all five plant growth-promoting traits. The isolate Enterobacter sp. strain DN9 was selected for further analyses of its rhizosphere colonization and soybean growth-promoting effects because of its excellent activity in phosphate and potassium solubilization. The luciferase luxAB gene was electrotransformed into DN9, and the labelled DN9 (DN9-L) was able to survive in the soybean rhizosphere and colonize new spaces as the soybean roots elongated. This strain positively affected root system development and soybean seedling growth. In pot and field experiments, the isolates DN9, DW1, and DW13 significantly increased the nutrient contents in rhizosphere soil and soybean leaves. On average, the seed number per plant and the seed weight per plant were increased by 20% and 24% respectively, in plants inoculated with these PGPR strains in the pot experiment. In a field experiment, compared with uninoculated plants, those inoculated with DW1 showed 46.78% higher pod number per plant and 5.23% higher seed oil content; those inoculated with DW13 showed 79.82% higher seed number per plant and 65.10% higher seed weight per plant; and those inoculated with DN9 showed 9.13% higher 100-seed weight. These results show that SBA can be used as a tool to isolate efficient PGPR to enhance soybean production.

Acer triflorum as a new nervonic acid-containing oilseed resource for the future: Fruit-and-seed weight, oil content and fatty acid composition

To develop and utilize the oil of Acer triflorum and explore natural resources rich in nervonic acid, 20 individual plants were used in trial collections to determine the oil and fatty acid contents of their seeds. The results showed that the average oil content ranged from 28.83%− 48.52%, with an average of 36.31%, indicating the plant is potential as a new species with high seed oil content. The oil was mainly composed of two saturated fatty acids (palmitic acid, stearic acid) and six unsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, erucic acid, nervonic acid). The average total content of the unsaturated fatty acids was 91.98%, where linoleic acid was 44.95%, erucic acid was 12.47%, and nervonic acid was 4.69%, indicating that A. triflorum seed oil has stable and high unsaturation characteristics and high nutritional value. The coefficients of variation (CV) for13 seed oil traits ranged from 0.47% to 12.40%, among which the CV for the oil content was the highest (12.40%), the CV for the total unsaturated fatty acids content was the lowest (0.47%), the CV for erucic acid was 2.54%, and that of nervonic acid was 6.37%. These results suggest that A. triflorum has potential as a new plant with a high content of valuable fatty oils. Meanwhile, extremely significant differences in the oil content and fatty acids content in the kernels of A. triflorum were observed among individuals, which provided the basis for screening germplasm resources for high oil, high nervonic acid and low erucic acid contents. Correlation analysis showed that the fuller the fruit and seed, the higher the oil content and seed oil quality. Based on the characteristics of the various fruit-and-seed weights and seed oils, one plant exemplifying excellent "high oil and low erucic acid" (‘WN181′) characteristics and another plant exemplifying excellent "high oil and nervonic acid" (‘GGC260′) characteristics were selected preliminarily. This study showed that A. triflorum could be developed into a renewable woody oil species, and its seeds could be used as raw materials for extracting nervonic acid.