Plant Breeding Methods Research Articles

Genetic diversity of Phalaenopsis spp. orchids based on ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeat) markers

Genus Phalaenopsis is a popular orchid genus known for its large flowers and varied colors. In the wild, the presence of Phalaenopsis is rare, making propagation a necessary effort for conservation. However, research on the diversity of orchids of the genus Phalaenopsis spp has not been widely carried out. This study aims to determine the genetic diversity of orchids of the genus Phalaenopsis spp (P. deliciosa, P. venosa, P. amboinensis, P. amabilis, P bellina, P. violacea) using ISSR markers. The 5 primers used were, UBC-810, UBC-834, UBC-814, UBC-826, and UBC-843. The genetic diversity facts may be used as the basis for plant breeding method. The DNA samples were isolated and then the concentration and purity were measured. DNA amplification of the samples used the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) with 5 ISSR primers. The NTSYS-pc program (Numeral Taxonomic System) version 2.02 was used to evaluate the scoring data, and the results showed up as cluster dendrograms. The results showed that 6 samples of Phalaenopsis spp were divided into 2 clusters, with similarity index values in the range of 30%-81% and genetic diversity in the range of 19%-70%.

The Possibility of Using Allelic Variants of Electrophoretic Spectra of Storage Proteins in the Breeding of Sunflower

Relevance of the provided research work lies in the need to create parental lines of sunflower with high genetic purity, high combinatorial ability to obtain modern hybrids capable of forming a high level of yield in the arid conditions of the Steppe of Ukraine. Analysis and study of allelic variants of electrophoretic spectra makes it possible to expand the genetic diversity of the source material identified by the spectra of seed storage proteins. The main goal was to establish and study allelic variants of sunflower seed storage proteins, their use in individual plant selection in the process of creating self-pollinated lines, with the subsequent inclusion of lines in the breeding process. The source material for creating self-pollinated lines were sunflower varieties and interspecific hybrids. Plant selection was carried out according to morphological characteristics and allelic variants of the electrophoretic spectra of sunflower seed storage proteins according to the method of F. O. Poperel. The research was carried out in accordance with generally accepted methods in plant breeding. As a result of the conducted studies, allelic variants of electrophoretic spectra of sunflower seed storage proteins Hel 1, Hel 2, Hel 3, Hel 4, Hel 5, Hel 6, Hel 7, Hel 9, Hel NK were established. New self-pollinated sunflower lines with a high level of genetic purity with identified loci Hel 7, Hel 9, Hel NK were created. The creation of starting material from interspecific hybrids ensured the production of genotypes with new helianthine spectra and contributed to the expansion of the genetic diversity of sunflower. Based on allelic variants of protein spectra, protein spectra were developed and recorded for each self-pollinated sample and line created. Self-pollinated lines were created using protein spectra and clustering of the resulting genotypes was performed. Sunflower hybrids with the participation of lines from the most genetically distant clusters form a yield higher by 0.5-0.8 t ha-1. The established allelic variants of the electrophoretic spectra of seed storage proteins are recommended to be used in individual plant selection in the process of obtaining self-pollinated sunflower lines with a high level of genetic purity. The obtained sunflower lines are recommended to be used in the creation of hybrids intended for cultivation in arid steppe conditions of Ukraine.

Over expression of modified Isomaltulose Synthase Gene II (ImSyGII) under single and double promoters drive unprecedented sugar contents in sugarcane.

Sugarcane has been grown all around the world to meet sugar demands for industrial sector. The current sugar recovery percentage in sugarcane cultivars is dismally low which demands scientific efforts for improvements. Multiple approaches were adopted to enhance sugar contents in commercial sugarcane plants in contrast to conventional plant breeding methods. The exploitation of biotechnological methods and exploration of isomaltulose synthetic genes presented a promising solution to increase the existing low level of sugar recovery percentage in Saccharum officinarum L. Isomaltulose synthase gene II was employed and integrated into plant expression vector driven under the leaf and stem specific promoters terminated by nopaline synthase gene in a cloning strategy shown in the present study. Three gene constructs were developed in various combinations driven under promoters Zea mays ubiquitin and Cestrum Yellow Leaf Curl virus in the single and double combined stacked system. The transformation was executed in multiple formats with single transformed events, double promoter transformation events and triple construct stacked promoters in sugarcane induced calli via the particle gene gun. The transformation of ImSyGII in sugarcane genotype HSF-240 was confirmed by molecular gene analysis while expression quantification was determined through Real Time PCR. Furthermore, HPLC was also done to harvest the increased amounts of Isomaltulose in transgenic sugarcane juice. The present work upheld the enhanced ImSyGII expression in leaves owing to the exploitation of ubiquitin, while the Cestrum Yellow Leaf Curl virus promoter enhanced gene expression in sugarcane stems. The employment of three gene constructs collectively produced elite sugar lines producing more than 78% enhancements in whole sugar recovery percentage. The mature internode proved highly efficient and receptive regarding the production of isomaltulose. Quantifications and sugar contents evaluations upheld an increased Brix ratio of transgenic sugarcane lines than control lines.

How Helpful May Be a CRISPR/Cas-Based System for Food Traceability?

Genome editing (GE) technologies have the potential to completely transform breeding and biotechnology applied to crop species, contributing to the advancement of modern agriculture and influencing the market structure. To date, the GE-toolboxes include several distinct platforms able to induce site-specific and predetermined genomic modifications, introducing changes within the existing genetic blueprint of an organism. For these reasons, the GE-derived approaches are considered like new plant breeding methods, known also as New Breeding Techniques (NBTs). Particularly, the GE-based on CRISPR/Cas technology represents a considerable improvement forward biotech-related techniques, being highly sensitive, precise/accurate, and straightforward for targeted gene editing in a reliable and reproducible way, with numerous applications in food-related plants. Furthermore, numerous examples of CRISPR/Cas system exploitation for non-editing purposes, ranging from cell imaging to gene expression regulation and DNA assembly, are also increasing, together with recent engagements in target and multiple chemical detection. This manuscript aims, after providing a general overview, to focus attention on the main advances of CRISPR/Cas-based systems into new frontiers of non-editing, presenting and discussing the associated implications and their relative impacts on molecular traceability, an aspect closely related to food safety, which increasingly arouses general interest within public opinion and the scientific community.

Precision Phenotyping in Crop Science: From Plant Traits to Gene Discovery for Climate‐Smart Agriculture

ABSTRACTThe global population is placing unprecedented demand on food systems, which can be met only through a complex interplay of technology, sustainable food production intensification methods and climate resilience. To address such compounded requirements, developing high‐yielding crop varieties using precise plant breeding methods bolstered with efficient and nondestructive plant trait documentation approaches is vital. High‐throughput crop phenotyping (HTCP) platforms have prominently emerged as a mainstream approach for reducing the phenotyping bottleneck in breeding programmes. HTCP has the potential to provide detailed quantitative information of large plant populations under different growth stages across diverse environmental regimes, facilitating accelerated plant breeding strategies. New imaging platforms also enable nondestructive characterization of a wide range of above and below‐ground crop parameters. The specificity in use of sensors, automation of data collection, large‐scale data handling systems and accurate analytical tools have a substantial role in dynamic crop monitoring and big data interpretation. HTCP platforms are capable of making precise measurements of a wide range of physiological, morphological, biochemical and stress responses in plants. Developments of sensors with improved precision, intervention of unmanned aerial vehicles, robotics, computed tomography and machine learning have given a dramatic developmental leap to precise and large‐scale crop phenotyping. This review provides an avenue for understanding various high‐throughput phenotyping platforms, working principles, current developments and contributions to high‐throughput phenotyping of various crops under laboratory and field conditions. A detailed comparative idea on the advantages and pitfalls of these available platforms can help researchers in choosing the right technology suiting specific practical requirements. Furthermore, the review aims to provide novel future prospects and developmental requirements that can potentially widen the application and utilization of these HTCP technologies in agriculture.

Methods for the accelerated creation of updated high-quality flax seeds in primary seed production

Relevance. The creation of high-quality oilseed flax seeds using new plant breeding methods is an imperative principle with the advent of better crop seed production. Current methods for creating such seeds continue to be complicated and laborious. In this regard, the development of more advanced methods for obtaining renewed seeds with a high level of manifestation of sowing, various types and morphophysiological properties is relevant and has practical importance.Methods. The experiments were carried out in accordance with the methods of planting, conducting field experiments with flax, and methodological recommendations for seed production of oil flax. The assessment of sowing quality and seed material was carried out in accordance with the current certification system , varietal quality — by the soil control method.Results. The high efficiency of creating updated oilseed flax seeds using the method of plant selection during the growing season — from the beginning to the end of full flowering, which allowed for a significant increase in their yield to 61.5%, compared with the control. Selection of plants in the interval from the beginning to the end of full flowering ensured the preservation of the sowing qualities of the created seeds at the control level — selection according to the current method, as well as increasing the uniformity of indicators of the morphophysiological properties of seeds, including the uniformity of seed sprouts along the length by 4.6%. The selection method with the removal of plants atypical in morphological charakteristics compared with the control allowed to increase the yield of updated oilseed flax seeds by 29.7%, improve their morphophysiological properties. The varietal quality of the updated seed material for all methods of its creation was characterized by the absence of atypical seeds in color and minor differences between the options in the uniformity of varietal characteristics.

Genome editing in angiosperm chloroplasts: targeted DNA double-strand break and base editing.

Chloroplasts are organelles that are derived from a photosynthetic bacterium and have their own genome. Genome editing is a recently developing technology that allows for specific modifications of target sequences. The first successful application of genome editing in chloroplasts was reported in 2021, and since then, this research field has been expanding. Although the chloroplast genome of several dicot species can be stably modified by a conventional method, which involves inserting foreign DNAs into the chloroplast genome via homologous recombination, genome editing offers several advantages over this method. In this review, we introduce genome editing methods targeting the chloroplast genome and describe their advantages and limitations. So far, CRISPR/Cas systems are inapplicable for editing the chloroplast genome because guide RNAs, unlike proteins, cannot be efficiently delivered into chloroplasts. Therefore, protein-based enzymes are used to edit the chloroplast genome. These enzymes contain a chloroplast-transit peptide, the DNA-binding domain of transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN), or a catalytic domain that induces DNA modifications. To date, genome editing methods can cause DNA double-strand break or introduce C:G-to-T:A and A:T-to-G:C base edits at or near the target sequence. These methods are expected to contribute to basic research on the chloroplast genome in many species and to be fundamental methods of plant breeding utilizing the chloroplast genome.

Root hairs: an underexplored target for sustainable cereal crop production.

To meet the demands of a rising human population, plant breeders will need to develop improved crop varieties that maximize yield in the face of increasing pressure on crop production. Historically, the optimization of crop root architecture has represented a challenging breeding target due to the inaccessibility of the root systems. Root hairs, single cell projections from the root epidermis, are perhaps the most overlooked component of root architecture traits. Root hairs play a central role in facilitating water, nutrient uptake, and soil cohesion. Current root hair architectures may be suboptimal under future agricultural production regimes, coupled with an increasingly variable climate. Here, we review the genetic control of root hair development in the world's three most important crops-rice, maize, and wheat-and highlight conservation of gene function between monocots and the model dicot species Arabidopsis. Advances in genomic techniques including gene editing combined with traditional plant breeding methods have the potential to overcome many inherent issues associated with the design of improved root hair architectures. Ultimately, this will enable detailed characterization of the effects of contrasting root hair morphology strategies on crop yield and resilience, and the development of new varieties better adapted to deliver future food security.

Alien introgression to wheat for food security: functional and nutritional quality for novel products under climate change.

Crop yield and quality has increased globally during recent decades due to plant breeding, resulting in improved food security. However, climate change and shifts in human dietary habits and preferences display novel pressure on crop production to deliver enough quantity and quality to secure food for future generations. This review paper describes the current state-of-the-art and presents innovative approaches related to alien introgressions into wheat, focusing on aspects related to quality, functional characteristics, nutritional attributes, and development of novel food products. The benefits and opportunities that the novel and traditional plant breeding methods contribute to using alien germplasm in plant breeding are also discussed. In principle, gene introgressions from rye have been the most widely utilized alien gene source for wheat. Furthermore, the incorporation of novel resistance genes toward diseases and pests have been the most transferred type of genes into the wheat genome. The incorporation of novel resistance genes toward diseases and pests into the wheat genome is important in breeding for increased food security. Alien introgressions to wheat from e.g. rye and Aegilops spp. have also contributed to improved nutritional and functional quality. Recent studies have shown that introgressions to wheat of genes from chromosome 3 in rye have an impact on both yield, nutritional and functional quality, and quality stability during drought treatment, another character of high importance for food security under climate change scenarios. Additionally, the introgression of alien genes into wheat has the potential to improve the nutritional profiles of future food products, by contributing higher minerals levels or lower levels of anti-nutritional compounds into e.g., plant-based products substituting animal-based food alternatives. To conclude, the present review paper highlights great opportunities and shows a few examples of how food security and functional-nutritional quality in traditional and novel wheat products can be improved by the use of genes from alien sources, such as rye and other relatives to wheat. Novel and upcoming plant breeding methods such as genome-wide association studies, gene editing, genomic selection and speed breeding, have the potential to complement traditional technologies to keep pace with climate change and consumer eating habits.

Comparative Seed Proteome Profile Reveals No Alternation of Major Allergens in High-Yielding Mung Bean Cultivars.

Mung bean contains up to 32.6% protein and is one of the great sources of plant-based protein. Because many allergens also function as defense-related proteins, it is important to determine their abundance levels in the high-yielding, disease-resistant cultivars. In this study, for the first time, we compared the seed proteome of high-yielding mung bean cultivars developed by a conventional breeding approach. Using a label-free quantitative proteomic platform, we successfully identified and quantified a total of 1373 proteins. Comparative analysis between the high-yielding disease-resistant cultivar (MC5) and the other three cultivars showed that a total of 69 common proteins were significantly altered in their abundances across all cultivars. Bioinformatic analysis of these altered proteins demonstrated that PDF1 (a defensin-like protein) exhibited high sequence similarity and epitope matching with the established peanut allergens, indicating a potential mung bean allergen that showed a cultivar-specific response. Conversely, known mung bean allergen proteins such as PR-2/PR-10 (Vig r 1), Vig r 2, Vig r 4, LTP1, β-conglycinin, and glycinin G4 showed no alternation in the MC5 compared to other cultivars. Taken together, our findings suggest that the known allergen profiles may not be impacted by the conventional plant breeding method to develop improved mung bean cultivars.

Initial vegetative growth and determination of the lethal dose of local rice arias putih at various doses of gamma irradiation

Local rice cultivars that are resistant to biotic and abiotic stress, in fact, still have weaknesses in terms of longevity and idiotypes that causes farmers to rarely cultivate local rice cultivars commercially. One method of plant breeding that can be taken to correct deficiencies in a plant is a mutation program using gamma-ray irradiation. The use of gamma rays must be tested for the value of LD50 so that the right dose is obtained in an effort to increase diversity. One of the upland rice varieties, Arias Putih, was irradiated with gamma rays at the following doses, G0=0 Gy, G1=100 Gy, G2=200 Gy, G3=300 Gy, G4=400 Gy, G5=500 Gy, G6=600 Gy, G7=700 Gy, G8=800 Gy, G9=900 Gy, G10=1000 Gy, and G11=1100 Gy. This LD 50 was carried out with three repetitions per treatment dose, including control. Each dose of gamma-ray irradiation used 100 rice seeds and sown in the seedbed for three weeks. The parameters observed were germination percentage, seedling height and root length, crown and root fresh weight. LD50 was obtained from germination percentage data and was analyzed using Curve-Fit Analysis software. The results revealed a decrease in growth character as the irradiation dose increased. Increasing the irradiation dose up to 500 Gy caused the seeds to die. The LD50 value obtained from the study was 224.13 Gy.

Marker-Assisted Breeding Techniques for the Development of Gluten-Free Wheat Varieties: A Comprehensive Review

Ingestion of gluten proteins from wheat, barley and rye poses a significant health risk. The sole treatment for various disease is a lifelong adherence to a strict gluten-free diet. Conventional breeding methods have limitations in producing wheat varieties that maintain baking quality due to the complexity of the wheat genome and the multitude of gluten genes. This review explores the use of RNA interference (RNAi) silencing and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing techniques. Efficient screening and selection processes for identifying lines with reduced celiac disease epitopes at both the DNA and protein levels, as well as maintaining baking quality, are discussed. The integration of gene editing for the production of wheat products holds significant potential in meeting the growing demand for safer dietary options while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and addressing the complex challenges associated with disease management. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) offers several advantages over conventional selection methods in plant breeding, including timesaving, cost-effectiveness and goal-oriented outcomes. This review aims to delineate various molecular markers, encompassing sequence-tagged sites (STS), simple sequence repeats (SSR), genotyping by sequencing (GBS), single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays, exome capture, Competitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP), cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS), semi-thermal asymmetric reverse PCR (STARP), and genotyping by target sequencing (GBTS). Additionally, we compile quantitative trait loci (QTL)/genes and their associated markers, which hold potential utility in MAS applications. The rapid advancement of wheat genomics is poised to expedite marker development, QTL mapping, gene cloning, and wheat breeding processes.

Advances in Orchid Biology: Biotechnological Achievements, Translational Success, and Commercial Outcomes

Orchids constitute the largest and most diverse group of flowering plants and are classified in the family Orchidaceae. Exhibiting significance as the most exotic and ubiquitous flowering plant, the cultivation of orchids on a commercial level is gaining momentum worldwide. In addition to its ornamental and aesthetic value, the orchid industry has successfully generated employment for people in developing countries. Recent advances in biotechnological interventions in orchids have substantially contributed to the development of exotic varieties with novel traits, not to forget the inputs of traditional plant breeding methods and tissue culture approaches. In addition, the scientific developments in orchid biology have remarkably bridged the knowledge gaps in areas of orchid classification, phytochemistry, and cultivation strategies. This has facilitated the commercialization of novel varieties, opening new avenues in the orchid industry, and their global marketing as cut flowers and artificially propagated plants. Orchids constitute the first floriculture crops that revolutionized the orchid industry; however, they also hold several challenges in the natural propagation and conservation of several species that are on the verge of extinction. International organizations like CITES have come forward to address challenges associated with illegal global trade and indiscriminate use of orchid varieties, aiming for conservation and legal commercial goals. This thematic review is one-of-a-kind in providing comprehensive insights into the emerging momentum of orchid biology and how its globalization projects to considerably impact the orchid industry in the coming times. However, it is imperative to understand the challenges in the cultivation and conservation of orchid varieties and ensure legislative guidelines both on domestic and global levels to ensure a multipronged approach to the conservation and commercialization of orchids.

Validation of molecular markers associated with amylose content of F8 and F9 lines resulting from a crossing of Black Rice and Mentik Wangi

The development of black rice with a fluffier texture at Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, which began in 2004, was carried out by crossing local black rice with the Mentik Wangi variety. At present, six black rice advanced breeding lines are ready for multi-location yield trials. Meanwhile, developing molecular marker-based plant breeding methods can facilitate a more efficient selection process. An important stage in developing molecular markers is marker validation, which aims to test the effectiveness in determining phenotypes in various genotypic and in new populations that differ from others based on the link between the marker and the expected character identified. This research aimed to determine molecular markers that can differentiate the level of amylose content in populations of F8 and F9 lines. The research was carried out on 10 (ten) genotypes consisting of the control variety Logawa, IRPM 112-19- 56, black rice, Mentik Wangi, and six lines. The amplification of the RM190, Wx and SSIIa markers showed polymorphic band. Based on the simple linear regression analysis, in F9, the SSIIa marker had the highest coefficient of determination compared to other markers. Hence, it had the greatest possibility of being a marker for selecting rice based on amylose content.

Identification and Analysis of Candidate Genes Associated with Yield Structure Traits and Maize Yield Using Next-Generation Sequencing Technology.

The main challenge of agriculture in the 21st century is the continuous increase in food production. In addition to ensuring food security, the goal of modern agriculture is the continued development and production of plant-derived biomaterials. Conventional plant breeding methods do not allow breeders to achieve satisfactory results in obtaining new varieties in a short time. Currently, advanced molecular biology tools play a significant role worldwide, markedly contributing to biological progress. The aim of this study was to identify new markers linked to candidate genes determining grain yield. Next-generation sequencing, gene association, and physical mapping were used to identify markers. An additional goal was to also optimize diagnostic procedures to identify molecular markers on reference materials. As a result of the conducted research, 19 SNP markers significantly associated with yield structure traits in maize were identified. Five of these markers (28629, 28625, 28640, 28649, and 29294) are located within genes that can be considered candidate genes associated with yield traits. For two markers (28639 and 29294), different amplification products were obtained on the electrophorograms. For marker 28629, a specific product of 189 bp was observed for genotypes 1, 4, and 10. For marker 29294, a specific product of 189 bp was observed for genotypes 1 and 10. Both markers can be used for the preliminary selection of well-yielding genotypes.

Elementary and Advanced Mechanisms for Genetic Engineering in Crops

Presently, the field of plant breeding is in the genomics era, where innovative techniques are being integrated to accelerate and enhance the efficiency of breeding. Traditional plant breeding methods rely on maintaining plant germplasm with desirable agronomic traits from distinct plants produced through crosses or mutagenesis. However, advancements in genetic engineering encompass all forms of genetic modification through recombinant DNA technology (RDT) and cell fusion mechanisms. These approaches shed light on areas involving mutant organisms, DNA replication, genetic linkage resolution, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), protein sequencing, functional genomics, and computational genomics alterations in genetic engineering. The integration of structural genomics into breeding and eugenics analysis has resulted in a vast knowledge base on crop genetics, species divergence, and molecular origin of traits, as well as the evolutionary history of crop lineage from ancient ancestral species. The genomic data and advancements have proven essential in identifying rare genes, alleles, or local lesions crucial to significant agronomic traits, thereby expediting breeding cycles. This article aims to explore the potential of emerging genetic engineering technologies, including synthetic biology and genome editing, to further advance crop genetics and plant breeding.

Balancing quality with quantity: A case study of UK bread wheat

Societal Impact StatementIncreasing crop productivity is often proposed as a key goal for meeting the food security demands of a growing global population. However, achieving high crop yields alone without meeting end‐use quality requirements is counter to this objective and can lead to negative environmental and sustainability issues. High yielding feed wheat crops in the United Kingdom are a typical example of this. The historical context of UK agricultural industrialisation, developments in plant breeding and wheat end‐use processing are examined. We then outline how employing innovations in plant breeding methods offer the potential to redress the balance between wheat quantity and quality.SummaryBread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has historically been an important crop for many human civilisations. Today, variability in wheat supply and trade has a large influence on global economies and food security. The United Kingdom is an example of an industrialised country that achieves high wheat yields through intensive cropping systems and a favourable climate. However, only a minority of the wheat grain produced is of suitable end‐use quality for modern bread baking methods and most wheat produced is fed to livestock. A large agricultural land area and input use dedicated to producing grain for animal rather than human food has wide‐ranging negative impacts for environmental sustainability and domestic food production. Here we present an historical perspective of agricultural and economic changes that have resulted in UK production primarily focussing on wheat quantity over quality. Agricultural intensification, liberalisation of free trade in agricultural commodities, innovations in the milling and baking sector, developments in scientific understanding of genetics and plant breeding, and geopolitical changes have all played a role. We propose that wheat breeding plays a crucial role in influencing these issues and although wheat breeders in the United Kingdom have historically applied the most‐up‐to‐date scientific advances, recent advances in genomics tools and quantitative genetics present a unique opportunity for breeders to redress the balance between quantity and quality.

Biofortification of Iron and Zinc in Field Crops Through Plant Microbe Interaction: A Review

Micronutrient deficiency is a big concern around the world since it causes serious social and health problems. Micronutrient availability is low on millions of hectares of land around the world, including India. Zn deficiency in Indian soils has reached 47% and Fe deficiency has reached 13%. The main causes of micronutrient deficit in soil are excessive fertilizer use (over the RDF), soil erosion and other agronomic practices that obstruct the movement of micronutrients. A promising and sustainable agriculture-based method called biofortification aims to reduce Zn and Fe deficiencies in dietary food ingredients. The plant breeding method to create biofortified crops and agronomic supplementation of micronutrients, such as foliar/soil application together with chemical fertilisers, have drawn the most attention among the various strategies used. Interactions between plants and microbes are recognised to be essential for enhancing the nutrient status of the soil and enriching micronutrients through the solubilization, mobilisation and translocation of metals to various parts of the plant. This symbiotic relationship enhances the quality and yield of crops, while innovative food processing techniques can offer cost-effective biofortified food solutions to address the nutritional needs of undernourished populations.Micronutrient deficiency is a big concern around the world since it causes serious social and health problems. Micronutrient availability is low on millions of hectares of land around the world, including India. Zn deficiency in Indian soils has reached 47% and Fe deficiency has reached 13%. The main causes of micronutrient deficit in soil are excessive fertilizer use (over the RDF), soil erosion and other agronomic practices that obstruct the movement of micronutrients. A promising and sustainable agriculture-based method called biofortification aims to reduce Zn and Fe deficiencies in dietary food ingredients. The plant breeding method to create biofortified crops and agronomic supplementation of micronutrients, such as foliar/soil application together with chemical fertilisers, have drawn the most attention among the various strategies used. Interactions between plants and microbes are recognised to be essential for enhancing the nutrient status of the soil and enriching micronutrients through the solubilization, mobilisation and translocation of metals to various parts of the plant. This symbiotic relationship enhances the quality and yield of crops, while innovative food processing techniques can offer cost-effective biofortified food solutions to address the nutritional needs of undernourished populations.

Streamlining Different Plant Breeding Methods to Enhance Water Use Efficiency in Agricultural Systems

The relevance of Water in human life and agro-ecosystems has been extensively illustrated for decades around the globe. Despite the reality that the earth is mostly surrounded by water, its utility has been limited to domestic consumption and agricultural purposes. Thus, tweaking water usage in agricultural systems has been a tricky problem in order to meet the requirements of the growing population and to obtain more crop yield per drop of water in agriculture. In this review, an attempt has been made to revisit the methods available to improve water use efficiency in agriculture.

Determination of Lethal Dose 50 for Induced Mutagenesis in Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merril] cv. Gepak Kuning Through Ethyl Methane Sulfonate Mutagen

Background: The improvement of the genetic and agronomic properties of cultivated plants can be carried out by various plant breeding methods, including mutation breeding. Mutations in nature are very few and rare. Ethyl Methane Sulfonate (EMS) is a chemical mutagen that can cause random mutations resulting in changes in genetic material. This study aims to determine the effect of EMS on the germination of soybean (cv. Gepak Kuning) seeds. Methods: The research was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture Laboratory, Universitas Malikussaleh, Indonesia, in January 2023. The concentrations of EMS used were 0%, 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 1% with a soaking time of 4 hours. EMS concentration of 0% was used as a control treatment. The observed variables were made as percentage of germination (%) and seedling height at 7th day and 14th day after planting. Result: The results showed that an increase in EMS concentration affected the percentage of germination of soybean (cv. Gepak Kuning) sprouts. A decrease in the percentage of germination was found at an EMS concentration of 0.5%, while a decrease in seedling height had begun to be seen at an EMS concentration of 0.25%. The results of the analysis with CurveExpert 1.4 software showed that the LD50 value of the seeds of soybean (cv. Gepak Kuning) treated with EMS mutagen was at a concentration of 0.63%, the LD20 dan LD30 value was at a concentration of 0.25% and 0.41%, respectively.