Rice Seeds Research Articles

EKSPLORASI KERAGAMAN PLASMA NUTFAH PADI LOKAL KUANTAN SINGINGI BERDASARKAN MORFOLOGI GABAH DAN BERAS

Farmers in specific region can play a crucial role in preventing the extinction of rare rice varieties by maintaining their commitment to local rice production. This not only contributes to the economic stability of the community but also necessitates exploration efforts to identify and gather specific plant species at risk of extinction. This study employs a descriptive research design to identify, gather, and compare the relationships between local rice genotypes in the Kuantan Singingi regency. The survey method utilizes a planned sample of rice seeds.The exploration process involves observing geographic coordinate locations, collecting local rice seeds, and examining grain and rice morphology based on Bioversity International, IRRI, and WARDA standards from 2007. The Kuantan River, with an altitude ranging from 28.95 to 61.56 meters above sea level, is prone to frequent flooding. A morphological study of grains reveals that, out of 26 local rice genotypes, one pair exhibits the highest similarity rate of 71% when compared to more diverse types. Notably, the white sironda rice from Pulau Madina village in Kuantan Hilir district and pandan wangi rice from Pauh Angit village in Pangean district are identified as the most identical genotypes. By identifying and preserving unique and highly-potential indigenous rice genotypes, this research significantly contributes to the enhancement of food stability, rural economy, and genetic resilience of rice plasma in Indonesia.

Nutrition, health benefits, and processing of sand rice (Agriophyllum squarrosum): Comparisons with quinoa and buckwheat.

The dual pressures of climate change and population growth have made the development of new grains a necessity. Agriophyllum squarrosum (sand rice) has high adaptability to harsh environments and does not occupy agricultural land. It is widely cultivated and consumed in Central Asia. Sand rice, together with quinoa and buckwheat, belongs to the same pseudocereals group with rich nutritional value and gluten-free properties; however, its nutritional composition and health benefits differ from those of quinoa and buckwheat. Sand rice seeds are a rich source of nutrients and bioactive compounds, including proteins, amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and crude fiber, which are similar to those in buckwheat and quinoa; however, their starch content is relatively low. Sand rice seeds also possess phenolic acids and flavonoids, which exhibit antioxidant, anticancer, anti-diabetes, and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, sand rice extracts are considered suitable for treating some chronic diseases. Overall, sand rice is considered a good plant-based food that can be used to develop various functional foods and beverages or mixed with other grains in different recipes. However, advancements in the processing technology of sand rice-based foods are required to fully exploit the potential of sand rice in the food industry to improve human health. This review analyzes the current understanding of the nutritional content of sand rice by comparing it with that of quinoa and buckwheat. Furthermore, its potential medicinal activity and feasibility as a functional ingredient to improve food quality is discussed.

Application of Word of Mouth (WOM), Information Quality, and Brand Trust in Increasing Customer Loyalty of Rice Seeds of Inpari 32 Variety

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Word of Mouth (WOM), information quality, and brand trust in increasing customer loyalty of rice seed varieties inpari 32. This research was conducted at Gapoktan Rahayu, Temu Village, Kanor District, Bojonegoro Regency. It is a research that adopts a quantitative approach. In data analysis, this study uses the PLS-SEM (Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling) method to evaluate the impact of Word of Mouth (WOM), Information Quality and Brand Trust variables on Customer Loyalty on Inpari 32 variety products. Based on the results of the study, it was obtained that the first hypothesis to the fifth hypothesis all had a significant effect on increasing customer loyalty for Inpari 32 variety rice seeds. Word Of Mouth (WOM) has a crucial role because it is able to direct, recommend, and provide positive information about the product. Information Quality provides information to customers that the product meets their needs completely and accurately. Brand Trust makes consumers believe in the quality and reliability of the product. Customer loyalty is reflected in their desire to continue to buy products, recommend to others, and are willing to pay more and wait for the availability of goods.

Physiological Responses of Different Aged Rice Seeds to Osmopriming with PEG 6000

The objective of this research was to compare the quality of different aged rice seed after priming. The rice seeds were deteriorated by accelerated aging method at 44 °C and relative humidity 100 %, in different periods for 0 (without accelerated aging), 1, 2, 3, and 4 days. Then, the germination of rice seeds of different ages were induced by soaking in 30% of PEG 6000 solution at room temperature for 24 hours. After that, the rice seeds were dried in a hot air oven at 35 °C for 10 hours until the moisture content was close to the initial moisture. Finally, these treated rice seeds were examined for the seed quality of various characteristics such as seed germination rate (planted in the laboratory and field conditions), germination index, speed of germination, and electrical conductivity of solution used for soaking seeds. The results showed that the electrical conductivity of all different aged seeds decreased after priming. For the field of germination and germination uniformity, it was found that the seeds with different rates of deterioration showed different responses to the priming. Aged seeds with germination rates of 12 and 33 percent germination were able to induce germination rate by 27 and 48 percent, respectively, while aged seeds with higher deterioration rate had a decreased response.

Research on non-destructive identification technology of rice varieties based on HSI and GBDT

Accurate identification of rice varieties is of great significance for rice planting, field management and storage, and is also a key link in the process of agricultural breeding. In this study, a gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT) model was established based on hyperspectral imaging (HSI) to realize high-speed and non-destructive variety identification of six rice varieties. In this study, the near-infrared hyperspectral images of 600 rice samples of 6 varieties were taken as the research object, and the characteristic spectra of sensitive regions of the sample spectral images were processed by multiplicative scatter correction (MSC), and after the characteristic wavelengths were determined by the importance scores, the GBDT model to realize the identification of rice sample varieties, and the grid search algorithm was used to optimize the four internal parameters of GBDT. The results showed that the established GBDT model for the accuracy of rice variety identification of vitro test set samples reached 95%, indicating that HSI can be used to quickly and non-destructively identify rice varieties, and provide a new idea for batch online non-destructive testing of rice seeds.

Synergistic effects of combined application of biochar and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the safe production of rice in cadmium contaminated soil

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been shown to effectively mitigate the detrimental effects of heavy metal stress on their plant hosts. Nevertheless, the biological activities of AMF were concurrently compromised. Biochar (BC), as an abiotic factor, had the potential compensate for this limitation. To elucidate the synergistic effects of biotic and abiotic factors, a pot experiment was conducted to assess the impact of biochar and AMF on the growth, physiological traits, and genetic expression in rice plants subjected to Cd stress. The results demonstrated that biochar significantly increased the mycorrhizal colonization rate by 22.19 %, while the combined application of biochar and AMF led to a remarkable enhancement of rice root biomass by 42.2 %. This resulted in a shift in spatial growth patterns that preferentially promoted enhanced underground development. Biochar effectively mitigated the stomatal limitations imposed by Cd on photosynthetic processes. The decrease in IBRv2 (Integrated Biomarker Response version 2) values suggested that the antioxidant system was experiencing a state of remission. An increase of Cd content within the rice root systems was observed, ranging from 33.71 % to 48.71 %, accompanied by a reduction in Cd bioavailability and mobility curtailed its translocation to the aboveground tissues. Under conditions of low soil Cd concentration (Cd ≤ 1 mg·kg−1), the Cd content in rice seeds from the group subjected to the combined treatment remained below the national standard (Cd ≤ 0.2 mg·kg−1). Furthermore, the combined treatment modulated the uptake of Fe and Zn by rice, while simultaneously suppressing the expression of genes associated with Cd transport. Collectively, the integration of biological and abiotic factors provided a novel perspective and methodological framework for safe in-situ utilization of soils with low Cd contamination.

Rice encrusting with small‐seeded native species for reintroduction in agroecosystems: a case study in Lindernia procumbens

Seed coating is commonly applied in agricultural seed industry to alleviate biotic and edaphic barriers and improve seed germination, seedling emergence and establishment. Recently, this seed enhancement technology has been tested and applied to seeds of native species for ecological restoration and conservation. This work presents a novel application of seed coating for the reintroduction of species with dust‐like seeds that render direct seeding and cultivation unfeasible. Here we have used seed coating on Lindernia procumbens (Krocker) Philcox (Linderniaceae), a threatened annual species of paddy fields. Lindernia procumbens seeds were encrusted to the surface of rice seeds that acted as carrier to spread the species along rice sowing. We first tested how two selected concentrations of binder affected L. procumbens germination, then we investigated sowing depth (i.e. surface level—light, and buried—darkness) effect. Rice encrusting is a feasible and valuable tool for preserving threatened species with tiny seeds, since binder did not limit L. procumbens germination. Light increased L. procumbens seedlings emergence compared to buried conditions. Although L. procumbens emergence was limited in a paddy field trial, we promoted the formation of a soil seed bank for the species. As such, this should not discourage the possibility to reintroduce rare species with tiny seeds in agroecosystems. This pioneering technique can be extended to ecological restoration, where there is an urgent need for new seed‐based approaches and seed‐coating technologies to improve seedling establishment and restoration efficacy.

Research Article: Profitability of Producing Early Generation Rice Seed Under Pawe Districts: Northwestern Ethiopia

This research was conducted on the profitability of producing early-generation rice seeds under pawe districts in northwestern parts of Ethiopia. Early-generation seed production is a promising business that can be a solution to increase rice productivity and farmers' income. However, limited technology use, soil preference of commodity, and limited rice seed multiplier companies and human resources often become obstacles to addressing improved seed for farmers, especially smallholder farmers. The main purpose of early-generation seed production is to maintain the genetic potential and identity of a variety and regular provision of high-quality breeder seed which is the basis for subsequent seed production. Variety maintenance, production, and distribution of the breeder, pre-basic, and basic seed are carried out by the public breeding institutions or private seed sector. Samples were taken from rice seed farmers within two production seasons. This research aims to understand the economics of current seed production in the case of rice crops and provide basic information cost structure of EGS production for private and public enterprises. The analysis carried out includes cost analysis, income, and profitability analysis. The results showed that rice seed farmers were profitable with a 1.381 benefit-cost ratio and 27.58 profit margins. The total profit of one-hectare pre-basic seed production of rice was 47,433.565 which is the difference between total revenue (Price*Quantity =171939.39) and total cost (124,505.825).

Response of seed vigor to experimental warming in a double rice cropping system

Climate warming affects rice seed vigor during ripening, which plays a crucial role in seed quality. However, the actual response of rice seed vigor to warming is still unclear. In this study, seeds after warming treatment in a double rice cropping system were used to determine seed vigor and related physiological traits during germination. Warming treatment significantly improved the germination index (GI), seed vigor index (VI), and seedling dry weight (SDW) for the late-season rice seeds but had no effect on hull thickness, grain weight, and starch and protein contents for both early- and late-season rice seeds, and these parameters were highly associated with germination rate, GI, VI, and SDW. Warming treatment increased gibberellin (GA) content and α-amylase and β-amylase activities in endosperm and coleoptile in both seasons during the later stage of germination, reaching a significant level on the 7th d. Moreover, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) content was consistently increased in the coleoptile but decreased in the endosperm in response to warming, and warming did not affect zeatin content. These results suggest that future global warming will improve rice seed vigor by regulating the synthesis of endogenous hormones and amylases, especially in the late-season rice.

The Effect of Using Superior Rice Seeds on The Income of paddy Farmers in The Production Center of Bangka Island; Propensity Score Matching Based Analysis

The Effect of Using Superior Rice Seeds on The Income of paddy Farmers in The Production Center of Bangka Island; Propensity Score Matching Based Analysis

Possibility for Exploitation and Identification of Rice Yield and Seed Quality Orthologs in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Background: The advancement in gene tagging and mapping in model crops such as Arabidopsis, rice andmaize has outpaced progress in major legume crops like groundnut, chickpea, redgram, greengram andsoybean, even in the post-genome release period of legume databases. To address this gap, a study investigated the transferability of gene tagged markers (GTMs) associated with rice yield, grain size andmicronutrient content (Fe and Zn) to groundnut. Methods: This study utilized 17 diverse groundnut genotypes for molecular analysis, targeting 45 GTMs spanning 24 known functional genes. Result: Remarkably, 31 out of the 45 markers (76%) demonstrated high transferability to groundnut, indicating significant conservation in functional regions across species. The amplification efficiency of rice GTMs varied among groundnut genotypes, ranging from 79.17% to 91.67%. Notably, 17 markers targeting 14 rice genes showed amplification across all 17 groundnut genotypes (100%) studied. These findings underscore the potential of leveraging knowledge from functionally characterized genes in molecular model crops and annotated orthologous genes in ‘Omics’ databases to enhance gene tagging efforts in crops like groundnut. By harnessing this approach, there is an opportunity to expand the molecular-level tagging of genes and improve crops like groundnut, which have seen limited progress in gene tagging. This strategy opens avenues for pyramiding desirable genes with precision, thereby enhancing crop traits with greater accuracy.

Effect of salt stress on plant regeneration efficiency in primed and non-primed seed's calli of rice (Oryza sativa L.) variety Swarna.

This study leads with the primed seeds of rice (var. Swarna) with distilled water (D.W.) and various concentrations of Mg(NO3)2 (0-8mM)/Kinetin (0-5ppm) alone or in combination with screen out the regeneration medium induced tolerance level of NaCl. To fulfill the objective, the primed and non-primed rice seeds were inoculated in MS medium supplemented with 30gL-1 maltose + 1gL-1 casein hydrolysate and 2mgL-1 of 2,4-D for callus induction and cultured up to 45days in two sets: one set for regeneration purpose in NaCl-induced regeneration medium and another set was used to study the physiological potentiality of the callus. The 45-day-old calli were transferred into regeneration medium MSR (MS medium for regeneration) (BAP: NAA: Kinetin = 4:1:1) containing NaCl with a concentration range of 0 to 300mM. The number of regenerating calli and shoot regeneration percentage, number of plantlets obtained from one callus, recovery of plantlets from each concentration of NaCl and proline estimation from the leaf of the regenerated plantlets were determined from one set obtained after 45days. The calli obtained from another set after 45days, the frequencies of total and embryogenic calli induction percentage, fresh and dry weights, proline content, nitrate reductase and superoxide dismutase activities were measured. The calli obtained from 2.5ppm kinetin + 4mMMg(NO3)2 primed seeds were showed best result as compared to the other treatments for the above-mentioned parameters in different concentrations of NaCl-induced medium and survive up to 200mM concentrations of NaCl.

Prediction of protein content in paddy rice (Oryza sativa L.) combining near-infrared spectroscopy and deep-learning algorithm.

Rice is a staple crop in Asia, with more than 400 million tons consumed annually worldwide. The protein content of rice is a major determinant of its unique structural, physical, and nutritional properties. Chemical analysis, a traditional method for measuring rice's protein content, demands considerable manpower, time, and costs, including preprocessing such as removing the rice husk. Therefore, of the technology is needed to rapidly and nondestructively measure the protein content of paddy rice during harvest and storage stages. In this study, the nondestructive technique for predicting the protein content of rice with husks (paddy rice) was developed using near-infrared spectroscopy and deep learning techniques. The protein content prediction model based on partial least square regression, support vector regression, and deep neural network (DNN) were developed using the near-infrared spectrum in the range of 950 to 2200 nm. 1800 spectra of the paddy rice and 1200 spectra from the brown rice were obtained, and these were used for model development and performance evaluation of the developed model. Various spectral preprocessing techniques was applied. The DNN model showed the best results among three types of rice protein content prediction models. The optimal DNN model for paddy rice was the model with first-order derivative preprocessing and the accuracy was a coefficient of determination for prediction, Rp 2=0.972 and root mean squared error for prediction, RMSEP = 0.048%. The optimal DNN model for brown rice was the model applied first-order derivative preprocessing with Rp 2=0.987 and RMSEP = 0.033%. These results demonstrate the commercial feasibility of using near-infrared spectroscopy for the non-destructive prediction of protein content in both husked rice seeds and paddy rice.

Impact of ultra-high dilutions from Iranian endemic and commercial calendula on the germination and growth quality of Oryza sativa L.

PurposeThis article deals with producing ultra-diluted compounds (UHDs) prepared from Iranian calendula's characteristic and endemic species. It compares their chemical, biological and biochemical characteristics with the commercial sample of calendula species (grown in the Alps). In the following, these UHDs have been used to improve the quality of germination and growth and reduce contamination of rice (Oryza sativa) seeds in the laboratory environment. MethodsHigh-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) is used to isolate the active compounds. On the separated results, antioxidant and antibacterial were identified directly on the plate (Bio-autographic method). Direct on the plate)DESI mass spectrometry was used to identify the active compounds. ResultsThe HPTLC reveals that the chromatogram of native C. percica and C. officinalis extract is the most similar to the commercial compounds. The highest antioxidant activity is related to C. officinalis. The best antibacterial activity of the extracts against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli belongs to C. officinalis and C. tripterocarpa. Rutin, quercitrin, β-campstrole and di-o-caffeoylquinic acid, which are among the flavonoid and terpenoid categories were identified as active compounds. The prepared UHDs from native calendula are biologically more effective than the commercial ones in increasing seed germination efficiency, improving rooting quality and reducing contamination. ConclusionUsing UHDs increases the production of photosynthetic pigments the root length and the number of lateral roots. Also, the amount of protein, gibberellic acid and abscisic acid in seedlings treated using native UHDs of C. officinalis (native or commercial) is higher than the others.

The First Domesticated 'Cheongju Sorori Rice' Excavated in Korea.

Archaeological excavations led by Yung-jo Lee and Jong-yoon Woo were carried out twice at the Sorori paleolithic site, Cheongju, in the Republic of Korea, at the upper stream of the Geumgang river, the Miho riverside. A total of 127 rice seeds were excavated, including 18 ancient rice and 109 Quasi-rice, in 1998 and 2001. At the first excavation, eleven short japonica-type ancient rice and one slender smooth ancient rice with two kinds of Quasi-rice were excavated. The average length of the 11 short rice grains obtained from the first and second excavation was 7.19 mm and the average width was 3.08 mm, respectively. The Quasi-rice are apparently different from the rice and do not have bi-peak protuberances on their glume surface. At the second excavation, six short ancient rice chaffs and some Quasi-rice 2 were found. These short-grained ancient rice were comparable to the ancient rice that were excavated at the Illsan Neolithic site. Geologists and radiologists confirmed that the peat layer in which the rice found was older than 15,000 years. In this study, the morphological characteristics, crushing, and DNA band patterns related to the genetic polymorphism of rice grains in Cheongju Sorori were compared and analyzed for genetic similarities and differences with wild rice, weed rice, and modern rice. The morphological, ecological, and physiological variations in rice grains excavated from the Sorori site were presumed to denote the origin of rice domestication in Korea. It is also suggested that the results of the DNA sequencing of excavated rice are very important clues in estimating the origin of the early domestication of rice.

Wild rodents seed choice is relevant for sustainable agriculture

Mitigating pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) and post-harvest food loss (PHFL) is essential for enhancing food securrity. To reduce food loss, the use of plant derived specialized metabolites can represent a good approach to develop a more eco-friendly agriculture. Here, we have discovered that soybean seeds hidden underground during winter by Tscherskia triton and Apodemus agrarius during winter possess a higher concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) compared to those remaining exposed in fields. This selection by rodents suggests that among the identified volatiles, 3-FurAldehyde (Fur) and (E)-2-Heptenal (eHep) effectively inhibit the growth of plant pathogens such as Aspergillus flavus, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium solani and Pseudomonas syringae. Additionally, compounds such as Camphene (Cam), 3-FurAldehyde, and (E)-2-Heptenal, suppress the germination of seeds in crops including soybean, rice, maize, and wheat. Importantly, some of these VOCs also prevent rice seeds from pre-harvest sprouting. Consequently, our findings offer straightforward and practical approaches to seed protection and the reduction of PHS and PHFL, indicating potential new pathways for breeding, and reducing both PHS and pesticide usage in agriculture.

Solid Formulation of <em>Trichoderma virens</em> for the Management of Banana Anthracnose Caused by<em> Colletotrichum musae</em>

Trichoderma spp. widely used as biocontrol agents for controllin g a wide range of plant diseases. Banana anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum musae is a prominent, widely distributed postharvest disease. This study was carried ou t to assess the effectiveness of locally isolated Trichoderma virens against C. musae and the mass producti on of T. virens using locally available, low-cost solid substrates. T. virens was tested for the inhibition of C. musae isolate in -vitro and in-vivo by dual plating and inoculating into two varieties of ripened banana: Kolikuttu and Cavendish, respectively. For mass production, T. virens was inoculated into different solid substrates including scraped coconut waste, sawdust, tea waste, seeds from rice, finger millet, and maize, dried pieces of water hyacinth plant, paddy straw, and Panicum maximum leaves; regularly taken spore co unts (cfu/g) and checked for viability by plating after 12 weeks of storage. The pathogen inhibition percentag e by T. virens was 74.10%. Disease severity was 0% in Kolikuttu and 19% in Cavendish after 5 days of T. virens spore appli cation (1x107 spores/ml). Significantly higher (p≤0.05) mean spore production resulted in rice seeds (9.345x109 spores/g) compared to the other substrates and the least resulted in sawdust (1.808x109 spores/g) at the 8th week after T. virens inoculation. Spores of T. virens were viable in all the tested substrates throughout the study period. The results conclude that T. virens is capable of controlling banana anthracnose and can be efficiently mass-produced by using rice seeds, dried pieces of P. maximum leaves, and f inger millet seeds as substrates.

Comparative seed yields of lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.): evaluating seeds sources and fertilizers

Abstract The use of high-quality seeds from high-yielding rice varieties (HYV) is crucial for enhancing grain yield. Yet, the supply of certified seed meets only 57.3% of the total rice seed demand, leading some farmers to plant non-certified local rice seeds. A study examining the effects of seed sources and fertilization on seed yields was conducted in Bogor Village, Sukra District, Indramayu Regency during the Dry Season of 2019. The treatments consisted of two factors: A. Seed sources (Local non-certified seed (Local-NC), HYV non-certified seed (HYV-NC), and HYV-certified seed) and B. Fertilization methods (Recommended Fertilizer (RF), RF+BioF, RF+P as top dressing, and RF+N as top dressing). These were designed in a Complete Block Design with three replications. Results showed that Local-NC was more susceptible to BPH and RSB than HYV varieties. Additionally, Local-NC had the highest percentage of off-type plants and produced the lowest grain and seed yields. The addition of P or N fertilizer to RF during the heading stage notably improved the panicle number per hill, 1000-grain, seed yields and rendement. Our findings suggest that optimal rice seed yields can be achieved by planting HYV– certified seeds and applying either RF + 18 kg P ha−1 or RF + 11.5 kg N ha−1 as top dressing.

A novel method for identifying rice seed purity using hybrid machine learning algorithms

In the grain industry, identifying seed purity is a crucial task because it is an important factor in evaluating seed quality. For rice seeds, this attribute enables the minimization of unexpected influences of other varieties on rice yield, nutrient composition, and price. However, in practice, they are often mixed with seeds from other varieties. This study proposes a novel method for automatically identifying the purity of a specific rice variety using hybrid machine learning algorithms. The core concept involves leveraging deep learning architectures to extract pertinent features from raw data, followed by the application of machine learning algorithms for classification. Several experiments are conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed model through practical implementation. The results demonstrate that the novel method substantially outperformed the existing methods, demonstrating the potential for effective rice seed purity identification systems.

The Discovery of Highly Efficient and Promising ABA Receptor Antagonists for Agricultural Applications Based on APAn Modification.

Abscisic acid (ABA) is one of the many naturally occurring phytohormones widely found in plants. This study focused on refining APAn, a series of previously developed agonism/antagonism switching probes. Twelve novel APAn analogues were synthesized by introducing varied branched or oxygen-containing chains at the C-6' position, and these were screened. Through germination assays conducted on A. thaliana, colza, and rice seeds, as well as investigations into stomatal movement, several highly active ABA receptor antagonists were identified. Microscale thermophoresis (MST) assays, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation showed that they had stronger receptor affinity than ABA, while PP2C phosphatase assays indicated that the C-6'-tail chain extending from the 3' channel effectively prevented the ligand-receptor binary complex from binding to PP2C phosphatase, demonstrating strong antagonistic activity. These antagonists showed effective potential in promoting seed germination and stomatal opening of plants exposed to abiotic stress, particularly cold and salt stress, offering advantages for cultivating crops under adverse conditions. Moreover, their combined application with fluridone and gibberellic acid could provide more practical agricultural solutions, presenting new insights and tools for overcoming agricultural challenges.