Starch Content In Seeds Research Articles

OsNF-YA8 promotes starch accumulation and influences seed traits by positively regulating starch biosynthesis in rice

The storage substances of rice are critical factors that simultaneously affect grain yield and quality. Starch is the major component in the endosperm, directly affecting the seed yield as well as the cooking and eating quality of grains. Growing evidence suggests that some transcription factors are involved in regulating seed traits and starch biosynthesis. Here, we reveal the role of an NF-Y transcription factor gene, OsNF-YA8, in regulation of seed traits and starch accumulation. OsNF-YA8 encodes a rice NF-YA protein containing the 166-amino acid. The RT-qPCR showed that OsNF-YA8 is expressed in roots, stems, leaves, flag leaves, and panicles, and dramatically increased in panicle during rice filling. Intracellular localization analysis showed that OsNF-YA8 is a nucleus-localized protein. In the OsNF-YA8 overexpression lines, rice grain length increased by 13.80–14.21 %, rice grain thickness decreased by 3.22–6.65 %, and the total starch content increased by 14.70–33.14 %. The overexpression of the OsNF-YA8 also decreased average starch granule size, and changed starch properties. Moreover, OsNF-YA8-overexpression up-regulated the expressions of genes involved in sucrose synthesis/transport and starch synthesis. By contrast, RNAi of OsNF-YA8 decreased the grain length, grain width, 1000 grain weight and starch content of rice seeds, and down-regulated the expressions of genes involved in sucrose synthesis/transport and starch synthesis. These results suggest that OsNF-YA8 enhances starch accumulation and confers seed traits by positively regulating starch biosynthesis in rice. The findings provide a new perspective on genetic improvement of crop agronomic traits and seed quality.

Genome-Wide Identification, Characterization, and Expression Analysis of Four Subgroup Members of the GH13 Family in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

The glycoside hydrolase 13 (GH13) family is crucial for catalyzing α-glucoside linkages, and plays a key role in plant growth, development, and stress responses. Despite its significance, its role in plants remains understudied. This study targeted four GH13 subgroups in wheat, identifying 66 GH13 members from the latest wheat database (IWGSC RefSeq v2.1), including 36 α-amylase (AMY) members, 18 1,4-α-glucan-branching enzyme (SBE) members, 9 isoamylase (ISA) members, and 3 pullulanase (PU) members. Chromosomal distribution reveals a concentration of wheat group 7 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis underscores significant evolutionary distance variations among the subgroups, with distinct molecular structures. Replication events shaped subgroup evolution, particularly in regard to AMY members. Subcellular localization indicates AMY member predominance in extracellular and chloroplast regions, while others localize solely in chloroplasts, confirmed by the heterologous expression of TaSEB16 and TaAMY1 in tobacco. Moreover, 3D structural analysis shows the consistency of GH13 across species. Promoter cis-acting elements are suggested to be involved in growth, stress tolerance, and starch metabolism signaling. The RNA-seq data revealed TaGH13 expression changes under drought and submergence stress, and significant expression variation was observed between strong and weak gluten varieties during seed germination using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), correlating with seed starch content. These findings demonstrate the pivotal role of GH13 family gene expression in wheat germination, concerning variety preference and environmental stress. Overall, this study advances the understanding of wheat GH13 subgroups, laying the groundwork for further functional studies.

Integrated Bioinformatics and Multi-Omics Analyses Reveal Possible Molecular Mechanisms for Seed Starch Content Differences between Glycine max and Cicer arietinum

Although soybean and chickpea belong to the legume family, their seed starch content is very different. Currently, many studies focus on the molecular mechanisms of starch synthesis within a single species. However, the key genes and regulatory relationships responsible for the difference in seed starch content between the two species remain unknown. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for the above difference, multi-omics and bioinformatics analyses were used here to analyze gene expression patterns, protein–protein interaction networks, gene-transcription factor co-expression networks, and miRNA–gene regulatory relationships based on reported sucrose and starch metabolic genes in Arabidopsis. The results were as follows. First, seven differential expression genes of the two species in starch synthesis metabolism, including GBSS1, APL3, APS1, SS2, PTST, SBE2, and ISA, and the starch degradation gene BMY in soybean and chickpea, may contribute to their seed starch content differences. Then, the protein–protein interaction between DPEs and PHS may facilitate seed starch synthesis in chickpea. Finally, the positive regulation of two starch degradation genes (GmBMY and GmPHS) and four sucrose metabolism genes (GmHXK, GmPFK, GmTPS, and GmFRK) by transcription factors may lead to lower seed starch content in soybean. This study elucidates the possible molecular mechanisms underlying the difference in seed starch content between the two species and addresses the scientific problem of why soybean seeds have lower starch content than chickpea seeds.

Effects of sodium silicate on the growth and starch content in seeds of Mungbean (Vigna radiate L.) under salt stress

Mungbean is known as an essential legume with high nutritional value for human beings. They are not only a source of vegetable proteins but they are also rich in vitamins and minerals. Salinity stress affects negatively mungbean growth, especially at germination and seedling stages. Thus, finding measures to limit the impact of salinity stress will have positive effects on mungbean production. The present study investigates the effectiveness of sodium silicate application (6, 12, 18, 24 mM) in alleviating the negative impact of salinity stress on seed germination and seedling growth. Physiological and biochemical changes during the growth of mungbean were analyzed. Our experiments showed that salinity stress dramatically impeded the germination of mungbean seeds. Under the salinity condition (125 mM NaCl), the germination index decreased by approximately 65 % compared to control plants. Salinity stress caused a significant decrease in leaf chlorophyll and leaf relative water content, whereas respiration rate, leaf epicuticular wax and carotenoid content increased in comparison to control plants. The application of 12 mM sodium silicate improved plant performances under salinity stress, as indicated by the increase in fruit and seed number, seed weight (72.33 mg), and starch content (0.51 g g−1) in seeds. Moreover, sodium silicate treatment induced an increase in chlorophyll a content (4.00 mg g−1), carotenoid content (2.50 mg g−1), and epicuticular wax content (3.67 µg cm−2) in the leaves of plants under salt stress. These results were scientific evidence that might help us to understand the role of Si in the improvement of the salt tolerance of mungbean.

Genetic variation in four maturity genes and photoperiod insensitivity effects on the yield components and on the growth duration periods of soybean

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is a typical short-day and thermophilic crop. Absence of or low sensitivity to photoperiod is necessary for short-day crops to adapt to high latitudes. Photoperiod insensitivity in soybeans is controlled by two genetic systems and involves three important maturity genes: E1, a repressor for two soybean orthologs of Arabidopsis FLOWERING LOCUS T, and E3 and E4, which are phytochrome A genes. The aim of this work was to investigate the role of four maturity genes (E1 through E4) on the yield components, seed quality and on phasic development of near isogenic by E genes lines of soybean: short-day (SD) lines with genotype e1E2E3E4e5E7, e1E2E3e4e5E7, E1e2e3E4e5E7 and photoperiodic insensitive (PPI) lines with genotype e1e2E3E4e5E7, e1e2e3E4e5E7 under a long photoperiod (the natural day length of 50 latitude) conditions and short day conditions. The results of the study showed that soybean development processes under conditions of different day lengths depend on the dominant/recessive state of the main maturity genes. In addition, the response to the photoperiod depends on certain combinations of genes. SD lines began flowering on average 16.9% later under the conditions of a natural long photoperiod. Dominant alleles of genes E1 and E3 extended the pre- and post-flowering phases under conditions of exposure to long and short photoperiods. The dominant allele of the E1 gene delayed the onset of flowering by an average of 26.9%, and the period of full maturity by 39.8% compared to the recessive e1. The dominant allele of the E3 gene, compared to the recessive e3, lengthened the transition to flowering by an average of 16.1%, and the period of full ripeness by 27.1%. The dominant allele of the E2 gene lengthened the duration of the vegetative phase by 20% under the conditions of a long photoperiod. No significant influence of the dominant E4 allele on the duration of the vegetative and generative phases of soybean development was found in our study. PPI lines begin flowering under the conditions of a long and short photoperiod at the same time, but the phases of flowering and full seed maturity in the line with genotype e1e2e3E4e5E7 occurred earlier, due to the loss of the photoperiod sensitivity of the E3 gene. PPI line with genotype e1e2e3E4e5E7 proved to be the most insensitive line to the effect of different photoperiod durations among the studied lines. It was shown that the dominant alleles of E1–E4 maturity genes reduced the parameters of seed weight per plant and the weight of 1000 seeds under the conditions of a natural long photoperiod in comparison with recessive alleles of these genes. The maximum weight of seeds per plant and the weight of 1000 seeds were recorded in the PPI line with genotype e1e2e3E4e5E7. It should be noted that the dominant alleles E1 and E3 increased yield under conditions of a short photoperiod. Maturity genes had different effects on the biochemical composition of seeds. It was shown that soybean lines with dominant E1, E2 and E4 genes showed a higher content of starch and a lower content of total nitrogen and oil in seeds under natural photoperiod conditions compared to lines with recessive alleles of these genes. The dominant E3 allele reduced the oil content and did not affect the starch and total nitrogen content of seeds under long day conditions compared to the recessive e3 allele. The analysis of the effect of photoperiod on the timing of phenophases, yield structure indicators and biochemical composition of seeds in soybean plants with different sensitivity to photoperiod showed that the PPI line with the genotype e1e2e3E4e5E7 was the most adapted to the natural conditions of 50 degrees latitude. The PPI line with the genotype e1e2e3E4e5E7 was characterized by the shortest phases of days from sowing to flowering and full maturity. As a result, this line had the shortest growing season without reducing the yield and seed quality. Clearly, photoperiod had strong effects on all stages of plant reproduction and often acted indirectly, as shown by delayed responses expressed in later phases of development. The obtained results can be useful for the selection of soybean cultivars adapted to the climatic conditions of cultivation of Kharkiv region.

Maturity Grading and Identification of Camellia oleifera Fruit Based on Unsupervised Image Clustering

Maturity grading and identification of Camellia oleifera are prerequisites to determining proper harvest maturity windows and safeguarding the yield and quality of Camellia oil. One problem in Camellia oleifera production and research is the worldwide confusion regarding the grading and identification of Camellia oleifera fruit maturity. To solve this problem, a Camellia oleifera fruit maturity grading and identification model based on the unsupervised image clustering model DeepCluster has been developed in the current study. The proposed model includes the following two branches: a maturity grading branch and a maturity identification branch. The proposed model jointly learns the parameters of the maturity grading branch and maturity identification branch and used the maturity clustering assigned from the maturity grading branch as pseudo-labels to update the parameters of the maturity identification branch. The maturity grading experiment was conducted using a training set consisting of 160 Camellia oleifera fruit samples and 2628 Camellia oleifera fruit digital images collected using a smartphone. The proposed model for grading Camellia oleifera fruit samples and images in training set into the following three maturity levels: unripe (47 samples and 883 images), ripe (62 samples and 1005 images), and overripe (51 samples and 740 images). Results suggest that there was a significant difference among the maturity stages graded by the proposed method with respect to seed oil content, seed soluble protein content, seed soluble sugar content, seed starch content, dry seed weight, and moisture content. The maturity identification experiment was conducted using a testing set consisting of 160 Camellia oleifera fruit digital images (50 unripe, 60 ripe, and 50 overripe) collected using a smartphone. According to the results, the overall accuracy of maturity identification for Camellia oleifera fruit was 91.25%. Moreover, a Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM) visualization analysis reveals that the peel regions, crack regions, and seed regions were the critical regions for Camellia oleifera fruit maturity identification. Our results corroborate a maturity grading and identification application of unsupervised image clustering techniques and are supported by additional physical and quality properties of maturity. The current findings may facilitate the harvesting process of Camellia oleifera fruits, which is especially critical for the improvement of Camellia oil production and quality.

Pengaruh Lama Fermentasi Terhadap Kadar Alkohol dan Tingkat Kesukaan Wine Sorgum (Sorghum bicolor l. Moench)

Wine is a drink made through the fermentation process of sugar in grapes which is then converted into alcohol. Apart from grapes there is another alternative for wine making, namely sorghum seeds. The starch content in sorghum seeds can be used in wine making. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of fermentation time on alcohol content and level of preference for sorghum wine. This research was conducted at the Laboratory of Biological Education, Artha Wacana Christian University, Kupang, using the RAL experimental method with 4 treatments and 4 repetitions. Wine is made by mixing sorghum seed extract with yeast. The treatment of fermentation time in this study was P1 (7 days), P2 (14 days), P3 (21 days) and P0 / control (5 days). The resulting wine will be tested for alcohol content using an alcohol meter and an organoleptic test to determine the panelists' preference for sorghum wine. Data analysis using ANOVA and further Duncan / DMRT test. The results showed that the highest alcohol content was in the P3 treatment with an average of 8.75%. Overall, the parameters of taste, aroma and color have a significant effect. The data showed that the average panelists preferred the P3 treatment of taste (3,41), aroma (3,55), and color (3,38). Thus sorghum seeds can be an alternative ingredient in sorghum wine making.

EfABI4 Transcription Factor Is Involved in the Regulation of Starch Biosynthesis in Euryale ferox Salisb Seeds.

Starch is the final product of photosynthesis and the main storage form in plants. Studies have shown that there is a close synergistic regulatory relationship between ABA signal transduction and starch biosynthesis. In this study, we employed RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) to investigate transcriptomic changes of the Euryale ferox seeds treated by exogenous ABA. The differentially expressed genes engaged in the “Starch and sucrose” and “TCA cycle” pathway. Furthermore, the key transcription factor EfABI4 in ABA signaling pathway and the key genes of starch biosynthesis (EfDBE1, EfSBE2, EfSS1, EfSS2, EfSS3, EfSS4 and EfGBSS1) were significantly up-regulated. Further, the Euryale ferox plant was treated with ABA, it was found that the total starch content of Euryale ferox seeds at different development stages was significantly higher than that of the control, and the key genes of starch synthesis in Euryale ferox seeds were also significantly up-regulated. Finally, yeast one-hybrid and dual luciferase assay proved that EfABI4 can promote the expression of EfSS1 by directly binding to its promoter. Subcellular localization results showed that EfABI4 protein was located at the nucleus and EfSS1 protein was located in the cytomembrane. These findings revealed that ABA promotes starch synthesis and accumulation by mediating EfABI4 to directly promote EfSS1 gene expression, which is helpful for understanding starch synthesis in seeds.

Transcriptomic analysis of starch accumulation patterns in different glutinous sorghum seeds

Sorghum is a high-quality raw material for brewing white wine, and the starch content in seeds has a large impact on brewing quality. Transcriptomic data obtained from a glutinous variety (Liaonian3) and a non-glutinous variety (Liaoza10) at 3, 18, and 30 days after pollination were analyzed to identify genes associated with starch accumulation. The amylopectin content was significantly higher in Liaonian3 compared to Liaoza10, but the amylose content and total starch content were lower. There were 6634 differentially expressed genes found in Liaoza10 between 3 and 18 d after pollination, and 779 differentially expressed genes between 18 and 30 d after pollination. In Liaonian3, there were 6768 differentially expressed genes between 3 and 18 d after pollination, and 7630 differentially expressed genes between 18 and 30 d after pollination. Genes were grouped by expression profiles over the three time points and the profiles were analyzed for enrichment of gene ontology terms and biochemical pathways. Profile 1 (decreasing expression from 3 to 30 d) for Liaoza10 was enriched in ribosomes, metabolic pathways, and carbon metabolic pathways. Profile 0 (decreasing expression from 3 to 18 d and consistent expression from 18 to 30 d) was enriched in pathways related to sugar or starch metabolism. Although the starch accumulation rate in Liaonian3 and Liaoza10 showed a profile of increasing and then decreasing, the expression of genes related to starch synthesis gradually decreased with time since pollination, demonstrating the complexity of starch synthesis. According to orthologous gene alignment and expression analysis, 19 genes such as entrzID_8068390 and entrzID_8066807 were found to be the key genes for starch synthesis and glutinous and non-glutinous differentiation in sorghum grains.

Production of Ethyl-alcohol using Saccharomyces Cerevisiae from Potato

The steady rise in global crude oil prices, the increase in threats to the environment due to air pollution, global warming, and the threat of crude oil prices have had a shattering effect on developing countries, especially in oil-imported countries such as India. From a long-term point of view, it is mandatory to manufacture more fuelefficient fuels. Ethyl-alcohol is esteemed source of energy. Maize is a major source of ethyl-alcohol because of its high starch content in seeds and grains. Ethyl-alcoholis a renewable alcohol-based fuel that can be produced from starch, sugar, and cellulosic biomass. The present study of our review focuses on production of ethyl-alcoholfrom potato thus obtaining the energy-efficient effect of ethyl-alcoholsynthesis. A variety of substances can be used for ethyl-alcohol production. Ethyl-alcohol based biofuels can be produced using agricultural waste with the help of enzymes. Ethyl-alcohol fuel derived from starchy and agricultural lignocelluloses biomass is gradually being upgraded to reduce petroleum consumption due to depletion of petroleum resources as well as reducing the impact of fuel in nature. In this review we are focusing on production of ethyl alcohol from ground potato using yeast (saccharomyces cerevisiae) and water as chemicals and reagent.

Relationship between seed morphology, storage substance and chilling tolerance during germination of dominant maize hybrids in Northeast China

<p id="C3">Seed germination is the initial stage of crop morphology, which is determined by its own properties and environmental factors. Low temperature is one of the most important factors affecting seed germination. It is crucial to explore the relationship between seed properties and germination under low temperature environmental conditions for maize production in Northeast China. In the present study, 36 maize hybrids released in Northeast China were selected and the germination culture experiment was conducted under 6℃ (low temperature stress) and 15℃ (the control). The seedling vigor, seed germination rate, seed morphology and storage substances content were determined. The germination potential and germination rate of 36 maize hybrids were evaluated by the principal component analysis (PCA), the comprehensive evaluation value of cold tolerance (CL-value), and the membership function value (<italic>R</italic>-value). The relationship between the seed morphology (kernel length, kernel width, kernel thickness, kernel length/kernel width ratio, 100-kernel volume, and 100-kernel weight) and the seed storage substances (starch, protein, and fat) of 36 maize varieties were investigated. The results showed that the seedling vigor and germination rate of 36 maize hybrids were inhibited to some content, and the variation of relative seedling vigor cold injury rate and relative germination cold injury rate was the largest under low temperature stress. There was a significant correlation among the seven individual indicators that characterized cold tolerance. Principal component analysis could transform seven individual indicators into two independent comprehensive indicators. Among them, relative seedling vigor and relative germination rate had the largest positive contribution rate, which could be used as the key indicators for cold resistance evaluation at germination stage in maize. We classified 36 hybrids into four types of strong cold tolerance (19.4%), cold tolerance (30.6%), medium cold tolerance (33.3%), and cold sensitive (16.7%) by cluster analysis. Among them, Jidan 56, Kenji 267, Suiyu 23, Jidan 953, Kenji 268, Jidan 96, and Jidan 95 were strong cold-tolerant hybrids. The correlation analysis revealed that there was no significant correlation between seed morphology and cold tolerance. Starch content was significantly correlated with relative seedling vigor, relative germination rate, relative seedling vigor chilling injury rate, relative germination chilling injury rate, and relative germination time (<italic>r </italic>= 0.396^**, <italic>r </italic>= 0.404 ^**, <italic>r </italic>= -0.401 ^**, <italic>r </italic>= -0.391 ^**, and <italic>r </italic>= 0.362 ^**). There was a significant negative correlation between protein content and relative seedling vigor (<italic>r </italic>= -0.379^**). Regression analysis indicated that the types with high starch content had higher relative seedling vigor, relative germination rate, relative germination time, and lower relative seedling vigor, relative germination rate, and chilling injury rate. The regression model demonstrated that the seed starch content was 72.0%-74.0%, the relative seedling vigor was ≥70.0%, the relative germination rate was ≥80.5%, and the chilling injury rate of relative seedling vigor and relative germination rate was ≤50.0% under 6℃ stress. Under low temperature stress, the higher seed starch content was helpful to improve seed germination and reduce chilling injury. The varieties with starch content of 72.0%-74.0% were recommended to meet the requirements of seed germination in Northeast China.

Grain micronutrient composition and yield components in field‐grown wheat are negatively impacted by high night‐time temperature

AbstractBackground and objectivesWheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is highly vulnerable to heat stress during sensitive growth and developmental stages, including grain‐filling. The impact of high daytime heat stress on wheat yield and quality losses has been extensively investigated, while information related to high night‐time temperature (HNT) is limited. The major objective was to ascertain the changes in wheat grain macro‐ and micro‐nutrient composition and yield‐related parameters on exposure to HNT during grain‐filling. Twelve diverse genotypes were grown in field‐based custom‐built heat tents that allowed natural light and temperature conditions during the day and imposed stress overnight.FindingsThe field‐tents imposed a 3.2°C higher night‐time temperature compared to ambient conditions throughout the grain‐filling period. HNT stress reduced 200 grain weight by 1.9%, grain yield by 3.1%, seed starch content by 2.5%, and seed protein content by 3.6% per °C increase in HNT.ConclusionsHNT had significant negative effect on grain macro‐ and micro‐nutrient content. However, starch and protein concentrations were differentially correlated with grain nutrients, with starch negatively correlated with many of the micronutrients under control and HNT.Significance and noveltyThis negative correlation highlights the imperative balance of seed micronutrient composition that needs to be maintained as efforts are intensified to enhance grain yield under favorable and warming environments.

The Potential of Lai Fruit Seed Starch (Durio kutejensis) as A New Excipient in Pharmaceutical Preparations Through Specific and Non-Specific Characterization

Backgorund: Lai fruit seeds (Durio kutejensis) contain starch. In the pharmaceutical field, starch can be used as an ingredient in the formulation of tablet preparations such as fillers, binders, and disintegrants. Objective: This research is to determine the Potential of Lai Fruit Seed Starch (Durio Kutejensis) as A New Excipient in Pharmaceutical Preparations. Methods: The research process started from plant determination, sample collection, starch manufacture, and examination of specific and non-specific characteristics as well as testing the starch content of other fruit seeds. Result: The content of the extract is 12.5% water soluble, and the content of the extract is soluble in ethanol 1.5%. Based on the non-specific parameters of lai fruit seed starch, the water content was 11.4%, the ash content was 1.5%, and the acid insoluble ash content was 0.75%. The starch content test of lai fruit seeds was found to contain fructose. Conclusion: the seed starch of lai fruit has the potential to be used as an alternative to new excipients in pharmaceutical preparations.

Association, direct and indirect effects of yield, biochemical and physiological characters on seed yield in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The present research consists of the 25 genotypes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) which was carried out at the field experimentation center, Department of the Genetics and Plant Breeding, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj during Rabi 2019-20 in Randomized Block Design with three replications with an aim to determine genetic variability, correlation, direct and indirect effects yield, biochemical and physiological characters on seed yield. All the genotypes of chickpea showed significant differences among them, significance variability existed for all the characters. Based on the mean performance, high yield was found for the C-18106 followed by C-18122, C-18103, and C-18101, genotypes C-18123, ICC-15896, C-18102 &amp; GPF-02 showed against pod borer. High heritability (?70%) coupled with high genetic advance (?20%) were being observed for the number of seeds per plant, biological yield. Seed yield per plant exhibited positive and highly significant correlation with biological yield, chlorophyll index, starch content and number of seeds per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic level. Path analysis at phenotypic level identified hundred seed weight followed by chlorophyll index, number of seeds per plant, number of secondary branches, trypsin inhibitor and harvest index important direct components for seed yield per plant. Thus, due consideration should be given to these characters during the selection.

Genetic variation in transcriptional regulation of wheat seed starch content and its conversion to bioethanol

AbstractStarch deposited in the endosperm of cereal seeds serves as a source of food and animal feed, and as a substrate for bioethanol production. To gain insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying genetic variation in seed size and seed starch content, this study investigated transcriptional regulation of starch biosynthesis genes during seed filling in two wheat genotypes that exhibit contrasting phenotype in seed size. Our data showed that variation in starch accumulation during seed filling is closely associated with modulations in the expression patterns of specific starch biosynthesis genes including TaAGPL1, TaAGPS2, TaGBSSI, TaSSI, TaSSIV, TaSBEIIa, TaISA1, and TaISA3, as well as alterations in the activity of AGPase, GBSS, and SS enzymes. Consistently, the genotype that produces larger seeds that are characterized by a higher seed starch content generated higher amounts of fermentable sugars and bioethanol before and after fermentation, respectively. Since the amount of phenol per seed dry weight is higher in the genotype that produces smaller seeds, the prevalence of lower starch to bioethanol conversion efficiency in this genotype, despite the higher amount of glucose generated per bioavailable starch, suggests that the phenolic compounds interfere with the fermentation process and thereby affecting the bioethanol yield.

Integrated Transcriptomic and Bioinformatics Analyses Reveal the Molecular Mechanisms for the Differences in Seed Oil and Starch Content Between Glycine max and Cicer arietinum.

The seed oil and starch content of soybean are significantly different from that of chickpea. However, there are limited studies on its molecular mechanisms. To address this issue, we conducted integrated transcriptomic and bioinformatics analyses for species-specific genes and acyl-lipid-, starch-, and carbon metabolism-related genes. Among seven expressional patterns of soybean-specific genes, four were highly expressed at the middle- and late oil accumulation stages; these genes significantly enriched fatty acid synthesis and carbon metabolism, and along with common acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACCase) highly expressed at soybean middle seed development stage, common starch-degrading enzyme beta-amylase-5 (BAM5) was highly expressed at soybean early seed development stage and oil synthesis-related genes ACCase, KAS, KAR, ACP, and long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase (LACS) were co-expressed with WRI1, which may result in high seed oil content and low seed starch content in soybean. The common ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) was highly expressed at chickpea middle seed development stage, along with more starch biosynthesis genes co-expressed with four-transcription-factor homologous genes in chickpea than in soybean, and the common WRI1 was not co-expressed with oil synthesis genes in chickpea, which may result in high seed starch content and low seed oil content in chickpea. The above results may be used to improve chickpea seed oil content in two ways. One is to edit CaWRI1 to co-express with oil synthesis-related genes, which may increase carbon metabolites flowing to oil synthesis, and another is to increase the expression levels of miRNA159 and miRNA319 to inhibit the expression of MYB33, which may downregulate starch synthesis-related genes, making more carbon metabolites flow into oil synthesis. Our study will provide a basis for future breeding efforts to increase the oil content of chickpea seeds.

​Towards Quest for Early Maturing Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] Lines with Improved Nutritional Quality and High Yield

Background: Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek], a rich source of protein, carbohydrate and different micronutrients, can play an important role in food security programmes. Enhancement of nutritional qualities via biofortification of existing varieties is a promising area of research. Methods: In the current study, sixty one mungbean were taken to study different biochemical parameters and also to establish an inter-relationship of each parameter with yield and maturity. Result: Results show that, nine lines, which included two germplasms namely, B1 and Pusa-9632 along with four mutants as well as three hybirds were found to have higher nutritional quality especially carbohydrate and protein content. Moreover, the mutants and segregants showed a higher nutritional value (% increase) than the germplasms. In addition, correlation coefficient study ensured an interrelationship between agronomic and biochemical characters by reporting that the total starch and nitrogen content of mungbean seeds can serve as an excellent selection marker for improving seed yield.

Effects of In Situ Burial and Sub-Optimal Storage on Seed Longevity and Reserve Resources in Sub-Tropical Mountain Cloud Forest Tree Species of Mexico

To design conservation and management strategies for sub-tropical moist forests, it is important to know how storage affects the longevity and germination of desiccation-sensitive seeds. These variables are controlled by a physiological process that is mainly associated with the seeds’ moisture content and reserve content, which can be significantly affected by environmental conditions. The objectives of this study were: (i) to evaluate the relationship between longevity and reserve content of sensitive and non-sensitive desiccation seeds (ii), and to describe how the in situ burial and sub-optimal storage (inside growth chambers) can affect seed longevity. In seeds of six mountain cloud forest tree species, germination and seed reserve content were quantified in seeds collected recently (control) and at five different times, along with storage for 31 or 35 days in situ and under suboptimal conditions. Freshly harvested seeds with higher soluble carbohydrate and lipid content and the presence of thermo-stable proteins had the longest-expected ecological longevity and mean germination time. In contrast to in situ burial, germination was negatively affected by storage time. Burial time significantly affected the rate and mean germination time in most of the species. For two species, a greater soluble carbohydrate or a lower starch and lipid content in seeds was found to be related to the high germination rate in storage. Our results show that the sub-optimal storage reduces the lifespan in most of the study species and increases seed damages through dehydration.

Selected autochthonous rhizobia, applied in combination with AM fungi, improve seed quality of common bean cultivated in reduced fertilization condition

Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Billò is an important crop, widely cultivated in Western Piedmont (Italy). It can form symbioses both with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and bacteria belonging to the Rhizobium genus: AMF can improve plant nutrition and fruit/seed quality, whereas R. leguminosarum is a Gram-negative bacterium able to fix atmospheric nitrogen. In this study, 15 Rhizobium strains, isolated either from root nodules or soil, were characterized by molecular and biochemical point of view (P-solubilization, siderophore and IAA production, intrinsic antibiotic resistance) and one of the selected strains was used for field trial. The aims were: i) to select highly efficient symbiotic bacteria adapted to local conditions and ii) to assess bean seed yield and quality, in response to AMF/rhizobia inoculation at reduced fertilization level. At harvest, yield (pod and seed number and weight) and seed quality (starch, protein, fiber and mineral concentrations), root nodulation and mycorrhizal colonization were measured. Inoculation did not influence yield and fiber concentration. On the contrary, the total seed protein amount was higher in the seeds of rhizobium-inoculated plants in combination or without AMF than in uninoculated plants. The starch content in seeds was increased by rhizobia inoculation. Mg, K and Zn seed accumulation was positively affected by AMF, while the Mn concentration was higher in the presence of rhizobia. In conclusion, plant inoculation strongly affected seed characteristics, improving bean quality also in conditions of reduced fertilization.

Understanding the mechanism of change in morphological structures, visualization features, and physicochemical characteristics of adlay seeds (Coix lacryma-jobi L.): The role of heat soaking

Heat soaking is an essential factor deciding the final quality of hard-to-cook grains. In this study, the morphological structures, visualization features, and physicochemical characteristics of adlay seeds soaked at 30–70 °C were investigated compared with waxy rice (easy to cook). The morphology of macromolecules and section cracks were observed by scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy as these are the crucial factors for penetrate water penetration, which showed that starch granules were slightly eroded when adlay seeds were soaked at 70 °C. The MRI images showed that at higher soaking temperatures, the moisture of soaked adlay seeds was distributed more evenly across a gradient. Meanwhile, heat soaking has a minor effect on starch and protein content of adlay seeds, and the proportion of bound water of adlay seeds slightly declined after heat soaking. Moreover, hardness analysis and pasting measurements exhibited structural changes and viscosity transition in the grains. However, the contribution of heat soaking to the infrared spectrogram and relative crystallinity of adlay seeds was insignificant. This study provides effective methods to evaluate changes in adlay seeds during heat soaking and explains why it is hard to cook.