Starch Content In Grains Research Articles

Assessment of grain starch content and responses to CMS-S and CMS-C in high-starch maize hybrids

Background. Increasing the production of native and modified starch from maize requires raw materials with high starch content in grain. Materials and methods. An experimental panel of 780 simple high-starch maize hybrids produced with CMS-S and CMS-C lines underwent two-year testing. Starch content in the grain of the lines and their hybrids was assessed with IR spectrometry. Native starch content in the grain of hybrids with highest yields was measured at the All-Russian Research Institute of Starch and Starch-Containing Raw Materials Processing using the method proposed by L. P. Nosovskaya with coauthors. Responses to CMS were scored according to G. S. Galeev’s scale. Results. Grain starch content was found to vary from 58% to 72% DMB throughout the tested panel. IR spectrometry helped to identify 22 hybrids with high (72.03–72.67%) starch content, and 5 hybrids promising for deep grain processing, combining high protein (10.3–13.53%) and oil (3.77–5.03%) levels with high starch content (69.02–70.4%) in their grain. Native starch extraction using L. P. Nosovskaya’s method showed that grain starch content in the best 68 hybrids ranged from 70.03 to 71.95% DMB. The collection was ranked according to the main heterotic groups: 57 lines of Iowa Dent, 26 lines of Stiff Stalk Synthetic, and 28 lines of Lancaster. For CMS-S and CMS-C types, 33 and 6 maintainers, and 9 and 8 restorers were selected, respectively. The hybrids were distributed across the following FAO maturity groups for maize: FAO 200–299 (14 hybrids), FAO 300–399 (7), FAO 400–449 (21), and FAO 450–500 (29). Conclusion. Assessing agronomic and breeding prospects of the best 68 hybrids between high-starch maize lines and sterile testers proved their potential for producing native starch to at least 70–72% DMB. Five hybrids were identified as promising for yielding native starch (69.02–70.4% DMB), as well as protein (10.3–13.5% DMB) and oil (3.77–5.03% DMB) by-products during deep grain processing.

Identification and fine mapping of a QTL-rich region for yield-and quality-related traits on chromosome 4BS in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Yield and quality are important for plant breeding. To better understand the genetic basis underlying yield- and quality-related traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), we conducted the quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis using recombinant inbred lines (RILs) and a high-density genetic linkage map with a 90K array. In this study, a total of 117 QTLs were detected for spike number per area (SNPA), thousand grain weight (TGW), grain number per spike (GNS), plant height (PH), spike length (SL), total spikelet number (TSN), spikelet density (SD), grain protein content (GPC), and grain starch content (GSC). Among these QTLs, 30 environmentally stable QTLs for yield- and quality-related traits were detected. Notably, five QTL-rich regions (Qrr) for yield-and/or quality-related traits were identified, including the QTL-rich region on chromosome 4BS (QQrr.cau-4B) for eight traits (SNPA, GNS, PH, SL, TSN, SD, GPC, and GSC). The stable QTL-rich region QQrr.cau-4B was delimited into a physical interval of approximately 2.47Mb. Based on the annotation information of the Chinese spring wheat genome v1.0 and parental re-sequencing results, the interval included twelve genes with sequence variations. Taken together, these results contribute to further understanding of the genetic basis of SNPA, GNS, PH, SL, TSN, SD, GPC, and GSC, and fine mapping of QQrr.cau-4B will be beneficial for gene cloning and marker-assisted selection in the genetic improvement of wheat varieties.

Characteristics of spring triticale cultivars bred at the Yuriev Plant Production Institute of NAAS

Characteristics of spring triticale cultivars bred at the Yuriev Plant Production Institute of NAAS

Transcriptome analysis reveals the mechanism of nitrogen fertilizers in starch synthesis and quality in waxy and non-waxy proso millet

Recent findings suggest that optimal application of nitrogen fertilizers can effectively improve the quality of proso millet (PM). Here, we aimed to investigate the pathways associated with starch synthesis and metabolism to elucidate the effect and molecular mechanisms of nitrogen fertilization in starch synthesis and properties in waxy and non-waxy PM varieties using transcriptomic techniques. Co-expression network analysis revealed that the regulation of starch synthesis and quality in PM by nitrogen fertilizer mainly occurred in the S2 and S3 stages during grain filling. Nitrogen fertilization inhibited glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and starch biosynthesis in grains, but increased starch degradation to maltose and dextrin and then to glucose. Moreover, nitrogen fertilization increased starch accumulation by upregulating the expression of SuS and malZ genes, thereby increasing the total starch content in grains. In contrast, nitrogen fertilization suppressed the expression of GBSS gene and decreased amylose content in PM grains, resulting in a relatively higher crystallinity, light transmittance, and breakdown viscosity in the two PM varieties. Overall, these results provided transcriptomics insights into the molecular mechanisms by which nitrogen fertilization regulates starch quality in PM, identified key genes that associated with the starch properties, and provided new insights into the quality cultivation of PM.

Yield and quality of different kidney bean varieties

Purpose. To determine the yield and quality of different kidney bean varieties. Methods. Field (determination of yield); laboratory (determination of the 1000 kernel weight and the protein and starch content in grain); mathematical and statistical analysis. Results. On average, over two years of research, the highest yield (3.31 t/ha) was obtained in ‘Podolianka’ variety, while the lowest (1.02 t/ha) in ‘Dvadesiatytsia’. The yield at the level of 2.04–2.72 t/ha was obtained in varieties ‘Bilosnizhka’, ‘Pervomaiska’, ‘Oniks’, ‘Bukovynka’, ‘Mavka’, ‘Zhuravka’, and ‘Shchedra’. However, the yield was 22–62% lower compared to ‘Podolianka’ variety. The yield of the rest studied varieties varied from 1.29 to 1.81 t/ha. The highest 1000 kernel weight was obtained in ‘Podolianka’ and ‘Bukovynka’ varieties (230 and 245 g, respectively). This indicator was the lowest in ‘Zlatko’ and ‘Dvadesiatytsia’, 106 and 113 g, respectively. In the rest of studied varieties, 1000 kernel weight ranged between 123 and 210 g. The highest protein content of 30.2% was obtained in ‘Onyx’ variety. In ‘Zhuravka’ and ‘Podolianka’ varieties, the protein content was 27.0–27.2%. The lowest protein content of 19.4% was obtained in the grain of ‘Dvadesiatytsia' variety. In the rest of varieties, this indicator was 20.0–26.0%. At the same time, the stability index of protein content formation was high – 0.94–0.99. The protein content of kidney bean grains in 2022 was higher (19.7–30.4%) and in 2021 lower (19.1–30.0%). The content of starch in kidney bean grains changed inversely proportional to the protein content, i.e., in 2021, this indicator was higher and in 2022 lower. However, the starch content changed little depending on the year, as the stability index was high and ranged between 0.97 and 0.99. Conclusions. The highest yield of 3.10–3.52 t/ha was obtained in ‘Podolianka’ variety. At the same time, the content of protein and starch in the grain was 26.4–28.0 and 40.5–41.5%, respectively; the 1000 kernel weight was 219–241 g. The highest protein content was in ‘Onyx’ variety – 30.0–30.4% for the yield of 2.00–2.64 t/ha. At the same time, 1000-kernel weight in this variety was 146–164 g. Kidney bean varieties react differently to weather conditions as the yield stability index varied between 0.52 and 0.88. However, the stability index for the formation of protein content was high – 0.94–0.99.

Dynamic monitoring of maize grain quality based on remote sensing data.

Remote sensing data have been widely used to monitor crop development, grain yield, and quality, while precise monitoring of quality traits, especially grain starch and oil contents considering meteorological elements, still needs to be improved. In this study, the field experiment with different sowing time, i.e., 8 June, 18 June, 28 June, and 8 July, was conducted in 2018-2020. The scalable annual and inter-annual quality prediction model for summer maize in different growth periods was established using hierarchical linear modeling (HLM), which combined hyperspectral and meteorological data. Compared with the multiple linear regression (MLR) using vegetation indices (VIs), the prediction accuracy of HLM was obviously improved with the highest R 2, root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute error (MAE) values of 0.90, 0.10, and 0.08, respectively (grain starch content (GSC)); 0.87, 0.10, and 0.08, respectively (grain protein content (GPC)); and 0.74, 0.13, and 0.10, respectively (grain oil content (GOC)). In addition, the combination of the tasseling, grain-filling, and maturity stages further improved the predictive power for GSC (R 2=0.96). The combination of the grain-filling and maturity stages further improved the predictive power for GPC (R 2=0.90). The prediction accuracy developed in the combination of the jointing and tasseling stages for GOC (R 2=0.85). The results also showed that meteorological factors, especially precipitation, had a great influence on grain quality monitoring. Our study provided a new idea for crop quality monitoring by remote sensing.

Yield of starch and its content in the grain of corn hybrids

The article presents the results of assessing the content of starch in hybrid combinations of corn and the yield of starch per unit area. As a result of the study of experimental hybrids created on the basis of the VIR collection material, the selection and combination value of the initial material was revealed in terms of content in grain and yield per hectare of starch. The experiment included simple hybrids (30 combinations) obtained by a complete topcross cross scheme. Instead of crossbreeding the lines with each other, crosses were carried out with three common testers with a broad genetic basis (line, synthetic population). In the study, lines RSK 7, B 293 and a synthetic population of RNIISK 1 were used as testers. The interval of variation in the starch content in grain for the study period varied from low values to an average value and amounted to: in 2020 – 60,9 % to 65,2 %, in 2021 - from 59,3 % to 66,1 %. Lines with a high effect of GCA on the content of starch in the grain (H 46, Vz 6, Om 12, YuV 106), as well as hybrid combinations of YuV 25 / RSK 7 (63,3-64,2 %), KS 75 / RSK 7 (62,7-64,4 %), HLG 948 / RSK 7 (63,5-64,1 %), Kin 073 / RSK 7 (63,4-63,8 %), YuV 106 / RSK 7 (63,6-66,1 %), KS 25 / B 293 (63,0-63,5 %), HLG 182 / B 293 (63,5-63,6 %), KS 75 / B 293 (63,1 -63,5 %), HLG 182 / RNIISK 1 (62,9-63,6 %). The results of the study made it possible to identify experimental hybrids that form the highest yield of starch per unit area: HLG 182 / RSK 7 (3,12-3,58 t/ha), YuV 106 / RSK 7 (2,77-3,11 t/ha ), H 46 / B 293 (3,22-3,39 t/ha), Om 12 / B 293 (2,72-3,85 t/ha).

Effect of waterlogging stress on grain nutritional quality and pod yield of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

AbstractTo investigate the effects of waterlogging stress on grain nutritional quality and pod yield, peanut plants were waterlogged for 3 and 6 days at 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56 and 63 days after gynophores touched the ground in 2019 and 2020. Results revealed that compared with the control treatment, the oil and starch content in grain increased, while crude protein and soluble sugar content decreased under waterlogging. Waterlogging stress increased the unsaturated fatty acids content but decreased the saturated fatty acids, essential amino acids, non‐essential amino acids and total amino acids content. In addition, waterlogging stress decreased the total pod number per plant by 6.78%–49.33%, 100‐pod weight by 1.11%–14.08% and 100‐grain weight by 1.85%–16.41%, which caused a 34.33%–55.90% reduction in pod yield per plant. After the gynophore touched the ground for 7 days, waterlogging had a greater negative effect on grain nutritional quality, and longer waterlogging duration led to greater yield reduction. In summary, waterlogging stress caused peanut yield reduction and grain quality deterioration.

Dresser effects on the spring barley grain quality

Purpose. To determine the spring barley grain quality depending on the pre-sowing treatment of seeds with systemic dressers and the bioagent.
 Materials and methods. The study was carried out in a nine-field fallow-cereal-row crop rotation of the Department of Plant Production and Variety Investigation of the Plant Production Institute named after V.Ya. Yuriev of NAAS in 2017–2020. To protect spring barley against pests and diseases, seeds were treated with systemic dressers belonging to different chemical groups and the bioagent prior to sowing (1–8 days before sowing).
 The soybean was a forecrop. Fertilization background was 6.6 tons of manure per hectare of the crop rotation area (aftereffect) plus N30P30K30. The farming techniques were conventional for the growing location. Significance of the obtained data was assessed by analysis of variance.
 Results and discussion. As to the brewing cultivars, Parnas and Inkluzive, without fertilizers the protein content in their grain after the pre-sowing treatment of seeds with fungicide Vitavax 200 FF or with insecticide Cruiser 350 FS was significantly lower (by 0.40% and 0.8%, respectively) than the control value (12.46%). When fungicides Vincit Forte, Insure Perform, Lamardor 400, Lamardor Pro, Scenic, Maxim Star, Supervin, Ultrasil Duo, bacterial agent Trichodermin, insecticide Taboo, or insecticides-fungicides was used for seed dressing, the protein content was not different from the control. In the fertilization (N30P30K30) experiments, the protein content in grain significantly increased when Scenic (by 0.84%), Lamardor Pro (by 0.88%), Trichodermin (by 0.94%), or Vitavax 200 FF (by 0.91%) was used. After the pre-sowing treatment of seeds with Record Quadro, Maxim Star, Vincit Forte, Supervin, Insure Perform, Taboo, or with Vibrance Integral, the protein content in grain was almost at the control level. In no fertilizer experiments, the protein output from 1 hectare in the control was 0.36 tons; after the pre-sowing seed dressing, it ranged from 0.30 tons (Vitavax 200 FF) to 0.39 tons (Taboo). In the fertilization experiments combined with pre-sowing seed dressing, the protein output from 1 hectare ranged from 0.56 tons (Vincit Forte, Insure Perform, Lamardor 400, Trichodermin) to 0.63 tons (Cruiser 350 FS) vs. 0.55 tons in the control.
 The fertilization caused a decrease in the starch content in grain. In the experiments with pre-sowing seed dressing combined with fertilization, the starch content in grain was lower than the control value.
 As to the grain cultivars, Vzirets and Ahrarii, after dressing without fertilizers the protein content in grain was within 9.77% (Vincit Forte) − 10.98% (Vitavax 200 FF) vs. 10.48% in control; after dressing combined with fertilization, it was − at the control level. When Insure Perform was applied for pre-sowing seed dressing without fertilizers, the protein content in grain was 9.70%, which was significantly lower than in the control. The protein output from 1 hectare without fertilizers was 0.40 tons in the control; after pre-sowing seed dressing, it was within 0.36 tons (Vincit Forte, Insure Perform, Lamardor 400, Scenic) − 0.45 tons (Junta Quadro). In the fertilization experiments combined with pre-sowing seed dressing, the protein output from 1 hectare was in the range of 0.59 tons (Lamardor Pro) − 0.73 tons (Junta Quadro) vs. 0.65 tons in the control.
 The content of starch in the grain cultivars was 62.83% in the control without fertilizers. This figure was significantly lower in the experiments with pre-sowing treatment of seeds with Vitavax 200 FF (by 1.25%), Cruiser 350 FS (by 1.37%), or with Lamardor 400 (by 1.41%). In the fertilization experiments, a significant decrease in the starch content in comparison with the control (61.93%) was observed when Scenic (-1.51%) was used for dressing.
 Conclusions. The effects of agents (fungicides, insecticides, insecticides-fungicides and bacterial agent Trichodermin) on the contents of protein and starch in spring barley grain were shown to be ambiguous.

The effect of organic fertilizers on the yield components of corn plant, protein and starch content of grain

The importance of organic fertilizers for sustainable agricultural production is an undeniable fact. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of different organic fertilizers on the growth and quality properties of maize plants. Three different types of organic fertilizers; cattle manure, vermicompost and leonardite, and their doses of 2.500, 5.000, 7.500 and 10.000 kgha-1 were used in the experiment. In addition, conventional production and non-fertilized production were used as control applications. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experiments were repeated to assess the residual effects of the treatments. Fertilizers were applied in 2018 to determine the residual effects of organic fertilizer applications in the second year. In the research; plant height, ear diameter, ear grain weight, 1000 grain weight, grain yield, protein ratio, oil ratio and starch ration were examined. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of different organic fertilizers on the yield components and grain content of the corn plant. These features varied between 180.72-157.87 cm, 39.38-33.59 mm, 117.1-62.2 g, 261.2-237.1 g, 4416.8-1712.9 kg ha-1, 7.8-5.9%, 2.5-2.1% and 74.7-73.8%, respectively. According to the results, the 2500 kgha-1 and 5000 kgha-1 doses of vermicompost had the highest values for the oil ratio and protein ratio, on the other hand the leonardite application of 10.000 kgha-1 for the starch ration had the highest value. Generally, conventional fertilizer application had the highest values for yield components.

Combined Effects of Starch Sucrose Content and Planting Density on Grain Protein Content of Winter Wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.)

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a staple crop worldwide, and yield improvement since the green revolution was attributed to chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer application. We conducted field experiments in Yuncheng County, Shanxi Province, under planting density (2 million plants ha–1, 2.25 million plants ha–1, 2.5 million plants ha–1) and topdressing nitrogen (12 kg ha–1, 22 kg ha–1, 32 kg ha–1). The results shown that the starch content of grains with a density of 2.5 million plants ha–1 increased by 1.9%-7.5%, which improved the water absorption of flour and the processing quality of flour, but decreased the protein content, and gluten properties of grains. The nitrogen topdressing amount of 22 kg ha–1 wheat tiller increased by 6.3%-33.3%, and the dry matter accumulation increased by 1.0%-9.5%. The number of spikes increased by 3.7%-19.2%, and the yield increased by 3.7%-17.8% with the nitrogen topping amount of 22 kg ha–1 the protein content increased by 2.0%-4.2% with the nitrogen topping amount of 22 kg ha–1, the starch content increased by 1.2%-7.2%, and the gluten index increased by 4.3%-21.5%.

OUR FOOD: How we went wrong

All living beings share eco-biopsychosocial systems. Good health of any single element of the system is dependentuponwell-beingof allthe elementstogether.The primary source of ourfood isfrom plants. A healthy plant is not conceivable without a healthy soil in which itsrootsystem grows. Soil contains multifarious microorganisms, fungal networks, nematodes and arthropods etc. These all act in concert to contribute to the richness of the milieu through zillions of phytochemicals that they all produce and exchange. Plants participate in the trade through root exudatesin exchange fortheir own needs. Greater the biodiversity of the species, greater the opportunities and benefits for all. Also, quorum sensing prevails, and population balances are maintained. Thisis how life has evolved and flourished on planet earthoverthe lastfour billionyears. In higher animals, humans included, relationships similar to the plant-soil situation the soil prevail within the body, in the gastrointestinal system. Diversity of our food ingestion determines the health of our gut microbiome,hence ourhealth too.Hunter-gatherers perhaps had great health given their circumstances favouring better survival based on diverse foods. Human settlements necessitated food sources with longerstorage lives. This brought increasing dependence on grains to support growing populations. The high starch content of grains meant increasing glucose load for the body as the proportion of starch kept on creeping up in our diets. This is furthercompounded by the advent of refined grains and simple sugarsin most of our food. The situation today is that most ofthe humanity is not able tometabolise the sugarload safely. About 20% are overtly type II diabetic and atleast another 40% prediabetic. Their tissues have developed insulin resistance, a defensive mechanism against insulin attempting to push, undesirably, even more glucose into the cells. Glucose is not a mandatoryfuel for metabolising tissue cells. Protein and fat deficiencies are known to cause disorders. There is no disease produced by absence of glucose from diet. By any measure, sugar has been the most potent, and most prevalent,weaponofmassdestruction unleashedonto humanity.Most of the 'modern era' diseases have insulin resistance with consequent hyperinsulinaemia as their underlying pathogenic mechanism. This includes, in addition to the pathology of type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, atherosclerotic vascular disease (underlying myocardial infarction and stroke), allergies, autoimmune diseases,many types of cancers, autismand dementia. The common denominator, in this burdenof noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), is the inflammation ushered in due to, and accompanying, hyper insulinaemia.Sugars and starches have addictive potential. The thriving industrial/commercial activity benefitting from this humanpredilectionhas continuedto pocket huge profits,particularly overthe last century.Natural, organically grown wholesome foods have receded as the corporate industrial and supply chain processes had out stripped them. All this despite scientific evidence mounting up in favour of such food. The industry thrived onmanaged perception through advertisement. There waslittle to guard the peoples' right to knowthe reality foritis crowdedout by thecorporate efficiencies andpropaganda.The costs of health care on account of all the NCDs, as stated above, keeps on soaring. Globally, NCDs kill 41 million people each year, accounting for 71% of all deaths.1Institute of Global Health Sciences at University of California San Francisco had estimated, in 2017, that the NCDs could cost global economy US $ 47 trillion by 2030.2Disease prevention and health promotion through correction of our diet, by replacing sugar and starch rich foods with diverse nutrient dense, organic, wholesome foods, is obviously necessary. However, it is not easy. Old habits die hard. Those who profit from this human suffering may not become the most compliant easily, either.After all, as Albert Einstein had remarked, 'it is easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled”.

Degree and nature of heterosis effects in corn lines by grain quality parameters

Aim. Widespread use of corn hybrids, which are of key importance for the food security in Ukraine, is one of the most successful examples of the heterosis phenomenon use. In order to recommend new and high-quality corn hybrids for production, it is necessary to assess the inheritance degree and heterosis effects for protein, starch and oil contents as well as for yield. Results and Discussion. To achieve the goal, we used the classic field techniques and methods of qualification examination of plant varieties for suitability for distribution in Ukraine. The protein, starch and oil contents in grain were determined on a InfratecTM 1241 Grain Analyzer (FOSS); the heterosis effects were calculated by D. S. Omarov’s methods. As a result of tester crosses, 65 experimental corn hybrids were obtained. Inbred lines VK13, VK69, AE801 and AE392 (carriers of the wx and ae mutations of endosperm structure, respectively) were the female forms. Inbred lines СО255, АК159, АК157, G255, FV243 and KhLG1203 were used as male components for the first time to obtain hybrids with high grain quality parameters. From the 2020−2021 studies, we found that, in terms of grain quality, the grain starch content-driven selection of parental pairs was the most rational approach, as the influence of parental forms on this trait consistently exceeded 50% across the study years. Conclusion. Hybrids VK13×UKhK678 and VK13×UKhK686 were noticeable for consistently high manifestation the heterosis effects for several parameters. As to the starch content in grain, superdominance of a parental form with stronger expression of the trait was recorded in hybrids VK13×UKhK678, VK13×UKhK686, VK19×FV243, and AE801×VK32; as to the oil content in grain, VК13×UKhК678, VК13×UKhК686, VК13×VК37, АЕ392×СО255, АЕ392×KhLG1203, and АЕ392×АК157 were distinguished. Inbred corn lines that should be used as parents of heterotic corn hybrids (KhLG1203, CO255, AK159 and AK157) were singled out.

Water stress resistance of the new self-pollinated maize lines and hybrids

The directions of the economic use of maize are different, namely fodder, food, technical. Considering that maize belongs to mesophytes, the most harmful stress factor for it is drought. The breeding maize for drought tolerance is considered the most important direction for this crop. The purpose of the current paper was to present study results of the drought resistance of the initial material, namely the self-pollinated maize lines and hybrids. The study was carried out at the Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy”, located in the zone of insufficient moisture in 2018–2020. Drought tolerance was determined by the method of residual water deficit (RWD). As an initial material, there were used 24 self-pollinated maize lines and 50 test-cross hybrids. There have been identified the new drought-resistant middle-early and middle-ripening self-pollinated lines ‘KS 317 A’,’ KV 240’, ‘LSh 16’, ‘S 86’, ‘LSh 17’ and ‘LSh 2’, ‘SP 246 / 276-2’, ‘DS 498 / 203-4’, ‘DS 298 / 203-3’, ‘DS 257 / 85-0’, ‘SP 280-3’, ‘KB 373’, which had a low residual water deficit in the flowering phase (7.7–10.4%) and did not significantly increase it during the period from vegetation to milky-wax ripeness (up to 10,3–12.6%). The drought-resistant hybrids include ‘Stepnyak MV’, ‘GK 26 AM × DS 257 / 85-0’, ‘P 101 × Zp 498 A’, ‘KB 399 × S 232’, ‘GK 26 AM × KB 373’, ‘GK 26 AM × SP 246 / 276-2’, ‘C 204 × KS 318’. They were characterized by a low water deficit during the flowering period (7.4–10.4%) and its low increase (1.4–3.7%) during the growing season. Drought-resistant hybrids, as a rule, included drought-resistant lines. According to the results of the State Variety Testing, the new middle-ripening three-line maize hybrid ‘Stepnyak MV’ ((KB 262 M × KB 326 ZM) × KB 498 MV)), developed on the basis of the drought-resistant lines ‘KB 262 M’ and ‘KB 498 MV’, has been included into the State Register since 2019. The hybrid possessed a high grain yield (4.55 t/ha) in the dry years of 2018–2020. it was characterized by high values of the main economically valuable traits, such as high resistance to lodging (0.5% of lodged plants), high starch content in grain (72.0%), optimum grain moisture (14.0%) by the harvesting time.

The change of productivity and quality of spring barley grain with the improvement of the varieties’ adaptability

The purpose of the current study was to determine the correlation between adaptability parameters of the spring barley varieties and grain productivity and the main indicators of its quality. The study was conducted from 2011 to 2019 in the conditions of the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia. The protein percentage in grain, raw oil, starch and husk content of grain were determined according to the Pleshkov and Berkutova methods. The mathematical processing was carried out according to the methodology of Dospekhov, Eberhard and Russell. According to the trial, low productivity of spring barley was recorded in 2012, 2013 and 2016 (2.36–2.92 t/ha) with low values of the index of environmental conditions (-1.32; -1.88). Higher productivity was recorded in 2011, 2015, 2018 and 2019 (5.26-5.89 t/ha), with high values of the index of environmental conditions (1.02–1.65). The productivity of the standard variety ‘Omskiy 95’ varied from 2.11 t/ha (in 2016) to 5.91 t/ha (in 2015). The varieties ‘Sibirskiy Avangard’, ‘Sasha’, ‘Omskiy 100’ exceeded the standard variety (+0.47; +1.97 t/ha to standard). An increased content of raw oil in grain was recorded in the varieties ‘Omskiy 9’1 and ‘Sasha’ (0.4-0.6% to standard). The varieties ‘Omskiy 91’, ‘Sibirskiy Avangard’, ‘Omskiy 90’, ‘Omskiy 96’ and ‘Omskiy 100’ were characterized by a reduced husk content of grain (-0.7; -1.4% to standard). The barley varieties ‘Sibirskiy Avangard’ and ‘Sasha’ (bi > 1; σ2 d < 1) were highly responsive and stable to improving environmental conditions. The improvement of adaptability (bi) of barley varieties did not have a significant effect on grain productivity and quality (r = 0.109±0.020 and 0.232±0.035). The stability (σ2 d) of the varieties was characterized by an average direct correlation with starch content in grain (r = 0.429±0.120), a strong direct correlation with oil content in grain (r = 0.656±0.105). There was identified an average inverse correlation between stability (σ2 d) and protein and husk content in grain (r = -0.399±0.060 and -0.447±0.055). There was a weak correlation with productivity (r = -0.204±0.040).

Triple null mutations in starch synthase SSIIa gene homoeologs lead to high amylose and resistant starch in hexaploid wheat

BackgroundLack of nutritionally appropriate foods is one of the leading causes of obesity in the US and worldwide. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) provides 20% of the calories consumed daily across the globe. The nutrients in the wheat grain come primarily from the starch composed of amylose and amylopectin. Resistant starch content, which is known to have significant human health benefits, can be increased by modifying starch synthesis pathways. Starch synthase enzyme SSIIa, also known as starch granule protein isoform-1 (SGP-1), is integral to the biosynthesis of the branched and readily digestible glucose polymer amylopectin. The goal of this work was to develop a triple null mutant genotype for SSIIa locus in the elite hard red winter wheat variety ‘Jagger’ and evaluate the effect of the knock-out mutations on resistant starch content in grains with respect to wild type.ResultsKnock-out mutations in SSIIa in the three genomes of wheat variety ‘Jagger’ were identified using TILLING. Subsequently, these loss-of function mutations on A, B, and D genomes were combined by crossing to generate a triple knockout mutant genotype Jag-ssiia-∆ABD. The Jag-ssiia-∆ABD had an amylose content of 35.70% compared to 31.15% in Jagger, leading to ~ 118% increase in resistant starch in the Jag-ssiia-∆ABD genotype of Jagger wheat. The single individual genome mutations also had various effects on starch composition.ConclusionsOur full null Jag-ssiia-∆ABD mutant showed a significant increase in RS without the shriveled grain phenotype seen in other ssiia knockouts in elite wheat cultivars. Moreover, this study shows the potential for developing nutritionally improved foods in a non-GM approach. Since all the mutants have been developed in an elite wheat cultivar, their adoption in production and supply will be feasible in future.

The results and prospects of maize breeding in the Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy”

The current paper has presented the results of breeding work on maize in the Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy”. The three-line and double interlinear middle early and middle ripening maize hybrids of various economic use ‘Zernogradsky 242 MV’, ‘Zernogradsky 282 MV’, ‘Zernogradsky 288 MV’, ‘Zernogradsky 299 MV’, ‘Zernogradsky 354 MV’, ‘Zernogradsky MV’, ‘Stepnyak MV’ were developed and included into the State List of Breeding Achievements from 2006 to 2020. The Competitive Variety Testing has identified a new high-heterosis simple hybrid ‘Zernogradsky 352 MB’ and the new early ripening hybrids ‘Krucha M × KB 215’, ‘Krucha M × SP 56/57’ with low harvesting grain moisture. The main method used to develop maize hybrids was an interline hybridization using heterosis in the first generation (F1 ). There have been determined the priority directions of further breeding, namely early ripeness, grain humidity-transfer intensity during ripening, drought resistance, high starch content in grain. There has been developed new initial material for each direction of breeding. There have been selected the introduced testers (‘Alpha M’, ‘Almaz M’, ‘Aurora S’, ‘Milena M’, ‘Istok S’) to develop early-ripening hybrids. There have been identified the early and middle-early ripening self-pollinated lines ‘C 207’, ‘RD 12’, ‘TVA 308’, ‘PLS 61’, ‘KB 215’, etc., with a high grain humidity-transfer intensity during ripening (0.95–1.30% per day), low harvest moisture content of grain (10.8–13.8%). There have been developed the new self-pollinated waxy maize lines (24/29/5, 25/64/10, 26/8, 26/4, 26/80, 24/28) with 68.1–69.8% of amylopectin starch in grain. There have been identified the new self-pollinated maize lines resistant to water stress (DS 498/217-3, DS 257/85-5, DS 498/203, KB 262, etc.) promising for breeding drought-resistant maize hybrids.

STARCH CONTENT IN CORN GRAIN DEPENDING ON ROOT FEEDING

The article presents the results of researching the impact of foliar fertilization with microfertilizers Ecolist Mono Zinc and Rostok Corn, plant growth regulator Vimpel and bacterial preparation Biomag on the complex of economically valuable traits and productivity of maize hybrids of different maturity groups (early ripening group: Kharkiv 195 MV, (FAO 190), DKS 2960 (FAO 250), DKS 2949 (FAO 190), DKS 2971 (FAO 200), middle-early: DKS 3472 (FAO 270), DKS 3420 (FAO 280), Pereyaslavsky 230 SV (FAO 230), DKS 3871 (FAO 280) and medium-ripe: DK 391 (FAO 320), DK 440 (FAO 350), DKS 4964 (FAO 390), DK 315 (FAO 310)). The dependence of foliar fertilization usage and the starch content in corn grain is generalized. One-time foliar feeding provided a starch content increase by 0.1-0.5%, double feeding - by 0.85-1.30%. The yield of starch was in hybrids DK 391 - 8,748 t / ha, DK 440 - 8,821 t / ha, DKS 4964 - 9,559 t / ha, DK 315 - 9,314 t / ha with a single feeding and with a double feeding it was significantly higher - 9,220 t / ha, - 9,384 t / ha, 10,142 t / ha, 9,993 t / ha, accordingly. The highest yield of starch in all hybrids was provided by double application of microfertilizer Ecolist Mono Zinc (8,983-10,595 t / ha) and Rostok corn (8,721-10,597 t / ha), the increase in starch yield with the use of these fertilizers was 0.5-1.8 t / ha, relative to control (water supply). It is established that in dry years with high temperatures (2012) there is a decrease in starch content, regardless of the studied vegetation factors and cultivation technology. Foliar fertilization contributed to an increase in the starch content of the grain (by 0.1-0.46% in 2011-2013) compared to the control (without foliar fertilization). The highest starch content in the grain of the studied maize hybrids (70.92-76.72% and 71.45-76.72%) was provided by foliar fertilization with microfertilizers Ecolist Mono Zinc and Rostock corn. A decrease in the starch content was observed during crop treatment with the plant growth regulator Vimpel in the phase of 5-7 corn leaves on hybrids DKS 3420 by 0.36%, Pereyaslavsky 230SV by 0.11% and DKS 3871 by 0.5%, respectively.

Prospects of GWAS and predictive breeding for European winter wheat\u2019s grain protein content, grain starch content, and grain hardness

Grain quality traits determine the classification of registered wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties. Although environmental factors and crop management practices exert a considerable influence on wheat quality traits, a significant proportion of the variance is attributed to the genetic factors. To identify the underlying genetic factors of wheat quality parameters viz., grain protein content (GPC), grain starch content (GSC), and grain hardness (GH), we evaluated 372 diverse European wheat varieties in replicated field trials in up to eight environments. We observed that all of the investigated traits hold a wide and significant genetic variation, and a significant negative correlation exists between GPC and GSC plus grain yield. Our association analyses based on 26,694 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphic markers revealed a strong quantitative genetic nature of GPC and GSC with associations on groups 2, 3, and 6 chromosomes. The identification of known Puroindoline-b gene for GH provided a positive analytic proof for our studies. We report that a locus QGpc.ipk-6A controls both GPC and GSC with opposite allelic effects. Based on wheat's reference and pan-genome sequences, the physical characterization of two loci viz., QGpc.ipk-2B and QGpc.ipk-6A facilitated the identification of the candidate genes for GPC. Furthermore, by exploiting additive and epistatic interactions of loci, we evaluated the prospects of predictive breeding for the investigated traits that suggested its efficient use in the breeding programs.

Functional dissection of HGGT and HPT in barley vitamin E biosynthesis via CRISPR/Cas9-enabled genome editing.

Vitamin E (tocochromanol) is a lipid-soluble antioxidant and an essential nutrient for human health. Among cereal crops, barley (Hordeum vulgare) contains a high level of vitamin E, which includes both tocopherols and tocotrienols. Although the vitamin E biosynthetic pathway has been characterized in dicots, such as Arabidopsis, which only accumulate tocopherols, knowledge regarding vitamin E biosynthesis in monocots is limited because of the lack of functional mutants. This study aimed to obtain gene knockout mutants to elucidate the genetic control of vitamin E composition in barley. Targeted knockout mutations of HvHPT and HvHGGT in barley were created with CRISPR/Cas9-enabled genome editing. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed to analyse the content of tocochromanol isomers in transgene-free homozygous Hvhpt and Hvhggt mutants. Mutagenesis efficiency among T0 regenerated plantlets was 50-65 % as a result of two simultaneously expressed guide RNAs targeting each gene; most of the mutations were stably inherited by the next generation. The transgene-free homozygous mutants of Hvhpt and Hvhggt exhibited decreased grain size and weight, and the HvHGGT mutation led to a shrunken phenotype and significantly lower total starch content in grains. HPLC analysis revealed that targeted mutation of HvHPT significantly reduced the content of both tocopherols and tocotrienols, whereas mutations in HvHGGT completely blocked tocotrienol biosynthesis in barley grains. Transient overexpression of an HvHPT homologue in tobacco leaves significantly increased the production of γ- and δ-tocopherols, which may partly explain why targeted mutation of HvHPT in barley grains did not eliminate tocopherol production. Our results functionally validated that HvHGGT is the only committed gene for the production of tocotrienols, whereas HvHPT is partly responsible for tocopherol biosynthesis in barley.