Wild Crop Research Articles

Recourse recovery of bioenergy from cellulosic material in a microbial fuel cell fed with giant reed-loaded wastewater

ABSTRACTThe ability of electrochemically active bacteria to degrade natural cellulosic bio-materials suggests a promising technology for converting biodegradable cellulosic wastes into electricity in specific applications. Giant reed (GR), a wild crop abundantly available everywhere, is a potential source for cellulose. In this study, a lab-scale dual-chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) was fueled with actual domestic wastewater loaded with different concentrations of powdered giant reed (PGR) as a new source for carbon and energy. The results revealed that in the continuous-feed tests, the maximum chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies of 67, 79, 82, and 85% associated with maximum power generation of 162, 195, 233, 392 mW/m2 were observed in MFC fueled with PGR-loaded wastewater at initial concentrations of 0, 50, 75, and 100 g PGR/L wastewater, respectively. A three-layer artificial neural network (ANN) model was used in this study to predict the efficiency of the MFC in regard to power generation. The predicted results indicated a good fit between measured and predicted data, with a high determination coefficient (R2) of 0.9993 and negligible mean square error (MSE). The fact that mixed cultures can utilize cellulose for electricity generation provides a new approach for future studies on electricity production from natural cellulose sources.

Unlocking the diversity of genebanks: whole-genome marker analysis of Swiss bread wheat and spelt.

High-throughput genotyping of Swiss bread wheat and spelt accessions revealed differences in their gene pools and identified bread wheat landraces that were not used in breeding. Genebanks play a pivotal role in preserving the genetic diversity present among old landraces and wild progenitors of modern crops and they represent sources of agriculturally important genes that were lost during domestication and in modern breeding. However, undesirable genes that negatively affect crop performance are often co-introduced when landraces and wild crop progenitors are crossed with elite cultivars, which often limit the use of genebank material in modern breeding programs. A detailed genetic characterization is an important prerequisite to solve this problem and to make genebank material more accessible to breeding. Here, we genotyped 502 bread wheat and 293 spelt accessions held in the Swiss National Genebank using a 15K wheat SNP array. The material included both spring and winter wheats and consisted of old landraces and modern cultivars. Genome- and sub-genome-wide analyses revealed that spelt and bread wheat form two distinct gene pools. In addition, we identified bread wheat landraces that were genetically distinct from modern cultivars. Such accessions were possibly missed in the early Swiss wheat breeding program and are promising targets for the identification of novel genes. The genetic information obtained in this study is appropriate to perform genome-wide association studies, which will facilitate the identification and transfer of agriculturally important genes from the genebank into modern cultivars through marker-assisted selection.

Implementing Access and Benefit Sharing for Seed Banking

Abstract A global study has shown that Australian crop wild relatives (CWRs) are a priority for ex situ conservation and future use. The majority of target species occur across various land tenures in northern Australia, including Indigenous Protected Areas. Work undertaken on Indigenous lands needs careful consideration, and until recently the planning of wild crop collections has taken a Western scientific approach. Awareness of potential cultural issues associated with access and use of traditional knowledge is increasing, and Indigenous community expectations associated with use of their knowledge can vary between individual traditional owners and within communities. The Council of Heads of Australian Botanic Gardens Incorporated, through its Australian Seed Bank Partnership, is collaborating with the University of New England to define clear processes and develop protocols for traditional knowledge stewardship, helping to minimize the risk of compromising the cultural integrity of data, while being p...

Observation of Wild Seaweed Species in Labuhanbua Waters, Indonesia: a preliminary assessment for aquaculture development

Seaweed industry has been growing up and is supplied by either wild or cultivated seaweed crops. This study was aimed to present relevant information regarding ecological availability of wild seaweed in Labuhanbua coastal waters, Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara and potential use of important species as candidate species for aquaculture. 46 sampling stations were determined along line transects perpendicular to coastal line; and seaweeds sampling were conducted during low tide by using 1 x 1 m2 quadrat transect. Field data consist of in-situ parameter including number of seaweed species and coverage area of each species; and ex-situ parameters consist of carbohydrate, protein, total C, total N, and total P content of seaweeds. The results showed that 33 species were found and three species has the most widely distribu tion, i.e. Padina sp., Dictyota dichotoma, and Gracilaria salicornia. Turbinaria, Dictyota, Padina, Stoechospermum, Hydroclathrus, Halimeda, and Chaetomorpha might be some important species that could be develop as aquaculture species candidates among other uncultivated species that were found along this study location. They have potencies as human food, livestock feed, neutraceuicals, cosmetics, pulp, textile, biofuel and any other industries; but conversely, they were found in lower density at Labuhanbua coastal waters. These species should be develop through aquaculture technology, involve genetic improvement and possibly genetic engineering. Commercial scale cultivation of those important seaweed species will contribute to industrial needs and prevent decreasing of wild seaweed availability in natural ecosystem.

<b>New distribution records of some wild crop relatives from India</b>

Field surveys across various parts of the country coupled with an analysis of literature and examination of herbarium specimens revealed the natural distribution of six wild relatives of crop species in various states/union territories of India, viz., Cajanus scarabaeoides (from Lakshadweep), Cucumis javanicus (from Meghalaya), Hystrix duthiei (from Jammu & Kashmir), Luffa echinata (from Haryana) and Trichosanthes pilosa (from Andhra Pradesh), which have not been reported earlier from these states. Their descriptions, phenology, habitat and other field notes have been presented here.

Enhancing plant diversity in agricultural landscapes promotes both rare bees and dominant crop‐pollinating bees through complementary increase in key floral resources

Summary Enhancing key floral resources is essential to effectively mitigate the loss of pollinator diversity and associated provisioning of pollination functions in agro‐ecosystems. However, effective floral provisioning measures may diverge among different pollinator conservation targets, such as the conservation of rare species or the promotion of economically important crop pollinators. We examined to what extent such diverging conservation goals could be reconciled. We analysed plant–bee visitation networks of 64 herbaceous semi‐natural habitats representing a gradient of plant species richness to identify key resource plants of the three distinct conservation target groups: rare bees (of conservation concern), dominant wild crop‐pollinating bees and managed crop‐pollinating bees (i.e. honeybees). Considering overall flower visitation, rare bees tended to visit nested subsets of plant species that were also visited by crop pollinators (46% and 77% nestedness in the dissimilarity between rare bees and wild crop pollinators or managed honeybees respectively). However, the set of preferred plant species, henceforth ‘key plant species’ (i.e. those species disproportionately more visited than expected according to their floral abundance) was considerably more distinct and less nested among bee target groups. Flower visits of all bee target groups increased with plant species richness at a similar rate. Importantly, our analyses revealed that an exponential increase in the flower abundance of the identified key plant species and complementarity in the bee visitation pattern across plant species ─ rather than total flower abundance ─ were the major drivers of these relationships. Synthesis and applications. We conclude that the multiple goals of preserving high bee diversity, conserving rare species and sustaining crop pollinators can be reconciled if key plant species of different target groups are simultaneously available. This availability is facilitated by a high floral resource complementarity in the plant community. The list of identified key resource plant species we provide here can help practitioners such as land managers and conservationists to better design and evaluate pollinator conservation and restoration measures according to their goals. Our findings highlight the importance of identifying and promoting such plant species for pollinator conservation in agricultural landscapes.

Dioscorea spp. (A Wild Edible Tuber): A Study on Its Ethnopharmacological Potential and Traditional Use by the Local People of Similipal Biosphere Reserve, India.

A number of wild crops remain unexplored in this world and among them some have excellent medicinal and nutritional properties. India is a harbor of biodiversity in general and phytodiversity in particular. The plant diversity is distributed from the Western Ghats to Eastern Ghats, along with the North-Eastern region and from the Greater Himalayas to the plain of Ganga. Among these distributed floral regions of the country, the Eastern Ghats are important due to their rich floral diversity. The forests of Odisha form a major part of Eastern Ghats in general and the Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR) in particular. The SBR is inhabited by many local communities. The food and medicinal habits of these communities are not fully explored even today. They are dependent on the forests of SBR for their food and medicine. Among their collections from forests, root and tuberous plants play a significant role. The local communities of SBR use about 89 types of tuberous plants for various purposes. Dioscorea is one such tuber, having maximum use among the local of SBR. However, less documentation and no specific reports are available on the food and medicinal values of the species available in this part of the World. Dioscorea species, popularly known as Yam worldwide and as Ban Aalu in Odisha, India, is a prime staple medicinal-food substitute for the majority of rural and local people of the state of India. Of the 13 Dioscorea species available in SBR, 10 species are known to be bitter in taste and unpalatable when taken raw. Since less documentation is available on the Dioscorea species of SBR and their traditional uses, the present study was focused on the ethnobotany, nutritional and pharmacological values of these species along its nutraceutical importance.

Direct <i>in vitro</i> Regeneration of <i>Nicotiana plumbaginifolia</i> L. and the Potential for Genetic Transformation

Wild crop relatives are important source of genetic diversity. Plant tissue culture provides proficienct means of conservation of endangered wild plants sustaining biodiversity, improving plant traits by virtue of induced somaclonal variation and trangensis. The objective of study was to establish direct in vitro regeneration and biolistic transformation protocol for wild tobacco N. plumbaginifolia using uidA gene. For direct in vitro regeneration, six combinations of IAA and kinetin were used. Then, biolistic transformation was carried out using BioRad PDS 1 000 (He) gun and 1 100-psi rupture discs. Transformation was confirmed through histochemical gus assay. A proficient and reproducible in vitro regeneration system was standardized for wild tobacco named as Nicotiana plumbaginifolia . In present study 1 mg/L kinetin in combination with 0.25 mg/L IAA proved best for direct in vitro shoot regeneration from mature leaf-based explants. Success in direct in vitro regeneration circumvented the callogensis step, accelerating the process of in vitro regeneration and increasing the chances of obtaining true to type plants. Individual shoots were placed on MS medium with/without IBA for rooting. Individual shoots were successfully rooted on MS medium without IBA. Then, explants were transformed with uidA gene using gene gun. Transient assay of bombarded calli showed gus activity on histochemical assay even after a week. Analysis of gus expression has been found as a principal method of plant transformation optimizations.

Characteristics of the root system in the diploid genome donors of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Wild crop relatives are of considerable interest in plant breeding and significant efforts have been made to transfer their genetic variation into modern crops. Of the three diploid progenitors of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), only Aegilops tauschii Coss. has been explored and exploited and only for some above ground characteristics. The three wild progenitors (Aegilops speltoides Tausch., Triticum urartu Tumanian ex Gandilyan, and Aegilops tauschii) have never been assayed for root traits. Here we report such a root study, and include Triticum monococcum L. subsp. boeoticum (Boiss.) Hayek and T. turgidum L. subsp. dicoccoides (Koern. ex Asch. et Graebn.) Thell. Fifteen accessions were selected from the above wild species and tested in the presence of one bread wheat cultivar Pavon F76. Significant variation was observed between and within the taxa. Of all accessions tested, cv. Pavon F76 had the smallest root system at maturity while A. speltoides had the largest root system. Moreover, Aegilops spp. had larger mean values for root biomass when compared with Triticum spp. These results suggest there is significant unexplored potential for the use of wheat wild relatives in wheat breeding to improve the root system, or to develop synthetic mapping populations to study root traits.

Wild Carrot Differentiation in Europe and Selection at DcAOX1 Gene?

By definition, the domestication process leads to an overall reduction of crop genetic diversity. This lead to the current search of genomic regions in wild crop relatives (CWR), an important task for modern carrot breeding. Nowadays massive sequencing possibilities can allow for discovery of novel genetic resources in wild populations, but this quest could be aided by the use of a surrogate gene (to first identify and prioritize novel wild populations for increased sequencing effort). Alternative oxidase (AOX) gene family seems to be linked to all kinds of abiotic and biotic stress reactions in various organisms and thus have the potential to be used in the identification of CWR hotspots of environment-adapted diversity. High variability of DcAOX1 was found in populations of wild carrot sampled across a West-European environmental gradient. Even though no direct relation was found with the analyzed climatic conditions or with physical distance, population differentiation exists and results mainly from the polymorphisms associated with DcAOX1 exon 1 and intron 1. The relatively high number of amino acid changes and the identification of several unusually variable positions (through a likelihood ratio test), suggests that DcAOX1 gene might be under positive selection. However, if positive selection is considered, it only acts on some specific populations (i.e. is in the form of adaptive differences in different population locations) given the observed high genetic diversity. We were able to identify two populations with higher levels of differentiation which are promising as hot spots of specific functional diversity.

Diversity and Evolution of Salt Tolerance in the Genus Vigna.

Breeding salt tolerant plants is difficult without utilizing a diversity of wild crop relatives. Since the genus Vigna (family Fabaceae) is comprised of many wild relatives adapted to various environmental conditions, we evaluated the salt tolerance of 69 accessions of this genus, including that of wild and domesticated accessions originating from Asia, Africa, Oceania, and South America. We grew plants under 50 mM and 200 mM NaCl for two weeks and then measured the biomass, relative quantum yield of photosystem II, leaf Na+ concentrations, and leaf K+ concentrations. The accessions were clustered into four groups: the most tolerant, tolerant, moderately susceptible, and susceptible. From the most tolerant group, we selected six accessions, all of which were wild accessions adapted to coastal environments, as promising sources of salt tolerance because of their consistently high relative shoot biomass and relative quantum yield. Interestingly, variations in leaf Na+ concentration were observed between the accessions in the most tolerant group, suggesting different mechanisms were responsible for their salt tolerance. Phylogenetic analysis with nuclear DNA sequences revealed that salt tolerance had evolved independently at least four times in the genus Vigna, within a relatively short period. The findings suggested that simple genetic changes in a few genes might have greatly affected salt tolerances. The elucidation of genetic mechanisms of salt tolerances in the selected accessions may contribute to improving the poor salt tolerance in legume crops.

Changes in total anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity in sweet cherries during frozen storage, and air-oven and infrared drying

Introduction. Sweet cherries are important dietary components, based mainly on their content of antioxidant compounds related to health benefits. Different preservation procedures cause changes in the content of these compounds. Our work aimed at evaluation of changes in the total anthocyanin contents and antioxidant activities in fresh, frozen and dried sweet cherry fruits. Materials and methods. The total anthocyanin content of edible parts of sweet cherries was studied under different postharvest conditions. The total antioxidant activities were studied using total phenolic content and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. Results and discussion. We report higher amounts of phenolics and anthocyanins in wild crops compared with orchard-grown and ‘Black Gold’ cultivars. Phenolics and anthocyanins of wild and cultivated samples degraded differently during frozen storage at −18 °C for six months, with a more pronounced effect on anthocyanins than on phenolics, which retained approximately half of their amounts. Black Gold sweet cherries showed much less degradation than wild crops. We found good retention of anthocyanins in air-oven-dried sweet cherries for up to 8 h at 60 °C compared with infrared-dried cherries, which showed 48% anthocyanin degradation at 60 °C. While anthocyanins drastically degraded at higher temperatures (70−80 °C), the antioxidant activity increased. Conclusion. Fresh and processed sweet cherries may find potential applications as natural colorants, antioxidants and nutraceuticals, related to their content of phenolics/anthocyanins, antioxidant properties and intended use.

Genetic diversity in Oryza glumaepatula wild rice populations in Costa Rica and possible gene flow from O. sativa.

Wild crop relatives are an important source of genetic diversity for crop improvement. Diversity estimates are generally lacking for many wild crop relatives. The objective of the present study was to analyze how genetic diversity is distributed within and among populations of the wild rice species Oryza glumaepatula in Costa Rica. We also evaluated the likelihood of gene flow between wild and commercial rice species because the latter is commonly sympatric with wild rice populations. Introgression may change wild species by incorporating alleles from domesticated species, increasing the risk of losing original variation. Specimens from all known O. glumaepatula populations in Costa Rica were analyzed with 444 AFLP markers to characterize genetic diversity and structure. We also compared genetic diversity estimates between O. glumaepatula specimens and O. sativa commercial rice. Our results showed that O. glumaepatula populations in Costa Rica have moderately high levels of genetic diversity, comparable to those found in South American populations. Despite the restricted distribution of this species in Costa Rica, populations are fairly large, reducing the effects of drift on genetic diversity. We found a dismissible but significant structure (θ = 0.02 ± 0.001) among populations. A Bayesian structure analysis suggested that some individuals share a significant proportion of their genomes with O. sativa. These results suggest that gene flow from cultivated O. sativa populations may have occurred in the recent past. These results expose an important biohazard: recurrent hybridization may reduce the genetic diversity of this wild rice species. Introgression may transfer commercial traits into O. glumaepatula, which in turn could alter genetic diversity and increase the likelihood of local extinction. These results have important implications for in situ conservation strategies of the only wild populations of O. glumaepatula in Costa Rica.

Cultural Stewardship Accountability of Seed Bank Institutions for Indigenous Knowledge

A growing emphasis among seed banks in Australia and globally is the collection of seed and information associated with wild crop relatives of food and fodder crops. This is part of scientific efforts to store and document plant traits that may prove useful to deal with risks to food and bio security in the face of global climate changes. This has implications for indigenous communities because of the risk that indigenous knowledge may be collected and included as ‘data’ rather than as knowledge with significant cultural tethering. This articl provides a theoretical context for institutional seed banks to engage with indigenous people and specify indigenous knowledge stewardship accountability. This should help seed banks to operate with sensitivity to cultural wellbeing and minimise the risks from failure to satisfy accountability for indigenous knowledge stewardship. The article identifies four interrelated dimensions of indigenous knowledge stewardship, and identifies a tentative process for institutions to adapt this to indigenous knowledge stewardship strategy and practice. The process for realising indigenous knowledge stewardship accountability is the subject of further research.

Underground Storage of <em>Tacca involucrate</em> Tubers

<em>Taccainvolucrata</em> tubers are not currently stored but processed in-situ and this has limited the commercial production and processing of this wild crop. The increasing research into the potential qualities of its starch for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries informed this investigation to determine the storability of the tubers in underground pits. Three identical pits were dug and provided with one, two and no vent. Two hundred clean <em>T. involucrate</em> tubers weighing 22 kg were stored in each pit and monitored for six months. The temperature and relative humidity were monitored three times daily at 6 h intervals from 6 am to 6 pm using a digital thermo-hygrometer while weight loss, sprout index and rot incidence were examined monthly. Air temperatures varied from 28.4-32.9°C, 28.2-32.9°C and 28.2-32.5°C in zero-vent, one-vent and two-vent pits respectively as against 30.1- 33.7°C in the surrounding. Weight losses of 12.9, 9.2 and 9.0% were recorded at 4 months while sprout indexes of 7.1, 3.0 and 12.0% were, respectively obtained for zero-vent, one-vent and two-vent pits at 3months of storage. Thereafter, sprout index ˃80% was observed in all the pits. Rot incidences of 4, 3 and 0% for zero-vent, one-vent and two-vent pits respectively were observed after the 6 months storage period. The study revealed a three-month storability of T. involucrata tubers in pits. This is a promising approach, economical and will make T. involucrata available for a longer period after its season for the small scale processors in the locality while awaiting full commercialization.

Diversity of secondary woody species in relation to species richness and cover of dominant trees in thermophilous deciduous forests

ABSTRACTOne of the prominent compositional features of thermophilous deciduous forests of southern Europe is their richness in secondary woody species (AWS). To date, no studies have focused on the diversity and contribution to the ecosystem functions and socio-economic benefits provided by these species. Here, we first characterized species richness and diversity for three main functional groups of AWS, sporadic trees, shrubs and vines, in 53 representative stands of central Italy. Secondly, we explored variations in AWS diversity and composition along a four-level gradient of species richness of dominant trees under comparable site conditions. The 40 AWS taxa recorded showed a remarkable taxonomic singularity at both the genus and the family rank. Dominant tree species richness had no significant effect on AWS species richness and composition, while Shannon diversity of AWS, especially shrubs, was associated with cover of the dominant trees. Each AWS possessed, on average, ca. five ability traits over a total of 13 considered that contributed to important ecosystem functions or expected socio-economic benefits such as wood and food production, conservation of genetic resources (wild crop relatives) and ornamentals. This highlights the key role of AWS, and in particular of sporadic trees, for enhancing multifunctionality of thermophilous deciduous forests.

Were Fertile Crescent crop progenitors higher yielding than other wild species that were never domesticated?

Summary During the origin of agriculture in the Fertile Crescent, the broad spectrum of wild plant species exploited by hunter‐gatherers narrowed dramatically. The mechanisms responsible for this specialization and the associated domestication of plants are intensely debated. We investigated why some species were domesticated rather than others, and which traits they shared.We tested whether the progenitors of cereal and pulse crops, grown individually, produced a higher yield and less chaff than other wild grasses and legumes, thereby maximizing the return per seed planted and minimizing processing time. We compared harvest traits of species originating from the Fertile Crescent, including those for which there is archaeological evidence of deliberate collection.Unexpectedly, wild crop progenitors in both families had neither higher grain yield nor, in grasses, less chaff, although they did have larger seeds. Moreover, small‐seeded grasses actually returned a higher yield relative to the mass of seeds sown. However, cereal progenitors had threefold fewer seeds per plant, representing a major difference in how seeds are packaged on plants.These data suggest that there was no intrinsic yield advantage to adopting large‐seeded progenitor species as crops. Explaining why Neolithic agriculture was founded on these species, therefore, remains an important unresolved challenge.

Occurrence of Foliicolous Parasitic Alga Cephaleuros Virescens on Cultivated Ornamental Plants in Southern India

Abstract The algal leaf spot, caused by Cephaleuros virescens Kunze, has been reported in a wide range of plant species from the tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. Investigations on the presence of algal infection mostly involved wild plants and plantation crops of economic interest. Nevertheless, limited studies have examined cultivated ornamental plants for the presence of C. virescens. During the summer and monsoon seasons of 2011 we examined ten leaves of five plants belonging to 86 ornamental plant taxa in 38 families growing in home gardens in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India for the algal presence. Nine of the 86 plant taxa were found to host the algae C. virescens. Although majority of the investigated species are considered as typical hosts of C. vi-rescens, its infection was found only in nine plant species. Although the incidence of the algal leaf spot disease was in general low, there was significant variation in the frequency of occurrence of the algal lesions and the lesion size among the investigated plant taxa and seasons. On plants of five species (Alpinia purpurata, Ficus benjamina, Ficus elastica “Variegata”, Michelia champaca, Polyalthia longifolia), C. virescens was found during both seasons, while infections on the remaining four species (Aglaonema commutatum, Dieffenbachia maculata, Eucalyptus globulus, Syngonium podophyllum) were observed only during the monsoon. The susceptibility of different plant species in a genus and varieties of a species varied suggesting the host influence on the development of infections in addition to variation attributed to the local environmental conditions.

Genetic diversity and population structure of an important wild berry crop.

The success of plant breeding in the coming years will be associated with access to new sources of variation, which will include landraces and wild relatives of crop species. In order to access the reservoir of favourable alleles within wild germplasm, knowledge about the genetic diversity and the population structure of wild species is needed. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is one of the most important wild crops growing in the forests of Northern European countries, noted for its nutritional properties and its beneficial effects on human health. Assessment of the genetic diversity of wild bilberry germplasm is needed for efforts such as in situ conservation, on-farm management and development of plant breeding programmes. However, to date, only a few local (small-scale) genetic studies of this species have been performed. We therefore conducted a study of genetic variability within 32 individual samples collected from different locations in Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Germany, and analysed genetic diversity among geographic groups. Four selected inter-simple sequence repeat primers allowed the amplification of 127 polymorphic loci which, based on analysis of variance, made it possible to identify 85 % of the genetic diversity within studied bilberry populations, being in agreement with the mixed-mating system of bilberry. Significant correlations were obtained between geographic and genetic distances for the entire set of samples. The analyses also highlighted the presence of a north-south genetic gradient, which is in accordance with recent findings on phenotypic traits of bilberry.

Middle East wild crops essential for world food security

Middle East wild crops essential for world food security