Search Results (10,049)

In a warm winter due to climate warming, it is necessary to suppress early flowering of autumn-sown wheat plants. Here, we propose the use of cytoplasmic genome effects for this purpose. Alloplasmic lines, or cytoplasmic substitution lines, of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) have cytoplasm from a related wild Aegilops species through recurrent backcrossing and exhibit altered characteristics compared with the euplasmic lines from which they are derived. Thus, alloplasmic lines with Aegilops mutica cytoplasm show delayed flowering compared with lines carrying normal cytoplasm. In the wheat flowering pathway, VERNALIZATION 1 (VRN1) encodes an APETALA1/FRUITFULL-like MADS box transcription factor that plays a central role in the activation of florigen genes, which induce floral meristems in the shoot apex. Here, we compared expression of VRN1 alleles in alloplasmic and euplasmic lines after vernalization. We found that alloplasmic wheat showed a lower level of VRN1 expression after vernalization compared with euplasmic wheat. Thus, nuclear-cytoplasm interactions affect the expression levels of the nuclear VRN1 gene; these interactions might occur through the pathway termed retrograde signaling. In warm winters, autumn-sown wheat cultivars with spring habit can pass through the reproductive growth phase in very early spring, resulting in a decreased tiller/ear number and reduced yield performance. Here, we present data showing that an alloplasmic line of ‘Fukusayaka’ can avoid the decrease in tiller/ear numbers during warm winters, suggesting that this alloplasmic line may be useful for development of varieties adapted to global warming. Full article

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a new, promising non-conventional useful crop; however, its susceptibility to downy mildew, caused by Peronospora variabilis, is a key obstacle limiting its productivity in Egypt. Identifying and utilizing resistant quinoa cultivars appear to be reliable and cost-efficient strategies for controlling downy mildew, particularly in resource-limited farmers’ fields. This study aimed to evaluate the differential resistance of the Peruvian “Hualhuas” and Bolivian “Real” quinoa cultivars to P. variabilis infection under laboratory conditions to provide precise insight into their basic defense mechanism(s). Inoculated “Hualhuas” plants displayed complete resistance against P. variabilis, with no visible symptoms (incompatible reaction), while those of “Real” plants revealed high susceptibility (compatible reaction), with typical downy mildew lesions on their leaf surfaces. Disease incidence reached about 66% in the inoculated “Real” plants, with most inoculated leaves having lesions of grades 4 and 5 covering up to 90% of their leaf surfaces. Susceptibility indices reached up to 66% in the inoculated “Real” plants. Resistance to P. variabilis observed in the “Hualhuas” plants may have been largely attributed to elevated endogenous H₂O₂ levels, increased peroxidase (POX) activity and abundance, enhanced phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity and expression, as well as the upregulation of the pathogen-related protein 10 gene (PR-10). The results of this study indicate that the quinoa cultivar “Hualhuas” not only is a promising candidate for sustainable control of quinoa downy mildew but also, through a deep understanding of its molecular resistance mechanisms, would provide a possible route to enhance downy mildew resistance in other genotypes. Full article

The main aim of our research was to develop a methodology of chlorophyll content in the leaves of apple trees non-invasive assessment in apple orchards and its adaptation to Early Gold and Golden Reinders based on spectral characteristics of chlorophyll content in the canopy. In each measurement period, 30 samples were collected from each of the two apple cultivars studied. For spectral data collection of leaf samples, an AvaSpec 2048 spectrometer was used in the wavelength range 400–1000 nm in three replicates. Principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation was used to identify the wavelength with the highest factor weight to identify the chlorophyll-sensitive wavelength. The models were calibrated with 2/3 of the values in the database and validated with the remaining 1/3. The simple linear regression method generated the model for estimating chlorophyll. The coefficient of determination (R²) was used to compare the strength of the regression models, and the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Normalized Root Mean Square Error (NRMSE), Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Mean Bias Error (MBE) functions were used to measure the accuracy of the estimator models. These metrics help to quickly assess how reliable and accurate a model’s predictions are. Nine indices were obtained based on the precision values, and CHL_apple1 performed best (R² = 0.633, RMSE = 298.28 µg/g, NRMSE = 9.61%, NSE = 0.60 MBE = 84.59, and MAE = 243.39). Full article

In this research, we investigated the physiological modifications, flavonoid metabolism, and antioxidant systems of two buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) cultivars, Pintian and Suqiao, during germination. The results demonstrated an initial increase followed by a subsequent decline in the flavonoid content of the buckwheat sprouts throughout germination. On the third day of germination, the highest flavonoid concentrations were observed, with the Pintian and Suqiao varieties reaching 996.75 and 833.98 μg/g fresh weight, respectively. Both the activity and relative gene expression level of the flavonoid metabolizing enzyme showed a significant rise in 3-day-old buckwheat sprouts, which was strongly correlated with the flavonoid content. The correlation analysis revealed that the buckwheat sprouts accumulated flavonoids by enhancing the activities and gene expression levels of flavonoid synthases. The antioxidant capacity and the activities and gene expression profiles of the antioxidant enzymes in both buckwheat cultivars notably increased after three days of germination. The correlation analysis indicated a significant positive link between antioxidant capacity and the activity and gene expression levels of the antioxidant enzymes, flavonoid content, and total phenol content. This research demonstrated that germination treatment can significantly boost the accumulation of flavonoids and total phenols, thereby enhancing the antioxidant properties of buckwheat sprouts, despite variations among different buckwheat varieties. Full article

Tartary buckwheat is characterized by its numerous inflorescences; however, the uneven distribution of resources can lead to an overload in certain areas, significantly limiting plant productivity. Plant growth regulators effectively modulate plant growth and development. This study investigated the effects of three concentrations of brassinosteroids (EBR) on the Tartary buckwheat cultivar with high seed-setting rates, specifically Chuanqiao No. 1 (CQ1), and low seed-setting rates, namely Xiqiao No. 1 (XQ1), through field experiments. The goal was to investigate how EBR regulates buckwheat grain-filling, enhancing the seed-setting rates, and to understand the physiological mechanisms behind this improvement. The results indicated that EBR treatment followed the typical “S” type growth curve of crops, resulting in an increase in the Tartary buckwheat grain-filling rate. Varieties with high seed-setting rates demonstrated a greater capacity for grain-filling. EBR was observed to regulate hormone content, enhance the photosynthetic capacity of Tartary buckwheat, and increase yield. This was accomplished by enhancing the accumulation of photosynthetic products during the grain-filling period. Specifically, EBR elevated the activity of several key enzymes, including pre-leaf sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), seed sucrose synthase (SS), late grain-filling acid invertase (AI), grain-filling leaf SPS, and grain SS. These changes led to an increased accumulation of sucrose and starch from photosynthetic products. In summary, the G2 concentration of EBR (0.1 mg/L) demonstrated the most significant impact on the seed-setting rates and yield enhancement of Tartary buckwheat. Full article

Lycium barbarum is a plant of considerable economic importance in China. However, root rot poses a significant threat to its yield and quality, leading to substantial economic losses. The disparities in rhizosphere soil fungal communities between healthy and root-rot-affected L. barbarum have not been thoroughly explored. Delving into the dynamics between these fungal communities and the onset of root rot may provide pivotal insights for the biological control of this disease in L. barbarum, as well as aid in identifying fungi associated with the condition. In this study, we utilized rhizosphere soil samples from Ningqi No. 1, a distinguished cultivar of L. barbarum, as our experimental material. We assessed the composition and diversity of fungal communities in both diseased (D) and healthy (H) samples using Illumina MiSeq sequencing technology. The study’s findings revealed that the mean concentrations of total nitrogen (TN) and soil organic matter (SOM) were significantly higher in the healthy specimens when contrasted with the diseased ones, while the pH levels were notably increased in the latter group. Additionally, the alpha-diversity of fungal communities was observed to be greater within the healthy samples as opposed to the diseased samples. Marked distinctions in fungal diversity were discerned between the healthy (H) and diseased (D) samples. Ascomycota was identified as the predominant fungal phylum in both groups. In the healthy samples, beneficial fungi such as Plectosphaerella and Mortierella were prevalent, in contrast to the diseased samples, the relative abundances of Embellisia and Alternaria demonstrated remarkable increases of 89.59% and 87.41%, respectively. Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) illustrated clear distinctions in the composition of fungal communities between the healthy and diseased samples. Redundancy Analysis (RDA) indicated total nitrogen (TN), organic matter (SOM), total phosphorus (TP), Available Potassium (AK), pH, and Total Potassium (TK). Notably, pH showed a stronger correlation with the diseased samples, while TN and SOM were more significantly associated with the healthy samples. Full article

Background/Objectives: The classification and phylogenetic relationships of Gossypium hirsutum L. landraces, despite their proximity to southern Mexico, remain unresolved. This study aimed to clarify these relationships using SSR markers and hybridization methods, focusing on subspecies and race differentiation within G. hirsutum L. Methods: Seventy polymorphic SSR markers (out of 177 tested) were used to analyze 141 alleles and calculate genetic distances among accessions. Phylogenetic relationships were determined using MEGA software (version 11.0.13) and visualized in a phylogenetic tree. ANOVA in NCSS 12 was used for statistical analysis. Over 1000 inter-race crosses were conducted to assess boll-setting rates. Results: Distinct phylogenetic patterns were identified between G. hirsutum subspecies and races, correlating with boll-setting rates. Latifolium, richmondii, and morilli showed no significant increase in boll-setting rates in reciprocal crosses. Cultivars Omad and Bakht, as paternal parents, yielded higher boll-setting rates. Religiosum and yucatanense displayed high boll- and seed-setting rates as maternal parents but low rates as paternal parents. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship between cultivars ‘Omad’ and ‘Bakht’ with G. hirsutum race richmondii, indicating their close evolutionary relationship. Conclusions: Reciprocal differentiation characteristics of G. hirsutum subspecies and races, particularly religiosum and yucatanense, should be considered during hybridization for genetic and breeding studies. Understanding the phylogenetic relationships among G. hirsutum taxa is crucial for exploring the genetic diversity of this economically important species. Full article

Unevenly distributed rainfall leads to reduced potato water productivity (WP) under rainfed production conditions. Understanding the practices that can increase WP is vital. Our objectives were to understand (i) the seasonal variables that influence WP under rainfed conditions and (ii) the effect of the integration of cultivar x locality x mulch on potato WP. The study was undertaken in smallholder settings in two agroecological zones: Appelsbosch (Mbalenhle locality) and Swayimane (Stezi and Mbhava locality). A split plot, in a randomized complete block design experiment, included mulching (mulch and no mulch), four selected cultivars, and s three localities. Soil water content (SWC), yield, and climatic data were collected, and actual crop evapotranspiration (ETa) and WP were calculated. Rainfall, ETa, and crop growth and development had a significant influence on the seasonal WP. Cultivar × mulch × locality had an insignificant effect on the WP, however, locality × cultivar significantly altered the WP. The localities that had lower vapor pressure deficit (VPD), high relative humidity, and sandy soil had a higher potato WP for all cultivars, with the highest (18.38 kg m⁻³) being that from Electra. The findings suggest that using localities that have less atmospheric dryness and a cultivar (Electra) that shows stability of yield across the seasons can be an easy-to-apply practice for increasing potato WP in a resource-limited environment. Full article

Apple (Malus domestica) is self-incompatible and typically requires cross-pollination for seed and fruit development. Parthenocarpy (fruit development without fertilization) and self-compatibility (fruit set without external pollen) are highly desirable traits in apple breeding, as they ensure consistent fruit production and quality without cross-pollination. However, apple parthenocarpic and self-compatible accessions have not been available for practical breeding. To identify these accessions, we analysed 436 accessions of Malus domestica and 84 accessions of wild Malus species by assessing fruit production. Flowers were bagged before opening to prevent cross-pollination. If fruit developed from the bagged flowers, it indicated the presence of self-compatibility or parthenocarpy, depending on whether the fruit contained seeds. We observed and scored a range of phenotypic expressions among accessions, from weak to strong in both parthenocarpy and potential self-compatibility. Strong parthenocarpy was observed in 5.95% of wild Malus species accessions and 3.44% of M. domestica accessions. Similarly, strong self-compatibility was exhibited in 5.95% of wild Malus species accessions and 2.75% of M. domestica accessions. Although bagged flowers showed lower fruit set rates than open-pollinated (OP) flowers, fruit size, weight, firmness, and soluble sugar and starch content showed no significant differences between fruits produced from bagged and OP flowers. Furthermore, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted with a high-throughput SNP array. This analysis identified several genes potentially associated with these traits. This research provides parthenocarpic and self-compatible apple accessions for breeding, which can generate novel cultivars that eliminate the need for cross-pollination or produce seedless fruit without pollination. Full article

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important cultivated vegetables in the world. However, in some countries such as Mexico the lack of cultivars adapted to different environmental production conditions is a limitation. Moreover, recent studies have indicated that breeding aimed at increasing yield has led to a loss of genetic diversity. Therefore, it is necessary to explore and characterize new sources of germplasms. This study aimed to characterize new sources of germplasm and identify the most transcendental traits for distinguishing tomato types and lines that are useful for the genetic improvement of the species. Sixty characters were evaluated in 16 advanced lines of native tomatoes from Central and Southern Mexico during the fall–winter cycles 2023–2024 at the Bajío Experimental Station, Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico, based on the guidelines of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) and the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and post hoc tests, canonical discriminant analysis, and the Eigenanalysis selection index method (ESIM). Morphological variation showed that five qualitative traits were determinant factors in distinguishing tomato types and lines, whereas agronomic discriminant traits were the equatorial and polar diameters of the fruit and its ratio, number of locules, pedicel length, stem length, and internode distance. In addition, significant positive correlations were found between leaf length and width, equatorial diameter of the fruit, and polar diameter of the fruit. Lines JCM-17, JMC-10, and JCM-01 were the most selectable lines according to the ESIM values. The morphological variation found and the characteristics with higher selection values identified may be valuable for optimizing the tomato genetic improvement process in general. Full article

Food insecurity is a top economic and national security concern in many countries, and scientists worldwide are working to increase crop productivity in order to address this issue. In line with this information, the present study aimed to test the possibility of improving the yield and fruit quality of two tomato cultivars, namely ‘Vspyshka’ and ‘Lyana’. The effect of LSL (light of sodium lamps—control) and the short additional 4 h treatment of nighttime LED lighting (LSL+night LED) with an increase in the proportion of red, blue, and far-red spectra on tomato fruit yield as well as its physiological, biochemical, and consumer attributes were compared in this study. The results suggested that LSL+night LED significantly increased soluble solids concentration, vitamin C content, and polyphenolic compounds of tomato fruits, taking into account the varietal characteristics. Moreover, a moderate to high relationship was also observed between the polyphenolic complex, vitamin C content, and antioxidant activity. It was concluded that the LSL+night LED could further enhance the relationship between polyphenols and antioxidants, as well as soluble solids concentration. LSL+night LED treatment also provided an increased accumulation of five essential amino acids associated with the taste characteristics of fruits, namely histidine, valine, threonine, licin, and the sum of isoleucine. In addition, the contents of lysine and methionine increased in the ‘Lyana’ cultivar. LSL+night LED treatment was also noted to have a less pronounced effect on the contents of aspartic acid and asparagine, as bio stimulators of plant growth processes, as well as the amino acids arginine, serine, glycine, and tyrosine, which were additionally consumed to restore photosynthesis. LSL+night LED treatment reduced the concentration of nitrates in fruits, which is a toxic element for human health. Overall, the results of the study are believed to be demanded in practical applications, with potential benefits in improving the elements of resource-saving technology for growing vegetable crops. Full article

Nitrogen (N) is a key nutrient which affects plant development and quality formation for tea plants. Notable genetic variation in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) has been reported among different genotypes of Camellia sinensis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these differences have not been illuminated. In this study, a ¹⁵N tracing method was used to compare nitrogen use efficiency among six genotypes. The results show that there were significant differences in the NUEs among these genotypes. Among them, TC12 had the highest NUE, while LJCY had the lowest NUE. Transcriptome analysis between these two cultivars showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in photosynthesis—antenna proteins and zeatin biosynthesis in mature leaves and new shoots, respectively. TC12 had higher expression levels of AMT1.2, NRT2.4, and NRT3.2 in the roots, AAP6 and AAP7 in the stems and shoots, and LHC in the mature leaves than LJCY. The expression of ZOG1 and CKX, which are involved in zeatin biosynthesis, was down-regulated in the shoots of TC12 compared with LJCY. These findings will contribute to insights into the molecular mechanism of nitrogen utilization and the identified candidate genes provide a genetic resource for improving N use efficiency in tea plants. Full article

Maize yield is affected by meteorological conditions and cultivation management. Sowing date adjustment is one of the most commonly used cultivation management methods for achieving a high maize yield in the tropical area of Southwest China. This study conducted field experiments involving five maize cultivars with different sowing dates in Yunnan Province from 2012 to 2015. The parameters of the CERES model in the decision support systems for agrotechnology transfer (DSSAT) were calibrated, and its adaptability was validated. The model was applied to simulate and analyze the maize growing period and yield with different sowing dates over 12 years (2012–2023) in the tropical area of Southwest China. The results show that the DSSAT-Maize model demonstrates good adaptability in the southwestern region of China. The model predictions for maize flowering, maturity, and yield were compared with the measured values, yielding R² values of 0.62, 0.64, and 0.92, d-index values of 0.86, 0.87, and 0.97, and normalized root-mean-square errors (nRMSEs) of 4.53%, 2.92%, and 6.37%, respectively. The verified model was used to assess the effects of different sowing dates on the maize growing period and yield. Sowing between 15 May and 29 May resulted in relatively higher yields with lower coefficients of variation. The whole growing season was shortened by 1.13 days, and the yield was decreased by 3% every 7 days ahead of the sowing date before early May. A delayed planting date after June had a positive effect on maize yields, with an average yield increase of 4% per 7 days of delay. The maize yield was significantly positively correlated with rainfall during the vegetative period and solar radiation during the reproductive period; meanwhile, it was significantly negatively correlated with solar radiation and the maximum temperature during the vegetative period and rainfall during the reproductive period. This study concluded that the sowing date significantly influenced maize’s growth period and yield in the tropical area of Southwest China. Delaying sowing after 15 May can help achieve higher yields, mainly because early sowing leads to insufficient rainfall in the vegetative period, while delayed sowing ensures adequate rainfall and higher total solar radiation. Full article

Cucurbit downy mildew, caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis, is a devastating disease in cucumbers that leads to significant yield losses in many cucurbit-growing regions worldwide. Developing resistant cucumber varieties is a sustainable approach to managing this disease, especially given the limitations of chemical control and the evolving nature of pathogens. This article reviews the genetic basis of downy mildew resistance in cucumbers, emphasizing key resistance (R) genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that have been mapped. Recent advances in molecular breeding tools, including marker-assisted selection (MAS), genomic selection (GS), and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, have accelerated the development of resistant cultivars. This review also explores the role of transcriptomics, genomics, and other ‘omics’ technologies in unraveling the molecular mechanisms behind resistance and offers insights into the future of breeding strategies aimed at long-term disease management. Management strategies for cucurbit downy mildew are discussed, along with the potential impacts of climate change on the occurrence and severity of downy mildew, highlighting how changing environmental conditions may influence disease dynamics. Integrating these advanced genetic approaches with traditional breeding promises to accelerate the development of downy mildew-resistant cucumber varieties, contributing to the sustainability and resilience of cucumber production. Full article

The emergence of new technologies focusing on “computer vision” has contributed significantly to the assessment of fruit quality. In this study, an innovative approach based on image analysis was used to assess the external quality of fresh and frozen ‘Mejhoul’ and ‘Boufeggous’ date palm cultivars stored for 6 months at −10 °C and −18 °C. Their quality was evaluated, in a non-destructive manner, based on texture features extracted from images acquired using a digital camera and flatbed scanner. The whole process of image processing was carried out using MATLAB R2024a and Q-MAZDA 23.10 software. Then, extracted features were used as inputs for pre-established algorithms–groups within WEKA 3.9 software to classify frozen date fruit samples after 0, 2, 4, and 6 months of storage. Among 599 features, only 5 to 36 attributes were selected as powerful predictors to build desired classification models based on the “Functions-Logistic” classifier. The general architecture exhibited clear differences in classification accuracy depending mainly on the frozen storage period and imaging device. Accordingly, confusion matrices showed high classification accuracy (CA), which could reach 0.84 at M0 for both cultivars at the two frozen storage temperatures. This CA indicated a remarkable decrease at M2 and M4 before re-increasing by M6, confirming slight changes in external quality before the end of storage. Moreover, the developed models on the basis of flatbed scanner use allowed us to obtain a high correctness rate that could attain 97.7% in comparison to the digital camera, which did not exceed 85.5%. In perspectives, physicochemical attributes can be added to developed models to establish correlation with image features and predict the behavior of date fruit under storage. Full article