Crop Science

In common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), variation at the Vrn1 and Ppd1 loci changes plant phenology, resulting in differential adaptation useful to breeders. Because the effects of phenology on grain yield are conditional on environmental factors, the incorporation of markers for Vrn1 and Ppd1 alleles into breeding approaches has proven difficult. Historic phenotypic, genotypic, and environmental data can provide insight into the relationship between major phenology alleles and grain yield as mediated by environmental variables. Analyses of eight years of breeding trials (1,038 lines at 219 site-years) determined that weak vrn1 alleles and Ppd1 insensitivity alleles have variable effects. These effects change depending on an environment's winter temperature and latitude, respectively, but the environmentally-driven changes in effect of vrn1 alleles are much more variable than effects of Ppd1 alleles. Mediation analyses showed phenologically-dependent environmental variables are one mechanism through which phenological changes created by vrn1 and Ppd1 variants alter yield across multiple developmental stages. Environmentally-driven relationships between flowering time and yield were modeled to estimate yield allele effects as a function of effects on phenology and environmental variables. Weak winter alleles at vrn1 may play a stabilizing role on yield, due to the correlation of winter conditions that drive larger effects with later-season warm temperatures that penalize later maturity. A better mechanistic understanding of how these loci drive environment-specific yield effects may facilitate utilization of markers for these alleles and improve predictive modeling of yield.

Long breeding cycles constrain genetic gain in Scots pine, while mature progeny trials can provide reference populations for genomic selection. We combined phenotypic records from two German trials established in 1990 with dense SNP data. We complemented these data with an offspring-level parentage audit, duplicate filtering, and simulations of breeding strategies. Of 1,986 phenotype-matched genotyped trees, 1,668 formed the parentage-green set and 1,651 remained after exclusion of 17 near-duplicate samples. The final population comprised 1,521 supported controlled-cross offspring and 130 mother-known, father-unknown offspring from 87 progeny labels. Across 14 trait-by-age measurements, GBLUP gave the clearest improvements for diameter and volume from age 20 onwards, whereas height was more mixed. At age 35, ABLUP versus GBLUP heritability was 0.155 versus 0.235 for diameter, 0.265 versus 0.263 for height, and 0.172 versus 0.236 for volume. Leave-progeny-out predictive ability increased from 0.205 to 0.238, 0.249 to 0.265, and 0.203 to 0.239, respectively. SNPscan_breeder simulations compared phenotypic selection, progeny testing, cross-generation genomic selection, and genomic selection with phenotypic thinning under five diversity variants. Progeny testing produced the greatest cumulative gain, but its 45-year cycle reduced annual response. Under the base assumptions, genomic selection with phenotypic thinning gave the highest annual gains for height and fungal resistance, whereas pure genomic selection gave the highest annual diameter gain. Genomic strategies accumulated more kinship than conventional strategies, although a {lambda} = 0.10 kinship penalty improved founder retention with little loss of gain; no mitigation option simultaneously maximised gain, prediction accuracy, and diversity. These results support genomic shortlisting within a field-tested programme with explicit reference-population updating and diversity management.

Soybean, a widely cultivated leguminous crop valued for its protein, amino acids, and oil, faces the challenge of maintaining protein levels, which have an inverse correlation with yield. Reducing leaf chlorophyll levels could increase seed protein levels without compromising yield; however, this is yet to be tested. Therefore, to understand the impacts of low chlorophyll mutations on soybean yield and seed composition, we screened and compared 25 low chlorophyll soybean mutants to their 11 dark green parents. PI548210 (Lincoln mutant) demonstrates a higher concentration of protein without affecting yield compared to its dark green parent PI548362 (Lincoln), suggesting it as a good candidate for further large-scale field trials. PI547555 (Y11/y11, Clark mutant) demonstrates a lower concentration of oil without impacting yield, alongside lower gross photosynthesis, but with chlorophyll levels in the pod and seed tissues that are comparable to its dark green parent PI548533 (Clark). These findings are consistent with the oil concentration of the soybean being influenced by pod and seed photosynthesis, which is correlated with pod height and row spacing. Chlorophyll levels in the leaf do not necessarily correlate with those in the pod and seed of low chlorophyll mutants, possibly due to substantially lower expression of chlorophyll synthesis genes in the pod and seed. SIGNIFICANCEO_LIPI548210 (Lincoln mutant), one of twenty-five low chlorophyll soybean mutants, demonstrates a higher concentration of soybean protein without affecting yield compared to its dark green parent (Figure 1 and Table 1). C_LIO_LIPI547555 (Y11/y11, Clark mutant), a low chlorophyll soybean mutant, demonstrates a reduced concentration of soybean oil without impacting yield, alongside lower gross photosynthesis in pod and seed tissues compared to its dark green parent (Figures 3 and Table 2). These findings suggest that the oil concentration of the soybean is influenced by pod and seed photosynthesis, which is in turn influenced by pod height and row spacing (Figure 2). C_LIO_LIChlorophyll levels in the leaf do not necessarily correlate with those in the pod and seed of low chlorophyll mutants, possibly due to substantially lower expression of chlorophyll synthesis genes in the pod and seed (Figure 5-6). C_LI O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=84 SRC="FIGDIR/small/744892v1_fig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (55K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@4282dcorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@9d565forg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1918292org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1359b1_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG O_FLOATNOFigure 1.C_FLOATNO Two low chlorophyll mutants are as healthy as their dark green parents. Lincoln and its low chlorophyll mutant, left; Clark and its low chlorophyll mutant, known as Y11/y11, right. It can be seen by eye that the plants have low chlorophyll (light green/yellow leaves) but a similar growth habit to their dark green parents. See Supplemental Figures 1-4 for contrast, where low chlorophyll mutants are stunted in growth compared to their dark green parents. C_FIG O_TBL View this table: org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@657ec9org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@166e75borg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@df23c7org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a60124org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@194ed96_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_TBL O_FLOATNOTable 1.C_FLOATNO O_TABLECAPTIONComparison of seed yield, weight, seed composition between low chlorophyll mutants and their dark green parents. ANOVA is used with linear mixed model (random effect = block, fixed effect = variety). Least squares mean is used to compare. For yield and seed composition, N=4 blocks. For leaf chlorophyll (SPAD), N=40. Yield is average yield per plant (g). n.s. = not significant. C_TABLECAPTION C_TBL O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=179 HEIGHT=200 SRC="FIGDIR/small/744892v1_fig3.gif" ALT="Figure 3"> View larger version (26K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@7a368aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@192b8f0org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1abb738org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@89e978_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG O_FLOATNOFigure 3.C_FLOATNO Light response curve of low chlorophyll mutant (Y11/y11, PI547555) and its parent (Clark, PI548533). Rates of net and gross photosynthesis of low chlorophyll (white) and dark green parents (black) pods under field conditions. Each dot represents a value (n=4) {+/-}SE. We assumed that the seeds greatly inhibited the transmittance of light through the pod and used photosynthetic photon flux density for a single-side. C_FIG O_TBL View this table: org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@3f0528org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@16ba712org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@a5ab2aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@889254org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@3efa4f_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_TBL O_FLOATNOTable 2.C_FLOATNO O_TABLECAPTIONPod photosynthetic parameters for low chlorophyll mutant (Y11/y11, PI547555) and its parent (Clark, PI548533). Photosynthesis was measured 1 September through 15 September 2021 at the University of Illinois Energy Farm in Urbana, IL, USA. The statistical analysis was done using ANOVA with linear mixed model (alpha=0.05). N=4 {+/-} SEM for Clark and N=3 {+/-} SEM for Y11. C_TABLECAPTION C_TBL O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=130 SRC="FIGDIR/small/744892v1_fig2.gif" ALT="Figure 2"> View larger version (23K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@a36c26org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1116c8forg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@ee5e61org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1766712_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG O_FLOATNOFigure 2.C_FLOATNO Low chlorophyll mutant (Y11/y11, PI547555) and its parent (Clark, PI548533) differ in concentration of seed oil, which interacts with height of pod and row spacing. The box plots show the median (central line), the lower and upper quartiles (box) and the minimum and maximum values (whiskers). The statistical analysis was done using ANOVA with linear mixed model (n=3 blocks, alpha=0.05). Least squares mean is used to compare. N.s., non- significant in the analysis. A. Concentration of oil in low chlorophyll mutant seeds from the upper canopy decreased by 4% compared to the dark green parent (18.2% vs 19%) while there was no difference between them in the seeds from the lower canopy (20.2% vs 20.6%). B. Schematic layout of 2013 field setting showing two different row spacings. C. Concentration of oil in low chlorophyll mutant decreased by 2% in 38cm spacing (21.4% vs 22%) while there was no difference in 19cm spacing (21.3% vs 21.7%) in 2013 field. C_FIG O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=162 SRC="FIGDIR/small/744892v1_fig5.gif" ALT="Figure 5"> View larger version (22K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@68e508org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@94a6ccorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@152a187org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1eae137_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG O_FLOATNOFigure 5C_FLOATNO (greenhouse). Correlation between the level of leaf chlorophyll (x-axis: SPAD reading) and the level of immature pod or seed chlorophyll (y-axis, mg/g DW). Line represents the linear regression model. R-squared is a coefficient of determination, the percentage of the response variable variation that is explained by the linear model. Pod is labeled by the fresh weight of seeds it contained. A. Level of chlorophyll of 25-100mg pod (n=18). B. Level of chlorophyll of 100-200mg pod (n=17) . C. Level of chlorophyll of 25-100mg seed (n=17). D. Level of chlorophyll of 100-200mg seed (n=20). C_FIG O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=180 SRC="FIGDIR/small/744892v1_fig6.gif" ALT="Figure 6"> View larger version (28K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@167fd88org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@361472org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@786325org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1b53855_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG O_FLOATNOFigure 6.C_FLOATNO Levels of gene expression in chlorophyll synthesis pathway. A. CHL common pathway genes; Glutamyl-tRNA reductase (GluTR). Glutamate 1- semialdehyde aminotransferase (GSA-AT). ALA dehydratase (ALAD). Uroporphyrinogen III synthase (UROS). Uroporphyrinogen III decarboxylase (UROD). Protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase (PPO). B. Mg branch; Mg-chelatase (Mgch). Magnesium-protoporphyrin IX monomethyl ester cyclase (MPEC). Protochlorophyllide reductase (POR). 3,8-divinyl protochlorophyllide a 8-vinyl-reductase (4VCR). Heme pathway; Ferrochelatase (FECH). Heme oxygenase (HO). Phytochromobilin synthase (HY). Data come from Severin et al (2010). RPKM, reads per kilobase per million mapped reads. DAF, days after flowering. The source seed is experimental line A81-356022 which was generated by introgressing G. soja (PI468916) into G. max (A81-356022). C_FIG

Understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of breeding materials is essential for developing stress-resilient cultivars. In tropical maize, where drought and low soil nitrogen (low N) severely limit productivity, continuous development of tolerant varieties remains a priority. This study assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of 250 doubled haploid lines (DHLs) derived from five drought- and low N-tolerant tropical populations. Genotyping was performed using mid-density DArTseq markers, yielding 3,305 high-quality SNPs for analysis. Results revealed a moderate level of diversity among the DHLs, with an average genetic distance of 0.39, a polymorphism information content (PIC) of 0.33, and a minor allele frequency (MAF) of 0.29. These values reflect substantial allelic variation, important for identifying complementary parental combinations in hybrid development. Discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) grouped the DHLs into five distinct clusters, largely corresponding to their source populations, although some admixture was observed. This indicates that while the genetic backgrounds of the source populations were mostly retained, recombination introduced useful variation. Overall, the clear population structure and high diversity observed among these DHLs provide a strong genetic foundation for future maize improvement. These lines represent valuable resources for heterotic group formation, hybrid development, and recurrent selection schemes aimed at enhancing drought and low nitrogen tolerance in tropical maize.

Knowledge of the influence of particle size, blending, and processing temperature on flour functionality is critical for the utilisation of emerging grains. This study investigated the flour pasting behaviour of four Australian native grains - Button Grass, Curly Mitchell Grass, Native Millet, and Weeping Grass - in relation to particle size, wheat flour substitution at various levels (0-30%), and elevated RVA temperatures (95-140 degrees Celcius). The pasting properties of flour fractions (fine, medium, and wholegrain) were analysed using a Rapid Visco Analyser, and water absorption capacity was also determined. Particle size effects were species-specific. Native Millet and wheat had higher viscosity in the finer fractions, whereas Weeping Grass exhibited maximum viscosity in the medium fraction. Button Grass and Curly Mitchell Grass showed limited sensitivity to particle size, indicating a stronger influence of intrinsic structure. Increasing substitution with native flours generally reduced viscosity, except for Weeping Grass, which was less affected and maintained stable viscosity. High-temperature rapid visco analysis revealed distinct thermal responses: most grains showed reduced final viscosity at elevated temperatures, whereas Weeping Grass maintained relatively high final viscosity across most temperatures. These findings demonstrate the diverse functional behaviour of Australian native grains and provide insights into their potential application in gluten-free and composite flour systems.

BackgroundCymbidium tortisepalum var. longibracteatum is a Class II nationally protected endangered plant in China with significant economic value. AimThis study aimed to establish an efficient in vitro flowering system and identify key hormonal factors regulating flower bud differentiation. MethodsOrthogonal experiments and hormone treatments were performed to evaluate the effects of TDZ, 6-BA, NAA, IBA, PP333, ABA, and GA3 on flower bud induction in tissue-cultured plantlets. ResultsTDZ was identified as the key initiator of flower bud differentiation, as no flower buds were induced in TDZ-free treatments. The optimal hormone combination was 1.0 mg{middle dot}L-1 6-BA + 0.4 mg{middle dot}L-1 TDZ + 0.8 mg{middle dot}L-1 NAA + 1.6 mg{middle dot}L-1 IBA, achieving a flower bud induction rate of 23.33% and a normal flower bud rate of 20.00%. PP333 inhibited flower bud differentiation but reduced malformation; at 0.2 mg{middle dot}L-1 PP333, the normal flower bud rate reached 20.00%. GA3 pretreatment resulted in a flower bud induction rate of 12.04%, whereas ABA pretreatment showed no significant promoting effect on flower bud induction. ConclusionsThis study provides an efficient in vitro flowering system and key hormonal parameters for shortening the breeding cycle and elucidating orchid flowering mechanisms.

Intercropping dominates smallholder cassava production in sub-Saharan Africa, yet cassava breeding programs evaluate genotypes exclusively under monoculture. Despite consistently reported system-level yield advantages, cassava yield is reduced by 17 to 51% under intercropping, indicating a need to reduce this competitive disadvantage through breeding. However, the quantitative-genetic foundations of intercrop breeding remain uncharacterized for tropical root crop systems. We hypothesized that monoculture selection would capture most, but not all, genetic merit for intercropping and that a limited tester set would be sufficient if general mixing ability predominated. We evaluated 120 cassava clones previously selected under monoculture in IITA advanced yield trials, testing them under monoculture and in intercrop with two contrasting cowpea varieties across two years at Ibadan, Nigeria. Spatial mixed models quantified genetic variation, genotype by cropping system interaction, cross system genetic relationships, realized selection gain, mixing ability, tester effects, and land equivalent ratio. Intercropping reduced cassava fresh root yield by 19%, but total land equivalent ratios exceeded 1.0 for all clones, confirming a system-level land use advantage. Cassava performance under intercropping was heritable, with estimates of 0.50 to 0.75, and genotype by cropping system interaction was not significant. Genetic correlations between monoculture and intercrop performance were high and approached unity (rg = 0.92 to 0.99), and selection efficiency was 26 to 44% at 10% intensity, confirming that high genetic correlation does not guarantee effective indirect selection. Monoculture selection captured approximately two-thirds of direct intercrop gain. General mixing ability dominated, specific mixing ability was negligible, and producer effects explained 20 to 47% of intercrop variance. The two architecturally and phenologically contrasting cowpea varieties had limited influence on cassava rankings. Here, we show for the first time that cassava breeding for intercropping can retain monoculture selection during early stages while adding two representative cowpea testers at the advanced trial stage. This staged strategy aligns cassava breeding with diversified smallholder systems without creating a separate pipeline.

Peanut smut, caused by Thecaphora frezzii, is an important constraint to peanut production in Argentina, but quantitative estimates of yield losses across environments remain limited. We quantified the relationship between disease incidence and kernel yield using 922 observations from 26 field studies conducted in Cordoba, Argentina, between 2021 and 2025. Study-specific incidence-yield relationships were analyzed using linear regression, random-effects meta-analysis, and linear mixed-effects models. Peanut smut incidence was consistently associated with yield reduction across studies. The estimated damage coefficient ranged from 24.2 to 28.7 kg ha-{superscript 1} per 1% increase in disease incidence, corresponding to a relative yield reduction of 0.74-0.87% of attainable yield. In contrast, attainable yield varied markedly among studies, ranging from 1,370 to 5,409 kg ha-{superscript 1}. Although an exploratory segmented analysis suggested a breakpoint near 12% incidence, subsequent moderator analyses, study- specific regressions, and normalized response curves provided no evidence of a biologically meaningful change in the damage coefficient across incidence or yield classes. These results indicate that differences among environments were primarily associated with attainable yield rather than with changes in the magnitude of disease-associated yield loss. The resulting damage function provides a quantitative basis for yield-loss assessment and disease management in peanut.

Context. Barley production requires advanced knowledge of its response to changing environmental conditions in order to keep it competitive and sustainable. Aim. Advance in the understanding of barley phenology and foliar development under South American field conditions. Methods. 8 spring barley genotypes with differential phenology were studied in four field experiments under different temperature (through years and sowing dates) and photoperiod (through sowing dates) conditions. Time to anthesis, emergence to onset of stem elongation, stem elongation to anthesis, photoperiod response (PR) in these three traits, number of final leaves at anthesis (FLN) and phyllochron were measured. Key Results. Time to anthesis and its subphases were shorter in late plantings but under similar photoperiod, temperature increased them. Cultivars have differential responses but with magnitude interactions and not crossover ones. Cultivar effects defined PR with no interaction with year (temperature). Temperature and photoperiod affected FLN, phyllochron and their relationship with time to anthesis. Under the shorter photoperiod, FLN and phyllochron were negatively correlated, FLN was higher in the warmer year and positively correlated with time to anthesis while phyllochron was not affected by temperature and had no correlation with time to anthesis. Under longer photoperiod, phyllochron was higher in the warmer year and time to anthesis was positively correlated with both FLN and phyllochron. Conclusions. Cultivar basal thermal requirements and PR were consistent under the different studied conditions. Changes in temperature and photoperiod affected the relationship between time to anthesis, FLN and phyllochron suggesting that, although the three traits are arithmetically related, environmental conditions affect their balance.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) yield in Algeria still falls short of domestic demand, and low-cost agronomic tools such as plant growth regulators are one of the few levers producers can adjust without heavy investment. We tested the separate and combined effects of foliar-applied indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and kinetin (0, 10, and 20 mg/L) on two chickpea varieties, FLIP 84-92 and ILC 32-79, grown side by side in the field at the ITGC station of El Khroub and in pots at the Institute of Natural Sciences of Oum El Bouaghi during the 2024/2025 season. Nine hormone treatments were applied to each variety at each site, with three replicates apiece. No single treatment came out on top across the board. A20+K20 gave the largest pot leaf area at both sampling dates (5.67 and 7.20 cm2) and the highest field dry matter weight (95.21 g), yet A10+K10 produced the largest field leaf area after the first spray (16.47 cm2) and the highest pot dry matter weight (6.12 g). Kinetin alone at 20 mg/L (K20) gave the most field pods (21.28) and the most field leaves after the first spray (115.41), while A10+K20 gave the heaviest pot grains (100-grain weight of 21.16 g). Field and pot means are not directly comparable given how different the two growing environments and sampling routines were. Between varieties, FLIP 84-92 germinated better (86% vs. 83%) and produced heavier grains, while ILC 32-79 grew taller stems. Because the manuscript we worked from supplied only treatment means, with no replicate-level data or variance estimates, we report these as descriptive numerical differences rather than statistically tested effects. Read that way, the pattern that emerges is that IAA and kinetin responses are trait- and environment-specific rather than uniformly additive, and a properly replicated factorial analysis will be needed before any interaction or synergy between the two hormones can be claimed.

Micronutrient deficiencies remain a major public-health challenge, and genetic improvement of grain iron and zinc concentrations in wheat offers a sustainable biofortification strategy. We evaluated 563 CIMMYT advanced wheat lines and six checks under restricted irrigation (two irrigations) and well-watered conditions (five irrigations) at Ciudad Obregon, Mexico. Grain iron and zinc concentrations were quantified by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Best linear unbiased estimates were calculated, and genome-wide association analyses were conducted using 8,687 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphisms and a multi-locus mixed model that accounted for population structure. Five marker-trait associations were detected in at least two datasets. For grain zinc concentration, S3B_811421507 was detected under both irrigation regimes and in the combined analysis, whereas S3B_814372642 was detected under well-watered conditions and in the combined analysis. For grain iron concentration, S2B_73321328 and S4B_20679079 were associated with variation under restricted irrigation and in the combined analysis, while S2B_72162723 was detected under well-watered conditions and in the combined analysis. Individual loci explained 0.34% to 3.36% of phenotypic variance, consistent with the quantitative inheritance of grain micronutrient concentration. The identified alleles provide candidate targets for validation and marker-assisted biofortification breeding, while their environment-dependent effects emphasize the need to evaluate micronutrient traits across contrasting moisture conditions.

Myoglobin, an oxygen-binding animal protein, was engineered in Pisum sativum (pea) to explore its potential as a food ingredient and balance the amino acid profile. In this study, minimal expression cassettes and binary vectors were used to express bovine myoglobin using particle gun and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, respectively. Successful integration and expression of the myoglobin gene was achieved in P. sativum, with both methods yielding similar transformation efficiencies (~1%). Expression analysis of T2 seeds revealed that Agrobacterium-mediated transformation-derived transgenic lines that expressed myoglobin under the regulation of a Soybean 7S seed-specific promoter and Tobacco Etch Virus (TEV) translation enhancer and a chimeric Rb7MAR Terminator (Ps-BpRG13 events) consistently yielded the highest level of expression (0.32-1.57% of TSP), while transgenic lines with myoglobin expression under the regulation of a Soybean Phaseolin promoter and Rb7MAR Terminator (Ps-BpRG14 events) resulted in moderate levels of heterologous protein expression (0.13-0.83% TSP). Transgenic events with constitutive 2xCaMV35S promoter, TEV translation enhancer and Rb7MAR terminator (Ps-BpRG15 events) exhibited the lowest level of myoglobin expression (0.09-0.14% TSP). Co-bombardment of two minimal expression cassettes - one with myoglobin under the regulation of the Phaseolin promoter and Rb7MAR Terminator and the other with the nptII selectable marker under the regulation of a 2X constitutive CaMV35S promoter, TEV translational enhancer and TNOS Terminator, yielded lines that exhibited variable expression (0.03-0.77% TSP), with some events comparable in expression to Agrobacterium-derived Ps-pRG14 events. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of producing a heme-containing animal protein, myoglobin, in peas, with potential implications for sustainable production of food ingredients and nutritionally fortified and value-added plant products using molecular farming.

An increasing number of researchers, educators, and at-home growers are turning to hydroponics as an alternative method of food production, diversifying and strengthening the food supply chain. This has led to a substantial increase in the amount of academic work involving hydroponic production of plants for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to a more controlled and customizable environment than conventional production methods, utilizing hydroponics as a method of wastewater treatment, and investigating the vertical production of plants on a much smaller footprint than traditional commercial-scale production. Because so many unique stakeholders are interested in hydroponics for a variety of reasons, academic studies use a wide variety of hydroponic systems with varying levels of technology and automation, making comparisons across studies and systems challenging. A few institutions have sophisticated plant growth and research facilities, like those used by commercial companies, but these systems are often prohibitively expensive, costing upwards of $10,000 USD for a very limited amount of growing space for experimental trials. To enable more researchers, educators, and citizen scientists to conduct experiments and easily compare their results, this study details three pilot-scale hydroponic production systems (Kratky, NFT, and DWC), utilizing entirely off-the-shelf components, for under $5,000 USD each, that are capable of maintaining the desired consistent temperature and relative humidity levels, and have space for 216, 108 (6 irrigation loops), and 64 (16 irrigation bins) plants, respectively. The material lists and prices are provided along with assembly instructions and general guidelines for each hydroponic system. The testing and optimization process of environmental conditions within each growth system is also detailed, with suggested customizations for potential experimental setups. The authors developed these systems during their Masters and Doctoral degree programs, enabling improved hydroponic research at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. They hope that other aspiring hydroponic researchers can benefit from this work in the development and operation of their hydroponic systems, increasing research efficiency and collaboration opportunities in this field of study.

Perennial grains represent a promising frontier for sustainable agriculture, but breeding progress is constrained by the accessibility of genotyping and the difficulty of evaluating complex traits expressed for multiple years after establishment across heterogeneous environments. Phenomic selection may help address these challenges by using inexpensive, scalable, high-dimensional phenotypes collected early in development, although the robustness of such predictions across breeding cycles remains uncertain. Here, we compared genomic selection and phenomic selection across two breeding cycles of Thinopyrum intermedium (intermediate wheatgrass; IWG; Kernza(R)), comprising approximately 2,280 individuals from maternal half-sib families evaluated across multiple field sites and years. We constructed relationship matrices from genomic markers and early-life stage phenomic data, including seed and leaf color (HSV), CropReporter multispectral reflectance and indices, and cycle-specific hyperspectral reflectance sensors. Genomic models provided the strongest predictions on average across all field traits in both cycles. Among phenomic predictors, leaf HSV was consistently the most informative, whereas CropReporter and hyperspectral data showed lower and more trait-dependent performance and seed HSV provided little predictive value. Genomic, leaf HSV, and CropReporter models transferred across breeding cycles with little apparent loss of predictive ability relative to within-cycle validation, demonstrating that their predictive signals were not restricted to a single breeding cycle. Early-life stage leaf HSV emerged as a practical, accessible tool for germplasm thinning and early-stage prioritization in perennial breeding programs. Despite limited similarity among relationship matrices, multi-relationship-matrix models rarely improved prediction beyond the stronger constituent single-relationship-matrix model. Together, these results show that early-life stage phenomic data provide reproducible information about agronomic performance expressed years later, but that predictor complexity and data integration do not guarantee improved prediction.

Tillering plasticity is a key adaptive trait in sorghum influencing resource use efficiency via a plants ability to adjust branching to neighbour density. Neighbour detection through red:far-red (R:FR) light sensing regulates this plasticity. While molecular pathways regulating tiller outgrowth are partly known, the genetic architecture underlying density-responsive tillering has not been resolved in any grass species. A sorghum diversity panel (n = 895) was evaluated over two growing seasons (2023 and 2024) with plant spacing ranging from 5 to 60 cm. A linear mixed model incorporating neighbour distance and tiller counts estimated genotype-specific response. GWAS was conducted on isolated plants (no neighbours within 60 cm) and on estimated responsiveness to neighbours. GWAS identified 52 baseline tillering QTLs and 50 for spacing responsiveness, with 10 overlapping, suggesting shared genetic control. Comparison with 41 R:FR pathway candidate genes revealed enrichment in responsiveness QTLs (5/50, 10%) versus baseline (0/52, 0%) (Fishers exact test, P = 0.025). Our model identified 40 unique density-responsive tillering QTL regions. Reducing genotype response to neighbour absence could be a selection target to develop water-efficient sorghum varieties where controlled architecture may be more valuable than natural plasticity.

Clonal seed orchards (CSOs) provide improved plant material from forest tree breeding. Mating dynamics of CSOs is therefore interesting, since dysfunctions like selfing, pollen contamination and differences in clonal contributions of gametes may hamper the genetic gain. Skewed paternal contribution can be caused by clonal variation in amount of flowering/pollen production, and clonal differences in flowering phenology. Including trees from different populations in CSOs entails a particular risk that the parents are split into non-overlapping phenological classes with limited gene exchange, so the seed crop will consist of different gene pools. The study objective was to study the influence of flowering amount and flowering phenology on the mating patterns in an Abies nordmanniana CSO combining classic ocular observations of strobili with paternity analysis using DNA markers. Furthermore, we tested whether the two different gene pools from which the trees originated, had limited gene exchange. Phenology observations over three years showed that female strobili in A. nordmanniana often are receptive before the male strobili release pollen (5-7 days). However, despite clonal variation in first pollen release there is a ''great dusting day'', where all clones are contributing pollen. Based on DNA-markers, pollination success among 93 clones varied from 0 to over 5%. Clone variation in male strobili amount explained 29% of the variation in pollination success, while early pollen shedding could explain 13%. Our results support the hypothesis of early pollen shedding having an advantage in pollination success and late pollen shedding a disadvantage. No substantial mating barriers between trees from the two gene pools which are included in the CSO could be observed.

Maize (Zea mays) is a staple food for millions in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), contributing to both caloric intake and essential micronutrients. Recent breeding efforts have focused on enhancing its nutritional value by increasing provitamin A (PVA) carotenoid content to address vitamin A deficiency (VAD), a common problem among children under 5 years, pregnant and lactating mothers across SSA. However, high rainfall, and both warm and humid conditions in various SSA regions result in devastating foliar diseases such as maize streak virus (MSV), northern corn leaf blight (NCLB), southern corn leaf blight (SCLB), southern corn rust, grey leaf spot (GLS), and Curvularia leaf spot (CLS). Breeding for resistance can aid in mitigating yield losses caused by those diseases. Rapid, efficient screening methods can allow for examining large germplasm collections. The current study evaluated 21 maize inbred lines with contrasting PVA content, along with two commercial inbred controls, for resistance to Exserohilum turcicum, Bipolaris maydis, and Curvularia lunata, causal agents of NCLB, SCLB, and CLS, respectively, using a detached leaf assay (DLA) and under natural field infestation. Significant variation was detected among the inbreds, seven were classified as resistant to certain diseases, ten as moderately resistant, and six as susceptible to all foliar diseases. Overall, high PVA inbred lines had less susceptibility to NCLB, SCLB, and CLS. The results suggest that PVA-enriched maize inbred lines possess improved resistance to multiple foliar diseases. The field assessments of disease severity validated the effectiveness of the DLA in distinguishing resistant from susceptible inbred lines, and resistance to other diseases in field conditions was detected in parallel. The results indicate that high PVA maize has the potential to simultaneously address VAD, mycotoxin contamination in SSA with improved resistance to multiple foliar diseases.

Yield improvement is a main issue in the oil palm industry. Several ways to achieve this goal are possible, like, for instance, improving fruit set. Here we explore a planting strategy to increase two major factors influencing pollination; i.e. (1) the number of individuals of its main pollinator, Elaeidobius kamerunicus Faust, and (2) pollen availability, by mixing oil palm planting material, usually highly feminine, with a new oil palm material, the "super-male" (SM) planting material, with a high ratio of male inflorescences. We design and study a field trial comprising extremely feminine planting material mixed with different SM densities. Using Mark-Release-Recapture experiments we estimate the average dispersal of the pollinators over three different periods of the year, from 2017 till 2022. Second, using phenological data recorded over the same period, we studied the impact of the SM planting density on the population size of the pollinators. Finally, we assess the impact over time of different SM planting densities on the fruit set, the fruit-to-bunch, and the number of trapped wild pollinators. The combination of SM material with a highly feminine planting material provides very promising results in terms of fruit set, linked with increased pollinator population and pollen availability, demonstrating its potential for application in oil palm plantations.

Genetic diversity analyses are essential for sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) breeding programs. Crossbreeding, based on genetic distances between parental plants, is a tool used to increase genetic variability and enhance plant selection; however, quantifying variation in highly polyploid species remains a challenge. The present study aimed to evaluate the diversity within and between 12 families of sugarcane derived from caryopses, analyzing 120 individual seedlings arranged in an augmented block design. Genotyping was performed using primers for 16 microsatellite loci, five simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci, and 11 expressed sequence tag-SSR (EST-SSR) loci. To accurately account for polyploidy, similarity calculations were performed using Bruvos distances among individuals and RST distances among the families. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that most of the genetic variability was within families (72%), with only 28% found between them. This high level of intra-family variation demonstrates that a significant reservoir of genetic diversity remains available within the crosses. The highest genetic similarity was observed between the families RB986952 x RB986960 and RB036122 x RB03611, whereas the lowest genetic similarity was observed between the families RB97319 x RB966928 and RB106802 x RB855036. Although the evaluated families shared high genetic similarity, the pronounced genetic variation within them demonstrates a robust recombination potential, indicating that the genetic basis of sugarcane can be better explored using the high variability that already exists in the selection of desirable morpho-agronomic characteristics within the families. Furthermore, this study highlights the importance of using appropriate distances for diversity studies with codominant markers, such as microsatellites, in polyploid species.

Background and Aims: Pollen germination and tube growth are critical stages of plant reproduction that are highly sensitive to temperature but remain labor-intensive to quantify. This study aimed to develop a deep learning-based approach for pollen phenotyping and to characterize the temperature dependence of pollen germination and elongation in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Methods: A convolutional neural network (CNN) was trained to segment pollen grains and classify germination status from microscopic images. Germination percentage and pollen length were quantified across a range of incubation temperatures from 5 to 40{degrees}C. Gamma functions were fitted to temperature response curves to estimate the optimal temperatures for pollen germination and elongation among Douglas-fir populations collected across an elevational gradient. Key Results: The CNN achieved high segmentation accuracy (intersection over union = 0.846), accurately distinguishing pollen grains from the background but showing moderate accuracy in separating germinated from ungerminated pollen during early elongation. Both pollen germination and elongation exhibited bell-shaped temperature response curves with distinct thermal optima. Pollen elongation consistently reached its optimum at higher temperatures than pollen germination. Estimated optimal temperatures fell within a narrow range, approximately 19 to 23{degrees}C. No significant relationship was detected between elevation and thermal optima, although some higher-elevation populations exhibited lower optimal temperatures. Comparisons with previous analyses of three western North American conifers showed that each species occupied a distinct reproductive thermal niche corresponding to the spring temperatures of its native habitat. Conclusions: Deep learning provides an efficient approach for high-throughput quantification of pollen germination and elongation from microscopic images. The narrow thermal range for reproductive performance suggests that Douglas-fir pollen is sensitive to temperature variation and that warming climates may alter reproductive success. These findings improve our understanding of the thermal sensitivity of conifer reproduction and provide a scalable framework for assessing impacts of climate warming on forest regeneration.