Metabolic imaging in living plants: A promising field for chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a versatile technique in the biomedical field, but its application to the study of plant metabolism in vivo remains challenging because of magnetic susceptibility problems. In this study, we report the establishment of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) for plant MRI. This method enables noninvasive access to the metabolism of sugars and amino acids in complex sink organs (seeds, fruits, taproots, and tubers) of major crops (maize, barley, pea, potato, sugar beet, and sugarcane).

Phenotypic screening of seed retention and histological analysis of the abscission zone in Festuca pratensis and Lolium perenne.

Background: Seed retention is the basic prerequisite for seed harvest. However, only little breeding progress has been achieved for this trait in the major forage grasses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of plant genetic resources of the important fodder grasses Festuca pratensis Huds.

Phenotypic variation of root-system architecture under high P and low P conditions in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.).

Background: Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient required for plant metabolism and growth. Its acquisition by plants depends on the availability of dissolved P in the rhizosphere and on the characteristics of P uptake mechanisms such as root-system architecture (RSA). Compared to other crops, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.

Canonical correlations reveal adaptive loci and phenotypic responses to climate in perennial ryegrass.

Germplasm from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) natural populations is useful for breeding because of its adaptation to a wide range of climates. Climate-adaptive genes can be detected from associations between genotype, phenotype and climate but an integrated framework for the analysis of these three sources of information is lacking.

High-Throughput Genome-Wide Genotyping To Optimize the Use of Natural Genetic Resources in the Grassland Species Perennial Ryegrass ( L.).

The natural genetic diversity of agricultural species is an essential genetic resource for breeding programs aiming to improve their ecosystem and production services. A large natural ecotype diversity is usually available for most grassland species. This could be used to recombine natural climatic adaptations and agronomic value to create improved populations of grassland species adapted to future regional climates.

Evaluation of Wild Potato Germplasm for Tuber Starch Content and Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency.

Potato wild relatives provide a considerable source of variation for important traits in cultivated potato ( L.) breeding. This study evaluates the variation of tuber starch content and nitrogen utilization efficiency (NutE) in wild potato germplasm.

Genotype-Specific Differences in Phosphorus Efficiency of Potato ( L.).

Potato is considered to have a low phosphorus (P) efficiency compared to other crops. Therefore, P fertilization requirements are high. New cultivars with improved P efficiency may contribute to save limited mineral P sources and to reduce eutrophication of surface water bodies.

DArT, SNP, and SSR analyses of genetic diversity in Lolium perenne L. using bulk sampling.

Background: Lolium perenne L. is the most important forage grass species in temperate regions. It is also considered as a sustainable source of biomass for energy production.

Metabolite profiling of red and blue potatoes revealed cultivar and tissue specific patterns for anthocyanins and other polyphenols.

Metabolite profiling of tuber flesh and peel for selected colored potato varieties revealed cultivar and tissue specific profiles of anthocyanins and other polyphenols with variations in composition and concentration. Starchy tubers of Solanum tuberosum are a staple crop and food in many countries. Among cultivated potato varieties a huge biodiversity exists, including an increasing number of red and purple colored cultivars.

Development and application of SINE-based markers for genotyping of potato varieties.

Potato variety discrimination based on morphological traits is laborious and influenced by the environment, while currently applied molecular markers are either expensive or time-consuming in development or application. SINEs, short interspersed nuclear elements, are retrotransposons with a high copy number in plant genomes representing a potential source for new markers. We developed a marker system for potato genotyping, designated inter-SINE amplified polymorphism (ISAP).

Chemical characterization of interspecific hybrids between Allium cepa L. and Allium kermesinum Rchb.

Interspecific hybridization between wild and cultivated species of the genus Allium has been performed to generate plant material possessing biochemical properties of both parental plants. These cross-breeding experiments should lead to Allium plants with higher amounts of valuable constituents. The chemical characterization of interspecific hybrids between A.