New Breeding Technologies in Grasses.

Plant breeding is continuously evolving to develop new cultivars with the desired traits in the most efficient way [...

Discovering Loci for Breeding Prospective and Phenology in Wheat Mediterranean Landraces by Environmental and eigenGWAS.

Knowledge of the genetic basis of traits controlling phenology, differentiation patterns, and environmental adaptation is essential to develop new cultivars under climate change conditions. Landrace collections are an appropriate platform to study the hidden variation caused by crop breeding. The use of genome-wide association analysis for phenology, climatic data and differentiation among Mediterranean landraces led to the identification of 651 marker-trait associations that could be grouped in 46 QTL hotspots.

Genome-Wide Association Analysis of Senescence-Related Traits in Maize.

Senescence is a programmed process that involves the destruction of the photosynthesis apparatus and the relocation of nutrients to the grain. Identifying senescence-associated genes is essential to adapting varieties for the duration of the cultivation cycle. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using 400 inbred maize lines with 156,164 SNPs to study the genetic architecture of senescence-related traits and their relationship with agronomic traits.

A consensus map for quality traits in durum wheat based on genome-wide association studies and detection of ortho-meta QTL across cereal species.

The present work focused on the identification of durum wheat QTL hotspots from a collection of genome-wide association studies, for quality traits, such as grain protein content and composition, yellow color, fiber, grain microelement content (iron, magnesium, potassium, selenium, sulfur, calcium, cadmium), kernel vitreousness, semolina, and dough quality test. For the first time a total of 10 GWAS studies, comprising 395 marker-trait associations (MTA) on 57 quality traits, with more than 1,500 genotypes from 9 association panels, were used to investigate consensus QTL hotspots representative of a wide durum wheat genetic variation. MTA were found distributed on all the A and B genomes chromosomes with minimum number of MTA observed on chromosome 5B (15) and a maximum of 45 on chromosome 7A, with an average of 28 MTA per chromosome.

Evaluation of two short overlapping rbcL markers for diatom metabarcoding of environmental samples: Effects on biomonitoring assessment and species resolution.

Two short diatom rbcL barcodes, 331 bp and 263 bp in length, have frequently been used in diatom metabarcoding studies. They overlap in a common 263-bp region but differ in the presence or absence of a 68-bp tail at the 5' end. Though the effectiveness of both has been demonstrated in separate biomonitoring and diversity studies, the impact of the 68-bp non-shared region has not been evaluated.

Phylotranscriptomics reveals the reticulate evolutionary history of a widespread diatom species complex.

In contrast to surveys based on a few genes that often provide limited taxonomic resolution, transcriptomes provide a wealth of genomic loci that can resolve relationships among taxonomically challenging lineages. Diatoms are a diverse group of aquatic microalgae that includes important bioindicator species and many such lineages. One example is Nitzschia palea, a widespread species complex with several morphologically defined taxonomic varieties, some of which are critical pollution indicators.

Assessment of a novel microalgae-cork based technology for removing antibiotics, pesticides and nitrates from groundwater.

Groundwater pollution has increased in recent years due to the intensification of agricultural and livestock activities. This results in a significant reduction in available freshwater resources. Here, we have studied the long term assessment of a green technology (1-4 L/day) based on a photobioreactor (PBR) containing immobilised microalgae-bacteria in polyurethane foam (PF) followed by a cork filter (CF) for removing nitrates, pesticides (atrazine and bromacil), and antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole and sulfacetamide) from groundwater.

DNA metabarcoding reveals differences in distribution patterns and ecological preferences among genetic variants within some key freshwater diatom species.

Our study evaluates differences in the distribution and ecology of genetic variants within several ecologically important diatom species that are also key for Water Framework Directive monitoring of European rivers: Fistulifera saprophila (FSAP), Achnanthidium minutissimum (ADMI), Nitzschia inconspicua (NINC) and Nitzschia soratensis (NSTS). We used DADA2 to infer amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) of a short rbcL barcode in 531 environmental samples from biomonitoring campaigns in Catalonia and France. ASVs within each species showed different distribution patterns.

Meta-QTL analysis and identification of candidate genes for quality, abiotic and biotic stress in durum wheat.

The genetic improvement of durum wheat and enhancement of plant performance often depend on the identification of stable quantitative trait loci (QTL) and closely linked molecular markers. This is essential for better understanding the genetic basis of important agronomic traits and identifying an effective method for improving selection efficiency in breeding programmes. Meta-QTL analysis is a useful approach for dissecting the genetic basis of complex traits, providing broader allelic coverage and higher mapping resolution for the identification of putative molecular markers to be used in marker-assisted selection.

Comparison of Genomic Prediction Methods for Yellow, Stem, and Leaf Rust Resistance in Wheat Landraces from Afghanistan.

Wheat rust diseases, including yellow rust (Yr; also known as stripe rust) caused by Westend. f. sp.

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure Analysis of L. Landrace Panel from Afghanistan.

Landraces are a potential source of genetic diversity and provide useful genetic resources to cope with the current and future challenges in crop breeding. Afghanistan is located close to the centre of origin of hexaploid wheat. Therefore, understanding the population structure and genetic diversity of Afghan wheat landraces is of enormous importance in breeding programmes for the development of high-yielding cultivars as well as broadening the genetic base of bread wheat.

From Genetic Maps to QTL Cloning: An Overview for Durum Wheat.

Durum wheat is one of the most important cultivated cereal crops, providing nutrients to humans and domestic animals. Durum breeding programs prioritize the improvement of its main agronomic traits; however, the majority of these traits involve complex characteristics with a quantitative inheritance (quantitative trait loci, QTL). This can be solved with the use of genetic maps, new molecular markers, phenotyping data of segregating populations, and increased accessibility to sequences from next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies.

The Effect of Photoperiod Genes and Flowering Time on Yield and Yield Stability in Durum Wheat.

This study analysed the effect of flowering time as influenced by photoperiod sensitivity genes on yield and yield stability in durum wheat. Twenty-three spring genotypes harbouring different allele combinations at and were grown in 15 field experiments at three sites at latitudes from 41° to 19° N (Spain, Mexico-North and Mexico-South). Low temperature and solar radiation before flowering and long day length during grain-filling characteristic for the Spanish site resulted in high grain number/m (GN) and yield (GY), while a moderate GN combined with high solar radiation during grain-filling at Mexico-North led to heavier grains.

Evaluation and sensitivity analysis of diatom DNA metabarcoding for WFD bioassessment of Mediterranean rivers.

Our study of 164 diatom samples from Catalonia (NE Spain) is the first to evaluate the applicability of DNA metabarcoding, based on high throughput sequencing (HTS) using a 312-bp rbcL marker, for biomonitoring Mediterranean rivers. For this, we compared the values of a biotic index (IPS) and the ecological status classes derived from them, between light microscope-based (LM) and HTS methods. Very good correspondence between methods gives encouraging results concerning the applicability of DNA metabarcoding for Catalan rivers for the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD).

Discovering consensus genomic regions in wheat for root-related traits by QTL meta-analysis.

Root system architecture is crucial for wheat adaptation to drought stress, but phenotyping for root traits in breeding programmes is difficult and time-consuming owing to the belowground characteristics of the system. Identifying quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and linked molecular markers and using marker-assisted selection is an efficient way to increase selection efficiency and boost genetic gains in breeding programmes. Hundreds of QTLs have been identified for different root traits in the last few years.

Inter-comparison of thermal measurements using ground-based sensors, UAV thermal cameras, and eddy covariance radiometers.

With the increasing availability of thermal proximity sensors, UAV-borne cameras, and eddy covariance radiometers there may be an assumption that information produced by these sensors is interchangeable or compatible. This assumption is often held for estimation of agricultural parameters such as canopy and soil temperature, energy balance components, and evapotranspiration. Nevertheless, environmental conditions, calibration, and ground settings may affect the relationship between measurements from each of these thermal sensors.

Dissecting the old Mediterranean durum wheat genetic architecture for phenology, biomass and yield formation by association mapping and QTL meta-analysis.

Association mapping was used to identify genome regions affecting yield formation, crop phenology and crop biomass in a collection of 172 durum wheat landraces representative of the genetic diversity of ancient local durum varieties from the Mediterranean Basin. The collection was genotyped with 1,149 DArT markers and phenotyped in Spanish northern and southern locations during three years. A total of 245 significant marker trait associations (MTAs) (P<0.

Functional and transcriptional characterization of a barley mutant with impaired photosynthesis.

Chemical mutagenesis induces variations that may assist in the identification of targets for adaptation to growth under atmospheric CO2 enrichment. The aim of this work was to characterize the limitations causing reduced photosynthetic capacity in G132 mutagenized barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv.

Dissecting the Genetic Architecture of Leaf Rust Resistance in Wheat by QTL Meta-Analysis.

Leaf rust is an important disease that causes significant yield losses in wheat. Many studies have reported the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling leaf rust resistance; therefore, QTL meta-analysis has become a useful tool for identifying consensus QTL and refining QTL positions among them. In this study, QTL meta-analysis was conducted using reported results on the number, position, and effects of QTL for leaf rust resistance in bread and durum wheat.

Yield QTLome distribution correlates with gene density in maize.

The genetic control of yield and related traits in maize has been addressed by many quantitative trait locus (QTL) studies, which have produced a wealth of QTL information, also known as QTLome. In this study, we assembled a yield QTLome database and carried out QTL meta-analysis based on 44 published studies, representing 32 independent mapping populations and 49 parental lines. A total of 808 unique QTLs were condensed to 84 meta-QTLs and were projected on the 10 maize chromosomes.

Photosynthesis-dependent/independent control of stomatal responses to CO2 in mutant barley with surplus electron transport capacity and reduced SLAH3 anion channel transcript.

The mechanisms of stomatal sensitivity to CO2 are yet to be fully understood. The role of photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic factors in stomatal responses to CO2 was investigated in wild-type barley (Hordeum vulgare var. Graphic) and in a mutant (G132) with decreased photochemical and Rubisco capacities.

Variability in glutenin subunit composition of Mediterranean durum wheat germplasm and its relationship with gluten strength.

The allelic composition at five glutenin loci was assessed by one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (1D SDS-PAGE) on a set of 155 landraces (from 21 Mediterranean countries) and 18 representative modern varieties. Gluten strength was determined by SDS-sedimentation on samples grown under rainfed conditions during 3 years in north-eastern Spain. One hundred and fourteen alleles/banding patterns were identified (25 at and 89 at / loci); 0·85 of them were in landraces at very low frequency and 0·72 were unreported.

Genetic improvement of bread wheat yield and associated traits in Spain during the 20th century.

A collection of 26 wheat genotypes widely grown in Spain during the 20th century was evaluated in eight contrasting environments in order to quantify breeding achievements in yield and associated traits. From 1930 to 2000, yield increased at a rate of 35·1 kg/ha/yr or 0·88%/yr, but estimations of relative genetic gain (RGG) were environment-dependent. RGG estimated for yield were positively associated with the average minimum daily temperatures from sowing to heading in the testing environments (R(2) = 0·81; P < 0·01).