First Report of Tar Spot on Corn Caused by Phyllachora maydis in the Great Plains.

Tar spot caused by the fungus Phyllachora maydis Maubl. is a significant foliar disease of corn (Zea mays L.).

Characterization of Rsg3, a novel greenbug resistance gene from the Chinese barley landrace PI 565676.

Greenbug (Schizaphis graminum Rondani) is a pest that poses a serious threat to cereal production worldwide. Yield losses caused by greenbug are predicted to increase because of global warming. To date, only a few barley (Hordeum vulgare L.

Agronomic and economic implications of cover crop and phosphorus fertilizer management practices for water quality improvement.

Phosphorus (P) fertilization practices and winter cover crops are promoted to protect water quality yet can potentially influence crop yield and profitability. This study examined the impacts of three P fertilizer management practices (no P, fall broadcast P, and spring injected P) and winter annual cover crop use on yields, net returns, and water quality in a no-till corn-soybean rotation. Treatments were replicated in a 4-yr field study where sediment, total P, and dissolved reactive P (DRP) losses in edge-of-field surface runoff were continuously monitored.

Genome-wide association analysis identified consistent QTL for seed yield in a soybean diversity panel tested across multiple environments.

Improving seed yield is one of the main targets of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] breeding.

Sparse kernel models provide optimization of training set design for genomic prediction in multiyear wheat breeding data.

The success of genomic selection (GS) in breeding schemes relies on its ability to provide accurate predictions of unobserved lines at early stages. Multigeneration data provides opportunities to increase the training data size and thus, the likelihood of extracting useful information from ancestors to improve prediction accuracy. The genomic best linear unbiased predictions (GBLUPs) are performed by borrowing information through kinship relationships between individuals.

Stable sorghum grain quality QTL were identified using SC35 × RTx430 mapping population.

Understanding the genetic control and inheritance of grain quality traits is instrumental in facilitating end-use quality improvement. This study was conducted to identify and map quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling protein, starch, and amylose content in grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] grown under variable environmental conditions.

P-FLUX: A phosphorus budget dataset spanning diverse agricultural production systems in the United States and Canada.

Quantifying spatial and temporal fluxes of phosphorus (P) within and among agricultural production systems is critical for sustaining agricultural production while minimizing environmental impacts. To better understand P fluxes in agricultural landscapes, P-FLUX, a detailed and harmonized dataset of P inputs, outputs, and budgets, as well as estimated uncertainties for each P flux and budget, was developed. Data were collected from 24 research sites and 61 production systems through the Long-term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network and partner organizations spanning 22 U.

High-LD SNP markers exhibiting pleiotropic effects on salt tolerance at germination and seedlings stages in spring wheat.

Salt tolerance at germination and seedling growth stages was investigated. GWAS revealed nine genomic regions with pleiotropic effects on salt tolerance. Salt tolerant genotypes were identified for future breeding program.

Accelerating wheat breeding for end-use quality through association mapping and multivariate genomic prediction.

In hard-winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeding, the evaluation of end-use quality is expensive and time-consuming, being relegated to the final stages of the breeding program after selection for many traits including disease resistance, agronomic performance, and grain yield. In this study, our objectives were to identify genetic variants underlying baking quality traits through genome-wide association study (GWAS) and develop improved genomic selection (GS) models for the quality traits in hard-winter wheat.

Quantitative and population genomics suggest a broad role of stay-green loci in the drought adaptation of sorghum.

Drought is a major constraint on plant productivity globally. Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] landraces have evolved in drought-prone regions, but the genetics of their adaptation is poorly understood.

Global Wheat Head Detection 2021: An Improved Dataset for Benchmarking Wheat Head Detection Methods.

The Global Wheat Head Detection (GWHD) dataset was created in 2020 and has assembled 193,634 labelled wheat heads from 4700 RGB images acquired from various acquisition platforms and 7 countries/institutions. With an associated competition hosted in Kaggle, GWHD_2020 has successfully attracted attention from both the computer vision and agricultural science communities. From this first experience, a few avenues for improvements have been identified regarding data size, head diversity, and label reliability.

Fifty years of articles in JEQ on trace elements in the environment and future outlook.

Fifty years ago, the Journal of Environmental Quality (JEQ) was launched to provide an outlet for publication of research on the impacts of agriculture on the environment, and vice versa. A core concept of JEQ is advancement of environmental science, with emphasis on understanding factors that affect the fate, risks, and quality of soil, water, and atmospheric systems, and how these system processes affect plants, microbes, and animals. Trace elements are a focus area of JEQ because when present at higher than natural concentrations, they may pose risks to environmental quality and ecosystem health, depending on their bioavailability.

Assessing combining abilities, genomic data, and genotype × environment interactions to predict hybrid grain sorghum performance.

Genomic selection in maize (Zea mays L.) has been one factor that has increased the rate of genetic gain when compared with other cereals. However, the technological foundations in maize also exist in other cereal crops that would allow prediction of hybrid performance based on general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining abilities applied through genomic-enabled prediction models.

Phytostabilization of a contaminated military site using Miscanthus and soil amendments.

Military activities can contaminate productive land with potentially toxic substances. The most common trace metal contaminant on military bases is lead (Pb). A field experiment was begun in 2016 at Fort Riley, KS, in an area with total soil Pb concentrations ranging from 900 to 1,500 mg kg and near-neutral pH.

Development of whole-genome prediction models to increase the rate of genetic gain in intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) breeding.

The development of perennial grain crops is driven by the vision of simultaneous food production and enhanced ecosystem services. Typically, perennial crops like intermediate wheatgrass (IWG)[Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D.R Dewey] have low seed yield and other detrimental traits.

Potential human inhalation exposure to soil contaminants in urban gardens on brownfields sites: A breath of fresh air?

Urban gardening has been experiencing increased popularity around the world. Many urban gardens are located on sites that may be contaminated by trace elements or organic compounds due to previous use. The three main exposure pathways to the human body for soil contaminants are (a) ingestion of soil directly, (b) consumption of produce containing or superficially contaminated with a contaminant, (c) and inhalation of soil dust.

Urban soils research: SUITMA 10.

Research on Soils in Urban, Industrial, Traffic, Mining and Military Areas (SUITMA) has been presented at biennial SUITMA conferences held in cities around the world. Soils from these areas often present environmental, ecological, and health risks and can limit ecological functions and ecosystem services. However, as with all soils, they are an integral part of the local ecosystem.

Genetic Diversity, Population Structure, and Linkage Disequilibrium of Pearl Millet.

Mapping of GBS reads of 398 accessions to the draft genome sequence identified 82,112 SNPs Model-based clustering analysis revealed a hierarchical genetic structure of six subgroups Greater LD decay in the west-African subpopulation is likely due to long history of recombination Genetic differentiation analysis among subpopulations revealed variation in selection signatures Pearl millet [Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone syn. Pennisetum glaucum (L.

Runoff water quantity and quality data from native tallgrass prairie and crop-livestock systems in Oklahoma between 1977 and 1999.

Erosion and sedimentation pose serious threats to soil and water quality worldwide, including in the U.S. southern Great Plains.

Species and termination method effects on phosphorus loss from plant tissue.

Cover crops are often recommended as a best management practice to reduce erosion, weed pressure, and nutrient loss. However, cover crops may be sources of phosphorus (P) to runoff water after termination. Two greenhouse trials were conducted to determine the effects of cover crop species, termination method, and time after termination on water-extractable P (WEP) release from crop biomass.

Amino acids effects on heterocyclic amines formation and physicochemical properties in pan-fried beef patties.

The effects of surface application of amino acids on the formation of heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and meat quality properties were evaluated in pan-fried beef patties (230 °C/15 min). Tryptophan, lysine, leucine, and proline at three concentrations, 0.05%, 0.

Factors Influencing Zein-Whole Sorghum Flour Dough Formation and Bread Quality.

Zein is known to able to form viscoelastic dough with wheat-like properties under certain conditions. Several studies have been conducted to explain the mechanism behind this ability and to improve the functionality and end-use quality of zein-based dough systems. However, most of this research has been conducted using zein in combination with isolated starches or high-starch flours.

Sensory Shelf Life Estimation of Novel Fortified Blended Foods Under Accelerated and Real-Time Storage Conditions.

Fortified blended foods (FBFs), a staple of food aid around the world, must maintain desirable characteristics for long periods of storage. This study estimated the shelf life of FBFs, including a traditional FBF (nonextruded corn soy blend plus [CSB+]) and 13 novel extrusion cooked FBFs. All products were stored under accelerated and real-time environments (real time = 30 °C and 65% relative humidity [RH], accelerated = 50 °C and 70% RH based on a Q factor of 2).

Descriptive Analysis and Consumer Acceptability of Locally and Commercially Grown Spinach.

The consumer demand for locally grown fresh produce is continuously increasing in the United States. The high tunnel systems have been successfully utilized by small acreage growers for local production. Consumers are typically assessing appearance, freshness, flavor and aroma when purchasing produce.

Antioxidant Characteristics and Identification of Peptides from Sorghum Kafirin Hydrolysates.

Grain sorghum is gaining interest for various uses as a highly sustainable crop. Kafirin is the main storage protein in grain sorghum. However, the antioxidant activities of kafirin hydrolysates have not been systematically investigated.