High-Throughput Oxford Nanopore Sequencing Unveils Complex Viral Population in Kansas Wheat: Implications for Sustainable Virus Management.

Wheat viruses are major yield-reducing factors, with mixed infections causing substantial economic losses. Determining field virus populations is crucial for effective management and developing virus-resistant cultivars. This study utilized the high-throughput Oxford Nanopore sequencing technique (ONT) to characterize wheat viral populations in major wheat-growing counties of Kansas from 2019 to 2021.

Soybean seed yield, protein, and oil concentration for a modern and old genotype under varying row spacings.

Progress in soybean ( max L.) breeding has led to a reduction in optimal seeding rates due to enhanced branching capacity over time. However, less is known about the changes in canopy architecture between old and modern soybean genotypes at varying row spacing and their impact on yield and seed quality through the main stem and branches.

Response of winter wheat genotypes to salinity stress under controlled environments.

This study was conducted in controlled environmental conditions to systematically evaluate multi-traits responses of winter wheat ( L.) genotypes to different salinity levels. Responses were assessed at the germination to early seedling stage (Experiment 1).

Brome mosaic virus detected in Kansas wheat co-infected with other common wheat viruses.

Wheat breeders are developing new virus-resistant varieties; however, it is assumed that only a few viruses or well-known viruses are present in the field. New sequencing technology is allowing for better determination of natural field virus populations. For three years, 2019-2021, Kansas wheat field surveys were conducted to determine the constituents of natural field virus populations using nanopore sequencing.

Early-season plant-to-plant spatial uniformity can affect soybean yields.

Increased soybean (Glycine max L. Merril) seed costs have motivated interest in reduced seeding rates to improve profitability while maintaining or increasing yield. However, little is known about the effect of early-season plant-to-plant spatial uniformity on the yield of modern soybean varieties planted at reduced seeding rates.

Nitrogen and potassium application effects on productivity, profitability and nutrient use efficiency of irrigated wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

The development of robust nutrient management strategies have played a crucial role in improving crop productivity, profitability and nutrient use efficiency. Therefore, the implementation of efficient nutrient management stratigies is important for food security and environmental safety. Amongst the essential plant nutrients, managing nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.

Kernel weight contribution to yield genetic gain of maize: a global review and US case studies.

Over the past century of maize (Zea mays L.) breeding, grain yield progress has been the result of improvements in several other intrinsic physiological and morphological traits. In this study, we describe (i) the contribution of kernel weight (KW) to yield genetic gain across multiple agronomic settings and breeding programs, and (ii) the physiological bases for improvements in KW for US hybrids.

Breeding effects on canopy light attenuation in maize: a retrospective and prospective analysis.

The light attenuation process within a plant canopy defines energy capture and vertical distribution of light and nitrogen (N). The vertical light distribution can be quantitatively described with the extinction coefficient (k), which associates the fraction of intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (fPARi) with the leaf area index (LAI). Lower values of k correspond to upright leaves and homogeneous vertical light distribution, increasing radiation use efficiency (RUE).

Bayesian multitrait kernel methods improve multienvironment genome-based prediction.

When multitrait data are available, the preferred models are those that are able to account for correlations between phenotypic traits because when the degree of correlation is moderate or large, this increases the genomic prediction accuracy. For this reason, in this article, we explore Bayesian multitrait kernel methods for genomic prediction and we illustrate the power of these models with three-real datasets. The kernels under study were the linear, Gaussian, polynomial, and sigmoid kernels; they were compared with the conventional Ridge regression and GBLUP multitrait models.

Benchmarking Nutraceutical Soybean Composition Relative to Protein and Oil.

The aim of this study was to explore relationships between protein, oil, and seed weight with seed nutraceutical composition, focused on total isoflavone (TI) and total tocopherol (TT) contents across genotypic and environmental combinations in soybean. We conducted a synthesis-analysis of peer-reviewed published field studies reporting TI, TT, protein, oil, and seed weight ( = 1,908). The main outcomes from this synthesis-analysis were: (i) relationship of TI-to-protein concentration was positive, though for the upper boundary, TI decreases with increases in protein; (ii) relationship of TT-to-oil concentration was positive, but inconsistent when oil was expressed in mg per seed; and (iii) as seed weight increased, TI accumulation was less than proportional relative to protein concentration and TT decreased more proportional relative to oil concentration.

An integrated approach of field, weather, and satellite data for monitoring maize phenology.

Efficient, more accurate reporting of maize (Zea mays L.) phenology, crop condition, and progress is crucial for agronomists and policy makers. Integration of satellite imagery with machine learning models has shown great potential to improve crop classification and facilitate in-season phenological reports.

Physical mapping of QTL associated with agronomic and end-use quality traits in spring wheat under conventional and organic management systems.

Using phenotypic data of four biparental spring wheat populations evaluated at multiple environments under two management systems, we discovered 152 QTL and 22 QTL hotspots, of which two QTL accounted for up to 37% and 58% of the phenotypic variance, consistently detected in all environments, and fell within genomic regions harboring known genes. Identification of the physical positions of quantitative trait loci (QTL) would be highly useful for developing functional markers and comparing QTL results across multiple independent studies. The objectives of the present study were to map and characterize QTL associated with nine agronomic and end-use quality traits (tillering ability, plant height, lodging, grain yield, grain protein content, thousand kernel weight, test weight, sedimentation volume, and falling number) in hard red spring wheat recombinant inbred lines (RILs) using the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) RefSeq v2.

Physical Mapping of QTL in Four Spring Wheat Populations under Conventional and Organic Management Systems. I. Earliness.

In previous studies, we reported quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with the heading, flowering, and maturity time in four hard red spring wheat recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations but the results are scattered in population-specific genetic maps, which is challenging to exploit efficiently in breeding. Here, we mapped and characterized QTL associated with these three earliness traits using the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) RefSeq v2.0 physical map.

Magnesium Foliar Supplementation Increases Grain Yield of Soybean and Maize by Improving Photosynthetic Carbon Metabolism and Antioxidant Metabolism.

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to explore whether supplementary magnesium (Mg) foliar fertilization to soybean and maize crops established in a soil without Mg limitation can improve the gas exchange and Rubisco activity, as well as improve antioxidant metabolism, converting higher plant metabolism into grain yield. (2) Methods: Here, we tested foliar Mg supplementation in soybean followed by maize. Nutritional status of plants, photosynthesis, PEPcase and Rubisco activity, sugar concentration on leaves, oxidative stress, antioxidant metabolism, and finally the crops grain yields were determined.

Understanding Physiology and Impacts of High Temperature Stress on the Progamic Phase of Coconut ( L.).

The reproductive phase of coconut is extremely sensitive to high temperature, manifesting as button (female flower) shedding and poor nut set. The progamic phase, which elapses from pollination to fertilization, is one of the most critical phases during the sexual reproduction processes in annuals and fruit trees and is extremely vulnerable to high temperature. Hence, we investigated the progamic phase of the tall coconut cultivar West Coast Tall (WCT) and the effect of high temperature on the phase under both in vivo and in vitro conditions.

Management options for mid-century maize (Zea mays L.) in Ethiopia.

This simulation study was carried out to assess the impact of climate change and adaptation strategies on maize production across 22 locations in Ethiopia using Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer - Cropping System Model (DSSAT-CSM) CERES-Maize. Three maize varieties, i.e.

Genome-based prediction of multiple wheat quality traits in multiple years.

Wheat quality improvement is an important objective in all wheat breeding programs. However, due to the cost, time and quantity of seed required, wheat quality is typically analyzed only in the last stages of the breeding cycle on a limited number of samples. The use of genomic prediction could greatly help to select for wheat quality more efficiently by reducing the cost and time required for this analysis.

Bayesian approach for maize yield response to plant density from both agronomic and economic viewpoints in North America.

Targeting the right agronomic optimum plant density (AOPD) for maize (Zea mays L.) is a critical management decision, but even more when the seed cost and grain selling price are accounted for, i.e.

Effects of high temperature stress during anthesis and grain filling periods on photosynthesis, lipids and grain yield in wheat.

Background: Short episodes of high temperature (HT) stress during reproductive stages of development cause significant yield losses in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Two independent experiments were conducted to quantify the effects of HT during anthesis and grain filling periods on photosynthesis, leaf lipidome, and yield traits in wheat.

Spatial analysis of the impact of climate change factors and adaptation strategies on productivity of wheat in Ethiopia.

Wheat production is expected to be challenged by future climate change. However, it is unclear how wheat grown in diverse agroecologies will respond to climate change and adaptation management strategies. A geospatial simulation study was conducted to understand the impacts of climate change and adaptation management strategies on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.

Comparative Genomic Analysis Confirms Five Genetic Populations of the Select Agent, .

is a Gram-positive, nematode-vectored bacterium that infects several grass species in the family Poaceae. Unique in its genus, has the smallest genome, possesses a complete CRISPR-Cas system, a vancomycin-resistance cassette, produces tunicamycin, a corynetoxin responsible for livestock deaths in Australia, and is designated a Select Agent in the United States. In-depth, genome-wide analyses performed in this study support the previously designated five genetic populations, with a core genome comprising approximately 80% of the genome for all populations.

Approaches to improve soil fertility in sub-Saharan Africa.

Soil fertility provides the foundation for nutritious food production and resilient and sustainable livelihoods. A comprehensive survey and summit meeting were conducted with the aims of understanding barriers to enhancing soil fertility in sub-Saharan Africa and providing evidence-based recommendations. The focus regions were West Africa, East Africa, the Great Lakes region, and Ethiopia.

Effect of elevated CO, high temperature, and water deficit on growth, photosynthesis, and whole plant water use efficiency of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.).

In this study, the response of 6-month-old cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) seedlings to elevated CO concentration [ECO], elevated temperature [ET], and their interaction with water deficit stress was studied in an open top chamber (OTC). Each OTC was maintained at chamber control (400 ppm CO), [ECO] 550 ppm, [ECO] 700 ppm, ET 3 °C above chamber control, and ET 3 °C + [ECO] 550 ppm.

Setting research priorities for tackling climate change.

Addressing the complex issues related to climate change requires multiple innovative approaches to identify research priorities involving multidisciplinary research teams. Participatory approaches with a variety of perspectives were used to gain insights into critical issues such as defining and understanding sustainable intensification, climate smart agriculture, and soil fertility prioritization in sub-Saharan Africa. This analysis drew on the foundation principles of participatory research and fundamental facilitation skills, while grounded in scientific knowledge and understanding of these complex issues.

Interplay between nitrogen fertilizer and biological nitrogen fixation in soybean: implications on seed yield and biomass allocation.

Legumes rely on soil mineral nitrogen (N) and biological N fixation (BNF). The interplay between these two sources is biologically interesting and agronomically relevant as the crop can accommodate the cost of BNF by five non-mutually exclusive mechanisms, whereby BNF: reduces shoot growth and seed yield, or maintains shoot growth and seed yield by enhanced photosynthesis, or reduced root:shoot ratio, or maintains shoot growth but reduces seed yield by reducing the fraction of shoot biomass allocated to seed (harvest index), or reducing concentration of oil and protein in seed. We explore the impact of N application on the seasonal dynamics of BNF, and its consequences for seed yield with emphasis on growth and shoot allocation mechanisms.