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.

The Construction of a Standard Karyotype of Intermediate Wheatgrass and Its Potential Progenitor Species.

The genome composition of intermediate wheatgrass (IWG; (Host) Barkworth and D.R. Dewey; 2n = 6x = 42) is complex and remains to be a subject of ongoing investigation.

Revisiting the History and Biogeography of and Other Olive-Feeding Fruit Flies in Africa and Asia.

Rossi causes important agricultural losses in olive growing regions. Despite its economic relevance, the expansion history and biogeography of and other olive-feeding fruit flies remain unclear. We used mitogenomic data of species from a broad geographic range to explore possible historical biogeographic patterns in and other olive-feeding fruit flies.

Genome-Wide Association and Genomic Prediction of Alfalfa ( L.) Biomass Yield Under Drought Stress.

Developing drought-resistant alfalfa ( L.) that maintains high biomass yield is a key breeding goal to enhance productivity in water-limited areas. In this study, 424 alfalfa breeding families were analyzed to identify molecular markers associated with biomass yield under drought stress and to predict high-merit plants.

Comparative Genomic Analysis of Plasmids Identified in Food Isolates.

is one of the leading bacterial causes of gastroenteritis worldwide. It frequently contaminates poultry and other raw meat products, which are the primary sources of infections in humans. Plasmids, known as important mobile genetic elements, often carry genes for antibiotic resistance, virulence, and self-mobilization.

Development of a Combined 2D-MGD TLC/HPTLC Method for the Separation of Terpinen-4-ol and α-Terpineol from Tea Tree, , Essential Oil.

Tea tree oil (TTO), acquired from (Maiden & Betche) Cheel, Myrtaceae, is a widely utilized essential oil (EO) due to its bioactive properties. The identification and quantification of TTO ingredients is generally performed by GC-MS, which provides the most accurate results. However, in some instances, the cost and time of analysis may pose a challenge.

Dissecting the genetic basis of fruiting efficiency for genetic enhancement of harvest index, grain number, and yield in wheat.

Background: Grain number (GN) is one of the key yield contributing factors in modern wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties. Fruiting efficiency (FE) is a key trait for increasing GN by making more spike assimilates available to reproductive structures. Thousand grain weight (TGW) is also an important component of grain yield.

Genomic and mutational analysis of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tagetis EB037 pathogenicity on sunflower.

Background: Pseudomonas syringae pv. tagetis (Pstag) causes apical chlorosis on sunflower and various other plants of the Asteraceae family. Whole genome sequencing of Pstag strain EB037 and transposon-mutant derivatives, no longer capable of causing apical chlorosis, was conducted to improve understanding of the molecular basis of disease caused by this pathogen.

Detection of aflatoxin B level and revelation of its dynamic accumulation process using visible/near-infrared hyperspectral and microscopic imaging.

Understanding and controlling the dynamic process of aflatoxin B (AFB) accumulation by Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) remains challenging. In this study, the A.

A novel quantitative trait locus for barley yellow dwarf virus resistance and kernel traits on chromosome 2D of a wheat cultivar Jagger.

Barley yellow dwarf (BYD) is one of the most serious viral diseases in cereal crops worldwide. Identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) underlining wheat resistance to barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) is essential for breeding BYDV-tolerant wheat cultivars. In this study, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population was developed from the cross between Jagger (PI 593688) and a Jagger mutant (JagMut1095).

The Effector Protease FgTPP1 Suppresses Immune Responses and Facilitates Fusarium Head Blight Disease.

Most plant pathogens secrete effector proteins to circumvent host immune responses, thereby promoting pathogen virulence. One such pathogen is the fungus , which causes Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) disease on wheat and barley. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that expresses many candidate effector proteins during early phases of the infection process, some of which are annotated as proteases.

Exposure to Subclinical Doses of Fumonisins, Deoxynivalenol, and Zearalenone Affects Immune Response, Amino Acid Digestibility, and Intestinal Morphology in Broiler Chickens.

Fusarium mycotoxins often co-occur in broiler feed, and their presence negatively impacts health even at subclinical concentrations, so there is a need to identify the concentrations of these toxins that do not adversely affect chickens health and performance. The study was conducted to evaluate the least toxic effects of combined mycotoxins fumonisins (FUM), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEA) on the production performance, immune response, intestinal morphology, and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens. A total of 960 one-day-old broilers were distributed into eight dietary treatments: T1 (Control); T2: 33.

Host-Induced Gene Silencing of the -Methyl Transferase Gene Enhanced Maize Aflatoxin Resistance.

Maize is one of the major crops that are susceptible to infection and subsequent aflatoxin contamination, which poses a serious health threat to humans and domestic animals. Here, an RNA interference (RNAi) approach called Host-Induced Gene Silencing (HIGS) was employed to suppress the -methyl transferase gene (, also called ), a key gene involved in aflatoxin biosynthesis. An RNAi vector carrying part of the gene was introduced into the B104 maize line.

Early Biomarkers for Detecting Subclinical Exposure to Fumonisin B1, Deoxynivalenol, and Zearalenone in Broiler Chickens.

Identifying biomarkers of mycotoxin effects in chickens will provide an opportunity for early intervention to reduce the impact of mycotoxicosis. This study aimed to identify whether serum enzyme concentrations, gut integrity, and liver miRNAs can be potential biomarkers for fumonisin B1 (FB1), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEA) toxicity in broiler birds as early as 14 days after exposure. A total of 720 male broiler chicks were distributed to six treatment groups: T1: control group (basal diet), T2 (2 FB1 + 2.

Agricultural Landscape Genomics to Increase Crop Resilience.

Populations are continually adapting to their environment. Knowledge of which populations and individuals harbor unique and agriculturally useful variation has the potential to accelerate crop adaptation to the increasingly challenging environments predicted for the coming century. Landscape genomics, which identifies associations between environmental and genomic variation, provides a means for obtaining this knowledge.

Insect frass fertilizer as soil amendment for improved forage and soil health in circular systems.

Insect farming is expected to increase in coming years, thus generating high quantities of frass (insect excreta). Frass valorization hinges on basic agronomic research prior to industry upscaling. Here, we investigated soil physiochemical properties, SMAF (Soil Management Assessment Framework) soil health, CO efflux, and bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.

Evaluating the tolerance of harmful algal bloom communities to copper.

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) cause severe economic and environmental impacts, including hypoxic events and the production of toxins and off-flavor compounds. Chemical treatments, such as copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO·5HO), are often used to mitigate the damaging effects of algal blooms. However, treatment effects are usually short-lived leading to waterbodies requiring repeated CuSO·5HO applications to control persistent algal blooms, particularly in highly eutrophic systems, such as aquaculture ponds or small agricultural impoundments.

Influence of Source of Origin and Region of Finishing on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Finishing Heifers Fed in the United States.

The objective was to evaluate growth performance and carcass traits of finishing beef heifers sourced and finished in different regions in the U.S. Heifers [n = 190; initial body weight (BW) 483 ± 0.

PRRSV-2 variant classification: a dynamic nomenclature for enhanced monitoring and surveillance.

Existing genetic classification systems for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus type 2 (PRRSV-2), such as restriction fragment length polymorphisms and sub-lineages, are unreliable indicators of close genetic relatedness or lack sufficient resolution for epidemiological monitoring routinely conducted by veterinarians. Here, we outline a fine-scale classification system for PRRSV-2 genetic variants in the United States. Based on >25,000 U.

Synergistic interaction between wheat streak mosaic virus and Triticum mosaic virus modulates wheat transcriptome to favor disease severity.

Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV; ) and Triticum mosaic virus (TriMV; ), the type members of the genera and , respectively, in the family , are economically important wheat viruses in the Great Plains region of the USA. Co-infection of wheat by WSMV and TriMV results in disease synergism. Wheat transcriptome from singly (WSMV or TriMV) and doubly (WSMV+TriMV) infected upper uninoculated leaves were analyzed by RNA-Seq at 9, 12, and 21 days postinoculation.

A novel approach for detecting strains frequently attributed to human illness-development and validation of the highly pathogenic (HPS) multiplex PCR assay.

Introduction: Non-typhoidal (NTS) are leading bacterial agents of foodborne illnesses and a global concern for human health. While there are over 2,600 different serovars of NTS, epidemiological data suggests that certain serovars are better at causing disease than others, resulting in the majority of reported human illnesses in the United States. To improve food safety, there is a need to rapidly detect these more pathogenic serovars to facilitate their removal from the food supply.

Effects of the physical form of starter feed on the intake, performance, and health of female Holstein calves.

Available literature on the effect of various physical forms of starter feed (PFSF) on calf performance is conflicting. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of the PFSF on feed intake, growth performance, blood metabolites, and the health of dairy calves. Twenty-four female Holstein calves (5-d-old; 40.

Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiling for species-specific characterization and detection of fungal pathogens that cause tree and grapevine trunk diseases.

Fungal trunk diseases are of major concern for tree fruit, nut, and grape growers throughout the world. These diseases include Eutypa dieback of grape, caused by , band canker of almond, caused by and , and twig and branch dieback of walnut, caused by , Botryosphaeria dieback of grape, caused by , and , and esca of grape, caused by and . Given the common occurrence of mixed infections, and the similar wood symptoms at the macroscopic level, species-specific detection tools are needed.

Recycled Phosphorus Bioamendments from Wastewater Impact Rhizomicrobiome and Benefit Crop Growth: Sustainability Implications at Water-Food Nexus.

Phosphorus recovery through enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) processes from agricultural wastes holds promise in mitigating the impending global P shortage. However, the complex nutrient forms and the microbial augments, expected to exert a profound impact on crop rhizomicrobiome and thus crop health, remained unexplored. In this study, we investigated the impacts of EBPR biosolids on crops growth and rhizomicrobiome in comparison to chemical fertilizer and Vermont manure compost.

Long-Term Grazing and Nitrogen Management Impacted Methane Emission Potential and Soil Microbial Community in Grazing Pastures.

Achieving sustainable development in livestock agriculture by balancing livestock production, reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and effective utilization of nitrogen nutrient has indeed been challenging. This study investigated the long-term effects of continuous cattle grazing, stocking rates, and fertilization regimens on methane (CH) emissions, soil microbial communities, and soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in Bermudagrass pastures in East Texas, USA. Pastures were subjected to high or low stocking rates for over 50 years, with further subdivision based on fertilization: nitrogen-based fertilizer application or no fertilizer but with the growth of annual clover.