Abstract High-temperature stress poses a major threat to wheat productivity, particularly during early developmental stages. Root system architecture (RSA) plays a key role in stress adaptation; however, its variation under high-temperature stress remains insufficiently characterized, especially in genetically diverse populations. In this study, we evaluated RSA responses of representative genotypes from a Multiple Synthetic Derivatives (MSD) wheat population under control and high-temperature conditions using a time-resolved two-dimensional phenotyping platform. High-temperature stress significantly affected most root traits, with lateral root–related parameters, including second pair seminal root length (SPSRL), root system width (RSW), and convex hull area (CHA), showing relatively greater responsiveness than vertical traits. Integrative analyses combining stress indices and multivariate approaches revealed distinct genotypic response patterns. MSD417 and MSD034 maintained higher root performance under stress, indicating greater tolerance, whereas MSD392 exhibited pronounced sensitivity, and MSD054 showed limited responsiveness. These findings suggest the importance of distinguishing between active stress tolerance and apparent stability and indicate that lateral root–related traits may represent useful targets for selection. Overall, the findings of this study validate the practical usefulness of the RSA screening approach and identify MSD genetic resources harboring RSA traits relevant to breeding heat-resilient wheat.
Capsule shattering in sesame is a major agronomic constraint that reduces yield stability and limits mechanized harvesting efficiency. To address this challenge, 200 genetically diverse sesame genotypes from Sudan were genotyped using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) and evaluated for three consecutive seasons under field conditions for shattering type (ST), type of capsule beak (TCB), and bicarpellate capsule shape (BS). The resulting phenotypic and genotypic data were integrated into a multi-model genome-wide association study (GWAS) framework (BLINK, FarmCPU, and MLMM) to elucidate the genetic architecture of capsule-shattering traits. Two marker-trait associations (MTAs) were consistently identified across the GWAS models, comprising Chr1_19419575 associated with the TCB and Chr2_15649330 linked to ST. Additional MTAs, including Chr8_31466064 for ST and Chr8_19392181 and Chr8_30292484 for TCB, were also detected in this study, further highlighting the complex genetic regulation of capsule traits. Allelic effect analysis further validated the functional role of key allelic variants at Chr2_15649330 and Chr8_31466064, demonstrating significant differences in shattering responses among genotypic subgroups. In silico functional enrichment analysis using a candidate gene approach identified 68 homologous genes associated with pod shattering in Brassica napus, of which FLZ3, RZF1, MKK5, and COR27 showed distinct expression patterns that correlated with shattering susceptibility during pod development. These results provide new insights into the genetic regulation of capsule shattering, providing valuable targets for marker-assisted selection and development of sesame cultivars with enhanced resistance to shattering.
Striga spp. are among the most destructive parasitic weeds of cereals. Resistance has largely been pursued through individual mechanisms, particularly strigolactone (SL) biology and major resistance loci. Here, we propose that pre-attachment resistance is better understood as an emergent property of the integrated root–rhizosphere phenotype, in which root architecture, mucilage, rhizosheath development, microbial communities, and soil hydraulic processes jointly regulate the production, transport, persistence, and perception of host-derived signals. We synthesize recent advances in rhizosphere biology, genetics, multi-omics, imaging, and artificial intelligence to demonstrate how these interacting processes reshape parasite recruitment before attachment. We further outline a breeding framework that integrates root-interface traits with genomic prediction to develop resilient ideotypes that suppress Striga while maintaining nutrient acquisition and beneficial symbioses. This framework establishes the root–rhizosphere interface as a new conceptual and operational target for durable resistance breeding in increasingly variable environments.
Pearl millet is a nutrient-rich cereal that is an important food security crop in arid regions, supporting overall health and preventing chronic diseases. This study evaluated the impact of iron biofortification on the nutraceutical, volatile, and sensory profiles of pearl millet using HPLC, GC-MS, and UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS. A total of 118 nutraceuticals, including flavonoids, phenolics, and amino acids, and 26 volatile compounds such as alcohols, aldehydes, and others, were identified across the pearl millet samples. Iron biofortification increased the total amino acids and volatile compounds by 22.67% and 41.73%, respectively, while reducing the total tannins by 15.73%. Sensory evaluation revealed enhanced aroma intensity, flavor, and overall acceptability in the biofortified variety. Multiplatform data fusion combined with PLS-DA effectively distinguished the millet types. This study provides the first in-depth evidence that iron biofortification enhances the nutritional and sensory qualities of pearl millet, thereby improving its dietary value and consumer appeal.
Pollination is the process by which pollen is transferred to the female reproductive organs of a plant, thereby enabling fertilization to take place. Hence, pollination is a keystone process in both human-managed and natural terrestrial ecosystems. Over 80% of the crops grown in Europe are dependent on insect pollination. Onion ( Allium cepa L.) is ranked second only to tomatoes in terms of total annual world production. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of insect pollinators on seed production of two onion ( A. cepa) varieties (Baftaim and Balady). Also, to identify the insect pollinators diversity associated with the onion crop in the location. The study was carried out at Wad Medani at the Experimental Farm of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences (Open pollination), University of Gezira. Data on seed production and assessing the seed yield of onion in tested varieties under insect pollinators. Also, identify the insect pollinator diversity associated with the onion crop in the location. An experiment was laid out on a Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with four different treatments and three replications at the site in the cropping season of 2019-2020. The result revealed that there were significant differences among treatments. Baftaim and Balady varieties (Open pollination), showed the highest seed yield weight of 5.33 g/Umbel and 4.33 g/Umbel, respectively, while the lowest seed yield was recorded from self-pollination with 0.36 g/Umbel from variety Baftaim, followed by Balady (0.22g/Umbel). On the other hand, the thousand-seed weight of Baftaim ranged from 3.16 to 4.44 g. The variety Baftaim with open pollination recorded the highest numbers (4.44 g), followed by the Balady variety (4.28 g) on the two types of pollination, while there is no significant difference between Balady and Baftaim statistically in self-pollination type. In the experimental farm site. Three groups of pollinators, viz., hymenopterans, lepidopterans, and dipterans, were recorded during the study. The total number of insect pollinators visited was 63.00. Among pollinators, hymenopterans were the main pollinating group, constituting 90.50%, followed by lepidopterans (6.33%) and dipterans (3.17%). The study proved the effectiveness of insect pollinators for onion seed production and recommended the importance of conserving those insect pollinators.
