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.
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.
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.
Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L., 2n = 36) is a major fruit crop of North Africa and the Middle East, and Sudan holds diverse farmer-selected seedling germplasm that has not been characterised molecularly. This study assessed the genetic diversity of 17 date palm genotypes from River Nile State (seven Hudeiba gene-bank accessions, eight farmer-selected seedling genotypes and the commercial cultivars Barakawi and Wad Lagai) using 18 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, and tested for preliminary associations between SSR markers and five morphological traits (fruit length, leaf base width, leaf length, bunch weight and seed length) and six chemical traits (ash, acidity, fibre, moisture, monosaccharides and tannin concentration). Nine of the 18 SSR markers (50%) were polymorphic, with two or three alleles per locus. Major allele frequency ranged from 0.64 to 0.94 (mean 0.74), gene diversity from 0.12 to 0.48 (mean 0.37), observed heterozygosity from 0.13 to 0.71 (mean 0.51) and polymorphic information content (PIC) from 0.11 to 0.40 (mean 0.31), indicating moderate genetic diversity; SSR070 and SSR048 were the most informative loci. Single-marker analysis detected nominally significant associations of SSR085 with leaf length (R² = 0.30), bunch weight (R² = 0.51), acidity (R² = 0.32) and fibre (R² = 0.42); SSR048 with leaf base width (R² = 0.42), moisture (R² = 0.31) and monosaccharides (R² = 0.33); SSR020 with ash (R² = 0.30), fibre (R² = 0.42) and tannin concentration (R² = 0.48); SSR070 with fruit length (R² = 0.39); and SSR035 with fruit length (R² = 0.31) and seed length (R² = 0.36). Because the panel was small and no correction for multiple testing was applied, these associations are preliminary and require validation in larger, independent populations with higher-resolution genotyping before use in marker-assisted selection.
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.
