To exploit allelic variation in Hordeum vulgare subsp. spontaneum, the Wild Barley Diversity Collection was subjected to paired-end Illumina sequencing at ∼9 × depth and evaluated for several agronomic traits. We discovered 240.2 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) after alignment to the Morex V3 assembly and 24.4 million short (1 to 50 bp) insertions and deletions. A genome-wide association study of lemma color identified one marker-trait association (MTA) on chromosome 1H close to HvBlp, the cloned gene controlling black lemma. Four MTAs were identified for seedling stem rust resistance, including 2 novel loci on chromosomes 1H and 6H and one co-locating to the complex RMRL1-RMRL2 locus on 5H. The whole-genome sequence data described herein will facilitate the identification and utilization of new alleles for barley improvement.
Seed water content affects wheat quality, storage, and food safety, influencing viability and fungal contamination risks. Grain moisture is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, with agronomic practices aiming to optimize it. However, no genotype has been specifically developed for enhanced seed water properties, as the underlying biochemical and genetic mechanisms remain unclear. Using a durum wheat mutant (WM) with higher water affinity of leaves, compared to its wild-type cultivar, Trinakria (WT), this study investigates the biophysical and biochemical mechanisms affecting seed performance. Genotypic characterization of unaged seeds includes differential scanning calorimetry, metabolomic profiling, and functional analyses of water uptake rate, dehydration rate, and seed coat electrical resistance. Germination and Fusarium resistance were examined, too in both unaged and aged seeds. As for the leaves, WM seeds exhibit higher water-binding strength than WT. Metabolomic analysis revealed a higher polar/apolar ratio in WM (83 vs. 72 in WT), with significantly greater myo-inositol and raffinose content and lower levels of unsaturated fatty acids. No differences in seed imbibition velocity or dehydration velocity were observed, but WM showed lower seed coat electrical resistance, indicating greater free water retention on the seed surface. Under low Fusarium inoculum concentrations or in the absence of pathogens, aged WM seeds showed higher germination rates and vigor than WT. As an inherited trait, selecting for strong water-binding capacity, increased osmoprotective compounds, and lower unsaturated acid content could contribute sustainably improve seed longevity and Fusarium resistance.
Trichoderma harzianum is a well-known biocontrol agent with growing interest as a multifunctional bioinoculant due to its diverse metabolic capabilities. Despite its promising potential, the transition from laboratory-scale cultivation to industrial-scale production still presents challenges, particularly in optimizing biomass and spore yield at low cost. This study focused on testing a new medium for spore/mycelium production of T. harzianum integrating traditional growth media with gazpacho, a tomato-based by-product of Andalusian food as cheap substrate. We also assessed its multifunctional activity, including the tolerance to salt stress, solubilization of rock phosphate and the antagonistic activity against three major tomato pathogens (Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum, and Pyrenochaeta lycopersici) through dual culture assays. The results showed that media supplemented with 3 and 6% (v/v) gazpacho significantly increased T. harzianum biomass and sporulation in solid and submerged state fermentations, while 10% reduced spore formation in liquid submerged fermentation. Interestingly, biomass and sporulation were further improved in media containing 3–6% (v/v) gazpacho combined with 100 mM NaCl. Trichoderma harzianum was able to grow and sporulate in solid media with up to 100 mM NaCl. Moreover, the strain showed phosphate solubilization activity on gazpacho-containing media in submerged fermentation, and effectively inhibited over 70% of pathogenic mycelial growth, with B. cinerea showing the highest inhibition (78.40%). Overall, these results highlight the improvement in biomass and spore production of T. harzianum grown in traditional growth media supplemented with 6% gazpacho, as well as its multifunctional activities under these fermentation conditions, thus representing a promising approach towards the production of cheap bioinoculants and supporting the circular economy in microbial technology. Furthermore, salt tolerance further encourage T. harzianum as a robust candidate for bioformulations in challenging agro-environment.
White lupin (Lupinus albus L.) requires selection for low quinolizidine alkaloid (QA) content and other seed quality traits to become an important high-protein crop. There is limited information on trait variation, genetic architecture, genotype × environment interaction (GEI), relevant genomic areas, and opportunities for genomic selection (GS). A reference population of sweet-seed breeding lines possessing the pauper locus underwent multi-year evaluation for seed weight, protein content and oil content in two regions (Italy and Chile) and evaluation for content of 13 QAs by a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method in Italy. A second population including landrace genotypes of worldwide origin was evaluated for protein and oil content and seed weight in Italy. We found substantial genetic variation for all traits. Only 24
The distribution and concentration of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) support and its impact on farm income have gained increasing attention in public debate and scientific literature. Previous studies highlighted the highly concentrated nature of direct payments, which represent the bulk of CAP support. Despite this, direct payments have shown mixed effects on income inequality, yielding unclear results. CAP 2023–2027 aims to address this issue by redistributive payments designed to increase support for small farms. This paper assesses the reform’s redistributive effects in Italy by comparing the status quo (2020) with a post-reform scenario (2026). Using a composite dataset integrating FADN and National Entitlements Register data, we estimate inequality indexes (Gini index, Herfindahl–Hirschman index, and 80/20 quintile share ratio). Results show improved equity in decoupled direct payments distribution: the Gini index decreases from 0.626 (2020) to 0.530 (2026), while the Herfindahl–Hirschman index drops from 4.65 to 3.27. The 80/20 quintile share ratio also improves significantly, reducing from 8.4 to 5.2. However, the reform’s impact on farm income concentration remains marginal, with only slight reductions observed across all inequality indexes.
