Specialty supersweet maize with white, purple and black kernels is a high-value functional food, yet its genetic basis remains poorly characterized. We jointly resolved genetic diversity, combining ability, gene action and trait inheritance to select elite parents and high-performing hybrids. Among 30 inbred lines, silhouette-validated clustering resolved two groups only partially aligned with kernel color (first two principal components, 51.1
Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.; TF) is a perennial cool-season forage crop, and several cultivars have been developed in Korea to improve productivity, persistence, and forage safety. Despite these advances, molecular genetic studies on the genetic diversity of domestically bred TF cultivars remain limited. In this study, the genetic diversity of TF cultivars was evaluated using 64 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, including 32 genomic SSR and 32 expressed sequence tag (EST)-SSR markers. A total of 88 individuals from six cultivars were analyzed. Across the 64 SSR markers, 848 alleles were detected, with the number of alleles per locus ranging from 5 to 25 and averaging 13.25. The mean gene diversity was 0.717, and the mean polymorphism information content (PIC) value was 0.686. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that 94
This study presents the first report on the regeneration protocol for the Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged traditional landrace of rice in Kashmir, known as ‘Mushk Budji’. The research encompasses both direct and indirect regeneration protocols, with particular emphasis on the effects of silicon supplementation and light quality. Mature embryo explants, sterilized using carbendazim, Tween-20, 70
The present investigation was conducted at Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan University to evaluate genetic variability, association estimates and genetic diversity among 37 rice (Oryza sativa L.) landraces collected from different regions of Tamil Nadu. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with two replications and assessed for eight biometrical and nine quality traits at morphological and molecular levels. Significant variation was observed among the landraces for all traits, indicating wide genetic diversity. Landraces such as Mysore Malli, Kandasaali and Kullakar showed superior performance for yield and related traits, while Mattaikar was identified as an early-duration, high-yielding type. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation, along with high heritability and genetic advance, were recorded for important yield traits, suggesting the predominance of additive gene action and the effectiveness of selection. Correlation and path analyses revealed that productive tillers per plant, panicle length, filled grains per panicle, kernel breadth and amylose content had strong positive effects on yield. Mahalanobis D2 analysis grouped the landraces into six clusters, while a limited set of four polymorphic SSR markers grouped them into eight clusters, broadly supporting the morphological diversity pattern. Principal component analysis further revealed that yield traits contributed most to overall variation. The study highlights the importance of traditional rice landraces as valuable genetic resources for rice improvement and breeding programmes.
Soybean seeds are highly susceptible to rapid deterioration during storage, posing a critical constraint on their agricultural productivity and seed security in tropical environments. The present study aimed to evaluate physiological and biochemical traits associated with seed longevity using correlation and principal component analyses. Thirty-seven diverse soybean genotypes were monitored over a twelve-month period under natural uncontrolled storage condition to assess changes in seed physiological parameters and metabolic constituents. Correlation analysis revealed that the progressive loss of germination and vigour was fundamentally associated with the depletion of total soluble sugar reserves and the simultaneous accumulation of lipid peroxidation products. Terminal longevity status evaluation via PCA-1 effectively discriminated genotypes along a clear gradient of metabolic competence and structural integrity. While, PCA-2 successfully captured coordinated ageing dynamics, demonstrating a strong contrast between functional performance decline and membrane destabilisation. The findings underscored the pivotal role of carbohydrate metabolism, membrane integrity, and oxidative protection as the primary biological factors associated with seed longevity. This integrative multivariate analysis successfully identified ageing-tolerant and sensitive genotypes that may serve as valuable parent material in breeding programmes aimed at improving soybean seed longevity and storage resilience.
The availability of food worldwide could be greatly threatened by the growing inefficiency of traditional fertilizers. Such fertilizers have poor nutrient use efficiency (NUE), always result in nutrient loss through leaching, and cause significant environmental damage. Nano-fertilizers (NFs) have been proposed as a revolutionary method for delivering nutrients utilizing nanotechnology to increase nutrient delivery, bioavailability, and controlled release. The review thoroughly presents the classification of NFs by the type of nutrient and method of synthesis via physical (top-down), chemical (bottom-up), and green (biological) along with plant uptake and transport mechanisms. The implementation of NFs in various farming systems leads to a notable increase in crop production, improved NUE, and crops have better resistance to various stresses. A critical examination of the major issues that have been raised shows lack of standardization, difficulties with farmer acceptance, toxicity risks, and regulatory loopholes. Suggestions for future studies emphasize the integration of smart responsive formulations, circular bioeconomy principles, and long term environmental monitoring, which ultimately sets out a plan for the safe and widespread incorporation of NFs into sustainable global agriculture.
With the recent changes in the global climate, the repercussions of extreme climatic events have received increased attention worldwide. Drought is an important meteorological climatic disaster whose frequency, duration, and spatial extent are increasing and have a decisive impact on plant morphophysiological and biochemical responses. Several studies demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) plays a significant role in various abiotic stresses in plants, but its genotype-specific role in lentil drought resilience remains insufficiently explored. Therefore, the present study investigated the comparative response of two contrasting lentil genotypes (drought-tolerant DPL-58 and drought-sensitive JL-3) under polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000)-induced drought stress (5
Crop establishment and early seedling vigor are critical determinants of yield stability in agricultural systems. Invasive alien plants can substantially reduce crop productivity through allelopathic interference, yet comparative, stage-specific evaluations remain limited. This study examined the allelopathic effects of aqueous extracts from Solidago altissima and Helianthus tuberosus on seed germination and early seedling growth of four horticultural crops (Brassica napus, Brassica oleracea, Solanum lycopersicum, and Lactuca sativa). Germination and root elongation bioassays were conducted under controlled conditions using four extract concentrations (0, 20, 50, and 100
Culm strength is a key determinant of lodging resistance in rice, directly impacting yield stability and resilience. To identify genomic regions associated with strong culm, we characterized the strong culm mutant TI-17, derived from the Indian mega rice variety Samba Mahsuri (BPT-5204). Comparative anatomical analyses revealed that TI-17 exhibited increased culm wall thickness, sclerenchyma thickness, and xylem vessel sclerenchyma thickness, along with a reduced xylem vessel diameter relative to BPT-5204. Using the MutMap approach, we identified 12 candidate genes distributed across three genomic regions on chromosomes 3 (32.71–33.70 Mb), 4 (18.2–20.0 Mb), and 8 (24.0–27.0 Mb). SNPs within the candidate regions were converted into KASP assays, including KASP8_9 (chr8:26248706; A→G; CAG [Glutamine] to CGG [Arginine]) in Os08g0527300, encoding peptidase C19, ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 2 domain containing protein. This SNP of KASP8_9 demonstrated perfect co-segregation with culm strength, effectively differentiating weak and strong culm genotypes. The findings highlight Os08g0527300 as a promising target for the genetic improvement of culm strength, contributing to the development of high-yield, climate-resilient rice varieties.
This study was conducted to analyze meteorological changes in the central plain of Korea due to climate change and to determine the optimal sowing date for soybean cultivars (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) During the 2024 cultivation period, the average temperature rose by 1.6 °C compared to the 30-year historical average, accompanied by distinct climate change patterns such as concentrated rainfall in mid-July. As the sowing date was delayed from I to IV, both the duration of vegetative and reproductive growth stages and the accumulated temperature (GDD) showed a decreasing trend. While early sowing (I) intensified lodging due to excessive vegetative growth, later sowing dates (e.g., IV) led to improved grain filling and 100-seed weight. In particular, sowing in mid-June (III) achieved the optimal GDD range (2,500 to 3,000 °C) and minimized lodging damage, resulting in the highest grain yield and seed quality. Therefore, this study provided fundamental data and growth characteristics by sowing date to promote stable production, maximum yield, and enhanced seed quality of soybeans in the central plains of Korea under shifting climatic conditions. These findings will serve as crucial baseline data for establishing climate-adaptive optimal sowing windows and enhancing farm productivity in the future.
Cannabis sativa L. produces cannabinoids such as delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), synthesized by THCA synthase (THCAS) and CBDA synthase (CBDAS), respectively. Understanding the genetic basis of these traits is essential for breeding industrial hemp with low THC content (hereafter, THC and CBD content refer to the sum of their acidic and decarboxylated forms). However, characterization of each hemp cultivar remains limited due to inaccessibility. We analyzed four cannabis cultivars—Spectrum 303, Superwoman S1, Biscotti Pippen, and Pillsbury Droboy—classified as chemo-type I or III. Cannabinoid accumulation (based on dry weight) was quantified across flower development stages using high-performance liquid chromatography, while THCAS-like and CBDAS transcript levels were quantified using quantitative PCR. Gene sequencing and amino acid analysis were performed to assess functionality. Chemo-type I cultivars (Biscotti Pippen, Pillsbury Droboy) exhibited high THC (approximately 160 mg g−1) and negligible CBD (< 1.3 mg g−1). Genomic analysis revealed truncating mutations in the CBDAS gene, leading to non-functional proteins. In contrast, chemo-type III cultivars (Spectrum 303, Superwoman S1) expressed putatively functional CBDAS and accumulated high levels of CBD (approximately 55 and 177 mg g−1, respectively), while THCAS-like transcripts were detected at relatively low levels. Sequence analysis showed that the THCAS-like gene in chemo-type III cultivars was identical to known cannabichromenic acid synthase (CBCAS) sequences, which is consistent with the low THC content despite gene transcription. These results suggest that functional mutations in CBDAS underlie negligible CBD content in chemo-type I cultivars, whereas the presence of CBCAS instead of THCAS may explain the minimal THC levels in chemo-type III cultivars. Our findings clarify the genetic basis of cannabinoid variation and provide molecular markers for distinguishing chemo-types. This knowledge supports marker-assisted selection for developing THC-free industrial hemp.
Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has recently attracted attention as an environmentally friendly technology for improving seed performance and crop productivity. In this study, mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) seeds were treated with CAP for 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 s and their physiological responses were investigated under laboratory and field conditions. CAP treatment significantly modified the seed surface properties, reducing the water contact angle from 88.3 ± 6.9° (control) to 54.0 ± 4.3° at the optimal treatment (1 s), based on ten independent measurements, which facilitated water spreading on the seed surface and contributed to increased water uptake up to 37
Identifying genetic diversity in durum wheat is crucial for breeding programs. The genetic variation among 69 durum wheat breeding lines from ICARDA, along with the Saji cultivar used as a control, was analyzed using phenotypic data and SCoT marker. The association between SCoT markers and five important agronomic traits measured over two cropping seasons (2017–18 and 2018–19) was investigated. Twelve SCoT primers generated a total of 177 bands, including 97 polymorphic bands, with an average of 8.08 polymorphic bands per primer. The highest number of polymorphic bands was observed in SCoT16 and the lowest for SCoT14. The average polymorphic information content (PIC) was 0.45, with SCoT33 showing the highest value and SCoT30 the lowest. SCoT16 was highly efficient at differentiating the genotypes. Jaccard’s similarity coefficients ranged from 0.18 to 0.74. Cluster analysis divided the studied genotypes into four groups, a result also supported by principal coordinate analysis. Association analysis employing the mixed linear method (MLM) revealed 16 and 25 significant marker-trait associations in the first and second years, respectively. The marker SCoT30-705 was associated with days to heading and physiological maturity over both years.
Allelopathy involves the release of chemical substances that positively or negatively influence the growth of neighbouring plants. The study aimed to examine the allelopathic potential of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum americanum on the seed germination and growth of chickpea (Cicer arietinum), flax (Linum usitatissimum), and aromatic rice (Oryza sativa var. Gobindobhog). A total of seven aqueous leaf extract concentrations (0.5, 1, 2.5, 4, 5, 8 and 10
Enhancing common bean productivity in western Ethiopia requires understanding genetic variability and trait interrelationships for the Bako region’s specific agro-ecology. This study assessed twenty common bean varieties using a randomized complete block design with three replications at Bako Agricultural Research Center during 2024. Data on eleven agronomic traits were analyzed using variance, genetic parameters, correlation, path analysis, and disease scoring. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) among varieties for all traits. High genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were observed for hundred seed weight (32.91
Accurate crop yield prediction is essential for ensuring food security and serves as a critical reference for managing the supply and demand of agricultural products, stabilizing market prices, and safeguarding farm incomes. To enable early yield forecasting, we developed a rice yield prediction system by integrating remote sensing time-series data, grain number observations, simulated yields from a crop growth model, and statistical yield data. We employed a Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) model, a deep learning architecture optimized for sequential data, to predict rice yields. The dataset was split into training and validation sets at a 9:1 ratio. The GRU model was configured with a structure including five GRU hidden layers followed by two fully connected layers and was trained using the Adamax optimizer for enhanced accuracy. Model training was conducted with 1000 epochs, a learning rate of 0.005, and a batch size of 20. A total of 28 input variables were used, including simulated yields, grain number, and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time-series data from day of year (DOY) 105–233, derived from MYD13Q1 and MYD09Q1 products. Yield predictions were performed at the provincial level and aggregated to derive national-scale estimates. Evaluation results for the 2024 growing season demonstrated high predictive performance, with the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) ranging from 1.5 to 3.4 kg 10a⁻¹ and the Normalized Root Mean Square Error (NRMSE) ranging from 0.29 to 0.67
This study evaluated the effects of foliar application of an Ascophyllum nodosum-based organomineral biostimulant on soybean (Glycine max) physiology and yield under both greenhouse and field conditions. The research aimed to examine physiological and biochemical responses associated with biostimulant use, particularly under water-limited conditions. In greenhouse trials, photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, POX, SOD) were measured at two time points, including a period of water-limited conditions. In the field, the biostimulant was applied at the V4 stage, and redox enzyme activities and grain yield were monitored. Leaf nutrient content (P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Ni) was analyzed via ICP-OES. Biostimulant application was associated with higher photosynthetic pigment concentrations (total chlorophyll + 60
Genetic transformation is essential for functional genomics and molecular breeding in soybean, a globally important crop. However, soybean remains recalcitrant to in vitro regeneration, which limits the efficiency and reproducibility of transformation workflows. Building on our previous research on the GmGASA1-like gene in Glycine max, which demonstrated that its overexpression enhances growth, development, and stress responses, this study focuses on optimising key tissue culture steps within an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation pipeline, with particular emphasis on regeneration and selection responses in the soybean cultivar JN74. By systematically refining key stages, including explant preparation, Agrobacterium-mediated infection, co-cultivation, and regeneration, we improved shoot induction, development, and recovery under selection. The results provide a detailed and reproducible workflow and identify critical bottlenecks affecting transformation efficiency. While molecular confirmation of transformation has been demonstrated in our previous study, the present work focuses on optimisation of the early stages of the transformation process. These findings provide practical guidance for laboratories working with recalcitrant soybean genotypes and support the development of more robust transformation pipelines for functional studies and crop improvement. Although the study was conducted on a single genotype (JN74), the optimisation principles identified offer a practical framework that can be adapted for other soybean cultivars.
Trehalose plays a crucial role in protecting plants against abiotic stresses, such as water deficit, salinity, cold, heat, and heavy metal excess. Although numerous studies exist on its use as a biostimulant, integrated analyses that quantitatively and systematically evaluate the consistency of these effects are still lacking. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to assess whether the exogenous application of trehalose mitigates the effects of abiotic stress in plants and to investigate the underlying morphophysiological mechanisms. To this end, a systematic search was conducted in the Web of Science database, and the resulting articles were subjected to a meta-analysis. The overall effect size and the effects by moderators (stress types and application methods) were calculated. The initial screening of 659 records yielded 52 eligible publications. The identified exogenous application methods were foliar spray, root application, and seed priming. The results demonstrate that trehalose increases the contents of starch, soluble sugars, proline, and photosynthetic pigments, and enhances chlorophyll fluorescence. It also improves enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities, elevates leaf gas exchange and water status, and reduces lipid peroxidation, H2O2 accumulation, and membrane permeability. At an agronomic level, it promotes greater growth, shoot development, leaf area, and grain yield. The collated evidence indicates that trehalose can be exogenously applied as an inducer of tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses. Thus, the use of trehalose is recommended to mitigate the adverse effects of abiotic stress and enhance agricultural productivity.
Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, remains one of the most damaging threats to global rice production. The OsERF922 gene encodes an ethylene response factor that acts as a negative regulator of blast resistance. In this study, we employed CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing to generate multiple targeted mutations within the OsERF922 coding sequence in the indica rice cultivar Kasalath. Three distinct editing events including a 1-bp deletion, 26-bp deletion, and 17-bp deletion, were successfully introduced through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and verified by Sanger sequencing in T3 homozygous lines. Upon inoculation with two field isolates of M. oryzae (KJ201 and PNB59003), all edited lines exhibited significantly enhanced blast resistance compared to the wild type, with variable lesion size reductions depending on both allele and isolate. Expression profiling of defense-related genes revealed that PR1a, PR1b, and PAL, markers of salicylic acid-mediated defense, were highly induced in lines harboring the 1-bp deletion, while elevated PR10 expression was observed in the 26-bp deletion line, suggesting allele-specific modulation of downstream defense networks. Notably, the 17-bp deletion line exhibited strong blast resistance despite limited induction of canonical defense genes, indicating possible alternative mechanisms of resistance. Agronomic evaluation showed that several key yield traits, including tiller number and fertility rate, remained unaffected, although delayed flowering time and reduced 1000-grain weight were observed in the edited lines. This study demonstrates that targeted editing of OsERF922 can enhance heritable blast resistance in an indica background and support the use of susceptibility gene editing as a promising strategy for rice improvement.
