Climate change and increasing environmental variability represent significant challenges to the sustainability of global cereal production systems. Rising temperatures, erratic precipitation patterns, soil salinisation, flooding events, and the growing incidence of pests and diseases have collectively exerted substantial negative effects on crop productivity, yield stability, and grain nutritional quality. These challenges are expected to intensify under future climate scenarios, thereby threatening global food and nutritional security. Consequently, the development of climate-resilient cereal cultivars has emerged as a critical objective of contemporary crop improvement programmes. This review examines the contributions of genetic diversity, conventional breeding methodologies, molecular breeding techniques, and genomics-assisted approaches to enhancing climate resilience in major cereal crops. Particular emphasis is placed on the exploitation of landraces and wild crop relatives as valuable reservoirs of adaptive traits, as well as on the role of pre-breeding programmes in broadening the genetic base of cultivated germplasm. Furthermore, the review discusses the application of advanced genomic tools, including quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), marker-assisted selection (MAS), genomic selection, speed breeding, and genome-editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas systems, for improving stress tolerance, adaptation to adverse environmental conditions, and yield stability. In addition, the importance of multi-environment testing for the identification of stable and broadly adapted genotypes is highlighted, alongside efforts to enhance grain nutritional quality without compromising agronomic performance. The review also underscores the value of integrated climate-smart breeding strategies that combine phenotypic, genomic, and environmental data to accelerate genetic gain. The convergence of high-throughput phenomics, advanced genomics, molecular breeding technologies, artificial intelligence, and data-driven analytical approaches offers unprecedented opportunities for the rapid development of climate-resilient cereal cultivars capable of maintaining productivity, adaptability, and nutritional quality under increasingly challenging agro-ecological conditions.

Wheat improvement faces the challenge of ensuring superior and consistent grain yield under variable agroclimatic and environmental conditions. This study evaluated a spring wheat double haploid population of AAC Brandon/Pasteur for yield and yield stability at three Canadian sites, Ottawa ON, Brandon MB, and Swift Current SK from 2021 to 2023. Agronomic data were analyzed to assess genotype by environment (G × E) interactions, and yield stability. Stability analysis showed correlation among stability indices and that visualization techniques, including additive main effects and multiplicative interaction and GGE biplots, captured significant G × E interaction. Several genotypes with superior yield performance and stability across environments were identified. SNP-based genotypic data was used to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with key agronomic traits and yield stability. Major QTL were detected across chromosomes for each trait: plant height (1A, 2D, 4B, and 5B), days to maturity (5B, 7D), grain yield (2A, 6D), test weight (3A, 4B, and 5A), thousand kernel weight (2B, 4A, and 4B), and protein content (1A, 4D, and 7A). QTL for grain yield stability traits were detected on chromosomes 1A, 2A, 2B, and 2D. Several superior high yielding and stable genotypes, along with associated SNP markers associated with improved yield across diverse environments were identified.

Background: In light of their direct effect on bone turnover, thyroid function problems, especially hypothyroidism, have drawn more attention recently as a significant source of disruption in mineral metabolism. Many important metabolic pathways that are either directly or indirectly controlled by thyroid hormones require calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Research on hypothyroid individuals has yielded conflicting results. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess changes in mineral status by measuring serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in hypothyroid patients and to note the significance of monitoring these levels in subclinical hypothyroid disorders. Methods: In this study 50 known hypothyroid patients on analysis with serum T3, T4 and TSH were included as cases and 50 clinically healthy volunteers included in the control group in age group between 18 and 75 years. Thyroid hormones were measured by Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay method and Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus measured on autoanalyzer. Results: Our study demonstrated normal T3 and T4 level and increased level of TSH in cases suggesting subclinical hypothyroidism. In this study patients show normal serum total calcium, and increased total magnesium and serum phosphorous levels as compared to healthy control that is there is alteration in mineral levels. Conclusion: As this study shows alteration in minerals levels monitoring of serum levels of these minerals will be helpful in hypothyroid patients. Alteration in these minerals needs to be monitored periodically and proper treatment should be given to the patient.

Abstract Soil acidity-associated toxicities of aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd), and manganese (Mn) severely constrain rice productivity in upland ecosystems. To investigate the genomic basis of adaptation to acidic soil-related metal stress, we conducted an integrated meta-QTL (M-QTL) and functional genomics analysis in rice. Meta-analysis of 681 QTLs and MTAs from 53 QTL mapping and GWAS studies identified 79 robust M-QTLs, including ten overlapping regions associated with Al-, Cd-, and Mn-responsive traits. A multi-criteria prioritization framework identified 98 candidate genes supported by positional overlap, transcriptomic recurrence, and functional annotation, enriched for ion transport, detoxification, and redox regulation pathways. M-QTL10.9 emerged as a major hotspot enriched for glutathione-S-transferase genes, whereas M-QTL9.5 contained the highest density of prioritized candidates linked to Al and Cd responses. Comparative physiological & biochemical analyses of the contrasting rice genotypes Sahasarang and IR64 revealed genotype-dependent differences in antioxidant responses, metal partitioning, metabolic regulation, and cell wall remodeling under individual and combined metal stresses. Expression profiling of prioritized candidate genes, including OsACO family genes, OsZIP10 , and OsGSTU10 , further revealed genotype-dependent transcriptional divergence under combined stress. The identification of overlapping M-QTLs across Al, Cd, and Mn datasets suggests both shared and stress-specific adaptive responses to acidic soil-associated metal stress in rice.

Grain size is a key determinant of yield in bread wheat and remains an important target for genetic improvement in elite cultivars. The gene Grain Weight 2 (TaGW2), encoding a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase, is a negative regulator of grain development in cereals and represents a promising target for precision breeding. In this study, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to disrupt TaGW2 in the widely grown Canada Western Red Spring wheat cultivar AAC Brandon. A single guide RNA targeting exon 1 was designed to edit the A, B, and D homeologs. Following Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, heat-shock-enhanced editing, and segregation of the transgene, we obtained transgene-free lines carrying homozygous mutations in either the A subgenome or both A and B subgenomes, whereas no D subgenome mutants were recovered. Frameshift mutations in the A and B copies introduced premature stop codons and reduced transcript abundance in mature grains (Zadoks growth stage 90-99). Edited lines showed a 9% increase in grain area and ~14% higher thousand grain weight compared with wild type. However, grain number per plant declined by approximately 30%, in the double mutant, resulting in no significant change in total grain weight per plant. These results confirm TaGW2 as a negative regulator of grain size in elite Canadian wheat line.

Abstract Although multi‐location testing is rarely used to assess potential donor lines/landraces, it may improve the rigor of pinpointing the most promising stress‐tolerant accessions. Furthermore, consideration of additional traits such as disease resistance and agronomic traits may reduce the amount of further improvement required after crossing landraces with an elite line. This study was conducted to address these factors that affect the efficiency and effectiveness of using rice ( Oryza sativa L.) landraces as stress tolerance donors. We conducted a series of drought donor screenings starting with six separate batches of ∼100 accessions (one batch per year) at the International Rice Research Institute, Philippines, that were evaluated under reproductive stage lowland and upland drought, seedling stage upland drought, lowland well‐watered conditions, and in response to bacterial blight and blast, followed by multi‐location testing across 11 drought‐prone sites in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. The selected lines from all batches were then evaluated together under the three types of drought and in a natural blast nursery in India. Genome‐wide association study was conducted on yield data from the ∼100 selections per year with available sequence data. Total genetic values and genomically estimated breeding values were determined, and example target yield and agronomic values were used to calculate selection index values for each accession. This dataset could be used by any breeding program by adjusting the target agronomic values based on the specific aims of individual breeding programs in order to identify donors for drought tolerance while taking into account the needs of the targeted market segment.

This study assessed seed mineral composition in lablab bean (Lablab purpureus L.), an underutilized legume with potential to combat micronutrient malnutrition, focusing on key micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn) and macronutrients (P, K). Seed samples were oven-dried, finely ground and subjected to di-acid (HNO3:HClO4, 9:4) wet digestion following standard protocols to ensure complete oxidation of organic matter and release of mineral elements. The digested extracts were diluted to a known volume and used for analysis. Micronutrients were determined using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), while phosphorus and potassium were estimated using a spectrophotometer and flame photometer, respectively. Wide differences were observed, with Fe ranging from 71.95 mg/kg (IC-285148) to 212 mg/kg (IC-556845) and Zn from 34.3 mg/kg (IC-413709) to 76.5 mg/kg (EC-454159). Copper content varied between 8.6 mg/kg (IC-285148) and 35.3 mg/kg (EC-454159), while Mn ranged from 14.25 to 28.5 mg/kg. Among macronutrients, P content spanned 0.352% (IC-556765) to 0.505% (IC-586963) and K from 0.942% (IC-285115) to 1.761% (Pusa Garima). High coefficients of variation for Cu (37.79%) and Fe (28.87%) reflected considerable diversity. Correlation analysis showed significant positive associations of Fe with P (r = 0.465) and Zn with Cu (r = 0.550, p < 0.01), while negative associations such as K with Zn (r = -0.250) suggested nutrient trade-offs. Principal component analysis (PCA) explained 79.29% of the total variance, with PC1 (34.55%) capturing co-variation of Fe, Zn, Cu, and P, and PC2 (26.57%) defined by Mn and K. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) classified the accessions into five groups, highlighting IC-556845, EC454159, IC-856772, RCPD-16, IC-285115, and IC-586963 as mineral-rich lines. These results are important because they provide a scientific basis for utilizing lablab bean as a sustainable source of essential dietary minerals. The identified lines represent valuable resources for breeding and biofortification programs aimed at addressing widespread Fe- and Zn-deficiency malnutrition in developing regions.

AAC Hodge (BW1069) is a hollow-stemmed, awned and high yielding Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat cultivar suited to the growing conditions in Western Canada. AAC Hodge was 6% higher yielding than AAC Viewfield, the highest yielding check in the Central Bread Wheat Cooperative (CBWC) registration trials (2017–2019). Within the same test, AAC Hodge was 16% higher yielding than Carberry. AAC Hodge matured 1 d earlier than Carberry and 2 d later than Unity; Unity is the earliest maturing check in the eastern prairie growing conditions. AAC Hodge was 7 cm shorter with better lodging resistance than Unity. The lodging score for AAC Hodge was lower than the mean of the checks. The test weight of AAC Hodge was similar to the mean of the checks. Over the 3 yr of testing (2017–2019), the 1000-kernel weight of AAC Hodge was equal to, or higher than all the checks. The grain protein content of AAC Hodge was equal to that of AAC Viewfield. AAC Hodge was rated moderately resistant to Fusarium head blight (FHB; Fusarium graminearum Schwabe) and resistant to leaf rust (Puccinia triticina Erikss.), stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis Westend), stem rust (Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. & E. Henn), and common bunt [Tilletia caries (DC) Tul. & C. Tul.]. AAC Hodge ranged from resistant to moderately susceptible for its reaction to the Ug99 family of stem rusts. AAC Hodge was resistant to orange wheat blossom midge (OBWM) (Sitodiplosis mosellana Géhin). AAC Hodge was registered under the CWRS class.

Heat and water stress increasingly threaten wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity worldwide, underscoring the need for robust physiological markers that enable the identification of genotypes with stable yield performance across contrasting environments. Stable isotope signatures in plant tissues provide integrative measures of carbon assimilation and plant water relations and therefore offer potential as functional markers for crop improvement. Here, we evaluated grain Δ13C/δ18O ratio as a potential integrative physiological indicator of yield performance in a doubled haploid bread wheat population (genotypes) consisting of 208 lines and two parents grown under irrigated and rainfed conditions at a semi-arid location in Saskatchewan, Canada. Grain yield exhibited a positive association with the Δ13C/δ18O ratio, and this relationship remained a highly significant predictor of yield even after accounting for variation among genotypes and years. Genotypes with higher Δ13C/δ18O ratios also exhibited cooler flag leaf temperatures and higher canopy greenness (NDVI), indicating improved canopy function and plant water status. Together, these findings demonstrate that grain Δ13C/δ18O ratio integrates key physiological processes related to carbon assimilation and transpiration with potential to serve as a practical marker for selecting high-yielding Canadian wheat germplasm across contrasting water regimes.

The impact of climate change, as evidenced by increasingly higher temperatures and decreasing precipitation, presents a substantial threat to wheat crops globally. In the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), which is the breadbasket of India, it is evolving as the biggest threat to food security and livelihoods for the farming fraternity. A 3-year field study evaluated the effects of drought and heat stress on wheat yield and how these effects interact with morphophysiological traits. This study deployed staggered sowing and controlled irrigation to simulate droughts synchronising with vegetative and reproductive stages of the crop across 13 wheat cultivars selected based on their prevalence among farmers. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson's correlation matrices were used to reduce data dimensionality for shortlisting independent morphophysiological variables before measuring average treatment effects. Findings highlighted a decline in levels of relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll and carotenoid under stress treatments. A sharp reduction of almost 50% in grain yield was observed when the crop encountered drought and heat stress simultaneously. Another finding revealed that RWC, chlorophyll content and proline accumulation were strongly associated with resilience to these stresses. The study identified two wheat cultivars (HD 2967 and HI 1531) that demonstrated superiority in coping with stress conditions consistently under both timely and late sowing conditions. These findings are insightful for wheat breeders, highlighting potential plant traits for climate-resilient breeding programmes. The study also generated important evidence that can potentially inform policy makers around sowing time, irrigation scheduling and seed systems of wheat in eastern India and similar agroecological regions.

The wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), poses a threat to spring wheat in North America. Larvae feed on the developing kernels, causing decreased grain quality and yield loss. The resistance gene Sm1 , a single, naturally occurring gene that results in larval mortality, is important for managing this pest. However, relying on a single resistance gene may result in the evolution of virulent pest biotypes. To identify possible alternative mechanisms of resistance, mechanical deterrence against wheat midge oviposition was evaluated using doubled haploid spring wheat lines (DH lines) with different combinations of awns and hairy glumes. Adult wheat midges were introduced to cages containing 12 preanthesis wheat spikes consisting of combinations of the presence or absence of awns with either hairy or smooth glumes, and oviposition on these phenotypes was recorded. In addition, kernel damage of five lines per phenotype was assessed under field conditions. The presence of awns on wheat spikes reduced oviposition in the laboratory choice cages, but not all wheat lines with awns reduced damage in the field. Hairy glumes did not reduce midge oviposition or grain damage. Independent of the awned and hairy‐glumed phenotypes, egg numbers and damage varied among the DH lines. Four wheat lines exhibited wheat midge deterrence and are promising candidates as sources of novel resistance to combine with Sm1 to pyramid resistance.

The most common cropping production system in South Asia, transplanted puddled rice followed by conventional-tillage wheat, is highly unsustainable, extremely energy-intensive, and emits a large amount of greenhouse gases. The practices used in conservation agriculture, including diversified cropping rotations, residue retention, zero-tillage direct-seeded rice, and zero-tillage wheat, can increase crop productivity while reducing energy use requirements and carbon footprints. Therefore, to promote a sustainable and energy-efficient conservation agriculture-based system with a less energy-intensive rice–wheat system, contrasting tillage and residue management scenarios were evaluated in this study. The treatments include triple cropping systems of zero-tillage direct-seeded rice (ZTDSR) during the rainy season, followed by zero-tillage rice–wheat–mungbean (ZTRWM) in winter, as well as zero-tillage rice–lentil–mungbean (ZTRLM), zero-tillage rice–chickpea–mungbean (ZTRCM), and zero-tillage rice–mungbean–mustard (ZTRMM) along with the conventional-tillage rice–wheat (CTRW) system. Zero-tillage systems exhibited significantly lower operational energy for irrigation (~40%), sowing (~26%), and land preparation (100%) compared to a conventional-tillage (CT) system. Compared to the conventional-tillage rice–wheat system, zero-tillage cropping systems achieved significantly higher system biomass yields. The zero-tillage system also increased wheat yields, resulting in a significant reduction in resources (fuel, fertilizer, and machinery) under zero-tillage (ZT) interventions. More than 60% of energy utilization came from crop residue, irrespective of the diverse cropping production systems. The maximum net energy returns, energy ratios, energy productivity, and energy intensity were recorded with the zero-tillage rice–wheat system. Zero-tillage production systems had significantly lower carbon footprints, higher carbon efficiency, and better carbon sustainability index than the conventional-tillage (CT) management system. Thus, it can be concluded that triple-zero-tillage production systems, along with residue management, yield lower net energy output, greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon footprints as compared to conventional-tillage-based systems.

IntroductionGrass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.), a resilient legume adapted to drought and waterlogged conditions, presents a promising solution for sustainable intensification of rice-fallow systems in South Asia, where ~9.7 million hectares remain uncultivated post-kharif due to moisture and socio-economic constraints.Materials and Methods This study evaluated seventeen diverse lines for dual-purpose (leaf and grain) utility, analysing morpho-agronomic traits, imbibition kinetics, and genetic diversity to identify optimal breeding material.ResultsPhenotypic characterization revealed significant variation: pulse-type genotypes flowered earlier (mean 47.1 ± 5.8 days) than leaf-types (54.4 ± 5.5 days), with plant height (12.33–43.66 cm), seed yield (1.98–3.34 g/plant), and leaf yield (28.76–60.71 g/plant) showing distinct trade-offs. Correlation analyses highlighted key associations, including strong negative relationships between days to flowering and seed yield (r = −0.750) and between pod length and leaf yield (r = −0.652). Imbibition kinetics varied genotypically, with fast-imbibing lines (e.g., Ratan) suited for rapid establishment in residual moisture, while slow-imbibing types (e.g., 75,049) showed potential for waterlogging resilience. Principal component analysis extracted 88.54% of variability into five components, with PC1 (42.23%) representing a yield–flowering time trade-off and PC2 (22.50%) separating broad-leaved from high-seed genotypes. Cluster analysis grouped genotypes into five distinct clusters, with maximum divergence between Clusters II and III (distance = 43.62), while solitary genotypes (Clusters IV–V) emerged as unique genetic resources.DiscussionThese findings provide a roadmap for breeding programs targeting rice-fallow adaptation, emphasizing early flowering for yield optimization, imbibition efficiency for moisture stress adaptation, and strategic utilization of genetically distant clusters (II × III) to maximize heterosis. The study underscores grass pea’s potential as a dual-purpose crop to enhance productivity and nutritional security in vulnerable rice-fallow systems.

Context Stem strength in wheat is important for mechanical stability, supporting nutrient translocation and lodging tolerance to uphold yield potential and grain quality. Objective The main objectives of this study were to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for stem strength and diameter and determine if stem biomechanical QTLs overlap with QTLs for yield and other agronomic traits. Methods A doubled haploid wheat population between the distinct parents AC Cadillac and Carberry was assessed for stem biomechanical traits together with lodging, height, heading date, and yield parameters. Multi-environment QTL mapping was performed to identify potential QTL hotspots, facilitate ideotype analysis, and examine putative candidate genes. Results Phenotypic analyses across 6 field environments revealed significant variation for 16 stem and agronomic traits with only stem wall thickness, grain yield, and thousand-kernel-weight (TKW) not differing significantly between parents AC Cadillac and Carberry. The Reduced height (Rht) allele Rht-B1b, present in Carberry, was the main driver of trait differences within the population, not only reducing height but also traits such as stem bending moment and TKW. QTL mapping revealed loci for stem traits present on chromosomes 2B, 2D, 4B, 5A, 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7D. There were distinct overlaps of stem trait QTLs with those of other traits including a heading date QTL on 2B and as well as grain size QTLs on 2D, 6A, and 6B. QTLs on 2D, 6A, and 6B compensated for a decrease in TKW largely driven by Rht-B1b in Carberry and also promoted an overall increase in stem diameter and stem bending moment. Conclusions The study revealed the complexity of optimizing for stem strength-related ideotypes given the possible interactions with agronomic traits such as grain size which may have contrasting priorities for allele selections. The most promising QTL hotspot on chromosome 6A drove increases in TKW, stem wall thickness and stem bending moment. Implication The findings support broadening the scope of traits in stem biomechanical research studies to ensure pleiotropic effects, especially those on grain traits, are captured. The results obtained facilitate future work focused on the development of genetic markers for stem strength and overall germplasm improvement.

Rice-fallow areas, widespread in rainfed rice-growing regions of South Asia, remain uncultivated during the post-rainy (winter) season due to multiple challenges, including inadequate irrigation infrastructure, cultivation of long-duration rice varieties, and soil moisture imbalances. South Asia has approximately 22.3 million hectares of rice-fallow land, with India contributing the largest share (88.3%). Eastern Indian states, which account for 82% of India’s rice-fallow area, presents significant opportunities for cropping intensification. However, several constraints—such as biotic (pest and disease), abiotic stresses (temperature extremes, drought, etc.), rapid soil moisture depletion, and disturbances from free-grazing livestock-hinder efforts to cultivate a second crop, perpetuating poverty among the small and marginal farmers. Introducing stress-tolerant rabi crops, particularly pulses (chickpea, lentil, lathyrus, field pea) and oilseeds (mustard, toria, safflower, linseed), offers a promising solution to enhance system productivity and improve the farmers’ livelihoods. Policymakers have recently increased the public investment in rice-fallows intensification, yet fragmented and ad-hoc initiatives often fail to deliver sustainable outcomes due to complex and multidimensional challenges involved. This study critically examines the key issues affecting rice-fallow lands and provides strategic recommendations to convert these underutilized areas into the productive cropping systems during winter and spring. Additionally, it reviews Central and State Government programs related to rice-fallow management, emphasizing the need for research to align with ongoing policy initiatives for maximum impact. The findings of this study offers a valuable insights for the policymakers, planners, and stakeholders, highlighting the potential of pulses and oilseeds to enhance the food security, reduce poverty, and promote sustainable, climate-resilient agricultural production systems in the region.