Search

Background: Cereal crops are a primary energy source for humans. Grain size and weight affect both evolutionary fitness and grain yield of cereals. Although studies on gene mining and molecular mechanisms controlling grain size and weight are constantly emerging in cereal crops, only a few systematic reviews on the underlying molecular mechanisms and their breeding applications are available so far. Aim of review: This review provides a general state-of-the-art overview of molecular mechanisms and targeted strategies for improving grain size and weight of cereals as well as insights for future yield-improving biotechnology-assisted breeding. Key scientific concepts of review: In this review, the evolution of research on grain size and weight over the last 20 years is traced based on a bibliometric analysis of 1158 publications and the main signaling pathways and transcriptional factors involved are summarized. In addition, the roles of post-transcriptional regulation and photosynthetic product accumulation affecting grain size and weight in maize and rice are outlined. State-of-the-art strategies for discovering novel genes related to grain size and weight in maize and other cereal crops as well as advanced breeding biotechnology strategies being used for improving yield including marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, transgenic breeding, and genome editing are also discussed.

Wheat, a staple cereal crop, faces challenges due to climate change and increasing global population. Maintaining genetic diversity is vital for developing drought-tolerant cultivars. This study evaluated the genetic diversity and drought response of five wheat cultivars and their corresponding F1 hybrids under well-watered and drought stress conditions. Molecular profiling using ISSR and SCoT-PCR markers revealed 28 polymorphic loci out of 76 amplified. A statistically significant impact of parental genotypes and their crosses was observed on all investigated agro-morphological traits, including root length, root weight, shoot length, shoot weight, proline content, spikelet number/spike, spike length, grain number/spike, and grain weight/spike. The parental genotypes P1 and P3 had desirable positive and significant general combining ability (GCA) effects for shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot length, and root length under well-watered conditions, while P3 and P5 recorded the highest GCA estimates under drought stress. P3 and P4 showed the highest GCA effects for number of spikelets per spike, the number of grains per spike, and grain weight per spike under normal conditions. P5 presented the maximum GCA effects and proved to be the best combiner under drought stress conditions. The cross P1× P3 showed the highest positive specific combining ability (SCA) effects for shoot fresh weight under normal conditions, while P2×P3 excelled under water deficit conditions. P1× P2, P1 × P3, and P4× P5 were most effective for shoot dry weight under normal conditions, whereas P1×P3 and P3×P5 showed significant SCA effects under drought stress. Positive SCA effects for root fresh weight and shoot length were observed for P3×P5 under stressed conditions. Additionally, P4×P5 consistently recorded the highest SCA for root length in both environments, and P3×P5 excelled in the number of spikelets, grains per spike, and grain weight per spike under drought conditions. The evaluated genotypes were categorized based on their agronomic performance under drought stress into distinct groups ranging from drought-tolerant genotypes (group A) to drought-sensitive ones (group C). The genotypes P5, P2×P5, and P3×P5 were identified as promising genotypes to improve agronomic performance under water deficit conditions. The results demonstrated genetic variations for drought tolerance and highlighted the potential of ISSR and SCoT markers in wheat breeding programs for developing drought-tolerant cultivars.

The bibliometric mapping approach is a quantitative methodology to analyze the structure and evolution of research activities in a scientific area or a discipline. The objective of the current study was to perform a bibliometric analysis of the worldwide durum wheat literature published from 1961 to 2022 to identify topics and trends and their evolution over time. A total of 7512 documents were analyzed to generate bibliometric maps illustrating the main research topics. Most of the articles (91.6%) were published in indexed journals, with a low percentage (3.4%) in conference proceedings. The most active journals were the Journal of Cereal Science, Euphytica, Theoretical and Applied Genetics, Cereal Research Communications, and Cereal Chemistry. Italy, the USA, Canada, Spain, and France were the countries publishing the most documents. Research interests were focused on mutagenesis, interspecific hybridization, and technological quality in 1961–1980 and moved to conservation farming, molecular genetics, and nutritional quality in the last two decades. Future durum wheat production is facing challenges from climate change, water scarcity, and rising demand for sustainable food production. Advancements in molecular breeding techniques, genome editing, precision agriculture, and conservation farming can expedite wheat improvement and pave the way toward a healthier environment. The analysis of a large amount of bibliographic data provides useful information for researchers and policymakers and represents a starting point for a comprehensive discussion for future research.

Abstract Background The leaf angle distribution (LAD) is an important structural parameter of agricultural crops that influences light interception, radiation fluxes and consequently plant performance. Therefore, LAD and its parametrized form, the Beta distribution, is used in many photosynthesis models. However, in field cultivations, these parameters are difficult to assess and cereal crops in particular pose challenges since their leaves are thin, flexible, and often bent and twisted around their own axis. To our knowledge, there is only a very limited set of methods currently available to calculate LADs of field-grown cereal crops that explicitly takes these special morphological properties into account. Results In this study, a new processing pipeline is introduced that allows for the generation of realistic leaf surface models and the analysis of LADs of field-grown cereal crops from 3D point clouds. The data acquisition is based on a convenient stereo imaging setup. The approach was validated with different artificial targets and results on the accuracy of the 3D reconstruction, leaf surface modeling and calculated LAD are given. The mean error of the 3D reconstruction was below 1 mm for an inclination angle range between 0° and 75° and the leaf surface could be quantified with an average accuracy of 90%. The concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) of 99.6% (p-value = $$1.5* {10}^{-29}$$ 1.5 ∗ 10 - 29 ) indicated a high correlation between the reconstructed inclination angle and the identity line. The LADs for bent leaves were reconstructed with a mean error of 0.21° and a standard deviation of 1.55°. As an additional parameter, the insertion angle was reconstructed for the artificial leaf model with an average error

The paper notes the potential for enhancing seed productivity through exposure to an electromagnetic field. It touches upon both theoretical and practical considerations for developing an experimental laboratory plant for pre-sowing seed treatment using a low-frequency electromagnetic field and aiming to achieve a magnetobiological effect. (Research purpose) The study aims to investigate the influence of low-frequency electromagnetic field on the composition and properties of grain seeds. (Materials and methods) Standard emitters, characterized by a magnetic induction variability of 3-75 millitesla and a radiation frequency of 1-100 Hertz, were employed to ensure the necessary treatment parameters for a batch of seeds. (Results and discussion) The study investigates the impact of magnetization on the germination process, germination energy, and the physical and chemical properties of seeds subjected to different parameters of a low-frequency electromagnetic field (ranging from 3 to 75 millitesla in magnetic induction and a radiation frequency of 10-16 Hertz).The quality of the effect was analyzed with respect to the installation parameters and seed mass, ranging from 10 to 500 grams, across various cereal crops. Subsequently, specific modes were identified, and a functional irradiation program was devised to ensure a highly effective impact on seeds, optimizing their germination, sprouting and development. (Conclusions) The impact of a low-frequency electromagnetic field on the composition and properties of grain has been studied. An experimental laboratory plant with sources of a low-frequency electromagnetic field has been developed and irradiation modes have been justified. The pre-sowing treatment of an industrial batch, the magnetobiological effect is contingent upon several factors, including the crop type and variety, activation of a biological complex in a cell that initiates the development of a seedling, seed quality and moisture content, the presence of microorganisms on the surface, pathogenic ones included, and the characteristics of irradiation sources and energy parameters. The parameters of the low-frequency electromagnetic field were determined as follows: magnetic induction ranging from 3 to 75 millitesla, a frequency 10-16 Hertz, and seed weight varying from 10 to 500 grams. These identified parameters will be applied in the development of an industrial unit designed for the preparation of seed material and enhancement of its sowing properties.

ABSTRACTPlant-associated diazotrophs strongly relate to plant nitrogen (N) supply and growth. However, our knowledge of diazotrophic community assembly and microbial N metabolism in plant microbiomes is largely limited. Here we examined the assembly and temporal dynamics of diazotrophic communities across multiple compartments (soils, epiphytic and endophytic niches of root and leaf, and grain) of three cereal crops (maize, wheat, and barley) and identified the potential N-cycling pathways in phylloplane microbiomes. Our results demonstrated that the microbial species pool, influenced by site-specific environmental factors (e.g., edaphic factors), had a stronger effect than host selection (i.e., plant species and developmental stage) in shaping diazotrophic communities across the soil–plant continuum. Crop diazotrophic communities were dominated by a few taxa (~0.7% of diazotrophic phylotypes) which were mainly affiliated with Methylobacterium, Azospirillum, Bradyrhizobium, and Rhizobium. Furthermore, eight dominant taxa belonging to Azospirillum and Methylobacterium were identified as keystone diazotrophic taxa for three crops and were potentially associated with microbial network stability and crop yields. Metagenomic binning recovered 58 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from the phylloplane, and the majority of them were identified as novel species (37 MAGs) and harbored genes potentially related to multiple N metabolism processes (e.g., nitrate reduction). Notably, for the first time, a high-quality MAG harboring genes involved in the complete denitrification process was recovered in the phylloplane and showed high identity to Pseudomonas mendocina. Overall, these findings significantly expand our understanding of ecological drivers of crop diazotrophs and provide new insights into the potential microbial N metabolism in the phyllosphere.IMPORTANCEPlants harbor diverse nitrogen-fixing microorganisms (i.e., diazotrophic communities) in both belowground and aboveground tissues, which play a vital role in plant nitrogen supply and growth promotion. Understanding the assembly and temporal dynamics of crop diazotrophic communities is a prerequisite for harnessing them to promote plant growth. In this study, we show that the site-specific microbial species pool largely shapes the structure of diazotrophic communities in the leaves and roots of three cereal crops. We further identify keystone diazotrophic taxa in crop microbiomes and characterize potential microbial N metabolism pathways in the phyllosphere, which provides essential information for developing microbiome-based tools in future sustainable agricultural production.

A review of the role of sulfur (S) in crop production is presented, with a particular emphasis on major crops including corn (Zea mays L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Specifically, S demand and availability, nutritive effects in improving yield, its effect on quality in major crops, different diagnostic methods, and future perspectives of S research are discussed. Sulfur plays a crucial role in synthesizing proteins, chlorophyll, enzymes, and vitamins, as well as influencing general metabolic and photosynthetic mechanisms. In the early 1950s, S deficiency was only noted in specific soils, but now it is becoming universally deficient. The amount of plant-available S in the soil has decreased by 34–86 % between 2000 and 2020, leaving crop production at risk. The reasons for widespread S deficiency include lower industrial atmospheric deposition, stricter environmental laws, prevailing management practices such as selection of high-yielding varieties, increased use of low S fertilizers, decreased use of S containing fungicides and insecticides, and in some cases reduced tillage intensity. Nonetheless, researchers have attempted to trans-genetically produce more S-use-efficient crops, explored possibilities where S metabolites could contribute to synergism in interactions of plant and rhizosphere microorganisms in enhancing S mineralization. Moreover, proven strategies tailored to S are necessary to increase site-specific management. Owing to the significant role of S in crop production, it is important to explore improvement in S uptake, S use efficiency, systematic S fertilizing strategies, and precise and timely S diagnostic tools.

Abstract Field assessments of crop water use efficiency (WUE) are resource‐consuming since they require simultaneous assessment of the total amount of water assimilated by crops for biomass and/or grain production. Alternative methods exist, such as estimating the carbon isotopic ratio (13C/12C) of the crop's leaf, aboveground biomass, or grain samples. There is limited information on the determinants of the accuracy of carbon isotopes in estimating water use efficiency between crop types and environments. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the extent to which the estimation of the 13C/12C ratio in crop parts constitutes an accurate proxy of WUE, globally. Data on observed WUE (WUEobs) were collated involving 518 experiments conducted worldwide on major cereals and legumes and compared with WUE estimates (WUEest) from carbon isotopes. The mean WUEobs among all experiments was 3.4 g L−1 and the mean absolute error (MAE) was 0.5 g L−1 or 14.7% of WUEobs, corresponding to accurate predictions at p

Cereal crops are essential for providing essential nutrients and energy in the daily human diet. Additionally, they have a crucial role as a significant constituent of cattle feed, hence enhancing meat production. Drought, being an abiotic stressor, adversely affects the growth and yield of numerous crops on a global scale. This issue poses a significant and pressing obstacle to maintaining global cereal crop production and ensuring food security. Nanoparticles have become a valuable resource for improving cereal crop yield and productivity under ongoing rapid climate change and escalating drought conditions. Among these, silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) have demonstrated their potential for agricultural applications in regions with limited water availability. Drought stress has detrimental effects on cereal crops, impacting their growth, metabolic, and physiological processes, hampering water and nutrient absorption, disrupting cellular membranes, damaging the photosynthetic apparatus, and reducing antioxidant activities by altering gene expression. SiNPs help preserve cellular membranes, regulate water balance, and improve water and nutrient absorption, resulting in a substantial enhancement in plant growth under water-deficit conditions. SiNPs also protect the photosynthetic system and enhance its efficiency, facilitate the accumulation of phenolics, hormones, osmolytes, antioxidant activities, and gene expression, thus empowering plants with increased resistance to drought stress. Moreover, SiNPs decrease leaf water loss by promoting stomatal closure, primarily by fostering the accumulation of abscisic acid (ABA) and mitigating oxidative stress damage by activating the antioxidant defence system and reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, a limited number of studies examine the role of SiNPs in cereal crops under drought stress conditions. In this review, we highlighted the promising potential of SiNPs to improve cereal crop resilience by changing morpho-histological traits, antioxidant properties, and gene expression to maintain food security in drought-prone areas. This study will aid researchers in using SiNPs as an environmentally benign way to improving drought resistance in cereal crops in order to fulfill global food supply needs.

Food security is an urgent global challenge, with cereals playing a crucial role in meeting the nutritional requirements of populations worldwide. In recent years, the field of metagenomics has emerged as a powerful tool for studying the microbial communities associated with cereal crops and their impact on plant health and growth. This chapter aims to provide a comprehensive overview of cereal metagenomics and its role in enhancing food security through the exploration of beneficial and pathogenic microbial interactions. Furthermore, we will examine how the integration of metagenomics with other tools can effectively address the adverse effects on food security. For this purpose, we discuss the integration of metagenomic data and machine learning in providing novel insights into the dynamic interactions shaping plant-microbe relationships. We also shed light on the potential applications of leveraging microbial diversity and epigenetic modifications in improving crop resilience and yield sustainability. Ultimately, cereal metagenomics has revolutionized the field of food security by harnessing the potential of beneficial interactions between cereals and their microbiota, paving the way for sustainable agricultural practices.

In the quest for sustainable agricultural practices, there arises an urgent need for alternative solutions to mineral fertilizers and pesticides, aiming to diminish the environmental footprint of farming. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) emerge as a promising avenue, bestowing plants with heightened nutrient absorption capabilities while alleviating plant stress. Cereal and oilseed crops benefit from this association in a number of ways, including improved growth fitness, nutrient uptake, and tolerance to environmental stresses. Understanding the molecular mechanisms shaping the impact of AMF on these crops offers encouraging prospects for a more efficient use of these beneficial microorganisms to mitigate climate change-related stressors on plant functioning and productivity. An increased number of studies highlighted the boosting effect of AMF on grain and oil crops’ tolerance to (a)biotic stresses while limited ones investigated the molecular aspects orchestrating the different involved mechanisms. This review gives an extensive overview of the different strategies initiated by mycorrhizal cereal and oilseed plants to manage the deleterious effects of environmental stress. We also discuss the molecular drivers and mechanistic concepts to unveil the molecular machinery triggered by AMF to alleviate the tolerance of these crops to stressors.

Numerous plant metabolites, especially amino acids, are accumulated as a result of stress. These amino acids are crucial for plant metabolism and development and have historically been viewed as the building blocks of proteins. Several studies suggested that there is a link between proline buildup and exposure plants to stress. Proline performs important functions under stress in addition to be a great osmolyte, antioxidant enzyme, acts as an antioxidant defense and signaling molecules. Two field trials were during two successive winter seasons (2020/2021 and 2021/2022). The effects of proline foliar application (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg L−1) and irrigation water levels (irrigation by 100, 80 and 60% of crop water requirements, CWR, CWR100, CWR80 and CWR60, respectively) on plant pigments, antioxidants activity, yield traits and nutrient contents of wheat were assessed. The experiment was designed in a split-plot involving 4 replicates. Drought stress (CWR80 and CWR60) led to reductions in photosynthetic pigments, and yield components. Under severe water stress (CWR60), proline 200 and 300 mg L−1 recorded the highest values of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total pigments. Application of proline 300 mg L−1 was the potent practice for enhancing the antioxidant activity% (DPPH radical scavenging) and phenols content under CWR100 and CWR80. Indole acetic acid (IAA) possessed the maximum values with proline 200 mg L−1 under all irrigation patterns. Under severe deficit water (CWR60), without proline spraying (for super oxide dismutase), 200, 300 or 400 mg L−1 proline (for peroxidase) and 200 or 400 mg L−1 proline (for polyphenol oxidase) recorded the highest values. Spraying proline 300 mg L−1 achieved the highest values of grain number spike−1, weight of 1000 grains and grain yield ha−1 under different irrigation regimes. In conclusion, proline is considered a good mitigator for drought stress, due to it increased wheat plant tolerance to water deficiency throughout improving plant physiology and consequently yields quantity and quality. The most efficient concentrations of proline for coping the adverse impact of drought were 200 and 300 mg L−1.

Drought (D) and heat (H) are the two major abiotic stresses hindering cereal crop growth and productivity, either singly or in combination (D/+H), by imposing various negative impacts on plant physiological and biochemical processes. Consequently, this decreases overall cereal crop production and impacts global food availability and human nutrition. To achieve global food and nutrition security vis-a-vis global climate change, deployment of new strategies for enhancing crop D/+H stress tolerance and higher nutritive value in cereals is imperative. This depends on first gaining a mechanistic understanding of the mechanisms underlying D/+H stress response. Meanwhile, functional genomics has revealed several stress-related genes that have been successfully used in target-gene approach to generate stress-tolerant cultivars and sustain crop productivity over the past decades. However, the fast-changing climate, coupled with the complexity and multigenic nature of D/+H tolerance suggest that single-gene/trait targeting may not suffice in improving such traits. Hence, in this review-cum-perspective, we advance that targeted multiple-gene or metabolic pathway manipulation could represent the most effective approach for improving D/+H stress tolerance. First, we highlight the impact of D/+H stress on cereal crops, and the elaborate plant physiological and molecular responses. We then discuss how key primary metabolism- and secondary metabolism-related metabolic pathways, including carbon metabolism, starch metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) biosynthesis, and phytohormone biosynthesis and signaling can be modified using modern molecular biotechnology approaches such as CRISPR-Cas9 system and synthetic biology (Synbio) to enhance D/+H tolerance in cereal crops. Understandably, several bottlenecks hinder metabolic pathway modification, including those related to feedback regulation, gene functional annotation, complex crosstalk between pathways, and metabolomics data and spatiotemporal gene expressions analyses. Nonetheless, recent advances in molecular biotechnology, genome-editing, single-cell metabolomics, and data annotation and analysis approaches, when integrated, offer unprecedented opportunities for pathway engineering for enhancing crop D/+H stress tolerance and improved yield. Especially, Synbio-based strategies will accelerate the development of climate resilient and nutrient-dense cereals, critical for achieving global food security and combating malnutrition.

The causative agents of grain crops bacteriosis viz. Pseudomonas fuscovaginae , Pseudomonas syringae and Xanthomonas translucens are regulated by phytosanitary requirements of the largest importers of Russian grain - Egypt, Turkey, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Pakistan. Therefore, it requires the development of rapid methods for their diagnosis. The PCR method, which is the fastest and most reliable in testing laboratories, needs optimal preparation of the test material. The aim of the study was to optimize the process of preparing seed samples for subsequent detection and identification of P. fuscovaginae, P. syringae and X. translucens by PCR. Wheat grain samples were soaked in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 2 hours and infected with suspensions of P. fuscovaginae, P. syringae pv. coronafaciens and X. translucens at various concentrations. Then, the infected grain samples were crushed and subjected to two-stage centrifugation. DNA was isolated from the obtained analytical samples and species-specific PCR was performed for each bacterial species. It was found that a two-hour soaking of the seeds and their treatment with a homogenizer is sufficient to effectively destroy each grain in the sample and ensure the release of bacteria into the liquid part of the sample. The first low-speed centrifugation allowed the crushed grain to settle efficiently and remove excess starch from the supernatant. High-speed centrifugation of the supernatant made it possible to obtain a concentrated microbiota contained in the grain sample. To obtain DNA of sufficient quality for PCR test, the kit Proba-GS (AgroDiagnostika, Russia) was used for DNA extraction. Using Pseudomonas fuscovaginae-RT kit (Syntol, Russia) and PsyF/PsyR and 4F1/4R 1 primers, DNA of P. fuscovaginae P. syringae and X. translucens , respectively, was successfully detected in each of the samples infected with these bacteria at concentrations of 103 CFU/ml. The absence of PCR inhibition was noted. The method of removing starch from samples for molecular diagnostics of phytopathogens was used for the first time. Application of these methods will allow diagnosing pathogens of bacterioses within one day.

Abstract Background The genus Striga includes 11 parasitic plants species of food crops in at least 50 African countries. Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. is a major biotic constraint to the cereal crops production in Africa. It is the most widespread species in fields in Burkina Faso and grows on all types of soil inducing losses estimated at 35–40% on sorghum and millet. The substantial reductions in yield caused by S. hermonthica contribute significantly to an insufficient food supply for the populations in the area. Methods This study aims to identify local plants with bio-herbicidal properties for the management of S. hermonthica. The inhibiting and stimulating effect of aqueous extracts from 13 local plant species on the germination of S. hermonthica seeds was assessed in vitro. Results The aqueous extracts from the leaves of Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Jatropha curcas L., Jatropha gossypiifolia L., Lawsonia inermis L. and those from the leafy stems of Cassia obtusifolia L., Crotalaria retusa L., Phyllanthus amarus L. completely inhibited germination of Striga. Five other plant extracts significantly stimulated germination, of which the highest germination rate (60%) was recorded with the extract from Euphorbia hirta L. leafy stems. Conclusions The plant extracts thus constitute an ecological avenue for S. hermonthica control. Further experiments could lead to the formulation of bio-herbicides against the parasitic plant to improve cereal production while limiting environmental pollution.

Recognizing the crop and region-specific irreversible effects of climate change on agriculture is unavoidable. The Southeastern United States region (SE-US) contributes significantly to the United States (US) economy through its diverse agricultural productivity. Climatically, this region is more vulnerable than the rest of the country. This study was designed to quantify the effect of changing climate, i.e., daily maximum temperature (Tmax), daily minimum temperature (Tmin), and precipitation, on oats (Avena sativa L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) in SE-US. The panel data approach with a fixed effects model was applied by creating a production function on a panel dataset (1980–2020) of climate and yield variables. The required diagnostic tests were used to statistically confirm that the dataset was free of multi-collinearity, unit root (non-stationarity), and auto-correlation issues. The results revealed asymmetric warming (Tmin increase > Tmax increase) over the region. Tmax and Tmin significantly increased during the oats growing season (OGS) and sorghum growing season (SGS). Precipitation increased during OGS and decreased during SGS. The growing season average values of Tmax, Tmin, and Tavg (daily average temperature) have shifted by 1.08 °C (0.027 °C/year), 1.32 °C (0.033 °C/year), and 1.20 °C (0.030 °C/year) in OGS and by 0.92 °C (0.023 °C/year), 1.32 °C (0.033 °C/year), and 1.12 °C (0.028 °C/year) in SGS. However, precipitation had shifted by 23.2 mm (0.58 mm/year) in OGS and shifted (decreased) by −5.2 mm (−0.13 mm/year) in SGS. Precipitation had a non-significant effect on oats and sorghum yields. With every 1 °C increase in Tmin and Tmax, oats yield was reduced by (−5%) and (−4%), respectively, whereas sorghum yield was increased by (+13%) and decreased by (−7%), respectively. Taken together, a 1 °C net rise in overall temperature reduced oats yield (−9%) while increased sorghum yield (+6%).

Integrated weed management strategies combine tillage systems and weed control strategies. Conservation agriculture (CA) and sustainable intensification cropping systems are potential sources of improved growth and overall productivity. This study evaluated tillage and weed management strategies effects on crop growth parameters and biological yields in maize-wheat cropping system in North Western Himalayan region. Different tillage (five) and weed management practices (three) were evaluated from 2018 to 2020 on growth indices and yield with fifteen treatments. Conservation agriculture (CA) based production system (ZT, zero tillage; crop rotation and intensification; residue management i.e. ZTR-ZTR) had higher crop dry matter accumulation (DMA), relative growth rate (RGR), crop growth rate (RGR) and biological yield of maize (28698 kg/ha) and wheat crops (18750 kg/ha). The zero tillage in maize and wheat (ZT-ZT) resulted in lowest maize (24677 kg/ha) and wheat biological yield (14009 kg/ha. Among weed management treatments, application of recommended herbicides in maize and wheat crop (H-H) resulted in higher crop DMA and biological yield of maize (27652 kg/ha) and wheat crop (19540 kg/ha). Therefore, for North Western Himalayan conditions, ZTR+H-ZTR+H (Conservation tillage combined with herbicide application in maize and wheat) is superior to other combinations for growth and yield.

On a global scale, there is consensus to double food production as a means to address food and nutrition insecurity, yet the capacity of available resources and technologies to gratify the demands of this growing population and the price of agricultural commodities remains uncertain in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. Despite the availability of fertile agricultural land, inappropriate use of that resource leads to reduced agricultural productivity, yet little is known about food insecurity and impacts on commodities in southwestern Ethiopia. This study was aimed at spatial modeling of land suitability evaluation for Eragrostis tef Zucc and Hordeum Vulgare L crops in the Misha district. About 11 variables related to topography, climate, and soil have been considered and resampled to 10 m resolution. The spatial analysis result indicated that, about 33.4% and 21.8% of the total area is found to be highly suitable, about 54% and 63% of the total study area is categorized into moderately suitable for Eragrostis tef Zucc and Hordeum Vulgare L crop cultivation, respectively, whereas 12.7% and 15.3% of the study area is not suitable for the above mentioned crops. The spatial decision support system reflects that Misha has mammoth potential productive lands, which are most likely promised to satisfy the demand for food and raw materials. Therefore, the stakeholders should make hard-nosed efforts on sage land use and adopt exactly the optimum land suitability plans to advance the current cropland resources for maximize yield in a sensational way for the healthier development of the region.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is extremely affected by several abiotic and biotic stress factors. Drought and/or heat alongside the parasitism of cereal cyst nematodes of the Heterodera genera can have a combined destructive impact on wheat. Solely, the cereal cyst nematode species Heterodera filipjevi can cause wheat yield losses of up to 50%. Several control measures have been implemented, yet the most economical and convenient control strategy is the use of resistant hosts. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to evaluate the resistant response of 257 spring wheat lines obtained from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre to Heterodera filipjevi that might contain novel sources of resistance and be added as genetic resources for future breeding programs. Also, provide a base for future research to understand the relationship between nematode resistances and drought and heat tolerance. The results indicated that 11 wheat lines (4%) and 36 wheat lines (14%) were resistant and moderately resistant, respectively. High frequency of susceptible and highly susceptible lines and low frequency of resistant lines within this set was also recorded. The linear regression analysis between the number of cysts formed and the resistance response grouping showed a strong, positive, linear correlation. Log-linear regression analysis showed that there is a weak positive correlation between the yield of heat tolerant wheat lines and their resistance to the cyst nematodes as these lines showed tolerance, while there was a weak negative correlation of formed cyst nematodes on the yield of drought tolerant lines. This study was able to add new genetic sources of resistance to Heterodera filipjevi for upcoming breeding programs.

The impact of heavy metal presence in soil on cereal crops is a growing concern, posing significant challenges to global food security and environmental sustainability. Cereal crops, vital sources of nutrition, face the risk of contamination with toxic heavy metals released into the environment through human activities. This paper explores key aspects requiring thorough investigation to foster innovation and understand intricate interactions between heavy metals and cereals. Visible symptoms and physiological changes resulting from heavy metal contamination, such as chlorosis and stunted growth, demand further research to devise targeted mitigation strategies and sustainable agricultural practices. Root barrier formation, mycorrhizal symbiosis, and metal-binding proteins emerge as critical defence mechanisms for combating heavy metal stress, offering opportunities for developing metal-tolerant cereal varieties. Research on metal bioavailability and food safety implications in cereal grains is vital to safeguard human health. This paper reveals that multidisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge technologies are essential for promoting innovation beyond the state of the art in elucidating and mitigating the impacts of heavy metals on cereal crops. Genetic and breeding approaches show promise in developing metal-tolerant cereal varieties, while agronomic practices and soil amendments can reduce metal bioavailability and toxicity. Unravelling the complex mechanisms underlying heavy metal uptake and tolerance is essential for sustainable cereal agriculture and worldwide food sustainability. Embracing the challenges of heavy metal pollution through proactive research and collaboration can secure a resilient future for cereal crops amid evolving environmental conditions.

Cadmium (Cd) is considered the primary dietary toxic element. Previous studies have demonstrated significant differences in heavy metal accumulation among crop species. However, this information in karst areas with low heavy metal activity is missing. In this study, the uptake and accumulation characteristics of cadmium in soil–crop samples of group 504 in the core karst region of East Asia were analyzed. Cadmium low-accumulating maize and rice were screened using cluster and Pareto analytic methods. In addition, a new method, the species–sensitive distribution model (SSD), was proposed, which could be used to estimate the environmental threshold for cadmium in regional cropland. The results showed that both maize and rice soils in the research area were contaminated with varying degrees of cadmium. The total concentrations of cadmium ω(T–Cd) in maize and rice fields are 0.18–1.32 and 0.20–4.42 mg kg–1, respectively. The ω(T–Cd) of heavy metals in maize kernels and rice grains is 0.002–0.429 and 0.003–0.393 mg kg–1, respectively. The bioaccumulation factor (BCF) of cadmium in maize ranged from 0.0079 to 0.9701, with a coefficient of variation of 1.71; the BCF of cadmium in rice ranged from 0.0074 to 0.1345, with a coefficient of variation of 0.99. According to cluster and Pareto analyses, the maize crop varieties with low cadmium accumulation suitable for local cultivation were screened as JHY809, JDY808, AD778, SN3H and SY13, and the rice varieties were DMY6188, GY725, NY6368, SY451 and DX4103. In addition, the environmental cadmium threshold ranges of 0.30–10.05 mg kg–1 and 0.89–24.39 mg kg–1 for maize and rice soils, respectively, were deduced in this study. This threshold will ensure that 5–95% of maize and rice will not be contaminated with cadmium in the soil.

Cereal crops can be considered the basis of human civilization. Thus, it is not surprising that these crops are grown in larger quantities worldwide than any other food supply and provide more energy to humankind than any other provision. Additionally, attempts to harness biomass consumption continue to increase to meet human energy needs. The high pressures for energy will determine the demand for crop plants as resources for biofuel, heat, and electricity. Thus, the search for plant traits associated with genetic increases in yield is mandatory. In multicellular organisms, including plants, growth and development are driven by cell division. These processes require a sequence of intricated events that are carried out by various protein complexes and molecules that act punctually throughout the cycle. Temporal controlled degradation of key cell division proteins ensures a correct onset of the different cell cycle phases and exit from the cell division program. Considering the cell cycle, the Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (APC/C) is an important conserved multi-subunit ubiquitin ligase, marking targets for degradation by the 26S proteasome. Studies on plant APC/C subunits and activators, mainly in the model plant Arabidopsis, revealed that they play a pivotal role in several developmental processes during growth. However, little is known about the role of APC/C in cereal crops. Here, we discuss the current understanding of the APC/C controlling cereal crop development.

Cereal crops account for 88.52% of grain production in Ethiopia and 87.6% in the Guji Zone. Despite its size, its contribution to household welfare has yet not been studied. Besides, there are limited studies with rigorous methodological approaches regarding the effects of commercializing cereal production on household welfare. This paper is set out to measure the commercialization of cereal crops and examines its welfare effects measured as food and nonfood consumption expenditure. The study was based on cross-sectional data collected in 2019 from 288 sample farm households selected through a multistage sampling technique. A Kruskal-Wallis test and post hoc Dunn's test were employed to examine the welfare effects of commercialization. The study shows that about 48.33% of cereal production was sold to the market, suggesting a moderate level of commercialization. Moreover, the finding indicates that the welfare effects differed across various levels of commercialization at p < 0.01, p < 0.05, and p < 0.1 significance levels. This implies that at least one of the commercialization categories had a different mean. The effects of cereal crop commercialization were statistically significant in terms of monetary expenditure on coffee and sugar, edible oil, clothes and shoes, education, medications, farm implements, durable goods, and aggregate expenditure. The study showed the positive welfare effects of cereal crop commercialization between comparisons considered (moderate vs. low, high vs. moderate, and high vs. low commercialization categories). It also pinpointed the possibility of further improving their consumption expenditure by enhancing their intensity of commercialization if appropriate strategies are designed and implemented. Thus, stakeholders involved in cereal subsector development should work collaboratively to enhance the farm-level intensity of commercialization by improving public service delivery in rural areas. Besides, farm households should work on value addition and market linkage to achieve a better commercial status, thus, improve their welfare.

Deficits in the mineral Zn are responsible for a sizable proportion of the world’s disease burden and child mortality. With the increasing success rate of biofortification in major crops, the development of a genotype with enhanced Zn bioavailability will be an efficient and sustainable solution to nutrient deficiency-related problems. Due to the complex chemistry of the human system, the absorption of Zn from cereals is lower. This complexity is alleviated by phytate, a major phosphorus-storing compound in cereal and legume seeds, which negatively affects Zn binding. The results of recent studies on the distribution of elements and micronutrient speciation in seeds provide strong evidence for the presence of distinct Zn pools. This observation is supported by data from biofortified transgenic plant research. Several studies identify nicotinamide, a metal chelator, as a pivotal molecule. The loading of Zn into grains has been reported to increase with nicotinamide levels, which is a crucial finding. Intestinal Zn absorption can be greatly improved by nicotinamide. Furthermore, bioavailability tests suggest that the use of nano Zn-enabled devices could be an effective strategy to enable plant biofortification, which may significantly boost the Zn content in various cereal crops. This review comprehensively evaluated the scientific publications indexed in WoS, Scopus, and various other reliable databases and explored insights into how nano-enabled technology could be a solution for enhancing Zn content in cereal crops for combating malnutrition in humans.

Abstract Pennisetum plants (Pennisetum alopecuroides L.), displaying a dwarfing phenotype along with delayed flowering and mosaic symptom on leaves, were found in Beijing, China. Flexuous filamentous particles with a size of approximate 15 × 850 nm were observed in symptomatic leaves via transmission electron microscopy. Deep sequencing of small RNAs (sRNA) from symptomatic leaves and analysis of sRNA populations were then conducted to determine the genome sequence of the viral agent in diseased plant tissues. It showed that the viral agent had one positive-sense and single-stranded RNA genome, which consisted of 9717 nucleotides (nts) excluding poly(A) tail. The complete viral genome contained a large open reading frame, encoding a polyprotein of 3131 amino acids (aa). Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the viral agent belonged to the genus Potyvirus in the family Potyviridae. In the cladogram it was most closely related to johnsongrass mosaic virus, sharing 72% nt and 65% aa sequence identity. This viral agent was provisionally named pennisetum alopecuroides mosaic virus (PalMV). Subsequently, it was confirmed that PalMV is the causal agent of this new disease in P. alopecuroides by Koch’s postulates and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Moreover, maize, millet, wheat, sorghum and rice plants were experimentally infected by PalMV via rub inoculation. Consequently, we proposed that PalMV could be a potentially dangerous virus threating a wide range of cereal crops.

Soil and water salinity are among the most fatal environmental challenges that threaten agricultural production worldwide. This study investigated the potential impact(s) of soil amendment using composted bagasse and/or foliar application of cyanobacteria-based bio-stimulants (Arthrospira platensis, also known as Spirulina platensis) to combat the harmful effect(s) of using saline water to irrigate barley plants grown in salt-affected soils during 2020/2021 and 2021/2022. Briefly, the dual application of composted bagasse and cyanobacteria-based bio-stimulants significantly improved the soil properties, buffered the exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), and enhanced the activity of soil enzymes (urease and dehydrogenase). Moreover, both treatments and their combination notably augmented the water relations of barley plants under salinity stress. All treatments significantly decreased stomatal conductance (gs) and relative water content (RWC) but increased the electrolyte leakage (EL) and balanced the contents of Na+ and K+, and their ratio (K+/Na+) of barley leaves under salinity stress compared with those irrigated with fresh water during the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 seasons. Additionally, composted bagasse and cyanobacteria-based bio-stimulants diminished the oxidative stress in barley plants under salinity stress by improving the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX). Consequently, the combination of composted bagasse and cyanobacteria extract resulted in superior yield-related traits such as spike length, number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, straw yield, and harvest index. Collectively, our findings suggest that the integrative application of composted bagasse and cyanobacteria is promising as a sustainable environmental strategiy that can be used to improve soil properties, plant growth, and productivity of not only barley plants but also maybe other cereal crops irrigated with saline water in salt-affected soil.

Some properties of biodegradable edible films developed from starches of acha (Digitalia exilis) and iburu (Digitalia iburua), with glycerol as plasticizer, were evaluated and compared. Scanning electron microscope revealed that acha starch film (ASF) had rougher surface with larger size spores. Both films showed similar crystallinity pattern made up of A-type pattern of cereal starch as backbone and process induced VH-crystals. FTIR spectroscopy revealed the traces of some non-starch components in the films matrices. Both films had near-equal thickness (≈0.02 mm). However, iburu starch film (ISF) exhibited higher density, swelling power, water solubility and mechanical resistant while ASF gave higher water vapor permeability. Both films maintained their integrity during water solubility testing period. ISF had significantly (p

Mounting evidence shows that pollinators are declining as a result of widespread environmental degradation. This loss raises concerns that a global pollination crisis could threaten the human food supply by decreasing crop yield and even promote famine under a hypothetical scenario of total pollinator extinction. This catastrophic possibility has prompted intense interest from scientists, politicians and the general public. However, three lines of evidence do not support such an apocalyptic scenario. First, even though the abundance and diversity of wild pollinators are declining worldwide, the global population of managed honey-bee hives has increased by ~80% since the early 1960s. Second, agricultural production would decrease by

Malnutrition, unhealthy diets, and lifestyle changes are the major risk factors for overweight and obesity-linked chronic diseases in humans adversely impact achieving sustainable development goals. Colored grains are a source of anthocyanins, a group of flavonoids, that contribute positively to human health. This review focuses on genetic variation harnessed through breeding and biotechnology tools for developing anthocyanin-rich grain crops. Agronomic practices, genotype × environment interactions, different stresses, seed development and seed maturity are factors that impact the content and composition of anthocyanins. Significant progress has been made in characterizing genes associated with anthocyanin biosynthesis in cereal and other crops. Breeding has led to the development and release of grain anthocyanin-rich crop cultivars in Europe, America and in some countries in Asia. Notably, genetic engineering utilizing specific transcription factors and gene editing has led to the development of anthocyanin-rich genetic variants without any significant yield penalty. A variety of food products derived from colored grains or flours are now available in grocery stores and supermarkets worldwide. The public perception about anthocyanin-rich food is positive, but availability, affordability, and willingness to pay a higher price than before limit consumption. Together with other seed nutrition traits in breeding programs the inclusion of anthocyanins can ensure the development of cultivars that meet nutrition needs of humans, especially in the developing world.

Background. Development of new highly adaptable triticale cultivars with high yield potential and environmental resistance to adverse factors of the Middle Amur region requires a study of the collection material. One of the priorities of such research is to identify effective sources and donors among triticale accessions according to the main yield components and economically useful traits.Materials and methods. The material was represented by spring triticale cultivars from the collection of the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR).Results. The following cultivars were identified as promising breeding sources: ‘AC Certa’, ‘Lana’, ‘Zolotoy Grebeshok’ and ‘Ulyana’ for their optimal yield in the Middle Amur region; ‘AC Certa’, ‘Zolotoy Grebeshok’, ‘Mykola’, ‘Korovai Kharkivsky’ and ‘Victoria’ for earliness; ‘Victoria’, ‘Rovnya’, ‘Kobzar’ (Ukraine), ‘Losinovske’, ‘Zgurivsky’ and ‘Sandio’ for plant height; ‘Lotos’, ‘Yarilo’, ‘ZG 186’, ‘Oberig Kharkivsky’, ‘Tleridal’ and ‘Sandio’ for ear length; ‘Lana’, ‘Ulyana’, ‘Lotos, ‘Yarilo’, ‘ZG 186’, ‘Pamyat Merezhko’, ‘Victoria’, ‘Kobzar’, ‘Oberig Kharkivsky’, ‘Tleridal’ and’ Sandio’ for the number of spikelets per ear; ‘AC Certa’, ‘Lana’, ‘Dagvo’, ‘Pamyat Merezhko’ and ‘Kobzar’ for the number of grains per ear; ‘Ukro’, ‘Lotos’, ‘Yarilo’, ‘Rovnya’ and ‘Kobzar’ for grain weight per ear; ‘Ukro’, ‘Skory’ and ‘Rovnya’ for grain size; ‘Ukro’, ‘Skory’ and ‘Rovnya’ protein content in grain; ‘Dagvo’, ‘Kobzar’ and ‘Sandio’ for lysine content in grain; ‘AC Certa’, ‘Lana’, ‘Skory’, ‘Lotus’, ‘Yarilo’, ‘ZG 186’, ‘Pamyat Merezhko’, ‘Victoria’, ‘Rovnya’, ‘Kobzar’, ‘Losinovske’, ‘Zgurivsky’, ‘Oberig Kharkivsky’, ‘Tleridal’ and ‘Sandio’ for resistance to lodging; ‘Lana’, ‘Pamyat Merezhko’, ‘Victoria Zgurivsky’, ‘Oberig Kharkivsky’ and ‘Tleridal’ for disease resistance.Conclusion. The selected accessions can be used in breeding programs of the Middle Amur region and other regions of the country.

he dynamics of the spread and development of diseases in winter wheat and oat agrocenosis under the conditions of the Right-bank Forest Steppe have been investigated. It was established that during 2017–2019, septoria and powdery mildew were the dominant diseases in winter wheat crops, while in oats the main disease was powdery mildew. During the vegetation period, powdery mildew spread by an average of 40.6% of wheat plants and septoria disease - by 47.8%. In the agrocenosis of oats, the spread of powdery mildew was 67.4% over the three years. The peculiarities of the development of powdery mildew pathogens in winter wheat and oat agrocenosis, depending on hydrothermal factors (average daily temperatures and rainfall) during the vegetation season, have been analyzed. The arid conditions of vegetation period in 2017 (GTC 0.51) were not favorable for the development of mycosis in cereal crops compared to 2018 and 2019 (GTC 1.32 and 1.15). The average prevalence of diseases in 2017 was twice less than that of 2018 and 2019, and the intensity of the development decreased by 1,5-3 and 2,4-4,0 times (powdery mildew on wheat and oats) and 0,4-4,3 times (septoria on wheat). Due to excessive humidity (189-229 mm) and high air temperature (more than 25 ° C), there is an active development (up to 40%) of pathogens in cereal crops, which can cause morbid affection of more than 50% of crops. Under such conditions, the spread of powdery mildew on wheat plants reaches 45-53% and in the oat - up to 65-77%, the spread of septoria in wheat is up to 59- 60%.

Extreme temperatures, drought, salinity and soil pollution are the most common types of abiotic stresses crops can encounter in fields; these variations represent a general warning to plant productivity and survival, being more harmful when in combination. Plant response to such conditions involves the activation of several molecular mechanisms, starting from perception to signaling, transcriptional reprogramming and protein modifications. This can influence the plant’s life cycle and development to different extents. Flowering developmental transition is very sensitive to environmental stresses, being critical to reproduction and to agricultural profitability for crops. The Poacee family contains some of the most widespread domesticated plants, such as wheat, barley and rice, which are commonly referred to as cereals and represent a primary food source. In cultivated Poaceae, stress-induced modifications of flowering time and development cause important yield losses by directly affecting seed production. At the molecular level, this reflects important changes in gene expression and protein activity. Here, we present a comprehensive overview on the latest research investigating the molecular pathways linking flowering control to osmotic and temperature extreme conditions in agronomically relevant monocotyledons. This aims to provide hints for biotechnological strategies that can ensure agricultural stability in ever-changing climatic conditions.

Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are essential nonprotein-coding genes. In a range of organisms, miRNAs has been reported to play an essential role in regulating gene expressions at post-transcriptional level. They participate in most of the stress responsive processes in plants. Drought is an ultimate abiotic stress that affects the crop production. Therefore understanding drought stress responses are essential to improve the production of agricultural crops. Throughout evolution, plants have developed their own defense systems to cope with the adversities of environmental stresses. Among defensive mechanisms include the regulations of gene expression by miRNAs. Drought stress regulates the expression of some of the functionally conserved miRNAs in different plants. The given properties of miRNAs provide an insight to genetic alterations and enhancing drought resistance in cereal crops. The current review gives a summary to regulatory mechanisms in plants as well as miRNAs response to drought stresses in cereal crops. Some possible approaches and guidelines for the exploitation of drought stress miRNA responses to improve cereal crops are also described.

Rhizoctonia solani is a soil-borne fungus causing sheath blight disease in cereal crops including rice. Genetic resistance to sheath blight disease in cereal crops is not well understood in most of the host(s). Aside from this, a comparative study on the different hosts at the biochemical and proteomic level upon R. solani infection was not reported earlier. Here, we performed proteomic based analysis and studied defense pathways among cultivated rice (cv. Pusa Basmati-1), wild rice accession (Oryza grandiglumis), and barley (cv. NDB-1445) after inoculation with R. solani. Increased levels of phenol, peroxidase, and β-1, 3-glucanase were observed in infected tissue as compared to the control in all of the hosts. Wild rice accession O. grandiglumis showed a higher level of biochemical signals than barley cv. NDB 1445 and cultivated rice cv. Pusa Basmati-1. Using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and mass spectrometry (MS), differently expressed proteins were also studied in control and after inoculation with R. solani. Wild rice accession O. grandiglumis induced a cysteine protease inhibitor and zinc finger proteins, which have defense functions and resistance against fungal pathogens. On the other hand, barley cv. NDB-1445 and cultivated rice cv. Pusa Basmati-1 mainly induce energy metabolism-related proteins/signals after inoculation with R. solani in comparison to wild rice accession O. grandiglumis. The present comprehensive study of R. solani interaction using three hosts, namely, Pusa Basmati-1 (cultivated rice), O. grandiglumis (wild rice), and NDB-1445 (barley) would interpret wider possibilities in the dissection of the protein(s) induced during the infection process. These proteins may further be correlated to the gene(s) and other related molecular tools that will help for the marker-assisted breeding and/or gene editing for this distressing disease among the major cereal crops.

Water stress is notably a critical environmental condition restricting plant growth and economic outputs in semi-arid and arid environments. In a pot experiment, we explored the potential function of α-tocopherol (α-toc) and/or ascorbic acid (AsA) on the agronomic and physio-biochemical features of oat grown in water-scarce conditions. Drought duration significantly reduced the soil electrical conductivity and pH but increased the soil temperature, influencing the nutrient availability and uptake. For example, post-drought (25 days) soil analysis indicated that electrical conductivity decreased from 597 to 306 mS/m, total dissolved solids from 298 to 153 mg/L, and pH from 7.5 to 6.3 in 25 days of drought. Further, the drought-stressed leaves also contained significantly lower metabolites, such as proline, protein, sugar, and glycine betaine, than the control leaves, indicating impaired plant defense mechanisms. Significantly increased enzymatic antioxidants in leaves (e.g., superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and peroxidase) suggested the inability of oat plants to overcome drought-induced oxidative damage. In contrast, AsA and/or α-toc significantly amplified the seed germination rates and plant growth. Taken together, our results demonstrate that AsA and α-toc have the capability to mitigate adverse effects of drought conditions on oat plants by improving leaf relative water contents, photosynthetic pigments, and the antioxidant defense system.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are one of the important microbiota involved in a relationship with plant roots in which the plants and fungi both share and exchange nutrients and shelter. Cereal crops are the most essential sources of carbohydrates, dietary protein, and vitamin B for humans, and they supply the most fundamental diets. AM fungi are introduced as the optimal approach for real agricultural systems for increasing growth and productivity. According to a study from the previous decade, AM fungi were shown to promote crop growth and production, particularly in cereal crops. The AM fungi symbiosis provides a pleasant environment for microorganisms in the root and soil system, which promotes plant nutrition and water availability. AM fungi increase nutrient uptake and assimilation and also increase photosynthetic activity, which is directly associated with plant growth. Furthermore, AM fungi increase the primary and secondary metabolites, as well as soluble proteins and carbohydrates, in cereals crops. AM fungi have been shown to improve plant biomass, yield, and productivity in cereal crops. Additionally, the use of AM fungi enhances plants’ stress tolerance against various environmental stresses. In this review, we integrate the recent findings regarding the effects of AM fungi application on soil, root systems, nutrient availability and uptake, photosynthesis, metabolites, plant growth, and productivity. Furthermore, a large number of studies have been reviewed, and several limitations and research gaps have been identified that must be addressed in future studies.

Abstract Background Flavonoid 3′-hydroxlase (F3’H) is an important enzyme in determining the B-ring hydroxylation pattern of flavonoids. In monocots, previous studies indicated the presence of two groups of F3’Hs with different enzyme activities. One F3’H in rice was found to display novel chrysoeriol-specific 5′-hydroxylase activity. However, the evolutionary history of monocot F3’Hs and the molecular basis for the observed catalytic difference remained elusive. Results We performed genome-wide survey of 12 common monocot plants, and identified a total of 44 putative F3’H genes. The results showed that F3’H gene family had underwent volatile lineage-specific gene duplication and gene loss events in monocots. The expansion of F3’H gene family was mainly attributed to dispersed gene duplication. Phylogenetic analyses showed that monocot F3’Hs have evolved into two independent lineages (Class I and Class II) after gene duplication in the common ancestor of monocot plants. Evolutionary dynamics analyses had detected positive natural selection in Class II F3’Hs, acting on 7 specific amino acid sites. Protein modelling showed these selected sites were mainly located in the catalytic cavity of F3’H. Sequence alignment revealed that Class I and Class II F3’Hs displayed amino acid substitutions at two critical sites previously found to be responsible for F3’H and flavonoid 3′5’-hydroxylase (F3’5’H) activities. In addition, transcriptional divergence was also observed for Class I and Class II F3’Hs in four monocot species. Conclusions We concluded that monocot F3’Hs have evolved into two independent lineages (Mono_F3’H Class I and Class II), after gene duplication during the common ancestor of monocot plants. The functional divergence of monocot F3’H Class II has been affected by positive natural selection, which acted on specific amino acid sites only. Critical amino acid sites have been identified to have high possibility to affect the substrate specificity of Class II F3’Hs. Our study provided an evolutionary and protein structural explanation to the previously observed chrysoeriol-specific 5′-hydroxylation activity for CYP75B4 in rice, which may also be true for other Class II F3’Hs in monocots. Our study presented clear evidence of plant-environmental interaction at the gene evolutionary level, and would guide future functional characterization of F3’Hs in cereal plants.

Exploitation of low-quality water or irrigation of field crops with saline water in salt-affected soil is a critical worldwide challenge that rigorously influences agricultural productivity and sustainability, especially in arid and semiarid zones with limited freshwater resources. Therefore, we investigated a synergistic amendment strategy for salt-affected soil using a singular and combined application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR at 950 g ha−1; Azotobacter chroococcum SARS 10 and Pseudomonas koreensis MG209738) and silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) at 500 mg L−1 to mitigate the detrimental impacts of irrigation with saline water on the growth, physiology, and productivity of barley (Hordum vulgare L.), along with soil attributes and nutrient uptake during 2019/2020 and 2020/2021. Our field trials showed that the combined application of PGPR and SiNPs significantly improved the soil physicochemical properties, mainly by reducing the soil exchangeable sodium percentage. Additionally, it considerably enhanced the microbiological counts (i.e., bacteria, azotobacter, and bacillus) and soil enzyme activity (i.e., urease and dehydrogenase) in both growing seasons compared with the control. The combined application of PGPR and SiNPs alleviated the detrimental impacts of saline water on barley plants grown in salt-affected soil compared to the single application of PGPR or SiNPs. The marked improvement was due to the combined application of PGPR and SiNPs, which enhanced the physiological properties (e.g., relative chlorophyll content (SPAD), relative water content (RWC), stomatal conductance, and K/Na ratio), enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX)), and yield and yield-related traits and nutrient uptake (N, P, and K) of barley plants. Moreover, the Na+ content, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, lipid peroxidation (MDA), electrolyte leakage (EL), and proline content were reduced upon the application of PGPR + SiNPs. These results could be important information for cultivating barley and other cereal crops in salt-affected soil under irrigation with saline water.

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal with no known biological function in plants and one of the most toxic substances released into the environment. Crops, such as rice, maize, wheat and tobacco are the major sources of Cd for humans. Cd toxicity inhibits crop growth and development by affecting many central physiological and biochemical processes, and finally it affects human health via the food chain. To adapt to Cd toxicity, crops have evolved a series of detoxification mechanisms. Immediate responses include rapid changes at the transcriptional level with simultaneous changes at the physiological and metabolic levels. However, the long-term responses involve genetic modifications and epigenetic changes. During the last decade, many genes involved in Cd uptake and translocation have been identified, and many of them are transporters. To decrease the accumulation of Cd in cereal grains and tobacco leaves, a number of approaches have been proposed, including physical and chemical methods, developing and planting low accumulation genotypes using transgenic strategies or marker–trait association breeding. In this review, we describe the toxicity of Cd to crops and human body, advances in the molecular mechanisms of Cd accumulation in cereal crops and tobacco, and approaches to decrease Cd accumulation.

Seed is an essential input to sustain agricultural productivity. The expansion of agricultural areas to meet global food demand contributes to the emergence of pathogenic microorganisms that contaminate and infect crop seeds. Conventional technologies in controlling seed-borne diseases are, however, not environmentally sustainable. This inspired the authors to explore existing literature on organic disinfection techniques for crop production. Various integrated seed disinfection techniques for major food crops, including rice, wheat, barley, millet, buckwheat, and sorghum, have been presented in this study. Moreover, the authors explored the potentials of hot water treatment as an alternative treatment method in meeting the ideal seed quality for cultivation.

Abstract Mycotoxins are carcinogenic secondary metabolites of fungi that have been linked to infant growth faltering. In this study, we quantified co‐occurring mycotoxins in breast milk and food samples from Haryana, India, and characterized determinants of exposure. Deterministic risk assessment was conducted for mothers and infants. We examined levels of eight mycotoxins (Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2, M1, M2; Ochratoxin A, B) in 100 breast milk samples (infants 2–4 months) using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), fumonisin B1 (FB1) and deoxynivalenol (DON) were detected in several food items (n = 298) using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. We report novel data on the presence of mycotoxins in breast milk samples from India. Whereas breast milk concentrations (AFM1 median: 13.7; range: 3.9–1200 ng/L) remain low, AFM1 was detected above regulatory limits in 27% of animal milk samples. Additionally, 41% of infants were above provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) limits for AFM1 due to consumption of breast milk (mean: 3.04, range: 0.26–80.7 ng kg−1 bw day−1). Maternal consumption of breads (p < 0.05) was associated with breast milk AFM1 exposure. AFB1 (μg/kg) was detected in dried red chilies (15.7; 0–302.3), flour (3.13; 0–214.9), groundnuts (0; 0–249.1), maize (56.0; 0–836.7), pearl millet (1.85; 0–160.2), rice (0; 0–195.6), wheat (1.9; 0–196.0) and sorghum (0; 0–63.5). FB1 (mg/kg) was detected in maize (0; 0–61.4), pearl millet (0; 0–35.4) and sorghum (0.95; 0–33.2). DON was not detected in food samples. Mothers in our study exceeded PMTDI recommendations for AFB1 due to consumption of rice and flour (mean: 75.81; range: 35.2–318.2 ng kg−1 bw day−1). Our findings show the presence of Aflatoxin B1 and M1 at various levels of the food chain and in breast milk, with estimated intakes exceeding PMTDI recommendations. Aflatoxins are known carcinogens and have also been linked to stunting in children. Their presence across the food system and in breast milk is concerning, thus warranting further research to replicate and expand on our findings and to understand implications for maternal and child health.

In the Guji Zone, even though cereal crop production volume has shown an increasing trend by 100.5% between 2011 and 2020, the proportion of cereal crops that are marketed has declined by 12.9% during the same years. This study was designed to analyze determinants of cereal crop commercialization in the Guji Zone. The study used cross-sectional data collected in 2019 from a sample of 288 farm households. The study showed that farmers in the Guji Zone were semi-commercially oriented in the cereal crops output market with an average level of cereal crops commercialization of 48.33%. The ordered probit model result revealed that the level of cereal crops commercialization was significantly explained by sex of the household heads, ownership of equines, cultivated land size, the frequency of extension contact, credit use, the value of crops produced, and household’s medium perception about lagged crop price. Thus, the level of cereal crops commercialization can be improved by increasing the frequency of extension contact, agricultural credit supply at low cost, and use of strategies that promote intensive agriculture such as warranting of the availability of modern agro-inputs at affordable prices, and promotion of the adoption and use of modern agro-inputs by farm households.

Successful weed control in small grains involves using good management practices in all phases of production. In Florida, winter weeds compete with small grains for moisture, nutrients, and light, with the greatest amount of competition occurring during the first six to eight weeks after planting. Weeds also cause harvest problems the following spring when the small grain is mature. This 4-page publication discusses crop competition, knowing your weeds, and chemical control. Written by J. A. Ferrell, G. E. MacDonald, and P. Devkota, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, revised May 2020.

Successful weed control in small grains involves using good management practices in all phases of production. In Florida, winter weeds compete with small grains for moisture, nutrients, and light, with the greatest amount of competition occurring during the first six to eight weeks after planting. Weeds also cause harvest problems the following spring when the small grain is mature. This 4-page publication discusses crop competition, knowing your weeds, and chemical control. Written by J. A. Ferrell, G. E. MacDonald, and P. Devkota, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, revised May 2020.

Successful weed control in small grains involves using good management practices in all phases of production. In Florida, winter weeds compete with small grains for moisture, nutrients, and light, with the greatest amount of competition occurring during the first six to eight weeks after planting. Weeds also cause harvest problems the following spring when the small grain is mature. This 4-page publication discusses crop competition, knowing your weeds, and chemical control. Written by J. A. Ferrell, G. E. MacDonald, and P. Devkota, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, revised May 2020.

The stomatal pores of plant leaves control gas exchange with the environment. Stomatal development is prevised regulated by both internal genetic programs and environmental cues. Among various environmental factors, light regulation of stomata formation has been extensively studied in Arabidopsis. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the genetic control of stomata development and its regulation by light. We also present a comparative analysis of the conserved and diverged stomatal regulatory networks between Arabidopsis and cereal grasses. Lastly, we provide our perspectives on manipulation of the stomata density on plant leaves for the purpose of breeding crops that are better adapted to the adverse environment and high-density planting conditions.

Land suitability analysis is a prerequisite for sustainable agricultural production. This study was aimed at evaluating the current physical land suitability for major cereal crops: teff, wheat, barley and maize in the Dabo-Hana district, Bunno Bedelle Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. A GIS and RS technique with a multi-criteria evaluation approach was applied for evaluating the physical land suitability for the major crops. Various physical land attributes, namely temperature, rainfall, altitude, slope, soil (soil depth, PH, texture, and drainage), land use land cover, accessibility to market and proximity to road have been used as input parameters. Physical land suitability maps were generated for the major cereal crops. The optimum vector overlay analysis results revealed that from the total area, 15,298 ha (20.34%) and 12,494 ha (16.8%) is highly suitable and moderately suitable for all teff, wheat, barley, and maize crop production, respectively. The remaining area has a mixed suitability status (suitable for some crops and unsuitable for others) for all the analyzed crops. This study demonstrated that based on physical land suitability analysis the study area has huge potential for cereal crop production. Topographic factor (altitude) and climatic factors (temperature and rainfall) are the dominant factors that influence the suitability of agricultural land for the major crops in the study area. This study report urges the concerned stakeholders to properly use and adopt precisely the optimum physical land suitability planning to expend the present land resources for more cereal crop productivity in a sustainable manner for better socio-economic development of the region.

The present study investigates the potential ameliorative role of seven secondary metabolites, viz., ascorbate (AsA), reduced glutathione (GSH), jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), serotonin (5-HT), indole–3–acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA3), for mitigation of aluminium (Al3+) and manganese (Mn2+) stress associated with acidic soils in rice, maize and wheat. The dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and mono-dehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) of the cereals were used as model targets, and the analysis was performed using computational tools. Molecular docking approach was employed to evaluate the interaction of these ions (Al3+ and Mn2+) and the metabolites at the active sites of the two target enzymes. The results indicate that the ions potentially interact with the active sites of these enzymes and conceivably influence the AsA–GSH cycle. The metabolites showed strong interactions at the active sites of the enzymes. When the electrostatic surfaces of the metabolites and the ions were generated, it revealed that the surfaces overlap in the case of DHAR of rice and wheat, and MDHAR of rice. Thus, it was hypothesized that the metabolites may prevent the interaction of ions with the enzymes. This is an interesting approach to decipher the mechanism of action of secondary metabolites against the metal or metalloid - induced stress responses in cereals by aiming at specific targets. The findings of the present study are reasonably significant and may be the beginning of an interesting and useful approach towards comprehending the role of secondary metabolites for stress amelioration and mitigation in cereals grown under acidic soil conditions.

Starch is the main food source for human beings and livestock all over the world, and it is also the raw material for production of industrial alcohol and biofuel. A considerable part of the world’s annual starch production comes from crops and their seeds. With the increasing demand for starch from food and non-food industries and the growing loss of arable land due to urbanization, understanding starch biosynthesis and its regulators is essential to produce the desirable traits as well as more and better polymers via biotechnological approaches in cereal crops. Because of the complexity and flexibility of carbon allocation in the formation of endosperm starch, cereal crops require a broad range of enzymes and one matching network of regulators to control the providential functioning of these starch biosynthetic enzymes. Here, we comprehensively summarize the current knowledge about regulatory factors of starch biosynthesis in cereal crops, with an emphasis on the transcription factors that directly regulate starch biosynthesis. This review will provide new insights for the manipulation of bioengineering and starch biosynthesis to improve starch yields or qualities in our diets and in industry.

Spiders (Araneae) create abundant and diverse assemblages in many agroecosystems, where they play a crucial role as the main group of predators and pest controllers. However, seasonal disturbance in the agricultural environment (e.g., harvesting or ploughing) affects spider assemblages. The main aim of this research was to compare assemblages of Araneae colonising cereal fields cultivated under two different systems of soil tillage: conventional with ploughing and non-inversion tillage. The research covered plantations of triticale, wheat, and barley, situated in northeastern Poland. Ground-dwelling spiders were captured into modified pitfall traps filled up to 1/3 height with an ethylene glycol solution. In total, 6744 spiders representing 67 species classified in 13 families were caught. The traps were emptied every two weeks from the end of April until the end of July. A total of 2410 specimens representing 55 species were captured in the fields with simplified cultivation, while the remaining 4334 specimens representing 49 species were trapped in conventional fields where ploughing was performed. The Shannon diversity (H’) and evenness (J’) indices reached higher values in the fields without ploughing. According to IndVal Erigone, dentipalpis and Bathyphantes gracilis were signifi-cantly characteristic (p < 0.05) for non-inversion soil tillage, whereas six species, Oedothorax apicatus, Pardosa prativaga, Pardosa paludicola, Pachygnatha clerki, Dicimbium nigrum brevisetosum, and Clubiona reclusa, were typical of soil tillage with ploughing. The research showed that simplification of soil tillage in cereal fields improves the biodiversity of arachnofauna in agricultural ecosystems. The use of conventional tillage systems with ploughing promotes agrobiontic species of the families Linyphiidae and Lycosidae.