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Sweetpotato is an important food crop in global production. However, sweetoptato viruses pose a threat to sustainable agriculture and cause significant economic loss. More than 30 viruses have been reported to date, with sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV) and sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV) occurring frequently and in combination, causing sweetpotato virus disease. The detection of viruses directly from sweetpotato is still a challenge, and efforts are being made toward this front. Therefore, rapid detection of viruses is critical for effective control. Current diagnostic tests are not sufficiently sensitive to reliably detect viruses directly from sweetpotato and require expensive laboratory equipment and a high level of skilled experience. Loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is sensitive and specific for both DNA/RNA amplification; it is affordable and its characteristics make it potentially suitable for on‐site testing. LAMP assays have been developed for several sweetpotato viruses: SPCSV, SPFMV, and sweet potato leaf curl virus (and related sweepoviruses). Laboratory validation showed a 100% diagnostic sensitivity for all three viruses. The LAMP on‐site testing results were comparable to those of polymerase chain reaction and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction confirmatory laboratory tests. Interlab validation and packaging into affordable kits will ensure high adoption in sub‐Saharan Africa. The LAMP assay can be used for field surveys and monitoring the phytosanitary status of pre‐basic seed production in quarantine or certification program. This guarantees pathogen‐free planting material enters the seed system. We discuss opportunities for LAMP as a diagnostic assay for the rapid detection of sweetpotato viruses and its adoption as a quality control system for planting materials. Core Ideas: Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV), sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV), and sweet potato leaf curl virus (SPLCV) are the most common viruses known to cause disease in sweetpotato.Field deployable loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the rapid detection of SPFMV, SPCSV, and SPLCV. Adoption of the LAMP assay by field inspectors for field surveys and monitoring the phytosanitary status of pre‐basic seed production in quarantine or certification programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volunteer canola (Brassica napus L.) is defined as canola germinating and emerging after the intended cropping season, and it continually ranks as a top occurring weed on the Canadian prairies. Seed dormancy is the physiological mechanism enabling the seed to remain viable in the soil seedbank for extended periods of time. Specifically, canola has a high likelihood of being induced into secondary seed dormancy under adverse environmental conditions not suitable for germination. A reduction of secondary seed dormancy in modern canola varieties may result in lower seedbank persistence; however, the effect of reducing dormancy on other seed traits is not known. This study examined a diverse collection of spring B. napus genotypes produced in differing maternal environments for secondary seed dormancy as well as seed germination, vigor, and seed quality traits. Genotype contributed the most to total variability (46%), the interactions between genotype and environment had a moderate contribution (28%), and very little contribution from maternal environment alone (4%) was observed for the secondary seed dormancy trait. The remaining variability (22%) was allocated to the residuals. No association was observed between secondary seed dormancy and germination time or seed vigor traits in genotypes examined. Significant associations with secondary seed dormancy were detected for primary dormancy, total protein, seed fiber components, glucosinolates content, seed geographical origin, and fatty acid composition. According to the results of this study, the reduction of secondary seed dormancy as a breeding objective in canola breeding programs is feasible as the trait is largely genetically controlled. Furthermore, direct selection against secondary seed dormancy is unlikely to have adverse effects on canola seed germination and vigor given no associations were detected in the current study. Core Ideas: Genetic reduction of secondary seed dormancy may help to reduce volunteer canola on the Canadian prairies.Genetics were the largest contributing factor to variability of the secondary seed dormancy trait.The current study was first to assess large number of spring Brassica napus genotypes across several environments.No associations were identified for seed germination or seed vigor traits and secondary seed dormancy.Increased seed fiber resulted in higher secondary seed dormancy, possibly due to mechanical restraint of seed coat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The availability of quality seed to smallholder farmers for most crops in sub‐Saharan Africa is a problem due to low production and availability of certified seed. Ethiopia has adopted quality declared seed (QDS) certification protocols for arable crops including potato. However, the procedure sets that only 10% of seed fields submitted to certification as QDS are inspected by external inspection. Consequently, a survey was conducted in Amhara, Oromia, and Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples' (SNNP) regions in Ethiopia to determine the reliability of quality control in potato QDS done through only visual assessment by determining the incidence of latent Ralstonia solanacerum (Rs) infection among farmer seed group cooperatives (FSGCs) and individual decentralized seed multipliers (IDSM). Tuber samples were collected from 446 potato fields in selected districts for both seed and ware potato producers. Data revealed that all the varieties collected in the study were equally prone to latent Rs infection. The proportion of latent Rs infected fields was highest in SNNP (39.6%) and least in Amhara (10.8%) region. Latent Rs infection was as high in samples collected from fields of FSGCs as in home‐saved or local seed (20.5%) and lowest among IDSM (8.7%). These data reveal that certifying potato QDS visually as the current practice in Ethiopia is inadequate for seed health assurance and a recipe for disseminating Rs. To contain further spread of the disease, therefore, all seed classes including QDS in Ethiopia should be tested for latent Rs infection if they are to be formally distributed. Core Ideas: The incidence of latent Ralstonia solanacerum (Rs) infection was higher in Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples' region than in Oromia and Amhara regions.Certifying quality declared seed visually as the current practice is inadequate for seed health assurance and a recipe for disseminating Rs.All seed potato classes in Ethiopia should be subjected to latent Rs indexing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited availability and access to quality seed is a major challenge faced by the Kenyan potato subsector. Smallholder farmers cultivate the bulk of potato mainly planting seed from informal sources without any quality assurance which contributes to low yields. In recent years, private sector businesses have engaged in certified seed potato production with positive impact on the volumes available, relying on minitubers to multiply in the field over three to four generations. Rooted apical cuttings (RACs) provide a productive alternative starter material that can further boost the Kenyan seed systems. Stokman Rozen Kenya Ltd (SRK) is a private sector business that has embraced this technology in 2017. Also, small‐scale nurseries have recently started the commercial production of cuttings. They both sell RACs mainly to seed growers for further bulking, but ware potato farmers can also produce quality seed on‐farm for their own use from RACs when applying good agricultural practices. This paper examines the initial experiences of both SRK and small‐scale nurseries in the production and marketing of RACs as well as their performance during subsequent field multiplications. Producing and selling RACs offers a profitable business opportunity, especially when productivity and sales increase. Compared to other rapid multiplication technologies, RACs also allow to significantly increase the volumes of early generation seed produced. Key recommendations are to create awareness and to develop adequate marketing strategies to promote their uptake, and to ensure RACs are adequately multiplied into commercial seed to improve its availability to smallholder farmers in Kenya. Core Ideas: Rooted apical cuttings are produced from tissue culture plantlets and planted in the field to produce seed tubers.Rooted apical cuttings have the potential to significantly boost the production of quality seed potato in Kenya.Rooted apical cuttings are recognized under Kenya's seed regulations as the same as tissue culture (G0 seed).Key challenges are to create wider awareness of rooted apical cuttings and to develop market demand.Each (seed) potato producer should assess well in advance his/her management capacities of rooted apical cuttings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is the predominant disease in oat in Norway caused by the fungus Fusarium graminearum. It causes yield loss, reduced seed quality, reduced germination ability and accumulation of deoxynivalenol (DON). The FHB resistance is quantitative, and most genes have small effect. Markers with verified effect in the breeding program could further enhance the resistance breeding. This study aims to use a large and diverse population of 541 lines to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated to FHB resistance in a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) and verify their effect in independent breeding material. The material has been tested in six environments over three years and two locations in spawn inoculated and mist irrigated disease trials. The traits tested were germination ability and DON accumulation. A total of 15 significant QTL‐regions were detected across 12 different linkage groups. Haplotypes for each region was constructed and the effect of the alleles in each environment was calculated, which identified the most likely resistant and susceptible alleles. Five QTL‐regions were validated showing consistent effect in the GWAS population and the breeding material. Stacking of the resistant alleles of these regions from zero to five showed significant decrease in DON values and increased germination ability. The haplotype information of a set of historical and modern Nordic varieties were analysed, and the results could be used to select parents for future crossings. The validated haplotypes from this study can be used either to do marker assisted selection (MAS) or improve genomic prediction models in breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paspalum guenoarum is a warm‐season perennial grass, with a caespitose growth habit. The species is native to southern Brazilian grasslands and has been used in interspecific hybridizations because of its high palatability, resistance to trampling and grazing, and cold tolerance. Previous studies reported improvements in forage production and the nutritive value of hybrid material. However, there are limited data about seed production and seed quality of these hybrids. The aim of this study was to quantify the optimal time to harvest seed of three Paspalum plicatulum × P. guenoarum hybrids (08Q01, 104026, and 105052). Seed yield and seed quality were determined. Hybrids were harvested at 10, 20, and 30 days after flowering and evaluated for the components of seed yield, vigor, and viability. The optimum time to harvest was 20 days after the beginning of flowering. A >50% yield reduction, due to seed shattering, occurred when harvesting was delayed beyond 20 days. Harvesting <20 days after flowering resulted in a high percentage of empty spikelets and seeds with low vigor and viability. About 75% of the seed shattering took place 10–20 days after flowering, and for the 104026 and 105052 hybrids, >50% of seed was during this period. Hybrid 105052 had superior seed yield (2380 ± 280 kg ha−1) and similar seed quality. These two characteristics, among others, are the most important ones when recommending a new commercial cultivar for release. Core Ideas: Native grass seeds are vital for sustaining livestock productivity in southern Brazil.There is a gap between seed yield and seed quality due to the harvest time in Paspalum hybrids.Delayed harvesting can halve seed yield, while early harvesting affects seed quality.Hybrids of Paspalum plicatulum × P. guenoarum are promising candidates for commercial cultivars due to seed traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed is one of the most crucial inputs for soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production due to its influence on plant population, uniformity, and yield, as well as its cost as an input. Seeds of good quality have high germinability and vigor, providing an adequate stand with uniformly good growth and development even under adverse conditions. This study aimed to measure the effect of soybean planting date and seeding rate on harvested seed mass, seed germinability, and seed vigor. Seeds were collected from a field experiment during the 2020 and 2021 growing seasons at two locations in Ohio: Western Agricultural Research Station and Northwest Agricultural Research Station. The study was conducted using a split‐plot randomized complete block design (planting date–whole plot; seeding rate–subplot) with four replications. Standard germination and accelerated aging tests were conducted in the laboratory using seeds harvested from the field study. All four site‐years demonstrated that planting soybean very late (June 16–July 1) produced lower weight seeds than the other planting dates. Across planting date and seeding rate treatments, the harvested seed germinability was ≥94%. However, soybean planted in early June (June 1–June 15) had the lowest seed vigor results (64%–81%) compared to other planting dates (80%–89%). Rainfall at R7–R8 development stages is negatively correlated with the seed vigor. The results will help seed producers optimize seed production and quality and suggest avoiding planting in June to increase harvested seed vigor. Core Ideas: Later soybean planting dates were associated with reduced seed weight.Seeding rate did not impact seed germinability and seed vigor of harvested seed.Germinability of harvested seeds was ≥94% in all site‐years, regardless of the planting date or seeding rate.Soybean planted in early June produced seeds with the lowest seed vigor.Rainfall at R7–R8 development stages is negatively correlated with seed vigor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is considered an orphan/underutilised grain legume with high yield and nutritive potential. It is variable in flower and seed coat (testa) colour and this variation could possibly be used as a biomarker in phenotypic selection for yield and quality traits. Three phenotypes differing in flower/testa colour (white flower‐white to creamy testa and white hilum [TWHW], slightly blue banner and wing colouration‐white to creamy testa and coloured halo around hilum [TWHC] and blue banner and wing colouration‐spotted testa and coloured halo around hilum [TSHC]) were tested over two growing seasons, under rainfed, Mediterranean conditions. They differed only in the number of seeds per pod; the phenotype TWHW had the lowest number (2.2 seeds pod−1). The seed yield per plant (SY) was highly correlated with the number of pods per plant and was higher under wetter and warmer conditions during the reproductive period (April–May). The three phenotypes showed no difference in tolerance against bruchid (Bruchus tristiculus) infection (F2,8 = 0.14, p >.05), which was higher in the most productive growing season (6.44%, F1,4 = 14.8, p <.05). In the phenotype TWHW, three seed classes (intact, bruchid‐damaged, parasitoid‐damaged seeds) were tested for SY, quality traits and tolerance to bruchids. Though insect damaged seeds showed significant reduction in emergence rates (from −57% up to −91%), there were no differences in SY (19.11–24.53 g plant−1, F2,8 = 0.86, p >.05) and yield components (seeds per pod, 1000‐seed weight, number of pods per plant). However, seeds of plants derived from parasitoid‐damaged seeds had higher concentration of the neurotoxin ODAP (4.92 mg g−1, F2,8 = 8.76, p <.01). On the other hand, seeds of plants derived from bruchid‐damaged seeds showed higher percentage of damaged seeds by the endoparasitoid Triaspis thoracica (2.25% vs. 0.67%–1.00%, F2,8 = 5.47, p <.05). Concluding, flower and testa colour cannot be used as biomarkers of seed yield and quality in grass pea, but it seemed that a tripartite interaction (grass pea–bruchid–endoparasitoid) may occur that affects ODAP concentration and the susceptibility of seeds to insect damages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduced grain and seed nutrient content in crops grown under elevated CO2 concentrations (eCO2) have raised concerns about future food security. Studies have reported that different seed elements responded differently to eCO2. Additionally, the nutrient response to eCO2 varied across species and cultivars. This study investigated the response of seed quality in two soybean cultivars (HS93‐4118 and Loda) previously shown to have different yield responses to eCO2. We show that seed quality responded differently to eCO2 for the two cultivars and that elements were differentially impacted. The strongest declines under eCO2 were observed for Al, Ca, Fe, and Se while P and Mn were unaffected. Seed protein content increased under eCO2 for the two cultivars. Oil content, however, showed a negative relationship with yield and declined under eCO2. Using path analysis, we show that eCO2 reduced the seed content for some elements through increasing seed yield, effectively diluting the elemental concentrations, while other elements were reduced in a yield‐independent manner. Despite the decline in the seed concentration for some elements, the overall yield per hectare of elements, protein, and oil under eCO2 increased because of greater seed yield. We quantified the economic impact of altered seed composition and show that the decline in oil content with increasing soybean yield at eCO2 could adversely impact profits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decapod crustacean welfare is not only an ethical consideration for legislative purposes. Under culture and fishery settings, poor environmental conditions and operator practices can cause stress, which compromises the immune system and increases the risk of disease. For finfish, there are established environmental and animal (group, individual) welfare indicators. This is not the case for crabs, lobsters or shrimp. While environment‐based indicators like temperature, pH and oxygen levels are easily transferable, there is no consensus for a common measure of stress to monitor welfare in decapod crustaceans. To address this shortcoming, we conducted a meta‐analysis of the primary literature to test for relationships between haemolymph (blood) condition, for example, levels of glucose, L‐lactate, haemocytes (n = 8), and sources of physical stress, for example, handling, trawling, emersion and transport (n = 12). Despite variations in effect sizes (n = 459), generalised linear mixed models repeatedly ranked L‐lactate (followed by urea and glucose) as the most significant physiological predictor of stress in the haemolymph, with trawling followed closely by emersion as the most impactful stressors. Duration post (stress) exposure, sex (male, female), water temperature and moult stage (pre‐, inter‐, post‐moult) were not associated significantly with stress prediction using the selected biochemical and cellular parameters, however, moult status was undefined in ~48% of literature sources and should be interpreted with caution. We present evidence that quantitating L‐lactate levels in the haemolymph represents a physiologic operational welfare indicator of decapod crustaceans, which complements existing condition/vigour indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean red crown rot (RCR) is caused by the soilborne fungal pathogen Calonectria ilicicola. It causes root rot, leaf senescence, early defoliation, plant wilting and even death, often resulting in a severe reduction in seed yield and quality. C. ilicicola is an extremely difficult pathogen to control owing to its wide host range and long survival in soil and plant debris. Currently, no practically effective fungicide for this pathogen is available. Breeding for resistance is considered the most effective and environmentally acceptable means of disease management, but no C. ilicicola‐resistant soybean variety has yet been identified. Given this situation, it is necessary to promote our understanding of the mechanism of RCR incidence and the development of a comprehensive and sustainable RCR management strategy urgently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relation of fire with the reproductive process of species from tropical grasslands and savannas has long been investigated. Post‐fire flowering is well documented in the Cerrado, but fire‐mediated fruit opening and seed dispersal has rarely been described, with very few historical records being known. Even less is known about the effects of different fire seasons on species reproduction. Here, we describe the fire‐stimulated fruit opening of Jacaranda ulei, an endemic Cerrado shrub with medical importance to traditional communities. We show that fruits opened within 2 weeks after an early dry season fire, but there were almost no viable seeds as fruits were still immature when burned. When put together with the known records for other species, dry dehiscent fruits and anemochory arise as common traits that favour fire‐mediated fruit opening. As these are common attributes in the Cerrado, it is possible that several other species also have fire‐stimulated seed dispersal but remain vastly unnoticed and underreported in the literature. Additionally, the peak reproductive effort of these species coincides with the period of prescribed burns of the Integrated Fire Management Program and, consequently, several species could also have their reproductive cycle interrupted to disperse immature seeds. We hope our note encourages further studies on the fire‐mediated fruit opening and seed dispersal of Cerrado species, particularly in relation to fire season and seed quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigella sativa, commonly known as the black seed, is a culinary spice therapeutic against many ailments. Common preparation practice of roasting or heating the seeds often deteriorates bioactive compounds, which can be remedied with superheated steam (SHS). With roasting temperatures of 150, 200, and 250°C and roasting times of 10, 15, and 20 min, convection and SHS roasting media were tested, and their effects on proximate analysis, antioxidant assays, and oil quality were evaluated. For proximate content, moisture significantly decreased from 9.08% in unroasted seeds to 4.18%–1.04% in roasted seeds, while fat increased to as high as 44.76% from 32.87% in unroasted seeds. Roasting only slightly increased ash content and had no significant impact on protein and carbohydrate content. SHS roasted black seeds had better DPPH (2,2‐Diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging capacity (RSC) than convection roasted seeds. DPPH RSC decreased with elevated roasting time and temperature, conversely related to total phenolic content, which increased with increased roasting time and temperature. Oil of roasted seeds developed an increasingly intense brown color from an initial light, yellow, unroasted oil with better extraction efficiency in SHS roasting. For oil quality analysis, free fatty acid values were significantly lower in both roasted samples. Peroxide value was initially recorded at 84 in convection and 48 (meq O2/kg of oil) in SHS roasted samples. In contrast, p‐anisidine values were initially recorded at 28.36 in convection roasted samples compared to 23.73 in SHS roasted samples. Based on all quality analyses, SHS showed better potential in black seed quality preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environments where the progenitors are grown have the potential to affect the expression of traits in their offspring. Currently, there are various hypotheses regarding the evolutionary and ecological importance of stress memory effects. There is uncertainty regarding its occurrence, persistence, predictability, and adaptive value. In this study, 15 winter wheat cultivars were grown under drought and well‐watered (control) treatments for two seasons to produce seeds with all possible combinations of drought exposure histories. A comprehensive analysis to estimate transgenerational (grandparental effects), intergenerational (parental effects), and their combined memory effects on offspring traits under both control and drought moisture treatments, was performed. There were significant memory effects in most of the evaluated traits ranging from +787% to −39.0% changes in both seed quality and plant traits. The expression of stress memory was highly dependent on the generation and number of exposures, traits, and seasons. Under drought treatment, the combination of grandparental and parental stress memories was additive in all traits, but their strengths were variable when considered separately. Stress memory enhanced the performance of offspring under similar stressful conditions: increased plant height, above‐ground biomass, number of grains per plant, grain weight per plant and water potential. This study offers valuable new insights into the occurrence of drought stress memory, the complexities of the effects, possible physiological and metabolic alterations explaining the detected differences, and impacts toward a clearer understanding of their generation and context‐dependency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kernel smut of rice caused by Tilletia barclayana (Bref.) Sacc. and Syd., becomes a serious disease for seed production of rice under favourable environmental conditions. The disease has been listed as objectionable disease under the Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards. In this study, effort has been made to generate information on the most suitable time of sowing of rice in relation to minimum disease parameters of kernel smut. Ten rice cultivars viz., PR 111, PR 114, PR 116, PR 118, PR 121, PR 122, PR 124, PR 126, PR 127 and PAU 201 were sown on three different dates of sowing (28 May; 10 June; and 24 June) at an interval of 14 days during the crop season 2019 and 2020 under natural epiphytotic conditions for disease development so as to focus on the most crucial time of disease development under natural field conditions. There was a gradual decrease in disease parameters of kernel smut with delayed sowing in case of all cultivars under study except variety PR 111. Coefficient of infection reduced uniformly with the delay in sowing time in different cultivars during the two consecutive crop seasons in all the test cultivars. Test weight (1000 grain weight) of rice did not vary significantly in response to alteration in sowing time indicating no adverse effect of late planting on the seed quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Motivation: Efforts to increase smallholder access to improved varieties and quality seed is often central to agricultural development, economic growth, and poverty reduction in low‐income countries. Yet many governments and development partners grow impatient with slow progress in their seed sectors. Uganda stands out for its recent policy innovations, regulatory reforms, and market experiments for seed, and for the extensive analysis of its experience. Purpose: This article reviews the changing landscape of Uganda's seed system and assesses recent policy, regulatory, and institutional changes. Methods and approach: We draw on a wide range of documents, studies, and statistics. Findings The low uptake of improved varieties and quality seed in Uganda has encouraged innovation to overcome failures in the country's seed market. These innovations include regulatory changes to allow the production of quality declared seed (QDS) by smallholder seed producers; labelling to allow text message verification of seed; and crowd‐sourcing information on seed quality by farmers. All have promise, but it remains to be seen just how effective they will be. In the meantime, vested interests may resist moves to a more innovative seed sector, instead preferring to maintain the incumbent approach designed to use seed to secure political support from smallholders. This is at variance with the spirit of the 2018 legislation and subsequent regulatory reforms. Policy implications: Uganda has a policy framework that could make a real difference to farmer access to better varieties and seed. Market innovations can help the vision to become reality. But the seed sector needs sufficient public investment to generate new varieties and foundation seed, and capacity to manage the seed market to the benefit of producers, dealers and farmers. Having come so far, it would be counter‐productive for political economy factors to displace the efforts of private provision which is far more sustainable in the medium and long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant secondary metabolites are key mechanistic drivers of species interactions. These metabolites have primarily been studied for their role in defense, but they can also have important consequences for mutualisms, including seed dispersal. Although the primary function of fleshy fruits is to attract seed‐dispersing animals, fruits often contain complex mixtures of toxic or deterrent secondary metabolites that can reduce the quantity or quality of seed dispersal mutualisms. Furthermore, because seeds are often dispersed across multiple stages by several dispersers, the net consequences of fruit secondary metabolites for the effectiveness of seed dispersal and ultimately plant fitness are poorly understood. Here, we tested the effects of amides, nitrogen‐based defensive compounds common in fruits of the neotropical plant genus Piper (Piperaceae), on seed dispersal effectiveness (SDE) by ants, which are common secondary seed dispersers. We experimentally added amide extracts to Piper fruits both in the field and lab, finding that amides reduced the quantity of secondary seed dispersal by reducing ant recruitment (87%) and fruit removal rates (58% and 66% in the field and lab, respectively). Moreover, amides not only reduced dispersal quantity but also altered seed dispersal quality by shifting the community composition of recruiting ants (notably by reducing the recruitment of the most effective disperser by 90% but having no detectable effect on the recruitment of a cheater species that removes fruit pulp without dispersing seeds). Although amides did not affect the distance ants initially carried seeds, they altered the quality of seed dispersal by reducing the likelihood of ants cleaning seeds (67%) and increasing their likelihood of ants redispersing seeds outside of the nest (200%). Overall, these results demonstrate that secondary metabolites can alter the effectiveness of plant mutualisms, by both reducing mutualism quantity and altering mutualism quality through multiple mechanisms. These findings present a critical step in understanding the factors mediating the outcomes of seed dispersal and, more broadly, demonstrate the importance of considering how defensive secondary metabolites influence the outcomes of mutualisms surrounding plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The broad bean weevil, Bruchus rufimanus Boh. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), also called bruchid beetle, is a major pest of Vicia faba L. (Fabaceae) given that larvae develop inside the seeds causing direct quality losses in agricultural products. Recurrent chemical applications are inappropriate because they represent a serious threat to pollinators in general. In addition, biological control approaches that have been attempted so far showed limited effectiveness, which makes studies of methods to control bruchid populations extremely important. Breeding resistant cultivars is the most adequate approach to achieve efficient levels of pest resistance and promote sustainable agriculture. To explore the mechanisms underlying bruchid resistance, we explored B. rufimanus behavior at different life stages and preference in plant feeding, oviposition, and larval survival into adulthood on a range of susceptible and resistant broad bean cultivars (genotypes), both in greenhouse experiments and in the field. Our greenhouse results showed that females, compared to males, prefer flowers from some genotypes over others, although the choices made did not correspond with egg‐laying preference. Egg‐laying preference was also affected by cultivars. This attraction for egg‐laying was associated with the number of seeds per pod produced by the genotypes. In the field flowering date influenced bruchid infestation. Also the survival of larvae into adulthood was greater in certain genotypes over others. The results of our study lay the groundwork for further analyses to finely dissect V. faba resistance towards bruchids and pave the way for the development of methods to predict potential resistant genotypes in research and breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean (Glycine max) is a major source of plant protein and oil. Soybean breeding has benefited from advances in functional genomics. In particular, the release of soybean reference genomes has advanced our understanding of soybean adaptation to soil nutrient deficiencies, the molecular mechanism of symbiotic nitrogen (N) fixation, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, and the roles of flowering time in regional adaptation, plant architecture, and seed yield and quality. Nevertheless, many challenges remain for soybean functional genomics and molecular breeding, mainly related to improving grain yield through high‐density planting, maize–soybean intercropping, taking advantage of wild resources, utilization of heterosis, genomic prediction and selection breeding, and precise breeding through genome editing. This review summarizes the current progress in soybean functional genomics and directs future challenges for molecular breeding of soybean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A genome‐wide association study (GWAS) was carried out by using a Brassica napus population of 175 lines, developed from six B. napus × B. oleracea interspecific crosses, and 5,743 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for agronomic and seed quality traits and to understand the effect of B. oleracea alleles on these traits. Heritability of these traits varied from 52.9 to 84.1%. About 79% of the SNPs were positioned to the nine C genome chromosomes, while only 21% to the 10 A genome chromosomes; this was largely due to little genetic variation in the A genome of this population, as expected. However, the SNPs were distributed throughout the entire length of the chromosomes suggesting their usefulness in GWAS. The C genome SNPs detected nine genomic regions affecting these traits. This included the genomic regions of C2 and C5 affecting days to flowering, C1 affecting the duration of grain‐filling period, C1, C5, and C8 affecting oil content, and C1, C2, and C6 affecting glucosinolate content; among these, some of the loci has not been reported previously. The QTL alleles of B. oleracea which can be beneficial in oilseed B. napus, such as the C5 QTL allele for the earliness of flowering, were also identified. Several putative candidate genes were identified in the QTL regions. Thus, the results provided evidence of the utility of the B. oleracea gene pool for use in unveiling the unidentified QTL in B. napus as well as its use in breeding. Core Ideas: C genome alleles from six vegetable Brassica oleracea accessions were introgressed into oilseed B. napus.Quantitative trait loci for agronomic and seed quality traits were mapped and the effect of Brassica oleracea alleles in B. napus were detected.Beneficial quantitative trait loci allele of Brassica oleracea were identified for use in B. napus breeding.C genome quantitative trait loci that has not been reported previously were disclosed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing demand for vegetable oil and protein requires breeding efforts to enhance the yield of oilseed rape. This can be achieved by reducing seed cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin content. The objective of the study was to analyse seed yield and important agronomic traits of two distinct bulks of genotypes from two crosses, with low (6%) and high seed lignin content (10%). The two genotype bulks were formed by mixing seeds of 12 doubled haploid lines with either low or high lignin content. The genotypes were selected from two large doubled haploid populations based on lignin content, flowering time and plant height. The bulks were field‐tested in replicated yield trials. Seed quality analysis confirmed significant differences in seed lignin content between the two bulks. Seed oil content was moderately higher in the low lignin bulks of both crosses. Seed, oil and protein yield in both crosses were moderately to significantly higher in the low lignin bulks. Further breeding for reduced fibre content will help increase seed oil and protein content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restoration seedbanks have become a key infrastructure resource in efforts to restore damaged and degraded environments across the globe. Large‐scale ecological restoration typically utilizes large volumes of valuable, usually wild‐collected seeds, but insufficient knowledge of seed biology (including storage requirements in some cases) and ecology for many species continues to hamper the utility of restoration seedbanks to meet this rising demand. Poor germination and establishment when seeds are deployed from seedbanks can stem from factors such as premature seed collection, low seed quality, poor processing, handling and storage, variable seed quality from year to year, and, critically, insufficient understanding of seed dormancy, seed germination traits, and the ecological requirements for germination stimulation. While these factors may impact the success of seed‐based ecological restoration both synergistically and idiosyncratically, they can be universally addressed by adopting best practice principles in seedbank management and operation and through an improved understanding of the seed biology and ecology of stored species. Drawing upon an industry case study in seedbanking for post‐mining ecological restoration, we outline how optimizing seed storage conditions and a focus on seed biology and ecology in the operation of a restoration seedbank can deliver broad and immediate benefit and cost‐efficiency to native seed use. Such improvements are crucial in developing more effective approaches for returning biodiverse plant communities to highly modified landscapes and are foundational for meeting the aspirations for ecological restoration at global scales in the coming decade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native seed underpins the success of most terrestrial restoration efforts globally; however, the fragility of the native seed supply chain presents a key challenge to achieving global restoration goals. With the current heightened global focus on ecological restoration, seed supply chains are under unprecedented pressure worldwide. New and practical solutions are required to help the native seed industry move toward more sustainable and reliable supply, and in turn, facilitate more cost‐effective, successful, seed‐based restoration. Here we focus on species used in biodiverse mine site restoration in two regions of Western Australia as a test case for evaluating two key elements of the seed supply chain: seed quality and price. The study assessed seed quality in 185 species, then combined these results with seed price to determine the actual cost of pure live seeds (PLS) used in restoration. Average seed quality, expressed as a weight percentage of PLS, is 55%. The average price for a native seed batch across 129 species is $1,093 Australian dollars (AUD)/kg, and when adjusted for viability and purity is $2,600 (AUD)/ kg of PLS. We suggest replacing the traditional approach of pricing seed per unit weight ($/kg) with a new method that would reflect seed quality and unit number; price per thousand pure live seeds ($ TPLS). We posit that this new way of pricing native seeds would increase transparency and information flow in the marketing of native seeds, which will, in turn, enable seed users to more reliably plan for, and evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of seed‐based restoration projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The moisture content of Camelina sativa seeds has to be maintained at 7–12% during storage in order to preserve their quality. If seeds with higher moisture contents are to be stored, they first need to be dried. This study presents the effects of high‐temperature drying (at 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 °C) of C. sativa seeds on the technological usefulness (expressed as the acid value) and bioactive compound content (as polyenoic fatty acid, vitamin‐E active compounds, and phytosterols). It is shown that drying temperature significantly affects levels of bioactive compounds. Losses of phytosterols reached a maximum of 24% (for temperatures in the 80–140 °C range), while losses of tocopherols range from 2–11%, depending on cultivar. A change in the percentage composition of polyenoic acids is observed upon air drying at 100–140 °C. It is recommended not to exceed 60 °C when drying C. sativa seeds, in order to guarantee that high‐quality cold‐pressed oil with high levels of bioactive compounds is obtained. Practical application: The seeds of Camelina sativa, like other oilseeds, require appropriate storage after harvesting in order to maintain continuity of production. Maintaining the high seed quality during storage requires drying them after harvesting to a moisture content of 7–12%. Drying conditions have a significant effect on seed quality, expressed as acid number, and also affect the levels of bioactive compounds (such as polyene fatty acids, tocopherols, plastochromanol‐8, and phytosterols) in the oil. Information on optimum drying conditions will contribute to the availability of high‐quality camelina oils produced by small local manufacturers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera G.) seeds are rich in nutrients and mainly used for food and medicinal applications. The seeds are an important food item in many countries and are generally considered a low glycemic index food. Starch is a major component of lotus seeds and may amount to over 50% of the dry weight. The quality of lotus seed products is mainly determined their starch properties, such as gelatinization and retrogradation. This review comprehensively summarizes recent developments in isolation, modifications, and applications of lotus seed starch (LS). This survey highlights different properties of native and modified LS in comparison with other starches. Native LS has been found with high amylose content (20–35%), high peak gelatinization temperatures (>70 °C), and pasting temperatures (>75 °C). The high amylose content has contributed to lower swelling power and fast retrogradation of LS. The modification of LS has been done using different methods, including thermal, microwave, high pressure, chemical, and enzymatic processing for functionality improvement. Native and modified LS have promising potential to be a valuable functional ingredient in different food and other applications. Finally, an outlook on the future possibilities for utilization of LS is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Several studies have shown that grain amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is tolerant to abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity. Irrigation applied only during sensitive growth stages can stabilize yield and improve water use efficiency. Given the increasing frequency of salinity and drought stress in European countries and the scarcity of information on grain amaranth responses to combined salt and drought stress, an open field trial was carried out in Italy in order to evaluate the response of one accession of Amaranthus hypochondriacus to various irrigation strategies. RESULTS: Grain amaranth yield components were not negatively affected either by different irrigation volumes or by irrigation time. Some differences in seed yield were caused by water quality; salinity significantly reduced seed yield. The combined effect of irrigation time and irrigation volume significantly influenced seed yield. The quality of amaranth seeds was preserved; no significant differences due to simple or combined stresses were found during the three‐year field experiment. CONCLUSIONS: The overall results from this study suggest that A. hypochondriacus can be cultivated in a more sustainable way compared to other protein crops, thus reducing water use and using saline water. It could be introduced to marginal European environments where traditional crops cannot be cultivated. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field beans (Vicia faba L.) are the most extensively grown grain legume in the UK but their contribution to farming and food systems could be improved if their yields were enhanced. Average on‐farm bean yields have varied between 3 and 4 t ha−1 for four decades but with much variation between individual crops. A "Bean Yield Enhancement Network" (Bean YEN) was initiated in 2019, supported by industry sponsors, to promote crop monitoring, sampling, and sharing of data between farms, thus learning about key yield‐affecting factors. Bean YEN continues, gathering new data annually; data from crops harvested in 2019 to 2021 are reported here. For each crop entered, data were collated on agronomy, soil, and weather, samples were analysed for height, nutrient content, yield components, and seed quality, and accurate yields were recorded. A localised biophysical yield potential (Ybp) was also estimated based on the best (repeatedly observed) resource capture and conversion coefficients and harvest index for beans, after accounting for costs of nitrogen (N) fixation. Over the three seasons, yields were collated from 26 winter bean and 63 spring bean crops, all well dispersed across the British Isles, with sufficient supporting information to make 87 estimates of Ybp. Average winter bean yields were 5.1 t ha−1 (range 1–8 t ha−1) and spring bean yields were 4.9 t ha−1 (range 1–7 t ha−1), respectively 38 and 43% of Ybp (13.7 & 11.2 t ha−1); yield shortfalls from Ybp averaged 7.2 t ha−1 (range 2.4–12.6 t ha−1). Yields correlated positively with plant height, thousand seed weight, total biomass shoot−1, seeds pod−1, harvest index and total straw biomass (t ha−1) in both winter and spring crops. In spring crops, the number of pods shoot−1 was also positively correlated with yield. Correlations suggested that growers could enhance yields by favouring an ideotype with deep roots, tall, multi‐noded stems, and prolonged canopy survival. This ideotype will be subject to modification and improvement after data are collected through future seasons of Bean YEN. The accumulating Bean YEN dataset is enabling benchmarks to be derived for crop attributes that should guide growers in their quest for sustained yield enhancements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Seed size is one of the most important agronomic traits determining the yield of crops. Cloning the key genes controlling seed size and pyramiding their elite alleles will facilitate yield improvement. To date, few genes controlling seed size have been identified in soybean, a major crop that provides half of the plant oil and one quarter of the plant protein globally. Here, through a genome‐wide association study of over 1800 soybean accessions, we determined that natural allelic variation at GmST05 (Seed Thickness 05) predominantly controlled seed thickness and size in soybean germplasm. Further analyses suggested that the two major haplotypes of GmST05 differed significantly at the transcriptional level. Transgenic experiments demonstrated that GmST05 positively regulated seed size and influenced oil and protein contents, possibly by regulating the transcription of GmSWEET10a. Population genetic diversity analysis suggested that allelic variations of GmST05 were selected during geographical differentiation but have not been fixed. In summary, natural variation in GmST05 determines transcription levels and influences seed size and quality in soybean, making it an important gene resource for soybean molecular breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plantago ovata Forssk. is an emerging crop yielding psyllium husk, a material comprised of hydrophilic polysaccharides that form mucilage upon wetting. Psyllium husk has important industrial uses including as a dietary fibre supplement and a textural alternative in gluten‐free bread production. Industrial applications require high‐quality and purity psyllium husk, but consistent supply of uniform quality material is often limited by climatic constraints, especially unseasonable rainfall at crop maturity. Here we compared the seed quality of four P. ovata varieties harvested before and after 26 mm of rain and validated our key findings in the following season. Colourimetry showed that the rain event caused the seeds to be darker and greener, possibly from pigment oxidation and microbial growth. Sugar profiling, water absorption assays and microscopy showed that premature hydration of the husk in rain‐damaged samples caused loss of the most soluble mucilage components and an increase in non‐mucilage contaminants, leading to a reduction in seed water absorption capacity, which is a key indicator of psyllium husk functionality. Germination was also diminished in rain‐affected seeds. In this study we show for the first time the extent that unseasonable rain at maturity has on P. ovata seed quality. We suggest that rain‐damaged seeds are unsuitable for husk production and resowing and outline potential screening methods to identify rain‐damaged seeds before purchase. Additionally, the extensive quality impacts described here may make P. ovata a suitable model or indicator species for studying acute climate effects on seed quality, especially from rain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oilseed crops are widely planted and are closely associated with human nutrition and health. Globally, increased nitrogen (N) deposition has a significant impact on agricultural production; however, in‐depth knowledge of oilseed crop yields and quality is still lacking. Here, we performed a global meta‐analysis from 128 published papers with 462 paired observations to evaluate the response of oilseed crop yields, yield composition, protein, and oil content to simulated N deposition. The meta‐analysis showed that simulated N deposition significantly increased oilseed crop yields in a dose‐dependent and duration‐dependent manner. The yield compositions were also changed by N deposition, where pod numbers per plant (PNP) and seed weights per pod were significantly increased. Interestingly, our analysis identified PNP as the key factor determining the oilseed crop yield response to simulated N deposition. Additionally, the form of N deposition had no striking influence on either yields or yield components, whereas differences in the sensitivity in rape responses reflected differences in crop species. In terms of oilseed crop quality, although simulated N deposition increased the seed protein content in a dose‐dependent manner, there was a significant negative impact on the seed oil content. Furthermore, this negative correlation between seed oil content and biomass under simulated N deposition implies adverse effects caused by a dilution effect. Overall, our results suggest discrete responses of oilseed crop yield, seed protein and oil content to simulated N deposition. This study has ecological and biological implications for oilseed crop yield and quality responses facing global N deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lentils provide a rich plant‐based protein source and staple food in many parts of the world. Despite numerous nutritional benefits, lentil seeds also possess undesirable elements, such as anti‐nutritional factors. Understanding the genetic networks of seed metabolism is of great importance for improving the seed nutritional profile.We applied RNA sequencing analysis to survey the transcriptome of developing lentil seeds and compared this with that of the pod shells and leaves. In total, we identified 2622 genes differentially expressed among the tissues examined. Genes preferentially expressed in seeds were enriched in the Gene Ontology (GO) terms associated with development, nitrogen and carbon (N/C) metabolism and lipid synthesis.We further categorized seed preferentially expressed genes based on their involvement in storage protein production, starch accumulation, lipid and suberin metabolism, phytate, saponin and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis.The availability of transcript profile datasets on lentil seed metabolism and a roadmap of candidate genes presented here will be of great value for breeding strategies towards further improvement of lentil seed quality traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Seed morphology and quality of cultivated soybean (Glycine max) have changed dramatically during domestication from their wild relatives, but their relationship to selection is poorly understood. Here, we describe a semi‐dominant locus, ST1 (Seed Thickness 1), affecting seed thickness and encoding a UDP‐D‐glucuronate 4‐epimerase, which catalyses UDP‐galacturonic acid production and promotes pectin biosynthesis. Interestingly, this morphological change concurrently boosted seed oil content, which, along with up‐regulation of glycolysis biosynthesis modulated by ST1, enabled soybean to become a staple oil crop. Strikingly, ST1 and an inversion controlling seed coat colour formed part of a single selective sweep. Structural variation analysis of the region surrounding ST1 shows that the critical mutation in ST1 existed in earlier wild relatives of soybean and the region containing ST1 subsequently underwent an inversion, which was followed by successive selection for both traits through hitchhiking during selection for seed coat colour. Together, these results provide direct evidence that simultaneously variation for seed morphology and quality occurred earlier than variation for seed coat colour during soybean domestication. The identification of ST1 thus sheds light on a crucial phase of human empirical selection in soybeans and provides evidence that our ancestors improved soybean based on taste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the contamination of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) in refined oil during processing, the degumming, deacidification, decolorization, and deodorization processes are optimized to remove BaP and improve the quality of tea seed oil. The results show that decolorization is the most obvious refining process of removing BaP, which is mainly due to the addition of activated carbon and decolorization time. In addition, to ensure the quality of refined tea seed oil and remove BaP, the deodorization temperature and time should be strictly controlled. Comparing with crude oil, the removal rates of BaP in the optimized processes of degumming, deacidification, decolorization, and deodorization reached 16.26%, 18.36%, 92.76%, and 91.08%, respectively. The optimized refining processes can significantly decrease the level of BaP from 9.53 ± 0.02 µg kg−1 in crude tea seed oil to 0.85 ± 0.10 µg kg−1 in refined tea seed oil, and the other physicochemical indexes are in line with the international standard for refined oil. This study can provide useful guidance for the safe processing of refined tea seed oil. Practical Applications: BaP is an internationally recognized carcinogen. In view of the current situation of commercial edible oil being contaminated by BaP, it is particularly important to control the level of BaP in the refining process. To remove BaP while improving the quality of oil, the processes of degumming, deacidification, decolorization, and deodorization of tea seed oil were optimized, and the best refining processes were determined. The results have important practical significance, which could help to reduce the level of BaP and provide a useful reference for the safe production of refined tea seed oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Soybean is one of the most important oilseed and fodder crops. Benefiting from the efforts of soybean breeders and the development of breeding technology, large number of germplasm has been generated over the last 100 years. Nevertheless, soybean breeding needs to be accelerated to meet the needs of a growing world population, to promote sustainable agriculture and to address future environmental changes. The acceleration is highly reliant on the discoveries in gene functional studies. The release of the reference soybean genome in 2010 has significantly facilitated the advance in soybean functional genomics. Here, we review the research progress in soybean omics (genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics and proteomics), germplasm development (germplasm resources and databases), gene discovery (genes that are responsible for important soybean traits including yield, flowering and maturity, seed quality, stress resistance, nodulation and domestication) and transformation technology during the past decade. At the end, we also briefly discuss current challenges and future directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production in the humid tropics may increase if less predictable rainfall becomes a serious seed yield constraint in traditional areas of production. The successful production of common bean will require the effective management of common bean diseases favored by hot and humid conditions. Web blight (WB), caused by Thanatephorus cucumeris (Frank) Donk, is a serious disease of common bean in the humid tropics causing significant losses in both seed yield and seed quality. At present, only moderate levels of WB resistance have been identified. Leaf and seed damage and leaf lesion size are criteria that have been successfully used to screen common bean genotypes for WB resistance in the greenhouse and in the field. Pedigree selection has been successfully used to develop cultivars having moderate levels of resistance. Recurrent selection has been used to broaden the genetic base and to produce progeny having higher levels of WB resistance. Sources of resistance from secondary gene pools should be used to combine resistance genes from diverse sources. Common bean cultivars with earlier maturity, deep tap roots, and terminal drought tolerance may be desirable traits for farmers who plant later in the wet season to avoid WB. Seed production during the dry season using irrigation would help to reduce infection of the seed and transmission of the WB pathogen. Minimum tillage techniques are useful to help to reduce the spread of the disease. Biological control may contribute to the management of WB and complement genetic resistance. Core Ideas: Web blight is a serious disease of common bean in the humid tropics.Common bean cultivars with moderate levels of web blight resistance have been developed.Parents from secondary gene pools should be used to broaden the genetic base of resistance.Certain phenotypic traits and management practices can help common bean avoid WB damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In gynodioecious systems, female plants must counteract the selective disadvantage of not passing genes via pollen production, as hermaphrodites can. Theory predicts that females must produce more or better‐quality seeds than hermaphrodites in order to be maintained within the same population. This female advantage has been widely measured and reported for seed number, but whether female advantage is gained through the production of better seeds remains relatively under‐studied.Here, a meta‐analysis approach was used to investigate whether females in gynodioecious species produce seeds of better quality than hermaphrodites (measured as seed mass, seed nutrient content, seed germinability and seedling survival and performance) in addition to achieving a larger seed production. In total, 50 studies were included, reporting traits for 34 gynodioecious species in 17 different families.Female advantage was significant for seed number and seed germination, but was not detected for seed mass, seed nutrient content or seedling performance.A female advantage in seed number was corroborated in this meta‐analysis, which together with better seed germination, may explain maintenance of female plants within gynodioecious populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and/or Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) as natural biofertilizers on biomass, yield, and seed nutritive quality of soybean (Giza 111). The conditions investigated include a well‐watered (WW) control and irrigation withholding at the seed development stage (R5, after 90 days from sowing) (DS). Co‐inoculation with B. amyloliquefaciens and AMF, resulted in the highest plant biomass and yield under WW and DS conditions. The nuclear DNA content analysis suggested that co‐inoculation with B. amyloliquefaciens and AMF decreased the inhibition of drought stress on both the size and granularity of seed cells, which were comparable to the normal level. The single or co‐inoculation with B. amyloliquefaciens and AMF increased the primary metabolites content and alleviated the drought‐induced reduction in soluble sugars, lipids, protein and oil contents. Plant inoculation induced the expression of genes involved in lipid and protein biosynthesis, whereas an opposite trend was observed for genes involved in lipid and protein degradation, supporting the observed increase in lipid and protein content. Plant inoculated with B. amyloliquefaciens showed the highest α‐amylase and β‐amylase activities, indicating improved osmolyte (soluble sugar) synthesis, particularly under drought. Interestingly, single or co‐inoculation further strengthen the positive effect of drought on the antioxidant and osmoprotectant levels, i.e. phenol, flavonoid, glycine betaine contents, and glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) activity. As a result of stress release, there was a decrease in the level of stress hormones (abscisic acid, ABA) and an increase in gibberellin (GA), trans‐zeatin‐riboside (ZR), and indole acetic acid (IAA) in the seeds of inoculated plants. Additionally, the ATP content, hydrolytic activities of plasma membrane H+‐ATPase, Ca2+‐ATPase, and Mg2+‐ATPase were also increased by the inoculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global expansion of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) cultivation has been related to the nutritional properties of its seeds and the ability of this crop to cope with stress. However, research works evaluating the agronomic impact of quinoa cultivation out of the Andean region are still limited, especially under Mediterranean field conditions. In this work, the agronomic performance, seed composition and nutrient uptake (NU) of five quinoa varieties were analysed in two consecutive years (2017–2018) under field conditions in Southwestern Europe. High temperatures were recorded during 2017 growing season, resulting in significantly lower yields (1.6 t/ha) compared to 2018 (2.5 t/ha). High‐temperature stress coincided with flowering stage in those medium‐to‐long cycle varieties and was well correlated with detrimental effects on the vegetative stage of short and medium cycle varieties. Seed composition and mineral content of quinoa varied among varieties subjected to heat stress, which could be due to differences in the stress response. Protein and fibre contents were higher under high temperatures, while fats and carbohydrates contents decreased. Nutrient uptake, utilisation and partitioning were reduced under heat stress, probably due to heat‐protection mechanisms and associated biochemical changes. Early maturing varieties showed better adaptation, especially Marisma, which achieved the highest yield in both years (3.0 t/ha, on average). Overall, the results here presented support to the potential of quinoa cultivation in Europe highlighting the necessity to further explore varieties better adapted to elevated temperatures, a common stress affecting the Mediterranean area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of heat stress coinciding with reproductive stages in winter canola was studied using walk‐in controlled environment chambers and field‐based tents. Six different cultivars (46W94, Edimax CL, Mercedes, Popular, DKW44‐10 and DKW46‐15) were used in both the experiments following a split‐plot design. Under controlled environment chambers, all six cultivars were exposed to HDT (day/night; 34/15°C), HNT (23/20°C), HDNT (34/20°C) and control (23/15°C) conditions for 14 days coinciding with flowering. Under field conditions, custom built 'heat tents' were used to impose heat stress starting seven days after 50% of flowering till maturity. The results demonstrated that HDT and HDNT induced significant impact on floral morphology, extreme levels of floral sterility and complete yield loss with two weeks of stress exposure during flowering. However, biomass, seed weight and oil concentration at maturity were either significantly increased or unchanged which demonstrated significant post‐stress phenotypic plasticity in canola to overcome damage caused by short episode of HDT and HDNT during flowering. The long duration heat stress under field conditions recorded significant decrease in yield parameters and oil concentration in the canola cultivars. Incorporating greater post‐stress phenotypic plasticity will help develop canola as an ideal alternative crop under future climates associated with enhanced frequency of short heat stress episodes coinciding with critical reproductive stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] reproductive structures are temperature‐sensitive, with a reproductive optimum of 22 to 24 °C. Currently, parts of the US soybean growing region experience consistent late‐season drought stress, resulting in the adoption of agronomic practices that favor early maturity groups. This approach is the Early Soybean Production System and has boosted yields and on‐farm returns on investment. However, seeds produced under this system develop under higher temperatures than standard practices, and frequently have decreased seed quality, loss of value, and unacceptable germination rates. Climate change may result in more widespread late‐season drought and elevated temperatures during seed filling. The ancestors of all modern US high‐yielding soybean lines lack substantial resistance to heat‐induced seed degradation, but an unadapted plant introduction (PI 587982A) can maintain ∼95% quality and germination under the same conditions. Inconsistent germination and emergence defects are associated with increased bioavailable phosphorus and reduced phytic acid. To evaluate these traits' interaction, a backcross recombinant inbred line population was developed, and emergence and germination were evaluated in seed produced in six greenhouse and field environments. Two mutant alleles (lpa1a and lpa2a) were linked to decreased germination and emergence; this effect was pronounced under elevated temperatures. A novel major‐effect heat tolerance quantitative trait locus derived from PI 587982A was identified and found to be associated with positive effects on overall germination and emergence. These results open the potential application of marker‐assisted selection for tolerance to elevated temperatures and may accelerate the development of germplasm and cultivars with high‐quality seed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies involving the effects of long‐term exposure of plants to cadmium (Cd) are not usual, hence, data about Cd‐induced impacts on plant reproductive organs are scarce. The lack of robust information about this matter is surprising and also worrying because it is not yet clear whether (and how strong) Cd influences yield, and quality of fruits and seeds. Such information is necessary to guide strategies to manage crops and to avoid negative impacts on the environment and human health. This review gathers information about the effects of long exposure of flowers, fruits and seeds to Cd. A critical analysis of the data related to this matter, which have been published in the last 30 years, was performed. Ecological and evolutionary aspects were also discussed, and new insights were provided. The information about Cd‐induced effects on fruit and seed quality is relevant to support not only further scientific studies, but also environmental, economic and health policies in times of increasing heavy metal pollution in agricultural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to environmental conditions, plants can alter the performance of the next generation through maternal effects. Since plant–soil feedbacks (PSFs) influence soil conditions, PSFs likely create such intergenerational effects. We grew monocultures of three grass and three forb species in outdoor mesocosms. We then grew one of the six species, Hypochaeris radicata, in the conditioned soils and collected their seeds. We measured seed weight, carbon and nitrogen concentration, germination and seedling performance when grown on a common soil. We did not detect functional group intergenerational effects, but soils conditioned by different plant species affected H. radicata seed C to N ratios. There was a relationship between parent biomass in the differently conditioned soils and the germination rates of the offspring. However, these effects did not change offspring performance on a common soil. Our findings show that PSF effects changed seed quality and initial performance in a common grassland forb. We discuss the implications of our findings for multi‐generational plant–soil interactions, and highlight the need to further explore how PSF effects shape plant community dynamics over different generations and across a broad range of species and functional groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grazing by ungulates can affect seed production in plants, and consequently seed recruitment into seed banks, which is a plant strategy to increase their resilience. The impact of grazing on seed quantity has been well studied; however, the impact of grazing on seed quality has received less attention, despite its role in determining the longevity of a seed bank. Here, we examined the impact of ungulate grazing on seed quality in plants, using two grazing‐intolerant grassland species (Hemerocallis dumortieri var. esculenta and Geranium yesoense var. nipponicum). We found that grazing reduced seed length and weight, while increasing the germination rate. These changes in seed quality induced by grazing could reduce the persistence of seed banks and would thus seem to be an important mechanism involved in the impact of ungulate grazing on plant population dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under future climate change, plant species are expected to shift their ranges in response to increasing temperatures and altered precipitation patterns. As seeds represent the single opportunity for plants to move, it is critical to quantify the factors that influence reproduction. While total seed production is clearly important, seed quality is equally as critical and often overlooked. Thus, to quantify how environmental and tree‐level characteristics affect seed quality and quantity, the reproductive output of red maple (Acer rubrum) was measured along an elevation gradient in the Monongahela National Forest, WV. A variety of individual‐level characteristics were measured (e.g., DBH, canopy area, height, and tree cores were taken to quantify growth), and seed traps were placed under seed‐bearing trees to collect samaras and quantify total seed production. A random subsample of collected seeds from each tree was micro‐CT scanned to determine embryo volume, photographed for morphology measurements, and used for germination trials. The number of seeds produced was negatively affected by frost events during flowering, and stand density. The trees with the most seeds also showed reduced growth in recent years. Only 63% of scanned seeds showed embryo development, and of those seeds—only 23% germinated. The likelihood of embryo presence increased as growth rate decreased, while embryo size increased with tree height, smaller DBH, and in areas dominated by hemlock. Both larger embryo volume and larger overall seed size increased the likelihood of germination. The results highlight the importance of including seed quality in addition to seed quantity for a more complete representation of reproductive output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed processing technologies are essential for seed safety and functionality through protection of physicochemical quality, pathogen inactivation, aflatoxin detoxification and alleviation of mutagenicity. Design of a pilot‐scale unit of pulsed electric fields (PEF) to treat sesame seeds with respect to quality parameters, Aspergillus parasiticus inactivation and aflatoxin reduction as well as alleviation of aflatoxin mutagenicity were prompted in this study. PEF energy ranged from 0.97 to 17.28 J achieved maximum reductions of peroxide value and acidity number of 67.4 and 85.7%, respectively, and did not change color L*, a*, b* and hue values. A 60% reduction of A. parasiticus counts occurred at the maximum PEF energy. Aflatoxins G1, G2, B1, and B2 contents decreased by 94.7, 92.7, 86.9, and 98.7%, respectively. Except for the samples treated by 2.16 J with 100 μg/plate and by 6.80 J with 10 μg/plate, PEF treatment provided elimination of aflatoxin mutagenity. It is concluded that PEF treatment can be used to treat sesame seeds with preservation of physicochemical properties, inactivation of A. parasiticus and decomposition of aflatoxins with reduced mutagenicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal load has been a haunting factor that undermines the brightness and coherence of the self‐seeded X‐ray free‐electron laser. Different from uniformly pulsed mode, in pulse train mode a thermal quasi‐steady state of the crystal monochromator may not be reached. This leads to a dynamic thermal distortion of the spectral transmission curves and seed quality degradation. In this paper, the pulse‐to‐pulse thermal load effects on the spectral transmission curves and seed quality are shown, and some instructive information for the tuning process is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seeds are a critical and limited resource for restoring biodiversity and ecological function to degraded and fragmented ecosystems. Cleaning and quality testing are two key steps in the native seed supply chain. Optimizing the practices used in these steps can ensure seed quality. Post‐collection handling of seeds can have a profound impact on their viability, longevity in storage, and establishment potential. The first section of this article describes seed cleaning, outlines key considerations, and details traditional and novel approaches. Despite the growth of the native seed industry and the need for seed quality standards, existing equipment and standards largely target agricultural, horticultural, and commercial forestry species. Native plant species typically have complex seed traits, making it difficult to directly transfer existing cleaning and quality standards to these species. Furthermore, in ecological restoration projects, where diversity is valued over uniformity crop standards can be unsuitable. We provide an overview and recommendations for seed quality testing (sampling, purity, viability, germinability, vigor), identity reporting, and seed transfer as well as highlight the need to implement internationally recognized standards for certification for native seeds. Novel and improved cleaning and testing methods are needed for native species from a range of ecosystems to meet the challenges and goals of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The guidelines outlined in this article along with others in the Special Issue of Restoration Ecology "Standards for Native Seeds in Ecological Restoration" can serve as a foundation for this critical work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective seed storage after sourcing (harvesting or purchasing) is critical to restoration practitioners and native seed producers, as it is key to maintaining seed viability. Inadequate seed storage can lead to a waste of both natural and economic resources when seeds of poor quality are sown. When working with native species with unknown storage behavior, general assumptions can be made based on studies on related species, and standard practices may be applied with caution; however, an investigation should be conducted to understand if specific storage requirements are needed and for how long seeds can be stored before they lose significant viability. In this paper of the Special Issue Standards for Native Seeds in Ecological Restoration, we provide an overview of the key concepts in seed storage and the steps to take for effective storage of native seeds for restoration use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing demand for native seeds in ecological restoration and rehabilitation, whether for mining, forest, or ecosystem restoration, has resulted in a major global industry in the sourcing, supply, and sale of native seeds. However, there are no international guidance documents for ensuring that native seeds have the same standards of quality assurance that are regular practice in the crop and horticultural industries. Using the International Principles and Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration as a foundation document, we provide for the first time a synthesis of general practices in the native seed supply chain to derive the Principles and Standards for Native Seeds in Ecological Restoration ("Standards"). These practices and the underpinning science provide the basis for developing quality measures and guidance statements that are adaptable at the local, biome, or national scale. Importantly, these Standards define what is considered native seed in ecological restoration and highlight the differences between native seeds versus seeds of improved genetics. Seed testing approaches are provided within a logical framework that outline the many different dormancy states in native seed that can confound restoration outcomes. A "pro‐forma" template for a production label is included as a practical tool that can be customized for local needs and to standardize reporting to end‐users on the level of seed quality and germinability to be expected in a native seed batch. These Standards are not intended to be mandatory; however, the guidance statements provide the foundation upon which regulatory approaches can be developed by constituencies and jurisdictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From 50 to 90% of wild plant species worldwide produce seeds that are dormant upon maturity, with specific dormancy traits driven by species' occurrence geography, growth form, and genetic factors. While dormancy is a beneficial adaptation for intact natural systems, it can limit plant recruitment in restoration scenarios because seeds may take several seasons to lose dormancy and consequently show low or erratic germination. During this time, seed predation, weed competition, soil erosion, and seed viability loss can lead to plant re‐establishment failure. Understanding and considering seed dormancy and germination traits in restoration planning are thus critical to ensuring effective seed management and seed use efficiency. There are five known dormancy classes (physiological, physical, combinational, morphological, and morphophysiological), each requiring specific cues to alleviate dormancy and enable germination. The dormancy status of a seed can be determined through a series of simple steps that account for initial seed quality and assess germination across a range of environmental conditions. In this article, we outline the steps of the dormancy classification process and the various corresponding methodologies for ex situ dormancy alleviation. We also highlight the importance of record‐keeping and reporting of seed accession information (e.g. geographic coordinates of the seed collection location, cleaning and quality information, storage conditions, and dormancy testing data) to ensure that these factors are adequately considered in restoration planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]