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Abstract Seed quality is the set of physical, genetic, and physiological characteristics, reflecting the overall germination potential. Maintaining an optimal seed quality is essential for agriculture and seed banks to preserve genetic diversity. Compared to conventional methods (e.g., germination tests), non-invasive approaches allow a more sustainable and rapid evaluation of seed quality but this is limited by high costs. The measurement of ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) and delayed fluorescence (DL), defined as biological phenomena potentially related to the physiological status of living systems, may represent a suitable approach to estimate seed quality. To test this hypothesis, seeds of five agriculturally relevant legume species (Phaseolus vulgaris L., Lathyrus sativus L., Cicer arietinum L., Pisum sativum L., and Vicia faba L.), stored at different conditions (room temperature or -18 °C) for several years, were analysed using a LIANA© prototype to collect data regarding DL and UPE occurring after UV excitation. The obtained data were integrated with germination parameters which underline species-specific behaviours in response to storage conditions. The prediction models show variable efficiency in classifying seeds based on germination which underline species-dependent links between photon emission and seed quality. Therefore, these measurements represent novel, non-invasive, and rapid approaches to evaluate seed quality.

The most important product of the lentil crop (Lens culinaris Medik) is the seeds. The main seed characteristics are their size, color, and the cooking time required to make them edible. Cultivar, location of cultivation, and their interaction are the primary factors of raw or cooked seed characteristics. The study examined the impact of five different lentil cultivars (Dimitra, Elpida, Thessalia, Samos, and 03-24L), as influenced by the cultivation environment in four different zones or nine different locations in Central-Northern Greece, on cooking time. The optimal cooking time (OCT) was calculated by cooking the seeds for 0–60 min to determine the percentage of cooked seeds using the penetration test. OCT was associated with the characteristics of both raw (mass of 1000 seeds, external color, and the percentage of mature/immature seeds) and cooked (color and organoleptic characteristics of the cooking media as well as mass increase and hardness and organoleptic characteristics of the seeds) seeds for 30 min. Depending on location, each cultivar had a different mass of 1000 seeds; Elpida had the highest mass (63.9 g), and Dimitra had the lowest (33.1 g). This was linked to OCT, which was among the highest (57.5 min) for Elpida, lowest (49 min) for Dimitra, and intermediate for Thessalia, Samos, or 03-24L. The average OCT was 55.9 min for all samples. The seed from the five locations with the shortest OCT was considered appropriate for human consumption. Two locations yielded seeds with intermediate OCT, while the other two produced the highest OCT; these were recommended for processing or propagation. In this study, the cultivar factor had a greater effect on raw seed characteristics, while the location factor had a greater effect on cooked seed characteristics and OCT than either the location, the cultivar factor, or the cultivar x location interaction.

The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of technology elements on the yield and quality of oil from various varieties of oilseeds, in particular, sunflower, rapeseed, safflower, camelina, and brown mustard. The effectiveness of various agricultural techniques (types of fertilisers, protection systems, and agrotechnical measures) to improve the quality and quantity of these crops was evaluated. The study was conducted for three years on the basis of the educationalscientific-practical centre of Mykolaiv National Agrarian University. The methodology included conducting field experiments with various agronomic technologies, laboratory analysis of the obtained plant samples, and determining the oil content. According to the results, the use of an optimised nutrition system and a combined protection system increases the yield of sunflower seeds by 15%, the quality of oil by 10%, and the use of innovative elements for growing flax increases the oil content of seeds by 8%. For rapeseed, it was determined that the use of adopted nutrition and protection systems increases the yield by 20%. The mustard examination showed a substantial improvement in the crop’s resistance to diseases when using integrated plant protection. The findings confirmed the importance of choosing the optimal elements of the technology that contribute to improving the yield and quality of oilseeds. This issue is relevant since oilseeds occupy a substantial place in the agro-industrial complex. Increasing the efficiency of growing oilseeds not only provides stable profits for farmers but also has a positive impact on the food security of the country in general. Thus, the introduction of scientifically based agronomic measures is a critical factor for achieving sustainable development of the agricultural sector and diversification of oilseeds

Due to inadequate germination, emergence, and seedling stand establishment of inbred lines, hybrid seed multiplication results in poor performance and nonuniform seedlings in the field. Therefore, to assess the effect of various seed priming methods on maize inbred line seed germination measures, a laboratory experiment with 22 treatments in a completely randomized design with four replications was carried out in a controlled environment of Ambo Seed Quality Control Laboratory, Oromia Agricultural Input and Product Regulatory Authority. The treatment consisted of seeds that were hormone‐primed in gibberellic acid (GA3) at levels of 100, 200, and 300 ppm; haloprimed in ZnSO4 at levels of 1%, 2%, and 3%; and hydroprimed in distilled water for 12, 24, and 36 h. As a control, unprimed seeds were utilized. The study revealed that priming agent, duration, and their interactions had a significant (p < 0.5) effect on the examined seed germination metrics. The maximum germination percentages (96.5% and 96.25%) were recorded from seeds primed with 2% ZnSO4 for 24 and 12 h, which improved by 11.56% and 11.27%, respectively. Priming the inbred line seed with GA3 at 200 ppm for 36 h improves germination index and vigor index I and reduces mean germination time. Seeds primed with 3% ZnSO4 and GA3 at 200 ppm for 36 h gave the maximum root length (15.31 cm) and shoot length (13.50 cm), respectively, compared to the control treatment. Therefore, to improve the germination problem of the maize inbred line, it is advised seed producers to use a 2% ZnSO4 solution for 24 h. However, if ZnSO4 and GA3 are not available, hydropriming for 36 h is more cost‐effective, produces less waste, and is easier to implement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Targeting the issues of seed leakage and cutting segment adhesion due to poor seed feeding and cutting in real-time seed-cutting cassava planters, this study developed a seeding quality monitoring system. Based on the structure and working principle of the seed cutting and discharging device, the installation methods of the matrix fiber optic sensor and rotary encoder were determined. By combining the operational characteristics of the planter's ground wheel drive with seed cutting and seed dropping, a monitoring model correlating the sowing parameters with seed dropping time was established; a monitoring window was created by extracting and processing the rotary encoder pulse signal, and the number of seeds sown after each opposing cutter's operation was calculated based on the pulse width information within the monitoring window. The monitoring system's statistics were compared and analyzed with the manual statistics, and the bench test showed that the monitoring system designed in this study offers high accuracy. When the simulated rotational speed of the opposing cutter ranges from 10 to 30 rpm, the average monitoring error between the monitored and actual seeding quantities for the left and right rows is less than 1.4%. The monitoring system can promptly and accurately activate sound and light alarms for faults, achieving a 100% success rate in alarms and an average fault response time of less than 0.4 seconds. Field tests demonstrate that the average error in seeding volume is 0.91%, and the monitoring system can timely alert to faults occurring in the planter. The system fulfills the requirements for real-time monitoring of cassava seeding volume at various operating speeds in field conditions, and can serve as a reference for monitoring operational parameters in subsequent cassava combine harvesters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African nightshade (Solanum scabrum) is a vegetable of great importance in several African countries. Production by seed is constrained by limited access to high quality seed, leaving farmers unable to meet the growing demand. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of berry maturity stages (mature green and purple) on germination and protein components of African nightshade seeds. Nine accessions were used for the germination assays and three selected for the proteomics. The seeds harvested at the purple ripe stage showed a higher germination percentage than seeds harvested at the mature green stage. Seeds of three accessions, which showed different germination responses depending on maturity, were subjected to gel-based proteome comparison followed by mass spectrometry. Analysis revealed a total of 563 spots, of which 19–23% were differentially abundant between the two harvest times. This is the first study to utilise proteomics in African nightshade. Four types of seed storage proteins were identified. Identified proteins were associated with seed maturation, indicating more advanced maturation stages in accessions with higher germination capacity. In addition, a reference proteome map of S. scabrum was created using GelMap platform (www.gelmap.de). Colour change of African nightshade berries seems to be a suitable indicator for seed maturity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lodging of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merril.) significantly reduces seed yield and quality, particularly in high-yielding environments. This phenomenon occurs when stems weaken under the weight of the plants, complicating harvesting. This study investigated the relationship between soybean stem chemical composition, physical traits, and lodging resistance to improve yield and resilience. We found that as plant density increased, stem hardness decreased, and the elasticity increased, heightening the risk of lodging. Conversely, high temperature (28 °C) boosted lignin, cellulose and pectin content in the stem cell walls, enhancing the lodging resistance. Additionally, after excluding differences in phylogenetic relationships through cluster analysis, we mapped environment-stable genes linked to lodging resistance and identified new QTLs on Chr3 and Chr16. Candidate genes associated with these QTLs were confirmed using qRT–PCR and hormone treatments across diverse soybean varieties. It was found that the expression of stem tip genes was closely related to stem node diameter. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for breeding high-yielding soybean varieties with improved lodging resistance, and advance efforts to develop resilient soybean cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The X-ray method, together with image analysis tools, has been used to evaluate the internal structures of seeds and correlate them with the physical, physiological and sanitary quality, providing significant and accurate results. The objective of this study was to analyze radiographic images of rice seeds infested by the rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae (Linnaeus, 1763) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Rice seed samples from three different cultivars were infested with S. oryzae for 90 days. Next, seed samples collected at random were analyzed by X-ray testing. The radiographic images were analyzed by ImageJ® software to extract color and shape features. Scanning electron microscopy analyses were also performed. The results showed that X-ray testing was effective in detecting infestation. The gray distribution histograms revealed differences between healthy seeds and those infested by adult insects or empty seeds, confirmed by the significant differences obtained for the area and relative and integrated density variables. The study demonstrated that the analysis of radiographic images can provide quantitative information on insect infestation of rice seeds, which is useful in the evaluation of seed quality and for detecting the presence of pests in rice seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In agriculture, seed quality and high yield are directly related to each other. Hybrid seed production is difficult and expensive, and as it were not enough, the rate of empty seeds at the end of production is high, which reveals the importance of studies in seedling emergence. Empty seed formation is frequently encountered in melons and causes low seed productivity. Efforts to eliminate this situation and improve seed germination and emergence quality will have positive effects on both producers and consumers. In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of boron and putrescine on seed number per fruit, seed germination, and seed emergence rates in Cucumis melo var. inodorus. The seeds used in the research were produced from plants of the SR-21 and Sİ-8 genotypes to which boron and putrescine were applied in the spring-summer growing period of 2023. In research, germination and emergence rates, germination and emergence times, germination and emergence index parameters in seeds were investigated. Seed quality parameters were positively affected by boron and putrescine applications, boron increased seed quality compared to the control. Putrescine was the application that had the best effect on seed quality. As a result, it was determined that putrescine (90.16%; 92.83% respectively), boron (83.83%; 94.67% respectively), and boron+putrescine combinations (78.16%; 84.17%) increased the germination and emergence rate compared to the control group (%55, 58.17 respectively or % increases can be given compared to the control group). In conclusion, to produce higher quality seeds, breeders and seed companies could apply putrescine and boron to the plant before hand pollination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of summarized spectral data in bands obtained by hyperspectral sensors can make it possible to obtain biochemical information about seeds and, thus, relate the results to seed viability and vigor. Thus, the hypothesis of this work is based on the possibility of obtaining information about the physiological quality of seeds through hyperspectral bands and distinguishing seed lots regarding their quality through wavelengths. The objective was then to evaluate the possibility of differentiating soybean genotypes regarding the physiological quality of seeds using spectral data. The experiment was conducted during the 2021/2022 harvest at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul in a randomized block design with four replicates and 10 F3 soybean populations (G1, G8, G12, G15, G19, G21, G24, G27, G31, and G36). After the maturation of each genotype, seeds were harvested from the central rows of each plot, which consisted of five one-meter rows. Seed samples from each experimental unit were placed in a Petri dish to collect spectral data. Readings were performed in the laboratory at a temperature of 26 °C and using two 60 W halogen lamps as the light source, positioned 15 cm between the sensor and the sample. The sensor used was the Ocean Optics (Florida, USA) model STS-VIS-L-50-400-SMA, which captured the reflectance of the seed sample at wavelengths between 450 and 824 nm. After readings from the hyperspectral sensor, the seeds were subjected to tests for water content, germination, first germination count, electrical conductivity, and tetrazolium. The data obtained were subjected to an analysis of variance and the means were compared by the Scott–Knott test at 5% probability, analyzed using R software version 4.2.3 (Auckland, New Zealand). The data on the physiological quality of the seeds of the soybean genotypes were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) and associated with the K-means algorithm to form groups according to the similarity and distinction between the genetic materials. After the formation of these groups, spectral curve graphs were constructed for each soybean genotype and for the groups that were formed. The physiological quality of the soybean genotypes can be differentiated using hyperspectral bands. The spectral bands, therefore, provide important information about the physiological quality of soybean seeds. Through the use of hyperspectral sensors and the observation of specific bands, it is possible to differentiate genotypes in terms of seed quality, complementing and/or replacing traditional tests in a fast, accurate, and non-destructive way, reducing the time and investment spent on obtaining information on seed viability and vigor. The results found in this study are promising, and further research is needed in future studies with other species and genotypes. The interval between 450 and 649 nm was the main spectrum band that contributed to the differentiation between soybean genotypes of superior and inferior physiological quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the use of the pre-sowing electrophysical stimulation of seeds, particularly focusing on optimizing technological regimes for enhancing seed quality. The aim of this study was to improve sunflower seed germination utilizing laser optical radiation. The methods explored involved the pre-sowing stimulation of oilseeds and analyzing the key mechanisms affecting germination. Through our experimental research, we sought to identify the most effective laser irradiation parameters, ensuring the maximum seed quality improvement with minimal energy use. Using seeds of the first reproduction, we employed artificial aging to simulate a reduced seed quality and determined optimal irradiation regimes. Standard methods were followed to assess seed quality before and after irradiation, with 6–7 days of further exposure. Seed germination was carried out under controlled light and temperature conditions using the "on paper" method with paper napkins. A full factorial experiment was performed and key parameters for laser irradiation were determined, confirming that the pre-sowing laser pulse treatment significantly improved seed quality. In this research, we developed a biotechnical system for processing seeds and propose a method to adjust irradiation parameters based on the initial seed quality. The system effectively enhanced germination and crop yield, offering a reliable solution for improving sunflower seed productivity through laser treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consistent agricultural production needs a package of methods starting from the improved crop varieties to agronomic practices to fulfil the food demand worldwide. Agricultural productivity is mainly restricted due to poor seed quality coupled with several biotic and abiotic stresses. Therefore, enhancement of agricultural production through improved quality of seed needs additional practice to achieve sustainable growth of farm income. In this context, biopriming could serve as a viable approach to enhance crop productivity as it improves the performance of plants under sub-optimal conditions. In biopriming, the bacterial inoculum is used during the imbibition process that bypasses the need for hazardous agrochemicals linked with crop management practices. The use of microbial solution on the planting material is an economically and environmentally safe method for uniform crop establishment. Alongside biotic stress amelioration, biopriming also serves as a viable solution to enhance the nutrient use efficiency in crop plants. Overall, the introduction of biopriming in agricultural practices allows farmers to achieve better production with a minimum investment of costly inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice is the major crop of Thailand. However, the rice yield is still limited, especially in local cultivars. Fermented chitin (FC) application to soil has been demonstrated to improve rice growth and yield. The application of biostimulants has been proposed to improve both the yield and quality of ‛RD69' and ‛HGD' rice varieties. While FC has been suggested as a potential solution, the specific effects of FC on seed quality and quantity remain insufficiently explored. In this study, pot experiments were conducted to determine the effects of FC and FC with rice husk (FC+RH) treatments on the grain quantity and quality of two rice cultivars, ‛RD69' and 'Hawm Gulahb Deang' (HGD), which are colored rice varieties with high antioxidant levels. ‛RD69' has low apparent amylose content (AAC) and a high percentage of rapidly available glucose (RAG), while ‛HGD' is the local Thai rice with medium AAC and low %RAG. FC and FC+RH were applied as soil supplements at concentrations of 0.01%, 0.1%, and 0.2% (w/w). The supplementation of 0.2% FC+RH resulted in the highest yield of ‛RD69' (73%) and ‛HGD' (30%). Although both FC and FC+RH did not significantly affect the AAC content of both cultivars, FC+RH decreased their %RAG. Interestingly, although FC+RH enhanced the antioxidant activity of the seeds of both cultivars, ‛RD69' was more responsive to the effects of FC and FC+RH treatments than 'HGD', as significantly higher antioxidant levels were detected in ‛RD69' seeds. These findings suggest that FC+RH supplementation can enhance the yield and quality of colored rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to develop a method for the rapid and nondestructive prediction of wheat seed viability using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS). Thirteen wheat cultivars were used to establish and validate an NIRS calibration model. The seed samples were divided into a calibration set (n=1,360) and a validation set (n=1,000), representing a wide range of germination rates created through the accelerated aging treatment (98±2% relative humidity, 40°C, 0-10 days). Spectral data were collected within the wavelength range of 400-2,500 nm. Among the three regression models tested, the Modified Partial Least Squares (MPLS) model exhibited the best performance for predicting seed viability, achieving the highest coefficient of determination (R² =0.936) and lowest standard error of calibration (SEC=7.514). The results of this study highlight the utility of NIRS-based models for the rapid, nondestructive assessment of seed viability in wheat. Additionally, this is the first study to apply NIRS for the nondestructive evaluation of wheat seed viability, providing a substantial advancement in seed quality assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic purity is one of the quality criteria required for successful seed production of maize. In hybrid seed production, genetic purity can be contaminated by outcrossing from other varieties or events of inbreeding. The objectives of the study are to clearly put sources of contaminants at each seed class level and suggest possible recommendations to maintain seed quality and to test the physical and physiological quality parameters of each seed classes. A multistage sampling technique was applied for this survey study. Total sample size of 160 households from all districts was interviewed and both qualitative and quantitative data was generated on constraints of hybrid maize production in western Amhara region. Filed inspection of maize seed production fields was done. Moreover, seed samples were collected from, company one, company two, company three and company four. Seed quality testing was carried out at Adet agricultural research center seed laboratory in 2021 for the collected samples. Mean percentages of quality parameters were computed and used for comparing the formal seed sources. The survey study indicated that maize seed production in the districts is constrained by a variety of related factors; the most important constraints are insufficient supply, delayed delivery, unavailability of preferred variety. The field inspection showed the presence of contaminants of maize seed at parental lines (inbred lines) and hybrid seed production. Seed samples of SC-22 parental lines collected from company two and company one showed standard germination of 30.25 and 76.5%, respectively. The laboratory test indicated that majority of seed samples from different seed sources met the minimum requirements for hybrid maize seed standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean, as an important oil crop, is one of the main sources of high-quality protein and edible oil. Soybean yield and seed quality are closely related to growth-period traits, which are mainly controlled by a series of genes associated with the growth period. In this study, 16 near-isogenic lines (NILs) of E1-E4 were developed using Harosoy as the genetic background and were planted in experimental fields in Shijiazhuang and Hefei. The growth period, seed quality, and yield traits were investigated to understand the adaptability of different combinations of E1-E4 mutants to mid-latitude planting areas. The results showed that the 16 NILs had different photoperiod sensitivities and flowering times. WT and e4 NILs were unsuitable for planting in Shijiazhuang due to late flowering and low yield, while all NILs matured normally when planted in Hefei. Different allelic combinations of E1-E4 also affected plant height, node length, yield per plant, and seed quality. We found that e3 or e4 mutations could lead to early flowering under long-day conditions and simultaneously induce a shading response, resulting in taller plants and longer node lengths. We measured the protein, oil, and sucrose content of the seeds and found that the seeds of WT could not mature normally, exhibiting the lowest oil content and the highest sucrose content. Overall, seeds from the other NILs, when planted in Shijiazhuang, showed higher oil and sucrose content compared to those planted in Hefei but lower protein content. Therefore, to evaluate the latitude adaptability of soybean cultivars, it is necessary to comprehensively examine the effects of growth-period genes on photoperiod sensitivity, seed quality, and yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change, coupled with the rising human population and increased demand for food, pose significant challenges for achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of zero hunger, no poverty, and good health and well-being. These intertwined challenges demand urgent action to identify and promote un-popularized, underutilized, and unexplored climate-smart crops that can ensure food and nutritional security. The present study aimed to investigate the nutraceutical potential of Glycine soja , a wild ancestor of cultivated soybean that has been used traditionally as food and medicine in Indian Himalayas. Seed samples of wild and cultivated soybeans were collected from different locations in Uttarakhand, India, and screened for their phytochemical and biochemical contents using standard methods. The results of the study revealed that wild soybean contains a significant quantity of total phenols (27.44 ± 0.836 mg/g dw), flavonoids (3.319 ± 0.305 mg QE/g dw), and antioxidant activity (3.56 ± 1.090 mg AAE/g dw). Additionally, the species is a rich source of minerals such as zinc (4.68 ± 0.101 mg/100 g dw), vitamins, and amino acids such as histidine (0.95 ± 0.071 mg/100 g dw), isoleucine (1.74 ± 0.108 mg/100 g dw), leucine (2.94 ± 0.044 mg/100 g dw), lysine (2.13 ± 0.082 mg/100 g dw), methionine (0.53 ± 0.044 mg/100 g dw), threonine (0.67 ± 0.196 mg/100 g dw) etc. than the cultivated soybean. This study is the first to comprehensively compare phytochemicals, antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, anthocyanins, and mineral content of wild and cultivated soybean seed quality traits. From the results of the present study, the inclusion of wild soybean in the cultivation system and daily diets might help to achieve livelihood, food and nutritional security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spot blotch disease is prominent amongst several biotic stresses challenging wheat yield and quality. The impact of seed inoculation with Bipolaris sorokiniana, on important wheat seed quality of popular cultivar (cv.) DBW 187, was estimated in comparison to susceptible check WH 147. DBW 187 responded very effectively against pathogen keeping all parameters well ahead of susceptible check. The variety could resist declination in per cent germination with 8.07% in comparison to WH 147 which resulted in 14.72% reduction in germination after pathogen inoculation. Similarly, after pathogen's inoculation, speed of germination (80.06) and vigour index I (2677) and II (24379) were significantly higher in cv. DBW 187 as against cv. WH 147, which resulted in lower speed of germination and vigour index I and II, i.e. 74.37, 2249, and 16715, respectively. Amongst the biocontrol agents, Trichoderma harzianum was found to be the most effective in managing this pathogen, which caused 86.30% inhibition in mycelial growth of B. sorokiniana. Amongst the seven fungicides used to manage Bipolaris sorokiniana in vitro, tebuconazole 50% + trifloxystrobin 25% WG, propiconazole 25% EC both at 75 and 100 ppm, and kresoxim methyl 44.3% SC at 100 ppm were most effective against Bipolaris sorokiniana, causing complete inhibition in its radial growth. Conclusively, wheat cv. DBW 187 has capacity to resist seed health deterioration caused by the pathogen. Out of seven evaluated fungicides, the best three newer fungicide molecules, viz., tebuconazole 50% + trifloxystrobin 25% WG, propiconazole 25% EC, and kresoxim methyl 44.3% SC, can judiciously be utilized in combination with biocontrol agents, Trichoderma harzianum, T. asperellum, and Chaetomium globosum, keeping the fungicide load minimum for the effective management of B. sorokiniana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines key challenges and opportunities for improving ruminant productivity in East Africa, with a focus on enhancing access to forage seeds critical for livestock systems in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. Despite high potential for increased livestock production, the region faces a significant feed deficit—nearly 40% of annual feed demand remains unmet—due to the limited availability and affordability of forage seeds. The research identifies a critical gap in quality seed access, with many farmers relying on outdated materials. We propose the promotion of recently improved forage varieties and local seed production as a solution to reduce dependence on costly imports and enhance adoption. Our analysis suggests that bridging the forage deficit would require the cultivation of 2 million hectares and the involvement of 1.5 million farmers, highlighting the scale of intervention needed. Additionally, the regional forage seed market presents an economic opportunity, potentially valued at USD 877 million over the next decade, underlining the importance of government policies, the development of seed systems, and market incentives. The study concludes with recommendations for fostering seed production, improving seed distribution, and addressing socio-economic barriers to ensure widespread adoption and enhance livestock productivity in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The most important product of the lentil crop (Lens culinaris Medik) is the seeds. The main seed characteristics are their size, color, and the cooking time required to make them edible. Cultivar, location of cultivation, and their interaction are the primary factors of raw or cooked seed characteristics. The study examined the impact of five different lentil cultivars (Dimitra, Elpida, Thessalia, Samos, and 03-24L), as influenced by the cultivation environment in four different zones or nine different locations in Central-Northern Greece, on cooking time. The optimal cooking time (OCT) was calculated by cooking the seeds for 0–60 min to determine the percentage of cooked seeds using the penetration test. OCT was associated with the characteristics of both raw (mass of 1000 seeds, external color, and the percentage of mature/immature seeds) and cooked (color and organoleptic characteristics of the cooking media as well as mass increase and hardness and organoleptic characteristics of the seeds) seeds for 30 min. Depending on location, each cultivar had a different mass of 1000 seeds; Elpida had the highest mass (63.9 g), and Dimitra had the lowest (33.1 g). This was linked to OCT, which was among the highest (57.5 min) for Elpida, lowest (49 min) for Dimitra, and intermediate for Thessalia, Samos, or 03-24L. The average OCT was 55.9 min for all samples. The seed from the five locations with the shortest OCT was considered appropriate for human consumption. Two locations yielded seeds with intermediate OCT, while the other two produced the highest OCT; these were recommended for processing or propagation. In this study, the cultivar factor had a greater effect on raw seed characteristics, while the location factor had a greater effect on cooked seed characteristics and OCT than either the location, the cultivar factor, or the cultivar x location interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an oilseed crop grown worldwide. Flavonoids have profound benefits for plant growth and development because of their powerful antioxidant properties. Seed vigor is an important indicator of seed quality. However, how flavonoids impact seed vigor formation in large-seed peanuts is still poorly understood. Here, we profiled flavonoids, phytohormones, and transcriptomes of developing seeds of large-seed peanut varieties with low (ZP06) and high (H8107) seed vigor. A total of 165 flavonoids were identified, 51 of which were differentially accumulated in ZP06 and H8107. Lower levels of dihydromyricetin (0.28 times) and hesperetin-7-O-glucoside (0.26 times) were observed in ZP06 seeds than in H8107. All flavonoid biosynthesis structural genes were down-regulated in ZP06. The different hormone levels found in ZP06 and H8107 seeds could be associated with the expression of flavonoid biosynthesis genes via MYB and bHLH transcription factors. Dihydromyricetin could relate to ZP06′s poor seed vigor by impacting its seed antioxidant properties. Thus, the presence of flavonoids in large-seed peanuts could contribute to their physiological quality and germination potential through controlling the accumulation of reactive oxygen species to improve seed antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The productivity and quality of forage cowpea are very low due to the use of inappropriate spacing for the selected varieties used in the study area. The study was conducted for two years (2022 and 2023) on-farm to determine the effects of inter- and intra-row spacing on biomass and seed yield and yield-related traits of selected cowpea variety IT92KD258- 9. The experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications in a factorial arrangement of three inter-rows (40, 50 and 60 cm) and three intra-rows (20, 30 and 40 cm) spacing. Data on growth attributes, biomass yield, reproductive parameters and harvest index were recorded. All data were subjected to analysis of variance procedures, with a significance test at p<0.05. The interaction effects of inter- and intra-row spacing either positively or negatively influenced all parameters except dry matter percent (%), leaf-to-stem ratio, hundred seed weight (g) and seed moisture content (%). Every increase in inter- and intra-row spacing was accompanied by a corresponding decrease in biomass yield with related attributes and an increase in seed yield, some seed quality traits and harvest index. The maximum fresh herbage yield (46.04 t ha -1 ) and dry biomass yield (10.69 t ha -1 ) were obtained at a spacing combination of 40 cm inter and 20 cm intra-rows. The highest haulm yields (2.78 t ha -1 ) and (2.64 t ha -1 ) were recorded at 50 and 40 cm and 50 and 30 cm inter and intra-row spacing combinations, respectively. The better seed yield (1697.31 kg ha -1 ) with better seed germination (95.83%) was attained at 50 and 40 cm inter and intra-row spacing combinations. Based on the study results, a combination of 40 and 20 cm inter and intra-row spacing appears preferable regarding biomass yield production and a 50 and 40 cm inter and intra-row spacing combination is a recommendable optimum spacing for cowpea seed production with a better quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses the impacts of agroforestry systems (AS) and intercropping on the growth, yield, and seed quality of corn and beans in Brazil, a major global producer of these crops. Given the growing importance of sustainable agriculture, family farming, which greatly supports the nation's corn and bean output, holds a pivotal role. This research explores the efficacy of AS and intercropping in enhancing agricultural sustainability by examining plant growth parameters, yield components, and seed germination quality under varying conditions of full sun and shaded agroforestry environments. The study, conducted over two agricultural seasons using a randomized block design, compared the growth, yield, and seed quality of corn and bean cultivars grown both solo and intercropped, in full sun and AS settings. Measurements included growth indicators (height, leaf area, stem diameter), yield components (number of pods, grains per plant, production per plant), and seed quality parameters (germination rate, seed vigor). The findings indicate that AS improves plant growth characteristics despite a yield reduction due to decreased solar radiation by 59.9% and 60.0% for corn, and 49.7% and 63.4% for beans, in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons, respectively. Although AS and intercropping increased the initial germination rate count in corn, they did not affect the final germination test outcomes. Similarly, the germination of BRS Paisano seeds remained unchanged under shaded conditions. These results underscore agroforestry and intercropping as sustainable agricultural practices capable of enhancing plant growth while maintaining productive yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the near-threatened status of Handroanthus impetiginosus, primarily due to habitat loss and illegal logging, this study examines how X-ray imaging and cryopreservation impact the seed quality and viability essential for conservation. Seeds initially had a moisture content of 12.3%, reduced to 6.5% through desiccation. X-ray imaging allowed for detailed visualization of internal structures, identifying seeds as normal, abnormal, or dead based on damage and development. Normal seeds consistently germinated and produced healthy seedlings, while those with internal damage or excessive desiccation either resulted in abnormal seedlings or did not germinate. Various cryopreservation treatments were tested, including storage at −80 °C and liquid nitrogen immersion (LN), with and without vitrification solutions (PSV2; PVS3; PSV2 + 1% phloroglucinol; PSV3 + 1% phloroglucinol). Results indicated that immersion in LN without cryoprotectants achieved the highest germination and seedling viability, whereas vitrification solutions, such as PVS2 and PVS3, negatively affected germination. This study demonstrates that X-ray imaging is an effective tool for assessing seed quality and detecting internal damage, while cryopreservation without cryoprotectants is suitable for long-term seed storage. This work highlights the benefits of combining X-ray assessment with optimized cryopreservation techniques to support the conservation of threatened species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposed a high-speed precision dual-chamber maize metering device for the dense planting pattern with standard ridge promoted in China. Through theoretical analysis of the sowing process, parameters for the key components have been designed. The metering device is capable of planting two rows in a single pass for high-speed precision seeding. The effect of operating speed and negative pressure on seed metering quality was investigated. A high-speed camera was used to capture the trajectory of maize seed at different operating speeds, and it was found that intra-row shifts were caused by collisions at the mouth of the seed guide tube and rotation of the seed as it fell. Employing a two-factor, five-level orthogonal rotation test, Investigated the optimal operating parameters for the maize metering device. Response surface analysis showed that optimum seed metering quality was achieved at 14.2 km/h and 13.5 kPa. Validation tests showed a qualified rate of 97.93%, with a coefficient variation of 8.97% for this method. Additionally, an energy consumption analysis indicated a reduction in operating energy consumption of approximately 32% compared to conventional air suction seed metering devices for dense planting with large ridges on the same area of farmland. This study provides insights for reducing energy consumption in the seeding process, contributing to the sustainable development of agricultural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed mycoflora poses significant challenges to rice production, leading to substantial economic losses. Fourteen samples of stored and freshly harvested seeds of five rice varieties were collected from the Agricultural farm of Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, to study the morphology of the mycoflora associated with rice seeds and their impact on seed health and quality. Eight fungal species, including Fusarium pallidoroseum, Fusarium fujikuroi, Curvularia lunata, Helminthosporium oryzae, Trichoconis padwickii, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus sp., and Penicillium sp., were isolated, identified, and morphologically characterized based on colony growth, mycelial features, conidial structures, and spore measurements. The rice varieties, viz., Hema, Jyotirmayee, Swarna, Lalat, and Annapurna, were artificially inoculated with F. pallidoroseum, F. fujikuroi, T. padwickii, C. lunata, and H. oryzae. Seeds showed that the fungi had a variable effect on seed quality parameters like germination, seedling vigor index I and seedling vigor index II, speed of germination, and seed health. A maximum of 16.33% reduction of germination was observed by T. padwickii, followed by F. fujikuroi (14.80% in Hema). Seedling vigor (1754.81) incited by T. padwickii inoculation was recorded to be the lowest. Seed rot up to 15.8% was observed in the case of F. fujikuroi. The percentage of root discoloration reached 40.0% by F. pallidoroseum and T. padwickii. In Jyotirmayee, C. lunata caused an 18.88% germination reduction and the lowest seedling vigor (1866.03) by T. padwickii. T padwickii also caused the highest reduction of seedling dry weight (36.12%) in this variety. The result reveals the diversity and prevalence of fungal pathogens in rice seeds. Hence, this study underscores the importance of seed sterilization practices in reducing fungal contamination and the requirement of thorough seed examination to reduce the effects of seed mycoflora associated with rice seeds, which could affect rice production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is useful to analyze volatile flavor compounds and identify characteristic fingerprints for improving the aroma of vegetable soybean in the vegetable soybean breeding program. In this study, headspace‐gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry was applied to evaluate the volatile compounds of four vegetable soybean cultivars with different preservation processes. The results revealed that aldehydes, alcohols, and esters determined the basic volatile flavor of the vegetable soybean seeds. The peak intensities of most of the volatile compounds varied significantly between both cultivars and preservation methods. Compared with the preservation processes, the differences between cultivars would contribute more to the flavor. The characteristic fingerprints were further identified in the four cultivars, including Xiang Dou, Changxing Qingdou, Wu Pi Qing Ren, and Zhe Xian No. 84, with different preservation processes. Although the flavor could be affected by the preservation processing, the cultivar Zhe Xian No. 84 was the least affected among these cultivars and had great value in both promotion and application in vegetable soybean production. These results could provide useful information for improving the seed taste quality of vegetable soybean in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental conditions at the multiplication site have an impact on seed quality. Parents capable of counteracting changes in production environments are required to maintain and conserve the excellent attributes of maize (Zea mays L.) seed. This study sought to determine the effects of genotype and environment on the physical and physiological traits of single crosses and inbred lines, which are the progenitors of trilineal maize hybrids adapted to the High Valleys of Mexico. During the spring-summer 2014 and 2015 cycles, nine inbred lines, three single crosses, and three hybrids were evaluated in Coatlinchán, Celaya, and San Luis de la Paz, Mexico, in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The hectoliter and thousand-seeds weight, commercial seed percentage, standard germination, and after-cold test were evaluated. A pooled analysis of variance and multiple comparison of means with Tukey (p ≤ 0.05) were performed. The site regression model (SREG) was used to account for the genotype-environment interaction. The best environments for physical quality were San Luis de la Paz 2014; for a thousand-seeds weight (295.3 g), Coatlinchán 2015; for hectoliter weight (74.7 kg hL-1), Coatlinchán 2014; and for commercial seed percentage (76 and 73.3 %), San Luis de la Paz 2014. With the exception of Celaya 2014, the environments were statistically equal for physiological quality in standard germination, and San Luis de la Paz 2015 (82 %) was the best environment for germination after cold exposure. Regarding the genotype-environment interaction, parents M-47xM-46 and M-55xM-54 performed best for physical quality and M-43xM-44 for physiological quality at San Luis de la Paz; thus, seed production from these parents is possible in this location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinoa is an annual pseudocereal highly adapted to extreme environments and has become, at this point in time, an extremely popular food due to its exceptional and high nutritional quality. This study aims to investigate the association of quinoa salt tolerance at an early developmental stage with its grain nutritional value under the effect of severe climatic hurdles. The current findings revealed a significant variability between genotypes in salt response attributes at the first development stage, where genotypes Amarilla Sacaca (thereafter, A. Sacaca) and QQ57 exhibited high salt tolerance thresholds with a low salt sensitivity index (SI), and a high capacity for Na+ sequestration into vacuoles. A significant positive association was detected between salt tolerance degree and yield parameters, saponins (SAPs), and minerals contents, where genotype A. Sacaca exhibited the highest SAP content with 3.84 mg.g−1 and the highest amounts of K, Ca, P, and Fe. The analysis of fatty acid composition demonstrated a high significant negative correlation between crude fat content and salt SI, and between yield parameters. Despite its low harvest index (HI) and low seed oil content, the salt-tolerant genotype A. Sacaca showed a high nutritional quality for seed oil according to its lowest ω6/ω3 ratio (5.6/1) and lowest level of atherogenicity index (AI). The genotype 115R, defined as the most sensitive to salt stress, exhibited a high seed oil quality due to its low lipid peroxidation susceptibility as reflected by its oxidative susceptibility and peroxidizability indexes. The significance of this study includes the identification of valuable quinoa genotypes showing high efficiency in growth and yield under severe stress accompanied by a high nutritional value satisfying the market requirements for healthy, nutritious, and safe food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uniform spatial distribution of plants is crucial in arable crops. Seeding quality is affected by numerous parameters, including the working speed and vibrations of the seeder. Therefore, investigating effective and rapid methods to evaluate seeding quality and the parameters affecting the seeders' performance is of high importance. With the latest advancements in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, the potential for acquiring accurate agricultural data has significantly increased, making UAVs an ideal tool for scouting applications in agricultural systems. This study investigates the effectiveness of utilizing different plant recognition algorithms applied to UAV-derived images for evaluating seeder performance based on detected plant spacings. Additionally, it examines the impact of seeding unit vibrations on seeding quality by analyzing accelerometer data installed on the seeder. For the image analysis, three plant recognition approaches were tested: an unsupervised segmentation method based on the Visible Atmospherically Resistant Index (VARI), template matching (TM), and a deep learning model called Mask R-CNN. The Mask R-CNN model demonstrated the highest recognition reliability at 96.7%, excelling in detecting seeding errors such as misses and doubles, as well as in evaluating the quality of feed index and precision when compared to ground-truth data. Although the VARI-based unsupervised method and TM outperformed Mask R-CNN in recognizing double spacings, overall, the Mask R-CNN was the most promising. Vibration analysis indicated that the seeder's working speed significantly affected seeding quality. These findings suggest areas for potential improvements in machine technology to improve sowing operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is a vital agricultural crop and a key source of protein and oil for food and feed production. The search for new genetic factors affecting the main agronomic traits of soybean is a significant step for efficient breeding strategies. This study aimed to identify marker–trait associations (MTAs) for seed protein and oil content and yield by conducting a genome-wide association study (GWAS). The collection of 252 soybean accessions of five different origins was analyzed over a period of five years. The GWAS was conducted using 44,385 SNP markers extracted from whole-genome resequencing data using Illumina HiSeq X Ten. The multiple-locus mixed linear model (MLMM) facilitated the identification of 38 stable MTAs: nine for protein content, nine for oil content, seven for the number of fertile nodes, six for the number of seeds per plant, four for thousand seeds weight, and three for yield per plant. Fifteen of these MTAs are presumed to be novel, with one linked to seed protein content, three linked to seed oil content, and the remaining MTAs linked to yield-related traits. These findings offer valuable insights for soybean breeding programs aimed at developing new, competitive cultivars with improved seed quality and yield characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic basis controlling the content of two essential amino acids (isoleucine and leucine) in rapeseed meal was investigated through a replicated trial of the two BC1F1 populations from a two-way backcross between 202 TN DH population strains and their parents ('Tapidor' and 'Ningyou7′). Given the impact of rapeseed embryos and maternal plants on seed qualities, a multi-genetic-system QTL mapping method was employed, incorporating both genetic main effects and environmental interaction effects. The results demonstrated the presence of nine QTLs associated with isoleucine and leucine content in the A1, A4, A5, A7, A9, and C2 linkage groups. These included six QTLs controlling isoleucine content and three QTLs controlling leucine content, which collectively explained 55.49% and 56.06% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. Of these, four QTLs were identified as the main QTL, which collectively explained over 10% of the phenotypic variation. All of the identified QTLs exhibited a highly significant additive and dominant effects on seed embryos. Additionally, one of the QTLs demonstrated had a particularly significant additive effect derived from the maternal genome. QTLs controlling isoleucine and leucine were identified in the A1, A4, and C2 linkage groups. Moreover, two QTL clusters influencing these essential amino acid contents were identified in the A4 and C2 linkage groups, situated between molecular markers HS-K02-2 and HBR094 and between EM18ME6-220 and NA12C03, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peanut seeds are harvested at different development stages (early and late) due to their uneven maturation. At the time of harvest, approximately 30% of the seeds are still immature, meaning they are not completely filled with compounds (e.g., oil and minerals) and exhibit reduced vigor. Hypothetically, these compounds can be detected as a "chemical fingerprinting" to classify seed maturation stages. Here, we investigated whether non-destructive techniques such as benchtop nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) can identify chemical patterns unique to mature seeds with superior vigor. Field-grown seeds were classified into early (R5 and R6) and late (R7, R8, and R9) stages. Seed weight, germination, vigor, H2O2, and MDA (oxidative stress) were analyzed. Oil, potassium (K), and calcium (Ca) were measured digitally using spectroscopy techniques. We found that: (i) oxidative stress and K levels were higher in seeds from the early stages; (ii) seed oil and Ca were proportional to high-vigor seedlings and successful plant establishment in the field; and (iii) the seed chemical composition could be identified autonomously with 87% to 100% accuracy. In conclusion, LIBS, ED-XRF, and NMR technologies can effectively screen peanut seeds with superior vigor through "chemical fingerprinting". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pulses play an important role in Indian agriculture for sustainable production, improvement in soil health and environmental safety. They are a cheaper source of protein to overcome malnutrition among vegetarians due to the presence of a high percentage of quality protein which is nearly three times more than that of cereals. They are more responsive to organic manures but indiscriminate and continuous use of chemical fertilizers has venomous effects on soil physical, chemical and biological properties thereby affecting the sustainability of crop production, besides causing environmental pollution. Methods: The experiment consists of 12 treatments comprising organic amendments laid out in RCBD (completely randomized block design) with three replications. The black gram variety TAU-1 was sown with a spacing of 45 cm x 10 cm. The recommended dose of phosphorus for black gram was supplemented with different combinations of soil organic manures with equal proportions based on their P content. The required quantity of organic manures viz., Farmyard manure, vermicompost, Ghanajeevamrutha were uniformly incorporated into the soil as per the treatment three weeks before sowing. The organic manures to be applied were quantified equivalent to RDF (20 kg N + 50 kg P2O5 + 0 kg K2O ha-1). Result: The studies showed that application of vermicompost+ghanajeevamrutha based on 100% RDP (Recommended dose of phosphorus)+Rhizobium+PSB (Phosphorus Solubilizing bacteria) recorded significantly higher plant height (87.67 cm), number of branches per plant (6.33), relative chlorophyll content (48.11) and dry matter (2740.00 kg ha-1) with higher concomitant seed quality parameters like seed index (10.25 g) and protein content (22.7%) as compared to others. This study has demonstrated the importance of the usage of organics for improving the growth and seed quality parameters in black gram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A overview of the types and parameters of composting reactors was provided, with a focus on the selection of bulking agents before piling, optimization of process parameters within the pile, and the influence of post-piling ventilation and oxygen supply strategies on composting effectiveness・ The impact of microbial inoculants on parameters such as pile temperature, moisture content, seed germination index, pH, and emissions of pollutants gases during composting was analyzed・ Finally, future research directions were discussed, including the merits and demerits of different reactor types, optimization of their combinations, intelligent monitoring technologies, and improvements in the application of microbial inoculants to promote the recycling of organic compost products and resource utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed quality is the set of physical, genetic, and physiological characteristics, reflecting the overall germination potential. Maintaining an optimal seed quality is essential for agriculture and seed banks to preserve genetic diversity. Compared to conventional methods (e.g., germination tests), non-invasive approaches allow a more sustainable and rapid evaluation of seed quality but this is limited by high costs. The measurement of ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) and delayed fluorescence (DL), defined as biological phenomena potentially related to the physiological status of living systems, may represent a suitable approach to estimate seed quality. To test this hypothesis, seeds of five agriculturally relevant legume species (Phaseolus vulgaris L., Lathyrus sativus L., Cicer arietinum L., Pisum sativum L., and Vicia faba L.), stored at different conditions (room temperature or -18 °C) for several years, were analysed using a LIANA© prototype to collect data regarding DL and UPE occurring after UV excitation. The obtained data were integrated with germination parameters which underline species-specific behaviours in response to storage conditions. The prediction models show variable efficiency in classifying seeds based on germination which underline species-dependent links between photon emission and seed quality. Therefore, these measurements represent novel, non-invasive, and rapid approaches to evaluate seed quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Mining Magazine is the property of China Mining Magazine Co., Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Watermelon grafting on Lagenaria siceraria is a horticulture practice often applied in Bulgaria. In recent three years, investigations at the -Maritsa‖ Vegetable Crops Research Institute, Plovdiv were directed to study possibilities for grafting of melon and cucumbers on rootstocks of Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata and Cucurbita maxima × Cucurbita moschata F1. Development of appropriate rootstock with good compatibility is one of the main issues in the production of grafted seedlings. The use of interspecies hybrids between Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita moschata is the most commonly used rootstock in these cultures. The purpose of this study was to investigate cross-compatibility of Bulgarian and introduced varieties and lines of the species Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata and Cucurbita pepo to be introduced into rootstock breeding schemes. The results show that from the tested fifteen genotypes of Cucurbita maxima, five of Cucurbita moschata and four of C. pepo were obtained 16 interspecific hybrids (ten hybrids between C. moschata × C. maxima; three between C. maxima × C. moschata; two between C. moschata × C. pepo and one between C. pepo × C. maxima). In the most of the crosses made there were not formed fruits or seeds. Some of the combinations were successful but a small amount of seeds was received. Regarding the seed number and quality the most perspective crosses were Turban x Muskatna 51-17 (C. maxima × C. moschata) and CM720 x Carotina (C. maxima × C. moschata). The resulting hybrids can be used as interspecific bridges to create new breeding lines with suitable qualities or as F1 rootstock for grafting watermelon, melon and cucumber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental - Agriambi is the property of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In order to improve the performance of potato planter, reduce miss-seeding rates, enhance the overall quality of the seeding operation, and ultimately increase the yield of the potato, it is necessary to implement effective technical means to monitor and identify the miss-seeding issues during the seeding process. The existing miss-seeding detection technologies commonly use sensors to monitor, but such technologies are easily affected by factors like heavy dust and strong vibrations, resulting in poor interference resistance and adaptability. Therefore, this study aims to explore and apply deep learning algorithms to achieve real-time monitoring of the miss-seeding phenomenon in potato planter during the planting process. Considering both the lightweight of the miss-seeding detection model and its practical deployment, this study selects and adapts the YOLOv5s algorithm to achieve this goal. Firstly, the attention mechanism is integrated into the backbone network to suppress background interference and improve detection accuracy. Secondly, the non-maximum suppression algorithm is improved by replacing the original IoU-NMS with the Soft-NMS algorithm to enhance the bounding box regression rate and reduce missed detections of potato seeds due to background overlap or occlusion. Experimental results show that the accuracy of the improved algorithm in detecting miss-seeding increased from 96.02% to 98.30%, the recall rate increased from 96.31% to 99.40%, and the mean average precision (mAP) improved from 99.12% to 99.40%. The improved model reduces missed and false detections, provides more precise target localization, and is suitable for miss-seeding detection in natural environments for potato planter, providing technical and theoretical support for subsequent intelligent reseeding in potato planter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moringa oleifera L. is a valuable commodity with various health benefits, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In developing and improving the potential of Moringa oleifera (MO) in the Palu Valley (Indonesia) to meet the need for quality seeds, a study of the diversity of morphology, seed viability, and genetics is needed. This study aims to identify MO accession based on morphological characteristics, viability, and genetic testing. Morphological analysis was carried out on 24 agronomic characters; a seed viability test was carried out using a Complete Randomized Design in selected accessions. The parallel genetic analysis was performed through DNA extraction using the PCR method using 10 ISSR primers. The data were analyzed using cluster analysis using the SYSTAT program in the form of a dendrogram. The study results obtained 24 accessions of MO with different morphological characters. Germination power ranged from 83.33 to 88.33 %, the speed of shoot emergence was 3.42 to 6.1 days, and the Euclidian distance was 0.290. There were five different MO groups of genotypes, each represented by accession Kulawi2, Kulawi10, Palolo24, Balaroa5, and Tondo19. It is suggested that five selected MO accession groups can be used as mother trees for seed supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to optimize the pelleting and coating process for red clover seeds, addressing the issue of low pelleting success rates. Through theoretical analysis and experimental research, coating pan fill rate, powder supply quantity, and pelleting time were identified as key factors influencing the pelleting success rate. Single-factor experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of these parameters on the quality of red clover seed pelleting and coating. Based on these results, orthogonal trials were carried out, and response surface analysis was employed to reveal the influence patterns and interactions of each factor. The research results indicate that the factors affecting the pelleting success rate, ranked in order of importance, are coating pan fill rate, pelleting time, and powder supply quantity. Through mathematical model optimization, the optimal combination of process parameters was determined to be coating pan fill rate of 35.9%, powder supply quantity of 160.2 g, and pelleting time of 6.9 s. Under these conditions, a pelleting success rate of 94.3% was achieved in validation experiments. This study provides a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for optimizing the pelleting and coating process of red clover seeds, which is significant for improving seed coating quality and promoting red clover cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of a three-year field study that was conducted in Poland to evaluate the yield and quality of seeds and oil from traditional (SAM) and canola-quality white mustard (SAC) in response to different N fertilizer rates (0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 kg ha–1). Seed yields were 25% higher in SAM than SAC. The seeds of SAC contained more crude fat (by 3%) and crude fiber (by 6%) than the seeds of SAM. In turn, the seeds of SAM were a richer source of total protein (by 7%). The content of glucosinolates (GSLs) was 8–10 times lower in the seeds of SAC than SAM. The seeds of both mustard cultivars were most abundant in γ-tocopherol (γ-T) (90–94%). The seeds of SAC were characterized by a higher content of γ-T and a lower α-T/γ-T ratio than SAM seeds. White mustard oil contained mostly MUFAs (69–75%). However, C22:1 accounted for more than 50% of MUFAs in the oil SAM. In the oil SAC, the proportion of C22:1 did not exceed 6%, whereas C18:1 accounted for nearly 85% of total MUFAs. Nitrogen fertilization induced a significant increase in seed yields (by 33%), a decrease in crude fat content (by 3–4%), and an increase in total protein content (by 4%), and crude fiber content (by 7%). Nitrogen decreased GSL levels by 31% in SAM seeds. In SAC, N fertilization induced differences in the qualitative composition of GSLs, but did not affect the total GSL content of seeds. Higher N rates increased the content of α-T and γ-T, the α-T/γ-T ratio, and total T content. Nitrogen fertilization decreased the content of C18:3 in the seeds of the SAM. In SAC, the application of N decreased the content of C18, C18:1, and C18:3, and increased the biosynthesis of C18:2, C20:1, and C22:1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Soybean seeds are rich in protein and oil. The selection of varieties that produce high-quality seeds has been one of the priorities of soybean breeding programs. However, the influence of improved seed quality on the rhizosphere microbiota and whether the microbiota is involved in determining seed quality are still unclear. Here, we analyzed the structures of the rhizospheric bacterial communities of 100 soybean varieties, including 53 landraces and 47 modern cultivars, and evaluated the interactions between seed quality traits and rhizospheric bacteria. Results: We found that rhizospheric bacterial structures differed between landraces and cultivars and that this difference was directly related to their oil content. Seven bacterial families (Sphingomonadaceae, Gemmatimonadaceae, Nocardioidaceae, Xanthobacteraceae, Chitinophagaceae, Oxalobacteraceae, and Streptomycetaceae) were obviously enriched in the rhizospheres of the high-oil cultivars. Among them, Oxalobacteraceae (Massilia) was assembled specifically by the root exudates of high-oil cultivars and was associated with the phenolic acids and flavonoids in plant phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathways. Furthermore, we showed that Massilia affected auxin signaling or interfered with active oxygen-related metabolism. In addition, Massilia activated glycolysis pathway, thereby promoting seed oil accumulation. Conclusions: These results provide a solid theoretical basis for the breeding of revolutionary soybean cultivars with desired seed quality and optimal microbiomes and the development of new cultivation strategies for increasing the oil content of seeds. 7196FtKvsnPuUrhB77D9vL Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton seeds have poorer germination than other crops because of their high sensitivity towards insect pests and other biotic and abiotic stresses during the germination process. In the present study, inorganic bulk and nano nutrients of zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were synthesized using the chemical reduction method and invigourated with cotton seeds. The characterization of nanoparticles was done by FESEM, HRTEM, UV/Vis analysis and FTIR. The delinted and fuzzy seeds of two American cotton varieties (H 1300 and H 1098-i) were nano-primed for 10 h with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) @ 400 ppm and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) @ 100 ppm. After nanoparticle invigouration, the seeds were analyzed for various parameters at different intervals (0 months, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months) such as germination percentage, seedling length, seedling dry weight, electrical conductivity, dehydrogenase activity, antioxidant enzyme activity. The results indicated that that different storage periods and nanopriming treatments had significant effects on all seed quality parameters except the effect of nanopriming treatments on germination percentage (excluding delinted seeds of H 1098-i). It is also revealed that the interaction effect of nanopriming treatment and storage period was non-significant on all parameters except EC. Maximum reduction in seed quality parameters was observed in control treatment and minimum was found when seeds were nanoprimed with ZnONPs @ 400 ppm. The differences in the response for both NPs can be attributed to their surface charge, and concentration used. Overall, ZnONPs and TiO2NPs could hold seed quality and vigour during the storage of cotton seeds of American varieties (H 1300 and H 1098-i). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) can offer an alternative for staple food considering its tolerance to abiotic stresses and high seed quality. However, its cultivation in temperate regions has not been successful due to its photoperiod sensitivity and low seed yield. This study investigated the agronomical performance and quality traits of 48 accessions for cultivation in northern Europe. We conducted two-year field trials and phenotyped traits related to phenological development, plant architecture, yield components, seed quality, and disease resistance. The major determinants of seed yield in this study were days to flowering, days to maturity, thousand-kernel weight, and panicle density, while downy mildew susceptibility and stem lodging showed a negative correlation with seed yield. We developed a selection index to enable simultaneous selection based on different important agronomical traits. We evaluated the stability of different accessions over the two years of the experiment. Finally, we provided a list of 10 selected accessions that can be directly integrated and serve as new crossing parents in quinoa breeding programs for temperate regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed germination vigor is one of the important indexes reflecting the quality of seeds, and the level of its germination vigor directly affects the crop yield. The traditional manual determination of seed germination vigor is inefficient, subjective, prone to damage the seed structure, cumbersome and with large errors. We carried out a cucumber seed germination experiment under salt stress based on the seed germination phenotype acquisition platform. We obtained image data of cucumber seed germination under salt stress conditions. On the basis of the YOLOv8-n model, the original loss function CIoU_Loss was replaced by ECIOU_Loss, and the Coordinate Attention(CA) mechanism was added to the head network, which helped the model locate and identify the target. The small-target detection head was added, which enhanced the detection accuracy of the tiny target. The precision P, recall R, and mAP of detection of the model improved from the original values of 91.6%, 85.4%, and 91.8% to 96.9%, 97.3%, and 98.9%, respectively. Based on the improved YOLOv8-ECS model, cucumber seeds under different concentrations of salt stress were detected by target detection, cucumber seed germination rate, germination index and other parameters were calculated, the root length of cucumber seeds during germination was extracted and analyzed, and the change characteristics of root length during cucumber seed germination were obtained, and finally the germination activity of cucumber seeds under different concentrations of salt stress was evaluated. This work provides a simple and efficient method for the selection and breeding of salt-tolerant varieties of cucumber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vicia sativa L., commonly known as the common vetch, is an annual, self-pollinating legume used primarily as fodder both by livestock and wildlife. Additionally, it contributes to environmental balance through nitrogen fixation and the improvement of soil properties. The phenotypic, genetic, and metabolite variability among four advanced lines (BK45, BK29, BK23, BK27) and two commercial varieties (M-6900, BI-65) of V. sativa were evaluated in order to be used for future breeding programs aimed at producing genetically improved varieties. BK45 was the most promising line due to its high genetic polymorphism, but also because it exhibited a significant amount of seed production and high seed quality based on its metabolomics profile. A stepwise multiple regression analysis (MRA) revealed a relationship between SCoT alleles, seed, and biomass yield. Additionally, several statistically significant marker bands linked to metabolites were found using the SCoT marker analysis. Hence, data assessed via MRA may be helpful in marker-assisted breeding programs. Finally, the two commercial varieties can be further exploited in breeding programs due to their high genetic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]