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Nitrogen (N) is one of the most crucial elements for crop yields. N management is incredibly important because it's a major component of crop productivity. It is challenging to control due to the large field variability of the innate soil N and the differences in crop demand at various crop growth stages. Additionally, N's partial factor production is deteriorating day by day. Furthermore, crop, cultivar, and environmental factors affect how much N is needed. Therefore, crop production depends heavily on applying N at the right rate for the crop's needs. Precision N management increases N use efficiency while reducing N loss from runoff, ammonia volatilization, and leaching. By providing N during crucial growth phases, real-time N management increases use efficiency by applying N based on need at the appropriate time and amount. One aspect of real-time N management is the application of the leaf color chart (LCC). The LCC is a relatively basic, low-cost, portable, and user-friendly gadget that contrasts the color of the leaf with the device's color hues. Because farmers typically prefer dark-colored leaves, they apply N regardless of need, which poses serious risks to the ecosystem and contaminates the surface and groundwater. The sustainability of output is threatened by the declining soil health caused by increased fertilizer application. Therefore, for small and marginal farmers, employing a leaf color chart for site-specific N management is a more practical solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of mycorrhizal fungi on the yield, biomass and quality of cereals (wheat and maize) in the South of Ukraine. For the experiment, control and experimental plots were selected where mycorrhizal fungi were used to improve plant nutrient uptake. The research process included detailed measurements of yields, biomass and uptake of nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium at different stages of the growing season. The results showed that the use of mycorrhizal fungi increased wheat yields by 15% and corn yields by 18% in the experimental plots compared to the control plots, which was achieved through increased nutrient uptake from deeper soil layers. Wheat biomass increased by 12% and corn biomass by 14%, indicating a positive impact of mycorrhiza on plant development. Phosphorus uptake at a depth of 20-30 cm increased by 50%, which contributed to better root development and the supply of available elements to plants. In addition, we recorded a 7% increase in protein content in wheat grain and a 9% increase in corn, which indicates an improvement in the nutritional and feed value of the products. The analysis also showed a 4% increase in the oil content of corn grain, which increases its economic value. Another important result was a 15% reduction in mineral fertiliser costs due to improved nutrient use efficiency, which reduces the need for additional fertiliser. The results confirm that the use of mycorrhizal fungi is an effective method for increasing yields, product quality and economic efficiency of agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize and wheat are two important cereal crops for the food security of the world population. However, constant climate change and the intensification of anthropic activities have intensified the emergence of stressful environmental in the various agricultural production systems around the world. Therefore, in this study we evaluate the chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, transpiration and grain yield of maize and wheat crops exposed to soil salinity, drought and high temperatures and determine the damage intensity of these stressing conditions and the theoretical multifactorial damage intensity. Field experiments were conducted during the 2022 and 2023 agricultural seasons in the Yaqui Valley, Sonora, Mexico. The treatments consisted of the cultivation of maize and wheat in three stressful production environments (soil salinity, drought and high temperatures) and a non‐stressful production environment (Control), with four repetitions. The tolerance and intensity index of abiotic stresses, as well as the intensity of theoretical multifactorial stress (salinity, drought and high temperatures), for morphological traits and grain yield, were calculated. The results reported that physiological traits and yield of maize and wheat are severely affected by drought stress conditions. High temperatures are the second abiotic stress factor that most limits physiological traits and grain yield of maize and wheat crops, being more harmful than soil salinity. The theoretical multifactorial stress has a greater negative impact on the yield of the elite maize and wheat varieties. The sum of a stressful environmental factor increases the intensity of multifactorial stress on grain yield of both cereal crops, especially for maize crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

[Display omitted] • A comprehensive review of gene resources and regulatory pathways in grain size and weight across main cereal crops. • Rapid developments in biotechnologies promote identification of novel genes and regulatory pathways controlling grain size and weight. • Biotechnological strategies enable uncovering intra- and inter-species genetic resources with high yield potential. • Combining traditional and high-throughput breeding methods is reliable and promising for future crop breeding. Cereal crops are a primary energy source for humans. Grain size and weight affect both evolutionary fitness and grain yield of cereals. Although studies on gene mining and molecular mechanisms controlling grain size and weight are constantly emerging in cereal crops, only a few systematic reviews on the underlying molecular mechanisms and their breeding applications are available so far. This review provides a general state-of-the-art overview of molecular mechanisms and targeted strategies for improving grain size and weight of cereals as well as insights for future yield-improving biotechnology-assisted breeding. In this review, the evolution of research on grain size and weight over the last 20 years is traced based on a bibliometric analysis of 1158 publications and the main signaling pathways and transcriptional factors involved are summarized. In addition, the roles of post-transcriptional regulation and photosynthetic product accumulation affecting grain size and weight in maize and rice are outlined. State-of-the-art strategies for discovering novel genes related to grain size and weight in maize and other cereal crops as well as advanced breeding biotechnology strategies being used for improving yield including marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, transgenic breeding, and genome editing are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extensive use of plastic materials and their improper disposal results in high amounts of plastic waste in the environment. Aging of plastics leads to their breakdown into smaller particles, such as microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics. This research investigates plastics used in agricultural practices as they contribute to MP pollution in agricultural soils. The distribution and characteristics of MPs in agricultural soils were evaluated. In addition, the effect of MPs on soil properties, the relationship between MPs and metals in soil, the effect of MPs on the fate of pesticides in agricultural soils and the influence of MPs on plant growth were analysed, discussing legume, cereal and vegetable crops. Finally, a brief description of the main methods of chemical analysis and identification of MPs is presented. This study will contribute to a better understanding of MPs in agricultural soils and their effect on the soil-plant system. The changes induced by MPs in soil parameters can lead to potential benefits as it is possible to increase the availability of micronutrients and reduce plant uptake of toxic elements. Furthermore, although plastic pollution remains an emerging threat to soil ecosystems, their presence may result in benefits to agricultural soils, highlighting the principles of the circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

The use of pesticides often leads to environmental contamination above acceptable levels. The level of contamination is related to poor pesticide application practices, in addition to the properties of pesticides and soil characteristics. The primary objective of this study was to characterize herbicides and their application practices in cereal crops in the regions of Hauts-Bassins, Sud-Ouest, Cascades, and Boucle du Mouhoun in Burkina Faso. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect and extract data from 617 cereal farmers in the four regions. During the survey, the identified herbicides were characterized using pesticide property databases. The survey shows that most cereal farmers in the regions are illiterate (58.18%) and have not received any training in pesticide use (84.28%). Only a small percentage of farmers (1.3%) consult technical services for the selection of herbicides to be used. The survey also revealed that 60% of farmers leave empty herbicide containers in the wild, 39.93% use water sources to clean sprayers, and 17.83% use them to prepare the spray mixture. A total of 25 active ingredients were identified in 117 commercial herbicide products with a total use of 8100 litres and 280 kg. Of the listed herbicides, 45.37% were not approved by the Sahel Pesticide Committee (CSP). Among the non-approved herbicides, 27.78% contained paraquat, atrazine, and acetochlor, which the CSP bans. The study shows that farmers do not follow good practices when using herbicides, which can contaminate different environmental compartments and cause harmful effects to non-target organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

Achieving high yield and good quality in crops is essential for human food security and health. However, there is usually disharmony between yield and quality. Seed storage protein (SSP) and starch, the predominant components in cereal grains, determine yield and quality, and their coupled synthesis causes a yield–quality trade‐off. Therefore, dissection of the underlying regulatory mechanism facilitates simultaneous improvement of yield and quality. Here, we summarize current findings about the synergistic molecular machinery underpinning SSP and starch synthesis in the leading staple cereal crops, including maize, rice and wheat. We further evaluate the functional conservation and differentiation of key regulators and specify feasible research approaches to identify additional regulators and expand insights. We also present major strategies to leverage resultant information for simultaneous improvement of yield and quality by molecular breeding. Finally, future perspectives on major challenges are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

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

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

Background: The leaf angle distribution (LAD) is an important structural parameter of agricultural crops that influences light interception, radiation fluxes and consequently plant performance. Therefore, LAD and its parametrized form, the Beta distribution, is used in many photosynthesis models. However, in field cultivations, these parameters are difficult to assess and cereal crops in particular pose challenges since their leaves are thin, flexible, and often bent and twisted around their own axis. To our knowledge, there is only a very limited set of methods currently available to calculate LADs of field-grown cereal crops that explicitly takes these special morphological properties into account. Results: In this study, a new processing pipeline is introduced that allows for the generation of realistic leaf surface models and the analysis of LADs of field-grown cereal crops from 3D point clouds. The data acquisition is based on a convenient stereo imaging setup. The approach was validated with different artificial targets and results on the accuracy of the 3D reconstruction, leaf surface modeling and calculated LAD are given. The mean error of the 3D reconstruction was below 1 mm for an inclination angle range between 0° and 75° and the leaf surface could be quantified with an average accuracy of 90%. The concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) of 99.6% (p-value = 1.5 ∗ 10 - 29 ) indicated a high correlation between the reconstructed inclination angle and the identity line. The LADs for bent leaves were reconstructed with a mean error of 0.21° and a standard deviation of 1.55°. As an additional parameter, the insertion angle was reconstructed for the artificial leaf model with an average error < 5°. Finally, the method was tested with images of field-grown cereal crops and Beta functions were approximated from the calculated LADs. The mean CCC between reconstructed LAD and calculated Beta function was 0.66. According to Cohen, this indicates a high correlation. Conclusion: This study shows that our image processing pipeline can reconstruct the complex leaf shape of cereal crops from stereo images. The high accuracy of the approach was demonstrated with several validation experiments including artificial leaf targets. The derived leaf models were used to calculate LADs for artificial leaves and naturally grown cereal crops. This helps to better understand the influence of the canopy structure on light absorption and plant performance and allows for a more precise parametrization of photosynthesis models via the derived Beta distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the declaration of the fall armyworm (FAW) pandemic across sub-Saharan Africa in 2016, the polyphagous insect has threatened food security and livelihoods in the sub-region, particularly among farmers producing maize for sustenance. To mitigate the worm infestation, synthetic insecticides are used as a promising solution to effectively manage the threat of the worms, despite the negative consequences such as effects on human health, ecosystem sustainability, and overall societal and economic costs. This study, therefore, uses a structured questionnaire to collect primary data on 250 maize farmers to assess their perceptions and determinants of synthetic insecticides used to manage FAW in the Ejura-Sekyedumase municipality in the Ashanti region of Ghana. The findings showed that emamectin-benzoate, chlorpyrifos, and lambda-cyhalothrin-based insecticides were the dominant chemicals used to manage FAW infestations. Farmers' overall perceptions are indifferent, which raised doubts about the sustainability and efficacy of applying synthetic insecticides. The findings highlight farmers' concerns about the effects of synthetic insecticides on human health and the environment, which calls for the investigation of less expensive, low-risk alternatives to insecticides such as microbial and botanical insecticides that are safer for humans and enhance ecosystem sustainability. Results from a Heckman selection model which corrects sample selection bias showed that three institutional covariates, three perception attributes, and five personal factors significantly influence the adoption of synthetic insecticides to control FAW in the study area. The study's findings imply that if proper measures are put in place to encourage the use of prescribed and environmentally friendly insecticides to counteract FAW's attack, maize productivity and production will be improved in a more sustainable manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under all environments, roots are important for plant anchorage and acquiring water and nutrients. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding how root architecture contributes to stress tolerance in a changing climate. Two closely related plant species, maize and sorghum, have distinct root system architectures and different levels of stress tolerance, making comparative analysis between these two species an ideal approach to resolve this knowledge gap. However, current research has focused on shared aspects of the root system that are advantageous under abiotic stress conditions rather than on differences. Here we summarize the current state of knowledge comparing the root system architecture relative to plant performance under water deficit, salt stress, and low phosphorus in maize and sorghum. Under water deficit, steeper root angles and deeper root systems are proposed to be advantageous for both species. In saline soils, a reduction in root length and root number has been described as advantageous, but this work is limited. Under low phosphorus, root systems that are shallow and wider are beneficial for topsoil foraging. Future work investigating the differences between these species will be critical for understanding the role of root system architecture in optimizing plant production for a changing global climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field assessments of crop water use efficiency (WUE) are resource‐consuming since they require simultaneous assessment of the total amount of water assimilated by crops for biomass and/or grain production. Alternative methods exist, such as estimating the carbon isotopic ratio (13C/12C) of the crop's leaf, aboveground biomass, or grain samples. There is limited information on the determinants of the accuracy of carbon isotopes in estimating water use efficiency between crop types and environments. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the extent to which the estimation of the 13C/12C ratio in crop parts constitutes an accurate proxy of WUE, globally. Data on observed WUE (WUEobs) were collated involving 518 experiments conducted worldwide on major cereals and legumes and compared with WUE estimates (WUEest) from carbon isotopes. The mean WUEobs among all experiments was 3.4 g L−1 and the mean absolute error (MAE) was 0.5 g L−1 or 14.7% of WUEobs, corresponding to accurate predictions at p < 0.05. However, the percentage mean absolute error of observed water use efficiency (%MAE) estimated from grains was 3.6 ± 11.5%, which was lower than the %MAE from aboveground biomass collected at harvest (3 ± 22.8%). In addition, the %MAE increased from 1.1 ± 5.1% for soybean, 1.6 ± 7.2% for maize, 1.2 ± 8.6% for rice, 1.8 ± 12.1% for groundnut, 2.1 ± 14.3% for cowpea, 2.3 ± 16.2% for bush bean, 1.8 ± 19.9% for wheat, 2.2 ± 21.4% for barley to 6.3 ± 39.3% for oat, with only the latter corresponding to significant errors. WUEest were, in all cases, unbiased but slightly overestimated from 0.8% (maize) to 15.4% (oat). The accuracy in estimating WUE significantly decreased with the increase in soil clay content, with sand, showing a positive correlation of 0.3 with %MAE, but negatively correlated with the silt content (r = −0.4). Furthermore, a multivariate analysis pointed out a tendency for prediction errors and bias to increase with the decrease in WUEobs and air temperature. Using carbon isotopes for estimating crop WUE thus appeared reliable for all crops and world environments, provided grain samples are considered. The technique tended to perform better under high WUE conditions, such as those generally found in maize and soybean cropping systems. The identified factors that affect the accuracy of using carbon isotopes in measuring WUE provide valuable insights for water resource management and sustainable crop production. These findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on water conservation strategies in agriculture, offering a basis for decision‐making in crop improvement programs. Implementing the recommended practices from this study can potentially improve yield gains and promote resilient and sustainable agricultural systems in the changing environmental circumstances. Further research should investigate the mechanisms that cause low accuracy of the isotopic technique using aboveground biomass and under arid and cool environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RNA interference (RNAi) is a new potential tool for plant breeding by introducing small noncoding RNA sequences with the possibility of silencing gene expression in a sequence-specific manner. The ability to decrease the expression of a certain gene provides the possibility of acquiring a new characteristic through the elimination or accumulation of certain plant traits, which leads to biochemical or phenotypic changes that the original plants do not have. A progress (reached over the past decades) in the application of RNAi for the creation of cereal crops with improved economically valuable traits is described in this literature review. The main stages of the mechanism of gene silencing mediated by short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), peculiarities of their biogenesis, mode of action, and distribution are briefly presented. Numerous examples of the development of different biotechnological approaches to the improvement of cereals using gene transformation and exogenous double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules are summarized. The possibilities of using RNAi technology for changing the agronomic traits of plants, increasing the nutritional value and quality of the grain, and reducing the number of toxic compounds and allergens are highlighted. Considerable attention is paid to the practical results of different applications of RNAi to increase the resistance of grain crops to biotic stress factors (particularly, viruses, bacteria, fungi, pest insects, and nematodes). The examples of using siRNA-mediated RNAi to improve the cereal resistance to abiotic stresses (including drought and salinity) are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

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

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

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

Our study aimed to investigate responses to supplementation of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na) to lactating ewes and lambs grazing barley forage from lamb marking to weaning. A 10‐ha paddock sown to barley was subdivided into eight plots as four replicates of two treatments. Merino ewes (n = 104) with lambs at foot were stratified to the eight plots (13 ewes and 21 lambs/plot) based on number of lambs (twin or single) and ewes' weight. Supplemented groups had access to mineral supplements (30 g/ewe/day) supplying 12 g/ewe/day ground limestone, 12 g/ewe/day Causmag® and 6 g/ewe/day coarse salt in a ratio of 2: 2: 1 by weight (as fed) from day 0 (a day before lamb marking) after sample collection. Control groups were not supplemented with minerals. Blood, milk and urine samples from ewes and blood from lambs were collected at different time points, namely, a day prior to lamb marking (day 0), 14 days after the commencement of study (day 14), and 28 days after the commencement of study (day 28). Weight of the lambs was also recorded at each time point. We found that the concentration of the forage minerals (Ca, Mg and potassium (K)) was lower on day 28 than on day 0 (P < 0.025). Liveweight gain was greater in the first 14 days compared with the second weight gain period (P < 0.001). The interaction of time and treatment was significant for liveweight (P < 0.001). Due to the improvement in weight gain of supplemented lambs, we recommend that mineral supplementation during late lactation is beneficial considering the low cost of minerals, even though the mineral content of the forage was not deficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Advances in genomics resources have facilitated the evolution of cereal crops with enhanced yield, improved nutritional values, and heightened resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Genomic approaches present a promising avenue for the development of high-yielding varieties, thereby ensuring food and nutritional security. Significant improvements have been made within the omics domain, specifically in genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. The advent of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques has yielded an immense volume of data, accompanied by substantial progress in bioinformatic tools for proficient analysis. The synergy between genomics and computational tools has been acknowledged as pivotal for unravelling the intricate mechanisms governing genome-wide gene regulation. Within this review, the essential genomic resources are delineated, and their harmonization in the enhancement of cereal crop varieties is expounded upon, with a paramount focus on fulfilling the nutritional requisites of humankind. Furthermore, an encompassing compendium of the available genomic resources for cereal crops is presented, accompanied by an elucidation of their judicious utilization in the advancement of crop attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

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

Widely used agrochemicals that do not exert negative effects on crops and selectively target weeds could influence plant resilience under unfavorable conditions. The cross-adaptation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and triticale (×Triticosecale Wittm.) exposed to two environmental abiotic stressors (drought and waterlogging) was evaluated after treatment with a selective herbicide (Serrate®, Syngenta). The ambivalent effects of the herbicide on the two studied crops were particularly distinct in waterlogged plants, showing a significant reduction in wheat growth and better performance of triticale individuals exposed to the same combined treatment. Histochemical staining for the detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) confirmed that the herbicide treatment increased the accumulation of superoxide anion in the flooded wheat plants, and this effect persisted in the younger leaves of the recovered individuals. Comparative transcript profiling of ROS scavenging enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and catalase) in stressed and recovered plants revealed crop-specific variations resulting from the unfavorable water regimes in combination with the herbicide treatment. Short-term dehydration was relatively well tolerated by the hybrid crop triticale and this aligned with the considerable upregulation of genes for L-Proline biosynthesis. Its drought resilience was diminished by herbicide application, as evidenced by increased ROS accumulation after prolonged water deprivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Afghanistan frequently faces drought and other climate change-related challenges due to rising temperatures and decreased precipitation in many areas of the country. Therefore, acquiring a thorough comprehension of the implications of climate change on the cultivation of key cereal crops is of the utmost importance. This is particularly significant in the context of Afghanistan, where the agricultural sector plays a pivotal role, contributing close to a quarter of the country's national gross domestic product and serving as the primary source of employment for 70% of the rural workforce. In this paper, we employ a panel regression model to evaluate the relationship between climate change and cereal productivity in Afghanistan's agro-climatic zones. Temperature had a significant negative impact, implying that a mean temperature increase of 1 °C decreased wheat and barley yields by 271 and 221 kg/ha, respectively. Future medium- and high-emission scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, respectively) for the period 2021–2050 were considered for future yield predictions. To project future climate change impacts, the estimated panel data regression coefficients were used to compute the projected changes in cereal yields. During the period 2021–2050, the mean yield of wheat is projected to decrease by 21 or 28%, the rice yield will decrease by 4.92 or 6.10%, and the barley yield will decrease by 387 or 535 kg/ha in the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 emission scenarios, respectively, further emphasizing the need for targeted actions to tackle the effects of climate change on agriculture in Afghanistan in alignment with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a major migratory invasive pest that poses a severe threat to agricultural production and food security in China. In this study, we estimated the effects of six cereal crops on the development, survival, and fecundity of FAW using the age‐stage, two‐sex life table: maize (Zea mays L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], oats (Avena sativa L.), millet (species, authority) (all Poaceae), and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) (Amaranthaceae). In a six‐choice test using detached leaf material, FAW larvae preferentially occurred on maize, followed by sorghum, within 6–24 h, and occurred the least on millet and quinoa. After 24 h, they had consumed the most leaf material from sorghum and maize, and the least from quinoa. In no‐choice tests using detached leaf material, they performed best on maize in terms of development (e.g., short development time), survival (e.g., high larval survival and pupation rate), and fecundity (e.g., high number of oviposition days and number of eggs laid per female), resulting in the highest predicted population growth (e.g., high intrinsic rate of increase and net reproductive rate). Although maize was found to be the most appropriate host plant, FAW was able to complete its life cycle on all six tested cereals. Our findings can help in predicting population dynamics and deepening our understanding of the potential damage incurred by FAW infestation, especially in regions under maize cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

The greatest weed management challenge is the lack of effective natural products based herbicides. Allelochemicals of plant origin can substitute synthetic chemicals as nature's own herbicide. The use of allelopathic properties of native planVcrop species offers promising opportunities for this purpose. In this study Retama raetam invasive Mediterranean plant species is selected, to test its allelopathic potential on the germination of seeds and the growth of weed seedlings of Avena sterilis, Bromus secalinus and on the wheat Triticum durum (SIMETO variety). The chemical characterization of aerial the part ofR. raetam reveals that it contains Allelochemicals compounds of flavonoids, triterpenes, alkaloids and tannins groups. Four concentration 5% (Dl), 10% (D2), 15% (D3) and control 0% (DO) of aqueous extracts of the aerial part ofR. raetam were applied in A. sterilis, B. secalinus and T durum through germination and growth bioassays in a climate-controlled incubator at a temperature 25°C. The application of these treatments revealed significant differences on the measured parameters. They showed that the germination inhibition of the two weeds increases with the increase of the concentration of aqueous extracts of R. raetam. For the two weeds, the inhibiting effect on germination is 100% with treatment D3 (15%). According to the applied concentration wheat stem length varies between 0.46 and 4.67 cm, its radicle length fluctuate between 0.09-2.41cm. The inhibition of the growth seedlings, especially on the roots ofB. secalinus weed is complete (0 cm) whatever the applied concentration of R. raetam aqueous extract. Inhibition of stem growth is noticeable in A. sterilis with treatment D3 (15%). The seedling vigor index is increasing with the decrease of concentration of aqueous extract of R. raetam. Results of this study are relatively promising in the field of biological weed control using R. raetam metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been established that the use of effective technologies for growing cereal crops in different soil-climatic conditions of Ukraine is of great importance in the modern conditions of climate change and other stress factors. Such technologies ensure the systematic and comprehensive use of science-based measures affecting the solution of global social problems of humanity, which were caused by climate change and the rf's full-scale war in Ukraine. For this purpose, the wide application of economic-mathematical methods is provided, which ensure the accuracy of obtaining the results of field research, the identification of previously unknown regularities for the favorable growth and development of cereal crops, especially in modern conditions of climate change and other stressful factors. With the use of dispersion analysis, the dynamics of the mutual influence of the main technological factors: varieties and hybrids of cereal crops, crop rotations, tillage, fertilization, plant protection and weather conditions on the productivity of cereal crops in the conditions of climatic changes in Ukraine during the second half of the 19th -- the beginning of the 21st centuries were evaluated. The share of mutual influence of the main technological factors and weather conditions on the productivity of the leading cereal, legumes and technical crops in Ukraine is calculated. It was found that the analysis of mathematically verified results of field studies contributes to increasing the reliability of conclusions, better assessment of the essence and solving of scientific-practical problems, establishing new urgent tasks for solving in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

The impacts of wildlife (especially birds) on agriculture cannot be underestimated, and result in human-wildlife conflicts. This study identified avian pests of rice and maize in two agro-ecological zones of Ondo State, Nigeria. Information gathered from informal interviews and questionnaires administered to FADAMA farmers in local communities, together with direct observations made over exploratory transects, were used to survey avian pests. A total of 27 avian pest species of rice and maize, belonging to nine families and three orders, were recorded in the two agro-ecological zones in Ondo State. In the savanna agro-ecological zone, a total of 18 avian pest species belonging to nine families and three orders were recorded, whereas in the rainforest agro-ecological zone, a total of 21 avian pest species belonging to eight families and two orders were recorded. Farmers revealed that bird damage is a serious problem which usually leads to reduction in yield, harvest quality, and interest in production. Human bird scarers and scarecrows were reported as the most effective control measures against birds’ infestation and damage. There should be a synergized effort towards Integrated Pest Management involving farmers, crop scientists, and ornithologists to ensure the survival of birds in agrarian areas as well as improve crop yield. This approach will not only help farmers but also conservationists.