Search

Flower drop, senescence of flowers and inadequate pod filling pose significant challenges in soybean cultivation as rapid nutrient extraction from leaves during the reproductive stage accelerates leaf aging. The present study assessed the effect of foliar application of agrochemicals on growth, productivity, quality and biochemical traits of soybean at two locations during kharif (rainy) season of 2021 and 2022. The experiment comprised of ten treatments of foliar application of agrochemicals [absolute control, water spray, potassium nitrate (KNO3) 1.5%, NPK (19:19:19) 1.5%, boron 0.3%, ammonium molybdate (AM) 0.5%, thiourea 750 parts per million (ppm), urea 2.0%, muriate of potash (MOP) 0.5% and salicylic acid (SA) 100 ppm] at flower and pod initiation stages along with the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) in a randomized complete block design replicated thrice. Results revealed that foliar application of boron 0.3%, urea 2.0% and MOP 0.5% at Ludhiana and MOP 0.5%, potassium nitrate 1.5% and urea 2.0% at Ballowal Saunkhri increased growth (plant height and dry matter accumulation), yield attributes (number of pods plant−1, number of filled pods plant−1 and 100-seed weight) and seed yield. These agrochemicals showed positive effects on the biochemical parameters with increased levels of proline and total phenol content as well as improvements in total soluble sugars, starch and protein content. The findings suggest that foliar application of agrochemicals (boron 0.3%, urea 2.0%, MOP 0.5% and potassium nitrate 1.5%) along with RDF can improve soybean growth and seed yield by mitigating the nutrient stress at reproductive stages. [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]

Deciphering the genetic mechanisms underlying key agronomic and quality traits in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is essential for advancing varietal improvement. Phenotypic instability in early clonal generations and inbreeding depression, coupled with the complexity of tetrasomic inheritance, pose significant challenges in constructing mapping populations for the genetic dissection of complex traits. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) offer an efficient method to establish trait–genome associations by analyzing genetic recombination and mutation events in natural populations. This review systematically examines the application of GWASs in identifying agronomic traits in potato, such as plant architecture, yield components, tuber shape, and resistance to early and late blight and nematodes, as well as quality traits including dry matter, starch, and glycoalkaloid content. Some key chromosomal hotspots identified through GWASs include chromosome 5 associated with tuber yield, starch content, and late blight resistance; chromosome 4 and 10 associations with tuber shape and starch content; chromosomes 1, 9, and 11 associated with plant height, tuber number, glycoalkaloid content, and pest resistance. It elucidates the advantages and limitations of GWASs for genetic loci identification in this autotetraploid crop, providing theoretical insights and a reference framework for the precise localization of key genetic loci and the discovery of underlying genes using GWASs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating population growth has spurred a demand for increased oilseed production, necessitating urgent attention. However, the expansion of saline‐affected regions posed a significant obstacle to maintain peanut productivity in these areas. Thus, to tackle the productivity decline in saline‐affected regions, we investigated whether substituting polythene mulch with straw mulch, as part of an agronomic management strategy, could mitigate the rapid decrease in peanut productivity. Three mulching methods (control, polythene mulch and straw mulch) were employed to cultivate the crop (cv. TG 37A) under salinity levels of 0.5, 2, 4 and 6 dS m−1. As salinity levels increased, there was a notable decrease in germination percentage, growth, yield and biochemical characteristics, including pod and haulm yields were reported. Despite salinity reduced free amino acids and oil content, it exhibited significant increase in protein and sugar content. Saline irrigation water led to a reduction in pod yield, haulm yield and oil content by 24.67%, 23.84% and 5.07%, respectively, at a salinity level of 6.0 dS m−1 compared to the control with 0.5 dS m−1 salinity. Moreover, straw mulching resulted in a boost in pod yield, haulm yield and oil content by 30.09%, 4.83% and 1.75%, respectively, compared to the control. The reduction in pod yield and oil content under the interaction of mulching and salinity was 46.44% and 6.87% at M0S6, 21.42% and 4.44% at M1S6, and 7.55% and 3.87% at M2S6 compared to M0S0, M1S0 and M2S0, respectively. A similar trend was also observed in 100‐pod weight, 100‐kernel weight and shelling percentage. Accordingly, it was concluded that the declining trend in all attributes under straw mulching at various salinity levels surpassed polythene mulching, ensuring superior peanut production under salinity stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Agronomica Sinica is the property of Crop Science Society of China 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.)

The quality of corn kernels is crucial for their nutritional value, making the enhancement of kernel quality a primary objective of contemporary corn breeding efforts. This study utilized 260 corn inbred lines as research materials and assessed three traits associated with grain quality. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted using the best linear unbiased estimator (BLUE) for quality traits, resulting in the identification of 23 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Additionally, nine genes associated with grain quality traits were identified through gene function annotation and prediction. Furthermore, a total of 697 quantitative trait loci (QTL) related to quality traits were compiled from 27 documents, followed by a meta-QTL analysis that revealed 40 meta-QTL associated with these traits. Among these, 19 functional genes and reported candidate genes related to quality traits were detected. Three significant SNPs identified by GWAS were located within the intervals of these QTL, while the remaining eight significant SNPs were situated within 2 Mb of the QTL. In summary, the findings of this study provide a theoretical framework for analyzing the genetic basis of corn grain quality-related traits and for enhancing corn quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Demand for high-quality sheep meat with good nutritional properties and health value is increasing. We performed a meta-analysis to review how different feeding regimes affect sheep growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality. Compared with stall-finished feeding, animals fed solely on pasture had lower carcass yield, intramuscular fat, and meat edible quality, but higher meat protein content. Pasture-fed sheep for which the diet was supplemented had comparable carcass attributes to stall-fed sheep, but improved color and meat quality. Meat quality is important in the meat-production chain. Conflicting reports of the effects of feeding systems on sheep growth performance and meat quality exist. By way of meta-analysis, we reviewed the literature on the growth and slaughter performance, and meat quality of lambs that grazed solely on pasture, those that grazed on pasture but received a dietary supplement, and those were exclusively fed indoors. The relevant literature comprised 28 papers, from which response variables of interest were obtained. Compared with stall-fed sheep, pasture-grazing led to significantly (p < 0.05) lower average daily gain, slaughter live weight, hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, and similar dressing percentage, but pasture-grazed sheep fed a supplement had similar (p > 0.05) values for each of these attributes to stall-fed sheep. The quality of the longissimus muscle from lambs that grazed either exclusively on pasture or pasture with a supplement had significantly (p < 0.05) lower lightness and intramuscular fat content, and significantly (p < 0.05) higher yellowness, Warner–Bratzler shear force, and protein content than meat from stall-fed sheep. We conclude that sheep that have fed exclusively on pasture have lower carcass yield and meat edibility, but improved meat quality, and that pasture-fed sheep that received a supplement had comparable carcass attributes, but greater meat color and health quality than stall-fed sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bread wheat (T. aestivum) is one of the world's most widely consumed cereals. Since micronutrient deficiencies are becoming more common among people who primarily depend upon cereal-based diets, a need for better-quality wheat varieties has been felt. An association panel of 154 T. aestivum lines was evaluated for the following quality traits: grain appearance (GA) score, grain hardness (GH), phenol reaction (PR) score, protein percent, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) sedimentation value, and test weight (TWt). In addition, the panel was also phenotyped for grain yield and related traits such as days to heading, days to maturity, plant height, and thousand kernel weight for the year 2017-18 at the Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA) Ludhiana and Jabalpur sites. We performed a genome-wide association analysis on this panel using 18,351 genotyping-bysequencing (GBS) markers to find marker-trait associations for quality and grain yield-related traits. We detected 55 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker trait associations (MTAs) for quality-related traits on chromosomes 7B (10), 1A (9), 2A (8), 3B (6), 2B (5), 7A (4), and 1B (3), with 3A, 4A, and 6D, having two and the rest, 4B, 5A, 5B, and 1D, having one each. Additionally, 20 SNP MTAs were detected for yield-related traits based on a field experiment conducted in Ludhiana on 7D (4) and 4D (3) chromosomes, while 44 SNP MTAs were reported for Jabalpur on chromosomes 2D (6), 7A (5), 2A (4), and 4A (4). Utilizing these loci in marker-assisted selection will benefit from further validation studies for these loci to improve hexaploid wheat for better yield and grain quality [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] This paper aimed to explore the quality traits of ‘Chardonnay' and ‘Viognier', two winemaking white grape varieties in Rushan area, in order to provide certain theoretical basis for the utilization, introduction and promotion of white winemaking varieties. [Methods] ‘Chardonnay' and ‘Viognier' were used as the test materials, and the quality traits of fruits were analyzed in the veraison stage and maturity stage, and the transcriptome sequencing was performed on the fruits in the veraison stage and maturity stage. [Results]At the maturity stage, ‘Viognier' was higher in grain weight, transverse diameter, longitudinal diameter, total phenolic content, soluble sugar content and total soluble solids (TSS) content, and ‘Chardonnay' was higher in total organic acid content. From the veraison stage to maturity stage, the soluble sugar, TSS and total phenol contents in ‘Viognier' changed more rapidly than ‘Chardonnay'. Among the sugar fractions, fructose and glucose content changed more rapidly, while other traits showed similar changes. The results of transcriptome analysis showed that the number of differentially expressed genes (DEG) was higher in ‘Viognier' than in ‘Chardonnay' from the veraison stage to maturity stage. Both differentially expressed genes were most distributed on chromosome 18 and least distributed on chromosome 15. In addition, the metabolic pathways of genes related to glycolate metabolism were screened by GO functional analysis and KEGG metabolic pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes. [Conclusions] There were differences in fruit quality between two white grape varieties in different periods, mainly in terms of total organic acid content, soluble sugar content, TSS content, total phenol contents and transverse and longitudinal diameter of the fruit. From the veraison stage to maturity stage, the development of fruit traits in ‘Viognier' was faster than that of ‘Chardonnay'. The differences in the expression levels of related genes in the glycolic acid anabolic pathway between two varieties might be the reason for the differences in fruit quality traits between two white grape varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory studies, which field trial was conducted in the 2020-2021 growing season at the Eastern Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute, were conducted at Gümüşhane University. In this study, the findings showed that urea was used as the top fertilizer in different growth stages of the 'Yakamoz' bread wheat cultivar used as material, and the effects of urea application periods and flour type, on the quality traits, such as dry matter, ash, protein, acidity, fresh and dry gluten, gluten index, sedimentation, and falling number were investigated. For this purpose, in addition to the control application, tillering, stem elongation, milky and dough stages were chosen as urea application periods. Laboratory studies were carried out in randomized plots using the split-plot design with three replications. In the present study, all quality traits showed statistically significant differences for urea application periods; these values were ranged as follows: Dry matter: 90.20-90.77%, ash: 1.037-1.213%, protein: 14.01-15.15%, acidity: 0.037- 0.056%, wet gluten: 41.49-43.67%, dry gluten: 14.75%-15.46, gluten index: 69.28-80.38%, sedimentation: 20.0-21.0 mL, late sedimentation: 23.5-29.8 mL and falling number: 753.8-881.7 s. In addition, other quality parameters except dry matter, protein and sedimentation changed statistically for flour type. Accordingly, whole wheat flour for ash (1.443%), acidity (0.051%) and gluten index (82.53%); white flour showed high values for wet (44.90%) and dry (15.96%) gluten, late sedimentation (35.60 mL) and falling number (836.4 s). As a result, while applying urea as a top fertilizer, it is recommended to choose the stem elongation stage for high gluten index, delayed sedimentation and protein, and the dough maturity stage for high dry matter. It would be appropriate to represent more genotypes and different nitrogen sources in further studies to be more inclusive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The triangle-sail mussel (Hyriopsis cumingii) is the most important freshwater pearl-bearing mussel in China. Nucleated pearls from the mantle of H. cumingii are emerging pearl cultivation products. Compared to traditional non-nucleated and nucleated pearls from visceral mass, nucleated pearls from the mantle show significant cultivation advantages, such as high pearl quality and short nurturing cycles. These nucleated pearls are widely known as "freshwater Akoya" in the pearl market because they resemble Japanese saltwater Akoya pearls. However, techniques for cultivating nucleated pearls from the mantle of H. cumingii are still immature and lack a targeted quality evaluation system. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify growth traits related to the quality of nucleated pearls from the mantle of H. cumingii. Two-year-old H. cumingii were implanted with 10 nuclei, 5 mm each in size per mussel. These host mussels were cultured for 19 months to form commercial pearls. Correlation and path analyses of the key quality traits of pearls (pearl number/pearl formation percentage, maximum diameter, minimum diameter, roundness, nacre thickness) and the growth traits of host mussels (shell length, shell width, shell height, body weight, shell weight, soft tissue weight) and nuclei (maximum diameter, minimum diameter, roundness) were performed. The results showed that the pearl formation rate varied from 50% to 100%, with 43.33% of mussels exhibiting a pearl formation rate of 70% and only 3.33% of mussels exhibiting a pearl formation rate of 50% or 100%. The average pearl formation rate was (70.00±10.82)%. The variation in pearl size (minimum diameter) was 4.72‒9.19 mm with an average of (6.91±0.67) mm. The variation in pearl roundness (diameter variation) was 0‒45.60% with an average of (6.74±7.78)%. The highest percentage of pearls were round, followed by near-round pearls, and then by positive round pearls at 21.90%. The nacre thickness was thin in 1.43% of pearls and extra thick in 98.57%. Pearl quantity and roundness were not correlated with all quantitative traits of pearls, host mussels, or nuclei (P > 0.05). Pearl size and nacre thickness were highly significantly and positively correlated with shell width, body weight, and shell weight (P < 0.01) and were significantly and positively correlated with shell height and soft tissue weight of the host mussels (P < 0.05). Among pearl quantitative traits, path analysis of pearl size and nacre thickness showed (highly) significant correlations with host mussels and nuclei. Stepwise regression analysis was performed with the pearl minimum diameter (y1) and nacre thickness (y2) as dependent variables and the shell length (x1), shell width (x2), shell height (x3), body weight (x4), shell weight (x5), and soft tissue weight (x6) of host mussels, along with the maximum diameter (x7), minimum diameter (x8), and roundness (x9) of the nuclei, as independent variables. The regression equations were y1 = 3.464 + 0.078x2 − 0.055x9 (R2 = 0.75; P < 0.01) and y2 = −1.243 + 0.077x2 − 0.055x9 (R2 = 0.75; P < 0.01). The direct effect of shell width on pearl size was the highest (0.69). The direct effect of nucleus roundness on pearl size was −0.23. The indirect effect of shell width on pearl size through nucleus roundness (0.05) was significantly greater than that of nucleus roundness on shell width (−0.02). The direct and indirect effects of shell width and nucleus roundness on nacre thickness were similar to those on pearl size. The direct determinant coefficient of shell width on pearl size (0.50) was significantly higher than that of nucleus roundness (0.08) and that of shell width via nucleus roundness (−0.03). The direct and indirect determinant coefficients of nucleus thickness by shell width and nucleus roundness in pearl-bearing mussels showed the same trend. These findings suggest that the shell width of host mussels is a key trait for controlling pearl size and pearl nacre thickness in nucleated pearls from the mantle of H. cumingii. These results will contribute to the development of China´s pearl industry.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physiological characteristics and nutritional quality of corn kernels during the post-ripening stage. Using principal component analysis (PCA), this study analyzed and comprehensively evaluated 14 physiological and quality traits of post-ripening corn kernels from two varieties (Zhengdan 958 and Xianyu 335), including water content and state, respiratory rate, soluble sugar content, α-amylase activity, catalase (CAT) activity, peroxidase (POD) activity, hexokinase (HK) activity, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) activity, fatty acid value, starch content, 1 000-grain mass and rapid digestible starch (RDS) content. The results showed significant variations in various quality traits of corn grains during the post-ripening process (P < 0.05). PCA extracted three principal components, namely storage intolerance factor, yield factor and digestive characteristic factor, which explained 53.436%, 18.466% and 12.857% of the total variance, respectively, 84.759% in total. The post-ripening quality and time of corn could be determined according to the changes of F-value. The post-ripening time of newly harvested corn grains from Zhengdan 958 and Xianyu 335 were 50 and 30 days, respectively. The results of this study could provide a reference for the evaluation of the post-ripening quality of newly harvested corn and the processing and utilization of corn.

This study assesses the variability, heritability, and correlation of some agro-morphological and quality traits in 125 durum wheat germplasm and groups them into clusters. These germplasms include landraces and cultivars from a variety of countries. The field experiment was conducted at the Algiers experimental station during the 2020-2021 season using an augmented randomized complete block design, with data collected for 11 quantitative traits. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences between the genotypes for the majority of the traits examined. Plant height, flag leaf area, thousand-kernel-weight, number of kernels/spikes, sedimentation volume, yellow index, and wet and dry gluten all showed high heritability coupled with high to moderate genetic advance as a percentage of the mean. The principal components analysis explained 46.67% of the total variation in the first two axes, allowing the identification of traits that significantly contributed to this variation. Pearson correlation coefficients revealed strong associations between plant height and days to heading, which affects seed yield improvement, as well as protein content, gluten content, and sedimentation volume, which influence durum wheat nutritional quality. Cluster analysis divided the 125 durum wheat germplasm samples into five clusters based on trait similarities. Genotypes in clusters II, IV, and V exhibit superior agronomic and quality traits, making them valuable resources for breeding and crossing programs aimed at improving durum wheat. The findings also highlight the value of Algerian landrace germplasm and its potential for use in the genetic improvement of other external genetic materials, particularly in terms of quality trait parameters.

Understanding consumers' preferences for fruit quality attributes is key to informing breeding efforts, meeting consumer preferences, and promoting increased market demand. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of fruit quality traits and hedonic sensory evaluation on consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for a selection of fresh northern and southern highbush blueberry cultivars. The WTP was elicited by using a double-bounded contingent valuation conducted in conjunction with a consumer sensory test. Two types of models were estimated using either sensory evaluations (i.e., consumer preference and consumer intensity) or instrumental measurement data (i.e., measures of soluble solids, titratable acidity, sugars, acids, and firmness) as explanatory variables to model WTP. Results using sensory evaluations indicated that flavor liking, flavor intensity, and sweetness intensity are key factors that influence consumers' acceptance and WTP for blueberries. A regression analysis using instrumental measurements indicated that measures related to sweetness and acidity traits are important factors that determine WTP. Higher WTP was associated with higher total sugar content across different levels of total organic acid. The WTP increases with organic acid content, because this is needed for enhanced flavor; however, WTP declines at high concentrations of organic acid. Except for extreme values of firmness, the WTP increased as measures of fruit firmness increased, indicating a consumer preference for firmer blueberries. Overall, the results provided new insights into the relationships between consumer preference and WTP and fruit quality benchmarks to select for improved quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Agronomica Sinica is the property of Crop Science Society of China 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.)

The Cucurbitaceae family is the second largest horticultural family in terms of economic importance after Solanaceae (1). The genus Cucurbita (2x = 2n = 40), encompasses three economically important crop species such as Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita moschata, and Cucurbita maxima, cultivated throughout temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions (3). Cucurbita pepo L. is the most widely grown and polymorphic of the Cucurbita species (2). Roasted summer squash seeds are used as nut in many cultures worldwide. Production of summer squash in Iran is based on local populations that are combined from several genotypes due to their cross-pollination nature. This lack of uniformity affects both the quantity and quality of squash yield and reduces the marketability of nuts. The purpose of this research was to produce various advanced inbred lines of summer squash by using local germplasm and purifying indigenous populations and also to select superior inbred lines in terms of fruit yield and other desirable agricultural traits that can be used in the production of hybrid cultivars with superior quantity and quality of fruit yield attributes. Materials and Methods In order to preserve internal genetic resources and produce advanced summer squash inbred lines, 83 S6 inbred lines were produced by inducing self-pollination from seven local populations. These genetic resources were obtained by planting the lines twice a year (spring planting at Golestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center and fall planting at Southern Kerman Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center) from 2018 to 2021. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used to evaluate fruit yield attributes of selected S6 inbred lines and their parental local populations. The following quantitative traits were considered in this study: fruits/plant, fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width, seed yield/m 2, seed yield/fruit yield ratio, seed length, seed width, percentage of empty seeds and 1000-seeds weight. Also, Panel test was performed to evaluate the suitability of nuts from a consumer perspective for the following traits: separation of skin from the kernel, taste quality and desirability of seeds shape and size from the consumer's point of view, with six testers. The experimental data were statistically analyzed for variance using the R version 3.5.1. Least significant difference (LSD) test at the probability level of 1% was used to compare the means of each trait. The heat map was created by R version 3.5.1. Results and Discussion The results of analysis of variance at the probability level of 1% indicated that the studied genotypes had significant differences in most of the traits including seed yield/m 2, mean of fruits weight, fruits/plant, fruit length, fruit width, seed yield/fruit yield ratio, seed length, seed width, percentage of empty seeds and 1000- seeds weight, taste quality and desirability of seeds shape and size. Based on LSD mean comparison of the traits in selected S6 inbred lines and their parental local populations, the highest seed yield/m 2 was observed in line#34 and the highest values of other traits with significant difference were as follows: fruits/plant in line#34, both mean of fruit weight and mean of fruit length in line#248 and line#249, fruit diameter in line#84 and Radkan parental genotype, seed yield/fruit yield ratio in Noodijeh parental genotype, seed length in Noodijeh parental genotype, line#24 and line#32, seed diameter in line#222, 1000-seeds weight in line#249, taste quality in line#224, and desirability of seed shape and size from the consumer's point of view in line#222 and line#34. The results of correlation analysis also showed that the seed yield/m 2 had a positive and significant correlation with fruits/plant (r=0.73), but there was no significant relationship with fruit weight. The results suggest that populations with larger fruit weight and size produce fewer fruits; as a result, it reduces the seed yield. In fruits, as the length-to-width ratio increased, there was a trend toward decreased seed number, especially in the peduncular end of the fruit. It seems that breeding and selection for a greater number of small fruits is better than selecting plants with larger fruits. Also, managing agricultural operations, which increase the number of fruits, will increase seed yield/m2 . Conclusions Based on the results lines #32, 34, 59, 195, 222, 224 and 252 were selected to be used in the breeding programs of cultivar production in future researches. Line#34 can be used as a promising line in compatibility and DUS projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a vital grain legume, offering an excellent balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, essential micronutrients, and vitamins that can contribute to addressing the global population’s increasing food and nutritional demands. Chickpea protein offers a balanced source of amino acids with high bioavailability. Moreover, due to its balanced nutrients and affordable price, chickpea is an excellent alternative to animal protein, offering a formidable tool for combating hidden hunger and malnutrition, particularly prevalent in low-income countries. This review examines chickpea’s nutritional profile, encompassing protein, amino acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, micronutrients, vitamins, antioxidant properties, and bioactive compounds of significance in health and pharmaceutical domains. Emphasis is placed on incorporating chickpeas into diets for their myriad health benefits and nutritional richness, aimed at enhancing human protein and micronutrient nutrition. We discuss advances in plant breeding and genomics that have facilitated the discovery of diverse genotypes and key genomic variants/regions/quantitative trait loci contributing to enhanced macro- and micronutrient contents and other quality parameters. Furthermore, we explore the potential of innovative breeding tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 in enhancing chickpea’s nutritional profile. Envisioning chickpea as a nutritionally smart crop, we endeavor to safeguard food security, combat hunger and malnutrition, and promote dietary diversity within sustainable agrifood systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Consumers' preferences for food crops are guided by quality attributes. This study aimed at deciphering the genetic basis of quality traits, especially tuber flesh color (FC) and oxidative browning (OB) in Dioscorea alata, based on the genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) approach. The D. alata panel was planted at two locations in Guadeloupe. At harvest, the FC was scored visually as white, cream, or purple on longitudinally sliced mature tubers. The OB was scored visually as the presence or absence of browning after 15 min of exposure of the sliced samples to ambient air. RESULTS: Phenotypic characterization for FC and OB of a diverse panel of D. alata genotypes highlighted significant variation within the panel and across two locations. The genotypes within the panel displayed a weak structure and could be classified into three subpopulations. GWAS identified 14 and 4 significant associations for tuber FC and OB, respectively, with phenotypic variance, explained values ranging from 7.18% to 18.04%. Allele segregation analysis at the significantly associated loci highlighted the favorable alleles for the desired traits, i.e., white FC and no OB. A total of 24 putative candidate genes were identified around the significant signals. A comparative analysis with previously reported quantitative trait loci indicated that numerous genomic regions control these traits in D. alata. CONCLUSION: Our study provides important insights into the genetic control of tuber FC and OB in D. alata. The major and stable loci can be further utilized to improve selection in breeding programs for developing new cultivars with enhanced tuber quality. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Gari and eba, forms of cassava semolina, are mainly consumed in Nigeria and other West African countries. This study aimed to define the critical quality traits of gari and eba, to measure their heritability, to define medium and high throughput instrumental methods for use by breeders, and to link the traits with consumer preferences. The definition of a food product's profiles, including its biophysical, sensory, and textural qualities, and the identification of the characteristics that determine its acceptability, are important if new genotypes are to be adopted successfully. RESULTS: Eighty cassava genotypes and varieties (three different sets) from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) research farm were used for the study. Participatory processing and consumer testing data on different types of gari and eba products were integrated to prioritize the traits preferred by processors and consumers. The color, sensory, and instrumental textural properties of these products were determined using standard analytical methods, and standard operating protocols (SOPs) developed by the RTBfoods project (Breeding Roots, Tubers, and Banana Products for End‐user Preferences, https://rtbfoods.cirad.fr). There were significant (P < 0.05) correlations between instrumental hardness and sensory hardness and between adhesiveness and sensory moldability. Principal component analysis showed broad discrimination amongst the cassava genotypes and the association of the genotypes concerning the color and textural properties. CONCLUSIONS: The color properties of gari and eba, together with instrumental measures of hardness and cohesiveness, are important quantitative discriminants of cassava genotypes. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality traits of 36 local pepper germplasm resources in Shandong were analyzed by variance analysis, coefficient of variation analysis, membership analysis and cluster analysis of different fruit shapes, regions and cluster categories. The results showed that the variation coefficient of quality traits among different pepper germplasm resources ranged from 14. 37% to 110. 26%, and the variation coefficient of capsaicin content was the largest(110. 26%). In different fruit shapes, the average value of crude fiber content was significantly different between groups(P = 0. 013∗ ). The coefficient of variation of linear pepper was the largest(165. 22%). The average membership degree of the five quality indexes was between 0. 18 and 0. 65, and the comprehensive quality was quite different. The average membership degree was more than 0. 60, and the top three pepper germplasm resources were ranked from large to small as follows : L949(0. 65)= L958(0. 65) > L951 (0. 64)> L933(0. 61)= L945(0. 61)= LP220(0. 61);the six pepper germplasm materials have good quality traits and can be used in medicinal, feeding and food processing industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the fourth major crop grown as a staple food worldwide, following rice, wheat, and maize. It is highly susceptible to diseases, nematodes, insect pests, and weeds. Potato yield loss due to weeds varies from 10 to 80% depending on the environment, weed diversity, density, and period of the weed-crop competition. High weed interference may decrease 65% of marketable tuber yield by reducing the number and size of marketable tubers. Weeds not only decrease potato tuber yield but also negatively influence the antioxidant enzymatic activity and primary metabolites of the potato plant. Estimates have shown that the starch content of potato tuber decreases by 10% and protein content by 36% in potato-weed competition. These findings suggest that weed competition can substantially impact potato growth and development and that effective weed management strategies are critical for optimizing potato yields and quality. This review summarizes the recent progress on how potato plants initially respond to weed interference at morphological, biochemical, and physiological levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department 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.)

Introduction The Cucurbitaceae family is the second largest horticultural family in terms of economic importance after Solanaceae (1). The genus Cucurbita (2x = 2n = 40), encompasses three economically important crop species such as Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita moschata, and Cucurbita maxima, cultivated throughout temperate, sub-tropical, and tropical regions (3). Cucurbita pepo L. is the most widely grown and polymorphic of the Cucurbita species (2). Roasted summer squash seeds are used as nut in many cultures worldwide. Production of summer squash in Iran is based on local populations that are combined from several genotypes due to their cross-pollination nature. This lack of uniformity affects both the quantity and quality of squash yield and reduces the marketability of nuts. The purpose of this research was to produce various advanced inbred lines of summer squash by using local germplasm and purifying indigenous populations and also to select superior inbred lines in terms of fruit yield and other desirable agricultural traits that can be used in the production of hybrid cultivars with superior quantity and quality of fruit yield attributes. Materials and Methods In order to preserve internal genetic resources and produce advanced summer squash inbred lines, 83 S6 inbred lines were produced by inducing self-pollination from seven local populations. These genetic resources were obtained by planting the lines twice a year (spring planting at Golestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center and fall planting at Southern Kerman Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center) from 2018 to 2021. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used to evaluate fruit yield attributes of selected S6 inbred lines and their parental local populations. The following quantitative traits were considered in this study: fruits/plant, fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width, seed yield/m2, seed yield/fruit yield ratio, seed length, seed width, percentage of empty seeds and 1000-seeds weight. Also, Panel test was performed to evaluate the suitability of nuts from a consumer perspective for the following traits: separation of skin from the kernel, taste quality and desirability of seeds shape and size from the consumer's point of view, with six testers. The experimental data were statistically analyzed for variance using the R version 3.5.1. Least significant difference (LSD) test at the probability level of 1% was used to compare the means of each trait. The heat map was created by R version 3.5.1. Results and Discussion The results of analysis of variance at the probability level of 1% indicated that the studied genotypes had significant differences in most of the traits including seed yield/m2, mean of fruits weight, fruits/plant, fruit length, fruit width, seed yield/fruit yield ratio, seed length, seed width, percentage of empty seeds and 1000-seeds weight, taste quality and desirability of seeds shape and size. Based on LSD mean comparison of the traits in selected S6 inbred lines and their parental local populations, the highest seed yield/m2 was observed in line#34 and the highest values of other traits with significant difference were as follows: fruits/plant in line#34, both mean of fruit weight and mean of fruit length in line#248 and line#249, fruit diameter in line#84 and Radkan parental genotype, seed yield/fruit yield ratio in Noodijeh parental genotype, seed length in Noodijeh parental genotype, line#24 and line#32, seed diameter in line#222, 1000-seeds weight in line#249, taste quality in line#224, and desirability of seed shape and size from the consumer's point of view in line#222 and line#34. The results of correlation analysis also showed that the seed yield/m2 had a positive and significant correlation with fruits/plant (r=0.73), but there was no significant relationship with fruit weight. The results suggest that populations with larger fruit weight and size produce fewer fruits; as a result, it reduces the seed yield. In fruits, as the length-to-width ratio increased, there was a trend toward decreased seed number, especially in the peduncular end of the fruit. It seems that breeding and selection for a greater number of small fruits is better than selecting plants with larger fruits. Also, managing agricultural operations, which increase the number of fruits, will increase seed yield/m2. Conclusions Based on the results lines #32, 34, 59, 195, 222, 224 and 252 were selected to be used in the breeding programs of cultivar production in future researches. Line#34 can be used as a promising line in compatibility and DUS projects. References: Andolfo, G., A.D. Donato, R. Darrudi, A. Errico, R.A. Cigliano and M.R. Ercolano. 2017. Draft of Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) Proteome: A Resource for Genetic and Genomic Studies. Frontiers in Genetics 8: 181. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2017.00181. Rakha, M.T., E.I. Metwally, S.A. Moustafa, A.A. Etman, and Y.H. Dewir. 2012. Production of Cucurbita interspecific hybrids through cross pollination and embryo rescue technique. World Applied Sciences Journal 20 (10): 1366-1370. Wang Y. H., T. K. Behera and C. Kole. 2012. Genetics, Genomics and Breeding of Cucurbits. CRC Press. Florida. 425p

Hanwoo beef is in high demand because of its unique flavor, freshness, and high-fat content. However, the longer rearing period required to enhance marbling in Hanwoo cattle has adverse environmental consequences, such as greenhouse gas emissions and overall rearing costs. To address consumer preferences for leaner and healthier meat, the Korean meat industry has recently introduced Hanwoo heifer meat as an alternative source, but its quality traits are still unclear. Nevertheless, there is a limited body of research exploring the impact of Hanwoo gender (steer, heifer, and cow) and their corresponding slaughter ages on meat quality traits. This study looked into how gender affected the physicochemical and qualitative features of Hanwoo striploin at their respective slaughter ages. Results revealed that cow striploin has higher levels of moisture (66.81%) and protein (20.76%), whereas it contains lower levels of fat (10.66%) and cholesterol (34.66 mg/100 g). Regarding the physicochemical properties, cow striploin exhibited significantly lower shear force, color indexes, and soluble collagen (p < 0.05). However, chondroitin (1.19%) and muscle fiber area (1,545.23 μm2) were significantly higher in steer striploin than in heifer and cow (p < 0.05). Cow striploin exhibited significantly higher levels of oleic acid, unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) while having lower levels of eicosadienoic acid and atherogenic index compared to the other two groups. Cows and heifers had higher concentrations of amino acid metabolites than striploin from steers. Furthermore, bioactive metabolites such as carnitine and carnosine content were found higher in cow and heifer respectively. Overall, Hanwoo cattle gender influences the qualitative attributes of striploin; nevertheless, compared to steer and heifer striploin, cow striploin is a relatively good source of protein, fatty acid content, and metabolites conducive to a healthy diet.

Abstract Background This study aims to decipher the genetic basis governing yield components and quality attributes of peanuts, a critical aspect for advancing molecular breeding techniques. Integrating genotype re-sequencing and phenotypic evaluations of seven yield components and two grain quality traits across four distinct environments allowed for the execution of a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Results The nine phenotypic traits were all continuous and followed a normal distribution. The broad heritability ranged from 88.09 to 98.08%, and the genotype-environment interaction effects were all significant. There was a highly significant negative correlation between protein content (PC) and oil content (OC). The 10× genome re-sequencing of 199 peanut accessions yielded a total of 631,988 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), with 374 significant SNP loci identified in association with the nine traits of interest. Notably, 66 of these pertinent SNPs were detected in multiple environments, and 48 of them were linked to multiple traits of interest. Five loci situated on chromosome 16 (Chr16) exhibited pleiotropic effects on yield traits, accounting for 17.64–32.61% of the observed phenotypic variation. Two loci on Chr08 were found to be strongly associated with protein and oil contents, accounting for 12.86% and 14.06% of their respective phenotypic variations, respectively. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) block analysis of these seven loci unraveled five nonsynonymous variants, leading to the identification of one yield-related candidate gene and two quality-related candidate genes. The correlation between phenotypic variation and SNP loci in these candidate genes was validated by Kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) marker analysis. Conclusions Overall, molecular markers were developed for genetic loci associated with yield and quality traits through a GWAS investigation of 199 peanut accessions across four distinct environments. These molecular tools can aid in the development of desirable peanut germplasm with an equilibrium of yield and quality through marker-assisted breeding.

In order to fully understand the quality of pepper germplasm resources in Shandong Province, the quality traits of 36 local pepper germplasm resources in Shandong Province were analyzed by different variance analysis, coefficient of variation analysis and cluster analysis. The results showed that the variation coefficient of quality traits among different pepper germplasm resources ranged from 14.37% to 110.26%, and the variation coefficient of capsaicin content was the largest (110.26%). At the Euclidean distance of 98.3, 36 pepper germplasm resources could be clustered into three groups the first group accounted for 5.56%; group II accounted for 8.33%; group III (TT) accounted for the largest proportion, up to 86.11%. Further analysis of the cluster showed that the difference between ascorbic acid and capsaicin was extremely significant, and the coefficient of variation of capsaicin was the largest in group I and group III, and the coefficient of variation of crude protein in group II was the largest. In summary, group I can be used as an important additive in food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and other industries in addition to fresh food and sauce. The group II can be used for medical medicine and livestock feeding, and can be used as an excellent material for industrial pepper variety breeding. Group III has a wide range of utilization and can be widely used in food processing industries such as fresh food, sauce making, hot pot and seasoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pigmentation in rice grains is an important quality parameter. Purple-coloured rice (Oryza sativa L.) indicates the presence of high anthocyanin with benefits of antioxidant properties. However, the genetic mechanism of grain colour is not fully understood. Therefore, the study focused on understanding pigmentation in grain pericarp and vegetative parts, and its relationship with blast resistance and enhanced grain yield. Three local cultivars from the northeastern region (NER) of India — Chakhao Poireiton (purple), Mang Meikri (light brown), and Kala Joha (white) — along with high-yielding varieties (HYVs) Shasharang (light brown) and Sahbhagi dhan (white) were used to develop biparental populations. The findings suggested that pigmentation in vegetative tissue was governed by the inter-allelic interaction of several genes. Haplotype analysis revealed that Kala3 complemented Kala4 in enhancing purple pigmentation and that Kala4 is not the only gene responsible for purple colour as evident by the presence of a desired allele for markers RID3 and RID4 (Kala4 locus) in Chakhao Poireiton and Kala Joha irrespective of their pericarp colour, implying the involvement of some other additional, unidentified genes/loci. RID3 and RID4 together with RM15191 (Kala3 locus) could be employed as a reliable marker set for marker-assisted selection (MAS). Pericarp colour was strongly correlated with colour in different vegetative parts, but showed a negative correlation with grain yield. Pb1, reported to be associated with panicle blast resistance, contributed to leaf blast resistance. Transgressive segregants for improved pigmentation and high yield were identified. The selection of lines exhibiting coloured pericarp, high anthocyanin content, aroma, blast resistance, and increased yield compared to their respective HYV parents will be valuable resources in the rice breeding programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Oil Crop Sciences is the property of Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences 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.)

This five-year study (2016–2021) across diverse Moroccan agro-climatic zones investigated genotype by environment (G × E) interactions in wheat, focusing on variations in agronomic traits and quality attributes such as protein and gluten content. Significant environmental effects were observed on key traits, like yield, thousand kernel weight (TKW), and spikes per square meter (Spk/m2), highlighting environmental factors' role in wheat yield variability. In the Tassaout (TST) location, notable genotypic effects emerged for traits like biomass, underscoring genetic factors' importance in specific contexts, while in Sidi El Aidi (SEA) and Marchouch (MCH), genotypic effects on yield and its components were predominantly absent, indicating a more substantial environmental influence. These findings illustrate the complexity of G × E interactions and the need for breeding strategies considering genetic potential and environmental adaptability, especially given the trade-offs between yield enhancement and quality maintenance. Insights from the biplot and heatmap analyses enhanced the understanding of genotypes' dynamic interactions with environmental factors, establishing a basis for strategic genotype selection and management to optimize wheat yield and quality. This research contributes to sustainable wheat breeding in Morocco, aligning with global efforts to adapt wheat breeding strategies to changing climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to decipher the genetic basis governing yield components and quality attributes of peanuts, a critical aspect for advancing molecular breeding techniques. Integrating genotype re-sequencing and phenotypic evaluations of seven yield components and two grain quality traits across four distinct environments allowed for the execution of a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Results: The nine phenotypic traits were all continuous and followed a normal distribution. The broad heritability ranged from 88.09 to 98.08%, and the genotype-environment interaction effects were all significant. There was a highly significant negative correlation between protein content (PC) and oil content (OC). The 10× genome re-sequencing of 199 peanut accessions yielded a total of 631,988 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), with 374 significant SNP loci identified in association with the nine traits of interest. Notably, 66 of these pertinent SNPs were detected in multiple environments, and 48 of them were linked to multiple traits of interest. Five loci situated on chromosome 16 (Chr16) exhibited pleiotropic effects on yield traits, accounting for 17.64–32.61% of the observed phenotypic variation. Two loci on Chr08 were found to be strongly associated with protein and oil contents, accounting for 12.86% and 14.06% of their respective phenotypic variations, respectively. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) block analysis of these seven loci unraveled five nonsynonymous variants, leading to the identification of one yield-related candidate gene and two quality-related candidate genes. The correlation between phenotypic variation and SNP loci in these candidate genes was validated by Kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) marker analysis. Conclusions: Overall, molecular markers were developed for genetic loci associated with yield and quality traits through a GWAS investigation of 199 peanut accessions across four distinct environments. These molecular tools can aid in the development of desirable peanut germplasm with an equilibrium of yield and quality through marker-assisted breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The content of protein and oil in soybeans is an important trait for evaluating quality and is regulated by genetic and environmental factors, lacking comprehensive identification under a variety of ecological conditions. Therefore, evaluating the stability of soybean quality traits under different environmental conditions has great significance for various applications. In this study, we compare 150 soybean varieties from Northeast China (Group A and Group B) and the Huang-Huai-Hai region (Group C). As the release time progressed, the oil content in the soybean varieties showed an upward trend in both Northeast China and the Huang-Huai-Hai region, while the protein content showed a downward trend. Additionally, the oil contents were negatively correlated with the protein contents and the sum of protein and oil contents, while the protein contents were positively correlated with the sum of protein and oil contents, with the correlation becoming stronger as the latitude decreased. Moreover, there were obvious variations in quality stability among different varieties. Hefeng 45, Jilinxiaolidou 4, and Zhonghuang 19 had relatively high protein contents and exhibited good stability across different environments, while Kenjiandou 25, Changnong 17, Dongnong 46, Kennong 17, Liaodou 14, and GR8836 had relatively high oil contents with good stability performance in varying environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses the variability, heritability, and correlation of some agro-morphological and quality traits in 125 durum wheat germplasm and groups them into clusters. These germplasms include landraces and cultivars from a variety of countries. The field experiment was conducted at the Algiers experimental station during the 2020-2021 season using an augmented randomized complete block design, with data collected for 11 quantitative traits. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences between the genotypes for the majority of the traits examined. Plant height, flag leaf area, thousand-kernel-weight, number of kernels/spikes, sedimentation volume, yellow index, and wet and dry gluten all showed high heritability coupled with high to moderate genetic advance as a percentage of the mean. The principal components analysis explained 46.67% of the total variation in the first two axes, allowing the identification of traits that significantly contributed to this variation. Pearson correlation coefficients revealed strong associations between plant height and days to heading, which affects seed yield improvement, as well as protein content, gluten content, and sedimentation volume, which influence durum wheat nutritional quality. Cluster analysis divided the 125 durum wheat germplasm samples into five clusters based on trait similarities. Genotypes in clusters II, IV, and V exhibit superior agronomic and quality traits, making them valuable resources for breeding and crossing programs aimed at improving durum wheat. The findings also highlight the value of Algerian landrace germplasm and its potential for use in the genetic improvement of other external genetic materials, particularly in terms of quality trait parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Xinjiang Agricultural Sciences is the property of Xinjiang Agricultural Sciences Editorial Department 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.)

Grain quality, cooking quality, and nutritional quality traits are some of the major attributes that enhance the uptake and utilization of improved cowpea varieties. Therefore, there is a need for a better understanding of the genetic variation and inter-relationships among these quality traits in cowpeas to integrate them into cowpea breeding programs. This study was conducted to determine genetic variability among 306 cowpea genotypes for grain quality, cooking quality, and nutritional quality traits and to understand the interrelationships among these traits for exploitation in breeding programs. The results showed highly significant differences (p < 0.001) among genotypes for grain quality, cooking quality, and nutritional quality traits. The mean performance for these quality traits was also very variable. These results suggest that genetic variability exists in the cowpea genotypes studied, which can be exploited in breeding programs aimed at developing high-performing varieties for the said traits. Significant (p < 0.001) positive correlations were detected for protein content with iron and zinc. On the other hand, nutritional quality traits did not exhibit any association with grain quality or cooking quality traits. Cooking quality traits were also shown to be significantly and positively correlated with grain quality traits. This study has identified several genotypes with desirable quality-related traits that could be used in crossing programs to generate improved varieties with consumer-preferred traits to improve the food, income, and nutritional status of many smallholder farmers that largely depend on cowpeas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild emmer (Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccoides) genotypes were studied for their high-nutritional value and good tolerance to various types of stress; for this reason, several QTL (quantitative trait loci) studies have been conducted to find favorable alleles to be introgressed into modern wheat cultivars. Given the complexity of the QTL nature, their interaction with the environment, and other QTLs, a small number of genotypes have been used in wheat breeding programs. Meta-QTL (MQTL) analysis helps to simplify the existing QTL information, identifying stable genomic regions and possible candidate genes for further allele introgression. The study aimed to identify stable QTL regions across different environmental conditions and genetic backgrounds using the QTL information of the past 14 years for different traits in wild emmer based upon 17 independent studies. A total of 41 traits were classified as quality traits (16), mineral composition traits (11), abiotic-related traits (13), and disease-related traits (1). The analysis revealed 852 QTLs distributed across all 14 chromosomes of wild emmer, with an average of 61 QTLs per chromosome. Quality traits had the highest number of QTLs (35%), followed by mineral content (33%), abiotic-related traits (28%), and disease-related traits (4%). Grain protein content (GPC) and thousand kernel weight (TKW) were associated with most of the QTLs detected. A total of 43 MQTLs were identified, simplifying the information, and reducing the average confidence interval (CI) from 22.6 to 4.78 cM. These MQTLs were associated withmultiple traits across different categories. Nine candidate genes were identified for several stable MQTLs, potentially contributing to traits such as quality, mineral content, and abiotic stress resistance. These genes play essential roles in various plant processes, such as carbohydrate metabolism, nitrogen assimilation, cell wall biogenesis, and cell wall extensibility. Overall, this study underscores the importance of consideringMQTL analysis in wheat breeding programs, as it identifies stable genomic regions associated with multiple traits, offering potential solutions for improving wheat varieties under diverse environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to increasingly frequent unfavorable climate changes, achieving a high grain yield of wheat is a challenge for breeders. The relationships between wheat productivity and photosynthesis traits are not very well understood during the growing season. This study investigated the effect of chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters (maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry (TRO/ABS) and performance index on absorption basis (PIABS)) on grain yield and the yield-related and technological quality traits of six wheat varieties over two growing seasons. In the first growing season (2021/2022), grain yield was significantly positively correlated with 1000 kernel weight and TRO/ABS at the second measurement point (growth stage 25 (GS 25)). Only the highest-yielding variety Bubnjar (104.0 dt ha−1) showed values of TRO/ABS at the same significance level between the second and third measurement points. Due to elevated virus and disease infections in the second growing season (2022/2023), the grain yield of the investigated varieties decreased between 37.9% (Bubnjar) and 67.6% (Anđelka) relative to the first growing season. The three highest-yielding varieties (Bubnjar, Rujana, and Silvija) in 2022/2023 were the tallest, were later in maturity, escaped yellow rust pressure at the stem elongation stage more efficiently, and also showed the lowest increase in TRO/ABS at this stage (fourth measurement point at GS 47, compared to the third at GS 32). In addition, the highest-yielding variety Bubnjar showed the highest increase in PIABS at the last measurement (seventh) at GS 71 compared to the sixth (GS 69), thus maintaining the vitality of flag leaves at the grain-filling stage, while the other varieties showed a very small increase or even a significant decrease. Therefore, plant photosynthetic activity over the entire growing season contributes to crop productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is the main source of vegetable protein and edible oil for humans, with an average content of about 40% crude protein and 20% crude fat. Soybean yield and quality traits are mostly quantitative traits controlled by multiple genes. The quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping for yield and quality traits, as well as for the identification of mining-related candidate genes, is of great significance for the molecular breeding and understanding the genetic mechanism. In this study, 186 individual plants of the F2 generation derived from crosses between Changjiangchun 2 and Yushuxian 2 were selected as the mapping population to construct a molecular genetic linkage map. A genetic map containing 445 SSR markers with an average distance of 5.3 cM and a total length of 2375.6 cM was obtained. Based on constructed genetic map, 11 traits including hundred-seed weight (HSW), seed length (SL), seed width (SW), seed length-to-width ratio (SLW), oil content (OIL), protein content (PRO), oleic acid (OA), linoleic acid (LA), linolenic acid (LNA), palmitic acid (PA), stearic acid (SA) of yield and quality were detected by the multiple- d size traits and 113 QTLs related to quality were detected by the multiple QTL model (MQM) mapping method across generations F2, F2:3, F2:4, and F2:5. A total of 71 QTLs related to seed size traits and 113 QTLs related to quality traits were obtained in four generations. With those QTLs, 19 clusters for seed size traits and 20 QTL clusters for quality traits were summarized. Two promising clusters, one related to seed size traits and the other to quality traits, have been identified. The cluster associated with seed size traits spans from position 27876712 to 29009783 on Chromosome 16, while the cluster linked to quality traits spans from position 12575403 to 13875138 on Chromosome 6. Within these intervals, a reference genome of William82 was used for gene searching. A total of 36 candidate genes that may be involved in the regulation of soybean seed size and quality were screened by gene functional annotation and GO enrichment analysis. The results will lay the theoretical and technical foundation for molecularly assisted breeding in soybean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bread wheat (T. aestivum) is one of the world’s most widely consumed cereals. Since micronutrient deficiencies are becoming more common among people who primarily depend upon cereal-based diets, a need for better-quality wheat varieties has been felt. An association panel of 154 T. aestivum lines was evaluated for the following quality traits: grain appearance (GA) score, grain hardness (GH), phenol reaction (PR) score, protein percent, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) sedimentation value, and test weight (TWt). In addition, the panel was also phenotyped for grain yield and related traits such as days to heading, days to maturity, plant height, and thousand kernel weight for the year 2017–18 at the Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA) Ludhiana and Jabalpur sites. We performed a genome-wide association analysis on this panel using 18,351 genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) markers to find marker-trait associations for quality and grain yield-related traits. We detected 55 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker trait associations (MTAs) for quality-related traits on chromosomes 7B (10), 1A (9), 2A (8), 3B (6), 2B (5), 7A (4), and 1B (3), with 3A, 4A, and 6D, having two and the rest, 4B, 5A, 5B, and 1D, having one each. Additionally, 20 SNP MTAs were detected for yield-related traits based on a field experiment conducted in Ludhiana on 7D (4) and 4D (3) chromosomes, while 44 SNP MTAs were reported for Jabalpur on chromosomes 2D (6), 7A (5), 2A (4), and 4A (4). Utilizing these loci in marker-assisted selection will benefit from further validation studies for these loci to improve hexaploid wheat for better yield and grain quality.

Understanding consumers’ preferences for fruit quality attributes is key to informing breeding efforts, meeting consumer preferences, and promoting increased market demand. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of fruit quality traits and hedonic sensory evaluation on consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for a selection of fresh northern and southern highbush blueberry cultivars. The WTP was elicited by using a double-bounded contingent valuation conducted in conjunction with a consumer sensory test. Two types of models were estimated using either sensory evaluations (i.e., consumer preference and consumer intensity) or instrumental measurement data (i.e., measures of soluble solids, titratable acidity, sugars, acids, and firmness) as explanatory variables to model WTP. Results using sensory evaluations indicated that flavor liking, flavor intensity, and sweetness intensity are key factors that influence consumers’ acceptance and WTP for blueberries. A regression analysis using instrumental measurements indicated that measures related to sweetness and acidity traits are important factors that determine WTP. Higher WTP was associated with higher total sugar content across different levels of total organic acid. The WTP increases with organic acid content, because this is needed for enhanced flavor; however, WTP declines at high concentrations of organic acid. Except for extreme values of firmness, the WTP increased as measures of fruit firmness increased, indicating a consumer preference for firmer blueberries. Overall, the results provided new insights into the relationships between consumer preference and WTP and fruit quality benchmarks to select for improved quality.

At present, the state has introduced the policy of forest Chinese herbal medicine planting planning, strictly prohibiting the planting of Chinese herbal medicine in basic farmland, coupled with the fact that the continuous cropping obstacles of Panax notoginseng have not yet been solved, which makes the area of arable land suitable for planting become less and less. However, the effect of soil moisture regulation on the growth of Panax notoginseng cultivated on sloping arable land has not been reported. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of various irrigation levels and slopes on Panax notoginseng agronomic traits, physiological characteristics, disease attributes, biomass, and quality characteristics. During 2018–2020, a field experiment was conducted in the Panax notoginseng growing seasons with three irrigation levels (I1: 70–75% θFC, I2: 75–80% θFC, I3: 80–85% θFC) and three slopes (S1: 2.43°, S2: 6.38°, S3: 16.38°). The results evidenced that the photosynthetic characteristics, root hydraulic conductivity characteristics, biomass and PNS of Panax notoginseng reached the maximum value in the I2S2 treatment, and at the same time, the incidence rate of Panax notoginseng root rot was the lowest. Therefore, based on the results of this study, irrigation volume I2S2 should be regarded as the optimal slope and irrigation management strategies for reducing Panax notoginseng diseases and realizing stable yield and quality improvement of Panax notoginseng. A multi-objective optimization model was established through binary quadratic regression analysis. The findings evidenced that when the irrigation interval was 187–203 mm and the slope interval was 5–10.7°, Panax notoginseng had the lowest incidengce rate, and the root biomass and saponin content reached > 95% of the maximum values at the same time.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a vital grain legume, offering an excellent balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, essential micronutrients, and vitamins that can contribute to addressing the global population’s increasing food and nutritional demands. Chickpea protein offers a balanced source of amino acids with high bioavailability. Moreover, due to its balanced nutrients and affordable price, chickpea is an excellent alternative to animal protein, offering a formidable tool for combating hidden hunger and malnutrition, particularly prevalent in low-income countries. This review examines chickpea’s nutritional profile, encompassing protein, amino acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, micronutrients, vitamins, antioxidant properties, and bioactive compounds of significance in health and pharmaceutical domains. Emphasis is placed on incorporating chickpeas into diets for their myriad health benefits and nutritional richness, aimed at enhancing human protein and micronutrient nutrition. We discuss advances in plant breeding and genomics that have facilitated the discovery of diverse genotypes and key genomic variants/regions/quantitative trait loci contributing to enhanced macro- and micronutrient contents and other quality parameters. Furthermore, we explore the potential of innovative breeding tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 in enhancing chickpea’s nutritional profile. Envisioning chickpea as a nutritionally smart crop, we endeavor to safeguard food security, combat hunger and malnutrition, and promote dietary diversity within sustainable agrifood systems.

Fagopyrum tatari-cymosum is a semi-perennial new buckwheat type developped from the hybridization between F. tataricum and F. cymosum. To explore the genetic laws of agronomic and quality traits of F. tatari-cymosum, 26 lines of F. tatari-cymosum were selected as materials, and their quality traits and agronomic traits were analyzed by variance analysis, correlation analysis and cluster analysis. The results were as follows: (1) The variation coefficient for quality traits of F. tatari-cymosum was gliadin content > glutenin content > flavonoids content > total protein content > globulin content > albumin content>starch content. (2) The variation coefficient for agronomic traits of F. tatari-cymosum was branch number of main stems > node number within 20 cm of the bases > main stem diameter > grain area > 1 000-grain weight > node number of main stems > plant height > grain length to width ratio > grain width > grain length > shell rate > grain perimeter > grain diameter. (3) In the correlation analysis, the flavonoid content was significantly positively correlated with albumin content; the gliadin content was significantly or extremely significantly positively correlated with the main stems diameter, the node number of main stems, the node number within 20 cm of the bases, and significantly or extremely significantly negatively correlated with the 1 000-grain weight, grain area, grain perimeter, grain width, and grain diameter; the starch content was positively correlated with grain area, grain length and grain diameter. (4) By cluster analysis, 26 F. tatari-cymosum lines were divided into three groups. Group I belonged to high starch, short stem, multi branched, low shell rate, large long grain lines, which could be used as parent material for breeding purposes of high starch and low shell rate; Group Ⅱ belonged to high protein, high stem, thick, small grain type lines, which could be used as a material for breeding purposes of high protein and strong stress resistance; Group Ⅲ belonged to high quality, high yield, large grain type lines. The results provide theoretical references for the breeding of F. tatari-cymosum.

Cereal is an essential source of calories and protein for the global population. Accurately predicting cereal quality before harvest is highly desirable in order to optimise management for farmers, grading harvest and categorised storage for enterprises, future trading prices, and policy planning. The use of remote sensing data with extensive spatial coverage demonstrates some potential in predicting crop quality traits. Many studies have also proposed models and methods for predicting such traits based on multi-platform remote sensing data. In this paper, the key quality traits that are of interest to producers and consumers are introduced. The literature related to grain quality prediction was analyzed in detail, and a review was conducted on remote sensing platforms, commonly used methods, potential gaps, and future trends in crop quality prediction. This review recommends new research directions that go beyond the traditional methods and discusses grain quality retrieval and the associated challenges from the perspective of remote sensing data.

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.

Deciphering the genetic mechanisms underlying key agronomic and quality traits in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is essential for advancing varietal improvement. Phenotypic instability in early clonal generations and inbreeding depression, coupled with the complexity of tetrasomic inheritance, pose significant challenges in constructing mapping populations for the genetic dissection of complex traits. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) offer an efficient method to establish trait–genome associations by analyzing genetic recombination and mutation events in natural populations. This review systematically examines the application of GWASs in identifying agronomic traits in potato, such as plant architecture, yield components, tuber shape, and resistance to early and late blight and nematodes, as well as quality traits including dry matter, starch, and glycoalkaloid content. Some key chromosomal hotspots identified through GWASs include chromosome 5 associated with tuber yield, starch content, and late blight resistance; chromosome 4 and 10 associations with tuber shape and starch content; chromosomes 1, 9, and 11 associated with plant height, tuber number, glycoalkaloid content, and pest resistance. It elucidates the advantages and limitations of GWASs for genetic loci identification in this autotetraploid crop, providing theoretical insights and a reference framework for the precise localization of key genetic loci and the discovery of underlying genes using GWASs.