Article
Plant Sciences
Yilin Chen, Haizheng Xiong, Waltram Ravelombola, Gehendra Bhattarai, Casey Barickman, Ibtisam Alatawi, Theresa Makawa Phiri, Kenani Chiwina, Beiquan Mou, Shyam Tallury, Ainong Shi
Summary: This study identified a gene on chromosome 8 that is associated with seed protein content in cowpea through genome-wide association study and genomic prediction. The findings have practical implications for improving cowpea breeding programs and seed protein content.
Article
Plant Sciences
Hongmei Zhang, Guwen Zhang, Wei Zhang, Qiong Wang, Wenjing Xu, Xiaoqing Liu, Xiaoyan Cui, Xin Chen, Huatao Chen
Summary: In this study, a genome-wide association study was conducted to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with protein content (PC) in soybean. Eleven QTL were identified, with qPC-14 showing strong selection during soybean improvement. Fifteen candidate genes were found in qPC-14, and three of them showed differential expression during seed development. These findings will be valuable for molecular breeding efforts and exploring protein biosynthesis mechanisms in soybean.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
C. Joe Martin, Davoud Torkamaneh, Muhammad Arif, Karl Peter Pauls
Summary: Plant-derived folates are essential components of the human diet and their deficiency can lead to adverse health conditions. A study conducted in Canada identified significant genetic diversity for folate content in common bean varieties and successfully identified several genetic loci affecting seed folate content, which could be utilized for breeding beans with improved folate levels.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Zhi Hu, Zhenjia Tang, Jing Yang, Shuhui Bao, Yuanyuan Zhang, Lai Ma, Qingsong Zheng, Fang Yang, Dechun Zhang, Shubin Sun, Yibing Hu
Summary: We discovered that the knockout of OsSWEET15, a sugar transporter gene, resulted in decreased fertility in rice. About half of the knockout mutant's spikelets had blighted or empty grains, while the rest had slightly smaller but fertile grains. The blighted grains showed expansion in ovaries after flowering, but terminated their development before the endosperm cellularization stage.
PLANT AND CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jun Li, Yuhang Zhang, Ruirui Ma, Wenxuan Huang, Jingjing Hou, Chao Fang, Lingshuang Wang, Zhihui Yuan, Qun Sun, Xuehui Dong, Yufeng Hou, Ying Wang, Fanjiang Kong, Lianjun Sun
Summary: This study elucidates the origin of seed morphology and quality variation in soybean and identifies the genes associated with seed coat color and seed thickness as tightly linked. The variation in seed morphology and quality occurred earlier than the variation in seed coat color during soybean domestication, and these variations are related to seed oil content and glycolysis biosynthesis in soybean.
PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Wenjing Xu, Hui Liu, Songsong Li, Wei Zhang, Qiong Wang, Hongmei Zhang, Xiaoqing Liu, Xiaoyan Cui, Xin Chen, Wei Tang, Yanzhe Li, Yuelin Zhu, Huatao Chen
Summary: Total soluble sugar (TSS) is an important component in vegetable soybean seeds and greatly impacts its flavor. This study investigated 264 germplasm accessions and identified significant SNPs related to TSS. The study also uncovered nine candidate genes potentially regulating TSS content in vegetable soybean seeds.
Article
Plant Sciences
Zachary Shea, William M. Singer, Luciana Rosso, Qijian Song, Bo Zhang
Summary: Test weight, an important indicator of soybean seed quality, has been observed to decrease over the past 50 years. This study aimed to identify genetic markers associated with high test weight in soybean and to determine the correlation between test weight and seed composition traits. Results showed that test weight values ranged from 62-77 kg/hL over the three years. Multiple SNPs associated with high test weight were found on chromosomes 15 and 14, and 11 candidate genes were identified. Test weight was negatively correlated with oil content and inconsistently correlated with protein content. The study concluded that genes underlying test weight may be located on chromosome 15.
Article
Plant Sciences
Kuanwei Yu, Huanran Miao, Hongliang Liu, Jinghang Zhou, Meinan Sui, Yuhang Zhan, Ning Xia, Xue Zhao, Yingpeng Han
Summary: This study tested the accuracy and reliability of a new GWAS model, 3VmrMLM, using phenotypic data of tocopherol content in soybean. It identified novel QTLs, QEIs, and candidate genes for these traits, revealing the genetic structure of complex quantitative traits in soybean.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Honghai Yan, Haixu Zhang, Pingping Zhou, Changzhong Ren, Yuanying Peng
Summary: Groat protein content (GPC) is a crucial quality trait in oat. A study evaluated the GPC of 174 oat accessions and identified genomic regions associated with GPC. The results showed a wide variation in GPC, with hulless oats exhibiting higher GPC compared to hulled oats. GWAS analysis detected 27 non-redundant QTLs with 41 SNPs significantly associated with GPC. Two consistent QTLs were found, with the most significant one explaining the highest phenotypical variation in multiple environments. Favorable haplotypes for GPC were more prevalent in hulless oats. These findings provide a foundation for future efforts in improving oat quality.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Weidan Feng, Lianshun Fu, Mengmeng Fu, Ziqian Sang, Yanping Wang, Lei Wang, Haixiang Ren, Weiguang Du, Xiaoshuai Hao, Lei Sun, Jiaoping Zhang, Wubin Wang, Guangnan Xing, Jianbo He, Junyi Gai
Summary: The seed protein content (SPC) in a soybean germplasm population in Northeast China was evaluated. Variations in SPC were observed, with a slight increase in the new maturity groups. The study also identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for SPC and found that most new alleles were inherited from the old maturity groups. The findings suggest that there is breeding potential for increasing SPC in this germplasm population.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Andres Gutierrez, Michael A. Grillo
Summary: The process of domestication may have an impact on plant-microbiome interactions. Plant immunity, root traits, root and leaf exudates, and cell wall integrity are considered key traits controlling microbiome colonization and assembly.
PLANT AND CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kaixuan Zhang, Ming He, Yu Fan, Hui Zhao, Bin Gao, Keli Yang, Faliang Li, Yu Tang, Qiang Gao, Tao Lin, Muriel Quinet, Dagmar Janovska, Vladimir Meglic, Jacek Kwiatkowski, Olga Romanova, Nikhil Chrungoo, Tatsuro Suzuki, Zlata Luthar, Mateja Germ, Sun-Hee Woo, Milen I. Georgiev, Meiliang Zhou
Summary: This study reveals the domestication history of Tartary buckwheat and provides a comprehensive database of genomic variation, allowing for genomic-assisted breeding to enhance elite cultivars. The analysis indicates two independent domestication events in southwestern and northern China, leading to diverse characteristics in modern Tartary buckwheat varieties. Genome-wide association studies identified candidate genes related to flavonoid accumulation and grain weight, such as FtUFGT3 and FtAP2YT1.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zengdong Tan, Zhaoqi Xie, Lihong Dai, Yuting Zhang, Hu Zhao, Shan Tang, Lili Wan, Xuan Yao, Liang Guo, Dengfeng Hong
Summary: This study revealed the genetic structure and breeding history of low seed glucosinolates (SGC) improvement in rapeseed by GWAS and TWAS, identified 15 reliable QTLs associated with reduced SGC in modern cultivars, and highlighted the candidate gene BnaC02.GTR2. Experimental validation showed that BnaC02.GTR2 and its paralogs positively regulate seed glucosinolate accumulation, with implications for seed development and potential for crop improvement.
PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shan Tang, Hu Zhao, Shaoping Lu, Liangqian Yu, Guofang Zhang, Yuting Zhang, Qing-Yong Yang, Yongming Zhou, Xuemin Wang, Wei Ma, Weibo Xie, Liang Guo
Summary: This study deciphers the genetic basis of seed oil content (SOC) variation in Brassica napus by genome- and transcriptome-wide association studies, identifying genes and gene modules associated with SOC. A gene prioritization framework, POCKET, was implemented to determine causal genes in QTL regions. The study provides valuable genetic resources for improving SOC and understanding the complex machinery of oil accumulation in oil crops.
Article
Plant Sciences
Srinivasan Samineni, Mahesh D. Mahendrakar, Nidhi Shankar, Avinalappa Hotti, Uttam Chand, Abhishek Rathore, Pooran Mal Gaur
Summary: Chickpea is an affordable source of protein and micronutrients for the poor and vegetarian population in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The study found significant associations between seed yield and grain iron and zinc content. Genome-wide association study identified several markers associated with grain iron, zinc, and protein content.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Huynh Quang Tin, Nguyen Huu Loi, Sandy Jan E. Labarosa, Kenneth L. McNally, Susan McCouch, Benjamin Kilian
Summary: Breeding for salt tolerance in rice requires rapid and reliable screening protocols. This study evaluated a collection of 200 crop wild relative-derived BC3F3-4 rice lines, selected 50 stable BC3F5 lines, and found promising donors of salt tolerance in Cluster 3 through field and hydroponic screening.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yong Jiang, Stephan Weise, Andreas Graner, Jochen C. Reif
Summary: Genome-wide predictions have high precision in predicting both unordered categorical traits and quantitative traits in barley collection, enhancing the information available for genotyped but not phenotyped accessions. Deeply phenotyped core collections are a promising training population for calibrating genome-wide prediction models, ultimately contributing to the attractiveness and evolution of gene banks as bio-digital resource centers.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Ekaterina D. Badaeva, Fedor A. Konovalov, Helmut Knupfer, Agostino Fricano, Alevtina S. Ruban, Zakaria Kehel, Svyatoslav A. Zoshchuk, Sergei A. Surzhikov, Kerstin Neumann, Andreas Graner, Karl Hammer, Anna Filatenko, Amy Bogaard, Glynis Jones, Hakan Ozkan, Benjamin Kilian
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive survey of the cytogenetic and genomic diversity of the GGA(t)A(t) genepool of wheat, highlighting its potential for wheat improvement. The survey revealed three distinct lineages within the extant GGA(t)A(t) genepool, with chromosomal rearrangements playing a significant role in intraspecific diversity. The findings shed new light on the evolutionary history and domestication of the GGA(t)A(t) wheat genepool, paving the way for its increased utilization in wheat improvement.
THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hind Emad Fadoul, Felix Juan Martinez Rivas, Kerstin Neumann, Salma Balazadeh, Alisdair R. Fernie, Saleh Alseekh
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of simulated long-term water deficit stress on two contrasting African wheat cultivars. Results showed that Wadielniel exhibited higher tolerance to drought stress with significant changes in metabolites compared to Condor. Metabolites such as amino acids, proline, organic acids, and lipid classes were identified as potentially playing a role in drought stress regulation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Agronomy
Frederike Zeibig, Benjamin Kilian, Michael Frei
Summary: The domestication of wheat has led to changes in its genetic diversity and grain quality. Through studying wild relatives such as the timopheevii lineage, we can potentially improve the quality of wheat by exploring the full diversity of the wheat gene pool.
THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Abhishek Bohra, Benjamin Kilian, Shoba Sivasankar, Mario Caccamo, Chikelu Mba, Susan R. McCouch, Rajeev K. Varshney
Summary: Crop wild relatives (CWRs) have played a crucial role in providing important traits or genes for crop improvement and global agricultural production. Advances in breeding, genomics, and gene-editing tools have accelerated the identification and transformation of CWRs into future ideal crops. Data-driven germplasm collection and management strategies, along with policy support, are equally important for improving access to CWRs and ensuring their sustainable use in meeting food and nutrition security targets.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Abhishek Bohra, Kailash C. Bansal, Andreas Graner
Summary: This groundbreaking research provides valuable genome variation data, which can fundamentally change breeding practices of chickpea and other crops.
TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Shivali Sharma, Jagdish Jaba, Polneni Jaganmohan Rao, Suraj Prasad, Nammi Tripura Venkata Venu Gopal, Hari Chand Sharma, Benjamin Kilian
Summary: Pigeonpea, an important legume crop, is severely affected by insect pests, particularly pod borer. This study introduces traits related to pod borer resistance from wild relatives of pigeonpea into cultivated varieties through crosses. Promising lines with excellent resistance traits were identified, which will be valuable for breeding new insect-resistant pigeonpea cultivars and reducing pesticide use.
Article
Agronomy
Mohammad Ekram Hussain, Shivali Sharma, A. John Joel, Benjamin Kilian
Summary: The introgression of photoperiod insensitivity into pigeonpea can enhance its adaptability to new environments. This study explored the effect of extended daylength on the phenotypical traits of early maturing pigeonpea introgression lines derived from wild Cajanus species. The results showed that photoperiod influenced the time of floral bud initiation, flowering days, plant height, number of branches, and number of leaf nodes. The photoperiod-insensitive early flowering lines can be utilized to enrich the genetic diversity of pigeonpea and develop cultivars suitable for cultivation in new environments.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ruth J. Eastwood, Beri B. Tambam, Lawrence M. Aboagye, Zeynal Akparov, Sunday E. Aladele, Richard Allen, Ahmed Amri, Noelle L. Anglin, Rodolfo Araya, Griselda Arrieta-Espinoza, Aydin Asgerov, Khadijah Awang, Tesfaye Awas, Ana Maria Barata, Samuel Kwasi Boateng, Joana Magos Brehm, Joelle Breidy, Elinor Breman, Arturo Brenes Angulo, Marilia L. Burle, Nora P. Castaneda-Alvarez, Pedro Casimiro, Nestor F. Chaves, Adelaide S. Clemente, Christopher P. Cockel, Alexandra Davey, Lucia De la Rosa, Daniel G. Debouck, Hannes Dempewolf, Hiba Dokmak, David Ellis, Aisyah Faruk, Catia Freitas, Sona Galstyan, Rosa M. Garcia, Krishna H. Ghimire, Luigi Guarino, Ruth Harker, Roberta Hope, Alan W. Humphries, Nelissa Jamora, Shakeel Ahmad Jatoi, Manana Khutsishvili, David Kikodze, Angelos C. Kyratzis, Pedro Leon-Lobos, Udayangani Liu, Ram P. Mainali, Afig T. Mammadov, Norma C. Manrique-Carpintero, Daniele Manzella, Mohd Shukri Mat Ali, Marcelo B. Medeiros, Maria A. Merida Guzman, Tsira Mikatadze-Pantsulaia, El Tahir Ibrahim Mohamed, Alvaro Monteros-Altamirano, Aura Morales, Jonas Muller, John W. Mulumba, Anush Nersesyan, Humberto Nobrega, Desterio O. Nyamongo, Matija Obreza, Anthony U. Okere, Simone Orsenigo, Fernando Ortega-Klose, Astghik Papikyan, Timothy R. Pearce, Miguel A. A. Pinheiro de Carvalho, Jaime Prohens, Graziano Rossi, Alberto Salas, Deepa Singh Shrestha, Sadar Uddin Siddiqui, Paul P. Smith, Diego A. Sotomayor, Marcelo Tacan, Cesar Tapia, Alvaro Toledo, Jane Toll, Dang Toan Vu, Tuong Dang Vu, Michael J. Way, Mariana Yazbek, Cinthya Zorrilla, Benjamin Kilian
Summary: The Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change Project aimed to enhance the diversity and accessibility of crop wild relatives through seed collecting expeditions. A total of 4587 unique seed samples from at least 355 CWR taxa were collected, conserved, and made available through the Multilateral System of the Plant Treaty. Collections were made for all 28 targeted crops, with potato and eggplant being the most collected genepools. Several of the newly collected samples have already been utilized in pre-breeding programs to adapt crops to future challenges.
Article
Plant Sciences
Madita Lauterberg, Yehoshua Saranga, Mathieu Deblieck, Christian Klukas, Tamar Krugman, Dragan Perovic, Frank Ordon, Andreas Graner, Kerstin Neumann
Summary: Drought events caused by global warming can decrease wheat yields, but introducing beneficial alleles from crop wild relatives can increase the climate-resilience of high-yielding varieties. This study confirms the positive effect of beneficial QTLs on wheat yield under drought conditions.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Nese Sreenivasulu, Saleh Alseekh, Rhowell N. Tiozon Jr, Andreas Graner, Cathie Martin, Alisdair R. Fernie
Summary: Despite the focus on medicine-based interventions, investment in understanding diet-based nutrition for human health has been neglected. Traditional breeding for yield has resulted in a rise in nutritional deficiencies and hidden hunger. Genome sequencing coupled with metabolomics offers a promising approach to screen genebank collections for superior alleles related to crop nutrition, benefiting a wide range of crops and human health. This approach complements metabolic engineering but caution is needed to prevent the reintroduction of antinutrients.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Volodymyr Radchuk, Zeinu M. Belew, Andre Guendel, Simon Mayer, Alexander Hilo, Goetz Hensel, Rajiv Sharma, Kerstin Neumann, Stefan Ortleb, Steffen Wagner, Aleksandra Muszynska, Christoph Crocoll, Deyang Xu, Iris Hoffie, Jochen Kumlehn, Joerg Fuchs, Fritz F. Peleke, Jedrzej J. Szymanski, Hardy Rolletschek, Hussam H. Nour-Eldin, Ljudmilla Borisjuk
Summary: This study focuses on the functionality of the SWEET family of barley and reveals the crucial role of HvSWEET11b in the distribution of sugars and cytokinins during grain development. Knocking down HvSWEET11b leads to impaired grain development, disrupted sugar and cytokinin distribution, and changes in grain size, starch content, and protein content. The findings highlight the important regulatory role of HvSWEET11b in barley grain filling.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elisa Bellucci, Andrea Benazzo, Chunming Xu, Elena Bitocchi, Monica Rodriguez, Saleh Alseekh, Valerio Di Vittori, Tania Gioia, Kerstin Neumann, Gaia Cortinovis, Giulia Frascarelli, Ester Murube, Emiliano Trucchi, Laura Nanni, Andrea Ariani, Giuseppina Logozzo, Jin Hee Shin, Chaochih Liu, Liang Jiang, Juan Jose Ferreira, Ana Campa, Giovanna Attene, Peter L. Morrell, Giorgio Bertorelle, Andreas Graner, Paul Gepts, Alisdair R. Fernie, Scott A. Jackson, Roberto Papa
Summary: A study reveals that the first common bean cultigens introduced in Europe after 1492 were of Andean origin and that hybridization, selection, and recombination played a role in shaping the genomic diversity of the European common bean. The study also highlights the adaptive introgression and selection of genes related to flowering and environmental adaptation in the process of disseminating this tropical crop to temperate Europe.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)