Publications

Optimizing maize production in the Guanzhong Region: An evaluation of density tolerance, yield, and mechanical harvesting characteristics in different maize varieties

Integrating crop and soil nutrient management for higher wheat grain yield and protein concentration in dryland areas

Cold priming the chickpea seeds imparts reproductive cold tolerance by reprogramming the turnover of carbohydrates, osmo-protectants and redox components in leaves

Genome-wide identification and development of InDel markers in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) using RAD-seq

Calcium oxide nanoparticles ameliorate cadmium toxicity in alfalfa seedlings by depriving its bioaccumulation, enhancing photosystem II functionality and antioxidant gene expression

Gully Recognition and Spatial-temporal Evolution Law of Gully Based on SegNet Model

Gully erosion is one of the main modes of slope erosion on the Loess Plateau, which plays a connecting role in the slope gully erosion system. The Loess Plateau has wide and densely distributed gullies. The study selected a typical small watershed in the hilly and gully region of the Loess Plateau to measure the morphological characteristics and spatial-temporal distribution of gullies. A deep learning image semantic segmentation model was used to identify and extract the morphological features of gullies at the watershed scale from 2009 to 2021 based on remote sensing images (0.5 m resolution) and then analyze their temporal and spatial distribution characteristics. The results revealed that: (1) most gullies occurred in the hilly southern parts of the watershed, which has complex landforms and large slope gradients; (2) gully number increased from 1,159 in 2009 to 2,312 in 2021 (average 97 per year), with a frequency development rate of 2.87 km y ; (3) gully length generally ranged from 25–40 m, with an average growth rate is 1.66 m y and density development rate of 0.12 km km y ; (4) gully width ranged from 0.5–1.5 m, with an average growth rate of 0.04 m y . (5) the total gully area increased from 0.0566 km² in 2009 to 0.1072 km² in 2021, with a development rate of 4,213.39 m² y and dissection degree development rate of 0.0125% y . This study provides a theoretical and scientific basis for gully erosion control and eco-environmental protection at the watershed scale on the Loess Plateau.

Future Smart Food: Harnessing the potential of neglected and underutilized species for Zero Hunger

Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2: 'Zero Hunger'-eradicating all forms of hunger and malnutrition-is a major challenge in many developing countries. To be successful, agriculture and food policies need to target both production and consumption. Conventional agri-food systems in developing countries could become more sustainable through agricultural diversification. In Asia, over-reliance on a few staple crops is a leading cause of low dietary diversity and persistent malnutrition. Promising neglected and underutilized species (NUS) that are nutrient dense, climate resilient, economically viable, and locally available or adaptable have been prioritized as Future Smart Food (FSF) and have a central role to play in the fight against hunger and malnutrition. An enabling environment for agriculture diversification with a food system approach-to promote sustainable production, processing and consumption of FSF-is essential for achieving Zero Hunger. This article (a) provides the context of hunger and malnutrition and highlights the features and gaps in current agriculture and food systems, (b) demonstrates the multidimensional benefits of FSF as an effective means to bridge production and nutrition gaps to address Zero Hunger and (c) offers a holistic food systems approach that promotes sustainable production, processing and consumption of FSF as a key element for achieving Zero Hunger.

Below-ground physiological processes enhancing phosphorus acquisition in plants

Legume crops use a phosphorus-mobilising strategy to adapt to low plant-available phosphorus in acidic soil in southwest China

Phosphorus (P) deficiency significantly affects crop productivity, especially legume crops. Therefore, it is important to understand the P-acquisition strategies of different leguminous crops. In this study, we undertook a pot experiment with 11 legume crops (soybean, faba bean, pea, cowpea, common bean, lentil, adzuki bean, chickpea, grass pea, red kidney bean and common vetch) to investigate P-acquisition strategies related to root morphology, organic acid and acid phosphatase exudations, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonisation under low (4.4 mg/kg) and optimal (40 mg/kg) P conditions. The results revealed that P deficiency significantly decreased biomass and P accumulation, root length (10.5%), and root surface area (7.9%), increased organic acid exudation (80.2%) and acid phosphatase activity (16.8%), and did not affect root diameter or root AMF colonisation rate. Principal component analysis revealed a positive correlation between organic acid exudation and acid phosphatase activity, while root length and root surface area negatively correlated with organic acid exudation, acid phosphatase activity and root AMF colonisation rate. P accumulation positively correlated with root length, surface area, and diameter but negatively correlated with organic acid exudation, acid phosphatase activity, and AMF colonisation rate. These findings confirmed the following: (1) legume crops use a P-mobilisation strategy related to organic acid exudation and acid phosphatase activity to acquire P under low soil P conditions; (2) organic acid exudation coincided with acid phosphatase activity to mobilise soil inorganic and organic P, improving P accumulation; (3) a trade-off exists between the P-scavenging strategy related to root morphology traits and mobilisation strategy.

Genomics for physiological traits in lentil under stressed environments

Arsenic toxicity in plants: Cellular and molecular mechanisms of its transport and metabolism

Fast-forward breeding for a food-secure world

Crop production systems need to expand their outputs sustainably to feed a burgeoning human population. Advances in genome sequencing technologies combined with efficient trait mapping procedures accelerate the availability of beneficial alleles for breeding and research. Enhanced interoperability between different omics and phenotyping platforms, leveraged by evolving machine learning tools, will help provide mechanistic explanations for complex plant traits. Targeted and rapid assembly of beneficial alleles using optimized breeding strategies and precise genome editing techniques could deliver ideal crops for the future. Realizing desired productivity gains in the field is imperative for securing an adequate future food supply for 10 billion people.

Effect of combining organic and chemical fertilizer plus water-saving system on greenhouse gas emissions, runoff, apple yield and quality in a hilly rainfed apple orchard

Combining organic and inorganic fertilizers is critical for increasing yield, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and improving soil fertility. However, the effect of combined organic and inorganic fertilizers on GHG emissions in hilly apple orchards is not clear. Furthermore, studies on slope agriculture mostly ignore slope runoff. Hence, a two-year field experiment was conducted in the hilly apple orchard in north Shaanxi to explore the effects of orchard management practices on surface soil water and temperature, GHG emissions, runoff, apple yield, and fruit quality. Three management practices were implemented: (1) combined organic and chemical fertilizer plus water-saving (OCWS) system; (2) chemical fertilizer plus water-saving (CWS) system; (3) conventional practice plus chemical fertilizer without water-saving system (CC). The results showed that, relative to CWS and CC treatments, the OCWS treatment decreased the average surface soil temperature during the apple growing period by 5.54% and 4.54% and increased surface soil water by 8.39% and 10.42%, respectively. Seasonal variation in N2O, CO2, and CH4 followed similar trends across treatments, but the amplitude of change varied. Soil water and temperature affected GHG emissions. Cumulative N2O, CO2, and CH4 emissions varied non-significantly among treatments. Furthermore, the OCWS treatment had a similar global warming potential (GWP) to the CC treatment. The OCWS treatment had a 39.33% lower greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) than the CC treatment. Averaged across two years, the OCWS and CWS treatments significantly reduced runoff by 49.18% and 43.90% and sediment yield by 72.13% and 68.65% compared to the CC treatment. Furthermore, precipitation had a significant positive correlation with runoff and erosive sediment. Averaged across two years, the OCWS treatment had the highest apple yield (37,550 kg hm–2), crop water production (CWP) (69.40 kg hm–2 mm–1), transverse diameter (84.27 mm), single fruit weight (261.49 g), vitamin C (29.45 mg kg–1), soluble solids (14.28%), soluble sugars (10.74%), and sugar: acid ratio (54.95). The OCWS treatment is an effective management practice for increasing apple yield, improving fruit quality, and reducing adverse environmental impacts on the Loess Plateau in northwest China.

Additional file 5 of Transcriptomic profiling of near-isogenic lines reveals candidate genes for a significant locus conferring metribuzin resistance in wheat

Supplementary Material 5

Development and adoption of new kabuli chickpea varieties in Australia

Impact of Abiotic Stresses on Grain Composition and Quality in Food Legumes

Grain quality and composition in food legumes are influenced by abiotic stresses. This review discusses the influence of abiotic stresses on grain composition and quality in food grains. Grain protein declines under salt stress due to the restricted absorption of nitrate from the soil solution. Grain phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium contents declined whereas sodium and chloride increased. However, under drought, grain protein increased whereas the oil contents were decreased. For example, among fatty acids, oleic acid content increased; however, linoleic and/or linolenic acids were decreased under drought. Heat stress increased grain oil content whereas grain protein was decreased. Low temperature during late pod-filling reduced starch, protein, soluble sugar, fat, and fiber contents. However, an elevated CO₂ level improved omega-3 fatty acid content at the expense of omega-6 fatty acids. Crop management and improvement strategies, next generation sequencing, and gene manipulation can help improve quality of food legumes under abiotic stresses.

Remobilisation of carbon and nitrogen supports seed filling in chickpea subjected to water deficit

In the Mediterranean-type environment of south-western Australia, pod filling of chickpea occurs when net photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation is low as a result of the onset of terminal drought. Remobilisation of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) from vegetative parts to developing seed may be an important alternative source of C and N for seed filling. The contribution of stored pre-podding C and N to seed filling was studied by labelling the vegetative tissues with the stable isotopes, 13C and 15N, prior to podding and following their subsequent movement to the seed. In ICCV88201, an advanced desi breeding line, 9% of the C and 67% of the N in the seed were derived from pre-podding C and N in well-watered plants compared with 13% of the seed C and 88% of the seed N in water-stressed plants. Furthermore, the contribution of pre-podding C and N was higher for earlier set compared with later set seeds. Pre-podding C and N were derived predominantly from the leaves with relatively little from the stems, roots, and pod walls. Genotypic variation in remobilisation ability was identified in contrasting desi (Tyson) and kabuli (Kaniva) cultivars. In well-watered Tyson, 9% of the seed C and 85% of the seed N were remobilised from vegetative tissues compared with 7% of the seed C and 62% of seed N in well-watered Kaniva. Water deficit decreased the amount of C remobilised by 3% in Tyson compared with 66% in Kaniva, whereas the total amount of N remobilised was decreased by 11% in Tyson and 48% in Kaniva. This was related to the maintenance of greater sink strength in Tyson, in which the number of filled pods was reduced by 66% in stressed plants compared with a 91% decrease in Kaniva. This indicates that better drought tolerance in desi genotypes is partly a consequence of better remobilisation and higher pod number. These studies show that C and N assimilated prior to podding can supplement the supply of current assimilates to the filling seed in both well-watered and water-stressed chickpea. Remobilisation of pre-podding N is an essential source of N for seed filling irrespective of environmental stress.

Bacterial biomarkers are linked more closely to wheat yield formation than overall bacteria in fertilized soil

Abstract Soil bacteria play pivotal roles in agroecosystem functioning. However, the immense diversity of soil bacterial communities masks the effects of some species, such as bacterial biomarkers, on soil nutrient cycling and crop growth. We analyzed biological and chemical soil parameters of five fertilization treatments (CK, LN, CN, HN, LNM: 0, 150, 200, 250 kg N hm −2 , 150 kg N hm −2 + 15,000 kg hm −2 sheep manure). The random forest models were used to select bacterial biomarkers and assess the contributions of bacterial biomarkers and overall bacteria to wheat yield. Moreover, we used a partial least squares path modelling to explore the relationship between fertilization, bacterial biomarkers, carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling functions, soil nutrients, and wheat yield. The results showed that bacterial biomarkers are better predictors of wheat yield than overall bacteria, explaining 52.54% and 16.00% of the variation in yield, respectively. Bacterial biomarkers affected wheat production by increasing soil organic carbon, and available nitrogen content. The LNM treatment significantly improved the relative abundance of beneficial biomarkers, such as Sphingomonadales, Xanthomonadaceae, Lysobacter, and Streptomyces, compared to the LN treatment. In addition, the LNM treatment promoted chitinlysis, cellulolysis, xylanolysis, aromatic hydrocarbon degradation, and aerobic ammonia oxidation, relative to the other inorganic N treatments (LN, CN, and HN). Our results emphasize the role of bacterial biomarkers in wheat yield formation, providing new insights into maintaining agricultural productivity by taking advantage of soil bacterial biomarkers.