Genetic gains delivered by plant breeding programs in the developing world must increase to deliver adaptation to a changing climate. Programs should be planned and optimized, with respect to gains per year and per dollar invested, as cyclic population improvement pipelines whose selection response is described by the breeder's equation (BE). We present a spreadsheet-implemented model for the BE that

Smut of oats, caused by Ustilago avenae, is an important disease in organic seed production and resistance breeding via seed inoculation is an elaborate routine in organic oat breeding. The life cycle of smuts is known to depend on open flowers, for example, spores of Ustilago ssp. need to settle inside the flower to start a next life cycle. Increasing the level of cleistogamy as a way to avoid initial

The simplified system (SS) is a new method of selecting families in the first experimentation phase used in some sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) breeding programs in Brazil. In the SS, clones are obtained from families whose genotypes are not individualized in the field. Such selected clones are used to compose the cloned family trial. In the conventional method (CM) of breeding, each genotype

Selection for flood-tolerance in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is mainly phenotypic. With the development of new molecular breeding tools, our research objective was to assess the effect of different selection methods at the F4:5 and F4:6 stages on the response to flood tolerance and yield at F4:6 stage. Four breeding populations were subjected to six selection treatments: (a) flood tolerance screening

The domestication of goat (Capra hircus) started 11,000 years ago in the fertile crescent. Breed formation in the nineteenth century, establishment of herd books, and selection for specific traits resulted in 10 modern goat breeds in Switzerland. We analyzed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data from 217 modern goats and nine wild Bezoar goats (Capra aegagrus). After quality control, 27,728,288 biallelic

Deleterious recessive conditions have been primarily studied in the context of Mendelian diseases. Recently, several deleterious recessive mutations with large effects were discovered via non-additive genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of quantitative growth and developmental traits in cattle, which showed that quantitative traits can be used as proxies of genetic disorders when such traits are

Warmblood fragile foal syndrome (WFFS) is a monogenetic defect caused by a recessive lethal missense point mutation in the procollagen‐lysine, 2‐oxoglutarate 5‐dioxygenase 1 gene (PLOD1, c.2032G>A). The majority of homozygous WFFS horses are aborted during gestation. Clinical signs of affected horses include fragile skin, skin and mucosa lacerations, hyperextension of the articulations, and hematomas

Domestication of the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has led to a multi-purpose species that includes many breeds and lines with a broad phenotypic diversity, mainly for external traits (e.g. coat colours and patterns, fur structure, and morphometric traits) that are valued by fancy rabbit breeders. As a consequence of this human-driven selection, distinct signatures are expected to be present in the

Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), is an underutilized crop increasing in popularity as a grain and as a leafy vegetable. It is rich in protein, minerals and vitamins, and adapts well to a range of production systems. Currently, the lack of improved varieties limits the use of the crop. Breeding improved varieties requires access to large collections of amaranth biodiversity stored in genebanks. The task

Lodging is being increasingly recognized as a critical concern among crop breeders worldwide as it causes a significant reduction in the grain yield and quality of multiple cereal crops. The lodging index is frequently used for evaluating the lodging resistance of rice crops. However, the application of lodging index for comparing lodging susceptibility between different rice varieties is inadequate

Spring wheat is currently dominating wheat production in Norway. The introduction of combine harvesting in the 1950s spurred breeding efforts to improve lodging and pre-harvest sprouting resistance, and integrate good breadmaking quality in the locally adapted germplasm. Release of landmark cultivars Runar and Reno in 1970s, revitalized the country's production and marked the onset of modern wheat

During the 19th century, ‘Chevalier’, said to have been developed from a single plant found in 1820, was the world-leading malting barley (Hordeum vulgare). The superior malting quality of Chevalier lead to its world-wide spread at the time of the development of the malting industry. In this study, we investigate how this cultivar was spread and adopted to Nordic seed systems of the time. Single nucleotide

Increasing the yield of wheat (Triticum spp.) requires identifying new allelic combinations by crossing or by creating useful variation in yield limiting genes. Wheat yield is impacted by many factors, including tiller number and seeds per tiller, both of which are impacted by the Reduced height (Rht) gene. Durum wheat [T. turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) van Slageren] varieties are either standard

Breeding programs are increasing efforts towards demand-led breeding approaches to ensure that cultivars released meet the needs of end users including processors, traders, and consumers, and that they are adopted by farmers. To effectively deploy these approaches, new tools are required to better understand and quantify the degree of preference differences among alternative trait changes competing

Plastic-film mulch significantly improves maize (Zea mays L.) productivity in hydrothermally limited areas, but there is a lack of understanding of how mulch affects the partitioning of dry matter and nutrients to grain. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of plastic-film mulch on the remobilization of biomass and nutrients accumulated in the presilking stage to grain during the grain-filling

Environment and crop management can play an important role in determining upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fiber quality. An important quality parameter is fiber micronaire, which is an indirect measure of fiber linear density (fineness) and maturity, and it is affected by crop supply and partitioning of assimilates to cotton fruit. High micronaire occurs when there is an excess of assimilates

Intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) [Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D. R. Dewey subsp. intermedium] is being domesticated as a perennial grain crop. Advanced grain-type IWG populations display variability in key physiological parameters related to seed development, making it difficult to determine grain harvest timing. A quantitative literature review of cool-season grasses informed the modeling

Collection of multispectral imagery from an aerial sensor is a means to obtain plot-level vegetation index (VI) values; however, postcapture image processing and analysis remains a challenge for small-plot researchers. An ArcGIS Pro workflow of two task items was developed with established routines and commands to extract plot-level VI values (normalized difference VI [NDVI], ratio VI [RVI], and chlorophyll

Intermediate wheatgrass [Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth and D.R. Dewey], bred for high grain yield, has become the first perennial grain in North America and is commercialized under the tradename Kernza. The expansion of this crop from the U.S. Midwest to areas with milder winters would require an understanding of its vernalization requirements for flowering and the availability of genetic

The study integrated perennial forage phases (1−5 years) into annual wheat systems. In the publication it indicates that once a treatment was converted from a perennial to spring wheat it was no longer fertilized. However, we have discovered that each time wheat was planted a starter fertilizer of 11−52−0 (NH4; P2O5) was applied at 56 kg ha–1 equating to 6.2 kg N ha–1 and 29 kg P ha–1. In addition

Although genome-wide association studies (GWAS) based on single-marker analysis have been widely applied in plant breeding programs, the effectivity of the methodology is still undermined by high false-positive rates and the limited power to detect associations. Bayesian methods estimated marker effects simultaneously proved to be efficient, indicating genes with important effects. Regional heritability

Genotypes in crop species have been identified that initiate partial stomata closure at elevated atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (VPD), which results in conserved soil water for crop use during subsequent water-deficit episodes, and thereby allowing for possible yield increase. In sweet corn, 17 genotypes have been previously identified with the VPD-responsive trait although the VPD value at the

Meloidogyne paranaensis is a species of root-knot nematode that critically affects coffee tree growth by causing severe damages to the plant root. Overall, this pathogen reduces the plant life cycle and thus compromises crop viability in the field. This study evaluated the agronomic performance of Coffea arabica progenies from the Coffee Genetic Breeding Program of the Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária

Tar spot of maize, caused by the obligate biotroph Phyllachora maydis, is an emerging disease in the United States and Canada, and the identification of sources of resistance for tar spot will enable the development of resistant hybrids. In 2019 and 2020, 25 accessions from the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) project containing exotic introgressions in elite backgrounds were evaluated in nine

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is an important source of protein, starch, and mineral nutrients in many parts of the world. However, the impact of environment and cultivar on the enrichment of these nutrients is not well understood. Four lentil cultivars (‘Avondale’, ‘CDC Richlea’, ‘CDC Maxim’, and ‘CDC Imvincible’) varying in color, seed size, and maturity were evaluated at five Montana locations

The high seed yield and optimum harvesting of short-height castor genotypes have enabled its large-scale cultivation and introduction in the Brazilian cropping systems. Thus, studies to optimize plant density are essential to adequate plant population since this is the key management to influence castor biomass and seed production. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of plant density by altering

Successful field establishment begins with superior plant genetics, quality seeds, land preparation, sowing depth, weed control, and moisture. Our research examined the field-establishment plant density of six populations of little bluestem [Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash] and three selection generations at three locations over a 3-yr period. Recurrent selection was used to develop C1 and C2

Soybean sudden death syndrome (SDS) is a disease caused by a soil-borne fungus, Fusarium virguliforme. Many genetic studies have attempted to identify genes responsible for the quantitative host resistance to SDS. Three recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations were evaluated for foliar SDS resistance at a naturally infested field site in Decatur, MI during the 2014 and 2015 growing seasons. Lines

Little information exists on establishment vigor differences among fine fescue taxa (Festuca L. spp.) and on the effects N fertilizer levels or clover (Trifolium L. spp.)-inclusion during establishment. Five replicated field experiments in Indiana, Minnesota, and Oregon were conducted from 2019 to 2021. Data collection continued for nine months after planting (MAP) to investigate differences among

The J. Derek Bewley Career Lectures presented at the triennial meetings of the International Society of Seed Science support early-career seed scientists by providing retrospective views, from those late in their careers, of lessons learned and future implications. Ambition, ability, inspiration, foresight, hard work and opportunity are obvious career requirements. The importance of mentoring and teamwork

Cadellia pentastylis (Surianaceae) is an Australian endemic threatened rainforest tree. Irregular flowering and fruiting events coupled with high rates of infertility and insect predation has meant that seed testing has not been possible for this species. Seeds were opportunistically collected from a wild population in early 2021, which allowed for the first germination tests to be conducted. In this

Freezing tolerance is likely to be an important adaptation for both natural populations and crop cultivars like winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In the United States, winter wheat represents 80% of the total wheat production. Understanding the genetic basis of freezing tolerance in wheat furthers our knowledge of abiotic stress tolerance in plants and may inform breeding programs aimed at adjusting

ABSTRACT Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the third most important crop worldwide and a staple food for many people worldwide. Genetically, it poses many challenges for traditional breeding due to its autotetraploid nature and its tendency toward inbreeding depression. Breeding programs have focused on productivity, nutritional quality, and disease resistance. Some of these traits exist in wild potato

In the Northeastern United States, pastures are predominantly cool-season perennial grasses and legumes that are dormant in the summer resulting in a decline in forage nutritive value and availability, commonly referred to as ‘summer slump’. Strategies to alleviate summer slump may include stocking management or supplementation with or without an ionophore such as monensin to maximize efficiency. A

In common bean breeding, several trials are carried out in field conditions to predict the genotypic values, but experimental designs may not be sufficient to capture the field heterogeneity in the experimental area. The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of spatial models to correct data from a common bean breeding program for spatial trends and improve the prediction of genotypic

ABSTRACT The ultraviolet B (UVB) sensitivity of rice cultivated in Asia and Africa varies greatly, with African rice cultivars (Oryza glaberrima Steud. and O. barthii A. Chev.) being more sensitive to UVB because of their low cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) photolyase activity, which is a CPD repair enzyme, relative to Asian rice cultivars (O. sativa L.). Hence, the production of UVB-resistant African

ABSTRACT Although genetically modified (GM) glyphosate-resistant soybeans with cp4-epsps gene have been widely planted all over the world, their proteomic characteristics are not very clear. In this study, the soybean seeds of a GM soybean line H06-698 (H) with cp4-epsps gene and its non-transgenic counterpart Mengdou12 (M), which were collected from two experiment fields in two years and used as 4

Plant breeding is fundamentally comprised of three cyclic activities: 1) intermating lines to generate novel allelic combinations, 2) evaluating the newly created lines in diverse environments, and 3) selecting superior individuals to be used as parents in the next breeding cycle. While digital technologies and tools are commonly utilized for the latter two stages, many plant research programs still

ABSTRACT Event DP-Ø23211-2 (hereafter referred to as DP23211) maize expresses the DvSSJ1 double-stranded RNA (DvSSJ1 dsRNA) and the IPD072Aa protein, encoded by the ipd072Aa gene. DvSSJ1 dsRNA and the IPD072Aa protein each provide control of corn rootworms (Diabrotica spp.) when expressed in plants. As part of the environmental risk assessment (ERA), the potential hazard to non-target organisms (NTOs)

ABSTRACT The seed industry in Chile has thrived since the implementation of a stringent, voluntarily self-imposed coexistence strategy between genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and non-GMO seed activities. GMO varieties of maize, soybean, and canola represent the vast majority of biotech seeds produced in Chile. Chile’s exports of genetically modified (GM) seeds and organically grown food products

ABSTRACT Consumers’ potential reactions toward genetically modified (GM) foods affect their commercial feasibility and determine the decisions of economic agents. Inconsistent information on GM foods has created a sense of uncertainty in Chinese consumers’ mind. This paper studies how the information about risks and benefits of GM foods from major sources influences Chinese consumer intention to purchase

Gastroinestinal nematodes (GIN) are one of the major health problem in grazing sheep. Although genetic variability of the resistance to GIN has been documented, traditional selection is hampered by the difficulty of recording phenotypes, usually fecal egg count (FEC). To identify causative mutations or markers in linkage disequilibrium (LD) to be used for selection, the detection of quantitative trait

The genetic background of trait variability has captured the interest of ecologists and animal breeders because the genes that control it could be involved in buffering various environmental effects. Phenotypic variability of a given trait can be assessed by studying the heterogeneity of the residual variance, and the quantitative trait loci (QTL) that are involved in the control of this variability

The present study is based on backcross introgression lines carrying high grain zinc (Zn) QTL introgressed from T. monococcum and T. boeoticum in the background of high yielding wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties of India. Initially, individual trials each for BC1F3 and BC2F3 progenies from different cross combinations were evaluated for grain Zn concentration, yellow pigment content (YPC) and

Pyramiding Rpp genes is a promising strategy to achieve a more durable resistance against Asian soybean rust (ASR). The objective of this study was to develop Rpp-pyramided populations and evaluate their resistance and yield in field conditions. Fifteen pyramided populations carrying different combinations of Rpp genes were developed, and the F3 lines were evaluated to phenotypic resistance and yield

Selection during plant domestication and improvement often decreases genetic variation, including variation that confers adaptation to local conditions. We report spatial and temporal variation in fitness (seed yield), local adaptation, and segregating genetic variation within three races of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) with differing domestication histories and genetic diversities. Three-hundred

Erianthus species have potential as breeding materials for sugarcane and as a biomass crop for fiber production. However, limited information about their genetic variation and performance in terms of agronomic traits hinders their practical utilization. Thus, in this study, we evaluated genetic variation and genetic correlations among 11 agronomic traits in plants grown as multiple-ratoon crops (plant

Association mapping using crop varieties allows identification of genetic loci of direct relevance to breeding. Here, 150 UK wheat varieties genotyped with 23,288 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) using historical phenotypic data for grain protein content, Hagberg falling number, test weight and grain yield. Power calculations indicated experimental

The dissection of genotype by environment interaction (GEI) is a crucial aspect of the final stages of plant breeding pipelines and recommendation of cultivars. Linear-bilinear models used to analyze this interaction, such as the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and genotype plus GEI (GGE), often assume homogeneity of the residual variances across environments, which affects

Spanish sage or lavender sage (Salvia lavandulifolia Vahl) is an aromatic plant with a high economic potential in agriculture because of its rusticity and low inputs of chemicals. However, the presence of numerous chemotypes hinders the supply of homogeneous crops to the industry and makes necessary the selection and the standardising of the plant material. With this aim, our group achieved an extensive

Sorghum is a potential crop for organic production that could help meet the demand increase in organic food products and feed grains, but no efforts have been made to improve sorghum breeding tools, techniques, and methods for this cropping system. Based on revelations in other crops, focal traits and their prioritization to optimize sorghum for organic use likely differs from conventional sorghum

Mp717, a maize germplasm line resistant to aflatoxin accumulation, served as the resistant parent in two bi-parental QTL mapping populations: Mp717 x Va35 and Mp717 x PHW79. Both populations were phenotyped for concentration of total aflatoxins following artificial inoculation in replicated field trials grown in four environments. In all four environments in which the Mp717 x Va35 population was evaluated

As a major economic trait in poultry, egg production efficiency attracts widespread interest in breeding and production. However, limited information is available about the underlying genetic architecture of egg production traits in ducks. In this paper, we analyzed six egg production-related traits in 352 F2 ducks derived from reciprocal crosses between mallard and Pekin ducks. Feed conversation ratio

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors noticed the following two errors: (1) Figures 1 and 2 are swapped, but the legends and figure numbers are correct, that is, the legend indicated for Figure 1 is in the right place but corresponds to Figure 2, and vice versa; and (2) In the Funding section, the statement: MPE is funded by Ministry of Science and Innovation-State Research

Naked barley grain threshes freely from its hull during harvesting and cleaning. Much of the available naked barley germplasm is unadapted to U.S. barley growing regions, and few genotypes have been selected to thrive under organic systems. The goal of this research was to characterize a set of spring naked barley genotypes for agronomic traits in the northern U.S. under organic conditions and estimate

Rye (Secale cereale) is a minor cereal with potential to support sustainable farming practices. This study evaluated the performance of four old and modern European open-pollinated winter rye varieties grown with different N sources (cattle slurry, farm yard manure, biogas digestate, mineral N) at two rates of N 50 and 100 kg ha–1 in the UK and Estonia, in the 2014–15 and 2015–16 growing seasons. Grain

The impact of drought on wheat production is shown, using an example data set of almost 60 years from 6 climate-specific regions in Poland. Drought was measured using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Hydro-Thermal Coefficient of Selyaninov (HTC). Yield trends were estimated by Bayesian linear regression over two periods, 1961- 1991 and 1992- 2019, identified by a changepoint detection

Reference genomes are essential in the analysis of genomic data. As the cost of sequencing decreases, multiple reference genomes are being produced within species to alleviate problems such as low mapping accuracy and reference allele bias in variant calling that can be associated with the alignment of divergent samples to a single reference individual. The latest reference sequence adopted by the

Large herbivores can disperse seeds over long distances through endozoochory. The Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus), an internationally vulnerable species but locally considered a vermin, is a potential endozoochorous seed dispersal vector. In this study, feeding experiments were conducted to test the efficiency of seed dispersal through gut ingestion by the Korean water deer, its temporal