Ear shape of maize (Zea mays L.) is related to ear perimeter, kernel row number, and then kernel yield. To study the inheritance of fasciated ear and the relationship between ear flatness and other ear traits is of great importance in improving ear shape and then increasing yield of maize. In this study, the fasciated ear inbred line Yi16 and normal ear inbred line B73 were used to construct F2 and

Poor grain filling, characterized by incidence of partially filled grain, is one of the major problems to be improved for maximizing the yield potential in rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars with numerous spikelets in a panicle (extra‐heavy panicle type [EHPT]). This study evaluated the grain‐filling‐related alleles at APS2 and APL2, the loci for the small and large subunits of ADP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase

Plant domestication and crop improvement have resulted in reduced genetic diversity in most of our cultivated crops, thus limiting their potential to adapt to future challenges (Byrne et al., 2018; Keneni, Bekele, Imtiaz, & Dagne, 2012; Tanksley & McCouch, 1997; Swarup et al., 2020). One response to mitigate the impact of climate change on agricultural systems is to develop improved varieties that

Tajikistan is rich in genetic resources and one of a few countries where farmers still grow wheat (Triticum sp.) landraces, which are important for production and breeding. This study undertook morphological description, and agronomic and genomic characterization of wheat landraces collected in Tajikistan in 2013 and 2014 to develop opportunities for their use in breeding and on‐farm maintenance. In

A core subset with a small number of accessions representing the genetic diversity of the base collection plays a vital role in facilitating efficient utilization of plant genetic resources. This is particularly relevant for vegetatively propagated large plant size tuber crops with a long growing period, such as white Guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.). For the efficient utilization of D. rotundata

Cereal production in important growing regions is negatively influenced by climate change. This can be countered by expanding cereal production northwards in Scandinavia and Iceland, where today barley is primarily used as feed, rarely reaching malting quality. This study explores genetic factors underlying the ability of barley to mature fully in low temperature and long photoperiod. A panel of 84

In order to utilize alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), alone or in mixture with grasses, defoliation management practices must be evaluated to assess their performance. The objective was to determine forage accumulation (FA) and nutritive value of alfalfa monoculture (ALF) and in mixtures with tall fescue [ATF; Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbyish)] or bermudagrass [ABG; Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers] subjected

Biomass is an important indicator in estimating the growth and yield of crops. Mastering the growth state of crops by evaluating and monitoring biomass is crucial. Correlation analysis was used to identify hyperspectral sensitive bands with the best correlation with biomass and a hyperspectral vegetation index was constructed. Plant height data was coupled with hyperspectral reflectance and vegetation

Controlled soil drying can substantially enhance water use efficiency by reducing irrigation water. However, grain quality traits are yet to be studied under such an irrigation regime, particularly on nutritional quality and heavy metal residues. This study investigated these issues by using two varieties Yongyou 2640 (YY‐2) and Nanjing 9108 (NJ‐9). Rice (Oryza sativa L.) was grown in the field under

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a major production constraint of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). In this study, we conducted a Genome‐wide Association Study using an Andean Diversity Panel (ADP) comprised of 411 genotypes to identify Andean genotypes with superior seedling Al resistance, and detect genomic regions associated with Al resistance in the Andean gene pool. The ADP was evaluated for seedling

Pyrethrum is an important “green pesticide” crop widely used for insect control on plants and for humans. Pyrethrum flowers have the highest %Py and are harvested at specific stages to maximize yield. Selection for correlative early seed germination and flowering in first year pyrethrum seedlings is challenging and has not been accomplished previously. The breeding objectives for this study were to

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is an important tropical crop with extraordinary tolerance to drought stress. Under drought stress, the histone H1 (named MeH1.2) protein of cassava leaf is significantly induced. In this study, the MeH1.2 gene was cloned from cassava to investigate the role of MeH1.2 protein in transcriptional regulation during the development of a multicellular organism in vivo. The MeH1

Substantial progress has been made in developing sensor‐based proximal phenotyping systems for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), but research is needed to improve in‐season prediction of lint yield and to improve accuracy in monitoring crop water stress using such a system. Here, we report on results of a 2‐yr field study in which a proximal remote sensing system (measuring canopy height, spectral indices

Improving grain protein content and flour quality is an important goal for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeding programs. Identification of genomic regions and markers associated with quality traits can help enrich wheat breeding germplasm with favorable alleles. This study was carried out to identify genetic loci controlling bread‐making quality traits in a nested association mapping population of

In 1941, Nikolai Vavilov was imprisoned just after his election as President of the International Congress on Genetics. How could a prominent Russian geneticist and plant explorer simultaneously earn distinction and animosity? This is directly answered by Stalin using Vavilov as a scapegoat for the failure of collective farming, declining yields, and continued famine. Not as apparent is that Vavilov's

The traditional cropping system on the Loess Plateau of China is winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L., W) monocropping. However, this cropping system, with a 3‐mo summer fallow (F) period, has exhibited low radiation and precipitation use efficiency. The objectives of this study conducted in 2016–2018 was to investigate system productivity and resource (i.e., water and radiation) use efficiency when

Earlier studies have shown the significant impact of leaf glaucousness and cooler canopies on wheat yield. However, breeding for drought adaptive traits and potential yield as responses to heat/water deficit were poor. The genetic basis for drought adaptive traits and yield potential were assessed using quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis. The 180 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were derived from

The value of selection in conventional breeding trials of cultivars destined for organic systems depends on the correlation between systems and relative heritability of key traits. Genotype by environment interactions is a common phenomenon in plant breeding trials. Thus, multi‐environment testing to identify stable genotypes is a high priority for organic systems. In addition, because organic systems

Increasing yield and grain protein concentration (GPC) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) without excessive nitrogen (N) rates requires increasing N use‐efficiency (NUE¸ yield per available N). We assessed the effects of N rate and timing on yield, GPC, and N nutritional indices of two winter wheat genotypes with similar yield but contrasting GPC. Factorial field experiments evaluated the wheat genotypes

Golf course managers manipulate cultural practices in preparation for golf tournaments to increase ball roll distance (BRD) for short periods of time. Brushing putting greens, thought to be a relatively minimally disruptive cultural practice utilizing brush attachments mounted to mower units to vertically orient leaf blades prior to mowing, is growing in popularity despite little research validating

Poa annua L. is a common component of turfgrass systems both as a weed and a desirable species. Since first classified by Carl von Linné in 1753, nearly 50 taxa of P. annua have been described, with delineations made on the basis of plant morphology and not life cycle. Yet, peer‐reviewed turfgrass literature has recognized only two of these taxa over the past 50 years, Poa annua var. annua and Poa

Southern root‐knot nematode (SRKN) is one of the most yield‐suppressing pathogens in soybean [(Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in the United States. With limited chemical and cultural management options, the use of genetic resistance is the most efficient and economical approach to control SRKN. A major quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapped to chromosome 10 is the primary source of resistance in soybean cultivars;

Durum wheat is an important food crop worldwide. Modern breeding has yielded elite durum wheat cultivars with improved grain yield, end‐use quality, and disease resistance. In this study, we compared 150 breeding lines from the North Dakota State University (NDSU) durum wheat breeding program to 163 durum landraces using a large set of SNP markers. We found that the genetic diversity of the NDSU durum

The objective of this study was to determine the genetic diversity among Brazilian carioca common bean cultivars for traits related to N use efficiency (NUsE). An additional objective was to identify potential parents and promising parental combinations to assist common bean breeding programs in the development of cultivars with improved NUsE. The experiments were carried out at the Experimental Stations

St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walter) Kuntze] is a commonly used warm‐season turfgrass for lawns in warm‐humid to tropical climates. Efforts to breed improved cultivars with enhanced abiotic and biotic stress tolerance are ongoing, but additional data on their growth and adaptation is needed. Twenty‐one commercially available St. Augustinegrass cultivars and eight experimental genotypes

Forage accumulation (FA) is a key response in grazing experiments and estimates of FA in continuously stocked pastures are often obtained using exclosure cages. This study evaluated how 14‐, 21‐, and 28‐day exclusion periods using cages affected morphological, physiological, and morphogenetic responses of continuously stocked Mulato II hybrid brachiariagrass (Brachiaria spp. syn. Urochloa spp.) pastures

Knowledge about the key traits related to genetic gains in grain yield (GY) is necessary for understanding the main yield‐limiting factors and guiding future wheat breeding. The objective of this research was to investigate the genetic progress in GY and the associated physiological traits in popular wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars released from 1969 to 2012 in southwestern China. Field experiments

Fusarium wilt of cotton (Gossypium spp.) is caused by a soil‐ and seed‐borne fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (FOV). FOV race 4 (FOV4) is a significant threat to cotton production in the US. The effect of temperature and soil on disease symptoms in cultivars with a range of susceptibility to FOV4 was examined in growth chamber trials. Three Upland (G. hirsutum L.) and three Pima

The diversity and abundance of pollinators are increased in cultivated areas in proximity to natural and semi‐natural habitats (pastures, forest, tree lines, etc.). Managing ecosystem services, such as insect pollination, is essential to increase crop yields. Although insect pollination is linked to better yields in many crops, pollinators are usually not considered as an input to be managed in crop

Water restrictions on irrigation are rarely science based and may cause irreversible damage to turfgrass or inadvertently waste water. Our objectives were to evaluate effects of minimum water applications to ‘Meyer’ Japanese lawngrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) on (a) canopy performance during prolonged drought and (b) survival and recovery thereafter. Meyer was watered weekly with 0–30% reference evapotranspiration

Salinity continues to challenge crop cultivation under current water precarity conditions. In this study we aimed to evaluate the influence of electromagetic treatment of saline water on agro‐physiological and antioxydative responses of potato. Three potato varieties (Spunta, Bellini and Alaska) were subjected, over two growing seasons, to three drip irrigation treatments: saline water (SW), electromagnetic

Natural stands of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) are often found in wetland areas and exhibit very poor tolerance to dry soils. Colonial bentgrass (A. capillaris) is frequently found in drier habitats and has the ability to go dormant and recover quickly under water deficit stress. Hybridization between creeping and colonial bentgrass is possible and a better understanding of gene regulation

Producers on the Canadian prairies grow barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) as a forage crop for ruminants, especially cattle. The purpose of our study was to determine methods to improve our selection of barley lines with superior forage value for ruminants. Data from the Western Cooperative Forage Barley Registration Test were used with permission of the Prairie Recommending Committee for Oat and Barley

Genetically engineered alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars with reduced lignin (RL) concentration are commercially available but their change in nutritive value as the crop matures within a growth cycle has not been thoroughly documented and might differ from non‐RL cultivars. This research documents changes in forage nutritive value of a RL cultivar (HarvXtra‐008) and two non‐RL cultivars (54R02

Multivariate analysis is a tool that breeders can use to compare populations and select genotypes for specific purposes. This study used principal component analysis to compare three intraspecific and three interspecific populations of Urochloa spp. based on insect resistance, agronomic, and seed production characteristics. This multivariate strategy exposed completely different profiles and important

Resistance to wheat spike blast (WSB), caused by the Magnaporthe oryzae triticum pathotype (MoT), has relied upon a single major source: the 2NvS translocation introgressed from the wild relative Aegilops ventricosa Tausch. However, this resistance is partial and recently partially overcome by newer MoT races. To characterize potential novel loci conferring resistance to WSB, we conducted a genome‐wide

This work demonstrates how priming durations affect high‐ and low‐vigor sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seeds and relate to the dynamics of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant systems against heat stress. Heat tolerance of high‐vigor seeds were enhanced when primed 3–6 h, and low‐vigor seeds were enhanced when primed 3–12 h. Priming at optimum duration led to increases in ascorbate peroxidase (APX)

The aims of this study were to investigate the genetic variability and the genotype × environment interaction for quality and yield traits in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), to evaluate the degree of informativeness of the evaluations of grain quality in only one environment, to estimate genetic parameters for grain quality traits, and to select lines with superior grain quality. We evaluated

The development and commercialization of extra‐early quality protein maize (QPM)–provitamin A (PVA) hybrids that are tolerant of low soil N (LN) and Striga resistant are essential for addressing the food insecurity and undernourishment challenges currently faced by sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). This study was designed (a) to determine the genetic effects regulating grain yield (GY) and important secondary

Better understanding of the genetic control of traits in breeding populations is crucial for the selection of superior varieties and parents. This study aimed to assess genetic parameters and breeding values for six essential traits in a white Guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.) breeding population. For this, pedigree‐based best linear unbiased prediction (P‐BLUP) was used. The results revealed

Solar radiation is an important environmental factor affecting maize (Zea mays L.) root and shoot growth and grain yield. This study was conducted in Qitai and Yinchuan, China, in 2018 and 2019. The maize cultivars of XY335, ZD958, and DH618 and planting densities of 7.5 × 104 (D1) and 12 × 104 plants ha−1 (D2) were adopted under shading levels of 15 (S1), 30 (S2), and 50% (S3) with natural light as

Genetic improvement in maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield is associated with improvements in dry matter accumulation during the grain‐filling period and the ability to maintain partitioning to the grain (i.e., harvest index) when grown at higher plant population densities. Although several attributes have been identified that lead to improved dry matter accumulation during the grain‐filling period, the

In order to facilitate the development of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) strains with colored fiber, the genetic and developmental control of flavonoids in fibers must be understood. The major goal of this study was to determine whether anthocyanidins accumulate in three different natural colored cotton fibers during their development, and to document the expression levels of flavonoid genes necessary

White maize is the new maize cultivar in Bangladesh. The country needs high yielding white maize variety for farmers’ cultivation. But, developing of such variety requires appropriate inbred lines. Here, nine F2 populations of white maize were evaluated through assessment of their genetic variability, heritability, and character association for selection of promising line based on yield and growth

The annual bluegrass weevil (ABW; Listronotus maculicollis Kirby) host preference for annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) is well‐documented, but ABW efficacy for annual bluegrass control in mixed turfgrass stands has not been researched. This study evaluated threshold‐based insecticide ABW control for annual bluegrass control in mixed species golf course fairway turfgrass. To investigate integrated pest

Common vetch (Vicia sativa subsp. sativa L.) is a self‐pollinating annual forage legume with high nutritional value. However, pod shattering can cause severe yield loss at maturity and therefore is a significant trait for crop improvement. Our previous studies indicated that the ventral suture is critical to pod shattering in common vetch. To better understand the anatomy of the ventral suture, we

In the desert oasis areas of Northwestern China, mulching treatments are an effective method for alleviating drought in agricultural production. Four mulching treatments of polyacrylamide (PAM), which is a water retention agent; plastic film; stones; and straw, plus an unmulched control treatment were used in the field to explore their influence on soil water content (SWC), soil temperature, the net

Genotype by environment interaction (GE) is a perennial problem in plant breeding and must be dealt with. Dealing with GE starts with differentiation of repeatable GE from unrepeatable GE in a target region. Repeatable GE can be utilized by dividing the target region into mega‐environments (ME) and breeding ME‐specific cultivars, and unrepeatable GE must be accommodated by testing adequately within

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) has been a globally important source of nutrition for human and animal diets for several thousand years. In the U.S.A., chickpeas are integral components of dryland agriculture systems throughout the Pacific Northwest and Northern Plains but seed rot and pre‐emergent damping‐off of chickpea caused by metalaxyl‐resistant isolates of Pythium ultimum Trow have emerged as

Exploiting genotype × environment interaction (GEI) by specific selection for well‐defined subregions could contribute to more productive and sustainable cropping systems. This case study aimed to verify this hypothesis by assessing actual genetic gains from phenotypic and genotypic selection for alfalfa biomass yield in two subregions of Northern Italy with contrasting GEI pattern (subregion A, featuring

In breeding programs, superior parental genotypes are used in crosses to generate novel genetic variability for new selection cycles. Genotypes are usually more adapted to environments where the breeding program is located, since selections are performed under specific agroecosystems. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of bermudagrasses (Cynodon Rich. species), St. Augustinegrass

Lodging is the major factor that determines whether pea can be mechanically harvested. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the relationship between stem mechanical parameters (diameter, stem wall thickness, stiffness [rigidity], and maximum self‐weight moment [stem strength]) and lodging in pea. Three years of data on stem mechanical parameters and two years of data on lodging resistance

This paper presents an extension to a heuristic method for phasing and imputation of genotypes of descendants in bi‐parental populations so that it can phase and impute genotypes of parents that are ungenotyped or partially genotyped. The imputed genotypes of the parent are used to impute low‐density (LD) genotyped descendants to high‐density (HD). The extension was implemented as part of the AlphaPlantImpute

Soybean reproductive structures are temperature sensitive, with a reproductive optimum of 22–24 °C. Currently, certain regions of the US soybean growing region (notably the Mississippi Delta) experience consistent late season drought stress, which has resulted in adoption of agronomic practices that favor earlier maturity groups planted earlier in the season. This approach is termed the Early Soybean

The objective of this study was to compare drought resistance in a range of seashore paspalum genotypes and identify associated morphological and physiological traits. Fifteen genotypes were grown in growth chamber conditions and exposed to well‐watered and drought stress treatments. Genotypes Seaisle1 and PI647891 were consistent top performers, whereas Seastar and PI614680 performed poorly as measured

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) is widely used because of its adaptation to recreational spaces in the Intermountain West and elsewhere. It is considered salt‐sensitive and therefore is a good candidate for breeding improvement for this trait. However, improvement in Kentucky bluegrass is difficult due to apomictic reproduction and dosage effects from high polyploidy. The objective of this study

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis genetically dissects complex traits, discerns their genetic control and genotype‐by‐environment interactions and ultimately helps marker development for assisted breeding selection. A mapping population of 124 F5:7 recombinant inbred lines derived from the cross of ‘TAM 112’/‘TAM 111’ was grown under seven diverse environments and evaluated for end‐use quality

Late leaf spot (LLS) disease caused by Nothopassalora personata (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) U. Braun, C. Nakash, Videira & Crous is prevalent among pathogens encountered in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) growing regions. Chemical control is expensive, sometimes inaccessible, and can be difficult to apply. One effective solution to control this disease is the deployment of resistant cultivars. IAC 322 is a

Developing nutrient‐rich crop cultivars is the most economic strategy to combat malnutrition resulting from protein and mineral deficiencies. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important staple grain legume source of good quality dietary protein around the world, particularly in southern Asia, northern Africa, and the Middle East. In the present investigation, the genetic variability for protein and