Crops doi: 10.3390/crops4020019

Authors: Risalvo F. Oliveira Alexandre F. Perazzo Douglas dos S. Pina Henry D. R. Alba Vagner M. Leite Manoel M. dos Santos Edson M. Santos Luiz E. C. de A. Sobrinho Ricardo L. S. Pinheiro Elielson L. Aquino Gleidson G. P. de Carvalho

The aim of this study was to evaluate the productive potential, chemical composition, and fermentation profile of 24 genotypes of forage sorghum after ensiling. For this agronomic evaluation, a completely randomized block design with six replicates and twenty-four treatments was employed. Genotype 5 had the highest dry matter (DM) yield of 22.24 t/ha. The plant DM content ranged (p < 0.001) from 271.8 g/kg of fresh matter (FM) in genotype 9 to 330.0 g/kg FM in genotype 3, averaging 302.9 g/kg FM. The crude protein and non-fibrous carbohydrates differed significantly (p < 0.001) in the evaluated silages, with mean values of 61.0 and 275.3 g/kg DM, respectively. The pH of the sorghum silages also differed (p < 0.001), despite having an average of 3.94, with values ranging from 3.68 to 4.27. No changes were observed (p > 0.05) for the dry matter recovery of the sorghum genotype silages, which averaged at 853.9 g/kg FM. In the present study, genotype 5 resulted in being the most recommended genotype because it demonstrated a higher yield and higher nutritional value in both its fresh form and its ensiled form; had the lowest losses; and showed an ideal dry matter recovery after ensiling of 880 g/kg.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops4020018

Authors: Amjad A. Ahmad Theodore J. K. Radovich Jari Sugano Koon-Hui Wang Hue V. Nguyen Jensen Uyeda Sharon Wages Kylie Tavares Emilie Kirk Michael Kantar

Hawaii is known for its diverse micro-climates, making the evaluation of varieties at different locations an important strategy to determine the best varieties for each climate zone. Demand for dry beans in Hawaii has been rising due to the increase in production of value-added goods made from legumes. Initial field trials in 2017 were conducted to determine the best sowing date for dry beans in Hawaii since there were no previous such determinations. Field trials were conducted between 2018 and 2021 to evaluate 24 varieties of chickpea (Cicer arietinum), 21 varieties of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), and 10 varieties of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) for their suitability and yield variability under Hawaii’s micro-climates. Preliminary sowing date trials were conducted in 2017, and a variety of trials were conducted between 2018 and 2021; seven field trials were conducted, including two in each of Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii County, and one in Kauai County. The trials were conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. For all the study sites, 20-20-20 NPK fertilizer was applied at 30, 13, and 25 kg/ha N-P-K, respectively. A drip irrigation system was used in all locations as supplemental irrigation. Irrigation was used when needed and turned off 2 weeks prior to harvest. The results showed highly significant (p < 0.01) differences in yield between the varieties of each legume crop. Highly significant (p < 0.01) differences in yield were also found between the study locations. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decline in yield by 28% and 45% in chickpea and by 32% and 43% in common bean when planted 1 and 2 months, respectively, after the optimal mid-February planting on Oahu and Maui County. A decline of 21% and 50% in chickpea and 30 and 48% in common bean was recorded when planted 1 and 2 months, respectively, after the optimal mid-March planting in Hawaii County. The study results lead to developing site-specific recommendations for varieties and planting dates from each of the legume crops for each county. However, more studies are needed to develop site-specific recommendations for the micro-climates within each county.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops4020017

Authors: Selvaraja Kaushalya Shamila Shashi S. Udumann Nuwandhya S. Dissanayaka Kowshalya Rajaratnam Anjana J. Atapattu

Sustainable soil fertility management is crucial for enhancing productivity in coconut plantations. This study investigated the synergistic effects of king coconut husk (KCH) ash, biochar, and chemical fertilizers on soil properties in a coconut plantation over a short period (4 months). Six treatments were applied: control, chemical fertilizers alone (F), fertilizers with ash (FA), fertilizers with biochar (FB), fertilizers with both ash and biochar (FAB), and fertilizers with half ash and biochar (FA1/2B). Strongly alkaline KCH ash contained significantly higher total and available potassium content levels than mildly alkaline biochar. Data indicated that KCH ash significantly enhanced soil available potassium, electrical conductivity, and organic carbon content compared to the control and F treatments over a short-term period. Even though biochar application demonstrated initial improvements in soil moisture content, a longer study duration may be required to evaluate its influence on other soil parameters comprehensively. Highlighting the synergistic benefits of KCH ash and biochar, FA1/2B treatment exhibited the highest combined index score based on physical, biological, and chemical soil indicators, suggesting its potential for optimizing agricultural outcomes. It emerged as the most promising approach, underscoring the value of exploring sustainable soil amendments derived from agricultural waste streams to promote soil fertility and sustainable coconut production.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops4020016

Authors: Philippe Solano Toledo Silva Nayara Siviero Garcia Fernando Shintate Galindo Orivaldo Arf Thiago Assis Rodrigues Nogueira Arun Dilipkumar Jani Ana Maria Rodrigues Cassiolato

Large quantities of cover crop residues in the soil, combined, or not, with the inoculation of seeds with diazotrophic bacteria, can increase organic matter (OM) and protect soil microorganisms, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi. Thus, the use of these sustainable biotechnologies can benefit microbial interactions, soil fertility and rice production in the Brazilian Cerrado region. In this study, we evaluated the effects of maize and Urochloa ruziziensis, intercropped or individually, as cover crops and an inoculation of Azospirillum brasilense on the chemical (fertility) and biological (C–microbial biomass and C–CO2 released) attributes of soil and the effects of root colonization by AMF and DSE on the yield of rice grown in succession in highlands. The experiment was conducted under field conditions, in a typical dystrophic Red Oxisol. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks arranged in strips, incorporating a combination of eight residual cover crops: ((1) maize, (2) maize–I (I = inoculation of seeds with A. brasilense), (3) Urochloa (U. ruziziensis), (4) Urochloa–I, (5) maize + Urochloa–I, (6) maize + Urochloa–I, (7) maize–I + Urochloa and (8) maize–I + Urochloa–I). This was accompanied by two treatments of rice as a successor crop (inoculated or not with A. brasilense), with four replicates, totaling 64 experimental units. A cover crop and rice seed inoculation prompted increases in OM and AMF relative to DSE, while the inoculation of rice, regardless of the cover crop treatment, increased the soil’s P content. The combination of maize + Urochloa–I and inoculated rice as the next crop generated increases in its sum of bases (SBs) and cation exchange capacity (CEC). There was a 19% increase in rice grain yields when the seed was inoculated.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops4020015

Authors: Sara A. E. Babiker Mohammed A. M. Khair Abdelraheem A. Ali Mohamoud A. M. Abdallah Asim M. E. Hagelhassan Eltahir I. Mohamed Nasrein M. Kamal Hisashi Tsujimoto Izzat S. A. Tahir

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is a subtropical grain and forage crop. It is privileged with several desirable forage attributes. Nevertheless, research on pearl millet is limited, especially as a forage crop, in developing countries. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to investigate the field performance and stability of pearl millet genotypes for forage yield across seven environments. The study was conducted in seven environments (combination of locations and seasons) during the 2016/2017–2018/2019 seasons. Twenty-five pearl millet genotypes, selected based on forage yield from a core collection of 200 accessions, were arranged in an alpha lattice design with three replications. The parameters measured were fresh forage yield, days to flowering, plant height, number of culms m−2, leaf-to-stem ratio, and stem girth. The combined analysis revealed that environments, genotypes, and their interaction had significant effects on all traits studied except the genotypic effect on stem girth. Across the seven environments, four genotypes (G14, G01, G12, and G22) outyielded the check genotype in fresh matter yield by 20.7, 16.5, 11.0 and 9.8%, respectively. The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis showed that the genotype, environment, and their interaction were highly significant (p ≤ 0.001) for fresh matter yield. The results of AMMI stability values (ASVs) and the genotype selection index (GSI) combined with the AMMI estimate-based selection showed that genotypes G14, G22 and G01 were the most stable and adapted genotypes and were superior to the check genotype. These results indicate that forage pearl millet varieties could be developed directly through evaluating the wealth of available collections or indirectly through hybridization in crop breeding programs.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops4020014

Authors: Alok Singh Devendra Kumar Donato Gemmati Ranjith Ellur Ashutosh Singh Veronica Tisato Devendra Dwivedi Sanjay Singh Kishor Kumar Nawaz Khan Ajay Singh

Genetic variability in rice breeding programs plays a very crucial role. It provides an outstanding pool of superior alleles governing better agronomic and quality characters through association mapping. For a greater understanding of population structure, the genetic relationship among different rice lines is indispensable prior to the setting of a correlation among dynamic alleles and traits. In the present investigation, the genetic diversity and population structure of 116 rice accessions were studied to understand genetic relatedness and diversity among them using 64 polymorphic SSR markers. A genotyping assessment based on SSR markers revealed a total of 225 alleles, with an average PIC value of 0.755. The germplasm lines were classified into three distinct subgroups through population structure analysis, utilizing both model- and distance-based approaches. AMOVA analysis showed that 11% of the total variation could be attributed to differences between groups, while the remaining 89% was likely due to differences within groups. This study suggested that population structure and genetic relatedness should be considered to establish marker–trait associations for association mapping when working with the core collection of germplasm lines.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops4020013

Authors: Guiee N. López-Castillo Arnoldo Wong-Villareal Judith Castellanos-Moguel Gilberto Vela Correa Sandra L. Cabrera-Hilerio Mariana Miranda-Arámbula Alan Carrasco-Carballo Jesús Sandoval-Ramírez

The search for new plant growth regulators is a cornerstone of agricultural research; however, laboratory studies rarely go on to be evaluated in the field. This is because greater production is required, as well as longer studies. Particularly, brassinosteroids present these difficulties, and although they have been evaluated in crops with good results, their high production cost gives rise to the search for new alternatives. 22-Oxocholestanes such as SPGP4, previously used in silico and in vitro studies, have shown great potential, so their evaluation in crops grown from native seeds from the study region becomes of interest. Based on these data, SPGP4 was evaluated under crop conditions in three agricultural plots located on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec region, Oaxaca, México. The seeds were treated with a 0.5 mg/L aqueous solution of the 22-Oxocholestane compound SPGP4 by imbibition one night before sown. Later, 45 days after sowing, a solution of 0.5 mg/L at a rate of 200 L per hectare was applied. At the production level, the bean harvest showed an increase in the range of 21.0–38.1%, and the corn harvest increased between 22 and 32%. In addition, the latter also demonstrated an increase in biomass production, given the increase in diameter and height observed in the corn plant. This indicates that SPGP4 functions as a regulator of plant growth at the crop level to increase both seed and biomass production.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops4020012

Authors: Ezekiel Ahn Sunchung Park Zhenbin Hu Vishnutej Ellur Minhyeok Cha Yoonjung Lee Louis K. Prom Clint Magill

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) ranks fifth as the most crucial cereal crop globally, yet its seed morphology remains relatively unexplored. This study investigated seed morphology in sorghum based on 115 mini-core and 130 Senegalese germplasms. Eight seed morphology traits encompassing size, shape, and color parameters were assessed. Statistical analyses explored potential associations between these traits and resistance to three major sorghum diseases: anthracnose, head smut, and downy mildew. Furthermore, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were conducted using phenotypic data from over 24,000 seeds and over 290,000 publicly available single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) through the Genome Association and Prediction Integrated Tool (GAPIT) R package. Significant SNPs associated with various seed morphology traits were identified and mapped onto the reference sorghum genome to identify novel candidate defense genes.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops4020011

Authors: Swarup Podder Sanaz Shafian Wade E. Thomason T. Bain Wilson John H. Fike

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) holds promise as a crop for more sustainable supply chains given its potential as a source of high-strength fibers, adsorbents, and nutrient-dense feedstuffs. Developing nutrient management guidelines for hemp will be an important part of optimizing the crop’s sustainability attributes. This study measured hemp seed yield in response to N fertilization rate (0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 kg N ha−1). Treatments were tested with four hemp cultivars (‘Joey’ and ‘Grandi’ in 2020, 2021, and 2022 and ‘NWG 2463’ and ‘NWG 4113’ in 2023) in Virginia. Nitrogen input influenced (p ≤ 0.0177) seed yield in all four experimental years, although the pattern of response varied substantially. In 2020, following delayed seeding, hemp showed a weak quadratic (p = 0.0113) response to N inputs, with peak yield (1640 kg ha−1) occurring with 120 kg N ha−1. In 2021, hemp displayed a strong linear (p < 0.0001) response to N inputs, with the highest seed yield (2510 kg ha−1) at 240 kg N ha−1. In 2022, a season characterized by low precipitation and high weed pressure, a weak, linear (p = 0.0111) response to the N rate was observed. The greatest seed yield (380 kg ha−1) was again observed with 240 kg N ha−1. In 2023, weed pressure remained an issue, but the response to N was strong and linear (p < 0.0001), with the greatest seed yield (831 kg ha−1) again measured at 240 kg N ha−1. These findings indicate hemp can be quite responsive to N inputs but that the magnitude of response is sensitive to other factors such as available soil moisture, weed pressure, and growing period.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops4020010

Authors: Iris Vogeler Uttam Kumar Leif Knudsen Elly M. Hansen Val Snow Ingrid K. Thomsen

The determination of optimum nitrogen (N) fertilisation rates, which maximise yields and minimise N losses, remains problematic due to unknown upcoming crop requirements and near-future supply by the soil. Remote sensing can be used for determining the crop N status and to assess the spatial variability within a field or between fields. This can be used to improve N fertilisation, provided that the optimal fertilisation rate at the time of fertiliser application for an expected yield is known. Using the APSIM-wheat model, we developed an algorithm that relates the N status of the plants at early development stages to the yield response to N. Simulations were performed for winter wheat under growth conditions in Denmark. To obtain a range of different N status in the biomass at early growth stages, the soil N in autumn was varied from 20 to 180 kg N ha−1, and at BBCH23, fertiliser was applied at a rate of 50 kg N ha−1. In a full factorial setup, additional N fertiliser was applied ranging from 0 to 150 kg N ha−1 during three different development stages (BBCH30, 32, and 37). The algorithm was evaluated by comparing model outputs with a standard N application of 50 kg N ha−1 at BBCH23 and 150 kg N ha−1 at BBCH30. The evaluation showed that, depending on the N status of the soil, the algorithm either provided higher or lower optimal N fertilisation rates when targeting 95% of the maximum yield, and these affected the grain yield and the grain N, as well as the amount of N leaching. Split application of fertiliser into three applications was generally beneficial, with decreased product-related N leaching of up to nearly 30%. Further testing of the model under different environmental conditions is needed before such an algorithm can be used to guide N fertilisation.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops4020009

Authors: María V. Brenes Fuentes Muditha K. Heenkenda Tarlok S. Sahota Laura Segura Serrano

Remote sensing technology currently facilitates the monitoring of crop development, enabling detailed analysis and monitoring throughout the crop’s growing stages. This research analyzed the winter wheat growth dynamics of experimental plots at the Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station, Thunder Bay, Canada using high spatial and temporal resolution remote sensing images. The spectral signatures for five growing stages were prepared. NIR reflectance increased during the growing stages and decreased at the senescence, indicating healthy vegetation. The space–time cube provided valuable insight into how canopy height changed over time. The effect of nitrogen treatments on wheat did not directly influence the plant count (spring/autumn), and height and volume at maturity. However, the green and dry weights were different at several treatments. Winter wheat yield was predicted using the XGBoost algorithm, and moderate results were obtained. The study explored different techniques for analyzing winter wheat growth dynamics and identified their usefulness in smart agriculture.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops4010008

Authors: Dhanuja N. Abeysingha Harleen K. Dhaliwal Lihui Du Chathuranga De Silva Krzysztof Szczyglowski M. S. Roopesh Malinda S. Thilakarathna

The use of cold plasma (CP) seed treatment is an emerging agricultural technology that exhibits the potential to enhance nodulation and symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) in legumes. CP is composed of a diverse mixture of excited atoms, molecules, ions, and radicals that have the potential to affect the physical properties of the seed and influence gene expressions that could have a lasting impact on the nodulation, SNF, growth, and yield of legumes. The direct participation of the CP in the nodulation process and its correlation with the escalation of nodules and SNF is still not fully understood. This review discussed four areas in the nodulation and SNF process that can directly or indirectly affect CP seed treatments: root–rhizobia signal exchange pathways, root/shoot growth and development, phytohormone production, and the nitrogen fixation process. We also discuss the potential challenges and future research requirements associated with plasma technology to enhance SNF in legumes.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops4010007

Authors: Abdul Basir Turabi Safiullah Habibi Kifayatullah Kakar Shafiqullah Aryan Mohammad Daud Haidari Sabqatullah Alipour

The excess application of chemical fertilizer contributes to environmental pollution. Therefore, this study aims to explore the integrated use of animal manure and chemical fertilizer to identify a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to nitrogen fertilizer. Two experiments were conducted in 2018 and 2019 at Kabul University, Afghanistan, using an LD04-13265 soybean variety. The integration of animal manure and chemical fertilizer was categorized into six treatments: (1) control (no fertilizer), (2) animal manure low dose (AMLD), (3) animal manure high dose (AMHD), (4) chemical fertilizer (CF), (5) CF 50% + AMLD, and (6) CF 75% + AMLD. The results revealed that AMHD and its integration with 75% chemical fertilizer greatly influenced the vegetative growth of soybean plants in experiments I and II. The number of pods per plant and pod length significantly (p < 0.05) increased under the CF 75% + AMLD treatment. In experiment I, soybean yield increased the most with the CF treatment, followed by CF 75% + AMLD. In contrast, in experiment II, the highest yield per hectare was observed in the CF 75% + AMLD treatment, followed by CF. The CF 75% + AMLD treatment significantly increased the SPAD value in both experiments. Consequently, a strong relationship was observed between the SPAD value and yield (r = 0.74) in experiment I and between SPAD and pod length (r = 0.82) in experiment II. Incorporating animal manure with chemical fertilizer significantly impacted soybean growth and yield, offering a potential possibility for reducing reliance on nitrogen fertilizer application to mitigate environmental pollution.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops4010006

Authors: Safiullah Pathan Grato Ndunguru Addissu G. Ayele

The nutritional composition of different parts of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), such as sprouts, green leaves, and grains, have previously been studied in detail. This study aimed to compare the nutritional values of quinoa inflorescences against those of quinoa leaves and grains. The assessment of nutritional composition includes crude protein, crude fat, fiber, ash, carbohydrates, essential amino acids, and minerals. The proximate analysis showed that on a dry weight (DW) basis, quinoa inflorescences contain higher amounts of protein, fiber, all essential amino acids, and minerals when compared to quinoa grains. However, quinoa green leaves have higher protein and fat contents than quinoa inflorescences, while retaining all essential amino acids and minerals. Inflorescences possess a higher fiber content and a lower fat content than green leaves and grains do. In this study, nutritional assessments of inflorescences typically ranked in the middle when compared to those of green leaves and grains. These findings emphasize the nutritional potential of quinoa inflorescences as prospective ingredients to develop healthy foods and supplements that provide health benefits beyond basic nutritional functions. Nevertheless, additional research is essential to confirm and substantiate these results.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops4010005

Authors: Thathmini D. Kularatna Norman Q. Arancon Jesse A. Eiben

Alocasia macrorrhiza and Cyrtosperma merkusii are root crops in the family Araceae that have the potential to be grown as fodder plants in Hawai‘i. This research focused on growing C. merkusii and two varieties (Laufola and Faitama) of A. macrorrhiza to evaluate their growth and yield. A randomized complete block design was used to set up two growth trials in 2018 and 2019. Varieties were grown in pots in the first trial and directly on the ground in the second trial. Plant growth was measured weekly by the plant height and leaf area of the main plants. The weights of the leaf blades, petioles, and stems were taken as the yield. Lateral plants and their weights were also measured. The yield data at harvest were statistically analyzed with a one-way ANOVA in PROC GLM, and means were separated using a Post-hoc test, Least Significant Difference, at 5%. The influence of plant height, leaf area, number of leaves produced by main plants, number of lateral plants, and their total weight on yield were analyzed by Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The growth and yield of plants in the second trial were generally superior to those in the first trial, in which the Laufola variety had the highest growth increase in height and leaf area, followed by Faitama. Those varieties of A. macrorrhiza also had the highest yields. The Laufola variety had the greatest average yield, in kg/ha estimates of the stem (54,896 kg/ha), petiole (99,647 kg/ha), and leaf blades (25,563 kg/ha). Plant height, leaf area, and the number of leaves produced by the main plants had a strong positive influence on the yields. Laufola and Faitama varieties have better potential to be grown in Hilo, Hawai‘i.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops4010004

Authors: Shimaila Ali Bernard R. Glick

Exuded plant metabolites play an important role in fostering beneficial interactions with the surrounding soil microbiota, thereby helping plants to better adjust to changing environmental conditions. These metabolites act as signals to attract or enhance the colonization of plant roots with specific groups of beneficial microbes and they modulate the dynamics of plant–microbe interactions in fulfilling plant niche-based requirements, directly and/or indirectly. This review emphasizes the expression, levels, modes of action, and net effects of the signaling metabolites that help food crop plants to become colonized by microbes that promote plant growth and development under periods of biotic stress.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops4010003

Authors: Karla I. Hernández-Figueroa Esteban Sánchez Carlos A. Ramírez-Estrada Julio C. Anchondo-Páez Damaris L. Ojeda-Barrios Sandra Pérez-Álvarez

Water stress is one of the main factors affecting the development of agricultural crops. An innovative alternative to improve tolerance to water stress is the application of biostimulants. In the present study, the efficacy and physiological and biochemical responses of different biostimulants were evaluated in beans under moderate and severe stress. The treatments consisted of three types of irrigation: FC100, without water stress; FC75, irrigation reduced by 25% (moderate water stress); and FC50, irrigation reduced by 50% (severe water stress). In the treatments with water deficits, foliar biostimulants were applied: zinc oxide nanoparticles plus chitosan, Codasil®, Osmoplant®, Stimplex® and salicylic acid. Foliar application of ZnO + chitosan nanoparticles benefited biomass accumulation and yield under moderate water stress (FC75) and Codasil® and Osmoplant® under severe water stress (FC50). Proline, free sugars and gas exchange were higher with the application of ZnO + chitosan nanoparticles under moderate water stress and with Codasil® and Osmoplant® under severe water stress. Depending on the severity of water stress, ZnO + chitosan nanoparticles, Codasil® and Osmoplant® are viable products to increase tolerance in green bean cv. Strike plants.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops4010002

Authors: Endalkachew Mengistie Norbert Bokros Seth DeBolt Armando G. McDonald

Stalk lodging contributes to significant crop yield losses. Therefore, understanding the biomechanical strength and structural rigidity of grain stalks can contribute to improving stalk lodging resistance in crops. From the structural constituents of the stalk, the rind provides the principal structure, supporting cells against tension and bending loads. In this work, the biomechanical and viscoelastic behavior of the rind from the internodes of two sweet sorghum varieties (Della and REDforGREEN (RG)), grown in two different growing seasons, were evaluated by three-point micro-bending tests using a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). In addition, the chemical composition of rinds and the microfibril angle (MFA) of the cell wall were determined using XRD. The results revealed that the biomechanical behavior of Della varieties was stiffer and more resistant to loads than that of RG varieties. Two features of the rind biomechanical properties, flexural modulus (FM) and flexural strength (FS), showed a significant reduction for RG. Particularly, a reduction in FS of 16–37% and in FM of 22–41% were detected for RG1. Changes in the stalks’ rind biomechanical properties were attributed to cell wall components. Total lignin and glucan/cellulose contents were positively correlated with the FM and FS of the rind. Subsequently, an increase in the two cell wall components drove an increase in stiffness. Furthermore, the MFA of the rind was also found to influence the rind strength.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops4010001

Authors: Kenneth J. Moore

It has been two years since the inaugural issue of Crops was published [...]

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3040029

Authors: Jay Gillenwater Rouf Mian Mia Cunicelli Brant McNeece Earl Taliercio

In current markets, the primary uses for soybean seeds are in products derived from their oil or protein content. However, growers are compensated based on seed yield, so a more valuable crop is one that does not compromise on yield when compared with existing options, with an optimum combination of protein and oil. A negative correlation of seed protein with seed yield and oil makes the simultaneous improvement of these traits difficult but not impossible through conventional breeding. Selections of lines with exceptional yield and seed composition were made from two recombinant inbred line (RIL) soybean mapping populations to identify high protein and/or high oil lines with yields comparable to elite cultivars. The performance of these RILs was evaluated in multiple environments, and several genotypes were identified with yields comparable to those of high-yielding check cultivars with seed protein and/or oil content superior to the checks. These genotypes will provide breeders with additional sources of germplasm for continuing efforts to improve seed composition traits without compromising seed yield and provide growers with more profitable cultivars.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3040028

Authors: Binod Gyawali Steven R. Scofield Mohsen Mohammadi

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating fungal disease of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum). Several genetic loci were previously identified that control FHB resistance in wheat, including Fhb1. Fhb7, a major QTL conferring resistance to FHB, controlling for mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) production, has been introgressed into soft red winter wheat (SRWW). As an exotic QTL, Fhb7 is associated with linkage drag, affecting agronomic and end-use quality performance. This study outlines a breeding strategy for introducing and pyramiding Fhb7 into SRWW breeding populations that already possessed Fhb1 and harbored some additional disease-resistance genes. In addition to the Fhb1-Fhb7 pyramiding, we developed gene-based markers for both genes and examined them on 57 SRWW breeding lines. Our data showed that 15 out of 57 breeding lines possessed both Fhb1 and Fhb7 resistant alleles. Two years of phenotypic data from the inoculated and misted irrigation field showed that the combination of Fhb1-Fhb7 lowers mycotoxin DON accumulation in kernels, which provides protection for end-users and the milling industry. The Fhb gene-pyramided lines, with the additional regionally important disease resistance genes, produced in this breeding pipeline showed reasonable agronomic traits and can be used in crossing programs for the widespread introgression in elite wheat cultivars.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3040027

Authors: Katherine Pere Kenneth Mburu Edward K. Muge John Maina Wagacha Evans N. Nyaboga

Plants of the genus Physalis are of economic interest because of their fleshy edible fruits with high nutritional value. Some species have high medicinal value with a long history of ethno-medicinal use to treat diverse diseases. There is therefore a need to correctly discriminate the different species of Physalis for proper utilization. Although most Physalis species have unique morphologies, their vegetative stages are identical, making it difficult to accurately identify them based on morphological characteristics. DNA barcoding has the potential to discriminate species accurately. In this study, ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase large (rbcL) and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) regions were used to discriminate Physalis species and to reveal their phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity. Physalis plant samples were collected from seven counties in Kenya based on the availability of the germplasm. The voucher specimens were identified using the botanical taxonomy method and were deposited in the University of Nairobi herbarium. Genomic DNA was isolated from leaf samples of 64 Physalis accessions and used for PCR amplification and the sequencing of rbcL and ITS2 barcode regions. The discriminatory ability of the barcodes was based on BLASTn comparison, phylogenetic reconstruction and cluster analysis, and the determination of inter- and intra-specific distances. The nucleotide polymorphism, genetic diversity and distance of the identified Physalis species were determined using DnaSP and MEGA 11.0 software. Species discrimination was more robust using ITS2 sequences. The species identified and discriminated by ITS2 sequences were Physalis purpurea, Physalis peruviana and Physalis cordata. The rbcL sequences were only able to identify Physalis to the genus level. There was high interspecific and low intraspecific divergence within the identified Physalis species based on ITS2 sequences. The ITS2 barcode is an ideal DNA barcode for use in the discrimination of species, as well as in genetic diversity studies of Physalis accessions in Kenya.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3040026

Authors: Ali Ahsan Bajwa Ahmad Nawaz Muhammad Farooq Bhagirath Singh Chauhan Steve Adkins

Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) is an emerging production constraint in many summer crops including sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench), but limited control options are available. In this field study, the efficacy of sole and sequential applications of a pre-emergence (pendimethalin) and a post-emergence (bromoxynil) herbicide was evaluated for parthenium weed control in grain sorghum over two years. Pendimethalin or bromoxynil alone could only provide 54% and 63% control, whereas their sequential application provided 86% control of parthenium weed over the weedy treatment. The sorghum plants in pendimethalin followed by bromoxynil treatment had the highest leaf fresh weight per plant, plant dry biomass, plant height, and the number of heads among the herbicide treatments. Sorghum fresh forage yield, dry fodder yield, 1000-grain weight, and grain yield were highest in the weed-free treatment followed by the pendimethalin followed by (fb) bromoxynil treatment. Overall, the herbicide treatment performance was in an order of pendimethalin fb bromoxynil > bromoxynil > pendimethalin for weed control and sorghum yield improvement. These results suggest that pendimethalin followed by bromoxynil may provide acceptable control (>85%) of parthenium weed and may improve sorghum grain yield (up to 23%).

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3040025

Authors: Jesse Potts Sumit Jangra Vincent N. Michael Xingbo Wu

Amid a rapidly growing global population and increasing threats to crop yields, this review focuses on Speed Breeding (SB) in crop genetics. It traces SB’s development from carbon arc lamp experiments 150 years ago to its modern use with LED technology which significantly accelerates breeding cycles. SB has applications in genetic mapping, genetic modification, and trait stacking, enhancing crop resilience by leveraging allelic diversity. It aligns well with breeding methods like single plant selection and single seed descent. The integration of SB with gene editing, genotyping, and genomic selection holds great promise. However, SB faces challenges related to infrastructure, genotypic variations, and potential stress responses. In summary, SB is a powerful and promising approach to address food security concerns and advancing crop genetics.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3040024

Authors: Leonard M. Lauriault Murali K. Darapuneni Gasper K. Martinez

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) are well-adapted to semiarid regions. A two-year study at New Mexico State University’s Rex E. Kirksey Agricultural Science Center at Tucumcari, NM, USA, compared monoculture pearl millet and cowpea with their mixtures in various row arrangements in four randomized complete blocks each year. Treatments included monoculture pearl millet (millet) and cowpea (cowpea), pearl millet and cowpea mixture planted in the same row (millet–cowpea), the species planted in alternate rows (millet–cowpea 1:1), the species planted in two adjacent rows alternating between species (millet–cowpea 2:2), and the species planted in four adjacent rows alternating between species (millet–cowpea 4:4), Mixture neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was reduced i millet–cowpea 1:1 and millet–cowpea 2:2 compared to millet (673, 662, 644, 646, and 666 g NDF kg−1 for millet, millet–cowpea, millet–cowpea 1:1, millet–cowpea 2:2, and millet–cowpea 4:4, respectively, LSD = 18, p ≤ 0.05). Crude protein tended to be increased in millet–cowpea 2:2. Based on these results two rows of cowpea alternated with two rows of pearl millet, all spaced at 15 cm and harvesting for hay at the pearl millet boot stage likely optimizes the compromise of DM yield and the nutritive value of the mixture.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3040023

Authors: Jolyon Dodgson Anna K. Weston David J. Marks

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) had almost 190 million tonnes produced in 2021. Tomato fruit suffer losses of up to 50% during harvest and transport, which causes financial hardship, reduces the amount of food available and causes environmental harm. Calcium plays an important role in cell wall strength. This work assessed the use of a calcium transport stimulant (MCAS) to increase the firmness of tomato fruit in the laboratory and the foliar application to tomato plants. Then, handling damage was simulated. In the laboratory, the calcium with MCAS significantly increased the fruit firmness compared to the untreated and calcium without MCAS, which were not significantly different. When calcium with MCAS was applied to tomato plants foliarly before harvest, the calcium with MCAS-treated fruit were significantly firmer than the untreated or calcium without MCAS-treated fruit for up to 10 weeks after harvest, and this was achieved by applying only 0.91 kg ha−1 calcium. Finally, when fruit were exposed to a simulated drop, the calcium with MCAS-treated fruit remained firmer than the undamaged fruit or dropped fruit with calcium without MCAS. Calcium with MCAS could significantly increase the fruit firmness and increase the shelf-life of tomatoes while applying less calcium.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3030022

Authors: Chad Hayes Yves Emendack Jacobo Sanchez John Burke N. Ace Pugh Zhanguo Xin William Rooney

Post-flowering drought tolerance (stay-green) in grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is an important agronomic trait in many arid and semiarid environments throughout the world. Stay-green has been associated with increased grain yields, as well as resistance to lodging and charcoal rot disease. Nonetheless, the relative effects of genotype, environment, and genotype × environment interactions are not well understood for this trait; similarly, the relationship between various leaf sugars and stay-green has not been sufficiently evaluated in diverse germplasm. Thus, the goals of this study were to determine the genotype, environment, and genotype by environment (GxE) effects for leaf dhurrin, sugars, and stay-green in ten diverse grain sorghum breeding lines, to evaluate the Pearson’s correlation coefficients (r) between these traits, and to determine entry-mean repeatability (R) for each of these traits. Of the compositional traits studied, we determined that leaf dhurrin had the highest correlation with the stay-green phenotypes (r = −0.62). We found that stay-green sorghum lines contained approximately 2–3 times as much dhurrin as non-stay-green lines, with B1778 containing the highest concentration of dhurrin (84.8 µg/cm2) and Tx7000 containing the least (20.9 µg/cm2). The differences between the environments for several of the traits were high, and all the traits examined had high repeatability (R = 0.89–0.92). These data demonstrate a relationship between leaf dhurrin and the stay-green phenotypes in sorghum, and further study will allow researchers to determine the causal effect that dhurrin has on post-flowering drought tolerance in sorghum.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3030021

Authors: Muhammad Shaukat Aaron Kinyu Hoshide Sher Muhammad Irshad Ahmad Arshad Muhammad Mushtaq Daniel Carneiro de Abreu

Several biogeochemical models have been applied to understand the potential effects of management practices on soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, crop growth, and yield. In this study, the denitrification and decomposition (DNDC) model was used to simulate soil SOC dynamics and harvested C-biomass in rice–wheat rotation under organic/inorganic fertilization with conventional tillage (CT) and reduced tillage (RT). Before calibration, DNDC underpredicted harvestable grain C-biomass of rice where percent difference (PD) varied from 29.22% to 42.14%, and over-simulated grain C-biomass of wheat where PD was −55.01% with 50% nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (NPK) and 50% animal manure applied under the CT treatment. However, after calibration by adjusting default values of soil and crop parameters, DNDC simulated harvestable grain C-biomass of both crops very close to observed values (e.g., average PD ranged from −2.81% to −6.17%). DNDC also predicted the effects of nutrient management practices on grain C-biomass of rice/wheat under CT/RT using d-index (0.76 to 0.96) and the calculated root mean squared error (RMSE of 165.36 to 494.18 kg C ha−1). DNDC simulated SOC trends for rice–wheat using measured values of several statistical indices. Regression analysis between modeled and observed SOC dynamics was significant with R2 ranging from 0.35 to 0.46 (p < 0.01), and intercept ranging from 0.30 to 1.34 (p < 0.65). DNDC demonstrated that combined inorganic and organic fertilization may result in higher C-biomass and more SOC sequestration in rice–wheat systems.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3030020

Authors: ThankGod Oche Ogwuche Mercy Elohor Diebiru-Ojo Adetoro Najimu Chukwunalu Okolie Ossai Ukoabasi Ekanem Bidemi Adegbite Gideon Oyebode Peter Kulakow

Cassava fresh root yield and dry matter content constitute major determinants of demand by end-users. Increased demand for the seeds of improved varieties will facilitate the development of a sustainable seed system. However, for wide acceptability, there is a need to continuously evaluate candidate varieties for stability across different agroecological zones. Participatory Demand Creation Trials (DCTs) were established to evaluate cassava varieties with farmers and processors utilizing the best agronomic practices. The multi-year DCTs were conducted in 20 environments (7 locations) during the 2016–2017, 2017–2018, 2018–2019, and 2019/2020 cropping seasons with two replications. The plot sizes were 320 m2 with a spacing of 1 m × 0.8 m. The traits evaluated were Plant Vigor (PV), root number, fresh yield, dry yield, Dry Matter Content (DMC), and bundle estimation. The traits were subjected to a GGE biplot in R software to identify high-yielding and stable genotypes. Results obtained from the 20 environments showed that genotype (G), environment (E), and GXE interaction effects were significant (p < 0.01) for all the traits but PV. The heritability ranged from 56% (PV) to 96% (DMC). The average fresh yield t/ha ranged from 25.5 (IBA30572) to 35.4 (IBA980505). The DMC ranged from CR36/5 (36.1%) to IBA010040 (30.7%). The dry yield ranged from 8.8% (IBA30572) to 11.4 (IBA980505). Estimated bundles ranged from 13.5 (CR36-5) to 15.7 (IBA950289). Three varieties, IBA961632, TMEB419, and CR36/5, were identified as the most promising high dry matter content varieties for cassava processors and farmers in Nigeria, and genotype IBA961632 was the most stable. The study revealed greater genotypic effects than from the environment and high genetic advances.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3030019

Authors: Mahira Al Zadjali Mojgan Rabiey Vanessa McMillan Liz J. Shaw Kim Hammond-Kosack Jacob G. Malone Tim H. Mauchline Robert W. Jackson

Wheat, the world’s most widely cultivated crop, is highly susceptible to Take-all disease caused by the soil ascomycete fungus Gaeumannomyces tritici (Gt). Crop rotations using different wheat cultivars can influence Take-all build up (TAB) in the following year’s wheat crop. The exact mechanism for this is unknown, but there may be a bacterial biocontrol component associated with TAB control. We cultured and characterised Pseudomonas isolates from the rhizosphere and endosphere of second-year field-grown wheat, in plots which, in the previous season, had been used to culture High-TAB cultivar Hereward or Low-TAB cultivar Cadenza. Analysis of two bacterial loci, wsm and fecB, showed that these genes were significantly and differentially associated with first-year wheat-planting regime: wsm was more abundant within the High-TAB Hereward-derived isolates, while fecB was more prevalent within the Low-TAB Cadenza-derived isolates. These findings were supported by a gyrB phylogenetic analysis and an in vitro Gt antagonism assay. These data show that the wheat cultivar grown in the first year plays an especially important role in the selection of the associated Pseudomonas spp. found in the second-season wheat-root environment, emphasising the importance of understanding agronomic practice in improving plant health and food security.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3030018

Authors: Rahul Kumar Huseyin Yer

Transplanted rice cultivation has caused groundwater depletion in several regions globally. Direct-seeded rice under aerobic conditions is a water-saving alternative. However, under aerobic conditions, iron in the soil is oxidized from the ferrous to ferric forms, which are not easily available to rice crops, resulting in iron-deficiency-induced chlorosis (IDIC) and causing significant reductions in yield. Cultivated rice accessions have limited variations in IDIC tolerance, while the wild Oryza germplasm could be a potential source of IDIC tolerance. In this study, 313 Oryza accessions were evaluated for IDIC tolerance at the tillering stage under aerobic conditions and 20 IDIC-tolerant lines were identified. The twenty lines showed no signs of chlorosis and had high levels of iron content and SPAD values, while the eight cultivated controls exhibited varying degrees of chlorosis symptoms and low levels of SPAD and iron content. To confirm their tolerance, the selected lines were evaluated again in a subsequent year, and they showed comparable levels of tolerance, indicating that these lines were efficient in iron uptake and utilization, resulting in maintained high chlorophyll and leaf area index. These accessions may be useful for developing IDIC-tolerant cultivars for aerobic rice cultivation and future studies of the molecular basis of IDIC tolerance.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3020017

Authors: Ayomide Bhadmus Michael Abberton Emmanuel Idehen Ukoabasi Ekanem Rajneesh Paliwal Olaniyi Oyatomi

Winged bean [Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.] is an underutilized legume with the potential to contribute to nutrition and food security globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, more attention needs to be paid to exploiting its full potential due to a lack of adequate knowledge of the existing genetic diversity in the available winged bean germplasm. To bridge this gap, thirty accessions of winged beans sourced from the Gene Bank of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, were evaluated for seed morphometric and selected agro-morphological traits at three agro-ecological zones in Nigeria. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), principal component (PC) analysis, cluster analysis, and correlation analysis. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed among the accessions for all measured traits. The first two PCs accounted for 88.2% of the variation observed among the accessions for all measured traits. Accessions were grouped into three clusters based on the agro-morphological traits and three clusters under the multi-spectral imaging (MSI) system. TPt-31 had the highest seed yield per plant, pod weight per plant, and early maturity, while TPt-7 had an extended flowering and maturity period, the highest number of pods per peduncle and pods per plant, as well as the lowest seed yield. These accessions could be a good resource for future winged bean improvement programs. The result also confirmed that the MSI system is an invaluable tool for discriminating among accessions of the same crop species. The findings of this study provide insight into the genetic diversity of winged bean germplasm, which could contribute to improving its yield and quality in SSA and globally.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3020016

Authors: Modeste Chabi Anicet Gbèblonoudo Dassou Hubert Adoukonou-Sagbadja John Thomas Aman Bonaventure Omondi

Banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) is an invasive viral disease spreading in Africa. It is transmitted by banana aphids and infected planting material, causing production losses. Clean seeds and timely eradication of diseased plants are effective tools in BBTD management. These depend on timely disease detection. We assessed the relationship between symptom expression and infectivity of the virus in four cultivars of banana. Plantlets from four cultivars, ‘FHIA 25’; ‘Aloga’; ‘Ebenga’ and ‘Sotoumon’, were exposed to viruliferous aphids and monitored for symptom expression. They were also tested as sources for virus transmission fortnightly by allowing non-viruliferous aphids acquisition access prior to transfer to healthy test plants. The time required to show symptoms and the symptom expression were compared, and infection tested by PCR. Disease expression varied from four weeks in ‘FHIA 25’ to fifteen in ‘Sotoumon’. Only the symptomatic leaves tested positive and could act as infection sources. Overall, ‘FHIA 25’ was the most susceptible cultivar, while ‘Sotoumon’ was the least susceptible and most rapidly expressive of BBTD, yet there was no difference in the leaf emergence rate between the cultivars. These results present important aspects of BBTD control and the safety of planting materials that should be tested in the field.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3020015

Authors: Jolyon Dodgson Anna K. Weston David J. Marks

Nitrogen is the main nutrient required by plants for growth. The production of onions (Allium cepa) results in low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) as nitrogen is applied when it is not required by the plant; resulting in loss to the environment. This work assessed the ability of stabilised amine nitrogen (SAN) to increase the NUE and yield of onion. In a glasshouse, two onion cultivars (F1 Hybound (pelleted) and Ramrod) were grown and fertilised with 150 kg N ha−1 as urea applied to the soil or 2.7 kg N ha−1 as SAN applied foliarly at the three, four and five leaf stages. The survival percentage, number of leaves, height, weight, bulb diameter and stem diameter were recorded. For both cultivars, the survival percentage was increased with the SAN, with the increase being significant for Ramrod. While for all other parameters, SAN resulted in significant increases for both cultivars. In field plot trails, applications of 150 kg N ha−1 were compared to applications of 7.56 kg N ha−1 as SAN, which gave statistically similar yields and increased the NUE. This work shows that considerably reduced N as SAN was a significant improvement over the traditional 150 kg N ha−1 for onion production. Commercial application of this work would significantly improve the profitability of onion production due to reduced purchase of N and increased yield.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3020014

Authors: Elielton Germano dos Santos Miriam Hiroko Inoue Ana Carolina Dias Guimarães Jennifer Stefany Queiroz Bastos Kassio Ferreira Mendes

The sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an oleaginous plant that shows high suitability for cultivation in Brazil. However, the performance of the crop is influenced by factors such as weed interference, mainly because of the few selective herbicide options. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate weed control and selectivity of four pre-emergent herbicides applied to two sunflower cultivars in sandy and clayey soils. Two field experiments were conducted in a randomized block design with a 2 × 6 factorial scheme, two cultivars (CF 101 and M 734) and six treatments with S-metolachlor (1920 g a.i. ha−1), sulfentrazone (150 g a.i. ha−1), flumioxazin (40 g a.i. ha−1), and trifluralin (1780 g a.i. ha−1) and two controls, one with weeding and the other without weeding and without herbicide application, in soils with contrasting textures (sandy and clayey). No injury symptoms were observed in both cultivars, regardless of soil texture. The cultivar M 734 exhibited the highest values of the agronomic parameters evaluated. The treatment with flumioxazin provided control of more than 90% of the weeds in clayey soil and more than 64% in sandy soil. The yield of both cultivars was lower in the sandy soil. Thus, all herbicide treatments were selective for both cultivars tested, since they did not interfere with sunflower grain yield.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3020013

Authors: Carla S. Santos Marta Nunes da Silva

Crops account for over 80% of the human diet; however, plant diseases and pests are responsible for up to 40% of the loss in food production worldwide, costing approximately EUR 200 billion [...]

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3020012

Authors: Ana Luísa Garcia-Oliveira Alfredo Aires Rosa Carvalho Valdemar Carnide Ana Barros José Lima-Brito

Antioxidant properties of phenolic compounds are presumed responsible for several health benefits due to their capacity to scavenge free radicals and chelate metals prevenient oxidative stress. Since these compounds are ubiquitous in plants, including cereals, the available antioxidant potential profile of wheat genotypes could allow the development of new cultivars with an increased nutritional value that may result in antioxidant-rich foods. In this study, total phenolics content (TPC) was quantified in the whole grain flour of 92 wheat (46 genotypes each from bread and durum) genotypes, which were evaluated under field conditions during 2 different crop seasons (2004-05 and 2009-10). Of the ninety-two, fourteen (six and eight from bread and durum wheat, respectively) genotypes were comprehensively evaluated for antioxidant activity [2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and reducing power] and ferulic acid contents. The results revealed that substantial genotypic variability exists for TPC in wheat genotypes with a mean value of 991 and 787 µg ferulic acid equivalents (FAE)/g DW in bread and durum wheat, respectively. Moreover, bound phenolics as a source of ferulic acid, including both cis- and trans-isomers, were observed as a major contributor to the total phenolics, which must be considered in assessing the antioxidant activity in wheat grain. In conclusion, these findings may also help improve wheat grains as natural sources of antioxidants utilizing selected genotypes in breeding programs.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3020011

Authors: Sihem Hannat Issam Hasni Philippe Decloquement Seydina Diene Saïd Azza Bernard La Scola Sarah Aherfi

The phytopathogen Phytophthora parasitica, from the Oomycetes class, known to be the tobacco black shank agent, can induce devastating diseases in various crop, plant and forest ecosystems. The genus Phytophthora has been studied at the cellular level, suggesting that different developmental steps are induced by the expression of some specific genes. However, these studies have only been carried out on certain species, such as Phytophthora infestans and Phytophthora cactorum. As for Phytophthora parasitica, which can be considered as one of the top ten oomycete pathogens due to the economic impact and effect it has on food security, even less functional analyses and transcriptomics data are available. To date, little is known about the protein expression of Phytophthora parasitica, information that is essential for achieving a better understanding of this species. In this study, we aimed to gain insight into the proteomics of the mycelium of the Phytophthora parasitica strain INRA 310 by addressing the following questions: (i) how many predicted proteins can be detected on the mycelium of P. parasitica INRA 310, and (ii) what proteins can be detected? The proteomics experiments were performed on the mycelium of the strain Phytophthora parasitica INRA310, using the nanoliquid chromatography-MS/MS technique. A total of 219 proteins were identified, including ten unknown proteins and 209 proteins involved in lipid, carbohydrate, nucleotide, energy production and other metabolic pathways. This proteomics study is, to our knowledge, the first to be performed on the mycelium of Phytophthora parasitica INRA 310. It gives a brief first insight into its in vitro-expressed proteins. This work may be the first step before further, more comprehensive studies are undertaken with the aim of better understanding the biology of this species and its pathogenicity.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3020010

Authors: Carlos Alexandre Costa Crusciol José Roberto Portugal João William Bossolani Luiz Gustavo Moretti Adalton Mazetti Fernandes Adônis Moreira Jader Luis Nantes Garcia Gleize Leviski de Brito Garcia Cristiane Pilon Heitor Cantarella

Micronutrient fertilization is usually neglected by producers, especially for peanut, a crop that is frequently grown in crop rotation systems due to its low perceived nutrient requirements. New peanut cultivars are able to achieve high yields when grown under suitable conditions. However, fertilization recommendation tables are dated and do not consider the need for micronutrients. To support improvements in these recommendations, this study quantified the micronutrient demand (B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) of three runner peanut cultivars (IAC Runner 886, IAC 505, and IAC OL3) during the biological cycle and the transport of these micronutrients to pods and kernels. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block with a split-plot design and nine replications. The whole plots consisted of the three peanut cultivars, and the subplots comprised nine plant samplings (at 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, 105, 126, and 147 days after emergence (DAE)). These modern peanut cultivars exhibited high uptake and accumulation of Fe, but the proportion of Fe removed by pods and kernels was lowest among all analyzed micronutrients. The second-most-accumulated micronutrient was Mn. The maximum requirement for micronutrients of peanut occurred around 84 DAE, and IAC 505 had the highest micronutrient uptake and accumulation among the cultivars (especially at later stages), followed by IAC OL3 and IAC Runner 886. Our results provide new insights into micronutrient requirements for peanut and demonstrate the need for new fertilizer recommendation programs for peanut cultivation.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3020009

Authors: Ramin Lotfi Mohammad Pessarakli

To investigate responses of two winter wheat genotypes under different crop management systems (rotation and tillage), a split–split plot experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications during 4 years in Maragheh, Iran. Three crop rotation treatments [vetch–wheat (V–W), chickpea–wheat (C–W), and safflower–wheat (S–W)] were considered in main plots, three tillage treatments (conventional-tillage (CT), minimum-tillage (MT), and no-tillage (NT)) were located in subplots, and two winter dryland wheat genotypes (Baran and Azar2) were allocated in sub-sub plots. Results indicated that soil moisture content in NT was greater than that in MT and CT. The highest relative water content (RWC), normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI), stomatal conductance (gs), and transpiration rate (E) were obtained from the Baran genotype in the V–W rotation under NT. In the last year of the experiment, rainfall productivity in NT treatment improved by 32%, compared to CT. The Baran genotype had higher rainfall productivity in both MT and NT treatments with 0.71 and 0.70 kg m−3, respectively. Crop water requirement was not affected by crop rotation or tillage treatments. Maximum grain yields in V–W, C–W, and S–W rotations were recorded as 2231, 2105, and 1991 kg ha−1, respectively. With increasing soil moisture storage and improving rainfall productivity under full implementation of conservation agriculture components (after 4 years), grain yield of Baran and Azar2 improved in NT compared to that of CT by about 6–9% and 6–14%, respectively. Therefore, the application of V–W rotation with NT in cold dryland areas is recommended for developing of conservation agriculture system.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3010008

Authors: Jenny Mérida-López Sander Jonathan Pérez Björn Bergenståhl Jeanette Purhagen Cinthia Carola Rojas

Amaranthus caudatus is a nutrient-rich Andean pseudocereal with wide genetic variability. Six productive varieties (Oscar Blanco, Pucara, Tomina, Cotahuasi, Barbechos, and Guindo Criollo) were compared by proximate, mineral, and fatty acid composition. The proximal content showed certain singularities in the varieties. Barbechos and Guindo Criollo stood out for their fat content (9.50% and 9.01%, respectively), while Tomina stood out for their carbohydrate content (72.6%), and Pucara and Oscar Blanco for their fiber content (4.59% and 4.48%, respectively). The mineral content presented differences, highlighting the Ca content for Pucara (108 mg/100 g), and Tomina with micro-minerals (Zn, Mn, Fe, and Cu, 4.67, 5.90, 9.13 and 1.03 mg/100 g, respectively). All varieties showed high tricosanic acid (C23:0) content, and Cotahuasi was highlighted for its high linoleic acid (C18:2) content. Multivariate analysis showed negative correlations between proteins and carbohydrates, and between fat and fiber in their proximal content, as well as between Fe and Na for their mineral content, and C18:1 and C18:2 for the fatty acids. Although certain differences were found, the total nutritional composition tended to have minor differences between the investigated varieties.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3010007

Authors: Yun Shin Sew Wan Mohd Aizat Rabiatul-Adawiah Zainal-Abidin Mohd Shahril Firdaus Ab Razak Sanimah Simoh Norliza Abu-Bakar

Rice protein is considered an important dietary protein source. Information regarding rice nutrient-related protein expression is still scarce, hence further study investigating this aspect is highly needed. Herein, we applied sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra (SWATH-MS) for a comparative proteomic analysis across six different Malaysian rice varieties. These consisted of black rice (BR: PH9 and BALI), red rice (RR: MRQ100 and MRM16), and white rice (WR: MRQ76 and MR297). This study aimed to unravel rice nutrient-related proteins and if their expressions were significantly different across varieties. A total of 4022 quantified proteins were found to be significantly expressed across all varieties with a false discovery rate (FDR) < 1% and p < 0.05. While among 1792 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) that were identified, 74 DEPs had functions related to nutrient biosynthesis. There were significantly higher expressions of key enzymes for the carotenoid and amylopectin biosynthesis pathways and seed storage proteins, i.e., prolamins and glutelins in RR. Glycoproteins such as cupin and germin-like protein, as well as enzymes that are involved in the biosynthesis of thiamine and anthocyanin were abundantly found in BR. WR was particularly enriched with biosynthesis enzymes for essential amino acids (methionine and arginine), vitamin B, and unsaturated fatty acid. This study provides us insights into the differential expressions of storage and functional proteins with nutrient-related properties in shaping rice grain pigmentations and plant immunity, as well as in contributing diverse health benefits as daily functional food for human consumption.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3010006

Authors: Wenying Zhang Bianyin Wang Binhui Liu Zhaoyang Chen Guanli Lu Caihong Bai Yaoxiang Ge

Meteorological factors have significant impacts on crop yield. To account for the impact of meteorological factors on foxtail millet (Setaria italica Beauv.) production in different water conditions, a total of 38 collected varieties were grown in nine seasons from 2011 to 2020 (except 2016) under well-watered (WW) and water-stressed (WS) conditions. The results showed that there was a large seasonal variation in GY; the variation ranged from 4.92 t ha−1 to 6.95 t ha−1 under the WW treatment and from 3.50 t ha−1 to 5.77 t ha−1 under the WS treatment. The impacts of meteorological factors on foxtail millet under the WW and WS treatments were different; sunshine duration during the whole stage, vegetative stage and reproductive stage had the greatest impact under the WW treatment, while under the WS treatment, sunshine duration and the diurnal temperature range during the whole stage and reproductive stage were the greatest impact factors on grain yield. This work could help us in high-yield foxtail millet cultivation and breeding.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3010005

Authors: Longqing Shi Haifang He Junian Zhang Zhaowei Jiang Liangmiao Qiu Zhixiong Zhan

Rice is an indispensable crop in East and Southeast Asia, and the study of its biological characteristics has important value. We observed that different cultivars of rice have different levels of resistance to the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens. In this study, transcriptome sequencing was used to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of three rice varieties caused by BPH damage combined with physical stimulation and controls. We performed weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and found a module positively related to physical stimulation. KEGG analysis showed that this module is strongly related to the ribosome pathway. Through comparative analysis with controls, we found the differential genes of each cultivar after BPH damage; through trend analysis, we found the differential genes shared by the three varieties after BPH damage. The KEGG/GO enrichment analysis of these genes found that they are mainly functionally concentrated in signal transduction, redox reactions, etc. The results of this research will be helpful to study the molecular mechanism of the BPH-rice interaction, identify resistance genes, and facilitate further studies on molecular resistance breeding and pest control.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3010004

Authors: Alice Teresa Valduga Ederlan Magri Janice Cominetti Itamar Luís Gonçalves Edivania Navarini Bampi Rogério Luís Cansian Elisabete Maria Zanin

Background: Yerba-mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is a perennial native tree from South America. Improper management of yerba-mate crops results in low yield. This work evaluated the recovery and the vegetative capacity of the crop after coppicing. Methods: A 2-year field observation approach was used and the study area was monitored from 2019 to 2021 in a 20-year-old yerba-mate crop with low yield. Drastic coppicing was used as a strategy, aiming to study the effect of the month and the height of pruning. Four groups were defined combining the trunk heights of 10 and 40 cm and the months of pruning June and August. Results: Yerba-mate plants showed a low mortality rate of 2%. In the first year after the intervention, the height of the cutting was the most important factor that influenced the amount of primary and secondary branches, validating response surfaces with r2 values of 0.9942 and 0.9084, respectively. In the second year of the experiment, full recovery in productivity was reached, with a mean rise of 109.7% in the plants of the group coppiced in June 40 cm above the soil. Conclusion: The techniques used in this study are appropriate for vigor recovery in yerba-mate plants inadequately managed and allow a new architecture on plants, enabling mechanical harvesting.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3010003

Authors: Crops Editorial Office Crops Editorial Office

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3010002

Authors: E. G. D. Ndo E. Akoutou Mvondo F. Bella Manga L. Bidzanga Nomo C. Cilas

Adapting agricultural systems to face persistent environmental hazards is at the center of global concerns. In line with this, understanding and highlighting the structural characteristics of agroforestry systems could strengthen their resilience in terms of disease management. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of shade on the intensity of citrus leaf and fruit spot disease caused by Pseudocercospora (PLFSD). Investigations to assess the effects of shade components on the incidence of PLFSD were carried out on 15-year-old tangerine trees in a cocoa-based agroforestry plot (Bokito) during four fruits seasons. Tangerines under the shade of large forest trees were compared to others located under full sunlight. A complementary experiment was conducted on young grapefruit plants in an orchard with mango and avocado groves in Foumbot. Three shading conditions, i.e., under avocado trees, under mango trees, and without shade, were explored. Data on shade and PLFSD incidence were collected and analyzed. Our findings show that PLFSD incidence was null on tangerine leaves from trees under shade compared to those under full sunlight. The same trends were observed in fruits under shade and under full sunlight. Disease incidence on grapefruit leaves was lower on trees under shade compared to those under full sunlight. In short, shade trees appear to constitute potential physical barriers to disease progression. This study also highlights disease spatial distribution as beyond 12 m of distance between neighboring trees, no spatial dependence of disease spread was observed. Management actions based on the distance between citrus trees and regulating shade are envisaged.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops3010001

Authors: Anamarija Banaj Đuro Banaj Bojan Stipešević Franjo Nemet

Maize is the most represented grain crop on the world’s arable land. It is mostly grown using standard sowing at an inter-row distance of 70 cm. However, growing in two rows (double-row sowing) is increasingly common today. The aim of this research was to determine the influence of different spatial distributions of the same population of maize plants on the yield of maize grains in a larger range of the FAO maize hybrid maturing group. The experiment lasted 5 years and was set up at two locations in Jakšić (Požeško-Slavonia County) and Lužani (Brodsko-Posavina County). Maize sowing with standard sowing was carried out with a PSK OLT seed drill with an inter-row spacing of 70 cm, while double-row sowing was carried out with a MaterMacc Twin Row-2 seed drill in two rows spaced 22 cm apart in a zigzag arrangement and 48 cm apart between adjacent sowing furrows. In the experiment, a total of three types of maize hybrids were used: H1-Kashmir (FAO 390 maturing group), H2-Kapitolis (FAO 400 maturing group) and H3-Konfites (FAO 450 maturing group). With standard maize sowing, an average set of plants was achieved: 71,946 plants ha−1 (Kashmir), 71,714 plants ha−1 (Kapitolis) and 72,205 plants ha−1 (Konfites), while the double-row sowing achieved a set of plants of 72,166 plants ha−1, 72,104 plants ha−1 and 72,576 plants ha−1. The two-row sowing of the hybrid Kapitolis and Konfites recorded a statistically significant higher set of maize plants. The yield of maize grains in all three types of the hybrid was statistically and significantly higher by 943 kg ha−1 using two-row sowing, and the highest yield was achieved by the Kashmir hybrid (13,406 kg ha−1).

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2040034

Authors: Eliningaya J. Kweka Casmir F. Kitula Elias E. Mbuti David Wanani

The low agricultural productivity of key crops and food insecurity continue to be a problem in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and Tanzania in particular. The growing population and climate change further increase the food shortage. Irrigation has been strategized to reduce poverty and food insecurity, and improve the livelihoods of communities in African countries, and in particular Tanzania. Transformational leadership for small-scale irrigation is urgently needed to attain the planned agenda for irrigation schemes. This study assessed the challenges of leadership in leading and transforming small-scale irrigation schemes. The questionnaires were distributed to leaders of the agriculture sector in four strata (agriculture extension officer (25), AMCOS leaders (6), agriculture engineers (2), irrigation committee (9)) with a total of 42 leaders as participants. A total of 118 farmers were interviewed from four irrigation canals (Ngollo (32), Ngarasero I (32), Ngarasero II (33), and Abisinia (21)) in the Usa River ward. The study found that the challenges of leaders in leading the transformation of small-scale farming for success were commitment of leaders, market chain, pest control mechanisms, irrigation extension service, planning, technological transformation and adoption, mobilization of farmers and professionals, monitoring and evaluation, knowledge of irrigation, and agro-input supply. This study shows that leaders’ transformation skills can play a great role in poverty reduction in small-scale irrigation in the Usa River ward. Therefore, leaders in the study area should play the role of transformational leadership effectively in managing small-scale irrigation by practicing a participatory approach to farmers problem-solving.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2040033

Authors: Meike Grosse Thorsten Haase Jürgen Heß

The non-turning or only superficial turning of soil is considered to be a gentle tillage method. Nevertheless, conventional ploughs are widely used in organic farming for crop production reasons. For the further development of reduced tillage, and up to no tillage, the effects of three cover crop species and their incorporation with different tillage intensities on nitrogen (N) dynamics, weed emergence and the yield of the subsequent main crop, oats, were examined in a repeated organic one-year trial. Sinapis alba, Trifolium resupinatum, Vicia sativa and bare fallow were tested and incorporated using (1) a plough (PL), (2) reduced tillage (RT), (3) mulching + drilling (MD) and (4) direct drilling (DD). V. sativa was the most promising cover crop in combination with RT, MD and DD. In Trial 1, the soil mineral N content and oat yields after the introduction of V. sativa were on a similar level as those in the PL treatments, and weeds were not yield-limiting there. In Trial 2, the biomass production of V. sativa was only about half of that of Trial 1 and did not offer sufficient weed control, but V. sativa was still successful in the RT treatments. In both trials, the yield differences were more pronounced between the cover crop treatments after RT than after PL. RT, therefore, was more dependent on an adequate cover crop species than PL. The no-till method was not only dependent on an adequate cover crop species but also on its proper biomass production for sufficient weed control.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2040032

Authors: Secilia E. Mrosso Patrick A. Ndakidemi Ernest R. Mbega

Plants have developed mechanisms to cope with stresses in their environments as they grow in diverse settings. Such means include releasing plant defense compounds upon attacks by pests or other stressors. Plants with these characteristics are essential as a plant germplasm source for breeding resistance against herbivores and insect pests. Therefore, this study aimed to screen germplasms for whitefly resistance and characterize the secondary metabolites responsible for this. Thirty local tomato accessions were screened for resistance against whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius) in the screen house located at Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (PTHPA) between January and April 2021. From this screening, seven local tomato cultivars: TZA3729, TZA5554, TZA5545, TZA5562, TZA5552, TZA3177 and TZA5157, showed resistance, and one accession (TZA5496) that showed susceptibility to whiteflies (negative control) and accession V1030462 that was a standard (positive control) were selected for the subsequent experiments. The experiment was conducted in July–October 2021 in the screen house at TPHPA and repeated in January–April 2022 using a completely randomized block design with three replications. From this experiment, three accessions: TZA3729, TZA5562 and TZA5157, showed resistance against whiteflies. However, accession TZA3729 was more resistant than TZA5562 and TZA5157 when compared to the resistant accession V1030462. Therefore, these accessions were further screened for secondary metabolites responsible for resistance against herbivores and insect pests—in this case, whiteflies. The GS-MS methanol extract results showed accession TZA3729 to possess a wide array of secondary plant metabolites responsible for plant self-defenses, such as diterpenes, Tetraterpenes, alkaloids, carotenoids and fatty acid esters. Therefore, the study recommends accession TZA3729 as a source of tomato plant germplasm for breeding tomatoes resistant to whiteflies.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2040031

Authors: Khin Thuzar Win Aung Zaw Oo Tadashi Yokoyama

Rice is an important food crop, and its production is significantly affected by salt stress under the changing climate. Soil-inhabiting microbial inoculants as well as efficient nitrogen (N) nutrition may have ameliorative effects on rice growth and yield under salt stress. However, the effects of the interaction between N application and microbial inoculants on the growth and grain yield of rice under salt stress is not yet fully understood. This study aimed to clarify whether the use of the Bacillus pumilus strain TUAT-1 biofertilizer, along with the right amount of N fertilizer, would alleviate salt stress in lowland rice production. We applied the Bacillus pumilus strain TUAT-1 as a biofertilizer in combination with different rates of N fertilizer: control (0% N), 2.64 g (NH4)2SO4 per nursery tray (100% N: the farmer-recommended amount), and 3.96 g (NH4)2SO4 per nursery tray (150% N). Salinity (100 mM of NaCl) was applied at the heading stage of rice plants in pot culture in the greenhouse, and the growth and yield components were accessed at harvest. In the nursery phase, the application of the biofertilizer TUAT-1 significantly increased seedling vigor and the root development of 21-day-old seedlings. Salinity stress at the heading stage significantly reduced chlorophyll content, panicle number, straw biomass, and grain yield; however, either the application of N alone or in combination with TUAT-1 ameliorated the salinity-related reduction in grain yield and yield component parameters. Plants receiving a high amount of N fertilizer (150% N) showed similar straw biomass and grain yield with or without TUAT-1 inoculation, regardless of saline or non-saline conditions. In both saline and control conditions, straw biomass and grain yield were higher in the plants inoculated with TUAT-1 than in those without TUAT-1. Specifically, the combined application of TUAT-1 and the farmer-recommended N level (100% N) led to an increase of 8% in straw biomass and 15% in grain yield under saline stress when compared with their respective plants without TUAT-1. Straw biomass and grain yield were similar in the (un-inoculated) plants grown under normal conditions and TUAT-1 + 100% N under salinity treatments, because TUAT-1 enhanced root development, which may promote soil nutrient uptake. Our results indicated that combined nursery application of TUAT-1 biofertilizer and 100% N fertilizer rate has the potential to boost the capacity of this bacteria to increase seedling vigor, which subsequently ameliorated the salt-induced reduction in the grain and straw yield.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2040030

Authors: Anwar A. Hamama Harbans L. Bhardwaj

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is an aromatic member of the Apiaceae with a wide diversity of uses. Its rapid life cycle allows it to fit into different growing seasons, making it possible to grow the crop under a wide range of conditions. Even though extensive demand for this herb exists among ethnic communities, its’ production in the eastern USA is essentially non-existent. We are interested in facilitation of commercial production of this herb and to characterize its’ composition. We have previously observed that coriander can be commercially produced in Virginia but composition of coriander seed produced in Virginia (Mid-Atlantic region of the United States of America) is unknown. To remedy this situation, we conducted two experiments during 2015 and 2016 with three cultivars (‘Santo’, ‘Santo Monogerm’, and ‘Marino-Organic’). Coriander seed in this study had 7.6 and 8.7 percent oil and 17 and 15 percent protein in winter (planted in December 2015 and harvested in July, 2016) or summer crop (planted in May, 2016 and harvested), respectively whereas mean concentrations (g per 100 g) of P, K, S, Mg, Ca, and Na were 501, 830, 140, 332, 620, 10, respectively. Concentrations of B, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Cu (mg per 100 g) were 1.10, 2.71, 2.81, 8.96, and 1.29, respectively. Coriander seed in this study contained approximately 19, 63, and 17 percent total saturated, MUFA, and PUFA fatty acids, respectively. Coriander seed contained 0.179, 0.877, and 0.219 percent fructose, glucose, and sucrose, respectively. Our results indicated that coriander seed produced in Virginia has seed composition, generally, similar to that produced elsewhere.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2040029

Authors: Robert L. Geneve Evan W. Janes Sharon T. Kester David F. Hildebrand Derrick Davis

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) as a grain and fiber crop is experiencing a resurgence in North America. Due to governmental prohibition, there has been limited information on regional agronomic production systems including basic information on seed germination. This study was initiated to provide basic information on the relationship between temperature and germination in hemp seed. Germination was measured at constant temperatures ranging from 3 to 42 °C. Cardinal temperatures were determined for two industrial oil crop hemp cultivars (‘Georgina’ and ‘Victoria’). The optimal germination temperature indicated by a high mean germination percentage and rate was between 19 and 30 °C. Optimal (29.6 °C), base (3.4 °C) and ceiling (42.6 °C) temperatures were calculated from a linear regression of the germination rates to reach 50% germination for each temperature. The thermal time for ‘Georgina’ and ‘Victoria’ to reach 50% germination at suboptimal temperatures was 694 and 714 °C h, respectively. The osmotic and solid matrix-primed hemp seeds germinated faster than the untreated seeds, but the final germination percentages were not different. The primed seeds germinated faster at supraoptimal temperatures but did not impact final germination percentages in the thermally inhibited seeds.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2040028

Authors: Jia W. Tan Sharon T. Kester Kai Su David F. Hildebrand Robert L. Geneve

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is experiencing a resurgence in North America as an agricultural commodity. Germplasm improvement for locally adapted and stable cannabinoid production is an industry priority. This study used seed priming and pericarp removal to recover seedlings in low-germinating seed lots that could prove important for plant breeding and germplasm conservation. Both seed priming and pericarp removal improved early seed germination, but pericarp removal was more effective in improving overall final germination percentages. On average, pericarp removal improved final germination in low-germinating seed lots by approximately 38% compared to intact seed germination. In seeds with the pericarp removed, the initial germination substrate had an impact on normal seedling development following transplanting: those germinated for 2 to 3 days on rolled towels produced more normal seedlings compared to those started in Petri dishes. There was a dramatic increase in abnormal seedlings produced in the low-germinating seed lot initially germinated in a Petri dish wetted with 6 mL water where nearly 80% never transitioned to normal actively growing seedlings.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2040027

Authors: Yasuhito Sakuraba Nam-Chon Paek

Drought stress negatively affects plant growth and development, thus reducing plant productivity. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying drought stress responses is essential for crop improvement. The plant-specific NAM/ATAF1,2/CUC2 (NAC) transcription factors play important roles in the drought stress response. Here, we show that rice (Oryza sativa) ONAC054, a membrane-bound NAC transcription factor, is involved in the drought stress response. We found that onac054 mutants were sensitive, whereas ONAC054-overexpressing (ONAC054-OX) plants were tolerant to drought stress. Under drought stress conditions, several genes associated with abscisic acid (ABA) synthesis and signaling were downregulated in onac054 mutants but upregulated in ONAC054-OX plants. Among these genes, the TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR RESPONSIBLE FOR ABA REGULATION 1 (TRAB1), which encodes an ABA-inducible bZIP transcription factor, was directly activated by ONAC054. On the other hand, the expression of ONAC054 was directly activated by several ABA-responsive elements (ABRE)-binding factors (ABFs) in an ABA-dependent manner, indicating that ONAC054 acts as an enhancer of ABA-induced drought stress tolerance. Additionally, the overexpression of ONAC054 in rice greatly improved grain yield under drought stress conditions, indicating that the overexpression of ONAC054 could facilitate the improvement of drought stress tolerance in rice and other crops.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2040026

Authors: Matthias Stegner Othmar Buchner Tanja Schäfernolte Andreas Holzinger Gilbert Neuner

Potato leaves are ice-tolerant but are frost-damaged at −3 °C. Freezing occurs in two steps, a first non-destructive freezing event and a second independent lethal event. Localization of ice, and whether cells freeze-dehydrate after the first freezing event remains unknown. The cause of frost damage during the second freezing event lacks experimental evidence. Cytological responses of mesophyll cells were examined during ice formation using cryo-microscopic techniques after high-pressure freeze-fixation and freeze-substitution. CO2 gas exchange on frozen leaves revealed functional responses, but also frost damage. After the first freezing event, gas exchange was uninterrupted. Consequently, intercellular spaces are free of ice, and ice may be restricted to xylem vessels. The cellular shape of the mesophyll cells was unchanged, cells did not freeze-dehydrate but were supercooled. When thawed after the first freezing event, leaves were initially photoinhibited but regained photosynthesis. During the second freezing event, cells froze intracellularly, and some palisade parenchyma cells remained intact for a prolonged time. Intracellular ice caused complete destruction of cells, and chloroplasts became invisible at the light microscopic level. When thawed after the second freezing, leaves were unable to regain photosynthesis. Consequently, freezing avoidance is the only viable strategy for potatoes to survive frost.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2040025

Authors: Marta Nunes da Silva Miguel G. Santos Marta W. Vasconcelos Susana M. P. Carvalho

Globalization propelled human migration and commercial exchanges at the global level, but woefully led to the introduction of non-indigenous organisms into several agroecological systems. These include pathogenic bacteria with devastating consequences for numerous crops of agronomical importance for food production worldwide. In the last decade, research efforts have focused on these noxious organisms, aiming to understand their evolutionary processes, degree of pathogenicity, and mitigation strategies, which have allowed stakeholders and policymakers to develop evidence-based regulatory norms to improve management practices and minimize production losses. One of these cases is the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), the causal agent of the kiwifruit bacterial canker, which has been causing drastic production losses and added costs related to orchard management in the kiwifruit industry. Although Psa is presently considered a pandemic pathogen and far from being eradicated, the implementation of strict regulatory norms and the efforts employed by the scientific community allowed the mitigation, to some extent, of its negative impacts through an integrated pest management approach. This included implementing directive guidelines, modifying cultural practices, and searching for sources of plant resistance. However, bacterial pathogens often have high spatial and temporal variability, with new strains constantly arising through mutation, recombination, and gene flow, posing constant pressure to agroecosystems. This review aims to critically appraise the efforts developed to mitigate bacterial pathogens of agronomical impact, from orchard management to genome analysis, using Psa as a case study, which could allow a prompter response against emerging pathogens in agroecosystems worldwide.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2040024

Authors: Chelsea R. Maier Zhong-Hua Chen Christopher I. Cazzonelli David T. Tissue Oula Ghannoum

Protected cropping produces more food per land area than field-grown crops. Protected cropping includes low-tech polytunnels utilizing protective coverings, medium-tech facilities with some environmental control, and high-tech facilities such as fully automated glasshouses and indoor vertical farms. High crop productivity and quality are maintained by using environmental control systems and advanced precision phenotyping sensor technologies that were first developed for broadacre agricultural and can now be utilized for protected-cropping applications. This paper reviews the state of the global protected-cropping industry and current precision phenotyping methodology and technology that is used or can be used to advance crop productivity and quality in a protected growth environment. This review assesses various sensor technologies that can monitor and maintain microclimate parameters, as well as be used to assess plant productivity and produce quality. The adoption of precision phenotyping technologies is required for sustaining future food security and enhancing nutritional quality.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2030023

Authors: Takafumi Watabe Yuka Nakano Dong-Hyuk Ahn

Osmotic stress enhances fruit quality, including the dry matter content, in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.). This study aimed at providing further insight into the precision control of fruit yield and quality on the long-term moderate osmotic stress conditions in tomato fruit production. We compared the growth pattern between fruits of two cultivars, typical Japanese and Dutch cultivars, under two different nutrient concentrations (2.3 and 5.0 dS·m−1) to understand the effect of electrical conductivity (EC) on dry mass and water content of fruits. The experiment was performed with a rockwool bag culture system in a controlled greenhouse. Increasing EC resulted in an approximately 20% decrease in fruit yield and a 0.5–1% increase in fruit dry matter content in both cultivars. This yield reduction was not caused by the fruit number, but by an approximately 25% decrease in individual fresh fruit weight. Non-linear models were used to describe the changes in dry matter content, water content, and dry weight of tomato fruit as a function of cumulative temperature. The decay rate of dry matter content in the fruit decreased with high EC treatments in the Japanese cultivar. The points at which the rates of changes in water and dry weight increased the in fruit were around 585 and 480 °C-days after anthesis, respectively, under the low EC condition. Rates of water increase in the fruit were changed by high EC treatment, while the shifts were opposite with respect to the cultivars. Dry weight increase in the fruit was not affected by EC treatment. Collectively, our findings clarify the effect of EC on the fruit growth characteristics of Japanese and Dutch tomato cultivars, and provide new insights into the yield of high-Brix tomato cultivation.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2030022

Authors: Carlos Eduardo Da Silva Oliveira Tiago Zoz Arshad Jalal Eduardo Pradi Vendruscolo Thiago Assis Rodrigues Nogueira Arun Dilipkumar Jani Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira Filho

High salt concentration in irrigation water is often a limiting factor to tomato production in Brazil. However, there is limited information available regarding the tolerance of tomato genotypes to saline irrigation. An experiment was conducted in a protected environment using a randomized block design with four replications. Treatments consisted of 12 tomato genotypes cultivated in an environment with varying levels of salt stress. Moderate and severe salt stress affected plant height, transversal and longitudinal diameter of fruit, fresh mass, yield, and number of tomato fruit per plant. Cluster analysis, stability, and adaptability provided the best estimates to identify the most adaptable genotype to saline stress, with the genotypes Maestrina, Onix, Pizzadoro, and Shanty being the best adapted to moderate and severe saline stress conditions. The genotypes Maestrina, Onix, Pizzadoro, and Shanty were identified as most adaptable to and stable under salt stress. Sodium absorption increased as irrigation salinity increased. In addition, P, K, and Ca concentration decreased under salt stress, which caused damage to all yield components and plant nutrition. The genotype Onix was more tolerant to the effects of moderate saline irrigation, while the genotypes Sheena, Sperare, Santa Clara, IPA 6, and Dominador had lower losses under severe salt stress conditions.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2030021

Authors: Madalina Neacsu Shirley De Lima Sampaio Helen E. Hayes Gary J. Duncan Nicholas J. Vaughan Wendy R. Russell Vassilios Raikos

The adoption of food crops as a source of dietary macro- and micro-nutrients is a sustainable way to promote diet biodiversity and health while being respectful to the environment. The aim of this work was to comprehensively characterize the nutrient and phytochemical content of buckwheat seeds (Fagopyrum esculentum) and assess their physical properties for the evaluation of their suitability as food ingredients. The buckwheat samples were found to be complete sources of amino acids (UPLC-TUV analysis), with a protein content between 11.71 ± 0.40% and 14.13 ± 0.50% (Vario Max CN analysis), and a source of insoluble fiber with 11.05 ± 0.25 %, in the UK hulled samples (GC analysis). The buckwheat samples were rich in phosphorus, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, magnesium, and selenium (ICP-MS analysis). A total of 196 plant metabolites were detected using HPLC and LCMS analysis, with anthocyanidins (pelargonidin and cyanidin) being the most abundant phenolic molecules that were measured in all the buckwheat samples. Removing the hull was beneficial for increasing the powder bulk density, whereas the hulled buckwheat samples were more easily rehydrated. The implementation of buckwheat as a staple food crop has enormous potential for the food industry, human nutrition, and diet diversification and could contribute towards meeting the daily recommendation for dietary fiber, essential amino acids, and minerals in Western-style diet countries such as the UK.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2030020

Authors: Cynthia A. Bartel Kenneth J. Moore Shui-zhang Fei Andrew W. Lenssen Roger L. Hintz Samantha M. Kling

Perennial groundcover (PGC) merges scalable soil and water conservation with high-yielding row crops, enhancing ecosystem services of annual grain crop production. However, ineffective groundcover suppression increases competition between the groundcover and row crop, reducing row crop grain yield. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of three Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) groundcover suppression methods each at narrow and wide widths on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and development in evenly spaced PGC, compared to alternating PGC swards and a no-PGC conventional tillage control. Suppression methods for evenly spaced PGC included two different strip tillage implements, completing either shallow or deep soil fracture, for mechanical suppression and a banded sprayer for no-tillage chemical suppression. We measured weekly for maize plant height, phenological stage of development, reflected red:far-red (R:FR) ratio, early vegetative and final plant density, grain and stover yield, yield components of kernel rows ear−1, kernels row−1, kernels ear−1, ear length, kernel weight, grass frequency, and weed community. In 2020, maize grain yield in the alternating PGC swards (11.38 Mg ha−1) was similar to the control (12.78 Mg ha−1) and greater than in the evenly spaced groundcover (9.62 Mg ha−1). Maize grain yield was similar for systems in 2021 (7.41 Mg ha−1), due to drought and high coefficient of variation. Weed community was similar for systems in both years. A maize competition response was observed for both suppression widths across methods. Groundcover dormancy may be needed in conjunction with effective chemical and/or mechanical groundcover suppression to support maize production in PGC.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2030019

Authors: Roman Molas Halina Borkowska Dominika Skiba Barbara Sawicka Ewa Skulimowska

In 2016–2018, an experiment with Sida hermaphrodita L. Rusby (Virginia fanpetals) called Sida was conducted in the system of random blocks on sandy and sandy loam soil. Each year, the yields of dry aboveground mass and dried mass of roots were determined. Before sowing Sida and after the end of the research, the composition of earthy fractions in the soils was determined. In the stalks and roots of Sida, the percentage content was determined, and the mass of carbon was calculated. When Sida was grown in sandy soil, the average dry mass yield (stalks and roots) in the third year of cultivation (2018), was slightly above 13 t∙ha−1, and in the sandy loam soil it was three times higher (36 t∙ha−1). In the third year of cultivation, the carbon sequestration in the stems and roots exceeded 5 t∙ha−1 (sandy soil), and 15 t∙ha−1 (sandy loam). The carbon content in the stems was 46.25%, and in the roots–42.67%. The results were statistically processed using ANOVA. It was found that the cultivation of Sida caused a percent decrease in the sand fraction, an increase in the floatable (fine) fraction in sandy soil, and an increase in humus content; the opposite changes were noted in the sandy-loam soil.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2030018

Authors: Anastasia Terzidou Dimitrios Koveos Nikos Kouloussis

Mating success of artificially reared males of the olive fruit fly is essential for genetic control techniques for this pest. We studied the mating competition between males from a laboratory-adapted population reared with an artificial diet and wild males emerged from field-infested olives and grown in olives in the laboratory. We maintained virgin wild females or artificially reared females in cages together with virgin wild and artificially reared males and scored the percentages of different males in the mated pairs, mating latency, and mating duration. After mating, we determined the egg production and the size of spermathecae of females mated with different males. Our results indicate that artificially reared males are competitive to the wild males, and they mated in similar percentages with wild and artificially reared females. Mean mating latencies (SE) of wild females that mated with wild and artificially reared males were 69.8 (4.8) min (n = 39) and 114.6 (8.1) (n = 43) min, respectively. No difference was discovered in the mating duration or egg production between females that mated with a wild or artificially reared male. Wild females had higher spermathecae volume when they mated with wild males compared to artificially reared males (two-tailed t-test = −2.079, df = 54, p = 0.0423).

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2030017

Authors: Elga Monaci Cristiano Casucci Arianna De Bernardi Enrica Marini Lucia Landi Giuseppe Toscano Gianfranco Romanazzi Costantino Vischetti

Brassicaceae products have been extensively studied for their biofumigant activity; despite this, few investigate their effect on soil proprieties. This paper aims to describe the effect on soil fertility by adding the seed meal of Brassica carinata at three different doses corresponding to field dose (3 tons/ha), 10 and 100 fold this dose in organic soil. The organic carbon balance was evaluated by analysing the oxidisable, humified and mineralised carbon fractions. Microbial activity was measured by enzymes linked to the carbon, phosphorous and sulphur cycles—β-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulphatase, respectively. The amount corresponding to 30 t/ha was the best solution for the mineralised carbon and humic carbon ratio. In contrast, there was a substantial increase in the organic substance’s mineralisation level at the maximum dose, not offset by a relative rise in humification. No repression was observed in the metabolic activity of the microorganisms, their abundance or the main enzymatic activities and, in the conditions tested, a release of only a volatile isothiocyanate occurred, limiting the biofumigant effect. Therefore, these combined factors allow us to assert that the amendment with this type of material at the intermediate dose could positively affect the phosphorus cycle, the soil structure, and fertility.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2030016

Authors: Thomas Miedaner Kerstin Flath Norbert Starck Sigrid Weißmann Hans Peter Maurer

The man-made cereal triticale was fully resistant to the biotrophic diseases powdery mildew, leaf rust, yellow rust, and stem rust from its introduction in Europe in the mid-1970s until about 1990. In the following years, new races that were able to infect at least some triticale genotypes developed in all four pathogen populations, and resistance breeding came into focus. Here, we analyzed 656 winter triticale cultivars from 12 countries for resistance to these biotrophic diseases and Fusarium head blight (FHB) at up to 8 location-year combinations (environments). FHB ratings were corrected for plant height and heading stage by comparing three statistical methods. Significant (p < 0.001) genetic variances were found for all resistances with moderate to high entry-mean heritabilities. All traits showed a normal distribution, with the exception of stem rust, where the ratings were skewed towards resistance. There were no substantial correlations among the five disease resistances (r = −0.04 to 0.26). However, several genotypes were detected with multi-disease resistance with a disease rating below average for all five diseases simultaneously. In future, such genotypes must be selected primarily to cope with future challenges of less pesticide use and global climate change.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2030015

Authors: Dimitrios Natsiopoulos Apostolos Tziolias Ioannis Lagogiannis Spyridon Mantzoukas Panagiotis A. Eliopoulos

Trichoderma fungi are promising candidates for biocontrol agents and plant growth promoters. Trichoderma atrobrunneum and T. simmonsii were evaluated for the control of soil-borne phytopathogenic fungi, in the present study. Dual culture tests with Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici were used to conduct in vitro evaluation. In the presence of Trichoderma, phytopathogen’s growth rate was inhibited up to 59.70% for R. solani and 42.57% for F. oxysporum. Greenhouse trials with potted tomato plants demonstrated that Trichoderma caused a significant increase of stem height and fresh stem weight in pathogen-inoculated plants, compared with the negative control (plants artificially inoculated with the phytopathogen only). Except for T. simmonsii, plant growth was not significantly enhanced by a Trichoderma presence in the positive control (healthy plants). The overall performance of the two Trichoderma species studied was equivalent to that of the T. harzianum T22 commercial strain. All the tested species were found to be effective in suppressing colony growth and disease development of the soil borne pathogens in dual cultures and potted plants, indicating that they could be used as biocontrol agents. Our findings are discussed in the context of enhancing endophytic microorganisms’ application in crop production systems.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2020014

Authors: Alexey Morgounov Mohamed Abubakr Abdullah Alhendi Abdullah Alkhatran Hussam Alhuwaymil Kakoli Ghosh

The southwestern regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are geographically and agriculturally diverse. Over millennia, crop production in these regions has evolved to use renewable water resources sustainably. This study analysed environmental and crop production data for 58 governorates in KSA’s four southwestern regions: Al Baha, Aseer, Jazan and Makkah. The biplot analysis generated six clusters of cropping systems: sorghum, cereals, dates, watermelon, vegetables and fruits, and mixed. The main biophysical factors shaping these systems are topography, altitude, rainfall, air temperature and soils. Sorghum, grown on more than half of the cultivated land, dominates the two main systems. Fruits (subtropical and temperate) and open field vegetables are important elements in most systems. The main challenge is combining a moderate use of water with greater crop diversity. Cereals consume relatively little water, but their dominance within the systems reduces overall diversity. Another important issue is the low-input technologies used to cultivate sorghum and other cereals. Landraces or older varieties are planted and little, if any, fertilizers and pesticides are applied. The introduction of sustainable intensification packages is needed, which can begin with making improved varieties accessible to farmers, promoting conservation agriculture, and integrated pest management practices.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2020013

Authors: Sachin G. Chavan Zhong-Hua Chen Oula Ghannoum Christopher I. Cazzonelli David T. Tissue

Protected cropping offers a way to bolster food production in the face of climate change and deliver healthy food sustainably with fewer resources. However, to make this way of farming economically viable, we need to consider the status of protected cropping in the context of available technologies and corresponding target horticultural crops. This review outlines existing opportunities and challenges that must be addressed by ongoing research and innovation in this exciting but complex field in Australia. Indoor farm facilities are broadly categorised into the following three levels of technological advancement: low-, medium- and high-tech with corresponding challenges that require innovative solutions. Furthermore, limitations on indoor plant growth and protected cropping systems (e.g., high energy costs) have restricted the use of indoor agriculture to relatively few, high value crops. Hence, we need to develop new crop cultivars suitable for indoor agriculture that may differ from those required for open field production. In addition, protected cropping requires high start-up costs, expensive skilled labour, high energy consumption, and significant pest and disease management and quality control. Overall, protected cropping offers promising solutions for food security, while reducing the carbon footprint of food production. However, for indoor cropping production to have a substantial positive impact on global food security and nutritional security, the economical production of diverse crops will be essential.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2020012

Authors: Ronald P. Mowers Bruna Bucciarelli Yuanyuan Cao Deborah A. Samac Zhanyou Xu

Categorical data derived from qualitative classifications or countable quantitative data are common in biological scientific work and crop breeding. Categorical data analyses are important for drawing correct inferences from experiments. However, categorical data can introduce unique issues in data analysis. This paper discusses common problems arising from categorical variable analysis and modeling, demonstrates the issues or risks of misapplying analysis, and suggests approaches to address data analysis challenges using two data sets from alfalfa breeding programs. For each data set, we present several analysis methods, e.g., simple t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), split plot analysis, generalized linear model (glm), generalized linear mixed model (glmm) using R with R markdown, and with the standard statistical analysis software SAS/JMP. The goal is to demonstrate good analysis practices for categorical data by comparing the potential ‘bad’ analyses with better ones, avoiding too much reliance on reaching a significant p-value of 0.05, and navigating the morass of ever-increasing numbers of potential R functions. The three main aspects of this research focus on choosing the right data distribution to use, using the correct error terms for hypothesis test p-values including the right type of sum of the squares (Type I, II, and III), and proper statistical models for categorical data analysis. Our results show the importance of good statistical analysis practice to help agronomists, breeders, and other researchers apply appropriate statistical approaches to draw more accurate conclusions from their data.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2020011

Authors: Ezekiel Ahn Louis K. Prom Coumba Fall Clint Magill

Sporisorium reilianum causes head smut in sorghum. A total of 36 Senegalese sorghum accessions comprised of sorghum lines that have not been explored with response to pathotype 5 of S. reilianum were evaluated with 3 different treatments. First, seedling shoots were inoculated while still in soil with teliospores in agar, and then submerged under water at 4 days post inoculation. Signs of infection (noticeable spots) on the first leaf were observed up to 6 days post submergence. Second, seedlings at the same stage were inoculated by placing the teliospore impregnated agar around the stem in pots, moved to a greenhouse and grown to full panicle development stage. Third, seedings were inoculated via syringe inoculation in the greenhouse. Although soil inoculated seedlings grown in the greenhouse did not result in systemic infection as determined by lack of symptoms at panicle exsertion, 88.9% of tested cultivars showed systemic infections when syringe inoculated in the greenhouse. Inoculation of seedlings maintained under water led to broad range of noticeable spots that are assumed to be potential infection sites based on a previous study. In addition, seedling inoculation led to slightly upregulated expression of chitinase and PR10, genes that are associated with defense in aerial parts of plants.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2020010

Authors: Afrasa Mulatu Negussie Megersa Tariku Abena Selvaraju Kanagarajan Qinsong Liu Tesfaye Alemu Tenkegna Ramesh R. Vetukuri

The present study investigated the distribution status and biodiversity of Trichoderma species surveyed from coffee rhizosphere soil samples from Ethiopia and their potential for biocontrol of coffee wilt disease (CWD) caused by Fusarium xylarioides. Trichoderma isolates were identified based on molecular approaches and morphological characteristics followed by biodiversity analysis using different biodiversity indices. The antagonistic potential of Trichoderma isolates was evaluated against F. xylarioides using the dual confrontation technique and agar diffusion bioassays. A relatively high diversity of species was observed, including 16 taxa and 11 undescribed isolates. Trichoderma asperellum, T. asperelloides and T. longibrachiatum were classified as abundant species, with dominance (Y) values of 0.062, 0.056 and 0.034, respectively. Trichoderma asperellum was the most abundant species (comprising 39.6% of all isolates) in all investigated coffee ecosystems. Shannon’s biodiversity index (H), the evenness (E), Simpson’s biodiversity index (D) and the abundance index (J) were calculated for each coffee ecosystem, revealing that species diversity and evenness were highest in the Jimma zone (H = 1.97, E = 0.76, D = 0.91, J = 2.73). The average diversity values for Trichoderma species originating from the coffee ecosystem were H = 1.77, D = 0.7, E = 0.75 and J = 2.4. In vitro confrontation experiments revealed that T. asperellum AU131 and T. longibrachiatum AU158 reduced the mycelial growth of F. xylarioides by over 80%. The potential use of these Trichoderma species for disease management of F. xylarioides and to reduce its impact on coffee cultivation is discussed in relation to Ethiopia’s ongoing coffee wilt disease crisis.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2020009

Authors: Edi Wiraguna

Legume seeds are often sown on standing rice crops a few weeks before rice harvest (relay cropping). Seeds cannot germinate in waterlogged soil under relay sowing as oxygen is depleted. However, seeds may survive under soil waterlogging if the seeds can initiate anaerobic respiration, have a large seed reserve such as carbohydrates, perform a slow water uptake during imbibition and are small in size. An example of a seed crop that can initiate anaerobic respiration is rice. The seed embryo of rice can use an alcoholic fermentation pathway from carbohydrates to produce enough energy to germinate. In legumes, seeds with a slow imbibition rate were more waterlogging tolerant than seeds with a rapid rate. This is likely due to seeds with low imbibition rates having less electrolyte leakage than seeds with a rapid imbibition rate during germination under waterlogging. A small amount of oxygen may remain on the surface of waterlogged soil. Small seeds can use the small amount of oxygen on the surface of waterlogged soil to germinate. However, large seeds often fail to use the oxygen on the surface of waterlogged soil to germinate because only a small part of large seeds remain on the surface of waterlogged soil. Therefore, small seeds are more adapted to soil waterlogging than large seeds under relay cropping. This review is focused on the physiological adaptation of legume seeds under low oxygen concentration during soil waterlogging.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2020008

Authors: Ignacio Darío Flores-Sánchez Manuel Sandoval-Villa Ebandro Uscanga-Mortera

Jaltomata procumbens (Cav.) J. L. Gentry presents seed dormancy mechanisms in its two populations, erect and decumbent, that make its germination and obtaining of plants difficult. Potassium nitrate (KNO3) is used as a seed germination promoter by soaking in an osmotic solution. The objective was to break the dormancy of Jaltomata seeds by evaluating KNO3. Treatments included: 2 populations (erect and decumbent), 2 soaking times (4 and 6 days) in 2 concentrations of KNO3 solution (0.1% and 0.2%) and in distilled water used as a control. Days of germination including starting (DGS) and ending (DGE), energy period (EP), germination energy (GE), germination percentage (GP) and rate (GR) were measured. The erect population presented a more uniform germination and a lower number of DGS and DGE as well as 100% germination with the highest GR (2.56 seeds day−1). No statistical differences were observed between KNO3 and control; however, the positive effect of the KNO3 and 4 days of soaking on the germinated seed was observed. The decumbent population exhibited a more variable germination; however, the same trend of the solution type and soaking days was observed, reaching 93.1 GP. Considering the economic and accessibility aspects of substances that promote germination on J. procumbens, distilled water imbibition and KNO3 are recommended to accelerate the germination process.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2020007

Authors: Lord Abbey Zhixu Rao Suwen Lin

Microwave technology has wide applications, including extraction of active compounds in biomass and compost for agricultural use. A study was carried out to determine the effects of microwave power level from 0 (control) to 1000 W on the properties and active microbial groups in vermicast, and how it may impact the photosynthesis, plant growth, and yield of kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) ‘Red Russian’. Heat accumulation in the vermicast increased rapidly to a peak of 86 °C at 400 W before declining to 68 °C at 1000 W. Vermicast water loss increased exponentially up to 800 W before declining. The C:N ratio of the vermicast was reduced at ≥600 W while the pH remained the same. In a 2D-principal component analysis biplot, vermicast treated at 600, 800 and 1000 W were associated with Gram-positive (G+), GGram-negative (G−), G + G− bacteria, protozoa, and fungi groups while the 0, 200, and 400 W treated vermicast were associated with eukaryotes. However, the trend for total microbial mass was 200 W = 400 W > 0 W > 600 W = 800 W = 1000 W. Kale leaf anthocyanin, chlorophylls, and carotenoids were significantly (p = 0.001) increased by the 400 W or 600 W treatment compared to the other treatments. Stomatal conductance, transpiration, and photosynthesis rates were increased by the 400 W followed by the 600 W. As a result, yield of kale grown in the 400 W microwaved vermicast was the highest. Future studies will explain the functions of specific microbial populations and elemental composition in microwaved vermicast.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2010006

Authors: Chad L. Kimmelshue A. Susana Goggi Kenneth J. Moore

The lack of seedling emergence uniformity in corn (Zea mays L.) is concerning for producers in the Midwestern U.S. These producers believe that just a few hours delay in emergence can increase interplant competition and decrease single-plant yield, thus reducing overall crop yield. It is speculated that lack of uniformity in seedling emergence occurs due to a variation in seed size within a commercial bag of seed, and variation in seed depth placement at sowing throughout the field. Due to these concerns, producers evaluate size seed variation within the bag before sowing. To date, research has investigated sowing dates, growing degree days, or varying sowing depths to simulate a delay in seedling emergence. These studies are important for understanding the effects of delayed emergence on overall yield, but they fail to examine the effect of inter-plant competition on single-plant yield. The objective of this study was to understand the effect of seed size and sowing depth on emergence and subsequent single-plant yield in a bare soil and a perennial groundcover (PGC) cropping system. Commercially sized seed and seed sized further in the laboratory to obtain a narrower seed size distribution were sown in Kentucky bluegrass and bare soil systems and at two sowing depths of 3.18 and 6.35 cm. The two-year experiment was planted in a split-plot design with four replications. Individual plants were flagged at emergence, and harvested individually. Seed placement was crucial to uniform emergence in both cropping systems, while seed size did not affect emergence in either system. The PGC cropping system delayed seed corn emergence and reduced grain yield as much as 50%. Single-plant yield decreased with delayed corn emergence in both cropping systems. Yield decrease as a function of emergence date followed either a quadratic or linear trend in each growing season, likely related to post emergence environmental factors. This information is important for producers and seed companies to understand the effect of seed size and sowing depth on yield and emergence. This study demonstrates that uniform sowing depth is more important than seed size distribution.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2010005

Authors: May Tene Elina Adhikari Nicolas Cobo Katherine W. Jordan Oadi Matny Isabel Alicia del Blanco Jonathan Roter Smadar Ezrati Liubov Govta Jacob Manisterski Pnina Ben Yehuda Xianming Chen Brian Steffenson Eduard Akhunov Hanan Sela

Stripe rust is a devastating disease in wheat that causes substantial yield loss around the world. The most effective strategy for mitigating yield loss is to develop resistant cultivars. The wild relatives of wheat are good sources of resistance to fungal pathogens. Here, we used a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify loci associated with stripe rust (causal agent: Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) resistance in wild emmer (Triticum dicoccoides) at the seedling stage, in the greenhouse, and at the adult plant stage, in the field. We found that the two major loci contributing to resistance in our wild emmer panel were the previously cloned seedling-stage resistance gene, Yr15, and the adult-plant-stage resistance gene, Yr36. Nevertheless, we detected 12 additional minor QTLs that additionally contribute to adult plant resistance and mapped a locus on chromosome 3AS that tentatively harbors a novel seedling resistance gene. The genotype and phenotype data generated for the wild emmer panel, together with the detected SNPs associated with resistance to stripe rust, provide a valuable resource for disease-resistance breeding in durum and bread wheat.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2010004

Authors: Crops Editorial Office Crops Editorial Office

Rigorous peer-reviews are the basis of high-quality academic publishing [...]

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2010003

Authors: Sinh Chao Jaquie Mitchell Sangeeta Prakash Bhesh Bhandari Shu Fukai

Green grains that are harvested before maturity and dehulled have been reported to have higher nutritional value than fully matured brown rice. Two years of aerobic field experiments were conducted to determine the effect of variety, early harvest and their interaction, on grain yield and pasting properties of brown rice. Eight varieties were grown under well-watered or water deficit conditions and harvested between 15–35 days after flowering (DAF). The maximum yield of green rice was obtained when crops were harvested between 20–25 DAF for well-watered condition and 15–20 DAF for water deficit condition. The paddy yield on these early harvest dates was on average 66% of mature paddy rice yield. Varieties were consistent in paddy yield at early harvest 20–25 DAF with correlation coefficient being 0.897 ** between the two years. Rapid visco-analysis (RVA) showed that developing grains had lower pasting viscosities than mature grains. However, the variety difference had a greater effect on pasting viscosities than the harvest time. Varieties were consistent in pasting characteristics between early and mature harvests, and between growing seasons. Water deficit reduced grain yield but did not significantly affect the pasting characteristics of flour gel, amylose and protein content. The RVA showed that final viscosity and setback viscosity in brown rice flour harvested at 15 DAF were only 84% and 76% of those in mature brown rice, indicating that developing grains were likely to produce softer cooked rice than mature grain. The results on differences in pasting characteristics between developing and mature grains provide more options in developing food products with desired gel properties.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2010002

Authors: Sofia Ortiz-Islas Sergio Serna-Saldivar Silverio García-Lara

Maize (Zea mays L.) is among the three most important food crops worldwide. Maize growth is affected by high aluminium content in acid soils, which constitute nearly 50% of the world’s cultivable area. Therefore, the cultivation of aluminium-tolerant maize hybrids could be a healthier alternative and an attractive food source in these regions. In this regard, to produce hybrids kernels, 16 inbred lines aluminium-tolerant (Al-T) and aluminium-susceptible (Al-S) maize were screened for their constitutive patterns of selected nutrients and phytochemicals. Proximate analysis, free phenolic acids (FPA) and cell wall-bound phenolic acids (CPA) contents, as well as antioxidant capacity (AOX) were assayed in the anatomical kernel parts (pericarp, endosperm, and germ). Kernels of Al-T maize contained significantly higher germ protein, oil, and fibre (2.9, 3.0, and 0.5%, respectively) than Al-S kernels (1.9, 1.8, and 0.3%, respectively). Importantly, the nutraceutical contents in terms of pericarp FPA and germ CPA were significantly higher in kernels belonging to Al-T maize (92 mg and 140 mg EGA/100 g). The highest AOX was observed in germ CPA of Al-T kernels (9.0 mmol TE/100 g). The results herein indicate that Al-tolerance mechanisms induce positive changes in the nutrients and phytochemicals; this implies that the hybrids generated using Al-T maize inbred lines could emerge as an attractive source of nutrients and phytochemicals in farming regions containing acid soils.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops2010001

Authors: Sebastian Schwabe Sabine Gruber Wilhelm Claupein

The framework conditions for chemical weed control in oilseed rape (OSR) are becoming increasingly unfavorable in Central Europe. On the one hand, weed resistance is spreading and, on the other, there is a growing social desire to reduce or eliminate the use of chemical crop protection products. In a field experiment, hoeing, as a weed control measure performed two times per growing season (one time in autumn and one time in spring) in oilseed rape (Brassica napus; two varieties), was compared to chemical control by herbicides and a combination of hoeing and herbicide application (five treatments altogether). The chemical control by herbicides consisted of a broad-spectrum pre-emergence treatment and a post-emergence graminicide application. The trial was set up in each of three periods (years 2014/2015, 2015/2016, and 2016/2017) at the experimental station Ihinger Hof, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany. The effect of the treatments on weed plant density, weed biomass at the time of harvesting, and on OSR grain yield was investigated. Weed plant density was measured four times per trial year, each time before and after hoeing. In 2015/2016 after spring hoeing, and in 2016/2017 at all data collection times, weed plant density was significantly higher in hoeing without herbicide application than in the other variants. No significant differences occurred at the other data collection times. The weed plant density ranged from 0.5 to 57.8 plants m−2. Regardless of the trial year, pure hoeing always resulted in a significantly higher weed biomass at the time of harvesting than the herbicide applications or the combinations. The weed biomass at the time of harvesting ranged between 0.1 and 54.7 g m−2. No significant differences in grain yield between hoeing and herbicide application occurred in all three trial years. According to the results, hoeing is a suitable extension of existing integrated weed control strategies in OSR.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops1030016

Authors: Finbarr G. Horgan Ainara Peñalver-Cruz Maria Liberty P. Almazan

The brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)[BPH], is a damaging pest of rice in Asia. Insecticides and rice varietal resistance are widely implemented BPH management practices. However, outbreaks of BPH have been linked to excessive insecticide use—challenging the compatibility of these two management practices. IR62 is a variety with resistance against BPH, the whitebacked planthopper, Sogatella furcifera Horváth [WBPH], and the green leafhopper, Nephotettix virescens (Distant)[GLH]. We compared BPH responses to IR62 and to the susceptible variety IR64 treated with buprofezin, carbofuran, cartap hydrochloride, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, fipronil, or thiamethoxam + chlorantraniliprole. In greenhouse bioassays, cypermethrin, fipronil and thiamethoxam + chlorantraniliprole reduced egg laying on both varieties, and, together with buprofezin, reduced nymph survival to zero. Buprofezin, carbofuran, and cartap hydrochloride stimulated egg laying, and carbofuran increased nymph biomass, but these effects were reduced on IR62. Planthopper populations were ten times higher on deltamethrin-treated rice than untreated rice in a screenhouse experiment. Host resistance failed to buffer against this insecticide-induced resurgence in BPH and WBPH. However, IR62 reduced the effect in GLH. Rice treated with cypermethrin and fipronil had reduced yields compared to untreated controls, suggesting possible phytotoxic effects. We found little evidence of synergies between the two management practices; but host resistance did buffer against the undesirable effects of some insecticides.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops1030015

Authors: Frank Maulana Wangqi Huang Joshua D. Anderson Tadele T. Kumssa Xue-Feng Ma

Seedling vigor and regrowth ability are important traits for the forage production of winter wheat. The objectives of this study were to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with seedling vigor and regrowth vigor traits using a genome-wide association mapping study (GWAS). Seedling vigor and regrowth vigor were evaluated with shoot length, the number of shoots per plant and shoot dry weight per plant 45 days after planting and 15 days after cutting. A large phenotypic variation was observed for all the traits studied. In total, 12 significant QTL for seedling vigor and 16 for regrowth vigor traits were detected on various chromosomes. Four QTL on chromosomes 2B, 4B, 5A and 7A for seedling vigor co-localized with QTL for regrowth vigor due to significant correlations between corresponding traits of the initial growth and regrowth. A BLAST search using DNA sequences of the significant loci revealed candidate genes playing roles in vegetative and reproductive development in different crop species. The QTL and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers identified in this study will be further validated and used for marker-assisted selection of the traits during forage wheat breeding.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops1030014

Authors: Leonard M. Lauriault Murali K. Darapuneni

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) establishment failure is often attributed to autotoxicity when alfalfa is reseeded shortly after termination of the previous alfalfa stand, but renovation/rotation strategies for irrigated semiarid, subtropical environments have not been studied. Two identical studies were initiated at the New Mexico State University Rex E. Kirksey Agricultural Science Center at Tucumcari, NM, USA to compare continuous alfalfa (ALF), a single year of rotation to sorghum-sudangrass (SS1; Sorghum bicolor × S. sudanense (Piper) Stapf), two years of rotation with sorghum-sudangrass (SS2), and winter wheat forage (Triticum aestivum L.) followed by a single season of sorghum-sudangrass (WW/SS). Soil type and renovation/rotation strategy may influence soil fertility prior to replanting alfalfa, but soil fertility did not appear to influence alfalfa re-establishment or first production year yields. With a Test x Rotation interaction due to differences between tests for WW/SS for first production year yield after September alfalfa replanting, the main effect of Rotation was significant for yield (6.43AB, 5.3B0, 6.92A, and 3.54C Mg ha−1 for ALF, SS1, SS2, and WW/SS, respectively; 5% LSD = 1.22). Alfalfa stand destruction and replanting with no intervening crop rotation may be feasible in sandy soils with irrigation in the semiarid, subtropical southwestern USA and similar environments.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops1030013

Authors: Mariam Barro Kadougoudiou Abdourasmane Konate Issa Wonni Abalo Itolou Kassankogno François Sabot Laurence Albar Irénée Somda Gilles Béna Alain Ghesquière Honoré Kam Moussa Sié Philippe Cubry Charlotte Tollenaere

The genetic diversity of cultivated rice in farmers’ fields remains understudied in West Africa despite the importance of rice for food security in this region. In this study, we genotyped rice samples from Burkina Faso using the C6AIR SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) array (IRRI), including 27 registered cultivars and 50 rice samples collected in rice fields from three geographical zones in western Burkina Faso. Most of the registered cultivars clustered with the indica genetic group, except seven assigned to japonica and one admix. All but one of the rice samples from farmers’ fields belonged to the indica group. The other field sample, which unexpectedly clustered with the Aus genetic group, originated from a rainfed lowland site known to differ in terms of agronomic practices, and which revealed to be highly differentiated from the five other sites. Apart from this peculiar site, the rice grown in irrigated areas did not differ from rice sampled in rainfed lowlands. Finally, obtained genetic data confirmed the high frequency of one cultivar, in congruence with farmers’ interviews. We argue on the importance to document and preserve the high agro-biodiversity observed in rice from Burkina Faso as a prerequisite to face the current challenges of growing rice demand and global change.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops1030012

Authors: T. Casey Barickman Bikash Adhikari Akanksha Sehgal C. Hunt Walne K. Raja Reddy Wei Gao

Treating plants with elevated carbon dioxide (eCO2) can increase their drought tolerance. Increased atmospheric CO2, a fundamental factor in climate change, may compensate for the drought-induced reduction in crop growth and yield. Basil, being moderately sensitive to drought stress (DS), experiences several morphological changes under DS. Thus, we designed an experiment that addresses how DS and different levels of CO2 affect the overall morphological growth patterns during basil’s early and late-season growth. The experiment was conducted under four different growth conditions: two water treatments, (1) a full-strength Hoagland’s solution was added to the basil plants at 120% of the evapotranspiration each day, and (2) 50% of the full-strength Hoagland’s solution was added to basil plants for the drought treatment, alongside two levels of CO2 application [ambient 420 ppm (aCO2) and elevated 720 ppm (eCO2)]). The DS had a severe impact on the morphological traits of the shoot and root systems. Compared to control, DS reduced the marketable fresh mass (FM) by 31.6% and 55.2% in the early and late stages of growth. FM was highest under control + eCO2 (94.4–613.7 g) and lowest under DS + aCO2 (67.9–275.5 g). Plant height under DS + aCO2 and DS + eCO2 reduced by 16.8% and 10.6% during the late season. On the other hand, dry mass percent (DM%) increased by 31.6% and 55.2% under DS + eCO2 compared to control in the early and late stages of growth, respectively. This study suggested that eCO2 during DS significantly impacts basil morphological traits compared to aCO2. Besides, anthocyanin decreased by 10% in DS + aCO2 and increased by 12.6% in DS + aCO2 compared to control. Similarly, nitrogen balance index, a ratio of chlorophyll and flavonoids, was recorded to be the highest in DS + aCO2 (40.8) compared to any other treatments. Overall, this study indicates that the suppression of basil’s morphophysiological traits by DS is more prominent in its later growth stage than in the earlier stages, and eCO2 played an important role in alleviating the negative effect of DS by increasing the DM% by 55%.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops1030011

Authors: Ezekiel Ahn Farrell Fan Clint Magill

Colletotrichum sublineola is a casual pathogen of sorghum anthracnose. Sorghum pathologists often need to conduct evaluations for anthracnose resistance in large scale which are expensive and labor intensive. As a solution, an excised-leaf assay has been used, but whether or not leaf age, position or region affects pathogenicity scores has not previously been evaluated. Essentially, in an excised-leaf assay, is response to C. sublineola over all or part of a leaf blade identical? To get an answer, three sorghum and one Johnson grass cultivars were tested. The top five leaves were inoculated at the apex, mid-leaf and base of each leaf blade. Results show nearly no effect of leaf age to pathogenicity level within the top five leaves. Furthermore, in order to evaluate any protective role of leaf wax to C. sublineola, the wax was disrupted by simply wiping the leaf surface by a thumb, or as an alternative method, leaf surface tension was reduced by submerging leaves into 2% TWEEN 20 before inoculation. Compared to control, wiped leaves increased pathogenicity scores on the leaf blade and midrib in two of three sorghum cultivars, but 2% TWEEN 20-treated leaves had only minimal changes in pathogenicity level compared to controls.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops1020010

Authors: Paola Sotelo-Cardona Mei-Ying Lin Ramasamy Srinivasan

Tomato continues to be one of the most important crops worldwide, and protected cultivation is practiced to overcome the biotic and abiotic stresses to which the plant are exposed during growth. In this study we evaluated the effect of colored net houses on the growth, yield and nutritional values, as well as the incidence of common pests under three different light conditions: (1) colored (magenta), (2) conventional (white), and open field conditions. A colored net house led the plants to grow taller with higher lycopene content, but recorded a higher number of whiteflies, compared to the conventional net house and open field conditions. Furthermore, plants under protected structures recorded lower SPAD values, but larger terminal leaflets, lower damage by leaf miners, but more damage caused by spider mites compared to those plants grown under open field conditions. Overall, we found that the use of colored net houses provided a positive effect on tomato production in terms of improvement in morphometric parameters, however, to obtain higher yields under this production system, it is important to reduce the elevated temperature and increase the relative humidity inside the protective structures to be adapted for local growing conditions in Taiwan.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops1020009

Authors: Elena Shopova Liliana Brankova Zornitsa Katerova Ljudmila Dimitrova Dessislava Todorova Iskren Sergiev Neveen B. Talaat

Glyphosate is an extensively used herbicide because of its non-selective action for weed control. Salicylic acid (SA) is a phenolic compound that has the potential to increase plant tolerance to diverse stresses. To test SA ability to modulate plant responses to glyphosate we used young wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings grown as a water culture. Plants were sprayed with 1 mM SA, and 24 h later with 0.5 mM glyphosate. All measurements were performed 14 days after herbicide treatment. Wheat growth was reduced by glyphosate. Stress markers (proline and malondialdehyde) were significantly increased by glyphosate showing oxidative damages. Incapacity of wheat to cope with the oxidative stress was evidenced by reduction in thiols and phenolics content, accompanied by slight induction of superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Enhanced activities of peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase were expected to participate in glyphosate detoxification. SA applied alone had no important effects on measured parameters. SA pretreatment decreased stress markers and caused additional amplification of antioxidant defense systems in glyphosate-treated plants. Growth was partially restored in combine-treated plants due to SA application. SA probably triggered antioxidant defense to cope with the herbicide stress.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops1020008

Authors: Javier Carrillo-Reche Adrian C. Newton Francesc Ferrando-Molina Richard S. Quilliam

Enhancing host defences through induced resistance, disease tolerance, and/or escape, in combination with current disease management regimes may be a valuable strategy to reduce pesticide use. Since both ‘on-farm’ seed priming (OSP) and chitosan priming (CHP) have been reported to confer varying levels of host defence, this study sought to investigate their potential to deliver disease control as a strategy for sustainable management of foliar pathogens in winter barley. Field experiments were conducted to determine the effects of OSP and CHP at two different field sites using three different cultivars under fungicide/non-fungicide regimes. Overall, no evidence was found to suggest that CHP or OSP can induce effective resistance in temperate field conditions. However, these field trials enabled the identification of candidate traits to deliver disease tolerance (and escape) for the primary and secondary spread of powdery mildew, i.e., large canopies and rapid stem elongation respectively. Thus, these seed treatments may deliver disease tolerance and escape traits, but these benefits are dependent upon successful establishment and vigour first. The integration of seed treatments into sustainable crop protection may be better undertaken with spring crops or in semi-arid agriculture where the added vigour at emergence can help compensate for negative environmental interactions.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops1020007

Authors: Alexey Morgounov Fatih Özdemir Mesut Keser Beyhan Akin Abdelfattah A. Dababat Susanne Dreisigacker Saber Golkari Emrah Koc Murat Küçükçongar Hafiz Muminjanov Ajit Nehe Awais Rasheed Mozaffar Roostaei Deepmala Sehgal Rajiv Sharma

Collection of wheat landraces (WLR) was conducted in Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey in 2010–2014. A representative subset of this collection was used in the current study and included 45 bread wheat landraces from Turkey, 19 from Iran, and 20 from Afghanistan. This material was supplemented by 73 modern cultivars and breeding lines adapted to semiarid conditions and irrigated conditions. Overall, 157 genotypes were tested in Turkey in 2018 and 2019 and in Afghanistan and Iran in 2019 under rainfed conditions to compare performance of WLR and modern material. The germplasm was genotyped using a high density Illumina Infinium 25K wheat SNP array and KASP markers for agronomic traits. The average grain yield ranged between 2.2 and 4.0 t/ha depending on the site and year. Three groups of landraces demonstrated similar average grain yield, though Afghanistan material was slightly higher yielding not only in Afghanistan but also in Turkey. Modern material outyielded the landraces in two environments out of four. The highest yielding landraces were competitive with the best modern germplasm. Frequency of gene Sus2-2B affecting 1000 kernel weight was 64% in WLR and only 3% in modern material. Presence of positive allele of Sus2-2B increased 1000 kernel weight by nearly 4%. Breeding strategy to improved landraces and modern cultivars is discussed.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops1020006

Authors: Hannah N. Phillips Bradley J. Heins Kathleen Delate Robert Turnbull

Management strategies that integrate crops and livestock may lengthen the productivity of seasonal pasture systems in agroecological zones with short growing seasons. The biomass yield and nutritive value of fall-planted rye (Secale cereale L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) forages were determined in an integrated crop–livestock system under rotational cattle (Bos taurus L.) grazing and organic conditions for seven weeks during the spring and summer in Minnesota, USA. Rye yielded greater forage biomass at the beginning of the grazing interval, while wheat yielded greater forage biomass in the latter part of the grazing interval. In general, wheat had greater crude protein and less neutral detergent fiber, compared to rye, throughout the grazing interval. The predicted total tract neutral detergent fiber digestibility of forages was ≥50 g 100 g−1 of neutral detergent fiber for at least the first four weeks of the grazing interval, indicating high forage digestibility in immature forages. Results from this study suggest that rye may provide more forage biomass for grazing earlier in the spring at the expense of lower nutritive quality, compared to wheat. Thus, the biomass yield and nutritional value of rye and wheat forages vary during the grazing interval, which informs producers of grazing schedule modifications in order to meet the nutritional demands of cattle.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops1010005

Authors: Michel Ravelonandro

Viruses are microbes that have high economic impacts on the ecosystem. Widely spread by humans, plant viruses infect not only crops but also wild species. There is neither a cure nor a treatment against viruses. While chemists have developed further research of inefficient curative products, the relevant concept based on sanitary measures is consistently valuable. In this context, two major strategies remain indisputable. First, there are control measures via diagnostics presently addressing the valuable technologies and tools developed in the last four decades. Second, there is the relevant use of modern biotechnology to improve the competitiveness of fruit-tree growers.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops1010004

Authors: Leblanc Feumba de Tchoua Olivier Sounigo Raymond Bourgoing Mousseni Ives Bruno Efombagn Dieudonné Abolo Zachée Ambang Christian Cilas

Cocoa is an important crop in Cameroon, where it is cultivated in different areas, including marginal areas, characterized by a rather low level of annual rainfall and marked dry seasons. In order to release cocoa varieties with a good level of adaptation to these marginal conditions, nine full-sib progenies, already released to farmers in other producing areas of the country, were assessed on twelve on farm cocoa plots, set up in 2006, in Mbam et Inoubou county, which is a forest–savannah transition zone. The traits assessed were mortality rate, yield and yield stability. Mortality rate and yield vary widely among trial plots and among progenies. Four out of the nine assessed progenies present a yield level significantly higher than the five others. The lowest level of yield stability (estimated by the contribution to total ecovalence) was observed in both the highest and the lowest yielding progenies. Recommendation for the large-scale release of these progenies to farmers of the county, and to other cocoa producing forest–savannah transition areas, are made, based on the results obtained from this study.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops1010003

Authors: Trude Wicklund Sylvain Guyot Jean-Michel Le Quéré

The composition of apples varies with both cultivar and horticultural practice. Knowledge about the chemical composition of different cultivars in particular sugars, organic acids, nitrogen compounds and polyphenols is essential, since they are directly related to the progress of fermentation monitoring and the organoleptic qualities of produced ciders. Fifteen apple cultivars grown in two locations in Norway were investigated for their chemical composition, including polyphenol profiles. The nitrogen content varied from 43.2 to 171.4 mg N/L between the cultivars, and the sum of free amino acids varied from 42.4 to 924.5 mg/kg. Asparagine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid were the dominating amino acids. Flavanols, consisting of catechins and procyanidins, were the dominating polyphenols, followed by hydroxycinnamic acids. The cultivar Bramley Seedling was highest in the sum of polyphenols by HPLC (1838 mg/L) and relatively low in nitrogen content (75 mg N/L). Summerred was lowest in the sum of polyphenols (87 mg/L) and highest in nitrogen (171.4 mg N/L). Sugar content, measured as density in the juice, varied between 1034 and 1060 g/L. Using cider categorization of apples, ’Bramley Seedling’ would be defined as sharp, while the others are sweet cultivars.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops1010002

Authors: Araz Sedqi Abdullah Col Douglas

Halo blight, one of the major diseases of mungbean, is caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. phaseolicola. The pathogen infects the foliar parts of the plant, causing water-soaked spots that eventually develop surrounding yellow margins. The disease is particularly destructive under moderate temperature and high humidity, especially when it occurs during late vegetative through to early reproductive stage. In such conditions, severely infected crops could experience a yield loss up to 70%. Halo blight can be widespread on mungbeans grown in Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales. However, due to its seedborne and cryptic nature of transmission, the disease is likely to be under-reported. This report addresses major aspects of halo blight symptomology, pathology and epidemiology.

Crops doi: 10.3390/crops1010001

Authors: Kenneth J. Moore

The science behind plants that are grown as crops is essential for confronting many of humankind’s existential challenges [...]