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Biotechnological Resources for Improvement of Disease Resistance and Nutritional Quality in Staple Crops

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A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Physiology and Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 29137

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Dr. Daniel-Valentin Savatin

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Guest Editor

Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences (DAFNE), University of Tuscia, Via San Camillo de Lellis snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Interests: plant–microbe interaction; plant innate immunity; plant cell-wall integrity; molecular mechanisms regulating danger sensing and signaling; phytohormones in the growth–defense trade-off; crop resistance to biotic stress; sustainable agriculture; molecular genetics; confocal microscopy

Dr. Francesco Sestili

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Co-Guest Editor

Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences (DAFNE), University of Tuscia, Via San Camillo de Lellis snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Interests: agricultural genetics; starch; genetic biofortification; wheat; functional foods; nutritional quality
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Crop production needs to increase by at least 60% by 2050 to meet the food demand of a growing world population. This task is made more challenging by climate change. It will be very difficult, if not impossible, to succeed with conventional breeding. Biotechnologies represent our best resources in order to make it through. In the last few decades, agricultural biotechnologies have made important progress thanks to the diffusion of fast and efficient new technologies, which offer a broad spectrum of options for understanding plant molecular mechanisms and breeding. This knowledge, along with innovative, fast and precise techniques in molecular genetics, could pave the way for the identification/generation of key resistance traits to be efficiently transferred in crop breeding and applied biotechnology programs for increased science-based sustainability in agriculture.

Section I – Molecular Mechanisms in Plant Resistance to Diseases

Globally, important diseases cause substantial (20–50%) production losses in staple crops, such as wheat, rice, potato, maize and tomato. The consequences of crop diseases also include reduced food quality and safety, due to the presence of hazardous compounds like pesticides and pathogen-derived toxins. Priming and/or boosting plant immune systems may be a sustainable and effective way to save part of the global harvest currently lost to diseases and to prevent food contamination. It is essential to clarify i) how plants sense danger, ii) the molecular mechanisms that activate and modulate immune signaling, and, especially, iii) the role of hormone signaling crosstalk in fine-tuning growth–defense trade-offs in plants challenged by pathogens. This will identify critical events in plant–microbe interactions and, possibly, their key regulatory elements. Such information can be exploited to develop resistant traits in important crops.

Section II – Crop Nutritional Quality

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) represent one of the biggest challenges currently facing humanity, with an increasing trend in developing countries. Among the 57.7 million deaths that occurred worldwide in 2017, about 41 million (71%) were due to NCDs, principally cardiovascular diseases (43.5%), cancer (22%), chronic respiratory diseases (9.5%) and diabetes (4%). It has been well established that most of above pathologies can be prevented with correct eating habits. Agricultural biotechnology represents a powerful tool to develop new, safe, and nutritious crops, enhancing the nutritional profiles of plants used for food production. Since the inception of golden rice, metabolic engineering approaches have permitted the development of new, more nutritious varieties, with desired traits including increased vitamin, protein, fiber and antioxidant content and altered amino acid and fatty acid profiles. Several studies have demonstrated that these new genotypes represent an important vehicle to prevent common diet-related diseases.

This Special Issue will collect state-of-the-art knowledge on plant–microbe interactions and NCDs. It will also highlight recent progress on different topics related to plant resistance to diseases, as well as applicable biotechnology designed to increase the nutritional value, sustainability and resilience of crops. This will help address the challenging social (increasing food demand with population growth) and environmental (climate change, scarce natural resources) scenario foreseen in the coming decades.

Dr. Daniel-Valentin Savatin
Dr. Francesco Sestili
Guest Editors

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Keywords

plant–microbe interaction
plant innate immunity
plant cell-wall integrity
molecular mechanisms regulating danger sensing and signaling
phytohormones in the growth–defense trade-off
crop resistance to biotic stress
molecular genetics
sustainable agriculture
plant breeding
metabolic engineering
genetic biofortification
improvement of crop nutritional value
CRISPR/Cas9
TILLING
RNA interference

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1561 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring Variability of Free Asparagine Content in the Grain of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties Cultivated in Italy to Reduce Acrylamide-Forming Potential

by Andrea Tafuri, Melania Zuccaro, Stefano Ravaglia, Raul Pirona, Stefania Masci, Francesco Sestili, Domenico Lafiandra, Aldo Ceriotti and Elena Baldoni

Plants 2023, 12(6), 1349; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12061349 - 16 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1575

Abstract

Acrylamide, a suspected human carcinogen, is generated during food processing at high temperatures in the Maillard reaction, which involves reducing sugars and free asparagine. In wheat derivatives, free asparagine represents a key factor in acrylamide formation. Free asparagine levels in the grain of different wheat genotypes has been investigated in recent studies, but little is known about elite varieties that are cultivated in Italy. Here, we analysed the accumulation of free asparagine in a total of 54 bread wheat cultivars that are relevant for the Italian market. Six field trials in three Italian locations over two years were considered. Wholemeal flours obtained from harvested seeds were analysed using an enzymatic method. Free asparagine content ranged from 0.99 to 2.82 mmol/kg dry matter in the first year, and from 0.55 to 2.84 mmol/kg dry matter in the second year. Considering the 18 genotypes that were present in all the field trials, we evaluated possible environment and genetic influences for this trait. Some cultivars seemed to be highly affected by environment, whereas others showed a relative stability in free asparagine content across years and locations. Finally, we identified two varieties showing the highest free asparagine levels in our analysis, representing potential useful materials for genotype x environment interaction studies. Two other varieties, which were characterized by low amounts of free asparagine in the considered samples, may be useful for the food industry and for future breeding programs aimed to reduce acrylamide-forming potential in bread wheat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnological Resources for Improvement of Disease Resistance and Nutritional Quality in Staple Crops)

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21 pages, 5260 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Promising Bioregulators for Higher Water Productivity and Oil Quality of Chia under Deficit Irrigation in Semiarid Regions

by Chowdasandra Byregowda Harisha, Vijaykumar B. Narayanpur, Jagadish Rane, Vasant M. Ganiger, Sugooru M. Prasanna, Yeragenahalli Chandrashekaharappa Vishwanath, Sanjeevraddi G. Reddi, Hanamant M. Halli, Karnar Manjanna Boraiah, Patil Siddanagouda Basavaraj, Eman A. Mahmoud, Ryan Casini and Hosam O. Elansary

Plants 2023, 12(3), 662; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030662 - 02 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1677

Abstract

Appropriate water management practices are essential for the successful cultivation of chia in water-scarce situations of semiarid regions. This is highly essential when new crops such as chia are introduced for ensuring diversity and water saving. Therefore, field trials (2020–21 and 2021–22) were conducted to understand the impact of deficit irrigation and bioregulators (BRs) on the seed yield, water productivity, and oil quality of chia. The effect of foliar application of BRs such as thiourea (TU; 400 ppm), salicylic acid (SA; 1.0 mM), potassium nitrate (KN; 0.15%), potassium silicate (KS; 100 ppm), kaolin (KO; 5%), and sodium benzoate (SB; 200 ppm) were monitored at different levels of irrigation: 100 (I₁₀₀), 75 (I₇₅), 50 (I₅₀), and 25 (I₂₅) percent of cumulative pan evaporation (CPE). Deficit irrigation at I₂₅, I₅₀, and I₇₅ led to 55.3, 20.1, and 3.3% reductions in seed yield; 42.5, 22.5, and 4.2% in oil yield; and 58.9, 24.5, and 5.7% in omega–3 yield, respectively, relative to I₁₀₀. Bioregulators could reduce the adverse impact of water deficit stress on seed, oil, and omega–3 yield. However, their beneficial effect was more conspicuous under mild water stress (I₇₅), as revealed by higher seed yield (4.3–6.9%), oil yield (4.4–7.1%), and omega–3 yield (4.7–8.5%) over control (I₁₀₀ + no BRs). Further, BRs (KN, TU, and SA) maintained oil quality in terms of linolenic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid contents, even under mild stress (I₇₅). Foliar application of KN, TU, and SA could save water to an extent of 36–40%. Therefore, the adverse impact of deficit irrigation on seed, oil, and omega–3 yields of chia could be minimized using BRs such as KN, TU, and SA, which can also contribute to improved water productivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnological Resources for Improvement of Disease Resistance and Nutritional Quality in Staple Crops)

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25 pages, 7149 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Date Palm Waste Compost Application on Root Proteome Changes of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

by Emna Ghouili, Khaled Sassi, Yassine Hidri, Hatem Cheikh M’Hamed, Anil Somenahally, Qingwu Xue, Moez Jebara, Rim Nefissi Ouertani, Jouhaina Riahi, Ana Caroline de Oliveira, Ghassen Abid and Yordan Muhovski

Plants 2023, 12(3), 526; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030526 - 23 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1688

Abstract

Proteomic analysis was performed to investigate the differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) in barley roots during the tillering stage. Bioinformatic tools were used to interpret the biological function, the pathway analysis and the visualisation of the network amongst the identified proteins. A total of 72 DAPs (33 upregulated and 39 downregulated) among a total of 2580 proteins were identified in response to compost treatment, suggesting multiple pathways of primary and secondary metabolism, such as carbohydrates and energy metabolism, phenylpropanoid pathway, glycolysis pathway, protein synthesis and degradation, redox homeostasis, RNA processing, stress response, cytoskeleton organisation, and phytohormone metabolic pathways. The expression of DAPs was further validated by qRT-PCR. The effects on barley plant development, such as the promotion of root growth and biomass increase, were associated with a change in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. The activation of enzymes involved in redox homeostasis and the regulation of stress response proteins suggest a protective effect of compost, consequently improving barley growth and stress acclimation through the reduction of the environmental impact of productive agriculture. Overall, these results may facilitate a better understanding of the molecular mechanism of compost-promoted plant growth and provide valuable information for the identification of critical genes/proteins in barley as potential targets of compost. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnological Resources for Improvement of Disease Resistance and Nutritional Quality in Staple Crops)

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14 pages, 2108 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Genomic Prediction Accuracy of Stripe Rust in Six Spring Wheat Populations by Modeling Genotype by Environment Interaction

by Kassa Semagn, Muhammad Iqbal, Diego Jarquin, Harpinder Randhawa, Reem Aboukhaddour, Reka Howard, Izabela Ciechanowska, Momna Farzand, Raman Dhariwal, Colin W. Hiebert, Amidou N’Diaye, Curtis Pozniak and Dean Spaner

Plants 2022, 11(13), 1736; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11131736 - 30 Jun 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1569

Abstract

Some previous studies have assessed the predictive ability of genome-wide selection on stripe (yellow) rust resistance in wheat, but the effect of genotype by environment interaction (GEI) in prediction accuracies has not been well studied in diverse genetic backgrounds. Here, we compared the predictive ability of a model based on phenotypic data only (M1), the main effect of phenotype and molecular markers (M2), and a model that incorporated GEI (M3) using three cross-validations (CV1, CV2, and CV0) scenarios of interest to breeders in six spring wheat populations. Each population was evaluated at three to eight field nurseries and genotyped with either the DArTseq technology or the wheat 90K single nucleotide polymorphism arrays, of which a subset of 1,058- 23,795 polymorphic markers were used for the analyses. In the CV1 scenario, the mean prediction accuracies of the M1, M2, and M3 models across the six populations varied from −0.11 to −0.07, from 0.22 to 0.49, and from 0.19 to 0.48, respectively. Mean accuracies obtained using the M3 model in the CV1 scenario were significantly greater than the M2 model in two populations, the same in three populations, and smaller in one population. In both the CV2 and CV0 scenarios, the mean prediction accuracies of the three models varied from 0.53 to 0.84 and were not significantly different in all populations, except the Attila/CDC Go in the CV2, where the M3 model gave greater accuracy than both the M1 and M2 models. Overall, the M3 model increased prediction accuracies in some populations by up to 12.4% and decreased accuracy in others by up to 17.4%, demonstrating inconsistent results among genetic backgrounds that require considering each population separately. This is the first comprehensive genome-wide prediction study that investigated details of the effect of GEI on stripe rust resistance across diverse spring wheat populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnological Resources for Improvement of Disease Resistance and Nutritional Quality in Staple Crops)

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15 pages, 1332 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Metabolic Profiling Analysis Revealed a Primary Metabolism Reprogramming in Arabidopsis glyI4 Loss-of-Function Mutant

by Silvia Proietti, Laura Bertini, Gaia Salvatore Falconieri, Ivan Baccelli, Anna Maria Timperio and Carla Caruso

Plants 2021, 10(11), 2464; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10112464 - 15 Nov 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2125

Abstract

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a cytotoxic compound often produced as a side product of metabolic processes such as glycolysis, lipid peroxidation, and photosynthesis. MG is mainly scavenged by the glyoxalase system, a two-step pathway, in which the coordinate activity of GLYI and GLYII transforms it into D-lactate, releasing GSH. In Arabidopsis thaliana, a member of the GLYI family named GLYI4 has been recently characterized. In glyI4 mutant plants, a general stress phenotype characterized by compromised MG scavenging, accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), stomatal closure, and reduced fitness was observed. In order to shed some light on the impact of gly4 loss-of-function on plant metabolism, we applied a high resolution mass spectrometry-based metabolomic approach to Arabidopsis Col-8 wild type and glyI4 mutant plants. A compound library containing a total of 70 metabolites, differentially synthesized in glyI4 compared to Col-8, was obtained. Pathway analysis of the identified compounds showed that the upregulated pathways are mainly involved in redox reactions and cellular energy maintenance, and those downregulated in plant defense and growth. These results improved our understanding of the impacts of glyI4 loss-of-function on the general reprogramming of the plant’s metabolic landscape as a strategy for surviving under adverse physiological conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnological Resources for Improvement of Disease Resistance and Nutritional Quality in Staple Crops)

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18 pages, 5402 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transgenic Expression of dsRNA Targeting the Pentalonia nigronervosa acetylcholinesterase Gene in Banana and Plantain Reduces Aphid Populations

by Temitope Jekayinoluwa, Jaindra Nath Tripathi, Benjamin Dugdale, George Obiero, Edward Muge, James Dale and Leena Tripathi

Plants 2021, 10(4), 613; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10040613 - 24 Mar 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3734

Abstract

The banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa, is the sole insect vector of banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), the causal agent of banana bunchy top disease. The aphid acquires and transmits BBTV while feeding on infected banana plants. RNA interference (RNAi) enables the generation of pest and disease-resistant crops; however, its effectiveness relies on the identification of pivotal gene sequences to target and silence. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an essential enzyme responsible for the hydrolytic metabolism of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in animals. In this study, the AChE gene of the banana aphid was targeted for silencing by RNAi through transgenic expression of AChE dsRNA in banana and plantain plants. The efficacy of dsRNA was first assessed using an artificial feeding assay. In vitro aphid feeding on a diet containing 7.5% sucrose, and sulfate complexes of trace metals supported aphid growth and reproduction. When AChE dsRNA was included in the diet, a dose of 500 ng/μL was lethal to the aphids. Transgenic banana cv. Cavendish Williams and plantain cvs. Gonja Manjaya and Orishele expressing AChE dsRNA were regenerated and assessed for transgene integration and copy number. When aphids were maintained on elite transgenic events, there was a 67.8%, 46.7%, and 75.6% reduction in aphid populations growing on Cavendish Williams, Gonja Manjaya, and Orishele cultivars, respectively, compared to those raised on nontransgenic control plants. These results suggest that RNAi targeting an essential aphid gene could be a useful means of reducing both aphid infestation and potentially the spread of the disease they transmit. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnological Resources for Improvement of Disease Resistance and Nutritional Quality in Staple Crops)

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Review

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22 pages, 1460 KiB

Open AccessReview

Influence of Silicon on Biocontrol Strategies to Manage Biotic Stress for Crop Protection, Performance, and Improvement

by Krishan K. Verma, Xiu-Peng Song, Dan-Dan Tian, Dao-Jun Guo, Zhong-Liang Chen, Chang-Song Zhong, Amin Nikpay, Munna Singh, Vishnu D. Rajput, Rupesh Kumar Singh, Tatiana Minkina and Yang-Rui Li

Plants 2021, 10(10), 2163; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10102163 - 12 Oct 2021

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4093

Abstract

Silicon (Si) has never been acknowledged as a vital nutrient though it confers a crucial role in a variety of plants. Si may usually be expressed more clearly in Si-accumulating plants subjected to biotic stress. It safeguards several plant species from disease. It is considered as a common element in the lithosphere of up to 30% of soils, with most minerals and rocks containing silicon, and is classified as a “significant non-essential” element for plants. Plant roots absorb Si, which is subsequently transferred to the aboveground parts through transpiration stream. The soluble Si in cytosol activates metabolic processes that create jasmonic acid and herbivore-induced organic compounds in plants to extend their defense against biotic stressors. The soluble Si in the plant tissues also attracts natural predators and parasitoids during pest infestation to boost biological control, and it acts as a natural insect repellent. However, so far scientists, policymakers, and farmers have paid little attention to its usage as a pesticide. The recent developments in the era of genomics and metabolomics have opened a new window of knowledge in designing molecular strategies integrated with the role of Si in stress mitigation in plants. Accordingly, the present review summarizes the current status of Si-mediated plant defense against insect, fungal, and bacterial attacks. It was noted that the Si-application quenches biotic stress on a long-term basis, which could be beneficial for ecologically integrated strategy instead of using pesticides in the near future for crop improvement and to enhance productivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnological Resources for Improvement of Disease Resistance and Nutritional Quality in Staple Crops)

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19 pages, 1295 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Biotechnological Resources to Increase Disease-Resistance by Improving Plant Immunity: A Sustainable Approach to Save Cereal Crop Production

by Valentina Bigini, Francesco Camerlengo, Ermelinda Botticella, Francesco Sestili and Daniel V. Savatin

Plants 2021, 10(6), 1146; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10061146 - 04 Jun 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 7955

Abstract

Plant diseases are globally causing substantial losses in staple crop production, undermining the urgent goal of a 60% increase needed to meet the food demand, a task made more challenging by the climate changes. Main consequences concern the reduction of food amount and quality. Crop diseases also compromise food safety due to the presence of pesticides and/or toxins. Nowadays, biotechnology represents our best resource both for protecting crop yield and for a science-based increased sustainability in agriculture. Over the last decades, agricultural biotechnologies have made important progress based on the diffusion of new, fast and efficient technologies, offering a broad spectrum of options for understanding plant molecular mechanisms and breeding. This knowledge is accelerating the identification of key resistance traits to be rapidly and efficiently transferred and applied in crop breeding programs. This review gathers examples of how disease resistance may be implemented in cereals by exploiting a combination of basic research derived knowledge with fast and precise genetic engineering techniques. Priming and/or boosting the immune system in crops represent a sustainable, rapid and effective way to save part of the global harvest currently lost to diseases and to prevent food contamination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnological Resources for Improvement of Disease Resistance and Nutritional Quality in Staple Crops)

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25 pages, 395 KiB

Open AccessReview

Development of Transgenic Brassica Crops against Biotic Stresses Caused by Pathogens and Arthropod Pests

by Jorge Poveda, Marta Francisco, M. Elena Cartea and Pablo Velasco

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1664; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121664 - 27 Nov 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3465

Abstract

The Brassica genus includes one of the 10 most agronomically and economically important plant groups in the world. Within this group, we can find examples such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, turnip or rapeseed. Their cultivation and postharvest are continually threatened by significant stresses of biotic origin, such as pathogens and pests. In recent years, numerous research groups around the world have developed transgenic lines within the Brassica genus that are capable of defending themselves effectively against these enemies. The present work compiles all the existing studies to date on this matter, focusing in a special way on those of greater relevance in recent years, the choice of the gene of interest and the mechanisms involved in improving plant defenses. Some of the main transgenic lines developed include coding genes for chitinases, glucanases or cry proteins, which show effective results against pathogens such as Alternaria brassicae, Leptosphaeria maculans or Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, or pests such as Lipaphis erysimi or Plutella xylostella. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnological Resources for Improvement of Disease Resistance and Nutritional Quality in Staple Crops)

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