Search Results (31,161)

Stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis) and Fusarium head blight (FHB; caused by Fusarium graminearum) are fungal diseases that endanger wheat productivity; however, by pyramiding disease-resistant genes, the long-term resistance of wheat can be strengthened. In this study, a multi-parent pyramiding hybrid population was constructed using marker-assisted selection (MAS). After multiple generations of breeding, 168 F₆ lines were obtained. By combining molecular marker genotyping, field resistance identification, and agronomic trait evaluation, 19 lines with excellent agronomic traits were selected, which not only showed high resistance to stripe rust but also carried Fhb1 genes, some of which have the potential to be developed into new germplasms and offer important genetic resources for the breeding of wheat with long-lasting and broad-spectrum resistance. Full article

Waste biomass represents both an environmental pollutant and a potential renewable energy source. This study examines the feasibility of hydrogen production from tea residue biomass and solid waste, focusing on pyrolysis-based hydrogen generation. Compared to atmospheric pyrolysis, vacuum conditions reduce the saturated vapor pressure of biomass volatiles, thereby promoting char gasification, gas-phase interactions, and secondary tar cracking. Utilizing a self-designed vacuum-pyrolysis-catalysis system, we investigated the effects of key parameters—vacuum level, temperature, catalyst-to-feedstock ratio, and retention time on pyrolysis product distribution and formation mechanisms. Results indicate that Ni was successfully and uniformly loaded onto waste calcium oxide desiccant (DC) support via impregnation, thereby significantly increasing the specific surface area of the catalyst. Optimization using response surface methodology identified the following optimal conditions: pressure of 5 kPa, temperature of 835.89 °C, catalyst/feedstock ratio of 110.02%, and retention time of 2.35 h. Under these conditions, a hydrogen yield of 256.39 mL·g⁻¹ was achieved, corresponding to 95.3% of the simulated value. The process not only enabled efficient hydrogen production but also simultaneously yielded bio-oil and biochar, thereby facilitating carbon capture and recycling. These findings provide valuable insights into the resource-oriented application of vacuum pyrolysis-catalysis technology to waste biomass. Full article

Genomic selection (GS) is a promising tool to accelerate genetic gain for complex traits. In this study, we evaluated the potential of GS for the improvement of seven lodging-related traits in double-cropping rice in Southern China using 438 rice accessions. The traits examined included the length and bending resistance of the third and fourth internodes (IL3, IL4, BR3, BR4), plant height (PH), and the ratio of internode length to plant height (IL3/PH, IL4/PH). Significant phenotypic differences were observed for all traits between the two seasons. In comparisons of cross-validation and independent prediction, GBLUP and BayesLASSO outperformed LightGBM across all traits in both seasons. Across all evaluated traits, prediction accuracies (Pearson’s r) ranged from 0.33 to 0.78 in cross-validation and from 0.28 to 0.75 in independent prediction using the GBLUP model. Bending resistance exhibited lower prediction accuracy due to its lower genomic heritability. Correlation analysis revealed that plant height was not significantly correlated with culm bending resistance, suggesting that these traits are genetically independent. We utilized GBLUP models trained on our experimental data to predict the genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) of the 3000 Rice Genomes Project (3kRG) dataset. The results demonstrated that GS can efficiently enrich the proportion of highly lodging-resistant accessions, increasing it from 31.40% in the base 3kRG population to a maximum of 83.00% among the top 200 selected individuals. Furthermore, indirect selection for traits with higher heritability, such as IL and IL/PH, was more effective at screening highly lodging-resistant cultivars than direct selection for BR. Our research demonstrates the feasibility of applying genomic selection for the breeding of lodging-resistant varieties in double-cropping rice and provides a foundation for further applications. Full article

Slovenia preserves one autochthonous pig breed, the Krškopolje pig, whose meat has been reported to exhibit a favourable fatty acid profile compared with that of modern breeds. However, meat quality is not solely determined by genetics; the production system also influences it, as organic and conventional farming differ in feed composition, housing and outdoor access. This study aimed to compare the effects of pig breed (Krškopolje vs. modern) and production system (organic vs. conventional) on the fatty acid composition and volatile organic compound (VOC) profile of pork. Fatty acid composition was determined by GC-FID after methylation, and the VOCs profile was obtained using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with GC-MS. Results showed that Krškopolje meat had higher SFA and MUFA, while modern pig meat had higher PUFAs, particularly n-6, reflecting genetic and dietary influences. Modern breeds also showed greater fatty acid response to the rearing system than the Krškopolje breed. Several VOCs were unique to modern breed pigs, indicating breed-specific differences in lipid composition, amino acid metabolism, and microbial activity. Aldehydes were the dominant VOC class in both breeds, slightly higher in Krškopolje meat. OPLS-DA model revealed breed-related differences in VOCs, pinpointing compounds likely responsible for breed-specific aroma and flavour. Full article

Genes important for research and breeding plant varieties are crucial for the survival and development of human civilization. Seeds of cereal germplasm are maintained in gene banks (GBs) and grain viability of GB accessions must be regularly restored by seed multiplication. During related operations human errors may lead to contaminated or mislabeled accessions and resultant genotype non-authenticity. Such mistakes accumulate over time. In this report, 1412 lines derived from 289 accessions of 93 barley varieties, each obtained from several GBs, were analyzed. Five single seed progenies (SSPs) were usually harvested from an accession and their major genes conferring powdery mildew resistance were postulated. Twenty-two known resistance genes and 60 of their combinations were identified. Non-authentic genotypes contained different genes compared with genes present in other genotypes of the same variety. Based on these results we found at least 40 (13.8%) mislabeled and 102 (35.3%) heterogeneous accessions in which 276 lines (19.7%) carried non-authentic genotypes. Misrepresented varieties in GBs are a great problem for research projects, especially those focused on finding new (e.g., molecular) varietal characteristics, and in breeding programs as the required gene combination cannot be obtained. Full article

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum siamense, is a major limiting factor for global natural rubber production. To develop sustainable control strategies, seven bacterial strains with antagonistic activity against C. siamense were isolated from healthy rubber tree leaves, with strain WR7 demonstrating the most significant antifungal effect, exhibiting an inhibition rate of 82.36%. Pot experiments revealed that WR7 achieved a disease control efficacy of 71.65% against C. siamense-induced anthracnose. Genomic analysis identified WR7 as Bacillus altitudinis. This strain inhibits pathogen growth through multiple mechanisms, including disruption of the pathogen’s cell wall and membrane integrity, induction of reactive oxygen species accumulation in hyphae, and secretion of cellulase, glucanase, protease, and siderophores. Gene cluster analysis further confirmed the potential of WR7 to synthesize antagonistic secondary metabolites such as lichenysin, fengycin, and bacilysin, while its sterile filtrate and volatile compounds also exhibited significant antifungal activity. Moreover, treatment with WR7 activated defense-related enzymes, including catalase and superoxide dismutase in rubber tree leaves, thereby enhancing the plant’s defense responses. This study is the first to report that Bacillus altitudinis WR7 has potential as a biocontrol agent for managing rubber tree anthracnose, offering a novel resource for sustainable disease management in rubber production. Full article

Soybean seed quality is defined by an inverse relationship between oil and protein content. Understanding the spatiotemporal regulation of this trade-off is crucial for breeding. This study aims to dissect the transcriptomic networks governing carbon and nitrogen partitioning during seed development. Here, transcriptomic and co-expression network analyses were performed on cotyledon and seedcoat tissues of high-protein (HP) and low-protein (LP) soybean cultivars across three seed developmental stages. We identified 4910 HP/LP-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with striking transcriptional alterations in the early developmental stage. Notably, some important DEGs were enriched in carbon/lipid metabolism, protein folding, and hormone/circadian signaling pathways, among which key gene families (e.g., OLEs, SWEETs, HSPs), core regulators (e.g., LACS, L1L, ABF1), and QTL-localized candidate genes (e.g., FA9) were characterized. Mechanistically, C/VIF1-mediated post-translational inhibition of CWINV1 may restrict carbon flux to oil synthesis in HP seeds; upstream circadian/hormone signaling and L1L-sHSPs jointly promote protein deposition, uncoupling the oil–protein trade-off and enabling HP trait formation. In contrast, LP cultivars upregulated SWEETs, OLEs, and LTPs to facilitate high carbon flux into lipid biosynthesis and storage. These findings provide valuable genetic targets for precision breeding programs aimed at optimizing resource allocation. Full article

The quality and flavor of chicken meat are the key factors that influence consumers’ purchase decisions. Recent studies have demonstrated that polyphenol can modulate meat quality. In this study, an integrated multi-omics approach was utilized to systematically identify the regulatory effect of dietary supplementation with polyphenols extracts of C. osmantha leaves (PECOL) on chicken flavor. It was found that dietary PECOL supplementation enhanced breast meat flavor and increased fatty acid ethyl ester compounds in the breast muscle. Moreover, PECOL supplementation reshaped the composition and proportions of gut microbiota across multiple taxonomic levels, with a notable enrichment of taxa within the phylum Firmicutes (e.g., g_Massilistercora). Furthermore, the addition of PECOL altered the contents of cecal metabolites related to lipid and glucose metabolism, such as PC (14:1(9Z)/21:0), PC (P-16:0/15:1(9Z)), LysoPE (20:4(8Z, 11Z, 14Z, 17Z)/0:0), and glycerol 3-phosphate. Notably, we found that g_Massilistercora was significantly correlated with the content of these metabolites related to lipid and glucose metabolism. Further analysis revealed that these metabolites might interact with GPAT4 to jointly regulate chicken flavor. These findings further clarify the regulatory role played by PECOL in shaping the flavor of broiler meat. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effects of carotenoid-biofortified Pexeso wheat compared with those of common Tercie wheat on performance characteristics, nutrient retention, and tissue antioxidant concentrations in broiler chickens. A total of 180 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 2 dietary treatments (i.e., Tercie vs. Pexeso), with 6 replicate pens and 15 chicks per pen. Pexeso wheat, characterized by increased lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations, in combination with rapeseed oil as the primary dietary fat source, significantly improved the feed conversion ratio (FCR; p < 0.001), despite not affecting the body weight of the chickens at 35 days of age or feed intake. This improved efficiency was consistent with the significantly increased retention of crude protein (p = 0.004). Specifically, the concentrations of γ-tocopherol (p = 0.006) and lutein (p = 0.004) in the breast meat and γ-tocopherol (p = 0.047), lutein (p < 0.001), and zeaxanthin (p < 0.001) in the liver significantly increased in the Pexeso group. This accumulation was supported by the significantly greater retention of these antioxidants (p = 0.008, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, the inclusion of carotenoid-biofortified Pexeso wheat effectively improved the FCR and enhanced the antioxidant profile of chicken tissues. These findings suggest that Pexeso wheat represents a viable strategy for improving nutrient utilization and the nutritional quality of poultry meat. Full article

Flavor is a pivotal determinant of goat meat quality, influenced by multiple factors. This study investigated flavor formation from a lipid perspective by comparing two distinct breeds at two years old and fed the same diet: the high-altitude Xizang goat (XG; n = 6, 26.23 ± 0.72 kg), renowned for its unique meat flavor, and the low-altitude meat-type Jianzhou big-ear goat (JBG; n = 6, 63.93 ± 0.98 kg). Lipid profiles were analyzed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), and flavor variations were assessed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). We identified 630 significantly differential lipids (VIP > 1, p < 0.05) between the breeds. The XG group exhibited a distinct lipid composition characterized by a higher proportion of glycerophospholipids (45.1%) and the upregulation of specific species such as PC (13:0_16:0) and PE(16:0_20:5), whereas glycerolipids were markedly more abundant in JBG (24.3%) than in XG (6.4%). A total of 14 key volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified as potential drivers of flavor divergence based on the criteria of |log₂(fold change)| ≥ 1, VIP > 1, p < 0.05 and rOAV ≥ 1. Correlation networks revealed significant positive associations (r > 0.8, p < 0.05) between several upregulated glycerophospholipids—including PC (13:0_16:0), PE(16:0_20:5), PE(20:5_16:1), PMeOH(16:0_22:4), and PS(18:2_20:5)—and fruity esters such as ethyl heptanoate and butyl butyrate in XG meat, directly contributing to its more intense fruity sensory profile. Collectively, this study demonstrated that the phospholipid-rich lipidome of high-altitude XG served as a key substrate for generating fruity esters, which fundamentally distinguishes its more complex and preferred sensory profile from the triglyceride-dominated lipidome of JBG meat. These findings establish a potential molecular link between lipid composition and meat flavor, providing a biochemical explanation for traditional flavor preferences and highlighting the importance of lipid metabolism in determining the quality of goat meat. Full article

Brassica juncea is a widely cultivated leafy vegetable species in Northeast Asia, including Korea, Japan, and China. Under shade conditions, B. juncea exhibits shade avoidance syndrome (SAS), which negatively impacts its market quality. However, B. juncea is cultivated in diverse climates worldwide, including regions with frequent foggy days, highlighting the need to understand its adaptation to shade conditions to improve cultivation quality. To investigate the relationship between SAS phenotypes and environmental factors, including daylength, precipitation, and temperature, we analyzed 30 clones and six commercial cultivars of B. juncea. After 7 days of growth, all six commercial cultivars exhibited a canonical SAS response, with hypocotyl length increasing by 3.25- to 5.18-fold under dim light compared to white light conditions. Among the 30 clones, shade responsiveness varied widely, with hypocotyl elongation ranging from 1.42- to 8.54-fold change. A simple correlation analysis revealed that environmental factors were not highly correlated with shade responsiveness due to their complex interactions. To address this, we applied six machine learning models and found that the random forest algorithm provided the most accurate predictions of environmental influences on hypocotyl length. Using this model, we identified daylength, precipitation, and temperature as key environmental factors contributing to SAS phenotypes in B. juncea. Our findings not only identify clones that can be cultivated under low-light conditions with reduced SAS effects but also establish a link between SAS phenotypes and natural environmental conditions. These insights provide a foundation for future breeding strategies to improve shade adaptation in B. juncea. Full article

The important economic traits of ruminants result from interactions between genetic background and environmental factors, but key traits such as reproductive performance, feed efficiency, disease resistance, and livestock product quality are often not fully explained by DNA sequence variations alone. Increasing evidence suggests that epigenetic regulation serves as a crucial molecular bridge connecting environmental stimuli with changes in gene expression, allowing organisms to exhibit stable and plastic phenotypic differences without altering the DNA sequence. This review provides a structured synthesis of recent research in the field of epigenetics in ruminants, elucidating how multiple layers of epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, and higher-order chromatin structures, coordinate to regulate growth, development, reproductive performance, metabolic and immune homeostasis, and livestock product traits across different tissues and developmental stages. These epigenetic marks not only demonstrate high responsiveness to nutrition, management, and environmental stressors, but can exhibit context-dependent stability within the same tissue and physiological stage when environmental conditions are comparable, thereby contributing to the regulation of phenotypic plasticity and offering potential value as predictive biomarkers. Furthermore, epigenetic information can supplement our understanding of phenotypic variation in ways that traditional genomic selection methods are unable to capture, offering new data dimensions for the prediction and improvement of low heritability, environmentally sensitive traits. Overall, integrating epigenetic information with genomic selection strategies may improve the accuracy of ruminant trait prediction and enhance environmental adaptability. This integration also offers a conceptual basis and technical pathway for developing more precise and sustainable breeding systems. Full article

This experiment was designed to determine the effect of the Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (paracasei) strain NSMJ27, isolated from Korean fermented vegetable food (home-made kimchi), on laying performance, egg quality, intestinal histology, cecal short-chain fatty acids, and ileal antioxidant/immunity indicators of laying hens. Ninety-six 55-week-old Hy-Line Brown hens were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments with each treatment comprising eight replicates of six hens each. Experimental diets were prepared by mixing corn and soybean meal basal diets without or with L. paracasei NSMJ27 at 2.5 × 10⁹ CFU/kg. The experiment lasted 4 weeks. Laying hens fed with the NSMJ27-supplemented diet were not affected (p > 0.05) in their laying performance or egg quality. With respect to ileal morphology, villus height: crypt depth ratio tended to be higher (p = 0.067) in laying hens fed with L. paracasei NSMJ27 vs. control diets. Dietary L. paracasei did not affect (p > 0.05) the activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase, malondialdehyde contents, or secretory immunoglobulin A in ileal mucosa, but increased (p = 0.048) the activity of superoxide dismutase compared with the control diet-fed laying hens. Dietary L. paracasei elevated (p = 0.016) the relative percentage of butyrate but lowered (p = 0.057) that of isovalerate in cecal digesta. Dietary L. paracasei did not affect the percentages of cells expressing macrophages, B cells, CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells, or TCRγδ T cell surface markers (p > 0.05). Overall, these results suggest that dietary L. paracasei NSMJ27 could enhance gut health via increasing gut antioxidant capacity and butyrate production in the cecal digesta of laying hens. Full article

In the United Kingdom (UK) and Republic of Ireland (ROI), Local Authorities (LAs) are responsible for stray dogs, with close cultural links and trade in dogs between these jurisdictions. However, there is a lack of coordinated data on the annual numbers of dogs entering LA shelters, reasons for their intake and outcomes across these countries. By making a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to all LAs in the UK and ROI, this study aimed to elucidate and combine this information for 2021–2023, including euthanasia figures and policies relating to animal welfare. In total, 319 of the 403 LAs responded and 254 (63%) provided usable data for the three years. In all countries combined, the numbers of dogs entering LA shelters increased from 16,310 in 2021 to 21,408 in 2022 and to 23,287 in 2023. The proportion of dogs taken into shelter by LAs that were then rehomed directly or via a rehoming organisation increased from 41% in 2021 to 53% 2023, but so did the proportion of dogs euthanased, except in Scotland. Overall, 6.3% of LA kennelled stray dogs were euthanased in 2023, compared with 3.0% in 2022 and 1.9% in 2021. The most commonly euthanased breed type in 2021 was the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and by 2023, other Bull breeds, XL Bullies (from 1 case in 2021 to 150 cases in 2023 in responding LAs), and Collies were being euthanased more frequently. Written welfare and euthanasia policies were reportedly present for 27% and 23% of Las, respectively. A harmonised approach to LA dog data is recommended to enable monitoring over time and between LAs, regions, and countries. Full article

White-flowered alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) persisting in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau’s saline–alkali habitats provides a unique model to explore floral color polymorphism-linked ecological adaptation. We systematically compared phenotypic, physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic profiles of white-flowered (WF) and purple-flowered (PF) alfalfa under high-altitude cold/saline–alkali field conditions (three biological replicates; Student’s t-test). WF showed a significant growth-defense trade-off: flower size and chlorophyll a content decreased by 18.9% and 46.0%, with reduced gibberellin levels, while jasmonic acid (36.3%), proline (51.5%), antioxidant enzyme activities, total flavonoids (17.7%), and condensed tannins (18.2%) were significantly increased (p < 0.001). Multi-omics analysis revealed phenylpropanoid pathway reprogramming (suppressed anthocyanin biosynthesis, precursor accumulation) and coordinated hormone signaling (jasmonic acid activation, salicylic acid inhibition). Our findings confirm the white-flower trait is not an isolated mutation. It is a key component of a coordinated adaptive syndrome, mediated by metabolic reprogramming and hormonal crosstalk. These results provide theoretical and technical support for breeding stress-resistant alfalfa varieties suitable for marginal land cultivation. Full article