Search Results (73)

Nitrogen is a key determinant of both yield and quality in cereal crops; however, its efficiency is strongly influenced by environmental conditions and genotype. This study evaluated the impact of different sowing densities and nitrogen fertilization regimes on grain quality indices in four triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) varieties—Negoiu, Utrifun, Zvelt, and Tulnic—using a split-plot arrangement of the 4 × 3 × 3 type, under the climatic conditions of northwestern Romania. The experiment, conducted over two contrasting growing seasons (2021–2023), employed a split-plot design testing three sowing densities (450, 550, and 650 seeds/m²) and three fertilization levels: basic soil nitrogen fertilization, soil + foliar N-P-K application, and soil + foliar + biostimulant. The results indicated that climatic variability had a predominant effect on grain quality, followed by the genetic characteristics of the varieties and their response to water stress. In the drought-affected 2021–2022 season, the Zvelt variety recorded the highest protein content (14.2%), significantly outperforming the control (13.3%). Supplementary foliar fertilization and the use of biostimulants under drought conditions did not improve quality; in some cases, they led to significant decreases in protein content (from 14.36% to 13.69%) and thousand-kernel weight (TKW). Under optimal precipitation conditions in the 2022–2023 season, supplementary fertilization significantly improved hectoliter weight and TKW (reaching 46.7 g compared to 44.2 g in the soil-only treatments). Higher sowing densities (650 seeds/m²) generally led to decreases in hectoliter weight and TKW in favorable years. These results suggest that nitrogen fertilization can improve triticale quality. In this study, high yields, both quantitatively and qualitatively, appear to be mainly influenced by varieties and climatic conditions, especially water availability during critical growth stages. Full article

Leaf and spike diseases can significantly reduce wheat yield and grain quality. To mitigate these impacts, an integrated disease management approach can be adopted, incorporating measures such as the use of resistant cultivars, fungicides and nitrogen fertilization. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of these practices on chlorophyll a fluorescence, yield components, and the technological quality of wheat grains. The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was correlated with the maximum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry (F_v/F_m), as measured at the dough development stage (ZGS80) under field conditions, which also affected quality parameters. Additionally, an increase in AUDPC values reduced the thousand kernel weight (TKW) and test weight (TW). Conversely, AUDPC values for tan spot, powdery mildew and leaf rust were positively related to ash content (affecting flour color), protein content (PC) and grain falling number. Both the recommended nitrogen rate (130 kg ha⁻¹) and the high rate (200 kg ha⁻¹) increased grain protein content (PC) and gluten index (GI), while maintaining dough stability and water absorption. Fungicide application increased flour lightness and yellowness. Overall, integrated disease management combining moderately resistant cultivars, fungicide applications and nitrogen fertilization reduced AUDPC values, increased F_v/F_m (indicating optimal physiological performance) and ensured yield components and maintenance of wheat technological quality. Full article

The European Union produces about 58 million tons of grain maize annually, and although Slovakia contributes only a small share, grain maize is an important crop occupying 10.6% of the country’s arable land. A two-year pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of vermicompost (Vc) dose and application timing, applied alone or in combination with mineral nitrogen fertilizer, on maize grain yield and selected grain-quality parameters. The spring pre-sowing Vc application at 170 kg ha⁻¹ total N proved appropriate. Increasing the Vc dose from 170 to 340 kg ha⁻¹ total N did not significantly influence grain yield, thousand kernel weight (TKW), or the contents of crude protein and starch. When soil was fertilized with Vc in autumn, the spring application of mineral N at 60 kg ha⁻¹ resulted in higher grain yield compared with the spring application of Vc at 170 kg ha⁻¹ total N. Application of Vc alone, regardless of dose or timing, did not affect starch content or TKW. The combined use of mineral and organic nitrogen sources appears to be the most effective strategy for maize nitrogen nutrition. Applying Vc in autumn or spring at 170 kg ha⁻¹ total N, followed by 60 kg ha⁻¹ mineral N in spring, created favorable conditions for achieving high grain yield and quality. Full article

Potassium (K) is crucial for global maize (Zea mays L.) production, yet the issue of “high K fertilizer input but low utilization efficiency” in K-rich soils of Xinjiang remains underexplored. A three-year field experiment (2020, 2021, 2024) in Xinjiang evaluated the effects of reduced K application on maize growth, grain yield (GY), and K-use efficiency. Five treatments were tested: K100 (136.0 kg K₂O·ha⁻¹), K60 (83.5 kg K₂O·ha⁻¹), K40 (55.6 kg K₂O·ha⁻¹), K0 (no K), and CK (no fertilizer). The research shows that K60 significantly outperforms K100 in terms of physiological parameters (plant height + 2.7–34.7%, leaf area index (LAI) + 6.3–26.8%, dry matter + 22.0–28.8%); GY and thousand kernel weight (TKW) improved by 6.9–15.1% and 9.3–30.3%, respectively. The potassium fertilizer productivity (PFP_K) and potassium fertilizer agronomic efficiency (AE_K) increased by 78–112.3% and 176.4–2085% compared to the K100. During the three-year period, the maximum net income of K60 reached 28,206 CNY·ha⁻¹, which was 18.9–20.7% higher than that of K100. Regression analysis identified an optimal K rate of 82.2–85 kg·ha⁻¹ for maximum yield. Least squares structural equation mode (PLS-SEM) and correlation analyses revealed that moderate K reduction enhanced vegetative growth and optimized yield structure, indirectly boosting yield, thereby directly driving net income. Thus, reducing K input can achieve “lower input with higher efficiency”, offering a practical basis for optimizing K management in arid-region maize systems. Full article

The Ddw1 dwarfing gene is pivotal for reducing plant height and improving lodging resistance in triticale, but its pleiotropic effects on yield components and heading date pose significant challenges for breeders. This study identifies the Growth-Regulating Factor 9-6A (GRF9-6A) gene that compensates for these drawbacks. Field trials across locations (Moscow, Krasnodar) and years (2018, 2019) confirmed the effect of Ddw1, reducing plant height by 26.1–30.1 cm (31.8–32.5%) and thousand-kernel weight (TKW) by 6.0–6.3 g (11.8–15.7%) while increasing the harvest index by up to 4.8 percentage points in three out of four environments, with its effect nullified under the heat stress of Krasnodar 2019. In a Ddw1 background, the GRF9-6Ab allele distinguished by a 12 bp deletion in its promoter compensated for yield losses by increasing grain weight per main spike by up to 0.34 g (19.2%) via boosts in grain number per spike (up to 11.6%) and TKW (up to 11.5%). This combination also elevated the harvest index by up to 4.0 pp and, critically, provided a key agronomic advantage by accelerating heading by 6.3–6.5 days (10.0–10.2%), thereby mitigating the Ddw1-associated developmental delay. Our results demonstrate that pyramiding Ddw1 with the GRF9-6Ab allele the development of semi-dwarf, high-yielding, and early-maturing triticale cultivars for food and forage. This breeding strategy, facilitated by a newly developed diagnostic marker for GRF9-6Ab, is particularly advantageous for cultivation in environments similar to the Central Non-Chernozem region. Full article

Ancient wheats can be understood as dynamic populations of historically cultivated wheat, which, unlike modern varieties, have not been developed through organised genetic improvement programmes, but rather through traditional farmer selection and local adaptation over centuries. Recently, ancient wheats have enjoyed renewed popularity, particularly in Italy, due to their wide genetic diversity and the significant role of wheat and its derivatives (e.g., bread, pasta, and baked goods) in the country’s culinary and cultural heritage. However, information on the characteristics of Italian ancient wheats remains limited and fragmented. Therefore, this review aims to collect, organise and compare the available evidence on the historical, agronomic, economic and sustainability parameters of ancient wheats, in order to provide an overall assessment of these varieties. The results showed that 34 Italian ancient wheats were studied, mainly from Tuscany and Sicily. With plant heights of up to 180 cm and yields of 1.4–4.8 t/ha, ancient wheats are characterised by greater height but lower productivity compared to modern wheats. They demonstrate good adaptability to poor soils and climatic stress, natural competitiveness with weeds and potential resistance to pathogens, rendering them suitable for sustainable, low-input agricultural systems. Furthermore, ancient wheat flours cost more than twice as much as commercial flours, with average prices of €3.00–5.10/kg, mainly due to artisanal production methods and belonging to short or niche supply chains. Finally, considerable variability in test weight (TW) and thousand kernel weight (TKW) could negatively affect flour or semolina yields. In conclusion, despite their low productivity, ancient wheats could offer significant opportunities in terms of environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation, proving to be a strategic resource for more resilient and sustainable agriculture. Full article

Durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) underpins semolina value chains in water-limited regions, yet Peru remains import-dependent due to constrained local adaptation. We evaluated eleven elite lines plus the commercial variety ‘INIA 412 Atahualpa’ across three contrasting semi-arid sites in Arequipa (Santa Elena, San Francisco de Paula, Santa Rita) during 2023–2024 to identify genotypes maximizing performance and stability. Grain yield, thousand-kernel weight (TKW), hectoliter weight, and plant height were analyzed with combined analysis of variance (ANOVA), the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and genotype and genotype-by-environment (GGE) biplots, complemented by AMMI stability value (ASV) and weighted average of absolute scores and best yield index (WAASBY). Grain yield and hectoliter weight showed significant genotype × environment (G × E) interaction, while plant height was driven mainly by genotype and environment with limited interaction. For grain yield, AMMI (PC1: 55.2%) and GGE (PC1 + PC2: 90.2%) revealed crossover responses and three practical mega-environments: TD-053 “won” at San Francisco de Paula, TD-037 at Santa Elena, and TD-033 at Santa Rita. Additionally, WAASBY-integrated rankings favored TD-033 (93.7%) and TD-014 (84.72%), followed by TD-026/TD-020 (>57%), whereas TD-062 (9.1%) and TD-043/TD-061 underperformed. Quality traits highlighted TD-044 and TD-014 for high hectoliter weight and TD-014/TD-062 for high TKW with contrasting stability. Overall, TD-033 and TD-014 were adaptable across environments, providing selection guidance to strengthen Peru’s durum breeding pipeline under climate variability. Full article

The present research aimed to design innovative wheat cultivation systems that are less resource-intensive, promote biodiversity, and show greater resilience to both biotic and abiotic stress. It was focused on the cultivation and characterization of two evolutionary populations (EPs) of common wheat, namely EP_Floriddia and EP_Li Rosi, grown in Italy, over two growing seasons. The EPs were cultivated in organic management under legume or wheat precessions. Physico-chemical analyses included thousand kernel weight (TKW), test weight (TW), and ash content. Location and genotype mostly influenced TKW; TW, instead, was affected only by year. Wholemeal flour from each sample was assessed for protein content (PC), total starch (TS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total dietary fiber (TDF). Protein content was higher on leguminous precessions than on wheat; the opposite behavior was observed for TS. The growing season predominantly impacted on TAC and TDF values. Technological and rheological parameters such as alveograph W and P/L value, SDS sedimentation test, farinograph quality, gluten index, and falling number revealed EP_Li Rosi as the best for baking aptitude, although both EPs were characterized by weak gluten. These findings support the use of EPs under legume precession as an agroecological approach to pursue agrifood biodiversity, quality, and sustainability. Full article

A pot experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of composts, vermicomposts, and mineral fertilization on maize (Zea mays L.) growth, grain quality, soil chemical properties, and nematode communities. Eight treatments were tested, including organic amendments combined with mineral nitrogen, exclusive mineral fertilization, and an unfertilized control. Soil chemical properties, including pH, salinity, nitrogen compounds, and macro- and microelements, varied notably across treatments. Nematode community analysis revealed distinct patterns among treatments: Shannon diversity was moderate and relatively stable across most treatments, but a statistically significant reduction was recorded in treatment 7. In contrast, the Plant Parasitic Index (PPI) varied significantly, reflecting differences in community maturity and parasitic pressure. Bacterivores and fungivores indicated active nutrient cycling, while omnivores and predators reflected soil food web stability. Fertilization treatments significantly affected maize grain development. The highest thousand-kernel weight (TKW) was recorded in treatment 6 (+8.9% vs. control) and treatment 4 (+7.4% vs. control). The kernel number per cob was greatest in treatments 4 and 5 (+38% and +32%), with corresponding increases in grain mass per cob (+48% and +40%). The mean cob core weight ranged from 20.1 g in the control treatment to 30.2 g in treatment 1. The greatest increases compared to the control were observed in treatments 1 and 5, amounting to 50.2% and 44.8%, respectively. Overall, fertilization influenced grain quality, soil chemistry, and nematode communities, highlighting the importance of integrating organic and mineral amendments for sustainable crop production. Full article

Wheat stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, Pst) resistance and agronomic traits are crucial determinants of wheat yield. Elucidating the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with these essential traits can furnish valuable genetic resources for improving both the yield potential and disease resistance in wheat. Lantian 31 is an excellent Chinese winter wheat cultivar; multi-environment phenotyping across three ecological regions (2022–2024) confirmed stable adult-plant resistance (IT 1–2; DS < 30%) against predominant Chinese Pst races (CYR31–CYR34), alongside superior thousand-kernel weight (TKW) and kernel morphology. Here, we dissected the genetic architecture of these traits using a total of 234 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between Lantian 31 and the susceptible cultivar Avocet S (AvS). Genotyping with a 15K SNP array, complemented by 660K SNP-derived KASP and SSR markers, identified four stable QTLs for stripe rust resistance (QYrlt.swust-1B, -1D, -2D, -6B) and eight QTLs governing plant height (PH), spike length (SL), and kernel traits. Notably, QYrlt.swust-1B (1BL; 29.9% phenotypic variance) likely represents the pleiotropic Yr29/Lr46 locus, while QYrlt.swust-1D (1DL; 22.9% variance) is the first reported APR locus on chromosome 1DL. A pleiotropic cluster on 1B (670.4–689.9 Mb) concurrently enhanced the TKW and the kernel width and area, demonstrating Lantian 31’s dual utility as a resistance and yield donor. The integrated genotyping pipeline—combining 15K SNP discovery, 660K SNP fine-mapping, and KASP validation—precisely delimited QYrlt.swust-1B to a 1.5 Mb interval, offering a cost-effective model for QTL resolution in common wheat. This work provides breeder-friendly markers and a genetic roadmap for pyramiding durable resistance and yield traits in wheat breeding programs. Full article

To elucidate the genetic basis of thousand-kernel weight (TKW) related to fundamental traits such as kernel length (KL), kernel width (KW), and kernel diameter ratio (KDR) at the individual quantitative trait loci (QTL) level, both unconditional QTL analysis and conditional QTL analysis for TKW were analyzed using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population, along with a simplified physical map. A total of 37 unconditional QTLs and 34 conditional QTLs were identified. Six QTLs exhibited independent effects from individual traits (KL, KW, or KDR), while 18 QTLs showed common influences from two or three of these traits simultaneously. Additionally, 26 pairs of epistatically interacting QTLs involving 16 loci were detected. Subsequently, fine mapping of the stable and major-effect QTL QTkw1B was carried out using the derived near-isogenic lines (NILs), ultimately locating it within the interval of 698.15–700.19 Mb on chromosome 1B of the KN9204 genome. The conditional QTL analysis and genetic effect analysis based on NILs both indicated that the increase in TKW was primarily contributed by kernel length. The QTL identified in the present study through the combination of conditional and unconditional QTL mapping could increase the understanding of the genetic interrelationships between TKW and kernel size traits at the individual QTL level and provide a theoretical basis for subsequent candidate gene mining. Full article

The limited understanding of the factors that influence intercrop component performance continues to constrain the widespread adoption of intercropping systems. This study examined the relationships between dry yield, yield components, thousand kernel weight (TKW), hectoliter weight (HLW), and crude protein content in spring oat and hull-less barley using principal component analysis with mix data (PCA mix), general linear modeling (GLM), and regression analysis. Results showed that the total intercropping yield of spring oat and pea can match that of oat pure stands. Year, cropping system, and their interaction had significant effects on total dry yield (p < 0.001). Spring oat showed more stable seed quality across years and cultivation systems but had lower crude protein content, TKW, and HLW compared to hull-less barley. TKW and crude protein content were significantly influenced by year, crop species, and their interactions (p < 0.001), as well as cultivation practice*year interaction (p < 0.001), while cultivation practice had no significant effect on HLW (p = 0.904). A stronger negative correlation between dry yield and crude protein was observed in hull-less barley (R² > 57.8%) than in oat (R² < 13.9%), indicating higher protein yield trade-offs in barley. The dry yield–TKW relationship was negative in barley, reaching an R² of 52% in 2023, but it was positive in oat (R² = 26.6% in 2023; 28% in 2024), confirming crop-specific physiological responses under the same agro-ecological conditions. Full article

The productivity and resilience of durum wheat have been enhanced through the selection of accessions, optimizing agronomic and quality traits to address environmental challenges. This study evaluates the performance of 219 durum wheat accessions, including 120 elite lines from a national breeding program (G1 to G120), 63 international lines (G121 to G183), 27 Moroccan varieties (including Faraj, Karim, Tomouh, Marzak, Amria, Chaoui, IRDEN, and others), and nine landraces (G211 to G219, from Imilchil, Rich, and Taounate regions). Trials were conducted at the Jemâa Shaïm experimental station (INRA-Morocco) with an “Alpha lattice” design and two replications. Significant correlations were observed between spike length (SL) and number of spikelets per spike (SPS) (r = 0.950; p < 0.001), and between grain yield (GY) and thousand-kernel weight (TKW) (r = 0.530; p < 0.01), while no correlation was found between quality parameters and GY (r = 0.010; p > 0.05). Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that agronomic traits explained 77.12% of variability, while quality traits accounted for 95.54%. Elite lines exhibited a high yellow pigment index (14.90), important for technological quality. Traditional landraces performed well in spike length (8.78 cm), thousand-kernel weight (50.23 g), protein content (17.07%), and gluten content (36.90%). Moroccan varieties such as Faraj achieved a grain yield of 6.12 t/ha, while international lines showed the highest SDS value (9.39 mL). These findings highlight the potential of diverse accessions for developing high-yielding, high-quality durum wheat. Full article

Maize is one of the most productive cereal crops, and is increasingly being grown over large areas. Using the right cultivar of high-quality selected seeds for sowing can be crucial for its productivity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of kernel fraction on the seed quality, seed vigor, morphological traits, and seed yield of the trilinear hybrid maize cv. ‘Lokata’. The research factor was the kernel fraction, categorized based on the thousand-kernel weight (TKW) into four groups: I—small; II—medium; III–large; and IV–very large. A three-year experiment showed that increases in the TKW resulted in increases in germination and vigor up to fraction III (large seeds) in maize. Sowing maize seeds with a higher TKW resulted in plants with higher fresh and dry weights in the early stages of maize development; however, this response decreased as growth progressed. The seed yield was significantly correlated with plant height and the number of kernels per cob for all fractions sown, but the fraction did not significantly modify the seed yield of ‘Lokata’ maize. Full article

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, is a globally significant disease that severely impacts the yield and quality of wheat. Breeding resistant wheat varieties using resistance genes is the most cost-effective strategy for managing FHB, but few markers are available for marker-assisted selection (MAS) of resistance. In this study, we evaluated the resistance of a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population to FHB through single-floret inoculation in four field environments over two years. Combined with quantitative trait loci (QTL) detection through high-density genetic mapping based on wheat 50 K SNP arrays, we identified a total of 21 QTLs influencing FHB resistance. It is worth noting that QFhba-5D.2-1 was detected in two field environments as well as in the multi-environment trial (MET) analysis, explaining phenotypic variation ranging from 1.98% to 18.55%. We also pinpointed thirteen resistance genes within the QTL intervals on chromosomes 4A, 5D, 6B, and 7A associated with FHB defense mechanisms. Furthermore, we developed two Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR (KASP) markers for the QFhba-5D.2-1 and QFhba-7A regions to validate their specificity within the RIL population. Subsequently, we validated the polymorphism of these two markers in 305 wheat germplasms and analyzed their effect on thousand kernel weight (TKW) and spike length (SL). These markers will accelerate the development of FHB-resistant wheat varieties through MAS, significantly reducing yield losses and strengthening food security. Full article