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Seed inoculation with beneficial microorganisms has gained importance as it has been proven to show biostimulant activity in plants, especially in terms of abiotic/biotic stress tolerance and plant growth promotion, representing a sustainable way to ensure yield stability under low input sustainable agriculture. Nevertheless, limited knowledge is available concerning the molecular and physiological processes underlying the root‐inoculant symbiosis or plant response at the root system level. Our work aimed to integrate the interrelationship between agronomic traits, rhizosphere microbial population and metabolic processes in roots, following seed treatment with either arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) or Plant Growth‐Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR). To this aim, maize was grown under open field conditions with either optimal or reduced nitrogen availability. Both seed treatments increased nitrogen uptake efficiency under reduced nitrogen supply revealed some microbial community changes among treatments at root microbiome level and limited yield increases, while significant changes could be observed at metabolome level. Amino acid, lipid, flavone, lignan, and phenylpropanoid concentrations were mostly modulated. Integrative analysis of multi‐omics datasets (Multiple Co‐Inertia Analysis) highlighted a strong correlation between the metagenomics and the untargeted metabolomics datasets, suggesting a coordinate modulation of root physiological traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positive effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)—wheat plant symbiosis have been well discussed by research, while the actual role of the single wheat genotype in establishing this type of association is still poorly investigated. In this work, the genetic diversity of Triticum turgidum wheats was exploited to detect roots susceptibility to AMF and to identify genetic markers in linkage with chromosome regions involved in this symbiosis. A tetraploid wheat collection of 127 accessions was genotyped using 35K single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array and inoculated with the AMF species Funneliformis mosseae (F. mosseae) and Rhizoglomus irregulare (R. irregulare), and a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) was conducted. Six clusters of genetically related accessions were identified, showing a different mycorrhizal colonization among them. GWAS revealed four significant quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) involved in mycorrhizal symbiosis, located on chromosomes 1A, 2A, 2B and 6A. The results of this work enrich future breeding activities aimed at developing new grains on the basis of genetic diversity on low or high susceptibility to mycorrhization, and, possibly, maximizing the symbiotic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water deficit is one of the most important climate events that has strong effect on agricultural ecosystem functionality comprising soil microbial communities and their functions. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are widely known for their roles in combating drought, including facilitation of drought-tolerant bacteria. However, differences in cultivar/variety affinity for mycorrhization have never been considered as influencing factors. In the present study, we evaluated the influence of mycorrhizal affinity of two durum wheat (T. turgidum subsp. Durum (Desf.)) varieties, Iride and Ramirez (high and low, respectively) on root and soil bacteriomes under well-watered and drought conditions. We used the 16S metagenomics approach (amplicon sequencing) to assess the bacterial communities of root and soil samples. The suppression effect of drought was evident across a wide range of bacterial taxa, including drought-tolerant taxa, especially in the non-inoculated plants. Nevertheless, the protective effect of AMF was also shown, especially in the Iride variety (high AMF colonization affinity) in both compartments (root and soil), as the relative abundance of drought-depleted taxa, such as Planctomycetes, Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia, was either similar under well-watered and water deficit conditions or increased under water deficit conditions. Moreover, drought reduced the network complexity of root and soil bacteria, especially in Ramirez variety which has a lower AMF colonization affinity. Together, our results suggest that not only AMF colonization, but also host plant colonization affinity is one of the regulating factors in alleviating drought-induced changes in wheat plants by altering plant-fungal-bacterial interactions. • Wheat varieties Iride and Ramirez have high and low mycorrhizal affinities, respectively. • Influence of mycorrhizal affinity of both varieties on root and soil bacteriomes under well-watered and drought conditions was analyzed. • Drought reduced the network complexity of root and soil bacteria, especially in Ramirez variety. • Higher colonization affinity of Iride resulted in a higher bacterial resilience to drought stress. • Host plant mycorrhizal affinity is one of the key factors in alleviating drought-induced changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Distinct phenolic and sterol signatures were related to origin and authenticity. • Cholesterol-derivatives, tyrosols and oleuropeins, were markers of terroir. • Stilbenes, lignans, phenolic acids, and flavonoids were linked to authenticity. • Supervised modelling and Artificial Neural Networks provided different markers. Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is subjected to different frauds. This work aimed at integrating the untargeted phenolic and sterol signatures with supervised multivariate discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) for tracing the authenticity (as a function of variety, origin, and the blending) of Taggiasca Ligure, a renowned Italian EVOO. Overall, 408 samples from three consecutive growing seasons were used. Despite the cultivar, season, growth altitude, and geographical origin were all contributing to phytochemical profile, OPLS-DA models allowed identifying specific markers of authenticity. Cholesterol-derivatives and phenolics (tyrosols and oleuropeins, stilbenes, lignans, phenolic acids, and flavonoids) were the best markers, based on statistics. Thereafter, ANN was used to discriminate authentic Taggiasca, and the sensitivity was 100% (32/32) thus indicating an excellent classification. Our results strengthen the concept of "terroir" for EVOO and indicate that profiling sterols and phenolics can support EVOO integrity if adequate data treatments are adopted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have gained remarkable importance, having been proved to alleviate drought stress-induced damage in wheat due to their ability to ameliorate plant water use efficiency and antioxidant enzyme activity. However, despite the current relevance of the topic, the molecular and physiological processes at the base of this symbiosis never consider the single cultivar affinity to mycorrhization as an influencing factor for the metabolic response in the AMF-colonized plant. In the present study, the mycorrhizal affinity of two durum wheat species (T. turgidum subsp. durum (Desf.)) varieties, Iride and Ramirez, were investigated. Successively, an untargeted metabolomics approach has been used to study the fungal contribution to mitigating water deficit in both varieties. Iride and Ramirez exhibited a high and low level of mycorrhizal symbiosis, respectively; resulting in a more remarkable alteration of metabolic pathways in the most colonised variety under water deficit conditions. However, the analysis highlighted the contribution of AMF to mitigating water deficiency in both varieties, resulting in the up- and down-regulation of many amino acids, alkaloids, phenylpropanoids, lipids, and hormones. Variation in mycorrhizal susceptibility plays vital role to alleviate stress-induced damage in wheat cultivars. [Display omitted] • The wheat varieties Iride and Ramirez show high and low mycorrhizal affinity, respectively. • Untargeted metabolomics approach used to study the role of AMF in mitigating water deficit. • AMF was found to cause up- and down-regulation of various primary and specialized metabolites. • More remarkable alteration of metabolomic pathways were observed in Iride variety. • No visible mycorrhizal effect occurred in well-watered conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Protein hydrolysates (PHs) can enhance plant nitrogen nutrition and improve the quality of vegetables, depending on their bioactive compounds. A tomato greenhouse experiment was conducted under both optimal (14 mM) and suboptimal (2 mM) nitrogen (N‐NO3) conditions. Tomatoes were treated with a new Malvaceae‐derived PH (MDPH) and its molecular fractions (MDPH1, >10 kDa; MDPH2, 1–10 kDa and MDPH3, <1 kDa). RESULTS: Under optimal N conditions, the plants increased biomass and fruit yield, and showed a higher photosynthetic pigment content in leaves in comparison with suboptimal N, whereas under N‐limiting conditions, an increase in dry matter, soluble solid content (SSC) and lycopene, a reduction in firmness, and changes in organic acid and phenolic compounds were observed. With 14 mM N‐NO3, MDPH3 stimulated an increase in dry weight and increased yield components and lycopene in the fruit. The MDPH2 fraction also resulted in increased lycopene accumulation in fruit under 14 mM N‐NO3. At a low N level, the PH fractions showed distinct effects compared with the whole MDPH and the control, with an increase in biomass for MDPH1 and MDPH2 and a higher pigment content for MDPH3. Regardless of N availability, all the fractions affected fruit quality by increasing SSC, whereas MDPH2 and MDPH3 modified organic acid content and showed a higher concentration of flavonols, lignans, and stilbenes. CONCLUSION: The molecular weight of the peptides modifies the effect of PHs on plant performance, with different behavior depending on the level of N fertilization, confirming the effectiveness of fractioning processes. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-density single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) molecular markers are widely used to assess the genetic variability of plant varieties and cultivars, which is nowadays recognized as an important source of well-adapted alleles for environmental stresses. In our study, the genetic diversity and population genetic structure of a collection of 265 accessions of eight tetraploid Triticumturgidum L. subspecies were investigated using 35,143 SNPs screened with a 35K Axiom® array. The neighbor-joining algorithm, discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC), and the Bayesian model-based clustering algorithm implemented in STRUCTURE software revealed clusters in accordance with the taxonomic classification, reflecting the evolutionary history of the Triticum turgidum L. subspecies and the phylogenetic relationships among them. Based on these results, a clear picture of the population structure within a collection of tetraploid wheats is given herein. Moreover, the genetic potential of landraces and wild relatives for the research of specific traits of interest is highlighted. This research provides a great contribution to future phenotyping and crossing activities. In particular, the recombination efficiency and gene selection programs aimed at developing durum wheat composite cross populations that are adapted to Mediterranean conditions could be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• New insights into the impact of herbicides on plant metabolism have been provided. • Herbicides altered phytohormone profile and secondary metabolism of tomato plants. • Metabolic reprogramming by herbicides application affected fruits phytochemistry. Herbicide application is a common procedure in agriculture, whose potentially adverse effects are assessed mainly with respect to weeds or in terms of residues and environmental impact. However, recent evidence has highlighted possible effects of pesticide treatments on plant metabolism, with potential implications for fruit quality. Therefore, the goal of this study was to investigate the impact of four different herbicides on the metabolic processes in industrial tomato plants. To this aim, plants were treated either with the selective herbicides metribuzin and rimsulfuron or with the non-selective herbicides glyphosate and pelargonic acid. Thereafter, leaves were analyzed using a metabolomics approach, and 247 differential compounds were selected by multivariate statistics and used to examine the changes at the molecular level. Data interpretation via the PlantCyc Pathway Tool revealed that the tested herbicides induced distinctive responses to the treatments, with the phytohormone profile (gibberellins and jasmonates) and secondary metabolism (including stress-related compounds, such as phenylpropanoids and glucosinolates) showing the largest modulation. Surprisingly, such metabolic reprogramming also affected several aspects of the fruits even though the herbicides were applied several weeks before, thus opening the possibility of effects on food quality. To date, these hidden effects have been largely underestimated even though they deserve to be carefully considered since they may affect the qualitative and quantitative traits of the yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to summarize the most recent research focused on the study of plant–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) symbiosis, both in a generic context and in the specific context of wheat cultivation. Taking into account the last 20 years, the most significant studies on the main plant advantages taken from this association are reviewed herein. Positive advances that have been reported stem from the mutualistic relationship between the plant and the mycorrhizal fungus, revealing better performance for the host in terms of nutrient uptake and protection from salinity, lack of water, and excess phytotoxic elements. Mycorrhiza studies and the recent progress in research in this sector have shown a possible solution for environmental sustainability: AMF represent a valid alternative to overcome the loss of biological fertility of soils, reduce chemical inputs, and alleviate the effects of biotic and abiotic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]