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• Bacillus sp.+Fe-modified BC was effective to improve wheat growth. • Bacillus sp.+Fe-modified BC effectively improved enzymatic activity in wheat plants. • Bacillus sp.+Fe-modified BC neutralized soil pH and immobilized Pb translocation. • Microbes+Fe-modified BC reduced Pb bioaccumulation and uptake factors in plants. Soil contamination with heavy metals (HMs) has become a severe environmental problem for crop production. The efficacy of bacillus strain (N18) and Fe-modified biochar (FeB2%) on plant growth, lead (Pb) bioaccumulation and oxidative stress in wheat plants was studied under Pb contaminated soil. Lead stress caused significant reduction in plant growth, chlorophyll contents, antioxidant enzymes activity and Pb tolerance index. The Bacillus strain inoculated seeds stimulated the plant growth, chlorophyll content, antioxidative enzymatic activity with reduced oxidative stress and Pb bioavailability in soil, Pb biological accumulation, translocation and uptake factor in plants. The FeB2% treatment had shown prominently positive results relative to N18 inoculated treatment. Whereas, combined application of N18 and FeB2% depicted maximum significant improvement in root length (37, 36 and 30%), shoot length (45 %, 46 % and 47 %), total chlorophyll (43 %, 51 % and 48 %), carotenoid contents (36 %, 49 % and 48 %) and antioxidative enzymes activities such as; superoxide dismutase (19 %, 35 % and 40 %), peroxidase (29 %, 18 % and 20 %), catalase (19 %, 35 % and 40 %) and ascorbate peroxidase (23 %, 23 % and 13 %) in Pb-0, 400 and 600 mg kg-1 soil, respectively. Reduction in malondialdehyde content (MDA) (52 %, 61 % and 56 %), Pb biological accumulation (48 %, 41 % and 37 %), soil-root translocation factor (11 %, 15 % and 9 %), root-shoot translocation factor (42 %, 36 % and 35 %) and uptake factor (19 %, 22 % and 17 %) in wheat plants observed with combined N18+ FeB2% application as compared to control treatments in Pb-0, 400 and 600 mg kg-1 soil, respectively. The study suggested that combined application of N18+ FeB2% treatment prominently increased plant health with reduction in Pb bio-availability compared to sole application of N18 strain and FeB2% treatment under (Pb) contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) often faces salt stress and delayed sowing practices. These two events usually occur simultaneously in real field conditions that cause severe consequences on mineral balance, osmotic adjustment, reactive oxygen species (ROS) rampaging and antioxidant machinery. To address these issues, a two-year field-based study was directed at Jalalpur Pirwala Research Farm (JPRF), Multan-Pakistan. The experiment consisted of the following factors, a) timely sown under normal conditions (NS) and late sowing under normal conditions (LS) b) timely sown on saline conditions and late sown under saline conditions (LS+SS) c) foliar application of plant growth promoters hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2), salicylic acid (SA), thiourea (TU) and control (no spray) firstly to assess the influence of plant growth promoters (PGPRs) on the nutrient acquisition, osmoprotectants metabolism, ROS homeostasis and antioxidant clustering under SS, LS and their combined treatments. Results revealed that PGPRs foliar applications such as TU, followed by SA and H 2 O 2 played plausible roles in maintaining nutrient balance, osmoregulation, and circumventing the ROS. Exogenous application of TU increases the proline (18.24–20.01 %), total free amino acids (29.09 %-33.99 %), glycine betaine (3.43 %-15.34 %), total -soluble proteins (10.98 % -15.96 %) and total soluble sugars (15.21 %-20.36 %) for both years, under control conditions. Moreover, LS+SS followed by SS and LS declined the grain nutrient quality, shoot mineral content, and demolished the equilibrium between ROS and antioxidants, however, plants up-regulate the defensive mechanisms by enhancing the substantial content of antioxidants and osmoprotectants. So, wheat is moderately tolerant to combined LS+SS stress that evidently deteriorates its nutritional quality, but its performance can be enhanced by using PGPRs in delayed-sown wheat that often grows in marginally saline areas. [Display omitted] • Late-sown wheat faces severe nutrient imbalance under saline conditions. • Nutrient acquisition and, antioxidant metabolism play key role in wheat tolerance. • Plant growth promoters (PGPRs) improved the defence mechanisms and combat the effect of combined stress. • PGPRs maintain the nutrient balance and osmoregulation in late-sown wheat under salt stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Drought caused wheat genotype specific decreasing trend in various agronomic traits. • Genotype-specific variations were observed in defense system under drought stress. • Better stress tolerance indices were found in BS3, BS4, BS8, BS9 and BS20 genotypes. • Both physio-biochemical and agronomic traits can be considered in breeding programs. In parallel with rapid growth in human population, increasing deficiency of water for irrigation along with abruptly changing environmental conditions has increased the food insecurity problem which needs immediate attention to secure the future food security. This study aimed to identify the water stress tolerance and high yielding potential of newly developed wheat genotypes, based on agronomic, morphological and biochemical aspects, along with the stress tolerance indices (STI). These genotypes were developed through conventional breeding from a cross (Bhakkar x S-24) and named as BS following the names of the parental genotypes. The experiment comprised a total 20 newly developed genotypes and 2 parental genotypes. Split plot field experiment was conducted using reduced number of irrigations as water stress treatment. All studied genotypes exhibited distinct negative impacts of deficit irrigation with respect to various studied agronomic attributes but was genotype specific. There were genotype-specific variations to deficit irrigation, regarding leaf chlorophyll contents, water relations, membrane lipid peroxidation, as well as antioxidative defense mechanism. Under deficit irrigation genotypes BS3, BS4, BS8, BS9, and BS20 demonstrated superiority in growth and grain yield related attributes that was attributed to their effective performance in maintaining better water content through better osmotic adjustment, chlorophyll levels, as well as better defense against oxidative stress. Comparatively less reductions in growth and yield i.e 26.43 % and 30.56 %, 28.94 % and 28.01 %, 32.13 % and 30.07 %, 34.35 % and 31.36 %, and 24.14 % and 26.55 % were recorded in BS3, BS4, BS8, BS9, and BS20 respectively as compared with remaining genotypes. However, the opposite was true for genotypes BS7, BS13, BS15 followed by BS6 and BS7. Stress tolerance indices also showed the better tolerance of the genotype BS3, BS4, BS8, BS9 and BS20. In conclusion, breeding programs for the development of stress-tolerant wheat genotypes should also consider the physio-biochemical mechanisms alongside the agronomic traits. This holistic approach will contribute significantly for the selection of genotypes that exhibit resilience to water deficit stress with high yield potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. Finite natural resources, rising human population, and climate change pose challenges to traditional crop production. Hydroponically grown fodder (i.e., sprouted grains) can be an alternative feed source for dairy cows; however, only sprouted barley has been investigated in low-producing cows. We aimed to evaluate the effect of replacing conventional concentrates with sprouted barley or wheat, grown using hydroponics, on milk production, nutrient digestibility, and milk fatty acid profile in high-producing cows. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein cows (3.25 ± 1.33 lactations; 102 ± 23 DIM; 49 ± 4 kg/d of milk) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 21-d experimental periods. Following a 2-wk covariate period, cows were fed 1 of 3 experimental diets: a TMR (1) without sprouted grains (control), or with (2) 10% sprouted barley, or (3) 10% sprouted wheat on a DM basis. Experimental diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and isonitrogenous with sprouted grains that replaced ground corn, soybean meal, canola meal, and dextrose. Sprouted grains were grown using a semi-automatic hydroponic system and harvested after 6 d of growth. Data and sample collection occurred during the last 3 d of the covariate and experimental periods. Wide ranges were observed for the DM percent of sprouted grains (12.1%–22.9% and 13.3%–25.7% for barley and wheat, respectively) and the ratio of sprouted fodder to seed (0.67–1.07 for both barley and wheat). Feeding sprouted grains did not modify the yield of milk or ECM; however, DMI were lower for barley, relative to control. Feed efficiencies were greater for barley than for control (1.49 ± 0.03 vs. 1.43 ± 0.03 for milk yield/DMI; 1.85 ± 0.03 vs. 1.73 ± 0.04 for ECM/DMI). Yields and concentrations of milk components (i.e., fat, true protein, and lactose) were not affected by treatment. Milk urea N concentrations were greater for wheat, relative to control or barley. Body weight (752 ± 3 vs. 742 ± 3 kg) and BW gains (6.53 ± 2.99 vs. −9.33 ± 2.91 kg/21 d) were higher for wheat than for control. Apparent total-tract digestibility of organic matter was greater for wheat relative to barley. Digestibilities of NDF and starch were higher for wheat and control, relative to barley, and CP digestibility was greater for wheat, relative to barley and control. Rumination and physical activity were not affected by treatment. In summary, replacing traditional concentrates with sprouted grains grown using hydroponics improved milk production efficiency (barley sprouts) or enhanced body weight gain (wheat sprouts). A life-cycle assessment needs to be conducted to determine the net effect of this feeding strategy for the dairy industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A strongly declining aerosol radiative effect has been observed in China since 2013 after implementing the clean air action, yet its impact on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production remains unclear. We use satellite measures and a biophysical crop model to assess the impact of aerosol-induced radiative perturbations on winter wheat production in the agricultural belt of Henan province from 2013 to 2018. After calibrating parameters with the extended Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test (EFAST) and the generalized likelihood uncertainty estimation (GLUE) method, the DSSAT CERES-Wheat model was able to simulate crop biomass and yield more accurately. We found that the aerosol negatively impacted wheat biomass by 21.87% and yield by 22.48% from 2006 to 2018, and the biomass effects from planting to anthesis were more significant compared to anthesis to maturity. Due to the strict clean air action, under all-sky conditions, the surface solar shortwave radiation (SSR) in 2018 increased by about 7.08% over 2006-2013 during the wheat growing seasons. As a result of the improvement of crop photosynthesis, winter wheat biomass and yield increased by an average of 5.46% and 2.9%, respectively. Our findings show that crop carbon uptake and yield will benefit from the clean air action in China, helping to ensure national food and health security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Wheat germ improved markers of glucose homeostasis in overweight adults. • Wheat germ reduced the pro-inflammatory adipokine, resistin. • Gut microbiota and gut integrity markers were unaffected by wheat germ. Wheat germ (WG), a by-product of flour milling, is rich in bioactive substances that may help improve health complications associated with increased adiposity. This study investigated the effects of WG on gut health, metabolic, and inflammatory markers in adults classified as overweight. We hypothesized that WG, because of its many bioactive components, would improve gut health and metabolic, and inflammatory markers in overweight adults. Forty adults (18–45 years old) and with a body mass index between 25 and 30 kg/m2 participated in this single-blinded randomized controlled pilot study. Participants consumed the study supplements containing 30 g of either cornmeal (control, CL) or WG daily for 4 weeks. Primary outcome variables were gut health markers including gut microbiota, gut integrity markers, and fecal short-chain fatty acids, whereas secondary outcome variables included metabolic and inflammatory parameters assessed at baseline and at the end of supplementation. Thirty-nine participants (n = 19 and 20 for CL and WG group, respectively) completed the study. The genus Faecalibacterium was significantly higher in the WG group compared to CL post-supplementation but no significant changes in other gut health markers, short-chain fatty acids, inflammatory markers, and lipid profiles were observed. Compared with baseline, WG improved markers of glucose homeostasis including insulin (P =.02), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (P =.03), glycated hemoglobin (P =.07), and the pro-inflammatory adipokine, resistin (P =.04). However, these parameters after intervention were not different with control. Our findings suggest that WG supplementation have modest effects on gut health but may provide an economical option for individuals to improve glycemic control. Daily consumption of 30 g of wheat germ supplement for 4 weeks by adults classified as overweight maintained the bacterial genus Faecalibacterium and improved several markers of glucose homeostasis including insulin, HOMA-IR, and HbA1c, and reduced the pro-inflammatory adipokine, resistin. Abbreviations: HbA1c, glycated hemoglobin; HOMA-IR, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The iGG analysis has been proposed to utilize evolutionary information between the crop and several its relatives. • The evolution of CIPK and CBL genes have been characterized in seven species to prove the iGG method. • The divergent expression is important for keeping the stoichiometric balance of TaCBL-TaCIPK. • Our iGG analysis reveals a Triticeae-specific TaCIPK duplicate responding to drought. • Transgenic plants of TaCIPK17 -OE in tobacco and wheat showed higher resistance to drought. Reverse genetic studies conducted in the plant with a complex or polyploidy genome enriched with large gene families (like wheat) often meet challenges in identifying the key candidate genes related to important traits and prioritizing the genes for functional experiments. To overcome the above-mentioned challenges of reverse genetics, this work aims to establish an efficient multi-species strategy for genome-wide gene identification and prioritization of the key candidate genes. We established the integrative gene duplication and genome-wide analysis (iGG analysis) as a strategy for pinpointing key candidate genes deserving functional research. The iGG captures the evolution, and the expansion/contraction of large gene families across phylogeny-related species and integrates spatial–temporal expression information for gene function inference. Transgenic approaches were also employed to functional validation. As a proof-of-concept for the iGG analysis, we took the wheat calcineurin B-like protein-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) family as an example. We identified CIPK s from seven monocot species, established the orthologous relationship of CIPK s between rice and wheat, and characterized Triticeae-specific CIPK duplicates (e.g. , CIPK4 and CIPK17). Integrated with our analysis of CBLs and CBL-CIPK interaction, we revealed that divergent expressions of TaCBL s and TaCIPK s could play an important role in keeping the stoichiometric balance of CBL-CIPK. Furthermore, we validated the function of TaCIPK17-A2 in the regulation of drought tolerance by using transgenic approaches. Overexpression of TaCIPK17 enhanced antioxidant capacity and improved drought tolerance in wheat. The iGG analysis leverages evolutionary and comparative genomics of crops with large genomes to rapidly highlight the duplicated genes potentially associated with speciation, domestication and/or particular traits that deserve reverse-genetic functional studies. Through the identification of Triticeae-specific TaCIPK17 duplicates and functional validation, we demonstrated the effectiveness of the iGG analysis and provided a new target gene for improving drought tolerance in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda , poses a significant global threat to agriculture due to its wide geographic range, high reproductive rate, and ability to thrive in diverse climates and habitats. A field study was conducted to evaluate the potential of nano-inert dust particles, specifically nano-diatomaceous earth (N-DE) and nano-potassium silicate (N-K 2 SiO 3), individually and in combination with emamectin benzoate, to manage FAW larvae infesting wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L.). The field experiments occurred during the winter seasons of 2021 and 2022 in Qaha, Qalubya Governorate, Egypt. Results revealed that the combined application of N-DE and N-K 2 SiO 3 with emamectin benzoate outperformed other treatments, achieving larval reduction rates of 93.33 % and 86.66 % in 2021 and 89.31 % and 86.90 % in 2022 after a 10-day interval from the second spray. Moreover, supplementation with N-DE and N-K 2 SiO 3 enhanced plant height, tiller count, leaf number, foaming, suspensibility, surface tension, and pH compared to using emamectin benzoate alone. Additionally, foliar application of N-K 2 SiO 3 and N-DE increased total flavonoids (4.23 and 3.24 mg CE/g) and total phenolic compounds (1.35 and 1.12 mg/g F. Wt.), as well as plant silicate content, indicating improved plant health and pest resistance. This study underscores the efficacy of N-DE and N-K 2 SiO 3 in reducing FAW infestations and enhancing plant growth and defense mechanisms. [Display omitted] • FAW poses a significant threat to agriculture globally due to its wide geographic range, and reproductive rate. • A field study assessed the potential of nano-diatomaceous earth (N-DE) and nano-potassium silicate (N-K 2 SiO 3). • Combined application of N-DE and N-K 2 SiO 3 with emamectin benzoate give superior efficacy in larval reduction. • Supplementation of N-DE and N-K 2 SiO 3 showed positive effects on wheat plants, enhancing plant parameters. • Application of N-K 2 SiO 3 and N-DE led to increased levels of total flavonoids and phenolic compounds in wheat plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Transgenerational immune priming in wheat facilitated by Trichoderma demonstrates long-lasting, broad-spectrum protection against biotic stresses. • Inheritance of priming improves disease resistance, biochemical responses, and yield-related traits. • Primed wheat shows clear superiority over non-primed counterparts. • Ability to mount targeted defense response conserves resources and enhances yield under biotic stress. • Inheritance of Trichoderma -mediated priming offers significant breakthrough for sustainable agriculture as non-chemical crop protection alternative. Plants encounter various biotic stresses in their natural habitat, prompting the exploration of innovative protective measures to bolster their immune defences against pathogens. An effective strategy involves priming plant immunity, conferring enduring and comprehensive protection. Defence priming, characterized by heightened responsiveness to attackers following prior stress exposure, intriguingly manifests transgenerationally, transmitting the memory of priming to subsequent plant generations. In our investigation, we delved into the phenomenon of transgenerational immune priming (TGIP) in wheat facilitated by Trichoderma , spanning from the parental generation (G0) to the grand progeny (G2) generation. Successful establishment of transgenerational priming in the G2 generation was achieved by initially priming the G0 generation of wheat with Trichoderma. To assess priming inheritance, seeds from the G1 generation were collected, and both primed and non-primed wheat plants' grand progeny (G2 generation) were cultivated in soil. Subsequent evaluation encompassed the disease phenotype, biochemical parameters, and yield-related traits of the G2 generation wheat when confronted with Bipolaris sorokiniana , the causal agent of spot blotch disease. Our analysis revealed that the G2 generation of primed wheat displayed superior protection against spot blotch compared to non-primed wheat. Biochemical studies indicated no activation of defensive responses in the absence of disease pressure in G2 wheat plants. However, upon pathogen challenge, the grand progeny of primed wheat exhibited a robust defence response, surpassing that of non-primed wheat. This targeted defence response enabled efficient resource utilization and mitigated yield penalties. Furthermore, under biotic stress conditions, the grand progeny of primed wheat exhibited enhanced yield parameters compared to non-primed wheat. Our findings provide conclusive evidence that Trichoderma -mediated priming against B. sorokiniana can be inherited successfully from the parental (G0) generation to the grand progeny (G2) generation of wheat. This study represents the initial documentation of Trichoderma -mediated TGIP in wheat against B. sorokiniana , holding significant promise for sustainable agriculture by offering an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought-tolerant transgenic [genetically modified (GM)] HB4® wheat carrying the drought-responsive sunflower gene Hahb4 was first developed in Argentina in 2019 and has already been approved for marketing and consumption as food/feed in at least ten countries. It has also been approved in Argentina and Brazil for commercial cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Techniques for classifying data using data mining are now a day prevalent in agriculture. The method of classifying seeds involves grouping various seed varieties according to their morphological characteristics. To accomplish categorization of the typical Charotar region (generally comprising Anand and Kheda districts of the Gujarat State of India) Gujarat Wheat (GW) varieties (TRITICUM – AESTIVUM) viz. GW 273, GW 496, GW 322, LOK-1, and GDW 1255 (TRITICUM – DURUM), Weka Explorer was used. The features used are area, perimeter, solidity, aspect ratio, major and minor axis of seed kernel, Hue, Saturation, Value, and SF1 (empirical). Features reduction was done using Information Gain (IG) and its modified version Gain Ratio (GR). This paper compares performance of Tree based data mining algorithms in classifying wheat varieties. For classification we used purely tree-based machine learning algorithms viz. J48, Random Forest, Hoeffding Tree, Logistic Model Tree (LMT), and REPTree. LMT- logistics regression method gives higher accuracy 96.4% compared to other classifiers. Hoeffding Tree classifiers stood second with 96% accuracy. For validation 10-fold cross validation was used. By reducing the number of folds in cross validation performance of most algorithms decreased except J48. The percentage of correctly classified instance increased for all algorithms when features were selected by GR except for J48. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Our study reveals how FeO−NPs significantly increased plant defense systems against As and MPs stresses. • We document critical shifts in plant proteomes under the influence of As and MPs. • The research provides novel insights into the impact of stressors on chlorophyll synthesis and the activation of the AsA−GSH pathway in plants. • Our findings underscore the promising potential of using FeO−NPs in eco-agriculture to enhance plant resilience against environmental pollutants. This study provides a detailed biochemical analysis of the toxicity of arsenic (As) and polyvinyl chloride microplastics (PVC−MPs) to soil, and documents how iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO−NPs) can mitigate these effects, with a focus on the proteomic and physiological responses in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings, expanding upon existing research in this area. For this purpose, we conducted a pot experiment in which seeds were primed with FeO−NPs at a concentration of 10 mg L−1 under toxic concentrations of As, specifically 150 and 300 mg kg−1, and PVC−MPs at concentrations of 2 and 4 mg L−1. Our results showed that the PVC−MPs and As toxicity in the soil showed a significant decline in the gas exchange attributes, sugars, AsA-GSH cycle, proline metabolism in T. aestivum seedlings. PVC−MPs and As toxicity in T. aestivum seedlings significantly increased oxidative stress biomarkers and both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, including their gene expression, while our analysis also incorporates Profilin Quantification for a deeper understanding of the quantitative protein involvement in these processes. Although, the application of FeO−NPs showed a significant increase in the chlorophyll content, gas exchange characteristics, enzymatic and non-enzymatic compounds and their gene expression, AsA-GSH cycle and also decreased the oxidative stress. These results open new insights for sustainable agriculture practices and hold immense promise in addressing the pressing challenges of heavy metal and MPs contamination in agricultural soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Foliar proline combats lead-induced crop stress. • Enhanced wheat crop health with external proline. • Lead stress impacts biomass, chlorophyll, and yield. • Foliar proline reduces reactive oxygen species. • TaGSK1 gene expression upregulation under proline stress. The application of proline as foliar spraying has emerged as a promising solution to combat lead-induced crop stress. This study highlights the effectiveness of external proline in enhancing wheat crop health under lead stress. We reveal how lead stress negatively impacts key factors like biomass, chlorophyll levels, and crop yield, particularly in 100-grain weight. Gas exchange parameters, including stomatal conductance, CO 2 levels, photosynthesis, water-use efficiency, and transpiration, also suffer under lead stress. Significantly, exposure to lead stress triggers the activation of antioxidant enzymes and elevates levels of proline, calcium, and protein. Nonetheless, the application of foliar proline proves highly effective in alleviating these detrimental effects by reducing reactive oxygen species and enhancing proline and protein levels in wheat. Additionally, our findings demonstrate a significant upregulation of TaGSK1 gene expression at different proline concentrations. Compared to controls, TaGSK1 expression increases by 1.7-fold under 50 mM proline stress and an impressive 4.7-fold under 200 mM proline stress in wheat. This finding holds promise in alleviating the adverse effects of lead stress and strengthening crop resilience for a more secure and sustainable future in wheat cultivation amid various stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grain or seed number is the dominant component determining yield in major grain crops. Major grain crops differ in the timing of the critical period for grain or seed number determination. Differences between grain crops are related to the flowering phase duration and the proportion of the whole cycle allocated to pre-flowering development. Considering the critical period relative to the onset of grain or seed filling reconciles differences among major field crops. Our findings strengthen the evolutionary basis of the universal plasticity of the number of grains or seeds. Studies across different crops demonstrated that grain or seed number per unit area (GN m–2) is the dominant yield component. Although grains or seeds derive from floret or flower production and survival, the timing of the critical period for GN m–2 determination is known to vary noticeably, from mainly pre-flowering to strongly post-flowering, across major grain crops. Here, we demonstrate that discrepancy between crops in the timing of their critical period is related to the flowering phase duration and the proportion of the whole cycle allocated to pre-flowering development. Changing the perspective, positioning the critical period at the end of the phase when grain abortion occurs instead of flowering, results in the critical period virtually coinciding among contrasting grain crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Nutritional support is an essential step to prevent muscle loss in aging process. • Fish oil and wheat oligopeptide had protective effects against sarcopenia in aging. • The combined intervention inhibits skeletal muscle atrophy by regulating protein expression. • The combined intervention promotes protein synthesis and skeletal muscle regeneration. • The combined intervention also reduces inflammation, oxidative stress and blood lipid. Nutritional support is potentially considered an essential step to prevent muscle loss and enhance physical function in older adults. This study aimed to assess the role of potential nutritional strategies, i.e., fish oil-derived ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), wheat oligopeptide and their combined intervention, in preventing and reversing sarcopenia in aging process. One hundred 25-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 10 groups, and 10 newly purchased 6-month-old rats were included in young control group (n = 10). Fish oil (200, 400 or 800 mg/kg body weight), wheat oligopeptide (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg body weight), fish oil + wheat oligopeptide (800 + 100, 400 + 200 or 200 + 400 mg/kg body weight) or the equal volume of solvent were administered daily by gavage for 10 weeks. The effects of these interventions on natural aging rats were evaluated. All intervention groups had a significant increase in muscle mass and grip strength and reduction in perirenal fat weight when compared to the aged control group (P < 0.05). The results of biochemical parameters, magnetic resonance imaging, proteomics and western blot suggested that the combination of wheat oligopeptide and fish oil-derived ω-3 PUFA, especially group WFM 2 (400 + 200 mg/kg body weight fish oil + wheat oligopeptide), was found to be more effective against aging-associated muscle loss than single intervention. Additionally, the interventions ameliorated fatty infiltration, muscle atrophy, and congestion in the intercellular matrix, and inflammatory cell infiltration in muscle tissue. The interventions also improved oxidative stress, anabolism, hormone levels, and inflammatory levels of skeletal muscle. The combination of fish oil-derived ω-3 PUFA and wheat oligopeptide was found to be a promising nutritional support to prevent and reverse sarcopenia. The potential mechanism involved the promotion of protein synthesis and muscle regeneration, as well as the enhancement of muscle strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is challenging to make diagnosis of non-celiac gluten sensitivity/non-celiac wheat sensitivity (NCGS/NCWS) in clinical practice, since there is no biomarker and diagnosis is based on response to gluten-free-diet (GFD). We used anti-gliadin antibody (AGA) for screening patients with IBS for gluten-sensitivity. 492 Adult-patients with IBS underwent screening for celiac disease and gluten-sensitivity using IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody and IgA-AGA and IgG-AGA, respectively. Patients with positive AGA (IgA and/or IgG) were invited to follow GFD, those willing were put on GFD for 6-weeks. Responsive patients were given gluten re-challenge. Diagnosis of NCGS was confirmed if they had recurrence of symptoms. Of 492 patients with IBS, AGA was positive in 61(12.4 %), hence suspected to have gluten-sensitivity. Of 31 who agreed to participate and followed GFD for 6-weeks, 17 (54.8 %) had complete (>30 % improvement) and 10(32.2 %) had partial (>20 % improvement) response. All 17 complete-responders were given gluten re-challenge for 6-weeks, symptoms recurred in all and hence were confirmed to have NCGS/NCWS. Significant decrease in AGA levels occurred almost in all GFD-responders. 12.4 % IBS patients have biological evidence of gluten/wheat-sensitivity. Almost 87 % patients with IBS having AGA responded to GFD. The value of AGA may further be explored as a biomarker for screening for the presence of NCGS, before recommending this test for the clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat Qu plays the role of saccharification fermentation, providing microorganisms and flavor in the fermentation of huangjiu , and the use of functional microorganisms to fortify wheat Qu is becoming increasingly popular. Yet, the mechanisms promoting microbial successions of wheat Qu remain unclear. In this study, we first correlated microbial community succession with physicochemical factors (moisture, temperature, acidity, glucoamylase and amylase) in inoculated raw wheat Qu (IRWQ) with Saccharopolyspora rosea. The Mantel test was performed to investigate the significance and found that temperature (r = 0.759, P = 0.001), moisture (r = 0.732, P = 0.006), and acidity (r = 0.712, P = 0.017) correlated significantly with the bacterial community in phase 1 (0–40 h). Meanwhile, temperature correlated significantly with the fungal community in phases 1 and 2 (40–120 h). To confirm the effect of temperature on microbial communities, the artificial reduction of bio-heat (37°C) in IRWQ also reduced the relative abundance of heat-resistant microorganisms including Bacillus and Saccharopolyspora. A higher abundance of Saccharopolyspora (87%) in IRWQ was observed following biofortified inoculation of S. rosea , in which glucoamylase activity increased by 40% compared to non-inoculated raw wheat Qu (NIRWQ) (1086 U/g vs 776 U/g). Finally, the IRWQ was employed to mechanized huangjiu fermentation and it was found to reduce the bitter amino acid and higher alcohol content by 27% and 8%, respectively, improving the drinking comfort and quality of huangjiu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The real-time monitoring of wheat phenology variations among different varieties and their adaptive responses to environmental conditions is essential for advancing breeding efforts and improving cultivation management. Many remote sensing efforts have been made to relieve the challenges of key phenophase detection. However, existing solutions are not accurate enough to discriminate adjacent phenophases with subtle organ changes, and they are not real-time, such as the vegetation index curve-based methods relying on entire growth stage data after the experiment was finished. Furthermore, it is key to improving the efficiency, scalability, and availability of phenological studies. This study proposes a two-stage deep learning framework called PhenoNet for the accurate, efficient, and real-time classification of key wheat phenophases. PhenoNet comprises a lightweight encoder module (PhenoViT) and a long short-term memory (LSTM) module. The performance of PhenoNet was assessed using a well-labeled, multi-variety, and large-volume dataset (WheatPheno). The results show that PhenoNet achieved an overall accuracy (OA) of 0.945, kappa coefficients (Kappa) of 0.928, and F1-score (F1) of 0.941. Additionally, the network parameters (Params), number of operations measured by multiply-adds (MAdds), and graphics processing unit memory required for classification (Memory) were 0.889 million (M), 0.093 Giga times (G), and 8.0 Megabytes (MB), respectively. PhenoNet outperformed eleven state-of-the-art deep learning networks, achieving an average improvement of 3.7% in OA, 5.1% in Kappa, and 4.1% in F1, while reducing average Params, MAdds, and Memory by 78.4%, 85.0%, and 75.1%, respectively. The feature visualization and ablation analysis explained that PhenoNet mainly benefited from using time-series information and lightweight modules. Furthermore, PhenoNet can be effectively transferred across years, achieving a high OA of 0.981 using a two-stage transfer learning strategy. Furthermore, an extensible web platform that integrates WheatPheno and PhenoNet and ensures that the work done in this study is accessible, interoperable, and reusable has been developed (https://phenonet.org/). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sitobion avenae F. is a highly prevalent and devastating pest in wheat crops, leading to significant yield losses. Silicon (Si) has been widely recognized as an effective inducer of plant resistance against aphids. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms governing the physiological and biochemical responses of plants induced by Si defense against S. avenae F. remain incompletely understood. In this study, we conducted experiments by treating wheat leaves with varying concentrations of Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) spray under aphid infestation. We meticulously observed and recorded the life cycle of S. avenae F. and measured the content of plant hormones, secondary metabolites, and the activity of defense enzymes in wheat leaves. Furthermore, we utilized structural equation modeling to discern the causal correlation between aphid performance and the physiological-biochemical responses of wheat under TEOS sprays. Our findings revealed that a concentration of 3 mmol/L TEOS significantly shortened the net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate and finite rate of increase, and mean generation time of S. avenae F., while simultaneously prolonging the population doubling time. Additionally, the content of lignin, total phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannin, jasmonic acid (JA), and salicylic acid in wheat leaves exhibited a substantial increase. Furthermore, the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), catalase, and lipoxygenase in wheat leaves was significantly enhanced. Our results suggest that TEOS spray reduced the survival and population growth of S. avenae F. while enhancing the defense response of wheat against aphids by activating the activity of PAL and PPO in wheat, and increasing the content of total phenolic and JA. This work provides valuable insights for the development of appropriate Si fertilizers for effective pest management and offers robust theoretical support for wheat aphid control through agricultural fertilization strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Wheat varietal and functional diversity were manipulated in the field. • Increasing intraspecific diversity of wheat did not influence biomass production. • Increasing intraspecific diversity did not alter 15N recovery by plants and soil. • Increasing intraspecific diversity affected plant Cu, Fe, Zn, Na and P contents. Crop homogenization in conventional agriculture has been pervasive while ecology has shown positive effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning, that arise from complementarity/facilitation and sampling/selection effects. These effects are well documented for interspecific diversity in both natural ecosystems and agroecosystems but remain less documented at an intraspecific level, particularly for the rates of nutrient uptake by plants and nutrient losses from ecosystems. We conducted a field experiment with 88 experimental plots cultivated with 1, 2, 4 or 8 wheat varieties and 1, 2, 3 or 4 functional groups to assess the effects of the number of varietal and functional diversity of winter wheat on plant biomass production, plant nutrient contents (N, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, P, K, Na and Zn) and fertilizer N recovery in the plant-soil system using a 15N labeling method. We found both negative and positive effects of the number of varieties or number of functional groups on shoot Cu, Fe, Zn, Na and P contents, but no significant effects of intraspecific diversity on biomass production, N content and 15N recovery in the plant-soil system. Our results show differential responses to an increase of intraspecific diversity of wheat on the contents of several essential nutrients in plants and highlight the need to jointly analyze multiple nutrients. Our study also suggests that increasing intraspecific diversity had no overall negative effects on biomass production or N content. Using knowledge on variety functional traits to target specific complementarity mechanisms when designing variety mixtures could thus lead to a positive effect on nutrient absorption and biomass production. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Rice seedling suffered more inhibition than wheat and corn under biochar treatments. • Colloidal biochar can attach to root surface and affect nutrient absorption. • Biochar nanoparticles were only found in rice root cell. In recent years, biochar has attracted considerable attention for soil quality improvement and carbon sequestration due to its unique physicochemical properties. However, the mechanism by which biochar application negatively affects the growth of crop seedlings has not been fully investigated. In this study, a hydroponic experiment was conducted to evaluate the response of rice, wheat, and corn seedlings to biochar application (CK, 0 g/L; BC1, 0.5 g/L; and BC2, 1.0 g/L). Compared with the CK treatment, the BC1 and BC2 treatments decreased the fresh shoot and root weights of rice and corn seedlings (P < 0.05), but there was no significant effect on wheat seedlings (P > 0.05). For the contents of nutrient elements in seedlings, both BC1 and BC2 treatments hindered the roots from absorbing Fe and Cu and increased the uptake of Ca and Mn. Compared with the CK treatment, the translocation factor (TF) values of Ca, Mn, and Zn were significantly decreased especially in rice seedlings (35.3%-36.8%, 68.7%-76.5%, and 29.8%-22.0%, respectively) under the BC1 and BC2 treatments, while only Mn was significantly decreased in wheat and corn seedlings (P < 0.05). Transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis of root cross-sections showed that nano-sized biochar particles (10∼23 nm) were found in the root cells under BC2 treatment conditions. Our findings reveal that a large amount of biochar application can reduce nutrient absorption and translocation, and hinder rice, wheat, and corn seedlings, particularly rice seedling, in hydroponic system. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

· Application of Acetylcholine to wheat increased growth, photosynthesis and enzyme activity. · Ni mediated oxidative damage was alleviated by the treatment of Acetylcholine more evidently at the 10 µM concentrations. · Accumulation of ROS and lipid peroxidation was reduced in Acetylcholine treated plants which was correlated with significant up-regulation of the antioxidant system. · The content of osmolytes including proline, glycine betaine and sugars, and secondary compounds increased more conspicuously in Acetylcholine treated plants. · Acetylcholine supplementation ameliorates oxidative damage effects in wheat exposed to Nickel toxicity. Influence of exogenous treatment of acetylcholine (ACh; 5 and 10 µM) was studied on the growth, photosynthesis and nitrate reductase activity in wheat under nickel (500 µM Ni) stress. Plant height, fresh and dry weight of shoot showed a decline of 36%, 23% and 40% respectively while as increased by 35%, 44% and 47% due to 10 µM ACh over control. Treatment of ACh, at both concentrations, alleviated the decline with obvious effects at higher (10 µM) concentrations. Treatment of ACh resulted in increased content of total chlorophylls, carotenoids and photosynthesis, intercellular carbon dioxide, transpiration and PSII activity, which were however significantly reduced by Ni stress. Exogenous application of ACh alleviated the Ni stress mediated decline in the activity of nitrate reductase. Wheat plants treated with Ni showed increased production of hydrogen peroxide resulting in increased lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage, however treatment of ACh reduced these parameters significantly reflecting in alleviation of oxidative damage. Activity of antioxidant enzymes assayed (SOD, CAT, APX, DHAR and GR) and the content of ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione increased significantly in ACh treated plants under normal and Ni stress. Activities of SOD, CAT, APX, DHAR and GR was increased by 162%, 108%, 70%, 107% and 87% respectively in Ni + 10 µM ACh treated plants. In addition, the content of phenols and flavonoids increased due to application of ACh. Content of nitrogen, potassium and calcium increased due to ACh and also alleviated the decline induced due to Ni stress while as the content of Ni was reduced in plants treated with ACh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The wheat traits and nitrogen status retrieved from the Landsat-7 images. • Three algorithms are compared to predict wheat parameters and nitrogen status. • The ANN and SVM algorithms can effectively predict plant nitrogen percentage. • The DNN algorithm can predict the wheat parameters better than SVM and ANN. Monitoring wheat biophysical variables during the growing season is essential for achieving precision agriculture's important goals. This study estimated plant height, leaf development stage, leaf area index, dry matter, and plant nitrogen content in wheat from Landsat-7 images in North Iran using machine learning algorithms. Forty points were selected from ten wheat fields (270 ha), and the agronomic parameters were recorded during the 2011–2012 growing season. The machine learning models applied in this study were Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Deep Neural Network (DNN). Results suggest that the DNN model was the best for predicting all the parameters, except for the nitrogen percentage, in which SVM and DNN have the same accuracy. The DNN model R2 was 0.82, 0.95, 0.95, and 0.90 RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) 9.61, 0.46, 0.47 and 1.2 and MAE (Mean Absolute Error) 26.4, 0.34, 0.28, and 0.84 for estimating plant height, leaf area index, leaf development stage and dry matter biomass, respectively. The DNN and SVM algorithms can effectively predict plant nitrogen percentage with identical R2, RMSE, and MAE values of 0.83–0.84, 0.44–0.46, and 0.33–0.36, respectively. These results show that machine learning models have great potential to provide timely and accurate data for better wheat management under field conditions from satellite imagery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Nutritional content of wheat grains. • Spray of Herbicides. • Spray of micro-Nano-nutrients. One of the main challenges that hinder wheat cultivation is weeds through its competitiveness to obtain the essential requirements of growth as most growers claimed that no efficient method can be applied to increase the nutritional value of wheat grains. Therefore, current study aims to increase the nutritional content of wheat using different methods during the development of growth stages. A field experiment was conducted in Zulele village, Babylon province during 2020–2021 and 2021–2022 season to achieve the object above. Treatments and combinations of the experiment (manual weeds removal, herbicides, seeding rate and nano-nutrients) were arranged using randomized complete block design (R.C.B.D) with four replicates. Results showed that there were significant differences between treatments and combinations as Navigator + IQ combi and Weed free + IQ combi combinations with 180 kg.h−1 seeding rate were exceeded and gave the highest average of the percentage of carbohydrates, protein, gluten, total amino acids and tryptophan, also gave the lowest percentage of ash compare to control combination with 140 kg.h−1 seeding rate. The use of Navigator or Surage (Herbicides) or Weed free together with foliar nano-nutrients was improved the nutritional content of wheat grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence has demonstrated that oxidative stress plays a crucial role in regulating cellular glucose metabolism. In previous studies, wheat germ peptide (WGP) was found to effectively mitigate oxidative stress induced by high glucose. Based on the information provided, we hypothesized that WGP could exhibit antihyperglycemic and anti–insulin-resistant effects in cells. The insulin-resistant cell model was established by insulin stimulation. The glucose consumption, glycogen content, and the activities of hexokinase and pyruvate kinase following WGP treatment were measured. The protein expression of SOCS3, phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate-1 (p-IRS1), IRS1, phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), Akt, glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), phosphorylated GSK 3β, GSK 3β, FOXO1, G6P, and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase were assessed by western blot analysis. Our results demonstrated that WGP treatment increased cellular glucose consumption and glycogen synthesis and enhanced hexokinase and pyruvate kinase activities. Additionally, WGP treatment was observed to cause a significant reduction in the expression of SOCS3, FOXO1, G6P, and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, as well as in the ratio of p-IRS1/IRS1. Conversely, the expression of GLUT2 and the ratios of p-Akt/Akt and p-GSK3β/GSK3β were upregulated by WGP. These findings suggested that WGP can activate the SOCS3/IRS1/Akt signaling pathway, thus promoting the phosphorylation of GSK-3β and increasing the expression of FOXO1 and GLUT2, which contribute to enhancing glycogen synthesis, inhibiting gluconeogenesis, and promoting glucose transport in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells. In HepG2 cells, the wheat germ peptide ADWGGPLPH reduces SOCS3 expression, inhibiting phosphorylation at IRS1 serine 307 and activating Akt phosphorylation. This enhances insulin signal transduction, improving insulin sensitivity and alleviating insulin resistance. Additionally, ADWGGPLPH promotes GSK3β phosphorylation, increases GLUT2 expression, and reduces FOXO1 expression as well as its downstream targets G6P and PEPCK. Abbreviations: Akt, protein kinase B; FOXO1, forkhead box O1; GLUT2, glucose transporter 2; GSK 3β, glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta; G6P, glucose-6-phosphatase; IRS1, insulin receptor substrate-1; PEPCK, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase; SOCS3, suppressor of cytokine signaling-3. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat (Triticum spp.) is crucial to food security. Grain protein content (GPC) is key to its nutritional and economic value and is controlled by genetic and agronomic factors, soil properties and weather. GPC prediction from remote sensing could reduce nitrogen (N) losses, help management decisions, and improve profit. However, GPC prediction is complex because multiple plant traits influence GPC and their effects change through the growing season. Traits with known physiological links to GPC, which can be retrieved from imaging spectroscopy, include leaf area index (LAI), chlorophyll (C a+b), and stress indicators. Further inspection of these and other traits retrieved from satellite data can advance research relevant to precision agriculture. Sentinel-2 (S2) timeseries (TS) were acquired for 6,355 ha of commercial dryland bread (T. aestivum) and durum (T. durum) wheat fields in south-east Australia through two consecutive years with dissimilar rainfall. Wheat growers provided ∼ 92,000 GPC data points from harvester-mounted protein monitors. For each, C a+b , leaf dry matter, leaf water content (C w) and LAI were retrieved from the S2 images by radiative transfer model inversion. A gradient boosted machine learning algorithm was applied to analyse these traits' importance to GPC and to predict GPC in 30% of samples unseen by the algorithm in training. The strongest relationships between predicted and observed GPC (R 2 = 0.86, RMSE = 0.56 %), in a model built from five S2 images across a season, were better than those from single-date hyperspectral (HS). In severe water stress, LAI was the main predictor of GPC early in the season, but this switched to C w later. Trait importance was more evenly distributed in milder conditions. S2 TS had a clear accuracy advantage over single-date S2 and HS, especially in benign conditions, emphasising the potential of S2 TS for large-scale GPC monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cd is an exceptionally toxic and extremely mobile element in both soil and plant systems. • Zn foliar application effectually enhanced wheat quality and its tolerance against Cd. • Current study will give interesting outcomes to cope with Cd contaminated soils and improving plant performance. To address food production challenges and combat heavy metal toxicity, an economically viable and sustainable approach is essential. Cadmium (Cd) contamination poses risks to crops and human health. Leveraging the structural similarity between zinc (Zn) and cadmium, we explored foliar Zn spray's potential to alleviate Cd toxicity and enhance wheat yield. Our field study near Peshawar, Pakistan, during the 2021–2022 winter, employed a split-plot design to investigate Zn's impact on wheat biofortification. Across three wheat varieties (JANBAZ-10, Pirsabak (PS)-2013, PS-2015), four foliar Zn levels (0 %, 0.5 %, 1.0 %, 1.5 % solution) were tested at various growth stages. Pirsabak-2015 exhibited optimal results, with a 1 % foliar Zn treatment producing the highest grain yield (3409 kg ha−1), biological yield (9022 kg ha−1), grains per spike (56), and 1000-grain weight (40.6 g). Application of 1 % biochar also significantly increased grain yield. Zn concentration peaked in grains and leaves with 1.5 % Zn solution, followed by 1.0 % Zn in the PS-2015 cultivar. Moreover, 1 % Zn application enhanced photosynthetic parameters and significantly reduced cadmium concentrations in leaves and grains. Notably, 1.0 % Zn led to improved stress tolerance as indicated by decreased electrolyte leakage and increased superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities. Applying 1.0 % Zn solution as a foliar spray during different growth stages demonstrates the potential to enhance wheat yield, increase grain Zn content, and mitigate Cd toxicity in Cd-contaminated soil. Further research across diverse cereal crops and climates will help establish 1.0 % Zn foliar spray as an effective Cd stress mitigation strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Starch paste was destroyed more easily than the paper fibers under UV-A irradiation. • Paper coated with high concentration of paste could cause fiber breakage due to the photodegradation of paste. • Paper coated with low concentration of paste could damage both the paste and paper fibers. • It's important to keep an appropriate concentration of starch paste to improve the irradiation stability of paste-restored paper artifacts. Starch paste has been the main adhesive of choice for paper conservation until now. Studies evaluating the properties of paste-coated paper under UVA irradiation conditions are limited but necessary to enable conservators for a proper choice of materials in terms of durability. In this paper, SEM, FTIR, Raman, and measurements of mechanical properties were used to investigate the aging features of UVA-irradiated paste-coated paper. The increased macro and micro physical and chemical changes with increasing UVA exposure time indicated the degradation of paste and paper polymers. The pH and spectroscopic analyses indicated that the carboxyl groups, which led to the acidity of the sample, were slowly produced with increasing irradiation, and the pH of the paste was lower than that of the paper samples when exposed for the same amount of time. The change in crystallinity also affected the degradation rate of paste-coated papers. SEM observations showed that the paste was destroyed more easily than the paper fibers, a higher concentration of paste caused the paper fibers to break, and a lower concentration of paste damaged both the paste and paper fibers. The present study suggests that an appropriate concentration of paste coated on the paper surface could improve the irradiation stability of paper samples for paste-restored paper artifacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malting produces techno-functional cereal ingredients but it is considered a time-consuming process. The assistance of ultrasound (US) appears to enhance the drying step of the green malts. In this sense, partially germinated wheat and barley were convectively dried with and without US. The obtained malts were analyzed regarding amylolytic capacity and their performance as ingredient in bread formulations. Compared to oven drying, hot air convective US-assisted system decreased drying time by intensifying drying velocity up to 56 % and 129 %, respectively. Similarly, a- and ß-amylase activities were intensified by up to 88 % and 10.5 %, respectively, when drying occurred with US. Breads formulated with US-dried malts resulted in better bread-making properties, mainly peak torque and setback values. Specific volume, crust color and pore distribution in real bread were also improved together with hardness of degassed crumb samples. Therefore, US can be used not only to intensify the conventional malting process but also to produce more efficient ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Plant recombination sites were determined to as little as 19–593 bp. • The open chromatin and DNA hypomethylation were found associated with CO except of CHH methylation. • A new method (ddPing) for efficient assessment of CO frequency in large gamete populations was developed. • The Ph1 locus does not affects all recombination sites in wheat. • The results are implying additional independent pathway in wheat recombination control. Meiotic recombination is one of the most important processes of evolution and adaptation to environmental conditions. Even though there is substantial knowledge about proteins involved in the process, targeting specific DNA loci by the recombination machinery is not well understood. This study aims to investigate a wheat recombination hotspot (H1) in comparison with a "regular" recombination site (Rec7) on the sequence and epigenetic level in conditions with functional and non-functional Ph1 locus. The DNA sequence, methylation pattern, and recombination frequency were analyzed for the H1 and Rec7 in three mapping populations derived by crossing introgressive wheat line 8.1 with cv. Chinese Spring (with Ph1 and ph1 alleles) and cv. Tähti. The H1 and Rec7 loci are 1.586 kb and 2.538 kb long, respectively. High-density mapping allowed to delimit the Rec7 and H1 to 19 and 574 bp and 593 and 571 bp CO sites, respectively. A new method (ddPing) allowed screening recombination frequency in almost 66 thousand gametes. The screening revealed a 5.94-fold higher recombination frequency at the H1 compared to the Rec7. The H1 was also found out of the Ph1 control, similarly as gamete distortion. The recombination was strongly affected by larger genomic rearrangements but not by the SNP proximity. Moreover, chromatin markers for open chromatin and DNA hypomethylation were found associated with crossover occurrence except for the CHH methylation. Our results, for the first time, allowed study of wheat recombination directly on sequence, shed new light on chromatin landmarks associated with particular recombination sites, and deepened knowledge about role of the Ph1 locus in control of wheat recombination processes. The results are suggesting more than one recombination control pathway. Understanding this phenomenon may become a base for more efficient wheat genome manipulation, gene pool enrichment, breeding, and study processes of recombination itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lipases (EC number 3.1.1.3), capable of hydrolyzing triacylglycerols (TAGs) into glycerol and fatty acids, gained attention due to its diverse biotechnological applications. • Wheat is an important cereal crop of the genus Triticum , in which lipolytic activities are shown by embryo and aleurone lipids • In this study, 63 lipase genes were identified in wheat. Through phylogenetic tree analysis, two genes matched common clusters with known lipase sequences of Arabidopsis, Oryza , and Zea mays. • Sequence 000056_1AL showed optimum physico-chemical characters with catalytic activity in lipid metabolism and a better network with 8 functionally associated transcript proteins. • Domains present in the sequence 000056_1AL are TAG lipase, lipase class – 3, and phospholipase A1, which show broad substrate specificity of the particular protein. Lipases (EC number 3.1.1.3), capable of hydrolyzing triacylglycerols (TAGs) into glycerol and fatty acids, gained attention due to diverse biotechnological applications and are extensively used in industries like dairy, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food etc. Industrial use of microbial lipases is very costly, so an alternative seed lipase is used due to its low cost, specificity and ease of purification. Lipolytic activities in wheat (genus Triticum) are shown by embryo and aleurone lipids. The present study was undertaken to characterize the identified wheat lipase sequences with the help of bioinformatics tools. 63 wheat lipase genes were identified of which two genes matched common clusters with known lipase sequences of Arabidopsis, Oryza, and Zea mays through phylogenetic tree analysis. From STRING database (v11.0) analysis only one gene (ID: 000056_1AL) showed perfect 1st interaction networking. It depicted 8 functionally transcript partners with 9 nodes and 17 edges of which only 6 nodes have shown 2nd interaction. On further analysis, sequence 000056_1AL showed optimum physico-chemical characters with catalytic activity in lipid metabolism and a better network with 8 functionally associated transcript proteins. Domains present in the sequence 000056_1AL are TAG lipase, lipase class - 3, and phospholipase A1, which show broad substrate specificity of the particular protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climatic perturbations have led to the prevalence of abiotic stresses in the environment. With this regard, salt stress imposed adversities are one of the major global challenges in the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs) pertaining to crop production. Strategies to cope with salt-induced detrimental impacts through the implementation of gaso-signaling molecules including hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) has been gaining immense appraisal in recent years. Since H 2 S plays pivotal roles in regulating plant physiological processes including seed germination-to-maturation, senescence and defense-induced responses; it has been the center of attention for many researchers. However, despite its vast potential in the plant system, the role of H 2 S in inducing salt tolerance mechanisms in staple crops including Triticum aestivum (wheat) still remains ambiguous and needs further investigations to scrutinize the underlying mechanisms. Thus, in the present investigation, we attempt to determine the impact of H 2 S application on wheat plants exposed to salt stress conditions. The present study revealed that the H 2 S application synergistically modulated ascorbate-glutathione (AsA-GSH) system, osmolyte accumulation, stomatal dynamics, nutrient levels, source-sink and photosynthesis-related traits in salt stressed wheat plants. The analyzed traits were found correlated with the enhanced growth and yield components, which resulted in improved salt tolerance in H 2 S-treated plants. Further, recent findings would also aid in elucidating the potential role of H 2 S as a significant salt stress-alleviator, and could be implicated as an important crop management strategy to cope up with salt-induced toxicity, which is quite prevalent in natural field conditions. [Display omitted] • H 2 S detained oxidative stress and triggered the AsA-GSH cycle under salt stress in wheat. • H 2 S maintained nutrient homeostasis, source-sink related metabolites, and osmolytes concentrations in salt stressed plants. • Stomatal dynamics and plant-water relations were regulated in H 2 S treated plants under salt stress. • Growth and yield traits were improved in H 2 S supplemented plants under salt stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf rolling (LR) is one of the defensive mechanisms that plants have developed against adverse environmental conditions. LR is a typical drought response, promoting drought resistance in various gramineae species, including wheat, maize, and rice. Rice cultivation faces the formidable challenge of water deprivation because of its high water requirements, which leads to drought-related symptoms in rice. LR is an important morphological characteristic that plays a key role in controlling water loss during water insufficiency, thereby regulating leaf area and stature, which are crucial agronomic traits determining yield criteria. Bulliform, sclerenchyma, mesophyll, and vascular bundles are the cells that engage in LR and commonly exhibit adaxial or abaxial types of rolling in rice. The specific genes linked to rolling, either adaxially or abaxially, are discussed here. In addition to the factors influencing LR, here is a short review of the morphological, physiological and molecular responses of this adaptation under drought stress. Moreover, this review highlights how LR combats the consequences of drought stress. The eco-physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying this morphological adaptation in rice should be further explored, as they might be useful in dealing with various degrees of drought tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Physiological and biochemical processes in durum wheat were affected by salt stress. • Inoculation with AMF and supplementation of compost mitigated salinity damaging effects, by enhancing plant photosynthesis ability and up regulating the antioxidant metabolism and osmolytes accumulation. • The enhanced tolerance to salinity was specifically related to elevated activities of peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase under salt stress. Salinity is one of the most harmful abiotic stresses that affect wheat development and metabolism. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the potential effects of biostimulants/biofertilizers as an environment-friendly practice for improving wheat tolerance to salinity. A greenhouse experiment was conducted on a durum wheat variety: Carioca. The wheat seedlings were treated with a pure strain of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (M; Rhizoglomus irregulare) and /or compost (C; made from olive pomace with olive mill wastewater under non-saline, medium and high saline (100 and 200 mM NaCl) conditions. The results showed that C application significantly decreased mycorrhizal infection. Salinity reduced growth, physiological functioning, and biochemical processes. However, selected biostimulants/biofertilizers application, especially C alone, mitigated the negative effects of salinity by improving wheat shoot dry weight (65%), root dry weight (22%), phosphorus uptake (544%), and stomatal conductance (180%) than control under 200 mM NaCl. In addition, C application alone and/or M treatments improved osmotic adjustment and antioxidant system, maintained a higher stem water potential, reduced malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide content and increased glomalin secretion in soil. These results showed that compost and/ or Rhizoglomus irregulare could mediate salt tolerance and enhance wheat production in degraded areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Salinity stress increased Na+ and reduced K+ accumulation in roots and leaf. • Identification of proteins occurred, including differentially abundant proteins. • Peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, and thioredoxins were up-regulated. • The upregulations play a vital role in detoxifying ROS in salinity-stressed. Wheat plays a significant role in the provision of food and nutrition. However, rapid soil salinization poses a severe threat to its production worldwide. Salt stress stunts wheat growth and quality, resulting in low grain yields. The adaptation of wheat to salinity involves complex physio-biochemical and molecular mechanisms. This study aimed to identify the genetic approaches concerning salt stress-responsive proteins and protein pathways in wheat roots under controlled (0 mM) and NaCl stress (250 mM) solution using label-free proteomic quantification analysis. We found a significant accumulation of Na+ in the leaf and root compared with the controlled condition. Besides, we identified 2436 proteins enhanced under salt stress, with 198 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs), including 170 up-regulated and 28 down-regulated proteins. Many of these proteins were involved in salinity tolerance, including heat shock proteins, glutathione S-transferase, dehydrin, peroxidase, potassium channel beta subunit-type H+-ATPase, superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn), 14-3-3 protein, peroxidase, malate dehydrogenase, and heat shock proteins. The abundance of a V-type H+ ATPase and 14-3-3 protein was also enhanced, facilitating Na+ compartmentalization in the vacuole through the salt overly sensitive (SOS) pathway. Additionally, many antioxidant enzymes, including peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, and thioredoxins, were up-regulated, playing a vital role in detoxifying reactive oxygen species (ROS) in salinity-stressed wheat roots. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analyses showed that salinity stress enhances the abundance of proteins in several metabolic pathways, such as the citrate cycle, ribosome, oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, carbon metabolism, and cytoplasm. We anticipate that the identified proteins under salinity conditions will provide us with a deeper understanding of their application in agriculture biotechnology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years there has been an increasing interest in the use of relational event models for dynamic social network analysis. The basis of these models is the concept of an "event", defined as a triplet of time, sender, and receiver of some social interaction. The key question that relational event models aim to answer is what drives the pattern of social interactions among actors. Researchers often consider a very large number of predictors in their studies (including exogenous effects, endogenous network effects, and interaction effects). However, employing an excessive number of effects may lead to overfitting and inflated Type-I error rates. Moreover, the fitted model can easily become overly complex and the implied social interaction behavior difficult to interpret. A potential solution to this problem is to apply Bayesian regularization using shrinkage priors to recognize which effects are truly nonzero (the "wheat") and which effects can be considered as (largely) irrelevant (the "chaff"). In this paper, we propose Bayesian regularization methods for relational event models using four different priors for both an actor and a dyad relational event model: a flat prior model with no shrinkage, a ridge estimator with a normal prior, a Bayesian lasso with a Laplace prior, and a horseshoe prior. We apply these regularization methods in three different empirical applications. The results reveal that Bayesian regularization can be used to separate the wheat from the chaff in models with a large number of effects by yielding considerably fewer significant effects, resulting in a more parsimonious description of the social interaction behavior between actors in dynamic social networks, without sacrificing predictive performance. • Relational event models aim to answer what drives dynamic social interactions. • There is a large number of predictors in relational data analysis. • Excessive number of predictors increases Type 1 error rate. • Variable selection can be applied to relational event models via shrinkage priors. • Shrinkage priors eliminate negligible effects keeping high predictive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a recent study, Zhang et al. identified that MADS1-regulated lemma and awn development can positively regulate barley yield. This finding, alongside the demonstration that the function of MADS1 is conserved in wheat, suggests it is an important target for the improvement of Triticeae crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent study by Li et al. demonstrated that the removal of like heterochromatin protein 1 (LHP1) in common wheat causes developmental drawbacks, yet confers resistance to stripe rust infection. Due to its role in regulating diversified defense genes, LHP1 was suggested to be an epigenetic gatekeeper potentially promoting adaptive evolution in allopolyploid wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A modern green revolution is needed to ensure global food security. Recently, Song et al. reported a new strategy to create high-yielding, semi-dwarf wheat varieties with improved nitrogen-use efficiency by inhibiting brassinosteroid (BR) signaling through clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein9 (Cas9)-mediated knockout of the ZnF-B gene encoding a zinc-finger RING-type E3 ligase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cd bioavailability in HT rhizospheres was higher than those of LT. • Soil type is the strongest determinant of root-associated community. • HT rhizosphere could recruit taxa involved in Cd activation. Cadmium (Cd) bioavailability in the rhizosphere makes an important difference in grain Cd accumulation in wheat. Here, pot experiments combined with 16S rRNA gene sequencing were conducted to compare the Cd bioavailability and bacterial community in the rhizosphere of two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes, a low-Cd-accumulating genotype in grains (LT) and a high-Cd-accumulating genotype in grains (HT), grown on four different soils with Cd contamination. Results showed that there was non-significant difference in total Cd concentration among four soils. However, except for black soil, DTPA-Cd concentrations in HT rhizospheres were higher than those of LT in fluvisol, paddy soil and purple soil. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that soil type (52.7%) was the strongest determinant of root-associated community, while there were still some differences in rhizosphere bacterial community composition between two wheat genotypes. Taxa specifically colonized in HT rhizosphere (Acidobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Bacteroidetes and Deltaproteobacteria) could participate in metal activation, whereas LT rhizosphere was highly enriched by plant growth-promoting taxa. In addition, PICRUSt2 analysis also predicted high relative abundances of imputed functional profiles related to membrane transport and amino acid metabolism in HT rhizosphere. These results revealed that the rhizosphere bacterial community may be an important factor regulating Cd uptake and accumulation in wheat and indicated that the high Cd-accumulating cultivar might improve Cd bioavailability in the rhizosphere by recruiting taxa related to Cd activation, thus promoting Cd uptake and accumulation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green leaf area index (LAI) is an important structural parameter that can be used for monitoring plant transpiration and carbon cycling over large spatial extents. LAI is also critical for understanding biophysical processes and predicting crop productivity. However, the retrieval of wheat green LAI based on canopy reflectance is always affected by the background material. For example, in the Yangtze River Basin of China, rice residues are typically returned to rice–wheat rotation fields. Thus the background for observing wheat canopy varies from a mixture of traditional wheat-soil components to wheat-residue or wheat-residue-soil, posing a significant challenge for accurate LAI estimation at the early stages of crop growth. Furthermore, when current vegetation indices (VIs) are used to estimate LAI, leaf chlorophyll content (LCC) and field moisture are two additional confounding factors. To resolve these issues, we propose a novel residue-soil adjusted red edge difference index (RSARE), which draws on concepts from a simple physical algorithm, i.e., linear spectral mixture analysis (LSMA). The results of field, satellite and modeling experiments demonstrate that the RSARE-LAI model is generally not sensitive to LCC, or to variations in residue-soil and traditional soil backgrounds, and estimates LAI with high accuracy ( RMSE val = 0.55, RRMSE val =20.71%). In comparison to traditional VI-LAI maps, RASRE-LAI maps are less sensitive to confounding factors associated with the background components, field moisture, LCC, and both inter-annual and geographical differences. This novel residue-soil background-resistant RSARE particularly improves the accuracy of wheat LAI estimation at low LAI levels, thus facilitating large-scale mapping of LAI in the early growing season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Systematic evaluation of genetic diversity exists in wild and related tetraploid wheat wheat species T. turgidum and T. timopheevii. • Using genotypic datasets, we found duplicated accessions in T. timopheevii (∼65 %) and in T. turgidum (47 %). • We combined genotypic and phenotypic datasets to identify core set accessions to introduce novel genetic diversity in wheat breeding programs. The domestication bottleneck has reduced genetic diversity in wheat, necessitating the use of wild relatives in breeding programs. Wild tetraploid wheat are widely used in the breeding programs but with morphological characters, it is difficult to distinguish these, resulting in misclassification/mislabeling or duplication of accessions in the Gene bank. The study aims to explore Genotyping by sequencing (GBS) to characterize wild and domesticated tetraploid wheat accessions to generate a core set of accessions to be used in the breeding program. TASSEL-GBS pipeline was used for SNP discovery, fastStructure was used to determine the population structure and PowerCore was used to generate a core sets. Nucleotide diversity matrices of Nie's and F -statistics (F ST) index were used to determine the center of genetic diversity. We found 65 % and 47 % duplicated accessions in Triticum timopheevii and T. turgidum respectively. Genome-wide nucleotide diversity and F ST scan uncovered a lower intra and higher inter-species differentiation. Distinct F ST regions were identified in genomic regions belonging to domestication genes: non-brittle rachis (Btr1) and vernalization (VRN-1). Our results suggest that Israel, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon as the hub of genetic diversity of wild emmer; Turkey, and Georgia for T. durum ; and Iraq, Azerbaijan, and Armenia for the T. timopheevii. Identified core set accessions preserved more than 93 % of the available genetic diversity. Genome wide association study (GWAS) indicated the potential chromosomal segment for resistance to leaf rust in T. timopheevii. The present study explored the potential of GBS technology in data reduction while maintaining the significant genetic diversity of the species. Wild germplasm showed more differentiation than domesticated accessions, indicating the availability of sufficient diversity for crop improvement. With reduced complexity, the core set preserves the genetic diversity of the gene bank collections and will aid in a more robust characterization of wild germplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• There is an over-yielding effect in wheat cultivar mixtures. • Wheat yield components reach an optimized level by mixed cropping. • Relative yield of mixtures increases under unfavourable climatic conditions. Scaling current cereal production to meet the globally increasing food demand will be a challenge under climate change. Previous studies have shown that crop diversification, such as intercropping, can increase crop yield, stability, resource-use efficiency and resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses in agroecosystems. However, more evidence is needed to explain the influence of inter-annual climate variations on crop yield in the context of genetic diversity. Here, we conducted a field experiment over four years in the North China Plain to test the effect of genetic diversity on yield under varied climate conditions. We compared the performance of eight winter wheat cultivars in monocropping with that of mixed cropping of two (mixture-2), four (mixture-4), and eight (mixture-8) cultivars. Our results showed that the yields of all cultivar mixtures were higher than those of their component cultivars in monocropping from 2017 to 2020. In particular, the grain yields of mixture-4 and mixture-8 were significantly increased by 7.37% and 5.94% in the drier years (2017 and 2019), compared with that of the highest yield of local cultivar (LY502). From 2017 to 2020, yield components in wheat mixed cropping had synergetic effects that could offset the tradeoffs among them and obtained an optimized combination at population level. Moreover, the yield stability of all mixtures was higher than the weighted means of monocultures averaged across the four years. The cultivation of mixtures of wheat cultivars effectively alleviated the negative effect of high temperature stress on 1000-grain weight, and improved grain water use efficiency in the drier years. Our findings showed that enhancing wheat genetic diversity at population level can effectively promote grain yield under drought and high temperature, which can be considered as an ecological approach to cope with global climate change towards food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sodium salts with Cl− and SO42− anions promoted Cd translocation into wheat tissues. • High levels of sodium salts in the soil triggered an up-regulation of the TCA cycle. • Accumulation of organic acids in the rhizosphere facilitated migration of soil Cd. • Salts altered Cd mobility by mediating soil metabolite profiles and physicochemical properties. Soil salinity is known to improve cadmium (Cd) mobility, especially in arid soils. However, the mechanisms involved in how salt stress-associated metabolic profiles participate in mediating Cd transport in the soil-plant system remain poorly understood. This study was designed to investigate the effects of salinity-induced changes in soil metabolites on Cd bioavailability. Sodium salts in different combinations according to molar ratio (NaCl:Na 2 SO 4 =1:1; NaCl:Na 2 SO 4 :NaHCO 3 =1:2:1; NaCl:Na 2 SO 4 :NaHCO 3 :Na 2 CO 3 =1:9:9:1; NaCl:Na 2 SO 4 :NaHCO 3 :Na 2 CO 3 =1:1:1:1) were applied to the Cd-contaminated soils, which increased soil Cd availability by 22.36% and the Cd content in wheat grains by 36.61%, compared to the control. Salt stress resulted in soil metabolic reprogramming, which might explain the decreased growth of wheat plants and increased Cd transport from the soil into wheat tissues. For example, down-regulation of starch and sucrose metabolism reduced the production of sugars, which adversely affected growth; up-regulation of fatty acid metabolism allowed wheat plants to maintain a normal intracellular environment under saline conditions; up-regulation of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle was triggered, causing an increase in organic acid synthesis and the accumulation of organic acids, which facilitated the migration of soil Cd into wheat tissues. In summary, salt stress can facilitate Cd transport into wheat tissues by the direct effect of salt-based ions and the combined effect of altered soil physicochemical properties and soil metabolic profiles in Cd-contaminated soils. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health benefits of resistant starch (RS) are widely reported. RS promotes the production of short-chain fatty acids in the colon via microbial fermentation and plays a key role in promoting human health. Current staple foods have low RS content as starch in cereals is mostly gelatinized during processing resulting in rapid and nearly complete digestion. High amylose starches (HASs), on the other hand, have comparatively higher thermal stability and could be a rich source of dietary RS particularly if incorporated in staple foods. In this review, the structural and nutritional properties of HASs are described. The focus is on the potential applications and current limitations of HASs in processed foods relevant to their beneficial effects in controlling glycemic response and improving gut health. A major emphasis is on the nutritional functionality and new opportunities arising from the recent introduction of high amylose wheat-based foods. Key findings and conclusions: Slower digestibility of HAS arises from the combination of structural and physical features, including more elongated amylopectin chains, the absence of granular surface pores and channels, and the presence of more granular surface protein and lipids. Supplementation of HASs in processed food enhances nutritional properties by attenuating glycemic response due to lower starch digestibility and improving gut health by increasing RS content. Compared to supplementation with isolated starch, high amylose wheat flour offers opportunities for more widespread application, but challenges remain in identifying appropriate food formulations and preparation conditions to maximize RS content. • Nutritional value of wheat-based foods improved with high amylose starch inclusion. • Adding high amylose starch to wheat foods dilutes gluten and affects water binding. • High amylose wheat flour now available but may have food formulation challenges. • Innovation opportunity to maximize health and sensory properties of high amylose wheat foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multidisciplinary analyses on ancient dental calculus revealed the possibility to reconstruct habits and diet of ancient human populations, investigate individual health status, as well as provide information on past environments. In the present study we applied both metagenomic and microscopic analysis on ancient human dental calculus in order to obtain a cross-section of the life conditions in a population of central Italy belonging to the Copper Age culture of Rinaldone (IV millennium BCE). The metagenomic profile suggested an agricultural subsistence and a dietary regimen particularly enriched in complex carbohydrates with low soluble fiber. Even bacterial functional profile seems to indicate an almost exclusive carbohydrates intake that could have favoured the occurrence of nutritional stress in the individuals. Exploring the diversity of the plant food consumed, we detected direct evidence of cereals such as wheat and/or barley, and found signals of the use of leaf vegetables, thus providing additional information on human/environment relationship. The presence of oral pathogens, even if at low abundance (<0.1%), can be related to the high consumption of carbohydrates and finds correspondence with the palaeopathological evidence. In conclusion, starting from very minute amounts of ancient dental calculus, our molecular and microscopic analysis jointly provided complementary data in support of past life condition reconstruction in ancient human populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cadmium soil pollution and crop accumulation are detectable on national level in China. • Mining activities and sewage irrigation dominate to Cd pollution in China. • Cd pollution in Southwest of China, Middle Yellow River region and North China plain should be taken more seriously. • Cd enrichment models differ with investigated sites and are influenced by pollution sources. Cadmium (Cd) pollution of agricultural soil is of public concern due to its high potential toxicity and mobility. This study aimed to reveal the risk of Cd accumulation in soil and wheat/maize systems, with a specific focus on the source-specific ecological risk, human health risk and Cd enrichment model. For this we investigated more than 6100 paired soil and grain samples with 216 datasets including soil Cd contents, soil pH and grain Cd contents of 85 sites from China. The results showed that mining activities, sewage irrigation, industrial activities and agricultural practices were the critical factors causing Cd accumulation in wheat and maize cultivated sites. Thereinto, mining activities contributed to a higher Cd accumulation risk in the southwest China and Middle Yellow River regions; sewage irrigation influenced the Cd accumulation in the North China Plain. In addition, the investigated sites were classified into different categories by comparing their soil and grain Cd contents with the Chinese soil screening values and food safety values, respectively. Cd enrichment models were developed to predict the Cd levels in wheat and maize grains. The results showed that the models exhibited a good performance for predicting the grain Cd contents among safe and warning sites of wheat (R2 = 0.61 and 0.72, respectively); while the well-fitted model for maize was prone to the overestimated sites (R2 = 0.77). This study will provide national viewpoints for the risk assessments and prediction of Cd accumulation in soil and wheat/maize systems. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorophyll pigments are used by photosynthetic organisms to facilitate light capture and mediate the conversion of sunlight into chemical energy. Due to the indispensable nature of this pigment and its propensity to form reactive oxygen species, organisms heavily invest in its biosynthesis, recycling, and degradation. One key enzyme implicated in these processes is chlorophyllase, an a/ß hydrolase that hydrolyzes the phytol tail of chlorophyll pigments to produce chlorophyllide molecules. This enzyme was discovered a century ago, but despite its importance to diverse photosynthetic organisms, there are still many missing biochemical details regarding how chlorophyllase functions. Here, we present the 4.46-Å resolution crystal structure of chlorophyllase from Triticum aestivum. This structure reveals the dimeric architecture of chlorophyllase, the arrangement of catalytic residues, an unexpected divalent metal ion-binding site, and a substrate-binding site that can accommodate a diverse range of pigments. Further, this structure exhibits the existence of both intermolecular and intramolecular disulfide bonds. We investigated the importance of these architectural features using enzyme kinetics, mass spectrometry, and thermal shift assays. Through this work, we demonstrated that the oxidation state of the Cys residues is imperative to the activity and stability of chlorophyllase, illuminating a biochemical trigger for responding to environmental stress. Additional bioinformatics analysis of the chlorophyllase enzyme family reveals widespread conservation of key catalytic residues and the identified "redox switch" among other plant chlorophyllase homologs, thus revealing key details regarding the structure-function relationships in chlorophyllase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Awnless and awned wheat is found across the globe. Archeological and historical records show that the wheat spike was predominantly awned across the many millennia following domestication. Thus, ancient farmers did not select against awns at least until the last millennium. Here, we describe the evolution and domestication of wheat awns, quantifying their role in spike photosynthesis and yield under contrasting environments. Awns increase grain weight directly (increasing the size of all grains) or indirectly (increasing the failure of distal grains), but not as a consequence of additional spike photosynthesis. However, a trade-off is produced through decreasing grain number. Thus, favorable effects of awns on yield are not consistently found across environments. The role of wheat awns in yield has remained controversial despite decades of studies. Archeological and historical records show that wheat spikes were predominantly awned across many millennia after domestication, while small awns or awnless spikes were common during the last millennium. The meta-analysis conducted in this review shows that the presence of awns significantly increases average grain weight by 5% at the expense of grain number, which is reduced by 3% independent of the environmental growing conditions. The increase in grain weight is not associated with an increase in spike photosynthesis but rather as a constitutive effect that increases the failure of distal grains or increases the grain size potential of all grains. No clear advantage or disadvantage due to the presence of awns was observed for wheat yield across favorable and stressful environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CPKs), important sensors of calcium signals, play an essential role in plant growth, development, and stress responses. Although the CPK gene family has been characterized in many plants, the functions of the CPK gene family in wheat, including their relationship to seed dormancy and germination, remain unclear. In this study, we identified 84 TaCPK genes in wheat (TaCPK1-84). According to their phylogenetic relationship, they were divided into four groups (I-IV). TaCPK genes in the same group were found to have similar gene structures and motifs. Chromosomal localization indicated that TaCPK genes were unevenly distributed across 21 wheat chromosomes. TaCPK gene expansion occurred through segmental duplication events and underwent strong negative selection. A large number of cis -regulatory elements related to light response, phytohormone response, and abiotic stress response were identified in the upstream promoter sequences of TaCPK genes. TaCPK gene expression was found to be tissue- and growth-stage-diverse. Analysis of the expression patterns of several wheat varieties with contrasting seed dormancy and germination phenotypes resulted in the identification of 11 candidate genes (TaCPK38/-40/-43/-47/-50/-60/-67/-70/-75/-78/-80) which are likely associated with seed dormancy and germination. The ectopic expression of TaCPK40 in Arabidopsis promoted seed germination and reduced abscisic acid (ABA) sensitivity during germination, indicating that TaCPK40 negatively regulates seed dormancy and positively regulates seed germination. These findings advance our understanding of the multifaceted functions of CPK genes in seed dormancy and germination, and provide potential candidate genes for controlling wheat seed dormancy and germination. • 84 CPK genes were identified in wheat and classified into four groups. • Eleven wheat CPK candidate genes may help regulate seed dormancy and germination. • Overexpression TaCPK40 in Arabidopsis negatively regulates seed dormancy and positively regulates seed germination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]