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Summary Mitochondria‐induced cell death is closely correlated with plant immune responses against pathogens. However, the molecular mechanisms by which pathogens manipulate mitochondria to suppress host resistance remain poorly understood. In this study, a haustorium‐specific effector Pst11215 from the wheat stripe rust pathogen Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) was characterized by host‐induced gene silencing. The interaction partners regulated by Pst11215 were screened using the yeast two‐hybrid system. In addition, Pst11215‐mediated immune regulation modes were further determined. The results showed that Pst11215 was required for Pst virulence. Pst11215 interacted with the wheat voltage‐dependent anion channel TaVDAC1, the negative regulator of wheat resistance to stripe rust, in mitochondria. Furthermore, the E3 ubiquitin ligase TaVDIP1 targeted and ubiquitinated TaVDAC1, which can be promoted by Pst11215. TaVDIP1 conferred enhanced wheat susceptibility to Pst by cooperating with TaVDAC1. Overexpression of TaVDIP1 reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and abnormal mitochondria. Our study revealed that Pst11215 functions as an important pathogenicity factor secreted to the host mitochondria to compromise wheat resistance to Pst possibly by facilitating TaVDIP1‐mediated ubiquitination of TaVDAC1, thereby protecting mitochondria from ROS‐induced impairment. This research unveils a novel regulation mode of effectors hijacking host mitochondria to contribute to pathogen infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a globally staple crop vulnerable to various fungal diseases, significantly impacting its yield. Plant cell surface receptors play a crucial role in recognizing pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and activating PAMP‐triggered immunity, boosting resistance against a wide range of plant diseases. Although the role of plant chitin receptor CERK1 in immune recognition and defense has been established in Arabidopsis and rice, its function and potential agricultural applications in enhancing resistance to crop diseases remain largely unexplored. Here, we identify and characterize TaCERK1 in Triticeae crop wheat, uncovering its involvement in chitin recognition, immune regulation, and resistance to fungal diseases. By a comparative analysis of CERK1 homologs in Arabidopsis and monocot crops, we demonstrate that AtCERK1 in Arabidopsis elicits the most robust immune response. Moreover, we show that overexpressing TaCERK1 and AtCERK1 in wheat confers resistance to multiple fungal diseases, including Fusarium head blight, stripe rust, and powdery mildew. Notably, transgenic wheat lines with moderately expressed AtCERK1 display superior disease resistance and heightened immune responses without adversely affecting growth and yield, compared to TaCERK1 overexpression transgenics. Our findings highlight the significance of plant chitin receptors across diverse plant species and suggest potential strategies for bolstering crop resistance against broad‐spectrum diseases in agricultural production through the utilization of plant immune receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise Methods Results Conclusions The wheat tribe, Triticeae, has been the subject of molecular phylogenetic analyses for nearly three decades, and extensive phylogenetic conflict has been apparent from the earliest comparisons among DNA‐based data sets. While most previous analyses focused primarily on nuclear vs. chloroplast DNA conflict, the present analysis provides a broader picture of conflict among nuclear loci throughout the tribe.Exon data were generated from over 1000 nuclear loci using targeted sequence capture with custom baits, and nearly complete chloroplast genome sequences were recovered. Phylogenetic conflict was assessed among the trees from the chloroplast genomes, the concatenated nuclear loci, and a series of nuclear‐locus subsets guided by Hordeum chromosome gene maps.At the intergeneric level, the analyses collectively revealed a few broadly consistent relationships. However, the prevailing pattern was one of extensive phylogenetic conflict throughout the tribe, among both deep and shallow branches, and with the extent of the conflict varying among data subsets.The results suggest continual introgression or lineage sorting within and among the named lineages of the Triticeae, shaping both deep and shallow relationships in the tribe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Vernalization and photoperiod pathways converging at FT1 control the transition to flowering in wheat. Here, we identified a gain‐of‐function mutation in FT‐D1 that results in earlier heading date (HD), and shorter plant height and spike length in the gamma ray‐induced eh1 wheat mutant. Knockout of the wild‐type and overexpression of the mutated FT‐D1 indicate that both alleles are functional to affect HD and plant height. Protein interaction assays demonstrated that the frameshift mutation in FT‐D1eh1 exon 3 led to gain‐of‐function interactions with 14‐3‐3A and FDL6, thereby enabling the formation of florigen activation complex (FAC) and consequently activating a flowering‐related transcriptomic programme. This mutation did not affect FT‐D1eh1 interactions with TaNaKR5 or TaFTIP7, both of which could modulate HD, potentially via mediating FT‐D1 translocation to the shoot apical meristem. Furthermore, the ‘Segment B’ external loop is essential for FT‐D1 interaction with FDL6, while residue Y85 is required for interactions with TaNaKR5 and TaFTIP7. Finally, the flowering regulatory hub gene, ELF5, was identified as the FT‐D1 regulatory target. This study illustrates FT‐D1 function in determining wheat HD with a suite of interaction partners and provides genetic resources for tuning HD in elite wheat lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic and environmental factors influence wheat grain quality, including vitreousness, protein, and starch content. Yellow berry (YB), a physiological condition, adversely affects wheat quality, particularly in irrigated fields with limited nitrogen application, leading to starch‐rich, low‐protein grains. This study examines common wheat, used in baking industries, and durum wheat, primarily employs for pasta production. The focus is on investigating how the physicochemical properties of these wheat types change with the presence of YB, that impacts protein content negatively, increasing total starch content. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy reveals structural changes in YB‐affected grains, while X‐ray diffraction indicates varying crystallinity. In determination of amylose, an increase of 6% in bread wheat with YB and 3% in durum wheat with YB is observed. In the case of RVA (Rapid Visco Analyzer) analysis, a notable increase in viscosity is evident in the treatments that included the yellow berry. This finding suggests that YB is associated with substantial modifications in starch properties, such as amylose‐to‐amylopectin ratio, chain length, and degree of branching, among several other components, which may have important implications for the texture and quality of food products. This study calls for further research to mitigate YB's impact and enhances the quality of wheat‐derived foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Wheat bran, oat flour, and Dictyophora indusiata powder were used to substitute wheat flour in noodle production. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of wheat bran flour, oat flour, and Dictyophora indusiata powder on physical, chemical, sensorial, and in vitro digestibility of wheat noodles. Results indicated that the addition of wheat bran flour, oat flour, and Dictyophora indusiata powder decreased the lightness, chewiness, and the reducing sugar released during digestion of noodles, and their estimated glycaemic index. The viscosity value of noodles decreased with Dictyophora indusiata powder addition solely. The protein, and dietary fibre of wheat noodle increased at 10% Dictyophora indusiata powder, and 10% oat flour blended with wheat flour, and the estimated glycaemic index lowered significantly with the addition of 10% wheat bran flour, and 10% Dictyophora indusiata powder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY Structural variations (SVs) pervade plant genomes and contribute substantially to the phenotypic diversity. However, most SVs were ineffectively assayed due to their complex nature and the limitations of early genomic technologies. By applying the PacBio high‐fidelity (HiFi) sequencing for wheat genomes, we performed a comprehensive evaluation of mainstream long‐read aligners and SV callers in SV detection. The results indicated that the accuracy of deletion discovery is markedly influenced by callers, accounting for 87.73% of the variance, whereas both aligners (38.25%) and callers (49.32%) contributed substantially to the accuracy variance for insertions. Among the aligners, Winnowmap2 and NGMLR excelled in detecting deletions and insertions, respectively. For SV callers, SVIM achieved the best performance. We demonstrated that combining the aligners and callers mentioned above is optimal for SV detection. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of sequencing depth on the accuracy of SV detection, revealing that low‐coverage HiFi sequencing is sufficiently robust for high‐quality SV discovery. This study thoroughly evaluated SV discovery approaches and established optimal workflows for investigating structural variations using low‐coverage HiFi sequencing in the wheat genome, which will advance SV discovery and decipher the biological functions of SVs in wheat and many other plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Drought, especially terminal drought, severely limits wheat growth and yield. Understanding the complex mechanisms behind the drought response in wheat is essential for developing drought‐resistant varieties. This study aimed to dissect the genetic architecture and high‐yielding wheat ideotypes under terminal drought.An automated high‐throughput phenotyping platform was used to examine 28 392 image‐based digital traits (i‐traits) under different drought conditions during the flowering stage of a natural wheat population. Of the i‐traits examined, 17 073 were identified as drought‐related. A genome‐wide association study (GWAS) identified 5320 drought‐related significant single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 27 SNP clusters.A notable hotspot region controlling wheat drought tolerance was discovered, in which TaPP2C6 was shown to be an important negative regulator of the drought response. The tapp2c6 knockout lines exhibited enhanced drought resistance without a yield penalty. A haplotype analysis revealed a favored allele of TaPP2C6 that was significantly correlated with drought resistance, affirming its potential value in wheat breeding programs.We developed an advanced prediction model for wheat yield and drought resistance using 24 i‐traits analyzed by machine learning. In summary, this study provides comprehensive insights into the high‐yielding ideotype and an approach for the rapid breeding of drought‐resistant wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Fusarium diseases pose a severe global threat to major cereal crops, particularly wheat. Existing biocontrol strains against Fusarium diseases are believed to primarily rely on antagonistic mechanisms, but not widely used under field conditions.Here, we report an endophytic fungus, Purpureocillium lilacinum YZ1, that shows promise in combating wheat Fusarium diseases. Under glasshouse conditions, YZ1 inoculation increased the survival rate of Fusarium graminearum (Fg)‐infected wheat seedlings from 0% to > 60% at the seedling stage, and reduced spikelet infections by 70.8% during anthesis. In field trials, the application of YZ1 resulted in an impressive 89.0% reduction in Fg‐susceptible spikelets.While a slight antagonistic effect of YZ1 against Fg was observed on plates, the induction of wheat systemic resistance by YZ1, which is distantly effective, non‐specific, and long‐lasting, appeared to be a key contributor to YZ1's biocontrol capabilities. Utilizing three imaging methods, we confirmed YZ1 as a potent endophyte capable of rapid colonization of wheat roots, and systematically spreading to the stem and leaves. Integrating dual RNA‐Seq, photosynthesis measurements and cell wall visualization supported the link between YZ1's growth‐promoting abilities and the activation of wheat systemic resistance.In conclusion, endophytes such as YZ1, which exhibits non‐antagonistic mechanisms, hold significant potential for industrial‐scale biocontrol applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought threatens plant growth and related ecosystem services. The emergence of plant drought stress under edaphic drought is well studied, whilst the importance of atmospheric drought only recently gained momentum. Yet, little is known about the interaction and relative contribution of edaphic and atmospheric drought on the emergence of plant drought stress. We conducted a gradient experiment, fully crossing gravimetric water content (GWC: maximum water holding capacity—permanent wilting point) and vapour pressure deficit (VPD: 1−2.25 kPa) using five wheat varieties from three species (Triticum monococcum, T. durum & T. aestivum). We quantified the occurrence of plant drought stress on molecular (abscisic acid), cellular (stomatal conductance), organ (leaf water potential) and stand level (evapotranspiration). Plant drought stress increased with decreasing GWC across all organizational levels. This effect was magnified nonlinearly by VPD after passing a critical threshold of soil water availability. At around 20%GWC (soil matric potential 0.012 MPa), plants lost their ability to regulate leaf water potential via stomata regulation, followed by the emergence of hydraulic dysfunction. The emergence of plant drought stress is characterized by changing relative contributions of soil versus atmosphere and their non‐linear interaction. This highly non‐linear response is likely to abruptly alter plant‐related ecosystem services in a drying world. Summary statement: Plant drought stress emerges from a nonlinear interaction of soil water availability (here estimated based on gravimetric water content, GWC) and atmospheric water demand (vapour pressure deficit, VPD) with the relative contribution of VPD accelerating below a critical threshold of GWC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The response of mesophyll conductance (gm) to CO2 plays a key role in photosynthesis and ecosystem carbon cycles under climate change. Despite numerous studies, there is still debate about how gm responds to short‐term CO2 variations. Here we used multiple methods and looked at the relationship between stomatal conductance to CO2 (gsc) and gm to address this aspect. We measured chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and online carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) at different CO2 mole fractions in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaves. The variable J and Δ based methods showed that gm decreased with an increase in CO2 mole fraction, and so did stomatal conductance. There were linear relationships between gm and gsc across CO2 mole fractions. gm obtained from A‐Ci curve fitting method was higher than that from the variable J method and was not representative of gm under the growth CO2 concentration. gm could be estimated by empirical models analogous to the Ball‐Berry model and the USO model for stomatal conductance. Our results suggest that gm and gsc respond in a coordinated manner to short‐term variations in CO2, providing new insight into the role of gm in photosynthesis modelling. Summary statement: For photosynthesis modelling, the response of gm to short‐term CO2 changes is essential. Using variable J and carbon isotope discrimination methods, we showed that gm decreased with an increase in CO2 mole fraction, which contradicts the assumption of a constant gm in photosynthesis models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: To assess the effect of wheat milling or bran separation method, five wheat bran fractions, one from stone milling (SB), two from roller flour milling (coarse: RB1, fine: RB2), and two from grain pearling (0–3%: PB1, 3–6%: PB2) were analysed. Physiological properties provided good physical and flow characteristics of SB fraction; however, it was the darkest. Particle size was in the order of RB1 > SB > RB2 > PB1 > PB2. The fibre analysis showed the highest insoluble fibre components for RB1, PB1, and exceptionally higher soluble fibre for PB1. The protein, fat, ash, and starch content were highest for RB2 and PB2. Antioxidant properties followed the order PB2 > RB2 > PB1 > RB1 > SB. Pearled fractions (PB1 and PB2) showed better functional properties than others. SEM, XRD, and FT‐IR verified the changes in the properties of bran fractions. The characterisation data will find applications to help increase the usage of bran fractions in specific food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tan spot disease of wheat (also known as yellow spot) is caused by the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Pyrenophora tritici‐repentis (Ptr). Initially described as a grass pathogen, Ptr has become a wheat pathogen of global importance. In Australia, tan spot was first recorded in 1952 as a minor wheat disease. However, by the 1970s tan spot had reached epidemic levels in Australia with yield losses of up to 49% reported in the north‐eastern region. A national survey carried out in 2007/2008 placed tan spot as the most economically important wheat disease with an estimated yield loss of 6%, corresponding to nearly a quarter of all disease losses. The incidence of tan spot in Australia has now markedly reduced with some wheat breeding programmes no longer considering tan spot disease resistance to be a priority trait. The disease can be effectively managed with integrated control strategies such as crop rotation, timely application of fungicides and removal of surface stubble. However, the key to the success of controlling tan spot disease in Australia has been achieved through wheat breeding programmes. The development of tan spot resistance resources suitable for the Australian climate was a concerted effort between national and international research organizations and Australian wheat breeders, supported by the Australian Grains Research Development Corporation (GRDC). While traditional breeding was essential to combat the disease, this article highlights the value of effector biology in assisting the development of resistant cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The resistance gene Lr34 conditions durable disease resistance to many biotrophic wheat pathogens and has been incorporated into many wheat cultivars throughout the world. Lr67 is a similar adult plant resistance gene that also conditions resistance to multiple wheat diseases. Both genes significantly reduce disease severity and work in an additive manner with other rust resistance genes. To determine the effect of Lr34 and Lr67 on Fusarium head blight (FHB), two doubled haploid populations, segregating for each of these genes, were developed in the Thatcher wheat background by crossing near‐isogenic lines. Progeny from these populations were tested in five Fusarium graminearum‐inoculated disease nurseries and assessed for FHB symptoms, using a visual rating index (VRI), and deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation. Both Lr34 and Lr67 significantly reduced visual symptoms of FHB and DON overall, though those effects were not significant in all environments. The overall reduction in the group of progeny with the resistant allele compared to the group with the susceptible allele for VRI was 9.4% for Lr34 and 6.8% for Lr67, while for DON it was 16.4% for Lr34 and 14.9% for Lr67. These genes represent important tools for improving resistance to FHB and many other diseases in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of monitoring and management of yellow rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), has markedly increased in Russia over recent years because of intensifying negative effects of this destructive disease on wheat production. The Pst virulence survey was conducted in 2019–2021 in the European (North‐West, Volga, North Caucasus) and Asian (Siberia) parts of Russia, and the same 109 isolates have been genotyped here with 20 SSR markers. Fifty‐three multilocus genotypes (MLGs) were detected, seven of which occurred in two or more regions. The most frequent MLG was found in three European Pst collections (except Dagestan) and Siberia. SSR‐based variation within the regional collections was low because many MLGs were closely related. Nevertheless, each collection contained relatively different small genotype groups. No clear geographic structure of the Russian Pst population was observed because the five studied regional collections shared groups of similar genotypes. The most singular SSR genotype was identified in the North‐West collection, but genotypes of four invasive isolates belonging to the PstS2 temperature‐adapted aggressive strain did not considerably differ from others. The observed heterozygosity at all SSR loci exceeded the expected one in all regional Pst collections, which could imply asexual reproduction of the pathogen. Both the SSR and virulence analyses demonstrated similar patterns of relationships between the regional Pst collections, although the magnitude of differences between the collections was larger for virulence pathotypes. However, no significant association was established between the virulence pathotypes and SSR genotypes because multiple pathotypes had the same genotype and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Polyploidy is a prominent driver of plant diversification, accompanied with dramatic chromosomal rearrangement and epigenetic changes that affect gene expression. How chromatin interactions within and between subgenomes adapt to ploidy transition remains poorly understood. We generate open chromatin interaction maps for natural hexaploid wheat (AABBDD), extracted tetraploid wheat (AABB), diploid wheat progenitor Aegilops tauschii (DD) and resynthesized hexaploid wheat (RHW, AABBDD). Thousands of intra‐ and interchromosomal loops are de novo established or disappeared in AB subgenomes after separation of D subgenome, in which 37–95% of novel loops are lost again in RHW after merger of D genome. Interestingly, more than half of novel loops are formed by cascade reactions that are triggered by disruption of chromatin interaction between AB and D subgenomes. The interaction repressed genes in RHW relative to DD are expression suppressed, resulting in more balanced expression of the three homoeologs in RHW. The interaction levels of cascade anchors are decreased step‐by‐step. Leading single nucleotide polymorphisms of yield‐ and plant architecture‐related quantitative trait locus are significantly enriched in cascade anchors. The expression of 116 genes interacted with these anchors are significantly correlated with the corresponding traits. Our findings reveal trans‐regulation of intrachromosomal loops by interchromosomal interactions during genome merger and separation in polyploid species. Significance Statement: Understanding the chromatin interaction changes in response to ploidy transition can provide further insight into the role of chromatin loops in regulation of gene expression and phenotypes in polyploidy. We find that the ploidy transition can result in cascaded changes in chromatin interactions, which are associated with balancing homoeologous gene expression and altering the expression of coexpressed genes related to specific phenotypes in polyploids. Many trait‐associated genes interact with quantitative trait loci through these cascaded chromatin interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Global wheat production amounted to >780 MMT during 2022–2023 whose market size are valued at >$128 billion. Wheat is highly susceptible to high‐temperature stress (HTS) throughout the life cycle and its yield declines 5–7% with the rise in each degree of temperature. Previously, we reported an array of HTS‐response markers from a resilient wheat cv. Unnat Halna and described their putative role in heat acclimation. To complement our previous results and identify the key determinants of thermotolerance, here we examined the cytoplasmic proteome of a sensitive cv. PBW343. The HTS‐triggered metabolite reprograming highlighted how proteostasis defects influence the formation of an integrated stress‐adaptive response. The proteomic analysis identified several promising HTS‐responsive proteins, including a NACα18 protein, designated TaNACα18, whose role in thermotolerance remains unknown. Dual localization of TaNACα18 suggests its crucial functions in the cytoplasm and nucleus. The homodimerization of TaNACα18 anticipated its function as a transcriptional coactivator. The complementation of TaNACα18 in yeast and overexpression in wheat demonstrated its role in thermotolerance across the kingdom. Altogether, our results suggest that TaNACα18 imparts tolerance through tight regulation of gene expression, cell wall remodeling and activation of cell defense responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long‐term genetic studies of wild populations are very scarce, but are essential for connecting ecological and population genetics models, and for understanding the dynamics of biodiversity. We present a study of a wild wheat population sampled over a 36‐year period at high spatial resolution. We genotyped 832 individuals from regular sampling along transects during the course of the experiment. Genotypes were clustered into ecological microhabitats over scales of tens of metres, and this clustering was remarkably stable over the 36 generations of the study. Simulations show that it is difficult to determine whether this spatial and temporal stability reflects extremely limited dispersal or fine‐scale local adaptation to ecological parameters. Using a common‐garden experiment, we showed that the genotypes found in distinct microhabitats differ phenotypically. Our results provide a rare insight into the population genetics of a natural population over a long monitoring period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement: Increasing crop productivity is often proposed as a key goal for meeting the food security demands of a growing global population. However, achieving high crop yields alone without meeting end‐use quality requirements is counter to this objective and can lead to negative environmental and sustainability issues. High yielding feed wheat crops in the United Kingdom are a typical example of this. The historical context of UK agricultural industrialisation, developments in plant breeding and wheat end‐use processing are examined. We then outline how employing innovations in plant breeding methods offer the potential to redress the balance between wheat quantity and quality. Summary: Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has historically been an important crop for many human civilisations. Today, variability in wheat supply and trade has a large influence on global economies and food security. The United Kingdom is an example of an industrialised country that achieves high wheat yields through intensive cropping systems and a favourable climate. However, only a minority of the wheat grain produced is of suitable end‐use quality for modern bread baking methods and most wheat produced is fed to livestock. A large agricultural land area and input use dedicated to producing grain for animal rather than human food has wide‐ranging negative impacts for environmental sustainability and domestic food production. Here we present an historical perspective of agricultural and economic changes that have resulted in UK production primarily focussing on wheat quantity over quality. Agricultural intensification, liberalisation of free trade in agricultural commodities, innovations in the milling and baking sector, developments in scientific understanding of genetics and plant breeding, and geopolitical changes have all played a role. We propose that wheat breeding plays a crucial role in influencing these issues and although wheat breeders in the United Kingdom have historically applied the most‐up‐to‐date scientific advances, recent advances in genomics tools and quantitative genetics present a unique opportunity for breeders to redress the balance between quantity and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement: The Green Revolution is commonly understood as the dramatic increase in food production in Mexico and India between the 1940s and 1970s due to the spread of new agricultural technologies, especially high‐yielding seed varieties. Beyond this conventional understanding, however, historians are now revealing the occurrence of—and connections between—various Green Revolutions across space and time. This article identifies a "fascist Green Revolution" through the history of agrarian development and scientific wheat breeding in fascist Italy (1922–1943). Through this case study, the article provides new insights into key themes of discussion around the Green Revolution such as the relationship between plant breeding, the environment, food security, and food self‐sufficiency. Summary: In 1925, the fascist regime launched the "Battle of Wheat," a plan of agrarian development aimed at achieving self‐sufficiency in wheat, Italy's main food crop. Key to this project was the replacement of traditional landraces with "elite" semi‐dwarf and early‐maturing wheat cultivars released by Italy's star plant breeder Nazareno Strampelli. Through the historical analysis of Strampelli's breeding program and of the implementation of the fascist "seed replacement" strategy, this article makes the case for viewing the Battle of Wheat as a "fascist Green Revolution."The article draws on new methods and perspectives developed by the historiography of the Green Revolution. It is grounded on the historical analysis of fascist‐era publications and archival documents produced by Italian crop scientists and agricultural research institutions.While "elite" cultivars spread rapidly in fertile and wealthy northern Italy, they struggled to take hold in the dry and poor Italian South. The article delineates the environmental, social, and economic reasons underpinning this divergence. Focusing in particular on agrarian scientists' approaches to crop improvement in the Italian South, the article shows how this "marginal" region became a key site for the development of scientific counter‐narratives and concrete alternatives to the official fascist strategy of "seed replacement."The article reveals the co‐existence of multiple approaches over space and time within fascist‐era agrarian science. Through this case study, it provides new elements to analyze key themes in science and agriculture historiography such as the tension between hyper‐modernization and agroecological concerns, centralized and decentralized research, imported technologies and local resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: There is a growing interest in incorporating whole grain highland barley (HB) to wheat bread for improving nutrients and potential health benefits. However, the qualities and sensory properties of whole grain‐based bread were reduced compared to refined wheat‐based bread due to the strong water absorption and large particle size of dietary fiber in whole grain. Therefore, ultra‐fine ground whole grain HB partially substituted 5%–40% wheat flour to make bread, and the relevant dough properties and bread qualities were studied. Findings: The increased addition of ultra‐fine ground whole grain HB from 5% to 40% to wheat increased dough development time, whereas, decreased dough stability time, elasticity, pH, G′ modulus, and G″ modulus. The increased substitution of ultra‐fine ground whole grain HB to wheat further reduced the specific volume, cohesiveness, elasticity, and resilience of bread, whereas, increased the hardness, adhesiveness, and chewiness of bread. Conclusions: The partial substitution of wheat with ultra‐fine ground whole grain HB from 5% to 40% wheat significantly affected wheat‐HB dough properties and resultant bread qualities mainly due to weakened gluten networking. Significance and Novelty: The 5%–10% substitution of wheat by ultra‐fine ground whole grain HB showed the optimum dough properties and bread qualities compared to other treatments, which substituted 20%–40% wheat flour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Wheat is used extensively as the key ingredient for baked goods. Oats are used as an alternative for a range of commercial reasons, including "gluten‐free." Often the rationale driving the utilization of oats for gluten‐related disorders (GRDs)/gluten intolerance, gets lost due to assertions regarding the relative nutritional benefits of eating oats rather than wheat. This review looks at the dietary benefits of eating oats versus wheat‐based products to clarify the relative merits of each. Findings: Wheat and oats are important components of the human diet. Wheat‐based products cannot be replicated directly by oats. However, oats are a useful alternative where GRDs are present. Conclusions: Wheat is supreme in creating desirable food structures although it can be problematic for individuals with GRDs. Oats can be utilized to provide alternatives. However, in products like bread, other ingredients are needed to replicate the role of gluten. Significance and Novelty: This review provides a novel insight into the applications of wheat and oats in foods and the associated nutritional impact. The anticipated benefit is for people working in the food sector, health‐based professionals, and individuals who wish to understand the role of oats as an alternative to wheat to avoid gluten. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Preharvest sprouting (PHS) is the premature germination of seeds, which is often caused by late‐season rains after seeds reach physiological maturity. PHS negatively impacts grain yield and end‐use quality. Previous studies in spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) and durum wheat (Triticum turgidum) have identified that some mutations in the mother of FT and TFL1 gene (MFT) coding sequence decrease seed dormancy and increase wheat PHS. Findings: Here, we report two novel alleles for the MFT‐A and two novel alleles for the MFT‐B1 homologs in spring bread wheat and durum wheat. Conclusions: A haplotype analysis suggests that TaMFT‐3A1b (OQ729929), TaMFT‐3B1b (OQ729932) and TdMFT‐3B1b (OQ729937) increase PHS susceptibility. It is expected that functional copies of MFT promote seed dormancy. Variant analysis of the novel MFT‐A and MFT‐B1 alleles in both spring and durum wheat suggest impairment of protein function, therefore a negative impact on seed dormancy. Significance and Novelty: Previously unassessed durum wheat varieties were examined for PHS susceptibility. The information in this study can serve as a resource for spring and durum wheat breeders to make selections for alleles of MFT that impact susceptibility to PHS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc (Zn) fertilization of hard red and soft white winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is uncommon in the low precipitation zone of the inland Pacific Northwest. It is uncommon because there have been no indications of deficiency. Soil test data, however, show Zn levels have been declining over time. We conducted a four‐site‐year experiment to evaluate effects of fertilization on early‐season tissue Zn concentration (TZC), dry matter accumulation (DMA), Zn uptake (ZNU), the grain test weight (TWT), protein content (PRO), and yield (YLD) of two regionally adapted cultivars. Planting occurred late in September or early in October. Zinc fertilizer, placed with the seed while planting, was applied at rates of 0 and 5 kg Zn ha−1. Application of 5 kg Zn ha−1 increased TZC and ZNU at one of two sites. There were corresponding trends of increased DMA and improved YLD. Response to fertilization occurred on a relatively shallow soil that had a diethylenetriamine‐pentaacidic acid–extractable Zn test level of 0.3 mg kg−1. Core Ideas: Zinc fertilization increased tissue Zn concentration and Zn uptake in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at one of two experimental sites.There were corresponding treatment‐induced trends of increased dry matter accumulation and improved grain yield.Response to fertilization occurred on a relatively shallow soil that had a diethylenetriamine‐pentaacidic acid‐extractable soil test Zn level of 0.3 mg kg−1.Response to fertilization may have been due, at least in part, to the near‐surface position of carbonates and alkalinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated crop‐livestock systems (ICLS) bring diversity to agricultural systems, enhancing soil ecosystem services, food production, and environmental sustainability. Resource utilization efficiency practices under semiarid ecoregions include dual systems that grow wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for both grain and grazing (G) and recently complementary to wheat dual systems, cover crops (CC) for feeding both the soil and cattle during the fallow period. The latter continues to generate interest and there is a paucity of information on associated biochemical cycles. The objective was to evaluate the impact of CC and grazing thereof on soil microbiota structure, diversity, proliferation, and nutrient cycling. Introducing CC to no‐till (NT [NTC]) and grazing CC (NTCG [ICLS]), increased total PLFA biomass (TPB) for ungrazed CC (NTC) by 12%, and grazed CC (NTCG [ICLS]) by 20%; total bacteria biomass (TBB) by 10% for NTC and 24% for NTCG; total fungal biomass (TFB) by 9% for NTC and 21% for NTCG. The CC significantly increased Gram (−) bacteria biomass by 17% and 34% for NTC and NTCG, respectively; the CC significantly increased Gram (+) bacteria biomass by 6% and 12% for NTC and NTCG, respectively; and the CC significantly increased arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi by 55% and 89% for NTC and NTCG respectively, compared to NT fallow practice. Significant correlations were observed for NO3−–N, NH4+–N, water‐extractable organic nitrogen, total nitrogen, and water‐extractable organic carbon with TPB, TBB, and TFB using Haney soil health methods. Based on the measured parameters, the soil health status decreased in the order NTCG > NTC > NT > CT, where NT is the no‐till, C is the cover crop, G is the grazing, and CT is the conventional‐till. Grazing CC enhanced soil bacterial biomass over CC in solitude. Core Ideas: All cover crops (CC) increased actinomycetes, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and Gram (−) and (+) and undifferentiated biomasses.Grazed CC further increased actinomycetes, Gram (−), and undifferentiated biomasses compared to ungrazed CC.High correlations for phospholipid‐linked fatty acid biomass with NO3−–N, NH4+–N, water extractable organic nitrogen, total nitrogen, and water extractable organic carbon were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With an increase in the frequency of hot-dry-windy weather and reported significant increase in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in-season average temperatures, it is important to understand how soil management affects yield stability. This study quantified the combined effects of tillage and fertilizer-N on winter wheat yield stability in a wheat–sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]–fallow crop rotation. The research was conducted from 1975 to 2022 and the experimental design was a randomized complete block with a split-split-plot arrangement. Crop phases were the main plots, tillage (conventional tillage [CT], reduced tillage [RT], and no-tillage [NT]) in the sub-plot, and N application rates (0, 22, 45, and 67 kg N ha−1 or 0, 45, 90, and 134 kg N ha−1) in the sub-sub-plot. Results showed winter wheat yield under NT increased by 0.8 Mg ha−1, compared with about 1.1 Mg ha−1 for CT and RT, when environmental average increased by 1 Mg ha−1 for N rates ≤90 kg ha−1. Yields with CT and RT increased by 0.8 Mg ha−1, compared with about 1.1 Mg ha−1 rate for NT, when environmental average increased by 1 Mg ha−1 for N >90 kg ha−1. In 30%–52% of the time, CT wheat yield was greater than NT, but yield advantage with CT decreased as fertilizer-N rate increases. Yield stability of winter wheat varied by tillage and fertilizer rate. We concluded that NT wheat required greater N rates to reach the same yield potential as CT and RT, and long-term CT or RT wheat at 45 kg N ha−1 was most stable [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various agronomic practices can affect the processes of aboveground dry matter accumulation (source) and grain filling (sink), resulting in yield differences. Improved source-sink relationships can facilitate the production and accumulation of assimilates to increase the productivity of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A two-season field experiment was undertaken on winter wheat during 2020–2021 and 2021–2022. In a split-split-plot design with three replicates (randomized blocks), we compared two planting modes (ridge-furrow planting with plastic mulching [RFPM]; traditional flat planting [TF]), two complementary irrigation levels (I30+30: 30+30 mm; I0: no irrigation), and three planting densities (D1, D2, and D3: 240, 360, and 480 plants m−2). The results showed that RFPMI30+30 significantly increased maximum yield by 28.5% compared with TFI0. Although D3 increased the number of effective spikes per unit area and duration of grain filling compared to D2, it reduced the number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, and average filling rate. Compared to TF and I0, RFPM and I30+30 improved the sink/source ratio by 5.3% and 6.5%, respectively. Grain yield peaked at D2 in the RFPM and at D3 in the TF. Medium planting density (D2) and complementary irrigation (I30+30) during the wintering and reviving periods under RFPM can achieve better source-sink balance relationships and the maximum grain yield of winter wheat. Overall, we believe that in most cases, wheat yields are source-limited and can be improved by ridge-furrow planting with plastic mulching, complementary irrigation, and planting density regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium head blight (FHB; caused by Fusarium graminearum) is a destructive disease of wheat (Triticum spp.), barley (Hordeum vulgare), rye (Secale cereale L.), and triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) not only reducing their yield but also contaminating the grain with mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON). Developing varieties with genetic resistance is integral to successfully manage FHB. Triticale acreage worldwide is steadily increasing. However, the genetic diversity of triticale for FHB resistance is not well characterized. In the present study, a sequential screening of a set of winter triticale accessions from a global collection was done for their type‐2 FHB resistance and DON accumulation. In the first‐year screening, 298 triticale accessions were tested for FHB in an artificially inoculated, misted‐field nursery with high inoculum density. Most of the triticale accessions were susceptible to FHB, and only 8% of the accessions showed resistance in the field nursery screening. Next, the 24 resistant accessions identified in the nursery screening were tested for 2 years in greenhouse and 17 accessions showed significantly lower FHB severity in Year 2 and/or Year 3. These 17 resistant accessions were further tested for their FHB severity and DON accumulation in Year 4 in greenhouse and for DON accumulation in Year 5 in the field FHB nursery. Eight accessions showed significantly lower FHB severity and nine accessions showed DON accumulation of less than 1 mg/kg in Year 4 greenhouse testing. Eleven accessions had significantly lower DON concentration than the susceptible check in the Year 5 field screening. The resistant accessions common across all years identified in the study can be used for enhancing FHB resistance and reducing DON accumulation in triticale breeding programs. Core Ideas: A set of 298 triticale accessions was sequentially tested for FHB severity and DON content over multiple years.Only 2% of the accessions were found to be resistant and with low DON content across all the years.The robustly characterized accessions with low FHB severity and DON content can be used as sources of resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The continuous cultivation of rice–wheat in the same field is a key element of double‐cropping systems in the Indo‐Gangetic plains. Yields of such cropping systems are increasingly challenged as climate change drives increases in temperature, terminal stress and uneven rainfall, delaying rice harvesting and subsequently delaying sowing of wheat. In this paper, we evaluate the optimum sowing dates to achieve high grain yield and quality of wheat cultivars in northwest India. Three cultivars of wheat, HD‐2967, HD‐3086 and PBW‐723, were sown on three different dates at the research farm of ICAR‐IARI, New Delhi, to generate different weather conditions at different phenological stages. Different biophysical attributes, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate, were measured at different phenological stages. Yield and grain quality parameters such as protein, starch, amylopectin, amylose and gluten were measured in different cultivars sown on different dates. RESULTS: Biophysical parameters were found to be higher in timely sown crops followed by late‐sown and very late‐sown crops. Further, the different sowing dates had a significant (P < 0.05) impact on the grain quality parameters such as protein, starch, amylopectin, amylose and gluten content. Percentage increases in the value of starch and amylose content under timely sown were ~7% and 11.6%, ~5% and 8.4%, compared to the very late‐sown treatment. In contrast, protein and amylopectin contents were found to increase by ~9.7% and 7.5%, ~13.8% and 16.6% under very late‐sown treatment. CONCLUSION: High‐temperature stress during the grain‐filling periods significantly decreased the grain yield. Reduction in the grain yield was associated with a reduction in starch and amylose content in the grains. The protein content in the grains is less affected by terminal heat stress. Cultivar HD‐3086 had higher growth, yield as well as quality parameters, compared to HD‐2967 and PBW‐723 in all treatments, hence could be adopted by farmers in northwest India. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cultivation of wheat in North America represents a relatively recent endeavour, spanning a mere 150 years. This relatively brief period of its recent cultivation has allowed the opportunity to document the threats and diseases farmers had to face from the start. In this minireview, our primary objective is to provide a detailed exploration of the historical context on how we end up effectively managing what was once among the most destructive and hard to manage diseases affecting wheat, namely, common bunt (covered smut). This review delves into the early research efforts dedicated to understanding the biology of the causal pathogens and developing effective management approaches. These efforts encompass a wide spectrum of potential methods, ranging from seed treatments to cropping practices, and the development of genetic resistance. Throughout this exploration, we will also spotlight the remarkable scientific success story that has unfolded within the Canadian context. In essence, this review aims to provide a scientific examination of the history, challenges and innovative approaches associated with mitigating the impact of bunt pathogens on wheat cultivation in North America, and future challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The integrity of wheat (Triticum aestivum) production is increasingly jeopardized by the fungal pathogen Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), particularly amid the vicissitudes of climate change. Here, we delineated the role of a wheat transcription factor, TaNAC1, which precipitates cellular apoptosis and fortifies resistance against Bgt. Utilizing BiFC, co‐immunoprecipitation, protein quantification, luciferase report assays, we determined that cytoplasmic TaNAC1‐7A undergoes phosphorylation at the S184/S258 sites by TaCDPK20, facilitating its nuclear translocation. This migration appears to prime further phosphorylation by TaMPK1, thereby enhancing transcriptional regulatory activity. Notably, the apoptotic activity of phosphorylated TaNAC1‐7A is negatively modulated by the nuclear protein phosphatase PP2Ac. Furthermore, activation of TaNAC1 phosphorylation initiates transcription of downstream genes TaSec1a and TaCAMTA4, through binding to the C[T/G]T[N7]A[A/C]G nucleic acid motif. Suppression of TaNAC1, TaCDPK20, and TaMPK1 in wheat compromises its resistance to Bgt strain E09, whereas overexpression of TaNAC1 and silencing of PP2Ac markedly elevate resistance levels. Our results reveal the pivotal role of TaNAC1 in basal resistance which is mediated by its effects on homotypic fusion, vacuolar protein sorting, and the expression of defense‐related genes. The findings highlight the potential through targeting TaNAC1 and its regulators as a strategy for improving wheat's resistance to fungal pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple crop rotations like maize and soyabean grown in succession often coincide with simple weed management tactics, resulting in weed infestations that are highly adapted to the conditions maintained for the selected crops. Amaranthus tuberculatus is a prominent weed species which possesses biological characteristics that allow it to persist in maize–soyabean rotations. Spring wheat and oats emerge earlier than A. tuberculatus and are grown in narrower rows than maize and soyabean, which may increase their competitive capability. A field study which measured morphological and phenological characteristics of three A. tuberculatus cohorts that emerged under fallow, maize, soyabean, spring wheat and oats was conducted to compare their competitive ability. Early emerged A. tuberculatus grew similarly in fallow, maize and soyabeans and grew to heights of >150 cm but was significantly reduced in spring wheat and oats, never exceeding 40 cm. Heights of the last emerged cohorts were more influenced by crop canopies never reaching 15 cm in spring wheat and oats compared to >70 cm in fallow. Early emerged A. tuberculatus canopy diameter and branches plant−1 were reduced by >80% in spring wheat and oats compared to fallow. Flowering was delayed in spring wheat and oats compared to fallow and seed production and biomass were reduced by 99% across cohorts. Growth suppression of A. tuberculatus, based on the findings, can be achieved under dense, competitive crop canopies such as in spring wheat and oats and these crops should be considered as additional crops in maize–soyabean rotations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water absorption capacity (WAC) of hard wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) flour affects end‐use quality characteristics, including loaf volume, bread yield, and shelf life. However, improving WAC through phenotypic selection is challenging. Phenotyping for WAC is time consuming and, as such, is often limited to evaluation in the latter stages of the breeding process, resulting in the retention of suboptimal lines longer than desired. This study investigates the potential of univariate and multivariate genomic predictions as an alternative to phenotypic selection for improving WAC. A total of 497 hard winter wheat genotypes were evaluated in multi‐environment advanced yield and elite trials over 8 years (2014–2021). Phenotyping for WAC was done via the solvent retention capacity (SRC) using water as a solvent (SRC‐W). Traits that exhibited a significant correlation (r ≥ 0.3) with SRC‐W and were evaluated earlier than SRC‐W were included in the multivariate genomic prediction models. Kernel hardness and diameter were obtained using the single kernel characterization system (SKCS), and break flour yield and total flour yield (T‐Flour) were included. Cross‐validation showed the mean univariate genomic prediction accuracy of SRC to be r = 0.69 ± 0.005, while bivariate and multivariate models showed an improved prediction accuracy of r = 0.82 ± 0.003. Forward validation showed a prediction accuracy up to r = 0.81 for a multivariate model that included SRC‐W + All traits (SRC‐W, Diameter, SKCS hardness and diameter, F‐Flour, and T‐Flour). These results suggest that incorporating correlated traits into genomic prediction models can improve early‐generation prediction accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY Hypersensitive response‐programmed cell death (HR‐PCD) regulated by Ca2+ signal is considered the major regulator of resistance against Puccinia triticina (Pt.) infection in wheat. In this study, the bread wheat variety Thatcher and its near‐isogenic line with the leaf rust resistance locus Lr26 were infected with the Pt. race 260 to obtain the compatible and incompatible combinations, respectively. The expression of translationally controlled tumor protein (TaTCTP) was upregulated upon infection with Pt., through a Ca2+‐dependent mechanism in the incompatible combination. The knockdown of TaTCTP markedly increased the area of dying cell and the number of Pt. haustorial mother cells (HMCs) at the infection sites, whereas plants overexpressing the gene exhibited enhanced resistance. The interaction between TaTCTP and calcineurin B‐like protein‐interacting protein kinase 23 (TaCIPK23) was also investigated, and the interaction was found occurred in the endoplasmic reticulum. TaCIPK23 phosphorylated TaTCTP in vitro. The expression of a phospho‐mimic TaTCTP mutant in Nicotiana benthamiana promoted HR‐like cell death. Silencing TaCIPK23 or TaCIPK23/TaTCTP co‐silencing resulted in the same results as silencing TaTCTP. This suggested that TaTCTP is a novel phosphorylation target of TaCIPK23, and both participate in the resistance of wheat to Pt. in the same pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The present study investigated the phenolic profile, sugar composition and amino acid profile of lyophilised 10‐day‐old wheatgrass cultivated under varying temperature and photoperiod conditions. The targeted phenolic profile showed the abundant presence of chlorogenic, caffeic, ferulic and p‐coumaric acid. The phenolic content varied with temperature and photoperiod conditions. The comprehensive sugar profile indicated the variation in the concentration of glucose with different growing conditions altered carbohydrate metabolism in wheatgrass. Similarly, the concentration of amino acids also varied with growing conditions. Notably, the concentration of proline, arginine and GABA in wheatgrass from all wheat varieties increased more prominently in photoperiod of 22 h and growth temperature of 22 °C in light and 17 °C in dark as a response of defence mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Results Conclusion Leaf area index (LAI) is an important indicator for assessing plant growth and development, and is also closely related to photosynthesis in plants. The realization of rapid accurate estimation of crop LAI plays an important role in guiding farmland production. In study, the UAV‐RGB technology was used to estimate LAI based on 65 winter wheat varieties at different fertility periods, the wheat varieties including farm varieties, main cultivars, new lines, core germplasm and foreign varieties. Color indices (CIs) and texture features were extracted from RGB images to determine their quantitative link to LAI.The results revealed that among the extracted image features, LAI exhibited a significant positive correlation with CIs (r = 0.801), whereas there was a significant negative correlation with texture features (r = −0.783). Furthermore, the visible atmospheric resistance index, the green–red vegetation index, the modified green–red vegetation index in the CIs, and the mean in the texture features demonstrated a strong correlation with the LAI with r > 0.8. With reference to the model input variables, the backpropagation neural network (BPNN) model of LAI based on the CIs and texture features (R2 = 0.730, RMSE = 0.691, RPD = 1.927) outperformed other models constructed by individual variables.This study offers a theoretical basis and technical reference for precise monitor on winter wheat LAI based on consumer‐level UAVs. The BPNN model, incorporating CIs and texture features, proved to be superior in estimating LAI, and offered a reliable method for monitoring the growth of winter wheat. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cookies are an exceptional energy source due to their elevated fat and carbohydrate content. Beyond their delectable taste, they are also rich in essential nutrients, including valuable proteins and minerals. This study evaluated the potential of the wheat variety NARC‐2011 for cookie production, focusing on nutritional enhancement by adding white sesame seeds at different proportions (5%, 10%, and 15%) to both whole and fine wheat flour. White sesame seeds were added to cookies mainly for their visual appeal, creating a nice contrast with the dough. They also have a mild flavor that complements the cookie without overwhelming it. Besides, they pack essential nutrients like protein, fiber, calcium, and iron, making the cookies more nutritious. The physical, chemical, and sensory properties of the different cookies were evaluated using standard methods. In terms of physical parameters, fine wheat flour cookies exhibited a diameter (46.45–50.47 mm), thickness (8.47–9.77 mm), and spreading factor (5.16–5.46 mm), and whole wheat flour cookies exhibited a diameter (48.47–52.31 mm), thickness (9.22–10.73 mm), and spreading factor (4.87–5.25 mm). Chemical analysis revealed moisture (5.78%–7.66%), fat (10.89%–16.16%), fiber (6.10%–8.46%), ash (4.82%–7.40%), protein (0.74%–1.40%), non‐fiber carbohydrates (63.67%–67.55%) for fine wheat flour cookies, and moisture (5.67%–7.39%), fat (10.89%–16.16%), fiber (11.47%–15.98%), ash (0.54%–0.83%), protein (5.65%–8.13%), non‐fiber carbohydrates (57.86%–66.55%), total phenolic content (2.86 mg/g), flavonoids (1.46 mg/g), and antioxidant activity (80.76%) in whole wheat flour cookies with sesame fortification. Gas chromatography revealed higher unsaturated fatty acids (83.22%) in NARC‐2011 wheat oil compared to white sesame seed oil (79.78%). In sensory evaluations, cookies fortified with 10% sesame seeds in fine wheat flour received the highest level of acceptability from the panelists. On the other hand, cookies made from whole wheat flour fortified with 15% sesame seeds garnered the maximum acceptability ratings from the panelists. In conclusion, supplementing NARC‐2011 wheat flour with sesame seeds, whether in fine or whole wheat form, improves the quality of cookies and nutritional content while offering appropriate sensory attributes at particular sesame seed levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY Strigolactones (SLs) are key regulators of shoot growth and responses to environmental stimuli. Numerous studies have indicated that nitrogen (N) limitation induces SL biosynthesis, suggesting that SLs may play a pivotal role in coordinating systemic responses to N availability, but this idea has not been clearly demonstrated. Here, we generated triple knockout mutants in the SL synthesis gene TaDWARF17 (TaD17) in bread wheat and investigated their phenotypic and transcriptional responses under N limitation, aiming to elucidate the role of SLs in the adaptation to N limitation. Tad17 mutants display typical SL mutant phenotypes, and fail to adapt their shoot growth appropriately to N. Despite exhibiting an increased tillering phenotype, Tad17 mutants continued to respond to N limitation by reducing tiller number, suggesting that SLs are not the sole regulators of tillering in response to N availability. RNA‐seq analysis of basal nodes revealed that the loss of D17 significantly altered the transcriptional response of N‐responsive genes, including changes in the expression profiles of key N response master regulators. Crucially, our findings suggest that SLs are required for the transcriptional downregulation of cytokinin (CK) synthesis and signalling in response to N limitation. Collectively, our results suggest that SLs are essential for the appropriate morphological and transcriptional adaptation to N limitation in wheat, and that the repressive effect of SLs on shoot growth is partly mediated by their repression of CK synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement Summary Can modern breeding technologies, such as genome editing, contribute to reduced pesticide usage? This question has been accentuated by a recent legal proposal to exempt genome‐edited plants from the strict regulations applied to classical genetically modified (GM) crops within the European Union (EU). Using official statistics on crop cultivation and pesticide usage for two example crops commonly grown in Sweden, we calculate that cereal farmers collectively could save up to 70 million € in pesticide usage for wheat alone and that a late blight‐resistant potato could reduce pesticide usage by over 80% provided that the EU legislation is amended.The European Commission has set goals to reduce the use of chemical pesticides, and one way to meet these goals in the agricultural sector is to breed disease‐resistant crops. Here, we ask whether modern breeding technologies, for example, genome editing using site‐directed nucleases, can contribute to these goals. This question has been accentuated by recent legal proposals in the European Union (EU) and several other jurisdictions worldwide to exempt genome‐edited plants from the strict regulations often applied to classical genetically modified (GM) crops. Using official statistics on crop cultivation and pesticide usage for two example crops commonly grown in Sweden (wheat and potato), we show that cereal farmers collectively could potentially save up to 70 million € in pesticide usage for wheat alone and that a late blight‐resistant potato could reduce pesticide usage by over 80% provided that the EU legislation is amended. Given the immense potential of genome‐edited crops, we further discuss details in the legal proposal currently being negotiated in the EU on the so‐called new genomic techniques that includes both genome editing and targeted insertions of cisgenes. Although promising, we argue that several technical limitations in the legal proposal will, if implemented, hamper the development of disease‐resistant crops and make the suggested legislation less future‐proof. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Wheat culms, comprising four to six internodes, are critically involved in determining plant height and lodging resistance, essential factors for field performance and regional adaptability. This study revealed the regulatory function of miR319 in common wheat plant height. Repression of tae‐miR319 through short tandem target mimics (STTM) caused an increased plant height, while overexpression (OE) of tae‐miR319 had the opposite effect. Overexpressing a miR319‐resistant target gene TaPCF8 (rTaPCF8), increased plant height. TaPCF8 acted as a transcription repressor of downstream genes TaIAAs, which interact physically with TaSPL14. The significant differences of indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) contents indicate the involvement of auxin pathway in miR319‐mediated plant height regulation. Finally, we identified two TaPCF8 haplotypes in global wheat collections. TaPCF8‐5A‐Hap2, as per association and evolution examinations, was subjected to strong substantial selection throughout wheat breeding. This haplotype, associated with shorter plant height, aligns with global breeding requirements. Consequently, in high‐yield wheat breeding, we proposed a potential molecular marker for marker‐assisted selection (MAS). Our findings offer fresh perspectives into the molecular mechanisms that underlie the miR319–TaPCF8 module's regulation of plant height by orchestrating auxin signaling and biosynthesis in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, is a devastating disease of wheat globally. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions between F. graminearum and wheat remain unclear. Here, we identified a secreted effector protein, FgEC1, that is induced during wheat infection and is required for F. graminearum virulence. FgEC1 suppressed flg22‐ and chitin‐induced callose deposition and reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst in Nicotiana benthamiana. FgEC1 directly interacts with TaGF14b, which is upregulated in wheat heads during F. graminearum infection. Overexpression of TaGF14b increases FHB resistance in wheat without compromising yield. TaGF14b interacts with NADPH oxidase respiratory burst oxidase homolog D (TaRBOHD) and protects it against degradation by the 26S proteasome. FgEC1 inhibited the interaction of TaGF14b with TaRBOHD and promoted TaRBOHD degradation, thereby reducing TaRBOHD‐mediated ROS production. Our findings reveal a novel pathogenic mechanism in which a fungal pathogen acts via an effector to reduce TaRBOHD‐mediated ROS production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) phytohormone pathways are important regulators of stress tolerance. Knowledge regarding the diversity, phylogeny and functionality of wheat genes involved in JA and SA response is limited.Using Arabidopsis, rice and wheat genomic and wheat disease transcriptomic data, we deduced the size, phylogenetic diversity and pathogen‐responsiveness of seven hormone‐responsive gene families, and thus selected 14 candidates as potential hormone responsive gene markers. Gene‐specific expression studies assessed the impact of exogenous JA and SA on their transcriptional activation in leaves of two distinct wheat cultivars. RNAseq data were interrogated to assess their disease responsiveness and tissue‐specific expression.This study elucidated the number, phylogeny and pathogen‐responsiveness of wheat genes from seven families, including 12 TaAOS, 6 TaJAMyb, 256 TaWRKY group III, 85 TaPR1, 205 TaPR2, 76 TaPR3 and 124 TaPR5. This included the first description of the wheat AOS, JAMyb, PR2, PR3 and PR5 gene families. Gene expression studies delineated TaAOS1‐5B and TaJAMyb‐4A as JA‐responsive in leaves, but not significantly responsive to SA treatment, while TaWRKY45‐B was a SA‐ but not a JA‐responsive marker. Other candidate genes were either unresponsive or non‐specific to SA or JA.Our findings highlight that all seven gene families are greatly expanded in wheat as compared to other plants (up to 7.6‐fold expansion), and demonstrate disparity in the response to biotic stress between some homoeologous and paralogous sequences within these families. The SA‐ and JA‐responsive marker genes identified herein will prove useful tools to monitor these signalling pathways in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grain yield plateau is a serious concern in many countries, including Italy. A specific‐adaptative strategy might apply to contrast this unfavourable condition. This study aimed to investigate the gain in grain yield and yield‐related traits of bread wheat in Italy over a 16‐year period. A historical dataset concerning 105 sites across Italy and observations on grain yield, heading date, plant height and thousand kernel weight was used. The target population of environments (TPEs) were defined using several environmental parameters. The results showed that while there was a general increase in thousand kernel weight over the 16 years, there was no significant improvement in grain yield and heading date. By contrast, plant height showed a slight decrease over the years. The study also identified five TPEs presenting different climate scenarios in Italy. The TPEs showed varying levels of performance for the traits of interest, with the Po valley (TPE4) showing the highest values for grain yield and thousand kernel weight. The study also identified the best‐performing genotypes for each TPE, providing valuable insights for future wheat breeding programmes in Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Participatory plant breeding (PPB) is a collaborative process between farmers, plant breeders and researchers to create germplasm specifically bred for target environments. We sought to examine the yield performance and adaptability of genotypes from an organic PPB wheat programme under organic management across the Canadian prairies. We evaluated 25 farmer genotypes and 6 commercial cultivars in locations in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, totalling 12 organic environments. The top performers most responsive to higher yield environments were three farmer genotypes (BL34‐SW, BL43C‐TM and BJ13‐GW) and one check cultivar (Vesper). Genotype plus genotype by environment (GGE) biplot analysis indicated that one farmer genotype (BL23‐AS) and one check cultivar (Vesper) demonstrated high yield and greater organic adaptation than other genotypes tested. Two registered cultivars (AAC Brandon and Jake) had low yield and poor adaptation, as did one farmer genotype (PWA10B‐LD). Yield was positively and strongly correlated with height, anthesis and mature biomass and kernel number per unit area. The results provide evidence that early generation farmer selection is an effective breeding strategy for discovering wheat genotypes with high yield and excellent adaptability to organic production systems in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A well‐developed root system is essential for efficient nutrient and water uptake. We phenotyped a set of 172 Triticum durum–Aegilops speltoides backcross introgression lines (BILs) for various root architecture traits during 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 cropping seasons. The roots were sampled at the maximum tillering stage, and data on various root architecture traits were recorded. The quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping was carried out using 5672 polymorphic SNPs obtained from genotyping‐by‐sequencing. A total of 21 QTLs were detected for various root architecture traits on chromosomes 1A, 2A, 2B, 3B, 5A and 6B. Stable QTLs were detected for total root length, number of root tips and root dry weight over the two seasons. Candidate genes were identified by scanning the physical interval corresponding to the linkage disequilibrium (LD) decay flanking the SNPs linked to the stable QTLs. In silico expression studies of postulated candidate genes revealed root‐specific upregulation of some of the genes. These QTLs can be used in breeding programmes after the development and validation of suitable marker assays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal diseases cause significant yield loss to wheat production. Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by the ascomycete fungus Zymoseptoria trtici, is one of the major fungal diseases affecting wheat production worldwide. In Ethiopia, STB is a severe problem that causes significant yield loss in high and mid‐altitude wheat‐growing areas. The use of resistant varieties is one of the sustainable disease management strategies, particularly for resource‐poor farmers in developing countries. Two hundred and fifty bread wheat genotypes were evaluated to identify septoria tritici resistant genotypes and estimate the extent of genetic variability for resistance to STB and other economically important traits using alpha lattice design under natural infestation in two STB hotspot environments. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among genotypes, environment, and genotype × environment interaction for all traits measured. The genetic coefficient of variance was lower than the phenotypic coefficient of variance for all traits studied, and both test environments showed the influence of the environment on trait expression. High and moderate heritability values were observed for the septoria disease severity parameters, indicating that the STB resistance trait was less influenced by the environment. The days to heading and plant height were inversely correlated with disease severity. This suggests that genotypes with tall plant height and long maturity period could be resistant to septoria tritici blotch through escape mechanisms. Four of the genotypes, namely, G‐215, G‐255, G‐257, and G‐258, were found to be resistant across all locations. These and other promising genotypes will be used in future breeding programmes to select or develop high‐yielding and STB‐resistant bread wheat genotypes that can be deployed in septoria tritici blotch‐prone areas. Highly susceptible genotypes will also be used as controls for STB resistance breeding programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: High‐throughput genotyping arrays have provided a cost‐effective, reliable and interoperable system for genotyping hexaploid wheat and its relatives. Existing, highly cited arrays including our 35K Wheat Breeder's array and the Illumina 90K array were designed based on a limited amount of varietal sequence diversity and with imperfect knowledge of SNP positions. Recent progress in wheat sequencing has given us access to a vast pool of SNP diversity, whilst technological improvements have allowed us to fit significantly more probes onto a 384‐well format Axiom array than previously possible. Here we describe a novel Axiom genotyping array, the 'Triticum aestivum Next Generation' array (TaNG), largely derived from whole genome skim sequencing of 204 elite wheat lines and 111 wheat landraces taken from the Watkins 'Core Collection'. We used a novel haplotype optimization approach to select SNPs with the highest combined varietal discrimination and a design iteration step to test and replace SNPs which failed to convert to reliable markers. The final design with 43 372 SNPs contains a combination of haplotype‐optimized novel SNPs and legacy cross‐platform markers. We show that this design has an improved distribution of SNPs compared to previous arrays and can be used to generate genetic maps with a significantly higher number of distinct bins than our previous array. We also demonstrate the improved performance of TaNGv1.1 for Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) and its utility for Copy Number Variation (CNV) analysis. The array is commercially available with supporting marker annotations and initial genotyping results freely available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbon cycle of saline–alkali ecosystems will be affected to some extent in the context of future global warming. Therefore, we investigated the net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of three typical crops (wheat, maize and soybean) in the saline–alkaline land of the Yellow River Delta. To further investigate CO2 fluxes, NEE was decomposed into gross primary productivity (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (Re). In terms of seasonal variation, wheat and soybean were carbon sources in the early and late growth periods, and carbon sinks in the rest of the period, whereas maize was a carbon sink in the majority of the period, and maize had good carbon sink potential. The cumulative NEE during the growth periods for wheat, maize, and soybean were 414.86, 258.24 and 228.92 g cm−2, respectively, and the daily variation showed that the peak NEE values for the three crops preceded the peak values of both GPP and ecosystem respiration, occurring approximately at 12:00 a.m. In the correlation analysis, NEE and GPP of the three crops were well correlated with photosynthetic photon flux density and net radiation, whereas Re was significantly correlated with air temperature. Through a comparative analysis of CO2 fluxes within various agricultural ecosystems, our findings indicated that wheat demonstrated moderate carbon sequestration capabilities, whereas maize and soybean exhibited strong carbon sink characteristics. Notably, saline–alkali crops exhibited lower Re, whereas GPP levels remained at a moderate range. Therefore, under the global warming trend, the respiration of saline crops and soils will be affected and may change the original carbon sink into a carbon source. Hence, implementing suitable measures targeting saline–alkali areas, such as the establishment of an effective crop rotation system and the enhance saline–alkali land conditions, can reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, thus reducing the pressure of global warming and maintaining a stable carbon cycle in saline–alkali land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The responses of leaf gas exchange of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration (e[CO2]) were often investigated within a single generation, while the long‐term acclimation of photosynthesis to growth in e[CO2] over multiple generations has not been systematically studied. Here, five wheat cultivars were grown under either ambient (a[CO2], 400 ppm) or elevated (e[CO2], 800 ppm) CO2 concentration for three consecutive generations (G1 to G3) with two N‐fertilisation levels (1N–1 g N pot−1 and 2N–2 g N pot−1) in climate‐controlled greenhouses. Leaf gas exchange was determined in each generation of plants under different treatments. It was found that at both N levels, e[CO2] stimulated photosynthetic rate while reducing stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and leaf N concentration, resulting in an enhanced water use efficiency and photosynthetic N use efficiency. The N level modulated the intergenerational responses of photosynthetic capacity to e[CO2]; under low N supply, the maximum carboxylation rate (Vcmax), the maximum electron transport rate (Jmax) and the rate of triose phosphate utilisation (TPU) were significantly downregulated by e[CO2] from the first to the second generation, but recovered in the third generation; whereas at high N levels, photosynthetic acclimation was diminished with the progress of generations, with Vcmax, Jmax and TPU increased under e[CO2] in the third generation. These results suggest that intergenerational adaptation could alleviate the e[CO2]‐induced reduction of the photosynthetic capacity, but plants with different N status responded differently to adapt to the long‐term exposure to e[CO2]. Among the five cultivars, 325Jimai showed a better photosynthetic performance under e[CO2] over the three generations, while 02‐1Shiluan appeared to be more inhibited by CO2 elevation in the long term conditions. These findings provide new insights for breeding strategies in the future CO2‐enriched environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simulation study was conducted for assessing the climate change impact on wheat cultivars (HD2967 and PBW725) under RCP 4.5 and RCP 6.0 scenarios for four agroclimatic zones (AZ) of Punjab. The yield trend during 70 years (2025–95) using the CERES‐Wheat model was assessed for different sowing windows (end October to end November). The maximum/minimum temperature and rainfall, respectively, during the season varied between 25–27°C/9–12°C and 27–103 mm (AZ II), 24–27°C/8–13°C and 37–105 mm (AZ III), 24–26°C/9–12°C and 20–80 mm (AZ IV) and 23–26°C/9–12°C and 30–71 mm (AZ V). The climatic conditions largely vary across the state, because of which only AZs II, III and V were found productive for wheat crop with most of the years lying in the high yield (>5000 kg/ha) category. The sowing of HD2967 during mid to end November would be suitable adaptation strategy for wheat growers in the state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]