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The pear (Pyrus spp.) is well known for diverse flavors, textures, and global horticultural importance. However, the genetic diversity responsible for its extensive phenotypic variations remains largely unexplored. Here, we de novo assembled and annotated the genomes of the maternal (PsbM) and paternal (PsbF) lines of the hybrid 'Yuluxiang' pear and constructed the pear pangenome of 1.15 Gb by combining these two genomes with five previously published pear genomes representing cultivated and wild germplasm. Using the constructed pangenome, we identified 21 224 gene PAVs (Presence-absence variation) and 1 158 812 SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) in the non-reference genome that were absent in the PsbM reference genome. Compared with SNP markers, PAV-based analysis provides additional insights into the pear population structure. In addition, some genes associated with pear fruit quality traits have differential occurrence frequencies and differential gene expression between Asian and European populations. Moreover, our analysis of the pear pangenome revealed a mutated SNP and an insertion in the promoter region of the gene PsbMGH3.1 potentially enhance sepal shedding in 'Xuehuali' which is vital for pear quality. PsbMGH3.1 may play a role in the IAA pathway, contributing to a distinct low-auxin phenotype observed in plants by heterologously overexpressing this gene. This research helps capture the genetic diversity of pear populations and provides genomic resources for accelerating breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying a congenially targeted production environment and understanding the effects of genotype by environmental interactions on the adaption of chickpea genotypes is essential for achieving an optimal yield stability. Different models like additive main effect and multiplicative interactions (AMMI 1, AMM2), weighted average absolute scores of BLUPs (WAASB), and genotype plus genotype–environment (GGE) interactions were used to understand their suitability in the precise estimation of variance and their interaction. Our experiment used genotypes that represent the West Asia–North Africa (WANA) region. This trial involved two different sowing dates, two distinct seasons, and three different locations, resulting in a total of 12 environments. Genotype IG 5871(G1) showed a lower heat susceptibility index (HSI) across environments under study. The first four interactions principal component axis (IPCA) explain 93.2% of variations with significant genotype–environment interactions. Considering the AMMI stability value (ASV), the genotypes IG5862(G7), IG5861(G6), ILC239(G40), IG6002(G26), and ILC1932(G39), showing ASV scores of 1.66, 1.80, 2.20, 2.60, and 2.84, respectively, were ranked as the most stable and are comparable to the weighted average absolute scores of BLUPs (WAASB) ranking of genotypes. The which–won–where pattern of genotype plus genotype–environment (GGE) interactions suggested that the target environment consists of one mega environment. IG5866(G10), IG5865(G9), IG5884(G14), and IG5862(G7) displayed higher stability, as they were nearer to the origin. The genotypes that exhibited a superior performance in the tested environments can serve as ideal parental lines for heat-stress tolerance breeding programs. The weighted average absolute scores of BLUPs (WAASB) serve as an ideal tool to discern the variations and identify the stable genotype among all methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite several efforts by the Government of India, the national burden of anaemia remains high and its growing prevalence (between 2015–2016 and 2019–2021) is concerning to India's public health system. This article reviews existing food-based and clinical strategies to mitigate the anaemia burden and why they are premature and insufficient. In a context where multiple anaemia control programmes are in play, this article proposes a threefold strategy for consideration. First, except the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey, 2016–2018, which measured Hb concentration among children and adolescents aged 1–19 years using venous blood samples, all national surveys use capillary blood samples to determine Hb levels, which could be erroneous. The Indian government should prioritise conducting a nationwide survey for estimating the burden of anaemia and its clinical determinants for all age groups using venous blood samples. Second, without deciding the appropriate dose of Fe needed for an individual, food fortification programmes that are often compounded with layering of other micronutrients could be harmful and further research on this issue is needed. Same is true for the pharmacological intervention of Fe tablet or syrup supplementation programmes, which is given to individuals without assessing its need. In addition, there is a dire need for robust research to understand both the long-term benefit and side effects of Fe supplementation programmes. Third and final, the WHO is in process of reviewing the Hb threshold for defining anaemia, therefore the introduction of new anaemia control programmes should be restrained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The productivity, quality and comfort aspects of Siro spun wool-cotton blended Khadi fabrics are reported in this experimental research. The technology of Siro spun yarn is also successfully introduced in New Modal (NM) Charkha for producing woolen Khadi Siro yarn. This system produces suitable two strands yarn of wool with higher productivity than conventional NM charkha. The yarns of Australian Merino (AM) and JK crossbred (JKC) wool mixes in different proportions using modified Siro Charkha were prepared. The fabrics were woven using AM-JKC mixed Siro spun yarn as a weft and wool-cotton blended spun yarn as a warp by using the Handloom weaving machine. The physical, low-stress mechanical and comfort properties of wool-cotton Siro fabrics were studied. Siro spun yarn of AM: JKC (75:25) was bulkier, more even with lower imperfections and hairiness. The tenacity and elongation of Siro spun yarns have an increasing trend with the increasing proportion of Australian Merino wool in the wool-mix. The thickness before and after the steam press of fabrics has significant difference. The blending of cotton with wool in the fabric significantly reduced the relaxation shrinkage in the warp direction, which in turn produced the more dimensionally stable fabric. The comfort in terms of thermal and air-permeability properties significantly affected with fibre composition in warp and weft yarns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, Pst) is the most damaging wheat disease, causing substantial losses in global wheat production and productivity. Our study aimed to unravel the complex reciprocity between reactive oxygen species and the antioxidant defense system as a source of resistance against stripe rust in diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid wheat genotypes. The significant genetic variability for stripe rust in the materials under study was evident as the genotypes showed contrasting responses during both the adult and seedling stages. Our thorough perspective on the biochemical responses of wheat genotypes to stripe rust infection revealed distinct patterns in oxidative damage, antioxidant enzymes and photosynthetic pigments. Principal component analysis revealed inverse correlations between antioxidants and ROS, underscoring their key function in maintaining the cellular redox balance and protecting plants against oxidative damage. Diploid (Ae. tauschii) wild wheat exhibited a better biochemical defense system and greater resistance to stripe rust than the tetraploid (T. durum) and hexaploid (Triticum aestivum) wheat genotypes. The antioxidant enzyme activity of durum wheat was moderate compared to diploid and hexaploid wheat genotypes. The hexaploid wheat genotypes exhibited increased ROS production, reduced antioxidant enzyme activity and decreased photosynthetic pigment levels. This study enhances understanding of the antioxidant defense system across different wheat ploidies facing stripe rust, serving as a valuable strategy for improving crop disease resistance. This study validated the biochemical response of stripe rust-resistant and susceptible candidate genotypes, which will be used to develop genetic resources for discovering stripe rust resistance genes in wheat., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Fusarium wilt (FW) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri is a devastating disease of chickpea ( Cicer arietinum ). To identify promising resistant genotypes and genomic loci for FW resistance, a core set of 179 genotypes of chickpea was tested for FW reactions at the seedling and reproductive stages under field conditions and controlled conditions in the greenhouse. Our results revealed that at the seedling stage, most of the genotypes were resistant, whereas at the reproductive stage, most of the genotypes were susceptible. Genotyping using a 50K Axiom ® Cicer SNP Array and trait data of FW together led to the identification of 26 significant ( P ≤ E-05) marker-trait associations (MTAs) for FW resistance. Among the 26 MTAs, 12 were identified using trait data recorded in the field (three at the seedling and nine at the reproductive stage), and 14 were identified using trait data recorded under controlled conditions in the greenhouse (six at the seedling and eight at the reproductive stage). The phenotypic variation explained by these MTAs varied from 11.75 to 15.86%, with an average of 13.77%. Five MTAs were classified as major, explaining more than 15% of the phenotypic variation for FW, and two were declared stable, being identified in two environments. One of the promising stable and major MTAs (Affx_123280060) detected in field conditions at the reproductive stage was also detected in greenhouse conditions at the seedling and reproductive stages. The stable and major (>15% PVE) MTAs can be used in chickpea breeding programs., Competing Interests: The author(s) declare no conflict of interest.