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Despite all the complications that arise with root research, such as slow, laborious, and unclear genetics, roots are a promising object of interest for breeders because many root traits are compatible with high yield potential. It is a great challenge for further research that there is a wide demand for information on the "hidden half of plant metabolism" from many research fields. We have summarized the main obstacles in root system research and sketched a solution for breeding in field conditions so that the result was more meaningful to the farmer. (i) The most important challenge in root research is linking the functional identification of root system properties with the aboveground parts. (ii) Field breeding is irreplaceable, and methods allowing the evaluation of roots under field conditions are indispensable. (iii) Low heritability of root system trait discourages breeders. However, root properties show broad genotypic variability, allowing the efficient use of these traits as selection criteria. (iv) The root traits are variable, and many fluctuate under the influence of environmental factors, which complicates efforts to define ideotypes and explains the different conclusions obtained by researchers from different environments. The breeding programs targeting the root system are sporadic even in a global context. This is a great reserve for breeding progress in the era of climate change, water scarcity, a possible shift to extensive farming systems, and in the era of environmental programs.

Modifying root systems by crop breeding has been attracting increasing attention as a potentially effective strategy to enhance the sustainability of agriculture by increasing soil organic matter (SOM) stocks and soil quality, whilst maintaining or even improving yields. We used the new soil‐crop model USSF (Uppsala model of Soil Structure and Function) to investigate the potential of this management strategy using winter wheat as a model crop. USSF combines a simple (generic) crop growth model with physics‐based descriptions of soil water flow, water uptake and transpiration by plants. It also includes a model of the interactions between soil structure dynamics and organic matter turnover that considers the effects of physical protection and microbial priming on the decomposition of SOM. The model was first calibrated against field data on soil water contents and both above‐ground and root biomass of winter wheat measured during one growing season in a clay soil in Uppsala, Sweden using the GLUE method to identify five 'acceptable' parameter sets. We created four model crops (ideotypes) by modifying root‐related parameters to mimic winter wheat phenotypes with improved root traits. Long‐term (30‐year) simulations of a conventionally tilled monoculture of winter wheat were then performed to evaluate the potential effects of cultivating these ideotypes on the soil water balance, soil organic matter stocks and grain yields. Our results showed that ideotypes with deeper root systems or root systems that are more effective for water uptake increased grain yields by 3% and SOM stocks in the soil profile by ca. 0.4%–0.5% in a 30‐year perspective (as an average of the five parameter sets). An ideotype in which below‐ground allocation of dry matter was increased at the expense of stem growth gave even larger increases in SOM stocks (ca. 1.4%). An ideotype combining all three modifications (deeper and more effective root systems and greater root production) showed even more promising results: compared with the baseline scenario, surface runoff decreased while yields were predicted to increase by ca. 7% and SOM stocks in the soil profile by ca. 2%, which is roughly equivalent to ca. 20% of the 4‐per‐mille target (https://4p1000.org/). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Breeding activities for winged bean plants (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.) necessitate genetic diversity from local varieties. Identifying winged bean lines adds valuable initial information for shaping policies in plant breeding. Before proceeding with varietal development, it is crucial to establish the ideal type (ideotype) for superior winged bean varieties. The primary objective of this research is to ascertain the idiotype for superior winged bean varieties. The research was conducted in 2023 at Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia, and involves the evaluation of five improved lines. The initial evaluation focuses on qualitative and quantitative characteristics of ideotype. The second evaluation concerns winged bean seeds' ideal morphological and physiological qualities. The third evaluation assesses winged bean pods' ideal physical and organoleptic preferences. The research outcomes have yielded the ideal morphological characteristics for winged bean varieties. This idiotype will be the foundation for the direction and target of winged bean plant breeding efforts, among the lines evaluated. NSM2 exhibits ideal flowering time and pod length characteristics, and lines PTL and PTL display ideal pod forms. MML and PBL lines have flavors aligned with market preferences regarding organoleptic qualities. These lines will be further improved through crossing to develop ideal varieties.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) stands as a important cereal sustaining over half of the world’s population. This study delves into the challenges confronting breeders in the realm of crop improvement, specifically focusing on the intricate task of designing an ideotype—a genotype amalgamating diverse attributes for optimal performance. Traditional methodologies, exemplified by the Smith–Hazel (SH) index, grapple with issues such as multicollinearity and the complexities of economic weighting decisions. In response to these challenges, the Multi-Trait Genotype–Ideotype Distance Index (MGIDI), conceptualized by Olivoto and Nardino (2021), emerges as a ground breaking approach. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) aids in the reduction of trait dimensionality, revealing four key factors that collectively contribute to 79.444% of total variability. The Scree plot guides factor selection, ensuring a targeted analysis. The MGIDI index computation yields a total genetic gain of 273.025%, with specific traits like spikelet fertility and seedling dry weight exhibiting significant gains. Six high-performing rice accessions—SM227, NLR33892, MTU3626, 239(3), SMB3, and 405C3 were identified through MGIDI. These identified genotypes serve as valuable resources for developing recombinant populations, aligning with sustainable and effective crop improvement strategies. Additionally, these promising varieties exhibit strengths across various traits, offering potential for simultaneous trait improvement in future breeding programmes. The efficiency of MGIDI is highlighted through its innovative application in simultaneous trait selection, underscoring its significance across a wide range of crops.

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) breeding reaches a critical point. New cultivars are released every year with resistance to powdery and downy mildews. However, the traditional process remains time-consuming, taking 20–25 years, and demands the evaluation of new traits to enhance grapevine adaptation to climate change. Until now, the selection process has relied on phenotypic data and a limited number of molecular markers for simple genetic traits such as resistance to pathogens, without a clearly defined ideotype, and was carried out on a large scale. To accelerate the breeding process and address these challenges, we investigated the use of genomic prediction, a methodology using molecular markers to predict genotypic values. In our study, we focused on 2 existing grapevine breeding programs: Rosé wine and Cognac production. In these programs, several families were created through crosses of emblematic and interspecific resistant varieties to powdery and downy mildews. Thirty traits were evaluated for each program, using 2 genomic prediction methods: Genomic Best Linear Unbiased Predictor and Least Absolute Shrinkage Selection Operator. The results revealed substantial variability in predictive abilities across traits, ranging from 0 to 0.9. These discrepancies could be attributed to factors such as trait heritability and trait characteristics. Moreover, we explored the potential of across-population genomic prediction by leveraging other grapevine populations as training sets. Integrating genomic prediction allowed us to identify superior individuals for each program, using multivariate selection index method. The ideotype for each breeding program was defined collaboratively with representatives from the wine-growing sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat consumption represents a large part of human diet. The quality of wheat grains and derived products depends on the genotype and its interaction with the environment. This work aimed to identify the effects of different wheat genotypes grown in different environments, performing nutraceutical multitrait selection, seeking the wheat ideotype based on wheat quality indicators. In total, 16 wheat genotypes were evaluated in five environments, using two sowing times. The contents of proteins, lipids, fibers, mineral material, and carbohydrates were evaluated. The residual or restricted maximum likelihood/best linear unbiased prediction (REML/BLUP) methodology was used to estimate variance components and genetic parameters. Moreover, the multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index (MGIDI) was used to select the genotypes that demonstrated superiority. Except for the lipid content, high values of genotypic variance were identified. FPS Certero, ORS 1403, LG Prisma, and Tbio Iguaçú genotypes, conducted in São Gabriel and Cachoeira do Sul, met the sought ideotype during the first sowing time. FPS Certero, Tbio Tibagi, and LG Supra genotypes were superior when conducted in the Santo Augusto environment during the second sowing time.

Guar is an annual, multifaceted, short-day, edible nutritious legume with immense industrial value due to the galactomannan-rich gum isolated from its endosperm. Natural adaptation to limited water and low input cost cultivation makes it the preferred rainfed crop choice for resource-constrained, environments with marginal barren lands in the arid region of Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat. India currently maintains over 3981 indigenous and 31 exotic collections. USDA, ARS, and Plant Genetic Resource Conservation Unit similarly maintain 1298 guar accessions. Natural variability for economic, industrial traits, and mutagenesis-induced variability have been intensively explored and inducted into the guar genetic improvement program. Restricted primary and secondary gene pool diversity, coupled with a petite cleistogamous flower, guar's genetic improvement through inter-specific hybridization has met only limited success. Genetic improvement has been carried out for photo-insensitivity, non-shattering pods, earliness, synchronized maturity, bold seeds, high gum content, determinate growth habit, non-lodging, plant height, resistance/tolerance to Alternaria leaf spot, bacterial blight, powdery mildew and to develop resource-efficient genotypes which could perform well in resource-constrained scenarios such as salinity, extremely high temperature, and drought stress. Genetic improvement programs have been carried out in three segments for breeding guar i.e. for 'grain type' with non-shattering grain, determinate growth habit with dwarf plant type with enhanced glucomannan-rich seed gum. Breeding 'vegetable type' guar with all node clusters bearing ability, high clusters number with long pods, and as 'fodder type' with non-pubescent leaves with basal branched habit and delayed flowering. Continued strategic breeding efforts have significant achievements producing more than 86 guar varieties in the last 66 years of which 58 varieties were developed at India's ICAR six prime institutions. Whole genome sequence assembly (550.31 Mb) guided elucidation of guar gum biosynthesis pathway genes and genotype selection to create efficient high gum guar genotypes development through targeted trait breeding with emphasis on seed size, type, and yield is the need of the hour. This review focuses on the global state of the art in the guar varietal improvement program (India and other parts of the globe), the available spectrum of varieties for global guar market stakeholders, challenges, and the constraints that need to be addressed by the guar breeders to meet consumer demands of specific market niches of grain, fodder, and vegetable type guar varieties steering the varietal improvement program in guar. [Display omitted] • Grain, fodder, vegetable, guar varieties compendium. • Guar varietal improvement breeding history, targets, leads. • Resource for global guar market stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]