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GA 2-oxidases (GA2oxs) are a class of enzymes that inhibit the biosynthesis of bioactive GAs in plants. Although GA2oxs have clear roles in the development and defence responses in Arabidopsis, rice, and wheat, their potential effects on maize remain unclear. This study identified thirteen ZmGA2ox genes in maize and further characterized them using phylogenetic, gene structure, genomic locus, expression pattern analyses and GA content determination. Phylogenetic relationship analysis clearly divided the ZmGA2ox family into three groups—seven in C19-GA2ox class I, three in C19-GA2ox class II, and three in C20-GA2ox class. Evolutionary analysis suggested that ZmGA2ox1;1 and ZmGA2ox1;2 , ZmGA2ox3;1 and ZmGA2ox3;2 , and ZmGA2ox7;1 and ZmGA2ox7;2 are three pairs of segmental duplicated genes. Prediction of cis-regulatory elements in promoters suggested that ZmGA2ox genes were mainly associated with growth, development, hormones, and biotic/abiotic stress. Therefore, their spatial and temporal expression patterns and responses to various stress treatments were analysed on the basis of published RNA-seq data. Moreover, the changes of ZmGA2ox expression in leaves and roots of maize seedlings was detected under salt, alkali, dehydration, and cold stresses by qRT-PCR. The ZmGA2oxs exhibited obvious expression tendencies or characteristics in various organs under different abiotic stresses. The variations in the expression of three ZmGA2ox genes in the C20-GA2ox class in maize seedling roots showed significant regularity and a clear negative correlation with bioactive GA contents under cold and drought conditions, indicating that these three genes might exert key effects on the regulation of GA synthesis and the response to drought and cold stress. Taken together, this study is useful for further dissection of the effect of ZmGA2oxs on abiotic stress responses and might provide potential targets for the genetic improvement of maize. • A set of 13 ZmGA2ox genes were identified in maize via genome-wide screening. • Spatio-temporal specificity of ZmGA2ox gene expression was accurately demonstrated. • C20-GA2ox expressions in roots showed opposite changes under the cold and PEG stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Ecological intensification management (EI) was compared with average farmer practice (FP). • We evaluated resource productivity and its components at the crop sequence level. • Water and radiation productivities were higher in EI than in FP. • Resource use efficiencies increased more than resource capture in EI as compared with FP. • The EI management reduced partial factor productivity of applied N but improved the partial N balance. Abstract The challenge to increase agricultural production with a minimum environmental impact requires to reach the maximum efficiency in the capture and use of resources such as photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), water, and nitrogen (N). Such requisites are encompassed in the ecological intensification (EI) concept. The aims of this work were to evaluate at a crop sequence level: i) crops yields, ii) water and radiation productivity and its components, i.e. resource capture and resource use efficiency, and iii) partial factor productivity of applied N (PFPN), partial nutrient balance for N (PNB), N uptake and N utilization efficiency of a two-year, three-crop sequence (wheat [ Triticum aestivum L.]/soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] double crop – maize [ Zea mays L.]) carried-out under EI principles in comparison with the same crop sequence under current farmer practices (FP) in two contrasting locations of the Argentinean Pampas, i.e. Paraná (-31°50′; -60°31′) at the northern Pampas and Balcarce (-37°45′, -58°18′) at the southern Pampas. Experiments were carried-out during four consecutive years, covering two complete cycles of the crop sequence. For the accumulated grain production of the crop sequence, EI management outyielded FP from 13 to 42%, depending on environmental conditions. Maize yield accounted for most of the variation (41–64%) of the accumulated grain yield of crop sequence, whether in EI as in FP. Average grain yield differences between EI and FP treatments were 274 g m−2 for maize, 69 g m−2 for wheat and -2 g m−2 for soybean. Water and radiation productivities of the sequence were higher in EI than in FP (26% for water and 17% for radiation; P < 0.0001), mainly because of increases in resource use efficiencies. EI reduced partial factor productivity of applied N, but improved partial nutrient balance for N as compared with FP. These reductions in partial factor productivity of applied N were less than proportional than the increases in N rate. Moreover, in spite of the higher N rate in EI respect to FP, N utilization efficiency (N ut E), i.e. grain per unit N uptake, was higher across all situations in EI. Our results showed that the challenge to obtain high grain yields by increasing N rate in a medium-input system could be achieved even with an increase in N ut E. Grain yields improvements, and increases in radiation and water productivity were reached by applying a set of agronomic practices that included improved genetics, crop and fertilizer N management englobed under EI concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of semi-dwarf wheat (Triticum aestivum) and rice (Oryza sativa) led to increased yields and agronomic efficiencies with less lodging. While these short-stature cereals have become common in global crop production, commercial maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids remain tall. There is no information currently available on plant N uptake or yield responses to N timing for short stature maize hybrids. We tested three hypotheses on short-stature and tall maize hybrids 1) short-stature maize hybrids would have similar yield response to in-season N application compared to tall hybrids, 2) short-stature maize hybrids would have similar dry matter and N uptake patterns to tall hybrids, and 3) there would be significant partitioning differences between short-stature and tall hybrids in dry matter and N within the plants at multiple growth stages. In ten side-by-side field trials across eight site-years in the Midwestern USA, we tested the yield response and underlying nitrogen physiology of short-stature maize hybrids and tall comparators to split-rate N application. We show that split-rate application of 50% of the total N at mid-vegetative stages (V6) averaged 0.24 t ha−1 more grain yield across 10 field trials (positive yield response in 6 out of 10 trials) compared to a single 100% up-front N application, with the same pattern for short-stature and tall hybrids. In both hybrid statures, V6 N applications showed more frequent improvement in grain yield than V12 N applications. Total N uptake at maturity was not different between short-stature hybrids and their tall counterparts (p = 0.62). N partitioning differed between short-stature and tall hybrids; leaves in short-stature hybrids had 5% higher N concentration and 13% more N content in early vegetative development, stalks had 18–27% less dry matter and 5–25% less N content, depending on growth stage, while R1 ears averaged 18% more dry matter and N accumulation (p < 0.10 in all cases). At maturity short-stature hybrids had 4% higher harvest index and 3% higher N harvest index (p < 0.10). Based on these results, we expect that N management recommendations in short-stature maize hybrids would be similar to their tall counterparts, but that short stature mitigates logistical risk by providing more flexibility for in-season N applications. This study provides a unique, robust dataset on yield and physiological response to split-rate N treatments in commercially relevant maize hybrids. • Short stature in maize simplifies in-season N application and later crop management. • Split-rate N applications at V6 increased hybrid yields 60% of the time, with similar patterns for short-stature and tall hybrids. • Overall, short-stature maize yielded similarly to tall comparators. • Short stature led to greater partitioning of N and dry matter to the grain than tall hybrids. • Greater flexibility for in-season N fertilization in short-stature maize reduces in-season application risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No-tillage of summer maize after the harvest of winter wheat is the main agricultural practice on the Huang-Huai-Hai (HHH) Plain of China. However, long-term no-tillage in the absence of deep tillage practices affects soil properties, and this effect is not beneficial for the growth and yield production of summer maize. Field experiments were conducted in 2016 in two agricultural sub-zones (Luancheng and Guoyang) in the HHH Plain. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of deep vertical rotary tillage (DVRT), compared to no-tillage with strip subsoiling (NTSS), on dry matter accumulation (DMA) and yield formation. DVRT significantly reduced the soil bulk density of the top soil layer (0–40 cm), especially for the lime concretion black soil in the Guoyang experimental site. Compared with NTSS, the soil water content in the 20–60 cm soil layer was increased under the condition of DVRT. DVRT also significantly increased root DMA in the 0–30 cm soil layer in Luancheng and in the 0–40 cm soil layer in Guoyang. The total shoot DMA, seed DMA, and harvest index of DVRT were significantly higher than those of NTSS, primarily due to a significant increase in post-anthesis DMA. In addition, DVRT increased the maximum and mean grain filling rate and thus significantly increased the maximum grain weight at harvest. Compared with NTSS, DVRT significantly increased grain yield by 21.3% and 27.8% under the plant density of 6.75 pl m −2 and 9 pl m −2 , respectively, in Luancheng and it increased by 12.3% in Guoyang. The present results indicate that DVRT can be used as a deep tillage practice to improve soil properties and grain yield of summer maize, and this may provide guidance regarding the requirements to cope with a diversity of deep tillage machines and develop sustainable agriculture in the HHH Plain of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yield-scaled nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emission (YSNE) has been recognized as a means for developing appropriate nitrogen (N) management strategies to balance food security and mitigating N 2 O emissions. To better understand and use the concept of YSNE, it is essential to be assessed under various field conditions. The main objectives of this study were to assess the relationship between N inputs and YSNE with published results and identify response patterns of YSNE to N inputs. We assessed the relationship between N inputs and YSNE using published results encompassing 1800 observations (published from 1980 to 2020) from maize, rice, and wheat crops worldwide. Background yield-scaled N 2 O emission (BYSNE; a YSNE in the condition of zero N input) was significantly different by crop type. Rice (90.8 ± 12.9 g N 2 O−N Mg−1) had lower BYSNE compared to maize (174.2 ± 30.1 g N 2 O−N Mg−1) and wheat (325.4 ± 41.8 g N 2 O−N Mg−1). BYSNE was positively correlated with annual mean temperature in maize, rice, and wheat fields. BYSNE was negatively correlated with soil total nitrogen contents in rice fields. Over 60% data set showed a positive relationship between N inputs and YSNE in all three crops studied. A small proportion of the dataset had an optimum N rate that minimized YSNE. The results suggest that in general, lower N input rates result in lower YSNE in crop production. YSNE can be reduced in three ways: increasing yields (Type 1), reducing N 2 O emissions (Type 2), and both increasing yields and reducing N 2 O emissions (Type 3). To identify appropriate measures, we suggest a N 2 O emission-yield curve combining responses of yields and N 2 O emissions to N inputs. In type 1, 2, and 3 measures, an N 2 O emission-yield curve is shifted to the right, down, and both right and down, respectively. Through identifying direction and magnitude of the shifting, the effects of applied measures on yields and N 2 O emission in N input levels can be easily compared and recognized. This study provided insights into the nature of YSNE and how YSNE responds to N inputs. It also suggested an N 2 O emission-yield curve, which can be useful to identify how certain measures affect both N 2 O emissions and crop yields. The information can be useful for scientific community and policymakers developing appropriate N management strategies to balance food security and the mitigation of N 2 O emissions. [Display omitted] • Background yield-scaled N 2 O emission (BYSNE) varied by crop type. • BYSNE was positively correlated with annual mean temperature. • Over 60% data sets showed consistently lower yield-scaled N 2 O emission as N input decreased. • N 2 O emission yield curve showed the effects of mitigation measures on both yields and N 2 O emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is not yet clear whether the carbon released from biochar in the soil solution stimulates biological activities. Soluble fractions (AQU) from wheat and maize biochars, whose molecular content was thoroughly characterized by FTIR, 13 C and 1 H NMR, and high-resolution ESI-IT-TOF-MS, were separated in dilute acidic solution to simulate soil rhizospheric conditions and their effects evaluated on maize seeds germination activity. Elongation of maize-seeds coleoptile was significantly promoted by maize biochar AQU, whereas it was inhibited by wheat biochar AQU. Both AQU fractions contained relatively small heterocyclic nitrogen compounds, whose structures were accounted by their spectroscopic properties. Point-of-Zero-Charge (PZC) values and van Krevelen plots of identified masses of soluble components suggested that the dissolved carbon from maize biochar behaved as humic-like supramolecular material capable to adhere to seedlings and deliver bioactive molecules. These findings contribute to understand the biostimulation potential of biochars from crop biomasses when applied in agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two Proficiency Testings (PTs) involving eighteen laboratory participants from 10 Countries have been conducted in 2014 for the simultaneous determination of deoxynivalenol, fumonisins B 1 and B 2 , zearalenone, T-2 and HT-2 toxins, ochratoxin A and aflatoxins B 1 , B 2 , G 1 and G 2 in maize and of deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, T-2 and HT-2 toxins and ochratoxin A in wheat, respectively. The aim of PTs was to check next to the laboratory performance the state-of-art of the LC–MS multi-mycotoxin methods used by participants. In addition, the trend of performances of LC–MS methods for multi-mycotoxin determination in maize together with method-related issues was assessed by comparing three PTs organised over the years 2011–2014. Data showed the improvement of laboratory performances with the overall acceptable z-scores that progressively increased from 59% in 2011 PT to 85% in 2014 PT, while the rate of unacceptable z-score decreased from 25% in 2011 PT to 11% in 2014 PT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MiR396s play important roles in regulating plant growth and stress response, and great potential for crop yield promotion was anticipated. For more comprehensive and precise understanding of miR396s in Poaceae, we analyzed the phylogenetic linkage, gene expression, and chromosomal distribution of miR396s in this study. Although the mature miR396s' sequences were mostly conserved, differential expression patterns and chromosomal distribution were found among Poaceae species including the major cereal crops rice, wheat, and maize. Consistently, in comparison with rice, wheat and maize plants transformed with the target mimicry construct of miR396 (MIM396) exhibited differential effects on grain size and disease resistance. While the TaMIM396 plants showed increased grain size, panicle length and sensitivity to B. graminis , the ZmMIM396 plants didn't show obvious changes in grain size and disease resistance. In Addition, several GROWTH-REGULATING FACTOR (GRF) genes in wheat and maize were repressed by miR396s, which could be reversed by MIM396, confirming the conserved regulatory roles of miR396 on GRFs. While providing new solution to enhance grain yield in wheat and revealing potential regulatory variations of miR396s in controlling grain size and disease resistance in different crops, this study gives clues to further explore miR396s' functions in other Poaceae species. • Poaceae miR396s are divided into three groups and display both conserved and diversified evolutionary characterizations. • Inhibition of miR396s results in increased grain size, panicle length and pathogen sensitivity in wheat but not in maize. • Different GRFs were upregulated in the MIM396 transgenic plants compared to their corresponding wild type in wheat and maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSBs) Pantoea cypripedii (PSB-3) and Pseudomonas plecoglossicida (PSB-5) isolated from organic field were studied for improvement of maize and wheat crop at multilocational sites with and without rock phosphate (RP) fertilization during two year of field study under different agroclimatic regions. Application of both the bacterial strains as bio-inoculants showed significant effect on maize and wheat grain yield and on soil fertility at all different agroclimatic regions. Grain yield, phosphorous (P) uptake, soil organic carbon, available P, enzyme activities and P-solubilizing bacterial population in all the experimental crop fields at different sites significantly increased due to inoculation. Improvement in crop yield and soil fertility at three different sites was more pronounced and significant when RP was supplemented along with seed inoculation compared to uninoculated control treatment. Present study results suggest that P. cypripedii (PSB-3) and P. plecoglossicida (PSB-5) along with RP fertilization play an important role in plant growth promotion and improvement of soil fertility in different agroclimatic regions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Identification of new toxins in survey of cereals and feed. [•] Exact mass and fragment ion confirmation (Δppm<5ppm). [•] R =100,000 HESI including pos/neg polarity switching. [•] Automated sample clean-up. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A colloidal gold immunochromatographic strip (ICS) test based on competitive format was developed for the rapid simultaneous detection of deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) in wheat and maize samples. For gold-based ICS test, antigen (DON-CBSA and ZEN-BSA) and goat anti-mouse IgG were respectively drawn on NC membrane as two test line (T 1 and T 2 line) and control line (C line), respectively. Monoclonal antibody (MAb)-gold conjugates (anti-DON MAb-gold and anti-ZEN MAb-gold) were sprayed onto the conjugate pad. To perform the test, 5 g of sample was extracted in a ratio of 1:5 with 50% methanol–water (v/v) by shaking for 3 min and the extract directly used without further cleanup steps. Matrix interference was eliminated by 2.5-fold dilutions of water extracts with buffer. The ICS test, which has cut-off levels of 100 ng/mL (1000 μg/kg) and 6 ng/mL (60 μg/kg) for DON and ZEN, respectively, and can be completed in 5 min. Analysis of DON and ZEN in wheat and maize samples revealed that data obtained from ICS test were in a good agreement with those obtained from ELISA and instrumental analysis (GC/MS for DON determination and HPLC for ZEN determination). The results demonstrate that the ICS test can be used as a reliable, rapid, cost-effective and convenient qualitative tool for on-site screening technique for the simultaneous determination of DON and ZEN in wheat and maize samples without special instrumentation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Zinc (Zn) is an essential mineral nutrient for plant and human growth, and dietary Zn deficiency is a worldwide nutritional problem. Using different Zn fertilizer application methods, this study determines the potential of increasing the Zn concentrations of maize and wheat grain to improve the nutritional status of local residents. Field trials were conducted in the Loess Plateau for two growing seasons to investigate the effects of different Zn fertilizer application methods on the grain Zn concentrations of maize and wheat as well as the grain Zn recovery, yield, and iron (Fe) status of grains under rain-fed conditions. Soil and foliar Zn application did not significantly affect the biomass and grain yield of maize and wheat, suggesting that local soils are not Zn deficient. However, foliar Zn application significantly improved the grain Zn concentration of maize by 27% and 37% and of wheat by 28% and 89% during the first and second growing seasons, respectively. The maize grain Fe concentrations during both growing seasons were also enhanced by foliar Zn application. The foliar application of Zn realized higher grain Zn recoveries of 35.2‰ and 42.9‰ in maize as well as 26.4‰ and 32.3‰ in wheat during the first and second growing seasons, respectively, compared with the soil Zn application with a maximum grain Zn recovery of 1.7‰. Hence, in the Loess Plateau in China, foliar Zn application is an economical method of improving the grain Zn concentration in maize and wheat and increasing grain Fe concentration in maize. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Understanding soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition and its replenishment by contrasting plant residues is critical to rationally manage soil carbon pools. Long-term (15years) field experiments in maize–wheat (Zea mays L.–Triticum aestivum L.) rotation systems at diverse sites with contrasting climates and soil properties were conducted to evaluate the temporal dynamics of the C inputs, SOC concentrations and δ13C values. In the non-fertilized Control treatments mean annual C inputs (mainly roots) at the various sites ranged from 0.39 to 1.24Mgha−1, and SOC contents remained largely unchanged during the 15years study. However, results for the fertilized treatments indicated that SOC concentration increased by 1gkg−1 for every 24.3 (5.4–45.2) MgCha−1 from roots alone in the NPK treatment and for every 29.4 (11.1–52.6) MgCha−1 from crop roots plus straws in the NPKSt treatment. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation among changes in SOC, C4-derived C and C3-derived C and the δ13C values in all treatments across the four sites. Our results suggest that the δ13C value was a useful tool to quantify temporal changes of SOC from C4 and C3 plants, even when actual changes in soil C stock were small in these wheat–maize rotation cropping systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nitrogen amendment followed by flooding irrigation is a general management practice for a wheat–maize rotation in the North China Plain, which may favor nitrification and denitrification. Consequently, high emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitric oxide (NO) are hypothesized to occur. To test this hypothesis, we performed year-round field measurements of N2O and NO fluxes from irrigated wheat–maize fields on a calcareous soil applied with all crop residues using a static, opaque chamber measuring system. To interpret the field data, laboratory experiments using intact soil cores with added carbon (glucose) and nitrogen (nitrate, ammonium) substrates were performed. Our field measurements showed that pulse emissions after fertilization and irrigation/rainfall contributed to 73% and 88% of the annual N2O and NO emissions, respectively. Soil moisture and mineral nitrogen contents significantly affected the emissions of both gases. Annual emissions from fields fertilized at the conventional rate (600 kg N ha−1 yr−1) totaled 4.0 ± 0.2 and 3.0 ± 0.2 kg N ha−1 yr−1 for N2O and NO, respectively, while those from unfertilized fields were much lower (0.5 ± 0.02 kg N ha−1 yr−1 and 0.4 ± 0.05 kg N ha−1 yr−1, respectively). Direct emission factors (EFds) of N2O and NO for the fertilizer nitrogen were estimated to be 0.59 ± 0.04% and 0.44 ± 0.04%, respectively. By summarizing the results of our study and others, we recommended specific EFds (N2O: 0.54 ± 0.09%; NO: 0.45 ± 0.04%) for estimating emissions from irrigated croplands on calcareous soils with organic carbon ranging from 5 to 16 g kg−1. Nitrification dominated the processes driving the emissions of both gases following fertilization. It was evident that insufficient available carbon limited microbial denitrification and thus N2O emission. This implicates that efforts to enhance carbon sink in calcareous soils likely increase their N2O emissions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A quantitative lateral flow immunoassay for the detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) in cereals has been developed. The ready-to-use device includes a nitrocellulose membrane on which capturing reagents are immobilized in spatially confined zones and a conjugate pad on which the antibody labelled with gold nanoparticles is pre-adsorbed. Stabilization of gold labelled antibodies and blocking of non-specific interactions of the nitrocellulose membrane were obtained by using 1% ovalbumin. This, combined with the use of PEG in the extraction of OTA from cereal samples, allows us to level the matrix effects caused by various cereals (maize, wheat and durum wheat). The immunochromatographic assay developed includes a rapid and very simple treatment of samples, which, in addition, does not involve the use of organic solvents and allows the quantitative determination of OTA with limits of detection as low as 1.5 μg kg−1. The coefficients of inter–assay variations are below 20%, with recoveries which ranged from 87 to 119%. Fifteen maize samples, four wheat and six durum wheat samples were extracted with the aqueous medium and analysed by the developed assay. A good correlation was observed (y = 0.99 x + 0.18, r2  = 0.982, n = 25) when data was compared with that obtained through a reference method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: On sites where C4-plants have replaced C3-plants, changes in soil δ13C allow the turnover of C3- and C4-derived C to be separated. Studies of decadal scale turnover of soil C following conversion to C4-plants generally lack δ13C values for previous C4-residue inputs and assume that estimates of C4-derived soil C to be based on a fixed δ13C value. Further assumptions are that changes in the initial (time-zero) soil δ13C values are insignificant following conversion to C4-plants. We tested these assumptions by measuring: 1) the δ13C of annual samples of silage maize biomass (C4-plant) and winter wheat grains (C3-plant) grown during 1988 to 2006, and 2) the δ13C of soil kept under bare fallow during 1956 to 1983. The δ13C of plants was related to climate variables, and the impact of maize δ13C was based on estimates of maize-derived soil C using different approaches to establish the δ13C in maize inputs. The δ13C of both maize and wheat decreased with time, but the rate of change and annual variations were considerably larger for wheat than for maize. Maize as well as wheat δ13C was best related to year (probably reflecting a decrease in atmospheric δ13C) and the water balance during the active growth period. Using the smallest (−12.44‰) and the largest (−11.26‰) δ13C measured during 1988 and 2006, estimates of maize-derived C in soil after 18 years ranged from 13.2% to 14.2% of the soil total C. Despite a loss of 31% of the soil C pool under bare fallow, the increase in soil δ13C was significant only at P < 0.10. We conclude that annual variations in maize δ13C values and changes in the δ13C of the soil C fraction derived from the pre-conversion C3-vegetation have only little impact on estimates of maize-derived soil C that cover a few decades. For estimates covering several decades to centuries, the subtle but consistent changes in plant and soil δ13C need to be accounted for. The variability in δ13C in wheat grains suggest that the use of any fixed δ13C value for C3-residues in estimates of C turnover in soils on which C4-plants have been replaced by C3-plants can be associated with considerable uncertainty. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Intensively cropped agricultural production systems should be managed to improve soil quality and ecological processes and ultimately strengthen system capacity for sustained biological productivity. We examined the long-term changes (>20 years) in soil quality and productivity with incorporation of ecological management principles in a set of intensively managed row crop systems of the upper Midwest, USA. Replicated experimental treatments include corn (maize)–soybean–wheat cropping systems under four different management regimes: (a) conventional tillage and fertilizer/chemical inputs (Conventional), (b) no tillage with conventional fertilizer/chemical inputs (No-till), (c) conventional tillage with ∼30% of conventional fertilizer/chemical inputs and a leguminous cover crop (Reduced Input), and (d) conventional tillage with no fertilizer/chemical input and a leguminous cover crop (Organic). Effects of these treatments on soils were compared by developing a soil quality index (SQI) from 19 selected soil health indicators. An old field community maintained in early succession provided a benchmark for comparison. Reduction in tillage or fertilizer (No-till, Reduced Input and Organic) resulted in increased SQI and improved crop production. The No-till (SQI=1.02) and Reduced Input (SQI=1.01) systems outperformed Conventional management (SQI=0.92) in nitrogen availability and use efficiency, soil stability and structure improvement, and microbial nitrogen processing. Improvements in soil quality corresponded with increased primary production and crop yield in these systems, illustrating the value of an ecologically defined SQI for assessing the long-term effects of fertility and tillage management regimes in agricultural production systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To enhance the fertilizer value of rock phosphate in alkaline soils, the phosphate (P) solubilizing fungus Penicillium oxalicum was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of rock phosphate mine landfills and tested for its efficacy to solubilize rock phosphate (RP) as well as promotion of the growth of wheat and maize plants grown in soil amended with RP. The results showed that P. oxalicum effectively solubilized RP in Pikovskaya’s medium and released higher amount of phosphorus. The solubilization was increased with increase in concentration of RP. Field experiments showed that inoculation of P. oxalicum significantly increased the growth and yield of two consecutive crops i.e. wheat and maize compared to the control soil. The P content was significantly increased in the plants. The available P and organic carbon levels increased in RP amended soil inoculated with P. oxalicum compared to the control soil. It was found that the P. oxalicum along with RP can substitute the chemical fertilizer in alkaline soil and help in improving the crop production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A sensitive and reliable liquid chromatography/photoionization (APPI) tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed for determining nine selected mycotoxins in wheat and maize samples. The analytes were chosen on the basis of the mycotoxins under EU Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006, i.e., deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZON), aflatoxins (AFs), and ochratoxin A (OTA), and considering the possibility of a near future regulation for T-2 and HT-2 toxins. Mycotoxins were extracted from samples by means of an one-step solvent extraction without any cleanup. The developed multi-mycotoxin method permits simultaneous, simple, and rapid determination of several co-existing toxins separated in a single chromatographic run, in which AFs, T-2 and HT-2 toxin are acquired in positive, while OTA, DON and ZON in negative mode. Although a moderate signal suppression was noticeable, matrix effect did not give significant differences at p =0.05. Then, calibration in standard solution were used for quantitation. Based on the EU Commission Decision 2002/657/EC, the method was in-house validated in terms of ruggedness, specificity, linearity, trueness, within-laboratory reproducibility, decision limit (CCα) and detection capability (CCβ). For all the analytes, the regression coefficient r ranged between 0.8752 (DON in wheat) and 0.9465 (ZON in maize), biases related to mean concentrations were from −13% to +12% of the nominal spiking level, and the overall within-laboratory reproducibility ranged 3–16%; finally, CCα values did not differ more than 20% and CCβ not more than 42% from their respective maximum limit. Method quantification limits ranged from 1/20 (AFG1) to 1/4 (AFG2 and OTA) the maximum limit established by European Union in the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 and its subsequent amendments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Efficiency of fertilizer N is becoming increasingly important in modern agricultural production owing to increasing food requirement and growing concern about environments. However, there is almost no study regarding its long-term efficiency in wheat and maize cropping systems. Long-term (15 years) experiments involving wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) rotations at five field sites with various soil and climate characteristics in China were used to determine the nitrogen (N) efficiency, including the physiological efficiency, recovery efficiency and N mass balance of soil–plant systems in response to different fertilization treatments. The present study consisted of nine treatments: unfertilized, N, phosphorus, potassium, straw and manure or their combinations. The contribution of N fertilizers to wheat yield was higher than to maize and suggested that wheat could be given priority over maize when determining N application rates. Uptake of 1kg N produced 35.6kg of wheat grain and 39.5kg of maize grain. The deficit of N in soils without applied N ranged from 40 to 103kgNha−1 year−1, while N surpluses in soils with applied N fertilizers ranged from 35 to 350kgNha−1 year−1. The apparent accumulated N recovery efficiency (NREac) varied widely from 4% to 90%: unbalanced fertilization and other soil limiting factors (such as aluminium toxicity) were associated with low NREac. In the treatments of combination of N, phosphorus and potassium with normal application rates, the average of NREac in four out of five sites reached 80%, which suggested that best management of N fertilizers could recover most of N fertilizers applied to soils. The results will be helpful to understand the long-term fate of N fertilizers and to optimize the N fertilization for agricultural practices and environment protection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Plant water status is a key factor impacting crop growth and agricultural water management. Crop water stress may alter canopy temperature, the energy balance, transpiration, photosynthesis, canopy water use efficiency, and crop yield. The objective of this study was to calculate the Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) from canopy temperature and energy balance measurements and evaluate the utility of CWSI to quantify water stress by comparing CWSI to latent heat and carbon dioxide (CO2) flux measurements over canopies of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and summer maize (Zea mays L.). The experiment was conducted at the Yucheng Integrated Agricultural Experimental Station of the Chinese Academy of Sciences from 2003 to 2005. Latent heat and CO2 fluxes (by eddy covariance), canopy and air temperature, relative humidity, net radiation, wind speed, and soil heat flux were averaged at half-hour intervals. Leaf area index and crop height were measured every 7 days. CWSI was calculated from measured canopy-air temperature differences using the Jackson method. Under high net radiation conditions (greater than 500Wm−2), calculated values of minimum canopy-air temperature differences were similar to previously published empirically determined non-water-stressed baselines. Valid measures of CWSI were only obtained when canopy closure minimized the influence of viewed soil on infrared canopy temperature measurements (leaf area index was greater than 2.5m2 m−2). Wheat and maize latent heat flux and canopy CO2 flux generally decreased linearly with increases in CWSI when net radiation levels were greater than 300Wm−2. The responses of latent heat flux and CO2 flux to CWSI did not demonstrate a consistent relationship in wheat that would recommend it as a reliable water stress quantification tool. The responses of latent heat flux and CO2 flux to CWSI were more consistent in maize, suggesting that CWSI could be useful in identifying and quantifying water stress conditions when net radiation was greater than 300Wm−2. The results suggest that CWSI calculated by the Jackson method under varying solar radiation and wind speed conditions may be used for irrigation scheduling and agricultural water management of maize in irrigated agricultural regions, such as the North China Plain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Net carbon dioxide ecosystem exchange (NEE) was measured over three years (2006–2008) in a maize/faba/spring-wheat crop rotation in the Red River Valley of southern Manitoba, Canada using the flux-gradient method. The turbulent transfer coefficients were obtained using a similarity-theory, eddy-covariance based aerodynamic method and the carbon dioxide vertical gradient was measured with a tunable diode laser analyzer. The system measured 30-min-average fluxes over each of four plots sequentially to test reduced and intensive tillage treatments. Annual cumulative NEE was −720, 70 and −2400kgCha−1 yr−1 in the maize, faba and spring-wheat crop years, respectively. Enhanced respiration in the faba year was largely responsible for the loss, whereas the large gain in the spring-wheat year was a combination of high photosynthetic activity and reduced respiration. The three years experienced sequentially cooler and wetter years that likely affected the crops. After accounting for harvest removals, the net ecosystem loss was 510, 3140 and −480(gain)kgCha−1 yr−1 for the respective crop years, summing to a three-year loss of 3170kgCha−1. A recent conversion from intensive tillage to a reduced tillage practice showed no difference because of relatively large variability among the four plots. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The occurrence of OTA in fresh and packed wheat and in maize bread and the evaluation of the exposure degree through their consumption in two Portuguese populations from Porto and Coimbra, during the winter of 2007, were studied. One hundred and sixty eight bread samples, 61 maize and 107 wheat, were analysed by liquid chromatography–fluorescence detection (LC–FD). The results showed that 84% of samples were contaminated, with a maximum level of 3.85ng/g (above the EU maximum limit, 3ng/g). Fresh wheat bread presented higher levels than packed wheat bread. Moreover, the traditional maize bread, in either city, was consistently more contaminated than wheat bread, 0.25 vs 0.19ng/g, and 0.48 vs 0.34ng/g for Porto and Coimbra, respectively. Avintes maize bread showed the highest mean contamination and maximum levels. The higher estimated daily intake of OTA from both types of bread in the population of Coimbra compared to Porto reflects the higher average contamination of bread in the first city. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Political and economic arguments underlie the focus on cellulosic ethanol production as a preferred process for meeting future renewable fuel demand. Cellulosic ethanol production requires large volumes of the biomass input, adding logistical challenges to the feasibility of the technology. The objective of this research is to evaluate the profitability of a field-to-refinery model developed to identify optimal harvest, storage, transportation, pretreatment, and refining activities for a study area in Northeastern North Dakota. Sensitivity analysis indicates profitability of the ethanol complex is marginal under current prices and anticipated technologies. However, increases in ethanol prices and reduced conversion costs to produce ethanol from herbaceous crop residues suggest future viability of the process. Finally, development of a viable livestock feeding industry using some or all of the AFEX-pretreated crop residue increases the profitability of harvesting crop residues for further use. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the present study, water and nitrogen interaction on soil profile water extraction and evapo-transpiration (ET) was investigated taking a field experiment on a clay loam soil (Typic Haplustept) at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi with four consecutive crops (maize–wheat–maize–wheat) taken from July 2002 to April 2004. Three levels of water regime, namely W1, W2 and W3 referring to limited, medium and maximum irrigation were applied to each crop depending on the seasonal rainfall and the critical crop growth stage. The three water regimes were used with five nitrogen levels from T1 to T5, (T1, 0% N; T2, 75% N; T3, 100% N; T4, 150% N; T5, 100% N from organic source) in a split plot design for the four crops grown in sequence. Significant water and nitrogen interaction was observed for ET and soil profile water extraction pattern. Averaged across nitrogen treatments, ET in W2 and W3 were higher by 17 and 26%, respectively than W1 in maize 2002 and by 12 and 19% in maize 2003. In case of wheat, ET in W2 and W3 were higher by 27 and 58% than W1 in 1st crop and by 37 and 70% in 2nd crop. The effect of nitrogen regime, however, was prominent in both crops of maize and wheat, with significantly higher profile soil moisture depletion in T4 of each water regime. In all cases, lowest water depletion was observed in control plots receiving 0% N. In both crops, water extraction from surface 60cm was highest in W3 followed by W2 and W1. In maize, the % extraction from 0 to 60cm layer varied from 71 to 76% (W1), 70–79% (W2) and 75–82% (W3), whereas the values for wheat were 70–77, 72–79 and 75–83% for W1, W2 and W3, respectively. The 90–120cm layer contributed only 3–14% to total water extraction in both the crops. From 90 to 120cm layer, higher extraction was observed in W1 as compared to W3. The extraction values in W1, W2 and W3 in maize were 9–13, 7–14 and 3–9, respectively, whereas the corresponding values in wheat were 8–14, 5–12 and 3–7% for the three water regimes. Effect of nitrogen treatments on water extraction from deeper layer was observed with higher extraction in highest fertilized treatment (T4) as compared to other treatments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• We determined frequency of environment types (ENVT) for US maize, soybean, and wheat. • Each ENVT corresponded to a combination of drought and heat stress during critical period. • Inter-annual variation in drought and heat stress was higher than spatial variation. • The ENVT scheme explained observed variation in average actual yield for the three crops. • ENVTs can be used to link field-year experiments with target production environments. The impact of agricultural technologies on crop yield is influenced by the environment type (ENVT) as determined by weather and soil. Understanding the correlation between the ENVT of the testing site in relation to the ENVT of the target production region is important for the evaluation and scaling out of agricultural technologies. Here we propose and apply the first explicit method to characterize ENVTs for major rainfed maize, soybean, and wheat producing regions in the United States. We combined a tested spatial framework, Technology Extrapolation Domain (TED), with crop modeling, long-term (30-y) daily weather records, and soil and management databases to calculate the frequency of ENVTs per crop for major harvested areas. Each ENVT was determined based on the intensity of drought and heat stress during key crop stages for yield determination. The ENVT repeatability was calculated based on the frequency of the most dominant ENVT in each TED. We found that inter-annual variation in drought and heat stress was larger than spatial variation. Our ENVTs explained 2x to 7x larger portion of the variance in actual yield compared to the existing TED framework that is based on long-term annual climate means and soil water storage. For maize and soybean, ca. 30% of their harvested area was located in TEDs with highly repeatable ENVTs (>66% of years). In contrast, only 15% of the wheat harvested area was located in TEDs with high ENVT repeatability. In comparison to the TED framework, the ENVTs defined here can help better capture G×E×M interactions and determine the environmental correlation between testing sites and target production environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Microstructural and rheological changes during gelatinisation are important indicators of starch functionality. A combined rheometer and optical microscope system (Rheoscope 1, Thermo Haake) was used to monitor the gelatinisation of different starches (maize starch containing 0%, 24%, 55% and 85% amylose; wheat starch and barley starch) suspended in a 0.1% guar solution (to minimise settling during the initial stages of gelatinisation). The 0.1% guar solution was selected after Rapid Visco Analyser, Modulated DSC and settling studies indicated that it minimised any effect on starch gelatinisation compared to carboxy methyl cellulose and xanthan. The Rheoscope study demonstrated that the viscosity of the starch during gelatinisation is related to changes in starch granules as a result of swelling. There was a two to threefold increase in starch granule size during the gelatinisation for all starches except for high amylose maize starches. Viscosity development during the gelatinisation was affected by the presence of B-type granules, whose presence tended to reduce the overall viscosity increase, indicating the importance of starch granules size and their distribution in determining the rheological responses of starch during gelatinisation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The identification of homogeneous management zones within a field is crucial for variable rate application of agronomic inputs. This study proposed a methodology to identify homogeneous management zones within a 8ha field, based on the stability of measured and simulated yield patterns in a maize–soybean–wheat crop rotation in north-east Italy. Crop growth and yield were simulated over a 14-year period (1989–2002) using CERES-Maize, CROPGRO-Soybean and CERES-Wheat models to account for weather effects on yield spatial patterns. The overlay of long-term assessments of yield spatial and temporal data allowed for the identification of two stable zones with different yield levels, one with greater yield (called HS for high and stable yield) and one with lower yield (called LS for low and stable yield). The size of the HS zone identified using 14 years of simulated yield was smaller than the one obtained when considering only yield monitor data taken during the 5-year crop rotation. The LS zone was larger when using simulated data, confirming that the consistency of temporal stability increased by increasing the years considered. The models were able to closely simulate yield across the field when site-specific inputs were used, showing potential for use in yield map interpretation in the context of precision agriculture. Results showed that a combination of GIS tools and crop growth simulation models can be used to identify temporally stable zones, which is a fundamental prerequisite for adopting variable rate technologies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: There is widespread concern about the risk of potentially toxic elements (PTE) soil and crops accumulate but most studies with biosolids have shown different and even contradictory results. Under field conditions we studied: (i) the accumulation of PTE by maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from biosolid treated soils and (ii) the ability of total or EDTA extraction to represent the availability of PTE. We sampled plots from nine experiments with maize from controls and biosolid doses up to 45t DM/ha and four experiments with wheat to biosolid doses up to 30t DM/ha. The studies were carried out in the Northwest of Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Top soils and plants (shoot and grain) were sampled. Soils were digested with acids or extracted with EDTA. Shoots were digested with acids. Cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc were determined by ICPES. Boron, cobalt, manganese and molybdenum in maize were also determined in two experiments. The concentrations of PTE in biosolid were below regulatory concentrations but its application increased some PTE concentration in the soil. Crop yields increased when biosolid were applied in high doses and most PTE concentrations were within normal values. Correlations between total manganese and EDTA extractable copper in soils and in maize, and total copper, lead and zinc in soils and in wheat were found. Application of biosolids increased some PTE concentration in soils, but there is no correlative increase in PTE concentration in maize and wheat shoot or grains. The PTE extraction using EDTA does not represent better PTE crop availability than the total extraction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The metabolic reasons associated with differential sensitivity of C3 and C4 plant species to water stress are not well understood. In the present study, 15-day-old wheat (Triticum aestivum) and maize (Zea mays) plants, representatives of C3 and C4 plants, respectively, were subjected to mild (−0.4MPa), moderate (−0.8MPa) and high (−1.5MPa) water stress levels induced by PEG-6000 for 7 days under controlled conditions. The roots and leaves of these plant species were evaluated for oxidative damage and antioxidants along with stress injury (as electrolyte leakage), water content and abscisic acid. While at mild stress, both the plant species did not vary significantly from each other for stress injury, moderate and high stress levels caused considerably more damage to wheat as compared to maize. This was accompanied by more loss of water and chlorophyll by wheat relative to maize at these stress levels. ABA content remained unaffected at mild stress level in both the plant species but showed significantly higher content in roots and leaves of maize than wheat at moderate and high stress levels. The oxidative damage in terms of malondialdehyde and H2O2 content was markedly higher in wheat as compared to maize at moderate and high stress levels. Relatively, maize had significantly higher content of non-enzymatic (ascorbic acid and glutathione) and enzymatic antioxidants (ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione reductase, especially in its leaves). In contrast, wheat possessed more activity of catalase in its roots as well as leaves in comparison to maize. Superoxide dismutase activity showed little variation between the two plant species. Leaves of both the species experienced more damage than roots. These findings suggested that differential sensitivity of C3 and C4 plants to water stress appear to be partially governed by their ability to counter oxidative stress, pertinently involving ascorbic acid and glutathione. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Agricultural system models are potential tools for evaluating soil-water–nutrient management in intensive cropping systems. In this study, we calibrated and validated the Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM) with both a generic plant growth module (RZWQM-G) and the CERES plant growth module (RZWQM-C) for simulating winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) double cropping systems in the Northern China Plain (NCP), China. Data were obtained from an experiment conducted at Yucheng Integrated Agricultural Experimental Station (36°57′N, 116°36′E, 28m asl) in the North China Plain (NCP) from 1997 to 2001 (eight crop seasons) with field measurements of evapotranspiration, soil water, soil temperature, leaf area index (LAI), biomass and grain yield. Using the same soil water and nutrient modules, both plant modules were calibrated using the data from one crop sequence during 1998–1999 when detailed measurements of LAI and biomass growth were available. The calibrated models were then used to simulate maize and wheat production in other years. Overall simulation runs from 1997 to 2001 showed that the RZWQM-C model simulated grain yields with a RMSE of 0.94Mgha−1 in contrast to a RMSE of 1.23Mgha−1 with RZWQM-G. The RMSE for biomass simulation was 2.07Mgha−1 with RZWQM-G and 2.26Mgha−1 with RZWQM-C model. The RMSE values of simulated evapotranspiration, soil water, soil temperature and LAI were 1.4mm, 0.046m3 m−3, 1.75°C and 1.0 for RZWQM-G and 1.4mm, 0.047m3 m−3, 1.84°C and 1.1 for RZWQM-C, respectively. The study revealed that both plant models were able to simulate the intensive cropping systems once they were calibrated for the local weather and soil conditions. Sensitivity analysis also showed that a reduction of 25% of current water and N applications reduced N leaching by 24–77% with crop yield reduction of 1–9% only. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Irrigation water supplies are decreasing in many areas of the US Great Plains, which is requiring many farmers to consider deficit-irrigating corn (Zea mays L.) or growing crops like winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that require less water, but that are less profitable. The objectives of this study were to: (1) quantify the yield response of corn to deficit irrigation, and (2) determine which of several seasonal water variables correlated best to corn yield in a semiarid climate. Eight (T1–T8) and nine (T1–T9) deficit-irrigated treatments (including dryland), were compared in 2003 and 2004 in North Platte, Nebraska. The actual seasonal crop evapotranspiration (ETd) (calculated with procedures in FAO-56) for the different treatments was 37–79% in 2003 and 63–91% in 2004 compared with the seasonal crop evapotranspiration when water is not limited (ETw). Quantitative relationships between grain yield and several seasonal water variables were developed. Water variables included, irrigation (I), total water (W all), rain+irrigation (W R+I ), evaporation (E), crop evapotranspiration (ETd), crop transpiration (T d), and the ratios of ETd and T d to evapotranspiration and transpiration when water is not limited (ETw and T w). Both years, yield increased linearly with seasonal irrigation, but the relationship varied from year to year. Combining data from both years, ETd had the best correlation to grain yield (yield=0.028ETd–5.04, R 2 =0.95), and the water variables could be ranked from higher to lower R 2 when related to grain yield as: . Crop water productivity (CWP) (yield per unit ETd) linearly increased with ETd/ETw (R 2 =0.75), which suggests that trying to increase CWP by deficit-irrigating corn is not a good strategy under the conditions of this study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Land use change in China is related closely to global environmental change and global food security. In this paper, we analyzed land use change for rice, wheat and maize production in China during 1961–1998 based on long-term historical data. The results indicated that the total land area planted for cereals had both increased and decreased between 1961 and 1998. The total area in cereals increased or remained unchanged during 1961–1978, a period when the “Cultural Revolution” occurred, and also increased during 1986–1990 when the Chinese government increased subsides to agriculture. However, the total area in cereals declined during 1980–1985, a period corresponding to the implementation of the “household responsibility system” policy, and during 1991–1995, when a large proportion of the rural labor force moved to urban areas. The center of cereal production has moved towards northern China although the major area planted for rice, wheat and maize together is still located in southern China. The yield per hectare for all crops has increased from 1.21 t/ha in 1961 to 4.83 t/ha in 1998, but the yield per unit chemical fertilizer use decreased from 164 (rice), 44 (wheat) and 93 (maize) kg/kg in 1961 to 10 (rice), 6 (wheat) and 9 (maize) kg/kg in 1998. The increases in yield per hectare and production per capita appear mostly due to the increased industrial energy inputs, especially the rapid increase in chemical fertilizer use after the “household responsibility system” in late 1970s. The decline of the yield per unit chemical fertilizer use appears as a result of fertilizer saturation, soil degradation, soil and water pollution, the shortage of irrigation in the north, the threat of flooding in the south, and poor and low quality land use, as well as other social, economic and technical issues. With limited reclaimed land resources remaining and a near saturation in the response of crops to fertilizers, increasing food demand from the increasing population will have to come mainly from increased land productivity that will almost certainly continue to lead to the decline of energy (e.g. fertilizer) use efficiency and continued environmental degradation. Alternatively China may begin to import large amounts of food. This situation will generate adverse effects on sustainable development in China, as well as food security in the world, especially if world energy is in short supply. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Current agri-nutrition research focuses on micronutrient malnutrition and stunting. • The dietary contribution of many essential bioactive food components is understated. • Cereals are rich in bioactives such as dietary fibre that have major health benefits. • Research should address the full health benefits of cereals like maize and wheat. • Agri-nutrition studies should be multidisciplinary and whole food systems-oriented. Research linking agriculture and nutrition has evolved since the mid-20th century. The current focus is on child-stunting, dietary diversity and 'nutrient-rich' foods in recognition of the growing burdens of malnutrition and non-communicable diseases. This article concerns the global dietary and health contribution of major cereals, specifically maize and wheat, which are often considered not to be 'nutrient-rich' foods. Nevertheless, these cereals are major sources of dietary energy, of essential proteins and micronutrients, and diverse non-nutrient bioactive food components. Research on bioactives, and dietary fibre in particular, is somewhat 'siloed', with little attention paid by the agri-nutrition research community to the role of cereal bioactives in healthy diets, and the adverse health effects often arising through processing and manufacturing of cereals-based food products. We argue that the research agenda should embrace the whole nutritional contribution of the multiple dietary components of cereals towards addressing the triple burden of undernutrition, micronutrient malnutrition, overweight/obesity and non-communicable diseases. Agri-nutrition and development communities need to adopt a multidisciplinary and food systems research approach from farm to metabolism. Agriculture researchers should collaborate with other food systems stakeholders on nutrition-related challenges in cereal production, processing and manufacturing, and food waste and losses. Cereal and food scientists should also collaborate with social scientists to better understand the impacts on diets of the political economy of the food industry, and the diverse factors which influence local and global dietary transitions, consumer behavioural choices, dietary change, and the assessment and acceptance of novel and nutritious cereal-based products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For regular starches, gelatinization occurs over a relatively narrow temperature range in excess water; however, high-amylose starches typically gelatinise over an extended temperature range by a process that is less understood. The present study compared granule organisation of high-amylose starches from wheat (HAWS) and maize (HAMS), and investigated the role of granule organization in determining the gelatinization heterogeneity and different responses to annealing. During gelatinization (starch/water = 1:2), the melting peaks of double helices and amylose-lipid complexes are merged in HAMS, whereas the peaks are separated for HAWS. It is hypothesized that the glucan chains in HAWS are relatively more mobile (i.e., fewer inter-chain interactions), compared to HAMS. Due to this mobility, hot water leaches amylose more readily from HAWS than from HAMS at similar levels of apparent amylose content. After two-step annealing, T o (gelatinization onset temperature) of HAWS increased from 58 to 84 °C, while T o of HAMS only increased from 70 to 82 °C. For HAWS, annealing apparently extended double helical lengths and made semi-crystalline lamellae more heterogeneous, but reduced double helix content. For HAMS with more organised granular structure, annealing has a relatively limited effect on lamellar layers and chain conformation. The study demonstrates that HAMS and HAWS have distinctly different granule organisation and behaviours during hydrothermal processing and that HAWS, with more mobile chains, has the potential to form thermostable molecular order. The molecular basis for these differences is proposed to be the greater proportion of very long chains/branches in HAWS than HAMS. Image 1 • Granule organisation of high-amylose starch (HAS) from wheat differs from maize HAS. • Birefringence, SAXS, XRD, DSC, 13C CPMAS NMR all differ for wheat and maize HAS. • More mobile amylose in wheat HAS causes more leaching and greater annealing. • Long amylopectin branches contribute more to iodine-determined amylose in maize HAS. • Greater true amylose in wheat HAS explains all reported differences with maize HAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) are mainly emitted from vegetation. However there is still little information on BVOC exchanges with crops. In this study we measured fluxes of BVOC from wheat, maize and rapeseed crops near Paris at the plant level during a full-week period for each species. We used dynamic automated chambers coupled to a Proton Transfer Reaction, Quadrupole ion guide, Time of Flight mass spectrometer (PTR-Qi-Tof-MS) instrument for online measurements of BVOC. Our results confirm the hypothesis that many unexplored compounds contribute to BVOC exchanges between crops and the atmosphere, although for all plant species methanol was dominating the emissions (55–85% of the sum of the BVOC exchanges fluxes on a mass basis) followed by acetone and acetaldehyde. The 10 most exchanged compounds, excluding methanol, contributed more than 50% of the summed fluxes and the 100 most exchanged contributed to more than 90%. The summed BVOC emission and deposition presented large interspecies variations, but limited intra-species variability, with a summed net flux of 0.11 ± 0.02 μgBVOC g DW −1 h−1 for maize, 1.5 ± 0.7 μgBVOC g DW −1 h−1 for wheat, and 9.1 ± 2.4 μgBVOC g DW −1 h−1 for rapeseed. The 10 most emitted compounds were mostly emitted during the day and were correlated with both photosynthetically active radiation and temperature and anti-correlated with relative humidity. This study provides the first evaluation so far of the biosphere-atmosphere fluxes for several BVOC. In particular we provide a first evaluation of standard emission factor for isoprene and monoterpene for wheat and rapeseed at their respective growth stages. This study is however limited to a week period at a given stage for each species and at the plant level. Image 1 • VOC fluxes from wheat, maize and rapeseed plants were measured during a week period. • Dynamic automated chambers coupled to a PTR-Qi-Tof-MS were used. • Methanol was the main emitted compound, followed by acetone and acetaldehyde. • The 10 most exchanged compounds, excluding methanol, contributed more than 50% of the summed fluxes. • The 100 most exchanged contributed to more than 90% of the summed fluxes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]