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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]

Ochratoxin A (OTA), which is one of the most important mycotoxins in terms of human health, can be found in cereal products such as bread, “bazlama” (traditional flatbread), and pita bread, as well as cereals such as wheat, barley, and corn. This study aimed to determine the effect of different fermentation times, baking, and storage for various periods on the presence of OTA in sourdough bazlama. Bazlama flour was contaminated with OTA concentrations of 5 and 10 μg/kg. After two different fermentation times (1.5 and 3 h), baking at 300 ± 5°C, and storage at room temperature (25 ± 2°C) for 0, 5, and 10 days, the change in OTA levels of bazlama samples was determined by the high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector (HPLC‐FLD) method. The effect of different storage periods on the presence of OTA is insignificant. Although a general decrease in OTA level has been determined, it has been found that long‐term fermentation (at least 3 h) was more effective, especially in flours with a high concentration (10 μg/kg) of OTA contamination. It has been determined that bazlama made from contaminated flours with OTA levels of 5 and 10 μg/kg contained OTA levels exceeding 3 μg/kg when long‐term fermentation was not used. This is the maximum permitted limit set by the Turkish Food Codex and the European Commission, indicating that it is not suitable for consumption in this position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tritordeum is the new cereal derived from crosses between the wild barley Hordeum chilense Roem. et Schultz. and either durum or bread wheat, resulting in hexaploid and octoploid tritordeums, respectively. The success of tritordeum as a crop depends on the effectiveness of its breeding programme. In this work, new advanced tritordeum lines are screened for grain carotenoid content and disease susceptibility to analyse the impact of the current breeding strategies and to identify their strengths and putative limitations for future challenges. We conclude that selection for grain carotenoid content, the main strength for the tritordeum commercialization, should be reinforced not only by using the diversity of H. chilense but also incorporating beneficial alleles from durum wheat. Furthermore, genes for stem rust resistance from the A and B wheat genomes must be incorporated into tritordeum breeding programme. Finally, when selecting for threshability, tritordeums without chromosome substitutions should be preferentially selected using a marker‐assisted selection approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starter N fertilization at low rates may enhance pea (Pisum sativum L.) performance, but little information exists about the effect of N fertilization rate to previous crop (NRPC) on pea growth, yield, and quality in small grain–pea rotations. We examined the effect of N fertilization rates to barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) on succeeding pea growth, yield, and quality in barley–pea and spring wheat–pea rotations from 2006 to 2019 in the semiarid environment of US northern Great Plains. We measured pea plant density, straw and grain yields, harvest index, straw N concentration, grain protein concentration, grain test weight, straw and grain N uptake, and N harvest index. In the barley–pea rotation, pea grain yield increased with increased NRPC. Grain test weight was greater without than with NRPC in 2008 and 2009. In the spring wheat–pea rotation, straw yield was greater for 50 than 0 kg N ha−1 of NRPC in 2014, 2018, and 2019. Grain yield and N uptake were greater with than without NRPC in 2014, 2015, and 2019, but grain test weight varied with NRPC and year. Plant density, harvest index, straw N concentration, grain protein concentration, straw N uptake, and N harvest index varied with year in both barley–pea and spring wheat–pea rotations. Nitrogen fertilization to barley or spring wheat can enhance succeeding pea grain yield and N uptake during years with normal growing season precipitation in barley–pea and spring–wheat pea rotations in the semiarid region of the US northern Great Plains. Core Ideas: The effect of N fertilization to previous crop in the rotation on pea growth, yield, and quality was examined.Increased N fertilization rate to previous crop increased pea grain yield in the barley–pea rotation.Pea yield and N uptake were greater with than without N fertilization to previous crop in the spring wheat–barley rotation.Other pea parameters were varied by year in both barley–pea and spring wheat–pea rotations.Nitrogen fertilization to previous crop can enhance pea yield and N uptake in the small grains–pea rotations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil hydraulic and physical properties can be influenced by various land management practices, and they determine water movement and storage within the vadose zone, with both agronomic and environmental effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two such practices (no‐till [NT] and cover crops [CCs]) on soil hydraulic (e.g., saturated hydraulic conductivity [Ksat], and water retention) and physical (e.g., bulk density [BD], pore size distribution, air‐filled pore spaces [AFPSs], and water‐filled pore spaces [WFPSs]) properties. The CCs used included crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.), winter peas (Lathyrus hirsutus L.), oats (Avena sativa), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), triticale (Triticale hexaploide Lart.), flax (Linum usitassimum L.), and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Soil samples were collected and analyzed during 2021 and 2022 right before CC termination at 0‐ to 10‐cm, 10‐ to 20‐cm, and 20‐ to 30‐cm depths. Results showed that, during 2021 and 2022, BD was 18% and 14% higher, respectively, under NC compared with CC management, while Ksat was 2.2 and 1.9 times higher, respectively, under CC compared with NC management. Further, the non‐capillary pores were significantly (p ≥ 0.05) higher under CC compared with NC management during both years of study. As a result, the majority of the total pores under CCs were filled with air, while the majority of total pores under NC management were filled with water. Therefore, this CC mix may be useful in lengthening the growing period during wet seasons by increasing air‐filled pore spaces. Core Ideas: NT cover crops (CCs) significantly lowered BD and increased saturated hydraulic conductivity compared with no cover crop management.During 2 years, the van Genuchten α and n parameters were higher under CC management.CCs improved the proportion of capillary and non‐capillary pores.CCs increased the proportion of total pores filled with air.Under CC management alone, most soil properties were similar during 2 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service general crop condition data are used to quantify the relationship between crop conditions and yield, condition tendencies during the growing season, how conditions vary across the United States, and how conditions have trended for the 1986–2022 period for a variety of crops: barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), corn (Zea mays L.), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), oats (Avena sativa L.), peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), soybeans (Glycine max L.), and spring and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Crop conditions are a statistically significant covariate (90% significance level) for yield and can be used in practice on a weekly basis. This becomes increasingly important as, historically, crop conditions not only deteriorated on average, but also became more variable throughout the growing season. Spatial differences in conditions, variability, and trends in condition ratings and variability are caused by crop selection, regional climate, and management practices such as irrigation. Crop conditions were poorest and had the highest interannual variability across the southern Great Plains region. Since 1986, crop conditions in the Great Plains region have deteriorated significantly, while variability has increased. Meanwhile, crop conditions across the southwestern and southeastern United States have significantly improved, while interannual variability in conditions has experienced robust declines. Given climatic and hydrologic trends, to maintain a positive trend in yield, continued advancements in production management and technology are required. Critical decisions regarding real‐time or future management can be supplemented by using crop condition risk assessment information along with actively monitoring weekly conditions. Core Ideas: USDA crop condition ratings are a statistically significant covariate for yield and can be used in practice.Crop conditions tend to deteriorate as the season progresses while historically variability increases.Crop conditions were poorest on average and had the highest interannual variability in the southern Great Plains.Since 1986, crop conditions in the Great Plains have deteriorated significantly while variability has increased.The southwestern and southeastern United States significantly improved in crop conditions, while variability decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is one of the most devastating crop diseases worldwide, significantly reducing the yield and quality of small‐cereal crops such as wheat and barley when favourable weather conditions exist during anthesis. Additionally, FHB‐associated mycotoxins significantly impact global food and feed safety. Controlling FHB with fungicides applied near anthesis reduces visual FHB symptoms and associated mycotoxin production, thereby lowering disease‐related costs. However, when weather conditions are unfavourable for FHB occurrence, fungicide application can be costly and environmentally undesirable. Thus, fungicides should be used sparingly only when the pathogen is present and weather conditions are favourable. Modelling of FHB risk using weather data has grown rapidly in recent decades and plays an essential role in integrated crop disease management. In this review, several weather‐based FHB models are selected and described in detail. The models were developed globally for assessing the real‐time risk of FHB epidemics in various regions/countries. Most of these models are site‐specific and predict FHB visual observations such as the incidence and severity of FHB, Fusarium‐damaged kernels (FDK), and also deoxynivalenol (DON) levels. The review also highlights the limitations of these existing models, including their narrow applicability, low accuracy for high‐risk contamination situations, and omissions of certain factors. Also discussed are potential avenues for improvement and enhanced predictive capabilities including consideration of additional disease risk factors as well as a broader range of varieties. These predictive models can assist producers, regulatory agencies, and industry to mitigate potential food and feed security and safety concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the utilisation of flour in ancient Xinjiang is crucial for understanding the use of different grain crops as staple comestibles. In this study, multiple analyses were applied to identify five flour food remnants discovered in the Wupu Cemetery (1100–400 BCE) in Hami, Xinjiang. Results show that two of the samples were comprised of broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum) mixed with wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley (Hordeum spp.), one of wheat and barley, and the remaining two primarily of broomcorn millet with a low quantity of foxtail millet (Setaria italica). Plant microfossils analysis and microscopic observation of cross‐sections of the five samples indicate that these crop materials were coarsely ground into flour and then probably baked without fermentation. These findings provide the earliest evidence that broomcorn millet, wheat, and barley were processed as cakes in Hami 3000 years ago. Moreover, the findings in this study also emphasise the reassessment of the role of foxtail millet in the dietary consumption of the ancient Wupu inhabitants, as foxtail millet was abundant in tombs, but scarce in comestible food sources. This research sheds light on and contributes to a more precise reconstruction of the dietary patterns of ancient indigenous people in Hami. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Heterosis, also known as hybrid vigor, is the phenomenon wherein a progeny exhibits superior traits relative to one or both parents. In terms of crop breeding, this usually refers to the yield advantage of F1 hybrids over both inbred parents. The development of high‐yielding hybrid cultivars across a wider range of crops is key to meeting future food demands. However, conventional hybrid breeding strategies are proving to be exceptionally challenging to apply commercially in many self‐pollinating crops, particularly wheat and barley. Currently in these crops, the relative performance advantage of hybrids over inbred line cultivars does not outweigh the cost of hybrid seed production. Here, we review the genetic basis of heterosis, discuss the challenges in hybrid breeding, and propose a strategy to recruit multiple heterosis‐associated genes to develop lines with improved agronomic characteristics. This strategy leverages modern genetic engineering tools to synthesize supergenes by fusing multiple heterotic alleles across multiple heterosis‐associated loci. We outline a plan to assess the feasibility of this approach to improve line performance using barley (Hordeum vulgare) as the model self‐pollinating crop species, and a few heterosis‐associated genes. The proposed method can be applied to all crops for which heterotic gene combinations can be identified. Significance Statement: This perspective summarizes key hypotheses on the genetic basis of heterosis, assesses challenges in hybrid breeding of self‐pollinating crops, and proposes an approach using synthetic supergenes to exploit heterosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary: Whole wheat bread is rich in nutrition, but its starch digestibility is unsatisfactory. Thus, how to reduce its digestibility has attracted much attention. This study investigated the effects of highland barley protein and β‐glucan on the pasting properties, and thermal properties of whole wheat flour to reveal the mechanism of highland barley protein and β‐glucan regulating the in vitro digestibility. The digestibility results showed that β‐glucan and protein could slow down starch digestion to some degree. The cross‐section structure determination results indicated that β‐glucan and protein decreased the porosity. The differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis results showed that β‐glucan and protein increased the onset of pasting, decreased the peak temperature and enthalpy of pasting and decreased the thermal stability. The Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy results revealed a blue‐shift in the ‐OH position of the bread added with protein and β‐glucan (from 995.59 to 996.07 cm−1), indicating that the hydrogen bonding might form intramolecularly. In this study, the addition of highland barley protein and β‐glucan was proved to be helpful in decreasing the in vitro digestibility and showed modification in the texture quality of bread, which might be suitable for diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common root rot (CRR) caused by the soilborne pathogen Bipolaris sorokiniana (teleomorph Cochliobolus sativus) is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. Identification of CRR is difficult and time‐consuming for human assessors due to the non‐distinctive above‐ground symptoms, with browning of subcrown internodes and roots the most distinguishing symptom of infection. CRR disease has been recognized as a significant disease for cereal crops in many countries. In 2009, CRR in Australia was estimated to cause $30 million average annual yield loss for wheat and $13 million for barley. Recent evidence indicates CRR may be more prevalent than expected in Australian wheat cropping areas due to lack of research on this disease. Low levels of B. sorokiniana survive in the soil for up to 10 years and attack plants at early stages of growth. Therefore, mitigating CRR in wheat and barley may not be practical at the late stages of infection due to lack of effective methods; however, early detection might be viable to alleviate the impact of this disease. A comprehensive overview of CRR caused by B. sorokiniana, including disease background, worldwide economic losses, management methods, potential CRR detection using multispectral and hyperspectral sensors and the research focus over the past 50 years is provided in this article. This review paper is expected to provide thorough supplemental information for current studies about CRR and proposes recommendations for whole‐of‐field disease scouting methods to farmers, enabling reduced time and cost for CRR management and increasing wheat and barley production worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Wind, rain, herbivores, obstacles, neighbouring plants, etc. provide important mechanical cues to steer plant growth and survival. Mechanostimulation to stimulate yield and stress resistance of crops is of significant research interest, yet a molecular understanding of transcriptional responses to touch is largely absent in cereals. To address this, we performed whole‐genome transcriptomics following mechanostimulation of wheat, barley, and the recent genome‐sequenced oat. The largest transcriptome changes occurred ±25 min after touching, with most of the genes being upregulated. While most genes returned to basal expression level by 1–2 h in oat, many genes retained high expression even 4 h post‐treatment in barley and wheat. Functional categories such as transcription factors, kinases, phytohormones, and Ca2+ regulation were affected. In addition, cell wall‐related genes involved in (hemi)cellulose, lignin, suberin, and callose biosynthesis were touch‐responsive, providing molecular insight into mechanically induced changes in cell wall composition. Furthermore, several cereal‐specific transcriptomic footprints were identified that were not observed in Arabidopsis. In oat and barley, we found evidence for systemic spreading of touch‐induced signalling. Finally, we provide evidence that both the jasmonic acid‐dependent and the jasmonic acid‐independent pathways underlie touch‐signalling in cereals, providing a detailed framework and marker genes for further study of (a)biotic stress responses in cereals. Significance Statement: Plants are continuously exposed to mechanical stimuli from their direct environment, but little insight is available into the molecular responses to mechanostimulation in commercially important cereals. Here, we present an in‐depth study of the transcriptomic responses to touch treatment of wheat, barley, and oats, and provide a range of further insights into, e.g., systemic responses and marker genes for jasmonic acid (in)dependent signalling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weeds are a key component of agroecosystems and compete with crop plants. Crop‐weed competition has been widely investigated over the past decades, although how functional traits mediate these competitive interactions has rarely been explored. In this study, we measured functional traits in 4400 individual plants belonging to 32 weed species, growing among four crops differing in functional traits. We assessed the intraspecific variation in weed functional traits in response to competition with crops but also with the other weeds. We found that the most abundant weeds have a lower intraspecific trait variability than other weed species for leaf dry matter content (LDMC), but this pattern was not observed for canopy height (CH) nor for specific leaf area (SLA). We found that most of the weed species tended to grow taller and have higher LDMC values when crop CH and LDMC increased. We propose that these species display a 'crop matching' strategy, tending to match crop functional trait values in response to competition. We also found that weed‐weed competition affected weed functional traits, sometimes more strongly than crop‐weed competition. This study highlights that intraspecific trait variation is important to consider when investigating the processes underlying weed species community assembly, especially resource competition. Further studies are required to identify the source of intraspecific trait variation in weeds and the consequences for weed fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waterlogging has become an increasingly important abiotic stress. To develop strategies for mitigating its effects, it is crucial to identify traits that confer tolerance. Root mass density (RMD) is a pivotal trait for waterlogging tolerance; however, the behavior of this trait during waterlogging is not well understood. Therefore, two experimental years were conducted to study the effects of early‐ and late‐waterlogging at the canopy level on wheat (Triticum aestivum L., barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), and pea (Pisum sativum L.) crops in 1 m3 containers. The results showed that early‐waterlogging reduced RMD, green leaf, and stem dry weights (DWs) in wheat and barley. Nevertheless, they were able to recover without yield penalties. Late‐waterlogging had little impact on RMD in wheat and barley; however, it lowered the tiller number and caused accelerated leaf senescence, resulting in a 65% yield reduction in barley. Early‐waterlogged oilseed rape and pea also exhibited reduced RMD, with oilseed rape recovering with a 17% yield reduction, whereas pea was the most sensitive crop, showing no recovery and a 90% yield reduction. Overall, early‐ waterlogging generally reduces RMD, particularly in the shallow soil layer, but with recovery potential. In contrast, late‐ waterlogging affects yield by reducing tillers/branches and accelerating senescence, with little impact on RMD. Identifying these traits and their responses to waterlogging stress can aid in the development of strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of waterlogging on crops. Core Ideas: Early‐waterlogging reduces the superficial root mass density in all crops but recovers afterward (excluding pea).Early‐waterlogging reduces green leaf and stem dry weights, which are restored afterward (excluding pea).Yield gap in late‐waterlogged barley, oilseed rape, and pea is due to canopy senescence and fewer tillers/branches.Wheat tolerates waterlogging best, barley and oilseed rape tolerate it partially, and pea is very sensitive to it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) have no longer been a profitable crop option in Colombia's cereal‐growing regions since the opening of the economy in the 1990s, which allowed them to be imported. Due to their high nutritional value and wide commercial demand, peas (Pisum sativum L.) have become a new crop option in southern Colombia's cereal‐growth areas. Bush varieties are required with low lodging, high yield, and good adaptation to environmental conditions. This study evaluated six lines of bush pea with the afila gene for yield and phenotypic stability in nine cereal‐growing environments of southern Colombia in 2020 and 2021. A randomized block design with four replications was used in each environment. Phenotypic stability was studied using the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction model (AMMI). Visual observation of the biplot graph for principal components IPC1 and IPC2 showed higher contribution of genotypes ARB2, ARB12, and ARB13 to the genotype–environment interaction, while genotypes ARB10, ARB15, and ARB16 displayed the highest stability; only the last two genotypes exceeded the overall mean yield. The AMMI phenotypic stability values confirmed ARB10 and ARB15 as the most stable. The genotypic selection index ranked ARB15 and ARB16 as the most promising lines for the cereal‐growing area of southern Colombia based on their stability and yield, making them new productive options. Core Ideas: In southern Colombia, there are no bush pea varieties available as an alternative for areas where wheat and barley are no longer profitable options.In the cereal‐growing regions of southern Colombia, six lines of peas with the afila gene were evaluated.The ARB15 and ARB16 pea lines were designated as a new productive option in southern Colombia using the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction model.The biplot figure, stability values, and selection index were very useful in choosing the best genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Plants produce dimerized phenolic compounds as secondary metabolites. Hordatine A (HA), a dehydrodimer of p‐coumaroylagmatine (pCA), is an antifungal compound accumulated at high levels in young barley (Hordeum vulgare) seedlings. The enzyme responsible for the oxidative dimerization of pCA, which is the final step of the hordatine biosynthetic pathway, has not been identified. In this study, we first verified the presence of this enzyme activity in the crude extract of barley seedlings. Because the enzyme activity was not dependent on H2O2, the responsible enzyme was not peroxidase, which was previously implicated in HA biosynthesis. The analysis of the dissection lines of wheat (Triticum aestivum) carrying aberrant barley 2H chromosomes detected HA in the wheat lines carrying the distal part of the 2H short arm. This chromosomal region contains two laccase genes (HvLAC1 and HvLAC2) that are highly expressed at the seedling stage and may encode enzymes that oxidize pCA during the formation of HA. Changes in the HvLAC transcript levels coincided with the changes in the HA biosynthesis‐related enzyme activities in the crude extract and the HA content in barley seedlings. Moreover, HvLAC genes were heterologously expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and in bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) suspension cells and HA biosynthetic activities were detected in the crude extract of transformed N. benthamiana leaves and bamboo suspension cells. The HA formed by the enzymatic reaction had the same stereo‐configuration as the naturally occurring HA. These results demonstrate that HvLAC enzymes mediate the oxidative coupling of pCA during HA biosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to quantify the contribution of apoplastic bypass flow to the uptake of water and salt across the root cylinder of wheat and barley during day and night. Plants were grown on hydroponics until they were 14–17 days old and then analysed over a single day (16 h) or night (8 h) period while being exposed to different concentrations of NaCl (50, 100, 150 and 200 mM NaCl). Exposure to salt started just before the experiment (short‐term stress) or had started 6d before (longer‐term stress). Bypass flow was quantified using the apoplastic tracer dye 8‐hydroxy‐1,3,6‐pyrenesulphonic acid (PTS). The percent contribution of bypass flow to root water uptake increased in response to salt stress and during the night and amounted to up to 4.4%. Bypass flow across the root cylinder of Na+ and Cl− made up 2%–12% of the net delivery of these ions to the shoot; this percentage changed little (wheat) or decreased (barley) during the night. Changes in the contribution of bypass flow to the net uptake of water, Na+ and Cl− in response to salt stress and day/night are the combined result of changes in xylem tension, the contribution of alternative cell‐to‐cell flow path and the requirement to generate xylem osmotic pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Understanding the genetic and molecular function of nitrate sensing and acquisition across crop species will accelerate breeding of cultivars with improved nitrogen use efficiency (NUE).Here, we performed a genome‐wide scan using wheat and barley accessions characterized under low and high N inputs that uncovered the NPF2.12 gene, encoding a homolog of the Arabidopsis nitrate transceptor NRT1.6 and other low‐affinity nitrate transporters that belong to the MAJOR FACILITATOR SUPERFAMILY.Next, it is shown that variations in the NPF2.12 promoter correlated with altered NPF2.12 transcript levels where decreased gene expression was measured under low nitrate availability. Multiple field trials revealed a significantly enhanced N content in leaves and grains and NUE in the presence of the elite allele TaNPF2.12TT grown under low N conditions. Furthermore, the nitrate reductase encoding gene NIA1 was up‐regulated in npf2.12 mutant upon low nitrate concentrations, thereby resulting in elevated levels of nitric oxide (NO) production. This increase in NO correlated with the higher root growth, nitrate uptake, and N translocation observed in the mutant when compared to wild‐type.The presented data indicate that the elite haplotype alleles of NPF2.12 are convergently selected in wheat and barley that by inactivation indirectly contribute to root growth and NUE by activating NO signaling under low nitrate conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All patients were not sensitized to -5-gliadin; however, one patient had a slightly elevated wheat-sIgE level of 0.42 kU SB A sb /L. 1 TABLE Characteristics of the seven patients with wheat-induced FPIES. The proportion of patients who became tolerant to wheat increased with age, and at the age of 5 years, six (86%) patients were confirmed to have achieved tolerance and the remaining patient was able to consume 52 mg of wheat protein (Figure 2). Patients who either met the diagnosis criteria based on their history of symptoms or symptoms exhibited during OFC were defined as wheat-FPIES patients. Keywords: food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome; prognosis; tolerance; wheat EN food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome prognosis tolerance wheat 1 4 4 03/30/23 20230301 NES 230301 Key message The rate of tolerance acquisition in infants with food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome caused by wheat increased with age and resolved in most patients by the age of 5 years. [Extracted from the article]

Summary: The considerable drought tolerance of wild cereal crop progenitors has diminished during domestication in the pursuit of higher productivity. Regaining this trait in cereal crops is essential for global food security but requires novel genetic insight.Here, we assessed the molecular evidence for natural variation of drought tolerance in wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum), wild emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccoides), and Brachypodium species collected from dry and moist habitats at Evolution Canyon, Israel (ECI).We report that prevailing moist vs dry conditions have differentially shaped the stomatal and photosynthetic traits of these wild cereals in their respective habitats. We present the genomic and transcriptomic evidence accounting for differences, including co‐expression gene modules, correlated with physiological traits, and selective sweeps, driven by the xeric site conditions on the African Slope (AS) at ECI. Co‐expression gene module 'circadian rhythm' was linked to significant drought‐induced delay in flowering time in Brachypodium stacei genotypes. African Slope‐specific differentially expressed genes are important in barley drought tolerance, verified by silencing Disease‐Related Nonspecific Lipid Transfer 1 (DRN1), Nonphotochemical Quenching 4 (NPQ4), and Brassinosteroid‐Responsive Ring‐H1 (BRH1).Our results provide new genetic information for the breeding of resilient wheat and barley in a changing global climate with increasingly frequent drought events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cover crops (CCs) can improve soil hydraulic properties prior to termination, but their effects on soil hydraulic properties during the growing season are less known. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of no‐till CC on the soil hydraulic properties during the commodity crop growing season in Murfreesboro, USA. The CCs included hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), winter peas (Lathyrus hirsutus L.), oats (Avena sativa), triticale (Triticale hexaploide Lart.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and flax (Linum usitatissimum L.). The cash crop grown was corn (Zea mays). Soil samples were collected using a cylindrical core (55 mm inside diameter, 60 mm long) at 0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm depths during April (prior to CC termination), May, June and July. Results showed that soil bulk density (Db) was 23%, 12%, 11% and 10% higher under no cover crop (NCC) compared with CC management during April – July, respectively. This suggests a lower rate of soil consolidation under CC management even after several rainfall events. Four months after CC termination, macroporosity and total porosity were 306 and 50% higher, respectively, under CC compared with NCC management. Therefore, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) during July was two times higher under CC management compared with NCC management and this can affect increase water infiltration and conservation during the growing season. Due to CC root‐induced improvement in macroporosity, CCs had 64% higher volumetric water content (θ) at saturation during July compared with NCC management. Cover crops can improve soil hydraulic properties and these benefits can persist for up to four months after termination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies have reported in vitro cross‐reactivity between wheat and barley. However, evidence regarding the clinical cross‐reactivity of wheat and barley is limited. This study examined the clinical cross‐reactivity of barley and wheat among children with immediate‐type wheat allergies. Methods: We examined the threshold dose of a wheat oral food challenge for wheat‐allergic children. We examined the reactivity of barley, and the oral food challenges of barley tea and barley rice were implemented as needed. We measured the specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) levels in wheat, ω‐5 gliadin, and barley. Results: We evaluated 53 children (39 [74%] boys) with a median age of 6.6 years. Among them, 39 (74%) patients had a history of anaphylaxis to wheat. The median wheat‐, barley‐, and ω‐5 gliadin‐sIgE levels were 57.3, 12.1, and 3.2 kUA/L, respectively. Twelve patients reacted to barley tea (1.8 mg), 14 reacted to barley rice (220–440 mg), and 27 were tolerant to barley tea and barley rice. Barley‐allergic patients had significantly higher wheat‐ and ω‐5 gliadin‐ and barley‐sIgE levels and significantly lower threshold doses of wheat than barley‐tolerant patients. Omega‐5 gliadin‐sIgE was the most useful predictor of barley allergy among wheat‐allergic patients; the ω‐5 gliadin‐sIgE 95% positive predictive value for barley allergy was 4.6 kUA/L. Conclusions: Half of wheat‐allergic children reacted to barley. A lower threshold dose of wheat is related to cross‐reactive barley allergies. Omega‐5 gliadin‐sIgE predicts cross‐reactive barley allergy in children allergic to wheat. Clinical cross‐reactivity to barley should be considered in the management of wheat‐allergic children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Cereal cultivars vary in root traits, and it can be proposed that wild forms and old cultivars are more adapted to using organic nitrogen (N) sources. Aims: Investigating N uptake from cover crop (CC) rhizodeposits by wheat and barley of different domestication level and their wild relatives, we expected a more efficient N uptake by wild forms and old cultivars, indicated by higher N uptake from rhizodeposits per root biomass. Methods: Eleven wheat and seven barley cultivars categorized into three domestication levels (wild, old, and modern) were grown under controlled conditions in pots with soil containing 15N‐labelled CC rhizodeposits. Shoot and root biomass, their 15N‐uptake, and a range of root traits were analyzed. Results: Domestication level was a weak predictor of root architecture. N taken up from rhizodeposits was similar in all plants at 14% of plant N. Cultivars with largest values for most root traits (e.g., root length or volume) and root to shoot ratio also showed largest total N uptake and N uptake from rhizodeposits. However, N uptake efficiency (N uptake from rhizodeposits per root biomass) was smallest for these cultivars. Two modern wheat cultivars showed the largest N uptake efficiency from CC rhizodeposits, whereas in barley a wild and an old cultivar showed the largest efficiency. Conclusions: In our study with a limited number of cultivars, domestication level is not related to the ability of cereals to take up N from CC rhizodeposits. The same proportion of N derived from rhizodeposits irrespective of cultivar or root traits indicates that the N provision from rhizodeposits was driven by other factors like mineralization. However, some cultivars had a larger N uptake efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viruses often usurp host machineries for their amplification, but it remains unclear if hosts may subvert virus proteins to regulate viral proliferation. Here, we show that the 17K protein, an important virulence factor conserved in barley yellow dwarf viruses (BYDVs) and related poleroviruses, is phosphorylated by host GRIK1‐SnRK1 kinases, with the phosphorylated 17K (P17K) capable of enhancing the abundance of virus‐derived small interfering RNAs (vsiRNAs) and thus antiviral RNAi. Furthermore, P17K interacts with barley small RNA‐degrading nuclease 1 (HvSDN1) and impedes HvSDN1‐catalyzed vsiRNA degradation. Additionally, P17K weakens the HvSDN1‐HvAGO1 interaction, thus hindering HvSDN1 from accessing and degrading HvAGO1‐carried vsiRNAs. Importantly, transgenic expression of 17K phosphomimetics (17K5D), or genome editing of SDN1, generates stable resistance to BYDV through elevating vsiRNA abundance. These data validate a novel mechanism that enhances antiviral RNAi through host subversion of a viral virulence protein to inhibit SDN1‐catalyzed vsiRNA degradation and suggest new ways for engineering BYDV‐resistant crops. Synopsis: Viruses often subvert host proteins for their amplification, but host subversion of virus proteins to regulate viral proliferation has not been reported in plants. This work shows that a plant‐viral virulence protein is phosphorylated by host kinases, with the phosphorylated form becoming an inhibitor of AGO1‐associated vsiRNAs cleavage and thus enhancing the abundance of antiviral RNAi.The 17K protein of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) is phosphorylated by host GRIK1‐SnRK1 kinases.The phosphorylated 17K (P17K) interacts with host small RNA degrading nuclease 1 (HvSDN1) and Argonaute 1 (HvAGO1), and binds BYDV vsiRNA.P17K inhibits the cleavage of HvAGO1‐associated vsiRNAs by HvSDN1, thus elevating vsiRNA abundance and resulting in enhanced antiviral RNAi.Transgenic expression of a 17K phosphomimetic (17K5D), or genome editing of SDN1, generates stable resistance to BYDV through elevating vsiRNA abundance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on the effect of no‐till crop rotation on a broad range of soil properties and long‐term crop yields is needed to evaluate its benefits on ecosystem services compared with monocropping. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of no‐till crop rotation (barley [Hordeum vulgare L.]/spring wheat [Triticum aestivum L.]–pea [Pisum sativum L.]) and monocropping [continuous barley/spring wheat] on 66 dryland soil physical, chemical, biological, and biochemical properties and long‐term crop yields at two dryland farm sites (14‐ and 36‐yr old) in the northern Great Plains. Soil samples collected to a depth of 15 cm in April 2019 were analyzed for soil properties and crop yields determined. At the long‐term site, crop rotation increased 11 properties, but reduced 16 of 66 soil properties compared with monocropping. At the short‐time site, crop rotation increased 6 properties, but reduced 13 of 66 soil properties compared with monocropping. Longer duration experiments showed more differences in soil properties due to crop rotation than shorter duration experiments. Spring wheat and barley yields were greater following pea than following spring wheat or barley during years with normal or above‐average precipitation at both sites. Pea yield in the crop rotation was also greater during these years. Barley/spring wheat–pea rotation can enhance some soil properties and dryland crop yields compared with continuous barley/spring wheat during wet years in the semiarid region of the northern Great Plains. Core Ideas: Crop rotation had variable effect on soil properties compared with monocropping.Crop rotation increased barley and spring wheat yields compared with monocropping during wet years.Crop rotation can enhance some soil properties and dryland crop yields compared with monocropping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cross‐reactivity between wheat and other cereals is a crucial issue in the management of wheat allergy. Few studies have reported in vitro cross‐reactivity in immediate‐type wheat allergy. The aim of this study aimed to examine cross‐reactivity of the three fractions (albumin/globulin, gliadin, and glutenin fractions) among cereals in children with wheat allergy. Methods: Sera from 128 children with immediate‐type wheat allergy were collected. Specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) levels against each fraction of wheat, barley, and rye were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cross‐reactivities of each fraction among wheat, barley, and rye were examined via inhibition ELISA. Results: All subjects were sensitized to all fractions of wheat, barley, and rye. The wheat sIgE levels were significantly higher than those of barley and rye in all the fractions (p ≤.001) and were significantly correlated with sIgE levels in each fraction (r =.887–.969, p <.001). Inhibition ELISA revealed that wheat inhibited the IgE binding to most of the solid phases at lower protein levels compared with barley and rye in all fractions. Conclusions: In children with immediate‐type wheat allergy, sensitization to all the three fractions of wheat was observed. In addition, they showed sensitization to barley and rye caused by in vitro cross‐reactivity with wheat in each fraction. When managing children with wheat allergy, sensitization to barley and rye caused by the cross‐reactivities should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants require zinc (Zn) as an essential cofactor for diverse molecular, cellular and physiological functions. Zn is crucial for crop yield, but is one of the most limiting micronutrients in soils. Grasses like rice, wheat, maize and barley are crucial sources of food and nutrients for humans. Zn deficiency in these species therefore not only reduces annual yield but also directly results in Zn malnutrition of more than two billion people in the world. There has been good progress in understanding Zn homeostasis and Zn deficiency mechanisms in plants. However, our current knowledge of monocots, including grasses, remains insufficient. In this review, we provide a summary of our knowledge of molecular Zn homeostasis mechanisms in monocots, with a focus on important cereal crops. We additionally highlight divergences in Zn homeostasis of monocots and the dicot model Arabidopsis thaliana, as well as important gaps in our knowledge that need to be addressed in future research on Zn homeostasis in cereal monocots. Summary statement: Zinc is an essential nutrient, determining yield and grain quality in monocotyledonous crops. The manuscript reviews our current understanding of the molecular network underlying zinc homeostasis in monocots, highlighting gaps in knowledge and the specificities of monocots compared to Arabidopsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concerns about the effects of global warming on crop yields have been raised due to stagnating yield progress in recent years. However, an understanding of the effects of changes in temperature and rainfall throughout the crop cycle on historical yield progress is lacking in Europe (EU). In this study, positive wheat, barley, rice, and maize yield progress in the EU (1961–2019) was significant, with rates of 0.05, 0.04, 0.05, and 0.07 Tha−1year−1, for the four crops respectively. Much of this progress has been sustained by Eastern European countries (EE), which had the highest yield progress rates. On average, in the case of wheat and barley, a temperature increase of 1°C in the winter resulted in yields increasing by +0.33 Tha−1 in EE. This was potentially due to decreasing cold damage and improved photosynthesis and vegetative growth, supporting positive yield progress. Recent historical (2001–2019) rates of wheat, barley, rice, and maize yield progress were positive in all EU regions except Western Europe (WE), barley in Southern Europe (SE) and wheat in Northern Europe (NE). Stagnated wheat, barley and rice yields in WE were not explained by temperature or rainfall using direct correlations of observed data. However, May and July temperatures were associated with wheat yields in NE (−0.30 Tha−1°C−1), barley in SE (−0.14 Tha−1°C−1) and maize in WE and SE (−0.42 and −0.39 Tha−1°C−1). With increasing temperatures becoming less than optimal for photosynthesis, reducing grain filling duration and increasing drought episodes, crop yields have stagnated for wheat in NE and barley in SE. With consistent increases in temperature and water evaporative demand expected in the future, the interplay among genetic adaptation, increased crop cycle duration, drought tolerance, sowing dates, smart irrigation and sustainable practices may require thorough regional testing to maximise the yields of wheat, barley and maize in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: barley; genome editing; host factor; recessive resistance; soil-borne viruses; virus resistance; wheat EN barley genome editing host factor recessive resistance soil-borne viruses virus resistance wheat 340 344 5 03/22/22 20220415 NES 220415 Acknowledgements We would like to thank the Federal I Ex situ i Gene Bank (IPK Gatersleben) for providing the seeds of wild relatives, Dr Xingguo Ye and Dr Ke Wang (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences) for assistance on wheat transformation, Zhentian He and Shiqiang Chen (Agricultural Sciences Institute in Jiangsu Lixiahe Area) for help on field trials of wheat relatives, and Simon G. Krattinger (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) for critical comments. Simultaneous editing of host factor gene TaPDIL5-1 homoeoalleles confers wheat yellow mosaic virus resistance in hexaploid wheat Furthermore, this study demonstrates a strategy to recover recessive resistance genes against viruses in an allopolyploid species by identifying the susceptibility genes in its diploid progenitors (e.g. I T. urartu i , I A. speltoides i , and I A. tauschii i ) or relatives (e.g. I Triticum monococcum i and I H. vulgare i ), followed by manipulation of their homoeologues in transformable varieties via genome editing. More than 90% of genes in the wheat genome generally have two or three homoeologues with an average of 97.2% identity in their coding sequences (International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium, 2018), showing high levels of functional redundancy (i.e. wheat powdery mildew resistance gene I MLO i ) (Wang I et al i ., 2014). [Extracted from the article]

Russian wheat aphid (RWA) Diuraphis noxia is a global pest of small grains, such as wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oat (Avena L.), and rye (Secale L.). Though laborious and time‐consuming in terms of efforts required to eliminate the unwanted traits, wheat landraces have been widely used in breeding programs to deliver resistance sources and genes responsive to RWA among other stresses. Continuous exploitation of resistance traits/alleles in the landraces should be prioritized as a RWA intervention strategy to minimize its devastating impacts on wheat. Eighty donor lines were evaluated for their resistance to four South African RWA biotypes, namely RWASA1, RWASA2, RWASA3, and RWASA4. The collection was composed of 74 donor lines and six breeding lines collected from Afghanistan (38), Iran (22), Pakistan (11), United States (4), South Africa (2), Turkey (1), Georgia (1), and Egypt (1). Majority of the accessions were susceptible to RWASA3. Of the 80 accessions evaluated, 14 were uniformly resistant to moderately resistant to RWASA1, 9 to RWASA2, 7 to RWASA3, and 9 to RWASA4. A heterogeneous resistance (resistant–moderately resistant: ≥ 50%) was recorded in 18 accessions for RWASA1, 28 for RWASA2, 13 for RWASA3, and 17 for RWASA4. In addition, 25 genotypes performed comparably to the check genotype CItr 2401, with resistance to all four RWA biotypes. Selection of resistant lines for genetic improvement of RWA resistance is of paramount importance. The use of genotypes conferring both high levels and moderate resistance could offer scope for effective resistance to RWA in wheat. The merits of their exclusive resistance should be emphasized in prebreeding programs. Core Ideas: Different reactions are expressed by genotypes against Russian wheat aphid biotypes.Screening of landraces and selection of the best resistance from each one is important.This approach may be beneficial for identifying resistance to newer biotypes.For this reason, this work studied landraces for resistance to South African Russian wheat aphids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non‐host resistance is the resistance of plants against all so‐called non‐adapted pathogens, and is considered the most durable and efficient immune system of plants. We investigated barley powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei, Bgh)‐triggered defence responses in seven wheat genotypes, and the induction of resistance by this non‐host pathogen to challenge infection with leaf rust, Puccinia triticina Eriks (formerly known as Puccinia recondita f.sp. tritici). Bright‐field and ultraviolet microscopy revealed that although the germination of conidia on non‐host wheat leaves was generally lower than on host barley leaves, the 100% germination on Mv Mambó and only 50% germination on Mv 1 wheat genotypes are the two extremes. If we consider only the germinated conidia, papilla formation was the most frequently observed interaction on Mv 2 (90%) and Mv 4 (88%) genotypes. Epidermal cell death was pronounced on Mv Mambó (31%), but rare on Mv 2 (10%) and Mv 4 (11%), and a mesophyll hypersensitive response could even be detected. At sites of penetration attempts accumulation of H2O2 was shown by 3,3′‐diaminobenzidine staining. Ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione S‐transferase and catalase enzyme activities were augmented by 24.5%, 40.4%, and 21.5%, respectively, in wheat leaves 2 days after Bgh infection. Primary inoculation with Bgh, although with high variability, reduced the number of pustules in all wheat genotypes at first and third leaf stages upon inoculation with leaf rust races 12 and 61 by 10%–70% depending on the genotype, leaf stage and rust race. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In wheat and barley, grain yield is strongly affected by waterlogging, especially during the period immediately previous to anthesis. Although waterlogging reduces grain yield mainly by reductions in grain number, mean grain weight (MGW) is also frequently reduced. The aim of this work was to determine whether increases in the source‐sink ratio produces smaller reductions in MGW due to waterlogging in wheat and barley. Two experiments were carried out combining a waterlogging condition 20 days pre‐anthesis, two soil N conditions at sowing and source‐sink manipulations during grain‐filling (untrimmed or 50% trimmed spikes). Waterlogging reduced MGW in both species up to 35% in wheat and 44% in barley. The negative effect of waterlogging on MGW was intensified with warmer temperatures and higher atmospheric demand. Increases in the source‐sink ratio during the grain‐filling period (by trimming treatments) showed a positive impact on MGW in wheat (up to 40%) and barley (up to 20%) under waterlogging conditions. For both species, grain weight response to increases in source‐sink ratio was higher at lower grain weight and/or spike hierarchies (i.e. spikes from tillers). Our results showed that waterlogging during pre‐anthesis affected grain weight through a reduction in the source during grain‐filling and a possible impact on potential grain weight, depending on the intensity of the stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly alkaline soils are widespread throughout south‐eastern Australia. High pH limits the accumulation and retention of organic carbon (C), and thus the availability of nutrients to crops and is also associated with various elemental deficiencies and toxicities that restrict crop productivity. Applying gypsum and increasing legume production reduce pH and improve soil chemical and physical properties in alkaline, sodic soils, but this strategy has not been explored in alkaline soils in the region where many of the topsoils are non‐sodic. Five short‐term rotation experiments were conducted to examine the potential to reduce pH, improve soil organic C and increase crop production. In the first year, three legumes—field peas (Pisum sativum), vetch (Vicia sativa) and a medic pasture (Medicago spp.)—were grown at low or high inputs of seed and fertilizer and with three rates of gypsum (0, 2.5 t/ha and 5.0 t/ha). In the following seasons, wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) were grown. Using high sowing and fertilizer rates to increase legume biomass had little effect on soil properties; however, applying gypsum consistently resulted in a lower soil pH and dissolved organic C and higher organic C compared with the unamended control to a depth of 0.20–0.30 m. The largest difference occurred with 2.5 t gypsum/ha with little further change at 5 t/ha. Gypsum significantly increased biomass and grain yield at sites with low concentrations of calcium carbonate. Low rates of gypsum may be effective in reducing pH, maintaining soil organic C and improving crop production in regions with alkaline soils low in calcium carbonate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation agricultural systems have a long history of development and use in the southeastern United States, but they are still not the norm on the landscape. Literature from the region suggests that a diversity of soil properties can be improved with cover cropping and conservation tillage, but results are not always consistent. Our objectives were to (a) review recent research on conservation tillage and cover cropping in the region and (b) compile and synthesize recent data from a diversity of farms along a conventional to conservation gradient. As part of recent on‐farm trials focused on soil N availability, we analyzed soil organic C and N fractions and routine soil nutrient characteristics from a total of 196 fields in corn (Zea mays L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) production in three physiographic regions of the Coastal Plain (n = 71 fields), Piedmont (n = 77 fields), and Appalachians (n = 48 fields) in North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. These data allowed us to establish first estimates of threshold optima for soil organic C and N fractions and other inorganic nutrients. On‐farm data confirmed the literature review that conservation tillage resulted in greater stratification of soil organic C and N and nutrient concentrations. Soil health improvement could be inferred along the gradient from inversion tillage to no tillage without cover cropping to no tillage with cover cropping. This collection of recent literature and on‐farm data can be a useful starting point for establishing target limits and assessing soil health conditions on farms in the region. Core Ideas: There was significant improvement in soil organic C and N and inorganic nutrients with no‐till and covers.Soil health improved with adoption of no‐till compared with inversion tillage.There was weak evidence for soil health improvement with multi‐species covers compared to single species.Soil‐test biological activity and net N mineralization are effective indicators of soil health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specific scope: This Standard describes the procedure by which consignments of seed and grain of cereals are subjected to import control, including sampling and detection. This Standard covers seed and grain from wheat (Triticum aestivum, Triticum durum), triticale (Triticosecale), rice (Oryza sativa), rye (Secale cereale), oat (Avena sativa), barley (Hordeum vulgare), maize (Zea mays) and millets (Sorghum spp. and others). Contamination of seed lots by invasive alien plants is not considered in this Standard. This Standard does not cover small consignments imported for trials or breeding purposes. Specific approval: First approved in 2015‐09. Revision approved in 2021‐09. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The naked barley was germinated and then carried out with hot air‐ or infrared drying to explore the physicochemical and functional properties of protein isolated from barley. Moreover, the relationship between protein and the noodles made from wheat and germinated barley flour was evaluated. It was found that germination affected the protein properties, and the protein properties were correlated with the properties of noodles. The content of β‐sheet in protein was first increased and then decreased with germination time increased, and the protein had larger emulsification and foaming properties. Besides, the protein isolated from hot air‐dried germinated barley had higher gelatinisation enthalpy and secondary structure content. Furthermore, the wheat and germinated barley mixed noodles had increased elasticity and cohesiveness and reduced viscosity and water absorption. The hardness of noodles showed was positively correlated with water absorption capacity, and the extensibility of cooked noodles was positively correlated with the foaming capacity of proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brief history: In 1993, severe mosaic and necrosis symptoms were observed on corn (maize) and wheat from several Great Plains states of the USA. Based on the geographical location of infections, the disease was named High Plains disease and the causal agent was tentatively named High Plains virus. Subsequently, researchers renamed this virus as maize red stripe virus and wheat mosaic virus to represent the host and symptom phenotype of the virus. After sequencing the genome of the pathogen, the causal agent of High Plains disease was officially named as High Plains wheat mosaic virus. Hence, High Plains virus, maize red stripe virus, wheat mosaic virus, and High Plains wheat mosaic virus (HPWMoV) are synonyms for the causal agent of High Plains disease. Taxonomy: High Plains wheat mosaic virus is one of the 21 definitive species in the genus Emaravirus in the family Fimoviridae. Virion: The genomic RNAs are encapsidated in thread‐like nucleocapsids in double‐membrane 80–200 nm spherical or ovoid virions. Genome characterization: The HPWMoV genome consists of eight single‐stranded negative‐sense RNA segments encoding a single open reading frame (ORF) in each genomic RNA segment. RNA 1 is 6,981‐nucleotide (nt) long, coding for a 2,272 amino acid protein of RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase. RNA 2 is 2,211‐nt long and codes for a 667 amino acid glycoprotein precursor. RNA 3 has two variants of 1,439‐ and 1,441‐nt length that code for 286 and 289 amino acid nucleocapsid proteins, respectively. RNA 4 is 1,682‐nt long, coding for a 364 amino acid protein. RNA 5 and RNA 6 are 1,715‐ and 1,752‐nt long, respectively, and code for 478 and 492 amino acid proteins, respectively. RNA 7 and RNA 8 are 1,434‐ and 1,339‐nt long, code for 305 and 176 amino acid proteins, respectively. Biological properties: HPWMoV can infect wheat, corn (maize), barley, rye brome, oat, rye, green foxtail, yellow foxtail, and foxtail barley. HPWMoV is transmitted by the wheat curl mite and through corn seed. Disease management: Genetic resistance against HPWMoV in wheat is not available, but most commercial corn hybrids are resistant while sweet corn varieties remain susceptible. Even though corn hybrids are resistant to virus, it still serves as a green bridge host that enables mites to carry the virus from corn to new crop wheat in the autumn. The main management strategy for High Plains disease in wheat relies on the management of green bridge hosts. Cultural practices such as avoiding early planting can be used to avoid mite buildup and virus infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non‐crop plants such as grasses and volunteer plants are an inseparable part of the flora of crop fields and can influence virus incidence in crop plants. The presence of grasses as virus reservoirs can lead to a higher probability of virus incidence in crop plants. However, the role of reservoirs as an inoculum source in agricultural fields has not been well studied for many viral diseases of crops. Grasses have been found to constitute potential reservoirs for cereal‐infecting viruses in different parts of the world. This study revealed that cereal‐infecting viruses such as wheat dwarf virus (WDV), barley yellow dwarf viruses (BYDVs), and cereal yellow dwarf virus‐RPV (CYDV‐RPV) can be found among ryegrass growing in or around winter wheat fields. Phylogenetic analysis showed that a WDV isolate from ryegrass was a typical WDV‐E isolate that infects wheat. Similarly, a ryegrass isolate of barley yellow dwarf virus‐PAV (BYDV‐PAV) grouped in a clade together with other BYDV‐PAV isolates. Inoculation experiments under greenhouse conditions confirmed that annual ryegrass of various genotypes can be infected with WDV to a very low titre. Moreover, leafhoppers were able to acquire WDV from infected ryegrass plants, despite the low titre, and transmit the virus to wheat, resulting in symptoms. Information from the grass reservoir may contribute to improving strategies for controlling plant virus outbreaks in the field. Knowledge of the likely levels of virus in potential reservoir plants can be used to inform decisions on insect vector control strategies and may help to prevent virus disease outbreaks in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement: Cereal crops such as wheat and barley provide key nutritional elements to the human diet. However, the distribution of nutrients within the cereal grain itself is critically important, as nutrients can be lost during the grain milling process. Mycorrhizal fungi can take up nutrients from the soil and deliver them to plants, and consequently, grain nutrient content can be modified by inoculation of the soil with mycorrhizal fungi. Here we show at the microscopic level how mycorrhizal fungi modify the concentration and distribution of nutrients within wheat and barley grain, and consider the impact of this for human nutrition. SummaryThe concentration and distribution of nutrients in cereal grains are critically important for human nutrition. Mycorrhizal fungi affect the yield and nutrition of cereal crops, but there has been little focus on the effects on the grain, particularly at the microscopic level. Although arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can modify grain nutrient concentrations relative to mock‐inoculated plants, it is not known whether this contributes to modifications to the distribution of nutrients within the grain.Barley and bread wheat plants were grown to maturity with or without AMF (Rhizophagus irregularis) inoculation in soil amended with 20 mg added zinc kg−1. The resulting grain from matured plants was dried, fixed and sectioned to the root primordia level, then subjected to laser ablation ICP‐MS to analyse the distribution and concentration of 12 elements.Elemental concentration and localisation in the grain samples was highly influenced by plant species, and for some elements, AMF inoculation. Heavy metals (zinc, iron, manganese, copper, cobalt and nickel) were the most highly influenced by AMF inoculation, particularly in wheat; macronutrients including phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and sulphur were also affected by AMF, particularly in barley.Elemental concentrations, particularly of macronutrients, tended to be greater in mycorrhizal barley grain than non‐mycorrhizal, but the reverse was observed in wheat grain. Mycorrhizal plants of both species had reduced accumulation of manganese, nickel and cobalt in the grain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Normal feeding behaviours is one of the criteria of the health condition of dairy cows particularly in the condition of heat stress. Objective: The study evaluated the effects of the ratio of pellets of wheat and barley grains to ground corn grain on sorting activity and chewing behaviour of lactating dairy cows managed under ambient conditions including natural heat stress events. Materials and Methods: Nine multiparous cows (650 ± 56 kg Body Weight; mean ± SD) averaging 102 ± 13 days in milk and producing 54 ± 6 kg/d were randomly assigned to a triplicate 3 × 3 Latin square. During each 21‐d period, cows received one of three total mixed rations as dietary treatments. The dietary treatments were three ratio of pellets (containing 50% ground wheat and 50% ground barley): ground corn on a dry matter (DM) basis: 1) 33.3:66.6 (low); 2) 66.6:33.3 (medium); and 3) 100:0 (high). During the experiment, the ambient temperature‐humidity index was equal or more than 72, indicating that the cows were predisposed to heat stress condition. Results: Increasing the proportion of wheat‐barley pellets in the diet had a minimal effect on sorting index of different particles during the first 6 h of the day. However, later in the day (6‐18h), sorting against long particles (particles >19 mm) and in favour of fine particles (particles <1.18 mm) linearly increased with increasing the proportion of pellet; as a result overall daily sorting against long particles was increased with increasing the proportion of pellets. Although the average of daily eating and rumination was not affected by the treatments in the day times with high ambient THI, time spent for eating and rumination was low and eating time had more fluctuation for diet contained a high level of pellets. Conclusion: Increasing the proportion of pellets of barley and wheat grains in the diet under conditions of heat stress caused more fluctuation in daily eating behaviour and cows were predisposed to sort against long particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil health indicators that link to ecosystem services, such as water and nutrient cycling, crop yield, environmental quality, and biodiversity, are needed. We measured 65 soil physical, chemical, and biological properties as potential soil health indicators from a 36‐yr‐old tillage and cropping system experiment and related these properties to crop yield in eastern Montana. Tillage and cropping systems were fall and spring‐till continuous spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (FSTCW), no‐till continuous spring wheat (NTCW), no‐till spring wheat–barley (Hordeum vulgare L., 1984–1999) replaced by spring wheat–pea (Pisum sativum L., 2000–2019) (NTWP), and spring till spring wheat–fallow (STWF, traditional system). Soil aggregation and stability, Al, Cd, Fe, Mn, P, and Pb concentrations, soil organic matter, water‐extractable C and N, CO2 flush, β‐glucosidase, and autoclaved citrate‐extractable protein (ACEP) were lower, but bulk density was greater with STWF than other treatments. Mean crop yield across years was also lower with STWF than other treatments. Multivariate analysis indicated that most promising soil health indicators that related to crop yield were CO2 flush, KMnO4–extractable C, and Ca, Al, and Fe concentrations. Absence of crops during the fallow period reduced soil health indicators and crop yield with STWF compared to NTCW and NTWP. Because of significant response to management practices and relationship to crop yield, soil biological properties may be used in a routine test to measure soil health in addition to physical and chemical properties. Core Ideas: Measurement of comprehensive soil health indicators in long‐term experiments is lacking. Sixty‐five potential soil health indicators and crop yield were measured in a long‐term experiment. Crop‐fallow reduced 6 physical, 8 chemical, and 15 biological soil properties compared to continuous cropping. Most promising soil health indicators that related to crop yield were CO2 flush, KMnO4‐extractable C, Ca, Al, and Fe concentrations. Biological properties, such as labile C fractions, may be used as robust measurement of soil health indicators in addition to chemical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waterlogging is a severe stress that constrains crop production. We studied ecophysiological traits related to waterlogging tolerance in wheat, barley oilseed rape and field pea. Outdoor experiments using canopies of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) and field pea (Pisum sativum L.) were subjected to a 14‐day‐waterlogging at early (vegetative) or late (reproductive) stages and a non‐waterlogged treatment (as control). Leaf area index (LAI), radiation interception, radiation use efficiency (RUE) and aerial dry matter were monitored along the life‐cycle; quantifying yield and its components at maturity. Wheat was able to withstand waterlogging, with similar yields than controls. Barley showed no differences in yield at early stage, but late‐waterlogging resulted in 64%–66% lower yield owing to fewer spikes/m2 and poor recovery of radiation interception and RUE. Oilseed rape showed yield penalization due to waterlogging, but responses differed from 17%–30% to 42%–69% for early and late stages, respectively; due to the limited ability to restore radiation interception and RUE in late stage; and the additional losses in seed number and weight. Field pea was unable to restore LAI, radiation interception, or RUE and suffered substantial yield reductions (85%–100%). Wheat could be cultivated in areas prone to transient waterlogging (i.e., early or late stages) of up to 2 weeks; barley and rapeseed are recommended only with waterlogging occurring in early stages and field pea is not suitable for areas facing waterlogging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The present study aimed to utilise Dicoccum wheat (DW), barley (BF) and soya flour (SF) in the development of low in vitro starch digestibility (IVSD) and estimated glycaemic index (EGI) PB. The BF and SF are mixed (1:1) (BFSF) and used to replace DW at 25%, 50% and 75% level and compared with 100% DW. The quality characteristics (rheological, physical, textural and chemical), IVSD and EGI of PB were determined. The incorporation of BFSF to DW increased the farinograph water absorption capacity (58.1%–64.2%) and mixing tolerance index (21‐68 FU), and decreased the dough development time (4.3–2.8 min) and amylograph pasting properties, respectively. Further, the thickness, shear force and redness were decreased and lightness and yellowness increased. Based on the physico‐sensory studies, 50% of BFSF along with emulsifier's incorporation was optimum without affecting any sensory parameters and this PB had decreased IVSD (31) and EGI (54) when compared to the control 37 and 63, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dryland wheat production potential in the northern Great Plains (NGP) often is limited by N availability affected by various management practices. A 4‐yr study was conducted in northeast Montana to relate spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity and N utilization to management system (conventional and ecological), tillage (till and no‐till), and four crop rotations (continuous spring wheat, spring wheat–pea [Pisum sativum L.], spring wheat–hay barley [Hordeum vulgare L.]–pea, and spring wheat–hay barley–corn [Zea mays L.]–pea). Ecological management included greater seeding rates, delayed planting dates, banded N fertilizer, and increased stubble height compared with conventional management with standard seeding rates and planting dates, short stubble height, and broadcast N fertilizer. Continuous spring wheat showed the lowest grain yield, with the least efficient utilization of N compared with 2‐, 3‐, and 4‐yr rotations. Mineral nitrogen use efficiency was 37% lower for continuous wheat than for other rotations. Increasing the complexity of crop rotation had little impact on wheat production or N relationships. The delayed planting date associated with ecological management of spring wheat contributed to 33% less efficient use of N compared with an early planting date with conventional management. Overall, results indicated that crop rotation and management system often affected N relationships with wheat production, whereas the effects of tillage differed with year. Differences in yield and N use of spring wheat varied among years, underscoring the need to refine management systems given the highly variable precipitation patterns typical of the NGP. Core Ideas: Wheat in 2‐, 3‐, and 4‐yr rotations utilized N more efficiently than continuous wheat.Increasing the level of crop diversity had little impact on N relationships in wheat.Delayed planting date impaired N utilization in wheat.Tillage inconsistently improved wheat N utilization in wet years.No‐till inconsistently improved wheat N utilization in dry years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waterlogging is a stress that affects wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L. ssp. distichum) yield. This work aimed at analysing the impact of a waterlogging event during pre‐anthesis (critical period) on yield, its numerical components and their relationships with plant growth rate in wheat and barley. Two pot experiments were carried out under contrasting environmental conditions (early and late sowing date), in which six wheat and six barley cultivars were exposed to control and waterlogging conditions imposed c. 18 days prior to anthesis. Measurements included total above‐ground biomass at the beginning and at the end of the waterlogging treatment and at maturity, when grain yield and its numerical components were also measured. Wheat showed higher yield losses (−76%) due to waterlogging than barley (−49%). Grain yield was explained by both numerical components (the number of grains per plant and grain weight), which better correlated with the relative growth rate of plants during the post‐stress recovery than during the waterlogging period. Plant growth during the recovery period should be targeted as a key factor to estimate yield losses from waterlogging in these cereals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development and optimization of a Barley stripe mosaic virus-mediated gene editing system to improve Fusarium head blight resistance in wheat The multiplex gene editing system effectively delivered gRNA and precisely edited the target wheat gene although the mutation efficiency was slightly lower (41% for I TaPDS i and 47% for I TaHRC i ) than those for singleplex gene editing (Figure 1c, d, e). Keywords: wheat; Fusarium head blight; Fhb1; CRISPR/Cas9; BSMV-mediated genome editing EN wheat Fusarium head blight Fhb1 CRISPR/Cas9 BSMV-mediated genome editing 1018 1020 3 05/26/22 20220601 NES 220601 Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by I Fusarium graminearum i is a destructive wheat ( I Triticum aestivum i ) disease worldwide (Bai I et al i ., 2018). [Extracted from the article]

In the last 20 years, stem rust caused by the fungus Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt), has re‐emerged as a major threat to wheat and barley production in Africa and Europe. In contrast to wheat with 60 designated stem rust (Sr) resistance genes, barley's genetic variation for stem rust resistance is very narrow with only ten resistance genes genetically identified. Of these, only one complex locus consisting of three genes is effective against TTKSK, a widely virulent Pgt race of the Ug99 tribe which emerged in Uganda in 1999 and has since spread to much of East Africa and parts of the Middle East. The objective of this study was to assess the functionality, in barley, of cloned wheat Sr genes effective against race TTKSK. Sr22, Sr33, Sr35 and Sr45 were transformed into barley cv. Golden Promise using Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation. All four genes were found to confer effective stem rust resistance. The barley transgenics remained susceptible to the barley leaf rust pathogen Puccinia hordei, indicating that the resistance conferred by these wheat Sr genes was specific for Pgt. Furthermore, these transgenic plants did not display significant adverse agronomic effects in the absence of disease. Cloned Sr genes from wheat are therefore a potential source of resistance against wheat stem rust in barley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agroforestry systems are reported as climate‐resilient productive systems, but it is yet unclear how tree shade affects crops performance. The aim of this work was to assess how the phenology, plant traits and grain yield of wheat and barley were affected by shade. In an open greenhouse experiment, we cultivated in pots nine cultivars differing in precocity for each species and imposed three artificial shading levels (S0 ~ 0%, S1 ~ 25%, S2 ~ 50%) at the start of cereal booting. Our results showed that shade speeded up first growth stages in both species, until the starting of milk development. Barley showed consistent phenological responses to the three irradiance levels among cultivars, but not wheat that showed larger phenological differences among cultivars at moderate shade. Deep shade prolonged the time needed for wheat grain ripening. Both species increased grain yield by 15%–20% with shade, driven by shade‐acclimations of plant traits that differed among species. For wheat, grain yield was determined by the assemblage of traits that contribute to yield, such as grain weight, precocity and non‐photochemical quenching, while, for barley, SPAD value, precocity to reach phenological stages, grains per spike and plant height had the strongest influence. These traits varied widely among cultivars and seem of interest to identify best suited cultivars for shading conditions of Mediterranean agroforestry systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]