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Natural and synthetic phytohormones are widely used in agriculture. The synthetic cytokinin ethylenediurea (EDU) induces protection in plants against ozone phytotoxicity. In our study, new hybrid derivatives of EDU were synthesized and tested for phytoactivity. The germination potential (Gp), germination of seeds (G), and relative water content in leaves (RWC), characterizing the drought resistance of plants, were determined. The results of laboratory studies showed that EDU and its hybrid derivatives have a positive effect on root length, the growth and development of shoots, as well as the ability of plants to tolerate stress caused by a lack of water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium culmorum is a major wheat pathogen, and its secondary metabolites (mycotoxins) cause damage to plants, animals, and human health. In the era of sustainable agriculture, eco-friendly methods of prevention and control are constantly needed. The use of plant extracts as biocontrol agents has gained popularity as they are a source of active substances that play a crucial role in fighting against phytopathogens. This study evaluated the impact of Lamium album on wheat seed germination and seedling growth. In a pot experiment, the effect of L. album on wheat seedlings artificially inoculated with F. culmorum was evaluated by measuring seedling growth parameters, and by using chromatographic methods, ergosterol and mycotoxins levels were analyzed. The results showed that the phytotoxic effect of L. album flower extracts on wheat seed germination and seedling growth was concentration dependent. The radicle length was also reduced compared to the control; however, L. albumdid not significantly affect the dry weight of the radicle. A slight phytotoxic effect on seed germination was observed, but antifungal effects on artificially infected wheat seedlings were also confirmed with the reduction of ergosterol level and mycotoxins accumulation in the roots and leaves after 21 days of inoculation. F. culmorumDNA was identified in the control samples only. Overall, this study is a successful in planta study showing L. album flower extract protection of wheat against the pathogen responsible for Fusarium crown and root rot. Further research is essential to study the effects of L. album extracts on key regulatory genes for mycotoxin biosynthetic pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat seed detection has important applications in calculating thousand-grain weight and crop breeding. In order to solve the problems of seed accumulation, adhesion, and occlusion that can lead to low counting accuracy, while ensuring fast detection speed with high accuracy, a wheat seed counting method is proposed to provide technical support for the development of the embedded platform of the seed counter. This study proposes a lightweight real-time wheat seed detection model, YOLOv8-HD, based on YOLOv8. Firstly, we introduce the concept of shared convolutional layers to improve the YOLOv8 detection head, reducing the number of parameters and achieving a lightweight design to improve runtime speed. Secondly, we incorporate the Vision Transformer with a Deformable Attention mechanism into the C2f module of the backbone network to enhance the network's feature extraction capability and improve detection accuracy. The results show that in the stacked scenes with impurities (severe seed adhesion), the YOLOv8-HD model achieves an average detection accuracy (mAP) of 77.6%, which is 9.1% higher than YOLOv8. In all scenes, the YOLOv8-HD model achieves an average detection accuracy (mAP) of 99.3%, which is 16.8% higher than YOLOv8. The memory size of the YOLOv8-HD model is 6.35 MB, approximately 4/5 of YOLOv8. The GFLOPs of YOLOv8-HD decrease by 16%. The inference time of YOLOv8-HD is 2.86 ms (on GPU), which is lower than YOLOv8. Finally, we conducted numerous experiments and the results showed that YOLOv8-HD outperforms other mainstream networks in terms of mAP, speed, and model size. Therefore, our YOLOv8-HD can efficiently detect wheat seeds in various scenarios, providing technical support for the development of seed counting instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed vigor is a crucial indicator comprehensively assessing the quality of seeds, reflecting the growth advantage and production potential of seeds, and has a significant effect on seeds' stress resistance. Identifying and controlling loci related to wheat seed vigor is essential for accelerating genetic trait gains. Here, we performed a large genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify several significant quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with seed vigor-related traits. A total of 404 wheat samples with diverse genetic backgrounds were used as experimental materials. Twenty-eight loci significantly associated with seed vigor-related traits in wheat were identified, distributed on chromosomes 3A, 4A, 5B, 7A, and 7B. Two potential novel loci controlling wheat seed vigor were discovered, with a total of 80 candidate genes associated with seed vigor located on these loci. Among them, TraesCS4A01G020000.1 encodes a late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) protein gene, and TraesCS5B01G298500.1 encodes a helicase gene, both showing specific expression in seeds and highly correlated with seed vigor. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights for the future application of these genes in wheat breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The factors influencing on seed germination and wheat yield are such as the optimum use of tillage and seeding methods. This study was a randomized complete block experimental design with four treatments and four replications to determine the suitable tillage method for a grain drill with bent leg opener (bent leg grain drill) and also determine the effect of these implements on soil moisture conservation and rainfed wheat yield in dry soil conditions. Treatments were seeding wheat by a bent leg grain drill in four tillage application of direct seeding (no-tillage), bent leg tillage (reduced tillage), bent leg tillage + disc (reduced tillage), and chisel plough + disc (conventional tillage). Results indicated that tillage methods and seeding wheat by the bent leg grain drill affected residue remained on the soil surface, soil bulk density, soil moisture, seedling emergence percent and wheat yield. Reduce tillage by the bent leg tillage implement and seeding by the bent leg grain drill increased residue remained on the soil surface (31%), seedling emergence (26%), soil moisture conservation before harvesting (22.9%), and wheat yield (19.8%) compared to the conventional tillage. The bent leg tillage provides a proper seedbed for seeding wheat with less passes of tractor in dry soil conditions. The results show that the technology of bent leg tillage and bent leg grain drill has the potential to increase soil moisture conservation and wheat yield in rainfed conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A factorial pots experiment (2x2x4) was carried out using completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications, in Qlyasan Research Station / College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences / University of Sulaimani during Nov.25,2018 and Jun.2,2019, to determine the effects of seed bank sterilization, wheat seed cleaning and soil of different four locations and their interactions on weed control, yield of bread wheat Triticum aestivum L. (var. Adana) and yield components. The first factor was wheat seeds, machinery cleaned seeds (A1) and non-cleaned seeds (A2), the second factor was soil sterilization: sterilized soil (S1) and non-sterilized soil (S2), while the third factor was soils from four different locations: Qlyasan (L1), Kani Panka (L2), Halabja (L3) and Chamchamal (L4). Results showed that machinery seed cleaning decreased weed dry weight (WDW), and increased number of spikes (NS), total spikes weight (TSW), and grain yield (GY). Soil sterilization decreased WDW and increased plant height (PH), NS, TSW, and grain yield. L2and L4 recorded the lowest WDW, and L2 recorded the highest NS, TSW and GY. Interaction treatment A1S1decreased WDW and increased PH, NS, TSW and GY. Interaction treatment A1L2 decreased WDW and increased NS, TSW and GY. Interaction treatment S1L2 decreased WDW and increased NS, TSW and GY. Triple interaction A1S1L2 decreased WDW and increased NS, TSW and GY significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ozone treatment of corn seeds with respect to determination on changes in germination ability, germination under salt stress, seedling growth, seedling root length, conductivity and inactivation of endogenous microflora was studied. Corn seeds immersed in water treated by fixed ozone dose of 12.5 g/m3 for 1 (1O3), 3 (2O3) and 5 min (3O3) at room temperature. Ozone treatment provided full germination (100%) of the corn seeds on the 2nd day; whereas 66.6% of the control seeds germinated on the 8th days after planting. Ozone treated seedling were significantly taller and stronger than the control samples with significantly longer seedling root. Germination under 100 mM salt stress for ozone treated seeds was significantly higher than that of the control samples. Electrical conductivity of the seeds was significantly affected by the measurement time rather than ozone treatments. Ozone treatments provided significant inactivation on total aerobic mesophilic bacteria and total mold and yeast of the endogenous bacteria revealing maximum of 5.31 and 6.15 log reductions, respectively. It was concluded that ozone treatment at 12.5 g/m3 for 5 min can be utilized to treat corn seeds as these treatment parameters provided maximum inactivation on endogenous microflora with improvement of vigor and stronger seedling formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-growth-promoting bacteria are an important economic and environmental resource as biofertilizers that can stimulate plant growth and improve agricultural yields. In this study, potential plant growth-promoting bacteria were isolated from soil samples collected in Russia. Strains that manifested active growth on a nitrogen-free medium, the Pikovskaya medium (with insoluble phosphates) and CAS (Chrome Azurol S) agar, were selected for the study. All bacterial isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. Seventeen bacterial isolates of different species were purified and quantified for their ability to grow on nitrogen-free media; dissolve phosphate; and produce ammonium, indole-3-acetic acid, siderophores, and antifungal activity. Principal component analysis identified three groups of strains: one with the maximum signs of providing "plant nutrition"; one with signs of "antimicrobial activity"; and a group "without outstanding signs". All 17 strains were involved in experiments involving growing inoculated wheat seeds (Triticum aestivum) in pots under natural environmental conditions, and were assessed by their effect on the wheat growth and yield as well as on the chemical composition of the soil. For the "plant nutrition" group, regression analysis revealed a connection between indicators of plant growth, ear length, and ammonium accumulation in the soil. However, in other groups, there were also strains showing a positive effect on plant growth, which suggests the necessity of involving additional factors to predict the ability of strains to affect plants when screened in the laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Gas–solid two-phase flow coupling simulation is widely used to study the working process of pneumatic seed dischargers. Due to the demand for deterministic particle orbit numerical calculation models, seeds are mostly modeled using the particle aggregation method, where the seed model is formed through particle aggregation bonding without overlapping. The smaller the radius and the more filled ball particles used in this method, the closer they resemble the real morphology of the seed. However, this results in the over-consumption of simulation computational resources and simulation time growth. In this study, we used wheat seeds as the research object, studied the effect of seed models with different filled ball radii on the kinetic response characteristics between the particles, and searched for the optimal number of filled ball particles for the seed model. With the help of three-dimensional scanning and inverse fitting methods to obtain the seed profile, we used different radii (0.2 mm, 0.24 mm, 0.28 mm, 0.32 mm, 0.36 mm, and 0.4 mm) to fill the ball particles, and formed a wheat particle bonding model for a gas–solid coupling simulation. We used a combination of real tests and simulation measurements of bottomless cylinder-lifting and slip-stacking. The interspecies static and dynamic friction factors in seed models with different radii of filled spherical particles were first calibrated using the angle of repose as an index. Then, the parameters were verified using bottomless cylinder lifting and slip stacking tests, which used the coefficient of variation for the simulation test's angle of repose as an index. Our results show that the smaller the radius of the filled ball, the closer the simulation results were to the real value. Validation was conducted using a gas–solid coupling simulation of an air-blown wheat seed discharger, with the seed filling rate as an index. Our results showed that the simulation length and simulation accuracy were optimal when the radius of the filling particle was 0.32 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity is challenging agriculture by reducing crop productivity. Endophytes from halophyte plants have the potential to alleviate salinity stress in crops. Here, 78 bacterial strains were recovered from 10 habitat-adapted halophyte plants in the central deserts of Iran. Eight superior halotolerant strains tolerating 3 M NaCl, were identified as the Gram-positive genera Bacillus and Oceanobacillus (Bacillaceae), Brachybacterium (Dermabacteraceae), Micrococcus (Micrococcaceae), and Salinicoccus (Staphylococcaceae). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the most halotolerant strain, i.e., Salinicoccus hispanicus, experienced accelerated binary fission under salinity. Furthermore, seeds of the two winter wheat cultivars, i.e., cv. Homa (rain-fed) and cv. Mihan (irrigated), inoculated by those bacteria, showed enhanced germination indices under different salinity gradients, and also under normal conditions. Indeed, the superior bacteria, i.e., Oceanobacillus sp. strain 76, Micrococcus luteus strain 14, and Bacillus sp. strain 7, enhanced seed germination indices in both wheat cultivars including final seed germinations, as well as the root, shoot and seedling lengths. These strains were capable of producing the plant hormone auxin (IAA). Thus, we propose that halotolerant endophytic bacteria from desert-adapted halophyte plants could alleviate salinity stress in strategic crops such as the wheat Triticum aestivum L., especially in dryland farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to climate change, high temperatures during sensitive developmental stages of wheat, such as seedling emergence, flowering, and grain filling, have a negative impact on yield. This study aimed to evaluate the response of wheat cultivars to high temperatures through belate sowing and using vernalized seeds, at Isparta University of Applied Sciences, Türkiye. Sowing was carried out on three dates: a winter sowing date (mid-October) and two late sowing dates (April 4 and May 1). Only control seed was used for the winter sowing, while at the late sowing control and vernalized seeds (4 and 8 week) were used. Winter sowing, a common practice in the Mediterranean climate, produced the highest grain yield (mean 5.74 t ha-1). The grain yield was 2.3 t ha-1 for sowing on April 4 and 1.3 t ha-1 for sowing on May 1, resulting in 60% and 77% yield reductions, respectively, for late sowings. Winter (WW) and alternate growth habit wheat (AW) cultivars responded differently to seed vernalization. Spring growth habit (SW) cultivars were not affected by seed vernalization treatments. The adaptability of the landrace cultivars, particularly regarding the sowing dates, was relatively higher. Seed vernalization has the potential to produce economically acceptable grain yields within a shorter growing season, and it can be considered as an alternative wheat cropping practice with appropriate cultivar selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vacuum degassing of seeds is a basic preliminary stage of the treatment process to improve the viability of seeds of various crops. In this work, the degassing process of corn seeds was experimentally and numerically analyzed by removing air or other gases from around the seeds, specifically from the seed coating, in a rough vacuum chamber. Two complementary variants were employed to understand and optimize this process to improve the quality and germination rate of the seeds. The average germination percentage on the first day was about 98%, and the germination speed of 5.0 days. Several experiments were conducted with well-established durations of 10 min and masses of 5 kg and masses of corn seeds at different temperatures to observe and record the behavior of the system, facilitating the modeling of the degasification process in the vacuum compartment. Modeling the degasification operation in the vacuum chamber allowed for determining the pressure profiles on the vacuum chamber and its lid. Numerical simulations were either conducted using a simulation program developed in the Visual Basic Applications (VBA) language for Microsoft Excel to model the degassing process in the vacuum chamber or with the assistance of specialized software (transient structural analysis and simulation program in the ANSYS Workbench environment). Statistical analysis of the correlation between experimental and estimated pressure values revealed that both the proposed mathematical model and the solution method are well-chosen, with differences expressed through the absolute error (EA) being very small, only 1.425 mbar. Structural dynamic analysis carried through the Finite Element Method (FEM) highlights that the chosen materials for manufacturing the vacuum chamber vessel (316 stainless steel—yield strength 225 MPa and tangent modulus 2091 MPa) or the chamber lid (transparent acrylic plastic—yield strength 62.35 MPa and shear modulus 1445.3 MPa) are durable and capable of withstanding the desired pressure and temperature demands in the seed treatment process. Additionally, through structural dynamic analysis, it was possible to study the deformation of system components, providing a detailed perspective on their structural distribution. Thus, the paper aims to improve the quality and survival/germination rate of corn seeds as an important step to improve corn yield through simulations and analyses (numerical and experimental) of the vacuum corn seed degassing system. The degassing process of the vacuum chamber was simulated with a simulation program developed for Microsoft Excel for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2401 Build 16.0.17231.20236) 64-bit in the VBA language and software (transient structural dynamic analysis in the ANSYS environment through FEM). Vacuum degassing of corn seeds involves the removal of air or other gases around the seeds or products, which is crucial in various fields such as the food, pharmaceutical, or space technology industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a new method of wheat production called the System of Wheat Intensification (SWI) that manages seed treatment, seed rate, spacing, weeding, and watering. The SWI and traditional methods of wheat sowing differ from each other in terms of potential yield. In comparison to the traditional method of wheat sowing, SWI allows seed treatment, which increases the number of tillers, the number of grains in spike, and the weight of the grain. Wheat seeding in the traditional approach is done at a much closer distance than in the SWI method, which results in faulty germination as a result of increased competition between the plants. In SWI, proper root formation in the early stages of crop growth can be encouraged by increasing the space between plants and rows, as well as increasing the density of plants. For small and medium-sized farmers, it is a great way to boost productivity and income while reducing food poverty at the same time. Using organic manure instead of chemical fertilizer is a new strategy that helps support sustainable agriculture. To help the poorest farmers and enhance their productivity and profit, SWI should be recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terminal irrigation drought stress is one of the most drastic abiotic stress to diminish the wheat crop development and grains yield in arid regions of the world. The use of moringa leaf extract (MLE30) via seed priming technique is investigated as an organic and sustainable approach for the mitigation of drought stress along with curtailed seed rate in wheat crop. The study investigated the interaction of organic seed priming: control (dry seeds), hydro-priming, MLE30-priming, seed rate: recommended @ 125 kg ha−1, curtailed @ 25 kg ha−1, and terminal irrigation drought (TID): normal irrigation, mild-TID, severe-TID in wheat crop at agronomic research station, Bahawalpur, Pakistan during the wheat winter season of 2021–2022 and 2022–2023. The application of organic MLE30-priming with curtailed seed rate enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity especially total soluble proteins by 15%, superoxide dismutase by 68%, peroxidase by 16%, catalase by 70%, ascorbic acid by 17% and total protein contents by 91% under severe-TID. Yield and yield-related morphological attributes performed better in MLE30-priming as compared to hydro-priming. An effective trend was observed in the plant's chlorophyll contents, K+, and water use efficiency after being treated with MLE30-priming followed by hydro-priming under curtailed seed rate. The higher benefit–cost ratio and net income return were observed with the application of MLE30-priming with curtailed seed rate under mild-TID and severe-TID. So, it is suggested to adopt the MLE30-priming technique along with a curtailed seed rate for improving the crop establishment, stress regulation, and economic return under limited availability of irrigation water. The project findings recommended that the application of exogenous application of organic MLE30-seed priming favored and compensated the maximum wheat grains production under curtailed seed rate @ 25 kg ha−1 and induced terminal drought stress at flowering and milking conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles are particularly interesting because of their potent antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Here, we have created ZnFe2O4/ZnO nanocomposites using the co-precipitation process, calcined them at various temperatures (300–750 °C), and explored their various properties. With a rise in calcination temperature, the average crystal size grows and crystallinity increases while the dislocation density and microstrain are reduced. XRD patterns and SEM pictures confirm the formation of the existing desired composites. The distinct purity of the composites was demonstrated through EDAX spectra. At a concentration of 300 μg mL−1, the nanocomposite calcined at 600 °C displays the highest anti-microbial action against Gram-positive bacterial strains like Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus megaterium and Gram-negative strains like Shigella flexneri, Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli. Escherichia coli showed the highest susceptibility to IZ 3 with a mean zone of inhibition of 22.333 ± 0.577 mm. The overall findings of the synthesized nanocomposites, especially the low-temperature product, showed improved antioxidant activity against a wide range of free radicals and these nanocomposites showed the least activity against nitric oxide (higher IC 50 value) radicals and the highest activity against the ABTS+ (lower IC 50 value) radical. IZ 1 was also found to be effective in the enhancement of wheat seed germination and seedling growth, confirming its role in promoting plant growth (increase in carbohydrate, protein and chlorophyll content by 29.65%, 36.16% and 26.66%, respectively, over the control). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humic substances influence a number of soil properties: structure, cation exchange capacity, water retention capacity, etc. At the same time, in soils and solutions, humic substances exist not in the form of individual molecules, but in the form of supramolecular formations having a fractal cluster organization (F-clusters). Consequently, F-clusters should exert their influence on soil properties. As F-clusters are tightly interconnected, to assess their influence on soil properties it is necessary to separate them. This can be done by mechanical activation—increasing the reactivity (activity) of substances during their mechanical treatment. We studied the influence of mechanical activation on some soil properties and on the development of plants in activated soils. It has been shown that the water retention capacity of soil samples from the main types of zonal soils increases by up to 35% of the initial value under the impact of mechanical activation. This can be explained from the standpoint of a decrease in the mobility of gravitational water by F-clusters in macrocapillaries. The optical density of water extracts from chernozem increased by 75% and the viscosity of soil pastes increased by 57% due to an increase in the number of F-clusters in the soil solution. Activated soils stimulated the germination of wheat seeds by 26%. This effect may be associated with the formation of films of F-clusters on the surface of seeds, which fix soil allelotoxins that slow down seed development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Seed nutripriming can be effective to support seedling growth under nutrient deficient condition. • Nutripriming (150 g L−1 Mg) affected starch metabolism modulating seedling growth in wheat. • Improved seedling growth was associated with enhanced reserves mobilization to growing embryo. • Higher grain numbers and seed yield was attributed to photochemical efficiency and stay green. Early seedling growth is an important determinant of uniform crop stand and yield in soils of low nutrient availability. Seed nutripriming can be cost effective, non-toxic, and alternative to soil and/foliar approaches to support the early seedling growth under low or nutrient deficient soil condition. The present study evaluated responses of seed nutripriming with magnesium (Mg) on the germination and seedling growth, photochemical efficiency, and yield of wheat under Mg deficient condition. Wheat seed of cv. Fsd-2008 were soaked in 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg L−1of MgSO 4.7H 2 O. Untreated dry seed and water soaked hydropriming were taken as controls. Data on seed metabolic reserves, seedling growth, photochemical efficiency and yield were determined following standard procedures. Among treatments, higher α- amylase activity, total soluble and reducing sugars were measured in seed nutriprimed with 150 mg L−1 MgSO 4.7H 2 O compared to control. These increases in seed biochemical attributes consequently improved final emergence and seedling growth in wheat. Seed nutripriming with Mg increased the photochemical efficiency and maintained chlorophyll contents during grain filling period. Seed nutripriming with 150 mg L−1 also showed higher grain numbers per spike and seed yield per plant. These increases in seedling growth due to nutripriming were associated with an increase in seed α- amylase activity which enhanced mobilization of reserves sugars towards growing embryo. Improved wheat yield by nutripriming was attributed to an increase in photochemical efficiency and stay green trait in wheat plants during grain filling. In crux, seed nutripriming with Mg can be a potential application to enhance crop performance under abiotic stress including soil limited in Mg deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to ensure the most reasonable distribution of wheat seeds in the field to improve seeding quality and uniformity, a set of negative pressure precision seed-metering device was designed, which shares a hollow shaft. Every seedmetering device can sow two rows of wheat. By the STAR-CCM+, the analysis of nephogram, vectogram and streamline graph showed that more ideal structural parameters of the seed-metering device are 0.5 mm width of the slit sucking seed (WSS), 150-200 mm diameter of the seed-metering disc (DSD), 2.0 mm axial depth of air chamber in the seed-metering disc (ADS), and arcshaped cross-section shape of the ring groove sucking seed (CSGS). Single-factor test on the JPS-12 test-bed analyzed the influence of the CSGS, WSS, DSD, and ADS on the qualified index (Iq), multiple index (Imul), miss index (Imiss) and coefficient of variation of qualified seed spacing (CV). Through the orthogonal on the JPS-12 test-bed, it is found that the influence of vacuum negative pressure and seed-metering device shaft speed is significant on the Iq, Imiss and Imul. Based on these, the structural parameters of the seed-metering device were optimized. The DSD is 180 mm, the WSS is 0.7 mm, the ADS is 2.5 mm, and the CSGS is arc-shaped. The optimization seed-metering device was tested on the JPS-12 test-bed. The Iq is 86.66%, the Imiss is 5.09%, the Imul is 8.25%, and the CV is 24.50%. These testing results fully coincide with the standard JB/T 10293-2013 Specifications of single seed drill (precision drill). The seed-metering device meets fully the requirements for wheat precision seeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of cultivated cereals including maize, rice, wheat, barley, oat and rye consist of numerous varieties lacking anthocyanin pigmentation or having weak coloration of vegetative organs and/or caryopses. Only rare local races and wild related species have intense coloration of plants and/or grains. The coloration of caryopses is associated with the biosynthesis of colored flavonoids in maternal (pericarp and testa) and hybrid (aleurone) caryopsis tissues. The trait is controlled by dominant alleles of regulatory genes encoding conserved transcription factors of the MYB, bHLH-MYC, and WD40 families forming the MBW protein complex. Recent studies have proven the participation of uncolored and colored flavonoids in the response of plants to biotic and abiotic stresses, and the significance of their presence in the whole grain foods has been determined. However, many questions about the adaptive effects and health benefits of anthocyanins remain unanswered. In particular, the reasons why the dominant alleles of regulatory genes controlling pericarp coloration did not become widespread in the course of domestication and breeding of cereals are not clear, although these genes receive special attention in association with health-improving effects of grain nutrition. This article discusses the similarity and specificity of the genetic control of the biosynthesis of flavonoids in the caryopsis in three related cultivated cereals, wheat, barley, and rye, and their biological role in the development of the caryopsis and seed germination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physcion can induce plant resistance to disease, and is registered to control powdery mildew by spraying in China. Seed coating is a widely applied precision method for pest prevention and control. To explore its potential in disease control and yield increase by seed coating, mixtures containing physcion and commonly used fungicides were designed and applied in a field trial. Greenhouse experiments screened the optimal concentration of physcion for seed coating an found it to be 1:50, with excellent promotion of plant growth and powdery mildew control. In field trials, seeds coated with a combinations of physcion with validamycin and pyrimidine nucleotide (2#) at 1:50 exhibited the highest emergence rate, tillering number, control effect of wheat powdery mildew, enzyme activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), and peroxidase (POD), photosynthetic pigment content, and yield. These results provide an effective approach to wheat disease control and yield increase in wheat fields, and can lay the basis for reasonable application of physcion in Huang-huai-hai plain in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endophytes isolated from extremophile plants are interesting microbes for improving the stress tolerance of agricultural plants. Here, we isolated and characterized endophytic bacteria showing plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits from plants in two extreme Chilean biomes (Atacama Desert and Chilean Patagonia). Forty-two isolates were characterized as both halotolerant auxin producers (2–51 mg L−1) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC)-degrading bacteria (15–28 µmol αKB mg protein−1 h−1). The most efficient isolates were tested as single strains, in dual and triple consortia, or in combination with previously reported PGP rhizobacteria (Klebsiella sp. 27IJA and 8LJA) for their impact on the germination of salt-exposed (0.15 M and 0.25 M NaCl) wheat seeds. Interestingly, strain P1R9, identified as Variovorax sp., enhanced wheat germination under salt stress conditions when applied individually or as part of bacterial consortia. Under salt stress, plants inoculated with dual consortia containing the strain Variovorax sp. P1R9 showed higher biomass (41%) and reduced lipid peroxidation (33–56%) than uninoculated plants. Although the underlying mechanisms remain elusive, our data suggest that the application of Variovorax sp. P1R9, alone or as a member of PGP consortia, may improve the salt stress tolerance of wheat plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Now a days automation and monitoring of crop irrigation is required for quality production of the crop. In this paper wheat, tomato and rice are considered for the study. A PLC based system is developed for monitoring and automation of these crops at various stages of growth. For the simulation of the system TwinCatTM software is used. For wheat crop temperature is monitored at germination, growth, and grain filling stages. Also, for wheat irrigation schedule is simulated. For tomato temperature is monitored at various growth stages. For rice crop temperature, soil moisture and humidity content are considered. The monitoring system helps the farmers to maintain the desired conditions for the respective crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinization is a critical environmental problem in arid and semiarid regions of the world. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of an algae-based biostimulant on germination and seedling vigour of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn.), under different saline conditions (0, 100, and 200 mM NaCl). The experiment was carried out under controlled-environment conditions. Seeds were sprayed with a solution containing a combination of fungicide and different concentrations of Codium fragile (Suringar) Hariot algae (0%w/v, 10%w/v, 20%w/v, and 30%w/v). All experimental units were placed in a germination cabinet. The effect of the seaweed extract (SWE) on seed germination and seedling performance under salinity stress was evaluated over a period of 8 days. Coleoptile length and biomass were found to be significantly and positively affected by the application of different SWE doses as compared to the control treatment (0% algae). As for germination traits, seeds treated with SWE showed a final germination (from 82% to 88%), under severe saline conditions, significantly higher than that observed in the control treatment (61%). Our findings indicate that the appropriate dose of biostimulant can markedly improve the germination and the seedlings vigour of durum wheat seeds under saline conditions. Additional studies will be needed to understand the mechanism of action of this biostimulant and its effectiveness in longer studies under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Climate change is likely to lead to not only increased global temperatures but also a more variable climate where unseasonal periods of heat stress are more prevalent. This has been evidenced by the observation of spring-time temperatures approaching 40°C in some of the main springwheat producing countries, such as the USA, in recent years. With an optimum growth temperature of around 20°C, wheat is particularly prone to damage by heat stress. A warming climate with increasingly common fluctuations in temperature therefore threatens wheat crops and subsequently the lives and livelihoods of billions of people who depend on the crop for food. To futureproof wheat against a variable climate, a better understanding of the response to early heat stress is required. Methods: Here, we utilised DESeq2 to identify 7,827 genes which were differentially expressed in wheat landraces after early heat stress exposure. Candidate hub genes, which may regulate the transcriptional response to early heat stress, were identified via weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and validated by qRT-PCR. Results: Two of the most promising candidate hub genes (TraesCS3B02G409300 and TraesCS1B02G384900) may downregulate the expression of genes involved in the drought, salinity, and cold responses—genes which are unlikely to be required under heat stress—as well as photosynthesis genes and stress hormone signalling repressors, respectively. We also suggest a role for a poorly characterised sHSP hub gene (TraesCS4D02G212300), as an activator of the heat stress response, potentially inducing the expression of a vast suite of heat shock proteins and transcription factors known to play key roles in the heat stress response. Discussion: The present work represents an exploratory examination of the heatinduced transcriptional change in wheat landrace seedlings and identifies several candidate hub genes which may act as regulators of this response and, thus, may be targets for breeders in the production of thermotolerant wheat varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently it has been recognized that herbal plants contain endogenous molecules with biostimulant properties, capable of inducing morphological and biochemical changes in crop plants. Therefore, the present experiment was conducted to screen herbal samples for their plant growth promoting properties. Twenty-five herbal extracts were tested for their biostimulating activity on wheat crop (Triticum aestivum) through seed priming. Morphological parameters chosen for evaluation include: percent seed germination, length and weight of seedling, wheat grass length and biomass. Biochemical parameters include: total phenolic and flavonoid, enzymatic activity of catalase and phenylalanine ammonium lyase and antioxidant activity. Results indicated an increase in the tested parameters by the extracts, however the biostimulant property varied between the selected herbal samples. Some of the samples, such as Phyllanthus emblica, Plumbago zeylanica, Catharanthus roseus and Baccopa monnieri, were highly effective in inducing plant growth promoting parameters. Principal component analysis was performed and herbal samples were grouped into categories based on their activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soaking in apple peel extract treated with sodium chloride NaCl2., calcium chloride CaCl2,potassium nitrate KNO3 following by drying of seeds of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum Vulgar L.). The treatments had significant effects on germination, shoot length, root length, shoot dry weight, root dry weight .Maximum germination (98%). shoot length, (16cm), root length (16.2cm), shoot length (40mg),root dry weight (28.3mg) occurred in seeds treated with peel extract combined in KNO3, when treat combined with KNO3 (67%), CaCl 2 (63%) were used. Wheat showed a significant increase in the length of root 12.8 cm,vigour index 2166 over barley. While barley was superior in the dry weight of root 21.3 mg may be due to the genetic differences between the species. Maximum mobilization efficiency 70% dry weight of shoot, root 43.3, 33.3, respectively were recorded when wheat seeds treated with treat of KNO3,compared with untreated seeds, on the other hand., treated barley seeds with KNO3 gave highest vigour index,compared with untreated seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species of the genus Alternaria are significant wheat contaminants during production, transport and storage, requiring biocontrol measures which typically rely on the bacteria from the Bacillus genera. As these are among the most beneficial and exploited biocontrol agents, in this study, the inhibitory activity of indigenous Bacillus spp. was assessed against the Alternaria alternata isolate originating from the wheat seed. Two of the fifteen Bacillus spp. included in the study showed the inhibitory effect. Specifically, 25.0-55.0% inhibition of A. alternata growth was achieved when the isolate coded as NB11 was applied in 106-109 cells mL-1 concentrations. On the other hand, when applied in 107-109 cells mL-1 concentrations, the isolate coded as NB16 inhibited A. alternata growth by 35.2-51.1%, but was ineffective at lower concentrations. Thus, these in vitro assays indicate that both Bacillus spp. (NB11 and NB16) isolated from the wheat rhizosphere can be applied in practice in the control of A. alternata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to assess the effectiveness of utilizing a bio-agent in combination with a fungicide and an organic amendment to reduce collar rot disease of soybean caused by Sclerotium rolfsii. Before conducting field studies, in vitro tests were used to identify the most virulent S. rolfsii isolate, effective antagonistic isolate of Trichoderma harzianum, fungicide, and organic amendment. The SSC-1 isolate was identified as the test pathogen after seven S. rolfsii isolates were exposed to the pathogenicity test. The ISR-26 strain of T. harzianum was the most efficient of the 87 T. harzianum isolates which could inhibit the radial development of pathogen by 81.85%. The most effective seed-treating fungicide in the fungicidal assessment trial, Provax 200 was found at a moderate dosage (150 ppm), while Conza 5%EC required at 300 ppm to inhibit the radial growth of the S. rolfsii isolate SSC-1. The test pathogen's growth and development were stunted about 65.92% by mustard oil cake at a concentration of 3% which was the most effective organic amendment as compared to others. In the field trial, treatment T9 (pathogen inoculated soil+wheat grains colonized T. harzianum isolate ISR--26+organic amendment+fungicide treated seeds) was the most efficient in dropping seedling mortality (80.24%), disease incidence (86.06%), and disease severity (84.8%). This T9 treatment was the most effective procedure of collar rot disease control in soybean and it also resulted in a substantial increase in yield (355.32%). Growers of soybean around the world might be benefitted more from this holistic strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed aging is a common physiological phenomenon during storage which has a great impact on seed quality. An in-depth analysis of the physiological and molecular mechanisms of wheat seed aging is of great significance for cultivating high-vigor wheat varieties. This study reveals the physiological mechanisms of wheat seed aging in two cultivars differing in seed vigor, combining metabolome and transcriptome analyses. Differences between cultivars were examined based on metabolomic differential analysis. Artificial aging had a significant impact on the metabolism of wheat seeds. A total of 7470 (3641 upregulated and 3829 downregulated) DEGs were detected between non-aging HT and LT seeds; however, 10,648 (4506 up and 6142 down) were detected between the two cultivars after aging treatment. Eleven, eight, and four key metabolic-related gene families were identified in the glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and TCA cycle pathways, starch and sucrose metabolism pathways, and galactose metabolism pathways, respectively. In addition, 111 up-regulated transcription factor genes and 85 down-regulated transcription factor genes were identified in the LT 48h group. A total of 548 metabolites were detected across all samples. Cultivar comparisons between the non-aged groups and aged groups revealed 46 (30 upregulated and 16 downregulated) and 62 (38 upregulated and 24 downregulated) DIMs, respectively. Network analysis of the metabolites indicated that glucarate O-phosphoric acid, L-methionine sulfoxide, isocitric acid, and Gln-Gly might be the most crucial DIMs between HT and LT. The main related metabolites were enriched in pathways such as glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, fatty acid degradation, etc. However, metabolites that exhibited differences between cultivars were mainly enriched in carbon metabolism, the TCA cycle, etc. Through combined metabolome and transcriptome analyses, it was found that artificial aging significantly affected glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, pyruvate metabolism, and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, which involved key genes such as ACS, F16P2, and PPDK1. We thus speculate that these genes may be crucial in regulating physiological changes in seeds during artificial aging. In addition, an analysis of cultivar differences identified pathways related to amino acid and polypeptide metabolism, such as cysteine and methionine metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, involving key genes such as BCAT3, CHI1, GAUT1, and GAUT4, which may play pivotal roles in vigor differences between cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-affinity nitrate transporters (NRT) are key components for nitrogen (N) acquisition and distribution within plants. However, insights on these transporters in wheat are scarce. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the NRT2 and NRT3 gene families, where the aim is to shed light on their functionality and to evaluate their responses to N availability. A total of 53 NRT2s and 11 NRT3s were identified in the bread wheat genome, and these were grouped into different clades and homoeologous subgroups. The transcriptional dynamics of the identified NRT2 and NRT3 genes, in response to N starvation and nitrate resupply, were examined by RT-qPCR in the roots and shoots of hydroponically grown wheat plants through a time course experiment. Additionally, the spatial expression patterns of these genes were explored within the plant. The NRT2s of clade 1, TaNRT2.1-2.6, showed a root-specific expression and significant upregulation in response to N starvation, thus emphasizing a role in N acquisition. However, most of the clade 2 NRT2s displayed reduced expression under N-starved conditions. Nitrate resupply after N starvation revealed rapid responsiveness in TaNRT2.1-2.6, while clade 2 genes exhibited gradual induction, primarily in the roots. TaNRT2.18 was highly expressed in above-ground tissues and exhibited distinct nitrate-related response patterns for roots and shoots. The TaNRT3 gene expression closely paralleled the profiles of TaNRT2.1-2.6 in response to nitrate induction. These findings enhance the understanding of NRT2 and NRT3 involvement in nitrogen uptake and utilization, and they could have practical implications for improving nitrogen use efficiency. The study also recommends a standardized nomenclature for wheat NRT2 genes, thereby addressing prior naming inconsistencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigations were carried out at Research Farm, Nawabganj, C.S. Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, during the year 2019-2020. Research Farm is situated in a semi-arid zone of subtropical climate, falling between 25.26 to 26.28° North latitude and 79.31 to 80.34° East longitude. The height of the Farm is about 125.90 meters above sea level. The annual rainfall is 46.0 mm, most of which is received from July to September, with some scattered showers in winter from North-East Monsoon. The maximum temperature goes up to 36.7°C during summer. The experiment was conducted for the control of termite, which was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications with plot measuring 4 x 5 m. For confirmation test on germination, counted seed of each treatment were sown in the field. The result of germination showed a non-significant difference in all treatments. The incidence of termite after three weeks of sowing was not seen in any of the treatments. However, the incidence of termite after four weeks of sowing was very low in all treatments which ranged from 0.41 to 0.79% while in the untreated plot it was 3.28%. The incidence of termite after five weeks of sowing ranged from 1.10 to 1.76% in comparison to 3.37% in untreated check. Significantly less damaged shoots were recorded in plots treated with fipronil 5 SC @ 6.0 ml/kg seeds and thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 3.2 g/kg seeds, which was at par imidacloprid 600 FS @ 2.0 ml/kg seeds. All the remaining insecticide and biopesticides were found to be effective in reducing termite damage as compared to untreated check. Percent damaged effective tillers/m row were minimum in fipronil 5 SC @ 6.0 ml/kg seeds (1.10%) and in thiamethoxam 25 WS @ 3.2 g/kg seeds (1.23%) and were on par with imidacloprid 600 FS @ 2.0 ml/kg seeds (1.30%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The present study aimed to identify fungal species, specifically Chaetomium bostrychodes and Neoscytalidium novaehollandiae, isolated from seeds of five wheat cultivars: Mahmoudia (MHD), Babil (BBL), Bohooth (BTH), Adena (ADN), and Wefia (WAF). Phenotypic identification of both fungi was conducted based on morphological and microscopic characteristics. Molecular diagnosis, employing internal transcribed spacer primers (ITS1 and ITS4), was utilized to ascertain the species' identity. The morphometric and microscopic results for both fungi demonstrated a consistent agreement with previously published findings related to fungal features. Molecular sequences further confirmed the identity of these species, with a sequence similarity percentage of 90% for C. bostrychodes (KP216865.1 deposited at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank/) and 98% for N. novaehollandiae (MT397136.1). Notably, this study marks the first documentation of C. bostrychodes and N. novaehollandiae as wheat seed-borne fungi in Iraq. The molecular confirmation adds a robust layer to the identification process, providing a comprehensive understanding of the fungal species present in the examined wheat cultivars. This novel report contributes valuable insights into the fungal diversity associated with wheat seeds in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The slow pace of the adoption of the latest innovations in agricultural technology innovations impedes sustainable farming practices and sustainable agriculture in developing countries. This study investigates the potential reasons that stop smallholder farming households from adopting genetically engineered seeds (Bt cotton and improved wheat seeds), herbicides resulting from cutting-edge technologies, and no-tillage farming. Utilizing original farm household-level data from 275 smallholder farming households in Pakistan, we employ multivariate probit models. The results show that the adoption of innovative technologies is not an isolated, separate process but a concoction of available technologies and cropping patterns. The estimates of the multivariate probit models show that farm machinery index, off-farm income sources, and farmers' education facilitate technology adoption. The observations and estimates indicate that a lack of agricultural extension service contacts is present, which slows down the farmers' adoption of agricultural technological inputs. Therefore, promoting the role of agricultural extension services (qualitatively and quantitatively) is likely to play a role in multiple technology adoption. Furthermore, the significant effect of off-farm employment shows that the lack of financial resources is another factor slowing the adoption of innovative technologies, which depends on liquidity for necessary expenditures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The allelopathic potential of Sesamum indicum L. has been studied in relation to Triticum aestivum L. The seeds of wheat were soaked in aqueous extracts of plant parts of S. indicum at 3, 5, and 8% for 24 h. A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effects of sesame on percent germination, root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight, activities of antioxidant enzymes, phytohormones, and nutrient uptake by wheat roots and shoots. A significant decrease was recorded in the percent germination of wheat seeds treated with sesame plant extracts (maximum by leaf extracts) and shoot length (maximum by 8% stem extracts) concomitant with the marked increase in the root length and weight (maximum increase with 8% leaf extract). The activity of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase was increased in wheat roots and shoots treated with different concentrations of S. indicum plant parts. The extracts of all parts of S. indicum increased the indole acetic acid (IAA) content in the wheat roots. Abscisic acid (ABA) content was higher in wheat shoots. The maximum increase in micronutrient uptake was observed at 8% leaf extract. It is inferred from the present study that all parts of S. indicum have allelopathic potential with leaves being more potent. S. indicum extract changes root to shoot ratio and modulate IAA and ABA ratio in root and shoot which can be implicated not only in the control of weed germination but also in combating drought stress in recipient plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticide treatment leads to a significant increase in wheat yield and enhances pest resistance. However, pesticides, particularly the insecticide cypermethrin, which is used for wheat Triticum aestivum L. field and grain storage treatment, are toxic xenobiotics. To reduce their toxicity, it is possible to pre-treat seeds with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), which can enhance plant resistance to adverse environmental factors. In this study, we used a previously unused as PGPR representative of the genus Azospirillum, A. thiophilum BV-ST, isolated in Russia, which makes it interesting for agricultural use in the same climatic zone. We optimized the detection method of A. thiophilum using PCR. Then, we demonstrated that this bacterium successfully inoculates to wheat roots. We showed that cypermethrin treatment of one- and two-week-old wheat seedlings caused an increase in mtDNA damage, and in one-week-old seedlings, it induced a decrease in chlorophyll levels. However, three- and four-week-old seedlings were more resistant to damage, possibly due to their approximately 5-fold higher expression of NDOR-1 and GST genes, which play an important role in xenobiotic detoxification. Pre-treatment of wheat seeds with A. thiophilum contributed to the upregulation of NDOR-1 and GST gene expression in one- and two-week-old seedlings, resulting in the protection of mtDNA from cypermethrin-induced damage and prevented the decrease in chlorophyll levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the effectiveness of protein hydrolysates derived from by-products of farm animal processing. In previous research, we utilized protein hydrolysates with amino acids rich in glycine and with peptides of molecular weight ranging from 200 to 1000 Da. Subsequently, we modified the production process, resulting in a new hydrolysate from by-products of meat, chicken, and fish processing, with a molecular weight of 700,000 Da. During the period 2021–2022, we conducted a comparative analysis of protein hydrolysates of diverse nature, both independently and as components of multifunctional compositions with acrylic hydrogel. This analysis focused on their impact on productivity metrics and plant disease severity. Our experimental approach involved pre-soaking wheat seeds in the new protein hydrolysate before sowing while introducing acrylic hydrogel into the soil at rates of 6 g/m2 or 60 kg/ha. This regimen led to a remarkable increase in wheat yield (73.3% higher than the control group). The improvement was attributed to a boost in the field germination of wheat seeds by 21.9%, an elevation in plant height by 17.0%, an increment in the number of spikelets per spike by 7.8%, an enlargement of the pre-flag leaf area by 36.0%, and a reduction in the incidence of critical diseases such as brown rust (21.7%), yellow rust (28.3%), and root rot (5.6%). Our findings underscore the influence of hydrolysate molecular weight and the composition of acrylic hydrogels on their efficacy. Furthermore, these factors contribute to the economic viability of their application in wheat cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Salt stress in seed germination and early seedling growth is the greatest cause of crop loss in saline-alkali soils. Microbial seed coating is an effective way to promote plant growth and salt resistance, but these coatings suffer from poor seed adhesion and low survival rates under typical storage conditions. Methods: In this study, the marine bacterium Pontibacter actiniarum DSM 19842 from kelp was isolated and microencapsulated with calcium alginate using the emulsion and internal gelation method. Results: Compared to unencapsulated seeds, the spherical microcapsules demonstrated a bacterial encapsulation rate of 65.4% and survival rate increased by 22.4% at 25°C for 60 days. Under salt stress conditions, the seed germination percentage of microcapsule-embedded bacteria (M-Embed) was 90%, which was significantly increased by 17% compared to the germination percentage (73%) of no coating treatment (CK). Root growth was also significantly increased by coating with M-Embed. Chlorophyll, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, proline, hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels indicated that the M-Embed had the best positive effects under salt stress conditions. Discussion: Therefore, embedding microorganisms in suitable capsule materials provides effective protection for the survival of the microorganism and this seed coating can alleviate salt stress in wheat. This process will benefit the development of sustainable agriculture in coastal regions with saline soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food insecurity is becoming a big problem due to the continuous increase in the population, for which there is a requirement of effective drying method for the storage of agricultural items which can solve this problem at global level. Hence, the present study deals with the evaluation of energy, exergy, and environmental parameters of low-cost indirect solar dryer with paraffin wax as energy storage material in rural areas for drying of wheat seeds to check its thermodynamic as well as environmental feasibility. The wheat seeds were dried in solar dryer from initial moisture of 20.2% in 6 h to achieve recommended moisture content which took lesser drying time as compared to open sun drying. The maximum value of collector exergy efficiency, exergy efficiency of drying chamber and pick-up efficiency are 1.5%, 72.62%, and 30.4% respectively. Environmental impacts assessment has revealed that the energy payback, CO2 mitigation, CO2 emission per year and carbon credit earned (at $80 per carbon credit) with present system are 1.35 years, 6.67 tons, 7.32 kg and $533.7, respectively considering the lifetime of solar dryer as 25 years. The performed study shows that the indirect solar dryer with paraffin wax is suitable for the households of rural areas with enhanced performance, lesser waste, sustainable, and lesser adverse effect on environment. This system can also be preferred for drying of other agricultural crops for a particular household. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium heading blight (FHB) is a devastating disease in wheat, primarily caused by field invasion of Fusarium graminearum. Due to the scarcity of resistant wheat varieties, the agricultural sector resorts to chemical fungicides to control FHB incidence. On the other hand, biocontrol represents a promising, eco-friendly approach aligned with sustainable and green agriculture concepts. In the present study, a bacterial endophyte, Pseudescherichia sp. (GSE25), was isolated from wheat seeds and identified through complete genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. In vitro testing of this endophytic strain demonstrated strong antifungal activity against F. graminearum PH-1 by inhibiting spore germination, suppressing germ tube growth, and causing cell membrane damage. Under field conditions, the strain GSE25 significantly reduced the FHB incidence and the associated deoxynivalenol mycotoxin accumulation by over 60% and 80%, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of the isolated bacterial endophyte Pseudescherichia sp. GSE25 strain as a biocontrol agent in protecting wheat from FHB-caused F. graminearum. This is the first report showing a biocontrol effect of Pseudescherichia sp. a strain against phytopathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Seed is the starting point of agriculture and dictates ultimate productivity of other inputs. Quality seed of improved varieties is an important basic unit for enhancing productivity of any crop species. As the quality deteriorates during subsequent generations, the old must be replaced with fresh lots of quality seeds. The present study was an attempt to analyze the source, SRR and management of wheat seed in Amritsar district of Punjab. Methods: The current study was conducted on primary data collected from 120 farmers during the agricultural year 2019-20. The data was analyzed using simple tabular analysis and other suitable statistical techniques. Result: The study found that the most preferred source of seed was institutional sources from which 45.83 per cent of the seed was procured from these agencies. The second most preferred source was self-retained by the farmers as 43.70 per cent farmer's preferred self-retained seeds. Only small farmers and medium farmers procured wheat seed from fellow farmers, relatives and friends. This source was preferred by small and medium farmers as seed is available free of cost and no immediate cash payment was charged by fellow farmers or relatives. Seed replacement rate was found to be 49.94 per cent for wheat crop in Amritsar district of Punjab. The study found that minimum attention was paid at post storage of wheat seed (2.50 per cent) whereas maximum attention was paid in the field (48.83 per cent) during wheat seed production. The main determinants of purity and quality of wheat seed were past experience of the farmer, repute of the institution, tag of certification agency and advice of known person. Seed replacement rate (SSR) for wheat was less for small farmers in the study area which can be increased by giving incentives to farmers for using certified seeds. These incentives can be in the form of higher price of produce to the small farmers. Maximum farmers used self-retained seed foe the next season and they paid minimum attention to the storage of seed which lead to deterioration in the quality of seed. Farmers should be educated to use scientific methods in the storage of seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The source and sink relationships determine the amount and distribution of biomass in plants. Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to study the effect of nitrogen rate and spikelet removal on seed yield and germination traits of wheat. The field experiment was conducted employing sink manipulation (no spikelet removal and ½ spikelet removal) and source manipulation (nitrogen rate of 0, 75, and 150 kg ha-1 ). This study was performed as a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Seeds obtained from the field experiment were subjected to determine the effect of the sink and source manipulation on seed germination traits in the laboratory experiment. Results showed that most traits under study were not affected by source and sink manipulation. Seed yield and seed weight were not affected by spikelet removal and varying nitrogen applications. Although some of the wheat spikelets have been removed, those plants have been able to maintain the number of seeds per spike and the weight of a single seed. The use of nitrogen at the spike emergence stage did not affect the seed yield of the Pishtaz cultivar. Nitrogen needed for the seeds could be compensated by the remobilization of nitrogen from various plant organs such as the stem. Nitrogen application of 150 kg ha-1 with the removal of ½ spikelets improved seed germination (%) and vigor comparing control (no spikelet removal with no nitrogen application). Considering that seed yield and seed weight did not change under the influence of source and sink manipulation, it can be concluded that Pishtaz wheat is more sink-limited than source-limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment set out during the winter of 2022-2023 availed one of the Holy Kerbala Governorate's agricultural experimental fields. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of some herbicides in controlling the wild radish weeds accompanying the wheat crop, as well as, diagnosing genetic mutations in the PDS gene responsible for resistance to herbicides in wild radish. The experiment employed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a split-plot arrangement and three replications. The main plots included five groups of wild radish seeds taken from five Iraqi Governorates, i.e., Najaf, Kerbala, Babel, Diwaniyah, and Wasit. The subplots contained four herbicides: Navigator, Tatsteler, Mark zone, and Decimate, in addition to the treatment of spraying with water only. Wild radish seeds serve for artificially infecting wheat seeds after field preparation. The study also measured wheat yield components, with the weeds appraised twice after 60 and 90 days of management. Genomic alterations in the PDS gene caused herbicide resistance in wild radish. The global herbicide-resistant cultivar has two missense mutations in codons 69 and 330 (TGT → TAT and CGT → GGT), encoding for Cys → Tyr and Arg → Gly. These alterations were identical in all weeds studied, but some Governorates had new mutations, such as, in the seeds of the Babylon Governorate's weed. The evaluation of the efficiency of chemical pesticides comes after 60 and 90 days. Wild radish seeds in the targeted Governorates differed in all features. The herbicides Navigator and Decimate are vital in giving the best percentages of control and inhibition in wild radish weeds. Chemical herbicides have enhanced wheat production by eradicating weeds, specifically difficult ones. Genetic changes in wild radish weeds in wheat crops make some chemical herbicides less effective. Herbicide-resistant radish weed seeds are genetically mutated. Thus, herbicides can target gene variants and be diversified to prevent weed resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant genotype and agroecology influence the composition and functionality of seed endophytic bacterial communities. Taxonomic analysis of 123 wheat seeds endophytic bacteria classified these into 23 genera predominantly under Firmicutes followed by Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. Genus Bacillus was most abundant (30.7%) followed by Streptomyces (18.4%) with other representative genera such as Stenotrophomonas, Paenibacillus, Mixta, Enterobacter, Micrococcus, Pantoea, Alkalihalobacillus, Cortiobacterium, and more. Across agroecologies, the core microbiota of seeds consists of Bacillus, Streptomyces, Paenibacillus, and Stenotrophomonas, with maximum diversity and abundance observed in seeds of the North Western Plain Zone of India. Seed endophytic bacteria had PGP traits; nitrogen fixation (n = 101), production of IAA (n = 65), siderophores (n = 43), ammonia (n = 82) and solubilization of phosphate (n = 47), potassium (n = 37), and zinc (n = 8). The isolates produced HCN and hydrolytic enzymes and displayed antagonism against fungal pathogens. Overall, the information generated on wheat seeds' endophytic bacterial taxonomy and beneficial traits may pave the path for the development of novel bioinoculants. Key message Wheat seeds from various agro-ecologies of India harbor diverse endophytic bacteria. Firmicutes were dominant followed by Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. Genus Bacillus, Stenotrophomonas, Streptomyces, and Paenibacillus were core endophytic bacteria in different agro-ecologies. The endophytic bacterial strains were displaying diverse functional traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The change in the surface properties of wheat seeds under the influence of a nonthermal atmospheric-pressure plasma jet is shown. After plasma treatment, the surface of wheat seeds becomes hydrophilic and is characterized by a decrease in the contact angle, an increase in surface energy, and an increase in seed water uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated STEM activities are espoused as appropriate for enhancing student learning in relation to statistical concepts; however, a greater understanding of the way in which students' ideas about those concepts develop is needed to maximise the learning potential offered by engagement in STEM activities. For this study, plant growth was chosen as a topic from the Year 6 Australian Science Curriculum as an appropriate context to employ aspects of the four STEM disciplines to explore students' developing ideas about variation. Sixty-four Year 6 students across three school terms worked in groups of four to trial various treatments and their effects on the growth of radish or wheat seeds. This report considers two aspects of student learning related to this topic based on (i) the formative assessment of features of students' workbook entries specifically related to variation during the part of the classroom activity based on their TinkerPlots graphs and (ii) the later summative evidence of learning in responses to end-of-year questions on the activity for 56 of the students. The workbook entries are presented via a qualitative analysis to provide evidence of the forming of understanding of variation in a STEM context, with the SOLO Taxonomy being employed to assess the longer-term evidence and developmental nature of that learning. Overall, a broader picture has emerged of the potential for developing appreciation of variation in a STEM context in primary school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus subtilis 26D is a plant growth-promoting endophytic bacteria capable of inducing systemic resistance through the priming mechanism, which includes plant genome reprogramming and the phenomenon of RNA interference (RNAi) and microRNA (miRNAs). The phloem-feeding insect bird cherry-oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi L. is a serious pest that causes significant damage to crops throughout the world. However, the function of plant miRNAs in the response to aphid infestation remains unclear. The results of this work showed that B. subtilis 26D stimulated aphid resistance in wheat plants, inducing the expression of genes of hormonal signaling pathways ICS, WRKY13, PR1, ACS, EIN3, PR3, and ABI5. In addition, B. subtilis 26D activated the RNAi mechanism and regulated the expression of nine conserved miRNAs through activation of the ethylene, salicylic acid (SA), and abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathways, which was demonstrated by using treatments with phytohormones. Treatment of plants with SA, ethylene, and ABA acted in a similar manner to B. subtilis 26D on induction of the expression of the AGO4, AGO5 and DCL2, DCL4 genes, as well as the expression of nine conserved miRNAs. Different patterns of miRNA expression were found in aphid-infested plants and in plants treated with B. subtilis 26D or SA, ethylene, and ABA and infested by aphids, suggesting that miRNAs play multiple roles in the plant response to phloem-feeding insects, associated with effects on hormonal signaling pathways, redox metabolism, and the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Our study provides new data to further elucidate the fine mechanisms of bacterial-induced priming. However, further extensive work is needed to fully unravel these mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated a new and unique method of sputtering corn grains with cold plasma to resist the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus and prevent or reduce its production of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Sputtering grains depended on the sputtering time, that is, 1, 2, and 3 min. In addition, coating the grains with silver powder and Arabic gum (Bulk), Arabic gum alone, and a control (without any addition) was done. All levels of sputtering had no impact on the germination of corn grain in the laboratory, which was 100%. The field experiments also showed 100% germination of sputtered corn seeds. There was no significant impact on plant growth, and the average weight of the plants was 613 g in controls, followed by 2 min sputtering treatment (571 g), then the 3 min treatment (569.9 g). However, plant height was highest for the 3-min sputtering treatment (150.5 cm), significantly different from all other treatments. After this treatment, the highest number of leaves/plant (42.6 leaves/plant) was also recorded with high chlorophyll content (111.61 spad.). The most encouraging result was that sputtering treatments at all three levels (1, 2, and 3 min) gave high protection to yellow corn grain against the growth and development of the toxic A. flavus compared to the controls. The average AFB1 concentration recorded was 4.1, 2.5, and 2.3 ppb in the sputtering treatments of 1, 2, and 3 min, respectively. On the contrary, the average concentration of AFB1 was 147.99 ppb in the controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]