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Rice caryopses are enclosed by outer glumes. The size and dimension of the outer glume are the main determinants of caryopsis size. However, it is unclear whether caryopsis development is completely dependent on the size of the glume, or whether it can grow and expand autonomously despite the constraint of glume enclosure. We report the identification of a mutant line that produces normal-sized glumes with smaller mature caryopses that do not fill the entire glume cavity. The caryopsis phenotype in the pex1 mutant is caused by a reduction in cell size. OsPEX1, a leucine-rich repeat extensin gene, was highly expressed in the developing caryopsis. Overexpression of OsPEX1 driven by a constitutive promoter recapitulated the mutant phenotype, showing that the small-caryopsis phenotype is caused by overexpression of the OsPEX1 gene. Free amino acids, including several essential amino acids, and crude protein were increased in pex1 relative to the wild type, endowing pex1 with improved nutritional quality. Our results suggest that caryopsis development can be genetically uncoupled from maternally controlled glume development and that OsPEX1 might be a new resource for improving nutritional quality of rice cultivars.

Dark glume color in Triticinae is a much-studied morphological character. However, pigments that cause the color, the molecular basis of their biosynthesis, and mechanisms of its regulation are still unknown. Dark glume is a common trait in Triticum aestivum lines with alien introgressions. To elucidate the molecular basis of this character, we analyzed the total phenolic content (TPC) in the dark glumed introgression lines (ILs) and their parents. TPC in the dark ILs was found to be higher than their parents and light-glumed lines. All the genotypes were screened for the expression of eight genes encoding the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway enzymes. Expression of three flavonoid genes in the pathway was changed in the introgression lines as compared with their parents. The expression of F3′H and FNS was absent in the lines with introgressions from Aegilops spp. The expression of three genes, F3′H, FLS, and FNS, was found to be altered in the light glumed lines with introgressions from Amblyopyrum muticum. No expression of F3′H was detected in the T. aestivum/Am. muticum lines with light and dark plants, and the other genes of the pathway were found to be expressed at the parental levels. No correlation between the expression profiles and the phenotype was found in the T. aestivum/Am. muticum lines indicating other undetected changes in these lines.

Present research work was carried out to clarify the variations among species of genus Paspalum morphologically and palynologically as this genus is taxonomically difficult due to having multiple similar morphologically overlapping characters which make it difficult to identify. Henceforth present research work was carried out to delimit taxa within the same genus by morphological and palynological tools through light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both these tools are considered as the most useful taxonomic characters for taxonomically problematic genera. The results showed a lot of variations among morphological characters. In Paspalum dilatatum, the upper glume was ovate whereas in the other two species, the upper glume was elliptic. The upper glume apex found in P. dilatatum and Paspalum scrobiculatum was obtuse whereas in Paspalum distichum, upper glume apex was acute. Glume nerves showed variation in all three species. Paspalum distichum was 3 nerved, P. scrobiculatum was 5-7 nerved, and P. dilatatum was 5-9 nerved. All three species showed variation in lemma nerves. Paspalum scrobiculatum had 3 nerved lemma whereas in P. distichum 3-5 nerved and P. dilatatum 5-9 nerved lemma were present. In polar and equatorial view, pollen grains ranged from 25 (20-30) to 37.5 (30-45) μm. Paspalum distichum appeared to be the smallest in size whereas P. dilatatum was the largest. Exine thickness ranged from 0.75 (0.5-1) to 1.35 (1.2-1.5) μm. The higher value of pollen fertility was found in P. scrobiculatum as 87.69% and the lowest value was in P. distichum as 78.08%. Morphological keys were also given for correct identification.

Polish wheat (Triticum polonicum) is a unique tetraploid wheat species characterized by an elongated outer glume. The genetic control of the long-glume trait by a single semi-dominant locus, P1 (from P olish wheat), was established more than 100 years ago, but the underlying causal gene and molecular nature remain elusive. Here, we report the isolation of VRT-A2, encoding an SVP-clade MADS-box transcription factor, as the P1 candidate gene. Genetic evidence suggests that in T. polonicum, a naturally occurring sequence rearrangement in the intron-1 region of VRT-A2 leads to ectopic expression of VRT-A2 in floral organs where the long-glume phenotype appears. Interestingly, we found that the intron-1 region is a key ON/OFF molecular switch for VRT-A2 expression, not only because it recruits transcriptional repressors, but also because it confers intron-mediated transcriptional enhancement. Genotypic analyses using wheat accessions indicated that the P1 locus is likely derived from a single natural mutation in tetraploid wheat, which was subsequently inherited by hexaploid T. petropavlovskyi. Taken together, our findings highlight the promoter-proximal intron variation as a molecular basis for phenotypic differentiation, and thus species formation in Triticum plants.

Outcomes of a 2017–2020 survey for malting barley varieties and lines, including Omskiy 90, Omskiy 100 (recorded in the State Register of the Russian Federation), and Omskiy 102 (referred to State Variety Testing System) varieties of selection of Omsk Agricultural Science Center and a Beatris variety commonly used in production, are reported. The biochemical tests for grain quality assessment of the parameters, including mass fractions of grain protein and starch, extraction rate, 1000-grain weight, and glume content, were performed jointly with the “Nemchinovka” Federal Research Center. A cluster analysis was used to interpret the results obtained during the multivariate observations. The malting barley varieties of the Omsk selection are assigned to different clusters according to the survey outcomes. Promising genotypes assigned to the clusters the same for the Omskiy 100 and Omskiy 102 malting barley varieties have been identified. They meet the criteria of GOST State Standards being more efficient in the crop yield than the standard Omskiy 95 two-row glume-covered variety group. They are the Medikum-4910, Nutans-4883, and Medikum-4897 lines. Their grain mass fractions of protein comprised 12.2, 12.8, and 12.4%, respectively. The mass fractions of starch were 58.0, 56.0, and 57.0%, respectively. The glume contents made up 7.6, 8.2, and 8.7%, respectively, the extraction rates comprised 79.9, 80.5, and 80.4%, respectively, and the 1000-grain weights were 47.6, 59.3, and 52.6 g, respectively. Their yields comprised 5.7, 6.3, and 5.7 t/ha, respectively.

Ischaemum amboliense (Poaceae, Andropogoneae), a new species of Muraina grass, is described and illustrated here. The new species is closely allied to I. travancorense but differs from it in having annual habit and erect posture, culm with sparsely hairy nodes, well-exerted racemes, lower glumes of sessile spikelets with 3–4 side nodules without ridges, upper glume of sessile spikelets with bicuspidate apex and margins with a membranous wing on one side of apical region and lower lemma of sessile spikelets winged on both sides towards the apex. A strict consensus tree obtained from the Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses of trnLC–trnLD and ETS datasets supported the novelty of the species. Here, we provide a detailed morphological description, molecular phylogenetic analysis, distribution map, and photo-plates of the novel and allied species.

Flowering material of Ferrocalamus rimosivaginus has been identified, allowing its analysis and description. The unit of inflorescence of the synflorescences of F. rimosivaginus is panicle-like and its fruit is berry-like. Ferrocalamus rimosivaginus differs from F. strictus in its rachilla puberulent except on its adaxial surface, the first glume with a glabrous apex, the abaxially glabrous lemma with an acute mucronate apex, and the palea with the surfaces between keels apically pubescent and progressively less pubescent towards the glabrous base. An epitype is designated to support the sterile holotype.

Flower development is an important determinant of grain yield in crops. In wheat (Triticum spp.), natural variation for the size of spikelet and floral organs is particularly evident in Triticum turgidum ssp. polonicum (also termed Triticum polonicum), a tetraploid subspecies of wheat with long glumes, lemmas, and grains. Using map-based cloning, we identified VEGETATIVE TO REPRODUCTIVE TRANSITION 2 (VRT2), which encodes a MADS-box transcription factor belonging to the SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE family, as the gene underlying the T. polonicum long-glume (P1) locus. The causal P1 mutation is a sequence rearrangement in intron-1 that results in ectopic expression of the T. polonicum VRT-A2 allele. Based on allelic variation studies, we propose that the intron-1 mutation in VRT-A2 is the unique T. polonicum subspecies-defining polymorphism, which was later introduced into hexaploid wheat via natural hybridizations. Near-isogenic lines differing for the P1 locus revealed a gradient effect of P1 across spikelets and within florets. Transgenic lines of hexaploid wheat carrying the T. polonicum VRT-A2 allele show that expression levels of VRT-A2 are highly correlated with spike, glume, grain, and floral organ length. These results highlight how changes in expression profiles, through variation in cis-regulation, can affect agronomic traits in a dosage-dependent manner in polyploid crops.

A newly discovered species of the genus Agrostis from Western Himalaya is here described and illustrated. The new species, Agrostis barikii, is considered as a member of Agrostis pilosula group and morphologically closely allied to Agrostis griffithiana by its palea 2/3 the length of the lemma and well-developed awn. However, they differ from the latter by means of the shape of the ligule, length of the lower glume, apex of the lemma, and size of anthers. Data on distribution, habitat and phenology is given along with a photo plate and an illustration.

The cloning of agriculturally important genes is often complicated by haplotype variation across crop cultivars. Access to pan-genome information greatly facilitates the assessment of structural variations and rapid candidate gene identification. Here, we identified the red glume 1 (Rg-B1) gene using association genetics and haplotype analyses in ten reference grade wheat genomes. Glume color is an important trait to characterize wheat cultivars. Red glumes are frequent among Central European spelt, a dominant wheat subspecies in Europe before the 20th century. We used genotyping-by-sequencing to characterize a global diversity panel of 267 spelt accessions, which provided evidence for two independent introductions of spelt into Europe. A single region at the Rg-B1 locus on chromosome 1BS was associated with glume color in the diversity panel. Haplotype comparisons across ten high-quality wheat genomes revealed a MYB transcription factor as candidate gene. We found extensive haplotype variation across the ten cultivars, with a particular group of MYB alleles that was conserved in red glume wheat cultivars. Genetic mapping and transient infiltration experiments allowed us to validate this particular MYB transcription factor variants. Our study demonstrates the value of multiple high-quality genomes to rapidly resolve copy number and haplotype variations in regions controlling agriculturally important traits., Krattinger, Abrouk et al. use genome wide association study and haplotype analyses to investigate the genetics of glume colour in ten reference grade wheat genomes. Haplotype comparison identifies a MYB transcription factor as a candidate gene for red glume colour.

As senescence progresses, the sensitivity of wheat organs to plant hormones during the grain-filling stages cannot be ignored. Especially under water deficit situation, non-leaf organs (spikes) have better photosynthesis and drought-tolerance traits than flag leaves. However, the mechanism of ethylene synthesis in wheat organs under water deficit remains unclear. We have studied the influence of water deficit in wheat flag leaves and spike bracts on photosynthetic parameters and on the expression of key enzymes involved in the ethylene biosynthesis pathway during the late grain-filling stages. More stable chlorophyll content (Chl), maximum PSII quantum yield (Fv/Fm), nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) and maximal efficiency of PSII photochemistry under light adaptation (Fv'/Fm') were observed in the spike bracts than that in the flag leaves during the late grain-filling stages. In addition, the activity of glutathione reductase (GR), γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-ECS), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic (ACC) acid synthase (ACS), and ACC oxidase (ACO) induced ethylene synthesis and influenced plant growth. Further analysis of genes encoding cysteine-ethylene related proteins (γ-ECS, GR, ACO, ACS1, and ASC2) demonstrated that ear organs and flag leaves exhibited different expression patterns. These findings will facilitate future investigations of the regulatory senescence response mechanisms of cysteine interaction with ethylene in wheat under conditions of drought stress.

The influence of supplements of cotton seed cake (CSC)on the voluntary intake and utilization of sorghum glume (SG) by the goat was studied in a 4 x 4 Latin Square digestibility trial. The study involved a total of 12 West African dwarf goats made up of 8 dry, non-pregnant does and 4 bucks aged between 14 and 20 months with av, live weight of 13.7kg. there were diets in all made up of 3 experimental diets in which cotton seed cake replaced, in each case, 25, 50 and 75% of the sorghum glume. The control diet was the unsupplemented sorghum glume. The goats were fed dry matter at 4% of body weight and water and mineral salt lick were provided ad-libitum. The dry matter intake (DMI) increased (P < 0.05) with CSC supplementation but the DMI value between 50 and 75% CSC levels were comparable (P > 0.05). Weight gains in all treatments were positive being highest (63.34±12.7 g/d) with the 50% CSC supplementation of the sorghum glume and lowest (11.67 ± 12.7 g/d) with the (control) unsupplemented sorghum glume. Increase in the oil seed cake supplementation of the sorghum glume resulted in increase (P < 0.05) in nitrogen intake across the treatment. Increase in the feed digestibility, nitrogen retention, digested feed energy and organic matter were significant (P < 0.05) up to 50% cotton seed supplementation of the sorghum glume. The performances of the goats on the 50% CSC and 75% CSC supplementation of sorghum glume are comparable (P < 0.05) in respect of feed intake, nitrogen retention and nutrients digestibilites. A juidicious use of the protein concentrate for optimum feed intake and feed utilization makes the 50% CSC supplementation more desireable. A 50% cotton seed cake supplementation of the sorghum glume is recommended as suitable in the dry season feeding of the goat

Background Rice is a typical monocotyledonous plant and an important cereal crop. The structural units of rice flowers are spikelets and florets, and floral organ development and spike germination affect rice reproduction and yield. Results In this study, we identified a novel long sterile lemma (lsl2) mutant from an EMS population. First, we mapped the lsl2 gene between the markers Indel7–22 and Indel7–27, which encompasses a 25-kb region. The rice genome annotation indicated the presence of four candidate genes in this region. Through gene prediction and cDNA sequencing, we confirmed that the target gene in the lsl2 mutant is allelic to LONG STERILE LEMMA1 (G1)/ELONGATED EMPTY GLUME (ELE), hereafter referred to as lsl2. Further analysis of the lsl2 and LSL2 proteins showed a one-amino-acid change, namely, the mutation of serine (Ser) 79 to proline (Pro) in lsl2 compared with LSL2, and this mutation might change the function of the protein. Knockout experiments showed that the lsl2 gene is responsible for the long sterile lemma phenotype. The lsl2 gene might reduce the damage induced by spike germination by decreasing the seed germination rate, but other agronomic traits of rice were not changed in the lsl2 mutant. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the lsl2 gene will have specific application prospects in future rice breeding. Conclusions The lsl2 gene is responsible for the long sterile lemma phenotype and might reduce the damage induced by spike germination by decreasing the seed germination rate.

Fargesia sapaensis N.H.Xia & Y.Y.Zhang, a new species from Lao Cai, Vietnam, is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to F. dracocephala T.P.Yi and F. fansipanensis T.Q.Nguyen, but differs from the former mainly in its mid-culm complement of 3–7 branches at each node, auricles of culm sheaths absent, 2‒6 florets per spikelet, 7‒10 mm long first glume and 2‒3 mm long lodicules, and from the latter by its culm sheaths shorter than culm internodes, 3–4 leaves per ultimate branch, and a mid-culm complement of 3–7 branches at each node.

Studies of the origins of agriculture in the Near East have revealed that the eight plant species known as “Founder Crops”, i.e. emmer, einkorn, barley, lentils, peas, chickpeas, bitter vetch and flax, derived from annual self-pollinating wild predecessors, were all domesticated in roughly the same period. Recent research however has prompted new debate on whether there are really only eight “Founder Crops” species in the Near East. Interest has focused on “new” glume wheat (NGW), a Triticum species identified for the first time by de Moulins at the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (PPNB) site of Caferhöyük in Eastern Anatolia. After this identification, similar remains were identified in Neolithic and Bronze Age sites in Greece and were named “new” glume wheat. Recently, the remains of NGW spikelet bases have been documented in two settlements in Turkey: Yumuktepe (Cilicia) and Yenikapı (eastern Thrace). The remains of NGW spikelet bases from these two settlements underwent morphobiometric analysis in order to contribute to discussion of the morphological character of NGW spikelets. In addition, a whole NGW spikelet from Yenikapı was analysed, contributing to discussion of the morphological features of NGW caryopses. At the same time, these attestations open up new debate not only on its large-scale presence in Anatolia but also its origins and the ways and routes by which it spread to other regions. In this study, the two basic models of domestication and geographical expansion, i.e. the “rapid transition model” and the “protracted model”, are assessed on the basis of the new evidence of NGW in Turkey and the relationship with other European sites where it is attested.

Awns are bristle‐like structures, typically extending from the tip end of the lemmas in the florets of cereal species, including such economically important crops as wheat (Triticum aestivum L., T. durum Desf.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), and rye (Secale cereale L.). The presence of long awns adhered at tip end of glumes is a characteristic feature of “Persian wheat” T. carthlicum Nevski spike. Glume outgrowth of T. carthlicum Nevski spike passes into a long awn, equal in length to the lemma awn. Awned glumes can be formed in T. aestivum and T. aethiopicum wheats, however, such forms are rare. Features of the awned glume development and the genetic determinants of this trait have been little studied. In this paper, we described the features of the development and inheritance of the tetra-awness (awned glume) trait of the bread wheat T. aestivum line CD 1167-8, using classical genetic analysis, molecular genetic mapping, and scanning electron microscopy. It was shown that the trait is inherited as a recessive monogenic. The gene for the awned glume trait of CD 1167-8 was mapped in the long arm of chromosome 5A, using the Illumina Infinium 15K Wheat Array (TraitGenetics GmbH), containing 15,000 SNPs associated with wheat genes. Results of allelism test and molecular-genetic mapping suggest that the gene for awned glumes in bread wheat is a recessive allele of the B1 awn suppressor. This new allele was designated the b1.ag (b1. awned glume). Analysis of the CD 1167-8 inflorescence development, using scanning electron microscopy, showed that awns had grown from the top of the lemmas and glumes simultaneously, and no differences in patterns of their development were found.

Parastagonospora nodorum jest powszechnie występującym nekrotroficznym patogenem zbóż atakującym przede wszystkim pszenżyto i pszenicę, wywołuje on septoriozę liści i plew, która w sprzyjających warunkach pogodowych powoduje duże straty w plonie. Patogen ten wykorzystuje szereg specyficznych białkowych efektorów, które u wrażliwych genotypów uruchamiają szlaki sygnałowe prowadzące do programowanej śmierci komórek, w wyniku, czego powstają zmiany nekrotyczne w zainfekowanej tkance. W powyższej pracy przedstawiono procedurę testowania obiektów hodowlanych pod względem wrażliwości na efektor Tox3 z wykorzystaniem nieoczyszczanego filtratu z hodowli P. nodorum. Podejście to pozwala osiągnąć zadowalające efekty selekcji bez konieczności stosowania kłopotliwych procedur oczyszczania lub ekspresji opartej o genetycznie zmodyfikowane mikroorganizmy.

Considering that the genetically modified soybean lectin gene is affected by the gene type, to improve the stability of the genetically modified soybean lectin gene, a method based on fluorescence quantitative PCR to analyze the genetic characteristics of the genetically modified soybean lectin was proposed. The common soybean varieties, Wangshuibai and Huangdou No. 3 were selected as materials for tissue-specific expression analysis. Under the background conditions of analyzing the genetically modified soybean lectin genes, fluorescent quantitative PCR was applied to the analysis of genetic characteristics. The characteristics of the genetically modified soybean lectin gene were analyzed in terms of location characteristics and expression characteristics. The results showed that the soybean lectin gene has a complex functional mechanism and may participate in a variety of stress-related regulatory or signal transduction pathways in different ways; Lectin2.1 transcripts are expressed in abundance in glume and lemma in seedling tips, Lectin2.2 was mainly expressed in the roots, and a small amount was expressed in leaves and lemma; Lectin2.1 and Lectin2.2 are highly similar in nucleic acid and amino acid composition, and have similar subcellular localization characteristics.

Agrostis laegaardii A. M. Molina & Rúgolo (Poaceae), a new species restricted to the high páramos from Colombia and Ecuador, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically most similar to A. breviculmis Hitchc. but differs in spikelet length, pedicel apex, glume texture, relative distance between upper glume and floret, lemma and palea length, and the presence of an awn on the lemma. Micromorphology of the spikelet is discussed, and a Trichodium net is reported on the epidermis of the lemma. A distribution map and a key to the Colombian and Ecuadorean species of Agrostis L. with contracted inflorescences are provided. Fil: Palacio, Patricia Candela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Cátedra de Botánica General; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Molina, Ana M.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; Argentina Fil: Rúgolo, Zulma Esther. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; Argentina Fil: Vega, Andrea Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Cátedra de Botánica General; Argentina

Parahyparrhenia khannae, a new species of Andropogoneae (Poaceae: Andropogoneae) from the grassland of Ratlam and Jhabua districts of Madhya Pradesh, India is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to the Indian endemic species P. bellariensis in having dorsal groove in lower glume of sessile spikelet, but differs in having shorter plant height, lacerate membranous ligule, shorter leaf blade and raceme length, fewer homogamous spikelets, shorter sessile spikelet and anther length.

The archaeological sites of Shunshanji and Hanjing are recorded as the earliest Neolithic sites in the middle Huai river valley, China, which were occupied between 8,500 and 7,500 cal bp, and provide crucial evidence of rice growing. However, the water availability and management of arable land systems for rice cultivation and the main stages of rice processing at the two sites have not been studied before. In this paper, phytolith analyses are discussed in 66 samples from the Shunshanji site and 32 samples from the Hanjing site, with three phases of occupation at each. The ratios of sensitive to fixed forms in the phytolith assemblages over three phases reveal that in Phase I these ratios are relatively low, and they become significantly higher in Phases II and III at both sites. These results suggest that rice was grown probably only using natural water supplies in the lowlands during Phase I, but changed to growing on highly controlled and regularly flooded and drained wetlands in Phase II at the two sites. In addition, seen from the distribution and concentrations of phytoliths from rice, weeds and their by-products, as well as the proportions of each, both double peaked glume cells (DPG) and rice cuneiform bulliform cells (RCB) were found together with some rice paddy weed phytoliths. The concentrations of DPG were much higher than those of RCB in most samples from the Shunshanji and Hanjing sites over the three phases. The findings imply that rice ears together with the stems and leaves were probably stored after the harvest, then threshed and de-husked simultaneously, and the straw and chaff by-products were discarded together at the sites between 8,500 and 7,500 cal bp. The study in this paper aims towards a better understanding of past human behaviour and social organization in rice growing communities during the middle Neolithic in eastern China.

Rice (Oryza sativa) spikelets are a unique inflorescence structure and their development directly determines grain size and yield. Although many genes related to spikelet development have been reported, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we identified a new recessive rice mutant, lacking rudimentary glume 1 (lrg1). The lrg1 spikelets only formed one rudimentary glume, which, along with the sterile lemmas, was homeotically transformed into lemma-like organs and acquired lemma identity. The transition from the spikelet to the floral meristem was delayed in the lrg1 mutant, resulting in the formation of an ectopic lemma-like organ between the sterile lemma and the terminal floret. In addition, we found that the abnormal lrg1 grain phenotype resulted from the alteration of cell numbers and the hull size. LRG1 encodes a ZOS4-06-C2H2 zinc-finger protein with the typical EAR motifs, and is expressed in all organs and tissues. LRG1 localizes to the nucleus and can interact with the TOPLESS-RELATED PROTEINs (TPRs) to repress the expressions of their downstream target genes. Taken together, our results reveal that LRG1 plays an important role in the regulation of spikelet organ identity and grain size.

Spring durum wheat (Triticum durum) is an important crop in Russia and Kazakhstan. There are substantial yield losses due to fungal diseases. The research focused on host plant resistance to fungal diseases, and identification of the sources of multiple resistance which can be deployed in durum wheat breeding programs. Extensive environmental varietal testing experiments at places with diverse meteorological factors allows the selection of valuable material. In 2017 and 2018, a collection of 21 spring durum wheat accessions from the Kazakhstan-Siberian Network for Wheat Improvement (KASIB) was studied under high disease pressure. The following diseases were evaluated in three regions of Russia (Omsk, Altai and Samara), in Southern Kazakhstan and in Kenya: leaf, stem and yellow rusts, powdery mildew, glume blotch, tan spot and spot blotch. As the result, three breeding lines with multiple disease resistance to three rust species, powdery mildew and leaf blotches were identified: Hordeiforme 178-05-02, Hordeiforme 05-42-12 and Hordeiforme 1591-21. Furthermore, the accessions resistant to rusts or spots were also identified. Phytopathological studies and molecular marker analysis showed absence of genes Lr1, Lr3, Lr9, Lr10, Lr19/Sr25, Lr20/Sr15, Lr24/Sr24, Lr26/Sr31/Yr9/Pm8, Lr34/Sr57/Yr18 and Lr37/Sr38/Yr17. Clustering of durum wheat accessions based on similarity in resistance and susceptibility revealed three main groups; accessions susceptible to all three rusts, those with some resistance to one or two rusts, and those with seedling resistance to leaf rust only.

The taxonomy of several species allied to Ficinia pygmaea, that are perennials of small stature (typically under 100 mm) and with a capitate inflorescence, is contentious. Recent authors have considered Ficinia pygmaea to be conspecific with F. limosa, and these South African taxa have been thought to be allied to the Ethiopian taxon F. clandestina. Examination of herbarium specimens and further field studies supports recognition of F. pygmaea and F. limosa at species rank. An additional allied species, putatively named F. echinata in several herbaria, occurring in the Cape Agulhas area, is described. Ficinia echinata is a rigid tufted plant growing at the edges of coastal salt pans and is distinguished by its sharply pointed leaves and bract apices, and its glume morphology. The interpretation of the morphology of F. echinata as intermediate between F. pygmaea and F. limosa had influenced the decision to merge the two taxa.

The generic placement of two African species currently included in the genus Fimbristylis, F. hygrophila and F. variegata, has been contentious. These two species, which have been known for the past half century, are glabrous tufted perennials whose spikelets have semi-distichous to spiral glume arrangement, bisexual flowers, and a pistil with an enlarged and deciduous style base. While the two species fit the gross morphology of Fimbristylis, they differ in lacking the characteristic Kranz anatomy. We present phylogenetic inference of the Abildgaardieae based on DNA sequence data and map photosynthetic type. C4 photosynthesis has arisen twice in Abildgaardieae, in the Bulbostylis and the Fimbistylis clades, with a C3 clade (including Arthrostylis) sister to rest of tribe and a C3 grade (the two African Fimbristylis species, Trachystylis, Actinoschoenus) separating the two C4 clades. The new genus Zulustylis is described here, to segregate the two aberrant African Fimbristylis species, and its taxonomy presented.

The main objective of the research is developing and describing in detail the calculation algorithm of the United Temperature Influence Index (UTII) and United Macroelements content in Soil Influence Index (UMCSII) on basic plant characteristics in sample populations. Additionaly, we present an example of its application in Deschampsia antarctica E Desv. research at Galindez Island, Argentine Islands, maritime Antarctic under natural condition based on experimental data sets. The final goal of the research was to evaluate the UTII and UMCSII, based on the sample plant populations contribution to the United Quality Latent Index of adaptability (UQLI). Methods. The surface temperature data set was obtained by temperature loggers at each individual plant population during April 2017 — April 2018. To determine the individual D. antarctica cover and measure the morphometric parameters of eleven D. antarctica populations, we evaluated leaf length, inflorescence length, flower length (by lower flower glume), and the number of flowers in inflorescence. Protein densitometry profiles of seeds for eleven D. antarctica populations were analyzed. To obtain the United Temperature Influence Index (UTII) and United Macroelements Content in Soil Influence Index (UMCSII) on basic plant characteristics, the extreme grouping method was applied. This method is described in current work in detail. The estimation of UTII and UMCSII were calculated by pairwise comparisons of spatial pair differences indices sets. Results. The calculation algorithms of the United Temperature Influence Index (UTII) and United Macroelements Сontent in Soil Influence Index (UMCSII), based on the example of eleven populations of D. antarctica, were developed and described in detail for Galindez Island in the 2017/18 season. Determining the total contribution of UTII and UMCSII to the UQLI is an example of comparing the value of temperature and soil macroelements to environmental parameters. Conclusions. UTII was shown to have a significant contribution to the UQLI in December and January, when the largest spatial temperature variations were observed. UMCSII did not have a statistical confidence of contribution to the UQLI, but sum with the UTII increased UTII contribution value to the UQLI. The index UTII is proposed to describe an influence of source temperature data to a large number of plant populations sample different characteristics by reducing the dimension to one number. The index UMCSII is proposed to describe an influence of a large number of source macroelements content in soil data to sample populations covers by reducing the dimension to one number. The UTII and UМCSII sets can be used to compare them with sets of the UQLI of adaptability populations sample of the same species growing under different conditions to construct correlation models for different populations.

Around ten thousand years ago, men mostly relied on hunting and gathering activities before shifting to agriculture and allied practices. By 4000 years ago, ancient people had completed the domestication of all major crop species upon which human survival is dependent, including rice, wheat, and maize. Recent advances have started to point out the genes that were responsible for this change of the cultivated maize crop. The list of genes to date tentatively suggests that diverse plant developmental pathways were the targets of Neolithic “genetic tinkering,” Maize and its closest wild relatives, the teosintes, present a paradox. Even though maize and the teosintes exhibit extreme differences in their adult morphologies their genomes are so similar that they share the same chromosome number, similar or identical chromosome morphologies, and they can be easily cross-hybridized. A very high level of diversity exists among the maize landraces to explain this diversity many workers have proposed that maize landraces were the products of multiple independent domestication from their wild relative. Reports indicate that all maize arose from a single domestication in southern Mexico about 9,000 years ago. This phylogenetic work is consistent with a model based on the archaeological record suggesting that maize was the result of early Holocene domesticates. A few major genes or multiple linked minor genes on the maize chromosome largely govern the drastic change that is seen between teosinte and maize. Genes like teosinte branched1 (tb1) gene, teosinte glume architecture1 (tga1) and Zea Floricaula / Leafy2 (zfl2). There still remain some untold chapters in the origin and early diversification of maize. These questions will require additional archaeological and botanical exploration, more powerful molecular analyses, and perhaps DNA analysis of archaeological materials such that a perfect phylogenetic relationship can be established.

Awns play important roles in seed dispersal, protection against predators, and photosynthesis. The characterization of genes related to the formation of awns helps understand the regulation mechanisms of awn development. In the present study, the “double-awn” wheat 4045, which features super-long lemma awns and long glume awns, and an awnless wheat line, Zhiluowumai, were used to investigate QTLs or genes involved in awn development. QTL analysis identified three loci—Qawn-1D, Qawn-5A, and Qawn-7B—using a population of 101 4045 × ZLWM F2 plants. Fine mapping with a total of 9018 progenies narrowed the mapping interval of Qawn-5A to an 809-kb region, which was consistent with the B1 locus, containing five genes on chromosome 5AL. Gene structure and expression analysis indicated that TraesCS5A02G542800 was the causal gene, which was subsequently verified by overexpression of TraesCS5A02G542800 in a “double-awn” wheat, Yangmai20. The retained “double-awn” phenotype of transgenic plants suggested that B1 represses the elongation but does not influence the emergence of the awns. Moreover, 4045 harbors a new allele of B1 with a 261-bp insertion in the promoter region and a lack of the EAR2 motif in the encoding region, which influences several important agronomic traits. In this study, we identify two novel QTLs and a novel allele of B1, providing new resources for exploration of awn development.

Directional transport of auxin is critical for inflorescence and floral development in flowering plants, but the role of auxin influx carriers (AUX1 proteins) has been largely overlooked. Taking advantage of available AUX1 mutants in Setaria viridis and maize, we uncover previously unreported aspects of plant development that are affected by auxin influx, including higher order branches in the inflorescence, stigma branch number, and glume (floral bract) development, and plant fertility. However, disruption of auxin flux does not affect all parts of the plant, with little obvious effect on inflorescence meristem size, time to flowering, and anther morphology. In double mutant studies in maize, disruptions of ZmAUX1 also affect vegetative development. A GFP-tagged construct of SvAUX1 under its native promoter showed that the AUX1 protein localizes to the plasma membrane of outer tissue layers in both roots and inflorescences, and accumulates specifically in inflorescence branch meristems, consistent with the mutant phenotype and expected auxin maxima. RNA-seq analysis finds that most gene expression modules are conserved between mutant and wildtype plants, with only a few hundred genes differentially expressed in spp1 inflorescences. Using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, we disrupted SPP1 and the other four AUX1 homologs in S. viridis. SvAUX1/SPP1 has a larger effect on inflorescence development than the others, although all contribute to plant height, tiller formation, leaf, and root development. The AUX1 importers are thus not fully redundant in S. viridis. Our detailed phenotypic characterization plus a stable GFP-tagged line offer tools for future dissection of the function of auxin influx proteins.One sentence summaryMutations in a single auxin importer gene Spp1/SvAUX1 uncover broad and unexpected effects in nearly all aspects of the development of shoots, inflorescences, and flowers.

Vulpia ciliata Dumort, a widespread species in the Mediterranean region, has been introduced in several European countries in recent decades, mainly along railways. The species was first discovered in Hungary at Szolnok railway station in May 2016, then a few days later at Keleti railway station in Budapest. In 2020 the species was found in several Transdanubian railway stations. Apparently, V. ciliata has recently been established in numerous parts of the country, probably spreading by railway transport. Until now, the species has only been found in the vicinity of regularly used tracks (in a distance of 20 m at the most). Being an invasive alien species, V. ciliata can displace the native Vulpia myuros in ruderal vegetation along railway lines. The species can easily be distinguished from V. myuros by its hairy lemma. Moreover, it flowers earlier than the other two indigenous species in Hungary, often already in late April. Based on the characteristics examined (number of nodes in the upper 2 cm zone of the rachis, number of fruits per spikelet, rate of fertile and sterile florets within the spikelet, lower and upper glume length, lemma and awn length separately, rachis width in the upper 2 cm zone) we have concluded that V. bromoides and V. myuros are less different from each other than V. ciliata from these two species. In the case of V. ciliata subsp. ciliata, we observed that spikelets (detached from the inflorescens) function as dispersal units. Therefore we assume that the observed low fertility rate within the spikelets, as well as the presence of marginal cilia on lemmas promote the spreading success of V. ciliata (spreading in clusters, anemochory, zoochory, anthropochory). Its early maturation (in May) can also facilitate its spread along railways, because the populations survive the chemical weed control usually carried out in late spring. The other two Hungarian species usually ripen later (in June). For the time being, the spread of V. ciliata outside the Hungarian railway network may be hindered by climatic conditions, or by the lack of seasonal weed control outside that network, which otherwise offers a relative survival advantage for V. ciliata along railway tracks.

Background Long grain geng/japonica rice has a higher market preference due its excellent appearance quality. The dense and erect-panicle 1 (dep1) gene has been widely used in the breeding of high-yielding geng/japonica rice cultivars in China. However, this gene causes short and round grain shape thus making it less attractive in global rice markets. Therefore, breeding of high-yielding long-grain geng/japonica rice cultivars by incorporating dep1 with major-effect grain shape gene is of high priority in rice industry. Up to now, multiple grain shape genes’ effect mechanism has been clearly elaborated, however, under the background of erect-panicle geng/japonica rice, the effect of major grain shape genes on the appearance quality need to be further clarified, as detailed reports are limited. Findings: Utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 technology, a series of near-isogenic lines (NILs) (YF47dep1-gw8, YF47dep1-gs3, YF47dep1-gl7, YF47dep1-qgl3 and YF47dep1-tgw6) in Yanfeng 47(YF47dep1) background were created. Grain appearance and yield components analysis showed that: i) All NILs’ grain length to width ratio was significantly increased compared to that of YF47dep1, excepted YF47dep1-gs3, ii) The chalkiness degree was significantly reduced in all of the NILs, iii) In all of the NILs, YF47dep1-gw8 grains exhibited the greatest length to width ratio and the lowest chalkiness degree, iv) The composition of glume cells and filling characteristics of the endosperm were two key factors contributing grain shape and grain chalk variations, respectively, and v) Owning to a substantial increase in the thousand grain weight, the yields of YF47dep1-gs3 and YF47dep1-tgw6 were significantly higher than that of YF47dep1, whereas YF47dep1-qgl3 exhibited the lowest yield because of a dramatic decrease in the effective panicle number and thousand grain weight. Conclusions All the results revealed that pyramiding dep1 with major-effect grain shape alleles was an effective approach to improving the appearance quality of erect-panicle geng/japonica rice, owning to both of the appearance quality and yield improvement, GS3 and TGW6 alleles can be applied directly for breeding long-grain shape geng/japonica rice, and editing GW8 resulted in excellent appearance quality but low yield, therefore, this gene would be difficult to use directly but can be considered as the core germplasm resource.

Stagonospora leaf and glume blotch (SLGB) of wheat caused by Parastagonospora nodorum is one of the emerging diseases in Himachal Pradesh. In the present study, survey was conducted in major wheat growing areas and the severity on earheads was observed during 2013–2014, 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 cropping seasons. Out of seven districts surveyed, Kangra, Kullu and Mandi faced higher severity of SLGB and based on survey data, Malan was considered as the disease hot spot. Disease severity was considerably higher during 2014–2015 (45.0%) than 2013–2014 (30.0%) and 2015–2016 (13.0%) respectively due to congenial climatic conditions i.e. lower temperatures (14.10–17.74 °C), higher humidity (50.81–55.79%) and rainfall (35.85–154.95mm) and more number of rainy days (3.7–6.2). The sites located in valley areas, near water bodies and rivers recorded higher disease severity due to favourable microclimate. The yield losses estimated in susceptible variety HPW 249 were 12.4 and 14.7% during 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 respectively. Two sprays of propiconazole (0.1%) at 15 days interval were quite effective giving 89.6 and 85.9% control of the disease during 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 correspondingly.

The study of cereal seed mycocenosis is relevant in solving problems determining the production of healthy, environmentally friendly agricultural products. Black point of wheat grain is a disorder characterised by a brown-black discolouration at the embryo end of the kernel. It is found in all regions of durum wheat cultivation and it results in significant economic loss annually. We studied seven varieties of spring durum wheat that were grown in 2014-2019. The weather conditions of the growing season have a significant impact on the development of black point of durum wheat in the forest-steppe zone of the Altai Territory of Russia (South-Western Siberia). The defeat of seeds by a black point varied from 2.3% to 28.0% on average for varieties. To obtain high-quality grain that is not affected by this disease, phytosanitary measures are required that reduce the infection of seeds with phytopathogens and limit the development of the disease during the growing season. Analysis of the pathogenic composition of fungal microorganisms in seeds of spring durum wheat, formed in different vegetations, revealed the presence of representatives of Fusarium, Alternaria, Helminthosporium, Penicillium and Aspergillum with a predominance of the first 3 genera. We found the negative effect of Fusarium fungi on seed germination. In the field conditions of the forest-steppe of the Altai Territory, the development of a black point in durum wheat grain is determined by the colonization of seeds with Bipolaris sorokiniana. No correlation was found between the incidence of black point and the infection of seeds by Fusarium and Alternaria. Keywords: Durum wheat; Black point; Disease Development Index (DDI); Pathogenic fungi; Genotype; Environmental conditions References Barysheva, N. V., Rozova, M. A., Ziborov, A. I., Khlebova, L. P., & Kraynov, A. P. (2016). Durum wheat resistance to black point. Acta Biologica Sibirica, 2(4), 45-51. https://doi.org/10.14258/abs.v2i4.1704 (In Russian) Barysheva, N. V., Rozova, M. A., Ziborov, A. I., Khlebova, L. P., & Kraynov, A. P. (2018). Evaluation of durum wheat collection in terms of black-point affection. Bulletin of Altai State Agricultural University, 1, 12-18. (In Russian) Chulkina, V. A., Toropova, E. Yu., Stecov, G. Ya. (2010). Integrirovannaya zashchita rastenij: fitosanitarnaya optimizaciya agroekosistem (terminy i opredeleniya). Moscow. Kolos. (In Russian) Clarke, M. P., Gooding, M. J., & Jones, S. A. (2004). The effects of irrigation, nitrogen fertilizer and grain size on Hagberg falling number, spesific weight and black point of winter wheat. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 84, 227-236. Conner, R. L. (1987). Influence of irrigation timing on black point incidence of soft white spring wheat. Can. J. Plant Pathol., 9, 301-306. Conner, R. L. (1989). Influence of irrigation and precipitation on incidence of black point in soft spring wheat. Can. J. Plant Pathology, 11, 388-392. Conner, R. L., Hwang, S. F., & Stevens, R. R. (1996). Fusarium proliferatum: a new causal agent of black point in wheat. Can. J. Plant Pathology, 18, 419-423. Dexter, J., & Matsuo, R. R. (1982). Effect of smudge and black point, mildewed kernels, and ergot on durum wheat quality. Cereal Chem, 59(1), 63-69. El-Helaly, A. F. (1947). The black-point disease of wheat. Phytopathology, 37(11), 773-780. Fernandez, M. R., Clarke, J. M., DePauw, R. M., Irvine, R. B., & Knox, R. E. (1994). Black point and red smudge in irrigated durum wheat in southern Saskatchewan in 1990-1992. Can. J. Plant Pathology, 16, 221-227. Gannibal, F. B. (2014). Alternaria disease of grain – modern view of the problem. Zashchita i karantin rastenij, 6, 11-15. (In Russian) Gaponov, S. N., Popova, V. M., Shutareva, G. I., Tsvetva, N. M., Parshikova, T. M., & Shchukin, S. A. (2016). The problem of «glume mold» and specific characteristic of cultivation technology of spring durum wheat. Agrarian Reporter of South-East, 1-2, 27-28. Glinushkin, A. P., Sokolov, M. S., & Toropova, E. Yu. (2016). Fitosanitarnye i gigienicheskie trebovaniya k zdorovoj pochve. Moskva, «Izdatel'stvo Agrorus». (In Russian) Graham, R. D., & Welch, R. M. (2000). Plant food micronutrient composition and human nutrition. Commun. Soil. Sci. Plant Anal., 31, 1627-1640. Hudec, K. (2007). Influence of harvest date and geographical location on kernel symptoms, fungal infestation and embryo viability of malting barley. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 113, 125-132. Khulbe, D., Srinivas, P., & Agarwal, V. K. (2011). Diversity of black point symptoms and associated fungi in wheat and seed quality. Ann. Pl. Protec. Sci., 19 (2), 383-387. Kirichenko, A. A. (2008). Chernota zarodysha yarovoy pshenitsy i ogranichenie ee razvitiya v usloviyakh lesostepi Priobya. Thesis, Kurgan. (In Russian) Koyshybaev, M., Shamanin, V. P., & Morgunov, A. I. (2014). Skrining pshenitsy na ustoychivost k osnovnym boleznyam: metodicheskie ukazaniya. FAO-SEK: Ankara. (In Russian) Kumar, J., Schafer, P., Huckelhoven, R., Langen, G., Baltruschat, H., Stein, E., Nagarajan, S., & Kogel K. H. (2002). Bipolaris sorokiniana, a cereal pathogen of global concern: Cytological and molecular approaches towards better control. Molecular Plant Pathology, 3, 185-195. Lehmensiek, A., Campbell, A. W., Williamson, P. M., Michalowitz, M., Sutherland, M. W., & Daggard, G. E. (2004). QTL’s for black point resistance in wheat and the identification of potential markers for use in breeding programs. Plant Breeding, 123, 410-416. Liu, R. H. (2007). Whole grain phytochemicasl and health. J. Cerial Sci., 46, 207-219. Mak, Y., Willows, R. D., Roberts, T. H., Wrigley, C. W., Sharp, P. J., & Coptland, L. (2006). Black point is associated with reduced levels of stress, disease- and defence-related proteins in wheat grain. Molecular Plant Pathology, 7(3), 177-189. McKevith, B. (2004). Nutritional aspects of cereals. Nutr. Bull., 29, 111-142. Moschini, R. C., Sisterna, M. N., & Carmona, M. A. (2006). Modelling of wheat black point incidence based on meteorological variables in the southern Argentinean Pampas region. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 57, 1151-1156. Patel, D. J., & Minipara, D. B. (2016). Assessment of fungi associated with black point disease of wheat and genetic variation amongst the most dominantly isolated fungus [Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Kessl.]. The Bioscan, 11(4), 2105-2110. Rees, R. G., Martin, D. J., & Law, D. P. (1984). Black point in bread wheat. Effects on quality and germination and fungal associations. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, 127, 601-605. Sissons, M., Abecassis, J., Marchylo, B., & Carcea, M. (2012). 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Main objective of the research was to develop an algorithm for the United Quality Latent Index of Adaptability (UQLI, Iq) and to demonstrate its application on the study of Deschampsia antarctica E. Desv. at the monitoring site of Galindez Island, Argentine Islands, maritime Antarctic in natural setups. Methods. Cover area of eleven populations of D. antarctica as well as measurements of their morphometric parameters were obtained for use in the analysis including: leaf length, inflorescence length, flower length (by lower glume), and flower count in an inflorescence. Protein densitometry profiles of seeds from eleven D. antarctica populations were also added to the dataset. Extreme grouping method was used to calculate the United Quality Latent Index of Adaptability (UQLI). The estimation of United Latent Quality Index of Adaptability (UQLI, Iq) was performed by pairwise comparisons of sets of spatial pair differences indices. Results. We described the use of the algorithm for UQLI estimation for eleven populations of D. antarctica from Galindez Island in the 2017/18 season. As an example of practical application, we presented the six-year UQLI trends for six experimental D. antarctica populations from Galindez Island. Conclusions. The developed algorithm for the UQLI calculation was applied to evaluate the complex adaptability in the six-year monitoring dynamics for six D. antarctica experimental populations from Galindez Island. Trends of the UQLI were obtained for all sampled population. The researched populations can be categorized by trends in the proposed adaptation index into three separate groups as follows: passing through maximum, passing through minimum or experiencing oscillations. It is suggested that such categorization is related to individual micro-habitat conditions. Further addition of the observation data will improve the explanation of the oscillating UQLI trends and will allow to study its relationship with other climatic indices. The UQLI index is proposed for reduction of dimensionality of source data at different organization levels that characterize sample populations. The UQLI can be used to compare a sets of populations sample of the same species growing under different conditions, especially during monitoring studies.

Background MYC transcriptional factors are members of the bHLH (basic helix-loop-helix) superfamily, and play important roles in plant growth and development. Recent studies have revealed that some MYCs are involved in the crosstalk between Jasmonic acid regulatory pathway and light signaling in Arabidopsis, but such kinds of studies are rare in wheat, especially in photo-thermo-sensitive genic male sterile (PTGMS) wheat line. Results 27 non-redundant MYC gene copies, which belonged to 11 TaMYC genes, were identified in the whole genome of wheat (Chinese Spring). These gene copies were distributed on 13 different chromosomes, respectively. Based on the results of phylogenetic analysis, 27 TaMYC gene copies were clustered into group I, group III, and group IV. The identified TaMYC genes copies contained different numbers of light, stress, and hormone-responsive regulatory elements in their 1500 base pair promoter regions. Besides, we found that TaMYC3 was expressed highly in stem, TaMYC5 and TaMYC9 were expressed specially in glume, and the rest of TaMYC genes were expressed in all tissues (root, stem, leaf, pistil, stamen, and glume) of the PTGMS line BS366. Moreover, we found that TaMYC3, TaMYC7, TaMYC9, and TaMYC10 were highly sensitive to methyl jasmonate (MeJA), and other TaMYC genes responded at different levels. Furthermore, we confirmed the expression profiles of TaMYC family members under different light quality and plant hormone stimuli, and abiotic stresses. Finally, we predicted the wheat microRNAs that could interact with TaMYC family members, and built up a network to show their integrative relationships. Conclusions This study analyzed the size and composition of the MYC gene family in wheat, and investigated stress-responsive and light quality induced expression profiles of each TaMYC gene in the PTGMS wheat line BS366. In conclusion, we obtained lots of important information of TaMYC family, and the results of this study was supposed to contribute novel insights and gene and microRNA resources for wheat breeding, especially for the improvement of PTGMS wheat lines.