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

The field experiment to standardise the nutrient management practice in pigeon pea (APK1) was conducted in randomised block design with eight treatments comprising of different nutrient sources and methods of application, at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram. Significant variations were recorded in growth parameters, yield attributes, yield, nitrogen uptake and protein content of seeds. The treatment involving application of 100 % N + 50 % P + 50 % K + P solubiliser + K solubiliser in soil resulted in the significantly tallest plants (109.70 cm) and maximum number of branches per plant (6.5) at harvest, average pod weight (0.62 g) and seed yield (1.48 t ha-1). Seed protein content was also maximum in the treatment, indicating that the integrated package of 100 per cent recommended dose of nitrogen and substitution of 50 per cent each of phosphorus and potassium with P solubiliser (Bacillus megaterium) and K solubiliser (Bacillus sporothermodurans) can be recommended for pigeon pea cultivation in the southern laterites of Kerala. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity stress is one of the basic challenges in the field of agriculture, which occurs due to the increase in the concentration of salts in the soil and water resources, in the growth media of plants. Investigating different plants at different levels of salinity stress in greenhouse conditions, the possibility of cultivation in different seasons and speeding up the selection process of salinity-tolerant cultivars in order to introduce and continue research in the field is of great importance. Considering the susceptibility of different bean cultivars to salinity stress; Having a detailed understanding of the physiological and biochemical responses of different bean cultivars, when faced with saline conditions, allows us to provide effective solutions for the optimal management of salinity stress and the improvement of plants' resistance to salinity stress. In order to investigate the effects of different levels of salinity on the yield and some physiological characteristics of different pinto bean cultivars, an experiment was carried out in the form of a split plot experiment with a completely randomized design in three replications in 2022 in the research greenhouse of Payam Noor University of Gandaman Center (Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province). The first factor was Four levels of salinity including S0 (2), S1 (10), S2 (20), and S3 (30) (dS/m), where S0 was the Hoagland's solution as the control, and other salinity levels were the result of mixing sodium chloride (NaCl) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) at a ratio of 20 to 1 moles in the Hoagland's solution, respectively. The second factor comprised four pinto bean cultivars used were Kousha, Saleh, Ghaffar, and Talash.The interaction of salinity stress and cultivar was significant for all investigated traits. According to the obtained results, in all the evaluated cultivars, the levels of salinity stress caused a decrease in the traits of chlorophyll content, biological yield, harvest index and seed yield. On the contrary, it caused an increase in carotenoid content, proline concentration and seed protein content. Under salinity stress, the examined cultivars moderated the adverse effects of salinity stress on reducing biological yield, harvest index and grain yield compared to the control by keeping the level of carotenoids high, increasing the amount of proline and seed protein. According to the results, the Kosha cultivar which obtained the highest seed yield of 3450 kg/ha at control (S0) and 1470 kg/ha at S3 (the highest level of salinity) was the most successful of all the cultivars in moderating the adverse effects of salinity. On the contrary, Talash cultivar showed the lowest seed yield of 680 kg/ha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Increased impetus on the application of nano-fertilizers to improve sustainable food production warrants understanding of nanophytotoxicity and its underlying mechanisms before its application could be fully realized. In this study, we evaluated the potential particle size-dependent effects of soil-applied copper oxide nanoparticles (nCuO) on crop yield and quality attributes (photosynthetic pigments, seed yield and nutrient quality, seed protein, and seed oil), including root and seed Cu bioaccumulation and a suite of oxidative stress biomarkers, in soybean (Glycine max L.) grown in field environment. We synthesized three distinct sized (25 nm = S [small], 50 nm = M [medium], and 250 nm = L [large]) nCuO with same surface charge and compared with soluble Cu2+ ions (CuCl2) and water-only controls. Results showed particle size-dependent effects of nCuO on the photosynthetic pigments (Chla and Chlb), seed yield, potassium and phosphorus accumulation in seed, and protein and oil yields, with nCuO-S showing higher inhibitory effects. Further, increased root and seed Cu bioaccumulation led to concomitant increase in oxidative stress (H2O2, MDA), and as a response, several antioxidants (SOD, CAT, POX, and APX) increased proportionally, with nCuO treatments including Cu2+ ion treatment. These results are corroborated with TEM ultrastructure analysis showing altered seed oil bodies and protein storage vacuoles with nCuO-S treatment compared to control. Taken together, we propose particle size-dependent Cu bioaccumulation-mediated oxidative stress as a mechanism of nCuO toxicity. Future research investigating the potential fate of varied size nCuO, with a focus on speciation at the soil-root interface, within the root, and edible parts such as seed, will guide health risk assessment of nCuO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: canola (Brassica napus L.) is one of the most important oilseed plants that has been ranked third in the oil production after soybeans and oil palm. Drought is seriously the most important factor limiting the growth and production of canola in Iran. By foliar application of micronutrients, plant growth condition can be improved under stress. Salicylic acid (SA) plays an important role in abiotic stress tolerance, and more interests have been focused on SA due to its ability to induce a protective effect on plants under adverse environmental conditions. It is necessary to know the traits related to drought tolerance and their relationship with Seed yield. Due to the important role of roots in the absorption and conduction of water and nutrients, accurate knowledge of the root system and how it is distributed in the soil is of particular importance. therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the Effect of foliar application of micronutrients and salicylic acid to improve some quality traits and yield of canola (Brassica napus L.) under water deficit stress. Materials and methods: the experiment was conducted as split factorial in a randomized complete block design with three replications at Lorestan University College of Agriculture, Iran during 2017-2018. Water deficit was considered as the main factor in levels irrigation at 80 (control) and 30% of field capacity, and in the subplots subtractive treatment of the two factors of foliar application of micronutrient elements (nonconsumption and spraying at a concentration of 0.2%) and salicylic acid concentration of 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mM). The time of water deficit stress coincided with the stage of the beginning of regrowth (BBCH32). foliar application of micronutrient fertilizer in rosette stage (BBCH29) and foliar application of salicylic acid in two stage of flowering beginning (BBCH60) and pod filling (BBCH72). the measured traits included Chlorophyll Total, Carotenoids, Photosynthesis rate, Transpiration rate, seed yield, oil percentage, and Protein percentage. the data was analyzed by statistical analysis system (SAS version: 9.1). the means were analyzed using the Duncan test at P=0.05. Results and discussion: The results of analysis of variance showed that the triple interaction of stress in micronutrient fertilizer and salicylic acid on all traits studied in this experiment were significant. The results of comparing the mean of the data showed that water deficit stress significantly reduced total chlorophyll (14%), carotenoids (21%), photosynthesis rate (19%), transpiration rate (53%), grain yield (27%), oil percentage (11%) and significantly increased protein content Seeds (22%). the combination (no stress + 1.5 mM salicylic acid spraying and concentration of 2 per thousand fertilizers Micronutrients) was obtained. produced the highest total chlorophyll (2.23 mg g-1 wet weight), transpiration rate (3.12 mmol H2O2 m-2 s-1), seed yield (4955.7 kg ha-1) and oil percentage (45.7). foliar application of micronutrient fertilizer and 1.5 mM of salicylic acid significantly increased total chlorophyll (34%), carotenoids (29%), photosynthesis rate (27%) and Seed yield (36%) compared to the control treatment (without application of micronutrient fertilizer and Salicylic acid). Conclusion: A triple micronutrient fertilizer (iron+zinc+ manganese) with a concentration of 0.2% is recommended along with a concentration of 1.5 mM of salicylic acid to reduce the negative effects of water deficit stress and achieving acceptable seed yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The valuable corn plant is affected by complications if faced with water deficit conditions, feeding the plant with potassium and zinc elements at the right time can be a useful solution in creating plant resistance. To scrutinize the effect of time of foliar application of potassium and zinc elements on grain yield and concentration of nutrients in maize seed (variety SC 704) under water deficit conditions, a split-split plot experiment was conducted in the form of a completely randomized block design with three repetitions during two crop years at Ahvaz Agricultural Research Station. Treatment of water deficit conditions in the form of irrigation cutting off in two stages of 12 leaves and beginning of tassel emergence with the control treatment was considered as the main plot and foliar application of potassium element in the growth stages (8 leaves, 8 + 12 leaves and without foliar application(control)) was considered as the sub-plot. Also, foliar application of zinc element in the growth stages (8 leaves, 8 + 12 leaves and without foliar application (control)) was regarded as the sub-sub plot. The highest values of yield (1073.8 gr.m-2) was obtained in optimal irrigation treatment with two stages of potassium and zinc foliar application. The highest concentrations of potassium (1.37%), zinc (37.59 mg.gr-1) and protein (15.23%) were accumulated in the seeds when the irrigation was cut off at the tassel stage along with two stages of potassium and zinc foliar application. Phosphorus (0.41%) with two stages of zinc foliar application increased significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and objective: Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is one of the most important oilseed crops in the world, which has gained great importance in Iran due to its high tolerance to drought and salinity. Two important factors in the development of safflower cultivation are the increase of oil yield and early maturity. Considering that the most important step in plant breeding is creating diversity and using this diversity in selection, in this experiment, a large number of safflower genotypes were evaluated in terms of important quantitative and qualitative traits. Material and Methods: In this study, 160 local and imported genotypes were evaluated in the form of an augmented design with three controls (introduced cultivars Goldasht, Padideh and Golmehr) in five replicates as winter cultivation, and traits such as flowering date, Plant height, number of branches, spininess, seed yield, oil percentage, 1000 seed weight, seed protein content and fatty acid profile including percentage of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids were investigated. Findings: The results showed the existence of a range of 23 days for flowering date, a range of 95 cm in plant height and a range of 16% in the amount of seed oil. Also, a large variation was observed in seed yield and other evaluated traits. The results showed that the amount of seed protein in some tested genotypes was up to 20%, which is very important in terms of the nutritional value of meal. Examining the fatty acid profile with the help of GC showed that 24 genotypes had oleic acid content higher than 55%. The results of partial correlation showed that the genotypes with the highest percentage of oleic and palmitic acid usually have the highest percentage of oil and there is a strong negative correlation between oleic and linoleic, so that the decrease or increase of one is associated with the increase or decrease of the other. High oil percentage was observed only in thorny genotypes and no significant correlation was observed between oil percentage and seed protein content, so that genotypes with high oil percentage and high seed protein percentage were observed at the same time. Conclusion: Overall, the results of this study showed that there is a great diversity between the collected genotypes, which can be used in breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean meal is a major component of livestock feed due to its high content and quality of protein. Understanding the genetic control of protein is essential to develop new cultivars with improved meal protein. Previously, a genomic region on chromosome 20 significantly associated with elevated protein content was identified in the cultivar Danbaekkong. The present research aimed to introgress the Danbaekkong high-protein allele into elite lines with different genetic backgrounds by developing and deploying robust DNA markers. A multiparent population consisting of 10 F5-derived populations with a total of 1,115 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) was developed using “Benning HP” as the donor parent of the Danbaekkong high-protein allele. A new functional marker targeting the 321-bp insertion in the gene Glyma.20g085100 was developed and used to track the Danbaekkong high-protein allele across the different populations and enable assessment of its effect and stability. Across all populations, the high-protein allele consistently increased the content, with an increase of 3.3% in seed protein. A total of 103 RILs were selected from the multiparent population for yield testing in five environments to assess the impact of the high-protein allele on yield and to enable the selection of new breeding lines with high protein and high yield. The results indicated that the high-protein allele impacts yield negatively in general; however, it is possible to select high-yielding lines with high protein content. An analysis of inheritance of the Chr 20 high-protein allele in Danbaekkong indicated that it originated from a Glycine soja line (PI 163453) and is the same as other G. soja lines studied. A survey of the distribution of the allele across 79 G. soja accessions and 35 Glycine max ancestors of North American soybean cultivars showed that the high-protein allele is present in all G. soja lines evaluated but not in any of the 35 North American soybean ancestors. These results demonstrate that G. soja accessions are a valuable source of favorable alleles for improvement of protein composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed yield in soybean is a complex trait and is influenced by multiple genetic and environmental factors. Safflower is one of the oilseeds adapted to a wide range of soil conditions, but micronutrients deficiencies cause a decrease in its grain yield and quality. Hence, an experiment was conducted as a split factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications at Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Arak, Iran in 2019. Three tillage methods (including no tillage, low tillage and conventional tillage) were considered as the main plots and fertilizer treatments (including 1- Control, 2- Zinc, 3- Iron, 4- Sulfur, 5- Zinc + Iron, 6-Zinc + Sulfur, 7- Iron + Sulfur, and 8- Iron + Sulfur + Zinc) were considered as sub-plots. Results showed that there were significant differences between the fertilizer treatments in terms of seed yield, flower yield, seed weight per head, number of heads, number of seeds per head, percentage of seed protein and seed oil. In the treatment of tillage methods, thousand seed weight and linoleic fatty acid had significant differences. Interaction effects of soil tillage methods X fertilizer were significant on number of heads and linolenic acid. Fertilizer treatment of iron + sulfur + zinc had the highest seed yield (i.e. 1391 kg ha-1), flower yield (i.e. 183.7 kg ha-1), 1000 seed weight (i.e. 45.8 g), seed weight per head (i.e. 1.27 g), number of heads (i.e. 7.9), protein percentage (i.e. 21.2%) and seed oil percentage (i.e. 26.5). Results of this research showed that application of micronutrient elements by increasing the yield components, particularly 1000-seed weight, number of heads, and the weight of seeds per head led to increases in seed yield, oil percentage and protein percentage of safflower seeds. Though, tillage methods had no significant effect on safflower seed yield. According to the results of this experiment the use of zinc, sulfur, and iron fertilizers along with the method of low tillage can help to increase the grain yield and quality of rapeseed.

Soybean meal is a major component of livestock feed due to its high content and quality of protein. Understanding the genetic control of protein is essential to develop new cultivars with improved meal protein. Previously, a genomic region on chromosome 20 significantly associated with elevated protein content was identified in the cultivar Danbaekkong. The present research aimed to introgress the Danbaekkong high-protein allele into elite lines with different genetic backgrounds by developing and deploying robust DNA markers. A multiparent population consisting of 10 F5-derived populations with a total of 1,115 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) was developed using “Benning HP” as the donor parent of the Danbaekkong high-protein allele. A new functional marker targeting the 321-bp insertion in the gene Glyma.20g085100 was developed and used to track the Danbaekkong high-protein allele across the different populations and enable assessment of its effect and stability. Across all populations, the high-protein allele consistently increased the content, with an increase of 3.3% in seed protein. A total of 103 RILs were selected from the multiparent population for yield testing in five environments to assess the impact of the high-protein allele on yield and to enable the selection of new breeding lines with high protein and high yield. The results indicated that the high-protein allele impacts yield negatively in general; however, it is possible to select high-yielding lines with high protein content. An analysis of inheritance of the Chr 20 high-protein allele in Danbaekkong indicated that it originated from a Glycine soja line (PI 163453) and is the same as other G. soja lines studied. A survey of the distribution of the allele across 79 G. soja accessions and 35 Glycine max ancestors of North American soybean cultivars showed that the high-protein allele is present in all G. soja lines evaluated but not in any of the 35 North American soybean ancestors. These results demonstrate that G. soja accessions are a valuable source of favorable alleles for improvement of protein composition.

Seed yield in soybean is a complex trait and is influenced by multiple genetic and environmental factors. Safflower is one of the oilseeds adapted to a wide range of soil conditions, but micronutrients deficiencies cause a decrease in its grain yield and quality. Hence, an experiment was conducted as a split factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications at Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Arak, Iran in 2019. Three tillage methods (including no tillage, low tillage and conventional tillage) were considered as the main plots and fertilizer treatments (including 1- Control, 2- Zinc, 3- Iron, 4- Sulfur, 5- Zinc + Iron, 6-Zinc + Sulfur, 7- Iron + Sulfur, and 8- Iron + Sulfur + Zinc) were considered as sub-plots. Results showed that there were significant differences between the fertilizer treatments in terms of seed yield, flower yield, seed weight per head, number of heads, number of seeds per head, percentage of seed protein and seed oil. In the treatment of tillage methods, thousand seed weight and linoleic fatty acid had significant differences. Interaction effects of soil tillage methods X fertilizer were significant on number of heads and linolenic acid. Fertilizer treatment of iron + sulfur + zinc had the highest seed yield (i.e. 1391 kg ha-1 ), flower yield (i.e. 183.7 kg ha-1 ), 1000 seed weight (i.e. 45.8 g), seed weight per head (i.e. 1.27 g), number of heads (i.e. 7.9), protein percentage (i.e. 21.2%) and seed oil percentage (i.e. 26.5). Results of this research showed that application of micronutrient elements by increasing the yield components, particularly 1000-seed weight, number of heads, and the weight of seeds per head led to increases in seed yield, oil percentage and protein percentage of safflower seeds. Though, tillage methods had no significant effect on safflower seed yield. According to the results of this experiment the use of zinc, sulfur, and iron fertilizers along with the method of low tillage can help to increase the grain yield and quality of rapeseed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean is an important global source of plant-based protein. A persistent trend has been observed over the past two decades that soybeans grown in western Canada have lower seed protein content than soybeans grown in eastern Canada. In this study, 10 soybean genotypes ranging in average seed protein content were grown in an eastern location (control) and three western locations (experimental) in Canada. Seed protein and oil contents were measured for all lines in each location. RNA-sequencing and differential gene expression analysis were used to identify differentially expressed genes that may account for relatively low protein content in western-grown soybeans. Differentially expressed genes were enriched for ontologies and pathways that included amino acid biosynthesis, circadian rhythm, starch metabolism, and lipid biosynthesis. Gene ontology, pathway mapping, and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping collectively provide a close inspection of mechanisms influencing nitrogen assimilation and amino acid biosynthesis between soybeans grown in the East and West. It was found that western-grown soybeans had persistent upregulation of asparaginase (an asparagine hydrolase) and persistent downregulation of asparagine synthetase across 30 individual differential expression datasets. This specific difference in asparagine metabolism between growing environments is almost certainly related to the observed differences in seed protein content because of the positive correlation between seed protein content at maturity and free asparagine in the developing seed. These results provided pointed information on seed protein-related genes influenced by environment. This information is valuable for breeding programs and genetic engineering of geographically optimized soybeans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigation was carried out to understand the gene action for seed oil, seed protein, seed gossypol, seed cotton yield and fiber density through intra-hirsutum crosses. Combining ability and gene action were studied in eighteen hybrids involving six elite varieties as lines (females) and three fuzzless G. hirsutum accessions as testers (males) in Line x Tester analysis. This study revealed the preponderance of non-additive gene action on all the traits studied including seed cotton yield. The elite general combiners identified were CO14 for seed oil and seed protein and CO17 and AKH98-81 for fiber per seed and fiber density. The best specific combiner was SVPR4 x AKH98-81 for seed oil, fiber density and seed cotton yield. A correlation study revealed a strong positive association of seed oil content, lint index, micronaire value, fiber per seed and seed fiber density traits with seed cotton yield. This study indicated the possibility of developing high-yielding hybrids with high seed oil, seed protein content and better fiber quality traits through heterosis breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field study was carried out during 7th and 8th cycles in conservation agriculture to assess the influence of cropping system {(maize-mustard (MMu) and maize-wheat (MW)}, residue application {(with residue (WR) and without residue (WoR)} and precision nitrogen management options in preceding crop {recommended dose of N (RDN), 33%, 50% and 70% basal RDN + green seeker (GS) based N application} on succeeding summer mungbean. The WR enhanced 17.5% and 13.6% seed yield with 29.1% and 12.06% higher net returns of mungbean in MMu and MW, respectively. Residue mulching with 50+ GS significantly increased the seed protein content. The MMu with WR and 33+ GS produced higher environmental footprints (532.8 and 479.5 kg CO2-e Mg−1), respectively. Similarly, significantly higher gross energy was produced in WR (44.2 × 103 MJ ha−1) while, WoR produced higher net energy (11.7 × 103 MJ ha−1) under MMu compared to MW (43.1 and 8.31 MJ ha−1), respectively. Thus, growing of mungbean under maize-based cropping systems with residue and 50+ GS guided N fertilization to previous crops (maize-wheat/mustard) improved yield and net returns with lower environmentally footprints and energy consumption in Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP) and similar agro-ecologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionQuinoa is a dicotyledonous plant from the Amaranthaceae family, with favorable nutritional value and a high potential for growth and production in adverse environmental conditions. Despite being three carbon, it has high water consumption efficiency and as a new crop, due to its wide adaptation to different environment conditions such as salinity and drought, as well as being premature, it is suitable for planting in arid and desert areas and has many factors. Genetic and environmental factors such as genotype, density, arrangement and planting date, soil salinity, and drought stress affect yield. Among these, drought is one of the most important non-living stresses that cause great damage to crops and horticulture in the world every year. And especially Iran, which is considered an arid and semi-arid country. The effect of moisture stress on plants varies depending on which stage of plant growth occurs and plants can work through various mechanisms such as reducing growth parameters, closing pores, reducing photosynthesis, changing regulatory mechanisms of ion transport, and increasing activity. Antioxidant enzymes cope with drought stress to some extent, although such mechanisms are energy-intensive and cause a decline in performance.Materials and MethodsIn order to investigate the optimal density of quinoa at different levels of irrigation, a factorial experiment was conducted based on completely randomized design with three replications at the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Birjand University. The first factor was irrigation levels (based on 50, 75, and 100% water requirement) and the second factor was plant density at 5 levels (40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 plants m-2). Measurement traits included relative leaf water content, stomatal conductance, electrolyte leakage, number of branches, number of grains per branch, branch weight, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, water use efficiency, and grain protein.Results and DiscussionThe results showed that the yield components in response to low irrigation conditions were significantly reduced, so that the highest 1000-seed weight, number of branches, number of seeds per branch, branch weight and yield at the level of 100% water requirement were, respectively, 0.1 (g), 1368.4 (branching per square meter), 132.64 (grains per branching), 2377.8 (grams per square meter) and 3265.25 (kg ha-1) have been obtained. The maximum orifice conductivity measured at 35.66 (mol CO2 per square meter) was obtained at the beginning of flowering at 100% water requirement. Also, with decreasing irrigation level, physiological traits including relative leaf water content decreased significantly and traits such as electrolyte leakage and grain protein increased. The optimal density at the irrigation level of 100, 75, and 50% of water requirement were 113, 105, and 80 plants per square meter, respectively. The interaction of irrigation levels and density also showed that the highest yield was 100% of water requirement and density of 100 plants with 4226.52 kg ha-1. The results showed that at the irrigation levels of 100 and 75% of the water requirement, the highest yield was obtained at a density of 100 plants and with a decrease in density at these levels by 61.2 and 73.2%, respectively, was associated with a decrease in yield, but at the level of 50%. The highest yield was obtained at a density of 80 plants, which was accompanied by a decrease in yield to 40 plants with a yield of 73.5%. The results also show an increase in optimal density with increasing irrigation level, so that the most optimal density at the irrigation level of 100% of the water requirement is 113 plants per square meter and with increasing the stress to 75 and 50% of the water requirement, respectively, density Optimal yields of 105 and 80 plants per square meter have been achieved.ConclusionIn general, the results show that lack of moisture has an adverse effect on quinoa yield such as 1000-seed weight, branch weight, number of seeds per branch, and number of branches in the main inflorescence and reduces the optimal plant density.

An investigation was carried out to understand the gene action for seed oil, seed protein, seed gossypol, seed cotton yield and fiber density through intra-hirsutum crosses. Combining ability and gene action were studied in eighteen hybrids involving six elite varieties as lines (females) and three fuzzless G. hirsutum accessions as testers (males) in Line x Tester analysis. This study revealed the preponderance of non-additive gene action on all the traits studied including seed cotton yield. The elite general combiners identified were CO14 for seed oil and seed protein and CO17 and AKH98-81 for fiber per seed and fiber density. The best specific combiner was SVPR4 x AKH98-81 for seed oil, fiber density and seed cotton yield. A correlation study revealed a strong positive association of seed oil content, lint index, micronaire value, fiber per seed and seed fiber density traits with seed cotton yield. This study indicated the possibility of developing high-yielding hybrids with high seed oil, seed protein content and better fiber quality traits through heterosis breeding.

Soybean is an important global source of plant-based protein. A persistent trend has been observed over the past two decades that soybeans grown in western Canada have lower seed protein content than soybeans grown in eastern Canada. In this study, 10 soybean genotypes ranging in average seed protein content were grown in an eastern location (control) and three western locations (experimental) in Canada. Seed protein and oil contents were measured for all lines in each location. RNA-sequencing and differential gene expression analysis were used to identify differentially expressed genes that may account for relatively low protein content in western-grown soybeans. Differentially expressed genes were enriched for ontologies and pathways that included amino acid biosynthesis, circadian rhythm, starch metabolism, and lipid biosynthesis. Gene ontology, pathway mapping, and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping collectively provide a close inspection of mechanisms influencing nitrogen assimilation and amino acid biosynthesis between soybeans grown in the East and West. It was found that western-grown soybeans had persistent upregulation of asparaginase (an asparagine hydrolase) and persistent downregulation of asparagine synthetase across 30 individual differential expression datasets. This specific difference in asparagine metabolism between growing environments is almost certainly related to the observed differences in seed protein content because of the positive correlation between seed protein content at maturity and free asparagine in the developing seed. These results provided pointed information on seed protein-related genes influenced by environment. This information is valuable for breeding programs and genetic engineering of geographically optimized soybeans.

Background and objectives: In many regions of the country, including Lorestan highlands, the amount, distribution and intensity of rainfall has a negative effect on the production of crops such as wheat in rainy conditions. Choosing the most suitable cultivar helps the economy of farmers in the region while increasing production. On the other hand, it seems necessary to find suitable practical solutions, including anti-transpiration materials such as kaolin, to reduce transpiration and adjust the drought stress. Also, one of the effective factors for increasing plant yield in the management of agricultural operations is the change in the planting density of agricultural plants, which can cause changes in yield and yield components. Plant density is one of the most important factors determining the ability of crops to use environmental resources and it is important in wheat production. For this purpose, the cultivar, density and kaolin were investigated simultaneously in order to achieve the best treatment for the dry conditions of the region in this experiment. Materials and methods: In order to investigate the effect of seed density and kaolin foliar application on rainfed wheat cultivars, a two-year factorial-split plot experiment was conducted in the form of randomized complete block design with four replications under rainfed conditions in Kohdasht city. The density factor at four levels (350, 500, 650 and 800 seeds m-2 ) and the variety (Karim, Koohdasht and Qaboos) as factorial in the main plots and kaolin foliar application in two control and foliar application levels (5% of kaolin) was placed in sub-plots. Results: The results showed that the density of 500 seeds m-2 without and with kaolin spraying was the highest in the first two years (respectively 2428 and 2480 Kg ha-1 ) and the second year (respectively 2798 and 2831 Kg ha-1 ). Qaboos variety at a density of 500 seeds m-2 without and with kaolin application (2792 and 2802 Kg ha-1 respectively) had the highest seed yield. The trend of changes in wheat grain yield in the second year of the experiment showed that grain yield followed a significant polynomial relationship with increasing seed density in all three cultivars Karim, Koohdasht and Qaboos; So that there was no significant change with the increase in density from 350 to 500 seeds per square meter and it decreased with further increase in density. Koohdasht cultivar without kaolin application had the highest amount of seed protein content (12.30%). Conclusion: Qaboos cultivar had the highest seed yield at a density of 500,000 seeds ha-1, which is recommended for the region. Kaolin spraying under the conditions of this experiment did not play a positive role in the quantitative and qualitative production of wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil and water salinization is a global treat for crop production and food security. Apply of phytohormones and nutrient management is a novel approach to reduce the negative impact of salinity. Hence the effects of salicylic acid (0, 600, 1200, and 1800 µM) and silicon (0, 1.5, and 2.5 mM) foliar application on safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seed yield and quality were investigated under salt stress conditions (1.7, 7.5, and 15 dS m− 1). Salinity decreased capitulum number, seed number per capitulum, 100-seed weight, seed yield, oil percentage, oil yield, linoleic acid content, palmitic and linoleic acids yield, and seed potassium content. Application of salicylic acid (SA) and silicon (Si) increased biological and seed yield, oil content, oil yield, linoleic acid content, palmitic and linoleic acid yield but decreased stearic and oleic acid content and oleic acid yield. The harvest index (HI) was decreased with increasing salinity levels, indicating a stronger effect of salinity on seed yield more than biomass production. In contrast, SA and Si, whether alone or together, increased HI. The appropriate concentration of SA in saline and non-saline conditions was 1200 µM, but Si was different in salinity levels. Under non-stress and moderate stress conditions 2.5 mM Si showed better performance, while at severe salinity level, 1.5 mM Si showed an appropriate state. Oil content and quality improved by increasing linoleic acid and reducing stearic and palmitic acids by application of SA and Si. The content of seed elements with the application of salt, SA and Si showed different trends. Nitrogen content increased under salt stress, but potassium content decreased and sodium content did not change under saline and non-saline conditions. The application of SA and Si increased nitrogen and potassium content in stressed and non-stressed conditions, but had no significant effect on the amount of sodium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the effect of chemical and biological nitrogen fertilizer on canola, a field experiment was conducted as a split plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the research station of the Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University, located in Deshtrum region, in 2019. The main factor consisted of nitrogen fertilizer (zero, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 kg/ha of pure nitrogen from urea source) and the secondary factor consisted of nitroxin biofertilizer contained Azotobacter and Azospirillium bacteria (use and non-use). The results showed that nitrogen fertilizer and nitroxin had a significant effect on all investigated traits. Nitrogen fertilizer significantly increased plant height, number of lateral branches, chlorophyll index and oil yield. The highest grain (8790.60 kg/ha) and biological (23910.93 kg/ha) yield were obtained in 125 kg/ha of nitrogen and the use of nitroxin. With the consumption of 125 kg/ha of nitrogen and nitroxin, the lowest percentage of seed oil, and contrastingly the highest percentage of seed protein (36.65%) was obtained. In general, combined application of biofertilizer with chemical nitrogen increased grain, biological and oil yield. Nitroxin bio-fertilizer could reduce the consumption of chemical nitrogen fertilizer. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the application of 50 kg/ha of nitrogen + bacteria and the application of higher levels of nitrogen (75, 100 and 125 kg/ha) alone in most of the investigated traits.

Plants are essential for humans as they serve as a source of food, fuel, medicine, oils, and more. The major elements that are utilized for our needs exist in storage organs, such as seeds. These seeds are rich in proteins, show a broad spectrum of physiological roles, and are classified based on their sequence, structure, and conserved motifs. With the improvements to our knowledge of the basic sequence and our structural understanding, we have acquired better insights into seed proteins and their role. However, we still lack a systematic analysis towards understanding the functional diversity associated within each family and their associations with allergy. This review puts together the information about seed proteins, their classification, and diverse functional roles along with their associations with allergy.

Introduction: Nowadays, seed treatment with growth regulators or nutrients is widely used in the seed industry due to its significant effect on growth and yield, as well as resistance to diseases and pests. Therefore, in the present research, the effects of seed treatments with salicylic acid, humic acid, and zinc on two durum wheat cultivars were investigated under rainfed conditions.Materials and methods: This research was conducted as a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with three replications in the research farm of the Campus of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran, in 2019-2020. Factors included two cultivars of durum wheat (Saji and Zahab) and seed treatments (salicylic acid, humic acid, zinc, salicylic acid + humic acid, salicylic acid + zinc, humic acid + zinc, salicylic acid + humic acid + zinc, and control). Seed treatments were applied before sowing with a concentration of one millimolar (mM) salicylic acid solution, zinc solution (2%), and humic acid powder (95%) at the ratio of one kg or lit to 100, 100, and 300 kg of seeds, respectively. The investigated traits included the content of photosynthetic pigments and flag leaf area in the boot stage (code 45 on the Zadoks growth scale) and yield and yield components and seed protein percentage at the ripening stage.Results: The results of the analysis of variance showed that the effect of cultivars, seed treatments, and interactions between them was significant on the studied traits (except the number of spikes per square meter). The grain yield in durum wheat cv. Zahab was significantly higher than Saji. The grain yield of two cultivars in all seed treatments was higher than the control. Grain yield in Zahab was almost the same in all of the seed treatments, but in Saji, the highest grain yield was obtained in seed treatment with zinc usage (5033 kg. ha-1), and other seed treatments had the same effects. There was no significant difference between the two cultivars in terms of seed protein percentage, but the highest and lowest amount of seed protein was observed in salicylic acid + humic acid and control seed treatments with 13.14 and 12.11%, respectively. At the boot stage, the effects of cultivar and seed treatment on flag leaf area and the content of photosynthetic pigments (except carotenoids) were significant. Zahab cv. was superior to Saji in terms of flag leaf area and photosynthetic pigment content.Conclusion: Based on the results of this research, durum wheat cv. Zahab had a better performance than Saji. The effect of seed treatments with salicylic acid, humic acid, zinc, and the combination of these treatments had positive and significant effects on the grain yield compared to the control.

The present study aimed to characterize pinto and cranberry bean landraces of Kashmir valley. A set of 30 genotypes including 16 pinto and 12 cranberry type bean landraces and two checks viz., Shalimar Rajmash-1 (SR-1) and Shalimar French Bean-1 (SFB-1) were evaluated for seven qualitative and 10 quantitative traits. There was a substantial variation among 30 accessions (28 landraces and 2 checks) evaluated for all the traits. Out of 28 landrace accessions, 13 were bushy type and 15 were pole type. Pods were predominantly green and seed colour was predominantly brown with characteristic mottling of varying colour shades. Out of 30 accessions, 16 were medium sized with oval seeds. There was substantial variability as depicted by a wide range for both morphological and seed quality traits pertaining to water absorption as well as protein content and phytic acid. The heat map revealed that seed yield had a significant correlation with the number of pods per plant (0.505), followed by seed length (0.455) and seeds per pod (0.414). Similarly, water absorption percentage was significantly correlated with hydration coefficient followed by seed wet weight and hydration capacity but was negatively correlated with hard shell percentage and coat proportion. Principal component analysis based on the seed yield and related traits concentrated the variability in the first three components for morphological traits and four components for seed quality traits explaining 67.23 % and 78.60 % variation, respectively. A number of desirable genotypes could be identified based on consistent performance for various maturity, yield and seed quality traits including high protein and low phytic acid content.

This research was carried out in a factorial split plot experiment based on a randomized complete block design with four replications in Semnan Agriculture Research Center, Bastam, central Iran, in 2019. Experimental treatments included irrigation as the main factor at three levels of 100, 75 and 50% of water requirement and sub-factors including cultivar at three levels (Titicaca, Q26 and Q29) and priming at two levels (no priming and hydropriming) as sub-factors. The percentage of water requirement of the plant was calculated using the CROPWAT program and applied from the 6-leaf stage of the plant. The results showed that drought stress reduced leaf area index, 1000-seed weight and grain yield in all three cultivars. Percentage of protein, malondialdehyde, proline, activity of antioxidant enzymes including catalase and ascorbate peroxidase increased in plants under drought stress. Hydropriming increased leaf area index and grain yield. Among the three cultivars tested, hydroprimed plants of Q26 genotype had the highest leaf area index, 1000-seed weight and grain yield compared to the other cultivars. Cultivar Q26 had the highest grain yield when supplied with 75 and 100% of water requirement and Titicaca cultivar had the highest grain yield (1067 kg/ha) in the presence of severe drought stress (i.e. 50% water requirement). In conclusion, Titicaca cultivar was more resistant to drought than other cultivars and cultivation of this cultivar is recommended in Bastam region. In the scope of the research, the application of hydropriming can be suggested to improve the physiological traits of quinoa under drought stress.

Soybean is an utterly important crop for high-quality meal protein and vegetative oil. Soybean seed protein content has become a key factor in nutrients for livestock feed as well as human dietary consumption. Genetic improvement of soybean seed protein is highly desired to meet the demands of rapidly growing world population. Molecular mapping and genomic analysis in soybean have identified many quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying seed protein content control. Exploring the mechanisms of seed storage protein regulation will be helpful to achieve the improvement of protein content. However, the practice of breeding higher protein soybean is challenging because soybean seed protein is negatively correlated with seed oil content and yield. To overcome the limitation of such inverse relationship, deeper insights into the property and genetic control of seed protein are required. Recent advances of soybean genomics have strongly enhanced the understandings for molecular mechanisms of soybean with better seed quality. Here, we review the research progress in the genetic characteristics of soybean storage protein, and up-to-date advances of molecular mappings and genomics of soybean protein. The key factors underlying the mechanisms of the negative correlation between protein and oil in soybean seeds are elaborated. We also briefly discuss the future prospects of breaking the bottleneck of the negative correlation to develop high protein soybean without penalty of oil and yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sorghum is a resilient and widely cultivated grain crop used for feed and food. However, it's grain is deficient in lysine, an essential amino acid. This is due to the primary seed storage proteins, the alpha-kafirins, lacking lysine. It has been observed that reductions in alpha-kafirin protein results in rebalancing of the seed proteome and a corresponding increase in non-kafirin proteins which leads to an increased lysine content. However, the mechanisms underlying proteome rebalancing are unclear. This study characterizes a previously developed gene edited sorghum line, with deletions at the alpha kafirin locus. Methods: A single consensus guide RNA leads to tandem deletion of multiple members of the gene family in addition to the small target site mutations in remaining genes. RNA-seq and ATAC-seq were utilized to identify changes in gene expression and chromatin accessibility in developing kernels in the absence of most alpha-kafirin expression. Results: Several differentially accessible chromatin regions and differentially expressed genes were identified. Additionally, several genes upregulated in the edited sorghum line were common with their syntenic orthologues differentially expressed in maize prolamin mutants. ATAC-seq showed enrichment of the binding motif for ZmOPAQUE 11, perhaps indicating the transcription factor's involvement in the kernel response to reduced prolamins. Discussion: Overall, this study provides a resource of genes and chromosomal regions which may be involved in sorghum's response to reduced seed storage proteins and the process of proteome rebalancing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean physiology, seed yield and composition can vary greatly and are a function of genetics, environment, and management practices. N fertilizer is not often applied to soybeans, but it can affect yield and seed composition, and the outcome of N fertilization has varied widely among studies. To test if certain physiological responses might be linked with positive agronomic responses to N fertilizer, a field study was conducted in varied environments unique to the Southeast United States (US). Five genotypes from maturity groups V-VII were evaluated. Although the environment and genotype had significant effects on most of the physiological characteristics and yield components measured, nitrogen application interacted significantly with environment for seed protein concentration, seed oil concentration, yield, and percent of nitrogen derived from the atmosphere in leaves during the seed fill period. The direction of the nitrogen effect on protein concentration differed among environments, increasing protein concentration in one environment and reducing protein concentration in another environment. Nitrogen application effects did not vary among the genotypes included in this study. Photosynthetic and nitrogen fixation responses to nitrogen application were not clearly linked with seed protein concentration response. A tailored nitrogen recommendation for environment is the best option for improving seed protein in this region with diverse environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing demand for new protein sources, research on plant protein extraction and evaluation of the functional properties of protein isolates is necessary. Proteins were obtained from fenugreek seeds. Protein solubility, emulsifying capacity and emulsion stability, foaming capacity, and foam stability were used to determine the fenugreek a chemical composition and functional properties of proteins. The profiles of the solubility curves corresponding to the participating fenugreek protein indicate a minimum solubility at pH2. The emulsifying capacity of fenugreek participated fenugreek protein was low (3.2%) but it has high emulsifying stability (98.9%). Fenugreek proteins have show a high foaming capacity at pH 2 and the suitable time to form the foam is 30 min. the high stability of foam was 78.8%. The result of this study emphasized that fenugreek protein has a greater ability to absorb water than oil. Thus, the experiments suggest that fenugreek protein can be successfully used as a food ingredient due to its nutritional value, chemical composition, and functional properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionSorghum is a resilient and widely cultivated grain crop used for feed and food. However, it’s grain is deficient in lysine, an essential amino acid. This is due to the primary seed storage proteins, the alpha-kafirins, lacking lysine. It has been observed that reductions in alpha-kafirin protein results in rebalancing of the seed proteome and a corresponding increase in non-kafirin proteins which leads to an increased lysine content. However, the mechanisms underlying proteome rebalancing are unclear. This study characterizes a previously developed gene edited sorghum line, with deletions at the alpha kafirin locus.MethodsA single consensus guide RNA leads to tandem deletion of multiple members of the gene family in addition to the small target site mutations in remaining genes. RNA-seq and ATAC-seq were utilized to identify changes in gene expression and chromatin accessibility in developing kernels in the absence of most alpha-kafirin expression. ResultsSeveral differentially accessible chromatin regions and differentially expressed genes were identified. Additionally, several genes upregulated in the edited sorghum line were common with their syntenic orthologues differentially expressed in maize prolamin mutants. ATAC-seq showed enrichment of the binding motif for ZmOPAQUE 11, perhaps indicating the transcription factor’s involvement in the kernel response to reduced prolamins.DiscussionOverall, this study provides a resource of genes and chromosomal regions which may be involved in sorghum’s response to reduced seed storage proteins and the process of proteome rebalancing.

In order to investigate the effect of chemical and biological nitrogen fertilizer on canola, a field experiment was conducted as a split plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the research station of the Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University, located in Deshtrum region, in 2019 . The main factor consisted of nitrogen fertilizer (zero, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 kg/ha of pure nitrogen from urea source) and the secondary factor consisted of nitroxin biofertilizer contained Azotobacter and Azospirillium bacteria (use and non-use). The results showed that nitrogen fertilizer and nitroxin had a significant effect on all investigated traits. Nitrogen fertilizer significantly increased plant height, number of lateral branches, chlorophyll index and oil yield. The highest grain (8790.60 kg/ha) and biological (23910.93 kg/ha) yield were obtained in 125 kg/ha of nitrogen and the use of nitroxin. With the consumption of 125 kg/ha of nitrogen and nitroxin, the lowest percentage of seed oil, and contrastingly the highest percentage of seed protein (36.65%) was obtained. In general, combined application of biofertilizer with chemical nitrogen increased grain, biological and oil yield. Nitroxin bio -fertilizer could reduce the consumption of chemical nitrogen fertilizer. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the application of 50 kg/ha of nitrogen + bacteria and the application of higher levels of nitrogen (75, 100 and 125 kg/ha) alone in most of the investigated traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silphium integrifolium Michx. (Silflower) has been a promising subject for domestication as a perennial oilseed crop. This work was carried out to investigate the seed processing aspect of this effort. Thousand seed weight, densities, and dimension of the seeds were evaluated, seed milling to obtain enriched kernel fraction was conducted, and initial characterization of the seed protein was performed. There was wide variation in flat seed length (11.5–20.8 mm), width (4.6–11.8 mm), and thickness (0.9–1.6 mm). The thousand seed weight was 23.8 g but the tapped bulk density was only 189.6 g/L due to the presence of wing around the seed's periphery. The kernel accounted for 56.1% of the seed weight and contained 31.0% oil. A kernel‐enriched fraction with 79.6% purity was obtained by roller‐milling, sifting, and air classification. Linoleic (62.3%) and oleic (19.6%) acids were the major fatty acids in the oil. The defatted enriched kernel fraction contained 63.41% crude protein. Globulin, glutelin, albumin, and prolamin accounted for 55.6%, 19.3%, 16.4%, and 8.7% of the soluble proteins, respectively. At an extraction pH of 9, protein solubility was 62%. Maximum solubility (70%) was obtained at pH 10 while minimum solubility of 9% occurred between pH 4 and 5.5. Aside from the oil, the dehulling of silflower seeds also produced a high‐protein defatted meal, which may be used as is or as a starting material for enriching the protein further into a protein isolate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of plant protein in the world's food supply is derived from soybean (Glycine max). Soybean is a key protein source for global animal feed and is incorporated into plant-based foods for people, including meat alternatives. Soybean protein content is genetically variable and is usually inversely related to seed oil content. ABI3-interacting protein 2 (AIP2) is an E3-RING ubiquitin ligase that targets the seed-specific transcription factor ABI3. Silencing both soybean AIP2 genes (AIP2a and AIP2b) by RNAi enhanced seed protein content by up to seven percentage points, with no significant decrease in seed oil content. The protein content enhancement did not alter the composition of the seed storage proteins. Inactivation of either AIP2a or AIP2b by a CRISPR–Cas9-mediated mutation increased seed protein content, and this effect was greater when both genes were inactivated. Transactivation assays in transfected soybean hypocotyl protoplasts indicated that ABI3 changes the expression of glycinin, conglycinin, 2S albumin, and oleosin genes, indicating that AIP2 depletion increased seed protein content by regulating activity of the ABI3 transcription factor protein. These results provide an example of a gene-editing prototype directed to improve global food security and protein availability in soybean that may also be applicable to other protein-source crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effect of seed priming treatments on seed yield and it’s components in three bread wheat cultivars (Rijaw, Sardari and Karim) was studied under dryland condition at the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center of Kermanshah during 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 growing season. The priming treatments consisted of gibberellic acid with 100 mg.L-1, 24-epiprasinolide 1 mg L-1, potassium chloride with 100 mmol L-1 and polyethylene glycol (PEG4000) with -2.3 and -2.9 bar, zinc sulfate 0.1 and 0.3%, 2 and 4 g urea L-1, ascorbic acid 100 mg L-1, hydropriming with distilled water and control (without seed priming). The highest percentage of crop ground cover was obtained with 39.9% of Sardari cultivar and 4 g urea L-1. The highest relative mean water content and flag leaf membrane stability index with 88.1 and 71.6% were related to Karim cultivar with 0.3% hydrated zinc sulfate treatment, respectively. The lowest mean rate of flag leaf water loss (30.6%) was obtained from Karim cultivar with zinc sulfate treatment of 0.3%. Two-year results showed that the highest mean seed yield (2801.4 kg.ha-1) belonged to Rijaw cultivar by seed priming treatment with 4 g.L-1 urea. The highest percentages of seed protein content by NIR method of Karim cultivar and treatments of urea with a concentration of 4 g.L-1 (12.32%), ascorbic acid (12.31%) and gibberellic acid (12.18%) with 100 mg.L-1 were obtained. In this study, based on the total measured traits of morphophysiological, yield and grain quality traits, nutient treatments of urea with a concentration of 4 g L-1, zinc sulfate with a concentration of 0.3% and ascorbic acid with a concentration of 100 mg.L-1 and potassium chloride 100 mmol L-1 were identified and recommended as appropriate and superior seed priming treatments.

Modern soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] cultivars have low overall genetic variation due to repeated bottleneck events that arose during domestication and from selection strategies typical of many soybean breeding programs. In both public and private soybean breeding programs, the introgression of wild soybean (Glycine soja Siebold and Zucc.) alleles is a viable option to increase genetic diversity and identify new sources for traits of value. The objectives of our study were to examine the genetic architecture responsible for seed protein and oil using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from hybridizing a G. max line (‘Osage’) with a G. soja accession (PI 593983). Linkage mapping identified a total of seven significant quantitative trait loci on chromosomes 14 and 20 for seed protein and on chromosome 8 for seed oil with LOD scores ranging from 5.3 to 31.7 for seed protein content and from 9.8 to 25.9 for seed oil content. We analyzed 3,015 single F4:9 soybean plants to develop two residual heterozygotes derived near isogenic lines (RHD-NIL) populations by targeting nine SNP markers from genotype-by-sequencing, which corresponded to two novel quantitative trait loci (QTL) derived from G. soja: one for a novel seed oil QTL on chromosome 8 and another for a novel protein QTL on chromosome 14. Single marker analysis and linkage analysis using 50 RHD-NILs validated the chromosome 14 protein QTL, and whole genome sequencing of RHD-NILs allowed us to reduce the QTL interval from ˜16.5 to ˜4.6 Mbp. We identified two genomic regions based on recombination events which had significant increases of 0.65 and 0.72% in seed protein content without a significant decrease in seed oil content. A new Kompetitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP) assay, which will be useful for introgression of this trait into modern elite G. max cultivars was developed in one region. Within the significantly associated genomic regions, a total of eight genes are considered as candidate genes, based on the presence of gene annotations associated with the protein or amino acid metabolism/movement. Our results provide better insights into utilizing wild soybean as a source of genetic diversity for soybean cultivar improvement utilizing native traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed oil and seed protein contents are commercially important components of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) that are inversely correlated. The objectives of this study were to identify novel quantitative trait loci (QTL) and validate existing QTL associated with seed oil, seed protein, and seed weight in soybean. Two mapping populations, Pop 201 and Pop 202, consisting of 180 and 170 recombinant inbred lines (RILs), respectively, were used in this study. The phenotypic data for each population were collected from four environments. The linkage maps of Pop 201 and Pop 202 consisted of 421 and 416 polymorphic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, respectively. Multiple QTL Mapping (MQM) analyses identified a total of 13 QTL for seed oil, 7 QTL for seed protein, and 6 for seed weight (SDWT). QTL for seed oil content not co-located with protein QTL were found on chromosomes 17 and 18 in multiple environments in Pop 201 and Pop 202, respectively. These QTL can be useful in reducing the inverse correlation between seed protein and seed oil contents. Most QTL found in this study are in previously reported genomic regions, and thus provide additional evidence for the stability of those QTL across genetic and environmental backgrounds. The findings of this study provide additional insight into the genetic control of these traits and potentially enable breeders to utilize the QTL-linked SNPs in marker-assisted selection (MAS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was carried out in a factorial split plot experiment based on a randomized complete block design with four replications in Semnan Agriculture Research Center, Bastam, central Iran, in 2019. Experimental treatments included irrigation as the main factor at three levels of 100, 75 and 50% of water requirement and sub-factors including cultivar at three levels (Titicaca, Q26 and Q29) and priming at two levels (no priming and hydropriming) as sub-factors. The percentage of water requirement of the plant was calculated using the CROPWAT program and applied from the 6-leaf stage of the plant. The results showed that drought stress reduced leaf area index, 1000-seed weight and grain yield in all three cultivars. Percentage of protein, malondialdehyde, proline, activity of antioxidant enzymes including catalase and ascorbate peroxidase increased in plants under drought stress. Hydropriming increased leaf area index and grain yield. Among the three cultivars tested, hydroprimed plants of Q26 genotype had the highest leaf area index, 1000-seed weight and grain yield compared to the other cultivars. Cultivar Q26 had the highest grain yield when supplied with 75 and 100% of water requirement and Titicaca cultivar had the highest grain yield (1067 kg/ha) in the presence of severe drought stress (i.e. 50% water requirement). In conclusion, Titicaca cultivar was more resistant to drought than other cultivars and cultivation of this cultivar is recommended in Bastam region. In the scope of the research, the application of hydropriming can be suggested to improve the physiological traits of quinoa under drought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: As the interest in foods with positive effects on human health has increased in recent decades, the importance of the mineral contents and oil compositions of grape seeds has been better understood. However, research on grape seeds to date has largely focused on effects on health and the usability of grape seeds in the food industry and animal feeds. In agricultural research, grape seeds have generally been evaluated as a source of genes in breeding new varieties and as propagation material. OBJECTIVE: Unlike previous studies, this study not only investigates the effect of variety on the changes of pomological properties, fatty acid compositions, and oil, protein, and mineral contents of grape seeds; it also aims to determine the effects of grape rootstocks and growing seasons on those changes. METHODS: The seeds of five grape varieties (Red Globe, Trakya Ilkeren, Ata Sarisi, Hatun Parmagi, and Horoz Karasi) grafted onto drought-tolerant grape rootstocks (1103P and 110R) were analyzed during the growing seasons of 2017 and 2018. RESULTS: Seed size, moisture and oil contents, major fatty acids (palmitic, oleic, and linoleic), and levels of saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and boron varied by variety, rootstock, and season. However, the effects of growing seasons and varieties on the seeds were not limited to these findings; effects were also seen for seed vitality, protein content, and N, K, Ca, and Fe levels of the seeds, among others. CONCLUSIONS: Genotype was found to be the main factor causing changes in the fatty acid compositions and mineral contents of grape seeds. When the factors that we investigated were ordered based on the changes they caused for seeds in general, the sequence that appeared was genotype > growing season > grape rootstock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metallothioneins (MTs) are polypeptide-encoded genes involved in plant growth, development, seed formation, and diverse stress response. High temperature and humidity stress (HTH) reduce seed development and maturity of the field-grown soybean, which also leads to seed pre-harvest deterioration. However, the function of MTs in higher plants is still largely unknown. Herein, we isolated and characterized the soybean metallothionein II gene. The full-length fragment is 255 bp and encodes 85 amino acids and contains the HD domain and the N-terminal non-conservative region. The subcellular location of the GmMT-II-GFP fusion protein was clearly located in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane. The highest expression of the GmMT-II gene was observed in seeds both of the soybean Xiangdou No. 3 and Ningzhen No. 1 cultivars, as compared to other plant tissues. Similarly, gene expression was higher 45 days after flowering followed by 30, 40, and 35 days. Furthermore, the GmMT-II transcript levels were significantly higher at 96 and 12 h in the cultivars Xiangdou No. 3 and Ningzhen No. 1 under HTH stress, respectively. In addition, it was found that when the Gm1-MMP protein was deleted, the GmMT-II could bind to the propeptide region of the Gm1-MMP, but not to the signal peptide region or the catalytic region. GmMT-II overexpression in transgenic Arabidopsis increased seed germination and germination rate under HTH conditions, conferring enhanced resistance to HTH stress. GmMT-II overexpressing plants suffered less oxidative damage under HTH stress, as reflected by lower MDA and H2O2 content and ROS production than WT plants. In addition, the activity of antioxidant enzymes namely SOD, CAT, and POD was significantly higher in all transgenic Arabidopsis lines under HTH stress compared wild-tpye plants. Our results suggested that GmMT-II is related to growth and development and confers enhanced HTH stress tolerance in plants by reduction of oxidative molecules through activation of antioxidant activities. These findings will be helpful for us in further understanding of the biological functions of MT-II in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significance Statement: Soybean is the most important source of protein meal worldwide and the quantitative trait loci (QTL) cqSeed protein‐003 on chromosome 20 exerts the greatest additive effect of any protein QTL mapped in the crop. Through genetic mapping and candidate gene downregulation, we identified that an insertion/deletion variant in Glyma.20G85100 is the likely gene that underlies this important QTL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic diversity of common bean accessions were assessed using seed storage protein markers. At regional level, accessions from the two major growing regions showed the highest level of gene diversity (H = 0.322, I = 0.485, and H = 0.312, I = 0.473), which can be exploited for the future improvement of the crop. Based on phaseolin, the major storage protein in common bean, the majority of the accessions (86%) were grouped under Mesoamerican gene pool. Seed proteins were also used to differentiate various Phaseolus species, indicating the usefulness of seed storage proteins in species identification in this genus.