Loss of pod strings in common bean is associated with gene duplication, retrotransposon insertion, and overexpression of PvIND

Regulation of fruit development has been central in the evolution and domestication of flowering plants. In common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a major global staple crop, the two main economic categories are distinguished by differences in fiber deposition in pods: a)dry beans with fibrous and stringy pods; and b) stringless snap/green beans withreduced fiber deposition, but which frequently revert to the ancestral stringy state. To better understand control of this important trait, we first characterized developmental patterns of gene expression in four phenotypically diverse varieties. Then, using isogenic stringless/revertant pairs of six snap bean varieties, we identified strong overexpression of the common bean ortholog of INDEHISCENT (PvIND) in non-stringy types compared to their string-producing counterparts. Microscopy of these pairs indicates that PvIND overexpression is associated with overspecification of weak dehiscence zone cells throughout the entire pod vascular sheath. No differences in PvIND DNA methylation were correlated with pod string phenotype. Sequencing of a 500 kb region surrounding PvIND in the stringless snap bean cultivar Hystyle revealed that PvIND had been duplicated into two tandem repeats, and that a Ty1-copia retrotransposon was inserted between these tandem repeats, possibly driving PvIND overexpression. Further sequencing of stringless/revertant isogenic pairs and diverse materials indicated that these sequence features had been uniformly lost in revertant types and were strongly predictive of pod phenotype, supporting their role in PvIND overexpression and pod string phenotype.

Effect of Sodium Hydroxide Concentration on Production of Activated Carbon from Cassava Peel

Cassava is a staple crop that can grow in Indonesia throughout the year and has a high adaptability to various soil conditions. Cassava or cassava can be processed into various food industries such The high carbon content of cassava peel makes it can be used as raw material for the manufacture of activated carbonas tapioca flour, fermentation industry, and other basic industries. Activated carbon is made by chemical activation of an alkaline solution. The results of the study produced activated carbon with a moisture content of 9.3406%, ash content of 6.5907%, iodine number 781,7656 mg/g . The results of the activated carbon have met the quality standard of SNI 06-3730-1995

Simulation of Staple Crop Yields for Determination of Regional Impacts of Climate Change: A Case Study in Chonnam Province, Republic of Korea

This study sought to simulate regional variation in staple crop yields in Chonnam Province, Republic of Korea (ROK), in future environments under climate change based on the calibration of crop models in the Decision Support System for Agricultural Technology Transfer 4.6 package. We reproduced multiple-year yield data for paddy rice (2013–2018), barley (2000–2018), and soybean (2004–2018) grown in experimental fields at Naju, Chonnam Province, using the CERES-Rice, CERES-Barley, and CROPGRO-Soybean models. A geospatial crop simulation modeling (GCSM) system developed using the crop models was then applied to simulate the regional impacts of climate change on the staple crops according to the Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. Simulated crop yields agreed with the corresponding measured crop yields, with root means square deviations of 0.31 ton ha−1 for paddy rice, 0.29 ton ha−1 for barley, and 0.27 ton ha−1 for soybean. We also demonstrated that the GCSM system could effectively simulate spatiotemporal variations in the impact of climate change on staple crop yield. The CERES and CROPGRO models seem to reproduce the effects of climate change on region-wide staple crop production in a monsoonal climate system. Added advancements of the GCSM system could facilitate interpretations of future food resource insecurity and establish a sustainable adaption strategy.

Influence of Drought and Salt Stress on Durum Wheat Grain Quality and Composition: A Review

Durum wheat is a staple crop for the Mediterranean diet because of its adaptability to environmental pressure and for its large use in cereal-based food products, such as pasta and bread, as a source of calories and proteins. Durum wheat whole grains are also highly valued for their peculiar amount of dietary fiber and minerals, as well as bioactive compounds of particular interest for their putative health-beneficial properties, including polyphenols, carotenoids, tocopherols, tocotrienols, and phytosterols. In Mediterranean environments, durum wheat is mostly grown under rainfed conditions, where the crop often experiences environmental stresses, especially water deficit and soil salinity that may induce a hyperosmotic stress. In particular, changes in C and N accumulation due to these abiotic conditions, during grain filling, can influence starch and storage protein amount and composition in durum wheat caryopsis, thus influencing yield and quality traits. Recent advancements regarding the influence of water deficit and salinity stress on durum wheat are critically discussed. In particular, a focus on stress-induced changes in (a) grain protein content and composition in relation to technological and health quality; (b) starch and dietary fiber accumulation and composition; (c) phytochemical composition; (d) health-related grain micronutrient accumulation, such as Fe and Zn.

Sweet potato genotypes CIP BRS Nuti and Canadense are resistant to Meloidogyne incognita, Meloidogyne javanica and Meloidogyne enterolobii

Sweet potato is a staple crop in Brazil presenting a smaller number of pathogens and diseases in comparison with other root and tuberous crops. Root knot nematodes are among the most serious sweet potato root pathogens. The impact of these pathogens also extends to following crops. Since in Brazil it is common to cultivate more than one crop per season this problem is rapidly disseminated. The aim of this study is to assess the resistance of two sweet potato clones and three commercial sweet potato genotypes to three different Meloidogyne species. Assays were performed under greenhouse conditions in two separate seasons. CIP BRS Nuti, one of the new clones and Canadense, one of the commercial genotypes were resistant to Meloidogyne incognita, M. javanica and M. enterolobii. This finding was obtained based on the reproduction factor smaller than 0,2 meaning that the initial population of 5,000 nematodes was reduced to less than 1,000 individuals after 90 days of inoculation. This data was also confirmed by the small number of eggs, egg masses and galls. Tomato and sweet potato cultivar Beauregard, known to be susceptible to the three nematode species were highly damaged by the pathogens. To our knowledge CIP BRS Nuti and Canadense are the first South American commercial cultivars with triple nematode resistance.

Effectiveness of Entomopathogenic Fungi on Immature Stages and Feeding Performance of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae

Maize is a major staple crop in China, and the sustainable productivity of this primary crop has been recently threatened by fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, invasion. The five fungal isolates, Aspergillus sp. BM-3 and SE-2-1, Cladosporium tenuissimum SE-10, Penicillium citrinum CTD-24, and Beauveria bassiana ZK-5 were assessed for their efficacy in causing mortality against first to sixth instar eggs and neonate larvae seven days post-treatment, and their effects on the feeding performance of sixth instar S. frugiperda larvae at 48 h post-treatment at three concentrations (1 × 106, 1 × 107, and 1 × 108 conidia mL−1) were also assessed. The six instar S. frugiperda larvae were not susceptible to the five tested fungal isolates. However, B. bassiana ZK-5 caused the highest egg mortality of 40, 70, and 85.6% at 1 × 106, 1 × 107, and 1 × 108 conidia mL−1, respectively, followed by P. citrinum CTD-24 (30.6, 50, and 75.6%) and C. tenuissimum SE-10 (25.6, 40, and 55.6%). In addition, B. bassiana ZK-5 caused the highest neonate mortality of 54.3% at 1 × 108 conidia mL−1. B. bassiana ZK-5 and P. citrinum CTD-24 caused cumulative mortality, including 93.3 and 83.3% mortality of eggs and neonates, respectively, at 1 × 108 conidia mL−1. Furthermore, B. bassiana ZK-5 reduced the feeding efficacy of first to third instar S. frugiperda larvae by 66.7 to 78.6%, while P. citrinum CTD-24 and C. tenuissimum SE-10 reduced larval feeding by 48.3 to 57.1% at 1 × 108 conidia mL−1. However, these fungal isolates were less potent in reducing the feeding activity of fourth to sixth instar S. frugiperda larvae (>46% with B. bassiana at 48 h post-treatment). The tested fungal isolates could play an essential role as microbial biopesticides in suppressing the S. frugiperda population in China after further investigations on their efficacy are obtained in the field.

Assessment of Genetic Gain Trends for Yield in IRRI Rice Varieties in the Philippines Using “era” Trial Studies and Implications for Future Rice Breeding

Rice is a staple crop for 3.5 billion people in the world. To meet the challenges of the rice production for food security and demand due to population increase, yield improvement due to a rice variety’s genetic characteristics is imperative. Two studies presented in this paper were undertaken at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines, to assess genetic gains for yield in rice varieties bred over the past 50 years. These studies are called as “Era” studies as the varieties used for trials were released during long and distinct periods. Due to the differences in time periods of studies, varieties and locations, the studies were treated separately so as to not to compromise the data analyses. The studies demonstrated that IRRI developed varieties have achieved genetic gains and levels of genetic gains were dependent on correction or otherwise for maturities. In Study 1, the highest level of genetic gain was 0.70% at about a 23 kg ha-1 annual yield increase when not corrected for maturity followed by a genetic gain of 0.62% when corrected for maturity. In Study 2, the highest level of genetic gain was 0.74% at about a 19 kg ha-1 annual yield increase when corrected for maturity followed by 0.66% genetic gain when not corrected for maturity. Implications for breeding programs are discussed, however, the studies were not intended to compare genetic gains achieved through different breeding methods nor to compare genetic gains achieved using plot trials versus realized genetic gains for crops grown under farmers’ management.

Transient Waterlogging Events Impair Shoot and Root Physiology and Reduce Grain Yield of Durum Wheat Cultivars

Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn) is a staple crop of the Mediterranean countries, where more frequent waterlogging events are predicted due to climate change. However, few investigations have been conducted on the physiological and agronomic responses of this crop to waterlogging. The present study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the effects of two waterlogging durations (i.e., 14 and 35 days) on two durum wheat cultivars (i.e., Svevo and Emilio Lepido). An integrated analysis of an array of physiological, biochemical, biometric, and yield parameters was performed at the end of the waterlogging events, during recovery, and at physiological maturity. Results established that effects on durum wheat varied depending on waterlogging duration. This stress imposed at tillering impaired photosynthetic activity of leaves and determined oxidative injury of the roots. The physiological damages could not be fully recovered, subsequently slowing down tiller formation and crop growth, and depressing the final grain yield. Furthermore, differences in waterlogging tolerance between cultivars were discovered. Our results demonstrate that in durum wheat, the energy maintenance, the cytosolic ion homeostasis, and the ROS control and detoxification can be useful physiological and biochemical parameters to consider for the waterlogging tolerance of genotypes, with regard to sustaining biomass production and grain yield.

The productivity and economic value of sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) planted intercropped with satoimo taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott var. Antiquorum) with various levels of compost

Sweetpotato (Ipomea batatas), as a well-known plant and widely cultivated by farmers in South Sulawesi, if it is intercropped with satoimo taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott var. Antiquorum) as a staple crop should be suspected of being able to be a ‘safety’ crop when there is a failure in taro plant—due to the relatively new and un-well-known plant. The study was aimed to know the productivity and economic value of sweet potato planted as an intercropped on the staple crop satoimo taro plantation with several levels of compost. The study used a randomized complete block design with four levels of manure compost, namely 400 grams, 800 grams, and 1200 grams per staple plant, which put into and mixed evenly in the plant hole, and 1200 grams per staple plant which mixed evenly in the beds, and three blocks. Sweet potatoes were planted between staple plants satoimo that arranged 20 plants in a bed of 500 cm x 110 cm in two rows. The parameters observed were yields of tuber per plant, size of tuber, number of tubers, and dry weight of tops. The results showed that there is no level of compost affected significantly. However, both of the levels of 1200 grams of compost which is filled into the plant hole, and 1200 grams of compost mixed in the beds tended to be higher than the others in tuber productivity. By economic valuations, the RC-ratio and RC-ratio indicated that planting intercropped sweet potato are beneficially in all levels and increased after the levels of compost. Cultivating sweet potato intercropped in the two kinds application of 1200 grams levels in the taro plantation is more recommended.