Agronomy

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32 pages, 5148 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Commercial Tomato Hybrids for Climate Resilience and Low-Input Farming: Yield and Nutritional Assessment Across Cultivation Systems

by Maria Gerakari, Diamantia Mitkou, Christos Antoniadis, Anastasia Giannakoula, Stefanos Stefanou, Zoe Hilioti, Michael Chatzidimopoulos, Maria Tsiouni, Alexandra Pavloudi, Ioannis N. Xynias and Ilias D. Avdikos

Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 929; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040929 - 10 Apr 2025

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Abstract

Commercial tomato hybrids exhibit robust performance in modern high-input agricultural systems. However, their suitability for low-input farming remains uncertain. With the goal that by 2030, 25% of European agricultural production must be organic as part of the European Green Deal, this study aims [...] Read more.

Commercial tomato hybrids exhibit robust performance in modern high-input agricultural systems. However, their suitability for low-input farming remains uncertain. With the goal that by 2030, 25% of European agricultural production must be organic as part of the European Green Deal, this study aims to assess whether existing commercial tomato hybrids can offer a viable solution for low-input farming. Additionally, the impact of beneficial microorganisms such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), in relation to the growth and productivity of tomato hybrids under low-input cultivation is assessed. For this purpose, a well-defined microbial consortium, including Azotobacter chroococcum, Clostridium pasteurianum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus subtilis, and Acetobacter diazotrophicus, was applied as a liquid suspension to enhance root colonization and promote plant growth. Seven commercial tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) hybrids—the most popular in the Greek market—were evaluated for their performance under high-input (hydroponic) and low-input cultivation systems (with and without the use of PGPR). Several parameters related to yield, fruit quality, nutritional value, descriptive traits, and leaf elemental concentration were evaluated. In addition, a techno-economic analysis was conducted to assess whether hybrids developed under high-input conditions and intended for such cultivation environments suit low-input farming systems. The results indicated that such hybrids are not a viable, efficient, or profitable strategy for low-input cultivation. These findings underscore the importance of breeding tomato varieties, specifically adapted to low-input farming, highlighting the need for targeted breeding strategies to enhance sustainability and resilience in future agricultural systems. Notably, this study is among the first to comprehensively assess the response of commercial tomato hybrids under low-input conditions, addressing a critical gap in the current literature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Field Crops in the 21st Century)

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21 pages, 14693 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Analysis of Chloroplast Genomes in Leguminous Forage Species: Codon Usage, Phylogenetic Relationships, and Evolutionary Insights

by Rui Yang, Ying Xue, Xiaofan He and Tiejun Zhang

Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 765; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040765 - 21 Mar 2025

Viewed by 232

Abstract

Leguminous forages play critical roles in sustainable agriculture and ecosystem management by enhancing soil fertility through nitrogen fixation and providing high-quality protein for livestock. This study sequenced and assembled the chloroplast genome of Thermopsis alpina using high-throughput sequencing technology. Along with 29 other [...] Read more.

Leguminous forages play critical roles in sustainable agriculture and ecosystem management by enhancing soil fertility through nitrogen fixation and providing high-quality protein for livestock. This study sequenced and assembled the chloroplast genome of Thermopsis alpina using high-throughput sequencing technology. Along with 29 other leguminous forage species obtained from the NCBI database, we conducted comprehensive analyses of the chloroplast genome of 30 species, focusing on their codon usage patterns, phylogenetic relationships, and evolutionary dynamics. The results revealed that the chloroplast genome of Thermopsis alpina exhibits a typical quadripartite structure, with a total length of 153,714 bp, encoding 124 genes and comprising a large single-copy region (LSC, 83,818 bp), a small single-copy region (SSC, 17,558 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (IRs, 26,169 bp). Relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) analysis revealed 28 preferred codons, predominantly terminating in A/U, with a notable preference for the leucine codon UUA across all species. Additionally, the effective number of codons (ENC) and the PR2 plot analysis suggest a weak codon usage bias, primarily shaped by selective pressures rather than mutational forces. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) analysis shows a notable concentration of SSRs in intergenic regions, highlighting their potential role in genome stability and evolution. Phylogenetic tree construction based on chloroplast genome data further uncovers the genetic relationships and evolutionary trajectories within the leguminous forage species. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights into the molecular evolution of leguminous forages and offer a theoretical basis for their improved utilization in sustainable agricultural practices and ecological restoration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Field Crops in the 21st Century)

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18 pages, 2405 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Screening and Assessment of Genetic Diversity of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Germplasm in Response to Soil Salinity Stress at Germination Stage

by Alia Anwar, Javaria Tabassum, Shakeel Ahmad, Muhammad Ashfaq, Adil Hussain, Muhammad Asad Ullah, Nur Shuhadah Binti Mohd Saad, Abdelhalim I. Ghazy and Muhammad Arshad Javed

Agronomy 2025, 15(2), 376; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15020376 - 31 Jan 2025

Viewed by 798

Abstract

Salinity stress significantly affects rice yield, especially when it occurs during the germination stage. Direct seeding is an emerging method to conserve water in rice cultivation. However, to date, there have been limited efforts to screen rice germplasm for salt tolerance under this [...] Read more.

Salinity stress significantly affects rice yield, especially when it occurs during the germination stage. Direct seeding is an emerging method to conserve water in rice cultivation. However, to date, there have been limited efforts to screen rice germplasm for salt tolerance under this approach. In this study, 40 rice genotypes were evaluated for salt tolerance using a combination of germination and growth parameters. A total of 59 microsatellite markers were used to assess genetic diversity, revealing significant variation in both germination and growth traits. Based on germination parameters, IR36, Sri Malaysia 2, and MR185 performed well under saline conditions, while Hashemi Tarom and BAS2000 exhibited weak tolerance. MR219, MR211, and MR263 were identified as superior salt-tolerant genotypes against all growth parameters. BAS2000 and MCHKAB were identified as salt-sensitive, showing reduced growth in key traits, including root and shoot development. Marker-based genotyping identified a total of 287 alleles. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to nine with an average of 4.86. The polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from four to eight. The markers RM21, RM481 RM566, RM488, RM9, RM217, RM333, RM242, RM209, RM38, RM539, RM475, RM267, RM279, and RM430 were found highly polymorphic with PIC value > 0.7 and contain the highest number of alleles (≥6). Model- and distance-based population structures both inferred the presence of three clusters in the studied rice germplasm. Based on cluster analysis, Shiroodi, Hashemi Tarom, and BAS2000 were found as weak salt-tolerant varieties, whereas MR211 and MR219 are two Malaysian varieties found to be highly tolerant and have a high potential for direct seeding methods. An AMOVA test suggested that 95% genetic diversity was within the population, which implies that significant genetic variation was present in rice germplasm to be used to select parents for future breeding programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Field Crops in the 21st Century)

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16 pages, 1390 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transfer of Cytoplasmic Male Sterility to the Female Parents of Heat- and Drought-Resilient Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids

by Ayyanagouda Patil, Kushal Gowda, Shivananda T. Lakshman, Prakash H. Kuchanur, Gajanan Saykhedkar, Sudha Krishnan Nair, Kisan B. Jadhav, Sharanabasappa Yeri, Gururaj Sunkad, Jayaprakash M. Nidagundi, Vinayan Madhumal Thayil and Pervez H. Zaidi

Agronomy 2025, 15(1), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15010098 - 1 Jan 2025

Viewed by 897

Abstract

Maize is the second most important staple food crop in the world after wheat. For maize hybrid seed production, a prominent step is detasseling in the female parent, which is laborious, time consuming, and increases the hybrid seed cost by 15 to 20 [...] Read more.

Maize is the second most important staple food crop in the world after wheat. For maize hybrid seed production, a prominent step is detasseling in the female parent, which is laborious, time consuming, and increases the hybrid seed cost by 15 to 20 percent. Hence, to overcome this problem, exploitation of male sterility in maize crops gains special significance. In this direction, the research was conducted to transfer cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS-C) from a CMS donor (VL192114) into the female parents (CAL1514 and ZL153493) of heat- and drought-resilient maize hybrids (RCRMH-2 and RCRMH-3) by a marker-assisted backcross scheme. The present research used Diversity Array Technology (DArTag) and Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP)-based single-nucleotide polymorphic markers for background selection in backcross populations. Genome recovery percentage ranged from 64.25 to 72.70, 78.94 to 87.69 and 82.28 to 90.77 percent in the BC₁F₁, BC₂F₁ and BC₃F₁ population, respectively, in the CAL1514 population, while it was 63.47 to 73.55, 78.16 to 88.76 and 83.96 to 91.81 percent in the BC₁F₁, BC₂F₁ and BC₃F₁ population, respectively, in the ZL153493 population. When the near-isogenic CMS lines of both populations are compared for agro-morphological traits with their recurrent parents, the agronomic qualities of recurrent parents, as well as the attributes of distinctness, uniformity and stability, are shown. Therefore, male sterility-transferred, female lines of RCRMH-2 and RCRMH-3 maize hybrids can be used directly to produce maize hybrid seed without the need of the detasseling process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Field Crops in the 21st Century)

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20 pages, 12150 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on the Infrageneric Classification of Hordeum Using Multiple Methods: Based on Morphological Data

by Nayoung Ro, Pilmo Sung, Mesfin Haile, Hyemyeong Yoon, Dong-Su Yu, Ho-Cheol Ko, Gyu-Taek Cho, Hee-Jong Woo and Nam-Jin Chung

Agronomy 2025, 15(1), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15010060 - 29 Dec 2024

Viewed by 662

Abstract

The genus Hordeum (barley) represents an essential group within the Poaceae family, comprising diverse species with significant ecological and economic importance. This study aims to improve the infrageneric classification of Hordeum by integrating multiple analytical approaches based on morphological data. A comprehensive dataset [...] Read more.

The genus Hordeum (barley) represents an essential group within the Poaceae family, comprising diverse species with significant ecological and economic importance. This study aims to improve the infrageneric classification of Hordeum by integrating multiple analytical approaches based on morphological data. A comprehensive dataset of key morphological traits was compiled from a wide range of Hordeum accessions, including representatives from all major taxonomic groups within the genus. Understanding and classifying the evolutionary traits of barley species, particularly in terms of environmental adaptation, pest resistance, and productivity improvement, is essential. DNA-based classification methods allow precise molecular-level analysis but are resource-intensive, especially when large-scale processing is required. This study addresses these limitations by employing an integrative approach combining hierarchical clustering, Principal Component Analysis–Linear Discriminant Analysis (PCA-LDA), and Random Forest (RF) to analyze the compiled morphological datasets. Morphological clustering via hierarchical analysis revealed clear taxonomic distinctions, achieving 86.0% accuracy at the subgenus level and 83.1% at the section level. PCA-LDA further refined classification by identifying key traits such as seed width, area, and 100-seed weight as primary contributors, achieving perfect accuracy for the Hordeum section and high accuracy for species like Hordeum vulgare and Hordeum spontaneum. RF analysis enhanced classification performance, achieving 100% accuracy at the section level and high accuracy for species with sufficient data. This approach offers a new framework for classifying diverse barley species and contributes significantly to data-driven decision-making in breeding and conservation efforts, supporting a deeper understanding of barley’s adaptive evolution in response to environmental changes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Field Crops in the 21st Century)

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11 pages, 1253 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Functional Molecular Markers for Viviparous Germination Resistance in Rice

by So-Myeong Lee, Youngho Kwon, Sung-Ryul Kim, Ju-Won Kang, Hyeonjin Park, Jin-Kyung Cha, Dong-Soo Park, Jun-Hyun Cho, Woojae Kim, Gyu-Hyeon Eom and Jong-Hee Lee

Agronomy 2024, 14(12), 2896; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14122896 - 4 Dec 2024

Viewed by 808

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa) plays a pivotal role in global food security. Understanding the genetics of rice cultivation is crucial, particularly for traits such as viviparous germination, which significantly influences germination and yield. Our research aimed to elucidate the genetic and molecular [...] Read more.

Rice (Oryza sativa) plays a pivotal role in global food security. Understanding the genetics of rice cultivation is crucial, particularly for traits such as viviparous germination, which significantly influences germination and yield. Our research aimed to elucidate the genetic and molecular mechanisms by which the Sdr4 gene influences viviparous germination and to develop novel molecular markers for this gene to enhance breeding strategies against viviparous germination. In all, 683 rice cultivars and 100 F₂ plants were used for viviparous germination and genetic analysis using KASP (Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR) and agarose gel-based markers related to viviparous germination tolerance. We developed and used a polymorphic agarose gel-based marker and a KASP marker targeting the Sdr4 gene. A genetic analysis of field-grown rice cultivars and the F₂ population revealed that the two markers on Sdr4 were functional for the genomic selection of SNPs and InDels related to dormancy. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r = 0.74, p-value = 3.31 × 10⁻⁸) between the Sdr4-IND KASP marker genotype and viviparous germination rate demonstrated a significant positive correlation, supporting the marker’s utility for selecting rice varieties with diminished viviparous germination. This insight serves as a critical theoretical foundation for breeding strategies for developing early-maturing rice varieties with enhanced resistance to viviparous germination, addressing pivotal challenges in rice cultivation, and ensuring food security. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Field Crops in the 21st Century)

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15 pages, 1465 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Validation of KASP Markers Associated with Hydrogen Cyanide in Fresh Cassava Roots in Uganda Cassava Germplasm

by Michael Kanaabi, Settumba B. Mukasa, Ephraim Nuwamanya, Paula Iragaba, Julius Karubanga Baguma, Ann Ritah Nanyonjo, Henry Wagaba, Nicholas Muhumuza, Fatumah Babirye Namakula, Enoch Wembabazi, Alfred Ozimati, Ismail Siraj Kayondo, Williams Esuma and Robert S. Kawuki

Agronomy 2024, 14(12), 2765; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14122765 - 21 Nov 2024

Viewed by 953

Abstract

Low hydrogen cyanide (HCN) concentration is a high-priority trait for cassava varieties targeting their fresh and dry product profiles. To be acceptable, varieties bred and developed for these market segments must meet international safety standards for maximum acceptable residual levels of cyanide in [...] Read more.

Low hydrogen cyanide (HCN) concentration is a high-priority trait for cassava varieties targeting their fresh and dry product profiles. To be acceptable, varieties bred and developed for these market segments must meet international safety standards for maximum acceptable residual levels of cyanide in cassava food and food products. The discovery of molecular markers that co-segregate with low HCN has not yet resulted in widespread usage in marker-assisted selection (MAS) in breeding programs. To deploy these HCN markers in regular MAS, assessing their reliability in various genetic backgrounds is crucial. The aim of this study was to assess the predictive accuracy of trait specific markers for HCN. The study used six HCN kompetitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP) markers that had previously been developed in a Brazilian population and verified in segregating West African cassava populations. For most markers used in the study, the average call rate was more than 91.7%. Three markers—snpME00404, snpME00405 and snpME00406—showed a significant co-segregation of genotypes with the HCN phenotype. On average, genotypes that carried at least one copy of the favourable allele had lower HCN scores. The proportion of phenotypic variance accounted for by the three most important markers was 14% (snpME00406), 17% (snpME00405) and 27% (snpME00404). The validation of identified HCN SNP-markers marks a significant step in their deployment to support selection and advancement decisions in cassava breeding programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Field Crops in the 21st Century)

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13 pages, 769 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Dissection of Isoleucine and Leucine Contents in the Embryo and Maternal Plant of Rapeseed Meal Under Different Environments

by Jianfeng Xu, Haiming Xu, Chunhai Shi, Yunxiang Zang, Zhiyu Zhu and Jianguo Wu

Agronomy 2024, 14(11), 2733; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14112733 - 20 Nov 2024

Viewed by 745

Abstract

The genetic basis controlling the content of two essential amino acids (isoleucine and leucine) in rapeseed meal was investigated through a replicated trial of the two BC₁F₁ populations from a two-way backcross between 202 TN DH population strains and their [...] Read more.

The genetic basis controlling the content of two essential amino acids (isoleucine and leucine) in rapeseed meal was investigated through a replicated trial of the two BC₁F₁ populations from a two-way backcross between 202 TN DH population strains and their parents (‘Tapidor’ and ‘Ningyou7′). Given the impact of rapeseed embryos and maternal plants on seed qualities, a multi-genetic-system QTL mapping method was employed, incorporating both genetic main effects and environmental interaction effects. The results demonstrated the presence of nine QTLs associated with isoleucine and leucine content in the A1, A4, A5, A7, A9, and C2 linkage groups. These included six QTLs controlling isoleucine content and three QTLs controlling leucine content, which collectively explained 55.49% and 56.06% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. Of these, four QTLs were identified as the main QTL, which collectively explained over 10% of the phenotypic variation. All of the identified QTLs exhibited a highly significant additive and dominant effects on seed embryos. Additionally, one of the QTLs demonstrated had a particularly significant additive effect derived from the maternal genome. QTLs controlling isoleucine and leucine were identified in the A1, A4, and C2 linkage groups. Moreover, two QTL clusters influencing these essential amino acid contents were identified in the A4 and C2 linkage groups, situated between molecular markers HS-K02-2 and HBR094 and between EM18ME6-220 and NA12C03, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Field Crops in the 21st Century)

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14 pages, 1122 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sixteen Years of Recurrent Selection of Ruzi Grass for Resistance to Spittlebugs (Hemiptera: Cercopidae)

by Tiago Teixeira Resende, Fausto Souza Sobrinho, Michelle Oliveira Campagnani, Bruno Antônio Veríssimo, Luís Augusto Calsavara, Flávia Maria Avelar Gonçalves, José Airton Rodrigues Nunes and Alexander Machado Auad

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1516; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14071516 - 12 Jul 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 780

Abstract

The forage Urochloa ruziziensis ((R. Germ. and C.M. Evrard) Crins (synonym Brachiaria ruziziensis) (Poales: Poaceae)) has great potential to be adopted as pasture. However, this forage is susceptible to spittlebugs, the main insect pest of pastures in Brazil. Thus, the objective of [...] Read more.

The forage Urochloa ruziziensis ((R. Germ. and C.M. Evrard) Crins (synonym Brachiaria ruziziensis) (Poales: Poaceae)) has great potential to be adopted as pasture. However, this forage is susceptible to spittlebugs, the main insect pest of pastures in Brazil. Thus, the objective of this study was to select genotypes of U. ruziziensis resistant to Deois schach (Fabricius) and Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) through 16 cycles of recurrent selection. The resistance of 13,114 U. ruziziensis plants to spittlebugs was evaluated in experiments conducted between 2008 and 2023. Each plant was infested with six eggs of the insect pest at stage S4 and kept in a greenhouse for up to 40 days. After this period, surviving nymphs from the second to fifth instars were counted. The original population of U. ruziziensis (POP01-2008) presented a nymphal survival rate of 63%, while for the improved population (POP36-2023) the average nymphal survival rate was 32.8%. The estimated total genetic gain was 15%, and the annual genetic gain was 1%. After 16 selection cycles, in POP36-2023, approximately 63% of the genotypes (716 plants), had nymphal survival rates equal to or less than 33% and were considered resistant to D. schach and M. spectabilis nymphs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Field Crops in the 21st Century)

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13 pages, 1999 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Identification of Significant Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms for Shoot Sulfur Accumulation and Sulfur Concentration Using a Genome-Wide Association Analysis in Wild Soybean Seedlings

by Hui Wang, Yu’e Zhang, Yudan Chen, Kaili Ren, Jialuo Chen, Guizhen Kan and Deyue Yu

Agronomy 2024, 14(2), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14020292 - 29 Jan 2024

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1475

Abstract

To understand the genetic basis of soybean sulfur utilization, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and transcriptome analysis were used to discover new sulfur utilization genes in 121 wild soybeans. The shoot sulfur accumulation (SA) and shoot sulfur concentration (SC) of 121 wild soybean [...] Read more.

To understand the genetic basis of soybean sulfur utilization, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and transcriptome analysis were used to discover new sulfur utilization genes in 121 wild soybeans. The shoot sulfur accumulation (SA) and shoot sulfur concentration (SC) of 121 wild soybean seedlings growing in a Hoagland nutrient solution for 14 days were evaluated in a greenhouse. The maximum coefficients of variation of SA and SC were 66.79% and 49.74%, respectively. An analysis of variance revealed that SA and SC had significant differences among materials. Compared with SC, SA had higher heritability (68%) and was significantly positively correlated with multiple agronomic traits. According to the GWAS, 33 and 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were significantly associated with SA and SC, respectively. Six quantitative trait loci containing ten SNPs associated with SA were mapped in two or three environments on chromosome 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 19. Twenty-seven candidate genes were identified in the six stable loci by searching the low-sulfur-induction soybean transcriptome. A genetic diversity analysis of the ribosomal gene GsRPL35, a candidate gene on chromosome 15, revealed 10 haplotypes (Hap1-10) based on 7 SNPs in 99 wild soybeans. Wild soybeans carrying Hap2 had a higher SA than those carrying Hap6. In general, the results provide novel sulfur accumulation loci and candidate genes for sulfur utilization improvements in soybean in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Field Crops in the 21st Century)

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16 pages, 1631 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Impact of Genotype-by-Environment Interactions on Agronomic Traits in Elite Cowpea Lines across Agro-Ecologies in Nigeria

by Bosede Olufunke Popoola, Patrick Obia Ongom, Saba B. Mohammed, Abou Togola, Daniel Jockson Ishaya, Garba Bala, Christian Fatokun and Ousmane Boukar

Agronomy 2024, 14(2), 263; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14020263 - 25 Jan 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2368

Abstract

The yield of cowpea varieties is affected by environmental variability. Hence, candidate varieties must be tested for yield stability before release. This study assessed the impacts of genotypes, environments, and their interaction on the performance of elite cowpea lines for key adaptive, grain [...] Read more.

The yield of cowpea varieties is affected by environmental variability. Hence, candidate varieties must be tested for yield stability before release. This study assessed the impacts of genotypes, environments, and their interaction on the performance of elite cowpea lines for key adaptive, grain yield, and associated traits across different locations. A total of 42 elite genotypes were evaluated in five Nigerian environments, representing various savanna ecologies, during the 2021 growing season. The experimental design employed was an alpha lattice arrangement, with each genotype replicated three times. The results revealed significant differences among genotypes, environments, and genotype-by-environment interaction (G × E) for most traits, including days to maturity, 100-seed weight, and grain yield. The genotype and genotype-by-environment interaction (GGE) biplot showed G21 (IT14K-2111-2) and G25 (IT15K-2386-1) as the most stable genotypes across the five environments, G41 (IT11K-61-82) was best adapted to Ibadan and Shika, G5 (245-1) was best adapted to Bagauda and Gumel, and G30 (IT16K-2365-1) was best adapted to Bauchi. G21 (IT14K-2111-2) and G25 (IT15K-2386-1) could be recommended across the five test environments, whereas G41 (IT11K-61-82), G30 (IT16K-2365-1), and G5 (245-1) were specific to the adapted environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Field Crops in the 21st Century)

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Review

Jump to: Research

18 pages, 1944 KiB

Open AccessReview

Current Insights into Various In Vitro Dihaploidization Techniques Used in Brassica Oil Crops

by Pavla Bryxová, Eloy Fernández-Cusimamani and Miroslav Klíma

Agronomy 2025, 15(1), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15010179 - 13 Jan 2025

Viewed by 945

Abstract

Brassicas are considered the third most important source of vegetable oil globally. With the escalating production of Brassica varieties, there is growing demand for high-yielding genotypes. Doubled haploid (DH) techniques have become very popular in various Brassica breeding programs. Such DH techniques can [...] Read more.

Brassicas are considered the third most important source of vegetable oil globally. With the escalating production of Brassica varieties, there is growing demand for high-yielding genotypes. Doubled haploid (DH) techniques have become very popular in various Brassica breeding programs. Such DH techniques can play a significant role in plant breeding by accelerating the production of homozygous lines and increasing selection efficiency. Among these methods, isolated microspore culture stands out as the most effective, facilitating the generation of a higher number of embryos compared to conventional methods of plant breeding. Different chemical compounds such as herbicides, brassinosteroids, and polyethylene glycol have an antimitotic effect and have been found to generate DH plants and improve microspore embryogenesis in Brassica species. Colchicine and trifluralin have proven to be efficient chromosome-doubling agents as well as important supplements that can increase the rate of embryogenesis. This review serves as a comprehensive summary and effectiveness evaluation of the latest research findings in the Brassica oil crops to help increase efficiency of the future research focusing on DH methods and application of antimitotic agents in the various oilseed species of the genus Brassica. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Field Crops in the 21st Century)

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21 pages, 2118 KiB

Open AccessReview

Genomics-Assisted Breeding: A Powerful Breeding Approach for Improving Plant Growth and Stress Resilience

by Anshika Tyagi, Zahoor Ahmad Mir, Mohammed A. Almalki, Rupesh Deshmukh and Sajad Ali

Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1128; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061128 - 25 May 2024

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 7078

Abstract

Climate change biotic and abiotic stressors lead to unpredictable crop yield losses, threatening global food and nutritional security. In the past, traditional breeding has been instrumental in fulfilling food demand; however, owing to its low efficiency, dependence on environmental conditions, labor intensity, and [...] Read more.

Climate change biotic and abiotic stressors lead to unpredictable crop yield losses, threatening global food and nutritional security. In the past, traditional breeding has been instrumental in fulfilling food demand; however, owing to its low efficiency, dependence on environmental conditions, labor intensity, and time consumption, it fails to maintain global food demand in the face of a rapidly changing environment and an expanding population. In this regard, plant breeders need to integrate multiple disciplines and technologies, such as genotyping, phenotyping, and envirotyping, in order to produce stress-resilient and high-yielding crops in a shorter time. With the technological revolution, plant breeding has undergone various reformations, for example, artificial selection breeding, hybrid breeding, molecular breeding, and precise breeding, which have been instrumental in developing high-yielding and stress-resilient crops in modern agriculture. Marker-assisted selection, also known as marker-assisted breeding, emerged as a game changer in modern breeding and has evolved over time into genomics-assisted breeding (GAB). It involves genomic information of crops to speed up plant breeding in order to develop stress-resilient and high-yielding crops. The combination of speed breeding with genomic and phenomic resources enabled the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs)/genes quickly, thereby accelerating crop improvement efforts. In this review, we provided an update on rapid advancement in molecular plant breeding, mainly GAB, for efficient crop improvements. We also highlighted the importance of GAB for improving biotic and abiotic stress tolerance as well as crop productivity in different crop systems. Finally, we discussed how the expansion of GAB to omics-assisted breeding (OAB) will contribute to the development of future resilient crops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Field Crops in the 21st Century)

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