Genomic prediction with special weight of major genes is a valuable tool to populate bio-digital resource centers.
AbstractPhenotypic information of crop genetic resources is a prerequisite for an informed selection that aims to broaden the genetic base of the elite breeding pools. We investigated the potential of genomic prediction based on historical screening data of plant responses against the Barley yellow mosaic viruses for populating the bio-digital resource center of barley. Our study includes dense marker data for 3838 accessions of winter barley, and historical screening data of 1751 accessions for Barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) and of 1771 accessions for Barley mild mosaic virus (BaMMV). Linear mixed models were fitted by considering combinations for the effects of genotypes, years, and locations. The best linear unbiased estimations displayed a broad spectrum of plant responses against BaYMV and BaMMV. Prediction abilities, computed as correlations between predictions and observed phenotypes of accessions, were low for the marker-assisted selection approach amounting to 0.42. In contrast, prediction abilities of genomic best linear unbiased predictions were high, with values of 0.62 for BaYMV and 0.64 for BaMMV. Prediction abilities of genomic prediction were improved by up to\uffe2\uff80\uff89~\uffe2\uff80\uff895% using W-BLUP, in which more weight is given to markers with significant major effects found by association mapping. Our results outline the utility of historical screening data and W-BLUP model to predict the performance of the non-phenotyped individuals in genebank collections. The presented strategy can be considered as part of the different approaches used in genebank genomics to valorize genetic resources for their usage in disease resistance breeding and research.
", "keywords": ["Genetic Markers", "0301 basic medicine", "2. Zero hunger", "0303 health sciences", "Genotype", "Chromosome Mapping", "Genetic Variation", "Hordeum", "Genomics", "Potyviridae", "Linkage Disequilibrium", "Plant Breeding", "03 medical and health sciences", "Phenotype", "Databases", " Genetic", "Original Article", "Genetic Association Studies", "Disease Resistance", "Plant Diseases"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00122-021-03815-0.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-021-03815-0"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Theoretical%20and%20Applied%20Genetics", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1007/s00122-021-03815-0", "name": "item", "description": "10.1007/s00122-021-03815-0", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1007/s00122-021-03815-0"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2021-03-25T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.tplants.2023.01.008", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-04T16:17:29Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2023-02-27", "title": "Heritage genetics for adaptation to marginal soils in barley", "description": "Future crops need to be sustainable in the face of climate change. Modern barley varieties have been bred for high productivity and quality; however, they have suffered considerable genetic erosion, losing crucial genetic diversity. This renders modern cultivars vulnerable to climate change and stressful environments. We highlight the potential to tailor crops to a specific environment by utilising diversity inherent in an adapted landrace population. Tapping into natural biodiversity, while incorporating information about local environmental and climatic conditions, allows targeting of key traits and genotypes, enabling crop production in marginal soils. We outline future directions for the utilisation of genetic resources maintained in landrace collections to support sustainable agriculture through germplasm development via the use of genomics technologies and big data.", "keywords": ["Crops", " Agricultural", "0301 basic medicine", "EFFICIENCY", "genetic resilience", "IMPACT", "/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1100/1110", "630", "12. Responsible consumption", "diversity", "Soil", "03 medical and health sciences", "FUTURE", "MANGANESE DEFICIENCY", "PLANTS", "2. Zero hunger", "580", "0303 health sciences", "barley landraces", "Hordeum", "Agriculture", "15. Life on land", "LANDRACES", "Adaptation", " Physiological", "CULTIVARS", "CLIMATE", "Plant Breeding", "climate change", "marginal soil", "13. Climate action", "name=Plant Science", "local adaptation", "RESISTANCE"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2023.01.008"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Trends%20in%20Plant%20Science", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.tplants.2023.01.008", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.tplants.2023.01.008", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.tplants.2023.01.008"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2023-05-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1038/s41438-020-00353-6", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-04T16:17:56Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2020-09-01", "title": "ddRAD sequencing-based genotyping for population structure analysis in cultivated tomato provides new insights into the genomic diversity of Mediterranean \u2018da serbo\u2019 type long shelf-life germplasm", "description": "AbstractDouble digest restriction-site associated sequencing (ddRAD-seq) is a flexible and cost-effective strategy for providing in-depth insights into the genetic architecture of germplasm collections. Using this methodology, we investigated the genomic diversity of a panel of 288 diverse tomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.) accessions enriched in \uffe2\uff80\uff98da serbo\uffe2\uff80\uff99 (called \uffe2\uff80\uff98de penjar\uffe2\uff80\uff99 in Spain) long shelf life (LSL) materials (152 accessions) mostly originating from Italy and Spain. The rest of the materials originate from different countries and include landraces for fresh consumption, elite cultivars, heirlooms, and breeding lines. Apart from their LSL trait, \uffe2\uff80\uff98da serbo\uffe2\uff80\uff99 landraces are of remarkable interest for their resilience. We identified 32,799 high-quality SNPs, which were used for model ancestry population structure and non-parametric hierarchical clustering. Six genetic subgroups were revealed, clearly separating most \uffe2\uff80\uff98da serbo\uffe2\uff80\uff99 landraces, but also the Spanish germplasm, suggesting a subdivision of the population based on type and geographical provenance. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) in the collection decayed very rapidly within <5\uffe2\uff80\uff89kb. We then investigated SNPs showing contrasted minor frequency allele (MAF) in \uffe2\uff80\uff98da serbo\uffe2\uff80\uff99 materials, resulting in the identification of high frequencies in this germplasm of several mutations in genes related to stress tolerance and fruit maturation such asCTR1andJAR1. Finally, a mini-core collection of 58 accessions encompassing most of the diversity was selected for further exploitation of key traits. Our findings suggest the presence of a genetic footprint of the \uffe2\uff80\uff98da serbo\uffe2\uff80\uff99 germplasm selected in the Mediterranean basin. Moreover, we provide novel insights on LSL \uffe2\uff80\uff98da serbo\uffe2\uff80\uff99 germplasm as a promising source of alleles for tolerance to stresses.
", "keywords": ["0301 basic medicine", "2. Zero hunger", "GENETICA", "0303 health sciences", "03 medical and health sciences", "Genetic markers", "Genomics", "Plant breeding", "Article", "02.- Poner fin al hambre", " conseguir la seguridad alimentaria y una mejor nutrici\u00f3n", " y promover la agricultura sostenible"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://iris.cnr.it/bitstream/20.500.14243/451962/1/41438_2020_article_353.pdf"}, {"href": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s41438-020-00353-6.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41438-020-00353-6"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Horticulture%20Research", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1038/s41438-020-00353-6", "name": "item", "description": "10.1038/s41438-020-00353-6", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1038/s41438-020-00353-6"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2020-09-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1038/s41586-023-05791-5", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-04T16:18:00Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2023-03-08", "title": "The giant diploid faba genome unlocks variation in a global protein crop", "description": "AbstractIncreasing the proportion of locally produced plant protein in currently meat-rich diets could substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions and loss of biodiversity1. However, plant protein production is hampered by the lack of a cool-season legume equivalent to soybean in agronomic value2. Faba bean (Vicia fabaL.) has a high yield potential and is well suited for cultivation in temperate regions, but genomic resources are scarce. Here, we report a high-quality chromosome-scale assembly of the faba bean genome and show that it has expanded to a massive 13\uffe2\uff80\uff89Gb in size through an imbalance between the rates of amplification and elimination of retrotransposons and satellite repeats. Genes and recombination events are evenly dispersed across chromosomes and the gene space is remarkably compact considering the genome size, although with substantial copy number variation driven by tandem duplication. Demonstrating practical application of the genome sequence, we develop a targeted genotyping assay and use high-resolution genome-wide association analysis to dissect the genetic basis of seed size and hilum colour. The resources presented constitute a genomics-based breeding platform for faba bean, enabling breeders and geneticists to accelerate the\uffc2\uffa0improvement of sustainable protein production across the\uffc2\uffa0Mediterranean, subtropical and northern temperate agroecological zones.Trace metal elements are essential for plant growth but become toxic at high concentrations, while some non-essential elements, such as Cd and As, show toxicity even in traces. Thus, metal homeostasis is tightly regulated in plants. Plant species colonising metalliferous soils have evolved mechanisms to hypertolerate metals and, in rare cases, can hyperaccumulate them in excess amounts in their shoots. The molecular mechanisms of metal hypertolerance and hyperaccumulation are likely derived from alterations in the basic mechanisms involved in general metal homeostasis. Genes involved in metal transport, synthesis of metal chelators and oxidative stress responses are constitutively and highly expressed in metal hypertolerant and hyperaccumulator species. Plant specialized metabolites and cell wall components have been proposed as major players in these mechanisms. In addition, the high intra-specific natural variation of metal hypertolerance and hyperaccumulation suggests that various molecular mechanisms might be involved in the evolution of these traits. To date, the potential of wild plant populations as systems to study metal tolerance and hyperaccumulation has not been fully exploited. The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has enabled the study of non-model species, providing an opportunity to study natural populations and new tolerant and/or hyperaccumulating species, and will provide new insights into metal tolerance and hyperaccumulation. In this review we highlight background knowledge about metal tolerance and hyperaccumulation in plants and the current state-of-the-art techniques to study and identify the underlying mechanisms of metal hypertolerance and hyperaccumulation. We also outline for the reader the importance of the multidisciplinarity of this research field and how the integration of multiomic approaches will benefit facing the future scientific challenges.Previous laboratory studies have suggested selection for root hair traits in future crop breeding to improve resource use efficiency and stress tolerance. However, data on the interplay between root hairs and open-field systems, under contrasting soils and climate conditions, are limited. As such, this study aims to experimentally elucidate some of the impacts that root hairs have on plant performance on a field scale.
MethodsA field experiment was set up in Scotland for two consecutive years, under contrasting climate conditions and different soil textures (i.e. clay loam vs. sandy loam). Five barley (Hordeum vulgare) genotypes exhibiting variation in root hair length and density were used in the study. Root hair length, density and rhizosheath weight were measured at several growth stages, as well as shoot biomass, plant water status, shoot phosphorus (P) accumulation and grain yield.
Key ResultsMeasurements of root hair density, length and its correlation with rhizosheath weight highlighted trait robustness in the field under variable environmental conditions, although significant variations were found between soil textures as the growing season progressed. Root hairs did not confer a notable advantage to barley under optimal conditions, but under soil water deficit root hairs enhanced plant water status and stress tolerance resulting in a less negative leaf water potential and lower leaf abscisic acid concentration, while promoting shoot P accumulation. Furthermore, the presence of root hairs did not decrease yield under optimal conditions, while root hairs enhanced yield stability under drought.
ConclusionsSelecting for beneficial root hair traits can enhance yield stability without diminishing yield potential, overcoming the breeder\uffe2\uff80\uff99s dilemma of trying to simultaneously enhance both productivity and resilience. Therefore, the maintenance or enhancement of root hairs can represent a key trait for breeding the next generation of crops for improved drought tolerance in relation to climate change.Root architectural phenotypes are promising targets for crop breeding, but root architectural effects on microbial associations in agricultural fields are not well understood. Architecture determines the location of microbial associations within root systems, which, when integrated with soil vertical gradients, determines the functions and the metabolic capability of rhizosphere microbial communities. We argue that variation in root architecture in crops has important implications for root exudation, microbial recruitment and function, and the decomposition and fate of root tissues and exudates. Recent research has shown that the root microbiome changes along root axes and among root classes, that root tips have a unique microbiome, and that root exudates change within the root system depending on soil physicochemical conditions. Although fresh exudates are produced in larger amounts in root tips, the rhizosphere of mature root segments also plays a role in influencing soil vertical gradients. We argue that more research is needed to understand specific root phenotypes that structure microbial associations and discuss candidate root phenotypes that may determine the location of microbial hotspots within root systems with relevance to agricultural systems.
Limitation to root growth results from forces required to overcome soil resistance to deformation. The variations in individual particle forces affects root development and often deflects the growth trajectory.
We have developed transparent soil and optical projection tomography microscopy systems where measurements of growth trajectory and particle forces can be acquired in a granular medium at a range of confining pressures. We developed image\uffe2\uff80\uff90processing pipelines to analyse patterns in root trajectories and a stochastic\uffe2\uff80\uff90mechanical theory to establish how root deflections relate to particle forces and thickening of the root.
Root thickening compensates for the increase in mean particle forces but does not prevent deflections from 5% of most extreme individual particle forces causing root deflection. The magnitude of deflections increases with pressure but they assemble into helices of conserved wavelength in response linked to gravitropism.
The study reveals mechanisms for the understanding of root growth in mechanically impeding soil conditions and provides insights relevant to breeding of drought\uffe2\uff80\uff90resistant crops.
White lupin is an old crop with renewed interest due to its seed high protein content and high nutritional value. Despite a long domestication history in the Mediterranean basin, modern breeding efforts have been fairly scarce. Recent sequencing of its genome has provided tools for further description of genetic resources but detailed characterization of genomic diversity is still missing. Here, we report the genome sequencing of 39 accessions that were used to establish a white lupin pangenome. We defined 32\uffe2\uff80\uff89068 core genes that are present in all individuals and 14\uffe2\uff80\uff89822 that are absent in some and may represent a gene pool for breeding for improved productivity, grain quality, and stress adaptation. We used this new pangenome resource to identify candidate genes for alkaloid synthesis, a key grain quality trait. The white lupin pangenome provides a novel genetic resource to better understand how domestication has shaped the genomic variability within this crop. Thus, this pangenome resource is an important step towards the effective and efficient genetic improvement of white lupin to help meet the rapidly growing demand for plant protein sources for human and animal consumption.", "keywords": ["0301 basic medicine", "white lupin", "pangenome", "[SDV.BIO]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Biotechnology", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_49985", "630", "diversit\u00e9 g\u00e9n\u00e9tique (comme ressource)", "Domestication", "domestication", "03 medical and health sciences", "ressource g\u00e9n\u00e9tique v\u00e9g\u00e9tale", "[SDV.BV]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Vegetal Biology", "[SDV.BV] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Vegetal Biology", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_37418", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_37419", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3224", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_33952", "Research Articles", "ressource g\u00e9n\u00e9tique animale", "2. Zero hunger", "0303 health sciences", "g\u00e9nome", "phytog\u00e9n\u00e9tique", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_27583", "Chromosome Mapping", "600", "s\u00e9quence nucl\u00e9otidique", "15. Life on land", "variation g\u00e9n\u00e9tique", "plant diversity", "[SDV.BIO] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Biotechnology", "Lupinus", "Plant Breeding", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_15975", "Genome", " Plant"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/pbi.13678"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.13678"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Plant%20Biotechnology%20Journal", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1111/pbi.13678", "name": "item", "description": "10.1111/pbi.13678", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1111/pbi.13678"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2020-06-22T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.3389/fpls.2022.903661", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-04T16:21:12Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2022-06-10", "title": "Diversity and Agronomic Performance of Lupinus mutabilis Germplasm in European and Andean Environments", "description": "The introduction of Lupinus mutabilis (Andean lupin) in Europe will provide a new source of protein and oil for plant-based diets and biomass for bio-based products, while contributing to the improvement of marginal soils. This study evaluates for the first time the phenotypic variability of a large panel of L. mutabilis accessions both in their native environment and over two cropping conditions in Europe (winter crop in the Mediterranean region and summer crop in North-Central Europe), paving the way for the selection of accessions adapted to specific environments. The panel of 225 accessions included both germplasm pools from the Andean region and breeding lines from Europe. Notably, we reported higher grain yield in Mediterranean winter-cropping conditions (18 g/plant) than in the native region (9 g/plant). Instead, North European summer-cropping conditions appear more suitable for biomass production (up to 2 kg/plant). The phenotypic evaluation of 16 agronomical traits revealed significant variation in the panel. Principal component analyses pointed out flowering time, yield, and architecture-related traits as the main factors explaining variation between accessions. The Peruvian material stands out among the top-yielding accessions in Europe, characterized by early lines with high grain yield (e.g., LIB065, LIB072, and LIB155). Bolivian and Ecuadorian materials appear more valuable for the selection of genotypes for Andean conditions and for biomass production in Europe. We also observed that flowering time in the different environments is influenced by temperature accumulation. Within the panel, it is possible to identify both early and late genotypes, characterized by different thermal thresholds (600\uffc2\uffb0C\uffe2\uff80\uff93700\uffc2\uffb0C and 1,000\uffe2\uff80\uff931,200\uffc2\uffb0C GDD, respectively). Indications on top-yielding and early/late accessions, heritability of morpho-physiological traits, and their associations with grain yield are reported and remain largely environmental specific, underlining the importance of selecting useful genetic resources for specific environments. Altogether, these results suggest that the studied panel holds the genetic potential for the adaptation of L. mutabilis to Europe and provide the basis for initiating a breeding program based on exploiting the variation described herein.The \uffe2\uff80\uff98de penjar\uffe2\uff80\uff99 tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a group of local varieties from the Spanish Mediterranean region carrying the alc mutation, which provides long shelf-life. Their evolution under low-input management practices has led to the selection of resilient genotypes to adverse conditions. Here we present the first evaluation on nutritional fruit composition of a collection of 44 varieties of \uffe2\uff80\uff98de penjar\uffe2\uff80\uff99 tomato under two N fertilization levels, provided by doses of manure equivalent to 162 kg N ha\uffe2\uff80\uff931 in the high N treatment and 49 kg N ha\uffe2\uff80\uff931 in the low N treatment. Twenty-seven fruit composition and quality traits, as well as plant yield and SPAD value, were evaluated. A large variation was observed, with lycopene being the composition trait with the highest relative range of variation (over 4-fold) under both N treatments, and significant differences among varieties were detected for all traits. While yield and most quality traits were not affected by the reduction in N fertilization, fruits from the low N treatment had, on average, higher values for hue (5.9%) and lower for fructose (\uffe2\uff88\uff9211.5%), glucose (\uffe2\uff88\uff9215.8%), and total sweetness index (\uffe2\uff88\uff9212.9%). In addition, lycopene and \uffce\uffb2-carotene presented a strongly significant genotype \uffc3\uff97 N input interaction. Local varieties had higher values than commercial varieties for traits related to the ratio of sweetness to acidity and for vitamin C, which reinforces the appreciation for their organoleptic and nutritional quality. Highest-yielding varieties under both conditions displayed wide variation in the composition and quality profiles, which may allow the selection of specific ideotypes with high quality under low N conditions. These results revealed the potential of \uffe2\uff80\uff98de penjar\uffe2\uff80\uff99 varieties as a genetic resource in breeding for low N inputs and improving the organoleptic and nutritional tomato fruit quality.
", "keywords": ["0301 basic medicine", "2. Zero hunger", "nutritional quality", "Plant culture", "Nutritional quality", "Plant Science", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "Abiotic stress", "local varieties", "Plant breeding", "SB1-1110", "taste", "Local varieties", "GENETICA", "03 medical and health sciences", "Solanum lycopersicum", "Taste", "plant breeding", "Metabolites", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "metabolites"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.633957"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Frontiers%20in%20Plant%20Science", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.3389/fpls.2021.633957", "name": "item", "description": "10.3389/fpls.2021.633957", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.3389/fpls.2021.633957"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2021-04-07T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10138/356895", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-04T16:25:03Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2023-03-08", "title": "The giant diploid faba genome unlocks variation in a global protein crop", "description": "AbstractIncreasing the proportion of locally produced plant protein in currently meat-rich diets could substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions and loss of biodiversity 1 . However, plant protein production is hampered by the lack of a cool-season legume equivalent to soybean in agronomic value 2 . Faba bean ( Vicia faba L.) has a high yield potential and is well suited for cultivation in temperate regions, but genomic resources are scarce. Here, we report a high-quality chromosome-scale assembly of the faba bean genome and show that it has expanded to a massive 13\uffe2\uff80\uff89Gb in size through an imbalance between the rates of amplification and elimination of retrotransposons and satellite repeats. Genes and recombination events are evenly dispersed across chromosomes and the gene space is remarkably compact considering the genome size, although with substantial copy number variation driven by tandem duplication. Demonstrating practical application of the genome sequence, we develop a targeted genotyping assay and use high-resolution genome-wide association analysis to dissect the genetic basis of seed size and hilum colour. The resources presented constitute a genomics-based breeding platform for faba bean, enabling breeders and geneticists to accelerate the\uffc2\uffa0improvement of sustainable protein production across the\uffc2\uffa0Mediterranean, subtropical and northern temperate agroecological zones. Nutrient acquisition is crucial for sustaining life. Plants develop beneficial intracellular partnerships with arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) and nitrogen-fixing bacteria to surmount the scarcity of soil nutrients and tap into atmospheric dinitrogen, respectively1,2. Initiation of these root endosymbioses requires symbiont-induced oscillations in nuclear calcium (Ca2+) concentrations in root cells3. How the nuclear-localized ion channels, cyclic nucleotide-gated channel (CNGC) 15 and DOESN\uffe2\uff80\uff99T MAKE INFECTIONS1 (DMI1)4 are coordinated to specify symbiotic-induced nuclear Ca2+ oscillations remains unknown. Here we discovered an autoactive CNGC15 mutant that generates spontaneous low-frequency Ca2+ oscillations. While CNGC15 produces nuclear Ca2+ oscillations via a gating mechanism involving its helix 1, DMI1 acts as a pacemaker to specify the frequency of the oscillations. We demonstrate that the specificity of symbiotic-induced nuclear Ca2+ oscillations is encoded in its frequency. A high frequency activates endosymbiosis programmes, whereas a low frequency modulates phenylpropanoid pathways. Consequently, the autoactive cngc15 mutant, which is capable of generating both frequencies, has increased flavonoids that enhance AM, root nodule symbiosis and nutrient acquisition. We transferred this trait to wheat, resulting in field-grown wheat with increased AM colonization and nutrient acquisition. Our findings reveal a new strategy to boost endosymbiosis in the field and reduce inorganic fertilizer use while sustaining plant growth.The introduction of Lupinus mutabilis (Andean lupin) in Europe will provide a new source of protein and oil for plant-based diets and biomass for bio-based products, while contributing to the improvement of marginal soils. This study evaluates for the first time the phenotypic variability of a large panel of L. mutabilis accessions both in their native environment and over two cropping conditions in Europe (winter crop in the Mediterranean region and summer crop in North-Central Europe), paving the way for the selection of accessions adapted to specific environments. The panel of 225 accessions included both germplasm pools from the Andean region and breeding lines from Europe. Notably, we reported higher grain yield in Mediterranean winter-cropping conditions (18 g/plant) than in the native region (9 g/plant). Instead, North European summer-cropping conditions appear more suitable for biomass production (up to 2 kg/plant). The phenotypic evaluation of 16 agronomical traits revealed significant variation in the panel. Principal component analyses pointed out flowering time, yield, and architecture-related traits as the main factors explaining variation between accessions. The Peruvian material stands out among the top-yielding accessions in Europe, characterized by early lines with high grain yield (e.g., LIB065, LIB072, and LIB155). Bolivian and Ecuadorian materials appear more valuable for the selection of genotypes for Andean conditions and for biomass production in Europe. We also observed that flowering time in the different environments is influenced by temperature accumulation. Within the panel, it is possible to identify both early and late genotypes, characterized by different thermal thresholds (600\uffc2\uffb0C\uffe2\uff80\uff93700\uffc2\uffb0C and 1,000\uffe2\uff80\uff931,200\uffc2\uffb0C GDD, respectively). Indications on top-yielding and early/late accessions, heritability of morpho-physiological traits, and their associations with grain yield are reported and remain largely environmental specific, underlining the importance of selecting useful genetic resources for specific environments. Altogether, these results suggest that the studied panel holds the genetic potential for the adaptation of L. mutabilis to Europe and provide the basis for initiating a breeding program based on exploiting the variation described herein.Root architectural phenotypes are promising targets for crop breeding, but root architectural effects on microbial associations in agricultural fields are not well understood. Architecture determines the location of microbial associations within root systems, which, when integrated with soil vertical gradients, determines the functions and the metabolic capability of rhizosphere microbial communities. We argue that variation in root architecture in crops has important implications for root exudation, microbial recruitment and function, and the decomposition and fate of root tissues and exudates. Recent research has shown that the root microbiome changes along root axes and among root classes, that root tips have a unique microbiome, and that root exudates change within the root system depending on soil physicochemical conditions. Although fresh exudates are produced in larger amounts in root tips, the rhizosphere of mature root segments also plays a role in influencing soil vertical gradients. We argue that more research is needed to understand specific root phenotypes that structure microbial associations and discuss candidate root phenotypes that may determine the location of microbial hotspots within root systems with relevance to agricultural systems.Previous laboratory studies have suggested selection for root hair traits in future crop breeding to improve resource use efficiency and stress tolerance. However, data on the interplay between root hairs and open-field systems, under contrasting soils and climate conditions, are limited. As such, this study aims to experimentally elucidate some of the impacts that root hairs have on plant performance on a field scale.
MethodsA field experiment was set up in Scotland for two consecutive years, under contrasting climate conditions and different soil textures (i.e. clay loam vs. sandy loam). Five barley (Hordeum vulgare) genotypes exhibiting variation in root hair length and density were used in the study. Root hair length, density and rhizosheath weight were measured at several growth stages, as well as shoot biomass, plant water status, shoot phosphorus (P) accumulation and grain yield.
Key ResultsMeasurements of root hair density, length and its correlation with rhizosheath weight highlighted trait robustness in the field under variable environmental conditions, although significant variations were found between soil textures as the growing season progressed. Root hairs did not confer a notable advantage to barley under optimal conditions, but under soil water deficit root hairs enhanced plant water status and stress tolerance resulting in a less negative leaf water potential and lower leaf abscisic acid concentration, while promoting shoot P accumulation. Furthermore, the presence of root hairs did not decrease yield under optimal conditions, while root hairs enhanced yield stability under drought.
ConclusionsSelecting for beneficial root hair traits can enhance yield stability without diminishing yield potential, overcoming the breeder\uffe2\uff80\uff99s dilemma of trying to simultaneously enhance both productivity and resilience. Therefore, the maintenance or enhancement of root hairs can represent a key trait for breeding the next generation of crops for improved drought tolerance in relation to climate change.
Limitation to root growth results from forces required to overcome soil resistance to deformation. The variations in individual particle forces affects root development and often deflects the growth trajectory.
We have developed transparent soil and optical projection tomography microscopy systems where measurements of growth trajectory and particle forces can be acquired in a granular medium at a range of confining pressures. We developed image\uffe2\uff80\uff90processing pipelines to analyse patterns in root trajectories and a stochastic\uffe2\uff80\uff90mechanical theory to establish how root deflections relate to particle forces and thickening of the root.
Root thickening compensates for the increase in mean particle forces but does not prevent deflections from 5% of most extreme individual particle forces causing root deflection. The magnitude of deflections increases with pressure but they assemble into helices of conserved wavelength in response linked to gravitropism.
The study reveals mechanisms for the understanding of root growth in mechanically impeding soil conditions and provides insights relevant to breeding of drought\uffe2\uff80\uff90resistant crops.
Trace metal elements are essential for plant growth but become toxic at high concentrations, while some non-essential elements, such as Cd and As, show toxicity even in traces. Thus, metal homeostasis is tightly regulated in plants. Plant species colonising metalliferous soils have evolved mechanisms to hypertolerate metals and, in rare cases, can hyperaccumulate them in excess amounts in their shoots. The molecular mechanisms of metal hypertolerance and hyperaccumulation are likely derived from alterations in the basic mechanisms involved in general metal homeostasis. Genes involved in metal transport, synthesis of metal chelators and oxidative stress responses are constitutively and highly expressed in metal hypertolerant and hyperaccumulator species. Plant specialized metabolites and cell wall components have been proposed as major players in these mechanisms. In addition, the high intra-specific natural variation of metal hypertolerance and hyperaccumulation suggests that various molecular mechanisms might be involved in the evolution of these traits. To date, the potential of wild plant populations as systems to study metal tolerance and hyperaccumulation has not been fully exploited. The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has enabled the study of non-model species, providing an opportunity to study natural populations and new tolerant and/or hyperaccumulating species, and will provide new insights into metal tolerance and hyperaccumulation. In this review we highlight background knowledge about metal tolerance and hyperaccumulation in plants and the current state-of-the-art techniques to study and identify the underlying mechanisms of metal hypertolerance and hyperaccumulation. We also outline for the reader the importance of the multidisciplinarity of this research field and how the integration of multiomic approaches will benefit facing the future scientific challenges.Limitation to root growth results from forces required to overcome soil resistance to deformation. The variations in individual particle forces affects root development and often deflects the growth trajectory.
We have developed transparent soil and optical projection tomography microscopy systems where measurements of growth trajectory and particle forces can be acquired in a granular medium at a range of confining pressures. We developed image\uffe2\uff80\uff90processing pipelines to analyse patterns in root trajectories and a stochastic\uffe2\uff80\uff90mechanical theory to establish how root deflections relate to particle forces and thickening of the root.
Root thickening compensates for the increase in mean particle forces but does not prevent deflections from 5% of most extreme individual particle forces causing root deflection. The magnitude of deflections increases with pressure but they assemble into helices of conserved wavelength in response linked to gravitropism.
The study reveals mechanisms for the understanding of root growth in mechanically impeding soil conditions and provides insights relevant to breeding of drought\uffe2\uff80\uff90resistant crops.
Trace metal elements are essential for plant growth but become toxic at high concentrations, while some non-essential elements, such as Cd and As, show toxicity even in traces. Thus, metal homeostasis is tightly regulated in plants. Plant species colonising metalliferous soils have evolved mechanisms to hypertolerate metals and, in rare cases, can hyperaccumulate them in excess amounts in their shoots. The molecular mechanisms of metal hypertolerance and hyperaccumulation are likely derived from alterations in the basic mechanisms involved in general metal homeostasis. Genes involved in metal transport, synthesis of metal chelators and oxidative stress responses are constitutively and highly expressed in metal hypertolerant and hyperaccumulator species. Plant specialized metabolites and cell wall components have been proposed as major players in these mechanisms. In addition, the high intra-specific natural variation of metal hypertolerance and hyperaccumulation suggests that various molecular mechanisms might be involved in the evolution of these traits. To date, the potential of wild plant populations as systems to study metal tolerance and hyperaccumulation has not been fully exploited. The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has enabled the study of non-model species, providing an opportunity to study natural populations and new tolerant and/or hyperaccumulating species, and will provide new insights into metal tolerance and hyperaccumulation. In this review we highlight background knowledge about metal tolerance and hyperaccumulation in plants and the current state-of-the-art techniques to study and identify the underlying mechanisms of metal hypertolerance and hyperaccumulation. We also outline for the reader the importance of the multidisciplinarity of this research field and how the integration of multiomic approaches will benefit facing the future scientific challenges.