Differential responses of two local and commercial guar cultivars for nutrient uptake and yield components under drought and biochar application.

Drought is one of the abiotic stresses that can reduce crop yields. It has a major impact on crop yield reduction. For crops under stress, organic modifiers such as biochar can be useful. Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.), an annual legume from the Fabaceae Family, is highly adaptable to arid and semi-arid regions, with many applications in various industries. Field experiments were carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications using a split-split plots arrangement. The aim was to evaluate the influence of irrigation levels (Ir1 = 10, Ir2 = 14, and Ir3 = 17 days irrigation cycle) and biochar (B1 = 0, B2 = 5, and B3 = 10 tons ha-1) application on physiological traits [(chlorophyll a and b, chlorophyll index (SPAD), relative leaf water content (RWC), electrolyte leakage (EL), canopy temperature, leaf area, water use efficiency (WUE)], morphological parameters (length and diameter of the stem, pod length, fresh weight of root and plant, root length), yield components (seed yield, number of branch plant-1, number of clusters plant-1, pod plant-1, seed pod-1, seed plant-1, 1000-seed weight, and gum contents), and leaf nutrient uptake (Ca, Mg, P, Na, and K) of two commercial and local cultivars (cv1 = RGC-936 and cv2 = Saravan) of the guar plant. It was observed that the Ir3 irrigation treatment produced the highest seed yield (1921.8 kg ha-1) in terms of water stress. However, the maximum pod plant-1 (75.5), seed plant-1 (454.2), seed yield (1871.1 kg ha-1), leaf area (861.8 mm2), SPAD (92.2), Mg (49.8 mg g-1), Na (43.3 mg g-1) and P (0.49 mg g-1) were observed in RGC-936. The results also revealed that biochar was more effective than cultivars in terms of morphological traits. While yield and yield components were affected by cultivar, irrigation at different levels also had a significant effect on functional traits, physiology, and morphology. The addition of biochar appeared to have a positive effect on water stress alleviation and guar growth and leaf nutrient uptake. According to Pearson's correlation analysis, plant weight and length, root weight and length, stem diameter, seed pod-1, branches plant-1, and 1000-seed weight are moderately correlated with seed yield, while pod plant-1 and seed plant-1 are strongly associated with seed yield. On the other hand, the pod length, branches plant-1, and gum content showed a positive but not significant relationship.

Identification of quantitative trait loci of pod dehiscence in a collection of soybean grown in the southeast of Kazakhstan.

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is one of the important crops that are constantly increasing their cultivation area in Kazakhstan. It is particularly significant in the southeastern regions of the country, which are currently predominant areas for cultivating this crop. One negative trait reducing yield in these dry areas is pod dehiscence (PD). Therefore, it is essential to understand the genetic control of PD to breed new cultivars with high yield potential. In this study, we evaluated 273 soybean accessions from different regions of the world for PD resistance in the conditions of southeastern regions of Kazakhstan in 2019 and 2021. The field data for PD suggested that 12 accessions were susceptible to PD in both studied years, and 32 accessions, in one of the two studied years. The genotyping of the collection using a DNA marker for the Pdh1 gene, a major gene for PD, revealed that 244 accessions had the homozygous R (resistant) allele, 14 had the homozygous S (susceptible) allele, and 15 accessions showed heterozygosity. To identify additional quantitative trait loci (QTLs), we applied an association mapping study using a 6K SNP Illumina iSelect array. The results suggested that in addition to major QTL on chromosome 16, linked to the physical location of Pdh1, two minor QTLs were identified on chromosomes 10 and 13. Both minor QTLs for PD were associated with calmodulin-binding protein, which presumably plays an important role in regulating PD in dry areas. Thus, the current study provided additional insight into PD regulation in soybean. The identified QTLs for PD can be efficiently employed in breeding for high-yield soybean cultivars.

Optimized irrigation and fertilization can mitigate negative CO2 impacts on seed yield and vigor of hybrid maize.

Seed yield and vigor of hybrid maize determine the planting, yield, and quality of maize, and consequently affect food, nutrition, and livelihood security; however, the response of seed yield and vigor to climate change is still unclear. We established an optimization-simulation framework consisting of a water­nitrogen crop production function, a seed vigor and a gridded process-based model to optimize irrigation and nitrogen fertilization management, and used it to evaluate seed yield and vigor in major seed production locations of China, the USA, and Mexico. This framework could reflect the influence of water and nitrogen inputs at different stages on seed yield and vigor considering the spatio-temporal variability of climate and soil properties. Projected seed yield and vigor decreased by 5.8-9.0 % without adaptation by the 2050s, due to the 1.3-5.8 % decrease in seed number and seed protein concentration. Seed yield was positively correlated with CO2 and negatively correlated with temperature, while seed vigor depended on the response of components of seed vigor to climatic factors. Under optimized management, the direct positive effects of temperature on seed protein concentration and CO2 on seed number were strengthened, and the direct negative effects of temperature on seed number and CO2 on seed protein concentration were weakened, which mitigated the reductions in both seed yield and vigor. Elevated CO2 was projected to exacerbate the 2.6 % seed vigor reduction and mitigate the 2.9 % seed yield loss without adaptation, while optimized management could increase seed yield by 4.1 % and mitigate the 2.2 % seed vigor reduction in the Hexi Corridor of China, and decrease the seed yield and vigor reduction by 2.4-5.8 % in the USA and Mexico. Optimized management can strengthen the positive and mitigate the negative effects of climate change on irrigated hybrid maize and inform high-yield and high-quality seed production globally.

Temperature and elevated CO2 alter soybean seed yield and quality, exhibiting transgenerational effects on seedling emergence and vigor.

Introduction: Environmental conditions play a prime role in the growth and development of plant species, exerting a significant influence on their reproductive capacity. Soybean is sensitive to high temperatures during flowering and seed developmental stages. Little is known about the combined environmental effect of temperature and CO2 on seed yield and quality and its future generation. Methods: A study was conducted to examine the effect of temperature (22/14°C (low), 30/22°C (optimum), and 38/30°C (high)), and CO2 (420 ppm (ambient; aCO2) and 720 ppm (elevated; eCO2)) on seed yield, quality, and transgenerational seedling vigor traits of soybean cultivars (DS25-1 and DS31-243) using Soil-Plant-Atmospheric-Research facility. Results: A significant temperature effect was recorded among yield and quality attributes. At high-temperature, the 100-seed weights of DS25-1 and DS31-243 declined by 40% and 24%, respectively, over the optimum temperature at aCO2. The harvest index of varieties reduced by 70% when exposed to high temperature under both aCO2 and eCO2, compared to the optimum temperature at aCO2. The seed oil (- 2%) and protein (8%) content altered when developed under high temperature under aCO2. Maximum sucrose (7.5%) and stachyose (3.8%) accumulation in seeds were observed when developed under low temperatures and eCO2. When the growing temperature increased from optimum to high, the seed oleic acids increased (63%), while linoleic and linolenic acids decreased (- 28% and - 43%, respectively). Significant temperature and CO2 effects were observed in progenies with the highest maximum seedling emergence (80%), lesser time to 50% emergence (5.5 days), and higher seedling vigor from parents grown at low-temperature treatment under eCO2. Discussion: Exposure of plants to 38/30°C was detrimental to soybean seed yield, and eCO2 levels did not compensate for this yield loss. The high temperature during seed developmental stages altered the chemical composition of the seed, leading to an increased content of monounsaturated fatty acids. The findings suggest that parental stress can significantly impact the development of offspring, indicating that epigenetic regulation or memory repose may be at play.

The vacuolar sulfate transporter PsSULTR4 is a key determinant of seed yield and protein composition in pea.

Pea is a grain legume crop with a high potential to accelerate the food transition due to its high seed protein content and relatively well-balanced amino acid composition. The critical role of external sulfur (S) supply in determining seed yield and seed quality in pea makes it essential to understand the impact of whole plant S management on the trade-off between these two traits. Here, we investigated the physiological relevance of vacuolar sulfate remobilization by targeting PsSULTR4, the only pea sulfate transporter showing substantial similarity to the vacuolar sulfate exporter AtSULTR4;1. Five mutations in PsSULTR4 were identified by TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes), two of which, a loss of function (W78*) and a missense (E568K), significantly decreased seed yield under S deprivation. We demonstrate that PsSULTR4 triggers S distribution from source tissues, especially lower leaves, to reproductive organs to maintain seed yield under S deficiency. Under sufficient S supply, sultr4 seeds display lower levels of the S-rich storage protein PA1 at maturity. They also overaccumulate sulfate in the endosperm at the onset of seed filling. These findings uncover a role of PsSULTR4 in the remobilization of vacuolar sulfate during embryo development, allowing the efficient synthesis of S-rich proteins. Our study uncovers that PsSULTR4 functions (i) in source tissues to remobilize stored vacuolar sulfate for seed production under low S availability and (ii) in developing seeds well supplied with S to fine-tune sulfate remobilization from the endosperm as a critical control point for storage activities in the embryo.

Seed yield as a function of cytokinin-regulated gene expression in wild Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis).

BACKGROUND: Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) panicle development is a coordinated process of cell proliferation and differentiation with distinctive phases and architectural changes that are pivotal to determine seed yield. Cytokinin (CK) is a key factor in determining seed yield that might underpin the second "Green Revolution". However, whether there is a difference between endogenous CK content and seed yields of Kentucky bluegrass, and how CK-related genes are expressed to affect enzyme regulation and downstream seed yield in Kentucky bluegrass remains enigmatic. RESULTS: In order to establish a potential link between CK regulation and seed yield, we dissected and characterized the Kentucky bluegrass young panicle, and determined the changes in nutrients, 6 types of endogenous CKs, and 16 genes involved in biosynthesis, activation, inactivation, re-activation and degradation of CKs during young panicle differentiation of Kentucky bluegrass. We found that high seed yield material had more meristems compared to low seed yield material. Additionally, it was found that seed-setting rate (SSR) and lipase activity at the stage of spikelet and floret primordium differentiation (S3), as well as 1000-grain weight (TGW) and zeatin-riboside (ZR) content at the stages of first bract primordium differentiation (S1) and branch primordium differentiation (S2) showed a significantly positive correlation in the two materials. And zeatin, ZR, dihydrozeatin riboside, isopentenyl adenosine and isopentenyl adenosine riboside contents were higher in seed high yield material than those in seed low yield material at S3 stage. Furthermore, the expressions of PpITP3, PpITP5, PpITP8 and PpLOG1 were positively correlated with seed yield, while the expressions of PpCKX2, PpCKX5 and PpCKX7 were negatively correlated with seed yield in Kentucky bluegrass. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our study established a relationship between CK and seed yield in Kentucky bluegrass. Perhaps we can increase SSR and TGW by increasing lipase activity and ZR content. Of course, using modern gene editing techniques to manipulate CK related genes such as PpITP3/5/8, PpLOG1 and PpCKX2/5/7, will be a more direct and effective method in Kentucky bluegrass, which requires further trial validation.

Contrasting Impacts of Ubiquitin Overexpression on Arabidopsis Growth and Development.

In plants, the ubiquitin (Ub)-26S proteasome system (UPS) regulates numerous biological functions by selectively targeting proteins for ubiquitylation and degradation. However, the regulation of Ub itself on plant growth and development remains unclear. To demonstrate a possible impact of Ub supply, as seen in animals and flies, we carefully analyzed the growth and developmental phenotypes of two different poly-Ub (UBQ) gene overexpression plants of Arabidopsis thaliana. One is transformed with hexa-6His-UBQ (designated 6HU), driven by the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter, while the other expresses hexa-6His-TEV-UBQ (designated 6HTU), driven by the endogenous promoter of UBQ10. We discovered that 6HU and 6HTU had contrasting seed yields. Compared to wildtype (WT), the former exhibited a reduced seed yield, while the latter showed an increased seed production that was attributed to enhanced growth vigor and an elevated silique number per plant. However, reduced seed sizes were common in both 6HU and 6HTU. Differences in the activity and size of the 26S proteasome assemblies in the two transgenic plants were also notable in comparison with WT, suggestive of a contributory role of UBQ expression in proteasome assembly and function. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that exogenous expression of recombinant Ub may optimize plant growth and development by influencing the UPS activities via structural variance, expression patterns, and abundance of free Ub supply.

Zinc finger knuckle genes are associated with tolerance to drought and dehydration in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.).

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a very important food legume and needs improved drought tolerance for higher seed production in dry environments. The aim of this study was to determine diversity and genetic polymorphism in zinc finger knuckle genes with CCHC domains and their functional analysis for practical improvement of chickpea breeding. Two CaZF-CCHC genes, Ca04468 and Ca07571, were identified as potentially important candidates associated with plant responses to drought and dehydration. To study these genes, various methods were used including Sanger sequencing, DArT (Diversity array technology) and molecular markers for plant genotyping, gene expression analysis using RT-qPCR, and associations with seed-related traits in chickpea plants grown in field trials. These genes were studied for genetic polymorphism among a set of chickpea accessions, and one SNP was selected for further study from four identified SNPs between the promoter regions of each of the two genes. Molecular markers were developed for the SNP and verified using the ASQ and CAPS methods. Genotyping of parents and selected breeding lines from two hybrid populations, and SNP positions on chromosomes with haplotype identification, were confirmed using DArT microarray analysis. Differential expression profiles were identified in the parents and the hybrid populations under gradual drought and rapid dehydration. The SNP-based genotypes were differentially associated with seed weight per plant but not with 100 seed weight. The two developed and verified SNP molecular markers for both genes, Ca04468 and Ca07571, respectively, could be used for marker-assisted selection in novel chickpea cultivars with improved tolerance to drought and dehydration.

Alpha lipoic acid mitigates adverse impacts of drought stress on growth and yield of mungbean: photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidative defense mechanism.

Context: Exogenous use of potential organic compounds through different modes is a promising strategy for the induction of water stress tolerance in crop plants for better yield. Aims: The present study aimed to explore the potential role of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) in inducing water stress tolerance in mungbean lines when applied exogenously through various modes. Methods: The experiment was conducted in a field with a split-plot arrangement, having three replicates for each treatment. Two irrigation regimes, including normal and reduced irrigation, were applied. The plants allocated to reduced irrigation were watered only at the reproductive stage. Three levels of ALA (0, 0.1, 0.15 mM) were applied through different modes (seed priming, foliar or priming+foliar). Key results: ALA treatment through different modes manifested higher growth under reduced irrigation (water stress) and normal irrigation. Compared to the other two modes, the application of ALA as seed priming was found more effective in ameliorating the adverse impacts of water stress on growth and yield associated with their better content of leaf photosynthetic pigments, maintenance of plant water relations, levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants, improved activities of enzymatic antioxidants, and decreased lipid peroxidation and H2O2 levels. The maximum increase in shoot fresh weight (29% and 28%), shoot dry weight (27% and 24%), 100-grain weight (24% and 23%) and total grain yield (20% and 21%) in water-stressed mungbean plants of line 16003 and 16004, respectively, was recorded due to ALA seed priming than other modes of applications. Conclusions: Conclusively, 0.1 and 0.15 mM levels of ALA as seed priming were found to reduce the adverse impact of water stress on mungbean yield that was associated with improved physio-biochemical mechanisms. Implications: The findings of the study will be helpful for the agriculturalists working in arid and semi-arid regions to obtain a better yield of mungbean that will be helpful to fulfill the food demand in those areas to some extent.

BnaC4.BOR2 mediates boron uptake and translocation in Brassica napus under boron deficiency.

Boron (B) is an essential microelement in plant growth and development. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying B uptake and translocation in Brassica napus are poorly understood. Herein, we identified a low-B (LB)-inducible gene, namely BnaC4.BOR2, with high transcriptional activity in root tips, stele cells, leaves, and floral organs. The green fluorescence protein labelled BnaC4.BOR2 protein was localised to the plasma membrane to demonstrate the B efflux activity in yeast and Arabidopsis. BnaC4.BOR2 knockout considerably reduced B concentration in the root and xylem sap, and altered B distribution in different organs at low B supply, exacerbating B sensitivity at the vegetative and reproductive stages. Additionally, the grafting experiment showed that BnaC4.BOR2 expression in the roots contributed more to B deficiency adaptability than that in the shoots. The pot experiments with LB-soil revealed B concentration in leaves and siliques of BnaC4.BOR2 mutants were markedly reduced, showing an obvious B-deficient phenotype of 'flowering without seed setting' and a considerable reduction in seed yield in B-deficient soil. Altogether, the findings of this study highlight the crucial role of BnaC4.BOR2 in B uptake and translocation during B. napus growth and seed yield under LB conditions.

Effect of Selenium and Garlic Extract Treatments of Seed-Addressed Lettuce Plants on Biofortification Level, Seed Productivity and Mature Plant Yield and Quality.

The enhancement of the plant seed yield and quality represents the basis of the successful productivity of the deriving crop. The effect of single and combined foliar treatments of lettuce plants with sodium selenate and garlic bulb extract on seed yield and quality and on mature plant biochemical characteristics was investigated using four lettuce cultivars (Bouquet, Picnic, Moskovsky parnikovy and Cavalier). The seed production of plants treated with Se increased by 20-41%, compared to the untreated control plants, while the augmentation was as much as 10-23% and 17-27% under garlic extract and the joint application of Se and garlic, respectively. Garlic extract stimulated the accumulation of Se in lettuce seeds, which rose by 1.21-1.29 times compared to the Se-treated plants. The proline levels in lettuce seeds exceeded the corresponding values recorded in the control ones by 1.32-1.64 times in the case of the Se supply, 1.10-1.47 times upon garlic extract application and 1.09-1.31 times under the combined Se/garlic treatment. All the treatments given to lettuce plants increased the leaf weight by 1.10-1.30 times, compared to the untreated control. The seed Se levels positively correlated with the leaf weight (r = 0.621; p < 0.005), chlorophyll (r = 0.672, p < 0.002) and total antioxidant activity (AOA; r = 0.730, p < 0.001) of plants grown from these seeds. Positive correlations were also recorded between the seed proline content and lettuce plant leaf weight, chlorophyll and AOA (r = 0.868, 0.811 and 0.815, respectively, at p < 0.001). Lettuce yield was positively correlated with the leaf AOA, chlorophyll and ascorbic acid content (r = 0.942, 0.921 and 0.665, respectively, at p < 0.001). The results indicate high prospects of Na2SeO4 and garlic extract application to seed-addressed lettuce plants, to improve seed productivity and quality, as well as lettuce yield and quality.

A Set of Artificial Pollination Technical Measures: Improved Seed Yields and Active Ingredients of Seeds in Oil Tree Peonies.

The tree peony, a novel woody oil crop extensively cultivated in China, necessitates further investigation into artificial pollination technology to enhance seed yield. In this study, we conducted artificial pollination experiments with 6-year-old Paeonia ostii 'Feng Dan' seedings for suitable pollen sources, pollen concentration, pollination timing, and pollination frequency. By evaluating seed yields, active ingredients, and oil quality, we derived the following significant conclusions. Firstly, compared to natural pollination, artificial pollination could significantly increase the fruit diameter by 13.94-27.58%, seed yields by 35.17-58.99%, and oil content by 6.45-7.52% in tree peonies. In active ingredients, seeds produced by pollen from Hantai County significantly enhanced starch content (by 48.64%), total phenols (by 41.18%) and antioxidant capacity (by 54.39%). In oil quality, seeds produced by pollen from Heyang County exhibited the highest α-linolenic acid and total fatty acid content with enhancements of 1.68%, 7.41%, and 8.48%. Secondly, hand pollination with pure pollen significantly increased seed yield by 58.99%, total phenol content by 40.97%, antioxidant capacity by 54.39%, and oil content by 1.53% compared to natural pollination. Thirdly, pollination at 2/3 bloom range significantly increased seed number by 63.08% and yield by 45.61% compared to natural pollination. Finally, the effect of one, two, and three pollination events had no difference in seed yield. So, to summarize, applying a 100% concentration of allochthonous pollen once is recommended when the bloom range is more than two thirds.

Fusarium wilt constrains mungbean yield due to reduction in source availability.

Mungbean is an important source of plant protein for consumers and a high-value export crop for growers across Asia, Australia and Africa. However, many commercial cultivars are highly vulnerable to biotic stresses, which rapidly reduce yield within the season. Fusarium oxysporum is a soil-borne pathogen that is a growing concern for mungbean growers globally. This pathogen causes Fusarium wilt by infecting the root system of the plant resulting in devastating yield reductions. To understand the impact of Fusarium on mungbean development and productivity and to identify tolerant genotypes, a panel of 23 diverse accessions was studied. Field trials conducted in 2016 and 2021 in Warwick, Queensland, Australia under rainfed conditions investigated the variation in phenology, canopy and yield component traits under disease and disease-free conditions. Analyses revealed a high degree of genetic variation for all traits. By comparing the performance of these traits across these two environments, we identified key traits that underpin yield under disease and disease-free conditions. Aboveground biomass components at 50 % flowering were identified as significant drivers of yield development under disease-free conditions and when impacted by Fusarium resulted in up to 96 % yield reduction. Additionally, eight genotypes were identified to be tolerant to Fusarium. These genotypes were found to display differing phenological and morphological behaviours, thereby demonstrating the potential to breed tolerant lines with a range of diverse trait variations. The identification of tolerant genotypes that sustain yield under disease pressure may be exploited in crop improvement programs.

Using Machine Learning Methods Combined with Vegetation Indices and Growth Indicators to Predict Seed Yield of Bromus inermis.

Smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis) is a perennial, high-quality forage grass. However, its seed yield is influenced by agronomic practices, climatic conditions, and the growing year. The rapid and effective prediction of seed yield can assist growers in making informed production decisions and reducing agricultural risks. Our field trial design followed a completely randomized block design with four blocks and three nitrogen levels (0, 100, and 200 kg·N·ha-1) during 2022 and 2023. Data on the remote vegetation index (RVI), the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), the leaf nitrogen content (LNC), and the leaf area index (LAI) were collected at heading, anthesis, and milk stages. Multiple linear regression (MLR), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF) regression models were utilized to predict seed yield. In 2022, the results indicated that nitrogen application provided a sufficiently large range of variation of seed yield (ranging from 45.79 to 379.45 kg ha⁻¹). Correlation analysis showed that the indices of the RVI, the NDVI, the LNC, and the LAI in 2022 presented significant positive correlation with seed yield, and the highest correlation coefficient was observed at the heading stage. The data from 2022 were utilized to formulate a predictive model for seed yield. The results suggested that utilizing data from the heading stage produced the best prediction performance. SVM and RF outperformed MLR in prediction, with RF demonstrating the highest performance (R2 = 0.75, RMSE = 51.93 kg ha-1, MAE = 29.43 kg ha-1, and MAPE = 0.17). Notably, the accuracy of predicting seed yield for the year 2023 using this model had decreased. Feature importance analysis of the RF model revealed that LNC was a crucial indicator for predicting smooth bromegrass seed yield. Further studies with an expanded dataset and integration of weather data are needed to improve the accuracy and generalizability of the model and adaptability for the growing year.

Coriander response to nitrogen fertilizer sources in different competing levels of weeds.

The competition of weeds with crops and nutrient management has a significant effect on the yield and economic efficiency of a country. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of sulfur-coated urea and common urea on the yield and fatty acid composition of three coriander genotypes (Nahavandi, Pishgam, Ethiopia) under weeded and unweeded conditions. Traits including 1000 seeds weight, fruit yield, content of oil, and composition of fatty acids were examined. Nitrogen fertilizer and weeding treatments significantly improved the weight of 1000 seeds and weeds decreased the yield of fruit. The highest fruit yield was obtained by the Ethiopia genotype in weed-free conditions. Results showed that N fertilizer increased the oil percentage of coriander fruit. Urea fertilizer resulted in the highest oil content in the Nahavandi and Pishgam genotypes under weeded plots in the first and second years, respectively. Also, petroselinic, linoleic, and palmitic acids were the major coriander fatty acid composition. Nahavandi genotype showed the highest palmitic acid. Also, urea in the weed condition led to increase the linoleic acid content in the Nahavandi genotype. Overall, results showed that N fertilizer, especially urea, improved the quality characteristics of coriander fruits.

Performance and morphology of several soybean varieties and responses to pests and diseases in South Sulawesi.

Soybeans are a commodity that is widely grown by farmers in rainfed rice fields in South Sulawesi. One of the determining factors in increasing soybean productivity in South Sulawesi is the type of variety. The aim of this research was to determine the characteristics, morphology and response to pests and diseases in several soybean varieties planted in rainfed rice fields in South Sulawesi. This research was carried out in Allepolea Village, Maros Regency in 2022 using a Randomized Block Design with 13 treatments and 3 replications. Varieties tested as treatments include: 1) Derap-1, 2) Devon-2, 3) Deja-1, 4) Anjasmoro, 5) Dena-2, 6) Dena-1, 7) Gepak Kuning, 8) Grobogan, 9) Devon-1, 10) Dega-1, 11) Deja-2, 12) Demas-1, and 13) Detap-1. The results showed that of the 13 varieties tested, the highest height was found in Devon-2 (33.67 cm) and Detap-1 (31.67 cm) in the vegetative phase and in the generative phase in Detap-1 (75.53 cm) and Gepak Yellow (74.67 cm). The largest number of branches is in Dena-1 (3.13 branches). The highest nitrogen content was found in Devon-1 (12.64 m2 per g). The largest leaf area was Detap-1 (4.15 cm2) and Gepak Kuning (4.15 cm2). The highest number of stomata was in Dena-1 (42.80 µm) and Deja-1 (44.00 µm). The highest stomata width was found in Gepak Kuning (2.76 µm). The lowest level of leaf damage due to attacks by Valanga sp (Acrididae) occurred in Grobogan (6.89 %) and Dega-1 (7.35 %). The lowest level of pod damage due to Nezara viridula attack was in Devon-2 (3.56 %) and Dena-2 (3.64 %). The lowest level of leaf damage due to Phaedonia inclusa attack occurred in Dega-1 (4.37 %), Dena-2 (4, 12 %), and Grobogan (4.69 %). Seed damage due to Cercospora sp attack was lowest on Dena-2 (0.81 %). The highest seed yield was in Dena-2 (3.78 t ha-1) and the lowest in Anjasmoro (1.93 t ha-1) and Deja-2 (2.02 t ha-1).

A pulse crop dataset of agronomic traits and multispectral images from multiple environments.

Crop yield potential in breeding trials can be captured using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based multispectral imagery. Several digital traits or phenotypes such as vegetation indices can represent canopy crop vigor and overall plant health, which can be used to evaluate differences in performance across varieties in crop breeding programs. This dataset contains agronomic data for named cultivars and breeding lines of spring-sown dry pea and chickpea, and over 275 multispectral images from advanced and preliminary breeding trials. The breeding trials were located at three locations in the "Palouse" region of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho of the United States across 2017, 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. The multispectral images were captured using a UAV integrated with a 5-band multispectral camera at multiple time points from early vegetative growth through pod development stages during each cropping season. This dataset details seed yield information from trials of dry peas and chickpea that were obtained from each location, as well as additional agronomic and phenological data recorded at one location (mostly Pullman, WA) for each cropping season. The dataset also includes 20-78 megabytes (MB) Tagged Image Format (TIF) uncalibrated stitched orthomosaic images generated from the photogrammetric software. The images can be processed using any convenient image processing algorithm to obtain vegetation indices and other useful information.

Influence of nitrogen fertilization, seed inoculation and the synergistic effect of these treatments on soybean yields under conditions in south-western Poland.

Soybean, belonging to legumes, has a specific ability to biological nitrogen fixation, which can be reinforced by seeds inoculation. However, support with a starter dose of mineral nitrogen fertilizer may be necessary to achieve high seed yields. A four-year field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of mineral N fertilization (0, 30, 60 kg ha-1), seed inoculation with two commercial inoculants and combinations of these treatments on yield components and yielding of soybean in conditions of south-western part of Poland. The synergistic effect of mineral fertilization at dose 30 kg ha-1 and inoculation on soybean productivity was the most beneficial. Similar effects were observed when 60 kg N ha-1 was applied both separately and with inoculation. However, due to the environmental impact of mineral fertilizers and to promote plants to biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), it is advisable to use lower doses of N fertilizer (at 30 kg ha-1) and inoculate soybean seeds in agro- climatic conditions of south-western Poland. Therefore, based on this study we recommend to apply starter dose of N and inoculation.

BnaA4.BOR2 contributes the tolerance of rapeseed to boron deficiency by improving the transport of boron from root to shoot.

Boron (B) is essential for plant growth. However, the molecular mechanism of B transport in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is unknown well. Here, we report that B transporter BnaA4.BOR2 is involved in the transport of B from root to shoot and its distribution in shoot cell wall and flower in rapeseed. The results of GUS staining and in-situ PCR analysis showed that BnaA4.BOR2 is mainly expressed in cortex and endodermis of root tip meristem zone and endodermis of mature zone. BnaA4.BOR2 was mainly localized in plasma membrane and showed B transport activity in yeast. Overexpression of Bna4.BOR2 could rescue the phenotype of Arabidopsis mutant bor2-2 under low-B condition. Furthermore, knockout of BnaA4.BOR2 could significantly enhance the sensitivity of rapeseed mutants to B deficiency, including inhibition of root elongation and biomass decrease of roots and shoots. The B concentration in xylem sap of BnaA4.BOR2 mutants was significantly decreased under B deficiency, which resulted in significantly lower B concentrations in shoot cell wall at seedling stage and flower organ at reproductive stage compared to that of wild-type QY10. The growth of BnaA4.BOR2 mutants were severely inhibited, exhibiting a typical B-deficient phenotype of "flowering without seed setting", leading to a sharp decrease in seed yield in B deficient soil. Taken together, these results indicate that BnaA4.BOR2 is critical for rapeseed growth and seed yield production under low B level, which is mainly expressed in cortex and endodermis, and contributed to the transport of B from roots to shoots and its distribution in shoot.

Evaluation of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties for drought tolerance using agromorphological traits and drought tolerance indices.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important cash crop cultivated under rain-fed conditions where it contributes a significant proportion of Ethiopia's foreign exchange earnings. However, its productivity is constrained by drought stress. The present study aimed to evaluate the agromorphological and yield performance of sesame varieties and to identify drought tolerant varieties using drought tolerance indices. The sesame varieties were evaluated under well-watered (WW) and water-stressed (WS) field conditions with a factorial design laid down in randomized complete block design in three replications. The results revealed the presence of a significant variation in agromorphological traits and drought tolerance indices due to water levels, varieties and their interactive effect. On average, a 21.8, 49.6, 48.4, 47.9 and 21.7% reduction was recorded in plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf width and relative growth rate (RGR), respectively under WS condition. Similarly, a significant reduction was found in shoot biomass, root biomass, biological yield, number of pods per plant and seed yield under WS condition. These traits showed an average reduction of 52.2, 72.5, 54.0, 51.9 and 52.8%, respectively compared to WW condition. The highest yield reduction was recorded from wollega under WS condition, while the lowest was from abasena. Wollega variety produced the highest seed yield (kg/ha) under WW condition, while gondar-1 and humera-1 had the highest yield in kg/ha under WS condition. Under both water levels, abasena produced the lowest yield (kg/ha). Moreover, gondar-1 and humera-1 varieties had a comparatively higher values of stress tolerance index (STI), yield stress score index (YSSI), yield potential score index (YPSI), geometric mean productivity (GMP) and mean productivity (MP) that are significantly and positively correlated with yield under WS, indicating higher yield performance under water stress. The biplot analysis clustered the varieties as low yielding (abasena) and relatively above average performing varieties (humera-1, gondar-1 and wollega). According to the rank sum of all indices, humera-1 was identified as drought tolerant, while abasena as the most susceptible and low yielding varieties. Thus, humera-1 followed by gondar-1 were found to be drought tolerant and high yielding varieties. However, further studies focusing on drought tolerance mechanisms of the varieties are recommended.