High-throughput field phenotyping reveals that selection in breeding has affected the phenology and temperature response of wheat in the stem elongation phase.

Crop growth and phenology are driven by seasonal changes in environmental variables, with temperature as one important factor. However, knowledge about genotype-specific temperature response and its influence on phenology is limited. Such information is fundamental to improve crop models and adapt selection strategies. We measured the increase in height of 352 European winter wheat varieties in 4 years to quantify phenology, and fitted an asymptotic temperature response model. The model used hourly fluctuations in temperature to parameterize the base temperature (Tmin), the temperature optimum (rmax), and the steepness (lrc) of growth responses. Our results show that higher Tmin and lrc relate to an earlier start and end of stem elongation. A higher rmax relates to an increased final height. Both final height and rmax decreased for varieties originating from the continental east of Europe towards the maritime west. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) indicated a quantitative inheritance and a large degree of independence among loci. Nevertheless, genomic prediction accuracies (GBLUPs) for Tmin and lrc were low (r≤0.32) compared with other traits (r≥0.59). As well as known, major genes related to vernalization, photoperiod, or dwarfing, the GWAS indicated additional, as yet unknown loci that dominate the temperature response.

Accuracy of prediction from multi-environment trials for new locations using pedigree information and environmental covariates: the case of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) breeding.

KEY MESSAGES: We investigate a method of extracting and fitting synthetic environmental covariates and pedigree information in multilocation trial data analysis to predict genotype performances in untested locations. Plant breeding trials are usually conducted across multiple testing locations to predict genotype performances in the targeted population of environments. The predictive accuracy can be increased by the use of adequate statistical models. We compared linear mixed models with and without synthetic covariates (SCs) and pedigree information under the identity, the diagonal and the factor-analytic variance-covariance structures of the genotype-by-location interactions. A comparison was made to evaluate the accuracy of different models in predicting genotype performances in untested locations using the mean squared error of predicted differences (MSEPD) and the Spearman rank correlation between predicted and adjusted means. A multi-environmental trial (MET) dataset evaluated for yield performance in the dry lowland sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) breeding program of Ethiopia was used. For validating our models, we followed a leave-one-location-out cross-validation strategy. A total of 65 environmental covariates (ECs) obtained from the sorghum test locations were considered. The SCs were extracted from the ECs using multivariate partial least squares analysis and subsequently fitted in the linear mixed model. Then, the model was extended accounting for pedigree information. According to the MSEPD, models accounting for SC improve predictive accuracy of genotype performances in the three of the variance-covariance structures compared to others without SC. The rank correlation was also higher for the model with the SC. When the SC was fitted, the rank correlation was 0.58 for the factor analytic, 0.51 for the diagonal and 0.46 for the identity variance-covariance structures. Our approach indicates improvement in predictive accuracy with SC in the context of genotype-by-location interactions of a sorghum breeding in Ethiopia.

Effects of systematic data reduction on trend estimation from German registration trials.

KEY MESSAGE: VCU trials can provide unbiased estimates of post-breeding trends given that all data is used. Dropping data of genotypes tested for up to two years may result in biased post-breeding trend estimates. Increasing yield trends are seen on-farm in Germany. The increase is based on genetic trend in registered genotypes and changes in agronomic practices and climate. To estimate both genetic and non-genetic trends, historical wheat data from variety trials evaluating a varieties' value for cultivation und use (VCU) were analyzed. VCU datasets include information on varieties as well as on genotypes that were submitted by breeders and tested in trials but could not make it to registration. Therefore, the population of registered varieties (post-registration population) is a subset of the population of genotypes tested in VCU trials (post-breeding population). To assess post-registration genetic trend, historical VCU trial datasets are often reduced, e.g. to registered varieties only. This kind of drop-out mechanism is statistically informative which affects variance component estimates and which can affect trend estimates. To investigate the effect of this informative drop-out on trend estimates, a simulation study was conducted mimicking the structure of German winter wheat VCU trials. Zero post-breeding trends were simulated. Results showed unbiased estimates of post-breeding trends when using all data. When restricting data to genotypes tested for at least three years, a positive genetic trend of 0.11 dt ha-1 year-1 and a negative non-genetic trend (- 0.11 dt ha-1 year-1) were observed. Bias increased with increasing genotype-by-year variance and disappeared with random selection. We simulated single-trait selection, whereas decisions in VCU trials consider multiple traits, so selection intensity per trait is considerably lower. Hence, our results provide an upper bound for the bias expected in practice.

Accuracy of maxillary positioning using computer-designed and manufactured occlusal splints or patient-specific implants in orthognathic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of maxillary positioning using computer-designed and manufactured occlusal splints or patient-specific implants in orthognathic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 28 patients that underwent virtually planned orthognathic surgery with maxillary Le Fort I osteotomy either using VSP-generated splints (n = 13) or patient-specific implants (PSI) (n = 15) was conducted. The accuracy and surgical outcome of both techniques were compared by superimposing preoperative surgical planning with postoperative CT scans and measurement of translational and rotational deviation for each patient. RESULTS: The 3D global geometric deviation between the planned position and the postoperative outcome was 0.60 mm (95%-CI 0.46-0.74, range 0.32-1.11 mm) for patients with PSI and 0.86 mm (95%-CI 0.44-1.28, range 0.09-2.60 mm) for patients with surgical splints. Postoperative differences for absolute and signed single linear deviations between planned and postoperative position were a little higher regarding the x-axis and pitch but lower regarding the y- and z-axis as well as yaw and roll for PSI compared to surgical splints. There were no significant differences regarding global geometric deviation, absolute and signed linear deviations in the x-, y-, and z-axis, and rotations (yaw, pitch, and roll) between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding accuracy for positioning of maxillary segments after Le Fort I osteotomy in orthognathic surgery patient-specific implants and surgical splints provide equivalent high accuracy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Patient-specific implants for maxillary positioning and fixation facilitate the concept of splintless orthognathic surgery and can be reliably used in clinical routines.

Long-term manipulation of mean climatic conditions alters drought effects on C- and N-cycling in an arable soil.

Climate is changing and predicted future scenarios include both changes in long-term mean climatic conditions and intensification of extreme events such as drought. Drought can have a major impact on soil functional processes; soil microorganisms, key to these processes, depend on water and temperature dynamics. Consequently, feedback mechanisms regarding microbially mediated carbon and nitrogen cycling in soils may be affected. There are indications that microbial exposure to increasingly unfavorable environmental conditions influences their stress responses. Here, the long-term field experiment Hohenheim Climate Change (HoCC) provided a research platform to explore how microbial exposure to long-term reduced water availability and soil warming modifies microbially driven soil processes, especially gas fluxes from soil, both during drought and after rewetting. The HoCC experiment is an agroecosystem in which the soil microbiome has been exposed to reduced annual mean precipitation and elevated temperature since 2008. Treatment levels were chosen based on a realistic future climate scenario. In June 2019, we exposed this system to a drought period of four weeks. We found that even after 11 years, warming remained a driver of CO2 and N2 O fluxes across the different soil moisture conditions in our drought experiment. Importantly, however, microbial exposure to long-term reduced water availability limited the stimulatory effect of warming on gas fluxes during drought and after rewetting. Our results were neither related to a legacy effect within overall microbial biomass carbon levels nor a shift towards enhanced fungal abundance. We found no indications that extracellular enzyme activities or microbial substrate availability explained the gas flux dynamics observed in our drought experiment. Our study indicates that soil warming promotes gaseous C and N loss even under extreme drought conditions. We suspect, however, that a shift in microbial function following long-term water limitation can hamper the enhancing effect of warming on soil gas fluxes.

Amino acid digestibility and metabolisable energy of spring and winter faba beans grown on two sites and effects of dehulling in caecectomised laying hens.

BACKGROUND: The variation in amino acid (AA) digestibility and metabolisable energy (MEN ) in four spring and four winter faba bean genotypes differing in vicine/convicine (V/C) concentrations grown on two sites was investigated in caecectomised LSL-Classic laying hens. Effects of dehulling one faba bean genotype were also examined. Diets containing one out of 17 faba bean variants each and a basal diet were fed to ten caecectomised laying hens in a row-column design to achieve five replicates per diet. RESULTS: Ranges and levels of digestibility of the hulled variants differed widely among AA with the lowest and highest range determined for Arg (90-93%) and Cys (-12-65%), respectively. MEN ranged between 10.3 and 12.3 MJ kg-1 dry matter. Lower MEN and digestibility of Cys, Glx, Phe, Pro, Tyr, and Val (P < 0.050) was determined for the winter genotypes grown in Nimtitz compared to the other variants. Digestibility of Ser was lower for the spring than for the winter genotypes (P < 0.050). Negative correlations with AA digestibility were determined for phytate, but not for tannin and V/C concentrations (P < 0.050). Negative correlations between tannin fractions and MEN were weak (P = 0.082-0.099). Dehulling increased MEN by 1.8 MJ kg-1 dry matter and raised the digestibility of Pro, His, and Glx (P < 0.050). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that the digestible AA and MEN supply of laying hens was increased by using low phytate faba beans while breeding for low V/C genotypes did not affect AA digestibility or MEN . Dehulling increased MEN and the digestibility of some AA. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Bioactive Compounds and Total Sugar Contents of Different Open-Pollinated Beetroot Genotypes Grown Organically.

The growing interest of consumers in healthy organic products has increased the attention to the organic production of beetroot. In this regard, six field experiments were conducted in 2017 and 2018 in three different locations under the specific conditions of organic agriculture, and fifteen beetroot genotypes, including one F1 hybrid as a commercial control and one breeding line, were compared regarding the content of the total dry matter, total soluble sugar, nitrate, betalain, and total phenolic compounds in order to investigate the genetic potential of new and existing open-pollinated genotypes of beetroot regarding the content of their bioactive compounds. The results of this study indicated a significant impact of genotype (p < 0.05) on all measured compounds. Furthermore, results revealed a significant influence of the interactions of location × year (p < 0.05) on the beetroot composition, and, thus, the role of environmental conditions for the formation of tested compounds. The total dry matter content (TDMC) of beetroots varied between 14.12% and 17.50%. The genotype 'Nochowski', which possessed the highest total soluble sugar content with 14.67 °Bx (Brix), was among the genotypes with the lowest nitrate content. On the contrary, the cylindrical-shaped genotype 'Carillon RZ' (Rijk Zwaan), indicated the lowest sugar content and the highest nitrate concentration. The amount of total phenolic compounds ranged between 352.46 ± 28.24 mg GAE 100 g-1 DW (milligrams of gallic acid equivalents per 100 g of dry weight) and 489.06 ± 28.24 mg GAE 100 g-1 DW for the red-colored genotypes which is correlated with the high antioxidant capacity of the investigated genotypes. Due to the specifics of the required content of bioactive compounds for various products, the selection of suitable genotypes should be aligned with the intended final utilization.

Annulated and bridged tetrahydrofurans from alkenoxyl radical cyclization.

4-Pentenoxyl radicals sharing two or more carbon atoms with a cycloalkane cyclize in a predictable manner stereoselectively and regioselectively to afford in solutions of bromotrichloromethane cycloalkyl-fused or -bridged 2-bromomethyltetrahydrofurans in up to 95% yield. Stereoselectivity in alkenoxyl radical ring closures arises from cumulative steric effects. The substituent positioned the closest to the alkene carbon, which is being attacked by the oxygen radical, exerts the strongest stereodirecting effect. This principal inductor guides 5-exo-cyclization 2,3-trans- or 2,4-cis-selectively. The substituent located further from the attacked π-bond is the secondary inductor. A secondary inductor in the relative trans-configuration enhances stereodifferentiation by the primary inductor; a cis-configured secondary inductor decreases this effect. A secondary inductor is not able to overrule the guiding effect of a similar sized primary inductor. Intramolecular 4-pentenoxyl radical additions to a cyclohexene-bound exo-methylene group or to endocyclic double bonds proceed cis-specifically, as exemplified by synthesis of a diastereomerically pure bromobicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl-annulated tetrahydrofuran from the verbenylethyloxyl radical. According to theory, the experimental 2,3-cis-specificity in alkoxyl radical cyclization to an endocyclic π-bond arises from strain associated with the 2,3-trans-ring closure.

Non-Destructive Near-Infrared Technology for Efficient Cannabinoid Analysis in Cannabis Inflorescences.

In the evolving field of cannabis research, scholars are exploring innovative methods to quantify cannabinoids rapidly and non-destructively. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a hand-held near-infrared (NIR) device for quantifying total cannabidiol (total CBD), total delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (total THC), and total cannabigerol (total CBG) in whole cannabis inflorescences. Employing pre-processing techniques, including standard normal variate (SNV) and Savitzky-Golay (SG) smoothing, we aim to optimize the portable NIR technology for rapid and non-destructive cannabinoid analysis. A partial least-squares regression (PLSR) model was utilized to predict cannabinoid concentration based on NIR spectra. The results indicated that SNV pre-processing exhibited superior performance in predicting total CBD concentration, yielding the lowest root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 2.228 and the highest coefficient of determination for prediction (R2P) of 0.792. The ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) for total CBD was highest (2.195) with SNV. In contrast, raw data exhibited the least accurate predictions for total THC, with an R2P of 0.812, an RPD of 2.306, and an RMSEP of 1.651. Notably, total CBG prediction showed unique characteristics, with raw data yielding the highest R2P of 0.806. SNV pre-processing emerges as a robust method for precise total CBD quantification, offering valuable insights into the optimization of a hand-held NIR device for the rapid and non-destructive analysis of cannabinoid in whole inflorescence samples. These findings contribute to ongoing efforts in developing portable and efficient technologies for cannabinoid analysis, addressing the increasing demand for quick and accurate assessment methods in cannabis cultivation, pharmaceuticals, and regulatory compliance.

An aerobic oxidation/homolytic substitution-cascade for stereoselective methylsulfanyl-cyclization of 4-pentenols.

4-Pentenols (dihomoallylic alcohols) are oxidized by cobalt(II)-activated dioxygen in solutions of dimethyl disulfide and cyclohexa-1,4-diene to afford methylsulfanyl (CH3S)-functionalized tetrahydrofurans in up to 74% yield. The reaction is a cascade, composed of oxidative alkenol cyclization providing tetrahydrofuryl-2-methyl radicals, which are trapped in dimethyl disulfide. Homolytic methylsulfanyl substitution by carbon radicals is a slow reaction, as exemplified by the rate constant of k(SCH(3)) = 3 × 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) (70 °C) derived from competition kinetics for the reaction between dimethyl disulfide and the trans-2-phenyltetrahydrofuryl-5-methyl radical. Methylsulfanyl-cyclizations therefore are experimentally performed in neat dimethyl disulfide, containing the minimum amount of cyclohexa-1,4-diene necessary for attaining almost quantitative alkenol conversion. The oxidative tetrahydrofuran synthesis occurs with noteworthy (>99%) 2,5-trans-stereoselectivity, as shown by the synthesis of diastereomerically pure 2,3- and 2,3,3-substituted 5-(methylsulfanyl)methyltetrahydrofurans from stereodefined 1,2-di- and 1,2,2-trisubstituted 4-pentenols. Changing the chemical nature of the disulfide reagent or the alkenol extends the scope of alkylsulfanyl-cyclization to ethylsulfanyl-cyclization, allylsulfanyl-transfer, or tetrahydropyran synthesis.

Cannabis Hunger Games: nutrient stress induction in flowering stage - impact of organic and mineral fertilizer levels on biomass, cannabidiol (CBD) yield and nutrient use efficiency.

Indoor medicinal cannabis cultivation systems enable year-round cultivation and better control of growing factors, however, such systems are energy and resource intensive. Nutrient deprivation during flowering can trigger nutrient translocation and modulate the production of cannabinoids, which might increase agronomic nutrient use efficiency, and thus, a more sustainable use of fertilizers. This experiment compares two fertilizer types (mineral and organic) applied in three dilutions (80, 160 and 240 mg N L-1) to evaluate the effect of nutrient deprivation during flowering on biomass, Cannabidiol (CBD) yield and nutrient use efficiency of N, P and K. This is the first study showing the potential to reduce fertilizer input while maintaining CBD yield of medicinal cannabis. Under nutrient stress, inflorescence yield was significantly lower at the final harvest, however, this was compensated by a higher CBD concentration, resulting in 95% of CBD yield using one-third less fertilizer. The higher nutrient use efficiency of N, P, and K in nutrient-deprived plants was achieved by a larger mobilization and translocation of nutrients increasing the utilization efficiency of acquired nutrients. The agronomic nutrient use efficiency of CBD yield - for N and K - increased 34% for the organic fertilizers and 72% for the mineral fertilizers comparing the dilution with one-third less nutrients (160) with the highest nutrient concentration (240). Differences in CBD yield between fertilizer types occurred only at the final harvest indicating limitations in nutrient uptake due to nutrient forms in the organic fertilizer. Our results showed a lower acquisition and utilization efficiency for the organic fertilizer, proposing the necessity to improve either the timing of bio-availability of organic fertilizers or the use of soil amendments.

Fibrous Dysplasia of the Jaw: Advances in Imaging and Treatment.

A total of 7% of all benign bone lesions are diagnosed as fibrous dysplasia (FD). The symptoms of FD of the jaw range from asymptomatic to dental anomalies, pain and facial asymmetry. Due to its resemblance to other fibro-osseous bone lesions, misdiagnosis often occurs and can lead to inadequate treatment. Particularly in the jaw, this lesion does not become quiescent during puberty, making fundamental knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of FD crucial. Mutational analysis and nonsurgical approaches offer new diagnostic and therapeutic options. In this review, we examine the advances and the difficulties of the diagnosis and the various treatment modalities of FD of the jaw in order to capture the current scientific knowledge on this bone disease.

Molecular cloning, structure, and reactivity of the second bromoperoxidase from Ascophyllum nodosum.

The sequence of bromoperoxidase II from the brown alga Ascophyllum nodosum was determined from a full length cloned cDNA, obtained from a tandem mass spectrometry RT-PCR-approach. The clone encodes a protein composed of 641 amino-acids, which provides a mature 67.4 kDa-bromoperoxidase II-protein (620 amino-acids). Based on 43% sequence homology with the previously characterized bromoperoxidase I from A. nodosum, a tertiary structure was modeled for the bromoperoxidase II. The structural model was refined on the basis of results from gel filtration and vanadate-binding studies, showing that the bromoperoxidase II is a hexameric metalloprotein, which binds 0.5 equivalents of vanadate as cofactor per 67.4 kDa-subunit, for catalyzing oxidation of bromide by hydrogen peroxide in a bi-bi-ping-pong mechanism (k(cat) = 153 s(-1), 22 °C, pH 5.9). Bromide thereby is converted into a bromoelectrophile of reactivity similar to molecular bromine, based on competition kinetic data on phenol bromination and correlation analysis. Reactivity provided by the bromoperoxidase II mimics biosynthesis of methyl 4-bromopyrrole-2-carboxylate, a natural product isolated from the marine sponge Axinella tenuidigitata.

Impacts of Different Light Spectra on CBD, CBDA and Terpene Concentrations in Relation to the Flower Positions of Different Cannabis Sativa L. Strains.

Cannabis is one of the oldest cultivated plants, but plant breeding and cultivation are restricted by country-specific regulations. The plant has gained interest due to its medically important secondary metabolites, cannabinoids and terpenes. Besides biotic and abiotic stress factors, secondary metabolism can be manipulated by changing light quality and intensity. In this study, three morphologically different cannabis strains were grown in a greenhouse experiment under three different light spectra with three real light repetitions. The chosen light sources were as follows: a CHD Agro 400 ceramic metal-halide lamp with a sun-like broad spectrum and an R:FR ratio of 2.8, and two LED lamps, a Solray (SOL) and an AP67, with R:FR ratios of 13.49 and 4, respectively. The results of the study indicated that the considered light spectra significantly influenced CBDA and terpene concentrations in the plants. In addition to the different light spectra, the distributions of secondary metabolites were influenced by flower positions. The distributions varied between strains and indicated interactions between morphology and the chosen light spectra. Thus, the results demonstrate that secondary metabolism can be artificially manipulated by the choice of light spectrum, illuminant and intensity. Furthermore, the data imply that, besides the cannabis strain selected, flower position can have an impact on the medicinal potencies and concentrations of secondary metabolites.

Impact of Harvest Time and Pruning Technique on Total CBD Concentration and Yield of Medicinal Cannabis.

The definition of optimum harvest and pruning interventions are important factors varying inflorescence yield and cannabinoid composition. This study investigated the impact of (i) harvest time (HT) and (ii) pruning techniques (PT) on plant biomass accumulation, CBD and CBDA-concentrations and total CBD yield of a chemotype III medical cannabis genotype under indoor cultivation. The experiment consisted of four HTs between 5 and 11 weeks of flowering and three PTs-apical cut (T); removal of side shoots (L) and control (C), not pruned plants. Results showed that inflorescence dry weight increased continuously, while the total CBD concentration did not differ significantly over time. For the studied genotype, optimum harvest time defined by highest total CBD yield was found at 9 weeks of flowering. Total CBD-concentration of inflorescences in different fractions of the plant's height was significantly higher in the top (9.9%) in comparison with mid (8.2%) and low (7.7%) fractions. The T plants produced significantly higher dry weight of inflorescences and leaves than L and C. Total CBD yield of inflorescences for PTs were significantly different among pruned groups, but do not differ from the control group. However, a trend for higher yields was observed (T > C > L).

A Global Network Meta-Analysis of the Promotion of Crop Growth, Yield, and Quality by Bioeffectors.

Bioeffector (BE) application is emerging as a strategy for achieving sustainable agricultural practices worldwide. However, the effect of BE on crop growth and quality is still controversial and there is still no adequate impact assessment that determines factors on the efficiency of BE application. Therefore, we carried out a network metaanalysis on the effect of BEs using 1,791 global observations from 186 studies to summarize influencing factors and the impact of BEs on crop growth, quality, and nutrient contents. The results show that BEs did not only improve plant growth by around 25% and yield by 30%, but also enhanced crop quality, e.g., protein (55% increase) and soluble solids content (75% increase) as well as aboveground nitrogen (N) and phosphate (P) content by 28 and 40%, respectively. The comparisons among BE types demonstrated that especially non-microbial products, such as extracts and humic/amino acids, have the potential to increase biomass growth by 40-60% and aboveground P content by 54-110%. The soil pH strongly influenced the efficiency of the applied BE with the highest effects in acidic soils. Our results showed that BEs are most suitable for promoting the quality of legumes and increasing the yield of fruits, herbs, and legumes. We illustrate that it is crucial to optimize the application of BEs with respect to the right application time and technique (e.g., placement, foliar). Our results provide an important basis for future research on the mechanisms underlying crop improvement by the application of BEs and on the development of new BE products.

Functionalized tetrahydrofurans from alkenols and olefins/alkynes via aerobic oxidation-radical addition cascades.

Aerobic oxidation of alkyl- and phenyl-substituted 4-pentenols (bishomoallyl alcohols), catalyzed by cobalt(II) complexes in solutions of γ-terpinene or cyclohexa-1,4-diene, stereoselectively gave tetrahydrofurylmethyl radicals. Cyclized radicals were trapped with monosubstituted olefins (e.g., acrylonitrile, methyl acrylate), (E)- and (Z)-1,2-diacceptor-substituted olefins (e.g., dimethyl fumarate, fumarodinitrile, N-phenyl maleic imide), and ester-substituted alkynes (e.g., ethyl propynoate). Oxidation-addition cascades thus furnished side-chain-substituted (CN, CO(2)R, COR, or SO(2)R) di- and trisubstituted tetrahydrofurans in stereoselective reactions (2,3-trans, 2,4-cis, and 2,5-trans). A diastereomerically pure bistetrahydrofuran was prepared in a cascade consisting of two aerobic oxidations, one alkyne addition, and one final H-atom transfer.

tert-Butyl 1-hy-droxy-piperidine-2-carboxyl-ate.

The title compound, C(10)H(19)NO(3), is a disubstituted piperidine bearing substituents in two equatorial positions. One of the substituents is a hy-droxy group bound to nitro-gen and the second a tert-butyl ester group bound to the carbon next to the endocyclic nitro-gen. Enanti-omers of the title compound form hydrogen-bridged dimers across a center of inversion.

Impact of Cold Storage on Bioactive Compounds and Their Stability of 36 Organically Grown Beetroot Genotypes.

In order to exploit the functional properties of fresh beetroot all year round, maintaining the health-benefiting compounds is the key factor. Thirty-six beetroot genotypes were evaluated regarding their content of total dry matter, total phenolic compounds, betalain, nitrate, and total soluble sugars directly after harvest and after cold storage periods of one and four months. Samples were collected from two field experiments, which were conducted under organic conditions in Southwestern Germany in 2017 and 2018. The outcome of this study revealed a significant influence of genotype (p < 0.05) on all measured compounds. Furthermore, significant impacts were shown for storage period on total dry matter content, nitrate, and total phenolic compounds. The medians of nitrate content based on the genotypes studied within the experiment ranged between 4179 ± 1267-20,489 ± 2988 mg kg-1 DW (dry weight), and that for the total phenolic compounds varied between 201.45 ± 13.13 mg GAE 100 g-1 DW and 612.39 ± 40.58 mg GAE 100 g-1 DW (milligrams of gallic acid equivalents per 100 g of dry weight). According to the significant influence of the interactions of storage period and genotype on total soluble sugars and betalain, the decrease or increase in the content of the assessed compounds during the cold storage noted to be genotype-specific. Therefore, to benefit beetroots with retained quality for an extended time after harvest, selection of the suitable genotype based on the intended final use is recommended.

Potential of Impedance Flow Cytometry to Assess the Viability and Quantity of Cannabis sativa L. Pollen.

Over the last decade, efforts to breed new Cannabis sativa L. cultivars with high Cannabidiol (CBD) and other non-psychoactive cannabinoids with low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels have increased. In this context, the identification of the viability and quantity of pollen, which represents the fitness of male gametophytes, to accomplish successful pollination is of high importance. The present study aims to evaluate the potential of impedance flow cytometry (IFC) for the assessment of pollen viability (PV) and total number of pollen cells (TPC) in two phytocannabinoid-rich cannabis genotypes, KANADA (KAN) and A4 treated with two different chemical solutions, silver thiosulfate solution (STS) and gibberellic acid (GA3). Pollen was collected over a period of 8 to 24 days after flowering (DAF) in a greenhouse experiment. Impedance flow cytometry (IFC) technology was used with Cannabis sativa to assess the viability and quantity of pollen. The results showed that the number of flowers per plant was highest at 24 DAF for both genotypes, A4 (317.78) and KAN (189.74). TPC induced by STS was significantly higher compared to GA3 over the collection period of 8 to 24 DAF with the highest mean TPC of 1.54 × 105 at 14 DAF. STS showed significantly higher viability of pollen compared to GA3 in genotype KAN, with the highest PV of 78.18% 11 DAF. Genotype A4 also showed significantly higher PV with STS at 8 (45.66%), 14 (77.88%), 18 (79.37%), and 24 (51.92%) DAF compared to GA3. Furthermore, counting the numbers of flowers did not provide insights into the quality and quantity of pollen; the results showed that PV was highest at 18 DAF with A4; however, the number of flowers per plant was 150.33 at 18 DAF and was thus not the maximum of produced flowers within the experiment. IFC technology successfully estimated the TPC and differentiated between viable and non-viable cells over a period of 8 to 24 DAF in tested genotypes of Cannabis sativa. IFC seems to be an efficient and reliable method to estimate PV, opening new chances for plant breeding and plant production processes in cannabis.