Dynamic relationships among pathways producing hydrocarbons and fatty acids of maize silk cuticular waxes.

The hydrophobic cuticle is the first line of defense between aerial portions of plants and the external environment. On maize (Zea mays L.) silks, the cuticular cutin matrix is infused with cuticular waxes, consisting of a homologous series of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs), aldehydes, and hydrocarbons. Together with VLC fatty-acyl-CoAs (VLCFA-CoAs), these metabolites serve as precursors, intermediates and end-products of the cuticular wax biosynthetic pathway. To deconvolute the potentially confounding impacts of the change in silk microenvironment and silk development on this pathway, we profiled cuticular waxes on the silks of the inbreds B73 and Mo17, and their reciprocal hybrids. Multivariate interrogation of these metabolite abundance data demonstrates that VLCFA-CoAs and total free VLCFAs are positively correlated with the cuticular wax metabolome, and this metabolome is primarily affected by changes in the silk microenvironment and plant genotype. Moreover, the genotype effect on the pathway explains the increased accumulation of cuticular hydrocarbons with a concomitant reduction in cuticular VLCFA accumulation on B73 silks, suggesting that the conversion of VLCFA-CoAs to hydrocarbons is more effective in B73 than Mo17. Statistical modeling of the ratios between cuticular hydrocarbons and cuticular VLCFAs reveals a significant role of precursor chain length in determining this ratio. This study establishes the complexity of the product-precursor relationships within the silk cuticular wax-producing network by dissecting both the impact of genotype and the allocation of VLCFA-CoA precursors to different biological processes, and demonstrates that longer chain VLCFA-CoAs are preferentially utilized for hydrocarbon biosynthesis.

Systematic molecular analyses for 115 karyotypically normal men with isolated non-obstructive azoospermia.

STUDY QUESTION: Do copy-number variations (CNVs) in the azoospermia factor (AZF) regions and monogenic mutations play a major role in the development of isolated (non-syndromic) non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) in Japanese men with a normal 46, XY karyotype? SUMMARY ANSWER: Deleterious CNVs in the AZF regions and damaging sequence variants in eight genes likely constitute at least 8% and approximately 8% of the genetic causes, respectively, while variants in other genes play only a minor role. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Sex chromosomal abnormalities, AZF-linked microdeletions, and monogenic mutations have been implicated in isolated NOA. More than 160 genes have been reported as causative/susceptibility/candidate genes for NOA. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Systematic molecular analyses were conducted for 115 patients with isolated NOA and a normal 46, XY karyotype, who visited our hospital between 2017 and 2021. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: We studied 115 unrelated Japanese patients. AZF-linked CNVs were examined using sequence-tagged PCR and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, and nucleotide variants were screened using whole exome sequencing (WES). An optimized sequence kernel association test (SKAT-O), a gene-based association study using WES data, was performed to identify novel disease-associated genes in the genome. The results were compared to those of previous studies and our in-house control data. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Thirteen types of AZF-linked CNVs, including the hitherto unreported gr/gr triplication and partial AZFb deletion, were identified in 63 (54.8%) cases. When the gr/gr deletion, a common polymorphism in Japan, was excluded from data analyses, the total frequency of CNVs was 23/75 (30.7%). This frequency is higher than that of the reference data in Japan and China (11.1% and 14.7%, respectively). Known NOA-causative AZF-linked CNVs were found in nine (7.8%) cases. Rare damaging variants in known causative genes (DMRT1, PLK4, SYCP2, TEX11, and USP26) and hemizygous/multiple-heterozygous damaging variants in known spermatogenesis-associated genes (TAF7L, DNAH2, and DNAH17) were identified in nine cases (7.8% in total). Some patients carried rare damaging variants in multiple genes. SKAT-O detected no genes whose rare damaging variants were significantly accumulated in the patient group. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The number of participants was relatively small, and the clinical information of each patient was fragmentary. Moreover, the pathogenicity of identified variants was assessed only by in silico analyses. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This study showed that various AZF-linked CNVs are present in more than half of Japanese NOA patients. These results broadened the structural variations of AZF-linked CNVs, which should be considered for the molecular diagnosis of spermatogenic failure. Furthermore, the results of this study highlight the etiological heterogeneity and possible oligogenicity of isolated NOA. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This study was supported by Grants from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (21K19283 and 21H0246), the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (22ek0109464h0003), the National Center for Child Health and Development, the Canon Foundation, the Japan Endocrine Society, and the Takeda Science Foundation. The results of this study were based on samples and patient data obtained from the International Center for Reproductive Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Koshigaya, Japan. The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

Application of ethanol alleviates heat damage to leaf growth and yield in tomato.

Chemical priming has emerged as a promising area in agricultural research. Our previous studies have demonstrated that pretreatment with a low concentration of ethanol enhances abiotic stress tolerance in Arabidopsis and cassava. Here, we show that ethanol treatment induces heat stress tolerance in tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) plants. Seedlings of the tomato cultivar 'Micro-Tom' were pretreated with ethanol solution and then subjected to heat stress. The survival rates of the ethanol-pretreated plants were significantly higher than those of the water-treated control plants. Similarly, the fruit numbers of the ethanol-pretreated plants were greater than those of the water-treated ones. Transcriptome analysis identified sets of genes that were differentially expressed in shoots and roots of seedlings and in mature green fruits of ethanol-pretreated plants compared with those in water-treated plants. Gene ontology analysis using these genes showed that stress-related gene ontology terms were found in the set of ethanol-induced genes. Metabolome analysis revealed that the contents of a wide range of metabolites differed between water- and ethanol-treated samples. They included sugars such as trehalose, sucrose, glucose, and fructose. From our results, we speculate that ethanol-induced heat stress tolerance in tomato is mainly the result of increased expression of stress-related genes encoding late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins, reactive oxygen species (ROS) elimination enzymes, and activated gluconeogenesis. Our results will be useful for establishing ethanol-based chemical priming technology to reduce heat stress damage in crops, especially in Solanaceae.

Evaluating responses by ChatGPT to farmers' questions on irrigated lowland rice cultivation in Nigeria.

The limited number of agricultural extension agents (EAs) in sub-Saharan Africa limits farmers' access to extension services. Artificial intelligence (AI) assistants could potentially aid in providing answers to farmers' questions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of an AI chatbot assistant (ChatGPT) to provide quality responses to farmers' questions. We compiled a list of 32 questions related to irrigated rice cultivation from farmers in Kano State, Nigeria. Six EAs from the state were randomly selected to answer these questions. Their answers, along with those of ChatGPT, were assessed by four evaluators in terms of quality and local relevancy. Overall, chatbot responses were rated significantly higher quality than EAs' responses. Chatbot responses received the best score nearly six times as often as the EAs' (40% vs. 7%). The evaluators preferred chatbot responses to EAs in 78% of cases. The topics for which the chatbot responses received poorer scores than those by EAs included planting time, seed rate, and fertilizer application rate and timing. In conclusion, while the chatbot could offer an alternative source for providing agricultural advisory services to farmers, incorporating site-specific input rate-and-timing agronomic practices into AI assistants is critical for their direct use by farmers.

Reinfusion of peritoneal fluid elevates the level of plasma D-dimer in patients with early-onset ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Purpose: This study aimed to elucidate the factors that affect the dynamics of blood D-dimer in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records from two hospitals and extracted data obtained during assisted reproductive technology and OHSS treatment. Blood D-dimer levels during hospitalization were plotted against body weight. Other factors possibly related to blood D-dimer levels were also analyzed. Results: The analysis included 10 patients with OHSS admitted between January 2013 and June 2023. In all patients, blood D-dimer levels increased significantly when they convalesced from OHSS and lost weight. None of the patients showed clinical signs of thrombosis, which was confirmed using imaging tests in 8 of 10 patients. Two patients underwent cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART), and their blood D-dimer levels increased dramatically after the procedure. Conclusion: Weight change and CART are associated with blood D-dimer dynamics in OHSS. Our results show that elevated blood D-dimer levels in patients with OHSS do not always represent the presence of thrombosis. Reinfusion of pooled D-dimer in ascites may explain the D-dimer surge during the recovery phase or after CART in these patients. Our study provides new perspectives on the clinical implications of D-dimer during OHSS.

Intensifying rice production to reduce imports and land conversion in Africa.

Africa produces around 60% of the rice the continent consumes, relying heavily on rice imports to fulfill the rest of the domestic demand. Over the past 10 years, the rice-agricultural area increased nearly 40%, while average yield remained stagnant. Here we used a process-based crop simulation modelling approach combined with local weather, soil, and management datasets to evaluate the potential to increase rice production on existing cropland area in Africa and assess cropland expansion and rice imports by year 2050 for different scenarios of yield intensification. We find that Africa can avoid further increases in rice imports, and even reduce them, through a combination of cropland expansion following the historical trend together with closure of the current exploitable yield gap by half or more. Without substantial increase in rice yields, meeting future rice demand will require larger rice imports and/or land conversion than now.

Induced production of specialized steroids by transcriptional reprogramming in Petunia hybrida.

Plants produce specialized metabolites with defensive properties that are often synthesized through the coordinated regulation of metabolic genes by transcription factors in various biological contexts. In this study, we investigated the regulatory function of the transcription factor PhERF1 from petunia (Petunia hybrida), which belongs to a small group of ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (ERF) family members that regulate the biosynthesis of bioactive alkaloids and terpenoids in various plant lineages. We examined the effects of transiently overexpressing PhERF1 in petunia leaves on the transcriptome and metabolome, demonstrating the production of a class of specialized steroids, petuniolides, and petuniasterones in these leaves. We also observed the activation of many metabolic genes, including those involved in sterol biosynthesis, as well as clustered genes that encode new metabolic enzymes, such as cytochrome P450 oxidoreductases, 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases, and BAHD acyltransferases. Furthermore, we determined that PhERF1 transcriptionally induces downstream metabolic genes by recognizing specific cis-regulatory elements in their promoters. This study highlights the potential of evolutionarily conserved transcriptional regulators to induce the production of specialized products through transcriptional reprogramming.

Application of recombinant human pyruvate kinase in recombinase polymerase amplification.

Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) is an isothermal DNA amplification reaction at around 41°C using recombinase (Rec), single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB), strand-displacing DNA polymerase (Pol), and an ATP-regenerating enzyme. In this study, we attempted to use pyruvate kinase instead of creatine kinase (CK) that has been consistently used as an ATP-regenerating enzyme in RPA. Human pyruvate kinase M1 (PKM) was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified from the cells. RPA with PKM was performed at 41°C with the in vitro synthesized urease subunit ß (ureB) DNA from Ureaplasma parvum serovar 3 as a standard DNA. The optimal concentrations of PKM and phosphoenolpyruvate were 20 ng/µL and 10 mM, respectively. The RPA reaction with PKM was more sensitive than that with CK. PKM exhibited higher thermostability than CK, suggesting that the RPA reagents with PKM are preferable to those with CK for onsite use.

Inorganic fertilizer use and its association with rice yield gaps in sub-Saharan Africa.

Where and which countries should receive higher priority for improving inorganic fertilizer use in rice fields in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)? This study addressed this question by assessing the spatial variation in fertilizer use and its association with rice yield and yield gap in 24 SSA countries through a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed papers, theses, and grey literature published between 1995 and 2021. The results showed a large variation in N, P, and K fertilizer application rates and rice yield and an opportunity for narrowing the yield gap by increasing N and P rates, especially in irrigated rice systems. We identified clusters of sites/countries based on nutrient input and yield and suggested research and development strategies for improving yields and optimizing nutrient use efficiencies. Further research is essential to identify the factors causing low fertilizer use and the poor association between its use and yield in rainfed systems.

Estimating nutrient concentrations and uptake in rice grain in sub-Saharan Africa using linear mixed-effects regression.

Context or problem: Quantification of nutrient concentrations in rice grain is essential for evaluating nutrient uptake, use efficiency, and balance to develop fertilizer recommendation guidelines. Accurate estimation of nutrient concentrations without relying on plant laboratory analysis is needed in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where farmers do not generally have access to laboratories. Objective or research question: The objectives are to 1) examine if the concentrations of macro- (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S) and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, B, Cu) in rice grain can be estimated using agro-ecological zones (AEZ), production systems, soil properties, and mineral fertilizer application (N, P, and K) rates as predictor variables, and 2) to identify if nutrient uptakes estimated by best-fitted models with above variables provide improved prediction of actual nutrient uptakes (predicted nutrient concentrations x grain yield) compared to average-based uptakes (average nutrient concentrations in SSA x grain yield). Methods: Cross-sectional data from 998 farmers' fields across 20 countries across 4 AEZs (arid/semi-arid, humid, sub-humid, and highlands) in SSA and 3 different production systems: irrigated lowland, rainfed lowland, and rainfed upland were used to test hypotheses of nutrient concentration being estimable with a set of predictor variables among above-cited factors using linear mixed-effects regression models. Results: All 10 nutrients were reasonably predicted [Nakagawa's R2 ranging from 0.27 (Ca) to 0.79 (B), and modeling efficiency ranging from 0.178 (Ca) to 0.584 (B)]. However, only the estimation of K and B concentrations was satisfactory with a modeling efficiency superior to 0.5. The country variable contributed more to the variation of concentrations of these nutrients than AEZ and production systems in our best predictive models. There were greater positive relationships (up to 0.18 of difference in correlation coefficient R) between actual nutrient uptakes and model estimation-based uptakes than those between actual nutrient uptakes and average-based uptakes. Nevertheless, only the estimation of B uptake had significant improvement among all nutrients investigated. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that with the exception of B associated with high model EF and an improved uptake over the average-based uptake, estimates of the macronutrient and micronutrient uptakes in rice grain can be obtained simply by using average concentrations of each nutrient at the regional scale for SSA. Implications: Further investigation of other factors such as the timing of fertilizer applications, rice variety, occurrence of drought periods, and atmospheric CO2 concentration is warranted for improved prediction accuracy of nutrient concentrations.

Genetic regulation and manipulation of nicotine biosynthesis in tobacco: Strategies to eliminate addictive alkaloids.

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is a widely cultivated crop of the genus Nicotiana. Due to the highly addictive nature of tobacco products, tobacco smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease. There is therefore a critical need to develop tobacco varieties with reduced or non-addictive nicotine levels. Nicotine and related pyridine alkaloids biosynthesized in the roots of tobacco plants are transported to the leaves, where they are stored in vacuoles as a defense against predators. Jasmonate, a defense-related plant hormone, plays a crucial signaling role in activating transcriptional regulators that coordinate the expression of downstream metabolic and transport genes involved in nicotine production. In recent years, substantial progress has been made in molecular and genomics research, revealing many metabolic and regulatory genes involved in nicotine biosynthesis. These advances have enabled us to develop tobacco plants with low or ultra-low nicotine levels through various methodologies, such as mutational breeding, genetic engineering, and genome editing. We review the recent progress on genetic manipulation of nicotine production in tobacco, which serves as an excellent example of plant metabolic engineering with profound social implications.

Step-by-step instructions for detecting whirlpool sign in adnexal torsion.

Objective: Adnexal torsion is a common gynecological emergency whose prompt diagnosis is essential because a delay may lead to ovarian dysfunction. Although the whirlpool sign is reliable for diagnosing ovarian cyst torsion, technical difficulties hinder its use by sonographers. Here we developed a systematic approach to visualizing this sign by focusing on the fact that torsion arises from the space between the uterus and the pelvic wall. One must determine the origin of the torsion via transverse imaging of the uterus and follow the twisted ligaments to the ovarian cyst. Patients and Methods: Two women aged 56 (Case 1) and 28 years (Case 2) visited our hospital with lower abdominal pain. Transvaginal ultrasonography showed a 7-cm right ovarian cyst in Case 1 and a 5-cm cyst in the Douglas pouch in Case 2; normal bilateral ovaries and the whirlpool sign were detected in both cases. Under laparoscopic guidance in Cases 1 and 2, an ovarian cyst and a paraovarian cyst were confirmed and removed. Results: Our step-by-step method allowed us to identify the whirlpool sign and confirm adnexal torsion, leading to prompt surgery in both cases. Conclusion: Using a systematic procedure helps less experienced practitioners detect the whirlpool sign.

Lipidome Profiling of Phosphorus Deficiency-Tolerant Rice Cultivars Reveals Remodeling of Membrane Lipids as a Mechanism of Low P Tolerance.

Plants have evolved various mechanisms for low P tolerance, one of which is changing their membrane lipid composition by remodeling phospholipids with non-phospholipids. The objective of this study was to investigate the remodeling of membrane lipids among rice cultivars under P deficiency. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars (Akamai, Kiyonishiki, Akitakomachi, Norin No. 1, Hiyadateine, Koshihikari, and Netaro) were grown in 0 (-P) and 8 (+P) mg P L-1 solution cultures. Shoots and roots were collected 5 and 10 days after transplanting (DAT) in solution culture and subjected to lipidome profiling using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Phosphatidylcholine (PC)34, PC36, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)34, PE36, phosphatidylglycerol (PG)34, phosphatidylinositol (PI)34 were the major phospholipids and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG)34, DGDG36, 1,2-diacyl-3-O-alpha-glucuronosylglycerol (GlcADG)34, GlcADG36, monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG)34, MGDG36, sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG)34 and SQDG36 were the major non-phospholipids. Phospholipids were lower in the plants that were grown under -P conditions than that in the plants that were grown under +P for all cultivars at 5 and 10 DAT. The levels of non-phospholipids were higher in -P plants than that in +P plants of all cultivars at 5 and 10 DAT. Decomposition of phospholipids in roots at 5 DAT correlated with low P tolerance. These results suggest that rice cultivars remodel membrane lipids under P deficiency, and the ability of remodeling partly contributes to low P tolerance.

Exome-based genome-wide screening of rare variants associated with the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Purpose: Genetic factors associated with the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remain largely unknown. Here, we conducted an optimal sequence kernel association test (SKAT-O), an exome-based rare variant association study, to clarify whether rare variants in specific genes contribute to the development of PCOS. Methods: SKAT-O was performed using exome data of 44 Japanese patients with PCOS and 301 control women. We analyzed frequencies of rare probably damaging variants in the genome. Results: Rare variants of GSTO2 were more commonly identified in the patient group than in the control group (6/44 vs. 1/301; Bonferroni-corrected p-value, 0.028), while the frequencies of variants in other genes were comparable between the two groups. The identified GSTO2 variants were predicted to affect the function, structure, stability, hydrophobicity, and/or the formation of intrinsically disordered regions of the protein. GSTO2 encodes a glutathione transferase that mediates the oxidative stress response and arsenic metabolism. Previously, common variants in GSTO2 and its paralog GSTO1 were associated with the risk of PCOS. Conclusions: The results indicate that there are no genes whose rare variants account for a large fraction of the etiology of PCOS, although rare damaging variants in GSTO2 may constitute a risk factor in some cases.

A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics strategy to explore plant metabolic diversity.

Plants are expert chemists producing millions of metabolites, only a fraction of which are known to date. Plant metabolomics explores the rationale for highly diverse metabolites evolved and synthesized by plants. Over two-thirds of modern medicines are somehow inspired and/or derived from plants, making the identification of phytochemicals a means of discovering new medicines to challenge existing and emerging diseases. This chapter introduces our established liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics approach centered around discovering specialized metabolites (so-called secondary metabolites) across broad lineages of nonmodel plant species. Detecting hundreds to thousands of metabolite peaks, including assigning chemical identity, makes metabolomics data generation and analysis a very complex process. Various mass spectrometry techniques are currently being developed to approach the comprehensive metabolome. Among them, untargeted metabolomics can provide new biological insights by simultaneously and unbiasedly measuring and analyzing all detected metabolites. We have provided a hands-on modular account for untargeted plant metabolomics, from preparing plant biological samples to data analysis and processing using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The methods described here offer a foundation and expert opinion on plant metabolome analysis.

Excretion of triacylglycerol as a matrix lipid facilitating apoplastic accumulation of a lipophilic metabolite shikonin.

Plants produce a large variety of lipophilic metabolites, many of which are secreted by cells and accumulated in apoplasts. These compounds often play a role to protect plants from environmental stresses. However, little is known about how these lipophilic compounds are secreted into apoplastic spaces. In this study, we used shikonin-producing cultured cells of Lithospermum erythrorhizon as an experimental model system to analyze the secretion of lipophilic metabolites, taking advantage of its high production rate and the clear inducibility in culture. Shikonin derivatives are lipophilic red naphthoquinone compounds that accumulate exclusively in apoplastic spaces of these cells and also in the root epidermis of intact plants. Microscopic analysis showed that shikonin is accumulated in the form of numerous particles on the cell wall. Lipidomic analysis showed that L. erythrorhizon cultured cells secrete an appreciable portion of triacylglycerol (24-38% of total triacylglycerol), composed predominantly of saturated fatty acids. Moreover, in vitro reconstitution assay showed that triacylglycerol encapsulates shikonin derivatives with phospholipids to form lipid droplet-like structures. These findings suggest a novel role for triacylglycerol as a matrix lipid, a molecular component involved in the secretion of specialized lipophilic metabolites.

Downregulation of a cluster of genes encoding nitrate transporter 1/peptide transporter family proteins in tomato with a mutated JRE4 transcription factor.

A group of anti-nutritional specialized metabolites called steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) are produced in Solanum species such as tomato, potato, and eggplant. The transcription factor JASMONATE-RESPONSIVE ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR 4 (JRE4) regulates many SGA biosynthesis genes in tomato and potato. Here we report that the expression of a cluster of genes encoding nitrate transporter 1/peptide transporter family (NPF) members is downregulated in the jre4-1 loss-of-function tomato mutant, which has a low-SGA phenotype compared to the wild type. NPFs are a large family of plant membrane transporters that transport a wide range of substrates, including specialized metabolites. We found that the JRE4-regulated NPF genes are induced by the defense-related phytohormone jasmonate. Conversely, jasmonate-mediated induction of gene expression was attenuated by ethylene treatment of the leaves. The co-regulation of the NPF genes with SGA biosynthesis genes by JRE4 suggests that NPF transporters are involved in the SGA pathway.

Deep Learning Enables Instant and Versatile Estimation of Rice Yield Using Ground-Based RGB Images.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important cereals, which provides 20% of the world's food energy. However, its productivity is poorly assessed especially in the global South. Here, we provide a first study to perform a deep-learning-based approach for instantaneously estimating rice yield using red-green-blue images. During ripening stage and at harvest, over 22,000 digital images were captured vertically downward over the rice canopy from a distance of 0.8 to 0.9 m at 4,820 harvesting plots having the yield of 0.1 to 16.1 t·ha-1 across 6 countries in Africa and Japan. A convolutional neural network applied to these data at harvest predicted 68% variation in yield with a relative root mean square error of 0.22. The developed model successfully detected genotypic difference and impact of agronomic interventions on yield in the independent dataset. The model also demonstrated robustness against the images acquired at different shooting angles up to 30° from right angle, diverse light environments, and shooting date during late ripening stage. Even when the resolution of images was reduced (from 0.2 to 3.2 cm·pixel-1 of ground sampling distance), the model could predict 57% variation in yield, implying that this approach can be scaled by the use of unmanned aerial vehicles. Our work offers low-cost, hands-on, and rapid approach for high-throughput phenotyping and can lead to impact assessment of productivity-enhancing interventions, detection of fields where these are needed to sustainably increase crop production, and yield forecast at several weeks before harvesting.