Explore the vast range of titles available.

The field component of this study was conducted at the Ruminant Research Station affiliated with the Agricultural Research Department, Ministry of Agriculture, using a sample of 79 goats (32 Shami and 47 local). The laboratory phase was carried out at the Biotechnology Laboratory of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad, and the Advanced Scientific Laboratory for Genetic and Molecular Gene Technologies, with the aim of extracting genomic DNA. The experiment spanned from November 1, 2023, to May 1, 2024.The study focused on the IGF1R gene, specifically examining exon 12, intron 12, and exon 13, covering a 910-base-pair region. Results revealed two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the analyzed region: G267514A and G267782A. Analysis of the G267514A mutation in local goats identified three genotypes: wild-type (GG) at 71.1%, heterozygous (GA) at 26.67%, and mutant (AA) at 2.22%, with allele frequencies of 84% for G and 16% for A. In Shami goats, this mutation exhibited only two genotypes: wild-type (GG) at 93.75% and heterozygous (GA) at 6.25%, with allele frequencies of 97% for G and 3% for A.The study highlighted significant genetic variation between Shami and local goats regarding the G267514A mutation. This mutation influenced body dimensions, fertility rate, and milk production season length in local goats, while showing negligible effects in Shami goats. The G267782A mutation, however, showed no association with any production traits in either breed.. تم تنفيذ الجزء الحقلي من هذه الدراسة في محطة أبحاث المجترات التابعة لـدائرة الأبحاث الزراعية / وزارة الزراعة، على عينة مكونة من 79 معزة (32 شامية و47 محلية)، أما الجزء المختبري فقد أُجري في مختبر التقانات الحيوية بكلية علوم الهندسة الزراعية - جامعة بغداد بالإضافة إلى مختبر التقدم العلمي لتقنيات الوراثة والجينات الجزيئية بهدف استخلاص المادة الوراثية (DNA) استمرت فترة التجربة من 1/11/2023 إلى 1/5/2024،تمت دراسة جين IGF1R وتحديدًا في الإكسون 12، الإنترون 12 والإكسون 13 بحجم 910 زوجًا قاعديًا، أظهرت النتائج وجود طفرتين نقطيتين (SNPs) في المنطقة المدروسة هما G267514A وG267782A، تم تحليل الطفرة G267514A في الماعز المحلي ظهرثلاث تراكيب وراثية البري (GG) بنسبة 71.1% ، الهجين (GA) بنسبة 26.67% و الطافر (AA) بنسبة 2.22% اذ بلغ التكرار الأليلي للأليل G 84% الأليل A 16%،في الماعز الشامي ظهرت هذه الطفرة بتركيبين وراثيين فقط البري (GG) بنسبة 93.75% و الهجين (GA) بنسبة 6.25% فقط، وبلغ التكرار الأليلي للأليل G 97% وللأليل A 3%، كشفت الدراسة عن وجود تباين وراثي بين الماعز الشامي والمحلي فيما يتعلق بالطفرة G267514A، أثرت هذه الطفرة على أبعاد الجسم، معدل الخصوبة وطول موسم انتاج الحليب في الماعز المحلي، بينما لم يكن لها تأثير يُذكر في الماعز الشامي، الطفرة G267782A لم تكن مرتبطة بأي من الصفات الإنتاجية في أي من السلالتين.

Adjustments in root biomass allocation, root morphology, carboxylate exudation and mycorrhizal symbiosis are well‐known strategies for plants to cope with phosphorus (P) deficiency. Large genotypic variation in these functional traits has been demonstrated within numerous species. Yet, whether these functional traits are coordinated differently among genotypes of a species to enhance P acquisition remains unknown. We characterized 11 root functional traits associated with P acquisition in 20 chickpea genotypes with contrasting amounts of rhizosheath carboxylates, grown in a glasshouse with severely limiting insoluble (10 mg/kg FePO4), moderately limiting soluble (10 mg/kg KH2PO4) and adequate (50 mg/kg KH2PO4) P supply. Substantial variation was found among genotypes in root functional traits associated with P acquisition. Genotypes with a large amount of carboxylates (HRC) had thinner roots, and a lower root mass fraction and root mass density (RMD), but higher specific root length (SRL) and colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) than genotypes with a small amount of rhizosheath carboxylates. In response to soil P availability, chickpea genotypes showed large plasticity in root biomass allocation, rhizosheath pH, carboxylate amount and colonization by AMF, but a limited response in most root morphological traits (i.e. mean root diameter, RMD and SRL). Shoot P content was strongly correlated with different root functional traits in the three P treatments. Our findings suggest a range of predictable relationships between root functional traits among chickpea genotypes; those with HRC tended to have relatively thinner roots with lower cost of root construction, while allocating more resources to carboxylate exudation and colonization by AMF. The shift in the relationships between shoot P content and root functional traits indicates that root traits and/or trait combinations in chickpea vary in a manner that enhances P acquisition under specific soil P conditions (i.e. P sources/levels). Such knowledge provides valuable information for chickpea genotype breeding and our understanding of evolution of traits with improved root/rhizosphere functioning. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article

Root phenotypes that improve nitrogen acquisition are avenues for crop improvement. Root anatomy affects resource capture, metabolic cost, hydraulic conductance, anchorage, and soil penetration. Cereal root phenotyping has centered on primary, seminal, and early nodal roots, yet critical nitrogen uptake occurs when the nodal root system is well developed. This study examined root anatomy across nodes in field-grown maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid and inbred lines under high and low nitrogen regimes. Genotypes with high nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) had larger root diameter and less cortical aerenchyma across nodes under stress than genotypes with lower NUE. Anatomical phenes displayed slightly hyperallometric relationships to shoot biomass. Anatomical plasticity varied across genotypes; most genotypes decreased root diameter under stress when averaged across nodes. Cortex, stele, total metaxylem vessel areas, and cortical cell file and metaxylem vessel numbers scaled strongly with root diameter across nodes. Within nodes, metaxylem vessel size and cortical cell size were correlated, and root anatomical phenotypes in the first and second nodes were not representative of subsequent nodes. Node, genotype, and nitrogen treatment affect root anatomy. Understanding nodal variation in root phenes will enable the development of plants that are adapted to low nitrogen conditions.

Non-irrigated crops in temperate climates and irrigated crops in arid climates are subjected to continuous cycles of water stress and re-watering. Thus, fast and efficient recovery from water stress may be among the key determinants of plant drought adaptation. The present study was designed to comparatively analyze the roles of drought resistance and drought recovery in drought adaptation and to investigate the physiological basis of genotypic variation in drought adaptation in maize (Zea mays) seedlings. As the seedlings behavior in growth associate with yield under drought, it could partly reflect the potential of drought adaptability. Growth and physiological responses to progressive drought stress and recovery were observed in seedlings of 10 maize lines. The results showed that drought adaptability is closely related to drought recovery (r = 0.714(**)), but not to drought resistance (r = 0.332). Drought induced decreases in leaf water content, water potential, osmotic potential, gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll content, Fv/Fm and nitrogen content, and increased H2O2 accumulation and lipid peroxidation. After recovery, most of these physiological parameters rapidly returned to normal levels. The physiological responses varied between lines. Further correlation analysis indicated that the physiological bases of drought resistance and drought recovery are definitely different, and that maintaining higher chlorophyll content (r = 0.874(***)) and Fv/Fm (r = 0.626(*)) under drought stress contributes to drought recovery. Our results suggest that both drought resistance and recovery are key determinants of plant drought adaptation, and that drought recovery may play a more important role than previously thought. In addition, leaf water potential, chlorophyll content and Fv/Fm could be used as efficient reference indicators in the selection of drought-adaptive genotypes.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.860229.].[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.860229.].

Stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) is one of the most destructive diseases affecting wheat production worldwide. Therefore, identifying high-yielding wheat genotypes with resistance to stem rust is essential for sustainable wheat improvement. This study investigated the responses of 18 diverse bread wheat genotypes to stem rust infection under artificially inoculated and protected conditions. The wheat genotypes were assessed for disease-related parameters and their associated impact on agronomic traits. The evaluated traits included phenological characteristics (days to heading), plant growth traits (plant height and flag leaf area), yield components (number of spikes m⁻², number of grains per spike, and thousand-grain weight), grain yield, and biological yield. Moreover, disease-related parameters included disease severity, coefficient of infection (CI), and the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for all studied traits. Stem rust infection significantly affected the agronomic traits and yield components. It reduced flag leaf area, plant height, grain number, and thousand-grain weight. Disease severity, CI, and AUDPC values varied considerably among genotypes. The susceptible check Morocco exhibited the highest disease severity and AUDPC values. While several genotypes showed moderately resistant reactions across two seasons. ‘Giza-171’, ‘Sakha-95’, ‘Misr-3’, and ‘Sids-14’ exhibited lower disease severity and stable agronomic performance under infected conditions. Multivariate analyses, including hierarchical clustering, principal component analysis, and heatmap visualization, clarified the relationships among genotypes and studied traits. These analyses separated susceptible and resistant genotypes. Genotypes that maintained high yield components under disease pressure were distinguished from those that were susceptible. The agronomic performance and disease resistance analyses identified ‘Giza-171’, ‘Sakha-95’, ‘Misr-3’, and ‘Sids-14’ as promising genotypes. These genotypes combine high productivity with enhanced resistance to stem rust. These promising genotypes represent valuable genetic resources for wheat breeding programs to improve yield and durable resistance to stem rust.

Physiological properties involved in divergent cadmium (Cd) accumulation among rice genotypes were characterized using the indica cultivar 'Habataki' (high Cd in grains) and the japonica cultivar 'Sasanishiki' (low Cd in grains). Time-dependence and concentration-dependence of symplastic Cd absorption in roots were revealed not to be responsible for the different Cd accumulation between the two cultivars because root Cd uptake was not greater in the Cd-accumulating cultivar 'Habataki' compared with 'Sasanishiki'. On the other hand, rapid and greater root-to-shoot Cd translocation was observed in 'Habataki', which could be mediated by higher abilities in xylem loading of Cd and transpiration rate as a driving force. To verify whether different abilities in xylem-mediated shoot-to-root translocation generally account for the genotypic variation in shoot Cd accumulation in rice, the world rice core collection, consisting of 69 accessions which covers the genetic diversity of almost 32 000 accessions of cultivated rice, was used. The results showed strong correlation between Cd levels in xylem sap and shoots and grains among the 69 rice accessions. Overall, the results presented in this study revealed that the root-to-shoot Cd translocation via the xylem is the major and common physiological process determining the Cd accumulation level in shoots and grains of rice plants.

Individual glucosinolates (GSLs) were assessed to select cabbage genotypes for a potential breeding program. One hundred forty-six cabbage genotypes from different origins were grown in an open field from March to June 2019; the cabbage heads were used for GSL analyses. Seven aliphatics [glucoiberin (GIB), progoitrin (PRO), epi-progoitrin (EPI), sinigrin (SIN), glucoraphanin (GRA), glucoerucin (GER) and gluconapin (GNA)], one aromatic [gluconasturtiin (GNS)] and four indolyl GSLs [glucobrassicin (GBS), 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin (4HGBS), 4-methoxyglucobrassicin (4MGBS), neoglucobrassicin (NGBS)] were found this study. Significant variation was observed in the individual GSL content and in each class of GSLs among the cabbage genotypes. Aliphatic GSLs were predominant (58.5%) among the total GSLs, followed by indolyl GSL (40.7%) and aromatic GSLs (0.8%), showing 46.4, 51.2 and 137.8% coefficients of variation, respectively. GIB, GBS and NGBS were the most common GSLs found in all genotypes. GBS was the most dominant GSL, with an average value of 3.91 µmol g−1 (0.79 to 13.14 µmol g−1). SIN, GIB, PRO and GRA were the other major GSLs, showing average values of 3.45, 1.50, 0.77 and 0.62 µmol g−1, respectively. The genotypes with relatively high contents of GBS, SIN, GIB and GRA warrant detailed studies for future breeding programs since the hydrolysis products of these GSLs have several anti-cancer properties.

The interaction of plants and their herbivorous opponents has shaped the evolution of an intricate network of defences and counter-defences for millions of years. The result is an astounding diversity of phytochemicals and plant strategies to fight and survive. Trees are specifically challenged to resist the plethora of abiotic and biotic stresses due to their dimension and longevity. Here, we review the recent literature on the consequences of phytochemical variation in trees on insect–tree–herbivore interactions. We discuss the importance of genotypic and phenotypic variation in tree defence against insects and suggest some molecular mechanisms that might bring about phytochemical diversity in crowns of individual trees.

As sea surface temperatures increase worldwide due to climate change, coral bleaching events are becoming more frequent and severe, resulting in reef degradation. Leveraging the inherent ability of reef-building corals to acclimatize to thermal stress via pre-exposure to protective temperature treatments may become an important tool in improving the resilience of coral reefs to rapid environmental change. We investigated whether historical bleaching phenotype, coral host genotype, and exposure to protective temperature treatments would affect the response of the Hawaiian coral Montipora capitata to natural thermal stress. Fragments were collected from colonies that demonstrated different bleaching responses during the 2014–2015 event in Kāne‘ohe Bay (O‘ahu, Hawai‘i) and exposed to four different artificial temperature pre-treatments (and a control at ambient temperature). After recovery, fragments experienced a natural thermal stress event either in laboratory conditions or their native reef environment. Response to thermal stress was quantified by measuring changes in the algal symbionts’ photochemical efficiency, community composition, and relative density. Historical bleaching phenotype was reflected in stable differences in symbiont community composition, with historically bleached corals containing only Cladocopium symbionts and historically non-bleached corals having mixed symbiont communities dominated by Durusdinium. Mixed-community corals lost more Cladocopium than Cladocopium-only corals during the natural thermal stress event and preferentially recovered with Durusdinium. Laboratory pre-treatments exposed corals to more thermal stress than anticipated, causing photochemical damage that varied significantly by genotype. While none of the treatments had a protective effect, temperature variation during treatments had a significant detrimental effect on photochemical efficiency during the thermal stress event. These results show that acclimatization potential is affected by fine-scale differences in temperature regime, host genotype, and relatively stable differences in symbiont community composition that underpin historical bleaching phenotypes in M. capitata.