Research Results
1. Genetic discovery sheds light on sodium accumulation in barley crop
An international team of scientists led by scientists at the James Hutton Institute (JHI), Aberdeen, UK, together with researchers from the Australian Research Council’s Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, the Australian National University, Acton, have identified a naturally occurring gene variation which impacts sodium content in barley. The gene variant allows high concentrations of sodium, a component of salt, to accumulate in barley plants without negative effects on plant growth. The researchers cautiously speculate that this non-functional variant (i.e.,the sodium transport gene) may enhance yield potential in non-saline environments, possibly by offsetting limitations of low available potassium (K+).
Dr. Kelly Houston, lead author of the study from JHI, said “This particular version of the gene variant is present in 35% of current barley genetic material, while it is almost absent in the wild barley and landraces screened, which means there is a potential advantage to having it in future varieties.”
For more, see https://phys.org/news/2020-05-genetic-discovery-sodium-accumulation-barley.html
Access the full article at https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-020-0990-5
2. Fast, accurate way to check peanut plants for healthy traits
Breeding of better groundnut/peanut plants, like other crops, can be a lengthy process, especially for traits like oil content, which require tedious analytical procedures for quality and quantity. Researchers at the Texas A&M have found that using Raman spectroscopy is quicker, cheaper, and more portable than the standard approaches of screening peanut varieties for Oleic acid, a monounsaturated oil, that lends peanuts a longer shelf life.
In addition, the technique can be used for pest resistance as well. In the past, if John Cason (coauthor and Texas A&M AgriLife Research peanut breeder, Stephenville) wanted to analyze the pestresistance of plants or the fatty acid content of peanuts, he would extract DNA from the plants or send samples to an off-site lab for infrared analysis. Now the scans of peanut leaves help distinguish nematode-resistant and susceptible plants, with roughly 75% accuracy.The technique can be used for other traits as well.
For more, see https://phys.org/news/2020-05-fast-accurate-peanut-healthy-traits.html
Access the full paper at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-64730-w.pdf
3. Patterns in crop data reveal new insight about plants and their environments
A recently published study, led by Iowa State University scientists,including Jianming Yu, Professor of Agronomy and Pioneer Distinguished Chair in Maize Breeding, examined vast amounts of data on rice plants to find better ways to predict plant performance and gain insights about how plants adapt to different environments. The study analyzed data from 174 rice plants grown in nine different environments across Asia. It demonstrated afresh how information generates knowledge, which, with experience gained over time, becomes confirmed as wisdom that can be applied to anticipate future behaviour.
The researchers analyzed the dataset using methods they had previously developed for sorghum, and they found that temperatures early in the growth stage played a major role in determining the days to flowering in rice plants. The researchers propose a conceptual model with multiple levels of reaction norms to help bridge the gaps among individual gene discovery, field-level phenotypic plasticity, and genomic diversity and adaptation by integrating knowledge from genomics, gene cloning, etc.
Access the abstract at https://genome.cshlp.org/content/30/5/673
4. Eco-hydrological influence of banana plantations in Xishuangbanna
Banana plantations in Yunnan Province account for over one-fifth of the total planted area of China, serving as a pillar industry for local farmers.Assessing and managing hydrological threats (i.e., events associated with water occurrence, movement, and distribution) that are caused by the rapid expansion of banana agriculture need attention. Astudy published by Prof. LIU Wenjie, principal investigator, and his colleagues from the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, has shown that spatial distribution of rainfall would be directly affected, and indirectly affect the water source prediction in banana plantations.”Our study was one of the first to investigate the effects of banana’s funnel-shaped canopy on rainfall redistribution and plant water acquisition,” said Prof. Wenjie.
Both the conventional and isotopic (δD and δ18O) methods were used to conduct rainfall partitioning, assess throughfall distribution, and predict plant water sources. Reserachers expect that the findings will contribute to sustainable development of the banana industry in southwestern China.These findings indicated that the wide and long banana leaves considerably altered rainfall redistribution, which in turn affected their water acquisition characteristics.“Further research into the effects of banana plantations on soil erosion and surface runoff would also be of use,” said Dr. YANG Bin, first author of the study.
For more, see https://phys.org/news/2020-06-eco-hydrological-banana-plantations-xishuangbanna.html
5. Conservation agriculture increases carbon sequestration in extensive crops
Agricultural activity is responsible for about 12% of the total emissions of greenhouse gases in Spain, and a similar situation proably exits in other countries. Adopting good agricultural practices can help reverse this situation, by increasing the sequestration of organic carbon. Conservation Agriculture (CA) uses practices such as no-till farming, making use of the organic soil cover and adopting crop rotation, which are beneficial in decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.Applying the Carbon Benefit Project model, designed by the UN Environment Programme,ManuelMoreno-García and colleguesanalyzed the potential of CA to increase organic carbon in soil by 0.4% yearly, which is the main goal of the 4perMille initiativeor 4 per 1000 initiative (see https://www.4p1000.org/). The researchersconcluded that by using no-till farming for extensive crops, carbon sequestration levels could reach up to three times the target amount.
After comparing the situation of conventional agriculture based on heavy tilling to data from the model based on a no-till farming situation with extensive crops, several regions of Spain appeared where carbon sequestration could triple the amount fixed by the 4permille initiative.In addition, no-till farming and other CA practices would help in reducing soil erosion by up to 95%. In this way, the main environmental problem in Spain (and in other countries) could be addressed.
For more, see https://phys.org/news/2020-07-agriculture-carbon-sequestration-extensive-crops.html
Access the abstract at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0016706119328587?via%3Dihub
Potential Crops/Technologies
1. Researchers develop gene regulation strategies for plants
A team of scientists coordinated by Alberto Carbonell from the Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology (IBMCP), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and Valencia’s Polytechnic University (UPV), used two strategies to fine tune certain genes in plants. Both the strategies are based on trans-acting small interfering RNAs (syn-tasiRNAs) to modulate the level of silencing induced by a plant’s genes. By deploying the finetuning genes, one can control when a crop flowers, and thus make it available on the market all year round, or in the off-season. This technology could also help control the resistance to abiotic stresses, such as drought and salinity. This gene silencing enables the selective activation or muting of genes at will, both in basic and applied studies.
This technology has been demonstrate generating Arabidopsis thaliana plants with a different flowering time depending on the degree of silencing of the time to flower (FT) gene and could be used to facilitate the precise control of gene expression in multiple plant species.
For more, see https://phys.org/news/2020-07-gene-strategies.html
Access the full paper at https://academic.oup.com/nar/article/48/11/6234/5836195
2. Birds, bees and butter: New study shows biodiversity critical for shea crop in Africa
Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa)is an important agroforestry crop in Africa, providing fruit near the end of the dry season. The nuts are processed into a nutritious butter that helps sustain an estimated 80 million people, as well as providing an income from local and global trade.In addition, high concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins make shea butter an ideal cosmetic ingredient for softening skin. It also has anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Shea yields are likely to benefit from a diversity of trees and shrubs in parkland habitats in West Africa.
A team of scientists led by Jane Stout of the Trinity College, Dublin, and two international NGOs—BirdLife International and the RSPB (the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)—worked with local farmers, NGOs, and academics in Burkina Faso, West Africa. They have reported that in sites with low tree and shrub diversity, fruit production was severely limited by a lack of pollination. In higher-diversity sites, more honeybees were observed, and other bees visited flowers in greater numbers, boosting pollination services. The researchers recommend that when areas are cleared for cultivation, shrubs and trees that are beneficial to the local pollinators should be retained. Furthermore, measures to conserve pollinators in the region should target both honeybees (Apis mellifera) and other non-Apis bee species.
Shea trees benefit from bees moving pollen between their flowers to produce fruit. An international team of scienitss, found that in sites with low tree and shrub diversity, fruit production was severely limited by a lack of pollination.
Access the full paper at https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1365-2664.13640
3. Using waste to grow wonders
Although this is not new concept, it has not received adequate priority. What goes down the drains can be used to make things grow. Sewage sludge—carefully treated to make it safe—is used often in agriculture. Now, researchers are testing these materials, called biosolids, for use in urban settings. In a new study, researchers (Ryan Batjiaka and Sally Brown, Washington University, Seattle) combined high-quality biosolids with other urban waste-food and yard waste, sawdust, nut shells, for example.Using biosolids and urban waste to make topsoil or engineer additions that increase soil fertility has several benefits, they found.
“When we use biosolids and urban residuals to create topsoil or soil additions, we are not extracting these finite resources,” says Batjiaka.The municipal biosolids used in the study were processed rigorously to make them safe.The researchers mixed the processed biosolids with different composted yard–food waste or wood waste and sand.They compared results using the biosolid mixtures to results when using commercially available potting soils.Several of the biosolid mixtures showed promising support for plant growth.In particular, biosolid and yard waste blends performed well.These results suggest that blending Class A biosolids with organic and inorganic feedstocks to meet quality criteria developed for compost will create marketable soil products.
Access the abstract at https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jeq2.20067
4. Plant detectives develop new way to trace global spread of major plant disease
Spread of genes resistant to antibiotics have been a cause of concern in recent decades. Plasmids spread antibiotic-resistant genes, a pressing problem for human and animal health.Certain genes in plasmids of Agrobacterium have the unique ability to transfer a portion of the plasmid into plant cells and genetically reprogramme the host to cause crown-gall or hairy root disease. Researchers at the Oregon State University,working with researchers at the USDA Agricultural Research Service, led by Jeff Chang, focused on two classes of plasmids, tumor inducing and root inducing, both of which provide Agrobacteriumthe ability to transfer a portion of the plasmid into plants and cause disease.
With the ability to separately analyze the bacteria from the plasmid, the researchers found many cases in which plasmid transmission perpetuated disease spread. A few strains of Agrobacterium, and some plasmids, have been modified and are used in tools for studying plant function, and for introducing new traits into plants.The authors say that they have uncovered epidemiological patterns that highlight the importance of plasmid transmission in pathogen diversification, as well as in long-term persistence and the global spread of disease.
For more, see https://phys.org/news/2020-06-global-major-disease.html
Access the abstract at https://science.sciencemag.org/content/368/6495/eaba5256
5. Researchers develop fungal bioherbicide to kill invasive Chinese elm trees, protect native foliage
Invasive species, including plants, have been a bane both to a country’s agriculture and to its environment. Elimination of such invasive species has thus been a preoccupation of several reserchers and agencies around the globe. Giant, invasive Chinese elm trees in Australia,with a trunk circumference of up to three meters, are being swiftly slain, thanks to a new herbicide technology developed by The University of Queensland and BioHerbicides Australia.
The technology is based on the fungal bioherbicide Di Bak Parkinsonia, created by UQ plant pathologist Professor Victor Galea and Dr. Naomi Diplock. UQ Ph.D. candidate Ciara O’Brien said the enormous trees, also known as celtis, were native to eastern Asia, but were highly problematic across eastern Australia.”The issue is that celtis trees grow among the native vegetation we’re hoping to protect,” she said. The new invention is the formulation of conventional woody weed herbicides into a cellulose capsule that is simply implanted into the trunk and thensealed into the tree, preventing its environmental escape.
For more, see https://phys.org/news/2020-07-fungal-bioherbicide-invasive-chinese-elm.html
6. Site-directed mutagenesis in wheat via haploid induction by maize
A study reported by Nagaveni Budhagatapalli and her colleagues at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research Gatersleben, Germany demonstrates how site-directed mutagenesis can be achieved in virtually any wheat germplasm by intergeneric pollination of wheat with cas9/guide-RNA-transgenic maize. A total of 15 independent target gene-specific mutants were identified from 174 wheat plants. Mutants were obtained in six wheat backgrounds, including the three spring-type common wheats BW, W5, and K15, the winter-type bread wheat S96, as well as the two durum wheats, D6 and D7. Mutations were found in all three genomic target motifs addressed.
The efficiency in mutant plant formation ranged from 3.6% to 50%. “The major advances achieved in the present study include much reduced genotype dependence; the opportunity of creating a whole variety of wheat plants carrying different allelic variants of the target gene using just one cas9/gRNA-transgenic maize plant; as well as the production of target gene-specific mutants that are instantly true-breeding and generally free of any transgenes,” says Dr. Nagaveni Budhagatapalli.
For more, see https://phys.org/news/2020-07-site-directed-mutagenesis-wheat-haploid-induction.html
Access the full paper at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/pbi.13415
7. CRISPR enables one-step hybrid seed production in crops
Plant hybrid technologies have contributed to significant yield improvements worldwide in the past decades. However, designing and maintaining a hybrid production line has always been complex and laborious. A new system that combines CRISPR-mediated genome editing with other approaches, which could produce better seeds than conventional means and shorten the timeline by 5 to 10 years, has been reported byChuanxiaoXie and others at the Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Beijing, China.
The first step to produce a hybrid is to find or make a type of parent plant carrying a mutation, so that it does not produce viable pollen.Xie and his colleagues first constructed a Cas9 vector that targets MS26, a fertility gene in maize. They also prepared a second vector, called MGM. Scientists would cross the sterile plant with another that is genetically fertile to restore the plant’s sterility and make hybrid seeds.Constructing a production cycle like this is vital in building an efficient seed production line in the field. Upon selfing, these plants produce two types of offspring with a 1 to 1 ratio: one with a mutated MS26 and MGM, and one with mutated MS26 without MGM. The MGM-absent progeny is infertile, so it can be used as a parent for hybrid seed production.”Our system significantly reduces the resources needed to construct stable hybrid seed production lines. So the inputs and costs of seeds would be much lower,” Xie says.
For more, see https://phys.org/news/2020-07-crispr-enables-one-step-hybrid-seed.html
Access the abstract at https://www.cell.com/molecular-plant/fulltext/S1674-2052(20)30181-7
News:
1. Global warming will heighten agriculture weed threat
Working with computer models to predict the likely impact of climate change on invasive weed propagation, Dr. FarzinShabaniand colleagues from the University of New England, Australia, found a likely increase in areas of habitat suitability for the majority of invasive weed species in European countries, parts of the US and Australia, posing a great potential danger to global biodiversity.In predicting the impact of climate change on current and future global distribution of invasive weed species, Dr. Shabani also found that existing attempts to eradicate invasive populations are inadequate. (Note: also see item 5 under the section on Potential Technologies/Crops and Concepts)
For more, see https://phys.org/news/2020-06-global-heighten-agriculture-weed-threat.html
Access the abstract at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1470160X20303733?via%3Dihub
2. Plants are marvelous chemists, as the gardenia’s DNA shows
Plants are some of nature’s most extraordinary chemists. Unlike animals, they can’t run from predators or pathogens. They can’t uproot themselves to seek out a mate or spread their seeds. So instead, they manufacture chemicals: toxins to kill bacteria. Bitter alkaloids to ward off herbivores. Sweet nectar and jewel-colored pigments to draw in pollinators or birds.
Results of a study by Zhichao Xu and his Chinese and Italian colleguesshows duplication-based divergent evolution within the coffee family (Rubiaceae) of twocharacteristic secondary metabolic pathways, caffeine and crocin biosynthesis, from a common ancestor that
possessed neither complete pathway. These findings provide significant insights on the role of tandem duplicationsin the evolution of plant specialized metabolism.
Access the full paper at https://bmcbiol.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s12915-020-00795-3
3. Decoding the language of cellular messaging
The individual cells in living organisms communicate with each other by sending tailored “letters”—not with paper and pen, but in the form of proteins called ligands.Researchers in the laboratory of Professor of Biology Angelike Stathopoulos studied the ways to decode the language of ligands to understand cellular communication. They have discovered new insights into how cells use one particular ligand to coordinate embryonic development in fuit fly.
For more, see https://phys.org/news/2020-07-decoding-language-cellular-messaging.html
Access the abstract at https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(20)30822-8?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0960982220308228%3Fshowall%3Dtrue
4. Free trade can prevent hunger caused by climate change
There are several concerns of developing countries with respect to trade, food security, and economic policy in the context of the Doha Round negotiations (see https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dda_e/dda_e.htm).
An international team of researchers investigated the effects of trade on global hunger as a result of climate change. Various issues related to trade facilitation and barriers to trade were examined. The adaptation effect is strongest for hunger-affected import-dependent regions. However, in hunger-affected export-oriented regions, partial trade integration can lead to increased exports at the expense of domestic food availability. Although trade integration is a key component of adaptation, it needs sensitive implementation to benefit all regions. The authors conclude that international trade can compensate for regional food shortages and reduce hunger.
For more, see https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200720152413.htm
Access the full paper at
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-020-0847-4.pdf
5. Eating local and plant-based diets: how to feed cities sustainably
How do you feed a city? It is one of the great questions of our time. Professor Christian Bugge Henriksen, a climate and food security expert at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. Henriksen concludes, that in addition to benefits to producer and other players in the market chain, it is important to think about the benefits to consumers. Supporting farmers is good but it’ is better to sell local produce on the tangible benefits to consumers, such as improved freshness or taste. Instead of boxing and supplying to individuals, local produce markets or deliveries to large workplaces. One needs to be patient as it takes time to succeed.
6. New database reveals plants’ secret relationships with fungi
Leiden researchers have compiled information collected by scientists over the past 120 years into a database of plant-fungal interactions. This important biological data is now freely available for researchers and nature conservationists. The present version of the FungalRoot database contains 36,303 species‐by‐site observations for 14,870 plant species, tripling the previously available compiled information about plant mycorrhizal associations.
For more, see https://phys.org/news/2020-05-database-reveals-secret-relationships-fungi.html
Access the abstract at https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/nph.16569
7. Seventy-five technological innovations for our future farming toolbox
Artificial meat, nano-drones, self-fertilizing crops, and soil sensors: these are among dozens of the most promising emerging innovations that a team of international researchers have identified as the key to transforming our global food system—if we embrace them.
Future technologies and systemic innovation are critical for the profound transformation the food system needs. These innovations range from food production, land use and emissions, all the way to improved diets and waste management.
Access the abstract at https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-020-0074-1
Events (only Webinars listed due to the present pandemic situation)
1. International Conference on Agriculture and Plant Science,
24-25 Sep 2020. Webinar to Emphasise Agriculture Innovations and Novel Researches in Plant Science
For more, see https://agriculture-plantscience.conferenceseries.com/
2. Global Summit on Advanced Plant Science and Natural Resources,
05-06 Oct 2020.Webinar on Modern Exploration Technologies of Advanced Plant Science and Natural Resource
For more, see https://plantscienceresearch.conferenceseries.com/
3. 24th International Conference on Food Technology & Processing,
07-08 Oct 2020.Webinar on Impacts of COVID-19 on the global food technology and processing units in food industry
For more, see https://foodtechnology.insightconferences.com/
4. World Plant and Soil Science Congress,
14-15 Oct 2020.Webinar on Safeguarding the International Crop Population and Environmental Concerns
For more, see https://plantscience-biology.agriconferences.com/
Other Topics of Interest
1. Five takeaways from the EU’s new biodiversity strategy
For more, see https://chinadialogue.net/en/nature/five-takeaways-from-new-eu-biodiversity-strategy/
2. Why an equitable food system depends on diversity?
For more, see https://www.croptrust.org/blog/equitable-food-system/
3. The 20 lakh crore package looks ahead, missing immediate concerns of farmers
For more, see https://india.mongabay.com/2020/05/the-20-lakh-crore-package-looks-ahead-missing-immediate-concerns-of-farmers/
4. Role of agroecology and natural farming in Indian agroctlure
For more, see http://ibgnews.com/2020/06/02/agroecology-and-natural-farming-could-accelerate-inclusive-economic-growth-in-india/
5. Genetic ingenuity: What does it take to put produce on your plate?
For more, see https://cals.cornell.edu/news/genetic-ingenuity-what-does-it-take-put-produce-your-plate
6. INCREASE – Intelligent Collections of Food Legumes Genetic Resources for European Agrofood Systems
7. Rewiring plant reproduction for higher seed yields
8. Novel statistical model pieces together biodiversity puzzle
For more, see https://natsci.msu.edu/news/novel-statistical-model-pieces-together-biodiversity-puzzle/
9. Scientists warn of increasing threats posed by invasive alien species
For more, see https://www.ceh.ac.uk/press/scientists-warn-increasing-threats-posed-invasive-alien-species
10. Why are plants green? Research team’s model reproduces photosynthesis
For more, see https://phys.org/news/2020-06-green-team-photosynthesis.html
11. Editing plant chromosomes using molecular scissors
Access abstract at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-020-0663-x
12.Embedding agriculture in nature is beneficial for biodiversity and business
For more, see https://www.greenbiz.com/article/embedding-agriculture-nature-beneficial-biodiversity-and-business
13. The Tragedy of the Compost
14. Researchers examine climate change perception among specialty-crop producers
15. Chile advances in breeding gene-edited crops that weather climate change
For more, see https://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/2020/05/chile-advances-in-breeding-gene-edited-crops-that-weather-climate-change/
16. Local treasures: Nepal’s mountain crops drive biodiversity and economic growth
17. Weed wizard: Professor alters plant genes to create wonder crop
For more, see https://news.illinoisstate.edu/2020/06/weed-wizard-professor-alters-plant-genes-to-create-wonder-crop/
Good selection of articles in all sections of interest to many.