Enemies atpeace:Recentprogressin Agrobacterium-mediated cereal transformation

Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated plant transformation is a versatile tool for plant genetic engineering following its discovery nearly half a century ago.Numerous modifications were made in its application to increase efficiency,especially in the recalcitrant major cereals plants.Recent breakthroughs in transformation efficiency continue its role as a mainstream technique in CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing and gene stacking.These modifications led to higher transformation frequency and lower but more stable transgene copies with the capability to revolutionize modern agriculture.In this review,we provide a brief overview of the history of Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation and focus on the most recent progress to improve the system in both the Agrobacterium and the host recipient.A promising future for transformation in biotechnology and agriculture is predicted.

Remote sensing of quality traits in cereal and arable production systems:A review

Cereal is an essential source of calories and protein for the global population.Accurately predicting cereal quality before harvest is highly desirable in order to optimise management for farmers,grading harvest and categorised storage for enterprises,future trading prices,and policy planning.The use of remote sensing data with extensive spatial coverage demonstrates some potential in predicting crop quality traits.Many studies have also proposed models and methods for predicting such traits based on multiplatform remote sensing data.In this paper,the key quality traits that are of interest to producers and consumers are introduced.The literature related to grain quality prediction was analyzed in detail,and a review was conducted on remote sensing platforms,commonly used methods,potential gaps,and future trends in crop quality prediction.This review recommends new research directions that go beyond the traditional methods and discusses grain quality retrieval and the associated challenges from the perspective of remote sensing data.

Nutritional and Sensory Properties of Penne-Type Pasta Based on Cereals (Oryza sativa (L.), Digitaria exilis, Pennicetum glaucum), Tubers (Ipomoea batata, Manihot esculenta Crantz), and a Legume (Vigna unguiculata (L.))

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional and sensory characteristics of penne-type pasta produced from locally sourced cereals, tubers, and legumes. To achieve this, we formulated four different types of pasta with varying levels of incorporation ranging from 10 to 50% cereals such as millet, fonio, and rice, tubers such as manioc and sweet potato, and legumes such as cowpea. The results showed that the incorporation of local products considerably improved the nutrient content of penne without being rejected by consumers. Sensory analysis showed that the best results were obtained with mixtures of sweet potato, cowpea, and wheat, as well as with rice, manioc, cowpea, and sample wheat. These results are of great importance to manufacturers in a world where developing nutritious and attractive food products is a crucial challenge.

Study and Formulation of Composite Flours Based on Gluten Flour and Local Cereal Flours: Fonio, Millet and Sorghum

This study makes it possible to establish baking flours of nutritional quality and technologically acceptable following the increase in their rheological parameters due to the insertion of gluten flour. The composite flours were obtained using the Philips mixer type (model HR2811). The nutritional qualities of the formulated flours were determined by the Kjeldahl, AOAC 985-29, UV-VIS spectrophotometry (DR 5000;HACH and LANGE, France) and Soxhlet gravimetric methods. The compounds obtained are respectively: Protein, carbohydrate, lipid, micronutrient and vitamin contents. Monitoring the analysis of functional properties (water and oil absorption capacity) as well as baking value.

Molecular diagnosis and direct quantification of cereal cyst nematode(Heterodera filipjevi) from field soil using TaqMan real-time PCR

Heterodera filipjevi continues to be a major threat to wheat production worldwide.Rapid detection and quantification of cyst nematodes are essential for more effective control against this nematode disease.In the present study,a TaqManminor groove binder(TaqMan-MGB)probe-based fluorescence quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR)was successfully developed and used for quantifying H.filipjevi from DNA extracts of soil.The primers and probe designed from the obtained RAPD-SCAR marker fragments of H.filipjevi showed high specificity to H.filipjevi using DNA from isolatesconfirmed species of 23 Heterodera spp.,1 Globodera spp.and 3 Pratylenchus spp.The qPCR assay is highly sensitive and provides improved H.filipjevi detection sensitivity of as low as 4^(-3) single second-stage juvenile(J2)DNAs,10^(-3) female DNAs,and 0.01μgμL^(-1) genomic DNAs.A standard curve relating to the threshold cycle and log values of nematode numbers was generated and validated from artificially infested soils and was used to quantify H.filipjevi in naturally infested field soils.There was a high correlation between the H.filipjevi numbers estimated from 32 naturally infested field soils by both conventional methods and the numbers quantified using the qPCR assay.qPCR potentially provides a useful platform for the efficient detection and quantification of H.filipjevi directly from field soils and to quantify this species directly from DNA extracts of field soils.

Survey of Cereal Consumption Habits in the Community of Djougou, Benin

The cereal group occupies a prominent place in the dietary habits of people in northern Benin and there is little recent information on cereal consumption. This study aims to assess the consumption, acquisition and supply of cereals to households in the community of Djougou. A semi-directive survey with KoBoCollect was conducted among 369 households to collect individual cereal food consumption data. The survey data processed by statistical tools showed that the most consumed cereals are maize (95%, p = 0.887), millet (58%, p = 0.755), rice (55%, p = 0.753), sorghum (15%, p = 0.635), wheat (5%, p = 0.920) and fonio barely 5%. The most common mode of acquisition in Djougou is purchase (50%, p = 0.947) but donation is also observed (25%, p = 0.988) as well as production observed in 20.6% of households. Purchases are made from retailers in local markets (45%, p = 0.920) but also in streets and alleys (30%, p = 0.765). The most widely used preservation technique is drying at room temperature (70%, p = 0.995). Households most often dry in the areas provided in the field (50%, p = 0.783) and at home (40%, p = 0.643). The preferred storage location is the kitchen (60%, p = 0.790). The bedroom (20%, 0.669) and the store (15%, 0.522) are the alternative places for storing cereals. In addition, the supply costs of cereals increased between 2020 and 2021. This vertiginous rise in prices is due, among other things, to the covid19 pandemic. The various data generated not only make it possible to have fresh data but also to invest them in the assessment of health risks for the achievement of a high level of protection of the health and life of consumers.

Source profiles of particulate organic matters emitted from cereal straw burnings

Cereal straw is one of the most abundant biomass burned in China but its contribution to fine particulates is not adequately understood. In this study, three main kinds of cereal straws were collected from five grain producing areas in China. Fine particulate matters （PMzs） from the cereal straws subjected to control burnings, both under smoldering and flaming status, were sampled by using a custom made dilution chamber and sampling system in the laboratory. Element carbon （EC） and organic carbon （OC） was analyzed. 141 compounds of organic matters were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrum （GC-MS）. Source profiles of particulate organic matters emitted from cereal straw burnings were obtained. The results indicated that organic matters contribute a large fraction in fine particulate matters. Levoglucosan had the highest contributions with averagely 4.5% in mass of fine particulates and can be considered as the tracer of biomass burnings. Methyloxylated phenols from lignin degradation also had high concentrations in PM2.5, and contained approximately equal amounts of guaiacyl and syringyl compounds. 13-Sitostrol also made up relatively a large fraction of PMz5 compared with the other sterols （0.18%-0.63% of the total fine particle mass）. Normal alkanes, PAHs, fatty acids, as well as normal alkanols had relatively lower concentrations compared with the compounds mentioned above. Carbon preference index （CPI） of normal alkanes and alkanoic acids showed characteristics of biogenic fuel burnings. Burning status significantly influenced the formations of EC and PAHs. The differences between the emission profiles of straw and wood combustions were displayed by the fingerprint compounds, which may be used to identify the contributions between wood and straw burnings in source apportionment researches.

Production and genetic improvement of minor cereals in China

China is a leading country in the production of several minor cereals such as foxtail millet,Job's tears,naked oat,and naked barley.Sorghum and proso millet have also contributed greatly to Chinese agriculture.Foxtail millet,sorghum,barley,and proso millet were widely grown as major crops 60 years ago,and the reduction in their cultivation area reflects historical changes in Chinese agriculture over the past decades.Systematic germplasm collections from the 1950 s to the 1990 s gathered more than 66,690 accessions of these minor cereals,and for some of them,the Chinese germplasm collections are the largest in the world;for example,the 27,700 accessions of foxtail millet.Germplasm evaluations of each cereal species have focused mainly on drought tolerance,nutritional quality,and resistance to their main diseases.Comparisons among lines and selection of those with desirable traits were the main breeding methods for minor cereals in the 1950 s and 1960 s,but these methods were replaced by crossbreeding in the 1970 s.Newly developed cultivars have greatly changed the production situation,and many super cultivars have become milestones in crop breeding history.In this review,we describe the distribution and ecoregions,origin and domestication,and landmark varieties of several minor cereals in China.Nearly all of the minor cereals are drought-tolerant and fertilizer-efficient.The requirements for environmentally friendly crops and a more diverse food supply for humans and animals provide new opportunities to cultivate minor cereals in the drier and warmer environmental conditions that are predicted in the future.

普通小麦(Taestivum)ph1b、ph2a、ph2b基因系与黑麦(Secale cereale)的杂交及回交研究

利用中国春ph1b、ph2a、ph2b基因系及对照中国春分别与甘肃黑麦杂交,结实率分别为94.0％、87.9％、93.8％和90.8％,其F_1减数分裂中期Ⅰ染色体配对交叉数分别为9.748、2.968、5.000和1.376,ph1b、ph2a、ph2b基因诱导小麦与黑麦F_1部分同源染色体配对顺序是ph1b>ph2b>ph2a。用中国春回交F_1取得了成功,回交结实率分别为1.06％、0.73％、2.52％和11.40％。利用ph1b、ph2b基因可以将黑麦中有益基因直接遗传转移给小麦,ph2a在导入黑麦有益基因方面不宜利用,或其效果不及ph1b、ph2b,回交结实率与染色体配对有关。

Effects of cereal fiber on bowel function: A systematic review of intervention trials

AIM: To comprehensively review and quantitatively summarize results from intervention studies that examined the effects of intact cereal dietary fiber on parameters of bowel function. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using Pub Med and EMBASE. Supplementary literature searches included screening reference lists from relevant studies and reviews. Eligible outcomes were stool wet and dry weight, percentage water in stools, stool frequency and consistency, and total transit time. Weighted regression analyses generated mean change(± SD) in these measures per g/d of dietary fiber. RESULTS: Sixty-five intervention studies among generally healthy populations were identified. A quantitative examination of the effects of non-wheat sources of intact cereal dietary fibers was not possible due to an insufficient number of studies. Weighted regression analyses demonstrated that each extra g/d of wheat fiber increased total stool weight by 3.7 ± 0.09 g/d(P < 0.0001; 95%CI: 3.50-3.84), dry stool weight by 0.75 ± 0.03 g/d(P < 0.0001; 95%CI: 0.69-0.82), and stool frequency by 0.004 ± 0.002 times/d(P = 0.0346; 95%CI: 0.0003-0.0078). Transittime decreased by 0.78 ± 0.13 h per additional g/d(P < 0.0001; 95%CI: 0.53-1.04) of wheat fiber among those with an initial transit time greater than 48 h.CONCLUSION: Wheat dietary fiber, and predominately wheat bran dietary fiber, improves measures of bowel function.

A new pathotype characterization of Daxing and Huangyuan populations of cereal cyst nematode(Heterodera avenae) in China

The cereal cyst nematode（CCN, Heteroder aavenae） causes serious yield loss on cereal crops, especially wheat, worldwide. Daxing population in Beijing City and Huangyuan population in Qinghai Province, China, are two CCN populations. In this study, the CCN pathotypes of Daxing and Huangyuan populations were characterized by tests on 23 standard ＂International Test Assortment＂ with the local species Wenmai 19 as the susceptible control. Tested materials were grouped by three nematode populations＇ virulence on resistant genes（Rha1, Rha2, Rha3, Cre1） and nonresistant genes, varieties and lines. Both Daxing and Huangyuan populations were avirulent to Ortolan（Ha1）. Barley cvs. Ortolan, Siri, Morocco, Bajo Aragon 1-1, and Martin 403-2 were all resistant to both populations. Cultivars Herta, Harlan 43 and wheat Iskamish-K-2-light were all susceptible to Huangyuan population, all of them, however, were resistant to Daxing population. The other five oats were all resistant to the two tested CCN populations. Except Iskamisch K-2-light, all the other wheat cultivars（Capa, Loros×Koga, AUS 10894, and Psathias） were susceptible to Daxing population. Because the pathotypes of the two tested CCN populations in Beijing and Qinghai were not identical to any of the 13 pathotypes previously characterized by the test assortment, we classified Daxing and Huangyuan populations as the new pathotypes, named Ha91.

Review on the processing characteristics of cereals and oilseeds and their processing suitability evaluation technology

Cereals and oilseeds are the foundation of human survival which have attracted much attention due to their nutritional and functional properties for maintaining the healthy life. There are abundant varieties of cereals and oilseeds, however, for a long time, their process suitabilities are still unknown, resulting in the lack of precision processing. This paper summarized the characteristics of cereals and oilseeds, including sensory, physicochemical and processing qualities, their characteristic fingerprinting and products qualities. Furthermore, the quality fast detection method was also analyzed. It also explored the role of mathematical model and the standard evaluation index to determine the process suitability and discussed the opportunity for advanced model capability. We also prospected on scientific problems for expanding the predictive capabilities for processing suitabilities of these abundant varieties, focusing on the better results and advancements towards the processing of cereals and oilseeds products and improvement of their quality.

Chicory(Cichorium intybus L.) and cereals differently affect gut development in broiler chickens and young pigs

Dietary fiber, resistant to host-mediated digestion in the small intestine due to lack of endogenous enzymes, impacts many facets of animal health and is associated with gut development especially in young monogastrics. Furthermore, it can be used as in-feed antibiotic alternative. Chicory （Cichorium intybus L.） forage with high content of pectin （uronic acids as building blocks） is a novel class of dietary fiber that is chemically different from cereal grains （with high content of arabinoxylans）. In the present study, we investigated effects of dietary inclusion of chicory forage on digestibility, gut morphology and microbiota in broilers and young pigs. In the chicken experiment, 160 1-d old broiler chicks were fed 3 nutritionally balanced diets for 30 d including a cereal-based diet and 2 diets with part of the cereals substituted with 60 and 120 g/k9 chicory forage （CF60 and CF120], whereas in the pig experiment, 18 seven-wk old Yorkshire pigs were fed 3 diets for 18 d including a cereal-based diet and 2 diets with 80 and 160 g/kg chicory forage inclusion （CF80 and CF160）. Our results showed that young pigs were capable to utilize chicory forage well with higher total tract apparent digestibility （TTAD） of all fiber fractions, particularly uronic acid, compared with the control （P 〈 0.01）. In contrast, a decreased TTAD of all fiber fractions was observed in chickens fed on diet CF120 （P 〈 0.05）. Moreover, diet induced changes in gut morphology were observed in the large intestine of chickens. The alteration of cecal mucosal thickness was further positively correlated with TTAD of non-starch polysaccharides （NSP） and its constituent sugars （P 〈 0.05）. In addition, in pigs, terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism （T-RFLP） analysis of intestinal microbiota revealed substantial dietary effects （cereal control diet vs. chicory forage inclusion） on the relative abundance of 2 dominant bacterial phylotypes （Prevotella sp. vs. Roseburia sp.） respectively （P 〈 0.05）. In conclusion, our data showed that chicory forage （Cichorium intybus L.）, a novel dietary fiber source in animal nutrition, have potential beneficial properties as fiber ingredient in diets for both pigs and chickens.

Physiology and defense responses of wheat to the infestation of different cereal aphids

Cereal aphids are major insect pests of wheat,which cause significant damages to wheat production.Previous studies mainly focused on the resista nee of differe nt wheat varieties to one specific aphid species.However,reports on the physiology and defense responses of wheat to different cereal aphids are basically lacking.In this work,we studied the feeding behavior of three cereal aphids:the grain aphid,Sitobion avenae(Fabricius),the greenbugs,Schizaphis graminum(Ron dani),and the bird cherry-oat aphid,Rhopalosiphum padi(Linn aeus)on win ter wheat,and the physiology and defense responses of wheat to the infestation of these cereal aphids with focus on how these cereal aphids utilize divergent strategies to optimize their nutrition requirement from wheat leaves.Our results indicated that S.graminum and R.padi were better adapted to penetrating phloem tissue and to collect more nutrition than S.avenae.The harm on wheat physiology committed by S.graminum and R.padi was severer than that by S.avenae,through reducing chlorophyll concentration and interfering metabolism genes.Furthermore,cereal aphids manipulated the plant nutrition metabolism by increasing the relative concentration of major amino acids and percentage of essential amino acids.In addition,different cereal aphids triggered specific defense response in wheat.All of these results suggested that different cereal aphids utilize diverge nt strategies to cha nge the physiological and defe nse resp on ses of their host plants in order to optimize their nutriti on absorption and requireme nt.These fin dings not only exte nd our current knowledge on the insect-pla nt in teractions but also provide useful clues to develop no vel biotech no logical strategies for enhancing the resistance and toleranee of crop plants against phloem-feeding insects.

Occurrence,identification and phylogenetic analyses of cereal cyst nematodes(Heterodera spp.)in Turkey

Plant-parasitic nematodes are very common on cereal crops and cause economic losses via reduction in grain quality and quantity. During 2014, 83 soil samples were collected from wheat and barley fields in 21 districts of 13 provinces across five regions （CentralAnatolia, Marmara, Aegean, SoutheastAnatolia, and Black Sea Region） of Turkey. Cyst-forming nematodes were found in 66 samples （80%）, and the internal transcribed spacer （ITS） sequencing and species-specific PCR identified the species in 64 samples as Heterodera filipjevi, Heterodera latipons, and Heterodera avenae. The predominant patho- genic cereal cyst nematode was H. filipjevi, which was found in all five regions surveyed. H. avenae was only detected in Southeast Anatolia whereas H. latipons was detected in Southeast Anatolia and Central Anatolia. ITS-rDNA phylogenetic analyses showed that H. avenae isolates from China clustered with H. australis, and Turkish isolates were closely related to European and USA isolates of this species. H. filipjevi from Turkey and China were clustered closely with those from the UK, Germany, Russia, and the USA. The density of many of these populations exceeded 6r approached the maximum threshold level for economic loss. To our knowledge, this is the first report of H. filipjevi in Diyarbakir, Edirne, and Kutahya provinces, and the first report of H. avenae in DiyarbakJr Province. These results exhibit the most rigorous analysis to date on the occurrence and distribution of Heterodera spp. in Turkey＇s major wheat-producing areas, thus providing a basis for more specific resistance breeding, as well as other management practices.

The Hot Spots in Cereal Rusts and Powdery Mildew Research

Cereal crops, including wheat, barley, oats, rye, etc., are the major sources of calories and proteins for most of the people in the world as well as in China. Cereal rusts and powdery mildews are very important diseases occurred on the cereal crops, which caused yield losses at 5-10% in general and even more than 30% while severe epidemics occurred. In recent years, with the global climate change, change of cultivation system and evolution of the pathogens, the world is facing great challenges caused by cereal diseases.

Measurement of Arsenic Species in Infant Rice Cereals by Liquid Chromatography Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Infant rice cereals were analyzed for total arsenic, inorganic arsenic (i-As) and the organic arsenic species monomethylarsonoic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) using liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LC-ICP-MS). Total arsenic concentrations in the samples ranged from 110 ng/gup to 420 ng/g. The i-As in the rice cereals accounted for 33% to 77% of the total arsenic. The observed variability between infant rice cereals makes a dietary survey approach to accessing arsenic exposures difficult.

Phytochemical Components of Some Minor Cereals Associated with Diabetes Prevention and Management

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder by a chronic hyperglycemic condition because of defects in insulin secretion and insulin action or both. Minor cereals are often drought tolerant and fertilizer efficient. In this review we focus the content and bioavailability of phytochemicals in some minor cereals on the basis evidence for increasing plasma phytochemical concentrations and reducing oxidative stress as well as inflammation in humans. Phenolics and Flavanoids are major phytochemicals and may be available with high concentration in minor cereals but as tightly attached with cell wall, their bioavailability is mostly limited. Clinical trials concluded that vitamin E and other common antioxidants were not helpful for managing diabetic complications. Vicious cycles can cause type 1 DM, where as hypoglycemia can forward to down and regulate neuroendocrine. Increased phytochemical bioavailability may be achieved through bio processing of grains but the improvements might be small and have not yet led to changes in clinical associated with reduced risk of T2D. Furthermore, the effects of minor cereals against oxidative stress in healthy individuals can be very low or not occurred but systemic inflammation can be reduced in people after huge intake. More than 300 Indian medicinal plants have antidiabetic property but exact mechanisms for hypoglycemic action of many plants are still unknown. Further studies are required to pay attention toward direct role of minor cereal phytochemicals on alarming diseases diabetes.

Formulation, Preparation and Evaluation of Low-Cost Extrude Products Based on Cereals and Pulses

Protein-energy malnutrition among children is the major health challenges and it may be related to low nutritional quality of traditional complementary foods and high cost of quality protein-based complementary foods. The aim of this study was formulation, preparation and evaluation of low-cost extruded products based on cereals and pulses. Composite flours were prepared using cereals and pulses, then formulated and extruded by a twin screw extruder in Osmania University, Hyderabad, India. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. Results showed: the protein contents of extruded formulas B, D and F were in the highest values. Carbohydrate in the extruded formula A was significantly higher than others. The lowest amount of ash and crude fiber were observed in the formula A. Content of energy in the extruded formulas E, F and C was higher;mean (SD) of Fe content in the extruded formula B, D and F was in the higher ranks among others. Calcium content in the extruded formulas C, E and F was in the highest amounts. Magnesium content in the extruded formulas B, D and F was higher than others. Cu content in the extruded formula C, D, B and F was higher than others. Manganese content in the extruded formulas B, C and F, and zinc content in the formulas B, D and F were higher than others. Tap density showed the lowest amount in the formula B, D and F, while their bulk density was higher. WHC was in the highest amount in the extruded formula A, while WSI in the extruded formula B, D and followed by F was in the highest amount. The mean scores of sensory evaluation of extruded products F showed that this combination has significantly better colour, flavour, texture and overall acceptability than others.

First report of cereal cyst nematode(Heterodera filipjevi) on winter wheat in Shandong Province, China

The cereal cyst nematodes(Heterodera avenae,Heterodera filipjevi,Heterodera latipons)are considered to be one of the most important plant parasitic nematodes attacking most cereals and can cause significant crop losses(Sikora 1988).In China,H.filipjevi(Madzhidov 1981)Stelter,1984,was first reported from Henan province(peng et al.2010)and a few years later in Anhui province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region(peng et al.2016,2018).In December 2017,a survey for cereal