Corrigendum to “Triple test cross analysis for seed yield and its components in sesame under water stress conditions” [Oil Crop Sci. 7(2) (2022) 71–79]

The author regrets that the affiliated institution of Ibthal S.ElDemardash should be“Department of Genetics and Cytology,National Research Centre,Cairo,Egypt”instead of“Department of Genetics and Cytology,National Research Center,Cairo,Egypt”.The author would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Targeted mutations of BnPAP2 lead to a yellow seed coat in Brassica napus L.

The yellow seed trait is preferred by breeders for its potential to improve the seed quality and commercial value of Brassica napus.In the present study,we produced yellow seed mutants using a CRISPR/Cas9 system when the two BnPAP2 homologs were knocked out.Histochemical staining of the seed coat demonstrated that proanthocyanidin accumulation was significantly reduced in the pap2 double mutants and decreased specifically in the endothelial and palisade layer cells of the seed coat.Transcriptomic and metabolite profiling analysis suggested that disruption of the BnPAP2 genes could reduce the expression of structural and regulated genes in the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthetic pathways.The broad suppression of these genes might hinder proanthocyanidin accumulation during seed development,and thereby causing the yellow seed trait in B.napus.These results indicate that BnPAP2 might play a vital role in the regulatory network controlling proanthocyanidin accumulation.

Host-induced silencing of MpPar6 confers Myzus persicae resistance in transgenic rape plants

Plant-mediated RNA interference(RNAi)has emerged as a promising technology for insect control.The green peach aphid,Myzus persicae,feeds on over 400 species of host plants.Brassica napus(rape)is the second most important oilseed crop worldwide.Myzus persicae is highly reproductive and causes severe damage to the rape plants due to its quite flexible life cycle.In this study,we tested the RNAi effects of transgenic rape plants on M.persicae.By in vitro feeding M.persicae with artificial diets containing double-stranded RNAs(dsRNAs)targeting seven aphid genes,we identified a new gene encoding the partitioning-defective protein 6(Par6)as the most potent RNAi target.Tissue-and stage-expression analysis of Par6 suggested this gene is highly expressed in the embryo and adult stage of M.persicae.We next generated transgenic rape plants expressing ds Par6 by Agrobacteriummediated transformation and obtained nine independent transgenic lines.Compared to wild-type control plants,transgenic rape lines expressing ds Par6 showed strong resistance to M.persicae.Feeding assays revealed that feeding transgenic rape plants to M.persicae significantly decreased MpPar6 expression and survival rate and impaired fecundity.Furthermore,we showed that the resistance levels to M.persicae are positively correlated with ds Par6 expression levels in transgenic rape plants.Our study demonstrates that transgenic rape plants expressing ds Par6 are efficiently protected from M.persicae.Interfering with the genes involved in embryo development could be the effective RNAi targets for controlling aphids and potentially other insect pests.

Effect of defatted flaxseed gum powder addition on the quality of sesame paste

The study explored the influence of defatted flaxseed gum powder(DFGP) on the stability and quality of sesame paste by measuring and analyzing its composition, color, texture, particle size, centrifugal oil separation rate,rheological properties, and microstructure. The results showed that the moisture and polysaccharide content of sesame paste was increased as the DFGP increased. Additionally, the hardness, gumminess, and chewiness of the sesame paste was improved, while the presence of particles with small particle size(1–100 μm) was decreased.The rate of oil precipitation was reduced by 28.99% when the amount of DFGP was 6%. The sesame paste samples exhibited pseudoplastic behavior, demonstrating shear thinning. As the shear rate increased, the apparent viscosity of sesame paste gradually decreased. Both the storage modulus(G’) and the loss modulus(G’’) increased as the shear frequency increased. The microstructure observation revealed that protein and oil were evenly distributed in the sesame paste system, and the addition of DFGP enhanced the bonding between oil and protein.This study can provide valuable references for high-quality sesame paste products in the food industry.

pyIFPNI:A package for querying and downloading plant fossil data from the IFPNI

The International Fossil Plant Names Index(IFPNI,2014-onwards)not only serves as an online gateway to the fossil plant name registry for the global scientific community,but also serves as a comprehensive and dynamic archive of fossil plants(Doweld,2016,2022).Since its establishment in 2014,the IFPNI has accumulated more than 80,000 entries of fossil plant names,along with information on over 10,000 documents and over 6000 paleobotanists,all supported by exhaustive data,demonstrating the scope of the IFPNI's work(IFPNI,2014-onwards).

Analysis of flavor and widely metabolomics differences in black sesame before and after processing

The objective of this study was to determine the differences of aroma and taste in three black sesame originsbefore and after processing via flavor and widely metabolomics.By analyzing the sensory characteristics and metabolites of raw and treated black sesame from China,Vietnam,and Myanmar,treated Chinese sesame have the most significant change in hardness after thermal processing,low viscosity and was easy to chew.The electronic nose could distinguish between raw and treated sesame due to the aroma distribution.The reason of treated sesame from China was“fragrant”is due to the highest content(2545.50μg/kg)of total pyrazines including 2,5-dimethylpyrazine,2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine,2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine,3-ethyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine.933 metabolites were detected via a wide targeted metabolomics in the taste of raw and treated sesame.Based on the analysis of metabolites related to bitterness,145 substances were selected.The main bitter contributors may be amino acids,dipeptides and organic acids.

Metabolic profiles and morphological characteristics of leaf tips among different sweet potato(Ipomoea batatas Lam.)varieties

Sweet potato leaf tips have high nutritional value,and exploring the differences in the metabolic profiles of leaf tips among different sweet potato varieties can provide information to improve their qualities.In this study,a UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS-based untargeted metabolomics method was used to evaluate the metabolites in leaf tips of 32 sweet potato varieties.Three varieties with distinct overall metabolic profiles(A01,A02,and A03),two varieties with distinct profiles of phenolic acids(A20 and A18),and three varieties with distinct profiles of flavonoids(A05,A12,and A16)were identified.In addition,a total of 163 and 29 differentially expressed metabolites correlated with the color and leaf shape of sweet potato leaf tips,respectively,were identified through morphological characterization.Group comparison analysis of the phenotypic traits and a metabolite-phenotypic trait correlation analysis indicated that the color differences of sweet potato leaf tips were markedly associated with flavonoids.Also,the level of polyphenols was correlated with the leaf shape of sweet potato leaf tips,with lobed leaf types having higher levels of polyphenols than the entire leaf types.The findings on the metabolic profiles and differentially expressed metabolites associated with the morphology of sweet potato leaf tips can provide useful information for breeding sweet potato varieties with higher nutritional value.

Yield Characteristics of a New High-quality Disease-resistant Wheat Variety Chuanmai 618

[Objectives]The paper was to analyze the yield characteristics of a new high-quality disease-resistant wheat variety Chuanmai 618.[Methods]The yield characteristics of Chuanmai 618 were analyzed using the AMMI model and GGE biplot based on data from a 2-year regional test and a 1-year production test.[Results]The analysis of the AMMI model for the 2-year regional test indicated that Chuanmai 618 had a moderate yield and good stability.During the production test,Chuanmai 618 had an average yield of 450.52 kg/666.7 m^(2),an effective spike of 235700 spike/666.7 m^(2),a 1000-seed weight of 47.93 g,and a kernel number per spike of 47.28.The AMMI analysis sequencing graph showed that the varieties were ranked in the following order:Zhongkemai 1816>Chuanmai 618>Shumai 1958>Chuanyu 42>Mianmai 367>Xikemai 5518.According to the GE analysis,Chuanmai 618 had comparative advantages.[Conclusions]The new wheat variety Chuanmai 618 is a high-quality disease-resistant variety with good yield and stability.

Phlorizin alleviates deltamethrin-induced oxidative stress in brine shrimp Artemia

Deltamethrin(DEL),a commonly used pyrethroid pesticide,results in higher reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels in aquatic animals,which consequently unbalance the redox state.Phlorizin(PHL)is a flavonoid and a natural product promising to prevent or reduce pesticide-induced oxidative stress.Artemia is a micro-crustacean widely used in marine hatcheries and an experimental aquatic organism for environmental toxicology research.This research aimed to evaluate the toxicity of DEL on Artemia and the antioxidative effect of PHL against the toxicity.Results show that 0.08-mg/mL PHL exerted its antioxidative effects on hatching percentage of the cysts in 24-h incubation and on body length and survival rate of Artemia in 12-d culture.After 12-d culture,12-,24-,and 36-h DEL exposure showed significant drops in SOD,CAT,and GSH-Px enzyme activities,and significant increases in ROS and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels in Artemia(P<0.05).On the contrary,0.08-mg/mL PHL application improved the enzyme activities and decreased the ROS and MDA levels(P<0.05).Moreover,0.08-mg/mL PHL significantly increased mRNA expression levels of Cu/Zn SOD,CAT,GST,HO-1,NQO1,and Nrf2,and decreased mRNA expression level of Keap1 in the DEL-exposed Artemia(P<0.05).Therefore,DEL is toxic to Artemia,while PHL alleviates DEL-induced oxidative damage by possibly regulating the Nrf2signaling pathway.This study provided a theoretical basis for PHL to reduce pesticide-induced toxicity in aquatic animals.

Genome editing opens a new era of genetic improvement in polyploid crops

Sequence-specific nucleases(SSN) that generate double-stranded DNA breaks(DSBs) in genes of interest are the key to site-specific genome editing in plants. Genome editing has developed into one method of reducing undesirable traits in crops by the induction of knockout mutations. Different SSN-mediated genome-editing systems, including LAGLIDADG homing endonucleases or meganucleases, zinc-finger nucleases, transcription activator-like effector nucleases and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, are emerging as robust tools for introducing functional mutations in polyploid crops including citrus, wheat, cotton, soybean, rapeseed, potato, grapes, Camelina sativa,dandelion, and tobacco. The approach utilizes knowledge of biological mechanisms for targeted induction of DSBs and their error-prone repair, allowing highly specific changes at designated genome loci. In this review, we briefly describe genome-editing technologies and their application to genetic improvement of polyploid crops.

Improving Water Use Efficiency of Wheat Crop Varieties in the North China Plain: Review and Analysis

The North China Plain （NCP）, one of the most important agricultural regions in China, is facing a major water-resource crisis evoked by excessive exploitation of groundwater. To reduce water use while maintaining high crop production level, improving variety water use efficiency （WUE） is an urgent need, especially because other water-saving measures such as water delivery, irrigation, and agricultural practices have already achieved most possible progresses. Evaluation of variety WUE can be performed accurately at the individual plant level （WUEp）. Reviewing the studies on physiological factors affecting WUE p performed up to date, stomatal conductance was considered to be an important trait associating closely with WUE p . The trait showed a large degree of varietal variability under well-watered conditions. Crop varieties differ highly in sensitivity of stomata to soil and air drying, with some varieties strongly reducing their stomatal conductance in contrast with those lightly regulating their stomata. As a result, difference among varieties in WUE p was enlarged under water deficit conditions in contrast with those under well-watered conditions. The relationship between stomatal conductance and yield depends on water availability of whole growing period in local areas. Usually, large stomatal conductance results in a high yield under good irrigation system, whereas a low stomatal conductance can lead to yield benefit under limited stored soil moisture conditions. In the NCP, winter wheat is the largest consumer of irrigation water, improvement strategies for high WUE aiming at wheat crops are in urgent need. We suggest, for the well-irrigated areas with excessive exploitation of groundwater, the wheat breeding program need to combine medium stomatal conductance （0.35 mmol H2O m-2 s-1 or so）, high carboxylation efficiency, and high harvest index. Areas with partial/full access to irrigation, or infrequent drought, should target wheat varieties with high stomatal conductance under no water stress and low sensitivity of stomata to soil water deficit. Drought-prone rain-fed areas characterized by frequent and long terminal drought should target wheat varieties with low stomatal conductance under no water stress and high stomata sensitivity to soil drying to make water available during grain filling.

Wheat streak mosaic virus： incidence in field crops, potential reservoir within grass species and uptake in winter wheat cultivars

Wheat streak mosaic virus（WSMV）has become a re-emerging pathogen in cereal crops in the Czech Republic.WSMV was first reported in the former Czechoslovakia in the early 1980s,and then no record of the virus was documented until 2009.The incidence of the virus was recorded in recent years in several winter wheat fields and many grass species.Here,we surveyed the incidence of WSMV in cereal crops.The results demonstrated the existence of the virus in winter wheat and volunteer wheat during each year of the monitoring period,which spanned from 2013–2016.Although the range of infected samples was low（6.4%of the total tested samples）,a high incidence of well-distributed virus was recorded.In at least six fields,the virus reached severe and potentially epidemic levels.In accordance with our previous report detailing WSMV infection of native grasses,we tested several grass species commonly grown in the Czech Republic.We found that some grass species acted as experimental hosts and possible reservoirs of the virus;these included Anthoxanthum odoratum（sweet vernal grass）,Arrhenatherum elatius（false oat-grass）,Lolium multiflorum（Italian rye-grass）,Bromus japonicus（Japanese chess）,Echinochloa crus-galli（barnyard grass）,Holcus lanatus（meadow soft grass）and Holcus mollis（creeping soft grass）.Some of these grass species are also important weeds of cereals,which may be the potential source of WSMV infection in cereal crops.Several widely used winter wheat cultivars were tested in the field after artificial inoculation with WSMV to evaluate virus titre by RT-qPCR.Overall,the tested cultivars had a low virus titre,which is associated with mild disease symptoms and may provide a good level of crop resistance to WSMV.

Effects on Agronomic Traits,Yield and Benefit of One-year Triple Cropping "Maize-soybean" Strip Intercropping System Under Reduced Fertilizer Application

[Objectives] This study was conducted to investigate the effects on agronomic traits,yield and benefit of one-year triple cropping " maize-soybean" strip intercropping system under reduced fertilizer application. [Methods]A single factor randomized block design was used,and wide and narrow strip intercropping was adopted. Three different fertilization treatments,namely fertilizers for conventional field fertilization( A1),80% A1( A2) and 60% A1( A3) were applied to the field production. The fertilizing sites were about 25 cm away from maize and repeated three times. [Results]Compared with A1,the change laws of the agronomic traits and yield in the A2 and A3 intercropping systems were described as below. Agronomic traits: The plant height became shorter gradually for the spring soybean,but increased gradually for the summer soybean,the bottom pod height gradually reduced,and the node number,pods per plant and seeds per plant increased;and the plant height,ear length,rows per ear,seeds per row and 1 000-seed weight of the spring maize decreased. Yield: The yield of maize as the main crop decreased but not significant,by 3. 20% and 3. 99%,respectively in A2 and A3,both smaller than 5. 00%;the yield of the spring soybean significantly increased by 9. 70% and 11. 84%,respectively;the yield of the summer soybean increased by 5. 18% and 8. 98%,respectively;and the total yield increased by 0. 20% and 0. 92%,respectively. Benefit: The total output value increased by 2. 97 % and 4. 91 %,respectively,and the total benefit increased by 6. 39% and 11. 22%,respectively. [Conclusions] Under a 40% reduction in fertilizer applied in the field,the one-year triple cropping " maize-soybean" strip intercropping system still met the multi-target requirements of increasing grain production and economic benefits,and thus can be promoted and applied in Guangxi.

Safe conservation and utilization of peanut germplasm resources in the Oil Crops Middle-term Genebank of China

Peanut(Arachis hypogaea L.)is an important oil and cash crop in the world.Peanut germplasm collected in China are abundant,which provides important material guarantee for peanut breeding and industrial development.Here,the safe conservation technology and indicators of peanut germplasm resources in the Oil Crops Middleterm Genebank of China were expounded from three processes of storage,monitoring,reproduction and renewal.We summarized and reviewed the situation of conservation and utilization of peanut germplasm resources in the Middle-term Genebank in the past 20 years.The future research direction of peanut resources in the Oil Crops Middle-term Genebank of China is prospected.

Regulatory Network of Transcription Factors in Response to Drought in Arabidopsis and Crops

Drought is one of the most important environmental constraints limiting plant growth, development and crop yield. Many drought-inducible genes have been identified by molecular and genomic analyses in Arabidopsis, rice and other crops. To better understand reaction mechanism of plant to drought tolerance, we mainly focused on introducing the research of transcription factors （TFs） in signal transduction and regulatory network of gene expression conferring drought. A TF could bind multiple target genes to increase one or more kinds of stress tolerance. Sometimes, several TFs might act together with a target gene. So drought-tolerance genes or TFs might respond to high-salinity, cold or other stresses. The crosstalk of multiple stresses signal pathways is a crucial aspect of understanding stress signaling.

Shade adaptive response and yield analysis of different soybean genotypes in relay intercropping systems

Soybean is one of the major oil seed crops,which is usually intercropped with other crops to increase soybean production area and yield.However,soybean is highly sensitive to shading.It is unclear if soybean morphology responds to shading（i.e.,shade tolerance or avoidance）and which features may be suitable as screening materials in relay strip intercropping.Therefore,in this study,various agronomic characteristics of different soybean genotypes were analyzed under relay intercropping conditions.The soybean materials used in this study exhibited genetic diversity,and the coefficient of variations of the agronomic parameters ranged from 13.84 to 72.08%during the shade period and from 6.44 to 52.49%during the maturity period.The ratios of shading to full irradiance in stem mass fraction（SMF）were almost greater than 1,whereas opposite results were found in the leaves.Compared with full irradiance,the average stem length（SL）,leaf area ratio（LAR）and specific leaf area（SLA）for the two years（2013 and 2014）increased by 0.78,0.47 and 0.65 under shady conditions,respectively.However,the stem diameter（SD）,total biomass（TB）,leaf area（LA）,number of nodes（NN）on the main stem,and number of branches（BN）all decreased.During the shady period,the SL and SMF exhibited a significant negative correlation with yield,and the SD exhibited a significant positive correlation with yield.The correlation between the soybean yield and agronomic parameters during the mature period,except for SL,the first pod height（FPH）,100-seed weight（100-SW）,and reproductive growth period（RGP）,were significant（P〈0.01）,especially for seed weight per branch（SWB）,pods per plant（PP）,BN,and vegetative growth period（VGP）.These results provide an insight into screening the shade tolerance of soybean varieties and can be useful in targeted breeding programs of relay intercropped soybeans.

De novo design of future rapeseed crops:Challenges and opportunities

To address the global demand for rapeseed while considering farmers’profit,we face the challenges of making a quantum leap in seed yield and,at the same time,reducing yield loss due to biotic and abiotic stresses.We also face the challenge of efficiently applying new transformative biotechnology tools such as gene editing and breeding by genome design to increase rapeseed productivity and profitability.In this Perspective,we review advances in research on the physiological and genetic bases of both stress factorsaffected yield stability and seed yield potential,focusing on source–sink relationships and allocation of photosynthetic assimilates to vegetative growth and seed development.We propose research directions and highlight the role of plant architecture in the relative contributions of the root system,leaves,and pods to seed yield.We call for de novo design of new rapeseed crops.We review trait variation in existing germplasm and biotechnologies available for crop design.Finally,we discuss opportunities to apply fundamental knowledge and key germplasm to rapeseed production and propose an ideotype for de novo design of future rapeseed cultivars.

Root Length Density in Maize/Cowpea Intercropping under a Basin Tillage System in a Semi-Arid Area of Zimbabwe

A study to assess the effect of intercropping maize (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) within the same basin or outside the basin on root length density (RLD) was conducted at the International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Matopos Research Station from December 2009 to April 2010. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments replicated four times namely;sole maize, sole cowpea, maize-cowpea intercrop with cowpea and maize planted within the same basin and maize-cowpea intercrop with cowpea planted 20 cm outside the maize basin. There was significant difference (P < 0.001) in RLD, grain yield and stover yield. Maize-cowpea intercropped within the same basin achieved higher RLD, grain yield and stover yield than cowpea that was intercropped outside the basin and the sole crops. The land equivalent ratio (LER) in both intercrop designs showed that intercropping had better grain yield performance when compared to sole cropping. It can be concluded that intercropping maize and cowpeas within the same basin can result in an environment around the crop achieving higher RLD which translates to better grain yield compared to the sole cropping and intercropping cowpeas outside the basin.

Management of rice straw with relay cropping of Chinese milk vetch improved double-rice cropping system production in southern China

Improved utilization of rice(Oryza sativa L.)straw and Chinese milk vetch(Astragalus sinicus L.,vetch)has positive effects on rice production.So far,few studies have investigated the productivity of vetch under different residue management practices in double-rice cropping system.The effects of rice straw on the growth and nutrient accumulation of vetch across seven years(2011–2017)and the subsequent effects of rice straw and vetch on two succeeding rice crops in a vetch–rice–rice cropping system,with the vetch established by relay cropping,were examined.The seven-year double-rice experiment consisted of the following treatments:(1)100%chemical fertilizer(F-F100);(2)only vetch without chemical fertilizer(M-Con);(3)80%chemical fertilizer plus vetch plus a low-cutting height(low-retained stubble)with the removal of straw(M-F80);(4)80%chemical fertilizer plus vetch plus a low-cutting height with the retention of straw(M-F80-LR);(5)80%chemical fertilizer plus vetch plus a high-cutting height(high-retained stubble)with the retention of straw(M-F80-HR);and(6)no fertilizer(F-Con).The yields of the two rice crops after vetch were not affected by either the cutting height of stubble with retention of straw or by the management of straw(retention vs.removal)with low-cutting height of stubble.The yields of the two rice crops after vetch were significantly higher for M-F80-HR than for M-F80-LR,but the relative contributions of the high-cutting height and straw retention to the higher rice yield could not be determined in this study.The yield stability of the double-rice grain in M-F80-HR was also increased,as determined by a sustainable yield index.Significant increases in vetch biomass and nutrient uptake were observed in the fertilized treatments during the rice season compared with the unfertilized treatments.In M-F80-HR plots,improvements in the growing environment of the vetch by conserving soil water content were associated with the highest vetch biomass,nutrient uptake,and yield stability of vetch biomass.These increased nutrient inputs partially replaced the demand for chemical fertilizer and stimulated the rice yields.It can be concluded that retaining higher-cutting stubble residues with straw retention could be the best straw management practice for increasing the vetch biomass and nutrient use efficiency,thereby allowing utilization of high-cutting height with retention of straw and vetch to improve the stability of rice productivity in a double-rice cropping system.

Maximizing Land Use Efficiency by Intercropping Cowpea with Some Maize Cultivars under Different Maize Planting Geometries

Adjustment of planting geometry along with suitable maize cultivar can be a viable tool for maximizing land usage and net return. A two-year study was carried out at Serw Agricultural Experiments and Research Station, A.R.C., Domiate governorate, Egypt, during 2015 and 2016 seasons to evaluate intercropping cowpea with suitable maize cultivar and its planting geometry for maximizing land usage and net return. The treatments were the combinations between three maize cultivars (SC 30K08, TWC 310 and TWC 352) and three maize plant distributions (one plant/hill distanced at 25, 50 and 75 cm between hills, respectively). Ridge width with maize plant distribution formed maize planting geometry (25 cm × 140 cm, 50 cm × 140 cm and 75 cm × 140 cm). These treatments were compared in a split plot distribution in randomized complete block design with three replications. Maize cultivar SC 30K08 had the highest grain yield and its attributes compared with the other cultivars in both seasons. Also, maize planting geometry 25 cm × 140 cm resulted in the highest grain yield and its attributes compared with the other planting geometries in both seasons. Ear length, ear weight, 100-grain weight and grain yield/fad were affected significantly by maize cultivars × maize planting geometry. Intercropping cowpea with maize cultivar TWC 352 had the highest seed yield and its attributes compared with those intercropped with the other cultivars in both seasons. Also, maize planting geometry 75 cm × 140 cm resulted in the highest seed yield and its attributes through growing two cowpea rows between maize hills compared with the other maize planting geometries in both seasons. Number of pods/plant and seed yield/fad were affected significantly by maize cultivars × maize planting geometry. LER and LEC values of the intercrops were much greater than 1.00 and 0.25, respectively, for all the combinations indicating less land requirements of intercropping system than solid culture of both crops. Growing one row of maize cultivar TWC352 in both sides of bed 140 cm width with cowpea two rows in middle of the bed increased land productivity and net return compared with solid culture of maize.