Restructuring Plant Architecture for Maize Breeding: Current Strategies and Future Directions

Plant architecture refers to the three- dimensional distribution of plant parts, which influences crop growth, yield and stress resistance. It plays a pivotal role in determining adaptability of maize cultivars under high-density planting by encompassing traits such as plant height, ear height, internode length, leaf angle and tassel density. These traits collectively contribute to yield by enhancing lodging resistance, photosynthesic efficiency, water and nutrient uptake efficiency. To meet the growing demand for increased food production and improved quality, various breeding methods aim to provide an adequate and nutrient-rich diet to populations. One effective strategy focuses on optimising plant architecture under high density planting, enabling more plants to grow with in a unit area while maintaining productivity and resilience. This review explores key plant architecture traits and their contributions to yield, emphasizing the roles of phytohormones and their signaling pathways, quantitative trait loci (QTLs), genomic dynamics, and marker-assisted breeding. Additionally, we discuss multiomics approaches, advanced breeding strategies, and recent breakthroughs in maize research aimed at achieving sustainable production in the face of global challenges, such as climate change and resource limitations. The integration of these insights into practical breeding programs holds immense potential for developing high-yielding, resilient maize cultivars that cater to the needs of future food security

How to improve forest biodiversity management by comparing broad-scale stands' structural spatial heterogeneity between two forests

This article aims to propose a methodological approach to the determination of differences in structural spatial heterogeneity between two different forests, exhibiting differences in some characteristics. By comparing the variances of the Gini-Simpson index values calculated from diameter at breast height (DBH) or tree height distributions in randomly sampled plots, structural differences can be effectively quantified. An F-test is employed to compare these variances, and while we use the Gini-Simpson index as an example, our method is flexible and can be applied using any chosen diversity index appropriate for the user's specific research context. A case study was conducted in Fagus sylvatica L. stands in the central Rhodope mountains, Greece, using plots from high productivity and medium productivity sites. The results showed significantly greater variance in Gini-Simpson index values in medium productivity sites compared to high productivity sites, indicating higher spatial diversity heterogeneity. This straightforward method requires only basic DBH or tree height data, making it practical for integration into forest stand structure studies and aiding in informed forest management decisions. The approach provides a statistically sound and flexible tool for comparing structural spatial heterogeneity across different forests, potentially guiding practices aimed at enhancing stand complexity and ecological resilience

Genetic structure change of selection cycles for reduced ASI of an Algerian maize population under drought conditions

Plant breeding involves a reduction of genetic diversity that could hinder the expected response to further selection, and the magnitude of that detrimental effect depends on both breeding population and breeding program design. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of selection for reduced anthesis-silking interval in an Algerian maize (Zea mays L.) population in order to assess the potential value of this population and breeding strategy for subsequent breeding programs. We genotyped Cycle 0 and Cycle 3 from selection for reduced anthesis-silking interval under drought conditions of the Algerian maize population LOM, which was the best performing population in a previous breeding program, with 34 polymorphic simple sequence repeat markers. These selected markers were highly informative with Polymorphism Information Content values = 0.72 and genetic diversity was maintained over the selection cycles. The genetic distance (Nei’s, 1978) between the two cycles was 0.47 and the genetic identity was 0.62. These results indicate that the population LOM was highly variable and that the genetic diversity was not significantly reduced for most genetic parameters by this selection program for reduced anthesis-silking interval. However, genetic selection has caused several genetic changes in Cycle 3 respect to Cycle 0, generating a large genetic divergence between the two cycles of selection. Variations in allelic frequency suggest that further studies could reveal markers associated with selection that could be useful for identifying quantitative trait loci

Evaluation of the Opaqueness and Protein Quality of Maize Kernels by Image Analysis

The protein content and quality in maize significantly influence grain quality, driving global efforts to develop high-protein-quality genotypes. Opacity serves as a key phenotypic selection criterion in these efforts due to its relationship with essential amino acid content. This study investigates the differentiation of opaque materials using computer-aided software and explores the relationship between opacity levels and color spaces (RGB, HSV, Lab). Seed samples from 10 maize genotypes (1000 seeds) with varying opacity levels were imaged on a light table in embryo-up and embryo-down orientations. Particle analysis and thresholding in R software determined opacity levels and provided numerical data for RGB, HSV, and Lab color spaces. Protein, lysine, and tryptophan contents were analyzed through reference methods. Correlation and regression analyses assessed relationships between opacity levels (visual and image-processed) and biochemical components with color space channels. Protein content ranged from 6.66% to 11.62%, lysine from 0.266% to 0.450%, and tryptophan from 0.034% to 0.092% across opacity groups. Relationships between visual and image-processed opacity levels showed R²=0.57 (embryo-up) and R²=0.65 (embryo-down). Notably, the HSV color space correlated with lysine and tryptophan contents. This study demonstrates that image processing effectively evaluates opacity levels and protein quality in maize using color space data, offering a promising tool for phenotypic selection

Boosting the effectiveness of nicosulfuron-atrazine-propisochlor with adjuvants for weed management in maize: Adjuvants for maize weed control

Adjuvants are critical in enhancing herbicide efficacy, resulting in reduced herbicide application cost, less environmental pollution, and more sustainable weed management. To check the role of adjuvants (alkyl ether sulphate sodium salt, rapsoel methyl ester, fatty alcohol ethoxylate, and ammonium sulphate) in improving the efficacy of nicosulfuron-atrazine-propisochlor (NAP). A repeated warehouse experiment was conducted to optimize the NAP at 100% and 75% of the recommended label dose and adjuvants combinations against five different types of weeds and maize plants. NAP at a reduced dose (75% label dose) plus rapsoel methylester at 400 ml ha-1 provided 100% and 97% control of Trianthema portulacastrum and Dactyloctenium aegyptium. While NAP at reduced dose plus alkyl ether sulphate sodium salt 400 ml ha-1 provided 91%, 86%, and 87% control of Amaranthus viridis, Echinochloa colona and Cyperus rotundus, respectively. The addition of adjuvants did not cause any phytotoxic effect on maize growth and grain yield. All tested adjuvants enhanced the NAP efficacy, however, change in efficacy depended on the adjuvant added and the type of weed species. Hence, tested adjuvants can be used to reduce herbicide doses up to 25%, a promising strategy to reduce herbicide input to cope with increasing herbicide-resistance development and environmental pollution to ensure sustainable weed control in maize

Variation in seed biometry and early seedling growth from northeastern Algerian Quercus suber L. provenances

This study aimed to assess the effect of provenance on seed biometry and early seedling growth of Quercus suber L. The acorns used for the study conducted in the regional forest research station of Jijel, were collected from thirty healthy mother trees representing six provenances in Jijel. After seed collection, a subsample of acorns from each mother tree was used in a laboratory experiment including biometric characterization and cold storage behavior assessment throughout moisture content and germination measurement. Additionally, a nursery experiment was carried out with acorns stored for three months to assess the effects of the seed source on seedling growth traits including height, collar diameter, biomass and leaf biomass and surface. The results revealed significant differences at 5% probability level among Q. suber seed provenances and mother trees with respect to seed morphology, seed storage, seed germination and seedling growth parameters. Despite the absence of a clear effect of the environmental conditions of the studied provenances, the Kissir provenance was the superior for all the studied parameters. Regardless of provenance, the favorable environmental conditions of the nursery along with favorable cultivation conditions, including proper seed handling and storage, growing mixture, and irrigation could enhance the desirable seedling quality for reforestation purposes

Drought stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) on germination and seedling stage in maize landraces from Yucatan, Mexico: Drought stress in maize landraces

Drought stress negatively affects germination, vegetative growth, biomass production, and yield traits in maize (Zea mays L.). In this study, we investigate the effects of osmotic stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions on germination, early seedling growth traits, and the physiologic response of ten maize genotypes in Yucatan, Mexico. Additionally, drought tolerance indices were calculated and used to differentiate drought-tolerant genotypes. The data were examined by two-way analysis of variance and multivariate analysis. The results showed that PEG treatments significantly reduced germination and retarded seedling growth of maize genotypes. The physiological response of maize genotypes was also affected. Under drought stress, maize genotypes showed reduced carbon assimilation, stomatal conductance, and transpiration, but increased water use efficiency. Additionally, variability was observed in drought tolerance traits among different maize genotypes. According to PCA analysis based on variation in drought tolerance indices, three maize genotypes are drought-tolerant, including NTR, NTA, and NTB. These genotypes are suitable for cultivating areas where water availability is limited and for selecting tolerant genotypes to drought in breeding programs

Dataset of nocturnal moths in reforested and natural pine stands of the Sila Massif, South Italy

The dataset we provide depicts the abundance and diversity of nocturnal Lepidoptera sampled using light traps within reforested and natural pine stands of the Sila Massif. Nocturnal Lepidoptera are widely recognised as a good ecological indicator of forest ecosystems, modifying their community composition as ecosystem changes. Sampled sites are located in the Sila National Park on the Sila Plateau, where the length of the flying season depends on the weather conditions, but usually is very short due to the cold winter temperatures. Samplings were carried out from May to June and from August to October 2022. Six sites were selected within reforested areas and four within natural and managed old forests. Moth data includes a total of 17,233 individuals belonging to 308 species, further data concern information on sampling events and sampling sites

Advances in zinc and silicon applications for maize yield enhancement: A review on nutrient efficiency and stress tolerance

Maize is a crucial crop worldwide, and various environmental stresses often threaten its yield. Recent advancements in applying zinc (Zn) and silicon (Si) have shown promising results in enhancing maize yield and stress tolerance. Silicon application in maize plants enhances resistance against Maydis Leaf Blight and increases leaf gas exchanges, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and antioxidant activities. Silicon alters phytophagous insects' attack by stimulating deterrent effects on oviposition site selection and affects nutrient digestion, decreasing leaf palatability and digestibility. Silicon contributes to stress mitigation in maize plants under potassium deficiency by enhancing nutrient use efficiency, photosynthetic rate, and dry matter production. Zn oxide nanoparticles have been studied for their synthesis, characterization, modification, and applications in food and agriculture. Silicon plays a crucial role in plant defence against biotic stress, acting as a barrier against insects, fungi, and bacteria, and stimulating the production of defence compounds. We discuss the effects of conventional and nano-scale Zn and Si fertilizers on maize growth, economic and metabolic profiles, and stress responses. The review highlights the potential benefits of combining Zn and Si applications for improved maize productivity under stressful conditions and summarizes the current state of knowledge on using Zn and Si in maize cultivation, focusing on nutrient efficiency and stress tolerance

Forestry research: strategic insights for a healthy planet and thriving society

Research plays a pivotal role in driving methodological and technological advancements and translating them into practical applications, an endeavor especially crucial in an era defined by energy, digital, and demographic transitions. Through an interdisciplinary approach, forestry research should generate knowledge that supports policy-making, stimulates technological innovation, and promotes community engagement. The purpose of this note is to highlight several key aspects within this context. To that end, a commented discussion is provided, with particular emphasis on aspects related to silviculture and forest culture