Value Added Grains for Local and Regional Food Systems

Small grains provide numerous benefits for organic farming systems. However, because they have relatively low value and require special equipment, many organic farming systems do not integrate them. Heritage varieities of ommon wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp. Aestivum) and its antecedents spelt (Triticum aestivum, ssp. spelta), emmer (Triticum turgidum subsp. dicoccum) and einkorn (Triticum monococcum) are the subject of a project that looks at their viability. Preliminary results of variety trials show that organic farmers have several promising small grain options. Improved management and appropriate equipment are barriers to adoption that the project aims to overcome. Viability will depend on overcoming marketing as well as production obstacles

Participatory Breeding of Wheat for Organic Production

Future generations require food systems that sustain functional natural resources and nourish human communities. Scientific researchers, farmers, processors, and consumers are all integral partners in identifying crop genotypes for sustainable food systems. We engaged diverse stakeholders in plant breeding and variety testing for organic wheat. To inform the structure of a breeding program for organic wheat, we assessed genotype by environment interactions and the potential for locally-adapted varieties. After ten regional farmers selected breeding populations on their farms, we evaluated the effectiveness of participatory breeding for traits of interest. In aggregate, this research stresses engagement and diversity in organic wheat breeding. In contrast to the priorities of most conventional wheat breeding programs, clients of the organic breeding program identified distinct priorities, including weed-competitive ability, artisanal baking quality, flavor, and low reactivity for those with wheat sensitivity. Trials distinguished varieties that induce less wheat sensitivity, exhibit high quality artisanal processing and desirable sensory attributes, and perform well under organic management. However, no one genotype performed best for all the farmer priorities, environments, processing applications, and types of wheat sensitivity. Our results confirm that many genotypes are needed to meet the diverse needs and environments of local and organic food systems. Furthermore, decentralized and participatory selection were proven to be effective methods for improving organic wheat genetics. Genotype by environment interactions revealed that decentralized selection in the northeastern and northcentral United States can optimize genetic gains for yield, test weight, weed-competitive ability, and early vigor in organic wheat. Evaluation of a participatory breeding program indicated that organic farmers were effective at selecting improved genotypes for their farms. Lines selected by farmers demonstrated gains in selection for the most important trait to organic wheat farmers: weed-competitive ability. Notably, optimal performance was seen on the actual farms where selections took place. We conclude that maximizing gains in organic wheat breeding requires many selection and testing environments. To reveal the true potential of breeding lines, testing environments must have similar genetic correlation to regional farmers’ fields

A Grounded Guide to Gluten: How Modern Genotypes and Processing Impact Wheat Sensitivity

Abstract: The role of wheat, and particularly of gluten protein, in our diet has recently been scrutinized. This article provides a summary of the main pathologies related to wheat in the human body, including celiac disease, wheat allergy, nonceliac wheat sensitivity, fructose malabsorption, and irritable bowel syndrome. Differences in reactivity are discussed for ancient, heritage, and modern wheats. Due to large variability among species and genotypes, it might be feasible to select wheat varieties with lower amounts and fewer types of reactive prolamins and fructans. Einkorn is promising for producing fewer immunotoxic effects in a number of celiac research studies. Additionally, the impact of wheat processing methods on wheat sensitivity is reviewed. Research indicates that germination and fermentation technologies can effectively alter certain immunoreactive components. For individuals with wheat sensitivity, less-reactive wheat products can slow down disease development and improve quality of life. While research has not proven causation in the increase in wheat sensitivity over the last decades, modern wheat processing may have increased exposure to immunoreactive compounds. More research is necessary to understand the influence of modern wheat cultivars on epidemiological change

Phenotypic and Nodule Microbial Diversity among Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) Accessions

Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) is the most common legume cover crop in the United States. Previous research found limited genetic variation for crimson clover within the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) collection. The aim of this study was to assess the phenotypic and nodule microbial diversity within the NPGS crimson clover collection, focusing on traits important for cover crop performance. Experiments were conducted at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (Maryland, USA) across three growing seasons (2012–2013, 2013–2014, 2014–2015) to evaluate 37 crimson clover accessions for six phenotypic traits: fall emergence, winter survival, flowering time, biomass per plant, nitrogen (N) content in aboveground biomass, and proportion of plant N from biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). Accession effect was significant across all six traits. Fall emergence of plant introductions (PIs) ranged from 16.0% to 70.5%, winter survival ranged from 52.8% to 82.0%, and growing degree days (GDD) to 25% maturity ranged from 1470 GDD to 1910 GDD. Biomass per plant ranged from 1.52 to 6.51 g, N content ranged from 1.87% to 2.24%, and proportion of plant N from BNF ranged from 50.2% to 85.6%. Accessions showed particularly clear differences for fall emergence and flowering time, indicating greater diversity and potential for selection in cover crop breeding programs. Fall emergence and winter survival were positively correlated, and both were negatively correlated with biomass per plant and plant N from BNF. A few promising lines performed well across multiple key traits, and are of particular interest as parents in future breeding efforts, including PIs 369045, 418900, 561943, 561944, and 655006. In 2014–2015, accessions were also assessed for nodule microbiome diversity, and 11 genera were identified across the sampled nodules. There was large variation among accessions in terms of species diversity, but this diversity was not associated with observed plant traits, and the functional implications of nodule microbiome diversity remain unclear

Organic and conventional farmers differ in their perspectives on cover crop use and breeding

Cover crops play an important role in agricultural sustainability. Unlike commodity cash crops, however, there has been relatively little cover crop breeding research and development. We conducted an online survey to evaluate: (a) the perspectives of organic and conventional farmers in the USA who use cover crops and (b) the specific cover crop traits that are important to farmers. We recruited participants from both organic and conventional agriculture networks and 69% of respondents reported that they farmed organic land. In addition to demographic data and information on management practices, we quantified farmer perspectives on four winter annual cover crops: (1) Austrian winter pea, (2) crimson clover, (3) hairy vetch and (4) cereal rye. Overall, respondents represented a wide range of states, farm sizes, plant hardiness zones and cash crops produced. Of the 417 full responses received, 87% of respondents reported that they used cover crops. The maximum amount farmers were willing to spend on cover crop seed varied by farmer type: 1% of conventional farmers versus 19% of organic farmers were willing to spend over US$185 ha−1 (US$75 acre−1). Organic and conventional farmers differed in terms of the reasons why they grew cover crops, with organic farmers placing greater value on the ecosystem services from cover crops. More organic (63%) than conventional (51%) farmers agreed that participatory breeding was important for cover crop variety development (P = 0.047). Both groups shared strong support for cover crop research and considered many of the same traits to be important for breeding. For the legume cover crops, nitrogen fixation was considered the most important trait, whereas winter hardiness, early vigor, biomass production and weed suppression were the most important traits for cereal rye. Our results illustrate common interests as well as differences in the perspectives between organic and conventional farmers on cover crops and can be used to inform nascent cover crop breeding efforts

Building Organic Bridges', at the Organic World Congress

Abstrac

A reference assembly for the legume cover crop hairy vetch (Vicia villosa)

Vicia villosa is an incompletely domesticated annual legume of the Fabaceae family native to Europe and Western Asia. V. villosa is widely used as a cover crop and forage due to its ability to withstand harsh winters. Here, we generated a reference-quality genome assembly (Vvill1.0) from low error-rate long-sequence reads to improve the genetic-based trait selection of this species. Our Vvill1.0 assembly includes seven scaffolds corresponding to the seven estimated linkage groups and comprising approximately 68% of the total genome size of 2.03 Gbp. This assembly is expected to be a useful resource for genetically improving this emerging cover crop species and provide useful insights into legume genomics and plant genome evolution

Transcript profiling of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) identified interesting genes for seed dormancy

Abstract Hairy vetch, a diploid annual legume species, has a robust growth habit, high biomass yield, and winter hardy characteristics. Seed hardness is a major constraint for growing hairy vetch commercially. Hard seeded cultivars are valuable as forages, whereas soft seeded and shatter resistant cultivars have advantages for their use as a cover crop. Transcript analysis of hairy vetch was performed to understand the genetic mechanisms associated with important hairy vetch traits. RNA was extracted from leaves, flowers, immature pods, seed coats, and cotyledons of contrasting soft and hard seeded “AU Merit” plants. A range of 31.22–79.18 Gb RNA sequence data per tissue sample were generated with estimated coverage of 1040–2639×. RNA sequence assembly and mapping of the contigs against the Medicago truncatula (V4.0) genome identified 76,422 gene transcripts. A total of 24,254 transcripts were constitutively expressed in hairy vetch tissues. Key genes, such as KNOX4 (a class II KNOTTED‐like homeobox KNOXII gene), qHs1 (endo‐1,4‐β‐glucanase), GmHs1‐1 (calcineurin‐like metallophosphoesterase), chitinase, shatterproof 1 and 2 (SHP1, SHP2), shatter resistant 1–5 (SHAT1–5)(NAC transcription factor), PDH1 (prephenate dehydrogenase 1), and pectin methylesterases with a potential role in seed hardness and pod shattering, were further explored based on genes involved in seed hardness from other species to query the hairy vetch transcriptome data. Identification of interesting candidate genes in hairy vetch can facilitate the development of improved cultivars with desirable seed characteristics for use as a forage and as a cover crop