scholarly journals Engineering crops of the future: CRISPR approaches to develop climate-resilient and disease-resistant plants

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Shan-e-Ali Zaidi ◽  
Ahmed Mahas ◽  
Hervé Vanderschuren ◽  
Magdy M. Mahfouz
Keyword(s):  
Genome Engineering ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Food Crops ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Current Concerns ◽  
Global Food ◽  
Resistance To Viruses

AbstractTo meet increasing global food demand, breeders and scientists aim to improve the yield and quality of major food crops. Plant diseases threaten food security and are expected to increase because of climate change. CRISPR genome-editing technology opens new opportunities to engineer disease resistance traits. With precise genome engineering and transgene-free applications, CRISPR is expected to resolve the major challenges to crop improvement. Here, we discuss the latest developments in CRISPR technologies for engineering resistance to viruses, bacteria, fungi, and pests. We conclude by highlighting current concerns and gaps in technology, as well as outstanding questions for future research.

scholarly journals Assessment of Toxigenic Fusarium Species and Their Mycotoxins in Brewing Barley Grains

Toxins ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karim Piacentini ◽  
Liliana Rocha ◽  
Geovana Savi ◽  
Lorena Carnielli-Queiroz ◽  
Livia De Carvalho Fontes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Complex ◽  
Fusarium Species ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Phylogenetic Study ◽  
Brewing Industry ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Barley Grains

Fusarium species threaten yield and quality of cereals worldwide due to their ability to produce mycotoxins and cause plant diseases. Trichothecenes and zearalenone are the most economically significant mycotoxins and are of particular concern in barley, maize and wheat. For this reason, the aim of this study was to characterize the Fusarium isolates from brewing barley and to assess deoxynivalenol and zearalenone contamination in grains. Characterization of the Fusarium strains was carried out by the phylogeny based on two loci (EF-1α and RPB2). Mycotoxin detection and quantification were performed by LC-MS. The results show that Fusarium was the predominant genus. Phylogenetic study demonstrated that the majority of the strains clustered within the Fusarium sambucinum species complex followed by the Fusarium tricinctum species complex. The results revealed high incidence of deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) contamination (90.6% and 87.5%, respectively). It was observed that 86% of the samples contaminated with ZEA were above the limits set by the EU and Brazilian regulations. These results may highlight the importance of controlling Fusarium toxins in barley, mainly because of its use in the brewing industry and the resistance of various mycotoxins to food processing treatments.

scholarly journals Grafted vegetables – the influence of rootstock and scion on postharvest quality

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elazar Fallik ◽  
Zoran Ilic
Keyword(s):  
Recent Literature ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Postharvest Quality ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Prolonged Storage ◽  
Final Size ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Vegetable Products ◽  
Production Environments

ABSTRACT Grafting of vegetable seedlings is a unique horticultural technology, practised for more than 50 years, to overcome problems associated with intensive cultivation on limited arable land. Grafting vegetables can protect against soil-borne diseases and nematodes, against abiotic stresses such as high/low temperatures, salinity, drought or excessive soil-water content, and against elevated soil concentrations of heavy metals and organic pollutants. In addition, the grafted plant takes up water and nutrients from the soil more efficiently and retains its vitality for longer periods during the growing season. However, rootstock/scion combinations may affect and alter the final size, yield, and quality of fruits from grafted plants, both immediately postharvest and during prolonged storage. These alterations may be attributed in part to differing production environments and methods, the type of rootstock/scion combinations used, and harvest date. The aim of this paper is to review the most recent literature on the effects of grafting on postharvest quality of fruits/vegetables: tomato, watermelon, melon, eggplant, cucumber and pepper. The review will conclude by identifying several prospects for future research aimed at improving the quality of grafted fruit/vegetable products.

scholarly journals Genome editing for horticultural crop improvement

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiemeng Xu ◽  
Kai Hua ◽  
Zhaobo Lang
Keyword(s):  
Genome Editing ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Horticultural Crop ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Horticultural Crops ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Horticultural Research

Abstract Horticultural crops provide humans with many valuable products. The improvement of the yield and quality of horticultural crops has been receiving increasing research attention. Given the development and advantages of genome-editing technologies, research that uses genome editing to improve horticultural crops has substantially increased in recent years. Here, we briefly review the different genome-editing systems used in horticultural research with a focus on clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated 9 (Cas9)-mediated genome editing. We also summarize recent progress in the application of genome editing for horticultural crop improvement. The combination of rapidly advancing genome-editing technology with breeding will greatly increase horticultural crop production and quality.

scholarly journals One-plasmid based CRISPR-Cas9 editing for gene deletion in Lactococcus lactis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Miguel Miquelão Santos ◽  
Gabriel António Amaro Monteiro ◽  
Duarte Miguel de França Teixeira dos Prazeres ◽  
Sofia de Oliveira Dias Duarte
Keyword(s):  
Genome Editing ◽  
Lactococcus Lactis ◽  
Plasmid Dna ◽  
Genome Engineering ◽  
Gene Deletion ◽  
Deletion Mutants ◽  
Cell Factories ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Delivery Vehicles

Abstract Lactococcus lactis strains are promising cell factories and delivery vehicles of plasmid DNA and recombinant protein for therapeutic applications. However, the limited yields of recombinant molecules obtained with these bacteria limits their wide applicability. Genome engineering of this host may solve the problem. However, the current genome editing toolbox available for L. lactis is either too laborious or incapable of large edits, limiting the scope of strain editing experiments. In this work, the basis for a one-plasmid CRISPR-Cas9 based genome editing plasmid was developed and tested. The new plasmid (pTCas9dO) adapted from the pKCcas9dO plasmid was used to delete 657 bp of the lactococcal nuclease nth of L. lactis subsp. lactis LMG19460, with the aim of improving yield and quality of plasmid DNA replicated in this strain. Although deletion mutants were successfully generated, plasmid curing was unsuccessful. Thus, further modifications are required before the plasmid is truly applicable for genome editing experiments. Unexpectedly, the generated deletion mutants generated a roughly 40% decrease in plasmid yield alongside with a decrease in the quality of produced pDNA.

scholarly journals Increasing doses of potassium increases yield and quality of muskmelon fruits under greenhouse

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Preciado-Rangel ◽  
Lilia Salas-Pérez ◽  
Miguel Á Gallegos-Robles ◽  
Francisco H Ruiz-Espinoza ◽  
Alma V Ayala-Garay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Optimal Dose ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Equatorial Diameter ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Solids Content

ABSTRACT Potassium (K) influences the variables that determine quality of fruit and the concentration of phytonutrients to human health and therefore consumer preferences. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of K in the nutrient solution (5, 7, 9 and 11 mM of K) on yield and quality of Cantaloupe fruits under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted in pots using a completely randomized design with 15 replications. Analysis of variance, correlation, regression and multiple comparisons among means (Tukey p<0.05) were performed. Results showed higher values of yield, average fruit weight, equatorial diameter, pulp thickness, fruit firmness, soluble solids content, phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of fruits at the concentrations of 9 and 11 mM of K. All variables, except equatorial diameter, increased their values as K concentrations increased, showing a lineal, positive and significant trend, which evidences that the optimal dose of K in muskmelon is higher than 11 mM, being suggested for future research, to evaluate concentrations above this value.

scholarly journals Making Food Aid Fit-for-Purpose in the 21st Century: A Review of Recent Initiatives Improving the Nutritional Quality of Foods Used in Emergency and Development Programming

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 574-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Webb ◽  
Kristine Caiafa ◽  
Shelley Walton ◽  
Keyword(s):  
International Development ◽  
The United States ◽  
Food Aid ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Operational Experience ◽  
Agency For International Development ◽  
Development Programming ◽  
Fit For Purpose ◽  
Global Food

Important strides have been made recently in upgrading the global food aid agenda in line with evolving medical and nutrition sciences, operational experience, and innovations in food technology. A 2011 report endorsed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recommended numerous improvements to products intended to support improved survival and nutrition in humanitarian programming, as well as greater rigor and transparency in the research agenda that supports innovations in this critical field. This article reviews progress since 2011 made by USAID, and other global food aid providers, in developing food aid products that are fit-for-purpose and are appropriately formulated to save lives in emergencies and to promote healthy mothers and children in nonemergency contexts. It highlights important modifications and addition made to products and identifies persisting knowledge gaps that should be prioritized in future research.

Current perspective and future research directions on defecation clarification for the manufacture of raw sugar

2021 ◽  
pp. 634-642
Author(s):  
Cumhur Hakan Bakir ◽  
Darryn W. Rackemann ◽  
William O.S. Doherty
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer Performance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Functional Nanoparticles ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Processing Strategies ◽  
Current Perspective ◽  
Raw Sugar ◽  
Future Research Directions

Juice clarification is integral to the sugar-manufacturing process and determines the quality of clarified juice which is subsequently processed to produce sugar. Clarification performance is defined largely by turbidity of the clarified juice, but the presence of soluble impurities, colour and colour precursors, polysaccharides and proteins influence heat-transfer performance of evaporators and evaporating crystallizers, the crystallisation performance in evaporating crystallizers and the achievable yield and quality of sugar. The conventional defecation process is inadequate to remove these nonsucrose impurities, and the gradual worldwide transition to green-cane harvesting is introducing greater levels of impurities into the cane supply. As a result, the clarification station is now having to deal with not only the endogenous impurities (e.g. stalk impurities) but also the trash (leaves and tops) impurities. This paper reviews work that has been conducted over the years to remove these impurities and presents future research directions that should improve clarification performance. Examples of future research directions include development of multi-functional nanoparticles to significantly improve impurity removal; processing strategies to enhance precipitation of proteins and polysaccharides; and ballasting and adsorbent agents.

A review of sulphur fertilizer management for optimum yield and quality of canola in the Canadian Great Plains

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sukhdev S. Malhi ◽  
Jeff J. Schoenau ◽  
Cynthia A. Grant
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Seed Quality ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
S Deficiency ◽  
S Fertilizers

In the Parkland region of the Canadian prairies, Canola (Brassica napus L. or Brassica rapa L.) is an important cash crop. Canola has a high requirement for sulphur (S). However, many soils in this region are deficient or potentially deficient in plant-available S for optimum canola seed yield. Application of sulphate-S at about 15–30 kg S ha-1 is usually sufficient to prevent S deficiency in canola on most of the S-deficient soils. Application of sulphate-S to canola at seeding time gives the highest increase in yield and S uptake. Deficiencies of S in canola plants can be prevented and/or corrected and seed yield improved with the use of sulphate-S fertilizers in the growing season. Application of sulphate-S at bolting can substantially restore seed yield, while an application at early flowering can moderately correct S deficiency damage. Side-banding is the most effective way to apply sulphate-S fertilizers to produce maximum seed yield and to prevent any damage to canola seedlings from seed-row placement. In relatively moist areas, broadcast-incorporation methods can produce seed yield similar to side-banding in most years. Elemental S fertilizers were not effective in increasing seed yield in the year of application, and were generally less effective than sulphate-S fertilizer even after multiyear annual applications, especially when applied in spring. Autumn-applied elemental S was more effective than spring-applied elemental S. Banding delayed availability of elemental S as compared to broadcast application. Use of granular elemental S products is not reliable for optimum seed yield of canola under Canadian prairie conditions on S-deficient soils, particularly in the initial year and with spring application or band placement. Elemental S fertilizers may have a role to maintain or build-up sulphate-S levels in soils marginally low in S where residual benefits are desirable, but management decisions should consider both immediate and long-term effects of S fertilizer on seed yield, seed quality and economics. The findings suggest the need of future research to increase dispersion and distribution of S particles from granules for faster oxidation of elemental S in soil, and to develop elemental S fertilizer products/formulations that can be used on a commercial scale to prevent and/or correct S deficiency in the growing season to optimize seed yield and quality of canola. Research is also required to determine the long-term effects of balanced application of S with other nutrients on soil quality, accumulation and distribution of nitrate-N, sulphate-S and other nutrients in the soil profile, efficiency of nutrient, water and energy use, and crop diseases. More research should be conducted in relation to soil/plant tissue testing issues for optimum seed yield and quality of canola. Key words: Balanced fertilization, canola, elemental S fertilizers, method of application, rate of S, seed quality, seed yield, sulphate-S fertilizers

Self-Compassion and Quality of Life in Adults Who Stutter

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 2097-2108
Author(s):  
Robyn L. Croft ◽  
Courtney T. Byrd
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
The Self ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Adults Who Stutter ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify levels of self-compassion in adults who do and do not stutter and to determine whether self-compassion predicts the impact of stuttering on quality of life in adults who stutter. Method Participants included 140 adults who do and do not stutter matched for age and gender. All participants completed the Self-Compassion Scale. Adults who stutter also completed the Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering. Data were analyzed for self-compassion differences between and within adults who do and do not stutter and to predict self-compassion on quality of life in adults who stutter. Results Adults who do and do not stutter exhibited no significant differences in total self-compassion, regardless of participant gender. A simple linear regression of the total self-compassion score and total Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering score showed a significant, negative linear relationship of self-compassion predicting the impact of stuttering on quality of life. Conclusions Data suggest that higher levels of self-kindness, mindfulness, and social connectedness (i.e., self-compassion) are related to reduced negative reactions to stuttering, an increased participation in daily communication situations, and an improved overall quality of life. Future research should replicate current findings and identify moderators of the self-compassion–quality of life relationship.

The Relationship Between Interoception and Metacognition

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Meessen ◽  
Verena Mainz ◽  
Siegfried Gauggel ◽  
Eftychia Volz-Sidiropoulou ◽  
Stefan Sütterlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Memory Performance ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Metacognitive Awareness ◽  
Interoceptive Awareness ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Heartbeat Perception ◽  
Interoceptive Accuracy ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Recently, Garfinkel and Critchley (2013) proposed to distinguish between three facets of interoception: interoceptive sensibility, interoceptive accuracy, and interoceptive awareness. This pilot study investigated how these facets interrelate to each other and whether interoceptive awareness is related to the metacognitive awareness of memory performance. A sample of 24 healthy students completed a heartbeat perception task (HPT) and a memory task. Judgments of confidence were requested for each task. Participants filled in questionnaires assessing interoceptive sensibility, depression, anxiety, and socio-demographic characteristics. The three facets of interoception were found to be uncorrelated and interoceptive awareness was not related to metacognitive awareness of memory performance. Whereas memory performance was significantly related to metamemory awareness, interoceptive accuracy (HPT) and interoceptive awareness were not correlated. Results suggest that future research on interoception should assess all facets of interoception in order to capture the multifaceted quality of the construct.

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