Abstract Weedy rice (Oryza spp.) is a semi‐domesticated genetic resource. In high‐latitude paddy ecosystems, weedy rice tends to head earlier than accompanied japonica rice. However, the heading allele genes underlying this weedy rice de‐domestication, which is crucial for understanding the genetic basis and repeatability of the heading, remain largely unexplored. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the allelic variation of nine heading genes using 46 weedy rice from three areas in northeast China (weedy rice from northeast China [WRNC]) and 32 of their accompanying japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties. The heading time of WRNC was 3–20 days earlier than that of the accompanying japonica rice. The heading‐promotion genotype heading date 1 (Hd1) was the main factor aiding WRNC heading earlier than its accompanying japonica rice. Functional haplotypes of heading date 2 (Hd2), grains height date 7 (Ghd7), and days to heading 2 (Dth2) may affect the early heading of weedy rice from Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang in northeast China. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that WRNC is closely related to the cultivated rice in Northeast China and has no direct relationship with southern indica weedy rice. The results showed that some heading genes in the study differentiated during the divergence of indica and japonica rice; these genes in WRNC are not only affected by the differentiation of indica and japonica rice but also by the domestication of cultivated rice, forming an independent heading genotype distinct from northern japonica rice. This serves as a basis for research aimed at improving the heading period of cultivated rice by utilizing traits from weedy rice.

Abstract Sedges (Carex spp.) are herbaceous perennials with more than 2100 species recognized, offering significant potential for use in mowed turf, landscape gardens, and ecosystem restoration. Breeding and development of improved cultivars within various species could have a broad impact across these industries. The lack of information on genetic diversity and genetic variation within most relevant species has limited cultivar development. The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic diversity, population structure, and genetic variability of morphological and reproductive traits of 35 Carex plants collected from Oklahoma and Texas. A total of 20,689 single nucleotide polymorphic markers were used for genetic diversity characterization. Three subpopulations were identified from the germplasm panel that were largely determined by the species and partially by geographic locations. Substantial genetic diversity was observed within and among species. In addition, substantial genetic variation was found for morphological and reproductive traits and the reliability for those traits was moderate to high (𝑖2 = 0.38–0.83). The findings of this study provide insights into the genetic diversity of Carex germplasm from Oklahoma and Texas, offering essential knowledge for future Carex breeding efforts. Additionally, the study highlights the need for future research to understand the genetic mechanisms underlying reproductive traits and to develop reliable molecular tools for species differentiation.

Abstract Shaan‐GMS is a spontaneous dominant genic male sterile (GMS) line in Brassica napus, and its male sterility is genetically controlled by a single gene with three alleles of different dominant relationships (Mf > Ms, Ms > ms). Here, whole genome resequencing was performed on the homozygous (MsMs*MfMs) and heterozygous (Msms*msms) two‐type lines of Shaan‐GMS, respectively, for localizing male sterile gene. BSA‐Seq of both two‐type lines detected one candidate gene BnaA08g26080D on the chromosome A08 in common. By integrating the genetic maps of Mf/Ms and Ms/ms locus, the fertility locus of Shaan‐GMS was located in the overlapping region on the A08 chromosome containing 14 genes. Among them, five genes of interesting were sequenced. As a result, two genes (BnaA08g25920D and BnaA08g25870D) showed DNA sequence variation among male sterile plants (MsMs), fertile plants (msms), and restorer plants (MfMf) of Shaan‐GMS. The candidate gene association analysis indicated that DNA variations in the BnaA08g25870D had no relationship with male fertility in a panel of 88 rapeseed lines, therefore, BnaA08g25920D is the candidate for the male sterile gene. This study lays a foundation for molecular cloning of male sterile gene in Shaan‐GMS, and the developed molecular markers and the identified restorer lines will be useful for developing new hybrid varieties based on the dominant GMS system.

Abstract The development of pyrethroid resistance within annual bluegrass weevil (ABW), Listronotus maculicollis (Kirby), a severe pest of golf course turfgrass in eastern North America, has created a dire need for alternatives to conventional insecticides. This study assessed the efficacy of novaluron, a recently registered benzoylphenyl urea insect growth regulator which inhibits chitin synthesis in developing larvae, as an alternative to conventional neurotoxic insecticides. Field trial treatments were designed to assess the effect of application timing in relation to population development stages, including peak overwintering adult emergence and early‐instar (stem‐boring) and late‐instar (soil‐dwelling) larvae. Novaluron was effective at all timings, even when larvae were not yet present (overwintering adult peak). In laboratory assays, novaluron topically applied to adults reduced the recovery of first‐instar larvae by 91%–98% and 0%–43% in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Significant ovicidal activity was also observed with reductions of 67%–85% and 35%–68% in 2020 and 2021 trials, respectively. Females treated with 9.3 L ha−1 novaluron experienced reduced fecundity over 8 weeks (52%), though weekly reductions were only significantly different from controls in the first week after exposure. Novaluron‐treated adults resumed oviposition after being transferred to untreated turf, suggesting potential recovery from exposure. These studies demonstrate novaluron's effectiveness against a wide range of larval instars which should facilitate flexible application timing in field settings. However, the transient effects observed on adults in laboratory studies may reduce novaluron's reliability as an adulticide.

Abstract There is growing demand across the turfgrass industry for turfgrasses that require minimal watering. St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze], a warm‐season turfgrass favored in the southeastern United States for its shade tolerance and vigorous stoloniferous growth, falls short in drought resistance. Integrating genomic and conventional breeding methodologies could accelerate the introduction of cultivars that thrive with less water. In this study, a population derived from the cross of breeding lines XSA10098 and XSA10127 was evaluated for drought resistance in field trials, where percent green cover and normalized difference vegetation index were collected by unmanned aerial vehicle‐based phenotyping. A multiple quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping approach identified 22 QTL, with overlapping regions on linkage groups 1, 2, 4, and 9 between this and previous studies. In addition, a detailed transcriptomic analysis on the roots of two St. Augustinegrass genotypes with contrasting drought responses revealed 1642 and 2669 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the drought‐tolerant and drought‐sensitive genotypes, respectively. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes classification showed different pathways adopted by the two genotypes in response to drought stress. Moreover, integration of QTL mapping and transcriptomic analyses identified five DEGs co‐localized in overlapping QTL regions, which exhibit great value to potentially serve as targets to facilitate marker‐assisted selection. The findings in this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the genetic basis of drought tolerance in St. Augustinegrass, facilitating the development of more robust breeding strategies for enhancing drought resilience in this important turfgrass species.

Abstract Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a major cereal crop grown worldwide for human consumption, malting, and animal feed. Drought is one of the major abiotic stresses that reduce grain yield and quality in barley. This study was conducted to evaluate a set of 250 barley lines grown under irrigated, water‐stressed, and rainfed conditions and to identify genomic regions associated with 10 traits related to grain yield and quality across eight independent field environments. Variability was observed among barley lines for tolerance to water‐stressed conditions in all tested environments. Genotype and environment both contributed to the phenotypic variation of the barley lines. Population structure analysis identified two subpopulations using 20,700 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Genome‐wide association mapping detected 74 significant SNPs (p ≤ 6.5 × 10−6), representing 14 quantitative trait loci (QTLs), on all barley chromosomes, except 3H. The QTL, QBG.ARS.7H, associated with beta‐glucan (BG), was consistently detected across environments and explained 13.93% of phenotypic variation. Carriers of the minor allele for the BG‐associated SNP, JHI‐Hv50k‐2016‐488035, exhibited up to 14.65% higher BG content, on average, compared with carriers of the common allele. This study advances our understanding of the genetics of barley response to water‐stress conditions and suggests molecular markers for QTL, which may be used in barley improvement.

Abstract BC204 is a citrus‐based plant extract applied as a plant biostimulant on a variety of plant species in South Africa, China, and Australia. Although there are reports that it elicits physiological responses such as an increase in crop yield, abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, and fruit quality, no molecular data are available to explain the specific mechanisms underlying these effects. In this study, an RNA sequencing approach was adopted to elucidate the effects of BC204 at the molecular level in Arabidopsis thaliana and Solanum lycopersicum . BC204, applied via either a 0.01% (v/v) soil drench to A. thaliana or a 0.05% (v/v) foliar spray to S. lycopersicum , stimulated above‐ground biomass production whilst eliciting a large change in gene expression levels across several primary and secondary biochemical pathways in shoot tissues. Of the entire transcriptomic profile examined, 8.212% of genes were significantly differentially expressed between the treated and control groups in A. thaliana and 18.059% of genes for S. lycopersicum . Most notably, genes involved in photosynthesis, several aspects of cell wall biogenesis, remodeling and restructuring, carbohydrate metabolism, signaling, stress, and secondary metabolism were upregulated, which could explain the observed increase in plant growth. Little correlation in types of gene and pathway induction was observed between the two model organisms. Genes related to transcription and RNA regulation were both strongly up‐ and downregulated, which suggests that BC204 plays a role in inducing and suppressing several pathways. This novel study provides valuable information to be used as a starting point for targeted future research and identifying new targets for enhanced plant growth and vigor.

Abstract This study investigates the efficacy of surfactants as a means to manage the annual bluegrass weevil, Listronotus maculicollis, particularly in populations demonstrating resistance to pyrethroids. Laboratory assays evaluated L. maculicollis adult mortality when exposed to 13 unique turfgrass surfactant classes alone and in combination with a low rate of bifenthrin. Results from dose–response assays suggest that the alkylpolyglucoside (Alypso), organosilicone (Silwet), anionic blend (Pervade), and the anionic + nonionic blend (Duplex) surfactants were acutely toxic to adults. When combined with low rates of pyrethroid, additive effects were seen with each of these classes plus the block copolymer + alkylpolyglucoside (Dispatch), which was non‐toxic in the absence of pyrethroids. The top four surfactant classes were further examined for their ability to depress cytochrome P450 enzyme activity, an enzyme family suspected to confer resistance within L. maculicollis. Only the block copolymer + alkylpolyglucoside blend showed a notable decrease in P450 activity, suggesting a potential mechanism for overcoming insecticide resistance in populations where enhanced enzymatic activity is responsible for pyrethroid resistance. However, the enzyme activity in the tested population of moderately resistant weevils did not show a significant increase, indicating that resistance to pyrethroids in L. maculicollis involves mechanisms other than enhanced enzymatic detoxification. Further research is needed to elucidate additional mechanisms of resistance as well as confirm the benefits of incorporating surfactants into L. maculicollis management strategies in the field.

Abstract The plant‐based protein industry is rapidly growing and is projected to grow to over $27 billion by 2030. In addition to monetary benefits, plant‐based protein crops, particularly pulse crops (i.e., legume species with dry edible seed), can supplement the existing crop biodiversity and break the disease and insect pest cycle in drastically changing climatic conditions. Most commercially available plant‐based protein ingredients come from only 2% of the 150 plant species on which our food supply depends. Therefore, it is imperative to diversify the cropping system with pulse crops that provide a more nutritious, climate‐resilient, sustainable food value chain. At present, a large portion of US pulse crop production is exported, yet the shifting demographics, dietary preferences, and a rise in domestic consumption present enormous potential for existing and emerging pulse crops, as well as their breeding. Despite a rise in demand from consumers and industries, farmers are yet to fully reap the benefits of these crops due to a shortage of improved varieties. These new varieties could lead to a diverse, sustainable protein supply that satisfies the growing domestic and global demand for plant‐based foods. This review intends to comprehensively explore the geographical and cultural acceptance of plant‐based proteins, manufacturing techniques, protein products, anti‐nutritional factors, techniques and tools for protein estimation, high‐throughput estimation of seed protein, protein composition requirements in food, breeding strategies, crop improvement, and resources to improve plant‐based protein pulse crops.