Recent physiological, genetic, and management perspectives on lodging resistance in rice

Genomics assisted breeding for mildew resistance in cucumber: from gene discovery to future innovations

Integrating conventional breeding, biotechnology, and genome editing for herbicide-resistant rice: implications for sustainable development goals

Global population growth, climate variability, labour scarcity, and declining availability of arable land have intensified the demand for sustainable and resource-efficient weed management strategies in rice production systems. Herbicide-resistant (HR) rice has emerged as a transformative innovation capable of improving weed control efficiency, facilitating direct-seeded rice cultivation, reducing labour dependency, and enhancing yield stability under diverse agroecological conditions. This review critically examines the evolution of HR rice technologies, herbicide modes of action, resistance mechanisms, and integrated weed management approaches, with particular emphasis on the convergence of conventional breeding, biotechnology, and advanced genome editing platforms for the development of next-generation HR rice varieties. The review further explores the agronomic, ecological, and socio-economic dimensions associated with HR rice adoption, including challenges related to HR weed evolution, gene flow to wild and weedy rice relatives, biodiversity loss, ecological imbalance, and long-term sustainability concerns. The concept of the HR rice paradox is introduced to describe the delicate balance between agricultural intensification and ecological stewardship, where enhanced weed management efficiency must be aligned with environmental safety and sustainable farming practices. The review emphasizes that the future success of HR rice depends on integrated strategies combining genetic innovation, region-specific agronomic management, resistance monitoring, and policy frameworks to ensure sustainable rice production, food security, and environmentally responsible agricultural transformation aligned with global sustainability goals.

Genomics-Assisted Breeding for Drought Tolerance in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): Recent Advances and Future Prospects

Drought is one of the major abiotic limitations to wheat production worldwide, and the impacts of drought are worsened due to climate change. Drought tolerance consists of many genes with complex physiological and molecular processes, along with strong interactions between genotypes and environments; therefore, traditional phenotypic selection has produced minimal improvement to date. In this review we summarize recently published work (2020-2025) on genomics-assisted methods used to develop drought tolerance in bread wheat (8; 2). QTL mapping and marker-assisted backcrossing has allowed for successful validation of drought-related loci and their transfer into elite lines (3; 7). In addition, the coupling of genome-wide association studies with high-throughput phenotyping and genomic selection have improved predictability of grain yield in water-limited environments (5; 11). Overall, transcription factors from the DREB, NAC, MYB, and WRKY families are still considered the primary regulatory targets, but CRISPR/Cas-based gene editing is now able to provide precise, multiplex gene modifications in polyploid wheat (1; 10). The combination of pan-omics (the study of all omes), gene editing, speed breeding, and predictive modelling provides a realistic approach to developing climate-resilient, high-yielding cultivars. However, the rates at which phenotyping can occur and the speed at which candidate loci can be functionally validated are still the rate-limiting steps on this path (4; 6).

Exploiting the genetic diversity of cultivated strawberry for genomic dissection of leaf and fruit powdery mildew resistance

Powdery mildew (PM) is a major fungal disease of cultivated strawberry, reducing yield through severe damage to foliage and fruit. Increasing restrictions in pesticide use have intensified the need for PM resistant cultivars. Here, we investigated the genetic architecture of PM resistance in strawberry using a large, untapped germplasm composed of two panels: a diversity panel of 223 genotypes (DivPanel) and a connected population (CoPop) panel comprising six selfed families and 12 biparental families derived from six cultivars. Disease symptoms were assessed on leaves and fruits over multiple years, indicating moderate to high heritability in the two organs. Genome-wide association studies identified 21 leaf QTLs, most of which are new; and 10 fruit QTLs. Among these, only one leaf QTL was co-localized with a fruit QTL, revealing that the genetic architecture of PM resistance is different in leaves and fruits. Genomic prediction models were evaluated through cross-validation and external validation, with combined-over-year analyses showing the highest predictive abilities (PAs) for both panels and organs (0.45–0.73). For a given year, optimizing the training population and adding co-factors improved the PAs. External validation also showed intermediate PA values (0.48–0.63), depending on the training population size and optimization. Simulation of resistance levels in 24 753 simulated progenies derived from all possible crosses between the 223 genotypes of the DivPanel demonstrated the strong potential of genomic prediction to guide optimal cross selection. Together, these findings uncover new QTLs for PM resistance in strawberry, including on fruit, and provide validated strategies for breeding disease-resistant cultivars.

Evaluation of Disease Resistance in Wheat Genotypes for Organic Farming Under Kazakhstan Conditions

Kazakhstan possesses considerable potential for the development of organic agriculture. In organic production systems, the use of chemical plant protection products is restricted or completely excluded, making the cultivation of genetically resistant wheat lines to major fungal diseases one of the most effective approaches for maintaining stable grain production. The current study aimed to evaluate disease resistance in wheat genotypes by integrating phenotypic screening and marker-assisted selection and their validation under organic farming conditions. A total of 50 facultative and introgressive wheat lines were evaluated under an artificial infection background for resistance to yellow rust, leaf rust, stem rust, and common bunt. Molecular marker analysis was performed to identify resistance-associated alleles. Integrated phenotypic and molecular analyses enabled the identification of three promising genotypes, namely 1675-52, 1723-32, and 1716-24. They combined a high level of resistance to yellow rust and common bunt with the presence of resistance-associated alleles. These selected genotypes were subsequently validated under organic field conditions. The results demonstrated that these lines maintained stable resistance to yellow rust and common bunt and produced seed yield ranging from 5.45 to 5.94 t/ha, exceeding that of the standard cv. Almaly (4.88 t/ha). The obtained results confirm the effectiveness of integrating phenotypic screening with marker-assisted selection for identifying wheat genotypes with complex disease resistance. These genotypes represent promising prebreeding resources for organic agriculture, subject to validation across a wider range of environments.

Unravelling trait-mediated effects of genotype and companion planting system on oilseed rape performance

Introduction Functional traits, such as morphology, phenology, and chemical defenses, are key factors of plant–plant and plant–environment interactions and are central to predicting ecosystem responses in managed agrosystems. Growing oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus) with legumes, as a key agroecological lever, can enhance yield and sustainability. However, the trait-based mechanisms underlying these benefits remain unclear. Methods We investigated the morphological development, phenology, and glucosinolate defense traits of three OSR varieties grown as monocrops or grown with faba beans (FB, Vicia faba) companion plants under controlled glasshouse and two-year field conditions to explore competition and/or facilitation processes. We further characterized the crop microclimate (temperature, light quantity, light quality) and monitored insect pests to link OSR trait responses with agronomic outcomes. Results Growing OSR with FB companion plants consistently reduced OSR leaf development both in the greenhouse and in the field due to reduced photosynthetically active radiation under the FB canopy, revealing light-driven plasticity in early vegetative traits. At the reproductive stage, trait expression diverged across environments: in glasshouse conditions, excessive FB competition suppressed OSR reproductive development, while in the field, winter froze FB stems, which alleviates shading, triggering compensatory stem elongation, increased branching, and enhanced yield of OSR. Yield gains were thus mediated by morphological and phenological trait adjustments rather than direct pest suppression. Glucosinolate concentrations and profiles were strongly shaped by environment and variety, but companion planting notably decreased OSR total glucosinolates after winter in the field, indicating context-dependent defense trait responses. Discussion Our findings highlight how environmental context and varietal identity govern the expression of aboveground functional traits in OSR–FB companion planting systems. Beyond its contribution to pest regulation and despite contrasting effects on plant traits throughout development, OSR–FB companion planting demonstrated agronomic viability by promoting OSR adaptive responses that maintained productivity under field conditions.