Excess amounts of salts used in agriculture lead to deterioration of crop growth and yield. This problem requires urgent, sustainable resolution. The use of soil microorganisms not only reduces salt levels but helps plants to grow under such stress. Our study revealed that applying soil microorganisms significantly improved the growth and yield of wheat under salt stress, and also enhanced soil fertility.

This article belongs to the collection: Soil Microbiome and Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants.

Shading significantly reduces grain size, 1000-grain weight, starch content, and enzyme activities in the grain development of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Phenotypic and transcriptome analyses of wheat cv. ZY96-3 under normal and shaded conditions revealed shading strong effect on grain-filling rates and starch metabolism. Transcriptomic results identified altered pathways, including photosynthetic antenna proteins, carbon fixation, and starch metabolism. Key genes (e.g. PetC, Fd, LFNR1) were linked to electron transport. These findings provide insights into breeding wheat with high photosynthetic efficiency for low-light regions.

This article belongs to the collection: Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilient Crops − Volume II.

Drought is the most common unfavorable environmental factor leading to a significant decrease in plant productivity. The use of lectins makes it possible to increase the resistance of plants to water deficiency by influencing the metabolism of the plant cell. Thus, the use of lectins can provide an affordable and simple solution to increase the productivity of the crop in conditions of limited water availability.

Fatty acid desaturases (FADs) dehydrogenate C–C bonds in fatty acids, resulting in unsaturated C=C bonds. FADs are highly specific to acyl substrates, as well as the position and geometry of the newly added cis double bonds. Δ9-FADs were shown to be carboxyl-specific. Δ12(ω6)-FADs count three carbons toward the methyl end (x + 3) from an existing double bond in monoene precursors. Δ6- and Δ15(ω3)-FADs count from the carboxyl terminus.

Physiological and biochemical changes in wheat during cold acclimation and vernalisation are pivotal for winter survival. We examined methyl-jasmonate (MeJA) and cold treatment effects on miRNA regulation and target genes in Baz spring wheat and Norstar winter wheat. MeJA’s impact on vernalisation and acclimation varied between cultivars, with Norstar experiencing decreased traits and Baz showing minimal effects. Results underscored the intricate interplay between genotypes, miRNAs and target genes under different vernalisation treatments, elucidating the response of wheat to MeJA and cold treatments.

NF-Y is a key transcription factor found in plants, animals, and fungi, with higher plants having more NF-Y subunits. It consists of three parts (NF-YA, NF-YB, and NF-YC) that work together to regulate gene activity by binding to DNA or interacting with other proteins. NF-Y plays a vital role in plant growth and development. Understanding its structure and function can help improve crops and support sustainable agriculture.

This article belongs to the collection: Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilient Crops - Volume II.