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Kaur S, Seem K, Ali A, Jaiswal S, Gumachanamardi P, Kaur G, Singh N, Touthang L, Singh SK, Bhardwaj R, Singh BK, Mishra VK, Riar A. A comprehensive review on nutritional, nutraceutical, and industrial perspectives of perilla ( Perilla frutscens L.) seeds - An orphan oilseed crop. Heliyon 2024; 10:e33281. [PMID: 39022021 PMCID: PMC11252951 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
There is a growing need to mainstream orphan or underutilized crops to enhance nutritional security and sustainable agriculture. Among these, Perilla frutescens L. is an important crop due to its rich nutritional and phytochemical content which makes it significant in nutrition, medicine, and industrial sector. Perilla seeds are mainly rich in ω-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, high α-linolenic acid, which contributes to their health benefits. This review explores the nutritional profile of perilla seeds and highlights its unique composition compared to other oilseed crops. It also analyzes the phytochemical components of perilla seeds and their various biological activities, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiobesity, cardioprotective, anticancer, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory effects. These activities demonstrate the potential of perilla seeds in both pharmaceutical and food sectors. The review also covers recent advancements in genomics and transgenic research discussing potential areas for crop improvement. Additionally, it explores the use of perilla seeds in functional foods, blending perilla oil with other oils, and their applications in enhancing product formulations. This review offers valuable insights for researchers, students, policymakers, environmentalists, and industry professionals by detailing the potential of perilla seeds across various sectors. The findings support sustainable agriculture, crop diversification, and innovative product development, thus contributing to the integration of perilla into mainstream agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simardeep Kaur
- ICAR-Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, 793103, India
| | - Karishma Seem
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Ansheef Ali
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Assam, 734301, India
| | - Sandeep Jaiswal
- ICAR-Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, 793103, India
| | | | - Gurkanwal Kaur
- Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, 141004, India
| | - Naseeb Singh
- ICAR-Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, 793103, India
| | - Letngam Touthang
- ICAR-Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, 793103, India
| | | | - Rakesh Bhardwaj
- ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Binay K. Singh
- ICAR-Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, 793103, India
| | - Vinay Kumar Mishra
- ICAR-Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, 793103, India
| | - Amritbir Riar
- Department of International Cooperation, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland
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Shorinola O, Marks R, Emmrich P, Jones C, Odeny D, Chapman MA. Integrative and inclusive genomics to promote the use of underutilised crops. Nat Commun 2024; 15:320. [PMID: 38191605 PMCID: PMC10774273 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44535-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Underutilised crops or orphan crops are important for diversifying our food systems towards food and nutrition security. Here, the authors discuss how the development of underutilised crop genomic resource should align with their breeding and capacity building strategies, and leverage advances made in major crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwaseyi Shorinola
- International Livestock Research Institute, Naivasha Road, Nairobi, Kenya.
- School of Bioscience, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Rose Marks
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Plant Resilience Institute, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Peter Emmrich
- Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development, School of Global Development, University of East Anglia, England, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Chris Jones
- International Livestock Research Institute, Naivasha Road, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Damaris Odeny
- Center of Excellence in Genomics and Systems Biology, ICRISAT, Patancheru, 502324, Telangana, India
| | - Mark A Chapman
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Life Sciences Building 85, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
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Efficient genetic improvement of orphan crops cannot follow the old path. Nat Commun 2024; 15:321. [PMID: 38191480 PMCID: PMC10774366 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44458-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
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Yaqoob H, Tariq A, Bhat BA, Bhat KA, Nehvi IB, Raza A, Djalovic I, Prasad PVV, Mir RA. Integrating genomics and genome editing for orphan crop improvement: a bridge between orphan crops and modern agriculture system. GM CROPS & FOOD 2023; 14:1-20. [PMID: 36606637 PMCID: PMC9828793 DOI: 10.1080/21645698.2022.2146952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Domestication of orphan crops could be explored by editing their genomes. Genome editing has a lot of promise for enhancing agricultural output, and there is a lot of interest in furthering breeding in orphan crops, which are sometimes plagued with unwanted traits that resemble wild cousins. Consequently, applying model crop knowledge to orphan crops allows for the rapid generation of targeted allelic diversity and innovative breeding germplasm. We explain how plant breeders could employ genome editing as a novel platform to accelerate the domestication of semi-domesticated or wild plants, resulting in a more diversified base for future food and fodder supplies. This review emphasizes both the practicality of the strategy and the need to invest in research that advances our understanding of plant genomes, genes, and cellular systems. Planting more of these abandoned orphan crops could help alleviate food scarcities in the challenge of future climate crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huwaida Yaqoob
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Arooj Tariq
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Basharat Ahmad Bhat
- Department of Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Kaisar Ahmad Bhat
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Iqra Bashir Nehvi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, SKIMS, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Ali Raza
- College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU), Fuzhou, China,Ali Raza College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU), Fuzhou, China
| | - Ivica Djalovic
- Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - PV Vara Prasad
- Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sustainable Intensification, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Rakeeb Ahmad Mir
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India,CONTACT Rakeeb Ahmad MirDepartment of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India
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Gupta P, Geniza M, Elser J, Al-Bader N, Baschieri R, Phillips JL, Haq E, Preece J, Naithani S, Jaiswal P. Reference genome of the nutrition-rich orphan crop chia ( Salvia hispanica) and its implications for future breeding. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1272966. [PMID: 38162307 PMCID: PMC10757625 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1272966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is one of the most popular nutrition-rich foods and pseudocereal crops of the family Lamiaceae. Chia seeds are a rich source of proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), dietary fibers, and antioxidants. In this study, we present the assembly of the chia reference genome, which spans 303.6 Mb and encodes 48,090 annotated protein-coding genes. Our analysis revealed that ~42% of the chia genome harbors repetitive content, and identified ~3 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 15,380 simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker sites. By investigating the chia transcriptome, we discovered that ~44% of the genes undergo alternative splicing with a higher frequency of intron retention events. Additionally, we identified chia genes associated with important nutrient content and quality traits, such as the biosynthesis of PUFAs and seed mucilage fiber (dietary fiber) polysaccharides. Notably, this is the first report of in-silico annotation of a plant genome for protein-derived small bioactive peptides (biopeptides) associated with improving human health. To facilitate further research and translational applications of this valuable orphan crop, we have developed the Salvia genomics database (SalviaGDB), accessible at https://salviagdb.org.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parul Gupta
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Matthew Geniza
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Justin Elser
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Noor Al-Bader
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Rachel Baschieri
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Jeremy Levi Phillips
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Ebaad Haq
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Justin Preece
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Sushma Naithani
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Pankaj Jaiswal
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
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Shim J, Hong SY, Han JH, Yu Y, Yoo E, Sung J, Chin JH, Lee ON. A Genomic Evaluation of Six Selected Inbred Lines of the Naturalized Plants of Milk Thistle ( Silybum marianum L. Gaertn.) in Korea. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2702. [PMID: 37514316 PMCID: PMC10384142 DOI: 10.3390/plants12142702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) belongs to the Asteraceae family and is a medicinal plant native to the Mediterranean Basin. Silymarin in achene is a widely used herbal product for chronic liver disease. There is growing interest in natural medicine using milk thistle in Korea, but the raw material completely relies on imports. Despite its economic importance, phenotypic evaluations of native resources of milk thistle in Korea have not been carried out. In addition, genomic research and molecular marker development are very limited in milk thistle. In this study, we evaluated 220 milk thistle resources consisting of 172 accessions collected from the domestic market, and 48 accessions isolated from 6 accessions distributed by the National Agrobiodiversity Center in Korea. Six plant characteristics (height, seed weight, number of flowers, seed weight per flower, spine length, and color at harvest) were measured, and six samples (M01-M06) were selected to represent the genetic diversity of the population for genomic research. To develop PCR-based and co-dominant insertion/deletion (InDel) markers, we performed genome-wide InDel detection by comparing the whole-genome resequencing data of the six selected accessions with the reference genome sequence (GCA_001541825). As a result, 177 InDel markers with high distinguishability and reproducibility were selected from the 30,845 InDel variants. Unknowingly imported alien plant resources could easily be genetically mixed, and jeopardized seed purity can cause continuous difficulties in the development of high value-added agricultural platforms utilizing natural products. The selected plant materials and 177 validated InDel markers developed via whole-genome resequencing analysis could be valuable resources for breeding, conservation, and ecological studies of natives to Korea, along with acceleration of Silybum marianum industrialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeehyoung Shim
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chung Ang University, Seodong-daero 4726, Daedeok-myeon, Anseong 17546, Republic of Korea
- EL&I Co., Ltd., Hwaseong 18278, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Young Hong
- Genomics Division, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Jeonju 54874, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Hyuk Han
- Food Crops Molecular Breeding Laboratory, Department of Integrative Biological Sciences and Industry, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeisoo Yu
- DNACare Co., Ltd., Seoul 06730, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunae Yoo
- National Agrobiodiversity Center, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Jeonju 54874, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungsook Sung
- National Agrobiodiversity Center, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Jeonju 54874, Republic of Korea
| | - Joong Hyoun Chin
- Food Crops Molecular Breeding Laboratory, Department of Integrative Biological Sciences and Industry, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
- Convergence Research Center for Natural Products, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - O New Lee
- Department of Bioindustry and Bioresource Engineering, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
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Dwivedi SL, Chapman MA, Abberton MT, Akpojotor UL, Ortiz R. Exploiting genetic and genomic resources to enhance productivity and abiotic stress adaptation of underutilized pulses. Front Genet 2023; 14:1193780. [PMID: 37396035 PMCID: PMC10311922 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1193780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Underutilized pulses and their wild relatives are typically stress tolerant and their seeds are packed with protein, fibers, minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals. The consumption of such nutritionally dense legumes together with cereal-based food may promote global food and nutritional security. However, such species are deficient in a few or several desirable domestication traits thereby reducing their agronomic value, requiring further genetic enhancement for developing productive, nutritionally dense, and climate resilient cultivars. This review article considers 13 underutilized pulses and focuses on their germplasm holdings, diversity, crop-wild-crop gene flow, genome sequencing, syntenic relationships, the potential for breeding and transgenic manipulation, and the genetics of agronomic and stress tolerance traits. Recent progress has shown the potential for crop improvement and food security, for example, the genetic basis of stem determinacy and fragrance in moth bean and rice bean, multiple abiotic stress tolerant traits in horse gram and tepary bean, bruchid resistance in lima bean, low neurotoxin in grass pea, and photoperiod induced flowering and anthocyanin accumulation in adzuki bean have been investigated. Advances in introgression breeding to develop elite genetic stocks of grass pea with low β-ODAP (neurotoxin compound), resistance to Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus in black gram using rice bean, and abiotic stress adaptation in common bean, using genes from tepary bean have been carried out. This highlights their potential in wider breeding programs to introduce such traits in locally adapted cultivars. The potential of de-domestication or feralization in the evolution of new variants in these crops are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark A. Chapman
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Rodomiro Ortiz
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden
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Neik TX, Siddique KHM, Mayes S, Edwards D, Batley J, Mabhaudhi T, Song BK, Massawe F. Diversifying agrifood systems to ensure global food security following the Russia–Ukraine crisis. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2023.1124640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent Russia–Ukraine conflict has raised significant concerns about global food security, leaving many countries with restricted access to imported staple food crops, particularly wheat and sunflower oil, sending food prices soaring with other adverse consequences in the food supply chain. This detrimental effect is particularly prominent for low-income countries relying on grain imports, with record-high food prices and inflation affecting their livelihoods. This review discusses the role of Russia and Ukraine in the global food system and the impact of the Russia–Ukraine conflict on food security. It also highlights how diversifying four areas of agrifood systems—markets, production, crops, and technology can contribute to achieving food supply chain resilience for future food security and sustainability.
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Egea I, Estrada Y, Faura C, Egea-Fernández JM, Bolarin MC, Flores FB. Salt-tolerant alternative crops as sources of quality food to mitigate the negative impact of salinity on agricultural production. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1092885. [PMID: 36818835 PMCID: PMC9935836 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1092885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
An increase of abiotic stress tolerance and nutritive value of foods is currently a priority because of climate change and rising world population. Among abiotic stresses, salt stress is one of the main problems in agriculture. Mounting urbanization and industrialization, and increasing global food demand, are pressing farmers to make use of marginal lands affected by salinity and low-quality saline water. In that situation, one of the most promising approaches is searching for new sources of genetic variation like salt-tolerant alternative crops or underexploited crops. They are generally less efficient than cultivated crops in optimal conditions due to lower yield but represent an alternative in stressful growth conditions. In this review, we summarize the advances achieved in research on underexploited species differing in their genetic nature. First, we highlight advances in research on salt tolerance of traditional varieties of tomato or landraces; varieties selected and developed by smallholder farmers for adaptation to their local environments showing specific attractive fruit quality traits. We remark advances attained in screening a collection of tomato traditional varieties gathered in Spanish Southeast, a very productive region which environment is extremely stressing. Second, we explore the opportunities of exploiting the natural variation of halophytes, in particular quinoa and amaranth. The adaptation of both species in stressful growth conditions is becoming an increasingly important issue, especially for their cultivation in arid and semiarid areas prone to be affected by salinity. Here we present a project developed in Spanish Southeast, where quinoa and amaranth varieties are being adapted for their culture under abiotic stress targeting high quality grain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Egea
- Department Of Stress Biology and Plant Pathology, Centro de Edafologia y Biologia Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS-CSIC), Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Yanira Estrada
- Department Of Stress Biology and Plant Pathology, Centro de Edafologia y Biologia Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS-CSIC), Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Celia Faura
- Department Of Stress Biology and Plant Pathology, Centro de Edafologia y Biologia Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS-CSIC), Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Maria C. Bolarin
- Department Of Stress Biology and Plant Pathology, Centro de Edafologia y Biologia Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS-CSIC), Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Francisco B. Flores
- Department Of Stress Biology and Plant Pathology, Centro de Edafologia y Biologia Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS-CSIC), Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Kumar B, Singh AK, Bahuguna RN, Pareek A, Singla‐Pareek SL. Orphan crops: A genetic treasure trove for hunting stress tolerance genes. Food Energy Secur 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/fes3.436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brijesh Kumar
- Plant Stress Biology Group International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology New Delhi India
| | - Anil Kumar Singh
- ICAR‐National Institute for Plant Biotechnology LBS Centre New Delhi India
| | - Rajeev Nayan Bahuguna
- Center for Advanced Studies on Climate Change Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University Bihar Pusa, Samastipur India
| | - Ashwani Pareek
- Stress Physiology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi India
| | - Sneh L. Singla‐Pareek
- Plant Stress Biology Group International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology New Delhi India
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Multiomics Molecular Research into the Recalcitrant and Orphan Quercus ilex Tree Species: Why, What for, and How. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179980. [PMID: 36077370 PMCID: PMC9456323 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) is the dominant tree species of the Mediterranean forest and the Spanish agrosilvopastoral ecosystem, “dehesa.” It has been, since the prehistoric period, an important part of the Iberian population from a social, cultural, and religious point of view, providing an ample variety of goods and services, and forming the basis of the economy in rural areas. Currently, there is renewed interest in its use for dietary diversification and sustainable food production. It is part of cultural richness, both economically (tangible) and environmentally (intangible), and must be preserved for future generations. However, a worrisome degradation of the species and associated ecosystems is occurring, observed in an increase in tree decline and mortality, which requires urgent action. Breeding programs based on the selection of elite genotypes by molecular markers is the only plausible biotechnological approach. To this end, the authors’ group started, in 2004, a research line aimed at characterizing the molecular biology of Q. ilex. It has been a challenging task due to its biological characteristics (long life cycle, allogamous, high phenotypic variability) and recalcitrant nature. The biology of this species has been characterized following the central dogma of molecular biology using the omics cascade. Molecular responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, as well as seed maturation and germination, are the two main objectives of our research. The contributions of the group to the knowledge of the species at the level of DNA-based markers, genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics are discussed here. Moreover, data are compared with those reported for Quercus spp. All omics data generated, and the genome of Q. ilex available, will be integrated with morphological and physiological data in the systems biology direction. Thus, we will propose possible molecular markers related to resilient and productive genotypes to be used in reforestation programs. In addition, possible markers related to the nutritional value of acorn and derivate products, as well as bioactive compounds (peptides and phenolics) and allergens, will be suggested. Subsequently, the selected molecular markers will be validated by both genome-wide association and functional genomic analyses.
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Mekonnen TW, Gerrano AS, Mbuma NW, Labuschagne MT. Breeding of Vegetable Cowpea for Nutrition and Climate Resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa: Progress, Opportunities, and Challenges. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:plants11121583. [PMID: 35736733 PMCID: PMC9230997 DOI: 10.3390/plants11121583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Currently, the world population is increasing, and humanity is facing food and nutritional scarcity. Climate change and variability are a major threat to global food and nutritional security, reducing crop productivity in the tropical and subtropical regions of the globe. Cowpea has the potential to make a significant contribution to global food and nutritional security. In addition, it can be part of a sustainable food system, being a genetic resource for future crop improvement, contributing to resilience and improving agricultural sustainability under climate change conditions. In malnutrition prone regions of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, cowpea has become a strategic dryland legume crop for addressing food insecurity and malnutrition. Therefore, this review aims to assess the contribution of cowpea to SSA countries as a climate-resilient crop and the existing production challenges and perspectives. Cowpea leaves and immature pods are rich in diverse nutrients, with high levels of protein, vitamins, macro and micronutrients, minerals, fiber, and carbohydrates compared to its grain. In addition, cowpea is truly a multifunctional crop for maintaining good health and for reducing non-communicable human diseases. However, as a leafy vegetable, cowpea has not been researched and promoted sufficiently because it has not been promoted as a food security crop due to its low yield potential, susceptibility to biotic and abiotic stresses, quality assurance issues, policy regulation, and cultural beliefs (it is considered a livestock feed). The development of superior cowpea as a leafy vegetable can be approached in different ways, such as conventional breeding and gene stacking, speed breeding, mutation breeding, space breeding, demand-led breeding, a pan-omics approach, and local government policies. The successful breeding of cowpea genotypes that are high-yielding with a good nutritional value as well as having resistance to biotics and tolerant to abiotic stress could also be used to address food security and malnutrition-related challenges in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tesfaye Walle Mekonnen
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa; (N.W.M.); (M.T.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +27-796540514
| | - Abe Shegro Gerrano
- Agricultural Research Council-Vegetable, Industrial and Medicinal Plants, Pretoria 0001, South Africa;
- Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
| | - Ntombokulunga Wedy Mbuma
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa; (N.W.M.); (M.T.L.)
| | - Maryke Tine Labuschagne
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa; (N.W.M.); (M.T.L.)
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