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- Wide range of genetic variation lentil diversity panel for agronomic and yield component traits in multi-location trial.in lentil diversity panel under diverse environmentsAuthor(s): Balech, Rind; Maalouf, Fouad; Bouhlal, Outmane; Abou-Khater, Lynn; Agrawal, Shiv Kumar (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), 2025-09-10)Date: 2025-09-10Type: Conference PaperStatus: Open accessLentil (Lens culinaris) is a nutritionally and agronomically important legume crop, valued for its protein-rich seeds and its contribution to sustainable farming systems. To better exploit natural genetic variation, identify key agronomic and yield-related traits, accelerate genetic improvement, and address major challenges such as climate change, disease resistance, and yield stability, the development of a well-phenotyped diversity panel is essential. In this study, a total of 294 lentil accessions were evaluated at two ICARDA research stations: Terbol, Lebanon, and Marchouch, Morocco, during the 2023–24 growing season. The experiments were laid out in an alpha lattice design with two replications at each location. Several agronomic and yield component traits were recorded at both sites. Spatial row and column analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among accessions for all measured traits in both environments (p < 0.001), indicating substantial phenotypic variability. Cluster analysis grouped the accessions into six clusters at Marchouch and four clusters at Terbol, reflecting differences in trait expression across environments. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the first three principal components (PC1, PC2, and PC3) explained 73.68% and 61.9% of the total variation at Marchouch and Terbol, respectively. Grain yield per plant (GYPO) and biomass per plant (BYPO) contributed the largest share of variation at both locations. At Terbol, PC1 (33.3%) was strongly associated with GYPO and BYPO, while at Marchouch, PC1 (26.48%) also showed strong associations with these traits. These results demonstrate considerable phenotypic diversity within the evaluated lentil panel and provide a valuable foundation for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and marker-assisted selection in lentil breeding programs.
- Genetic analysis and marker assisted selection using KASP markers in a doubled haploid bread wheat populationAuthor(s): Djenadi, Chafika; Yahiaoui, Samia; Abdelguerfi-Laouar, Meriem; Zine el Abidine, Fellahi; Ouakkal, Meriem; Udupa, Sripada M. (Springer nature link, 2025-07-17)Date: 2025-07-17Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Timeless limited accessBread Wheat breeding can rely on different methods, the main objective of this study was to combine Marker Assisted Selection with haplodiploidisation to accelerate the breeding process, focusing on the introduction of high yield, rust resistance genes (Lr34 and Lr46) and dwarf gene Rht1. This approach was designed to be efficient and precise, significantly speeding up the development of wheat lines with desirable traits by reducing the time and effort typically required in conventional breeding methods. In this context, the concept of genetic gain which is the result of the interaction between heritability, phenotypic variation, selection intensity, and cycle length was rigorously applied. The selection was conducted using ANOVA, PCA, MGIDI analysis, and KASP markers. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the parental and the DH lines for all agronomic traits, indicating substantial genetic diversity within the DH lines. From the DH lines, 54 DH lines were selected for their optimal combination of agronomic performance, including early maturity and high yield potential. Additionally, KASP analysis enabled the selection of one DH ideotype carried Lr34, Lr46, and Rht1. 61 DH lines carrying pyramided resistance genes (Lr34, Lr46) and the dwarfing gene (Rht1) based on the presence of favourable marker alleles were identified. Among these selections, 13 DH lines were identified as having the ideal combination of rust resistance, dwarfing gene alleles, and high yield potential. These selections represent a significant advancement in terms of earliness and yield, and genes pyramiding for improving wheat productivity across diverse environments.
- Screening of lentil genotypes against stemphylium blight disease and molecular identification of causal organismAuthor(s): Zaman, Md Aktar Uz; Haque, Md. Ashraful; Sarker, Ashutosh; Rohman, Md. Motiar; Sarkar, Debashish; Muzahid-E-Rahman, Md.; Haque, Ruan Binte; Akhter, Md. Shamim; Agrawal, Shiv Kumar (nature portfolio, 2025-09-02)Date: 2025-09-02Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Open accessDuring the cropping seasons of 2019–20, 2020–21, and 2021–22, respectively, lentil genotypes were screened against Stemphylium blight using the Alpha-Lattice Design with three replications at Pulses Research Centre, BARI, Ishurdi, Pabna-6620 under natural and artificial epiphytotic conditions. In case of artificial inoculum condition, the artificial cultured inoculums were sprayed at 1.3 × 105 spores/mL concentration of spores for spore inoculation in the experimental plots. The disease severity data was recorded following 1–9 disease rating scale and Area under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) was also estimated. Considering the disease severity and Area under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) under natural epiphytotic condition none of the genotype was identified as Resistant, and Very Susceptible but seven genotypes namely BARI Masur-9, BARI Masur-8, PRECOZ, BLX-12004-5, RL-12-181, BLX 10001-1, and BLX 09015 were found as Moderately Resistance-Moderately Susceptible genotypes against Stemphylium blight disease with disease rating scale 4, 16 to 30% disease infection rate, and average estimated AUDPC 81–120 among the 60 lentil genotypes. But in case of artificial inoculation during cropping season 2021-22, only three genotypes BARI Masur-9, PRECOZ, and BLX 09015 were identified as Moderately Susceptible. Disease severity was recorded higher in artificial inoculation compared to natural epiphytotic condition. Considering the yield performance under natural and artificial inoculation the genotypes BARI Masur-9, PRECOZ, BARI Masur-8, LRIL-21-112-1-1-1-1-6, BLX-12004-5, BLX 10001-1, BLX 09015, and RL-12-181 were identified Moderately-Resistant to Moderately-Susceptible genotypes with better yield performance under disease infestation.
- DNA barcoding for species resolution in Egyptian lamiaceae: regional insights and conservation applications using rbcL, matK, and trnH-psbA markersAuthor(s): Hafez, Amr; Elwahy, Ahmed H.; Radwan, Khaled; Mahmoud, Nourhan Fouad; Mahdy, Ehab M.; Fouad, Ahmed S. (Springer Nature, 2025-12-01)Date: 2025-09-13Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Timeless limited accessThe Lamiaceae family includes numerous aromatic and medicinal species, but morphological similarities between taxa often make accurate identification difficult. This study evaluates the performance of three chloroplast DNA barcoding markers, rbcL, matK and trnH-psbA, in resolving species within Thymus, Mentha and Salvia collected from different ecological regions in Egypt. Amplification and sequencing were successful in all genera with rbcL, although resolution was limited to species level (e.g. genetic distance of 0.0154 between Thymus and Mentha). In contrast, matK and trnH-psbA showed better species discrimination but lower amplification efficiency, especially in Salvia (12.5%). Among all markers, trnH-psbA showed the highest interspecific variability with 172 parsimony-informative sites. Principal coordinate analysis and phylogenetic reconstructions using maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference models showed that matK and trnH-psbA better resolved interspecific relationships and geographic clustering patterns. A concatenated tree integrating all markers further improves phylogenetic resolution and supports the use of multi-locus barcoding. This study emphasizes that matK and trnH-psbA, when combined with rbcL, improve taxonomic precision within the Lamiaceae, especially in a poorly studied Mediterranean flora such as that of Egypt. Beyond taxonomy, these results have practical implications for the authentication of medicinal species, biodiversity conservation and quality control in the herbal industry. The barcode reference data generated also contributes to regional and global plant identification databases. Our results support the implementation of multi-locus barcoding strategies to resolve complex plant groups and preserve Egypt’s rich botanical heritage.
- Multi-Environment QTL Mapping of Rust Resistance in Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) to Uromyces viciae-fabaeAuthor(s): Atienza, Sergio; Emeran, Amero A.; Arafa, Ramadan A.; Maalouf, Fouad; Sillero, Josefina; Avila, Carmen M. (MDPI, 2025-09-12)Date: 2025-09-12Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Open accessFaba bean rust is one of the major threats to the cultivation of faba beans worldwide. Three genes for rust resistance (Uvf-1, Uvf-2 and Uvf-3) and fifteen marker-trait associations have been identified so far. This study examines the genetic basis of rust resistance derived from BPL-261, an accessions that exhibits low infection frequency and a long latency period. We constructed a genetic map based on a RIL6 population derived from the BPL-261/Vf-274 cross, which consists of 91 individuals. Subsequent generations were used to evaluate rust resistance in Lattakia (Syria), Kafr El-Sheikh (Egypt) and Córdoba (Spain). A total of six QTLs for resistance were detected on chromosomes II, III, IV and V. Comparative analyses suggest that the QTL located on chromosome V is likely to be associated with Uvf-3. The QTL on chromosome III is close to Uvf-2 but it seems to be a different QTL since the confidence intervals do not overlap. Finally, the other QTLs constitute additional sources of rust resistance in faba beans. Functional analysis of the candidate genes within the confidence intervals suggests the hypothetical involvement of various resistance mechanisms, with salicylic acid playing a significant role but it should be confirmed with further studies. Our results advance understanding of rust resistance in faba bean. Markers identified in this study should be used to develop kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) assays, after their utility has been confirmed in different genetic backgrounds. This will contribute to the development of durable rust-resistant faba bean cultivars.