bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nutritionally Enhanced Wheat for Food and Nutrition Security
Authors: Govindan Velu , Michaux Kristina D. , Pfeiffer Wolfgang H. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe current and future trends in population growth and consumption patterns continue to increase the demand for wheat. Wheat is a major source and an ideal vehicle for delivering increased quantities of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and other valuable bioactive compounds to population groups who consume wheat as a staple food. To address nutritious traits in crop improvement, breeding feasibility must be assessed and nutrient targets defined based on their health impact. Novel alleles for grain Zn and Fe in competitive, profitable, Zn enriched wheat varieties have been accomplished using conventional breeding techniques and have been released in South Asia and Latin America, providing between 20% and 40% more Zn than local commercial varieties and benefitting more than four million consumers. Future challenges include accelerating and maintaining parallel rates of genetic gain for productivity and Zn traits and reversing the trend of declining nutrients in wheat that has been exacerbated by climate change. Application of modern empirical and analytical technologies and methods in wheat breeding will help to expedite genetic progress, shorten time-to-market, and achieve mainstreaming objectives. In exploiting synergies from genetic and agronomic options, agronomic biofortification can contribute to achieving higher Zn concentrations, stabilize Zn trait expression, and increase other grain minerals, such as selenium or iodine. Increasing Fe bioavailability in future breeding and research with other nutrients and bioactive compounds is warranted to further increase the nutritious value of wheat. Crop profiles must assure value propositions for all actors across the supply chain and consider processors requirements in product development.
Experimental Design for Plant Improvement
Authors: Mathews Ky L. , Crossa José 
Published: June 2022

AbstractSound experimental design underpins successful plant improvement research. Robust experimental designs respect fundamental principles including replication, randomization and blocking, and avoid bias and pseudo-replication. Classical experimental designs seek to mitigate the effects of spatial variability with resolvable block plot structures. Recent developments in experimental design theory and software enable optimal model-based designs tailored to the experimental purpose. Optimal model-based designs anticipate the analytical model and incorporate information previously used only in the analysis. New technologies, such as genomics, rapid cycle breeding and high-throughput phenotyping, require flexible designs solutions which optimize resources whilst upholding fundamental design principles. This chapter describes experimental design principles in the context of classical designs and introduces the burgeoning field of model-based design in the context of plant improvement science.
Seed Systems to Support Rapid Adoption of Improved Varieties in Wheat
Authors: Joshi Arun Kumar , Braun Hans-Joachim 
Published: June 2022

AbstractNew varieties of crops are developed to provide farmers seeds of cultivars that are acquainted with specific environmental or management conditions to realize best yield and quality. Seed is the carrier of genetic potential for the performance of a crop, hence is considered the most vital input in agriculture. Wheat being self-pollinated, it is not necessary to buy seed every year as in case of hybrids. Seeds are multiplied through an informal or formal approach. In most developing countries, informal wheat seed sector is dominant. Seed production follows well defined steps wherein a particular class of seed is grown to deliver another class of seed to the farmer. In general, there are four classes of seeds in wheat – nucleus, breeder, foundation and certified, although in some cases registered seed is also produced. The strength of the seed sector varies across countries – strong in developed countries but moderate to weak in the Global South. In most countries seed production and its marketing is regulated and both public and private sectors are involved. In counties with a not so strong seed sector, a fast track approach for varietal release and seed dissemination has been advocated to meet the challenges of climate change and transboundary diseases.
A Century of Cytogenetic and Genome Analysis: Impact on Wheat Crop Improvement
Authors: Gill Bikram S. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBeginning in the first decade of 1900, pioneering research in disease resistance and seed color inheritance established the scientific basis of Mendelian inheritance in wheat breeding. A series of breakthroughs in chromosome and genome analysis beginning in the 1920s and continuing into the twenty-first century have impacted wheat improvement. The application of meiotic chromosome pairing in the 1920s and plasmon analysis in the 1950s elucidated phylogeny of the Triticum-Aegilops complex of species and defined the wheat gene pools. The aneuploid stocks in the 1950s opened floodgates for chromosome and arm mapping of first phenotypic and later protein and DNA probes. The aneuploid stocks, coupled with advances in chromosome banding and in situ hybridization in the 1970s, allowed precise chromosome engineering of traits in wide hybrids. The deletion stocks in the 1990s were pivotal in mapping expressed genes to specific chromosome bins revealing structural and functional differentiation of chromosomes along their length and facilitating map-based cloning of genes. Advances in whole-genome sequencing, chromosome genomics, RH mapping and functional tools led to the assembly of reference sequence of Chinese Spring and multiple wheat genomes. Chromosome and genomic analysis must be integrated into wheat breeding and wide-hybridizaton pipeline for sustainable crop improvement.
Conserving Wheat Genetic Resources
Authors: Guzzon Filippo , Gianella Maraeva , Giovannini Peter , Payne Thomas S. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractWheat genetic resources (WGR) are represented by wheat crop wild relatives (WCWR) and cultivated wheat varieties (landraces, old and modern cultivars). The conservation and accessibility of WGR are fundamental due to their: (1) importance for wheat breeding, (2) cultural value associated with traditional food products, (3) significance for biodiversity conservation, since some WCWR are endangered in their natural habitats. Two strategies are employed to conserve WGR: namely in situ and ex situ conservation. In situ conservation, i.e. the conservation of the diversity at the location where it is found, consists in genetic reserves for WCWR and on farm programs for landraces and old cultivars. Ex situ conservation of WGR consists in the storage of dry seeds at cold temperatures in germplasm banks. It is currently the most employed conservation strategy for WGR because it allows the long-term storage of many samples in relatively small spaces. Due to the great number of seed samples of WGR and associated passport data stored in genebanks, it is increasingly important for the management of ex situ collections to: (1) employ efficient database systems, (2) understand seed longevity of the seed accessions, (3) setup safety backups of the collections at external sites.
Micronutrient Toxicity and Deficiency
Authors: Langridge Peter 
Published: June 2022

AbstractMicronutrients are essential for plant growth although required in only very small amounts. There are eight micronutrients needed for healthy growth of wheat: chlorine, iron, boron, manganese, zinc, copper, nickel and molybdenum. Several factors will influence the availability of micronutrients, including levels in the soil, and mobility or availability. Zinc deficiency is the most significant problem globally followed by boron, molybdenum, copper, manganese and iron. Deficiency is usually addressed through application of nutrients to seeds, or through foliar spays when symptoms develop. There is considerable genetic variation in the efficiency of micronutrient uptake in wheat, but this is not a major selection target for breeding programs given the agronomic solutions. However, for some micronutrients, the concentrations in the soil can be very high and result in toxicity. Of the micronutrients, the narrowest range between deficiency and toxicity is for boron and toxicity is a significant problem in some regions. Although not a micronutrient, aluminium toxicity is also a major factor limiting yield in many areas, usually associated with a low soil pH. Agronomic solutions for boron and aluminium toxicity are difficult and expensive. Consequently, genetic approaches have dominated the strategies for addressing toxicity and good sources of tolerance are available.
Pre-breeding Strategies
Authors: Sukumaran Sivakumar , Rebetzke Greg , Mackay Ian , Bentley Alison R. , Reynolds Matthew P. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIn general terms, pre-breeding links needed traits to new varieties and encompasses activities from discovery research, exploration of gene banks, phenomics, genomics and breeding. How does pre-breeding given its importance differ from varietal-based breeding? Why is pre-breeding important? Pre-breeding identifies trait or trait combinations to help boost yield, protect it from biotic or abiotic stress, and enhance nutritional or quality characteristics of grain. Sources of new traits/alleles are typically found in germplasm banks, and include the following categories of ‘exotic’ material: obsolete varieties, landraces, products of interspecific hybridization within the Triticeae such as chromosome translocation lines, primary synthetic genotypes and their derivatives, and related species mainly from the primary or secondary gene pools (Genus: Triticum and Aegilops). Genetic and/or phenotyping tools are used to incorporate novel alleles/traits into elite varieties. While pre-breeding is mainly associated with use of exotics, unconventional crosses or selection methodologies aimed to accumulate novel combinations of alleles or traits into good genetic backgrounds may also be considered pre-breeding. In the current chapter, we focus on pre-breeding involving research-based screening of genetic resources, strategic crossing to combine complementary traits/alleles and progeny selection using phenomic and genomic selection, aiming to bring new functional diversity into use for development of elite cultivars.
Translational Research Networks
Authors: Reynolds Matthew P. , Braun Hans-Joachim , Flavell Richard B. , Gwyn J. Jefferson , Langridge Peter , Rosichan Jeffrey L. , Sawkins Mark C. , Visscher Stephen H. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractWithout higher yielding and more climate resilient crop varieties, better agronomy and sustainable inputs, the world is on a course for catastrophes in food and nutritional security with all the associated social and political implications. Achieving food and nutritional security is one of the most important Grand Challenges of this century. These circumstances demand new systems for improving wheat to sustain current needs and future demands. This chapter presents some of the networks that have been developed over the years to help address these challenges. Networks help to: identify the most urgent problems based on consensus; identify and bridge knowledge silos; increase research efficacy and efficiency by studying state of the art germplasm and sharing common research environments/platforms so multiple strands of research can be cross-referenced; and creating communities of practice where the modus operandi becomes cooperation towards common goals rather than competition. Networks can also provide identity and visibility to research programs and their stakeholders, thereby lending credibility, increasing investment opportunities and accelerating outputs and dissemination of valuable new technologies.
Accelerating Breeding Cycles
Authors: Alahmad Samir , Rambla Charlotte , Voss-Fels Kai P. , Hickey Lee T. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe rate of genetic gain in wheat improvement programs must improve to meet the challenge of feeding a growing population. Future wheat varieties will need to produce record high yields to feed an anticipated 25% more inhabitants on this planet by 2050. The current rate of genetic gain is slow and cropping systems are facing unprecedented fluctuations in production. This instability stems from major changes in climate and evolving pests and diseases. Rapid genetic improvement is essential to optimise crop performance under such harsh conditions. Accelerating breeding cycles shows promise for increasing the rate of genetic gain over time. This can be achieved by concurrent integration of cutting-edge technologies into breeding programs, such as speed breeding (SB), doubled haploid (DH) technology, high-throughput phenotyping platforms and genomic selection (GS). These technologies empower wheat breeders to keep the pace with increasing food demand by developing more productive and robust varieties sooner. In this chapter, strategies for shortening the wheat breeding cycle are discussed, along with the opportunity to integrate technologies to further accelerate the rate of genetic gain in wheat breeding programs.
Global Trends in Wheat Production, Consumption and Trade
Authors: Erenstein Olaf , Jaleta Moti , Mottaleb Khondoker Abdul , Sonder Kai , Donovan Jason , Braun Hans-Joachim 
Published: June 2022

AbstractSince its domestication around 10,000 years ago, wheat has played a crucial role in global food security. Wheat now supplies a fifth of food calories and protein to the world’s population. It is the most widely cultivated crop in the world, cultivated on 217 million ha annually. This chapter assesses available data on wheat production, consumption, and international trade to examine the global supply and demand conditions for wheat over the past quarter century and future implications. There is continued urgency to enhance wheat productivity to ensure global food security given continued global population growth and growing popularity of wheat based processed foods in the Global South. To enhance productivity while staying within planetary boundaries, there is a need for substantive investments in research and development, particularly in support of wheat’s role in agri-food systems in the Global South.
Achieving Genetic Gains in Practice
Authors: Singh Ravi P. , Juliana Philomin , Huerta-Espino Julio , Govindan Velu , Crespo-Herrera Leonardo A. , Mondal Suchismita , Bhavani Sridhar , Singh Pawan Kumar , He Xinyao , Ibba Maria Itria , Randhawa Mandeep Singh , Kumar Uttam , Joshi Arun Kumar , Basnet Bhoja R. , Braun Hans-Joachim 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAccelerating the rate of genetic gain for grain yield together with key traits is pivotal for delivering improved wheat varieties. The key strategies of CIMMYT’s spring bread wheat improvement program to continuously increase genetic gains and deliver elite wheat lines to national partners in the target countries include: breeding for product profiles that prioritize selection traits; robust choice of diverse parents by leveraging all phenotypic and genotypic data; effective crossing schemes with an optimal proportion of different types of crosses; early-generation advancement using the selected-bulk breeding scheme that reduces operational costs; the two generations/year field based “shuttle-breeding” that reduces the breeding cycle time while selecting breeding populations in contrasting environments with diverse biotic and abiotic stresses; making advancement decisions for elite lines using data from intensive multi-trait, multi-year and multi-environment phenotyping; integrating new methods like genomic selection; utilizing yield and phenotypic data from international yield trials and screening nurseries generated by worldwide partners for identifying and utilizing superior lines; and maintaining effective partnerships with the National Agricultural Research Systems who serve as key leaders in developing, releasing, and disseminating varieties to farmers. In addition to these strategies, new breeding schemes to reduce the cycle time and recycle parents in 2–3 years are being piloted and optimized to further accelerate genetic gain.
Eradicating Gender Stereotypes in Advertising in Spain
Authors: Davies David 
Published: June 2022

AbstractTo tackle sexist advertisements, each EU state must tread a fine balance of two conflicting fundamental rights: maintaining the protection of gender equality whilst simultaneously avoiding the curtailment of freedom of expression. In performing this balance, the majority of member states follow the legal norm of establishing a self-regulation organisation, allowing the industry to develop advertising codes and denigrate advertisements. Since 2004, Spain has sought to tackle sexist advertisements under the guise of wider legislative measures that aimed at reducing “intimate partner violence” based on its Gender Violence Act. The act places obligations upon advertisers and prohibits adverts that use a woman’s body detached from the advertised object or uses an image that portrays women in stereotyped behaviours. This chapter explores Spain’s route into the legislation to strike down sexist advertisements and analyses two of the court’s founding rulings: the RyanAir calendar and Cillit Bang cases.
(Stereo)typical Law: Challenging the Transformative Potential of Human Rights
Authors: Frańczak Olga 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe UN Commission on the Status of Women stated that addressing gender stereotypes “must be a key element in all efforts to achieve the realization of women’s human rights” (2010). Leading human rights organisations (African Union, Council of Europe, European Union, Organization of American States and the United Nations) have introduced instruments aimed at the elimination of gender stereotypes, like CEDAW or the Istanbul Convention. Feminist legal scholarship reaffirms this position, considering stereotyping to be one of the biggest challenges for realisation of human rights in contemporary society. Nevertheless, the topic remains largely under-researched. Drawing on feminist legal theory, this chapter addresses the following question: Can and should law be used to address gender stereotyping? It explores the complexity of this topic, with focus on the opportunities and constrains of using law to affect substantive change. This chapter takes up an interdisciplinary approach of law and politics.
Trans Pregnancy in a Repronormative World
Authors: Love Gillian 
Published: June 2022

AbstractNot every person who gives birth is a woman or mother. However, legal frameworks in many countries insist that they are. This chapter demonstrates that legal frameworks around pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood are oftenrepronormativein their effects, maintaining the hegemonic sex/gender order at the expense of the dignity of trans people who have given birth to their own children. To explore why and how these repronormative effects persist, this chapter explores two case studies of trans men who have given birth in the UK and Israel respectively, and the legal battles they faced to be recognised as fathers who have given birth. It pulls together sociological and legal scholarship to critique existing legal frameworks in Europe and beyond and explore potential solutions to the barriers they create. It concludes by placing these arguments in a wider sociological and political debate around trans and reproductive rights.
Constitutional and Legal Guarantees for Transgender in Pakistan: Reforms and Failures in Law
Authors: Rashid Amna , Rashid Umar 
Published: June 2022

AbstractTransgender individuals in Pakistan have been excluded from political and economic systems. In 2009, the Supreme Court of Pakistan for the first time recognised the unique gender identity of transgender individuals. This Order initiated reforms for the protection of the rights of transgender individuals and compelled various government departments to devise guidelines for the issuance of National Identification Cards (NICs) to all transgender individuals and created a legal framework for their full and equal participation in society. This chapter will analyse the effectiveness of this reform project in relation to other legal rules and entrenched social norms. It will start with an analysis of the historical discriminatory laws which led to a marginalisation of transgender individuals, and evaluate whether the recent developments in law, particularly theTransgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act2018, are sufficient to protect the rights of transgender in Pakistan.
Rural Women’s Land Use Rights in China: Acceptance and Enforceability
Authors: Eskelinen Pia 
Published: June 2022

AbstractLegal control of land as well as legal and social recognition of women’s uses of and rights to land can have catalytic effects of empowerment, increasing women’s influence and status in their communities. During past decades, changes in the Chinese land tenure rights and practices have brought important incentives for rural developments including farmer income and living standards. However, the law in books differs from the law in action and the lack of women’s land use rights recognition deprives them of their chances of surviving in rural China. They become legally invisible, ignored and forgotten. This qualitative research is mainly based on interviews conducted in China. The data will be analysed within the framework of theories and philosophies grounding Chinese ideology. As this research focus on women in rural areas, feminism form the theoretical and ideological background.
A dilaton-axion model for string cosmology
Authors: Russo J. G. , Townsend P. K. 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
The generic scale-invariant theory of an axion and a dilaton coupled to gravity in d-dimensions is generalized to a ‘universal’ one-axion model with two dilatons that reproduces itself under consistent dimensional-reduction/truncation. Flat FLRW cosmologies are shown to correspond to trajectories of a three-dimensional autonomous dynamical system, which we analyse with a focus on accelerated cosmic expansion, deriving the precise swampland bounds that exclude eternal acceleration. We also show that for two sets of values of its three independent parameters, the model is a consistent truncation of maximal ‘massive’ supergravity theories arising from string/M-theory; for these maximal-supergravity parameter values the FLRW cosmologies include some with a transient de Sitter-like phase, but not the recurring de Sitter-like phase or eternal cosmic acceleration that is possible for other parameter values.