Phosphorus (P) deficiency in agricultural soil is a major constraint for crop production and increasing P acquisition efficiency (PAE) of plants is considered as one of the most cost-effective solutions for yield increase. The objective of this study was to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling (PAE) and P utilization efficiency (PUE) in barley under applied (+P) and non-applied P (−P) conditions. Based on the analysis of a recombinant inbred lines (RILs) population derived from a cross between a malting barley variety and a wild barley accession, 17 QTL controlling PAE, PUE and yield traits were detected. The phenotypic variation explained by each of these QTL ranges from 11.0 to 24.7%. Significant correlation was detected between most of P-related traits and yield traits. Five QTL clusters were identified on four different chromosomes (1H, 3H, 5H, and 7H). Two of the QTL clusters, located on chromosome 1H (for GPUP/PUP) and 7H (for SPUE/SPC), respectively, are novel. Fourteen genes located in the interval harboring the major QTL were identified as candidates associated with P efficiency. The stable QTL for PAE, PUE and yield-related traits could be important for breeding P-efficient barley varieties.

The impact of microplastics (MPs) on the diversity and composition of the gut microbiome has been extensively documented in animal studies, but evidence in humans remains limited. Recognizing the potential differences in MP effects between animal and human gut microbiomes, this review synthesizes current evidence concerning their impact on the human gut microbiota. Furthermore, the potential links between microplastic-induced dysbiosis and the pathogenesis of human diseases were analyzed. Cross-sectional studies have been conducted to explore microplastic exposures (such as in humans who consume hot foods served in disposable plastic tableware) and their associations with gut microbiome functionalities in infants, preschool children and adults. Exposure to MPs increased the abundance of Dethiosulfovibrionaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Moraxellaceae, Actinomycetota, Pseudomonadota, and Veillonella. On the other hand, MPs decreased the abundances of Bacillota, Bacteroidota, Lactobacillales, Rikenellaceae, Parabacteroides, Roseburia, Coprococcus, Turicibacter, and Eubacterium coprostanoligenes. These changes were associated with a decrease in butyrate production and a decrease in short-chain fatty acid levels. However, for some other bacteria, both inductive (on Oscillospiraceae, Adlercreutzia, Phascolarctobacterium, and Collinsella) and repressive effects (on Streptococcus) have been documented. There are contradictory reports about MP-induced changes in Lachnospiraceae (including the Dorea genus), Alistipes and Faecalibacterium, which may be correlated with obesity, gastrointestinal dysfunction, some cancers, inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn's disease. Potential reasons for these discrepancies are proposed. This review also examines putative mechanisms, with a focus on biofilm formation on selective surfaces, and discusses the inherent limitations of current MP exposure assessments in human gut microbiota studies.

Organic phosphorus (P) is an important component of the soil P pool, and it has been proven to be a potential source of P for plants. The phosphorus utilization efficiency (PUE) and PUE related traits (tiller number (TN), shoot dry weight (DW), and root dry weight) under different phytate-P conditions (low phytate-P, 0.05 mmol L⁻¹ and normal phytate-P, 0.5 mmol L⁻¹) were investigated using a population consisting of 128 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) at the vegetative stage in barley. The population was derived from a cross between a P-inefficient genotype (Baudin) and a P-efficient genotype (CN4027, a Hordeum spontaneum accession). A major locus (designated Qpue.sau-3H) conferring PUE was detected in shoots and roots from the RIL population. The quantitative trait locus (QTL) was mapped on chromosome 3H and the allele from CN4027 confers high PUE. This locus explained up to 30.3 and 28.4% of the phenotypic variance in shoots under low and normal phytate-P conditions, respectively. It also explains 28.3 and 30.7% of the phenotypic variation in root under the low and normal phytate-P conditions, respectively. Results from this study also showed that TN was not correlated with PUE, and a QTL controlling TN was detected on chromosome 5H. However, dry weight (DW) was significantly and positively correlated with PUE, and a QTL controlling DW was detected near the Qpue.sau-3H locus. Based on a covariance analysis, existing data indicated that, although DW may affect PUE, different genes at this locus are likely involved in controlling these two traits.

Nitrogen (N) is an essential element for plant growth and development. The identification and utilization of N use efficiency (NUE) loci are essential for breeding high NUE cultivars. In this study, 15 NUE traits were measured in a recombinant inbred line population containing 121 lines derived from the cross between a cultivated barley (Baudin) and a wild barley (CN4027). The hydroponic culture was conducted with normal N and low N treatments in one‐time frame, and field trials were conducted with N sufficiency and N deficiency treatments in two growing seasons. Twenty‐two quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and four clusters were detected. Of them, the five stable QTLs Qgna.sau‐3H for grain N concentration, Qtna.sau‐3H for total N accumulation per plant, Qnhi.sau‐3H for N harvest index, Qnutegy.sau‐3H for N utilization efficiency for grain yield and Qanutedm.sau‐3H.1 for N utilization efficiency for aboveground dry matter were co‐located on chromosome 3H flanked by the markers bpb6282426 and bpb4786261. These two novel QTL clusters simultaneously controlled NUE traits at the seedling and maturity stages. Some genes related to NUE traits in intervals of the major QTLs were predicted. The significant relationships between NUE traits and agronomic and physiological traits were detected and discussed. In conclusion, this study uncovers the most promising genomic regions for the marker‐assisted selection of NUE traits to improve NUE in barley.

The halophytic wild relatives within Triticeae might provide valuable sources of salt tolerance for wheat breeding, and attempts to use these sources of tolerance have been made for improving salt tolerance in wheat by distant hybridization. A novel wheat substitution line of K17-1078-3 was developed using common wheat varieties of Chuannong16 (CN16), Zhengmai9023 (ZM9023), and partial amphidiploid Trititrigia8801 (8801) as parents, and identified as the 3E(3D) substitution line. The substitution line was compared with their parents for salt tolerance in hydroponic culture to assess their growth. The results showed that less Na⁺ accumulation and lower Na⁺/K⁺ ratio in both shoots and roots were achieved in K17-1078-3 under salinity compared to its wheat parents. The root growth and development of K17-1078-3 was less responsive to salinity. When exposed to high salt treatment, K17-1078-3 had a higher photosynthesis rate, more efficient water use efficiency, and greater antioxidant capacity and stronger osmotic adjustment ability than its wheat parents. In conclusion, a variety of physiological responses and root system adaptations were involved in enhancing salt tolerance in K17-1078-3, which indicated that chromosome 3E possessed the salt tolerance locus. It is possible to increase substantially the salt tolerance of wheat by the introduction of chromosome 3E into wheat genetic background.

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are three essential macro-elements for plant growth and development. Used to improve yield in agricultural production, the excessive use of chemical fertilizers often leads to increased production costs and ecological environmental pollution. Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that play an important role in alleviating abiotic stress. However, there are few studies on alleviating oxidative stress caused by macro-element deficiency. Here, we used Arabidopsis vitamin E synthesis-deficient mutant vte4 and vitamin C synthesis-deficient mutant vtc1 on which exogenous vitamin E and vitamin C, respectively, were applied at the bolting stage. In the deficiency of macro-elements, the Arabidopsis chlorophyll content decreased, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and relative electric conductivity increased, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulated. The mutants vtc1 and vte4 are more severely stressed than the wild-type plants. Adding exogenous vitamin E was found to better alleviate stress than adding vitamin C. Vitamin C barely affected and vitamin E significantly inhibited the synthesis of ethylene (ETH) and jasmonic acid (JA) genes, thereby reducing the accumulation of ETH and JA that alleviated the senescence caused by macro-element deficiency at the later stage of bolting in Arabidopsis. A deficiency of macro-elements also reduced the yield and germination rate of the seeds, which were more apparent in vtc1 and vte4, and adding exogenous vitamin C and vitamin E, respectively, could restore them. This study reported, for the first time, that vitamin E is better than vitamin C in delaying seedling senescence caused by macro-element deficiency in Arabidopsis.