The quantity and quality of protein and the rheological traits of wheat are crucial for processing flour in the baking industry, but there are few comparisons in the literature between old and modern wheat species. To help fill this gap, the baking quality characterization, gluten content, protein fraction composition, high molecular weight glutenin subunits, and rheological properties of ancient and modern wheat were determined and compared. These varieties were collected by the gene bank of the Crop Research Institute in Prague-Ruzyne and were grown in organically certified research areas in the Czech Republic. Results revealed differences in protein content and composition between varieties with different ploidy levels, as well as differences in development time and stability between einkorn and bread wheat varieties. Based on the proximity of their positions to the parameter quality in the principal components analysis, such as gluten content, gluten index (GI), Zeleny test, stability, dough development time (C1) and gliadin, the baking performances of cultivars were identified.

Organic agriculture is gaining prominence nowadays; however, the quantity and quality of organic products are still a matter of discussion, and various methods are being tested to fill these gaps. A three-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the response of winter wheat varieties and their mixtures in grain yield and quality. Four single croppings of winter wheat cultivars and eight mixed cropping systems sown with mixed or alternative rows of two cultivars were compared. There was no significant difference between different mixtures with regard to grain yield, but the protein content (PC) was increased in the mixture for a low-quality variety, such as Vanessa. The highest wet gluten (WG) (18%) and falling number (FN) (268 s) were obtained in Butterfly-Lorien and Butterfly-Vanessa, respectively. Water absorption (WA) in Butterfly solely and all of its combinations showed the best results. The Illusion-Vanessa mixture showed the highest stability (7.19 min). The difference in the sowing method in mixtures did not influence the grain yield and grain quality, except for the dough stability. The potential for grain quality improvement elucidated in this study may apply to further research; however, one needs to consider if it depends on greater wheat variety, input materials, and their interaction, simultaneously with the expected overall benefits from this approach.

Hiptage (Malpighiaceae) is a genus almost exclusively native to Asia, with a single species, Hiptage benghalensis, being a noxious invasive plant in several areas of the world and particularly threatening the native flora of the Mascarene Islands. Whereas 17 Hiptage species have been reported from Vietnam, there is currently no available genetic information that could be used to confirm the species diversity in the country. Through a study combining phylogenetic and morphological analyses of newly-collected samples and herbarium specimens, we were able to accurately identify five Hiptage species in Vietnam. One of these, Hiptage aptera, represents a species new to science. Specimens of the new species show white to slightly pink petals, erect to forward-curved petals, eight tiny calyx glands and wingless fruits, a unique feature within this genus. Our results strongly support Vietnam as one of the diversity centres of the Hiptage genus with 18 species out of the 48 species. Although we could not determine the source of introduction of Hiptage in the Mascarenes Archipelago, our findings highlight the genetic similarity of all Hiptage benghalensis samples collected in its secondary distribution areas, suggesting a probable single introduction. This is consistent with historical reports dating the plant’s introduction to the Mascarenes to the 18^th century.

Biomass-derived carbon dots (CDs) have attracted increasing attention in agriculture due to their simple synthesis and low environmental impact. In this study, CDs were synthesized from guava (Psidium guajava) leaves using a hydrothermal method (200 °C, 15 h). The particles had an average size of 6.17 nm and a quantum yield of 2.46%, confirming the successful synthesis of fluorescent carbon nanomaterials from the natural precursor. The effects of CDs on rice (Oryza sativa L., variety HT1) were evaluated through both seed treatment and field application. Soaking seeds in a 200 ppm CD solution for 24 h significantly enhanced shoot and root lengths (28.87 mm and 34.00 mm, respectively) among the tested treatments. In field trials, applying CDs at the same concentration also promoted plant growth, as evidenced by improvements in plant height, leaf development, tillering, and flag leaf characteristics. These changes were reflected in yield, with the highest grain yield of 6.13 t ha⁻¹ at 200 ppm, exceeding that of the control treatment. The observed positive effects may be due to enhanced photosynthetic activity and better control of oxidative processes in plants. Nevertheless, the effect was less pronounced at higher concentrations. This trend suggests a dose-dependent response.