Collections of nearly isogenic lines where each line carries a delimited portion of a donor source genome into a common recipient genetic background are known as introgression libraries and have already shown to be instrumental for the dissection of quantitative traits. By means of marker-assisted backcrossing, we have produced an introgression library using the extremely early-flowering maize (Zea mays L.) variety Gaspé Flint and the elite line B73 as donor and recipient genotypes, respectively, and utilized this collection to investigate the genetic basis of flowering time and related traits of adaptive and agronomic importance in maize.

Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum) landraces, traditional local varieties representing an intermediate stage in domestication, are gaining attention due to their high genetic variability and performance in challenging environments. While major kernel metabolites have been examined, limited research has been conducted on minor bioactive components like lipids, despite their nutritional benefits. To address this, we analyzed twenty-two tetraploid accessions, comprising modern elite cultivars and landraces, to (i) verify if the selection process for yield-related traits carried out during the Green Revolution has influenced lipid amount and composition; (ii) uncover the extent of lipid compositional variability, giving evidence that lipid fingerprinting effectively identifies evolutionary signatures; and (iii) identify genotypes interesting for breeding programs to improve yield and nutrition. Interestingly, total fat did not correlate with kernel weight, indicating lipid composition as a promising trait for selection. Tri- and di-acylglycerol were the major lipid components along with free fatty acids, and their relative content varied significantly among genotypes. In particular, landraces belonging to T. turanicum and carthlicum ecotypes differed significantly in total lipid and fatty acid profiles. Our findings provide evidence that landraces can be a genetically relevant source of lipid variability, with potential to be exploited for improving wheat nutritional quality.

Wheat bran forms the outermost part of the kernel, which is typically discarded as a by-product. Depending on the milling process, bran can be separated into four fractions: coarse bran (CB), coarse weatings (CW), fine weatings (FW), and low-grade flour (LGF). This study aimed to analyze the macronutrient and bioactive compound profiles of these four by-products across five cultivars and two wheat mixtures. Dietary fibers, free and bound phenolics, phytic acid, fatty acids, and aleurone layer markers were examined in all samples. The results indicate that insoluble fibers, phenolic compounds, and phytic acid decreased from CB to LGF, whereas soluble fiber content exhibited a greater variability among fractions. In all samples, coarse bran was the richest fraction in the protein 7S globulin. The same fraction from the two commercial mixtures and Manitoba cultivar exhibited significantly higher levels of bound ferulic acid compared to the other cultivars (+34%). Manitoba CB also had the highest oleic acid content (18.04% of total lipid content) among all samples, followed by the Rumeno cultivar (17.75%), which also had the highest linolenic acid content (6.35%). Given their health-promoting and technological potential, these by-products could be selectively used to enrich food products and dietary supplements with functional nutrients.

Drought stress poses significant productivity challenges to wheat. Several studies suggest that lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content may be a promising trait to identify drought-tolerant wheat genotypes. However, the optimal polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) concentration for screening seedlings for drought tolerance based on MDA quantification is not clear. The aim of this study was to verify whether a 10% (w/v) PEG-6000 concentration-induced water stress was reliable for discriminating between twenty-two drought-susceptible and drought-tolerant tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum spp. durum, turanicum, and carthlicum) accessions based on MDA quantification. To do so, its correlation with morpho-physiological traits, notoriously related to seedling drought tolerance, i.e., Seedling Vigour Index and Seedling Water Content, was evaluated. Results showed that MDA content was not a reliable biomarker for drought tolerance, as it did not correlate significantly with the aforementioned morpho-physiological traits, which showed, on the contrary, high positive correlation with each other. Combining our study with the cited literature, it clearly emerges that different wheat genotypes have different “water stress thresholds”, highlighting that using a 10% PEG-6000 concentration for screening wheat seedlings for drought tolerance based on MDA quantification is not reliable. Given the conflicting results in the literature, this study provides important insights for selecting appropriate methods for evaluating wheat seedling drought tolerance.

Understanding the factors that determine the success of lichen translocations is critical for effective conservation of lichen biodiversity. Both physiological acclimation and the genetic structure of source populations can influence conservation outcomes. This study examined seasonal variation in physiological parameters (specific thallus mass—STM, chlorophyll a fluorescence—F_V/F_M, and chlorophyll content) of Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm. across one year, selecting three source populations along a latitudinal gradient in Mediterranean forests in Italy. Genetic structure of their mycobiont and photobiont were also characterized. STM differed significantly among populations and seasons, with consistent increases from March to September. In contrast, F_V/F_M remained relatively stable, while chlorophyll content showed the highest values in December. Genetic analyses revealed clear differentiation among populations for both symbionts. These results suggest that L. pulmonaria can acclimate physiologically to seasonal environmental changes and highlight the importance of considering local genetic structure when selecting source populations for translocation. Integrating physiological and genetic information provides a robust framework for improving conservation strategies for this species.