Key message A data mining strategy capitalizing on high-resolution SNP information, sequence variant annotation and QTL information from three populations facilitated an efficient nomination of candidate genes for YR resistance, supported by Yr27 and functional annotations. Abstract Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have become routine in many crops, but the prioritization of candidate genes remains challenging. Here, we...

Key Message Heterosis in wheat results from a complex interplay of dominance and epistasis, with epistasis playing a major role, underscoring the genetic complexity and challenges in systematically exploiting hybrid vigor. Abstract The systematic exploitation of heterosis has the potential to increase wheat yields by around 10% compared to inbred lines. However, the lack of natural cross-pollination in wheat significantly incr...

Utilizing the diversity preserved in genebank collections is essential for accelerating crop improvement, yet information is often limited to selected core collections. Genome-wide prediction (GWP) offers a promising approach to large-scale phenotypic imputation, with proven utility in practical pre-breeding contexts. In this study, we leveraged GWP to expand the German Federal ex situ barley core collection (core1000) with a...

Lack of interoperable datasets in plant breeding research creates an innovation bottleneck, requiring additional effort to integrate diverse datasets—if access is possible at all. Handling of plant breeding data and metadata must, therefore, change toward adopting practices that promote openness, collaboration, standardization, ethical data sharing, sustainability, and transparency of provenance and methodology. FAIR Digital O...

Key message Sedimentation values and falling number in the last decades have helped maintain high baking quality despite rigorous selection for grain yield in wheat. Allelic combinations of major loci sustained the bread-making quality while improving grain yield. Glu-D1 , Pinb-D1 , and non-gluten proteins are associated with sedimentation values and falling number in European wheat. Abstract Zeleny sedimentation values (ZSV)...

Heterosis is the improved performance of hybrids compared with their parental components and is widely exploited in agriculture. According to quantitative genetic theory, genetic distance between parents at heterotic quantitative trait loci is required for heterosis, but how heterosis varies with genetic distance has remained elusive, despite intensive research on the topic. Experimental studies have often found a positive ass...

Key message IBD analysis clarified the dynamics of chromosomal recombination during the ZP pedigree breeding process and identified ten genomic regions resistant to SCN race3 combining association mapping. Abstract Soybean cyst nematode (SCN, Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) is one of the most devastating pathogens for soybean production worldwide. The cultivar Zhongpin03-5373 (ZP), derived from SCN-resistant progenitor parents,...

Key message Genomic prediction of genebank accessions benefits from the consideration of additive-by-additive epistasis and subpopulation-specific marker effects. Abstract Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) and other species of the Triticum genus are well represented in genebank collections worldwide. The substantial genetic diversity harbored by more than 850,000 accessions can be explored for their potential use in modern plant b...

Key message Heterosis effects for dough quality and baking volume were close to zero. However, hybrids have a higher grain yield at a given level of bread making quality compared to their parental lines. Abstract Bread wheat cultivars have been selected according to numerous quality traits to fulfill the requirements of the bread making industry. These include beside protein content and quality also rheological traits and baki...

Key message Genomic prediction with special weight of major genes is a valuable tool to populate bio-digital resource centers. Abstract Phenotypic information of crop genetic resources is a prerequisite for an informed selection that aims to broaden the genetic base of the elite breeding pools. We investigated the potential of genomic prediction based on historical screening data of plant responses against the Barley yellow mo...

Key message Integrating genomics technologies and breeding methods to tweak core parameters of the breeder’s equation could accelerate delivery of climate-resilient and nutrient rich crops for future food security. Abstract Accelerating genetic gain in crop improvement programs with respect to climate resilience and nutrition traits, and the realization of the improved gain in farmers’ fields require integration of several app...

Key message Hybrid wheat breeding is a promising strategy to improve the level of leaf rust and stripe rust resistance in wheat. Abstract Leaf rust and stripe rust belong to the most important fungal diseases in wheat production. Due to a dynamic development of new virulent races, epidemics appear in high frequency and causes significant losses in grain yield and quality. Therefore, research is needed to develop strategies to...