Aegilops geniculata Roth: Biology, Ecology and Potential Applications in Crop Breeding and Nature-Based Solutions

Dendrocalamus strictus: a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge and future research priorities

This review compiles and synthesizes information on the morphological, anatomical, phytochemical, physical, and mechanical properties of the species, as well as its reproductive biology, propagation techniques, agroforestry applications, carbon sequestration potential, and genomics, to support the sustainable utilization and long-term conservation of D. strictus.

Wheat native endophytic bacteria isolated from Mediterranean and Atlantic agroecosystems: identification, functional profiling and seedling bioassays

A wide range of functional diversity among wheat endophytic bacteria is revealed and promising native strains for the development of bioinoculants to improve wheat performance are highlighted.

Advances in Genetic Transformation of Lotus corniculatus: Methodological Determinants, Applications and Future Priorities

Lotus corniculatus is a superior leguminous forage with multiple values including forage, ecological, ornamental and medicinal uses. It is also an ideal material for plant bioreactors. As a core technical approach, genetic transformation overcomes the constraints of traditional breeding and facilitates the targeted improvement in stress resistance and agronomic traits in this species. This review summarizes the research progress of the Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of L. corniculatus, focusing on key procedures such as explant selection, strain selection, infection and co-cultivation regimes, basal medium composition, phytohormone regulation, as well as bacteria elimination and transformant screening strategies. We further elaborate on the applications of this transformation system in enhancing tolerance to abiotic stresses (salt, drought and heat), regulating quality-related traits, and developing plant-based vaccine bioreactors. Additionally, this paper critically discusses the major bottlenecks and challenges constraining existing genetic transformation systems in L. corniculatus, and evaluates the prospects for establishing high-efficiency and genetically stable transformation platforms. This review aims to provide theoretical foundations and technical references for germplasm innovation, molecular breeding and comprehensive utilization of L. corniculatus.

sev-Bermudagrass adaptation in the Mediterranean climate: phenotypic traits of 44 accessions

Phenotypic diversity of Moroccan cowpea landraces: insights for crop conservation and food security

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) is a multifunctional species originating from Africa, where it plays a key role in food security and sustainable agriculture. In Morocco, it remains a marginal crop that has been scientifically overlooked, despite its crucial role in food security, which limits its integration into genetic improvement programs and compromises the sustainable conservation and valorisation of this plant genetic heritage. A field experiment was conducted during the 2023 cropping season using a randomized complete block design with three replications to evaluate the agro-morphological diversity of 19 cowpea landraces collected from different regions of Morocco. A total of 50 qualitative and quantitative traits (morphological, phenological, and agronomic) were assessed at different growth stages. The results revealed a considerable level of variation across most assessed traits, supported by a high total phenotypic diversity (HT = 0.53) and a mean within-population diversity (Hs̄ = 0.45±0.20) that exceeded the among-population phenotypic diversity (GST = 0.16). The average phenotypic diversity (Hp̄) across landraces was 0.45, with no significant differences among landraces. principal component analysis (PCA) revealed significant variation among the 19 cowpea landraces, enabling their grouping based on similarities independently of their geographical origin, with landraces BH3, CF2, HG and TK1 being distinguished by a combination of desirable traits. These results show a considerable level of intra- and inter-landrace diversity among Moroccan cowpea landraces, providing essential information for their conservation, sustainable use, and incorporation into breeding and selection programs, which is particularly relevant as a strategic crop in the current context of climate change.

Climate change reshapes the global distribution of wild barley relatives: integrating life-history traits and ecological niche modeling

Wild Hordeum species are crucial genetic resources for climate‑resilient crop breeding. Clarifying their responses to climate change is essential for germplasm conservation and sustainable crop improvement. This study aims to elucidate the divergent climatic responses of wild Hordeum species and provide scientific evidence for germplasm protection and climate‑adaptive crop breeding. This study was conducted at a global scale, covering the major distribution areas and diversity hotspots of wild barley. We combined life‑history traits, niche breadth, and interspecific habitat overlap, and adopted MaxEnt species distribution models with CMIP6 climate datasets to project the spatiotemporal dynamics of suitable habitats for 13 wild Hordeum species. The ENMeval package was used for systematic parameter calibration and sensitivity analysis to optimize model configurations and ensure reliable predictive performance. The model showed strong performance (mean AUC = 0.907 ± 0.029, TSS = 0.763 ± 0.064). Four global diversity hotspots were identified: southwest and central Asia, the Mediterranean region, western North America, and the Andes Mountains. Niche breadth and climate vulnerability are phylogenetically structured, with closely related species sharing similar ecological constraints and extinction risks. By 2100, wild Hordeum ’s global suitable habitat is projected to contract by ~62%, with annual species suffering greater losses than perennials. Hordeum spontaneum will suffer the most severe range contraction (97.83% habitat loss, threatening wild population persistence), while Hordeum muticum shows moderate resilience (36.96% reduction) and Hordeum agriocrithon will expand by 34.84%. Habitat migration is primarily driven by precipitation gradient variation, and stable niche overlap among closely related species verifies the edge adaptation hypothesis. Wild Hordeum species exhibit divergent climate change responses. These contrasting habitat change trajectories signal divergent conservation urgency: extreme contractions threaten genetic erosion in crop wild relatives, whereas expanding ranges highlight potential donor species for climate‑adaptive breeding. High‑risk taxa such as Hordeum stenostachys require urgent coordinated in‑situ and ex‑situ conservation to prevent population decline and genetic erosion. In contrast, range‑expanding species ( Hordeum agriocrithon ) offer insights into adaptive mechanisms, with practical implications for climate‑resilient crop breeding. Notably, these projections reflect climatic suitability under a single climate model and should be interpreted cautiously given unmodeled biotic interactions and dispersal constraints.