Baobab Index

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is gaining global importance for its nutritional value and adaptability; however, breeding progress remains limited. Genomic selection (GS), combined with rapid generation cycles, offers a strategy to accelerate genetic improvement. We conducted whole-genome resequencing of 610 accessions and present the first evaluation of genomic prediction in quinoa evaluated across six field trials in Australia and Pakistan for seven phenological and yield-related traits. Using ∼1.8 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms, we compared four models-genomic best linear unbiased prediction, reproducing kernel Hilbert space, BayesC, and light gradient boosting machine-for genotype ranking under four cross-validation schemes: predicting new genotypes (CV1), sparse testing (CV2), leave-one-location-year-out (CV0), and across locations. Model performance was evaluated using Pearson's correlation for overall accuracy and normalized discounted cumulative gain (NDCG@10) for ranking top performers. The four models were similar, with no method dominating across traits. NDCG@10 scores revealed that predictions remained useful for selecting superior genotypes even for difficult traits. Prediction accuracy was strongly associated with heritability and trait correlations across and within- location environments. Accuracy was highest for developmental traits and lowest for seed yield, while seed traits showed location-specific responses with higher accuracy in Australia. These findings support GS as a promising tool for quinoa breeding and provide benchmarks for global implementation. Quinoa is a nutritious crop that can grow in diverse environments. With rising global demand, there is need for improved varieties, but developing new varieties through traditional breeding is slow. This study evaluates genomic prediction, a method for predicting plant traits using genetic markers and supporting earlier selection in breeding programs. To assess how well top candidate varieties for seven key traits could be predicted, 551 quinoa varieties grown in field trials in Australia and Pakistan were used. Prediction accuracy varied by trait and location. In Australia, models predicted the performance of untested varieties with moderate to good accuracy for most traits, showing they captured useful genetic information. In Pakistan, predicting seed‐related traits was less accurate, likely due to stronger environmental effects and trait measurement differences, but the models still supported selection decisions. Overall, genomic prediction is a promising tool for quinoa breeding.

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Salicylic acid (SA) is a well-known medicinal compound and an essential phytohormone that regulates plant growth and stress responses. SA biosynthesis in plants occurs through two primary pathways: the isochorismate synthase (ICS) pathway and the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) pathway. The ICS pathway is predominantly present in Brassicaceae species, whereas the PAL pathway is more broadly distributed across most seed plants. Although the fundamental steps of the PAL pathway have been delineated, the biosynthesis of its crucial intermediate, benzyl alcohol, remains unknown. In this study, we reveal a two-step pathway for benzyl alcohol biosynthesis from benzoyl-CoA (BA-CoA) in rice. We demonstrate that two uncharacterized peroxisomal enzymes, rice cinnamoyl-CoA reductase 21 (OsCCR21) and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase 6 (OsCAD6), catalyze successive reduction steps in this biosynthetic process. Specifically, OsCCR21, rather than the putative benzaldehyde synthase (BS) heterodimers OsBSα/β, functions as benzoyl-CoA reductase (BCR) to convert BA-CoA into benzaldehyde. OsCAD6 subsequently acts as benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase (BAD) to reduce benzaldehyde to benzyl alcohol. Cross-species comparative genomic analysis combined with in vitro enzymatic assays suggests that peroxisomal OsCCR21 orthologs are specifically conserved in the Poaceae, whereas PhBSα/β and OsCAD6 orthologs are broadly distributed across most angiosperms. Interestingly, PhBSα/β orthologs in Poaceae exhibit slight BS activity, whereas they have evolved strong BS activity in non-Poaceae angiosperms. These findings reveal that two alternative sets of enzymes, BCR-BAD and BSα/β-BAD, are employed for benzyl alcohol biosynthesis from BA-CoA in Poaceae or non-Poaceae angiosperms, providing important insights into phenylalanine-derived SA biosynthesis and plant secondary metabolism.

The safety of a 3-month weekly rifapentine-isoniazid (3HP) for tuberculosis prevention in HIV-positive pregnant women on antiretroviral treatment (ART) is unknown. As part of the WHIP3TB trial, 3HP administered once or annually for two years was compared to six months of isoniazid (6H). We report outcomes among women who became pregnant, with drug exposure in early pregnancy. Women were classified as exposed if conception occurred while taking study drug, and unexposed if conception occurred after the last dose. Outcomes included live birth, stillbirth or abortion. A composite adverse pregnancy outcome was defined as any of the following: stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, low birth weight (<2500g), preterm delivery (<37 weeks gestation), or major congenital anomalies. Outcomes were compared between exposed and unexposed groups. Among 2207 women aged 15-49 years enrolled between November 2016-November 2017, 236 pregnancies occurred in 222 participants. Fifty-seven (24%) were exposed to study drug (51 in 3HP arm, 6 in 6H arm) and 179 were unexposed. Median age was 32 years, median ART duration 2.9 years (interquartile range [IQR]; 1.2-4.9 years) and median CD4 count 522 cells/L; [IQR, 345-684). Of 219 pregnancies with known outcomes, 162(74%) were live births, 51(23%) abortions and 6(3%) stillbirths. Spontaneous abortions occurred at similar frequencies among exposed (12% [7/57]) and unexposed (14% [22/162]) groups with comparable rates of composite adverse outcomes (33% [19/57] vs 35% [56/162]). Spontaneous abortion and composite adverse pregnancy outcomes, following first-trimester exposure to 3HP were comparable between exposed and unexposed groups, supporting the safety of 3HP in pregnancy.

Biodiversity loss driven by habitat degradation and fragmentation poses a critical threat to global ecosystems and demands conservation strategies that go beyond isolated protected areas. We assessed the functional connectivity of African bush elephants (

This study aimed to characterize the morpho-structural traits of indigenous goats reared at the Chobela Research Station located in Chobela neighbourhood, Magude District, southern Mozambique. A total of 137 goats were selected, comprising 77 Landim and 60 Pafúri animals. Qualitative (morphological) traits were assessed through visual inspection and summarized using frequencies and percentages, while quantitative (morphometric) traits were measured using a zoometric tape and analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a 5% significance level. Due to low expected frequencies in some qualitative trait categories, inferential analysis (Chi-square test) was not performed, and these results are presented descriptively. In terms of morphological traits, all Pafúri goats exhibited a convex head profile, whereas Landim goats showed both convex (57.9%) and concave (42.1%) profiles. Approximately 75% of the goats presented a uniform coat colour pattern. Morphometric comparisons based on inferential analysis of female goats (n = 131) due to the limited number of males (n = 6), showed that Landim goats tended to have higher mean values for horn length (19.21 ± 0.83 cm), withers height (58.67 ± 1.20 cm), and body length (67.31 ± 1.73 cm), whereas Pafúri goats exhibited slightly larger head dimensions and thoracic perimeter. However, none of these differences were statistically significant (p > 0.05). Regarding zoometric indices, Landim goats tended to exhibit higher cephalic and thoracic indices, whereas Pafúri goats showed similar or slightly higher body, particularly among females. In contrast, Pafúri goats exhibited marginally higher proportionality indices, reflecting more elongated body proportions. Similarly, the small variations observed in zoometric indices did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). We hypothesized that, despite being reared under similar environmental conditions, Landim and Pafúri goat ecotypes would exhibit distinct morpho-structural characteristics due to differences in genetic background and adaptive history. These findings indicate that the morpho-structural differences between the two breeds are mainly descriptive rather than statistically supported. These results provide site-specific and preliminary baseline information for future genetic and phenotypic studies, thus may support conservation and sustainable utilization strategies for indigenous goat populations, particularly those reared under similar management and environmental conditions in southern Mozambique.

Seminal plasma, traditionally regarded as a passive vehicle for sperm transport, is now recognized as a biologically active fluid that is important for normal sperm function and optimal male fertility. This review summarizes how androgen-regulated secretions from the seminal vesicles, prostate, and epididymis influence sperm competence at ejaculation. Key components include seminal vesicle-derived lipids (e.g., oleic acid), prostatic citrate, carbohydrates, ions, and antioxidants that rapidly remodel membranes, activate motility, and preserve genome integrity. Androgen signaling via testosterone and dihydrotestosterone coordinates metabolic programs such as oleic-acid synthesis in the seminal vesicles and citrate secretion in the prostate. Seminal-vesicle fatty acids fuel mitochondrial respiration and support linear motility, whereas prostatic citrate primarily buffers pH and chelates divalent cations that stabilize membranes and acrosomal status. In addition, seminal plasma supplies precursors for cysteine and glutathione biosynthesis, supporting redox homeostasis in sperm. Beyond physiology, timed supplementation with whole seminal plasma or defined components improves motility and fertilization outcomes in livestock and humans. By focusing on how androgen-regulated seminal plasma synthesis influences sperm function, this review outlines mechanisms that are relevant to both male fertility biology and reproductive technologies.