Edward Souza

Bio: Edward Souza is an academic researcher from Agricultural Research Service. The author has contributed to research in topics: Wheat flour & Population. The author has an hindex of 27, co-authored 70 publications receiving 3968 citations. Previous affiliations of Edward Souza include Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center & Bayer.

Expanding the utilization of sustainable plant products in aquafeeds: a review

Abstract: Continued growth and intensi¢cation of aquaculture production depends upon the development of sustainable protein sources to replace ¢sh meal in aquafeeds. This document reviews various plant feedstuis, which currently are or potentially may be incorporated into aquafeeds to support the sustainable production of various ¢sh species in aquaculture. The plant feedstuis considered include oilseeds, legumes and cereal grains, which traditionally have been used as protein or energy concentrates as well as novel products developed through various processing technologies. The nutritional composition of these various feedstuis are considered along with the presence of any bioactive compounds that may positively or negatively aiect the target organism. Lipid composition of these feedstuis is not speci¢cally considered although it is recognized that incorporating lipid supplements in aquafeeds to achieve proper fatty acid pro¢les to meet the metabolic requirements of ¢sh and maximize human health bene¢ts are important aspects. Speci¢c strategies and techniques to optimize the nutritional composition of plant feedstuis and limit potentially adverse eiects of bioactive compounds are also described. Such information will provide a foundation for developing strategic research plans for increasing the use of plant feedstuis in aquaculture to reduce dependence of animal feedstuis and thereby enhance the sustainability of aquaculture.

Relative sensitivity of spring wheat grain yield and quality parameters to moisture deficit

Abstract: Moisture stress influences both yield and end-use quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Previous studies assessed stability of yield and yield components to moisture stress. This study evaluated the stability of spring wheat quality parameters relative to the stability of grain yield and its components under moisture stress. Sixteen spring wheat cultivars were produced under two moisture-deficit regimes in 1995 and 1996 to determine the effects of moisture-deficit severity on grain yield and its components, test weight, flour protein, flour extraction, dough-mixing characteristics, and alkaline noodle color. Moisture deficit differentially and significantly influenced cultivar test weight and yield. The overall moisture-deficit-induced reduction in yield was due primarily to reduction in kernel weight; effects of moisture deficit on yield of specific cultivars were due largely to effects on kernels per spike. Drought-sensitivity indices (DSIs) for yield were correlated to cultivar yield potential. Yield reduction by moderate moisture deficit was not predictive of yield reduction by severe moisture deficit. Effects of moisture-deficit severity on flour extraction and mixograph peak time varied with cultivar. Moisture deficit reduced initial noodle brightness and enhanced noodle yellowness. However, the color of noodles produced by the cultivars included in this study responded similarly to moisture deficit, suggesting that evaluation of noodle color may not require testing across moisture-deficit environments. Test weight and flour extraction DSIs were correlated with DSIs for grain yield. Therefore, identifying drought-tolerant genotypes based on yield stability under moisture stress also will identify genotypes having stable test weight and flour extraction.

Genomic Selection Accuracy for Grain Quality Traits in Biparental Wheat Populations

Abstract: Genomic selection (GS) is a promising tool for plant and animal breeding that uses genomewide molecular marker data to capture small and large effect quantitative trait loci and predict the genetic value of selection candidates. Genomic selection has been shown previously to have higher prediction accuracies than conventional marker-assisted selection (MAS) for quantitative traits. In this study, we compared phenotypic and marker-based prediction accuracy of genetic value for nine different grain quality traits within two biparental soft winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) populations. We used a cross-validation approach that trained and validated prediction accuracy across years to evaluate effects of model training population size, training population replication, and marker density. Results showed that prediction accuracy was signifi cantly greater using GS versus MAS for all traits studied and that accuracy for GS reached a plateau at low marker densities (128–256).The average ratio of GS accuracy to phenotypic selection accuracy was 0.66, 0.54, and 0.42 for training population sizes of 96, 48, and 24, respectively. These results provide further empirical evidence that GS could produce greater genetic gain per unit time and cost than both phenotypic selection and conventional MAS in plant breeding with use of year-round nurseries and inexpensive, high-throughput genotyping technology.

Identification and Characterization of a Low Phytic Acid Wheat

Abstract: Phytic acid (myo-inositol-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate, or Ins P 6 ) is the most abundant storage form of P in seeds, yet indigestible by humans and nonruminant livestock. A wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) mutant is described herein with greatly reduced seed phytic add P but little change in seed total P, similar to Ipal-type mutants described in other grain species. One nonlethal mutant from 562 ethyl-methanesulfonate (EMS) mutageniied M 2 lines was identified with a high inorganic phosphate (HIP) phenotype and designated Js-12-LPA. Js-12-LPA homozygotes produced seed in which phytic acid P represented 48.2% of seed total P, in contrast to 74.7% of seed total P in nonmutant or wild-type control, Js-12-WT. The inorganic portion of seed P was increased from 9.1% in Js-12-WT to 50.1% in Js-12-LPA, with little effect on total seed P. Weight distributions among milling fractions were similar for the Js-12-LPA and Js-12-WT genotypes. The low phytic acid trait altered the distribution of total P within the kernel, increasing the P content of the central endosperm and decreasing the P content of the bran. The low phytic acid trait decreased the phytic acid concentration in the bran by 43% and increased the inorganic P concentration in the bran nearly four-fold. Inheritance data of F 2 and F 4:6 families was inconsistent with a single-gene mutation and suggests the involvement of two or more genes. This low phytic acid wheat mutant is a genetic resource for studying the biology of seed phytic acid metabolism and wheat quality improvement.

Solvent Retention Capacities of Irrigated Soft White Spring Wheat Flours

Abstract: The solvent retention capacity (SRC) test uses the ability of flour to retain a range of solvents as a means of evaluating multiple aspects of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) quality: pentosan content, starch damage, gluten strength, and general water retention. To assess the utility of the SRC in cultivar evaluation, 26 soft white spring wheat genotypes were produced in seven irrigated environments, and milling and baking quality parameters for these genotypes were determined. Solvent (water, 500 g kg -1 sucrose, 50 g kg -1 sodium carbonate, and 50 g kg -1 lactic acid) retention capacities of flours effectively differentiated genotypes across environments. Flour protein concentration and sucrose SRC together effectively modeled sugar snap cookie diameter. Flour extraction and sodium carbonate SRC were negatively correlated. Whole grain measurements, including near-infrared hardness, single kernel hardness, and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) sedimentation volume were correlated with SRC values. The SRC test is a promising method for evaluating soft wheat genotypes on the basis of their underlying biochemical flour characteristics, independent of flour protein concentration.

Expanding the utilization of sustainable plant products in aquafeeds: a review

Abstract: Continued growth and intensi¢cation of aquaculture production depends upon the development of sustainable protein sources to replace ¢sh meal in aquafeeds. This document reviews various plant feedstuis, which currently are or potentially may be incorporated into aquafeeds to support the sustainable production of various ¢sh species in aquaculture. The plant feedstuis considered include oilseeds, legumes and cereal grains, which traditionally have been used as protein or energy concentrates as well as novel products developed through various processing technologies. The nutritional composition of these various feedstuis are considered along with the presence of any bioactive compounds that may positively or negatively aiect the target organism. Lipid composition of these feedstuis is not speci¢cally considered although it is recognized that incorporating lipid supplements in aquafeeds to achieve proper fatty acid pro¢les to meet the metabolic requirements of ¢sh and maximize human health bene¢ts are important aspects. Speci¢c strategies and techniques to optimize the nutritional composition of plant feedstuis and limit potentially adverse eiects of bioactive compounds are also described. Such information will provide a foundation for developing strategic research plans for increasing the use of plant feedstuis in aquaculture to reduce dependence of animal feedstuis and thereby enhance the sustainability of aquaculture.

Enrichment of cereal grains with zinc: Agronomic or genetic biofortification?

Abstract: Zinc deficiency is a well-documented problem in food crops, causing decreased crop yields and nutritional quality. Generally, the regions in the world with Zn-deficient soils are also characterized by widespread Zn deficiency in humans. Recent estimates indicate that nearly half of world population suffers from Zn deficiency. Cereal crops play an important role in satisfying daily calorie intake in developing world, but they are inherently very low in Zn concentrations in grain, particularly when grown on Zn-deficient soils. The reliance on cereal-based diets may induce Zn deficiency-related health problems in humans, such as impairments in physical development, immune system and brain function. Among the strategies being discussed as major solution to Zn deficiency, plant breeding strategy (e.g., genetic biofortification) appears to be a most sustainable and cost-effective approach useful in improving Zn concentrations in grain. The breeding approach is, however, a long-term process requiring a substantial effort and resources. A successful breeding program for biofortifying food crops with Zn is very much dependent on the size of plant-available Zn pools in soil. In most parts of the cereal-growing areas, soils have, however, a variety of chemical and physical problems that significantly reduce availability of Zn to plant roots. Hence, the genetic capacity of the newly developed (biofortified) cultivars to absorb sufficient amount of Zn from soil and accumulate it in the grain may not be expressed to the full extent. It is, therefore, essential to have a short-term approach to improve Zn concentration in cereal grains. Application of Zn fertilizers or Zn-enriched NPK fertilizers (e.g., agronomic biofortification) offers a rapid solution to the problem, and represents useful complementary approach to on-going breeding programs. There is increasing evidence showing that foliar or combined soil+foliar application of Zn fertilizers under field conditions are highly effective and very practical way to maximize uptake and accumulation of Zn in whole wheat grain, raising concentration up to 60 mg Zn kg−1. Zinc-enriched grains are also of great importance for crop productivity resulting in better seedling vigor, denser stands and higher stress tolerance on potentially Zn-deficient soils. Agronomic biofortification strategy appears to be essential in keeping sufficient amount of available Zn in soil solution and maintaining adequate Zn transport to the seeds during reproductive growth stage. Finally, agronomic biofortification is required for optimizing and ensuring the success of genetic biofortification of cereal grains with Zn. In case of greater bioavailability of the grain Zn derived from foliar applications than from soil, agronomic biofortification would be a very attractive and useful strategy in solving Zn deficiency-related health problems globally and effectively.

Biofortification of crops with seven mineral elements often lacking in human diets--iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, selenium and iodine.

Abstract: Summary The diets of over two-thirds of the world's population lack one or more essential mineral elements. This can be remedied through dietary diversification, mineral supplementation, food fortification, or increasing the concentrations and/or bioavailability of mineral elements in produce (biofortification). This article reviews aspects of soil science, plant physiology and genetics underpinning crop biofortification strategies, as well as agronomic and genetic approaches currently taken to biofortify food crops with the mineral elements most commonly lacking in human diets: iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iodine (I) and selenium (Se). Two complementary approaches have been successfully adopted to increase the concentrations of bioavailable mineral elements in food crops. First, agronomic approaches optimizing the application of mineral fertilizers and/or improving the solubilization and mobilization of mineral elements in the soil have been implemented. Secondly, crops have been developed with: increased abilities to acquire mineral elements and accumulate them in edible tissues; increased concentrations of ‘promoter’ substances, such as ascorbate, β-carotene and cysteine-rich polypeptides which stimulate the absorption of essential mineral elements by the gut; and reduced concentrations of ‘antinutrients’, such as oxalate, polyphenolics or phytate, which interfere with their absorption. These approaches are addressing mineral malnutrition in humans globally.

Feeding aquaculture in an era of finite resources

Abstract: Aquaculture's pressure on forage fisheries remains hotly contested. This article reviews trends in fishmeal and fish oil use in industrial aquafeeds, showing reduced inclusion rates but greater total use associated with increased aquaculture production and demand for fish high in long-chain omega-3 oils. The ratio of wild fisheries inputs to farmed fish output has fallen to 0.63 for the aquaculture sector as a whole but remains as high as 5.0 for Atlantic salmon. Various plant- and animal-based alternatives are now used or available for industrial aquafeeds, depending on relative prices and consumer acceptance, and the outlook for single-cell organisms to replace fish oil is promising. With appropriate economic and regulatory incentives, the transition toward alternative feedstuffs could accelerate, paving the way for a consensus that aquaculture is aiding the ocean, not depleting it.