Towards an ideotype for food-fuel dual-purpose wheat in Argentina with focus on biogas production.

BACKGROUND: Wheat straw, one of the most abundant agricultural residues worldwide, can be used to produce biogas, which is considered one of the most efficiently produced renewable energies. Wheat grown with the dual-purpose of producing food and biogas should display simultaneously high grain and straw yields, low lodging susceptibility and high conversion efficiency of straw into biogas. The aims of this study were to determine the best food-fuel dual-purpose wheat candidates among 36 wheat genotypes-including French, CIMMYT and local (Criollo) germplasm-used in breeding programs in Argentina and to gain some insights into the relationships between key traits relevant for dual-purpose wheat genotypes. RESULTS: High variability in individual key traits for dual-purpose wheat ideotype has been found. Genotypes of French origin displayed the highest grain yield, and those of CIMMYT origin, the lowest straw yield. Genotypes of Criollo origin showed the highest lodging susceptibility, and French ones, the lowest. Straw yield was positively correlated with grain yield in all genotypes, and negatively correlated with plant height in genotypes of Criollo origin. Straw conversion into biogas was measured in terms of the biogas potential production and kinetic parameters Bmax (maximum specific biogas production) and k (first-order kinetic constant) were analyzed. All key traits were analyzed together by a principal component analysis. Baguette 31 and SNR Nogal, two genotypes of French origin, showed high grain yield, high-to-very high straw yield, low lodging susceptibility, and moderate-to-high Bmax and k. Buck Guapo and Buck Baqueano, two genotypes of Criollo origin, displayed good values for grain yield, straw yield and Bmax and k. However, their high lodging susceptibility precludes their production in shallow soils or high-input systems. Lastly, some old genotypes (e.g. Klein Atlas) harbored a good combination of all key traits and could prove valuable to be included in future breeding programs for dual-purpose wheat. CONCLUSIONS: While none of the genotypes excelled in every key trait, a few candidates showed potential for dual-purpose ideotype, particularly Baguette 31 and SNR Nogal. The challenge lays in gathering all attributes for food and 2G fuel in the same genotype.

Noise and microflora behavior.

Noise is ubiquitous, and in any discussion about regulation of immune diversity, oral tolerance, commensal microflora, and "health" homeostasis, stochastic resonance should not be omitted. It also may have a role in immune receptor regulation, transplant tolerance, and host reaction against intruders. It would be in line with nature's tendency to adapt to available network patterns.

Stochastic resonance-like phenomena in the context of the alimentary tract.

External noisy stimulation induces Ca(2+) binding protein dynamics synchronization. Cell coupling chain fluctuation may lead to internal order facilitating information (generation and propagation). Body rhythms require cellular synchronization by interaction between nonlinear biological systems in a fluctuating environment. Could stochastic resonance add or subtract efficacy in digestive tolerogenic selection or disease?