@article{akinrinlola_kelly_sinclair_shekoofa_2024, title={<i>Heterodera glycines</i> HG type 1.2.5.7 causes a decrease in soybean (<i>Glycine max</i> [L.] Merr.) nitrogen fixation and growth variables}, ISSN={["1542-7536"]}, DOI={10.1080/15427528.2024.2336267}, abstractNote={Soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines, HG type 1.2.5.7 is the most virulent and widespread SCN biotype in the southern states of the USA, but its effect on soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) nitrogen fixation (NF) activity and growth is not well documented. The objectives of this study were to: (1) measure the impact of HG type 1.2.5.7 on NF activity during the early vegetative stage of three soybean genotypes and (2) compare the impact on soybean leaf and root development, and plant growth. The NF activity of two susceptible (S) genotypes ("Ellis" and "Williams 82") and one resistant (R) genotype (PI 88,788), subjected to a 10,000-egg treatment, was measured using an in-situ flow-through acetylene reduction assay. The average NF activity of the soybean genotypes was decreased by SCN activity. Time points assessment showed that the NF activity was differently impacted among the genotypes. Based on the measured values, the NF activity was decreased by 30% in SCN infected plants of Williams 82 but that of PI 88,788 and Ellis was affected. Likewise, soybean leaf color and leaf area were affected by SCN infection, but there was no impact on root length and root area. These results showed that SCN HG type 1.2.5.7 can exhibit varying negative impact on NF and shoot growth of S soybean genotypes, while R genotypes may be unaffected. Thus, indicating genetic resistance continues to be a critical tool for the management of the SCN.}, journal={JOURNAL OF CROP IMPROVEMENT}, author={Akinrinlola, Rufus J. and Kelly, Heather M. and Sinclair, Thomas R. and Shekoofa, Avat}, year={2024}, month={Apr} }
 @article{shekoofa_sinclair_2020, title={Abscisic Acid and Sulfate Offer a Possible Explanation for Differences in Physiological Drought Response of Two Maize Near-Isolines}, volume={9}, ISSN={["2223-7747"]}, DOI={10.3390/plants9121713}, abstractNote={The hypothesis was tested that differences in response to water-deficits between low osmotic potential (LOP) and high osmotic potential (HOP) maize (Zea mays L.) near-isolines were associated with differences in transpiration rate sensitivity to abscisic acid (ABA) and/or sulfate. In a series of four experiments, decreases in transpiration rate (DTR) of whole plants and fully expanded leaves were measured in response to treatments of 1.0 µM ABA and 15 mM MgSO4 singly and in combination following long (2 day) and short (180 min) exposures. There was little evidence that intact plants grown on soil were responsive to the treatments. For hydroponically grown plants subjected to long exposure, there was similarly no response to treatments. Further, the short exposure of hydroponically grown plants to solely ABA or a combination of chemicals resulted in no sensitivity in DTR for either of the near-isolines. On the other hand, when these plants were fed sulfate, the transpiration was stimulated by about 20% for the LOP and 60% for the HOP. Detached leaves proved to be the most sensitive to treatment. Treatment with the two chemicals singly caused essentially equivalent DTR in the two near-isolines. However, treatment with ABA plus sulfate resulted in different DTR between the two near-isolines with values of 65% for the LOP and 16% for the HOP near-isoline. Overall, these results showed that the short exposure treatment of hydroponically grown plants or detached leaves supported the hypothesis of different transpiration rate sensitivities of the near-isolines in response to ABA and sulfate treatments.}, number={12}, journal={PLANTS-BASEL}, author={Shekoofa, Avat and Sinclair, Thomas R.}, year={2020}, month={Dec} }
 @article{beseli_shekoofa_ali_sinclair_2020, title={Temporal water use by two maize lines differing in leaf osmotic potential}, volume={60}, ISSN={["1435-0653"]}, DOI={10.1002/csc2.20062}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={2}, journal={CROP SCIENCE}, author={Beseli, Amber L. and Shekoofa, Avat and Ali, Mujahid and Sinclair, Thomas R.}, year={2020}, pages={945–953} }
 @article{pradhan_shekoofa_sinclair_2019, title={Temperature effect on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) transpiration response to vapor pressure deficit and its recovery}, volume={33}, ISSN={["1542-7536"]}, DOI={10.1080/15427528.2018.1552900}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT Partial stomata closure under high atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (VPD) has been identified as a means to conserve soil water to allow sustained crop physiological activity late in the growing season, especially during reproductive growth. This trait has been identified as potentially being particularly important in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) since peanut is commonly grown on sandy soils under variable rainfall conditions. While 11 peanut genotypes had been previously identified as expressing limited-transpiration trait (TRlim) at 32°C, there is no information on their response to VPD at higher temperatures to which peanut may be exposed. This study documented the response of these 11 genotypes to VPD when subjected to increasing temperatures at 2°C intervals from 32°C to 38°C. Nine of the 11 genotypes lost expression of the TRlim trait within this temperature range. Only two genotypes (N013042ol and G644) were able to sustain the TRlim trait at 38°C. Recovery of expression of the TRlim trait following the loss of the trait at high temperature also varied among genotypes. Three genotypes that lost expression of TRlim at 36°C were returned to 32°C to determine the ability to recover the trait. Two genotypes showed full recovery of TRlim within 1 or 2 days, whereas the third showed no recovery across 3 days. This study provides useful information on genotypic variability in transpiration response to VPD under high temperatures that can be applied in developing cultivars that are better suited to water-limited conditions.}, number={2}, journal={JOURNAL OF CROP IMPROVEMENT}, author={Pradhan, Deepti and Shekoofa, Avat and Sinclair, Thomas R.}, year={2019}, month={Mar}, pages={177–186} }
 @misc{shekoofa_sinclair_2018, title={Aquaporin Activity to Improve Crop Drought Tolerance}, volume={7}, ISSN={["2073-4409"]}, DOI={10.3390/cells7090123}, abstractNote={In plants, aquaporins (AQP) occur in multiple isoforms in both plasmalemma and tonoplast membranes resulting in regulation of water flow in and out of cells, and ultimately, water transfer through a series of cells in leaves and roots. Consequently, it is not surprising that physiological and molecular studies have identified AQPs as playing key roles in regulating hydraulic conductance in roots and leaves. As a result, the activity of AQPs influences a range of physiological processes including phloem loading, xylem water exit, stomatal aperture and gas exchange. The influence of AQPs on hydraulic conductance in plants is particularly important in regulating plant transpiration rate, particularly under conditions of developing soil water-deficit stress and elevated atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (VPD). In this review, we examine the impact of AQP activity and hydraulic conductance on crop water use and the identification of genotypes that express soil water conservation as a result of these traits. An important outcome of this research has been the identification and commercialization of cultivars of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), maize (Zea mays L.), and soybean (Glycine max (Merr) L.) for dry land production systems.}, number={9}, journal={CELLS}, author={Shekoofa, Avat and Sinclair, Thomas R.}, year={2018}, month={Sep} }
 @article{sinclair_shekoofa_isleib_balota_zhang_2018, title={Identification of Virginia-Type Peanut Genotypes for Water-Deficit Conditions Based on Early Decrease in Transpiration Rate with Soil Drying}, volume={58}, ISSN={["1435-0653"]}, DOI={10.2135/cropsci2018.05.0293}, abstractNote={Early decrease in transpiration rate as soil progressively dries allows soil water conservation for sustained crop physiological activity as water deficit continues to increase. This trait is likely to be particularly useful for peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), which is often grown on sandy soil where water deficit can develop quickly. This study was undertaken to identify peanut genotypes that express this water conservation trait and to determine if it confers a yield advantage. Three approaches were taken. (i) Two populations of peanut were tested in controlled environments during progressive soil drying. Especially high thresholds of soil water content for initiation of decrease in transpiration rate were identified in three lines in each of the breeding populations. (ii) Nine genotypes were identified for field observation of leaf wilting under rain shelters and in the open field. There was a correspondence between the early decrease in transpiration rate with soil drying and delayed wilting. (iii) Yield trial data for three genotypes were examined to identify those lines that consistently had higher yields than the commercial check cultivar ‘Bailey’, particularly at low yield levels commonly associated with drier conditions. When expressing total seed yield in monetary return, these breeding lines had yield values that were consistently superior to Bailey below the US$2000 ha−1 threshold. Based on the three experimental approaches, N12006ol consistently expressed a desired response of early decrease in transpiration rate with soil drying, delayed wilting in the field when soil water deficit developed, and greater yield value than Bailey in low‐yield environments.}, number={6}, journal={CROP SCIENCE}, author={Sinclair, Thomas R. and Shekoofa, Avat and Isleib, Thomas G. and Balota, Maria and Zhang, Hao}, year={2018}, pages={2607–2612} }
 @article{sinclair_pradhan_shekoofa_2018, title={Inheritance of limited-transpiration trait in peanut: an update}, volume={32}, ISSN={["1542-7536"]}, DOI={10.1080/15427528.2017.1420000}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT Peanut (Arachis Hypogeae L.) is commonly grown on sandy soil and in environments with intermittent rainfall, both of which can lead to soil water-deficit. Limited transpiration (LT) under elevated vapor pressure deficit (VPD) can result in water conservation, allowing sustained physiological activity later in the season during reproductive development. The objective of this study was to expand the number of progeny lines phenotyped for expression of the LT trait from the mating of Tifrunner (LT trait not expressed) × NC 3033 (LT trait expressed) to allow a preliminary examination of inheritance. Half of the 24 phenotyped lines expressed LT with their VPD threshold ranging from 2.16 to 3.38 kPa. Six of the 12 genotypes expressing LT had a threshold at 2.65 kPa or less, which is the range likely to be relevant in most peanut environments. These results, indicating epistatic inheritance, are supportive of LT expression in progeny lines at a reasonable frequency for relevant use in cultivar development for water-deficit conditions.}, number={2}, journal={JOURNAL OF CROP IMPROVEMENT}, author={Sinclair, Thomas R. and Pradhan, Deepti and Shekoofa, Avat}, year={2018}, pages={281–286} }
 @article{shekoofa_sinclair_aninbon_holbrook_isleib_ozias-akins_chu_2017, title={Expression of the limited-transpiration trait under high vapour pressure deficit in peanut populations: Runner and virginia types}, volume={203}, ISSN={["1439-037X"]}, DOI={10.1111/jac.12204}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={4}, journal={JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE}, author={Shekoofa, A. and Sinclair, T. R. and Aninbon, C. and Holbrook, C. C. and Isleib, T. G. and Ozias-Akins, P. and Chu, Y.}, year={2017}, month={Aug}, pages={295–300} }
 @misc{sinclair_devi_shekoofa_choudhary_sadok_vadez_riar_rufty_2017, title={Limited-transpiration response to high vapor pressure deficit in crop species}, volume={260}, ISSN={["1873-2259"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.plantsci.2017.04.007}, abstractNote={Water deficit under nearly all field conditions is the major constraint on plant yields. Other than empirical observations, very little progress has been made in developing crop plants in which specific physiological traits for drought are expressed. As a consequence, there was little known about under what conditions and to what extent drought impacts crop yield. However, there has been rapid progress in recent years in understanding and developing a limited-transpiration trait under elevated atmospheric vapor pressure deficit to increase plant growth and yield under water-deficit conditions. This review paper examines the physiological basis for the limited-transpiration trait as result of low plant hydraulic conductivity, which appears to be related to aquaporin activity. Methodology was developed based on aquaporin involvement to identify candidate genotypes for drought tolerance of several major crop species. Cultivars of maize and soybean are now being marketed specifically for arid conditions. Understanding the mechanism of the limited-transpiration trait has allowed a geospatial analyses to define the environments in which increased yield responses can be expected. This review highlights the challenges and approaches to finally develop physiological traits contributing directly to plant improvement for water-limited environments.}, journal={PLANT SCIENCE}, author={Sinclair, Thomas R. and Devi, Jyostna and Shekoofa, Avat and Choudhary, Sunita and Sadok, Walid and Vadez, Vincent and Riar, Mandeep and Rufty, Thomas}, year={2017}, month={Jul}, pages={109–118} }
 @article{sinclair_manandhar_shekoofa_rosas-anderson_bagherzadi_schoppach_sadok_rufty_2017, title={Pot binding as a variable confounding plant phenotype: theoretical derivation and experimental observations}, volume={245}, ISSN={["1432-2048"]}, DOI={10.1007/s00425-016-2641-0}, abstractNote={Theoretical derivation predicted growth retardation due to pot water limitations, i.e., pot binding. Experimental observations were consistent with these limitations. Combined, these results indicate a need for caution in high-throughput screening and phenotyping. Pot experiments are a mainstay in many plant studies, including the current emphasis on developing high-throughput, phenotyping systems. Pot studies can be vulnerable to decreased physiological activity of the plants particularly when pot volume is small, i.e., "pot binding". It is necessary to understand the conditions under which pot binding may exist to avoid the confounding influence of pot binding in interpreting experimental results. In this paper, a derivation is offered that gives well-defined conditions for the occurrence of pot binding based on restricted water availability. These results showed that not only are pot volume and plant size important variables, but the potting media is critical. Artificial potting mixtures used in many studies, including many high-throughput phenotyping systems, are particularly susceptible to the confounding influences of pot binding. Experimental studies for several crop species are presented that clearly show the existence of thresholds of plant leaf area at which various pot sizes and potting media result in the induction of pot binding even though there may be no immediate, visual plant symptoms. The derivation and experimental results showed that pot binding can readily occur in plant experiments if care is not given to have sufficiently large pots, suitable potting media, and maintenance of pot water status. Clear guidelines are provided for avoiding the confounding effects of water-limited pot binding in studying plant phenotype.}, number={4}, journal={PLANTA}, author={Sinclair, Thomas R. and Manandhar, Anju and Shekoofa, Avat and Rosas-Anderson, Pablo and Bagherzadi, Laleh and Schoppach, Remy and Sadok, Walid and Rufty, Thomas W.}, year={2017}, month={Apr}, pages={729–735} }
 @article{shekoofa_rosas-anderson_carley_sinclair_rufty_2016, title={Limited transpiration under high vapor pressure deficits of creeping bentgrass by application of Daconil-Action (R)}, volume={243}, ISSN={["1432-2048"]}, DOI={10.1007/s00425-015-2417-y}, abstractNote={First observation that chemical spray can induce limited-transpiration rate under high vapor pressure deficit. It appears that acibenzolar may be key in inducing this water conservation trait. Irrigation and water use have become major issues in management of turfgrasses. Plant health products that have been introduced into the turfgrass market have been observed to improve plant performance in water stress conditions. In this study, we evaluated whether a selection of common plant health products alter the ability of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) to control transpiration under high vapor pressure deficit (VPD). The plant health treatments--Daconil Action, Insignia, and Signature--were applied to plots on golf course putting greens located in Raleigh NC and in Scottsdale, AZ. Using intact cores removed from the putting greens, transpiration rates were measured over a range of VPDs in controlled conditions. In all cases stretching over a 3-year period, bentgrass cores from field plots treated with Daconil-Action limited transpiration under high VPD conditions, while check treatments with water, and others treated with Insignia or Signature did not. Transpiration control became engaged when VPDs reached values ranging from 1.39 to 2.50 kPa, and was not strongly influenced by the field temperature at which the bentgrass was growing. Because all plots in NC had been treated with chlorothalonil-the key ingredient in Daconil Action to control diseases-it was concluded that the likely chemical ingredient in Daconil Action triggering the transpiration control response was acibenzolar. This is the first evidence that the limited-transpiration trait can be induced by a chemical application, and it implies significant potential for ameliorating drought vulnerability in cool-season turfgrasses, and likely other plant species.}, number={2}, journal={PLANTA}, author={Shekoofa, Avat and Rosas-Anderson, Pablo and Carley, Danesha S. and Sinclair, Thomas R. and Rufty, Thomas W.}, year={2016}, month={Feb}, pages={421–427} }
 @article{shekoofa_sinclair_messina_cooper_2016, title={Variation Among Maize Hybrids in Response to High Vapor Pressure Deficit at High Temperatures}, volume={56}, ISSN={["1435-0653"]}, DOI={10.2135/cropsci2015.02.0134}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT}, number={1}, journal={CROP SCIENCE}, author={Shekoofa, Avat and Sinclair, Thomas R. and Messina, Carlos D. and Cooper, Mark}, year={2016}, pages={392–396} }
 @article{shekoofa_rosas-anderson_sinclair_balota_isleib_2015, title={Measurement of Limited-Transpiration Trait under High Vapor Pressure Deficit for Peanut in Chambers and in Field}, volume={107}, ISSN={["1435-0645"]}, DOI={10.2134/agronj14.0570}, abstractNote={Drought is one of the most important environmental factors that limit crop production. Based on controlled‐environment studies, it has been hypothesized that a limited‐transpiration (TRlim) trait under high vapor pressure deficit (VPD) is a mechanism for water conservation leading to yield increase under water‐deficit conditions. The current research objective was to compare expression of TRlim in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) observed by whole‐plant measurements in controlled environments and by leaf gas exchange measurements on plants grown in the field. Six peanut genotypes with different breeding backgrounds, that is, wild‐type, commercial cultivars, and advanced breeding lines were studied. Differences were observed among genotypes in their expression of TRlim with increasing VPD in the controlled environment at 31/26°C. Within each breeding background, one genotype showed a linear increase in transpiration with increasing VPD while the other expressed the TRlim trait. In a second set of controlled environment experiments at 36/26°C, none of the six genotypes expressed the TRlim trait. In the field, again none of the genotypes expressed the TRlim trait. The temperature to which the plants were exposed between the two controlled environments and field trial appeared critical in the expression of the TRlim trait of three of the genotypes.}, number={3}, journal={AGRONOMY JOURNAL}, author={Shekoofa, Avat and Rosas-Anderson, Pablo and Sinclair, Thomas R. and Balota, Maria and Isleib, Thomas G.}, year={2015}, pages={1019–1024} }
 @article{shekoofa_emam_shekoufa_ebrahimi_ebrahimie_2014, title={Determining the Most Important Physiological and Agronomic Traits Contributing to Maize Grain Yield through Machine Learning Algorithms: A New Avenue in Intelligent Agriculture}, volume={9}, ISSN={["1932-6203"]}, DOI={10.1371/journal.pone.0097288}, abstractNote={Prediction is an attempt to accurately forecast the outcome of a specific situation while using input information obtained from a set of variables that potentially describe the situation. They can be used to project physiological and agronomic processes; regarding this fact, agronomic traits such as yield can be affected by a large number of variables. In this study, we analyzed a large number of physiological and agronomic traits by screening, clustering, and decision tree models to select the most relevant factors for the prospect of accurately increasing maize grain yield. Decision tree models (with nearly the same performance evaluation) were the most useful tools in understanding the underlying relationships in physiological and agronomic features for selecting the most important and relevant traits (sowing date-location, kernel number per ear, maximum water content, kernel weight, and season duration) corresponding to the maize grain yield. In particular, decision tree generated by C&RT algorithm was the best model for yield prediction based on physiological and agronomical traits which can be extensively employed in future breeding programs. No significant differences in the decision tree models were found when feature selection filtering on data were used, but positive feature selection effect observed in clustering models. Finally, the results showed that the proposed model techniques are useful tools for crop physiologists to search through large datasets seeking patterns for the physiological and agronomic factors, and may assist the selection of the most important traits for the individual site and field. In particular, decision tree models are method of choice with the capability of illustrating different pathways of yield increase in breeding programs, governed by their hierarchy structure of feature ranking as well as pattern discovery via various combinations of features.}, number={5}, journal={PLOS ONE}, author={Shekoofa, Avat and Emam, Yahya and Shekoufa, Navid and Ebrahimi, Mansour and Ebrahimie, Esmaeil}, year={2014}, month={May} }
 @article{shekoofa_balota_sinclair_2014, title={Limited-transpiration trait evaluated in growth chamber and field for sorghum genotypes}, volume={99}, ISSN={["1873-7307"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.envexpbot.2013.11.018}, abstractNote={Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is commonly grown in water-limited environments throughout the world. Plant traits could be useful allowing for early-season water conservation so that more water is available for use later in the season when drought is most likely to develop. One trait that might result in early-season water conservation is the expression of a limited-transpiration trait defined as a limitation on further increases in transpiration rate (TR) under high vapor pressure deficit (VPD) conditions. The objective of this study was to compare the expression of the limited-TR trait measured for nine sorghum genotypes under both controlled chamber and field conditions. In the growth chamber, plant TR was measured over a range of imposed VPD to provide a direct measure of plant transpiration under high VPD. In the field, stomatal conductance (gs) was measured over the daily cycle, which resulted in a range of ambient VPD. A decrease in gs under high VPD was evidence of the limited-TR trait. This study identified three sorghum genotypes (DKS 36-06, DKS 44-20, and DKS 54-00) that did not show any limitation on water loss at high VPD in either the greenhouse or field. On the other hand, four genotypes (BTX 2752, SC 599, SC 982, and B 35) exhibited the limited-TR trait in the growth chamber with breakpoints in response to VPD at values of 2.33 kPa and above. These four genotypes also expressed a breakpoint in gs in response to increasing VPD in the field. Two genotypes (TX ARG 1, TX 436) that differed between the growth chamber and field showed consistency in response on close examination of the field results. The overall general correspondence within genotypes between the controlled chamber and the field in expression or lack of expression of a breakpoint in response to increasing VPD demonstrated the possibility of selecting genotypes for the TRlim trait under differing environmental conditions.}, journal={ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY}, author={Shekoofa, A. and Balota, M. and Sinclair, T. R.}, year={2014}, month={Mar}, pages={175–179} }
 @article{shekoofa_devi_sinclair_holbrook_isleib_2013, title={Divergence in Drought-resistance Traits among Parents of Recombinant Peanut Inbred Lines}, volume={53}, ISSN={["1435-0653"]}, DOI={10.2135/cropsci2013.03.0153}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT}, number={6}, journal={CROP SCIENCE}, author={Shekoofa, Avat and Devi, J. Mura and Sinclair, Thomas R. and Holbrook, Corley C. and Isleib, Thomas G.}, year={2013}, pages={2569–2576} }
 @article{choudhary_mutava_shekoofa_sinclair_prasad_2013, title={Is the Stay-Green Trait in Sorghum a Result of Transpiration Sensitivity to Either Soil Drying or Vapor Pressure Deficit?}, volume={53}, ISSN={["1435-0653"]}, DOI={10.2135/cropsci2013.01.0043}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT}, number={5}, journal={CROP SCIENCE}, author={Choudhary, Sunita and Mutava, Raymond N. and Shekoofa, Avat and Sinclair, Thomas R. and Prasad, P. V. Vara}, year={2013}, pages={2129–2134} }