The paper “Enhancing lodging resistance in two Vicia species: unveiling the morphological and stem anatomy transformations induced by Moddus“, published in The Journal of Agricultural Science, has been chosen as the latest Editorial Highlight.

Lodging, where plant shoots band due to environmental factors, is a major problem for crop producers. It results in poor grain filling, pod loss, and increased susceptibility to diseases, all of which impact yield and quality. While breeding for lodging resistance is a long-term approach, researchers are now looking for quicker solutions. A recent study explored the use of Moddus, a plant growth regulator with trinexapac-ethyl being its main component, to enhance lodging resistance in vetch crops, and the results are promising. Researchers aimed to explore whether Moddus could effectively reduce lodging in vetch species, while preserving both yield and quality. Since the anatomical and morphological traits contributing to lodging resistance had not been explored before, our focus was on evaluating the impact of various Moddus doses on Vicia stem morphology, anatomy, and chemical composition, and determining whether specific anatomical traits could serve as reliable markers for predicting lodging resistance.

The study found that applying Moddus significantly improved lodging resistance in both examined vetch species. Interestingly, the primary factor behind the increased lodging resistance was the reduction in stem height, rather than changes in stem anatomy or chemical composition. In Vicia sativa, stem height was reduced by 11.8% to 36.9%, and in Vicia pannonica it decreased by 12.1% to 40.1%. While Moddus did affect certain stem tissues, such as cortex and cylinder parenchyma, these anatomical changes did not seem to contribute significantly to stem strength. This indicates that the key to enhanced lodging resistance was the shortening of the plant’s stem, not the strengthening of tissues typically associated with stem robustness.

These findings suggest that Moddus could be a useful tool for enhancing lodging resistance in vetch crops. By reducing stem height, Moddus helps prevent plants from falling over, thus protecting yield and quality. Importantly, this strategy doesn’t seem to negatively affect seed production or stem structure, making it a viable option for farmers looking to mitigate lodging issues. That said, the results were somewhat variable depending on the year, highlighting the role of environmental factors in Moddus’s effectiveness. Future research should focus on optimizing application timing, doses, and understanding how different vetch varieties respond to Moddus. This study lays the foundation for further research into using Moddus to boost vetch productivity, helping farmers reduce lodging-related losses and ensure better crop performance.

The Journal of Agricultural Science Editorial Highlights are selected by the Editor-in-Chief and are freely available for one month. View the recent selections here.