Selected Cultivar-Specific Parameters of Wheat Grain as Factors Influencing Intensity of Development of Grain Weevil Sitophilus granarius (L.)

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Reviewer #1

The manuscript presents the Selected cultivar-specific parameters of wheat grain as a factor  influencing the intensity of the development of grain weevil  (Sitophilus granarius L.).

The authors need to complete the materials and methods and add some bibliographic references. There are already many similar written works, and in some of them, the authors reference specific chemical compounds that may have anti-nutritional effects or make the cereal more appealing. The composition of starch also seems to be a factor that was missing in the discussion.

 

Here are my suggestions:

Line	Suggestions
57	S. granarius is not the major primary pest of cereals. Sitophilus spp is a genus of insects that in certain regions are the main pests. S. granarius only remains in temperate regions
87	Complete methods
155	The authors don't refer to statistically significant as P < 0.05 or P < 0.001
Table 2	Please Format the number to the specified decimal places in the table. For example, 2. Mass of dust [g] Loss of grain mass [g] Grain infestation indicator [%] Methods missing
Table 5	We do not write .2107 but 0.2107. Once again, format it to two decimal places unless the method is so precise that it requires going up to the fourth decimal place.
Discussion	the authors should discuss about starch and the relation between amylose and amylopeptin and must pay attention to my previous suggestions
338, 339	Why chose these varieties. Should be include in the conclusions

 

Author Response

Reviewer #1

The manuscript presents the Selected cultivar-specific parameters of wheat grain as a factor influencing the intensity of the development of grain weevil (Sitophilus granarius L.).

The authors need to complete the materials and methods and add some bibliographic references. There are already many similar written works, and in some of them, the authors reference specific chemical compounds that may have anti-nutritional effects or make the cereal more appealing. The composition of starch also seems to be a factor that was missing in the discussion.

Here are my suggestions:

57        S. granarius is not the major primary pest of cereals. Sitophilus spp is a genus of insects that in certain regions are the main pests. S. granarius only remains in temperate regions

Added to the manuscript: Grain weevil (Sitophilus granarius L.) is one of the most harmful and common pests of cereal grains in temperate regions [20–22].

87        Complete methods

Corrected.

155      The authors don't refer to statistically significant as P < 0.05 or P < 0.001

Corrected.

Table 2           Please Format the number to the specified decimal places in the table. For example, 2.

Corrected.

Mass of dust [g]          Loss of grain mass [g]            Grain infestation indicator [%]

Methods missing

Added to the manuscript: After the experiment, the mass of kernels and the mass of dust were weighed on a laboratory balance WPS220/C/2 (Radwag, Radom, Poland).

Table 5 We do not write .2107 but 0.2107. Once again, format it to two decimal places unless the method is so precise that it requires going up to the fourth decimal place.

Corrected.

Discussion the authors should discuss about starch and the relation between amylose and amylopeptin and must pay attention to my previous suggestions

Thank you for your valuable suggestions. Changes have been made to the manuscript.

338, 339 Why chose these varieties. Should be include in the conclusions

Added to the manuscript: The development of grain weevil on the analysed kernels of 46 wheat cultivars (varieties recommended for cultivation in the northern region of Poland) was distinctly varied.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Title:

ok.

Abstract:

·         It would be beneficial to include the research methodology briefly to provide readers with an understanding of how the study was conducted. (Line 15)

·         Consider adding the significance or implications of the findings to provide context for the importance of the research. (Line 17)

·         It would be helpful to mention the specific physicochemical parameters of grain that were studied.

·         Instead of "natural tolerance," use "inherent tolerance" to refer to the cultivars' resistance to the pest.

Introduction

·         Elaborate on the significance of wheat production for global food safety (line 35).

·         Clarify the factors contributing to the increase in wheat production (line 36).

·         Specify the specific agricultural chemicals affected by the restrictions imposed by the European Green Deal (line 46).

·         Clarify the factors that affect the storability of grain and emphasize the importance of infestation with storage pests (line 55).

·         Elaborate on the presence and character of the dependencies between the analyzed physicochemical parameters of wheat grain and the development rate of S. granarius (line 84).

·         Rewrite the objectives section into paragraph for a batter presentation.

Materials and Methods

·         Elaborate on the process of maintenance breeding carried out on the grain of the winter wheat cultivar Korweta (line 92).

·         Defend the observation method with references.

·         Elaborate on the rationale for the eight-week duration of the experiment and reference the previous observations and studies on grain weevil development (lines 105-106).

·         Clarify the specific chemical and physical analyses performed on the selected cultivars (line 111).

·         Defend the methodology section “Physicochemical properties of grain” with references.

Results

·         Specify the Pearson's linear correlation coefficient (r) values and their significance (p) in Table 5 (line 206).

·         Elaborate on the correlations between the intensity of grain weevil development and the physical and chemical characteristics of the wheat grains (lines 196-203).

·         Specify the significance level (α) used for the RDA and NMDS analyses (lines 207, 223).

·         Try to add a more clear and attractive color scheme fig. (2,3).

Discussion

·         Provide context and significance: While the section discusses the significance of determining grain resistance to storage pests, it would be beneficial to further elaborate on the broader implications of this research. How does understanding the competitive potential of wheat cultivars against grain weevil foraging contribute to the field of crop protection and grain storage? Providing more context and highlighting the practical implications can strengthen the relevance of the study.

·         Discuss limitations and future directions: It is important to address any limitations of the study in the discussion section. Were there any constraints or factors that might have influenced the results? Additionally, it would be valuable to suggest potential avenues for future research. Are there any specific areas that require further investigation based on the findings of this study?

·         Provide more interpretation of the results: While the discussion section mentions the statistically significant differences among wheat cultivars in terms of offspring generation abundance, dust production, loss of grain mass, and susceptibility index, it would be beneficial to provide more interpretation of these findings. How do these results align with previous research or expectations? Are there any unexpected or interesting patterns that emerged from the data?

·         Discuss practical implications: In addition to discussing the scientific implications of the findings, it would be useful to highlight the practical implications for farmers, breeders, or other stakeholders. How can the results of this study guide cultivar selection, grain storage practices, or pest management strategies? Providing practical recommendations based on the research findings can enhance the applicability of the study.

·         Improve clarity and structure: Consider revising the paragraph structure and sentence flow to improve readability. Ensure that each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect or point, and use clear transitions to guide the reader through the discussion.

·         Review and cite relevant literature: While the discussion section briefly references previous studies, consider expanding the literature review to include more recent and relevant sources. This will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the existing knowledge in the field and strengthen the scientific background of the study.

General comments

The authors have conducted a thorough study on the competitive potential of wheat cultivars against grain weevil foraging, providing valuable information on the factors influencing susceptibility to infestation. However, improvements are recommended to strengthen the manuscript's impact and readability.

Comments for author File: Comments.docx

Carefully proofreading is required. 

Author Response

Reviewer #2

Title:

ok.

Abstract:

• It would be beneficial to include the research methodology briefly to provide readers with an understanding of how the study was conducted. (Line 15)

Thank you for your suggestion. The description of the methodology has been added to the abstract.

• Consider adding the significance or implications of the findings to provide context for the importance of the research. (Line 17)

Information added to the abstract.

• It would be helpful to mention the specific physicochemical parameters of grain that were studied.

                  Added to the manuscript.

• Instead of "natural tolerance," use "inherent tolerance" to refer to the cultivars' resistance to the pest.

Corrected.

Introduction

• Elaborate on the significance of wheat production for global food safety (line 35).

Information suggested by the Reviewer has been added to the manuscript.

• Clarify the factors contributing to the increase in wheat production (line 36).

Information added to the manuscript.

• Specify the specific agricultural chemicals affected by the restrictions imposed by the European Green Deal (line 46).

                  Added to manuscript.

• Clarify the factors that affect the storability of grain and emphasize the importance of infestation with storage pests (line 55).

Information added to the manuscript.

• Elaborate on the presence and character of the dependencies between the analyzed physicochemical parameters of wheat grain and the development rate of S. granarius (line 84).

The occurrence and nature of the relationship between the physicochemical parameters of wheat grain and the growth rate of S. granarius is described in detail in the results and discussion section.

• Rewrite the objectives section into paragraph for a batter presentation.

We don’t know how to understand the Reviewer's suggestions regarding „the objectives section into paragraph”, in our opinion, the presentation is clear.

Materials and Methods

• Elaborate on the process of maintenance breeding carried out on the grain of the winter wheat cultivar Korweta (line 92).

Added.

• Defend the observation method with references.

Corrected.

• Elaborate on the rationale for the eight-week duration of the experiment and reference the previous observations and studies on grain weevil development (lines 105-106).

This is described in the methodology section.

• Clarify the specific chemical and physical analyses performed on the selected cultivars (line 111).

                  Corrected.

• Defend the methodology section “Physicochemical properties of grain” with references.

Corrected.

Results

• Specify the Pearson's linear correlation coefficient (r) values and their significance (p) in Table 5 (line 206).

Completed.

• Elaborate on the correlations between the intensity of grain weevil development and the physical and chemical characteristics of the wheat grains (lines 196-203).

Correlation described in the results section.

• Specify the significance level (α) used for the RDA and NMDS analyses (lines 207, 223).

Corrected.

• Try to add a more clear and attractive color scheme fig. (2,3).

Corrected.

Discussion

• Provide context and significance: While the section discusses the significance of determining grain resistance to storage pests, it would be beneficial to further elaborate on the broader implications of this research. How does understanding the competitive potential of wheat cultivars against grain weevil foraging contribute to the field of crop protection and grain storage? Providing more context and highlighting the practical implications can strengthen the relevance of the study.

Added to the manuscript.

• Discuss limitations and future directions: It is important to address any limitations of the study in the discussion section. Were there any constraints or factors that might have influenced the results? Additionally, it would be valuable to suggest potential avenues for future research. Are there any specific areas that require further investigation based on the findings of this study?

Added to the manuscript.

• Provide more interpretation of the results: While the discussion section mentions the statistically significant differences among wheat cultivars in terms of offspring generation abundance, dust production, loss of grain mass, and susceptibility index, it would be beneficial to provide more interpretation of these findings. How do these results align with previous research or expectations? Are there any unexpected or interesting patterns that emerged from the data?

Added to the manuscript.

 

• Discuss practical implications: In addition to discussing the scientific implications of the findings, it would be useful to highlight the practical implications for farmers, breeders, or other stakeholders. How can the results of this study guide cultivar selection, grain storage practices, or pest management strategies? Providing practical recommendations based on the research findings can enhance the applicability of the study.

These aspects are discussed in the paper.

• Improve clarity and structure: Consider revising the paragraph structure and sentence flow to improve readability. Ensure that each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect or point, and use clear transitions to guide the reader through the discussion.

      Corrected.

• Review and cite relevant literature: While the discussion section briefly references previous studies, consider expanding the literature review to include more recent and relevant sources. This will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the existing knowledge in the field and strengthen the scientific background of the study.

Uzupełniono w odniesieniu do wcześniejszych uwag.

Added to previous comments.

General comments

The authors have conducted a thorough study on the competitive potential of wheat cultivars against grain weevil foraging, providing valuable information on the factors influencing susceptibility to infestation. However, improvements are recommended to strengthen the manuscript's impact and readability.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Carefully proofreading is required. 

Corrected.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Thank you for accepting all the requested Improvement. 

Carefull proofreading is recomended. 

 

Author Response

Thank you for accepting the improvements made. Language correction made.