SmartCrop: knowledge base of molecular genetic mechanisms of rice and wheat adaptation to stress factors

The study of molecular genetic mechanisms of plant responses to specific growth conditions and stress factors is a central focus of scientific research aimed at developing new valuable crop varieties, particularly rice and wheat. These factors include abiotic stresses (high or low temperatures, drought, salinity, soil metal contamination), biotic stresses (pathogens, pests), as well as plant responses to regulatory factors (fertilizers, hormones, elicitors, and other compounds). Modern research in plant genetics is based on the understanding that the formation of any phenotypic characteristics (molecular genetic, biochemical, physiological, morphological, etc.) is controlled by gene networks - groups of coordinately functioning genes interacting through their products (RNA, proteins, and metabolites). Previously, we developed the ANDSystem intelligent technology designed to extract knowledge from scientific publication texts for the reconstruction of gene networks in biology and biomedicine. In this work, using an adapted version of ANDSystem for plants, we created the SmartCrop knowledge base designed to address challenges related to studying molecular genetic mechanisms of genotype-phenotype-environment interactions for agriculturally valuable rice and wheat crops. SmartCrop is designed to assist researchers in solving tasks such as interpreting omics technology results (establishing connections between gene sets and biological processes, phenotypic traits, etc.); reconstructing gene networks describing relationships between molecular genetic objects and concepts in breeding, phenomics, seed production, phytopathology, diagnostics, protective agents, etc.; identifying regulatory and signaling pathways of plant responses to specific growth conditions and biotic and abiotic stresses; predicting candidate genes for genotyping; searching for markers for marker-assisted selection; and identifying potential targets for substances (including external factors) affecting plants to ensure timely and uniform germination, better vegetative growth, efficient nutrient uptake, and improved stress resistance.