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15N-Nitrogen use efficiency, productivity, and quality of durum wheat integrating nitrogen management and an indigenous bacterial inoculant in a single growing season
No full textIn the Yaqui Valley, Mexico, the current and estimated annual growth rate of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum) yield is insufficient to satisfy the food demand that the world will be facing by 2050. Furthermore, besides the high doses of fertilizers applied to wheat in this region, nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) remains low (<34.4%). A sustainable strategy to reduce the use of fertilizers and to increase crop yield and quality is the use of native plant growth-promoting bacteria as microbial inoculants. This study was performed under field conditions during one agricultural season in the Yaqui Valley, Mexico. It aimed to quantify the impact of the inoculation of a native bacterial consortium (BC) composed of Bacillus cabrialesii subsp. cabrialesii TE3(T), Priestia megaterium TRQ8, and Bacillus paralicheniformis TRQ65 on grain yield, grain quality, and NUE (measured through N-15-isotopic techniques) at different stages of development of durum wheat variety CIRNO C2008 under three doses of urea (0, 120, and 240 kg N ha(-1)) fractionated at 30%, 60%, and 10%. Results showed that yield, quality, and NUE were highly affected by the N doses, while the inoculation of the BC had a lower impact on these parameters. Nevertheless, the inoculation of the BC on wheat had positive effects at the early stages of growth, on plant height (+1.6 cm), root depth (+11.9 cm), and spikes per square meter (+25 spikes m(-2)). Moreover, the addition of the BC improved N acquisition by the plants, at different crop growth stages, compared to uninoculated treatments. Finally, our results indicated that reducing the N dose from 240 kg of N ha(-1) to 120 kg of N ha(-1) improved the NUE (27.5% vs. 44.3%, respectively) of the crop. Hence, results of this preliminary study showed that the incorporation of bacterial inoculants into the wheat crop requires a simultaneous adequate N management, in order to obtain the desired positive effect on wheat productivity
Digging in: Impact of land use changes on soil aggregation patterns and carbon stocks in the moist tropics of the Mizoram in the Indomalayan realm
No full textLand use change in moist tropical regions can significantly affect soil stability and carbon stocks, particularly with the conversion from primary forests. This study investigated the effects of land-use on soil aggregation and associated carbon stocks. A total of 200 soil samples were collected across five land-use, comprising rubber (RP) and oil palm plantations (OPP), bamboo forests (BF), fallow land (FL), and natural forest (NF). A comprehensive land-use intensity index, encompassing six key dimensions of land-use change, was integrated into robust regression models. The soil analyses revealed that macroaggregates dominated the top 15 cm (51–64 %), followed by meso- (30–39 %) and microaggregates (6–12 %). At deeper depths (15–30 cm), mesoaggregates prevailed (45.3–52.1 %). NF and BF exhibited the highest microaggregate fractions, resulting in lower mean weight diameter (MWD) and potentially lower aggregate stability. In contrast, RP and OPP displayed the highest macroaggregate distribution and MWD. Soil organic carbon generally decreased with land-use change from NF to FL and plantations, except for RP. MWD significantly correlated with silt and clay content, while meso- and micro-aggregates correlated with silt/clay content, MWD, and nitrogen (N). Models revealed that land-use intensity, bulk density, porosity, and N significantly influenced soil aggregate size. Notably, land-use intensity was lower in NF, BF, and FL compared to plantations (RP and OPP). The findings highlight the critical impact of land-use change in moist tropical regions on soil aggregation and carbon stocks, crucial for assessing the environmental consequences of converting natural forests to agricultural plantations. The study advances knowledge by introducing a comprehensive land-use intensity index, providing insights for sustainable land management and climate action. However, the findings are region-specific, and long-term experimentation and monitoring are needed to fully understand the effects of land use change on soil
Conservación y manejo de maíces nativos: Selección varietal participativa de maíz y bioinsumos en el Valle del Cauca Colombia
No full textEste trabajo presenta resultados sobre la colaboración de actores clave, como el CIMMYT, la Alianza Bioversity y CIAT y organizaciones comunitarias locales para fortalecer la conservación y manejo sostenible de maíces nativos en El Dovio, Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Con base en un diagnóstico participativo, los productores seleccionaron variedades locales de maíz, como el Limeño amarillo y el Diente de caballo para hacer selección varietal con énfasis en el incremento del rendimiento, sin embargo, en el futuro se considerará una metodología más inclusiva por género para atender las necesidades de hombres y mujeres. también se evaluó el impacto de compost como fertilizante alternativo. Los resultados mostraron un aumento en el rendimiento de los cultivos al usar compost, aunque los análisis estadísticos no fueron concluyentes. Se fortalecieron casas de semillas para apoyar la conservación brindando capacitación y suministros para el manejo adecuado de semillas. Además, se implementaron métodos innovadores para el control de plagas y aves, incluyendo trampas de luz y sonidos de aves rapaces. Se hicieron capacitaciones sobre economía circular mediante la valorización de residuos orgánicos y manejo poscosecha de granos. Se recomienda continuar con los ensayos y seguir fortaleciendo la vinculación de los jóvenes en proyectos agrícolas.16 page
Agro-morphological diversity and breeding potential of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc): Insights from recombinant inbred lines evaluation
No full textBambara groundnut (BGN) is a nutritious, multi-stress-tolerant legume with potential to enhance food and nutrition security across Africa, particularly in regions vulnerable to climate change and resource scarcity. Its ability to thrive in harsh environments while providing a rich source of protein and essential nutrients makes it an invaluable crop for sustainable agriculture. Despite its proven resilience and benefits, BGN remains overlooked in mainstream agricultural development and research, leaving its full potential untapped. This study evaluated recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from hybridization of four genetically diverse parental lines to identify superior genotypes. This research aims to pinpoint elite lines with potential for enhancing future BGN breeding programs, focusing on key agro-morphological traits. The experiment followed a 90 x 5 augmented design, incorporating 21 check lines. Trait measurements adhered to the descriptors provided by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute. Data analysis included analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation coefficient, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and diversity indices. Quantitative morphological traits (days to 50 % emergence (DE), days to 50 % flowering (DFF), internode length (IL), plant height (pH), and petiole length (PL)) exhibited significant variability among genotypes (p = 1, accounted for 80 % of the total variance. Key correlations include strong positive relationships between DE and DFF (r = 0.85; p = 0.017), pH (r = 0.75; p = 0.021) and PL (r = 0.75; p = 0.027). Petiole length was positively correlated with DFF (r = 0.89; p = 0.01) and pH (r = 0.86; p = 0.011). Grain yield per plot (GY) and grain yield per plant (GYP) varied significantly, which aided classification into four groups, namely: A (high-yielding g), B (moderately high yielding), C (moderate yielding) and D (low yielding). A total of 19 genotypes including; IITA686/LunT-419-324, S19/Ankpa4-339-266, IITA686/LunT-348-271, S19/Ankpa4-50-43, S19/Ankpa4-234-197, PONG-BR, S19/Ankpa4-1-1 and S19/Ankpa4-151-129 were grouped as high-yielding. The significant genotypic differences observed across most quantitative traits confirm the presence of sufficient genetic diversity, highlighting BGN's potential for selection and genetic enhancement.315-33
Investigating the influence of antagonistic fungi Polydomus karssenii and Niesslia gamsii on the penetration of Heterodera filipjevi and Pratylenchus thornei in wheat
No full textPlant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) significantly impact global wheat production. Strategies for managing PPN include developing tolerance/resistance varieties, crop rotation, and the use of nematicides. However, nematicides are highly toxic and have a non-target effect on the soil biota, emphasizing the need for safer alternatives and innovative approaches. This study investigated the suppressive effect of two nematode egg parasitic fungi, Polydomus karssenii (Ashrafi et al., 2023) and Niesslia gamsii (Ashrafi and Maier, 2017), on the penetration of the cereal cyst nematode (CCN) Heterodera filipjevi (Madzhidov, 1981) and the root lesion nematode (RLN) Pratylenchus thornei (Sher and Allen, 1953) into wheat roots. Two nematode-susceptible wheat cultivars, Bezostaya and Seri, were treated with P. karssenii and N. gamsii. Germinated seeds were dipped in a fungal suspension before being inoculated with the nematode species. Nematode penetration was evaluated at 48 h, 72 h, and 1 week after inoculation using acid fuchsin staining and microscopical examination. The results revealed that both fungal treatments reduced nematode penetration in both cultivars compared to untreated controls, with P. karssenii showing higher overall effectiveness. Polydomus karssenii reduced penetration of H. filipjevi by 91.9% and P. thornei by 85.9%, while N. gamsii reduced penetration of H. filipjevi by 76% and P. thornei by 67.3%. Additionally, fungal treatments delayed nematode penetration, no penetration was observed at 48 h in treated plants, while nematode penetration was observed in untreated plants during the same period. This study underscores the potential of P. karssenii and N. gamsii as sustainable biological agents against nematodes and emphasizes their role in integrated pest management strategies for wheat production
Effects of maize (Zea mays L.) genotype at different planting densities on herbage mass productivity and silage chemical composition
No full textInformation regarding suitable maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes and plant density is needed for silage producers to produce high-quality silage. In the spring of 2022, a study was carried out to assess how different plant densities of maize hybrids affect the biomass yield and chemical composition of silage. The treatments were arranged in a split-plot design via a randomized completely block design with three replicates. The corresponding plant densities used as the main plots were 66,666 and 111,111 plants/ha (density). The maize genotypes included in the analysis as subplots were CAH-1715, RH-10, CAH-1511, RML-86/RML-96, CAH-196, and RML-95/RML-96. The maize was harvested and weighed for biomass yield and subsequently subjected to ensiling. A standard laboratory protocol was followed to evaluate the chemical composition of the ensiled maize genotypes. The results revealed that the energy content, pH, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and days to 50% tasseling and silking were all unaffected by genotype. The highest biomass (49.39 t/ha) and dry matter production (16.98 t/ha) were obtained for genotype CAH-1715. The crude protein (CP) content was greatest (9.86%) for the CAH-196 genotype. Similarly, different plant densities did not affect pH, energy, NDF, ADF, ear height, or plant height. The leaf area index, days to 50% tasseling and silking, biomass yield, and dry matter production significantly increased (p < 0.05) with increasing plant density, whereas the leaf area per plant and CP decreased. These results indicated a decline in the nutritive quality of silage with increasing plant density. The study revealed that CAH-1715, with a plant density of 111,111 plants/ha, was suitable for making silage with a high biomass output, although a lower plant density might be suitable for silage of greater quality. However, silage quality is yet to be explored in detail
Licensing as a commercialization strategy to improve varietal adoption in Ghana
No full textGhana’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), through its Crops Research Institute (CRI) and Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), is responsible for developing improved crop varieties and has developed hundreds of varieties over the years. However, these public research institutes face significant funding challenges that constraint breeding activities, variety testing and release, maintenance and provision of early generation seed (EGS), and handover to seed systems actors. This policy brief summarizes findings from a consultative meetings and workshops held in 2024 to understand how CSIR-CRI and CSIR-SARI can explore licensing to enhance varietal adoption and commercialization. It was identified that the licensing model currently implemented by the CSIR could have broader implications for public breeding objectives or farmers' access to improved varieties. Low awareness of Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) and intellectual property rights (IPR) regulations among staff, gaps in managing licensing agreements, and weak private sector engagement undermine crop variety commercialization through licensing. Recommendations based on stakeholder consultations included the development of an improved licensing strategy and standardadized guidelines, awareness creation, capacity building in variety licencing models, institutionalization of EGS supply processes, and improved engagement with the private sector.5 page
A comparative analysis of the regulatory framework for public technology dissemination in Nigeria and ECOWAS
No full text38 page
Do Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and intra-household and intergenerational deliberation enhance farmers’ irrigation responses in wheat? Field experiments from Nepal
No full textLimited adoption of technologies by farmers has been considered one of the barriers for both yield losses minimization and yield improvements. Literature increasingly identifies communicative mechanisms, such as Interactive Voice Response (IVR), to tackle those barriers across different contexts, especially in Africa. However, little is known about its effectiveness on crops’ various yield attributes. To this end, we institute randomized control field experiments among 813 HHs with three treatments: (1) No IVR and No deliberation (base/control group treatment, T1) (2) IVR and No deliberation (T2), and (3) IVR & deliberation (T3) to test how IVR (i.e., recorded agricultural advisories) and/or intra-household deliberation enhances HH’s irrigation responses, along with taking several other sociodemographic variables. In basic treatment, HHs make their irrigation decisions, but they neither distributed IVR nor asked to deliberate. In T1 treatment, recorded IVR-based messages are disseminated directly to the HH through Reengage via mobile phone without the involvement of extension agents or experimenters in message delivery, HHs are additionally asked for intra-household deliberation in T3 after they receive IVR and make irrigation-related decisions. Descriptive analysis from non-parametric tests shows significant differences between treatment pairs, especially district-level analysis indicates IVR’s effectiveness on farmers’ irrigation responses. Regression analysis reveals that farmers with IVR messages increase irrigation events by additional 15.2 percent points while intra-household deliberation provided with IVR message further increase irrigation events by 9.8 percent additional effect, leading to a total of 25 percent. Results also indicate that young farmers (i.e., GenZ, 18 ≥ age 45 years) irrespective of the treatment groups they belong to. The findings demostrate that technology driven advisory services can improve irrigation practices, highlighting the role of intra-household deliberation in reinforcing information uptake. However, the effectiveness of IVR messaging was not uniform across regions. While some rural regions (i.e., Bardiya and Kailali) showed stronger responses to IVR compared to urban (i.e., Chitwan) regions, intra-household deliberation consistently played a positive role, suggesting that fostering family discussions may be key to improving decision-making regardless of regional differences in Nepal and potentially be scaled up in Nepal and with the similar contexts.14 page
Minimización de las pérdidas poscosecha de granos: Resultados de las plataformas poscosecha en México 2017-2022
No full textEn este libro se presentan los resultados del CIMMYT y de la red de colaboradores en México sobre la implementación de plataformas poscosecha en diferentes agroecologías de sistemas agroalimentarios de autoconsumo y en transición hacia el mercado. El objetivo de esta publicación es compartir los resultados de investigación realizada entre 2017 y 2022, así como las recomendaciones derivadas de estas plataformas y los temas que aún requieren investigación. Este libro está dirigido a agricultores, técnicos, agentes de cambio y representantes gubernamentales.200 page