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Effects of steaming on fresh edible kernels of waxy and normal maize determined by metabolomic analysis
No full textThe understanding of the characteristics and metabolite changes in waxy and normal maize kernels after cooking is rather limited. This study was designed to meticulously analyze the differences in characteristics and metabolites of these kernels before and after steaming. To cut environmental impacts, samples were obtained by pollinating one ear with mixed pollen. Non-targeted metabolomics was used to analyze metabolites comprehensively. The results demonstrated that a total of 4043 annotated metabolites were identified. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated distinct variances between kernels before and after steaming and between the two maize types. Steaming led to an increase in differential metabolites (DEMs) for both maize varieties, noticeably in waxy maize. In waxy maize, the down-regulated DEMs were associated with lipid metabolism, while the up-regulated ones were related to amino acid, phenylpropanoid, and flavone metabolism. Compared to steamed normal maize kernels, waxy maize had more DEMs in purine and steroid pathways, fewer in fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid, and phenylpropanoid ones, with marked differences in secondary metabolites like those in amino acid metabolism. This study offers a vital foundation and direction for future research on metabolic pathways regarding maize quality improvement and flavor regulation
Las biofábricas, nuevos modelos de producción y acceso a los insumos agrícolas en América Latina
No full textLa producción y el acceso a alternativas a los insumos agrícolas químicos despiertan el interés de muchos actores del sector agropecuario. En América Latina, el auge de los insumos de base biológica, incluidos los biofertilizantes, los agentes de control biológico y los bioestimulantes, ofrece soluciones a estos desafíos (ver Perspectives 55, mayo de 2021). Este auge es el resultado de años de inversión pública en investigación y desarrollo, y del dinamismo de la industria en el desarrollo de tecnologías basadas en microorganismos, macroorganismos o extractos vegetales. Sin embargo, está tomando una vía distinta a los canales tradicionales de abastecimiento agrícola: ONG, redes de agricultores, políticas públicas e incluso algunos actores privados están fomentando la producción de bioinsumos en biofábricas, directamente en las explotaciones agrícolas o en instalaciones comunitarias en zonas rurales. Estas biofábricas abren nuevas perspectivas, pero al mismo tiempo se enfrentan a grandes retos.1–
2023-2024 Inspire Challenge: Reducing the gender digital divide in agriculture. Reflections on trialing a Pay for Results Grant
No full text34 page
Rethinking Food Markets Initiative: Innovative approaches and key findings in the design and formulation of processed maize and bean-based products in Honduras
No full textAs part of the "Rethinking Food Markets" initiative, CIMMYT, in collaboration with national partners such as the Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH), MATURAVE, and local SMEs involved in maize and bean processing, conducted a range of research activities focused on food processing from 2022 to 2024. Scope of a pilot Study: An analysis was conducted on SMEs processing maize and bean products. A total of 30 SMEs were interviewed in the Francisco Morazán, Cortés, Yoro, Comayagua, and El Paraíso departments. The goal was to identify key innovations in five critical areas: raw material sourcing, product design, production processes, marketing, and inter-business relationships. The study also highlighted the main barriers and limitations that hinder innovation. Additionally, innovations with potential for testing were identified, including 1) the design and formulation of maize chips with alternative flours, including bean flour; and 2) the packaging of whole cooked beans in vertical bags.4 page
The first assessment of grain yield and associated traits in durum wheat across a decade in Nepal
No full textRapid urbanization and evolving dietary preferences have heightened the demand for durum wheat and its derivatives in developing nations like Nepal. This study represents the first comprehensive exploration and evaluation of durum wheat genotypes in Nepal, addressing the escalating need for high-yielding varieties. The primary objective was to identify stable and prolific durum wheat lines for release, enhancing Nepal's durum wheat breeding program. Utilizing genotypes from CIMMYT's disease screening and yield nurseries from 2011/12 to 2020/21, a total of 132 genotypes, including international checks, underwent evaluation over ten years under the Alpha Lattice design. Results revealed significant variation among genotypes for grain yield and other traits, identifying high-yielding and stable lines suitable for Nepal. Heritability analysis highlighted moderate heritability for grain number per spike, thousand-grain weight, and grain yield. Cluster analysis identified distinct clusters with high grain yield and desirable agronomic traits. Disease incidence facilitated the selection of resistant lines, with DWK38 emerging as the highest grain yielder (4416.04 kg/ha). Overall, durum wheat lines from CIMMYT exhibited robust performance in Nepal, enabling the identification of superior lines with potential benefits for farmers and consumers. The study's implications include developing and releasing superior durum lines in Nepal, providing farmers with profitable alternatives amidst evolving food habits. In conclusion, the findings from this study provide a valuable foundation for future durum wheat breeding efforts in Nepal, guiding the selection of genotypes that are well-suited to the diverse environmental challenges of the region
Edited eukaryotic translation initiation factors confer resistance against maize lethal necrosis
No full textMaize lethal necrosis (MLN), which is caused by maize chlorotic mottle virus along with a potyvirus, has threatened the food security of smallholders in sub-Saharan Africa. Mutations in eukaryotic translation initiation factors (eIFs), which also facilitate virus genome translation, are known to confer variable resistance against viruses. Following phylogenetic analysis, we selected two eIF4E proteins from maize as the most likely candidates to facilitate MLN infection. A knockout (KO) of each of the corresponding genes in elite but MLN-susceptible maize lines conferred only partial protection. Our inability to knockout both the genes together suggested that at least one was required for survival. When we edited (ED) the eIF4E genes in Mini Maize, however, the plants with the eif4e1-KO became highly resistant, whereas those with the eif4e2-KO remained susceptible. Neither of the causal viruses could be detected in the MLN-inoculated eif4e1-KO plants. The eIF4E2 cDNA in Mini Maize lacked the entire 4th exon, causing a 22-amino acid in-frame deletion, which shortened the protein to 198 amino acids. When we introduced mutations in the 4th exon of the eIF4E2 gene in two elite, MLN-susceptible lines pre-edited for an eif4e1-KO, we obtained as strong resistance against MLN as in eif4e1-KO Mini Maize. The MLN-inoculated lines with eif4e1-KO/eIF4E2-exon-4ED performed as well as the uninoculated wild-type lines. We demonstrate that the C-terminal 38 amino acids of eIF4E2 are dispensable for normal plant growth but are required for the multiplication of MLN viruses. Our discovery has wide applications across plant species for developing virus-resistant varieties.3523-353
Changing trends in crop management practices and performance attributes of rice-based systems of coastal Bangladesh
No full textClimate change affects changes in rice-based systems of coastal Bangladesh. Both external pressures and system-immanent attributes influence farmers’ adoption of new production practices, leading to the emergence of new land use patterns. Field and household surveys quantified recent and emerging change trends in crop yields and associated intensification-related practices in representative rice-based systems, using a diachronic approach (comparing the years 2011 and 2021). We analyzed 240 rice-producing farms, representing three rice-based cropping systems, namely extensive rice-fallow rotations, intensified irrigated rice double rotations, and diversified rice-mungbean rotations. The study sites contrasted favorable biophysical conditions (climate, soil type, water source and quality, soil fertility) in the Barishal district, and marginal (unfavorable biophysical environments) conditions at Patuakhali district in coastal Bangladesh. Soil fertility attributes were assessed at both study sites. The type, the extent, and the pathways of recent changes differed between locations, systems and seasons. We observed significant increases in aggregated yield (across crops and seasons), in individual crop yields, and in economic yields at both the marginal and the favorable sites. Crop yields varied widely (rice: 3.0–7.8 t ha–1, mungbean: 0.4–1.5 t ha–1), and rice yield was higher in dry than in the wet season. Farmers’ adoption of intensification practices started earlier in the marginal study area, but the extent of the changes was larger at favorable sites. Most prominent was the mechanization of tillage operations and an increased use of mineral fertilizers, with the largest changes observed in irrigated rice and in dry season mungbean. Such site-, system-, and season-specific assessments will permit identifying drivers of change and can inform the assessment of potential future patterns of land system changes
Mix and manage: Cultivar mixtures can maintain yield under high wheat blast disease pressure
No full textOriginating in South America, wheat blast disease has spread to both Asia and Africa and is considered a significant threat to food security. Bangladesh experienced the first outbreak of wheat blast outside of the Americas in 2016. Shortly thereafter, the blast-resistant variety BARI Gom 33 was released. Seeds of this variety are however not as widely available as required, although the disease threat remains. While varietal mixtures have been shown to mitigate some symptoms and yield losses associated with other fungal diseases in wheat, there is a complete research gap on this topic as it pertains to wheat blast. As such, we evaluated the potential of using BARI Gom 33 as a component of a variety mixture under high disease pressure in Bangladesh. During three cropping seasons, blast symptoms and yield were determined in a field experiment for the highly blast-susceptible variety BARI Gom 26, the moderately susceptible BARI Gom 30, the resistant BARI Gom 33, and seven mixture combinations of the three varieties using artificial inoculation to increase disease pressure. In addition to wheat blast, Bipolaris leaf blight (BpLB) symptoms were observed and evaluated. While yields of the susceptible varieties were severely affected by blast even after fungicide application, disease-inflicted yield loss without fungicide was only 15% for sole BARI Gom 33 and did not differ significantly from yield losses in BARI Gom 33 and BARI Gom 30 mixtures. Furthermore, in the mixture containing 67% BARI Gom 33 and 33% BARI Gom 30, blast incidence and severity were reduced by 25% and 16%, respectively, in comparison to weighted values in sole stands. Conversely, mixing varieties tended to increase the symptoms of BpLB. Under high wheat blast pressure, fungicide protection against blast was relatively weak, underscoring the importance of resistant varieties. Although variety mixtures did not increase yield, the yield advantage of BARI Gom 33 was maintained when its seeds were mixed with the less resistant BARI Gom 30. This study confirms recommendations that farmers should use BARI Gom 33 as a first line of defense against wheat blast in Bangladesh. Yet where farmers cannot access sufficient BARI Gom 33 seed for planting, our data suggest that agricultural extension services can recommend this variety with non-resistant cultivars as interim strategy without significant risk of yield loss
Diverse crop production and profitability: Yield, economics, and labor productivity in Dinajpur, Bangladesh
No full textThis on-farm research trials briefly summarize the results of productivity and profitability from a diversified cropping systems after one full cropping cycle. This trial was conducted in the Kalapukur and Indropara villages of the Dinajpur district, addressing food insecurity, sustainable agriculture, and climate challenges, which are crucial for achieving TAFSSA’s goals. Therefore, the trial aims to emphasize crop diversification to identify strategies for increasing farmers' productivity and profitability from agricultural land.14 page
