International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
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Guideline for Integrated Watershed Management Data Collection: National Standard
No full textWith a population surpassing 100 million, Ethiopia is a country whose economic growth heavily depends on agriculture (CSA, 2016). The country has diverse topographical, geological, geomorphological, and hydrological conditions – creating diverse agroecological zones where the central, southeastern, and northern highlands are hilly/mountainous draining to lowlands. Because of the rapid increase in population, most of the agricultural land is occupied and limited land is left for agricultural production in the highlands, except through integrated hillside/mountain development. Smallholdings for agriculture are highly fragmented and degraded, leading to low agricultural productivity and associated water scarcity and food insecurity. The natural ecosystems (e.g., forest, shrub, grazing land/rangeland) are alarmingly converted to agricultural production even on marginal hillslopes. As a result, our perennial streams, reservoirs, and drinking water supplies are being degraded and threatened. Integrated watershed management (IWM) is a key approach to sustaining agricultural economic development and maintaining natural resources. We need to protect and restore environmental
quality in our agricultural production systems, river basins, and other land uses. The government recognizes that the complex interactions of natural and human systems (continuous crop cultivation, deforestation, steep slope cultivation, unregulated water withdrawals, erosion and sedimentation, competition for land uses, non-point source pollution, etc.) coupled with unregulated/unplanned
expansion of human settlements into fragile ecosystems have been creating new management problems that cannot be addressed by business-as-usual practices. Human modifications of land and water directly affect the delivery of water, sediments, and nutrients, and thus fundamentally
alter terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Such unregulated and unplanned management is also contributing to hazards and disasters such as mass movements, flooding, extreme drought, and associated problems. Addressing all the problems that concern land, water, vegetation, and other ecosystem resources of a watershed in any way comes under watershed management strategies. The government therefore developed the Ethiopian Strategic Investment Framework (ESIF) for
sustainable land management (SLM) and determined that a comprehensive watershed management process would be the most efficient means to address these problems (MoARD, 2010)
Evaluating the impact of cattle corralling duration on soil nutrient dynamics and sorghum yield in dryland Systems
Get PDFLivestock corralling is a traditional practice in Sahelian farming systems, yet its contribution to soil fertility and crop productivity remains underutilized. This study assesses the effects of varying corralling durations on manure accumulation, soil nutrient dynamics, and sorghum yield in dryland smallholder systems. A two years field experiments were conducted using 10 Tropical Livestock Units (TLUs) on 150 m² plots across six farms over 3, 7, 10, and 15-night corralling durations. Soil samples and crop performance were evaluated under each treatment and compared to unpenned control plots. Farmer surveys were also conducted to assess perceptions and management constraints.
The amount of dry manure deposited per hectare increased proportionally with penning duration, from 2.82 t ha⁻¹ after 3 nights to 14.12 t ha⁻¹ after 15 nights using 10 Tropical Livestock Units (TLUs). These organic inputs contributed to marked improvements in soil organic matterup to 34% after 10–15 nights—and a 26% increase in total nitrogen compared to unpenned plots. Longer durations also led to greater accumulation of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), while soil pH improved from very strongly acidic (pH 4.5–5.5) to weakly acidic levels, especially after 7 nights or more. These fertility gains translated into significantly higher sorghum grain yields, reaching up to 2,651 kg ha⁻¹ under 7-, 10-, and 15-night treatments more than 50% higher than the control and 24% higher than 3-night penning. In addition, farmers reported a reduction in mineral fertilizer use by approximately 50% on penned plots, demonstrating the cost-effectiveness and input substitution potential of the practice.
A 7-night corralling strategy offers an efficient balance between labor input and agronomic benefit. Cattle corralling presents a practical, low-cost approach to enhance nutrient cycling, reduce input dependency, and support agroecological intensification in dryland farming systems. Scaling adoption will require context-specific support to address labor, infrastructure, and land access constraints
Unraveling the genetic basis of resistance traits for fungal diseases in sorghum
No full textSorghum is a versatile and resilient cereal crop known for its adaptability to a wide range of climatic conditions. In recent years, sorghum has gained attention in modern research due to its potential in bioenergy production and resilience to climate change. However, sorghum is susceptible to several fungal diseases, which pose significant threats to its productivity and profitability. Understanding the genetic control of disease resistance is essential for developing resistant sorghum cultivars to sustain global food production. Genetic and genomic resources play crucial roles in identifying and comprehending the genes responsible for disease resistance. This review delves into the available resources to elucidate fungal resistance mechanisms for crop improvement. The identification of fungal resistance genes forms the bedrock of breeding programs aimed at developing robust and sustainable crop varieties. Through quantitative trait loci mapping studies, numerous genomic regions linked to fungal disease resistance have been reported, providing crucial insights for targeted breeding strategies. Recent advancements in genotyping-by-sequencing, bioinformatics, and associated statistical methodologies have revolutionized genome-wide association studies, ushering in a new era of precision and efficiency in genetic research. Additionally, functional genomics techniques, such as transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, have played pivotal roles in sorghum research, enabling the identification of key genes and pathways implicated in defense responses against fungal pathogens. Genome editing of identified resistance genes holds promise for developing high-performing varieties to achieve food and nutritional security
Institutional and technological innovations for sustained change in smallholder irrigation schemes in southern and Eastern Africa
Get PDFWater management systems must become more adaptable to alleviate projected shortfalls. Integrated socio-institutional and technological interventions are required to generate sustained change in irrigation water management and the profitability for smallholders and their schemes. We illustrate this by conducting an ex-post analysis of the ‘Transforming Irrigation in Southern Africa’ (TISA) project, which was implemented in two phases from 2013 to 17 and 2017–2023. The project introduced institutional and technological innovations to smallholder irrigation schemes in Tanzania, Mozambique and Zimbabwe: Agricultural Innovation Platforms as a participatory approach to engage farmers and stakeholders; and soil moisture monitoring tools to support farmer learning. We hypothesised that these innovations, despite differing socioeconomic and biophysical conditions in the three countries, would work synergistically to improve farmers’ adaptive capacity and generate sustained change. In this paper, we test our hypotheses through a synthesis of peer-reviewed TISA literature, focussing on four smallholder irrigation schemes and five factors identified in the literature as critical for increasing farmers’ adaptive capacity. Drawing predominantly on household surveys administered at the beginning, middle and end of the TISA project, we analyse a set of relevant indicators linked to the five factors. In addition to many changes, we found changes in irrigation management, including a reduction in total water use to less than half pre-TISA levels. Further, the changes were sustained when the schemes transitioned from an intensive research-for-development phase into a more operational phase. This research also shows that when governments listen to farming communities and revise institutional arrangements, such as water scheduling and scheme constitutions, this fosters more sustainable irrigated agriculture. We conclude that when initiating development projects for sustained change within smallholder irrigation schemes policy makers and donors must commit sufficient project time and funding for both a development phase and a transition to an operational phase. Programs must take a participatory approach and support multiple interventions including both socio-institutional and technological interventions
Candidate Gene Discovery and Marker Development for Fresh Seed Dormancy in Groundnut
No full textGroundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) suffers significant yield and seed quality losses due to preharvest sprouting. In order to identify associated genes and markers we used whole genome resequencing (WGRS) and generated two season of replicated phenotyping data on fresh seed dormancy (FSD) in minicore collection of ICRISAT (184 genotypes). The analysis revealed considerable phenotypic variability in dormancy durations, with days to 50% germination (DFG) ranging from 1 to 30 days. Statistical evaluations indicated highly significant differences in FSD among the accessions, with heritability estimates around 90%, suggesting strong genetic control over this trait. Using genome-wide association studies (GWAS), we have identified 27 MTAs for individual seasons and 12 MTAs for pooled seasonal data. Candidate
genes linked to these associations encoded proteins from the Cytochrome P450 superfamily, protein kinase superfamily, WRKY family transcription factors, and MYB transcription factors involved in the abscisic acid (ABA) pathway. Additionally, F-box interaction domain proteins, ATP-binding ABC transporters, and GATA-type zinc finger transcription factors associated with the gibberellic acid (GA) pathway were also identified. The findings underscored the importance of the ABA-GA balance in regulating seed dormancy. We have developed and validated eight markers for tracking FSD in breeding programme. These results suggest that integrating favourable dormant alleles into breeding programs could lead to the development of high-yielding cultivars with a dormancy period of 2-3 weeks. This strategy could help reduce yield losses caused by pre-harvest sprouting due to early rainfall and advance breeding efforts
aimed at enhancing seed dormancy traits in groundnut
Understanding resistance mechanisms in crop wild relatives (CWRs) of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) against pod borer Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.)
Get PDFThe pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), is a highly destructive pest of leguminous crops, particularly pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.). This crop suffers significant damage from H. armigera, with estimated yield losses ranging from 30 to 40% annually. Despite extensive screening of elite pigeonpea accessions from the primary gene pool for resistance, no stable and true resistant or tolerant accessions have been identified. In this study, we screened 96 pigeonpea accessions from diverse gene pools for resistance to H. armigera using larval (first and third instar larvae) antibiosis during Rainy-2022. Based on k-means clustering, 50% of these accessions were selected for further evaluation in Rainy-2023 under field and laboratory conditions. Notably, accessions of Cajanus scarabaeoides from the secondary gene pool—specifically ICP 15716, ICP 15718, and ICP 15726—exhibited the lowest pod damage ratings (3.0–3.6), lower per cent larval survival (26–46%), and reduced per cent larval weight gain (27.0–35.18%) over two seasons. In addition, Rhynchosia suaveolens (ICP 15867) from the quaternary gene pool also exhibited minimal damage rating and low larval weight gain. The correlation of pod damage and oviposition with pod trichome density, pod length and pod width revealed that these morphological traits are key factors in conferring resistance against H. armigera. The Multi-trait Genotype Ideotype Index (MGIDI) identified seven superior accessions of C. scarabaeoides—ICP 15718, ICP 15716, ICP 15726, ICP 15730, ICP 15744, ICP 15732, and ICP 15703—as optimal candidate accessions for future breeding programs. This study highlights the critical role of host plant resistance in developing resilient pigeonpea cultivars resistant to H. armigera and emphasizing the potential of utilizing wild relatives in crop improvement strategies
Sorghum and millets: Quality management systems
No full textSorghum and millets find extensive use in traditional food products and for animal feed. Today, they are increasingly used in modern food products, especially gluten-free and healthy food products, lager beers, and bioethanol. These wide uses dictate desired quality parameters for the grains and their products, which are measured by a variety of methods. The parameters mostly concern food safety, grain physical characteristics, and chemical composition. Quality management systems exist for sorghum and millets from various specific statutory bodies. Their major purpose is to facilitate trade in the grains. Traceability systems for the sorghum and millets value chain need to be introduced. Furthermore, a more multidisciplinary approach to strengthening quality management systems for the sorghum and millets value chain is needed. The goal of this approach would be to create synergies between different types of expertise relevant for the sorghum and millets value chain and, importantly, must include the consumer
Effects of climate change on food security and nutrition in India: A systematic review
Get PDFClimate change poses a complex challenge to food and nutritional security, impacting human health, well-being, and sustainable development. India, facing heightened vulnerability in agriculture and a growing population surpassing 1.3 billion, requires a detailed examination of these effects. This examination will serve as a crucial resource for shaping policies, directing research efforts, and fostering public discourse. This systematic review thoroughly analyzes the impact of climate change on food and nutritional security in India. Examining 231 articles, the study delves into various dimensions, including availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability. The review utilized Web of Science, PubMed, and CABI review, employing 100 different keywords. Temperature variations, erratic rainfall, and extreme weather events disrupt crops, livestock, poultry, and aquaculture production (food availability), leading to food shortages, income loss, and elevated food prices (accessibility), especially affecting low-income groups. Indirectly, climate change affects livelihoods and incomes, exacerbating inequalities and leading to the displacement of marginalized communities (stability), thereby escalating food insecurity and malnutrition (utilization). However, few studies cover diverse aspects such as the influence of climate change on traditional crops, nutritional value, agricultural biodiversity, food distribution systems, indigenous food systems, and nutrition outcomes, particularly for vulnerable groups like women and children. Hence, there is a pressing need for a more holistic and integrated approach to tackle the impacts of climate change on food and nutrition security in India
Advancing vegetable genetics with gene editing: a pathway to food security and nutritional resilience in climate-shifted environments
Get PDFAs global populations grow and climate change increasingly disrupts agricultural systems, ensuring food security and nutritional resilience has become a critical challenge. In addition to grains and legumes, vegetables are very important for both human and animals because they contain vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Enhancing the ability of vegetables to withstand climate change threats is essential; however, traditional breeding methods face challenges due to the complexity of the genomic clonal multiplication process. In the postgenomic era, gene editing (GE) has emerged as a powerful tool for improving vegetables. GE can help to increase traits such as abiotic stress tolerance, herbicide tolerance, and disease resistance; improve agricultural productivity; and improve nutritional content and shelf-life by fine-tuning key genes. GE technologies such as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) have revolutionized vegetable breeding by enabling specific gene modifications in the genome. This review highlights recent advances in CRISPR-mediated editing across various vegetable species, highlighting successful modifications that increase their resilience to climatic stressors. Additionally, it explores the potential of GE to address malnutrition by increasing the nutrient content of vegetable crops, thereby contributing to public health and food system sustainability. Additionally, it addresses the implementation of GE-guided breeding strategies in agriculture, considering regulatory, ethical, and public acceptance issues. Enhancing vegetable genetics via GE may provide a reliable and nutritious food supply for an expanding global population under more unpredictable environmental circumstances
Influence of genotype, nodule position, and edaphic factors on microbial diversity and assembly of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) root nodules in Indian soils
Get PDFBackground
Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) is an important legume crop in semi-arid regions with multiple uses. The microbial diversity within its root nodules in Indian soils remains poorly explored. We investigated the bacterial diversity of pigeonpea root nodules across different genotypes and soil types to identify the factors driving their assembly. Using a metagenomic approach and high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, we analyzed the nodule microbiomes of three pigeonpea genotypes (Asha, Durga, and Mannem Konda Kandi) grown in three different soil types (Alfisol, Vertisol, and Inceptisol) and wild pigeonpea (C. scarabaeoides) in its native soil.
Results
Our results indicated that pigeonpea nodules harbor diverse rhizobial and non-rhizobial endophytes and that host genotype, nodule position, soil type, and other edaphic factors influence significant variation in the microbial community structure. The core nodule microbiome was dominated by Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Bradyrhizobium and Ensifer were predominant among the rhizobial taxa, and non-rhizobial genera such as Pseudomonas, Chitinophaga, and Limnobacter were also abundant. Edaphic factors, particularly soil type, pH, and nutrient availability, had a stronger influence on the nodule bacterial community composition than the host genotype. Although bulk soil exhibited higher bacterial diversity, nodule microbiomes were less diverse but more specialized, indicating host-mediated selection. A comparison of the nodule microbiomes of wild and cultivated pigeonpea revealed distinct differences, with the core nodule microbiome of wild pigeonpea dominated by Bradyrhizobium, while that of cultivated pigeonpea exhibited a diverse bacterial community.
Conclusions
These findings demonstrate that soil properties play a more critical role than host genetics in shaping the pigeonpea nodule microbiome, emphasizing the importance of environmental conditions in symbiotic interactions. The differences between wild and cultivated genotypes suggest that domestication has altered microbial recruitment strategies. This study provides foundational insights into the factors driving microbial assembly in pigeonpea nodules, with implications for improving crop productivity through targeted microbial management. Future research should explore the functional roles of these microbial communities to optimize their use in sustainable agriculture