International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
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Genetic enhancement of seed protein in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh Maesen]
Get PDFProtein-energy malnutrition is a widespread social issue, particularly in Asia and Africa, where the availability of protein is about one-third of the natural requirements. Legumes are known for their high-protein grains, but the current protein harvests from this group of crops are not enough to meet the nutritional demand of the growing population. In this context, genetic enhancement of protein in pulses offers hope for additional protein supplies. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT) made efforts in this direction by breeding high-protein pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh Maesen] cultivars. The new genotypes were bred using three wild species as protein donors. These inbreds not only were high yielding (1700–2100 kg ha−1) but also had high protein (27%–30%) content, reflecting significant genetic advance for this trait. It was also estimated that cultivation of such cultivars on one hectare would yield an additional 80,000–100,000 g of protein for consumption. Also, their biological assessment, using Wistar male rats, revealed that the estimates of protein digestibility, biological value, and net protein utilization were similar to that of the popular cultivar. But, on account of greater availability of protein, the newly bred genotypes can be rated nutritionally superior to the present-day cultivars. Therefore, it is concluded that in pigeonpea, the genetic enhancement of seed protein without sacrificing yield is a viable plant breeding option. This process can be enhanced if the recently evolved genomics knowledge and technologies are used to assist in achieving nutritional food security
Line × Tester analysis for sustainable yield and dry fodder contributing traits in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) under rainfed conditions
Get PDFSelection of parents to maximize hybrid performance requires a clear understanding of the combining ability. 101 ICRISAT bred B-lines and two R-line testers were crossed using a line × tester design to develop 202 F1 hybrids and evaluated at four locations in an alpha-lattice design. The environments, hybrids and variance partitions due to lines, testers and their interaction (lines × testers) were found significant. Contribution of lines to the combining ability variance was very high for days to 50 % flowering (DF) (84.3 %), plant height (PH) (71.9 %), panicle girth (PG) (89.8 %), blast severity score (BS) (59.4 %), panicle yield (PY) (64 %), grain yield (GY) (61.8 %) and dry fodder yield (FY) (65.2 %). High percentage contribution of line × tester for panicle yield plot-1 (32.6), threshing percentage (43), grain yield (38.1), fodder yield (34.8) and blast score (28) revealed an interplay of additive and non-additive gene action in their inheritance, thereby emphasizing the potential for pedigree breeding in combination with harvesting the heterotic potential of crop for these traits. Several seed- parents were identified as good general combiners for DF (ICMB 88004, ICMB 04222), PH (ICMB 08888), PL (ICMB 09333, ICMB 09555) and GY (ICMB 93222, ICMB 94444, ICMB 07666). Inbreds ICMB 08666, ICMB 08888 and ICMB 09333 were identified good for biomass production. Hybrids like ICPH021, ICPH023, ICPH107, ICPH175, ICPH007 and ICPH083 were identified as top performing hybrids for different segments and agro-ecological zones. Grain and fodder yield showed a significant and positive correlation with GCA and SCA suggesting that combining ability estimates are reliable predictors of hybrid performance, aiding in the effective exploitation of heterosis
How beneficial are seasonal climate forecasts for climate risk management? An appraisal for crop production in Tanzania
Get PDFUnderstanding growing period conditions is crucial for effective climate risk management strategies. Seasonal climate forecasts (SCF) are key in predicting these conditions and guiding risk management in agriculture. However, low SCF adoption rates among smallholder farmers are due to factors like uncertainty and lack of understanding. In this study, we evaluated the benefits of SCF in predicting growing season conditions, and crop performance, and developing climate risk management strategies in Kongwa district, Tanzania. We used sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTa) from the Indian and Pacific Ocean regions to predict seasonal rainfall onset dates using the k-nearest neighbor model. Contrary to traditional approaches, the study established the use of rainfall onset dates as the criterion for predicting and describing growing period conditions. We then evaluated forecast skills and the profitability of using SCF in crop management with the Agricultural Production System sIMulator (APSIM) coupled with a simple bio-economic model. Our findings show that SSTa significantly influences rainfall variability and accurately predicts rainfall onset dates. Onset dates proved more effective than traditional methods in depicting key growing period characteristics, including rainfall variability and distribution. Including SCF in climate risk management proved beneficial for maize and sorghum production both agronomically and economically. Not using SCF posed a higher risk to crop production, with an 80% probability of yield losses, especially in late-onset seasons. We conclude that while SCF has potential benefits, improvements are needed in its generation and dissemination. Enhancing the network of extension agents could facilitate better understanding and adoption by smallholder farmers
Marker-Assisted Introgression of bmr6 Allele into Sweet Sorghum and High Biomass Sorghum Lines for Improving Biomass-Based Biofuel Yield
No full textThe production of renewable fuels from plants is important because of their high energy, low cost, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The introgression of the bmr gene into elite biomass sorghum reduces lignin concentration in the cell wall, which improves biomass enzymatic digestibility and hence 2G ethanol bioconversion process yield. The present research aimed to study the impact of introgression of lignin-reducing bmr-6 gene into sweet sorghum to enhance biofuel production. The gene was introgressed in elite wild-type (WT) lines using the backcrossing technique. The plant material included three WT recurrent parents, i.e., two bmr sweet sorghum varieties (SSV84, ICSV18003) and one bmr high biomass sorghum variety (ICSV15024), and a bmr6 mutant donor (N609). Recurrent parents were hand emasculated and bmr (bmr-6) trait successfully transferred into elite WT lines using marker-assisted backcrossing; BC2F1 populations were selfed to obtain BC2F2 populations. The presence of bmr-6 allele in the introgressed lines were confirmed by KASPar assays
Efficacy of secondary metabolites of promising entomopathogenic actinomycetes against fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae)
Get PDFBiopesticides are the most reliable strategies to protect crops at the initial stages of pest attack. The present investigation was conducted to identify effective entomopathogenic actinomycetes for management of Fall Armyworm (FAW). Of 24 actinomycetes that were previously screened against 2nd instar larvae of FAW, three isolates were identified as effective, viz., KG-13, CAI-134 (Nocardiopsis sp.), and CAI-17 (Streptomyces albus) which showed mortality more than 50 %. These three promising isolates were selected for further evaluation using their Intracellular Metabolites (ICM) and Extracellular Metabolites (ECM) in both laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Under laboratory through diet impregnation bioassay, KG-13 caused maximum mortality in 2nd instar larvae of FAW, with both ECM (85.19%) and ICM (70.37%). Larval prolongation (22.57 ± 1.98 days) and larval pupal intermediates were observed in the ECM of CAI-17. In the evaluation of chitinase activity, the highest zone of inhibition was recorded in KG-13 (34.67 mm), followed by CAI-17 (25.33 mm) and CAI- 134 (19.67 mm). ECM of KG-13, CAI-17 and ICM of KG-13 were noticed with 66.66, 53.33 and 53.3 % mortality in greenhouse studies. This study shows the impact of promising actinomycetes secondary metabolites on the 2nd instar FAW and their effectiveness in both laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Comparatively, less mortality was noticed in the greenhouse than in laboratory conditions, whereas Bt var. kurstaki (73.33%) and Emamectin (73.33%) in greenhouse studies showed considerablemortality than actinomycetes metabolites
Transcriptomic insights into the synergistic effects of darkness and mechanical stimulation on peanut pod development
Get PDFBackground: Peanuts are important oil crop with an atypical fruitification pattern. Darkness and mechanical stimulation are required to facilitate normal pod development. Despite some progress in understanding peanut pod development and its response to external environmental stimulation, numerous unresolved questions and knowledge gaps remain regarding the role of darkness and mechanical stimulation in this complex process.
Results: In this study, we investigated the impacts of dark and mechanical stimulation on peanut pod development via transcriptome. A total of 55,087 genes, along with a series of DEGs and pathways, were identified among different treatment groups (CK, TB, TML, and TMB) that play crucial roles and offer a novel perspective on the role of photosynthesis during peanut pod development. Moreover, by utilizing weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) we identified several hub genes (e.g., IAA9 (Ahy_B07g086610), BSK5 (Ahy_B03g068305), GRF7 (Ahy_B10g103808), and PER17 (Ahy_B10g105104)) and key pathways (e.g., plant hormonal and signal transduction pathway, and lignin biosynthesis pathway) that might be true candidates for peanut pod development. Further, the expression patterns of key candidates were validated via qRT-PCR during different pod development stages.
Conclusions: Overall, this study provides a comprehensive characterization of the mechanisms underlying peanut pod development in response to darkness and mechanical stimulation. These findings lay a foundation for exploring optimized growth conditions for peanut cultivation, while the identified key genes may serve as potential targets in future peanut breeding programs
Phytoremediation potential of metallophytes in Europe: Progress, enhancement strategies, and biomass utilisation
No full textPhytoremediation is a plant-driven process, widely regarded as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly in situ approach for remediating contaminated soil and water by taking up contaminants including potentially toxic elements (PTEs). In the last two decades, substantial research has focused on elucidating the mechanisms of phytoremediation and enhancing its efficiency, primarily through the identification of optimal plant species and the use of various amendments. Nevertheless, real-scale application of phytoremediation remains rare, and several critical questions need to be addressed, including selection of most effective species, improved effectiveness of phytoremediation process, and managing the safe utilisation of contaminated biomass. This review specifically focuses on phytoremediation of potentially toxic metals and metalloids in major metallophyte groups (wild herbaceous species, trees, and agricultural crops) recognizing the most efficient species for the anthropogenically influenced soils in Europe. It summarises the current state of knowledge regarding the use of respective plant species, highlighting the phytoremediation efficiency, critically examining existing and novel phytoremediation enhancement strategies and biomass utilisation pathways for each particular group. Future perspectives and research needed to refine the efficiency and economic viability of the phytoremediation process in Europe lay in better recognition of underlying physiological mechanism for metal stress tolerance, particularly among the most effective species and genera, application of synergistic enhancing techniques for delineated group of metallophytes and development of sustainable and cost-effective biomass utilisation routes
Innovations in Agricultural Inputs and Services Markets in India: A Pathway to Sustainable Agricultural Growth
Get PDFThe evolution and adoption of innovations in agricultural input and services markets (AI-SM) have been among the primary drivers of agricultural growth and development. Facing increasing challenges, including climate change, market volatility, global supply chain disruptions, and unsustainable farming practices alongside emerging opportunities from digital technology advances, innovation in AI-SM has become essential for achieving sustainable
farming and food systems. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of AI-SM and related innovations,
emphasizing their critical role in promoting sustainable agriculture and food systems. It examines the mechanisms,
institutions, and service provisions that can facilitate access to agri-input technologies, including advances in seeds, machinery, fertilizers, bio-inputs, livestock services, climate services, and data-driven digital tools and innovations, to enhance productivity, income, and environmental sustainability. The paper also analyses smallholder farmers' challenges in accessing AI-SM through current public and private delivery systems, identifying possible strategies for overcoming the barriers. It also explores policy pathways to leverage emerging digital technologies to improve farmers' access to high-quality agri-inputs and services, thereby supporting current and future farming systems focused on increasing farm incomes, resilience, and long-term sustainability. This paper seeks to promote inclusive and sustainable farming and food systems that can meet global food demands while conserving natural resources by offering practical insights for policymakers, investors, and agricultural practitioners
Ecosystem Restoration through Landscape Resource Conservation: Lessons Learned from Central India
Get PDFThis policy brief highlights the outcomes and lessons learned from a landscape restoration initiative focused on dryland management in Central India’s Bundelkhand region. Through integrated and participatory resource management, anchored in the restoration of traditional rainwater harvesting systems and scientific monitoring, the project achieved significant improvements in groundwater recharge, cropping intensity, and rural livelihoods. A key innovation was the revival of the traditional haveli system, which had fallen into disrepair. Introducing an innovative masonry core wall concept and safe water discharge outlets, the restored havelis not only enhanced groundwater recharge but also strengthened a range of ecosystem services and
supported productive post-monsoon agriculture, revitalizing previously abandoned lands. The Bundelkhand experience demonstrates that science-based, community-driven approaches can address the major challenges of land degradation, water scarcity, and rural poverty in India’s dryland regions. The project calls for scaling similar models nationwide through
coordinated, dedicated-funding, and evidence-driven policies. Such efforts would advance the country’s goals for climate adaptation, land degradation neutrality, water security, and rural prosperity
The role of genotyping in measuring improved variety adoption and impact: advances, challenges, and policy directions
Get PDFAccurate measurement of agricultural technology adoption is critical for evaluating the effectiveness of investments in agricultural research and development. While household surveys have long served as the primary tool for tracking varietal adoption, growing evidence reveals systematic mismatches between self-reported and DNA verified varietal identity. These mismatches arise from distinct local and scientific varietal nomenclatures, complex seed systems, and high varietal release rates. This review examines the emerging role of genotyping, particularly DNA fingerprinting, as a complementary method for varietal identification and adoption measurement. Drawing on a growing body of studies across crops and geographies, we assess how DNA fingerprinting alters adoption estimates, reveals patterns of varietal misclassification, and enhances our understanding of seed system performance. We identify critical design considerations for implementing DNA fingerprinting at scale, including sampling strategies, reference library construction, and integration with standard household surveys. The review also highlights methodological innovations to reduce DNA fingerprinting costs and explores how fingerprinting can inform monitoring, evaluation, and scaling of agricultural innovations. Finally, we outline key research and policy priorities to mainstream DNA fingerprinting into national agricultural systems and to support more evidence-based, accountable, and equitable food policy