International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
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Development of breeding lines with multiple stress tolerance to cold, drought, and high-temperature stress in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Get PDFFarmers and breeders recognize that multiple abiotic stresses occurring simultaneously are more harmful to crops than individual stress conditions. In this study, pedigree-based breeding was employed to develop multiple abiotic stress-tolerant rice breeding lines (MTU 1010/IRINMST-291), using stringent phenotypic selection for germination and seedling stage cold stress tolerance, reproductive stage drought stress, and reproductive stage high-temperature stress. Among the developed lines, IRINMST-007, IRINMST-338, IRINMST-418, and IRINMST-129 emerged as high-performing families under non-stress, drought, and high-temperature conditions during the reproductive stage. Additionally, IRINMST-007, IRINMST-418, and IRINMST-129 showed strong cold tolerance at the seedling stage and germination stage. These breeding lines have the potential to address food security challenges posed by abiotic stresses. A total of 110 parental polymorphic markers were used for single-marker analysis in the 180 selected F5 recombinant inbred lines. RM5344 were found associated with percent spikelet fertility at reproductive stage high-temperature stress with a phenotypic variance of 24%. RM5911 was found to be associated with grain yield at reproductive stage drought stress with a phenotypic variance of 11%. RM1019 was found associated with seedling growth under cold stress with a phenotypic variance of 18%. RM5344 was found associated with survival rate at seedling stage cold stress with a phenotypic variance of 19%. RM555 was found associated with vigor of germination at germination stage cold stress with a phenotypic variance of 18%. These markers can be used for molecular breeding programs to develop multi-stress tolerant rice varieties
Genome wide association study (GWAS) identified novel SNPs associated to efficient biological nitrogen fixation in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
No full textChickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is second most important food legume crop, having capability to convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3) in symbiotic association with Mesorhizobium ciceri through a process of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). The BNF stands promising avenue for effectively diminishing the reliance on exogenous nitrogen application enhancing soil sustainability and productivity in pulse crops. Notably there are limited studies on molecular basis of root nodulation in chickpea. In order to identify new sources of highly nodulating genotypes and gain deep insights into genomic regions governing BNF, diverse chickpea global germplasm collection (284) was evaluated for nodulation and yield traits in four different environments in augmented randomized block design. The genotypes exhibited significant trait variation, encompassing all traits under study. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlation of nodulation traits on yield within the chickpea population. The genotypes ICC 7390, ICC 15, ICC 8348and ICC 2474 were identified as high nodulating across the locations. Genome wide association study (GWAS) identified noteworthy and stable marker trait associations (MTA) linked to the traits of interest. For the traits, number of nodules (NON) and nodule fresh weight (NFW), 65 and 109 significant MTAs were identified, respectively. In addition, two SNPs Ca1pos289.52482.1 and 6_33340878 identified in our earlier studies were validated by independent population studies, which are decisive in evaluating the accuracy and reliability of the projections. Subsequent analysis unveiled that a substantial proportion of these MTAs were situated within intergenic regions, with the potential to modulate genes associated with the focal traits. The candidate genes identified could be converted to Kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) markers and exploited in marker assisted breeding, accentuating their impact on future chickpea breeding efforts
Navigating Formal, Informal, and Integrated Seed Systems: Drivers of Choice by Sorghum Grain Producers in Tanzania and Implications for Seed Access
Get PDFUnderstanding what drives farmers to choose one seed system over another is important in setting goals for crop improvement programs and designing an effective seed delivery system and marketing strategy. This study used survey data from 1492 households and a multinomial logit model to analyze seed systems choice by smallholder sorghum grain producers in Tanzania. Results showed that 84% of the farmers relied on the informal seed system, 11% on an integrated seed system (involving a combination of informal and formal systems), and only 5% exclusively accessed seed through the formal system. Farmers mainly accessed information on seed, agronomy, and markets from their peers. Proximity and participation in input and output markets, financial literacy, use of crop insurance, and access to financial and extension services were associated with a high likelihood of using formal seed systems. On the other hand, limited access to agronomic, and seed information from peers, as well as long distances to main markets, were associated with the use of informal seed systems. The integrated system was associated with intercropping and willingness to experiment with new ideas and technologies. Making sufficient quantities of quality seed available to farmers at the last mile through various channels, improving farmers' access to financial services, and developing multiple stress-tolerant varieties can enhance the use of improved varieties and formal channels of seed access. We recommend innovative ways of moving sufficient quantities of quality seeds of improved varieties through the informal seed system in the interim while further developing the formal system in the long run
Effect of nutrient omissions on bread wheat and tef crops grain yield in Western Amhara, Ethiopia
Get PDFThe decline in soil nutrients in Ethiopia, particularly in Western Amhara, is causing low crop productivity. Some researchers have argued that the application of K, S, Zn, and B in blended, individual, and complex forms affects crop yield. Identification of the prime yield-limiting nutrient is the key to solvesoil nutrient problems. A field experiment was conducted at Burie-Wemeberema, Debere Elias, Gozamen and Gonji Qolela districts of Western Amhara in the 2022 cropping season. A composite soil sample was taken at a depth of 0–20 cm to determine soil chemical properties. Bread wheat and tef were used as a test crop. The gross plot sizes were 4m x 3m and the spacing between blocks and rows was 1.0 and 0.2 m, respectively. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications and comprised of nine treatments: control, NPKSZnB-blended, NPKZnB, NPKSB, NPKSZnB, NPSZnB, NP, NPKSZnB-individually applied, and NPSZnB-compound+K. R programming software version 4.2.2 was used for data analysis, and treatment means were separated at P < 0.05 using the LSD test. The analysis of variance results showed that nitrogen and phosphorus are the most yield-limiting nutrients so far in the study area. Besides, omissions of potassium, sulfur, zinc, and boron did not show a significant (P < 0.05) effect on bread wheat and tef grain yield reduction as compared to the applied recommended nitrogen and phosphorus at all landscape positions of all study sites. Blended and compound nutrients also didn’t show a significant grain yield advantage as compared to the applied NP nutrients. Applied potassium, sulfur, zinc, and boron nutrients in blended, individual, and compound forms did not increase wheat and tef grain and biomass yields in all study areas. Currently, additions of K, S, Zn, and B nutrients in the fertilizer package do not have a significant grain yield advantage as compared to the recommended NP nutrients. We believe the present information on fertilizers in blended, compound, and individual forms is insufficient to draw any concrete conclusions. Therefore, we suggested further research to confirm which form of fertilizer and nutrient source is better for future crop production
MEAN PERFORMANCE OF EXTRA-EARLY GENOTYPES OF PIGEON PEA (CAJANUS CAJAN L.) FOR NODULATION CAPACITY ALONG WITH THEIR MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS
Get PDFPigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) is a vital legume crop known for its role in enhancing the sustainability of agricultural systems, particularly in semi-arid and resource-limited regions. Its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen through symbiotic association with Rhizobium, by producing nodules should be explored further. The present investigation was carried out with 53 extra-early genotypes of pigeon pea during Kharif 2024 using completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications at ICRISAT, Patancheru. Significant variation was recorded for majority of traits. High GCV and PCV were observed for nodule dry weight followed by total number of nodules. High heritability along with high genetic
advance as per cent of mean was observed for days to 50 per cent flowering, total number of nodules and nodule dry weight. The results indicated that higher plant dry weight was associated with higher nodule number and nodule weight along with better morphological traits. Among 53 genotypes studied ICPX 181018-B-SS3-SS1-1-B and ICPX 181028-B-SS22-SS1-1-B were found to have higher mean performance for all the observed characters
Scaling climate-smart agriculture through community seed systems and participatory demonstrations in Senegal
No full textCommunity seed systems combined with participatory demonstrations are driving the adoption of climate-smart agriculture in Senegal. Implemented by ICRISAT and ISRA-CERAAS under the AICCRA project, the initiative strengthens local seed production, ensures access to improved millet and groundnut varieties, and enhances smallholder resilience across four clusters: Meouane, Thiel, Daga Birame, and Koumpentoum. By integrating locally adapted varieties with climate-smart practices, the program fosters farmer ownership and sustainability in seed supply chains. Through small community plots (0.5 ha millet; 0.25 ha groundnut) involving 27 farmers, as well as mini-pack distributions to 144 farmers, the project applied formal agreements committing 10% of harvests for seed redistribution. Estimated outputs total 19,000 kg of millet seed and 4,000 kg of groundnut pods from community plots, plus 24,000 kg of millet and 2,400 kg of groundnut from mini-pack plots—benefiting over 1,000 farmers. These systems improve seed quality, local adaptation, and inclusivity, bolstering resilience and food security
Identification of promising hybrids and opportunities for rapid selection through trait association, combining ability and gene action in the pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) gene pool under rainfed conditions
Get PDFThe ICRISAT pearl millet B-line gene pool, crucial for Indian NARs partners and private seed companies, was assessed through 218 Line × Tester crosses using an alpha-lattice design alongside four hybrid checks. The study explored combining ability, gene action, hybrid selection
and accelerated product advancement using trait associations and interdependencies. ANOVA revealed strong genotypic and location effects and genotype × environment interactions were significant. Grain yield correlated positively with plant height, panicle length, threshing ratio and days to 50 % flowering. Panicle yield per plot had a strong direct effect (0.962) on grain yield, with very high phenotypic (0.95) and genotypic (0.94) correlations. Key yield traits, including days to 50 % flowering (0.164), plant height (0.491) and panicle length (0.414), influenced grain yield indirectly through panicle yield per plot. Significant genetic variability among parental groups emphasized the role of both additive and non-additive genetic variance. Narrow-sense heritability was highest for productive tillers (84.00 %), days to 50 % flowering (65.67 %) and panicle girth (62.81 %). Inbreds ICMR 08888 (2.87), ICMB 10555 (2.81), ICMB 01666 (2.71), ICMB 08888 (2.41) and ICMB 11111
(2.16), exhibited strong positive GCA effects for grain yield. Hybrids ICPH213, ICPH265, ICPH273, ICPH321 and ICPH166 exhibited high SCA for grain yield and reduced days to 50 % flowering, indicating superior per-day productivity. A total of seventeen hybrids including ICPH033, ICPH189, ICPH197 and ICPH206, have been identified for large-scale evaluation based on their high yield potential and desirable market specific traits, such as adaptation to the A1 Zone, medium maturity, dual-purpose suitability, short plant type suited for the B Zone, large panicle size and excellent fodder yield. To optimize selection efficiency, “Product Rating Index”, a metric combining flowering duration and
grain yield, is proposed for assessing wider adaptability potential. Additionally, prioritizing panicle yield per plot and threshing ratio over direct grain yield measurements is suggested, particularly in early-generation hybrid evaluations
Exploring Genetic Diversity and Population Structure in an International Panel of Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.)
Get PDFPigeonpea is an important legume cultivated in more than 25 tropical and sub-tropical countries, either as sole or as inter crop with finger millet, sorghum, pearl millet, maize or even with short duration legumes. It offers a rich source of variability in the form of wild species and germplasm, which could be used for brining favorable alleles for disease resistance and good agronomic traits. Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] 248 reference set accessions were evaluated in an augmented design for assessing genetic variability and diversity for important agronomic attributes at ICRISAT, Patancheru. The morphological characterization revealed significant genetic variability among the accessions for traits studied, as shown by the significant (p 70%) for all the six traits indicated that the selection can be highly responsive. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified key traits contributing to variability, with the first three components explaining 84.30% of the total variance. Cluster analysis based on morphological traits delineated six distinct groups, highlighting the diversity within the germplasm. Molecular characterization using 52,863 high-quality SNPs provided further insights into genetic diversity. The SNP analysis revealed moderate levels of polymorphism (average PIC = 0.36) and genetic diversity (mean He = 0.37). Population structure analysis suggested the presence of four main sub-populations (K = 4) with varying degrees of admixture. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) indicated that the majority of genetic variation (87.01%) was found within populations, with moderate genetic differentiation (FST = 0.13) between the populations. The study identified several genetically distinct accessions that could serve as valuable resources for broadening the genetic base in pigeonpea breeding programs. These findings provide crucial insights for germplasm conservation, targeted breeding efforts, and the exploration of genetic diversity in pigeonpea, potentially leading to the development of more resilient and productive varieties
Peanut Genetic Resources: Status, Challenges, and Use in Peanut Genetic Improvement
No full textPeanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an annual food legume grown in over 100 countries for many uses, primarily as vegetable oil or snacks in local or regional diets, and the dried vines are used as fodder for livestock. Around the world, it is popularly known as groundnut because of its unique feature of producing flowers above ground with below-ground development of pods. Genus Arachis originated in South America, with several primary centers of diversity located in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Spread across these five countries, the genus contains about 83 described species grouped into nine different taxonomic sections with unique genomes and cross-compatibilities. The cultivated species, Arachis hypogaea, originated from a natural hybridization event between two wild Arachis species about 10,000 years ago. Following domestication, it spread to other parts of the world, displaying several secondary centers of diversity. Arachis hypogaea is a tetraploid, while many of the wild species are diploids, with a few other tetraploid and aneuploid species also present in the genus. Large germplasm collections of cultivated as well as wild species are preserved in several gene banks around the world. These germplasm collections provide the primary source of genetic diversity for peanut improvement to meet present and future demands. Several accessions have been used in developing improved cultivars, especially involving interspecific hybridization with the wild species. The derived genetic resources provided populations for molecular and genomic investigations, leading to the development of valuable resources for peanut breeders worldwide. These genetic resources act as a reservoir for many economically important traits, including yield, drought tolerance, resistance to diseases, nutritional quality, and long-term resilience of the crop against evolving pests and pathogens and a changing climate
Increasing sorghum yields for smallholder farmers in Mali: the evolution towards a context-driven, on-farm, gender-responsive sorghum breeding program
Get PDFThis case study explores a decades long evolution towards a gender-responsive sorghum breeding program in Mali. With known disparities in men and women’s access to the resources that improve agricultural productivity and evidence that gender roles and responsibilities shape knowledge and preferences about varieties, there is need for methods that support gender-responsive processes in plant breeding programs. Gender-sensitive and gender-responsive approaches
in plant breeding may increase varietal options available to diverse end-users, increase adoption, and limit negative impacts on vulnerable populations. We assess a participatory plant breeding program in Mali to identify determinants
of gender-responsive breeding programs. The analysis uses a case study methodology that draws upon project reports, theses, articles, and experiential knowledge to understand how the sorghum breeding program transitioned over time. This case study details (a) more than a decade of sorghum breeding activities and research that led to (b) the inclusion of women in participatory plant breeding, culinary tests, and large-scale participatory selection in onfarm
trials, reaching hundreds of women each year and (c) iterative co-learning processes to develop preferred sorghum varieties and increase sorghum yields on men and women’s fields. Analyses indicated that collaborations among many
institutions on-farm with community actors, research across various disciplines such as agronomy and social sciences, context-specific breeding, and longterm funding were essential to increasing gender sensitivity and responsive in
the breeding efforts