International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
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Predicting plant water availability from phytolith assemblages: an experimental approach for archaeological reconstructions in drylands
No full textIn this study we investigate the relationship between phytolith formation and transpiration rate in Eleusine coracana (finger millet), Cenchrus americanus (syn. Pennisetum glaucum, pearl millet) and Sorghum bicolor (sorghum). The aim is to produce a prediction model to reconstruct water management for agriculture in archaeological contexts in drylands. Two kinds of phytolith proxy evidence have been tested in modern experimental growing seasons as indicators of water availability, the ratio of sensitive to fixed morphotypes and also a logistic regression predictive model built on the complete assemblage of all morphotypes of the three species. Our results show a relationship between total water transpired and phytolith formation, which can be best predicted by the application of statistical logistic regressions. This is because some morphotypes are positively correlated with water availability, others are negatively correlated, and the significance of specific morphotypes in response to water availability varies according to the species and the part of the plant where the phytolith is formed. Indeed, water stress prompts each plant to alter its phytolith production in a distinct manner. The outcomes of this investigation should be of interest to archaeobotanists seeking a way of detecting the past growing conditions of C4 crops, but also to physiologists and ecologists who are interested in the study of phytolith formation
Diallel analysis, maternal effect and heritability in groundnut for yield components and oil content
Get PDFBackground
Groundnut is one of the world's major food and oil crops. Being sources of nutrition and vegetable oil, rich in affordable and digestible protein, it is a strategic crop in Burkina Faso for food security, nutrition, and cash income. Understanding the nature of gene effect and genetic variation affecting yield and yield component traits will contribute to designing appropriate breeding methods for groundnut improvement and increase selection efficiency in Burkina Faso.
Methods
In 2018, a total of 30 F2 progenies were generated through a 6 x 6 full diallel mating using six different and contrasting varieties. In 2019, parents and progenies were evaluated in a lattice square design in 3 replications at ICRISAT-Mali experimental field to assess the general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects, the inheritance and the maternal and reciprocal effects for yield component traits (YCT) and oil content (OC).
Results
Significant variabilities were observed among the parental genotypes and their F2 progenies for DTH, PSR, HPW, PL, PWD, SL, SWD, and OAC. Mean performance of the six parents were HPW (117.05g), HSW (57.24 g), PYH (1914.76), SYH (1312.73), PL (2.52), PWD (1,19), SL (1.38), SWD (0.83), OC (49.43), OAC (50.43) and LAC (33.61). Parent QH243C presented the highest value for SWD (1.02 cm) and OAC (60.76) while the parent ICGV09195 had the highest value of OC (50.36). Chalimbana presented the highest value of HPW (169.61 g), PL (2.98 cm), PWD (1. 41 cm), and SL (1.57 cm) while CG7 presented the highest value for HSW (75. 14 g), and SYH (1639.28 kg). Both YCT and OC are controlled by additive and non-additive gene effects with a predominance of additive gene action for HSW, SL, and SWD, whereas HPW, PL, PWD, and OAC were found to be more controlled by non-additive gene effects. Maternal effects as well as nuclear and cytoplasmic interaction effects were observed for both YCT and OC indicating that YCT and OC are influenced by a combination of genetic factors from both the maternal parent and the nuclear genome, as well as cytoplasmic factors such as mitochondrial DNA. Broad sense heritability ranged from 3.76 % to 91.56 %, and higher broad sense heritability values were recorded for pod length (91.56 %), hundred pod weight (83.71 %) and pod width (80.95 %).
Conclusion
The study yields valuable insights into the inheritance of YCT and OC. The parents, Chalimbana and CG7, showed promise as good combiners for both yield component traits and oil content when used as male parents while TE3, Sh470P and QH243C can be used as female for the oil content and its components (oleic and linoleic content)
Efficacy of two different microbial consortia on salinity tolerance in chickpea: an in-planta evaluation on biochemical, histochemical, and genomic aspects
Get PDFThis study aimed to identify and characterize actinobacteria and rhizobia with plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits from chickpea plants. Out of 275 isolated bacteria, 25 actinobacteria and 5 chickpea rhizobia showed 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (ACCd) activity. Selected chickpea rhizobia were tested for their nodulating capacity under sterile and non-sterile soil conditions. Further screening on salinity and PGP traits identified three promising isolates: Nocardiopsis alba KG13, Sinorhizobium meliloti KGCR17, and Bacillus safensis KGCR11. These three isolates were analyzed for their compatibility and made into a consortium (Consortium 1). This along with another consortium made from our salinity-tolerant lab strains Chryseobacterium indologenes ICKM4 and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia ICKM15 (Consortium 2) was compared in planta studies. Trials revealed that Consortium 2 showed significant (p < 0.05) tolerance and on above-ground, below-ground traits and yield components than Consortium 1. Moreover, both consortia induced nodulation in saline-stressed plants, alleviated electrolyte leakage (2.3 vs. 0.4 in ICCV 2; 1.8 vs. 0.6 in JG 11), and increased chlorophyll content. Histochemical staining indicated reduced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in consortium-treated plants under salinity stress. Further, gene expression studies revealed mixed patterns, with up-regulation of antioxidant and transporter genes observed in consortium-treated plants, particularly in Consortium 2. Overall, Consortium 2 showed better gene expression levels for antioxidant and transporter genes, indicating its superior efficacy in mitigating salinity stress in chickpea plants. This study provides valuable insights into the potential use of these microbial isolates in improving chickpea productivity by enhancing salinity tolerance
Multi-gene phylogeny and phenotypic analyses revealed an association of different Colletotrichum species with inflorescence dieback and leaf spot of arecanut in India
No full textArecanut is one of the economically important plantation crops. Among the various diseases, inflorescence dieback and leaf spot/blight diseases caused by Colletotrichum spp. have re-emerged as major factors impeding arecanut production in India in the last few years. To understand the Colletotrichum species complex in the arecanut system, we have characterized Colletotrichum spp. associated with inflorescence dieback and leaf spot/blight of arecanut based on a combination of phenotypic, multi-locus (ITS, ACT, CHS-1, GAPDH, HIS3 and TUB2) phylogeny and pathogenicity studies. A total of 26 Colletotrichum isolates were obtained from arecanut inflorescence dieback (13 isolates) and leaf spot/blight (13 isolates) infected tissues collected from disease-endemic regions of Karnataka, Kerala and Tripura states of India. The combined multi-locus sequence analyses and a critical examination of phenotypic characters revealed the association of Colletotrichum aoteaora as a dominant species with arecanut inflorescence dieback disease. On the other hand, two Colletotrichum species, viz., C. siamense and C. fructicola, were distinctly associated with leaf spot/blight disease. All the Colletotrichum isolates studied were pathogenic to arecanut. Significant variations in lesion size were observed among the different species with cross-infection ability on inflorescence and leaves. This study represents the first comprehensive study of Colletotrichum spp. associated with arecanut inflorescence dieback and leaf spot/blight diseases. In addition, the study is the first record of C. aoteaora, C. siamense, and C. fructicola associated with the arecanut crop in this country. It provides valuable information for implementing effective IDM strategies against these diseases in India
Adoption and yield impacts of improved groundnut varieties in Nigeria: Application of the potential outcomes framework
Get PDFUsing the potential outcomes framework, we estimate the influence of the adoption gap, adoption drivers and impact of adopting improved groundnut varieties (IGVs) on groundnut yield among smallholder farmers in Nigeria. The results show a significant 34% adoption gap attributable to the lack of exposure of farmers to IGVs. With full exposure, the adoption rate could increase from the current 31% to about 65%. To close this adoption gap, policy options that empower agricultural extension staff to visit farmers more frequently, engage farmers in the development, testing and scaling activities of agricultural technology, and encourage farmers to join farmer groups are critical. Similarly, enabling households to access credit and input and output markets will lead to the increased probability of adopting IGVs. The study furthermore revealed a significantly positive impact of 148 kg/ha on the yield of IGVs, which represents a 20% average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) and a 22% average treatment effect on the untreated (ATU)
Dry Matter Intake, Digestibility, and Growth Performance of Peulh Breed Lambs Fed Millet Silage Treated with NaCl
Get PDFLivestock feeding is a major challenge in Niger. The aim of this study conducted at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) experimental station in Sadoré, Niger, was to assess the effects of adding 1% NaCl to millet stover silage on the dry matter intake, digestibility, and weight performance of Peulh-bred lambs. Four treatments were tested, consisting of millet stover silages of two cultivars (Siaka Millet and Local Sadoré) with or without adding NaCl. The biological material included 32 lambs of Peulh breed Niger aged around 15 months with an average weight of 28.64 kg. They were divided into four blocks of homogeneous average weight and for each block, there were eight lambs. Each treatment was randomly assigned to a block. The trial lasted 75 days, including 15 days of adaptation and 60 days of data collection. Weight evaluation of animals was recorded, and bromatological analyses were carried out. Results indicated that there were significant differences between silages, according to NaCl addition and treatment, for some parameters of chemical composition, feed value, and zootechnical parameters of lambs. Depending on the treatment, moderately high significant differences were recorded for ash, organic matter, and crude fiber while low significant differences were recorded for digestibility coefficient and organic matter digestibility. Regarding NaCl addition, highly elevated significant differences were recorded for ash and organic matter. These differences were moderately significant for crude fiber and organic matter digestibility. Low significant differences were recorded for dry matter, nitrogen-free extract, digestibility coefficient, feed value, total weight gain, and average daily gain. It is concluded that the addition of 1% NaCl negatively affects the weight development of lambs although it improves the quality of silage parameters such as dry matter, ash, and digestibility coefficient
Geospatial assessment of cropping pattern shifts and their impact on water demand in the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project command area, Telangana
Get PDFEfficient monitoring of crop water requirements is crucial for assessing the impacts of major irrigation projects, such as the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project, both before and after their implementation. These projects can significantly change agricultural practices and water usage patterns, necessitating thorough evaluations to ensure sustainable water management and agricultural resilience. The main aim of this study is to evaluate and compare crop water needs during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2018–2019 and 2022–2023 across the command area of the project. This is achieved by mapping major crops and their respective length of growing periods across the study area using sentinel-2 satellite data and ground data, and quantifying crop water requirements using reference evapotranspiration and FAO crop coefficients. Results reveal a significant shift towards rice cultivation, with an over 80% increase in the winter season of 2022–2023 compared to 2018–2019, indicating substantial escalations in crop water requirements. These findings provide valuable insights into agricultural transformations induced by large-scale irrigation interventions, emphasizing the need for sustainable water management practices to ensure agricultural resilience and resource conservation in similar contexts
Role of biodegradable mulching films and vegetable-derived biostimulant application for enhancing plants performance and nutritive value
No full textPlants require several nutrients (essential and beneficial) for effective growth and to complete their life cycle. These nutrients are artificially applied in various forms (organic and synthetic) to complete their life cycle and enhance yield. As time passes, sources of nutrients and their way of application also improve. Although manures and fertilizers are good enough to supply the nutrients, their usage associated with soil degradation and irreversible damage to the soil and soil microflora limit their application. Therefore current agricultural practices need to be changed to ensure and maintain soil health. Biodegradable mulch films and biostimulants can be a better source and instrumental way to maintain soil health nutrients. Mulch films are being used to retain soil moisture and to check weed growth but their potential application in nutrition application is still underutilized. Biostimulants are new and underexplored in the public domain. They have huge potential to enhance the nutrient use efficiency coupled with the stress-tolerant ability of plants. Although underexplored, highly potent mulching films can be explored for sustainably enhancing agricultural production. This chapter will discuss the various available biodegradable mulch films, biostimulants their impact and potential uses in various crops, as well as various regulations for biostimulants
Rice Submergence Tolerance Emerging Molecular Breeding Strategies in the Post-Genomic Era
No full textSubmergence is one of the key abiotic stresses that cause worldwide yield losses in cereal crops. Climate change scenarios have negatively affected plant development and growth, eventually causing plants to die if it continues for days. Rice, being a semi-aquatic plant, is significantly affected by floods, resulting in annual yield losses. In the last few decades, there have been large studies on the physiological and molecular aspects providing evidence of many traits associated with the submergence tolerance in rice. Genetic variation in plant present in response to submergence includes the quiescence approach, which enables underwater tolerance for up to a long period, and escape strategy with elongation of stem and changes in architecture and metabolism of plant. The discovery and deployment of submergence tolerance quantitative trait locus, namely SUB1 from the FR13A landrace was the most striking progress in rice (submergence). Recent studies identified a number of QTLs for plant survival and various related traits linked to submergence tolerance. All the identified QTLs contributed to improving the tolerance to submergence with their effects on underwater shoot elongation and chlorophyll level maintenance. These results lay the framework for emerging molecular breeding strategies for quickly incorporating submergence tolerance into elite cultivars with high precision. In future research, there is a need to deploy genomic approaches to exploring and identifying genomic regions associated with linked traits of interest via genome-wide association studies and QTL mapping. This could improve breeding systems that aim to significantly succeed in developing improved versions of crop varieties
Aquatic Weed Mining Using Artificial Intelligence
No full textWater hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is regarded as one of the most invasive aquatic weeds because of its high proliferation rate, nutrient depletion capabilities from water bodies, heavy metal absorption, and high adaptability to new environments. A variety of management strategies have been employed for its control, all of which involve the removal of weeds and dumping in landfills, where it further releases toxins into the environment. At present all management and control strategies lack sustainable use of the weed and in turn harm the environment. Hence, better alternatives for control and management of this weed are needed. Water hyacinths are nutrient rich and a great source of biomass, which can be further converted to biofuel and bioenergy. Through biochemical, thermochemical, and physiochemical conversion of biomass from water hyacinth, a solution to a multi-level problem could be achieved. By employing new mining strategies, successful collection, treatment, and utilization of the said biomass are possible. This could mean a potential answer to the growing biomass and bioenergy demand, with sustainable and bioeconomic utilization of water hyacinth. To control the spreading of water hyacinth, the first step is to mine and monitor its growth. Managing and controlling this aquatic weed can help society create a bankable economic model for rural entrepreneurship and help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with alternative bioresources for their respective products such as handicrafts items, fish feed, handmade paper, bio-compost, and disposable filters for heavy metal pollution in aquatic sources (like Ar, Pb, Zn, etc.). This study presents that aquatic weeds can be controlled and managed effectively with artificial intelligence (AI)-based technologies to achieve the goal of Society 5.0 to balance economic advancement with the resolution of social problems