International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
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Detection of Hydrological Alteration and soil erosion in a conserved tropical sub-humid ecosystem of Ethiopia
Get PDFSoil erosion poses a significant challenge in the sub-humid Ethiopian highlands, yet research on the long-term effectiveness of soil and water conservation (SWC) practices in this region using pre- and post-conservation approaches remains limited. This study addresses this knowledge gap by evaluating the impact of SWC practices on water balance and soil erosion in the Debre Mawi watershed. The study covers two-period analyses: pre-conservation (2010–2014) and post-conservation (2015–2022) using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to simulate hydrological water balance. Hydrological changes were assessed with the Indicators of Hydrological Alteration (IHA) software. Spatial and weekly sediment distribution were also computed. Results showed the SWAT effectively simulated stream flow, though sediment yield estimation was less accurate. The data demonstrated a reduction in surface runoff by 18% and a decrease in sediment yield by 75%. Conversely, evapotranspiration and groundwater storage experienced increases of 13% and 34%, respectively. The decrease in runoff and sediment can be attributed to the implementation of SWC structures with infiltration furrows, which are presently filled with sediment. Moreover, the expansion of eucalyptus tree acreage may deplete soil water during dry periods, thereby prolonging the time needed for the soil to become saturated and produce runoff, but the impact has yet to be quantified. The IHA analysis confirmed a decrease in mean annual flow from 0.06 m3/s to 0.02 m3/s, and sediment concentration decreased from 831.2 mg/l to 285 mg/l between the pre-and post-conservation periods. The study detected that soil erosion is higher than the allowable limits recommended for Ethiopia even after implementing SWCPs. Additionally, sediment transport reduced after the first three weeks due to improved ground cover and soil stability, although significant amounts were recorded until the end of the rainy season, primarily from gullies. The study found significant hydrological alterations in flow and sediment dynamics following the implementation of SWC practices, particularly pronounced in the early years post-conservation (2015–2018). However, the effectiveness of SWC practices diminished over time, with conditions beginning to revert to pre-conservation levels after 10 years. This suggests that these techniques (infiltration furrows) may be unsuitable for sub-humid watersheds, or that they require improved design and major maintenance beyond the third year. This study offers valuable insights into the dynamics of SWC interventions, underscoring the importance of integrating agronomic practices with SWC efforts to sustain long-term soil and water conservation in Ethiopia's sub-humid highlands. Future research should explore the hydrological effects of eucalyptus expansion and refine SWC practices suited to these unique conditions
Valorization of peanut shells through biochar production using slow and fast pyrolysis and its detailed physicochemical characterization
Get PDFValorization of peanut shells has recently gained prominence in the context of thermally converting agricultural waste into biochar, a carbon-rich byproduct with significant potential as a soil amendment. The present study delves into understanding the influence of slow (450°C and 500°C) and fast (550°C and 600°C) pyrolysis temperatures with a resident time of 60 and 30 minutes, respectively, on the physico-chemical properties of peanut shell biochar produced in a low-cost kiln. Results of the Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis revealed that increased pyrolysis temperature increased porosity and surface roughness with crystalline deposits. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that increased temperatures contributed to enhanced thermal stability but reduced biochar yield. Pyrolysis temperatures of 450, 500, 550, and 600°C exhibited 32.19, 29.13, 21.8, and 19.43 percent conversion efficiency with organic carbon content of 11.57, 6.48, 8.64, and 7.76 percent, respectively. The intensities of functional groups (C-H and C-O) declined, whereas the intensity of C=C and stable carbon content increased with the rise in temperatures. The concentrations of heavy metals in all biochar samples were below permissible limits outlined by international biochar initiatives. The study concluded that slow pyrolysis at 450°C for 60 minutes resident time is an ideal pyrolytic condition for producing peanut shell biochar in terms of qualitative and quantitative characteristics
Advancing Sorghum Improvement Through High-Throughput Phenotyping Technologies
No full textSorghum, a vital crop in arid regions, confronts the challenges of climate change, prompting the urgent development of resilient varieties to ensure sustained production, food security, and livelihoods. The slow progress of conventional breeding methods, coupled with the complexity of genotype-environment interactions, underscores the urgency for innovative approaches like phenomics. Front-line research is now directed towards enhancing sorghum as a climate-smart crop globally, with phenomics emerging as the future of phenotyping, presenting both opportunities and challenges in the pursuit of standardized, data-driven, and dynamically measured advancements for sustainable agriculture. Phenotyping is essential for crop improvement, but the digitalization gap in research hinders progress. Embracing advanced technologies in India is crucial for future agriculture. This chapter discusses diverse phenomics tools and sensors, illustrating successful cases and ongoing efforts to integrate technology into breeding programs for climate-smart crops at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), catering to the needs of semiarid tropics. ICRISAT employs advanced high-throughput phenotyping, exemplified by the high-throughput phenotyping (HTP)-LeasyScan facility and Lysimeter facility, to revolutionize sorghum breeding. The HTP-LeasyScan uses 3D laser scanning for rapid plant canopy assessment, aiding climate-smart approaches. The Lysimeter facility pioneers drought tolerance evaluation, bridging field and lab research. Innovative technologies like near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and computed tomography (CT) enhance sorghum quality traits, ensuring precise evaluations without grain damage. These strategies align with climate-smart breeding, promoting resilience in sorghum crops among changing environmental conditions
Data from collection and analysis of RNA sequencing data from pearl millet
No full textPearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum, also known as Cenchrus americanus) is a cereal crop that has a C4 photosynthesis system and that can grow and develop seeds even under stressed conditions including drought-stressed, high temperature-stressed and nutrient-poor conditions. In previous studies, transcriptomes of pearl millet were studied by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) to understand mechanisms regulating its development and tolerance to such stressed conditions. Here, RNA-Seq reads from 565 pearl millet samples from 25 projects in the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) BioProject database were collected and mapped to the pearl millet reference genome to obtain read counts and transcripts per million (TPM) for each pearl millet gene. The count and TPM data for all the 565 samples as well as the attributes of those samples and projects were deposited in the figshare repository (https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.24902100)
Impact of COVID-19 on global agriculture and food sector
No full textThe occurrence of a global pandemic has been known to mankind for decades. With the advent of Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a tremendous blow has been felt globally in all sectors of society, including agriculture. Hereby, this chapter gives the most comprehensive details on the overall impact of COVID-19 on the global agriculture and food sector. Firstly, the immediate measures taken to prevent the worldwide spread of the deadly virus included travel restrictions, border closure, and social distancing. The primary response to the pandemic across continents to mitigate the alarming increase in COVID-19 cases also had notable adverse effects on the global economy. It affected the functioning of the food production system as well. Hence, this chapter further covers the overall immediate impacts of the pandemic on food production, food processing, connectivity (transport and distribution), labor availability, and the collapse of the farm systems. Eventually, the grave consequence of the pandemic was reflected in the complete breakdown of the market, retailer, and consumer system. These factors collectively impacted the global economy as agriculture is one of the primary sectors contributing to it. Lastly, the future reforms and innovations required to restore agriculture, food, and the economy are also presented that may help to mitigate the global crisis
Spatial Distribution of Cropping Systems in South Asia Using Time-Series Satellite Data Enriched with Ground Data
No full textA cropping system practice is the sequential cultivation of crops in different crop seasons of a year. Cropping system practices determine the land productivity and sustainability of agriculture in regions and, therefore, information on cropping systems of different regions in the form of maps and statistics form critical inputs in crop planning for optimal use of resources. Although satellite-based crop mapping is widely practiced, deriving cropping systems maps using satellites is less reported. Here, we developed moderate-resolution maps of the major cropping systems of South Asia for the year 2014–2015 using multi-temporal satellite data together with a spectral matching technique (SMT) developed with an extensive set of field observation data supplemented with expert-identified crops in high-resolution satellite images. We identified and mapped 27 major cropping systems of South Asia at 250 m spatial resolution. The rice-wheat cropping system is the dominant system, followed by millet-wheat and soybean-wheat. The map showing the cropping system practices of regions opens up many use cases related to the agriculture performance of the regions. Comparison of such maps of different time periods offers insights on sensitive regions and analysis of such maps in conjunction with resources maps such as climate, soil, etc., enables optimization of resources vis-à-vis
enhancing land productivity. Thus, the current study offers new opportunities to revisit the cropping system practices and redesign the same to meet the challenges of food security and climate resilient agriculture
Pearl millet a promising fodder crop for changing climate: a review
No full textThe agricultural sector faces colossal challenges amid environmental changes and a burgeoning human population. In this context, crops must adapt to evolving climatic conditions while meeting increasing production demands. The dairy industry is anticipated to hold the highest value in the agriculture sector in future. The rise in the livestock population is expected to result in an increased demand for fodder feed. Consequently, it is crucial to seek alternative options, as crops demand fewer resources and are resilient to climate change. Pearl millet offers an apposite key to these bottlenecks, as it is a promising climate resilience crop with significantly low energy, water and carbon footprints compared to other crops. Numerous studies have explored its potential as a fodder crop, revealing promising performance. Despite its capabilities, pearl millet has often been overlooked. To date, few efforts have been made to document molecular aspects of fodder-related traits. However, several QTLs and candidate genes related to forage quality have been identified in other fodder crops, which can be harnessed to enhance the forage quality of pearl millet. Lately, excellent genomic resources have been developed in pearl millet allowing deployment of cutting-edge genomics-assisted breeding for achieving a higher rate of genetic gains. This review would facilitate a deeper understanding of various aspects of fodder pearl millet in retrospect along with the future challenges and their solution. This knowledge may pave the way for designing efficient breeding strategies in pearl millet thereby supporting sustainable agriculture and livestock production in a changing world
Awareness and use of improved livestock feed technologies among agro-pastoral households in the West African Sahel
No full textSeasonal scarcity of quality feed continues to be a bottleneck for agro-pastoralists and is the most important limitation to livestock production in agro-pastoral systems in the West African Sahel. In this regard, diverse promising technologies to increase the production and availability of quality feed have been introduced. Despite the introduction of various feed technologies in the region, the adoption rate by smallholder farmers is very low. The objective of this study was to identify factors affecting the likelihood of using improved livestock feed technologies among agro-pastoral households in two regions of Niger. A logit model was employed using data collected from randomly selected 218 agro-pastoral households between February and April 2023. The study revealed low awareness and use of improved livestock feed technologies among agro-pastoral households. The findings suggested the positive impact of education level, membership of farmer groups and ownership of small ruminant on enhancing the probability of using improved livestock feed technologies. Households’ geographical area was one of the determinant factors in using improved livestock feed technologies. The use of improved livestock feed technologies was also influenced by family size. The study provides guidance to inform strategies by the decision-makers to enhance the utilization of improved livestock feed technologies among agro-pastoral households in the West African Sahel. Suggested strategies may in turn alleviate the current problem of low productivity of livestock, contribute to improving household food security and nutrition among agro-pastoral communities
Genetic regulation of the root angle in cereals
Get PDFThe root angle plays a critical role in efficiently capturing nutrients and water from different soil layers. Steeper root angles enable access to mobile water and nitrogen from deeper soil layers, whereas shallow root angles facilitate the capture of immobile phosphorus from the topsoil. Thus, understanding the genetic regulation of the root angle is crucial for breeding crop varieties that can efficiently capture resources and enhance yield. Moreover, this understanding can contribute to developing varieties that effectively sequester carbon in deeper soil layers, supporting global carbon mitigation efforts. Here we review and consolidate significant recent discoveries regarding the molecular components controlling root angle in cereal crop species and outline the remaining research gaps in this field
Envirotyping helps in better understanding the root cause of success and limitations of rainfed production systems
Get PDFThe current diagnostic agronomy study of the Bankura region of West Bengal, India, examined the variations in crop yields through a socio-ecological analysis of multiple production system components. Envirotyping for root cause analysis was employed to delve into the variables that affect the performance of rainfed production systems. Mother Earth, man, machine, management, and materials (5Ms concept) were the five indicators under which the variables were grouped. Findings demonstrated the fragility of the region's soils due to its undulating terrain, unpredictable rainfall patterns, and frequent drought scenarios. The LULC's NDVI showed that the agricultural area is about 60% and 43% of the total geographical area in the Hirbandh and Ranibandh blocks, respectively. Soils are acidic and diagnosed with deficiency of both macro and micronutrients (phosphorous, sulfur, and boron) having poor water holding capacity (35 to 55 mm for a 50 cm soil depth). The sand and soil organic carbon contents ranged between 43.04%-82.32% and 0.17%-1.01%, respectively with a low bacterial population. These factors are the root cause for low cropping intensity (106%) and low paddy productivity (3,021 kg/ha). Overall, the study contributes to designing and scaling-up of sustainable landscape management practices that could ensure higher cropping intensity and system productivity in similar agro-ecologies with limited evidence