International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
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Sulfur availability minimizes nitrate leaching losses in vulnerable agricultural soils
No full textDespite the critical need for nitrogen (N) in cropping systems, excessive N fertilizer application has severe environmental consequences. The synergistic interaction between sulfur (S) and N in plant nutrition could be exploited to increase N utilization, thereby maximizing N recovery and reducing losses. In a three-year study at six locations across three countries (USA, Ghana, and Mali), we evaluated the effect of S availability on N leaching losses from N fertilizer application using corn as the study crop. The study consisted of three S sources (micronized elemental sulfur [MES], untreated elemental sulfur [ES], and ammonium sulfate [AS]); five S application rates [(i) site-specific recommended S rate (SR), (ii) ¼ of the recommended S rate (25%_SR) (iii) ½ of the recommended S rate (50%_SR), (iv) ¾ of the recommended S rate (75%_SR); and (v) 1¼ of the recommended S rate (125%_SR)]; and a single N application rate (site-specific recommended N rate). Regardless of the S source, N recovery progressively increased with increasing S application rate. For the AS and MES sources, leachate nitrate concentration from the treatments with S application ≥ SR was statistically similar to that of the background concentrations, and the highest concentrations occurred with the treatment with no S application. Thus, for environmental stewardship, a critical look into S application in cropping systems is a necessity due to its synergistic interaction with N. In addition to improving productivity and enhancing efficient recovery of applied N fertilizers, S availability will minimize nitrate leaching commonly associated with application of N fertilizers
Genome-wide assessment of population structure and association mapping for agronomic and grain nutritional traits in proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.)
Get PDFProso millet is an important but under-researched and underutilized crop with the potential to become a future smart crop because of its climate-resilient features and high nutrient content. Assessing diversity and marker-trait associations are essential to support the genomics-assisted improvement of proso millet. This study aimed to assess the population structure and diversity of a proso millet diversity panel and identify marker-trait associations for agronomic and grain nutrient traits. In this study, genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified by mapping raw genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) data onto the proso millet genome, resulting in 5621 quality-filtered SNPs in 160 diverse accessions. The modified Roger's Distance assessment indicated an average distance of 0.268 among accessions, with the race miliaceum exhibiting the highest diversity and ovatum the lowest. Proso millet germplasm diversity was structured according to geographic centers of origin and domestication. Genome-wide association mapping identified 40 marker-trait associations (MTAs), including 34 MTAs for agronomic traits and 6 for grain nutrients; 20 of these MTAs were located within genes. Favourable alleles and phenotypic values were estimated for all MTAs. This study provides valuable insights into the population structure and diversity of proso millet, identified marker-trait associations, and reported favourable alleles and their phenotypic values for supporting genomics-assisted improvement efforts in proso millet
Creating market linkage and demand for new climate resilient rice varieties through innovative agriculture extension method
No full textFor impact of innovative products like climate resilient rice, there needs to be large scale adoption, strengthened market and demand. While the traditional agriculture extension approaches focusing on varietal promotion are production centric, this would require a market centric approach. The Eastern India, prone to climatic risks, could benefit through the adoption of these varieties as witnessed through the grounding of a participatory experiment as a new extension model. This paper tries to analyse the structure and effectiveness of this model, known as 'evidence hubs'. A total of 21 such hubs comprising 975 replications for several varieties were piloted in 2017. Multiple performance criteria and results were analysed through participatory score card method. The score cards generated got recommendation of government to influence institutions/policy to enhance production and supply of seeds of resilient varieties which got the highest ratings
Genetic variability studies for yield and yield components in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Get PDFThe present study was aimed to assess genetic variability for yield and yield component traits among 100 released Indian groundnut varieties and were evaluated during post rainy season (January-June) 2023-24 at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Patancheru, Hyderabad. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the varieties for all the traits suggesting that the varieties had very good diversity and will provide valuable insights. The genetic parameters revealed very good amount of genetic variability for exploitation. High genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were observed for the traits, pod yield (kg/ha), kernel yield (kg/ha), oleic acid (%) and linoleic acid (%) suggesting substantial variability that can be utilized in breeding programs. The traits, oleic acid (%) and linoleic acid (%) showed high heritability and high genetic advance as percentage of mean,
implying that the heritability is likely due to additive gene effects and simple selection is effective for the
improvement of these traits
Screening of Pigeonpea Varieties through Nylon Bag No-choice Bioassay for Host Plant Resistance to Helicoverpa armigera
No full textBackground
The legume pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), is one of the most damaging crop pests, including pigeonpea. Host plant resistance is a component of pest management and therefore, we standardize a nylon bag No-Choice Bioassay technique to screen for resistance to H. armigera under field conditions.
Methods
Pigeonpea plants were infested with 24 h old 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 larvae per plant inside the nylon bag. Observations were recorded on pod damage, larval survival, larval weight, pupation, adult emergence and fecundity after 10 days.
Result
Pigeonpea varieties AL-201, H03-41 and PAU-881 exhibited lower pod damage (15.89 to 19.77%) and larval weight (12.02 to 13.82 mg). The expression of resistance to H. armigera was associated with trichome density, pod wall thickness and higher amount of phenolic compounds and condensed tannins. Lower trichome density and thin pod walls and higher amounts of sugars rendered the varieties Paras, Manak and Pussa-992 more susceptible to H. armigera. Nylon bag assay can be used to screen and select pigeonpea cultivars for resistance to H. armigera
Assessment of Genetic Variability in Job’s Tears (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) Germplasm from Indian NEH Region Using Morpho-physiological Traits and SSR Markers
Get PDFCoix lacryma-jobi L. is a minor millet and an underutilized crop native to Asia that is of paramount importance in food and medicine. In India, the crop is mainly grown in the northeastern hill region for food, medicine, beverage, and fodder purposes. Genetic information on edible Job’s tears and wild relatives still needs improvement. Therefore, the study focused on characterizing 65 accessions of Job’s tears, including landraces and wild types collected from the northeastern hill region of India, using 20 morphological traits, three biochemical traits, and 16 SSR markers. Based on grain yield data, JTN11 and IC89392 were the most promising accessions. Biochemical analysis recorded IC417053, JTN3, and IC89393 as having the highest phenol content, antioxidant capacity, and flavonoid content, respectively. Principal component analysis showed that traits, namely, total phenol content, leaf length, spikelet/plant, brace root, and seed yield/plant, have significantly contributed to the diversity. In molecular characterization with SSR primers, 62 alleles were generated, with an average of 3.87 alleles per locus. The effective number of alleles detected varied from 1.17 (GBssrJT32) to 4.23 (GBssrJT198). Two alleles were found unique to wild accessions, underscoring the importance of preserving these varieties for future research and breeding. Based on the UPGMA dendrogram, IC416868, IC521338, IC417053, IC419466, IC540173, IC540281, IC89387, IC89393, and JTN3 were identified as diverse accessions. The high level of genetic diversity assessed in this study emphasizes the importance of the Indian NEH region for conserving Job’s tears germplasm. The observed pattern of genetic variations may be used to develop the breeding strategy in Job’s tears
Introduction: Frontier Technologies for Crop Improvement
Get PDFThe last two decades have witnessed the rapid development and application of several frontier technologies for crop improvement, which have brought speed, precision and cost-effectiveness in making selection decisions for improved breeding lines with better genetics. A few such technologies to be mentioned are accurate and efficient germplasm characterization of diverse genebank accessions, high-throughput sequencing and genotyping, rapid generation advancement, modern sequencing-based trait mapping and gene discovery followed by identification of superior haplotypes, genomic selection, gene editing, forward breeding and multi-omics approaches including better bioinformatics tools/software. While there is still scope for improving phenotyping protocols for various traits, especially the complex ones, the above-mentioned frontier technologies provide huge opportunities in improving the precision and speed in developing new cultivars with future traits to ensure the sustainability of different crop plants. The integration and use of these technologies on a large scale using a common platform to provide flawless support to crop improvement programs is still a challenge for many crop species, but will be accomplished sooner or later
Current Trends and Future Prospects in Global Production, Utilization, and Trade of Pearl Millet
No full textMillets are a group of small-seeded annual grasses that occupy the sixth position after rice, wheat, maize, barley, and sorghum globally. Among the millets, pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum R. Br.) represents approximately 75% of the global millet area. Around 70% of total millet is produced under warm tropics dryland climates with Africa and Asia accounting for 98% of the global area and 97% of global production. Among the countries, India is the largest producer followed by China, Niger, and Nigeria. The area under millets has come down globally from 35 to 32 million ha between 2007 and 2019 mainly due to the decline in Asia. Yields, however, increased significantly in Asia from 1100 kg/ha to 1292 kg/ha while it declined marginally in Africa. Globally, nearly 3/4 of the domestic supply of millet is used for food, and the rest is used for feed and other uses. Developed countries mainly use millet for animal feed/bird feed. The nutritive and gluten-free nature of millet has provided ample scope across the globe for developing several nutrition-based products, beverages, and baby foods. The enhanced demand for processed foods augers well for millet though still in a nascent stage. Millets are thinly traded with less than 2% of total millet production being exported. Despite this based on International Food Policy Research Institute’s (IFPRI’s) IMPACT (International Model for Policy analysis of Agricultural Commodities and Trade) model projections, global millet demand is set to increase from 48.5 to 66.5 million tons between 2030 and 2050, and in Asia projected supply would be lower than the demand indicating a widening gap with scope for enhanced trade to meet the shortfall. Since millets are grown under poor soil and marginal environmental conditions, their yields are unstable due to biotic and abiotic stresses besides socio-economic constraints like linkage to markets, access to credit, etc. Addressing these constraints would enhance not only the competitiveness of millets but also the scope for expanding to more favorable areas
Status and Utility of Pearl Millet Germplasm for Crop Improvement
No full textMillets assume greater importance in the context of changing climate and increasing demand for highly nutritious food and animal feed. The plant genetic resources are of greater value for crop improvement, which is essential in meeting future demands of food security and nutrition. Pearl millet is a climate-resilient and nutrient-dense crop enriched with a huge germplasm diversity that holds massive potential for crop improvement in the form of several unexplored genes for various traits. Globally, several genebanks together conserve over 73,000 pearl millet germplasms including wild and weedy relatives. The ICRISAT Genebank conserves the largest collection of Pennisetum spp. germplasm (24,663 accessions, originating from 51 countries). The characterisation and evaluation of the existing germplasm can unveil the trait diversity and can result in the identification of trait-specific sources. Several trait-specific sources identified for various biotic and abiotic stress resistance and quality traits can improve the utility of pearl millet germplasm for crop improvement. This chapter describes the status of pearl millet germplasm conservation ex situ and in situ, promising trait-specific sources for various biotic and abiotic traits and their utilisation in crop improvement
Speed Breeding to Accelerate Crop Improvement
No full textSpeed breeding through controlled environments as a new technique on the block offers advantages over conventional field-based generation advancement methods. Physiological parameters, especially light, is altered to induce early flowering to reduce generation time. Germinating immature seeds will reduce the generation time further. Several experiments were conducted in the past and are being conducted to develop speed breeding protocols for many crops. Speed breeding protocols were standardized for some crops, for example, chickpea, that allow six to seven generations per year as opposed to two to three earlier. Besides being faster, speed breeding enables savings on resources as advancing generations is cheaper through speed breeding as compared to field experiments. Rapid generation advancement through speed breeding integrated with the advanced techniques of genomic tools, gene editing, early- and high-throughput phenotyping, rapid population development, etc. would boost the genetic analysis and increase the rate of genetic gain in the cultivar development of the crop plants. In the backdrop of increasing food and nutrition demands, gains in crop improvement need to be increased. Speed breeding offers one of the feasible ways to achieve this. The costs involved may pose an obstacle to many enthusiasts, but cheaper alternatives can be explored. Integrating artificial intelligence with speed breeding makes it more valuable in crop improvement programs