International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
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Recent advancements in the breeding of sorghum crop: current status and future strategies for marker-assisted breeding
Get PDFSorghum is emerging as a model crop for functional genetics and genomics of tropical grasses with abundant uses, including food, feed, and fuel, among others. It is currently the fifth most significant primary cereal crop. Crops are subjected to various biotic and abiotic stresses, which negatively impact on agricultural production. Developing high-yielding, disease-resistant, and climate-resilient cultivars can be achieved through marker-assisted breeding. Such selection has considerably reduced the time to market new crop varieties adapted to challenging conditions. In the recent years, extensive knowledge was gained about genetic markers. We are providing an overview of current advances in sorghum breeding initiatives, with a special focus on early breeders who may not be familiar with DNA markers. Advancements in molecular plant breeding,
genetics, genomics selection, and genome editing have contributed to a thorough understanding of DNA markers, provided various proofs of the genetic variety accessible in crop plants, and have substantially enhanced plant
breeding technologies. Marker-assisted selection has accelerated and precised the plant breeding process, empowering plant breeders all around the world
A pilot-scale comparison between single and double-digest RAD markers generated using GBS strategy in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)
Get PDFTo reduce the genome sequence representation, restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) protocols is being widely used either with single-digest or double-digest methods. In this study, we genotyped the sesame population (48 sample size) in a pilot scale to compare single and double-digest RAD-seq (sd and ddRAD-seq) methods. We analysed the resulting short-read data generated from both protocols and assessed their performance impacting the downstream analysis using various parameters. The distinct k-mer count and gene presence absence variation (PAV) showed a significant difference between the sesame samples studied. Additionally, the variant calling from both datasets (sdRAD-seq and ddRAD-seq) exhibits a significant difference between them. The combined variants from both datasets helped in identifying the most diverse samples and possible sub-groups in the sesame population. The most diverse samples identified from each analysis (k-mer, gene PAV, SNP count, Heterozygosity, NJ and PCA) can possibly be representative samples holding major diversity of the small sesame population used in this study. The best possible strategies with suggested inputs for modifications to utilize the RAD-seq strategy efficiently on a large dataset containing thousands of samples to be subjected to molecular analysis like diversity, population structure and core development studies were discussed
Analyzing antifragility among smallholder farmers in Bihar, India: An assessment of farmers’ vulnerability and the strengths of positive deviants
Get PDFFarmers around the world are increasingly vulnerable: climate variability is identified as the primary
stressor, but unfavorable biophysical circumstances and disturbances in the socioeconomic domain (labor
dynamics and price volatility) also affect farm management and production. To deal with these disturbances,
adaptations are recognized as essential. Antifragility acknowledges that adaptations and volatility are
inherent characteristics of complex systems and abandons the idea of returning to the pre-disturbance
system state. Instead, antifragility recognizes that disturbances can trigger reorganization, enabling selection
and removal of weaker system features and allowing the system to evolve toward a better state. In this
study, we assessed the vulnerability of different types of smallholder farms in Bihar, India, and explored the
scope for more antifragile farming systems that can ‘bounce back better’ after disturbances. Accumulation
of stocks, creation of optionality (i.e., having multiple options for innovation) and strengthening of farmer
autonomy were identified as criteria for antifragility. We had focus group discussions with in total 92 farmers
and found that most expressed themselves to be vulnerable: they experienced challenges but had limited
adaptive capacity to change their situation. They mostly made short-term decisions to cope with or mitigate
urgent challenges but did not engage in strategic planning driven by longer-term objectives. Instead,
they waited for governmental support to improve their livelihoods. Despite being confronted with similar
challenges, four positive deviant farmers showed to be more antifragile: their diverse farming systems were
abundant in stocks and optionality, and the farmers were distinguished in terms of their autonomy, competence,
and connectedness to peers, the community, and markets. To support antifragility among regular
farmers, adaptations at policy level may be required, for example, by shifting from a top-down toward a
bottom-up adaptation and innovation regime where initiative and cooperation are encouraged. With a
more autonomous orientation, farmers’ intrinsic motivation is expected to increase, enabling transitions
at the farm level. In this way, connected systems can be developed which are socioeconomically and biophysically
adaptive. When practices, knowledge, and skills are continuously developed, an antifragile system
with ample stocks and optionality may evolve over time
Inheritance and allelism of brown midrib trait introgressed in agronomically promising backgrounds in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.)
Get PDFThe lignin content of forage crops significantly affects the livestock’s forage intake and its dry matter digestibility.
The brown midrib (bmr) trait is known for its association with a reduced lignin content and increased digestibility.
Pearl millet inbreds having the bmr trait were derived from two populations ICMV bmr and WRajPop bmr via continued
selfing up to 6–8 generations. The results from the crosses revealed the presence of the same single recessive gene
that controlled the bmr in both the populations. The stable expression of the bmr gene in the new genetic background
indicated that there was no effect of modifier genes. Four inbreds were identified with the stable expression of bmr
(three in ICMV 155 and one in the WRajPop background) with a high biomass potential, which can serve as a bmr source
in future pearl millet forage breeding programmes
Response of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) to foliar application of nano fertilizers
Get PDFA field experiment was conducted at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Hyderabad during early summer season in 2021 and 2022 to study the “Effect of foliar application of nano fertilizers on yield attributes, seed, and stalk yield of sunflower”. The soil was clayey (Vertisols) in texture and experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 3 replications and comprised of 12 treatments. The treatments comprise of conventional fertilizers, NPK (19:19:19), nano NPK (19:19:19) and nano boron applied as alone and combinations. Results revealed that application of conventional fertilizers as per recommended dose along with foliar application of nano (19:19:19) N P K @ 0.2% at 30 DAS and 60 DAS + nano boron @ 0.2% at ray floret opening stage (T7) recorded higher capitulum weight (63.30 and 62.63 g), total number of seeds per capitulum (1102 and 1068), seed yield (1961 and 1915 kg/ha) and stalk yield (4193 and 3918 kg/ha) during both the years and was statistically on par with the treatment - Conventional fertilizers 50% as per Recommended dose + nano (19:19:19) N P K @ 0.2% as foliar spray at 30 DAS and 60 DAS + + nano boron @ 0.2% at ray floret opening stage. Absolute control recorded significantly lower seed yield (758 and 710 kg/ ha) and stalk yield (1684 and 1702 kg/ ha) as compared to all other treatments
Ectopic expression of pigeonpea Orf147 gene imparts partial sterility in Cicer arietinum
Get PDFOrf147, a cytotoxic peptide, has been found to cause cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in Cajanus cajanifolius (pigeonpea). In our study, Orf147 was introduced into self-pollinating Cicer arietinum (chickpea) using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation for induction of CMS. The stable integration and expression of the transgene has been assessed through PCR and qRT-PCR analysis. In addition, phenotypic sterility analysis has been performed, considering developmental parameters like flower development, pod formation and flower drop. Transgene inheritance analysis demonstrates that out of the five PCR positive events in the T0 generation, two events have segregated according to the Mendelian segregation ratio (3:1) in the T2 generation. Further, pollen viability test using microscopic analysis confirms the induction of partial CMS in transgenic chickpea. The study holds significant value regarding the heterosis of self-pollinating legumes like chickpea. As a part of the prospect, exploring inducible promoters of species-specific or related legumes would be the next step to developing a two-line hybrid system
Sustaining yield and nutritional quality of peanuts in harsh environments: Physiological and molecular basis of drought and heat stress tolerance
Get PDFClimate change is significantly impacting agricultural production worldwide. Peanuts provide food and nutritional security to millions of people across the globe because of its high nutritive values. Drought and heat stress alone or in combination cause substantial yield losses to peanut production. The stress, in addition, adversely impact nutritional quality. Peanuts exposed to drought stress at reproductive stage are prone to aflatoxin contamination, which imposes a restriction on use of peanuts as health food and also adversely impact peanut trade. A comprehensive understanding of the impact of drought and heat stress at physiological and molecular levels may accelerate the development of stress tolerant productive peanut cultivars adapted to a given production system. Significant progress has been achieved towards the characterization of germplasm for drought and heat stress tolerance, unlocking the physiological and molecular basis of stress tolerance, identifying significant marker-trait associations as well major QTLs and candidate genes associated with drought tolerance, which after validation may be deployed to initiate marker-assisted breeding for abiotic stress adaptation in peanut. The proof of concept about the use of transgenic technology to add value to peanuts has been demonstrated. Advances in phenomics and artificial intelligence to accelerate the timely and cost-effective collection of phenotyping data in large germplasm/breeding populations have also been discussed. Greater focus is needed to accelerate research on heat stress tolerance in peanut. A suits of technological innovations are now available in the breeders toolbox to enhance productivity and nutritional quality of peanuts in harsh environments. A holistic breeding approach that considers drought and heat-tolerant traits to simultaneously address both stresses could be a successful strategy to produce climate-resilient peanut genotypes with improved nutritional quality
Greening of human-dominated ecosystems in India
Get PDFSatellite data show the Earth has been greening and identify croplands in India as one of the most prominent greening hotspots. Though India’s agriculture has been dependent on irrigation enhancement to reduce crop water stress and increase production, the spatiotemporal dynamics of how irrigation influenced the satellite observed greenness remains unclear. Here, we use satellite-derived leaf area data and survey-based agricultural statistics together with
results from state-of-the-art Land Surface Models (LSM) to investigate the role of irrigation in the greening of India’s croplands. We find that satellite observations provide multiple lines of evidence showing strong contributions of irrigation to significant greening during dry season and in drier environments. The national statistics support irrigation-driven yield enhancement and increased dry season cropping intensity. These suggest a continuous shift in India’s agriculture toward an irrigation-driven dry season cropping system and confirm the
importance of land management in the greening phenomenon. However, the LSMs identify CO2 fertilization as a primary driver of greening whereas land use and management have
marginal impacts on the simulated leaf area changes. This finding urges a closer collaboration of the modeling, Earth observation, and land system science communities to improve
representation of land management in the Earth system modeling
Pyramiding of qDTY1.1 and qDTY3.1 into rice mega-variety Samba Mahsuri-Sub1: physiological performance under water deficit conditions
Get PDFWater deficit is a crucial factor causing huge loss to rice productivity. The present study aimed to develop a multiple stress tolerant genotype by pyramiding drought tolerant yield QTLs qDTY1.1 and qDTY3.1 into high yielding rice variety Samba Mahsuri Sub-1(SMS) through marker assisted pyramiding. To achieve this six introgression lines of SMS carrying qDTY1.1 (SAB) were crossed with DRR-50, an Essentially Derived Variety of SMS carrying qDTY3.1. The SAB lines are taller than SMS due to tight linkage between qDTY1.1 and wild type SD-1. Therefore, F2 generation of crosses were screened for recombinants between SD-1 and qDTY1.1. Phenotyping of 1530 F2 plants representing three F2 populations from 35 F1 hybrids, identified 305 dwarf plants. Three dwarf F2 plants along with three others carrying qDTY1.1 and qDTY3.1 were forwarded to F3 generation. From the six F3 (SABD) lines fourteen pyramided progenies were selected and forward to F4 generation. The six SABD F3 lines SABD-7, SABD-8, SABD-9, SABD-76, SABD-79 and SABD-80 along with parents were evaluated under moisture stress (MS) for various physiological parameters. Chlorophyll and relative water content were more, while canopy temperature and malonaldehyde (MDA) content were lesser in SABD lines compared to parents indicating tolerance under MS. Variance due to genotypes was highly significant for all the yield related traits except test weight. Based on seed morphology, agronomic characters and physiological parameters six superior lines SABD-9-3, SABD-9-2, SABD-9-6, SABD-9-7, SABD-76-2 and SABD-76-6 performing better under MS were identified, which could be released after multi-location evaluation
Bio-inoculated Nutrient Management Influence on Soil Nutrient Availability Pattern and Growth of Hybrid Pigeonpea (ICPH 2740) under Establishment Methods and Crop Geometry
Get PDFBackground
A two-year field study was conducted at the ICRISAT research farm during the rainy seasons of 2021 and 2022 to investigate the impact of crop geometry, crop establishment method and sustainable nutrient management practices on nutrient availability pattern and growth of hybrid pigeon pea.
Methods
The experiment followed a split-split plot design. The collected data was analysed using radar graph and heat maps for nutrient availability and dry matter respectively.
Result
Data revealing that transplanted plots registered higher nutrient availability and proportionate root and total dry matter production at various growth stages. Among plant geometry the root and total dry matter production was higher with 100×100 cm. when considering planting methods, transplanting with a square system of 100×100 cm, combined with an integrated nutrient management approach consisting of 150% (or) 100% soil test based NPK, vermicompost at a rate of 5 t ha-1, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and seed treatment with Rhizobium, resulted in average of 31.5% higher dry matter production over alone inorganic nutrient management practices. Thus, a square geometry of 100×100 cm, along with sustainable integrated nutrient management (100% soil test based NPK, vermicompost at a rate of 5 t ha-1, PSB and seed treatment with Rhizobium), resulted in higher nutrient availability and dry matter production. These findings highlight the importance of careful selection of planting methods, crop geometry and nutrient management practices for maximizing the nutrient mining for production of high dry matter production of hybrid pigeonpea