International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
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Shoot Fly Resistance in Sorghum: An Overview
Full text linkSorghum is an annual diploid C4 plant largely grown for food, fodder and feed purposes. Several insect pests pose major challenges to sorghum production from the seedling stage to maturity, among which the sorghum shoot fly Atherigona soccata (Rondani) is a major pest across Asia, Africa and Mediterranean Europe. Infestation by the pest is prevalent both during rainy and postrainy seasons. The exploitation of host-plant resistance can play a vital role in breeding for resistance to shoot flies. The shoot fly causes significant grain and fodder yield losses in sorghum in semi-arid regions. An integrated approach for host-plant resistance that combines morphological, genetic/molecular and agronomic approaches is key for the management of shoot fly infestations and the subsequent increase in sorghum productivity. To complement traditional breeding approaches, intervention in genomic approaches is required to enhance breeding efficiency. This review focuses on genetic approaches in sorghum for integrating shoot fly resistance and exploring genetic inheritance, variability and trait associations, including shoot fly resistance quantitative trait loci (QTLs)
Integrated Pest Management in Pigeonpea: Progress and Prospects
Full text linkPigeonpea is one of the world's most important grain legume crops. Mostly grown and consumed in India, where it is a staple food, pigeonpea production also occurs elsewhere in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Australia. Despite widespread cultivation and staple food status, pigeonpea yields have barely increased over the last half century. The prevalence and severity of insect pests present major constraints to increasing pigeonpea yields. Two of the most significant pests of pigeonpea are the lepidopteran ‘pod-borers’–Helicoverpa armigera and Maruca vitrata. The pod fly (Melanagromyza obtusa) and several species of pod-feeding Hemiptera are also regular pests, and numerous other minor or sporadic pests have been recorded throughout the cultivated distribution of the crop. Current pigeonpea pest management practices rely heavily on the application of synthetic insecticides. Most research has focused on the management of H. armigera, M. vitrata and M. obtusa due to their damaging feeding behaviour, and the propensity of H. armigera to evolve resistance to synthetic insecticides. Not surprisingly, pest management in pigeonpea is largely based around these three major pests, particularly the lepidopteran pod-borers which appear to be more damaging to modern short-duration cultivars than to older cultivars. A large amount of research has attempted to develop pigeonpea cultivars with conventional host-plant resistance to pod-borers and pod fly, but with limited success. Future pigeonpea pest management research should take a more integrated approach, exploring underexamined areas such as: understanding how modern pigeonpea varieties and traditional landraces respond to pest herbivory, identifying what cultural control methods are available to smallholder farmers, and investigating how biological control can be incorporated into management practices. Future research has the potential to develop IPM strategies in pigeonpea and provide farmers with an alternative to an unsustainable dependence on synthetic insecticides
Distinct water and phosphorus extraction patterns are key to maintaining the productivity of sorghum under drought and limited soil resources
Full text linkNutrient and water limitations contribute to yield losses in semi-arid regions. Therefore, crop rotations incorporating nitrogen-fixing legumes and drought-tolerant sorghum varieties offer a strategy to improve the utilization of scarce soil resources. Under semi-arid, field-like conditions, sorghum crop rotations with either cowpea pre-crop or fallow, including two early and three late maturing genotypes, were tested to identify stress adaptation traits of sorghum to water and phosphorus limitations. Morphological and physiological parameters were evaluated on a single-plant basis. Lower soil P content significantly delayed flowering compared to higher P levels. However, improved P availability arising from pre-crop residues reduced this effect. Mycorrhizal infection rates and root-to-shoot ratios were positively correlated with panicle N and P content at anthesis under low P conditions. Although drought significantly impacted yield, early maturing genotypes with the highest reduction in shoot biomass and reduced water use before flowering, could sustain yield production. Early-maturing genotypes characterized by high root-to-shoot ratios, rapid AMF establishment, and reduced water use before flowering exhibit a strong potential for maintaining yield and biomass production on nutrient-poor soils in semi-arid regions. Such genotypes conserve water before flowering and thus can alleviate post-flowering water stress, ensuring adequate P uptake despite low soil P availability
Bundled management practices for enhanced finger millet productivity in Acid Soils: Empirical Evidence from Odisha, India
No full textContext
Odisha is one of India's major finger millet-growing states; however, the crop's yield is negatively impacted by climate change-related phenomena like drought, flooding, soil erosion, and soil acidity. Approximately 30% of global soils are acidic, which reduces millet productivity due to low base saturation and toxic metals. Therefore, adopting bundled management practices, viz., improved variety, soil test-based fertilizer recommendation (STBF), and integrated pest management (IPM), hold the key to sustainably enhancing the finger millet productivity in the acid soils of Odisha, India.
Objective
The overall objective of the study was to develop recommendation domains for finger millet by evaluating various bundled management practices in acid soils in relation to grain yield, rainwater use efficiency (RWUE), system productivity, and economics, as well as to understand the correlation between soil nutrients and grain yield.
Methods
The on-farm study was carried out in two districts of Odisha, viz. Gajapati and Koraput, under a collaborative project between Odisha Livelihoods Mission, Govt of Odisha, and International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics during 2020 and 2021. The study involved six treatments: 1) Improved variety (IV), 2) IV + IPM, 3) IV + STBF, 4) Local variety (LV), 5) LV + IPM, and 6) LV + STBF.
Results
The bundled management practices led to a higher finger millet yield in both years and contributed to improved system productivity in the acid soils of Odisha. Compared to the LV, the finger millet yield was higher by 21.92% and 39.46% with IV+IPM and 68.06% and 78.05% with IV+STBF in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The highest RWUE was observed when IV was bundled with IPM (44%) and STBF (33%). The Agronomic nutrient use efficiency (ANUE), system productivity, net monetary return (NMR), and benefit: cost ratio were higher in the STBF and IPM treatments, regardless of improved or local cultivar. The regression analysis of the yield of IV + STBF with organic carbon, sulphur, zinc, and boron presented that for every 1% increase in these elements, there will be an increment of finger millet yields by 222, 7.6, 55, and 343.9 kg ha-1, respectively. Overall, the bivariate analysis showed that IV, combined with STBF, is clustered in the top-right quadrant, indicating high productivity and profitability, making it the most promising bundled management practice.
Conclusion
Bundled management practices, including IV combined with IPM and STBF, could be an effective adaptation strategy to enhance finger millet grain yield, RWUE, ANUE, system productivity, and the economic benefits for smallholder farmers in the acid soils of eastern Indi
Effect of grain properties and extraction methods on the functional, antioxidant, and structural behaviors of arabinoxylan from sorghum cultivars
No full textThe arabinoxylan (Ax) from the sorghum cultivars, namely Parbhani Moti (PM), Parbhani Sakthi (PS), and ICSV15021, were assessed for their functional, antioxidant and structural properties of Ax, and the physical properties of these sorghum grains. This research aimed to 1) Extract the functional components of the sorghum cultivars. 2) Evaluate the effect of grain properties and extraction techniques on Ax's functional, antioxidant, and structural properties. 3) Optimize the extraction method for applications in food and biological industries. The techniques adopted in this study are autoclave extraction (AU), enzymatic-assisted alkaline extraction (AK), and ultrasound extraction (U). The highest percent yield of arabinoxylan is 21.1 % by ultrasonic extracted Ax. The highest water and oil absorption capacity, swelling, and solubility were observed in the U-extracted Ax of all three cultivars. The SEM study showed that the U-extracted ax has a highly porous structure, and the destructed surface was recorded in the AK-extracted Ax. XRD spectrum (19.76–22.13°) signifies the amorphous nature of arabinoxylan from all the extractions. FTIR spectra showed the variation in the peaks of 3028–3635 cm−1, 2765-2991 cm−1, 1199-1487 cm−1, and 875-1176 cm−1 in all extractions. It shows the -OH stretch and C-O stretching vibrations of Ax. The particle size of Ax is in the range of 786.4–3138 d nm. The zeta potential analysis revealed that Ax is an anionic polysaccharide. The results obtained from the present study can be used for food and biological applications
Exploring the multifaceted dynamics of flowering time regulation in field crops: Insight and intervention approaches
No full textThe flowering time (FTi) plays a critical role in the reproductive success and yield of various crop species by directly impacting both the quality and quantity of grain yield. Achieving optimal FTi is crucial for maximizing reproductive success and ensuring overall agricultural productivity. While genetic factors undoubtedly influence FTi, photoperiodism and vernalization are recognized as key contributors to the complex physiological processes governing flowering in plants. Identifying candidate genes and pathways associated with FTi is essential for developing genomic interventions and plant breeding to enhance adaptability to diverse environmental conditions. This review highlights the intricate nature of the regulatory mechanisms of flowering and emphasizes the vital importance of precisely regulating FTi to ensure plant adaptability and reproductive success. Special attention is given to essential genes, pathways, and genomic interventions geared toward promoting early flowering, particularly under challenging environmental conditions such as drought, heat, and cold stress as well as other abiotic stresses that occur during the critical flowering stage of major field crops. Moreover, this review explores the significant progress achieved in omics technologies, offering valuable insights and tools for deciphering and regulating FTi. In summary, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms governing FTi, with a particular focus on their crucial role in bolstering yields under adverse environmental conditions to safeguard food security
Fungal-mediated synthesis of multimetallic nanoparticles: mechanisms, unique properties, and potential applications
Full text linkMultimetallic nanoparticles (MMNPs) produced by fungus-mediated synthesis have attracted a lot of interest as an environmentally friendly and sustainable nanotechnology method. Fungi are effective bio-factories that create complex nanoparticles with special qualities by using their metabolic and enzymatic capabilities. When compared to their monometallic counterparts, MMNPs—which are composed of combinations of two or more metals—offer synergistic benefits such increased catalytic activity, higher stability, and superior biocompatibility. In addition to highlighting the structural diversity of MMNPs, such as core-shell, alloy, and Janus configurations, this review investigates the mechanisms underpinning fungal-mediated synthesis, including enzymatic reduction and stabilisation pathways. Additionally covered are characterisation methods for examining functionality, morphology, and composition. The potential applications of MMNPs synthesized by fungi in biomedicine, environmental remediation, biosensing, and catalysis are highlighted in the article. This green synthesis method, which makes use of the natural benefits of fungus and multimetallic systems, responds to the increasing need for sustainable nanomaterials and opens the door to novel uses in both the scientific and industrial fields
Sybrid Population: A New Breeding Method for Often Cross-Pollinated Legumes (Leguminocea)
Full text linkTo enhance the productivity of often-cross-pollinated legumes, the authors hereby propose a new breeding concept to augment their crop improvement programmes. This method, christened as ‘sybrid population breeding’, is designed for those crops where a considerable hybrid vigour is present, but its exploitation is mired either by nonavailability of a stable male-sterility system or inadequate natural cross-pollination. Its breeding is done by growing two high-yielding genetically diverse but phenotypically uniform inbred lines in an isolation and exposing them to natural cross-pollination. Their bulk harvest, which include both the crossed (hybrid) and self-pollinated (inbred) seeds, is the ‘sybrid population’. This population partially reaps the benefits of pure line as well as hybrid breeding technologies, thereby capitalizing on both additive and nonadditive genetic variances. Unlike popular hybrids, the sybrid seeds are produced without using any male-sterile line, and this not only simplifies its seed production but also reduces the cost considerably. To mitigate inbreeding depression, the sybrid seeds are intended only for a single-time use, and this ensures the population to maintain its hybrid vigour and avoids negative influences of inbreeding. The sybrid seed production also yields a high seed-to-seed ratio, and this would make it an affordable new product for the farmers. In view of these benefits of sybrids, the plant breeders are encouraged to explore this innovative breeding avenue for enhancing the productivity of some often-cross-pollinated legumes
Ensuring Genetic Purity in Groundnut Seed Certification Through Molecular Marker-Based Approaches
No full textIn the current era of global food security challenges exacerbated by climate change, ensuring the genetic purity of crop varieties is essential for sustainable agriculture. Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) plays a pivotal role in the diets and economies of several countries, particularly in semi-arid regions. However, traditional phenotypic seed certification methods often fall short due to morphological similarities among varieties, leading to potential genetic
admixtures. This study underscores the necessity of integrating molecular marker-based DNA fingerprinting techniques to enhance the precision of varietal identification and seed certification. Our findings demonstrate the importance of adopting optimized molecular
diagnostics within regulatory frameworks to strengthen seed certification processes. Such advancements are essential for safeguarding food security and accelerating the development of climate-resilient groundnut cultivars. Future research will focus on improving marker efficiency and establishing standardized protocols to facilitate large-scale implementation, thereby supporting sustainable agricultural practices in the face of evolving climatic conditions
Identification of Candidate Genes and Markers for Kernel Iron, Zinc and Protein Content in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
No full textGroundnut, a nutrient rich legume crop popularly known as “poor person almond”, is grown mainly in the semi-arid tropic (SAT) regions of the world. It contains several mineral nutrients, essential amino-acids and vitamins that are essential for good health and aid in overcoming the
issues like malnutrition or hidden hunger, particularly in the Asian and African countries. In this study, GWAS analysis was conducted using whole genome re-sequencing based genotyping data combined with multi-season phenotyping data of a mini-core collection of 184 accessions. Studies on phenotypic variability showed a large variation in the iron (Fe) content (7.6 – 42.8 ppm), zinc (Zn) content (10.9 – 62.4 ppm) and protein content (12.7 – 33.6 %). Genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified a total of 59 marker-trait associations (MTAs), of which 15 MTAs associated with 28 candidate genes and 44 MTAs associated with 62 candidate genes were identified for pooled and individual seasons, respectively. The key candidate genes such as MYB transcription factor (Arahy.QI0PHV, Arahy.1I6ZSS), Zn finger
MYM-type protein, RING finger MYM-type protein (Arahy.7P97F6, Arahy.9R964H, Arahy.I3B88T) and NAC domain protein (Arahy.LV3APC) were found associated with the Fe
and Zn homeostasis pathway, and the other genes like protein kinase family protein (Arahy.4D7KBI), and E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase (Arahy.PE3CF6), were linked with the
protein homeostasis. SNP-based Kompetitive Allele Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (KASP) markers have been designed and validated for 9 MTAs of Fe and Zn contents. Of these
markers, 3 KASP markers (snpAH00636, snpAH00641 and snpAH00644) were successfully validated and showed polymorphism between high and low content lines. These KASP markers could be used in the genomics-assisted breeding to develop nutrient-rich groundnut varieties