Optimal Plot Size is Key to Reducing Variability Associated with Aflatoxin Contamination while Designing Field Screening Experiments

Aflatoxin contamination in peanuts can occur at pre-, post-harvest, and in storage. Breeding for aflatoxin resistance is a priority trait and an important component of integrated aflatoxin management. However, the progress is limited due to sampling and field screening protocols which often don’t produce reproducible results. To identify good resistance sources, a reliable screening protocol and a sampling strategy are critical. In this study, we attempted to determine an optimal plot size to reduce the field variability associated with measuring aflatoxin in peanuts sampled from small field plots. A total of 9 peanut genotypes, including six MAGIC population lines, one released variety, and two standard checks were sown in a field during post-rainy 2023-24. The standard checks consist of a known resistant variety (J11) and a known susceptible variety (JL 24). Each genotype was sown in a single row with a length of 70 m (with 0.5m spacing for every 6m) in a sick field at ICRISAT and each plot is divided into 40 subplots of 1.5 m length. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The plots were inoculated with toxigenic Aspergillus flavus strain three times during the crop growth period starting from 35 days after sowing with a 15-day interval. After harvest, pods from each of 40 subplots were collected separately for aflatoxin quantification through indirect competitive ELISA. Results indicate significant genotype differences (p=0.0001) but no significant difference (p=0.9029) among replications. The ideal plot size for minimizing standard error was 9m. Further experimentation and validation are required to see whether these results are reproducible

Agroforestry: A Climate Resilient and Sustainable Land Use

Agroforestry (AF) means combining shrubs, trees, crops, and livestock to manage rural land resources. It generates economic, environmental, and social benefits. Traditionally, agroforestry systems have been mixed farming systems. In India, agroforestry has been around for generations as a way of life. Approximately 10% of all agricultural land worldwide is believed to be covered by agroforestry. Nearly half of the needs for firewood, small timber (65%), wood for plywood (70–80%), the base material for paper pulp (60%), and nutritious green food for animals (9–11%) are met by it. Agroforestry has become of greater significance in tackling numerous challenges as well as offering a broad range of socioeconomic and environmentally friendly advantages, especially in the wake of the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). When combined with field crops, trees have the ability to significantly boost the economy by diversifying the land, generating sustainable income, and enhancing the security of food, fuel, and fodder. Because agroforestry simultaneously reduces the amount of greenhouse gases produced from the soil by storing carbon in topsoil and biomass from trees, it increases the likelihood of minimizing and adapting to the effects of changing the climate. By 2030, India aims to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases, it emits by 33–35% from 2005 levels. India has launched a landmark National Agroforestry Policy 2014 that promotes agroforestry. Also outlined is a recommendation to upscale and promote agroforestry research at the national level through institutional mechanisms. The policy aims to foster collaboration across numerous projects, plans, and organizations that incorporate agroforestry features to improve the livelihoods, revenue, and productivity of small-scale landowners. The policy also seeks to increase awareness about agroforestry and its benefits among farmers, stakeholders, and the public. It also encourages the use of agroforestry practices for sustainable land management. Lastly, the policy seeks to create an enabling environment for agroforestry development

Rapid Generation Advancement in Pulse Breeding: Opportunities, Constraints, and Prospects

Pulses form a vital element of the nutri-diet for the mankind. The present-day concerns worldwide involve attaining food and nutritional security while tackling the issues of climate change and population inflation on the other end. At this juncture, as researchers are laser-focused on enhancing output per unit area and resources, rapid generation advancement (RGA) techniques stand-alone as the attractive and feasible solution. This technique opened a new niche in the pulse breeding with their interventions currently applicable in pigeon pea, chickpea, soybean, pea, clover, common bean, narrow-leaved lupin, and faba bean. The technique proved to enhance the generations while positively reducing the seasonal preferences, cost, and resources utilized for field trials with a regulated tweak in the photoperiod, temperature, carbon dioxide, humidity, and management factors. Thus, this chapter forms a comprehensive understanding of the prospects of rapid generation advancement, its opportunities, and challenges in breeding of pulse crops

Sorghum and millets: Quality management systems

Sorghum and millets find extensive use in traditional food products and for animal feed. Today, they are increasingly used in modern food products, especially gluten-free and healthy food products, lager beers, and bioethanol. These wide uses dictate desired quality parameters for the grains and their products, which are measured by a variety of methods. The parameters mostly concern food safety, grain physical characteristics, and chemical composition. Quality management systems exist for sorghum and millets from various specific statutory bodies. Their major purpose is to facilitate trade in the grains. Traceability systems for the sorghum and millets value chain need to be introduced. Furthermore, a more multidisciplinary approach to strengthening quality management systems for the sorghum and millets value chain is needed. The goal of this approach would be to create synergies between different types of expertise relevant for the sorghum and millets value chain and, importantly, must include the consumer

Tree integration in conservation agriculture: A case study of teak (Tectona grandis) + bael (Aegle marmelos) based agroforestry in the Bundelkhand region

The present study was carried out during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2021–22 and 2022–23 at ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh to study the impact of conservation agriculture practices within a teak (Tectona grandis L.)+ bael (Aegle marmelos L.)-based agroforestry system on growth rate and yield parameters of tree and crop component, as well as on soil properties. It examined the effect of tillage methods and residue retention on the growth and yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) as well as soil properties. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD), with three replications having eight treatments of comprising combinations, viz. Tillage methods (conventional and minimum); Cropping systems (sorghum-chickpea and maize-linseed); and Residue management practices (residue retention and no retention). Results indicated that residue retention under conventional tillage significantly enhanced plant height and dry matter accumulation in both linseed and chickpea. Crop yields were comparable under conventional and minimum tillage, although residue retention significantly boosted the yields of both crops. Conservation agricultural practices contributed to higher productivity in the teak+ bael-based agroforestry system. Residue retention improved soil organic carbon content by 24–39% compared to no residue retention. Additionally, nutrient availability (N, P, K, S, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu) was enhanced through minimum tillage combined with residue retention

Impact of cold plasma treatment on aflatoxin decontamination, nutritional composition, bioactive compounds, mineral content and anti-nutritional factors of groundnuts.

Groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) are a globally consumed legume valued for their nutrition and affordability. Cold plasma (CP) processing, an innovative nonthermal technology, improves food safety and quality by inactivating microorganisms and reducing chemical contaminants. In the present study, groundnuts inoculated and non-inoculated with Aspergillus flavus were treated with CP at varying voltages (20--30 kV) and durations (1--15 min). CP treatment significantly reduced aflatoxin B1 levels (up to 82.1% at 30 kV, 15 min) while enhancing protein, fat, fibre, phenolics, flavonoids and mineral bioavailability. Anti-nutritional factors like phytates, oxalates and tannins decrease, improving nutrient digestibility. The present study demonstrates CP's potential as a sustainable, chemical- free method for enhancing groundnut quality and safety, with promise for large-scale application in the food industry

Groundnut Breeding Advancements: Efforts Towards Genomic Selection for Quicker Genetic Gains

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important food crop in sub-Saharan Africa, and worldwide. Among the major causes for low yields is the susceptibility of cultivated varieties to the Groundnut Rosette Disease (GRD) and leaf spots. Genomic selection (GS), characterized by a model calibrated on phenotype and genotype information of a training population is used to predict genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs). The essence of GS in any breeding program is to accelerate the selection progress by shortening generation interval and increase in selection intensity, thus a resource saving breeding method. Traditional breeding methods are augmented by GS that has the ability to forecast GEBVs with enough precision for selection across multiple generations that eliminates the need for extensive phenotyping and speeds up genetic gains. To support these efforts, vector-host interaction studies have been conducted, populations to support GRD markers support developed, evaluated and genotyped; an African core set genotyped, a genome-wide association analysis for loci associated key traits done, and studies on prediction models building on studies from earlier efforts, such high-density genotyping and prediction accuracy for different GS models and cross validation approaches for key traits. The valuable results on vector-host interaction forms a basis for further characterization of these genotypes using the GRD validated molecular markers to understand the physiological basis of the varied reaction to vector and disease incidence. Sequencing the genome of the aphid species on groundnut is crucial to inform the diversity of the vector and give insights on how microbial effector proteins, host targets and plant immune receptors coevolve. The validation of the GRD markers will be a breakthrough in breeding efforts through marker assisted selection for this trait, while at the same time providing genetic information to improve the prediction of GS models. The genome wide association mapping marker set was very informative, comparable to the Africa core set study. The marker set would be ideal for future development of quality check (QC) and mid-density panel markers. The prediction accuracy increased and genetic variation decreased when large-effect SNPs were fitted as fixed factors. We envisage to enhance the superiority of the GS results further through multienvironment prediction models, and more quality phenotypic details of the key traits in question. These efforts will provide an array of tools for use to achieve quick genetic gains in the groundnut breeding programs

Breeding Climate-Resilient Pigeonpea in Climate Change Era: Current Breeding Strategies and Prospects

Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh] is a prominent pulse crop of low-input agriculture and serves as a prime protein source in the traditional cereal-based diet to fill the nutritional gap in tropical and subtropical regions. However, the production potential of pigeonpea has not been harnessed completely owing to its susceptibility to numerous biotic and abiotic stresses and cultivation in marginal lands. In the era of climate change, the pigeonpea is exposed to unforeseen weather calamities and the resurgence of various pests and diseases resulting in up to cent per cent yield losses depending on the crop growth stage and vulnerability to the stress. Thus, there is a pressing need to develop climate-smart crop varieties to meet the food demand of an ever-growing population. Though conventional breeding approaches successfully developed high-yielding cultivars, the success rate was poor owing to a narrow genetic base, difficulty in identifying genes tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses and poorly developed genetic resources. With refinements and advancements in DNA sequencing technologies, a huge quantity of genomic data is available in the public domain, providing novel insights into the crop evolution and breeding history. Integrating conventional and genomic-assisted breeding (GAB) approaches with high-throughput phenotyping platforms could effectively accelerate the production potential and provide a better understanding of the trait genetics to accelerate the rate of genetic gain. Novel technologies, viz. genome-wide association studies, genome editing, etc., delivered promising results for improving the stress resilience. This chapter provides an insight into the breeding strategies for pigeonpea resilience in the current context of climate change, emerging pests and diseases

High Throughput Phenotyping (HTP) Improves Selection Intensity in Groundnut Breeding Pipeline at ICRISAT

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L., 2n = 4x = 40) is mainly grown in semi-arid agro-ecologies of Africa and Asia where a combination of abiotic and biotic stresses compromises its yield and quality. Optimizing the breeding scheme for selection intensity enables breeding programs to realise higher rate of genetic gain for targeted traits as well as optimizes time and resources. Selection intensity can be increased by increasing the number of ‘selection candidates’ (that decreases the proportion (p) of candidates selected). High throughput phenotyping (HTP) and genomic tools can be used to exercise selection on many ‘selection candidates.’ At ICRISAT, a two-step selection approach is being deployed to improve drought tolerance that involves a HTP platform, LeasyScan to select early vigour followed by screening in a Managed Stress Environment (MSE). The digital biomass, leaf area index and plant height are used as selection criteria for early vigour. Accordingly, the populations of groundnut breeding pipeline were advanced from F2 to F4 using single seed descent (SSD) method. The selected single plants in F4 generation were raised as F5 progeny rows and harvested as F6 progeny bulks. During Rainy 2024, a total of 1645 F6 progeny bulks were screened simultaneously in LeasyScan and in artificial foliar fungal disease (FDR) screening nursery (<5 in a 0 to 9 scoring scale at 75 days after planting). A total of 322 F6 progeny bulks from 104 families were selected and advanced to MSE testing. ICGV 171044, one of the parents in the 12 selected families was identified as a potential genotype contributing to early vigour. The mid-density genotyping panel containing 2500 SNP markers distributed across 20 groundnut chromosomes from 263 cultivated accessions is being used to genotype all the lines advanced to Stage I multi-environment testing. The 1645 progeny bulks are genotyped using 5K mid-density array used in developing Genomic Selection models for early vigor and late leaf spot disease resistance. These progenies will be categorized into training set and testing set for GS model development and crossvalidation studies

Editorial: Evidences (states and experiences) of land management and food/nutrition (in)security in mixed farming systems: a global perspective

The world is not on track to meet sustainable development goals for ending hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition by 2030, with billions still lacking access to nutritious, safe, and sufficient food (Assefa et al., 2017; Iversen et al., 2023). The need to increase agricultural productivity in response to growing population has become a global concern (Wirsenius et al., 2010). As the world faces rapid population growth, climate change, and evolving market dynamics, rainfed farming systems are under increasing pressure to meet the growing demand for food and nutrition while also addressing the urgent need for environmental sustainability (Tully and Ryals, 2017). The challenge is not only to expand cultivated land and enhance agricultural productivity but also to manage land resources in ways that promote long-term ecological health, food security, and resilience to external shocks (Wani et al., 2009). One major sustainability issue is the limited agricultural space, which has become a critical concern as it is increasingly difficult to accommodate the growing of rainfed dependent rural population (Midmore, 2010). Expanding the arable landscape has been a vital strategy, but studies show that horizontal land expansion alone will not sustainably guarantee food security (Pretty, 1999). Ontop of limited agricultural space, mismanagement and progressive degradation of cultivated landscapes have worsened food insecurity, especially for smallholder farmers in developing countries (Zerssa et al., 2021). While conventional ways of enhancing grain productivity requires context-specific, innovative land use and management systems, yet effective solutions remain unclear (Wani et al., 2009). Recent recommendations underline that financing for food security and nutrition, along with effective tracking and innovative financing methods, is crucial for increasing investments needed to eradicate hunger and malnutrition (Iversen et al., 2023; Raj et al., 2022). The objective of the Research Topic were; (1) to explore innovative land use and management solutions to improve rural livelihoods and boost grain production, (2) to document the failures and success stories of land management strategies practiced across diverse regions of the world and finally (3) by highlighting the prevailing challenges in applying effective land use and livelihood systems, like the scalability issue, and indicating the need to co-designing of context and tailored land management solutions and (4) to identify and asses opportunities and challenges of addressing food security issues