Improving Grain Micronutrient Content of Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum var. durum) through Agronomic Biofortification to Alleviate the Hidden Hunger

Improvement of durum wheat grain quality through agronomic biofortification becomes a priority research area and an effective route to combat malnutrition. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of micronutrient application to different varieties of durum wheat and seeding rate on final harvest grain quality under different growing locations. The treatments were arranged in split-split plot design where the varieties were assigned in the main plot, micronutrients into the subplots, and seeding rate into the sub-subplots. Each variety was sown at four levels of seeding rates and treated with ZnSO₄ and FeSO4 applied foliarly, both at a rate of 25 Kg ha−1 during flowering. Micronutrients were applied in the form of ZnSO₄ 7H2O and FeSO₄ 7H2O. The study confirmed that application of 25 Kg ha−1 ZnSO₄-containing fertilizer has increased mineral content from 33.04 mg Kg−1 to 56.73 mg kg−1. The tested durum wheat varieties significantly differ in their capacity to accumulate grain Zn and Fe concentrations. Higher amount of Zn (20 mg kg−1) and Fe (10 mg kg−1) were accumulated by the landrace 208304 than by Asassa, an improved commercial variety. Increasing seeding rate from 100–175 Kg ha−1 has reduced grain Zn and Fe concentrations. Grain mineral concentration was significantly lower at the Mekelle location than at the Melfa location. It can be concluded that foliar application of ZnSO₄ and FeSO4 to the landrace, acc.208304, combined with 125 Kg seeds ha−1 can produce better Zn and Fe denser durum wheat grain. This will help to combat the hidden hunger, especially in resource poor countries, where fortified foods are limited in access and unaffordable by small-scale farmers

Developmental plasticity: a phenological mechanism to endure later stage water deficit stresses in tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] varieties

Water deficit at later growth stages (terminal drought) is a major abiotic factor limiting productivity of crops in northern Ethiopia. Varietal selection is among sustainable solutions to curb the problem. In line with this, a study was conducted in Tigray region, northern Ethiopia during 2011 and 2012 main cropping seasons to investigate the phenotypic diversity in tef varieties for developmental plasticity under severe water stress. Fifteen tef varieties were tested under late season water stress. Deferred/delay sowing time by two weeks was applied to expose the varieties to water stress. Soil and crop data were collected and analyzed. The varieties have shown significant (p<0.001) interaction with the imposed stresses both for days to maturity and panicle length. Varieties such as DZ-01-974, DZ-01-899, DZ-cr-358 and Berkayi tend to tolerate the effect of terminal drought by shortening their maturity time, which is referred as drought escape. In contrast, varieties like DZ-01-99, DZ-01-358 and AbatNech have significantly reduced in length of their panicle. This is the actively transpiring part during later growth stage, without significant yield loss. This phenotyping for developmental plasticity has indicate that the tef employ escaping and reduction of evaporative surfaces to overcome the severe effects of terminal drought. To tailor varieties that better suit for drought prone farming systems. Such drought-adaptive traits should be targeted in breeding programs. Keywords: Tef; Delayed planting; Maturity; Panicle; Drought escape and avoidance; Ethiopia

Effects of combined application of phosphorus and sulfur fertilizers on agronomic traits and protein content of supplementary irrigated haricot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) varieties in Raya Valley, Northern Ethiopia

Haricot bean is primarily grown in Ethiopia for human consumption and export earnings. A market demand for haricot bean, both in the domestic and export market, has triggered the production of haricot bean in selected areas of Ethiopia though its production is constrained by several factors such as poor soil fertility and erratic rainfall. This study was carried out to investigate the combined effect of phosphorus and sulfur fertilizers on yield, yield related traits and protein content of haricot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) varieties at the research field of Mekoni Agricultural Research Center during 2016/17 cropping season. The experiment was laid out in split plot design where varieties were assigned to the main plots and fertilizer rates to the sub plots in three replications. Three phosphorus (P) rates (10, 20 and 30 kg ha-1) were combined with four sulfur (S) rates (15, 30, 45 and 60 kg ha-1) and applied in combination to Melka Awash-98 and Nasir varieties. Data on phenological, agronomic and quality traits were collected and determined. Partial budget analysis was carried out to assess the profitability of the applications. P-S fertilizer treatments were  significantly affected by varieties. Treatments were significantly affected by varieties and the imposed P and S rates. The interaction effect due to variety by fertilizer the two factors significantly affect days to flowering, plant height, hundred seed weight and protein content. Tallest plants, fewer days to flowering and maturity, many pods/plant, heavier seeds, higher grain yield ha-1 and better protein content were recorded where the fertilizer application rate was 20 kg ha-1P and 30 kg ha-1 S for both varieties. Grain yield ranged from 1520 to 3000 kg ha-1 depending on P-S fertilizer rates and varieties. Nasir variety seems to be superior over Melka Awash-98 for most traits except protein content. However, production of Melka Awash-98 under 20 kg ha-1P and 15 kg ha-1 S fertilization tend to be more economical as it resulted in highest net benefit return. Although not profitable, planting Melka Awash-98 using an application rate of 20 kg ha-1P and 30 kg ha-1 S could be suggested for use in the area to ensure earliness and high grain yield

Participatory diagnostic toolkits and crop improvement approaches: participatory methods to assess and use plant genetic diversity in the field.

In both developing and developed countries, there is increasing in terest in adopting more inclusive and problem-solving participatory re search methods. While there is a wealth of methods and toolkits for con ducting participatory research in the form of scientific articles, books, and manuals, this manual aims to provide a source of information on available toolkits used in conducting participatory research around plant genetic resources (PGR). The manual aims at all those involved in the characterization and utilization of PGR, information collection from participant farmers, and conservation of PGR. The users could be from research centers, universities, farmers’ organizations, government extension agents, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The manual presents participatory information gathering tools, di versity assessment, and deployment tools and diversity conservation approaches. Each toolkit has been described in enough detail to enable readers, at different levels, to understand and use them. The manual’s major merit is in presenting different toolkits in one document that are otherwise scattered in several different sources. Different toolkits used to gather information on status of PGR in participatory varietal deploy ment methods are presented to the readers

Discussion with representative participants from Meket district on SI-MFS initiative activities implementation

Sixteen participants (M=15; F=1) have represented the community in this discussion. The objective of the discussion was to introduce the concepts of Si-MFS initiative to the participants and discuss on possible areas of intervention under this initiative. Furthermore, the role of WTL to link crowdsourcing winner varieties of durum wheat and faba bean to the surrounding farmers. Besides, the project team has discussed with Meket woreda administration and office of Agriculture about the initiative, main agricultural sector problems and designed possible alleviation solutions

Pre-implementation capacity building training on SI-MFS initiative

Building capacity of key implementing stakeholders is a prerequisite for successful implementation of projects. We have caried capacity building training on several topics under the framework of Sustainable Intensification of Mixed Farming Systems (SI-MFS) initiative. Briefing on SI-MFs, crowdsourcing platform for accelerated varietal evaluation and selection, and potential of local landraces for breeding and yield improvement for sustainable development were given for a total of 39 participants from 9 district agricultural officers, 18 kebele level extension workers and 12 selected model farmers from norther, central and southern parts of the country. This training workshop has also provided opportunity to strengthen collaboration among different actors of the project within the same district as well as across country. Furthermore, participants from the different corners of the country have shared experience and gained common understanding of the initiative to be implemented in their respective areas

Approaches and advantages of increased crop genetic diversity in the fields

Field trials of rice and bean dynamic mixtures were carried out in low input and hill farming systems of Nepal from 2019 to 2021 to improve productivity and resilience. The rice trials were conducted in two locations (Jumla and Lamjung) and those on bean in Jumla, using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Dynamic mixtures were constructed from landraces, improved varieties and breeding lines for both crops. A total of 48 bean entries were used in Jumla, whereas 56 and 66 rice entries were used to make location-specific dynamic mixtures in Lamjung and Jumla, respectively. They were formed by mixing diverse varieties as a strategy to maintain a broad genetic base. Farmers (men and women) and technicians selected from the most complex mixture and the selections were added to the trials starting from second year. In rice, some mixtures and selections from the mixtures gave grain yield comparable to the improved check and higher than the local checks. In the case of bean, differences between entries were not significant but some of the selections received a high preference score. Overall, the dynamic mixtures appear as a reliable material for sustainable increase in yield in the low input and hill farming system of Nepal

Integrating conventional and participatory crop improvement for smallholder agriculture using the seeds for needs approach: A review

In response to the climate change, it is essential to provide smallholder farmers with improved field crop genotypes that may increase the resilience of their farming system. This requires a fast turnover of varieties in a system capable of injecting significant amounts of genetic diversity into productive landscapes. Crop improvement is a pivotal strategy to cope with and adapt to climate change. Modern breeding may rely on the genomics revolution to speed up the development of new varieties with adaptive potential. However, centralized breeding may not adequately address smallholder farmers’ needs for more locally acclimatized varieties or groups of varieties. This, in turn, constrains adoption of new varieties that reduces the effectiveness of a resource-intensive breeding process, an issue that may be overcome with participatory, decentralized approaches. Whether high-tech centralized breeding or decentralized participatory approaches are better suited for smallholder farmers in the global South is hotly debated. Sidestepping any false dichotomies and ideological issues in these debates, this review provides a perspective on relevant advances in a breeding approach that combines the two approaches and uses genomics for trait mining from ex situ collections of genetic materials, participatory multilocation trials and crowdsourced citizen science. It argues that this new combination of high-tech centralized and participatory decentralized methods can provide a coherent and effective approach to breeding for climate adaptation and the present review advocates on a different way forward for the future research

Sustainable management practices for durum wheat production: Analyzing specific agronomic interventions on productivity, grain micronutrient content, and quality

As compared with single agronomic crop management practices during grain formation, knowledge about integrated agronomic management practices on grain mineral composition and grain technological properties in durum wheat is limited. This knowledge is important for determining management strategies aimed at increasing grain yield without affecting grain nutritional quality. Integrated agronomic practices such as foliar nutrient application × seeding rate × varieties combined with growing locations were investigated to evaluate the dynamics of yield and grain quality traits. Two durum wheat varieties, three-level of micronutrients (i.e. control, FeSO4, and ZnSO4), and four levels of seeding rate (i.e. 100, 125, 150, and 175 kg ha−1) were arranged in split-split plot design under two different growing locations (environments). The main plots were assigned to the varieties, subplots to micronutrients, and sub-sub plots to the seeding rate treatments. Zinc and iron were applied in a form of ZnSO4 and FeSO4 at the early flowering stage, both at a rate of 25 kg ha−1. Results showed a linear increment in biomass (21.5%) and grain yield (23.5%) under a high seeding rate, even though the 1000-grain weight, the number of grains spike−1, spike length, and the number of grains spike−1 were decreased. Higher varietal and environmental response of seeding rate was observed between varieties. The grain protein content, gluten, and zeleyn index decreased as the seeding rate increased. Grain micronutrient content was significantly influenced by seeding rate and varietal difference. The grain protein content was higher in a dryland environment than in a wet environment. A combined use of density-tolerant varieties, high seeding rate, and foliar-based iron application can improve the grain yield from 2.01 to 3.20 t ha−1 under a potential environment. Hence, all stakeholders should consider the genotype (G), environment (E), management (M), and their synergies, as far as grain yield and quality are considered simultaneously