55 research outputs found
Delivering new sorghum and finger millet innovations for food security and improving livelihoods in Eastern Africa
ILRI works with partners worldwide to help poor people keep their farm animals alive and productive, increase and sustain their livestock and farm productivity, and find profitable markets for their animal products. ILRI’s headquarters are in Nairobi, Kenya; we have a principal campus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and 14 offices in other regions of Africa and Asia. ILRI is part of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (www.cgiar.org), which works to reduce hunger, poverty and environmental degradation in developing countries by generating and sharing relevant agricultural knowledge, technologies and policies
Response of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) De Wit (Leucaena) Provenances to Aluminium in Potted Soil Experiment
Aims: To determine the level of acid or aluminium tolerance provenances in Leucaena (Leucaena
leucocephala) a favourite agroforestry tree in Kenya.
Study Design: The set up was a 2-factor (provenance-aluminium) experiment in a completely
randomized design with three (3) replications and data were subjected to multivariate analysis of
variance.
Place and Duration of Study: Potted acid soil experiments were carried out at the Maseno
ICRAF/KEFRI centre and Chepkoilel campus farm, Moi University, between June 2009 and July
2010.
Methodology: Potted acid soil experiments were carried out at the Maseno ICRAF/KEFRI centre
(pH 4.8) and Chepkoilel campus farm, Moi University (pH 5.0) to assess the effect of varying
aluminium concentrations on growth of three local leucaena provenances: K156 (Gede), K136
(Kibwezi) and KIT2724 (Kitale). Aluminium was applied at 0, 100, 200 and 300 M. The number of
leaves per seedling, seedling height, root length, root collar diameter and dry weight were recorded
at 60 and 120 days after planting.
Results: Generally Aluminium at 100 M significantly (p0.05) enhanced growth of the seedlings
at both sites. However, aluminium at 200 M reduced seedling growth.
Conclusion: The Leucaena provenance K156 could be used in acid soils because it is tolerant.
However, more local provenances should be screened for acid tolerance
Combining Drought and Aluminum Toxicity Tolerance To Improve Sorghum Productivity
Moisture stress and aluminium toxicity in sorghum production can be
overcome by breeding for tolerance. This study was set up to determine
the response of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) genotypes to post-
anthesis drought and aluminium toxicity. Sorghum inbred P1 with stay
green drought tolerance was crossed with P2, a standard aluminium
tolerant cultivar. The parents, the first filial plants (F1) and KM-4
were tested for drought and aluminium toxicity tolerance in the field
and solution culture with 0 and \u3bcMol 148 Al3+ respectively. The
drought experiment was laid in RCBD with three replicates and split
-plot arrangement. Randomly selected plots were denied irrigation from
six weeks after emergence. There were significant (P < 0.05)
differences between treatments and accessions. Panicle weight of F1 was
outstanding and significantly different from the rest both with and
without water. F1 out performed P1, P2 and KM-4 by 95.61, 146.37 and
328.81% without water; and by 155.44, 124. 27 and 82.02% with water,
respectively. There were significant (P < 0.05) differences in the
sorghum accessions with P2, KM-4 and F1 being tolerant. These results
indicate that multiple stress tolerance can increase sorghum
productivity.Le stress hydrique et la toxicit\ue9 aluminique dans la production de
sorgho peuvent \ueatre surmont\ue9s par am\ue9lioration de la
tol\ue9rance. Cette \ue9tude \ue9tait faite dans le but de
d\ue9terminer la r\ue9ponse des g\ue9notypes du sorgho (Sorghum
bicolor L.) \ue0 la s\ue9cheresse post-anth\ue9sis et la
toxicit\ue9 aluminique. Le sorgho de lign\ue9e pure P1 dot\ue9
d'une persistence chlorophyllienne caract\ue9risant sa tol\ue9rance
\ue0 la s\ue9cheresse, \ue9tait crois\ue9 avec P2, un cultivar
de tol\ue9rance standard \ue0 l'aluminium. Les parents, les
premi\ue8res plantes filiales (F1) et KM-4 \ue9taient test\ue9s
au champs et avec une solution de culture 0 et 148 Al3+ \u3bcMol
respectivement pour tol\ue9rance \ue0 la s\ue9cheresse et \ue0
la toxicit\ue9 aluminique. Le dispositif experimental de l'essai sur
la s\ue9cheresse \ue9tait en blocs al\ue9atoires
compl\ue9tement randomis\ue9s avec trois r\ue9p\ue9titions et
un arrangement en split-plot. Les parcelles al\ue9atoirement
s\ue9lectionn\ue9es n'\ue9taitent pas arros\ue9es depuis six
semaines apr\ue8s \ue9mergence. Des diff\ue9rences significatives
(P < 0.05) \ue9taient observ\ue9es entre traitements et
accessions. Le poids des panicules de F1 \ue9tait exceptionnellement
diff\ue9rent de celui avec ou sans eau. F1 avait \ue9t\ue9 plus
performant que P1, P2 et KM-4 avec 95.61, 146.37 et 328.81 % sans eau;
et avec 155.44, 124. 27 et 82.02 % avec eau, respectivement. De
diff\ue9rences significatives (P < 0.05) \ue9taient aussi
r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9es entre les accessions de sorgho, le parent P2,
les accessions KM-4 et les plants F1 \ue9tant tol\ue9rants. Ces
r\ue9sultats indiquent que la tol\ue9rance multiple au stress peut
augmenter la productivit\ue9 du sorgho
Cell membrane integrity, callose accumulation, and root growth in aluminum-stressed sorghum seedlings
Aluminum stress usually reduces plant root growth due to the accumulation of Al in specific zones of the root apex. The
objectives of this study were to determine the localization of Al in the root apex of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moech. and its
effects on membrane integrity, callose accumulation, and root growth in selected cultivars. Seedlings were grown in a
nutrient solution containing 0, 27, or 39 μM Al3+ for 24, 48, and 120 h. The Al stress significantly reduced root growth,
especially after 48 and 120 h of exposure. A higher Al accumulation, determined by fluorescence microscopy after
staining with a Morin dye, occurred in the root extension zone of the sensitive cultivar than in the tolerant cultivar. The
membrane damage and callose accumulation were also higher in the sensitive than resistant cultivar. It was concluded
that the Al stress significantly reduced root growth through the accumulation of Al in the root extension zone, callose
accumulation, and impairment of plasma membrane integrity
Heterosis for yield and its components in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) hybrids in dry lands and sub-humid environments of East Africa
A study was conducted in 2011 and 2012 growing seasons to determine levels of heterosis and identify parents for use in sorghum hybrid production in East Africa. A total of 36 pairs of male sterile lines and 42 restorers were obtained from ICRISAT-Nairobi and used for generating 121 experimental hybrids in a line × tester mating design. The hybrids were then evaluated at Kiboko, Ukiriguru and Miwaleni locations in an alpha lattice design with three replications. Each genotype was grown in a 4 m long row at spacing of 60 cm ×50 cm. Phenotypic data were collected as per IPGRI, (1993) descriptors for sorghum on five randomly selected plants. There were significant differences among locations, crosses and male parents for all the characters studied. Female lines were highly significant for all traits except days to 50% flowering (DAF). Desired heterobeltiosis for DAF varied from -5.23 to -14% indicating of early maturing material that can escape terminal drought in rainfed agriculture, characteristic of East African cultivation system. Lowest (desired) heterobeltiosis for plant height was -53.61% with crosses ICSA15×Tegemeo and ATX623×KARI-MTAMA1most promising for this trait. Grain yield showed average heterosis and heterobeltiosis of up to 81.90% and 77.18% respectively both expressed in ICSA11×S35. The parents KARI MTAMA1, IESV91104DL, S35, BTX623, ICSB12 and ICSB11 produced hybrids that yielded high with medium height and maturity therefore could be included to develop hybrid sorghum for East Africa region
Combining ability of some sorghum lines for dry lands and sub-humid environments of East Africa
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is a major food crop grown in dry lands and sub-humid areas of East Africa. A study was conducted between 2010 to 2012 in dry lands (Miwaleni, Kiboko) and sub-humid (Ukiriguru) environments to identify parents for hybrid production. It involved 121 lines from ICRISAT and 121 hybrids developed from 36 male sterile lines and 42 restorer lines in a line × tester crossing. Experiments were planted in an alpha lattice design with three replications. Analysis revealed significant (P < 0.05) differences between parents and between crosses for yield and yield components, indicative of potentiality for exploitation. Line IESV23010 expressed best (-6.5) general combing ability (GCA) for days to 50% flowering (DAF). Highest general combiner for height was -55.4 expressed in ICSR24007 and for yield was 382.8 expressed in IESV92156DL. The crosses SDSA4×ICSR43 and SDSA4×ICSR59059 exhibited high and significant specific combining ability (SCA) for DAF. Lines IESB2 and ICSB44 were suited to sub-humid, whereas BTX623, ICSB15 and ICSB6 to dry lands environments. Testers IESV91104DL, IESV91131DL, ICSR93034 were well suited to dry lands whereas KARI-MTAMA1 and IESV23019 to sub-humid environments. The parents identified could be used to produce hybrids and varieties for the dry lands and sub-humid environments
EFFECT OF RIDGING AND INTERCROPPING ON SORGHUM PRODUCTIVITY IN ARID AND SEMI-ARID LANDS OF EASTERN KENYA
Soil moisture deficit is a key constraint to sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor
) productivity in arid and semi-arid lands globally. The objective of
this study was to determine the effect of ridging and sorghum-bean
intercropping (additive system) on soil moisture conservation and
sorghum productivity. Sorghum (gadam) was grown either as a sole crop
or intercropped with two bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties
(KATx56 and KAT B1), under two types of ridging (open ridges and tied
ridges), and a control without ridges for two years. The study was set
up in split plot arrangement, in a randomised complete block design, at
the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Kiboko, in
2019 and 2020. There was no significant interaction between ridging and
intercropping. Soil moisture content increased by 11-26% due to
ridging; and decreased by -11 and -7% due to sorghum-KAT B1 and
Sorghum-KAT X56 intercropping, respectively. Higher moisture content
due to ridging was attributed to formation of basin-like structures,
which increased water harvesting and infiltration compared to the no
ridges where surface run-off was predominant. The highest moisture
content was attained on sole bean, followed by sole sorghum and then
sorghum/bean intercropping. The decrease in moisture content in
intercrops of sorghum/bean relative to their specific sole crops was
attributed to higher crop density, which reduced crop spacing, thus
triggering competition for available soil moisture. The highest sorghum
grain and equivalent yields were obtained in the ridged plots.
Intercropping resulted into decrease in sorghum grain yield, but led to
increase in sorghum equivalent yield (SEY) and Land Equivalent Ratio
(LER). The results show that both ridging and intercropping are
suitable for higher water use efficiency and land productivity in ASALs
of Kenya.Le d\ue9ficit d\u2019humidit\ue9 du sol est une contrainte majeure
\ue0 la productivit\ue9 du sorgho (Sorghum bicolor) dans les terres
arides et semi-arides \ue0 l\u2019\ue9chelle mondiale.
L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait de d\ue9terminer
l\u2019effet du billonnage et de la culture intercalaire
sorgho-haricot (syst\ue8me additif) sur la conservation de
l\u2019humidit\ue9 du sol et la productivit\ue9 du sorgho. Le
sorgho (gadam) \ue9tait cultiv\ue9 soit en monoculture, soit en
association avec deux vari\ue9t\ue9s de haricot (Phaseolus vulgaris
L.) (KATx56 et KAT B1), sous deux types de billons (billons ouverts et
billons li\ue9s), et un t\ue9moin sans billons pendant deux
ann\ue9es. L\u2019\ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 mise en place en
parcelles divis\ue9es, dans une conception en blocs complets
randomis\ue9s, \ue0 l\u2019Organisation de recherche sur
l\u2019agriculture et l\u2019\ue9levage du Kenya, Kiboko, en 2019
et 2020. L\u2019\ue9tude n\u2019a montr\ue9 aucune interaction
significative entre le billonnage et la culture intercalaire. La teneur
en humidit\ue9 du sol a augment\ue9 de 11 \ue0 26 % en raison du
billonnage ; et diminu\ue9 de -11 et -7% en raison des cultures
intercalaires sorgho-KAT B1 et Sorgho-KAT X56, respectivement. La
teneur en humidit\ue9 plus \ue9lev\ue9e due aux cr\ueates a
\ue9t\ue9 attribu\ue9e \ue0 la formation de structures de type
bassin, ce qui a augment\ue9 la collecte et l\u2019infiltration de
l\u2019eau par rapport \ue0 l\u2019absence de cr\ueates o\uf9
le ruissellement de surface \ue9tait pr\ue9dominant. La teneur en
humidit\ue9 la plus \ue9lev\ue9e \ue9tait sur le haricot
unique, suivi du sorgho unique, puis de la culture intercalaire
sorgho/haricot. La diminution de la teneur en humidit\ue9 dans les
cultures intercalaires de sorgho/haricot par rapport \ue0 leurs
cultures uniques sp\ue9cifiques a \ue9t\ue9 attribu\ue9e \ue0
une densit\ue9 de culture plus \ue9lev\ue9e, qui a r\ue9duit
l\u2019espacement des cultures, d\ue9clenchant une comp\ue9tition
pour l\u2019humidit\ue9 disponible du sol. Les rendements les plus
\ue9lev\ue9s en grain de sorgho et en \ue9quivalent ont
\ue9t\ue9 obtenus dans les parcelles butt\ue9es. La culture
intercalaire a entra\ueen\ue9 une diminution du rendement en grains
de sorgho, mais a entra\ueen\ue9 une augmentation du rendement
\ue9quivalent en sorgho (SEY) et du rapport d\u2019\ue9quivalent
en terres (LER). Les r\ue9sultats montrent que le billonnage et la
culture intercalaire conviennent \ue0 une plus grande efficacit\ue9
de l\u2019utilisation de l\u2019eau et \ue0 la productivit\ue9
des terres dans les TASA du Kenya
Phylogenetic relationship among Kenyan sorghum germplasms based on aluminium tolerance
Eighty nine (89) sorghum lines sourced from various parts of Kenya were used to determine phylogenetic relationships based on 10 DNA fragments at AltSB loci with SbMATE, ORF9 and MITE primers. Nine lines of varying aluminium tolerance levels were selected to compare their SbMATE gene expression via the real-time PCR quantification of SbMATE gene expression. The sorghum line MSCR O2 expressed a thousandfold more SbMATEgene activity than the sensitive lines (MSCRM49, MSCRN84 and MSCRN61) under Al treatment. Analysis was done by agarose gel electrophoresis stained with ethidium bromide. The objective of this study was to assess the level of phylogenetic relationships among the Kenyan sorghum germplasms at a known Al tolerance locus. Hierarchical cluster analysis joined at 70% simple matching coefficient using average linkage similarity level produced nine groups in which 67 lines fell in three major clusters of 39, 15 and 13 lines each. The three Al tolerant lines MSCRO2, MSCRC1 and MSCRN60 were clustered together. Lines MSCRO2, MSCRC1 and MSCRN60, screened to be Al tolerant were genetically related at 70% average linkage similarity level and therefore recommend their further development as a food security measure in Kenya.Keywords: Aluminium (Al) toxicity, Sorghum bicolor, Sorghum bicolor multi-drug, toxic extrusion compound (SbMATE) gene expressionAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(22), pp. 3528-353
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