The potential economic impact of guinea-race sorghum hybrids in Mali: Comparing research paradigms

Rural Malians who grow dryland crops depend on sorghum as a primary food staple. Despite steady advances in sorghum research, in this risk-prone environment, achieving major gains in national sorghum yields has posed a challenge. We assess the potential economic impact of the first, Guinea-race sorghum hybrids produced and diffused using participatory plant breeding with decentralized, farmer-managed seed systems. We compare this approach to formal plant breeding with a centralized, state-managed seed system, which was the approach pursued prior to 2000. To incorporate risk, we augment the economic surplus model by applying Monte Carlo sampling to simulate distributions of model parameters. A census of sorghum varieties in 58 villages in the high-potential sorghum production zone serves as the adoption baseline. Our findings indicate that research on sorghum hybrids is a sound investment, but particularly when combined with locally-based mechanisms for disseminating seed. In part, this finding reflects the fact that despite many years of efforts aimed at liberalizing the seed sector in Mali, the sorghum seed system remains largely farmer-based

Sorghum anthracnose and sustainable management strategies in West and Central Africa

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum graminicola remains the most important foliar disease of sorghum in West and Central Africa. This paper describes the advances made in sorghum anthracnose research that has led to a better understanding of pathogenic and genotypic diversity, epidemiology and importantly disease management strategies. We further highlight how understanding pathogen diversity interplays with the major sustainable anthracnose management strategies such as the use of host plant resistance and crop residue management within the region

Participatory Approaches in Pearl Millet Breeding

It is the objective of this chapter to explore opportunities for involving farmers in the process of breeding varieties of an open-pollinated crop. We describe and discuss here the methods we used to interact with farmers and report results relevant to pearl millet breeding for Rajasthan. The description and analysis of methods and specific results of farmers participation in this breeding programme is divided into four sections corresponding to the four major stages of the cycle of any breeding programme (Schnell, 1982): evaluating varieties; selection among experimental varieties; generating new variability and segregating populations; and defining goals for the breeding programme. This will facilitate the comparison and application of these results to other situations

Cultivar mixtures: a means of exploiting morpho-developmental differences among cultivated groundnuts

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars vary greatly in maturity and growth habit. This morphological and developmental variability may provide opportunities for greater kernel and haulm yields by sowing mixtures of cultivars that interact synergistically. We used two genotypes from each of four growth-habit classes (Spanish, Valencia, Virginia bunch, and Virginia runner) to form two-cultivar (1:1) mixtures representing diverse maturity and growth-habit combinations. The mixtures, 12 in the 1983–1984 dry season, and 28 in the 1984 rainy season, were sown at three and two plant densities, respectively. Land Equivalent Ratios (ler) of mixtures showed that overcompensation was more frequent than undercompensation. The largest lers were 1.23 for pod yield, 1.29 for kernel yield, and 1.18 for haulm yield average over planting densities in the rainy season. Intersubspecific combinations that gave diversity for both maturity and growth habit exhibited synergistic interactions most frequently. However, this intergenotypic interaction was specific to the genotypes involved. Investigation of cultivar mixtures in groundnuts should focus on stability rather than maximization of yield since no mixture yield surpassed that of the highest-yielding variety

The potential economic impact of Guinea-race sorghum hybrids in Mali: A comparison of research and development paradigms

Rural Malians depend on sorghum as a staple food. Despite long-term investment in sorghum improvement, achieving major gains in sorghum yields has posed challenges. We assessed the potential economic impact of the first Guinea-race sorghum hybrids developed and diffused using participatory plant breeding with decentralised, farmer-based seed systems. We compared this approach to formal plant breeding with a centralised, state-managed seed system – the sole approach pursued in Mali prior to 2000. To incorporate risk, we augmented the economic surplus model by applying Monte Carlo sampling to simulate distributions of model parameters. A census of sorghum varieties in 58 villages of the Sudanese Savanna served as the adoption baseline. Our findings indicate that research on sorghum hybrids with the new approach is a sound investment. Public and private actors need to continue investing in innovative ways to expand the sorghum seed system. The sensitivity of results to the price elasticity of supply suggests commercialisation opportunities

Adoption of Improved Cultivars of Pearl Millet in an Arid Environment: Straw Yield and Quality Considerations in Western Rajasthan

The role of straw yield and quality in farmers' decisions about the adoption of pearl millet cultivars in western Rajasthan was examined using farm household surveys. Information on the relative importance of grain versus straw yield, the perceived risks associated with the use of new cultivars under variable climatic conditions and perceptions of straw quality indicated that improved cultivars of pearl millet were not adopted primarily because of poor grain yield in years with low rainfall, though poor straw yield in such years was also important. These results are particularly pertinent in the light of farmers' perceptions of the likelihood of experiencing drought or low rainfall. If new cultivars of pearl millet are to replace the traditional ones, they must perform better under conditions of limited rainfall

Learning from farmers to improve sorghum breeding objectives and adoption in Mali

Many efforts have been made to improve sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] varieties, but adoption of improved varieties remains low. Sorghum has diverse panicle architecture and grain qualities that vary within and between races, and utilization and adoption may depend on these traits. Recent efforts in West Africa to improve local guinea race germplasm as a base material have diversified potential options: there are breeding materials with a range of panicle types with increased grain number per panicle and a range of droopiness, as well as laxness and threshability. This study was designed to expand our understanding about sorghum grain and panicle traits that are important for farmers in the Sudan savanna zone of Mali. We combined a sorghum panicle sorting activity with qualitative interviews in Mande and Dioïla to understand farmers’ knowledge and preferences about sorghum characteristics. A total of 20 panicle sorting activities and 20 interviews were conducted with men and women sorghum producers. Based on their roles and responsibilities in sorghum production and processing, farmers associated specific panicle types, plant types, and grain traits with aspects of pest control, threshability, storage duration, and yield. Farmers preferred open panicles and droopy architecture for disease and pest control; hard grains for storage and appropriate ratios of flour and grits; high density of grain on the panicle for yield; and specific glume qualities for threshability. Breeding programs need to consider these regional preferences and gender roles to develop appropriate material and increase adoption of productive varieties

Dataset of prostate MRI annotated for anatomical zones and cancer

In the present work, we present a publicly available, expert-segmented representative dataset of 158 3.0 Tesla biparametric MRIs [1]. There is an increasing number of studies investigating prostate and prostate carcinoma segmentation using deep learning (DL) with 3D architectures [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]. The development of robust and data-driven DL models for prostate segmentation and assessment is currently limited by the availability of openly available expert-annotated datasets [8], [9], [10]. The dataset contains 3.0 Tesla MRI images of the prostate of patients with suspected prostate cancer. Patients over 50 years of age who had a 3.0 Tesla MRI scan of the prostate that met PI-RADS version 2.1 technical standards were included. All patients received a subsequent biopsy or surgery so that the MRI diagnosis could be verified/matched with the histopathologic diagnosis. For patients who had undergone multiple MRIs, the last MRI, which was less than six months before biopsy/surgery, was included. All patients were examined at a German university hospital (Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin) between 02/2016 and 01/2020. All MRI were acquired with two 3.0 Tesla MRI scanners (Siemens VIDA and Skyra, Siemens Healthineers, Erlangen, Germany). Axial T2W sequences and axial diffusion-weighted sequences (DWI) with apparent diffusion coefficient maps (ADC) were included in the data set. T2W sequences and ADC maps were annotated by two board-certified radiologists with 6 and 8 years of experience, respectively. For T2W sequences, the central gland (central zone and transitional zone) and peripheral zone were segmented. If areas of suspected prostate cancer (PIRADS score of ≥ 4) were identified on examination, they were segmented in both the T2W sequences and ADC maps. Because restricted diffusion is best seen in DWI images with high b-values, only these images were selected and all images with low b-values were discarded. Data were then anonymized and converted to NIfTI (Neuroimaging Informatics Technology Initiative) format

Participatory Evaluation of Sorghum Processing and Sensory Attributes in Mali: Methodology for Improving Food Security Outcomes from Variety Development Efforts

A requirement for the successful development of new sorghum varieties in Mali is effective evaluation of grain qualities, since sorghum is a staple food crop on which farmers rely for food security. The diversity of grain quality and social aspects that determine varietal acceptability for processing and cooking, however, make this a challenging task. As the processors of sorghum grain in households, women’s knowledge of grain quality traits can contribute to this work. Our objective is to understand opportunities to use grain quality traits to identify experimental varieties that may contribute to food security. Culinary evaluations were conducted in nine villages across two sorghum production zones. Three teams of women, one per replicate, processed, cooked and evaluated five test varieties in each village. Sensory evaluations were conducted by 25 taste testers per village. The major varietal differences observed included the decortication losses, women’s appreciation for ease of processing, and consistency of the prepared food. The participatory evaluation of the quality testing results led to the development of the concept of ‘food yield’. Discussion of these results focuses on designing cost-efficient grain and food quality evaluations that rely on women’s expertise as processors and strengthens their role in the variety development process

QTL mapping and validation of fertility restoration in West African sorghum A1 cytoplasm and identification of a potential causative mutation for Rf2

Abstract Key message Major A 1 cytoplasm fertility restoration loci, Rf 2 and Rf 5 , were found in the West African sorghum. A potential causative mutation for Rf 2 was identified. KASP markers were validated on independent material. Abstract To accelerate the identification and development of hybrid parental lines in West African (WA) sorghum, this study aimed to understand the genetics underlying the fertility restoration (Rf) in WA A1 cytoplasmic male sterility system and to develop markers for a routine use in WA breeding programs. We genotyped by sequencing three F2 populations to map the Rf quantitative trait loci (QTL), validated the molecular KASP markers developed from those QTL in two F2:3 populations, and assessed the most promising markers on a set of 95 R- and B-lines from WA breeding programs. Seven QTL were found across the three F2 populations. On chromosome SBI-05, we found a major fertility restorer locus (Rf5) for two populations with the same male parent, explaining 19 and 14% of the phenotypic variation in either population. Minor QTL were detected in these two populations on chromosomes SBI-02, SBI-03, SBI-04 and SBI-10. In the third population, we identified one major fertility restorer locus on chromosome SBI-02, Rf2, explaining 31% of the phenotypic variation. Pentatricopeptide repeat genes in the Rf2 QTL region were sequenced, and we detected in Sobic.002G057050 a missense mutation in the first exon, explaining 81% of the phenotypic variation in a F2:3 population and clearly separating B- from R-lines. The KASP marker developed from this mutation stands as a promising tool for routine use in WA breeding programs