Exploring opportunities around climate-smart breeding for future food and nutrition security

There is a 95% chance that warming will exceed 2°C by the end of the century (Raftery et al. 2017). Global crop productivity is projected to fall by 5-10 % per degree of warming (Challinor et al. 2014), with even greater losses likely for some crops in some areas. The challenge of meeting future food demand is increasing, and climate change is already diminishing our ability to adapt through crop breeding (Challinor et al. 2016; Aggarwal et al. 2019). Recent research is suggesting that increases in climate variability are already affecting the number of food-insecure people, and that increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations may affect the nutrient content of some food staples, with serious implications for food and nutrition security (Smith and Myers 2018). New crop varieties will be needed that can deliver higher yields as well as possessing the ability to withstand heat and greater tolerances for the secondary effects of a warmer world, such as increased pressures from drought, water-logging, pests and diseases, and reduced nutritional quality due to higher levels of CO2. The systems for accelerated delivery of climate-resilient varieties into food producers’ hands need to be massively upgraded (Cramer 2018). Innovative holistic breeding strategies for multiple traits will be needed that embrace the full pipeline from trait discovery to varietal deployment and seed system development

Identification of new sources of resistance to RHBV- rice hoja blanca virus

With the aim to find new sources of resistance to rice hoja blanca (white leaf) disease, transmitted by the insect Tagosodes orizicolus, 660 genotypes were evaluated under greenhouse and field conditions. Seven resistant genotypes were identified, and genomic studies were performed to demonstrate that the resistance in these sources is genetically different from that of Fedearroz 2000, which is currently the variety with the most resistance to hoja blanca. These new resistance sources constitute a resource that can be used to sustainably extend hoja blanca disease management throughout all of the rice-growing regions of tropical America. This is the first report of hoja blanca resistance in indica rice and different from that of Fedearroz 2000

Relación de Burkholderia glumae con el rendimiento del cultivo del arroz en Colombia

El vaneamiento del cultivo del arroz viene causando pérdidas en la producción de Colombia. Este hecho se asocia con el reporte hecho en cultivos comerciales de arroz del Caribe Húmedo Colombiano con la enfermedad conocida como añublo bacterial de la panícula causada por la bacteria Burkholderia glumae. Se estudió la relación entre la presencia de la bacteria con la disminución en el rendimiento del cultivo

Identification of new sources of resistance to RHBV- rice hoja blanca virus

With the aim to find new sources of resistance to rice hoja blanca (white leaf) disease, transmitted by the insect Tagosodes orizicolus, 660 genotypes were evaluated under greenhouse and field conditions. Seven resistant genotypes were identified, and genomic studies were performed to demonstrate that the resistance in these sources is genetically different from that of Fedearroz 2000, which is currently the variety with the most resistance to hoja blanca. These new resistance sources constitute a resource that can be used to sustainably extend hoja blanca disease management throughout all of the rice-growing regions of tropical America. This is the first report of hoja blanca resistance in indica rice and different from that of Fedearroz 2000.Con el objetivo de encontrar nuevas fuentes de resistencia a la enfermedad de la hoja blanca del arroz, transmitida por el insecto Tagosodes orizicolus, se evaluaron 660 genotipos en condiciones de invernadero y campo. Se identificaron siete genotipos con resistencia a la enfermedad y se realizaron estudios del genoma para evidenciar que eran genéticamente diferentes a Fedearroz 2000, la variedad de mejor comportamiento ante el virus, en el momento. Estas nuevas fuentes de resistencia constituyen un recurso que puede utilizarse para extender un manejo sostenible de la enfermedad, en todas las regiones productoras de arroz en América tropical. Este es el primer reporte de fuentes de resistencia, tipo indica, diferentes a Fedearroz 2000

Mapping upland rice potential in Casamance, Senegal: Field mission report

Rice is one priority for Plan Senegal Emergent and the Senegalese Agricultural Acceleration Program (PRACAS) but irrigated rice investments are costly, not water efficient, and are concentrated in the north of Senegal. Where could rainfed rice (66% water saving) be an option for farming families in Casamance, for food security and drought resilience? This field visit and progress report presents the issue, methodology and stakeholder engagement in 2022. This upland rice activity proposes to develop crop model analytics (Target Population of Environments) to present evidence on upland rice potential/scaling pathways to farming organisations, research and extension services, food security and climate change decision bodies. The technical director of SODAGRI, the main field partner organisation and key stakeholder for Casamance agriculture programming will benefit from a PhD thesis thanks to complementary funding from the Agropolis foundation