Heat tolerance in common bean derived from interspecific crosses

Many Countries could experience unprecedented heat stress because of global climate change (Battisti and Naylor,2009). Heat sensitivity in common bean is a major limiting factor that can reduce yield, quality, and lead to restricted geographic adaptation (Beebeetal.,2011). Interspecific lines developed with crosses between P.vulgaris and P. acutifolius were evaluated for their tolerance to heat stress. Results from field and greenhouse evaluation confirmed that Phaseolus acutifolius is an important and useful genetic resource for improving heat tolerance in common bean. Results from genomic analysis indicated the introgression of P. acutifolious genes into interspecific INB line that was used as apparent for developing heat tolerant SEF lines

Quesungual slash and mulch agroforestry system (QSMAS): Improving crop water productivity, food security and resource quality in the sub-humid tropics

The knowledge and principles generated by CPWF-PN15 confirm that QSMAS can be a model production system for implementing conservation agriculture to achieve food security and sustainable development in drought-prone areas of hillsides in the sub-humid tropics, while providing ecosystem services in the face of land degradation and climate change. As an adoptable option to replace the slash and burn traditional system, QSMAS can improve smallholder livelihoods through eco-efficient use and conservation of natural resources. Participatory validation activities suggest that the conservation agriculture principles embedded in QSMAS can be readily accepted by resource- poor farmers and local authorities in similar agroecosystems

The urgent need for integrated science to fight COVID-19 pandemic and beyond

The COVID-19 pandemic has become the leading societal concern. The pandemic has shown that the public health concern is not only a medical problem, but also afects society as a whole; so, it has also become the leading scientifc concern. We discuss in this treatise the importance of bringing the world’s scientists together to fnd efective solu‑ tions for controlling the pandemic. By applying novel research frameworks, interdisciplinary collaboration promises to manage the pandemic’s consequences and prevent recurrences of similar pandemics